South Africa: Government committed to supporting SEZs Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Fikile Majola on Thursday reiterated his department's commitment to enhancing support to Special Economic Zones (SEZs) which are important instruments for growing the economy. Addressing the Special Economic Zones Chief Executive Officers Forum in Kempton Park on Thursday, he emphasised that the commitment of provincial governments was crucial in ensuring that the SEZs succeed in achieving the economic objectives that national government has set for them. Where the SEZs are facing challenges but have full support of the provincial governments, they are making great progress. An example is the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) which has the total investment that has surpassed the initial pledged amount of R4.33 billion by over R200 million. The Deputy Minister said that was purely because of the support the zone was getting from the Gauteng government. Importantly, Majola said the total number of permanent jobs created by the suppliers in the zone was currently sitting at 3 098 jobs, an increase of 20% from the previous quarter. There are currently around 15 projects that are at different stages of development across the different SEZs. Significantly, these are mostly expected to be operationalised before the close of the 2023/24 financial year, thus adding to the 190 that are already operational in the 10 designated SEZs. The SEZs are important instruments to the economy. One cannot imagine the economy without these SEZs. Imagine Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality without the East London Industrial Development Zone or the Nelson Mandela Metro without the Coega SEZ. These SEZs are pillars of our economy and those that are not optimally operating are a disservice to our people, Majola said. He described the newly-designated Namakwa SEZ in the Northern Cape as a game changer. Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina also addressed the session and called on the Chief Executive Officers of SEZs to treat investments coming into their zones with care. According to Gina, they must not frustrate investors with regulatory delays and a slow pace in doing things. SEZs must represent the best environment to do business. She added that the SEZ Programme continues to attract significant numbers and value of investments in various regions. Since the introduction of the SEZs Programme, there has been an increase in the number of operational investors in these zones. There is a growing investment pipeline. The increase is largely attributed to the incentive package that has been introduced to attract investors, Gina said. She said the full impact of the failure or successes of the SEZs will reflect on the economy as a whole, because this is where the country should be seeing well-run concentrated manufacturing activities and job creation. She congratulated the Atlantis SEZ for its readiness for the construction of a 22-hectare Zone 1 which the dtic has funded. She also expressed her contentment that the SEZ was really destined to become a strategic focus for green technology industries as it has always positioned itself. The estimated cumulative rand value of SEZs-based operational investments is reported to have grown from R26 billion to R28 billion between quarter three and four of 2022/23. Similarly, the number of direct jobs that have been created during the same period have reportedly increased from 23 281 to 24 177. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-06-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The New York Times Opinion Guest Essay Narendra Modi Is Not Who America Thinks He Is June 22, 2023 by Maya Jasanoff On Thursday the White House will roll out the red carpet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to affirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and strengthen our two countries shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific. A state dinner and Mr. Modis address to a joint session of Congress will crown months of fawning assessments of India by everyone from Bill Gates to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. The message couldnt be plainer: In Cold War II with China, the United States wants India on its side. As an American of Indian origin, I welcome the economic transformations in India that in my lifetime have slashed the number of people living in extreme poverty, swelled the middle class and modernized infrastructure (though not enough to prevent a devastating train crash this month). Im glad, too, that the rising profiles of India and the diaspora in the United States have mitigated the ignorance and stereotypes I so often encountered while growing up, when people balked at the spicy food, gasped at the poverty, mixed up the Hindu religion and Hindi language, and could scarcely place India on a map. Deeper, wider awareness of India in this country is long overdue. The outreach to Mr. Modi the democratically elected leader of the worlds most populous nation, with polling favorability numbers recent American presidents can only dream of appears, superficially, to make good diplomatic sense. But here is what Americans need to know about Mr. Modis India. Armed with a sharp-edged doctrine of Hindu nationalism, Mr. Modi has presided over the nations broadest assault on democracy, civil society and minority rights in at least 40 years. He has delivered prosperity and national pride to some, and authoritarianism and repression of many others that should disturb us all. Since Mr. Modi took power in 2014, Indias once-proud claim to being a free democratic society has collapsed on many fronts. Of the 180 nations surveyed in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, India sits at 161, a scant three places above Russia. Its position on the Academic Freedom Index has nose-dived since Mr. Modi took office, putting it on a course that sharply resembles those of other electoral autocracies. The Freedom in the World index has tracked a steady erosion of Indian citizens political rights and civil liberties. On the Economist Intelligence Units Democracy Index, India has tumbled squarely into the ranks of flawed democracies. A working paper from the Indian government dismisses such metrics as perception-based. Sadly, it is no perception that the government systematically harasses its critics by raiding the offices of think tanks, NGOs and media organizations, restricting freedom of entry and exit, and pressing nuisance lawsuits most conspicuously against the opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who was recently ejected from Parliament after his conviction on a ludicrous charge of having defamed everybody named Modi. It is no perception that Muslim history has been torn from national textbooks, cities with Islamic eponyms renamed and Indias only Muslim-majority state, Jammu and Kashmir, stripped of its autonomy. Western commentators enthusing about the new India tend to breeze past such outrages as distractions from Indias economic growth and investment potential. But here too are troubling indicators. The share of women in the formal work force stands at around a paltry 20 percent and has shrunk during Mr. Modis tenure. The share of wealth held by the top 1 percent has grown since he took office and is now 40.5 percent, thanks to crony capitalism resembling the Russian oligarchys. Unemployment is rising, the cost of basic food is surging, and government investment in health care is stagnating. As for Indias readiness to partner on efforts to combat climate change one of the Biden administrations highest hopes the Indian government has cracked down on climate activists and just removed evolution and the periodic table from the curriculum for under-16-year-olds in its ongoing assault on science. The politics of Mr. Modis India are also affecting American communities, workplaces and campuses as the Indian diaspora in the United States grows. In Edison, N.J., marchers in the annual India Day parade last August drove a wheel loader, which resembles a bulldozer, bedecked with images of Mr. Modi and a far-right Indian government minister who has ordered the razing of Muslims homes and businesses, rendering such vehicles symbols of hate as provocative as a noose or a burning cross at a Klan rally. At Google, upper-caste Hindus tendentiously invoked Hinduphobia to rescind a speaking invitation to a Dalit activist, Thenmozhi Soundararajan, accusing her of hate speech. Those involved in a major academic conference criticizing Hindu nationalism were bombarded with rape and death threats. Across America there are now more than 200 chapters of the overseas arm of Indias fascist-inspired Hindu nationalist paramilitary organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or R.S.S., of which Mr. Modi is a longtime associate. The United States has a long, deplorable history of bolstering violent, authoritarian regimes including that of Indias archrival Pakistan during a war widely called genocidal in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. It has consistently overlooked human rights abuses and democratic backsliding in strategic allies including Israel and Turkey. The invitation to Mr. Modi, diplomats may say, is not intended to celebrate him or his regime but to strengthen important ties between two nations and their citizens at a critical geopolitical moment. But lets not kid ourselves. Mr. Modi who before he became prime minister was denied a visa to the United States for allegedly condoning a massacre of Muslims in 2002 has made himself the face of his nation, smiling benignly from billboards at every traffic circle, the sides of bus stops, the home pages of countless websites. We can be sure the photo-ops with Washington dignitaries will figure prominently in his re-election campaign next year. Far less certain is whether Mr. Modi will deliver the kind of strategic or economic partnership Washington is seeking. Healthier ways to engage with India begin with understanding that Mr. Modis version of India is no less skewed than Donald Trumps of the United States, even if Mr. Modi has been more successful at getting the media and global elite to buy into it. (The two leaders enthusiastically celebrated each other at stadium-filling rallies in Houston and Ahmedabad, India.) U.S. news organizations and research institutions must continue to support vital fact-finding and reporting, to counter Indian government propaganda and misinformation about everything from humanitarian abuses to Covid mortality figures. Companies seeking to do business in India should insist their partners uphold shared values and practices of nondiscrimination. Silicon Valley can do better at pushing back against Indias increasingly autocratic digital policy, to say nothing of standing up to censorship requests which Twitter notoriously failed to do with respect to a recent BBC documentary critical of Mr. Modi. U.S. legislators should pass bills to make caste a protected category and educate themselves enough to avoid the error made recently by the Illinois General Assembly when it set up an Indian American Advisory Council using terms that offensively marginalized Muslims. Employers should recognize that appeals to Hindu identity and Hinduphobia may themselves be rooted in anti-minority and casteist campaigns. Campus administrators should be prepared for efforts by Modi-aligned factions to censor the speech and research of faculty members, students and guests. Its also important to recognize the diversity in all senses of the Indian American diaspora which encompasses progressives like Pramila Jayapal and Ro Khanna and conservatives like Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy and to remember that Indian Americans are a disproportionately wealthy, well-educated subset of the broader South Asian diaspora, whose constituents have distinct needs and interests. We should hold India up as a mirror to the United States whose own abundant problems make it easy for Mr. Modis legions of supporters to accuse his critics of hypocrisy, racism and neocolonialism. Its common to look to the history of European fascism for parallels with democratic breakdown in the United States in recent years, but India offers a troubling guide to how authoritarianism can sabotage a multiethnic democracy in the internet age. Similarities abound: an out-of-touch elite, widening economic inequality, easily mobilized ethnic grievances, a changed information landscape. One especially sobering area to compare is the resilience or lack thereof of a once independent judiciary, which Mr. Modi has been angling to undercut. Like the United States, India is an extraordinary, diverse, plural democracy with incredible talent and potential and there is much, in principle, to unite these nations for the good. But as the president of one stumbling democracy joins hands with a prime minister bent on hobbling another, the project of global freedom seems one step closer to collapse. (Ms. Jasanoff is a professor of history at Harvard.) A version of this article appears in print on June 22, 2023, Section A, Page 20 of the New York edition with the headline: Modis India Isnt What It Seems. o o The Guardian India secretly works to preserve reputation after flawed democracy rating Exclusive: Democracy Index downgrades country amid backsliding under nationalist rule of Narendra Modi by Anisha Dutta Thu 22 June 2023 14.23 BST The Indian government has been secretly working to keep its reputation as the worlds largest democracy alive after being called out by researchers for serious democratic backsliding under the nationalist rule of Narendra Modi, according to internal reports seen by the Guardian. Despite publicly dismissing several global rankings that suggest the country is on a dangerous downward trajectory, officials from government ministries have been quietly assigned to monitor Indias performance, minutes from meetings show. News of the meetings comes as Modi makes a state visit to the US to hold talks with President Joe Biden and speak to Congress. According to the minutes, senior Indian officials have held at least four meetings since 2021 to discuss why the global Democracy Index, prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit, has for the past three years downgraded the worlds most populous country to a flawed democracy. Other rankings have also raised concerns. In 2021, the US-based not-for-profit Freedom House downgraded Indias status from a free democracy to a partially free democracy. Meanwhile, the V-Dem Institute, based in Sweden, classifies India as an electoral autocracy. In public, the Indian government has dismissed these rankings, arguing that Delhi did not need sermons, according to the foreign affairs minister, S Jaishankar. He accused the rankings of hypocrisy and called them self-appointed custodians of the world who find it very difficult to stomach that somebody in India is not looking for their approval. Nevertheless, behind closed doors, the response has been less self-assured and more panicked. In one meeting to assess the rankings, a senior official said: [The] prime minister was giving more importance to the Democracy Index and was keen to get improved rankings since India is the largest democratic country in the world. This, the bureaucrat added, gave utmost importance to the Democracy Index as it affected the reputation of India. Concerns have been raised as recently as February that these rankings should not be ignored as mere opinions, he said, as they could affect international business in India if the country is seen as a politically risky place to invest. But there was pushback from some parts of the government. In the meetings, the Indian home ministry, in particular, led by Amit Shah, Modis close ally and hardline Hindu nationalist, was mentioned as not fully cooperative, despite being at the centre of the issue, which has largely focused on minority rights. The official leading the meeting said that the Democracy Index focused on the stripping of Kashmirs special status, which had been held up as protecting rights in the Muslim-majority state, anti-Muslim riots in 2020, and a law that grants citizenship to non-Muslim migrants. The aforesaid issues are administratively concerned with the ministry of home affairs, which till today has not provided any information or data on the parameters and sub-parameters allocated to them, the official, a member of the legislative department, was quoted as saying at the meeting held in February. He said: Without the information and involvement of the line ministries/departments, it is difficult for the legislative department to monitor the performance of Democracy Index and to make its global ranking better. In response, an official from the home ministry said: The matter of the Democracy Index is under discussion, adding that all the reforms are theoretical in nature. Since 2015, the Economic Intelligence Unit has noted that India has experienced a deterioration in democratic norms. In its 2020 report, where it first downgraded the country to flawed democracy status, the organisation wrote: In India, democratic norms have been under pressure since 2015. Indias score fell from a peak of 7.92 in 2014 to 6.61 in 2020 and its global ranking slipped from 27th to 53rd as a result of democratic backsliding under the leadership of Narendra Modi The increasing influence of religion under the Modi premiership, whose policies have fomented anti-Muslim feeling and religious strife, has damaged the political fabric of the country. Later that year, Indian government officials discreetly approached the London-based body to use official government-approved data on its Democracy Index rankings rather than their own independent data an offer that was declined, according to Indian government documents. The Guardian has approached the Indian government with a request for comment. (CNN) TikToks chief operating officer Vanessa Pappas is leaving the company, according to an internal memo obtained by CNN, after spending several tumultuous years as its top public advocate and a champion of TikTok creators in the face of accusations the platform poses a national security risk. Pappas, who is non-binary and prefers to go by V, will continue to consult for TikTok on a private basis as a strategic advisor, according to the memo written by CEO Shou Chew and sent to employees Thursday. V. Pappas has decided to step down to refocus on their entrepreneurial passions, Chew wrote. I want to take this opportunity to thank V for their many contributions over the years. Throughout their time at TikTok, Chew added, they have been instrumental in growing the business, advocating for the company, elevating our product offerings and marketing campaigns, and fostering a positive community of creators and users. The move marks the latest high-profile departure for TikTok, which last month saw a key trust and safety executive leave the team. Pappas exit also comes at a pivotal juncture, as policymakers at every level of government have moved to ban the app over claims that US users personal information is insecure. On Thursday, Senate lawmakers made public a disclosure by TikTok acknowledging that certain business information related to TikTok content creators may be stored in China and not covered by the companys Project Texas initiative to safeguard US users app data. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, one of the lawmakers who released the disclosure, said the acknowledgment makes it crystal clear that Americans data is still exposed to Beijings draconian and pervasive spying regimes despite the claims of TikToks misleading public relations campaign. In a note to employees Thursday, Pappas wrote: I am incredibly humbled to have been able to help steer the company amid some of the industrys most unprecedented challenges. A face of TikTok at a key moment Pappas had spent more than four years at TikTok, including two years as COO and nine months as its global interim head. A former senior YouTube official, Pappas carved out a visible role at TikTok as a voice for its community and for content creators. As skepticism deepened about TikToks links to China through its parent company ByteDance, however, Pappas gradually came to represent the whole company to the wider public. They went from reassuring TikTok users and creators that the platform was here for the long run to testifying before Congress and defending the companys corporate structure to skeptical lawmakers. Pappas also tried to clarify how TikTok handles US user data, relying on nuanced, distinction-filled statements that have failed to resolve suspicions that the Chinese government may be able to access Americans personal information for spying or other purposes. Pappas stepped in as TikToks interim head in August 2020, after the companys then-CEO, the former Disney executive Kevin Mayer, quit following just three months at the helm. Pappas had to navigate an uncertain and worsening political environment in Washington, as then-President Donald Trump made attempts to ban TikTok or to force a spinoff of the company a centerpiece of his anti-China agenda. Those efforts were ultimately blocked in court, but TikTok continued to negotiate with the US government on a deal that might allow the platform to keep running in the United States. Those discussions have stretched on into the Biden administration, with no resolution in sight. Pappas profile receded somewhat in recent months as Chew became TikToks top public advocate, but Pappas remained vocal in their support for the company. After Chew spent more than five hours being grilled by House lawmakers this year, Pappas spoke out to condemn the hearing, describing it as being rooted in xenophobia. As part of Thursdays announcement, Chew said TikTok Chief of Staff Adam Presser a former executive at WarnerMedia, CNNs former parent company will become the companys head of operations, while Zenia Mucha, a former Disney communications executive, will become TikToks Chief Brand and Communications Officer, overseeing global marketing and communications. In the note to employees, Pappas expressed pride in having helped to build a platform that now reaches more than one billion people globally. My north star throughout it all was to uphold what I refer to as the last sunny spot on the internet, to build a platform for positive expression that celebrates diverse voices, Pappas said. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Top TikTok exec and public face of company in US is stepping down." A male bison roams Elk Island National Park near Edmonton, Canada. Sixteen bison relocated from the biosphere reserve to Banff six years ago have greatly multiplied (Geoff Robins) Wild bison that once numbered in the tens of millions in North America before being hunted almost to extinction are once again thriving in a pocket of western Canada. Appearing from a distance as specks against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, these animals are also restoring balance at the top of a fragile ecosystem. North America's largest land mammal -- growing to 900 kilograms (2,000 pounds) and 1.8 meters (six feet) high at the shoulders -- suffered a dramatic decline in late 19th century due to hunting and habitat loss as settlers pushed westward. They were reintroduced to what is now Banff National Park in 2017. "The moment the bison set foot on that landscape, it felt to me that I brought them home," says Wes Olson, who accompanied the first 16 bison to be released there. Transferred by helicopter from a biosphere reserve near Edmonton, Alberta, the population has exploded and new births are expected to push their numbers to 100 by year's end. A Parks Canada report published this week concluded that the reintroduction was a success, and it suggested that due to their robust growth rate, this bison subpopulation -- one of only five that occupy a mere 0.5 percent of their original range in North America -- may no longer be considered endangered within a decade. As soon as they arrived, Olson says, the ancient ecosystem was suddenly reactivated and the bison appeared to feel right at home, while other forest creatures quickly and "intrinsically" reestablished a symbiotic relationship. Squirrels with puffy cheeks can be seen busily collecting hairs shed by the burly beasts, says the 69-year-old former park warden. One hundreds species of insects colonize its nutrient-rich dung. Birds also get in on the action. They take turns sitting on bisons' backs and plucking bits of fur to make nests, as well as bugs or seeds trapped in it to eat. Warmer and more comfortable fur-lined nests lead to better outcomes for the chicks. - Great Plains 'landscape engineers' - A "keystone species" of the Great Plains, a broad expanse of flatlands that stretch across 13 Canadian provinces and US states, from Alberta to Texas, wild bison, by way of their grazing, have shaped this environment. These "landscape engineers" are on the move as they graze rather than focus on the same patch of land, with their role somewhat like that of elephants in Africa, explains Marie-Eve Marchand of the International Buffalo Relations Institute. And with herds mobile like that, grasslands are able to regenerate and better store carbon and water, according to a study by the University of Alberta. Other studies also found that the presence of bison makes them more resilient to drought. Between 30 and 60 million bison once roamed North America. At the end of the 19th century, there were only a few hundred left. Their decline had a devastating impact also on Indigenous tribes that relied on the animals for food, as well as clothing, shelter and religious worship. Their return to Banff, an ancestral gathering place of local tribes, has helped revive "parts of our language, culture and deep, deep spirituality that the first peoples of this place had with the land," says Marchand. - Indigenous future includes bison - "At one point," says Violet Meguinis of the Tsuut'ina First Nation of southern Alberta, "bison was our main source of food." "Bringing them back and releasing them in the wild is significant for us," she says. Several Indigenous communities have been working in recent years to reintroduce bison to their ancestral lands and are eager to do more, including the Tsuut'ina, which started by raising a domestic herd of 400 bison about 100 kilometers (60 miles) east of Banff. Clayton Whitney has cared for the animals for eight years, helping to "bring them back from extinction," work that he considers to be a privilege given how important bison are to the community. The tribe comes together to butcher a few each year for their meat and hides as their ancestors did, while the simple act of moving the herd from paddock to paddock to mimic their movements in the wild has stirred growth of plants used for Indigenous traditional medicines, he says. The entire community takes part in the ritual slaughter, with elders passing on their knowledge of how to properly skin the animal, and leave none of it to waste. "We depend on (the bison) as much as it depends on us," says Meguinis. "We want this land to be there for them, we want the bison to be here because then that preserves our own future," she sums up. maw/amc/dw A Starbucks patron has accused the stores baristas of making some negative comments about the name she used to order her drinks through the mobile app. In a TikTok video, a user named @richblackwomantv said she placed an order under her channel name Rich Black Woman at a Starbucks in Goldsboro, North Carolina. While sitting in front of the barista and waiting for her mobile order, she said she overheard the barista say that she cant wait to see who this is that comes in here to get this. @richblackowmantv added that she continued to wait for her drink to be made. When a separate barista placed the drink on the counter, that is when the TikTok influencer spoke up. I said, Its OK to say Black Woman, and you shouldve seen them freeze. Everybody froze, she said. I said to them, You never know who is ordering from the app right in the store.' She added that she remained in the Starbucks for another hour and a half. After finishing her drink and returning to the counter to question the barista about who her manager was, she discovered that the manager had taken part in the joking. I asked that so that I can 100% confirm that the manager was participating in this behavior. Disgusting. Thank God I learned how to make my chai at home, huh? she added. Users took to the videos comments to applaud @richblackwomantv for speaking up and sharing her frustrations about the baristas joking about her name. Many responders added that the baristas should not have been talking about patrons while on the job. In a follow-up post, @richblackwomantv shared that she did get in touch with a Starbucks rep after complaining about her experience. But the resolution was to only give her a $10 gift card. She added that she has since deleted her Starbucks app. The post Black Woman Says Starbucks Employees Joked About Name on Drink Order appeared first on 21Ninety. Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador, a former Republican congressman, helped draft the states new firing squad execution law that took effect July 1. (Darin Oswald/doswald@idahostatesman.com) Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador has filed a lawsuit alleging that the Idaho State Board of Education violated the states open meetings law when it discussed the University of Idahos plans to acquire the University of Phoenix in secret proceedings. Idahos land grant university revealed its intent to buy the school through a not-for-profit of its creation, now called Four Three Education, in a $550 million bid disclosed to the public on May 17. The State Board unanimously voted to approve the deal at a special meeting a day later, with nearly no public input or debate. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in District Court in Ada County by Labrador and Idaho Solicitor General Theodore Wold, said the State Board considered the acquisition in closed executive sessions, shielding the transaction from public scrutiny until the day it was approved. U of I was first approached by the University of Phoenix about the potential acquisition in March, according to U of I President Scott Green. The State Board subsequently held three meetings in executive session on March 22, April 25 and May 15 to talk about the purchase, meaning the discussions were not open to the public. Green said a very strict nondisclosure agreement prevented university leadership from publicly disclosing the bid. In the lawsuit, Labrador alleges that the university and State Board broke the law by finalizing the half-billion-dollar purchase agreement in those closed sessions. Idahos open meetings law requires, with some exceptions, that all meetings of a governing body of a public agency shall be open to the public. The State Board had cited an exemption to consider preliminary negotiations involving matters of trade or commerce in which the governing body is in competition with governing bodies in other states or nations. But in the lawsuit, Labrador noted that U of Is decision to buy the University of Phoenix came months after the University of Arkansas System board of trustees voted to reject a similar measure to acquire the online school, as Inside Higher Ed reported in April. The May 18, 2023, vote was an illegal pro forma meeting to ratify a half-billion-dollar agreement whose terms were discussed and established outside of public view in direct contravention of Idahos Open Meeting Law, the lawsuit states. The State Board said in an email to the Idaho Statesman on Friday morning that it had not seen the legal complaint and had not been served. The board also said it does not comment on pending legal matters. A spokesperson for U of I told the Statesman the university does not comment on pending litigation. The Idaho Attorney Generals Office said in an emailed statement that Labrador will do whatever is necessary to ensure the State Board and U of I comply with state laws around transparency. It said in its review of the closed sessions, it does not believe the parties satisfied the requirements of Idahos open meetings law. A number of people have raised concerns about the legality and transparency of the University of Idahos purchase of the University of Phoenix, the statement read. If a violation occurred, our office will work with (the State Board) to ensure any breach is cured. An open and honest government is fundamental to a free society. The University of Phoenix has about 85,000 students, according to an FAQ page about the acquisition on U of Is website. More than 600 students in Idaho are enrolled in the school. Green has said the sale will diversify revenue streams and improve access to higher education for working adults in the state. But hes also acknowledged the deal poses reputational issues. At the State Board meeting where the bid was approved, Green tried to rebuff worries about damage the deal could cause to U of Is standing. He said the university did its due diligence. The University of Phoenix is a for-profit online school with a tainted history. In 2019, the school had a lawsuit settlement over deceptive advertising that totaled $191 million. The college once enrolled over 450,000 students and had physical locations across the country, including in Meridian, but those have mostly shuttered as the school faced sharp declines in enrollment. According to a U.S. Department of Education scorecard, the University of Phoenix has a graduation rate of just 27%, roughly half the national average. The lawsuit filed by Labrador was first reported Thursday by the Idaho Press. University of Idaho needed State Board OK to acquire U of Phoenix. See what it decided U of I changes name of entity formed to buy University of Phoenix. Already? Heres why The peoples lawyer? Raul Labrador term marked by conflict with officials, employees Boater escapes damaged raft only to be stranded on iceberg, New Zealand officials say A boater needed a rescue after he was stranded on an iceberg in a New Zealand lake, officials told media outlets. The man was in an inflatable boat on Tasman Lake on the evening of June 23, police told the Otago Daily Times. His boat became damaged, prompting him to seek refuge on an iceberg, officials said. While stranded on the iceberg, the hiker managed to call for help on his phone, reported Stuff, a New Zealand news outlet. The man waited for rescuers in freezing temperatures, the outlet reported. Rescuers reached the man and brought him to safety a few hours later, officials told 1 News. Other than being cold, the man does not appear to have any injuries, police told the Otago Daily Times. Winter in the Southern Hemisphere is from June to August. Tasman Lake is in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, a glacial area on New Zealands South Island and about 470 miles southwest of Wellington. Deputy carries badly dehydrated dog in rescue of stranded hikers, California cops say Hiker, 2 dogs found stranded on 200-foot bluff over beach, California firefighters say Beachgoer caught in rip current dies after race to rescue him and 2 kids, NC crews say Raymond Mattia had tossed a sheathed machete in front of a Tohono Oodham Nation Police Department officer as Border Patrol agents and a police officer approached and moments before he was shot and killed. A cellphone and its case could be seen lying on the ground near Mattia after he was shot. Agents repeatedly asked if anyone found a firearm on Mattia as they were searching and handcuffing him. U.S. Customs and Border Protection released body camera footage on Thursday of the fatal May 18 Border Patrol shooting of a member of the Tohono Oodham Nation. The video release comes more than a month after three agents from the Ajo Border Patrol Station shot and killed Mattia, 58, outside of his home in the Menagers Dam Village of the Tohono O'odham Nation. Agents shot Mattia several times after he took his hand out of his jacket pocket while he was holding something. Raymond Mattia, 58, is pictured. Mattia was shot and killed by three Border Patrol agents outside of his house on May 18, 2023. Agents told Mattia to get his hands out of his pockets before they began shooting. Agents shot Mattia through and over a rudimentary fence made out of sticks and barbed wire, which separated the agents from Mattia and his house behind him. One agent said Mattia still had a gun in his hand as they approached him lying face down on the ground. Moans could be heard coming from Mattia in the video after he was shot. Agents repeatedly yelled at Mattia to put his hands out even as he didnt appear to be moving. Put your hands out, bro. Youre gonna get shot again, one agent yelled at Mattia in the video as he was approaching him. What we know: Border Patrol fatally shoots Tohono O'odham man The footage released shows video from four agent-worn body cameras despite the shooting being captured by 10 total cameras. Enrique Macias, a nephew of Raymond Mattia, a Tohono O'odham Nation member who was killed in a Border Patrol shooting, gathers outside of the Ajo Border Patrol Station in protest of the actions that led to his uncles death. It remains unclear exactly how many times Mattia was shot. A Border Patrol agent in the video estimates that Matia was shot four to five times as the agent is on the phone with medical personnel. CBP did not clarify how many times Mattia was shot when reached for comment on Thursday. The agency had no further comment on the videos release. Mattias sister, Annette Mattia, previously told The Arizona Republic that she had spoken to her brother on the phone seconds before she heard the gunfire. Migrants had come to Mattias door earlier in the day and he eventually called the authorities, though it wasnt clear if he called Border Patrol, according to Annette Mattia. Kevin Mattia (right) and Enrique Macias, both nephews of Raymond Mattia, and Annette Mattias, Raymond's sister, gather outside of the Ajo Border Patrol Station in protest of the actions of the agency that led to his death. Raymond Mattia, a Tohono O'odham Nation member, was killed on May 18, 2023, near Ajo, Arizona. Annette Mattia, who lived next door to Raymond Mattia, told her brother that Border Patrol agents were heading to his yard after they arrived. (Raymond Mattia) calmly said, OK, I'll go talk to them, and then two seconds later, that's when I heard all the gunfire, Annette Mattia said. Someone did say Raymond, and then someone said, 'Get my bag,' and immediately we knew it was him. Before he took his hand from his pocket, Raymond Mattia had lobbed a sheathed machete toward a Tohono Oodham Nation Police Department officer as the agents and officer walked toward him. 'My baby brother': Family of Tohono O'odham man speaks out after Border Patrol shooting The machete, which was still in a black sheathe, landed at the officers feet. Vivian Leigh Manuel joins people gathered outside of the Ajo Border Patrol Station to protest the fatal Border Patrol shooting of Raymond Mattia, a Tohono O'odham Nation member who was killed on May 18, 2023, near Ajo, Arizona. Agents said Mattia was still breathing and that he had a faint pulse in the video. The Tohono Oodham Nation Police Department had requested assistance from the Border Patrol to respond to a shots fired call west of the Menagers Dam Village, which is about a mile north of the U.S.-Mexico border. During the call with the Border Patrol, a police dispatcher relayed that a threat was made against a woman from a man she had a restraining order against. The dispatcher said the man lived on the west side of the recreation center. 'We want justice': Family, friends of Tohono O'odham man protest Border Patrol killing The man allegedly reported that the woman, who was his ex-girlfriend, and her mom were shot the day prior, according to the video. The ex-girlfriend reported that she kept hearing shots fired nearby. Enrique Macias, a nephew of Raymond Mattia, a Tohono O'odham Nation member who was killed in a Border Patrol shooting, gathers outside of the Ajo Border Patrol Station in protest of the actions that led to his uncles death. People from the village reportedly called the ex-girlfriend to check in on her, the dispatcher said. The ex-girlfriend reported that the man does own a rifle. Nobody could pinpoint where the shots fired came from, the dispatcher added. The Police Department asked agents to meet at the local recreation center prior to responding to the call. Several agents responded to the request for assistance. People gather outside of the Ajo Border Patrol Station to protest the fatal Border Patrol shooting of Raymond Mattia, a Tohono O'odham Nation member who was killed on May 18, 2023, near Ajo, Arizona. During the meeting at the recreation center, the agents and officer said that the man they were looking for had access to a couple of rifles, according to the video. The police officer in the video said that it would be a guessing game trying to find the mans house. An agent can be seen taking a rifle out of a Border Patrol truck in the video and putting it across his body. People gather outside of the Ajo Border Patrol Station to protest the fatal Border Patrol shooting of Raymond Mattia, a Tohono O'odham Nation member who was killed on May 18, 2023, near Ajo, Arizona. The police officer could be seen showing the agents where the mans house was in relation to their location. The officer said that the mans brothers house was nearby, too. Accountability: Border Patrol shooting of Tohono O'odham man outside his home renews questions of accountability Before the agents and officer left, one person can be heard commenting on how dark it was outside. Agents followed the officer to the home in their government vehicles for about two minutes. The officer and agents arrived and parked their vehicles near Mattias home at 9:35 p.m. They spread out while searching for a man, according to CBP. The video shows the extremely dark night that was only illuminated by flashlights. Agents first went to a house near their cars and waited outside before one agent noticed something move in the brush nearby. As the agent went to investigate the movement, someone could be heard yelling, Police. Who is that? a law enforcement official asked in the video. Come here with your hands up. It was unclear if the speaker was an agent or an officer. People gather outside of the Ajo Border Patrol Station to protest the fatal Border Patrol shooting of Raymond Mattia, a Tohono O'odham Nation member who was killed on May 18, 2023, near Ajo, Arizona. The agents and officer came together outside of a different house where they encountered Mattia at 9:39 p.m. outside of the home, about 103 meters northwest of their parked vehicles. Agents and officers told Mattia to put the machete down and to put his hands up. Mattia tossed the machete toward the officer and it landed in front of his feet. Mattia appears to reach into his jacket pocket before agents and officers begin yelling at him to take his hand out of his pocket. People gather outside of the Ajo Border Patrol Station to protest the fatal Border Patrol shooting of Raymond Mattia, a Tohono O'odham Nation member who was killed on May 18, 2023, near Ajo, Arizona. Mattia took his hand out of his pocket before agents shot him multiple times, the video showed. Agents administered CPR to Mattia after they couldnt detect a pulse and requested air life medical evacuation. However, because of inclement weather, air life evacuation was not available. Mattia was pronounced dead at 10:06 p.m. Have a news tip or story idea about the border and its communities? Contact the reporter at josecastaneda@arizonarepublic.com or connect with him on Twitter @joseicastaneda. OFFER FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS: $1 per month for 12 months of access to azcentral.com. Subscribe at azcentral.com/NewsSale. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Bodycam video released in fatal shooting of Tohono O'odham man FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., accused her 2024 Democrat opponent of choosing "to fundraise off the killing of innocent babies" after a campaign email touted his family members' long history in the abortion industry. Adam Frisch, the Democrat vying for the Republican-held Colorado seat next cycle, sent an email blast Saturday, highlighting that members of his family were abortion doctors and labeling Boebert's pro-life position as "extreme." Adam's father, Melvin Frisch, has a decades-long history of work in the abortion industry dating back to the early 1970s, when he served in the Public Health Service on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in northeastern Montana. Frisch said in the fundraising email that his abortionist father who in 1982 published an analysis arguing that dilation and evacuation abortions were safe to perform after 13 weeks of pregnancy "really shaped how I think about the issue." REP BOEBERT SAYS SHE WILL USE PRIVILEGED MOTION TO BRING IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES AGAINST BIDEN Democrat House candidate Adam Frisch was defeated by Republican Lauren Boebert in the 2022 midterms. According to the Foundations of Life Pregnancy Center, dilation and evacuation abortions usually occur within the 13th to 24th week of pregnancy, but the "fetus is too large to be broken up by suction alone and will not pass through the suction tubing." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The center describes how after "the cervix is stretched open, the doctor pulls out the fetal parts with forceps. The fetus skull is crushed to ease removal. A sharp tool (called a curette) is also used to scrape out the contents of the uterus, removing any remaining tissue." COLORADO DEMS VOTE AGAINST HARSHER PENALTIES FOR INDECENT EXPOSURE TO KIDS BECAUSE IT COULD BAN DRAG SHOWS Rep. Lauren Boebert told Fox News Digital that abortion is the "Frisch family business." Melvin Frisch was also medical director of Planned Parenthood Arizona, which his congressional candidate son said "helped train the next generation of health care providers at Planned Parenthood," according to the email. Frisch noted in the email how he is excited that his OB-GYN sister, Hope Frisch, is continuing his father's "legacy" in the field. Frisch's father was the medical director of Planned Parenthood Arizona. "My opponent, Lauren Boebert, wants you to think that women having the freedom to make their own medical decisions is some extreme idea. Its not," Frisch said of his pro-life contender. Boebert has a history of siding with pro-life legislation in Congress, most recently introducing the Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2023 in January to place a one-year moratorium on federal funds given to Planned Parenthood. "Abortion is the Frisch family business," Boebert told Fox News Digital in an exclusive statement. "Abortions paid for Adam's privileged childhood and private schooling, and abortionists help fund his campaign." "It's disgusting Adam Frisch chooses to fundraise off the killing of innocent babies, but everyone needs to understand for Adam, abortions mean lining his family's pockets and filling his campaign coffers," the congresswoman said, hitting back at the Democrat's email. Frisch's campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. depressed woman and post on LinkedIn The theory on what makes a good employee differs from one person to the next. Some people want employees who take initiative, while others want workers who simply take orders without question. But one mans hypothesis on what constitutes a "good" employee is raising eyebrows on the r/LinkedInLunatics subreddit. A man named Bux Khurana, who, according to his LinkedIn profile, was born into one of the worlds few and oldest native families in the crypto industry, shared a post on his LinkedIn that he claimed would help startups get the best results when it came to who they hired. Then, he dropped a bombshell, saying, Secret 24: A depressed employee is a good employee. Khurana was sure to point out that he is not an advisor, so his words shouldnt be construed as such. Instead, he said that the secret he was about to share was what was currently being done in the industry. RELATED: CEO Tells Employees Complaining About Canceled Bonuses To 'Leave Pity City' After She Got $4M In Bonuses Last Year The boss said that startup founders make the mistake of hiring ambitious, proactive, entrepreneurial people like themselves. boss says that a depressed employee is a good employee Photo: Reddit / LinkedIn The mistake startup founders make is that they hire employees similar to themselves. Ambition, proactiveness, reputation are TOXIC traits for an early-stage startup, he said. Khurana then explained his reasoning. He pointed out that it costs money to hire and train a new employee and that employers typically only break even after an employee has worked at their company for a year. If you know anything about the startups, you are well aware that people dont stick around long, so according to Khurana, a year on the job is a stretch. You would much rather have an employee produce 40% of the output but stay for a year than have someone produce 100% output but leave within a few months, he suggested. RELATED: Man Changes His LinkedIn Status To 'Open To Work' So His Job Hires A Replacement Behind His Back & Fires Him He said depressed employees are preferred because they depend on their employer. Unlike employees who have an entrepreneurial spirit, Khurana believes that depressed employees are somewhat trapped in their jobs. They fear losing the salary and, according to him, it becomes an addiction, similar to drugs. That dependence has then in such a tight chokehold that they dont even consider quitting their job and moving on. boss says depressed employees are good employees on linkedin post Photo: Kite_rin / Shutterstock On the other hand, he says that startup founders who hire candidates who are ambitious and entrepreneurial are taking a massive risk and the odds are not in their favor. This is one of the startup secrets he shares in his upcoming e-book. RELATED: CEO Pens LinkedIn Post Telling Employers To 'Never Hire Anyone That's Looking For Work-Life Balance' But startups actually need ambitious talent. Before we get into what makes a startup successful, lets point out that it actually takes six months on average to recoup hiring and training costs associated with new employees. In the startup environment, the average tenure is about two years, so most companies do break even pretty early on in the employer-employee relationship. With that said, it is vital that new businesses have ambitious workers to push their agenda forward. People you bring onto your team have to be inspired by your vision and align with it, able to take initiative and "see" your blind spots, be competitive, and have confidence and thick skin. Those traits are typically found in highly ambitious people. It is a given that once an employee feels they have given all they could for your organization, they will move on and thats okay. As a founder, your role is to give space for people to reach their highest potential, so you get maximum return. If they have done that in your organization, you encourage their growth and upward mobility. Employees move on. Its part of life. Maintain good relationships with former employees so they are willing to hop on board when you come up with your next brilliant business venture. RELATED: A Man Was Fired On The Spot After Giving His 2-Week NoticeHe Thanked Them For The Vacation By Returning Belongings In A Hawaiian Shirt Good mental and emotional health for your employees is key to the success of your business. Eighty-seven percent of startup workers say that working there has negatively impacted their mental health. So, even those that come into these organizations in a good mental state leave in a worse position due to the lack of support and non-existent work-life balance, the fast pace, the focus on personal achievement, the high expectations, and the competitive nature. boss says depressed employees are good employees on linkedin post Photo: FS Stock / Shutterstock Contrary to what Khurana believes, a workforce who is facing mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety will have increased burnout, will be disengaged, and will be much more likely to leave than a person who is of sound mind. Helping to build a business from the ground up requires employees who are innovative and creative. People do their best work when they are supported, challenged, respected, and mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy. Using an employees mental health struggles to trap them at your company is not only unethical. Its gross and it says a lot about who you are as a person. RELATED: Manager Loses It & Threatens To Fire Employee After They Refuse To Come In And Work On Their Day Off NyRee Ausler is a writer and author from Seattle, Washington. She covers issues navigating the workplace using the experience garnered over two decades of working in Human Resources and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This article originally appeared on YourTango Boy accused in Lamar High killing alleged he was raped, will be tried in juvenile court The case of a 15-year-old boy who is accused of capital murder in the shooting death of another student on steps outside Lamar High School in Arlington will be heard at an August trial by a jury in juvenile court after a judge on Friday denied a petition prosecutors filed seeking its transfer to an adult criminal court. A spray of shotgun pellets missed all but two of about 20 seated youths who were waiting early on March 20 for the school doors to be unlocked or for buses to deliver them elsewhere on the first day of classes following a spring break recess. After he was taken into custody, the teenager who authorities allege was the shooter told a juvenile services employee that he fired upon the victims when he saw a person who appeared to look like a boy who in October raped him inside a bathroom at the school, Tarrant County Assistant Criminal District Attorney Lloyd Whelchel said at a hearing on Friday at which Judge Alex Kim considered testimony, exhibits and arguments to determine whether to certify the accused as an adult. For detectives, the accused identified as the assailants in his rape two boys whose photos he reviewed in a school yearbook. In his closing argument, Whelchel told Kim the sexual assault accusation was false and concocted by the suspect in an attempt to justify what the prosecutor said is the most heinous of offenses, a capital murder. Earlier in the hearing, Whelchel asked Arlington police homicide unit Detective Krystallyne Robinson whether Jashawn Poirier, who died when buckshot severed the 16-year-olds brain stem, had sexually assaulted the suspect in his killing. No, sir, the detective testified. Indeed, Robinson said, there is no indication the respondent, as the accused is known in juvenile legal matters, knew Poirier, who moved to Arlington from Michigan at the beginning of the school year. A law enforcement records trace showed the boy authorities allege was the shooter purchased a Mossberg model 500 12-gauge shotgun, according to a document known as a factual resume filed in U.S. District Court in connection with the May 17 guilty plea of the accuseds father to firearm possession by a prohibited person. Later on the day of the homicide, Arlington police executed a state search warrant at an apartment in Arlington where the respondent lived with his father. Inside, officers said they found a revolver, a pistol, a rifle, documents connected to the shotgun and a lock for it. Robinson testified she believes on the day of the homicide the accused shooter likely walked less than a mile from the apartment to the school. He had a backpack holding the pistol-grip shotgun and no books, which the detective testified suggested that his intention wasnt to attend school that day. Rather, the detective suggested, he was there to shoot. Two surveillance video recordings of the east side of the school were played during the hearing. At Kims direction and defense counsel urging, a screen on which the images were displayed was turned so that it was visible to Kim, Robinson and prosecutors and defense attorneys, but not to people in the gallery. Robinson narrated parts of the recordings. When the suspect turned a corner, he held the shotgun, the detective testified. He did not remove the weapon from the backpack upon seeing someone he recognized. He fired twice, just before 7 a.m. A 16-year-old girl testified that her position and a still-dark sky did not allow her to see the person who fired upon the crowd. She moved to hide with others behind a pillar and discovered she had been shot. Shrapnel went so deep into my cheek it could not be removed at the time of my surgery, so it is still inside my face, the girl testified. A memorial was held at Lamar High School on Friday, April 28, 2023, honoring Jashawn Poirier. He was fatally shot outside of the school on March 20, 2023. The teenager accused in the homicide was taken into custody in the minutes after the shooting. Kim has ordered that he be held at a juvenile detention facility. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram does not publish the names of youths accused of offenses as juveniles. Whelchel argued the teenager is not a strong candidate for rehabilitation because he has at times refused to come out of his room while he has been in juvenile detention. Before the shooting, a problem with his hair led the accused to send a text message to a friend in which he wrote, Im so mad I could kill a random person, Whelchel told Kim. He was angry about his suspension from school before spring break. The accused is evil, the prosecutor said. With Whelchel, Tarrant County Assistant Criminal District Attorney Lee Sorrells is prosecuting the respondent. Had the youth accused in the homicide been prosecuted on capital murder as an adult, he could have been been sentenced by a jury to life in prison and become eligible for parole after serving 40 years. If the boy is found delinquent in juvenile court, Kim will determine a sentence. Its maximum is 40 years. At a transfer hearing just before the accused is 19, the judge would rule on whether he would continue his sentence at an adult prison or under parole supervision. Defense attorneys argued that the juvenile court should retain its jurisdiction and spent much of their presentation describing life in adult prison and youth detention. The accused shooter is represented by Lisa Herrick, Frank Adler and Audrey Hatcher. The defense displayed photos of the razor wire-topped fence at the high-security Gainesville State School, the facility where because of its capital and serious violent offender treatment offerings, the respondent would likely be assigned if he is found delinquent. Is it a prison prison? Adler asked witness Evan Norton, the Texas Juvenile Justice Departments senior director of integrated treatment and intervention services. Norton, a psychologist, replied that the juvenile facility is similar. The defense appeared to ask witnesses to describe the Gainesville facility in order to assuage Kims concern, if he had one, that residents found delinquent of extreme violence stroll there unsupervised. In her opening statement, Herrick said her client had an IQ of 74, but had not received special education services, according to psychological evaluation report. He was never previously accused of an offense. Prosecutors offered evidence to indicate the respondents sexual assault allegation is spurious. Detectives found the sexual assault assailants that the capital murder respondent identified had school schedules that required they be outside the section of the school where the respondent said the offense occurred. Caleb Blank, a district attorneys office investigator, testified that in a telephone interview, the accuseds mother questioned whether her sons sexual assault report was valid. His mother, who lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, holds that conclusion because she did not note a change in her sons demeanor or behavior at or after the date on which he later alleged the sex crime occurred. She has not traveled to Fort Worth to visit her son because she believes he will decline to see her, Blank testified. The boy has not called his mother since he was taken into custody. The accused boy did not report a sexual assault to an educator at the school, law enforcement, relatives or friends. He shared the account only after he was in juvenile detention in connection with the killing, Whelchel noted. Texas Family Code directs the court to consider four elements when determining whether to retain jurisdiction or transfer a case to adult criminal court. The factors are whether the alleged offense was against a person or property; the sophistication and maturity of the child; the record and previous history of the child; and the prospects of adequate protection of the public and the likelihood of the rehabilitation of the child by use of procedures, services, and facilities currently available to the juvenile court. At a June 2 detention hearing in the case, Kim suggested he might close the courtroom during the certification hearing if he found closure was in the best interest of the accused child. A statute compels open court proceedings in cases involving youths 14 and older unless a judge for good cause shown, determines that the public should be excluded. Kim told attorneys he was concerned about the prospect of tainting the juror pool by exposing it to press coverage of the case. The judge decided to keep the courtroom open. He requested that journalists not publish clear images of the respondent or juvenile witnesses or the names of juvenile witnesses. Kim said he issued an order prohibiting people in the court gallery from possessing cellphones in part to prevent someone from live-streaming the hearing. A camera recorded it for television news broadcast. Rose Anna Salinas, chief of the criminal division at the district attorneys office, observed part of the hearing from the gallerys front row. The state and defense stipulated that there is probable cause to believe the respondent committed the offense. Kim limited the state and defense each to two hours of evidence presentation. The trial, in 323rd District Court in Tarrant County, is scheduled to begin on Aug. 21. Kim will preside. Be ready to have backup plans from time to time this weekend as we see scattered showers and a storm or two. It will be a warm and muggy weekend. High temperatures will push into the upper 70s Saturday and reach the mid-80s by Sunday. TRACK THE RAIN HERE USING OUR INTERACTIVE RADAR There will be spotty showers and a storm or two this weekend, but the bulk of the daylight hours will be dry. Just be ready to head indoors if you hear thunder. Sunday is the pick day of the weekend with only a stray afternoon shower or storm and highs in the 80s. Stay with Severe Weather Team 11 throughout the weekend. Download the WPXI Weather App to stay aware of changing weather conditions. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Missing Titanic tourist sub: Titan suffered catastrophic implosion, killing 5 onboard More than 20 suspected drug dealers behind bars after FBI sweep in Pittsburgh Washington County hairstylist charged for allegedly running prostitution business appears in court VIDEO: Video shows police questioning woman accused of killing estranged husband, wrapping his body in plastic DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 23) A Civil Aeronautics Board Executive (CAB) executive said it is time to reimpose a limit on the overbooking of airline companies following thousands of complaints from passengers regarding alleged canceled bookings, and offloading, among others. CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla told CNN Philippines The Source on Friday that he is recommending an overbooking cap of 5%-10% because from experience, airlines "would not overbook to the limit and according to experts, the airlines overbook between 2-5%. Overbooking is a global practice of airlines to ensure they will fly without an empty seat to optimize revenue in case passengers do not show up during flight schedule or would suddenly cancel their flight, Arcilla said. There is a 2%-5% range being followed across the world, he noted. In the Philippines, the 10% limit was removed after the Air Passenger Bill of Rights was issued in 2012, he said. According to Arcilla, authorities at that time believed that the cap was not needed since a compensation package was provided in the bill of rights. It would be counterintuitive if, of course there is a requirement for compensation, it is counterintuitive for an airline to say I will overbook 20% because you will end up at the boarding date with 20% people complaining and you have to compensate for them, he also pointed out. Arcilla said different times may require different policies. Reimposing a cap, along with the existing policies on compensation, will make sure that air travelers have enough protection. Even with this, I call it counterweight of compensation, if you have a cap and then you have a counterweight of compensation, then you have two safety valves so to speak, he said. Asked about Arcillas statement, Cebu Pacific director for Corporate Communications Carmina Romero said That is subject to further review and discussions. CNN Philippines also asked for comment from AirAsia and Philippine Airlines, but they have yet to respond. Meanwhile, Arcilla also said that he supports passing a legislation that will strengthen the policies for the protection of air passengers, as well as the role of the CAB. At this point, passenger protection in the airline industry is contained in an administrative order. Also, the charter of the CAB as an administrative agency is pretty limited, he said. We are hamstrung in terms of being able to really go out of our way towards protecting passengers. The Makabayan bloc filed early this year House Bill 6738 that seeks to establish a Magna Carta for airline passengers amid numerous complaints against low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific. Senate Committee on Tourism chair Nancy Binay said her office has complied over 3,000 complaints posted on social media by irate passengers of Cebu Pacific alone. Bret is forecast to weaken into a dissipation night or on Saturday Article first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 5 a.m. EST Article last updated: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11 p.m. EST As per the National Hurricane Center's 11 pm Friday update, Tropical Storm Bret is 75 miles northeast of Curacao, with maximum sustained wind of 50 mph. Its moving 18 mph to the west. Bret is expected to weaken into a dissipation. YESTERDAY (Thursday): Yesterday, Bret left Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and headed to the Caribbean Sea. HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND: RAINFALL: Rainfall associated with Bret is expected to continue to diminish across the Lesser Antilles tonight. SURF: Swells are likely to increase in areas adjacent to the central Caribbean Sea through Saturday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Source: National Hurricane Center This article was generated by the South Carolina 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. The European Union flag and the Union Jack What has Brexit ever done for us? to redirect the question originally asked about the Romans in a famous Monty Python sketch. On the seventh anniversary of the referendum, it is being asked by Brexit critics who, as in the original sketch, are reluctant to hear the answer. Which is: quite a lot actually. With more to come. Most fundamentally, Brexit has, as promised, given us back democratic control over our laws, money and borders. How those powers are used is up to Parliament and government. But if we dont like their decisions, we can chuck the blighters out which we could never do to EU commissioners. Dismissing democracy, Monty Python style critics ask, but how has it affected peoples lives? For a start, Brexit has saved hundreds, maybe thousands, of lives. Without Brexit, we would never have developed, approved or rolled out vaccines so fast. Every day counted, since hundreds of people were dying daily. The claim that had we remained in the EU we could theoretically have opted out of the EU of its Covid policies is inane. No member state did so. And EU supporters across parties opposed leaving the EU Medicines Agency and urged joining the EU vaccine procurement programme. Brexit is also saving British taxpayers billions of pounds. As members we would have had to contribute our 14 per cent share of the 800 billion EU Covid Recovery Fund and got only a fraction of that back. The referendum campaign bus slogan We send 350 million a week to the EU was criticised since that was the gross figure. However, had we stayed in our net contribution last year would have risen to hundreds of millions per week. On foreign affairs, Britain is no longer bound by the EU doctrine of sincere cooperation. So we were free to take a lead in supporting Ukraine when the EU were equivocal. Germany even banned UK planes flying arms to Kiev through its airspace. Our bold example helped catalyse an EU change of heart. Paradoxically, we had more influence on EU policy from outside than within. But how has our our freedom to change old EU laws benefitted us? Remember the HGV driver crisis in late 2021? Drivers pay was held down for years as East European drivers displaced Brits. During the pandemic, EU drivers went home and Brits left to deliver online retail orders. So, when the economy recovered from the Covid lockdowns, there was an acute shortage of HGV drivers. Petrol stations were closed, and food deliveries disrupted. Now the shortage has virtually disappeared. Why? Because the Government resisted calls to issue thousands of visas. So pay rose, attracting recruits. Employers expanded training. Ministers set up training bootcamps. Above all, they exploited Brexit freedoms to alter old EU rules and speed up training and granting permits. Now, thousands of Brits have better paid jobs. We have all been spared a 50 increase in motor insurance premiums because the Government legislated to reverse a European Court judgement which would have added that amount. Our farmers will be able to plant gene-edited crops. They were previously banned under EU law, even though they are harmless in themselves and reduce use of noxious pesticides and fertilisers. Animal lovers can be pleased that the UK has been able to largely ban the export of live animals and crack down on smuggling puppies into the UK. We reduced VAT on energy products and female sanitary products previously blocked by EU law. Instead of funding EU subsidies to landowners just for owning land we now reward farmers for environmentally friendly practices. 100 tariffs on components used by our manufacturers were abolished. This is a sample of changes resulting from Brexit. You may never have heard of them. The reluctance of mainstream media to mention Brexit successes has been compounded by disgruntled Leavers, so angry at failure to do more that they ignore initial successes. It is true that potential gains far exceed achievements so far. It is time for both Leavers and Remainers to accept former Bank of England Governor, Mervyn Kings wise words: There was a case for remaining in the EU to have some, albeit small, influence over the laws governing us. And there was a case for leaving to regain control over those laws. But there is no case for leaving then not exercising the power to set our own laws. Meanwhile, we are told that all this is offset by the harm Brexit would do to our exports to Europe. The House of Lords Library charts the value and volume of our goods exports (excluding erratic items) every quarter since before the referendum. It shows that exports to the EU have defied predictions and fared slightly better than exports to the rest of the world. Any adverse effect due to EU border costs is dwarfed by other factors. 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. British staff-run chalets could become a thing of the past under post-Brexit EU working rules - Getty Images/Westend61 Post-Brexit legislation poses an existential threat to traditional British ski holidays according to Charles Owen, managing director of Seasonal Businesses in Travel (SBiT), which, together with Abta, is pressuring the government for change. For decades chalet holidays have been a staple on the calendar of thousands of British skiers, but Owen claims that the frontline of the British ski industry has suffered devastating consequences since 2021, leaving the future of winter escapes in limbo. Most at risk are chalet holidays and the British workers who staff them, and the issue is at the heart of the industry-wide campaign for improved arrangements to allow British passport holders to work in the EU in winter. With six months until the snow starts falling in the Alps, the debate was leading concern in a recent survey of more than 170 travel businesses, above the cost of living crisis. A lost workforce Since the first chalets welcomed guests in the 1970s, Britons have played a pivotal role in the growth of ski holidays. Operators relied on British passport holders to fill a plethora of roles from transfer drivers to chalet hosts and resort representatives. A new report has found that the number of UK workers in holiday roles in Europe has dropped by 69 per cent from 11,970 in 2017 to 3,700 in 2023. In numbers: Is the British chalet host extinct? In 2017, the 18-24 age group filled the majority of seasonal roles (62 per cent) over the past six years, this has shrunk by 20 per cent. And while there has been a 70 per cent increase in EU workers filling positions in the Alps, businesses have not been able to replace the UK workforce wholesale following the end of freedom of movement. It seems that while the roles cooking, cleaning and entertaining groups of British holidaymakers were attractive to 20-something Britons, they arent as desirable for their counterparts on the Continent. Its proving tremendously difficult to employ the UK staff we need to run our businesses in the EU. In some countries its a mountain of complex paperwork, delays and extra costs that need to be overcome, in others there isnt really a workable route, says Owen. Some businesses are finding it 'tremendously difficult' to employ the UK staff they need For example, in France the only nation where regulations have been adapted to assist British companies businesses must now advertise a job on a French unemployment site before a non-resident can apply. If successful they must wait for a visa, pay fees, visit local offices for medical examinations and fill out a string of forms. The administrative burden is huge, says Dan Fox from Ski Weekends. In neighbouring Austria a quota system for eligibility makes employing UK passport holders practically impossible according to Owen chalets there are now largely devoid of British staff or closed entirely. A new era of ski holidays The lack of a workable route has led many companies to withdraw from resorts or the market. Crystal Ski Holidays called time on its chalet holidays in 2017 focussing instead on hotels and self-catering. Without a sensible arrangement on labour mobility growth in this industry will be unnecessarily held back, says Owen. The number of chalet holidays available to holidaymakers in winter has inevitably shrunk. Availability has dramatically decreased, and the cost has dramatically risen, explains Fox. Operators are straining to keep customers happy. Many of the best chalet options are now booked 12 months in advance and last-minute deals are now non-existent. Some operators have turned to offering non-catered options, food delivery services or holidays without flights, but according to Nick Morgan, managing director at chalet specialist Le Ski: Nothing beats the real thing. The company has seen exceptional demand for its traditional breaks. The fact that last winter was our busiest ever shows that there is still very much a market for properly staffed catered chalet holidays with flights and English-speaking staff who understand guests needs, he says. As the cost-of-living crisis rages on, catered chalets are gaining popularity but they need staffing - Vanessa Fry And its customers that are paying the price. According to Abta and SBiT, 64 per cent of businesses say that the cost per employee has increased by more than 30 per cent since 2017. Inevitably these inflated costs filter down to paying guests, as bosses attempt to balance their books despite efforts, a quarter (22 per cent) report a decline in profit (of more than 30 per cent). For prospective job applicants, the downsized market means the number of overseas roles has shrunk by 45 per cent. The double impact of covid and Brexit has caused a material drop in the number of staff we have overseas. Ski Weekends had 42 staff and now has 22; FlexiSki had 23 and now has two, reveals Fox. For some, theres been no option but to stop using British staff entirely. Many companies have switched to EU staff which in my opinion has changed the culture of the traditional chalet holiday, says Ceri Tinley, founder of Consensio Chalets, which no longers employs Britons in resorts. A rite of passage But the industry has been resilient, working tirelessly to ensure skiers can still enjoy chalet holidays staffed by British personalities. Last season, after being forced to employ mainly EU passport holders, Ski Weekends workforce was 70 per cent British again. For many years working a season was a rite of passage for a proportion of British society, with many forging careers in the travel industry but now the majority of companies (94 per cent) believe Brexit legislation has reduced this opportunity, losing future business leaders as a result. The people whose lives were changed while working a ski season As a 21-year-old from Huddersfield, I rocked up in Courchevel in 1983 and was very warmly welcomed, says Morgan who continues to work in the resort today. It is deeply upsetting to think that ours may be the last generation to experience the joy of discovering wonderful European places and simply deciding to stay. A solution According to Luke Petherbridge from Abta, there is off-the-shelf legislation that could banish the red tape entirely and which the UK government could pull now. The UK has youth mobility agreements in place with countries including Australia, New Zealand and Japan nothing has been replicated with European nations. An extension of this scheme, an enhanced seasonal mobility agreement for tourism workers and mutual recognition of professional qualifications would lift the barriers faced by those working in resorts and set ski holidays back on track to a prosperous future 90 per cent of businesses believe new rules would boost growth in the next five years. Did you work a ski season, or do you hope your children might? Do you miss British staff hosting your holidays? Share your thoughts in the comments below Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. A bride was shocked after her mom delivered a stellar surprise dance performance to M.I.A.'s 'Bad Girls' during her Pakistani wedding Hira Mustafa (right) and her mother (left). Hira Mustafa A video of a mother surprising her daughter with a choreographed dance at her wedding has gone viral. Hira Mustafa, the bride, told Insider her mother's dance was the best performance of the night. She said her Pakistani mother was startled to see such a positive reception to the non-traditional dance. Hira Mustafa was not expecting her mother to dance at her wedding. Mustafa had helped coordinate every dance, and she knew her mother was bad at keeping secrets, she told Insider, so she thought she knew the line-up of her mehndi ceremony perfectly. Mustafa was flabbergasted when her mother and two of her friends took the stage last Friday first to a sentimental song, then to the riotous hits from rappers M.I.A and Lil Uzi Vert ("Bad Girls" and "Just Wanna Rock.") The next day, Mustafa posted the surprise performance and her shocked facial expressions to TikTok, where it's been viewed over six million times. "The craziest thing that happened during my wedding was my mom's surprise dance with her two best friends i went from crying to screaming in 60 seconds," she captioned the viral video. Viewers watched Mustafa react live to the song transition, as she's first seen wiping tears away, to suddenly looking confused and cupping her hand over her mouth in amazement. In another funny moment, Mustafa can be seen mouthing "What's going on?" and looking in disbelief as the song "Just Wanna Rock" starts playing. Her mother and her friends, meanwhile, took center stage and delivered impeccably suave choreography. Mustafa said her mother's dance was the "absolute best performance of the night, hands down," and an unexpected detour for a mehndi party, or a pre-wedding Pakistani celebration before the actual ceremony. Viewers instantly became obsessed with Mustafa's mother, calling her "iconic" and praising her music taste. "This was a mehndi event, and typically a lot of the friends and family of the bride and groom do dance performances, but it's something that's planned months in advance," Mustafa, who has over 260,000 TikTok followers and is based in New York, told Insider. "My mom is not someone that ever participates in these types of dances ... so I had no idea." Mustafa said seeing her mother dance was extra special because she knew it took her a lot of bravery to perform like that in front of all of their friends and family. "I was so shocked, so impressed," she said. Mustafa later learned that her mother had practiced for over a month with her friends. Online, viewers instantly became obsessed with Mustafa's mother, calling her "iconic" and praising her music taste. "SHE IS SO COOL OMG," reads a top comment. Mustafa said her mom was startled to learn she has fans on TikTok. "She didn't know if people would like it, or if I would like it," said Mustafa. "She's been more surprised and taken aback by how much people have really been receptive to it." Read the original article on Insider Bristol, Farmington lament that nearly all tax base growth came from residential not business property The stiff tax increase facing some residential property owners this year makes it even more important for municipalities to build their business tax base, community leaders from Greater Bristol said at a business conference Thursday. What happened with this reval cant happen again in a city like Bristol that is 60,000 people. We cant rely just on our residential tax base, Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano said during the annual State of the City & Towns breakfast meeting. Bristol and neighboring Farmington were among about three dozen Connecticut communities where revaluation last October skewed the tax burden for this year. Home values that skyrocketed during the stunning residential market run-up nationwide have meant significantly higher taxes for some house and condo owners in Bristol, Farmington, West Hartford, New Britain, Simsbury and elsewhere. Demand for residential properties increased significantly during COVID, sending residential real estate prices soaring while the value of commercial properties such as office and retail space dropped slightly or remained flat, Farmington Town Manager Kathleen Blonski told the Chamber of Commerces gathering of business owners, civic leaders and elected officials. This created a shift of the tax burden from commercial taxpayers to residential taxpayers. While Farmingtons commercial sector contributed 33% of total taxes last year, the recent revaluation has decreased the commercial sectors contribution to 30%, she said. As in all towns after a revaluation, the impact in Farmington varies by property: Owners of homes that got the biggest boost in value will pay the highest tax increases. Even though Farmington municipal budget stayed flat and its tax rate dropped from 29.32 mills to 24.21, the average homeowner will be receiving a July bill with a 9.75% tax increase. Thats because the average home is far more valuable now than a year earlier: Town figures put the average residential assessment at $301,455; thats up from $226,777 just one year earlier. So the tax bill on that house was $6,650 last year, but will be $7,298 now. We, too, had a state-mandated reval. We had $1 billion in grand list growth, but just about all of that came from the residential sector. So we saw an average range of 35% in home property values, Caggiano said. That creates a huge burden on our (residential) taxpayers. Bristol officials analyzed data by the 16 census tracts and found that revaluation had very different impacts depending on location because price increases ranged so widely. The average value of single-family homes climbed 37% in the northeastern section of the city between Stafford and Maple avenues, for instance, but in the western central section values soared by 57%. Caggiano recapped the amount of new construction downtown, and told the audience Thursday that the city wants more to follow. The four-story KindCare assisted living center is an example, he said. Ive actually had some complaints that KindCare is too big. Sorry to tell all of you, were going to see a lot more buildings like that coming downtown. Lets get used to it because it does add to that commercial tax base, he said. A man who allegedly fired shots during an attempted robbery in Waldo and engaged Kansas City police in a gun battle in Brookside has been captured after committing additional crimes, a police spokesman said Friday morning. The man, whose identity has not been released but is awaiting formal charges, was captured Friday morning in Daviess County after allegedly committing crimes there and leading Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers on a chase, said Sgt. Jake Becchina, a spokesman with the Kansas City Police Department. Troopers took him into custody off Interstate 35 near Winston, Missouri, he said. This was quite an elaborate series of events that took place last night and this morning, said Becchina, who added there was a lot of community concern in the Brookside and Waldo area. We felt it was important to let the community know that we believe this person has been apprehended that is responsible for that series of crimes overnight and into this morning, he said. They will be facing charges both here and in Daviess County once investigators coordinate to compile all of the investigative findings and put together a case file for prosecutors to consider and that will be coming shortly. The crime spree began around 9 p.m. Thursday at the McDonalds fast food restaurant at 83rd Street and Wornall Road, Becchina said. The man allegedly fired shots at employees during the robbery and then at an occupied vehicle after leaving the business. About an hour later, officers following up on the robbery investigation spotted the vehicle thought to have been used near Brookside Boulevard and Meyer Boulevard. The suspected allegedly fired a gun at the officers, who then returned fire, Becchina said. The suspect fled into a parking lot and carjacked a couple and fired more shots at officers chasing him. Those officers returned fire before he fled the area. Kara Selley, a bartender at Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant, said she and other employees were in the parking lot when she saw a man running with police officers chasing him. She hopped on her scooter to get a better view and heard gunshots. Officers appeared to pat themselves to make sure they had not been hit, she said. One of the cooks from the restaurant had his car door open so they could listen to music and the man got in the vehicle and took off. It was insane, Selley said. Dozens of patrol vehicles responded. Shortly after, another police agency found the carjacked vehicle abandoned near 73rd Street and Cherokee Road in Prairie Village. Police conducted an extensive search of the area, but were not able to find the man, Becchina said. This morning, Kansas City police were notified that two additional robberies took place near West 69th Street and Pennsylvania. In one, clothes were taken and in the other, a vehicle was taken at gunpoint. We were reasonably certain that the subject of interest from last night was involved in the events this morning, Becchina said. Several surrounding law enforcement agencies were aware of the crime spree in Kansas City and between 8 and 9 a.m., Kansas City police were notified that some crimes occurred in Winston, Missouri, about an hour north of Kansas City in Daviess County. The Daviess County Sheriffs Office reported that a series of crimes had been committed there Thursday night and Friday morning, including an additional robbery and home invasion where a vehicle was stolen. The Missouri State Highway Patrol became involved and pursued the stolen vehicle. Eventually, the individual allegedly got out of the stolen vehicle and tried to run away from troopers, but he was taken into custody. He was being held at the Daviess County jail. Our investigators have responded up there and were partnering with them to conduct further investigation as to the involvement of the individual with crimes here in our city overnight and this morning as well as partnering with them for the series of crimes that took place up there leading to him being taken into custody, Becchina said. It was unknown if he was armed at the time of his arrest, but he allegedly was armed while committing the robberies during the crime spree, Becchina said. No bones about it, this was a dangerous, dangerous individual and for him to be brought into custody without further people being traumatized and victims of crime and potentially even injured, were all very thankful for that today, Becchina said. The Stars Bill Lukitsch contributed to this story. (Bloomberg) -- Bulgarias head of state condemned the countrys new government for pledging to boost military support for Ukraine, as it steers the Black Sea nation closer to the European mainstream in its backing for Kyiv. Most Read from Bloomberg President Rumen Radev, who has refused to provide large-scale military aid even as he criticized Russias invasion, reinforced his message that such support would draw Bulgaria into conflict. After Radev effectively held the reins in Sofia with his sway over a series of interim governments, a new administration sworn in this month has vowed to shift gears. The course of the new government is to push Bulgaria ever closer to the war, Radev told reporters Friday. It is not just in our interest, but also in all of Europes, to cease military action immediately and to seek all possible paths for restoring dialog and peace talks. The new coalition made up of Bulgarias two main parties vowed to end years of political deadlock in the Black Sea nation. Part of that is a fresh move to assist Ukraine. Defense Minister Todor Tagarev said this week that the cabinet is working on a fresh package for assistance. The support will match their needs and our capabilities, Tagarev told reporters Wednesday, adding that the government is also considering joining the European Unions joint ammunition purchases. Those initiatives would be a sharp turn from Radevs policies. The Bulgarian president, a US-trained former Air Force general, has for years fended off accusations from political rivals that he takes pro-Kremlin stances. Radev has opposed EU against toward Russia and once asserted during an election debate that Crimea, seized by the Kremlin from Ukraine in 2014, is Russian. But as long as the fragile coalition, made up of long-time premier Boyko Borissovs Gerb party and former Prime Minister Kiril Petkovs party, holds together, Radevs influence is diminished. Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov sought to play down the clash as a a media attack, saying that interim governments under Radev also provided aid. Theres only one guarantee for Bulgarias security and that is its participation in the North Atlantic Treaty, Denkov told reporters in Sofia. A significant producer of Soviet-style ammunition, Bulgaria a NATO member since 2004 has only provided limited military support after a parliamentary decision last year, although its weaponry has found its way to Ukraine through third countries. Radevs interim premiers have repeatedly stated that the country has limited resources and cant afford to provide aid. Bulgaria has close cultural and economic ties with Kremlin, with most of its energy supplies coming from Russia until the beginning of its invasion in Ukraine. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A family in west Charlotte is terrified after half a dozen bullets flew into their home Thursday night. A local mother was playing on the floor with her two children when the bullets went whizzing by their heads. Their home off of Forestbrook Drive near Tuckaseegee Road is also just feet away from a playground. SEE MORE: Violence prevention program in west Charlotte creates positive results No suspects have been arrested, but there are plenty of unanswered questions from the mother. Yo grite y le dije nos tiramos al suelo [I screamed and told everyone to get on the floor], said Lillian, who asked to not show her face. Shes scared after her 8-year-old son and 1-year-old baby were in the home when it happened. At least six bullets were fired into their den, right above the height where people were sitting. Most of the bullet holes are in the den wall, but another went through the kitchen into the refrigerator door. [I was unbuckling my baby from the stroller. He was sitting down, and then we heard the gunshots], Lillian told Channel 9s Evan Donovan on Friday. >>Download WSOC's apps to keep up with news and weather wherever you go This is the third incident since 2021 for this family in this same apartment. Lillian says they were robbed twice just before the holidays that year. After this incident, she says theyll be looking for a place to move to. [But we dont have a way out. And for the safety of everyone, we have to leave this place], Lillian said. Lillian said her husband saw a black car leaving the area after the shooting. We asked the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department if theres any car that people should be on the lookout for, but we havent heard any information back yet. (WATCH: Heroes in SouthPark fire officially recognized for heroism and selflessness) A Bunnell man previously charged with manslaughter in a drug overdose death is now facing an upgraded charge of first-degree murder, according to the Flagler County Sheriffs Office. A grand jury indicted Nysean Giddens, 25, on the first-degree murder charge in the overdose death of Shaun Callahan, 37, of Palm Coast. The charge carries mandatory life in prison if convicted. A grand jury found probable cause on June 16 for the upgraded charge based on Florida law which applies to someone who causes the death of another while intentionally committing or attempting to commit a felony, the sheriffs office stated. Callahan was found dead by his girlfriend on Sept. 13, 2020, in his bedroom at a home in Seminole Woods in Palm Coast. Charge in overdose death Bunnell man, 23, charged with manslaughter in Palm Coast overdose death Trafficking ring arrests Flagler County father and 2 sons indicted in alleged cross-country drug-trafficking ring Giddens was arrested the next day and admitted to selling drugs to Callahan, according to the sheriff's office. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Laboratory analyzed white powder found in Callahans room and it was determined to be fentanyl, according to the sheriffs office. Giddens is set to go on trial July 17. Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly praised detectives work on the case. While these cases take time and are difficult to make, let this arrest be a reminder to drug dealers we investigate every overdose death as a murder," he said. "If you kill someone with your poison, we will do everything we can to lock you up for a very long time, hopefully for life." This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Bunnell man faces first-degree murder charge in drug overdose death Hendersonville's Burkes Outlet renamed Bealls Burkes Outlet in Hendersonville has been renamed to Bealls. Bealls, Inc., which owns Burkes Outlet recently announced in a news release that the Burkes Outlet store on 204B Thompson St. in Hendersonville has been renamed Bealls. The company is retiring the Burkes name and dropping the word Outlet at all 36 of its North Carolina stores to support its continued growth nationally, the release said. There are no planned changes to staffing at the Hendersonville location, which opened in August 2006. Were making this change to unify our brand so it's easier for our guests to find us across the country and because some people think the word 'outlet' implies seconds or excess merchandise, said District Manager Jeanmarie Terrell in the release. Our stores are stocked with first quality brand name apparel, home and beauty products for the family. Burkes Outlet gift cards, credit cards and rewards points will be honored at Bealls locations. For more information, contact the store at (828) 693-1844. Fletcher Parks and Recreation to host summer concert series Fletcher Parks and Recreation will host the 2023 Hunter Subaru of Fletcher Concert in the Park Series at Bill Moore Community Park this summer. The first concert will be held from 6-8 p.m. on June 24, featuring the Gotcha Groove band, and on July 8, the Flashback band will be performing from 6-8 p.m. Both concerts are free. Baabels Ice Cream and the Fern Leaf food truck will be on-site selling food at both events, according to a news release. Empty Bowls benefitting Flat Rock Backpack Program set for August Volunteers help with donations. Local pottery artists are firing their kilns for the sixth year to help hungry children in the greater Flat Rock area. According to a news release, Empty Bowls, a community meal benefiting the Flat Rock Backpack Program, will take place on Aug. 13 inside the Parish Hall at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness, located at 1905 Greenville Highway. Advance tickets are recommended for the two seatings, which will be from 12:30-2 p.m. and 5-6:30 p.m. Each ticket includes one hand-crafted bowl (all donated by area potters) and a soup-based meal (a variety of soups, bread and desserts). For those wishing to eat at home, take-away is an available option. Tickets are $25 per person or $50 for a family of two adults and children under 12. They are available at St. John in the Wilderness Parish House Office, from Backpack team members, or at the door on the day of the event. For more information, call 828-693-9783. Sponsors of the event are Wild Birds Unlimited, Hendersonville Community Co-op, Homestead, Hoyle Family Dentistry, Boyd Automotive and Dry Falls Brewing Company. Restaurants providing various soups for the bowls are AlyKat Deli, Cuisine Team, Hot Dog World, Kenmure Country Club and Hubba Hubba Smokehouse. The Parish Hall is located across the street from the church at 1905 Greenville Highway. For more information call the church office at 828-693-9783 or visit www.stjohnflatrock.org. Henderson County offices to close on July 4 Henderson County local government offices and agencies, including the Henderson County Public Library, Animal Services (Animal Shelter), Solid Waste (Transfer Station and Convenience Center) and the Henderson County Courthouse will be closed on July 4 in observance of Independence Day. All Henderson County parks are open 365 days a year. The delivery of emergency services will not be disrupted, according to a news release. All Henderson County local government offices and agencies will reopen and resume their normal operating hours on July 5. This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Burkes Outlet renamed; Fletcher concert series, Empty Bowls set Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 23) The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Friday recommended reducing the area covered by the fishing ban in Oriental Mindoro after the oil spill cleanup was completed on June 16. DOST-National Research Council of the Philippines member Hernando Bacosa, who was tapped by the Philippine Coast Guard as the lead expert on the oil spill investigation, said the radius of the fishing ban area can be reduced to 5 kilometers from 15 kilometers. "Dr. Bacosa advised that should there be no more visible oil slicks near the spill site, total fish ban in all areas in Oriental Mindoro initially affected by the spill can be lifted within the next two or three weeks," the DOST said in a statement. The fishing ban is ongoing in Naujan, Pola, and Pinamalayan. The MT Princess Empress was carrying 900,000 liters of oil when it sank off the coast of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on Feb. 28. The oil spill reached various parts of Oriental Mindoro as well as other provinces including Batangas and Palawan. The DOST said over 84,000 liters of oily mixture were recovered from the vessel's containers from June 11 to June 15. "The final leg of siphoning showed very minimal visible oil discharge and tanks already appeared to be empty," the DOST said. According to Bacosa, "the remaining oil can only be removed by the natural weathering processes which include but are not limited to dissolution, emulsion, agitation due to the action of swimming organisms, and biodegradation by naturally occurring bacteria." However, the agency noted that the degradation process of the oil may take a while due to the low temperature in the deep sea and heavy molecular weight of the oil. Disaster management officials said the oil spill caused nearly 5 billion worth of agriculture damage. FILE - Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks about airline flight delays and cancellations in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex, Monday, May 8, 2023, in Washington. Buttigieg is warning airlines to be ready when wireless companies power up their 5G service next month. Buttigieg told an airline trade group Friday, June 23, 2023, that planes won't be allowed to land in poor visibility if they lack equipment to avoid radio interference from 5G. On July 1, AT&T, Verizon and other wireless carriers will be free to boost the power of their 5G signals. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned the nations airlines Friday that flights could be disrupted starting next week because some planes lack updated equipment to prevent interference from transmissions by wireless companies. Buttigieg said that only planes retrofitted with the right equipment will be allowed to land when visibility is poor, such as during bad weather. The warning in a letter from Buttigieg to trade group Airlines for America comes just before AT&T, Verizon and other wireless carriers will be free to boost the power of their C-Band, 5G signals on July 1. Airlines have told the government they are having trouble getting equipment to retrofit planes because of supply-chain problems. Still, the industry trade group said airlines are confident they will avoid disruptions. Some aviation experts believe that C-Band signals are too close on the radio spectrum to the frequencies used by radio altimeters, which measure the height of a plane above the ground. Newer altimeters are protected from interference, but some airlines have complained that a shortage of the devices has prevented them from upgrading all their planes. Its unclear whether the spectrum conflict could cause major travel disruptions. When the issue arose early last year, predictions of widespread problems turned out to be wrong, although a small number of flights were canceled or diverted. Delta Air Lines said about 190 of its more than 900 planes wont be equipped with updated radio altimeters by the deadline and could face restrictions operating in bad weather. The airline said it will route them carefully to limit disruptions while it works with a supplier to retrofit more planes through the summer. American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines said they have retrofitted all their planes and do not expect problems. United Airlines said it expects to meet the deadline for all its mainline jets, although it referred questions about United Express planes to the smaller carriers that operate them. The Federal Communications Commission, which granted the 5G licenses to the wireless companies, contends that there is no risk of interference, while the Federal Aviation Administration has taken the airlines side. Under pressure from the Biden administration, the wireless companies agreed to delay the full rollout of their new networks around major airports until July 1. The Transportation Department, relying on information from airlines, says more than 80% of the U.S. fleet has been retrofitted, but Buttigieg said Friday that some operators still have work to do. Buttigieg threatened to sanction airlines for deceptive trade practices if they schedule more flights than they can operate with retrofitted planes. Airlines for America, which represents the largest U.S. carriers, said its members are working hard to equip planes with up-to-date radio altimeters, but there is a shortage because of global supply-chains problems. Carriers have repeatedly communicated this reality to the government, said Marli Collier, a spokeswoman for the group. Nevertheless, thanks to careful planning, A4A member carriers are confident in their ability to maintain the integrity of their schedules, despite the impending deadline. The entrance to a Bed Bath & Beyond store is seen in Anchorage, Alaska, on Sunday, April 23, 2023. The chain sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but will now likely be closed for good. | Mark Thiessen, Associated PRess After seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections in April, the once mighty U.S. retailer Bed, Bath & Beyond is being parsed out in liquidation auctions and Utah online giant Overstock.com looks set to snap up the chains branding, intellectual property and other assets. But, the brick-and-mortar stores are not part of the deal. Overstock submitted a low-ball stalking horse bid of $21.5 million last week and, according to The Washington Post, Bed Bath & Beyond confirmed on Thursday it had accepted the offer. If approved by a New Jersey bankruptcy court at a hearing next week, Overstock will acquire Bed, Bath & Beyonds brand name, business data and digital assets. Physical stores arent part of the deal. At its peak, Bed, Bath & Beyond operated over 1,500 stores but, as of early May, was down to around 350 locations. In response to a Deseret News inquiry, Overstock.com declined to comment pending completion of the deal. Shares of Overstock were up over 17% for the day at the end of regular trading on Thursday. Related Bed, Bath & Beyonds value has been on a downward slope since its stock hit a top price of around $81 per share in early 2014. In April of this year, that stock price had declined to just pennies a share. Analysts have pointed to a myriad of missteps by company executives, including a failed shift from third-party products to store branded goods and a massive stock buyback program. While Overstock will be looking for ways to leverage Bed, Bath & Beyonds intangible assets on completion of the deal, Bed, Bath & Beyond is seeking a separate path to liquidate its Buy Buy Baby branded division, which includes about 120 stores and is considered the most valuable remaining asset of the company. Buy Buy Babys assets will be on the auction block next Wednesday, according to CNBC. Last August, Bed, Bath & Beyond announced it would shutter stores and lay off workers in a bid to turn around its beleaguered business, according to The Associated Press. It closed about 150 of its namesake stores and slashed its workforce by 20%. It estimated those cuts would save $250 million in the companys current fiscal year. It also said in August that it had lined up more than $500 million of new financing. Mired in a prolonged sales slump, the company also announced back in August that it would revert to its original strategy of focusing on national brands, instead of pushing its own store labels. That reversed a strategy embraced by its former CEO Mark Tritton, who was ousted last June after less than three years at the helm, per the AP. The company said it would get rid of one-third of its store brands less than a year after rolling them out. Following a dismal financial report issued in January, Bed Bath & Beyonds current president and CEO, Sue Gove, said the company had struggled to keep ample stock on hand thanks to credit issues with vendors, but even amid the host of grim financial news, at the time she still believed there was a chance to salvage the business. California boy, 4, whose remains were found in 1991 in San Bernardino County is now ID'd Sheriffs investigators said recent DNA tests confirm that human remains found in San Bernardino County are of a 4-year-old boy who went missing over 30 years ago. Sheriffs officials on Thursday reported that extensive DNA testing revealed the young boy was Derrick Burton, whose remains were found on Oct. 27, 1991 near Florida Street and Greenspot Road in Mentone. During that time, a quail hunter in a rural area of Mentone found the remains, which included a human skull, without teeth and mandible, sheriffs officials said. Sheriffs investigators said recent DNA tests confirm that human remains found in a rural area of Mentone in San Bernardino County are that of a 4-year-old boy who went missing over 30 years ago. Investigators with the sheriffs Homicide Detail searched the area for more human remains but none were located. A torn plastic trash bag with a decomposition odor and childs clothing were located and kept for evidence. At that time, authorities were not able to identify the remains and had no other leads. The search was aided by cadaver detection dogs, who investigators, at that time, said previously located the bones of 3-year-old Alicia Robins, who was murdered by foster father, Craig Armstrong. On Nov. 7, 1991, an autopsy was performed, and the coroner determined the human skull found in Mentone belonged to a child between 4 and 8 years old. The cause of death was undetermined. No other leads were available, and the case went cold, authorities said. Sheriffs investigators said recent DNA tests confirm that human remains found in a rural area of Mentone in San Bernardino County are that of a 4-year-old boy who went missing over 30 years ago. DNA tests help identify relatives in Houston, boy's mother In the fall of 2022, the sheriff's office sent DNA from the remains to the sequencing and genomics laboratory, Othram Inc., for a genealogy investigation in hopes of identifying the victim. In February 2023, Othram revealed the remains had distant genetic relatives residing in Houston, Texas. The sheriffs investigators contacted the genetic relatives and received consent for their DNA to do more testing. With the assistance of FBI offices in Riverside and Houston, Patricia Clark was identified as the boys mother, sheriffs officials said. Authorities contacted Clark and learned she reported her child missing to the San Bernardino Police Department in 1991. Decades later, Clarks DNA was obtained and sent to a DNA testing company, which revealed Clark was a 100% parental match to the human remains of the child, now known to be Burton. Homicide officials are now investigating, sheriffs officials said. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Edward Hernandez with the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Specialized Investigations Division Homicide Detail, Cold Case Team at 909-890-4904. Callers can remain anonymous by contacting We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or wetip.com. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: DNA tests IDs boy missing over 30 years ago in San Bernardino County Modesto resident Tyray Mollett signed up to be on a spinoff of the popular reality series 90 Day Fiance, but given what has happened so far, he easily could have been cast on another popular reality show: Catfish. The 33-year-old Davis High alum appears in the new season of the TLC channel franchise 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days, which follows international couples with 90-day visas allowing foreign nationals to marry U.S. citizens. Mollett stars in the spinoff series, which started in 2016 and follows international couples who met online as the American partners travel to their fiances countries for the first time before starting the visa process. Mollett is among a handful of couples featured this season, which debuted June 3 and is three episodes into its 18-episode run. But already, Molletts storyline has made an impression and revealed some sensitive and potentially embarrassing information, as producers dropped an unexpected bombshell on the longtime Modesto resident in the season premiere. Modesto resident Tyray Mollett appears on the new season of 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days airing on the TLC channel. But first, a little background. Mollett grew up in Modesto and graduated from Davis High in 2007. The self-described ukulele fan, chocoholic and virgin works as a full-time caregiver for his mother. She has lived with him in his one-bedroom apartment since suffering a stroke after having surgery to remove a rare brain tumor. Valley man had virtual relationship with woman in Barbados Four years ago, Mollett met a woman online from Barbados named Carmella and they started a virtual relationship, primarily over Snapchat. He described his 37-year-old fiancee, whom to that point he had only texted and shared pictures with, as Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion combined. Then during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, he started watching 90 Day Fiance and in April 2021 decided to apply to be on the show. But producers didnt move forward with him for that season, so he figured he missed his shot. When they didnt contact me back, I was happy, actually. I really dont like the spotlight, Im pretty low key and like to hang out in the back, he said, So I thought, You know what, thats the probably the best decision anyway. But then, in August 2022, producers reached back out asking if he still was interested in being on the show. Mollett decided to go ahead with the show, which has compensated him for joining the cast. He said he thought it would be interesting to share his love story with Carmella on national television. Interesting, it turns out, was an understatement. And now, back to that bombshell. Well-known Modesto landmarks featured on TLC reality series Last August, crews came to Modesto to begin filming Molletts story. They filmed in the region through the fall and winter, wrapping this February. Crews captured many of Modestos landmarks which appear on screen, including the arch, McHenry Mansion and Gallo Center for the Arts. Modesto resident Tyray Mollett and his sister, Lashanti, visit the Modesto Certified Farmers Market in a scene from the new season of 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days airing on the TLC channel. Mollett was excited to share about his girlfriend. But at the end of the first episode, producers told Mollett that Carmella wasnt who she said she was. In fact, she was a man named Christian and he had been catfished. The term refers to the practice of catfishing, when someone creates a fake virtual personality to start an online relationship under false pretenses. An MTV reality series by the same name has been on air since 2012. Since the revelation, Mollett has continued to appear on the show and has been working out his complicated feelings shock, denial and everything else on camera. That included telling his family members, who werent aware of his online relationship. The second episode features Mollett revealing his situation to his brother and sister, Ronald and Lashanti. The trio met at downtown Modestos Mocha Magic, which is featured prominently. Modesto resident Tyray Mollett is comforted by his siblings Ronald and Lashanti inside the downtown Modesto, Calif. cafe Mocha Magic in a scene from the new season of 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days airing on the TLC channel. Mocha Magic owner said customers recognized her cafe Cafe owner Maria Apodaca said producers reached out to her in September asking if they could use the 16th Street bakery and coffee shop to film. A month later, they spent four to five hours filming Molletts conversation with his siblings inside, and then came back again the another day for some extra shots. Apodaca said while shed heard of 90 Day Fiance, shed never watched. She agreed to the filming because she thought it would be fun for the shop to be on national television. The cafe remained open as the TLC crew of more than half a dozen worked, but the area where Mollett and his family were seated was blocked off. She posted about the experience on Facebook after the episode aired. Im surprised how many people recognized us (from the scene), Apodaca said. So far, feedback has been great, its apparently a really popular show. I thought it was great. Feedback for Mollett has been more mixed, especially since subsequent episodes have shown him in some denial and holding out hope for some sort of misunderstanding instead of being outright tricked. Still others, he said, have related to his story of a wallflower learning to connect. Ive gotten a lot of nice messages from all sort of people from all over, including a lot of support from local people and in the Valley. They think its cool I stepped out of my comfort zone and am brave for doing it, he said. Ive gotten some mean comments, too, but better not to look at them. Someone will always have something to say no matter what you do or how you do it. But everyone deserves positive encouragement. Local 90 Day cast members story continues after shocking reveal Indeed, Mollett hints that the rest of his appearance on the show will hopefully show more positive developments. He filmed his last on-air interview for the show last month, so his story should continue this season. Expect Mollett to even take a trip overseas to meet, well, someone. To give himself closure, he said, he wanted to stay on the show even after learning he was catfished. I didnt want to let that person who catfished me win. I wanted to see if the producers were able to help me find who that person was, he said. If they left, I dont know what I would have done. Despite the unwelcome surprise about his so-called fiancee, Mollett said he would do the show again and has a lot of respect for the crew and producers. He credits his experience with helping him to open up more to his family and friends. Modesto resident Tyray Mollett and his sister, Lashanti, investigate Carmellas photos in a Modesto, Calif. park in a scene from the new season of 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days airing on the TLC channel. As for whats next with him, stay tuned. He said theres a lot more thats going to be shown, and a lot more Modesto yet this season. He hopes his appearance will help show Modesto in a different light, instead of the small farm town it sometimes gets characterized as in the media. But the question remains: What is Molletts relationship status now? Unsurprisingly, its complicated. And well have to watch to find out more. But, after filming the show, he does know a few things for sure. Dont be afraid to live your life. Dont let people judge you. And dont take it too much to heart (if they do), he said. Get uncomfortable sometimes, its a great feeling. 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days airs at 8 p.m. Sunday on the TLC channel and streaming services Max and Discovery+. Chinese community and local leaders gathered at the California State Railroad Museum on Wednesday evening to dedicate a museum exhibit to the late board member and civic leader Dr. Herbert Yee. Speakers included former state Sen. Richard Pan and representatives of Gov. Gavin Newsom and U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui, who highlighted the contribution of Chinese immigrants to the state and country and warned about history repeating itself in the form of newly signed and proposed laws in Florida and Texas, respectively, that have been criticized as discriminatory toward Chinese citizens. Museum director Ty Smith and CEO Tim Schroepfer presented members of Yees family with a commemorative plaque at the event to be placed by the Sierra scene, a diorama depicting Chinese workers building the Transcontinental Railroad through the Sierra Nevada mountains. Chinese immigrant contributions rendered invisible Chinese workers made up about 90% of the West Coast Transcontinental Railroad construction workforce, building tunnels through the Sierra Nevada mountains with rudimentary tools. Part of the ongoing Chinese Railroad Workers Experience exhibit is seen Wednesday, June 21, 2023, after Sacramento civic leader, philanthropist and dentist Dr. Herbert Yee was honored with a posthumous dedication from the California State Railroad Museum and Foundation in Sacramento. After the completion of the railroad, many Chinese workers continued working on infrastructure projects across the West Coast, including flood levees in Sacramento. From building the railroads, developing farmlands, forming civic infrastructure, and defending our nation, our forefathers have shaped and lived the American dream, said David Yee, California Commissioner on Asian American and Pacific Islander affairs and Herbert Yees grandson. Herbert Yee died in 2021. But Chinese contributions have often been rendered invisible, Pan said at the event. The famous photo of workers gathered at Promontory Point at the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad contains no Chinese workers within it, Pan pointed out, while Chinese workers participation in the project was driven by exclusionary laws in the first place. The Foreign Miners Tax passed by California in 1850 prevented many Chinese workers from prospecting for gold or silver, while other laws prevented Chinese immigrants from obtaining citizenship or owning land in California. History repeating: New laws bring concern of Chinese exclusion Exhibits like the Chinese Railroad Worker Experience at the railroad museum, highlighting the discrimination and exclusion faced by Chinese Americans, are especially important in the face of new bills in Texas and Florida that would prevent Chinese nationals from owning land, Pan said. Former state senator Dr. Richard Pan, who recently announced his candidacy for mayor of Sacramento, speaks during a ceremony by the California State Railroad Museum and Foundation to dedicate the Chinese Railroad Workers Experience exhibit to Dr. Herbert Yee on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at the Sacramento museum. Its so important to know that history can be repeated in the present. What was history is now news again, he said. The museum, and prior commemorations of the Transcontinental Railroad, have struggled before with the exclusion of Chinese and Chinese American histories. At a 1969 Promontory Point celebration for the 100 year anniversary of the completion of the railroad, U.S. Secretary of Transportation John Volpes said, Who else but Americans could drill 10 tunnels in mountains 30 feet deep in snow? Who else but Americans could chisel through miles of solid granite? Who else but Americans could have laid 10 miles of track in 12 hours? Volpes failed to acknowledge that the Chinese workers who did the tunneling and mountain work were discriminated against and denied U.S. citizenship until at least 74 years later, Herbert Yees son and museum board member Wesley Yee said. At the same celebration, Chinese American historian Phillip Choy was prevented from speaking even though he was listed on the program, Wesley Yee said. Of more than 100 trained docents at the railroad museum today, Vicki Beaton, a former journalist and member of the US-China Railroad Friendship Association, said she is the only one of Chinese background. All these docents are white guys, Beaton said. Very few white women. Chinese, one its kind of sad with the big population of Chinese (in the area). History lives within a community: Chinese voices at forefront But the museum has also made efforts to move out of the way and provide a venue where people can tell their own stories, said Smith, the museum director. After opening in 1981, the museum added Herbert Yee to its board and hired Choy as a consultant when creating a diorama of Chinese railroad workers for the museum. In 2019, on the 150th anniversary of the railroads completion, the museum debuted its Chinese Railroad Worker Experience exhibit, created with input and oral histories from members of a Chinese Community Advisory Committee convened by the museum. We dont have the same range of historical information that we would have if were telling the story of the big names behind the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, Smith said. There are no records, and yet the history lives within a community. It lives within peoplewe also have screens (in the exhibit) that tell the stories of descendants and how that history is passed down from generation to generation. Herbert Yees story exemplifies the challenges and contributions of Chinese immigrants to the U.S. and local communities, his family said at the ceremony. The California State Railroad Museum and Foundation dedicate the Chinese Railroad Workers Experience exhibit to civic leader and philanthropist Dr. Herbert Yee with a rock-mounted plaque Wednesday, June 21, 2023, during a ceremony at the Sacramento museum. Museum director Ty Smith, far left, and foundation president Tim Schroepfer stand on either side of the late Dr. Yees grandson Dr. David Yee, left, and son Dr. Wesley Yee. When Yee came to Sacramento in 1931 at the age of 6, Chinese exclusion laws were in full effect, Pan said Wednesday. Despite his father having graduated from the University of Michigan in 1921 and living in the country, Yee was detained at Angel Island for a week. Until 1943, he had no pathway to U.S. citizenship. Before 1952, if he didnt naturalize, he would not have been allowed to own real estate in California. After immigrating, Yee did not let grass grow under his feet, his son Wesley Yee said at the ceremony. After attending Stanford University, Herbert Yee started a dental practice in the building his family previously lived in and that continues running today. Yee served as the president of the state Board of Dental Examiners under then-Gov. Ronald Reagan; Yee was also president of the International College of Dentists and a regent of the University of the Pacific. He also invested in real estate and the development of shopping centers with tenants including Lucky supermarkets and the Sprouts Farmers Market in Land Park. In 1969, Yee was appointed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown and then-President Reagan to serve on the Sacramento Gold Spike Centennial Committee. He hosted events for the centennial in the Confucius Temple in Sacramentos Chinatown, and was tasked with bringing the golden spike the ceremonial final spike that completed the Transcontinental Railroad from the Stanford University museum to Sacramento. He later served on the California State Railroad Museums board of directors for 30 years, before passing away in 2021. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries tells theGrio that Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito are engaging in problematic and ethically questionable behavior. Activists, politicians and organizations continue to call on the Supreme Court to adopt a code of ethics following revelations that justices have crossed ethical lines most recently Justice Samuel Alito. On Thursday, Just Majority, a coalition of nonprofit organizations pushing for Supreme Court reform, and several congressional leaders held a joint press conference in front of the steps of the Supreme Court to demand the court expand the number of justices on the bench by four in an effort to restore justice. FILE The Supreme Court is seen on April 21, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) The conference came after ProPublica broke the news on Tuesday that Justice Alito took a luxury fishing trip with a GOP billionaire who had cases before the court. In those instances, Alito failed to recuse himself, nor did he disclose the trip as required by law when justices receive most gifts. At Thursdays press conference, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., said Americas democracy has been undermined by the justices. [They refuse] to hold themselves to the same standards and ethical conduct that all lower court judges must follow, he continued. U.S. Senator Tina Smith, D-Minn., who was also in attendance, said the highest court in the land is broken. The Supreme Court has an essential constitutional role in our democracy, but today it has become too powerful and political, she said. It is doing the work of the extremist right-wing conservatives and anti-choice activists and big corporate interests. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told theGrio during his Thursday weekly press conference that the only people who apparently believe they are above the law are members of the United States Supreme Court. He added that Democratic members of Congress are working to restore order in the court. Senate Democrats under the leadership of Dick Durbin and others in the Democratic conference are working hard to bring some accountability to an out-of-control right-wing Supreme Court, Jeffries previously told theGrio. He continued, [Justices like Clarence Thomas] are engaging in problematic and ethically questionable behaviorthat is problematic for the country. WASHINGTON, DC APRIL 28: A mobile billboard showing Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts is seen outside the U.S. Capitol on April 28, 2023 in Washington, DC. Government watchdog Accountable.US is holding Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts accountable for his inaction following recent ethics issues among the Court. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Accountable.US) In recent months, it was revealed that Chief Justice John Roberts wife earned millions of dollars after helping high-ranking lawyers who later had cases heard before Supreme Court justices. Justice Clarence Thomas neglected to disclose lavish gifts he received from a wealthy GOP donor. And just days after Justice Neil Gorsuchs confirmation, a law firm acquired property in which Gorsuch held a stake, as theGrio previously reported. These questionable actions have left some Americans wondering if the court is fair and just, given the justices powerful roles as arbiters who determine the outcome of any given case before them. Last week, the Senate heard testimony from social justice organizations about the need for the Supreme Court to adopt a code of ethics. This marks the third time this year Senate Democrats have listened to arguments that support why the court needs to uphold checks and balances. Donald Sherman, executive vice president and chief counsel for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, testified before the Senate in the latest hearing. He told theGrio that the Supreme Court needs to abide by ethical rules. During his testimony, he urged congressional members to address the glaring problems in the Supreme Courts ethics regime by passing the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal and Transparency Act. He argued that it would bring needed transparency and accountability to the Supreme Courts recusal framework. Members of the Supreme Court sit for a new group portrait following the addition of Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Sherman added, It is far past time that the highest court in our constitutional system is held to the highest ethical standards. He told theGrio that one of the biggest issues with the court is that they feel entitled to sit even when they have a conflict of interest. The justices, who have lifetime appointments, want to have their cake and eat it too, he said. Sheman also noted that Republicans in Congress did not attend last weeks hearing. It was interesting that none of the Republican senators showed up, he said. Jeffries told theGrio that the Supreme Courts ethical problem is not a bipartisan issue. However, he has little faith that his Republican colleagues will condemn the justices conduct. Were not holding our breath in terms of whether the extreme MAGA Republicans in the House are going to do anything to hold the right-wing majority of the Supreme Court accountable in any way, shape, or form, said Jeffries. So ultimately, this issue may have to get litigated before the American people. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Calls for Supreme Court ethics rules grow louder amid new revelations appeared first on TheGrio. Cameron tries to get ad off air, GOP paints no good week for Beshear | Trail to 23 This is part of an occasional Herald-Leader series, Trail to 23, to catch readers up on all the latest from this years Kentucky elections, most notably the governors race. There are fewer than five months until the November 7 general election in which Kentuckians will decide the commonwealths next governor: incumbent Democrat Andy Beshear or Republican challenger Daniel Cameron. Daniel Camerons gubernatorial campaign does not like an ad thats now gracing television airwaves. We know this because, as the Courier-Journal first reported this week, his team has been contacting television stations trying to get it taken down. That hasnt worked. The ad, from the Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear-backing political action committee (PAC) Defending Bluegrass Values, connects Cameron to a series of controversial pardons issued by former governor Matt Bevin on his way out of office. Cameron, when he started his term as attorney general, hired multiple attorneys who were involved to some degree in the pardon and commutation processes for those individuals. Camerons campaign takes issue with the wording of the ad, claiming that it makes it seem like Cameron hired a murderer and a child rapist when the ad states that Cameron started his tenure as attorney general surrounding himself with the same people who helped push Bevins pardons one a child rapist, another who killed his parents. In a June 14 letter sent to stations across the Commonwealth, an attorney for Camerons campaign called the ads statement a brazen lie. An attorney for Defending Bluegrass Values, Courtney Weisman, called that claim illogical and disingenuous. The advertisement never claims that Mr. Cameron hired a murderer or child rapist to work in the Office of the Attorney General. And it is unclear on what basis Mr. Cameron claims that it does. The ad clearly delineates between those who pushed Mr. Bevins pardons (the staff members) and those who benefited from the pardons (the criminals), Weisman wrote. GOP celebrates Beshears No Good, Very Bad Week Republicans have been celebrating some recent headlines focusing on controversy linked to Beshear. Andy Beshears no good, very bad week is the title of a podcast from McConnell-aligned GOP operative Scott Jennings, where the PR executive and commentator skewers Beshear over two stories in particular. In one, the Courier-Journal found that Beshear had misrepresented a state economic milestone. Kentucky does not have the most people employed in state history, as Beshear had previously stated. However, the state is seeing the highest number of jobs filled in its history a fact that Beshears messaging has since pivoted towards. A PAC backed by the Republican Governors Association (RGA) has pounced on the controversy surrounding London Mayor Randall Weddle, whose credit card was linked to donations totaling $202,000 to Beshears campaign and the Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP). Thats much more than a single individual is allowed to give to parties and campaigns, per federal and state law. The PAC announced on Friday that it launched a text campaign informing voters of the donations. About those donations to Cameron... A report from the Daily Beast detailed donations from leaders at a recovery center in Morehead to Cameron. That center is currently under investigation by a wing of Camerons office for Medicaid fraud or abuse, raising questions about a potential conflict of interest. Cameron recused himself from the investigation in May. The story claims that Cameron did not recuse himself, nor did the campaign refund the donations, until the outlet started to request records related to recusals. Leaders of the center were eventually refunded $6,900 in donations. Herald-Leader reporting had flagged these donations earlier, but for different reasons. The group of leaders from Edgewater Recovery Center constituted a sizable chunk of money in one report, and that group included the chair of the Rowan County Democrats who served as general counsel to Democrat Amy McGraths 2020 U.S. Senate campaign. Liberal Andy Beshear ad The RGA is getting involved on television as well as text. It wants voters to hear that Beshear is more liberal than you think, in a new ad from Kentucky Values, which the RGA helps fund. The ad highlights Beshears veto of Senate Bill 150, a controversial GOP-supported bill that banned gender-affirming puberty blockers and surgeries for minors among other things, and the release of prisoners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children changing genders, criminals released early some of Washingtons craziest ideas are coming to Kentucky, the ad states. RGA-affiliated group Kentucky Values is up with this spot -- https://t.co/hdjJse3aeo pic.twitter.com/NnQqWhZ3YE Medium Buying (@MediumBuying) June 17, 2023 How much are they spending? While ad spending supporting Beshear started off at a much higher clip than Cameron, pro-Cameron forces are starting to catch up. According to Medium Buying, the DGA-backed PAC and the Beshear campaign have both spent around $1.7 million on ads, with a smaller pro-Beshear PAC dropping $47,000. Meanwhile, the RGA-supported State Solutions PAC has reserved $1.55 million in ads as of Thursday morning. #KYGov: TV/radio ad spending (including future reservations) in the general election is now nearly $5M -- Defending Bluegrass Values (DGA): $1.70M Andy Beshear campaign: $1.68M Kentucky Values/State Solutions (RGA): $1.55M Preserve, Protect and Defend (Pro-Beshear): $47K Medium Buying (@MediumBuying) June 22, 2023 Freedom Fest? Cameron says yes Cameron is going to Freedom Fest, the Northern Kentucky conservative event thats previously been focused on former president Trump and the false claim that Trump won the 2020 election. When asked at a recent event if hed attend, Cameron responded with enthusiasm. Oh my gosh, I cant wait to go to Freedom Fest, Cameron said. Im excited. Why is this notable? It shows that part of the Cameron campaigns project is to court the further right, diehard pro-Trump wing of the GOP. The events host, Eric Deters, got fourth place in this years crowded GOP primary that saw Cameron win in landslide fashion. Deters, a huge Trump fan, was critical of Camerons ties to U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, throughout the primary. McConnell and Trump have openly feuded in recent years. But Cameron sees an opportunity to bring together the more establishment and pro-Trump anti-establishment wings of the party. He name dropped Deters alongside more moderate GOP gubernatorial contenders like Somerset Mayor Alan Keck and Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles. Whether its Eric Deters or mayor Keck here in Somerset, or Ryan Quarles, or the candidates that were in the race, whether youre a Liberty Republican or youre a Leader McConnell Republican, or Hal Rogers Republican, or a pro-life Republican, anywhere you find yourself on the spectrum: my view is that weve united this party, Cameron said. Deters claims that former president Trump has the event on his schedule. Two of Trumps sons are slated to speak. While Cameron name-dropped several top contenders in the GOP primary, he didnt mention one: third-place finisher Kelly Craft, who Cameron said he hasnt spoken with since election night. The main entrance to the Canadian Border Services Agency border crossing in Lansdowne OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian authorities on Friday charged an Indian man for issuing fraudulent university letters of acceptance to Indian students and other immigration-related criminal offences. Brijesh Mishra, a citizen of India, is facing five charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said in a statement. CBSA said it had launched an investigation after receiving information about Mishra's status in Canada and his alleged involvement in activities related to "counseling misrepresentation." Canada is a popular destination for international students since it is relatively easy to obtain a work permit. Official data show there were more than 800,000 foreign students with active visas in Canada in 2022, including some 320,000 from India. Earlier this year, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported that several students from India had been served deportation papers for using forged documents to enter Canada in an alleged immigration scheme. The acceptance letters appeared to have been written by universities but the Canada Border Services Agency informed the students the documents were fake and warned them that they could face deportation, according to the CBC report. "Our government is taking action against those who are responsible for fraud, while protecting those who've come here to pursue their studies," Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said in a statement on Friday. Last week, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced a freeze on the planned deportation of dozens of students who entered the country using fraudulent university letters. (Reporting by Ismail Shakil; Editing by Sandra Maler) New video was released Friday of a Wellfleet companys ROV being relaunched into the North Atlantic to return to the debris of the submersible that vanished during a voyage to the Titanic wreckage. The Pelagic Research Services team aboard the Horizon Artic rescue ship deployed its Odysseus 6K again on Friday around 11:30 est. to continue mapping and documenting the area and assisting in any direct recovery of debris from the Titan site. Odysseus 6K, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) can reach depths of up to 19,000 feet, has a maintained dive speed of 25m/minute which allows for a transit time of approximately 65-75 minutes depending on ocean conditions. During the initial rescue operation on Thursday, Odysseus traveled at its maximum rate of 35m/min, when the team discovered an area of debris 16,000 feet away from the Titanic that officials later said contained the Titans tail cone. Pelagic Research Services' ROV Odysseus 6K return to Horizon Arctic after initial debris discovery Missing Titanic tourist sub: Titan suffered catastrophic implosion, killing 5 onboard In an early afternoon on Thursday Pelagic Research Services posted to its website, PRS want to express our full gratitude for the incredible, coordinated rescue response of everyone involved in this search and rescue mission. Our focus right now is on the families of those on the Titan and for their tragic loss. The submersible was on its way to the wreckage when it lost contact Sunday with the ship that had launched it about an hour and 45 minutes into the dive. Coast Guard crews and commercial vessels from the U.S. and Canada combed a 10,000-square-mile area for signs of the Titan since contact was first lost Sunday. The five people onboard the submersible are believed to have died in a catastrophic implosion of the vessel, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Edward Cassano, CEO of PRS, continues his role as Incident Commander for Subsea Assets aboard the Horizon Arctic. PRS Mobilization for Titan Search & Rescue This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW What is a 'catastrophic implosion'? Pressure but no pain likely marked the end for Titanic sub For days, the world could only imagine the grim scene: five men cramped in a cold, dark tube, knowing that they were about to run out of air. In reality, those aboard the Titan submersible most likely died instantaneously in what officials called a "catastrophic implosion." The deep-sea water pressure that appears to have crushed the 22-foot craft would have been roughly equivalent in weight to the 10,000-ton, wrought-iron Eiffel Tower, experts told NBC News on Friday. The colossal forces would have acted so quickly that it would be like the vehicles carbon-fiber hull suddenly vanishing before anyone inside knew what was happening, one expert said. They would have known nothing the minute this body of water hit them, they would have been dead, said Paul White, a professor at Englands University of Southampton, who specializes in underwater acoustics and forces. With the vast search effort now over, the focus turns to the many unanswered questions that remain. Though the tourist sub lost contact around 1 hour 45 minutes into its 2-hour dive, and was found on the seabed around 1,600 feet from the Titanics bow, officials don't yet appear to know exactly where or why the tourist sub imploded. A U.S. Navy analysis of acoustic data detected an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion near the Titan around the time it lost communications Sunday, a senior Navy official said. The sound was not definitive, but it was immediately shared with commanders, who decided to keep searching, the official said. Titan Submersible Catastrophic Implosion (OceanGate / AFP - Getty Images) The violent nature of the implosion, and at such extreme depths, makes any attempt at recovering the vessel and its passengers even more problematic. "There would be substantial challenges with recovering any bodies," said Dr. Nicolai Roterman, a deep-sea ecologist at the University of Portsmouth, in England. "And I think the priority at this point may well be focusing on recovering the debris as much as possible." In a news conference Thursday, the Coast Guard declined to answer specific questions about recovering efforts. "I don't have an answer for prospects at this time," Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger told reporters. Titan's abrupt demise was apparently caused by the same deep-sea forces that make expeditions like it so rare. It's why fewer people have been to Titanic ocean depths than have been to space. Anyone who has dove to the bottom of a pool has noticed the difference in water pressure, a heaviness in the nose and ears. Imagine that but 1,000 times more, White said. Thats what its like at these depths. Its a phenomenal force. At Titanic depths, some 12,500 feet down, the water pressure is nearly 400 times more than at the ocean's surface some 6,000 pounds would have been pressing down on every square inch of Titan's exterior. "If you translate that to a physical force, it's going to be in the order of high thousands of tons to 10,000 tons, so the analogy would be the weight of the Eiffel Tower being the kinds of loads it's experiencing," said Blair Thornton, a professor of marine autonomy, also at the University of Southampton, who has designed and built dozens of robot-operated deep-sea submersibles. Roterman, at the University of Portsmouth, agreed with the Eiffel Tower analogy. His work has taken him to near Titanic depths in the Indian Ocean, descending to observe geothermal hot springs at around 11,400 feet in the Japanese submersible, Shinkai 6500. Unlike Titan, Shinkai is owned and operated by the Japanese government, and has been rigorously testing throughout its 1,500-odd missions. Experts and former passengers have questioned the testing regime and safety record of Titan, which had completed about 20 dives. OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated Titan, has not responded to those criticisms this week. It did not return NBC News's request for comment. But in promotional information released before the accident, it said the "state-of-the-art vessel" had been designed in collaboration with NASA and Boeing, undergoing what it described as "incremental testing" for safety. Like many submersibles, the Shinkai 6500 seats its crew in a titanium sphere, whose manufacture ensures less than 1-millimeter of deviation in its curvature. By contrast, the Titans experimental design included a carbon-fiber hull and only the ends of the vessel were made from titanium a departure from the standard practice. Though he has no direct knowledge of Titan's design or construction, or what contributed to its failure, Thornton, the Southampton professor, said catastrophic incidents can be the result of minute "defects" in manufacturing. "And when I say defects, I don't mean any kind of negligent defects just that when you make things there are small, microscopic defects," he said, adding that this was the only implosion he was aware of involving a manned submersible. When these defects are exposed to huge forces, they can cause deformations in the structure, leading to higher stresses around those areas, Thornton explained. The air inside would compress down to a point, and the forces of the water rushing in and the collapse would be enormous, he said. Structurally, he added, it would be equivalent of the capsule housing the crew suddenly vanishing. "This whole process from start to finish is happening in the blink of an eyelid, the click of a finger," he said. "I don't think there would have been any suffering or any knowledge of what happened." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 23) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named Eli Remolona as the incoming Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor, the Presidential Communications Office announced Friday. Remolona has been a member since 2022 of the BSPs monetary board, the bank's policy-making body. He will replace Felipe Medalla, whose tenure will end on July 2. After extensive consultations with the Department of Finance, various government offices, private banks and financial institutions, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has made the decision to appoint a new Governor to succeed Governor Medalla, said PCO in a statement. Remolona first worked as an economist at the Presidential Economic Staff and Development Management Staff during the administration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. in 1972. He also worked at the Bank for International Settlements, where he served as regional head for Asia and Pacific. Remolona also served as a professor of finance and director of Central Banking at the Asia School of Business in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 2019 to 2022. He has worked as a consultant for the Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. As the newly appointed governor, Mr. Remolona is expected to leverage his extensive knowledge and experience to guide the BSP in promoting financial stability, implementing effective monetary policies, and fostering a robust banking sector, the PCO said. A U.S. Air Force base in Germany, which had been previously forced to cancel a drag event, hosted a "Pride"-theme story hour for kids at the installation's library. Ramstein Air Base held the event, which it dubbed "Reading with PRIDE," on June 15, with the official base Facebook page posting photos while boasting that volunteers read books to kids in celebration of Pride Month that were "focused on inclusion." Pictures of the event show the volunteers reading books to kids in a room decorated in rainbow colors, including a table with a placard informing children that the area is a "safe space." DEFENSE SECRETARY'S NEW GUIDANCE ON DRAG SHOWS ON MILITARY BASES HAS IMMEDIATE IMPACT: REPORT The event comes a year after the same base found itself at the center of controversy over its planned "Drag Queen Storytime" event that was slated to take place last May but was canceled after receiving backlash from service members and parents, according to Military.com "We're celebrating Pride Month at the Ramstein Library with Drag Queen Storytime," read a promotion for the event on the base Facebook page that was later deleted. "Be sure to wear your brightest and most colorful outfits!" READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Another drag show event slated to take place at a Ramstein Air Base bar earlier this month was also canceled amid new guidance from the Defense Department that prohibited drag shows on military bases, according to a Military.com report. The directive to ban the drag shows on military installations this month came from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in response to multiple lawmakers voicing concerns over a number of shows that were planned on bases both inside and outside the continental United States. The apparent spread of such events was at the center of questioning Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley faced from Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., during a March House Armed Services Committee hearing, with the two military leaders appearing surprised such shows were happening. GOP SENATORS MOVE TO BAN DRAG SHOWS FROM MILITARY BASES: GROSS MISUSE OF TAXPAYER FUNDS "I'd like to take a look at those myself and find out what actually is going on there because that's the first I'm hearing about that kind of stuff," Milley said. "I'd like to take a look at those because I don't agree with those. I think those things shouldn't be happening." The event also comes amid a military recruiting crisis that some critics have argued is at least in part because the military has shifted toward a focus on "woke" policies in recent years, alienating a good portion of the country that would otherwise be interested in serving. But in interviews with reporters this month, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth argued that the military was not "woke" and charged its critics with contributing to the crisis themselves. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "I think the more our military leaders are sort of dragged into spaces that have been politicized like that, I think the more it contributes to this perception that theyre political when they really arent," Wormuth said. "So, I hope that we dont see more of the kind of talk thats been out in the past few days." Reached for comment by Fox News Digital, Ramstein Air Base leadership said the event was a "command-approved event intended to advance our progress towards a respectful and inclusive culture" but stressed that attendance "was strictly voluntary, and was conducted in accordance with DoD direction." "Ultimately, all events held on Ramstein AB aim to foster an environment where all our members and families can thrive and feel valued as a part of our team as we continue to confidently execute our no-fail mission," the statement continued. "As Secretary Austin has previously stated during Congressional testimony, we do not host drag events at Ramstein AB facilities, and this event was consistent with such." Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that last year's "Drag Queen Storytime" event scheduled to take place at the Ramstein Library and a drag event scheduled for earlier this month at a Ramstein bar were two separate events. The Scott County African American Heritage Association will be meeting with Georgetown Mayor Burney Jenkins after a sign meant to honor the history of those buried at Old Georgetown Cemetery was removed by the city. Member Willa Gentry of the Scott County African American Heritage Association said the association has spent years cleaning up the cemetery and learning the history of those buried there. The association put the sign up to honor them. Gentry was frustrated that the sign was taken down. The sign identifies the cemetery, notes its first documented burial in 1818, and provides insight into the history of the cemetery. Theres no reason for him to take the sign down, and theres nothing derogatory on the sign, everything on the sign is historical, Gentry said. Gentry was informed by the Scott County Road Department that the mayor requested the sign be removed. Gentry said she didnt want the sign taken away by the mayors office and has held onto it since then. Gentry said the local heritage association went to the county office and found the deed to the cemetery, which says the cemetery ownership rights are unknown. Because of that, Gentry believes the sign should be allowed to stay up. In the last two years of her involvement, Gentry said the local heritage association hasnt faced any problems with past projects at the cemetery. The group installed a new flag pole and replaced 22 damaged headstones with help from the Department of Defense. Gentry said the association is currently waiting for the arrival of a pioneer cemetery marker and still working to uncover more of the lost headstones. To further honor the cemetery, Gentry said she has been working on researching each individual headstone and family because theres so much history that needs to be told. As a veteran, Gentry said she was hooked the first time she went to the cemetery. She saw emblems from the U.S. Colored Infantry and 9th and 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers. Those groups of soldiers dated back to the Civil War and post-Civil War era, according to the U.S. National Parks Service and the National Museum of the United States Army. Although its named the Old Georgetown Cemetery, many knew the nickname to be the Old Colored Cemetery due to the number of Black people buried there, according to Gentry. Thats what upsets me about not wanting the sign because those stories need to be told, Gentry said. In a statement to the Herald-Leader, the mayors office said it did not oppose the initiative from the African American Heritage Association, but the mayors office wanted to be consulted in the process. The signage was removed because the City was not consulted regarding the signs placement, the narrative on the sign, etc., the city said in a statement. The City of Georgetown has no opposition to this initiative; as the party ultimately responsible for the maintenance of this public cemetery, we simply need to be involved in the process. The mayors office confirmed hell meet with the group Wednesday to discuss the sign. A Charlotte bus driver who shot at a passenger is not facing criminal charges, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The driver, David Fullard, exchanged fire with Omarri Tobias, a passenger who wanted to get off between stops near Steele Creeks Charlotte Premium Outlet Mall, according to authorities and surveillance video footage. The video does not make clear who fired first. Tobias first pulled out a gun while standing beyond the yellow line for passengers, near Fullards drivers seat. Tobias, 22, faces several assault charges and was jailed with a $250,000 bond after a six-day hospital stay, public records show. He is no longer allowed on any of Charlottes public transit system, a judge ruled. Fullard was dismissed from his duties, CATS said. Police, after consulting Mecklenburg Countys District Attorneys Office, does not anticipate charges against the CATS bus driver at this time, the department wrote in an email statement to the Charlotte Observer. CMPD officials added emphasis to the phrase at this time in the statement. The DAs office has an obligation to consult with police when requested, said Meghan McDonald, the offices spokeswoman. While the office provides legal analysis, the charging decision rests with police, she said. No public records were available Friday to provide details about the investigation or consultation with the district attorney. Chatroom where husband is accused of recruiting predators to rape his wife is still online The medieval village of Mazan in France, where Dominique P allegedly recruited up to 83 men to rape his unsuspecting wife - iStockphoto The online chatroom where a Frenchman allegedly recruited up to 83 men to rape his wife while she was drugged unconscious is still up and running on a website hosted on Guernsey, a self-governing dependency of the British Crown. Dominique P, a pensioner married to his wife for more than 50 years, allegedly mixed the anti-anxiety drug Lorazepam into her evening meal before his guests arrived at their home in Mazan, near Carpentras. Some 51 of the men have so far been identified and charged with aggravated rape in often regular visits that took place over a decade. Dominique has also been charged with raping and murdering a 23-year-old estate agent in Paris in 1991. A second estate agent said she had been attacked in Paris eight years later and investigative sources say an e-fit of the suspect in both case bears a strong resemblance to the suspect. Regarding the abuse of his wife, he allegedly contacted the men on a private chatroom called a son insu (without her knowing) in which members discuss performing sexual acts on their unwitting, and thus non-consensual partners, often drugged. On Friday, it was up and running with 75 people involved in swapping images and films of their exploits. The private salon is one of dozens on a French website that is reportedly the bane of French police and has been linked to criminal investigations into paedophile, racist or anti-Semitic content and the sale of illicit substances. Its exchanges are erased after a few hours, making it hard to trace its unmoderated content to users. The site is legally registered on the Channel Island of Guernsey. According to Le Monde, it is owned by Vinci SA, a company based in Bulgaria since 2021. The individual who runs it, the newspaper alleged, is Isaac S, a discreet 43-year-old engineer in Provence. When contacted by Le Monde, he declined to comment. The French police unit in charge of crime linked to IT and communication declined to comment other than to say the site was domiciled in Guernsey making it hard to shut down. Dominique P faces trial next year. Police say that they have used video and computer data evidence to identify 92 cases of rape of his wife by 83 men, and have to date identified 51 suspects aged between 26 and 73. A photograph of Dominique P, who has been charged with drugging his unsuspecting wife in before allegedly recruiting men to rape her at their house in France He reportedly stored evidence on a USB drive in a file called ABUSES. The vast majority of the attacks were filmed, with the videos placed in computer files, complete with the name of the attacker and the type of sex act. Evidence is said to show how the couples eldest daughter was also filmed unconscious in her underwear, and alleged abuses against other family members. In the case involving his wife, he was ultimately caught in 2020 after he was allegedly found using a pen with a hidden camera to spy on women in changing rooms in Carpentras, leading police to search his house. Alleged rapists involved in the case include civil servants, ambulance workers, soldiers, prison guards, nurses, a journalist, a municipal councillor, and truck drivers. A fireman accused of raping the mans wife wore his uniform during the attack, one video shows. The firemans computer contained 728 images of children being sexually abused, said police. Dominique P, a father-of-three in his early 70s, is currently in prison in Avignon, in the south of France. An e-fit issued in relation to a 1999 rape case that police say bears a strong resemblance to Dominique P When his wife was informed of the secret tapes, she broke down and became suicidal, saying: I was his thing, before filing for divorce. Dominique P is also suspected of raping and then murdering Sophie Narme, a 23-year-old estate agent, who was found mutilated in a flat in the 19th arrondissement of Paris in December 1991. A post-mortem examination revealed that the young woman had been drugged, raped, strangled, and stabbed in the chest with a knife. Investigating sources told Le Parisien that they suspect Dominique P of setting up a meeting with Narme at the flat, using the fictitious name Mr Duboste. Dominique P is also suspected of raping and then murdering Sophie Narme, pictured, a 23-year-old estate agent A colleague of Narme recalled meeting a man who used the name Duboste, and who fitted Dominique Ps description. The suspect denies having any involvement in the case. Another female estate agent aged 19 and referred to only as E was attacked in similar circumstances by Dominique P at a flat in the Paris suburb of Villeparisis in 1999, but managed to escape after fighting back, said police. Blood was found on the carpet in the second case, and in August 2022 police claim DNA found was matched with Dominique Ps genetic profile. Dominique P was in the real estate industry throughout the 1990s, and a police e-fit put together from witness testimonies was said to bear a strong resemblance to Duboste and the man who attacked E, an investigating source said. On September 7 2022, Dominique P appeared before a judge in Nanterre, where he was indicted for the murder of Sophie Narme, and the attempted rape of E. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. A chemical explosion killed a worker at a plant in North Carolina, officials said. First responders in Anson County were called to the blast late June 22 and saw smoke rising into the air. The explosion was reported at Darling Ingredients, which repurposes animal byproducts, according to its website. In response to a request for comment about the explosion, the company told McClatchy News that a worker died in an incident at an ancillary building in its Wadesboro-area facility. The plant has been shut down and an investigation is under way, the emailed statement said. We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our employees. Our hearts and prayers go to the family, friends and coworkers of our team member. Rodney Diggs, chief of Anson County Emergency Services, said the explosion was tied to aluminum chloride solution. Aluminum chloride has several uses, including as a catalyst for cracking petroleum, in preserving wood, and in medications, disinfectants, cosmetics, photography and textiles, the New Jersey Department of Health wrote on its website. Aluminum chloride can cause irritation if its inhaled, and theres an explosion risk when its used in confined areas that are near water. The solution is considered unstable and reacts violently or explosively with water, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Crews took precautions at the plant and told WBTV there wasnt a threat to the public. Emergency officials continued to investigate the cause of the explosion as of early June 23, Diggs told McClatchy News in a phone interview. Diggs didnt share the identity of the employee who died. The N.C. Department of Labor told McClatchy News in an email that it was aware of the death and planned to be at the site to start an investigation. The Wadesboro Fire Department, which reportedly was the primary firefighting agency, didnt immediately share additional information with McClatchy News on June 23. Wadesboro is roughly 50 miles southeast of Charlotte. Two kids die after heavy smoke and flames engulf North Carolina home, officials say Firefighter hurt after multiple explosions at chemical plant, Georgia officials say The Chesapeake Health Department, in response to recent positive rabies cases, will host a clinic Saturday for people to get their pets vaccinated. The latest was earlier this month, in a stray cat found near the area where the clinic will be held, according to Nancy Welch, director of the citys health department. Numerous feral cats live in the area, and Welch said her department is concerned the virus could spread to family pets. Last year, three animals in Chesapeake tested positive for rabies. There already have been five this year, according to Jennifer Fly, an animal control officer with the city. Fly said the mild winter may have had an impact. Welch said it may also be due to development causing more interactions between wild and domesticated animals. Rabies is a viral disease that is almost always fatal if not treated in a timely manner. Wild animals are more active in the summer as more pets and people are outside resulting in more interactions between the groups, according to Fly and Dr. Julia Murphy, state public health veterinarian with the Virginia Department of Health. One of the best ways you can protect yourself and your animals is by having your veterinarian vaccinate your pets for rabies and keeping those vaccinations up to date, Murphy said. Because vaccinating domestic animals like dogs and cats creates a protective barrier between wildlife and people. And so if we protect our pets, we protect ourselves. About 3,000 to 4,000 animals are tested at the state rabies lab annually with about 10% to 15% testing positive, according to Murphy. She said as of mid-June, the lab has tested about 1,300 animals and about 12.5% have tested positive. The health departments rabies clinic will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Sparrow Road Intermediate School. The shots will cost $10 and will be provided on a first-come, first served basis Someone doesnt have to be a resident of Chesapeake to get their pet vaccinated. Ian Munro, 757-4474-097, ian.munro@virginiamedia.com Yaakov Dov Bleich: It is necessary to know who the enemy of Israel is. It's Russia In an interview with NV Radio, Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Yaakov Dov Bleich argues that Russians may blame their countrys Jewish community for the military defeat in Ukraine. He also shared his thoughts on Israeli-Ukrainian relations, possible arms deliveries, and why Israel "doesn't notice" the Russian regime's rapprochement with Iran. Read also: Putin shuffled his commanders at least 17 times to compensate for Russian military inadequacies, Israeli expert NV: Of course, we would rather not discuss such nonsense, but were left with no choice. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin spoke of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a shame of the Jewish people. When you heard this, what did you think? Bleich: It seems to me that as soon as he said this, everything was clear to the whole world. What can be said? You see, Putin works in Russia, where he is a dictator and controls the entire media space. Russians only listen to what he wants them to listen to. Therefore, it is very difficult for us. We can make statements, clarifications, and protests. There were a lot of protests from the Jewish community. But it seems to me that the most important audience is not listening. Because they are in Russia, where there is a dictatorship, they do not have the opportunity to listen to the truth, to reality, and to how things are. Putin has been president or prime minister in Russia for 23 years. Over the years, he expelled 16 rabbis from Russia. That is a fact. And, thank God, in the 33 years that I have been working here, not a single rabbi has ever been expelled from Ukraine. The attitude of the Ukrainian authorities to the Jewish community is very good, and we have had very good relations for 33 years. There is money that supports Jewish schools in Ukraine, and the Jewish community here does a lot. Apparently, this is also the case in Russia. But while Putin says that he loves Jews so much, I have a question: if you love Jews, why have this attitude towards rabbis and towards the community? Why is there often such anti-Semitism from among Russian authorities statements and claims like this one. Read also: African delegation in Kyiv, Prigozhins hidden motive, Putin antisemitism condemned NV: I spoke on air with my colleague, Israeli journalist Sergei Auslander, and this is what he said about Jews now living in Russia: listen, you need to leave. Because they have already moved against LGBT people, broken up all the liberal media, and shut down everyone who opposes the war. In his opinion, they will go on to move against the Jews. How big do you think this threat is? Bleich: A lot of people say that. I said as much in 2014, when they said that Ukraine was bad. I said that Ukraine will be a democracy. It reminds me of a joke about Churchill, that he was drunk, and he says to a woman: you are ugly. She answers him: and you're drunk. He answered: tomorrow I will be sober, and you will still remain ugly. It seems to me that this is the attitude. Ukraine, we see, is now going through the difficulties of war, but we have democracy. Democracy has always been good for the Jewish community. Historically, whenever there was a democracy, we could flourish, and where there was a dictatorship, in the end it was always bad for the Jewish community. And since we see that there is a dictatorship in Russia now, it seems to me that it is very dangerous for the Russian Jewish community. It is necessary for those who have the opportunity to leave to do so. A lot of Jews have already left Russia. Interestingly, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, about 16,000 from Ukraine have left for Israel, while around 65,000 have from Russia. There is a large movement of Jews from Russia who are leaving. Many of them, after receiving an Israeli passport, returned to Russia, as they needed a passport so that one day they could leave. But it seems to me that it is now most dangerous for Jews in Russia, far more so than in Ukraine. And what will happen if Russia now loses the war? Whom will they blame? It seems to me that it would be very easy to say that the Jews were responsible. Read also: Russia places ICC judge on wanted list for issuing Putin arrest warrant NV: Yes, we understand. You still face all these very offensive antisemitic Soviet expressions. We wont repeat them here. Bleich: Id like to add more. Putin said that there has always been anti-Semitism in Ukraine. I'm not saying that there has been no anti-Semitism in Ukraine, but it seems to me that almost all anti-Semitism in Ukraine began because Russian authorities were interested in creating tension between Ukrainians and Jews. They escalated and did everything they could to ensure that there were pogroms against the Jews. Once again, I am not justifying anything, and I am not saying nothing happened. What happened or didnt happen is part of our history. But Jews have lived in Ukraine for more than a thousand years, and out of these thousand years, there were 50 or 60 years when things were bad between Ukrainians and Jews. And under Russia, Jews lived for a thousand years, and there was not a single good day for the Jewish community under Russian rule, neither in the empire, nor in the Soviet Union, and so on. NV: We know that Israel has a very powerful military-industrial complex. News has appeared in the media that for the first time, Israel will sell Merkava-2 and Merkava-3 tanks to a European country. Of course, there were speculations that one of these countries could be Ukraine. But we also remember that in the Middle East, where Israel is surrounded by enemies, Russia plays an important role. It finances terrorist organizations that commit terrorist acts against the citizens of Israel. Can you imagine that Israeli tanks may actually appear in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine? Bleich: It is very difficult (for me) to say, because this is all on the matter of arms and war. I am still a rabbi, not a strategist and not a soldier. Let's put it this way, I understand that there are very good and fruitful relations between Israel and Ukraine... We see that they don't sell weapons to us. But I am sure that these Iranian Shahed (drones) and other issues exist... For many years, both Ukrainian and Israeli intelligence have been working very productively. Whether or not there will be this or that weapon, I do not know. But I understand that there are problems, that Israel is not willing to go directly against Russia. They help Ukraine in a humanitarian capacity. But there are matters that I cant really discuss, because they are not my affairs. Read also: Russia mass ordering Shahed suicide drones, seeks to self-manufacture However, it seems to me that someday it will be so, because Ukraine is now the field where all the weapons of the world are being tested in the war that Russia started. That is, Russia, China, and Iran on the one hand, and on the other hand the United States, Europe and, I am sure, Israel. Not everyone sees how all the weapons work. The Americans never knew that the Patriot could also work against Kinzhals (Russias hypersonic ballistic missiles). And now theyve seen that they can. And it is very important that these weapons are being tested, for when they make weapons and want to sell them. I think, among other things, Israel is very interested in what is being done in Ukraine. And once again I say: I am sure that there are good relations there. Read also: PryvatBank has good arguable case against Kolomoisky & Bogolyubov Israeli court NV: You mentioned Iran. Almost every night we have attacks by Iranian kamikaze drones that cause great damage. They kill people and destroy our infrastructure. When you first realized that Ukraine was being attacked by Iranian drones, how did you feel? Meaning, was it immediately clear to you that Iran and Russia are together, they are partners, and that this is for the long term? Bleich: I knew this long before the first drones hit Ukraine in early October. I have been telling Israelis for many years now so that they understand that Islamic Jihad and all the terrorist organizations that work against Israel, every rocket that hits Israel in my opinion the roots of all these things begin in Russia. And it is necessary that Israel knows that Russia has been playing on both sides for 25 or 30 years, and not simply during the war we have now. You need to know who your enemy is. And the enemy of Israel is Russia. I repeat this and will say it again: I don't understand why Israel doesn't see this. Or they also want to play a kind of game where theyre friends in certain things and not friends in others. Even more so when Russia was in Syria and they protected the terrorist government there. Tell me who your friends are, and I'll understand who you are. We see now that Russia is with Syria, Iran, and North Korea. Where, we understand, there are terrorists in power. They have gathered all the bad ones, all the evil that exists, and put it together. It seems to me that Israel needs to open its eyes and see who their enemy is and how they can defend themselves from Russia. Thank God that Russia is no longer in Syria, because everything that they had there they have now transferred against Ukraine. When they were in Syria, it was a problem. Now they are helping Iran make the weapons that Iran says they will use against Israel. Does Israel not understand this? I don't know. Read also: Israel to name Russian consulate street after Dynamo Kyiv star that died fighting Russian invasion NV: As the Israeli media write about it, Israel has said to Russia: look, you are supplying Iran with weapons, and Iran aims to destroy Israel. Seems they don't even hide it? Bleich: I am waiting for Israel to do what they have promised, and they are doing it now. This is a warning. The sirens that we hear every night, and now we dont know exactly where and where the missiles that Russia fires at Ukraine every night will fly from. So that we can know that when they fire, there are five to eight minutes to go to the bomb shelter, and that the missiles will be in this area. Now, when we hear the siren, not everyone goes to the bomb shelter, because people don't know if there will be an attack on Kyiv, or Odesa, or Lviv, or Vinnytsia. We do not know. As soon as the Russian strategic aircraft take off, the whole of Ukraine goes on air raid alert. If Israel helps to make more modern and up-to-date warning systems, it seems to me that this would be a very big measure of humanitarian aid for Ukraine. We all understand how traumatic it is for children to have to go to a bomb shelter every night. People need to be able to be more confident in what the threats are and where they are. This would be a very, very big step to protect the population. NV: Yes, this is exactly what they said, that the early warning system developed by Israel should be installed in Ukraine. They even say that it is being tested in some way, and this is extremely important. We remember the fact that Ukraine could vote against certain resolutions or for resolutions that were anti-Israeli. Do you think this war could somehow change the relationship between our two countries? Bleich: You know that a lot of Ukrainian citizens now live in Israel. It seems to me that it is necessary that both Israel and Ukraine understand that we are now naturally like-minded peoples. That is, Israel must know and understand history. The right side of history is with democracy and freedom. Everyone there is now rooting for Ukraine, of course. Read also: Netanyahu says Israel has made no decision on supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine With Benjamin Netanyahu coming to power the most experienced Israeli leader it seems that he understands how to arrange it so that he can be on Ukraines side. And I am sure that there are already agreements between Ukraine and Israel, including on voting in the UN. I am aware of this, and I have met with several Ukrainian diplomats. They said that Ukraine voted with Europe, but at some point, it was necessary to convey a message to Israel that we needed to talk more. That's what they did: voted against Israel. It was a signal. And now, it seems to me that these signals have already passed and now we are communicating. And the (Ukrainian) Minister of Defense (Oleksii) Reznikov wanted to communicate with his Israeli counterpart. Yes, there are questions and there will always be, but it seems to me that now they already understand, both Israel and Ukraine, that we need to be friends. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine By Casey Hall SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's State Council Security Committee and municipal and provincial governments have held emergency video conferences and issued warnings about fire hazards and safety after a blast in the northwest that killed 31 people on Wednesday. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued an emergency circular, urging all localities to investigate "hidden dangers" and strengthen supervision and inspection. President Xi Jinping ordered a safety overhaul across the country, calling on all regions to rectify safety risks. On Friday, another explosion related to a gas leak was reported in the city of Zhengzhou, state media said. The facade of a house collapsed due to the blast, burying four people, all of whom where later rescued, with two sustaining serious injuries and two others with minor injuries. Another deadly fire at a hospital in Beijing in April killed 29 people. Following a hastily convened video conference on Thursday, Beijing mayor Yin Yong stressed that close attention should be paid to investigating and rectifying fire hazards. Beijing's municipal government, as well as the provincial governments of Sichuan, Guizhou and Hainan have all called attention to fire dangers and the safe handling of liquefied gas. Sichuan's Governor Huang Qiang said his province would immediately carry out an investigation and treatment of gas safety hazards. (Reporting by Casey Hall; Editing by Shri Navaratnam and Frances Kerry) Flags of Russia and China Chinese state-owned company Poly Technologies has shipped large quantities of smokeless gunpowder to Russia in 2022, The New York Times reported on June 23. Read also: U.S. allocates over $1.3 billion more to help restore Ukraine Blinken According to the report, the Barnaul Ammunition Factory in Russia received enough gunpowder from China to produce at least 80 million cartridges. Poly Technologies, was previously sanctioned by the United States for transferring missile technology and providing support to Iran. These previously unreported shipments, which were identified by Import Genius, a U.S.-based trade data aggregator, raise new questions about the role China has played in supporting Russia as it fights to capture Ukrainian territory, the article reads. During a recent visit to Beijing, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that China assured the United States that it is not providing lethal assistance to Russia for use in Ukraine. Blinken noted that the U.S. government "does not see any direct evidence that contradicts this," but he is concerned that "private Chinese companies may be providing assistance to Russia." Read also: Could Ukrainian forces cut off Russian supply lines in the south? According to customs records, the deliveries from Poly Technologies to the Barnaul Ammunition Factory, which produces cartridges for Kalashnikov rifles and sniper rifles, took place after the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and was intended for "the production of foreign-made cartridges." Read also: EU Commission chief urges all countries to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons, security guarantees from NATO The newspaper notes that it has no direct evidence of the use of Chinese gunpowder for the production of actual ammunition, but experts surveyed believe that this assumption is the most natural in the current situation. Read also: China ready to promote political settlement of crisis in Ukraine, Chinese official says The Barnaul Ammunition Factory is on the list of companies subject to EU sanctions. In addition to the production of ammunition, the factory, according to open sources, may have served as a training base for Wagner mercenaries. In April, NYT reported that Russia is circumventing Western sanctions by purchasing chips and other electronic components necessary for weapons production through Armenia, Kazakhstan, and China. 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 WASHINGTON Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) received a frosty reception Friday at a conservative confab after he criticized former President Donald Trump, one of his rivals in the 2024 White House race. Im running because hes let us down, Christie told a crowd of several hundred social conservatives gathered at the Faith & Freedom Coalition conference at the Washington Hilton hotel. Hes unwilling to take responsibility for any of the mistakes that were made, any of the faults that he has, and any of the things that hes done. Several angry Trump supporters in the crowd jeered, and one woman yelled, We love Trump! You can boo all you want, but heres the thing: Our faith teaches us that people have to take responsibility for what they do, Christie said in response, drawing a smattering of applause from the audience. Christie: Im running because Trump let us down You can boo all you want. pic.twitter.com/BdvFQVd9jA Acyn (@Acyn) June 23, 2023 Christie launched his presidential campaign earlier this month, positioning himself as someone who isnt afraid to call out Trump over his actions as president, including his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. The former governor had been an early supporter of Trump but has since said that he made a fundamental judgment error. Moments after leaving the stage Friday, Christie walked into a lobby outside the hotels ballroom, where he was greeted by a small crowd loudly cheering him on. Christie! Christie! Christie! chanted a group of about 10 people. Its unclear if they were part of his team or just a random assemblage of supporters. My favorite governor! one shouted. Whats wrong with you guys? Christie joked, shaking their hands and posing for pictures. HuffPost asked what he made of being booed for knocking Trump. Thats what happens when you tell the truth, Christie replied. Its OK. When another person standing nearby told him to stand your ground on calling out Trump, Christie said, I will. "It's what happens when you tell the truth," Christie says after being booed on stage for criticizing Trump. Small crowd out here hailing Christie for calling out Trump. pic.twitter.com/2rjZVJu9hl Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) June 23, 2023 Not everyone in the vicinity was a fan of Christie. Mike, a 35-year-old small-business owner from New York, stood quietly as Christie posed for photos. So did 34-year-old Diana from Tennessee. (Both requested to have their full names withheld.) Im still with Trump, said Diana. Im with Trump, Mike said. Diana said she thinks Trump is the best candidate when it comes to international affairs, our economy, how its going. I look at our border crisis. Im from Texas. That really does affect my family. Christie scores low marks with GOP primary voters. Before he announced his campaign, a Monmouth University poll found that the governors unfavorable rating was the highest of 10 potential2024 presidential hopefuls tested, underscoring the challenge he faces in mounting a bid for the White House. Mike, for example, is still mad at Christie over Bridgegate, the 2013 political scandal involving the then-governors staff and political appointees colluding to create traffic jams in Fort Lee, New Jersey, by closing lanes at a major toll plaza. A federal investigation into the scheme, which came about as retribution for the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee not endorsing Christie in his gubernatorial reelection bid, resulted in multiple indictments against several of Christies staffers. Mike said he still remembers being stuck in four hours of traffic during Bridgegate as part of his regular commute from New York to New Jersey. I suffered in that traffic, he said. (CNN) US President Joe Biden downplayed the impact of his comments likening his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to a dictator, even as the Chinese government warned of consequences for the remarks. I dont think its had any real consequence, Biden said at a news conference Thursday, dismissing concerns that the relationship between the United States and China was worsening as hysteria. The US president said he expected to meet Xi in the near future, and suggested he would not tone down his rhetoric in the future. The idea of me choosing and avoiding saying what I think is facts with regard to the relationship with China is just not something Im going to change very much, Biden said. His comments come a day after Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng made serious representations and strong protests to senior officials of the White House and the US Department of State on June 21 about Bidens comments, which the Chinese Embassy called a smear that seriously contradicts basic facts, breaches diplomatic etiquette, infringes on Chinas political dignity, runs counter to the commitments made by the US side, and undermines mutual trust. We urge the US side to immediately take earnest actions to undo the negative impact and honor its own commitments. Otherwise, it will have to bear all the consequences, the Thursday statement from the embassy said. Speaking at a fundraiser in California earlier this week, Biden compared the Chinese leader to a dictator, and claimed Xi was embarrassed because he was unaware of the spy balloon that transited the US earlier this year. 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. No, Im serious. Thats whats a great embarrassment for dictators, when they didnt know what happened, Biden said. The US Presidents comments came mere days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Beijing for meetings with key officials, including Xi. Biden on Thursday described the visit by his top diplomat as a great trip. At the conclusion of that trip, Blinken said the US and China had made progress toward steering relations back on track as both sides agreed on the need to stabilize the bilateral relationship between the two superpowers. It was clear coming in that the relationship was at a point of instability, Blinken said at a news conference in the Chinese capital Monday. And both sides recognized the need to work to stabilize it. 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, he added. Now, it appears that Bidens comments could undermine the progress that was made by the top US diplomat. The nature and impact are very negative, the Chinese Embassy statement said. The Chinese government and people feel deeply affronted and firmly oppose it. President Biden said explicitly before that the United States respects Chinas system, does not seek to change it and has no intention for a new Cold War, it said. But with the latest irresponsible remarks about Chinas political system and top leader, people cannot help but question the sincerity of the US side. The Chinese government and people do not accept any political provocation against Chinas top leader, and will resolutely respond, the statement said. On Wednesday, the US State Department sought to downplay the potential impact of Bidens comments, with State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel saying the remarks had absolutely not at all diminished the progress. It should come as no surprise, of course, that we have differences and disagreements with the PRC. And the President believes that diplomacy, including this recent trip undertaken by the Secretary, is a responsible way to manage tensions, clear up misperceptions, avoid miscalculations. And all of this is in our interests to do that, Patel said at a State Department briefing. That does not mean, of course, we will not be blunt and forthright about our differences, he continued. And we look forward to continuing to engage on a number of issues as it relates to the complex relationship that we have with the PRC. The statement from the Chinese Embassy does not specify to whom the ambassador made the serious representations. CNN has reached out to the embassy and the White House for comment. A State Department spokesperson said they do not comment on private diplomatic discussions. This story was first published on CNN.com, Biden downplays impact of his comments on Xi as China warns of consequences" Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) was booed Friday after he criticized former President Donald Trump during a Faith and Freedom Coalition event, saying in response, You can boo all you want. Why am I running for president of the United States? Im running because [Trumps] let us down. He has let us down because hes unwilling hes unwilling to take responsibility for any of the mistakes that were made, Christie said during the Faith and Freedom Coalitions Road to Majority conference in Washington, D.C. Christie noted that he was the first 2016 presidential candidate to back Trump and served as chairman of his transition team afterward. But as he continued further into his speech, the crowd shouted and booed at him. You can boo all you want, Christie responded. Our faith teaches us that people have to take responsibility for what they do. People have to stand up and take accountability for what they do, and I cannot stand by, Christie added, amid a mix of boos and some applause. After his speech, Christie received loud cheers from some attendees who had gathered toward the back of the event to greet and take a photo with him. But the response underscored the degree to which the event is a largely pro-Trump environment, as well as the difficulty anti-Trump candidates like Christie may have among Republican primary voters largely still loyal to Trump. Further highlighting this point, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R), whos running for governor in the state, received some of the largest applause early on during the event when he said he would be endorsing Trump in 2024. Robinson, who was endorsed by Trump earlier in the month, had previously been mum on who hed back in the 2024 GOP presidential primary. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby addresses the General Synod The Church of England has come to the conclusion there is no saving fossil fuel companies from the error of their ways when it comes to sustainability and climate change. The Church Commissioners, which manage the churchs 10.3 billion ($13.1 billion) endowment fund, and the Church of England Pensions Board will both be disinvesting their portfolios from oil and gas companies. The divestment announcement, dated June 22, will also affect any other company operating in the oil and gas business that is not taking action to meet the goals set in the 2015 Paris Agreement, which aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions to keep global temperatures from rising above 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Read more This is the second round of oil and gas divestment undertaken by the church since 2021 and affects eleven firms in the portfoliosBP, Ecopetrol, Eni, Equinor, ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, Pemex, Repsol, Sasol, Shell, and Totalafter a review showed no fossil fuel company is on track to reach net zero by 2050. BP and Shell were singled out by John Bell, the CEO of the churchs pensions board, for seeking to maximize short term profit at the expense of sustainability goals. Recent reversals of previous commitments, most notably by BP and Shell, has undermined confidence in the sectors ability to transition, he said in a statement. In a statement to Quartz, Shell said: Its disappointing, but not surprising given its recent change in stance, that the Church of England Pensions Board has taken this decision. Our commitment to becoming a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050 remains as strong as it ever was, and we firmly believe our strategy is aligned with the more ambitious goal of the Paris climate agreement. BP did not respond to Quartzs request for comment. The pension board said it held 1.35 million ($1.7 million) in equity and debt in Shell, and approximately 7 million ($8.9 million) in equity and debt in other oil and gas companies. Quotable: Reconciling science and faith We have long urged companies to take climate change seriously ... Some progress has been made, but not nearly enough. The Church will follow not just the science, but our faith both of which call us to work for climate justice. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Chair of the Church Commissioners for England, in a June 22 statement. Making spiritually and morally sound investments While the issue of conscious investingand specifically investing dictated by principles of environmental, social, and corporate governancehas recently become a matter of political debate and even censorship, the Church of England has long made moral-based choices in its financial operations. The churchs stance on fighting climate change stems from its mission to protect human life. As such, the organization has traditionally refused to invest in activities harmful to human health, such as tobacco companies or e-cigarette producers. The church appears to be facing a dilemma thats common for environmentally conscious investors: Can more change be enacted as a shareholder in a polluting company, or by removing the funds from said company? The churchs pensions board voted against the renewal of Shells board of director at the oil and gas giants latest shareholder meeting in May, but the decision to disinvest marks a change from shareholder activism. The church, however, is ready to reverse course should oil and gas companies take meaningful action on fighting climate change. Alan Smith, First Church Estates Commissioner, said in a statement: If any of these energy companies come into alignment with our criteria in the future, we would reconsider our position. Indeed, that is something we would hope for. Related stories BPs profits arent breaking records anymore, but theyre still astronomical What an honest ad from an oil and gas company would look like More from Quartz Sign up for Quartz's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Civil rights groups again ask feds to investigate police brutality and racism at KCPD A group of civil rights organizations on Friday again asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate constitutional violations, excessive force complaints and discrimination against Black people by the Kansas City Police Department. The group, led by the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity, or MORE2, includes the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City and other faith and social activist groups. In a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice, released publicly by the group Friday, the activists said federal authorities have not addressed the deep concerns of citizens, namely the disparate treatment of Black Kansas Citians, from disproportionate stops to use of force. The letter cited systemic constitutional violations, an alarming amount of excessive force violations and the targeting of Black motorists to achieve ticket quotas. The same organizations were part of a group that filed a similar letter to the Justice Department in July 2021. Since then, the Justice Department has launched an investigation of employment practices to determine whether racism is a factor in the hiring and promotions of Black KCPD officers. Lora McDonald, executive director for MORE2, said during a press conference Friday that Dylan Pifer, who fatally shot Terrance Bridges in May 2019, continues to work as a Kansas City police officer. Theres case after case after case of officers who arent being held accountable, McDonald said. Weve been seeing these things over and over. Its a pattern. Its a practice of sweeping things under the rug. The group is asking the Justice Department to conduct a pattern and practice investigation of the Kansas City police force. Sgt. Jacob Becchina, a police department spokesman, told The Star in an email that Police Chief Stacey Graves takes the concerns of the community very seriously. Since she was appointed Chief, she has made relationships a priority. She has met with community groups, key stakeholders, and instituted regular listening sessions to hear the communitys concerns, Becchina wrote. Becchina said the police department has cooperated, and would continue to cooperate, with the Justice Department. June 23 letter to the U.S. ... by Ian Cummings In the 22-page letter to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, the social activist group laid out examples they said demonstrated a pattern of systemic constitutional violations. The letter pointed to the millions of dollars the police department has paid out to settle civil lawsuits stemming from officers using excessive force against Black residents, the departments failure to investigate missing Black residents and the slowness of Kansas City police to arrest a white man who shot Ralph Yarl, a Black teen who knocked on the mans door by mistake. Black people in Kansas City live in terror of KCPD because of the lack of any accountability, the letter said. When an officer uses excessive force, the department claims the force was legal, the prosecutor rarely charges officers, and if an individual is lucky, they will get a settlement and KCPD will not make any policy changes. The letter notes that Kansas City, unlike most major U.S. cities, does not control its own police department. As a result, the police department is not accountable to city residents. Four of the five members of the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners board, which controls the police department, are appointed by the Missouri governor. The fifth member is the mayor of Kansas City. In their letter, the activists say the board is essentially a rubber stamp for anything the department puts before it. To this point, no amount of public complaints, lawsuits and judgments/settlements have been enough to spark a shred of change, the letter said. In September, the Justice Department announced it had launched an investigation of employment practices at KCPD to determine if the force engaged in racial discrimination in hiring and promoting Black officers. Federal investigation arrived months after The Star published a series of stories examining allegations of racism and harassment inside KCPD. The series profiled Herb Robinson, a Black detective, who believes he was racially profiled by two of his colleagues. The stop was captured on dash camera, in which his colleagues can be heard calling him dumbass and a retard. Robinson has filed a civil racial discrimination lawsuit against KCPD. Leaders of the group said they hoped a federal investigation would result in the police department entering into a consent decree with the Justice Department. Such a move would compel the police department to address problems with the use of force and failure to properly train and discipline officers. The KCPDs misconduct will continue to go unfettered and unchecked until an independent outside agency intervenes - and the federal government is the only independent entity that has the power to intervene, according to the letter. On June 16, the Justice Department released the results of a two-year investigation of Minneapolis police begun after the murder of George Floyd. The investigation found that Minneapolis officers used excessive force, including unjustified deadly force, and violated the rights of people engaged in constitutionally protected speech. A group of civil rights organizations have sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to open a federal civil rights investigation of the Akron, Ohio, police officers involved in the killing of Jayland Walker. Akron officers shot and killed Walker on June 27, 2022, after an attempted traffic stop led to a foot pursuit to an empty parking lot. In less than seven seconds, eight officers fired more than 90 shots at Walker. The officers continued to shoot even after Walker collapsed. Walker was shot 46 times, according to autopsy reports. After the shooting, Walkers body was handcuffed. Mr. Walkers family, and the Akron community, deserve accountability and justice, organizations including the Akron NAACP wrote in the letter. Local authorities have shown themselves unwilling or unable to deliver justice in this case of deadly force. The DOJ has a duty to open a separate, independent federal civil rights investigation of the officers involved in the fatal shooting of Mr. Walker. A statement by the Akron police following the shooting said that during the pursuit, Walker fired a gun from his vehicle. But attorneys representing Walkers family have questioned this, citing that all windows in Walkers car were intact. In the letter to Garland, 23 organizations including Color Of Change, the Freedom BLOC, a Black community organizing collaborative in Ohio, and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, call for the Department to investigate Walkers death in order to determine a pattern or practice of civil rights violations by the Akron Police Department. Though the officers directly involved in the shooting of Walker were put on administrative leave following the incident, all eight were reinstated by Oct. 10. An Ohio grand jury declined to indict the officers. After the grand jury declined to indict the officers, Akron Police Chief Stephen Mylett announced there would be an internal APD investigation, though he said at the time there was nothing jumping out to him that made him think department policies were violated by the officers. But the letter to Garland says the officers actions both during and after Walkers death highlight serious questions and concerns about the departments patterns and practices. According to the Police Scorecard project, the Akron Police Department had more racial disparities in use of deadly force than 43 percent of U.S. police departments. Between 2013 and 2021, APD officers killed eight people, three of whom were Black. In the same time period, Black people in Akron were more than twice as likely to be arrested for low-level, nonviolent offenses than white residents. In 2016, a 26-year veteran of the force was demoted after he wrote about the departments use of force in the police unions private newsletter. That officer won a $30,000 settlement in a lawsuit against the city, claiming his demotion was in retaliation for the note. The APDs practice of hiding the truth about their excessive use of force is a pattern, not an outlier, the organizations wrote to Garland. Since Mr. Walkers killing, there has been no transparency. The APD has refused to identify the officers who shot Mr. Walker and also recently allowed officers to not wear name tags. The letter to Garland follows recent reports of police misconduct in Minneapolis and Louisville. In Minneapolis, the DOJ reported that police routinely used excessive force and unlawfully discriminated against Black and Native American people. The Department also found this year that the Louisville Metro Police Department and the local government engaged in a pattern of discriminatory behavior against Black citizens. Meanwhile, the DOJ agreed in February to offer technical assistance to the Columbus Division of Police. The letter praised the DOJs efforts in Columbus, but added that these same violations need to be addressed in areas around the nation, including Akron. Police violence that Black people face in Columbus, Akron and localities all over the country are symptoms of deep, systemic issues that will require multi-pronged, transformative reforms, the letter said. The DOJ has the authority to help ensure full and real accountability of local law enforcement agencies engaged in disparate, excessive violence counterintuitive to public safety. We again ask that the DOJ swiftly open a civil rights investigation of the officers involved in the killing of Jayland Walker and to pursue a pattern or practice investigation of the Akron Police Department for civil rights violations. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Photo: Getty (Getty Images) One year ago this week, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the federal right to abortion. Justice Clarence Thomas agreed with that decision, but wrote separately to say that the court should also overturn the cases legalizing marriage equality and guaranteeing the right to use birth control. The latter case, Griswold v. Connecticut, was decided back in 1965 and laid the right-to-privacy foundation on which Roe was built. Thomas called the opinion demonstrably erroneous in his Dobbs concurrence. On Fridayhis 75th birthday, incidentallyhe reminded everyone again that he really, really hates that old birth control ruling; and this time he chose to do so in an immigration case. Read more Thomas writes: This case demonstrates just how far courts have drifted from their original station of adjudicating the rights of the parties before them in accordance with law. In an appropriate case, we should carefully reconsider the facial overbreadth doctrine. Then he adds in a footnote: The facial overbreadth doctrine is but one manifestation of the Courts larger drift away from the limited judicial station envisioned by the Constitution. He cites Griswold as one of five cases that the Framers18th century drunk white guys who didnt think Black people like Thomas should even be allowed to vote, mind youwouldnt have liked. Translation: Wont some innocent little legal outfit bring me a case I can use to overturn Griswold and other stuff? Thomas comments are a bleak reminder that we havent yet seen the full consequences of last years Dobbs ruling. Not only are politicians still working to ban abortion at the state and federal level, but at least one SCOTUS justice is joining anti-abortion activists in coming for birth control, too. More from Jezebel Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. College Student Reveals That Alabama Sorority Charged Her $4,000 After She Left Campus To Be With Her Cancer-Stricken Father former alamaba rush sorority sister After #BamaRush took the Internet by storm in 2021, many college students began sharing their own experiences rushing the University of Alabama sororities. Some of the strict expectations took people by surprise, including how pledges were required to get letters of recommendation to rush, maintain a certain GPA, and pay fees if they missed any important events. One young woman who was part of a sorority at Alabama revealed the outrageous reason she was charged $4,000 after she was unable to make it to a campus event when a family emergency came up. The student detailed her off-putting experience in a University of Alabama sorority. Greek life is a significant part of life on the University of Alabama campus. There are approximately 12,000 students involved in Greek life, around 36% of the undergraduate student body, per the University. Unfortunately, a limited number of pledges make the cut, and even after they are accepted into the sorority, some discover that being part of a sisterhood does not live up to the expectations. Alabama student Katherine Ellis learned this after joining a sorority during her freshman year. RELATED: School Responds After Video Shows Bullies Shoving Teen With Down Syndrome To The Ground Imagine joining a sorority at Alabama and thinking that its gonna be the best thing ever, but then your dad gets cancer and they try to fine you thousands of dollars because of it? she claimed, delving into the harsh reality of becoming part of an Alabama sorority in a TikTok video that has been viewed over 3 million times. When you want to rush Alabama, you have to decide you want to rush months before and then go through this whole registration process, Ellis says in the video. The registration is an application that takes a long time to do. You have to submit photos of yourselves, you have to submit your resume [and] letters of recommendation. I didnt know I needed fking letters of recommendation to hang out with a bunch of girls and go to parties. Ellis also learned that students would not be accepted into a sorority if they had a GPA that was below 3.0. She spent months doing heavy research and talking with people who were familiar with Greek life to increase her chances of getting in. She wound up getting accepted into one sorority that she did not specify by name. Although she was overwhelmed by all of the requirements and money she had to spend just to be a part of a sisterhood, Ellis encouraged herself to give it a try for at least her first semester to see if she would enjoy it. RELATED: Man Questions Sorority Members About Why Only 'Blonde White Girls' Join & Their Responses Are Divisive Ellis explained that the sorority fined her $4,000 for leaving campus to visit her dad while he was undergoing cancer surgery. In the weeks leading up to the universitys Homecoming event, Ellis and her sisters were tasked with pomping poster boards. Pomping is taking little two by two pieces of tissue paper, putting them into teeny tiny little balls, and gluing thousands of them to make portraits, Ellis explained, sharing a photo of posters that had been created using pomping for campus events. For the two weeks leading up to homecoming, we were required to be at the sorority house for eight hours a day, pomping it up, she said. university of alabama sorority sister fined Photo: @itskatellis / TikTok RELATED: Alabama Rush TikToker Makayla Culpepper Dropped From Every Sorority Just Days After Saying She's Mixed Race Ellis claimed that the older sisters would take away the little sisters cell phones and their university ID cards while they were at the house so that they wouldnt get distracted or attempt to leave the house. If youre caught not actively pomping, the hour didnt count, she said. And for every hour you miss, you owe them $100. During the two weeks leading up to homecoming, Ellis received the devastating news that her father, who lived across the country, was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo surgery. Therefore, she had to fly home and missed a week of pomping. Unfortunately, Ellis sisters were not as compassionate about the situation as she hoped they would be. I missed a week and they fined me $4,000, she shares. Needless to say, Ellis dropped the sorority. RELATED: Teen With Special Needs In Tears As Bullies Shave His Head While Security Guard & Classmates Laugh TikTok users were appalled by the sororitys treatment of Ellis. Sounds insane. Bama is way too intense, one user commented. Thats ridiculous! So sorry about your Dad, another user wrote. Other users shared their own sorority horror stories that were similar to Ellis. I got fined for missing an event because I was in the ER, one user revealed. My daughter was in the sorority. She missed meetings due to surgery and was fined, another user added. On May 23, HBO Max released a documentary about the controversies surrounding the rushing process at Alabama in 2022 titled Bama Rush: Acceptance Is Everything. It highlights the distress pledges undergo just to be part of a sisterhood, something that Ellis can relate to all too well. Thankfully, Ellis shared in the comments section that her father is now four years cancer-free! RELATED: Womans Viral Story About Her Sorority Sister Who Killed A Neo-Nazi Divides Opinions Megan Quinn is a writer at YourTango who covers entertainment and news, self, love, and relationships. This article originally appeared on YourTango College students help identify man found dead in hotel room in 2002, AZ officials say In September 2002, a manager found a man dead in an Arizona hotel room just hours after his death. The man had registered the Nogales room under the name Edward C. of St Petersburg, Florida, DNA Doe Project said in a June 22 news release. There was one problem, however, Bruce Anderson, a forensic anthropologist with the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner, told McClatchy News. The name he registered under, that man was still alive, Anderson said. Investigators soon learned the name was tied to identity theft and fraud, DNA Doe Project said. Years later, investigators used next generation fingerprinting to get another name: Donald Hadland, Jr., according to Anderson. Given the mans history with identity theft, though, investigators were unsure if this was truly the mans name. Now, with the help of DNA Doe Project and Ramapo College of New Jersey, Nogales John Doe has a name 21 years after his death: Donald Hadland, Jr., the nonprofit said. Being part of a multidisciplinary team working to establish the identity of an individual in a 20-year-old cold case was very rewarding, Brad Combs, a student at Ramapo College, said in the release. Little information In 2002, investigators had little information to go off of to learn Nogales John Does true identity, Anderson said. They knew he went by the name of Edward C, and that he may have used the name Donald H, DNA Doe Project said. He also had an 8-inch long scar along his left frontal hairline, the nonprofit said. The man told the hotel manager he had been consulting a doctor in Mexico about surgery on his head, DNA Doe Project said. But investigators knew little else, according to Anderson. Unique case Then earlier this year, Anderson said the medical examiners office sought the help of DNA Doe Project who partnered with Ramapo College to determine the mans identity. The college said in a news release that students in the newly created Investigative Genetic Genealogy Certificate Program used genetic genealogy to track down potential leads for Nogales John Does identity. Genetic genealogy uses DNA testing coupled with traditional genealogical methods to create family history profiles, according to the Library of Congress. With genealogical DNA testing, researchers can determine if and how people are biologically related. This case was unique as there was an investigative lead to the identity of Donald Hadland Jr. to begin with, Cairenn Binder, the colleges program director, said in the release. The students were able to compile additional supporting information using investigative genetic genealogy to demonstrate how Nogales John Does genetic matches were consistent with Donald Hadland Jr. Thats not my ex-husband From there, Anderson said investigators were able to contact Hadlands ex-wife with whom he had had a son. The ex-wife said she hadnt seen him since the late 1980s after Hadland left her and their child, according to Anderson. Investigators asked the ex-wife to look up her ex-husband on the National Missing and Unidentified Persons Systems website to see if she recognized the man in the photograph, Anderson said. But when she did, she said, Thats not my ex-husband, Anderson said. We thought, Well we got a problem, Anderson said. Maybe her ex-husband is still alive, and Nogales John Doe stole this mans identity. However, it turned out the photo was taken 13 to 14 years after she last saw her ex-husband, Anderson said. Investigators tracked down a drivers license photo for Edward C. of St Petersburg, Florida, and showed it to the ex-wife, Anderson said. Thats my ex-husband, the woman said, according to Anderson. Anderson said they soon learned that Hadlands son and two grandsons already had genealogy profiles, and he asked if they would release them to a public database. DNA Doe Project and Ramapo College confirmed that the man who died in a hotel room 21 years ago was in fact Donald Hadland, Jr., the father and grandfather of the men, Anderson said. Thus, over two decades after his death, Anderson said Nogales John Does compelling story came to a close. Nogales is about 70 miles south of Tucson. Skull found by hunter decades ago is now identified as missing California 4-year-old Detectives solve mystery of man found dead in Charlotte elevator shaft 35 years ago Duck hunter found womans remains 26 years ago in California. Shes now been identified Colombia says documentary to be made about kids rescued in Amazon Airmen from Colombia's air force evacuate the rescued children on June 9, 2023 (Handout Colombian Air Force) The Colombian government is working with British producer Simon Chinn to make a documentary about the four Indigenous children who survived 40 days alone in the Amazon after a plane crash that killed their mother, the country's president said Friday. Gustavo Petro, who is attending a climate summit in Paris, said he had "a first meeting" with Chinn, a two-time Oscar winner for the documentaries "Man on Wire" (2008) and "Searching for Sugar Man" (2012). The four children -- Lesly (13), Soleiny (9), Tien Noriel (5) and one-year-old Cristin -- were the only survivors of a small plane crash in the Amazon on May 1. All three adults on board, including their mother, died. It took nearly 200 military and Indigenous rescuers with search dogs 40 days to track down the children in difficult jungle conditions. On Thursday, Petro published a photo in which he appears with Chinn; a correspondent for Britain's Channel 4 television, Guillermo Galdos; and the director of television for Colombian state broadcaster RTVC, Hollman Morris. Petro said RTVC will partner with Lightbox, a production company founded by Chinn, to tell the story of "Operation Hope," the name for the massive search operation. "We have to talk with the family, with the Indigenous communities (and) open the archive of images," Petro told journalists. The discovery of some of the children's belongings in the vicinity of the aircraft sparked a search involving elite military commandos and Indigenous spiritual guides who finally guided rescuers to a spot in the jungle where the siblings were huddled on June 9. They were in a makeshift shelter, underweight and dehydrated. They survived thanks to wild fruits and the ingenuity of Lesly, who used a soda bottle to collect water to drink. The children are recovering satisfactorily at a military hospital in Bogota "with improvement... in appetite, weight gain and adequate tolerance to food intake," the medical center said this week. jss/tjj/sst Rep. Adam B. Schiff has reason to smile after being formally censured by House Republicans. The move gives a big boost to the Burbank Democrat's bid for the U.S. Senate. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) On Thursday, Rep. Adam B. Schiff turned 63. His birthday present arrived a day early, courtesy of vengeful House Republicans. Schiff was formally censured Wednesday for his role in holding to account the most immoral, self-centered, self-dealing, insurrectionist president in modern American history. The only thing missing was wrapping paper, a shiny red bow and a greeting card dotted with Xs and O's. Former President Trump has described Schiff as "shifty," "sick" and "corrupt." He has also made the congressman what he is today: a political household name and prosecutorial hero to millions of Democrats nationwide. The rebuke from the House GOP boosted Schiff's political stock even further, edging the Burbank Democrat closer to his goal of besting a handful of party rivals and succeeding Dianne Feinstein as the next U.S. senator from California. "I would call it an advertisement for Adam Schiff," Bob Shrum, a veteran Democratic strategist who teaches political science at USC, said following the party-line censure vote. "Brought to you by the MAGA caucus in the Republican House." In today's nihilistic political climate, what a candidate accomplishes is increasingly less important to partisans than whom they antagonize along the way. With enemies like Trump and his acolytes, Schiff might well ask, who needs friends? Read more: House Republicans censured Adam Schiff. He couldn't be happier The vote Wednesday was a monumental exercise in political self-gratification. The move had no practical impact it was purely symbolic save for cheapening the already degraded image of the inmate-run House asylum. Censure, which has occurred only 25 times in the House, is a punishment usually reserved for criminal conduct, ethics violations or serious breaches of conduct. Schiff, who led the prosecution in Trump's first impeachment the one involving attempted bribery and Ukraine was reprimanded for, among other things, helping bring to light secret Russian interference in the 2016 election in support of Trump's campaign. Contrary to the assertions of Trump and others, an investigation by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III did not exonerate Trump or campaign strategists of charges that they had encouraged Russian meddling, though it found no evidence of criminal conspiracy. Mueller made a strong case for obstruction of justice, but said that under Justice Department policy a sitting president could not be criminally prosecuted. None of that, however, mattered in the GOP's show-trial proceeding, where the verdict was preordained and all that mattered was sating the animal spirit of the Republican base. Schiff's actions "ripped apart American families across the country," the censure's lead sponsor, Florida Republican Anna Paulina Luna, proclaimed with no lack of hyperbole. He was "permanently destroying family relationships." And you thought fighting over the remote was a problem. When it came time for Schiff's formal reprimand as he stood at the front of the House chamber, having the censure resolution read aloud by Speaker Kevin McCarthy he was swarmed by fellow Democrats, who clapped him on the back. "Shame," they chanted, and their catcalls "Disgrace," "What about George Santos?" caused a frustrated McCarthy to repeatedly start and stop. Meantime, a fundraising solicitation from Schiff ricocheted across the internet. Last week, an attempt to censure Schiff failed because some in the GOP objected to a proposed $16-million fine. "Once more, I have to be on the House floor to listen to MAGA Republicans push false and defamatory lies about me," Schiff lamented in his fundraising email. But after the proceeding, the freshly admonished lawmaker was all smiles. Read more: Column: Trump tormentor, whiteboard wizard it's the brand that matters in California Senate race Before Trump came along, Schiff was scarcely known outside his Southern California district. His claim to fame, if you'd call it that, was being elected in 2000 in what was once the costliest House race in U.S. history. Then Congress launched its investigation separate from the Mueller probe into Russias interference in the 2016 campaign. As the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, the studious Schiff became the pursed-lip face of the congressional inquisition and a Trump target. He was elevated by a slew of insult-laden presidential tweets and became a television staple, which in turn vaulted Schiff into strong contention in the 2024 race for Feinstein's Senate seat. His two main Democratic competitors are Reps. Katie Porter of Irvine and Barbara Lee of Oakland. The substantive differences among the three are relatively small. But Porter and Lee have been running hard to the left, aiming at the party's liberal base by suggesting Schiff a favorite of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others in the party establishment is somehow less of a Democrat. That becomes harder when Republicans treat him as Public Enemy No. 1. Katha Hartley, a Bay Area Democratic activist, was positively effusive in the hours after the censure vote. She is a former president of the Democrats of Rossmoor Club, a must-stop for political hopefuls; Schiff, Porter and Lee have all made the trek to audition before hundreds of members in the 55-and-older community. "He is a symbol of what stands between the MAGAs and our democracy," Hartley said of Schiff. "He takes it to them. He points out what they're doing. It's honorable that he was censured." She declared Wednesday "a victory day" for the sanctioned congressman, and despite her wish to see a woman take Feinstein's place, said: "My gut is telling me I'm going to vote for Adam Schiff." He can thank House Republicans for that. Get the latest from Mark Z. Barabak Focusing on politics out West, from the Golden Gate to the U.S. Capitol. Sign me up. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Located at Fort Hill Street and Emery Highway, Fort Hawkins is a great place to get out and about, learn and experience a bit of local history while enjoying the weekend. Inaccessible for many years, the sites visitor center and its blockhouse are now open most weekends with tours from noon until 4 p.m. Some sources say it takes about an hour to take it all in but, of course, that varies from person to person, family to family and interest levels. But Fort Hawkins is interesting. Its a fun place to visit and especially to come with kids, said Ashley Quinn, chair of the sites board of directors and Collections Manager for Georgia College & State Universitys William P. Wall Museum of Natural History in Milledgeville. The visitor center leads you through history before the fort, from Native Americans who lived here to the forts history through the school that was here. Of course, the reproduction of the blockhouse built in the 1930s through efforts of the Nathaniel Macon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is a highlight. You can go in and from the top level see Macon high up from a whole different point of view. After all, Benjamin Hawkins, who oversaw the forts establishment in 1806 and its completion in 1810, selected the highest point available for the outpost in the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, one east of the Ocmulgee River along the fall line, one which overlooked what was known as the Creek Trading Path, the sacred Muscogee (Creek) earthwork mounds known as the Ocmulgee Old Fields and now as the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, overlooked a trading settlement and overlooked what was to become Macon. For a variety of reasons, theres dispute and discrepancy over many of the facts about Hawkins life but much is clear. That includes the fact he was originally a well-to-do North Carolinian planter who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and as a U.S. Senator. Having served on George Washingtons personal staff during the Revolutionary War and having been involved with Native American affairs in the South previously, Washington appointed Hawkins a commissioner to the Creek Indians in 1796. In 1801, Thomas Jefferson appointed him principal agent for Indian affairs south of the Ohio River thus becoming principal U.S. Indian Agent to the Creek and bringing him to Georgia. Though he spent much time at Fort Hawkins, he traveled the Southeast and made his home on a large farming/milling complex he created near Roberta, bringing his enslaved African laborers from North Carolina to build it. Suffering ill health much of his life, he died in 1816 at his home along the Flint River. A monument to Hawkins was erected in Robertas downtown in 1931 commemorating his life and service. Hawkins actions as an Indian Agent reportedly earned him the moniker Beloved Man of the Four Nations and he gained respect for being an agent who thought it worthwhile to examine into the situation of the women, according to Claudio Saunts book A New Order of Things. Property, Power, and the Transformation of the Creek Indians, 17331816. Hawkins learned the Muscogee language and two of his seven children were named after Native peoples, Muscogee and Cherokee. Indeed, Hawkins long tenure was one of peace in the area but unfortunately ended with President Andrew Jackson leading the charge to tragically and illegally displace Indian nations from their southern homelands to the west, including the Muscogee (Creek) of Georgia and Alabama to Oklahoma. In conflict and revolt against removal, there was bloodshed and massacre in eastern Alabama. An entertaining and independent perspective on Hawkins and Fort Hawkins can be heard on podcasts at middlegapodcasts.podbean.com. The first episode presents a question-and-answer session with Hawkins as portrayed by Marty Willett. Willett also portrayed Hawkins during the forts 2006 bicentennial celebrations. Again, while some facts from any single source may be debatable and even in dispute by some close to the fort, the podcast is entertaining and enlightening as to much of the fort and Macons history. And thats the real point of an enjoyable visit to the spacious outdoor grounds and indoor displays at Fort Hawkins. After all, it was the western frontier of Georgia when it was built and gives a picture of life more than 200 years ago, Quinn said. It gives a perspective people can learn a lot from and better understand their roots and why Macon developed here as it did. In addition to regular open weekends, special days are set each year such as when the Ocmulgee Archeological Society hosts its annual event each May there. Quinn said the best contact for information is via info@forthawkins.com but there is a Facebook page, too. Search Fort Hawkins. Quinn also said the Fort Hawkins Foundation welcomes volunteers, especially volunteers one day a month to help staff weekends. She said on the rare occasion the fort isnt open on a weekend, its because of a holiday or lack of volunteers. Related, while out and about Saturday, you might want to also hop over to visit Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park at 3 p.m. for a tour of the Earth Lodge mound with a park ranger. Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com. (CNN) 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 Mackenzies rescued followers were refusing food. One of them had died, he said at the time. This story was first published on CNN.com, Kenyan starvation cult suspect dies in custody after hunger strike" FILE PHOTO: Democratic Republic of Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi attends talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing KINSHASA (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo's government is not on track with preparations for elections, the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) said on Friday ahead of presidential and parliamentary polls later this year. The country's Catholic church has a long history of promoting democracy in the vast African country where organising elections has been complicated by financial and logistical problems, and where disputes over vote tampering have frequently caused widespread unrest. The election commission, CENI, has made insufficient progress creating a tripartite consultation framework between the majority, the opposition and civil society, and not invited international observers to ensure fair elections, CENCO said. "CENI's refusal to respond favourably to these two pertinent requests is proof enough that the electoral process is off to a bad start," the church said in a statement. The opposition candidate Martin Fayulu had mirrored these concerns, and said the voter registration process took place in total opacity, which was according to him "a proof of the planning and execution of fraud". The election commission did not respond to the comments and told Reuters that it will address the electorate on Sunday. The Catholic church is currently gearing up to monitor elections scheduled for December in which President Felix Tshisekedi will seek a second term in office. (Reporting by Ange Kasongo; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; editing by David Evans) Lab Leak During a spacewalk this week, Russian cosmonauts decided to chuck an entire science experiment as well as other bits of equipment into the abyss while cleaning the outside of an orbiting laboratory docked to the International Space Station. As Space.com reports, cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin jettisoned the hardware for a seismological experiment deployed all the way back in 2013, destined to burn up in the Earth's atmosphere. "Wave goodbye to it," an official from Moscow's mission control said during a livestream on NASA TV. "Rest in peace." The Seismoprognoz, an experiment designed to measure seismic activity back on Earth, was installed outside the space station's Zvezda module in late December 2013. Along with some communications equipment, the hardware was unceremoniously tossed away from the module in a direction opposite the station so that it wouldn't accidentally hit it on its way to becoming space char. It's only the latest instance of astronauts using our planet's orbit and atmosphere as a garbage incinerator. Routine Maintenance As we've pointed out before, this kind of space littering is common practice because the debris usually ends up burning up when it makes contact with our atmosphere, leaving no trace behind. Nevertheless, experts have been warning for years that astronauts accidentally losing equipment during spacewalks could make the growing space junk problem even worse. Known as the "Kessler Syndrome," one theoretical space junk scenario envisions a near future in which debris surrounding Earth reaches a point where trash collides with even more trash to the point at which a ring of trash surrounds our planet, putting satellites and astronauts at risk. And in many ways, we're well on our way toward such an eventuality. The US government is tracking over 23,000 pieces of trash "larger than a softball" in Earth's orbit. What's worse: the Department of Defense believes there are 100 million pieces of millimeter-sized debris surrounding our planet all of which can and do harm satellites and the ISS, which has had to dodge debris on numerous occasions. It's important to note that we don't know yet if or how much astronauts intentionally jettisoning equipment is adding to this problem but it certainly won't help. More on space junk: Scientists Experimenting With Actual Tractor Beam to Clean Up Space Junk Damage to the bridge near Chongar Following a suspected strike on a bridge at Chongar, between Russian-occupied Kherson Oblast and Ukraines Russian-occupied Crimea, NV talked to an expert to mull over the implications of the attack. Oleksiy Melnyk, Head of the Foreign Policy and International Security Program at the Razumkov Center think tank, sat down for an interview with Radio NV on June 22. Melnyk explained how the interruption of communication between Crimea and the mainland will affect the Ukrainian counter-offensive, and suggested why Russian Telegram channels claim that the strike was carried out by British Storm Shadow missiles. Read also: Chonhar bridge attacks will impede Russian logistics expert opinion NV: This morning, "bavovna" (Ukrainian pun on Russian euphemism for explosions -ed.) occurred in Chonhar, on the border of occupied Crimea and Kherson Oblast. Not on one bridge, but on two at once. Can you explain what happened there? Why does it matter? O.M.: Indeed, there is very detailed video evidence of the damage from this strike. Both bridges were damaged. One seems to have been unused, but in any case, it could theoretically be employed as a backup. Even if we believe the optimistic statements from the so-called occupation leader, gauleiter Vladimir Saldo, that they will be able to restore it, it will take hours, even if we are talking about temporary measures. But for today's main task, the counter-offensive, even a few hours' interruption to the supply chain is extremely important. Read also: Russian invaders start panicking after strike on bridge to Crimea, says official NV: How significant could the consequences be? O.M.: Even before this, the issues with the land corridor were quite serious. You can see online a live stream of truck drivers being redirected to avoid the Crimean bridge. Even without the destruction of the bridge at Chonhar, this trip took several days, possibly even weeks of waiting at checkpoints with various roadblocks. Today, to put it roughly, these problems will be at least 50% worse. If we hope that the remaining connection points between the Crimean Peninsula and the mainland will be damaged in the coming days, then at the very least the possibility of reinforcing the group of Russian troops currently stationed in southern Ukraine from Crimea will be cut off. And there are serious logistical issues for the peninsula itself. Read also: Russian invaders claim bridge between occupied Crimea and Kherson was attacked NV: The occupiers claim these bridges were hit by Storm Shadow missiles. Some opinions say that after such strikes nothing would remain of the bridges, as opposed to just holes in them. Do we understand what they're claiming and why the occupiers would make such statements? O.M.: It's difficult for me to judge technically specialized experts should assess what ammunition hit the bridge. Based on the range, it could hardly have been HIMARS. It could have been Storm Shadow or another missile... The result is most important. But immediately calling it Storm Shadow may relate to recent statements by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who literally announced such strikes. Accordingly, strikes in retaliation may aim to pressure Shoigu. Because in the Russian information space, every other comment targets Shoigu: "What about your threats?" Apparently, Russia identified the missile as Storm Shadow to encourage Shoigu or Russian political/military leadership to take another serious escalation. NV: Russian propagandist (Vladimir) Solovyov is already calling on Shoigu to answer for his words and strike the "decision-making centers" behind this bridge attack. Is there really a connection? Shoigu makes a statement and the next day there's an (attack). Was it a response to his statements, or did Shoigu know about it? O.M.: I don't think there is a connection in either direction. Why would Ukraine strike in response to Shoigu's statements? Probably, this is the task of Western politicians, who have to respond immediately and convincingly to certain statements of the Russian leadership. To say the attack aimed to undermine Shoigu's authority in front of his superiors, I don't think such a connection exists. 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 The man charged with fatally shooting an engaged Seattle couple, severely injuring his girlfriend and wounding two others at a Washington state musical festival told police he was hallucinating on mushrooms at the time, according to an arrest affidavit. Josilyn Ruiz, 26, and her fiancee, 29-year-old Brandy Escamilla, were pronounced dead after being shot as they walked through a campground at the Beyond Wonderland electronic dance music festival at The Gorge Amphitheatre in Grant County, Washington, on June 17. Ruizs sister said in an Instagram post that the couples love for each other was truly infinite. Brandy was her soulmate and her greatest love and reason for living. Their love was unconditional and unbreakable, something so profound that I always envied. Clearly it was so strong it kept them together until the end. Josilyn Ruiz (left) and Brandy Escamilla shared a love that was Josilyn Ruiz (left) and Brandy Escamilla shared a love that was "unconditional and unbreakable," Ruiz's sister said. The suspected shooter, James M. Kelly, 26, an active-duty Army soldier based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, south of Tacoma, was arrested at the scene after being shot and injured by an undercover police officer. He was treated at a hospital before being taken to the Grant County Jail. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and first-degree assault domestic violence. He made his first court appearance from jail on Wednesday, when a judge ordered that he be held without bail. Escamilla was kind, caring, the kind of person that would light up a room with her energy and her beautiful smile, her aunt Alex Escamilla wrote in a GoFundMe posting she created for funeral and other expenses, saying that her niece and Ruiz enjoyed going on endless adventures alongside their cat, Otis, and their friends. Ruiz and Escamilla were nurses who lived together in Seattle, a friend and neighbor, Devon Breithart, said on Facebook. Escamilla proposed to Ruiz during a Canada vacation in January 2022, and Ruiz proposed back while the couple were boating on a Seattle lake. Ruiz was taking acting classes in Seattle, and Escamilla had recently joined a softball league, Briethart said. Brandy Escamilla proposes to Josilyn Ruiz in Canada in January 2022. Brandy Escamilla proposes to Josilyn Ruiz in Canada in January 2022. Kelly and Lily Luksich, his 20-year-old girlfriend of about a year, drove together to the festival and were sleeping in a tent at the festivals campgrounds. On Saturday, Kelly ingested mushrooms and began to experience hallucinations while the couple were walking from the campgrounds to the concert venue, police said in the arrest affidavit. Investigators said he told them that hed previously had a bad hallucination experience from a similar dose from the same source of mushrooms. Kelly began to believe that the world was ending as a result of the hallucinations, he allegedly told police, and hurried back to the campground with Luksich, who later told police he repeatedly said versions of this is the end. At their campsite, he retrieved a handgun, loaded it and fired multiple shots at Escamilla and Ruiz as they walked nearby, according to the arrest affidavit. He then allegedly shot Andrew Cuadra (who also goes by August Morningstar), a concertgoer from Eugene, Oregon, in his upper torso as he approached Kelly in the campground, according to the arrest affidavit. The 31-year-old father had surgery and will require extensive physical therapy for his injured arm and shoulder, a GoFundMe organized to help with his medical expenses said. Luksich called 911 from her cellphone while following Kelly as he moved through the campground, police said, but he took her phone and threw it aside. He then fired at least twice at the utility vehicle that private security guard Lori Williams, 61, was driving in response to reports of gunfire, police said. She suffered minor injuries from a bullet that pierced the window of the utility vehicle and deflected off her eyeglasses, according to the affidavit and Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete in a Facebook post Wednesday. Lily Luksich in an intensive care unit after the shooting. Lily Luksich in an intensive care unit after the shooting. Kelly then fired several shots at a police drone being used to track Kelly and Luksich, police said. He shot Luksich multiple times, which caused life-threatening and permanent injuries, according to the arrest affidavit. The bullets caused significant injuries to Lilys foot, leg, pelvic bones and internal organs, a family friend wrote in a GoFundMe post for Lucksich, noting that after extensive surgery, she was airlifted Monday evening to Harborview Hospital in Seattle. On Thursday, doctors had scheduled surgery to remove a bullet lodged in Luksichs back. The Ruiz and Escamilla families have retained an attorney, Kevin Boyle, who previously represented the victims of the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017, to investigate the circumstances of the Gorge shooting. In a statement shared with HuffPost, Boyle said the families were not after money but were hoping to prevent similar incidents. He questioned the role of Live Nation, which owns and operates The Gorge Amphitheatre and campgrounds. Live Nation has a legal duty to its paying guests to keep them safe. Live Nation states on the campground website that no guns are allowed. So the question is, what do they do to keep guns out of their paid venue? he said. I know I always get searched when I go to a concert. Kelly is scheduled to appear in court again on July 5. Subscribe to our true crime newsletter, Suspicious Circumstances, to get the biggest unsolved mysteries, white-collar scandals, and captivating cases delivered straight to your inbox every week. Sign up here. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story mistakenly referred to Josilyn Ruizs sister as her twin rather than her younger sister. Related... Couple Fatally Shot In Front Of Their Children By A Man They Didnt Know, Police Say A 24-year-old man fatally shot a couple he didnt know in front of their children before being tackled by bystanders and taken into custody, Maine State Police said. Marcel Lagrange Jr., 24, was arraigned on Wednesday on two counts of intentional or knowing murder, according to court records. He is accused of fatally shooting Brittney Cockrell, 37, in a parking lot in Westbrook, a suburb of Portland. Michael Hayter, 41, was found fatally shot inside their car, and the couples children, an 11-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter, were in the back seat and witnessed the shooting, police said. The children were uninjured, police added, but one of the bystanders, a 75-year-old man, was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. No information about a potential motive has been released, and police said there is no known connection between the victims and Lagrange. The scene of a shooting in Westbrook, Maine. The scene of a shooting in Westbrook, Maine. Asad Khlaif was working in a nearby Arabic market when the shooting began, WGME reported. He told the local station that he saw a gunman open fire on Hayter, then at Cockrell as she tried to run from the vehicle. As bystanders and responding police officers chased Lagrange, Khlaif said he realized children were in the car, and he and another man tried to shield them from their parents bodies, WGME reported. According to the Portland Press Herald, Lagranges attorney is seeking a mental health evaluation, citing previous court records that detail his diagnosis with bipolar disorder and a pattern of criminal behavior since 2018. His attorney did not immediately respond to HuffPost on Thursday. In 2020, Lagrange was charged with domestic violence assault, which was later dropped, the Press Herald reported, after he grabbed his grandmothers arm and the steering wheel of the car she was driving before pulling the key out. She told officers she feared her grandson and did not want him living with her anymore. Police noted in their report at the time that Lagrange was pacing inside the home holding a black handgun. Lagrange opened up about his difficulties with the law and how it impacted him in a 2021 livestream with the nonprofit group Maine Inside Out, whose mission is to support incarcerated juveniles through performing arts. A lot of people in the past didnt want to be around me cause of the way I was acting, cause I would act on a lot of stuff, and Im just trying to better myself. Im trying to be more humble. Ive always been humble, Lagrange said at the time. Marcel Lagrange Jr., speaking at a Maine Inside Out livestream. Marcel Lagrange Jr., speaking at a Maine Inside Out livestream. Lagrange went on to say he was in the process of trying to get an arson charge dropped because it was complicating his ability to find housing. Almost a week before the shooting, Lagrange released music for the nonprofit. According to the Press Herald, Hayter and Cockrell had moved with their children from Texas to Maine about six months ago. Hayters former boss told WGME that his coworkers were stunned and saddened over the couples death, adding that Hayter had loved his family. In a statement to HuffPost, Westbrook Mayor Michael Foley said the children will be reunited with other family members, and there will be an opportunity for bystanders and first responders to be recognized. It is my understanding the children have been well cared for and being reunited with family soon, Foley said. Its also been shared with me that one of the victims employers is working with the family on establishing a GoFundMe page to support the children, which will be shared soon and posted at the temporary memorial established downtown. Gun violence is a leading cause of premature death in the U.S. So far this year, 20,303 people have died because of gun violence; 11,418 of those died by suicide, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Subscribe to our true crime newsletter, Suspicious Circumstances, to get the biggest unsolved mysteries, white collar scandals, and captivating cases delivered straight to your inbox every week. Sign up here. Related... Crash victims improving but are still in ICU in wrong-way crash north of Bellingham Three Whatcom County residents who were the most severely injured of seven victims in a wrong-way crash this week north of Bellingham were improving Friday in the intensive care unit at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Harborview spokeswoman Susan Gregg told The Bellingham Herald in an email that Jadesen Knudtson of Bellingham, Aaron Dexter of Blaine and a 10-year-old girl in Dexters car were all in serious condition. Knudtson and Dexter had improved from critical condition on Thurday, Gregg said. Timmy Hart of Bellingham remained in satisfactory condition Friday at St. Joseph Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said. Three other crash victims were treated and released at St. Joseph Medical Center on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Dexter still could face vehicular assault charges stemming from the four-car crash, Washington State Patrol Trooper Kelsey Harding told The Herald. According to a State Patrol report, Dexter was driving north on Guide Meridian in the southbound lanes near Kelly Road about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday when his 2001 Mercedes CL sideswiped a 2019 GMC Sierra pickup that Hart was driving. Then he hit a 2013 Kia Optima driven by a Lynden woman head-on, and finally crashed into a 2007 Nissan Maxima driven by a Spanaway woman. Both the Nissan and the GMC pickup landed in a ditch, and the Mercedes caught fire, according to the report. All four vehicles were a total loss, according to the report. They were towed and held as evidence by the State Patrol. Crosley Green not eligible for parole until 2054, Florida review board says A Brevard County man who has maintained his innocence after being convicted of murder has been tentatively granted parole decades from now. Crosley Green was convicted of murder more than three decades ago, but has never stopped proclaiming his innocence. The Florida Commission on Offender Review has denied a request for immediate parole, instead, this week they gave Green a tentative parole release date in 2054. By then, if hes alive, hed be 97 years old. It was really devastating for Crosley and his family and all of his supporters, said Jeane Thomas, a partner at Crowell & Moring. Read: Crosley Green returns to prison for 1990 murder conviction Greens two paths to freedom remain parole or clemency. On Sept. 5, 1990, Green was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1989 first-degree murder of Charles Chip Flynn, who was shot to death in Mims. Greens attorneys say theres no direct evidence tying him to the murder, and that prosecution witnesses have recanted testimony since Greens conviction. Read: Justice will prevail: Attorneys work to keep convicted killer Crosley Green out of prison In 2009, Green was resentenced to life in prison. In 2018, Greens conviction was overturned, but then an appeals court overturned that ruling. The U.S Supreme Court declined to hear Greens case. Even though the parole commission ruled on Wednesday that they would not be looking at this case again until March of 2026, we are pursuing any number of options, Thomas said. Read: A wrong has been done: Man freed after serving 30 years for murder could be sent back to jail As of yet, Greens defense team has not presented a case for clemency to the governor. We think there are compelling grounds based not only on the overwhelming evidence that hes innocent of this crime but also that hes been an absolute model prisoner over 32 years, just a spotless record, Thomas said. Green was under conditional release from April 2021 to April 2023 until attorneys exhausted all their legal options in court, and Green was forced to report back to prison to continue his sentence. Read: A free man: Man who spent 30 years in prison released 2 years after conviction overturned Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Crosley Green ordered to remain incarcerated after returning to prison for a crime he says he didnt commit The state of Florida on Wednesday did not agree to release Crosley Green, a man who served three decades behind bars for a murder he says he didnt commit, two months after he was ordered to return to prison following his conditional release in 2021. Attorneys for Green, 65, asked the Florida Commission on Offender Review this week to reconsider his presumptive parole release date, which was originally set for 2059 in 2015. During the Wednesday hearing, the commission responded by shortening Greens parole eligibility date by five years to 2054. Green, who is Black, was convicted in the 1989 shooting death of 21-year-old Charles Flynn. He was sentenced to death by an all-White jury, then resentenced to life in prison in 2009 due to a technicality related to the sentencing phase of his trial. Crosley Green says goodbye to his great niece before turning himself into federal authorities. - Malcolm Denemark/Pool Photo/USA Today Network In 2018, US District Judge Roy Dalton ruled prosecutors had improperly withheld evidence that police at one point suspected someone else was the shooter, which led to his conditional release in 2021. But late last year, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed and reinstated Greens conviction, saying the withheld evidence was not material to the case. Dalton allowed Green to remain free while he exhausted his legal options. Greens legal team petitioned the US Supreme Court, but in late February the court declined to hear his case. In April, Judge Dalton ruled Green must turn himself in to the authorities by April 17 to continue serving life in prison. On that date, he surrendered to Floridas Department of Corrections while being accompanied by his fiancee, Kathy Spikes, family members and his lawyers Keith Harrison and Jeane Thomas, who have represented him pro bono for 15 years. While Green spent two years outside prison walls, he held a job at a machine grafting facility, attended church and spent time with his grandchildren. He also got engaged, CNN previously reported. I cant be angry at no one, Green previously told CNN. I dont want no one else to be angry at no one. Anger isnt going to take you nowhere. Aint going to do (anything) but harm you. Im happy. Im not happy about going back. Ive got my future wife, Ive got my friends that came up here with me. Ive got my family. At the hearing in Tallahassee this week, lawyers for Green argued his parole date was inaccurately calculated and their client should be released based on his stellar record and the facts of the case that point to his innocence. They also told the commission that based on Florida law, Greens parole date should have been vacated and reset once he was released from prison in 2021. In a statement, the commission said it will review Greens case in March 2026. In Florida, an inmate is not considered for parole release until his hearing on his effective parole release date interview, said Rana Wallace, general counsel for the Florida Commission on Offender Review. Wallace says Greens parole release date could be modified at that hearing. We are pursuing every avenue available to Crosley in order to secure his freedom, Harrison, Greens attorney, told CNN. We are still hopeful that the Commission will continue to consider the arguments we raised to grant Crosleys immediate parole. We are also going to seek clemency from Gov. DeSantis. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Russian occupiers have launched cruise missiles toward the city of Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Source: Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram Quote: "Cruise missiles (probably Kh-101/Kh-555) are moving toward Kryvyi Rih." Details: The Air Force warned citizens about the missile threat for the city at around 02:10. Background: An air-warning was issued at Kyiv and a number of Ukrainian oblasts on the night of 22-23 June. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Two children who watched as their mothers relative killed their father in Charlotte could end up back in her custody, court documents show. Their mother challenged a trial courts decision to keep her two 11-year-old children under their grandmothers care. The grandmother, who is the childrens fathers mother, had chronic temporary custody of the children for nearly three years after their father was shot dead, the mothers legal appeal states. The mother, 31, in an appeal filed earlier this year in the North Carolina Court of Appeals, argued the court could not lawfully grant the grandmother custody unless they found her unfit or her conduct inconsistent with her constitutional right to have custody of her children. The appeals court this week returned the case back to the trial court, nullifying previous rulings which granted the 49-year-old grandmother custody. Sons left fatherless, stuck in custody battle The childrens mother and father, who were both originally from Onslow County, divorced in 2015, according to court documents. By 2016, he had custody of the children, and their mother was allowed to visit. By 2020, he was dead. Damario Tillman, the childrens father, was killed at 29-years-old while picking his kids up from a party May 2020, family told WSOC, the Charlotte Observers news partner. The kids were there, according to court documents. So was their mother, Tillmans ex-wife of five years. Damario Tillman was killed at 29-years-old while picking his kids up from a party May 2020. Darryanna Hearn, now 30, was arrested and charged with murder, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police at the time. She was related to the childrens mother, according to court documents, though it is not clear how. My daddy was a great Marine. He put food on our plate every night, Tillmans son told WSOC in 2020. Dressed in military gear, he offered a salute in honor of his father. Tillman, a father to three sons, was also studying for his masters degree and mentoring at a mens shelter, WSOC reported. After her sons death, the grandmother immediately filed for and was soon granted temporary emergency custody of her grandchildren. Shed practically raised the minor children since they were months old, the court found. Under the agreement, the mother was still allowed to visit her children. But she didnt, according to court documents. For three years, the children have been flourishing under their grandmothers care and should maintain their current school life balance and routine, their therapist said in court. According to the grandmother, the mother has not supported therapy and does not follow any therapist recommendations. She also exposes the children to her family members, who continue to make threatening remarks about the grandmother and the rest of the family, the grandmother alleged. Chronic temporary custody In September 2021, about a year into the grandmothers custody of the children, a court denied her motion to modify the parenting agreement made between her son and his ex-wife. It did, however, renew her temporary custody of the children. After court, the mother emailed the childrens school saying a court dismissed the grandmothers custody. She asked for her children to be released to her. The grandmother quickly emailed the school clarifying she did still have custody and cautioning that the mother was unstable and would likely try to flee with the two children. She also brought it up at a late September court date. The mother was not allowed to rebuttal with evidence then, her appeal alleges. A few months later, in November 2021, the grandmother was again granted temporary primary custody, and the court established an indefinite shared holiday schedule between the two women. After 90 days at what was supposed to be a review hearing the court planned to set a custody date and said it would not be moving the children from their school, according to the appeal. Now, the mother is pushing for custody of her children and arguing the court did not have the right to extend the grandmothers custody. A wide set of custody laws and other statutes govern family court matters that involve parental rights, children and child support. In North Carolina, non-parental rights are generally limited unless theres a custody order, and temporary orders are easier to overturn or change. Issues like neglect or abuse and abandonment can trigger a court terminating a parents right to legal and physical custody. In granting the mothers appeal, judges wrote: ...The trial court erred by applying the best interest of the child standard without first finding that mother was unfit. (CNN) Six people remain in a critical condition and one person is missing after a gas explosion in central Paris on Wednesday, the Paris prosecutors office told CNN on Thursday. 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. About 270 firefighters were deployed to the scene near Rue Saint Jacques in the citys fifth arrondissement, and contained the fire within two hours, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez told reporters. Francois Braun, Frances health minister, told CNN affiliate BFMTV Thursday that some of those injured are suffering from extremely significant burns, while others have suffered significant traumatic injuries due to the blast. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin visited the site of the explosion on Wednesday. He said it was unclear how exactly the explosion occurred, adding there was no warning before the incident. Laure Beccuau, the Paris prosecutor said that early signs indicate that the gas explosion came from within the building that houses the Paris American Academy, according BFMTV. A part of the building collapsed following the blast and fire, videos show. Smoke was seen billowing from the rubble earlier on Wednesday as rescue workers attempted to tackle the blaze. Paris American Academy, a fashion and design school, describes itself on its website as the first bilingual design school in the French capital Kent State University, in the US state of Ohio, said all its students at the Paris American Academy are safe and accounted following the blast. Locals were also stopped from returning to their homes in surrounding streets by authorities in the aftermath of the explosion. One woman, who gave her name as Anne, told a CNN producer at the scene that she was inside her flat, around 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the site, when the explosion happened. It felt like an earthquake, the windows banged against each other, she said. Another woman who didnt want to give her name and lives in a neighboring avenue told CNN that her doors slammed shut from the explosion. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo visited the scene later on Wednesday, writing in a tweet, My thoughts go first of all to the victims and their close ones. Authorities in Paris have opened an emergency response unit to handle the aftermath of the explosion. French President Emmanuel Macron briefly addressed the disaster later on Wednesday, thanking the first responders for their work. In celebrating music today, we are also thinking of [the victims] and all those who are going through a difficult time, Macron added before launching a performance Wednesday night at Elysee for the Music Day. This story was first published on CNN.com, One person remains missing after central Paris gas explosion leaves dozens injured" Damien Cameron's family seeks justice for his death after two years. Here's what to know Activist Flo White, activist Walt Kelly, Damien Cameron's grandmother Betty Cameron, Community X founder Chloe Cheyenne, Damien's mother Monica Lee and Damien's brother Cornelius Cameron attend a press conference demanding justice for the 2021 death of Damien Cameron. A Justice 4 Damien Cameron press conference was held at Jackson's Margaret Walter Alexander Library by Community X, Cameron's family and other activists who they say have grown tired of the Rankin County Sheriff's Department not being held accountable for police brutality. To help shed more light on the case, Community X, a company that seeks justice to help end police brutality, partnered with Cameron's family and activists Flo White and Walt Kelly to spearhead the press conference in hopes of getting new information to help the case. Damien's brother Cornelius Cameron, grandmother Betty Cameron and cousin Laneatria Barnes, were also in attendance. On July 26, 2021, in the Rankin County community of Braxton, deputies were dispatched in response to a report of vandalism. Following an apparent disagreement, Damien Cameron, a 29-year-old Black man with mental difficulties, had been busting holes in the wall of a neighbors house using a pipe, according to reports. He had gone to the house to ask the neighbor if he could perform some yard work for money. Following a pursuit in which Damien allegedly tried to run and resist arrest, his mother, Monica Lee, said a deputy knelt on Damien's back for "15 to 20 minutes" while waiting for backup. During that time, she said Damien complained that he could not breathe. Deputies allegedly locked Damien in a patrol car as he continued complaining of being unable to breathe, Lee said. When the deputies returned to the car after collecting evidence, they found Cameron unresponsive and attempted to perform CPR. He was later pronounced dead at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The state medical examiner said his cause of death was "inconclusive," and a Rankin County grand jury declined to indict the officers involved. Rankin County deputies Hunter Elward and Luke Stickman were never charged or arrested. The Rankin County Sheriff's Department did not respond to requests for comment. Lee said she's demanding the Ranking County Sheriff's Department releases the original dashcam footage, public records and additional information. "I didn't know that my last words to my son would be son, I love you, I do before he suffered a tragic death," Lee said. "We are demanding they release this ... critical documentation for the case. My heart is broken. I am asking for the Rankin County Sheriff's Department to be investigated. My son's death may not have meant anything to them, but he was everything to me." Lee said her son was a well-mannered man who respected his elders and those in positions of authority and couldn't understand why Rankin County deputies would be so aggressive with her son. "It is going on two years since my son's death, and nothing has been done," she said. "No officers were indicted for the death of my son. I feel like my son's case is being swept under the rug. I want those officers and Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey to be held accountable. After hearing him repeatedly tell those officers he couldn't breathe, I deserve justice for my son." Hearing on water safety: Henifin took issue with Lumumba's comments on water safety. A judicial hearing followed One year after Roe overturned: Birth and death: Meet the Mississippi moms who fear for their lives a year after Roe fell "There isn't enough time to make a mother, grandmother, or brother stop fighting for justice for their relative," Founder and CEO of Community X, Chloe Cheyenne said. "We are here to share demands as it relates to Damien's case. Those include presenting body cam footage, which the mother or the family have yet to see from the perspective of the deputy's vehicle that arrived at her home without a warrant, public records and any additional information." Cheyenne said the Rankin County Sheriff's Department was interviewed and asked questions, but the family wasn't interviewed. "As a result, officials have said not enough evidence was presented, but that goes without speaking and addressing the family that witnessed the killing of Damien," she said. Rankin County, which has about 120 sheriff's deputies serving its roughly 160,000 people, is predominantly white and just east of the state capital, Jackson, home to one of the highest percentages of Black residents of any major U.S. city. Mississippi doesn't require police officers to wear body cameras. Rankin County sheriffs are not required to wear body cams. Cornelius Cameron, Damien's brother, said it's important for anybody in the community and surrounding areas who can relate to the incident to come together to bring justice for Damien. "This could have been one of your family members," Cornelius said. "Holding helpful information in will not help. With much support and prayers, I feel we can get this solved. Laneatria Barnes, Damien's cousin, said the Rankin County Sheriff's Department has yet to be held accountable. "I believe that the Rankin County Sheriff's Department and other agencies are above the law due to not receiving any severe consequences," Barnes said. "I've gotten questions asking us why are we still protesting knowing that justice will not be given in my cousin's case, ... but justice needs to be served." The press conference comes on the heels of a protest of the Rankin County Sheriff's Department earlier in June. More than 100 people attended a Town Hall Meeting in Brandon to hear complaints of alleged misconduct toward Black citizens by deputies with the Rankin County Sheriffs Department. Called by the Rankin County branch of the NAACP, the meeting featured remarks by Trent Walker, an attorney representing several families in an announced intent to file a $400 million federal civil rights lawsuit against Rankin County officials The lawsuit was filed on June 12, two days later. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS family still hopes to get justice for death of Damien Cameron A damp and gloomy weather pattern will continue into much of this week in areas from the Ohio Valley to the East Coast. This pattern will continue to allow frequent storms to bring needed rain to the mid-Atlantic states and into New England; however, thunderstorms that ignite across the region by the end of the weekend can bring the threat of severe weather. AccuWeather meteorologists say that this stormy pattern has been a noticeable shift compared to the weather in previous weeks. "Over the last few months, the Northeast and Great Lakes weather has taken dramatic turns, from warm and wet to dry and smoky. As we head into the first weekend of astronomical summer, the pattern will flip to humid and active weather with showers and occasional thunderstorms. This pattern looks like it lasts well into [this] week," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Dean DeVore. The area of low pressure that circulated across the Southeast for much of last week and dropped several inches of rain continued on its northeasterly path through New England on Saturday. As this feature keeps tracking northward, rounds of thunderstorms could develop along the associated frontal zone and enhance the risk for localized flooding. "Another storm early [this] week will keep the wet regime in place. This turn toward very active weather could produce localized areas of above-average rainfall for the month of June," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham. As a center of low pressure pushes into the Great Lakes region on Sunday, the threat of strong to severe thunderstorms will shift to areas of Wisconsin, Michigan and the Ohio Valley on southward. AccuWeather forecasters are outlining a high risk across segments of Indiana and Ohio. From Sunday afternoon to Sunday night, damaging wind gusts from lines of thunderstorms could reach speeds of 60-80 mph with the AccuWeather Local StormMax of 100 mph across this zone. Locations across central Michigan, Indiana, southeastern Illinois, western and northern Kentucky and Ohio will be at risk of robust storms Sunday afternoon and night. A potent cold front associated with this zone of low pressure will track eastward across the region and bring bands of storms that could produce large hail, damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes. Severe storms on Sunday will be capable of stretching down into the Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast as well. Flooding downpours, large hail and damaging wind gusts will be the primary hazards through Sunday night in a zone from far eastern Oklahoma to central Tennessee on southward to southern Alabama. Another threat for severe weather will arise farther east on Monday as the parent storm advances into the Northeast. Atmospheric energy will transfer to the Eastern Seaboard as the frontal boundary trails from Pennsylvania down to the Carolinas and Gulf Coast. In the strongest thunderstorms from Sunday afternoon to Monday night, winds can gust to 60-80 mph with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 100 mph possible in the strongest storms. An influx of moisture from the South will be a key factor behind the train of storms marching into the Northeast. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts with Premium+ "As this moisture interacts with a series of fronts and disturbances coming across the Ohio Valley and Northeast early [this] week, drenching thunderstorms capable of producing a lot of rain in a short amount of time can occur. Those out driving will need to be cautious as downpours can reduce visibility and cause standing water and ponding on roadways to develop quickly," explained AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski. Following a relatively dry pattern in the Northeast during the latter half of spring, an extensive zone of the mid-Atlantic region is dealing with moderate to even severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Although the wet pattern will come with the risk of localized flooding and strong to severe thunderstorms, several days of damp weather may prove beneficial for the current drought situation in the Northeast. Once rain and thunderstorms depart the Ohio Valley around the middle of the week, a brief cooldown may be in the cards from Indiana to parts of Virginia as cooler air from Canada sweeps in behind the zone of low pressure. Places like Columbus, Ohio, and Charleston, West Virginia, are forecast to dip into the low to mid-70s F from Tuesday to Wednesday. Even locations such as Pittsburgh could have temperatures struggle to rise very far above 70 F on Wednesday. In addition to the risk of thunderstorms, residents throughout the Northeast will likely notice climbing dew points. "A more sustained pattern of higher humidity is in place across the Northeast, Great Lakes, mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley. The Gulf of Mexico will finally be open to the eastern half of the nation as a prolonged southerly flow allows tropical moisture to flow northward," Pydynowski said. The amount of moisture found in the air can be measured by the dew point, which represents the temperature to which the air needs to be cooled (at a constant pressure) for the relative humidity to reach 100%. The higher the dew point, the higher the level of moisture that is present. Dew points are expected to remain in the 60s Fahrenheit through most of the week, and could even surge into the lower 70s along the East Coast. For some Northeast residents, dew points reaching the 70-degree mark can be downright uncomfortable. Relief from the humidity levels may not arrive for the interior Northeast until the latter half of this week after the passage of a secondary storm tracking in from the Midwest. 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. Danish prosecutors approve the extradition of a man suspected in a 1995 arms smuggling case in India FILE - Niels Holck smiles outside the Eastern High Court in Copenhagen, Denmark on June 30, 2011. Denmarks top prosecuting authority said Friday June 23, 2023 that Danish national Niels Holck, accused of involvement in an arms smuggling case 28 years ago can be extradited to India but that a court of law in the Scandinavian country must take the final decision. (Ilan Brander/POLFOTO via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Denmarks top prosecuting authority said Friday that it has approved the extradition to India of a Danish national accused of involvement in an arms smuggling case 28 years ago, but that a court of law must make the final decision. Niels Holck has admitted taking part in dropping assault rifles, rocket launchers and missiles from a cargo plane in eastern India in 1995. Indian police said they were meant for an Indian revolutionary group. While a Briton and a five Latvians were arrested by Indian authorities, Holck previously known as Niels Christian Nielsen escaped. Prosecutor Henriette Rosenborg Larsen said that Denmark has looked into a 2016 Indian extradition request and that it is our assessment that the requirements in the extradition act have been met." It is now up to a district court to decide whether he should be extradited, and any such ruling can be appealed to a higher court, she added. If Holck is extradited and convicted in India, he will serve any prison sentence in Denmark, Rosenborg Larsen said. India first asked Denmark to extradite Holck, who is now in his early 60s, in 2002. The government agreed, but two Danish courts overturned the extradition decision, saying he would risk torture or other inhumane treatment in India. That led to tense diplomatic relations between the countries. Seven years ago, Danish authorities said they had received another extradition request from India. We have full confidence that the courts this time will also come to the conclusion that he cannot be extradited, Holcks lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, told Danish broadcaster DR. The risk of him suffering harm in India is no less now. Nothing fundamentally has changed. New date: After 27 years of launches, the 117th and last mission to take off on an Ariane 5 rocket was originally scheduled for June 16 but was called off the day before (Jody AMIET) Europe's workhorse Ariane 5 rocket will blast off for the final time on July 4, its operator Arianespace said on Friday, after a previous launch was called off due to a technical problem. After 27 years of launches, the 117th and last mission to take off on an Ariane 5 rocket was originally scheduled for June 16 from Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, but was called off the day before. It is now targeted for launch between 6:30 pm to 8:05 pm Kourou time (0930 to 1105 GMT) on July 4, Arianespace said in a statement. The new date was set "following the replacement of the three pyrotechnical transmission lines identified as doubtful on the Ariane 5 launcher," the French firm said. The pyrotechnical lines are involved in separating the boosters from the rocket. Boosters help lift the rocket off the ground before being jettisoned. The rocket and its payload of one French and one German communication satellite were stable and safe in Kourou, Arianespace added. The postponement earlier this month marked the latest blow for European space efforts. Europe has found itself with few ways to independently blast missions into space after Russia withdrew its Soyuz rockets due to sanctions over Moscow's war in Ukraine. The first launch of Ariane 5's replacement, the next-generation Ariane 6, was originally scheduled for 2020. But after a series of delays, it remains unclear if Ariane 6 will meet its deadline of getting off the ground for the first time by the end of this year. European space efforts were dealt another blow in December last year, when the first commercial flight of the next-generation Vega C light launcher failed. Lacking other options, the European Space Agency was forced to turn to its US rival SpaceX to launch its Euclid space telescope mission on July 1. dl/kjm Tech journalist and CBS Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue, who observed an OceanGate Expeditions Titanic shipwreck trip in 2022, the last before the Titan submersibles disappearance this week, told NBC News that a massive amount of misinformation has circulated online this week. The five passengers aboard are presumed dead after the U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday announced debris consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel was found. In an interview, Pogue, whose coverage of the submersible in 2022 has attracted renewed interest in light of the disaster, also responded to attacks on his reporting over the past two days. Critics on Twitter have suggested that Pogue and other journalists undersold how dangerous the submersible was or even that he conspired to shield the company from accountability. Pogue countered that the safety issues were the centerpiece of his OceanGate coverage. There is a fundamental lack of understanding of the deep-sea diving industry process, Pogue said. Pogues comments come as OceanGate conspiracies have spread across the internet even Meek Mill, a rapper with 11.3 million followers, tweeted that the story was too far-fetched to be legitimate, writing, I cant see a wealthy man doing this with no extreme back up plans. Pogue said there is a wide range of dangerous adventure tourism that caters to the rich. Follow NBC News live coverage for updates on Titan People do not understand the context. There are rich people who climb Mount Everest. There are rich people who go up in rockets. There are rich people who dive with sharks, Pogue said. This is the extreme adventure business, and for this rarified sector of people, the danger is what makes it thrilling. The risk of death gives meaning to their lives. After news broke Monday of the Coast Guards search-and-rescue mission to find the Titan, Pogue tweeted about his 2022 reporting. In response to a question about whether the submersible had a rescue beacon, Pogue replied that it was discussed by OceanGate after the Titan was lost for about 5 hours during the expedition he observed from the control room above water. In his reporting, Pogue said he did get into the vessel, which submerged about 40 feet, but that technical issues stopped them from visiting the Titanic. Pogue said he observed the next days expedition from the control room on the ship. That day, the Titan submersible took paying customers down to the ocean floor, but they never reached the Titanic wreckage. Pogue said the Titan was lost for several hours but could still communicate with the control ship over text messages. They could still send short texts to the sub, but did not know where it was, Pogue wrote in a reply on Twitter. It was quiet and very tense, and they shut off the ships internet to prevent us from tweeting. In another reply, Pogue wrote that OceanGates reasoning for the internet shut-off was in case emergency communication channels were needed. Pogues tweets have since been widely scrutinized, with some claiming he didnt mention enough of the details in his original report. Pogue has engaged with much of the criticism, clarifying some misconceptions, but he has still become a character in some conspiracies that have sprung up around his work. Most people get it and are in the right place, but Twitter is Twitter, and theres this vocal minority of really toxic people and conspiracy theorists who have perhaps an outsized role in the conversation you see, he said in the interview. Ill think Wow, heres another really cruel person and I realize its the same person Ive read seven times before and they have six followers. Pogue noted a major difference in the recent trip that ended in disaster. This time, the Titan wasnt just lost the submersible also stopped communicating with the control ship. Pogue said the timeline he has seen indicates it took most of the day before OceanGate reported the Titans disappearance to the Coast Guard. There are a number of incidents like that, where theres a plausible explanation for the way OceanGate behaved, and then theres a cynical explanation, Pogue said. There are a few occasions like this where you can look at it with a conspiratorial eye or an understanding eye. In his coverage of the submersible, Pogue explored how things could and did go wrong. On camera, he read through the contract signed by all passengers, noting that permanent physical disability, emotional trauma, or death were possible outcomes of riding the submersible, as well as working and living on the ship above water for the duration of the nine-day trip. Pogue also noted that the custom-built submersible was not subject to any regulatory standards. His reporting showed that Titan parts included a handheld game controller, lights purchased from a camping supplies store, and what Pogue described as a jerry-rigged interior. Looking back, now that we know there was a tragedy, of course there were things they could have done differently, Pogue said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A Dayton man is wanted by police after allegedly breaking into a womans home and sexually assaulting her. Damarcus Guy, 31, has been charged with three counts of attempted rape, three counts of gross sexual imposition, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of abduction, one count of aggravated burglary, and one count of disruption of public services, according to court records filed in Dayton Municipal Court Friday. An arrest warrant was issued for him as well on Friday. >> Arrest made, felony charges approved in Xenia shooting, police report Dayton police were called to a home in the 2300 block of Newport Avenue this morning, June 23, on reports of a burglary. When they go to the home, a female resident told police she was awakened by a strange man at the top of her stairway outside of her bedroom, according to an affidavit and statement of facts. The man, later identified as Guy, allegedly pinned her down and sexually assaulted her. The victim said he later made her go to another room in the house and watch a YouTube video called The Heinous Christmas Killings of Dayton Ohio, which documents 1992 homicides in the city, while eating her food. The suspect told [the victim] that he could have done that to her, but he did not because he is a nice guy, court records said. >> A slap in the face; Family says Trotwood cemetery has not set up tombstone they paid for When morning came, Guy left the victims home with her two cell phones and a $5 bill, a court record states. The next day, the victim started to receive messages from an unknown number. When she asked who was texting her, the person replied that he was the one she has watch the video with and then referred to several topics that they had discussed during the incident. When police served a search warrant on the number, media files for the account contained photos of A GED and social security card belonging to Guy. Guy matched the description the victim had provided and she also picked him out of a photospread. How deep is the Titanic and how does it compare to the deep sea? Debris from the Titan, the submersible that disappeared on an expedition to the wreckage of the Titanic, was found nearby the ship, which sits on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. The Titanic is a whopping 2 and a half miles beneath the surface far too deep for a human to survive the pressure if not in an equipped vessel. Still, there are other parts of the ocean that are even deeper, and many parts yet to be explored. Ocean depths About 71% of the Earth is covered in water and the average depth is 12,080 feet which is nearly as deep as Mount Fuji is tall, according to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Only 5% of the ocean has been explored. The depths of the ocean are broken into zones. The euphotic zone, or "sunlight zone," extends down to about 656 feet and is where sunlight can penetrate, so plants like phytoplankton and macro algae can grow, according to NOAA. The Yellow Sea, which lies between China and Korea, is entirely in this zone at about 499 feet deep. The Statue of Liberty, at 305 feet, would become fully submerged in this zone. Between 656 and 3,280 feet is the dysphotic zone, known as the "twilight zone," where the amount of sunlight decreases drastically as the depth increases. The Baltic and Red Seas reach this depth. The Eiffel Tower, which stands at about 1,083 feet tall, and the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper at 2,716.5 feet tall, would become submerged in this zone. At about 3,280 feet, you hit the aphotic zone, where no light can reach. Within this zone, the "midnight zone" extends to about 13,000 feet and the abyss extends to about 19,685 feet. Anything deeper than this is the hadal zone. The Titanic wreckage is about 12,500 feet deep in the North Atlantic that's as deep as about nine Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other. / Credit: CBS News The Titanic wreckage, which is about 12,500 feet deep in the North Atlantic, is in the midnight zone. That's as deep as about nine Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other. The Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean Sea, Red Sea and all the world's oceans reach what's known as the aphotic zone, where the only light is generated by organisms. There is less food and less life down there, but sometimes dead animals like whales or sharks can sink this deep. The deepest part of the world's oceans, the Mariana Trench, is about 36,070 feet, nearly seven miles deep, in the hadal zone, according to NOAA. The trench is in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Japan, and has been explored before. The Titan debris was found about 1,600 feet from the Titanic wreckage, which sits about 12,500 feet beneath the surface in what is called the Hamish Harding, who died on the Titan submersible traveling to the Titanic wreckage, was one of the handful of people who have explored the Mariana Trench. In 2021, he traveled 2.5 miles along the ocean floor and set a record for the longest distance traveled at the deepest part of the ocean by a crewed vessel. The pressure in the trench is 8 tons per square inch, but still, life exists, NOAA says. Single-celled organisms called foraminifera were discovered in the Challenger Deep, the deepest point in the trench, in 2005. The deepest a fish has ever been spotted was 27,460 feet deep in the Puerto Rico Trench, in between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Ocean pressure The pressure at sea level is about 14.7 pounds per square inch, which you can't feel, according to the National Ocean Service, which is part of NOAA. But as you dive deeper, the hydrostatic pressure, or force of a liquid on an object, increases and your eardrums will start to feel the change. Every 33 feet, the pressure increases one atmosphere, which is the unit of measure for barometric pressure. Some animals, like whales, can survive extreme depths and pressures. The deepest a human has ever reached scuba diving is about 1,090 feet, achieved by Ahmed Gabr in 2014 after years of training. At that depth, the pressure is about 470 pounds per square inch. The recommended maximum depth for conventional scuba divers is 130 feet, according to NOAA. Few vessels are equipped to withstand the pressure of extreme depths. American explorer Victor Vescovo used a $48 million submersible when he and Harding explored the Challenger Deep. According to a former employee of OceanGate Expeditions, which built the Titan, the submersible was only equipped to withstand the pressure of 1,300 meters, or about 4,265 feet. That employee, submersible pilot David Lochridge, who was fired by OceanGate, filed a lawsuit against the company in 2018, alleging the Titan would travel about 13,000 feet deep, despite the fact that depth had never been achieved by a sub with this type of carbon fiber hull. The Titanic submersible The Titan launched from Newfoundland, Canada, on Sunday, with five people on board journeying to the Titanic wreckage, which is located about 350 miles from Newfoundland. About an hour and 45 minutes into the Titan's dive, it lost contact with the crew on the Polar Prince research ship above. After a desperate and days-long search, debris from the submersible was found about 1,600 feet from the Titanic wreckage. It was determined that the sub imploded just hours into its dive, killing all five passengers on board, officials said. Stefano Brizzolara, co-director of the Virginia Tech Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics, says failure of the sub's pressure hull probably caused the implosion. "You must consider that at 4,000 meters depths, the pressure is 400 times what we experience at sea level," he told CBS News. That's about 13,000 feet, or nearly 2.5 miles. Inflated car tires have about 2 atmospheres of pressure, he said, so the pressure at this depth is 200 times that. At this depth, there is also no light, and if a strong light is brought down, it can penetrate only about 65 feet, so sonar must be used to navigate, Brizzolara said. Search and rescue crews were using ROVs, or remotely operated vehicles, to search for the Titan. These vessels are equipped to travel the 13,000 feet down to the Titanic and withstand the 6,000 pounds per square inch of pressure. An ROV from a Canadian vessel ended up locating the Titan debris. After Ohio train derailment, fire chief says he had 13 minutes to decide to burn toxic chemicals Pro-Trump crowd at Faith and Freedom Coalition conference I-95 reopens at site of Philadelphia collapse DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced Friday that she was withdrawing her office from the prosecution of the cases tied to the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. The property that the new training facility sits on is in DeKalb County and the DAs office has been part of a multi-jurisdictional group of law enforcement agencies tasked with investigating and prosecuting acts of domestic terrorism and related charges occurring in and around the future site of the training center, Bostons office said. Boston said she and her team have had ongoing conversations between her office and law enforcement, and those conversations have revealed a fundamental difference in prosecutorial philosophy. RELATED STORIES: The DA said her office will be notifying the Georgia Attorney Generals Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation about her decision. My team and I have worked diligently to reach a consensus with the Attorney Generals Office on charging decisions in these cases, Boston said. At this point, I have decided it is best that we allow them to move forward with the charges they feel are warranted. Boston said the AGs office will now handle the prosecution of these cases. Channel 2 Action News contacted the AGs office, which sent us a statement, saying: While the District Attorney has decided to no longer assist in this case, our office is fully committed to moving forward with the prosecution of those who have engaged in or supported violent acts surrounding the Public Safety Training Center. If you shoot police officers, throw Molotov cocktails at law enforcement, vandalize private homes and businesses, and set fire to police vehicles and offices, you will be held accountable. We will not waver when it comes to keeping Georgians safe and putting a stop to violent crime in our state. Democratic Sens. Ed Markey (Mass.) and Gary Peters (Mich.) are requesting that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) review the potential harms of generative artificial intelligence (AI) as lawmakers mull possible regulations for the booming industry. The senators asked the nonpartisan government agency to conduct a detailed technology assessment of the risks of generative AI tools and how to mitigate them in their letter sent Friday. The Democrats noted previously identified risks of the technology, ranging from malicious actors creating AI-generated porn without consent, to AI tools promoting dangerous and harmful activities. These current and potential future harms require urgent study. We ask GAO to assess this list of questions about harms from generative AI and potential strategies for mitigation, they wrote. The letter from Markey and Peters requesting the GAO review follows a series of hearings in Congress, including a Senate Judiciary subcommittee one in May with the CEO of OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT AI chatbot. It also comes after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) laid out a framework for AI regulation earlier this week. Schumers SAFE Innovation Framework for AI calls for lawmakers to push forward with regulation that is guided by five key pillars: security, accountability, protecting foundations, explainability and innovation. Schumer also said the Senate will convene a series of forums with experts in AI to guide lawmakers. The forums will work alongside ongoing efforts through the committees process with hearings, he said. The administration has also been focusing on AI. President Biden met with tech leaders in San Francisco this week to discuss AI, following meetings at the White House with companies leading in AI, including Microsoft and Google, in May. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Ron DeSantisThomas Simonetti for The Washington Post via Getty Images A new Florida law cracking down on undocumented immigrants, signed last month by far-right Gov. Ron DeSantis and set to take effect on July 1, has pushed thousands of workers to flee the state. Now even some capitalists who otherwise support DeSantis and the state's GOP-controlled House and Senate are beginning to speak out about how the law is likely to hurt their bottom lines. As The Tallahassee Democrat reported Tuesday: 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 wouldn't be possible without immigrant laborers. "We all love them to death," said Williams, whose family has been farming tomatoes for decades. "We couldn't run a business without them." Williams, the owner of Quincy Tomato Company, may soon be forced to try. Following right-wing lawmakers' passage of Senate Bill 1718, thousands of working-class immigrants, including many who are residing lawfully in the U.S., have opted to leave Florida. The new law places harsh restrictions on undocumented immigrants. Among other things, it also requires the "repayment of certain economic development incentives" if the state, which plans to conduct random audits of businesses, "finds or is notified that an employer has knowingly employed" an undocumented immigrant without verifying their employment eligibility. At the bill signing ceremony on May 10, DeSantis, who is now campaigning for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, slammed President Joe Biden's ostensibly lax immigration policies, saying: "We have to stop this nonsense, this is not good for our country... this is no way to run a government." Data released earlier this month showed that unauthorized crossings of the U.S.-Mexico border fell sharply after the Biden administration imposed new asylum restrictions that went into effect when Title 42 ended on May 11. Undermining DeSantis' dubious accusation of inaction at the border, immigrant rights groups have condemned Biden's crackdown on asylum-seekers, saying the president's new ban deepens the bipartisan abandonment of international human rights law set in motion by the Trump administration. Meanwhile, in Florida, DeSantis' xenophobic approach has sparked fears that "a labor shortage will leave crops unpicked, tourist hotels short of staff, and construction sites idle," The Tallahassee Democrat noted. Notably, concerns are emanating from some Republican proprietors. "How can one man pass one law and destroy all these businesses in Florida?" asked Williams. "It's almost like he's doing it on purpose," Williams said. "I know he's doing it for politics, but the end results, it's going to be hard." According to The Tallahassee Democrat: "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." However, the newspaper observed, many business owners still "refuse to speak publicly about the measure, fearing it could antagonize DeSantis." (CNN) The Titanic-bound submersible that went missing on Sunday with five people on board suffered a catastrophic implosion, killing everyone on board, US Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger said Thursday. The tail cone and other debris from the missing submersible were found by a remotely operated vehicle about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic, which rests about 13,000 feet deep in the North Atlantic Ocean. This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there on the sea floor and the debris is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel, Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander, told reporters. Five different major pieces of debris from the submersible, known as the Titan, were found in the area, and each end of the pressure hull was found in a different place, according to Paul Hankins, US Navy Director of Salvage Operations and Ocean Engineering. The families were immediately notified, Mauger said. I can only imagine what this has been like for them and I hope that this discovery provides some solace during this difficult time, he said. Minutes before the news conference, OceanGate Expeditions, the company that operated the deep-sea submersible, issued a statement grieving the five men on board. 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, OceanGate said in a statement. 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. A spokesperson for Pelagic Research Services confirmed to CNN its remote-operated vehicle, which was the first to search for the submersible on the sea floor, found the debris field. The news ends a saga that began Sunday when the Titan began its descent to explore the wreckage of the Titanic. The expedition was billed as a chance to step outside of everyday life and discover something truly extraordinary and cost each participant $250,000, an archived version of OceanGates website shows. However, the cramped vessel lost contact with its mother ship about 1 hour and 45 minutes into its dive and did not surface as expected, prompting an extensive search and rescue operation in a remote area several hundred miles southeast of Newfoundland. The expedition reflects the ongoing fascination with the Titanic more than a century after it hit an iceberg and sank on its maiden voyage, killing more than 1,500 people. The journey was 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. The focus on the vessel has renewed criticisms of OceanGates approach to safety from employees and other industry leaders. The 23,000-pound deep-sea vessel was made of an experimental combination of carbon fiber and titanium and relied on decidedly low-tech parts, such as a video game controller. The submersible had an estimated 96 hours of life support, so Thursday morning was expected to be a critical day in the search, according to Guillermo Sohnlein, the co-founder of OceanGate. Mauger said authorities would begin to demobilize the medical personnel and nine vessels involved in the search over the course of the next 24 hours, but remote operations would continue on the sea floor for an undetermined amount of time. Coast Guard praises extensive search and rescue efforts The international search and rescue efforts kicked into high gear in the past few days. The last communication between the vessel and its mother ship, the Polar Prince, came in at 11:47 a.m. Sunday. With no GPS underwater, the submersible was only guided by text messages from the surface ship. A remotely operated vehicle was looking for the submersible on the sea floor, the US Coast Guards Northeast District tweeted Thursday morning. An ROV from a French vessel was also deployed, and equipment from Magellan, the team that mapped the Titanic wreckage site last year, was headed to the site to assist. Further, aircraft were scanning the expansive search zone, and medical personnel specializing in dive medicine and a hyperbaric recompression chamber arrived on scene Thursday, according to officials. Mauger praised the interagency and international search efforts on Thursday, saying they had the appropriate equipment. This was an immense support and we had the right gear on the bottom to find it, he said. Earlier this week, there were moments that offered hope to the family and friends of the missing vessel. Banging noises were detected underwater Tuesday and Wednesday in the massive search area, though their origin was not clear. The underwater sounds detected by sonar devices on Tuesday first came every 30 minutes and were heard again four hours later, according to an internal US government memo update on the search. The Coast Guard has done a very good job in putting the right tools with the right team in the right spot. So, the chances are as good as they can be, Gallo, the senior adviser for strategic initiatives at RMS Titanic Inc., told CNN on Thursday morning. OceanGate faces questions on safety of vessel The implosion of the Titan and deaths of those on board has put its operators safety procedures under the microscope. Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, told a Mexican travel blogger in 2021 he wanted to be known as an innovator who broke the rules. I think it was (US Army) Gen. (Douglas) MacArthur who said, Youre remembered for the rules you break, Rush told Alan Estrada, who documented his trip to the Titanic, including an aborted attempt in July 2021 before a successful visit in 2022. And you know, Rush added, Ive broken some rules to make this. At least two former OceanGate employees years ago expressed safety concerns about the vessels hull, including the thickness of the material used and testing procedures, CNN has learned. OceanGate Expeditions strayed from industry norms by declining a voluntary, rigorous safety review of the vessel, according to an industry leader. If the company had pursued a certification review some of this may have been avoided, Will Kohnen of the Marine Technology Society told CNN on Wednesday. The company also faced a series of mechanical problems and inclement weather conditions that forced the cancellation or delays of trips in recent years, according to court records. The scuttled excursions led to a pair of lawsuits in which some high-paying customers sought to recoup the cost of trips they said they didnt take. The complaints alleged that the company overstated its ability to reach the Titanic wreckage. OceanGate did not respond to the claims in court and could not be reached for comment. Some expeditions were delayed after OceanGate was forced to rebuild the Titans hull because it showed cyclic fatigue and wouldnt be able to travel deep enough to reach the Titanics wreckage, according to a 2020 article by GeekWire, which interviewed the companys CEO. Several reporters who boarded the Titan noted some of these issues. For one, Discovery Channels Expedition Unknown host Josh Gates and his team decided after a 2021 test dive of the Titan against filming a segment on the vessel as it became clear to us at that time that there was a lot that needed to be worked out with the sub, he said. A lot of the systems worked but a lot of them really didnt. We had issues with thrusters and issues with computer control and things like that. Ultimately, it was a challenging dive, Gates told CNNs Anderson Cooper Wednesday. We were inside Titan for two or three hours, and there were a lot of things that werent really ready for prime time, it seemed, he said.The This story was first published on CNN.com, Titanic-bound submersible suffered catastrophic implosion, killing all 5 on board, US Coast Guard says" DeSantis plans to roll out his border security plan during campaign event in Texas Presidential candidate Ron DeSantis will unveil a new proposed policy to manage the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday, his campaign said Friday, debuting what is sure to be a closely scrutinized position of high importance to Republican voters. The border proposal is expected to be the first of a series of policy announcements from the DeSantis campaign in the coming weeks, as the governor begins to pivot from speeches focused on his record in Florida to his broader vision for the presidency. But few of his proposals will attract as much attention as his plan to manage the countrys border with Mexico, which has seen an influx of migrants since the end of the coronavirus pandemic and start of President Joe Bidens time in office. Republicans rank the issue as one of the most pressing challenges facing the country, according to polls. The DeSantis campaign on Friday did not reveal details about what would be included in the border proposal. Joe Bidens open border policies have destroyed our sovereignty, and Ron DeSantis will not rest until it is restored, said DeSantis campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo, in a statement. He will stop the invasion and secure the border once and for all, and there will be no excuses. DeSantis on Thursday announced a national coalition of dozens of sheriffs meant to respond to what they see as a crisis at the southern border. The governor made national headlines last year when he used a state-funded program to send migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard, a vacation destination in Massachusetts, a decision he mentions regularly on the campaign trail. More recently, the state of Florida has claimed responsibility for sending migrants to Sacramento, Californias state capital. Democrats, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, have called DeSantis actions inhumane and have threatened legal action against the state. Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a death warrant for a Brevard County man who confessed to a prosecutor his role in the 1988 murder and rape of a nurse during a random break-in of a Melbourne condominium. James Phillip Barnes DeSantis signed the warrant for 61-year-old death row inmate James Phillip Barnes on Thursday and formally alerted the warden at Florida State Prison. The execution date is Aug. 3, according to the governors letter. Barnes, who waived his right to a jury and represented himself in the case, pleaded guilty in 2006 to the first-degree murder of 41-year-old Patricia "Patsy" Miller along with burglary, two counts of sexual battery with a weapon and arson. He has been on death row since the conviction. The case has been upheld or reviewed by the Florida Supreme Court, along with state and federal appellate courts. Another murder case: Crosley Green is not eligible for parole until 2054. He'd be 97. Millers homicide went unsolved for a decade before Barnes confessed to killing the nurse in a letter he wrote to an assistant state attorney in 2005. Previously, in 1997, DNA evidence was matched with Barnes, who had already been questioned in the case, but he refused to talk with Brevard County sheriff's agents, court records show. No charges were filed until an indictment was handed down by a Brevard County grand jury. In 1998, Barnes was already serving a life sentence for the murder of his wife, Linda Barnes, who was strangled to death on Dec. 11, 1997. The letter in which he confessed to killing Miller was sent after Barnes converted to Islam, telling prosecutors he wanted to clear his conscience while fasting during Ramadan, a holy month on the Islamic calendar. "I murdered her [Patricia Miller] so [there] would be no witness or complaint against me," Barnes wrote in the letter, court documents show. John Torres commentary: DeSantis misses mark on new death penalty laws Investigators said Barnes, who did not know Miller, entered her River Oaks Condominium through a bedroom window on April 20, 1988. He confronted Miller at knifepoint in her restroom and sexually assaulted her. He then attacked her with a hammer and bound her with his shoelaces, face down on the bed, court records show. He set the room, with Miller already dead inside, on fire, court records show. There have been four executions in Florida this year all by lethal injection. 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: James Barnes, on death row in Florida, to be executed in August DeSantis targets Trump when asked if he would support the former president in 2024: 'Full of it' Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dodged a question about whether he would support former President Donald Trump as the Republican nominee in the 2024 race for the White House. DeSantis, another presidential hopeful, was asked by a reporter whether he would support Trump as the Republican nominee at a Thursday event. The governor targeted the former president over his recent criticism of Floridas management of the COVID-19 pandemic, referencing former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. When you are saying that Cuomo did better on COVID than Florida did, you are revealing yourself to just be full of it. Nobody believes that. And you know why? And you know why I know that? Because I remember in 2020 and 2021 when he was praising Florida for being open, DeSantis said. 'Get in the ring pal': Christie calls Trump a crybaby and loser for threatening to skip debates The Florida governor added later that If you have to make that argument, then you probably dont have very good arguments. I want to beat Biden, OK? I will do that. I will get that done, and I think more importantly than that, I will actually bring these policies for a landing and get it all done up there, he said. Trump during his administration did praise DeSantis handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the former president has increasingly targeted DeSantis in recent months. Trump during an interview with Fox News Bret Baier this week criticized the Florida governors management of the pandemic. Trump has previously declined to say whether he would absolutely support the Republican 2024 presidential nominee if he doesnt receive the partys backing. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DeSantis won't say if he would support Trump in 2024: 'Full of it' Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) will announce his presidential campaigns border policy next Monday, marking his first major policy platform to be unveiled since he announced his bid for the 2024 Republican nomination. DeSantis will roll out his plan to secure the border at an event in Eagle Pass, Texas, his campaign said. The governor will spend Sunday night participating in a ride-along tour of the border. Joe Bidens open border policies have destroyed our sovereignty, and Ron DeSantis will not rest until it is restored. He will stop the invasion and secure the border once and for all, and there will be no excuses, Andrew Romeo, a DeSantis campaign spokesman, said in a statement. DeSantis has been at the center of fights over immigration policy even as governor. He has drawn criticism from the left, and even from some Republicans, over his decision to fly migrants who crossed the southern border to liberal states like Massachusetts and California. The governor last month signed a law that bolstered his migrant relocation program and limited social services available to immigrants who do not have permanent legal status. DeSantis last week announced a coalition of 90 sheriffs backing the governor and his focus on immigration. The Florida governor has made border security and illegal immigration a key theme of the early weeks of his 2024 campaign, vowing to complete the border wall promised by former President Trump and blaming President Biden for a worsening mass-migration crisis. DeSantis has consistently run second behind Trump in national GOP primary polls. A CNN poll released this week showed 47 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning registered voters said Trump was their first choice in the primary, down from 53 percent in a May poll. But Trump still leads by 21 percentage points over DeSantis, who is running second in the poll at 26 percent support. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Detectives were investigating a shooting that killed a man near a south Sacramento apartment complex the third homicide sheriffs officials have responded to in a span of two days. Shortly before 3 p.m., deputies were called to an apartment complex in the 7400 block of La Mancha Way, just west of Highway 99 and north of Pomegranate Avenue. Sgt. Amar Gandhi, a Sacramento County Sheriffs Office spokesman, said a man and his girlfriend were experiencing homelessness and living near Jack N. Sheldon Park just east of Highway 99. Theres a tunnel underneath the highway that runs from the park to the neighborhood along La Mancha. The girlfriend, seeking help, told a resident at the apartment complex on La Mancha that a shooting had occurred. Gandhi said deputies arrived and found her boyfriend wounded by gunfire near the apartment complex. Deputies performed life-saving measures until medics arrived, Gandhi said. The medics pronounced the man dead at the scene. On Friday, Gandhi said the victim and his girlfriend had been arguing with each other before the fatal shooting occurred. The sheriffs spokesman said investigators questioned the girlfriend, and she is not considered a suspect in the shooting. Gandhi said its unclear where the couples argument had anything to do with the shooting, and there was no suspect information to release. Detectives were seeking the publics help as they continued to search for security camera video or witnesses that might help with the homicide investigation. There was no indication Thursdays homicide was related to the two shootings that occurred the previous day. On Wednesday morning, a man was found dead with at least one gunshot wound at a home in the 5200 block of Kenneth Avenue in Fair Oaks. His two roommates, a mother and her adult son, were arrested in connection with the mans death. Another man was shot in the neck Wednesday afternoon during an apparent dispute in the 9000 block of Alder Avenue in Sacramento Countys Vineyard neighborhood. No arrests have been made, and no suspect information has been released. Detectives ask anyone with information about Thursdays fatal shooting to call the Sheriffs Office at 916-874-5115 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357. The company that oversees the artifacts at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition on International Drive and other locations across the country has released a statement, saying they are devastated at the death of one of its colleagues after a tourist sub imploded. Paul-Henri Nargeolet, the director of the underwater research program for RMS Titanic, Inc., is one of five people presumed dead aboard the missing submersible that vanished Sunday during a trip to see the wreckage of the Titanic. We are devastated at the confirmation that the debris found at the wreck site of the RMS TITANIC is that of the missing OceanGate submersible, Titan, the Orlando exhibition shared in a Facebook post Thursday, attributed to Jessica Sanders, president of RMS Titanic, Inc. Our hearts are with the families and friends of those aboard the submersible as we are collectively and individually mourning the loss of our long-term employee and colleague Paul Henri PH Nargeolet. The maritime world has lost an iconic and inspirational leader in deep-sea exploration, and we have lost a dear and treasured friend. READ: Missing Titanic tourist sub: Titan suffered catastrophic implosion, killing 5 onboard The exhibition goes on to ask for respect for the privacy of the families and our staff as we all try to come to terms with our loss. READ: Wife of Titan pilot, OceanGate CEO, is great-great-granddaughter of couple who died on Titanic RMS Titanic, Inc. was formed to explore the wreck of Titanic and its surrounding ocean areas, according to the organizations website. It conducted eight research and recovery expeditions between 1987 and 2010, according to its website. The company says it has recovered more than 5,500 artifacts from the Titanic wreck site that have been viewed by more than 35 million individuals through RMS Titanic Incs Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, which has locations in Orlando and other major cities. In a Facebook post from Tuesday, Sanders called Nargolet a precious member of the RMS Titanic, Inc. family whose passion for Titanic and diving led him to compete over 35 submersible dives, more than anyone, and his knowledge of the wreck site is unparalleled. READ: Searchers detect banging sounds in hunt for missing Titanic sub Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. 'What did you do to make that happen?' Traveler questions wheelchair damage by Southwest Ted Breslin had enough to deal with. He was traveling from his home in Henderson, Nevada, to visit his son in a Reno hospital ICU on May 15. Having his wheelchair damaged on his Southwest Airlines flight on the way made the situation worse. The joystick was bent down. The headrest was completely snapped off. The bracket holding it was snapped and cracked, Breslin told USA TODAY. I booked a hotel in Reno that I guess you could say was wheelchair-accessibly close to the hospital. I navigated on the streets (to the hospital) and back each day. Breslin uses his wheelchair as a result of an injury he sustained while serving in the U.S. Army. He added that the headrest fell off several times while he was transiting between his hotel and the hospital, and that he was especially frustrated because the chair was only about 6 months old. Ted Breslin's power wheelchair with damage highlighted. Breslin said that Southwest staff was friendly and helpful, but that it took a long time to get the necessary paperwork done in Reno, and he wound up missing the accessible transportation hed booked to get to his hotel as a result. It took about a month for his chair to get repaired, but he said he was overall satisfied with how that process went once it was set in motion. I guess you could say Ive been made whole again, but the whole experience was an inconvenience. Nothing can be done to erase that. It is what it is, he said. They have made me whole. Just the fact that it happened is the fly in the ointment. Southwest Airlines acknowledged the incident in a statement to USA TODAY, though they noted that Breslin has not filed a formal complaint with the airline. While Breslin said hes happy the issue was resolved fairly quickly, nevertheless he feels that airlines need to treat disabled passengers better. The baggage handlers Im afraid, theyve got to take it a little more seriously. This is a serious matter. I need that chair, he said. Were talking about a half inch steel rod that was bent to a 30 degree angle. What did you do to make that happen? Tell us your story: Mobility device lost or damaged by an airline? USA TODAY wants to hear about it. How common is mobility equipment damage in air travel? According to the Department of Transportation, airlines "mishandle" on average about 1.5% of the mobility equipment they transport. In 2022, that translated to 11,389 incidents reported by U.S. airlines, up from 7,239 in 2021. This year, USA TODAY wants to highlight what those figures mean for travelers with disabilities. We're looking to track these incidents throughout 2023 with the goal of bringing light to an all-too-common problem. If your own mobility equipment was damaged or lost by an airline this year, please share your story with us using the form below: Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ted Breslin's story of wheelchair damage by Southwest Airlines If Ken Paxton returns to the Texas AGs office, heres why. Blame the Senate | Opinion The Texas Senate left a door cracked for Ken Paxtons return. Now the question is whether the Senate can slam it shut. The new Senate rules for Paxtons Sept. 5 impeachment trial give Paxton more room than the Texas Constitution requires. The Texas House impeachment managers got most rules they wanted. But a few almost seem written to help Paxton. For starters, the rules written by a committee led by Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, require an unusually high level of proof beyond a reasonable doubt for Paxtons removal. The Texas Constitution doesnt require that much proof. It says only that the Senate decides removal. If the committee wanted to set a standard, senators could have required a preponderance of evidence. Or a clear and convincing case. But Paxtons lawyers got their way. Sen. Angela Paxton and husband Attorney General Ken Paxton wave to the crowd Nov. 8, 2022, during a Collin County GOP Election Night Watch Party at Haggard Party Barn in Plano, Texas. That high level of proof wasnt required when Gov, James Ferguson was removed in 1917, although it was a rule when a district judge was removed in 1975. The Constitution asks senators to decide only whats best for Texas, not to judge innocence or guilt. Maybe theres another reason senators set a higher threshold: For political cover, whichever way the vote goes. Some senators may fear pushback from the tiny fraction of Texas Republicans only 4% of eligible voters who turned out in 2022 to renominate Paxton in a runoff, for 30 years tantamount to re-election. Thats not the only rule that leans toward Paxton, although most of the decisions went prosecutors way. For example, it takes only a majority vote of the Senate to drop any article of impeachment before the case ever goes to the jury. Yet Paxtons removal will take a two-thirds vote. Also, the committee completely set aside for now the four articles of impeachment backed by some of the most powerful evidence: those involving Paxtons felony securities fraud indictments. Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, right, who is on the committee to create the rules for the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton, talks to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, in the Senate Chamber at the Capitol before the Senate was expected consider the rules on Tuesday June 20, 2023. He remains free on $35,000 bond as a defendant in a pending criminal trial over a matter in which he already admitted civil responsibility and paid a fine. One Democratic state senator also objected because the trial judge who can be either Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick or another senator not running for re-election this cycle has iron-fisted control over what evidence is allowed. Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, a lawyer, former assistant county attorney and county judge, voted against the rules, as did Republicans Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, and Sen. Angela Paxton, a McKinney Republican who is Paxtons wife. Patrick or the presiding senator has near total control, Eckhardt wrote in a statement in the Senate Journal, that, in almost every aspect, cannot be openly challenged, debated or even commented on. Supporters of Paxtons impeachment celebrated that his wife would not be allowed to vote on his removal. But unless another senator is forced to abstain, her vote wont matter at all. Either way, it will take 21 senators two-thirds of the Senates overall membership of 31 to remove Paxton. Decatur criminal defense attorney Barry Green, a former prosecutor who writes online about news and legal cases, said the higher burden of proof shouldnt make any difference. I think the verdict is already a foregone conclusion for removal, he wrote in an online message, because otherwise the House wouldnt have risked impeachment. But by using the criminal standard, it will make for a good sound bite afterwards, he wrote. Green wrote that the committee did Sen. Angela Paxton a favor by preventing her from voting: They should make her go on the record with her no vote. He wrote that the biggest mystery is not whether Paxton should be removed but rather what took them so long. Now, we watch the Senate. The five people aboard the submersible officials believe imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic are presumed to be dead, the U.S. Coast Guard said on June 22. The statement came four days after the Titan went missing on Sunday, June 18, while on a mission to explore the Titanic wreckage. After debris was found in the search area, off the bow of the sunken Titanic, the Coast Guard said it was consistent with a catastrophic implosion. On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families, Rear Adm. John Mauger of the Coast Guard said on June 22. I can only imagine what this has been like for them and I hope that this discovery provides some solace, during this difficult time. Those on the Titan were CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding and Paul-Henri Nargeolet. OceanGate, the company that charters private tours to explore the shipwreck, issued a statement also on June 22 saying that those on the sub have sadly been lost. As the Coast Guard and OceanGate presumed the five people aboard Titan are dead, their families and close ones remember them. Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush (Bill Sikes / AP file) The company behind the mission released a statement on June 22, stating that the five people have sadly been lost. They also expressed their condolences for their CEO and the families of the ones who died. 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, OceanGate said in a statement. 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. It added that this is an extremely sad time for our dedicated employees who are exhausted and grieving deeply over this loss. The entire OceanGate family is deeply grateful for the countless men and women from multiple organizations of the international community who expedited wide-ranging resources and have worked so very hard on this mission. We appreciate their commitment to finding these five explorers, and their days and nights of tireless work in support of our crew and their families, it continued. 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. The late wife of the CEO, Wendy Rush, was the great-great-granddaughter of Isidor and Ida Straus, two first-class passengers who gave up their places on lifeboats and died on the Titanic. British billionaire Hamish Harding, the owner of Action Aviation Hamish Harding (Courtesy Dirty Dozen Productions) Hardings family and Action Aviation Today also expressed their grief in a statement to NBC News. In it, they called him a loving husband to his wife and a dedicated father to his two sons. We are united in grief with the other families who have also lost their loved ones on the Titan submersible. Hamish Harding was a loving husband to his wife and a dedicated father to his two sons, whom he loved deeply, the statement began. To his team in Action Aviation, he was a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a Living Legend. He was one of a kind and we adored him. He was a passionate explorer whatever the terrain who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved. He will leave a gap in our lives that can never be filled, it continued. 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. On behalf of the Harding family and Action Aviation, we would like to politely request privacy at this incredibly difficult time. French dive expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet What we know about the 5 people onboard the missing Titanic tour submersible (Joel Saget / AFP via Getty Images file) Nargeolets family also wrote in a statement that their hearts are broken over his death. Today (June 22) we have been notified by the United States Coast Guard that our beloved Paul-Henri Nargeolet has died due to a catastrophic event while on the Titan submersible. Our hearts are broken over the loss of our extraordinary father and husband, the statement, shared by his stepson, John Nathaniel Paschall, to NBC News read. He is a man who will be remembered as one of the greatest deep-sea explorers in modern history. When you think of the Titanic and all we know about the ship today, you will think of Paul-Henri Nargeolet and his legendary work. They added that what they will remember him most for is his big heart, his incredible sense of humor and how much he loved his family. We will miss him today and every day for the rest of our lives. At this time, we would like our privacy to be respected as we grieve the loss of our loved one. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone involved in the search and rescue process. We would also like to extend our deepest sympathies to the families of Stockton Rush, Hamish Harding and Suleman and Shahzada Dawood, the statement concluded. Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood Titanic capsule missing crew members (Courtesy Dawood family) The father and son's family also shared their "profound grief" when announcing the death of Suleman and Shahzada Dawood. Our beloved sons were aboard OceanGates Titan submersible that perished underwater. Please continue to keep the departed souls and our family in your prayers during this difficult period of mourning," the family said in a statement released by the Dawood Foundation. The family thanked those involved in the rescue operations and their untiring efforts" that were a "source of strength for us during this time." We are also indebted to our friends, family, colleagues, and well-wishers from all over the world who have stood by us during our hour of need. The immense love and support we receive continues to help us to endure this unimaginable loss, the statement said, before offering their condolences to the families of the other people who were aboard the Titan. The Coast Guard said the U.S., Canada, France and Great Britain will have to determine who will investigate the incident and whether to recover the victims. Still to be determined is who will pay for the search and recovery. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Disturbing messages from man accused of pushing woman to her death in Germany shared by Thai chatmate [Source] A woman living in Thailand has shared chilling online messages she purportedly received from the man who would later be accused of sexually assaulting and killing one woman and injuring another in Germany. Online chatmate: Chanidtha Khumpuok was playing an online game several months ago when she first connected with 30-year-old American Troy Bohling and went on to develop a friendship through their daily conversations. Their interaction would come to a sudden stop on June 14, the very day Bohling, of Lincoln Park, Michigan, allegedly committed the heinous crimes in Germany. Shocking news: Khumpuok would later learn that the man she had been communicating with online stands accused of choking and pushing two women down a steep ravine. More from NextShark: Alibaba appoints Brooklyn Nets billionaire owner Joseph Tsai as new chairman She even received a series of selfies from Bohling less than an hour before the purported crimes occurred, including photos that showed him wearing the same attire he had on when police arrested him later that day. What happened: Official reports noted that on that day, Bohling encountered 22-year-old Kelsey Chang and 21-year-old Eva Liu, on a hiking path at around 2:40 p.m. Promising them a romantic view of the historic German castle Neuschwanstein, he was able to lure them to a barely visible trail and take them to a viewpoint on the bridge of Marienbrucke. More from NextShark: Man accused of exposing himself, performing lewd acts in Melbourne beaches The suspect first attacked Liu and then choked Chang when she rushed to her friends aid. Bohling pushed both women down the ravine but only Chang survived due to a branch that broke her fall. Liu, who was sexually assaulted by Bohling, succumbed to her injuries the following day, while Chang sustained injuries but is expected to recover. Disturbing chat logs: According to the chat messages Khumpuok shared with The News-Herald, she had been chatting with Bohling since morning on the day of the crime. Bohling shared that he had a dream in which he felt detached from his own body while sleeping. He then mentioned that he was preparing to go out and would message Khumpuok later. More from NextShark: Thai serial thief who stole hundreds of phones while only wearing white briefs arrested Later that day, Khumpuok received a photo from Bohling showing the mountainous area where he had parked. Several more selfies would arrive in the evening at 6:53 p.m. Thailand time (1:53 p.m. Germany time). The final photo Bohling sent to Khumpuok featured two people kneeling while overlooking the castle, with the caption: "And now I get to sit here and look at these 2 try to get the perfect insta." Bohlings arrest: After allegedly attacking the two women, the suspect fled the scene but was later captured by law enforcement officers following a large-scale search operation. More from NextShark: Tesla under investigation after steering wheels come off while driving A judge has ordered that Bohling remains in custody pending a potential indictment while authorities pursue charges of murder, attempted murder, and sexual offenses against him. (CNN) The Vatican said Thursday it will hand over evidence in the disappearance of a 15-year-old daughter of one of its employees 40 years ago to the Rome city prosecutor. Emanuela Orlandi, who was the daughter of a prominent Vatican employee and lived within the walls of the holy city, disappeared in the summer of 1983 while on her way home from a music lesson in central Rome. The Vatican which has come under scrutiny over the years for its handling of the case announced in January that it had opened a fresh investigation. In a statement Thursday, the Vatican said that the office of Alessandro Diddi, the Vatican promoter of justice, has collected all the evidence available in the various institutions of the Vatican and the Holy See, while also seeking evidence through conversations with the persons in charge of certain offices at the time of the events. Diddi said through the Vatican press office that he had found some investigatory leads that merit further consideration. His office will therefore be sending all the relevant documents in the past weeks to the Prosecutor of Rome, so that he can review them and proceed in the direction he considers most opportune. It was unclear what the documents refer to, if they are new or from archives. Thursdays development marks the first time that the Vatican has publicly handed over documents to Italian authorities. The statement suggested that the Vaticans investigation was now complete, but Diddi pledged to continue his activities in this direction in the coming months, while remaining aware of the suffering one feels for the disappearance of a relative. Orlandi disappeared on June 22, 1983 after a lesson at a music school adjacent to the SantApollinare Opus Dei Catholic Church near Piazza Navona in Rome. Her father, Ercole Orlandi, who died in 2004, worked for the Institute for the Works of Religion in the Holy See. Her mother, Maria Orlandi, still lives in the family apartment in Vatican City. Her brother, Pietro Orlandi, has spent his life trying to uncover what happened to his sister and has often blamed the Vatican for hiding information. He has called for a rally this Sunday in Rome in front of Castel Sant Angelo, the latest location thought to be where the young girls body might be buried, and then proceed to St. Peters square to be present when the Pope gives his Sunday Angelus. Orlandi holds rallies every year around the disappearance anniversary. A four-part Netflix series by Mark Lewis released last year sparked renewed interest in the high profile case and highlighted several of the most prominent conspiracy theories, including that her kidnapping was connected to Mehmet Ali Agca, who was at the time in prison for an assassination attempt on John Paul II in St. Peters Square in 1981. Searches for Orlandis remains have been conducted many times over the last four decades. Human remains were found in 2018 at the Holy See embassy to Italy in central Rome, but said DNA tests did not establish a match. A year later, the Vatican agreed to exhume the tomb of two princesses thought to be buried in the cemetery of the Pontifical Teutonic College inside the Vatican City. The princesses remains were not found in the tomb, nor were Orlandis, but two ossuaries were found under a secret door in the cemetery. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Vatican to hand over evidence in 1983 disappearance of employees daughter." With Connecticut residents encountering bears more and more frequently, town officials periodically hear calls to stop new housing or commercial construction on undeveloped land because of fear that bear habitats are vanishing. As soon as someone posts photos of a bear wandering near someones back door, sniffing at their patio grill or trying to get into their trash can, Facebook is peppered with comments that its the fault of suburban sprawl encroaching on forests. But is that theory correct? Some bear biologists say that even though it sounds plausible, it just doesnt hold up at least not in Connecticut. Its something we see on social media all the time, and its true for some species, said Jenny Dickson, head of the wildlife division of Connecticuts department of energy and environmental protection. People sort of assume thats the issue with bears. But thats because they dont really understand the history of bears in Connecticut or what drives bear behavior. In reality, bear habitats in the state are still fairly abundant, she said. Black bears are thriving, according to DEEP estimates, and easy access to humans food scraps is a major reason why. In fact, the idea that bear sightings are soaring because humans in Connecticut are encroaching on bears territory is a bit backwards, according to Dickson and others. Instead, whats happening is that bears in the state are rapidly becoming very accustomed to getting their food from garbage cans and homeowners bird feeders. Bears arent losing habitat here, theyve got a lot of very good habitat across our state. Where people get confused is that they think of bears living in the deep woods, Dickson said. Actually, bears are incredibly adaptable and theyre making use of suburban or even urban habitat. Dave Wattles, black bear biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, agreed. The bears are moving into both newly developed and historically developed areas to take advantage of the plentiful human-associated foods around modern towns, neighborhoods, and residences, Wattles said. Then new developments that go into established bear range are certainly going to have bears around them and if people that move there provide foods for bears, the bears will exploit it. Certainly any habitat that is lost is less for bears and other wildlife to use, but what is happening in Connecticut is that your bear population is growing and growing rapidly now, Wattles said. That means the population is both increasing in density where you have bears and spreading into new areas that havent had bears in the past. DEEP statistics have shown the black bear population growing since the 1980s, with especially heavy increases in the past decade. Along with that, human-bear conflicts are up steeply: Reports of such encounters numbered fewer than 500 in 2015, but shot up to more than 3,100 last year. One of the most alarming statistics is the increase in reports of bears getting into houses, either through doors and windows left open or by forcing their way in. It happened only five times in 2014, compared to 67 times last year. DEEP reported that 2022 was a record year, with bear house entries up about 50% over 2020, the second highest year. In just the past six weeks, there have been several heavily publicized incidents: A mother bear and cubs broke into a Canton home, another broke into several Salisbury houses, still another broke into an Avon bakery and dragged out several dozen cupcakes, and a bear was euthanized after barging into a Bloomfield house. The most bear sightings and most bear-human conflicts occur around the Farmington Valley, where most towns are already heavily developed. West Hartford, Avon, Farmington and Simsbury are at the top of the list of communities with the most frequent bear reports: The first three are largely built out, and Simsburys forest cover has stayed reasonably steady in the last decade. Losing a small or mid-sized woodland can be devastating to some species, but biologists say the black bears in Connecticut are comfortable living near a development border. You have both things driving the issue: Bears that move into developed areas, and new developments going up in bear territory, Wattles said. As long as people continue to provide food there will be conflict and interaction between bears and people in those places. Dickson noted that a species like the grasshopper sparrow typically requires a huge grassland for nesting, so tearing up undeveloped fields to build stores, subdivisions or apartment complexes is highly damaging to them. Bears, however, are adapting successfully to development sprawl. Bears can essentially use highly developed areas because of the wealth of human-associated foods there; bird feeders, garbage, pet food, intentional feeding (a big issue in Connecticut), and chickens, all of which provide easy high-calorie meals for them, Wattles said. Other species that arent as adaptable as bears or have more specific habitat requirements or smaller populations are likely to be more negatively affected by new development. Dickson noted that black bears have been on the rebound in Connecticut since the late 1980s, and that now theyre healthier, having cubs earlier, and keeping a greater percentage of those cubs alive to full growth. We didnt get regular sightings until the early 1990s. A lot of the communities theyre frequenting now were established long before that, she said. So its not really a question of us moving into bear habitat, its bears moving into our habitat because theyre finding it advantageous to them. The problem is they start building habits where they set up their movements to get easy food. Theyll find high-calorie rewards knocking over garbage or with bird feeders and do hardly any work to get them. Dickson said residents must change their attitude toward bears. Its going to require us to change our thinking a little. Always treat them like wild animals. One of the most important things we can all do is not let them get that easy meal, keep them from starting to learn those bad behaviors in the first place, she said. If theyre in your yard, try to scare them with noise from your deck or an upstairs window. Scare them so they become uncomfortable, make them feel theyre not safe or at ease. In Florida, residents get roughly similar advice. Seeing a bear in a neighborhood is not necessarily cause for alarm. However, it is important that residents secure food attractants so that bears do not linger in the area, said Lisa Thompson, a spokesman for the state wildlife conservation commissions habitat and species conservation division. Generally, if a bear is not able to access human-provided foods such as garbage around homes or businesses, it will move on. To reduce conflicts with bears and other wildlife, residents should remove or secure all food attractants from around their houses and yards, including garbage, pet food and bird seed. Dickson wants residents to notify DEEP of every bear sighting, since it uses those reports in analyzing where bear populations are on the rise. She said its also essential to stop seeing bears as pets. Even though we find them entertaining, were doing the bears a disservice. Were not thinking of their well-being, she said. Theyre not a pet or a cartoon we saw, this isnt Goldilocks. This is wildlife, very dangerous wildlife. (Bloomberg) -- The Justice Department is on a tight timetable to work out conditions for using classified information in the upcoming trial against Donald Trump, a crucial process that the former president could use to help drag out the proceedings until after the November 2024 presidential election. Most Read from Bloomberg Special Counsel Jack Smith has already reached an agreement with US intelligence agencies to use up to 31 documents containing national defense information that are at the core of the case against the former president, according to two people familiar with the case who asked to remain anonymous speaking about the confidential matter. Smiths team said in a Wednesday court filing that its handed over the first set of unclassified discovery materials to Trumps lawyers, meaning one of his next moves will be how to deal with the classified information. Judge Aileen Cannon issued an order Tuesday for the criminal trial to begin Aug. 14, though thats likely to change once the defense lodges any challenges to the indictment or the court proceedings. Spokespeople for Smith and Trumps lawyers declined to comment. Trump is accused of unlawfully holding on to sensitive national security information after he left the White House in January 2021 and of obstructing the governments efforts to identify and retrieve the records. He pleaded not guilty in a Miami federal courtroom June 13 to charges he mishandled state secrets. Decisions over which classified documents will be used in court and how they will be referred to say through redactions or summaries must be worked out between prosecutors and the judge before the trial can begin. Smith has asked for a speedy trial, putting the case on a 70-day schedule, as Trump steps up his 2024 presidential campaign. Trump and his legal team can fight the procedures for using classified documents and other matters, such as objecting to the use of summaries, demanding access to information during discovery or threatening to make public material the government wants to keep secret. The Justice Department has to designate what classified documents it wants to use, while the judge decides whats admissible and works with prosecutors to establish appropriate protections. Prosecutors must get final approval from the intelligence agencies that own the documents, based on what the judge decides. Trumps lawyers should push to have access to everything that was taken because it could very well be that there is information in other documents that could be related to the information that theyre charging on, said Mark Zaid, a national security lawyer based in Washington who has represented hundreds of cases involving intelligence officers, federal employees and whistleblowers. For example, they might seek to use other classified information during the trial, which prosecutors would have to decide how to handle. Although the indictment charges Trump with illegally retaining 31 documents, the Justice Department alleges the former president had hundreds of documents with classified markings at his Florida resort after leaving the White House. As part of the order, Cannon directed the Justice Department and Trumps legal team to determine whether a delay is needed to work out security clearance issues and any anticipated impact under the Classified Information Procedures Act. The 1980 statute establishes pre-trial, trial and appellate procedures for criminal cases involving the use of classified information. The government has gamed this all out. Their contingency plans have contingency plans, said David Aaron, a former federal prosecutor and intelligence attorney, who believes the Justice Department is prepared to handle any surprises that come during pre-trial motions dealing with classified information. Even if the government decides not to use some of the documents Trump is charged with possessing, convicting Trump on just one of them carries up to a 10-year prison sentence, though Trump is unlikely to face the maximum penalty if convicted, said Aaron, a senior counsel at the Perkins Coie LLP law firm. Aaron wrote an extensive analysis of how secret evidence is used in public trials. He cited, for example, the prosecution of ex-CIA officer Kevin Patrick Mallory, who was found guilty at trial of conspiring to provide classified information to a foreign country. Mallory appealed his conviction on grounds that the court violated his right to a public trial by allowing the so-called silent witness rule during his trial, which is a means to disclose classified evidence only to a judge, the jury, counsel and witnesses but not the public. The US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied his appeal last July. There are several moments in each of these cases where the defendant doesnt think the government will be able to move forward, and the government proves the defendant wrong, Aaron said. The pre-trial battles and rulings by Cannon will have enormous consequences, as missteps by federal prosecutors could damage their case, while Trump and his lawyers likely will try to tangle up the government and delay the trial beyond the 2024 presidential election, Zaid said. But the Classified Information Procedures Act also allows the Justice Department to quickly appeal adverse rulings, said Joyce Vance, a former US Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. The appeals court, which in the Trump documents case is the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, is required to expedite a hearing, which is intended to keep the trial moving and prevent mischief by a defendant, Vance said. They can only create as much chaos as the 11th Circuit allows them to cause, said Vance. My money is on the 11th Circuit to be even handed. --With assistance from Zoe Tillman. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. 'You can boo all you want': Chris Christie faces backlash for criticism of Donald Trump WASHINGTON - Donald Trump's campaign rivals made their various cases Friday before an influential group of religious voters, but for the most part they avoided talking about a top issue: Donald Trump. With the exception of Chris Christie - who got booed for his criticism of Trump - other candidates in the increasingly crowded 2024 race made only passing references to the twice-indicted GOP front-runner and did not argue why they are better bets for the presidential nomination next year. "You can boo all you want," Christie told members of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, while candidates like Ron DeSantis and Mike Pence only alluded to their differences with Trump; they focused more on President Joe Biden and the Democrats. "We need a new way of thinking," DeSantis said at one point. A pro-Trump crowd It was probably just as well, given the pro-Trump slant of the crowd. Members of the Faith and Freedom Coalition cheered loudly when other speakers mentioned Trump's name. One such speaker, North Carolina Lt. Gov Mark Robinson, went so far as to endorse Trump, drawing a standing ovation. The Faith and Freedom Coalition, which bills its Washington, D.C. conference as "the largest public policy gathering of conservative and Christian activists in the nation, also heard from 2024 Republican candidates Vivek Ramaswamy, Asa Hutchinson, Francis Suarez, and Tim Scott. Nikki Haley and newly announced candidate Will Hurd will address the convention of religious conservatives on Saturday. Trump, who still leads Republican polls despite two indictments and questions about his appeal to independent voters, has the group's prime speaking slot, the "keynote address" at a Saturday dinner closing the conference. Donald Trump and some of his Republican challengers Religious voters Religious voters are expected to play a key role in Republican delegate contests next year, especially early ones in Iowa and South Carolina. The Faith and Freedom Coalition is a frequent stop for Republican presidential candidates a half-year before primaries start. Donald Trump draws a huge field of 2024 opponents: Here's why that could help and hurt him DeSantis focuses on Biden DeSantis, who is Trump's closest competitor in most polls but remains far behind, spent most of his time attacking Democratic President Joe Biden and Trump-era health official Anthony Fauci over allegedly anti-faith polices and COVID lockdowns. The Florida governor did note that some opponents are "attacking me" over his legal fight with Disney, but he did not specify that Trump is his most vociferous attacker. He also referenced the unfinished wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, but did not call out Trump by name. At the same time, like other candidates, DeSantis criticized the so-called "weaponization" of law enforcement, presumably including the cases against Trump. Christie: 'You can boo all you want' The former New Jersey governor, who has made attacks on Trump the centerpiece of his campaign, drew catcalls when he attacked Trump for a lack of character, a failure of leadership, and a tendency to blame others for his failures. "He has let us down," Christie said. As delegates yelled, Christie delivered his line that "you can boo all you want" and that Republicans will have to confront the character issue regarding Trump. Trump's troubles As the campaign unfolds in the months to come, the former president faces two criminals trials, one in Florida and another in New York. A federal grand jury in Florida indicted Trump for obstruction of justice in connection with the hoarding of classified documents. A state grand jury in New York charged him with falsifying business records as part of a hush money scheme. Moreover, Trump remains under investigation in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., over attempts to reverse his election loss to President Joe Biden. The former president has denounced all the investigations as politically motivated, an argument he is expected to make again before members of the Faith and Freedom Coalition. Pence and abortion The former vice president drew a distinction with Trump over the commitment to end abortion, though he did not cite him by name during that discussion. Pence instead criticized "opponents" who have said the abortion issue hurt Republican candidates in the 2022 congressional elections, a description that fits his former president. On the other hand, Pence drew his biggest applause when he pledged to end the "politicization" of the Justice Department, an apparent reference to the Trump investigations. In wrapping up, Pence said he has had "differences" with the former president - most famously his refusal of Trump's demand that he try to overturn Biden's election victory - but "elections are about the future." Ramaswamy: 'identity crisis' Ramaswamy, a private businessman, did not mention Trump during a speech that ticked off a variety of conservative goals, from better border security to parental rights in education policy. The author of a book called "Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam" also decried a "moral vacuum" and "a national identity crisis." "We don't have to be a nation in decline," Ramaswamy said. Asa Hutchinson's faith Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas, has called on Trump to withdraw from the race because of the indictments - but he did not mention the ex-president's name during his speech to the Faith and Freedom Coalition. Instead, Hutchinson discussed his religious roots and said that "my faith has always guided me in the public arena." "The purpose of the conference is to empower conservative activists to fight for their values at the polls," the organization said in statements announcing its various speakers. Tim Scott and 'The View' The only Black Republican in the Senate, Scott spent most of his time talking about his jousts over opportunities for minorities with members of the Biden and hosts of The View television show. While also complaining about the "weaponization" of federal law enforcement, Scott did not mention Trump by name. Francis Suarez Suarez, the mayor of Miami and one of the newer entrants in the race, echoed other candidates by praising the Supreme Court's decision a year ago to reverse the Roe vs. Wade ruling on abortion rights. While mentioning tax cuts and education policy, Suarez kept the focus on faith issues. The mayor said that "our values" are under political assault, but "our faith is strong." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Faith and Freedom Coalition: Christie booed, 2024 challengers speak up Gang that ferried drugs in Thank You NHS van jailed for almost 100 years The van used by a West Bromwich organised crime group during pandemic - West Midlands Police/SWNS A gang of 10 that ferried drugs in a Thank You NHS van during lockdown have been jailed for almost 100 years. The gang members made 1.5 million by bringing more than 100kg of cocaine and heroin into the West Midlands at the height of the pandemic. Two of them also applied for and received a Covid Bounce Back loan, which they invested into their drug empire. They were caught following a police investigation in which secret EnchroChat messages were seized, revealing the drugs ring. The men, who ran the operation from West Bromwich, admitted to drugs offences including conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. They were jailed for a combined total of just under 100 years at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday. Kamaljit Singh Chahal, 52, was jailed for 18 years, while Bhipon Chahal, 25, was sentenced to 14 and Matthias Tulloch, 43, to 12. Sandeep Johal, 32, and Miquel Lewin-Miller, 41, were both jailed for 11 years. Aaron Williams, 43, was sentenced to 10 and a half years and Robert Wesley, 39, was jailed for nine years. Alan Moore-Caswell, 42, was jailed for four years and two months, while Sandeep Singh, 25, and Hitesh Salhotra, 26, were both sentenced to three years and nine months. Network of couriers Kamaljit Singh Chahal, the gang leader, from Sutton Coldfield, ran the operation with Bhipon Chahal, his nephew, from Great Barr. They used a network of couriers by communicating using encrypted devices. The West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) stopped the gang following a covert investigation under the name Op Igneous. EncroChat messages from the Chahal crime group were seized between March 26 and June 5 2020. They revealed that the group openly discussed the management and delivery of drugs across the UK. To avoid detection, Tulloch used the NHS van to avoid suspicion while transporting the drugs during the pandemic. Chief Inspector Peter Cooke, of the ROCU, said: This was a significant Class A drugs operation which was being operated during the Covid pandemic. This is part of our ongoing work to destroy drug networks across the West Midlands and this will carry on as part of Op Target. Were focused on those thought to be involved in the highest levels of organised crime across our region. These men will now be spending nearly 100 years behind bars in total. It sends out a clear warning to others intent on supplying Class A drugs we simply wont tolerate it. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. President of Poland Andrzej Duda has stated the need to stop Russia as soon as possible, as it may later want to conquer all of Ukraine as well as go to war against the former Soviet republics. Source: Duda in an interview with Ukrainian TV channels, including Espresso, as European Pravda writes Details: In particular, Duda compared Russia to "a wild beast that devours a man". Quote: "Russia cannot be allowed to win because it will continue to advance. This will support its imperialism. It is like a wild beast that will eat a human being. If a wild beast eats a human being, it is usually said that it should be hunted down and shot because it is used to eating human flesh. The same with Russia," he noted. The Polish president emphasised that as soon as Russia recovers, it will attack the rest of the territory of Ukraine, then Poland, the Baltic States and the countries of the former sphere of influence of the Soviet Union. Quote: "Perhaps the West does not understand this, but we know it very well. This is a necessary condition for a successful and just end to this war. What should it be? At least in such a way as to restore the supremacy of international law. International law will be restored when Russia is pushed out of all occupied lands in Ukraine," he added. In the same interview, Duda suggested that the countries that offer Ukraine to cede territories in exchange for the end of the war give their territories to Russia. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Duke University officials announced on Tuesday that, beginning in the fall 2023 semester, they will provide full tuition grants to admitted undergraduate students from North Carolina and South Carolina whose family incomes are $150,000 or less. Additionally, Duke students from the Carolinas with family incomes of $65,000 or less will receive full tuition grants and financial assistance for housing, meals and other educational expenses without needing student loan assistance. Students from military families who meet the income requirements with a legal residence in the Carolinas will also qualify, even if they are stationed somewhere else. Beginning this fall, Duke will provide full tuition grants for undergraduate students from North and South Carolina whose family incomes are $150,000 or less. Learn more: https://t.co/O7G4iOhZpG Duke University (@DukeU) June 20, 2023 This expansion of financial support will be funded through university resources and is expected to increase grant assistance to North Carolina and South Carolina students by about $2 million for the 2023-24 academic year. This additional financial support for undergraduates reflects Dukes commitment to our students from the Carolinas, President Vincent Price said. By providing even more equitable access to a Duke education, and ensuring students have the resources they need to truly thrive while here at Duke, we will also make our campus community stronger. According to university officials, all current qualifying undergraduate students from the Carolinas will be eligible for the additional assistance starting in the upcoming fall semester. First-year students, sophomores, juniors and seniors from the Carolinas who qualify will receive financial aid statements reflecting this new commitment by July 1. Around 340 students are expected to benefit in the upcoming academic year. Gary Bennett is the dean of Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, which admits about 80% of Dukes undergraduate students. We want to make it easier for families to choose Duke, he said. Attending college can expand a familys opportunities for generations, and we aim to make the Duke experience as widely accessible as we can. Duke anticipates investing an additional $6 million to $7 million per year to provide increased assistance for the added eligible students they expect to admit from the Carolinas. The institutional grants used to meet the commitment will be in coordination with other sources of support, including federal, state and institutional aid. The total will cover the cost of Duke tuition, which is $63,450 for the 2023-2024 academic year. We know that students with greater financial constraints are more likely to choose colleges that are closer to their homes and that many of those students will also choose to stay closer to home after they graduate, Bennett said. Retaining talent is critical to our regions success; Dukes commitment to these students is also a commitment to the North and South Carolina communities they call home. According to Forbes, 1,131 North Carolina residents were enrolled as undergraduates at Duke in the 2022-23 academic year, equaling about 16% of the undergraduate student body the most of any state. 160 students more were from South Carolina. This is our home, and its where we have our most long standing commitment, Price said. We want families in the Carolinas to know that a Duke education can be affordable and that we will provide support and resources so all students who are admitted to Duke can have an exceptional college experience. For more information regarding the program and eligibility requirements, visit financialaid.duke.edu. [Source] Two workers were arrested at a Houston, Texas-area Asian spa that allegedly offered sexual services. How they were busted: Multiple complaints had reportedly been lodged against Asian Spa in the 4700 block of Louetta in Spring over alleged prostitution practices. On June 9, investigators from the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office posed as customers and were allegedly offered sex acts by Wenmin Sun, who was found to be an unlicensed massage therapist. Another employee, Fan Yang, was found to have an open felony warrant for criminal mischief and was accused of possessing methamphetamine. More from NextShark: Meet the superfan who has attended every Summer Olympics in the last 30 years Suspects charged: Sun was booked into the Harris County Jail on a prostitution charge. County Court 6 reportedly set her bond at $100. Yang, on the other hand, was arrested for the open warrant and charged with possession of a controlled substance. The 208th District Court set his bond at $5,000. The spa has reportedly been closed following the investigation. Anyone with information about prostitution and other unlawful activities in the area is urged to submit a report at www.ConstablePct4.com. More from NextShark: Issey Miyake, trailblazing Japanese designer renowned for pleats, dies of liver cancer at 84 Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Myanmar model sentenced to 6 years in jail by military court after posting pics on OnlyFans Bling Empire Star Kane Lim Accused of Hating on Asians for Mocking Yamashiro Restaurant The Netherlands' Groningen gas field is the largest in Europe (JOHN THYS) The Netherlands said Friday it would end production at Europe's largest gas field on October 1 after years of earthquakes, despite global energy worries sparked by Russia's war in Ukraine. Wells at the massive Groningen field in the northern Netherlands will remain open for one more year in case of a cold winter but then be shut down forever, the government said. Residents near the huge site, which opened in 1965, have complained for more than two decades of being terrorised by quakes directly attributed to drilling operations. "We are really turning off the tap," said Hans Vijlbrief, the Dutch minister for extractive industries. The decision was an "important moment after decades of gas extraction," he added. "The problems of Groningen residents have not yet been solved and unfortunately the earthquakes will continue for years to come, but the source of all misery will be closed from October." The Netherlands first said five years ago that it would close the site by 2030 due to the increasingly severe quakes, which damaged homes and traumatised locals. Although gas extraction from the field has been almost cut to zero over the last few years, the Dutch government kept the site operational due to the global energy uncertainties prompted largely by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But Prime Minister Mark Rutte's cabinet decided at a meeting on Friday to completely end production by October 1. - 'Uncertain international situation' - The government said that "due to the uncertain international situation" it would be possible to draw gas from the Groningen site for one more year "in very exceptional situations." These would include "very severe cold" or a gas shortage. But the final 11 wells would then be "permanently closed" by October 1, 2024, it said. Oil giants Shell Netherlands and ExxonMobil have equal stakes in NAM, the company responsible for drawing gas from the Groningen field since the early 1960s. A top Shell official said in March this year that the gas field "must be closed". So far Groningen's residents, who suffered severe damage to their homes and buildings from the slew of quakes, have received a trickle of compensation. They have been caught in a bottleneck of bureaucratic bungling and red tape, said a report by a parliamentary commission of inquiry earlier this year The Netherlands, which has around a third of its surface area lying below sea level is particularly vulnerable to climate change. It is also under pressure to cut its reliance on fossil fuels. An environmental group won a landmark case in 2019 in Dutch courts, ordering the government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25 percent by the end of 2020. dk/jj Easterday brothers say nitrate contamination is on Oregon land they were kicked off After receiving a notice of noncompliance over fertilizer spills, Easterday Dairy is saying the Oregon Department of Agriculture got it wrong. It could mean the difference between the company receiving a permit to eventually bring cattle back on the land or having to start all over. The company has asked agricultural officials to reconsider the decision and to separate the Boardman, Ore., property they still manage from the larger portion they havent managed or accessed since a legal dispute began with the finance company that leases the land, Fall Line Capital. Easterday Dairy is run by Cole Easterday and his brothers, Clay and Cutter. Theyre the sons of former Easterday Farms and Easterday Ranches president Cody Easterday. Their father is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for a ghost cattle scheme that defrauded Tyson Foods out of more than $250 million. Cody Easterday of Easterday Ranch and Farms, is shown in this file photo at the Easterday Dairy outside of Boardman, Ore. Easterday is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence. The request for reconsideration was provided to the Tri-City Herald by the law firm representing Easterday Dairy in the matter, Leverenz and Associates. Recent violations Oregon state investigators found that in a span of less than three months, from July 7 through Sept. 20 last year the Easterdays failed to properly control nitrate application within the limits required by their nitrate correction plan 36 times across 21 fields. The department is now requiring Easterday Dairy to hire a qualified agronomist to fully test the soil and oversee all future application of nutrients. Theyre also being required to install runoff control in 21 of the fields that were impacted. These improvements will be required to be designed by a qualified engineer and approved by the state. If Easterday fails to meet these requirements, the state may enforce civil penalties and revoke their permits. But Easterday Dairy is saying most of the issues were in fields on the adjoining property that they were kicked out of, and cant access. Disputed findings According to the request, one of the two leaks in question was on a portion of land currently leased to Walther Farms by Fall Line. Easterday Dairy says they do not have access to the land to monitor or correct any issues since Fall Line revoked their easement in June 2022. In late 2021, Fall Line chose not renew to Easterday Dairys lease, and Walther Farms took over. Easterday continued to monitor nitrate levels for a few months before disputes led to Fall Line revoking the easement that allowed them on the land. Fall Line and Walther Farms have since been reporting separately to the ODA, but the remediation plan still covers the entire property, according to the documents. Easterday Dairy said the second leak was in an area with one of their tanks, and two others they did not own. They moved their tank from the area suspected of leaking onto a concrete pad, filled it with water to a tracking mark and sent pictures to the Oregon inspector to show it was not leaking. The filing said Easterday Dairy also included video showing the pump working, without leakage, indicating the leak might have come from the two tanks not owned by the company. The leaks in question occurred between June and August of 2022, and would have coincided with the period where the easement was being disputed. Its unclear who owned the tank on the leased portion of the property, but Easterday Dairy said in the filing that one does not belong to them either. This is the field where an inspector found irrigation run-off pooling, and the more significant contamination. While Easterday did not include soil samples in a self report during this period, they did include aerial photos, which could be explained by the company not being able to access the land directly. What comes next? Easterday Dairy is asking the Oregon agricultural officials to rescind the notice and to adjust their current nitrate remediation plan to only encompass the production area they currently control. The dairy committed to continuing to abide by the remediation plan for their portion. If the notice of noncompliance remains in place, it would impact their plan, which requires nine consecutive months of compliance. Its unclear whether Easterday Dairy intends to remain on the production land theyre currently farming. File photo They have been denied a Confined Animal Feeding Operations permit because of the heavy nitrate contamination caused by the former owner, Lost Valley Farms mega dairy, and the ODAs findings that the Easterdays over applied nitrate-based fertilizer after taking over the property. The water source for the dairy is an aquifer that is at particularly high risk for contamination. According to a 2018 Statesman Journal article, the aquifer was classified as protected in 1976 due to dwindling water levels. Nitrate contaminated water cannot be boiled to make safer. While animals have not been on the property since Easterday Dairy took over, they have farmed the fields and the liquid fertilizer used contains nitrates. It is the over-application of fertilizer at issue. The remediation plan breaks down the 7,500-acres into fields with allowable amounts of fertilizer that can be applied to each. Some fields allow for none at all. Easterday Dairy is required to regularly monitor nitrate levels and take corrective measures. Easterday Dairy was ordered to adhere to a remediation plan after it was found that they had intentionally over fertilized the property by more than 800,000 pounds of nitrate-based fertilizer during the 2021 crop season. In order for Oregon officials to reconsider the animal feeding permit, Easterday would have had to show they were complying with the remediation plan for nine consecutive months. The cutoff date for consideration for the permit was originally set for December 2022, making it increasingly unlikely they will be able to obtain the permit if the clock was reset in June 2022 due to the notice of noncompliance. Without access to the larger portion of the farm and with no livestock allowed, its unclear if Easterday will continue to pursue their goal of reopening the dairy on the land. Public records show Cole Easterday maintains a home on the production property. Easterday Dairy had originally bought the 736-acre production area in 2019 in a self-financed deal for $16 million and was leasing the larger 6,542-acre farm land. Fall Line cited the ongoing bankruptcy of the Easterday family businesses and findings by the state that said Easterday Dairy had been intentionally over-applying liquid fertilizer, in their bid to oust Easterday from the leased property last summer. The bankruptcy case, which did not include the spun-off Easterday Dairy, was settled late last summer. Fall Line and Easterday Dairy have been wrapped up in a separate lawsuit since the easement was revoked. That case appears to have reached a private settlement, but lawyers from either side have not said what it entails. Fall Line had asked the judge to evict Easterday. The dairy was asking for $14 million of their investment back in order to quit the production land, or for damages. The case is officially settled, according to court records, but the judge has allowed it to remain open through July to give both parties time to work out details of the settlement. Family legal issues The Easterday family has been embroiled in legal issues since December 2020 when it came to light that Cody Easterday had stolen more than $250 million in a wire fraud scam that federal prosecutors dubbed a ghost cattle scheme. Easterday had been charging Tyson Foods for the care of more than 265,000 head of cattle that never existed. Segale Properties was also defrauded after loaning Easterday money for the care and feed of the ghost cattle. Cody Easterday pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, but remained out of prison for more than a year while he helped navigate a massive bankruptcy lawsuit for the familys Easterday Farms and Easterday Ranches businesses. The bankruptcy settlement schedule was finalized last summer, and Cody Easterday was sentenced to 11 years in prison in October 2022. Tyson estimated their total loss, including lawyers fees and other costs, added up to more than $260 million. Segale was owed about $11 million. Judge Stanley Bastian set Easterdays total restitution at $244 million. He reported to a federal prison in California in December, but has filed two lawsuits against Tyson Foods in an attempt to reduce the amount of money he has been ordered to pay back. So far only about $70 million total has been paid back, leaving Cody Easterday owing more than $170 million to Tyson and $7.5 million to Segale. Demonstrators march near the Texas state Capitol in Austin after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022. (Eric Gay / Associated Press) This year, instead of celebrating the 50th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling guaranteeing a constitutional right to abortion, advocates of reproductive rights are observing the grim one-year mark since the court overturned that ruling and mapping out strategies for restoring abortion access where it was lost and preserving it where it still exists. Rarely does the court take away established rights, but thats what the conservative majority of this Supreme Court did in its ruling in Dobbs vs. Jackson Womens Health Organization on June 24, 2022, returning reproductive rights to the vagaries of state legislatures. Today, the country is a shifting patchwork of abortion laws. There are at least 12 states with complete bans in effect. Nearly a dozen others have banned abortions after a certain point in gestation, ranging from six to 18 weeks, though some have been blocked by the courts. Abortion remains legal through most of the first trimester or beyond in about a dozen or so states, including California, Oregon and Washington. Read more: Editorial: A federal judge outlaws an abortion pill that's safer than Tylenol. This is ridiculous Medical care for pregnant people in many states has been badly affected by the new restrictions. Some doctors and hospitals in states that only allow abortion care in emergency situations are so worried about breaking the law, they have refused to perform abortions until a patient's health is in serious peril. Meanwhile, reproductive rights advocates have sued to block some state bans and restrictive laws, arguing that they violate personal protections already in state constitutions. But when courts have agreed to block the laws, state legislators often just retool them. No sooner had the Center for Reproductive Rights won a legal victory in South Carolina striking down a six-week abortion ban than the state Legislature passed another six-week abortion ban. (The center is suing to block that one as well.) Its like Whac-a-Mole. Despite the chaos and grim statistics, poll after poll has shown that a majority of Americans support at least some level of abortion access and that support has only increased, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis, as people have had to confront the reality of no Roe-era protections. Indeed, voters seem increasingly serious about making their elected officials support abortion access. In liberal and conservative states, voters have demonstrated a striking determination to enshrine the right to abortion in their state's constitutions, including California and Vermont where abortion protections are already robust. But voters in purple Michigan also approved a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a right to abortion. And in Kansas, Democratic and Republican voters together decisively voted down an amendment that would have stated the constitution did not protect abortion rights. Read more: Editorial: Abortion rights triumphed from coast to coast Going into the next year, the best way out of this nearly dystopian world is through the ballot box. Advocates in a number of states are considering ballot measures amending state constitutions to include a right to abortion, but its a challenging path. Some state legislatures are attempting to thwart these efforts by raising the threshold of votes needed to pass a constitutional amendment. In Ohio, where advocates expect to have a constitutional amendment on the ballot this November, the Legislature has set a special election in August to ask voters whether to raise the vote needed for passage of a constitutional amendment from a simple majority to 60%. Of course, advocates should still work to get state constitutional amendments passed. But the difficulty of that battle makes it clear that voters must wield their power by holding every elected official at every level particularly state and national levels accountable. Every candidate for political office should be queried on whether he or she supports abortion access. If they dont, that should be a deal breaker. Voters must decide that a person's right to control their own bodies is paramount. Read more: Column: It's not about babies. Abortion restrictions are about power That means not electing or reelecting a member of Congress who wont support the Womens Health Protection Act. Abortion access advocates say its essential to keep building support for this bill that would codify into law the right to an abortion. It passed the House when it was Democratically controlled but has yet to pass the Senate. President Biden has said he would sign it into law. And every candidate for Congress or president should be asked if they support repealing the Comstock Act, the outdated 19th century vice law that says materials related to abortion cannot be sent through the mail. Abortion opponents have seized upon it as a tool to fight access. The Office of Legal Counsel of the Justice Department has declared that the law doesn't prohibit the mailing of drugs if they are not intended for unlawful use, but why let it get brandished by abortion opponents? Let's get rid of it. Voters have to do more than tell pollsters they support a right to abortion. They have to use their voting power to show elected officials the door if they wont support access and to keep it closed to candidates who won't promise to protect reproductive rights. 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. (CNN) Wendy Rush, the wife of the pilot killed in a Titanic-bound submersible that coast guard officials say suffered catastrophic implosion, is the descendant of a couple who perished on the ship in 1912. Rush is the great-great granddaughter of retailing magnate Isidor Straus and his wife, Ida, who were part of the group of more than 1500 people who died during the Titanics maiden voyage, according to New York Times archive records. The couple were fictionalized by Lew Palter as Isidor and Elsa Raven as Ida in the Oscar-winning 1997 film Titanic, directed by James Cameron. While several of the scenes focusing on them in the movie were cut, a scene featuring the characters clutching each other on a bed as the ship went down became notably memorable. In reality the couple, who were traveling first class back home to the United States from their native Germany, were last seen by survivors standing together on deck holding hands before they were swept overboard by a wave, according to the UK governments National Archives. Wendy Rush, born Wendy Hollings Weil, is the great granddaughter of the couples daughter, Minnie Straus Weil. Rush is the director of communications and an expedition team member for OceanGate, acccording to her LinkedIn profile. Her husband Stockton Rush was the companys chief executive officer. CNN has reached out to the company for comment. Isidor Straus was a co-owner of Macys and the story of how they perished captured the attention of those interested in the story of the Titanic. On the night of 14 April, after Titanic had hit the iceberg, Isidor and Ida were directed to lifeboat eight. However, the aging Isidor refused to board the lifeboat while there were younger men being prevented from boarding, according to the UK National Archives. Ida also refused to get into the lifeboat saying, Where you go, I go. Her maid Ellen was put into the lifeboat and Ida gave Ellen her fur coat, saying she had no further use for it. Isidor Strauss body was recovered and interred in New Yorks Woodlawn Cemetery. His wife Idas remains were never recovered. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Wife of submersible pilot is a descendant from Titanic couple who perished." (Bloomberg) -- Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and House lawmakers are urging the US Transportation Department to disregard thousands of public comments orchestrated by JetBlue Airways Corp. in support of its $3.8 billion merger with Spirit Airlines Inc. Most Read from Bloomberg In a letter written on June 21 to the Transportation Department, or DOT, Warren and lawmakers urged the department to focus on genuine public input, not duplicative comments collected by a mendacious astroturf campaign. The campaign by JetBlue, which included a pre-written form in support of the merger, generated roughly 90% of the more than 10,000 comments on the Transportation Departments public comment page. The comments are identical and are identified as coming from JetBlue and Spirit crew members who wrote that they believe the $3.8 billion merger will improve their lives, Bloomberg News previously reported. A significant number of JetBlue crewmembers support our merger with Spirit and are excited about the opportunities it will bring, said JetBlue spokesperson Doug McGraw. These letters were completely voluntary, and JetBlue did not engage in any action towards Crewmembers, regardless of whether they submitted comments or if the comments were supportive or not. JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes has pushed back on criticism about the campaign, saying that while the company set up a tool to send the government identical comments from JetBlue and Spirit employees, each individual took action proactively and voluntarily. Thousands of JetBlue Crewmembers and Spirit Team Members including many union members legitimately expressed their support for the merger with the US Departments of Justice and Transportation, Hayes wrote in a June 14 letter to Warrens office. JetBlue been a consistent advocate for policies that promote airline competition and provide greater consumer choice, Hayes wrote. JetBlues acquisition of Spirit will advance those objectives. Warren followed up with a separate letter to JetBlue on June 20, demanding answers to a list of questions about how JetBlue solicited the comments from employees. A significant number of JetBlue crewmembers support our merger with Spirit and are excited about the opportunities it will bring, said JetBlue spokesperson Doug McGraw. These letters were completely voluntary, and JetBlue did not engage in any action towards Crewmembers, regardless of whether they submitted comments or if the comments were supportive or not. Its relatively common for US airlines to ask employees to email or call members of Congress to lobby on behalf of a particular issue and sometimes provide suggested wording or forms that could be filled out. The Biden administration opposes the JetBlue-Spirit merger, saying it would lead to higher prices for consumers. The Justice Department in March sued to block the deal, while the Transportation Department said it would deny the airlines request for a license that would allow them to operate as a single carrier. A trial on the Justice Departments suit is set for October. JetBlue and Spirit contest the Justice Departments suit, describing themselves as industry disruptors who can bring better service and lower fares for passengers. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Elvis estate lambasts new Priscilla Presley biopic despite actor herself being excited Priscilla Presley is a lot more excited about her upcoming biopic movie than the estate of her ex-husband, Elvis. Euphoria star Jacob Elordi and Mare of Easttowns Cailee Spaeny play the King and his wife in Sofia Coppolas forthcoming A24 movie, Priscilla. The film, which released its first trailer on Wednesday (21 June) is based on Priscillas 1985 memoir Elvis and Me. Sharing the movies poster on Instagram Thursday, Priscilla said she was excited about the interpretation of her book by the masterful Sofia Coppola. She has such an extraordinary perspective and I have always been such an admirer of her work, added Priscilla, 78. Im certain this movie will take everyone on an emotional journey. Elvis estate had a different take, though. Estate officials told TMZ that Priscilla was produced without the Estate's knowledge or consent. It feels like a college movie. The set designs are just horrific, its not what Graceland looks like, one official reportedly told the publication. The Independent has contacted A24 for comment. Director Coppola, daughter of The Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola, is perhaps best known for her Oscar-nominated, 2003 comedy-drama Lost in Translation, which starred Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as unlikely lovers whose paths cross in Tokyo. 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 vulnerable best friend, A24s synopsis for Priscilla reads. 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. Lisa Marie, the only daughter of Priscilla and Elvis, died in January aged 54 after suffering cardiac arrest. Weeks after her death, Priscilla made a challenge to the authenticity and validity of Lisa Maries will, which she was removed from several years ago, citing an unusual signature and other allegedly inconsistent details. Elviss entire estate was due to go to Lisa Maries daughter, Daisy Jones and The Six star Riley Keough, 34. In May, it was reported that Riley and Priscilla had reached an agreement in court. Elvis and Priscilla married in 1967 before divorcing six years later in 1973. Employees At Toyotas Kansas City Distribution Center Call Out The Office For Only Serving Watermelon During Juneteenth Employees at a Toyota distribution center in Kansas City, Missouri, are calling out the plant for only serving watermelon at its Juneteenth celebration. They made sure to bring the receipts in case anyone was skeptical. Two employees spoke to Fox 4 about what went down and provided pictures to prove the only food served was watermelon. Acknowledge us as people. Stop taking us as a joke, Jarret Bolden, one of the employees, told Fox 4. Kim McCarthy, who has worked at the plant for almost a decade, added the situation was inappropriate. 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, she recounted. McCarthy also confirmed the only food served was watermelon. Bolden, whos worked at the plant for four years, said that as a Black man, situations like this make it hard to come to work. A slap in the face, very disrespectful, you know. They preach Black lives matter, but kind of like they were making a joke out of us, Bolden said. He added Black employees shouldnt have to deal with such blatant racism in the workplace. Boldens comments suggest this isnt an isolated issue, and its not. Both Bolden and McCarthy told Fox 4 everyone on the plants diversity and inclusion team is white. The outlet asked Toyotas corporate communications team if that was true, and they did not respond. However, they sent the outlet a statement regarding the incident: To embrace the Juneteenth holiday, a summer intern coordinated a celebration activity that included a presentation focused on the history, activities and foods of Freedom Day. This presentation was based on the individuals personal experience celebrating the holiday with their family. In line with our core value of respect for people, Toyota supports educational activities that bring awareness and understanding of diverse cultures. They added that bringing watermelon was approved by various leadership team members. That isnt enough for Bolden and McCarthy. They want to see the company take accountability for its misstep. I would like for management to at least apologize and accept that we are upset about it. They have yet to do that even, McCarthy told Fox 4. The Supreme Court (Associated Press) The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a free-speech challenge to a long-standing immigration law that makes it a crime to "encourage or induce" a noncitizen to illegally enter or reside in this country. By a 7-2 vote, the justices upheld criminal charges against a Sacramento-area man who charged nearly 500 immigrants who lacked documentation up to $10,000 on the phony promise that he could help them become U.S. citizens. Helaman Hansen was convicted on 15 counts of fraud and two counts of encouraging and inducing unlawful immigration "for private financial gain." All told, he "raked in nearly $2 million" from his scheme, the court said. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. But his case came before the high court based on the claim that some innocent and well-meaning persons could be prosecuted if the word "encouraged" were read broadly. His lawyers said this could include friends or family members who encourage an immigrant to come to this country or an advocate who writes in favor of illegal immigration. However, in United States vs. Hansen, the justices said they would not stretch the 1st Amendment to protect criminal conduct from prosecution and punishment. Writing for the court, Justice Amy Coney Barrett said there was no evidence the law was being misused against innocent people. While Hansen and his attorneys cited "a string of hypotheticals," she said they "failed to identify a single prosecution for ostensibly protected expression in the 70 years since Congress enacted [the] clause." Rather, she said the law has been applied narrowly to "criminal solicitation" of illegal immigration, such as by smugglers who promise to bring migrants to this country for a fee. The ruling overturns a decision of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals which struck down the "encourage and induce" provision on the grounds that it was overly broad and thereby violated the 1st Amendment. "We apply the overbreadth doctrine so that legitimate speech relating to immigration law shall not be chilled and foreclosed, the San Francisco-based appeals court said. "That was error," Barrett said. "Properly interpreted, this provision forbids only the intentional solicitation or facilitation of certain unlawful acts. It does not 'prohibi[t] a substantial amount of protected speech' let alone enough to justify throwing out the laws 'plainly legitimate sweep.' Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor dissented. They questioned whether the court could narrow the meaning of the broadly worded law. "Ordinary people confronted with the encouragement provision, for instance, will see only its broad, speech-chilling language," Jackson wrote. "The courts decision leaves many things about future potential prosecutions up in the air. Biden administration lawyers had urged the court to reverse the 9th Circuit's ruling because the law was used to prosecute smugglers who made money by encouraging migrants to illegally enter this country. ACLU lawyers who supported Hansen's appeal said they welcomed the court's opinion narrowing its scope. The Supreme Court has drastically limited the encouragement provision to apply only to intentional solicitation or facilitation of immigration law violations, said Esha Bhandari, deputy director of the ACLUs Speech, Privacy and Technology Project. As written by Congress, the law has left people wondering what they can safely say on the subject of immigration. Now we expect the government to respect free speech rights and only enforce the law narrowly going forward. Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Indochinese leopard is dangerously close to becoming extinct in Cambodia, according to wild cat conservationists, who spent more than a decade looking for the creatures and found just 35. According to a report from Panthera, a global wild cat conservation organization, researchers set up hundreds of cameras in two protected areas in Cambodias Eastern Plains Landscape between 2009 and 2019. During that period, they only spotted 35 adult Indochinese leopards, and when they returned in 2021, not a single leopard could be seen. That prompted the scientists to conclude the species was no longer viable to reproduce for the next generation, according to the report, compiled with Oxford Universitys WildCRU and published in Biological Conservation. Historically, the Indochinese leopard was found throughout Indochina spanning Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and parts of southeastern China but almost all the territory they once roamed has disappeared due to human encroachment. During the period of the study, human activity in Cambodia surged 20-fold and the likelihood of getting caught in lethal traps soared 1,000-fold, the report said. Poaching in the region is driven by a high demand for wild meat, which is considered to be a delicacy or status symbol of middle and upper-class urban consumers in Cambodia, the report noted. Hunters also target the wild cats for their thick, spotted coats, and habitat loss has caused the leopards prey populations to decline dramatically. The World Wide Fund estimates there are some 12 million snares dotting eastern Indochina, adversely affecting 700 mammal species in the region including the Asian elephant and Sumatran rhinoceros. Only 35 adult Indochinese leopards were seen between 2009 to 2021 in Cambodia, conservationist group Panthera found. - Panthera/WildCRU/WWF Cambodia/FA Cambodia, which has been ruled by Prime Minister Hun Sen for more than three decades, has long suffered from entrenched corruption. Transparency International ranks it at 150 out of 180 countries in its annual Corruptions Perceptions Index, towards the very bottom of the table. The Southeast Asian country has also suffered some of the highest rates of deforestation of any nation since the 1970s, according to the Global Forest Watch, which estimates that Cambodia has lost about 557,000 hectares of tree cover in protected area between 2001 and 2018. Activists often risk their lives to protect Cambodias forests, and in 2022, five journalists who were covering a huge deforestation operation in southern Cambodia, were violently arrested, according to Reporters Without Borders. No consolidated conservation initiative targeting Indochinese leopards exists due to a lack of funding, and despite ramped up law enforcement against poaching by local authorities over the past decade, the scale of the illegal wildlife trade is unprecedented, the report added. Without the global communitys injection of expeditious resources to prevent the Indochinese leopard from disappearing in the last two remaining strongholds, we will lose this unique subspecies from the planet forever, said Susana Rostro-Garcia, Panthera conservation scientist and lead author of the report. While leopards are vanishing from Cambodia, their numbers in the wild along the Thailand-Myanmar border and Peninsular Malaysia are unknown and are likely less than 900, Rostro-Garcia added. Gareth Mann, Pantheras leopard program director, said: It is disheartening to see the long-overlooked leopard follow the same fate of the tiger in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Punishing hunters alone arent enough to put an end to the loss of wildlife, as researchers called on nationwide efforts to proactively reduce the consumption of game meat. Just as Indochina now serves as ground zero for tiger poaching and conservation, it is also where the global and conservation community must fully invest our efforts to save the leopard, hand-in-hand with the governments of Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar. The leopard species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, while the Indochinese leopard subspecies is classified as critically endangered. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Council of the European Union has approved the 11th package of economic and personal sanctions against Russia, primarily to strengthen the previously imposed restrictions and combat sanctions circumvention. Source: Council of the EU, as reported by European Pravda Details: The EU is stepping up bilateral and multilateral cooperation with third countries and technical assistance to combat sanctions circumvention. Where cooperation fails, the EU plans "rapid, proportionate and targeted action... in the form of appropriate individual measures addressing the involvement of third-country operators in facilitating circumvention". Should the problem remain significant and systemic after individual measures and further cooperation between the parties, the EU allows for "exceptional, last resort measures" and may restrict the sale, supply, transfer or export of goods and technologies already banned from export to Russia, including those that could be used for warfare, to third countries whose jurisdiction is considered to be at a "continuing and particularly high risk" of being used to circumvent sanctions. The new sanctions package bans the transit of more goods and technologies through Russia which may be used for military purposes or for the aircraft or space industry, as well as aviation and rocket fuel for goods transported from the EU to third countries. Some 87 additional entities have been added to the sanctions list for their direct support of the Russian military and industrial complex and will be subject to stricter export restrictions. Among them are four Iranian drone manufacturers that supply drones to Russia, as well as entities from third countries that Russia helps to circumvent trade restrictions, and several Russian entities that produce electronics for the Russian military industry. The new package expands the list of goods considered to be used by Russia for military purposes. The list includes electronic components, semiconductors, equipment for the production and testing of electronic integrated circuits and printed circuit boards, precursors to energy materials and chemical weapons, components of optical devices and navigation equipment, metals used in the defence industry and marine equipment. The EU Council has extended the suspension of broadcasting licences to five more media outlets as being directly or indirectly controlled by Russia and used for misleading information: RT Balkan, Oriental Review, Tsargrad, New Eastern Outlook and Katehon. The EU has also extended the ban on transporting goods to the EU by road using trailers and semi-trailers registered in Russia, even if the carrier truck itself is not registered in the Russian Federation. Due to fraudulent attempts to circumvent the sanctions by vessels carrying crude oil and petroleum products, access to EU ports and gateways is denied to any vessel carrying crude oil and petroleum products if the relevant authorities have reasonable cause to suspect that the vessel either violates the sanctions on imports of Russian oil and petroleum products to the EU or is carrying Russian crude oil and petroleum products purchased at a price higher than the price cap set by the Price Cap Coalition. The same restrictions apply to vessels in respect of which the competent authorities have reason to suspect unlawful interference with the navigation system while transporting Russian oil and oil products. The temporary exemption from sanctions for Germany and Poland to supply crude oil from Russia through the northern section of the Druzhba (Friendship) Pipeline is coming to an end. Meanwhile, it will be possible to pump oil from Kazakhstan and other third countries through this route. Personal sanctions are also being imposed on a number of individuals and companies. The relevant acts will soon be published in the EU Official Journal. Background: EU ambassadors have failed to come to an agreement on a new package of sanctions for weeks, with agreement only being reached on 21 June. The main reason for the hold-up was that Greece and Hungary protested against Ukraine's inclusion of some of their companies in the list of "war sponsors". Athens and Budapest wanted their companies to be removed from the list. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The Council of the European Union announced on June 23 the adoption of the 11th package of sanctions against Russia, aimed at countering sanctions circumvention. The EU ambassadors backed the latest package on June 21, the Swedish government announced. "Today's package increases our pressure on Russia and Putins war machine. By tackling sanctions circumvention, we will maximize pressure on Russia by depriving it further of the resources it so desperately needs to allow it to pursue its illegal war against Ukraine," said Josep Borrell, the EU's chief diplomat. According to the latest package, the EU will expand cooperation with third countries on preventing sanctions circumvention. If dialogue and cooperation do not reach the desired result, the council said that it may decide as a last resort measure to expand sanctions even against a third country. The latest package will increase restrictions on the transit and export of goods that may be used by Russia's military-industrial complex, particularly on dual-use goods and technologies. "The list includes four Iranian entities manufacturing unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and providing them to Russia, other third-country entities involved in the circumvention of trade restrictions, and certain Russian entities involved in the development, production, and supply of electronic components for Russia's military and industrial complex," the council's press release said. Kyivs frustration boils as flow of Western chips for Russian missiles continues uninterrupted 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 o The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell The EU also agreed to suspend broadcasting licenses for RT Balkan, Oriental Review, Tsargrad, New Eastern Outlook, and Katehon, as the Council considers them as Russian propaganda tools. The 11th package will prohibit access to EU ports and locks to any vessels that engage in ship-to-ship transfers in order to tackle deceptive practices for importing Russian oil. The Council also announced a ban on Russian oil flowing to Germany and Poland through the Druzhba pipeline. This will not apply to oil originating in third countries but going through Druzhba. Finally, the EU decided to add a significant amount of additional individuals and entities to the sanctions list. Ukraine's officials complained to their Western partners that Russia is successfully circumventing sanctions and imports foreign-made components through third countries to build advanced weaponry. Kyiv's allies including the U.S., the EU, and the U.K. previously vowed to crack down on the circumvention. The EU's previous 10th package was announced on Feb. 25, targeting the banking sector and Russia's access to dual-use technology and advanced technologies. (Bloomberg) -- European Union member states are set to increase the size of its fund to finance weapons deliveries by nearly 50%, but Hungary is still blocking plans for more of that money to be alloted to Ukraine, according to people familiar with the discussions. Most Read from Bloomberg The bloc aims to add another 3.5 billion ($3.8 billion) to the European Peace Facility, which currently has a budget of about 7.9 billion. It reimburses governments for military deliveries to Ukraine, but is also used to support other countries. Much of the fund has already been allocated for military aid to Ukraine since Russias invasion. But Hungary is blocking an 8th tranche of 500 million for Kyiv because of Ukraines decision to add a Hungarian bank to a list that shames companies that continue to do business in Russia, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. EU ambassadors agreed to the measure this week and the blocs foreign ministers are set to sign off on the plans when they meet in Luxembourg on Monday. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Nikola Corp said Friday it suspected "foul play" in a fire outside of its Phoenix headquarters that affected some of its battery electric trucks. The fire, which Nikola tweeted about and has since confirmed with TechCrunch, started early this morning behind its headquarters. A vehicle was seen in the area of the affected trucks just prior to the incident and an investigation is underway. "Our team applauds the Phoenix and Tempe Fire Departments for taking quick action and staying on top of the situation," the company tweeted. "We will release additional information as it becomes available." The company didn't provide details about exactly how many vehicles were affected, only noting that it involved "multiple" trucks. Shares were down about 8% to $1.27. The fire occurred a week after the beleaguered EV truck company announced it was laying off 270 employees, or about 23% of its workforce, and restricting its electric truck efforts to North America as it seeks to preserve cash. About 150 workers who were supporting the companys European programs were cut. Another 120 employees based at the companys Phoenix and Coolidge, Arizona, sites also lost their jobs. About 900 employees remain. Nikola said the cuts are expected to decrease personnel-related cash spend by more than $50 million annually. As a result of the cuts, the companys annual cash spend is expected to decrease to under $400 million by 2024. Amnesty International June 20, 2023 Pakistan: Government must stop harassing and arbitrarily arresting Afghans seeking refuge The Government of Pakistan must urgently stop arbitrarily arresting and harassing Afghan refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom are fleeing persecution by the Taliban, Amnesty International said today as it marks World Refugee Day. In recent years, many Afghans living in fear of persecution following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 have fled to Pakistan, where they have been subjected to waves of arbitrary detentions, arrests, and the threat of deportation. Because of considerable delays in the registration process, most do not hold Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, the identity document entitling Afghan refugees to remain regularly in Pakistan. Many arrived in Pakistan with regular visas, which have since expired. It is deeply concerning that the situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan is not receiving due international attention. Being unable to return home or stay permanently in Pakistan, they are caught in an impossible situation from which there is no escape. Their ambiguous legal status and arduous processes for asylum or third country relocation have made them even more vulnerable, said Dinushika Dissanayake, Amnesty Internationals Deputy Regional Director for South Asia. Being unable to return home or stay permanently in Pakistan, they are caught in an impossible situation from which there is no escape. Dinushika Dissanayake, Amnesty Internationals Deputy Regional Director for South Asia Amnesty International conducted nine new remote interviews with Afghan including with six who had been detained in Pakistan over the course of the last three months. This is in addition to several other interviews held with Afghan refugees in Pakistan last year in 2022 along with continuous media monitoring and review of official documents. Afghan refugees have raised serious concerns about harassment by Pakistani police and officials. Our lives in Pakistan are no lives at all Hussain,* a former employee of the Ministry of the Interior in Afghanistan (MoI), fled to Pakistan with his family in 2022 after narrowly escaping the Taliban in Kabul. He was recently detained amid a round of arrests and faced harassment by the Pakistani authorities. In February 2023, police raided and ransacked Hussains home in Islamabad, as well as the homes of several other Afghan families in his neighborhood. He says he was handcuffed and brought to the police station at about 10pm, where he was interrogated about their immigration status, employment and social circles. Around 20 other Afghans were also detained and brought to station. They took our passports and wallets from us, and then searched our bodies multiple times. They detained even those of us that had valid visas and were in the country legally, he said. They took our passports and wallets from us, and then searched our bodies multiple times. They detained even those of us that had valid visas and were in the country legally. An Afghan refugee The next morning, Hussain was released after paying a fine of 30,000 rupees, yet the police refused to give him any documentation outlining the reason for his detention or a receipt for the fine. Five other detained Afghans interviewed by Amnesty International share similar accounts of separate incidents in which they were all forced to pay fines of between 5,000 and 30,000 rupees, and none were given paperwork confirming their detention or fine. Our lives in Pakistan are no lives at all, Hussain said. These cases represent just a small number of the many Afghans who have arrived seeking asylum in Pakistan, with the ultimate aim of building a new life in the country or relocating to a third country via Pakistan. The threats and harassment they have suffered have been amplified amid delays of the third-country relocation processes and expired visas, since it makes them legally vulnerable. Countries that offered special relocation schemes to Afghan individuals facing persecution by the Taliban, including the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany, are currently not issuing visas within Afghanistan, where they do not have diplomatic representations. At the same time, the process for issuing them in Pakistan remains complicated and lengthy with a waiting time of many months. For example, in October 2022 Germany launched a humanitarian admission program for Afghans at risk of persecution, aiming at bringing up to 1,000 Afghans to Germany per month. According to media sources, as of June 2023 the program had not taken anyone to Germany yet and the Afghans who were told by the German authorities to travel to Pakistan to have their visas processed are still there. Afghans seeking asylum must also endure a prolonged process when trying to obtain proof of registration from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Combined with lengthy visa renewals from the Pakistani government, these delays are making it easier for the police to harass them and for other authorities to extort money from them practices that have been reported across Pakistan, including in Sindh, Karachi, Peshawar, Chaman, and Quetta, among others. The Afghans speaking with Amnesty International said that they felt that their right to freedom of expression was being significantly curtailed, as they were unable to complain publicly about the challenges they face, because of their precarious legal status. The situation is particularly dire for women and girls, who face discrimination in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. We must pay a bribe Afghans without documents to prove their legal status are unable to secure formal employment and often end up working in low-wage jobs where they are vulnerable to exploitation. Without a PoR card or visa, it is also difficult to get SIM cards or set up bank accounts, which prevents Afghans from receiving money from their relatives. Landlords also take advantage of their lack of proof of regular status. If you dont have a card, then you cant get a legal housing lease, so instead we must pay a bribe to a broker, said Hussain, referring to PoR cards. Many of the recent arrivals must travel to the Afghanistan/Pakistan border and officially leave Pakistan in order to renew their visas, which can prove both costly and dangerous. Two interviewees said border guards demanded bribes before allowing them to cross the border, even though they possessed valid visas. The Pakistani authorities often rely on the Foreigners Act, 1946 to detain Afghans in the country even when they have valid documents. Despite contacting human rights groups in Pakistan, recently detained Afghan refugees said they were provided no legal protections while in police custody. In addition, Afghans often struggle to access healthcare and education for their children, as some schools refuse to enroll them due to ambiguities surrounding their legal status. For women and girls, it is especially difficult to enroll in schools in Pakistan due to gender discrimination. Bureaucratic hurdles The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, is responsible for registering Afghans seeking asylum, providing them with Proof of Registration (PoR) cards and determining whether they are refugees. The UN agency contracted the Society for Human Rights and Prisoners Aid (SHARP) for this registration process, yet those interviewed told Amnesty International they have faced long waiting times at the SHARP office when seeking to schedule an interview, and sluggish responses to calls, making it virtually impossible for recently arrived Afghans to receive legal documentation quickly. Ahmad,* another asylum seeker interviewed by Amnesty International, called the UNHCR in Pakistan seeking proof of registration in November 2021. He was asked to submit his biometrics in August 2022, but ten months later, he is yet to receive his official registration card. For Ahmad, Hussain and other Afghan refugees in Pakistan who worked for the former Afghan government or worked in civil society, returning to Afghanistan is impossible. Afghans seeking asylum were first punished by the Taliban and now by arduous registration, asylum and visa processes. The international community has failed to provide adequate protection to those fleeing persecution in Afghanistan, in sharp contrast to the initial promises made. These Afghans are in urgent need of greater support, said Dinushika Dissanayake. Afghans seeking asylum were first punished by the Taliban and now by arduous registration, asylum and visa processes. The international community has failed to provide adequate protection to those fleeing persecution in Afghanistan. Dinushika Dissanayake Amnesty International is calling on the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to expedite registration and reviews of applications from Afghans seeking refugee status in Pakistan, on the Government of Pakistan to stop arbitrarily arresting and harassing Afghan refugees and on third countries offering relocation to Afghans abroad to expedite the issuance of visas. Background: Amnesty International has changed the names of all those interviewed to protect their identity. On 14 June 2023, Amnesty International contacted the Government of Pakistan, UNHCR and SHARP about its findings, but has not received a response until publication. Due to the risk of persecution, the UNHCR issued a non-return advisory for Afghans outside of their home country following the Taliban takeover. According to the UNHCR, there are more than 3.7 million Afghans in Pakistan, who fled Afghanistan for both economic and political reasons. Only 1.4 million of them are formally registered. On 15 December 2022, Amnesty International raised its concerns with regard to the situation of Afghan asylum seeker and refugees to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. A North Korean policewoman blows her whistle as she directs traffic in front of a propaganda poster in the North Korean capital Pyongyang. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS (Photo by PETER PARKS / AFP) (Photo by PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images) In Hyesan, North Korea, a police officer stopped a motorist in 2022. When the driver was unable to show the officer his official documents, the officer demanded a bribe of gasoline and cash. In a country as repressive as North Korea, it would normally be a very bad situation for the driver. Instead, it turned out to be a debacle for the cop. After detaining the man for two hours, the motorist drove over the police motorcycle, and then proceeded to beat the cop down until he lay unconscious and bleeding on the ground. Its just one in a string of incidents revealed by documents leaked to Radio Free Asia. North Korea is getting sick of tyranny and they arent afraid to show it to the state police apparatus. Believe it or not, many North Koreans know just how hard their lives are compared to the rest of the world. Many have smuggled in outside cell phones to speak to family members who managed to escape abroad, receive foreign currency or have managed to join an underground black market economy. These days, these three methods are the best ways to survive inside the country. That is, of course, if they arent a member of the ruling elite. Life is very different for the ruling class of North Koreans, who enjoy the best food rations, best pay, and the best housing in Pyongyang, which also has the best infrastructure. Elsewhere in the country, the availability of everyday items, including food, is hit-or-miss at best. Living in the North Korean system, as it was set up by the government is a surefire route to a slow, hungry death. Every North Korean needs some kind of side hustle to get by, even if its as simple as growing their own corn. For North Koreas police officers, that hustle is accepting bribes. Using ones position for personal gain in a country like that makes sense. The problem with a cops position is that their demands usually do not benefit the other party involved. After decades of taking from the populace, the only thing police officers are getting is beaten down in the streets. Not long ago, I came across a secret document containing surprising information. Between July and December of last year, dozens of incidents of people protesting against the tyranny of police, or even extracting revenge by beating them up have occurred here in Ryanggang province, a provincial official told Radio Free Asia. Its not just the taking of bribes that angers residents; police have long acted with a heavy hand, hurling insults to citizens and doling out beatings on the unsuspecting or even the innocent. The tables are beginning to turn on the officers. In another incident, a police officer insulted the wife of a man in Paegam in front of her entire workplace. Later that day, the man and his son cornered the officer on the side of a road and delivered a beating of their own. North Korea has been struggling economically since the early 1990s, when the Soviet Union fell and the North lost its biggest source of external support. Since then, the populace has not been able to feed itself, and North Koreas Juche (self-reliance) policy has caused a famine and countrywide food shortages. The COVID-19 pandemic is known to have exacerbated these shortages, but no one knows just how bad its been. A public unafraid of its repressive law enforcement is a sure sign that the Kim regime is rotting from the inside and could be the beginning of a wider revolt. Everyone Says Social Media Is Bad for Teens. Proving It Is Another Thing. A fifteen-year-old using his smartphone in Metter, Ga. on April 26, 2021. (Stephen B. Morton/The New York Times) There have been increasingly loud public warnings that social media is harming teenagers mental health most recently from the U.S. surgeon general adding to many parents fears about what all the time spent on phones is doing to their childrens brains. Although many scientists share the concern, there is little research to prove that social media is harmful or to indicate which sites, apps or features are problematic. There isnt even a shared definition of what social media is. It leaves parents, policymakers and other adults in teenagers lives without clear guidance on what to be worried about. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times We have some evidence to guide us, but this is a scenario where we just need to know more, said Jacqueline Nesi, a psychologist at Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island, who studies the topic. What counts as social media when it comes to teenagers health? The surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, warned last month that social media carried a profound risk of harm, but he didnt name any apps or websites. His report acknowledged that there isnt a single, widely accepted scholarly definition of social media. Most studies look at platforms with user-generated content, where people can interact. But that raises a lot of questions. Does it matter if teenagers see posts from people they know or dont know? Does it make a difference if they post or just view? Do multiplayer games count? Dating apps? Group texts? YouTube illustrates the challenge. Its the most popular site among teenagers by far: 95% use it, and almost 20% say they do so almost constantly, Pew Research Center found. It has all the features of social media, yet it hasnt been included in most studies. Parents, scientists and the surgeon general are worried about social media. But there isn't even a shared definition of what social media is. (New York Times/Pew Research Center/Common sense) Some researchers speculated that YouTube may not have as many detrimental effects, because teenagers often consume it passively, like TV, and dont post or comment as often as they do on other apps. Or, researchers said, it may carry the same risks it offers endless scrolling and algorithmic recommendations, similar to TikTok. There is no clear data either way. What dont we know? Reviews of the existing studies on social media use and adolescents mental health have found the bulk of them to be weak, inconsistent, inconclusive and a bag of mixed findings, and to be weighed down by a lack of quality and conflicting evidence. Research has not yet shown which sites, apps or features of social media have which effects on mental health. We dont have enough evidence to tell parents to get rid of a particular app, or cut it off after a particular number of hours, said Sophia Choukas-Bradley, a psychologist and director of the Teen and Young Adult Lab at the University of Pittsburgh. Its also hard to prove that social media causes poor mental health, versus being correlated with it. Most studies measure time spent on social media and mental health symptoms, and many, though not all, have found a correlation. But other researchers say measuring time spent isnt enough: In these studies, its unclear if time on social media is the problem, or if its time away from other things such as exercising or sleeping. And the studies obscure, for instance, if someone is spending hours on screens to escape mental duress or to seek support from friends. A few studies have tried novel approaches around these problems. One, early in Facebooks rollout in the mid-2000s, compared college campuses that had received access to it with those that hadnt, and found that its arrival had a negative effect on students mental health. A carefully designed study Project Awesome, at the University of Amsterdam and Erasmus University, in Rotterdam, Netherlands looks at both the average effects of social media on 1,000 teenagers it surveys and how they differ by individual, and follows adolescents over time. It has found that time spent on social media is less of a factor than teenagers moods while using it. Other studies have used brain scans to show that when adolescents looked at likes or frequently checked feeds, it activated brain sensitivity to social rewards and punishments. What else does the research show? We most often find a small, negative correlation between social media use and mental health, said Amy Orben, a psychologist who leads the Digital Mental Health Group at the University of Cambridge, in England. But we dont know whats underlying that. It could be that those who feel worse start using more social media, it could be that social media makes them feel worse, or it could be socioeconomic status or something else causing that link. Overall, research finds that social media is not inherently beneficial or harmful, and its effects depend on individuals and what they see. We cant say, Dont do X, Y is fine, stay away from Z, said Amanda Lenhart, head of research at Common Sense Media. Unlike TV or movies, its impossible to know what children will see on social media ahead of time. Sometimes its hair dye or dance videos, but sometimes its white supremacy or eating-disorder content. Teenagers with certain vulnerabilities such as those with low self-esteem, poor body image or social struggles seem to be most at risk. One experiment found that exposure to manipulated images directly led to worse body image, particularly for girls more prone to compare themselves with others. Another found that using social media to compare oneself to others and seek approval was associated with depressive symptoms, especially for teens who struggle socially. Social media often has positive and negative effects on the same person. Project Awesome found that its use is associated with higher levels of both depression or anxiety and happiness or well-being. In a Common Sense report, teenage girls with symptoms of depression were more likely than girls without symptoms to say social media made other peoples lives seem better than theirs and also more likely to say it enhanced their social connections. They found mental health resources on social media, as well as harmful suicide-related content. Overall, the largest share of girls said the effects of social media features were neutral. Why isnt there more solid research? Academic research takes a long time often years to get funding, develop studies, hire staff, recruit participants, analyze data and submit for publication. Recruiting minors is even harder. By the time a study is out, teenagers have often moved on to a different platform much of the research about specific platforms, for example, is on Facebook, which most teens no longer use. Tech companies have also not shared enough data to help researchers understand their products impacts, the surgeon generals report said. How could future studies be more conclusive? Experts said they would like to see research that examines specific types of social media content, and things such as how social media use in adolescence affects people in adulthood, what it does to neural pathways and how to protect youth against negative effects. Jonathan Haidt and Jean Twenge, psychologists who have expressed great concern about social medias effect on teenagers, have proposed an experiment in which entire middle schools are randomly assigned to avoid social media or not. What should parents do in the meantime? Experts agreed that waiting for research wasnt an option. They also mostly agreed that some level of social media use was beneficial. There are harmful negative developmental implications to not using social media at all, given this is where the social interaction happens, Choukas-Bradley said. Researchers said social media rules should depend on individual teenagers maturity and their challenges, and said addressing the risks should also be the responsibility of tech companies and policymakers, not just parents. They agreed on a few steps parents could take now: Set limits, especially around bedtime. Dont give a young teenager a smartphone right away. Start with a smartwatch or a phone without internet. Talk to your teenagers. Have them show you what theyre seeing, ask them how it makes them feel, and discuss privacy and safety. Make a family screen-time plan that takes into account which activities increase stress versus provide long-term satisfaction. Model responsible internet use yourself. Its not about monitoring certain apps, said Caleb Carr, a professor of communication at Illinois State: Instead, parents should engage with their kids. Just like parents did presocial media, talk about being good humans and citizens, talk about respect for others and themselves, and talk about how their day was. c.2023 The New York Times Company Ex-Airman Asked 93 Women to Marry Him to Get More Benefits, Feds Say A former airman was indicted and accused by federal officials of wire fraud after contacting nearly 100 women in an alleged scheme to get more military benefits, new court documents detail. D'Montre Green, who served in the Air Force from December 2011 to May 2022 and resides in Houston, was divorced from his wife in March 2017, according to documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas last week. A month after his divorce, around April 2017, Green "sent messages to at least 93 women, via text message and mobile applications, soliciting marriage in exchange for payment," according to the federal documents. Read Next: House Panel Approves Defense Bill with Highest Pay Raise in Decades After Culture War Brawl At the time, Green was a staff sergeant stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the United Kingdom as a member of the 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Green's Basic Allowance for Housing, or BAH, was calculated on him being stationed overseas, with the rate taking into account his spouse's location as well. However, he would lose out on certain benefits following his divorce, federal documents state. According to the documents, Green sent out messages in which he "explained to these women that he wanted to marry them in order to increase the amount of money the DoD would pay him in allowances and that he would share a portion of these payments with his new spouse." Jon Shelburne, a civilian attorney representing Green in matters related to the case, told Military.com on Thursday that he was unable to comment at this time. The Houston Chronicle first reported about Green's case Wednesday. Federal officials included one alleged exchange between Green and an unnamed person "on or about" April 24, 2017, in the documents. "Hello I have an offer if your [sic] interested where I'd be paying you every month, similar to me being your sugar daddy however no sex involved," the documents detailed Green as writing. He went on to lay out specifically what the arrangement would be, the documents state. "Btw I find you to be extremely gorgeous," court documents accuse Green of writing. "So basically I would get paid extra from my job by having a spouse/dependent which in return I'd be paying you 500 every month for the next 4 years or however long we agree if your [sic] interested. And no I'm not expecting you to live with me or do any favors, just a title as a wife." The unnamed person declined the offer, asking instead for $2,000 each month to marry Green. But he ended up marrying another person, not named in the court documents, "on or about" April 25, 2017, who resided in Texas. Federal officials accuse Green of signing an Affidavit of Absent Applicant for Marriage License form online, inputting his spouse's name and saying she lived in Abilene, Texas. But officials allege that "on or around" June 16, 2017, Green filed and signed separate military documents claiming he was entitled to an overseas housing allowance for a dependent residing somewhere other than Texas. "He specified the location of his dependents as 'CA 94106,'" the court documents state. The federal authorities said in the court filings that the ZIP code was bogus. He received payments that stretched from "in or around June 2017 and continuing until in or around April 2020." At no point did the unnamed person live in California, the documents state. The difference in BAH for Abilene, Texas, and San Francisco, California, is steep. Between 2017 and 2020, BAH in Abilene ranged from $1,044 to $1,167 a month. In San Francisco, it ranged from $4,032 to $4,614 monthly. Federal officials allege the surplus BAH that Green acquired "during the scheme totaled $112,023." -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. Related: Soldier Convicted over Role in Fort Bragg Sham Marriage Ring Exclusive-Romania mulling measures to protect farmers at Constanta port, source says FILE PHOTO: Black Sea port of Constanta in Romania BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanian officials are considering measures to give local farmers priority access to the Black Sea port of Constanta during the harvest season, an agriculture ministry source said, which could restrict the flow of Ukrainian grain. Ukraine, one of the world's leading grain and oilseed exporters, saw its Black Sea ports blocked after Russia's February 2022 invasion and found alternative shipping routes through neighbouring European Union states. Even after a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey gave Ukraine limited access to three of its Black Sea ports, Romania's Constanta has become its biggest alternative shipping route, having handled about a third of Ukrainian grain exports since the Russian invasion. But Constanta would struggle to accommodate a surge in Romanian and Ukrainian crops once the harvest starts in a few weeks. "Romania's farm ministry will propose in talks with Brussels and Kyiv an optimisation of commercial grain flows to Constanta port to protect local farmers for the duration of the harvest," a ministry source told Reuters. The source did not elaborate on the measures, but added that better clarity on expected volumes could help organise flows. The harvest season begins around July, when Ukraine's Black Sea grain corridor could collapse, and it typically runs until October. Romania is one of five eastern European Union countries that saw an influx of Ukrainian grain since Russia's invasion, leading the EU to approve temporary trade restrictions and a support package. At its peak, Constanta port handled roughly 25 million tones of grain exports a year. Romania is one of the EU's biggest grain producers. Agritel estimates its wheat harvest at 8.76 million tonnes, while grain trade association Coceral sees it at 9.57 million tonnes and Romanian consultancy AGRIColumn at 10.5 million tonnes. Ukraine is a major global grain grower and exporter, but this year's output is expected to be reduced because of Russia's invasion to around 45 million tonnes of grain from 53 million in 2022. By comparison, Romanian consultancy AGRIColumn expects Romania will have up to 21 million tonnes of grains and oilseeds available to export in the 2023/2024 season. (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Louise Heavens) Special counsel Jack Smith has compelled at least two Republican fake electors to testify to a federal grand jury in Washington in recent weeks by giving them limited immunity, part of a current push by federal prosecutors to swiftly nail down evidence in the sprawling criminal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The testimony, described to CNN by people familiar with the situation, comes after a year of relative dormancy around the fake electors portion of the investigation and as a parade of related witnesses are being told to appear before the grand jury with no chance for delay. That activity could signal that investigators are nearing at least some charging decisions in a part of the 2020 election probe, sources added. It also comes just as the special counsels office filed charges against former President Donald Trump for his handling of classified documents. Prosecutors initially obtained documents and interviews last spring from many of the Republicans who signed false certificates to the federal government, asserting they were the rightful electors for Trump in seven battleground states won by Joe Biden. Prosecutors have played hardball with some of the witnesses in recent weeks, refusing to grant extensions to grand jury subpoenas for testimony and demanding they comply before the end of this month, sources said. In the situations where prosecutors have given witnesses immunity, the special counsels office arrived at the courthouse in Washington ready to compel their testimony after the witnesses indicated they would decline to answer questions under the Fifth Amendment, the sources added. Locking in witness statements The compelled testimony has allowed the special counsels office to lock in witness statements and potentially information that other investigators who have looked at the aftermath of the 2020 election couldnt obtain. At least one other witness has spoken to investigators in the past two weeks outside of the grand jury with an agreement the person would be protected from potential prosecution, another source said. At least half a dozen witnesses have testified before the federal grand jury in Washington over four days in the past two weeks, with many of the sessions focused on the fake electors plot orchestrated by attorneys assisting the Trump campaign in 2020. The numbers, profile of the witnesses and prosecutor tactics suggest a probe picking up its pace, several people familiar with the investigation said. Lawyers who have been in touch with the special counsels office in the wake of Trumps indictment in Florida have found that prosecutors are still examining what appear to be other aspects of the investigation into Trump and his allies efforts to subvert the 2020 election results. It is not clear if Trump is a target in the fake electors aspect of Smiths ongoing criminal probe. But in recent months, prosecutors have pursued information about the former presidents words and actions after the 2020 election, including securing court-ordered testimony from his former vice president, Mike Pence. Prosecutors have also asked multiple witnesses recently about Trumps actions before, during and after the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, sources said. An interest in former Trump legal team In recent weeks, the special counsels office has also shown interest in several members of Trumps post-election legal team who promoted baseless claims of widespread voter fraud, including his former lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, as well as former Justice Department appointee Jeffrey Clark, who tried to help Trumps push to use the Department of Justice to overturn the election. Giuliani played a key role in overseeing the fake electors plot across seven battleground states as part of the broader push to overturn the 2020 presidential election results for Trump, as CNN has previously reported. Rudy Giuliani speaks to the press about various lawsuits related to the 2020 election, inside the Republican National Committee headquarters on November 19, 2020. - Drew Angerer/Getty Images Prosecutors have also continued to focus on potential financial crimes and money laundering after Trump raised millions of dollars off false claims the election was stolen. One former Trump campaign official who testified this month before the grand jury was asked about specific campaign ads and messaging produced as part of those fundraising activities, according to a source familiar with the matter. Multiple 2020 election witnesses are scheduled for grand jury appointments in the coming days, sources say. Fake electors in Nevada The fake electors scheme one of the more public efforts to overturn Bidens win in the 2020 election now appears to be at the forefront for prosecutors, sources said. The Republicans at the center of the fake electors effort asserted that Trump won in seven battleground states that he actually lost, and signed documents claiming they were the rightful electors. The two Nevada Trump electors who were given the limited immunity the states Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald and another Nevada GOP official, Jim DeGraffenreid both testified before the grand jury last week. At least two more grand jury witnesses this week had insight into the fake electors scheme, including Gary Michael Brown, a 2020 Trump campaign election day operations official, who had told campaign staff he delivered fake elector votes for Trump to Congress from battleground states. Brown previously never responded to House Select Committee investigators who tried to reach him in their separate investigation. Attorneys representing the witnesses declined to comment to CNN. McDonald and DeGraffenreid previously declined to answer some questions about the fake electors scheme in the House inquiry. McDonald also previously told reporters in Nevada that the FBI seized his phone as part of the federal probe related to January 6 and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The two Nevada fake electors who testified recently spoke to the grand jury about the actions of Nevadas former GOP attorney general Adam Laxalt, and Jesse Binnall, a lawyer who worked for the Trump campaign in Nevada. Laxalt and Binnall both appeared at a press conference in mid-November 2020 to tout a lawsuit challenging the presidential election results and spreading claims of election fraud. Donald Trump won the state of Nevada after you account for the fraud and irregularities that occurred in the election, said Binnall, who was one of the lawyers who brought a failed lawsuit on behalf of the GOP electors in Nevada. Adam Laxalt has never been contacted by the special counsel, Robert Uithoven, a Laxalt spokesman, told CNN. Binnall declined to comment. As part of the special counsels investigation into the state-level efforts to overturn the election results, several county election commissions and state officials in battleground states Trump tried to contest received subpoenas last year for documents related to communications involving his campaign and various allies. Nevadas Clark County was among those that produced documents following a subpoena. In the batch of documents handed over and obtained by CNN, representatives for Trumps campaign were in touch with election workers in Clark County. In their communications, the election workers parried questions from the Trump campaign about mail-in ballots and knocked down rumors, including a claim that there were problems with ballot tabulation hardware, the documents show. This story has been updated with additional reaction. CNNs Kaitlan Collins and Paula Reid contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In the 1940s, Black people were tricked into coming to a promised land of progressivism and opportunity called San Francisco. I fell for the same thing. Signage lays on the ground during a protest outside the Santa Clara County Courthouse Gabrielle Lurie/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images Brandon Williams is a senior litigation caseworker for San Francisco's Eviction Defense Collaborative. Both in his personal life and professional experience, Brandon has seen the decades-long impact of housing discrimination in San Francisco. This is Brandon's story, as told to Insider reporter Isaiah Reynolds. This is an as-told-to essay based on a conversation with Brandon Williams, a senior litigation caseworker for San Francisco's Eviction Defense Collaborative. It has been edited for length and clarity. When I was 45 years old studying for my Ph. D., after securing a good work history and without even a traffic ticket on my record, I found myself homeless living in an industrial space, sleeping in a sleeping bag on a rat-infested floor and washing up out of a bucket every morning solely because I could not find housing. If I can be reduced to that, how is there not a big problem in San Francisco for Black people? A promised land of progressivism and opportunity I arrived in San Francisco in 2011. For my first three years in the city, the only jobs I could get were as a security guard. I have now found that was a common experience among my Black colleagues who are also working in housing justice. I first moved to San Francisco when I was working on my Ph. D. at the California Institute of Integral Studies, in the department of anthropology and social change. While my conducting research on Black migration to San Francisco in 1941 when World War II began, one of the most striking images I found was one of "Negroes" filling train cars, cramming in bathrooms and sitting on toilets, just to escape the racial terror of the South. They were tricked into coming to this promised land of progressivism and opportunity called San Francisco I fell for the same thing. Once they arrived, Black labor was quickly exploited. But, thanks to the Black community's efforts, they built banks, churches, hair salons, movie theaters, clubs, everything. It was a thriving community for such a short period of time. That only existed through the 1970s. Then, there was a concerted effort to complicate the lives of Black people's access to jobs and housing. The seeds of what we're seeing today were planted back then. Senior litigation caseworker Brandon Williams Brandon Williams The impact of historically racist developments I'm a senior litigation caseworker in a social work department. I have a wealth of experience dealing with vulnerable communities and working with Black and brown folks who have been put in this position. I get to help people find housing, prevent eviction, and connect them to mental health and substance use treatments. However, time and time again, I've seen the devastating impact of historically racist developments on my clients who still face colossal struggles. I see my Black clients face eviction at higher rates. When attorneys successfully handle eviction cases, many clients are compelled to sign settlement agreements that allow them to stay only under certain guidelines and restrictions. If they breach those, they are immediately evicted. Often, those stipulations are particularly difficult for clients to maintain if the settlement is breached, there's a large chance judges will side with opposing counsel. That produces more and more Black people being moved into single-room occupancies (SROs), a form of affordable housing where tenants share kitchens and bathrooms. The largest population of people facing evictions in the SRO system are Black. The school-to-prison pipeline The pipeline here starts with school, then prison, then treatment, then supportive housing. The city has become dependent on its own poison with the vast amount of resources the city of San Francisco has, it feels like the problem is only being maintained, not fixed. San Francisco is one of the most depressing landscapes for Black people I have ever experienced. At the vigil of Banko Brown, a 24-year-old man in San Francisco who was murdered by a security guard over $16 worth of snacks, so many great young, trans voices were able to speak, which was beautiful. But one of the first things they said was "we deserve housing." And so you have these situations where more young people especially are living on the street. Undeniably, safe and affordable housing are a necessary next step to creating real improvements for Black people in San Francisco. I work with an attorney and we were able to get a struggling mother a Rental Assistance Component to subsidize a part of her rent. I advocated hard for her to get this as, though minuscule, that subsidy will keep her and her daughter in San Francisco without the threat of eviction. That's one less family that doesn't have to leave the city. And those little wins are our little bricks as we continue to build. I don't believe in saviors at all, but I do believe you have to do your best. I'm standing on the shoulders of people who did the work. From the Black Panthers to ancestors of activism, like Harvey Milk, there have always been people trying to do what's right and fight for equality. And that's why I'm still here. Read the original article on Insider FILE PHOTO: Eli Lilly logo is shown on one of their offices in San Diego By Deena Beasley (Reuters) -In a mid-stage trial, the highest dose of Eli Lilly's experimental pill orforglipron led to 14.7% weight loss after 36 weeks for people who were obese or overweight, setting a marker in the race to develop effective oral obesity drugs, researchers said on Friday. Results from a different trial, also presented in San Diego at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association, showed that Lilly's injected drug Mounjaro helped people with type 2 diabetes who were also obese or overweight lose an average of 15% of their body weight, or 33 pounds (14.8 kg). Both drugs belong to a new class known as incretins that have reignited researcher and investor interest in the weight-loss treatment market, which is estimated to reach $100 billion by the end of the decade. At the multi-dose trial's 26-week main endpoint, Lilly said once-daily orforglipron showed statistically significant dose-dependent body weight reductions ranging from 8.6% (12mg) to 12.6% (45mg), compared with 2% for the placebo group. For patients on orforglipron, the company said body weight continued to decrease at 36 weeks, with reductions ranging from 9.4% to 14.7%. Lilly said the safety profile of orforglipron was similar to other incretin-based therapies, with gastrointestinal side effects the most common, generally mild-to-moderate and usually occurring during the initial dose escalation period. Orforglipron, like Mounjaro and Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy, are designed to activate hormones that regulate blood sugar, slow stomach emptying and decrease appetite. Novo Nordisk is scheduled to present trial results for its oral obesity drug candidate at the diabetes meeting on Sunday. Pfizer is also developing pills to treat obesity. In the phase 3, 938-person study of obese diabetics, Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, was given as a once weekly injection. Lilly had announced in April the 72-week trial's "top line" results and said it expects the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to decide as early as late 2023 whether to approve Mounjaro as an obesity treatment. Lilly reported last year that a trial of Mounjaro in people who were obese or overweight but did not have diabetes found it led to weight loss of 22.5%, or about 52 pounds (24kg). We recognize that obesity is a global epidemic and there is a need for a variety of effective medications and administration routes, weight-loss specialist Dr. Sean Wharton said in a statement. Lilly is slated to announce later on Friday results from a different Phase 2 trial of orforglipron designed to evaluate the drug as a treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes. The company is conducting Phase 3 trials of orforglipron for chronic weight management and for type 2 diabetes. Results from the Phase 2 study of orforglipron were also published in the New England Journal of Medicine, while the Mounjaro data was published in the Lancet. (Reporting by Deena Beasley in Los AngelesEditing by Matthew Lewis and Diane Craft) Experts explain complicated relationship between Amish communities and the environment: It really isnt [idyllic] at all A Reddit post on r/Environment sparked conversations among users about a misconception about Amish communities. The post linked an article from Religion News that explored this relationship, citing certain harmful farming practices and dirty energy usage that seem to fly in the face of the perception of the environmental stewardship of these communities. David McConnell and Marilyn Loveless, two professors at The College of Wooster, spent seven years observing the Amish. Their research argues that one core value can explain the sometimes unsustainable practices of many Amish communities. They believe that God gave the Earth to people for them to use, McConnell told Religion News, noting they do not embrace creation care theology. Contrary to the popular belief that the Amish reject modern technology, each community makes its own decisions about what type of technology it makes use of to sustain its off-grid lifestyle. Many Amish communities have actually embraced clean energy technology that allows their community to remain independent of the outside world. Today, one might see solar panels and individuals using e-bikes in Amish communities. Still, diesel and gasoline generators often serve as prime energy sources for Amish appliances and farm equipment. Burning either fuel significantly contributes to air pollution that worsens air quality and drives the overheating of our planet. Religion News reports that the few remaining Amish households headed by farmers often use harmful pesticides and chemical fertilizers that wreak havoc on local ecosystems and pollute waterways. The Amish have been under fire in several states for farming practices that degrade vital watersheds. Some users chimed in with their opinions on the matter, while others shared their firsthand experiences. A lot of people from the cities where Im from look at the Amish and think, What an idyllic sustainable lifestyle, so different from our modern one, the original poster wrote. Except it really isnt [idyllic] at all, its a largely separate insular economy from ours, but uses and benefits from a lot of the short term extractivist and careless land practices that has got modern America into the mess its in today. A lot of this depends on the sect/order of Amish. I live in the heart of white top buggy Amish country. None of them are using chemical pesticides or modern farm equipment in anything they do, one user added. What many people believe to be a straightforward relationship between Amish homesteaders and the environment is far more complicated than hand-crafted wood furniture, canned food, and clotheslines. As McConnell and Loveless explained, Amish communities are not a monolith. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Donald Trump; Jack SmithPhoto illustration by Salon/Getty Images A former senior FBI agent said the Justice Department's trove of evidence revealed in a court filing on Thursday against Donald Trump likely alarmed the former president and his legal team, who had not been privy to the details of the investigation. Though the court filing doesn't detail the specifics of the evidence, it does list the types of documents included: materials obtained through search warrants and subpoenas, transcripts of testimony taken before grand juries in Washington D.C. and Florida's southern district, witness interviews conducted through mid-May, essential documents and photographs, and copies of surveillance footage. The filing also revealed the existence of multiple recordings of Trump, in addition to the audio tape that had previously been reported. Former FBI agent Peter Strzok told MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace that, while the details won't come as a shock to law enforcement and government officials, they'll likely surprise someone who hasn't gone up against the Department of Justice. Related "More conservative jury pool": Judge signals she'll hold Mar-a-Lago trial in "solid Trump country" "Keep in mind we don't have the slightest idea of the totality of information that Jack Smith and his team have assembled. Every court document, whether it's an affidavit for a search warrant, information on an indictment, does not contain and is not required to contain the totality of information that the government has in its possession," Strzok said. "So, it stands to reason, not only has there been a grand jury, but separate and apart from that grand jury, this investigation has been going on for some time." "And if I'm on Trump's defense team, today and yesterday is a terrifying day because the volume of information they suddenly have in their lap, all these different people giving accounts of what happened through the course of the mishandling of the classified information is suddenly available to them," Strzok continued, speaking on the breadth of evidence special counsel Jack Smith sent to Trump. "And it is, I'm sure, an overwhelming amount of information. I'm sure we are going to see more of it certainly if we go to trial." Strzok noted that the information outlined in the filing is only what is unclassified, meaning there's an array of classified documents prosecutors have not yet put through the "secret process" to decide whether and when to send it to Trump's team. Former U.S. attorney Joyce Vance called Smith's most recent filing "surprising." "Prosecutors usually wait until they receive a request for discovery from defendants before they begin to turn over information. So it looks to me like a display of strength by Smith," she told MNSBC. "He wants Trump to see precisely how good the case against him is." Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Vance added that there is no such thing as a "trial by surprise." "Prosecutors are obligated to turn over the bulk of their evidence. There is a legitimate question of timing," she said. "What is unusual here is that they front loaded the turnover. But there is a lot to be said for putting on displays of strength of your case to a defendant. And to a defendant like Trump who never faced accountability before, this is going to lead to a real moment with his lawyers, where they will have to level with him about what he is facing, if he chooses to go ahead." CNN legal analyst Elie Honig, a former federal prosecutor, said that Smith turning over the evidence this early in the process suggests "everyone's pushing, except for Donald Trump, for a quick trial." "Prosecutors have begun to turn over vast amounts of discovery. They've said they're ready within 70 days. The judge has set a tentative trial date, which is unlikely to hold, for August," Honig said. The "X factor" influencing the timeline is Trump himself," he added. "He's the defendant," he said. "He's the one who has the right to file motions to to prep. So two of the three necessary parties are on board. We'll see if Donald Trump goes along with that. We suspect he's going to want to slow things down." Read more about the Trump documents case Family of billionaire explorer on Titanic sub say instant death from implosion was best outcome A cousin of the British billionaire who died in the submersible trip to the Titanic says his death as the vessel imploded was the best outcome compared with the crew slowly running out of oxygen. Kathleen Cosnett, the cousin of explorer Hamish Harding, said knowing nothing about it was the best way to go. Its thought Mr Harding and four others on board were killed instantly when the Titan sub, launched by OceanGate Expeditions, imploded during its dive to the wreckage in the Atlantic Ocean off Canada on Sunday. Mr Harding, 58, had been on the trip with French Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, UK-based Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, his 19-year-old son Suleman, and OceanGate founder Stockton Rush, 61. Deep-sea robots will continue searching the seabed for clues to the tragedy. Authorities announced on Thursday the Titan imploded near the site of the Titanic wreckage (PA Media) The US Coast Guard says a conclusive investigation will take time but the US Navy told the Wall Street Journal an acoustic detection system recorded a sound consistent with an implosion or explosion in the area where the Titan sub lost communication less than two hours into its descent. Meanwhile, email exchanges from 2018 suggest that Mr Rush repeatedly dismissed safety warnings about the Titan. In emails seen by the BBC, leading deep-sea exploration specialist Rob McCallum is quoted telling Mr Rush to stop using the sub until it had been classified by an independent body. I think you are potentially placing yourself and your clients in a dangerous dynamic, he said. In your race to Titanic you are mirroring that famous catch cry: She is unsinkable. Mr Rush reportedly responded that he was tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation. The exchange ended after OceanGate lawyers threatened legal action, Mr McCallum said. Hamish Hardings family said his death has left a gap in our lives that can never be filled (Action Aviation) In a tribute on Friday, Ms Cosnett said her cousin, a daredevil who had been a real apple of his parents eye, died doing what he loved undertaking an adventure. Now we know that it likely imploded on the descent, it is really the best outcome. They would have not known it was coming, she told The Times. In a way, it is the best way to go, as he didnt know it was happening. Its really the best way to go isnt it, being killed and knowing nothing about it? Ms Cosnett, from Twyford, Berkshire, told Sky News: Hes a great adventurer, going up as high as he can get to, to space even, where he did go for 10 minutes last year, with other people, not the only person. So, to me it wasnt too much of a surprise This was just a sad disaster, perhaps waiting to happen. James Cameron, director of the 1997 Oscar-winning film Titanic, said he wished he had sounded the alarm earlier about the submersible, because he was sceptical about its carbon fibre and titanium hull. I thought it was a horrible idea. I wish Id spoken up, but I assumed somebody was smarter than me, Mr Cameron said. He claimed he knew the submersible was lost from the start of the four-day ordeal, suspecting it imploded when it lost contact with the mother ship. Mr Hardings immediate family said his death had left a gap in our lives that can never be filled, adding they were united in grief with the other families. Paul-Henri Nargeolet was one of the foremost experts on submersible expeditions to the Titanic (AP1996) We adored him, they said. He was a passionate explorer whatever the terrain who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable. Heartfelt tributes were also paid to the others on board. Mr Nargeolets family said he would be remembered as one of the greatest deep-sea explorers in modern history. But what we will remember him most for is his big heart, his incredible sense of humour and how much he loved his family. We will miss him today and every day for the rest of our lives, they said. A former commander in the French navy, Mr Nargeolet was on the first expedition to the Titanic in 1987 and led later trips there. Richard Garriott de Cayeux, president of the Explorers Club, said of both Mr Nargeolet and Mr Harding: They were drawn to explore, like so many of us, and did so in the name of meaningful science for the betterment of mankind. Shahzada Dawood, 48, was obsessed with the Titanic (SETI Institute via AP) The Dawood family said: Please continue to keep the departed souls of our family in your prayers during this difficult period of mourning. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers. Suleman was a business student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, which said its community has been left shocked and profoundly saddened. Before officials confirmed the five deaths, his aunt Azmeh Dawood told NBC News he had been scared about the expedition and only agreed to go because it was important to his Titanic-obsessed father. Suleman reportedly told family members he was concerned about the tour. Suleman Dawood had been scared and concerned by the prospect of the trip (AP) Shahzada Dawood was an adviser to the Kings charity, Princes Trust International, with a focus on its work in Pakistan. OceanGate described its founder Mr Rush and Mr Nargeolet as highly professional. He originally trained as a pilot, becoming the youngest jet transport-rated pilot in the world aged 19 in 1981. Stockton Rush founded the company that led the tragic expedition (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Mike Reiss, a writer and producer of The Simpsons, described him as a magnetic man who was the last of the great American dreamers, the New York Times reported. Professor Mark Hannaford, a friend of Mr Harding, said: As explorers, we are typically an optimistic bunch, and while there was slim hope of survival, we strove to recover and save Hamish and his fellow travellers. But fate has not allowed that. The families will be devastated as will the rescue teams. Explosions have rung out in the Russian city of Kursk; the governor of the region claims that the air defence forces shot down a drone. Source: Roman Starovoit, the governor of Kursk Oblast, on Telegram Quote: "Our defence system shot down a drone over Kursk." Details: The governor did not provide any further information about the incident. A video is posted on social media where the sounds of explosions in the city can be heard. Updated at 01:50. According to Starovoit, the Russian air defence system operated over Kursk again. Background: On 19 June, the city of Valuyki, Belgorod Oblast, Russia, was under intense fire. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A crowd of electric transmission towers in Houston, Texas, June 16, 2023. (Go Nakamura/The New York Times) Strafed by powerful storms and superheated by a dome of hot air, Texas has been enduring a dangerous early heat wave this week that has broken temperature records and strained the states independent power grid. But the lights and air conditioning have stayed on across the state, in large part because of an unlikely new reality in the nations premier oil and gas state: Texas is fast becoming a leader in solar power. The amount of solar energy generated in Texas has doubled since the start of last year. And it is set to roughly double again by the end of next year, according to data from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Already, the state rivals California in how much power it gets from commercial solar farms, which are sprouting across Texas at a rapid pace, from the baked-dry ranches of West Texas to the booming suburbs southwest of Houston. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Solar is producing 15% of total energy right now, Joshua Rhodes, a research scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, said on a sweltering day in the state capital last week, when a larger-than-usual share of power was coming from the sun. So far this year, about 7% of the electric power used in Texas has come from solar, and 31% from wind. The states increasing reliance on renewable energy has caused some Texas lawmakers, mindful of the reliable production and revenues from oil and gas, to worry. Its definitely ruffling some feathers, Rhodes said. Several bills passed by the Republican-dominated state Senate in the spring contained provisions that would add new costs and regulations to the solar and wind industries and severely limit the number of new projects in the state, energy experts said. The bills failed to pass before the legislative session ended last month, but the desire among many Republicans in the state to take similar action, and their skepticism about renewable power, remains strong. Wind power was the biggest infrastructure mistake in TX history, state Rep. Jared Patterson, a conservative Dallas-area Republican, said on Twitter on Wednesday. Its hot and will get hotter, he wrote in an earlier tweet. Solar is helping, but make no mistake, the 9th largest economy in the world runs on natural gas. The politics around electricity generation in Texas have undergone a rapid shift in recent years, punctuated by the failure of the power grid during a deadly winter storm in February 2021. The immediate response of many Republicans, including Gov. Greg Abbott, was to blame frozen wind turbines, though subsequent reviews found that the persistent cold caused widespread outages at power plants fueled by natural gas. The June heat wave has renewed debate over the grid as temperatures climb to dangerous levels. The border town of Del Rio reached 113 degrees on Tuesday, the highest temperature since records began over a century ago, according to the National Weather Service. Then, on Wednesday, it was 115 degrees. It was not an isolated event. The heat dome perched over Texas followed one that broke records in Puerto Rico at the beginning of the month, and another one that dried out central Canada, sparking disastrous wildfires. Scientists have warned that the steady warming of the planet is leading to an increase in the intensity and duration of heat waves. Many Texans have become expert at following the ebb and flow of the states energy market, whose curves of supply and demand are posted in close to real time by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT. If demand for energy threatens to exceed supply, rolling blackouts could be a last resort. State leaders have taken few steps to address surging demand in the fast-growing state. On Sunday, Abbott vetoed a bill aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of new Texas homes, saying the measure was not as important as cutting property taxes. The supply and demand curves briefly approached each other earlier in the week, prompting a call from ERCOT for customers to voluntarily use less electricity. Paul Rasbury, who owns a flower shop outside Fort Worth, said he had already made a practice of reducing his energy use. Were running our temperatures up, putting foil on the windows, closing up certain rooms and praying, he said. Lots of prayers. The heat has been punishing across the state, even for those accustomed to high temperatures. Its the humidity that gets me, said Kristen Triplett, standing in the sun in the Dallas suburbs on a day when the dense air felt like 114 degrees. Its like breathing in water. Amid the heat wave, strong storms have knocked out power for more than 100,000 customers in Texas and spawned at least two deadly tornadoes, killing three last week in Perryton, in the northern Panhandle, and at least four on Wednesday in the central Texas town of Matador. But for much of the last week, the same beating-down sun that endangered the lives of Texans also helped to power the state. Renewables are definitely saving the grid and saving our wallets, said Alison Silverstein, an independent energy consultant based in Austin, referring to the impact on electricity prices. Another test is set to come early next week, when more excessive heat is expected to push energy demand beyond previous record levels. For many years, the states Republican leadership embraced renewable power. Former Gov. Rick Perry helped establish Texas as the leading state for wind power, backing a multibillion-dollar effort in 2005 to create transmission lines to bring power from the windy western part of the state to the major population centers. And the competitive Texas energy market, long supported by state leaders, has allowed renewable energy to develop faster than in many other states, first with wind farms and now, as the cost of solar technology has declined, with vast fields of solar arrays. As a state, we welcomed this, we worked hard to make it happen, state Sen. Nathan Johnson, a Democrat from Dallas, said in his office at the Texas Capitol. Now, renewable energy has become a convenient scapegoat for the lack of reliability in our energy grid. Republican lawmakers have increasingly questioned the dependability of wind and solar power with some referring to renewables as unreliables as well as the level of subsidies offered to wind and solar projects. It just seems like theres a really unlevel playing field in the market, state Sen. Phil King said in a hearing this year. If we level up that playing field, are people going to start going out and building gas plants? The concern about reliability has been echoed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who worried that Texas did not have sufficient available capacity in reserve to make up for a situation in which wind and solar underperform on a given day. We dont have enough dispatchable energy, Patrick said last month, referring to energy sources that can be quickly turned on in an emergency. Those sources can be batteries, but their capacity is still small. Usually, utilities turn to natural gas-fueled power plants. Last month, the Texas Legislature passed a new $10 billion program mostly to incentivize the construction of new natural gas power plants. The sum includes $1.8 billion for local hospitals and other critical services to purchase backup power generators, a provision originally proposed by Johnson. Republicans also advanced legislation that would have increased costs and regulation for renewable energy producers, including new fees for transmission and ancillary services as well as new permitting requirements and rules about where projects could be located. The legislation failed but only at the last minute, and not before raising concerns within the industry. Its a huge irony, said John Berger, CEO of Sunnova Energy, a residential solar power and battery company based in Houston. The growth of wind and solar is because Texas is more capitalistic than many other states, he said, so the response from the so-called capitalists in Austin was socialism having the state invest $10 billion in natural gas. Its blatant protectionism and its not what made Texas great, he added. Texas still trails California in the amount of solar power on the roofs of homes. But in the growth of solar farms, it has been rapidly outstripping the Golden State. Outside Houston, in Fort Bend County, there are now six large solar farms, up from one in 2020. Its being commissioned as we speak, Joaquin Castillo, CEO of Acciona Energy North America, said of the companys new 1,500-acre solar farm in Fort Bend, which is set to switch on this summer. Texas historically has shown a strong commitment to a free market, Castillo said. And its a fast-growing market in terms of demand. The change has been rapid and notable, particularly in rural West Texas, where voters are often conservative, usually supportive of oil and gas development and increasingly benefiting from the spread of solar power. Were better off financially for it, said Joe Shuster, the Democratic county judge in Pecos County, north of Big Bend National Park. I dont know what the megawatts we put out are, but its a bunch. He said the sprawling county has long had oil and gas development. Then came wind. Now solar. Shuster said he invited President Joe Biden to visit the county and see how fossil fuel and renewable energy sources can be developed in tandem. Everybody throws these stones at green energy, Shuster said. They can coexist together. Im a firm believer in that. The president never did respond to his invitation. c.2023 The New York Times Company Faith leaders react to 'catastrophic' loss of Titan sub: 'Every day is gift from God' Faith leaders react to 'catastrophic' loss of Titan sub: 'Every day is gift from God' The search for Titan, the missing OceanGate submersible, came to a tragic end on Thursday when search-and-rescue teams discovered a "debris field" on the ocean floor near the wreck of the Titanic, where the crew was headed before losing contact with their surface vessel Sunday morning, as Fox News Digital reported earlier this afternoon. "The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. Upon this determination, we immediately notified the families," U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger told reporters. "On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families." Faith leaders reacted to the difficult and sad news. OCEANGATE TITANIC SUB SEARCH: COAST GUARD CONFIRMS DEBRIS FIELD IS MISSING TOURIST SUB Alex McFarland, a youth, culture and religion expert in Greensboro, North. Carolina, told Fox News Digital in emailed comments, "Heartfelt condolences and sympathy go out to the families of the five lives tragically lost in the failed OceanGate submersible accident." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP He added, "Since Sunday evening, people around the world followed this story with prayerful concern. How ironic is it that 111 years after the sinking of the Titanic, this shipwreck is still claiming human lives." Rear Admiral John Mauger, commander, the First Coast Guard District, is shown speaking during a press conference about the search of the missing OceanGate Expeditions submersible, which carried five people to explore the wreck of the sunken Titanic, in Boston, June 22, 2023. In addition, McFarland noted, "It must be said that the OceanGate tragedy is a vivid reminder of how precious human life is." Said McFarland further, "When Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate, boasted about the abilities of his Titan submersible and ignored warnings from those concerned about its sea worthiness, several warned him about the similar hubris of those who built the Titanic a century prior." TITANIC VISIT BY EXHIBIT PRODUCER ONE OF MOST POWERFUL EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE: VERY DARK, VERY COLD McFarland added, "We need to remember that every day is a gift from God and we all will one day face Him." He concluded, "We should not trifle with this sacred gift called life." Said Troy A. Miller, president and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) of those lost in the underwater tragedy, "May God give them calm seas and lead them to find healing and peace in the midst of their pain." Troy A. Miller, president and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), headquartered in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital via an emailed comment, "As a Navy veteran, I know firsthand that the ocean sometimes can be unforgiving and that exploration comes with risk." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER He added, "Our prayers and thoughts go out to the families of those lost in the Titan submarine tragedy." Said Miller, "May God give them calm seas and lead them to find healing and peace in the midst of their pain." North Carolina-based Rev. Franklin Graham, who runs both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, tweeted earlier about the missing submersible, "We know that even in the depths of the sea, God is there." Fake cop tried pulling over a real cop, Michigan sheriff says. Now hes going to jail A fake cop tried to pull over a real cop earlier this year, and now the impersonator is going to jail, according to authorities in Michigan. The real cop was an off-duty Waterford Township officer who called for help shortly after 11 p.m. Monday, April 3, according to a news release from the Oakland County Sheriffs Office. She reported that someone in a silver BMW with flashing red and blue lights positioned his vehicle behind hers in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop in Rochester Hills, the sheriffs office reported. The phony cop then passed the real officer, authorities said, and she followed him to confront him. She identified herself as an officer and asked the man for his identification, the sheriffs office said. The 18-year-old Macomb Township man said he was a Detroit police officer and could get proof from his car. But when the man got back to his car, he began driving away, according to the release shared on Facebook. The real police officer followed the man to a Shelby Township trailer park but lost sight of him, authorities said. Deputies later found the man switching the silver BMWs license plate with a license plate from another BMW he owned. The man tried to run away but was later caught and arrested, the sheriffs office said. He was charged with impersonating a public officer and released on a $5,000 bond. Karma bites, authorities said. On June 22, the man was sentenced to one year of jail, court records show. Rochester Hills is about 30 miles north of downtown Detroit. Fake cop with badge and blue lights pulls over woman leaving Wawa, Pennsylvania cops say Man posing as cop had his toddler, fake badges and drugs in car, Florida police say Fake cop tries to pull over a real cop, Michigan sheriff says. Karma bites Fall of X scatters mutants to the winds - so Marvel has created a map to help you keep track Emma Frost and Tony Stark tie the knot. We all know that the Fall of X is coming - Marvel has been teasing the new X-Men event for months. Now the company has issued a map, showing where on the planet various mutants will end up following the catastrophic events that are said to take place in next month's X-Men: Hellfire Gala 2023 #1. The map, which you can see below, shows the locations of various books, dotted around different parts of the globe. New York has the X-Men, Dark X-Men, Uncanny Spider-Man and Invincible Iron Man. Uncanny Avengers is set in Washington DC. Wolverine is in Utah, while Alpha Flight are, of course, in Canada. Children of the Vault is set in Ecuador, while Astonishing Ice-Man is in Antarctica. The Hellfire Gala itself is on the tiny island of Mykines, while Immortal X-Men is set on Krakoa. Most intriguing is the box out revealing the off world or unclassifiable location of several heroes. X-Men Red is set on Arrako and Realm of X in Vanaheim, while X-Force's location is classified, and Jean Grey's whereabouts are unknown. A map of Fall of X. Marvel has also issued further details of some of the books, which you can read in full below. These give us a few more hints at what's to come for the many heroes embroiled in this new saga. UNCANNY SPIDER-MAN #1 (OF 5) Written by SI SPURRIER Art by LEE GARBETT Cover by TONY DANIEL THE NIGHTCRAWLING WALL-CRAWLER! On the darkest of days, he is the spark in the shadows! After the devastating events of the Hellfire Gala, Kurt Wagner is on the run and having the time of his life?! Swashbuckling about NYC in disguise, the Uncanny Wallcrawler sets aside his mutant angst and dedicates himself to the hero's life: saving civilians, hanging with fellow wallcrawlers, battling baddies, and hunting down the best pizza on the planet. But he can't ignore the mutant plight forever Si Spurrier and Lee Garbett launch a joyful, sexy series that will shake Nightcrawler to his foundations and have a hell of a good time doing it! UNCANNY AVENGERS #2 (OF 5) Written by GERRY DUGGAN Art and Cover by JAVIER GARRON At a time when mutant and human relations are in the toilet, the Uncanny Avengers have run smack into a new BROTHERHOOD OF EVIL MUTANTS, and, folks, lemme tell you - they came here to beat up Avengers and X-Men and chew gum, and they're all outta gum. Wake up, babe, a new romance hits that will make readers froth at the mouth. Plus, Ben Urich. Always the mark of a quality and important Marvel Comic. FOOM! ALPHA FLIGHT #2 (OF 5) Written by ED BRISSON Art by SCOTT GODLEWSKI Cover by LEONARD KIRK REBEL ALLIANCE! NORTHSTAR, AURORA, NEMESIS and FANG must be stopped! But what are these former ALPHA FLIGHT heroes up to that's unleashed the fury of DEPARTMENT H and their all-new weapon: the BOX SENTINELS?! CHILDREN OF THE VAULT #2 (OF 4) Written by DENIZ CAMP Art by LUCA MARESCA Cover by YANICK PAQUETTE WELCOME TO THE TOMORROWTOWNS! The Children of the Vault will bring this world into the future - kicking and screaming! In the wake of the fall of Krakoa, the Children emerge as humankind's greatest and only saviors, defending Earth from Shi'ar attacks and supernatural sightings alike. And humanity LOVES it. Only Bishop and Cable can see through the Children's impossible promises but can these two old enemies work together long enough to stop them? The explosive series continues as mutantkind's boldest soldiers prepare for war! Image 1 of 3 Covers for various Fall of X comics. Image 2 of 3 Covers for various Fall of X comics. Image 3 of 3 Covers for various Fall of X comics. DARK X-MEN #2 (OF 5) Written by STEVE FOXE Art by JONAS SCHARF Cover by STEPHEN SEGOVIA SAVE THEM ALL OR DIE TRYING! The Dark X-Men's first "rescue mission" ended in blood and flame, the team is already at each other's throats, and the fallen now rise against them. Plus, Madelyne Pryor makes the worst mistake possible in a horror story: Never. Ever. Split up. JEAN GREY #2 (OF 4) Written by LOUISE SIMONSON Art by BERNARD CHANG Cover by AMY REEDER THE DARKEST PERIOD IN JEAN GREY'S HISTORY! The Dark Phoenix has haunted Jean Grey since it emerged from Jamaica Bay. But what if the Phoenix had chosensomeone else? The love story of Cyclops and Jean Grey is one of the most beloved in Marvel Comics' history. Now witness a legendary creator break their hearts - and their minds. But this is no "what if." Jean Grey is not where she is meant to beand neither is the rest of mutantkind. Stunning secrets will be revealed as Jean Grey lays the groundwork for her next shocking appearance in "Fall of X"! ASTONISHING ICEMAN #2 (OF 5) Written by STEVE ORLANDO Art by VINCENZO CARRATU Cover by JESUS SAIZ HOME IS WHERE THE HEARTBREAK IS! The bait is set for BOBBY DRAKE as the ELEMENTS OF DOOM target his hometown! Terrorizing the town that raised ICEMAN - but to what end? They say you cant go home again, but if Iceman can't save the day, he might not have a home to return to! REALM OF X #2 (OF 4) Written by TORUNN GRNBEKK Art by DIOGENES NEVES Cover by STEPHANIE HANS PROPHECY, PERIL AND POWERLESSNESS! With her powers still on the fritz, Magik makes a desperate move to try and recover the missing Curse - but is she playing right into someone else's nefarious plans? Plus, tempers are ready to erupt as this powder keg of a team struggles to protect their fellow mutants from the growing conflict in Vanaheim. The date of the prophecy looms ever closer - but at this rate, will the team even make it to then or will they implode before they even get a chance to prove themselves?! Image 1 of 3 Covers for various Fall of X comics. Image 2 of 3 Covers for various Fall of X comics. Image 3 of 3 Covers for various Fall of X comics. X-MEN #26 Written by GERRY DUGGAN Art by STEFANO CASELLI Cover by LUCAS WERNECK "WE'RE NOT LOSING AN X-MAN WE'RE GAINING AN AVENGER!" The moment we swore would never happen - heck, the moment EMMA FROST swore would never happen - is here at last! As the Frost/Stark knot is tied in INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #10, Emma's mutant family reacts to this surprise news! INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #10 Written by GERRY DUGGAN Art by JUAN FRIGERI Cover by LUCAS WERNECK You are cordially invited to the wedding of Anthony Edward Stark and Emma Grace FrostCome join the lucky couple as they exchange vows. Attire is Hellfire formal. Orchis raid to follow. Plus some exclusive wedding extras! X-MEN RED #15 Written by AL EWING Art by YILDIRAY CINAR Cover by STEFANO CASELLI SINS OF THE PAST! Under siege in Port Prometheus, Storm readies to hold the line against the ultimate bioweapon. Meanwhile, the Fisher King finds himself tormented by his strange new abilitiesand the secrets in his memory might turn the tide of the Genesis War. X-FORCE #44 Written by BENJAMIN PERCY Art by ROBERT GILL Cover by DANIEL ACUNA X-FORCE NO MORE?! X-perience the FALL OF X at its most dire! X-Force is captured - but what power could possibly keep them off the grid, and who is truly to blame? With Sage, Deadpool and Domino on the outside, will the Wolverine Sentinels beat them to their quarry, or can X-Force reunite to take down the enemies of mutantkind once and for all? Image 1 of 5 Covers for various Fall of X comics. Image 2 of 5 Covers for various Fall of X comics. Image 3 of 5 Covers for various Fall of X comics. Image 4 of 5 Covers for various Fall of X comics. Image 5 of 5 Covers for various Fall of X comics. IMMORTAL X-MEN #15 Written by KIERON GILLEN Art by LUCAS WERNECK Cover by MARK BROOKS After the Gala, we wondered - did anyone survive the experience? Now we discover the real question: How long can anyone survive this? WOLVERINE #37 Written by BENJAMIN PERCY Art by JUAN JOSE RYP Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU HULK AND WOLVERINE TOGETHER AGAIN in LAST MUTANT STANDING Part 1! Logan's grand tour of the Marvel Universe begins here in the only way it could - face-to-face once more with the INCREDIBLE HULK! But will they meet as friends or enemies? And Wolverine hunts down his remaining three clones from Beast's Weapons of X, for in the end, there can be only one Logan! The perfect jumping on point as Wolverines new status quo in the FALL OF X kicks into high gear! Discover the best X-Men stories to read and re-read here. After former Kansas City police detective Eric DeValkenaere was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for killing Cameron Lamb, his wife and father sent messages pleading for a meeting with Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican and longtime supporter of police. Parsons office also received several requests to pardon DeValkenaere, including from Michael Wells, who included Detective kcpd on his postal address. Parsons spokesperson Kelli Jones said he never met or spoke with DeValkenaeres family after his office received the messages in late 2021 and early 2022. But the communications, obtained by The Star through an open records request, illustrate the lengths supporters of DeValkenaere, the first Kansas City police officer convicted of killing a Black man, have gone to fight against his conviction. They also offer a new look at the behind-the-scenes communications among Parsons staff after Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker urged Parson not to pardon DeValkenaere. The former Kansas City detective faces six years in prison after being convicted on Nov. 19, 2021 of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the December 2019 fatal shooting of Cameron Lamb. The day after DeValkenaere was convicted on Nov. 20, 2021, his father Albert messaged Parsons office saying that his son had been wrongfully convicted. Im a retired police detective with over thirty five years of experience so Im well versed in police procedure and Im knowledgeable about the circumstances of the incident involving Eric, he wrote in an email. Im relatively sure you are already aware of the situation and greatly appreciate the port unity to speak to you or a member of your staff regarding Erics situation. Less than a month later, in December 2021, DeValkenaeres wife Sarah messaged Parsons office with the subject line CLEMENCY. She asked to speak personally with the governor and left her cell phone number. A member of Parsons constituent services staff responded with information on how to file a clemency application. Then, in Feb. 2022, Sarah DeValkenaere messaged the office again, her tone more urgent. I know you are very busy and this is an very unusual request, but I am begging you to give me just a few minutes of your time, she wrote. I need you to know what kind of man my husband is and would very much like to have the opportunity to tell you about him personally. She received back a constituent services email asking her to fill out an event request form. Both members of DeValkenaeres family did not immediately respond to calls for comment Friday. DeValkenaere has remained free on bond as he appeals the verdict. Wells, who mentioned the KCPD in his postal address, messaged Parsons office on June 13, requesting that DeValkenaere be pardoned. Wells said that he has known DeValkenaere for a number of years and Baker has gone out of her way to damage the police department and the relationship between the citizens and the officers. The city recently passed Cameron Lamb day to celebrate a criminal as a hero while they throw away the lives of a good man and his family, Wells said in an email. I believe DeValkenaere acted legally when he shot Lamb, but I have known Eric for years and I am positive he did what he thought was right and necessary that day to protect Kansas City and Detective Schwalm. Sgt. Jake Becchina, a police spokesman, confirmed Friday that Wells is a KCPD detective currently assigned to the investigations bureau. The release of the communications from Parsons office comes nearly two weeks 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. Earlier this week, Parson said he has legal authority to pardon DeValkenaere but had not received a clemency application from the former detective. He also criticized Baker for the letter she wrote him last week. Behind the scenes, the letter sent by Baker appeared to catch Parsons staff off guard, the communications obtained by The Star show. After Parsons office received the letter and numerous media requests asked about it, his communications team drafted a response to media organizations that criticized Baker and touted the governors history of granting pardons. Jones, Parsons spokesperson, forwarded the statement to other government agencies, including the spokespeople for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and the Missouri Department of Public Safety. More than five hours after receiving the letter from Baker, Aaron Willard, Parsons chief of staff, sent her a lengthy, and scathing, email back accusing her of sending it for political reasons. The final bit of irony around your accusation of playing politics is that you very clearly are weaponizing this letter for your political purpose, stating you are sending it to the press and that it is an open record, Willard wrote to Baker. Of course, I know this Ms. Peters Baker and I also know my response is likewise going to be public, but I also hope you treat justice more fairly than this planted evidence youve given me one hour to respond to and good luck on your re-election bid, as Im sure thats what this represents. Baker, who announced this week she was not seeking reelection, responded roughly 30 minutes later, asking if Willards response meant that Parson was not considering pardoning DeValkenaere. Nearly 30 minutes later, Willard responded: It means youll get an answer, when the Governor makes a decision and it wont be based on politics, but consistent with his record. DeValkenaeres conviction for killing Lamb On Dec. 3, 2019, Lamb got into an argument with his girlfriend, according to trial testimony. The argument became physical. At one point, Lambs girlfriend left their home and he chased her in his truck. During the chase, Lamb received a phone call from his roommate to return home. Meanwhile, DeValkenaere and his partner, Troy Schwalm, had been alerted by a police helicopter of the chase. The two plainclothes detectives arrived at Lambs home and tried to detain him as the 26-year-old was backing his pickup truck down a sloped driveway into his garage. DeValkenaere fatally wounded Lamb roughly nine seconds after he and Schwalm pulled up to the residence. DeValkenaere later said he opened fire after Lamb pointed a gun at Schwalm. Police found Lamb inside the truck with his left arm and head hanging out of the drivers side window. A handgun was found on the ground near Lambs left hand. During the trial, 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 technicians who gathered Lambs belongings did not find any ammunition. But when Lambs body arrived at the Jackson County Medical Examiners Office, investigators found two bullets inside Lambs pockets. Those bullets had not been there at the crime scene, prosecutors said. DeValkenaere said he did not plant evidence and did not ask or encourage any of his fellow officers to do so. Lauren Bonds, executive director for the National Police Accountability Project, said granting a pardon to DeValkenaere would have a lasting impact on relations between law enforcement and the residents in the urban core of Kansas City. Granting a pardon would be a continuation of a problematic trend of the state attempting to interfere with local efforts to address policing problems, Bonds said to The Star in an email. The conviction in this case was a product of community decision making. A democratically elected prosecutor made the decision to pursue charges and a jury, after hearing all of the evidence, voted to convict. A pardon would undermine and invalidate an important accountability measure that the people of Kansas City decided to use to address police violence in their community, she said. FILE - Actor Julian Sands poses for photographers at the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on Sept. 3, 2019. Authorities say the latest search for missing actor Julian Sands on Southern California's massive Mount Baldy was unsuccessful. Sands was reported missing in January 2023 after setting out to hike on Mount Baldy, which rises more than 10,000 feet east of Los Angeles and was pounded by severe winter storms. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP, File) SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) The family of actor Julian Sands has released its first statement five months after he disappeared while hiking in California. 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 statement said. Sands, the 65-year-old British-born actor best known for his role in the 1985 film A Room With a View, has been married for more than three decades to journalist Evgenia Citkowitz, and has three adult children. They said they were deeply grateful to the search teams and coordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian. A June 17 search for Sands on Southern California's Mount Baldy, the eighth organized search since his disappearance, was unsuccessful, authorities said. But the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said the case remains active. Sands, a longtime avid hiker and mountaineer, was reported missing January 13 after setting out to hike on the massive mountain, which rises more than 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) east of Los Angeles and was pounded by severe storms during winter. Authorities said that while warmer weather made the latest search possible, parts of the mountain remain inaccessible due to dangerous conditions. Family members paid tribute on Thursday to Hamish Harding, the British billionaire, aviation tycoon, and explorer who is among the five people who died on a failed submarine expedition last week to the wreck of the Titanic. A statement from Hardings family, via his company, Action Aviation, described him as a dedicated father of two and living legend who loved to explore and push the boundaries of what was possible. He was one of a kind and we adored him. He was a passionate explorer whatever the terrain who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure, the statement reads. What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved. Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here The aviation tycoon was known for his daring feats of exploration. Hamish Harding (Dirty Dozen Productions) (PA Media) In 2021, he went on a record-setting voyage to Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, which at 36,000 feet below sea level is the deepest part of the ocean. Harding also made record-breaking trips to the South Pole alongside Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the oldest person ever to reach the pole, and Hardings son Giles, 12, the youngest to ever accomplish the feat. The aviation businessman also completed the fastest circumnavigation of the globe above the North and South Pole. 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 retired NASA colonel Terry Virts, who shared the final text he received from Harding, and said his friend undoubtedly understood the risks of the dangerous adventure. Hey, were headed out tomorrow, it looks good, the weathers been bad so theyve been waiting for this, the message read, Mr Virts told ITV. The astronaut said his friend understood the risks of his deep-sea expedition to the famous shipwreck. All five crewmembers of the OceanGate Titan submersible mission to the Titanic died in a catastrophic implosion, the US Coast Guard confirmed on Thursday. Oceangate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, and French adventurer Paul-Henri Nargeolet were the others on board the Titan when it lost communications with a support ship less than two hours into a 4,000m dive to the Titanic shipwreck on Sunday. Richard Garriot, president of the Explorers Club, a society for scientists and explorers, mourned the loss of members Harding and Nargeolet, calling them adventurers who were drawn to explore for the betterment of mankind. Hamish Harding is a dear friend to me personally and to The Explorers Club. He holds several world records and has continued to push dragons off maps both in person and through supporting expeditions and worthy causes, Mr Garriot said in a statement. Paul-Henri was elected to the Club in 2001 and was one of the foremost experts on submersible expeditions to the Titanic. Far-right trustee is resigning from an Idaho school board for personal reasons A far-right Nampa School District trustee has submitted her resignation but hasnt said why she decided to quit. Tracey Pearson campaigned on a platform of opposing critical race theory, sex education, mask mandates and transgender students using bathrooms that align with their gender identities. The board will appoint someone to fill her seat for the rest of her term, which ends in December 2025, district spokesperson Kathleen Tuck told the Idaho Statesman in an email. I am submitting my resignation due to personal reasons, Pearson said in an email sent to the board clerk Wednesday. I appreciate my service with you. The board is expected to vote Tuesday on whether to approve her resignation and declare her seat vacant. Pearson did not respond to requests for comment from the Statesman. Pearson was elected to the five-person Nampa school board in 2021 along with two other conservative candidates, Brook Taylor and Jeff Kirkman, as a wave of parental rights advocates won seats on school boards around the country. While on the board, she was part of a three-member majority that voted to remove 23 books from school libraries because of perceived sexual content. Tuck said the board will accept applications from residents in Zone 3, the central Nampa area Pearson represented, to fill her seat until Aug. 11. Trustees plan to interview candidates at a special meeting on Aug. 23 and may select an appointee then or call another special meeting to vote on a candidate. Zone 3 extends from 12th Avenue Road to Southside Boulevard and East Locust Lane to Amity Avenue and Roosevelt Avenue. Residents can find their zone on the districts website. Once board members declare a vacancy, they have 90 days to appoint a replacement, Tuck said, citing Idaho law. That timeline also must be approved Tuesday. Why has a fascination with the Titanic endured so long and transferred to the Titan? The 360 shows you diverse perspectives on the days top stories and debates. Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Greek Coast Guard/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images, OceanGate/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Whats happening Four days of desperate rescue efforts abruptly turned into grim tragedy Thursday afternoon once officials announced that the five passengers who disappeared while attempting to explore the Titanic shipwreck were likely lost due to a catastrophic implosion of their vessel. Despite years of safety concerns about the construction of the 22-foot tourist submersible named the Titan, and scrutiny about the private exploration company OceanGates experimental approach to the journey, wealthy tourists and explorers paid up to $250,000 per person for a chance to visit the remnants of the Titanic, which sank in 1912 on its inaugural trip from England to New York. For some, the wreckage both then and now represents the ills of greed playing out in the most absolute terms. For others, it represents something bigger than life and an opportunity to be a part of it. As Salon noted, so-called Titaniacs will do anything to see the Titanic in real life. For a lot of us, its more than just a ship, Rafael the Titanic Guy Avila, who shares Titanic updates on his TikTok account with more than 650,000 followers, told the Washington Post. The tale of the Titanic has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry. There are seven permanent Titanic museums, a litany of books, documentaries and video games to immortalize the ships voyage. Director James Camerons iconic 1997 movie earned more than $2.2 billion worldwide making it, at the time, the highest-grossing feature film ever. Why theres debate Many critics are stunned that Titanic enthusiasts assume such risks to visit the wreck and its underwater graveyard. To them, the jaw-dropping costs, both of the submersible adventure and the international rescue effort, only highlight the gap between wealthy and poor people. These critics point to the fact that far less attention was paid to the deaths of 300 migrants trying to get from Libya to Italy, who drowned after their boat capsized in some of the deepest waters of the Mediterranean. In a drawing posted on Instagram, artist Oliver Jeffers depicted the scenario with a news camera pointed toward the sinking five-passenger sub, turned away from drowning refugees. While we are glued to the news about 5 mostly wealthy tourists lost on a submarine on their way to seek the wreckage of a sunken ship, today is World Refugee Day, and only last week a boat holding hundreds of refugees sank off the coast of Greece, Jeffers wrote in the caption of the post. But for others, the grip of the Titanics story is simply impossible to ignore. It took two hours and 40 minutes to sink, which is long compared to most other wrecks, Gareth Russell, who wrote a book about the Titanic, told the Telegraph. 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. Russell, coincidentally, said he was offered a place on the Titan a few years ago and considered it, but he ultimately turned down the opportunity, saying, Im not great with enclosed spaces, and this was my worst nightmare. Its a treacherous dive. Perspectives A surreal similarity Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night. And many people died as a result. And for a very similar tragedy, where warnings went unheeded, to take place at the same exact site is just astonishing. Its really quite surreal. Director James Cameron to ABC News It's unsinkable, supposedly It is the ultimate story: Its unsinkable, supposedly, and youve got it full of all these key people, like the president of the company that owns it and the president of the company that built it, and as well as all these famous people ... and then on its maiden voyage, it hits an iceberg and then sinks so slowly. And then theres all this time for all this drama to be acted out, like the band playing that just doesn't get duplicated. Don Lynch, historian of the Titanic Historical Society, to Salon Dark reflection on humanity Its a horrifying and disgusting contrast. The willingness to allow certain people to die while every effort is made to save others ... its a really dark reflection on humanity. Judith Sunderland, associate director for Human Rights Watchs Europe and Central Asia division, to NBC News Another faceless tragedy The sinking of a boat carrying hundreds of migrants should be treated this way, but it isnt and hasnt been. It is undoubtedly a new story and an unspeakably tragic one its also, unlike the Titanic tourists story, one that says a great deal about the way the world works. And yet its treated as routine or even mundane yet another faceless tragedy involving people who typically receive far less attention than those who are far better off than they are. Alex Shephard, New Republic Feel those emotions from a safe distance We love stories where people somehow beat the odds. Any story that evokes such strong emotions, like sadness and fear, is likely to cause us to keep reading. It gives us an opportunity to feel those emotions from a safe distance. We arent actually on the sub and most of us dont know anyone who is, but it gives us an opportunity to imagine what it must be like to be there from a safe distance. David Kessler, grief expert and founder of Grief.com, to USA Today Odd to watch, but impossible to look away The news is often about death, and accidents: We all know the planes that land safely dont get covered. Theres anger here, in all kinds of directions: The fact that there are massive resources being devoted to the rescue truly, as if they are astronauts of just five people. The fact that they got themselves into this scenario. It feels odd to watch, but impossible to look away from. The exact goal of why we need to stay informed is unclear most of us would never be able to afford such a journey anyway. Gawking feels wrong, but also totally natural. Shannon Palus, Slate Is there a topic youd like to see covered in The 360? Send your suggestions to the360@yahoonews.com. Federal court halts Floridas drag ban, calling it attempt to suppress the speech rights of performers A federal court temporarily halted Floridas controversial restrictions on drag performances, warning the law was overbroad and could risk infringing on free speech rights. The SB1438 law, signed in May by Republican governor Ron DeSantis, is dangerously susceptible to standardless, overbroad enforcement which could sweep up substantial protected speech, US judge Gregory Presnell wrote in his ruling. Far from a neutral attempt to protect children, as its backers have sometimes claimed, the law is an admitted attempt to specifically suppress the speech of drag queen performers, Judge Presnell wrote. Drag queens ride on a float during the Stonewall Pride parade on June 17, 2023 in Wilton Manors, Florida (Getty Images) The governors office told Reuters the ruling was dead wrong. Of course its constitutional to prevent the sexualization of children by limiting access to adult live performances, spokesperson Jeremy Redfern said. The suit against the state comes from Hamburger Marys, a restaurant chain that features family-friendly drag performances. An Orlando franchise of the restaurant filed suit in May. It claimed the law, which levies criminal penalties at food establishment for admitting children to an adult live performance, would explicitly restrict or chill speech and expression protected by the First Amendment. This bill has nothing to do with children, and everything to do with the continued oppression of the LGBTQ+ community, Hamburger Marys Orlando wrote in a Facebook post. Florida governor Ron DeSantis has made limiting the rights of LGBTQ+ people a key part of his agenda, signing bills that restrict gender-affirming care, protections for trans people in schools, and access to youth education on gender and sexuality. This month, courts struck down a Florida rule and statute banning Medicaid payments for transgender healthcare, and partially blocked a state law banning people under 18 from getting gender-affirming medicine. Earlier this month, a federal judge in Tennessee declared the states drag ban to be unconstitutionally vague and substantially overbroad. There is no question that obscenity is not protected by the First Amendment, Judge Thomas Parker wrote. But there is a difference between material that is obscene in the vernacular, and material that is obscene under the law. Simply put, no majority of the Supreme Court has held that sexually explicit but not obscene speech receives less protection than political, artistic, or scientific speech. A federal judge says Florida's new anti-drag law threatens free speech and can't be enforced, at least for now Hamburger Mary burger franchise in Orlando. Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images A federal judge is blocking enforcement of Florida's new law on drag shows. The law would make it illegal to expose children to "lewd conduct." The judge ruled the language is overly vague and threatens free speech. A federal judge on Friday accused Florida officials of threatening free speech with a new law that aims to restrict drag performances in the state, issuing a ruling that temporarily blocks the measure from being enforced. In May, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill, SB 1438, that he said was designed to protect children from sexually explicit drag shows. In particular, the law would empower the state to revoke the operating and alcohol licenses for establishments that allow minors into such a performance. The law was immediately challenged in court by the Orlando location of Hamburger Mary's, a burger joint that regularly hosts drag shows, including events it bills as family-friendly. In a lawsuit, the restaurant challenged the law's ambiguity, arguing that the term "lewd conduct," cited in the measure, was vague and would lead to self-censorship, stifling freedom of expression. The court agreed. In his ruling on Friday, Judge Gregory A. Presnell of the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida noted that Florida already has laws on the books designed to protect children from explicit content. The drag law, by contrast, "is specifically designed to suppress the speech of drag queen performers," Presnell wrote, pointing to a bill sponsor's claim that the law would put an end to "Drag Queen Story Time," which entails no sexually explicit content. The injunction, which prevents the Department of Business and Professional Regulation from bringing enforcement actions under the law, is only temporary but signals that the court believes the plaintiff is likely to win the case on its merits. Last year, the department filed a complaint against an Orlando venue over a performance of a "Drag Queen Christmas" and threatened to pull the liquor licenses for two other hotels that hosted the show claiming children had been exposed to vulgar and immoral sexual content. However, in March, the Miami Herald revealed that state investigators who attended the show, in fact, wrote that they "did not witness any lewd acts," suggesting the performance was being targeted for political reasons. Presnell, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, cites that example in Friday's ruling, describing it as "indicative" of the DeSantis' administration's "appetite for finding obscenity in drag performances, even where undercover state agents have reportedly concluded none exists." A spokesperson for DeSantis said the state is merely seeking "to prevent the sexualization of children" and will challenge the decision. "We believe the judge's opinion is dead wrong and look forward to prevailing on appeal," the spokesperson, Jeremy Redfern, said in a statement. The LGBTQ+ rights organization Equality Florida called the anti-drag measure a "war on freedom." "Free states don't wage war on drag art or target the small businesses that host it," Brandon Wolf, press secretary for the group, said. DeSantis, who is seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has touted his record on culture war issues, including a bill limiting instruction about LGBTQ issues and human sexuality in classrooms and a high-profile fight with Walt Disney World over the company's criticism of that measure. Presnell's ruling marks the third time this month that a judge has struck down portions of DeSantis' anti-LGBTQ agenda. In two separate rulings in June alone, federal Judge Robert Hinkle, also a Clinton appointee, struck down measures that would have restricted access to treatments like puberty-blocking medication and hormone therapy for transgender people. "Florida's drag queens are here to stay," Nikki Fried, chair of the Democratic Party of Florida, said in a statement. "Ron DeSantis is losing his unconstitutional culture war on LGBTQ+ Floridians this is the third law that the courts have rejected in the last three weeks and another embarrassing 'L' on his record." As governor, DeSantis signed numerous other anti-trans rights bills into law, including one that criminalizes instances in which people use public restrooms that don't match the gender they were assigned at birth. Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com Read the original article on Business Insider A federal jury has convicted a Columbus-area doctor of illegally prescribing opioids and other drugs. Eskender Getachew, 58, of Galena, Delaware County, was found guilty on Thursday in U.S. District Court of 11 counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. Getachew was a neurologist for more than 20 years and also a psychiatrist and a pharmacist. He owned and operated Polaris Wellness and Recovery Center as well as the Regional Neurology and Sleep Medicine Institute, both on Columbus' Far North Side, according to court documents. He had privileges at OhioHealth Marion General Hospital that ended in 2019, a hospital system spokesperson said. In announcing the verdict Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice said Getachew unlawfully prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines (tranquilizers like Valium) to his patients. This included the opioid Subutex, which has a high risk of abuse, according to federal prosecutors. Prosecutors said Getachew prescribed more pills for patients who paid more at their office visits, and disregarded reports that patients were selling their Subutex. A defense attorney for Getachew did not immediately respond on Friday to a request from The Dispatch for comment. Getachew will be sentenced by a federal judge at a later date. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. Getachew, who graduated from Medical College of Ohio in 1999, was issued a doctor's license in 2005 by the State Medical Board, had his license renewed in December 2022 after he was charged and it is currently active with an expiration date of Jan 1, 2025, board records online indicate. Getachew also had a pharmacist's license that was issued in July 1992, renewed in September 2021 and set to expire Sept. 15., board records online show. The State Medical Board cited Getachew in May 2022 after the Ohio Department of Medicaid suspended his Medicaid provider agreement and all Medicaid reimbursements related to credible allegation of fraud, which "collectively constituted termination or suspension from participation" in Medicare or Medicaid programs by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A hearing was offered Getachew, but online medical records do not indicate that one was held. More court news 'She's my angel' Franklin County Drug Court graduate says h.a.r.t. program saves lives jlaird@dispatch.com @LairdWrites This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jury convicts Columbus-area doctor of illegal opiod prescriptions Federal prosecutors are asking for a 16- to 20-year sentence for the former Ohio state Speaker of the House found guilty on corruption charges. Larry Householder accepted a $61 million bribe from energy firm FirstEnergy in order to pass legislation friendly to the company. That legislation did pass, though much of it was repealed after the corruption was revealed. Householder once occupied one of the three most powerful offices in the State of Ohio. He now faces a substantial prison sentence for causing immeasurable damage to the institution of democracy in Ohio, through his direction of a criminal enterprise, prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo Thursday. He acted as the quintessential mob boss, directing the criminal enterprise from the shadows and using his casket carriers to execute the scheme, the filing states. Householders attorneys have asked for a 12- to 18-month sentence, saying that the $61 million wasnt for Householders personal use. Householder and ex-Ohio GOP Chair Matt Borges were found guilty of racketeering in March. The maximum sentence is 20 years. Larry Householder illegally sold the statehouse, and thus he ultimately betrayed the great people of Ohio he was elected to serve, federal prosecutor Kenneth Parker said in a statement at the conviction. In a trial that took more than two months, prosecutors laid out a case that Householder accepted bribes from FirstEnergy in order to pass a $1.3 billion taxpayer-funded bailout for the companys nuclear power plants. FirstEnergy paid a $230 million fine for its role in the bribes and fired some of its executives. Two Republican operatives who worked with Householder pleaded guilty to charges and testified against him at trial. Prosecutors have requested a six-month sentence for the pair. The investigation also included Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R), who claimed he was not aware of the scheme. He was not charged with a crime. Householder will be sentenced June 29. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Reuters / Telegram The Kremlin has caved to Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and said criminal charges against him for his attempted military coup will be dropped. Vladimir Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, announced the news Saturday in comments to the TASS news agency, claiming Prigozhin will be leaving the country soon and going to Belarus. He said he had no idea what Prigozhin will do in Belarus. The relocation was apparently part of the deal Prigozhin brokered with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko in order to halt Wagners advance on Moscow. Putin gave his word that Prigozhin will be allowed to leave for Belarus, Peskov said. The Kremlin also said all Wagnerites who took part in the uprising will be spared from criminal charges. The latest development came after Prigozhin abruptly announced that he was ready to turn his forces back around from a march towards Moscow and call off the mutiny. We turning our columns around and going back in the other direction toward our field camps, in accordance with the plan, he said in a message on Telegram. The news came after the Belarusian government claimed President Alexander Lukashenko had reached a deal with Prigozhin to halt the advance. This morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin briefed his Belarusian counterpart on the situation in southern Russia with the private military company Wagner, the statement said. The heads of state agreed on joint actions. As a follow-up to the agreements, the President of Belarus, having being additionally informed on the situation through his own channels, and in agreement with the President of Russia, held talks with the head of Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin, the statement continued. Yevgeny Prigozhin accepted the proposal of the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to stop the movement of armed persons of the Wagner company on the territory of Russia and take further steps to de-escalate tensions. It is unclear at this stage what the Russian President conceded to strike the deal with Prigozhin. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, wrote on Twitter that the retreat was a strange decision. You almost nullified Putin, took control of the central authorities, reached Moscow and suddenly... you retreat. Because one very specific intermediary with a dubious reputation (#Lukashenko) promised security guarantees from the person (#Putin) who ordered to destroy you in the morning. Although not without benefit: #Prigozhin humiliated Putin/the state and showed that there is no longer a monopoly on violence... I suspect this is far from over. Putin cannot accept an armed insurrectionist, Prigozhin cant accept the possibility of being eliminated if he lets his guard down. Wagner contingents smell blood & money & arent happy with this outcome. Then Kadyrov, what lesson did he learn. Alexander S. Vindman (@AVindman) June 24, 2023 It came after Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin ordered residents to stay inside as Putin told Russia about an armed mutiny led by former confidante Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenaries advancing on the city. Sobyanin had announced on Telegram that Monday would be a non-working day, except for security services and other authorities, amid what he called a counter-terrorist operation. I ask you to refrain from traveling around the city as much as possible, Sobyanin wrote. Authorities are on high alert, he added, describing the situation in Moscow as difficult. After the announcement, Telegram was reported to be facing technical difficulties. Some of our users in Europe have been experiencing connection issues for the past 10 minutes, the app shared on Twitter. Residents of Moscow were urged to remain indoors and stay home from work on Monday . Earlier on Saturday, Putin conceded that the insurrection meant his regime was up against the toughest battle for its future. Before the speech played out, Wagner mercenaries were seen descending with no resistance on Rostov-on-Don, Russias southern military HQ, which has been co-ordinating the invasion of Ukraine. Once inside the key command center, Prigozhin recorded a message saying it was under his control. This insurrection, which began after Prigozhin claimed his men had been struck by a missile fired by the Russian military, is the clearest threat to Putins power since he assumed the presidency in 2000. In the wake of this news, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he had spoken to the G7 Foreign Ministers, as well as Joseph Borrell, the high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy. The United States will stay in close coordination with Allies and partners as the situation continues, the Secretary of State tweeted Saturday morning. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also called Moscow on Saturday. Erdogan showed his support for Putin, Kremlins information service reported on Saturday. Erdogan expressed full support for the steps taken by Russian leadership, the Kremlin said in a statement. Putin said he had already issued the order for the military to respond to the organizers of the uprising with harsh measures. All those who deliberately set out on the path of betrayal will suffer inevitable punishment, he said. Unconfirmed social media footage showed an apparent explosion at an oil depot in Vorenezh and a possible missile strike on a Wagner column headed for Moscow. Prigozhin boasted that Russian citizens were backing his march towards Moscow, during which he said Wagner had not attacked any of Russian soldiers. Why is the country supporting us? Because we walked on the march of justice, and they hit us, first with artillery then aviation, he said. And we marched on without a single shot, we didnt touch a single conscript. What to Know About Prigozhin and Putins Twisted Relationship Britains Defence Intelligence agency said Wagner units were moving north through Vorenezh Oblast in the direction of Moscow. With very limited evidence of fighting between Wagner and Russian security forces some have likely remained passive, acquiescing to Wagner, the intel report said. This represents the most significant challenge to the Russian state in recent times. Ukraines Main Intelligence Directorate claimed that it had seen evidence that Moscow was preparing for a siege of the Russian capital. For the first time since the splits between Wagner and the Russian Defense Ministry bubbled to the surface, Prigozhin called out Putin directly on Saturday. Responding to the presidents address, he shot down the Kremlins authority. No one is going to turn himself in at the request of the president, the FSB or someone else, no one wants to continue to live in corruption and deceit, he said. Those who oppose us are those who have gathered around the scum. The scale of the fear within Moscows elite was captured by the Kremlins number one propagandist Vladimir Solovyov who recorded a video of himself racing back to Russia from Ukraine. I wasnt expecting to live to see this kind of thing. Our country is at war, he said. Looking for historical parallels, he cited the revolt which led to Russias 1917 revolution and Mussolinis successful coup detat, the March on Rome. Are we really going to allow civil strife now and lose our country? he asked. There is nothing more frightening than civil war. After months of feuding between the mercenary boss and Russias Defense Ministry, things came to a head on Friday night when Prigozhin accused the Russian military of ordering a rocket strike on a camp full of his men, and vowed merciless revenge. Prigozhin said he was ready to die along with 25,000 fighters prepared to stage a mutiny and stop the evil leading the failed war effort in Ukraine. Within hours, the Prosecutor Generals Office announced charges against Prigozhin for attempting to incite an armed rebellion, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars. Top Russian military brass released video appeals calling on Prigozhin to surrender, or for his own men to detain him and hand him over. State-run media aired an emergency broadcast relaying the same message. But Prigozhin showed no sign of backing down, instead releasing a series of audio messages via his press service in which he accused the Defense Ministry of deploying fighter jets to shoot at Wagner vehicles in the Rostov region and of firing at civilians on Russian territory. If someone gets in the way, we will destroy everything that gets in the way. We reach out a hand to everyone, no need to spit in that hand. We are going all the way, he said, later adding: Were all ready to die, all 25,000! And then there will be another 25,000! Local media reported checkpoints being set up late Friday night on a highway that leads from Rostov-on-Don to Moscow, and the territory around the Kremlin was reportedly closed off to visitors for the foreseeable future. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said anti-terrorism measures were being carried out to boost security in the capital, while residents in the Rostov region were urged by the governor to stay at home. In a fiery voice memo, Prigozhin claimed to have lost a huge number of soldiers in the rocket strike at a Wagner campan attack Moscow denies orchestrating. Yevgeny Prigozhin at a recent funeral in Moscow. Reuters/Yulia Morozova Prigozhin said, Those who destroyed our lads, who destroyed the lives of many tens of thousands of Russian soldiers, will be punished. I ask that no one offer resistance. Russias Defense Ministry said Prigozhins claims do not correspond to reality and are an informational provocation. Its unclear what the internal ructions mean for fighting on the ground in Ukraine, which has already become rife with infighting between Russian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries. Just last week, Prigozhin vowed to defy an order from Russias Defense Ministry to fall under the regular armys command, saying hed instead take defectors under his wing and create his own ranks. Prigozhin said Friday that his march for justice will not impede the operations of Russian military troops in Ukraine, but Wagner fighters have been integral to Russian advancesand alleged atrocitieson the front lines. The mercenary leader escalated his defiance on Friday, asserting that military leaders were deceiving the public and the president about why a war with Ukraine was necessary in the first place. He accused military leaders of fear-mongering about a potential Ukrainian invasion that was never coming to justify launching an invasion of their own. Referring to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu by name, Prigozhin said Russia invaded Ukraine for the self-promotion of a bunch of bastards. He added that the operation was poorly planned and embarrassing. Shoigu killed thousands of the most combat-ready Russian soldiers in the first days of the war, Prigozhin said. The mentally ill scumbags decided, Its OK, well throw in a few thousand more Russian men as cannon fodder. Theyll die under artillery fire, but well get what we want. Ex-Marine Reveals Crushing Sneak Attack on Putins Men While the drama between Moscow and Prigozhin played out, Ukrainian officials announced Friday their forces had retaken eight villages from Russian control as part of their first counteroffensive. Top Ukrainian officials conceded this week that gains have been slow, but indicated the attacks main push is yet to come. The counteroffensive is not a new season of a Netflix show, presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak posted to Twitter. There is no need to expect action and buy popcorn. Offensive operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue in a number of areas. Formation operations are underway to set up the battlefield. Time is always important especially in war. Hanna Maliar, a deputy defense minister, reportedly said on Ukrainian TV on Friday that the main blow is still to come. If the Russian army is focused elsewhere that can only help Ukraines push. 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. Since the beginning of the day on 23 June, Russian occupation forces have carried out 50 air strikes, 50 rocket artillery attacks. Moreover, 27 combat clashes took place. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Details: The Russians launched 51 air strikes and fired about 50 times from multiple-launch rocket systems at the positions of our troops and settlements. Unfortunately, in addition to the destruction of infrastructure, civilians suffered. The likelihood of missile and air strikes across Ukraine remains high. The Russians continue to focus their main efforts on the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka fronts, and heavy fighting continues. Over 27 combat clashes took place over the last day. The situation on the Volyn and Polissia fronts remains unchanged. No signs of formation of offensive groups have been detected. Combat training and coordination of the Russian Armed Forces units before their deployment to the areas of combat operations in Ukraine are ongoing at the training grounds of the Republic of Belarus. In turn, the Ukrainian aircraft carried out 10 strikes on the areas where Russian military personnel were concentrated. Over the course of the day, Ukraines Rocket Forces and Artillery hit 4 areas where Russian personnel and military equipment were concentrated, 12 artillery units at firing positions, 2 electronic warfare facilities and 1 air defence system. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The fight to repeal one of the most outdated abortion laws in the world Hundreds of protesters lined the street outside the UKs High Court on Saturday holding picket signs that read Our bodies, Our right to decide, before marching through the streets of central London demanding reformed abortion laws for women in England and Wales. Earlier this month, a British woman who used medication to terminate a pregnancy after the UKs legally allowed limit was sentenced to 28 months in prison under Victorian-era legislation, in a case that has sparked calls for an overhaul of reproductive justice laws in the country. The woman, who has three children, will serve 14 months in custody and the remainder on license after her release. One year after the US Supreme Court struck down Roe v Wade and reignited a worldwide protest movement against restricting abortion access, pro-choice advocates in the UK say little progress has been made to increase access to reproductive health services. Its just ridiculous that the state, the government, keeps just involving themselves like in birthing peoples rights to choose abortion, Nadia Hirsi, a 23-year-old actress and theater maker based in London, told CNN as she attended the protest in central London. Jennifer Dean, a London-based blogger in their 50s, who was also at the protest, said: Our body, our choice means as much to the trans community as it does to cisgender women I dont have a womb. But, you know, it should be whoever has a womb should have the choice what they do with it. Jenny Wickham, a 75-year-old pro-choice campaigner who has been demonstrating since the 1960s, told CNN: The liberalization of abortion law is under threat like never before. Decriminalizing abortion in the UK Abortion is currently legal in the UK up to the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. After this threshold, women found to have administered drugs to terminate a pregnancy are liable to receive a prison sentence up to a life term. In the recent headline-making case, the mother-of-three, 44, was handed her 28-month sentence by a judge in Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in central England under the Offences Against the Person Act, which dates back to 1861. The woman was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant at the time she took the medication, the court heard. Barrister Charlotte Proudman called the act itself ancient in an interview with CNN, highlighting that it was written at a time when women didnt even have the right to vote in the UK. Nadia Hirsi (right) and Ella Valentine, 23 (left), said they are fighting for reproductive health rights to ensure "years of progress" are not reversed. - Sana Noor Haq/CNN Jennifer Dean told CNN that "women and minorities are under attack, both in the USA and in the UK." - Sana Noor Haq/CNN Proudman was one of more than 60 signatories of a letter addressed to the Director of Public Prosecutions for England and Wales last summer which highlighted the cases of two women who at the time faced prosecution for terminating a pregnancy. She feels disappointed that little change has been enacted since the letter, saying there is real fear that this landmark conviction may result in further convictions. In the past decade, 67 prosecutions have taken place in England and Wales under the same legislation, opposition lawmaker Stella Creasy told the UK parliament on June 15. Proudman has observed a collective outrage and anger at the recent conviction, especially at the fact that [the woman] could even be prosecuted for this type of crime. I think, you know, people generally have been fairly shocked as well that abortion-related offenses still exist on the statute books, she added. Proudman said the decision of the US Supreme Court last year to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade ruling had made her reflect on the state of abortion laws in the UK. I was now thinking, well hang on a minute look at whats happening closer to home. England, Wales, Scotland and the fact that abortion still remains a criminal offense subject to certain exceptions, she said. Draconian and restrictive legislation In 2019, lawmakers in the British parliament voted for legislation which ended the criminalization of abortion in Northern Ireland, essentially placing its laws at odds with the rest of the UK. Charity campaigners like Katherine OBrien of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) said they are now making what she called a straightforward argument for the extension of this legislation to the rest of the UK. When they amended the law to allow greater access to abortion care in Northern Ireland, what they did was they removed the criminalization of women for ending their own pregnancy. So, were effectively asking that politicians do the same, OBrien told CNN. Proudman, the barrister, points to Canada as a further example, referring to its historic decision to decriminalize abortion 30 years ago. The recent criminal conviction in Stoke-On-Trent has only highlighted how restrictive and draconian UK abortion laws are, OBrien said. Even when we talk about Poland, or we talk about laws in Texas, even, you know, very anti-abortion politicians there arent proposing laws which see women sent to prison for life for ending their own pregnancy, she stressed. Women of color most at risk Restrictive abortion care policies result in forced pregnancies that doctors say expose women of color to a maternal health crisis, exacerbated by existing economic and racial inequalities. Dr. Annabel Sowemimo, a community sexual and reproductive health registrar, said liberalizing abortion measures allows patients to access the procedure earlier on in their pregnancy in the comfort of their own environment. In August, the UK government introduced permanent access to early medical abortions at home. The legislation stipulates that women can access pills to be taken at home for gestation of up to nine weeks and six days, after a teleconsultation. There were 214,256 abortions for women living in England and Wales in 2021, representing the highest uptake since the 1967 Abortion Act, according to the UK government website. Of those, 89% were carried out under 10 weeks. If abortion isnt legal and isnt free at the point of delivery then people tend to go on later and leave it [and] cant access services, Sowemimo told CNN. When we dont have safe and legal routes to abortion it ends up with more dead pregnant people, she said. The issue is multiplied when people are marginalized. Black people in England are nearly four times more likely to die while giving birth than White women, according to a recent confidential inquiry into maternal deaths (MBRRACE-UK). Similar figures from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women, due to factors including structural racism and implicit bias. Ready to take action Charities such as BPAS which provide abortion care to women on behalf of the UKs National Health Service (NHS) maintain that the current abortion laws are making life more difficult for providers, clinicians and women themselves. For women to be learning that abortion is a crime, and how that then makes them feel when they need that care the impact that that can have is really quite profound, OBrien said. She believes that people in the UK are however seeing the real-life impacts of the current laws and are really ready to take action. The voting record of British lawmakers provides further encouragement, according to OBrien, referencing recent laws creating abortion buffer zones and approving the extension of provision of abortion pills by post. Proudman hopes that action can be taken now to put decriminalization on the political agenda for real amid a growing consensus that these laws dont work. They dont work for women and girls, far from it. They dont work when you have women behind bars who have been vulnerable and require support and compassion, she said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com [Source] A Filipino delivery driver in Paris is facing deportation after being involved in a car accident with a Chinese embassy employee. What happened: The 30-year-old delivery man was riding his scooter when he was hit by the embassy workers car on Bosquet Avenue on May 18. According to a witness, the driver of the vehicle bearing diplomatic plates attempted to escape the scene after he was removed from his car. The embassy employee was also able to evade a blood alcohol test for a prolonged period, only to be eventually found that he was over France's legal alcohol limit for driving when the incident occurred. Beyond physical injury: The collision resulted in the victim being rushed to the hospital due to the severe injuries he sustained. His motorcycle was completely crushed and deemed unrecoverable. More from NextShark: 10-year-old girl becomes first in Taiwan to fully recover from leukemia via CAR T-cell therapy While the delivery driver was carrying an Uber Eats bag when the collision occurred, a spokesperson for the company clarified that he was not engaged in an active delivery at the time. As he was found to be undocumented, the Filipino man was placed under investigation, with an obligation to leave the territory. In addition to having lost his job as a result, he is also now at risk of deportation to his country of origin. Meanwhile, the embassy worker is not facing charges, as he holds diplomatic immunity. Broad privileges: Diplomatic immunity, established by international laws, shields diplomatic personnel from arrest or detention unless they are caught red-handed committing a crime. More from NextShark: 'Asian American frontline worker is NOT afraid': SF Walgreens employee follows thief while calling him out An international law expert confirmed to ACTUS Forces de L'ordre that the broad protection afforded to diplomats enables the embassy employee to risk absolutely nothing" in this case. "The magistrates can not do much, most of the time, they do not even have the right to hear the suspects," a source at the Ministry of the Interior was quoted saying. The fate of the Filipino delivery driver hangs in the balance as the investigation of the case continues. More from NextShark: Founder Jack Ma to give up control of fintech giant Ant Group Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Visionary Entrepreneur Tony Hsieh Passes Away at 46 Fire departments across Ohio looking at ways to stay safe from lithium-ion battery fires Fire departments across Ohio are looking at ways to keep you safe from lithium-ion battery fires and explosions. >>RELATED: 4 dead after battery causes fire at New York City e-bike shop that spreads to apartments The state fire marshal sees the widespread use of these lithium-ion batteries daily. Ohio is preparing to build an electric battery plant to meet the demand for the new technology. Fire officials say while the danger is low, they still need to focus on this potential threat. Really, electric vehicles are 11 times less likely to catch fire than your classic internal combustion engine vehicle, said Captain Evan Balcome, Fire Department of New York. So, even though we are just focused on the negatives, this is still an up-and-coming technology, and even if as firefighters, we want to complain about everything and say we dont like it, its still here. State officials believe its a matter of life and death for fire and emergency personnel to know the best way to handle these batteries and how they are stored. A photo from the street outside the massive fire in South Park. (Charlotte Fire Department) Workers first tried to extinguish a growing fire before flames engulfed a construction zone in SouthPark and killed two people on May 18, newly released 911 calls reveal. One worker called 911 to report a trailer fire once it had gotten out of control, according to calls released Friday afternoon to The Charlotte Observer via a public records request. We sprayed fire extinguishers but it continues to burn, sir, the caller said. Were evacuating the building. Two men trapped inside the building, which would have been new apartments with a two-story parking garage, died in the flames. Another worker was trapped above the flames in a crane for almost an hour until rescue crews reached him. The 911 caller tried to get everyone out of the building, according to the recording. Hey, stop. Move, hes heard saying while the dispatcher was on the line. Move out of the way. We need to make room for the fire department. Listen, you need to stay out of the building. Another recording of a 911 call released Friday indicates initial issues with traffic in the commercial and office spaces adjacent to the fire scene as nearby businesses evacuated. One woman called police asking for traffic control help along Park Drive and Fairview Road. Deadly SouthPark fire in Charlotte The massive five-alarm fire spread to at least two structures, with embers sparking spot fires. Two men, identified as Demonte Tyree Sherrill and Reuben Holmes, died in the blaze. Firefighters who tried to save them had to call a Mayday after becoming trapped by limited visibility themselves, Charlotte Fire Department Chief Reginald Johnson said previously. Members of the Mecklenburg delegation of the North Carolina General Assembly on Friday in Raleigh formally commended Charlotte firefighters heroism in saving lives and extinguishing the fire. SouthPark fire investigation continues Fire officials are still investigating the fire but have confirmed it started when the trailer caught fire. Charlotte Fire said in mid-June that no fire inspection was done at the Modera SouthPark construction site because the contractor did not alert the Charlotte Fire Marshals Office about the construction and its progress, a violation of a county rule. There was also no standpipe a vertical water pipe to which fire hoses can be connected installed at the building, according to fire officials, even though state fire code requires at least one standpipe be installed during construction. A spokesperson for Mill Creek Residential, the Florida-based developer on the project, previously told the Observer the company is actively investigating the circumstances that led to the fire, and are cooperating with state and local authorities in their investigation. Will NC fire code change? Fire safety leaders from across North Carolina met in Greensboro on June 6 and discussed whether they should adopt a new edition of NFPA 241, a standard specific to construction sites. That discussion came at the request of Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal Ted Panagiotopoulos, who referenced the SouthPark fire and said it presented an opportunity to reconsider code on the books. The committee also discussed limiting the size of some buildings and changing exit requirements for construction sites. Under a proposed change, Modera SouthPark which had just one exit as required by current code would have had two on each floor during construction. Changes would likely not be implemented until 2025, the states chief fire code consultant previously told The Observer. The committee is scheduled to meet again in September. Observer reporters Mary Ramsey and Ryan Oehrli contributed. A team of Texas firefighters got a little dog out of a tight spot on Monday. A small dog had managed to wedge himself behind a toilet, read a Facebook post from the Woodlands Fire Department. Firefighters found that Tippy was well and truly stuck. Tippy, caught in a ruff spot. Tippy, caught in a ruff spot. Photos show the tiny canine with his head sticking out from behind one side of the toilet and his body sticking out the other. Ultimately, freeing the pup necessitated removing some of the walls Sheetrock. The other end of Tippy. The other end of Tippy. Fire Chief Palmer Buck told People that Tippys owner suspected the dog had jammed himself in there in an effort to find a cool spot amid the states record-breaking heat wave. After being rescued from his harrowing ordeal, the department wrote that Tippy was last seen dozing comfortably in a much less precarious place. Related... Five hours of explosions: 10 hectares of forest in Kyiv Oblast burn down after Russian shelling Ten hectares of forest in Kyiv Oblast have burned down as a result of Russian shelling. The fire broke out after the latest attack, in which Russian rockets hit a site where the Russian invaders had held positions during the occupation in the spring of 2022, triggering a mass detonation of ammunition. Source: Kyiv Oblast police on Facebook; Alina Podreiko, communications officer for the Bucha police department, in a comment to Ukrainian Pravda Quote from the police: "10 hectares of forest have been destroyed by a huge conflagration that broke out after the latest enemy attacks on Kyiv Oblast. The fire above the aggressors trenches in Zdvyzhivka spread exponentially." The location of the incident is in the red circle Details: Podreiko told Ukrainska Pravda that the fire broke out on 16 June. At the time, it was reported to have been caused by the launch of Russian Kalibr missiles from the Black Sea and the work of the air defence in Kyiv Oblast. Quote from Podreiko: "It was the afternoon of 16 June. As a result of Russian shelling, a forest near Zdvyzhivka caught fire. There had been Russian positions there during the occupation, and fierce fighting continued there. There was also an enemy ammunition depot there. Of course, mine clearance work was done after liberation, but due to the fact that there was an ammunition depot and a lot of the ammunition was deep underground, the mass detonation began. The explosions continued intensively from about 15:00-15:30 until around 20:00. There were short intervals between them." Details: Podreiko explained that the State Emergency Service, the police, and forestry management representatives all attended the scene, but the explosions were so intense that it was impossible to put the fire out. Therefore, they decided to dig trenches to stop the fire from spreading. In the evening, when the explosions had subsided somewhat, armoured vehicles and a tractor were brought in and trenches were dug, and this halted the progress of the fire. The part of the forest where the explosions occurred, however, burned down. The forestry departments are currently calculating the losses. The police are urging local people not to go to forests, as it can be life-threatening. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Five takeaways from Barack Obama's CNN interview on Biden, 2024, Trump, Ukraine, more Former President Barack Obama, in a CNN interview that aired Thursday night, said he does not believe President Joe Biden will face a serious primary challenge during his 2024 reelection campaign and praised his former vice president's tenure in the Oval Office. In a wide-ranging, sit-down interview from Athens, Greece, with CNN Chief International Anchor Christiane Amanpour, Obama also discussed the recent indictments of former President Donald Trump, increasing polarization in the United States, the war in Ukraine, the rise of artificial intelligence and more. Here are five top takeaways from Obama's hourlong appearance on CNN: Former President Barack Obama waves to spectators before a discussion at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens, Greece, on Thursday. Obama is visiting Athens to speak at the SNF Nostos Conference focused on how to strengthen democratic culture and the importance of investing in the next generation of leaders. Trump indictment 'less than ideal' Obama discussed Trump's two indictments, saying it is "less than ideal" that a former president and a leading Republican presidential candidate is facing federal charges. "But the fact that we have a former president who is having to answer to charges brought by prosecutors does uphold the basic notion that nobody's above the law," Obama said. Without referring to the former president by name, Obama suggested Trump's behavior makes him unfit for office. "Having been president of the United States, you need a president who takes the oath of office seriously," he said. "You need a president who believes not just in the letter, but in the spirit of democracy." "There are checks and balances to the system, you are subjected to those checks and balances," Obama added. "You cannot ignore them. You cannot make your own rules. You cannot view the Justice Department as your personal law firm." Democrats are united behind Biden Obama offered strong praise for Biden, applauding his administration's response to the numerous challenges faced by the sitting president since assuming office in 2021. "I think Joe Biden has done an extraordinary job leading the country through some very difficult times," Obama said. Obama also predicted that Biden, his former vice president, will have an easy path to the 2024 Democratic nomination. "I do not think that there's going to be any kind of serious primary challenge to Joe Biden," he said. "I think the Democratic Party is unified." Obama credited Biden for bringing Democrats closer together after a contentious 2020 presidential primary saw Biden earn the support of more centrist Democrats while Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., found strong support from the party's progressive wing. "The truth is that partly because of how Joe has governed, those divisions have been bridged," he said. Ukraine is 'vital' in fight for democracy Obama described Ukraine as "vital" in the fight for democracy and praised the European Union for creating a peaceful and democratic political alliance. "Do not take for granted the extraordinary achievement of the European Union," Obama said, "and the fact that a continent, that was wracked by war and bloodshed for centuries, was now as prosperous and as peaceful as any in history." He also claimed that witnessing the war in Ukraine up close helped to reinvigorate the European project. "Watching the Ukrainians themselves with such courage and bravery fight back, I think that reminded Europe of who they were," Obama said. Obama addressed whether his administration should have been more forceful in its response to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. "The Ukraine of that time is not the Ukraine that we're talking about today," he said. "There's a reason why there was not an armed invasion of Crimea," Obama added. "Crimea was full of a lot of Russian speakers and there was some sympathy to the view that Russia was representing its interests." Race is the 'fault line' in American politics Obama said that "race has always been the fault line in American life and American politics" but argued that the country has made strides since his first presidential election in 2008. "Although I was always skeptical that my election somehow signified a post-racial America, if you look at any speech I gave throughout my presidency I was always someone who reminded the country of the progress that was possible," Obama said. "That was my brand, right? That's part of the hope and change thing," he said, referring to his 2008 presidential campaign slogans. Obama, however, said that the push for equality on the basis of gender and sexual orientation has generated "as much of a backlash as the racial backlash." He also warned that the United States must also combat economic inequality if it wants to have a thriving democracy. "Our democracy is not going to be healthy with the levels of inequality that we've seen generated from globalization, automation, the decline in unions," Obama said. Calls for stricter regulations on Artificial Intelligence Obama warned that if artificial intelligence is left unregulated like social media, it could have more severe consequences for democracy than even social media platforms had. "We will have bigger problems with AI," Obama said. "National security problems, job displacement problems, misinformation problems that undermine our democracy." Obama, however, noted that there is "enormous potential" for artificial intelligence if it is used for the right causes. "If harnessed correctly, you can have AI teachers that much more cheaply are delivering a very good education to people in remote areas," he said. The danger, Obama noted, is if AI is weaponized. "It can be a very powerful tool for mischief," he said. The next Georgia?: Biden campaign targets North Carolina to reshape 2024 electoral map This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Five takeaways from Barack Obama's CNN interview on Biden, Trump, 2024 Daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms have all but erased the Sunshine States rainfall deficit, ending concerns that significant wildfire activity would continue. Major cities such as Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and Miami all accumulated significant rainfall deficits during the spring, but like clockwork, the wet season kicked into overdrive during the early summer. Over half of the state experienced drought conditions, and since June 1, the Florida Forest Service reported nearly 85,000 acres had been destroyed by wildfires. Now, imagery coming out of the state is much different, with low-lying flooding and erosion issues impacting some communities. Pensacola has reported more than a foot of rainfall over three weeks, with many other communities seeing half a foot of precipitation since June 1. WILDFIRES GROW IN FLORIDA AMID INTENSIFYING DROUGHT Wet & stormy June for the Sunshine State In some communities, the rainfall was too much of a good thing as drainage systems were maxed out by all the water. Pensacola was put under a Flash Flood Emergency during the overnight hours of June 16, and local authorities reported helping hundreds to higher ground. In north-central Florida, communities experienced a 1-in-100-year flood event with more than 5 inches of rainfall falling in two hours. All the rainfall is likely the cause of the opening of a depression in Ocala that measured 30 feet wide and forced evacuations. Residents were encouraged to stay out of flood areas due to pollutants possibly being in the water. The combination of warm temperatures and plenty of standing water is also leading to concerns over mosquitoes and the spread of diseases and viruses. The Florida Department of Health reported Manatee, Miami-Dade and Sarasota counties were put under mosquito-borne illness alert, and Orange and Polk counties were under advisories due to detections of potentially harmful mosquitoes. Along the west coast of the state, authorities have confirmed at least two cases of malaria, which are thought to be the first locally transmitted cases in more than a decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said people impacted by the disease often experience a fever, chills and other flu-like symptoms. Severe cases of the disease lead to more than 600,000 deaths worldwide a year. NEW TO FLORIDA? HERES WHEN THE SUNSHINE STATES RAINY SEASON GETS UNDERWAY Drought monitor for Florida According to climatology, the rainy season usually ends in early to mid-September. The FOX Forecast Center said that during the fall, attention turns to the threat posed by tropical systems and if any cold fronts can make it into the state. During El Nino years, a downtick in tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic basin can lead to a reduction in named storms, but no two climate events are the same. In 2004, an El Nino pattern led to a historic season with four significant hurricanes impacting the state. Slow-moving tropical cyclones can produce a foot of rain or more, and if grounds are already saturated, flooding becomes a significant event in the impact zone. The big story: Florida Republican lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis have pushed for a couple of years to change the way the states universities are accredited. Their concerns center on actions by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools questioning decisions at Florida State and the University of Florida, threatening their accreditation if changes werent made. Lawmakers passed legislation allowing schools to switch their accreditor. So far, Florida Polytechnic and the University of Central Florida have requested changes. But DeSantis said theyve been held up, so his administration filed a federal lawsuit contending the arrangement is unconstitutional. We reject the idea that a totally unaccountable, appointed, unelected accrediting agency can trump what the state of Florida is doing, DeSantis said during a news conference in Tampa. Read more here. Hot topics Board politics: The Madison County School Board approved new member district boundaries that align with county commissioner seats, Greene Publishing reports. Book challenges: Miami-Dade County residents opposed to book banning and censorship pressed the School Board to make it harder to remove books from schools, the Miami Herald reports. Santa Rosa County residents brought complaints about school books to county commissioners, who reminded them the commission does not operate the school district, WEAR reports. Cell phones: The Orange County school district is considering banning cell phone use at schools from bell to bell, including at lunch and recess, WOFL reports. Dress code: A Lee County high school will ban shorts and leggings for the new academic year, WFTX reports. Hiring: The Walton County school district needs to fill an increasing number of positions as its enrollment surges, WJHG reports. Security: The Public Employees Relations Commission has forced the Palm Beach County school district to undo 10 promotions in the districts police department, saying they violated the school police union contract, the Palm Beach Post reports. Student discipline: An Orange County middle school saw a sharp dip in discipline referrals after adopting mediation teams to handle behavior problems, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Superintendents: The Lee County School Board got some advice on how its role will change as the district reverts to an elected superintendent, which voters approved in 2022, the Cape Coral Breeze reports. Tuition: A plan to increase out-of-state tuition at Floridas public universities was postponed, with officials saying the proposal needed more work, the News Service of Florida reports. University leaders: The Board of Governors officially confirmed Aysegul Timur as Florida Gulf Coast Universitys first female president, the Fort Myers News-Press reports. From the court docket ... The Palm Beach County school district has asked the state Supreme Court to consider a dispute over whether it must retroactively share revenue from a 2018 tax referendum with local charter schools, the News Service of Florida reports. Dont miss a story. Heres a link to yesterdays roundup. Before you go ... Yeah. Sign up for the Gradebook newsletter! Every Thursday, get the latest updates on whats happening in Tampa Bay area schools from Times education reporter Jeffrey S. Solochek. Click here to sign up. Hungry for some tasty foodie finds? Weve got you covered. This weeks installment of Fall River Eats features festivals, a tempting offer for Marylous fans, fun menu offerings and specials. But with all the summer excitement also came an unfortunate announcement for one local eatery. Heres whats being served up across the SouthCoast this week: Green Jar Catering and Cocina's food truck, which launched in 2021, hit the road in warmer months, serving up Mexican-style menu at local breweries, festivals and private events. Viva food trucks! Don't have lunch plans? Well you do now. Head to 333 S. Main St., at Columbia Square, for the return of Food Truck Fridays at the Viva Maker Shop. From June 23, through July 14, join Viva every Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for lunch with Fall River's Green Jar Catering & Cocina. There will be outdoor seating available weather permitting and you can even shop items from local artists and makers while you wait for your meal. Leave your lunch bag at home and check out their 2023 debut today. Swansea pizzeria closes shop Pizza lovers in Swansea were met with some sad news this week. After over a decade in business, One Horse Pizzeria and Saloon announced via its Facebook page that it would be closing its doors as of June 18. The town staple at 1635 G.A.R Highway (Route 6) was known for its specialty pies with unexpected, inventive combinations, such as its popular Thanksgiving Pizza, as well as Taco Pizza, Breakfast Pizza and the Texas Rodeo with barbecue sauce, topped with chicken, bacon and onion rings. Their Sunday post read: "We regretfully announce that effective today we have officially closed for business. We thank the people of Swansea and our neighboring towns for their business and support over the years." Marylou's Coffee opens in North Darmouth. Have coffee, will travel Planning on hitting the open road this summer? One popular coffee brand is offering a sweet incentive for you road warriors seeking a caffeine fix to stop in on your travels. Marylou's has recently launched its Summer Road Trip Challenge. Visit all 42 Marylou's locations between June 15 and Aug. 30 and take a selfie photo or video with your bright pink cup documenting each visit and be entered in a drawing for the chance to win a $500 Marylou's gift card. All successful finalists also receive a free Road Trip Challenge T-shirt. Started in 1986 in Hanover, Marylous now has 42 locations across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including a cafe at 155 Faunce Corner Road, North Dartmouth. Are you up to the challenge? For full contest rules and details, visit their website at https://marylous.com/road-trip-challenge-2023. Marylou's Coffee opens in SouthCoast. Here's where you can get your 'pink cup' treat. A Taste of Greece Mark your calendars! The St. George Greek Festival is coming to Dartmouth on Saturday, July 8, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Listen to music as you fill up on a tasty selection of Greek food favorites from gyros to souvlaki, spanakopita, moussaka, pastichiou, baklava, almond rolls, koulouraki and more. The event is slated for St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Cross Road. The new mural on the Purchase Street side of the interior of Tequila Lime Cantina. The heat is on at Tequila Lime Tequila Lime Cantina is getting spicy with their specials this week. Head to the downtown Fall River Mexican restaurant and try their spicy cilantro lime lobster tacos served with tossed mixed greens or their spicy grilled chicken street tacos with cilantro lime aioli. Pair it with their drink of the week: fresh pureed Watermelon Paloma. Tequila Lime is located at 197 Bank St. Coowner Liz Carpenter in Faneek's takeout window. Faneek's to accept SNAP benefits Faneek's Coney Island is branching out in different ways. The Fall River hot dog joint was among 27 restaurants and food trucks recently selected to participate in Massachusetts SNAP Restaurant Meals Program pilot. It will allow folks with disabilities, households with adults age 60 and older, and those experiencing homelessness or food insecurity to use their SNAP benefits at Faneek's and other participating restaurants that offer reduced-price meal options. These selected restaurants and food trucks are diverse and strong focal points in their communities, dedicated to providing their neighbors with access to delicious and healthy food that is also nourishing and familiar to people from around the world. This approach to the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program pilot centers on serving low-income individuals and families to help address nutrition, health, and economic inequities, said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh. According to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the RMP should be available at the participating restaurants by the fall. Faneek's is located at 269 Rhode Island Ave. Lemonade Day: These Westport twins are raising money for a friend with Down syndrome. Here's how. Sundays are for donut holes Davolls manager Mary Ann Buckley showing off freshly baked donuts. Did you know Davoll's General Store has its own special donut hole named after it at Mass Hole Donuts? Well now you dont have to drive to Somerville to get it, every Sunday morning at Davolls General Store you can get your own assortment of donut holes from the famous Mass Hole Donuts. A must-try is Davolls Butter Pecan Bliss, a pillowy brioche, filled with homemade butterscotch, topped with a brown butter glaze, and rolled in butter pecan crunch topping. They arrive fresh every Sunday at 10 a.m. at 1228 Russells Mills Road, South Dartmouth watch out these yummy treats are selling out fast. Breakfast has leveled up Try the LvlUpRolls at The Nook. At The Nook you can always get your favorite freshly baked linguica or cheese roll but they get even better when you order the LvlUpRolls. You get the mouthwatering sourdough pretzel bread rolls sliced open with your choice of meat, an egg, and house-made hot sauce (optional) for a breakfast of champions. Try it with the Hot Fluffernutter, the hometown delight done in a hot drink form, it's salty and sweet yet surprisingly very drinkable. Start your day off right at 58 Washington St., Fairhaven. This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Best bets for Greater Fall River foodies: festivals, specials and more A resident of Belle Vernon pleaded guilty in federal court to a wire fraud charge for taking money from a local credit union while she was the manager and setting a safe on fire to cover the evidence. Patty Lynn Mavrakis, 65, was the branch manager for Valley 1st Community Federal Credit Union in Belle Vernon on Sept. 5, 2016, when she took cash from the safe while it was closed for Labor Day, according to the Department of Justice. The next day, she arrived before any other employees and staged a fire in the safe, then claimed an alarm wire caught fire, burning $340,200 in cash. She then filed a false claim, which was paid by the insurance company. Mavrakis remains free on bond. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 11. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Missing Titanic tourist sub: Titan suffered catastrophic implosion, killing 5 onboard More than 20 suspected drug dealers behind bars after FBI sweep in Pittsburgh Washington County hairstylist charged for allegedly running prostitution business appears in court VIDEO: Video shows police questioning woman accused of killing estranged husband, wrapping his body in plastic DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Former California Assemblyman Roger Dickinson is running for Sacramento City Council in 2024. Dickinson, a Democrat who served in the Assembly from 2010 to 2014, is running for the 2nd District seat currently held by Councilman Sean Loloee. Since losing re-election to the Assembly in 2014 to Richard Pan, Dickinson, 72, has worked as a lawyer and a state housing consultant, and is currently a policy director at the local nonprofit CivicWell. He has lived in North Sacramentos Woodlake neighborhood since the 1970s, he said. Prior to the Assembly, Dickinson served on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors for almost 17 years, from 1994 to 2010, which he said gives him experience in local government. If elected, he said he would push for funding to improve infrastructure and parks in North Sacramento in the hopes of catalyzing private investment. This part of Sacramento, North Sacramento, has not gotten the attention and resources it deserves over time, Dickinson said. I dont see the prospect of that changing in a meaningful way without a change in representation. Im someone whos committed to this area, has relationships and can build relationships that can be productive for the area and has the ability to marshal resources and people to bring the kind of attention and resources the area deserves. Dickinson said he would work to secure more city funding to fix sewer capacity, street potholes and sidewalks, and to improve conditions at parks. On homelessness and housing, he said he wants the city to give more financing to spark additional affordable housing units, and also to start a new larger program with the county for emergency eviction prevention services. I would set up an operation that would be widely publicized, which would say if you think youre going to not be able to make your next rent payment, youre a victim of domestic violence, (for) some reason you think youre on the cusp of not being able to maintain housing, you call us and if we can help cover your rent for a month or two, Dickinson said. He also said the city needs more shelter beds, but did not provide any locations in North Sacramento where he would open additional beds. On police, Dickinson said he is not sure if he would be in favor of reducing the $228 million police budget. He did not say he would reject police union donations, but said he would reject tobacco and oil donations. Its still unclear if Loloee will seek re-election. He did not respond to a message seeking comment. The Sacramento Bee last year reported that it did not appear Loloee lived in the Hagginwood house where he said he lived, and could instead be living in his wifes $1.4 million Granite Bay house with his wife and children. A city investigation, which did not include interviews with neighbors, found that Loloee does indeed live there with his employees. Loloee is also undergoing a federal lawsuit by the U.S. Department of Labor alleging he threatened to deport employees of his grocery stores. The North Sacramento district comprises some of the citys poorest neighborhoods, including Del Paso Heights. Woodlake is the most affluent of the district neighborhoods. Former Twin Rivers Unified School District board member and Del Paso Heights homeowner Ramona Landeros is also running for the seat. She lost to Loloee in 2020. Former Grant Union High School Vice President Kim Davie and state worker Alicia Bledsoe are also running. The primary will be held March 5. If no single candidate gets at least 50.01% of the vote, the general election for District 2 will be held Nov. 5. A former employee of Miamis largest homeless shelter was charged Friday with stealing thousands of dollars in disability payments from an 84-year-old veteran through ATM withdrawals. Prosecutors say Tashia Raymond-Stackhouse, 34, who helped those in need find housing at Miamis Camillus House, told the veteran shed hold onto a new ATM card he received to withdraw Supplemental Security Income funds, or federal assistance for those with disabilities. Then, prosecutors contend, Raymond-Stackhouse visited the ATM more than a dozen times and withdrew $14,000. Shes now facing four felony counts that include exploitation of an elderly or disabled person of over $10,000, grand theft of more than $10,000, organized scheme to defraud of under $20,000 and fraudulent use of personal identification information. The Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office is prosecuting Raymond-Stackhouse. Camillus House Chief Executive Hilda M. Fernandez said the alleged theft was discovered some time between when Raymond-Stackhouse gave her two-week notice on Aug. 15 of last year and the end of the month. She said money was discovered missing after the military veteran was late on rent payments that he had always made on time using the federal assistance money. Fernandez said her agency had begun a termination process for Raymond-Stackhouse because she was a no-show during the two-week period between her notice and when she would officially resign. Raymond-Stackhouse was hired in October 2020 and there is no indication shed been stealing from anyone else. He thought this person was doing him a favor, the CEO said. I think he trusted her. Its horrible she preyed on that trust. Its unclear if the veteran will be reimbursed the money he lost. State attorney spokesman Ed Griffith said Raymond-Stackhouse was in custody as of Friday morning, but there was no record of her being jailed on the Miami-Dade Corrections website by late morning. It also wasnt clear if she had retained an attorney. Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle called Camillus House an important service provider. It is always incredibly sad when someone sees the elderly, or the homeless, or our veterans as potentially exploitable targets, she said. Former Dell City worker accused of stealing funds, making purchases for personal use A former Dell City employee was arrested after being accused of stealing funds. An indictment returned by an El Paso grand jury June 14 alleges that Diana Suarez, 53, used funds from Dell Citys bank accounts to make purchases and cash withdrawals for personal use between Sept. 13, 2020, and Sept. 12, 2021, officials with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Texas said in a news release. Dell City is about 76 miles east of El Paso. It is in Hudspeth County. Suarez is charged with one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey of the FBI El Paso Field Office announced the arrest in the news release. The FBI is investigating; Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Arreola is prosecuting the case. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Former Dell City worker accused of stealing funds for personal use Former Maryland Republican Governor Larry Hogan takes a dim view of the Republican governor from the Sunshine State and his bid for president. "I think [Ron] DeSantis has really underperformed," Hogan told CBS News' Major Garrett on this week's episode of "The Takeout." The interview was recorded at Mike's Restaurant and Crabhouse in Riva, Maryland. "I think the [DeSantis] campaign is one of the worst I've seen so far, and he's dropped like a rock," Hogan said. "I think it's getting close to being over." Hogan says DeSantis is "smart," but when asked to describe DeSantis' missteps, Hogan didn't hold back: the culture wars, "dumb comments" about Ukraine, "He just doesn't connect with people," he's "not a good campaigner," he's "not a good debater." The first GOP primary debate is scheduled for August 23. Wokeism is "all DeSantis seems to want to talk about," Hogan said. "And I think that's part of the reason why his campaign is doing as badly as it is or, you know, underperforming expectations as much as it is." The Desantis campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Carly Atchison, a DeSantis campaign official tweeted, "Who is Larry Hogan" [sic]. Hogan served two terms as governor of Maryland and led the National Governors Association in 2020. He's often mentioned as a potential presidential contender in 2024, but said he has no intention of seeking his party's nomination. But if President Biden and Donald Trump are the leading candidates next year, Hogan is not ruling out a third party run. "You've gotta leave the door open in case of emergency break glass," Hogan said, adding that he would only run for the top of the ticket, not as a vice presidential candidate. Hogan praised former Governors Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson for attacking Trump, who was indicted on 37 federal counts earlier this month. "They're taking it more seriously and being are willing to speak out more than any of the others. But the rest of [the GOP primary field doesn't] have any courage. They're afraid to speak out. That's been the problem," Hogan said. Hogan slammed Trump for continuing to dispute the results of the 2020 presidential race and said election denialism was bad for the Republican Party: "It's bad morally, but it's also a sure way to lose elections." Aaron Navarro contributed reporting. Executive producer: Arden Farhi Producers: Jamie Benson, Jacob Rosen, Sara Cook and Eleanor Watson CBSN Production: Eric Soussanin Show email: TakeoutPodcast@cbsnews.com Twitter: @TakeoutPodcast Instagram: @TakeoutPodcast Facebook: Facebook.com/TakeoutPodcast The Age of Artificial Intelligence Roads buckled, homes and businesses damaged after major flooding in Vermont "Center store" products like cookies, crackers and dish soap getting more expensive A former member of the Missouri National Guard pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to one misdemeanor count in connection with the Capitol riot. Brian Scott McGee, of the central Missouri town of Auxvasse, entered a guilty plea to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. The hearing was held via video conference in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct 13. He faces a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $5,000 fine and also must pay $500 restitution for nearly $2.9 million in damages the government said resulted from the attack. McGee, 61, is the 20th Missouri resident to be convicted in a Capitol riot case. Of those, 16 have been sentenced. The cases of seven other Missouri defendants including a St. Joseph couple charged just last week are ongoing. McGee was arrested Feb. 9 in Jefferson City on four misdemeanor counts: entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. The government dropped the other charges in exchange for his guilty plea on the parading count. According to a statement of offense signed Monday by McGee, he left Missouri on Jan. 4, 2021, to drive to Washington, D.C., stopping overnight to stay with a family member in Kentucky. McGee had been corresponding on Twitter with the wife of co-defendant Jeremy Harrison of Florida, the statement said, and McGee and the Harrisons made plans to attend the Stop the Steal rally together in Washington on Jan. 6. The three shared a ride to the Ellipse that morning, the document said, and after watching former President Donald Trumps speech, they went to the Capitol. McGee and Harrison entered the restricted area on the grounds, but Harrisons wife decided not to do so. After the mob breached the Capitol, the document said, McGee and Harrison made their way up the west side of the grounds and entered the building around 2:24 p.m. through the Senate Wing door. The two stayed in the building for less than two minutes, according to the statement. They remained near the Senate Wing door entrance, then left to meet up with Harrisons wife, who had stayed outside. The probable cause affidavit filed in the case said McGee was contacted by phone on Aug. 4, 2021, to schedule a personal interview with the FBI. McGee told the FBI that people in the crowd said U.S. Capitol Police were allowing protesters to enter the building, the document said. McGee further claimed that he observed four or five U.S. Capitol police officers wearing riot gear gesture for people to enter the U.S. Capitol and fist bumping them as they walked by, it said. But a review of Capitol CCTV in the area where McGee entered the Capitol does not corroborate McGees statement that police waved rioters into the building and fist-bumped them as they entered, the affidavit said. On Oct. 27, 2021, the document said, the FBI interviewed Witness 1, who was one of McGees former supervisors when McGee was in the Missouri National Guard. The former supervisor identified the man in the surveillance images as McGee. The next day, the document said, the FBI interviewed Witness 2, who worked at the Columbia Regional Airport Safety Department. Witness 2 is personally familiar with McGee because McGee occasionally works at the Columbia Regional Airport, the document said. It said that Witness 2 identified McGee as the man in the video and images taken during the riot. That same day, the affidavit said, the FBI interviewed Witness 3, who was McGees former supervisor at the Federal Aviation Administration Tech Operations Office. That person also identified McGee in the videos and photos. An FBI agent interviewed McGee in person on Feb. 14, 2022, the document said, and showed him photos taken from the Capitol surveillance video. McGee identified himself, wearing a red hat and having a small U.S. flag, as one of the individuals in the surveillance video that unlawfully entered the Capitol, it said. During the Feb. 14 interview, the affidavit said, McGee told the agent he had entered the Capitol with Jeremy and another person, whose name was redacted in the document. McGee said he had met the two online and didnt know their last names but knew they were from Florida. Florida FBI agents interviewed Harrison on June 30, 2022, the document said, and Harrison told them he and his wife had met McGee at the Crystal City Marriott in Washington. Harrison admitted entering the Capitol on Jan. 6, according to the affidavit. Before he went in, he said, he saw a person in tactical gear who he thought was law enforcement, directing people inside the building. Harrison who also pleaded guilty Friday to one count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol building said he saw police inside the building appearing to block off one area but allowing people to continue to another location, the affidavit said. Harrison stated that he thought it was ok to be inside the Capitol building at first, but then noticed the chaos and heard people screaming and therefore decided to leave the building. STEVENS POINT A former Plover youth minister pleaded guilty Friday morning in Portage County Circuit Court to two felony counts of repeated sexual assault of the same child. Portage County Circuit Court Judge Michael Zell ordered a pre-sentence investigation for Jordan R. Huffman, 52, who currently is in the Winnebago County Jail on a $1 million bail for unrelated charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child, child enticement and three counts of felony bail jumping. Zell scheduled a sentencing hearing for Oct. 3. As part of a plea agreement in the Portage County case, a charge of first-degree sexual assault of a child under age 13 was dismissed. Three charges of child enticement, a charge of causing a child age 13 to 18 to view sexual activity and a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a child were dismissed but read into the record. According to the criminal complaint, in 2017 a couple approached Huffman, who at the time was a pastor at Woodlands Church in Plover, and asked him to mentor their 12-year-old son. The boy had started drinking and getting into trouble. The boy told police instead of helping him, Huffman did the opposite. Huffman gave the boy alcohol, marijuana and prescription pills, according to the complaint. The child said Huffman would drive him to a remote location at the end of a dirt road after the boy was drunk or under the influence of marijuana and inappropriately touched him with his mouth or hands. The boy said the encounters happened multiple times but no incident happened at Woodlands Church, other than Huffman telling the child he had alcohol, marijuana or nicotine cartridges for him, according to the complaint. He said Huffman had sexual intercourse with him one time at Huffman's home while his wife and children were gone. When Huffman left Woodlands Church and took a job with Forest Lakes District Evangelical Free Church of America in Stevens Point, several encounters occurred in Huffman's office there, according to the complaint. The assaults lasted about five years. The boy told police he let Huffman do these things because the pastor was his mentor and because he was drunk or high. When the boy was 17, he told Huffman he didn't want to have sexual contact with him anymore, and Huffman respected the request, according to the complaint. About six months later, Huffman told the boy he no longer wanted to hang out with him. More: Thousands of visitors are headed to Stevens Point for the U.S. Senior Open. Heres what residents need to know. More: Stevens Point man found guilty of reckless homicide in death of 6-month-old boy Contact Karen Madden at 715-345-2245 or kmadden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33. This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: Former Plover youth minister pleads guilty to sexual assault of child Former presidential candidate is buying up apartments for a surprising reason: The impact and the returns are linked Former Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer is planning to make buildings across the country more energy efficient through his investment company Galvanize Climate Solutions. In April, Bloomberg reported that Galvanize Climate Solutions has a new real estate investment strategy. The plan is to buy real estate, primarily low-density multifamily homes between one and three stories tall with parking, and upgrade them to be more energy efficient. Galvanize Climate Solutions will add solar panels to the parking areas of these buildings as well as make further eco-friendly renovations using its proprietary methods, The Hill reported. The result will be a major investment in apartment buildings, student housing, self-storage, and industrial properties all across America. The goal is to make them cost less money to run while also being good for the environment. This is a real estate strategy with a decarbonization goal, Joseph Sumberg, head of Galvanize Real Estate, told Bloomberg. Capitalism will look at this successful strategy, and replicate it, creating ripples through the built environment. Decarbonization reduces the amount of heat-trapping carbon dioxide gas (CO2) pollution produced through human activities, like burning dirty energy sources to drive our cars and heat or cool our homes. Decarbonizing a building involves switching to non-polluting energy sources when possible like swapping from expensive gas or coal power to cheaper, abundant solar power and taking steps to minimize total energy use as well. For example, a homeowner might add more efficient insulation so theres less need to use the HVAC heating and cooling systems to stay at a comfortable temperature. Less HVAC use means less energy use, so the building causes less pollution. Energy-efficient homes are great for owners and residents, who enjoy far lower energy bills. Theyre also good for the environment, since potent heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide and methane are the reason our Earth is heating up. According to The Hill, Galvanize Climate Solutions is not the only large firm investing in such projects. Climate technology company BlocPower has raised $150 million to do the same in low-income communities. Were trying to show that doing this is a good investment from an absolute, straight up financial point of view, Steyer told Bloomberg. The impact and the returns are linked; its not a trade-off. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Cops have arrested a fourth suspect wanted for a 2021 cold-blooded robbery in upper Manhattan where thieves were caught on video taking a watch, ring and gold diamond-encrusted chain from a father they had just shot to death, police said Friday. Ramon Rodriguez, 18, was arrested on Wednesday for the June 21, 2021, killing of Milton Grant, 34, and shooting Grants friend, who escaped the scene with his life, cops said. Rodriguez was charged with robbery, assault and weapon possession. He was the getaway driver in the 4:45 a.m. robbery, not the triggerman who pumped a bullet into Grants head during the violent heist on Dyckman St. near Vermilyea Ave. in Inwood, police sources said. Four suspects, all dressed in black and wearing masks, trailed Grants BMW through Inwood after spotting the victim and his friend, Randal Chacon, sporting flashy jewelry at a club, police said Grant, the father of twin boys, was behind the wheel of the luxury sedan, parked with its hazard lights on, when a grey Honda Accord with the robbers inside stopped across the street. The three perpetrators jumped out of their car, leaving the driver behind the wheel as they charged toward the BMW. One ran immediately up to the drivers-side window, while his partners went after Chacon, 33, who was standing near the rear of the BMW. Grant, whose sons are age 3, was driving away from the mayhem when he was shot in the head by one of the crooks with an apparent silencer on his gun, police said. After the BMW crashed into a building, the gunman ran over and climbed inside to steal the dying mans jewelry, video released by the NYPD at the time shows. Meanwhile, the two other bandits grappled with Chacon, snatching the chain around his neck before shooting him in the groin as he ran for his life, the video shows. Grant died at the scene. In April, detectives arrested Edward Perez-Rosario, 23, Wander Rivera, 27, and Olbeny Diaz, 21, identifying them as the gunmen who robbed Grant and Chacon. All three were ordered held without bail on murder, robbery, assault and weapon possession charges. Rodriguezs arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court was pending Friday. France has provided Ukraine with equipment to generate 3D models of war crimes sites, helping prepare evidence in cases involving the destruction of civilian infrastructure. Source: The French Embassy in Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Ukrainian Office of the Prosecutor General received equipment for building 3D crime scene models on 22 June. This officially concludes the French mission "Fighting Impunity", which brought French criminal investigators to Ukraine under the auspices of the International Criminal Court. Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin noted that Ukraine highly appreciates this French assistance. "The equipment handed over today will greatly help our prosecutors and experts in documenting the damage done to civilian infrastructure. There are over 110,000 infrastructure facilities in Ukraine that have been destroyed or damaged by the Russian military," said Kostin. He pointed out that France had previously donated two mobile DNA analysis laboratories to Ukraine, assisted Ukrainian investigators in the field and contributed to the work of the International Criminal Court. Three teams of French forensic investigators have visited Ukraine to assist in the investigation of crimes committed in Bucha, Irpin and Izium, and the French experts have recently shared their experience with Ukrainian colleagues in Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The French government issued a decree on Wednesday shutting down a major climate activist group whose demonstrations have frequently resorted to violence and saw fierce clashes with police earlier this year. Uprisings of the Earth (SLT) condemned the shutdown as a violation of human rights and an infringement on the French publics freedom of speech according to reports. "It's an infringement on freedom of expression, it targets speech and not actions," SLT lawyer Raphael Kempf told Reuters before vowing to contest the decision in the French courts. Demonstrators use rock throwers against riot mobile gendarmes during a demonstration called by the collective ''Bassines non merci'', the environmental movement ''Les Soulevements de la Terre'' and the French trade union "Confederation paysanne" to protest against the construction of a new water reserve for agricultural irrigation, in Sainte-Soline, central-western France, on March 25, 2023. FRENCH PROTESTS REIGNITE IN EFFORT TO GET PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON TO SCRAP PENSION REFORM PLANS Head of the French Human Rights League, Patrick Baudouin, echoed this sentiment and said it was "part of a wider trend." "For the past few months there have been attacks on several freedoms (freedom of protest, expression and association), that primarily concern the ecologist movement," he added. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg also threw her support behind the group and according to local news outlet France24 stood alongside supporters of the group outside the Council of State in Paris Wednesday and said, "This is about the right to protest, and this is about defending life." Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, center, answers journalists during a press conference of the environmental movement "Les Soulevements de la Terre" to contest the dissolution pronounced by the Council of Ministers and Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin in front of the Council of State, in Paris, on June 21, 2023. Thunberg said she hopes more people will stand up for the right to protest and demand changes to aid the environment. FRENCH POLICE CLASH WITH VIOLENT PROTESTERS DURING MASS MAY DAY DEMONSTRATIONS However, French officials stood by their decision with Frances Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin calling the aggressive acts carried out by the groups supports the equivalent to "eco-terrorism" after some activists showed "extreme violence against police forces." "Under the claim of defending the preservation of the environment... [SLT] encourages sabotage and property damage, including with violence," he said Wednesday. Protesters, surrounded by tear gas, clash with riot mobile gendarmes during a demonstration called by the collective ''Bassines non merci'' where more than 3,000 police officers and gendarmes have been mobilized. SLT grabbed international headlines earlier this year after massive protests broke out in western France over a controversial irrigation project in Sainte-Soline. Some 5,000 protesters clashed with 3,000 police officers in an event that left two of them in a coma with some 30 police officers injured, reported The Guardian. An injured demonstrator evacuated during a demonstration called by the collective ''Bassines non merci'', the environmental movement ''Les Soulevements de la Terre'' and the French trade union "Confederation paysanne" to protest against the construction of a new water reserve for agricultural irrigation, in Sainte-Soline, central-western France, on March 25, 2023. Frances Human Rights League reportedly claimed that once demonstrators arrived at a reservoir where the protests were held police officers began firing upon them with rubber bullets, tear gas grenades, stun grenades and explosive sting-ball grenades. The numerous clashes France has seen this year between protesters and police prompted U.N. officials in May to advise the French government to review its policing practices and to take measures to avoid the use of excessive force. Reuters contributed to this report. Rich nations pledge to unlock hundreds of billions of dollars for climate fight New Global Financial Pact Summit in Paris By John Irish and Leigh Thomas PARIS (Reuters) -Multilateral development banks like the World Bank are expected to find $200 billion in extra firepower for low-income economies by taking on more risk, a move that may require wealthy nations to inject more cash, world leaders said on Friday. The leaders, gathered at a summit in Paris to thrash out funding for the climate transition and post-COVID debt burdens of poor countries, said their plans would secure billions of dollars of matching investment from the private sector. An overdue pledge of $100 billion in climate finance for developing nations was also now in sight, they said. Many in attendance, however, said over the two-day summit that the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund were increasingly ill-suited for tackling the most pressing challenges and needed a broad revamp. "We ... expect an overall increase of $200 billion of MDBs' lending capacity over the next ten years by optimizing their balance sheets and taking more risks," the summit's final statement obtained by Reuters said. "If these reforms are implemented, MDBs may need more capital," it added, recognising in a final summit document for the first time that wealthy nations may have to inject more cash. U.S Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, whose country is the largest shareholder of the IMF and World Bank, had said ahead of the summit that development banks had to first squeeze out more lending themselves before the possibility of capital increases was considered. The final summit document called for each dollar of lending by development banks to be matched by at least one dollar of private finance, which analysts said should help international institutions to leverage an additional $100 billion of private money in developing and emerging economies. The announcements mark a scaling up of action from the development banks in the fight against climate change and set a direction for further change ahead of their annual meetings later in the year. However, some climate activists were critical of the results. "While the roadmap from the Paris Summit acknowledges the urgency for substantial financial resources to bolster climate action, it leans too heavily on private investments and ascribes an outsized role to multilateral development banks," said Harjeet Singh, head of global political strategy at Climate Action Network International. DEBT RELIEF At the summit, the United States and China - long at odds on how to tackle debt restructurings for poor countries - sought to strike a more conciliatory tone after a landmark deal was reached on Thursday to restructure $6.3 billion in debt owed by Zambia, most of it to China. "As the world's two largest economies, we have a responsibility to work together on global issues," Yellen said on a summit panel shared with Chinese Premier Li Qiang among other leaders. However, differences remain. China - the world's largest bilateral creditor - has been pushing for lenders like the World Bank or the IMF to absorb some of the losses, which the institutions and Western countries oppose. "China is ready to be engaged in debt relief efforts in an effective, realistic and comprehensive manner in keeping with the principle of fair burden sharing," Li said. CLIMATE PLEDGE The summit statement said there was a "good likelihood" of finalising this year a $100-billion climate finance pledge to developing countries. Many of the topics discussed in Paris took up suggestions from a group of developing countries, led by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, dubbed the 'Bridgetown Initiative'. "There is the political consensus that this issue is bigger than each of us and we have to work together and multilateral development banks will have to change how they do business and that is accepted," Mottley said at the summit's closing panel. "We leave Paris not with speeches simply, but a commitment to get down into the granular details to make sure that what we agree here can be executed." The $100 billion pledge falls far short of poor nations' actual needs, but has become symbolic of wealthy countries' failure to deliver promised climate funds. This has fuelled mistrust in wider climate negotiations between countries attempting to boost CO2-cutting measures. "If we can't shape the rules in this time like others before, then we will be accountable for what potentially can be the worst reality of mankind," Mottley said. (Additional reporting by Casey Hall in Shanghai, Simon Jessop and Marc Jones in London; writing by John Irish and Silvia Aloisi; editing by Toby Chopra) Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, was one of five people in the tourist submersible which was revealed on Thursday to have suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' (Joel SAGET) A French submarine operator and daredevil deep-sea explorer dubbed "Mr Titanic", who died onboard a submersible visiting the wreck of the mythic ship, was hailed on Friday as having helped advance mankind's understanding of the "unknown world". Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, was one of five people in the tourist submersible which was revealed on Thursday to have suffered a "catastrophic implosion". The news brought an end to an international search and rescue mission in the North Atlantic that had captured the world's attention. Nargeolet had previously gone on more than 30 dives to explore the Titanic, even bringing up some of the first objects recovered from the wreck after its discovery in 1985. The tight-knit community of French deep-sea explorers were quick to express their grief. Bernard Cauvin, head of the Cite de la Mer maritime museum in Cherbourg, western France, said it was "a sad, sad, sad end for a giant of the deep". Nargeolet "helped humanity understand this unknown world" of the deep sea and had "captivated everyone with his restraint, delicacy and humility," Cauvin added. Before the sub's fate was revealed on Thursday, Nargeolet's daughter Sidonie told French broadcaster BFMTV that she hoped for a positive outcome. "But in any case, he is happy where he is. And that is reassuring," she said. Cauvin said he shared this feeling: "He is happy where he is." Nargeolet had been expected to attend the opening of a new exhibition in Paris devoted to the Titanic on July 6. "We salute the passion and courage of this extraordinary explorer and thank him for the dreams and emotions he has given us," the exhibition's organiser Pascal Bernardin said in a statement. Born in 1946, Nargeolet spent more than two decades in the French navy before joining the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER) in 1986. The following year, he led the first expedition to collect objects from the wreck. In 1989, he took over managing the deep-sea sub expeditions of Genavir, the operator of France's oceanographic fleet. - 'Insatiable explorer' - "His dives will remain etched in the memory of French oceanography," Genavir's director Eric Derrien said in a statement, lamenting "the disappearance of this insatiable explorer of the ocean". Xavier Placaud, a manager at Genavir, said he had been on six dives to the Titanic wreck with Nargeolet. Recounting how together they had explored previously inaccessible parts of the wreck, Placaud said: "These are strong moments that we shared." Nargeolet lived in the United States working as the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic, which owns the rights to the wreck. He published the book "In the Depths of the Titanic" last year, the 110th anniversary of the ship's sinking. The head of the publisher HarperCollins France Emmanuelle Bucco-Cances said she was "deeply saddened" to learn of Nargeolet's death. "We will remember a passionate, warm and deeply kind man who was an incredible storyteller," she said. Nargeolet has previously spoken openly about the risks of his exploits in the most inaccessible waters of the world's oceans, often thousands of metres (feet) below sea level. "When you're in very deep water, you're dead before you realise that something is happening, so it's just not a problem," he told the Irish Examiner newspaper in 2019. IFREMER said its Atalante ship, which had been sent to the wreck in the hopes of deploying its unmanned deep-sea robot as part of a rescue mission, would start the journey back to France. pcl-dl/kjm The Franklin County sheriff has filed a $25,000 claim against the county over an ongoing dispute with the auditors office. The dispute is centered on a conflict over a charge for a meal while Sheriff Jim Raymond was attending a state Criminal Justice Training Commission hearing in the Seattle area. The auditors office wanted him to pay back $21, and when he refused because he did not believe that policy applied to elected officials, they threatened to shut off his charge card and took the money out of his check. The dispute escalated to a point that Raymond filed a claim for damages against the county and Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton. Claims typically serve as a precursor to a civil lawsuit. Raymond told the Herald he does intend to take the claim to court if the damages are not resolved. He believes it is about much more than just a $21 bill. If he sues, Raymond would be footing his own bill and the Franklin County Prosecutors Office would defend county employees and other elected officials who are implicated by their official duties, Prosecutor Shawn Sant told the Herald. What happened? Raymond uses what is referred to as a P Card, or purchasing card, which is essentially a corporate credit card for travel expenses and typically submits a receipt after use. In these instances he charged $51.66 and $41.81, including the tips, for two dinners, resulting in what the auditors office said was a $21.47 overage. According to the form filled out, the allowable per diem was $36 for dinner, including tips (which cannot exceed 15%). The combined daily total for allowable meals was listed as $79 on the form. That was a sum for the costs of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Raymond only charged the two dinners over a two-day period and did not stay in a hotel, instead opting to drive back to avoid the cost. The sheriff wrote in an Exceptions box on the form what the charges were for. Raymond, who has been in office since 2015, has said this is how he has always handled his meals. He uses the card, writes the totals on the form and what they were for in exceptions and attaches receipts when requested. Its unclear why this wasnt addressed before now. Beaton said his staff brought him the issue when they first discovered it. He says though that he doesnt direct staff, but he does back them up. He said the state laws surrounding the county credit card are RCW 42.24.115. He also said County Administrator Mike Gonzalez tried to set up a meeting Raymond about the travel policy, but Raymond refused to attend. The sheriff is an enormously powerful position, Beaton said. In the normal and routine administration of the travel policy, we have an elected official that has defamed and harassed staff from another elected officials office, he said Its concerning and inappropriate. During the back and forth, an employee in the auditors office acknowledged the form in question was outdated and that while the exceptions policy had been updated in 2020, the auditors office had failed to update forms to reflect the changes. That policy had previously allowed for exceptions to the per diem structure to be written in the box. The new policy, they said, does not allow for exceptions. Its unclear why this was not brought up in the nearly two years since the policy was updated, and Raymond has requested records to show he was never challenged on it before. Beaton called the records request a malicious attempt to get his way, and said Raymond does not respect the auditors office or their role. A review from the prosecutors office found that while the auditors office had the ability to withdraw the money, they cautioned against turning off Raymonds card. The two sides seemed to believe that the prosecutors review favored their arguments. Last week the matter became public when Raymond posted about it on the sheriffs Facebook page. Beaton responded by uploading a 101-page document, which included emails regarding the matter. This portion of Franklin County Sheriff Jim Raymonds complaint lays out his request for damages from the county and auditor Matt Beaton. Meal dispute When the auditors office reviewed his monthly statement in May, they sent Raymond an email telling him he had exceeded his per diem rate of $36 for a dinner, according to documents made public in the post on Beatons blog. Some members of Raymonds staff submitted charges for per diem, but Raymond submitted the receipts for his P Card. In an email with the subject line Per diem or actual receipts Raymond sent a photo of himself holding a wine bottle while sitting at dinner with several other men, and just the words you choose. Its unclear if he was responding to a specific email. Raymond said this is a photo of an unrelated dinner with his command staff, and was not charged to the county or taxpayers. About 10 days after the initial contact, the employee sent Raymond a friendly reminder email to pay the $21.47 Not happening. No need to send me friendly reminders. All my travel and meals is done by receipt not per diem, Raymond responded in an email. The employee responded, asking Raymond what policy he was referring to, and informed Raymond that use of receipts was fine as long as they were within the allowable per diem amount. They told the sheriff if he did not pay the difference, they would have to cut off his P Card. Again I dont care about the county policy. I submitted actual receipts. The county policy covers per diems not actual business receipts. Im done with this nonsense. Do what you have to do and Ill react to your move. Although kinda foolish. I didnt put in for per diem. I submitted actual business receipts. Just you and others trying to pound a square peg in a round hole. Maybe you can talk Beaton into (taking) on your cause to the commissioners. At this point another auditors office employee said, He has stated his intentions. I think we can stop with the back and forth and proceed as necessary (e.g., go to Commissioners). An email was then sent to all three Franklin County commissioners asking how to proceed. The Herald has requested more information to determine what response was given. Beaton and Raymond were also copied on the email. Raymond responded by saying, Commissioners I suggest you leave this one alone. By the way (auditors office employee) I dont work for the commissioners nor your boss. No response from any of the commissioners was included in the emails uploaded. This does not necessarily mean the email chain is incomplete, the matter could have been addressed in person or over the phone. The next email in the chain came three weeks later when the auditors office notified Raymond that the $21.47 was set to be taken out of his check. They said his P Card would remain active this way, or that he could pay by check. During this time the two had also been at odds over an audit that resulted in jail employees being told they should be taxed for their uniform allotments. The Herald has requested documents related to that audit. Raymond had made comments about the audit and auditors office employees during a Franklin County Commission meeting. After the money was set to be deducted from Raymonds check, the matter seemed to escalate. Escalation On June 15 when the auditors office informed Raymond they intended to have the money taken from his check, he told them they had no right to do so and said he would file a complaint if they did. You will not. It is unlawful for you to do so without my consent. I will file a civil complaint against you and the county. No one is authorized to pull anything out of my wages without my consent, Raymond wrote. Shortly after, the auditors office appears to have checked to see if they could legally have the money taken from Raymonds check before doing so. In an email from Daniel Stovern, the countys chief civil deputy, he stated that he spoke to the sheriff and that the withdrawal is allowable under Washington law, but cautioned the auditors office against cutting off Raymonds P Card if they were to do so or if the charge had already been paid. Around the same time, Raymond sent another email demanding to know who authorized the auditors office employees to make the withdrawal. He reiterated that they did not have his permission to do so. Silly malicious games by the auditor office are foolish. Understand that I have nearly nine years of documents showing the malicious and unlawful attacks upon the Office (of the) Sheriff concerning this topic. But again just another attack by fools, Raymond ended the email. Later that day a public records request from a member of the sheriffs command staff was sent asking for records of emails to and from the auditors office including the terms per diem, reimbursement, receipt(s), travel, training, GSA from 2015 through June 15, 2023. The next day Raymond sent an email to Gonzalez about the funds being withdrawn, and asked for a legal review. In fact I insist that you get a court order blocking these malicious and (rogue) actions being undertaken by the Franklin County Auditor and his agents. If its too much for you all. Send the mess to the Attorney Generals Office for review, Raymond wrote. Sant said that in this instance, the county did not have a legal obligation to initiate a lawsuit, as Raymond had requested. Sant pointed out the ruling in Judges of Benton and Franklin Counties v. Killian, in which a similar request was made of the prosecutors office to initiate a lawsuit. In another email, a sheriffs office employee seems to have found an exception to the per diem policy that was not brought to their attention, letting Raymond know they have the option of filing it as an exception because it was the most appropriate restaurant within a reasonable distance. Raymond said he was aware of it, but people were blinded by an attempt to get him. Im a elected official (who conducts) business on behalf of the people. Not a book worm or bean counter. Not subject to county employee policy. We will explain it in small claims court. This is the policy which the auditors office should have updated, and was originally filled out by Raymond on the form. This image shows the form that Franklin County Sheriff Jim Raymond filled out for meal costs after a work related trip to the Seattle area. On the evening of June 15 Raymond made the matter public in a post to his Facebook page. In that post he accused Beaton and his office of trying to take control of the sheriffs office. The Auditors Office is simply trying to control the Office of the Sheriff through dollars allocated to the Sheriff Office. (Obstructionist) actions undertaken by the auditors office all while executing the business of the Office of the Sheriff. He said Beatons office was wasting taxpayer money and doing so against the advice of the county prosecutors office. Let me be clear. I will not be controlled by the malicious actions, being undertaken by (rogue) out of control Franklin County Auditor. I work for the people of this county not other elected or their Agents. I think its time to start replacing our County Auditor. In another post, Raymond quoted a community member who had shared the original message, attributed to a Stephen Kent. I gotta tell you, for years I have observed that across the board Auditors in Washington State are among the most self-righteous, punitive bullies I have ever met. I maintain, If you want to run the Sheriffs Office then run for Sheriff ... otherwise, stay the hell out of it. To have one elected official overtly attempt to undermine the authority and position of another elected official is not a sustainable business model and does not serve the best interests of the People of Franklin County. In response Beaton later posted the PDF of the emails and policies in question to his blog. His attempts to conflate his personal liability no matter how small with his official duties is not legitimate just because he keeps saying it over and over, Beaton wrote in the post. Claim against county The claim filed by Raymond accuses Beaton and the county commissioners of undertaking efforts to obstruct the sheriffs office. Raymonds claim says they violated his 14th Amendment rights by seizure of tangible property without due process. It also accuses Beaton of violating Raymonds 1st Amendment rights by restricting his ability to speak on matters of public concern when Beaton turned off public commenting on his Facebook post about the matter. The claim accuses Beaton, the county and employees of the auditors office of turning off his P Card as a punitive act thereby interfering with the duties, responsibilities, and statutory authority of an independently elected official of Franklin County. The claim says that Beaton used the Facebook post to disparage Raymond as both a citizen and elected official, and intentionally took steps to restrict the ability to refute the claims. The claims states that because the Facebook profile is used as both a campaign site and for his elected office, he cannot stifle constituents abilities to respond. In addition to the separate issue with the jailer uniforms, Beaton is also at odds with Commissioner Brad Peck over a benefits-pay conversion issue that came from an interpretation of a post by the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) that Beaton saw in January. Fresno Countys stubborn refusal to study the impacts of continued gravel mining along the San Joaquin River is being challenged by its largest municipality. Beating the 15-day deadline by one day, the city of Fresno on Thursday formally appealed a June 8 decision by the Fresno County Planning Commission to extend CEMEXs conditional use permits for operating its gravel mining quarry and plant sites along Friant Road until 2027. Until the extension, CEMEXs permits were set to expire in July. Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz said the decision to file the appeal was made by City Manager Georgeanne White through the planning division upon recommendation and advice from his office. Per City Hall sources, a majority of the Fresno City Council supported the decision. Opinion The citys appeal (which included a $508 filing fee) will be heard by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors at a future date and could serve as a precursor to litigation. All options are on the table, Janz said. Ultimately that will be a decision that is to be made by the Fresno City Council. But absolutely, the city is considering options including filing a lawsuit against the county. In the citys appeal are two comment letters submitted to the county in March that took issue with the existing environmental impact report for CEMEXs quarry site, which dates to the 1980s. The first letter, signed by Fresno Planning & Development Director Jennifer Clark, delineates six reasons why environmental documents used to justify the permit extension are no longer adequate. One is the simple, unequivocal fact that CEMEXs quarry is not fully located within the boundaries of the EIR relied upon by the county to justify the extension. (Gee, where have you read that before?) The second letter, also signed by Clark, points out how the existing EIR does not cover substantial changes in traffic patterns that have occurred since the 1980s or their impacts on Fresno. The city disagrees with the methodology behind the county approving the two permits for CEMEX, Janz said. They are relying on a completely insufficient and outdated environmental impact report. The city would never, to my knowledge, rely on a document that is so out of date. Bredefeld: Analysis on CEMEX impacts lacking Fresno City Councilmember Garry Bredefeld, whose district includes the Friant Road corridor, said even though CEMEX is important to our economy, the county cant continue to rely on decades-old traffic and environmental studies. Without any doubt there hasnt been enough analysis of the adverse impacts of the work thats being done from CEMEX, Bredefeld said. Again, I want to be clear: Their work is important. But they do have to address the impacts on our roads and on our air quality. The (county) cant use an outdated EIR to say everythings fine. It is not fine. I drive Friant every single day. There are trucks going by every single moment, and those impacts need to be addressed. The county may want to ignore it, but were not going to ignore it. Bredefeld also pointed to a recent study by the citys public works department that identified nearly 140,000 annual vehicle trips generated by CEMEXs existing operations. Which is several times more than the number identified in the 1986 EIR that the county continues to trot out. Bredefeld, who is running for county supervisor against incumbent Steve Brandau, said he returned a $1,500 donation from CEMEX that he solicited in order to comply with SB 1439, the new state law that compels local lawmakers to recuse themselves from votes related to certain businesses that donate more than $250 per year to their political campaigns. That is simply not acceptable to me, Bredefeld said. I have to deal with this issue. A sign for the CEMEX Rockfield aggregate plant site in Friant is visible from Friant Road on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. The company applied to Fresno County to continue mining the quarry for 100 years, and use blasting and drilling to mine a 600-ft deep pit. Biding time for blast mine CEMEX sought the four-year extension to continue mining and processing gravel, at least in part, to give county staff and consultants more time to prepare a draft environmental impact report that evaluates the companys audacious proposal to continue mining near Lost Lake Park via even more environmentally destructive methods not seen before in the region. Because even in Fresno County, you cant get away with blasting a 600-foot-deep pit near a river that holds state designation as a recreation and riparian corridor (and close to where county supervisors themselves are eager to build hundreds of more homes) without doing a thorough environmental assessment. What the city of Fresno, and others, are arguing is that the countys decision to extend CEMEXs existing permits for four more years past their intended horizon, based on an environmental report written nearly 40 years ago, is unjustified. Janz also took issue with claims, published by other local media, that the countys environmental documents for CEMEX are up to date. Weve looked into that, and that is not true, Janz said. So if anyone tries to say theyve done a recent EIR, I challenge them to go out there and find it. Thank goodness Fresno County is being compelled to justify its flimsy environmental standards covering CEMEXs continued operations along the San Joaquin River. Since the county wont do the right thing on its own, a little forcing by Californias fifth-largest city is most welcome. Wendy Martinez, the woman behind the Miss Gaviota persona, is proud to call herself Mexico's first transgender 'lucha libre' wrestling star (SILVANA FLORES) From a very tacky taco chain to living it large for free... Your weekly roundup of offbeat stories from around the world. - All ale Macron - Sometimes real life is so much stranger than fiction. Who would have thought French President Emmanuel Macron would let himself be filmed downing a beer in 17 seconds roared on by rugby players celebrating winning the Top 14 league? The normally squeaky clean leader drained the bottle in one go, sparking hilarity and incredulity in equal measure. Although Macron was condemned for encouraging "toxic masculinity", his mighty thirst has done his plummeting popularity no harm at all. - Make yourself at home - You have to admire the brass neck of the suspected Indian fraudster who spent nearly two years in "New Delhi's best five-star hotel" without paying. Ankush Dutta booked a room for one night at the Roseate House hotel -- which boasts a rooftop infinity pool -- before slipping away 603 days later leaving an unpaid bill of $70,000, police said. They are investigating whether he bribed staff to cook the books so he could stay for free. - Twisting arms and eyelashes - When it comes to courage, it is hard to beat Mexican beautician turned wrestler Miss Gaviota, aka Wendy Martinez, the country's first trans "lucha libre". She endures homophobic slurs every time she jumps into the ring, taking on stereotypes as well as fearsome masked opponents in Mexico's wildly popular sport. "I have always been very hotheaded," she told AFP. "I'd never let anyone say a word against me in the street. "So, one day I thought: 'Why not get into lucha libre? That way I'll get paid to fight back.'" Flinging opponents around helps "me wind down when I get tired of my customers" after a hard day doing nails in her beauty salon, said Wendy. "I'll fight against whoever they put me up against" -- men or women, she said -- "because I'm more than ready to face anyone." - Holy jalapenos - A California taco chain used a fake priest to try to get its staff to confess to "sins" like being late or stealing food. The Taqueria Garibaldi chain is now being hauled over the coals by the US Department of Labor. Investigators said the chain should be more worried about its own soul after finding that it was illegally not paying staff for overtime and dipping into their tips to pay managers. "This employer's despicable attempts to retaliate against employees were intended to silence workers, obstruct an investigation and prevent the recovery of unpaid wages," said top labour official Marc Pilotinr. burs-fg/fb Furby has officially been haunting the dreams of children for 25 years and its getting a makeover The newest generation of Furbys are officially here. | Business Wire/Hasbro, Inc. Picture this: its the 90s. Youre sleeping through a seemingly peaceful night. That is, until, you hear impish giggling emanating from your dresser. You ignore it until you hear a high-pitch voice warble from the darkness: Tickle me. Fully awake, you spring from your bed, heart pounding. You see two soulless, bulbous eyes peering threateningly through the dark. A flapping yellow beak opens once again to speak: Me love you. Furby, a furry, otherworldly, gremlin-like creature once known for traumatizing an entire generation of children, has returned. In a statement on Thursday, Hasbro announced that in light of Furbys 25th anniversary, a new generation of Furbys will emerge from the shadowland where Furbys are presumably born on July 15. According to Hasbro, the next era of the cute, cool, and weird Furby interactive toy will remind kids that they can be their hilarious, wacky, perfectly imperfect selves, because that is what makes them and the world a little more special. The new 2023 Furby: more cuteness, less nightmare fuel There are some noticeable differences between the new generation of Furbys and the original. The newest Furbys have eyes that are noticeably less bulbous: instead, they twinkle and are framed by long lashes. Another noticeable difference: while it might be too soon to tell, it looks like Furbys beak doesnt move. This will most likely spare this new generation of children from staring at their Furby with anticipatory dread, wondering what fresh horror it will utter when it opens its beak. The wait is over and your signal has been heard: Furby is Back! The more they play, the more fun they can unlock! As Furby would say, "Dah-no-lah" (party time!). Now available at Amazon + will be available at all major retailers 7/15. pic.twitter.com/g0cq8xFrHq Hasbro (@Hasbro) June 22, 2023 According to USA Today, the new Furby comes loaded with more features than the original, including 600 phrases, five voice activated modes and a variety of lights and dance moves. While some might welcome this new iteration of colorful, friendly Furbys, some Twitter users long for the days when Furby came with a healthy dose of fear. These arent scary enough to be furby. Bring back the ones you gave us in the 90s, one tweet reads. Where can you buy the new Furby? Currently, the new Furby is available to buy on Amazon for $69.99. According to Hasbros statement, Furby will hit other stores on July 15. Why was Furby banned? After Furby was released in 1998, rumors quickly swirled about the furry robot mainly, that it could record and potentially replay its recordings. Several U.S. intelligence agencies banned Furby from their premises in 1999. As CNN reported at the time, the NSA banned Furby from their offices in Maryland because, as a Capital Hill source told The Washington Post, officials were concerned that people would take them home and theyd start talking classified. In a memo to employees, the NSA said, Personally owned photographic, video and audio recording equipment are prohibited items. This includes toys, such as Furbys, with built-in recorders that repeat the audio with synthesized sound to mimic the original signal. As The Independent explained in 1999, The toy mimics the speech of its owners, and gradually developing its own language. ... In other words, having asked endearingly for a cookie, the Furby might then suggest bugging the Russian embassy and intercepting wireless traffic from the Iraqi military. Owner of Tiger Electronics, Roger Shiffman, denied these rumors, according to CBS News, saying at the time, Furby has absolutely no ability to do any recording whatsoever. What makes a Furby evil? Furby has been terrifying kids for years Since its inception, Furby has garnered a reputation of fear and debauchery. Reports of cursing Furbys caused a Walmart in Pennsylvania to pull some from shelves in 2000, according to CBC News. Some kids believed that their Furby was possessed, according to Yahoo. One mother in 2014 took her kids Furby away, believing that it said the f-word, according to Insider. i hooked up chatgpt to a furby and I think this may be the start of something bad for humanity pic.twitter.com/jximZe2qeG jessica card (@jessicard) April 2, 2023 Many Furby owners recounted their horror stories on Reddit. In one thread, a Reddit user claimed that their Furby started screaming out in pain when they accidentally pushed it off the bed. Another user claimed that after they accidentally bumped their Furby off a table, it only spoke in a demonic, backwards english sounding, devil voice and functioned without batteries in it during the middle of the night. youre lying to yourself if you look at this and believe it doesnt thirst for human blood pic.twitter.com/JHavcm7wBZ stoned cold fox (@roastmalone_) March 27, 2023 At this point, Furbys are more urban legend than toy. Countless Furby tall tales have run rampant in elementary schools across the nation: children dying at the hands of their maniacal Furbys, Furbys moving of their own accord in the middle of the night and much more. There are even multiple articles and videos dedicated to the alleged evilness of Furbys, like How to turn your Furby evil from WikiHow and The dark truth about Furbys on YouTube. Luckily for this generation of children, the new Furbys will most likely be just another toy in their collection. Because, as USA Today points out, the new generation of Furbys actually has an off-switch this time around. Galt may allow retail cannabis sales after survey shows support. Here are the next steps Galt city officials will consult public input regarding a potential lift on the citys ban of retail cannabis sales in the form of two town hall meetings scheduled for next week. Positive survey results from earlier this year prompted city officials to move forward with the next steps in their 2023 Cannabis Public Engagement plan. The city will host town hall meetings to gauge public opinion next Tuesday and Thursday at Galt Police Department headquarters, 455 Industrial Drive, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. A survey of 361 city residents earlier this year conducted by FM3, a California-based research company, indicated a slight majority support to establish regulations that allow various forms of cannabis businesses to operate in Galt, according to a council agenda report from Tuesdays meeting. Galt, home to more than 25,000 people, is currently one of 327 cities in California that prohibit the retail sale of marijuana it was legalized for recreational use in the state in 2016. Two of Sacramento Countys seven incorporated cities Sacramento and Isleton have legalized the retail sale of cannabis. The California Department of Cannabis Control reported that 61% of cities and counties do not allow any retail cannabis business. Though marijuana is legal at the state level, city and county governments still have jurisdiction over the regulation of cannabis businesses. The use of funds from Measure Q, a 1-cent sales tax passed by voters last November, will be the other topic of conversation during next weeks public forums. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Friday denied whistleblower allegations that the Justice Department, FBI and IRS interfered with U.S. Attorney David Weiss' investigation of Hunter Biden. "As I said at the outset, Mr. Weiss, who was appointed by President Trump as the U.S. attorney in Delaware and assigned this matter during the previous administration, would be permitted to continue his investigation and to make a decision to prosecute any way in which he wanted to and in any district in which he wanted to. Mr. Weiss has since sent a letter to the House Judiciary Committee confirming that he had that authority," Garland told reporters at a news conference. "I don't know how it would be possible for anybody to block him from bringing a prosecution, given that he has this authority," Garland said. "He was given complete authority to make all decisions on his own behalf," the attorney general added. DOJ, FBI, IRS INTERFERED WITH HUNTER BIDEN PROBE, ACCORDING TO WHISTLEBLOWER TESTIMONY RELEASED BY GOP The House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday released testimony from two IRS whistleblowers who alleged officials at the Justice Department, FBI and IRS interfered with the investigation of Weiss' tax evasion case against Hunter Biden. The whistleblowers accused investigators of "trying to limit" questioning related to President Biden as part of the investigation into his son, Hunter Biden, and said decisions in the case seemed to be "influenced by politics." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Whatever the motivations, at every stage decisions were made that had the effect of benefiting the subject of the investigation," said one whistleblower, IRS Criminal Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley Jr. HUNTER BIDEN INVESTIGATORS LIMITED QUESTIONS ABOUT DAD, BIG GUY DESPITE FBI, IRS OBJECTIONS: WHISTLEBLOWER Two whistleblowers came forward to the House Ways and Means Committee and alleged officials at the Justice Department, FBI and IRS interfered with the investigation into Hunter Biden's tax crimes, which the Justice Department has denied. Shapley oversaw the IRS probe into the president's son. He has accused Justice Department officials of "slow-walking" the Hunter Biden probe, limiting investigators' line of questioning for witnesses, and repeatedly delaying the investigation, ostensibly to avoid influencing elections. The whistleblowers' allegations were released just days after the Justice Department announced that Hunter Biden will plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax as part of a deal that is expected to keep him out of prison. The president's son also agreed to enter into a pretrial diversion agreement with regard to a separate charge of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance. DEMOCRATS TRIED TO KEEP HUNTER BIDEN IRS WHISTLEBLOWER TESTIMONY SECRET In response to the whistleblower allegations, the Justice Department said in a statement: "As both the Attorney General and U.S. Attorney David Weiss have said, U.S. Attorney Weiss has full authority over this matter, including responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges as he deems appropriate. He needs no further approval to do so. Questions about his investigation should be directed to the U.S. Attorneys Office for Delaware." The White House has repeatedly said President Biden has never been involved in his son's business dealings. They also maintain the president never discussed them with him. Fox News' Brianna Herlihy and Jon Street contributed to this report. Washington Attorney General Merrick Garland refuted allegations made by two IRS whistleblowers who said the Justice Department hampered a tax investigation into Hunter Biden, and rejected a claim that he was asked to grant special counsel authority to the prosecutor in charge of the case. On Thursday, the Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee released transcripts of interviews with the two IRS agents who alleged interference by federal prosecutors involved in investigating President Biden's son. At the Justice Department on Friday, Garland told reporters that David Weiss, the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney in Delaware, had "complete authority to make all decisions on his own" and required no permission from Justice Department headquarters to bring charges. "Mr. Weiss was appointed by President Trump. As the U.S. attorney in Delaware and assigned this matter during the previous administration, [he] would be permitted to continue his investigation and to make a decision to prosecute any way in which he wanted to and in any district in which he wanted to," Garland said Friday, reiterating sworn statements he has made to Congress. Earlier this week, Hunter Biden made a deal with Weiss' office and agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges related to his failure to pay taxes. He will also avoid full prosecution on a separate gun possession charge if he fulfills the terms of the agreement. The deal still needs approval from a federal judge, with a hearing currently set for July 26. One of the IRS whistleblowers was Gary Shapley, an agent who worked on the Hunter Biden probe and recently spoke exclusively with CBS News' Jim Axelrod. In his transcribed interview with the House Ways and Means Committee, Shapley told congressional investigators that the IRS' findings supported both felony and misdemeanor charges, and that charges were blocked in jurisdictions outside of Delaware, including in Washington, D.C. Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks at Justice Department headquarters on June 23, 2023, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Shapley said Weiss told him last year that prosecutors were unable to bring charges in Washington and that Weiss' attempt to be named a special counsel which would confer broader prosecutorial privileges was rejected. Garland on Friday disputed any such request was made. "The only person with authority to make somebody a special counsel or refuse to make somebody a special counsel is the attorney general. Mr. Weiss never made that request to me," Garland said. "Mr. Weiss had in fact more authority than a special counsel would've had," Garland added. "He had and has complete authority to bring a case anywhere he wants, in his discretion." The U.S. Attorney's Office in Delaware declined to comment on Friday. But in a recent letter to the House Judiciary Committee, Weiss wrote he was granted "ultimate authority over this matter, including responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges." The attorney general also said Friday he would support Weiss publicly discussing his decisions in the Hunter Biden matter at a time he deemed appropriate. On Tuesday, Rep. James Comer, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight committee, told CBS News he expects Weiss to testify to either his committee or the House Judiciary Committee. "He needs to explain whether or not his investigation is concluded," Comer said of Weiss. "He needs to be transparent with congressional investigators as to what exactly he's investigating moving forward." In a statement Thursday, Shapley said he "fulfilled my oath of office by participating in this process, following the rules, and telling the truth to the best of my ability despite the risks." Republicans in Congress have focused their investigational power on Hunter Biden and his business dealings, including from the time when his father was vice president. During the presidential campaign, President Biden consistently maintained that he was not involved in any of his son's business dealings, and the White House has continued to deny any connection exists. When the transcripts were released on Thursday, the White House referred CBS News to an earlier statement saying that the president has not been involved in the investigation into his son. "President Biden has made clear that this matter would be handled independently by the Justice Department, under the leadership of a U.S. Attorney appointed by former President Trump, free from any political interference by the White House," the statement said. "He has upheld that commitment." Shapley also alleged that investigators recovered a WhatsApp message from Hunter Biden dated July 30, 2017, that was apparently addressed to a Chinese businessman with whom he was involved at the time about an outstanding payment. "I am sitting here with my father..we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled," Hunter Biden allegedly wrote, according to the transcript. He added, "I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand" and "now means tonight." CBS News could not independently verify the record. Chris Clark, an attorney for Hunter Biden, said the release of the interview transcripts was "dangerously misleading" and "raises serious questions." "As his attorney through this entire matter, I can say that any suggestion the investigation was not thorough, or cut corners, or cut my client any slack, is preposterous and deeply irresponsible," Clark said in a statement. Kid Capri reflects on 50 years of hip-hop ahead of BET Awards 2024 GOP hopefuls address abortion with evangelical voters How to tell if you have a food allergy, according to a nutritionist Attorney General Merrick Garland on Friday rejected claims the Justice Department interfered in the Hunter Biden probe as the White House insisted President Joe Biden wasnt involved in his sons business dealings. In congressional testimony publicly released on Thursday, two IRS whistleblowers who worked on the probe alleged to lawmakers that the presidents son had been given preferential treatment by the Justice Department. The whistleblowers made several explosive allegations, including that the IRS had recommended far more serious charges for the presidents son, that US Attorney in Delaware David Weiss was blocked from bringing charges in other states and that Garland denied a request from Weiss to be named as a special counsel. Hunter Biden has since agreed to plead guilty next month to two tax misdemeanors and struck a deal with federal prosecutors to resolve a felony gun charge. His attorney, Chris Clark, on Friday said any suggestion the investigation was not thorough, or cut corners, or cut my client any slack, is preposterous and deeply irresponsible. When pushed on the allegations during a news conference Friday, Garland said that Weiss was permitted to continue his investigation and to make a decision to prosecute any way in which he wanted to and in any district in which he wanted to. I dont know how it would be possible for anybody to block him from bringing a prosecution, given that he has this authority, Garland said. Garland rejected any claim that he would not appoint Weiss as a special counsel, stating that Mr. Weiss never made that request to me. Mr. Weiss had, in fact, more authority than a special counsel would have, Garland added. He had and has complete authority, as I said, to bring a case anywhere he wants in his discretion. Additionally, Garland said he would support Mr. Weiss explaining or testifying about the allegations raised by the whistleblowers when he deems it appropriate. White House avoids questions about Hunter Biden text Later Friday, the White House wouldnt say whether Biden was present in July 2017 when Hunter Biden is alleged to have texted a Chinese business partner, claiming he was sitting with his father, and using that claim as leverage to pressure a Chinese company into paying him. The questions referred to a portion of the testimony in which a IRS supervisor-turned-whistleblower told House lawmakers that Justice Department prosecutors denied requests to look into messages allegedly from Hunter Biden where he used his father as leverage to pressure a Chinese company into paying him. I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled, according to a document the whistleblower gave to Congress, which quotes from texts that are allegedly from Hunter Biden to the CEO of a Chinese fund management company. The message continues: Tell the director that I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand. And now means tonight. The message goes onto say, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction. I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father. The second, unnamed IRS whistleblower also testified to lawmakers about this alleged WhatsApp message, saying prosecutors questioned whether they could be sure Hunter Biden was telling the truth that his father was actually in the room in the messages. The unnamed whistleblower testified that they did not know whether the FBI investigated the message. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, pressed repeatedly on the issue, referred questions to the White House Counsels Office, insisting the matter had been addressed. Ian Sams, a spokesman for the counsels office, said in an email that Joe Biden hadnt been in business with his son. He did not specifically provide information about Joe Bidens whereabouts when Hunter texted the Chinese businessman on July 30, 2017. As we have said many times before, the President was not in business with his son, he wrote. As we have also said many times before, the Justice Department makes decisions in its criminal investigations independently, and in this case, the White House has not been involved. Asked whether Joe Biden had been involved in coercive business dealings by his son, Jean-Pierre said: I appreciate the question. I believe my colleague at the White House counsel has answered this question already, has dealt with this, has made it very clear. I just dont have anything to share outside of what my colleagues have shared. In a statement Friday, Hunter Bidens lawyer Chris Clark suggested the messages were written at a time when the presidents son was suffering from addiction. The DOJ investigation covered a period which was a time of turmoil and addiction for my client. Any verifiable words or actions of my client, in the midst of a horrible addiction, are solely his own and have no connection to anyone in his family, the statement read. President Biden has said hes never spoken to his son about his foreign business arrangements. I have never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings, he said in 2019. This story and its headline have been updated with additional developments on Friday. CNNs Marshall Cohen contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Michael Register, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, will leave his role as one of Georgias investigative leaders to return to his roots. According to an announcement from the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, Register was selected to be the new Public Safety Director of the county. Commissioners will vote to finalize the appointment on June 27. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] It has been an honor to be the director of the GBI and serve under one of Georgias greatest governors, Brian Kemp, Register wrote. I leave a great law enforcement agency with some of the most dedicated and competent professionals I have ever worked with. I look forward to leading the tremendous men and women who make up public safety in Cobb County and once again serve a great community. Register currently serves as the GBI Director, a position he has filled since Aug. 25, 2022, taking over the role after Vic Reynolds. The outgoing GBI director has a 30-year public safety career, which in the past included being Public Safety Director for Cobb County. Additionally, his law enforcement record includes being assistant chief of the Cobb County Sheriffs Office, Cobb County Chief of Police, and Clayton County Chief of Police. TRENDING STORIES: Register has also previously served as a Director with the Department of Defense (DoD) Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDO) at the Pentagon, according to his GBI biography. He also served in the U.S. Army Special Forces as part of a 20-year military service career. We are thrilled that he has agreed to come back and lead Public Safety in Cobb, Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said in a statement. We are making tremendous strides in public safety, and it will be a tremendous benefit to our citizens to have a director who has already forged relationships in the community and has a deep understanding of the opportunities we have as a county. The appointment of Register to the Cobb Public Safety Director spot is aimed at filling a role opened after then-director Randy Crider retired in 2022. In the intervening time, Fire Chief Bill Johnson has served as the interim Public Safety Director for Cobb County. Weighing in on the change of position, Gov. Brian Kemp wished Register well and thanked him for his service. I greatly appreciate Director Registers service in this vitally important public safety role for our state, and we wish him and his family well in their next chapter, Kemp said in a statement. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and its future success will continue to be a top priority of my administration as we work to keep Georgia families safe and support our local law enforcement partners across the state. The governors office said Register will remain in his seat as head of the GBI through July, with a successor to be named later on. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] OTHER NEWS: Syrsky showed how a Ukrainian sniper destroys the enemy The Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, shared a video on June 23 showing the excellent work of a Ukrainian sniper in the Bakhmut area, Donetsk Oblast. The Bakhmut area. The intricate work of a sniper, aka Dania, from the Ghost group of the Separate Presidential Brigade named after Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, Syrskyi wrote on Telegram in a comment to the shared video. Read also: Russia changes tactics in Bakhmut, looks to go back on offensive General Syrskyi In the video the Ukrainian soldier is seen eliminating a Russian soldier from a distance of 420 meters. Our fighters are working 24/7, Syrskyi said. Read also: Rare footage of Ukrainian sniper eliminating Russian patrol Over the past day, 680 Russian troops have been killed in Ukraine, according to the count kept by the Ukrainian military. In total, Russias losses since the beginning of the full-scale invasion now exceed 223,000 soldiers, the Ukrainian military reckons. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A Georgia police department has issued an apology after photos and video shared by the department showed officers using shooting targets with photos of a Black man during a gun safety class. The images, shared by the Villa Rica Police Department on Saturday, June 17, showed that every single target was covered with a photo of a Black man. The images appear to have been removed from the department's Facebook page, but the initial posts and comments remain. Many in the comments questioned the targets, calling them "offensive and disrespectful" and calling for an apology from the department. On Tuesday, the department shared an apology on Facebook, saying that they strive "to be conscious of how our relationship with our community members has a direct impact on our effectiveness within the community we serve." According to 2022 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 42.6% of Villa Rica, a city of about 18,000, is Black. "The targets utilized in our recent firearms class depict realistic human images and were part of a package which included target images of people from various ethnic groups," the department said. The apology did not explain why the only images shared showed Black men. The department has not responded to a request for comment from CBS News. The department said that it was "never" their intention "to be insensitive, inflammatory or offensive to anyone." "However, we respect the honest opinions of our fellow citizens and apologize for any offense we may have caused," the department said. "We invite everyone to attend one of our next citizen firearms classes and share in a positive experience along side us." The apology was quickly criticized, with commentators asking why the targets only featured a Black man despite the package allegedly including multiple ethnicities. The Carroll County NAACP also issued a response on Wednesday. "The 'apology' statement from your department via Facebook displays a lack of sincerity, sensitivity toward minority residents and makes it abundantly clear that your department lacks the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion that all local officials should strive to participate in," wrote Dominique Conteh, the president of the Carroll County branch, in a letter shared on Facebook. "We believe that DEI training would've given more insight as to the reasoning as to why those targets are 'unacceptable and deemed racist.'" Conteh said the NAACP is requesting a meeting with the department's police chief, the Villa Rica mayor, the city manager and city councilwoman. There has not been any update from the organization since the request was issued. Supreme Court rules states don't have standing to challenge Biden immigration policy GOP 2024 candidates appear at faith-focused conference Former Memphis cops charged in Tyre Nichols killing to appear in court Georgia police department under investigation for using photo of a Black man for target practice A Georgia police department is under investigation after using an image of a Black man as a target during a firearms safety class for civilians, and posting photos of it on social media. The police department in Villa Rica, about 33 miles west of Atlanta, held the event on Saturday and posted on its Facebook page photos of participants aiming their guns at targets that featured a life-sized photo of a Black man. The man on the targets is pointing a gun and wearing a beanie. The photos have since been taken down from the Facebook page but screenshots have been widely shared and criticized on social media. The Villa Rica Police Department responded to the backlash in a Facebook post on Wednesday, stating, It was never our intention to be insensitive, inflammatory or offensive to anyone. The department also said it respects the honest opinions of our fellow citizens and apologized for any offense we may have caused. The Villa Rica Police Department in Georgia is facing intense backlash after hosting a handgun class over the weekend with a target that depicts a Black man in a beanie pointing a gun. (Villa Rica Police Dept. via WXIA) Villa Ricas chief of police, Michael Mansour, said the targets with Black men are used all over the state for training and that during the class the department also used other targets depicting individuals who were white and Asian. The officer who posted the photos, who Mansour declined to identify, mistakenly posted photos of only the Black targets that were used. Its just an innocent mistake, but it was a mistake, Mansour told NBC News. And Im very transparent in saying that we messed up. But at no time will I accept people telling me Im a racist, or our department is a racist because we made a mistake. NBC News has reviewed photos of targets with images of white people that Mansour says were used during the class. Villa Rica Mayor Gil McDougal told The Telegraph on Wednesday that he was personally embarrassed by the photos and said that the incident does not reflect the values of this community. McDougal has launched an investigation into the department. The NAACP of Carroll County, where Villa Rica is located, issued an open letter to the departments chief officer on Wednesday, calling the target extremely offensive. The group also requested a meeting with city leaders to discuss the incident. These types of targets have been used by other police departments within the U.S. and have been deemed racially inappropriate and unacceptable, wrote NAACP Carroll County president Dominique Conteh. Mansour said he plans to meet with Conteh and McDougal next week to discuss the incident. This is not the first time police departments have faced backlash over using targets with Black people. A Michigan police department conducted a legal review last year after photos surfaced showing photos of Black men being used as targets. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Georgia police department under investigation for allegedly using an image of a Black man as a shooting target during a safety class A metro Atlanta police department is receiving backlash after posting images and video on social media of a Black man being used on a poster as a target during a firearms safety class. The video and images show officers with the Villa Rica Police Department holding a firearms safety class earlier this month where civilians are seen firing shots at posters with an African American man on them. The posting has since been removed. In an image taken from a video, a person fires a gun during a training course held by the Villa Rica Police Department in Georgia. - Villa Rica Police Department/WSB In an interview with CNN affiliate WSB TV, Villa Rica Police Chief Michael Mansour said, The perception of it looks like we have people just shooting at Black guys and thats not at all what it was. Mansour told WSB that they started off using a target of a White male wearing a face mask but ran out of that target and ended up using the poster showing the Black man. On Tuesday, the police department issued a statement on Facebook apologizing for the social media post. The targets utilized in our recent firearms class depict realistic human images and were part of a package, which included target images of people from various ethnic groups. It was never our intention to be insensitive, inflammatory, or offensive to anyone, the statement read. CNN is seeking comment from the Villa Rica Police Department. Villa Rica Mayor Gil McDougal said in a statement that he is personally embarrassed for what he calls an offensive post. This administration will be asking our human resources director and the city attorney to select an outside organization to review how this entire incident came about, not just the post itself, McDougal said. The Carroll County NAACP said the departments apology lacked sincerity and sensitivity towards minority residents. This target is extremely offensive to many Villa Rica and Carroll County residents. These types of targets have been used by other police departments within the U.S and have been deemed racially inappropriate and unacceptable, the organization said in a statement. Villa Rica is located about 30 miles west of Atlanta. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (Bloomberg) -- German lawmakers will sign off in early July on government plans to buy 60 Boeing Co. Chinook helicopters and three maritime surveillance vessels for a total of more than 11 billion ($11.9 billion), according to people familiar with the plans. Most Read from Bloomberg Chancellor Olaf Scholzs governing coalition has asked for approval to spend 7.2 billion on the 60 CH-47F helicopters, together with an additional 750 million for infrastructure and maintenance, according to a government document dated Thursday seen by Bloomberg. Due to cost overruns, it has also requested permission to increase the funds allocated for the three ships manufactured by Bremen-based NVL BV & Co. KG to about 3.45 billion from 2.1 billion, the people said. The budget committee of the Bundestag, or lower house, is scheduled to approve the spending at a July 5 meeting, they said. The big-ticket procurements are part of Germanys effort to expand and modernize the armed forces triggered by Russias invasion of Ukraine. They will be financed from a special 100 billion fund established last year to boost military spending, on top of the regular annual defense budget of about 50 billion. A Boeing spokesman said the company is looking forward to working with the US and German governments to finalize the helicopter sale. A spokesman for NVL declined to comment on the cost of the ships and pointed to a 2021 statement on the order. --With assistance from Alexander Pearson. (Updates with Boeing order value as per government document in second paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. New laws will make it easier for skilled foreign workers to get jobs in sectors such as construction - Dreet Production/Cavan Images RF The German parliament passed a law easing immigration rules for skilled workers, as Europes top economy battles chronic labour shortages across a range of industries. For years, the country has struggled to get enough workers owing to an ageing population, in sectors from hospitality, to health and construction. At the end of 2022, about two million posts remained unfilled. Lawmakers from the ruling coalition voted in favour of the legal changes, designed to make it easier for skilled foreign workers to take up work in Germany. Under the new rules, there will be a points system based on the Canadian model, which awards for factors such as skills, education and language ability. Foreign vocational qualifications will also be more widely recognised. Lowering barriers to immigration Robert Habeck, the countrys economy minister, welcomed the news, saying that labour shortages were among the pressing problems facing Germany. He said in a statement: We are lowering barriers to immigration. In the future, it will be much easier for companies to recruit foreign skilled workers. However, opposition politicians have criticised the law, particularly a move to allow some asylum seekers already in the country to take up residency if they are qualified and have a job offer, or are already working. The coalition is sending out a signal to the world that virtually anyone who has somehow made it into the country can stay, Thorsten Frei, from the conservative CDU party, told the RND media group. Employers organisations in Germany have long called for an easing of immigration rules. Earlier this year, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that the problem was having a huge economic impact and that half of German companies they had interviewed had problems finding workers. 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. Tom Girardi, the disgraced former attorney, shown in 2014. (Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press) Attorneys in California will be required to report misconduct by their peers starting Aug. 1, in yet another major reform to emerge from the Tom Girardi scandal. The state Supreme Court announced the new rule Thursday. It obligates attorneys to notify the State Bar if they have credible evidence that another lawyer has committed a criminal act or has engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or other wrongdoing that raises a substantial question as to that lawyers honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness." Those who do not comply face penalties of up to a three-year suspension of their law licenses. Versions of the reporting law are on the books in 49 other states. But for decades, Golden State attorneys resisted what many call the snitch rule, with some arguing that such regulation was unnecessary for members of Californias prestigious bar. That changed last year after The Times wrote about the states outlier status and how it contributed to the longevity of Girardis corruption. The powerful trial attorney misappropriated millions of dollars of settlement money at least as far back as the 1980s, but many attorneys who knew or should have known that he was stealing from clients did not turn him in. Read more: Vegas parties, celebrities and boozy lunches: How legal titan Tom Girardi seduced the State Bar One former employee of Girardis firm told The Times he was aware that his boss was pilfering a burn victims settlement. But he said he opted not to notify the State Bar after determining that the states Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers did not require him to do so. The State Bars board of trustees initiated the drafting of the mandatory reporting rule last year and submitted it to the Supreme Court for approval this spring. The high court justices added additional features, such as specifying that lawyers could also inform a judge about misconduct during ongoing litigation and highlighting that a false report to a judge can result in discipline or criminal penalties. The chair of the State Bars board of trustees, Ruben Duran, said he was grateful to the Supreme Court for quickly refining and approving what the trustees had proposed. Read more: For widows, orphans cheated by Tom Girardi, 'Real Housewives' riches add to the pain Protecting the public is our most important duty, Duran said. The new requirement "will further our mission, aid the State Bar in the investigation of misconduct, and provide California with a similar rule that is in place in every other state in the nation. Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Orange), who proposed a similar version of the rule in the Legislature, called it an important step forward for consumer protection. Maintaining the integrity of the legal profession is not a weight that should fall solely on the public, and this action finally brings California into the ranks of all other 49 states, Umberg said. Not all attorneys were enthusiastic. Glendale lawyer James Ham, who represents lawyers accused of misconduct, called the new rule just classic bureaucratic CYA that will have no significant impact, but looks good. In his experience, he said, honest lawyers already report misconduct, and those who opt not to alert the State Bar are often prosecuted for much more serious offenses than a failure to report. I think they are creating the illusion of quote, unquote 'doing something,' Ham said. What you are going to get is a bunch of lawyers who are going to use it as an excuse to file mediocre, low-level, nickel-and-dime complaints against their adversaries and cloak themselves in the self-righteous obligations of this rule. Jeremy M. Evans, president of the California Lawyers Assn., had been among those expressing concerns about the move toward mandatory reporting, noting in February that lawyers may be less likely to assist or engage with one another for fear of inviting liability resulting from a failure to report about another lawyers conduct. Evans said in a statement on Thursday that his organization will ensure that attorneys are educated as to the new standards that guide the profession forward. There are some exceptions to the rule. If information about misconduct is learned during a substance abuse or mental health treatment program, or in the context of attorney-client privilege, then the attorney is not required to alert the State Bar. The new reporting rule is the latest reform effort prompted by the downfall of Girardi, the Los Angeles plaintiffs attorney made famous by his work on the toxic litigation depicted in the movie Erin Brockovich. After his firm imploded in 2020, evidence emerged that Girardi had used settlement funds to underwrite the opulent lifestyle he shared with his third wife, Erika, a cast member of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Read more: The Girardis, the Secret Service and wire fraud claims that nearly ruined a Hollywood designer The 84-year-old is facing federal wire fraud charges in Chicago and Los Angeles related to his raiding of millions of dollars from settlement funds. He has pleaded not guilty in both criminal cases. In the wake of revelations about his mishandling of client funds, cozy ties with State Bar officials and use of mediators to siphon funds, the State Bar has introduced new rules to govern client trust accounts and tightened conflict-of-interest regulations. The mandatory reporting law is one of the most consequential changes stemming from the Girardi scandal, as it affects nearly every member of the profession, no matter their specialty. The need to continue pursuing wholesale reform was one of the motives for adopting the new rule. At the State Bar trustees meeting last month, San Francisco-based litigator and trustee Sarah Good noted, We are coming from a place of trying to rebuild trust in the State Bar as an institution, and I think that this is one of the necessary reforms that we need to take. The American Bar Assn. developed the model rule for reporting in 1983, and states began adopting it in the years that followed. Some, such as Georgia and Washington, merely encouraged lawyers to file reports, but most made doing so mandatory. In California, commissions studied the possibility, but many rank-and-file lawyers saw it as an unnecessary intrusion into their relationships with clients and each other. One opponent was then-federal prosecutor George Cardona, who voted to reject the rule in 2015 while serving on a blue-ribbon commission to improve legal ethics. In the wake of the Girardi scandal, Cardona was hired by the State Bar as chief trial counsel, or top prosecutor, with the aim of cleaning up the agency's tattered reputation. He told The Times last year that he had changed his mind after surveying the damage inflicted on the profession by the wayward attorney. I think, ultimately, an adoption of a rule like this might help that, he said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Glastonbury Festival has officially kicked off. As part of the early festivities in the last two days, thousands of music fans were welcomed to Worthy Farm by a large fireworks display and burning of the Phoenix ceremony. Over the next three days, revellers will see headliners Arctic Monkeys, Guns N Roses, and Elton John, along with hundreds of other artists. Arctic Monkeys set is currently in doubt after frontman Alex Turner was diagnosed with acute laryngitis. However, co-organiser Emily Eavis, who opened the gates solo on Wednesday at 8am, sounds confident the performance will go ahead. Meanwhile, fellow headliner Elton John is planning on bringing out four surprise guests, according to his husband David Furnish. The weather for this years festival is predicted to be a mixture of sun and rain, after a months worth of rain fell in the UK last weekend. You can find a day-by-day guide to the forecast in Somerset here. Todays weather so far has been sunny skies, after a small downpour on the first day of the festival. Meanwhile, the BBC is broadcasting the festival across all of its main channels, including BBC Radio, iPlayer and BBC Sounds. Glastonbury 2023 talking points Couple get engaged on top of Glastonbury landmark Elton John drops hints about surprise guests in brand new Glastonbury headline set 30,000 steps a day and Glasto Lip: What its like to work at Glastonbury Festival Full lineup and stage times for Glastonbury 2023 See the latest weather forecast for Worthy Farm WATCH: Glastonbury veteran showcases his quirky bike after arriving at festival 10:16 , Nicole Vassell Glastonbury is definitely the place to find fun novelties including a bike adorned with sunflowers that shoots bubbles. Steve Apelt, 60, first attended the festival 40 years ago. As a Glasto veteran, hes seen the festival undergo many changes in four decades but still calls it the most beautiful thing on the planet. Arctic Monkeys fans rejoice over clues the band will play at Glastonbury after all 09:45 , Nicole Vassell The clues that Arctic Monkeys will indeed make their third headline appearance on the Pyramid Stage tonight are mounting up and fans are thrilled. Maanya Sachdeva has the full story: Arctic Monkeys fans rejoice over clues band will play at Glastonbury after all Glastonburys Friday line up in full 09:30 , Peony Hirwani Glastonbury 2023 is officially open for business, with huge acts including Arctic Monkeys, Lizzo and Queens of the Stone Age hitting the stages at Worthy Farm, Somerset, this weekend. Below is a list of artists performing on Friday 23 June. Glastonbury 2023: Full line up and stage times Thered better be a mirrorball... 09:00 , Nicole Vassell An Arctic Monkeys appearance is looking promising heres a view of a mirrorball, a staple element of the bands current tour, making its way across the site... Expert tips on how to survive festival sleep deprivation as Glastonbury kicks off 08:50 , Peony Hirwani Hundreds of thousands of music lovers will descend on Glastonbury this week. A noisy night-time environment and increased alcohol consumption are set to wreak havoc on revellers sleep, with the average festivalgoer getting just three and a half hours of sleep a night. Thats why its important to flex your sleep plan if you want to secure much-needed rest amid the madness. The following are some tips from sleep expert Hannah Shore to get through five days of madness. Pack sleep essentials Camping at a festival is inevitably going to be less comfortable than a normal nights sleep swapping out a comfy mattress for the hard floor or, at best, an airbed for those willing to lug it across the 1,100 acre site. To help create a comfortable sleep space and therefore get a better nights sleep, festivalgoers should pack a thick pillow to relieve pressure on the shoulders when lying on the ground. Handy sleep aids like eyemasks and earplugs can also help mitigate the negative effect of a busy and noisy environment and an additional home comfort, like a sleep spray, can help too. Hydration The increased alcohol consumption of many partying revellers has a big effect on sleep, with the accompanying late nights meaning less opportunity for shut-eye and the alcohol itself creating fractured sleep once you do call it a night. Be sure to go to bed with a big bottle of water to stay hydrated and help mitigate some of the negative effects of drinking on sleep. Plan your journey home Driving tired is just as bad, if not worse, than driving drunk. Tiredness can effect your concentration, reaction time and the ability to judge risks, which are all things we we need in tip top condition if youre going to get behind the wheel. Several consecutive nights of disrupted sleep will naturally effect your energy and concentration levels, so, if youre planning on driving home then you might want to rethink. There are a number of different transport options to get you to and from Glastonbury, so why not opt for a train or bus? Not only will this mean to can enjoy your final night without worrying too much about your energy levels, its also a boost to the environment! Recovery day Even if doing all of the above, revellers will no doubt still be worn out by the time they return home, following the long days and nights of adrenaline and reduced sleep. Its important to ensure you have an extra day at home to rest and recover after the event. One extra days holiday and no plans will help get you back to normal energy levels before taking on your usual routine again. The Arcadia spider lives! 08:43 , Nicole Vassell Arcadia is up and nearly ready to go! Last night, the iconic insect-like structure made its debut on the farm, with testing taking place to make sure it can shoot fire and wow the crowds. Made from recycled materials and old military equipment, its been a staple at Glastonbury since its 2007 debut, and has even travelled to other festivals and events all across the world. Testing testing the spiders coming back to life KG pic.twitter.com/CwzLtS0e9A Glastonbury Live (@GlastoLive) June 22, 2023 The earthy magic and lawless energy of being a child at Glastonbury festival 08:30 , Peony Hirwani Adam White recalls the years he was more interested in seeing The Corrs than Courtney Love, and when the colours, noise and fire-breathing spiders gripped his imagination. The earthy magic and lawless energy of being a child at Glastonbury Gatecrashers have been digging tunnels to enter Glastonbury festival illegally 07:50 , Peony Hirwani Gatecrashers have been finding unique ways to enter the Glastonbury Festival illegally. While some people have been digging Great Escape-style tunnels, others have been using grappling hooks to enter the festival without paying. Read more: Gatecrashers have been digging tunnels to enter Glastonbury Festival illegally How to watch Glastonbury Festival from home 07:40 , Peony Hirwani It might not be quite the same as being amongst the fields of festival flags, but if you missed out on tickets, there are still plenty of ways to tune into Glastonbury festival from home. Read more: How to watch the BBCs live Glastonbury coverage How to navigate summer festivals with your teenager 07:30 , Peony Hirwani If youre taking your teen to Glastonbury or any festivals this summer, you are probably thinking about all the things that could possibly go wrong. There could be a big fall out, maybe they get lost, or it may just turn out to not really be their thing. Either way, its best to be positive, as they are at that age where they probably want more independence, embracing more responsibility, and figuring out their likes and dislikes. Here are a few things to consider before the big event. How to navigate summer festivals with your teenager Watch: Timelapse captures sun setting over Glastonburys Worthy Farm on festivals first day 07:10 , Peony Hirwani Timelapse captures sun setting over Glastonbury on festivals first day Glastonbury 2023 in pictures: The best shots from Worthy Farm as the UKs biggest festival begins 06:50 , Peony Hirwani Its that time of the year again Worthy Farms gates have swung open and Glastonbury Festival 2023 is officially underway. Heres a look at some of the best pictures from the site so far... Glastonbury 2023 in pictures: The best festival shots from Worthy Farm Glastonbury weather: A day-by-day guide to Worthy Farm forecast 06:30 , Peony Hirwani A day-by-day guide to the weather forecast for Glastonbury Festival Elton John will bring on four collaborators at his Glastonbury headline show 06:10 , Peony Hirwani With just three days to go until Elton Johns headline set at Glastonbury, the musicians husband, filmmaker David Furnish, has revealed that the star will bring on four collaborators during his show on the famed Pyramid Stage. Read more: Elton Johns husband lets on how many guests there will be at stars Glastonbury show How to watch the BBCs live coverage of Glastonbury 05:49 , Tom Murray How to watch the BBCs live Glastonbury coverage Glastonbury 2023 banned items list 04:50 , Tom Murray Just a reminder, the following is a list of items that are banned from the Glastonbury festival. Knives Portable laser equipment or pens Animals (except registered guide dogs) Sound systems or drums Generators Sky lanterns or kites, unauthorised fireworks, or wax flares Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) Anything made of glass (e.g. perfume bottles, mirrors etc...) People who use fireworks on the site will be evicted and any remaining material will be confiscated from them. Additionally, the festival asks that revellers avoid bringing items such as disposable vapes as they can be hazardous at waste centres, and gazebos as they take up valuable tent space at campsites. Glastonbury Festival shares photos from day two 03:53 , Tom Murray Did anyone else know there was a skate park at Glastonbury? I didnt! Glastonbury festival fashion isnt just about ripping off Kate Moss it might not even exist anymore 02:51 , Tom Murray Glastonbury festival fashion might not even exist anymore Watch: What happened on day one at Worthy Farm? 01:56 , Tom Murray Did someone say recap? All the best fashion at Glastonbury this year Friday 23 June 2023 00:54 , Tom Murray The Independents lifestyle team has been busy pouring through the thousands of photos to come out of Glastonbury for the best outfits. Here are our favourite looks at the festival so far: Glastonbury 2023: All the best fashion at the biggest UK festival of the year Free milk, 1 camping and political protests: Glastonbury through the years, in pictures Thursday 22 June 2023 23:34 , Tom Murray Take a look at some defining images of Glastonbury from over the years. Watch: Downpour drenches Glastonbury revellers on opening day of festival Thursday 22 June 2023 22:27 , Tom Murray Bimini Bon-Boulash holds up placard saying bin the Torys anti-trans ban Thursday 22 June 2023 21:19 , Tom Murray Im hearing from another colleague on the ground that the drag star Bimini Bon-Boulash has delivered an anti-Conservative message Its pride month and right now there is an attack on the LGBTQ community. The trans community are being scapegoated We need to stand up for our trans family, the RuPauls Drag Race UK star apparently said. She then held up a placard saying bin the Torys anti-trans ban in trans flag colours and similar have been handed out to the front row, leading to huuuuuuge cheers in the Greenpeace Field. Bimini (Megan Graye) Trump flags spotted at Glastonbury Thursday 22 June 2023 20:08 , Tom Murray Our man on the ground, Adam White, has spotted some unlikely flags flying in the Glastonbury crowd. (Adam White) (Adam White) Two Donald Trump flags were seen waving in the wind. One was promoting his 2024 presidential campaign alongside his slogan, Make America Great Again, and the other had a photo of the former president. Could this be the definition of wrong crowd? Michael Eavis on the mic! Thursday 22 June 2023 18:32 , Tom Murray Michael Eavis can do it all! The legendary Glastonbury Festival founder treated the Park Stage to a rendition of My Way by Frank Sinatra. Michael Eavis has just kicked things off on the Park Stage with a rendition of 'My Way' - hats off to ya Mikey #Glastonbury #Glastonbury23pic.twitter.com/7ER7L5HX2c Far Out Magazine (@FarOutMag) June 22, 2023 Is Glastonbury creating a hostile environment? Thursday 22 June 2023 18:15 , Tom Murray Samuel Fishwick shares his take on the immigration enforcement officers being spotted at Castle Cary station near Glastonbury. It is striking if not surprising that their presence provoked uproar. There are few populations as privileged as the wellie-wearing, cider-swilling, tent-dancing middle-classes of Somersets temporary residents, but if their relationship with you is broken, what of the rest of Britain? It should send a message: your work is not welcome: take off your uniforms, stand down and join the party, or go away and rethink. Read more: Opinion: Is Glastonbury creating a hostile environment? Alex Turner update Thursday 22 June 2023 17:50 , Tom Murray Im hearing that Alex Turner is well and will be able to perform the Arctic Monkeys headline set on Friday (23 June). Fans were worried after the band cancelled their 20 June Dublin show due to frontman Alex Turner coming down with an acute case of laryngitis. However, the ever-reliable Arctic Monkeys superfan Jacob Stolworthy assures me everything will be well. Phew! Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys (Getty Images) Glastonbury 2023 in pictures: The best shots from Worthy Farm as the UKs biggest festival begins Thursday 22 June 2023 17:43 , Tom Murray My lovely colleague has put together this beautiful reel of photos from Glastonbury 2023. So many amazing pics and were only one day in! Glastonbury 2023 in pictures: The best festival shots from Worthy Farm A couple just got engaged at the top of the Ribbon Tower! Thursday 22 June 2023 15:03 , Roisin O'Connor A couple just got engaged at the top of the Ribbon Tower to huge cheers below pic.twitter.com/l1ekennutu Nick Reilly (@NickJWReilly) June 22, 2023 Glastonbury festival fashion isnt just about ripping off Kate Moss it might not even exist anymore Thursday 22 June 2023 14:50 , Peony Hirwani The standard-bearers for Glastonbury aesthetics remain the queens of Noughties boho glam, writes Olivia Petter but has the decline of fast fashion killed it off? And is that a good thing? Glastonbury festival fashion might not even exist anymore Free milk, 1 camping and political protests: Glastonbury through the years, in pictures Thursday 22 June 2023 14:30 , Peony Hirwani As music fans return to Worthy Farm, its worth a look back on how much the worlds biggest festival has changed over the years. Free milk, 1 camping and political protests: Glastonbury through the years Glastonburys poet in residence Katie Ailes performs her poem Building Thursday 22 June 2023 14:10 , Peony Hirwani Thursday 22 June 2023 13:50 , Peony Hirwani Wondering what happened at the Glastonbury opening ceremony on Wednesday night? Watch here: Glastonbury 2023 banned items list Thursday 22 June 2023 13:30 , Peony Hirwani The following is a list of items that are banned from the Glastonbury festival. Knives Portable laser equipment or pens Animals (except registered guide dogs) Sound systems or drums Generators Sky lanterns or kites, unauthorised fireworks, or wax flares Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) Anything made of glass (e.g. perfume bottles, mirrors etc...) People who use fireworks on the site will be evicted and any remaining material will be confiscated from them. Additionally, the festival asks that revellers avoid bringing items such as disposable vapes as they can be hazardous at waste centres, and gazebos as they take up valuable tent space at campsites. Glastonbury Festival in pictures Thursday 22 June 2023 13:10 , Peony Hirwani (PA) (EPA) (REUTERS) (Invision/AP) Emily Eavis has backup plans in case Arctic Monkeys are forced to drop out of Glastonbury Thursday 22 June 2023 12:50 , Peony Hirwani Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis says she has backup plans in case Sheffield rock band Arctic Monkeys are forced to drop out of this years lineup. Read more: Emily Eavis has backup plans in case Arctic Monkeys drop out of Glastonbury How to watch the BBCs live coverage of Glastonbury Thursday 22 June 2023 12:30 , Peony Hirwani How to watch the BBCs live Glastonbury coverage Michael Eavis reveals the performances hes personally looking forward to watching at Glastonbury 2023 Thursday 22 June 2023 12:10 , Peony Hirwani Michael Eavis says hes looking forward to watching Elton John and Cat Stevens perform live at Glastonbury. Speaking to Glastonbury Free Presss Chris Salmon, the festival co-creator said hes definitely looking forward to watching John perform live. Well, Elton John is obviously going to be incredible, he said. Im so pleased hes finally playing. And I cant wait for Cat Stevens. I absolutely love his music. Eavis also shared that he went to visit Stevens in London 20 years ago because his agent said if I did, then hed play. So I went up on the train, and then caught a bus to his house. He knew I was coming, so hed put out all the tablecloths and he gave me a piece of cake. We had a really nice afternoon. And after that, I thought it would happen, you see. But it didnt! Well, not until now. Im so glad we got there eventually! Watch: Stunning timelapse footage of sun setting over festival's first day Thursday 22 June 2023 11:50 , Peony Hirwani Everything you need to know about Guns N Roses at Glastonbury 2023 Thursday 22 June 2023 11:30 , Peony Hirwani Guns N Roses are among the headliners at this years Glastonbury Festival. Below is everything you need to know about their performance. Everything you need to know about Guns N Roses at Glastonbury 2023 Glastonbury festival fashion isnt just about ripping off Kate Moss it might not even exist anymore Thursday 22 June 2023 11:10 , Peony Hirwani The standard-bearers for Glastonbury aesthetics remain the queens of Noughties boho glam, writes Olivia Petter but has the decline of fast fashion killed it off? And is that a good thing? Glastonbury festival fashion might not even exist anymore Emily Eavis has a plan if Arctic Monkeys are forced to drop out Thursday 22 June 2023 11:04 , Roisin O'Connor Fans of Sheffields finest Arctic Monkeys are still fretting over whether frontman Alex Turner will recover from a nasty bout of acute laryngitis in time for their headline set on the Pyramid Stage this Friday. Fortunately (did we ever doubt her?), co-organiser Emily Eavis has plans (plural) in place should this happen. Were guessing there are at least one or two bands ready to step up should Arctics pull out. But she also says shes feeling confident theyll be just fine. And an interesting titbit from my colleague Jacob whos on site right now: A poster at Worthy Farm says Arctic Monkeys will go by in a Blur... Are we about to see Turner singing on stage with Damon Albarn? Full story: Emily Eavis has backup plans in case Arctic Monkeys drop out of Glastonbury Watch: Dominos delivers pizza to Glastonbury festival-goers by jet suit Thursday 22 June 2023 10:50 , Peony Hirwani Watch: Dominos delivers pizza to Glastonbury festival-goers by jet suit Hardwicke Circuss Glastonbury performance cancelled due to problem with tickets Thursday 22 June 2023 10:30 , Peony Hirwani Carlisle band Hardwicke Circus has announced it wont be able to do its three sets at Glastonbury this year because of a problem with tickets. Below is the full statement. No more Glasto! Sorry to everyone who was coming to watch us. Well be back! pic.twitter.com/S6jhkznLQB Hardwicke Circus (@HardwickeCircus) June 21, 2023 Glastonbury fireworks in pictures Thursday 22 June 2023 10:14 , Peony Hirwani (REUTERS) (EPA) (REUTERS) Glastonbury 2023 lineup: Who is headlining this year's music festival? Thursday 22 June 2023 09:54 , Peony Hirwani Thursday 22 June 2023 09:30 , Peony Hirwani Sources tell us that Chris Martin has been spotted on Glastonbury grounds! Could Coldplay be one of Elton Johns collaborators on Sunday 25 June? Elton John will bring on four collaborators at his Glastonbury headline show Thursday 22 June 2023 09:26 , Peony Hirwani With just three days to go until Elton Johns headline set at Glastonbury, the musicians husband, filmmaker David Furnish, has revealed that the star will bring on four collaborators during his show on the famed Pyramid Stage. Read more: Elton Johns husband lets on how many guests there will be at stars Glastonbury show Glastonbury 2023 banned items list Thursday 22 June 2023 08:30 , Peony Hirwani The following is a list of items that are banned from the Glastonbury festival. Knives Portable laser equipment or pens Animals (except registered guide dogs) Sound systems or drums Generators Sky lanterns or kites, unauthorised fireworks, or wax flares Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) Anything made of glass (e.g. perfume bottles, mirrors etc...) People who use fireworks on the site will be evicted and any remaining material will be confiscated from them. Additionally, the festival asks that revellers avoid bringing items such as disposable vapes as they can be hazardous at waste centres, and gazebos as they take up valuable tent space at campsites. Watch: Downpour drenches Glastonbury revellers on opening day of festival Thursday 22 June 2023 08:10 , Peony Hirwani In pictures: Glastonbury festival day one Thursday 22 June 2023 07:50 , Peony Hirwani (Getty Images) (Getty Images) (Getty Images) In pictures: Burning of the Phoenix ceremony at Glastonbury on Wednesday night Thursday 22 June 2023 07:30 , Peony Hirwani That communal feeling and extraordinary experience at the opening ceremony fireworks and burning of the phoenix... - - - #Glastonbury #Glasto #GlastoMoments Gema Diaz pic.twitter.com/jfljZWd1bh Glasto Fest Feed (@GlastoFestFeed) May 9, 2022 Fireworks lit up the Glastonbury sky on Wednesday night Thursday 22 June 2023 07:12 , Peony Hirwani Fireworks looking epic from The Other Stage. RRG pic.twitter.com/1z2FNhgLiv Glastonbury Live (@GlastoLive) June 21, 2023 Footage of Glastonbury captured from a hot air balloon 3000ft above ground Thursday 22 June 2023 06:50 , Peony Hirwani The next time someone asks you "How big is #Glastonbury?", a good way to try and start explaining the magnitude of the place would be to show them this clip of the Festival site captured from a hot air balloon 3000ft high in the sky... #BirdsEyeView @Fly_AwayBalloon pic.twitter.com/lXVApWibK9 Glasto Fest Feed (@GlastoFestFeed) June 21, 2023 The Pretenders announce secret show at Glastonbury Thursday 22 June 2023 06:30 , Peony Hirwani The Pretenders have been announced as one of Glastonburys secret set holders. Each year, the legendary Somerset-based festival keeps a number of its line-up slots blank to add a little extra excitement for ticketholders. On Tuesday (20 June) evening, The Pretenders revealed they would be performing on Saturday, 19:45 BST, at The Park Stage. The band also teased some special guests though their identities were not disclosed. Read more: Glastonbury announces major rock band as secret set act Wizkid will be the first Afrobeats artist to headline Glastonbury Festival this Friday (23 June). Thursday 22 June 2023 06:15 , Peony Hirwani Gatecrashers have been finding unique ways to enter the Glastonbury Festival illegally. While some people have been digging Great Escape-style tunnels, others have been using grappling hooks to enter the festival without paying. According to The Times, some people pitched tents against barriers on the ground to hide tunnels they dug underneath to get their friends in. You can keep up with all things Glastonbury here. One security worker told the outlet that non-ticket holders try to come under the wall, its like The Great Escape but in reverse. Another member of the security added: Its wild. Weve had to chase people down who bolted through the gates with their bags on, and some use grappling hooks to pull panels off the wall and climb over, like Batman. This years Glastonbury Festival is surrounded by a fence built by Sunbelt Rentals. According to the companys website, the fence is standing 4.12m high and 7.8km long, the fence has unique high-security features including an attached external roadway to prevent tunnelling, 45-degree overhangs to prevent climbing and zero nuts and bolts to stop the fence being tampered with. However, it hasnt stopped music fans from trying to get in through illegal means. (REUTERS) The official gates to Glastonbury Festival opened on Wednesday (21 June). This years festival in Pilton, Somerset, will see Arctic Monkeys, US rockers Guns N Roses, and Sir Elton John headlining on the Pyramid Stage. On Sunday (25 June), revellers will see John perform at the Glastonbury Festival for the first and the last time. Despite his career spanning seven decades, this year marks Johns first time attending let alone headlining Glastonbury. The 76-year-old, who was touring the world on the final leg of his much-delayed Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, will headline the Pyramid Stage on Worthy Farm along with four collaborators of his choosing during his two-hour set. The weather for this years festival is predicted to be a mixture of sun and rain, after a months worth of rain fell in the UK last weekend. Meanwhile, the BBC is broadcasting the festival across all of its main channels, including BBC Radio, iPlayer and BBC Sounds. Utah Republican Party Chairman Rob Axson asks candidates for the 2nd Congressional District questions at a debate in St. George on Jan. 22, 2023. | youtube.com/@WashingtonCountyRepublicanPart The second of two debates among Republicans vying to replace Rep. Chris Stewart focused on the candidates ability to advocate effectively on Capitol Hill, their commitment to take on federal government overreach and their personal connection to southern Utah and the 2nd Congressional District. Given the condensed timeline for the special election to replace Stewart after he resigned, candidates had a lot riding on their showing at the debate. It served as one of their final opportunities to appeal to GOP delegates before the state partys nominating convention on Saturday, when the field of 12 Republican candidates will narrow considerably. Eight of the candidates are pinning all their hopes on winning at the convention, but only one will advance to the special primary election. The four candidates who have said they will also gather signatures have until July 5 to collect 7,000 signatures in order to get on the ballot if they dont win Saturday. Questions during the debate elicited largely unanimous responses, with candidates saying they favor states rights and they are skeptical of federal power. Questions submitted by southern Utah delegates required candidates to demonstrate familiarity with the concerns of voters in the region. Some of the debates most provocative moments came during the round of personal questions. Former Utah House Speaker and gubernatorial candidate Greg Hughes was asked about his record on legislation affecting Utahs caucus-convention system, while former state lawmaker and U.S. Senate candidate Becky Edwards said she regretted issuing statements in support of President Joe Biden during his 2020 campaign. Related The debate was hosted by local and state Republican Party leaders at the Dixie Tech Auditorium in St. George. The debate was moderated by Utah Republican Party Chair Rob Axson. The first question to the candidates was whether they possessed the work ethic, personality traits and preparation necessary to be an effective networker and policymaker in Washington, D.C. Stewart is the most senior of Utahs four-member delegation in the House, and he sits on the powerful House Intelligence and Appropriations committees. Hughes and Edwards touted their legislative backgrounds, both having spent at least 10 years as state lawmakers. Celeste Maloy, who resigned from her position as Stewarts chief legal counsel to run, said she was ready to hit the ground running because she had started out her career as an attorney in Washington County and had spent the last several years working for Stewart in the 2nd District. Others said their business and volunteer political backgrounds had prepared them for office, including Scott Allen Hatfield, the youngest candidate who said five years in the Navy had taught him how to make the sacrifices needed to always stand his ground when making difficult decisions. Henry C. Eyring, a consultant and professor, said he was prepared to fill Stewarts shoes because of his agricultural background and academic experience. You can cut waste and get better results, you can cut spending and get better health, you can cut spending and get better education, better economic growth, better protection of families and parents rights, thats the mindset I want to bring to Congress and that I have brought in business throughout the state of Utah, Eyring said. Candidates were asked to name specific examples of the federal government overstepping their authority and what they would do to address the problem. Most centered their attacks on federal agencies, including Hughes, who spoke of a two-tiered justice system hurting the country and the Bureau of Land Management hurting the growth of Utah communities. Others, such as Edwards and Scott Reber, a former policy adviser in Washington, D.C., said the problem had more to do with Congress abdicating its responsibility to tackle difficult issues. Maloy said the question got to the reason why she wanted to run for Congress. I think its the job of your representative in Congress to pry the federal governments fingers back off of your lives and your livelihoods, she said. As a congresswoman, I would protect your freedoms by limiting the size of federal agencies and getting the federal government as far out of your lives as I possibly can. Thats why I want to represent you. Candidates were asked whether their primary residence was in the 2nd Congressional District. All said yes except for Hatfield, Hughes and Bruce Hough, a member of the Republican National Committee who has a long history serving in the Utah Republican Party. Both Hughes and Hough said their decades spent working on behalf of the state in Republican politics demonstrated they were in touch with the issues that matter most to southern Utah communities. While each candidate emphasized the time they had spent in small, southern Utah towns, some candidates said living in the district was essential to providing good representation. Jordan Hess, who resigned as vice chairman of the Utah Republican Party to run for the seat, spoke about his deep family roots in the district. When I am in Congress, everything I do will be with an eye towards this district and the needs of our district, Hess said, emphasizing the importance of public land management, water rights and local agriculture. During a round of personal questions, candidates were asked to respond to past and current controversies. When asked about her support of Biden in 2020 and whether she regretted it now that she had seen the effects of his policies, Edwards said she saw the question as an opportunity to debunk a myth. She said that during the 2020 presidential election, she and her husband were serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in American Samoa. However, she admitted having concerns about one of the candidates and that she lent her voice to a different candidate for that vote. She then said, I have been extremely disappointed with the Biden administration and regret that. In the same round of questioning, Hughes was asked to defend his role in passing legislation in 2014 that opened up the candidate nomination process to signature-gathering. He said the law was passed with the understanding that it would preserve the party convention process but that afterwards he tried to reverse the statute, insisting that he had or would never bypass the delegate convention by engaging in signature gathering. Other candidates who took the stage Thursday to make their case were: Kathleen Anderson, former communications director for the Utah Republican Party and congressional candidate; R. Quin Denning, an entrepreneur and resident of southern Utah; and Bill Hoster, the mayor of Leeds, Washington County, and a retired businessman. One other candidate, Ty Jensen, will also be participating in Saturdays convention but could not attend the debate because of work obligations. The Republican convention will be held Saturday at Delta High School, beginning at 3 p.m. The special primary election will be held Sept. 5, and the special general election will be held Nov. 21. This is the third 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. Republican presidential contenders are navigating a minefield on the issue of abortion one year after Roe v. Wade was overturned, and candidates are seeking to appeal to the partys anti-abortion base while keeping more moderate general election voters in mind. The partys 2022 midterm candidates suffered losses in critical swing states, causing many to reassess their messaging on the issue. So far, the 2024 Republican field has offered differing positions. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum have signed six-week abortion bans. But former President Trump, who played a consequential role in the overturning of Roe v. Wade, is taking a relatively evasive approach. The divergent messaging comes as even members of the party urge fellow Republicans to moderate on abortion heading into 2024 or risk losing key elections. I think youve got a lot of people who are trying to find their sea legs when it comes to the abortion issue politically. It is a hot potato right now, said Dave Wilson, who served as president of the influential Christian conservative nonprofit Palmetto Family Council. You dont have consistency across the board yet from various pro-life groups in America as to what their stance is going to be, he added. Ruling gave Democrats a boost Republicans lauded the Supreme Courts decision last year in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, a ruling that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion established in the landmark 1973 case Roe v. Wade. For Democrats, it was a watershed moment especially at the polls in the 2022 midterm elections. The high courts ruling became a consequential voter turnout mechanism, as a number of Republicans in battleground states lost their elections. Democrats expanded their razor-thin Senate majority and kept the GOPs majority in the House narrow at a time when many predicted a red wave. Special Report: Roe v. Wade Falls One Year Later Anti-abortion proponents argue that those candidates lost their bids because they were not aggressive enough in painting their Democratic opponents as extremists on the issue. Dr. Oz is a perfect example of someone who shied away from the issue and he allowed his opponent to really characterize him as an extremist on this issue, said E.V. Osment, vice president of communications at Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. The problem is he just left it wide open. It was like a duck and cover, she continued. You cannot do that in a post-Dobbs landscape. One Republican pollster noted that the GOP saw success with that tactic in 2021, when then-Virginia gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin hit back against his Democratic opponent Terry McAuliffe on abortion. McAuliffe accused Youngkin of wanting to ban abortion, while Youngkin called McAuliffe the most extreme pro-abortion candidate in America today. Even pro-choice voters are uncomfortable with the idea of up-to-birth abortion, said Amanda Iovino, a Republican pollster. But just as the Republican primaries are more conservative than the overall electorate, Democrat primary voters allow no compromise on that issue whatsoever. How abortion restrictions are described Anti-abortion advocates and Republicans have said the news media and candidates should be cognizant of the language they use when talking about exceptions and restrictions. About 93 percent of reported abortions are performed around or before 13 weeks of pregnancy, 6 percent occur from 14-20 weeks and less than 1 percent are performed after 21 weeks, according to 2020 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A pregnancy is full-term at 40 weeks. Most states limit some abortions at a certain point in pregnancy, with 17 banning the procedure at viability or 24 weeks, according to the Guttmacher Institute. I wouldnt use the word ban because I think its really misleading for the American people, Osment said, noting that states have exceptions to abortion restrictions, such as in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is in danger. Across the country, weve seen different states accept different exceptions. But when you say ban, that is really misleading to the American people because then they think theres not exceptions, she said. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (SBA), one of the most influential anti-abortion advocacy groups in the country, has been meeting with Republican 2024 contenders. The group is calling for restrictions on the procedure at 15 weeks, with exceptions at the federal level. A Gallup poll released June 14 found that 69 percent of Americans said that abortion should be legal throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. Thirty-seven percent of respondents said the procedure should be legal in the second trimester, while 22 percent said the same about the third trimester. Where GOP 2024 candidates stand Republican presidential contenders have handled the issue of abortion differently, with Trump dodging whether he would be supportive of a federal abortion ban and also applauding the overturning of Roe v. Wade. In that ruling, three justices he tapped were part of the majority. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who initially offered differing answers on the issue, has suggested he supports a 15-week limit. Pence has said Americans would welcome a minimum national standard of 15 weeks. Meanwhile, former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley said the country needs to find consensus around the issue, but has also suggested its unrealistic to consider federal restrictions given its unlikely to go anywhere in Congress. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has said recently he believes abortion access should be left up to the states with the federal government uninvolved until theres a consensus around the country. Though DeSantis has signed his six-week abortion ban, his stance on a federal abortion ban has been vague, saying only in an interview with Fox News last month, Dobbs returned the issue to the elected representatives of the people, and so I think that theres a role for both the federal [government] and states. How will abortion affect the general election? Some Republicans, however, have expressed concerns that their position on abortion could be costly in a general election. I feel like [the] majority of the Republican field so far is catering to the far right of the party because obviously a nationwide abortion ban is what the base wants, said Sarah Matthews, who served as a former White House deputy press secretary in the Trump administration. It might serve them well in a primary but whoever is the nominee, if you take this really harsh, restrictive stance on abortion, then its just going to come back to hurt you in the general, she added. DeSantiss six-week abortion ban could play well among primary voters in the early contests of Iowa and South Carolina, but its unclear how those policies play in a general election. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed a six-week ban on the procedure with exceptions last month, while Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) requested to reinstate a 2018 law that would have banned abortion in most cases after six weeks. Iowas state Supreme Court on June 16 upheld a 2019 district court ruling that blocked the law striking down Reynoldss request and keeping abortion legal. As for voters, 61 percent of Iowans say abortion should remain legal, and 49 percent disagree the procedure should be banned at six weeks, according to a 2022 poll from Des Moines Register. Forty-five percent of respondents agree that abortion should be banned around six weeks of pregnancy. Matthews, who said she doesnt support a federal abortion ban, argued Republicans need to do better not only articulating what limits they support but also other components of the discussion, too. We need to be talking about it in a more holistic way. I think that its not just enough to talk about the timeline of when you would want a ban. I think that Republicans need to be talking about contraception or investments in like prenatal care, postpartum care, foster care, things like that, she said. Abortion-rights advocates say GOP is extreme Meanwhile, abortion-rights proponents argue that Republican lawmakers are largely on the same page when it comes to restriction policies even if candidates put forth varying timelines. I dont think there is actually that much difference between their positions at all. Every one of them has an extreme position that is out of step with the electorate, said Ryan Stitzlein, senior national political director of NARAL Pro-Choice America. Democrats also say theyre not taking their foot off the gas when it comes to campaigning and pushing back on Republicans over the issue in 2024. Christina Reynolds, senior vice president of communications and content at Emilys List, pointed to one candidate running for lieutenant governor in North Carolina who recently released an ad focused on abortion. I think youre going to see Democrats continue to talk about it. One, because its important and because Republicans are still going after it. And two, because voters are with us I think it will continue to be an issue as long as you have Republicans continuing to try and ban it, Reynolds said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) laid blame Thursday on the U.S. Coast Guard after the armed forces branch said it had found pieces of the lost Titan submersible on the ocean floor. Things might have turned out differently, he said, if leadership had just acted sooner. Crenshaw made the comments shortly after the Coast Guard said Thursday that a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) discovered a debris field consistent with the catastrophic loss of its pressure chamber. The Wall Street Journal later reported that the Navy had registered sounds consistent with an explosion or implosion shortly after contact with the Titan was lost Sunday, but a Navy official later said it would have been irresponsible to assume then that the Titan passengers and pilot had died. But the Republican lawmaker claimed the international search effort appeared to be a case of epic failure in leadership, possibly stretching into the White House and upper echelons of the Coast Guard and Navy. I have been hearing a lot of concerning things from people, the civilian side who are involved in this, Crenshaw said Thursday in a statement to reporters. You know, weve got to look into it, see whats true and what isnt. What appears to be the case is epic failure in leadership. Where exactly that leadership failure is, I dont know. Is it the White House, Coast Guard, Navy? Im not sure. The discovery ended an international race against the clock in hopes of recovering the lost vessel before its oxygen supply ran out. The Titan lost contact with its parent ship on Sunday, about two hours after its launch with five men on board to visit the wreckage of the Titanic, about 2 miles deep on the floor of the Northern Atlantic. Crenshaw told Fox News later Thursday that he was concerned with the timeline of the rescue effort, particularly amid reports of a tapping noise picked up by search-and-rescue crews. The congressman said a Magellan submarine and specialized remote-operated vehicle should have been deployed to the region immediately to help find the vessel more quickly. Now, its important to note, that if you had just deployed those assets, they would have arrived on scene by Wednesday morning at the latest, he said. They finally deploy that ROV, the only thing capable of actually going to that depth and seeing whats down there, this morning. It deploys down there and the wreckage was exactly where they thought it would be. So wheres the failure here? The failure is to not put all your options on the table, he added. Crenshaw went on to question if the Coast Guard had been operating on the assumption from the Navy that the vessel had imploded rather than it purely being a rescue. It begs the question: Could this have been resolved differently if leadership had just acted sooner and actually put options on the table instead of just assuming, well, it doesnt matter because theyre dead? he said. OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned the Titan, released a statement Thursday calling those on board, including the companys chief executive, true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure. Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time, the company said. OceanGate said Thursday it would not be issuing any other comments on the incident. Related... Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), a second-term conservative firebrand, is taking steps toward launching a challenge against Democratic Sen. Jon Tester (Mont.) in the 2024 elections, according to a number of sources familiar with the situation. Rosendale has not confirmed his candidacy, which would set up a rematch after he unsuccessfully ran against Tester in 2018. But a number of sources, including a fellow GOP lawmaker, said Rosendale is already on a fundraising tear and they expect him to enter the race soon. Its clear hes considering a run, said Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah). Im pretty certain hes running for Senate, a second source, who asked to speak anonymously to discuss a sensitive topic, told The Hill. Hes raising money like a crazy guy. Hes strongly considering it, echoed a third source. The news of Rosendale weighing a bid for Senate was first reported by Politico. Approached for comment in the Capitol on Friday, Rosendale stopped short of confirming the speculation surrounding his challenge to Tester. But he eagerly highlighted a new poll out this week from Public Policy Polling that puts him at the top of a potential primary matchup against Tim Sheehy, a Montana-based businessman who has reportedly been encouraged to run by Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. In the hypothetical contest, Rosendale beats Sheehy, 64 percent to 10 percent. Ive been very consistent on the fact that Jon does not represent the vast majority of the people across the state of Montana, and has not for quite some time. I am convinced that he will be replaced in 24 and as the time goes we will certainly see who the people of Montana want to replace him with, Rosendale told The Hill. There was a PPP poll that came out just yesterday you cant ignore that, he continued. Thats the Montana people speaking and saying what, you know, who they are considering at least to represent them in the Senate after 24. We continue to watch everything. Tester is seen as one of the most vulnerable Democratic senators up for reelection next year. Montana is among the GOPs top targets as Republicans try to pick off enough seats to claim the majority. Rosendale, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, has drawn headlines in recent months with his appetite to break from GOP leadership. During Januarys drawn-out Speakers race, Rosendale never threw his support behind Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), going as far as to nominate another candidate on one ballot. Earlier this month, Rosendale was one of 11 conservatives who revolted on the House floor in retaliation for the debt limit bill crafted by McCarthy and President Biden, a move that left the chamber in a standstill for nearly a week. Some Republicans said Rosendales iconoclastic persona would be a welcome change for an upper chamber known for its stodgy traditions. I think Matt would make a really good senator, actually, It would be fun, the third source said. He would shake the Senate up. While that conservative track-record is sure to heighten Rosendales chances of winning the GOP primary, where hard-line voters tend to participate disproportionately, many Republicans also fear it will alienate moderates and independents in the general election, lending an advantage to Tester and the Democrats. Its unclear if Montanas other House Republican, Rep. Ryan Zinke, will also throw his hat into the ring for the Senate. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Gov. Scott asks Washington to declare a disaster in wake of hard freeze in May Gov. Phil Scott is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to declare a disaster in Vermont as a result of a freak freeze in May that devastated orchards and vineyards around the state. "The hard frost destroyed fruit blossoms and damaged vines throughout the state," Scott wrote in a June 19 letter to Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack. "We anticipate severe crop losses." Scott is asking for the declaration to apply to Windham, Windsor, Orange, Washington, Caledonia, Orleans, Essex, Lamoille, Grand Isle, Franklin, Chittenden, Addison, Rutland and Bennington counties, an indication of how widespread the damage was. That's all 14 counties in Vermont. Erin Robinson, orchard manager for Scott Farm Orchard in Dummerston, Vermont, cuts into an apple flower May 22, 2023, to show the damage done to the apples after a frost. If Vilsack agrees to declare a disaster, financial assistance, including low-interest USDA Farm Service Agency emergency loans, would become available to eligible growers in the approved counties. "The damage is extensive and pervasive, and we anticipate small pick-your-own farms may be particularly impacted," Scott wrote in his letter to Vilsack. "Unfortunately, the vast majority of Vermont's orchards and vineyards do not have crop insurance." Ethan Joseph of Shelburne Vineyard told the Burlington Free Press last month the vineyard does have insurance, but only for its grapes, not for the wine produced from the grapes. "It's really just a token amount that we will get," Joseph said. "It doesn't come anywhere close to the value of the product, once it's turned into wine." Worst freeze damage to crops in 25 years The damage from the freeze was widespread in New England and beyond. Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts signed on to a June 14 letter sent to Vilsack by agriculture department officials in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Phil Murdock of Chapin Orchard in Essex Junction took this photo of damaged flowers on his apple trees the morning after the deep freeze. The letter cites Terence Bradshaw, director of the University of Vermont's Horticulture Research and Education Center, as saying "this is the worst freeze/frost damage observed in more than 25 years in the industry." Growers in all the affected states are at a "critical crossroads," according to the letter, trying to figure out if they can continue to operate. "Without aid, we will see devastating blows to local economies because of downsizing and closing businesses," the agriculture officials wrote. Farmers' losses in orchards and vineyards in the millions of dollars In his letter to Vilsack, Scott said UVM's Fruit Program had received 37 reports in response to a survey, from "at least nine counties" in Vermont telling of widespread damage to fruit crops, including apples, grapes, peaches, other stone fruit and blueberries. Ethan Joseph, head winegrower at Shelburne Vineyard, explains damage caused by the May freeze. "Farmers reported debilitating damage with most orchards describing at least 95% crop losses," Scott wrote. "In total, farmers reported approximately $5.8 million in projected orchard losses." The Program expects losses to reach more than $10 million when orchards that did not respond to the survey are included. Vermont vineyards reported an average 52% crop loss, equalling about $927,000 in damages. Once vineyards that have not reported are added in, the Program expects those losses to climb to $1.2 million. More: Hard freeze in May affects Vermont's forests as well, hitting trees that leaf out late The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is encouraging everyone who sustained losses to report the damages to their local Farm Services Agency office with the USDA. Contact Dan DAmbrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosi@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDambrosioVT. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Scott says hard freeze in May warrants federal disaster designation After a small grass fire at HomerFest Thursday, fire officials there are urging residents not to shoot off fireworks at home ahead of the Fourth of July holiday because most fireworks are illegal and dry conditions make fireworks more dangerous this year. About halfway through the HomerFest fireworks display Thursday, the first day of the fest, a small grass fire started within the displays safety zone after a shell exploded on the ground, said Homer Township Fire Protection District deputy Chief Dave Bricker. The fire was put out by the fireworks crew, which was on standby in the safe zone, Bricker said. The firework company used water tanks and also stomped out the fire, he said, and the nearby fire crews responded to put out a few hot spot areas. It was basically an insignificant fire, Bricker said. It was put out with water cans and peoples feet. Madelyn Boylan, a Homer Glen resident, said the fire was very well handled and out within minutes. Ahead of any professional fireworks display, Bricker said the Fire Department meets with the fireworks company to make sure proper permits are up to date and to create a safety plan. In the days leading up to the event, Bricker said fire crews monitor weather conditions to make sure conditions are safe. For example, on the final day of Lockports Canal Days June 11, the fire district called off the scheduled firework display because the wind conditions were unsafe, he said. The majority of fireworks, particularly the professional grade fireworks, are illegal in Illinois, Bricker said, so residents should not shoot off fireworks at home. At a professional show, the fire departments ensure there is a safety zone of 70 feet for every inch of firework shell and firefighters are on standby in case something goes wrong, he said. Residents do not have the same kind of precautions at home, he said. Dry or not dry conditions, we do not recommend people shoot them off at their house, Bricker said. New Lenox fire Chief Adam Riegel said while it may be tempting to set off fireworks around the Fourth of July, he urged residents to leave it to professionals. But, if residents do set off fireworks or fire crackers, Riegel recommended using a hard surface base and watering any nearby grass. About every three years or so, Riegel said, firefighters responds to a fire caused by fireworks hitting a structure or hot shells being thrown away too soon and starting a garbage fire. With the dry conditions, it wont take much to light the grass on fire, Riegel said. The village of New Lenox will still hold its Fourth of July fireworks display the day of the holiday, Riegel said, in the village commons on a dead end street. The chance of setting something on fire there are slim, so the village still plans to hold our show, Riegel said. The Tinley Park Fire Department offered alternatives, including glow sticks, noise makers and silly string, calling fireworks dangerous, especially with lawns being so dry due to the recent lack of rain. The department also recommended an outdoor movie night, a family craft night or throwing a birthday party for the country. Alsip fire Chief Thomas Styczynski said residents should refrain from drinking alcohol if they choose to shoot off fireworks, big or small, and to monitor children playing with sparklers or snake fireworks. Residents should also water the grass near the area of the fireworks so that any embers that land are quickly put out, Styczynski said. I know people like lighting off fireworks, I used to be one of those people. You just have to be cautious and careful, Styczynski said. Firefighters made quick work of a grass fire that threatened at least two structures Friday in southeastern Sacramento County. The Tokay Fire, which sparked about 1 p.m. on the 8900 block of Tokay Lane near Hedge Avenue, was contained by firefighters in less than 45 minutes, said Capt. Parker Wilbourn, a spokesman for the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. The fire had charred 13 acres, he said, but no injuries were reported. Wilbourn said the fire started after a balloon made contact with a power line nearby. Video from Metro Fire personnel showed flames running against a fence enclosing several small structures and a boat as a helicopter moved in to douse flames. The Vietnamese migrants travelled by ferry from Belgium to Purfleet, before the trailer was opened in Grays A Romanian man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese migrants who were found suffocated in a sealed lorry trailer. The victims, including 10 teenagers, were discovered in Essex in 2019. Marius Mihai Draghici also admitted one count of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration at a hearing at the Old Bailey. The 50-year-old was remanded in custody and Judge Richard Marks KC said he would be sentenced at a later date. Draghici was detained in Romania last August following the execution of a European Arrest Warrant and was extradited to the UK. The 39 people who died in the back of a trailer as it crossed the North Sea between Zeebrugge and the UK The bodies of the 39 people were found in Grays on 23 October 2019, after the lorry had travelled by boat from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Purfleet on the Thames estuary. An inquest heard their medical cause of death was asphyxia and hyperthermia, as temperatures rose in the back of the sealed lorry container and oxygen levels dropped. Each of the lorry victims, and their families, had paid significant sums of money to an organised criminal group that promised a better life and safe passage to the UK. Det Ch Insp Louise Metcalfe said it was "the most complex investigation ever undertaken by Essex Police". "We have always maintained that the actions we believed Draghici was responsible for could never go unpunished. We now know they will not," she added. Police said Draghici's role was to be involved in the onward transportation of the migrants once they arrived in the UK. Four men have been previously jailed over the deaths. Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk SARASOTA Nine local businesses were honored and recognized by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and 600 supporters at Friday's Frank G. Berlin Small Business Awards at the Hyatt Regency. Ranging from mental health start-ups to long-standing companies with thousands of local employees, the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce hosted finalists with a variety of services in the area. Chamber President and CEO Heather Kasten thanked all of the finalists for the event while sharing information about the chamber's growing impact and reach in the region over the 33 years since the inaugural award ceremony. Heather Kasten, president and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, welcomes guests to the awards luncheon. Awards were given in nine qualifying categories for this year's event small, medium, and large business; community impact business; minority-led business; woman-owned business; rising star; workforce development and innovation; and nonprofit organization. Here's who took home the 2023 Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce awards this year: Owner of Rise & Nye's speaks to guests after winning the Community Impact Award. One Stop Housing was the winner of the small business award. The finalists were judged by a 30-member committee that selected winners based on several criteria, including innovation of products or services, business growth and contributions to the community. Our Chamber is all about celebrating small businesses, Kasten said. This awards ceremony gathers more than 500 community members to honor and recognize the people and the local businesses behind our region's rapid growth after all, small businesses are the heart and soul of our community. The 2023 Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Small Business Awards sponsors included the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Boat Guys, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP, Kerkering Barberio, Bank of America, Hyatt Regency Sarasota, HH Staffing, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Gulfside Bank, The Bank of Tampa, Palm Printing, Tommys Express Car Wash, Storm Smart, Wealth Strategies Partners, Florida Light & Power. Around 600 attendees gathered Friday for the annual Frank G. Berlin Small Business Award luncheon hosted by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Frank G. Berlin Small Business Award event honors Sarasota area firms PARIS The Hellenic Army is adding several Safran-made tactical drones to its arsenal, amid growing industrial ties between France and Greece. The French company announced June 20 that Greece selected its Patroller medium-altitude, long-endurance tactical drone to upgrade the Armys unmanned fleet. The service will procure four new Patrollers, designed to carry out surveillance missions, to complement its existing Sperwer aircraft. The Sperwer was originally produced by French company Sagem, before the firm merged with Snecma in 2005 to form Safran Group. The UAV is currently used by the French and Greek armies as well as the Swedish and Dutch air forces and the U.S. Air National Guard. The Patroller became the first tactical drone to be officially certified to NATOs airworthiness standard STANAG 4671, for fixed-wing drones weighing more than 150 kilograms (331 pounds), according to a company news release. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency coordinated the negotiations with Safran on behalf of the Hellenic Army. Defense News has contacted Safran and the Army for additional information on the contract. The selection of Safrans Patroller serves as an example of ever-deepening ties between Frances defense industry and Greece. However, it also puts into perspective Athens balancing act between recent efforts to support its local drone industry and a remaining dependency on foreign suppliers for such systems. Asked whether opting for a foreign-made drone over a domestic one contradicted efforts to build a stronger national industry, Nikos Koklas, director of research and development at Hellenic Aerospace Industry, described the question as valid, but noted its not for industry to answer. The Hellenic Army assesses its needs accordingly. Archytas [Greeces latest locally build surveillance drone] will become operational next year; perhaps the Army requested an immediate solution to its operational needs, Koklas said. In May, French shipbuilder Naval Group opened its new subsidiary Naval Group Hellas in Athens to support work on the Hellenic Navys FDI frigate program, among other maritime projects. The firm also plans to coordinate and further research and development projects in cooperation with Greek partners. That same month, the European consortium MBDA partly owned by French defense company Airbus also inaugurated a new office in Athens to support its contracts with the countrys military. The Hellenic Navy and Air Force are longtime users of the companys Exocet missile system, and the firm is supplying weapons packages for the Air Forces Rafale aircraft as well as the Navys FDI frigates. Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDM) Recent long-range attacks made by Ukraine - like the one today on the Chongar Bridge in Crimea - have spurred speculation as to what weapons are being employed. One of those that has been promised but has still not been confirmed as operational is the U.S.-donated Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), although there certainly has been rumors and claims about its use. But a top Pentagon official on Thursday testified before Congress that those weapons wont come online until this Fall. She also said while controversial cluster munitions would be useful to Ukraine, the U.S. has no immediate plans to provide them for a host of reasons. https://youtu.be/g_Gfj5QubYE?t=2239 The issue of GLSDBs, a fairly recent adaptation of the GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs) first promised to Ukraine in February, was brought up by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia U.S. Department of Defense Laura Cooper Thursday. She was testifying before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe. Cooper was responding to a question by Committee Chairman Tom Kean (R-NJ) about why the U.S. has yet to provide Ukraine - having a tough go in its counteroffensive - with Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles. Those weapons can destroy fortified targets about 200 miles away and have been repeatedly requested by Ukraine and its supporters in Congress. https://youtu.be/Ipr_hPAcR_Q Kean asked Cooper if the Biden administration's continued denial "of these critical systems to Ukraine" was over concern that such a move would be considered escalatory in nature by Russia. Cooper said her concerns related to "the practical aspects of availability" of the weapons. As we have previously reported, the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act called for the production of additional ATACMS. Cooper has previously noted that when providing weapons to Ukraine, U.S. stocks are taken into consideration. There are a limited number of ATACMS - Lockheed Martin has produced about 4,000 ATACMS in various configurations over the past two decades, according to Politico. Some have been sold to allied nations, which bought the missile for their own multiple rocket launcher systems, while about 600 were fired by U.S. forces in combat. Some of these may have been retired from service or fired in training and testing, as well. ATACMS is seen a critical weapon that would be needed in a peer conflict and until its successor arrives in large numbers, the existing inventory is viewed as strategically important to maintain. Cooper also noted that there are other options to ATACMS available to Ukraine, the GLSDB among them. Developed by Boeing in partnership with Saab of Sweden, each GLSDB round is a combination of two existing systems, the air-launched 250-pound GBU-39/B SDB with its pop-out wing set and the rocket motor from the 227mm-caliber M26 artillery rocket. It's a rocket fired from M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), and its variants, and the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), both currently in use in Ukraine. It has a range of 94 miles and makes its way to its fixed target via inertial navigation and GPS. You can read more about what the GLSDB would bring to the table for Ukraine in our story here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkkfE5yHejc Mr. Chairman, my concerns relate to the practical aspects of availability and also whether there are other systems like Storm Shadow [air-launched cruise missiles], like the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb that will come online this fall, other systems including UAVs that can reach the same targets and I will be more than happy to discuss in greater details on these issues in a classified setting, she said. Russian officials claim the Storm Shadow, with an officially stated range of at least 155 miles (the non-export configuration is nearly double that) was used in todays attack on the Chongar Bridge. That, however, has yet to be officially confirmed, but video has emerged that appears to back up the Russian claim. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1671955067958689797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1671955067958689797%7Ctwgr%5Ece3805ca643d147b9311a93400478a05b687efee%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Fukraine-strikes-key-bridge-to-crimea-hints-at-more-long-range-attacks We are seeing the effectiveness of the Storm Shadow system provided by the UK and are finding it to be quite effective, said Cooper when asked about ATACMS. Cooper was also asked by Kean about the controversial 155mm Dual-Purpose Conventional Improved Munition (DPICM) artillery cluster shells, also sought by Ukraine. Ukraine has also requested the individual stabilized submunitions from cluster bombs to arm its drones, which you can read more about here. Kean said that the Russian military has been using cluster munitions with impunity in Ukraine. He then asked if such weapons would be helpful to Ukraine's counteroffensive, particularly in offsetting Russia's quantitative advantage and manpower armor and artillery. Cooper said they would, but the U.S. wont provide them for several reasons. Our military analysts have confirmed that DPICMs would be useful especially against dug-in Russian positions on the battlefield, Cooper testified. The reason why you have not seen a move forward in providing this capability relates both to the existing congressional restrictions on the provision of DPICMs and concerns about allied unity. But from a battlefield effectiveness perspective, we do believe that would be useful. DPICM shells, each of which disperses 88 submunitions when fired, had been in use with the U.S. military since the 1970s and can be equipped with shaped or fragmentation charges, which are ideal for anti-armor and anti-personnel operations respectively. https://youtu.be/IroOVamQZHQ Because they fall at a steep angle over a wide area, they can drop into trenches, which would be especially of value to Ukraine as it is forced to fight against Russian troops who have built hundreds of miles of such fortifications. DPICMS bomblets fall at a steep angle, making them particularly useful against trenches. (DoD chart) But as Cooper said, there is no indication that the Biden administration will agree to send cluster bombs to Ukraine. These weapons are banned in over 100 countries under the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, not including the U.S., because of the harm they pose to civilians, especially long after they have been launched. In 2009, President Barack Obama signed off on legislation prohibiting the export of cluster munitions that have a submunition failure rate of 1% or higher, but this can be waived by Biden or any other sitting President. The ban exists because if bomblets in a cluster weapon fail to detonate, dozens of live submunitions would be left scattered around the target area, posing a risk to civilian lives until they could be properly disposed of. This is especially true for curious children. An HRW article from that year states that only a very tiny fraction of the cluster munitions in the U.S. arsenal meet the one percent standard. Kean, the committee chairman, suggested that because Ukraine is seeking to use these weapons on its own soil, that mitigates concerns about the long-term effects. The Ukrainians believe that the battlefield benefits outweigh the costs, said Kean. And since these would be used on Ukraine's own territory, Kyiv would be incentivized to judicially limit the post-war threat to civilians. But Ukraine has asked for a lot of things, like ATACMS and F-16s. DPICMs do not appear to be on the table, at least at this time, but that could change. The Pentagon has nothing to announce on DPICMs a U.S. official told The War Zone Thursday. In the meantime, at least we know that GLSDB's use in Ukraine still has not occurred, with Fall looking to be its combat debut. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com The United Nations human rights chief and the European Union have expressed alarm over ongoing violence in the occupied West Bank, and over attacks by settlers on Palestinian villagers. But a prominent member of the government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for illegal settlers outposts to be expanded and turned into full settlements. Hundreds of Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Turmusayya in the West Bank on Wednesday, the day after the killing of four Jewish settlers nearby, according to the mayor of the village. Those killings had been in response to an Israeli military operation in the Jenin area. The EU representative to the Palestinians, joined by more than 20 diplomatic missions from the EU and beyond, has visited Turmusayya to express condolences to the victims of the settler attacks on 21 June and see the houses and property impacted, the mission said on Twitter. The chief spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also condemned the settler attacks in Turmusayya and Urif. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari described the incident as very grave. This is an incident that creates terror and escalation, and takes the population that isnt involved in terror and pushes it [toward extremism], while preventing the IDF from fighting terror in operational activities, he told Army Radio. UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk said the violence this week risks spiraling out of control, fueled by strident political rhetoric and an escalation in the use of advanced military weaponry by Israel. The Israeli military operation in the Jenin refugee camp on Monday, which included airstrikes from helicopters, left at least seven Palestinians dead. At least 91 Palestinians and seven Israeli soldiers were injured. Security personnel work at the scene of a shooting attack that killed four Israelis near the Jewish settlement of Eli on June 20, 2023. - Ammar Awad/Reuters Turk said the operation represented a major intensification of the use of weaponry more generally associated with the conduct of armed hostilities rather than a law enforcement operation. Israel must urgently reset its policies and actions in the Occupied West Bank in line with international human rights standards, including protecting and respecting the right to life, he said. Turk also said he was appalled that the killings of the Israeli settlers were celebrated by some Palestinians. Amongst other international reaction to this weeks violence, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said it was deeply concerned about the increasing tension, and condemned the reported desecration of the Quran in one West Bank mosque. We also condemn the attacks by settler groups in various parts of the West Bank and the killing of a Palestinian civilian by Israeli forces, Turkey said Friday. Earlier this week, the Moroccan Foreign Ministry announced the postponement of the meeting next month of the Negev Forum, which brings together Morocco and three other Arab states with Israel and the US, citing a negative political environment. The United Arab Emirates Friday called on the Israeli authorities to reduce escalation and avoid steps that exacerbate tension and violence in the Palestinian territories. In Israel, the organization Peace Now has condemned the promotion of settlements, legalization of outposts, settler violence, and more urgent developments in the West Bank. The Israeli government has announced that 1,000 housing units will be built in the settlement of Eli in the West Bank. Peace Now said that the government had decided to legalize one outpost (Evyatar) created by settlers, while several more such outposts had been established. Peace Now said it seemed there are no barriers or constraints in disregarding Palestinian lives and promoting settlements in the occupied territories. It said that the Netanyahus governments complicity in allowing and supporting settler outposts fuels an already volatile situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, intensifying violence against innocent Palestinians by extremist settlers. But government ministers seem unmoved. Visiting the Evyatar outpost Friday, National Security Minister Ben Gvir said: We need to have a whole and full settlement here. Not only here but in all the hills around us. We should settle the Land of Israel, and at the same time, launch a military operation, take down buildings and eliminate terrorists. Not just one or two, but dozens and hundreds and if needed, thousands, Ben Gvir said. The whole situation looks like its out of control and it is very hard to see how its going to be put back in the box because the Palestinian Authority is crumbling, the former US ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk told CNNs Becky Anderson on Friday. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The News As most of the Internet is now aware, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. cursed out Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo. on the House floor this week during a fight over their competing efforts to impeach President Joe Biden. Some readers may have been taken aback by the collapse of Congressional decorum. But others may have been more surprised by the fact that, yes, there are already dueling efforts to impeach the president. For the perplexed, heres a quick guide to all the various impeachment efforts currently aimed at Biden, as well as those targeting four other administration officials. President Joe Biden Four Republican members have introduced separate impeachment resolutions against Biden, including Reps. Greene, Boebert, Bill Posey, R-Fla. and Andy Ogles, R-Tenn. All of them center around Bidens handling of the border. However, Ogles has added language pointing to the uncorroborated allegations that Biden and his family were involved in a bribery scheme that Republicans have recently seized on. Greene was the first to file a resolution and has accused Boebert of essentially copying and trying to hop over her effort. Alejandro Mayorkas, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Four Republican members of Congress have filed impeachment resolutions against Mayorkas. All of them center around the influx of migrant people illegally entering the U.S.-Mexico border. Reps. Greene, R-Colo., Clay Higgins, R-La., Pat Fallon, R-Texas and Andy Biggs, R-Ariz. Merrick Garland, U.S. Attorney General Greenes impeachment resolution against Garland includes a litany of Republican qualms about the DOJ. As she summed it up: Merrick Garland has weaponized the Department of Justice against Americans in many different ways, all kinds of every level: from January 6th people that walked through the Capitol to parents holding their school boards accountable to pro-life Catholics, and it goes on and on to President Trump with the documents case. Its outrageous. Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Greene also introduced articles of impeachment against Wray, a favorite target of former president Donald Trump, accusing him of "facilitating the development of a Federal police force to intimidate, harass, and entrap American citizens that are deemed enemies of the Biden regime." The list of accusations is long and includes some familiar conservative complaints over issues like Hunter Bidens laptop and the FBI raid of Mar-a-Lago, as well as less well-known ones, such as that the Bureau had a plan to spy on traditionalist Catholic groups believed to be tied to white supremacists. Wray has spit in the face of Republicans on the Oversight Committee and has refused to comply with our subpoena with unclassified forms, she told reporters this week. Matthew Graves: U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia On May 16, Greene introduced impeachment articles accusing Graves of endangering, compromising, and undermining the justice system, because his office is currently declining to indict 67% of people arrested for local crimes in D.C., up from 35% in 2015, despite rising crime. (Graves has said the decline in prosecutions is partly due to police body-camera footage bringing more scrutiny to arrests as well as problems with D.C.s crime lab). Purcell Pearson died in a shooting in Milwaukee at 22. He was a student leader at UW-Whitewater and a Milwaukee entrepreneur. Purcell Pearson had plans. He had graduated with a degree in psychology, along with a deep passion for giving a voice to the underserved and changing the narratives about young Black people on Milwaukee's north side, where he grew up. "That's what he wanted to do: to help those who needed it," his mother, Stephanie Johnson, recalled. "He wanted to be a positive influence in society." A chance and very tragic meeting more than two years ago with Ismael Moreno and Tyrell Joseph over a pair of sunglasses would extinguish those ambitions. Pearson, 22, a student leader at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, was fatally shot in February 2021 during an attempted robbery of designer eyeglasses he had been selling to customers he found online. One by one, friends and family members unpacked stories and anecdotes about the young man known to those closest to him as "Purcy" during Moreno's sentencing Friday. Most wore white "Justice for Purcell" T-shirts. They remembered him as an intelligent, affable man with an indelible smile who made friends with little to no effort. "We built a big brother-little sister relationship. He introduced me to anime," friend Alexis Johnson told Judge John Franke's packed Milwaukee County courtroom. "Now, I can't watch it anymore since he passed." Franke ordered Moreno to a 20-year prison term. Moreno also will serve 15 years of extended supervision after he's released. Moreno was just days from his 17th birthday when, according to a criminal complaint, he and Joseph inquired about the eyeglasses through a fake name online and arranged a meeting with Pearson. The three met in the 2200 block of West Wisconsin Avenue on Feb. 6, 2021, outside Pearsons apartment, and Pearson was fatally shot. Joseph was arrested in July 2021. He pleaded guilty to second-degree reckless homicide, party to a crime, the following January. Joseph, 19, received a nine-year prison sentence. Moreno was charged with first-degree reckless homicide, party to a crime, but managed to evade arrest for more than a year. He was captured in San Diego in May 2022 15 months after the shooting. A Milwaukee County jury convicted him in April. To hear his mother, Queen Maya-Sati Earth, tell the story, Moreno also had plans. She said her oldest child and only son came from a loving, family-oriented home. He was an honors student through elementary school and was awarded an academic scholarship to attend Marquette High School. Moreno, however, chose to go to Martin Luther High School, where she said he continued to excel academically and in sports. He played basketball, held down a job at a Cousins sub shop and had "aspirations of making it to Duke University," she said. She asked for leniency for her son. "I know my son at his core, he is not the monster or villain the media nor the victims (sic) family has portrayed him to be," she wrote in a letter to the judge. "My son, despite being imperfect in many ways, has always shown respect, compassion, positivity, hope, courage and dedication throughout his adolescence. "He is still a teen who is growing into a young man. I know he can and will be productive, law-abiding citizen when given the opportunity." Moreno was given 391 days credit for the time he served in jail while awaiting trial. Franke ordered that Moreno not be eligible for early release. That's little consolation for Johnson, who attended all of Moreno's and Joseph's hearings. "Now, I can start healing," she told the Journal Sentinel. "I feel relief, not justice. I'll never have justice, because I'll never have my son back." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ismael Moreno gets 20 years in shooting death of UW-Whitewater student If they had left us be, we wouldnt have drowned: CNN investigation raises questions about Greek coast guards account of shipwreck tragedy The hull of the fishing trawler lifted out of the water as it sank, catapulting people from the top deck into the black sea below. In the darkness, they grabbed onto whatever they could to stay afloat, pushing each other underwater in a frantic fight for survival. Some were screaming, many began to recite their final prayers. I can still hear the voice of a woman calling out for help, one survivor of the migrant boat disaster off the coast of Greece told CNN. Youd swim and move floating bodies out of your way. With hundreds of people still missing after the overloaded vessel capsized in the Mediterranean on June 14, the testimonies of those who were onboard paint a picture of chaos and desperation. They also call into question the Greek coast guards version of events, suggesting more lives could have been saved, and may even point to fault on the part of Greek authorities. Rights groups allege the tragedy is both further evidence and a result of a new pattern in illegal pushbacks of migrant boats to other nations waters, with deadly consequences. This boat was carrying up to 750 Pakistani, Syrian, Egyptian and Palestinian refugees and migrants. Only 104 people have been rescued alive. A photo provided by the Hellenic Coast Guard shows migrants onboard the boat, before it capsized in the early hours of June 14. - Hellenic Coast Guard/Reuters CNN has interviewed multiple survivors of the shipwreck and their relatives, all of whom have wished to remain anonymous for security reasons and the fear of retribution from authorities in both Greece and at home. One survivor from Syria, whom CNN is identifying as Rami, described how a Greek coast guard vessel approached the trawler multiple times to try to attach a rope to tow the ship, with disastrous results. The third time they towed us, the boat swayed to the right and everyone was screaming, people began falling into the sea, and the boat capsized and no one saw anyone anymore, he said. Brothers were separated, cousins were separated. Another Syrian man, identified as Mostafa, also believes it was the maneuver by the coast guard that caused the disaster. The Greek captain pulled us too fast, it was extremely fast, this caused our boat to sink, he said. The Hellenic Coast Guard has repeatedly denied attempting to tow the vessel. An official investigation into the cause of the tragedy is still ongoing. Coast guard spokesman Nikos Alexiou told CNN over the phone last week: When the boat capsized, we were not even next to (the) boat. How could we be towing it? Instead, he insisted they had only been observing at a close distance and that a shift in weight probably caused by panic had caused the boat to tip. The Hellenic Coast Guard has declined to answer CNNs specific requests for response to the survivor testimonies. Direct accounts from those who survived the wreck have been limited, due to their concerns about speaking out and the media having little access to the survivors. CNN interviewed Rami and Mostafa outside the Malakasa migrant camp near Athens, where journalists are not permitted entry. The Syrian men said the conditions on board the migrant boat deteriorated fast in the more than five days after it set off from Tobruk, Libya, in route to Italy. They had run out of water and had resorted to drinking from storage bottles that people had urinated in. Members of the Red Cross and UNHCR outside a migrant hangar as a coast guard ship carrying 79 bodies arrives into the Greek port of Kalamata. - Byron Smith/Getty Images People were dying. People were fainting. We used a rope to dip clothes into the sea and use that to squeeze water on people who had lost consciousness, Rami said. CNNs analysis of marine traffic data, combined with information from NGOs, merchant vessels and the European Union border patrol agency, Frontex, suggests that Greek authorities were aware of the distressed vessel for at least 13 hours before it eventually sank early on June 14. The Greek coast guard has maintained that people onboard the trawler had refused rescue and insisted they wanted to continue their journey to Italy. But survivors, relatives and activists say they had asked for help multiple times. Earlier in the day, other ships tried to help the trawler. Directed by the Greek coast guard, two merchant vessels Lucky Sailor and Faithful Warrior approached the boat between 6 and 9 p.m. on June 13 to offer supplies, according to marine traffic data and the logs of those ships. But according to survivors this only caused more havoc onboard. Fights broke out over food and water, people were screaming and shouting, Mostafa said. If it wasnt for people trying to calm the situation down, the boat was on the verge of sinking several times. By early evening, six people had already died onboard, according to an audio recording reviewed by CNN from Italian activist Nawal Soufi, who took a distress call from the migrant boat at around 7 p.m. Soufis communication with the vessel also corroborated Mostafas account that people moved from one side of the boat to the other after water bottles were passed from the cargo ships, causing it to sway dangerously. The haunting final words sent from the migrant boat came just minutes before it capsized. According to a timeline published by NGO Alarm Phone they received a call, at around 1:45 a.m., with the words Hello my friend The ship you send is Then the call cuts out. The coast guard says the vessel began to sink at around 2 a.m. The next known activity in the area, according to marine traffic data, was the arrival of a cluster of vessels starting around 3 a.m. The Mayan Queen superyacht was the first on the scene for what soon became a mass rescue operation. Survivors arrive in Kalamata on board the Mayan Queen superyacht. - Stringer/Eurokinissi/AFP/Getty Images A responsibility to rescue Human rights groups say the authorities had a duty to act to save lives, regardless of what people on board were saying to the coast guard before the migrant boat capsized. The boat was overcrowded, was unseaworthy and should have been rescued and people taken to safety, thats quite clear, UNHCR Special Envoy for the Central Mediterranean Vincent Cochetel told CNN in an interview. There was a responsibility for the Greek authorities to coordinate a rescue to bring those people safely to land. Workers transfer body bags carrying people who died in the tragedy. - Stelios Misinas/Reuters Cochetel also pointed to a growing trend by countries, including Greece, to assist migrant boats in leaving their waters. Thats a practice weve seen in recent months. Some coastal states provide food, provide water, sometimes life jackets, sometimes even fuel to allow such boats to continue to only one destination: Italy. And thats not fair, Italy cannot cope with that responsibility alone. Survivors who say the coast guard tried to tow their boat say they dont know what the aim was. There have been multiple documented examples in recent years of Greek patrol boats engaging in so-called pushbacks of migrant vessels from Greek waters in recent years, including in a CNN investigation in 2020. It looks like what the Greeks have been doing since March 2020 as a matter of policy, which is pushbacks and trying to tow a boat to another countrys water in order to avoid the legal responsibility to rescue, Omer Shatz, legal director of NGO Front-LEX, told CNN. Because rescue means disembarkation and disembarkation means processing of asylum requests. Pushbacks are state measures aimed at forcing refugees and migrants out of their territory, while impeding access to legal and procedural frameworks, according to the Berlin-based European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR). They are a violation of international law, as well as European regulations. Syrian survivor Mohammad, 18, who was rescued at open sea, as he reunites with his brother Fadi, who came to meet him from the Netherlands, in Kalamata on June 16. - Stelios Misinas/Reuters And such measures do not appear to have deterred human traffickers whose businesses prey on vulnerable and desperate migrants. In an interview with CNN last month, then Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis denied that his country engaged in intentional pushbacks and described them as a completely unacceptable practice. Mitsotakis is widely expected to win a second term in office in Sundays election, after failing to get an outright majority in a vote last month. A series of Greek governments have been criticized for their handling of migration policy, including conditions in migrant camps, particularly following the 2015-16 refugee crisis, when more than 1 million people entered Europe through the country. For those who lived through last weeks sinking, the harrowing experience will never be forgotten. Mostafa and Rami both say they wish they had never made the journey, despite the fact they are now in Europe and are able to claim asylum. Most of all, Mostafa says, he wishes the Greek coast guard had never approached their boat: If they had left us be, we wouldnt have drowned. Eyad Kourdi and Joseph Ataman also contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In 2015 a stampede at the hajj killed up to 2,300 worshippers (MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH) It is Islam's holiest pilgrimage, but the hajj to Mecca in Saudi Arabia has in recent decades been plagued by deadly disasters, from stampedes to militant attacks. Yet the last time the pilgrimage was cancelled outright was in 1798, when Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Egypt. The coronavirus pandemic did, however, force the kingdom to radically downscale the 2020 event to just a few thousand people, a far cry from the 2.5 million believers who took part in 2019. The numbers were scaled back up to 926,000 in 2022, but this year the kingdom is gearing up to host more than two million Muslims from around the world for the rituals that start on Sunday. Here are some recent incidents that have marred the centuries-old pilgrimage: - Stampedes - 2015 - A stampede during the "stoning of the devil" ritual in Mina, near Mecca, kills up to 2,300 worshippers on September 24 in the worst hajj disaster ever. That comes after more than 100 people are killed and hundreds injured, including many foreigners, when stormy weather topples a crane onto Mecca's Grand Mosque less than two weeks before the pilgrimage. 2006 - Some 364 pilgrims die in a stampede on January 12 during the Mina stoning ritual, in which hajj participants throw pebbles at three headstones to symbolise their rejection of Satan. This follows a hotel collapse a week earlier in the city centre, which kills 76 people. The previous year, three pilgrims are crushed to death in a stampede on January 22 at the stoning ceremony. 2004 - 251 people die after a huge stampede at the stoning ceremony on February 1. 1998 - More than 118 people are killed and 180 injured in a stampede in Mina on April 9. 1994 - During the Mina stoning on May 24, a stampede kills 270 people, with authorities blaming "record numbers" of pilgrims. 1990 - The failure of a tunnel ventilation system triggers a huge stampede on July 2 that kills 1,426 pilgrims, mainly from Asia. - Attacks - 1989 - A twin attack on the outside of the Grand Mosque on July 10 kills one and wounds 16. Weeks later, 16 Kuwaiti Shiites are found guilty and executed. 1979 - Hundreds of gunmen calling for the abdication of the Saudi royal family barricade themselves inside Mecca's Grand Mosque on November 20, taking dozens of pilgrims hostage. The official toll of the assault and subsequent fighting is 153 dead and 560 wounded. - Protests - 1987 - Saudi security forces suppress an unauthorised protest by Iranian pilgrims on July 31 in which more than 400 people including 275 Iranians are killed, according to an official toll. - Infernos - 1997 - A fire on April 15 caused by a gas stove rips through a camp housing pilgrims at Mina, killing 343 and injuring around 1,500. 1995 - Three people die and 99 are injured on May 7 in a fire at the Mina camp. 1975 - A huge fire on December 14 started by an exploding gas canister in a pilgrim camp close to Mecca kills 200 people. doc/jsa-ho/th/fz/smw The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam The Kaaba is a large black cubic structure at the centre of Mecca's Grand Mosque towards which Muslims turn to pray wherever they are in the world (FETHI BELAID) The annual hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, will start on Sunday with more than two million Muslims from around the world expected to take part this year. It will be the largest pilgrimage since the coronavirus pandemic forced Saudi authorities to dramatically downsize the event. More than 926,000 people took part in 2022, up from nearly 59,000 the previous year, according to official figures. In 2019, the Hajj drew in around 2.5 million pilgrims. With Covid-19 restrictions completely lifted and age limits scrapped, the kingdom expects to return to pre-pandemic levels of more than two million. All Muslims are expected to complete the hajj to Mecca -- from which non-Muslims are strictly banned -- at least once in their lives if they have the means to do so. Believers converge on the holy city for several days of rituals in which they retrace the Prophet Mohammed's last pilgrimage. Here is a rundown of the ceremonies at what is usually one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. - White garments - Pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and behaviour. Men wear a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasises unity among believers regardless of their social status or nationality. Women must wear loose dresses, also white, exposing only their faces and hands. Pilgrims are not allowed to argue or bicker and are prohibited from wearing perfume, cutting their nails, or trimming their hair or beards. - Rituals begin - The first ritual requires walking seven times around the Kaaba, the large black cubic structure at the centre of Mecca's Grand Mosque. Made from granite and draped in an heavily-embroidered cloth featuring verses of the Koran, the Kaaba stands nearly 15 metres (50 feet) tall. Muslims, no matter where they are in the world, turn towards the Kaaba to pray. The structure is said to have been first erected by Adam and then rebuilt by Abraham 4,000 years ago. Pilgrims next walk seven times between two stone spots in the mosque. They then move on to Mina, around five kilometres (three miles) away, ahead of the main rite of the pilgrimage at Mount Arafat. - Mount Arafat - The climax of the hajj is the gathering on Mount Arafat, about 10 kilometres (six miles) from Mina, where it is believed that the Prophet Mohammed delivered his final sermon. Pilgrims assemble on the 70-metre (230-foot) high hill and its surrounding plain for hours of prayers and Koran recitals, staying there until the evening. After sunset they head to Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and Mina, where they each gather several dozen pebbles so they can perform the symbolic "stoning of the devil". - 'Stoning the devil' - The last major ritual of the hajj is back at Mina, where pilgrims throw seven stones at each of three huge concrete walls representing Satan. The ritual is an emulation of Abraham's stoning of the devil at the three spots where it is said Satan tried to dissuade him from obeying God's order to sacrifice his son, Ishmael. After the first stoning, the Eid al-Adha feast of sacrifice begins, marking the end of the hajj. Sheep are slaughtered, in reference to the lamb that God provided for sacrifice instead of Ishmael, in a ceremony that is held at the same time around the world. Men then shave their heads or trim their hair while women cut a fingertip-length off their locks. The pilgrims can then change back into normal clothing, returning to circumambulate the Kaaba and complete their stone-throwing rituals before heading home. - Four other pillars - The hajj is the last pillar of Islam. The other four are: profession of the faith, daily prayers, alms-giving and fasting from dawn to dusk during the holy month of Ramadan. bur/ho/th/fz/smw What happened at The Gorge Amphitheatre shooting? Here are the facts, what we know so far Two people died and several others were injured following a shooting at The Gorge Campground near the Beyond Wonderland music festival on June 17. A suspect was taken into custody after police arrived and more information is being released by law enforcement. Rumors are spread after most music festivals, usually consisting of a large number of overdoses, some outlandish assault and numerous arrests. The mass shooting at The Gorge Campground has many people talking about the events, and unfortunately, it has caused an increase in rumors and misinformation. Heres what we know so far about the events that occurred on Saturday night and answers to some questions and rumors that people may have heard: Claim: A SHOOTING OCCURRED AT A MUSIC FESTIVAL. False. A deadly shooting occurred at the campgrounds near The Gorge Amphitheatre, where the Beyond Wonderland music festival was. Festival-goers at The Gorge at the time of the shooting were not involved in a shooting and were informed after the fact. People around the parking lot and Gorge Amphitheatre Campground may have been involved at the time of the shooting. The campground is next to the venue and often utilized by concert attendees, but there is no direct access to the venue. Claim: THERE WERE XX DRUG OVERDOSES. No overdoses have been reported from Beyond Wonderland. The Grant County Coroners Office confirmed with McClatchy that no overdose cases were brought through the office, as did contracted emergency services American Medical Response and CrowdRX. Claim: THE SHOOTING WAS CAUSED BY MUSHROOMS. Conjecture. This is just the suspected shooters explanation to police, that he was on mushrooms and thought the world was ending, so he started shooting. At this time, no motive or reasoning has been confirmed. More evidence could come to light if the case goes to trial. Claim: THIS WAS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATION. One of the surviving victims is Lily Luksich, girlfriend of suspected shooter Specialist James M. Kelly. The Grant County Sheriffs Office said he was arrested on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree assault, one of which included the aggravated circumstance of domestic violence. However, court documents from the State of Washington currently show two counts of first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree assault with a deadly weapon, with no mention of domestic violence. He is scheduled for arraignment on July 5. Claim: A CREW MEMBER DIED. False. The two people who died in the shooting, Brandy Escamilla and Josilyn Ruiz, were not festival employees but attendees. The young couple was engaged and had come from Seattle to attend the music festival. A Crowd Management Services employee was shot at while driving a utility vehicle with coworkers. One bullet went through the windshield and shattered her glasses, but she was only cut and bruised. Claim: THE MUSIC FESTIVAL KEPT GOING. Yes and no. Once the suspect was secured, the rest of Saturdays lineup continued. Day two of the festival was canceled. Claim: THIS IS DUE TO POOR SECURITY AT MUSIC FESTIVALS. Not likely. Kelly is an active duty fire support specialist for the U.S. Army at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, meaning he would have access to firearms and permission to carry in places others wouldnt. Court documents report that his gun was in his truck at the campgrounds. Campgrounds generally do not conduct searches, especially in cars. Claim: KELLY SNEAKED THROUGH A FENCE AND AMBUSHED HIS GIRLFRIEND. THEY ARGUED SO HE SHOT HER. There is little evidence to support this. The police report does not mention that Kelly sneaked in through a fence and confirmed he had a festival wristband. The couple says at the time of the shooting, they had just left the festival and went to the campgrounds. He was not in the festival with the gun. Police documents also report Luksich was the last person shot before Kelly was stopped, not the first. Documents say Kelly and Luksich claim they came to the festival together, contradicting rumors that she had come with other friends, and everything was normal before he took a bad batch of mushrooms. Claim: THIS COULD BE THE SAME MAN ARRESTED FOR PLANNING A MASS SHOOTING LAST YEAR. False. That man was a 31-year-old from Ephrata, and two of his charges were dismissed, according to court records. Prosecutors chose not to prosecute the charge of possession of a firearm at an outdoor music festival. The man was arrested in the parking lot outside Bass Canyon before entering the festival and was originally suspected of planning a mass shooting. But after further investigation, the Grant County Sheriffs Office recanted this suspicion. June is Mens Health Month, and to mark the occasion the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County is hosting a Mens Wellness Summit for men and boys. Organizers said the event is open to all ages and will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the health department, located at 400 W. Airport Blvd. in Sanford. There will be a panel discussion about important mens health topics as well as health screenings, immunizations, and health and wellness resources. Free haircuts and lunch will also be available. DOH-Seminole encourages men to talk to their health-care provider about: Read: Local hospital systems work with UCF to tackle nursing shortage You can click here or call 407-920-6226 to register. Read: Inclusion and Diversity: Orange County expands ESOL Pilot Program for I-Drive employees Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. EXCLUSIVE: Stockton Rush, the 61-year-old adventurer and CEO who died this week along with four other crew members in a catastrophic implosion near the bow of the Titanic, appeared in a series of never-before-seen surreal images captured during testing of the vehicle years ago. In the series of May 2018 photos taken in Abaco, Bahamas, and obtained by Fox News Digital, Rush can be seen peering through the vessel's lone porthole, testing out computer equipment inside and posing next to the 21-foot submersible on the deck of a ship before the test run. They were captured by underwater photographer Becky Kagan Schott, who said Rush had tested the vehicle numerous times in the area and she befriended the adventurer. The Titan was designed to reach depths of 4,000 meters, according to OceanGate, the company Rush founded in 2009. It was meant for a variety of purposes, including scientific research, media production, and site surveying. MISSING TITANIC SUBMARINE FOUND, CREW KILLED IN DEEP-SEA CATASTROPHE, COAST GUARD SAYS The Titan sub vanished Sunday morning one hour and 45 minutes into a dive toward the wreck of the Titanic. Response teams found wreckage of the sub itself Thursday morning, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, bringing sad closure to days of a harrowing search at sea. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Rush previously had experience in aviation, becoming "the youngest jet transport rated pilot in the world" at age 19 in 1981, according to his bio on the OceanGate website. He became an F-15 flight test engineer and later worked with sonar and wireless technologies for marine applications. "In 1989, Rush personally built a Glasair III experimental aircraft, which he still owns and flies," according to OceanGate. "He obtained his BSE in Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University in 1984, and his MBA from the U.C. Berkeley Haas School of Business in 1989." NEW ASSETS ON-SCENE IN MISSING TITANIC SUBMARINE SEARCH AFTER CANADIANS PICK UP UNDERWATER NOISES Then he got into deep-sea diving, completing dozens of trips in a modified Kittredge K-350 two-person submersible before building the Titan, according to OceanGate. Stocktons widow Wendy Rush is a direct descendant of Isador and Ida Straus, who were among more than 1,500 people who died when the iconic Titanic struck an iceberg and sank into the Atlantic Ocean on its maiden voyage in 1912. Search-and-rescue teams from the U.S., Canada, France and the private sector all joined the effort to try and find survivors, but the Coast Guard revealed Thursday that a deep-sea robot had recovered debris on the bottom of the ocean floor, about 1,600 feet from the Titanic's bow. "The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. Upon this determination, we immediately notified the families," U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger told reporters. "On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families." WHO WAS ON THE OCEANGATE TITANIC SUB The OceanGate CEO was piloting the vessel. Crew members included British businessman turned adventurer 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. "These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans," OceanGate said in a statement. "Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time." U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger speaks during a press conference regarding the search of the missing OceanGate Expeditions submersible in Boston on Thursday. Several remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs, will remain in the area to gather more information, according to Mauger, but he said he could not estimate the prospects of whether the victims' remains could be recovered. "This is incredibly unforgiving environment down there on the sea floor, and the debris is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel, and so we'll continue to work and search the area down there, but I dont have an answer," he said. Fox News' Lawrence Richard and Greg Norman contributed to this report. The Hill brought together medical experts on Thursday morning to reflect on lessons learned from the pandemic and discuss the future of U.S. health care after major shifts in the health policy realm. At The Hills 2023 Future of Healthcare Summit, moderated by Editor in Chief Bob Cusack and National Political Reporter Julia Manchester, misinformation about COVID-19 and health literacy in general was the first of several common concerns among the speakers. Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams said that the pandemic only highlighted the issue. COVID was just a magnifying glass on the problems that have existed for decades, for centuries, Adams said. It was a magnifying glass on misinformation. Dawn OConnell also emphasized false facts as a challenge in her role as the assistant secretary for Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). OConnell explained that HHS avoids giving the public room to doubt their choices by clarifying what information the department does and doesnt know Weve just tried to be very transparent, OConnell said. But it is a problem, and its something that were all going to have to wrestle with. Adams also pointed to the politicization of health as an obstacle to progress in public debates. The doctor said that his role in the Trump administration made it difficult to chime into conversation because the media often turns preventative health into a political conversation. Its impacting our ability to have rational conversations about important issues that, again, are about so much more than Donald Trump, Adams said. Health inequity was another shortcoming that the pandemic exacerbated. According to Adams, the same communities who were most likely to die from COVID-19 were also most likely to die from other illnesses. Adams added that he took individual action to combat inequity by remaining in his position, despite public skepticism of his working under the former president. As the second African American male surgeon general in history, he felt it was important to represent people who look and think like him. Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, vice provost for global initiatives and co-director of the Health Transformation Institute at the University of Pennsylvania noted the COVID-19 pandemic exposed other underlying problems with the system. One of the things we saw with COVID is how rickety parts of the system were, how easy it was to overwhelm, Emanuel said. The fact is that hospitals today and that part of the system are really teetering economically burnout from staff, lack of staff in critical areas and its not going to take much to really create a crisis in the hospital sector. The public, politicians (and) policymakers dont appreciate how tenuous that situation is, he added. Such shortages were also found within the highest levels of government. According to OConnell, HHS had to rely on the Department of Defense, the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to speed up contracts with vaccine developers and fill their staffing shortages. Now, shes asking Congress for that hiring and acquisition power For whatever comes next Im going to need to be able to move quickly, OConnell said. Were living in an era of poli-crisis. I cant always have FEMA available theyre going to be out doing wildfires and other weather events as were seeing climate change pick up and Im going to need to do the health things. Though she remains optimistic that HHS will be granted those authorities, health care staffing shortages persist across the country. President and CEO of the National Hispanic Medical Association Dr. Elena Rios, said that the future of the workforce depends on the nations students of color. This starts, she added, with elevating professionals of color to leadership positions. Ultimately this is about power, who gets to make these decisions and who gets to set the agendas, said Founder & CEO of Global Liver Institute Donna Cryer. If more people from the communities are the people who help set the agendas, then the agendas will help better reflect the needs of those communities. Rios also emphasized the need to increase residency slots for training of doctors, create more community-based clinics, and offer training in different languages. Then, you have not only a job and an economic engine, but you have more people who can deliver in-language, culturally concordant care, Cryer added. Youve really addressed the problem in so many different ways by building up a workforce from the community, for the community. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A hearing scheduled Friday in a lawsuit filed by Carmelite nuns against Bishop Michael Olson and the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth was postponed to 9 a.m. Tuesday. An attorney represent Olson said there is evidence to present showing that Olsons actions in his investigation of Gerlach were appropriate. The hearing is scheduled for the 67th District Court, in the Tom Vandergriff Civil Courts Building, 100 N. Calhoun St. The Reverend Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach, 43, and Sister Francis Therese are suing Olson and the diocese for $1 million. The suit alleges defamation, invasion of privacy and theft of information from electronic devices. Olson has dismissed Gerlach from the order because of her grave misconduct. He has said an an investigation authorized by the Vatican determined that Gerlach broke her chastity vow with a priest and that she admitted she did so during multiple interviews. Gerlach oversaw cloistered nuns at the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in Arlington. Meanwhile, a petition posted late Thursday from the Laity In Unity Foundation is calling for Olsons removal. The petition includes a letter to the Most Rev. Christophe Pierre, who is the Vaticans ambassador to the United States. The letter requests an apostolic visit and an investigation into Olsons actions at the monastery. The diocese declined to comment on the petition and the letter to Pierre. Bishop Michael F Olson has operated against canon law on numerous occasions, has employed abusive language and conducted vindictive actions against priests, nuns and the lay faithful in our diocese, the petition states. In addition to his handling of the investigation at the monastery, the letter cites several Olson decisions that have not been popular with some in the diocese: the closing of San Mateo Catholic Church in Fort Worth, the removal and resignations of priests and the resignation of the executive director of Catholic Charities. Your office has received hundreds of letters and emails about incidents regarding Bishop Olson. The Catholic faithful are hereby requesting an apostolic visitation and full investigation into Bishop Olsons actions and behaviors and plead that he be held fully accountable for what we believe to be the misuse of his ordained office. One month after the deadly SouthPark construction site fire, the Charlotte Fire Department received an official commendation from North Carolina representatives. The commendation ceremony took place at the Charlotte Fire Headquarters Friday morning. As the buildings collapsed, firefighters needed to evacuate for their safety, but later heroically went back to protect lives and property, the commendation reads. The Charlotte community and the entire State of North Carolina are grateful for the heroism and selflessness of the Charlotte Fire Department. Fire Chief Reginald Johnson and four of the crews who responded accepted the commendation from members of the Mecklenburg delegation of N.C. General Assembly. Two construction workers, Demonte Sherrill and Ruben Holmes, died in the fire in May. 30-year-old Sherrill was the father of four children, ages 5 to 13. His mother told Channel 9 he was a loving father and caring person. He was a good man, Onita Sherrill said. And he just wanted to be with his children, his family. >> GoFundMe for Sherills family Our partners at the Charlotte Observer reported that Holmes was from Huntsville, Alabama. He was single and had no children of his own, but family members told the Observer that he was the uncle we could go to and talk about anything. Investigators found the building that caught fire did not meet North Carolina fire code. Matthews Fire Chief Rob Kinniburgh told Channel 9 that the building was at this most vulnerable period when the fire occurred. Once a fire was to start, there is very little other than human effort to slow that fire growth, Kinniburgh said. Would a standpipe have made a difference if one was working in this instance? It may have. But then again, it may not. The extremely rapid fire growth may not have afforded the firefighters the time they needed to get that standpipe in operation. PREVIOUS STORIES: (WATCH -- Chaotic scene: Witnesses describe blaze at SouthPark construction site) Flash flooding is one of the most dangerous and deadly aspects of severe weather and is responsible for around 127 deaths per year, according to the National Weather Service. Earlier this month, one storm chaser came across a dangerous flash flood and jumped into action to help rescue those in need, an effort that he hopes will serve as an example of what people should do if they come across a flooded road. AccuWeather Storm Chaser Aaron Rigsby was in western Texas on Thursday, June 1, when thunderstorms erupted over the small town of O'Donnell, located about 40 miles south of Lubbock. The thunderstorms were setting up in a dangerous pattern known as "training," when storms repeatedly hit the same area over an extended period of time, triggering significant flooding. Rigsby made his way toward O'Donnell on Highway 87, when just north of the town, he came across a stretch of road that was submerged in floodwaters with vehicles stranded at least halfway under water. So he got his feet wet and sprang into action. An image of the flooded road near O'Donnell, Texas, on June 1, 2023, captured by a drone. (AccuWeather/Aaron Rigsby) "I started making my way out toward a woman that had unfortunately stranded her vehicle," Rigsby recalled during an interview on AccuWeather Early. Texas has an abundance of red clay that doesn't absorb water as well as soil in the eastern United States. The clay also made the floodwaters murky and impossible to see the road. "I was trying to go out in the water, see how deep it was, see if I could get to her," he continued. "All of a sudden, a semi came beside me." As the truck plowed through the water, the motion lifted up the vehicles and they began to float away from him, so Rigsby knew he had to act fast to bring the motorists to safety. Once he reached them, Rigsby said he kept the stranded people calm as he helped them get out of their flooded vehicles and walked with them across the flooded road until they were safe on dry ground. "It was perfect timing for me being in the right situation at the right time." Weeks after the high-water rescue on that flooded Texas highway, Rigsby received an invitation from the CEO of Raising Cane's to visit one of the fast-food restaurants in Denver. At first, he was confused by the invitation, but then found out that one of the people who he helped rescue was a manager at a Raising Cane's restaurant who had told the company about Rigsby's valiant efforts. Raising Cane's hosted a small celebration for Rigsby to thank him, which included a free dinner, a gift card and some shirts. But for Rigsby, it wasn't about the tokens of appreciation. "It's all about perspective," he said. "For me, as a journalist and a storm chaser, it's just instinct because it seems like the right thing to do." A Raising Cane's restaurant in Denver thanking Aaron Rigsby for rescuing an employee from a flooded road. (AccuWeather/Aaron Rigsby) When reflecting on the heart-pounding rescue, Rigsby said that he hopes that it can be an opportunity to teach people about what to do if they find themselves in a similar flooding situation. As little as a foot of moving water can sweep away a vehicle, so experts urge motorists to avoid driving across a road that is flooded. "Most people don't realize storm chasers have a role," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. "They're following severe weather, but if someone needs help, they stop what they're doing and help." Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. A high-end recruiter had to take down a listing for a $127,000 live-in dog nanny after the ad went viral on TikTok, and 2,000 applications flooded in A billionaire family was hiring a live-in dog nanny for $127,000. alexei_tm/Getty Images One billionaire family is offering $127,000 for a full-time live-in dog nanny for their two dogs. The job went viral on TikTok and was pulled after the family received nearly 2,000 applications. The role is demanding and requires working irregular hours as well as traveling with the dogs. One billionaire family, looking to spend large on their dogs, put out a dream job advert for a dog nanny in London that pays 100,000 ($127,000) and went viral on TikTok. The now-deleted job listing, viewed by Insider, was posted by Fairfax and Kensington a high-end recruitment agency for private staff in London and sought a full-time dog nanny to live with a family in the city's expensive Kensington district. "Our returning client is seeking an exceptional and highly experienced Dog Nanny to provide top-tier care for their two beloved dogs," the recruiter for the job, George Ralph Dunn, posted on Linkedin. "They are truly looking for someone at the top of their field who can ensure the overall well-being, happiness, and safety of their dogs." Although the position sounds like a walk in the park for many, it's actually quite demanding and includes working "irregular hours" according to the New York Post. It requires providing "unparalleled care and attention to the dogs, treating them as valued members of the family," and coordinating all vet appointments, vaccinations, and health check-ups, per the Post. The nanny would have to plan a "personalized exercise regime," for each dog as well as accompany them for domestic and international travel. "The clients are billionaires looking for best-in-class service, so when it comes to their dogs, they're happy to pay," Dunn told Kennedy News, per the Post. "When money is no object, people want the best, and you attract the best with the best salary." Dunn added that the job includes six weeks off a year, but this isn't guaranteed with such high-profile clients. "If they want to go to Monaco tomorrow, you'd be on a private jet flying with those dogs," he said. "You really do need to drop everything and be there when they call and leave your private life on the back burner." Dunn told Fox TV Stations that the job listing had to be pulled from the website because applications increased from 300 to about 2,000 in just a few days. The hype around the role was partly influenced by media coverage, as well as TikTok videos about the job description, with some gaining over one million views. Dunn did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment about the role. Read the original article on Business Insider For more than 20 years, historians, politicians and advocates have worked to build a museum exploring the African American and African diaspora in Charleston, S.C. On Saturday, the International African American Museum (IAAM) will open its doors, offering museum-goers nine galleries detailing the history, culture and impact of Black Americans. The museum was first pitched by former Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. in 2000. In 2002, a steering committee was formed to explore the development of the museum, and in 2005, Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) became the museums first chair of the Board of Directors. But the new museum will open at a time when African American history is being censored and politicized around the nation. Over the last three years, policymakers in 45 states have proposed 283 laws restricting what teachers can say about race, racism and American history, according to The Washington Post. Some of these laws include language that would forbid lessons that could cause a student to feel anguish, guilt, or any other form of psychological distress because of their race. But Clyburn said that the museum can show a history that is untaught as well as parallels between things that happened in the 1800s and events happening today. What we just experienced on January 6 was taken from a playbook written from what happened in 1876 when the so-called Redeemer Democrat brought in the Reconstruction and ushered in Jim Crow and those experiences, Clyburn told The Hill. Thats what this museum is all about, and I think that the extent to which this can help people, Black and white, understand that January 6 did not happen in the vacuum. The Redeemer Democrats were a wing of the Democratic Party that arose after the Civil War. Espousing white supremacy rhetoric and ideals, Redeemers believed in reclaiming their states and using intimidation and force to keep newly freed Black Ameicans from participating in everyday society, including voting and elections. One of the exhibits in the museum, the Carolina Gold and Memories of the Enslaved exhibits, will delve into the lived experiences of enslaved men and women to demonstrate the importance of memory, violence, family, and culture. But others will show the resistance and revolutions Black Americans led as they secured their freedom and rights, despite the intimidation and violence they experienced along the way. One of the most important aspects of the museum, Clyburn said, is that the new museum will chronicle the Middle Passage and address the perseverance of those who came through it. It will talk about the enslavement, the spirit of being enslaved or the experience of being enslaved, Clyburn explained. Well talk about overcoming Jim Crow and highlight the significant contributions made by these people and their descendants to the greatness of this country. Despite delving into the Middle Passage and slavery in America, Clyburn was insistent during the development that the museum could not simply be a slavery museum. I resisted that push because to glorify in any way or even be thought of as glorified slavery is something that I was just not going to be a part of, the lawmaker said. This museum, that museum had to be about the African American experience here in the United States all of its trials and tribulations as well as its triumphs and victory. Everything from the location to the galleries to the names of the exhibits carry a special meaning. The museum has been built at the site of Gadsdens Wharf, the largest of several ports along the Charleston Harbor that took in enslaved African Americans. Many historians believe that at least half of all of the enslaved Africans came through the Charleston Harbor, Clyburn said, adding that some even believe that more than 70 percent of African Americans today can trace their lineage back to Charleston. Its also important that we named it as we did, the International African American Museum, because it is a museum made possible by the international slave trade and the fact that so much of what made South Carolina is built upon the skills that these enslaved Africans brought with them, Clyburn said. The nine galleries of the museum will include multimedia exhibits meant to showcase hundreds of years of the African and African American diaspora. The entry point gallery, titled the Transatlantic Experience, will take visitors on a video journey through hundreds of years of history of African cultural roots through the Middle Passage to local and international diaspora scenes and traditions. In the Gullah Geechee gallery, visitors will learn about the history of the community as well as contemporary issues facing Gullah-Geechee communities. This gallery is especially important to Clyburn, whose late wife was Gullah. One of the importance of this museum is to get that history right and even the culture right, Clyburn said. The Gullah-Geechee culture is a combination of West African heritage that mixed with European culture, particularly German merchants. Though some may try to separate the Gullah culture from the Geechee community, Clyburn, who helped create the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor, said he named this gallery the Gullah-Geechee Heritage Corridor to share the truth about the two communities. The Gullah-Geechee nation expands from Jacksonville, N.C., to Jacksonville, Fla. The Gullah-Geechee people declared themselves as a nation on July 2, 2000. But Clyburn said his favorite gallery will be the American Journeys Gallery, which will show visitors key moments, figures and movements in African American history, including Robert Smalls. Smalls was born enslaved but went on to serve in the South Carolina state legislature for 10 years before heading to the United States House of Representatives. For Clyburn, Smalls is the the most consequential South Carolinians to have ever lived. The museum will also highlight the story of Scipio Rhame the great-great-grandfather to the late Rep. Elijah Cummings. Rhame was born a slave, but three years after his slavery ended, he registered to vote. We broke ground on the same day that Elijah Cummings was funeralized, Clyburn said. As Cummings lay in state, Clyburn spoke of Rhame: how his children grew up on the same land he had been enslaved upon; how his great-great-grandchild would go from being placed in special education to law school to serving in the United States Congress. Thats what this museum is all about, he said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Investigators looking into the death of an 8-year-old girl in federal custody at the U.S.-Mexico border reportedly say that border patrol facilities are unsafe and lack the resources necessary to care for migrants. Anadith Danay Reyes Alvarez died May 17 after eight days in Border Patrol custody; she suffered from an extreme fever and had a history of heart problems. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) investigators said in a memo this month that the facility where Alvarez and her family were held lacked sufficient medical engagement and accountability to ensure safe, effective, humane and well-documented medical care, according to The Washington Post. The memo, from DHS medical officer Herbert Wolfe to U.S. Customs and Border Protection acting Commissioner Troy Miller and seen by the Post, claims that the facilitys medical systems are poorly run and lack clear guidelines on providing proper care. The facility where Alvarez was held had a list of doctors that was seldom used and out of date, Wolfe said. The Border Patrol fired its own chief medical officer last week after Alvarezs death. DHS and the Department of Health and Human Services have come under fire from Congress for their treatment of migrants, especially children. Alvarez, who was from Panama, contracted the flu after four days in Border Patrol custody. But DHS investigators found that there was little way to track patients in facilities. There was no documented communication between the custodial and medical personnel regarding awareness of at-risk individuals or acute medical care issues, the memo reportedly stated. Clinical interactions, medical assessments, and encounters were documented inaccurately within [electronic medical records], not documented and/or not shared with subsequent medical service providers, it added. Border crossings have fallen by 70 percent since May, according to Border Patrol data. Miller told the Post that the average time a minor is in custody with the agency is now under 30 hours. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Col. Michael L. Gette, center, assumes command of the 388th Fighter Wing and the bases F-35A Lightning II flying unit during a change of command ceremony at Hill Air Force Base on Thursday, June 22, 2023. | USAF The newest commander of the Hill Air Force Bases 388th Fighter Wing said his new appointment is "the honor of my life," at a change of command ceremony Thursday. I promise to do my best and also to take care of you and your families, Col. Michael L. Gette told airmen during the ceremony at Hill Air Force Base. It will be the honor of my life serving with you and for you over the next two years. Gette is taking the place of Col. Craig R. Andrle, who has served as commander for the past two years since June 2021. Gette previously served as vice commander under Andrles direction. Andrle retires Friday after a 23-year career. The ceremony was made personal by Gettes and Andrles remarks, in which they both expressed gratitude for, and humor toward the servicemen they have worked with, their families, God and the northern Utah community. From a farm kid from Iowa, to standing up here, finishing command of the worlds most elite fighter wing I didn't get here on my own, Andrle said. To the wing, he added, You have answered your nation's call. And you've done this while taking care of each other and building high performing teams. You serve a purpose larger than yourself. You are what enables us to enjoy the freedoms that we have. After having already served as vice commander the past two years, Gette expressed gratitude to his airmen and anticipation at what they will be able to accomplish in the future under his leadership. Air Force personnel salute as Col. Michael L. Gette assumes command of the 388th Fighter Wing and the bases F-35A Lightning II flying unit during a change of command ceremony at Hill Air Force Base on Thursday, June 22, 2023. | USAF We have a really, really good thing going here, and Im just really excited to keep that going over the next few years, and then see how we can get even better, Gette said. The change of command ceremony also involved symbolic gestures, including the 388th formation delivering a final salute to Andrle and a first salute to Gette as its new commander. Maj. Gen. Michael G. Koscheski, commander of the 15th Air Force, also presided over a traditional passing of the 388th Fighter Wing unit flag from Andrle to Gette. Kocheski honored Andrles contributions as commander, including his leadership in defending against Russia and China. He inspired the warrior ethos of bravery and selfless service, Kocheski said. Col. Andrle valued every airman as part of the team and ensured they had the necessary training to fly, fight and win. During these times of great change, he created an environment of trust to bring out the best in our brilliant and innovative airmen. Gette, who joined the Air Force 24 years ago in 1999, said he is grateful to the northern Utah community for supporting its efforts. He said he's seen Hill Air Force Base advance in leaps and bounds as the 388th Fighter Wing has become among the world's leading experts in aircraft technology. This is the best country on the planet, and serving our country is an honor every day, Gette said. I love being part of defending it, and what we all do together in serving our country is vitally important. The House Ethics Committee has issued more than 30 subpoenas for its probe into Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., committee leadership revealed in an update. Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss., and ranking member Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa., announced Thursday the committee will expand its inquiry to include allegations that the embattled congressman fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits. The new avenue of investigation came in response to a 13-count federal indictment brought against Santos in May, including seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives . Santos pleaded not guilty to the charges and has maintained his innocence even as some of his House colleagues have demanded Santos be expelled from Congress. The wide-ranging ethics probe was established in February to determine whether Santos "engaged in unlawful activity with respect to his 2022 congressional campaign; failed to properly disclose required information on statements filed with the House; violated federal conflict of interest laws in connection with his role in a firm providing fiduciary services; and/or engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual seeking employment in his congressional office." COURT UNSEALS NAMES OF GEORGE SANTOS' BOND GUARANTORS Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., is seen before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, June 22, 2023. A House Ethics panel probe is looking into allegations Santos illegally pocketed campaign cash and ripped off the federal government's COVID-19 unemployment insurance program, among other charges. The joint statement by Guest and Wild said investigators will also consider whether Santos fraudulently obtained more than $24,000 in unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "On May 9, 2023, Representative Santos was indicted on federal charges in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Most of the charges in the indictment were already in the jurisdiction of the [investigative subcommittee] ISC," they wrote. "In accordance with House Rule XI, clause 3(b)(9) and Committee Rule 18(e), the Committee voted to expand the jurisdiction of the ISCs inquiry to include counts IX-XI of the indictment, allegations that Representative Santos fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits," the statement said. Federal prosecutors allege Santos in June 2020 wrongly claimed he had been unemployed since March that year and received benefits through April 2021. The indictment states during that time Santos was receiving a $120,000 salary as a regional director at a Florida-based investment firm. GEORGE SANTOS BECOMES TREASURER OF HIS OWN CAMPAIGN FOLLOWING INDICTMENT He also allegedly pocketed tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions, laundering it into his personal bank accounts so that he could pay down his debt and purchase designer clothes. Since its formation in February, the Ethics panel's ISC has issued over 30 subpoenas and more than 40 voluntary requests for information related to the Santos probe. "The ISC is actively working to resolve this matter in an expeditious timeframe," Guest and Wild said. Their joint statement noted Ethics investigators are working closely with the Justice Department "to mitigate the potential risks while still meeting the Committees obligations to safeguard the integrity of the House." "The Committee notes that the mere fact of an investigation into these allegations does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred. No other public comment will be made on this matter except in accordance with Committee rules," the statement read. REPUBLICANS BLOCK GEORGE SANTOS EXPULSION, REFER MATTER TO HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., faces a 13-count federal indictment including charges of fraud, money laundering and theft of public funds. Santos was released from federal custody after posting a $500,000 bond. Santos' father, Gercino dos Santos, and his aunt, Elma Preven, signed the bond unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York Thursday, according to the unsealed document, enabling the Republican freshman congressman's pretrial release last month as he awaits trial on federal charges of fraud, money laundering and theft of public funds. The bond signers did not have to put up the $500,000 up front, but they would be on the hook financially if Santos violated the terms of his release, which include surrendering his passport and remain either in New York City, Long Island or Washington, D.C. Fox News' Danielle Wallace, Greg Wehner, Marta Dhanis and the Associated Press contributed to this report. WASHINGTON A strategy for harnessing technology from commercial and non-traditional companies proposed by former Defense Innovation Unit director Mike Brown has caught traction in one House committees fiscal 2024 defense spending bill. The legislation, which the House Appropriations Committee approved June 22, would allocate $1 billion toward establishing a hedge portfolio made up of innovative, commercially available systems including low-cost drones and satellites, agile communication and computing nodes and artificial intelligence capabilities. DIU, the Pentagons commercial integration hub, would oversee execution of the funds, which it would use to advance existing innovation initiatives and support fielding new capability within the next three years. The bill calls for the department to submit a report within 90 days of the legislations enactment that outlines an acquisition plan for the portfolio and identifies 10 candidate projects. This portfolio is a hedge against growing and innate tactical and logistical risks to current weapon systems, as well as a hedge against industrial base risk, given the lack of capacity and diversity, the committee said in a report accompanying the bill. The development of non-traditional sources and non-traditional solutions are essential to this hedge, and it will require intentionally taking calculated risks to incentivize positive, deliberate, accelerated change. The proposal echoes a hedge strategy drafted last year by Brown who led DIU from 2018 to September 2022 and retired Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Lorin Selby. They argued that while the Defense Department has a number of organizations focused on innovative concepts aimed at rapidly fielding new capabilities, it lacks a focused, systematic approach to delivering them. Brown and Selby called on DoD to develop a process that fields emerging technology-based capabilities in large quantities, applies commercial capabilities with a sense of urgency and focuses on small, low-cost, AI-enabled autonomous systems. The committee indicates that the push to create a hedge portfolio is also a response to the ways in which Ukraines military has harnessed technology from commercial companies in its resistance to Russian aggression. After observing the use of non-traditional weapons from non-traditional sources in Ukraine, the committee supports maturing and focusing innovation organizations on rapidly fielding new capabilities from new sources at scale, the report states. Elevating DIU The establishment of the portfolio, and the associated funding, would be a significant boost for DIU and follows Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins recent decision to elevate the office to report directly to him. The committee highlights the move in its report, saying the transition provides a timeline milestone to deliberately create a hedge portfolio. If properly executed, this hedge has the potential to reduce the taxpayers burden by leveraging private capital, expand Americas economic advantage by accelerating emerging technology, and broaden the pool of talent supporting national defense, the committee states. The proposed $1 billion allocation includes more than $612 million in additional funding for DIU, with the remaining $420 million transferred from existing accounts. Congress appropriated just $191 million for the organization in fiscal 2023. The bulk of the new funding is in a Defense Innovation Unit Fielding account, which supports a range of AI-related technology, including $10 million for AI-enabled drones, $23 million for autonomous virtual take-off and landing logistics systems and $13 million for digital engineering. It also would provide $220 million to rapidly funnel field-ready hedge projects to combatant commands. The committee directs DIU to coordinate with the Pentagons chief digital and AI officer on these efforts. The bill also recommends that the secretary of each military service create a Non-traditional Innovation Fielding Enterprise lead who would be responsible for working with commercial industry partners and shepherding projects within the service. The new organizations would bring together the nexus of best practices identified in the last several years of defense innovation. These designated Nexus fielding projects will begin with a problem statement and will iteratively mature requirements while developing software and hardware for fielding at scale within three years using small teams of warfighters, acquirers and technologists, the committee said. This undated handout image provided by Greeces coast guard on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, shows scores of people on a battered fishing boat that later capsized and sank off southern Greece. Human rights advocates believe the missing Titan submersible received more attention than the Greek shipwreck. | Hellenic Coast Guard via Associated Press As the U.S. Navy, Canadian Coast Guard, OceanGate Expeditions and several others desperately searched for the five-passenger submersible that disappeared during a survey of the Titanic wreckage, a catastrophic shipwreck that presumably left hundreds dead has been neglected, according to human rights advocates. Just days before the 22-foot OceanGate submersible vanished, a fishing boat full of an estimated 750 migrants headed for Italy sank off the coast of Greece, killing at least 79 migrants and leaving hundreds more missing, as reported by the Deseret News. Related Protests broke out across Greece against authorities handling of the shipwreck and the European Unions migration policies. Thousands of demonstrators criticized Greek authorities for not acting to rescue the missing migrants, reports Al Jazeera. Greek officials claim that passengers refused assistance and were determined to get to Italy. We are witnessing one of the biggest tragedies in the Mediterranean, and the numbers announced by the authorities are devastating, said Gianluca Rocco, head of the Greek section of International Organization for Migration, the United Nations migration agency, per NPR. Several human rights advocates expressed frustration due to their belief that the Greek shipwreck received limited media attention and rescue efforts and that greater resources and news headlines were given to the Titan. Its a horrifying and disgusting contrast, Judith Sunderland, associate director for Human Rights Watchs Europe and Central Asia division, said in a telephone interview with NBC News. The willingness to allow certain people to die while every effort is made to save others ... its a, you know, really dark reflection on humanity, said Sunderland. She added that she is not surprised by the rescue and media efforts devoted to the submersible rescue mission because the focus is on very wealthy people potentially dying on a vanity trip, you know, thats a good story, said Sunderland. Josie Naughton, co-founder and CEO of Choose Love a U.K.-based nongovernmental organization supporting refugees around the world echoed Sunderlands concerns. Naughton claims she has seen thousands more articles about the missing submersible than the migrant boat, yet, its 100 times as many people who are feared to have lost their lives and these people, they were forced to flee their homes, they were looking for safety, Naughton told NBC News. Whilst of course we hope so much that the people on board get brought to safety, it does kind of make you question, whats the difference in terms of how the media is covering it but also in terms of how, you know, the governments and government infrastructure responds, Naughton added. Why is it so different? Artist Oliver Jeffers shared his opinion via Instagram on Tuesday, which marked World Refugee Day. While we are glued to the news about 5 mostly wealthy tourists lost on a submarine on their way to seek the wreckage of a sunken ship, today is World Refugee Day, and only last week a boat holding hundreds of refugees sank off the coast of Greece, said Jeffers post, accompanied with a cartoon. Hundreds missing in Greece shipwreck At least 78 bodies have been recovered after the migrant-filled ship capsized last week and rescuers have saved 104 passengers including Egyptians, Syrians, Pakistanis, Afghans and Palestinians, reports NPR. Authorities believe hundreds of others may have been trapped below deck. If that is confirmed, this shipwreck would be one of the worst ever recorded in the Mediterranean. We dont have all information yet on what has happened but it seems like this is the worst ever tragedy weve seen in the Mediterranean, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson told a press conference in Brussels on Friday, per CNN. Passengers of the Titan submersible are presumed dead The five passengers who were in the missing Titan submersible are presumed dead, OceanGate Expeditions stated Thursday. 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, OceanGate said in a statement on Thursday, per CNN. 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. The U.S. Coast Guard found debris from the Titan near the Titanic wreckage site that is consistent with an implosion. Related Hunter Biden was spotted socializing with top politicians and public figures at an opulent state dinner on Thursday after being charged with two federal misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax. Attorney General Merrick Garland, who leads the Justice Department, also attended the White House state dinner in honor of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Hunter Biden has agreed to plead guilty to the tax charges and is also entering into a pretrial diversion agreement regarding a separate felony charge of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance, his attorneys said. The plea agreement still needs to be approved by a judge. DOJ, FBI, IRS INTERFERED WITH HUNTER BIDEN PROBE, ACCORDING TO WHISTLEBLOWER TESTIMONY RELEASED BY GOP Hunter Biden, son of President Biden, during a state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted by President Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Hours before the dinner, House Republicans released testimony from two IRS whistleblowers who alleged that the Department of Justice, FBI and IRS interfered with the Biden investigation. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP One whistleblower, IRS Criminal Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley Jr., testified that Assistant United States Attorney in Delaware, Lesley Wolf, told him "optics were a driving factor in the decision on whether to execute a search warrant" at President Biden's Delaware home in relation to the Hunter Biden investigation. Garland has faced a barrage of questions concerning Hunter Biden's minor penalties and lack of prison time. HUNTER BIDEN AGREES TO PLEAD GUILTY IN FEDERAL TAX, GUN CASE Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, top left, during a state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted by President Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Sen. Rick Scott, is demanding that Garland fully explain to the American people why a plea deal was struck between Hunter Biden and the U.S. attorney in Delaware that will spare him from serving any time in prison. Scott noted that in a recent case in Virginia, a mother is facing a prison sentence of up to 24 months because she was using controlled substances while she owned a firearm, and in another case, actor Wesley Snipes received three one-year sentences on tax charges. Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, and his wife, Melissa Cohen, right, arrive for a state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted by President Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the White House in Washington, D.C., Thursday, June 22, 2023. But Scott said Hunter Biden will avoid prison time for the tax and firearms charges he faced thanks to a plea agreement that the Justice Department agreed to. "The reported plea agreement extended to President Biden's son is a farcical example of precisely that two-tiered approach to criminal justice by the DOJ under your leadership," he wrote to Garland. "What is the American public to take away from the outcome of this five-year investigation and leniency shown to Hunter Biden on both the federal tax violations and firearms offenses he committed?" Fox News' Brie Stimson and Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report. President Joe Bidens son Hunter is among the dozens of guests on the list to attend the presidents state dinner with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening. Its the first time the president will attend an official event with his son since Hunter Biden reached a plea deal to resolve a five-year federal investigation into his failure to pay about $1 million in federal taxes and his purchase of a handgun in 2018. The president has so far refrained from commenting widely on his sons legal woes, telling reporters, Im very proud of my son . But things could get awkward at Thursdays dinner, as the presidents son comes up against some of his foremost critics. The list of expected attendees also includes House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who has lambasted the results of the Justice Department inquiry and has helped amplify Republican calls for further investigation into Hunter Biden and the Biden family. It continues to show the two-tier system in America. McCarthy said of the plea deal. 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. Making for even more potential discomfort, Attorney General Merrick Garland who has been caught in the crossfire of Republican attacks on the presidents son is also on the guest list. Garland has found himself fending off repeated attacks from the GOP, which have only increased in intensity since the news of the plea deal and the federal indictment of former President Donald Trump . When asked about attending the dinner with Hunter Biden and Garland, McCarthy, who brought his daughter-in-law as his guest, dodged the question. I look forward to taking my daughter-in-law for the very first time to the White House, he replied, according to a pool reporter. Every state dinner I brought another member of my family. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, another dinner attendee who has decried what he has also called a sweetheart plea deal, sidestepped the same question from reporters. It should be an interesting dinner, he said before praising Modis address to Congress on Thursday afternoon. Several other members of the Biden family are also expected to attend the event, as are a mass of elected officials, White House officials, business leaders and celebrities. Hunter Biden's attorney is responding to testimony from an IRS whistleblower who claims that the agency obtained a WhatsApp message in which the president's son invoked his father's name. IRS Criminal Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley Jr., who oversaw the agency's investigation into Hunter Biden, claims the agency obtained a message from WhatsApp dated July 30, 2017, from Hunter Biden to Henry Zhao, CEO of Harvest Fund Management, where the president's son claimed that he was with his father in an attempt to pressure Zhao to fulfill a commitment. "I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled. Tell the director that I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand, and now means tonight," Hunter Biden allegedly wrote. Christopher Clark, an attorney for Hunter Biden, said in a statement to Fox News Digital that the claims are very misleading. HUNTER BIDEN USED HIS FATHER'S NAME TO EXTORT CHINESE BUSINESS PARTNER: IRS WHISTLEBLOWER "Biased and politically-motivated, selective leaks have plagued this matter for years. They are not only irresponsible, they are illegal. A close examination of the document released publicly yesterday by a very biased individual raises serious questions over whether it is what he claims it to be. It is dangerously misleading to make any conclusions or inferences based on this document," Clark said. "The DOJ investigation covered a period which was a time of turmoil and addiction for my client." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP FBI BIDEN BRIBERY DOC NEVER MADE IT TO IRS INVESTIGATORS, WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIMS: 'INFLUENCED BY POLITICS' Clark also said that "[a]ny verifiable words or actions of my client in the midst of a horrible addiction are solely his own and have no connection to anyone in his family." Hunter Biden appears at a state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted by President Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. "An extensive, five-year long investigation conducted by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) concluded this week, which resulted in my client taking responsibility for two instances of misdemeanor failure to file tax payments, as well as a firearm charge, which will be subject to a pretrial diversion agreement. As his attorney through this entire matter, I can say that any suggestion the investigation was not thorough, or cut corners, or cut my client any slack, is preposterous and deeply irresponsible," he added. "And, Z, if I get a call or text from anyone involved in this other than you, Zhang, or the chairman, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction," the alleged WhatsApp message from Hunter Biden said. "I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father," he said. DOJ, FBI, IRS INTERFERED WITH HUNTER BIDEN PROBE, ACCORDING TO WHISTLEBLOWER TESTIMONY RELEASED BY GOP Hunter Biden appears at a state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted by President Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Mark Lytle, an attorney for Shapley, told Fox News on Friday that his client "wanted to just bring this out to the public as a whistleblower in a protective fashion so that everybody could judge it." Lytle also noted that according to Shapley, the WhatsApp messages were obtained through a search warrant. "It's important to note that this WhatsApp message did not come from the laptop or any nefarious source. Gary Shapley testified that they did a search warrant. They got a hold of Hunter Biden's iCloud account and they did a search warrant to Apple, to the Apple Cloud, where they accessed Hunter Biden's WhatsApp messages, Imessages and other information. And so this is credible. This comes from a credible source, and it's information that's very relevant to the dealings with the Chinese energy company and the income that Hunter Biden received," Lytle said. In response to the whistleblower allegations, Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the White House Counsel's Office, told Fox News that the president wasn't involved with his son in business. World Food Program USA Board Chairman Hunter Biden, left, and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden attend the World Food Program USA's Annual McGovern-Dole Leadership Award Ceremony at Organization of American States in Washington, D.C., on April 12, 2016. "As we have said many times before, the President was not in business with his son. As we have also said many times before, the Justice Department makes decisions in its criminal investigations independently, and in this case, the White House has not been involved. As the President has said, he loves his son and is proud of him accepting responsibility for his actions and is proud of what he is doing to rebuild his life," Sams said. Fox News' Brianna Herlihy and Jon Street contributed to this report. Former Texas Rep. Will Hurd said he would not sign a Republican National Committee (RNC) pledge to back the eventual GOP nominee for president in 2024, after launching his bid for the nomination Thursday. I wont be signing any kind of pledges, and I dont think that parties should be trying to rig who should be on a debate stage, Hurd told CNN. The loyalty pledge is among the criteria Republican candidates must meet to qualify for the first GOP presidential primary debate in August, in addition to polling and fundraising requirements. I am not in the business of lying to the American people in order to get a microphone, and Im not going to support Donald Trump, Hurd said. And so I cant honestly say Im going to sign something even if he may or may not be the nominee. Former President Trump is currently leading a crowded Republican field, despite being indicted for a second time earlier this month on federal charges related to his handling of classified materials. An Emerson College poll released Thursday showed Trump leading with 59 percent support among GOP primary voters. While this represents a slight dip in support for the former president, his closest competitor, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, sat nearly 40 points behind him, with 21 percent. RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel doubled down on the GOP loyalty pledge Thursday, saying the requirement is staying. Anybody who wants to seek the nomination of our party should pledge to support the voters, McDaniel said on Fox News Tonight. If you go through this process and you take time on the debate stage and youre going to be there, the No. 1 pledge should be, beat Biden. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage However, several other candidates have appeared hesitant about such a pledge. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, another anti-Trump Republican presidential candidate, called it a useless idea on Sunday. In all my life, we never had to have Republican primary candidates take a pledge. You know, we were Republicans. And the idea is youd support the Republican whether you won or whether you lost, he said, adding, Its only the era of Donald Trump that you need somebody to sign something on a pledge. Trump has not committed to signing the loyalty pledge, saying in March that he wouldnt be very happy about endorsing some of his fellow candidates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. If Donald Trump becomes the GOP presidential nominee in 2024, he wont have at least one of his opponents blessing. "Im not going to support Donald Trump, former Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) told CNNs Kaitlan Collins Thursday night, straying from other candidates who've said theyll support whoever becomes the Republican nominee. The comment came when Hurd was asked whether he would sign the Republican National Committee-issued pledge to support the party's presidential nominee, as former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson have said they would. The former lawmaker took it a step further, saying Trump 100 percent betrayed the nation if the allegations of Trump mishandling sensitive U.S. intelligence are true stressing that he is innocent until proven guilty. Hurd, a moderate who announced his candidacy on Thursday, is likely a longshot in the already-crowded GOP presidential race. He has been a longtime critic of the former president, having called the "border crisis" a "myth," opposed the Trump administrations border wall and supported a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers. How to identify a copperhead in Missouri and what to do if this venomous snake bites Missouri is home to six types of venomous snakes but only two are found in the Kansas City area. The more common of the two is the Eastern Copperhead, the most common venomous snake in Missouri. Its habitat also includes eastern Kansas. Bites from venomous snakes are very rare in the Kansas City area, and usually occur when someone attempts to handle a venomous snake improperly. When treated with appropriate caution, Eastern Copperheads are docile and usually do not bite unless provoked. In the rare event that you do get bitten by an Eastern Copperhead, theres more good news: This snakes venom is considered mild compared to that of other venomous snakes. But while a bite is unlikely to kill you, you should still know how to treat one just in case. Youre most likely to find this distinctive snake while hiking or exploring rocky, wooded and swampy areas. Theyre also known to take refuge in abandoned rural buildings, creek banks and overgrown fields. How can I identify an Eastern Copperhead? This chubby snake is usually tan in color with distinctive hourglass-shaped brown splotches that are often edged in white. It is usually around 2 to 3 feet long, although it can reach lengths of over 4 feet when fully grown. The Eastern Copperhead bears some signature characteristics that all the venomous snakes in Missouri share. Its pupils are vertical slits, and its head features heat sensing pits in front of the eyes that may look like an extra set of nostrils. This snake also has a rattle on its tail that it will sound when alarmed although you shouldnt use this feature alone for identification. Some rattlesnakes may have missing or damaged rattles, while some non-venomous snakes may vibrate their tails to imitate a rattle, Missouri state herpetologist Jeff Briggler told The Star. You can check out photos and videos of Eastern Copperheads on the Missouri Department of Conservations website. The eastern copperhead is the most common venomous snake in Missouri. Its color varies from grayish brown to pinkish tan, with distinctive hourglass-shaped crossbands. How can I avoid being bitten by an Eastern Copperhead? Briggler advised that adopting a live and let live approach with any snakes you encounter will reduce the risk of a bite. Its best just to avoid them and let them move on their merry way, he said. Just like you have your path, your house and home, they have their path and places they go. So its just best to leave them alone and walk around them and move on. Eastern Copperheads are most commonly found in wooded, rocky and swampy areas with lots of groundcover and places to hide. That means youre not likely to see one in a public park although it is possible. This snake is not particularly aggressive, and will usually remain motionless when encountered, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Look where you step, wear protective footwear, and dont stick your hands under rocks or logs, the department advises. What should I do if an Eastern Copperhead bites me? Dying from an Eastern Copperhead bite is practically unheard of the Missouri Department of Conservation notes that these bites have a fatality rate of about 0.01%. Nevertheless, its important to seek medical attention after any type of snake bite to ensure your wound is treated properly. If you are bitten, Briggler and retired herpetologist Tom R. Johnson advise remaining calm, removing tight clothing and jewelry from the bitten area and seeking medical attention. They go over best practices in A Guide to Missouris Snakes, a free reference booklet published by the states department of conservation. Even if you dont think a snake is venomous, its best to seek medical attention for a bite to make sure. And if you can safely do so, Briggler recommended getting a photo of the snake that bit you or having a friend try to do so. A photo or detailed description can help first responders identify whether the snake was venomous. However, using first aid measures you may have heard about in popular culture should be avoided. Applying a tourniquet, cutting and sucking out the venom, applying ice packs, electric shock therapy, or consuming alcohol or caffeinated drinks are not recommended for snakebites, Briggler and Johnson wrote. Do you have more questions about Missouris native wildlife? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com. A Muslim leader in India blasted plans from some Democrat representatives to boycott Prime Minister Narendra Modis address to Congress on Thursday. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., announced Tuesday on Twitter that she would not attend Modis speech to Congress on Thursday, accusing Modis government of repressing religious minorities, emboldening violent Hindu nationalist groups and targeting journalists and human rights advocates "with impunity." Atif Rasheed, president of Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz (Marginalized Muslim Front), responded to the claims by saying that Omar was "spitting poison" with her claims. "I belong from religious Minority of India but I live freely with my religious freedom and religious identity in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's India," Rasheed wrote in a tweet. BIDEN MOCKED FOR RAISING HAND TO HEART FOR INDIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM: FUNNY IF IT WERENT SO SAD' "I have equal share in every resource here, I have the freedom to speak whatever I want in India," he continued. "I also have the freedom to write what I want in India. I am sorry to say you are showing wrong picture of My India under your hate agenda." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley also ridiculed the representatives for the protest, telling Fox News Digital in a statement that "AOC and the Squad boycotting Indias democratically elected leader while they side with Palestinian terrorists and socialist dictators is exactly on brand. What an embarrassment." President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participate in an arrival ceremony at the White House on June 22, 2023. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Omar responded to Rasheeds claims by saying that "whats happening in India runs directly counter to our democratic values." She accused Modis government of instituting an anti-Muslim citizenship law and "a purge of Muslim citizens in the Indian state of Assam," as well as the revocation of autonomy from the majority-Muslim region of Kashmir and the illegal detention of dissidents. "Dissidents, journalists, and their families are targeted with violence and political persecution," Omar wrote. "Even advocates outside of India fear that their family members will be targeted if they speak out." BIDEN PRIORITIZES INDIA PARTNERSHIP DESPITE CONCERNS OVER MODI'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD, RUSSIAN TIES "We are told we must now turn a blind eye to this repression because of foreign policy concerns even though human rights are supposed to be at the center of our foreign policy," she continued. "But Prime Minister Modi is not even a reliable geopolitical ally." "Modi has maintained close economic ties with [Russian President] Vladimir Putin even after his illegal invasion of Ukraine, and continues to rely on Russia for oil and weapons," she wrote, adding that she will instead hold a briefing on the bilateral relationship, including a panel of human rights experts. From left: Reps. Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib Reps. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., also announced plans to boycott Modis speech, saying the U.S. should not extend "the most prestigious invitations and honors" Congress can extend "for individuals with deeply troubling human rights records." Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., said she would be skipping Modis address "in solidarity with the communities that have been harmed by Modi and his policies." Neither Tlaib nor Ocasio-Cortez responded to a Fox News Digital request for comment by time of publication. ETHNIC CONFLICTS IN INDIA'S MANIPUR STATE KILL AT LEAST 9 Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., called Modis appearance before Congress "unacceptable." "We've seen how Prime Minister Modi has incited dangerous nationalism and violence in India, has promoted Islamophobia, and more. Inviting someone like him to speak to Congress is unacceptable, and I will not be attending his speech," Bowman said. Demonstrators hold signs during their protest against fascism in India. Siddhartha Dubey, adjunct professor at Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism, told Fox News Digital that the U.S. has given Modi a "very warm" welcome and that the congresswomen were justified in their boycotts. "For the past three administrations of Obama onwards, human rights and civil liberties, the issue of human rights and civil liberties in India has been swept under the carpet because India is more of a strategic ally, an economic partner," Dubey explained. INDIA PROBES BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS THAT A REGULATOR HELPED SWITCH TEST SAMPLES OF POSSIBLY TOXIC COUGH SYRUP "Since the belligerence of China has risen not just in Asia but around the world and on American soil, [including] the recent or not so recent spy balloon incident, America needs India," he continued. "Plus, it's becoming a massive trading partner, so human rights has taken a backseat." "These representatives standing up and said that they will not attend Prime Minister Modi's address in Washington later today is I mean, it's their own choice," he said. "I support their choice. It's a tiny bit of resistance and an overall very, very, very warm embrace Washington has given Mr. Modi." Modi told the Wall Street Journal that "India deserves a much higher, deeper and wider profile and a role," adding that he did not see India's role as "supplanting any country" but that the country is simply "gaining its rightful position in the world." India sits within key, but competing, organizations: the QUAD, made up of the U.S. and Indo-Pacific partners India, Japan and Australia, which is a dialogue between those nations on security matters; and two groups led by China and Russia called BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Fox News Digitals' Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report. Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden wave from the Blue Room Balcony during an Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Washington. | Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis three-day visit to the U.S. has been jampacked with lavish dinners, numerous trade deals and criticism about human rights issues in his country. Modi arrived at the White House on Thursday morning, where the red carpet was rolled out. He was welcomed by marching troops and roughly 7,000 guests gathered on the South Lawn. Ive long believed the relationship between the United States and India will be one of the defining relationships of the 21st century, President Joe Biden said during the welcome ceremony, touting the friendship and values the U.S. and India share. Two proud nations whose love of freedom secured our independence, bound by the same words in our Constitution, the first three words, we the people, he said. Related Deeply touched by the warm and gracious welcome at the White House. Looking forward to fostering even deeper ties and mutual cooperation in the times to come. pic.twitter.com/W2e78ayylM Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 22, 2023 India is the worlds largest democracy, has one of the fastest-growing economies and is the most populous country in the world, recently surpassing China. The Biden administrations big welcome for Modi implies an acknowledgment of a country that is gaining prominence in a multipolar world dominated by concerns about China and Russia. In the post-COVID era, the world order is taking a new shape, Modi said through a translator. In this time period, the friendship between India and the U.S. will be instrumental in enhancing the strength of the whole world. Modi takes questions, addresses Congress After a closed-door meeting with Biden in the Oval Office, Biden and Modi held a joint press conference where they answered two questions a rare occurrence for Modi. He answered the second question about dissent and the state of the religious minorities in India: Theres absolutely no space for discrimination, Modi said through a translator. When you talk of democracy, if there are no human values and there is no humanity, there are no human rights, then its not a democracy. Later in the afternoon, Modi made his way to the Capitol to address Congress. Some U.S. lawmakers had already aired their grievances about reported human rights issues in India while others said they hoped the visit would prompt less restricted bilateral trade between the countries. Democrats like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, and Rep. Ilhan Omar, of Minnesota, said they were boycotting the event, while Sen. Bernie Sanders, tweeted that Biden should privately raise human rights issues. Meanwhile, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., wrote a letter to Biden Wednesday, asking the president to urge Modi to ease up on trade barriers such as extremely high tariffs and burdensome licensing requirements. Per Reuters, deals on easing work visa restrictions, investing in chips and semiconductors manufactured in India, removing tariffs, and gaining momentum in fighting climate change have been or will be unveiled during Modis visit. The prime minister was welcomed by a full crowd at the U.S. Capitol, and chats of Modi! erupted as he made an entrance to the floor of Congress. He began by thanking the lawmakers for the invitation to make the address to a joint session of Congress, and said that it is an exceptional privilege to do so twice. Related Modi talked about the friendship that India and the U.S. share and the equal access that American Indians have to the American dream. There are millions here who have roots in India. Some of them sit proudly in this chamber and there is one behind me, he said, pointing to Vice President Kamala Harris, who has made history. He championed the trade and cultural relationship India shares with the U.S. through Indian Americans, who, he said, are brilliant in every field, not just the Spelling Bee. This earned him cheers and laughs. Modi also touted India's economic growth, jumping from the 10th largest economy in the world to the fifth under his leadership, as well as mass digitalizing efforts, and a mission to Mars. He mentioned instability in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. On the issue of Ukraine, he said, We all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering. While India shares relations with the U.S., the country follows a nonalignment policy which allows it to buy Russian oil and military defense equipment. After the state dinner at the White House, Modi is set to meet business leaders on Friday before leaving for Egypt. He has already met Twitter and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who promised that India will have Tesla cars available as soon as humanly possible. Elon Musk meets PM Modi in New York pic.twitter.com/3yEwlWFi2s Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) June 20, 2023 Indian PM practices yoga in New York, attends White House state dinner Modis high-profile visit began in New York on Wednesday where he stretched his muscles and flexed his diplomacy skills on the north lawn of the United Nations headquarters in celebration of yoga, where the bust of Mahatma Gandhi, a popular Indian figure who championed the nonviolence movement, is featured. Modi, 72, called yoga a way of life in his brief remarks and spent 30 minutes on the mat alongside thousands of others, before making his journey to Washington, D.C. Here are memorable highlights from the #YogaDay programme in New York City pic.twitter.com/roNQMXfmeq Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 22, 2023 The Biden administration hosted Modi at a White House state dinner on Thursday night. This is the Indian prime ministers first such invitation since he first got elected in 2014. A plant-based meal, catering to the vegetarian Modi, consisting of a marinated millet salad, corn and compressed watermelon, stuffed Portobello mushrooms and saffron risotto, and a strawberry shortcake infused with rose and cardamom will be served to 400 guests, according to The Associated Press. Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted Modi at an intimate dinner Wednesday prior to Thursdays extravagant candle-lit evening, where Biden and Modi exchanged gifts. I thank @POTUS @JoeBiden and @FLOTUS @DrBiden for hosting me at the White House today. We had a great conversation on several subjects. pic.twitter.com/AUahgV6ebM Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 22, 2023 A local chapter of the nonprofit parental rights group labeled as extremist by an anti-hate watchdog has apologized after putting an Adolf Hitler quote on the front cover of its newsletter. The Hamilton County, Indiana, chapter of Moms for Liberty placed a Hitler quote on its newsletter cover, later explaining it was meant to be a warning on government overreach. The quote, believed to be from a 1935 speech by Hitler, reads, He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future. The Nazi Party trained young people through school and summer camps to indoctrinate them into Nazi ideology. Paige Miller, chairwoman of the chapter, apologized in an updated version of the newsletter after initially giving an explanation that the quote should put parents on alert. We condemn Adolf Hitlers actions and his dark place in human history, Miller said. We should not have quoted him in our newsletter and express our deepest apology. Moms for Liberty has gained significant relevance in recent years and has been one of the preeminent organizations in seeking book bans nationwide. The right-wing organization seeks to remove books mentioning race and gender from schools and public libraries. The group claims more than 100,000 members among its over 250 chapters nationwide. Initially focused on fighting COVID lockdowns in schools, the organization now focuses on critical race theory, gender ideology and other right-wing culture war topics. The Southern Poverty Law Center named the organization an extremist group last year. Moms for Liberty members across the nation have been making waves for intimidating and harassing teachers and school officials. They have publicly battled teachers unions, labeling them as cartels and terrorist organizations, the SPLC said. The national organization of Moms for Liberty also condemned the use of the Hitler quote. They should not have quoted Hitler. Period, co-founders Tina Descovich and Tiffany Justice said in a statement. Parents are passionate about protecting future generations from tyranny, but Hitler did not need to be quoted to make that point. Moms for Liberty has made itself an influential figure in Republican politics. After focusing on winning school board elections last year and claiming it flipped 17 school boards nationwide, at least six presidential candidates five Republicans and Democratic candidate Robert Kennedy, Jr. plan to attend the organizations summit this month. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Amid infighting among Putin's lieutenants, head of mercenary force appears to take a step too far FILE - Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin attends the funeral of Dmitry Menshikov, a fighter of the Wagner group who died during a special operation in Ukraine, at the Beloostrovskoye cemetery outside St. Petersburg, Russia, on Dec. 24, 2022. Prigozhin's criticism of the top military brass is in stark contrast with more than two decades of rigidly controlled rule by President Vladimir Putin without any sign of infighting among his top lieutenants. (AP Photo, File) For months, the outspoken millionaire head of the Wagner private mercenary force bombarded Russias military leaders with expletive-ridden insults in a rift that has weakened the countrys forces amid the war in Ukraine. Yevgeny Prigozhin accused them of not providing him with munitions in the key battle for the eastern city of Bakhmut. A video in May showed him standing in front of the bloodied bodies of his slain troops yelling obscenities at Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov, calling them weak and incompetent, blaming them for the carnage. They came here as volunteers and they died to let you lounge in your mahogany offices, Prigozhin declared. You are sitting in your expensive clubs, your children are enjoying good living and filming videos on YouTube. Those who dont give us ammunition will be eaten alive in hell! He even made what some considered a thinly veiled jab at President Vladimir Putin as an oblivious granddad thinking the invasion was going well. On Friday, however, Prigozhin appeared to take a step too far. He accused Shoigu of ordering a rocket strike on the field camps for his mercenary troops, with a huge number of casualties, and said he would move to punish him. That's when Russian authorities struck back, with the country's top counterterrorism organization launching a criminal inquiry against Prigozhin and calling for his arrest on charges of fomenting an armed rebellion over threats to oust Shoigu. It was a startling turn of events in Moscow: After more than two decades of rigidly controlled rule by Putin, the worst infighting spilled out in the open among his top lieutenants. And it came as the war in Ukraine reached the 16-month mark and Kyiv's forces were probing Russian defenses in the initial stages of a counteroffensive. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin has been informed about the situation, adding: All the necessary measures were being taken. Prigozhin, 62, insisted his actions were not a military coup, but a march of justice. Prigozhin said his men would punish the military leaders who ordered the strike and said his troops would fire at any troops trying to stop them. The evil embodied by the countrys military leadership must be stopped, he shouted in a recorded statement, adding that his forces werent seeking to challenge Putin and other government structures. Justice in the armed forces will be restored, and then justice will be restored in all of Russia. The Defense Ministry denied it had attacked Prigozhins troops. Then the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, an arm of Federal Security Service, or FSB, announced the investigation against the outspoken millionaire and urged Wagner's own forces to arrest their boss. Prigozhins statement was a stab in the back of the Russian troops, the FSB said, and amounted to fomenting armed conflict in Russia. Until now, Prigozhins rants against the military have been met with silence from Putin and the brass. Some saw that failure to squelch the infighting as a sign of potential shifts in Russias political scene that sets the stage for more internal battles. The conflict has been ignored by state-controlled TV, where most Russians get their news. But in a shift, Channel 1 showed an unscheduled news broadcast Friday that cited the Defense Ministrys rejection of Prigozhins claim and describing as fake a video he posted that allegedly showed the aftermath of a rocket strike on a Wagner camp. The dispute has been followed closely, however, by politically active, ultrapatriotic Russians on social media networks who share his contempt for military leaders. Prigozhin's blistering criticism went on even though the Kremlin vigorously cracks down on other critics through fines and imprisonment. While there are no indications Putin is losing influence, there are growing signs of deep dysfunction, anxiety, worry about the war and real problems in marshaling the resources necessary to fight it effectively, said Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Prigozhins feud with military leaders goes back years and spilled into the open amid the battle for Bakhmut that was spearheaded by his mercenaries. It has pushed the man dubbed Putin's chef for his lucrative Kremlin catering contracts to the forefront of Russian politics and signaled his growing ambitions. With his crude remarks, Prigozhin ventured into areas where only Putin had gone before: Over the years, the Russian leader occasionally broke decorum with an earthy remark or off-color joke, while top officials used carefully worded language. In another recent video, Prigozhin made a statement that some have interpreted as a thinly veiled attack on Putin himself. He declared that while his men were dying due to the Defense Ministrys failure to supply ammunition, a happy granddad is thinking hes doing well, and then referred to that granddad with an obscenity. The blunt comment caused a social media uproar, where it was seen as a reference to Putin. Prigozhin later said he was talking about Gerasimov. Prigozhin is now sailing much closer to the wind than he ever has, Gould-Davies told The Associated Press. Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political commentator, described Prigozhin as the second-most popular man after Putin and a symbol of Russias military victory for millions of people. Putin has needed Prigozhin's mercenaries at a time when the regular military is still recovering from setbacks earlier in the war. The Wagner chief's position was bolstered after his private army captured Bakhmut last month in the wars longest and bloodiest battle, relying on tens of thousands of convicts who were promised pardons if they survived six months of fighting. Putin dominates the system, but he still sort of depends upon a small number of big people to implement his will, to provide him with resources to carry out his orders, including fighting the war, Gould-Davies told AP. While Putin may keep various factions divided and then decide who wins and who loses, and whos up and whos down, the process erodes the government's authority in wartime, Gould-Davies said. If your military forces are divided and if theyre not fighting together effectively, then your military operations will suffer accordingly and thats exactly whats happening here, he said. Mark Galeotti, a London-based expert on Russian politics and security, speculated in a recent podcast that Putins failure to resolve political disputes could be rooted in a lack of interest, a focus on other issues or, more likely, a reluctance to take sides. It also raises questions about his overall capacity to do his job, Galeotti said. This is the one thing, the one job he cant really outsource, and hes not even trying. Prigozhin has allied with other hawkish officials, reportedly including Tula Gov. Alexei Dyumin, a former Putin bodyguard seen by many as a potential successor. The Wagner head also has gravitated toward Ramzan Kadyrov, the Moscow-backed regional leader of Chechnya. Some of those alliances have been shaky. While Kadyrov initially praised Prigozhin and backed some of his criticisms, he later shifted course and criticized him for sounding defeatist. Kadyrovs lieutenants blasted Wagner's efforts in Bakhmut after Prigozhin made dismissive comments about Chechen fighters in Ukraine. Kadyrovs top aide, Magomed Daudov, said Prigozhin would have been executed for such remarks during World War II. Prigozhin quickly backed off, saying he was only expressing concern about Russian operations. He has dodged questions about his political ambitions, but recently toured Russia, continuing his blustery comments. There are signs that he seeks some sort of political future, Gould-Davies observed. Even though Prigozhin owes his position and wealth to Putin, he's playing the role of outsider with his criticism of some leaders and by trying to appeal to the masses amid setbacks in Ukraine, said Andrei Kolesnikov of the Carnegie Endowment. "Prigozhin is playing an independent politician, raising the stakes and testing the systems limits. But its only technically and physically possible for as long as Putin finds him useful and is amused by his escapades, Kolesnikov said. In a show of support for the military, Putin backed the Defense Ministrys demand for all private companies to sign contracts with it something Prigozhin has refused to do. Prigozhin has urged all-out war with Ukraine, including a total nationwide mobilization and the introduction of martial law in Russia calls welcomed by some hawks. But Kolesnikov notes the vast majority of Russians who are mostly apathetic or unwilling to make larger sacrifices could be frightened and appalled by that message. He cautions against overestimating Prigozhins clout and political prospects, and underestimating Putin's authority. "Its enough for the commander-in-chief to move his finger to make the Wagner chief disappear, Kolesnikov said. ___ Associated Press writer Danica Kirka in London contributed. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine-war A host of the conspiracy network Infowars pleaded guilty Friday to one misdemeanor charge related to his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Owen Shroyer changed his plea to guilty in a Washington, D.C., courtroom Friday morning for a charge of entering and remaining on restricted grounds. Prosecutors agreed to drop three other misdemeanor charges against him in exchange for the plea, according to court records. Your client agrees and acknowledges that the charges to be dismissed at the time of sentencing were based in fact, the plea agreement addressed to Shroyers attorney, Norm Pattis, reads. His change-of-plea decision was first reported Tuesday. As part of his plea, Shroyer has also agreed to cooperate with authorities on an additional investigation. The plea agreement reads: Your client agrees to allow law enforcement agents to review any social media accounts operated by your client for statements and postings in and around January 6, 2021, prior to sentencing. Andino Reynal, the lawyer representing Alex Jones, speaks with Owen Shroyer, an InfoWars host and sometimes reporter who is a frequent guest on the Alex Jones Show, after he testified in Jones' defamation damages trial at the Travis County Courthouse, Friday, July 29, 2022, in Austin, Texas. Jones has been found to have defamed the parents of a Sandy Hook student for calling the attack a hoax. Andino Reynal, the lawyer representing Alex Jones, speaks with Owen Shroyer, an InfoWars host and sometimes reporter who is a frequent guest on the Alex Jones Show, after he testified in Jones' defamation damages trial at the Travis County Courthouse, Friday, July 29, 2022, in Austin, Texas. Jones has been found to have defamed the parents of a Sandy Hook student for calling the attack a hoax. Shroyer, a longtime host at Infowars and sidekick to the platforms owner, Alex Jones, was charged in August 2021 for his involvement in the Capitol riot. Shroyer was seen on video that was later posted to Infowars showing him in restricted areas of the Capitol grounds, according to charging documents. Shroyer also called into an Infowars live broadcast while on the Capitol grounds and said probably about 100,000 people had surrounded the Capitol. We literally own these streets right now, Shroyer said on the broadcast. After being charged, Shroyer took to Infowars to claim he was innocent. Theres a lot of questions some I have answers to, some I dont, Shroyer told viewers at the time. I plan on declaring innocence of these charges because I am. Shroyer faces up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $9,500, according to court records. His sentencing date has been set to Sep. 12. Shroyers attorney, Pattis, did not return a request for comment. Related... Intensive military actions to take place on fronts for 23 months Ukraine's Defence Intelligence Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief of Ukraines Defence Intelligence, has said that in the next 23 months, there will be active military operations of both an offensive and defensive nature. Source: Skibitskyi in an interview for RBC-Ukraine Quote: "Let's not make predictions for the whole year. I will say this: in the next 23 months, there will be active military operations of both an offensive and defensive nature, because our strategic goal is the liberation of all our territories. The Russians will still try to complete their tasks to be able to report whether they have completed their "special military operation" or not." Nevertheless, we will focus on the middle of the summer whether Russians can fulfil their plans for modernisation, regrouping, shaping new formations, units, and how they will be reformed." Details: He reiterated that the Russian command has already officially announced the reform and restoration of the Leningrad and Moscow military districts. He said that it will be possible to predict the nature of Russia's actions for the upcoming campaign in autumn and winter. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The Fort Worth Police Departments cold case unit hope a new website will lead to more donations for the expensive work of solving decades-old crimes. According to the cold case website at fwpdcoldcasesupport.org, Fort Worth has 970 unsolved murders and more than 30 active cold cases. The police departments cold case unit works on those dormant cases, often following up on decades-old leads and working to solve the case through modern forensic analysis. But that analysis is expensive, and the units budget is not enough to cover analysis in many cold cases. For example, the forensic genealogy and DNA extraction technology used to identify and convict the man who murdered Carla Walker in 1974 was only possible due to $15,000 donations from NBC and producers of The DNA of Murder. After Walkers killer, Glen McCurley, was convicted in 2021, cold case Detective Jeff Bennett launched the FWPD Cold Case Support Group, a nonprofit with the goal of giving all cold cases the same resources that Walkers case had. The groups website, which launched in May, has more information on cold case investigations. But perhaps the most important part of the website is the blue button in the corner of each screen that says donate. The launch of the new website will enable individuals to easily make donations to support the FWPD Cold Case Support Groups mission, said a press release from the support group. Every donation, no mater how small, can make a big impact in helping bring closure to the families of the victims and bringing justice to the perpetrators. Those donations will go toward additional training, equipment and forensic analysis which would otherwise be unavailable, or unreasonably delayed, to cold case detectives. The nonprofit and all donations are separate from city funding, ensuring that every dollar donated goes directly towards supporting the investigative efforts of the Cold Case Unit, the news release said. Seven members make up the FWPD Cold Case Support Group Board of Directors. On the law enforcement side, the board has Bennett, Detective Leah Wagner, retired Sgt. David Thornton and Detective John Galloway. The other members are Emily Dixon with the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office, Deanna Kizer and Carla Walkers brother, Jim Walker. When taken at face value, Morocco might have little in common with a U.S. state more than 5,500 miles away. But beneath the surface, Utah and Morocco share a military relationship spanning two decades and dozens of exercises. This year, the Utah National Guard and Morocco are celebrating 20 years of working together through the National Guard Bureaus State Partnership Program. For Maj. Gen. Michael Turley, the program has yielded encouraging capabilities for the partner nation over that span. But development has been a two-way street, he told Military Times. Just as much as weve given to them, [Morocco has] given to us through training opportunities by planning big exercises, by bringing in artillery and other things, Turley said. Those kinds of efforts, Turley added, are invaluable in helping the Utah Guard in its efforts to remain well-trained. The Utah National Guard currently holds the record for the longest state partnership with a military in a country located in U.S. Africa Command, beating the New York National Guards ties to South Africa by a matter of weeks. This years partnership program, meanwhile, saw Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox attend as a special guest. It was incredible to see the fruits of Utahs 20-year partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco in person, Cox told Military Times. The exchange benefits both of our countries in terms of training and information, and Im hopeful this will continue for years to come. The relationship between the U.S. and Morocco is extensive. Morocco was one of the first countries to recognize the U.S. following the Revolutionary War, when it opened its ports to American ships in 1777, according to the State Department. Morocco formally signed a treaty of peace and friendship in 1786, which remains the longest unbroken relationship in U.S. history. Just as Gen. George Patton landed in Morocco to begin the Africa campaign in World War II, Morocco today still holds significant strategic value, said Turley. They have this great leadership position in Africa with other African nations, Turley said. They really look at Morocco as a mentor, if nations can have mentors. ... Theyve been able to create a very professional military. ... I continue to see Morocco being important. This years anniversary came during the annual African Lion exercise, the largest U.S. and multinational military exercise on the continent. African Lion 2023 was hosted by four countries, including Morocco, with 8,000 personnel taking part in the exercises. Seventeen countries and numerous NATO partners also participated in the training, which was carried out between May 13 and June 16. Senegal, Tunisia and Ghana also hosted various parts of the month-long drills. Air Force Col. Carissa Christensen, a public health officer, has been on numerous missions to Morocco during her time with Utahs Guard, including five African Lion exercises. Christensens team provided more than 20,000 consultations over a span of 12 days during the drill. Such efforts, she told Military Times, are not a one off, but one part of the continuous communication that makes the Utah Guards relationship with Morocco one of a kind. Having the the hands on experience, working alongside their American counterparts and treating the citizens of Morocco, Ive seen it have just an amazing impact on our junior airmen, Christensen said. And it really solidifies why these relationships are so important. I cant tell you how many times I have been thanked for being allowed to participate in this mission. For some troops, the Utah Guards relationship with Morocco extends beyond one weekend a month. Sometimes, it even becomes a family affair. Having served in the Utah Guard for 13 years, African Lion 2023 marked Maj. Jared Sorensens sixth time in Morocco. Now, Sorensens daughter will have her own Morocco experience. After hosting a Moroccan youth from a military family in Utah, Sorensens daughter will soon go to Morocco as part of a military youth exchange. That, he said, made his state Guards connection to Morocco all the more meaningful. My daughter is going to be able to come over here in July and do the same thing [and] stay with her family, he said. For us, its not just training. Its not just coming out here and having a good time and doing military stuff. ... Those connections are even closer because of programs like the state partnership program in the military youth exchange. A sign informs visitors of the differences between an invasive fish, the northern snakehead, top, and the native bowfin, by a lake Thursday, June 18, 2023, at Duck Creek Conservation Area in southeast Missouri. The northern snakehead was found for the second time in Missouri in the area on May 19 by a state worker seining for bait. (Christine Tannous/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP) PUXICO, Mo. (AP) An invasive and fish that is voracious predator capable of surviving out of water for days was recently caught in southeastern Missouri, causing worry that the hard-to-contain species will spread and become a problem. The northern snakehead was caught last month in a drainage pool at Duck Creek Conservation Area. The last time one showed up in Missouri was four years ago, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Wildlife officials sounded the alarm, but many anglers say they're unaware of the fish, its potential impact and what to do if they catch one. The northern snakehead is originally from east Asia, where they are a delicacy believed to have healing powers. They reproduce quickly, have sharp teeth, can wiggle across muddy land and grow to nearly 3 feet (nearly a meter) in length. The federal government in 2002 banned the import and interstate transport of live northern snakeheads, but they are flourishing in some parts of the U.S. They are knocking on the door in Arkansas, said Dave Knuth, a Missouri fisheries management biologist based in Cape Girardeau. They are a beast. The catch in May was worrisome, Knuth said. I didnt expect them to be this far up the state already, he said. The first northern snakehead found in Missouri was caught in 2019 out of a ditch within the St. Francois River levee system in the Missouri Bootheel region. On May 19, state workers using a net to catch bait for a youth jug-fishing clinic, pulled a 13-inch northern snakehead out of Duck Creek Conservation Area. Knuth said the fish was found in the same watershed as the first one, though about 70 river miles (113 river kilometers) north of the initial catch. Wildlife officials spent two days searching for additional northern snakeheads in the conservation area and neighboring Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. No others were found, but they fear others are lurking, at least in low numbers. Larry Underwood, 73, who lives near the conservation area, wished the state well in its efforts to keep out the northern snakehead. As he fished, he noted that the state also tries to control feral hogs, but with little luck. Its kind of like the hogs, he said. You are going to eliminate that? Yeah, good luck. An Iowa meteorologist is leaving his job after receiving a death threat over his reporting on climate change. Chris Gloninger, the chief meteorologist at the CBS affiliate KCCI in Des Moines, said in a Twitter post on Wednesday he is bidding farewell to television due to the death threat and its resulting post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as family health issues. 18 years. 7 stations. 5 states, Gloninger said in the post. I am bidding farewell to TV to embark on a new journey dedicated to helping solve the climate crisis. After a death threat stemming from my climate coverage last year and resulting PTSD, in addition to family health issues, Ive decided to begin this journey *now*, he added. Gloninger shared some of the harassing emails he received from someone on Twitter last July. Getting sick and tired of your liberal conspiracy theory on the weather, one of the messages read. Whats your home address, we conservative Iowans would like to give you an Iowan welcome you will never forget, another said. A 63-year-old man from Lenox, Iowa, admitted last August to sending the emails to Gloninger and later pleaded guilty to third-degree harassment, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch. Gloninger said he now plans to devote his full-time efforts to finding sustainable solutions and fostering positive change. Lets confront this challenge head on and shape a more resilient future for generations to come, he added in Wednesdays post. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Its iron sharpening iron: CNN Heroes join forces in Miami to take their work to the next level Its literally like winning the Academy Award of humanitarian aid work. Thats how Mobile Medics International founder Teresa Gray described being honored on the CNN Heroes stage in December. For Gray and many of her fellow honorees, the night of the annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute is just the start of a new chapter in their work. The Top 10 CNN Heroes each receive a surge of donations and prize money for their nonprofits along with new attention on their life-changing missions. To help them make the most of this moment and take their organizations to the next level, they also receive critical nonprofit and leadership training. For the first time, CNN Heroes collaborated with the Elevate Prize Foundation to provide the Top 10 CNN Heroes with this training, which took place at their Make Good Famous Summit in Miami Beach. The Elevate Prize Foundation is a nonprofit that empowers social entrepreneurs and global changemakers by providing them with the resources they need to expand their philanthropic impact. The organization invited the Top 10 CNN Heroes from 2021 and 2022 to join three years of Elevate Prize winners at the conference last month. Elevating the work of the CNN Heroes The Elevate Prize Foundations founder and CEO Joe Deitch shared with CNN about the inspiration behind the summit. Theres an African proverb: If you wanna go fast, go alone. If you wanna go far, go together. So often, these social entrepreneurs are alone. And coming together periodically is energizing. It spurs innovation. It creates communities, he said. This is the first opportunity many CNN Heroes have had to reconnect in person since they were in New York City for the tribute show. And with Top 10 Heroes from the last two years gathering, this is the first time many of them have met. Its iron sharpening iron, said 2022 CNN Hero Debra Vines, founder of The Answer Inc., sharing her excitement about the event. I see so many collaborations that are gonna happen. CNN Heroes Tyrique Glasgow (left) and Nelly Cheboi (right) showcase their work to attendees at the Make Good Famous Summit Soaring Spirits International founder Michele Neff Hernandez was motivated by her fellow CNN Heroes and other attendees. Im just inspired by the many ways that people are solving big problems without a lot of resources, she said. Turning lessons into action The Heroes arrived in Miami with their own unique goals for the summit and training. Some were focused on their nonprofits financial planning, others hoped to find new ways to share their stories and reach a broader audience, while others looked to connect with donors to help fuel their work. Shirley Raines, the 2021 CNN Hero of the Year, said she was in a training session when she started receiving troubling text messages about the accounting firm her nonprofit works with. Everything they said in that seminar that should not be done is what my accountant was doing, Raines said, adding that she felt that she just got that little push from the universe and made the decision to fire her accountant. In that moment, Raines was glad to have so many people surrounding her who knew what she was going through. If its going to happen, at least it happened at a damn summit where people are enriching me and telling me what I should do, said Raines. After she left Miami, she said she found an amazing new accounting firm to handle Beauty 2 the Streetzs business. CNN Hero David Flink puts newly learned social media skills to work at the Make Good Famous Summit 2021 CNN Hero Dr. Ala Stanford put her new storytelling and social media skills to use by publishing her first TikTok while at the summit. She admits that before arriving in Miami, she was skeptical about the platform. In my mind its like TikTok is for dancing and for fun little things. It has nothing to do with removing the bias that exists in health care, said Stanford, founder of the Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium. To bring attention to her mission of healthcare equity, Dr. Stanford came up with the hashtag #MyCultureMyCare and began using it to help build a new community online. Combining forces for a day of service While in Miami, the CNN Heroes joined Elevate Prize winners to help restore Miamis vibrant ecosystem. They participated in a service project organized by Miami Waterkeeper on nearby Virginia Key. 2021 CNN Hero Lynda Doughty was part of a group that helped clear debris from the beach. As the founder of Marine Mammals of Maine, she rescues and rehabilitates stranded seals, so Doughty was excited to help in a way that is close to her mission. You know, Im a beach girl. It felt good, she said. It was nice to be in a different area and still be helping wildlife. Now, Doughty is considering organizing a similar event back home. CNN Hero Dr. Ala Stanford picks up beach debris during a service project organized by Miami Waterkeeper Other Heroes opted to help restore the Keys topography by removing invasive plant species and planting native ones. Hope Renovations founder Nora El-Khouri Spencer, who trains women for construction careers, said she felt right in my element with a shovel in my hand diggin in the dirt. For Spencer, this service project helped her reflect on the importance of broadening her horizons. I think sometimes we get so involved in our own giving to the community that its really nice sometimes as a group to just step outside of that and give to other causes. Returning home refreshed and ready The CNN Heroes left Miami with new skills and new perspectives on the nonprofit world. 2022 CNN Hero and Young Chances Foundation founder Tyrique Glasgow said the summit had given him the energy to go back home to let our folks know that people out there are helping the cause in a positive way, moving the needle in a big way. For CNN Hero Meymuna Hussein-Cattan, who runs the Tiyya Foundation, she is going home with a new sense of her own power. Almost everything was demystified this week even this mystery around being a Hero. For the first time I walked into a room, and I felt embodied as a Hero. To learn more about the 2021 and 2022 Top 10 CNN Heroes, visit the CNN Heroes website For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Two IRS whistleblowers allege sweeping misconduct, including interference in the Hunter Biden tax investigation, according to the GOP House Ways and Means Committee chairman and newly released transcripts of congressional interviews with the whistleblowers. Whistleblower #1 transcriptWhistleblower #2 transcript Earlier this week, Biden agreed to enter guilty pleas for two misdemeanor tax charges that related to his failure to pay tax on more than $3 million in income. As part of the deal with Delaware U.S Attorney David Weiss who was appointed by then-President Donald Trump and was kept in the position by the current administration to continue the probe Biden will avoid full prosecution on a separate gun possession charge. A Delaware judge must approve the agreement at a hearing currently set for July 26. IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley, who recently spoke exclusively with CBS News' Jim Axelrod, told congressional investigators the IRS findings supported more severe penalties. "This recommended felony tax evasion charges, that's 7201, is tax evasion, and 7206(1) is a false tax return, also a felony, for the tax years 2014, 2018, and 2019. And for Title 26 7203, which is a failure to file or pay, that is a misdemeanor charge for '15, '16, '17, '18, and '19," Shapley said. "The testimony we have just released details a lack of U.S. attorney independence, recurring unjustified delays, unusual actions outside the normal course of any investigation," Chairman Jason Smith told reporters. "Testimony shows that U.S. Attorney of Delaware David Weiss tried to bring charges in the District of Columbia around March of 2022 and was denied," Smith asserted. "Weiss sought special counsel status from the [Justice Department] in the spring of 2022 and was once again denied. Weiss sought to bring charges in the Central District of California in the fall of 2022 and had that request denied in January of 2023." A spokesperson for Weiss declined to comment, but earlier this month, in a letter to Rep. Jim Jordan, the GOP chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Weiss wrote, "I have been granted ultimate authority over this matter, including responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges." "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 said. In a statement issued Thursday, the Justice Department said, "As both the Attorney General and U.S. Attorney David Weiss have said, U.S. Attorney Weiss has full authority over this matter, including responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges as he deems appropriate. He needs no further approval to do so." "Two interviews do not make an investigation when more than 50 employees were named, especially when you consider that one recanted key elements of his testimony earlier this week," House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Democrat Richard Neal wrote after the release of the interview transcripts, "It's all premature, and the rush shows how pretextual this is in this stunning abuse of power." This week, after Biden's plea deal was announced, Attorney General Merrick Garland said Justice Department leadership had no role in the charging decision. "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," referring to Weiss. Since gaining the majority in the House, Republican members of Congress have focused their investigatory powers on Hunter Biden's business deals, in some cases as far back as when his father was vice president. During the presidential campaign, Joe Biden consistently maintained that he was not involved in any of his son's business dealings and the White House has continued to deny any connection exists. Congressional Republicans have alleged that Hunter Biden and the president's brother James Biden were involved in a deal with Chinese conglomerate CEFC China Energy in August 2017. And in particular, GOP lawmakers are interested in an email that became public in 2020, when Republicans obtained information from a laptop alleged to have belonged to Hunter Biden. The message, which bore the subject line "Expectations," outlines a "provisional agreement" for "equity" in a deal with a Chinese energy company. Two of Hunter Biden's former business partners who received the message, including Tony Bobulinski, told CBS News that a line in the email, "10 held by H for the big guy?" is shorthand for 10% held by Hunter Biden for his father. According to the now-public transcripts of the interview with the committee, Shapley told congressional investigators that interest in references to "dad" and "the big guy" was blocked by a senior prosecutor working for Weiss. When the email became public in 2020, the author, James Gilliar, told the Wall Street Journal that Joe Biden was not involved. Gilliar did not respond to CBS News' questions. Hunter Biden's team did not respond to a request for comment from CBS News. One of his lawyers, Christopher Clark, has in the past denied that Biden ever gave his consent "to access his computer data or share it with others," alleging "there have been multiple attempts to hack, infect, distort, and peddle misinformation regarding Mr. Biden's devices and data." In his congressional interview, Shapley also alleged that there was a recovered WhatsAPP message from Hunter Biden dated July 30, 2017, that was addressed to a Chinese businessman with whom he was involved at the time about an outstanding payment. "I am sitting here with my father..we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled," Hunter Biden allegedly wrote, according to the transcript. He added, "I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand" and "now means tonight." In a statement, Shapley said of the now public transcript, "I believe Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate should come together to examine these facts by interviewing other witnesses and reviewing documents to fully understand what happened during this five-year long investigation. I fulfilled my oath of office by participating in this process, following the rules, and telling the truth to the best of my ability despite the risks." The White House referred CBS News to an earlier statement to reiterate only that the president has not been involved in the investigation into his son. "President Biden has made clear that this matter would be handled independently by the Justice Department, under the leadership of a U.S. Attorney appointed by former President Trump, free from any political interference by the White House," the statement said. "He has upheld that commitment." CBS News asked Hunter Biden's legal team for comment and there was no immediate response. After Ohio train derailment, fire chief says he had 13 minutes to decide to burn toxic chemicals Pro-Trump crowd at Faith and Freedom Coalition conference I-95 reopens at site of Philadelphia collapse European diplomats check Palestinian houses that were torched by Israeli settlers during a visit, in Turmus Ayya, near Ramallah Israeli settlers build new outposts amid rising West Bank violence European diplomats check Palestinian houses that were torched by Israeli settlers during a visit, in Turmus Ayya, near Ramallah By Ismael Khader and Ammar Awad TURMUS AYYA, West Bank (Reuters) -Israel's national security minister on Friday urged tougher military action against Palestinian fighters in the occupied West Bank and urged Israeli settlers to expand their presence there despite surging violence and international calls for a halt to new construction. Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, was speaking at a settler outpost - one of several the Israeli military said had been discovered across the West Bank since Thursday but were not authorised. They would be dismantled "according to enforcement priorities", a military statement said without elaborating. The developments followed some of the worst violence in years involving Palestinians, Israeli forces and Jewish settlers in the West Bank in the past week. "We have your backs, run to the hilltops, settle the land," Ben-Gvir said during his visit. The United Nations human rights chief said in Geneva he situation "risks spiralling out of control" and he urged Israel to comply with international law. But Ben-Gvir called for tougher action. "We must launch a military operation, bring down buildings, eliminate terrorists, not one or two but dozens and hundreds and if necessary thousands," he said. "Because, ultimately, it is the only way we will seize this place, strengthen our hold and restore security to the residents." Most countries deem Jewish settlements built on land Israel seized in the 1967 Middle East war as illegal. Their expansion has for decades been among the most contentious issues between Israel, the international community and Palestinians, who say they undermine a viable future Palestinian state. The Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported at least seven new outposts were built in the West Bank since Thursday. The new construction follows Netanyahu's announcement on Wednesday of plans for 1,000 new homes in the Eli settlement in response to a Palestinian gun attack in the area the previous day that killed four Israelis. According to the Israeli watchdog Peace Now, Eli was built in 1984 and some 4,600 settlers reside there. Palestinians in the area say they were dispossessed of their land to allow for the settlement's expansion over the years. Tuesday's shooting came a day after an Israeli raid on Jenin that led to an hours-long exchange of fire between Palestinian fighters and Israeli forces backed by helicopter gunships. Seven Palestinians were killed and more than 90 wounded and seven Israeli personnel were also wounded. In retaliation for that attack, hundreds of Israeli settlers rampaged through Palestinian towns in the West Bank such as Turmus Ayya, killing a young Palestinian father and setting dozens of houses and cars ablaze. Amal Abdulhalim, a Palestinian who is a dual U.S. national, said she was doing schoolwork at home in Turmus Ayya on Wednesday when she heard glass shattering and gunshots. She and her siblings locked the doors and tried to find a safe room in the house, she said. They only realised that the cars outside had been torched and their house was about to catch fire when a neighbour called and alerted them to leave. "I texted my family, 'I don't know if we're going to be alive but I love you,'" she said. She and her family managed to climb out a window, some without shoes on, and walk down the street for safety. A delegation of more than 20 foreign missions visited the town on Friday to witness the damage. "These were terrorist attacks committed by settlers to scare these people, to drive people away from their land," said Sven Kuhn von Burgsdorff of the European Union in Palestine. Military spokesman Daniel Hagari said police arrested three people on suspicion of involvement in the rampages. The army had not been adequately prepared for the outburst of settler violence, he said. "What happened in Turmus Ayya, the nationalist crime, is a severe event that we should prevent. We failed to prevent it," he told a news briefing. He said they would investigate themselves to prevent such an incident happening again. The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned Israel's new settlement projects, which it said were part of its plan to de facto annex the West Bank. Israel is "permanently closing the door to any opportunity for a political solution to the conflict," it said. Israel cites biblical, historical and political ties to the West Bank as its justification for claiming the land. (Additional reporting and writing by Henriette Chacar; Editing by Angus MacSwan) By Federica Urso and Alvise Armellini ROME (Reuters) -Italy may grant an "amnesty" to people who had children through surrogacy following the passage of a law extending criminal penalties to those who seek surrogates abroad, Family Minister Eugenia Roccella said in an interview due to be aired on Friday. Surrogacy has been banned in Italy since 2004, but Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition is pushing through parliament a bill that would also criminalise couples who use a surrogate in countries where it is legal. "We'll have to think about some kind of amnesty once we have the new law for the prosecution (of surrogacy), even for those who do it abroad, given that fortunately it is forbidden in Italy," Roccella told Discovery Italia's Nove TV channel. The bill, under discussion in the lower house of parliament, would extend the surrogacy ban to punish couples who go abroad with jail terms of up to two years and fines of up 1 million euros ($1.09 million). Extracts of Roccella's interview were published by the ANSA news agency and other Italian media, and her remarks outraged LGBT rights campaigners. Rainbow Families President Alessia Crocini told ANSA it was offensive to "treat our children as ... the result of an illegality, since these children were born abroad where surrogacy is legal." Crocini had said in March that 90% of Italians who choose surrogacy are heterosexual couples, but they mostly do so in secret, meaning the tougher ban would de facto affect only gay couples who cannot hide it. Italian LGBT couples who want a baby have to go abroad because artificial insemination and adoption as well as surrogacy are not available for them domestically. Heterosexual couples, on the other hand, can adopt and resort to artificial insemination. Meloni is a self-declared defender of traditional family values, and her government has ordered city councils to stop registering the children of same-sex couples, saying the move applies a ruling by Italy's top appeals court. The order has led some prosecutors to demand the cancellation of birth certificates previously issued for the children of same-sex couples. This week, such a request was filed in the city of Padua for 33 birth certificates. A judge has to rule on such requests, and on Friday a court in Milan said it had approved the scrapping of the name of the non-biological father from the certificate of the surrogate son of a gay couple. The court, echoing the stance of the government which on Thursday was also backed by the European Court of Human Rights, said the non-biological parent could regain his parenting rights by adopting the child. ($1 = 0.9204 euros) (Reporting by Federica Urso; Editing by Philippa Fletcher and Conor Humphries) Jacksonville Jaguars home stadium will once again be known as EverBank Whats old is new again -- the Jacksonville Jaguars home will once again bear the name EverBank. On Wednesday, a lawyer for TIAA Bank sent a letter to the Jacksonville mayors office and the Jaguars. Everbank Stadium by ActionNewsJax on Scribd The letter asks to change the stadium from TIAA Bank Field to EverBank Stadium. In November, it was announced that TIAA Bank was being sold to new investors and would be renamed. A Friday afternoon news release from TIAA Bank confirmed that the bank would once again become EverBank. The sale of the bank is expected to close later this summer, the release said. The bank said that the stadiums name change will take place ahead of the Jaguars first home game on September 17. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The Bank was known as Alltel Stadium from 1997-2006. In 2014, the Jaguars reached a 10-year naming rights deal with EverBank. In 2016, TIAA announced plans to purchase EverBank Financial Corp. and it was renamed TIAA Bank after the sale closed in 2017. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] The stadium, which was named EverBank Field at the time, became TIAA Bank Field officially in 2018. Between naming rights deals, the venue was known as Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in 1995-96 and again from 2007-2010. The question remains: who will pay to change all the signs? Action News Jax is working to get an answer on that. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. The search for a missing tourist submersible carrying five men came to a tragic end Thursday after rescue officials discovered debris from the imploded vessel near the wreckage of the Titanic. Reactions poured in on social media shortly after the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the debris field officials had found was the Titan submersible they had been searching for since Sunday. Rear Admiral John Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander speaks during a press conference updating about the search of the missing OceanGate Expeditions submersible, which is carrying five people to explore the wreck of the sunken Titanic, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., June 22, 2023. Richard Garriot, president of the Explorers Club, of which passenger Hamish Harding was a member, said the club was "heartbroken for the families, friends and colleagues of those who were lost." CREW KILLED IN CATASTROPHIC IMPLOSION TIMELINE OF MISSION TO FIND OCEANGATE'S MISSING TITANIC TOUR SUBMARINE "Their memories will be a blessing and will continue to inspire us in the name of science and exploration," Garriot wrote in a statement to Explorers Club members. Garriot called Hamish a "dear friend" who "continued to push dragons off maps both in person and through supporting expeditions and worthy causes." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP MISSING TITANIC SUBMARINE: CANADIAN UNDERWATER ROBOT SEARCHES OCEAN FLOOR AS OXYGEN LEVELS DWINDLE Garriot called fellow Titan passenger Paul-Henry Nargeolet, who was elected to the Club in 2021, "was one of the foremost experts on submersible expeditions to the Titanic." This file image provided by OceanGate shows the Titan submersible being launched from a platform. The Save Titanic Memorial Lighthouse said it was "saddened by the news" of the five men aboard the Titan. "Our most heartfelt condolences go out to their loved ones," the organization said. Titanic director James Cameron weighed in on the tragedy, telling ABCs The View" he was "struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he streamed at full speed into an ice field." OceanGate Expeditions, the company behind the tourist submersible, thanked all involved in search-and-rescue efforts. "This is a very sad time for the entire explorer community, and for each of the family members of those lost at sea," the Washington-based company said. "We respectfully ask that the privacy of these families be respected during this most painful time." BANGING NOISES CONFIRMED IN DESPERATE DEEP-SEA SEARCH FOR MISSING TITAN SUB BUT SOURCE UNKNOWN Pakistan has offered the countrys condolences to the Dawood family after the father-and-son explorers were among five killed on the submersible. "Our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and the family of the other passengers on the sad news about the fate of the Titanic submersible in the North Atlantic," Pakistans foreign ministry tweeted Thursday. "We appreciate the multinational efforts over the last several days in search of the vessel." Josh Gates, a veteran explorer who previously raised concerns about the OceanGate sub before it was discovered imploded Thursday, called the catastrophe "an absolutely heartbreaking conclusion to the mission." "Condolences to the families of PH Nargeolet, Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, & Stockton Rush." The Titan was reported overdue Sunday afternoon about 435 miles south of St. John's, Newfoundland, as it was on its way to where the iconic ocean liner sank more than a century ago. OceanGate Expeditions, which led the fateful trip, had been chronicling the Titanic's decay and the underwater ecosystem around it via yearly voyages since 2021. The five men aboard the vessel were pilot Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, with British adventurer Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, and French explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet. The Associated Press contributed to this report. James Cameron knew about the Titanic sub implosion days before it was found. This is why James Cameron emerges from the Deepsea Challenger in 2012 after making the first solo trip to the worlds deepest point (AP) In a series of stunning interviews on Thursday, James Cameron revealed he knew highly sensitive details about the Titan submersible search and rescue mission days before it was released publicly. Cameron was aware that top secret US Navy listening devices had detected an implosion near the Titanic wreckage within an hour of it occurring on Monday, and has since described the search for the five crew members as a nightmarish charade. He has also claimed that the Titan crew would have known that the submersibles hull had started to crack and were trying to resurface when the catastrophic implosion occurred. The 68-year-old told ABC News that his contacts within the community had shared details of the mission with him, a reference to the small and close-knit submersible Manned Underwater Vehicle (MUV) industry. Follow the latest updates on the Titanic sub here While best known for his filmmaking exploits, from Titanic to The Terminator and the Avatar franchise, Cameron has said his true love is deep-ocean exploration. Some people think of me as a Hollywood guy (but) I make Avatar to make money to do explorations, Cameron told The Daily Telegraph in 2018. A life-long obsession One of Camerons earliest films, The Abyss, is described as a claustrophobic survival thriller about the search for a submarine that sinks in the Caribbean. In a 1989 interview with the New York Times to promote the film, he said that scuba diving had allowed him to discover the keys to another world. In 2012, Cameron became the first person to solo pilot a sub to the worlds deepest point, Challenger Deep, in the Mariana Trench, 11km beneath the oceans surface. It was just the second time anyone had been to the most remote, isolated place on the planet after trailblazing oceanographers Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard first reached Challenger Deep 52 years earlier in 1960. I really feel like in one day Ive been to another planet and come back, he told the BBC after completing the dive. The Titan suffered a catastrophic implosion near the wreckage of the Titanic on Monday. Cameron says he had long held fears about the safety of the submersible vessel (PA Media) He described how the trip was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to travel to the worlds deepest spot in the 2014 documentary Deepsea Challenge, which took viewers on a journey to the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean through his camera lens. The documentary showed Camerons obsession with the science and technical aspects behind deep-sea exploration, where the extreme water pressure and shifting ocean currents can turn fatal in an instant. He personally oversaw the design and construction of the $10m Deepsea Challenger submarine, which had over 180 interconnected onboard systems, including batteries, thrusters, life support, 3D cameras, and LED light. The stark difference between Camerons sub and OceanGates Titan was displayed in a side-by-side comparison of the vessels interiors. The inner walls of the Deepsea Challengers steel pilot sphere are stacked with advanced safety systems. In the Titan, OceanGate CEO and founder Stockton Rush is seen in the Titans sparse hull holding a PlayStation controller, with just a screen behind him. Cameron is part-owner of Triton Submarines which makes high-tech submersibles for research and tourism, and whose vessels have made several descents to Challenger Deep. This week, he described the Titans construction out of carbon fibre composite as a major safety red flag. He explained that the lightweight composite, popular in aeronautics and sailing, was not designed to withstand the compression which occurs when subs descend to extreme depths. Pressure hulls are typically made out of contiguous materials such as steel, titanium, ceramic or acrylic, which are better for conducting tests, Cameron told told Reuters in an interview. We celebrate innovation, right? But you shouldn't be using an experimental vehicle for paying passengers that aren't themselves deep ocean engineers, he told Reuters. He said the wider submersible engineering community had raised concerns about the OceanGate Expeditions vehicle, and that he regretted not going public with his own fears earlier. The sub imploded The US Navy revealed on Thursday that top secret acoustic detectors used to track enemy submarines had picked up the fatal blast on Sunday. While not definitive, this information was immediately shared with the Incident Commander to assist with the ongoing search and rescue mission, a senior Navy official told the Wall Street Journal, who first reported the news. Four days later, the US Coast Guard revealed that a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) had located pieces of debris from the Titan on the seabed 1,600ft (about 500m) from the bow of the Titanic wreck. The five crew members confirmed to have died are, clockwise from top left, Hamish Harding, Stockton Rush, Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Cameron called the death of his close friend Nargeolet impossible to fathom (Dirty Dozen Productions/OceanGate/AFP/Getty) The five crew members died in a catastrophic implosion soon after it lost contact with its support ship an hour and 45 minutes into the dive, officials said. In interviews with CNN and Reuters, Cameron told how he had learned of the implosion soon after it occurred. We got confirmation within an hour that there had been a loud bang at the same time that the sub comms were lost. A loud bang on the hydrophone. Loss of transponder. Loss of comms. I knew what happened. The sub imploded, he told Reuters. Cameron emailed colleagues in the MUV industry on Monday that the Titan was without doubt on the bottom in pieces right now. The system that detected the implosion is used to monitor enemy submarines, and the Navy considered it so crucial to national security that it asked that asked media not to identify it by name, the Journal reported. Its unclear whether information about implosion was shared with the families of those onboard, who continued to express hope of finding survivors. The deaths of the OceanGate CEO, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, British billionaire Hamish Harding, and French adventurer Paul-Henri Nargeolet were the first deep-sea fatalities ever recorded in the industry. Cameron said the death of his close friend Nargeolet, a 77-year-old experienced adventurer known as Mr Titanic, was impossible for me to process. He added that he had heard through the community that the Titan had dropped its ascent weights and was trying to manage an emergency when the implosion occurred. They probably had a warning that their hull was starting to delaminating and the hull was starting to crack, Cameron told ABC News in an interview. We understand from inside the community that they had dropped their ascent weights and they were coming up, trying to manage an emergency, the filmmaker said. Chilling parallels Cameron has likened the tragic fate of the Titan to the ocean liner its crew were trying to reach. Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night, Cameron told ABC News. About 1,500 people were killed when the Titanic sank in April 1912. The site of the wreck remained a mystery until 1985, when explorer Robert Ballard located its remains about 640kms off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at a depth of 4,000m. The filmmaker has visited the Titanic wreckage 33 times, making his his first trip in 1995 to shoot footage for his blockbuster film, which became the first to gross over $1bn worldwide within 74 days of its release in 1997. Cameron was inside a submersible exploring the shipwreck on 11 September 2001, when terrorists flew two passenger jets into the World Trade Centre. He would tell Spiegel International in 2012 that he was presumably the last man in the Western Hemisphere to learn about what had happened. On another dive, he described becoming trapped in the wreck for 16 hours, as the oceans strong undercurrents held his submarine at the bottom of the ocean. In Avatar: The Way of Water, Cameron said he had worked with digital visual effects company Weta FX to render water seamlessly (20th Century Studios) He later mused that he had probably spent more time on the Titanic than the captain did back in the day. Between making Titanic, and Avatar, released in 2009, Cameron took a hiatus from making Hollywood megahits to film several documentaries about his deep-sea adventures. In 2003s Ghosts of the Abyss, Cameron documented his extensive exploration of the Titanic wreck. For 2005s Aliens of the Deep, Cameron and fellow cameraman Steve Quayle teamed up with NASA scientists to explore to explore the Mid-Ocean Ridge, a submerged chain of mountains that band the Earth. The film showed for the first time ten hydrothermal vents in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans that support some of the most unique organisms anywhere on the planet, including giant tube worms and swarms of blind white crabs. The latest installment of Camerons Avatar series, The Way of Water, is set on the aquatic ecosystems of a world 25 trillion miles from Earth. Cameron has said he regards all of his underwater explorations as research for The Way of Water. In an interview with Indie Wire last year, Cameron said he had worked with digital visual effects company WAtA FX to render water seamlessly. What we found was that there wasnt a magic wand technical solution. It turned out to be very artist-sensitive, meaning the individual artists working with the tools had to learn the way of water, it became this Zen archery thing, he told the film industry site. This Feb. 5, 2019, file photo shows producer James Cameron arrive at a premiere in Los Angeles. Cameron, who directed Titanic, has visited the wreckage many times. | Jordan Strauss, Associated Press A submersible named Titan went missing on Sunday in an expedition to see the wreckage of the Titanic. On Thursday, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger said the sub experienced a catastrophic implosion, according to CNN. Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding and Paul-Henri Nargeolet are presumed dead, per NBC News. The Coast Guard said the debris searchers found indicated the vessels implosion. Related Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night and many people died as a result. For a very similar tragedy, where warnings went unheeded, to take place at the same exact site with all the diving thats going on all around the world, I think is just astonishing, James Cameron, director of Titanic, told ABC News. Camerons Titanic won best picture in 1998. The director has taken 33 dives himself to the wreckage of the Titanic, according to CNN. Behind Camerons motivation to make the film was his desire to dive down to the wreckage, which was discovered in 1985. The Titanic was the Mount Everest of shipwrecks, and as a diver I wanted to do it right. When I learned some other guys had dived to the Titanic to make an IMAX movie, I said, Ill make a Hollywood movie to pay for an expedition and do the same thing. I loved that first taste, and I wanted more, Cameron said, per CNN. On one of his visits to the Titanic wreckage, Cameron told USA Today that he saw the Straus Suite. When he was making the film, he had to make educated guesses about what he didnt know and said the real Straus Suite looked just like the fake set that we got built. Related James Camerons deep dives Cameron himself has helped design a submersible known as the Deepsea Challenger a 24-foot-long sub that had several cameras. He took the sub to the ocean floor of the Mariana Trench, per NPR. The Mariana Trench is considered the deepest trench known on earth and its located east and south of the Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Britannica said, An arcing depression, the Mariana Trench stretches for more than 1,580 miles with a mean width of 43 miles. Surface, this is DEEPSEA CHALLENGER. I am on the bottom. Depth is 35,756 feet ... life supports good, everything looks good. Only now does it occur to me that I might have prepared something more memorable, like One small step for man, Cameron later wrote when he reflected on his call to the ship after reaching the ocean floor, according to NPR. When Cameron completed the dive, he broke the record for the deepest solo dive, NBC News reported. He also became the first person to reach the bottom of the Mariana Trench by himself. Cameron has also said going into the deep sea can be dangerous he said his vessel underwent testing and had backup gear for power. Youre going into one of the most unforgiving places on earth. Its not like you can call up AAA to come get you, he told The New York Times. A year after officers gunned down the 25-year-old man, residents of Akron, Ohio work through anger, grief and distrust to launch police oversight and cohesive community initiatives. In Akron, Ohio, the phrase, Say his Name, has one answer Jayland Walker. Here, his name has become synonymous with change, whether its at the police department, City Hall, or on the ground, where community groups have become more resolute after Walkers death. June 27 marks the one year anniversary of Walkers death in a hail of police bullets. That evening, Akron police say, the sound of a gunshot came from a vehicle they were chasing and they believed Walker had fired at them. Walker, wearing a ski mask, left the slowly moving car and ran. Police say Walker made a move toward them. The eight officers at the scene fired 94 bullets, striking Walker 46 times, killing him. A service program picturing Jayland Walker is seen July 13, 2022, at the Akron Civic Theatre, where his memorial service was held. The shooting death of Walker by Akron police has caused an outcry locally and nationally for police reform and liability. (Photo by Phil Masturzo/USA Today Network) Authorities did not find a weapon on Walker, but they did find his legally obtained gun in his car. Every moment of every day, we think of Jayland, his mother, Pamela Walker, said in a statement to theGrio. Our hearts continue to break as we hope hes going to walk through my door on a Sunday afternoon like he always did. Jayland would spend the day with us. We would laugh and talk about what was new in his world and enjoy a meal together. I will be forever changed by this. As a retired nurse, to know the way he was shot with no less than 45 bullets piercing his body is just incomprehensible. The intervening 12 months havent soothed his mother or eased Jada Walkers pain of losing a brother. Time has not healed the anger about the official state report that hints Jayland wanted to die at the hands of police, commonly known as suicide by cop. I will be forever changed by this. Pamela Walker, Jayland Walkers mother But the last year has brought hope, even optimism, that Akron has embarked on the start of a meaningful social justice movement that goes beyond police reform. Last November, voters approved, with 62% of the vote, Issue 10, which created a Citizens Police Oversight Board charged with making non-binding recommendations on police policies and practices. Community groups have seized on that momentum, forming coalitions to address a myriad of social issues, including systematic and institutional racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Walkers death has definitely sparked a movement, said Jennifer Ross, the Vice President, Diversity, Education & Engagement for the Akron Urban League. I think folks are aware that there are some deep-rooted issues that are beyond just policing and go across every type of system that we have here. Community activist and attorney Imokhai Okolo said a rainbow coalition of people has joined to press for social change. Its been beautiful, he said, Were seeing people across racial, religious, and economic lines coming together to be active in this fight. A Justice for Jayland Walker protester is framed in the window of a stopped car in the Highland Square area of Akron on April 14. The quest for justice has drawn together people across racial, religious, and economic lines. (Photo: Phil Masturzo/USA Today Network) Getting to this point hasnt been easy. When we think were doing good, Robert DeJournett of Akron said, here comes another blow from out of nowhere. A rift among allies Last October, Akron police met with DeJournett at about 3 p.m. one afternoon to deliver news that stunned DeJournette, one of Jaylands cousins instrumental in acting as a conduit to the grieving Walker family. Akron Police Chief Steve Mylett planned to issue a news release in a matter of hours announcing the reinstatement of the eight officers who shot and killed Walker. The department needed the officers, who would be placed on desk duty, to alleviate a staffing shortage, Mylett explained at a community meeting last October. Pastor Robert DeJournett said it was difficult to tell Jayland Walkers mother that the officers involved in her sons death were reinstated. She was devastated, he said (Source: Akron, Ohio via YouTube) DeJournett seethed. They wanted me to tell Miss Walker before it became public, and that just blew me away, said DeJournett, pastor at Akrons St. Ashworth Temple Church of God in Christ I know how fragile she is and know how this has impacted her and every part of her life, mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. Im like, How am I gonna tell her this and just wreck her world in a few hours? When he broke the news, She was devastated. I was trying to figure out the right words to soften the blow, DeJournett said, but there were no words. She just fell apart. The decision led to a rift between pastors on Myletts advisory councils and local clergy who were not part of the advisory groups who publicly and harshly criticized the reinstatement decision. DeJournett said police officials told him two advisory groups that included local pastors supported the officers reinstatement, but he said he later found out that wasnt the case. Thats when the war of words began. Some 43 people, including 40 pastors, signed a strongly worded letter that said Mylett lied when he said he would consult with the Walker family and DeJournett before he made a reinstatement decision. The letter called Mylett dishonest and said, Reinstating Jaylands alleged killers is traumatic enough, but you have also falsified your conversations with our respected spiritual and community leaders. How am I gonna tell her this and just wreck her world in a few hours? Pastor Robert DeJournette Mylett fired back with a statement of his own, saying he was disappointed and confused. He noted most of the people who signed the letter objecting to the reinstatements werent part of his advisory boards discussions. Having my integrity called into question by people I know and trust is beyond hurtful, the statement said. While I believe it is every citizens right to air their grievances with their elected and appointed officials, to do so in a way that includes dishonesty is irresponsible and harmful. The Akron Police Department did not return repeated phone calls or emails seeking comment. The events of the last year Walkers death, the police reinstatements, no charges in the case have resulted in 12 months of trauma for DeJournett, a long-time community leader who has served on a number of boards and been honored for his leadership. He sees a therapist to help him understand emotions ranging from angst to despair. Theres been a lot of pain, disgruntlement, anger, frustration, he said. Im not losing faith in God, but losing faith in people, especially leaders in our community who Ive walked alongside for a huge part of my career. Now, Im seeing folk for who they really are and not who they pretend to be. Absolutely disrespectful Mylett asked the state to examine the shooting that killed Walker. That led to more angst for the Walker family and their supporters when the Ohio Bureau of Investigation report probed whether Walker wanted to die by suicide by cop. Walkers fiancee, Jaymeisha Beasley, died in a tragic car accident one month before his death, and by all accounts, he was mourning her loss but getting on with his life. Jayland Walkers mother, Pamela, left, and grandmother Betty listen to a press conference by the familys attorneys following a Summit County grand jurys decision to not charge eight officers who shot and killed Walker June 27, 2022. (Mike Cardew / USA Today Network) The reports 227-page prosecutors summary, released on January 21, paints a different picture. Akron police said they received a report from a Euclid, Ohio, police official who said Walkers friend, Dupri Whatley, mentioned that Walker had suicidal thoughts, and he wanted information on how he could get police to shoot him. Whatley, according to the report, works as a jailer at the Summitt County Sheriffs Office. The report said Whately made the comments during an interview for a police officers job in Euclid, a city on the banks of Lake Erie about 45 miles north of Akron. The account made its way through at least three people the Euclid officer, who told an Akron PD sergeant, who then told Cory Momchilov, the special agent who authored the report. In an interview with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation Whatley vehemently denied Walker ever asked him about getting the police to shoot him. He never asked me about that, Whatley said. For the city or for the investigators or for anyone, frankly, to go down the road of Jayland may have wanted to die is absolutely disrespectful. Bobby DiCello, the Walker family attorney Neither Momchilov nor Whatley could be reached. The report also includes information about Jaylands cellphone and financial records, autopsy report and internet searches that the report states include the quickest way to die. Moreover, Momchilov asked Pam and Jada Walker if Jayland had made any comments about being upset or suicidal and they both replied, No. Suggesting Jayland wanted to be killed, is scraping the bottom of the barrel, Bobby DiCello said. For the city or for the investigators or for anyone, frankly, to go down the road of Jayland may have wanted to die is absolutely disrespectful. DeJournett added, That narrative just tries to detract from the accountability that officers could unload on somebody 90-plus times without any repercussions. Just about three months after the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation report, a grand jury investigating Walkers shooting returned a no-bill, meaning there was insufficient evidence to indict the officers involved in Walkers death. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said Walker fired a shot from his car and called the police response a justifiable use of force. The Walker family and associates see nothing justified about the shooting. They ask, Why shoot a man who didnt possess a gun at the time of the police response? Why fire nearly 100 times? Why not release the grand jury transcripts? Why not release the names of the eight officers involved?(Akron police have refused to do so, citing threats made against the officers. The Akron Beacon Journal sued the police department last year asking the Ohio Supreme Court to release the officers personnel records). There has to be some accountability when folk are wrong, DeJournett said. They were wrong. They said they thought he had a weapon, but he didnt. Still, theres no accountability for shooting that many times. It sends the wrong message. Its like, OK, so now youre free. The process isnt over. Akron Police have launched an internal investigation to determine whether the officers involved broke any department rules. That probe, launched after the grand jury completed its work, could be completed in 60 days. A demonstrator at an April 19 event urging justice for Jayland Walker dodges a chemical canister deployed by police officers on Copley Road in Akron, Ohio. (Photo by: Phil Masturzo/USA Today Network) And U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio) wants the Department of Justice to investigate the patterns and practices of the Akron Police Department. In a letter dated April 24, 2023, Sykes wrote the departments use of force, opposition to transparency, and actions taken against citizens exercising their Constitutional right to protest suggest a culture unconducive to public safety. Akron police came under heavy criticism for their actions during community protests that followed Walkers death. During one gathering, police fired a chemical irritant into a crowd of demonstrators and arrested 50 people after the gathering turned violent and damaged businesses and residents. Police have also made arrests at a number of different protests. Grassroots folks are energized Jasmina Waters (right), program manager for Akron Public Schools, hugs a guest at Buchtel Community Learning Center before the start of a May 26 event where citizens could safely express how they feel after a grand jurys decision to not charge the Akron police officers involved in the shooting of Jayland Walker. (Photo by Jeff Lange/USA Today Network) All of these actions the protests, what organizers see as an unjust police response, the failure to indict have motivated Akron residents. Theres a lot of energy in the community that I think city leadership underestimates, DiCello said. Grassroots folk are energized by the passing of Issue 10. But also, theyve been energized in a positive way, by the refusal of the grand jury to indict, because they now know its up to them to make change. The prosecution of a given police officer isnt going to be the starting point. Its going to be what they do, and theyre taking that very seriously. Okolo, the Akron attorney and local activist, said groups have recognized the power of community. The power of bringing folks together across racial lines, across economic lines to really fight for the justice that is deserved. City Council members denied Okolo a seat on the police oversight board because of a social media post in which he called police pigs. He couldnt get the nine council votes he needed. His exclusion angered a segment of the population that wanted a young (hes 27), strong, Black voice unafraid to challenge traditional power structures. We have a daunting task ahead of us. Kemp Boyd, chair , Citizens Police Oversight Board Okolo said then that keeping him off the board was unfortunate, disappointing, unjust. However, in hindsight, he said he doesnt think he would have been as effective on a board that can only make recommendations. He said that he believes keeping him off has backfired and served as a rallying point for Akrons burgeoning social justice movement. Kemp Boyd, the chairman of the citizens review board, knows his group has a long road ahead. It has staunch community support, given the number of voters who approved its creation. Now, it has to build an infrastructure from the ground up that can foster confidence in Akrons citizens, the police department, and City Hall. We have a daunting task ahead of us, Boyd said. There has to be some patience because were learning things as we go as an oversight board because theres never been one. He also noted the board has a tricky balancing act. It will act as an advocate for the community while ensuring a fair hearing for all sides and making recommendations based on the evidence. DeJournett said hes cautiously optimistic about Akrons future. My hope is that everyone on that committee will hold true to their charge and do whats right, he said. Dignity of my son Pam Walker (right) weeps as Paige White, one of the attorneys representing the family, tries to comfort her during a June 16 press conference at the First Congregational Church of Akron following the announcement of their $45 million lawsuit filed against the city of Akron, Akron Police Department and the eight officers who shot and killed Walkers son Jayland last summer. (Photo by Jeff Lange/USA Today Network) On June 16, Jada Walker, as the administrator of her brothers estate, filed a lawsuit against several entities, including the officers who shot Jayland, in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division. The 32-page civil lawsuit alleges officers used excessive force as part of a culture of violence and racism at the City of Akrons Police Department. The lawsuit seeks $45 million in damages or about $1 million for every bullet that struck Jayland Walker. Jaylands mother, Pam Walker, attended the press conference but didnt speak. But DiCello said she told him: This is not about the money, this is about this never happening again. This is about the dignity of my son. At one point during the press conference, DiCello pointed to a large photo of Jayland and said Look at his face, this beautiful face and his beautiful life. Were reminded that this is Fathers Day weekend, and thats a day hell never share with a child. This is not about the money, this is about this never happening again. This is about the dignity of my son. Bobby DiCello, quoting Pamela Walker During his remarks, Pam Walker buried her head in her hand and wept. On June 27, the one-year anniversary of Walkers death, the Freedom BLOC, an Akron group that advocates for Black political power, will hold a march in Washington, D.C., to demand justice for Jayland. DeJournett has an idea of what justice looks like. I really would like to see some accountability for those officers, he said. I would like to see the whole system revamped on police chases and systemic changes that would prevent this from happening again. Jada Walker, the sister of Jayland Walker who Akron police shot and killed last summer, hugs a loved one during the Justice for Jayland National March on May 24 in Akron, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Lange/USA Today Network) He added, No one deserves to be treated like Jayland was treated. No one needs to have to suffer like Pam and Jada are suffering after losing a wonderful young man. DiCello sees an opportunity for the Walker family to talk with the city and to be aligned with transforming the city. Not forgetting or apologizing, or in any way, moving away from their position that they need justice, they need accountability, but rather embracing the challenge that the city can change. And this family wants to be present for that and support that change. That change is already underway, with grassroots efforts and the citizens review board. Change is also coming to City Hall as the current mayor, Dan Horrigan, announced in early October that he wouldnt seek a third term. He said to local media, The reasons are my own. None of these changes will cure the familys grief. Jaylands essential human value was destroyed. For no reason, DiCello said. There was no reason for him to die. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Jayland Walkers death at hands of 8 police officers propels social justice movement in Ohio city appeared first on TheGrio. Jennifer Lawrence has claimed she would be scared to work with method actors. Method acting is a technique by which actors immerse themselves in roles in order to aid performances. Often, method actors are said to not break character even when not actively performing. Lawrence discussed the subject during an apperance on the YouTube chat show Hot Ones, to promote her new movie, the sex comedy No Hard Feelings. I would be scared to work with somebody whos method because I would have no idea how to talk to them. Like, do I have to be in character? she told host Sean Evans. That would just make me nervous. But I havent seen another process that Ive been curious about, because you dont really know about them all the time. The Hunger Games star has previously appeared alongside Christian Bale in the 2013 crime drama American Hustle. Bale has been characterised as a method actor at various times in his career. According to Lawrence, seeing Bales techniques of getting into character inspired her to attempt them herself. I had always been very on/off, on/off, until I did American Hustle when I worked with Chrisitan Bale and I noticed when the camera started rolling and the crew kind of started preparing like it was going to be 10 seconds or whatever until action, he would start getting ready, Lawrence said. And then I saw that and I was like, That seems like a really good idea. And then I started to do that. Other note-worthy method actors include Dustin Hoffman, Daniel Day-Lewis and Succession star Jeremy Strong. Earlier this year, Strongs co-star on Succession, Brian Cox, criticised the actors method process. Lawrence in No Hard Feelings (Sony Pictures Releasing) Its really a cultural clash, Cox said. I dont put up with all that American s***. Im sorry. All that sort of I think, therefore I feel. Just do the job, he added. Dont identify. Mads Mikkelsen, meanwhile, has described method acting as bulls*** and pretentious. Last year, Baby Driver star Jon Bernthal suggested that the term method acting had been abused by certain figures in the industry. Every actor has a process, he said. Having studied in Moscow at the Moscow Art Theater, I guarantee you that making everybody call you by your character name and not showering for eight months was not what Stanislavski had in mind with the Method. Method acting was originally developed from techniques masterminded by Russian actor and director Konstantin Stanislavski. U.S. President Joe Biden (R) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participate in an arrival ceremony at the White House on June 22, 2023 in Washington, DC. Biden and Prime Minister Modi will later participate in a meeting in the Oval Office, a joint press conference, and a state dinner in the evening. US President Joe Biden hailed US-India ties, while rolling out the pomp and pageantry for visiting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. This included marching bands, a lavish vegetarian dinner and a 21-gun salute on the South Lawn of the White House. Mr Modi, who is on a state visit, also addressed the US Congress, where he received a standing ovation. The US, which denied a visa to Mr Modi over human rights concerns before he was PM, now sees him as a crucial ally. Washington has long viewed India as a counterbalance to China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific, although Delhi has never been fully comfortable with owning the tag. When addressing Congress, Mr Modi did not mention China by name, although he mentioned "dark clouds of coercion and confrontation casting their shadow over the Indo-Pacific". Mr Modi also did not mention Russia or who started the war, saying instead, "With the Ukraine conflict, war has returned to Europe". India has so far not directly criticised Russia, which analysts say is largely due to its huge dependency on Russian defence and oil imports and its "time-tested ties" with Moscow. This has strained relations between Washington and Delhi but Mr Biden chose to focus on the positive, saying ties between the two countries were stronger than ever. He went as far as to call it "one of the defining relationships of the 21st Century". Mr Modi agreed, telling the US Congress that this was a coming together of the world's two great democracies. He also said that the friendship between the two countries would be "instrumental in enhancing the strength of the whole world". He added that a "new chapter" had been added to the two countries' comprehensive and global-strategic partnership. Mr Modi addressed the US Congress on Thursday However, not everyone was celebrating. The Indian prime minister has come under increasing criticism for cracking down on dissent. His Hindu nationalist government too has been accused of not doing enough to protect minorities from violence and discrimination. But even as Mr Modi's visit to the US has seen protests, it has also been welcomed by a large and influential diaspora that includes many Silicon Valley CEOs. A number of liberal Democrats, however, boycotted his speech at Congress. Among them was representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who said on Twitter that state visits - the highest diplomatic protocol in the US - should not be offered to individuals with "deeply troubling human rights records". Apart from the pomp and parades, there was also progress on the trade front. The two countries agreed to terminate six outstanding disputes at the World Trade Organization, and announced deals with General Electric and Micron. Mr Modi also took the rare step of answering questions from reporters - something he has almost never done since becoming India's prime minister in 2014. When asked about human rights concerns in India, he said "democracy runs in our veins" and there is "absolutely no space for discrimination" in India, even as protesters gathered outside the White House to oppose his visit. A Thurston County judge has rejected a request by Eastern Washington plaintiffs to block a new state law banning the sale of certain semi-automatic weapons. The decision by Judge Allyson Zipp Friday followed a similar denial in a separate case in federal court earlier this month. Eastern Washington plaintiffs had filed for a statewide temporary restraining order in Grant County, with the case then moved to Thurston County. Plaintiffs in the case are Millard Sales, a gun store in Ephrata; Guardian Arms, a gun store in Moses Lake; Alliance for Gun Responsibility, the Silent Majority Foundation based in Pasco and six individuals, including Edgar Salazar. The business license for Guardian Arms Training lists Edgar Salazar as owner. Salazar, a Moses Lake Police Department detective, is credited with shooting and wounding James M. Kelly at the campground by The Gorge Amphitheatre last weekend, allowing him to be taken into custody. Kelly is accused of using a pistol to kill two people and wound three others during a concert at the venue several hundred yards away. Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson, both Democrats who were named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in Grant County, requested the Legislature take action to ban the sale of assault weapons. The new law took effect when Inslee signed it April 25. Ferguson said after the Friday ruling that he had proposed the ban in 2017 in the wake of a 2016 mass shooting at a Mukilteo, Wash., house party. The shooter used a military-style rifle and a high-capacity magazine. It took effect when Inslee signed it April 25. The new law prohibits the sale, manufacture and import of assault weapons in Washington state while allowing some exemptions, including for the sale to law enforcement and the military. The law does not prohibit the possession of assault weapons by those who already have them. The suspect in the Gorge campground shooting, James M. Kelly, 26, was a fire support specialist assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment with the U.S. Army. No information has been released that indicates he had an assault weapon at the campground. The Silent Majority Foundation called Salazar a hero and thanked him for his quick, courageous and decisive action. It also invited followers to come to the Thurston County Courthouse Friday to pray or offer other peaceful support to plaintiffs. The Silent Majority Foundation has argued that the new law will do nothing to curb crime, while impairing the right of law-abiding citizens to continue purchasing what it said is the most commonly owned type of firearm in the country. When Inslee signed the ban into law in April he said in a blog post that evidence that assault weapons sales bans prevent gun deaths comes from Americas recent history. When a federal assault weapons sales ban was in effect from 1994 to 2004, mass shooting fatalities were 70% less likely to occur as compared to the periods before and after, he said. Washington was the 10th state to adopt similar legislation banning the sale of certain semi-automatic weapons, including AR- and AK-style rifles. Multiple federal courts have upheld similar laws as constitutional, according to Ferguson. Calling the states policy invidious discrimination against transgender people, a federal judge ruled that Floridas prohibition against Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy is unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkles ruling Wednesday largely echoed a decision he issued earlier this month in a challenge to state restrictions on gender-affirming care for children and adults. Same record, same findings and conclusions, Hinkles 54-page ruling said. Gender identity is real. Wednesdays ruling came in a lawsuit filed by two adults and the parents of two children against the state Agency for Health Care Administration, which runs most of the Medicaid program. The agency last year adopted a rule banning Medicaid reimbursements to health-care providers for sex-reassignment treatments, such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries. Hinkles ruling addressed only gender-affirming medicines. Read: Thousands raised to support those seeking transgender care following new legislation The health agency adopted the rule based on a report that concluded such treatment was experimental and not medically necessary, and thus did not meet the threshold for Medicaid coverage. The report was by researchers who oppose gender-affirming care. But Hinkle, who held a two-week trial in the challenge, found that the state only sought evidence to support a foregone decision to scrap the coverage. The process was, from the outset, a biased effort to justify a predetermined outcome, not a fair analysis of the evidence, Hinkle wrote. The conclusion was not supported by the evidence and was contrary to generally accepted medical standards. Read: LGBTQ+ people flock to Florida for Gay Days festival The state had no rational basis to categorically ban these treatments or to exclude them from the states Medicaid coverage, the judge said. The record includes no evidence that these treatments have caused substantial adverse clinical results in properly screened and treated patients. Gov. Ron DeSantis, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, and his legislative allies have made a high-profile issue of targeting treatments for transgender people. The lawsuit was amended this spring to include a challenge to a new state law that cemented the Medicaid coverage ban. The law (SB 254) also made it a crime for doctors to order puberty blockers or hormone therapy for children and imposed new restrictions on gender-affirming care for adults. Read: Outrage after Seminole County agrees to issue refunds, reprints for yearbook featuring LGBTQ spread Hinkles ruling Wednesday harshly criticized the states handling of treatment for transgender people, noting that the widely accepted standard of care calls for evaluation and treatment by a multidisciplinary team. Proper treatment begins with mental-health therapy and is followed, when appropriate, by puberty blockers and hormones, the judge wrote. Florida has adopted a rule and statute that prohibit Medicaid payment for these treatments even when medically appropriate. The rule and statute violate the federal Medicaid statute, the (U.S. Constitutions) Equal Protection Clause and the Affordable Care Acts prohibition of sex discrimination, he wrote. Hinkle disputed state allegations that many young patients later regret using gender-affirming care. Regret is rare; indeed, the defendants have offered no evidence of any Florida resident who regrets being treated with GnRH agonists (puberty blockers) or hormones, Hinkle wrote, noting that 98 percent of children who use puberty blockers go on to use cross-sex hormones. Lawyers for the plaintiffs hailed Hinkles decision. Read: Parents of transgender children seek to block DeSantis ban on gender-affirming care for minors The courts order is a much-needed win for Floridians, amidst a climate where the rights of transgender individuals are being relentlessly attacked by the state, Simone Chriss, director of the Transgender Rights Initiative at Southern Legal Counsel, said in a statement late Wednesday. Judge Hinkle said it best the statute and the rule were an exercise in politics, not good medicine and todays ruling sends a strong message that the state of Florida cannot continue to play politics with peoples lives. We are so grateful to the courageous plaintiffs who made this case possible, and so grateful to the court for holding the state accountable for its unapologetic bigotry. August Dekker, a 29-year-old Hernando County man who is a plaintiff in the lawsuit, also praised Hinkles ruling. I am extremely relieved and pleased with this decision so I dont have to worry about whether I will be able to get the medical care I need. Floridas policy effectively denied me the treatment my doctors recommended, because as a low-income Floridian with disabilities, I rely on Medicaid to afford my health care. I am also happy for other transgender Floridians that get care through Medicaid, as now access to that lifesaving, critical care can continue, Dekker said in a statement. Read: Kicked out of public life: Transgender Floridians say new laws are forcing them to leave the state Hinkles ruling rejected the states justification for banning Medicaid coverage because gender dysphoria is difficult to diagnose. The federal government defines gender dysphoria clinically as significant distress that a person may feel when sex or gender assigned at birth is not the same as their identity. The difficulty diagnosing a patient calls for caution. It does not call for a one-size-fits-all refusal to cover widely accepted medical treatment. It does not call for the state to make a binary decision not to cover the treatment even for a properly diagnosed patient, the judge wrote. Hinkle noted that his order copied and pasted much of his June 6 ruling that rejected a state prohibition on gender-affirming care for children. That ruling affected a group of transgender children and parents who challenged the prohibition. The elephant in the room should be noted at the outset. Gender identity is real. The record makes this clear. The medical defendants, speaking through their attorneys, have admitted it. At least one defense expert also has admitted it, he wrote in both rulings. Although the vast majority of medical groups support gender-affirming care, the DeSantis administration and state medical boards argued that the treatment isnt supported by high-quality clinical research. The state also alleged that medical groups supported the care for ideological, not clinical, reasons. But Hinkle rejected the states stance. If ever a pot called a kettle black, it is here. The statute and the rules were an exercise in politics, not good medicine, he wrote. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A federal judge paused Wyomings first-in-the-nation ban on medicated abortion pills on Thursday, citing an ongoing lawsuit over the laws constitutionality. The ban, signed by the states governor in March, was set to be implemented on July 1. The law concerns two abortion pills, one of which, mifepristone, had its FDA approval challenged earlier this year. In April, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that mifepristone can still be distributed pending that challenge. Wyomings near-total ban on abortion procedures has also been challenged, and the two suits have now been combined. Arguments over the legality of abortion in the state mostly center on a 2012 constitutional amendment giving Wyomings a right to make their own health care decisions, enacted in response to fears over the Affordable Care Act. State attorneys have argued that abortions that arent to save the life of the mother or child are not health care. Its not restoring a womans body from pain, injury or physical sickness, State attorney Jay Jerde said. Medical services are involved, but getting an abortion for reasons other than health care, it cant be a medical decision. Only two clinics in the state sell medication for abortions, according to The Associated Press. Since the overturning of the Roe v. Wade standard by the Supreme Court almost a year ago, 13 states have passed laws to ban medication abortions. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Judges choose Dinwiddie interim prosecutor who already was on the ballot for November DINWIDDIE Circuit court judges have chosen an interim to fill the remaining seven months of former commonwealths attorney Ann Cabell Baskervills term, and it is someone who will head into the November elections as the de facto incumbent. And that is not sitting well with his opponent. On Wednesday, the chief judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit, which covers Dinwiddie, Petersburg and three adjoining counties, named defense lawyer Jonathan Bourlier to succeed Baskervill, who resigned Wednesday to pursue graduate studies overseas. Bourlier, whose 10 years of practice have focused largely on family law, was selected unanimously by chief judge Joseph Teefey and colleagues Paul Cella and Dennis Martin, according to the order filed Wednesday in Dinwiddie Circuit Court. Bourlier is running against Amanda Nicole Mann in the Nov. 7 election. Baskervill, who had been commonwealths attorney since 2015, said before she resigned that she was not seeking re-election. Mann told The Progress-Index she was disappointed in the decision to appoint her opponent. She claims Bourlier has a limited practice in criminal cases, saying the appointment was a disservice to our citizens. According to the online lawyer directory Avvo,, Bourlier specializes in four areas -- family, real estate, estate planning and criminal. Avvo says 40% of his practice has been in family law, but he has had more than 250 criminal cases as a defense attorney. That same directory listed Mann's three main areas of practice as elder law, child custory and juvenile, with each occupying one-third of her business. Its hard not to feel like Im at a disadvantage, Mann said when asked if the appointment appears to have her running against an incumbent instead of a challenger. However, she said she does not plan to quit the race and will run even harder between now and November. Thursday was Bourliers first day on the new job, but a reminder of what he will have to deal with over the next few months prominently sat on a couch next to his desk a file with the name Irvo N. Otieno on it. Otieno died March 6 while in custody of Henrico County Sheriffs deputies at Central State Hospital. Those seven deputies and one employee of Central State have been charged with second-degree murder in the high-profile case that has generated national media attention for the circumstances surrounding Otienos death. It definitely will be one of the top priorities, Bourlier said. His first time at the prosecutors table in Circuit Court will be next Wednesday, and one of the first tasks he will have could be an amended motion his predecessor filed Wednesday to combine all eight defendants into a maximum of three trials instead of individual trials for each. Teefey, who denied Baskervills original request last May for one trial, is expected to rule on that new motion soon. Theres no winner in this tragedy, Bourlier said of the case. We need to ensure that everyone receives their day in court. Bourlier is no stranger to running for the countys prosecutor position. In 2015, he ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign against Baskervill after she came under fire for criticizing the county sheriff for using a racial slur during an interrogation of a murder suspect. More: Dinwiddie drops charges against two of 10 suspects in Irvo Otieno death case 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 candidate 'disappointed' opponent named interim The Supreme Court met behind closed doors on Thursday to decide if it will take up a case concerning whether the Americans with Disabilities Act covers individuals with gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria describes an uncomfortable conflict psychological distress between a persons assigned gender and the gender with which the person identifies, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Though gender dysphoria often begins in childhood, some people may not experience it until after puberty or much later, the APA says. The court has had few opportunities to consider how much federal civil rights law protects transgender Americans. In 2020, it handed a surprise win to the community when it said that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects gay, lesbian and transgender workers. In the case at hand, Kesha Williams, a transgender woman who had been held for six months in a Fairfax County, Virginia, jail, sued several individuals connected to the jail in federal court, claiming that the way she was treated at the facility was a violation of the ADA and other laws. Among other things, Williams who had been initially assigned to the womens housing at the facility but was later moved to its mens housing claimed in her suit that she experienced delays in her medical treatment of gender dysphoria and harassment by other inmates. A district court in Virginia initially dismissed Williams case on the basis of the ADAs explicit exclusion of gender identity disorders not resulting from physical impairments from protection under the federal civil rights law. Williams appealed, arguing that the language of the exclusion is dated and undefined. The appeals court agreed last August, saying that the protections Williams argued the law covers are in keeping with the spirit of the 1990 law. In light of the basic promise of equality that animates the ADA, we see no legitimate reason why Congress would intend to exclude from the ADAs protections transgender people who suffer from gender dysphoria, a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit said in its majority ruling. Now, a prison official who was named in the underlying lawsuit is asking the Supreme Court to take up the case, arguing that the lower court erred in its ruling and that the justices should reject its decision, effectively killing the lawsuit. The Fourth Circuits narrow, and mistaken opinion rests on a flawed interpretation of gender identity disorders, plural. This Courts review is imperative to correct the Fourth Circuits flawed and anti-textual ruling, attorneys for the official told the justices in court papers. Attorneys for Williams urged the Supreme Court to decline the request to hear the case, arguing that Williams lawsuit was still in its early stages when the district court ruled against her and that a scant record of facts means that it would be difficult for the justices to fully assess the matter. There is no pressing need to review the question presented, particularly on this undeveloped record. As (the prison official) acknowledges, there is no circuit split on the question presented. To the contrary, the Fourth Circuit is the first appellate court ever to opine on the proper interpretation of (the section of the law at issue), the attorneys wrote. The justices have already taken up a separate case for next term concerning the ADA. In March, they agreed to hear a case concerning whether a self-appointed tester of the ADA has the right to sue hotels over alleged violations of the act. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Kansas City man sentenced to 29 years in prison in fatal shooting of father of two A 24-year-old Kansas City man was sentenced to 29 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a father of two in March 2022, according to a news release from the Jackson County Prosecutors Office. On Thursday, a judge sentenced Gerald R. Robinson II to 26 years on a second-degree murder charge and three years on an armed criminal action charge. Robinson pleaded guilty in April in the killing of 33-year-old Anthony Villarreal on March 25. Officers found Villarreal suffering from several gunshot wounds in a grassy area just off the corner of 24th Street and Quincy Avenue. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. According to court documents, surveillance cameras captured much of the shooting on video, which showed Villarreal walking near the 2400 block of Denver Avenue. As a sedan rolled past, he started to run. In the video, the car is seen making a U-turn. A man exits the car and chases after Villarreal. After hopping a fence, the man shoots Villarreal several times. Using the license plate captured on the video, police matched the car to one registered to Robinson, according to court documents. Police found the car in an alley near where Robinson was living. While searching the car, they found clothing that appeared to match what the man in the video was wearing at the time of the shooting, as well as mail and ID belonging to Robinson, according to court records. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo The Kentucky Democratic Party has asked the FBI and Justice Department to investigate a series of campaign contributions to Republican attorney general and gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron from officials at a company that his office was investigating, citing possible serious violations of ethics laws. Kentucky law prohibits the Attorney General from using or attempting to use his official position to secure or create privileges, exemptions, advantages, or treatment for himself or others in derogation of the public interest at large, the letter, which was sent out Friday afternoon and obtained by The Daily Beast, said. The request cites Kentucky laws that prohibit the attorney general from using his influence in any matter which involves a substantial conflict between his personal or private interest and his duties in the public interest. If an Attorney General solicits or knowingly accepts contributions from entities he is actively investigating, then he has likely committed serious violations of those laws, the letter alleges. Kentucky GOP Star Took Cash From Recovery Center Hes Investigating The KDP also sent the request to Daniels deputy attorney general, Vic Maddox, asking him to refer the matter to federal investigators in light of conflict-of-interest rules. The requests were made through the partys legal counsel at Elias Law Group. A Cameron campaign spokesperson referred The Daily Beast to the attorney generals office for comment. A Cameron campaign spokesperson referred The Daily Beast to the attorney generals office for comment. The AGs office provided The Daily Beast with a copy of Maddoxs reply. The letter ignores the referral request, but offers gratitude for the KDPs concerns and calls attention to one inaccurate claimthat Cameron hadnt recused in response to a records request asking specifically about Edgewater Recovery. (In reality, had Cameron privately recused himself two days after a records request asked his office to provide a list of all cases hed recused from.) The AGs reply claims that Cameron removed himself [i]mmediately after learning of the contributions, on May 19, adding that Cameron has the highest regard for ethics laws and opinions, and will continue to do so. The donations in question, first reported on Thursday by The Daily Beast, were made in March and April, and totaled $6,900. They came from top officials at Kentucky-based addiction treatment center Edgewater Recovery, including the companys owner and general counsel. At the time, Edgewater was involved in an ongoing, publicly undisclosed investigation that Daniels office had opened sometime in 2022, through its Medicare fraud division. It took two months for Daniels to recuse himself from the matter. By that time, he had already won the GOP primary election, which the donations were designated to fund. The campaign then took another month to refund the donations, which only came after a second open records request asked for more details about the Edgewater probe. His office responded to that second request after the contributions had been returned, but they would not disclose the case file, citing a pending decision about penalties or potential criminal charges. Specifically, an investigation must ask and answer how the contributions came about, whether Attorney General Cameron was personally involved, and who from the Attorney Generals office or his campaign communicated with Edgewater, the letter reads. This week, Cameron asked the FBI to investigate the circumstances surrounding a combined $200,000 in political donations to the KDP and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshears campaign. The contributions were made in the names of multiple people but tied to one credit card, the fruits of a previously reported bundling effort by a Republican mayor supporting Beshear. The Beshear campaign and the party refunded the excess amounts before Cameron made the referral. One week before Cameron recused from the Edgewater matter, he demanded a state judge remove himself from a trial, pointing in part to a $250 contribution from an attorney representing the opposing party. Earlier this year, Cameron recused himself from a lawsuit involving gaming company Pace-O-Matic, which had contributed $100,000 to his election effort days before filing the suit. 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. Owensboros superintendent is under criminal investigation and his contract is in the process of being terminated after he allegedly engaged in a relationship with an adult-aged student enrolled in another school district, Owensboro district officials said. The Owensboro Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday night to immediately suspend Superintendent Matthew Constant without pay and begin proceedings to terminate his contract for conduct unbecoming of a superintendent. Constant could not be reached Thursday night. Board Chairman Jeremy Luckett said district officials had not spoken to him since his suspension. A Kentucky State Police investigation into the situation continued Thursday night, Trooper Corey King told the Herald-Leader. King said police think the student was 18 during the relationship and the situation is not criminal at this point, but they are developing a timeline. The boards (doing) a really good job of being proactive, said King. There was a relationship between him and what we at this point see as an 18 year old student at time of the incident. King added that KSP was still waiting for some more information to come in, in the form of those subpoenas. Thats why it continues. Its ongoing. We havent closed it out, so it very well could go criminal, King said. King said the two allegedly had a dating relationship and the student has graduated. Constant had been suspended with pay since May 25 when the board of education learned of an ongoing investigation by KSP into the superintendents actions, a news release from district spokesperson Jared Revlett said. During the course of the investigation, the Kentucky State Police notified the Board that while not criminal in nature, Dr. Constant did engage in a relationship with an adult-aged student enrolled in another school district, the news release said. Board members determined that Constant acted in violation of the professional code of ethics and several board policies. The Board of Education takes no stance on the guilt or innocence of Dr. Constant in relation to the ongoing criminal investigation by the Kentucky State Police, Luckett said. However, we have enough information to make the determination that Dr. Constant acted in a manner unbecoming of what we expect for our students and their families and therefore he is no longer capable of leading the district. Board members will notify the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board of a violation of the Professional Code of Ethics, Luckett said. Constant can appeal the decision. The standards board licenses Kentucky educators. A September 2022 Lexington Herald-Leader investigation showed that in the 194 cases of teachers who voluntarily surrendered or had their license revoked or suspended from 2016 to 2021, 61% lost their license due to sexual misconduct. The overwhelming majority of those cases involved male teachers and teenage girls. A bill that would require tougher screening requirements for teachers and more training on appropriate relationships between students and teachers failed to pass the General Assembly earlier this year. The bill received unanimous support in the House and a Senate Education Committee but failed to be called for a vote in the full Senate. Luckett said a superintendent search firm will help in the selection of a permanent superintendent. Anita Burnette will remain the interim superintendent. Her contract runs through February 2024 with an option to extend that if necessary. Kenya's President William Ruto is confident that the trade deal will boost local industries Kenya's President William Ruto hailed his country's "remarkable partnership" with the European Union (EU) as the two sides inked a 25-year trade deal, but it has raised questions about East African unity. Has the region's economic powerhouse undermined that unity or did it have little choice but to go it alone? That's been a major point of debate all week - and it's likely to intensify once we get official reaction from the six other states in the East African Community (EAC) - the regional trading bloc that, some believe, should have been at the heart of the agreement with the bigger and more powerful EU. So far, they have been silent, but the deal - the most comprehensive agreement that Kenya has ever negotiated with the EU, locking in both sides for 25 years - seems to fly in the face of the position of at least the Tanzanian government. It said in a statement last year that it would only support an agreement that benefited the EAC at large - not just Tanzania. Kenya's decision has certainly irked lobby group Econews Africa, so much so that it's threatening to go to court to challenge it. Econews Africa's executive director Edgar Odari argues that Kenya has "effectively jumped the gun, opened up new negotiations with the European Union, [including] a new chapter on trade and sustainable development and gone ahead to get it signed by President [Ruto]". Kenya did ink an EAC-brokered deal with the EU in 2016, but it never fully came into effect as most other members of the regional bloc refused to sign it. Backers of President Ruto's bilateral deal accuse them of dragging their feet over finalising that agreement, resulting in Kenya suffering the most. They point out that Kenya is the only EAC member that falls in the category of "emerging" country, while the rest are classified as "least developed", meaning their exports could continue to enter the EU market without a deal. So, Kenya had to strike its own agreement - or risk losing access to the lucrative market. Kenya is a major exporter of flowers to Europe The 27-nation EU is Kenya's second-biggest trading partner, after China, and Kenya's most important export market. The EU mainly imports vegetables, fruits and flowers from Kenya to the tune of $1.3bn (1bn), while exporting mineral and chemical products, as well as machinery, to Kenya worth $2.2bn. Kenya's presidential spokesperson Hussein Mohammed hailed the agreement, saying it would: boost investment in the manufacturing sector create jobs in various industries position the country as a hub for European companies trying to enter the East African market give Kenyan farmers duty-free access to their biggest export market However, Kenyan officials have said very little about the fact that the deal gives the EU unfettered access to the Kenyan market, and the reduction of tariffs over a 25-year period. Concerns abound that this could lead to European products flooding Kenya to the detriment of local industries. To address these concerns, the government will have to help Kenyan businesses to scale up to stave off competition from much bigger European players, while ensuring exports to the lucrative EU market increase. It is confident that it is up to the challenge, so much so that it is looking at sealing a bilateral trade deal with the US next year, raising the question of what this means for efforts by African states to create a united trade front. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is backing two resolutions introduced by Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) looking to expunge Donald Trumps two impeachments by the House of Representatives. Speaking to reporters while exiting the Capitol on Friday, McCarthy said that he felt it was appropriate to expunge the impeachments because it never should have gone through. Trump was impeached twice over the course of his presidency. First in 2019 over allegations that he tried to extort Ukrainian government officials into launching a public investigation into Joe Biden in order to cripple his run for president in 2020. Trump was impeached again in 2021 for incitement of insurrection in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. He was acquitted in the Senate in both instances. McCarthy added to reporters on Friday that he felt the proceedings against Trump were invalid because the first was not based on true facts and the second on the basis of no due process. Since Trumps departure from office, McCarthy has been an instrumental figure in Republican efforts to rewrite the aftermath of the 2020 election. He cozied up to Trump in the weeks following the attack on the Capitol, did everything he could to stonewall the bipartisan investigation into what happened on Jan. 6, and in February he provided former Fox host Tucker Carlson with exclusive, virtually unrestricted access to CCTV security footage from the day of the riot. Carlson in turn aired cherry-picked samples of the footage to present the rioters as orderly and meek sightseers who were being targeted by the Department of Justice and the Democratic party. McCarthys efforts have been in service of protecting both Trump and House Republicans, many of whom were linked to meetings and planning sessions with the organizers of the Jan. 6 rally-turned-riot. More than 100 members of the Republican caucus supported Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. McCarthys view that the proceedings against Trump in the aftermath of Jan. 6 were unfair appears to be a stark shift from his stance in the immediate aftermath of the riot. Let me be very clear to all of you, and I have been very clear to the president: He bears responsibility for his words and actions. No ifs, ands, or buts, McCarthy told members of his caucus during a call days after the attack. I asked him personally today if he holds responsibility for what happened, if he feels bad for what happened, and he told me he does have some responsibility for what happened, and he needed to acknowledge that. McCarthy also said in the leaked audio that he was done with Trump. Ive had it with this guy, he said. What he did is unacceptable. Nobody can defend it, and nobody should defend it. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Two sailing teams competing in a round-the-world race had a scary encounter with a pod of orcas on Thursday afternoon, race officials said. The two teams are part of The Ocean Race, an international competition that also gathers climate data. The race has seven stretches across the world, but the two boats that encountered the killer whales are participating in a smaller three-leg version of the competition, called The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint. One boat was crewed by Team JAJO, a group from Amsterdam. The other is crewed by Mirpuri Trifork Racing, a team from Portugal. The boats were traveling through the Atlantic Ocean to the west of Gibraltar when the encounter happened at around 2:50 local time, the organization said in a news release. An orca interacts with a boat in The Ocean Race. / Credit: Brend Schuil / Team JAJO / The Ocean Race Jelmar van Beek, skipper of the JAJO Team, reported that there were multiple orcas involved. Both teams said that there was no damage to the boats and reported there were no injuries, but said the orcas had pushed up against the boat and nudged and bitten at the rudders. In one case, an orca rammed the boat. "Twenty minutes ago we got hit by some orcas," said Team JAJO skipper Jelmer van Beek in a news release. "Three orcas came straight at us and started hitting the rudders. Impressive to see the orcas, beautiful animals, but also a dangerous moment for us as a team. We took down the sails and slowed down the boat as quickly as possible and luckily after a few attacks they went away This was a scary moment." The incident comes amid reports of seemingly coordinated attacks on boats by orcas. Multiple such incidents have been reported around Gibraltar, which neighbors Spain. Incidents where orcas have worked individually or in a pod to ram a boat's hull or rudders have tripled in the past two years, researchers have said, but it's not clear why. Between July and November 2020, there were 52 such interactions recorded by GTOA, a group that studies orcas in the Gibraltar area. In 2022, there were 207 such interactions. In at least three cases, the damage has resulted in sinking, The Ocean Race said. A boat captain who was attacked twice by orcas, once in 2020 and once in 2022, told Newsweek that the whales seemed to have a plan. "First time, we could hear them communicating under the boat," he told Newsweek. "This time, they were quiet, and it didn't take them that long to destroy both rudders. ... Looks like they knew exactly what they are doing. They didn't touch anything else." Saturday Sessions: Joseph performs "The Sun" Saturday Sessions: Joseph performs "Fireworks" Saturday Sessions: Joseph performs "Nervous System" Aung San Suu Kyi's youngest son speaks to the international media for the first time The youngest son of Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi has called on the military to free her from jail. "I can't let my mother languish in prison," Kim Aris told BBC Burmese in an exclusive interview in London, and urged the world to do more to help her. Ms Suu Kyi was handed a 33-year sentence in a series of trials after a coup toppled her government in 2021. Myanmar has since spiralled into a civil war, which has killed tens of thousands of people. Mr Aris, a British national, says the army has not given him any information about his mother or the condition of her health. He says he has tried contacting the Burmese embassy, the British Foreign Office and the International Red Cross but none of them have been able to help. "Before this, I didn't want to speak to the media or get involved too much," Mr Aris said in his first-ever interview with international media. He hadn't spoken out when his mother was detained for nearly 15 years between 1989 and 2010. "It was better that I stayed out of politics. My mother never wanted me to be involved. But now that she has been sentenced, and the military are clearly not being reasonable, I think I can say what I want." Awarded the Nobel peace prize, Ms Suu Kyi was one of the world's leading democracy icons. Her release from detention in 2010 was celebrated in Myanmar and around the world. But she was later criticised for defending her country against allegations of genocide at the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) after widespread claims that Myanmar had committed atrocities against Muslim Rohingya while her government was in power. Nearly a million of them have fled Myanmar in recent years, and now live as refugees in neighbouring Bangladesh. Mr Aris did not respond to BBC's questions about the criticisms of his mother before the coup, preferring instead to focus on her current plight. Ms Suu Kyi, who was under house arrest following the coup, was moved to solitary confinement last year in a prison in the capital Nay Pyi Taw. Almost no news of her has emerged in the last two years. She was also rumoured to have been ill, but the military denied the reports. Mr Aris has also urged the international community to resolve the crisis in Myanmar, where the war's toll continues to rise as the army uses deadly weaponry and air strikes to crush resistance. He says the international community must start "doing something, including putting a proper arms embargo on the military, and even supporting those who are trying to fight the military". Despite sanctions and international isolation, Myanmar continues to import weapons, and the raw materials to make them. He adds that they must also "start lobbying more strongly" for the release of his mother. He also urged the world to provide "proper aid for the people of Burma who are going through such hard times... and have nobody supporting them, other than the people of Burma". Mr Aris and his brother have been mostly separated from their mother since 1988, when Ms Suu Kyi, or "the Lady" as she is known, returned to Myanmar from the UK to care for her ailing mother. The daughter of independence hero General Aung San, she emerged as a leader of the pro-democracy movement against the military dictatorship. She co-founded the National League for Democracy (NLD), but was put under house arrest in 1989. In 1991, when she couldn't leave Myanmar for fear of not being able to return, Mr Aris, 14 years old then, received the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. She did not go back to see her husband before he died of cancer in 1999. Mr Aris gave Taichito to his mother in 2010 Mr Aris finally visited her in 2010 when she was released from detention. Before he left, he gave her a puppy he bought from a market in Yangon as a gift. "He was the only puppy among all the other puppies in the cage that was actually awake... So he was the one that came home with me," he recalls. "And since then, he's proved a very faithful companion to my mother." In 2015, Ms Suu Kyi became the de facto leader after leading the NLD to a landslide victory following the first free elections to be held in the country in 25 years. Despite her fall from grace, she continues to be a hugely popular figure among the Burmese. Taichito is still alive and Mr Aris is confident that he will soon be reunited with Ms Suu Kyi. "The military will never win this war. It's just a matter of how much longer it goes on," he says. "The sooner they hand back power to my mother, and the democratically elected government, the sooner things can start to progress in their country." Sandar Win and Moe Myint are journalists with the BBC Burmese and based in London. Read more of our coverage on Myanmar: Kim Petras and Sam Smith. Popstar Kim Petras made more than just a worldwide hit last year when she collaborated with Sam Smith she also made a real friend. The talented duo faced backlash from rightwing zealots after their Grammy performance earlier this year when their hit Unholy sparked controversy. However, Petras told Metro UK that she and Smith gave each other lots of confidence. The 30-year-old German star, whose debut album Feed the Beast dropped today, told the publication she was proud of the way her BFF handled a situation that might break most people. I feel like Ive learned a lot from Sam regarding how to handle media and people commenting on your appearance, looks, your body, Petras said. People were really harsh to Sam but I was very impressed to see how Sam handled all of that and didnt let it get close. The hitmakers were accused of promoting satanism by conservative news outlets for their sexy Grammy performance, where Smith was dressed up as the devil in a skin-tight red outfit and Petras danced in a cage surrounded by women wearing devil horns. Smith dealt with particularly harsh criticism for embracing body-positivity and their queer identity and for using they/them pronouns. Its so tough sometimes, you go through comments or press stuff and youre like, 'Oh my god everyone hates me,' Petras continued. But give it a few hours, touch grass and breathe and let it go by. The pop stars both proved all of the naysayers wrong when they took home the award for the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2023 Grammys for their devilish song, making Petras the first transgender artist to win in that category. Earlier this month Smith released a new single Vulgar in collaboration with superstar Madonna, but rather than be jealous of her besties success, Petras has nothing but praise for them. Theyre just a really truly talented, gifted artist who really writes and cares about the music, she said. I love working with those kinds of artists. As for whether or not an Unholy sequel is in their future, Petras said she would be honored." I would love to collaborate again and whatever I do next get Sam on, she explained. Its got to be the right song. This song came along after a few years of talking about collaborating and the song was just right. Petras told the publication that in the past she had always been worried that her identity would stand in the way of people being able to connect because such a small portion of the population is transgender. But winning a Grammy proved to her that she isnt too strange or weird to be on the radio. We hope both stars continue to smash boundaries! One of the most prominent places to see the shift in attitudes, both socially and design-wise, has been through the lens of the domestic kitchen. In the past century, kitchen design trends have swung back and forth on the pendulum between fun and funky and sleek and restrained. From the sterile white porcelains of the 20s to the macrame plant hangers of the 70s, the kitchen was a physical representation of the American psyche: a gathering place, somewhere to enjoy your family and feel a sense of belonging and comfort. I learned that the hard way when I lived in an apartment without a dedicated kitchen. Since I didnt really cook much anyway, I initially dismissed the omission. Little did I know that living without easy access to a kitcheneven if its just a place to make your coffee and zone out in the morningis a huge bummer. After I left that apartment, I made it a priority to find a place where I could really embrace the idea of making my own food. And thats when I really started to see the kitchen as more than just a place to microwave a cup of mac and cheeseits the heart of the home. Its not easy maintaining a kitchen: They get messy! Things can get out of hand fast. But the more time Ive spent in mine, the more Ive really learned to love it. Ive taken to baking cookies and actually cooking dinner. I still live in a rental, but I fantasize about removing some of the contractor-grade cabinetry and painting it all a fun shade of green. Until then, Ill live vicariously through the kitchen design trends of the past through vintage catalog scans and kitchen appliance advertisements. Kitchen Designed By George Sakier Photo: Print Collector/Getty Images 1920s1930s: Shaping up for the future In the 1920s and 1930s, we started moving away from the rounded, effusive, decorative shapes of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras for a more restrained, sleek style. Art Deco was the most popular, especially in public buildings like the skyscrapers of New York City. That said, for such a dramatic design vernacular, American homeowners had to find a way to apply Art Deco elements to their homes, which were usually much more modest than the Chrysler building. During this period, kitchens made more use of tiling, both on floors and in walls. Similar to what was happening in bathrooms, tiles kept surfaces cleaner because they werent absorbent like wood and could easily be wiped off. Flooring gave homeowners the chance to express their inner Art Deco as a focus on geometric shapes emerged. Linoleum floors gave people the opportunity to add some pizazz to what would have been boring hardwood beforeclassic checkerboard was the most popular choice, but into the 1930s, colorful, angular patterns became more en vogue. I find myself pulling inspiration from the mixed patterns and bold color choices of the Art Deco era, says Sapna Aggarwal, designer and founder of Bungalowe, who often works with 1920s-era Craftsman-style homes. One of the most sought-after and beloved components of the 20s and 30s kitchens is the breakfast nook. A little kitchen recess often with two built-in benches and a table, breakfast nooks were the perfect gathering places for families throughout the daynot just in the morning. For so long, kitchens were designated as a womens realm, but attitudes were slowly shifting. This division of space allowed kitchens to be both a place of labor and leisure, instead of just eating in an adjacent dining room. Woman Cooking In Her Kitchen Photo: Underwood Archives/Getty Images 1940s: Keep it simple and sweet Interiors of the 40s were pared back and minimalthough there was no sparing of sweet decorative flourishes, like gingham-patterned curtains adorning the window above the sink or knickknacks like cookie jars and pottery filling the built-in shelving spaces. Cherry red, navy blue, butter yellow, and kelly green all popped against a crisp white background, whether it was on wallpaper or an embroidered tablecloth. While the Art Deco movement was forward-thinking and avant-garde, the 1940s took a decidedly more traditional approach. Imparted still was the sleekness of the tiled walls and floors, as well as new appliances like the workhorse Monarch electric oven range and the rounded, lustrous Gibson door refrigerator. There was less emphasis on the futuristic chrome, and more organic motifslike flowers, fruit, and roosterswere seen everywhere from breadbaskets to floor mats. Dinner In The Oven Photo: Tom Kelley Archive/Getty Images 1950s1960s: Atomic-era innovations Some of the more conservative stylings of the 1940s fell away as families were finally able to live the American dream. With the advent of space travel, interiors were awash in the midcentury style of the Atomic Age, replete with starbursts, boomerangs, and explosive asterisk patterns. We were living in the future, and those motifs were all over midcentury kitchensthink blonde wood cabinetry, formica countertops, and chevron-shaped drawer pulls. Back to the forefront was the newest technology and appliancesnot to be stored away in cupboards but proudly displayed. There are certain things about the midcentury kitchen that are decidedly out of step with current faves, particularly the desire to really show off and emphasize technology, which is typically avoided today if possible, says Sarah Archer, bona fide vintage kitchen expert and author of The Midcentury Kitchen: Americas Favorite Room, from Workspace to Dreamscape. The Space Age kitchen was usually a showcase for gadgets because they were a way for middle class homeowners to show that they were au courant. Women in the household were still expected to maintain everything, and that included preparing pot roast for dinner or aspic for lunch. There was no shame in employing the newest contraptions to prepare a deliciousor at least interesting-lookingmeal. Prevailing midcentury kitchen color schemes not-so-subtly hinted at popular family values: robins egg blue, baby pink, and sunshine-y yellow set off against the more natural wood in cabinetry or exposed beams. Kitchen Interior Photo: Frederic Lewis/Getty Images 1970s: Over-the-top kitsch Homeowners did away with the focus on appliances and technological innovations in the 1970s. Instead, the kitchen was a place to relax with friends, drinking Tab, and listening to Three Dog Night playing from an 8-track. In culinary terms, kitschy kitchens of the 70s were the embodiment of a delicious casserole: warm and comforting, without any pretensions. I feel like kitchens really reflected their homeowners personalities back then, and I think we can all agree that the 70s might be regarded as the most wonderfully garish decade of all, says Elrod, the artist and design enthusiast behind Mexakitsch. The dominating color scheme of the 70s was inarguably a muted rainbow of earthy colors, but even in their subdued tones, they still popped amongst the wood-paneled walls and matching cupboards. Lucky homeowners might find that some of these relics are still alive in their kitchens: brown built-in wall ovens like the Hotpoints Coppertone collection, Frigidaire stoves in (you guessed it) avocado greenand GE refrigerators in that sunny harvest gold. It would be near impossible to leave the folksy overtones of 70s kitchens alone without adding a dash of personal decor and flair. I really adore the use of hanging plants and vines during that era, adds Elrod. In fact, I appreciate that there were a lot of suspended kitchen items back thenmacrame plant hangers, swag lamps, and floating cabinets all come to mind. Because so much of the decor in kitchens wasnt static, kitchen owners could infuse personality by simply opening a window and letting the wind blow through a dangling macrame wall hanging. Kitchen Interior Photo: Frederic Lewis/Getty Images 1980s1990s: Postmodern in the city Postmodernism really started gaining momentum in the 1980s, and the trendiest interiors were seen in the lofted apartments of metropolitan cities like Los Angeles and NYC. As technology was rapidly advancing, kitchens were designed to emphasize the cutting edge and new intensity of domestic gastronomy. So when we talk about industrial or high-tech design, theres a ton of chrome/shine/stainless steel involved, says Rock Herzog, the interior designer behind Cocaine Decor. I love the look of a kitchen that appears like its owned by a professional chef who took a bunch of the stainless steel work tables home from work and turned them into [their] home setup. Its so slick and sexy. The whimsy and personality of the 70s stepped aside for the sultry texture of reflective brushed steel, the presence and gravitas of a big French door refrigerator with a bottom-drawer freezer, and kitchen accessories that imbue the sensual lines of Italian design, like track lighting affixed to the ceiling. Chrome, black leather, and high-tech appliances came to center stage in the loft-style postmodern kitchens of the 80s and 90s. It makes a lot of sense to think of these materials as being in relationship to not only what would look good in this kind of space, but also what was available for use, adds Rock. The elegant mixture of gleaming metals with rough exposed brick kept kitchens from feeling too stuffy or uptight. 2000s2010s: An island of ones own Kitchens in the 2000s and 2010s were expandingas lot sizes and homes became larger, they were able to accommodate much more. Islands, de facto gathering places of extended countertop space, allowed occupants the choice to hang out at the kitchen table or at the granite-covered oasis. For a while it seemed like stainless steel was the only acceptable colorway for kitchen appliances, and while they started off looking futuristic and glossy, they always ended up with some kind of dent. But hey, at least the fridge dispensed ice and water! Maybe it was the influence of Under the Tuscan Sun, or just the romanticization of terra-cotta toned Italian kitchens. Whatever the cause, there was a massive shift toward emphasizing natural wood tones (most of them a honey-colored oak), sometimes highlighted by cream or off-white laminate surfaces. Decorative bottles filled with olive oil, preserved peppers, and lemons were displayed near crafty Mediterranean-inspired bulletin boards made of used wine corks. AD0123_REATH_1 copy_2.jpg Photo: Laure Joliet; Styling: Mieke ten Have Today: Bright and airy Its 2023, and we didnt give up on all of the trends from the last 20 years. So theres a lot less beige-y brown and Tuscan inspiration, but youd be hard-pressed to find a recently built kitchen without a waterfall-style island: Theyre sleek, sexy, usually in a white marble, and oftentimes paired with a caged industrial-goes-minimalist pendant light. Some of the most popular kitchens today tend to go more towards the modern farmhouse route, with stark contrasts of white glossy marble with matte black metal hardware. On the other end of the trends spectrum, Ive noticed a lot of experimentation with colors like yellow and green, innovative uses of light-colored plywood or particleboard andfinally!a return to colorful appliances. Brands like Smeg and Samsung Bespoke allow you to forego the played-out stainless steel by customizing your kitchen in fun hues like cherry blossom pink or tangerine orange. The desire for color speaks to the shift from the kitchen as a workspace into a room for living, which was cemented in the postwar era and partially explains the need to display kitchen tools in a decorative fashion, Sarah explains. Now that people crave a more streamlined, spare look, the color of an appliance makes a statement and puts the kitchen in a visual dialogue with the rest of the house that doesnt depend on having lots of objects and knickknacks getting in the way. And to cut through anything that could seem too dated, ideas from a century ago are showing up again in kitchens of today. Nooks and crannies, moments of humble intimacy, says interior designer Hollie Velten of Spaces. We are big fans of banquettes, little built-ins, and cozy corners to invite human interaction and experience throughout the stages of child and adulthood. Whether you prefer your kitchen bursting with color or in glossy grayscale, modern kitchens celebrate the sunshine, allowing large windows to bring the outside in and help your microgreens grow. After all, the most important part of your kitchen is that you actually enjoy being in it. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest What to Know About the Supreme Court Reinstating Biden's Immigration Policy Joe Biden Holds First Press Conference As President U.S. President Joe Biden talks to reporters during the first news conference of his presidency in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. on March 25, 2022. Credit - Chip SomodevillaGetty Images In an 8-1 ruling Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the federal governments immigration enforcement guidelines dictating which unauthorized immigrants should be prioritized for arrest and deportation. The court decided that Texas and Louisiana, the states that challenged federal guidelines, lacked standing to bring the suit. The suit, United States v. Texas, centered around a 2021 memo from the Biden administration that instructed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to prioritize arrests of immigrants who had serious criminal records, were threats to national security, or had recently entered the country illegally. The policy diverted from former President Donald Trumps hardline approach, encouraging arrests of anyone who was in the U.S. without authorization. Bidens policy generally avoids arresting immigrants whove been residing in the U.S. for years without committing serious crimes. Republican leaders in Texas and Louisiana challenged the policy in federal court last summer arguing that it limited ICE agents from fully enforcing immigration laws. Once lower court judges blocked the federal policy, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. The ruling is a victory for the Biden administration and the White House has reiterated its priority to be intentional about who is detained and deported, given limited and strained government resources. Heres what to know about the case. Policy disputes Roughly 11 million people are in the U.S. without authorization, compared to about 6,000 ICE deportation agents. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas called Bidens shift to target arrests on limited groups to save resources, an exercise of prosecutorial discretion. However, Republican politicians have persistently argued that Bidens border security and immigration enforcement is too lax, contributing to increases in illegal entry to the U.S. and crime. U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton, appointed by Trump, blocked the policy in June 2022, calling it unlawful. Unlike the recent Supreme Court ruling, Tipton deemed that Texas had standing because the state was able to prove it had unauthorized immigrants, who in some cases, had committed crimes. The Supreme Court reviewed the case previously in July 2022, rejecting the White Houses request to immediately restore the federal policy, but agreed to hear the governments appeal. The ruling Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the U.S. v. Texas opinion for the majority, upheld by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Kentanji Brown Jackson. In sum, the states have brought an extraordinarily unusual lawsuit, Kavanaugh wrote. They want a federal court to order the Executive Branch to alter its arrest policies so as to make more arrests. Federal courts have not traditionally entertained that kind of lawsuit; indeed, the States cite no precedent for a lawsuit like this. Kavanaugh added that the court was not the proper forum for the dispute, but that the states were welcome to pursue recourse through other means, including Congressional oversight and appropriations, or policy changes. If the Supreme Court had ruled in favor of the states, it couldve set precedent for states to interfere in federal regulation going beyond just immigration, he warned. Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett concurred, voting with the majority that the states lacked standing, but holding different rationales for why. Justice Samuel Alito was the lone dissenter. Alito rebutted that the majority opinion gave the federal government sweeping powers, arguing that states had standing to sue. A Kentucky dentist has been convicted of illegally prescribing morphine that resulted in the overdose death of a patient. A jury in federal court in Covington acquitted Dr. Jay M. Sadrinia Thursday on three charges of illegally prescribing opioid painkillers to a patient, but convicted him on one count of illegally prescribing morphine and one count of illegally prescribing morphine that resulted in a death. A 24-year-old female patient of Sadrinias died in August 2020 a few days after receiving a prescription. Sadrinia, 60, of Villa Hills in Northern Kentucky, operated several dental clinics in Crescent Springs, according to a news release. The distribution charges against Sadrinia alleged that he prescribed painkillers to patients that were not issued for a legitimate medical purpose by a practitioner acting in the usual course of professional practice. Despite clear signs including being told explicitly that his prescribing of controlled substances was dangerous and put his patients lives at risk Sadrinia prescribed powerful opioids to his patients for routine dental procedures, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release. Sadrinia had maintained his innocence. We respect, but are disappointed with the verdict of the jury, Sadrinias attorney, Robert Kennedy McBride, said Friday. McBride said he had not spoken with Sadrinia about whether there will be an appeal. Sadrinia faces a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison on the charge of causing the death of a patient. He also faces 10 additional charges of prescribing medically unnecessary drugs to three other patients. Those charges were split out to be handled separately. U.S. District Judge David Bunning scheduled Sadrinia to be sentenced in December. From Kyiv to Zmiinyi Island: Zelenskyy thanks Special Forces of Security Service of Ukraine for fantastic operations State military and political leaders have congratulated the soldiers of the Alpha Special Group of the Security Service of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the fighters for their unique special operations, which are currently classified. Source: Zelenskyy on social media; Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyy on Facebook; Vasyl Maliuk, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, cited by the Services press service. Quote from Zelenskyy: "Today, our country celebrates the day of very important and highly effective service the day of the Alpha Special Group of the Security Service of Ukraine. And we thank them! Of course, most of what our special forces of the Security Service of Ukraine do in the war for the sake of Ukraine is still classified. But these are fantastic operations, and I want everyone in Ukraine to know and be proud of it. These are thousands of special combat missions from Kyiv to Zmiinyi (Snake ed.) Island and everywhere else in combat zones. The Alpha Special Group of the Security Service of Ukraine are our real Ukrainian soldiers! Exemplary Ukrainian power! Thank you, guys! [Thanks to] everyone!". Details: The head of state wished that the Special Forces Security Service of Ukraine would kill as many enemies as possible and the whole of Ukraine to win as soon as possible. Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyy posted a congratulatory video on his Facebook page. He thanked the Special Forces for their steadfastness, strength and dedication. In addition, Major General Vasyl Maliuk, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, noted that the unique special operations carried out by Alpha Special Group set a high bar not only for their Ukrainian colleagues but also for special forces from other countries. Quote: "You are always in the most dangerous areas and you do not hesitate to take on the most difficult tasks. This effective work has resulted in thousands of Russians killed and their military equipment destroyed. And most importantly, liberated Ukrainian territories. We're paying a high price on this path to victory because war takes away our colleagues. Everyone who gave their life for the Motherland is a hero. The memory of our fallen brothers will always remain in our hearts. I am sincerely grateful to everyone who does not hesitate to go into battle, risking their lives. Step by step, we are moving forward to finally liberate our land from the enemy. And we will definitely do it!". Each of the speakers recalled the motto of the Alpha Special Group of the Security Service of Ukraine: "Life to the Motherland! Honour to no one!". For reference: The Alpha's history began on 23 June 1994, when a presidential decree established Department "A" as part of the Central Department of the Security Service of Ukraine and corresponding units in the country's regions. In July 1996, it was reorganised into the Department for combating terrorism, protecting participants in criminal proceedings and law enforcement officers of the Security Service of Ukraine. The Special Operations Centre for combating terrorism, protecting participants in criminal proceedings and law enforcement officers has been operating since December 2005. Currently, the Alpha is headed up by Yevhenii Khmara. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! LAPD (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) After a day and a half of deliberations, a jury found a veteran Los Angeles police officer guilty Thursday of raping a woman while he was off duty in 2015. Jurors convicted Officer William Rodriguez, 38, in connection with an Aug. 16, 2015, incident in which he drove the victim to an unspecified location and raped her. He was acquitted of a second forcible rape charge stemming from an alleged attack on a female acquaintance at his home in November 2018 and another charge of rape of an intoxicated woman. Jurors also found him not guilty of a special allegation of rape of multiple victims. He faces up to eight years in prison at sentencing. Rodriguez was arrested in 2019 by the department's elite Robbery Homicide Division in connection with two rapes. At the time of his arrest, Rodriguez was a 10-year department veteran serving as an officer in the Valley Traffic Division. The investigation into Rodriguez began after a woman who knew him reported she had been sexually assaulted in November 2018. LAPD detectives investigating the 2018 alleged assault entered Rodriguez's DNA into the state's DNA database, resulting in a "cold hit" notification involving an unsolved sexual assault from August 2015. Rodriguez was convicted Thursday of that 2015 assault but not the alleged 2018 attack. Today, justice has been served for one of the victims of a heinous crime committed by a police officer who was entrusted with protecting and serving our community, Dist. Atty. George Gascon said after the verdict in a statement. While we are disappointed that the defendant was not found guilty on the count of rape on a second victim, we want to commend the bravery of both victims who came forward to report these crimes," added Gascon, the former assistant chief of the LAPD. "We understand that coming forward and testifying in court is not easy, and we appreciate their courage in doing so." Rodriguez's attorney said he spoke with several jurors after the verdict was read and heard that the question of consent was paramount" in their analysis. Theres no question in my mind that the #MeToo movement in reference to consent has permeated the jury pool and they take consent, when its given or not given, very seriously," said Rodriguez's attorney, James Blatt. He added that Rodriguez, a Marine Corps veteran, plans to appeal the decision. Rodriguez could face three to eight years of prison time for the charge he was convicted of, Blatt said. Were entering an era right now where men have to be extremely cautious that whenever theres an issue concerning consent the sexual activity must stop," Blatt said. "I consider this a very unfortunate situation. I believe in my clients innocence. After Rodriguez's arrest in 2019, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said, "When one of our own breaks the trust of the people we are sworn to protect and serve, it tarnishes the badge we all wear proudly on our chests. This arrest reflects our commitment to pursue every lead no matter where the investigation takes us." Moore relieved Rodriguez of his duties, but he was not fired. After the verdict, Rodriguez was remanded into custody pending sentencing. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The claim: Aliens abducted 30 children in Ohio A June 8 Facebook video (direct link, archive link) shows a broadcast news report by 8 News Now along with a person reacting to it. "8-9 foot beings abduct 30 children in Ohio while orange smoke covers NYC," reads on-screen text in the video. "Aliens land in backyard!! 30 Ohio children gone missing." The video was shared more than 6,000 times in four days. Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks Our rating: False The video shows a report by a local news station in Las Vegas, not Cleveland. Las Vegas police found no evidence of aliens when they investigated the incident mentioned in the broadcast. While there were reports in early May of nearly 30 missing children in the Cleveland area, police say most were runaways and the cases weren't related to anything otherworldly. Local news report came from Las Vegas, not Cleveland The video shows part of a broadcast from 8 News Now, a TV station in Las Vegas. In late April, Las Vegas police investigated reports of two unknown entities falling from the sky on the same night that a family reported something "not human" in their backyard, as USA TODAY previously reported. However, police were not able to find any evidence of the strange lifeforms, and the case was closed as "unfounded," ABC7 reported. There is no evidence to link the reports of missing children in the Cleveland area to the investigation in Las Vegas, said Newburg Heights, Ohio, Police Chief John Majoy, who also serves as board president of the Cleveland Family Center for Missing Children and Adults. "There is no supporting evidence to suggest such a thing, and reports of this nature sensationalize things and create undue public concern," Majoy said in an email. Nearly 30 children were reported missing in early May in the Cleveland area, according to local TV station FOX8. Majoy told USA TODAY most of the cases involved runaways, including "some perpetual or repeat runaways." Fact check: No evidence of serial killer in Pittsburgh, 'Smiley Face' theory debunked The video's on-screen text mentions the smoke from Canadian wildfires that created an orange haze in New York City, as USA TODAY previously reported. Majoy, though, said there is no link between the wildfire smoke and reports of missing children. USA TODAY reached out to the social media user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Our fact-check sources: Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No link between 'UFO' report and missing Ohio children | Fact check The Last of Us creator says he spoke to Matthew McConaughey about playing Joel Matthew McConaughey was once in talks to play Joel in HBOs adaptation of The Last of Us, according to showrunner Craig Mazin. The role eventually went to Pedro Pascal, who starred with Bella Ramsey as two survivors of an apocalyptic event. Mazin, who created the hit series (released in the UK on Sky and NOW) alongside Neil Druckmann, spoke about the casting dilemma during an episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast. We did talk to Matthew [McConaughey], he told host Josh Horowitz. I cant say that it was like a series [of conversations]. It was more of a, Hey, heres something to talk about. However, he insisted that Pascal was always in consideration for the role from the very beginning. Pedro was on our list from the start, he said. We were told he was unavailable, and then as we were floundering about a little bit, I got a call from his [McConaugheys] agent who said, You know, he actually might be available. The Last of Us is adapted from the hit 2013 video game of the same name. Prior to the announcement of Pascal and Ramseys casting, there had been extensive speculation among the games fanbase as to who would be cast as Joel and Ellie. Mazin spoke effusively about Pascals approach to the role, recalling the Mandalorian stars reaction after receiving the screenplay. Pascal was filming a project in the UK when the first Last of Us script was delivered to him. Pedro Pascal as Joel in The Last of Us (HBO) Normally when you send scripts to actors like this, youre lucky if you get a read within a month, Mazin said. I sent it [script] on a Friday, Saturday morning I get a callhe loves it, he wants to get on a Zoom. We had what I think was maybe the most wonderful Zoom Ive ever had. I meanjust love at first sight, and he was so immediately insightful about it. The showrunner, whose previous credits include the acclaimed fact-based drama Chernobyl, nonetheless praised McConaughey. Matthew McConaughey is an amazing actor. Im sure it would have been great but it would have been different, and I like the one that we made, so what can I say, I think it worked out. The Last of Us is available to stream on Sky and NOW in the UK. The series has already been renewed for a second season, which is not expected to air until 2025. Russias Foreign Ministry has accused Israel of involvement in the "glorification of Nazism", and Israel has responded by telling Russia not to "lecture" them. Source: Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Hayat on Twitter Quote: "There is no change in Israel's policy, which is absolutely opposed to and rejects the glorification of criminals who collaborated with the Nazis in murdering Jews. No party should lecture the State of Israel, Israel's Foreign Ministry, or its diplomats about the importance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust or about the war on historical distortion." Background: Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky stated that "It would be wrong to condition our support for and assistance to Ukraine on Ukraine [having to] stop renaming streets or calling Bandera or Melnyk heroes." Brodsky said, "If you look at things realistically, of course thats not going to happen." Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responded: "If, in Mikhail Brodsky's opinion, Kyiv has the right to such heroes and identity, then this is a problem for the Israeli Foreign Ministry. No one has the right to such heroes." In the spirit of Russian propaganda, she called Stepan Bandera and Andrii Melnyk [leaders of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists in the 1930s and 40s - ed.] "the spawn of hell" and "a disgrace to the people of Ukraine", adding that "this is the glorification of Nazism". Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Location of the incident, Kyiv Casualties from the recent gas leak explosion in a Kyiv high-rise residential building has risen to nine people, Ukraines State Emergency Service (SES) stated in a Telegram post on June 22. Previously, it was reported that three people had died and five had been injured. The SES confirmed that three of the injured individuals have been hospitalized, and 20 people were rescued from the damaged building. Read also: Why did the Russians turn out to be so cruel? - opinion Rescue efforts included dismantling damaged floor panels and other building elements, and clearing the debris. "Supports have been installed to prop up the ceiling between the eighth and ninth floors of the building," the message said. Read also: Kyiv residents killed in Russian missile strike may have died because of closed shelter at polyclinic The explosion occurred early on June 22, shortly after air raid sirens signaled 'all clear'. The incident, caused by a gas leak, took place in a 16-story residential building on Malyshko Street in the Dniprovsky district of Kyiv. Read also: Over 500 civilians may have died in Oleshky after dam breach, Ukraine says The fire was put out by 8 a.m., and all residents of the building were evacuated. The blast, which originated on the seventh floor, resulted in partial or complete destruction of apartments on the sixth, seventh, and eighth floors. 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 He left dozens of patients to meet a prostitute. Instead, a cop was waiting, report says. Jeffrey Harrell, a former physicians assistant in Hickory, was convicted of solicitation and reprimanded by medical regulators in two states. (Chad Austin/Chad Austin Photography) A Charlotte-area medical professional has been publicly reprimanded for abandoning dozens of urgent care patients in the midst of the pandemic to meet a would-be prostitute for sex. On March 18, 2021, Jeffrey Michael Harrell, a licensed physician assistant then working in Virginia, was the only provider on duty at his Richmond-area urgent care center when he sent a text to a person he believed to be a teenage sex worker, according to a filing by the N.C. Medical Board. Harrell, who most recently worked in Hickory, then left work, telling fellow staff members that he had to take care of a maintenance issue at his apartment complex. In fact, according to the medical board filing, Harrell went to a nearby hotel. There, he was greeted by an undercover police officer and charged with felony solicitation of a minor along with a related misdemeanor. He later pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of misdemeanor solicitation and received a suspended six-month sentence, Virginia medical records show. On the day of the incident, Harrell never returned to work. Left behind were dozens of patients, including about 20 who had come to the urgent care center to be tested for COVID-19. All had to be referred to other treatment facilities or had their appointments canceled outright, according to the filing. Harrell could not be reached for comment Thursday and Friday. His disciplinary files in North Carolina do not include the name of an attorney. The day after his arrest, Harrell told his boss by email that he left his shift to run an errand and that his car had been stolen when he stopped to help another driver, the filing claims. He was fired that day, according to records from the Virginia Board of Medicine. Later that same year, Harrell joined the staff of Urgent Care of Mountain View, which operates urgent care centers north of Charlotte in Hickory, Morganton, Taylorsville and Newton. On Thursday he was still listed as a staff member on the Mountain View website. Yet, when The Charlotte Observer called the companys Hickory clinic to talk to Harrell, the woman who answered the phone said, He no longer works here, and we dont know where hes gone. She declined to elaborate. Left in his wake are multiple disciplinary actions in two states. The Virginia Board of Medicine reprimanded Harrell for the prostitution incident in March 2022. The N.C. Medical Board followed suit a year later. Harrell, who received his N.C. Medical license in 2015, notified the N.C. Medical Board of his solicitation arrest and conviction on Sept. 19, 2021, as part of the process to renew his license. Yet, according to the Medical Boards disciplinary filing in March 2023, Harrell withheld or misrepresented many of the details of the incident during his interview with a board investigator. For example, Harrell claimed he had not offered money for sex to an erstwhile prostitute but had only agreed to go on a lunch date with a woman he had met on a dating app a few days before, the filing shows. Furthermore, Mr. Harrell never mentioned ... anything about abandoning the urgent care where he was employed, as the only on-duty provider with patients waiting to be seen, in order to meet the purported woman, the board wrote. Prior transgressions Harrell, a military veteran, had run afoul of regulators in both states before, again for a violation in Virginia. In May 2021, he was publicly reprimanded in North Carolina for the first time for prescribing medication from 2015-2018 to a female patient with whom he had or was still having an intimate relationship. He lost his job in Virginia over the matter and was reprimanded by Virginia authorities in September 2020. His attorney at the time, Michael Goodman of Richmond, did not immediately respond to an Observer email requesting comment. In its March filing, the N.C. Medical Board said it had ordered Harrell to be examined by Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services in Hattiesburg, Miss., which found that while Harrell did not pose an imminent threat to patient safety, he required treatment to prevent possible, future patient harm. The medical board banned Harrell from treating female patients until he complied with all of Pine Groves treatment recommendations. Those included residential or partial-hospitilization levels of care to address inappropriate and disruptive behavior among physicians, including sexual and non-sexual boundary concerns, as well as general professional issues. Its unknown what treatment Harrell has completed. His medical license in North Carolina comes up for renewal in November. Letters to the Editor: What news organizations lose when they lay off journalists Stickers of the various past logos for LAist Studios are seen at its headquarters in Pasadena. The news organization recently announced layoffs. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) To the editor: One letter writer expressed her delight when she realized the author of the extremely well-written obituary about Daniel Ellsberg was Elaine Woo, who left The Times in 2015. I had a similar reaction June 14 while reading, "Pariah or partner? U.S. navigates complicated, contradictory relationship with Saudi Arabia." In that case, the writer was Tracy Wilkinson, who over the years has covered a wide-ranging number of international stories and is currently a foreign affairs correspondent at The Times' Washington bureau. The knowledge, insight and craftsmanship of outstanding writers and correspondents takes years to develop. In the same June 14 print edition, the article "Owner of LAist to shed workers was yet another reminder of the depressing and dangerous loss of comprehensive, serious and well-presented news coverage in any medium. Barbara Assadi, Los Angeles This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Lexington man who shot and killed another man and claimed self-defense afterwards has agreed to plead guilty to amended charges. Ahtraivaon Jenkins, 18, pleaded guilty Friday to the death of 44-year-old Cornelius Allen. Jenkins, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, was arrested shortly afterwards and charged with murder, possession of a handgun by a minor and tampering with physical evidence, police said. As part of the guilty plea deal, the murder charge was amended to second-degree manslaughter while the charge for possessing a handgun was unchanged. The tampering with physical evidence charge was dropped by a grand jury, according to jail records. The Fayette Commonwealth Attorneys Office recommended a 10 year prison sentence for the manslaughter charge and a one year sentence for the possession of a handgun by a minor charge. The sentences are required by law to run concurrently, Fayette Circuit Judge Kimberly Bunnell said during Fridays hearing. Jenkins is scheduled to be sentenced July 28. Jenkins was arrested after a shooting in the 400 block of Hollow Creek Drive. Allen was suffering from a gunshot wound inside a residence on that block. He was taken to a hospital but later died, police said. Jenkins tried to claim self-defense, get case tossed Jenkins attorney, Wayne Roberts, filed a motion in January to have the case against his client dismissed, citing Kentuckys stand your ground law. The law says the use of physical force by a defendant upon another person is justifiable when the defendant believes that such force is necessary to protect himself against the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force by the other person. In his motion to dismiss the case, Roberts alleged that Allen attacked Jenkins, who had shown up to Allens apartment to help someone else in the apartment move out. Roberts said Allen had been the aggressor and Allen was much bigger than Jenkins. But Bunnell disagreed with Roberts and Jenkins assertions and denied the motion after hearing testimony, according to court documents. Bunnell also declined to reduce Jenkins bond Friday, leaving it at $50,000. As an increasing proportion of Americans identify as LGBTQ, leaders in sexual and gender minority health care say that the nations medical schools are largely failing to adequately prepare the next generation of doctors to properly care for this population. The need is critical, according to experts in medical education and LGBTQ care. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, as stigmatized minorities, often have difficulty accessing health care that properly addresses their health concerns, that is sensitive to their sexual and gender identities and that is not flat-out discriminatory, researchers have found. Its terrible that theres a whole population of people who arent getting the health care they need, said Ann Zumwalt, an associate professor of anatomy and neurobiology at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and a leader in the effort to improve medical school curricula pertaining to LGBTQ care. In 2014, the Association of American Medical Colleges, or AAMC, released a call for the 158 U.S. and Canadian medical schools to provide comprehensive training in caring for LGBTQ people and those born with sex-development differences. Since then, the need for such instruction has only ballooned, given the dramatic increase in LGBTQ identification among young people in particular. A constellation of medical schools has heeded the AAMCs call progress that inspires hope among queer-health advocates. But the schools adoption of comprehensive LGBTQ-focused curricula are the exceptions to the rule. The organizations call, which was buttressed by a 300-page roadmap for reform but lacked the teeth of a mandate, has mostly gone unheeded nearly a decade later. Progress at medical schools has been stymied by a myriad of factors, including the lack of LGBTQ-related content in medical licensing exams; inadequate or nonexistent knowledge and clinical experience among educators; administrators and the medical old guards resistance to change and concerns about competing educational priorities; and outside political pressures as conservatives seize upon transition-related care for minors and diversity policies as wedge issues and as they scrutinize higher education. Dr. Alex S. Keuroghlian, director of education and training at the LGBTQ-focused Fenway Institute in Boston, and six other medical educators who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of the very reprisals they described told NBC News that recent state-level efforts to restrict diversity programs in education and transition-related health care for transgender minors have instilled fear in some medical schools that their LGBTQ-related medical training could draw increased scrutiny and punitive attacks from legislators. Keuroghlian, who is also an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, said that the recent state gender-care bans would likely have a chilling effect on our ability to teach in an evidence-based way that is grounded in human rights and autonomy. Where are the needs? Researchers who have assessed the capacity of the nations health care workforce to serve the specific needs of LGBTQ Americans have found them woefully unprepared, especially to care for transgender people. And LGBTQ people remain in dire need of improved physical and mental health care, according to a trove of studies. Despite the population skewing younger, 23% of LGBTQ people report being in poor health, compared with 14% of the non-LGBTQ population, according to the health-care analysis nonprofit KFF. And research finds that as many as 1 in 5 LGBTQ people have experienced discrimination during health care encounters, including refusals to prescribe medication and even verbal attacks. Resulting alienation from the health care system, researchers say, is a key driver of the various health disparities that plague LGBTQ Americans. Such apparent consequences include elevated rates of heart disease, cancer, depression and anxiety, substance use disorders and risk of suicide. These disparate outcomes, according to researchers, are likely also fueled by the damage that being a member of a stigmatized minority can apparently inflict upon the mind and body. These are pervasive problems that the health care establishment would ideally mitigate, not exacerbate. And yet a 2011 survey of 176 U.S. and Canadian medical schools found that their students received a median of just five hours of LGBT-related training. One in 3 schools devoted no such time during clinical rotations. Dr. Dustin Nowaskie is the founder and president of OutCare Health. (Courtesy Dustin Nowaskie) Dr. Dustin Nowaskie is the founder and president of OutCare Health, a nonprofit LGBTQ health-equity organization that is at the forefront of a growing movement to improve medical training on this front and has developed queer-medicine training programs for both medical students and physicians. Nowaskie, who uses gender neutral pronouns, argued in a 2020 paper that medical schools should, in fact, provide at least 35 hours of such training. This instruction, according to Nowaskie, should start with basic terminology and cultural sensitivity and expand to issues such as health conditions that occur at higher rates among LGBTQ people, including sexually transmitted infections and skin cancer. These skills should absolutely be required, Nowaskie said, because of the expanding LGBTQ population and the inevitability that doctors will frequently treat such patients. Nowaskie said they consistently hear from medical students nationwide that LGBTQ-specific instruction is often minimal, and that it is very outdated, relying on language, terminology and an overall understanding of queer people that has otherwise been retired thanks to recent social progress. A recent Gallup poll found that over the past decade, the proportion of Americans openly identifying as LGBTQ has doubled, to 7.2%, and that 1 in 5 young adults say they identify as something other than a cisgender heterosexual. The Williams Institute at UCLA Law recently estimated that 0.5% of older adults identify as transgender, compared with 1.4% of adolescents and 1.3% of young adults. A team directed by Dr. Carl Streed, research lead for the Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery at Boston Medical Center, is preparing to publish an update of the 2011 medical school survey. Streed was keen to highlight medical schools that have adopted comprehensive LGBTQ-related curricula including, among many others, the University of Kentucky at Louisville, Stanford University and Boston University, where Streed is an assistant professor. But Streed tempered expectations that his team would identify much of an uptick in overall training. Who ends up being remotely comfortable and competent in caring for sexual and gender minorities, Streed said, is a matter of where they trained rather than whether theyve been trained. Any progress over the past decade has transpired against a split-screen backdrop of sweeping advances for LGBTQ civil rights and, in response, a fierce backlash against transgender rights, in particular. At least 20 states have now passed various restrictions on transition-related care for minors a legislative effort that even many physicians who express misgivings about the science backing such treatment say they oppose. The current political and social climates are unfortunately leading to many, many health care-professional students and residents feeling uncertain and frightened to engage in LGBTQ+ education and training, Nowaskie said. At the same time, Nowaskie said, these climates are perpetuating health care stigma among biased, discriminatory providers. How medicine can fail LGBTQ people Delia M. Sosa, a first-year medical student in Ohio, wants to focus on LGBTQ care. Sosa, who uses gender-neutral pronouns, said they are motivated, in part, by their own alienating encounter with the medical old guard. After growing up in what they described as a conformist Christian community in New England, Sosa came into their trans and nonbinary identity in their early 20s. At 21, they sought to establish a relationship with a primary care physician in their hometown in hopes of eventually having a double mastectomy, or whats known in trans medical care as top surgery. But after Sosa disclosed to the doctor their queer identity and the fact that they were dating a nonbinary person, they recalled, she looked at me with a look of confusion that was also mixed with frustration. Sosa said they spent the bulk of the appointment providing the doctor a trans-identity 101 tutorial, including breaking down the difference between gender and sex, what it means to be nonbinary, what gender neutral pronouns are and how sexual orientation can be fluid with respect to the gender of partners. They found the experience so off-putting, they let three years pass before seeking surgery again, which they ultimately had last year. Dr. Sarah Pickle, a family physician and medical educator in Ohio, is a leading proponent of medical schools cultivating a deft hand in up-and-coming physicians in how to care for LGBTQ people. Pickle insists that such training, which focuses, for example, on speaking with sensitivity and inclusivity regarding queer peoples differences, can be crucial in keeping LGBTQ people engaged in care. Medicine is playing catch-up in a lot of ways, Pickle said. I get some really seasoned, experienced physicians who come up to me and say, I never had a chance to learn about this, yet I know this is something I need to learn. Sosa discovered their own evidence of the potential perils of physicians lack of knowledge about treating LGBTQ patients when researching trans peoples experiences with cancer care. Some oncologists, Sosa found, were confounded over how to manage such treatment in a patient taking cross-sex hormones. I cant tell you how many stories I heard of trans folks where they had delayed care because an oncologist didnt know what to do with them, Sosa said. One expert in LGBTQ medicine, who preferred to remain anonymous because of attacks from the far right, described an often cavalier attitude among specialists toward trans patients hormone therapy. A cardiologist, they said, might advise a patient to simply go off hormones due to cardiovascular risk, rather than thoroughly reviewing the risks versus benefits of a therapy that is fundamental to many trans peoples sense of self and well-being. This health care provider and medical educator expressed frustration that such doctors often remain ignorant to studies that provide insight into managing hormonal therapy in the context of certain health problems. Who is leading the change? Keuroghlian stands at the vanguard of the movement to train doctors in caring for trans and gay patients. At Harvard, he and a team of colleagues led a three-year effort to design and implement a new curriculum that provides comprehensive training in such care. The curriculum, which other schools are free to adopt, permits all professors, regardless of their own identity or experience, to weave LGBTQ themes and practices into their own instruction. So, for example, a course on endocrinology would include instruction on cross-sex hormonal treatment and an embryology course would teach about intersex variations. Bringing a broad swath of medical educators up to speed is crucial, Keuroghlian said. A major roadblock to progress has been the fact that the professors, who are meant to pass on their own acquired knowledge, have typically never received their own training in sexual and gender minority care. So, in addition to the four-hour training he helped craft for Harvard faculty about how to teach this subject, Keuroghlian is among the educational pioneers, a group that includes Nowaskie, who are designing medical education seminars to train other health care providers nationwide. Dr Christopher Terndrup. (Courtesy Vanderbilt University Medical Center) Dr. Christopher Terndrup, an associate professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, noted that most demand for LGBTQ health education is actually pushed by the medical students themselves. But such eagerness from the new generation can hit old bureaucratic walls, according to Dr. Nelson Sanchez, an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and the chair of the annual LGBT Health Workforce Conference. Sanchez said administrators often resist calls for such curriculum by insisting that a zero-sum game governs all medical-school education hours. Dr. Lily Rolfe, who recently graduated from Rush Medical College in Chicago and is matriculating to a residency in family medicine, with a focus on caring for LGBTQ patients, at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, conducted an informal survey of students at Chicago area medical schools about the quality of their education in caring for LGBTQ people. Its always, The gay guy has HIV, Rolfe quipped regarding the typical way the respondents characterized their limited education on this front. HIV is important, Rolfe said. We should learn about it. But that shouldnt be the entirety of LGBT health. Otherwise, the Chicago students said that social determinants of health pertaining to sexual and gender minorities were commonly addressed. But the survey respondents, Rolfe said, noticed a lack of discussion about trans people, including gender dysphoria; gender euphoria; medical, social, legal and surgical transitioning; and a lack of the discussion of the over pathologization of trans people. Harvards LGBTQ curriculum, meanwhile, goes beyond just infectious disease, including basic concepts and terminology about gender and sexuality; stigmas impacts on health inequities; major health concerns that are more common in LGBTQ people, such as anal cancer in gay men or breast cancer in lesbians; effective doctor-patient communication methods; navigating power imbalances and implicit bias; addressing microaggressions; and how to generate learning opportunities if an LGBTQ patient responds negatively to a physicians words or actions. Other med schools that have also established substantial training efforts on such subjects include Louisiana State University, the University of Mississippi at Jackson, the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Vanderbilt University, the University of Pennsylvania and Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. The current hostile political environment notwithstanding, Keuroghlian said he remains optimistic for how well prepared the next generation of doctors will be. People in medical school are increasingly passionate about doing this work, because theres more understanding for the need for skilled, culturally responsive care, Keuroghlian said of sexual and gender minority care. Theres also a sense of social justice and health equity that drives young people to do this work, he said. They see this as one of the major health rights issues of their generation, and thats very engaging for them. But, he acknowledged, we have a long way to go. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Its been a big year for comedian Gabriel Rutledge. Rutledge, whos lived in Olympia since he was 11, has been telling jokes mostly self-deprecating ones on stage since 2000, and he has a record of success: He won the Seattle International Comedy Competition in 2004 and the Laughing Skull Comedy Festival in 2017. In the past year, though, hes ascended to another level of success, becoming a regular in Las Vegas. Its a huge turnaround since the pandemic found him supplementing his much-reduced comedy work by delivering groceries for Walmart. From June 25-27, Rutledge will be in New York performing at the venerable Comedy Cellar, a place where Saturday Night Live stars have been discovered. On June 29, hell be back home to attend The Washington Center for the Performing Arts Center Stage Gala, where hell receive the centers 2023 Achievement in the Arts Award. Hes the first comic to get the award, given by the centers board, and though it wont boost his national profile, hes happy to get some hometown love and delighted that the other award to be given that night is going to Greg and Krina Allison of Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia. Greg Allison whom Rutledge still calls Mr. Allison was his band teacher when he was in fifth grade at Pioneer Elementary. It was Rutledges first year in Olympia, and he and his now-wife, Kristi, were both in the band, he said, adding, This is about as local an evening as youre going to get. Theres a continent of distance between the small world of Olympia and the stand-up scene in New York, where Rutledge auditioned at the Comedy Cellar in September. There, he performed with comedians who are often seen on TV. Its nice to feel like I belong in that world, he said. The audition, obviously, was a success, and that along with the efforts he made during the pandemic to increase his online presence led to the steadier and higher profile work hes doing now. Rutledges approach to comedy hasnt changed much over the years, he said. The way I do it, stand-up comedy is escapism, he said. Im not trying to make any serious points. Im not making any political arguments. Im just trying to make people laugh at my life. I sort of accidentally became a mainstream, comedy-for-everybody kind of person, he added. It was an accident that I did it, but I think its important that people can sit in a room and not know what their differences are. Its a valuable service in the world. It sounds corny, but I do feel that way. Another happy accident for Rutledge was the discovery that he could keep his career growing without leaving the town hes lived in for nearly 40 years. When I started, launching a stand-up comedy career from Olympia was like learning to swim with cement shorts on, he said. But now, because of the Internet, famous comedians are living wherever they want. Thats a good thing for Rutledge, who isnt leaving anytime soon. Thats because his children are all in school here Johnny, 21, is studying at Saint Martins University; Maisy, 15, will be a sophomore at Olympia High in the fall; and Olive, 12, will be a seventh-grader at Washington Middle School. He still performs in Olympia, but doesnt have anything scheduled here at the moment. His next nearby shows will be at Taste Northwest, happening June 30-July 2 at the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup. If you havent caught his act yet, heres his take on a few things most of us can relate to: Amazon shopping: I got an email from Amazon, and the email said, Based on your recent activity, we thought you might be interested in this, and it was a picture of a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos. Based on what recent activity? Its not like, Oh, I ordered a case of bean dip, so this makes sense. I think its because I ordered an extra-large shirt, and then I returned it and exchanged it for a double-extra-large shirt. Thats when the hurtful algorithm kicked in. Alcohol vs. marijuana: Youre going to have to pick a side in the upcoming pot vs. alcohol war. You guys look nervous. You guys are like, Whens that? Did Trump tweet something? No. Im just saying if there was a pot vs. alcohol war, I thought about it, and Im going with team alcohol. Cause when the fighting starts, yeah, well be drunk. But I feel like more of us will show up. Parenting in a parking lot: My kids were running around the Walmart parking lot. Not that far away from me, but far enough that people did not know they were mine. I accidentally yelled the worst thing you could yell at children in a parking lot. Just super loud, I go, Get in the van. When people looked at me, I just panicked. I was like: Oh, no no no no no. Its my van. Krina and Greg Allison, who started Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia in 2000, will receive The Washington Center for the Performing Arts 2023 Commitment to the Arts Award. SOGO founders honored Greg and Krina Allison, who started Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia in 2000, will receive The Washington Center for the Performing Arts 2023 Commitment to the Arts Award. I love SOGO, said Jill Barnes, the centers executive director. Its an amazing organization. Students might take private lessons or be in their school orchestra or band, but if they have a hunger to do more, being able to play with others is so rewarding. Its the payoff for practicing all those hours alone. The youth symphony program, which includes three orchestras for students at different levels and a brass choir, has served about 2,000 students in its history. The experience of playing with a full orchestra, instead of a smaller school orchestra or band, is like coloring with the biggest box of crayons instead of just a 24-pack, said Greg Allison, SOGOs artistic director and one of its conductors. Its a much wider palette musically, he said. That seems to make the biggest difference for students. During the pandemic, the Allisons launched a new program, SOGO to Schools, which brings teaching artists into public schools to work with small groups of young musicians and offers those musicians free private lessons. Center Stage Awards and Gala Lockdown lifted at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School after student brings toy gun to school Yarmouth Police say they are actively investigating an incident at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School. The school was placed in lockdown on Friday morning. That lockdown has since been lifted, according to a social media post by police. According to police, a male student brought a toy gun to school. Another student saw it and reported it. Out of an abundance of caution, the school was placed into lockdown, police say. The student is talking to the school admin and resource officer and there are no charges at this time. Friday is the last day of school at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School. Boston 25 News has reached out to the school system for more information. June 23, 2023 | 7:45 AM EST ON-GOING INCIDENT INVESTIGATION Yarmouth Police are actively investigating an incident at... Posted by Yarmouth Police Dept. on Friday, June 23, 2023 This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW PARIS Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall are partnering to offer a European-made rocket launcher based on Lockheeds High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) system to Germany and its neighbors. The GMARS system is envisioned as a wheeled artillery system replacing Berlins aging MARS 2 multiple launch rocket systems, Howard Bromberg, vice president and deputy for strategy and business development at Lockheed Martins air and missile defense business line, said June 21 in an exclusive interview with Defense News. The weapon would integrate a Rheinmetall chassis and a Lockheed Martin loader component, he explained. The ongoing war in Ukraine against Russian forces has demonstrated the demand for new rocket artillery on the continent, he said at the Paris Air Show outside of the city. Everybody is discussing what their future rocket artillery requirements are. Germany specifically has been in discussions with Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin to find a replacement for its MARS 2 systems, a portion of which has been donated to Ukraine over the past year, and the rest of which are quickly aging. A memorandum of understanding between the two companies was signed in April. They want to backfill those [donated systems] quickly, and then move on to a modernized rocket artillery force, Bromberg said. As of June 21, Germany has provided five MARS 2 rocket launchers with associated ammunition to Ukraine, according to documents published by the Ministry of Defense. Thirty-four systems remain in the Bundeswehrs current inventory, a department spokesperson told Defense News in a June 22 email. However, the spokesperson could not comment upon the operational readiness of the rocket launchers. Preparations for the replacement are underway, the spokesperson said. The GMARS solution proposed by the two companies with the G denoting Germany would be similar to HIMARS, but with a much larger chassis, provided by Rheinmetall, and a double loadout capability with two rocket pods instead of one, Bromberg said. The chassis would be based on Rheinmetalls protected, off-the-shelf HX 8x8 to maximize both parts commonality and interoperability with the existing, and growing, HX fleet, a Rheinmetall spokesperson said in a June 23 email. It would be built in Vienna and measure about 12 meters long, although the dimensions are still being finalized, they said. A HIMARS truck measures about 7 meters long. Lockheeds launcher-loader component would then be integrated onto the back of the truck, with overall integration efforts taking place in Germany. Itll be our entree into the European market with a European-produced version of rocket artillery that can be offered throughout Europe, Bromberg said. The envisioned GMARS weapon, as proposed by Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall. (Lockheed image) Some components of the system would have to be procured from the United States through so-called combined foreign military sales and direct commercial sales, he noted. The Rheinmetall truck would be procured via direct commercial sale, he added. The industry pair is also in conversation with German weapons maker Diehl for additional elements to be made locally, per Bromberg. Were in industry discussions right now about what can be produced or assembled in Europe, in terms of rockets, he said. Rheinmetall is interested in providing rocket motors, which is a very viable option, Bromberg said. Meanwhile, Diehl could provide some of the warheads along with Lockheed components. Those discussions havent ended yet, but Lockheed and Diehl are well on our way to establishing what that relation is, he noted. Once under contract, the initial five GMARS systems could be delivered for testing and acceptance as early as 2025. Then, if the Germans wanted to have additional capability in the interim, they could request from the U.S. government to buy straight HIMARS, and then use that for a stopgap, Bromberg said. Rheinmetall could have the chassis ready for integration within months of a contract signature, the company spokesperson said. Should Germany choose to support its production, GMARS will feature about 80 percent commonality with the HIMARS munitions packages and logistics chain, Bromberg noted. It will require three personnel to operate, the same as HIMARS. We know that our HIMARS munitions will fire off anything GMARS that we do with Rheinmetall, Bromberg said. We know Germany has already been approved to fire these rockets on their older systems. So this will be a natural transition, as we present a new launcher to fire our munitions. Either weapon could prove more appealing to different countries based on their armed forces needs the HIMARS is C-130 transportable and is sized to operate on very small roads and capable of traversing bridges with weight restrictions. Meanwhile, other nations might prioritize the double rocket load of the GMARS. Its a personal desire, based upon what you think your threats are and how you want to operate, said Bromberg. European nations including France and Germany currently operate variants of the M270 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), a tracked vehicle which has also been used by Ukraine over the past year. But now, many operators are interested in a wheeled artillery system, Bromberg said. A raft of these nations and other allies have either procured or expressed interest in buying Lockheeds HIMARS system as a result. Poland was recently approved to receive up to 18 new HIMARS systems along with other equipment in a joint $10 billion FMS sale, and Warsaw expressed a desire to procure up to 500 launchers for more than 80 batteries. Meanwhile, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia have all inked a deal for HIMARS with Lockheed Martin in the past seven months, while Romania became the first European HIMARS customer when it signed a contract in 2018 for 54 launchers. Correction: This story was updated to correct a list of countries that have recently opted for HIMARS. The Netherlands was approved by Washington for a sale, but ended up buying from Israels Elbit so far. Longtime Boise Democrat will be done with the Idaho Capitol. What happens to her seat? Idahos longest-serving Democratic lawmaker is retiring after the upcoming legislative session, opening a seat that represents Southwest Boise and the Bench. Rep. Sue Chew, D-Boise, announced Wednesday that she will not seek reelection after her ninth term expires next year. Chew, 65, said shes retiring because shes been a legislator four or five times longer than an average lawmaker her last year will be her 18th and an over-the-top awesome candidate has emerged to potentially fill her seat. Chew hopes to dedicate more time to community groups, like the Idaho Womens Network, she told the Idaho Statesman by phone. Eighteen years, its probably about time, she said. Chew touts work on good Samaritan law Chew, a pharmacist who lives on the Bench, said one of the highlights of her career was co-sponsoring anti-bullying legislation. The 2015 bill strengthened school administrators ability to intervene when bullying occurs. That was big, Chew said. That came because students got excited, jumped in, did something way beyond my ability or thought process and got so many other students involved. Chew also recalled an update to Idahos good Samaritan law, which she helped enact in 2018. The bill provided legal protections for someone reporting a drug overdose to emergency services. The legislation was inspired by an incident in which Boise teens left a friend who had overdosed on a freezing sidewalk and fled when emergency services arrived, Chew said. The teen who overdosed survived, but it was close, Chew said. Thats why the push for a good Samaritan bill came forward, she said. It came from the community for something really relevant. It worked with all of our partners, including the prosecutors. In a news release announcing Chews retirement, Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise, also from District 17, and House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, praised her advocacy and service for residents of the Boise Bench. It has been my great honor to serve with Rep. Sue Chew for nine years, Rubel said in the release. She sets the example for compassion and dedication in a public servant. As a legislator, Chew is self-effacing, rarely participating in Statehouse debates. Thats because much of the substantive work of a lawmaker happens in low-stimuli settings, off-camera, when an elected official can focus on more substantive conversations, she said. Thats when we can actually have a chance to recognize where our hearts are similar and be able to forge the kinds of things that we need to do, Chew said. The Legislature has grown less civil in recent years, Chew said, and she hopes lawmakers and advocates will better seek out varied opinions on an issue before pushing a policy change. With good legislation, I find that its made much more powerful with a diversity of voices, she said. Willingness to listen to each other is important and, I would say, is a prerequisite before you start running your bill, before you start testifying. Can you do your homework? Chew endorses teacher as successor Chews retirement announcement comes nearly a year before the next primary election, and shes already endorsed a successor. Natalie MacLachlan, a middle school theater teacher, last year ran as a Democrat for a House seat in District 22, which covers southwest Ada County, from Boise to the eastern edge of Nampa. Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, handily won the two-way race. MacLachlan has since moved to District 17. Chew said shes been impressed with the MacLachlans ability to quickly analyze legislation in a way that connects with people on social media. Shes able to really listen to people, have two ears, one mouth, and be able to speak with her heart and her mind to really engage people, Chew said. Shes a door-knocker, an old time door-knocker like I am. But also, she has that 21st century grasp of technology. Democrats have controlled all three legislative seats in District 17 since Chews 2006 election. It is such an honor to be endorsed to fill this seat and entrusted with the work Sue is so passionate about, MacLachlan said in a news release. I am committed to being a voice for everyday Idahoans and striving to make this state more safe, fair and affordable for all of us. Striking employees gather outside Rancho Pescadero Hotel in El Pescadero, Mexico, on June 16, days after a couple were found dead at the hotel. (Meghan Dhaliwal / For The Times) Two bodies were found in the hotel room one on the shower floor. Now an investigation has been launched into the deaths of an Orange County couple, and the tony Baja California Sur resort where they were found has closed its doors. The $600-a-night Rancho Pescadero Hotel in the seaside village of El Pescadero closed Sunday, a spokesperson for the Hyatt property confirmed to The Times on Thursday. Its a temporary closure while an official investigation is underway into the June 13 deaths. But a statement from the hotel says that Hyatt together with the hotels owners ... is conducting an extensive, independent investigation of the incident led by a third party. Hyatt did not respond to further questions regarding the investigation, only noting that guests planning to stay at the resort were being contacted by Hyatt personnel. Some were being directed to the Cape Hotel, a Hyatt property about 45 miles southeast of El Pescadero in Cabo San Lucas. Hyatt lists Lisa Harper of Rancho Resorts as owner of the adults-only resort. Harper did not respond to an emailed request for comment. The closure comes after John Heathco, 41, of Mission Viejo and Abby Lutz, 28, of Newport Beach were found dead in their rooms last week. Forensic examiners working with the attorney generals office in Baja California Sur state determined June 15 that the cause of death was poisoning by [a] substance to be deter- mined. That toxin is still being investigated. The doctors added that they did not find evidence of violence and that the couple had been deceased between 10 and 11 hours before their bodies were discovered. Read more: Two Americans found dead in luxury hotel room in Mexico's Baja California Sur Hotel staffers found Lutz in the couples room and Heathco on the shower floor after entering at a little past 9 p.m. on June 13, according to a police report obtained by The Times. Lutz and Heathco had initially received hospital treatment for what they thought was food poisoning, according to Lutzs sister Gabrielle Slate on a GoFundMe page. They even appeared to be recovering before Slate was alerted that the pair had been found dead. We received a phone call saying that they had passed away peacefully in their hotel room in their sleep, she wrote. We have been told it was due to improper venting of the resort and could be carbon monoxide poisoning. A former Rancho Pescadero manager, Ricardo Carbajal, said onJune 16 that resort management ignored signs of a possible gas leak and disconnected carbon monoxide detectors that had been frequently sounding alarms. Carbajal said monitors rang almost constantly for three months in 2022 which he chalked up to likely gas leaks. Hotel Pescadero management eventually disconnected the detectors in January after multiple guest complaints, according to Carbajal. They knew there were problems with gas leaks, said Carbajal, who ended his tenure at the resort in March. Everyone was aware of the alarms and that the detectors were off. Read more: Deaths of Newport Beach couple at Baja resort still not fully explained Two current employees, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they feared for their jobs, also said that hotel managers ignored complaints about the strong smell of gas. Housekeepers reported gas leaks, security reported gas leaks, maintenance workers reported gas leaks, said one of the employees on Sunday. A few days before the guests were found dead, a housekeeper cleaning their room fell ill because of suspected gas poisoning, the employee said. Initially, hotel general manager Henar Gil Rios said in a statement that she was not aware of any threat to guests safety and well-being. Hyatt said in a statement on June 16 that Mexican authorities immediately tested the air quality in the room after responding to the situation, and at the time, did not report any findings of gas or carbon monoxide and advised that the hotel was cleared to continue normal operations. Although Hyatt did not answer questions regarding its detectors, the company said it was closing the hotel out of caution for its guests. The property will not resume normal operations until our investigation is complete, a company statement said. The local authorities have not yet released their findings of their ongoing investigation which Hyatt and the hotel owners continue to fully cooperate with. Slate wrote an update on Sunday stating that the fundraiser she established had raised more than $30,000 to bring her sisters body home for burial. Donations from family and friends have been extraordinary, and we have received donations from people we have never met, Slate wrote. We are so deeply humbled yet in awe. Times staff writers Alexandra E. Petri and Kate Linthicum contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. (Bloomberg) -- Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado registered for primaries to choose the candidate wholl try to end a quarter century of socialist rule in elections next year. Most Read from Bloomberg Machado, who leads polls among opposition candidates seeking to topple the government of President Nicolas Maduro officially signed up for the process on Friday morning. Ten other candidates had already registered. I have a message for the international community, and the worlds democrats: get ready for the defeat of Maduro in 2024, Machado said, after formalizing her candidacy under the Vente Venezuela party. Maduros government began a controversial overhaul of the state electoral body last week, which led the opposition to announce it would organize this years primaries without its support. The process will be difficult to organize could be delayed as result, Eurasia Group analyst Risa Grais-Targow wrote in a note. The vote is initially scheduled for October 22. Read more: Venezuela Opposition Shuns Electoral Authority for Primaries Hundreds of supporters gathered to see Machado in Plaza Altamira in Caracas on Friday morning, which has long been a center for protests against Maduro and his predecessor the late Hugo Chavez. Demonstrations have become rare in the capital since 2019, when massive demonstrations in favor of opposition leader Juan Guaido died down after an uprising that failed to oust Maduro. Henrique Capriles, another popular contender, is expected to add his name to the list on Saturday, the last day for candidates to register. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A 60-year-old Bunker Hill man died in a truck explosion Thursday at an ammunition plant in East Alton, the Madison County coroner announced Friday. Oscar Zeke R. Bettorf was identified as the victim at the Winchester plant owned by Clayton, Missouri-based Olin Corp., Coroner Steve Nonn said in a news release. Bettorf was pronounced deceased at the plant Thursday afternoon. He was the driver of a semi-truck with a trailer loaded with shotgun shell primers that exploded while being transported inside the Olin property, according to the news release. Nonn said the cause of the explosion at 600 Powder Mill Road remains under joint investigation by Olin Security, East Alton Police, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigations, Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad, State Fire Marshals Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Also, a spokeswoman for the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration said the agency is investigating whether any safety regulations were violated. A spokesman for the East Alton Fire Department said his department responded to the scene but he could not release any details about the explosion. We are deeply saddened that a Winchester employee was fatally injured Thursday afternoon in an incident involving a company vehicle at the companys East Alton facility, Olin said in a statement. This is a tragedy, and we will conduct a full investigation to determine what happened. The safety of our employees, the community, and our environment is always our top priority. An autopsy was performed and preliminary results indicate that Bettorf suffered blunt trauma to the head, neck, chest and pelvis, Nonn said. A final autopsy report is pending toxicology test results. Funeral arrangements for Bettorf are pending with the Weber and Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville, Nonn said. After Hurricane Katrina, people wanted to know if the Friendship Oak in Long Beach made it through the storm. Now people are asking if the massive live oaks on Lovers Lane in Moss Point survived Mondays tornado. Theres good news and bad news, as there is with homes and businesses throughout the city. Most of the centuries-old trees are still standing, although piles of branches that fell from them are stacked six feet deep, even after some large limbs were removed over the last few days. At least one of the oaks was uprooted in the storm and a lot more sunlight filters through the tree canopy with so many of the tree tops stripped of their leaves or severely pruned by the winds. A huge tree was uprooted on Lovers Lane in Moss Point. Most of the dozens of live oaks lost a considerable number of branches but still stand. The tornado damaged six square miles of Moss Point as it roared through the city from northwest to southeast said Earl Etheridge, director of Jackson County Emergency Services Gov. Tate Reeves arrived in Moss Point Thursday morning to survey the aftermath of the EF-2 storm and its 130 mph winds that damaged or destroyed more than 200 homes and businesses along with many trees. Reeves told local officials the state will provide every resource possible for the people who lost their homes and businesses. Whether the city gets a federal disaster declaration depends on the tally of damage. Its a federal law and its all driven by those damage assessments, Reeves said. He expects to know in the next day or two if Moss Point has a high enough dollar amount of damage to get the declaration. Etheridge and other officials said Wednesday that the damage in Jackson County is expected to top $10 million. The threshold for federal help is $4.5 million. Gov. Tate Reeves, center, meets with Moss Point Mayor Billy Knight and other officials Thursday, June 22, on a visit to see the damage from Mondays tornado. Trees are part of Moss Point history For Moss Point, known as The River City and for its majestic trees, the damage to the trees is as tangible as the roofs that blew off and the windows that shattered. All of it adds up to who we really are, said Mayor Billy Knight, who has enlisted the help of fellow Rotarians Mark LaSalle, this years Rotary president, and Dave Minkler, a certified arborist, to assess the damage to the trees. Downed branches are stacked tall beneath the centuries-old live oak trees on Lovers Lane in Moss Point on Thursday, June 22, three days after a tornado. The Spanish moss and most of the majestic trees remain. Theyve already been working together for three years to grow the tree canopy in Moss Point, LaSalle said, and the tornado gave them more work to do. Under a new program they call River City Main Street Greenway, theyve begun planting trees along Main Street the epicenter of the tornado, said Jackson County Supervisor Ennit Morris, who lives in Moss Point. The rebuilding of Main Street began right away, as power crews quickly replaced the poles that snapped in the hurricane. That was a sight to see, said Dane Maxwell, Public Service Commissioner for the Southern district, as crews from across the Coast and the state were lined up down Main Street replacing the poles. Everybody that can take power has power, he said Thursday. Will the live oaks survive? LaSalle said the live oaks on Lovers Lane and throughout Moss Point will need special care if they are going to survive and thrive after the tornado damage. Through restoration pruning, he said, the tops of the live oaks can be cut back to where they are stable and they will recover. The tree canopy on a portion of Griffin Street thats also known as Lovers Lane was torn away by a hurricane that swept through Moss Point Monday. Experts are working to assess the damage and save the trees. Its the same principle as cutting the crepe myrtles, he said, but must be done by a professional. Pollarding should be used on live oaks, LaSalle said, and not on water oaks, like the one that fell and destroyed the Rotary building. The weakened water oaks should be cut down, he said. Lots of tree services are in Moss Point since Monday, cutting and hauling the trees and branches that fell. Crews will begin making the rounds Monday to haul away debris, the mayor said. A tree trimmer is perched on a massive tree on Dantzler Avenue in Moss Point on Thursday, June 22. Its one of many trees downed by a tornado. Everyone has a story Although no lives were lost in the tornado, Moss Point is hurting. Im homeless and I wanted to see what they have to say, said Lester Wells, who huddled on the floor with his wife and prayed as the hurricane ripped into their home. He was there when the governor arrived in town. Like after Katrina, everyone has a story the owner of a daycare who was in the building doing paperwork when the building was destroyed, a man in the next building who had a dumpster land on top of him, the person who went to see the fate of the osprey nests at the ballpark and found one adult bird dead and the others circling overhead and crying out for their babies that disappeared in the winds of the storm. One of the adult birds with an injured wing was rescued and two died when the nests were destroyed, Moss Point Police said in a Facebook post. Crews of volunteers are already at Moss Point, like the Mercy Chefs who came from Virginia to feed victims of the storm. Ocean Springs will be cooking lunch tomorrow for their sister city. Were really grateful for what they are doing, said Alderwoman Shirley Dubose Chambers, who said she hopes the efforts will help the people in her ward and city who were displaced or lost everything. The tunnel of majestic oak trees on Griffin Street in Moss Point was a favorite photo spot before a tornado tore through the town Monday and dropped many of the branches. The city is working to make sure the stately trees are preserved and more are added to the tree canopy. A section of the Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, which collapsed on June 11, reopened Friday ahead of schedule (Kena Betancur) A section of one of America's busiest highways, which collapsed some two weeks ago after a fire, reopened Friday, officials said. An overpass on Interstate 95 in Philadelphia collapsed on June 11 after a tanker crossing underneath burst into flames. One person died and several traffic lanes were taken out of service. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro earlier predicted it would take months to fully restore the road, but state transportation authorities were able to construct a temporary roadway, filling it in with a recycled glass aggregate and paving over it. Among the solutions authorities used to speed up their work was a vehicle ordinarily used to dry car racing tracks after the rain -- to make the asphalt dry enough for lines to be painted. In a statement Friday, President Joe Biden lauded the round-the-clock efforts by operating engineers, laborers, and carpenters. He added that the emergency repair was federally funded and "all approvals were given as quick as possible." Referring to the damaged I-95 stretch, he said: "I know how important it is to people's quality of life, the local economy, and the 150,000 vehicles that travel on it every day." Responding to questions about the speed of the operation, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll said Friday: "This road is being opened because it's completed, safely completed and ready for traffic." The material used "has been rigorously tested and used in multiple applications," he added. Vehicles will be able to travel on six lanes of traffic instead of the usual eight, at a limited speed as work continues on both sides to rebuild a permanent roadway. The I-95's closure at the northeast entrance to Philadelphia -- a city of over 1.5 million residents -- had severely disrupted traffic to and from New York. jum-bys/md (Bloomberg) -- Malawi has created an agency to oversee its trade and marketing of carbon emission offsets, President Lazarus Chakwera said. Most Read from Bloomberg Using the prevailing global market prices, the potential value of Malawis carbon credits is estimated at 19.9 million metric tons of carbon per annum, valued at over $600 million, Chakwera said at the inauguration of the Carbon Marketing Initiative on Friday. Malawis announcement is the latest attempt by an African government to profit from the growing trade in offsets. Zimbabwe this year decreed that the state will get half the proceeds of any carbon credit programs while Kenya is putting in place regulation to oversee the trade. One carbon credit represents a ton of planet-warming carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide equivalent either removed from the atmosphere or prevented from entering it in the first place. The offsets are bought by emitters to mitigate the effects of their activities. Malawis agency will collate an inventory to establish a national carbon registry, said Macdonald Mafuta Mwale, secretary to the Treasury. It will also will seek to find carbon credit opportunities as well as marketing and trading the securities. It has hired Switzerlands Klik Foundation to help it assess carbon opportunities and issue internationally tradable credits. The country signed a memorandum of understanding at the event with a Kenya-based company, Koko Networks, which sells carbon credits as part of its business of selling clean-burning bio-ethanol cook-stoves. The stoves displace the use of charcoal and wood for cooking, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Koko is exploring the potential to build a bioethanol utility in Malawi, Greg Murray, a co-founder of Koko and the companys chief executive officer, said in a response to queries. We are encouraged by the creation of a national carbon strategy and policy in Malawi, he said. This is one of the areas that governments need to get right to unlock international private climate finance. (Updates with Koko CEO comments in last two paragraphs) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Election officials counting referendum votes in Bamako (OUSMANE MAKAVELI) Malian voters overwhelmingly approved changes to the constitution in a referendum, marking a key step in the ruling junta's declared plans to restore civilian rule, provisional results showed Friday. The military has made the draft constitution a cornerstone for the rebuilding of Mali, which is facing the spread of jihadism and a deep, multi-faceted crisis. Ninety-seven percent of the referendum votes were cast in favour of the changes, the electoral authority said. Voter turnout was put at 39.4 percent in the landlocked Sahel country, which is struggling with an 11-year-old jihadist insurgency. Opponents of the plan believe the vote was designed to keep the colonels in power beyond the presidential election scheduled for February 2024, despite their initial commitment to hand over to civilians after the elections. The new constitution will strengthen the role of the president, a change that has spurred expectations that junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita intends to vie for the job. The changes will also give pride of place to the armed forces and emphasise "sovereignty", the ruling junta's mantra since it came to power in 2020. Voting was hampered in many towns in the centre and north of the country, either by fear of jihadist attacks or by political disagreements. - Stronger president - Mali has been under military rule since August 2020 when army officers angered over failures to roll back the jihadists forced out the country's elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The country's strongman, Goita, is a special forces colonel. He initially appointed a civilian as interim president but kicked him out in a second coup in 2021 and stepped into the top job himself. Under pressure from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, Goita has vowed to restore a civilian government in March 2024 after implementing what the junta says are crucially needed institutional reforms. Under the constitutional changes, the president will "determine the policies of the Nation," a role alloted to the government under the country's current constitution, which dates to 1992. The head of state will have the right to hire and fire the prime minister and cabinet members, and the government will be answerable to him and not to parliament as is the case presently. Other clauses provide amnesty to those behind prior coups, reform oversight of public finances and force MPs and senators to declare their wealth in a bid to clamp down on corruption. The 1992 constitution has often been criticised for creating a weak central state unable to combat security crises, develop infrastructure and meet other needs. But its proposed replacement has been attacked by critics as a tool for consolidating the junta's grip. The ruling authorities have defended the reforms as an essential for the overhaul of the Malian state, which they intend to carry out. - Russian paramilitaries - In the country's restive north, armed groups that had previously battled the government in Bamako but signed a fragile peace agreement with it in 2015, hampered Sunday's referendum. In places in their region where the vote did take place, ballot stuffing was widespread, they said. Influential religious figures, including prominent imam Mahmoud Dicko, also complained that the new constitution retained a clause defining Mali as a secular state. The referendum coincided with a confrontation between Mali and the United Nations over the future of the UN's decade-long peacekeeping mission in Mali. Two days before Sunday's vote, the junta called on the UN Security Council to pull out the 15,000-man MINUSMA force immediately, saying the mission had failed in its task of providing security. MINUSMA's mandate expires on June 30. The ruling military has also fallen out with France, Mali's traditional ally, which withdrew its troops after the country wove close ties with the Kremlin and brought in Russian paramilitaries. kt-sd-lal/pvh/jj FILE PHOTO: People protest against government plans to introduce an abortion law in Valletta VALLETTA (Reuters) - Malta's government on Friday backed down on a bill which would have allowed the abortion of pregnancies when the mother's health was at serious risk, saying instead that terminations would only be allowed when the mother's life was in danger. Malta is the only country in the European Union which does not allow any form of termination, and the original bill had raised a storm of protest, with anti-abortion campaigners saying the definition of what constituted a health risk was too wide. Local media had reported that the country's president, George Vella, had told the government he would resign rather than sign the bill as originally drafted into law. The reports were never denied and Vella had made his disquiet publicly known, repeatedly appealing for a revision of the text. Health Minister Chris Fearne said on Friday that the bill was being amended so that termination could only take place in a situation where a mother's life was in danger, once all other possible treatment had been exhausted. That procedure must be agreed by three doctors and may only take place in a licensed clinic. At present, a doctor is liable to up to four years in jail if he terminates a pregnancy to save the mother's life. Abortion will remain illegal under all other circumstances including rape, incest and severe foetal abnormalities. The reform was drawn up after a U.S. tourist, Andrea Prudente, was refused a request in June 2022 to terminate a non-viable pregnancy after she began to bleed profusely. Her doctors said her life was at risk and she was eventually transferred to Spain where she had an abortion. The bill as revised is expected to be approved by parliament in the coming weeks. (Reporting by Christopher Scicluna; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Andrew Cawthorne) Man beaten, tied and kept under armed watch in Wichita cuts self free and runs: records A 38-year-old South Dakota man who was beaten, robbed and then tied up in a north Wichita home and kept under armed watch in a bathroom was able to use a blade to cut his hands and feet free and escape, according to a court document released this week. Police responding to the April 29 call found the victim bleeding from his head, possibly from being hit with the barrel of a shotgun. He was wearing only socks and underwear and had duct tape around his neck, the arrest affidavit says. The arrest affidavit also shows how at least one of the four suspects tried to blackmail another to keep their name from being brought up to police. Additionally, the affidavit details the case the state has against 34-year-old Emanuel Silva, 38-year-old Gene Anthony Goodnight-Popp, 38-year-old Mary Grace Ann Chase and 42-year-old Nathan Lewis Chase. All four remained jailed Wednesday. Silva, Goodnight-Popp and Mary Grace Ann Chase, all from Wichita, have been charged with aggravated robbery with a dangerous weapon, aggravated robbery inflicting bodily harm and two counts of kidnapping in the commission of a crime. Nathan Chase, of Rapid City, South Dakota, has been charged with one count of kidnapping in the commission of a crime. Goodnight-Popp and the Chases had conflicting accounts about what happened, their involvement and that of other defendants. Silva isnt mentioned as being interviewed by police in the identical affidavits released in the other three defendants cases. A judge was still deciding whether to release the affidavit in Silvas case on Wednesday. He was arrested a few weeks after the others. The affidavit outlines what happened: Just before 4 p.m. April 29, police were called by someone who saw a man running in his socks and underwear and bleeding from his head. He also had duct tape around his neck. The attack happened at 1751 N. Payne, where Goodnight-Popp said he lives with Mary Chase. Goodnight-Popp said Chase is the mother to Nathan Chases children, the affidavit says. Police and jail records have Chases last name as Martin. Court records show she and Nathan Chase ended their marriage in 2017. Another person reported seeing a man with blood on his face running and jumping over a fence. That person, who lived near the home on Payne, told police they heard a person who lives at the home where the attack allegedly happened telling the victim to get back inside. The victim said he met Nathan Chase on a Rapid City, South Dakota, community Facebook page. He had given Chase rides before then Chase asked him for a ride to Wichita with the promise he would be paid $1,000 by a man named Gene. Prior to that, the victim said he told Chase he was trying to sell his mobile home trailer for $30,000 and wondered if Chase thought he had sold it and had the money on him. They drove to Wichita and met Mary Chase and an unknown male at a Jump Start off 13th Street. The victim then followed them to a home. The victim said he arrived in Wichita around 3 a.m. about 13 hours before police were called. The victim said Mary Chase told him to go inside to get his money. Inside, two unknown males, one with a shotgun, came and beat him with their hands and a shotgun. The victim said he thought one of the attackers was named Gene and that Gene tackled him, hit him in the face and pointed a gun at him. Mary Chase identified one of them as Silva. The victim said he was able to get to the front door, open it and yell to Nathan Chase before being bound by his hands and feet and put on the ground. Chase was also bound and put on the ground, he said. Mary Chase was sitting on the couch directing the unknown males, who were asking for the victims car keys, the victim said. He was bleeding from his head. He then was taken to the master bathroom and told to clean up. He was told if he could get the bleeding to stop, they would drop him off a block from the hospital. The victim said he passed out and woke up to Nathan Chase pointing a rifle at him and being on guard. Chase kept coming in and out of the bathroom to check on him. When Chase was gone, the victim said he was able to find a blade and cut his hands and feet free. He then ran out the back door. The victim said he left behind his wallet, title to his trailer, car keys and phone. (The victim) had a head injury and lacerations to his head including a round laceration to his forehead that is circular like it could have been caused by the end of a shotgun barrel and he had a broken toe on his left foot, a detective wrote in the affidavit. A white Dodge Journey with a South Dakota license plate was found in the driveway of the home. In the home, police found duct tape with blood, bungee cords, a razor blade, shotgun, rifle and bloody towels and clothing. Mary Chase also allowed police to download messages on a phone used by her and Goodnight-Popp. On May 1, Chase texted Goodnight-Popp saying that Emanuel says I owe him I dont have the $500 but they also didnt finish the job either cause Lo, u, Nate (a little bit) n myself all had to help with the whole thing so idk what to do. Goodnight-Popp responded: Emmanuel only did half the job. The car sits in the driveway still and everyone of us the cops talked to will all be really (expletive) lucky not to catch serious charges. There was also a Facebook messenger conversation from that day between Mary Chase and Silva. Chase told him: Hey I am supposed to tell u that if u want ur name to stay out of this n for Nate to keep his story n take charges than it will cost u $500. Silva is on probation for a 2021 case involving drugs and being a felon in possession of a firearm, court records show. He spent time in prison for a 2006 incident involving criminal threat and then went to prison again after violating probation in a 2018 drug case that had originally also involved a gun charge and battery on a officer, records show. He is also scheduled to be sentenced next month in a 2022 case where he was originally charged with felon in possession of a weapon. Additionally, he had a pending case from an incident in May involving possession of drugs and fleeing and eluding, court records show. None of the others have any other criminal cases in Sedgwick County. A 42-year-old Nathan Lewis Chase appears in the South Dakota Department of Corrections as previously having a case with a sentence that has been finished. It doesnt provide details.. A man has been indicted on five drugging murders in New York City, including that of a fashion designer who worked with Lady Gaga. Kenwood Allen, 33, is facing allegations that he was part of a widespread campaign of drugging and robberies in the city. He was indicted for the murder of designer Kathryn Gallagher, the office of the Manhattan District Attorney said on Wednesday. Gallagher, 35, was found lifeless in her bed by her neighbour in July last year. There were no clear signs of trauma, according to The Daily Beast. The front door of her apartment was open with the keys still in the lock when she was discovered. The cause of death was unclear until the medical examiner determined that she had died from acute intoxication because of a cocktail of drugs. The indictment shared on Wednesday states that Mr Allen is suspected of three murders in addition to the two killings he was indicted for last year. Mr Allen is alleged to have worked both alone and with a group of others when he conducted a number of robberies between March and December last year. He allegedly drugged his victims with fentanyl and other opioids to steal their credit cards, watches, phones, and other items. He pleaded not guilty on Wednesday. He would then proceed to empty their accounts at ATMs and make a number of charges on the victims credit cards, according to authorities. The drugging, robbery and larceny spree affected a total of 21 victims, five of which died, according to the Manhattan DA. The three additional murders Mr Allen was indicted for on Wednesday allegedly took place on 22 July, 23 July, and 6 August last year. The New York Supreme Court indictment includes 10 counts of murder in the second degree, 13 counts of robbery in the first degree, two counts of robbery in the second degree, 11 counts of assault in the second degree, two counts of attempted robbery in the first degree, three counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, and one count of conspiracy in the fourth degree. The 10 murder counts, two for each of the five people who died, include one count of acting with depraved indifference to human life, and one count of acting in furtherance of another crime. These alleged pernicious drugging and robbery schemes have left far too many families mourning the loss of their loved ones, District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. The careful and meticulous work of our prosecutors and the NYPD has led us to charge this individual with a spree of criminal conduct that now includes five murders four of which took place over a mere 15 days last summer. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to aggressively uncover and investigate these incidents. The Manhattan DA said in a press release that in most of the incidents, Allen drugged his victims with fentanyl and other opioids in order to steal their credit cards, watches, phones, and other personal identifying information. Many of the victims were later found unconscious on the street. He would then withdraw cash from ATMs and use the stolen credit cards to make purchases and transfer money. Vogue wrote that Ms Gallagher was a hands-on artisan who was fiercely independent and sure of her vision. Her pieces have been worn by Chrissy Teigen, Kourtney Kardashian, Rita Ora, Laverne Cox, and members of the New York Ballet. Katie established her own fashion line, Katie Gallagher, in New York City in 2010. Under this label, she completed 26 collections that premiered during New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week, her obituary said. She was unique, beautiful, smart, unabashed, and always wanting. She was hardworking and talented, with so many ideas and plans for future projects, it added. We are so proud of who she was and all she achieved in her brief but full and beautiful life. Police have said that in one of the robberies, the perpetrators smeared a white powder that included fentanyl under the nose of a victim, and in another case, they offered marijuana also laced with the drug. They took aim at people active in the nightlife in Lower Manhattan who looked like they were wealthy and waited for them to leave the club before pushing them against a wall to take what they had. The chief of detectives at the New York Police Department, James Essig, said on Thursday that they bum-rushed them, according to The New York Times. Mr Allen was charged in December with the deaths of Nurbo Shera and Ardijan Berisha. On Wednesday, he was charged with the deaths of Ms Gallagher, 25-year-old student Alexander Rudnitsky, and Sadath Ahmed, 33. Sean Shirley, 36, is charged in the drugging deaths of Mr Rudnitsky and Mr Ahmed. Facing charges of second-degree murder, robbery, and grand larceny, he was arraigned on Thursday. He also pled not guilty. Assistant district attorney Brian Rodkey said in court that Mr Allen and Mr Shirley robbed them, and left them on the street, not caring whether they lived or died, according to The New York Times. The Gallagher family said in a statement that they hope the case will make people aware of how fentanyl and other drugs have been used as weapons against innocent people. The number of victims confirmed at this point is shocking. We are gutted by the magnitude of this collective and senseless loss, the family said, according to The New York Times. In a separate case, five men were accused in April of the druggings and killings of people going to gay bars in Manhattan. Man charged for fatal August 2021 shooting in Pitcairn A man was charged on Friday in connection to a fatal shooting in Pitcairn in August 2021. According to Allegheny County police, the shooting happened on Aug. 20, 2021, at 1:34 p.m. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Name of man killed in Pitcairn released First responders found Kaliq Dade, 20, shot inside a vehicle on Center Avenue. Dade died on the way to the hospital. The suspect vehicle was stopped a short time later in Turtle Creek and police said Jonathan Dawson was driving. Dawson was arrested and detectives determined he was one of four individuals responsible for the shooting. Final Javon Thompson was identified as another suspect. Friday, detectives charged Thompson with criminal homicide, tampering with evidence, recklessly endangering another person and firearms violations. He is in the Allegheny County Jail on unrelated charges. Detectives are still working to identify the other two suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-833-255-8477. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Recall alert: Frozen fruit sold at Walmart, Target, Trader Joes and more may have listeria More than 20 suspected drug dealers behind bars after FBI sweep in Pittsburgh 100-mile detour in place when 86-mile stretch of Pennsylvania Turnpike closes overnight Saturday VIDEO: Citywide vigil held on North Side calling for end to gun violence DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Man convicted of murder in the shooting of a UK police officer while the suspect was handcuffed Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, left, and Sgt Matt Ratana's partner Su Bushby, right, read a statement outside Northampton Crown Court after Louis De Zoysa was convicted of his murder, in Northampton, England, Friday June 23, 2023. (Matthew Cooper/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) A man was convicted of murder on Friday for shooting a British police officer with an antique handgun while the suspect was handcuffed in a cell nearly three years ago. A jury deliberated for just over five hours before finding 25-year-old Louis De Zoysa guilty of killing Sgt. Matiu Ratana in September 2020. Prosecutors said that De Zoysa shot Ratana, 54, at Croydon Custody Center in south London as he was about to be searched. He had been arrested for possessing drugs and bullets. But during an initial search, the arresting officers didn't find the 41-caliber revolver loaded with six rounds he kept in an underarm holster. In the cell, De Zoysa managed to point the gun at Ratanas chest and fire. A second bullet hit the police officer in the thigh, and a third hit the cell wall. A fourth shot struck De Zoysa in the neck, leaving him with brain damage. The suspect, a former data analyst for the U.K. tax office, sat in the dock in a wheelchair during the three-week trial at Northampton Crown Court in central England. De Zoysas lawyers argued he had pulled the trigger during an autistic meltdown, but jurors decided he had fired deliberately. Judge Jeremy Johnson said that he would sentence De Zoysa next month. New Zealand-born Ratana, who was known as Matt, was a keen rugby player who had been a police officer for 30 years and was three months from retirement when he was killed. The Metropolitan Police force said that since Ratanas death, it had issued hand-held metal detectors to front-line officers. It's rare for police officers to be shot and killed in the U.K., which has strict firearms laws. Ratana was the 17th from the London force to be killed by a gun since 1945. Before Ratana, the last London police officer killed in the line of duty was Constable Keith Palmer, who was stabbed to death in March 2017 during a vehicle and knife attack outside Parliament. A man convicted of sexually abusing San Luis Obispo County children will remain in state hospital care, a San Luis Obispo Superior Court judge ruled. After a four-day trial, Superior Court Judge Timothy S. Covello found that there was enough evidence to grant the San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Offices petition for the civil commitment of 62-year-old Alfredo Arcilio Mendez as a sexually violent predator, the agency said in a news release Wednesday. This ruling will ensure that Mr. Mendez is detained in a hospital setting where he does not pose a threat to our community, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow said in the release. We are committed to doing everything within our authority to protect the people of San Luis Obispo County from dangerous sexual predators like Mr. Mendez. Mendez was previously convicted of five sexually violent crimes across two California counties in separate criminal prosecutions, the District Attorneys Office said, including forcible lewd acts and oral copulation on a 6-year-old child in San Diego County in 1986. He was also convicted of forcible lewd acts on children ages 6, 8 and 10 in San Luis Obispo County in 1999, the release said. According to the release, Mendez sexually assaulted three 7-year-old girls while working a daycare facility and was arrested in Long Beach County in 1985 for forcible rape of a child under 16. The court also heard evidence that Mendez sexually assaulted a 3-year-old boy around 1999 or 2000, the release said. Two of the nine survivors of Mendezs crimes testified during the trial, the District Attorneys Office said, and four psychologists who evaluated Mendez said that he has a diagnosed mental disorder of pedophilia, the release said. Two of the psychologists who assessed him found that his mental disorder makes him a substantial and well-founded danger to the safety of others and that it is likely that he will engage in predatory sexually violent criminal behavior if released into the community, the District Attorneys Office said in the release. Under Californias Sexually Violent Predator Law, district attorneys can petition for the continued detention of individuals beyond their parole period in when they have been sentenced to state prison for sexually violent offenses, diagnosed with a mental disorder and pose a present danger to others, the release said. Individuals committed under the SVP law are generally confined within a locked hospital setting, the District Attorneys Office said in the release. After making his finding, Covello signed an order committing Mendez to Coalinga State Hospital, the release said. His progress there will be reviewed bi-annually by the California Department of State Hospitals, the release said. This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kimberly R. Dittrich, who is assigned to the District Attorneys Offices Sexual Violence Unit. The case was investigated by the Grover Beach Police Department and District Attorneys Offices Bureau of Investigation. This booking photo provided by Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office shows Trevor Raekwon Seward. Seward was sentenced to life in prison Thursday, June 22, 2023 after being convicted of killing a mail carrier who instead of delivering a large package of marijuana to his home left a note in the mailbox requiring him to come to a South Carolina post office to pick it up.(Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) A man was sentenced to life in prison Thursday after being convicted of killing a mail carrier who instead of delivering a large package of marijuana to his home left a note in the mailbox requiring him to come to a South Carolina post office to pick it up. Trevor Raekwon Seward, 25, was found guilty of murder of a federal employee in the course of her duties and other crimes in the September 2019 shooting of 64-year-old Irene Pressley as she delivered mail in rural Williamsburg County, federal prosecutors said. After finding the note in his mailbox instead of the 2-pound (0.9-kilogram) package of marijuana from California he was expecting, Seward confronted Pressley a few minutes later demanding his package. The U.S. Postal Service mail carrier refused, according to court documents. Seward then got a semi-automatic rifle and waited for Pressley to come down a street in Andrews, firing about 20 times into the back of her mail truck, prosecutors said. Several bullets hit Pressley. Seward then drove the mail truck into a ditch on an access road at a hunting club, searched through it to try to find his marijuana and anything else valuable, and then left the Pressley's body in her truck, prosecutors said. The marijuana package was later found on the street where Pressley was killed, according to court records. In court, Pressley's sister blamed Seward for the death of 97-year-old father. He gave up, because you took his daughters life, Elisha Hubbard said according to WPDE-TV, during Thursdays sentencing hearing, adding that he loved the treats that Irene Pressley would bring him every day. Seward listened carefully to Pressley's family as they spoke at the hearing and stood up when the judge asked him if he wanted to speak. Seward then said he didn't "want to cause any more confusion. I dont have anything to say, the TV station reported. The co-defendant who helped Seward look for the mail carrier was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Jerome Terrell Davis, 31, pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute marijuana, prosecutors said. The value of the marijuana in the package was minimal. At the time of the murder it would have cost around $1,600 in Colorado, where it was legal, according to state revenue data. Even when marijuana was illegal nationwide, the value of the package would not have exceeded $2,600, according to National Drug Intelligence Center data about South Carolina in 2000. Man pleads guilty in Columbia heroin conspiracy after being on the run for 8 years The last defendant in a Columbia drug scheme has pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. Corey Xavier Baldwin, 53, of Concord, N.C, was a fugitive for eight years after law enforcement said Baldwin worked with 10 other individuals to help distribute heroin throughout the Columbia area in 2013. Baldwin also transported money to New York during trips to obtain the drug, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office. Law enforcement said they intercepted heroin packages destined for Columbia through a 2013 investigation and in 2014 arrested six of the 10 defendants. Baldwin was one of four individuals who remained a fugitive until he was arrested by United States Marshals Service in North Carolina in September 2022. Two more suspects were arrested in 2017 in Texas, and one was arrested in New York in May 2022. Six of Baldwins co-defendants were from Columbia and also pleaded guilty for their role in the drug conspiracy. They were all sentenced to prison with times ranging from about four years to 27 years. Baldwin faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and up to a $1,000,000 fine. Man sentenced for stabbing QuikTrip guard who tried to stop him from stealing 12-pack A 26-year-old man who stabbed a security guard trying to stop him from stealing a 12-pack of alcohol from a Wichita QuikTrip in 2021 has been sentenced to more than nine years in prison, Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office spokesman Dan Dillon said. After he was arrested, Terry L. Fine Jr. of Wichita bragged about attempting to kill the guard to a fellow inmate and to a corporal at the Sedgwick County Jail, according to a probable cause affidavit released in the case. Fine also spat at and threatened the lives of police and security officers at a Wichita hospital where he was taken for treatment after he tried to slash his own throat following the fight with the QuikTrip guard, the affidavit says. Fine pleaded guilty on May 8 to one count each of aggravated battery, criminal threat, battery against a law enforcement officer and theft, Sedgwick County District Court records show. Judge David Kaufman handed down the 110-month prison sentence on Friday morning, Dillon said denying a request from Fines lawyer to place him on probation. In a written motion, the lawyer argued Fine deserved probation because he saved the court time and resources with his guilty plea and said he would be better served by community-based programs. Fine has a number of mental illnesses for which he had received repeated treatment for at least 12 years, the lawyer noted in the motion. Fine was originally charged with attempted second-degree murder. The QuikTrip guard told police he had his eye on Fine after seeing him shoplift alcohol from the convenience store, 750 S. Broadway, twice on Dec. 20, 2021, according to the affidavit. When Fine walked out a third time with a $15.99 case of Mikes Hard Lemonade, the guard followed him out of the store. When the guard ordered Fine to stop, Fine hurled the 12-pack at him and took off, the affidavit says. The guard ran after him and wrestled him to the ground. When the guard tried to handcuff him, Fine threw a punch and cut the guards face with a kitchen-style knife that had a five-inch blade, the affidavit says. The guard told police Fine went for his head swinging the knife. He said he feared Fine was going to kill him and anyone else around if he let go of his hand, according to the affidavit. After Fine stabbed the guard in the right thigh, the guard disengaged and broke contact. Fine then ran around the building, where he cut at his own throat before police arrested him. Fine later told an officer he made the decision to fight back to the death after the guard tackled him and that he did not want to go back to prison after growing up in the correctional system, the affidavit says. He also boasted about the stabbing and acted surprised when he wasnt initially jailed on suspicion of attempted murder, according to the document. Man vanished in 1981 after visiting family in California. Now his remains are IDd As pipeline surveyors were exploring a remote desert in Wyoming in 1982, they stumbled upon human remains. For decades, Pipeline Petes identity remained a mystery, the Sweetwater County Sheriffs Office said in a June 21 news release posted to Facebook. Now, thanks to advances in DNA technology, the remains have been identified as Jack Clawson, a missing Missouri man, deputies said. For decades, a man found dead in a remote desert near Granger was only known as Pipeline Pete, the Sweetwater County Sheriffs Office said. Photo from Sweetwater County Sheriffs Office In July 1981, as Clawson was making his way back home to Sedalia after visiting family in Fremont, California, a nearly 2,00-mile trek, he vanished, according to the sheriffs office. Clawson was supposed to return home to Missouri for a hunting trip with friends, but days later when he never showed up, Clawsons family reported him missing, deputies said. A little more than a year later, Pipeline Petes remains were found in the desert near Granger, the sheriffs office said. While the remains couldnt be identified, the sheriffs office said an autopsy showed no signs of foul play. Instead, it was believed the man likely died months earlier (during the winter months) from exposure. With no other leads, however, the case of Pipeline Pete soon grew cold, deputies said. Then, in 2011, the sheriffs office said it submitted biological samples to the University of Northern Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas, to help identify the remains using mitochondrial DNA analysis. Twelve years later, the center got a positive match for Clawson in March, deputies said. Granger is about 270 miles southwest of Casper. College students help identify man found dead in hotel room in 2002, AZ officials say Skull found by hunter decades ago is now identified as missing California 4-year-old Duck hunter found womans remains 26 years ago in California. Shes now been identified Prosecutors have long accused rapper YNW Melly of being affiliated with a violent gang and gunning down two of his friends on behalf of the group. On day seven of Mellys double murder trial, a witness shed more light on the states claim. Since 2021, the state has insisted that the murders were committed to benefit, promote and further the interests of a criminal gang. Prosecutor Kristine Bradley on Thursday called on gang expert Danny Polo to delve deeper into Mellys supposed affiliation with the G-Shine Bloods set, though prosecutors have yet to elaborate on how the killings benefited the gang. And Polos testimony was only part of the evidence that the state unveiled and the defense cast doubt on during the second week of the trial. Melly, whose real name is Jamell Demons, is accused of shooting his childhood friends Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr., in an alleged drive-by cover up after spending the night of Oct. 26, 2018, at a Fort Lauderdale recording studio. Williams and Thomas, both aspiring rappers with the YNW collective, were known as YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy, respectively. The 24-year-olds case is among the first being considered after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law to lower the threshold for a death sentence to an 8-4 vote. READ MORE: Calculated cover-up or a botched investigation? Jury will decide in YNW Melly murder trial Polo, whos an undercover detective with the Broward Sheriffs Office, said Melly knows all of G-Shines signs, does them very well and even flashes them in videos. The rapper, he said, has posed in hundreds of photos with known gang members and often substitutes the letter C with the letters B, K or X in messages, which can be an indicator of affiliation with the group. Some of Mellys songs, Polo said on the stand, refer to him being a member of the Bloods set. Though he didnt quote any of the rappers lyrics, Polo said he didnt believe Mellys alleged affiliation was an act because G-Shine is one of the more violent Blood sets. If a famous person were to false-rep G-Shine, they would quickly get checked, Polo said. The detective claimed the rapper was learning the gangs oath just days before the murders. Jamell Demons, better known as YNW Melly, sits on trial on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Bradley projected on the courtroom screen several messages and attachments sent to YNW Mellys booking email, including the G-Shine Bloods bylaws and oaths. Polo broke down the importance of the rules and explained gang-related terms to the jury as Bradley pointed out parts of the documents. The prosecutor also displayed photos of Melly that Polo identified as the rappers making gang signs as well as texts with G-Shine Blood lingo that the detective decoded while on the stand. Prosecutor Kristine Bradley holds a piece of evidence after presenting it in court during the trial of Jamell Demons, better known as YNW Melly, on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Mask on, mask off Polos attire was at the center of controversy between the state and the defense Thursday and even caused a juror to have an anxiety attack. The detective wore a balaclava-style mask to conceal his identity due to ongoing death threats. I need a moment, the juror wrote in a note to Judge John Murphy. I cant listen properly. When I was a child, I seen someone get robbed and I am having an anxiety attack. Another juror also sent a note about the mask: Why does he get to see us, but we dont get to see him? A few months ago, Polo testified during the trial of the three men convicted of robbing and killing rapper XXXTentacion in 2018. He also spoke at the sentencing of Robert Allen, the man who testified against his codefendants in the XXXTentacion murder trial, and described how Allen would be at risk in Florida prison for snitching due to his gang affiliation. He wore a mask while on the stand in those cases, too. Evidence, including the clothing of victim Anthony Williams, sits at the front of the court room while David Howard, defense attorney for Jamell Demons, better known as YNW Melly, hands a paper to Judge John Murphy during the trial on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Defense attorney David Howard urged Murphy multiple times to have Polo remove the mask so that the jurors could assess his demeanor to determine his credibility. He even suggested seizing all electronics from the people in the courtroom to address Polos safety concerns. The state couldve chosen any expert in gangs, Howard said. They elected to choose one who has threats against his life that dont concern this case and is undercover. Evidence takes center stage On Thursday, Bradley showed the judge about 300 photos and several pages of text messages trying to prove that one of the phones mentioned in the case belonged to Melly. The defense, again, objected before jury could view the material. In one of the conversations the state says was between Melly and his mother, Melly asks her to buy a Glock. I got your 45, she said. But I rather have a Glock 40 or 19, he wrote a few messages later. Is someone threatening you No ma The prosecution in #YNWMellys double murder trial presented the court with text messages they allege were sent by the defendant, #JamellDemons. In one series of messages, Melly allegedly asked his mother to buy him a legal gun. pic.twitter.com/1DgKTA8r1J Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) June 22, 2023 Throughout the case, the phone number behind the texts has been an elusive point of contention, with the defense claiming that the number the state tied to Melly was shared by several people. A T-Mobile employee testified Tuesday that the number was under the account of Jamie King, who is Mellys mother. Jamie Demons King, mother of Jamell Demons, better known as YNW Melly, attends his double murder trial on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Howard argued that the text evidence amounted to hearsay: The phone was associated with the alias Youngsackchaser Howard, was retrieved from Mellys manager and even being used after the rappers arrest. Bradley, however, alleged that photos, selfies and text messages like the exchange with his mother proved the phone was Mellys. The rapper, she said, even gave the phones passcode to his manager during a jailhouse call. Our contention is not that the phone was never used by Mr. Demons, Howard told Murphy on Thursday. Its that it was not exclusively used by Mr. Demons. But Murphy ruled that the state had provided enough evidence to tie the phone to Melly despite the strange alias. David Howard, defense attorney for Jamell Demons, better known as YNW Melly, motions to get evidence striken from the record to judge John Murphy on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The phone issue was often raised during FBI Special Agent Brendan Collins testimony, which spanned through Tuesday and Wednesday. Collins dissected location data for two numbers: One tied to Melly and another to Thomas. The state displayed maps of the FBI investigation into the phones general whereabouts on the night of the murders. The maps showed that the phones pinged within a range of proximity, though Collins couldnt definitively say that the phones were together at the same exact location. DNA evidence found inside the Jeep Compass was also among key testimony this week. BSO DNA analyst Kurt Rhodes tested objects found inside the SUV, including a water bottle, Gucci slides, a spent shell casing and blood stains discovered on clothes and a pair of Jordans. The DNA on those items wasnt a match to the rapper. But DNA that may have been Mellys was found inside the Jeep on the rear passenger-side door handle, Rhodes said Wednesday. Though the first test didnt link Melly to the door handle, another completed on June 1, just days before the trial started, was a possible hit. Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is throwing his weight behind the conservative effort to expunge the two impeachments of former President Trump, saying Trumps behavior didnt rise to a level that merited either punishment, and he would like to eradicate both votes from history. Leaving the Capitol on Friday ahead of a long holiday recess, the Speaker said he supports erasing the pair of impeachments because, he argued, one was not based on true facts and the other was on the basis of no due process. I think it is appropriate, just as I thought before, that you should expunge it because it never should have gone through, McCarthy told reporters outside his office. He later clarified he supports expunging both Trump impeachments, but he emphasized such resolutions must first go through the committee process. The Speakers endorsement of the expungement push highlights both the tenuous grip McCarthy has on his conference, where conservatives are holding his feet to the fire on numerous policy issues, and the powerful influence Trump retains over the Republican Party more than two years after leaving office. More House coverage from The Hill Behind then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), House Democrats successfully impeached Trump twice: The first vote, in late 2019, found that Trump abused his power when he threatened to withhold U.S. military aid to Ukraine unless leaders in Kyiv launched an investigation of his political rivals. The second, in early 2021, found Trump responsible for incitement of insurrection for his role in encouraging the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. In the House, the first impeachment passed without any Republican support. The second was different, and 10 Republicans crossed the aisle to impeach Trump for the Capitol rampage. In both cases, Trumps Republican allies in the Senate rallied to prevent a conviction. Just two of the 10 Republicans who supported the second impeachment still serve in the House: Reps. Dan Newhouse (Wash.) and David Valadao (Calif.). McCarthys position on the Jan. 6 attack has shifted over time. Immediately following the Capitol rampage, McCarthy went to the floor and said Trump bore responsibility for the violence, which was carried out by Trump supporters trying to block the certification of his 2020 election defeat. Sign up for the latest from The Hill here When it became clear the GOP was sticking behind Trump, McCarthy quickly reversed course, visiting Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida a few weeks later. He would go on to say Trump did not provoke the riot, and he then orchestrated the expulsion of then-Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) from GOP leadership for her refusal to indulge Trumps lies about his election defeat. Asked about potentially expunging the punishments in January, the newly-elected Speaker said he would look at it. House GOP Conference Chairwoman Rep. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) launched an effort to expunge Trumps impeachments on Thursday, unveiling two resolutions that would discard the disciplines. Greene is the sponsor of the measure targeting Trumps first impeachment, and Stefaniks name is on the second one. The practical implications of the resolutions are dubious because they can do nothing to revisit the impeachment votes or eradicate the publics memory of them. Still, the bills are designed to do both, claiming the expungement will reset the historical record as if such Articles had never passed. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) speaks during a press conference held by the Republican Study Committee announcing their Fiscal Year 2024 Budget at the Capitol on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. Earlier this week, before the measures were introduced, Greene said she is hoping to see a vote on the floor for the resolutions soon. The push to expunge Trumps impeachment is not new on Capitol Hill: In the last Congress, then-Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla), who now serves in the Senate, introduced resolutions to expunge both of the former presidents impeachments. They did not, however, advance in the Democratic-controlled House. Democrats wasted no time this week attacking the Republicans supporting expungement, accusing them of carrying water for a twice-disgraced former president solely because he remains so powerful among GOP voters. Its a continuation of Republicans acting as Donald Trumps taxpayer-funded lawyers, said Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), who was a lead attorney for the Democrats during the first impeachment. Its telling whos introducing them, he added. And its essentially whoevers trying to curry the most favor with Trump. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. McDaniel doubles down on need for GOP loyalty pledge: We all have to be united Republican National Committee (RNC) chairwoman Ronna McDaniel doubled down on the need for a GOP loyalty pledge on Thursday, arguing that the party has to be united in 2024. Its the Republican Party nomination and the pledge is staying, McDaniel said when pressed by Fox News Tonight guest host Kayleigh McEnany. Anybody who wants to seek the nomination of our party should pledge to support the voters. If you go through this process and you take time on the debate stage and youre going to be there, the number one pledge should be, beat Biden. Its called the Beat Biden Pledge for a reason because at the end of the day, we all have to be united in one thing, she added. The loyalty pledge was included in the criteria the RNC announced earlier this month that candidates must meet in order to qualify for the first GOP presidential primary debate in August. Candidates will be required to sign a pledge that they will support the eventual party nominee in the general election. McEnany, who served as a press secretary for the Trump administration, explained that there are presidential candidates in the GOP field such as former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former President Trump that may not support or sign the pledge. [Chris] Christie calls it a useless idea. Trump, I dont think youll ever get him to sign that pledge, McEnany told McDaniel. Do you think youll have to do away with this pledge in order to not have one person debating themselves? In response, McDaniel told McEnany the pledge is staying. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. After Hurricane Ians rampage through Florida last year, everyone is keeping a wary eye on tropical forecasts this season especially Mike Boylan. With close to 2 million followers across the web and social media, you could describe him as Floridas favorite hometown weather forecaster. The Bradenton-born Boylan runs Mikes Weather Page, a website once described by hurricane harbinger Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel as a one-stop shop for the latest tropical updates. It serves up a smorgasbord of spaghetti models, satellite imagery and weather radar from trusted sources, all compiled in one place. Since he launched his hobby in 2004, Boylans audience has grown exponentially as hes expanded to different platforms. In 2023, that includes Facebook (1.3 million followers), a Mikes Weather Page app, a YouTube channel (44,500 subscribers), and, more recently, a presence on Instagram (113,000 followers), Twitter (87,600 followers) and TikTok (129,400 followers). Its fun. I have a different crowd on every platform, Boylan said. Its also hard. The attention span is so short. And when it comes to producing content, Boylan is a one-man show. Thanks to sponsorships, Boylan was able to quit his side work as a web designer, and he now weather blogs full-time from his home in the Tampa area. But starting with Hurricane Irma, Boylan decided forecasting storms wasnt enough he wanted to go out and document their effects firsthand. After he forecasts a major storms path, Boylan hops in his pickup and heads out to cover the landfall. He has hunted storms through Florida, Louisiana and Texas. When an online comment derided Boylan as a redneck storm chaser, he put it on a T-shirt. Boylan is always looking for new ways to reach people with his hurricane coverage, and hes not afraid to have fun with it. His French bulldogs sometimes join him on his weekday morning weather talk, The Daily Brew. He dons a silly hat for the younger crowd on TikTok. In between weather posts on Facebook, you can catch Boylan enjoying a local craft beer or having a backyard shrimp boil with his daughters. In 2021, Boylans efforts earned him the Tropical Meteorology Award from the Governors Hurricane Conference. The award is usually reserved for government meteorologists. Im happy to be able to be who I am, but still have that credibility and trust from pretty high up, Boylan said. But as Spider-Mans Uncle Ben would say, With great power comes great responsibility. It makes you realize how much of a connection people have with what you say, Boylan said. I have to be careful because people are clinging to every word. There are times for me to joke and drink and show crazy pictures, and then theres time to be serious. Mike Boylan of Mikes Weather Page keeps millions updated with Atlantic hurricane season developments through his website, home forecasts and storm chasing videos. Ryan Ballogg/rballogg@bradenton.com Aside from the fringes of a major hurricane, one of the most likely places to find Boylan outside of his home forecasting office is at Chilis. If Chilis fandom was measured like hurricanes, Boylan would be a Category 5. His favorite menu item? Probably a burger. Chilis is my safe place, Boylan said. At the beginning of June, we met Boylan at a Tampa Bay area Chilis to hear his predictions for the 2023 hurricane season. The following is a condensed version of his interview with the Bradenton Herald. El Nino or no, dont let your guard down The 2023 hurricane season will coincide with an El Nino year. In case you need a refresher, El Nino is the climate pattern that typically brings wetter and cooler conditions to the Gulf Coast with less hurricanes in the Atlantic. But Boylan says: Dont let your guard down. It only takes one. I think Floridas at higher risk than normal this year looking at our history with El Nino. The talking point around El Nino is that its a slower season. And I worry about that. Because you might have less numbers, but that doesnt mean you wont have that one storm. A lot of years that Florida had activity was during El Nino years. 2004 was El Nino. In 2018, we had Michael. Andrew and Dorian were El Nino years. They all went around the Bahamas. So my prediction is for something to develop in the western Atlantic and also in the Gulf of Mexico because those areas tend to avoid the El Nino effects. I think those are going to be the spots to watch. So that means Floridas east coast and the upper Gulf of Mexico again. Dont let your guard down. I think Floridas not going to get away without something close, based on history. Mike is worried that the Tampa Bay area is getting overconfident after several major storms have veered away at the last minute. We had Charlie, Irma and Ian that all turned and missed a direct hit on us. I just have this bad feeling that nobody is going to evacuate when we have that one that doesnt turn. Ian was a wake up. Like, holy crap. A lot of people in Fort Myers said they were caught off guard. Im going to be the one who tells people that they should probably evacuate. Go away from the water. And if it doesnt happen, it doesnt happen. Mikes hurricane blogging has made him somewhat of a weather celebrity. Hes often greeted by fans in public. I never do this, but are you Mike? said a fan named Phil Lawler who recognized Boylan at Chilis. I follow him on everything, Lawler said. I moved down here a year and a half ago from Chicago, and hes my go-to for all weather down here. I wouldnt know whats going on without him. It makes me feel better. Mike Boylan of Mikes Weather Page sits in his storm chasing truck on June 8, 2023. Boylan is prepping for tracking and chasing storms this hurricane season. Ryan Ballogg/rballogg@bradenton.com Ive never met a bad fan, Boylan said. When I go to a Rays game, at least a dozen people will come up to say hi. I love it. Ill meet a complete stranger and we start talking weather, and it ignites me. Mike was born in Bradenton, Florida, and went to Jessie P. Miller Elementary School for several years before his family moved up to Pinellas County. His obsession with hurricanes stems back to childhood. It was 1985, Hurricane Elena. It was a holiday weekend and we had family in town. I was 12. Elena sat off our coast. I just remember the howling of the winds. It went on all night. I was excited. Every howl was like an adventure. You didnt know what would happen next. But the family who was in town was scared to death. They couldnt take it, and they went back to Charlotte in the middle of the night. I guess thats kind of the whole market. You have the scared ones and the ones who ride it out. Mikes favorite social media platform? That would be TikTok by far. He uses the platform so much that its permanently burned into his phone screen. The first thing I do in the morning is flip on the weather models to see whats changed overnight. Then I go to TikTok. I am a TikTok addict. TikTok Live lets you pretty much get away with anything. I go on there a lot and just go nuts. Ill go live around the fire pit, share some shenanigans. What are some highlights for you since you started Mikes Weather Page? Last year, the State of Florida reached out and I did a one-on-one with Kevin Guthrie, the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. And they actually came to my page to do a Zoom. Which is crazy to think that theyd come to a private guy with no education. That was pretty good. And then winning the Tropical Meteorology Award I was the first civilian to ever win it. Usually, its National Weather Service people. Mikes favorite song? Lynyrd Skynyrds Free Bird. I didnt become a doctor or anything that means much. So it means a lot to think that people can rely on the little bit I can do. Free Bird is my favorite song, and I always think about that line, If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me? It makes me feel like Im doing something good. If I was to die tomorrow, at least I could feel like I contributed a little bit. Do meteorologists mingle? You bet, says Mike, who has befriended the entire local weather market and a childhood inspiration. I used to help Dennis Phillips with a show back before Facebook. When I started, he was my biggest cheerleader, and he still is. I think the coolest thing for me is our local market. Ive become friends with Paul Dellegatto, Mike Clay, Dennis Phillips, Bobby Deskins, Jennifer Leigh. Jim Cantore and I have become friends. I never dreamed in a million years that we would be on a first-name basis. @mikesweatherpage My Storm Chaser and me have been through a lot since 2018. A few Major Hurricanes. A couple hailstorms. Even a couple Tornadoes. original sound - Mikes Weather Page What could Florida do better to prepare people for hurricanes? Mike has a couple ideas. The two things I think we could do better as a state: educate more about the cone and what it means and stress the seriousness of effects outside that eye. Everyone focuses on the center line. But the eye can go anywhere in that cone. And it did at the very bottom of that cone it hit Fort Myers last year. But nobody was focused on that. Another thing is inland effects. Theres so much focus on landfall that people inland dont understand what theyre going to get. People in Arcadia flooded with Ian. Mikes scariest hurricane moment? Driving Louisiana back roads moments before Hurricane Ida made landfall without a plan of where to go. I went over one bridge, and I got really close to the edge and it felt like I was going to get pushed into the water. My trucks huge. And then I was trying to find a place to park, and I got on this road with no place to turn around and it was all marshes. I ended up making it to a La Quinta hotel. It was a Category 4 storm, I got there with minutes to spare. They had to pry the door open. Air conditioners were blowing in, the roof was falling apart, people were screaming, The roof of the house next door came off. I had my moment. I thought, what am I doing? I better not go out this way, cause Id feel bad for my girls. Now I plan a lot better. What have you learned about people from covering hurricanes? It defines a lifetime. And if you lived through it and survived it together, that is your common bond. Ive been to four or five towns now that have been hit hard. Theyve lived through something thats traumatic, and as a community, they just come together. Its so powerful. Everybodys stronger because of the storm. They put aside politics, they put aside religion, they put aside any differences. It brings out the best. When I went up to Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach for example this guy had a food truck and fed everybody. That guy had his home open for linemen. People volunteered their time and equipment to clean up. Those are things I never would have seen without leaving the house. Heres a look at the life of comedian, actor, director, producer, playwright and screenwriter Mel Brooks, best known for comedic farces such as The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and Spaceballs. Personal Birth date: June 28, 1926 Birth place: Brooklyn, New York Birth name: Melvin James Kaminsky Father: Max Kaminsky, a process server Mother: Kate (Brookman) Kaminsky Marriages: Anne Bancroft (1964-2005, her death); Florence Baum (unavailable publicly-1962, divorced) Children: with Anne Bancroft: Max; with Florence Baum: Stefanie, Nicky and Eddie Education: Attended Virginia Military Institute as part of his Army training Military: US Army, 1944-1945, Corporal Other Facts Brooks adopted the last name, Brooks from his mothers maiden name, Brookman. His parents were Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. Brooks is one of an elite few known as EGOT winners. They have all won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award. His second wife, actress Anne Bancroft, was almost an EGOT winner herself. She collected Oscar, Emmy and Tony awards before her death from cancer in 2005. Nominated for three Academy Award and won one. Nominated for three Tony Awards and won three. Nominated for 13 Primetime Emmy Awards and won four. He was also nominated for one Daytime Emmy. Nominated for 10 Grammy Awards and won three. Brooks learned how to play the drums in his youth from famous jazz musician Buddy Rich. Brooks makes appearances in his own films as an actor and an occasional voice-over artist. He played character roles in Blazing Saddles, High Anxiety, Spaceballs and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Timeline 1944-1945 - Serves in the US Army as a combat engineer during World War II. 1949-1958 - Begins his career as a comedy writer in television and theatre, writing for Broadway Revue, Your Show of Shows, Caesars Hour, Sid Caesar Invites You, along with All American and Shinbone Alley. During his time with Your Show of Shows, he works with Neil Simon and Carl Reiner. Reiner and Brooks share a lifelong friendship and partnership. 1960 - Brooks and Reiner release the comedy album, The 2,000-Year-Old Man. The hit spawns four follow-up albums, an animated TV special and several books. 1965-1970 - Teams up with writer Buck Henry to create the hit television comedy, Get Smart. June 4, 1967 - Receives his first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Variety, for The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner and Howard Morris Special. November 1968 - The Producers is released in theaters, making it the first motion picture Brooks wrote and directed independently. April 14, 1969 - Wins an Academy Award for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, for The Producers. 1974 - Forms the production company, Brooksfilms. Coming Attractions is the companys first film, and Fatso, The Elephant Man, History of the World: Part I, To Be or Not to Be and The Fly follow. 1997-1999 - Wins three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, for Mad About You. February 24, 1999 - Brooks and Reiner win the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Comedy Album, for The 2,000 Year Old Man in the Year 2000. April 19, 2001 - Opening night of The Producers on Broadway. The production adapted from Brooks 1968 film goes on to win a total of 12 Tony Awards. June 3, 2001 - Brooks wins three Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical, for The Producers. November 30, 2001 - Brookss memoir All About Me!: My Remarkable Life in Show Business is published. February 27, 2002 - Receives two Grammy Awards: Best Long Form Music Video category, for Recording The Producers: A Musical Romp with Mel Brooks shared with Susan Froemke and Peter Gelb, and for The Producers in the Best Musical Show Album category. November 8, 2007 - Young Frankenstein premieres on Broadway, making it the second musical adaptation of one of his films. December 29, 2009 - Receives the Kennedy Center Honors. April 23, 2010 - Receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. June 6, 2013 - Recipient of the American Film Institutes Lifetime Achievement Award. March 6, 2023 - History of the World: Part II is released as an eight-episode series on Hulu. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Newly-elected members of the 118th Congress pose for a class photo on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 15, 2022. Newly-elected members of the 118th Congress pose for a class photo on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 15, 2022. Credit - Jabin BotsfordThe Washington Post/Getty Images In 1976, Anna Belle Clement OBrien, known as the first lady of Tennessee politics, ran for office on the slogan A womans place is in the House and the Senate too. That ideathat women deserve a role in making decisions, controlling resources, and shaping policies and perspectivesis at the center of my work as an advocate for women and girls. And its why Im stepping up my investments in systems-wide efforts to build womens political power. When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, it was yet another reminder that we still live in a country where decisions are made for women instead of by them. Only one in three state legislators in the U.S. is a woman. At the federal level, its closer to one in four. In the House of Representatives, there are more men named Mike than women chairing committees. There are more than 16 million Black women in this countryand exactly zero in the United States Senate. There has never been a Black or Indigenous woman elected governor. In a democracy, representation is a vital principle. But more than that, its the bedrock of good governance. While no one would claim that women are a monolith who support any one party or agenda, there is evidence that women govern differently, working more collaboratively across party lines and introducing legislation on issues that have historically gone unaddressed. Thats why Im convinced that having more women at all levels of government will make government work better. Im also convinced theres a realistic path to getting there. As a philanthropist, Ive always been interested in catalytic philanthropy, areas where strategic investments of attention and resources can unlock outsized gains. When it comes to building womens political power, my team at Pivotal Ventures and I believe one of those catalysts is state legislatures. More from TIME Its not just that there are so many seats at the state levelmore than 7000 of themsetting a broad stage for transformative progress. Its also that state legislatures are powerhouses of American policymaking. They control $2 trillion per year in spending and write the laws that govern peoples day-to-day lives on issues ranging from voting to reproductive rights to schools. Whats more, serving in state legislatures is often a launchpad to higher office. Half the women serving in Congress today previously served in statehouses. Electing more women to these seats and supporting them as they advance their legislative agendas deepens the bench of women qualified to serve at the highest levels of governmentand can pay dividends for decades. The challenge is that running for office is a demanding, unpaid, time-intensive, sometimes even dangerous job that is often made still more difficult by how hard womenand particularly women of colorhave to work to convince donors and party gatekeepers that they are viable candidates worth investing in. On such an uneven playing field, it helps to have external support. One organization Ive partnered with, Vote Run Lead, trains women on the skills they need to run for office, from overcoming fundraising deficits to dealing with threats and online harassment. Last year, candidates who had previously participated in Vote Run Leads program had a win rate of 68 percent, including the first three Black women ever to serve in Minnesotas state senate. Ultimately, though, we cant just keep pushing women into a broken system: We need to fix the system, addressing the full range of structural barriers that keep our government from looking like the people its intended to serve. This was driven home for me last month when I sat down with a group of women serving in the New York legislature. One of them, Sen. Shelley Mayer told me that when she first considered running for office in the 1980s, three women assembly members told her it simply wasnt possible for a mother of young children. Sen. Samra Brouk, the first Black woman elected to the legislature from Upstate New York told me she is one of only two New York state senators in the last 50 years to give birth while in office. She described how commuting to Albany for legislative business required choosing between leaving her baby at home with her husband, hoping shed pumped enough breastmilk to last until she was back, or bringing the baby to the capital and scrambling to find child care without knowing what time floor debates would end each day. Shes making it work, but the amount of effort it takes is enough to deter many others. Only 5 percent of state legislators are mothers with kids under 18, compared to 18 percent of the U.S. population as a whole. If the job requirements for such an important job functionally disqualify mothers of young children, maybe its time to update the requirements. There are a number of practical changes that could open the door to more women lawmakers, including such commonsense reforms advanced by our partner Vote Mama, like allowing representatives to attend hearings and vote virtually. Similarly, offering lawmakers paid family and medical leave and permitting candidates to use campaign funds to pay for childcare would make it easier for more mothers (and fathers!) to run for office. By getting rid of outdated rules left over from an era when women lawmakers were the exception, we can help make women lawmakers a new norm. The tide is starting to turn. Today, there are more women in Congress than ever. Last falls election set new records for the number of women governors and state legislators. Lets make sure theyre at the forefront of a movement to build womens political power at all levels of governmentnot only because women belong there but because of how badly we need them there. Mellon grant will add three new positions and two courses for deep dive into African art A general view from Gibson Square Park shows the entrance to the Stanley Museum of Art, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa. A startingly discovery of stolen art has spawned a new initiative and a significant grant. The University of Iowas Stanley Museum of Art is creating three new positions to study the origins of their African art collection thanks to a $400,000, two-year grant. The grant is from the Mellon Foundation, named for famed art collector and philanthropist Andrew Mellon. The foundation is the country's most prominent financial backer of arts and humanities programs, Stanley director Lauren Lessing told the Press-Citizen. The three new positions will assist in understanding the museums African art collection, with a special focus on ensuring that the artifacts were not stolen or looted by colonizers, Lessing said. The positions, the Mellon Curatorial Fellow as well as a graduate assistant and will focus on researching the origins of the universitys African art collections and who the owners were. The museums Curator of African Art, Cory Gundlach, will supervise the positions. The work will be accompanied by a retrospective catalog that reflects the origins of the artifacts as well as an exhibition of the entire African art collection. We want to make sure that we're not holding work in our collection that may have been unethically or illegally removed from its place of origin, Lessing said. Lessing has researched the provenance of art at the Art Institute in Chicago. The Illinois museum discovered that Nazis had looted some of the facility's art during World War II. After the painting was returned to the original owners' descendants, the museum tried to analyze the rest of the collection for stolen pieces. Provenance research includes the study of historical records, including estate records and auction sales partnered with journal entries, diaries, letters, and notes, Lessing said. A general view from the lobby looking towards Gibson Square Park is seen, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, at the Stanley Museum of Art on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa. Local museum discovers stolen art Gundlach, who will lead the newly-funded team of three, conducted provenance research that revealed how some of the UI museum's African art had been stolen. Lessing then informed university leadership and a few of the museums donors of what she called the museums past mistake and began working to correct it. Those pieces are being returned to their home. Im honored and excited to work for a university art museum that prioritizes sustained research on the ethical status of historical objects in its permanent collection and that is committed to using that research to manifest social justice, Gundlach said in a statement provided to the Press-Citizen. Lessing emphasized that most of the collection was legally or morally obtained. Still, provenance research is important because it provides deeper insight and gives the museum a richer, more complete story to tell. They have these biographies that begin when they're created, continue through the early years of their use, and then as culture changes, as people move from place to place, as colonization and urbanization and modernization have transformed countries in Africa, those artworks move, Lessing said. So those stories are really important for us to know and to teach. The three new Mellon-funded researchers will lay the foundation for similar provenance research of the museums collection of indigenous art from across the Americas. Lessing said most of it is from Peru, Bolivia, and parts of ancient-time Mexico. Kathryn Reuter, academic outreach coordinator, center, is interviewed by Zachary Oren Smith of Iowa Public Radio as they discuss the "Homecoming" exhibition, which comprises a series of installations are seen, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, at the Stanley Museum of Art on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa. $400K grant will create new UI courses The Mellon Foundation grant will fund the creation of two courses at the UI focused on African art and museum studies. One of the courses will be co-taught by UI and Indiana University art museum staff with plans for students to travel to each school. Gundlach and Allison Martino, IUs Eskanazi Museum of Art Curator of the Arts of Africa, will co-teach the course. The University of Iowa and our African Studies program really gave birth to the program at Indiana University, Lessing said. Our collections and our programs remain very closely linked. The lecture will take place over Zoom, along with an in-person lab at each school, Lessing said. The second course will focus on the history of African art. Gundlach will lead the class, drawing from the provenance research. Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on Twitter @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Learn how a $400K grant will help UI art museum analyze African collection WASHINGTON The countrys top cop insisted Friday that the Delaware prosecutor who charged President Joe Bidens son with tax crimes had the power to bring charges however he wanted. He was given complete authority to make all decisions on his own, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a press conference. A whistleblower previously claimed that Garlands Justice Department slow-walked an investigation into Hunter Bidens alleged failure to pay federal taxes. Gary Shapley, a career IRS agent overseeing criminal investigations, told lawmakers on Capitol Hill in May that FBI officials resisted applications for warrants and that David Weiss, the Delaware U.S. attorney overseeing the Hunter Biden case, claimed he couldnt bring charges in other states without permission from prosecutors in those states. According to Shapley, Weiss said he was not the deciding official on whether charges are filed against Hunter Biden in Washington, D.C., and that he was also turned down in California. Weiss ultimately brought tax and gun charges against Hunter Biden this week in Delaware and said the case is ongoing. The presidents son agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanors for the tax charges and to enter a pretrial diversion program to avoid a felony gun charge. Garland maintained Friday that Weiss was, in fact, the deciding official. As I said at the outset, Mr. Weiss, who was appointed by President Trump as the U.S Attorney in Delaware and assigned this matter during the previous administration, would be permitted to continue his investigation and to make a decision to prosecute any way in which he wanted to and in any district in which he wanted to, Garland said. Garland noted that Weiss himself affirmed that he was in charge of his charging decisions in a letter to Republicans earlier this month. I dont know how it would be possible for anybody to block him from bringing a prosecution, given that he has this authority, Garland said, adding that Weiss never asked for special counsel powers, as Shapley claimed. Weiss office declined to comment on Thursday and didnt respond to a follow-up request on Friday. If Shapleys account is correct, and Weiss believed he couldnt charge Hunter Biden outside of Delaware without permission from U.S. attorneys in those states, it would call into question Garlands repeated statements before Congress that Weiss had free reign to handle the case however he saw fit. Republicans have described Shapleys testimony as more evidence of a two-tier justice system that persecutes Republicans and former President Donald Trump while going easy on Democrats. Meta logo seen displayed on a smartphone screen with Facebook and Instagram logos on a MacBook screen NurPhoto / Getty Images Meta announced that it would block access to news posts on its platforms in Canada after the country passed Bill C-18, or the Online News Act, a law that would require tech companies to pay media outlets a fee for news content. "We have repeatedly shared that in order to comply with Bill C-18, passed today in Parliament, content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to people accessing our platforms in Canada," the parent company of Facebook and Instagram said in a statement. The new law is just one part of a "broad and contentious effort" by the government to "regulate the digital sphere and circumscribe the power of tech giants," The Washington Post reported. Last year, another law requiring streaming platforms to promote Canadian content to users in Canada drew similar criticism from the companies. Governments around the world are considering similar proposals aimed at sustaining "floundering news industries" by requiring social media companies to figure out how to compensate media organizations for the content circulating on their platforms. Media companies argue that their revenue from advertising has been plummeting since "the rise of the internet and firms such as Facebook and Google" and believe the tech firms should share some of their revenue, the Post explained. Canada's law was modeled after a similar one that passed in Australia in 2021, and a similar bill is currently being considered in California. Meta has also threatened to pull news content if California passes the law and briefly followed through on the threat in Australia, blocking users from viewing news content from feeds on Facebook. After a week of backlash, Meta reversed their decision after the government amended the law to give the platform two months to negotiate with domestic news outlets. You may also like The future of 'Doctor Who' Meta to block news access for Facebook and Instagram users in Canada 'Catastrophic implosion' killed all 5 passengers on Titan submersible Meta to follow through on Facebook, Instagram block in Canada after content bill advances Canadians will no longer be able to share content on Facebook and Instagram, after the countrys legislature passed a law requiring the social media platforms to pay news outlets to share their stories. Meta, the parent company of the platforms, announced Thursday that it would follow through on plans to block the platforms. We have repeatedly shared that in order to comply with Bill C-18, passed today in Parliament, content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to people accessing our platforms in Canada, Meta leaders said in a statement reviewed by The Washington Post. The Online News Act is part of a package of measures by the Canadian government to rein in American tech giants. Legacy media outlets have praised the bill, saying it lessens the dominance held by Big Tech, such as Meta and Google, in the news distribution industry. The tech companies are not required to comply with the new law for six months. The Canadian law is modeled after a 2021 Australian regulation. California is considering similar legislation. Meta leveled similar threats at the Australian government but later relented. The fact that these internet giants would rather cut off Canadians access to local news than pay their fair share is a real problem, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said this month. Its not going to work. Tech companies will now have to negotiate distribution deals with local media to link their content in the apps news feeds or the companies can go to arbitration. Google spokeswoman Jenn Crider called the law unworkable Tuesday. Every step of the way, were proposed thoughtful and pragmatic solutions that would have improved the bill and cleared the path for us to increase our already significant investments in the Canadian news ecosystem, Crider said. So far, none of our concerns have been addressed, she added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Photo: Sean Kilpatrick (AP) Meta is sticking to its gunsthe social networking giant says it will follow through with its threat to cut off Canadians access to news on Facebook and Instagram following the passage of the hotly contested Online News Act. The news shutdown could significantly rattle news access for the more than 20 million Canadians who use the social networks, choke news outlets revenues, and set the stage for similar policy skirmishes around the world. The Canadian Senate passed the bill, also known as C-18, late Thursday evening. In a nutshell, the legislation would force Meta and other internet companies like Google to pay news publishers when they reproduce their content, as they do when a users posts a link to a news story. Supporters of the bill say it and others like it are necessary to support local journalism decimated during the abrupt transition from print to digital media. Opponents say it amounts to an unnecessary link tax. Read more Meta has vigorously opposed the bill from the start, arguing it misrepresents the relationship between platforms and publishers and would lead to an unworkable situation. The company has been testing its ability to cut off news access in recent weeks and now says its both willing and able to hold true to its threat. Today, we are confirming that news availability will be ended on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada, Meta said in a blog post immediately following the senate vote. We have repeatedly shared that in order to comply with Bill C-18, passed today in Parliament, content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to people accessing our platforms in Canada. Meta claims the news blackout wont affect other parts of the Facebook and Instagram app experience. We want to assure the millions of Canadians on our platforms that they will always be able to connect with friends and family, grow their businesses and support their local communities, Meta added. A Meta spokesperson referred Gizmodo to the blog post when asked for further comment. Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, one of the laws strongest supporters, pushed back against Metas rationale for limiting news access in a statement sent to Gizmodo. A spokesperson for Rodriguez said his offices have had meetings with both Facebook and Google in the past week. Facebook knows very well that they have no obligations under the act right now, Rodriguez told Gizmodo. Now that Bill C-18 has received Royal Assent, the Government will engage in a regulatory and implementation process. If the Government cant stand up for Canadians against tech giants, who will? A strong, independent and free press is fundamental to our democracy. The Online News Act will help make sure tech giants negotiate fair and equitable deals with news organizations.#CndPoli #C18 pic.twitter.com/KWvZQVrCCz Pablo Rodriguez (@pablorodriguez) June 23, 2023 How did we get here? Canadian officials and Meta are set to repeat a similar conflict that occurred in Australia two years ago. In that case, lawmakers proposed their own journalism laws which Meta similarly said would make providing news services untenable. Facebook and Instagram briefly cut off news access for an estimated 17 million users, leaving essential services like hospitals and fire services caught in the crossfire. Meta eventually brought news back to the platform days later but only after Australian lawmakers agreed to a watered-down version of the bill that would let Facebook and Google agree to deals before being forced to enter arbitration with publishers. Meta officials speaking during a Canadian parliament hearing last month acknowledged the untended consequences of shutting down news access in Australia but tried to assure lawmakers this time would be different. Both Meta and Google have tested blocking news access to a limited number of its Canadian users in recent months. It is absolutely our intention to not make the same errors in Canada that we made in Australia, Metas public policy head for Canada Rachel Curran said. Google did not immediately respond to Gizmodos request for comment. Canadas Office of the Parliamentary estimates Google and Facebook combined would wind up paying around CA$329.2 million (roughly $242.99 million USD) to news publishers per year. All were asking Facebook to do is negotiate fair deals with news outlets when they profit from their work, Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said in a statement earlier this year. This is part of a disappointing trend this week that tech giants would rather pull news than pay their fair share. Trudeau says Canada wont back down from Metas bullying tactics Canadian lawmakers, so far at least, appear willing to go to the mat with Meta to defend the new law. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau weighed into the debate earlier this week, by accusing Meta and Google of engaging in bullying tactics. The fact that these internet giants would rather cut off Canadians access to local news than pay their fair share is a real problem, and now theyre resorting to bullying tactics to try and get their wayits not going to work, Trudeau said. The final outcome in Canada could have wide-ranging consequences far beyond the Great White North. Other countries and major US states like Canada are currently debating similar bills that would force internet companies like Meta to pay a journalism usage fee when sharing news content. Meta opposes these efforts and has similarly threatened to cut off news access in California, its home state. US lawmakers are considering reviving similar legislation at the federal level. If any of these bills succeed, it risks setting off a chain reaction of copy cats laws all across the world. What was once an annoying but manageable policy change in a country with a relatively small user base could quickly morph into a substantial issue chomping into Metas bottom line. For now, neither Meta nor Canada appears willing to blink first. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Metro looks to create its own police force. It won't be easy LAPD officers E. Rosales, left, and D. Castro patrol Hollywood's Universal City Metro Station in 2020. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Amid a dramatic rise in drug overdoses and several stabbings, Los Angeles County transit officials moved forward with creating a new police force in hopes of putting riders at ease. The in-house transit force would save more than $38 million over contracting with the Los Angeles Police Department, the Long Beach Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which policed the trains and buses at a cost of $172.9 million this year, according to a study commissioned by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board. On Thursday, the board unanimously voted to develop a blueprint for the new police agency, a move that could end the longtime contracts with local law enforcement. "This will ultimately lead to a safer and more secure transit experience for riders and employees," said Gina Osborn, Metro's chief safety officer. Janice Hahn, a Metro board member and L.A. County supervisor, abstained from the vote, expressing concern that the agency was moving too fast without understanding the full cost of building a new department. The board is expected to decide early next year on whether to green light the blueprint. "This is such a huge shift in what, how we've been talking about this," Hahn said. Read more: One Metro worker revived 21 riders overdosing on opioids. He's not alone Hahn, who last month publicly criticized the police response to a brutal attack on a 53-year-old woman on the A Line, said the plan likely blindsided the three law enforcement agencies. And she wanted some time to understand the implications. Critics say that law enforcement hasn't been visible enough on a system where drug use has become blatant. With three outside agencies policing the trains, Metro officials can't dictate deployment, and each agency has its own culture and methods. Safety is a big issue for female riders, who in surveys cite it as their top concern. In March, the board approved extending the policing contract with the agencies for another year while exploring what it would take to develop its own force. After the board-commissioned study by Justice Research Consultants found that a new agency was feasible and would save money, the board voted on Thursday to direct its CEO to develop the blueprint, also known as an implementation plan. Read more: L.A. Metro looks at creating own transit police force Metro officials have been sensitive to concern about overpolicing and have promoted safety campaigns as part of a layered approach that includes social service responses. They have poured millions of dollars into programs that include stepped-up cleaning of trains and train stations, as well as help with mental health and housing for homeless people. The agency also added hundreds of customer service ambassadors in a bid to lure more riders. During the pandemic, ridership plummeted as violence rose. The agency is slowly recovering, with weekday ridership on rail at 64% of prepandemic levels in May, as crime appears to be leveling off. Overall, including trains and buses, weekday ridership is at 74% of prepandemic levels. "It's a real opportunity to take a very, very bold step," said Los Angeles Mayor and incoming Metro Chair Karen Bass. But she added that the proposal was far from a done deal and acknowledged that it could have a ripple effect on the LAPD, which pays its officers overtime to work on the trains and buses. "We have to have community input. We have to talk about exactly how we go about this," she said. "So even though this s moving forward toward implementation, it does still seem like it's going to be quite a long process, not something that is going to happen overnight." Social justice advocates oppose the move. They have been calling for eliminating police except for emergencies, instead putting the money toward social services and more frequent trains and buses. They argue that officers ticket Black riders at higher rates and can make people aboard feel uncomfortable. A new policing agency would likely take three to five years to fully staff, at a time when law enforcement agencies nationwide are struggling to recruit officers, according to the feasibility study. Read more: L.A. riders bail on Metro trains amid 'horror' of deadly drug overdoses, crime Metro would also take on new liabilities like lawsuits stemming from use of force, which could bring an additional $2.9 million a year in costs. The study estimated that Metro would need a 464-person force including support staff and 381 sworn officers, who would be more visible because they would patrol solo, as opposed to the pairing that some agencies do. The new agency would cost about $134.5 million a year, according to the study. Metro had its own police force until 25 years ago, when then-Mayor Richard Riordan pushed to absorb the 383 officers into the LAPD and Sheriff's Department. Capt. Shawn R. Kehoe, head of the Sheriff's Transit Services Bureau, said his department is committed to Metro and will help with the process. But he noted that the data in the report was not vetted with his department. The staffing levels laid out in the report would be 40% short of needs, he said, taking into consideration vacations, sick time and other realities. Deputy Chief Donald Graham, who heads the LAPD's Transit Services Bureau, cautioned that the discussion was preliminary. "This is the first in many steps before they actually get to a decision as to whether or not this is in the best interest of the MTA, whether it's in the best interest of the community, whether it will actually provide the budget savings for the same level or improve the service," he said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The money that families have sent to their relatives in Cuba for decades is now fueling an explosion of capitalism on the communist island. Businesses that facilitate that flow of cash have created a clever but complex system that is helping Cuban private entrepreneurs sidestep U.S. financial sanctions and buy abroad the supplies they need for their businesses on the island. Newly emerging agencies abroad, most of them in Miami, are using the cash paid by Cuban Americans to send to their families to buy and ship supplies ordered by Cubas entrepreneurs. The business owners in Cuba then reimburse the agencies, which then use that cash already on the island to deliver the remittances. It is a work-around made necessary by one key obstacle Cubas private entrepreneurs face: the U.S. embargo, which bans the American banking system and basically any international bank that does business in the United States from providing financial services to people on the island. The embargo was intended put pressure on the Cuban government. But in practice, it means that Cubas private entrepreneurs cant do what business owners elsewhere do all the time: Borrow money from banks to pay for supplies, shipping, salaries and other expenses. The Miami Herald spoke to entrepreneurs in Cuba, a consultant in Miami, and Cuban Americans close to the private business community on the island, who described for the first time this informal system that is financing the rapid private sector growth outside the purview of the Cuban state. Two entrepreneurs who are using this method to finance their own import operations described the system in detail, but asked not to be named out of fear of government retaliation. The biggest problem we have is how to move money internationally, said one, an entrepreneur in Havana who recently started importing goods. The banking system worldwide is so intertwined with U.S. banking, he said, that the embargo might as well be for the entire world. I cannot transfer money between banks in Cuba and the rest of the world. There is no single answer to this problem, Cuban entrepreneurs and Cuba experts interviewed for this story said. Some business owners with dual nationality, those married to foreign nationals or those who have lived abroad for a while, may have bank accounts in foreign countries. They can use those accounts to receive online payments for goods and services provided on the island and pay for supplies bought abroad. But having a bank account in a foreign country is not a magic solution for Cuban entrepreneurs: because of the embargo restrictions on banking services to Cuba, moving money in and out of the country is still a challenge. And the government limits the amount of foreign currency Cubans can take out of their bank accounts. The circulo cerrado The creative solution entrepreneurs on the island have come up with, which they call the circulo cerrado the closed loop taps into the large amounts of cash that remittance companies collect abroad. Here is how a typical transaction works: Say a private-business owner in Cuba wants to buy a cargo container of chicken from a U.S. supplier. The business owner contacts a remittance company in Miami and puts in the order. The remittance company buys the supplies and pays to ship them to the island. Once the shipment arrives in Cuba, the Cuban entrepreneur repays the remittance agencys representatives on the island, in dollars or in Cuban currency. The agency takes a cut for providing this service while securing cash already on the island to make good on the delivery of remittances money it cant simply transfer from the U.S. through normal banking systems because of the embargo. There is this whole alternative market because there are no financial or banking solutions, said a second Cuban entrepreneur who uses remittance agencies to import goods into Cuba. It is not adequate, but there is no other way. Since Cubas Central Bank lacks foreign currency and cannot issue international payments on behalf of the private sector, he said, the money generated by these businesses flows outside the governments financial system through informal channels. That means the government cant benefit by imposing fees and other charges. From a banks compliance perspective, it is not appropriate at all, the private business owner said. We are talking about the first time in recent history that the Cuban government does not have access to these dollars or any of the funds from these operations. Trump crackdown opened the door The former Trump administration may have unintentionally created the conditions for the creation of the closed-loop model when it shut down official remittances in late 2020 because the money was being handled in Cuba by enterprises run by the Cuban military. Before the sanctions, Western Union and other large remittance agencies had been legally allowed to transfer money directly to those military-run entities in Cuba. After Western Union closed its offices in Cuba following the sanctions, the remittance business fragmented, and in this gray area, new small agencies handling a few thousand dollars a month started to appear, one of the entrepreneurs interviewed said. They first got around the crackdown by sending the money to Cuba through mulas mules, people who travel to the island carrying large sums of cash, which is not illegal but carries its own risks and limitations. When the Cuban government authorized the creation of private businesses two years ago, the new entrepreneurs needed to find a way to import supplies. They turned to small remittance agencies, and the closed-loop system was born. U.S. policies to support Cuban entrepreneurs A U.S. State Department official said Biden administration officials are aware of remittances role in the private sectors dramatic growth in Cuba., which has already overtaken the government in the number of workers it employs and the amount of supplies it imports from abroadestimated at one billion dollars by the end of year. The official told the Herald the administration was currently taking a very close look at what it can do to give Cuban business owners access to the financial system in the United States in a way that maximizes the benefit to the Cuban people and to Cuban small business owners while minimizing any benefit to the government. This is one of the top things, if not the top, that Cuban small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to do everything by the book and be respected as first-class business operations have raised with us, the official said. It is definitely on our radar screen. Cuban Americans have proposed the administration consider allowing Cuban entrepreneurs to open bank accounts in the United States. During the Obama administration, Cubans with permanent residency on the island visiting the United States could do so. That continues, but what is not legal is for that person who returns to the island to access it from there. So what has been requested of the Biden administration is that it allow just that: Let entrepreneurs operate the accounts from Cuba, said Joe Garcia, a former congressman from Miami who has been traveling to the island to promote greater engagement between Cuban entrepreneurs and the Cuban-American business community. Among other ideas being currently considered by U.S. government agencies: Increasing access to online payment systems for Cuban entrepreneurs and authorizing U.S. companies to invest in private businesses in Cuba. This is especially important because the Cuban government provides private businesses little access to credit or other sources of investment money. Oniel Diaz Castellanos, 42, founder of Auge, a private business in Havana that offers accounting, design and other corporate services to private companies. There are no financial support mechanisms available for a Cuban man or woman who wants to start a private business, said Oniel Diaz Castellanos, founder of Auge, a private business in Havana that offers accounting, design and other corporate services to private companies. He pointed out that Cuban legislation doesnt allow Cubans on the island or abroad to create investment funds to finance the operations of private companies. In May 2022, the U.S. Treasury Department issued for the first time a license authorizing a U.S. company created by John Kavulich, president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, to invest in and lend money to a small private business in Cuba. But Cuban authorities have yet to respond to the move, in another signal of the ongoing debate within the Cuban government about the future of the new private companies. Kavulich said the ideas proposed to the administration would not be enough to convince U.S. companies who fear violating the embargo to invest in the Cuban private sector. He would like to see bolder action: reestablishing a direct banking relationship between the two countries, known as correspondent banking. Unless the Biden-Harris administration unclogs the movement of money, he said, all of this becomes window dressing. Miami-Dade cops searching for driver of sedan that struck man crossing road and sped off A man crossing an intersection on foot in Northwest Miami-Dade was struck by a car and killed early Thursday morning, and the driver took off without stopping, police said. Early Friday, Miami-Dade police released a flier with a picture of Felix A. Benitez, 36, saying he was crossing Northwest 32nd Avenue at 103rd Street at 3:45 a.m. when he was hit by a dark sedan. The subject then fled the scene without rendering aid or providing information, police said. A fuzzy picture next to Benitezs photo on the flier shows a dark sedan with its headlights turned on. Police are calling the incident a hit-and-run and are urging anyone with information to contact Miami-Dade police detectives at 305-471-2525. If a caller wishes to remain anonymous, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477. A reward of up to $5,000 is possible for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. Nearly 218,000 Michiganders were given a June 30 deadline to re-enroll in Medicaid or risk losing coverage under a national effort that will take a year to complete. So far, the response has been "less than we had hoped," said Bob Wheaton, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health and Human Services. The department announced Thursday that it will extend the deadline to submit documents by one month until the end of July for any enrollee with a June 30 cutoff date. Renewals for traditional Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan plan are staggered and will take place every month starting in June and continuing through May 2024, until all 3 million people in the state enrolled in the plans have had a chance to renew. Anyone who doesn't renew by the deadline will lose coverage. Healthcare.gov is the federal website where Americans can go to determine whether they are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP programs and research health insurance plans on the marketplace. Like our work? Please consider becoming a subscriber.Support local journalism: Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press. Its all part of the federal "unwinding of Medicaid," or Medicaid redetermination. What it means is that for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, people who have had their Medicaid insurance coverage automatically renewed each year will have to reapply to continue their coverage. Those whose income has risen beyond eligibility requirements or who now qualify for employer-based insurance plans may be dropped from the program altogether. But some people who remain eligible likely will slip through the cracks and be taken off the Medicaid rolls just because they didn't get the paperwork or didn't understand what to do with it. State health leaders: Re-enroll, even if you don't think you're eligible Elizabeth Hertel, director of the state health department, said in a statement that she's pleased the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is allowing states to extend the June deadline to give people more time. We want to be sure that as many Michiganders as possible can continue to receive Medicaid coverage so that they can keep their families healthy, Hertel said. Elizabeth Hertel, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Medicaid beneficiaries who received renewal packets with a deadline of June 30 are encouraged to complete and return their forms as soon as possible, even if they do not believe they are still eligible for coverage. That's because some members of a household may still be able to get benefits even if others are ineligible. For example, a child may be covered by MiChild even if a parent is not eligible for other Medicaid programs. Or some Michiganders may have income that is over the income limit for one program and still be able to obtain health care benefits through another program. Beneficiaries can check to see when they must renew as part of Medicaid redetermination at michigan.gov/MIBridges. From June 2023-May 2024, people will get notification on a rolling basis about their three-month window to apply. More: Doulas say new Medicaid policy supports their work, but not them If, for example, your Medicaid renewal month is August, youll get a letter in June informing you about the need to reapply for Medicaid. The following month, July, you would get a renewal packet in the mail. And youd have to submit the paperwork before the deadline in August to keep your coverage. Dr. Renuka Tipirneni, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan whose research centers on the impact of health care policies on vulnerable populations, told the Free Press earlier this year that the redetermination process might lead many vulnerable Michiganders to lose coverage. Many people potentially hundreds of thousands of people could lose coverage in this time period, said Tipirneni, who also is an internal medicine physician at Michigan Medicine. And that's going be a mixture of both people who are eligible and those who are no longer eligible for Medicaid. The concern for many of us in the health care community is to keep people enrolled who are eligible. This will require people who currently have Medicaid coverage to pay attention to a lot of what's coming up and get their paperwork submitted, which is sometimes easier said than done. More: 3.17 million Michiganders must reapply for Medicaid. Why it matters now. More than 2.1 million people in Michigan are enrolled in traditional Medicaid. Another 1.07 million are enrolled in the Healthy Michigan Plan, according to the state health department. Altogether, that means about one-third of the states roughly 10 million people are covered by some form of Medicaid and will have to go through the reapplication processes within the next year. More: At least 60% of maternal deaths in Michigan are preventable Get ready for Medicaid redetermination Find out which month your plan is scheduled to be renewed online at www.michigan.gov/MIBridges. Make sure your address, phone number and email address are up to date at michigan.gov/MIBridges or call your local MDHHS office. If you do not have an online account for MI Bridges to access your Medicaid case or report changes, go to www.michigan.gov/MIBridges to sign up for an account. You can also locate organizations that can help you by searching for community partners. Report any changes to your household or income. You can report changes at gov/MIBridges or by calling your local MDHHS office. If you get a renewal packet, fill it out, sign the forms and return them by the due date. If it is determined that you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, the state Department of Insurance and Financial Services can help navigate how to purchase a health insurance plan. Call 877-999-6442 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit Michigan.gov/StayCovered to learn more. Who is eligible for Medicaid? Medicaid offers free or low-cost health insurance to those who qualify, depending on several factors, including age, income, disability, immigration and pregnancy status. For kids, there's the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, which provides coverage through both Medicaid and separate CHIP programs funded by states and the federal government. To apply for Medicaid or CHIP plans, go to https://www.medicaid.gov. The Healthy Michigan Plan is the state's Medicaid expansion plan that includes coverage for people with incomes above the federal poverty level. To qualify for the Healthy Michigan Plan, you must be a Michigan resident from 19-64 years old, and your household income must be at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, which is about $18,000 a year for a single person or $37,000 for a family of four. You also can't be enrolled in Medicare or other Medicaid programs or be pregnant at the time of application. Additional programs also insure pregnant women, low-income seniors and others. Contact Kristen Jordan Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kristenshamus. Subscribe to the Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Medicaid renewal deadline extended until end of July in Michigan Ten unaccompanied migrant children abandoned near the Texas border in triple-digit temperatures were rescued by state authorities, the Texas Department of Public Safety said Thursday. The minors from Honduras were found at the edge of the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass by the Texas Department of Public Safetys Brush Team. "With temperatures exceeding 115, smugglers continue to place children in dangerous conditions," Chris Olivarez, the agencys spokesperson, said in a statement posted to Twitter along with footage of the children recovering in the shade after their rescue. "Great work by our Troopers!" he added. TEXAS DPS ARRESTS GULF CARTEL OPERATIVE FOR ALLEGED HUMAN SMUGGLING INTO US The migrant children recovering in the shade after their rescue. There was no word on if any of the children suffered any heat injuries or if any arrests have been made. Fox News Digital has reached out to the DPS. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The rescue comes amid a border crisis in Texas as waves of migrants continue to cross into the U.S. illegally, often trusting their lives to paid human smugglers. On Tuesday, DPS arrested an alleged human smuggler who helped five migrants cross the Rio Grande and scale the border wall with a ladder. The man, identified as Jose Juan Eufracio Medina, denied being a smuggler to officials. The five migrants from El Salvador and Guatemala were also detained. The Border Patrol apprehended more than 10,000 migrants a day in the two days before Title 42 expired last month, in the highest single-day totals ever recorded. Title 42 allowed for the rapid expulsion of migrants at the southern border since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its looming end brought fears of a new migrant wave at the border -- even amid an already historic crisis. HHS CHIEF TO TESTIFY BEFORE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE OVER UNACCOMPANIED CHILD MIGRANT CRISIS AFTER GOP PRESSURE There were more than 200,000 Customs and Border Protection (CPB) encounters with migrants at the southern border in May as officials saw record daily highs before the end of Title 42 followed by a sharp decrease once the public health order ended. There were 204,561 encounters at the southern border in May. Thats down from the 241,136 encountered in May 2022 and higher than the 180,597 encountered in May 2021. Its also down from the 211,159 seen in April. Since May 11, numbers dropped sharply, with officials touting a 70% drop in encounters to above 3,000 a day. So far those numbers have appeared to have remained at around that level. Last summer, two alleged human smugglers from Texas were indicted in the deadliest known case of smugglers taking migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border when 53 people died after being left in an abandoned, airless tractor-trailer in San Antonio. If convicted, the men could face life sentences and even the death penalty if the Attorney General's Office authorizes prosecutors to seek it. Fox News' Adam Sabes and Bill Melugin contributed to this report. A suggestion to drop out of school led to the creation of Mikes Carwash, which has become one of the largest and most successful carwash businesses in the Midwest. >> 7 Circle of Kindness offering charitable recycling drive Joseph Jude Dahm, who was a student at Indiana University-Bloomington in 1948 and took that suggestion to heart, died in his sleep of natural causes June 17, his family announced Thursday. He was 96. Joe and brother Ed opened that first Mikes Carwash in Fort Wayne, Indiana, according to the obituary the Dahm family presented to Divine Mercy Funeral Home in Fort Wayne. Their father saw economic opportunity in 1948 as post-war America was quickly expanding into the suburbs and beginning its love affair with the automobile. Joe and Ed understood the opportunity and opened the first automated carwash in Indiana, Mikes Minit Man Carwash. They named the business after their brother Mike who wasnt interested in the industry. Mike went into commercial real estate. That Fort Wayne location soon became one of the largest and most successful carwash companies in the Midwest. Joe focused on personnel and marketing, Ed on maintaining and innovating carwash operations. Their most important core value was taking care of their team members. Joe Dahms motto was Were in the people business. We just happen to wash cars. In 1993, the Dahm brothers stepped down and leadership shifted to their sons Bill and Mike and their cousin Jerry. >> Englewood restaurant to close after 30 years Bill and his family lead Crew Carwash with locations in Indiana and Minnesota. Mike kept the name Mikes and opened a Mikes Carwash Support Office in Cincinnati as CEO, where he and his son Joe, named company president in 2022, oversee a three-state footprint of 38 stores. Mikes Carwash has two locations in Centerville, one in Beavercreek and 35 others in Ohio (Cincinnati), Indiana (Evansville, Fort Wayne, and Mishawaka) and Kentucky (Louisville). Those closest to Joe Dahm knew that faith and family were the driving forces in his life. In 1950, Over the course of his 73-year marriage to Dene Stewart, the Dahms had nine children, 30 grandchildren and 30 greatgrandchildren. Dene Dahm died in January 2023. Ed Dahm died of natural causes in 2016. While Im obviously saddened to lose my father, Mike Dahm said, Im humbled by the legacy he leaves behind as a family man and visionary business leader. My dads commitment to caring for people, both personally and professionally, is the defining characteristic of a life well-lived. He serves as an inspiration for his large, and wonderful family, as well as the many team members who work for Mikes Carwash. Grandson Joe Dahm said: My grandfather was a role model for how to run a family business. Core values were always critical to how he ran the business and lived his life. Its an honor to be the third generation of the Dahm family who has the opportunity to continue building upon those core values. The Mass of Christian Burial will be June 26 in Fort Wayne. Former Vice President Mike Pence called for a national 15-week abortion ban, on the day before the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade, during his speech at a gathering of evangelical Christians. Mr Pence spoke at the Faith & Freedom Coalitions Road to Majority Conference and criticised Republicans who have said that abortion has become politically toxic. But let me say from my heart, the cause of life is the calling of our time and we must not rest and must not relent until we restore the sanctity of life to the centre of American law in every state in this country, he said. Many Republicans have feared that the courts overturning of the enshrined right to an abortion led to Republicans losing many winnable races in the 2022 midterm elections. But Mr Pence claimed that Democrats like President Joe Biden were actually the extremists on abortion. Democrats support abortion on demand, all the way up to the moment of birth and taxpayer funding of abortion and they need to be held to account, he said, despite there not being evidence to that effect. We must support efforts in statehouses across the country to protect the unborn, support women facing Crisis pregnancies with new and renewed resources and literally with nearly every nation in Europe, limiting abortion to 12 to 15 weeks. Mr Pence added that Democrats are out of line with other countries. The fact is today abortion law in the United States is more aligned with China and North Korea than with Western nations in Europe, he said. So I want to say from my heart, every Republican candidate for president should support a ban on abortion before 15 weeks as a minimum nationwide standard. Mr Pence is one of many Republican presidents who will attend the Road to Majority conference where conservative evangelical voters are gathering. Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and former president Donald Trump are among the other candidates speaking. Minister Fedorov announces launch of 5 new e-services on Diia app Minister Fedorov announces launch of 5 new e-services on Diia app The Ministry of Digital Transformation plans to launch five new services on the state e-services app Diia, Ukrainian Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said on June 22. "Five new services (are) to be launched in Diia," the minister wrote. Among them are the long-awaited services for drivers: customs clearance and re-registration of cars in a few clicks. They will have a powerful anti-corruption effect and save a lot of time for citizens. The new services comprise: Read also: Over half of Ukraines adult population use Diia for online government services, 70% from their cellphones Deposit reimbursement depositors of bankrupt banks will be able to apply for reimbursement through Diia. Customs clearance of cars digitalization eliminates the human factor from the process, and thus makes corruption schemes and bribes at customs impossible. Change of residence the service will work without the need for a human. Changes to ones place of residence will update automatically. Car re-registration in case of sale and purchase it will be possible re-register a car in Diia using a QR code. The seller and the buyer will be able to form a contract in the app and sign it after automated checks. Educational documents it will be possible to upload certificates and diplomas for admission to higher education institutions or employers. The Dia app was also recently updated to allow users to replace their driver's licenses. Read also: Ukraine and EU agree on mutual recognition of e-signatures 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 Mississippi dad arrested for capital murder in death of baby girl Mississippi dad arrested for capital murder in death of baby girl A 21-year-old Mississippi man was arrested on a capital murder charge this week in the death of his baby who suffered blunt force trauma, police said. Gabriel Girner, 21, was taken into custody on Monday, Heather Russell of the Corinth Police Department told Fox News Digital. The baby's mother, an unidentified 16-year-old, was also arrested for condoning child abuse, according to WTVA-TV. She could face additional charges. HORRIFYING NEW DETAILS OF HARMONY MONTGOMERY'S MURDER REVEALED IN UNSEALED AFFIDAVIT Gabriel Girner, 21, was arrested Monday on a capital murder charge in the death of his baby. Police officers responded to reports of an unresponsive baby on June 14 at a home in Corinth, Mississippi, near the border with Tennessee. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The baby was taken to a Memphis, Tennessee hospital with blunt force trauma to her neck, chest and buttocks, and was pronounced dead hours later. Mississippi senator wants old Confederate state flag back because our people fought and died under that flag A Republican state senator wants Mississippi to re-adopt its old, Confederate-themed state flag, which it abandoned in 2020 after decades spent trying to change the design, a symbol critics said was an overt celebration of the states white supremacist past. New Albany senator Kathy Chism was filmed at a June political rally telling audience members the state should reinstate its old banner, which was designed in 1894 and incorporated a Confederate cross, because a lot of our people fought and died under that flag, according to video obtained by the Mississippi Free Press. Kathy Chism (Mississippi Senate) Ms Chism, who opposed the 2020 effort to replace the flag via ballot initiative with a new design featuring the states iconic magnolia blossoms, also critcised Mississippi lieutenant governor Delbert Hosemann, a fellow Republican, for his role in the flag debate. She accused him of sabotaging efforts to reinstate the states ballot initiative process, which the state supreme court struck down in 2021. In his role as lieutenant governor, Ms Hosemann also has a say over what legislation gets voted on in the state senate. Opponents of the New Magnolia flag hope to launch a ballot initiative to bring back the Confederate-themed design. The Senate leadership, Delbert Hosemann, refused to pass the House (ballot initiative restoration) bill because he honestly doesnt want the people to be successful using the ballot initiative which was what we tried to use to save our flag, Ms Chism said. Only a Democrat at heart would entertain the thought of pulling such a stunt that Delbert Hosemann had control of. (Mr Hosemann has said he supports the ballot process in general, but was letting the legislature iron out differences over the issue.) In November of 2020, voters chose to adopt a new flag design by a wide margin, two decades after a similar ballot initiative failed. The new flag, designed by artist Rocky Vaughan, features a magnolia blossom above the words In God We Trust, encircled with 20 stars representing Mississippis place as the 20th US state. A gold star above the blossom represents the lands original Native tribes. The South has been reassessing symbols of its Confederate past in recent years (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The design "represents Mississippis sense of hope and rebirth, as the Magnolia often blooms more than once and has a long blooming season," the Mississippi Department of Archives and History said in a statement at the time the referendum passed. The vote replaced the states previous flag, which was implemented in 1894, following the Civil War and the end of Reconstruction. Ms Chism, according to the Free Press, has falsely claimed the flag was designed by an African American Confederate Solider. In fact, the banner, created at the same time Mississippi legislators were using Jim Crow laws to keep formerly enslaved Black people from all aspects of equal public life, is widely believed to have been designed by white supremacist lawmaker Edward Scudder. In 1924, his daughter explained the attorneys intentions designing the flag, as a tribute to the Confederacy, which seceded from the US in order to protect the institution of slavery. My father loved the memory of the valor and courage of those brave men who wore the gray and has always taken keen interest in the reunions where he could meet and mingle with those of the Lost Cause, Fayssoux Scudder Corneil said. He told me that it was a simple matter for him to design the flag because he wanted to perpetuate in a legal and lasting way that dear battle flag under which so many of our people had so gloriously fought. The mayor of the Jackson County town of Greenwood faces removal from elected office after being accused of threatening a city alderman with a gun. Mayor Levi Weaver stands accused of serious misconduct, including intimidation of a fellow elected official with a firearm. During a city meeting Wednesday, the mayor said he is not guilty and will fight to keep his place in city government. The towns four aldermen voted unanimously during the special session to go ahead with impeachment proceedings. Under the citys charter and in line with state law, there will be a public hearing held similar to a trial where evidence will be heard from both sides. Greenwood, a town of about 6,000 people, is located about 25 miles southeast of Kansas City. The vote comes eight months after the city hired area attorney Kevin Graham to investigate claims of misconduct and report to the board. Graham told officials he looked into several other allegations and came back with three that were substantiated. The vote tonight is not to kick the mayor out of office, Graham reminded city officials Wednesday as he recommended they adopt the impeachment articles as presented. It is simply to take a step towards a hearing to determine if theres enough evidence to do that. The mayor is accused of threatening and brandishing a firearm for the purpose of intimidation in March 2022. It allegedly happened when Weaver drove to an unnamed aldermans home to confront the Alderman over a dispute, according to the articles of impeachment adopted by the board. Weaver also faces impeachment for allegedly blocking access to the citys public Facebook page and instructing city staff to not require licensure of certain businesses in the city limits. The process is expected to be an expensive one for Greenwood. Alderman Ryan Murray said Wednesday that the city will likely need to rent a room, hire a retired judge to oversee the hearing, and pay a court reporter to take down notes. Murray, a newly elected member, asked Weaver to resign. Calling the whole matter a sad situation, Murray said Levi is not only the mayor of our town, but a neighbor. Im really hesitant to even ask. But mayor, Ill ask one last time: Would you consider stepping down so we do not have to move forward with this? One, for your personal sake. And two, for the taxpayer funding thats gonna go to this hearing. Weaver acknowledged those points. But he declined to resign. Heres the thing with me: I know that the allegations are not what they are. And so, with that being said, I cant step down. I wont. I understand the ramifications, the financial ramifications to the city, I know this and I understand it. But I know Im not guilty. My names already run through the mud, Weaver added. Were going to ride this out. Mr Modi and Mr Biden during a state dinner at the White House on Thursday Following a lavish state visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington, US President Joe Biden has called his country's partnership with India among the "most consequential in the world". The BBC's Vikas Pandey and Soutik Biswas explore the factors that contribute to the visit's potential in strengthening the ties between the two nations. The US's relationship with India - the world's most populous country - is "stronger, closer and more dynamic than any time in history", Mr Biden said at the completion of a pomp-filled state visit by Mr Modi to the White House. The remark may not be an exaggeration. "This summit suggests that the relationship has been transformed. It underscores just how broad and deep it has become in a relatively short time," says Michael Kugelman of The Wilson Center, an American think-tank. A key reason is that Washington is keen to draw India closer so that it can act as a counterbalance to China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. India-US ties had not lived up to their promise following a landmark civilian nuclear deal in 2005 because a liability law passed by India three years later hobbled purchase of reactors. "This followed a fading commitment to the relationship during [former prime minister] Manmohan Singh's second term as the leader of a coalition government. With Mr Modi there has been a lot more enthusiasm about embracing the US. Mr Biden has also given an overall broad directive to make it work," says Seema Sirohi, author of Friends With Benefits: The India-US Story. Mr Modi at a joint meeting of Congress at the US Capitol on Thursday Ms Sirohi says the US put in a "lot of effort to make Mr Modi's visit substantive and have a lot of deliverables". Defence-industrial cooperation and technology topped the list. Consider this: General Electric and India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will make in India advanced fighter jet engines for the country's indigenous light combat aircraft. This means a "greater transfer of US jet engine technology than ever before" - a clear sign that Washington not only wants to sell arms to India but is also comfortable with sharing military technology. India will proceed with a $3bn purchase of the battle-tested MQ-9B Predator drones from General Atomics, which will also set up a facility in India. The drones will be assembled in India, which fits into Mr Modi's 'Make in India' campaign. The US supplies only 11% of India's arms - Russia is the biggest (45%) supplier - but hopes to become the primary provider in the coming years. Mr Kugelman says Washington's immediate goal is to "strengthen India's military capacity to counter China". Mr Modi wants to make India a semiconductor base. US memory chip giant Micron Technology will invest up to $825m to build a semiconductor assembly and test facility in India, creating thousands of jobs. US semiconductor equipment maker Lam Research will train 60,000 Indian engineers through a network of interconnected labs and research centres to speed up India's semiconductor education and workforce development. Also Applied Materials, the biggest maker of machines for producing semiconductors, will invest $400m to establish an engineering centre in India. "It is all about the future now. Both sides are talking about cutting-edge technologies and how to seed and shape the future," says Ms Sirohi. Mr Biden and Mrs Biden welcome Mr Modi to the White House The India-US relationship has seen many ups and downs since the US seriously began courting India - first under President Bill Clinton and then under the George Bush administration. The response from India was measured, never overeager or too forthcoming. The reason was the way India saw geopolitics and its own place in the global order. The strategy of nonalignment, started by India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, has always been deeply rooted into India's foreign policy. India never wanted to be seen in one camp or the other, or to be seen as junior strategic partner to a global superpower. Mr Modi has not left the ideals of what some describe as "strategic altruism" in Indian foreign policy. But Mr Modi is leading a different kind of India, one which has considerably more economic and geopolitical heft. He has owned the India-US relations - he formed close bonds with former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump and now with Mr Biden. But India's "strategic autonomy" has not been sacrificed. Washington would have wanted India to go a step further on Russia and probably take a harder public stand on China. But the Biden administration didn't seem disappointed as Mr Modi repeated his line that "this was not the era of war" without mentioning Russia. The Indian prime minister did speak about the importance of beefing up humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. He didn't mention China by name either but did talk about the importance of a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific. This is how far Mr Modi could have pushed his administration's policy without compromising on strategic autonomy. It may not have been the ideal way for Washington but it didn't come in the way of making Mr Modi's visit a success. US and Indian air force personnel pose in front of a US fighter jet during a joint exercise in India in April "The two militaries are working more closely together. They now have arrangements in place where they could use each other's facilities for refuelling and maintenance purposes. They are holding joint exercises and they're sharing a lot more intelligence. Credit to Mr Modi for managing to really test the limits of strategic autonomy. In the sense that he is getting about as close as you can to a major power without signing on to a full-fledged alliance," Mr Kugelman says. India and the US have had major trade differences in recent years over tariffs. Trade relations particularly suffered during the Trump administration. The two sides were not expected to announce anything major in trade as it was understood that the discussions over that could continue later without overshadowing the visit. But surprisingly, the two sides announced that six separate trade disputes at the World Trade Organization were resolved, including one that involved tariffs. The US is now India's top trading partner at $130bn in goods and Delhi is Washington's eighth largest partner. While these numbers are impressive, analysts and policymakers feel there is a huge untapped potential. India is also a burgeoning market with an expanding middle class and it's been positioning itself as an alternative to China to become a manufacturing hub for the world. Some 2.7 million Indians live in the US Many global firms and nations are interested in the proposal as they look to free the global supply chain from China's dominance. In that context, the resolution of trade disputes will give further impetus to unlocking the full potential of India-US trade ties. Mr Modi has said that "even sky is not the limit (for India-US) ties". Critics in Washington have questioned India's "democratic backsliding" under Mr Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Mr Obama, in a television interview this week, emphasised the significance of addressing the "protection of the Muslim minority in a predominantly Hindu India" during discussions between Mr Biden and Mr Modi. "The progressives in the Democratic Party are disturbed by what is happening in India. The realists and centrists are all for strengthening the relationship because of the China factor," says Ms Sirohi. But on the whole, there is a bipartisan agreement to make the relationship deeper and broader. "The India-US strategic partnership has certainly moved to the next level. It's one of mutual need and mutual benefit," says Ms Sirohi. BBC News India is now on YouTube. Click here to subscribe and watch our documentaries, explainers and features. Read more India stories from the BBC: Modi's denial of discrimination against minorities in India is a lie, activists say U.S. President Joe Biden and Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold joint press conference at the White House in Washington By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Narendra Modi's denial that discrimination against minorities exists in India contradicts thorough documentation by rights advocates, according to activists disappointed by President Joe Biden's embrace of the Indian prime minister. Asked at a press conference with Biden on Thursday what steps he was willing to take to "improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in your country and to uphold free speech," Modi suggested they did not need to be improved. "There is no end to data that shows Modi is lying about minority abuse in India, and much of it can be found in the State Department's own India country reports, which are scathing on human rights," said Sunita Viswanath, co-founder of the group Hindus for Human Rights. In reports released this year on human rights and religious freedom, the U.S. State Department raised concerns over treatment of Muslims, Hindu Dalits, Christians and other religious minorities in India while also criticizing a crackdown on journalists and dissidents. "We have proved democracy can deliver," Modi said on Thursday. "When I say deliver - caste, creed, religion, gender - there is no space for any discrimination." The Indian government denies the charges of discrimination, saying its policies aim for the welfare of all communities without bias and that it enforces the law equally. India's embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment on rights concerns raised by activists during Modi's U.S. visit, which began on Tuesday and ends on Friday. Biden, who hosted Modi for a lavish state visit, said he discussed human rights and other democratic values with Modi during their talks in the White House but he did not publicly criticize Modi, his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or India's government on the topic. India's importance for the U.S. to counter China and the economic ties between the countries make it difficult for Washington to criticize human rights in the world's largest democracy, political analysts said. Rights advocates said that by not publicly calling out the human rights situation in India, Biden had lost their trust. "Biden did nothing. He failed on his campaign promises of promoting human rights," said Raqib Hameed Naik, the founder of Hindutva Watch, a group that monitors reports of attacks on Indian minorities. "The Biden administration should maintain valuable relations with India but call out and sanction Mr. Modi's illiberal politics and arbitrary rule," said Angana Chatterji, a scholar at the University of California, Berkeley. India has slid from 140th in the World Press Freedom Index in 2014 to 161st this year, its lowest point, compared to the United States at 45th. India also leads the list for the highest number of government-imposed internet shutdowns globally for five consecutive years. The U.N. human rights office described a 2019 citizenship law as "fundamentally discriminatory" for excluding Muslim migrants. Critics have also pointed to 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 as well. 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 Trevor Hunnicutt and Grant McCool) A local Indiana chapter of Moms for Liberty, a national conservative parents organization, apologized on Thursday for quoting Adolf Hitler in a newsletter. The Hamilton County chapter of Moms for Liberty quoted Hitler's remarks at a 1935 rally on the front page of its new newsletter on Wednesday. The quote, placed directly below the masthead, read: "He alone, who OWNS the youth, GAINS the future. After the Indianapolis Star first reported this story on Wednesday, the local chapter of Moms for Liberty added additional "context" to the original newsletter, saying the quote from this "horrific leader should put parents on alert." "If the government has control over our children today, they control our countrys future," the note read. A day later, Paige Miller, the chapter's leader, apologized for quoting the Nazi leader in a statement posted to the Moms for Liberty Facebook group. We condemn Adolf Hitlers actions and his dark place in human history, Miller wrote. We should not have quoted him in our newsletter and express our deepest apology. The four administrators of the chapter's Facebook group did not immediately respond to NBC News' requests for comment. A bipartisan chorus of local politicians condemned the group's quoting of Hitler, who led the systematic genocide of at least 6 million Jewish people, along with other groups. Matt McNally, a Democrat running for Indiana's 39th Congressional District, said the group's move makes clear that Moms for Liberty has "no business" in politics. "No group that quotes Nazis should be anywhere near our children or have any influence in our community," McNally tweeted. "It is time for our community leaders to stop acquiescing to them and make clear that their hateful rhetoric will not be tolerated." Mario Massillamany, the chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party, also condemned the inclusion of the quote in an interview with the Indianapolis Star and described the Holocaust as a "terrible page" in history. "I dont think that we as a society can say enough about the atrocities that the poor Jewish people had to go through," Massillamany said. After forming a little more than two years ago, Moms for Liberty has grown to include 285 chapters in 44 states, according to the organization, and it has targeted core cultural issues to fuel its rise including opposing mask mandates in schools, banning library books that mention sexual orientation and gender identity, and curtailing classroom lessons on racial inequity and discrimination. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Moms for Liberty chapter in Indiana apologizes following use of Hitler quote in newsletter An Indiana branch of the national Moms for Liberty organization apologized Thursday for featuring a quote from Adolf Hitler on the front cover of its newsletter. The Hamilton County chapter of the organization, recently listed as an "extremist group" by a civil rights watchdog launched the newsletter "The Parent Brigade," Wednesday quickly drawing backlash on social media. Local politicians and candidates for elected offices added to the condemnation Thursday morning. Moms for Liberty emailed IndyStar, a USA TODAY network paper, Thursday morning to post a statement on the group's Facebook page condemning Adolf Hitler and apologizing for using the quote. A new version of the front page without the quote or explanation was uploaded. "We condemn Adolf Hitler's actions and his dark place in human history," the statement from chapter chairwoman Paige Miller reads. "We should not have quoted him in our newsletter and express our deepest apology." The original pages of the newsletter, which were posted on the group's Facebook page Wednesday night, showed below The Parent Brigade's masthead a quote Hitler used at a Nazi rally in 1935: "He alone, who OWNS the youth, GAINS the future." Late Wednesday night, after IndyStar initially published this story, the front page of the newsletter was updated to include what was described as "context" for the Hitler quote. "The quote from a horrific leader should put parents on alert," the update says. "If the government has control over our children today, they control our country's future. We The People must be vigilant and protect children from an overreaching government." It's happened before: 3 times this quote by Adolf Hitler was used publicly in recent history A screenshot of The Parent Brigade posted at 4:18 p.m. Wednesday. The newsletter was created by the Hamilton County chapter of Moms for Liberty, a national organization recently listed as an extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. June 21, 2023. Hamilton County politicians denounce use of Hitler quote Both the Hamilton County Democrats and the chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party denounced the quote in the newsletter. "I think Adolf Hitler is terrible, and I would never quote Adolf Hitler or the Nazis in any shape or form other than saying they are bad or terrible," said Mario Massillamany, chairman of the Hamilton County Republican party. "That was a terrible page in our world history and I don't think that we as a society can say enough about the atrocities that the poor Jewish people had to go through." This version of the June newsletter for the Hamilton County chapter of Moms for Liberty was posted to Facebook at 11:25 p.m. Wednesday. This version of Moms for Liberty Hamilton County's June newsletter that was uploaded late Thursday morning. 'Your Hitler rally cry is repulsive': Reactions to Hamilton County parent group Hamilton County Democrats in a statement highlighted messages from party candidates for office. "We expect our leaders to not have an issue with saying Nazis are bad. Fascism is bad," the party's statement reads. Below Hitler's words on the original front page appeared a message from Moms for Liberty national co-founders Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich, with the headline: "Moms for Liberty will not be be intimidated by hate groups!" Justice and Descovich appeared to be responding to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which labeled the Florida-headquartered Moms for Liberty and 11 other right-wing parents' rights organizations as extremist groups in its annual report, released earlier this month. (The movement) is primarily aimed at not wanting to include our hard history, topics of racism, and a very strong push against teaching anything having to do with LGBTQ topics in schools, Susan Corke, an SPLC official, told USA TODAY. Page 4 of the Parent Brigade included a mention of Hamilton County's Carmel High School. The newsletter decried the school's recent $10,000 award from the "It Gets Better Project," a nonprofit organization whose stated mission is to uplift, empower and connect LGBTQ youth around the globe. Money awarded to Carmel High School will be used to produce community-wide Pride events at the Carmel Pride festival happening June 25. The Parent Brigade newsletter also called out sponsors of Carmel Pride, labeling the event "perversion." Reporter Anthony Robledo contributed to this report This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Moms for Liberty's chapter quotes Hitler in newsletter Moms for Liberty Defends Hitler Quote in Newsletter Before Removing It Moms for Liberty banner Moms for Liberty, a far-right organization that claims to advocate for parental rights in education and was recently labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors extremism, has apologized for prominently using an Adolf Hitler quote in an Indiana chapters inaugural newsletter. Earlier this week, the Hamilton County chapter of the group shared a revised version of its newsletter, The Parent Brigade, after previously sharing (and defending) one featuring the Hitler quote, the Associated Press reports. We condemn Adolf Hitlers actions and his dark place in human history, chapter chair Paige Miller wrote on the cover of the reworked newsletter. We should not have quoted him in our newsletter and express our deepest apology. In the newsletters first edition, Hitler was quoted saying, He who OWNS the youth, GAINS the future. The quote appears to have originated from one of Hitlers 1935 rally speeches, but that is uncertain. (@) After The Indianapolis Star reported on the quote late Wednesday, Moms for Libertys local chapter added a context section to its newsletter. The quote from a horrific leader should put parents on alert, the revised version stated. If the government has control over our children today, they control our countrys future. We The People must be vigilant and protect children from an overreaching government. Those versions were removed by Thursday morning, and the chapter posted its new newsletter, which replaced Hitlers quote with an apology. Moms for Liberty advocates for things critics say come straight from the Nazi playbook. For example, it advocates for removal of certain books about topics its members deem inappropriate for children. Some interpreted the use of Hitlers quote in the Moms for Liberty newsletter as an endorsement of the authoritarian mass murderer. In addition to attempting to remove books dealing with race and gender identity from school libraries, Moms for Liberty has faced criticism for its activism against school inclusion. Its disappointing but not surprising that the largest anti-student inclusion movement organization has allegedly used a quote from one of the appalling figureheads in history, said Rachel Carroll Rivas, the Southern Poverty Law Centers deputy director for research, reporting, and analysis. The SPLC labeled Moms for Liberty as an anti-government extremist group in its 2022 annual report. Increasingly recognized as a powerful player in Republican politics, Moms for Liberty has attracted national scrutiny. In Philadelphia next week, four Republican presidential candidates will speak at the groups annual summit. Former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, and biotech entrepreneur and anti-woke activist Vivek Ramaswamy are all scheduled to speak. As reported by the Associated Press, other candidates are being considered, including Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who promotes anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and who recently said that AIDS was caused by poppers and that children who are transgender girls are the product of exposure to herbicides. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev has viewed the conditions created at one of the commando military units of the Ministry of Defense, and presented the battle flag to the military unit. Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov reported to President, Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev. The head of state laid flowers at a statue of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the territory of the military unit, and paid tribute to the Great Leader. President Ilham Aliyev then visited the indoor shooting range designated for personnel to improve their shooting skills. The head of state also viewed the conditions created in the indoor gym. The Commander-in-Chief watched the intensive training exercises of the commandos at the outdoor training ground. The Commander-in-Chief then got acquainted with the conditions created in the soldiers' dormitory. In the weapons room, President Ilham Aliyev was informed of the tactical and technical characteristics of weapon samples, most of which are produced in Azerbaijan. The head of state then came to the parade ground of the military unit. President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev was reported about the preparations for a ceremony to present the battle flag to the military unit. The memory of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and Azerbaijani martyrs, who gave their lives for the country`s territorial integrity was honored with observing a minute of silence. The national anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was played. The head of state addressed the event. Australian watchdog eSafety is now asking for Twitter's efforts to prevent online hate. The online safety agency released a new report to demand answers from the social media giant after it discovered that Twitter is the most complained about platform for online hate. eSafety explained that the legal notice it issued to Twitter is seeking information about what the social media firm is doing to solve online hate. Australia Watchdog Questions Twitter's Efforts Against Online Hate According to Business Insider's latest report, eSafety said that it is prepared to fine Twitter $450,000 (700,000 AUD) if it can't provide the needed answers regarding how it tackles online hate. Read Also: Apple iPhone 14 Satellite Feature Rolls Out to Australia, New Zealand Users: Here's How to Get! "eSafety received more complaints about online hate on Twitter in the past 12 months than any other platform," said the Australian watchdog via its official letter. eSafety added that they received an increasing number of online abuse reports ever since Elon Musk acquired the social media platform in October 2022. The Australian watchdog explained that the increasing Twitter complaints are linked to the global workforce reductions conducted by the social media giant. eSafety believes that the lack of employees could be preventing Twitter from tackling hate messages on the online platform. Twitter Not Enforcing Online Hate Policies? eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said that Twitter has policies that prohibit online hate and other harmful online activities. However, since the agency receives rising numbers of online hate complaints, Twitter might not be enforcing these safety regulations effectively. "We are seeing a worrying surge in hate online," said Grant. He added that their research discovered that 1 out of 5 Australian users experience some form of online hate. The eSafety commissioner further stated that if users are disabled, identify as LGBTIQ+ or a First Nations Australian, they are likely to experience online hate. "Twitter appears to have dropped the ball on tackling hate. A third of all complaints about online hate reported to us are now happening on Twitter," he explained. As of writing, Twitter hasn't provided an answer to eSafety regarding the rising online hate complaints happening on the platform. You can click here to learn more about why eSafety is questioning the efforts of Twitter on online hate. Related Article: Facebook Quick Fire Scam Now Targeting Australian Residents! @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Donald TrumpChip Somodevilla/Getty Images The Trump-appointed judge overseeing the Mar-a-Lago documents case signaled that she will hold his trial in a court likely to have a conservative jury pool, according to The New York Times. Judge Aileen Cannon signaled that the trial would take place in the Fort Pierce courthouse where she normally sits, according to the report. The region that feeds potential jurors to the courthouse includes one swing county and four deep red counties that overwhelmingly voted for former President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020. Cannon did leave open the possibility that the trial could be moved but legal experts say the location could provide Trump a favorable jury pool. "For years, it's been a very conservative venue for plaintiffs' lawyers," Florida trial attorney John Morgan told the Times. "It is solid, solid Trump country," he added. Related Judge Aileen Cannon sets "utterly bananas" trial date but experts expect Trump to delay case The region includes Okeechobee County, where Trump won 71%. Of the vote in 2020; Highlands County, where the former president received 67% of the vote; Marin County, where Trump won 62% of the vote; and Indian River County, where Trump got 60% of the vote. But St. Lucie County, where about 172,000 votes were cast, only went to Trump with 50.4% of the vote. Dave Aronberg, the Florida state attorney in Palm Beach County, told the Times that the Fort Pierce counties provide a "much more conservative jury pool" but added that a number of jurors could be drawn from St. Lucie, which is more politically diverse. Cannon signaled in an order on Tuesday that the trial and related hearings would be held at the Fort Pierce courthouse, about 120 miles north of Miami. But she left open the possibility of moving the trial, noting that "modifications" could "be made as necessary as this matter proceeds." While Trump's arraignment took place in Miami, where the magistrate judge assigned to his case sits, it "became her prerogative to move it to Fort Pierce," the Times reported, where she is the sole district judge. But Aronberg predicted the trial could be moved to the courthouse in West Palm Beach, which is the county where Trump lives and stashed the classified documents he's charged with illegally retaining. "I'm not convinced this case is going to go in Fort Pierce," he told the Times. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Politico reporter Josh Gerstein added that if Cannon "does plan to do Fort Pierce" it's unlikely special counsel Jack Smith's team would object "because they have to take [the] position that their case is so strong they can win anywhere." The evidence in the trial was first heard by a grand jury in D.C., where Trump has complained he could not get a fair trial. The case was later relocated to South Florida, where the alleged crimes took place. In order for Trump to be convicted, all 12 jurors must unanimously find him guilty, meaning he could be acquitted if a single juror disagrees. But Trump also faces 37 felony counts, including 31 under the Espionage Act. George Washington Law Prof. Jonathan Turley, who has frequently defended Trump against legal troubles in the past, warned that the former president has "got to run the table" in the case. "All the government has to do is stick the landing on one count, and he could have a terminal sentence," he told Fox News last week. "You're talking about crimes that have a 10- or 20-year period as a maximum." Jonathan Turley: "For the Trump team, they have to run the table. They have to take out every single count, or you've got a 76-year-old man looking at a potentially terminal sentence." pic.twitter.com/xMg2NjnOgj Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) June 9, 2023 Read more about Judge Aileen Cannon More youths suffered apparent overdoses at L.A. County's Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall last week. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Less than two months after a teenager fatally overdosed inside one of Los Angeles County's troubled juvenile halls, four youths were hospitalized after ingesting substances in the span of a few days a grim sign that the Probation Departments pledged contraband crackdown has gaping holes. In a memo dated Monday, Interim Chief Probation Officer Guillermo Viera Rosa outlined a perilous four-day-strech inside Sylmars Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall, which houses a facility for those accused of the most serious and violent crimes. In the span of one hour on June 15, three youths received medical treatment and monitoring after nursing staff believed they may have taken a dangerous substance, according to the memo. Around 4 p.m, a youth who said he had taken Percocet was rushed to an emergency room. An hour later, another youth was rushed to the same hospital. A third refused to go. Roughly 30 hours later, a fourth youth with constricted pupils was taken to the emergency room after saying he swallowed a pill. On Sunday, the same three youths treated on Thursday once again appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance, according to the memo. Read more: 18-year-old dies of overdose in L.A. County juvenile hall, as state suggests shutdown One could not stand without falling. Another was vomiting in the trash can in the dayroom. The third was unable to stay awake. All said they had consumed either Percocet or fentanyl. The string of medical emergencies come less than two months after 18-year-old Bryan Diaz was found dead of an apparent overdose in the Sylmar facility the first time a youth has died at a juvenile hall since 2010, according to a county spokesperson. Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn said the flow of drugs into the county's halls and camps was unacceptable in a statement Thursday and called for screenings one hundred percent of the time for one hundred percent of the people who enter our probation facilities. The Probation Department said in a statement that it would vigorously seek criminal prosecution of anyone who tried to bring contraband inside. In the aftermath of Diazs death, both the county supervisors and the Probation Department promised to crack down on the contraband flowing unobstructed into the halls. The department has thrown all the possible resources at this, said Viera Rosa in an interview with The Times soon after Diazs death. This has been an all-out effort to make sure that we do anything within our power to make sure there's no contraband in our facilities. On Thursday, the county commission that oversees the Probation Department grilled agency leaders on how despite this pledged crackdown the county had come so close to yet another tragedy. Theres been overdoses, sickness and theres been death. We are deeply concerned and frankly disgusted. said Probation Oversight Commission Chair Esche Jackson. The main question I believe Im left with is how? How are the dangerous things continuing to enter the facilities? And more importantly, how many youth have to die for something to be done about it? Kevin Woods, the newly appointed acting chief for the Probation Department's Detention Services Bureau, provided an unusually blunt assessment. He said part of the problem was that there were not enough deputies inside the facility because of a critical staffing shortage. Another factor, he said, is the guards who were there werent doing their job. That was one of the main contributing factors the lack of supervision, he said. And in those cases, where there may have been supervision, the supervision was quite questionable. Woods said staff negligence was a significant factor in many of the incidents inside their facility and was something officials were trying to eradicate. He said there are related investigations underway. Further jeopardizing youths in county custody is a lack of Narcan. Woods said less than half of the staff at Nidorf have been trained to carry the medication that can reverse an opioid overdose compared with 93% of active-duty staff at Central Juvenile Hall, the countys other hall, in Boyle Heights. Read more: State orders L.A. County to move nearly 300 youths out of 'unsuitable' juvenile halls And not all who were trained to carry Narcan at Nidorf actually do so. Pressed on why, Woods said the reason was lack of follow through on the management side. Woods said the department set a June 30th deadline to get everyone trained on using Narcan, though he didnt think it was going to reach it as staff regularly had to cancel training because they were needed on duty. He added that the department has also ramped up canine contraband searches, ordered all bags and containers brought into the facilities be made of a clear material and limited outside meal orders in an attempt to stop food deliveries that turn out to be drugs. Assistant Inspector General Eric Bates said thered been a marked improvement recently in terms of the inflow of pills, particularly fentanyl. But he also said hed been concerned after reviewing video of staff members entering facilities and placing their plastic foam packages of lunch atop of the X-ray machines an easy access point for contraband. Some of these things I'm not going to try to explain them, Woods said. It makes no sense whatsoever. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. More people from India are traveling abroad, particularly to the US By Doyinsola Oladipo NEW YORK (Reuters) - People from India have been traveling abroad more, and the United States is trying to accommodate the new tourism boom by opening two new consulates in the South Asian country. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been at the White House this week in what has been billed as a turning point for bilateral relations. Modi had plans to meet on Friday with numerous executives seeking to invest more in India as the U.S. pushes to process more visas. In 2022, India became for the first time Asias highest source of international travelers, according to tourism consultancy IPK International. International travelers from India in 2022 exceeded those of China, South Korea, and Japan, the company said. The U.S. tourism sector has taken note. "New markets like India may offset (other countries) and help us grow in the long run," said Geoff Freeman, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. The United States will open two new consulates in India in the cities of Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, according to a joint statement from President Joe Biden and Modi. The leaders directed officials to identify additional mechanisms to facilitate travel for business, tourism, and professional and technical exchanges between the two countries, according to the statement. For the first five months of 2023, travel from India to the United States has exceeded pre-pandemic volumes, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce National Travel and Tourism Office. Other Asian countries are lagging, particularly China, where travelers have been slow to return to the United States post-pandemic. India last year ranked third among overseas travelers visiting the United States, up from eighth in 2019. Those figures do not include cross-border visitors from Canada and Mexico. Executives said the activity reflects trends similar to those that emerged several years ago in China. When you think about the power of the Chinese(international) traveler (due to) that rising middle class and wealth creation there, India is going through the same evolution too," IHG Hotels and Resorts CEO Keith Barr said at a hospitality conference this month. U.S. embassies and consulates in India have issued 44% more non-immigrant visas in 2023 than in the same period in 2019 and are on course to process over one million visas this year, a State Department spokesperson said. "Our consular teams have been making a huge push to process as many visa applications as possible in India," said the spokesperson. "This is a top priority for our government." The outlook for the rest of the year looks promising. Flight bookings from India to the United States for the last quarter of 2023 are 26% higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to ForwardKeys, a travel data firm. The primary bottleneck for travelers has been waiting to get a first-time visitor visas. Wait times were 337 days in early April down from 669 days in mid-March, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Air India recently launched non-stop service from Mumbai to New York and San Francisco and from Bengaluru to San Francisco. "The number of people of Indian origin who have settled down in the U.S. have been increasing day-by-day for studies or employment. So the demands of their parents, in-laws and families to go has also been increasing, said Rajiv Mehra, president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators. (This story has been corrected to change the title of Geoff Freeman to CEO of the U.S. Travel Association in paragraph 4) (Reporting by Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; additional reporting by Indranil Sarkar in Bangalore, Aditi Shah in New Delhi and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington; Editing by David Gregorio and Angus MacSwan) cold war spy In the mid-1980s, the Federal Bureau of Investigation had three high-placed moles inside the KGB, the Soviet Unions state security and intelligence apparatus. When they were suddenly arrested and imprisoned, two of them ended up dead. The third survived, spending six years in a Russian gulag instead. The moles were outed by FBI counterintelligence agent Robert Hanssen, who first began providing secret information to the Soviet GRU (military intelligence) in 1976. For nearly 25 years, Hanssen passed along top secret military and intelligence information to the USSR until he was caught in 2001. Hanssen pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 consecutive life sentences without parole. On June 5, 2023, he finally finished one of those life sentences, dying in his cell at ADX Florence, a supermax prison in Colorado. Just three years after the FBI hired him, Hanssen approached Soviet operatives in the United States to offer his services, using whatever information he could get. His motivations were purely financial. He was inactive for a few years after his wife confronted him about his activities. However, he couldnt stay from the money for long and went back to spying in 1985. Photo of "Ellis" dead drop site in Foxstone Park used by Robert Hanssen. Knowing the FBIs counterintelligence techniques helped Hanssen evade capture. He used an alias, Ramon Garcia, and never personally met a Soviet or Russian handler. He always handed over documents and other material via codes and dead drops. He accepted payment in the form of foreign bank deposits, diamonds, and cash to the tune of $1.4 million over his spying career. The FBI has long believed Hanssens motivation was more than financial, however. Investigators think he joined the FBI to become a spy but didnt get the assignment he wanted. So he decided to accept a job as a spy hunter while living his dream of being a spy. The only problem was that he began spying for a different country. His FBI career gave him access to some of Americas most sensitive information, including the FBIs own counterintelligence operatives and operations. It also allowed him to give the Soviet Union information about U.S. nuclear war plans, double agents inside the USSR, and secret recording missions against Soviet installations and officials. Robert Hanssen mugshot. The FBI began to suspect Hanssen after KGB agent Alexandr Shcherbakov handed them an audio recording of B, one of the USSRs highest-placed moles. FBI agents working the mole's case identified the voice as Hanssens and began looking into his activities. They promoted him to a job where he no longer had access to special information which sounded alarm bells for the turncoat. Despite his suspicions that the FBI was finally onto him, Hanssen decided to make one more dead drop to his Russian handlers in February 2001. The FBI had been watching him during this drop and caught Hanssen in the act. He spent his prison sentence at ADX Florence, known as The Alcatraz of the Rockies, along with many other high-profile prisoners, in 23 hours of solitary confinement every day. On June 5, 2023, Hanssen was found unresponsive in his cell in Florence. Prison officials say every effort was made to revive him, but he was pronounced dead the same day. Hanssen was 79 years old. Protestors demonstrate at the March for Reproductive Rights organized by Womens March L.A. on April 15, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. The march was organized in response to a Texas federal judges ruling to rescind FDA approval of the abortion pill Mifepristone. Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance and speech at the event. Protestors demonstrate at the March for Reproductive Rights organized by Womens March L.A. on April 15, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. The march was organized in response to a Texas federal judges ruling to rescind FDA approval of the abortion pill Mifepristone. Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance and speech at the event. Mother and abortion provider are not usually titles people put together, but they happen to both be mine. As both a mother and the Head of Medical at Hey Jane, a leading telemedicine abortion clinic, my experiences have only further strengthened my belief that abortion is health care and should be accessible to everyone including parents. You may be surprised to hear that many of my patients are already parents. In fact 60% ofpeople who receive abortions are parents. Despite the majority of Americans who support access to abortion care, societal stigma still causes shame for parents seeking it. What I wish everyone knew and what I tell every parent who is seeking care is that choosing to have an abortion is deeply personal, and whatever decision they make is the best decision for them at that time. This is something that I know intimately well: Along with being a mother and a provider, I have also experienced abortion myself. During my second planned pregnancy, the fetus wasnt growing appropriately. I knew the pregnancy wasnt viable and that I needed to seek abortion care. But this was in Ohio, just weeks after theheartbeat bill was enacted following the fall of Roe. This meant that in order to receive an abortion in Ohio, I had to wait until the fetal heartbeat was no longer detectable, take off from work and arrange child care for my son. I knew I wanted my abortion to happen in Ohio, in the clinic where I had helped thousands of people through their abortions for over a decade, and where my best friends could be there for mine. So I waited. I carried the fetus for several weeks, waiting for it to stop having cardiac activity while knowing the wait would not result in a child; waiting for it to stop having activity before I was finally able to receive the abortion care I needed. Experiencing it firsthand and knowing I needed that care just multiplied the empathy and compassion I feel for my patients even more. No one should have to carry a pregnancy that they do not want. In fact, its those who arent able to receive the care they need who face the most direct implications for the rest of their lives. The Turnaway Study concluded the same after following 1,000 people who were seeking an abortion. People who were turned away from receiving an abortion and went on to give birth experienced an increase in household poverty, increased debt, struggled with issues related to child development, and more domestic violence. In that same study, 95% of peoplewho were able to receive care said that their abortion was the right decision for them. What Ive seen as a provider, and a mother, is that these patients choose to have an abortion because they hold being a parent sacred. They know themselves in and out and know what kind of parent they can be at that moment. They do it for the children they already have at home and the ones they hope to one day have when theyre ready. And for those parents who need an abortion, medication abortion in particular via telemedicine can be a lifeboat. It is a noninvasive and safe option that involves taking two pills, mifepristone and misoprostol, and is up to 98% effective for up to 11 weeks. This care can happen in the comfort of home, which is so important for parents who may be juggling jobs and child care responsibilities. I prescribe and provide medication abortions daily, through telehealth appointments with Hey Jane, and the process is simple: Patients can start our intake process online, available 24/7, and our clinical care team reviews their health history and current pregnancy within the next business day. If theyre a good fit for care, theyll receive the medication quickly in the mail (in discreet packaging) and can begin treatment on their terms deciding when and where is best for them. The convenience, safety and efficiency of a medication abortion allows parents to get back to their routines quickly, which is so important. Ultimately, the decision to have an abortion is a personal one that should be based on a patients individual circumstances and needs. As a provider, I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where patients can make the best possible decision for themselves and their families. And as a mother, I know firsthand the challenges and complexities of parenting. My story is not unique I am one of many abortion provider moms and one of many parents who have had an abortion and understand the importance of access to safe and legal abortion care for parents. We need to trust and support parents to make the decisions that are best for them and their families, including the decision to have an abortion. And now is the time to spread the word about the safety and efficacy of medication abortion, as we continue to see numerous attacks against it. In this moment and beyond, it is so important to break down the stigma surrounding abortion care, particularly for parents who may feel isolated and unsupported in their decision-making process. I also used my experience as a teaching moment for my son. I explained what was happening to me and the importance of abortion access, because I know how important it is to share these experiences to eliminate shame and fear. By talking openly about abortion, we can help others feel more comfortable and supported in their decision-making process. If youre wondering how to best celebrate the moms in your life, you can start by supporting access to this crucial health care. Whether you donate to abortion funds, join networks that connect you with resources to spread the word, or share your own abortion story what matters is that people know that parents have abortions. Take it from me, having the choice to make the right decision for myself and my family has not only made me a better provider, but a better parent. Related... Recount results are in for Muscogee school board election. Initial margin was two votes Muscogee County election officials conducted a recount Friday after both candidates for the District 7 seat on the Muscogee County School District Board urged the election board to conduct the recount to provide the public confidence in the two-vote margin. And after the recount took about 1 1/2 hours, the same result was certified in the special election that was announced Tuesday night: Patricia Frey received 147 votes to 145 for Laketha Ashe. Columbus NAACP chapter president Wane Hailes also spoke to the board as an advocate for the recount. Georgia law allows the losing candidate in the initial tally to request a recount within two business days following the certification of the election results if the margin is not more than one-half of 1%. The two-vote margin in this election, however, didnt meet that threshold. One-half of 1% out of the 292 votes is 1.46 votes. Although the election board received no allegations of errors or discrepancy, Muscogee elections director Nancy Boren said, the board has discretion to order a recount regardless of the circumstances. After several minutes of discussion, election board member Linda Parkers first motion for a recount failed for lack of a second. But after several more minutes of discussion, Parker received support from the two other election board members in attendance: vice chairman U.D. Roberts and Edwin Roldan. Chairwoman Margaret Jenkins and Diane Scrimpshire are the election boards two other members. They were absent from the meeting. Frey and Ashe shared with the Ledger-Enquirer their reaction to the boards decision and why they asked for the recount. It just puts everybodys fears, everybodys concerns to rest, Frey said. I hope this creates more momentum that, hey, the system was challenged, but the system works, especially with what (U.S. elections) have gone through in the past couple of years. I just want to thank them for doing the recount, Ashe said. Its not for me. I just want to make sure everything is transparent. Maybe we could get more out to vote based on this information. The turnout for this election was 2.1% of the 13,653 registered voters in District 7. In interviews with the Ledger-Enquirer, Parker and Roberts explained why they voted for the recount. I wanted it so that people in this community could see that our system works, Parker said. Because it was so close two votes I think it was warranted. Roberts initially expressed concern about setting a precedent for ordering a recount when the law says it isnt required, but I wanted to have unity on the board, he said. Both candidates wanted the recount. Sometimes you have to get away from whats just the lawful thing to do and do whats best for the community. Sometimes you have to show mercy or grace or just do whats right. Asked how much the recount will cost, Boren told the Ledger-Enquirer the expenses still were being calculated, but she estimated it would be at least $2,000. But the confidence in the system is priceless, Boren said. Also on Friday, the board released a breakdown of the election-day vote in each of District 7s six precincts, which Frey led 110-92 after Ashe led the advance and absentee voting 53-37: Frey won the Wynnton (39-6), First African (41-8) and Epworth (6-0) precincts. Ashe won the Cusseta Road (6-0), Our Lady of Lourdes (65-20) and Gallops (7-4) precincts. Ashe and Frey were newcomers as political candidates. The vacancy on the MCSD board was created when District 7 representative Cathy Williams resigned, effective April 1, to join the 14-member Georgia Department of Transportation Board. She received the most votes for the appointment among the 24 state legislators whose districts are in or contiguous to the 2nd Congressional District. Myrtle Beach woman going to prison for falsifying tax claims of more than $1.2 million A Myrtle Beach woman will spend almost two years in federal prison for making false claims to the IRS. Janice A. Livingston, 30, was sentenced Friday after pleading guilty to making and presenting a false claim to the IRS and theft of government property, a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office, District of South Carolina, stated. Court records show that in 2020, Livingston submitted three false claims to the IRS for tax credit entitlements in the amount of more than $1.2 million, according to the release. She also submitted false documentation to receive individual unemployability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. In addition, Livingston made multiple false representations in applying for two Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which the Small Business Administration could provide to business owners who were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Livingston is accused of filing applications for the loans through the SBA for her businesses, Bellamy & Associates and Bellamy & Freeman, according to a federal indictment. Livingston claimed that Bellamy & Associates began operations in March 2019, that it had 12 employees and had gross revenues of $350,000 the 12 months prior to COVID-19 pandemic. She claimed that Bellamy & Freeman began operations in July 2019, that the business had 17 employees and gross revenues of $421,000 prior to the pandemic. However, according to the indictment, both businesses were established with the state in June and September of 2020, which did not meet the provision of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Businesses had to be in operation on or before Jan. 31, 2020. Livingston was granted unemployability benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs about May 19, 2020, after she claimed she was unable to work in December 2019, the indictment said. The IRS allowed eligible employers to request advance payment tax credits. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar amount that taxpayers can claim on their tax return to reduce the income tax they owe. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar amount taxpayers claim on their tax return to reduce the income tax they owe. U.S. District Judge Joseph Dawson III sentenced Livingston to 20 months in prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. Livingston also was ordered to pay $183,406 in restitution. Mobile home park with mobile homes for rent Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, 5 Star Mobile Estates with mobile homes for rent. Due to the high rising prices of homes a mobile home is a good alternative.. (Photo by: Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Credit - UCG/Universal Images Group via GMichael Siluk / Universal Images Group The economy runs on narratives. Those supportive of the status quo offer narratives stories, essentially about the benefits of existing arrangements. If those narratives are widely believed, the status quo typically endures. Changing the economy requires successfully changing the narrative. Consider a narrative at the heart of one of the most striking economic developments of recent decades: the rise of alternative investment, an umbrella term for investments other than the traditional mainstream asset classes of cash and publicly-listed stocks and bonds. These alternative assets include private equity, hedge funds, venture capital, real estate, and infrastructure. Through the 1970s, major U.S. investors such as pension plans held almost no investment in alternatives. Half a century later, the picture is radically different. The largest university endowments (those with over $1 billion under management), for example, now allocate 64 percent of capital to alternatives. More from TIME Such a dramatic shift couldnt have occurred and persisted without a strong supporting story. After all, the shift into alternative assets has at times faced considerable headwinds from critics: managers of private-equity funds, for example, have been widely attacked for themselves profiteering while asset-stripping the companies they take over. How then have those that have led the charge into alternatives fended off such criticisms and thereby legitimated what they do? The pivotal narrative has been that investment in alternatives benefits ordinary, lower-to-middle class workers. The following statement is a prototypical example. To the extent our funds perform well, Blackstone, the worlds leading manager of alternative investment funds, explains each year in its annual report, we can support a better retirement for tens of millions of pensioners, including teachers, nurses and firefighters. The narrative is not that alternatives always perform well, or indeed better than traditional asset classes. Nor is it that alternatives investment benefits only ordinary workers. Yet it is the latter that Blackstone and its peers invariably highlight. When, for example, skeptics question why the trustees of pension schemes persevere with high allocations of retirement savings to alternatives funds such as those managed by Blackstone, they are told that reducing such allocations will hurt ordinary workers most. And so the status quo persists. This narrative is profoundly misleading, however. To say this is not to suggest that ordinary workers do not benefit when the funds in which their retirement savings are invested perform well. It is to argue rather that the benefits accruing to such workers are minor, both in relative terms (most benefits are captured elsewhere) and absolute terms. Thus, to center and highlight specifically ordinary workers among the cast of beneficiaries is to grossly distort reality. A consideration of three key aspects of the business of alternatives investment, which is dominated by asset managers like Carlyle, Apollo, Blackstone, and many others, clearly undermines this disingenuous narrative. First and most importantly there is the question of how much of the capital invested by these funds actually represents the retirement savings of ordinary workers like teachers, nurses, and firefighters. While pension plans are certainly the main institutional investors in alternative assets by number, they are much less dominant in terms of investment value. As at 2018, for example, just 14 sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), representing only 0.2 percent of all global institutional investors in private equity, accounted for as much as 7 percent of all private-equity investment ($215 billion out of $2.97 trillion). In the U.S. specifically, the share of capital invested in alternatives funds that constitutes retirement savings has been falling fast. Increasingly often, such savings account for just a small share of the capital that an alternatives fund invests, as other types of capital provider have come to the fore: for instance, fully half of the capital in Blackstones flagship $31 billion infrastructure fund is that of a single SWF (Saudi Arabias). In short, when the likes of Blackstone invest in alternatives, they invest in substantial measure for investors other than retirement savers. Moreover, most of the capital invested in alternative assets which is that of retirement savers is not that of lower-to-middle class workers. As elsewhere in the world, there is vast inequality in holdings of retirement savings in the U.S. Around half is held by the top lifetime-earnings quintile among workers, while the bottom earnings quintile holds only around 1 percent. Most teachers, nurses and firefighters belong in the second and middle earnings quintiles, not in the top two, which is where retirement savings are concentrated. Thus, relatively little of the retirement savings available for investmentwhether in alternatives or in other asset classesis that of ordinary workers in the first place. It is principally that of elites, and, among savers, it is they who therefore benefit most when investments perform well simply because they have more investible capital. Second, different types of institutional investor often earn different rates of return from their investments in alternative asset classes, and those institutions representing ordinary retirement savers particularly public pension plans, which represent public-sector workers like teachers, nurses and firefightersgenerally fare worst. Research has repeatedly found this to be the case, in contexts ranging from private equity to infrastructure. Consider the latter. After asset-manager fees, the average internal rate of return (IRR) on investments in unlisted infrastructure funds is around 8.5 percent, but public investors IRR on such investments is on average 1.8 percentage points lower than that of private investors. What might account for such underperformance? Numerous explanations have been hypothesized, ranging from the negotiation of inferior fee terms to an inferior selection of asset managers and their investment funds, whether due to, say, politicized governance arrangements or constraints on the ability to recruit and remunerate talented staff members. In any event, whatever the exact explanation, those whose putative gains Blackstone invokes in order to legitimate its businesssuch as teachers, nurses and firefightersare those who actually tend to get the rawest deal. Finally, to these two key foregoing pointsnamely, that the capital of ordinary workers that is invested in alternative assets is both relatively marginal and relatively poor-performingwe must add a third. Consider what Blackstone and the like invest in when they invest in alternatives. Notably, one of the fastest-growing areas of this business is housing investment, specifically in the rental market. But if funds that invest in housing perform well, it is largely because they have been able to raise rents. And who lives in such rental housing? Generally, ordinary workers. Thus, where there is gain, there is also pain; the latter begets the former. In 2018, Ro Khanna, a Democrat Representative in California who was evidently conversant with Blackstones rhetoric, spoke pointedly to the Faustian bargain that workersusually unwittinglyoften make with firms like Blackstone when their savings are invested by them. In my district, Khanna said, teachers, firefighters, and nurses often cant afford a place to live. Blackstone happened at that time to be a major investor in Californian rental housing (where rents were rising fast), and a dogged opponent of efforts to strengthen the states rent controls. In other words, the third critical point is that if a private equity firm does deliver strong investment returns to investors, ordinary workers themselves have often paid the price if not in the form of higher housing rents, then for instance through higher usage charges on energy, transportation and water and sewage infrastructures, which like real estate have become an increasingly popular class of investment for asset managers alternatives funds in recent decades. To sum up, the narrative of supporting a better retirement for teachers, nurses and firefighters plainly flatters to deceive. It is time, therefore, for a new narrative one cleaving more closely to the realities of the alternatives investment business. Not only do ordinary workers like teachers, nurses, and firefighters frequently suffer very real disbenefits as users of the real-estate and infrastructure assets held in the portfolios of alternatives investors, but the benefits they derive from such investments as investors are considerably smaller than those in the business suggest. On balance, those ordinary workers clearly lose. NASCAR Chicago Street Race: What to know about the 12-turn, 2.2-mile course around the city Welcome to the new rush hour in Chicago. The city will transform the Grant Park environs into the first NASCAR Chicago Street Race on July 2, with separate events on July 1 as well. The televised Cup Series event will have NASCAR drivers weaving through the park on closed-off streets lined with temporary fences, grandstands and what promoters hope will be thousands of fans. Heres everything you need to know about the race including the course map, road closures and how to watch (or avoid) it all. Has Chicago hosted a NASCAR race before? Yes, Soldier Field hosted a NASCAR Cup Series race in July 1956. A quarter-century later, an ambitious plan by then-Mayor Jane Byrne to hold a Formula One race on Lake Shore Drive in summer 1981 never made it to the starting line. This time, the course will stay north of Soldier Field and south of the infamous S-curve on DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Why is the city hosting this race now? The event is expected to draw 100,000 attendees, and NASCAR estimates it could generate more than $3 million in tax revenue for the city. This is actually going to be our first race on a street course in our 75-year history, said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing development and strategy. Its going to be a very unique course. NASCAR is building the track and will pay rental fees to the Chicago Park District for the use of Grant Park, but terms of the three-year agreement with the city were not disclosed. Its going to be one of the most iconic racecourses maybe ever and introduce a whole new fan base to what NASCAR is about in the city of Chicago, then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot said on July 19, 2022. The opportunity to really ignite our tourism with a new, iconic event on the calendar was a no-miss opportunity. But not everyone is happy with the disruption. The races that are coming up in the next few weeks in Chicago certainly have a lot of our constituents excited, said 1st Ward Ald. Daniel La Spata, the chair of the City Councils Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee. They also have a lot of our constituents confused, frustrated, angry. Another concern for constituents and businesses is the noise level, which can be 96.5 to 104 decibels at 150 feet from the track according to NASCARchronicle.com. According to the NASCAR Chicago Street Race website, special mufflers will be used on the cars that successfully lowered sound levels by as much as 10 decibels earlier this year at the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. What other events are happening around the race? In addition to 40 race cars driving 200 mph, the two-day event will feature full-length concerts ranging from country to electronic dance, headlined by Miranda Lambert, The Chainsmokers and The Black Crowes. There also will be an Xfinity Series race, the second tier of NASCAR competition, on July 1. Whats the route? The 12-turn, 2.2-mile course is the first street race in NASCAR history. Drivers will make 100 laps for 220 miles total. We want to put drivers through some of the toughest challenges we can, and this track will do that, Hall of Fame driver-turned-NASCAR analyst Dale Earnhardt Jr. said after a test drive of the course. Therell be some guys that really like it. There will be some guys that find it really challenging and miserable. The pop-up course will start on Columbus Drive in front of Buckingham Fountain, taking in stretches of DuSable Lake Shore Drive and South Michigan Avenue in a lap filled with sharp turns, bottlenecks and an urban backdrop. Earnhardt said drivers should top 140 mph on straightaways such as DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Some turns will force the cars to slow to about 40 mph, he said, while others will accommodate much higher speeds. The fastest turn will likely be No. 2, from Balbo Drive onto DuSable Lake Shore Drive, with drivers hitting 90-100 mph, he said. One of the most challenging spots will be Turn 7 from Balbo onto South Michigan Avenue. Much like regular rush-hour traffic, Earnhardt expects something of a traffic jam. Whats the timeline for road closures before and after the race? Well, from now until July 13. The southbound lanes of the major lakefront thoroughfare will close from Randolph Street to the Museum Campus beginning Wednesday. Lane reductions will extend farther: Traffic will be reduced to two lanes at North Avenue, then to one lane at Chicago Avenue. Downtown traffic will be directed to exit at Michigan Avenue, and through traffic will be directed to exit at Grand Avenue. Between Grand and Randolph, only local traffic will be allowed. Northbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be closed along the same downtown stretch beginning July 1. Traffic will be reduced to two lanes at 47th Street, then one lane near 31st Street. Northbound traffic will be required to exit at I-55. The northbound lanes are expected to reopen July 2, and the southbound lanes are anticipated to reopen by July 4. All other roads are expected to reopen between July 2 and July 13. And dont forget: Theres construction on the Kennedy Expressway to complicate your commute too. City officials are encouraging drivers to take alternate routes, walk, bike or take public transportation to reach downtown, and they said Metra and CTA would provide additional service during the NASCAR race. CTA CTA buses around Grant Park will be rerouted for the race. Beginning Monday and lasting through the event, more than a dozen lines will be adjusted, including: #1, #2, #3, #4, #x4, #6, #7, #10, #J14 Jeffery Jump, #26, #28, #126, #143, #147 and some evening #148 buses The weekend of the event, 18 bus routes will detour around downtown, including: #3, #4, #6, #10, #12, #J14, #18, #20, #22, #36, #56, #60, #62, #126, #130, #146, #147, and #151. Buses serving the north end of the Loop will generally let passengers off near the State/Lake Red Line L station, buses serving the west end of the Loop will drop passengers off near the LaSalle L stations, and buses serving the south end of the Loop will take passengers near the Roosevelt train station. The #151 will travel through downtown, but will be detoured off Michigan Avenue to avoid the closed road. From Thursday through July 5, regular service on #146 Inner Lake Shore/Michigan Express will be replaced by a shuttle bus between the Roosevelt L station and the Museum Campus because of road closures along Roosevelt. The shuttle will run every 15 minutes. Metra and Pace On July 1 and 2, Metra will run extra trains on the BNSF line to Aurora and the Rock Island line to Joliet. Pace cautioned riders to expect longer travel times and delayed pickups and said the designated ADA Paratransit drop-off area for Pace is at Columbus and Monroe. Lollapalooza will shut down portions of the Grant Park area over the course of roughly 25 days, whereas NASCAR will close various downtown areas for about 35 days, according to Lollapalooza and the city. Can I still go to Museum Campus during all of this? Yes, but some of the museums have adjusted their hours. Access will remain open to Navy Pier and the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium and other attractions. To access the museums, drivers must reach either DuSable Lake Shore Drive south of downtown or arrive via I-55. From DuSable Lake Shore Drive, they can exit the northbound lanes at 31st Street, then take Fort Dearborn Drive along the lakefront to 18th Street. Those heading to the museums from I-55 can take DuSable Lake Shore Drive north and exit at 18th Street. Wait, isnt the Taste of Chicago this weekend? Usually, but that has been moved to September to accommodate the race. The Taste, a summer tradition established in 1980 and typically held in early July, welcomes tens of thousands of visitors to Grant Park for food, beverages, live music, dancing, karaoke and kids activities. It will now be held on Sept. 8-10. OK, Im going. Where can I park and whats the schedule? Theres two-day event parking starting at $65 at the Grant Park North Garage (25 N. Michigan Ave.) and Millennium Park Garage (6 S. Columbus Dr.). Get more details here. Taking Uber or Lyft to the festival? Then dropoff and pickup are west of State Street from Randolph Street south to Roosevelt Road. Gates for all things NASCAR open at 9 a.m. both days. Heres the full event schedule. Saturday, July 1 10 a.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Cup Series Practice and Qualifying 12-12:30 p.m.: Prerace concert featuring the JC Brooks Band 2:30-3:30 p.m.: Prerace concert featuring The Black Crowes 4 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series race (suspended) 7-8:30 p.m.: Postrace concert featuring The Chainsmokers (canceled) Sunday, July 2 10 a.m.: Resumption of suspended Xfinity Series race 12-1 p.m.: Prerace concert featuring Charley Crockett 1:30-3 p.m.: Prerace concert featuring Miranda Lambert 4:05 p.m.: NASCAR Cup Series race As with most events, attendees are limited to one clear bag no larger than 12-by-12-by-6 or a small clutch or fanny pack that are 6-by-6 with one pocket. Backpacks and bags with multiple pockets are prohibited. More details here. Who are the drivers to watch? Its no surprise Bubba Wallace, the second Black driver to win in the Cup Series, is soon to become a Chicago favorite he drives the No. 23 Toyota Camry for Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing. Hes also hosting a prerace party Wednesday at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center at which Lupe Fiasco will perform. For those thinking local, the White Sox are sponsoring Ty Dillons No. 77 Chevrolet complete with team branding, colors and logos on the car and fire suit. Beggars Pizza will be on the rear quarter panel and TV panel of the car. Jenson Button, a British Formula One driver, is making his stock-car debut this season. He will drive the No. 15 Ford Mustang. Justin Edmonds - Getty Images The last time a NASCAR jet dryer got this much attention was when Juan Pablo Montoya crashed into one during the 2012 Daytona 500. Under caution but trying to catch the field after a pit stop, Montoya spun his No. 42 Chevrolet into the pick-up truck at the entrance to Turn 3 of Daytona International Speedway. The contact ruptured the kerosene that created the track-drying heat, and the brief but intense fire could be seen for miles. On Thursday, Pocono Raceway dispatched one of its NASCAR jet dryers to northeastern Philadelphia to help Department of Transportation workers repair and reopen a closed-down stretch of I-95. The kerosene-fueled turbine mounted on the back of a red Chevy Silverado was delivered to workers at the site of a June 11 truck fire that brought down part of an underpass. In that incident, a northbound section of the elevated highway collapsed after a tractor-trailer hauling gasoline flipped and caught fire. The driver was killed and the resulting damage required demolition of the southbound lanes as well. A replacement bridge will eventually be constructed. The accident closed both lanes of the highway, one of the most heavily travelled along the East Coast. John Harrelson - Getty Images Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro told the Associated Press he hopes a temporary fix can be completed so traffic can continue as early as this weekend. But with continued rain in the forecast, Pocono sent its jet dryer to help by keeping the fresh asphalt dry enough for lines to be painted. We need patches of dry time in order to complete the paving, and really importantly, the striping process, Shapiro said Thursday, describing NASCARs help as a super cool solution. He added: I said the other day its the ingenuity of Delco meets the grit of Philly. Lets layer on top of that the ingenuity of Poconos Raceway, and the amazing guys at NASCAR up there helping us out. The idea for the jet dryer reportedly came from Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll, a former state legislator who once represented a district near the 2.5-mile speedway in Long Pond. He contacted speedway officials who quickly agreed to send the jet dryer the 100 or so miles down to the Philadelphia area. Raceway president Ben May isnt charging the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for use of the dryer. Its a very, very, very small contribution to the spectacular work thats being done by a lot of people, he said. Paving began Wednesday and will continue as long as necessary. PennDOT press secretary Alexis Campbell said the NASCAR machine, which blows air at 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit, will be used to dry the fresh asphalt right before highway lines are painted on it. The United Nations (UN) annually observes the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking every June 26. Every year since 1987, the observation has been used to express the UN's determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. It also raises awareness of the major problem illicit drugs represent to society. 2023 Theme: 'People First' In 2023, the observance calls for a people-centered approach to tackling the world drug problem. Many people across the globe who use drugs face stigma and discrimination, which could further harm their physical and mental health and prevent them from accessing the help they need. As a response, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) stressed the importance of taking a people-centered approach to drug prevention and rehabilitation policies by focusing on human rights, compassion, and evidence-based practices. This year's campaign also aims to combat stigma and discrimination against those who use drugs by promoting words and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgmental. Several specific points for this year's theme being endorsed in tackling drug issues include treating drug users struggling to change their lives with empathy, providing evidence-based voluntary services to all, offering alternatives to punishment, prioritizing prevention, and leading with compassion. The UNODC also issues the World Drug Report, which contains key statistics and factual data obtained through official sources, a science-based approach, and research. The 2023 report will be released on Monday, June 26. Last year's report highlighted new trends in cannabis post-legalization, environmental impacts of illicit drugs, relations between drug markets and conflict zones like Ukraine, and drug use among women and youth. Drug Policies Should be Based on Evidence and Human Rights, Activists Say In a joint statement by several human rights activists and drug policy experts, they called for the UN and the international community to adopt drug policies that are based on evidence and human rights. The organizations in the statement include the International Drug Policy Consortium, Center on Drug Policy Evaluation, Drugs, Democracy Transnational Institute, and Drug Policy Alliance. The statement was also signed by representatives of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), Penal Reform International, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Instituto RIA AC, and Harm Reduction International. While they commend the UN for promoting a people-centered approach, they also invited the UN to issue an "unequivocal statement" reinforcing the urgent need for transformative change in drug policies, as well as a call to end the "unmitigated human rights disaster caused by overly punitive drug control" in its upcoming 2024 mid-term review of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration on drugs. The represented groups further called the UN to reflect on the review of its joint statement to address the so-called "war on drugs" and the historical responsibility of the UN system, the international community, and individual member states in "[reversing] the devastation" it brought to the world for decades. The UN was also encouraged to consider the global grassroots campaign "Support. Don't Punish" to be able to build bridges between affected communities and decision-makers, promote community leadership, and challenge state violence and neglect in favor of rights-affirming and caring responses "Your support on the day would strongly resonate with this global show of force for meaningful change and inspire advocates for drug policy reform all over the world," the statement wrote. Read Also: Filipino Police Bust $74 Million Worth of Drugs Kept in Tea Bags UN Reveals Southeast Asia Smuggling Scheme via Burmese Meth Boats The UN reported earlier this month that the Asian drug trafficking networks were increasingly utilizing sea routes to smuggle methamphetamines out of Myanmar's meth factories in the Shan state while simultaneously escalating ketamine production as part of their expansion efforts. According to the Daily Sabah, the border region of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand has been producing and trafficking illegal drugs, particularly meth, and opium, which prompted increased drug patrols in China's southwestern Yunnan province as well as the Thai border between Myanmar. Punjab Government: Drug Addicts Caught with Small Amounts to be Rehabilitated The Indian state of Punjab considered decriminalizing drug use in order for addicts caught with small amounts of narcotics to be rehabilitated instead of imprisoned. Punjab health and family minister Dr. Balbir Singh, however, clarified that drug use remains illegal and that drug peddlers and smugglers were to be severely punished. "Under the policy, drug addicts or people with substance use disorders caught with small amounts of drugs will be sent to de-addiction centers for treatment and rehabilitation instead of being put in jails," he said during the Experts Meeting on Mental Health Issues and Interventions in Punjab. The measures would also include allowing rehabilitated individuals to acquire skills and provide them with jobs to help them transition their return to mainstream society. US Navy Sends Ship to Support Counter-Narco Ops Meanwhile, the US Navy has deployed the Freedom-class littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Detroit and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, Detachment 11, to support counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. In a statement released by the Navy, Detroit would involve "practical exercises and exchanges with partner nation maritime services," support the interoperability of the US Fourth Fleet, and reinforce its power as a "regional partner of choice." Aside from Detroit's own crew of sailors and an aviation detachment, she would be supported by a US Coast Guard law enforcement unit. "The crew has been extremely dedicated in its preparation and is ready for 4th Fleet tasking," said USS Detroit commanding officer Cmdr. Kyle Hickman. US lawmakers have been discussing the fate of the Freedom-class LCS fleet in recent months, including the Detroit. However, she and eight of her sister ships have been reported to be under-performing, With six more still being built, the US Congress has been debating whether the nine Freedom-class LCSs should be retired or donated to allied navies. Related Article: Ohio Man Sentenced to More than 11 Years in Prison for Federal Drug Crime @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. But how long until they take the human out of it as well? Learn to code. That three-word pejorative is perpetually on the lips and at the fingertips of internet trolls and tech bros whenever media layoffs are announced. A useless sentiment in its own right, but with the recent advent of code generating AIs, knowing the ins and outs of a programming language like Python could soon be about as useful as knowing how to fluently speak a dead language. In fact, these genAIs are already helping professional software developers code faster and more effectively by handling much of the programming grunt work. How coding works Two of todays most widely distributed and written coding languages are Java and Python. The former almost single handedly revolutionized cross-platform operation when it was released in the mid-90s and now drives everything from smartcards to space vehicles, as Java Magazine put it in 2020 not to mention Wikipedias search function and all of Minecraft. The latter actually predates Java by a few years and serves as the code basis for many modern apps like Dropbox, Spotify and Instagram. They differ significantly in their operation in that Java needs to be compiled (having its human-readable code translated into computer-executable machine code) before it can run. Python, meanwhile, is an interpreted language, which means that its human code is converted into machine code line-by-line as the program executes, enabling it to run without first being compiled. The interpretation method allows code to be more easily written for multiple platforms while compiled code tends to be focused to a specific processor type. Regardless of how they run, the actual code-writing process is nearly identical between the two: Somebody has to sit down, crack open a text editor or Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and actually write out all those lines of instruction. And until recently, that somebody typically was a human. The classical programming writing process of today isnt that different from the process those of ENIAC, with a software engineer taking a problem, breaking it down into a series of sub-problems, writing code to solve each of those sub-problems in order, and then repeatedly debugging and recompiling the code until it runs. Automatic programming, on the other hand, removes the programmer by a degree of separation. Instead of a human writing each line of code individually, the person creates a high-level abstraction of the task for the computer to then generate low level code to address. This differs from interactive programming, which allows you to code a program while it is already running. Todays conversational AI coding systems, like what we see in Githubs Copilot or OpenAIs ChatGPT, remove the programmer even further by hiding the coding process behind a veneer of natural language. The programmer tells the AI what they want programmed and how, and the machine can automatically generate the required code. Building the tools to build the tools allowing any tool to build tools Among the first of this new breed of conversational coding AIs was Codex, which was developed by OpenAI and released in late 2021. OpenAI had already implemented GPT-3 (precursor to GPT-3.5 that powers BingChat public) by this point, the large language model remarkably adept at mimicking human speech and writing after being trained on billions of words from the public web. The company then fine-tuned that model using 100-plus gigabytes of GitHub data to create Codex. It's capable of generating code in 12 different languages and can translate existing programs between them. Codex is adept at generating small, simple or repeatable assets, like a big red button that briefly shakes the screen when clicked or regular functions like the email address validator on a Google Web Form. But no matter how prolific your prose, you wont be using it for complex projects like coding a server-side load balancing program its just too complicated an ask. Googles DeepMind developed AlphaCode specifically to address such challenges. Like Codex, AlphaCode was first trained on multiple gigabytes of existing GitHub code archives, but was then fed thousands of coding challenges pulled from online programming competitions, like figuring out how many binary strings with a given length dont contain consecutive zeroes. To do this, AlphaCode will generate as many as a million code candidates, then reject all but the top 1 percent to pass its test cases. The system then groups the remaining programs based on the similarity of their outputs and sequentially test them until it finds a candidate that successfully solves the given problem. According to a 2022 study published in Science, AlphaCode managed to correctly answer those challenge questions 34 percent of the time (compared to Codexs single-digit success on the same benchmarks, thats not bad). DeepMind even entered AlphaCode in a 5,000-competitor online programming contest, where it surpassed nearly 46 percent of the human competitors. Now even the AI has notes Just as GPT-3.5 serves as a foundational model for ChatGPT, Codex serves as the basis for GitHubs Copilot AI. Trained on billions of lines of code assembled from the public web, Copilot offers cloud-based AI-assisted coding autocomplete features through a subscription plugin for the Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio, Neovim, and JetBrains integrated development environments (IDEs). Initially released as a developers preview in June of 2021, Copilot was among the very first coding capable AIs to reach the market. More than a million devs have leveraged the system in the two years since, GitHub's VP of Product Ryan J Salva, told Engadget. With Copilot, users can generate runnable code from natural language text inputs as well as autocomplete commonly repeated code sections and programming functions. Salva notes that prior to Copilots release, GitHubs previous machine-generated coding suggestions were only accepted by users 14 to 17 percent of the time. Which is fine," he said. "It means it was helping developers along. In the two years since Copilots debut, that figure has grown to 35 percent, and that's netting out to just under half of the amount of code being written [on GitHub] 46 percent by AI, to be exact. [Its] not a matter of just percentage of code written, Salva clarified. It's really about the productivity, the focus, the satisfaction of the developers who are creating. As with the outputs of natural language generators like ChatGPT, the code coming from Copilot is largely legible, but like any large language model trained on the open internet, GitHub made sure to incorporate additional safeguards against the system unintentionally producing exploitable code. Between when the model produces a suggestion and when that suggestion is presented to the developer, Salva said, we at runtime perform [] a code quality analysis for the developer, looking for common errors or vulnerabilities in the code like cross-site scripting or path injection. That auditing step is meant to improve the quality of recommended code over time rather than monitor or police what the code might be used for. Copilot can help developers create the code that makes up malware, the system wont prevent it. We've taken the position that Copilot is there as a tool to help developers produce code, Salva said, pointing to the numerous White Hat applications for such a system. Putting a tool like Copilot in their hands [] makes them more capable security researchers, he continued. As the technology continues to develop, Salva sees generative AI coding to expand far beyond its current technological bounds. That includes taking a big bet on conversational AI. We also see AI-assisted development really percolating up into other parts of the software development life cycle, he said, like using AI to autonomously repair a CI/CD build errors, patch security vulnerabilities, or have the AI review human-written code. Just as we use compilers to produce machine-level code today, I do think they'll eventually get to another layer of abstraction with AI that allows developers to express themselves in a different language, Salva said. Maybe it's natural language like English or French, or Korean. And that then gets compiled down to something that the machines can understand, freeing up engineers and developers to focus on the overall growth of the project rather than the nuts and bolts of its construction. From coders to gabbers With human decision-making still firmly wedged within the AI programming loop, at least for now, we have little to fear from having software writing software. As Salva noted, computers already do this to a degree when compiling code, and digital gray goos have yet to take over because of it. Instead, the most immediate challenges facing programming AI mirror those of generative AI in general: inherent biases skewing training data, model outputs that violate copyright, and concerns surrounding user data privacy when it comes to training large language models. GitHub is far from alone in its efforts to build an AI programming buddy. OpenAIs ChatGPT is capable of generating code as are the already countless indie variants being built atop the GPT platform. So, too, is Amazons AWS CodeWhisperer system, which provides much of the same autocomplete functionality as Copilot, but optimized for use within the AWS framework. After multiple requests from users, Google incorporated code generation and debugging capabilities into Bard this past April as well, ahead of its ecosystem-wide pivot to embrace AI at I/O 2023 and the release of Codey, Alphabets answer to Copilot. We cant be sure yet what generative coding systems will eventually become or how it might impact the tech industry we could be looking at the earliest iterations of a transformative democratizing technology, or it could be Clippy for a new generation. The Navy Heard the Tourist Sub Implode. But It Shouldn't Have Changed the Search Effort. The Navy says it picked up what may have been the implosion of the Titan -- the private submersible that was declared lost Thursday -- on its underwater microphones five days before rescue teams learned of its demise. The revelation raised questions about how the Navy evidence, which was collected Sunday but not made public until Thursday, played into the large search-and-rescue effort that transfixed the world. However, experts in submarine operations and sonar say that, while the data seems prescient in hindsight, it was likely inconclusive on its own and the search effort -- led by the U.S. Coast Guard but involving ships and military assets from the U.S. and several countries -- was still necessary and meaningful. Read Next: 5th SFAB Commander Fired as Other Officers Face Misconduct Investigations After first being reported by The Wall Street Journal, a senior Navy official told Military.com in an email that the sea service "conducted an analysis of acoustic data and detected an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost." The official went on to note that the data was "not definitive" but "immediately shared with the incident commander to assist with the ongoing search and rescue mission." The statement does not say when in the five-day search the data was shared. On Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard ultimately determined that the private submersible craft carrying five people attempting to view the wreckage of the Titanic suffered a catastrophic implosion after rescue teams located five different major pieces of debris with a remotely piloted vehicle. Brynn Tannehill, a former Navy aviator who flew anti-submarine aircraft and spent time as a sonar operator aboard a submarine, noted that noises picked up on underwater microphones can often be ambiguous and always require secondary confirmation. "Without confirmation generally all you can say is 'noises consistent with X,'" Tannehill wrote in a series of Tweets on Friday. "Until you find the wreckage, you cannot rule out tectonic activity, other military activity that was unknown to the U.S., potential commercial operations, etc.," she added. Chris Drew, a former military journalist and author who investigated the sinking of the USS Thresher -- a Navy submarine that sank in 1963 roughly 800 miles from the Titanic -- also noted that the sounds may have been made more ambiguous by the unusual nature of the small submersible. "This is only a 22-foot submersible. There's not as much sound because there's not as much to implode," he told Military.com in a phone interview Friday. Drew noted that the Navy has far more experience with the sound of a steel-hulled, several-hundred-foot submarine imploding. "They probably don't have any experience at hearing a carbon-fiber pressure hull imploding." Both Drew and Tannehill also pointed out that picking up a sound underwater does not mean you have its precise location. "Judging distance and depth with hydrophones with passive detection is difficult," Tannehill wrote, before adding that determining distance requires cross-fixes -- directional data from several different sources. In two naval submarine losses -- one U.S. and one Soviet, Drew said that "it was triangulating noises picked up by the underwater listening stations and other devices that helped us find the locations." The USS Scorpion, which sank in the North Atlantic in May 1968, was heard by not only the Navy's own underwater Sound Surveillance System, or SOSUS, but also by two Air Force hydrophones in the water off Newfoundland. Drew said that it was this combination of sources that allowed the Navy to eventually locate the sub. Bob Ballard, the famed undersea archaeologist, would eventually survey the wrecks of both the Thresher and Scorpion in a series of top-secret expeditions for the Navy between 1984 and 1986. In between, in 1985, he would find the wreck of the Titanic. The Navy rarely discusses SOSUS -- a term that has come to be synonymous with a variety of programs and capabilities that monitor the ocean around the U.S. for submarines. In fact, the entire mission was officially classified until 1991, though at that point it had become an open secret. The Navy senior official did say that there was a "compilation of additional acoustic data provided by other partners" but that "the decision was made to continue our mission as a search and rescue and make every effort to save the lives on board." Ultimately, both Drew and Tannehill said that the Coast Guard was right to continue with the search effort despite the acoustic data from the Navy. "You can't call off the search based on the one sound," Drew said. Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify the details of the Scorpion's sinking. -- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin. Related: Tourist Sub Debris Found Around Titanic Wreck as Hope for Survivors Vanishes Education comes in several forms in Kinsale Drakes culture. Education comes in several forms in Kinsale Drakes culture. Theresacommon Navajo saying attributed to the great chief Hastinn Chil Haajiin that Kinsale Drake grew up hearing: My grandchild, education is the ladder. Tell our people to take it. Education comes in several forms in Drakes culture. There are stories passed down, ancestral knowledge, Indigenous medicine, Indigenous science. But the most collectively celebrated form of education has involved making it to the Ivies. Getting to an elite school has been part of the American Dream of every racial minority in America; those gilded halls and sprawling old campuses have symbolized both social success and freedom. What happens to students of color, though, when these halls are innately anti-Native, anti-Black, anti-immigrant? Of the nine colonial colleges originally established, seven of the eight Ivy League schools emerged. These institutions were built on the backs of enslaved people, and have historically oppressed Native Americans, the original inhabitants of this land. Many of these schools have recognized and repented for their past indiscretions, but their curricula appear to be stuck in an earlier era, devoid of POC authors and perspectives. The English major, in particular, can be really hard for students who are not white, Drake says, noting that you have to actively seek out work from authors of color and somehow jam them into your syllabus alongside a copious amount of 19th- and 20th-century white people literature. Even if were blessed with the most socially and racially aware professors, sometimes merely existing in a room where you are the only one who looks like you can take a serious toll on your mental health and sense of belonging. Drake is a fresh Yale graduate and founder of the NDN Girls Book Club, which emerged from an idea she had as a teen. She was drawn to Yale for its Indigenous Performing Arts Program, but she felt lost outside this particular campus community, as the only Native student in the English department at the time. Native students face unique difficulties in higher education. While we recognize college as a tool to help elevate the socioeconomic situation of our people, elite institutions can be cold and isolating. We are often either totally outsiders, or tokens who are assumed to be Indigenous encyclopedias. During my own Ivy League education, a professor once turned to me and asked: Now, who is that famous chief? Oh, Chyana, you must know. As my face grew hot, I reluctantly replied, Crazy Horse? I knew this must be the answer she was seeking, even though Tasunke Witko was not a chief, but the son of a medicine man and a great warrior of the Lakota people. It was an odd moment, and a classic example of how NDN students are sometimes expected to answer for all Indigenous peoples and groups when we are not a monolith. Drakes experiences were similar to mine. She was often the only Native student in the classroom but she describes always feeling grateful to be there. Education was really important for my family, because my parents were both first-gen and low-income, she says. The Navajo mantra about using education as a ladder stayed at the front of her mind. For Drake, a formal education was a means to empower Indigenous women writers. But there was a big void; she needed an equally powerful way to foster Native artist slay and that meant gathering her creative community. NDN Girls Book Club is a series of collaborations with Native writers and female artists to encourage creativity. They host free community workshops and author talks, and offer editing services, book trading and zine-making. Theres also a cool, comprehensive and ever-expanding map that introduces poets from different regions. On a foundational level, its a space for Native people in the arts to thrive, free of the white gaze, outside expectations, harmful biases and microaggressions. Ultimately, Drake hopes to grow the club into another valuable tool of education for her people. When I attended an NDN Girls Book Club event at Palabras Bookstore in Phoenix, I waded into a sea of beautiful brown bodies adorned in varying shades of pink, Sanrio characters, glitter eyeshadow, glistening beaded earrings, metallic pink ribbon skirts, kokum scarves and Converses. There were books by progressive, vibrant Native authors stacked high on tables, ready to be signed. Among the writers present were Darcie Little Badger, TateWalker, Tanaya Winder, Amber McCrary and Drake herself. I spoke to a patron named Braudie, who told me about how shed longed for this kind of programming when she was a child. She said she was incredibly thankful that her own daughter, lingering nearby, could enjoy it. Pte San Win, an Oglala Lakota poet who read at Palabras, described how being surrounded by dynamic Native women at these events feels revolutionary. Now that [Drake] has this book club going, Ive expanded my literature, and told my family about it, they said. Both the camaraderie and the education have been nurturing in ways I hadnt even expected. When I went on stage for the open mic portion of the event, it was my first time reading an excerpt from my memoir in front of an entirely Native audience. The support, the snaps, claps, the nods of heads in the crowd, and all other affirmation felt invigorating. Here, my story didnt shock people. I wasnt fetishized or othered. Instead, my lived experiences rose off the page into a world where I belong where we finally belong. Related... Federal prosecutors have announced the arrest of nearly two dozen suspected MS-13 gang members allegedly behind a wave of "brutal violence" in the New York City borough of Queens. The 48-count indictment, unsealed this week in a federal court in Brooklyn, charges 22 individuals, whose ages range from 19 to 35, with "racketeering conspiracy and related offenses, including multiple murders and other acts of violence, drug distribution conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy," according to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Eastern District of New York. "The murders and other crimes of violence allegedly committed by these defendants were brutal, cold-blooded, and utterly senseless," said United States Attorney Breon Peace. "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." The indictment adds murder charges against suspect Leyla Carranza, who prosecutors say allegedly lured 17-year-old Andy Peralta to Kissena Park in Flushing, Queens, in April 2018, when he was "fatally beat, stabbed and strangled." MASSIVE PRISON RIOT ERUPTS AS MS-13 GANG CLASH LEAVES DOZENS DEAD A tree with MS-13 graffiti is pictured in the Langley Hampshire Neighborhood Park in Langley Park in a gang hangout area known as the cemetery. "Peraltas killers photographed themselves posing over Peraltas corpse while they displayed MS-13 gang signs with their hands," the attorneys office said. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP It also adds more charges to individuals involved with the murders of Victor Alvarenga who was shot and killed near his home in Flushing in November 2018 and Abel Mosso on a subway platform in February 2019. "As alleged, in the early afternoon of February 3, 2019, Victor Lopez and Tito Martinez-Alvarenga followed Mosso, who they believed to be a member of the rival 18th Street gang, onto the No. 7-train at the Main Street station in Flushing, trailed by Ramiro Gutierrez. Lopez and Martinez-Alvarenga assaulted Mosso inside the subway car and then dragged him out onto the platform at the 90th Street station in Jackson Heights," the attorneys office said. US IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS DEPORT MS-13 GANG MEMBER WANTED IN EL SALVADOR FOR MURDER "The defendants pulled out a gun, but Mosso wrestled it away. Gutierrez shouted in Spanish, Nobody get involved, were MS-13, were going to kill him," it added. "Gutierrez then grabbed the gun from Mosso and allegedly shot him multiple times, killing him." In another killing, former alleged MS-13 member Eric Monge was fatally shot near his home in Queens in September 2020 by another suspected member he previously assaulted, in an attack that happened right after his wife dropped their young children off inside the property, according to prosecutors. Four unidentified members of the Mara Salvatrucha "MS-13" show their tattoos in the unit where they are kept imprisoned in the National Penitentiary in Tamara, Honduras, in February 2006. NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell says the newly-announced charges "again show that NYPD investigators, in close collaboration with our law enforcement partners, are relentless in seeking justice against gangs no matter when or where their brutal violence is carried out." The defendants in the indictment have been identified as Edenilson Larin an alleged national MS-13 leader -- Christian Leon, Carlos Alvarado, Jose Iraheta, Erick Leon, Blanca Garcia, Jose Aguilar, Oscar Baires, Keila May, Yonathan Hernandez, Leyla Carranza, Jose Hernandez, Jose Sanchez, Tylor Salmeron, Erick Hernandez, Juan Amaya-Ramirez, Oscar Flores-Mejia, Ramiro Gutierrez, Victor Lopez, Tito Martinez-Alvarenga, Emerson Martinez-Lara and Ismael Santos-Novoa. Netanyahu gives two reasons why Israel is afraid to provide weapons to Ukraine Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel fears providing weapons to Ukraine because they could fall into the hands of the Russians and then Iran. Source: Netanyahu in an interview with The Jerusalem Post Quote: "I think Israel is in a peculiar situation, different from say, Poland or Germany or France or any of the Western countries that are assisting Ukraine. First of all, we have a close military border with Russia. Our pilots are flying right next to Russian pilots over the skies of Syria. And I think its important that we maintain our freedom of action against Irans attempts to place itself militarily on our northern border. Second, we also have concerns that any systems that we give to Ukraine would be used against us because they could fall into Iranian hands and be used against us. And by the way, thats not a theoretical possibility. It actually happened with the Western anti-tank weapons that we now find at our borders. So we have to be very careful here." Details: Netanyahu called Israel's approach to helping Ukraine "balanced" and believes it is correct. According to him, Western heads of state "understand that Israel is in a different situation from any of them". Background: Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Israel has been providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine, but the Israeli government has been heavily criticised for refusing to send weapons to Ukraine. In February 2023, the Times of Israel wrote that Netanyahu, during a meeting with the French president, said he was ready to send "military things" to Ukraine but was not ready to go too far so as not to provoke Russia. Netanyahu also stated that he was considering providing Ukraine with military assistance, including the Israeli Iron Dome air defence system. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Father of 3 brothers killed in Ohio shooting charged with aggravated murder Several law enforcement agencies responded Thursday afternoon to a shooting on Laurel Lindale road in Monroe Township. The father of three brothers shot to death in their yard on Thursday has been charged in their deaths. Chad Doerman, 32, is under arrest and charged with three counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of his sons ages 3, 4 and 7. Doerman is being held without bond at the Clermont County Jail and will be arraigned Friday morning in Clermont County Municipal Court. Chad Doerman Original report: The father of three brothers killed in a shooting in Clermont County has been detained for questioning, according to the sheriff's office. Chad Doerman, 32, is cooperating with officials, according to Clermont County Chief Deputy Chris Stratton. Deputies responded after a woman called 911 around 4:15 p.m. screaming that her "babies had been shot," officials with the sheriff's office said in a news release. A short time later, a passerby called 911 reporting that a young girl was running down the road saying her "father was killing everyone," officials said. The sheriff's office would not identify the girl or say how she was connected to the family. Officials did say that she is not in any danger. Shootings on the rise in Cincinnati: Two 15-year-olds, 3 women among 8 injured in overnight shootings Chad Doerman, 32, detained by police after shooting in Clermont County Deputies responded to a home at the 1900 block of Laurel Lindale Road in Monroe Township and found Doerman sitting on an outside step, the release states. Authorities detained Doerman and found three children shot and unresponsive in the yard, officials said. Those victims later identified as brothers ages 3, 4 and 7 died of their injuries at the scene. A 34-year-old woman, identified as the mother of the three boys, was shot in the hand and taken by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment, officials said. Doerman was taken to the Clermont County Sheriff's Office to be interviewed by detectives, officials said. The sheriff's office said there was no sign of forced entry into the home and investigators are not looking for additional suspects. Much of the area surrounding the house remained blocked off by law enforcement officials late Thursday. Gun violence in Cincinnati: In midst of uptick in teen gun violence, Avondale residents learn to treat gunshot wounds New Richmond schools superintendent on Clermont County shooting: 'Our hearts are once again broken' A statement from Tracey Miller, superintendent of the New Richmond Exempted School District said, "Our hearts are once again broken tonight as we yet again ask the community to lift up those affected by this horrific incident." Grief counselors will be available at Monroe Elementary on Friday, Miller said. Please see below for a statement from Superintendent Tracey Miller. pic.twitter.com/qWnQZt33OH New Richmond EVSD (@NREVSD) June 15, 2023 A 13-year-old New Richmond middle school student was among four killed in a murder-suicide in March. More than 29 teens shot this year: Spike in Cincinnati shootings continues This story will be updated. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Clermont County shooting: Father Chad Doerman charged; 3 boys killed Orca attacks on boats aren't out of revenge, killer whale experts say. They're just having fun. The rudder on this ship was damaged by killer whales. JORGE GUERRERO / Contributor / Getty Images Killer whales have been ramming boats and ripping off rudders in the waters near southern Spain. Insider spoke with three orca experts to better understand why these encounters are happening. All the experts agree that while it might feel like an attack, these orcas just want to play. European sailors first reported a spike in orca encounters off the coasts of Spain and Portugal in 2020. The interactions have continued to grow ever since and are happening every day, now. The killer whales are not only ramming boats with their heads and ripping off rudders with their teeth, but they've also managed to sink three vessels so far this year. "They clearly find a lot of pleasure in these encounters," Andrew Trites, director of the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the University of British Columbia in Canada, told Insider. But Trites isn't talking about malicious pleasure, though it may feel like that for the people whose boats are taking a beating. Sailor Werner Schaufelberger described his encounter with orcas in May as "brutal." "They're probably socializing, yucking it up with each other about their adventures without realizing the terror they're creating in their moments of joy," Trites said. Trites is one of several orca experts Insider spoke with who all agree the orcas are just having a good time and probably don't have any ill will against the boats or humans on board. This idea flies in the face of a darker theory that the orcas are attacking boats because of one traumatized killer whale named White Gladis who is taking revenge. And other orcas are imitating her behavior. However, none of the experts Insider spoke with were convinced this was the case. "I certainly think orcas are capable of complex emotions," Monika Wieland Shields, director of the Orca Behavior Institute told Insider. "But we just haven't seen anything like that anywhere else in the world. And we have given orcas plenty of reason to want to seek revenge on us." Tilikum, the orca in Blackfish, has taken the lives of three people. Suzanne Allee/Magnolia Pictures Shields points to the long history of humans harming the orca population, from shooting them at fisheries to the years of live captures in the '60s and '70s in which humans separated orca offspring from their families to display them in aquariums. And yet, these situations haven't resulted in wild orcas attacking boats, Shields said. Orcas in captivity have attacked and killed humans, but there are no records of orcas killing humans in the wild. The orcas are trying to play According to Shields, orcas' natural curiosity and playfulness are likely the cause for these encounters and not revenge. Orcas are very social and curious animals that often engage with their environments, Shields said. In the Salish Sea off the coast of Washington, for example, it's not uncommon for orcas to play with crab traps, dragging them around for a few minutes or hours until they eventually lose interest, according to Shields. "To me, that's really similar to what's going on in Spain," Shields said. "It's the same type of behavior, they might be thinking, 'Hey, there's this piece of equipment in my environment, I'm going to play with it for a while then move on.'" Hanne Strager, a mammal marine biologist and author of the book "The Killer Whale Journals: Our Love and Fear of Ocras" agrees that curiosity is the likely cause. In fact, Strager doesn't classify these encounters as "attacks," or attempts by the orcas to harm people and their property, but rather an example of orca exploration. Cavan Images / Raffi Maghdessian / Getty Images "I don't doubt that it feels like an attack for the people on the boat," Strager told Insider. "But from the orca's perspective, I don't think it's aggressive. Just because it feels and looks very dramatic to us doesn't mean it is dramatic for them." Orcas find boats stimulating Experts agree orcas are definitely targeting sailboats, but probably because there is something stimulating and exciting about "playing" with boats that causes them to repeat the behavior and teach it to others in their pod. According to Trites, orcas might simply enjoy the sensation of ramming into boats. "Orcas are very tactile and sensitive to touch," Trites told Insider. "In my research I've been struck by how often they touch each other and run into each other while swimming. It's just like with humans. We need to be touched." Orcas might also be enticed by a boat speeding through the water and get a thrill out of chasing it, Trites said. In fact, the more people on a boat make a commotion or try to speed away, the more exciting the event is for the animal and the more likely they are to try to ram the boat again, Trites said. "You can't outrun a killer whale," Trites said. "Just turn off your engine, let your rudder up, and become as boring as possible." Playful, or not, this behavior could put orca lives at risk While orca experts have good reason to think the animals are just being playful, ultimately, it's impossible to know what they're thinking. Jason Edwards/Getty Images And this uncertainty has people feeling uneasy, especially as these encounters become more prevalent and potentially dangerous for both people and orcas. "I think tensions are escalating," Shields said. "And I think it's just a matter of time before a whale gets hurt or gets killed." With better tracking of these incidents, hopefully, sailors can avoid high-risk areas and after enough "boring" encounters with boats, the orcas will eventually move on, Strager said. Until then, Trites said it's important to remember these are endangered creatures who likely aren't out to hurt us. Read the original article on Business Insider By Khanh Vu and Hyunsu Yim HANOI/SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea and Vietnam agreed on Friday to boost security cooperation, citing North Korea's nuclear threat, and committed to increasing bilateral trade and investment despite a slump this year and Vietnam's planned tax hikes on large firms. In his first visit to Vietnam as president, South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol acknowledged economic woes but reiterated Vietnam's key role for Seoul's growth strategy. He signed 17 agreements with Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong on a number of issues, from critical minerals to Vietnamese workers in Korea, and said Seoul would step up cooperation with Vietnam against North Korea's nuclear threat. Vietnam is one of few countries which can boast close relations with Pyongyang. Vietnam "is ready to participate in the process of denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula", Thuong said in a joint press conference. The two nations also agreed to boost defence industry relations and security cooperation in the South China Sea. South Korea is one of many countries discussing possible arms sales to Vietnam as it seeks to modernise its arsenal. Korea and Vietnam over the last few decades have developed almost symbiotic industrial ties, with South Korea being the largest foreign investor in Vietnam. Seoul also enjoys the highest level of diplomatic relations with Hanoi, together with Russia, China and India. The leaders reiterated a goal of boosting bilateral trade, despite a slump so far this year driven by lower global demand for smartphones and other electronic goods that Korean firms assemble in Vietnam with many components shipped from Korea. "Although the business environment is difficult in recent years, we must find new opportunities in Vietnam, which is the centre of global supply chain reorganisation and an emerging consumer market," Yoon said. Bilateral trade has fallen by a quarter in the first five months of this year compared to the same period in 2022, with a nearly 30% drop in Vietnamese imports of South Korean products. This year Korean firms have also invested in Vietnam much less than competitors, with China and Japan easily outstripping Seoul, Vietnam's government data show. Falling orders for electronic goods have forced South Korean firms to reduce their Vietnam workforce, multiple industry and business sources say. To tackle this negative trend, Seoul agreed to financial support worth over $4 billion by 2030, almost entirely in loans, to help Vietnam on climate change, education and health. Korean firms also signed over 100 agreements with Vietnamese counterparts during the state visit on energy, aviation, shipbuilding and research. TAX HIKE However, to complicate matters, Hanoi is set to introduce from next year a new levy on large corporations, including big Korean multinationals, as part of a global reform of tax rules that could reduce Vietnam's appeal as a manufacturing hub. Samsung Electronics, the biggest investor in the country, and LG Electronics are among large firms negotiating possible compensations to offset higher taxes. "Companies are seeking to reshore more and diversify rather than go all-in for Vietnam," said James Jung, Seoul-based analyst at Hyundai Motor Securities, noting Vietnam's appeal has fallen in recent months, also because of the new levy. To try to address those issues, Yoon is accompanied in his state-visit by a 205-strong business delegation. In the joint press conference, Thuong said he welcomed Korean firms to invest in gas-fired power plants and semiconductor projects in Vietnam. South Korean companies are among the main investors in Vietnam's nascent Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry, which is expected to boost the country's electricity output and battle shortages that saw power cuts in northern provinces where South Korean manufacturers operate. (Reporting by Khanh Vu and Thinh Nguyen in Hanoi; Joyce Lee, Hyunsu Yim and Soo-hyang Choi in Seoul; Additional reporting by Edward Davies; Writing by Francesco Guarascio; Editing by Martin Petty and Michael Perry) NGAD demonstrator The competition to provide the U.S. Air Force with its Next Generation Air Dominance, or NGAD, stealth sixth-generation crewed tactical jet is reportedly down to two prime contractors or teams of contractors. A final decision on what is now assumed to be a winner-takes-all competition is expected sometime next year and, perhaps most intriguingly, there are said to be no fewer than three NGAD demonstrators now in existence. These latest revelations come from a recent podcast from the Defense & Aerospace Report, which you can find here. Speaking on the podcast are Vago Muradian, the editor-in-chief and host of the Defense & Aerospace Report, and J.J. Gertler, director of The Defense Concepts Organization and senior analyst at the Teal Group. A Lockheed Martin concept for a future crewed combat jet of the kind that is being developed as the centerpiece of NGAD. Lockheed Martin Its worth noting at this point that, while the NGAD terminology is used in the podcast to refer to the crewed sixth-generation combat jet that will be at the center of NGAD, the program of that name is a much broader initiative, also including efforts focused on the development of advanced drones with high degrees of autonomy, as well as new jet engines, weapons, electronic warfare suites, sensors, networking ecosystems, battle management capabilities, and more. The Defense & Aerospace Report, citing unnamed sources involved in the [NGAD] program, concludes that the existence of three NGAD demonstrators indicates that, at one point, three prime contractors or teams were involved and that this has since been whittled down to two. The podcast also states that the likely candidates were Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman as the established heavyweights in terms of U.S. combat aircraft manufacturers, these three were always expected to be at the center of the competition. https://twitter.com/AirPowerNEW1/status/1672063764966031361?s=20 The Air Force has previously confirmed that a final decision on the chosen NGAD combat jet design is slated for 2024, but theres no more detail as to when exactly. Overall, having two teams competing for the crewed combat jet element of NGAD is not altogether surprising. The Joint Strike Fighter program that led to todays F-35 stealth jet also involved two competing designs, from Boeing and Lockheed Martin, while back in the 1980s, the Advanced Tactical Fighter program saw Lockheed Martin compete with Northrop Grumman, with the former being selected to build the F-22 Raptor. So far, however, the Air Force has not released any details of prime contractors involved in NGAD, or potential teaming arrangements under which different companies may be working together on their proposals. In contrast to previous fighter competitions, NGAD remains cloaked in secrecy, although last month the Air Force did release a classified contract solicitation for the engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) phase of the program. You can read our analysis of that recent development here. This solicitation release formally begins the source selection process providing industry with the requirements the [Department of the Air Force] expects for NGAD, as the future replacement of the F-22, the press release stated. Further information on the NGAD Platforms technical and programmatic details are classified to protect operational and technological advantages. A U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptor during a recent deployment to the Middle East. U.S. Air Force The NGAD acquisition strategy will invigorate and broaden the industrial base to deliver rapid and innovative warfighting capabilities, the press release continued. The strategy incorporates lessons learned from recent Air Force acquisition programs and will leverage open architecture standards. This approach will enable the government to maximize competition throughout the life cycle, provide a larger, more responsive industry base and drastically reduce maintenance and sustainment costs. In June last year, the Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall stated that the NGAD combat jet was entering its EMD phase, although these comments were followed by the announcement of an Inspector General investigation into the maturity of that component of the program. He clarified last September that it had not formally reached that milestone. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall. U.S. Air Force/Eric Dietrich We do know, however, that at least one demonstrator design has already been flying for some years now on behalf of NGAD. As for the three demonstrators mentioned in the Defense & Aerospace Report podcast, its not clear if all three of those mentioned are flying demonstrators, whether they are crewed or not, and if one or more may be a static test airframe. It could also be the case that these demonstrators are something closer to testbeds in the traditional sense, being used to explore subsystems and technologies, rather than being employed as surrogates for airframe design solutions intended to be used in a production NGAD combat jet. A view of the forward fuselage of a notional NGAD combat jet, seen in a 2021 advertisement from Northrop Grumman. Northrop Grumman/YouTube screencap In the past, Kendall has openly talked about X-planes, in the plural when describing the evolution of what became NGAD. There is a possibility that these demonstrators (including the one disclosed back in 2020) are products of those efforts. At the same time, we cannot rule out the use of one or more existing aircraft that could be used as surrogates for various kinds of related testing, too. We know, for example, that F-22s are being used for this purpose, as you can read about here. Still, based on the context this is being discussed in, it would seem that these are likely actual purpose-built demonstrators, not surrogates. As for the expected winner-takes-all resolution to the competition for the NGADs combat jet, this serves only to raise the stakes in whatever is already an extremely hotly contested program. After all, its possible that the jet that emerges as the winner will be Americas last advanced crewed tactical aircraft in the fighter-type category. From what little we do know about the NGAD combat jet, this is certainly set to be a highly capable and very expensive item, each platform costing multiple hundreds of millions of dollars, according to Kendall. Each of these jets is expected to be packed with a host of exotic features and subsystems, among them, broadband stealth, advanced electronic, and other spectral warfare capabilities. Performance-wise, the design of the NGAD combat jet will emphasize significant range and payload capabilities, of the kind that will be especially applicable to future conflicts in the Asia Pacific region. An earlier rendering of a sixth-generation combat jet, seen firing a directed-energy weapon. Northrop Grumman The company that walks away with the contract for the NGAD combat jet might expect to build around 200 copies of the aircraft, based on an announcement last year from Secretary Kendall. At the same time, he said that the Air Force planned to acquire at least 1,000 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones that will be tailored to operate alongside the crewed jet. These numbers also factor in being able to operate with 300 Air Force F-35A stealth fighters and, of course, are still subject to change and they likely will based on a host of factors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWYY6KHIrK4 That said, for the two companies that will apparently leave empty-handed as far as contracts for the NGAD combat jet are concerned, all is not lost, thanks to the expansive nature of the wider NGAD program. Aside from the CCA program, there is scope for the Air Force to order hundreds, or even thousands more drones of various other types to support the NGAD and broader air power capabilities. Then there are the multiple systems and subsystems that will go into each NGAD combat jet and which will see engagement from numerous contractors, of various sizes, regardless of which company is chosen as the prime. There is also the possibility that one or both of the losing candidates could even be involved in the production of the chosen combat jet. Already, for example, Northrop Grumman plays a vital role in the F-35 program, being responsible for the one current production line that makes center barrels for all three Joint Strike Fighter variants. But there are plenty of challenges, too, for whichever company lands the prime contractor spot for the NGAD combat jet. Not least, theres the Air Forces ambition to have NGAD combat jets starting to enter operational service in the early part of the next decade. Even with one or more demonstrators flying, thats an extremely compressed schedule, bearing in mind that a contract for the EMD phase is not scheduled until sometime next year. The Air Force has also insisted that the program avoid the acquisition malpractice that it says has adversely affected the F-35. Among others, the service wants a firmer design from the outset and U.S. government ownership of at least a significant portion of the data rights to it. This is considered necessary to expedite any future upgrades and spiral development, and to keep one contractor from having a monopoly on sustainment and evolution of the jet, and especially its software backbone, going forward. Another factor in NGAD is the relationship between this program and the one being pursued separately by the U.S. Navy. Also known as NGAD, the Navy program is also based around a crewed sixth-generation combat jet, known as F/A-XX. The Navy has very distinct requirements for what it needs in a crewed combat jet and the service is investing heavily in its own program, which also points to significant progress having been achieved already. While we know there is at least some crossover between the two programs, we dont know how much and to what degree success for one contractor in the Air Force program could influence the Navys choice in its own version. A rendering of a sixth-generation stealth combat jet design for the U.S. Navy. Boeing Still, the fact that the Navy will be picking its own manned NGAD aircraft means even the losers of the USAF tender could be able to win the Navy's, and they would likely be in a better place to compete if they have produced a demonstrator for the USAF. Clearly, momentum is gathering behind the Air Forces NGAD combat jet program. While firm details remain few and far between, it is obvious that, in the shadows, fierce competition is being waged, with the prize being to develop and build the services cutting-edge tactical combat jet that is expected to serve for many decades to come and be the centerpiece of the entire NGAD enterprise. Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com Next giant leap: After claiming their place in space women run the show back on Earth Fifty years ago, women trained for spaceflight, but no one could imagine a woman astronaut. Women employed by NASA made significant contributions to sending men to the moon but remained mostly invisible and accounted for a small percentage of the workforce. The first executive position to be held by a woman at NASA wouldn't be filled until 1972. Now, three of NASA's top record-holders for most time in space on a single mission are women. Peggy Whitson holds the agency's top record for the most time in space by anyone. She was the first woman to command a mission to International Space Station in 2007, and now, she is the first woman to command a private astronaut mission to the space station with Axiom Space and SpaceX. Women in Space: 60 years ago, women broke the ceiling to space. More are flying with every mission Trailblazer: 40 years later Sally Ride's legacy lives on through NASA's Artemis program Mercury 13: Meet the first unofficial class of women astronauts NASA's Artemis program: Space seeks more inclusion, embracing women on journey back to moon The women who comprise the Artemis launch team are photographed inside Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 10, 2023. In the center, holding the Artemis mission logo, is NASAs first female Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson. The team, which is about 30% women, launched the agencys Artemis I mission the first in an increasingly complex series of missions to return humans to the Moon from Kennedys Launch Pad 39B on Nov. 16, 2022. Today, women account for about 40 percent of the agency's workforce, seven of the agency's ten centers are led by women directors, and women sit at the helm of prominent commercial spaceflight companies like SpaceX. Meet some of the most influential women leaders making a difference in the space sector today: Pam Melroy, NASA Deputy Administrator NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy in her official portrait from Thursday, Mar. 2, 2023 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani) Pam Melroy, former astronaut and retired Air Force colonel with more than 6,000 flight hours in more than 50 different aircraft, is NASA's deputy administrator, the second-highest executive position at the agency. She was selected by NASA for astronaut duties in 1994 and went on to log 38 days in space and become one of only two women to command missions aboard the space shuttle. As the agencys second-in-command to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Melroy weighs in on all agency-wide decisions and operations. She reports on the state of the agency to the president and vice president. Vanessa Wyche, NASA Johnson Space Center Director NASA Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche gives remarks prior to the screening of the NASA produced documentary The Color of Space at Howard Universitys Cramton Auditorium in Washington, Saturday, June 18, 2022. At NASA's Johnson Space Center in Texas, where all agency astronauts live, work, and train for missions, Director Vanessa Wyche said there were challenges on her way to the top. "It wasn't always a step up or making it on the first try," Wyche said. "The glass ceiling is real. While I had the experiences or credentials, the environment was not such where I was able to move to the next level." Wyche was raised in South Carolina and found inspiration in her mother, a teacher, and mother to five children. She also looked to her grandmother, a business owner in the 1950s, "which was unheard of and to me is just amazing," Wyche said. She earned a bachelor's degree in engineering and a master's in bioengineering from Clemson University before joining NASA in 1989. "When I started at the Johnson Space Center, I was the first woman that had a permanent assignment in my engineering branch," Wyche said. "The number of women has increased gradually. Now our technical workforce is about 25% women." She credits the progress to the agency's intentional efforts to promote equity and diversity through employee resource groups and leadership cadres that focus on opportunity development. She also believes there has been an increase in the diversity of people pursuing technical degrees at universities. "That pipeline coming in also adds to the ability for us to have more women in (these) positions," Wyche said. Rocket launch schedule: Upcoming Florida launches and landings Space Station mission: SpaceX launched an uncrewed Dragon mission to the ISS from Kennedy Space Center Janet Petro, NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro was named Director of the Kennedy Space Center June 30, 2021. Creating opportunity is a guiding principle for Janet Petro, the first woman director of NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where a Saturn V rocket carrying the Apollo 11 mission launched on July 16, 1969. Petro graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point as part of the second co-ed class in 1981. She earned a bachelor's degree in engineering and went on to serve in the Army. After serving as deputy director at KSC since 2007, she was appointed as the center's 11th director in June 2021. She said she was often the only woman at the table during her time in the military and through her experience working at NASA during the space shuttle program. "Going up through West Point and in the Army, there wasn't a whole bunch of women, so I got a thick skin; I didn't let anything affect me," Petro said. "I made sure I was sitting at the table being a leader." JoAnn Morgan was the only woman in the launch firing room during the launch of Apollo 11. Petro calls herself a servant-leader who tries to lead by example and uses her position as a springboard to help others. "I was very, very proud of the Kennedy Space Center when we had 50% of our senior executive service positions were filled by women," Petro said. "That was an intentional effort to ensure that women got the correct developmental assignments, the right opportunities, and the right experience in order to be able to be promoted in those positions." "It's needed for other women within the ranks to see they too can achieve that," she said. That's a far cry from the days of Apollo. When Apollo 11 launched, just one woman, JoAnn Morgan, was allowed to work inside the launch control firing room alongside nearly 450 men. Fifty-four years later, NASAs Artemis program aims to return humanity back to the moon, but this time with women and people of color onboard. Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis I launch director, is seen in Firing Room One of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Center as NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard rolled out of High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building for the first time to Launch Complex 39B on March 17, 2022, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rocket eventually launched on Nov. 16, 2022. (Photo: NASA/Joel Kowsky) On November 16, 2023, the firing room for the Artemis I mission was under direct leadership of NASAs first woman launch director, Charlie Blackwell-Thompson. She gave the final go for launch command, sending the agencys massive 322-foot Space Launch System rocket on a path to the moon. Blackwell-Thompson has worked at KSC since 1988, when she graduated from Clemson University with a degree in computer engineering. She first worked as a software engineer with Boeing before joining NASA in 2004 as a test director and then as chief test director of the space shuttle program through 2011. In 2016, she was named NASA's first woman launch director. She not only oversees launch, but the entire launch integration team, which comprises three programs: the Space Launch System rocket, Orion crew capsule, and Exploration Ground Systems at KSC. To Blackwell-Thompson, leadership is about creating opportunities for her team members. "There were very few opportunities to have a woman mentor in the early stages of my career, so today, I look around and I'm a very active mentor," Blackwell-Thompson said. "It's really important to me to be able to do that because I know that wasn't something that was really available to me until much later in my career." Beyond being a mentor, Blackwell-Thompson is also an advocate for the people she leads. Thats something that the assistant Artemis I launch director, Jeremy Graeber, admires about his boss. One of her things she was most proud of was when I got to launch (space shuttle mission) STS 132, Graeber said. I didn't have to get the opportunity to do that launch. But as my boss at the time, she advocated that it made sense, and she did all that work for me so that I could get that opportunity. Not only was Blackwell-Thompson the first woman to command a launch and Artemis mission, but she also led a team of launch controllers comprised of 30% women. I think that our numbers at Kennedy Space Center, in terms of women in the workplace, women in technical roles, women in leadership, is impressive, said Blackwell-Thompson. I applaud our center, and our center director, for the emphasis that's placed on that. I think that is fantastic. The Artemis I mission was bookended by Melissa Jones, NASA's landing and recovery director. She led NASA's combined recovery operation with the Navy to retrieve and recover the uncrewed Orion capsule from the Pacific Ocean after it splashed down. She was also responsible for ensuring its safe delivery back to KSC after its 1.4 million-mile journey around the moon. Lili Villarreal, Artemis landing and recovery director with Exploration Ground Systems, stands in front of the Crew Module Test Article in the Launch Complex 39 area at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 1, 2023. She has since passed the recovery program leadership baton to Lili Villarreal, who will head up all recovery efforts for NASA's Artemis II mission, the program's first to fly astronauts around the moon set to launch next year. "I got to see Melissa at her best which was lead a team," said Villarreal. "It was great to be there watching her do her job because it really helps me become a better leader too." Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX, speaks to media at a pre-launch news conference at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla. When the Artemis III mission slated for liftoff in the latter half of this decade sends two astronauts back to the lunar surface, SpaceX will play a major part with its futuristic Starship vehicle. The astronauts in an Orion capsule will link up with Starship for the final descent to the lunar surface. The woman running that show is SpaceX's President and Chief Operating Officer, Gwynne Shotwell. Shotwell grew up in Chicago and graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and a master's in applied mathematics. She began working at The Aerospace Corporation in 1988. She joined Elon Musk's SpaceX in 2002 the company's founding year and was appointed president in 2008. Since then, she's overseen most the work at SpaceX, including the development of the company's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets and Dragon capsules, which regularly transport astronauts and thousands of pounds of cargo to and from the International Space Station. The company was awarded a $2.9 billion NASA contract to develop Starship as the Artemis program's lunar lander. Late last year, NASA awarded SpaceX a second contract valued at $1.15 billion to conduct an uncrewed demonstration mission to the moon prior to the Artemis III mission. As reported by CNBC in November last year, Shotwell prioritized her focus to head up Starship development at SpaceX's Starbase production facility near Brownsville, Texas. Laurie Leshin, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Director Dr. Laurie Leshin, director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory since May 2022, is a distinguished geochemist and space scientist with extensive leadership experience in academia and government, including senior NASA positions. Laurie Leshin, the first woman director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California, appointed in 2022, changed a well-known JPL motto to reflect her values-driven leadership style. "We've got a JPL motto called 'Dare Mighty Things,' and I've added the word 'together' because we don't do anything as individuals," Leshin said. "Really everything we're trying to do in the space program is team-based." She points to Sally Ride, one of her personal friends and mentors, as one of the most impactful women at NASA to chart a course for everyone behind her. "(Ride) was hugely influential on me as a young woman, and she took that responsibility really seriously," Leshin said. "She understood that with opportunity came a responsibility to women and girls." Dr. Sally Ride, who visited Goddard Space Flight Center for a tour and speech, greets a young fan on the stage with Dr. Laurie Leshin in the background. "Now sitting in this seat, as the first woman director of JPL, I know that I'm creating space for others, and (Ride) always tried to do that," Leshin said. Leshin, like other female leaders in the space industry, realizes making space for women and others creates ripple effects that strengthen the industry as a whole. "It's a special responsibility to show what's possible and to make positive change from a role like this," Leshin said. "I'm not only the director for the 2,000 women at JPL, which is the most we've ever had, which is very exciting." "No one person can fly a rover to Mars or send a mission to Jupiter or understand climate change. We've got to do these things as teams, and the more diverse those teams are, the better they are." Contact Jamie Groh at JGroh@floridatoday.com and follow her on Twitter at @AlteredJamie. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Meet some of the most influential women leaders of spaceflight Search teams in the North Atlantic Ocean are rushing to deploy cutting-edge technology to find and rescue the five persons aboard a Titanic tourist submersible that recently disappeared while diving to the ocean bottom. Titan, the submersible that's owned and operated by OceanGate Expeditions, sets out on its expeditions to the Titanic wreckage with enough oxygen to keep the passengers alive for about 96 hours. This fact makes Thursday morning, June 22, an important time to make progress in the search for the ship and the crew. The Search Effort Is Escalating In a report by CNN, the US Coast Guard's Northeast District tweeted early Thursday that a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) had been sent to search for the submersible on the ocean bottom. Representatives from the Explorers Club have indicated that another ROV called the Magellan is on its way to the location to help. The Magellan can connect lifting cables to Titan and has already made a digital image of the Titanic debris. Captain Jamie Frederick, the response coordinator for the First Coast Guard District, said earlier that planes are searching an area twice the size of Connecticut and as deep as 2 1/2 miles. He further said that medical professionals with "deep sea medical expertise" and a hyperbaric chamber were there to assist. The Canadian vessel Horizon Arctic has deployed an ROV that has reached the sea floor and began its search for the missing sub. #Titanic USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) June 22, 2023 Also Read: [TIMELINE] Updates on the Disappearance of the Titanic Tourist Submersible Keeping Optimism Amid Dire Circumstances The search crews have not given up hope despite the worsening circumstances. Although the source remained unclear, rescuers heard banging sounds on Wednesday, June 21, while searching a vast underwater region. Officials have indicated that the 21-foot submersible has primitive controls and not much room for passengers to stretch out. The crew also has very limited rations of food and water. "We continue to find in particularly complex cases that peoples' will to live really needs to be accounted for ... and so we're continuing to search and proceed with rescue efforts by bringing this new capability online this morning," Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard said on Thursday. David Gallo, an oceanographer and water search specialist, told CNN on Wednesday, "We need a miracle." High-End Adventure Travel Market on the Rise An archived version of OceanGate Expeditions' website reveals that the Titan, under its operator's control, lost touch with its mother ship 1 hour and 45 minutes into a dive to survey the Titanic ruins at 13,000 feet below sea level. The OceanGate CEO, three wealthy adventurers, and a French deep-sea diver are the five passengers. More than a century after the Titanic struck an iceberg and perished on its first voyage, killing more than 1,500 people, there is still curiosity about the ship. The trip is a part of the expanding market for high-end adventure travel, similar to Blue Origin's space flights and the popularity of organized hikes up Mount Everest. Concerns about OceanGate's mindset to safety, voiced by both personnel and industry experts, have been reignited as a result of the current events. Also Read: OceanGate Titan: Banging Sounds Heard by Sonar as Search for Missing Titanic-bound Sub at Fever Pitch @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In 2022, New Hampshire lawmakers made a change to the states campaign finance laws that some quickly came to regret. In a bill sponsored by Sen. James Gray, the Legislature added new limits on how much candidates could receive from political committees, and how much they could transfer from their previous campaigns war chests. Where statewide candidates had once enjoyed unlimited transfers, suddenly they would be capped at $30,000 per cycle. The change took effect in January. But it didnt take long for New Hampshire politicians and campaign staff to call for its reversal. Having caps on transfers meant that a person who won a state Senate seat in 2022 would not be able to transfer more than $30,000 in leftover campaign funds toward their 2024 re-election campaign. And it meant that someone seeking to run for governor would face the same limits over how much they could roll forward from their state Senate or Executive Council campaigns. A chart assembled by the New Hampshire Secretary of States Office showing the campaign contribution limits in place before the 2022 elections. On Tuesday, those caps were lifted, six months after they had taken effect. The budget signed by Gov. Chris Sununu included a last-minute amendment to do away with the caps, allowing any candidate, political action committee, or political advocacy organization to transfer an unlimited amount of money directly to a candidate during an election cycle. Now, some election reform advocates say the Legislature went too far, and missed an opportunity to add guardrails to political spending. The changes were added in late May did not receive a public hearing before being voted into the budget by the Senate Finance Committee. Changing (the limit) to unlimited really unleashes the ability for billionaires, mostly out-of-state billionaires, to donate to candidate committees, argued Olivia Zink, executive director of Open Democracy, a progressive organization that supports campaign finance transparency. Why do they want to open the door for unlimited amounts of money to flow to candidates? Supporters of the changes, who include top Democratic and Republican lawmakers, say the tweak was a simple housekeeping measure. Were just restoring the law to what it had been for years, said Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy, of Manchester, who co-sponsored the budget amendment with Senate President Jeb Bradley. But the moves have sparked a debate over how much money political action committees should be allowed to spend on political candidates and whether there should be any limits at all. Many lawmakers argue the system works fine. An unlimited amount of money In New Hampshire, there are two types of campaign donors: individuals including people, corporations, and unions and committees. Those include candidate committees, which are controlled by candidates; non-candidate political committees, which can advocate for candidates but not coordinate with them; and political advocacy organizations, which are often nonprofit. The rules differ depending on the donor. Individuals have one set of caps on how much they can donate to candidates and political committees; the committees have another. The laws have long been confusing, but the major changes kicked off in 2021, when lawmakers passed a sweeping bill meant to simplify the system. At the time, the state had a voluntary expenditure limit system that allowed state candidates to take a pledge to limit their campaign spending. Those who did could raise more money from political action committees during campaigns, but would be capped on how much they could spend. Those who declined to participate could spend freely, but were limited in how much they could raise from other political organizations: They could transfer unlimited amounts before filing for office in June, but after filing would face strict limits. Most candidates chose not to participate. Instead, they used the unlimited transfer period before filing for office to roll forward any funds they had from past campaigns. They also used that period to transfer any amounts from other political committees before the same limits kicked in. House Bill 263, introduced by Rep. Joe Sweeney in 2021, did away with voluntary expenditure limits, which Sweeney said were overly confusing and rarely used. That bill made many changes, setting off an effort to analyze the effects. One side effect: Political action committees could now donate unlimited amounts to campaigns, at any time of the election cycle the Department of Justice concluded in a December 2021 analysis. With the removal of reference to political committees, this paragraph no longer limits political committee contributions, In 2022, Gray submitted a bill that attempted to codify the departments analysis and put into statute a simple table that would summarize those unlimited amounts. When the bill passed, however, it included the $30,000 cap on donations from committees to candidates, which senators say was unintentional. The budget Gov. Chris Sununu signed Tuesday removed the cap. Sweeney, who supports the changes, said the codified limits could allow new types of donation. It makes it so that somebody could raise an unlimited amount of money into a political advocacy organization, which doesnt have any limits, and then they could take that money and put it into a candidate committee, he said.. Im not sure if that was the intent of the legislators that made the amendment and amended the budget that way. I think thats going to be the reality of the impact. A push for small donor elections That decision has dismayed some. Zink says the state should be moving toward more campaign finance limits, not fewer. And she said that Grays 2022 bill, which imposed the $30,000 limits, should have been allowed to stay in law for long enough to see its effects. These caps are important, Zink said. The intent of this law is to try to not have one individual have undue influence. Zink said removing the caps also gives too much power to national party leaders, who can now distribute out-of-state money more easily to state candidates. National campaign organizations such as the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee and the Republican State Leadership Committee count as political committees in New Hampshire law; the new codification allows them to donate unlimited amounts to specific candidates. And she argued the last-minute maneuver to add the changes to the budget without allowing for a public hearing deprived advocates of the ability to mobilize against the change. Had the idea been introduced as its own bill at the beginning the year, I think it would have a different outcome, Zink argued. To Zink and others, New Hampshires campaign finance system is already too confusing. The line between candidate committees, candidates, and political committees can be blurry, difficult for citizens to track, and difficult to enforce, Zink argued. Ideally, Id love to move in a direction where we have more voter-owned elections, where small donor regular voters have a voice in the process. she said. Never been a functional limit Leaders and members of both parties, on the other hand, support the current limits. Some, like Republicans, argue there shouldnt be caps on how much anyone can spend, whether they are individuals or committees. I believe that money is speech and so Im opposed to placing limits on that, Sweeney said. He pushed back at the notion that billionaires are holding significant influence over New Hampshire elections, and said state elections still hinge on candidates courting individual voters. Others say attempting to limit campaign donations is futile. Individuals have always been able to find ways to skirt campaign finance limits in the state, argued Greg Moore, the state director for Americans for Prosperty New Hampshire, a conservative advocacy group. One popular way is through the use of limited liability corporations that individuals can form to increase their donations, a process reformers call the LLC loophole. At heart, theres really never been a functional limit in New Hampshire on how much an individual or campaign can give to another, said Moore. Its just a matter of how hard you want to work to do it. And some, including Democrats, argue that because political advocacy organizations and political committees must disclose their donors, unlimited contributions from those organizations will bring more transparency to campaign finance. Every dollar that I receive as a candidate is reported, said Soucy. It is transparent. Its completely transparent. As for how unlimited transfers from political advocacy organizations could affect spending in New Hampshire, views are mixed. Sweeney said it would likely have the most bearing on gubernatorial races, where campaigns can raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to be competitive. State House and Senate races were less likely to hit the $30,000 transfer caps. And Moore predicted that it could open opportunities for national party organizations to spend more heavily, such as the Democratic Governors Association and Republican Governors Association, and their counterpart organizations for state legislature campaigns. The true effects might not be seen for years, Sweeney said. Well see how this plays out in a very big presidential election year, he said, speaking on 2024. And then the Legislature can take another look at it in two years. This story was originally published by New Hampshire Bulletin. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH budget removes limits on campaign donations. Not all are thrilled. Renowned Nigerian-American editor and writer Nikki Ogunnaike has been named the editor in chief of womens magazine Marie Claire. Ogunnaike joins this new post from Harpers Bazaar where she was the senior digital director since coming onboard in 2020. In her new role, Ogunnaike is said to be responsible for leading the publications print, digital, experiential, and social efforts. Marie Claire shuttered print in September 2021 after 27 years, but new owners have committed to bringing back special issues. Ogunnaike has been a strong figure in fashion, making a name for herself due to her distinctive fashion style and often sitting front row at fashion week. She has also held editorial roles in other publications such as Instyle, GQ, ELLE, and Glamour. As a long-time admirer, Im thrilled to join the Marie Claire team and lead this brand into a new era, Ogunnaike said in an official statement. Women who are passionate about their careers, personal style, and the world around them will find a new destination that speaks to their entire identity. I cant wait to begin this new chapter! And on her Instagram page, she posted a heartfelt caption celebrating the new appointment. For nearly 30 years, Marie Claire has been the go-to source for women who seek to lead a life of purpose and power. As a long-time admirer, Im thrilled to join the Marie Claire team as their new Editor in Chief and lead this brand into a new era, she wrote. New Direction Nikki Ogunnaike is the sister of Lola Ogunnaike also a renowned journalist and former New York Times reporter. Ogunnaikes entry into the Marie Claire fold comes as the publication expanded its operations to Nigeria. She is also said to be spearheading a New York Fashion Week event and taking on the tasks of developing the November print issue as well as Marie Claires annual Power Trip event. As Hillary Kerr Chief Content Officer of Marie Claire and Who What Wear says of Ogunnaike, Nikki is an absolute visionary, with a distinct point of view, peerless taste and unparalleled experience. To see her lead this historic brand into a new era and continue to grow Futures Womens Network, is unquestionably exciting. The post Nikki Ogunnaike Named Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire appeared first on 21Ninety. The No Contact Rule: Understand It and How It Benefits You no contact Breakups and the end of situationships can be emotionally overwhelming. The ending of a relationship can leave women searching for ways to heal and move forward. One strategy that has gained significant recognition is the No Contact rule. By cutting off all communication with a partner, this rule can promote healing, boundaries and personal growth. Understanding the No Contact Rule The No Contact Rule is a deliberate decision to stop all communication with an ex-partner or someone youve shared a romantic or emotional connection. Preparing yourself mentally for this process is very important. Try to implement the rule by blocking phone numbers, unfollowing social media accounts and avoiding all interaction. People typically implement the rule for a specific time period, ranging from 30 to 90 days. Utilize this period of solitude to carve out a sanctuary for introspection, healing and nurturing self-love. This enables you to disengage from the past and prioritize your own well-being. Here are some of the benefits to the rule. Promoting Healing Emotions run high after a breakup, and wounds are raw. By implementing the No Contact rule, each person can process their emotions without constant reminders of their past relationship. Now both parties are allowed room for healing. By cutting off communication, you can gain a sense of control over your emotions. You also break free from the cycle of hope and disappointment. It allows you to distance yourself from the pain, reflect on the relationships shortcomings and come to terms with the reality of the situation. This period of introspection paves the way for emotional healing and acceptance. Encouraging Personal Growth The No Contact rule is not solely about healing. Its about fostering personal growth. By redirecting your focus inward, you can explore your needs, goals and aspirations. Take this opportunity to rebuild your self-esteem, strengthen your identity and redefine your happiness independent of a romantic relationship. Without the distractions and emotional rollercoaster of an ex-partner, you can invest your time and energy in self-care and self-improvement. The No Contact rule can help to empower you to create a life that aligns with your values and desires. Maintaining Boundaries and Closure Implementing the No Contact rule is crucial for establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries. It helps you break free from toxic dynamics, prevent unnecessary drama and avoid relapses into unhealthy relationship patterns. By enforcing a period of no contact, you can gain clarity, create emotional distance and find closure on your own terms. You will allow yourself to detach from the past and focus on your well-being rather than getting caught in a cycle of on-again, off-again interactions. Moments Of Weakness Navigating moments of weakness during the No Contact rule requires a gentle yet resolute approach. Its natural to experience emotional setbacks and longing for the familiarity of the past, but remember that these moments are an integral part of the healing process. Acknowledge your emotions without judgment. This allows you to feel whatever arises. Then, seek support from trusted friends or a therapist who can provide guidance and encouragement. Engage in self-care practices that bring you solace, such as journaling, meditation and other hobbies. Remind yourself of the reasons why you initiated the No Contact rule, and the importance of prioritizing your own growth and well-being. Redirect your focus towards personal goals and aspirations, embracing the opportunity for self-discovery and resilience. Ultimately, remember that moments of weakness are temporary, and by nurturing yourself through them, you will emerge stronger and more empowered. The post The No Contact Rule: Understand It and How It Benefits You appeared first on 21Ninety. When it comes to keeping the public informed about safety, lets just say the Southlake and Fort Worth police departments take a different approach. Unlike many departments that take a more sober tack in their delivery, these departments eliminate cop talk. Instead, they have replaced it with a less formal, more relaxed approach to communication, all the while still getting a serious message across. In Southlake, Public Information Officer Brad Uptmore began a campaign of humanizing the badge when he came on board five years ago. In Fort Worth, PIO Brad Perez specializes in out of the box presentations. This has paid off in the many views their departments are receiving via social media and, most recently, with each winning a pair of the nations most prestigious video awards. When I was a younger officer, I never wanted to lose the fun, creative side of me, which was tough with the amount of things you deal with daily on the job, said Uptmore, a film major at Baylor. I worked for Dallas PD for 10 years, so really not falling into that trap of becoming jaded and disgruntled became a huge goal. This job ages you mentally, so I was able to have self-awareness and recognize that I need to remember Im a person too, not just a cop. While you mainly see negative things on the news about police officers, theres a ton more good than bad and police work is hilarious. As he built Southlakes social identity, Uptmore reached out to Perez, who had been producing his own brand of videos since 2015, including a series of FWPD videos in the vein of Star Wars that caught Uptmores attention. He gave me tips and tricks, and I saved his number. Facebook was a different beast back then with music rights, etc., Uptmore said. I learned long ago that by using pop culture or trending references and providing a unique out of the box approach when it comes to advertising our police department on social media, it has provided more positive engagement and even national, sometimes international, recognition for our police department, Perez said. There was even a time in 2018 when I was advised NOT to create any more recruitment videos because we were completely full. This approach with our social media also explains why the Fort Worth Police Department has garnered over 340,000 followers on our Facebook page alone. The latest of many awards won by both departments was at the Golden Post Awards presented by Government Social Media LLC, the largest network of government social media professionals in the U.S. Both Southlake and Fort Worth won for Best Long Form Video Golden Post. Each was a hiring video. It was Fort Worths third time to be honored by the elite organization and Southlakes second. There was a month or two in 2022, where basically the whole nation knew that Southlake and Fort Worth PDs were hiring, so mission accomplished, Uptmore said. Id wager to say hiring is a top three issue with almost any police department nationwide these days. Latest winning video Uptmore called upon a country music legend or a facsimile thereof, for his departments award-winning video. Perez, meanwhile, went back in his memories to one of his favorite movies to come up with his idea. I almost knew that if one did take off, Id be thrilled that the entire nation knew we were hiring versus just our audience and that worked with the George Strait video, Uptmore said. Our applications submitted from 2021 to 2022 increased over 400%, and I like to think some of that was our videos, but its also because we have a $10,000 hiring incentive. Yes, you read right. A George Strait video to help bring potential new officers to Southlake. Well, it wasnt actually the troubadour himself, but rather a tribute band. Uptmore, as he is prone to do, had written his own song to the tune of Amarillo by Morning, and he reached out to Derek Spence for vocals. Spence asked if he could be in the video. Hoooo boy, thank goodness he was willing to do that. He is an absolute dead ringer for King George, and he did everything I asked him to, Uptmore said. We had one small window on one night to film this after he put on a show, and despite me sweating and having an international flight the next morning at 6, he and his bandmates were so understanding, kind, and supportive. There are still people who comment, thinking hes the real George Strait, and man, I couldnt ask for more. Perez and his department created what he calls the Officer Big B video, featuring his friend and fellow officer Buddy Calzada. He got the idea one day while driving by a used car lot. I was looking at the cars, and it reminded me of a movie I had seen in my youth called Used Cars starring Kurt Russell. Then it made me think of those crazy, over the top, personalities Ive seen in those commercials over the years, Perez said. I started picturing our police vehicles, units, and officers being promoted in such a way and decided to write a script. I wrote the script and showed it to Buddy the next day, and as he read it, he looked at me and said, I want to do this! and the rest is history. With over a million views on Facebook and over a thousand applications turned in, Perez said the FWPD recently started one of the largest classes if not the largest ever of recruits with 77. A supervisor in recruiting advised us that several applicants, even one as far away as New York, stated that they wanted to join the Fort Worth Police Department because of the Officer Big B video, Perez said. Having the pleasure of working with Buddy in our unit and seeing what a huge personality he has, I have had him star in several of my video creations. Officer Big B, by far, has been the most popular video that starred Buddy, receiving national recognition. The Officer Big B video received spots on Fox National News, ABC National News, and even the Kelly Clarkson Show to just name a few. Other awards Both departments have enjoyed their share of success, including Southlake bringing home the Oscar of the PR world, as Uptmore calls it, when they won the Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America in 2019 for Most Effective Campaign $5,000 or less. One of the more popular Facebook posts from Southlake was something Uptmore titled the Hey Gurl Post. It was written in the form of a letter to a woman who was suspected of identity theft. Instead of the traditional post of looking for a criminal, it contained lipstick emojis (because she had a lipstick tattoo on her neck) and girl talk, revealing information about the case and the kind of trouble she was in. It ended with the phrase, Gurl, CALL ME. In less than a day, it reached more than three million people and drew almost two million engagements. Another post that was simply of an orange plastic getting run over in a school zone went worldwide and received over two million responses. Likewise, another showing an officer holding an umbrella over a man in handcuffs being arrested in the rain was extremely popular. From the beginning, Brads task has been to humanize the badge through social media engagement. And he has executed with incredible skill, Southlake Mayor John Huffman said. Yes, his posts are eye-catching and funny. But theres a method to the madness. Hes figured out that when he makes communication catchy, people pay attention. And now, our community knows and loves our officers, both police and fire, because they see them as people, not just uniforms. Not to be outdone, Perez and the FWPD have had some eye-popping feedback from their posts, including 21 million views for a Stormtrooper Recruitment video, six million for their Git Up Challenge video, and three million for a Lyp Sync Challenge. I just stay the course and continue to try and make the Fort Worth Police Department the best representation of a place where you can be a police officer, but you can still be yourself and have fun, Perez said. Because when it comes down to whether something Ive created is a success or not, I always look at the numbers. Keeping on Be sure that both Perez and Uptmore have more unique presentations that will make their way to video. I get imposter syndrome, or Ill think that serendipity has finally worn off, and then I get a creative version of writers block, he said. When I hit the jackpot on a graphic or a video of something I created, my gas tank gets full again. My brain works like a CNN stock ticker, where idea after idea just constantly scrolls through, and its so rewarding and amazing that theres not too much I cant do these days. And yes, there is a lot more coming from both. Uptmore said he currently has five videos in the works, with upcoming ones ranging from green screen cheese to Wes Anderson to coordinating a string quartet to play while the officers deliver their message. I keep a pulse on what everyone is talking about and whats in the news, and if its positive and I can combine it into the police and fire worlds, I give it a shot, he said. Meanwhile, Perez is playing it a little closer to the vest with his future plans. Yes, I have more unique ideas in mind, but I keep them there until its time to create them. I always want my work to be a surprise, he said. The FWPD Public Relations Team does outstanding work and I am happy to see the positive response our videos receive. It is always great when we can engage with our community members on social media in a fun and creative way, Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes said. Calzada said he and Uptmore have had ideas of doing some collaborative videos, but with their busy schedules and department needs, that hasnt happened yet. We havent been able to accomplish that yet. Hopefully, we can film something in the near future, Calzada said. Brad and I have been friends for about five years and enjoy watching each departments creativity teams social media content. Uptmore added that a presentation doesnt always have to be the highest produced, best planned, or most over the top to be popular. Its all about striking the right chord. Chief (James) Brandon never lets me forget that after all of the stuff Ive created, our number one most watched video is still a video of a student recording an officer walking a ferret, he said. John EastmanAlex Wong/Getty Images Proceedings for the disbarment hearing of Donald Trump's "coup memo" author John Eastman began Tuesday in Los Angeles and they're not looking good for the former president's key adviser on his Jan. 6 plot. Eastman became a central figure in the House Jan. 6 Committee's investigation into the insurrection for his efforts in advising Trump on ways to overturn the 2020 election in Congress. Additionally, a Politico report showed that Eastman also encouraged Republican poll workers and allies to file complaints that could be compiled to challenge the then-upcoming midterm and presidential elections. On Tuesday, Eastman called a man named Joseph Fried to the stand, referring to him as an "expert witness." The Daily Beast reported that Fried is a public accountant and author of an eBook that detailed his skepticism about President Joe Biden's 2020 election win. California State Bar Court Judge Yvette Roland was less than impressed with Eastman's attempt to pass off Fried as an expert. "I don't see how Mr. Fried is qualified to be an expert. He has no experience in voting or election matters," the judge said. Related Leaked audio: Trump's "coup memo" author is training MAGA diehards to meddle in midterm elections "We don't believe the opinion of a CPA ... is relevant," reiterated state bar attorney Duncan Carling, adding that Fried "never identified any instances of fraud" in the 2020 presidential election. Eastman is facing 11 disciplinary charges and is at risk of having his law license suspended or revoked in the state of California. Eastman's attorney, Randal Miller, tried to invoke the First Amendment in defense of his client's alleged actions. "Lawyers get to argue debatable issues, which is what Dr. Eastman did," Miller said. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Carling, however, said Eastman's purported behavior was 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," Carling said. "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." Carling also cited email correspondence between Eastman and former Vice President Mike Pence's then-attorney Greg Jacob, in which Jacob informed Eastman that it was "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 a separate email shared by an independent journalist, Jacob wrote, "And thanks to your bullshit, we are now under siege." Miller, however, described the email exchange as "two smart people" having "an honest debate held in good faith." The email exchange between John Eastman and Greg Jacob (no s) that Eastman's lawyer called "two smart people" debating a constitutional issue includes the email in which Jacob tells Eastman, "And thanks to your bullshit, we are under siege." pic.twitter.com/z9ntRjJixI Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) June 20, 2023 Read more about this topic No exploratory drilling for gas in Manx waters in 2023, firm says Exploratory works for drilling for natural gas in Manx waters will not take place this year, the firm behind the project has said. Crogga, which was granted a licence to search for gas in the island's territorial seas, had planned to start drilling an appraisal well in October. The firm has blamed "political indecision" for delays in creating regulations to allow consent for that. The government said it was assessing a request to vary the licence. The licence for the exploration was issued by the Department of Infrastructure (DOI) on behalf of the government. Critics of the project previously said allowing fossil fuel extraction was at odds with the government's goal of reaching net-zero climate emissions by 2050. There has been plans for an appraisal well off he coast of Maughold In January, the firm announced it had appointed Three60 Energy to drill an appraisal well to understand how much gas is under the seabed 17km (10.5miles) off Maughold Head. The firm also began a subscription process to fund the drilling, allowing members of the public to invest in the project. However, in its June newsletter to shareholders, it said it had now "taken the decision to return subscriptions to Independence Well Raise subscribers". The firm's chief executive officer Richard Hubbard said although the fund raising had shown "widespread" support from the Manx public, that "does not seem to be the case" within government ranks. Some civil servants and politicians "appear reluctant to associate with drilling a gas well and without firm leadership," he added. "Very little forward motion has occurred within DOI, who are responsible for managing the Crogga licence." The DOI said full consideration was being given to the consequences of a proposal to vary the terms of the licence by bringing forward the drilling of an appraisal well and Crogga's ability to undertake this under the provisions of the licence. In a statement, the government said: "Crogga had requested the DOI vary its Petroleum Act 1986 licence, which mirrored the terms of a full UK standard Seaward Production (Innovate) Licence, as the firm had originally requested. "The legislative and regulatory frameworks for the drilling and production phase of the project, including phase C, will only become needed if exploration Phase B is completed successfully or if the licence is varied as requested by Crogga. "Substantial work has been undertaken on developing the legislative and regulatory requirements and North Sea Transition Authority guidance is helpful. "Until Crogga's request to vary its licence, the first appraisal well was scheduled for Q1 2026, but the accelerated work programme now proposed by Crogga raises issues of a technical nature requiring expert assessment." Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and Twitter? You can also send story ideas to IsleofMan@bbc.co.uk No need to take iodine in case of Russian terrorist act at Zaporizhzhya NPP scientists No scenario of events at the Zaporizhzhia NPP requires iodine prophylaxis None of the possible scenarios at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant would require Ukrainians to take iodine as protection from radioactivity, the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety reported on Facebook on June 22. Radioactive iodine is produced only when the reactor is generating electricity, and the last operating reactor at the plant was shut down in September 2022. Currently, all reactors are shut down and have not generated electricity for at least nine months, the agency said. Of the iodine isotopes, iodine I-131 has the longest half-life, which is about eight days, after which the amount of radioactive substance is halved. This, in turn, means that at least 34 half-lives of this isotope of iodine have taken place since the shutdown of the reactors, and its radioactivity in the last shut-down reactor at the plant has decreased billions of times compared to September 2022. Read also: Situation at Zaporizhzhya NPP "extremely fragile, warns IAEA chief Thus, if there is a release of radioactive substances in the case of a hypothetical accident or terrorist act at the plant, no radioactive iodine isotopes will be released. In contrast, the scientists stressed that the unnecessary taking of Potassium Iodide could cause harm to health, while ingestion of iodine tincture, Betadine, or Lugol's solution can cause serious burns to the mucous membrane, as well as poisoning. The agency also urged everyone to trust only official sources of information. Russia is considering conducting a nuclear attack at the occupied ZNPP, and "has prepared everything for this," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on June 22. Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said on June 20, that Russian forces had mined the cooling pond at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, though Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, insisted on June 21 that no mining had been observed. Read also: Russian forces blocked rescue efforts after Kakhovka HPP attack Amnesty International Grossi has warned that the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station and Dam poses a threat to the operation of the nuclear plant, as the necessary water level for cooling the reactors could be lost within a few weeks. Following his visit to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant on June 15, Grossi reported that the situation was serious but stabilizing. Current water levels in the cooling pond are enough to sustain the plant for up to a year, Ukraine's nuclear operator Energoatom has stated. 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 Several North Baltimore residents found gravel-filled plastic bags containing flyers promoting a white supremacist organization Wednesday morning, prompting police to investigate the racist and anti-LGBTQ+ literature as a hate crime. Meanwhile, Baltimore County Police said Wednesday that they are investigating similar matters in the Cockeysville and Parkville areas after literature was found there, some of which police said had an anti-Semitic tone. Its really unsettling, said Baltimore Councilman Mark Conway, whose district includes the Bellona-Gittings and Cedarcroft neighborhoods where the literature signed by The Loyal White Knights, a white supremacist group affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan, was found. The Democratic City Council member said a constituent had reached out to him about receiving the flyer. Baltimore Police said officers responded Wednesday morning to the 6200 block of Sycamore Road in Cedarcroft regarding the papers scattered throughout the neighborhood. It is unknown at this time who scattered the offensive papers throughout the neighborhood, police spokesperson Freddie Talbert said, noting that the incident is being investigated as a hate crime. Conway, who was elected in 2020, said he has been aware of local extremists who participated in the Jan. 6 riots and a nearby case of voter intimidation, as well as nationwide networks of extremists with activity in the state, but had not seen any hate group activity in the city as upfront as Wednesdays flyer distribution. It really worries me. We need to stay vigilant as a neighborhood, he said, encouraging those who received a flyer or who may have doorbell camera footage of the distribution to contact police. Nathan Hubler, a Cedarcroft resident for 17 years, said hed never seen hate messages in the neighborhood. Despite the messages, Hubler decided to decorate his home with pride flags to show he will not be intimidated and others in the community are not alone. We put up decorations to show the Ku Klux Klan we are not scared, Hubler said. He also said many of his neighbors still planned to attend the Maryland Democratic Partys Pride brunch scheduled for Saturday at a home in the neighborhood. Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman are scheduled guests for the event. Authorities in Baltimore County called the flyer distribution there a part of a national trend, and asked those with information to contact investigators at 410-307-2020 or anonymously through Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-756-2587. Those with information on the incidents in Baltimore City can contact investigators at HateCrimes@BaltimorePolice.org. This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). North Korea continues to struggle as its borders remain closed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with many people losing hope, and leader Kim Jong Un forced to allegedly ban suicides. "The stories of the plight of the North Korean people are heartbreaking. The Kim regime does not care about the North Korean people," Anthony Ruggerio, Senior Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former National Security Council Director for North Korea, told Fox News Digital. "The Kim family spends the billions it makes from illicit activities on missiles, nuclear weapons and luxury goods to sustain their lifestyle," he added. "The best way to help the North Korean people is to sanction the regime and Chinese companies, individuals and banks who allow this tragedy to continue." In a recent BBC report in cooperation with NK Daily, the U.K. outlet spoke with three ordinary North Koreans about the state of the country following the devastating toll COVID19 had on the nation. KIM JONG UN BALLOONS PAST 300 LBS. AMID REPORTS OF PILL 'HOARDING,' HEAVY DRINKING READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP A medicine seller using the name Myong Suk told the British outlet that businesses that were once healthy have dwindled to virtual non-existence. She claimed that the countrys food situation "has never been this bad." Increasing poverty has caused suicides to spike 40% over the past year alone, Radio Free Asia reported, citing government officials but unable to confirm the tally. Pedestrians walk past a poster with a slogan that translates as "March forward for a new victory!" near the Pyongyang Grand Theatre in Pyongyang on March 31, 2023. "There are a lot of internal unrest factors in North Korea due to the hardships of people," the South Korean National Intelligence Service told the outlet. In response, Kim officially declared suicide an "act of treason against socialism" and ordered his government to take preventative measures an order delivered in emergency meetings in each province at the provincial, city and county levels. An official from the northeastern province of North Hamgyong also claimed that violent crimes have increased. NORTH KOREA STATE MEDIA MOCKS US FOR BLINKEN'S DISGRACEFUL BEGGING TRIP TO MEET WITH XI "Our meeting was held at the provincial party committees building located in Pohang district, in the city of Chongjin," he said. "The large number of suicide cases in the province was revealed, and some officials . . . could not hide their anxious expressions," the North Korean official told the BBC. Party officials told local politicians that suicide has a greater social impact than starvation, but the party offered no solution as to how the local governments could effectively prevent further attempts. A man walks past a television screen showing a news broadcast with file footage of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul on May 31, 2023. "Most of the suicides were caused by severe poverty and starvation, so no one can come up with a countermeasure right now," the anonymous official said. He described hearing about a boy whose parents died of starvation and whose grandparents subsequently consumed rat poison when their hunger became too much for them. The correspondence between the BBC and the three North Koreans living inside the country add the much-needed context to understand the true severity of the situation most people face: Myong Suk said she had gone from feeding her family rice to scraping out meals of corn alone for her family, with neighbors daily begging her for food. US NUCLEAR SUBMARINE ARRIVES TO SOUTH KOREA A DAY AFTER NORTH KOREA RESUMES MISSILE TESTS She says that the people are "living on the front line of life." "Before COVID, people viewed Kim Jong Un positively, but now almost everyone is full of discontent," she said. This photo taken April 11, 2023, shows people taking photos and writing notes as dishes are displayed during the 26th Cooking Festival, which marks the Day of the Sun, the birth anniversary of late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung, at the Pyongyang Noodle House in Pyongyang. A construction worker calling himself Chan Ho told the BBC that his income 4,000 won, equivalent to $.50 a day is no longer enough to buy the rice needed to feed his family, forcing him to rely on government rations, which he also stopped receiving. The prices of rice, corn and seasonings have risen so high that no one can afford them anymore, he said, and the country does not produce enough food to support its population. In addition to limiting food imports, the border closure denied workers access to fertilizer and machinery needed to grow crops. US IMPOSES SANCTIONS ON NORTH KOREAN COUPLE IN BEIJING FOR ALLEGED BALLISTIC MISSILE EQUIPMENT PROCUREMENT He even described how a friends son became so malnourished that the military released him from service. "At first, I was afraid of dying from COVID," he said. "But then I began to worry about starving to death." Residents attempted to supplement their income, such as the case of Ji Yeon, who would sell stolen fruit and vegetables as well as cigarettes her husband got as bribes from co-workers, but the party ordered more stringent security measures, leading to more thorough checks that have made it impossible to move anything. "We survive by thinking 10 days ahead, then another 10, thinking that if my husband and I starve, at least we will feed our kids," Ji Yeon said, revealing that she had recently gone two days without eating. "Its a disaster," she added. "With no supplies coming from the border, people do not know how to make a living." "Even if people die next door, you only think about yourself. Its heartless," she said. When North Miami Beach Mayor Anthony DeFillipo was arrested last month, he became the citys third elected mayor to be arrested in 11 years. It was the latest sign of turmoil in a city where commissioners have boycotted meetings, the city manger was fired, government employees have been arrested for stealing gift cards meant for the public and a judge reinstated a commissioner who was ousted. Some residents are tired of the tensions and want the city to move on. At a commission meeting Tuesday, after reinstated Commissioner Michael Joseph launched into a ten-minute tirade against the mayor and interim city attorney, some in the audience expressed dismay that not much had changed. Im totally disappointed in whats been going on here, said Irene Pilinger, a longtime North Miami Beach resident who frequents commission meetings. I dont know how theyre going to come together. When even tonight, Michael Joseph was accusing people of protecting the former mayor. For the past six months, the city has been embroiled in controversy stemming from allegations DeFillipo lives in the town of Davie in Broward County rather than North Miami Beach as required by the citys charter. That issue came to a head when DeFillipo was arrested and charged with three counts of voter fraud on May 31 and then suspended from his position by Gov. Ron DeSantis days later. North Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Joseph (left), and Mayor Anthony DeFillipo (right) READ: Governor suspends North Miami Beach mayor following arrest on voter fraud charges The controversy over the mayors residency led to three members of the commission refusing to attend meetings, which in turn resulted in Joseph being ousted from office on a determination that he failed to attend commission meetings for more than 120 days as required. He was ordered reinstated by a Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge on June 13. Also last month, two city employees were arrested for abuse of the citys Publix gift cards giveaway. Former Human Resources Director Andrew Bejel and former North Miami Beach public affairs assistant Jennifer C. Hillmon were charged with one count of organized scheme to defraud. Hillmon was also charged with one count of grand theft and Bejel was charged with two counts of petit theft. A new city manager is now hoping to create unity. I think overall, we need to take a breath, Mario Diaz told the Miami Herald days before he was sworn into office. We need to kind of recollect and see where we are together as a team and what path we take together to move forward and to move the city forward for the benefit of our residents and businesses. The Herald spoke to business owners, former and current elected officials, and residents about how they viewed the turmoil in the city. And while some were frustrated with the current circumstances, some said they believe the city can move past it. And others, such as Pilinger, arent too sure. I really dont know what the resolution is, she said while attending the recent commission meeting. I dont know what the future is gonna bring. But after tonight, there was no Kumbaya here. It was embarrassing Before DeFillipo, two other North Miami Beach mayors were arrested. In 2018, then-Mayor George Vallejo agreed to resign from office and accept house arrest as part of a plea deal for violating state campaign finance laws. Vallejo pleaded guilty to filing a false report on a $5,000 expenditure by a political action committee and authorizing an illegal expenditure in that amount by the committee during his 2015 reelection campaign. In 2012, former Mayor Myron Rosner was arrested and pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful compensation related to campaign advertising and was sentenced to serve three years probation. DeFillipos attorney, Michael Pizzi, said his clients charges shouldnt be compared to his predecessors. Whats unique about the mayors arrest is that, unlike some of the other cases, theres been no allegation here that the mayor benefited financially, he said. Its purely a ridiculous allegation about whether or not he voted in the correct precinct. RELATED: North Miami Beach mayor arrested on charges related to voting irregularities Former Florida State Rep. Joseph Geller, whose law practice focuses on government relations, said the city shouldnt be defined by the history of its past mayors. Im not in favor of people not remembering your history, but history doesnt control your actions moving forward, he said. You should learn from it but it doesnt control you. Longtime North Miami Beach resident Melissa Winchester said she was involved with Washington Park Community Centers Teen Program when DeFillipos father, Kenneth, was a commissioner and recalled a time when he made a donation to the program. I feel as if the mayor has disgraced his fathers name, she said. I love my city. This is a great city but all you see is mess every time you turn around, she said. Winchester, as a Miami-Dade County corrections officer, said she was at the jail on the day DeFillipo was being booked. I was shamed to hear that I had to lock the building down from my mayor, she said. I had to release my mayor. I work in booking and release. I didnt book him, but I processed him out. It was embarrassing. Winchester said she hopes he can rebound from the situation. DeFillipo has an arraignment hearing scheduled June 30. Community reaction Of the North Miami Beach residents the Herald spoke with, many said they did not know about the mayors arrest, or the events leading up to it, but once made aware said they were disappointed. Hector Villarreal expressed concern about DeFillipo potentially living outside of the city. As a resident of the area, I just hope that we are able to find somebody else that lives here and thats more involved. READ MORE: Embattled North Miami Beach mayor acknowledges he took a seat on Davie homeowners board Business owners and employees across the street from North Miami Beach City Hall also did not know about DeFillipos arrest. Some had been there a few months and others a few years. If its illegal and you know its illegal and you know that if you do it, you have consequences then you shouldnt do it at all, Rosie Lucero, a manager at AMPM Smoke Shop, said. Because I dont know if youre my mayor and youll do things to jeopardize everybody here. She also wondered if perhaps it was a mistake and whether he had time to update his license in time to change precincts and vote. Im also human, and I know what humans do, she said. I dont judge because maybe he did forget. City commissioners talk during a meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at North Miami Beach City Hall. The meeting was held to determine if Michael Joseph vacated his seat when he violated the citys meeting attendance in the charter. Elected officials are aware the city has an image problem and the government needs to rebuild trust in the community. The general consensus is that you know, there is uncertainty and a disappointment in city government, North Miami Beach Commissioner McKenzie Fleurimond said. I think that it happens to be that all of these things happen consecutively. And the citys image at this point is one that is not a good one. But were working to gain that trust back. Joseph said he plans to work to move the commission forward. I think every community has its growing pains, he said. I think North Miami Beach is very unique in a way that the demographics are unique and beautiful, and we have various different points and ways of really interacting with our government or being active. And youre gonna have these sort of flare ups. Commissioner Fortuna Smukler said the allegations surrounding DeFillipo, the city having three mayors who were arrested and the employees arrested over the gift cards were upsetting. It gives a bad impression, she said. I know its embarrassing and its embarrassing to the good residents that care. Im hoping that can change but every time we take a step forward, we go two steps backwards. Turning the corner For now, Vice Mayor Jay Chernoff is serving as acting mayor on the six-person commission. To move forward, J.C. Planas, an elections attorney and government consultant, said ongoing litigation among commissioners, in which Chernoff is appealing the decision to reinstate Joseph should be dropped. Chernoff appealing a very rational decision by a very well-respected judge, I think, doesnt help, Planas said. I think Chernoff should obviously try to make peace. Planas said that with a six-person commission, instead of the usual seven, there will likely be more 3-3. For Former Florida State Rep. Joseph Geller, the resolution is simple: They just need to work together and look to the future, he said. Everyone needs to not allow difficulties to control their actions. And they just need to cooperate and move forward. Despite the frustration, residents and commissioners are hopeful things will turn the corner with Diaz coming on board as city manager, months after former city manager Arthur Sorey III was ousted. RELATED: North Miami Beach fires city manager. All commissioners attend meeting after judge order Diaz was most recently village manager at Biscayne Park, and before that, he was chief of staff at North Bay Village, where he shepherded the city through the COVID-19 pandemic. Diaz said change wont happen overnight: You cant always be hasty to act for the sake of acting, and thats where things tend to start to fall apart. Geller said right now, its key for Diaz to unite the commission. Any good manager has to help by building consensus among elected officials. Thats not unique to this situation where theres been some dysfunction. Thats what a good manager does, he said, emphasizing that a city manager does not set policy. In his first few months on the job, Diaz plans to assess ongoing projects such as upgrades to Washington Park Community Center. He said he plans to hold a town hall meeting with residents on how to address the needs of the center. But the biggest priority is the budget. Were working with the departments to be able to create that and bring that to the commission so that they can discuss and identify what their priorities are, Diaz said. He told the Herald he was not afraid to dive into the turmoil that has swallowed North Miami Beach in the past weeks. I came into this opportunity with my eyes wide open. Space travel is actually affecting the immune system of NASA and CSA astronauts. This was revealed by a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Ottawa in Canada. For the past years, numerous studies shared how space missions (being in zero-gravity) affect bones and other parts of the human body. Now, the new Canadian Space Agency-funded research conducted by Canadian experts focused on observing 14 astronauts-11 men and 3 women-to understand how traveling in space impacts their immune systems. The study followed NASA's recent study about detailed changes in the brains of astronauts. Space Travel Affects Immune System of NASA Astronauts According to ABC News AU's latest report, the new study observed astronauts who spent between 4.5 and 6.5 months at ISS (International Space Station). Read Also: Study Finds That Testosterone Therapy Does Not Have Adverse Effects on Men's Cardiovascular Safety The study's participants were those who specifically stayed at the ISS between 2015 and 2019. Their findings revealed that the gene expressions of astronauts' cells called leukocytes drastically decrease when they are in space. But, these gene activities usually go back to normal as soon as they return to Earth. Based on these findings, the immune system strengths of NASA and CSA astronauts weaken when traveling in space. Astronauts More Vulnerable To Infections Since the astronauts' immune systems are weakened during space missions, their bodies are more vulnerable to infections. "A weaker immunity increases the risk of infectious diseases limiting astronauts' ability to perform their very demanding work in space," explained Odette Laneuville, the study's lead author. Dr. Guy Trudel, a University of Ottawa professor, also said that if an infection worsens, astronauts could be in grave danger since they have limited access to medication and care. He added that discovering gene expression alteration in astronauts is a significant step in understanding human immune dysregulation outside Earth. With their latest findings, the new study revealed that space flights really do have negative effects on astronauts' health. Due to this fact, Dr. Trudel said that new and specific countermeasures to prevent the weakening of the immune system are needed. If you want to learn more about this new Canadian study, you can visit it in the Frontiers in Immunology journal. Related Article: Scientists Detect Phosphorus, Key Building Block of Life, on Saturn's Moon Enceladus @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Getty When the Titanic sank in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912, survivors had to wait about two hours before the RMS Carpathia arrived in response to the doomed ships distress calls. During this time, they waited with just the hope that rescue would comethough while floating in the desolate and frigid waters of the North Atlantic, that was far from certain. Rescuers did eventually arrive, taking the survivors on board and providing them with blankets, hot coffee, food, and medical aid. The crew of the Carpathia were later hailed as heroes and the captain, Arthur Rostron, was even knighted by King George V. Today, the response to such a disaster would look much differentas we recently learned with the OceanGate tragedy that claimed the lives of five crew members aboard the Titan submersible. In the days following the Titan losing contact with its expedition vessel, an international effort of search and rescue teams mobilized in an attempt to find and save any of the potential survivors. OceanGate CEO Was Tired of Hearing You Are Going to Kill Someone: Report The American and Canadian coast guards mobilized a fleet of ships, drones, and equipment hailing from several different countries to scour an area of the ocean roughly the size of Connecticut. This included two C-130 transport planes from the U.S. Army, two Canadian planes with sonar devices, several ships including a research vessel from the French government carrying an exploration robot, and a host of sonar probes to detect any sounds created by potential survivors. While there have been plenty of rescues at sea since the sinking of the Titanic, there hadnt been quite an undertaking like this one. The Titan was traveling to the depths of the wreckage 2.5 miles under the sea. The immense weight of the water pressure is 5,500 lbs per square inch. Thats roughly the equivalent of a tower of lead the size of the Empire State Building resting on your body. Not only did rescuers have to contend with an inhospitable and downright deadly environmentbut they also had to leverage technology they dont often use for sea rescues like remote-operated underwater vehicles (ROV). There is terrific robot technology already available for rescue but the robots are not available 24/7 in the right location, Robin Murphy, the co-founder of the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue (CRASAR) and professor of computer science and engineering at Texas A&M, told The Daily Beast. Disasters like this are fortunately rare, and like mine and nuclear disasters, it becomes a complex cost-benefit decision. How Right-Wing Media Made the Titan Sub Disaster a Vast Conspiracy Murphy explained that the rarity of such emergencies is a double-edged sword. While its great that responders dont often have to save people from deep-water situations, it also means that both the systems and technology involved in saving them are unused, unpracticed, and unfamiliar. Robotic technology undergoes frequent software and hardware updates too. That means when these situations do arrive, search and rescue teams might not have the correct equipmentand what they do have might be very out of date. Youd like to have the best technology, but if it never gets used, everyone gets rusty, she said. When they dust off the robot, its awkward, like trying to remember how to drive a car with a manual transmission when youre used to automatic. Why Startups Need to Leave Ocean Exploration to the Robots These robotics arent necessarily made for the job either. Most ROVs are created for the purposes of scientific research and deep-sea mappingnot saving the lives of wayward tourists. Theyre not optimized for search and rescue, so they might not have the necessary tools needed in order to best find the missing crew. These types of robotics are also large and cumbersome. Likewise, transporting them is a slow and costly process. You cant just airdrop them from a plane like the sonar sensors. They require an additional research vessel to transport and deploy it. Anytime you're operating at sea, everything sort of happens in slow motion, David Strachan, an analyst at the naval warfare consulting firm Strikepod, told The Daily Beast. When you're talking about having to deploy an ROV for a rescue operation like this, they're the size of a small car, or even a minivan in some cases. A Terrified Teen and a Maritime Legend: Tributes Pour in for Titanic Sub Victims Strachan explained that the ROV requires a fair amount of heavy-duty infrastructure in place just to get into the water, including a winch, crane, and giant spools of cord to remain attached to the ROV as it travels downward. That umbilical enables it to be controlled by the pilot in the ship, he said. So often, its just already fully integrated into a ship. Moreover, what happened in the case of the Titan is incredibly novel. Perhaps one of the closest comparisons would be the U.S. Navys 2022 recovery of an F-18 fighter jet that had blown off of its aircraft carrier and into the seawhere it plummeted nearly 2 miles to the ocean floor. For that, the team drew on a specially created ROV called the Cable-controlled Undersea Recovery Vehicle (CURV) in order to salvage the wreck. It still took the military a month to recover the craft. With the Titan, it was a race against the clock for search and rescuewhich meant trying to get all the resources like ROVs. These types of disasters are rare, so rapidly diverting the best robots in the world from the day jobs to the disaster is probably the best, most practical strategy, Murphy said. Red Flags: Titanic Sub Company Was Warned About Safety While this disaster does show how under-resourced most emergency operations can be with deep-sea rescues, it doesnt necessarily mean that countries and militaries should start investing in armies of underwater rescue drones. Remember: These types of disasters are rare and practically never happen. In the more than fifty years since the first deep-sea exploration, such a catastrophe has never happened before the Titan, Robert Ballard, the deep-sea explorer who discovered the wreck of the Titanic in 1985, told ABC. Its safer to be in a submarine [...] than driving on I-95. Whats more important is having sound safety practices and regulations in place. This, above all else, should be one of the biggest lessons learned when it comes to the tragic saga of the Titanespecially after facts about how OceanGate has a controversial history with bucking safety protocol. An ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure, Strachan said. We won't know for some time, if ever, what the exact cause of implosion was, but I think it's safe to assume that faulty or unsafe construction was a contributing factor. Las Vegas Investor and Son Gave Up Cut-Price Seats on Doomed Titanic Submarine Strachan added that, while it was ultimately futile, the quick and robust response from search and rescue operators was admirable and gave faster closure to a tragic event. The fact that they were able to find a debris field from a small submersible in such a relatively short period of time is a testament to the effectiveness of the marine technologies involved, the skill of the ROV operators, and the seamanship of ship handlers, he said. Had the Titan been stranded on the seabed or in the water column, with enough breathable air for the crew, there may very well have been a different outcome. Perhaps, if there is any bright light to the darkness of these events, its just that. While much has changed since the days of the Titanic, we can always rest assured that when things do go wrong at sea, peoplefor the most partare more than willing to band together to help the victims in any way they can, whether it be through blankets, a hot cup of coffee, or a robot drone. 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. Notorious thief who had stolen $23K worth of items arrested at University Village Seattle Police say they arrested a notorious thief who had stolen about $23,000 worth of merchandise from a store at the University Village shopping center. Last Thursday at around 6 p.m., store security called SPD Community Response Group officers saying the shoplifter had again returned to the store and made off with items. Store security gave officers a description of the man. Police found him a short distance away as he tried to leave the area. Police said the man had a large bag of items he had stolen from the store worth $1,858.50. The 42-year-old was arrested for investigation of theft and booked into King County Jail. Obama defends 2014 Crimea response: We challenged Putin with the tools we had at the time Former President Obama on Thursday defended his response to Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea, saying that circumstances were different then compared to Russias military invasion of Ukraine last year. Ukraine of that time was not the Ukraine that were talking about today, Obama said in an interview with CNNs Christiane Amanpour. Theres a reason there was not an armed invasion of Crimea, because Crimea was full of a lot of Russian speakers, and there was some sympathy to the views that Russia was representing. Russia illegally held an election and annexed the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine in 2014. In response, the U.S. and European allies led a sanctions campaign which fell far short of its goals in weakening Russia and preventing further action in Ukraine. Western allies did not provide Ukraine with any material support to fight Russia or object to the annexation beyond economic or diplomatic means, the former president argued. Instead, Russia claimed Crimea as a rightful part of the country given that a majority of the population in the region was ethnically Russian and spoke Russian, a view that had some understanding in Europe, Obama said. Part of what happened was, both myself and also [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel, who I give enormous credit for, had to pull in a lot of other Europeans kicking and screaming to impose the sanctions that we did and to prevent Putin from continuing through the Donbass and through the rest of Ukraine, he added. Obama said that the sense of identity and ability to push back against Russia developed in Ukraine after the 2014 annexation, and that identity and ability is what led to the fierce resistance now. We challenged Putin with the tools that we had at the time, given where Ukraine was, he said. The CNN interview also touched on the U.S.s complex relationship with authoritarian democratic leaders such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and on the recent indictment of former President Trump and its impact on the 2024 election. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Obama insists that yes, music and book lists are stuff that I actually like Former President Obama is defending the integrity of his annual book, music and movie lists, saying hes scrupulous about ensuring he legitimately enjoys his recommendations. Be honest with me, comedian Hasan Minhaj said in an interview with Obama released on YouTube earlier this week. When you do your end-of-the-year lists, do you really read all those books, watch all those shows, and listen to all those songs? After Obama emphatically replied, I do! Minhaj shot back with a laugh, No, you dont! Obama first began releasing an annual Spotify playlist of songs when he was in office in 2015. The first list which included tracks such as Green Light by John Legend and Justin Timberlakes Pusher Love Girl was hand-picked by none other than President Obama, the White House said at the time. Since then, Obama has shared playlists, along with film and book suggestions in annual roundups. I am so glad that I had this opportunity, Obama told Minhaj when asked about his choices for the list. People, they believe the books and the movies, but the playlists, they somehow think and this is mostly coming from young people like you somehow you all think you invented rock n roll, you invented hip-hop, Obama told the 37-year-old host of the Netflix talk show Patriot Act. So the fact that my lists are pretty incredible, people seem to think, Wow, he must have had some 20-year-old intern who was figuring out you know, this latest cut. No, man its on my iPad right now, the 61-year-old ex-commander in chief said. You have Life Is Good by SiR featuring Scribz Riley on your iPad? Minhaj asked skeptically. Yes, I do! Obama exclaimed. Come on, man. Dont play with me, he said. Minhaj attempted to test Obama again, asking the former president, Give me the plotline for Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah. Dude, how much time do we have here? Obama replied, before acknowledging he does get a bit of help in assembling his yearly lists. Heres the bottom line of my playlists and my book lists and my movie lists: I am very scrupulous about making sure that this is stuff that I actually like. I will confess that there are times on the playlists, on music lists, where I will get suggestions because its not like I got time to be listening to music all the time. So typically, at the end of the year, what happens is folks will be like, Man, you need to listen to this. This is good, Obama said. But unless Im actually listening to it, watching it, reading it I wont put it on there. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush once defended the rich passengers on his Titanic dives, saying 'profit' is the way things get done CEO of OceanGate exhibitions, poses at Times Square in New York, U.S. April 12, 2017. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Stockton Rush spoke to The New York Times last year defending his expensive Titanic dives and the rich passengers who paid him. The OceanGate CEO said "profit" is the only way things get done. Rush was piloting the Titan sub before it imploded underwater this week. He is presumed dead. The CEO of OceanGate, Stockton Rush, once defended the rich passengers who spent $250,000 a pop to join his Titanic dives, saying "profit" is how things get done in the world. Rush told The New York Times last year that he believes private exploration, fueled by profit, is the only way the Titanic wreckage can continue to be visited and researched. "For those who think it's expensive, it's a fraction of the cost of going to space and it's very expensive for us to get these ships and go out there," Rush told the Times in 2022. "And the folks who don't like anybody making money sort of miss the fact that that's the only way anything gets done in this world is if there is profit or military need." Rush had said public entities probably wouldn't spend the money to go back to the site of the wreckage when there are much newer sites that are "probably of greater scientific value." But he insisted the passengers on his expeditions could still discover things on the thoroughly-searched wreck. "The more they photograph then probably there will be things we discover that we didn't see before or something like that," Rush told the Times in 2022. "But I can't say there was anything that was a real discovery now. It's just amazing to see with such clarity." The US Coast Guard said on Thursday that OceanGate's Titan submersible, which Rush was piloting, appears to have imploded on its latest mission, leaving debris on the sea floor near the Titanic wreckage. All five passengers, including Rush, are presumed dead. The sub first went missing on Sunday when it lost contact with his support ship on the surface, sparking a massive rescue effort. Rush's previous comments where he said that "at some point, safety is just pure waste" and that he'd "broken some rules" by building the submersible out of carbon fiber, not metal resurfaced as the search stretched on for days. Read the original article on Insider OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush said in 2021 he knew he'd 'broken some rules' by making the Titanic submersible out of carbon fiber and not pure metal: 'You're remembered for the rules you break' OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush said he knew he was breaking rules with the Titan's design but wanted to forge ahead in the name of innovation. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters; Getty Images OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush acknowledged in 2021 that his Titan submersible had "broken some rules." Rush deviated from the norm when he created the now-imploded sub with carbon fiber and titanium. But he said breaking those rules allowed for innovation, in line with his ambition to be a pioneer. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who died on the Titanic submersible that went missing on Sunday, acknowledged two years ago that the vessel's design had "broken some rules." But he said this was part of the point of his experimental submersible, which he described as an innovative new way to explore the ocean's depths. Rush was one of the five people on board the Titan, a submersible that reportedly imploded deep in the Atlantic Ocean and instantly killed all passengers. The US Coast Guard confirmed Thursday that it found debris "consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber" following a massive search-and-rescue effort for the vessel. Years before the tragedy, Rush said in a 2021 interview with the Mexican YouTuber alanxelmundo that he hoped to be remembered as an innovator. "I think it was General MacArthur who said: 'You're remembered for the rules you break,'" Rush said, smiling. The CEO acknowledged that he'd "broken some rules" with the Titan's manufacturing but was confident that his design was sound. "I think I've broken them with logic and good engineering behind me. Carbon fiber and titanium? There's a rule you don't do that," he told alanxelmundo. "Well, I did." The Titan's hull, which was made to withstand crushing deep-sea pressure, was constructed with aerospace-grade carbon fiber that OceanGate said was designed under an agreement with NASA. But submersible hulls are typically made using solid metals like steel or titanium. In 2017, Rush told the magazine CompositesWorld that he used carbon fiber for the Titan then called the Cyclops 2 because it would eliminate the need for syntactic foam, an expensive but durable material often used to make submersibles. In his 2021 interview with alanxelmundo, Rush said the choice of material was more about pioneering ocean exploration. "It's picking the rules that you break that are the ones that will add value to others and add value to society," Rush said. "And that really, to me, is about innovation." Rush expressed excitement about the possibilities that his submersible could offer humanity in the deep ocean. "Because this is where we're going to find strange new lifeforms, and the future of mankind is underwater. It's not on Mars, we're not going to have a base on Mars or the moon," he said, saying that bases on other planets were a "waste" of funds. Instead, humanity would likely have bases on the ocean floor, Rush said. "If we trash this planet, the best lifeboat for mankind is underwater," he told alanxelmundo. Rush was warned multiple times about safety, but forged on The CEO was confronted in 2018 with multiple concerns about the Titan's safety, including one from a now-fired company executive who warned that OceanGate didn't have the right systems to detect weaknesses in the hull. The executive warned that any risk of a coming implosion would only be detected "milliseconds" before disaster. But he said in a lawsuit that he was fired immediately after raising these issues in an official report. The same year, Rush was sent a letter from the Marine Technology Society, a leading group of experts who expressed "unanimous concern" about the "experimental approach" of the Titan. And in 2017, a consultant for OceanGate told Bloomberg that he left the company in its early years because he felt Rush was a "full-speed-ahead, damn-the-torpedoes kind of guy" in an industry that required absolute precision. It's unclear whether any of these concerns were addressed by OceanGate later, but Rush has previously complained about safety measures and regulations. In 2021, OceanGate launched its first annual expedition for customers to see the Titanic shipwreck, which utilizes the Titan for dives of up to 13,000 feet. Each passenger is typically charged $250,000. Rush was piloting the Titan when it made its final dive on Sunday, during which it lost contact with its mother ship about an hour and 45 minutes into its journey. Its implosion meant the five people inside, including Rush, would have died instantaneously, likely not knowing anything had gone wrong. Rush was 61 when he died. OceanGate did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours. Correction: June 26, 2023 An earlier version of this article misstated YouTuber alanxelmundo's country of origin. He is Mexican, not Spanish. Read the original article on Insider OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush said in 2017 that he needed to use his Titanic tourist submersible to prove to deep-sea oil and gas mining companies that his tech would help them make big bucks The logo of "OceanGate" is displayed on a mobile phone screen in front of an underwater photo background. Ahmet Okur/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush planned to use the Titanic submersible to work with oil and gas firms. He wanted to break into a multi-billion dollar industry servicing platforms for energy companies. The tourist dives to the Titanic would have proven the submersible tech's safety, he said in 2017. Stockton Rush, the CEO of the company that ran the now-imploded Titanic submersible, said in 2017 that he aimed for the vessel to eventually help him obtain contracts with companies mining oil and gas from the ocean. In an interview with business magazine FastCompany, Rush said he expected the demand for tours with his company, OceanGate, to diminish as more wealthy adventurers embarked on deep-sea dives. The first few dives to the Titanic would fetch the highest prices, but customers would expect to pay less as it became more common for people to see the wreck, Rush told FastCompany. "The most expensive Virgin Galactic flight is the first one with Richard Branson," he said. OceanGate launched its Titanic tours in 2021, typically charging each customer $250,000 to see the wreck via Rush's experimental submersible, the Titan. Rush thus hoped that by the time tourists weren't as interested in adventure dives with the Titan, the deep-sea trips themselves which go to 13,000 feet under surface level would have proven the safety of his submersible technology to oil and gas companies. "The biggest resource is oil and gas, and they spend about $16 billion a year on robots to service oil and gas platforms," Rush said, saying companies which harvest these resources are averse to adopting brand-new technology and need the equipment to be proven. Rush, the grandson of oil and gas magnate Ralph Davies, was interested in oil and gas reserves, diamonds, and rare earth minerals in the deep ocean, FastCompany reported. "There's all these resources to be explored, and I couldn't understand why there aren't any manned subs," he told the outlet. "Turns out one of the reasons was that people had not looked at the business aspect of operating a manned sub, because operations were funded by governments through universities for research. Nobody thought about cost, nobody thought about revenue." OceanGate wouldn't be mining the resources but would help with inspection, repair, and maintenance, he said. While Rush had business in mind, it's also clear from past reports that he sought out adventure and wanted to be a pioneering explorer. He had ties to the Explorer's Club, an elite group of scientists and explorers who paid tribute to Rush and said he conducted lectures at their headquarters. He earned a pilot's license when he was 19, and was a former test flight engineer for an F-15 fighter jet program. Rush called himself a "daredevil inventor" in a 2019 Smithsonian magazine profile. But the CEO, who was piloting the Titan when it went missing on Sunday, was warned multiple times about safety issues in his submersible by people both inside and outside of OceanGate. He'd defied conventional submersible designs by utilizing carbon fiber to build its hull. In a 2021 interview, he said he was aware that he had "broken some rules" by using such materials, but was confident in the safety of the design and cited innovation and cost-effectiveness. Rush also repeatedly criticized safety regulations, calling them "obscenely safe" and overly strict. He was one of the five people killed instantly on the Titan after it imploded under deep-sea pressure. When asked about Rush's plans to enter the oil and gas industry, a representative for OceanGate told Insider that the company had no further information to share. Read the original article on Insider OceanGate's CEO allowed a YouTuber to pilot the Titanic sub, who then crashed it into a rock The Mexican actor and YouTuber Alan Estrada. Adrian Monroy/Medios y Media/Getty Images An actor and YouTuber was given the controls of the Titan sub and then crashed it into a rock. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, one of those who died on the Titan, allowed him to drive the sub. The actor said that a later trip to the Titanic wreck on Titan was cut short due to battery issues. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush let a YouTuber take control of the Titan submersible before it crashed into a rock last year. It was the same vessel that disappeared on Sunday. Officials believe it imploded deep in the Atlantic Ocean, instantly killing all its passengers. Rush was one of the people on board. A video has now emerged of the Mexican actor and YouTuber Alan Estrada taking the submersible for a test-drive in 2021. In his YouTube documentary, Estrada was seen sitting in the Titan while being taken to depths of 330 feet. Estrada panned back to the ship's crew and showed Rush piloting the vessel using a remote control. "The controls resemble a video-game controller, they are so easy to use that Stockton allowed us to give it a try," Estrada said in a Spanish voice-over commentary of the video. "Shit, I'm really bad at this," Estrada said as he directed the submersible close to the ocean floor. Later in the video, the ship was seen scrapping the bottom of the ocean. "Oh shit!" one of the crewmembers exclaimed in English. "What was that?" another said. "A little higher next time, we ran into a rock," another crewmember said. Estrada returned to the Titan a year later, in July 2022, to visit the Titanic shipwreck. The ship made it to the wreck, but the trip was cut short by four hours when battery levels dropped below 40 percent. The Titan, he said, also experienced a communication blackout for two hours. Questions have been raised about OceanGate's approach to the safety of its passengers. Industry leaders previously highlighted issues with the submersible's design and the company's refusal to obtain industry certification. The Titan set off to visit the Titanic shipwreck with five passengers on board Sunday morning. While on its descent, the vessel lost communication with its mother ship. A search-and-rescue effort has been ongoing since Monday, but the passengers are now presumed dead after debris was found near the search site. The leading theory for the vessel's demise is that it suffered a catastrophic implosion. Though it is unclear at what point of the dive this implosion may have happened, the US Navy reported detecting the sounds of an implosion soon after the Titan went missing on Sunday. Read the original article on Insider Ohio mom left her toddler home alone for more than a week. She's been charged with murder. An Ohio woman has been charged with murder after police say she left her toddler alone in her Cleveland home for more than a week and returned to find her daughter dead. Officers with the Cleveland Division of Police were called to the woman's home at 7:51 a.m. last Friday, where they found the 16-month-old child unresponsive, according to an incident report. Medics pronounced the girl dead at the scene. 'Executed his neighbors': Man charged with first-degree murder in Idaho family's slaying The child's mother, 31-year-old Kristel Candelario, was arrested and charged with murder. She appeared Tuesday morning in Cleveland Municipal Court and has another appearance scheduled for Wednesday, an online court docket shows. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners Office is conducting a full autopsy, though police said they did not observe any overt signs of physical trauma, according to the incident report. Investigators did determine that the child had been left alone and unattended for approximately 10 days, during which time she died, Cleveland police said. More: Mom charged with DUI after children killed running onto California highway to get luggage Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @EricLagatta. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ohio mom who left toddler at home alone charged with murder OKKO Group pays over $88.3 million in taxes, fees in Q1 2023 Fuel retailer OKKO Group transferred UAH 3.231 billion ($88.3 million) to budgets and state funds in Q1 2023, which is 0.51% of all revenues to Ukraine's consolidated budget for this period, a report posted on the companys website on June 23 reads. A total of UAH 837 million ($22.9 million) in these payments are taxes on operational activities, including income tax, VAT (excluding customs duties on import), retail excise tax, personal income tax, military tax, land tax, and compulsory state pension insurance fee. Overall, this amount is 80.5% higher compared to the first three months of 2022. OKKO Group companies also paid UAH 2.394 billion ($65.5 million) in taxes when importing goods. Furthermore, for each liter of fuel sold in the OKKO gas station franchise, UAH 2.28 ($0.06) of operating taxes were paid. In comparison, this indicator was UAH 1.40 ($0.04) per liter in Q1 2022. Read also: Ukrainian intelligence receives two Shark drones Additionally, an average of UAH 710,280 ($19,423) was paid in taxes and fees from operational activities at each OKKO gas station during January-March 2023, representing an 87% increase year-over-year. "Every hryvnia paid to the budget is additional funds for strengthening the army, rebuilding infrastructure, and providing social support," said OKKO Finance Vice President Nazar Kupybida. "That's why we're mobilizing all resources to continue developing the business, working even more efficiently, bringing victory closer, and supporting our own people. It's not just about paying taxes; this is an axiom. It's also about the company's constant involvement in various initiatives aimed at helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Ukrainians who have suffered from the war. As of late May, the company has already transferred UAH 750 million ($20.5 million), and it doesn't plan to stop." Read also: Nine casualties in gas leak explosion in Kyiv As part of the "OKO za OKO" (An eye for an eye) joint initiative with the Come Back Alive Foundation, the company has transferred UAH 325 million ($8.9 million) for the purchase of 25 Shark UAVs for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The companys fundraiser, "Let's Arm the Territorial Defense Forces to the Teeth," is currently underway, with the aim of raising UAH 400 million ($10.9 million) for weapons for territorial defense brigades. As of today, almost 40% of the required amount has been raised. In both projects, the company donates UAH 1 ($0.03) from each liter of Pulls fuel sold to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Additionally, the company continues to provide free meals to Ukrainian defenders in warzones, supply volunteers with fuel, participate in the reconstruction of educational institutions in Kyiv Oblast, contribute to the purchase of vehicles for military and medical personnel, and provide assistance to residents of Kherson Oblast affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, among other initiatives. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Ukraine's missile attack hit one of the bridges connecting the Crimea Peninsula with the Ukrainian mainland on Thursday morning, June 22. The bridge is a key supply channel for Russian troops operating in southern Ukraine. Bridge to Crimea Has Been Destroyed According to Reuters, there is footage showing Russian-installed governor Vladimir Saldo, who rules over seized areas of Ukraine's Kherson region, standing on the cratered asphalt of the Chonhar road bridge. "Another meaningless act perpetrated by the Kyiv regime on orders from London. It solves nothing as far as the special military operation is concerned," he stated as he promised to fix the bridge and get traffic going again. He threatened to strike a bridge connecting NATO-member Romania and Moldova. Crimea is connected to the rest of Ukraine by a narrow strip of land, and the midnight attack on the Chonhar bridge shut off one of the few roadways leading there. Russian-appointed transport authorities in Crimea suggest that fixing it may take weeks, as reported by the Russian news agency RIA via Reuters. While the battlefield rockets Ukraine has employed over the last year cannot reach the bridge, newly deployed weaponry like British and French air-launched cruise missiles can. This gives Kyiv access to supply channels Russia had previously thought secure. According to Yuriy Sobolevsky, a Ukrainian official on the Kherson regional governing body, the attack constituted a blow to the military supplies of the invaders. "The psychological impact on the occupiers and the occupying power is even more important. There is no place on the territory of Kherson region where they can feel safe." The RIA news agency quoted Russian investigators as saying that four missiles had been launched at the bridge by Ukrainian soldiers. One of the missiles was apparently manufactured in France. Also Read: Ukraine in Talks with Western Arms Makers to Boost Weapons Production Its Most Aggressive Counteroffensive Ukraine is beginning its most ambitious counteroffensive of the conflict by hitting Russian supply lines in an effort to destabilize Moscow's defense of captured territory in the south. Kyiv claims to have retaken eight villages. Yet, the majority of its forces have not yet been committed, and their advancing military personnel have not yet reached the main Russian defense lines. Ukraine's armed forces have claimed "partial success" in the east and southeast, according to the most recent information on the conflict. General Staff spokesperson Andriy Kovaliov said troops were fortifying positions they acquired after entering Rivnopil and Staromayorske, areas in a Russian-held territory where Ukrainian forces pushing south had seized four villages. He also detailed the intense battle taking place in the east, where Ukraine claims to have repelled Russian aggression. Russia claims it has successfully repelled the Ukrainian offensive and caused serious fatalities, but Ukraine refutes these claims. Although Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy admits that progress has been sluggish so far, he insists that his soldiers are proceeding slowly into severely mined and well-defended regions to minimize casualties. Also Read: Ukraine, Czechia, Slovakia Plan to Buy 1,000 Swedish-Made CV90 IFVs @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. An Oklahoma death row inmate convicted of raping and killing a University of Oklahoma dance student in 1996 plans to proceed with his death sentence, rejecting his chance for a clemency hearing. Anthony Sanchez, 44, told the Associated Press in a telephone interview Thursday that he does not suspect Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, would spare his life. "Ive sat in my cell, and Ive watched inmate after inmate after inmate get clemency and get denied clemency," Sanchez said. "Either way, it doesnt go well for the inmates." Sanchez cited the recent cases of Bigler Stouffer and James Coddington, both of whom were executed after a five-member Pardon and Parole Board recommended clemency in a 3-2 vote. It was later ultimately rejected by Stitt. JULIUS JONES: OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR GRANTS CLEMENCY TO DEATH ROW INMATE AMID PUBLIC PRESSURE "They went out there and poured their hearts out, man," Sanchez told AP. "Why would I want to be a part of anything like that, if youre going to sit there and get these guys hopes up?" READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Why wouldnt I try to prove my innocence through the courts," he added. In 2021, the Republican governor granted clemency to Julius Jones, commuting his death sentence to life in prison without parole. OKLAHOMA COURT REJECTS DEATH ROW INMATE'S CLAIM BLAMING FATHER FOR RAPE, MURDER In April, the Oklahoma Court of Criminals rejected Sanchez's plea of innocence. Sanchez has maintained that his father, Thomas Sanchez, was 21-year-old Juli Busken's actual killer. Previously, Thomas' former girlfriend alleged that he confessed to killing the college student prior to his death by suicide. The court ruled that the allegations were hearsay and not enough to overcome "compelling evidence" of Anthony Sanchezs guilt. Busken's death went unsolved for years until DNA recovered from her clothes linked Anthony Sanchez to the crime. He was convicted of rape and murder and sentenced to die in 2006. She was abducted on Dec. 20, 1996, from her apartment complex in Norman, Oklahoma. Her body was found that evening in southeast Oklahoma City. She had been raped and shot in the head. Since Sanchez plans to reject a chance at clemency, he is expected to be killed by lethal injection on September 21, 2023. Governor Stitt's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Another permanent supportive housing project is in the works, after the Olympia City Council approved a purchase and sales agreement on June 20 for property at 303 Franklin St. NE. The site, now a parking lot near Intercity Transit, will soon be home to 80 apartments. Jacinda Stelches, affordable housing program manager, presented the plan to the city council. She said its the second permanent supportive housing project thats slated to be finished in early 2026. The first is the Low Income Housing Institutes 70-unit project taking place on Franz Anderson Road, on the current site of an RV safe parking lot. Steltjes said the Franklin Street property was on the city councils 2023 work plan for development. The city chose developer TWG in Indianapolis to take on the project. She said the city is excited to work with TWG because theyre number 5 in the top 50 developers of 2022. The Franklin Street project will consist of about 80 units, primarily one-bedroom apartments and studios. Half of the units are dedicated to individuals or couples earning 30% or less of the area median income, which is $21,550 for one person. Another quarter, or 20 units, will be for households making 40% or less of the median income. Lastly, the final 20 will be for those making 60% or less of the area median income. According to information from the City of Olympia, 20 of the 80 units will be for serving homeless households, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. And another 20 will be for those living with a disability. TWG plans to apply for state funding this summer and fall in hopes of breaking ground soon after. The developer plans to seek 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit financing from the Washington State Housing Finance Committee to help fund the project. The company is seeking the state tax credit through a Limited Liability Partnership with 228 Olympia. The property is currently owned by the City of Olympia and will be sold to 228 Olympia for $1 for the housing project. The contract between the two entities includes a provision that the property must stay affordable housing for low-income residents for the company to maintain control. Migrants wait to disembark from a Spanish coast guard vessel, in the port of Arguineguin MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's ombudsman is to investigate the sinking of a dinghy headed to the Canary Islands from Morocco on Wednesday after more than 30 migrants were feared dead. Migration-focused organisations Walking Borders and Alarm Phone criticised Spain and Morocco this week for not intervening earlier to rescue the vessel's passengers. Spain says all proper procedures were followed. Walking Borders said the dinghy sank on Wednesday 40 miles off the African coast, 12 hours after the first requests for help were made. The two groups said around 60 people were on board. Two people, a child and an adult man, were found dead while 24 migrants were rescued by Morocco, Spain's maritime rescue service said. The ombudsman is tasked with monitoring any possible breaches of civil liberties by the state and can make recommendations to parliament, while the government is constitutionally mandated to acknowledge and react to its reports. He last year ruled Spain failed to uphold domestic and international law in returning nearly 500 migrants to Morocco following a mass border crossing from Spain's North African enclave of Melilla in which at least 23 people died. At the time it sank, the dinghy was located in waters off Western Sahara. Although Morocco administers a majority of the former Spanish colony, the area's sovereignty remains under dispute and the United Nations lists it as a non-self governing territory. The migrant rights activists accuse Spain of failing in its duty of care because they say the dinghy was within the country's search-and-rescue region under international law, meaning Madrid should have led the operation instead of Rabat. Although a Spanish rescue service ship, the Guardamar Caliope, was only 40 miles away from the dinghy on Tuesday evening, it had already rescued 63 people in a separate incident and authorities ordered it to return to port as several of them needed medical attention, Spain's Transport Ministry said on Friday. The ministry statement said the maritime rescue service complied with international search and rescue procedures. "At no time did the Moroccan authorities ask Spain's rescue service for assistance or mobilisation of resources, except in the final moments when the mobilisation of a helicopter was requested. The resources are always at the disposal of any emergency and this was no exception," a ministry source added. (Reporting by Emma Pinedo, Editing by Aislinn Laing and Alison Williams) A year into Missouris abortion ban, residents who want to end their pregnancies are sometimes told that instead of traveling to neighboring Kansas, where the state constitution protects abortion, they need to look to other states such as Colorado that are hours away because clinics are inundated with patients. The closest abortion clinics to Missouri on the Kansas side of the Kansas City metro and on the Illinois side of the St. Louis metro are flooded with patients from states with bans on the procedure, according to representatives from Planned Parenthood on both sides of the state. Saturday marks one year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which guaranteed a federal right to abortion, in a decision called Dobbs. Minutes after the ruling, a 2019 trigger law took effect in Missouri, making it the first state to ban nearly all abortions. Roughly a third of states now have bans. Today, Missouri residents who want an abortion, and can travel out of state to have one, are now waiting in line behind women from Texas and Arkansas. Patients have been forced to figure out how to take off work, pack up their bags and travel hours to receive care or, in some instances, keep an unwanted pregnancy. There are people who are going to either attempt to terminate a pregnancy without medical support, which should never ever have to happen, or theyre going to continue with pregnancies that they had not wanted, said Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains. Its going to be years of us uncovering what happens when you take away access to a fundamental right and critical type of care. The Missouri ban has ushered in a chaotic and uncertain era for women and doctors in a state where anti-abortion activists and officials for years worked to limit abortion access. Even though Missouri had just one abortion clinic in St. Louis before the Supreme Court decision, medical providers have still spent the past year grappling with fallout from the ban. They say a provision allowing abortion in medical emergencies is poorly defined and has caused hospitals to deny life-saving care. Some abortion rights advocates worry the ban has sown confusion among health care providers and pharmacists, as some patients struggle to get access to non-abortion-related medication over fears that it may hurt a pregnancy. Others have fallen through the cracks as the number of women who have been forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term as a result of the ban remains unknown, advocates say. One year ago, as the decision came down, we were very clear that this was going to send off a public health crisis in the context of already having a maternal mortality and morbidity crisis, said Colleen McNicholas, the chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. We have absolutely seen that come to fruition. Far from settling the matter, the past year has revealed just how deep the divide over abortion is in Missouri. The aftermath of the ban has made clear that the end of Roe was only the start of a new chapter in the states decades-long fight over how and when women can legally terminate their pregnancies. Even some who oppose abortion argue there are still unresolved issues a year into the ban. It is pretty clear that there are outstanding questions as to how we are going to close the door on mail order abortifacients, prescriptions or drugs that are delivered via mail to assist in taking the life of the unborn, said state Rep. Doug Richey, an Excelsior Springs Republican. I think that that is an ongoing concern for those who have been in the pro-life community for decades upon decades. So I think thats gonna be an ongoing effort, trying to determine how best to close the door on that industry. And I think thats probably the chief focus. But the next major fight will likely be at the ballot box. Abortion rights supporters have filed a flurry of ballot initiatives to try to force a statewide vote on legalizing the procedure in 2024. Republican lawmakers, in turn, have vowed to put a proposal on a statewide ballot that would raise the threshold for ballot measures to pass. Any vote on an amendment enshrining abortion rights in the Missouri Constitution would be a pivotal moment. Both abortion rights supporters and opponents have suggested voters may be more likely than not to approve such a measure as they look to Kansas and other states where the electorate has backed abortion rights. Missouri would potentially be the first state with an abortion ban overturned by voters since the Dobbs decision. There is some irony there because on paper it looks like were better off politically but now we have an increased and greater threat than we had under Roe vs. Wade, said Samuel Lee, a longtime anti-abortion lobbyist in Missouri. But I wouldnt trade the situation for anything else because it was important that the states have the right to regulate abortion and things surrounding that. Effect of Missouris abortion ban Missouris nearly-instantaneous ban was made possible by a small provision in a 2019 anti-abortion law signed by Republican Gov. Mike Parson. At the time, it was initially overshadowed by the legislations ban on abortion after the eighth week of pregnancy, which reflected the anti-abortion movements long-time strategy of chipping away at access. Missouri already had stringent requirements surrounding abortion that over time had whittled away the number of clinics in the state to one. State law required women seeking an abortion to wait 72 hours and blocked the use of telemedicine in abortion. The year-old ban is in some ways a return to the states roots. Prior to Roe v. Wade in 1973, Missouri had prohibited abortion in laws dating back to at least 1825. But the 2022 Supreme Court decision, which was preceded by a leak of a draft opinion earlier in the spring, came as a shock to some. Lee said that some had expected the trigger wouldnt become operative for a decade or longer. Am I grateful for the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe? Absolutely. Was I surprised? Yes, Lee said. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt signs a legal opinion to trigger an abortion ban in Missouri. Missouri Attorney General's Office Within days, the ban began sowing confusion across the state. In one of the first indications of uncertainty over how far the law went, Saint Lukes Health System temporarily stopped offering emergency contraceptives in the days after the Dobbs decision. The move by the Kansas City health system received national attention and criticism from both sides of the abortion debate. Saint Lukes reversed course after then-Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Parson gave assurances that the ban doesnt affect contraception. Concerns have also persisted that medical providers, fearful of the ban, wont perform abortions that remain legal. Abortion is still allowed for medical emergencies, but the law includes no other exceptions. Missouris previous abortion bans prior to Roe v. Wade also included medical exceptions, but courts then mostly deferred to the judgment of physicians, said Evan Hart, an associate professor of history at Missouri Western State University who has studied the history of abortion in Missouri. Whats come now is doctors are concerned because the definitions arent very clear because medical emergencies arent always clear, Hart said. Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that the Freeman Health System in Joplin and the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas violated federal law when they denied emergency abortion care to Mylissa Farmer, a Joplin woman, in August 2022. After the abortion ban, Farmer went into labor just before 18 weeks of pregnancy, and doctors told her the fetus would not survive and she was at risk of infection. She was unable to get an abortion despite her condition, and eventually went to a clinic in Illinois to receive the care. The first-of-its-kind federal investigation offered renewed scrutiny of the vagueness in Missouris abortion ban. Abortion access was already a burden before the Dobbs decision, but now clinics in southern Illinois and on the Kansas side of the Kansas City metro are filling up with patients coming from states with abortion bans such as Arkansas, Florida and Louisiana. On Friday, Kansas released official abortion statistics for 2022. The report shows that the number of Missouri residents receiving abortions in Kansas declined over the past year, falling from from 3,458 in 2021 to 2,883 in 2022, even as the total number of out-of-state abortion patients in Kansas jumped by 117%. Missourians who used to rely on that somewhat regional care are seeing wait times through the roof. And we know that pregnancy is time-sensitive care, said Mallory Schwarz, executive director of Abortion Action Missouri, formerly known as Pro Choice Missouri. The abortion rights advocacy group rebranded on Friday before the anniversary of the Dobbs decision. Kansas in particular has become a beacon of abortion access in the Great Plains after voters in August overwhelmingly rejected an amendment to the state constitution that would have allowed legislators to ban the procedure. Abortion providers are now suing to overturn some remaining Kansas restrictions, including a 24-hour waiting period. On Friday, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Kansas Democrat, reintroduced legislation that would expand access to birth control and reproductive health care services. The measure doesnt fund abortions, however. McNicholas said that prior to the Dobbs decision, only about 7% of the patients visiting the Planned Parenthood clinic in Illinois were from outside of Illinois or Missouri. Now, nearly half of the patients are coming from outside of the bi-state area. And, including Missouri, nearly 85% of the clinics patients are from outside of Illinois, she said. Maggie Olivia, the policy manager for Abortion Action Missouri, was one of those patients. Olivia, a 27-year-old from St. Louis, became pregnant this winter. It took her four weeks to make the final decision to end her pregnancy, she said. Olivia previously had an abortion before the states abortion ban. Olivia crossed the Mississippi River into Illinois for an abortion, where she was harassed by anti-abortion protesters. Shes thankful that she was able to access the care and views her abortion provider as one of the only providers she trusts. Months later, Olivia had a difficult time picking up her antidepressant prescriptions. After taking off work, she discovered that there was a medical record of her pregnancy and that her medications were being denied because of an assumption that she was pregnant, she said. That situation was devastating and horrifying, she said. These bans on abortion care are not only devastating to folks actively seeking abortion care, but they really are impacting every facet of our medical care. Maggie Olivia stands in front of the Missouri Capitol. She had an abortion in Illinois after Missouris abortion ban took effect. Courtesy of Maggie Olivia. McNicholas said that restricted access to other medications has been one of the consequences of Missouris abortion ban. We know that folks are having difficulty accessing, for example, their basic pregnancy care for miscarriage management. Some folks struggling to get their medications that they use for non-pregnancy-related medical conditions because they might somehow impact a developing pregnancy, she said. Abortion rights supporters consider statewide vote Concerns over the states ban have bolstered efforts by abortion rights supporters to restore access through a statewide vote. Its unfortunate that weve taken a step backwards, said state Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Kansas City Democrat. But my hope is that this has awakened many of us who have taken our rights for granted. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, painted the Dobbs decision as a way for states to decide how to address the legalization of abortion. Missouri voters will do what they think is best. I mean, listen, were a pro-life state. Id be shocked if voters imposed abortion on demand. Id just be shocked, he said. Hawley is married to Erin Morrow Hawley, an attorney who is on a team of lawyers suing in federal court in Texas to overturn the Food and Drug Administrations decades-old approval of a common abortion medication. Some Republicans, partly in response to a possible abortion rights ballot measure, are pushing legislation to make it harder for voters to amend the state constitution. Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher, St. Louis Republican, last month acknowledged to reporters that voters would likely approve a measure if given the chance. Polling by Saint Louis University and YouGov of nearly 450 voters in August 2022 found that 48% support reversing the ban, while 40% would vote to continue the ban. The question had a margin of error of plus or minus 5.93%. The poll appears to show Missourians support some restrictions on abortion, even if a plurality also support overturning the states ban. While 58% of voters said abortion should be legal during the first eight weeks of pregnancy (a period during which many women dont know theyre pregnant), only 40% said it should be legal through the first 15 weeks compared to 46% who said it shouldnt. Just 32% said abortion should be legal when a woman wants one for any reason. The poll didnt ask about support for legal abortion up to the point of viability (around 24 weeks). Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican who has been accused of attempting to delay the abortion rights petition from reaching the ballot, championed the states abortion ban and vowed to continue fighting against the procedure. From getting Walgreens to back off of shipping unsafe, abortion-inducing drugs illegally in the mail to defending our pro-life law against abortion activists in court, my office is just getting started, he said in a statement. Earlier this week, a Cole County judge ruled that Bailey overstepped his authority when he tried to inflate the estimated cost of a proposed ballot measure to restore abortion rights. The judge ruled that Bailey had 24 hours to approve fiscal notes filed by Republican Auditor Scott saying that the ballot measure would have no cost to the state. Bailey has since appealed the decision and missed the 24-hour deadline. As the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision approaches, Wales, from Planned Parenthood, wants lawmakers to think about the effect Missouris abortion ban has had on patients. We, as providers of this care, are thinking about the people who come to us every day and are still asking why care is legal here and not back at home or why they had access to rights that they no longer have, she said. We wish that people who make the laws in this country would trust the people theyre elected to serve. Marchers in Los Angeles in April demonstrate in favor of keeping the Food and Drug Administration's approval of mifepristone, which is used in medication abortions. (Mario Tama / Getty Images) A year ago, when the Supreme Court decided Dobbs vs. Jackson Womens Health Organization, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. proclaimed the death of abortion rights to be a victory for American democracy, one that might de-escalate political conflict. A month ahead of this weeks Dobbs anniversary, Washington Post columnist George Will celebrated the court for restoring abortion politics to the status of a states choice a move, Will argued, that has led to a partial healing of the nations civic culture. But the idea that Dobbs is leading to any kind of healing ignores the reality on the ground in states, hospitals and courtrooms across the United States. Stories abound of people denied medical care and abortion bans threatening womens lives. When Oklahomas Supreme Court required meaningful exceptions to the states bans, the court explained in chilling detail how close to death the Legislature could push a pregnant woman under the states constitution. So far, the dominant response to Dobbs has been resistance, not healing. Read more: Even in blue California, attempts to regulate controversial antiabortion centers continue to fail Polls find that a majority of Americans oppose the Dobbs decision and that, not surprisingly, opposition to abortion bans has increased, in particular in places that already have them on the books. A June survey by Mississippi Today and Siena College shows that even among Mississippis Republican primary voters, a narrow majority supports repealing the states trigger law. Voters favored abortion rights in all six of the ballot initiatives that have directly addressed the issue. Democrats fared far better than expected in what was supposed to be a red wave midterm election in 2022, partly thanks to the abortion issue and to the mobilization of younger, often female voters. On closer examination, Dobbs never really embraced democracy in the first place, and especially not a robust, modern concept of democracy that guarantees equality and key liberties. Read more: Need abortion legal help in California? There's now a hotline for that The court set aside a right that most Americans have favored since the 1970s. Worse, the justices tied the Constitutions meaning to an era when women were prohibited from voting or practicing law, and when the Comstock Act, a 19th century anti-vice law, was interpreted to prohibit the mailing of abortion or contraceptive drugs or devices, and to criminalize public discussion of controlling reproduction. The court's holding that laws banning abortion in 1868 must define the nation's history and tradition of liberty was a fig leaf for giving conservatives what they want. Developments since Dobbs seem to support this understanding of the conservative agenda. There is little sign that the opponents of reproductive rights will accept the results of popular politics. In the year since Dobbs, we have seen legislative efforts to make it harder for citizens to put a question on the ballot with some legislators acknowledging publicly or privately that their objective was to prevent voters from protecting abortion access. Notwithstanding the courts suggestion that post-Dobbs, federal judges would be out of the abortion business, weve seen litigation designed to let federal judges override the Food and Drug Administration and eliminate access to mifepristone, used for medical abortions, nationwide. But the most revealing symbol of the post-Dobbs era is the revival of the 19th century interpretation of the Comstock Act, which is central to the case challenging the FDA's approval of mifepristone. In the 20th century, courts rejected a sweeping interpretation of the act and held that it prohibited the mailing of birth control or abortion drugs and devices only if intended for unlawful uses. Antiabortion attorneys general, judges and activists want to return to the earlier reading because it could help deliver what voters never would: a nationwide ban on abortion with no exceptions. Read more: Editorial: The only thing certain about medication abortion is the confusion over how to get it The Comstock Act has expressive as well as instrumental appeal for the antiabortion movement, especially abortion abolitionists. Its archaic interpretation reflected a particular idea of sexual purity that condemned women for separating sex and reproduction and for controlling the timing of motherhood. Today, the abolitionist movement supports draconian criminal penalties for women who have the procedure, even including the death penalty, and it doesnt allow exceptions to abortion bans. To date, abortion abolitionists have failed to capture control of the most powerful antiabortion groups, but the revived Comstock Act is compelling to a much larger group of abortion opponents and not just for strategic reasons. It is not accidental the Dobbs decision was built on laws enacted in an era when women had few rights and little power to change the law. A 2022 national survey showed that those opposed to abortion tend to have a traditional understanding of gender roles and that stereotypical beliefs about women in general and women who have had abortions in particular are strong predictors of opposition to abortion stronger even than party identification, gender or religiosity. Through its reimagined version of the Comstock Act, the right wing seeks to enforce a traditional view of women and their roles, sexual purity and societal control over reproduction, a view that limits what people can say and think, as well as what they can do. In the era of "Dont Say Gay" mandates and book bans, its reemergence tells us a great deal about what kind of democracy some of Dobbs proponents have in mind for the years to come. Mary Ziegler is a law professor at UC Davis and the author of Roe: The History of a National Obsession. Reva Siegel is a law professor at Yale University and the author of the Texas Law Review article "Memory Games: Dobbss Originalism as Anti-Democratic Living Constitutionalism and Some Pathways for Resistance." 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. The Supreme Court in Washington. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press) A state government should not be able to sue the federal government just because it disagrees with a federal policy. This principle, affirmed by the Supreme Court in an 8-1 decision on Friday, should be obvious. But in recent years, as the country has become more politically polarized, there have been a proliferation of suits filed by states to dismantle White House policies. Blue states, including California, did this during the Trump years and the trend has intensified with red states taking the Biden administration to court. Fridays ruling in United States vs. Texas is a perfect illustration. In 2021, the Biden administrations Department of Homeland Security announced its priorities in arresting and deporting those who are illegally in the United States. There are more than 11 million undocumented individuals in the country, but only several hundred thousand can practically be deported each year. The Biden administration said that it would focus its arrest and deportation efforts on suspected terrorists or dangerous criminals, or people who unlawfully entered the country recently. Read more: Op-Ed: The ominous way the Supreme Court could change our elections Texas and Louisiana sued the administration in federal court claiming that federal laws require it to arrest more people pending their deportation. But Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, writing for the majority (only Justice Samuel Alito dissented), ruled that the states lacked standing to sue. The decision was also a rebuke to the federal district court in Texas and the Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, both of which ruled that the states could sue the federal government over a policy disagreement. It is a longstanding principle that for a federal court to hear a case, the plaintiff must show that it was directly harmed, that the defendant caused the harm and that the harm could be remedied by a court decision. The court said that neither Texas nor Louisiana met that test. In the past, the standing issue was often used by the Supreme Court to dismiss suits seeking to change the law in a progressive direction. For example, 40 years ago, the court dismissed a case involving use of chokeholds by Los Angeles police officers for lack of standing to sue, concluding that the plaintiff could not show that he was likely to be injured in the future. And suits seeking to protect the environment have been dismissed for lack of standing. Although I think the court is often too restrictive in its standing rulings, Fridays decision closely follows from earlier precedents and rightly limits the ability of states to sue in federal court because they disagree with a presidential policy. The practical effect of the courts analysis is its recognition that the government must make choices in enforcing the law. Thus, the Department of Homeland Security must set priorities in arresting and deporting non-citizens and it is not for the federal courts to second guess those choices. As Kavanaugh wrote, If the Court green-lighted this suit, we could anticipate complaints in future years about alleged Executive Branch under-enforcement of any similarly worded laws whether they be drug laws, gun laws, obstruction of justice laws, or the like. We decline to start the Federal Judiciary down that uncharted path. Read more: Opinion: How the end of Roe turned into a threat to American democracy This is actually the second time this month that the court restricted the ability of states to sue when they dislike federal policy. Last week, in upholding the federal Indian Child Welfare Act a law that says priority should be given to Native American families when Native American children are placed for adoption in foster care the court again dismissed a claim by Texas that the law was an unconstitutional racial preference. In a 7-2 opinion by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the court concluded that the state of Texas could not show that it was injured by the federal law. Fridays decision is a double-edged sword. It will mean that when there is a conservative Republican president, states like California will be limited in their ability to sue. But the court did not close the door to all suits by states, only that they must meet the standing test. While the law in this area certainly is not new, the court did the right thing by applying it in this case. Erwin Chemerinsky is a contributing writer to Opinion and dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law. His latest book is "Worse Than Nothing: The Dangerous Fallacy of Originalism." 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. Survivors of a shipwreck react outside a warehouse at the port in Kalamata town, about 150 miles southwest of Athens, on Thursday, June 15, 2023. A fishing boat crammed to the gunwales with migrants trying to reach Europe capsized and sank June 14 off the coast of Greece, authorities said, leaving hundreds dead and many more missing in one of the worst disasters of its kind this year. | Thanassis Stavrakis, Associated Press Deep water. Cramped space. At-sea disaster. Lost life. Not just one, but two tragedies. One generated multinational attention and multimillion-dollar rescue efforts. The other, just a blip on our collective radar. All lives are precious but not all lives (or deaths) receive the same attention. The loss of any human life is a tragedy, whether that is one or five, hundreds or thousands. This week, the world has been riveted by a little craft with five people crammed inside, trying to get a glimpse of the Titanic some 12,500 feet below sea level. After five days of searching, we now know how it ended: with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel and the deaths of all five people on board. Last week, a boat sank off the coast of Greece, killing hundreds of people. Initial estimates were 300 dead, then 400, and now estimates are in the 700 range. It may be the worst ever tragedy of its kind, said Ylva Johannson, the EUs migration and home affairs commissioner. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, almost 25,000 migrants have lost their lives at sea since 2015. A fishing boat that could normally hold 400 was crammed with 800 people when it capsized and sank in some of the deepest waters of the Mediterranean. The Greek Coast Guard followed the ship for hours and then watched it sink. Every single woman and child on board perished, and all but 100 of the men. Some survivors described the women, children and Pakistani citizens being locked in the hold, with no chance of escape. Related We know the passengers on the Titan paid $250,000 each, while the passengers on the fishing trawler paid somewhere between $4,000 and $8,000 for their ultimately deadly journey. I suspect that the thousands paid by migrants was harder to scrape together than the quarter-of-a-million paid by the Titan passengers. In either case, each passenger had a choice in how they spent the funds available to them. Five chose to spend their money on risky exploration, while hundreds spent theirs on a risky chance for a new start. This photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions shows a submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. | OceanGate Expeditions via Associated Press One potential passenger on the Titan, Chris Brown, paid a deposit to join the deep-sea expedition, but pulled out over safety concerns. Migrants who hesitated to board an already overcrowded fishing boat were herded on board at the point of a sword, presumably because the human smugglers wanted to maximize their profits. Two of the passengers on the Titan were Pakistani nationals: Shahzada Dawood and his teenage son, Suleman. Shahzada is heir to one of Pakistans biggest private fortunes, and his personal worth is valued in the hundreds of millions. His name is well known in business and philanthropic circles in Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Britain. The 350 Pakistani citizens on the fishing vessel are largely nameless and faceless, unknown except to their families. Their lives are no less valuable. Related There are conflicting, and changing, accounts of the response to the sinking migrant ship. Greek officials said their Coast Guard offered assistance, but the ships captain refused. However, the Coast Guard also reported that it would have been too dangerous to try to evacuate unwilling migrants. Alarm Phone, a refugee support organization that runs a hotline for migrants, disputes that account, saying they had been in contact with people desperate for assistance. They also reported that the captain abandoned the ship before it sank. There are conflicting reports that he is among those few arrested for the disaster, and some reports are saying he died. Survivors of a shipwreck sleep at a warehouse at the port in Kalamata town, about 150 miles southwest of Athens, Wednesday, June 14, 2023. A fishing boat carrying migrants capsized and sank off the coast of Greece on Wednesday, authorities said, leaving hundreds dead and many dozens feared missing in one of the worst disasters of its kind this year. | Thanassis Stavrakis, Associated Press Survivors describe a line attached to the ship and a sudden tipping of the ship to one side, leading to the sinking. At first, the Greek Coast Guard denied that any line was attached, then later said that there had been a line attached, but there was no towing underway. The BBC also disputes the Coast Guards assertion that the trawler was moving right up until it capsized. Instead, their investigation found that it had been stationary for at least seven hours before sinking. Frontex, the EU Border Agency, said it offered additional assistance to the Greek Coast Guard, including a plane, but the Greek Coast Guard never responded. The men on the Titan have been hailed as brave for undertaking a risky voyage. The hundreds who lost their lives in the Mediterranean were just as brave. More action is needed to prevent further tragedies. The Greek government had specific responsibilities toward every passenger on the vessel, which was clearly in distress, Adriana Tidona of Amnesty International said. This is a tragedy of unimaginable proportions, all the more so because it was entirely preventable. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday, The world needs migration. But migration needs to be done in a regular and orderly way. And if countries do not engage in creating the conditions for an orderly and regular migration, migrants will be in the hands of smugglers and traffickers, and the consequences will be as tragic as we have seen. The EUs executive commission said at the beginning of June that it was close to reaching an agreement on sharing responsibility for migrants and refugees. There is undoubtedly even more urgency today. Holly Richardson is the editor of Utah Policy. Believing thousands of homes are illegally being kept off the market as short-term rentals as housing costs soar, an Orange County commissioner says shes found a way to force them off sites like Airbnb and Vrbo without costing taxpayers a dime. Currently, the county does not allow short-term rentals in residential zones, which includes most neighborhoods, as well as townhomes and condos. However, a quick search of the major listing sites shows homes for rent in every corner of the county, including more than a dozen properties in one residentially zoned Azalea Park neighborhood WFTV visited Thursday. Commissioner Mayra Uribes proposal would have the county hire a company to track down illegal short-term rental listings and gather information on their owners. READ: Orange County task force looks at ways to curb crime, but money remains a hurdle What if you could actually house a couple, two people there for a year as opposed to just seven days or whatever vacation, because we really have a huge need [for housing], she said. There is no quick fix. Orange County is projected to be short 54,000 housing units by 2030, data from the Florida Apartment Association shows, with the shortfall most severe among low-income households. Since many short-term rentals are found in lower- to middle-class neighborhoods that dont have HOA protections, the plan would theoretically add housing stock where it is most in demand. READ: Safety task force members send dozens of proposals to Orange County commissioners Calling illegal short-term rentals an issue she hears about constantly from her constituents, Uribes two-for-one plan piggybacks off itself to assist other parts of the county. The companies the county would solicit bids for also specialize in tracking foreclosures, staff explained. Uribes proposal would create a foreclosure registry. Banks with properties on the registry would pay a fee for their maintenance and ensuring the properties are safe to prevent blight like the county saw during the Great Recession. Uribe said the fee would also cover the cost of the tracking services. READ: Teens get more violent charges dropped in Orlando than rest of state, report shows The proposal is based on similar programs implemented in Tampa, Miami and Jacksonville. Uribe said her team is still uncovering additional benefits. When we get squatters, what were talking about a crime issue, she explained. Now this [ownership] data would be available to law enforcement immediately when they go to a house. Houses on the registry would be removed once they are sold to a new owner. READ: Missing Titanic tourist sub: Titan suffered catastrophic implosion, killing 5 onboard Uribe, who introduced her plan as a discussion item in a memo last week, said shes looking forward to hearing the thoughts of her fellow commissioners in an upcoming public meeting. We can be proactive, she said. Its getting discouraging to be reactive because were not reacting to anything. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. FILE - An Oscar statue appears outside the Dolby Theatre for the 87th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 21, 2015. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File) (Matt Sayles/Invision/AP) The theatrical requirements for movies vying for the Oscars top prize are getting a little tougher. Starting with the 97th Academy Awards in 2025, best picture hopefuls will have to spend more time in theaters to qualify for film's top prize. The changes, announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences this week, come after three years of adjusted release standards due to the pandemic. On top of the current one week qualifying run in one of six U.S cities New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco or Miami best picture contenders would now must also now play for an additional seven days in 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets. Additionally, there's several other new rules about when the movies must play in theaters. It is our hope that this expanded theatrical footprint will increase the visibility of films worldwide and encourage audiences to experience our art form in a theatrical setting, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a statement. Its part gesture to theaters still struggling from the pandemic, partly for audiences in markets outside of New York and Los Angeles who dont always get theatrical access to best picture contenders, and partly a statement to deep pocketed streaming services that theaters remain paramount for Hollywoods top prize. The film academys leaders also say the decision was born out of many conversations with industry partners and that they feel that this evolution benefits film artists and movie lovers alike. But some in the industry questioned what it really changes, who it benefits and who it might hurt. Michael OLeary, the President and CEO of the National Association of Theater Owners, applauded the important initiative." In a statement, O'Leary said it "affirms that theatrical exhibition is the keystone of the industry. For traditional studios, from the big ones like Warner Bros., Universal and Disney, to the smaller players, like A24 and Neon, behind recent best picture winners Everything Everywhere All At Once and Parasite, it likely affects very little. For streaming services, it could be a case-by-case adjustment depending on the company but not a hurdle. Amazon is already planning to release 12 to 15 movies theatrically every year, as they've already done with Ben Affleck's Air. Apple is also set to spend $1 billion a year on movies that will land in cinemas before streaming, including Ridley Scott's Napoleon. Netflix has had a bigger theatrical footprint lately too. Not only do they control two U.S. theaters New York's Paris Theater and Los Angeles' American Cinematheque but theyve also historically given theatrical runs to their awards hopefuls. All of Netflixs nominees since Roma have met the requirement. Its most recent best picture nominee, All Quiet on the Western Front, played in hundreds of theaters. The new rule may weed out the possibility of a grassroots campaign on behalf of a very small film, however. Independent theaters and those willing to play independent films have become rarer and the competition is fierce for those screens in the major markets. Some of the bigger indie stalwarts are even scheduling major studio films, leaving fewer times and screens available for true independents. Much like the diversity requirements that went into effect this year, few could think of recent best picture players that wouldnt have met this threshold. Apples best picture winner CODA played in about 40 theaters. Even non-traditional Oscar underdogs like Drive My Car and RRR had substantial theatrical runs. Its important to consider that qualifying is merely a first step in a long process that involves robust and costly campaigning, said Dan Berger, the president of the independent film company Oscilloscope. I think its fair to say that nearly any film that doesnt meet these parameters never stood a chance in a best picture race anyway. Berger added: Hopefully the result of this isnt more robust and more costly campaigning that only serves to further divide merit based results from campaign based results. There are a lot of unknowns about the specifics of the expansion, including whether there will be minimum of showtimes and screens. Could companies simply rent out eight screens that will play to minimal or no crowds in densely populated areas that are relatively cheap and that are also not historically great for indie films? Itll check the box, but will it help theaters, the films or audiences? And will it lead to an even greater year-end bottleneck of releases? Questions also remain about how it will affect the eligibility of animated films and documentaries, which wouldnt have to meet these requirements to qualify in their individual categories but now might have to adopt a different strategy to be in contention for best picture. Others are more hopeful and know that the academys board of governors meet often to reassess rules as the landscape continues to change. Its about time that the academy made a move to recommit to theatrical. The Oscars were inching closer and closer to becoming the Emmys, said one top awards strategist and academy member who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the changes. Could they have gone further? Of course. But its a good faith step in the right direction. ___ Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr. PEORIA OSF HealthCare is working to reestablish medical services in the Peru area after St. Margaret's Health shut down all operations in Peru and Spring Valley one minute before midnight June 16. On June 22, OSF HealthCare announced that it is the new employer of some of the primary care providers who formerly worked for St. Margaret's Health. OSF HealthCare signed a letter of intent with St. Margaret's Health in May to take over operations in the Peru area, with plans to eventually reopen the hospital. So far, OSF has completed the first phase of the purchase, which includes Midtown Plaza complex, Midtown Health Center and Granville Clinic. Those locations will open soon and provide a variety of care options, including OSF Medical Group-Primary Care and OSF Rehabilitation, according to a news release issued by OSF HealthCare. Joining OSF Medical Group-Primary Care at the former Midtown Primary Care location will be Dr. Grant Reed, Dr. Andrew Zidow, Dr. Michelle Vasquez, Dr. Anju Patel, Dr. Kara Fess, and advanced practice provider Hallie Konieczki. More: Advocate for youth: Longtime Peoria educator embraces new role in health care system Joining OSF PromptCare at the former Midtown walk-in location will be Dr. Rahul Sampat, and APPs Amy Corsolini, Brigitte Pratt, Candace Ramirez, Melissa Ramirez, Keith Christensen, and Tamara Dunlap-Workman. Dr. Shawn Bailey will join Granville Primary Care, while Dr. Dexter Angeles, Dr. Robert Koogler, and Todd Kuzma, APP, will be located at Midtown Plaza. Joining OSF Primary Care Princeton will be Dr. Travis Swink, Jen Gutshall, APP, and Kellie Kozlowski, psychiatric mental health NP. Other providers have agreed to join OSF HealthCare, but their locations have yet to be determined. Former St. Margarets patients can request a copy of their medical records from St. Margarets Health, which has partnered with a vendor to assist with the process. For the Spring Valley hospital or clinic records, call (815) 664-1583. For the Peru hospital or Peru clinics, call (815) 780-3464 for records. When calling, leave a message providing name, date of birth, type of records needed, a call back number, and where the records should be sent. Illinois Valley residents seeking information regarding their care can call (844) 673-2778. The line will be available 24/7. Patients needing care can visit OSF OnCall Urgent Care in Ottawa and OSF PromptCare locations in Princeton, Streator, Mendota and Ottawa. Virtual visits are available 24/7 through OSF OnCall. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: OSF HealthCare is reopening medical clinics in Peru, Illinois The Vatican announced Pope Francis had approved the promotion of the Fatima visionary Sister Lucia de Jesus Rosa dos Santos Thursday (June 22) from "Servant of God" to "Venerable." The Carmelite nun was one of three shepherd children from the town of Fatima, Portugal, who allegedly saw the Virgin Mary in a series of monthly apparitions in 1917, culminating in a spectacular "Miracle of the Sun" witnessed by tens of thousands of people on October 13 of that year. Her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto died shortly after the apparitions due to the Spanish flu pandemic. The Marto siblings were beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2000 and were canonized by Pope Francis in 2017. Both ceremonies were held at the shrine marking the apparition site in Fatima. Aside from Sister Lucia, four other Servants of God were promoted as Venerables. From Shepherdess to Nun After the death of her cousins, Lucia entered the Institute of the Sisters of St. Dorothy or the Dorotheans. According to her records, she claimed to have been visited by Jesus and the Virgin Mary multiple times during all stages of her life as a nun. Sr. Lucia made her perpetual vows for the Dorotheans in 1934. Several of the Virgin Mary's requests to Lucia included the promotion of the practice of praying a devotion to Mary for five first Saturdays in a row, making acts of reparation for the sins of the world, and the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Read Also: Catholic Priest From Philippines Arrested for Doubting Alleged Apparition of Virgin Mary Prophetess of Doomsday During the July 1917 apparition, the Virgin Mary apparently entrusted the three children with three secrets regarding the fate of the world and the souls in it. The first two corresponded to the Virgin Mary's requests to practice the first five Saturday devotions and the consecration of Russia. Between 1935 and 1941, Sr. Lucia divulged the first two secrets in writing upon the request of a local Portuguese bishop, Jose Alves Correia da Silvia of Leiria. Later on, the third secret was allegedly written in 1944 and sent to Rome. It contained a prophecy that Catholic clergy and religious would be persecuted in the future, from the Pope down to the bishops, priests, and religious. The document was only opened for the first time in 1960. The interpretation of the third secret remains unknown, but many believe it was about the Apocalypse. However, one of the more popular interpretations connected the third secret to the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II on May 13, 1981, the 64th anniversary of the Virgin Mary's first apparition in Fatima. As an act of thanksgiving for surviving the attempt, John Paul added one of the bullets that struck him to the ornate crown of the Virgin Mary's image in Fatima. He also approved the publication of the third secret in 2000. After transcribing the three secrets, Sr. Lucia transitioned from the Dorotheans to the convent of the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD) in Coimbra, where she made her profession in 1949. Since the Carmelites were under a strict law of silence, she was bound to remain silent about the apparitions from that point forward. This has led some Catholics to believe in conspiracy theories that the Catholic Church was covering up the Fatima apparitions and silencing Lucia. Sr. Lucia was able to visit Fatima multiple times during her lifetime, including four papal pilgrimages by Popes Paul VI (1967) and John Paul II (1982, 1991, 2000). She died on February 13, 2005, within the walls of the Coimbra convent at the age of 97. Pope John Paul II, who was a devotee of the Virgin Mary's apparition in Fatima, died in April that same year in Rome. Road to Sainthood Sister Lucia's cause for canonization was announced by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008, three years after her death, instead of the mandatory five-year waiting time according to canon law. Benedict decided to waive the waiting time for her case. She was promoted to "Servant of God" in 2017 by Pope Francis. According to the Vatican's degree of promotion, the distinction between Lucia's life and the apparitions was "difficult" as she was "always kept hidden, protected, [and] guarded" due to her affiliation with the cloistered Carmelites. "One can see in her all the difficulty of keeping together the exceptionality of the events of which she was a spectator and the ordinariness of a monastic life like that of Carmel," the decree added. The title of "Venerable" in the Catholic Church is the second of four major steps in the process of sainthood. In order for Sr. Lucia to be beatified, the Holy See must confirm one miracle attributed to her and another one in order to be made a full saint. By practice, medical miracles are the cases being recognized by the Vatican. In the case of martyrs, the miracle requirement in the beatification process is waived upon papal confirmation that a person indeed died a martyr's death. In addition, Pope Francis was scheduled to visit Fatima in August when he traveled to Portugal for World Youth Day. Related Article: Vatican Released Pope Francis's Portugal Trip Schedule for World Youth Day 2023 @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. More than 150 Starbucks stores and 3,500 workers plan to strike over the next week over allegations that the company banned Pride decorations in its stores, the coffee chains workers union said Friday. The Seattle coffee roaster leading the nationwide strike said it is organizing in response to the companys unlawful decision to unilaterally alter or terminate store Pride decoration policies without negotiating with our union, as well as other unfair labor practices. Starbucks Workers United said last week that it had received reports from stores across the country that workers have not been allowed to decorate for Pride month or that Pride flags have been taken down. However, Starbucks denied the allegations, saying there has been no change in the companys policy. We continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities, including for U.S. Pride month in June, spokesperson Andrew Trull said in a statement. In response to Fridays strike announcement, Trull asserted that Starbucks Workers United was spreading false information as part of a tactic used to seemingly divide our partners. We apologize to our customers who may experience an inconvenience at these locations and encourage customers to find any of our more than 9,000 stores open nearby using our store locator available online or through the Starbucks mobile app, the spokesperson added. Updated: 3:07 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Opening the door to an online existence. Bed Bath & Beyond, the company, is dead. But Bed Bath & Beyond, the brand, will live on online, thanks to Overstock.com. The Salt Lake City-based online seller of home furnishings won the bid for the bankrupt big-box retailers all things digital. On June 21, Overstock.com won the auction to purchase Bed, Bath, and Beyond assets at a base price of $21.5 million, a regulatory filing from June 22 shows. The deal will allow the Utah-base discounter e-commerce portal rights to the chains intellectual property (IP) and digital rights, including social media, business data, mobile app, trademarks, and more, allowing it to continue selling Bed Bath & Beyonds goods online. It does not include the 360 brick-and-mortar stores or the Buy Buy Baby subsidiary. Read more The hearing for approval from the bankruptcy court in New Jersey is scheduled for June 27. The sale, which comes two months after Bed, Bath, & Beyond filed for bankruptcy, puts the bust retailer in the ranks of zombie companies like Radio Shack and Toys R Us, which have shuttered stores but live on online. One big number: Overjoyed Overstock.com stock 22%: The jump in Overstocks share price, which reached $26.01, its highest level of the year. The company, which has been posting pretty middle-of-the-road results, had previously been trying to win over suppliers that were dropping out of Bed, Bath, & Beyonds roster. Analysts predict this purchase could be a sustained boost to the stock. What happens if the Overstock deal falls through? The sale of the New Jersey-based chains assets didnt stoke much interest. Overstock.com made the so-called stalking-horse bidthe initial bid that set the price floor priceand no other more attractive offers followed. If the deal is not approved, the sale will become splintered. The court filing list Ten Twenty Four and Jowa Brand as the backup bidders for the retailers Beyond.com domain name and for the IP assets of its private sheets and towels label, Wamsutta, respectively. These companies can purchase the slice of assets theyve got eyes on if the Overstock deal collapses. Brand of interest: Buy Buy Baby At the time of filing for bankruptcy, Bed Bath & Beyond had also filed a motion to auction off Buy Buy Baby, the baby merchandise chain store it acquired in 2007 for $67 million. The crown jewel of its business, considered more lucrative than its parent company, is set to be auctioned off next week, on June 28. At least two bidders are interested. One of them, Babylist, a direct-to-consumer baby registry website thats seen 20,000 signups since its rivals bankruptcy, wants to buy the companys trademark and domain. The other, an unnamed party, would keep three-quarters of the 137 Buy Buy Baby stores open. Wall Street Journal previously reported investment firms Go Global Retail and Sixth Street Partners were interested in buying the brand. A brief timeline of Bed Bath & Beyonds road to bankruptcy 2019: Bed Bath & Beyond brings in Mark Tritton, Targets former chief of merchandising, is brought on as CEO to help bring quarterly revenue growth in the black 2020: The companys online sales boom, but it still lags behind rivals like Target, as covid-19 puts a stop to in-store retail. 2021: Bed Bath & Beyond shifts focus to private brands, but customers dont lap them up. Meanwhile, the stock soars courtesy the meme-stock craze. March 2022: GameStop chairman Ryan Cohen reveals he owns a stake of nearly 10% in Bed Bath & Beyond. June 2022: Tritton is fired after sales slump 25% in the first quarter. Sue Gove, the new CEO, takes over. August 2022: The meme stock mania temporarily returns but the stock sinks when Cohen shares his intent to sell his entire position. The company nixes a third of its private labels. A shareholder sues the company, accusing the CFO Gustavo Arnal of conspiring with Cohen in a pump-and-dump scheme. Arnal dies by suicide a few weeks later. January 2023: Bed Bath & Beyond ends 2022 with over $1 billion in debt and, in a Jan. 5 regulatory filing, expresses substantial doubt about the businesss ability to continue going. In another securities filing on Jan. 25, the retailer says it defaulted on its loans. February 2023: The company narrowly avoids bankruptcy by raising around $225 million in an equity offering. Hudson Bay Capital Management is the lead investor in the share sale. March 2023: The deal with Hudson Bay Capital, which was meant to bring $800 million in over the next 10 months, is terminated after a sharp drop in sales. Bed Bath & Beyond offers $300 million of its stock to generate funds and warns that it expects to likely file for bankruptcy if it doesnt raise enough money. April 2023: Bed Bath & Beyond signs a deal with the liquidator Hilco Global. A Hilco subsidiary named ReStore Capital agrees to buy up to $120 million in merchandise from the companys key suppliers after relationships with Bed Bath & Beyonds vendors soured over its liquidity issues. Two weeks later, the company files for bankruptcy on April 23. Store-closing sales start on April 26. June 2023: Bed Bath & Beyond stores are due to close at the end of the month. Meanwhile, the sales are tempting at between 40% and 70%. Related stories How Bed Bath & Beyond lost the fight to stave off bankruptcy Bed Bath & Beyond tried decluttering and shoppers rebelled Bed Bath & Beyond missed earnings expectations a week after the company warned of potential bankruptcy More from Quartz Sign up for Quartz's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The owner of a llama is being sought after it was seen wandering in an Aberdeenshire field. The Scottish SPCA said the llama was spotted near the new Pitsligo area. The animal charity said it went out to investigate and found the llama but it was difficult to catch. "Llamas are herd animals so it will likely be quite stressed out by being in the field alone," Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer Debbie Gibson said. "We have been in touch with the locals in the area to try and identify the owner but we have had no luck so far. "We would like to try and find their owner in the hope they can assist us with catching. "If anyone recognises this llama, they should call our helpline on 03000 999 999." PACE passes resolution on political consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine Voting results The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted a resolution on the political consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Maria Mezentseva, the head of the Ukrainian delegation to PACE, said on June 22. The resolution was passed with 80 votes in favor. Read also: Attack on Kakhovka dam is Kremlins response to calls for peace talks, says Ukraines envoy to UN PACE also moved to fully endorse Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's peace plan, advocating the following measures: Continuation and strengthening of additional civil and military aid, including re-exporting own goods. Establishment of strategic European economic autonomy to reduce dependence on Russian oil and gas, which are often used as tools of blackmail. Measures to prevent the resale of Russian minerals to Europe through third countries. Expansion of the list of individuals and entities subject to restrictive measures (sanctions) in Russia, Belarus, and other countries. Implementation of enhanced supervision mechanisms to prevent sanctions evasion. Development of a harmonized mechanism for monitoring compliance with sanctions and tracking attempts to circumvent them, especially through the resale of goods via third countries. Creation of a public register of companies and individuals working in support of Russian interests, particularly those aiding in evading sanctions. Recognition of Wagner PMC and other paramilitary groups involved in Russia's invasion, including Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov's detachment, as terrorist organizations. Identification of the Russian regime as adhering to the dangerous ideology of Ruscism (Russian fascism), characterized by numerous war crimes and direct promotion of genocide. Initiation of research into Russian colonial policies to explore past imperialist practices. Acknowledgment of Russia's responsibility for the war crime of ecocide, manifested in the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant to hinder the counteroffensive. Pursuit of strategic economic independence from Russian gas and oil, which Russia exploits to advance its imperialistic geopolitical objectives. Read also: Russia has prepared everything for terrorist attack at Zaporizhzhya NPP, warns Zelenskyy Additionally, PACE recognizes Russia's intention to sabotage the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), thereby posing a threat to the entire continent. President Zelenskyy warned on June 22 that Russia is contemplating carrying out an attack on the occupied ZNPP, with the aim of causing a leak of radioactivity, and has made preparations for such an act. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency's head, Rafael Grossi, stated on June 21 that no evidence of mining at ZNPP had been observed, despite Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov's report on June 20 about Russian forces allegedly mining the cooling pond. Grossi has cautioned that the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station and Dam could jeopardize the functioning of ZNPP, as the required water level for reactor cooling may be lost within a few weeks. Grossi's assessment following his visit to ZNPP on June 15 indicated a serious but stabilizing situation. Read also: Situation at Zaporizhzhya NPP "extremely fragile, warns IAEA chief At present the water levels in the cooling pond are sufficient to sustain ZNPP operations for up to a year, according to Ukraine's nuclear operator Energoatom. 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 If youve been interested in paddleboarding but dont have the equipment, Flagler County has a solution for you. The county is now offering paddleboard equipment rentals at three county parks: Herschel King, Bings Landing, and River to Sea Preserve. The kiosks, operated by a company called PADL out of Key Biscayne, each have four boards, paddles, and life preservers available to rent. Residents are seeking more access to the water, and we are always looking for ways to add amenities to our parks facilities, said County Administrator Heidi Petito. VIDEO: Flagler County to receive millions in funds for dune restoration project The cost to rent the boards from the self-serve kiosks is typically $25 per hour. Renters must be 18 years old to ride the paddleboards and the hours are sunrise, to sunset or 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. as weather permits. You can click here to visit the companys website, which provides information about how to download its app as well as how-to videos about How to PADL renting, riding, and ending the rental. Read: Flagler County School Board decides against proposal to arm teachers, staff on campus Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Pakistan hits out at US and India after Biden-Modi meeting U.S. President Biden and India's Prime Minister Modi meet with senior officials and CEOs of American and Indian companies, in Washington By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Pakistan on Friday criticized the United States and India after President Joe Biden met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House and both leaders called on Pakistan to ensure its territory was not used as a base for militant attacks. Pakistan's foreign ministry said a joint U.S.-Indian statement was "unwarranted, one-sided, and misleading". The reference to Islamabad in it was "contrary to diplomatic norms," it said. The ministry added that it was surprised by the joint statement and said it had "close counterterrorism cooperation" with the United States. Relations between India and Pakistan have been fraught for years. Since independence from Britain in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two of them over the Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. The joint U.S.-Indian statement said: "They (Biden and Modi) strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks." Pakistan's foreign ministry said India was using the allegations of extremism against Islamabad to deflect from the situation in Kashmir and the treatment of minorities in India. New Delhi has for years accused Pakistan of launching militant attacks in India, including the one in 2008 in Mumbai that killed over 165 people. India also says Pakistan has helped Islamist militants who have battled Indian security forces in its part of Kashmir since the late 1980s. Pakistan denies the accusation and says it only provides diplomatic and moral support for Kashmiris seeking self-determination. The special status given to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked in 2019 when New Delhi split it into two federally controlled territories. Pakistan calls the moves illegal and wants them rolled back. Biden rolled out the red carpet for Modi on Thursday, with both leaders touting deals their countries reached on defense and commerce aimed at countering China's global influence. Pakistan also said it was "deeply concerned" over the planned transfer of advanced military technologies to India, saying such steps would not prove helpful in achieving peace in South Asia. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Angus MacSwan) At least 350 Pakistanis were on boat that sank off Greece - minister By Asif Shahzad ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -At least 350 Pakistanis were on an overloaded boat that capsized and sank in open seas off Greece last week, Pakistan's Interior Minister said on Friday, promising to arrest and prosecute the human smugglers responsible. The fishing boat with a capacity of 400 people had over 700 people on board when it sank on June 14, Rana Sanaullah told the country's parliament, adding that a total of 281 Pakistani families had contacted the government to seek help. Another 193 Pakistani families have taken DNA tests to try to identify those who died in one of Europe's deadliest shipping disasters in recent years, he said. Hundreds of people from countries including Egypt, Syria and Pakistan were crammed on the 20- to 30-metre-long (65- to 100-foot) fishing boat when it sank about 50 miles (80 km) from the southern Greek town of Pylos. Pakistan's economic meltdown in recent months has spurred more people to risk their lives to reach Europe in search of a better future. Pakistan said it has arrested several human traffickers and their agents who told authorities that their ring leader was based in Libya. These human smugglers had charged around $8,000 a person to take them to Europe illegally through the sea route after flying legally to Dubai, Egypt and Libya, authorities said. A high level inquiry is underway to identify and arrest those involved in the human smuggling, Sanaullah said, adding that Pakistan is also working to recommend amendments to the law to plug loopholes and ensure conviction in such cases. Not a single human trafficker has been convicted for over five years, he said, citing data, adding that this was mostly due to victims' families agreeing pardons in exchange for money. (Reporting by Asif Shahzad, writing by Tanvi Mehta; Editing by Shivam Patel, Christina Fincher and Conor Humphries) PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-CONFLICT A Palestinian woman carries a piece of wood as she stands outside her house, which was set on fire by Israeli settlers the day before, in Turmus Ayya near the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, on June 22, 2023. Credit - AFPGetty Images The Palestinian town of Turmus Ayya is still reeling from the events of this week. On Wednesday, hundreds of Israelis from the neighboring settlement of Shilo descended on the West Bank town and began to set it ablaze, torching cars and homes, and firing live ammunition at residents. The rampage was an apparent retaliation for the killing of four Israeli civiliansincluding a 17-year-old boynear another West Bank settlement the day before, an attack that the Palestinian militant group Hamas claimed was a response to an Israeli military raid in Jenin on Monday that left seven people, including a 15-year-old, dead. These cycles of attacks have grown more common in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories in recent months, heightening fears that a conflict that dates back nearly a century will escalate anew. The town did not sleep last night, Olfat Abdelhalim, whose home was vandalized in the attack, tells TIME. Nobody slept. Like many residents of Turmus Ayya, Abdelhalim, 52, is a dual Palestinian American citizen. Though she resides in Chicago, IL, she returned to Turmus Ayya with her family for the summer. She was at a doctors appointment in Ramallah, the administrative West Bank capital roughly 15 miles south of her hometown, when she received a call from her kids. Israeli settlers were trying to break into the home and set it on fire. More from TIME I told them, Just go downstairs and close all the doors, she says of her children, aged 15- to 20-years-old. Getting home to them wasnt easy. Between Israeli military checkpoints and barricaded entrances to the town, it ultimately took her two hours. Abdelhalim says her children believed that they might die there. They made the shahada, she says, referencing the Islamic declaration of faith, which is often recited by Muslims on their deathbed. Thank God, they were able to escape from a window on the first floor. Others werent so lucky. One resident, 27-year-old Omar Qatin, was fatally shot in the rampage and 12 others were wounded, according to the Palestinian health ministry. While Palestinian medics told the Guardian that Qatin was killed by Israeli soldiers who appeared in the town after the rampage had begun, witnesses told Al Jazeera that he was not near the military. Lafi Adeeb Shalabi, the mayor of Turmus Ayya, tells TIME that as many as 12 homes were burned or vandalized, and at least 20 cars were torched. Abdelhalim says her children were visiting the area for the first time. They wanted to know the place, they wanted to visit it and live here for a vacation in the summer, she says. I dont know what theyre thinking now. Theyre super shaky. But what can we do? I told them this is the Palestinian experience. You have to live through it. Read More: Settler Attacks in the West Bank Are On the Rise. Israels New Leaders May Make it Worse Settler violence has surged in the West Bank in recent years. In February, hundreds of Israeli settlers stormed through the Palestinian village of Huwaratorching homes and cars and injuring hundredsin what Israeli military officials described as a pogrom. That attack followed the killing of two Israeli settlers near the town, which in turn was preceded by a deadly Israeli military raid in Nablus that killed 11 Palestinians. Only two of the hundreds of Israeli settlers who participated in the attack on Huwara were put under administrative detention, the Times of Israel reported in March. But the human-rights group BTselem and Institute for Middle East Understanding non-profit tell TIME that, as far as they are aware, no one has ultimately been charged. The Israeli police has reportedly opened an investigation into the attack on Turmus Ayya, though no charges have been made as of this writing. The Israeli military condemned the serious incidents of violence and destruction of property in Turmus Ayya, but many observers noted that they failed to prevent the violence from occurring despite plenty of online evidence that an attack was forthcoming. As in the past, the Israeli government used the attacks as a premise to expand settlements, announcing plans this week to build 1,000 new homes in an existing Israeli settlement, which are considered illegal under international law. Some 750,000 Israelis now live on more than 200 settlements built on Palestinian territory Israel has militarily occupied since the 1967 Six-Day War. Violence, directed at Palestinian persons and property, is inherent to Israeli settlements, Itay Epshtain, an Israel-based humanitarian law and policy consultant and special advisor to the Norwegian Refugee Council, said in a tweet noting the correlation between settlements and areas of violence within the occupied West Bank. From their establishment to their expansion through outposts, settlements exteriorize harassment and violence against Palestinians in their path. This is Abdelhalims experience, too. Although she hasnt resided in Turmus Ayya for more than a decade now, she remembers the construction of the Shilo settlement in the late 1970s, part of which was constructed on private Palestinian land, according to the Israeli NGO Peace Now. Since then, the attacks never stopped, she says. In a statement on Wednesday, the U.S. governments Office of Palestinian Affairs said it was appalled by the attacks and urged the Israeli authorities to protect U.S. and Palestinian civilians and prosecute those responsible. Despite the many American citizens who live in Turmus Ayya, Abdelhalim says she doesnt expect the U.S. government to do much more to intercede on their behalf, nor does she expect that the violence will end here. God knows whats going to happen, she says, adding, of the settlers: They just live up the mountain over here, so they can come down whenever they want to. History Gov. Brad Little and Superintendent Debbie Critchfield are misunderstanding the purpose of studying history when they promote the U.S. history curriculum called The Story of America. They say that schools need to use this curriculum because it aligns with their view of Idaho values, embraces patriotism and attempts to instill a sense of pride in the U.S. They also contend it will stop the teaching of history in a disrespectful, anti-American way, though Critchfield admits thats not happening in Idaho. The point of a history class isnt to get students to love or hate their country; its to prepare them to live in it. And the point of studying our past is not to list all the good and bad things that have happened or attempt to balance them. Its to understand the how and why of what happened and the effects, persistent or not, that shape our country. Students need all the facts, not just the ones that are comfortable or noble. The point of a history class is not to instill in our children a point of view that the Governor favors, but to give them the understanding and tools they need to live in a complex, diverse, dynamic country. Sheila Ames, Boise Eagle Road On Nov. 13, 2021, a terrible vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of Eagle Rd (Highway 55) and Baldcypress Street. The accident involved a 3/4 ton Ford pick up and a Mitsubishi Mirage. The Mirage was attempting to make a left turn using the northbound unprotected left turn lane. The oncoming lane closest to the Mirage was backed up solidly from Ustick Rd past Baldcypress Street. An oncoming vehicle stopped to allow left turn passage, the Mirage thought it was safe to cross, but was impacted by the pick up. The truck penetrated the Mirage at the front passenger door a distance of 25 inches. The speed limit on highway 55 through this high business and residential area is 55 mph. The front seat passenger died on impact, she had no room to live. ITD is the agency in charge of highways, they know this intersection is dangerous but have done little to correct the problem. A 21-year-old died on that day, at a poorly designed left turn lane. We will continue to press for changes, reduced speed limit, and closure of this unprotected left turn lane. Kurtis Plaster, Meridian Ask teachers I am disappointed that the governor and the state superintendent decided to adopt a supplemental history program without getting the input of the teachers who teach history. This is reminiscent of the legislators adopting the death penalty by firing squad without consulting the Department of Correction. Now we have the Nampa school board deciding on all issues LGBTQ, deciding it should be left up to parents to discuss the subject rather than trained teachers. What do the teachers think? Have the students been asked for their opinions? The best decisions involve getting input from all those who will have to carry out the implementation. Lori Poublon Ramirez, Meridian Orcas As Orca Month unfolds, I am compelled to draw attention to the profound interdependence between the orca population and the salmon species right here in our beautiful state of Idaho. As a Youth Salmon Protector I find it vital to recognize the prompt need for breaching the lower four dams on the Snake River. While orcas have long been celebrated, we must not forget the crucial role that salmon play in their survival and the delicate balance of our ecosystem. In recent years, we have witnessed declines in both orca and salmon populations, presenting an alarming situation that demands our immediate attention. Idahos rivers and waterways have long been significant spawning grounds for salmon, supporting both the resident orcas and our local communities. However, the proliferation of dams has obstructed the natural migration routes of these fish, impeding their ability to reach crucial breeding and feeding grounds. This disruption has had devastating consequences for both the salmon and the orcas that rely on them for survival. Orca Month serves as a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to protect these magnificent creatures and the natural environment we all rely on. Breach the lower four dams on the Snake River! Lily Saperston, Boise Juneteenth The other day with swagger and sway, I overheard someone say, Juneteenth was a stupid holiday. Shocked ears! Heart sank! Everything about that statement stank. Ultimately Juneteenth is about freedoms for all to pursue. Its what we value, dont you? Freedom isnt just for a few! Our forefathers and Crispus Attucks would be appalled, even unenthralled with us, in thinking freedoms cause, stupid and useless! Crispus was once undervalued, even counted as someones possession. Yet hes integral to our countrys first history lesson. There arent any stupid holidays where freedoms concerned. For its exactly that which our forefathers yearned. On all the days freedom is celebrated, remember thats why our ancestors immigrated. Freedom to cherish! Without it, our country would perish! Geraldine Vaughn, Nampa Micron Why does China keep getting wealthy? Because they buy and coerce all of our wealth-makers. Micron... what are you doing? $603 million into Chinese pockets over the next few years in the Chinese city of Xian for a chip packaging facility? This is not your first offense related to China related. This deal is not in our countrys best interests, not in Boises best interests and it is technology sharing with a country that continues to attempt to force confrontation as though an enemy. China is hostile to us and our allies, an intellectual property thief, a military aggressor and you want to invest in them? Enough! Be American made, end of story. I was born at St. Lukes Boise, Idaho, raised here and even worked for Micron in the early 2000s. Quit making me ashamed of you. China can be a client/customer not intertwined in Microns leadership/ownership. If we had better leaders they ought to demand you never be a part of this deal. Jeff Wells, Nampa Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the commander-in-chief of Ukraines Armed Forces, is dead. Such was the false message spread by Russias propaganda machine in early May even Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin joined in. Kyiv was quick to dispel the claim as an intentional effort to demoralize Ukrainian forces and undermine Ukraines budding counteroffensive, noting that according to Russian media, Zaluzhnyi had been wounded twice and killed three times. Weaponizing disinformation is a cornerstone of Russian military operations and has been since the creation of the Soviet secret police, commonly known as Cheka, in 1917; Joseph Stalin himself is rumored to have coined the term disinformation, imbuing it with a French-sounding name to obscure its origins. Over the past century, Russia has perfected its disinformation tradecraft, and the above example is but the latest tactical iteration of a coordinated and sophisticated machine whose strategic goals in this war are to disorient and demoralize Ukrainian soldiers and citizenry, and legitimize even the worst of Russian war crimes. Jakub Kalensky: The information war against the Kremlin is far from over Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. There have been many optimistic takes claiming that Russia is losing or has already lost the information war against the West. This optimism is The Kyiv IndependentJakub Kalensky A particularly vile legitimization attempt came early in the war when Russian Foreign Affairs spokesperson Maria Zakharova called the Bucha massacre in March 2022, which saw the sanctioned slaughter of some 500 defenseless Ukrainian civilians and prisoners-of-war by Russian soldiers, a fabrication by the West to divert attention from an alleged U.S. biowarfare laboratory in Ukraine. Russian state-controlled media TASS furthered the lie, framing the atrocities in Bucha as a trap set by Ukraine to coerce the U.S. to go to war with Russia due to horrifying yet context-and-evidence-free photos and videos. Re-framing the Bucha massacre is so brazen and accusations of biowarfare so bizarre that it is tempting to simply ignore such disinformation as unworthy of a serious response, and indeed Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby called Russias claims about the biowarfare facility laughable. But the disinformation Russia spreads, no matter how absurd, is not laughable. Each and every lie must be vigorously tracked and empirically refuted, lest it seep into the public consciousness and the historical record, where it could introduce doubt and ultimately soften support for Ukraines defense of democracy and freedom. There are several characteristics of Russian disinformation that we should be mindful of as we seek to separate fact from fiction in understanding the progress of the war. Contradicting narratives Russias response to evidence of its crimes during the Bucha massacre is an example of contradicting narratives, a tool whereby multiple storylines are propagated in rapid succession or simultaneously to obfuscate the truth. This technique is not meant to propel any one particular view, but rather purposefully disorients and confuses, and in so doing introduces doubt, which is its ultimate goal. It is simply a well-directed but tragic show, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, referring to accusations of Russian culpability in Bucha. It is a forgery aimed at denigrating the Russian army and it will not work. Meanwhile, Russian state-sponsored media disseminated completely different narratives, claiming variously that it was a special operation carried out by the British, while another blamed Ukraines Azov Battalion, calling them neo-Nazis. Yet other pro-Kremlin media outlets, citing Russophobia and blaming the West for seeking pretext for war, simply claimed the massacre was itself fake a heinous act of cowardice that desecrates the victims by denying their very existence. Fact-tracking initiative EUvsDisinfo calls this strategy decoy flares, in reference to the use of false heat targets by military planes to divert missiles from their true target of the aircraft, and notes that the goal behind sharing multiple, often contradictory, versions of one event is to obfuscate reality, making it challenging to differentiate fact from fiction. Throughout the years, Russia has used the same technique to deflect culpability in the assassination of Boris Nemtsov, the Salisbury poisonings, and the 2020 poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. The 2018 poisoning of ex-GRU officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yuliia Skripal in Salisbury, England, witnessed the emergence of multiple false narratives citing alleged Russophobia, the non-Russian origin of the chemical nerve agent, and the so-called ulterior motives of the U.K. government. The Kremlin even claimed the Russian suspects had merely visited Salisbury as tourists to view the towns famous 123-meter spire and clock. Denial and truth seeding Denial, a hallmark of Russian disinformation campaigns, is a first response tactic to the emergence of unplanned information detrimental to Russias goals. Truth seeding, which mixes strains of truth with lies, is often combined with denial when Moscow is trying to catch up to a story or event that has made its way into the public domain. (It is also used in a more planful manner as part of orchestrated and proactive disinformation campaigns; its use in a reactive sense alongside denial is often counterproductive for Russia because the truths admitted become difficult to later deny). Denial mixed with truth seeding was evidenced in the Kremlins response to an attack by its forces on a shopping mall in Kremenchuk, Poltava Oblast, in June of 2022, which killed 20 people, including children, and injured around 60. Instead, the ministry claimed its forces had used high-precision air-based weapons to target an arms cache. As evidence mounted that the mall had in fact been hit by air-based weapons, further truth seeding became untenable, and ultimately Russian President Vladimir Putin had to personally comment on the matter, and did so by resulting in denial: The Russian army does not strike any civilian objects, he claimed. Similarly, Russias bombing of a theater in Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast, in March 2022, which killed 600 of the 1,000 civilians sheltering inside and which was labeled a clear war crime by Amnesty International, saw Russia simply deny responsibility. Russian aviation did not carry out any tasks related to strikes against ground targets in the city of Mariupol, Russias Defense Ministry said. Instead, the Kremlin accused Ukraines Azov Battalion, saying it committed a new bloody provocation by blowing up the theater building. Denial seems on the surface to be weak tea: Why not at least offer up a counter-theory, a la contradicting narratives technique? Arguably, Russia has learned from past successes that denial, even in the face of overwhelming evidence, while perhaps ineffective and even seemingly counterproductive in the short term, nonetheless over the long term proves effective by introducing doubt that with the passage of time becomes more and more difficult to refute. To wit, when Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014, investigators and reporters determined that the Kremlin, via its proxies in Donbas, was responsible. The Kremlin, though, denied responsibility, and even five years later in 2019, Putin said Russia completely disagrees with the evidence presented regarding its culpability. Sadly, the shooting down of civilian airliners by Russia is not a new phenomenon; in 1983 Korean Airlines Flight 007 was downed over Sakhalin by a Soviet SU-15 fighter jet after having unintentionally entered Soviet airspace. All 269 people aboard lost their lives, and, true to form, the then Soviet Union denied all responsibility before switching to truth-seeding and claiming the aircraft had been on a spy mission on behalf of the United States. Network effects In early February, social media giant TikTok released a report stating it had uncovered a Russian disinformation network operating on its platform that had reached over 100,000 European users during the summer of 2022. The users, based in Germany, Italy, and the U.K., were fed anti-Ukrainian disinformation narratives originating from roughly 1,700 TikTok accounts that were based in Russia but disguised as local European users. This represents a fairly typical network effects tactic in action; the use of social media platforms at scale to disseminate false narratives. Network effects are based on the premise that the more often we hear something, and from the more people we hear it, the more likely we are to believe it. While the thematic content of these campaigns is generally dictated by Russias security and intelligence apparatus, the actual execution of campaigns may be outsourced to for-profit companies, or troll farms, where mostly young, tech-savvy employees post content that is then automatically propagated across hundreds of thousands of social media profiles. How Russia steals and rewrites Ukrainian history to justify its claims in Ukraine Appropriating and rewriting foreign history has been a key aspect of Russias imperialist narratives. This is especially true about the history of Ukraine, which Russia has sought to subjugate for centuries. Crediting Russia as being the sole successor of the medieval Kyivan Rus and laying claims The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov Network effects have long been a tool of Russias disinformation arsenal. Back in 2020, a Graphika report detailed a large-scale operation run from Russia dubbed Secondary Infektion, which employed a multitude of fake accounts, forged documents, and numerous sites and platforms to propel select narratives, most of which targeted Ukraine, including that Ukraine is a failed state or unreliable partner or a thinly veiled Nazi dictatorship. Meanwhile, the original Operation Infektion, a Soviet disinformation campaign in the 1980s, sought to blame the burgeoning HIV/AIDS epidemic on the U.S., citing its alleged fabrication through a U.S. biowarfare weapons program. The campaigns genesis was an article published in an Indian newspaper in 1983, and a key characteristic of the operation was its reliance on the use of seemingly unrelated media outlets to disseminate the story. The road ahead As the much-awaited spring counteroffensive begins, Ukrainians and their supporters need to be extra vigilant in identifying and countering Russias disinformation apparatus wherever it strikes. Fact-checking organizations and independent media are at the forefront of this important work, but the task is relentless and their efforts need the support of an engaged and aware public. Its critical to approach this wars second battlefield with the same unity, resilience, and strength as Ukraine has the conventional battles at the front line. Submit an Opinion Editor's Note: This article is based on the authors report, Addressing Attribution: Theorizing a Model to Identify Russian Disinformation Campaigns Online, published by the Canadian Global Affairs Institute in November 2022. The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. Dozens of people are feared dead after a migrant boat sank near Spain's Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean Wednesday (June 21), Spanish authorities and NGOs said. Authorities have recovered two bodies, including that of a young boy, but the true number of the people on board is unknown. Walking Borders founder Helena Maleno told CNN that her group received desperate calls from relatives of migrants aboard as early as Tuesday afternoon (June 20), saying the boat was drifting after losing all its engine power. Walking Borders have also alerted Spanish authorities to request a rescue operation. Meanwhile, the Spanish Coast Guard announced that a Moroccan patrol boat had rescued 24 people alive. They join a total of 227 migrants across four boats who were rescued Thursday (June 22) near the Canary Islands. The migrants were taken to either Lanzarote or Gran Canaria. Read Also: At Least 79 Migrants Dead After Overcrowded Fishing Boat Capsized More Migrants Bound for Europe The Atlantic migration route has been called one of the deadliest in the world and is typically used by migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. According to the United Nations International Organization for Migration, at least 559 people, including 22 children, died in 2022 in their attempt to reach the Canary Islands. Earlier this month, a Libyan fishing boat filled to the gunwales with migrants sank off the coast of Greece, killing hundreds on board, mostly women and children. Nine of the survivors who were part of the crew of the sunken boat were arrested for smuggling hundreds of people into Europe. Meanwhile, the Spanish rescue ship Aita Mari said she took part in the rescue of 294 people from a migrant ship off the Italian island of Lampedusa Thursday. According to Salvamento Maritimo Humanitario (SMH), the NGO that owns the ship, the Aita Mari was part of a joint operation with the Nadir rescue vessel belonging to the NGO ResQship and the Italian Coast Guard to recover everyone onboard. Related Article: 9 Survivors Arrested Over Capsized Migrant Boat Off Greece; Protests Criticize Authorities' Response @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Republican presidential candidate and Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis delivers remarks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference (Drew Angerer) Republicans and Democrats offered competing visions for reproductive rights Friday as the anniversary of the US Supreme Court decision ending nationwide abortion access threw a spotlight on a polarizing issue sure to dominate the 2024 election. Thousands of religious conservatives gathered for a two-day conference in Washington to hear Donald Trump's main rivals for the Republican presidential nomination try to outflank the frontrunner, who has been criticized for flip-flopping on his position. And in a split-screen moment in the capital, Democratic President Joe Biden was being feted by powerful family planning groups as he announced an executive order aimed at boosting access to contraception. "When people want to know where @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris stand on reproductive freedom, we tell them: they are unwavering," Planned Parenthood, the country's leading abortion provider, said on Twitter. But a mile or so north of the White House, Republican presidential hopefuls lined up at a plush downtown hotel to berate the Biden administration and compete for the backing of 3,000 evangelicals attending the Road to Majority conference. Florida governor Ron DeSantis hailed the six-week abortion ban he signed into law, while ex-vice president Mike Pence challenged every candidate to back a nationwide prohibition. DeSantis, who is polling in second in the Republican primary, more than 30 points behind Trump, said Florida had delivered on "promoting a culture of life" with his so-called "heartbeat bill," which goes much further than the 15-week ban embraced by moderate Republicans. "It was the right thing to do -- don't let anyone tell you it wasn't," DeSantis said in a veiled swipe at Trump, who has criticized the Florida law as "too harsh." - 'Sanctity of life' - Pence, who is running a distant third, told the conference that every candidate should support a ban on abortion that kicks in at 15 weeks of pregnancy or earlier. "Let me say from my heart, that the cause of life is the calling of our time," Pence said. "And we must not rest and must not relent until we restore the sanctity of life in the center of American law, in every state in this country." Trump thrilled conservatives by appointing three Supreme Court justices who voted to strike down a decades-old legal precedent guaranteeing federal abortion protections. But the religious right has been dismayed by the billionaire former reality TV star refusing to publicly back a nationwide ban even as he takes credit for the court's ruling. Road to Majority -- organized by the Georgia-based, two-million-member Faith and Freedom Coalition -- brings together the major Republican presidential hopefuls on the same stage for the first time. Trump is due to deliver the keynote address on Saturday -- the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling, which made reproductive rights a prerogative of the states. Since June 24 last year 20 states, mainly in the US south and interior, have enforced bans or strong restrictions on abortion, while liberal-leaning states on the coasts have passed new protections. - Devout Catholic - Joining Planned Parenthood in endorsing Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris, NARAL feted the president Friday as he directed officials to ensure private health insurers cover all approved contraceptives. Biden and Harris have "done more to defend and expand reproductive freedom than any other administration in history," the abortion rights organization said. Biden is a devout Catholic but in recent years the 80-year-old has taken on the role of the country's top advocate for reproductive freedoms. Speaking at an event with abortion rights activists, Harris called the ruling "a full-on attack on so many of our hard won rights and freedoms" while Biden vowed to lead the "fight to restore those protections." The issue of abortion rights crystallizes divisions in the United States and for many voters it is a key factor on election day, a trend that has become more pronounced over the last year. According to a recent CBS/YouGov poll, 63 percent of Americans oppose a federal ban on abortion. And in a Gallup poll published earlier this week, 28 percent of registered voters said they chose candidates based exclusively on their abortion stance, a record level. ft/bgs Michelle Budge, Deseret News What do you do when you fear you cant live up to the promises youve made? The response is similar in two of Americas most contentious issues: immigration and abortion. The United States is legally bound to accept refugees who cannot live safely in their own country. Asylum seekers have a right to ask for refuge, even if they must cross the border illegally to present their case. President Donald Trump openly flouted this obligation, and President Joe Biden has treated the commitment as a paper promise. When we make a promise we may not be prepared to keep, its easy to grow to hate or fear the person we are failing. If we see them, we are reminded of our own insufficiency. In May, in the last days before Bidens restrictive new rules went into effect, replacing Title 42, there was a surge of attempted border crossings. One migrant crossing the Rio Grande was an illustration of poet Warshan Shires reminder in Home that no one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land. He made the river crossing with no boat to buoy him. He held a baby nestled in blankets in a suitcase over his head as he waded through the water. The man walking through the water and the baby he holds are more alike than different. Whether a refugee is walking through Mexico or a baby is cradled in a suitcase or, before then, in her mothers womb someone is on the way. Someone whose name we may not yet know, someone whose particular personality is yet to be revealed to us. Someone we know primarily through their need they cannot survive unless we open the door to them and make them welcome. Within our own borders, politicians hide from another kind of abject need not the baby in the suitcase, but the baby in the womb. On abortion, the parties rhetoric reverses. Its the abortion-rights activists within the Democratic Party who describe a baby in the womb as a kind of parasite, a foreign invader with no just claim to shelter. Its abortion opponents within the GOP who speak movingly about the dignity of the weak, but whose party fails to deliver substantial material support for refugees. The baby carried through the river depends on the man with the suitcase. He knows that he may not be able to live up to what that child needs. Step by dangerous step, he makes his attempt. He, in turn, depends on America, beckoned by the promise under Lady Liberty, send these the homeless tempest-tost to me. Its hard to break that promise face to face. A border guard wouldnt tip the child out of the suitcase, into the water. But we engineer deaths at a more bloodless distance by criminalizing leaving water in the desert and by forcing migrants to wait in deadly, dangerous conditions for their turn for artificially limited slots at ports of entry. Related Some politicians try to make the vulnerable stranger go away, if not out of animus, then out of shame that we may not be equal to what they require. Bidens new policies presumed border crossers ineligible for asylum unless they could prove theyd sought formal refugee status in another country prior to reaching the United States. Biden didnt pledge to build the wall, but his administration has erected a tangle of bureaucratic hurdles aimed at keeping migrants from placing a foot on our soil. The child in the womb, like the child in the suitcase, is in the greatest danger when we succeed at pushing him or her out of sight. The aborted child is dismissed as a trickster, someone who, in the words of an abortion doula, will look like a baby but shouldnt be treated as one. The child who makes it across the border might be ignored in their continuing need, until they turn up, blood-splattered, as an underage worker in the graveyard shift of a slaughterhouse. They will look like a child, but in this case, every shift manager made the choice to not see them as one. We have to begin by looking at each individual, recognizing their dignity and their need before we ask if we will succeed at meeting the need. In 1992, Pennsylvania Sen. Robert Casey tried to secure a speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention to oppose enshrining support for abortion as part of the national platform. In his undelivered remarks, he intended to say, Our party always has been the voice of the powerless and the voiceless. They have been our natural constituency. A child in the womb is voiceless by nature; a child at the border is voiceless because we plug our ears. In both cases, choosing to see and to listen allows us to better understand and advocate for their need. When the Biden administration allowed ordinary citizens to sponsor people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, the outpouring of volunteers was so large that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services chose sponsors by lottery, unable to keep up. We have a greater capacity to say yes to need than we might expect. But eliciting it requires making the ask explicit. Some of the need can be met by private charity and sponsorship pregnancy resource centers often offer up to a year of help with diapers and clothes. But the tremendous need of a child in the womb or a refugee at the gates requires a structural response, too. At the border, the most basic requirement is simply that refugees be heard. There are not enough judges to adjudicate refugee status, leaving migrants waiting years to plead their case. The government needs to fund courts to hear and weigh each individual story, and refuse to treat the people at the border as a pulsing mass. For mothers and children, cash aid is essential, allowing parents to have more stability at the most vulnerable time of their life. But there is a parallel need to see the individual in danger, as in abortion. We cannot dismiss a distinct human being as an agglomeration of individual cells, pulsing in a rhythm that we cant bear to call a heartbeat. Each lub-dub of the hearts chambers, each step through the Darien Gap, is an act of faith that the ache of need would be met with love, not contempt. Most of us know that charity is what need requires of us if we knew we could deny the stranger face to face, we wouldnt have to hide when we hear them approach. Leah Libresco Sargeant is the author of Arriving at Amen and Building the Benedict Option. She runs the substack Other Feminisms, focused on the dignity of interdependence. (Reuters) - Pfizer and partner BioNTech said on Friday they have initiated an application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for authorization of updated COVID-19 vaccine targeting Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5. Earlier in June, Europe's medicine regulators backed the World Health Organization's recommendation to update the antigen composition of COVID shots to target one of the currently dominant XBB variants ahead of the upcoming autumn vaccination campaign. Pfizer/BioNTech said they expect to be ready to ship XBB.1.5-adapted monovalent vaccines to member states of the European Union immediately following regulatory approval. The companies added they also plan to file an application with the U.S. drug regulator in the coming days. Moderna said on Thursday it had completed a submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking authorization for its updated COVID-19 vaccine targeting XBB.1.5. (Reporting by Raghav Mahobe in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri) Mitch Keller turned in an excellent start and Henry Davis slugged his first-career home run and it looked like the Pittsburgh Pirates were about to snap their nine-game losing streak. However, the Miami Marlins rallied for five runs against the Pirates bullpen as they defeated Pittsburgh 6-4 on Thursday night at loanDepot Park. With the Pirates leading 4-1, Dauri Moreta loaded the bases without recording an out in the eighth inning. Derek Shelton turned to Carmen Mlodzinski, who allowed a two-run single to Bryan De La Cruz on the first pitch. Read more from our partners at Sports Now Group Pittsburgh. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Multiple black bears spotted across Allegheny County; heres where theyre coming from Searchers detect banging sounds in hunt for missing Titanic sub Pittsburgh Police Chief Scirotto shares his side of story after local activist arrested at parade VIDEO: 17 Pitt students learn they didnt reach graduation requirements after commencement DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Photo: SAUL LOEB (Getty Images) After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Dr. Colleen McNicholas, chief medical officer of Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, worked with a patient who drove 13 hours to her clinic in Illinois from the southernmost part of Texas for a medication abortion. Upon receiving the abortion pills, the patient declined help paying for lodging and instead immediately drove 13 hours back, straight to work. She said, I have a life to get back to. Its part of how we continue to hear from folks about how difficult it is, even when weve created systems that can support them, McNicholas told Jezebel. Her organization offers a regional logistics center to help traveling abortion patients navigate the labyrinth of abortion laws and geographic barriersand also get the financial help they needto access care. But the barriers are constant and ever-evolving. Well hear from so many prospective patients who have never been to an airport, who we have to walk through how to get an ID, how layovers work, McNicholas said. Read more Because of these increased wait times and barriers in states where abortion remains legal, McNicholas says traveling patients arent just coming from states that have banned it. Some traveling patients, she says, are from states where abortion is legal, but providers are struggling or unable to meet the increased demand from states surrounding them. The staggering numbers shared by the Planned Parenthoods St. Louis chapter compound with heartbreaking data points weve already seen: Illinois faced the second-highest increase in abortions in any state since the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health ruling, seeing a 28% increase in abortions between April and August in 2022. Self-reported data from abortion providers in the state shows the proportion of out-of-state patients theyve served increased from 6% before the fall of Roe to one-third after, per the Chicago Tribune. Illinois has also been subject to increased anti-abortion violence, which has surged in states where abortion rights are protected, as dwindling clinics become more vulnerable. One independent clinic under construction in Danville, Illinois, experienced two horrific acts of vandalism over mere weeks, delaying the clinics opening. McNicholas says shes observed an increase in violence and harassment at clinics under her purview too. Its simple: As patients are needing to find new homes, so too, are the protesters who were existing in those states where clinics are now closed. Despite all of this, there have been glimmers of hopelike the 97% increase in vasectomies rendered by Planned Parenthood clinics in McNicholas region since last year and the steady support of abortion funds helping traveling patients get to where they need to go. Its a bleak time for abortion access, to be sure, but McNicholas says were also seeing a deepening, radical imagination among people in her strenuous line of work. More and more people are talking about what a future looks like thats better than what Roe could ever live up to, a future of abortion access, building toward something thats better, she said. More from Jezebel Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Boston Police have provided new details Thursday about the suspicious death at the Mary Ellen McCormack Complex in South Boston over the weekend, where four children were found at the scene. According to Police, officers responded to a call about an unconscious person at around 11:11 a.m., who was later pronounced dead by Boston EMS. Four children found at the scene each had a parent present in the apartment, according to officials. The parents and the officers who responded felt it was best for the children to stay in another room with one of the parents and took steps to avoid having the children see the deceased, according to police. Officers did file a report with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families and the agency told Boston 25 News that they did take custody of the children after the incident. The update also states that drugs and other concerning materials were not seen in the home, despite some unconfirmed reports. City councilor Erin Murphy demanding answers on Wednesday about the disturbing scene, but Boston Polices recent update contradicts her description of a house of horrors. Police are continuing to investigate the situation. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Andrzej Duda In an interview with Ukrainian journalists on June 23, Polish President Andrzej Duda stated that a Russian victory in the war against Ukraine must be avoided, equating such a win to empowering a "wild animal" to attack other nations. Read also: Scholz, Macron, Duda to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine in Paris this week, Politico Duda expressed high admiration for the Ukrainian people and fighters. The heroism of the Ukrainian people, heroism of Ukraines defenders, deserves utmost respect and support, the president said. Its natural for me to support the people who are defending themselves against an invading army that is significantly larger and, by default, better armed and equipped." Duda emphasized that justice in war sides with those defending their freedom, independence, and country. He compared Russia to a "wild animal." Read also: Survey reveals what would persuade Ukrainian refugees in Poland to return home We cannot allow Russia to win because it will continue to launch attacks; it would only fuel its imperialism, he said. It's akin to a wild animal that has eaten a human. Once such an animal has developed a taste for human flesh, it usually needs to be tracked and put down, as it is likely to attack again. The same applies to Russia. If Russia succeeds in eating even a part of Ukraine, it will target other territories that were under Soviet influence once it regains composure. Read also: Polish parliament passes resolution backing Ukraine's NATO membership Duda argued that understanding this point is crucial for ending the war. While the West might not fully grasp this, we all know very well that this is an essential precondition for a just and successful conclusion to this war, the president added. Read also: Ukraine already using Polish and Slovakian MiG-29 fighters to protect Ukrainian skies What would that look like? A restoration of the supremacy of international law at the very least. The principle of international law will be reaffirmed when Russia is expelled from all Ukrainian lands it has occupied, and when Ukraine regains complete control over its internationally recognized territories. The Polish president also addressed the issue of war reparations from Russia. Undoubtedly, Ukraine should be compensated for its losses, he said on the matter. Read also: Problem not money for reconstruction, but its effective use, says ex-MP Fortunately, the international community agrees that Russia must pay these reparations. The sooner these funds, potentially derived from 'frozen Russian assets around the world, are made available for Ukraine's reconstruction and to compensate for its losses, the sooner justice will be restored and life can return to normal. 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 During two days of a meeting at Dakota State University, the South Dakota Board of Regents were able to get five new members introduced to the experience of leading higher education in South Dakota by covering a variety of agenda items and tasks. The Regents covered everything from budget requests, questions from legislators on politics in education and more. During the meeting, the Regents also passed an agreement to make it easier for students training to become nurses to transfer credits between the states four public technical colleges and South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota. More: Dakota State University, ArmyCyber ink educational partnership agreement on joint research Here are some other major highlights from the meeting. Political activism isn't seeping into South Dakota's universities In a conversation Wednesday between legislators and Regents, higher education leaders talked about the benefits of recent tuition freezes, goals for finishing the work of 2020s Senate Bill 55, upcoming enrollment cliffs and more. One topic stood out from the others during this discussion: a question from Rep. Will Mortenson (R-Pierre) about political activism seeping into universities and whether thats a problem in South Dakota. Regent Tim Rave said the university system has policies and procedures in place to address instances of that seepage happening across the nation. University presidents have tools to address students challenges with individual professors, for example, he said. We have policies and procedures to bring them back in line, and for the most part, obviously you dont see it in the news, we dont have the kind of activism thats going on across the country, Rave said. I commend the presidents for running good, tight ships, if you will. No is the short answer. More: Noem to South Dakota universities: raise graduation rates, end drag shows, and more Student regent Brock Brown, who is at USDs law school, said he didnt feel his voice was stifled as a conservative in his recent Constitutional Law class when discussing issues of the day such as abortion or free speech. I think that when youre actually in the classroom, through my experience, we do have a really thoughtful group of professors, faculty members and students, Brown said. Rave also said university classrooms are laboratories for discussion and there should be vigorous, respectful debates about different topics and ideas. Sen. Casey Crabtree (R-Madison) asked the Regents how the national issue of closing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices has played out lately on South Dakotas campuses after that action has already been taken here. Regent Jeff Partridge said the issue has been addressed legislatively as well as with the recent initiative for opportunity centers. It doesnt matter who you are, where you come from or what you look like, we want you to have an opportunity in South Dakota to be successful, and to be successful in our universities, Partridge said, explaining this is the goal of the opportunity centers. The concept of an opportunity center advances the DEI conversation and eliminates any need to have something done on the topic legislatively, Partridge added. University presidents make millions of dollars of budget requests Each of the six public universities, and the SDBOR office, gave budget requests to the Regents during Thursdays portion of the meeting. These requests are for fiscal year 2025 and could become future agenda items during Board meetings, or become bills for the South Dakota Legislature to take on. SDSUs requests included $1.2 million in base funding for its Agriculture Experiment Station, $1.2 million in one-time funding for inflating construction costs on the Cottonwood Research Facility, and $650,000 for new partnership with South Dakota Mines on bioproducts research. USDs requests included $30 million ($20 million in general one-time funds, and $10M in private and other funds) for a new facility to replace the unsalvageable Akeley-Lawrence Science Center, $5.9 million for a computation collaborative between USD, its Sanford School of Medicine and South Dakota Mines, and $665,000 for a USD telehealth collaborative. South Dakota Mines requests included $650,000 for the aforementioned bioproduct research partnership with SDSU, $1.86 million towards the aforementioned biomedical computation collaborative with USD, $2 million for a quantum collaborative with DSU and USD, and $4 million for a patent fund. More: Nathan Lukkes officially takes helm of SD's Board of Regents. Here's his vision for the future. DSU President Jose-Marie Griffiths requested support for a teacher apprenticeship pathway and a new Center for Quantum Information Science and Technology but didnt provide dollar amounts yet. President Jose-Marie Griffiths (right) introduces General Cyber, Dakota State University's new mascot, to the Madison community Aug. 17. Northern State University President Neal Schnoor spoke about a new Center for Public History and Civic Engagement on campus and requested $143,500 for personnel to staff it, and $61,000 in operating expenses for it. Black Hills State University President Laurie Nichols requested $3 million in base funding for BHSU, and support for a new Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership. She explained that the idea for the new Center came from House Bill 1070, which failed this past legislative session, to "create the Center for American Exceptionalism at Black Hills State University," and will be loosely modeled after Arizona State Universitys School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership. Heather Forney, system vice president for finance and administration at the SDBOR office, requested a $4.3 million tuition freeze, $3.2 million in dual credit funding and $10.7 million in one-time funding to retire some debt. An update on the USD Discovery District in Sioux Falls One update that stood out from a regular report on the SDBORs research parks was a bit of progress on the USD Discovery District in Sioux Falls. Ryan Oines, chief operating officer of the research park, said construction of the first building for the district could begin as soon as September and will hopefully be completed at least by December 2024. USD is already recruiting prospective tenants and developers at this time. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Political activism is not 'seeping' into SD universities, Regents say United States' artist Andres Serrano arrives to meet reporters after being received by Pope Francis on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Contemporary Art section of the Vatican Museum, at the Vatican, Friday, June 23, 2023. Some 200 artists were received by the Pope at the Vatican on the 50th anniversary of the creation of the modern religious art collection opened on June 23, 1973 by Pope Paul VI that includes works from artists such as Van Gogh, Gauguin, Bacon, Botero, Rodin, De Chirico, Severini, Guttuso, Matisse and others. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Francis praised artists on Friday as true visionaries who can see, dream and invent as he welcomed 200 artists, filmmakers and writers into the Sistine Chapel to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vatican Museums contemporary art collection. Francis acknowledged that some in the crowd there was Andres Serrano, of Piss Christ fame sometimes use confrontation to make people think. But he said their aim was to find harmony and beauty. You want to reveal reality also in its contradictions and in those things that it is more comfortable and convenient to keep hidden, Francis said. "Like the biblical prophets, you confront things that at times are uncomfortable; you criticize todays false myths and new idols, its empty talk, the ploys of consumerism, the schemes of power. Pope Paul VI first invited artists into the Sistine Chapel in 1964 in hopes of renewing the friendship between the Catholic Church and artists that, in past centuries, had resulted in such masterpieces as Michelangelo's frescoed chapel itself. That audience helped give birth, in 1973 with a concert conducted by Leonard Bernstein, to the inauguration of the Vatican Museums' Modern and Contemporary Art collection. The collection, the youngest in the museum, is marking its 50th anniversary this year with an exhibit of some of its most recent acquisitions, including by artists invited to Friday's audience. In recent years, the Vatican has sought to relaunch the Holy Sees engagement with contemporary culture, participating in the Venice art and architecture biennales and, in the future, literary festivals. In the audience Friday were such figures as author Jhumpa Lahiri, director Abel Ferrara, whose recent film Padre Pio pays homage to the Italian saint, contemporary artist Anselm Kiefer and Italian actor Silvio Orlando, whose portrayal of a fictional Vatican secretary of state in The Young Pope and The New Pope, made him seem perfectly at home in the Apostolic Palace. Serrano, for his part, said he was surprised to have even been invited and thrilled when he went up to greet Francis at the end of the audience. He said he introduced himself in Spanish, asked Francis for a blessing, and the Argentine pope playfully slapped his wrist and gave him a thumbs up. Serranos 1987 photograph Piss Christ has caused controversy ever since it was first exhibited, given the image depicts a crucifix submerged in urine. Speaking to reporters after the audience, Serrano said he understood his invitation was evidence that the church understands that I am a Christian artist and I am not a blasphemous artist. I am just an artist. If Piss Christ disturbs you, maybe you should think about what it symbolizes. And what it symbolizes is a very horrific and painful and tragic and inhuman way for a human being to die. And thats how they crucified Christ, he said. Bishop Paul Tighe, the No. 2 in the Vaticans culture and education ministry, said the inclusion of even provocative artists was evidence of the Vaticans desire to enter into dialogue with contemporary culture. Were ready for a conversation, Tighe said. We want to hear and talk with, meet with, dialog with artists, because we think artists have perspectives and ways of seeing the world that we need to take account of. Asked in particular about Serrano, Tighe added: I think we all just have to work on the presumption of good faith of the artist who is trying to say something, challenge something, and may sometimes have to resort to strong measures to waken us up. Pressure on Titanic sub would have been 'enormous' in final moments, experts say The final moments of the Titan would have been swift and unleashed amid a force difficult to comprehend. A North Atlantic rescue mission undertaken by at least four countries found that the submersible was destroyed by a likely implosion, scattering its debris on the ocean floor near the doomed luxury liner Titanic. Parts of the sub were found about 1,600 feet from the Titanic, nearly 12,500 feet below the surface in icy, dark waters. It will be difficult to know at what depth the Titan sub became overwhelmed. But even at higher depths than where it was found, any defect in the hull would have allowed the Titan to be crushed in milliseconds, experts in physics and submarines told USA TODAY Thursday. Stockton Rush, owner and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, was piloting the Titan with a group of four passengers when the submersible lost contact Sunday with its support ship about an hour and forty-five minutes after starting its dive. "The pressure inward on the sub would have been enormous," said Luc Wille, a professor and chair of physics at Florida Atlantic University. That likely explains what appears to have been the implosion of the vessel, said Wille and others. The Coast Guard also confirmed to USA TODAY Thursday that a Navy analysis of acoustic data detected "an anomaly consistent with implosion or explosion" in the vicinity around the time the Titan lost contact. U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, center at microphone, talks to the media Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Coast Guard Base Boston, in Boston. The U.S. Coast Guard says the missing submersible imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, killing all five people on board. Coast Guard officials said during the news conference that they've notified the families of the crew of the Titan, which has been missing for several days. While the experts grieve the loss of the Titan and its passengers, they describe extreme and unforgiving conditions at the depth where two wrecks now lie some 2.5 miles below the oceans surface. They say it will be crucial to the families and future ocean exploration to learn as much as possible about what caused the implosion that claimed five lives. Killed in the incident were Rush, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet and British explorer Hamish Harding. How intense is the pressure at the depth of the Titanic? Nearly 380 times greater than at the surface, Wille said. Its a familiar concept to divers, who feel the pressure on their bodies as they descend and must regulate the air they're breathing accordingly. Wille said the rule of thumb is one additional "atmosphere" of pressure for every 30 feet of water. People always underestimate that impact, Wille said. Because water is so much more dense than air, pressure builds up much faster than it would when were going up or down in the atmosphere. The diver with the deepest dive ever recorded reached 1,090 feet. The remains of the Titanic are 12,500 feet deep. Experts say the pressure at that depth is between 370-380 bars. Wille compared the pressure on the Titan to a classic physics demonstration. If you remove all the oil or water from a sealed metal can, it will collapse under the pressure of just one atmosphere of pressure at sea level, Wille said. Just imagine what several hundred atmospheres (of pressure) will do. The pressure inward on the sub would have been enormous, he said. What is an implosion? The opposite of an explosion. Rather than pressure building on the inside and causing something to explode, the ocean generates incredible pressure on the outside of a vessel, collapsing walls inward. How could intense pressure cause the submersible to implode? Experts who did not have direct knowledge of what happened to the Titan told USA TODAY it sounds like the hull gave way, either due to a structural defect or failure, or fatigue of the materials in the hull. Even the slightest defect in the hull could have made the Titan vulnerable. When you repeatedly pressurize material such as the walls of the sub, youre stressing it out, Wille said. Youre squeezing the atoms that make up the material, putting that material under stress and then letting it go. Metal fatigue is the reason you can work the flip top of a soda can back and forth to pop it off, he said. Even high-grade military submarines dont wander around the ocean at full depth because it's just too dangerous, said Eric Fusil, a submarine expert and associate professor in the University of Adelaides School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. It would take something like "20 milliseconds to crush a hull" at the depths the Titan was operating in, Fusil said. "So it's nearly instantaneous and it's absolutely very, very noisy." Although the Titans composite hull is built to withstand intense deep-sea pressures, any defect in its shape or build would compromise its integrity and increase the risk of implosion, said Professor Stefan Williams, a marine robotics and underwater vessel expert at the University of Sydney. Did anyone hear a 'catastrophic implosion?' The Navy detected the "anomaly" after analyzing acoustic data collected in the vicinity on Sunday, the Coast Guard told USA TODAY Thursday night. "While not definitive," the information was immediately shared to assist with the search and rescue mission, said Briana Carter with Coast Guard public affairs. Listening devices werent deployed in buoys at the site until after the Coast Guard arrived, but that would have been too late to pick up an implosion if it occurred during the Titans descent or shortly after. The Titan was only about 21 feet long, but any implosion would have created a very loud sound that would have traveled through the water and might also have been picked up by an ocean seismometer somewhere, Fusil said. When the Navy completed ship shock trials of a vessel with 10,000 pounds of explosives in the Atlantic off Florida in July 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey detected that explosion at the surface. A search of its public database shows the Surveys seismometer network had not registered any earthquake-like explosions in the North Atlantic over the last week. Have other vessels imploded? Yes. In 1963, the USS Thresher, a nuclear-powered submarine, was conducting deep-diving tests around 220 miles east of Cape Cod when it lost power and imploded, taking the lives of 129 sailors and civilian technicians. Its remains were located about 8,400 feet below the surface, and a Court of Inquiry concluded the sub likely sank due to a piping failure and subsequent loss of power and the inability to blow ballast tanks fast enough to avoid sinking. Why is it important to know what happened? The engineering and regulation of deep-sea submersibles remain somewhat uncharted territory, Fusil said. And because the Titan was operating in international waters, it was technically free from governance by any single nations regulations. Although various professional groups have proposed rules for commercial sub design, following those rules remains voluntary, and dependent on what insurance companies require, Fusil said. "Its time to acknowledge that going deep is as complex, if not more complex, than going into space and that ensuring the safety of submersibles ought to be more than a matter of choice." Debris field confirmed to be missing Titanic submarine. This is where it was finally found This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Titan sub would be vulnerable to 'enormous pressure' near ocean floor (Photo : Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Hard-right lawmakers are clamoring for action as Rep. Lauren Boebert files an impeachment attempt against United States President Joe Biden. House Republicans hold off on an attempt to impeach United States President Joe Biden as hard-right lawmakers are demanding immediate action. Lawmakers who support the bid also agree with the charges that the measure raised against the Democratic leader, which include "high crimes and misdemeanors" over his handling of the US border with Mexico. The vote that hard-right House Republicans forced on Thursday sent the matter to congressional committees. Lauren Boebert Files Impeachment of Joe Biden The development is seen as a clear demonstration of the challenges that Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy faced in trying to take control of the majority party. The ability of a single lawmaker in the 435-member House to lead an impeachment resolution this week was seen by many GOP members as a distraction from other priorities. The lawmaker in question, Rep. Lauren Boebert, was backed by allies in using House rules to force a snap vote on the sensitive matter. The vote resulted in 219-208 and sent the resolution to committees for potential consideration. However, they are not obligated to do anything about the issue, per the Associated Press. Still, the Republican lawmaker touted during the debate that the development was the House taking historic action. The situation also underscored the hold that the House's conservative flank has over the speaker, which compels him to accommodate or at least consider their hard-right views if he wishes to maintain power. Now, conservatives are moving forward, and Boebert took advantage of the same method that Rep. Anna Paulina Luna used to force a vote on Wednesday. That particular situation was when Republicans censored Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff over his role in the investigations into former United States President Donald Trump's ties to Russia. In response to the matter, Schiff said there would be no end to the controversy, adding that McCarthy has no control over his conference. Schiff noted that the race to the extreme was now controlling the House of Representatives, and he claimed it was already damaging the institution. Read Also: Capitol Rioter Sentenced to Over 12 Years for Tasering Police Officer Rushing To Push the Measure Hardline conservatives, on the other hand, have called Boebert's move premature and claim that it would only harm the GOP moving forward with investigations into the Biden family's alleged international financial schemes and could even undermine future impeachment attempts, according to Yahoo News. McCarthy on Tuesday said during a closed-door GOP Conference meeting that his colleagues should oppose the resolution when it hits the floor. Later, the House Speaker said that he did not believe that it was the right thing to do. He added that it was one of the most severe things a member of Congress can do. When the House floor debated the motion on Thursday, Boebert claimed that since Biden's first day in office, he has trampled on the Constitution through his "dereliction of duty." She added that every member of the House should vote to hold the Democratic leader accountable. On the other hand, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, the top Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee, said that the Republican move had nothing to do with border security. He called it another attempt by the GOP to distract from other legal issues, said the Washington Post. Related Article: House Votes To Censure Rep. Adam Schiff Over Role in Trump-Era Investigations @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. When Walmart approached Gay Pride Apparel founders Sergio Aragon and Jesus Gutierrez to launch an exclusive Pride Month collection this June, it felt like a full circle moment for the first-generation Mexican Americans, who have been shopping at the discount big-box store their entire lives. My family grew up low-income and Walmart was all we had, Gutierrez tells The Independent. If I wouldve seen a Pride display at age nine, it wouldve been so special. Little did the founders of Gay Pride Apparel whose mission is to celebrate and empower the LGBT+ community through clothing and accessories know that they would soon be on the receiving end of violent threats from protestors, angry over the Pride Month merchandise. Theyre not alone. This month, both queer designers and customers have faced numerous attacks from anti-LGBT+ groups over Pride Month collections. Target was infamously at the centre of significant backlash over its wide-ranging Pride merchandise. The outrage began after conservative media outlets falsely claimed Target was selling tuck-friendly bathing suits in the childrens department. Rather, the tuck-friendly swimsuits were designed for trans women who have not had gender-affirming surgery, but the misinformation didnt stop there. Erik Carnell, a gay trans man based in the United Kingdom, received hundreds upon hundreds of hate messages for his queer inclusive brand Abprallen, which was also featured in Targets Pride collection. While the retailer sold three of his designs in its stores, it was his items using occult imagery that received conservative backlash, despite not being sold in Target stores at all. In Montana, a transgender couple was harassed by a far-right extremist who destroyed a Pride display at a Target in Missoula, telling the couple to enjoy [the merchandise] while you can. Several videos also showed anti-LGBT+ protesters harassing Target employees, destroying Pride Month displays, and shouting Your kids cant be gay! inside stores. In response, Target announced it was pulling some of its Pride Month merchandise after several employees experienced confrontational behaviour from angry customers. Since introducing this years collection, weve experienced threats impacting our team members sense of safety and well-being while at work, the retailer said in a statement. Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the centre of the most significant confrontational behaviour. Our focus now is on moving forward with our continuing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and standing with them as we celebrate Pride Month and throughout the year. Target wasnt the only major retailer to face conservative outrage and boycotts from anti-LGBT+ groups. Kohls, Adidas, The North Face, and Starbucks have all been criticised for their Pride Month campaigns and collections. And most notable of all was Anheuser-Busch, which featured trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney in a social media promotional post for Bud Light back in April. From parades, to demonstrations, to even marketing, LGBT+ empowerment has dominated the month of June for more than 50 years. But this years Pride comes amidst an unsettling time for the queer community, as Americas largest LGBT+ civil rights group issues a state of emergency for LGBT+ people living in the United States. Hundreds of bills have been introduced in state legislatures impacting the queer community, specifically targeting trans and nonbinary people. Out of 220 bills, more than 75 have been signed into law, and at least 19 states have enacted policies banning gender affirming healthcare for young trans people. This Pride Month, it seems as though the minority of Americans (more than 70 per cent of people in the US support same-sex marriage) are speaking the loudest. It may be because conservative legislation, largely targeting trans Americans, has emboldened anti-LGBT+ individuals to feel comfortable attacking the queer community in public spaces. However, many LGBT+ business owners believe its the increasing visibility and popularity of queer-inclusive fashion that has angered protesters. In fact, queer-owned businesses have generated more than $1.7 trillion in economic impact, according to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. The purchasing power of the queer community is without question, hence the age-old trend of corporations rainbow-washing during the month of June slapping a rainbow on their products or logos to signal themselves as gay-friendly, rather than holding themselves accountable in their support for the LGBT+ community. Queer-owned businesses have existed for decades, and the ongoing attacks against retailers supporting them during Pride has only made them feel more empowered. TomboyX is a queer-founded fashion brand that designs gender-neutral undergarments for people of all sizes and across the gender spectrum. In 2012, co-founders Fran Dunaway and Naomi Gonzalez set out to make the perfect gender-neutral boxer brief after recognising a gap in the market for inclusive underwear. Today, TomboyXs underwear and loungewear can be found in major US retailers like Nordstrom. From the very beginning, we always recognised that there was this white space in fashion that was very much gendered, Gonzalez tells The Independent. Her wife, Dunaway, added: I think that for us it was just really important to be inclusive because were part of the LGBTQ+ community. Were a married couple and so we really felt what it was like to not be seen and represented in fashion. While TomboyX may have started the conversation on queer-inclusive fashion more than a decade ago, its continued to be a part of it. Theres a sense of pride in just having more queer, non-binary designers out in the world, expressing themselves in all the ways that they see fit and having accessibility to the broader audience that way too, Gonzalez says. I think this isnt about, you know, just one brand or anything like that. This is very much a movement. Its very much an expression of the importance of being yourself. The movement for non-gendered clothing has made headway in recent years, having much to do with the growing number of young Americans who self-identify as members of the LGBT+ community. In fact, the number has almost doubled, with a record one in five Gen Z adults identifying as LGBTQ. In the past four or five years that weve been in this industry as a company, we definitely notice an increase of people coming to us asking not just for gender-inclusive clothing, but for non-binary related items, says Gutierrez. While the demand for gender-inclusive fashion has grown in popularity, public backlash from right-wing media has forced companies to finally take a stance on LGBT+ rights. For Target, it responded by removing some of its Pride merchandise from stores, much to the dismay of its queer customers and LGBT+ allies. Its terribly disappointing that Target is caving in to threats of violence from anti-LGBTQ bigots by removing Pride Month displays, tweeted Jon Cooper, Democratic majority leader of New Yorks Suffolk County. If these extremists decide to attack displays celebrating Black History Month next, will Target remove those as well? Target should not be responding so easily to criticism and threats from the likes of the Proud Boys, said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson in a statement. Target should put the products back on the shelves and ensure [its] Pride displays are visible on the floors, not pushed into the proverbial closet. Thats what the bullies want. Target must be better. The backlash has shown real financial consequences for companies too. Weeks after Anheuser-Busch received pushback from conservative public figures over its partnership with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney notably Kid Rock, who posted a video of himself shooting cases of (purchased) Bud Light the company released an underwhelming statement that it never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. However, Anheuser-Busch made no mention of Mulvaney, nor the transphobic rhetoric perpetuated during the backlash. Not only did Bud Lights retail sales in the US drop 24 per cent in early June, but the Human Rights Campaign has rescinded the companys benchmark equality and inclusion rating. Emma McIlroy is the co-founder of Wildfang, a clothing brand based in Portland, Oregon, with the mission to rethink gender norms in fashion. For McIlroy, the recent financial results from companies like Anheuser-Busch are terrifying because it influences how brands will support the LGBT+ community in the future. I think we live in a space right now where weve built a forum for divisiveness, and thats what weve leaned into. None of its particularly shocking, McIlroy says. Once financial results take a complete beating, as a result of some of those decisions, thats terrifying for me because I think youre gonna see a lot of brands make different decisions, and thats tough. Its going to be very hard for other public CEOs to stand up for what they want to stand up for. For others, they were disappointed to see Target facing such conservative backlash, considering the brand has largely been known as a leader in providing inclusive clothing during Pride Month. Unlike other major companies, the retailer has gone so far as to source small, queer business owners to join its Pride campaigns. JZD, a queer-owned, family-operated small business based in Texas, spent an entire year designing custom pieces for Targets national Pride campaign. Ashley Molesso and Chess Needham, a queer and trans couple based in upstate New York, were asked to have items from their small gift and stationery company Ash + Chess featured in Target stores too. Lots of companies have done a much better job of moving away from private labels, being inclusive of queer designers and queer brands, says Rob Smith, CEO and founder of The Phluid Project. Ive seen that, this year, really come to light. I think Target is actually one of the companies that did it best, really creating much more space for queer brands. While Target may have been setting an example for retailers during Pride Month, perhaps its when we look to major corporations to take a stance on social issues that we run into problems. Has the public outrage towards Pride collections become a turning point for corporate allyship? I think every corporation really needs to decide where theyre going to stand in terms of who they think is their market, says Sophie Bjork-James, an assistant professor of anthropology at Vanderbilt University. Is it going to be a vocal minority or is it going to be everybody? I think that what weve seen, with some of the recent decisions by corporations, is that they are not completely sure what their stance is. McIlroy thinks its a non-starter that companies should be prepared to support the communities that they commercialise, saying: To do one without the other, it means you stand for nothing and it means you stand for no one. It could be argued that Target did indeed take a stance on LGBT+ issues when it removed merchandise from its Pride Month collection. Some critics believe that, by rescinding its gender-inclusive items, Target encouraged further acts of violent intimidation from the far-right. Others may believe that none of this is Targets fault, and that the company simply stood by its responsibility to protect employees. I think a lot of companies are being reflective and thinking, where are we right now? Are we a company thats grounded in culture, grounded in community? If you are, then yeah, go have a great Pride campaign, says Smith. But I dont think its time to pull away. I do think its time to lean in. I think stepping away all together, for fear, would be really disappointing. Despite the pushback from a small, but vocal minority opposing Pride Month, many queer designers believe the right-wing outrage actually draws more attention (and money) to small queer-owned brands, as well as the issues facing the LGBT+ community. However, showing support during Pride Month does not mean simply purchasing a T-shirt with a nondescript rainbow printed on it from your local big-box chain store. In fact, amplifying queer voices that often go unheard should happen year-round. In the middle of this chaos, it just shows how much progress theres been that both of the largest retailers did have a collection for Pride, says Gutierrez. Thats why there was backlash, because its so big and in your face, that I want to take that as the winning moment. Like, look at that. Were talking about queer rights now because you guys decided to come for us. Check out our LIVE UPDATES on the Wagner Groups armed rebellion in Russia. Yevgeny Prigozhin, chief of the Wagner Group mercenaries, said Russian Defense Ministry attacked the group's bases in the rear. "A missile attack was launched on the camps of Wagner Group. Many victims. According to eyewitnesses, the attack was launched from the rear, meaning it was launched by the Russian Defense Ministry," Prigozhin said in an audio message shared by his press service. "This bastard will be stopped," he added, referring to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. "We were ready to make concessions to the defense ministry, to surrender our weapons, to find a solution on how we would continue to defend the country. But these scumbags did not calm down," Prigozhin said. "We have 25,000 (soldiers), and we're going to figure out why there's chaos in the country," he said. "Everyone, who is willing, join us." Russian Defense Ministry issued a response, saying that it didn't attack Wagner Group's bases, calling Prigozhin's statements "a provocation." According to Russia's state-controlled media Ria Novosti, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal investigation after Prigozhin's "call for insurrection." Army of hired guns: How Russias PMCs are becoming the main invasion force Private armies are illegal in Russia, so naturally, Moscow has been using them for decades. Now, its making them the main invasion force. The rate at which Russia creates new private military company-like units sped up after 2014 but it really took off during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, The Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov Prigozhin's Wagner Group has been taking an active part in Russia's full-scale war, focusing on capturing Bakhmut. To achieve its goals, the mercenary outfit began to recruit Russian prisoners, promising them freedom after six months on the front. At the same time, Prigozhin actively criticized the Russian Defense Minister Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov for negligence and lack of support. Wagner soon lost access to the prisons, and despite progress, it still hasn't captured all of Bakhmut. Despite the ongoing spat, the Russian military, together with the Wagner mercenaries, captured Bakhmut by May 20. Prigozhin soon said the mercenary outfit will pass control of the city to the Russian Defense Ministry and pull out. Despite that, the conflict didn't end, with Prigozhin continuing to publicly attack Russian Defense Ministry, going as far as saying that Russia started the entire all-out war for "oligarchs' enrichment." He blamed the Russian Defense Ministry for "slaughtering thousands of young guys (soldiers)" because of poor planning. On June 11, Shoigu signed a decree forcing all "military volunteer formations" to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry. The move was seen as an attempt to bring Wagner mercenaries under Russian military's control. Prigozhin said he won't follow Shoigu's orders. Prigozhin claims purpose of Russia's war on Ukraine was gain promotion for Shoigu, not deter NATO Prigozhin In his latest tirade against the leadership of Russias Defense Ministry, Wagner mercenary company leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has claimed Russia's war against Ukraine was initiated with the intention of promoting Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to the rank of marshal. Prigozhin made his claim in a video message posted on June 23. In the video, Prigozhin states that the war served as an opportunity for a group of individuals to celebrate and showcase the strength of the Russian army. He suggested that the preparations for promoting Shoigu to the rank of marshal were already in place, and he received a second Hero of the Russian Federation state award as a result. Prigozhin further claimed that Shoigu desired to be remembered as a "great Turkic military leader who became a hero and a marshal twice practically in peacetime." According to Prigozhin, the war was orchestrated to fulfill Shoigu's aspirations, rather than to de-militarize or de-nazify Ukraine. Additionally, Prigozhin asserted that the oligarchs, who currently hold de facto power in Russia, also had a vested interest in the war, and implied they were involved in the decision-making process. Read also: 32,000 former Russian prisoners return home after fighting in Ukraine, says Prigozhin Prigozhin also cast doubt on Kremlin claims of Ukraine's aggression, stating that until Feb. 24, 2022, there was no insane aggression on Ukraine's part, and Ukraine had no intention of jointly attacking Russia with NATO. He added that cities in the Donbas had not been attacked by Ukraine over the first eight years of the war, and that the Ukrainian army had only exchanged fire with Russian proxy forces. He also said the Donbas had been plundered by people from the Russian presidential administration, Russias FSB security service, and Russian oligarchs. 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 Businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin is pictured with then Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin in 2010 (Alexey DRUZHININ) Russia's large-scale offensive in Ukraine has propelled businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin from the Kremlin's shadows to become a firebrand critic of Russia's military brass, who he called to be ousted on Friday. Before President Vladimir Putin ordered troops to Ukraine last February, 62-year-old Prigozhin dispatched mercenaries from his private fighting force to conflicts in the Middle East and Africa but always denied involvement. That changed when the long-time Kremlin ally finally admitted last year he had founded the Wagner group and began a mass recruitment drive at Russia's prisons for foot soldiers to fight in exchange for an amnesty. While gaining public acclaim in Russia as Wagner spearheaded the capture of several key Ukrainian towns including Bakhmut, Prigozhin has also blasted what he says is systemic mismanagement and lying in the Russian defence ministry. "The evil that the military leadership of the country brings must be stopped," Prigozhin said on Friday, after claiming the defence ministry had launched strikes on Wagner bases. Russia's FSB security service responded by opening a criminal probe into calls to stage "an armed mutiny," even though Prigozhin has assured Russians he was calling for "justice" and "not a coup". - Bitter top brass rivalry - Prigozhin has been locked in a bitter months-long power struggle with the defence ministry as his ragtag forces spearheaded the costly battles for limited gains in eastern Ukraine. He had earlier accused the Russian military of trying to "steal" victories from Wagner and slammed Moscow's "monstrous bureaucracy" for grinding progress on the ground. And he directly blamed Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and other senior officials for his fighters' deaths, claiming Moscow had not provided sufficient ammunition. Unlike Russia's generals, who have been criticised for shirking the battles, the stocky and bald Prigozhin regularly poses for pictures alongside mercenaries allegedly on the front lines. Earlier this year he posted on social media a picture from the cockpit of a SU-24 fighter jet and challenged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to an aerial duel. The former hotdog seller and native of Putin's hometown Saint Petersburg, who was jailed for nearly a decade during the Soviet era, for years dismissed allegations he was linked with Wagner. But last September, he conceded that he had founded the fighting force and opened headquarters in Saint Petersburg. Last year, a video surfaced of a bald man bearing a strong resemblance to Prigozhin in a prison courtyard, offering contracts to prisoners to fight in Ukraine with a chilling set of conditions. - Shooting deserters - "If you arrive in Ukraine and decide it's not for you, we will regard it as desertion and will shoot you," said the man. "No one gives themselves up," he said, adding recruits should have grenades on them in case of capture. "If I were a prisoner, I would dream of joining this friendly team in order to be able not only to redeem my debt to the Motherland, but also to repay it with interest," Prigozhin's company Concord cited him as saying. When video footage circulated showing an alleged Wagner deserter being executed with a sledgehammer, Prigozhin praised the killing, calling the man featured in the video a "dog". Prigozhin rose from a modest background in Russia's former imperial capital to become part of an inner circle close to Putin. He spent nine years in prison in the final period of the USSR after being convicted of fraud and theft, and in the chaos of the 1990s, he began a moderately successful fast food company. He fell into the restaurant sector and opened a luxury location in Saint Petersburg whose customers included Putin, then making the transition from working in the KGB to local politics. The company he founded at one point worked for the Kremlin, earning Prigozhin the soubriquet of "Putin's chef". - The 'troll factory' - Prigozhin has been described as a billionaire with a vast fortune built on state contracts, although the extent of his wealth is unknown. One of the best-known images shows him at the Kremlin in 2011, bending down over a seated Putin and offering him a dish while the Russian leader looks back with an approving glance. He was sanctioned by Washington which accused him of playing a role in meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, in particular through his internet "troll factory". Prigozhin at the time denied any involvement and in 2020 asked for $50 billion in compensation from the United States. In July 2018, three journalists researching Wagner's operations in the Central African Republic for an investigative media outlet were killed in an ambush. Western countries have accused the private fighting group of coming to the aid of the military junta in Mali, in a move that contributed to France's decision to end an almost decade-long military operation there. bur-jbr/as/bgs Evgeny Prigozhin Yevgeny Prigozhin has accused Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of ordering an attack on Wagner mercenaries and issued a call to put an end to the ministers leadership. Later on June 23, Russias FSB security service has charged the Wagner Group with inciting an armed insurrection. Updated at 08:01 a.m. Prigozhin has released another video, in which he apparently is standing within the grounds of Russia's Southern Military District HQ in Rostov-on-Don, claiming to have seized control of all military facilities in the city, including the nearby airfield. He is then seen telling local commanders that his troops will hold Rostov until Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and the Head of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, arrive to meet with him. He once again accused the Russian Air Force of attacking Wagner troops and "civilians," and threatened to "march on Moscow" if his demands are not met. At the same time, Prigozhin said he will not interfere with the Russian military campaign in Ukraine. Updated at 06:13 a.m. The Mayor of Moscow, Sergey Sobyanin, told Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti that "anti-terrorist measures" are being carried out in the city, including introducing checkpoints on the roads. Rostov governor Vasili Golubev advised civilians to avoid downtown Rostov-on-Don. "In connection with the current situation, I ask you to refrain from traveling to the city center and, if possible, not to leave your homes," he wrote in another Telegram post. Updated at 05:03 a.m. Helicopters and military vehicles were spotted all across Russia's Rostov Oblast, while reginal governor Vasili Golubev urged locals to "remain calm" and stay indoors. It remains difficult to determine which of these armored vehicles belong to the Wagner Group, as opposed to the regular Russian army. "The situation that has developed requires the utmost concentration of all forces to maintain order," Golubev said in a Telegram post. "Law enforcement officials are doing everything necessary to ensure the safety of the region's population. I'm asking everyone to remain calm and refrain from going outside." Meanwhile, Prigozhin claimed his mercenaries have shot down a Russian helicopter that was allegedly attempting to fire at them. Updated at 02:52 a.m. Prigozhin recorded another audio message, in which he claims that Wagner troops have crossed into Russian territory and are approaching Rostov-on-Don. According to him, Russian border guards did not attempt to stop the movement of his mercenaries. He added that the Russian military has been ordered to eliminate Wagner troops with air strikes. An unnamed U.S. official told CNN that Washington is monitoring the developing situation in Russia, adding that the conflict between Wagner Group and the Russian military is unlikely to be an elaborate ruse on Moscow's part. "This is real," CNN quoted the official. Late in the night on June 23, numerous photos and videos circulating in Russian social media show military vehicles being deployed to the streets around central Moscow and Rostov-on-Don. Russian news channels interrupted their regular programming to deliver an emergency broadcast, in which security services urged troops to disregard the claims made by Prigozhin and disobey his orders. Read also: Prigozhin alleges Wagner mercenaries captured Russian lieutenant colonel In a Telegram post, Prigozhin claimed Shoigu was in Russias Rostov, personally overseeing a military operation to deliver air strikes against a Wagner military camp. "Shoigu just cowardly fled from Rostov like a girl, in order to avoid explaining why he ordered helicopters to destroy our men," said Prigozhin. "This rat will be stopped. We are 25,000-strong and we will deal with the lawlessness that is happening in the country. As a tactical reserve, 25,000 (Wagner troops) are waiting, and as a strategic one we have the whole army and the entire country. Whoever wants to join us can do so. We need to put an end to this disgrace." Earlier, Prigozhin claimed that the Russian Ministry of Defense deceived the Russians and the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin while preparing the invasion of Ukraine. Read also: Wagner PMC uses Twitter and Facebook for recruitment report Russias Defense Ministry denied attacking Wagner troops. Read also: 32,000 former Russian prisoners return home after fighting in Ukraine, says Prigozhin Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti subsequently reported that the FSB has opened criminal proceedings in regards to Wagner Group inciting an armed insurrection. In connection to these statements, the FSB has opened criminal proceedings into an incitement of an armed insurrection; we urge to cease this illegal activity immediately, the message quotes Russias National Anti-Terrorist Committee. Read also: Wagner PMC seeks to recruit gamers with no combat experience Another Russian news agency, TASS, reported that the Kremlin is aware of the apparent armed conflict between the Wagner Group and Russias Defense Ministry. Vladimir Putin is aware of the situation unfolding around the founder of Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin; all the necessary steps are being taken, Putins Press Secretary, Dmitriy Peskov said. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The Duke of Sussex reportedly pitched a podcast to Spotify that would have seen him interviewing figures such as Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump about their childhood trauma. Prince Harry spoke to a number of producers and production houses to come up with a potential podcast series for the audio streaming platform, according to Bloomberg. It comes after Spotify and Archewell Audio, Harry and Meghan Markles production company, announced they had mutually agreed to part ways. The royal couple had signed a three-year deal with Spotify in 2020, worth US$20m (15.6m). Under the partnership, they produced one 12-part series, Archetypes, hosted by Meghan. However, the couple were expected to produce and host podcasts, with a first complete series to debut in 2021. Archetypes debuted in 2022 and neither Harry nor Meghan have hosted another podcast series since then. According to Bloombergs Soundbite newsletter, penned by journalist Ashley Carman, Harry came up with the concept of interviewing controversial guests, including Putin, Trump and Mark Zuckerberg about their early formative years and how those experiences resulted in the adults they are today. Another idea that the duke floated was a show about fatherhood, which he hoped to interview Pope Francis who does not have any children for. Given no podcast hosted by Harry has been released, it appears his ideas were vetoed. Both Spotify and Archewell Audio declined to comment. Additionally, it was claimed this week that Meghan did not conduct her own interviews on Archetypes. The duchess was defended against the rumours by Andy Cohen, who called them insane. (AFP via Getty Images) Her podcast is conversations with people. How would she not have [conducted her interviews], of course she did, he told Us Weekly. Cohen described the duchess podcast as quite well-researched, well-informed and thoughtful. According to the Wall Street Journal, Harry and Meghans deal came to an end because they did not [meet] the productivity benchmarks required to receive the full payout from the deal. The pair were also criticised by leading Spotify executive Bill Simmons after it was reported that their partnership had been axed. On his own podcast, The Ringer, Simmons branded Harry and Meghan f***ing grifters, adding: Thats the podcast we shoulda launched with them. The couple appeared at an online event for Spotify to plug their Archewell Audio podcast (Instagram/_duchess_of_sussex) I gotta get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea. Its one of my best stories. It has also been reported that Spotify executives were horrified by Harry after he told Oprah Winfrey in 2021 that he signed multi-million-pound deals with the platform and Netflix so that he could afford to pay for security for his family. He told Winfrey at the time that signing such deals was never part of the plan, adding: That was suggested by somebody else by the point of where my family literally cut me off financially and I had to afford security for us. The Daily Mails diary editor Richard Eden claimed that Harrys admission left Spotify bosses reeling, adding: It takes an awful lot of work. Its serious work, its planning. You cant just turn up and, Oh, what shall we do today? Harry and Meghan stepped down from the royal family in 2021 and currently live in Montecito, California, with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Since then, they have released a Netflix docuseries titled Harry and Meghan, as well as Harrys memoir Spare. Harrys last involvement in a royal event was attending his father King Charles IIIs coronation on 6 May, which he left immediately after it ended and returned to the US. Last month, supporters of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s presidential bid created a Super PAC titled Heal the Divide. On its website, the group whose name is borrowed from Kennedys own campaign slogan advises voters that Only Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. can unite the Nation to start healing America, and allows visitors to donate both in dollars and cryptocurrency. Theres nothing abnormal about a candidate getting a Super PAC, even a candidate making a long-shot bid like Kennedys. What is abnormal, however, is that Kennedy is running as a Democrat in the Democratic primary, while the creators of the Super PAC have a deeply pro-Donald Trump bent including ties to arch-MAGA officials such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, George Santos, and Herschel Walker. Federal Election Commission filings list Jason D. Boles of RTA Strategy as its treasurer and use RTAs website and mailing address. In 2022, Greenes campaign and leadership PAC, Save America Stop Socialism, paid the firm more than $372,000 for work on her 2022 congressional race, according to data compiled by OpenSecrets. The Georgia-based RTA, founded by political consultant Rick Thompson, also worked for Walker in his failed 2022 Senate race in Georgia. Thompson served as custodian for Walkers campaign committee and Boles worked as treasurer of the committee, earning the firm roughly $50,000, according to campaign-finance records. More recently, Boles and Thompson have signed on as treasurer and designated agent, respectively, for the embattled Santos after the indicted congressman struggled to find personnel to handle his campaign finances. Reached by phone, Thompson declined to comment on the Kennedy Super PAC. We have a strict policy at our firm that we dont discuss our clients, he tells Rolling Stone. And the Heal the Divide site does not advertise its Republican backing. But a mistake on the groups website gives away its origins: The sites terms of service appear to have been copied and pasted from MAGA PAC, a Trump Super PAC, and incorrectly refers to the Heal the Divide site as MAGApac.com. Its not just one MAGAfied Super PAC, however, thats backing Kennedys run against President Biden in the Democratic primary. His bid is awash in support from Donald Trumps allies in MAGA World, conservative media, and some of the Republican-donor elite. Broadly, theyre hoping Kennedy will make Biden look weak in the primary, hurting his chances against Trump or whichever candidate emerges from the GOP primary. MAGA influencers and longtime Trump associates such as Roger Stone have praised Kennedys candidacy as a way to soften Joe Biden up. Former top Trump political adviser and campaign strategist Steve Bannon also reportedly spent months encouraging Kennedy to run in order to energize anti-vaxxers who make up much of Trumps base, according to CBS News. Kennedys campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the candidate has denied that hes effectively aimed at torpedoing Biden. He has at times criticized Trump, while also praising the former president on things like his draw among middle-class voters. And he has consistently attacked Biden on foreign policy and other subjects. Our internal poll numbers are showing me stronger against both Republican candidates than President Biden, Kennedy claimed to Fox News host Harris Faulkner early this month. Democrats are going to want somebody who can beat Governor DeSantis and who can beat President Trump. But whether he wants pro-Trump support or not hes certainly getting it. At Fox News, three staffers and a producer tell Rolling Stone that some higher-ups have privately discussed how much they value not just interviewing Kennedy on the network, but featuring segment after segment about his candidacy and his unexpected poll numbers in the 2024 Democratic field. Management loves RFK [Jr.] coverage because it makes Biden look weak. You can expect a lot of it, the Fox producer says. Before Tucker Carlson was fired by Fox in April, the networks then-top host would promote Kennedy and argue that the candidate somehow wasnt an extremist. So, at this point, the question isnt who in public life is corrupt? Too many to count. The question is, who is telling the truth? There are not many of those. One of them is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Carlson said on Fox earlier this year. In the time since, other hosts have praised or interviewed Kennedy, though some not quite as sympathetically as Carlson once did. Still, Kennedy has continued to enjoy a wellspring of backing from influential right-wing media outlets, including among the top tier at Fox. Pete Hegseth, another Fox News host who, like Carlson, has privately advised Donald Trump on policy over the years, defended Kennedy in an April segment, saying: The establishment will do whatever it takes to keep Biden in the White House. You know that. Hes very useful to them. The deep state gets deeper every day. They work quietly while Joe does other things. Theyre already trying to kneecap Joes primary opponents. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hes surging in the polls. Now that hes a threat, [the mainstream media is] going for his throat. Meanwhile, Trump and some of his senior aides have delighted in Kennedys presence in the 2024 race, viewing him as a useful anti-Biden agent of chaos, according to three sources on and close to the Trump campaign. The ex-president and 2024 GOP front-runner briefly praised Kennedy during this months interview with Fox News Bret Baier, while getting his name wrong, calling Kennedy very nice and a very, very fine person who Trump knows very well. Members of Trumps team are also pushing the message that Kennedys candidacy is a sign of Bidens weakness. The fact is, President Biden is a very weak incumbent. Hes just fortunate more opponents have not entered the primary. Ironically, the last time America had a failed Democratic incumbent president, Ted Kennedy ran against Jimmy Carter. Now, Robert Kennedy Jr. is running against Joe Biden, says John McLaughlin, one of Trumps top pollsters. RFK Jr. is on a mission, and Joe Biden is weak and vulnerable. His poll numbers are extremely soft. Wealthy right-wing donors and activist groups have also pitched in to support and amplify the long-shot presidential campaign. David Sacks, the South African-born venture capitalist who has donated to Ron DeSantis gubernatorial campaign and hosted his campaign launch on Twitter, recently held a fundraiser for Kennedy last week. He was joined by fellow venture-capital investor Chamath Palihapitiya. The event included Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, according to Palihapitiya. The far-right anti-gay group Moms for Liberty has also scheduled Kennedy to speak at its annual summit in Philadelphia next week. In advertising the summit, the group leads with a quote from conservative 2016 presidential-primary candidate Ben Carson: A lot of individuals in the room have decided to get up and do something about what they believe because that is what is going to save us as a nation. Kennedys claim that hes running to defeat Trump contrasts with his stance when the 45th president was first heading to the White House. During the Obama-Trump presidential transition in January 2017, Kennedy visited the then-president-elect at Trump Tower in Manhattan for a job interview. According to a former senior Trump transition official, Kennedy wanted to have some kind of role in vaccine research and the questions he raised about the safety of the vaccines, and had been following some of what Trump had been saying about vaccines, including regarding the widely debunked theories about links to autism. Just after Kennedy left this meeting, Trump said to staff, Oh, hes gonna help us with vaccines, according to the former official. (Kennedy in 2005 popularized some of his anti-vaccine rhetoric in a since-debunked article in Rolling Stone. He has recently attacked the publication, falsely claiming editor-in-chief Noah Shachtman somehow played a hand in the storys retraction in 2011 and subsequent removal from its website. Shachtman began his tenure in 2021.) Kennedys senior role on so-called vaccine safety never happened in Trumps four years in office. Several of Trumps closest advisers during the transition and early administration urged him never to appoint Kennedy to that kind of position, arguing that Kennedy had too much baggage and would be too much of a public-relations nightmare for the young presidency, former White House aides say. It took longer to talk him out of it than it should have, says a former senior administration official, who recalls trying to talk Trump out of officially appointing Kennedy in the Oval Office. But ultimately, Trump got talked out of it. In the years since, Kennedy has publicly trashed Trump for helping to launch the tyranny of Covid-19 vaccination. The 2024 campaign is far from the first time that Kennedy has rubbed elbows with MAGA donors. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Kennedys political ecosystem often tilted to the fringes of the left, capitalizing on liberal skepticism of large pharmaceutical companies. But as Trump pushed Covid-19 myths and attacked public-health experts in 2020, the far-right swelled the ranks of anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists and offered Kennedy a new audience. In particular, Kennedy has courted Ty and Charlene Bollinger, two pro-Trump political activists who held a rally outside the Capitol on Jan. 6 to promote Trumps lies about a stolen election. The couple, labeled as members of the Disinformation Dozen for their prominence in posting vaccine myths on social media, have featured Kenendy in an interview on their United Medical Freedom Super PAC, and as a speaker at their Truth About Cancer Live anti-vaccine conference alongside Eric Trump. David and Leila Centner, two big-dollar donors who forked over $1 million for Trumps 2020 reelection campaign and attended the former presidents Jan. 6 Stop the Steal rally on the mall, also briefly served on the board of Kennedys Childrens Health Defense nonprofit. But for all of the support and hype from the right wing, Kennedy polls at 14 percent, according to the RealClearPolitics polling aggregator, 50 points behind Bidens 64 percent average. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. He was on probation for sex crimes in Florida. Hes charged again on the MS Coast. A Waveland man is in jail Friday, charged with sex crimes against a minor child, according to a news report from WXXV-TV. Waveland Police say Frederick Robinson, 64, of Waveland was arrested Thursday night. He is charged with sexual battery and two counts of touching a child for lustful purposes. He was taken to Hancock County jail and is awaiting a bond hearing. Investigator Eddie Hursey said police received a complaint Saturday by the 15-year-old girl and her father. Hursey said forensic interviews were conducted and there was enough evidence to charge Robinson. Hursey said Robinson, a Coast native who joined the military, came back to the area after being released from prison, where he served a 15-year sentence for aggravated battery. He has a history of crimes involving sex with children, Hursey said. He was on probation but was able to transfer his probation to Mississippi. Hursey said he was not registered as a sex offender in the state. He was, however, prohibited from unsupervised contact with minors unless it was approved by the court a condition of his probation. Hursey said the alleged offenses occurred in Robinsons home. He was considered a friend of the family, Hursey said. The investigation is ongoing and Hursey said there may be other victims. Anyone with information is asked to call Waveland Police at 228-467-3669. 'Profound grief' for family of British-Pakistani father and son on Titanic sub British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood (right) and his son Suleman were killed in the Titanic tourist submersible accident (Handout) The family of the British-Pakistani father and son among the five people who died on the Titanic tourist submersible expressed "profound grief" at their loss Friday. Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman, 19, are members of the Dawood dynasty, owners of an industrial empire that is one of the most profitable in Pakistan. "It is with profound grief that we announce the passing of Shahzada and Suleman Dawood," said a statement from the Dawood Foundation, a family-run education charity. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers on the Titan submersible," it read, signed by Hussain and Kulsum Dawood, Shahzada's parents. "We are truly grateful to all those involved in the rescue operations. Their untiring efforts were a source of strength for us during this time." Hussain Dawood is one of Pakistan's richest men and head of the Engro Corporation which has an array of interests in energy, agriculture, petrochemicals and telecommunications. At the end of 2022, the firm posted revenue of 350 billion rupees ($1.2 billion). In a statement, Engro said it was mourning Shahzada -- who served as vice-chairman -- and "his beloved son" Suleman "with heavy hearts and great sadness". "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, friends, and all those around the world who grieve this unthinkable loss." - 'Great sadness' - Shahzada also served as a trustee of the California-based Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute, which looks for evidence of alien life. "It is with great sadness that we learned of the loss of our dear friend," said CEO Bill Diamond in a statement. "Shahzada was passionately curious and an enthusiastic supporter of the SETI Institute and our mission, being directly involved in philanthropic programs in education, research and public outreach." "He will be deeply missed by all who knew him," the statement added. Educated in the UK and the United States, Shahzada lived in Britain with his wife Christine, Suleman, and his daughter Alina. Both father and son had British citizenship, according to a family statement released when the search was still under way. It described Shahzada as a "loving father" with a keen interest in "photography, especially wildlife photography, and exploring different natural habitats". The family said Suleman was "a big fan of science fiction literature and learning new things". Since the 1960s, the Dawood Foundation has focused on establishing educational institutions across Pakistan -- particularly catering to the demand for engineers and technology experts. Shahzada was also on the board of Prince's Trust International -- a charity founded by Britain's King Charles III that helps young people get jobs and education. In February 2020, he was a keynote speaker on a panel at the United Nations on gender equality in agriculture. bur-jts-fox/aha Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Friday allowing Manatee County Government to circumvent the city of Holmes Beachs rules to build a beach parking garage on Anna Maria Island. After years of back and forth on the issue of adding more beach parking spaces, Florida lawmakers weighed in, giving county officials the authority to issue their own permit to build a three-story garage at Manatee Public Beach, instead of seeking permission from island leaders. Under a rule recently approved by the Holmes Beach City Commission, multi-level parking facilities are banned, but the county could have presented the proposed garage during a public hearing and earned approval from Holmes Beach officials. State lawmakers argued they were skeptical of Holmes Beach ever approving a garage. The governors bill signing came hours before a demonstration led by the organizers of a petition with over 6,000 signatures against the $45 million Holmes Beach parking garage, which has been at the center of a disagreement between local and state officials over parking. Around 50 people showed up at the courthouse courtyard at 1051 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton, Friday afternoon, holding signs reading Danger Will Robinson, Save Anna Maria and No Parking Garage in Holmes Beach, among others. Among those in attendance was Mayor Judy Titsworth, who has been a vocal critic of the proposed legislation. Im happy to see that citizens are getting involved, Titsworth said during a Friday afternoon interview with the Bradenton Herald. Its just weird. Its just such an overreach. I never thought in my position Id be having to defend the city against a local bill that nobody wants. DeSantis signs Anna Maria Island garage bill County officials say they support building the garage at the Manatee Public Beach parking lot, which sits at the end of Manatee Avenue. The garage would be funded by tourism taxes, which are paid by visitors who stay at local hotels and short-term rentals. In earlier statements, Manatee County commissioners have said they would support a garage designed to fit in with the character of the island while providing certain amenities such as restaurants, restrooms and showers. The Bystrom family holds signs together Friday in downtown Bradenton. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law Friday that allows Manatee County to build Anna Maria Island beach parking garage despite protests from residents. Talha Siddique, founder of Speak Out Manatee, a grassroots organization that helped organize the protest, said he sees the bill as a signal that the county commission doesnt listen to its constituents, and wishes more people would point the finger locally as opposed to the state level. I would say this has been an absolute failure at our county level. We have a county commission that refuses to come up with a solution. Instead, they want to root for something that no one wants, he said. This process has absolutely failed and the failure lies at the doorstep of our elected county officials. In 2020, the city of Holmes Beach made controversial changes to the parking situation, barring visitors from parking in places where it had always been allowed. City officials said the changes were necessary because beachgoers were causing problems in Holmes Beach neighborhoods, such as littering and blocking residential driveways. State lawmakers want more beach parking Earlier this year, the Florida House of Representatives and the Senate both voted unanimously to approve the bill, which had the support of Manatee Countys lawmakers. State Rep. Will Robinson, Jr., surprised Holmes Beach leaders when he announced his intention to file the bill earlier this year. He said it was time for the island to accept more visitors. Folks are getting frustrated. They cant access the beaches, theyre turning around and theyre going back home, Robinson, R-Bradenton, previously said. Titsworth, however, says there is already enough parking and believes the parking garage would create more problems than it is likely to solve. Ben Bryant holds a sign protesting a parking garage with other demonstrators in downtown Bradenton Friday. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law Friday that allows Manatee County to build Anna Maria Island beach parking garage despite protests from residents. Ask any of them if theyve ever witnessed a 1,500 to 1,700 car parking garage thats 400,000 square feet on a little, tiny, cherished piece of sand that will add another 3,000 people when the beach is already overcapacity, she said. Its going to be a public safety nightmare because the traffic will be backed up for two hours. In an interview with the Bradenton Herald, State Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, said he believed he and Robinson had been very, very judicious in how they approached the situation. Boyd recalled a recent meeting with island officials where they agreed a parking garage could resolve concerns. But a few months later, Holmes Beach officials moved to ban parking garages within city limits. Titsworth has argued that county officials still could have proposed a garage, but it would have needed to be approved by the Holmes Beach City Commission in a public hearing. Weve honestly and legitimately tried to work with them on an agreement. Every time we think we have an agreement, the restrictions become more onerous, Boyd said. I really thought we made some headway with Holmes Beach, and it just seems like its always been one step forward and two steps back. Residents respond to bill with protest Morgan Bryant, who created the petition and helped organize Fridays protest with the support of Speak Out Manatee, was a fan of DeSantis before he signed the bill into law. If it werent for him, her small island business Cool Beans A.M.I, which she co-owns with her husband, Ben Bryant, would have closed during the pandemic. Now, however, she doesnt know how to feel, saying that it feels like he became the very thing he fought against: big government. Theyre circumventing our home rule and exercising their big government overreach. All of us work really, really hard to preserve our island, she said. Heidi Crawford protests a parking garage on Anna Maria Island with other demonstrators Friday in downtown Bradenton. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law Friday that allows Manatee County to build Anna Maria Island beach parking garage despite protests from residents. She worries that this overreach may not stop with a parking garage and that it could set a precedent for the state and higher levels of government intervening in island matters without listening to what locals want. She also is concerned that the issue hasnt been looked at closely enough for this kind of investment to be made, citing the lack of environmental studies, in addition to sharing Titsworths concerns over traffic. Its also an eyesore, she said. A giant parking garage is going to be the first thing people are going to see when they drive over that bridge, she said. Her husband, Ben Bryant, has lived on Anna Maria Island since he was 4 years old and called the garage a slap in the face from our elected officials. He said the structure would go against everything the island stands for, ruining the quaintness and magic of the island. I think thats the worst idea ever, he said. A timeline for the construction of a parking garage on Holmes Beach has not been determined. County officials have not yet voted to approve the facility. A group of about 50 demonstrators held signs in downtown Bradenton Friday in protest of a parking garage on Anna Maria Island. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law Friday that allows Manatee County to build Anna Maria Island beach parking garage despite protests from residents. (Photo : Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images) Zambia reaches an agreement with several nations, including China, to restructure the region's $6.3 billion debt with bilateral lenders. Zambian authorities have agreed with China and other nations to restructure the region's $6.3 billion debt with bilateral lenders. The development was revealed by a French official during a summit in Paris held on Thursday and set a precedent for nations struggling to service their liabilities. French President Emmanuel Macron is currently hosting global leaders in an attempt to talk about new ways to raise climate financing. Restructuring Zambia's $6.3 Billion Debt The world leaders who attended the summit include Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The event seeks to build momentum for an attempt at restructuring the global lending architecture to allow multilateral institutions, such as the World Bank, to do more in helping developing nations address climate change and raise private investment much more easily. During the summit, both China and France committed to expanding trade ties with a focus on addressing climate-related issues. On the other hand, Yellen said there is an urgent need to boost the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) poverty-fighting arsenal, as per Yahoo Finance. The World Bank revealed that it is looking to boost climate financing for emerging markets as Kenyan President William Ruto said he would buy back half of his country's $2 billion bond this year. Thomas Buberl, the CEO of Axa, said that litigation threats undermine insurers' energy-transition efforts. The industry cooperated in the Net Zero Insurance Alliance in an attempt to define protocols and methods that would refocus insurance capacity for the energy transition. However, Buebrl argued that they were being brutally attacked on legal grounds, preventing them from moving forward together. The CEO also said Axa wanted to expand its blue bond program to other regions. The historic agreement covers loans from countries such as France, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Israel, India, and China. The latter is Zambia's biggest creditor, with $4.1 billion worth of debt in total, according to the Washington Post. Read Also: Estonia Passes Law Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage; First in Central Europe Agreement To Help Developing Nations The deal was announced by officials who spoke under the condition of anonymity following the customary practices of the French government. It could provide a roadmap for how China would handle other restructuring deals with other nations that are suffering from debt distress. The IMF approved the deal allowing the region to receive more funds from the institution. An IMF representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the development. Zambia is the biggest copper producer in the continent and became Africa's first coronavirus-era sovereign nation to default. This happened when it failed to pay $42.5 million as a bond payment in November 2020. China is seen as being central to talks on making progress on providing debt relief to various regions, including Zambia, Chad, Ethiopia, and Ghana. This will be done through the Group of 20's "Common Framework." The G-20 set up the Common Framework in late 2020 during the health crisis brought by the coronavirus. Reuters said it was meant to expedite and simplify the process of helping countries in debt to get back onto their feet. Related Article: EU Countries Seek To Prevent Russia From Circumventing Sanctions Over Ukraine War @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Brandon Wolf and Chasten Buttigieg Brandon Wolf, press secretary for Equality Florida and a Pulse nightclub shooting survivor, discussed his new memoir, A Place for Us: A Memoir, and the importance of Pride with Chasten Buttigieg on Wednesday at an event hosted by the liberal research group the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C. Kicking off the conversation, Buttigieg asked Wolf for his views on the significance of celebrating Pride for the LGBTQ+ community in the current political climate, specifically in Florida, where Wolf lives. Florida has been at the forefront of the current assault on LGBTQ+ rights as the states Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, eyes the 2024 GOP nomination for president. More than a year ago, DeSantis signed into law the state's infamous "don't say gay" bill that restricts discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom. Since then, the law has been expanded and lawmakers have targeted gender-affirming care as well as drag performances. Wolf said that being Black and gay was often a challenging and painful journey for him. For a lot of my life, I struggled with the idea of having pride in who I was, Wolf noted. I spent so much of being a kid being told that the world was never going to be ready for someone like me. Brandon Wolf and Chasten Buttigieg He explained that Pride was personal because growing up in Oregon didn't leave him with a lot of pride as a teen. He was a biracial person with a conservative white father and attended a school where almost nobody looked like him. I was always going to have to find a way to assimilate into whatever space I was in, he said. To shave off the edges of who I was, to blend in. To be black enough for some spaces and white enough for others, and masculine enough to not be clocked in any space at all. That leaves a young person feeling really isolated, and you feel a lot of things: afraid and alone and sometimes sad if you dont feel proud of who you are. Wolf explained, It took me a long time to get to a place where I can say I am really proud of who I am. He added that Pride is about a celebration of self [and] a celebration of community. Pride is also a protest. Its always been a demand for justice for all people, Equality for all people, a world where freedom actually means something. Wolf said that Pride is more important now than it has been in years due to todays political climate when the LGBTQ+ community has become a target of right-wing attacks When you show up into a space just being yourself, people say, Well, we want to be careful not to get too political. Dont talk about who youre married to. Dont talk about the journey of that on to find acceptance in your family," he said. We have Pride because we dont yet have Equality; we have Pride because we dont have to yet have justice for real freedom in this country. Pride continues to be a demand for those things. As Wolf was discussing the fact that corporations wrap themselves in the rainbow logo during Pride Month, Buttigieg interrupted. Unless it gets hard, Buttigieg interjected. Unless it gets hard, right, Wolf said in agreement. Then its like the retail moves to the back of the store, and you dont talk about it anymore. Recently Bud Light and Target faced a fierce backlash from right-wing extremists and conservatives. Some boycotted the beer maker for doing a social media promotion with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. After far-right personalities online focused on Targets LGBTQ-inclusive collection of products and shared disinformation about them, the company caved and removed many pieces it was selling or moved displays from prominent store locations. Buttigieg also acknowledged Wolfs deeply personal stories in A Place for Us. One thing Ive always admired about you from the moment we met is how vulnerable you are, Buttigieg said. Whether were having a cup of coffee or a drink or whether youre on national news, you always find a way to bring your experiences in policy to tell your very, very personal stories and effort to connect with other people. This book, it reads like youre sitting across from Brandon, which I really appreciate. Both gay men recently published books, and at one point, Wolf said that hes the type of person who checks on the reviews for his work, which Buttigieg joked was probably not the best idea. He asked Wolf why he chose to be so vulnerable in the pages of A Place for Us. The answer is really not that complicated, Wolf responded. Its authenticity is a superpower, and if you dont have authentic people doing anything, then youre never going to win anything. Youre never going to mobilize. People motivate people that want to live in a better world. So for me, authenticity has always been one of the most important traits or qualities to possess, and I chose to be extra vulnerable in this book. He added, I wont give it all away; you have to read it to find out how, but theres a lot of stories that I share in this book that Ive never shared before. Brandon wolf signing copies of his memoir A Place for Us: A Memoir will be available on July 2. Putin has been informed that Prigozhin is going to punish "that creature" Shoigu Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has been informed of the conflict between Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, and Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Defence Minister. A criminal case is being brought against Prigozhin for incitement to armed rebellion. Source: pro-Kremlin RIA Novosti Details: Putin is reported to be aware of the situation unfolding around Prigozhin. According to Dmitry Peskov, the Russian dictators press secretary, "all necessary measures are being taken". Russias National Anti-Terrorism Committee has reported that Prigozhin's statements have constituted grounds for "initiating a criminal case for incitement to armed rebellion." The anti-terrorism committee has called on Prigozhin to stop these illegal actions. Russian investigative journalists from Important Stories are reporting, citing a source, that there is panic in Putin's administration: "The scenario of a civil war starting is not being ruled out." According to the Russian source, Putin's administration had information a week ago that Prigozhin was preparing something. The source believes that a video showing the aftermath of a missile attack on a Wagner Group position was staged. Background: Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed that the regular Russian army had launched a missile strike on the Wagnerites rear camps. Prigozhin added that Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has now fled Rostov like a coward and "that creature will be stopped". Russias Ministry of Defence called this statement a provocation. Prigozhin has criticised Shoigu and the General Staff for the failure of the hostilities, stating that Ukraine had not planned to attack Donbas in 2022. He said that Russian officials wanted to use the war to promote themselves and the oligarchs wanted to make money. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! There are still protests and legal challenges and ministers are still being lobbied by local MPs. In Suffolk, there is a strong determination to stop the plans for new substations, underground cabling and pylons to carry the energy from offshore windfarms. But in the UK government there is a belief that some, if not all, of this work will have to go ahead because of the need for more home-grown energy. And thoughts are now turning to how to placate communities who will be affected. Energy Minister Andrew Bowie, on a recent visit to Suffolk, said: "It is really important that we listen to those communities that are going to be asked to host this infrastructure on the nation's behalf." Two offshore wind farms were approved by the government last year - East Anglia One North (EA1N) and East Anglia Two (EA2). To deliver the power they generate, the developer, ScottishPower, plans to bring cables onshore near Aldeburgh and some people in the area are furious. Ministers are pointing to Scotland, where almost half of all UK wind energy is produced and where the Scottish government has introduced a scheme called Community Benefits. Energy companies are encouraged to give 5,000 to local communities for every megawatt of new capacity built. Last year, 25m was paid out. "We recognise that there are impacts during the construction phase and often ongoing work after that," said Morwen Smith from power company SSE - which denied claims the money was just a bribe "to stop people complaining". "We want the communities to benefit from the wind farms we are developing and we would want to be part of that community. It's the responsible thing to do," she said. In Lossiemouth, Community Benefits helped build a new bridge, while the nearby lighthouse was developed into a new tourism and heritage centre. And further up the coast in Dornoch, 270,000 of windfarm money has been used to convert a former police station into a community hub with a gym, office space and low-cost accommodation for visiting workers. "Citizens Advice come here once a week, children from the local academy use our kitchen, we have a food bank and a lunch club," said Joan Bishop, who set up the hub. "The money has made a huge difference - we were at a huge disadvantage when it came to community facilities." The port of Buckie on the Moray Firth is now used as a base for vessels supplying the windfarms. SNP councillor Graham Leadbitter, from the Moray Economic Partnership, said the energy companies' money has made a difference to the area. "But it's small beer in terms of the overall value of the project they are building and the profit that they will take out of that," he added. And with plans for more pylons and substations in the area, Conservative councillor David Gordon said: "We can probably power the whole of the Scotland with the energy we're generating, but we're not seeing the benefits in terms of lower electricity bills." SSE said offshore wind is very expensive to develop and if it were to increase the benefits it could push up energy bills. The Westminster government has just completed a consultation into how Community Benefits could work. It will announce its plans later in the year. Community Benefits appear to have worked in Scotland - but if the scheme is copied or upgraded in England will it be enough to win over communities in Suffolk and elsewhere along the so called "energy coast"? Politics East will have a special debate on developing the Energy Coastline on Sunday at 10:00 BST on BBC One. 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 Queer Art, New York Citys hub for connecting and empowering generations of LGBTQ+ artists, is holding the 2023 edition of Queer Art Pride the 7th annual summer festival celebrating work by the organizations vibrant community of more than 200 LGBTQ+ artists this NYC Pride weekend. For this event, Queer Art has partnered with Body Hack, a collectively run party and mutual aid project that serves both as a community space and decentralized fundraising platform for trans and nonbinary BIPOC groups. From 3-11 p.m., the group and Body Hack will create an extravaganza of activities at Nowadays 16,000-square-foot space located in Ridgewood. This two-part public event will feature a daytime queer vendor fair (3-8PM) and an evening happy hour and dance party (8PM-6AM). The event will fundraise for three BIPOC trans-led organizations fighting to protect trans people in the states most impacted by anti-trans violence and new legislation: InTRANSitive (Little Rock, AK), The McKenzie Project (Miami, FL) and TKO Society (Selma, AL), according to a release. A queer vendor fair will also show off work from queer-owned brands. There will also be a queer speed dating program inside. Other happenings include: Black queer feminist scholar Alexis De Veaux will launch her new book, JesusDevil: The Parables, an anti-fiction work forthcoming within adrienne maree browns Emergent Strategy Series this summer. The book launch will entail a live reading, a short discussion, and a special book signing. The event will end with a happy hour and party, organized by Body Hack. Parties organized by the group have raised more than $300,000 since they began in 2018. Find out more information here. Tickets will be available at the door. Below, find images from previous events. www.instagram.com A rabid bat was found in the Meadowthorpe neighborhood, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department said Friday. The bat that tested positive for rabies was found in the 40511 zip code, and signs have been posted to let residents know, the health department said in a news release. While the bat does not appear to have come in contact with any animals in the area, the health department said pet owners should keep an eye out for symptoms of the virus, which can include fever, loss of appetite, changes in behavior and chewing at the site where the animal was bitten. The health department also urged pet owners to make sure their pets are up to date on their rabies vaccines, which are required by Kentucky law for dogs, cats and ferrets. A bat that cant fly or that is active during the day might be suspected of having rabies, the health department said. Anyone who finds a bat should not touch it. Rabies is transmitted to humans through the saliva of infected animals, usually via a bite, according to the health department. The CDC says bites and scratches from infected bats can be so small a person might not even realize they have been bitten. The health department said that if you find a bat in your home and cant rule out the possibility of human exposure, call the citys Division of Environmental Health and Protection at (859) 231-9791 to have the animal collected for rabies testing. Bats can enter houses through chimneys, vents and the openings behind shutters, and they can squeeze in under doors, siding, shingles and eaves, the health department said. They need an opening of only a quarter of an inch by a half inch to enter, the health department said, and holes of this size should be plugged with steel wool or caulk. To prevent unintentionally trapping bats inside the structure, the health department said it is best to fill holes in the fall or winter. Randy Rainbow and Donald Trump Satirist Randy Rainbow is taking on Donald Trumps classified documents scandal with a hilarious new parody, Donald in the John With Boxes, set to the tune of the Beatles Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds. Trump has been indicted on 37 counts relating to his possession of classified documents from his presidency. The indictment alleges that some of the documents contained information relating to U.S. nuclear weapons programs and other government secrets. Photos that show boxes of documents stacked in a bathroom at Trumps Mar-a-Lago home have been shared widely on social media. Trump has pleaded not guilty and has said that he had every right to retain the documents. This all figures in Rainbows new video. It opens with him interviewing Trump, with Rainbows questions edited into actual footage of the former president. At one point you apparently held up a highly sensitive military plan of attack document in front of a room full of randos, Rainbow says. Trump replies, It may have been held up or not, but that was not a document. I didnt have a document per se. Rainbow then makes a reference to grabbing Trump by the per se. Soon the video segues into the song. Picture his ass in a bright orange jumpsuit / bangin on bars with a rusty tin cup, Rainbow intones. Thought hed be cute and just take what he wanted / but looks like its time to pay up. Donalds in the john with boxes, Rainbow sings in the chorus. He appears as the Beatles at various times in their career and shows, of course, the now-famous photo of the boxes in the bathroom. Watch below. Republicans have a problem brewing with women. A USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll finds that independent women are increasingly at odds with the GOP on cultural issues such as banning abortion and opposing LGBTQ rights. That creates a risky situation for the Republican Party among one of the nation's most crucial groups of swing voters. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the leading challenger to Donald Trump for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, especially lags among both independent and Republican women in the primaries against Trump and in the general election against President Joe Biden. "In 2022, independent women were the reason so many Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate won and prevented a red wave," said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk Political Research Center. "Republicans haven't quite figured out a solution to this statistical dilemma." The national poll of 1,000 registered voters taken June 5-9 by landline and cellphone has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. The subsamples of 295 Republicans and 289 independents have error margins of 5.7 and 5.8 points. The disconnect between the Republican Party and independent women could be exacerbated as GOP governors and state legislatures continue to pursue laws restricting abortion access and targeting transgender rights. And the presidential candidates' efforts to rally support among conservatives in the primaries could undermine their appeal to more moderate voters in the general election. Here's what we found. Exclusive: Support for legal abortion rises a year after Roe v. Wade overturned-Poll DeSantis and Trump have opposite gender gaps Among voters who plan to vote in Republican primaries or caucuses, Trump does better among women than men, 55% compared with 44%. For DeSantis, it's the reverse; he's backed by 26% of men and 17% of women. The Florida governor has generated headlines by signing legislation to ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy and to limit teaching about gender identity in public schools, a measure opponents have dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill. In a prospective contest against Biden, both Republican contenders do better among men than women. Male voters split 37%-29% for Trump over Biden; female voters split 38%-27% for Biden over Trump. Overall, the Democratic incumbent leads his predecessor in the White House by a whisker, 34%-32%. Biden leads DeSantis by a more significant 33%-26% a wider edge because of the governor's weaker standing among women. "DeSantis can't expect to win the GOP nomination or the presidency by being just a guy's guy," Paleologos said. Against Biden, DeSantis does as well as Trump among men, 36%-28%. But he trails the president by 20 percentage points among women, 37%-17%. In the head-to-head, DeSantis barely won a majority of Republican women, at 54%, and he was backed by just 11% of independent women. One in 4 independent women supported Biden. In a sign of their dissatisfaction with their choices, 40% of independent women said they would support a third-party candidate in a Biden-Trump contest and 44% in a Biden-DeSantis contest. Trump's legal problems a peril among independent women Among Republicans, women were a bit less likely than men to care about Trump's courtroom travails, which now include a federal indictment on charges of mishandling sensitive government documents and New York state charges related to alleged payment of hush money to a porn star. Sixty-four percent of GOP women and 61% of GOP men said his legal struggles had no effect on their vote. But most independent women, 57%, said his legal problems made them less likely to vote for him, as did 48% of independent men. More indictments could follow. Trump is still the subject of a federal investigation into his role in the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol and a Georgia investigation into his alleged efforts to overturn the state's election returns. One year later, the Dobbs decision reverberates One year after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, 28% of independent women said they have become more supportive of abortion rights; just 5% said they had become less supportive. They comprise one of the demographic groups that reported the biggest shift in views. By more than 3-1, 68%-20%, independent women opposed the Dobbs decision, which reversed recognition of abortion as a constitutionally protected right. Seventy-five percent said abortion should be legal in all or most cases, and 85% said abortion would be either the most important or one of the most important issues determining their vote. LGBTQ rights at issue A majority of Americans, 53%-43%, said support of LGBTQ rights was very or somewhat important to them in determining their vote in 2024. That's not true of Republicans: 54% said it was "not at all important" to them, and another 16% called it "not very important." But 59% of women called LGBTQ rights important to their vote, including nearly two-thirds of independent women, 63%. The issue has emerged nationwide amid proposals involving transgender people, including measures restricting gender-affirming health care for minors and others. The American Civil Liberties Union calculates that more than two dozen bills targeting transgender rights have become law in 14 states this year. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Independent women at odds with GOP on abortion, LGBTQ rights This is a matter of life and death, said U.S. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., tells theGrio. U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., unveiled new legislation this week intended to safeguard against Republican-led restrictions against abortion rights nationwide. This week, Pressley introduced the Abortion Justice Act, which aims to address racism in the healthcare system, grant citizens a legal right to abortion and protect patients and healthcare providers from criminalization for abortion procedures. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., tells reporters she wants to remove the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 27, 2023. Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a Democratic measure to revive the Equal Rights Amendment, which would have removed a 1982 deadline for state ratification and reopened the process to amend the Constitution. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Abortion care is health care and a fundamental human right, Pressley told reporters at a press conference on Thursday. But access to this right has been stripped away from far too many, exacerbating many of the inequities and disparities that harm our most vulnerable. Pressley told theGrio she introduced the Abortion Justice Act because this is a matter of life and death. We already know what it looks like in a world where rights have been rolled backwhere we have racist and discriminatory laws, she said. The congresswoman continued, The harm thats coming our way from state legislatures all the way to the Supreme Court is very unapologetic and blunt. We are on the heels of Juneteenth, I want Freedom Day every day, and that has to begin with our bodies. Pressleys press conference included several other congressional members, including Reps. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, Nikema Williams, D-Ga., Cori Bush, D-Mo., and Maxwell Frost, D-Fla. People exercising their right to make decisions about having an abortion should be legally protected and respected, said Bush. Frost told reporters that the right to an abortion is under attack [therefore] the Abortion Justice Act is a critical step in ensuring and protecting the reproductive health of millions of Americans into law. Pressley introduced the Abortion Justice Act ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson. The ruling controversially overturned Roe v. Wade, which previously protected access to abortion on the federal level, leaving the issue up to individual states. FILE The Supreme Court is seen on April 21, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) Elected officials and advocates slammed the courts decision for having crippling effects on marginalized communities. In more than 20 states, Republican leaders enacted abortion bans that leaders and experts say is a challenge for Black, brown and low-income women to seek abortions. In April, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis passed a statute that bans most abortions after six weeks, as theGrio previously reported. Kara Gross, ACLU legislative director and senior policy counsel, told theGrio that this bill and many others are discriminatory. These types of anti-abortion bans particularly target Black and Latinx people. As well as anyone whos trying to make ends meet, said Gross. Pressley noted that Black women have had our pain delegitimized or challenged. There is a systemic racial bias and prejudice within our healthcare system, regardless of socioeconomic status, she added. We know that Black women are four times more likely to die in childbirth or post-birthing complications. Due to the impacts of the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Pressley told theGrio, We have to move with deliberate urgencyin passing the Abortion Justice Act. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Rep. Pressley proposes legislation to combat anti-abortion bans nationwide appeared first on TheGrio. The Scene Thirty-seven minutes into his interview with Jordan B. Peterson, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. explained why he was doing it. Television had been a new phenomenon when his uncle ran for president in 1960. Twitter played a key role in getting Donald Trump elected. The 2024 campaign would be decided on by podcasts, especially because President Biden wouldnt debate him. I think the podcasts have the capacity, this election, for reaching people and allowing dissident and insurgent candidates like myself to end-run the corporate media monoliths, Kennedy explained. The reach of people like Peterson and Joe Rogan was so vast, he said, that a candidate could reach large numbers of Americans without going onto the networks. David's view Kennedy is right about the reach hes getting. His two-month-old run is grabbing headlines and attention for a candidate who the Democratic Party barely acknowledges. Thats frustrated fact-checkers, whove been refuting Kennedys interpretation of data on vaccine safety, wifi radiation, and election integrity for 18 years, dating back to when his blockbuster Rolling Stone story on supposed vaccine dangers was retracted. Even after Petersons interview was struck from YouTube, Kennedys speculation that a soup of toxic chemicals was increasing gender dysphoria made news. Kennedy certainly isnt the first candidate to try and break out via podcast appearances, or leverage them for a boost. Pete Buttigieg helped put himself on the political map with an interview on the Ezra Klein Show, then hosted by Vox, where he talked about issues like reforming the Supreme Court that other candidates werent touching at the time. Bernie Sanders famously sat down with Rogan in 2020, blowing off some outrage from progressives. But Kennedys podcast tour is interesting because, for all intents and purposes, it his campaign. He has held just a few in-person events in primary states and none in South Carolina, which Democrats are hoping to push to the front of their calendar. Instead, hes testing the potency of alternative media sources, especially the sort of post-left, anti-establishment, free thinker outlets that grew as traditional news outlets shrunk. Theres logic to that strategy. There are fewer local political reporters in those early states Kennedy is mostly skipping, with less access than they had four or eight years ago. And some podcasts, like Petersons, have a reach comparable to national media. An estimated 632,000 viewers tuned in for all or part of Mike Pences town hall this month; Mike Pences hour-long interview with Peterson, released this week, has clocked more than 333,000 views on a channel with more than 7 million subscribers. You don't necessarily need traditional gatekeepers in order to reach tens of millions of people, said Saagar Enjeti, the co-host of the YouTube show and podcast Breaking Points. Its two interviews with Kennedy have nearly 650,000 combined views; Kennedys first televised interview as a candidate, a testy sit-down with ABCs streaming newscast, has just over 100,000 views on YouTube. When he has the opportunity and the ability to reach a lot of people, why would he have to put himself in a situation like that ABC News interview? Enjeti added. That was a catastrophe for mainstream media organizations that might want to talk to him. Unlike ABC, the outlets giving Kennedy the most exposure are simply letting him talk, at a decent length, and not focusing too much on the story of the day. Look at the Joe Rogan Experience, which put Kennedy on air for three hours. After some small talk, Rogan asked an open-ended question: How did you adopt these opinions that people find so controversial? The candidate went on for more than 30 minutes, without interruption, about suing polluters in the Hudson Valley; claims that other interviewers might have pushed back on got a friendly airing. Room for Disagreement Caveat time: Kennedys alt-media barnstorming may not be helping him with Democratic voters. When he entered the race, public polling put his support in the teens. Two months later, after copious earned media, those numbers havent budged, and the share of primary voters who say they wont vote for him is rising. His challenge is that hes running for the nomination of a party whose voters overwhelmingly do trust the mass media, as well public health authorities and vaccines. The Democratic base is not predominantly made up of Peterson or All-In listeners. Kennedy's media strategy seems better geared to independent voters, for many of whom frustration with the media isnt ideological. Instead, it comes from political fatigue. Polling released by the AP last month funny enough, in a partnership with Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights found 74% of Americans agreeing that the media did too much to increase political divisions. A show like Rogans can help reach that crowd. Ari Rabin-Havt, the deputy campaign manager for the 2020 Bernie Sanders campaign, said that Rogans questioning helped the Vermont senator reach a new audience. Rabin-Havt recalled how surprised he was, after the interview, when the candidate dined in Miami and was approached by a 50-year old Cuban woman telling him shed loved him on Rogan. There was no interview Ive ever been a part of, with any politician, where I saw as clear an impact as I did with Joe Rogan, Rabin-Havt said. The people who watch MSNBC and Fox their minds are made up. In one way, Kennedy has less competition than Sanders did: President Biden has given a single interview, to MSNBC, since he announced for a second term. Lis Smith, the Democratic communications consultant who made Pete Buttigieg available for endless new media interviews during his 2020 campaign, explained that spending time with outlets that would let the candidate talk, and ask anything, introduced the candidate to people not inclined to trust politicians. Anyone can survive a two minute TV hit; all you need is a team that can produce topline talking points for the likely questions, Smith said. Once people were able to hear him in the longform format, they realized this guy is the real deal, hes not just running to sell a book, he has deeply held values. Buttigiegs campaign ended a few weeks after the Iowa caucuses. But he repeatedly yanked the conversation in a new direction, which Kennedy has begun to do. The View From Republicans The alt-media circuit may be a moral natural fit for Republican politicians, whose voters eagerly get information outside of established news sources, which they dont trust. The project of replacing legacy media loyalty with new conservative brands has made huge gains since 2020, led by Ron DeSantis, whos taken some questions from the campaign press corps but only given interviews to conservative outlets. Mike Pences campaign has played more ball with traditional media than Kennedy or DeSantis, but his interview with Peterson delivered what quick TV hits and gaggles cant. When Pence explained his opposition to gender-affirming medicine for minors Theres a reason we dont let kids drive cars until theyre 16 it didnt halt the conversation, and it made news. The sheer size of the audience, of folks that are ideologically aligned with us, is an opportunity that we cant pass up, said Pence spokesman Devin OMalley. And it allows you to highlight the contrasts with other candidates, as the voice of reason. This interview comes out at a time when the Trump and DeSantis teams are bickering about personnel and lamb anatomy. Notable A Rochester firefighter has been arrested on multiple child pornography charges, federal officials announced Friday afternoon. Brett Marrapese, 31, of Irondequoit, was charged with multiple counts of production, distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography. The charges include explicit material involving prepubescent minors under the age of 12, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is overseeing the case, the investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received tips in January 2016 and November 2021 about an individual in Rochester uploading suspected child pornography online. The New York State Police allegedly traced the IP addresses to the "Committee Rochester FD 2%," which was associated with the Rochester Fire Department. Fire department officials said that the City of Rochester imposes internet restrictions for RFD employees, but the RFD's "2% fund" provides separate on-site internet service for personal use, according to the news release. During interviews conducted in 2016 and 2021, State Police questioned fire department employees with access to the service, including Marrapese, who both times denied any involvement with child pornography, according to officials. On March 20, 2023, the Irondequoit Police Department received a report from the father of a 13-year-old girl, who had been communicating with an individual on Snapchat using the username "thatdude_2790" and the display name "Taylor." Investigations revealed that the child was persuaded to produce and send explicit images and videos. A second child was discovered to have communicated with "thatdude_2790" on Snapchat and Instagram, where explicit content was exchanged, federal officials said. Law enforcement executed multiple search warrants, which led them to identify Marrapese as the user behind the "thatdude_2790" and "Taylorsimpson2419" accounts, according to the news release. Marrapese is accused of communicating with at least 110 minors, including the two children identified as victims by federal authorities, and coercing them into producing and sending child pornography. Marrapese is accused of presenting himself as a teenager of a similar age to the minors, according to federal officials. Search warrants were executed at Marrapese's residence, camper, vehicle and lockers at the Rochester Fire Department, resulting in the seizure of multiple digital devices, including a cellphone believed to be connected to the previous State Police investigation. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, initial forensic analysis of Marrapese's phone revealed extensive communications where he allegedly persuaded minors to produce and send explicit photographs and videos. The phone also allegedly contained communications involving the production of child pornography and sexual abuse of children, surreptitiously recorded photographs of children, and edited images depicting sexual conduct between adults and children. Authorities said they recovered 1,393 images and 121 videos of child pornography from Marrapese's mobile phone, some of which depict violent sexual abuse of toddlers. Marrapese appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen for an initial hearing and is currently being held pending a detention hearing. The investigation was conducted by the Irondequoit Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Peters, and the Federal Bureau. Last week, City spokeswoman Barbara Pierce said that a firefighter was suspended with pay on June 13, pending the outcome of the investigation. On Friday, she said that Marrapese remains on suspension and that "employment actions will be taken in the coming days based on the allegations in the federal complaint against him." The Rochester Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 1071, released a statement on Friday: Local 1071 is aware of the very serious and disturbing charges filed against Brett Marrapese today. However, IAFF Local 1071 does not have any further information beyond what has already been made public, as the union does not have any role in, or involvement with, the criminal case. If convicted, each count carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a fine of up to $250,000. The FBI is asking anyone with information regarding Brett Marrapese, known on Instagram as "Taylorsimpson2419" (Screenname "Taylor"), and Snapchat as "Thatdude_2790" (Screenname "Taylor") to contact their tip line at (585) 279-0085. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Brett Marrapese charged with child pornography in Rochester NY US President Joe Biden defended his recent remarks, calling China President Xi Jinping a "dictator." The President of the United States (POTUS) says his comment does not negatively impact the relationship between the US and China. Joe Biden Defends Calling China's Xi Jinping 'Dictator' President Biden has publicly defended his recent characterization of China's President Xi Jinping as a "dictator," as per a report by Aljazeera. Biden addressed his recent remarks amid his joint press conference with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, June 22. Earlier this week, he blurted out his "dictator" comment during his campaign fundraiser in California. According to the Associated Press, Biden's remarks about the Chinese leader triggered a new rift between the two countries after China formally slammed the US President's comments. It is worth noting that Biden commented a few days after the Secretary of State Antony Blinken officially visited Beijing to improve the communications between the two giant nations. But despite that, the US President reassured the nation that his remarks would have no adverse effect on the delicate balance of US-China relations. He maintained his characterization of Xi, saying that his recent statements are "just not something [I am] going to change very much." He further disclosed that he is meeting the Chinese President, which he likened to a "dictator," soon. The US leader says, "I expect to be meeting with President Xi sometime in the future, near-term." Read Also: Fox News Host Howard Kurtz Slams Network's Biden 'Wannabe Dictator' Chyron China Government Warns of Consequences As CNN reports, hours before Biden downplayed his recent remarks against the Chinese President, the embassy of China in Washington slammed the "dictator" statement of the US leader. Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng told the US State Department and White House officials that the US should step up to reverse what Biden has said. He tells them that Washington needs to "take earnest actions to undo the negative impact of Biden's characterization of Xi. If not, the Chinese Ambassador warned that Biden will face the "consequences." Moreover, he adds, "With the latest irresponsible remarks about China's political system and its top leader, people cannot help but question the sincerity of the US side." And on top of that, he strongly stressed that China "do not accept any political provocation against China's top leader and resolutely respond." Yet, Biden believes that his recent comment calling Xi a "dictator" has no "any real consequences," he noted during his joint press conference with the Indian PM. Instead, he dismissed criticisms that the US-China relations are scrambling as mere "hysteria." Related Article: Joe Biden Calls China's Xi Jinping a Dictator @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Colorado Rockies' Brent Suter throws during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) DENVER (AP) The Colorado Rockies placed reliever Brent Suter on the 15-day injured list Friday because of a left oblique strain. In a corresponding move before facing the Los Angels later Friday, the Rockies called up pitcher Noah Davis from Triple-A Albuquerque. Suter was injured Tuesday in an 8-6 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. The 33-year-old left-hander has been a helpful presence in Colorados bullpen this season, with a 4-0 record and a 2.81 ERA in 31 appearances. Davis call-up comes just two days after he was optioned to the minors. In four starts with Colorado this season, the 26-year-old right-hander is 0-2 with a 7.47 ERA. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports (Bloomberg) -- Democrats made abortion their top issue in the last years midterms the subject saw a 500% increase in mentions in political advertising over 2020 and they are planning to replay that strategy in 2024. Most Read from Bloomberg After the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion a year ago, the procedure was mentioned in ads that aired 1.1 million times, up from 175,000 in 2020, according to AdImpact, which tracks political ads on television, cable, radio and digital platforms. The topic trailed only taxation, which featured in ads aired 1.3 million times. Meanwhile, Republican presidential hopefuls have largely shied away from offering policy specifics on abortion, as the majority of Americans support legal access to it, according to a Pew Research Center analysis. None of the eight Republican advertisers campaigns and super PACs that are currently airing broadcast ads in the GOP primary contest have mentioned abortion. In contrast, abortion features in 59% of the ads run by President Joe Biden, who has made defending reproductive rights a prominent theme in his reelection bid. Of the three broadcast ads hes run, two mention abortion. Those ads have run in the battleground states of Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. As the one-year anniversary of the ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization case approached Saturday, Democrats raised the subject in communications with donors and supporters. Candidates for state office, including Minnesotas Democratic Governor Tim Walz, sent fundraising emails. Campaigns of Democrats in Congress released 49 emails mentioning abortion or reproductive rights in the last week, according to data from Pundit Analytics, which tracks the emails, Facebook ads and social media postings of elected officials and candidates. Read more: Democrats 2024 Plan Aims to Stoke Voter Angst Over Abortion Democratic Representative Colin Allred of Texas, whos running to challenge Republican Senator Ted Cruz, wrote in a fundraising email Tuesday that unlike the incumbent, hed supported legislation to codify Roe v Wade, the decision the court overturned, into federal law. I need your help to show Ted Cruz and his allies just how out of touch and unpopular their dangerous anti-choice views are, he said. Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington sent an email appeal noting that since last years ruling, the procedure had been banned in one-third of the country. It asked recipients to sign a petition. Representative Eric Sorensen of Illinois, a freshman Democrat, also seized on the anniversary. Defending this swing district is critical to retake the House majority and push back against the right-wing assault on a womans right to choose, his campaign told supporters. Will you chip in $3 or more to our reelection campaign today? The Dobbs ruling produced a fundraising windfall for Democratic candidates. ActBlue, the partys online donation platform, said that some of the biggest daily totals in the second quarter of 2022 came after the decision; it processed more than $2 million an hour the day after the ruling. --With assistance from Billy House. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Marius Mihai Draghici appeared in the High Court over the deaths of the 39 Vietnamese migrants inside a lorry in 2019 - Aaron Chown/Essex Police/PA Wire An alleged ringleader of a people-smuggling gang pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 39 Vietnamese migrants in a lorry trailer in Essex. Marius Mihai Draghici, who was detained by police in Romania last August, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to the manslaughter charges as well as conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. The 50-year-old will be sentenced at a later date. The Vietnamese nationals were found dead in the container which had been transported by ferry from Zeebrugge, Belgium to Purfleet early on Oct 23 2019. The victims had hoped for a better life in Britain when they agreed to pay up to 13,000 a head for a VIP smuggling service. On Oct 22 2019, they were crammed into the lorry container to be shipped in pitch black and sweltering conditions. The Old Bailey heard how they desperately tried to raise the alarm as they ran out of air before reaching British shores. Aside from Draghicis guilty plea, four others were jailed in 2021 for between 13 and 27 years over the deaths. The Vietnamese nationals were found dead in the container which had travelled from Belgium to Essex - Aaron Chown/PA Wire Maurice Robinson found the migrants, two aged just 15, dead when he collected the trailer from the docks early the next morning. The lorry driver, 28, and his boss Ronan Hughes, 43, admitted plotting to smuggle people and 39 counts of manslaughter. Gheorghe Nica, 46, and Eamonn Harrison, 26, who had collected the victims on the Continent, were found guilty of the offences. At a sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey, Robinson, who also admitted money laundering, was jailed for 13 years and four months in jail, Hughes was sentenced to 20 years in prison, Nica to 27 years and Harrison to 18 years. Mr Justice Sweeney said: I have no doubt that, as asserted by the prosecution, the conspiracy was a sophisticated, long-running, and profitable one to smuggle mainly Vietnamese migrants across the Channel. The migrants had desperately tried to break out of the trailer and raise the alarm before they suffered an excruciatingly slow death, the judge said. Other members of the gang were also jailed in the same hearing for their role in the organised criminal operation. Christopher Kennedy, 26, was jailed for seven years; Valentin Calota, 40, was handed four-and-a-half years; and Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga, 31, was sentenced to three years in custody. Lorry driver Maurice Robinson, pictured in court in 2019, pleaded guilty to the migrants manslaughter - Julia Quenzler via Reuters The court had heard the operation was long-running and profitable, with the smugglers standing to make more than 1 million pounds in October 2019 alone. A total of seven smuggling trips were identified between May 2018 and Oct 23 2019, although the court heard that there were likely to have been more. Migrants would board lorries at a remote location on the Continent to be transported to Britain where they would be picked up by a fleet of smaller vehicles organised by Nica for transfer to a safe house until payment was received. The fee was between 10,000 and 13,000, for the VIP route in which the driver was aware of the presence of smuggled migrants inside the trailer attached to his lorry. Some of the trips were thwarted by border officials and residents in Orsett, Essex, who had repeatedly reported migrants being dropped off to the police. Yet the smuggling operation was not stopped until after the tragic journey. Migrants families reveal heartbreak The families of the victims in Vietnam and Britain spoke at the sentencing hearing of their loss and hardship. Phan Thi Thanh, 41, had sold the family home and left her son with his godmother before setting off on the ill-fated journey. Her heartbroken son said: I heard about the incident from mass media so I called dad in the UK in order to confirm if mum was a victim. I was very shocked, very sad and I was crying a lot. Tran Hai Loc and his wife Nguyen Thi Van, both 35, who were found huddled together in death, left two children aged six and four. Tran Dinh Thanh, the childrens grandfather, said: Every day, when they come home from school they always look at the photos of their parents on the altar. The decease of both parents is a big loss to them. Nguyen Huy Tung, whose 15-year-old Nguyen Huy Hung died, learned about his death on social media. He said: We were very shocked, trembled We lost track and awareness of our surroundings. My wife had fainted many times whenever our sons name was mentioned. 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. Houses under construction Pollution rules are a major obstacle to the government's aim of 300,000 new homes a year, a minister has said. Wastewater and sewage from new homes and construction sites raise levels of nutrients like nitrates and phosphates, which harm water quality and wildlife. Baroness Scott of Bybrook said a duty to lessen the impact was placing a "significant burden" on housebuilders. Housing development had been stalled in 27 areas covering 14% of England, she told the House of Lords. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) says the rules are disproportionate and will mean up to 41,000 fewer homes a year. It argues the root causes of the nutrient problem are water companies' dumping of raw sewage into rivers and wastewater from farms. It also takes issue with a working assumption by government environmental agency Natural England that each new home will increase the population by an average of 2.4 persons, insisting most new housing caters for the existing population in the local area. Natural England lays down regulations for local planning authorities to ensure housebuilding achieves "nutrient neutrality". This means that developments do not result in a net increase in nutrients which can damage habitats, estuaries and wildlife. To meet this condition, Natural England says extra nutrients created by additional wastewater need to be mitigated. In total, 74 planning authorities have been advised that, where protected sites are "in unfavourable condition due to excess nutrients", development should go ahead only if additional pollution is not caused. In these areas, the Local Government Association says the rules have had a "significant negative impact" on the number of homes granted planning permission. 'Major barrier' In a written answer in the Lords, Baroness Scott, a junior minister in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), said the government recognised the need to protect freshwater habitats and rivers, and was tackling "underlying pollution". River pollution is causing concern across England But nutrient neutrality had placed a significant burden on housebuilders "despite the limited impact extra wastewater from residents in new developments has on waterbodies", she added. Natural England's advice to 74 local planning authorities had "effectively stalled housing development in these areas given the lack of available mitigation schemes, creating a major barrier to the government's ambition of delivering 300,000 homes per year by the mid-2020s", she said. Baroness Scott pointed to funding provided by DLUHC for high-quality bids submitted by local authorities and for a nutrient mitigation scheme, already operating in the Tees catchment, which includes the Tees, Skerne and the Lees rivers. Under the scheme, developers can work with local landowners to help create offsetting habitat - particularly wetlands and woodlands - in return for nutrient credits which can be used in planning applications. Ministers had also placed an obligation on water companies to upgrade wastewater treatment works in affected catchments by 2030, stopping pollution at source, Baroness Scott added. Targets HBF says ineffective action to tackle the pollution caused by water companies, and by agricultural fertilisers and animal slurry, has left more than 120,000 new homes on hold. It estimates that all housing stock is responsible for less than 5% of excess nutrients in England, and says modern new builds are more water-efficient than older homes. Natural England told the BBC that, rather than blocking new homes, it was working with developers and planning authorities to ensure that pollution levels were not increased. "Our advice is helping developers put in place mitigation such as the creation of wetlands, which benefit people and nature," it said. In their 2019 manifesto, the Conservatives promised that 300,000 homes a year would be built by the middle of the decade. But, in December, when Tory rebels threatened to back a move to ban mandatory targets for local authorities, the government diluted the pledge. DLUHC said: "Housing targets remain, but are a starting point, with new flexibilities to reflect local circumstances." Labour has said it would reintroduce mandatory targets. In 2019-20, 242,700 new homes were supplied in England, but this fell to 216,490 in 2020-21, partly because of the pandemic. Runaway mule goes on solo adventure in Arizona neighborhood. Officers needed a lasso Neighbors in an Arizona residential area spotted what they thought was a horse lumbering down the communitys sidewalks and streets. So they called the cops to report the runaway equine, the Glendale Police Department said in a June 22 Facebook post. It turned out to be an escaped mule on a little solo adventure so the neighbors werent too far off. Details about how the mule got loose from its home on June 17 werent available, police said. Law enforcement, often times, requires us to wear many different hats, police posted on social media. In this instance, officers Castillo and Trevino put on their cowboy hats! Photos show the officers posing and leading the tall gray mule through the neighborhood with a lasso. They returned it to its home next to the neighborhood it had just strolled through. Yee haw! someone said on Instagram. Thats a big ol mule! another person said on Facebook. Horse vanished in national park for week then visitor finds him roaming by SD highway Watch wrangler on horseback armed with a lasso nab runaway steer on Michigan highway Wildlife officers couldnt get trapped deer out of canal so they called two cowboys Spooked horse ends up in Florida pool so officials bring out a tractor, video shows Bridge in Chongar damaged by a strike on the night of June 22, 2023 Moscow-appointed governor of Ukraines Kherson Oblast, Vladimir Saldo, said that the Chonhar Bridge a key link to occupied Crimea is much more seriously damaged than we initially thought, suggesting it may be out of commission for some time. According to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, Saldo said the bridge will be examined over "next 15-20 days," adding that the bridge is currently out of use. Read also: Russia sending first responders to northern Crime for training Early on June 22, Russian sources reported a Ukrainian strike on the bridge near Chonhar, near the administrative border between Ukraines Kherson Oblast and Crimea. Read also: Video shows moment of alleged strike on bridge to Crimea When asked to comment on the apparent Ukrainian missile strike, Ukrainian Military Intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov said more to come. In a subsequent interview with NV Radio, Ukraines Operational Command South spokesperson Natalia Humeniuk said that Ukrainian forces can now project firepower across all transportation links in northern Crimea. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Ukrainian attacks have seen Russia bolster its defenses with trenches and mines. Now it appears to be doubling its deployment of dolphins. The Kremlin has ramped up the amount of trained marine animals like dolphins that it uses to protect the key Crimean port amid increasing attacks on the peninsulas key strategic targets, a British intelligence assessment said Friday. The Russian Navy has invested in major enhancements to the security of its Black Sea Fleets main base in Sevastopol since last summer, the briefing said. At least four layers of nets and booms have been placed across the harbor entrance, according to the assessment which Britains defense ministry published to its Twitter feed, alongside satellite imagery taken in April and June. British Government analysis of satellite imagery over the port of Sevastopol appears to show an increase in marine training units between April and June 2023. (UK Ministry of Defense / Planet Labs ) In recent weeks, these defenses have highly likely also been augmented by an increased number of trained marine mammals, it said, adding that it showed a near doubling of floating mammal pens in the harbor which highly likely contain bottle-nosed dolphins. Russia has trained animals for a range of missions, the ministry added, but the ones housed in Sevastopol harbor are highly likely intended to counter enemy divers. NBC News was not able to independently verify the ministrys claims about the port on the peninsula, which Russia occupied in 2014. Britain publishes an intelligence assessment about the war every day and this one was widely reported on by Ukrainian media. Russian state media has largely ignored it and there was no immediate reaction from Kremlin officials. Russia is not the only country that has used trained marine animals for military purposes in the past. For decades, the U.S. Navy has also trained dolphins and sea lions to help guard against underwater threats. In 2019, a beluga whale surfaced in Norway with a camera harness that raised suspicions it was working as a Kremlin spy. Two months after Russias invasion in February 2022, a review of satellite images by the commercial firm Maxar and the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) concluded that two transportable dolphin pens were moved into the Sevastopol harbor. Crimea's Sevastopol harbor in February 2022. (Russian Defense Ministry / via AP file) H I Sutton, a submarine analyst who specializes in the use of marine mammal pens, told NBC News at the time that dolphins were the most obvious type of mammal being used to protect the naval base. He added that these were most likely the same pens that Russia deployed to Tartus in Syria in 2018, where dolphins were used to counter enemy divers, retrieve objects from the sea floor, and perform intelligence operations. Earlier this month, Sutton also concluded that Russia had doubled the trained dolphins defending Sevastopol, as part of a gradual tightening of defenses in response to Ukraines growing ability to reach the strategic city. But other military experts said it was hard to assess with certainty how Russia might be using the animals there. Sevastopol has a relatively small harbor entrance, which could be secured by active sonar, according to Andrew Lambert, a professor of naval history at Kings College London. If there are more pens, the Russians may be increasing training numbers, Lambert said. However, Neil Melvin, the director of international security studies at the London based Royal United Services Institute think tank, said it was hard to tell what the Russians were using the animals for. If I was to speculate, it would be that they are hoping that they can assist them with identifying maritime drone attacks, which the Ukrainians have been using against the Black Sea fleet or may be to spot sea mines, he said. Containing the Russian Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol through drone attacks is one of the main aims for Ukraines ongoing counteroffensive as it would stop Moscow from using its ships to launch missile strikes from the Black Sea against Ukrainian targets, he added. Earlier in the war, Crimea was touted as a major red line by the Kremlin, but Russian military installations and bases on the peninsula have come under regular attacks in recent months and naval drones have targeted the Black Sea fleet stationed in Sevastopol and forced the Russians to tighten their defenses there, the fleets commander Vice-Admiral Viktor Sokolov, was quoted as saying by state media. The peninsula is an important supply route for Russian troops in the southeast of the country, where the Ukrainian army has been trying to break Russian defense lines. Moscow has blamed Kyiv for trying to sabotage its defenses on Crimea. But Ukraine has never acknowledged its involvement in attacks on the peninsula, although it has openly declared its intention to reclaim it. And earlier this week, Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesman for the countrys navy, told Ukrainian TV that Russians do not feel safe in Crimea and are forced to constantly redeploy their Black Sea Fleet ships. NBC News cannot independently verify this claim. The British assessment earlier this week also said Moscows elaborate defenses deep in rear areas, especially on the approaches to Crimea, highlighted the Russian commands assessment that Ukrainian forces are capable of directly assaulting Crimea. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Russia loses 680 soldiers and 44 artillery systems in one day Russia continues to suffer losses in the war of aggression against Ukraine. Ukraines defence forces have killed 680 Russian soldiers, destroyed 44 artillery systems, 15 armoured combat vehicles, and 9 drones over the course of 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 23 June 2023 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses ed.]: approximately 223,330 (+680) military personnel 4,017 (+4) tanks 7,798 (+15) armoured combat vehicles 3,985 (+44) artillery systems 617 (+0) multiple-launch rocket systems 379 (+3) air defence systems 314 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft 307 (+0) helicopters 3,447 (+9) tactical UAVs 1,214 (+0) cruise missiles 18 (+0) ships/boats 6,708 (+30) vehicles and tankers 545 (+6) special vehicles The information is being confirmed. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russias National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC) opened a criminal case against Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, just hours after he accused Moscow of lying about the war in Ukraine. The NAC opened the criminal case against Prigozhin on allegations that he incited an armed rebellion, according to Russian state-run outlet TASS. The counterterrorism body is calling for the head of the private military company to immediately halt illegal activities. Russian military bloggers and other sources have also confirmed the opened case against Prigozhin based on his recent comments. Earlier on Friday, Prigozhin released a video that went viral in which he directly countered the Kremlins narrative for launching the war in Ukraine to denazify and demilitarize Kyiv, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused of persecuting ethnic Russians and of attempting to destroy Russia on behalf of the U.S. and other western leaders. The war was not needed to return our Russian citizens and not to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine, Prigozhin said. The war was needed by oligarchs. It was needed by the clan that is today practically ruling in Russia. He said Ukraine never planned to attack Russia, contrary to Putins comments, and claimed Russian elites tried to plunder resources from Ukraine. The Wagner chief also accused Russia of lying about the number of casualties in the war and said soldiers were fleeing in eastern Ukraine as Kyiv pushes forward with a counteroffensive. Later on Friday, Prigozhin released another video claiming to show the aftermath of a Russian strike on a Wagner Group camp, which he said killed scores of his fighters. Russias Defense Ministry has denied those claims, saying the allegations do not correspond to reality and are an informational provocation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin is aware of the situation unfolding around Prigozhin and that all necessary measures were being taken, according to TASS. The long-running feud between Prigozhin and Russian elites took a quick and sharp turn on Friday after months of tensions. Prigozhin has played a key role in the war in Ukraine since the spring of 2022 and last month his mercenary fighters helped take the city of Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk region. In the past several months, however, Prigozhin has repeatedly accused Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the commander overseeing Moscows war in Ukraine, of failing to provide enough supplies and of cowardice. Prigozhin said his fighters engaged in a shootout with Russian soldiers during a withdrawal from Bakhmut and at one point, he allegedly captured a Russian officer. The Kremlin responded by forcing allied fighters to sign a contract that would give Moscow more control over Wagner Group, but Prigozhin has resisted the order ahead of a July 1 deadline. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The News Russias intelligence service has launched an investigation into the Wagner Mercenary Group after its leader accused the Russian military of shelling his forces and apparently calling for a rebellion. There are about 25,000 of us and we are coming to sort things out, said founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said. Those who want to join us, its time to finish with this mess. Know More Prigozhin accused Russian defense minister Sergei Shoygu of cowardly fleeing from Rostov, in southern Russia, and then ordering the military to sabotage Wagner forces. He later shared a video on social media channels showing a burning trench, apparently the shelled area. They neglect the lives of soldiers. They forgot the word justice, and we will bring it back, he said. Those, who destroyed today our guys, who destroyed tens, tens of thousands of lives of Russian soldiers will be punished. Russian President Vladimir Putin is aware of the video, the Kremlin said, adding that necessary measures are being taken. The FSB has officially accused Wagner of inciting armed civil conflicts, and called on Wagner troops not to follow Prigozhins orders. The Wagner group has been described as Putins de facto private army, starting as pro-Russian separatist groups in eastern Ukraine.The group has played a crucial role in helping Russian forces during their invasion of Ukraine. Elnur Enveroglu Following the recent Armenian provocations near the conventional border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, especially at the Lachin border checkpoint, the activity of the exit point was temporarily suspended for the purpose of investigation. The Azerbaijani side's attitude to the provocations and the suspension of travel in return caused a strong counter-reaction in Armenia. Armenia is accusing Azerbaijan of allegedly carrying out ethnic cleansing against the Armenian minorities in Karabakh. Armenia, which commits a crime against Azerbaijan while recognizing its territory and, moreover, hinders the investigation of that crime, showing its extremely shameless face, even interferes with the European Union inadequately in the matter. Azernews learned the opinion of British political analyst Neil Watson regarding the issue. According to him, Pashinyan is clearly trying to prevent peace by doing all these things. In my view, Pashinyan often makes statements and then the reverse seems to happen. There could be several reasons behind this. Firstly, it may be indicative that he is still trying to placate his compatriots and the diaspora, who are actively against a peace treaty. Secondly, the Armenian government may feel empowered to make these claims, due to the ongoing support of Iran and Russia. Thirdly, Armenia may be still attempting to badge this as a religious conflict so as to gain EU support for the maintenance of the illegal Armenian entity in Karabakh. Fourthly, and most concerning, it may be that Pashinyan is gradually losing control, and these government statements are being made without his approval. Certainly, such claims are extremely unhelpful when the signing of a peace treaty is so near, yet so far, the expert said. Another issue is the claims made against Azerbaijan by the European Union in solidarity with Armenia, but illegally. First of all, the political leadership of the European Union, which should learn to pronounce the name Karabakh correctly, not "Nagorno Karabakh", should remember the statements of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. President Ilham Aliyev said in his statements that Karabakh is already considered a fully internal issue of Azerbaijan. Both the European and Armenian leaders have expressed their unequivocal acceptance of this. This also confirms that the problems of the Armenian minorities in Karabakh also belong to the Republic of Azerbaijan. In such a case, European Union join and support Armenia's baseless statement regarding the closing of the Lachin road by Azerbaijan without listening the other side. According to the expert, Armenia can gain more influence in the European Union because it can attract certain supporters in its surrounding. Most countries in the EU are Christian and unfortunately Armenian propaganda has been extremely successful in making the roots of the conflict opaque, clouded by badging this as a religious conflict and recompense for the alleged events of 1915 at the hands of Ottoman Turkiye. The EU certainly has no legal basis for its statement, but that doesnt seem to stop it from making comments and statements based on falsified information. Azerbaijan may have won the war, but the fact is that Armenia seems determined to protract the peace negotiations in the hope that the illegal regime in Armenia will remain and eventually be strengthened by such third countries as Russia and Iran. Even if a peace treaty is signed, and I feel it will, Azerbaijan has a long way to go before it will win the peace and dispel all the false information spread by Armenia over the years, Watson added. (Photo : HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) (HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images) A Wyoming judge temporarily blocks an abortion pill ban, the first in the United States, before the law officially takes effect, A Wyoming judge ordered the temporary block of an abortion pill ban in the state, the first in the nation before the law took effect on July 1. The decision came as Wyoming attorneys failed to show that allowing the ban to be implemented on schedule would not harm the lawsuit plaintiffs before their case is resolved. Teton County Judge Melissa Owens ruled after hearing both sides' arguments. Wyoming Temporarily Blocks Abortion Pill Ban On the other hand, the plaintiffs in question "have clearly shown probable success on the merits," said Owens when he granted their request to block the abortion pill ban temporarily. The situation comes as other states have implemented laws that imposed de facto bans on the medication by broadly criminalizing abortion itself. However, Wyoming became the first in the United States in March to specifically ban abortion pills themselves. Two non-profit organizations made the move to sue the law, including an abortion clinic that opened in April in Casper. It also involves four women and two obstetricians, as per Politico. Furthermore, the plaintiffs of the lawsuit are also suing to stop a near-total ban on abortion that was enacted in the state last March. Owens has already suspended that law and has moved to combine the two lawsuits. As Wyoming still legally allows abortion, banning abortion pills would require women to get more invasive surgical abortions. During Thursday's hearing, an attorney for those who oppose the ban, Marci Bramlet, warned against the dangers of such a situation. Bramlet added that it tells people they need open-heart surgery when a simple stent is effective. A state constitutional amendment enacted in 2012 also played a role in the arguments in court. It was passed in response to a new federal healthcare law, the Affordable Care Act, that argues residents in Wyoming have the right to make their own healthcare decisions. Read Also: House Votes To Censure Rep. Adam Schiff Over Role in Trump-Era Investigations Exceptions to the Law The new abortion laws in Wyoming allow exceptions to save life and cases involving rape or incest that are reported to law enforcement authorities. However, abortion for any other reason is not considered health care under the amendment, according to the Associated Press. An attorney for the state, Jay Jerde, said it is not considered to be restoring a woman's body from pain, injury, or physical sickness. He added that medical services are involved, but having an abortion for reasons other than the exceptions cannot be counted as a medical decision. The abortion pill ban was passed by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Mark Gordon in March, which made it illegal to "prescribe, dispense, distribute, sell, or use any drug" related to abortion. Medical professionals found violating the law would be charged with a misdemeanor, face up to six months in prison, and be forced to pay a $9,000 fine. However, it adds that pregnant women would be exempt from charges and penalties, said the New York Times. Related Article: Joe Biden Impeachment: Hard-Right Lawmakers Demand Action @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. International Criminal Court A judge at the International Criminal Court or ICC has been placed on the Russian Interior Ministry's wanted list, according to Russian state media reports on June 22. The notice targets Rosario Salvatore Aitala, the ICC judge who issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Read also: Everyone is shocked, from Washington to Moscow. Two main consequences of the arrest warrant for Putin The Russian dictator is wanted by the ICC in connection with charges that he was involved in the abduction of children from Ukraine possibly a war crime. Russian propagandists claim that a wanted poster for the judge, with his photo and caption on arrest warrant documents, has been placed on a billboard near the Russian Interior Ministry's office in the Sviblovo district of Moscow. On March 17, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Putin on suspicion of abducting Ukrainian children to Russia and committing war crimes in Ukraine. Read also: Belarusian opposition urges ICC to issue arrest warrant for Lukashneko Putin can be arrested in 123 countries that have ratified the Rome Statute. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Your slice of the headlines in Ukraine. Daily. Friday, June 23, 2023. Russia has prepared everything for terrorist attack at Zaporizhzhya NPP, warns Zelenskyy Russia is considering conducting a nuclear attack at the occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on June 22. Ukraine in talks on getting long-range missiles from several countries FM Kuleba While the United States remains reluctant to provide Ukraine with ATACMS missiles, Kyiv is negotiating long-range weapon supplies with several other countries, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told Ukrainian TV broadcasters on June 22 . Investors in Ukraine can now insure against military risks Investors in Ukraine are now being offered guarantees to insure against military risks, thanks to the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), Ukrainian Economy Ministry said in a message on its website on June 21. Chonhar bridge attacks will impede Russian logistics expert opinion Even a short disruption of Russian army logistics caused by the recent Ukrainian strike on Chonhar bridges in northern Crimea could be crucial for the ongoing counteroffensive, Oleksiy Melnyk, the head of the foreign policy and international security program at Ukraines Razumkov Centre told NV Radio on June 22. World Bank allocates additional $1.76 billion to Ukraine's recovery The World Bank Group has announced a $1.76 billion assistance package for Ukraine, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said during the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on June 21. Dnipro River reverting to 1950s waterbed, warns interior minister The Dnipro River is reverting to a water level not seen for more than 70 years, following the Russian destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, said Ukraine's Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko, on June 21. Several companies interested in Ukraines Black Sea port, minister says 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. UK would support expedited Ukrainian NATO membership Foreign Secretary 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. Scholz ready to give provide security guarantees for Ukraine, but not swift NATO membership German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has pledged long-term security guarantees for Ukraine but dashed Ukraine's hopes for a swift accession to NATO, during a speech at the German parliament, the Bundestag, on June 22. Ukrainian intervention in Belarus remains unlikely expert opinion Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the Belarusian opposition and a former presidential candidate, has not ruled out the possibility of seeking military assistance from Ukraine in liberating Belarus. However, military expert Mykhailo Zhyrokhov expressed serious doubts about the plausibility of this scenario in a June 20 interview with NV Radio. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russia has expanded the production of Kalibr and Kh-101 missiles by three- to four-fold and improved the use of missile weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles. Source: Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief of Ukraines Defence Intelligence, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine Quote: "Indeed, the production of these missiles you mentioned [Kalibr and Kh-101 ed.] has increased. By about 3-4 times. So, the Russians produce about forty or thirty missiles [a month], depending on the type. They produce fewer Kinzhals [hypersonic ballistic missiles ed.], up to six units [a month]. The production level is now even slightly higher than before the [full-scale] war". Details: He added that Russia had used a significant number of missiles from its stockpile from October to January. Quote: "If we analyse, March and April were quiet I won't say calm but the use of missile weapons was the lowest since October. The occupiers have amassed their reserves, resumed production of most items, and changed or even improved their tactics of using missile weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles. We saw the results of these efforts in May, especially if we look at the figures concerning UAVs. They have been used the most since October last year." More details: Skibitskyi also commented on the emergence of the Bal system in Russias Bryansk Oblast (this fires a Kh-35 Soviet turbojet subsonic cruise missile, launched from surface ships and coastal defence batteries) He said that intelligence has evidence that Russia has been actively working to modernise these Bals and gain the ability to use them against ground targets. Quote: "Again, the Bal and the Bastion [coastal defence missile] systems were used both in the Crimean Peninsula and Kherson Oblast to hit ground targets. However, the effectiveness of such use was low because these systems are designed primarily to combat maritime targets. Bal is an anti-ship system and, therefore, it's ineffective against land targets. However, at the same time, we have evidence that the Russians have been working very actively to modernise this system and be able to use it against ground targets. This issue is being monitored, it is really relevant, and it can be one of the threats to our cities and civilians." Background: In early June, Yurii Ihnat, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, told UP that Russia continues to receive components and produce missiles. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The Soviet Union previously used dolphins in the military (Vyacheslav Oseledko) British military spies on Friday said Russia appears to be training combat dolphins in the annexed Crimean peninsula to counter Ukrainian forces. In its latest update on the conflict, UK Defence Intelligence said the Russian Navy had invested heavily in security at the Black Sea Fleet's main base at Sevastopol since last year. "This includes at least four layers of nets and booms across the harbour entrance. In recent weeks, these defences have highly likely also been augmented by an increased number of trained marine mammals," it added. "Imagery shows a near doubling of floating mammal pens in the harbour which highly likely contain bottle-nosed dolphins." The animals were "likely intended to counter enemy divers", it added. The Russian Navy has used Beluga whales and seals for a range of missions in Arctic waters, the update said. A harness-wearing whale that turned up in Norway in 2019, sparking speculation it was being used for surveillance, reappeared off Sweden's coast last month. Norwegians nicknamed it "Hvaldimir" -- a pun on the word "whale" in Norwegian (hval) and a nod to its alleged association with Russia. Hvaldimir's harness had a mount suitable for housing an action camera, and the words "Equipment St. Petersburg" printed on the plastic clasps. In 2016, Russia's defence ministry sought to buy five dolphins as part of attempts to revive its Soviet-era use of the highly intelligent cetaceans for military tasks. Both the Soviet Union and the United States used dolphins during the Cold War, training them to detect submarines, mines and spot suspicious objects or individuals near harbours and ships. A retired Soviet colonel told AFP at the time that Moscow even trained dolphins to plant explosive devices on enemy vessels. They knew how to detect abandoned torpedoes and sunken ships in the Black Sea, said Viktor Baranets, who witnessed military dolphin training in the Soviet and post-Soviet eras. The US Navy used sea lions deployed to Bahrain in 2003 to support Operation Enduring Freedom after the 9/11 attacks in New York and Washington. phz/jit/ach At least one person was killed and four injured in the June 23 attacks on Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Governor Yurii Malashko reported. According to Malashko, a 35-year-old resident was killed in the shelling of the center of Mala Tokmachka. In Primorsk, two women aged 54 and 72, as well as a 66-year-old man, were injured while walking from a bus stop to a cottage, the governor wrote on Telegram. 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 2 The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Query In Vozdvyzhivka, Russian shelling reportedly damaged three houses and injured a 40-year-old man. Orikhiv was hit by guided aerial bombs and Preobrazhenka by the banned cluster munition, but the governor said there is so far no information on the victims. On the morning of June 23, Malashko reported that two people have been killed in the oblast over the past day due to Russian strikes. cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev discards an old science experiment during a spacewalk, with the curve of earth visible in the background Two Russian cosmonauts spent six hours outside the International Space Station on Thursday (June 22) cleaning up the exterior of the orbiting laboratory by removing and tossing overboard a trio of no longer needed devices, including a spent science experiment. Expedition 69 commander Sergey Prokopyev and flight engineer Dmitry Petelin, both of Russia's federal space corporation Roscosmos, exited the space station's Poisk module at 10:24 a.m. EDT (1424 GMT) on Thursday. In addition to jettisoning hardware, the spacewalk also included the installation of a new stanchion for high-speed telemetry equipment and the retrieval of a micrometeoroid impact experiment that had been mounted outside the space station for a number of years. Related: The most memorable spacewalks of all time in pictures Prokopyev and Petelin made quick work of rerouting cables and disconnecting a data relay unit and a telemetry transmitter, as well as the hardware for a completed experiment that measured seismic activity on Earth, before throwing each overboard for their eventual disposal, burning up in Earth's atmosphere. "Wave goodbye to it," advised Mission Control Moscow, as Prokopyev prepared to toss one of the items into space. "Rest in peace." Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin are seen outside of the International Space Station's Poisk module during a spacewalk on June 22, 2023. The experiment, called the Seismoprognoz, had been installed outside the Zvezda service module during an Expedition 38 spacewalk on Dec. 27, 2013, almost 10 years ago. Like the communication units, the Seismoprognoz was tossed off the back of the space station in a direction that ensured that the gear could never make recontact with the outpost. The jettisons, which also included the stanchions (or "monoblocks") that had held the equipment on Zvezda, made way for the installation of new hardware, including a mono block for a new high-speed data unit that Prokopyev and Petelin mounted on the module. An outdated communications device is seen floating away from the International Space Station after it was jettisoned by Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin during a spacewalk on June 22, 2023. The two spacewalkers also photo documented the condition of the plume deflectors at the aft end of Zvezda service module for later analysis by Russian engineers on the ground. The deflectors shield the station from the plume of the module's engines. The inspection comes almost 23 years after Zvezda was launched atop a Russian Proton rocket in July 2000. "It looks like a dirty frying pan," said Prokopyev. "That could have made some good fries in it." "Well, it hasn't been washed for quite some time," replied Petelin. The cosmonauts also captured high-resolution photography of the boom upon which a high-data antenna is mounted at the very aft end of the Zvezda service module. The duo then moved to the opposite side of Zvezda to finish out their tasks for this spacewalk. They cleaned one of the module's windows using towels that they then also jettisoned and retrieved a final science experiment, a biological sample exposure package, located near the hatch to the Poisk airlock. Russian cosmonaut Dmitry Petelin is seen at aft end of the Zvezda service module outside of the International Space Station during a spacewalk on June 22, 2023. RELATED STORIES: The most memorable spacewalks in history The International Space Station: Facts, history and tracking In photos: The amazing spacewalks of Expedition 61 The spacewalk ended at 4:48 p.m. EDT (2048 GMT) with Prokopyev and Petelin back inside Poisk after working for 6 hours and 24 minutes in the vacuum of space. With the completion of Thursday's spacewalk, Prokopyev has now logged 48 hours and 40 minutes on seven extravehicular activities (EVAs). Petelin has now conducted five spacewalks, all with Prokopyev, for a total time of 33 hours and 9 minutes. The EVA was the was the ninth this year and the 266th dedicated to the assembly and maintenance of the International Space Station since 1998. Russian Defence Minister should have been tried, and Putin is being deceived New criticism of Wagner Group's head Yevgeny Prigozhin, owner of the Russian Wagner Private Military Company (PMC), criticised Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and the General Staff for the failure of hostilities, stating that Ukraine did not plan to attack Donbas in 2022, and said that the Russian officials wanted the war, and the oligarchs wanted to make money. Source: Prigozhin's video Quote: "After 2014, the entire Donbas was scattered and looted by various people. Some of them were from the presidential administration, some from the FSB, some oligarchs, such as Kurchenko [Serhii ed.], were involved. These are people who stole money from the residents of Donbas, who were in the unrecognised republics of LPR [so-called Luhansk Peoples Republic ed.] and DNR [so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic ed.]." Details: Prigozhin said that Russian generals at that time were "squandering" money on the maintenance of the so-called military corps in these "republics". Prigozhin also said that as of February 2022, Ukraine was not preparing an offensive on Donbas. Quote: "As of 24 February, there was nothing extraordinary [on the contact line in Donbas ed.]. Now the Russian Defence Ministry is trying to deceive society, is trying to deceive the president and create a story that there was insane aggression on the part of Ukraine and they tried to attack us together with the entire NATO bloc." Details: Prigozhin once again criticised the combat capability of the Russian army, which is not capable of conducting large-scale combat operations, and the generals "decorate themselves with medals like a Christmas tree." He personally accused Shoigu of "killing thousands of Russian soldiers" in the first days of the war. Quote: "He killed the most combat-ready part of the army," Prigozhin said. The war, according to him, was needed so that "a bunch of critters would promote themselves and show off what a strong army we have, so that Shoigu would get [the title of] marshal and a second hero star". The war was also beneficial to "the oligarchic clan that actually rules Russia today". Quote: "In the middle of March, we [Wagner Group ed.] were called to war. Shoigu went into hiding. He was nowhere to be seen. He was a shaking old man. He was thinking about how to get out of this situation. And at that moment, he should have been thrown into the dustbin of history and tried and punished for the fact that he destroyed tens of thousands of lives already at that time." Details: Prigozhin also criticised the Russian General Staff and its head Valery Gerasimov for the lack of leadership. Later, Prigozhin said that he wrote a statement to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation regarding Shoigu and Gerasimov. Quote: "They still hope that they can win this war. But since there is no management, there are no military successes, the leadership of the Ministry of Defence carefully deceives the president and the president receives reports that do not correspond to reality. Two reports are being formed: one on the ground, the other on the president's desk. And that is why we have been hearing for days about 60 destroyed Leopards, about 3,000 killed enemy soldiers... Shoigu lives by the principle in order for a lie to be believed, it must be horrifying... On the ground, the Russian army is now retreating on the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson fronts. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are pushing out the Russian army. We are washed in blood. No one provides reserves. There is no management." Background: On 20 June, the UK Defence Intelligence reported that Prigozhin is trying to undermine the authority of the Russian Ministry of Defence, while the ministry considers his actions inappropriate against the background of Ukrainian counteroffensive operations. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A Russian ex-commander says Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin should face 'treason' charges after his latest tirade against Russia's war with Ukraine Yevgeny Prigozhin (left) in 2017 and Igor Girkin (right) in 2022. SERGEI ILNITSKY, Contributor/Getty Images A Russian ex-commander said Wagner boss should be tried for "treason" over his latest anti-war tirade. Prigozhin posted a video on Friday calling the war a "racket" used to line oligarchs' pockets. The ex-commander said Prighozin "already should have been handed over to a military tribunal." A Russian ex-commander says Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, should face "treason" charges after his latest tirade against the country's war with Ukraine. Prigozhin, who has been highly critical of the war in the past, released a 30-minute video monologue on Friday where he once again called out Russian officials for mishandling the invasion of Ukraine, The New York Times reported. "The war wasn't needed to return Russian citizens to our bosom, nor to demilitarize or denazify Ukraine," Prigozhin said in the video, according to The New York Times. "The war was needed so that a bunch of animals could simply exult in glory." Prigozhin went even further to accuse Russian oligarchs though not Putin directly of using the war to line their pockets, adding, "Our holy war with those who offend the Russian people, with those who are trying to humiliate them, has turned into a racket," The New York Times reported. And that rant ticked off Igor Girkin, the former commander of another Russian paramilitary group, and an ultranationalist who is also highly critical of Prigozhin and Russia's strategy. "Prigozhin already should have been handed over to a military tribunal for many things," Girkin wrote in a Telegram post on Friday, which was translated by The New York Times. "Now also for treason." Prigozhin's forces spearheaded the capture of the eastern city of Bakhmut in May after 10 months of fighting, and at an enormous cost of more than 20,000 lives to Russia's motley force of mercenaries, troops and freed convicts. After the victory, Putin hailed Prigozhin's forces. Prigozhin afterwards withdrew them for refit while escalating his public feud with Putin's minster of defense and general overseeing the war, whom he's accused of incompetence, graft and cowardice. Read the original article on Business Insider By Andrew Osborn and Kevin Liffey LONDON (Reuters) - Russia accused mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin of armed mutiny on Friday after he alleged, without providing evidence, that the military leadership had killed a huge number of his fighters in an air strike and vowed to punish them. The standoff, many of whose details remained unclear, looked like the biggest domestic crisis President Vladimir Putin has faced since he ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine - something he called a "special military operation" - in February last year. As the standoff between Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner mercenary force, and the defence ministry appeared to come to a head, the ministry issued a statement saying Prigozhin's accusations were "not true and are an informational provocation". Prigozhin said his actions were not a military coup. But in a frenzied series of audio messages, in which the sound of his voice sometimes varied and could not be independently verified, he appeared to suggest that 25,000 fighters were en route to oust the leaders of the defence establishment in Moscow. He said: "Those who destroyed our lads, who destroyed the lives of many tens of thousands of Russian soldiers, will be punished. I ask that no one offer resistance ... "There are 25,000 of us and we are going to figure out why chaos is happening in the country," he said, promising to tackle any checkpoints or air forces that got in Wagner's way. At about 2 a.m. on Saturday morning, Moscow time (2300 GMT), Prigozhin issued a new message saying his forces had crossed the border from Ukraine, and were in the southern Russian city of Rostov. He said they were ready to "go all the way" against the top brass, and to destroy anyone who stood in their way. At around the same time, the state news agency TASS quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying all Russia's main security services were reporting to Putin "round the clock" on the fulfilment of his orders with respect to Prigozhin. Security was being tightened in Moscow, TASS said, focusing on what it called the capital's most important government sites and infrastructure. Earlier on Friday, Prigozhin had appeared to cross a new line in his increasingly vitriolic feud with the ministry, saying that the Kremlin's rationale for invading Ukraine was based on lies concocted by the army's top brass. The FSB domestic security service said it had opened a criminal case against him for calling for an armed mutiny, a crime punishable with a jail term of up to 20 years. "Prigozhin's statements are in fact calls for the start of an armed civil conflict on Russian territory and his actions are a 'stab in the back' of Russian servicemen fighting pro-fascist Ukrainian forces," the FSB said. "We urge the ... fighters not to make irreparable mistakes, to stop any forcible actions against the Russian people, not to carry out the criminal and traitorous orders of Prigozhin, to take measures to detain him." GENERALS URGE PRIGOZHIN TO BACK DOWN Army Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alekseyev issued a video appeal asking Prigozhin to reconsider his actions. "Only the president has the right to appoint the top leadership of the armed forces, and you are trying to encroach on his authority," he said. Army General Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of Russian forces in Ukraine whom Prigozhin has praised in the past, in a separate video said that "the enemy is just waiting for our internal political situation to deteriorate". "Before it is too late ... you must submit to the will and order of the people's president of the Russian Federation. Stop the columns and return them to their permanent bases," he said. Prigozhin, whose men spearheaded the capture of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut last month, has for months been openly accusing Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov, of rank incompetence and of denying Wagner ammunition and support. An unverified video posted on a Telegram channel close to Wagner showed the purported scene of an air strike against Wagner forces. It showed a forest where small fires were burning and trees appeared to have been broken by force. There appeared to be one body, but no more direct evidence of any attack. It carried the caption: "A missile attack was launched on the camps of PMC (Private Military Company) Wagner. Many victims. According to eyewitnesses, the strike was delivered from the rear, that is, it was delivered by the military of the Russian Ministry of Defence." Prigozhin has tried to exploit Wagner's battlefield success, achieved at enormous human cost, to publicly berate Moscow with seeming impunity, while carefully avoiding criticism of Putin. But on Friday he for the first time dismissed Putin's core justifications for invading Ukraine on Feb. 24 last year, something for which many Russians have been fined or jailed. "The war was needed ... so that Shoigu could become a marshal ... so that he could get a second 'Hero' [of Russia] medal," Prigozhin said in a video clip. "The war wasn't needed to demilitarise or denazify Ukraine." Marat Gabidullin, a former Wagner commander who moved to France when Russia invaded Ukraine, told Reuters that Wagner's fighters were likely to stand with Prigozhin. "We have looked down on the army for a long time ... Of course they support him, he is their leader," he said. "They won't hesitate (to fight the army), if anyone gets in their way." (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Andrew Osborn and Kevin Liffey; Editing by Daniel Wallis) Russian mercenary boss vows to avenge army 'destruction' of his force; Moscow denies accusation FILE PHOTO: Funeral held in Moscow for Russian military blogger killed in cafe blast (Reuters) - Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin on Friday accused the Russian military of destroying his fighters, without explaining his accusation, and vowed to stop the "evil" of the military leadership. The Defence Ministry quickly issued a statement saying Prigozhin's accusations "do not correspond to reality and are an informational provocation". In a series of audio messages on his official Telegram channel, Prigozhin said the "evil" of the Russian military leadership "must be stopped", adding: "Those who destroyed our lads, who destroyed the lives of many tens of thousands of Russian soldiers, will be punished. I ask that no one offer resistance." (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Kevin Liffey; Editing by Daniel Wallis) Lawyers who used ChatGPT AI now have to pay a fine after a New York federal judge sanctioned them for citing fake AI-generated cases in a court filing. Besides the fine, Judge P. Kevin Castel also sanctioned the two lawyers to contact the judges mentioned in the AI-made cases. Lawyers Using ChatGPT Fined by Judge Two lawyers found themselves in hot water after an AI-written court filing they submitted contained fake citations. The incident has raised concerns about the growing use of artificial intelligence in legal practices and the need for human oversight. The lawyers involved were promptly sanctioned for their deceptive actions. As per a report by CNBC, a judge has sanctioned two lawyers who used AI to write a legal filing that contained fake citations. In a landmark ruling, New York federal judge P. Kevin Castel has fined the two lawyers who used the viral AI tool, Peter LoDuca and Steven Schwartz. He notes that the attorneys have "abandoned their responsibilities after submitting the fake AI-writing court filing. The NY federal judge further argued that the lawyers, under the Levidow, Levidow, and Oberman law firm, "continued to stand by the fake opinions" even after judicial orders questioned the integrity of the cited cases. And as such, Judge Castel slapped Schwartz, LoDuca, and their law firm with a sanction, which ordered them to pay fines of $5,000. On top of paying their fines, the judge's order also required the two attorneys to contact the judges, who were identified as the authors of the fake case rulings, to notify them about the sanction. However, Judge Castel no longer asked the two ChatGPT lawyers to apologize to them. His order states, "The Court will not require an apology from Respondents because a compelled apology is not a sincere apology." He adds that he leaves the decision for any apology to the two sanctioned lawyers. Read Also: Two Trump Lawyers Quit His Legal Team After Former President Was Indicted of Federal Charges Law Firm Disagrees With the Findings According to the Associated Press, the law firm of the two lawyers agreed to comply with the groundbreaking ruling of the New York Judge. However, Levidow, Levidow, and Oberman disagreed with Judge Castel's findings. The law firm says, "We respectfully disagree with the finding that anyone at our firm acted in bad faith." It further stressed that they "made a good faith mistake in failing to believe that a piece of technology could be making up cases out of whole cloth." In the meantime, the law firm told AP News that they are still considering whether they would move forward to appeal the ruling of Judge Castel. As Forbes reports, Schwartz used the AI tool ChatGPT to conduct his legal research for his court filing against Avianca Airlines. However, instead of accurately helping him, the chatbot provided him with bogus cases. Related Article: Lawyers Who Used ChatGPT Face Possible Sanctions After AI Cited Fake Cases @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Russian military officials have denied attacking the mercenary Wagner Group, as the forces founder and leader promises revenge and threatens to "resolve" the conflict. In a series of audio clips on Russian social media site VKontakte (VK), Wagners chief Yevgeny Prigozhin first accused Russias defense ministry of authorizing an attack against his forces and made several promises of retaliation. Prigozhin claimed his camp came under fire from a "massive" missile attack, Kyiv Post reported. He also posted a video that he claimed showed the aftermath of the attack, which he said killed a "huge amount" of his troops at multiple camps. US, EUROPEAN ALLIES DEMAND ACTION TO END RUSSIA'S USE OF IRANIAN DRONES IN UKRAINE He promised that he would punish "everyone" involved in the alleged strikes against his forces. Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin. The Defense Ministry responded to the claims in a Telegram post, saying, "All the messages and video footage distributed on social networks on behalf of E. Prigozhin about the alleged strike by the RF Ministry of Defense on the rear camps of PMC Wagner are untrue and are an informational provocation." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP RUSSIA IS TARGETING THE US HOMELAND WITH ITS STRATEGY OF CYBER ARMAGEDDON The ministry added that its forces "continue to carry out combat missions on the line of contact with the armed forces of Ukraine" in the zone of the special operation. Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reportedly said Russian President Vladimir Putin was aware of the ongoing situation involving Wagner Group and "necessary measures are being taken." Rebekah Koffler, a Russian-born former DIA intelligence officer told Fox News Digital that, "It appears that Prigozhin has crossed the line in his fight with the Russian security bureaucracy. The FSB, Russian domestic security service has opened a criminal investigation into Prigozhin, following his calling for a military rebellion, according to the National Counter-terrorism committee." "This has to be a major headache for Putin now," Koffler concluded. Russia's Tass news agency reported that the FSB public relations office called on Wagner troops to disregard Prigozhin's orders and to detain him. Prigozhin, seen as a top Putin ally, this week took issue with the Kremlin chiefs comments about progress in Ukraine and said he and the Ministry of Defense "are misleading the Russian people." "Huge chunks [of land] have been handed over to the enemy," he added in an audio message posted to his Telegram according to a translation by the Moscow Times. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Wagner Mercenary Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in a split screen image. (Getty.) Prigozhin did not go into detail as to where his troops had given up territory to Ukrainian forces, though Ukraine earlier this week said it had made progress in the vital Zaporizhzhia region a claim that was substantiated by a Russian official in the area. Fox News Digital's Caitlin McFall contributed to this report. Russians are reminding troops the enemy is Ukraine amid fears of a Wagner coup attempt against the defense ministry Russian soldiers in St. Petersburg on August 25, 2022. Photo by OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has prompted fears of an impending coup in Russia. Russian civilians and officials are imploring troops to keep their focus on Ukraine amid the panic. "Everyone who holds a weapon at the line of contact, remember: your enemy is across from you," a message shared repeatedly states. As chaos envelops Moscow amid unprecedented infighting among the nation's regular and irregular commanders, Russian civilians and officials alike are imploring the country's troops to keep the real "enemy" Ukraine top of mind. Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin triggered panic on Friday as he castigated Russia's "evil" defense ministry in a series of video addresses and social media statements which escalated his longstanding public contempt for Russia's military leadership into plausible coup fodder. The Putin ally, whose mercenary troops helped secure the besieged Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in a bloody battle earlier this year, appeared to openly encourage taking up arms against Russia's defense ministry after Russia's armed forces allegedly conducted a missile strike that killed a number of his fighters a claim which the Russian military has firmly denied. Prigozhin insisted that those responsible for the deaths of his men should be "punished" as he pledged to "destroy" anyone who tries to resist his efforts to seek "justice," according to a translation of his comments. Up to this point, the Russian government has seemingly tolerated Prigozhin's rants and allowed him to skirt the country's strict war-time censorship policies, which directly forbid the types of incendiary statements Prigozhin has frequently made about Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, who have spearheaded Russia's 16-month war effort in Ukraine. But Prigozhin's escalation Friday, which included casting doubt on Russia's purported reasons for invading Ukraine in the first place, appeared to be the last straw for Russian authorities, as Russia's Federal Security Service promptly initiated a criminal case against the notorious mercenary leader. As fears of a potential gang war mount between Wagner and the Russian military, several Russian Telegram channels are reposting the same message geared toward Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine, according to Samuel Bendett, an advisor at the Center for Naval Analyses. "Brothers! Everyone who holds a weapon at the line of contact - remember: your enemy is across from you, keep him at gunpoint, Moscow will sort this all out without us," the statement reads." There is nothing more important than Russia." Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin. Press service of "Concord"/Handout via REUTERS The Russian defense ministry, meanwhile, also attempted to refocus attention on the fight in Ukraine in a Friday Telegram post. "The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to carry out combat tasks on the line of contact with the [Armed Forces of Ukraine] in the area of the special military operation," the agency said, referring to the conflict in Ukraine. Fears that Prigozhin could try to win more Russian troops to his side are not entirely unfounded, according to Simon Miles, an assistant professor at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy and a historian of the Soviet Union and US-Soviet relations. "One thing which should worry the Kremlin is that [Prigozhin] has always been very popular with rank-and-file soldiers and junior officers in the military proper," Miles told Insider. "What does that do for command and control when the Ukrainians are probing along a wide front? Probably not good things." Multiple Russian generals took to Telegram on Friday to appeal directly to Wagner troops, including General Sergey Surovikin, who called on Wagner leadership to "stop their armored columns" and handle the dispute peacefully, according to a translation by Bendett. Another general invoked fears of a civil war in speaking to Wagner members: "There is no worse image for our country than what is happening now. We did not hit Wagner positions. This is stab in Russia's back," he said, per Bendett. Read the original article on Business Insider The occupiers announced an attack on a bridge near Chongar Russian forces attacked the area of the Antonivskyi bridge in Kherson in response to a Ukrainian strike on a bridge connecting Crimea and Kherson Oblast, Natalia Humeniuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian military's South Operational Command said on June 23. Humeniuk said the invaders were intensifying their shelling, causing terror on the right bank of Kherson Oblast. She also said tactical aviation was used during the night. Read also: Chonhar bridge attacks will impede Russian logistics expert opinion Humeniuk noted that the Russian attack on the Antonivskyi bridge area was somewhat unusual, as the invaders had previously focused on the Beryslav area. She described it as a form of revenge for the Chonhar bridge. Currently, ground conditions prevent the invaders from returning to their positions after the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. However, in some areas, they are utilizing private yards and the second floors of residential buildings as fire positions. Read also: Russian destruction of Kakhovka dam could deprive Crimean residents of drinking water, says Yermak Humeniuk mentioned that the water levels are gradually receding, albeit more slowly on the Russian-occupied left, or eastern bank of the Dnipro River. The situation in the liberated part of Kherson Oblast is relatively stable, but there are still flooded areas on the left bank. Read also: Russian invaders start panicking after strike on bridge to Crimea, says official Despite this, the enemy is attempting to reclaim the positions lost due to the high water and has intensified shelling. In the past day alone, there have been 91 recorded attacks. The bridge near the village of Chonhar on the administrative border between Kherson Oblast and occupied Crimea was reportedly attacked overnight on June 22, according to Sergey Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed head of the Crimean occupation authority. Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov responded to the bridge strike by simply stating, "to be continued." 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 Sacramento City Unified is renaming three local K-12 schools. Heres why and which ones Sacramento City Unified School District announced Friday it will be renaming three of its schools as part of its commitment to confront and interrupt racism by creating welcoming campus environments. The name changes, approved in a Thursday board meeting: Sutter Middle School will be renamed Miwok Middle School; Peter Burnett Elementary School will be renamed Suy:u Elementary School; and Kit Carson International Academy will be renamed Umoja International Academy. The process to rename the schools will begin this summer, meaning students will return in the fall to rebranded schools. In fall 2020, the district identified schools that were named after people who didnt support the districts values, and otherwise condoned racism, oppression, colonization and exclusion of others. Peter Burnett, John Sutter and Kit Carson led the systematic killing and enslavement of large numbers of California native peoples, the district said in a Friday news release. The new school names were recommended by the school renaming committee, which included one-third Native American voices, one-third administrators and staff, and one-third board-appointed community members. When deciding the new school names, the committee agreed to avoid renaming the school after a person. Below are the school names and their meanings, according to the Sacramento City Unified news release: Miwok Middle School Meaning: The name is an ode to the Miwok people who were inhabitants of the region when Europeans arrived to California. Address: 3150 I St. Suy:u Elementary Meaning: Suy:u (pronounced suu you) is the Miwok name for Hawk. Address: 6032 36th Ave. Umoja International Academy Meaning: Umoja is the first principle of Kwanzaa and means to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race. Address: 5301 N St. 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. Sensory Friendly Dance, a Sacramento program which holds specially-designed performances for neurodivergent children, has created an all-original ballet based on the legend of the Japanese Star Festival, Tanabata. Originating in Chinese legend, Tanabata is the story of Orihime and Hikoboshi, two star-crossed lovers who were separated by the Milky Way only destined to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month. When Alexandra Cunningham created Sensory Friendly Dance, she wanted to make the world of performing arts accessible to everyone, including those who may struggle to sit through a full-length theater production. The theater is a place for everybody and should welcome everyone, said Cunningham, a former dancer with the Sacramento Ballet. This years production of Tanabata The Story of Orihime & Hikoboshi, which will be performed Saturday afternoon at B Street Theater, embodies traditional Japanese culture combined with original choreography, handmade costumes and watercolor set designs. These are the creators behind it. Kaori Higashiyama Choreographer of Tanabata The Story of Orihime & Hikoboshi Kaori Higashiyama said this production is the biggest project shes taken on in her 10 years as a professional choreographer its also the first time someones transformed the legend of Tanabata into a ballet. This year Alex gave me the great opportunity to choreograph my own ballet, Higashiyama said. I thought that would be a great opportunity to showcase another, different culture to the audience. Higashiyama recruited dancers from Sacramento Ballets company and pre-professional ballet school to use in her performance. With just two weeks of rehearsals to teach them the choreography, Higashiyama said she didnt mind the rush because the whole process has been a joy. Some of the people were actually involved with Sensory Friendly Dance from the last few years, she said. Theyre my dancer friends. Sacramento Ballet dancer and choreographer Kaori Higashiyama watches ballet dancers perform during a dress rehearsal for a childrens ballet she choreographed called Tanabata, based on a Japanese fairytale she grew up with on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Higashiyama based her production on the legend of Tanabata, a Japanese holiday celebrated annually on July 7, in hopes that it would encourage audience members to attend the festival, which is just a couple of weeks after the performance. It was perfect timing, she said. When she performed in last years Peter Rabbit by Sensory Friendly Dance, Higashiyama said she enjoyed seeing the reactions of the children from the stage. She believed all kids should have access to the joys of dancing, the beauty of ballet and the overall theater experience. In her approach to the ballets choreography, Higashiyama said she is focusing less on technically-advanced ballet steps and more on animated movements that will make it easier for the children to follow. I try to make it simple enough that its easy enough for them to understand, she said. I just want to see a smile on their face and, if we can, inspire them to dance. Emi Mizuno Set designer of Tanabata The Story of Orihime & Hikoboshi Emi Mizuno, who has created set designs for Sacramento Ballets Nutcracker, said she hadnt planned on working this summer when Higashiyama invited her to create the sets for Tanabata. Mizuno said she agreed to help because she was eager to see the Japanese tale set on stage. This is maybe the first time this story was made into a ballet, Mizuno said. Ive never seen a ballet version of this story, so Im excited. Using a combination of black paper cutouts layered against a watercolor background, Mizuno created nine sets that would transport the ballet along a starry river. Mizuno found that the flowing look of the watercolor best illustrated the tales setting on the Milky Way. I dont do watercolor that much, so Im experimenting a lot, she said. Emi Mizuno, set designer for Sensory Friendly Dances Tanabata-- The Story of Orihime & Hikoboshi, combined her skills in paper cutouts with water color to create nine layered backgrounds for the ballet. Pictured above is a combination of four backgrounds scanned together, each representing one of the four seasons. This is Mizunos first time designing sets for Sensory Friendly Dance and said the adjustment in lighting for a sensory-friendly performance influenced her design approach. They said they couldnt turn off the lights to the audience, but that makes the room really bright, which makes it hard to see the background, Mizuno said. As the dancers perform on stage, the silhouette of their shadows becomes a lively part of the watercolor background. Since the house lights will be left on during the production normally turned off in a traditional theater setting Mizuno opted to use darker watercolors and adjust the position of the lighting to bring her set to life. Arts like ballet are often perceived as something reserved for older, more mature audiences, Mizuno said, and children who can be louder are often not allowed in that kind of space. Ballet is such a comprehensive art. Its a collaboration of dance, visual art, costume, music, lighting, storytelling pretty much all kinds of art except for literal words, Mizuno said. Ballet doesnt have words, but instead it speaks to our senses. Jaime Orrego Costume designer of Tanabata The Story of Orihime & Hikoboshi Jaime Orrego has been involved with Sensory Friendly Dance since its inaugural performance in 2017, both as a costume designer and a performer. This year, however, is the first time Orrego has created an entirely original, handmade costume set for Sensory Friendly Dance. I wanted to fuse a lot of Asian cultures which celebrate this holiday, Orrego said, adding that his goal was to incorporate both the Chinese and Japanese cultures. Orrego consulted with Higashiyama, who also has experience in costume design, to understand her vision for the potential colors, fabrics and designs in the productions wardrobe. The cows character, Orrego said, would include a kimono-samurai look, but still represent cow features, with ears, hoofs and a tail. Sacramento Ballet dancer and choreographer Kaori Higashiyama thanks ballet dancers after a dress rehearsal for a childrens ballet she choreographed called Tanabata, based on a Japanese fairytale she grew up with on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. At right is dancer Jaime Orrego who plays the father figure in the ballet. He avoided traditional spandex and other stretch material normally seen in ballet costumes and instead utilized cotton and baroque. Its more like everyday wear, with a lot of different prints that have the feel for water or spring and nature, Orrego said. A lot of painted material. Orrego handmade a total of 12 to 13 costumes, spending around 12 hours on two costumes at a time. Not only is he the designated costume designer, but also plays the role of the Father in the performance. Whenever were done with rehearsals I go back and continue working until I cant see anymore, he said. The city of Sacramento has terminated a fire captain for allegedly working on his real estate business, and frequent trips to gyms while on the clock. On several occasions, Sean Dail was late to emergency hazmat situations because he was driving from his Rocklin home when he was supposed to be at his Sacramento office, according to a March 22 termination letter from Fire Chief Chris Costamagna. Dail, who is appealing the termination, said he believes he was fired as retaliation for reporting a racist action by another then-captain who was favored by the chief. He says he worked from home because the city did not give him a workable office. On Feb. 25, 2022, Dail was dispatched to deal with a carbon monoxide leak at an apartment in North Sacramentos Hagginwood neighborhood. One adult, two children and a baby were breathing in carbon monoxide from a wall heater, causing them to go to the hospital. When the call came in, the termination letter stated that Dail was supposed to be at work in the city limits, but he was at home in Rocklin. He took 38 minutes to arrive. A similar incident happened on Sept. 29, 2021, when Dail took 42 minutes to respond to a call at 3rd and I streets, driving over 90 miles per hour from his Rocklin house, the letter stated. If he had driven from the office, he would have needed 14 minutes. Failure to be in the city limits, or at a city work location, such as your office at McClellan Park, and driving speeds at more than 90 miles per hour caused increased liability to the city, unnecessary risk to the public, and potentially delayed the mitigation of a hazmat incident, stated the letter, which The Sacramento Bee obtained from a California Public Records Act request. Dail said he worked at his Rocklin home with permission because the city did not have an office for him for over a month when the department was moving his division from one office to another during the COVID pandemic. When the city did provide the office at McClellan Park, it was an old garage that lacked Internet or temperature controls, he said. It was a very difficult place to work in, Dail said. $89,000 in taxpayer dollars lost Dail had been a firefighter with the department since 2000, the letter stated. In 2006 he was promoted to fire engineer and in 2016 he was promoted to fire captain. In 2017 he was appointed to the position of Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) fire captain in the special operations division. Dail received total compensation last year of $164,297. As a hazmat fire captain, Dail was supposed to work Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and always report in person, the letter stated. His request to work remotely was denied. But he rarely worked a full day. From April 2021 to April 2022, he worked only 44% of his scheduled time, according to GPS data on his city vehicle, the letter stated. That equaled a loss of $89,000 to the city. Dail said he did not commit timecard fraud because he was working from home during the hours the letter marked him as not working. The investigation that resulted in Dails termination started in 2021, when Shawn Wolf, another captain at the time, told supervisors that Dail was inappropriately using his city vehicle for his real estate business. The termination letter stated Dail obtained a real estate license in 2019 for the real estate company he and his wife run, but failed to submit a Supplemental Employment Request. Dail said he only got the license to sell his own home, and the homes he visited during work hours were not his listings. While the city investigation was ongoing, Dail was on paid leave. For more than a dozen days, Dail was paid for a full 10-hour day of work even though he worked zero, the letter stated. On one day in 2021, Dail visited two different Rocklin gyms, a medical facility and Econome Family Fun Park in Folsom. That day he was paid for 10 hours of work but worked none. On June 24, 2021, he was only in the city limits for about 45 minutes of his 10-hour shift, the letter stated. During an interview with investigators, Dail said he considered workout time at the gym part of the paid workday, although the Local 522 fire union contract does not allow it, the letter stated. Dail told The Bee that during COVID he would sometimes go to the patio of a gym to work there, not to work out. On July 20, 2021, Dail called out sick, but then traveled to Body Heat Hot Pilates and Yoga in Rocklin, and two Granite Bay houses associated with his real estate business, the letter stated. The letter also alleges fraudulent overtime collection and unauthorized vacation days. Dail collected 14 hours of overtime to respond to a hazardous material spill on Nov. 20, 2021. However that included six hours he was at home not working. In 2021, Dail traveled to the Dominican Republic and Hawaii without submitting it to the system to take vacation days, the letter stated. Dail said he told his supervisor about the vacation and the supervisor was supposed to put it into the system. Dail violated the Rules and Regulations of the Civil Service Board that relate to insubordination, dishonesty, inexcusable absence without leave, and willful disobedience, the letter stated. City Manager Howard Chan approved the termination letter April 9 with his signature. Fired captains retaliation accusation Dail has appealed the discipline and an arbitration hearing is scheduled for January, city spokesman Tim Swanson said. If Dail is successful in the January arbitration hearing, he could get his job back. I feel this is retaliation and I look forward to presenting my case that these allegations are severely misconstrued, Dail said. Dail contends that the investigation that resulted in his termination started after he reported to his supervisors that Wolf, the captain whose complaint triggered the investigation, was buying firearms illegally by using ID cards intended only for police officers. He also alleged Wolf had kicked the helmet of an Asian American female firefighter while it was on the ground during a call. The reason I am writing this memo is because I believe in equality to all, for the minorities who come into the fire department now appear to be treated in a different manner, Dail wrote in a Nov. 1, 2022, email to then-battalion chief Pat Costamagna, his supervisor at the time, and the chiefs brother. I have two daughters, who are Asian. Will they be treated differently for their sex or race than the white male firefighters if they become Sacramento Fire Department firefighters? Wolf is no longer a city employee, and his last day was June 2, Swanson said. He declined to say whether he was fired or quit, because he said the city does not comment on personnel matters. Wolf was promoted to battalion chief in January 2022, according to a fire department tweet. Wolf did not respond to messages seeking comment for this story. The alleged helmet kick is also referenced in a lawsuit battalion chief Jonathan Burgess filed in February. That lawsuit alleged a culture that protects refuses to promote people of color, and protects white employees despite wrongdoing. It was the latest in a string of similar accusations against department leaders in recent months. a rocky peanut-shaped asteroid in space An infamous "space peanut" is fittingly salty: Tiny salt crystals have been found in a peanut-shaped asteroid, implying that the largest body of space rocks in the solar system may be richer in water than astronomers thought. The sodium chloride crystals, which only could have formed in the presence of water, were discovered in the sample of asteroid Itokawa that was returned to Earth by Japan's Hayabusa mission back in 2010. Scientists have long theorized that asteroids were one of the primary delivery methods of water, a vital ingredient for life, to our planet in its infancy. The team behind the discovery of the salt crystals said the find is interesting because Itokawa is an "S-type" asteroid , a type of space rock previously hypothesized to lack hydrated or water-bearing minerals. The finding suggests that a large group of asteroids orbiting the sun aren't as dry as scientists thought and that most, if not all, of Earth's water arrived via asteroid bombardment during the planet's violent early history. Related: Water found in tiny dust particles from asteroid Itokawa "The grains look exactly like what you would see if you took table salt at home and placed it under an electron microscope," Tom Zega, a professor of planetary sciences at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and senior author of a new paper describing the discovery, said in a statement . "They're these nice, square crystals. It was funny, too, because we had many spirited group meeting conversations about them because it was just so unreal." The team made the discovery by analyzing an Itokawa sample less than twice the width of a human hair collected by Hayabusa in 2005. From this tiny piece of space rock, the team extracted an even smaller sample about the size of a yeast cell. It is the first time researchers have confirmed the presence of salt crystals that originated on the parent body of Itokawa and ruled out the possibility that they are the result of contamination, a problem that has plagued previous studies claiming to have found salt in meteorites of similar origins. By comparing before-and-after images of the sample, the team determined that the asteroid was unchanged during its time in storage, thereby ruling out the chance that it acquired the salt during this time. "The terrestrial samples did not contain any sodium chloride, so that convinced us the salt in our sample is native to the asteroid Itokawa," said Shaofan Che, a postdoctoral fellow at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and lead author of the study. "We ruled out every possible source of contamination." a black and white photo of a rocky asteroid Water, water everywhere Samples from Itokawa are representative of a type of space rock called "ordinary chondrites," which come from S-type asteroids such as Itokawa. Ordinary chondrites make up almost 90% of meteorites discovered on Earth, but it is rare to find water-bearing minerals within them. "It has long been thought that ordinary chondrites are an unlikely source of water on Earth," Zega said. "Our discovery of sodium chloride tells us this asteroid population could harbor much more water than we thought." Most scientists agree that the solar nebula the disk of gas and dust that surrounded the sun around 4.5 billion years ago, when the solar system planets were born was too warm for Earth to contain water vapor that could condense from gas. 'In other words, the water here on Earth had to be delivered from the outer reaches of the solar nebula, where temperatures were much colder and allowed water to exist, most likely in the form of ice," Che said. "The most likely scenario is that comets or another type of asteroid known as C-type asteroids, which resided farther out in the solar nebula, migrated inward and delivered their watery cargo by impacting the young Earth." The presence of water in this other family of asteroids via ordinary chondrites means that Earth might have gotten its water from much closer to the sun than previously thought. "You need a large enough rock to survive entry and deliver that water," Zega said. "If it now turns out that the most common asteroids may be much 'wetter' than we thought, that will make the water delivery hypothesis by asteroids even more plausible." Did Itokawa have a water parent? Itokawa, which is about 2,000 feet long and 750 feet wide (610 by 229 meters), is thought to have broken off of a much larger parent body, and the team thinks frozen water and frozen hydrogen chloride may have accumulated in that object. The naturally occurring decay of radioactive elements in Itokawa's parent asteroid and frequent bombardment by meteors during the solar system's violent early era could have supplied enough heat to sustain hydrothermal processes involving liquid water, the researchers said. "Once these ingredients come together to form asteroids, there is a potential for liquid water to form," Zega said. "And once you have liquids form, you can think of them as occupying cavities in the asteroid and potentially do water chemistry." This bombardment would eventually break this larger body into smaller fragments, thus creating Itokawa, the team said. Related stories: Earth's earliest water may have come from solar wind and space rocks Where did Earth get its water? It was sucked up from space, new theory says No asteroid impacts needed: Newborn Earth made its own water, study suggests The scientists found a sodium-rich silicate mineral called plagioclase in the sample, suggesting that the salt crystal within Itokawa has been present since the early days of the solar system, when it was part of a larger body. "When we see such alteration veins in terrestrial samples, we know they formed by aqueous alteration, which means it must involve water," Che said. "The fact that we see that texture associated with sodium and chlorine is another strong piece of evidence that this happened on the asteroid as water was coursing through this sodium-bearing silicate." Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, speaks at an election night event for Republican candidates at the Utah Association of Realtors building in Sandy on Nov. 3, 2020. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Ahead of this Saturdays Utah Republican Party convention to select a nominee to run for retiring Rep. Chris Stewarts 2nd Congressional District seat, several experts including former congressman Jason Chaffetz weighed in on the race. The convention will feature 12 Republican candidates, eight of whom are relying completely on the convention process and their ability to woo the districts almost 1,000 delegates. The rest of the candidates will both participate in the convention and try to gather 7,000 signatures by July 5 to make it on the primary ballot. Candidates running for the Republican ticket include former Utah House Speaker and candidate for governor Greg Hughes, former state lawmaker and U.S. Senate candidate Becky Edwards, Stewarts chief legal counsel Celeste Maloy, who he endorsed, and Utah Republican Party Vice Chairman Jordan Hess. Coming only 25 days after news first broke that Stewart would be resigning, the Utah GOPs convention system will likely play an outsized role in determining who is on the ballot for the Sept. 5 special primary election and Nov. 21 special general election. And with such abrupt time constraints placed on the Republican candidates, it could be that the race to replace Stewart will be decided before the week is over. Convention vs. primary According to Jason Perry, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, a candidates choice to gather signatures is a message in itself to convention delegates. The convention process is viewed as the party-loyal route, with many delegates seeing a reliance on signature gathering as an immediate disqualification, Perry said. This might explain why more conservative candidates, like Hughes, are relying fully on the convention process, while more moderate candidates, like Edwards, are making a big push to gather signatures and force a primary election. This approach was highlighted in 2017, the last time Utah Republican voters participated in a special election to replace outgoing congressman Chaffetz, who represented Utahs 3rd District. In that years special GOP convention, Rep. John Curtis came in fifth in the first round of voting and was eliminated before the final round. However, Curtis had gathered enough signatures to participate in the primary election, where he beat his nearest competitor by 10%. However, Chaffetz believes it is unlikely a convention workaround will help any moderate candidates this year. I dont think Becky Edwards has even an ounce of a chance, Chaffetz said in a phone call with the Deseret News. Greg Hughes is certainly a well-known voice. I would assume that hes the odds-on favorite, but you never know in special elections. Perry also said Hughes likely carries an advantage coming into Saturdays convention, having formed a relationship with many of the delegates during past campaigns and having a strong name ID as a longtime state lawmaker. But Perry, as did BYU professor Kelly Patterson and Chaffetz, emphasized that Stewarts endorsement of his chief legal counsel Celeste Maloy should not be overlooked and could have an impact on delegates perception of her, despite being relatively unknown. Other candidates to watch for, according to Perry, are Kathleen Anderson and Bruce Hough, the former having worked within and adjacent to the Utah Republican Party for several years and the latter serving on the Republican National Committee as well as having personal wealth to draw on for a signature-gathering campaign. The fact remains, however, that Republican candidates favored by the convention are often very different from those that succeed in the primary. Its just a different set of messages that matter to delegates than it does to your average Republican primary voter, said Patterson, who is also a senior scholar at the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at BYU. Convention delegates tend to be wealthier, more educated and more ideologically conservative, Patterson said. Thats one of the tensions that our electoral system here in Utah produces people have an eye on the convention, but also an eye on the primary and what you say to get you through the convention may not be as popular in a primary. A Republicans race to lose? Although several parties will be on the ballot this fall, special attention will be given to the GOP convention because of the nature of the open seat in 2022, Stewart beat his Democratic challenger for reelection 60% to 34%, and in 2020 Trump won the district, which has a partisan voting index of +11 for Republicans, by similar margins. I dont think theres any doubt itll be a Republican who wins the general election in November, said Patterson. A total of 22 candidates filed with the lieutenant governors office to enter the race before the June 14 deadline, including 13 Republicans (one of whom Remy Bubba Kush did not file with the Utah GOP and so cannot participate in the convention), three Democrats and six others who are running as members of the United Utah, Libertarian or Constitution parties or are unaffiliated. Each party-affiliated candidate is required to pass through an official convention process, according to Utah law. The Utah Democratic Party will hold a virtual nominating convention on June 28. Before a ranked-choice vote is taken, the three Democratic candidates, which include Utah state Sen. Kathleen Riebe, will be given the opportunity to speak before the districts 600 delegates over video call. The Constitution Party of Utah will hold its nominating convention on July 1, the United Utah Party on June 27 and the Utah Libertarian Party on June 24, the same day as the Utah GOPs nominating convention. Unaffiliated candidates must gather 300 signatures from registered voters, in addition to declaring candidacy during the filing period, to make it to the general election a low bar, but one that signals the value of having a party endorsement next to ones name. State statute requires that no more than one nominee emerge from party conventions in a special election, while in a normal election year two candidates may advance to a primary if neither secures more than 60% of delegate votes, according to Utah Republican Party Chairman Rob Axson. This is a common occurrence in 2022, Reps. Blake Moore of Utahs 1st Congressional District and Curtis both came in second place in the nominating convention but were then able to advance from the convention to the primary and general elections where they won handily. Several Republican candidates have said they will not try to gather signatures and are pinning their hopes on winning at the convention. Eight of them have put their fates entirely in the hands of these delegates, and only one will survive the weekend, said Perry. So a lot is riding on this weekend and a lot is riding on whether or not these other candidates can in fact get their signatures in time. Perry added that if no candidate is able to gather a sufficient number of signatures to be placed on the primary ballot before the July 5 deadline, then the winner of Saturdays convention will advance unopposed to the general election. And reaching the signature threshold will be no easy task, Patterson said, explaining how signature gathering adds immensely to the already expensive and time consuming process of staffing and planning a campaign. 7,000 signatures implies the ability to grab a whole bunch of volunteers and get them out working with as many people as those volunteers possibly know to gather the signatures or to have enough money on hand, or to raise enough money quickly, so that you could hire a signature gatherer, he said. To succeed in such a short time frame candidates will either need significant rapport with the delegates or the resources to gather thousands of signatures in a matter of weeks, turning the process into even more of what might be called an inside game, Patterson said, favoring those with a long history in state politics and a deep pocketbook. But an inside game, with an emphasis on delegate choice, is exactly how its supposed to be, according to party chair Axson. Thats the benefit of having delegates and the benefit of the caucus convention system. This is the Republican nominee and we have our process that is fair and transparent and available to any candidate, he said. Other Republican candidates include: R. Quin Denning, the founder of Denning Construction and Impact Mobile Apps who ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Utah House of Representatives in 2022. Henry Christian Eyring, an assistant professor of business administration at Duke University and grandson of President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scott Allen Hatfield, a control point operator at the Utah Department of Corrections and a Master of Public Administration student at Utah Valley University. Bill Hoster, the mayor of Leeds, Washington County. Ty Jensen, a self-described political commentator who ran for Stewarts seat in 2020 and ran as a write-in candidate in the 2018 Senate election. Scott Reber, a real estate business owner who has spent 10 years working in Washington, D.C., as a policy adviser. Saturdays Republican convention will be held at Delta High School. You can read our coverage of Tuesdays debate here and Thursdays debate here. If there are candidates who meet the signature-gathering requirement, a special primary election will be held Sept. 5, and the special general election will be held Nov. 21. Schools say election guidance is outdated and ambiguous. Will WA make changes? When does informative turn into persuasive? Washington school districts want to know. After a pair of investigations found that school districts in Kennewick and Burien violated campaign laws to influence local elections, educators are asking the Washington Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) to clarify its guidance around communicating fact-based information. On Thursday, before the PDCs four appointed commissioners, school district administrators and representatives from the Washington School Public Relations Association shared their concerns. School communicators want to comply with the law, but it is exceedingly difficult to apply guidance that is nearly 20 years old to todays communications practices, said Catherine Carbone Rogers, chief communications officer at Highline Public Schools. We welcome less-subjective, more-clear guidance and we ask that it reasonably allow us to communicate our students needs and the school boards reason for placing a ballot measure on the ballot before voters, she added. Washington state law allows school districts to make objective and fair representations of facts about ballot propositions specifically levies, which are passed to fund programs, and bonds, which fund new construction during election season. But it also prohibits the use of taxpayer-funded facilities to promote or oppose such measures. As communities change how they consume information, and as districts pivot to more frequent and digital methods of communication, especially as a result of the COVID pandemic, administrators say theyre having a tougher time gauging where to draw the line. PDC Chair Fred Jarrett said it would be worthwhile to review the PDC guidance, even though he feels its still sound and can be applied to the way districts work today. I dont think that the rules have really changed from 1972 to today on what is permissible. What has changed is the way that we do communicate, and the frequency and techniques, Jarrett said. But Robyn Chastain, Kennewick School Districts executive director of communications and public relations, called the current guidance outdated and ambiguous. Levies and bonds are crucial funding channels for school districts across our state. In a fast growing area like Kennewick, we have run nine ballot measures over the last 10 years, including educational programs and operations levies, technology levies and capital project bonds, she told commissioners. PDC cases opened The PDC is the Washington agency that interprets and enforces state campaign finance and disclosure laws. In the past 17 months, 15 complaints have been filed with the PDC against school districts alleging violation of Washingtons laws on prohibiting use of public facilities for proposition support. Most cases were closed without evidence or with a reminder notice. But both Kennewick School District and Highline Public Schools in Burien were fined $600 in recent months for what appears to be more egregious violations. On Oct. 28, the PDC opened up a case into a complaint Philip Mattern filed over a mailer he received and he alleged advertised support for an upcoming bond to rebuild two high schools and a middle school within Highline Public Schoolss boundaries. While PDC compliance officers found the mailer didnt break state law, they found the districts other promotional communications included language from students and staff in support of the proposal. Some of the informational material put out by the Kennewick School District during the Feb. 14 levy election is being scrutinized by the Washington Public Disclosure Commission after Kennewick resident John Trumbo submitted a complaint that the material broke state law by attempting to influence the election. Highline also distributed additional information about voting tips, ballot information and drop box locations in excess of what they would normally give in a non-election year. On Feb. 23, the PDC opened up a case on the Kennewick School District over similar alleged violations. PDC investigators found that Kennewicks communications contained language that promoted passage of the levy in advertisements, mailers, website and on its social media platforms. Neither district explicitly told voters in published communications to vote yes for their proposition. And district leaders from both say they were unaware they were breaking Washington state law when they published their material. If I had had a better, clearer understanding of how the law would be interpreted, I would have applied greater scrutiny to some of those messages, Carbone Rogers said. Frequency a factor The two school districts frequency of communication about their respective proposals also came under fire. Highline published three times as many social media posts about elections in 2022 as it did in 2019. And in the weeks leading up to the vote, roughly 40% of posts were about the bond. Meanwhile, Kennewick bought 500 radio spots and 1,313 television spots across 11 different stations in the 43 days leading up to the February special election, and it made 19 unique posts, some including videos, about the levy on its social media accounts. The PDC allows districts to communicate information about a ballot proposition, so long as it is within its normal and regular frequency of communications. The agency does not view marketing and sales efforts during campaign elections as normal and regular, and it only allows administrators to publish and distribute one district-wide publication. Paper fliers and a mailer are not adequate to appropriately inform and educate our community about important district information, including ballot measures, Chastain said. John Trumbo, the complainant in the Kennewick case, who also separately serves on the city council, says he was unofficially informed Kennewick spent roughly $100,000 about $43 per vote in support to get the word out about its levy. The state should not loosen their regulation, he argues. KSDs six-figure expenditure is both shocking and should not be rewarded with a modification of the RCW or guidelines that opens the taxpayers purse without their knowledge, Trumbo said in a statement to commissioners. Some smaller school districts also struggle with getting information out in multiple languages. Ed Petersen, director of public relations and communications at the 4,700-student Othello School District, said they serve families who not only speak English and Spanish, but also Latin indigenous languages like Mixtec. In my district, in particular, we have no local media. We dont have television. We dont have radio. We dont have a local newspaper anymore, Petersen said. HENDERSONVILLE - The newest trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains churns out tasty adventure on a daily basis. Chill-seekers follow the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail to 12 locations serving homemade and brand-name ice creams, frozen custards, frozen yogurts, banana splits, milkshakes and sundaes, as well as authentic Mexican sorbets and paletas (ice pops). Piggy's Ice Cream is located at 102 Duncan Hill Road in Henersonville. The idea for the trail, which debuted June 1, came about by chance when ice cream was served during a countywide tourism meeting in 2022 and tourism director Michelle Owens pointed out the abundance of ice cream available in Henderson County. Later, almost on a whim, she presented an ice cream trail concept to focus groups, and the response was off the charts. Some of the best things in life are happenstance, Owens says. Nothing is universally loved, but ice cream is about as close as it gets. The timing is also serendipitous because the state legislature officially declared 2023 the Year of the Trail in North Carolina. Celtic Creamery in Hendersonville is part of the Ice Cream Trail that debuted on June 1. Year of the Trail celebrates all the outdoor trails prevalent in our area, but the Ice Cream Trail is the one youll want to get on after completing the others, Owens says. Who hasnt earned the right to enjoy a scoop of ice cream after a long hike, trail ride or paddle? Or two scoops? Several trail locations make ice cream from scratch, including McConnell Farms. Owners Danny and Kathryn McConnell began in 1999 by producing strawberry ice cream with an antique hit-and-miss engine attached to a 20-quart Amish freezer. The McConnells have since attended four ice cream schools and significantly upgraded their equipment and output. We have a high butterfat recipe, and it is very decadent, Danny McConnell says. We use the best ingredients that we can find. Our mixer turns slower, putting less air into the product and making it denser. McConnell Farms generally carries 14 flavors made with fruit and other items from the farm, like cherries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, figs, honey and ginger. Danny is also known for concocting unusual combinations like rum raisin, blackberry chocolate chip and fig mascarpone. Piggys Ice Cream is the granddaddy of Hendersonvilles ice cream scene. Harry Thompson and wife, Sallie (nicknamed Piggy), opened it in 1979. Its now run by their son Jeff Thompson, who has been the backbone of the establishment for the past 44 years. Piggys serves 24 to 30 flavors daily. Tried-and-true flavors are supplied by Mayfield, and the fancier flavors come from Blue Bell. Baabals has the largest daily selection of ice cream on the trail with 36 flavors, along with 40 flavors of milkshakes. Sundaes, banana splits, floats and homemade desserts are also specialties. Celtic Creamery dishes out extra-thick Irish-style ice cream. Everything is made fresh in-house, including waffle cones. The Hogan family regularly visits Ballybunion, Ireland, where they fell in love with McCarthys Ice Cream and worked with owner Joanna McCarthy to duplicate her recipes amazing texture and taste in Hendersonville. Celtic Creamery also has freshly cooked mini donuts sprinkled with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. Other trail highlights include warm, fresh waffle cones made daily at Luv Ice Cream, paletas and chamoyadas at both El Rio Ice Cream and La Vida Loca Ice Cream, and the Redheaded Monkey Shake at Karolina Kremes. Named for owner Lee Spearman, the shake includes peanut butter, banana, and chocolate ice creams and is topped with a cherry. The trail highlights mainly local shops, sprinkled with iconic stores that visitors look for, Owens says. Because there are stops on Main Street, out at farms and everywhere in between, the experience takes you beyond ice cream to all thats great in Hendersonville and Henderson County. For more info on the Hendersonville Ice Cream Trail, call (828) 693-9708, or go online to https://visithendersonvillenc.org/ice-cream-trail. Leah Hughes King is the public relations representative for Visit Hendersonville NC This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Scoop there it is: Hendersonville's Ice Cream Trail debuts (Photo : FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/GettyImages) The Vatican will release evidence regarding the 1983 disappearance of 15-year-old Emanuela Orlandi as there could be new leads to warrant further investigation of the case. The Vatican will release evidence that could provide new leads into the 1983 disappearance of 15-year-old Emanuela Orlandi, four decades since the daughter of an employee mysteriously vanished. On Thursday, the Vatican will hand over the evidence to the Rome city prosecutor, who will investigate the disappearance case of the daughter of a prominent Vatican employee. Orlandi was known to have lived within the walls of the holy city and vanished while on her way home from a music lesson in central Rome in 1983. The 1983 Disappearance of a 15-Year-Old Vatican Girl Over the years following the incident, the Vatican faced scrutiny over handling the missing person case. In January, authorities announced they had opened a new investigation into Orlandi's disappearance. The Vatican released a statement on Thursday saying that the office of Alessandro Diddi, the promoter of justice, has already collected all the evidence available in the various institutions of the city and the Holy See. As per CNN, this came as he was also seeking evidence through conversations with the people in charge of certain officers at the time of the incident. Diddi added that through the Vatican press office, he was able to find some investigatory leads that could merit further investigation of the disappearance case. His office, therefore, will send relevant evidence regarding the matter to the Prosecutor of Rome, who will review the documents and proceed with whatever he deems appropriate. It needed to be made clear what the documents Diddi talked about referred to, whether they were new or old from the archives. The development on Thursday marks the first time the Vatican publicly released documents to Italian authorities regarding a case. Furthermore, the statement suggests that the Vatican's investigation into the matter was now complete. Diddi still pledged that he would continue his activities in this direction in the coming months while remaining aware of the suffering that any person feels for the disappearance of a relative. Read Also: Crypto FugitiveDo Kwon Sentenced for Forging Travel Documents Moving Forward With the Investigation In the decades since Orlandi's disappearance, Rome was captivated by the case, and focus on it was reinvigorated last year after Netflix released a four-part documentary titled "Vatican Girl." It revealed that a high-ranking Vatican cleric faced accusations of making sexual advances toward the teenager only a week before she disappeared, according to the New York Post. The missing girl's father worked as an usher for the papacy when the incident occurred. Orlandi's brother, Pietro, further pushed the allegations in April by playing an audio tape on national television by an alleged gangster who said girls were brought into the Vatican to be molested. That particular source added that the pope, John Paull II, knew the situation at the time. Giuseppe Pignatone, the previous chief prosecutor of Rome who was the one that archived the Orlandi case within the Italian legal system, is now the chief judge of the Vatican's criminal tribunal. For the last four decades, Pietro fought to find out what happened to his sister and is now planning a sit-in protest on Sunday near the Vatican, said CBS News. Related Article: Singaporean Worker Fatally Electrocuted While Installing Solar Panel @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The defense rested Friday in the trial of former Parkland, Florida, school resource officer Scot Peterson without calling him to the stand. Closing arguments are scheduled for 9:15 a.m. Monday. Peterson is charged with eleven counts, including seven of child neglect and three of culpable negligence for his alleged inaction to stop the gunman in a building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. Peterson also faces one count of perjury for allegedly lying to investigators about the number of gunshots he heard after arriving at the scene of the shooting, according to prosecutors. Peterson pleaded not guilty to the charges. Closing arguments are set for 9:15 a.m. Monday. On Friday, during the second full day of defense witness testimony, Broward County Sheriffs Deputy Arthur Perry testified he responded to the school and remained outside the building where the shooting happened. He told the jury he did not find out the details about the shooting until hours after the massacre. I didnt learn there was a shooter with victims inside the 1200 building until about 7 p.m. that night when I looked on FOX News on my phone because there was no communication telling us what was going on, Perry testified. Deputy Perry said he never heard information on his radio from other officers at the scene. After the fact, we learned that hey, weve got one crime scene, one incident, we have two different agencies running two different operations that arent communicating with each other and have two different sets of intelligence. It was a total failure on both agencies, he testified. Peterson insists he did not enter the building where the shooting happened because he could not tell exactly where the gunshots were coming from. No victims were represented in court Friday during the final day of testimony. Petersons attorney contended the former officer did his best to protect students during a chaotic and confusing shooting. Defense attorney Mark Eiglarsh said Friday the trial is going very well. I am glad the world is getting to know what weve known for five years, he said. The scene at the school was chaotic and my client did his best to secure it. Hundreds of people were there and were confused about where the shots were coming from. The case highlights the expectations for officers responding to active shooters as the country faces a seemingly endless scourge of gun violence, with schools such as those in Parkland; Uvalde, Texas; and Newtown, Connecticut, etched in public memory as the scenes of some of the most devastating massacres. Peterson, who retired as criticism of his alleged failure mounted, has maintained he did nothing wrong. Peterson has said he didnt enter the unfolding scene of carnage because he couldnt tell where the gunshots were coming from. Prosecutors rested their case Wednesday, saying Peterson stayed outside the building at the high school while 17 people were killed and 17 others were wounded. They say Peterson, who was the first officer on the scene, failed to follow his active-shooter training to minimize casualties during the six-minute attack. He did not enter the building as shots were fired, according to surveillance video. The shooter, Nikolas Cruz, pleaded guilty to 17 counts of murder and 17 counts of attempted murder and was sentenced last year to life in prison without the possibility of parole after a jury declined to unanimously recommend the death penalty. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A few weeks ago, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was campaigning in Illinois when he wanted to let voters there know how popular he was back home and also take a few swipes at the blue state he was visiting. So he told Illinois Republicans that his re-election margin of victory was so big in some of Floridas rural counties that it reminded him of the stories hed heard about Chicago, saying: I just assumed it was dead people voting or something. Presumably, the line got a good laugh from the crowd in Peoria. What DeSantis didnt tell the crowd was that, just a few months earlier, it was residents in Florida not Illinois whod admitted to casting illegal ballots. And not just any residents, but residents in the rural parts of Florida where the governor had said hed done so well. Four residents of The Villages were charged with voting twice in the 2020 election and later admitted guilt. Yet if you think DeSantis who has claimed that combating voter fraud is a top priority for him made sure Florida threw the book at those Villages residents, think again. The Villagers werent sent to prison. They werent even sent to trial. Instead, they were offered deals that allowed them to avoid a conviction as long as they entered a pre-trial intervention program that involved community service. And, as it turns out, even the community service was optional for some who wanted to buy out their community-service hours at a cost of $10 per hour. So to recap what we have so far: DeSantis jokes about voter fraud in Chicago while actual voter fraud took place under his watch in his own state in the counties where he noted he does so well and where the admitted culprits were allowed to go on their merry way. But the story doesnt end there. Because DeSantis newly created election police force is going aggressively after other people including some in dark blue, urban counties who were given cards by state officials telling them it was OK to vote. One of them is Orlando resident Peter Washington. Washington was convicted of a sex crime in 1996 that originally netted him a probationary sentence. He has since tried to reform his life and was even worked to become a minister. He thought Floridas new law restoring voting rights to former felons covered him. So he asked for permission to vote and the state gave him a voting ID. The governors new elections squad, however, says the ID never shouldve been given, since Washingtons 27-year-old crime was a felony sex offense. So they charged him with voting fraud. Washington lost his job after the governor made a big show about his arrest and 19 others. Washingtons lawyer got the charge dismissed after arguing the state was improperly prosecuting him. But the state is appealing the ruling, trying to pursue a felony voting charge, punishable by $5,000 and up to 5 years in prison. Maybe youre inclined to say: Fair enough. Except heres where the story takes yet another turn. Because the state didnt seek fines or prison time for other people caught doing the same thing as Washington when those voters live in rural, conservative counties anyway. As the Sentinels Christopher Cann recently reported, GOP State Attorney Bill Gladson the same prosecutor for Marion and Sumter counties who approved deals for the Villages residents who voted twice also decided not to prosecute other residents accused of doing what Washington did in voting when they werent supposed to as former felons. Instead, Gladsons office said the former sex offenders in his neck of the woods who improperly voted deserved a pass because The individuals were mistakenly issued registration cards. A letter from his office went on to say the accused were led to believe they could legally vote in the election and that The evidence fails to show willful actions on a part of these individuals. Therefore, the State is unable to file charges. You can make a good-faith argument that Gladson is absolutely right. Why would the state prosecute people who asked for and were granted permission to vote? More importantly, though, why wouldnt the state treat all former felons who were mistakenly given the go-ahead to vote the same way? Yet the state gave those former sex offenders in rural Florida a break while its still going after Washington in Orlando. Theres no equal protection here, said Washingtons attorney, Roger Weeden. Its disparate treatment. Hes right. And if you look at all the cases above, its inarguable that the state of Florida handles allegations of voter fraud very differently depending upon who casts the ballots and where. Some are prosecuted by sympathetic local prosecutors. Others by zealous statewide ones. So now lets put this all together and what do we have? The governor says hes committed to rooting out voting fraud even though some of the people in his state get off with wrist slaps while others are let off altogether while others in Democratic strongholds are still being targeted. But sure, Illinois is the punchline when it comes to voting fraud. ------- At first, news that a submersible had gone missing during a voyage to the Titanic wreckage site ignited a wave of shock and concern. The five people on board, now presumed dead, faced a dwindling oxygen supply and a harsh and unforgiving environment deep underwater. But as more details emerged about the wealth of those on board, the known concerns with the Titan submersible and comments from the CEO that seemed to disregard safety empathy gave way to crass humor, with memes mocking the victims appearing across platforms including Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. Its crazy to think we might only have another 30 hours or so of being able to make fun of the people on the submarine, said one TikTok user in a video uploaded Tuesday that has 1.4 million views, an apparent reference to the hours of oxygen the passengers had left. Many of the 1,000 or so commenters also made jokes about the voyage. The user did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Research has shown that many use humor and memes to cope with tragedy. But as jokes surrounding the missing vessel circulated online, some said they felt the dark humor was ill-timed and in poor taste, given that the rescue operation was ongoing. Then on Thursday afternoon, the U.S. Coast Guard said debris from the vehicle had been discovered and was consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel." All on board are believed to be dead. David Pogue, a CBS News journalist who attended a Titan expedition last year, said he saw horrible memes after the Titan news broke. Obviously, when it comes to what we know now, joking is inappropriate and a little bit sick, Pogue said. Five people died. They had spouses, they had families. Its really sad. Jessica Myrick, a Pennsylvania State University professor who studies the psychology of media use, suggested that the reaction to the missing submersible could be driven by schadenfreude, or pleasure derived from a disliked persons or groups pain. We feel it even more strongly when we think the people involved deserved what they got, Myrick, who co-wrote a 2021 study about Covid-related memes, said in an email. With the Titan, Myrick said, "the specifics of rich people taking a dangerous voyage in what looks like a tin can just for fun and just because they could also likely evokes some schadenfreude from people who could never afford to do that and probably wouldnt do it even if they could afford it." A trip on the Titan costs each passenger $250,000, limiting the experience to those wealthy enough to pay for it. But despite this hefty fee, some elements of the submersible were jerry-built, as Pogue described, noting that it seemed like the company, OceanGate Expeditions, cut corners. Many memes featured photos of the vessels interior, with people pointing out how its steered with a video game controller and suggesting passengers should have known not to go. Others began using the expression eat the rich. Making memes about this event, especially early on before there was any bad ending, is likely a direct response to the past decade of news coverage heralding billionaire explorers with their own companies think SpaceEx, Blue Origin, etc. by showing that money alone may not make someone a hero or smart or successful, Myrick said. People are also drawn to this story specifically because history is repeating itself, basically, said Shane Tilton, associate professor of multimedia journalism at Ohio Northern University, citing the sinking of the Titanic. It was this luxury cruise that basically risked everything went way too fast, was way too reckless and at the end it became a death sentence for those on it. Much like this Titan sub, Tilton said. The memes kind of make themselves because you have a parallel story that makes it very easy to tell and very easy to communicate. I have nothing to say but eat the rich https://t.co/TU8tOjC3qn pic.twitter.com/S97WRWc8EV Leah Dionne (@leahdionne__) June 20, 2023 As the search continued throughout the week, more memes emerged. Some joked that orcas could be to blame, referring to widely circulated reports of orcas seemingly attacking and sinking boats off the southwestern tip of Europe in May. Some made memes and posted videos as a way to add commentary, as evidenced by the more than 71 million people who have used the #titansubmarine hashtag on TikTok. Given that we also cannot visually see any suffering, it is not a big leap for many people to poke fun at the irony of it all and connect with other people who likewise find it humorous, Myrick said. It builds group cohesion amongst those who will never have the opportunity to explore just for fun. Still, criticism of the dark humor began bubbling up over the course of the week. idk man i know we hate rich people but i think if youre laughing at the idea of any non-evil person dying perhaps the most nightmarish death imaginable, it may be time to log off for a little, wrote one Twitter user. I know its all 'eat the rich' vibes but I also dont think Im going to laugh at the potential death of multiple people just because they wanted their thing they spend unapologetically on to be a once in a lifetime experience. Despite their lack of researching before paying, wrote another user. idk man i know we hate rich people but i think if youre laughing at the idea of any non-evil person dying perhaps the most nightmarish death imaginable, it may be time to log off for a little trash jones (@jzux) June 20, 2023 Myrick said the discourse is not unexpected, given that our society has even more income inequality than before. Another reason the conversation has occurred online is a bit less surprising. The internet is generally not a warm and fuzzy place, and especially platforms like Twitter that no longer do a lot of content moderation, she said. Dark humor is a natural byproduct for some of the most fortunate people on earth being in an unfortunate situation and lots of internet users wanting to talk about this really unusual event with others who have a similar sense of humor. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Bankrupt crypto lender BlockFia knock-on casualty of FTXs historic collapse last Novemberhas been granted temporary relief from settling an outstanding penalty of $30 million levied on it by the SEC in February 2022, according to a Thursday court filing. BlockFi initially agreed to pay the SEC $50 million and another $50 million in fines to 32 states for failing to register as a securities provider. According to yesterdays filing, BlockFis outstanding balance with the SEC totals $30,284,696.15, but it doesnt have to be repaid until BlockFis debtors are reimbursed. The Commission argued that its claims on the lender are general unsecured claims and are entitled to equal footing with the debtors but agreed to forego the penalty "in order to maximize the amount that may be distributed to investors and avoid delay in such distribution." Life after FTX When FTX filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy back in November 11, BlockFi followed suit seventeen days later, citing a $1 billion hole in its balance sheet as a result of exposure to the disgraced exchange and its sister company, the trading firm Alameda Research. While initiating bankruptcy proceedings, BlockFi also began suing former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried for allegedly promising shares in Robinhood as collateral. According to BlockFis bankruptcy filing, the company owes money to over 100,000 creditors with liabilities ranging from between $1 billion and $10 billion. In January 2023, the former lender was granted approval to sell its remaining assets. Defunct Crypto Lender BlockFi Granted Approval to Sell Assets Earlier this month, BlockFi filed a lawsuit against Connecticut Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez and the state Commission for repeatedly refusing to accept its surrendered Connecticut money transmitter license. Even though BlockFi wants to relinquish the license, the Commission insists on channeling the lender through court proceedings. Sensory-friendly experience in Sacramento opens door to world of ballet. Heres how they did it The last time Sahana Rajaraman saw a production at a performing arts theater, she was on a kindergarten field trip. Krithika Rajaraman said her daughter, who is on the autism spectrum, struggled to sit still and couldnt comprehend the show. I had to go with her as an escort, Rajaraman said. That was the only theater experience she had had. Traditional performing arts theaters can be an uncomfortable experience for younger children. Anxiety-inducing dark rooms that are unfamiliar, music that can be ominous or suddenly loud and strict rules that require spectators to sit still in their seats make the two- to three-hour performances all the more difficult for children on the spectrum. Sensory Friendly Dance performances get rid of all those barriers, said Dr. Maya Evans, a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation who works at Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California and with UC Davis Childrens Hospital. Autism spectrum disorder diagnoses grew about 400% in California from 2003 to 2017, according to the California Department of Developmental Services, an increase that was seen primarily in children. Parents say performing arts spaces are one of the places that are difficult to navigate for children on the spectrum. Productions hosted through Sensory Friendly Dance, however, shake off theater traditions to create a safe space for a more neurodivergent audience. The groups original production, Tanabata The Story of Orihime & Hikoboshi, will be performed at 1 p.m. Saturday at the B Street Theatre. Tickets are $5 each and available on the B Street Theatres website. The ballet takes the Japanese tale celebrating the annual Star Festival and brings it to life focusing less on technically-advanced ballet steps and more on animated movements that helps children to follow along, said Kaori Higashiyama, the shows choreographer. Sacramento Ballet dancer and choreographer Kaori Higashiyama watches as Dylan Keane and Lauryn Winterhalder perform during a dress rehearsal of a new childrens ballet called Tanabata on Wednesday. Higashiyama wrote the ballet based on the Japanese fairytale for the 7th annual Sensory Friendly Dancing program founded by Alexandra Cunningham. The ballet that welcomes children charges $5 for the pop up performance on Saturday, June 24. Sensory Friendly Dance performances are reduced to 30 to 40 minutes in length to compensate for shorter attention spans, and a break room is provided for children who need to move around. Fidget toys are allotted for the children to play with during the show and noise-reducing headphones are distributed as needed. Parents love it. We didnt have to be cautious, we didnt have to be over-prepared, Rajaraman said, recalling when she and her daughter saw the groups performance of Peter Rabbit last year. We were able to actually enjoy the show, you know? Those on the spectrum have difficulty comprehending plots and story lines. Exaggerated movements and acting, along with a narrator there to explain the plot, help these audience members understand the story. Sometimes its really hard on kids. Thats what I really loved about Sensory Friendly Dance, being very understanding and inclusive, Rajaraman said. She appreciated how good the performance was, with animated movements and dramatic facial expressions, since her daughter has comprehension issues and needs some time to understand whats happening. We all loved the scarecrow, it was really funny, Rajaraman said, laughing. Founder and director of Sensory Friendly Dance Alexandra Cunningham, center, watches a dress rehearsal for a childrens ballet Tanabata, based on the Japanese fairytale on Wednesday. Alexandra Cunningham, a former principal dancer for the Sacramento Ballet, created the program seven years ago. As part of her undergrad research at UC Berkeley, Cunningham discovered that the Sacramento community lacked sensory-friendly theater productions and enlisted help from her colleagues at Capital Dance Project, a dancer-run company dedicated to making the performing arts more accessible in the Sacramento region. It was something that I was noticing popping up in other programming and other ballet companies across the country, Cunningham said. We just didnt really have it here. Cunningham and others began to reach out across the country for ways to jump-start the project, starting with Houston Ballet. The Texas-based ballet company has its own program, Sensory-Friendly Performances, which are ballet productions modified for audience members with neurological differences, according to Houston Ballets website. Cunningham employed some of Houstons techniques to create performances for a neurodivergent audience. Its a continual learning process, Cunningham said. Sacramento Ballet dancer and choreographer Kaori Higashiyama thanks ballet dancers after a dress rehearsal for a childrens ballet she choreographed called Tanabata, based on a Japanese fairytale she grew up with on Wednesday. At right is dancer Jaime Orrego who plays the father figure in the ballet. The Sacramento program sought help from mental health professionals such as KultureCity, a nonprofit organization that specializes in sensory accessibility. KultureCity sent behavioral therapists and support staff to train Cunninghams team on how to design a sensory-friendly performance and even donated noise-reducing headphones. Through the Sacramento Ballet, Cunningham was also able to connect with Evans, who became the projects primary consultant. Evans praised Cunningham for her thorough work building Sensory Friendly Dance and said she was there more to support Cunningham rather than give medical advice. Im mostly a supportive-type person to Alex, Evans said. I represent a little bit of that medical piece and provide support that way, but really its been more volunteering roles through the associated classes in previous years and assisting with performances. Sensory Friendly Dances inaugural performance in 2017 was held at the Crest Theatre in partnership with the Sacramento Kings Foundation. Cunningham was able to contact the Kings, who host Autism Awareness Night in April, through a friend of a friend that worked there. Sacramento Ballet dancer and choreographer Kaori Higashiyama watches ballet dancers perform during a dress rehearsal for a childrens ballet she choreographed called Tanabata, based on a Japanese fairytale she grew up with on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. I reached out to say Hey, Im putting on a sensory-friendly ballet show, do you want to partner? Cunningham said. The Kings not only agreed but helped set up ticketing and spread the word to families and communities they had served during their Autism Night. Families were thanking us from the moment they walked in, Cunningham said. They said I have never been able to feel comfortable to walk in a space before or attend an event here before; I havent been able to take my child to a performing arts event because Im afraid of how the audience around me will react. The project grew over two years through a partnership with the Crocker Art Museum, as well as a California Arts Council grant, which allowed Sensory Friendly Dance to offer a six-week summer course of introductory sensory-friendly dance classes. Higashiyama, the choreographer, called the show a great opportunity to bring ballet to more people, especially those who have never stepped into a theater. Higashiyama said she chose to base her work on the legend of Tanabata, a Japanese Star Festival celebrated annually on July 7, hoping it would encourage audience members to attend the festival, which is just a couple of weeks after the performance. It was perfect timing, she said. When she performed in last years Peter Rabbit, Higashiyama said she enjoyed seeing the reactions of the children from the stage. She believed all kids should have access to the joys of dancing, the beauty of ballet and the overall theater experience. I try to make it simple enough that its easy enough for them to understand, she said. I just want to see a smile on their face and, if we can, inspire them to dance. Emi Mizuno, the set designer for Sensory Friendly Dances performance of Tanabata: The Story of Orihime & Hikoboshi, combined her medium of black paper cutouts to layer on top of dark watercolor backgrounds for the sets. Jaime Orrego, who has been involved with Sensory Friendly Dance since its inaugural performance, created an entirely original, handmade costume ensemble. Emi Mizuno said she hadnt planned on working this summer when Higashiyama invited her to create the set designs but agreed to help because the Japanese tale of Tanabata had never been made into a ballet before. I think this is maybe the first time this story was made into a ballet, Mizuno said. Ive never seen a ballet-version of this story, so Im excited to see it. This was Mizunos first time designing sets for Sensory Friendly Dance and said the adjustment in lighting for a sensory-friendly performance influenced her approach. They said they couldnt turn off the lights to the audience, but that makes the room really bright, which makes it hard to see the background, Mizuno said. Through a combination of black paper cut outs layered on a watercolor background, set designer Emi Mizuno is creating nine projections for Sensory Friendly Dances performance of "Tanabata: The Story of Orihime & Hikoboshi." This is one of the first scenes, which depicts Hikoboshi with a cow near the starry river. As the dancers perform on stage, the silhouette of their shadows become a lively part of the watercolor background. Because the house lights will be left on during the production, Mizuno has opted to use darker watercolors and adjust the position of the lighting to bring her set to life. Arts like ballet are often perceived as something reserved for older, more mature audiences, Mizuno said, and children who can be louder are often not allowed in that kind of space. Ballet is such a comprehensive art. Its a collaboration of dance, visual art, costume, music, lighting, storytelling pretty much all kinds of art except for literal words, Mizuno said. Ballet doesnt have words, but instead it speaks to our senses. The first of two men convicted in the Seventh Street Truck Park bar shootings in St. Paul received a 29-year prison sentence Friday. Jurors in February convicted Devondre Phillips, 31, of eight counts of attempted murder for his role in the 2021 gunfight. Fifteen people were injured and a 27-year-old bystander, Marquisha Wiley, was killed. A jury found Terry Brown, 34, guilty last week of murder in Wileys shooting; he was also convicted of four counts of attempted murder. Hes scheduled to be scheduled in August. Phillips apologized during his sentencing hearing Friday. Im sorry for the innocent victims and their families, he said. He said hell spend the rest of his life trying to make up for what he did. Most inmates in Minnesota serve two-thirds of their sentence in prison and the remainder on supervised release. Phillips has credit for one year and 257 days served since his arrest in the case. Phillips testified at his trial that confrontations with Brown and two of Browns friends had escalated since June 2021. Brown and his friends were at the bar when they realized Phillips was also there, the prosecution said at Browns trial. Phillips said one of Browns friends threatened him and the other two walked toward him from other angles. Phillips fired a gun, striking one of Browns friend in the stomach. He also shot Brown, who fired back. Surveillance video from the crowded bar showed people drinking and dancing before the shooting started, but then mayhem began as patrons scrambled to the floor and tried to get to safety. Related Articles Amy Coney BarrettNICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett has personal ties to a leader of the legal clinic under the Notre Dame initiative that funded Justice Samuel Alito's July 2022 speaking trip to Rome, CNN reports. Just months after she was sworn in at the Supreme Court in 2020, Barrett, who had left her judgeship and job as a Notre Dame law professor, sold her private home in South Bend, Indiana, to a recently hired Notre Dame professor who was assuming a leadership role at the Religious Liberty Initiative, according to records discovered by the left-leaning non-profit watchdog group Accountable.US. The initiative's legal clinic has curried favor with the Supreme Court since its founding in 2020 and filed at least nine "friend-of-the-court" amicus briefs in religious liberty cases before the Court. Alito joined the majority in deciding in favor of the initiative's conservative positions in several of those cases, including the one that reversed Roe v. Wade, and others on issues of school prayer and COVID-19 restrictions on churches. Related "Beyond parody": Experts pound Alito for pre-buttal op-ed defending luxury trip with GOP billionaire Neither Barrett's real estate transaction nor Alito's trip to Italy to deliver a keynote at a gala violated the court's ethics rules, several experts told CNN. "It raises a question not so much of corruption as such, but of whether disclosures, our current system of disclosures, is adequate to the task," Kathleen Clark, a professor at Washington University in St. Louis Law School who specializes in government ethics, told the outlet. Barrett sold the home to Brendan Wilson, then a Washington D.C.-based lawyer, for $905,000, a transaction that she was not required to disclose on her annual financial forms. Federal regulations exclude sales of the "personal residence of the filer and the filer's spouse" from financial matters judges are mandated to disclose. However, some experts told CNN that Wilson's role at the Religious Liberty Initiative and the work of its legal clinic provide another reason why some rules at the Supreme Court should be adapted to increase transparency for the public, giving it a better understanding of the ties between the justices and legal advocates in the high court. "The court, frankly, it faces a kind of legitimacy crisis because of the really dire weaknesses of its ethics," Clark said. "It has the opportunity to address that legitimacy crisis by, you know, stepping up its ethics game imposing on itself and then abiding by additional disclosure operations." Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Stephanie Barclay, the Religious Liberty Initiative's director, emphasized to CNN that Wilson "really could not be further removed from Supreme Court litigation" and explained that many people involved with the group contribute to the briefs they submit to the Supreme Court. Wilson's biography on the initiative's page says his role covers "the transactional component of the Religious Liberty Clinic," and a recent job posting from the group specified that the transactional component includes legal advising for religiously affiliated organizations. Wilson did not respond to CNN's interview requests, nor did Barrett respond to the network's request for comment. Barrett's real estate transaction makes her the third member of the Supreme Court to have made money from property sales with powerful conservative figures or people connected to legal advocacy groups writing the Court. Politico reported that Justice Neil Gorsuch sold a vacation home to the CEO of a major law firm who has argued before the court and did not disclose the buyer's name. Justice Clarence Thomas also came under fire earlier this year when ProPublica revealed a 2014 real estate deal he made with GOP megadonor and billionaire Harlan Crow and failed to disclose. The outlet also revealed that Crow had financed decades of lavish travel and gifts for Thomas and paid the tuition of Thomas' grandnephew for two years in the 2000s. Related Neil Gorsuch caught selling property to head of law firm "involved in at least 22" SCOTUS cases Indiana University law professor and legal ethics expert Charles Geyh told CNN that despite Barrett's transaction falling within Supreme Court regulations, it only further complicates the perception of the court in the public eye. "It is addressed by the court being much more vigilant in guarding against perception problems created by (the justices') financial wheelings and dealings and going the extra mile to make sure that they not only are clean, but look clean," he said. The controversies and increased public scrutiny of the court have also sparked calls for a defined code of ethics to be imposed and enforced on the justices. "The endless drip of shady and corrupt Supreme Court dealings just further underscores the need for reform." Accountable.US President Kyle Herrig said in a statement. "Every federal judge is bound to an ethics code requiring them to avoid behavior that so much as looks improper, except for Supreme Court justices. Chief Justice (John) Roberts has the power to change that, but so far he hasn't shown the courage. If he fails to do his job, Congress must do theirs." Read more about the SCOTUS ethics scandal Shahed drones fly towards Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts Air Force Russian forces directed their Shahed attack drones towards Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Source: Ukrainian Air Force on Telegram Quote: "Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia oblasts [there's] a threat of Shahed drones being deployed from the southern front" Details: The Air Force warned citizens about a possible attack by Russian drones at around 01:45. Background: On the night of 22-23 June, an air raid siren was issued in Kyiv and several oblasts of Ukraine. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Shanghai's 'voguing' dancers step lightly to avoid official gaze The Wider Image: Shanghai's 'voguing' dancers step lightly to avoid official gaze By Casey Hall SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Two hundred people gathered in a club in a basement in China's financial capital, many dressed in red and black latex with corsets and fishnet stockings, to cheer competitors who sashayed and danced down a red carpet under the scrutiny of judges. Events like these, known as "balls", celebrate a subculture centred on the LGBTQ community that dates from mid-20th century dance halls in New York's Harlem, before being adopted by queer communities of colour in the 1980s. (To see photoessay, click here) "I think the biggest difference in voguing is that you need to dance your own self, the deepest you want to express," said Sui Kawakubo, a member of the Kiki House of Kawakubo, one of the city's key voguing "families", as they describe themselves. Voguing is a dance style characterised by staccato hand motions and angular arm and body postures punctuated by brief pauses, much in the manner of a model posing for photographs. "I wouldn't say voguing has made me an extrovert, but it allows a new me to emerge," added Kawakubo, a self-proclaimed introvert who uses a stage name chosen as a tribute to Japanese fashion designer Rei Kawakubo to protect his privacy. With trophies awarded for categories such as "Femme Queen Performance", "Couple Realness", "Face" and "Body", the events are part dance competition, part fashion show and part judged performance art. Popularised in 1990 by a hit Madonna song and the documentary, 'Paris is Burning', the trend has drawn adherents in China too, with Shanghai's first such event organised five years ago. VJ Kawakubo, 30, was one of the city's earliest adopters of voguing, being drawn to a dance class seven years ago to eventually become one of its best-known exponents, figuring in marketing for brands such as Calvin Klein and magazine spreads. Although the performance aspect of voguing is important, he said, its ability to bring people together gave the scene deeper meaning. "If you are just dancing by yourself, there is no meaning in that," said VJ, who also asked to be identified only by his stage name. "The most important thing for me is that it's a comfortable environment." As International Pride Day approaches on June 28, the future for such activities looks increasingly uncertain in China, however, as authorities touting socialist values step up censorship of LGBTQ-related content. DIFFICULT ENVIRONMENT Even in Shanghai, China's most international city, the environment remains complex for the LGBTQ community, says VJ, who grew up in a small village in the eastern province of Zhejiang. "It's both more inclusive but still quite conservative," he said, as international influences jostle with China's traditional values. In 2020, citing an increasingly difficult environment, Shanghai Pride halted its activities after having run successfully for a decade. In May, Beijings 15-year-old LGBTCenter also shuttered for undisclosed reasons. "The government sees strengthening the national power, the national rejuvenation, as the most important thing," said Hongwei Bao, a researcher in LGBTQ visual and performance culture at the University of Nottingham. "That disconnects from younger people's desire to express themselves freely, to pursue their lifestyles, personalities, and individualities." Such campaigns render the existence of voguing in Shanghai both more precarious and more vital in the community. "I really don't know about the future," VJ said. "I still have hope that society can become more tolerant and more accepting." While showing off is certainly on the agenda, the events are often publicised only in a discreet way, with some last-minute switches of location to avoid authorities' attention. Loud music and cheers greet the competition portion of such events, when contestants line up by category to be winnowed by the judges before the final few battle for the winner's trophy. Regardless of experience, contestants were unfailingly greeted warmly by a crowd that seemed pleased and excited to find itself in a rare pocket of expressive freedom and fluidity. "The reason many people come here is not just to have fun," said a 27-year-old who goes by the stage name Tinora Kawakubo for privacy reasons. "They might say they are escaping an environment that does not allow them to express themselves." (Reporting by Casey Hall; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Teen refugee left her dog behind when she fled Syria for SLO. Can they be reunited? Editors note: This story mentions suicide. The last time Nour Makhoul saw her beloved dog Tuti, she was mere hours away from leaving her home country of Syria for good but forefront in her mind was making sure her faithful companion didnt know what was happening. I didnt want Tuti to feel anything was wrong, Makhoul told The Tribune. I was like, Yes! Come on Tuti! We are going to visit (her friend). She was jumping and happy. And then I put her leash on her, and then my friend took her. After Tuti left the room, Makhoul collapsed. More than two months later, the memory still sends the 19-year-old, now living in San Luis Obispo, into tears. But there is hope on the horizon. Thanks to an animal rescue group, and some fundraising led by local radio host Dave Congalton, Makhoul could soon be reunited with Tuti as she and her family embark on their new lives on the Central Coast. She was my biggest motivation when she was first in my life, Makhoul said. And I need that motivation now. A GoFundMe is raising money to reunite Syrian refugee Nour Makhoul with her dog, Tuti. Makhoul arrived in San Luis Obispo in April after her family fled the war-torn country. This is the last photo Makhoul has of her and Tuti, taken the night before she left. Teen flees Syria with her family for Central Coast Makhoul and her family left Syria in the early morning hours of April 4, leaving behind most of their possessions as they fled from the war-torn nation. Makhoul, her parents and one of her older sisters arrived in San Luis Obispo on April 5 with some help from the local nonprofit SLO4Home, which aims to help refugees find safety on the Central Coast. So far, it has been a big adjustment for them all, particularly her parents, Makhoul said. Its a huge step like we left everything behind, she said. But, you know, we are here, we feel safe, so its worth it. With plans to study computer science at Cuesta College starting in August, Makhoul is working on building her new life in the United States but the memory of the furry little friend who helped her during some of her darkest times has stuck with her. Their story began in 2021, while Makhoul was in her final year of high school. That year is particularly important for Syrian students, she said, as your whole future depends on your grades. But after catching COVID-19, Makhoul was bed-ridden for two months, unable to go to school. She said she felt like she was falling behind and soon fell into a severe state of depression; at one point, she began having thoughts of suicide. I was so depressed, like I felt that my future is ruined forever, Makhoul said. Then, in February 2022, her parents brought her a gift: a small white fluffy Bichon Frise she named Tuti. A GoFundMe is raising money to reunite Syrian refugee Nour Makhoul with her dog, Tuti. Makhoul arrived in San Luis Obispo in April after her family fled the war-torn country. It was the happiest day of my life, Makhoul said. We all will say that someone rescued a dog or a cat or something, but in this situation she rescued me. I can admit that, without her, I wouldnt be alive right now. For the next year, Tuti was Makhouls faithful companion. She helped inspire her while she was studying for her exams, sitting beside her all day long, and helped entertain her when Makhoul needed some fun. Because of Tuti, Makhoul said, she was able to get her grades back up and enroll in the university of her choice. I always imagined her supporting me and saying You can do it, Nour! Makhoul laughed. A GoFundMe is raising money to reunite Syrian refugee Nour Makhoul with her dog, Tuti. Makhoul arrived in San Luis Obispo in April after her family fled the war-torn country. GoFundMe raises money to bring dog to SLO County Despite their connection, Makhoul was unable to bring Tuti with her when she and her family left Syria for SLO County. Tuti went to stay with one of Makhouls friends who also had a dog, and Makhoul resigned herself to the fact she would likely never see her beloved pet again. When she learned of a group called Kabul Small Animal Rescue, which specializes in getting pets out of Afghanistan, Makhoul said she realized there might be a way to reunite with Tuti. It was like my dream in front of me, my dream was coming true, she said. Even though I have lots of dreams to achieve here, bringing Tuti here is my biggest one. Around this time, Congalton became involved thanks to his partner, Kathy Minck, who sits on the board of SLO4Home. He told The Tribune he learned of Makhouls story and went to go meet with her to hear more. Thats when he knew he would do everything he could to help reunite Makhoul and Tuti. Heres this bright, articulate, intelligent, young woman very mature, very responsible, he said. And then the second you bring up the dog, her voice cracked, she starts tearing up and Im sitting there going, Dammit, were getting the dog. Congalton started a GoFundMe page with the intent of raising money to help pay the costs of getting Tuti to SLO County. According to Kabul Small Animal Rescue, the funding would have to cover a range of expensive vaccinations, testing and medical procedures required by the government to allow Tuti into the country, as well as the actual transportation costs. Nour Makhoul with her dog Tuti. A GoFundMe is hoping to raise enough money to get Tuti from Syria to San Luis Obispo after Makhoul and her family fled the country earlier this year. As of Friday morning, the GoFundMe has raised $4,050, just over its $4,000 goal. Congalton said more donations beyond the goal are welcome because the estimated cost of getting Tuti isnt set in stone. It gets expensive, he said. You would go to the vet office, and we might pay $100. In Syria, that same test is going to cost $500, so thats why its so expensive. So between all the testing and then figuring out the logistics of transportation ... its a whole big challenge. So every dollar we get is appreciated. Congalton warned that though they have raised the money, it might still take some time to get Tuti directly into Makhouls arms because of all the red tape. His goal is to have Tuti here by Labor Day, he said. Thats just my hope by Labor Day, that dog will be here, he said. How to get help If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 988. You can also call the Central Coast Hotline at 800-783-0607 for 24-7 assistance. To learn the warning signs of suicide, visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. After five years, TikTok Chief Operating Officer (COO) Vanessa Pappas resigned from her giant social media service role. The non-binary exec, who prefers to be called V, confirmed their departure in a recent Twitter post. TikTok's Vanessa Pappas Resigns According to The Verge, Pappas, the influential figure who spearheaded TikTok's meteoric rise to global fame, has made a surprising exit from the popular short-video platform. Their sudden departure comes as parent company ByteDance faces mounting scrutiny over its ties to China. It is worth noting that Pappas played a pivotal role in navigating the platform through turbulent times. The CEO was TikTok's prominent face, representing the company in high-profile meetings and forging relationships with key stakeholders. In a recent tweet, Pappas confirmed their exit. "After nearly [five] years at TikTok I am stepping down as COO," they wrote. The TikTok COO also shared a memo that they sent to the TikTok workforce, informing employees of their departure. Pappas says the "time is right to move on and refocus on my entrepreneurial passions." The top exec assured employees that the giant video-sharing service is facing "a very bright and stable future under the leadership of Shou Chew" and the rest of the TikTok top brass. Pappas further disclosed that they are leaving the tech juggernaut altogether. Instead, the COO is moving forward with an advisory role on the video-sharing service. The memo notes, "I will be here to support [Chew], the leadership team, and all of you during this transition in an advisory role." As per a report by CNN, TikTok Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shou Chew reveals that Pappas is exiting the company. The tech giant's big boss thanked V for their contributions to the social network for the past five years. On Thursday, the TikTok boss also confirmed that other leadership changes are coming our way. Its Chief of Staff Adam Presser, who used to work with WarnerMedia, is taking over a new role in the tech giant, sitting as its head of operations. On top of that, the social network's operations head Zenia Mucha, who used to work with the Walt Disney Company as its communications exec, is the new TikTok Chief Brand and Communications Officer. Mucha's new role in the video-sharing service is responsible for the global marketing and communications of the social media giant. Read Also: TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube Sued by Over 2,000 Families Due to Kids' Mental Health ByteDance Scrutiny Over China Ties Gizmodo reports that the sudden departure of Papps comes at a time wherein the social network and its parent firm ByteDance are facing scrutiny from the US government. Just last month, Montana officially banned downloads of the China-based app, making it the first state to do so. The looming TikTok ban kicks off beginning next year, or in January 2024, to be exact. Related Article: TikTok's November US Ban Postponed Due to Lawsuit by Creators @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Macron said backing from China, the United States and other European nations was still needed (Lewis Joly) Efforts by France to build a consensus for a global carbon tax on the shipping industry failed to produce significant results at a summit in Paris on Friday. French President Emmanuel Macron put the item on the agenda of the two-day Summit for a New Global Financing Pact which brought together around 40 heads of state and government. The shipping industry transports around 90 percent of traded goods worldwide and accounts for around three percent of global carbon emissions. The Marshall Islands and Solomon Islands have been pushing for a $100-per-tonne tax on emissions which would raise approximately $60-80 billion (55-73 billion euros) of tax receipts per year, according to the World Bank. At a closing press conference, Macron said that backing from China, the United States and other European nations was still needed in order to bring the idea to fruition. "We are in favour of taxing shipping, it's a sector that isn't taxed," he told reporters. "To make it work, you need a group of countries that follow us. "If China, the United States and other key European countries which host major companies, if they don't follow then it won't have any effect." He cited France's decision to put in place so-called "green taxes" on airline tickets and some financial transactions in the past, saying other countries had not followed suit, putting the country at a disadvantage. "We can't continue to do harm to ourselves on our own," he said. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told the same press conference that "it's something that the US will look at". "We are very focused on the need to raise substantial additional resources to address climate change, poverty reduction and other global challenges," she added. A Treasury official had previously described the proposal as "in its very early days." The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency, is set to host a summit in two weeks' time where the carbon tax is expected to be discussed. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also lent only lukewarm support to the idea, which has been pushed by two Pacific nations, the Marshall Islands and Solomon Islands, over the last decade. "It's an interesting proposal but we need to work on it more," he told reporters. "There are some countries that are worried because they can only be reached by boat." Even if a shipping tax is approved, there remain disagreements over how the money raised would be spent. The industry would like it to be re-invested in technology to reduce shipping emissions, while the original backers of the idea want the funds used to finance climate change adaptation efforts in poor countries. A total of 18 countries are currently in favour of the idea, according to a French diplomatic source. Dt-kol-adp/sjw/lth Sisters found dead in apartment made suicide pact after family cut them off Asra and Amaal Abdullah Alsehli were found dead in their flat in Sydney - NSW police/NSW police Two Saudi Arabian sisters who were found dead in a flat in Australia killed themselves in a suicide pact after being cut off by their family, Australian police have said. The bodies of Asra, 24, and Amaal Abdullah Alsehli, 23, were discovered in Sydney on June 7 last year. Five years earlier, they had fled Saudi Arabia with $5,000 (3,900) in savings. It was understood they had been living in the flat for two years before they died in April 2022. There was a stream of money coming to them from their family that stopped in February, a source told Australias Daily Telegraph. Now, we dont know why it stopped, but it seems there had been some sort of a fallout with their family overseas. After that, they cut off communications with everybody. Sisters adopted Western lifestyle The sisters had adopted a Western lifestyle with Asra describing herself as an atheist and Amaal identifying as a lesbian. Both would have been in violation of Saudi Arabias strict Sharia law. The first signs that something had gone awry came when the sisters who were originally good tenants fell behind with their rent. The building manager asked police to conduct a welfare check and initially, the women refused to answer the door. Relenting, they told the officers that there was no problem and that they did not want police involvement. A sheriff turned up at the flat in April 2022 and told the women they faced eviction. Mail piled up Further checks were carried out in the months that followed as mail piled up outside their front door. Then in June, when the sheriffs office turned up to carry out the eviction, their bodies were found in separate bedrooms. A source told the Australian media that the sisters were aware of what would happen if they were returned to Saudi Arabia. The insider said: It looks like it is probably a suicide pact. They have taken a pill or something and just had enough for themselves because there were no traces of chemicals or anything found in the unit, or anyone else entering. Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths. 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. Soulmates identified as victims of music festival mass shooter who was allegedly high on mushrooms Brandy Escamilla and Josilyn Ruiz were killed in a shooting at a festival in Washington state (GoFundMe) High school sweethearts who were described as soulmates have been identified as the victims of a mass shooting at an electronic dance festival by a man allegedly high on psychedelic mushrooms. Engaged couple Josilyn Ruiz, 26, and Brandy Escamilla, 29, were fatally shot at the Beyond Wonderland electronic dance music festival at The Gorge Amphitheatre in Grant County, Washington last week, in an incident that left three others injured. Posting to social media following the shooting, Ruizs twin sister said: Brandy was her soulmate and her greatest love and reason for living. Their love was unconditional and unbreakable, something so profound that I always envied. Clearly, it was so strong it kept them together until the end. The pair reportedly met in high school and had recently been planning their wedding. They had lived in Seattle for just two months after moving from Southern California when the fatal shooting occurred. A GoFundMe page set up for the family of Ms Ruiz said: Our lives will never be the same. Josilyn is a daughter, sister, godmother, aunt, niece, cousin, friend, nurse, and fiance. Words cannot describe the pain our family and friends are grieving from our precious loss of a wonderful angel. The family of Ms Escamilla said she was dedicated and passionate and had received her nursing degree. She and her fiancee enjoyed going on endless adventures alongside their cat, Otis, and their friends she was dedicated and passionate to helping others and making a difference in the world, her family said on the fundraising page. A man who was allegedly high on psychedelic mushrooms was shot and arrested at the scene following the incident. He was identified by police as Army soldier James Kelly, 26, who was stationed at a US Army base in Western Washington. The shooting took place on Saturday night at a campground just a few hundred yards from the Gorge Amphitheater where thousands of people gathered for the festival. The Gorge is near the city of George, which is located about 150 miles east of Seattle. Following the initial gunshots, the gunman began moving through the camping area and continued to shoot randomly into the crowd until he was detained by police, Kyle Foreman, the public information officer at the Grant County Sheriffs Office said, according to KABC. Witnesses said that the couple was trying to help someone who was with the gunman when they were killed. Attorney Kevin Boyle told KABC that 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. We think that was in retaliation for them trying to assist the victim, he added. Mr Kelly was shot once by Detective Edgar Salazar of the Moses Lake Police Department. The suspect was treated by police before being arrested. Mr Kelly, now in Grant County Jail, is being held on two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and one count of first-degree assault domestic violence. Three people were injured in the shooting Andrew Caudra, 31, Lori Williams, 61, and Lily Luksich, 20. Mr Caudra was shot in the shoulder but authorities have said hes in a stable condition. Ms Williams was working with Crowd Management Services on the night of the shooting and responded to the incident in a Polaris Ranger UTV. Mr Kelly fired in her direction several times, striking the windshield of the UTV and hitting her in the face, crushing her glasses and causing bruising and lacerations. She was treated at the scene. Ms Lukish had reportedly attended the festival with the suspect. She was shot twice but has been released from the hospital. Southwest has a labor deal with mechanics just days after flight attendants rejected theirs DALLAS (AP) Southwest Airlines has reached agreement on a new labor contract with its mechanics just days after the flight attendants union rejected a company proposal. Southwest said Friday that a tentative new contract with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association would give its mechanics industry-leading compensation. Across the airline industry, revenue is rising as travel recovers from the pandemic. Unions are pushing airlines for better pay and benefits, even raising the threat of strikes to make their case. At Southwest, leaders of the union representing more than 18,000 flight attendants voted this week to reject a tentative contract that its own negotiators reached with the Dallas airline and the help of federal mediators. The company said the deal would have raised pay 15%. The flight attendants are working under wages and other terms contained in a contract ratified in 2016. By federal law, contracts in the airline industry do not expire, and it is difficult for unions to conduct legal strikes. Pilots at Southwest, United and American are still negotiating with their airlines. American announced a tentative deal with pilots last month, but the offer hasnt gone to a ratification vote while both sides haggle over language and timing of some provisions. The Allied Pilots Association said Friday that American management is simply unwilling to agree to be held accountable for the commitments it has made. Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain's far-right Vox party (OSCAR DEL POZO) The Spanish far-right's denial that gender violence exists is causing a headache for the conservative Popular Party (PP), who may need their help to come to power after next month's general election. Polls consistently show the opposition PP winning most votes in the snap July 23 vote, but having to rely on an awkward coalition with the anti-feminist Vox movement to be able to form a government. Spain is a pioneer in the fight against violence against women, approving Europe's first law that specifically cracked down on gender violence in 2004. It made the victim's gender an aggravating factor in assault cases. But far-right Vox -- which is polling at around 14 percent -- say gender violence is an "ideological concept we don't recognise" that stigmatises men, and prefer to talk of domestic violence or "intra-family violence". "Gender violence does not exist, macho violence does not exist," the head of Vox in Valencia, Jose Maria Llanos, said after the far-right party agreed to govern the eastern region in a coalition with the PP last week. His comments sparked an outcry in a country where parties from across the spectrum have long acknowledged and combated gender violence. PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo, who cultivates an image as a moderate, immediately sought to distance himself, saying in a tweet that "gender violence does exist". But the left was quick to point to Llanos' comment as proof that a PP-Vox coalition would lead to backsliding. "Denying gender violence can only be a step backward. That is what is at stake on July 23," Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told the El Pais daily. - 'Walking on eggshells' - Founded in 2013 by disgruntled former members of the PP, Vox is the third-largest party in parliament. The controversy is "tainting" the PP "very badly", said Paloma Roman, a political scientist at Madrid's Complutense University. "Vox is an ally it needs but which it wants to keep at a distance" because of its ultraconservative positions, she told AFP. The PP is trying to "avoid the theme of gender violence", but this is "mission impossible", she added. "It is walking on eggshells" until the general election, Roman said. Vox emerged as kingmaker in several regions and municipalities after regional and local elections on May 28 and it has pushed the issue in its negotiations with the PP to form governments. Offices dedicated to gender equality have been abolished in several cities where Vox and the PP have formed coalition governments or had their names changed to departments for "families". The programme signed between the two parties in Valencia omitted the phrase "gender-based violence", replacing it with Vox's preferred "intra-family violence", which it argues "guarantees the equality of all victims". - Govern 'at any price' - Vox leader Santiago Abascal has repeatedly argued that gender is "an ideological concept". In the western region of Extremadura, the local PP leader, Maria Guardiola, has refused to form a government with Vox because of the far-right party's position. "I can't let into government those who deny macho violence," she said. Roman said the PP was showing itself to be "incoherent". "The only thing clear is that it wants to come to power at any price," the political scientist added. Since that 2004 law came into effect Spanish society has accepted that gender violence is a problem that "must be addressed", Roman said. mdz/mg/ds/fg House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., gavels in before India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives to address a joint meeting of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, June 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) WASHINGTON (AP) House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Friday he supports the idea of expunging the two impeachments of Donald Trump as hard-right Republican allies of the former president introduce a pair of proposals to declare it as though the historic charges never happened. McCarthy told reporters that he agrees with Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Elise Stefanik who want to erase the charges against Trump from the former president's impeachments of 2019 and 2021. I think it is appropriate, said McCarthy, the Republican from California. Just as I thought before that you should expunge it, because it never should have gone through. Pressed on his views, McCarthy said he agreed with expunging both of Trumps impeachments the abuse of power charges in 2019 over pressing Ukraines president to dig up dirt on rival Joe Biden and the 2021 charge that Trump incited the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capitol as Trump supporters tried to overturn Bidens election. In both cases, Trump was acquitted by the Senate after his impeachment by the House. But expunging the charges from his record would be an action he could further tout as vindication as he seeks another term in the White House. The effort is the latest by Trump's allies to rewrite the narrative of the defeated president's tenure in office. And it underscores the pressure McCarthy is under from his right flank. Just this week, McCarthy beat back a proposal from Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., to impeach President Biden, sending it instead to committees for review. In explaining his views, McCarthy said the first Trump impeachment, in 2019, should have never happened, conflating it with a separate investigation by the Justice Department into Russian interference into the 2016 election. As for the 2021 trial that was conducted swiftly in the week after the riot at the Capitol, he said: The second impeachment had no due process. The speaker gave no indication he would move quickly to bring forward the proposals from Greene, R-Ga., and Stefanik, R-N.Y., who is the fourth-ranking GOP leader, for House votes. Pressed if the proposals were a priority, he shifted to listing other GOP goals. Asked if he had spoken to Trump about expunging the impeachment record, McCarthy said he had not. Trump, who is campaigning to return to the White House, is the first president in U.S. history to be twice impeached by the House, though he was acquitted by the Senate of all charges. Democrats have defended their decision to quickly impeach Trump a second time after the mob attack at the Capitol in 2021. They argue that the evidence played out for the world to see as the defeated president rallied his supporters to Washington and encouraged them to march to the Capitol as Congress was certifying Biden's election. Trump was first impeached in 2019 after it was disclosed that he encouraged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to dig up political dirt on then-White House rival Biden ahead of the 2020 presidential campaign while Trump was withholding U.S. military aid to Ukraine as it faced Russia. Tom Brenner for The Washington Post via Getty Images Pushing forward in the ongoing 2020 election probe, special counsel Jack Smith is offering partial immunity in exchange for testimony from fraudulent GOP electors willing to step forward and speak their truth. According to exclusive reporting from CNN, the testimony from these individuals "comes after a year of relative dormancy around the fake electors portion of the investigation and as a parade of related witnesses are being told to appear before the grand jury with no chance for delay." Related Legal experts: Court filing suggests Jack Smith plans to use Trump's public statements against him So far, Smith has gotten "at least two Republican fake electors to testify to a federal grand jury in Washington in recent weeks by giving them limited immunity," per CNN, making headway in nailing down "some charging decisions." Last spring, prosecutors in this case compiled information from many of the Republicans who attempted to pull one over in the Biden/Trump election and time is no longer on their side in terms of begging off a resolution. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. As CNN highlights, "It is not clear if Trump is a target in the fake electors aspect of Smith's ongoing criminal probe. But in recent months, prosecutors have pursued information about the former president's words and actions after the 2020 election, including securing court-ordered testimony from his former vice president, Mike Pence." In addition to the bargaining for testimony, there has also been increased interest in taking a closer look at the guidance given by Trump's post-election legal team Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell and former Justice Department appointee Jeffrey Clark all of whom are thought to have pushed the snowball of Trump's "big lie" down the hill. Read more about this topic In a speech away from NC, Mark Robinson is his old combative self | Opinion Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson has been a little less pugilistic since officially launching his 2024 bid for governor in April. But in a speech away from North Carolina on Friday, Robinson showed a lot of his old fire. His appearance at the Faith and Freedom Coalitions annual conference in Washington, D.C. was one of his first major appearances as a candidate, and it offered an early glimpse of what he might be like on the campaign trail. Robinson first delivered a ringing endorsement of Donald Trump onstage, a move that quickly made national headlines. He insisted the country is at war and needs a president who will put America first unlike Joe Biden, who he said puts ice cream first. It wasnt long before Robinson began speaking about his own race, however. Robinson shared his desire to make North Carolina more like ruby-red Texas and even Florida, which he claimed are thriving compared to Democratic-led states that are falling apart. But he notably avoided some of the more hateful rhetoric that has drawn negative attention in the past. He didnt mention the issue of abortion, even though Saturday marks one year since the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. But that didnt make his speech any less impassioned. Robinson addressed hot-button issues like parental rights in education and pornography in public schools, and he did still mention transgender people, a community that he has referred to as filth in the past. I believe theres only two genders, Robinson said. And boys shouldnt be running against girls at the track meet, swimming against girls in the swim meet, wrestling against girls in the wrestling meet. Throughout much of his speech, Robinson seemed bothered by those who invoke his history of bigotry to argue he shouldnt be governor. He balked at the assertion that he is too extreme to win in a purple state like North Carolina, directly addressing the naysayers who say he is too far right or crazy. The fact of the matter is Im not crazy, Robinson told the crowd. Because normal ordinary looks crazy to the insane. And what were facing is insane. It still seems as though Robinson is trying to figure out how to position himself in one of the most competitive gubernatorial races in the country. Hes adopted a softer tone in some of his more recent appearances in a rebuttal to Gov. Roy Coopers State of the State address in March, Robinson lamented how thoughtful discussion has been replaced by heated rhetoric. On Friday, though, his speech was as heated as ever. And near the end of it, he seemed to embrace the crazy label, delivering a diatribe that was met with raucous cheers from the conservative evangelical audience. Go ahead. Call me crazy if you want. Guess who Im crazy like? Robinson said. Crazy like that first guy in this nation who stood up and said, Why cant America be free? Why do we have to be subjects of the British? Crazy isnt really the best word to describe Mark Robinson, but extreme certainly is. Anger is a political strategy that has worked for him so far, despite how much it embarrasses North Carolina. And it seems like he might just be OK with that. Spirit AeroSystems, Machinists union plan to resume contract talks on first day of strike Contract negotiations between Spirit AeroSystems and the Machinists union will resume Saturday, the same day 6,000 union-represented workers go on strike. Bargaining will be overseen by a federal mediator. As has been our focus throughout these negotiations, we want to provide our IAM-represented employees a fair-and-competitive contract, CEO Tom Gentile said in a Friday news release. We are committed to reaching an agreement with Local 839 as quickly as possible for our employees. I am proud of our Spirit employees. They are part of a bright future for this company, and I look forward to building that future together. The previous contract proposal, which Spirit called its best and final offer last week, was rejected with 79% of the vote Wednesday. Eighty-five percent of voting union members favored a strike. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers negotiating committee that unanimously recommended the contract proposal for approval has begun polling members to determine which specific provisions they want to see enhanced. The bottom line is, our membership spoke. We respect their decision, and we will try to determine what we need to do to get a contract ratified with Spirit, Rickey Wallace, IAMs general vice president of the southern territory, said Thursday. The union set up a mobile strike headquarters at K-15 and MacArthur, and Spirit has erected mesh netting around its campus. Russia bought the lease to the land from the Australian government in 2008, and in 2011 was granted approval to build its new embassy there (Yoann CAMBEFORT) A mystery Russian diplomat with a penchant for loungewear and cigarettes sparked a national security standoff between Canberra and the Kremlin Friday, defying Australian efforts to seize a messy construction site in the heart of the capital. Australia has blocked Russia from building a new embassy on the parcel of land -- a stone's throw from Parliament House -- after intelligence agencies warned it could be used as a base to spy on lawmakers. Russia launched a legal bid to save the project on Friday, while also embarking on an unusual diplomatic gambit: despatching a bespectacled official to squat in a run-down portable cabin on the site. The middle-aged man, clad in track pants and a puffer jacket, presents a prickly challenge for Australian officials, who are wary of forcibly evicting a Russian envoy. Government sources told AFP the man has diplomatic protection, although he did not seem to appear on Russia's public list of representatives in Australia. The man remained inside the cabin for most of Friday, as multiple Australian police vehicles parked nearby. But he finally emerged hooded into the frigid Canberra night to smoke a cigarette before returning to the cabin to watch TV. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the diplomat on Friday as "some bloke standing in the cold on a blade of grass in Canberra". The "bloke", Albanese insisted, is "not a threat to our national security". - 'Russophobic hysteria' - The Russian embassy in Australia confirmed in a statement that its "employees" were staying at the site "to ensure the safety" of a structure built to house consular services as well as construction materials. However, the statement carried by Russian news agencies added that "information about police attempts to expel our employees is not true." No other details were provided. Russia bought the lease to the land from the Australian government in 2008, and in 2011 was granted approval to build its new embassy there. But the Australian government announced last week it was tearing up the lease. Australia's parliament passed laws specifically aimed at stopping a Russian embassy from being built on the site, which sits about 400 metres (440 yards) away from the parliamentary precinct. "The government has received very clear security advice as to the risk posed by a new Russian presence so close to Parliament House," Albanese told reporters. "We are acting quickly to ensure the lease site does not become a formal diplomatic presence." The new laws, passed with bipartisan support, do not stop Russia from having a diplomatic footprint in Australia -- only from building so close to parliament. An Australian government spokesman said on Friday Russia was seeking an injunction at the country's highest court, on the grounds that the move was unconstitutional. "Russia's challenge to the validity of the law is not unexpected," he told AFP. "This is part of the Russian playbook." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week it was a demonstration of "Russophobic hysteria". Russia's foreign ministry earlier this week released a list of 48 Australians who were banned from the country for promoting an "anti-Russian agenda". The list included journalists, government officials, and executives from local defence companies. sft/arb-as/ssy This week, senior executives from major U.S.-based manufacturers and distributors of water infrastructure parts joined senior Biden-Harris Administration officials at the White House to announce new private sector investments spurred by President Biden's Investing in America agenda. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a more than $50 billion investment in the nation's water infrastructure - including $15 billion set-aside for lead service line replacement. This historic investment represents a transformational increase in federal investment in the nation's drinking water infrastructure over the next five years. By requiring Made in-America products when using federal funding to rebuild infrastructure, President Biden is not only investing in fixing our country's water systems and replacing lead pipes, but also creating good-paying jobs and new domestic manufacturing. READ NEXT: Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan To meet the increased demand for American-made water products, American manufacturers are stepping up their production capacity with new investments, creating jobs and American industrial capacity in the process. Administration officials have also emphasized the importance of collaborating with unions to ensure these investments build the middle class from the middle out and bottom up, not top-down. This week, the following firms announced tens of millions in new manufacturing investments and hiring commitments: A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. is an Iowa-based 167-year-old 5th generation family business with three manufacturing locations in Iowa, and Tennessee, with plans underway to build a state-of-the-art brass foundry in Wisconsin. Since the beginning of 2019, A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. has doubled the manufacturing space of their Tennessee facility with a 100,000 square feet addition and has undertaken the largest capacity expansion in the company's history having invested millions of dollars in new machinery and automation. Their production workforce has grown 45% since the end of 2020. In addition, parent company A.Y. McDonald Industries built a 100,000 square foot warehouse to house finished goods and maintenance supplies to free up additional manufacturing space in the 3 existing A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. factories. is an Iowa-based 167-year-old 5th generation family business with three manufacturing locations in Iowa, and Tennessee, with plans underway to build a state-of-the-art brass foundry in Wisconsin. Since the beginning of 2019, A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. has doubled the manufacturing space of their Tennessee facility with a 100,000 square feet addition and has undertaken the largest capacity expansion in the company's history having invested millions of dollars in new machinery and automation. Their production workforce has grown 45% since the end of 2020. In addition, parent company A.Y. McDonald Industries built a 100,000 square foot warehouse to house finished goods and maintenance supplies to free up additional manufacturing space in the 3 existing A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. factories. Cerro Flow Products, an Illinois-based pipe manufacturer that is part of the Marmon/Berkshire Hathaway Group - has 100% domestic manufacturing facilities and is currently looking to hire 23 individuals for good-paying union jobs as soon as possible at their Sauget facility. Cerro is also standing ready to add additional shifts at their primary mill, as well as utilize additional manufacturing capabilities at other Cerro sites as demand for water products increases due to federal investments. Cerro has also invested in new workforce development programs, additional upskilling for maintenance and electrical staff, and sponsors a tuition reimbursement program unique to the industry. an Illinois-based pipe manufacturer that is part of the Marmon/Berkshire Hathaway Group - has 100% domestic manufacturing facilities and is currently looking to as soon as possible at their Sauget facility. Cerro is also standing ready to add additional shifts at their primary mill, as well as utilize additional manufacturing capabilities at other Cerro sites as demand for water products increases due to federal investments. Cerro has also invested in new workforce development programs, additional upskilling for maintenance and electrical staff, and sponsors a tuition reimbursement program unique to the industry. Commercial Forged Products , an Illinois based company that does not normally make water parts, plans to invest $9 million in additional forging and ancillary equipment, while adding 15 new United Steelworker positions across multiple shifts, as well as hire 4 additional skilled machinists in its Bedford Park facility. , an Illinois based company that does not normally make water parts, plans to invest $9 million in additional forging and ancillary equipment, while adding 15 new United Steelworker positions across multiple shifts, as well as hire 4 additional skilled machinists in its Bedford Park facility. The Ford Meter Box Company, an Indiana-based company, is expanding its production capacity to meet private and public waterworks infrastructure demand in the long term, as well as lead service line replacement project needs in the near term. Ford has hired 40 new employees already this year, added new shifts, and invested in new equipment, all of which will increase production by 20%. The construction of a new 300,000 sq. ft. state of the art foundry will be announced this summer, pending final site selection. The new facility, along with committed downstream manufacturing investment, will increase production an additional 42%. This nine-figure manufacturing investment is the largest expansion project in the company's 125-year history. Additionally, the continued pursuit of a complementary "investment in people" includes a Manufacturing Support Specialist Program, a two-year training program to advance employees into salaried manufacturing, support, and administrative positions. an Indiana-based company, is expanding its production capacity to meet private and public waterworks infrastructure demand in the long term, as well as lead service line replacement project needs in the near term. Ford has hired 40 new employees already this year, added new shifts, and invested in new equipment, all of which will increase production by 20%. The construction of a will be announced this summer, pending final site selection. The new facility, along with committed downstream manufacturing investment, will increase production an additional 42%. This is the largest expansion project in the company's 125-year history. Additionally, the continued pursuit of a complementary "investment in people" includes a Manufacturing Support Specialist Program, a two-year training program to advance employees into salaried manufacturing, support, and administrative positions. Mueller Water Products , an Atlanta-based company, has invested approximately $150 million in three capital projects in recent years, expanding its U.S. production capacity due in part to the billions of dollars in water infrastructure investments made in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The largest capital project is a new brass foundry located in Decatur, Illinois, which will significantly expand its capacity to produce products, including those commonly used in lead service line replacements. The new foundry, which will replace an existing aging facility, uses a state-of-the-art brass alloy to eliminate dependence on imported Bismuth from China and increases recyclability. The new foundry - expected to be fully online by 2024 and employ United Steelworkers - and other production improvements are also expected to increase Mueller's production capacity for brass and other water infrastructure products. Mueller already employs about 465 United Steelworkers in Decatur, and the firm's investments will help replace 100% of lead service lines and deploy the largest single investment in U.S. water infrastructure. , an Atlanta-based company, has invested in three capital projects in recent years, expanding its U.S. production capacity due in part to the billions of dollars in water infrastructure investments made in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The largest capital project is a which will significantly expand its capacity to produce products, including those commonly used in lead service line replacements. The new foundry, which will replace an existing aging facility, uses a state-of-the-art brass alloy to eliminate dependence on imported Bismuth from China and increases recyclability. The new foundry - expected to be fully online by 2024 and employ United Steelworkers - and other production improvements are also expected to increase Mueller's production capacity for brass and other water infrastructure products. Mueller already employs about 465 United Steelworkers in Decatur, and the firm's investments will help replace 100% of lead service lines and deploy the largest single investment in U.S. water infrastructure. Quality Steel Products, a Michigan-based firm that previously did not make components in the water space, has committed to expand its business to meet upcoming demand by adding employees and additional shifts, investing millions of dollars in new forging presses and equipment, induction furnaces, transformers and capital improvement process. Through historic levels of funding from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and American Rescue Plan, annual appropriations, and harnessing a variety of tools across federal, state, and local government, the Biden-Harris Administration is delivering tangible progress on the groundbreaking Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan to replace all lead service lines in America in the next decade. All Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments are subject to the Build America, Buy America Act, which requires iron, steel, manufactured products and construction materials used in infrastructure projects to be produced in the United States. President Biden's Investing in America agenda is revitalizing American manufacturing, including in once hollowed out communities, and creating good-paying jobs across the country. Under President Biden's manufacturing boom, nearly 800,000 new manufacturing jobs have been created, and private sector companies have announced over $480 billion in manufacturing and clean energy investments since President Biden took office. This week's announcements provide further evidence his approach to industrial policy is creating good jobs and rebuilding our manufacturing capacity while ensuring every family can access clean, safe drinking water. READ MORE: President Biden Announces Key Nominee @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Stalker suffocated student he followed to London from Pakistan Muhammad Arslan killed Hina Bashir out of anger and jealousy, the Old Bailey heard - Metropolitan Police/PA A stalker suffocated a student he had followed to London from Pakistan using a Covid face mask, a court heard. 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 Hinas body. A jury at the Old Bailey found him guilty of the charges on Wednesday. In his evidence, Arslan claimed that he had been friends with Hina 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. Judge Richard Marks KC sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder and five years running concurrent for perverting the course of justice. The judge told Arslan: I am satisfied...that your unrequited feelings for Hina boiled over and resulted in you taking hold of a facemask and forcing it into the back of her mouth which led to her collapse and ultimately to her death from asphyxiation. Judge Marks said it was apparent that Arslan had been madly in love and obsessed with Hina, feelings which he added were clearly not reciprocated. The judge told Arslan he was extremely sceptical of his claim that he had been sent naked photographs of Hina before he attacked her as no such photos were ever recovered. Hinas father, Bashir Khan, made an impact statement which was read out in court in which he asserted that animals would treat my daughter better. He treated her in a heinous and brutal way, Mr Khan added. Mr Khan spoke of how his daughters death has traumatised his family and how they loved their beautiful, bubbly girl. Arslan showed no emotion during the hearing and his defence barrister told the court there was nothing to say in mitigation. Six jurors returned to the Old Bailey to listen to the sentencing. These jurors heard during the trial how Arslan and Hina grew up in the same village in the Faisalabad district of Pakistan. From the age of 11, Hina 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. Hina 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 a 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, Hina and two female friends had visited Arslans flat to collect some belongings she had left there while moving. When she did not come out, her friends had to leave without her and the student was never seen alive again, jurors were told. Hina Bashir grew up in the same village as her killer - Metropolitan Police/PA 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. The prosecution said Arslan set off from his house the next morning dragging a suitcase containing Hinas body, travelling to an industrial estate by the M25 near Upminster, where he hid the suitcase in some undergrowth to the side of a lane. After the killing, Arslan had deleted his contacts from Hinas phone, lied to police about her disappearance and made inquiries about travelling to Northern Ireland and Birmingham. An examination of his phone revealed the extent of his obsession with Hina 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. Police found a large number of photographs of Hina, including collages of her image, on Arslans phone. Love hearts had been added on some pictures. Following Arslans conviction, Det Ch Insp Dave Whellams of the Metropolitan Police, said: Arslan was obsessed with Hina to the point that he told people they were engaged and said they should have children together. This relationship was completely in his mind. Our investigation showed that Arslan was unable to live with the fact Hina did not want to be with him. It was this rejection that tragically led to her death. Once Arslan had murdered Hina, he did everything he could to cover his tracks but the evidence gathered by our team left no doubt in our mind as to his guilt. We are pleased the jury felt the same way and our thoughts continue to remain with Hinas family and friends who are dealing with an incomprehensible loss. 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. Image: Paramount This week Star Trek: Strange New Worlds took us on an enlightened spin on a Trek classic: the courtroom drama, where spaceships and scientific ponderings give way to our Starfleet heroes sitting down and having even more fancy chats than they usually do. Its a format the franchise has been obsessed with since the beginningbut were entering our own tribunal to sort the best from the rest. 16) Court Martial - Star Trek Image: Paramount Star Treks first crack at the trial formatin which Captain Kirk is accused of criminal negligence for jettisoning an occupied research pod during an emergency, only for it to emerge Kirk had history with the lost crewmanis not the most riveting take on the format, especially under the limitations that the show was never going to actually find its protagonist fallible. But its still an interesting bit of insight into who James T. Kirk is as a person, and his history before the Enterprise. Read more 15) Author, Author - Star Trek: Voyager Image: Paramount Not quite as traditionally structured as other Trek trial episodes, its also one of the most unhinged, as Voyagers holographic doctor goes to copyright court to advocate for the rights of AI after creating a distinctly unflattering holographic story featuring the crews facsimiles. Ultimately tries to advocate that somehow the Doctor has no rights as an actual person, but still is an artist... how??? 14) Unification III - Star Trek: Discovery Image: Paramount A spiritual successor to the Unification episodes of Treks pastabout Spocks attempts to reunite the fractured peoples of Vulcan and Romulussees Michael Burnham, now in a far future where her half-brothers dreams have been achieved, face a tribunal of both races to see if she and the Federation can be trusted with valuable research data. Interesting ideas, even if the episode largely concludes that the whole thing was pointless by giving Michael exactly what she wants. 13) The Menagerie - Star Trek Image: Paramount Look, Im not saying that this two-parter is a bad episode, but its not known for the courtroom framing devicewhere Spock is put on trial for abducting the Enterprise and its former captain, Christopher Pike. Its merely an excuse to reuse swaths of the original Star Trek pilot, and while it wont make it past most juries, that in and of itself is a notable twist on Treks history with this format. 12) A Matter of Perspective - Star Trek: The Next Generation Image: Paramount Another one that is more interesting for its format rather than the story itself, here Riker is accused of destroying an entire space station because he is simply too much of a horndog. That alone is very funny, but fascinatingly the court is shifted to the holodeck for a series of recreations of the alleged incident, changing and replaying on the fly based on testimony, from who was standing where to how particular lines of dialogue are enunciated. 11) Distant Origin - Star Trek: Voyager Image: Paramount A rare trial episode where one of our heroes isnt put to task for an alleged crime or violation of conduct, but more of a scientific debatewhen Commander Chakotay is presented to an academic board as proof that the Voth, a powerful dinosaur-esque species from the Delta Quadrant, have evolutionary roots on Earth, contravening generations of religious dogma in their society. 10) Devils Due - Star Trek: The Next Generation Image: Paramount An incredibly goofy episode that feels ripped right out of original Trek despite being in TNGs fourth season. Picard and the crew are tasked with dealing with a planetary property dispute against the mysterious Ardra, in a wonderfully camp turn by Marta DuBois, who claims to be the literal Devil of Ventax II. 9) Dax - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Image: Paramount Jadzia is put on trial for an alleged murder committed by her predecessor as the host of the Dax symbiont, Curzon. In something of a Riker-esque move, shes proven innocent by testimony from the woman Curzon was sleeping with at the time of the incident, the murder victims wife. Sometimes, being a horndog works! 8) Death Wish - Star Trek: Voyager Image: Paramount Voyager becomes the center of a philosophical debate when a member of the Q continuum requests asylumso that he, as a member of a seemingly immortal, all-powerful race, can commit suicide. While being as delicate as it can be with a particularly touching subject, being a Q episode theres also tons of hijinks as John DeLancies meddling omnipotent steps in to try and stop the asylum request. 7) Judgment - Star Trek: Enterprise Image: Paramount Captain Archer is put on trial by the Klingons for allegedly conspiring against the Empireand finds himself defended through the Klingons harsh judicial system by none other than classic Trek guest star J.G. Hertzler, beloved for his DS9 turn as Klingon General Martok. Aside from getting to see Hertzler again, its also an interesting examination of Klingon attitudes. 6) Rules of Engagement - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Image: Paramount Worf finds himself at odds with the Klingon Empire when hes faced with an extradition request after firing on a Klingon vessel that turned out to be a civilian shuttle. This is a trial episode that also tries to be a Worf episode and a conspiracy episode, so the former part suffers a bit, but its still got some great performances and, uh, Worf just decking the Klingon counselor ChPok mid-session. Dont watch Star Trek for legal advice! 5) Veritas - Star Trek: Lower Decks Image: Paramount In Lower Decks style, this is a suitably silly twist for the trial episode format, when our ensigns find themselves in an alien trial giving testimony to exonerate the Cerritos bridge crew. Many hijinks and misunderstandings later, its actually a great story about the power imbalance between Starfleets officer ranks, and the fallibility of people we expect to be idealized examples. 4) Tribunal - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Image: Paramount Fittingly for Deep Space Nine, this is a much darker take on Treks trial format, as the audience and Chief OBrien are exposed to the despotic and horrifying twists of the Cardassian legal systempre-sentenced to death for a crime he didnt commit, and only aided by a lawyer who wants him to confess for the good of Cardassia rather than to find the truth. Its far from the first or last time this show would put poor Miles through the ringer. 3) Ad Astra per Aspera - Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Image: Paramount There may be a little bit of a recency bias at work here, and as we said in our recap, the episode is largely limited in what it can do about its core allegorythe rights of genetically augmented peoples within the Federation in the wake of the Eugenics Warsdue to Strange New Worlds place in the Trek timeline. But that doesnt stop it from smartly evolving this classic Star Trek episode style by not having Starfleet turn on its own heroes, or force its way into another worlds legal system, but having an alien beingin this case the Illyrian civil rights advocate Neera (a star turn by Yetide Badaki)come to the defense of Commander Una, herself an Illyrian, against the Federations laws banning genetic modifcation. 2) The Drumhead - Star Trek: The Next Generation Image: Paramount People come to Star Trek trial episodes for the speeches, and this gives us one of Picards finest, when the captain finds himself on trial for treason after Starfleet Admiral Norah Satie boards the Enterprise on an investigation that gets quickly and increasingly conspiratorial. Its a great, tense episode, but really, you are here to watch Patrick Stewart sit in a chair and quietly act the socks off of everyone around him. 1) The Measure of a Man - Star Trek: The Next Generation Image: Paramount Look. What else would be here? In the trial episode that all trial episodes aspire to be, Datas rights as an android are put to task when Starfleet scientist Bruce Maddox boards the Enterprise and demands to take Data apart as part of his research. With fantastic tension when Riker is asked to prosecute his colleague, its an episode that tightly balances Star Trek worldbuilding and real-world legal precedents, and of course, once again Patrick Stewart acting the socks off of everyone around him. Hes mostly standing when he does it this time, though. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Starbucks logo Starbucks employees across the U.S. are set to strike over the course of the next week following allegations that Starbucks banned Pride decorations in stores during Pride Month. The Starbucks Workers United union announced the strike in a tweet beginning "STRIKE WITH PRIDE!" and cited Starbucks' "hypocritical treatment of LGBTQIA+ workers" as the catalyst. The group says 3,500 workers from more than 150 stores will join in the strike, which is being spearheaded by the chain's Seattle Roastery location. (@) The controversy began this month when the same group alleged that the coffee giant was no longer allowing Pride decorations in store. Several videos of Pride decor being taken down at Starbucks locations went viral on social media. Starbucks called the reports "false information." "There has been no change to any policy on this matter, and we continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for U.S. Pride month in June, a spokesperson said. In a follow-up post, Starbucks Workers United provided a strike letter sent from the Seattle Roastery location to Starbucks leadership. "We are taking collective action in response to the company's unlawful decision to unilaterally alter or terminate store Pride decoration policies without negotiating with our union," the letter reads. In a statement to The Washington Post, Starbucks spokeswoman Rachel Wall reiterated the company's claim that the alleged Pride decor ban is false information and called the strike a "tactic used to seemingly divide our partners." (@) The letter also notes that the chain does not formally recognize the Pike Street Roastery as a certified union shop. Employees at more than 300 Starbucks locations across the U.S. have voted to unionize in the last two years, but efforts are ongoing. Developing... The Starbucks union says workers at more than 150 stores will be striking in protest of the company's treatment of Pride displays Some Starbucks workers allege that they were told they couldn't display Pride decor at their stores. Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images The union for Starbucks staff says that workers at more than 150 stores will strike in the coming week. It said the strikes were in response to Starbucks "hypocritical treatment of LGBTQIA+ workers." Strikers will also demand Starbucks negotiate a fair contract "and stop their illegal union-busting campaign." The union representing Starbucks staff says that workers at more than 150 stores will be striking, partly in protest of the company's apparent treatment of Pride displays. Starbucks Workers United said Friday morning that more than 3,500 workers would be on strike over the course of the next week because of the company's "hypocritical treatment of LGBTQIA+ workers." The union said that strikers would be "demanding that Starbucks negotiate a fair contract with union stores and stop their illegal union-busting campaign, which has significantly impacted Starbucks' LGBTQIA+ workforce." A Starbucks spokesperson told Insider that the union was spreading "false information" about its benefits, policies, and negotiation efforts. They said that the company apologized to customers who "may experience an inconvenience" at these locations with striking staff and said that customers can use the Starbucks app or website to check which stores are open. The union previously told Insider that Starbucks had refused to let workers at some stores decorate for Pride and had taken down Pride flags, and posts alleging this have also circulated on social media. This came shortly after Bud Light partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in a promotion, prompting a huge wage of conservative backlash. Not long after that, Target said that it was pulling some items from its Pride Month collection after staff got threats from anti-LGBTQ activists. Reddit users identifying as Target employees said that by removing some displays, the retailer was letting down the LGBTQ community. Speaking about Starbucks' apparent orders to stores to not decorate for Pride, Moe Mills, a shift supervisor from Richmond Heights, Missouri, said in a statement provided by Workers United: "Their choice to align themselves with other corporations that have withdrawn their 'support' of the queer community in the time we need it most shows that they are not the inclusive company they promote themselves to be." Starbucks says that there has been "no change" to company policies regarding Pride Month celebrations. "Our store leaders are each empowered to decorate their stores for heritage months, including Pride Month, within the framework of our established store safety guidelines," the company said earlier this month. In a letter to Workers United President Lynne Fox on June 14, May Jensen, Starbucks' VP of partner resources, said that statements alleging the company had banned Pride decor were "knowingly and recklessly false." "NOTHING could be further from the truth," Jensen added, The union told CNBC that not all of the stores set to strike have had disputes related to Pride decor. At the roastery in Seattle where the strike is set to start on Friday, for example, workers are striking to show solidarity, barista Mari Cosgrove told the publication. "Frankly, it feels like an attack when these flags are taken down," Cosgrove said. "The partners in these stores really appreciate being able to be seen and feel like this is a community space for them. Starbucks has really prided itself on being a third place, including for its workers." Starbucks did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, made outside of regular working hours, on what would happen to the striking stores. As of June 22, 329 Starbucks stores in the US have won union elections, according to Perfect Union. Read the original article on Business Insider Starbucks workers at over 150 stores to go on strike over Pride decor dispute By Deborah Mary Sophia (Reuters) -More than 3,000 workers at over 150 Starbucks stores in the United States will walk off the job over the next week, the union representing the coffee chain's baristas said on Friday, following claims the company had banned Pride Month decorations at some of its cafes. The strikes are also aimed at pushing the company to reach fair labor contracts for improved pay and benefits, the Starbucks Workers United union added. The company is yet to reach any collective bargaining agreements at its newly unionized cafes. Shares of Starbucks, which runs about 9,000 U.S. company-owned locations, fell more than 2.5% in broadly lower markets. The strike comes ahead of a big weekend for U.S. Pride Month celebrations, with Pride Parades set to take place on Sunday in several major cities including New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Chicago. The union claims that managers at dozens of Starbucks locations had prevented employees from putting up Pride Month flags and decorations, or had removed them. Starbucks on Friday called the claims "false information". It said last week there had been "no change to any policy on this matter" and it was still encouraging store managers to celebrate Pride Month as long as store safety guidelines were followed. Several U.S. retail brands have faced backlash from conservatives over the display of LGBTQ+ merchandise, as well as criticism from gay rights groups for insufficient support for the community after the companies relented under pressure from conservatives. U.S. retailer Target was forced to pull some Pride merchandise off shelves after confrontations between some shoppers and store workers, while Anheuser-Busch InBev's efforts to market to the transgender community have led to a steep drop in sales of its Bud Light beer in recent weeks. Shareholders are taking note. Earlier in June, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who manages the state's public pension funds, wrote to Starbucks, Target and more than 50 other companies in which the funds are invested. DiNapoli asked them to explain how they were managing corporate risks from recent attacks on LGBTQ+ equality, including their approach to state legislation that could hurt recruitment, and how they were supporting LGBTQ+ employees. Starbucks was the first company to reply to DiNapoli. On June 14, it reiterated its inclusive policies, showing a timeline that goes back to 1988, when it began offering full health benefits to same-sex domestic partners, according to letters seen by Reuters. Starbucks also faces hundreds of complaints at the National Labor Relations Board, over its alleged illegal practices such as firing union supporters and shutting stores during labor campaigns. Workers at more than 300 U.S. stores have voted to unionize since late 2021. Starbucks Workers United said on Friday the company's flagship Seattle Roastery was kicking off the nationwide strike, dubbed "Strike with Pride". (Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Hilary Russ in New York; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli and Anil D'Silva) IONIA TWP. Michigan State Police are investigating an incident in which a person was shot by police on Wednesday night. The Ionia County Sheriff's Office gave a general description of the incident in a news release late Thursday afternoon, first referring to the person who was shot as "a subject" or an "individual" and later indicating the person is a male. The incident happened after deputies responded to a call for a "suicidal subject" shortly after 9 p.m. at an undisclosed location in Ionia Township, according to the release. They found a person with a gun in the attached garage of a residence and tried to peacefully resolve the station, it said. The shooting happened about 10:06 p.m., the release indicated. "During the negotiations, the subject became irate, and a less lethal option attempted," officals said in the release. "The subject then turned the gun on the deputies and fired at them. An exchange of gunfire ensued. The subject was struck by gunfire and was subdued." The injured person was taken to a hospital and was reported in stable condition, official said. State police and Ionia police also responded. Sheriff's officials said they would release no other details about the incident. State police are investigating it, they said. Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: State police investigating after person shot by deputies in Ionia County New Statesman: Budanov says Russia's plan to sabotage Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has been 'drafted and approved' In an interview for the New Statesman, Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said that Russia had completed preparations for an attack on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. When asked if the decision to conduct a sabotage act at the plant had already been made, Budanov replied that the plan had been "drafted and approved" the only thing left is the order to proceed. "Then it can happen in a matter of minutes." Budanov earlier warned that Russian forces had additionally mined the plant's cooler. According to the intelligence chief cited by the publication, nuclear reactors could melt down in ten hours to 14 days without cooling. Meanwhile, Russian forces could use "technical means to speed up the catastrophe." The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), however, said that no new mines were discovered during the recent missions by its chief Rafael Grossi. Ukraine's military intelligence also found out that Russian troops had moved the equipment loaded with explosives to four of the six power units of the plant, the New Statesman wrote. The possibility of a Russian sabotage at the Zaporizhzhia plant was reported before, but "the situation has never been as severe as now," according to Budanov. Ukraine war latest: Zelensky warns of possible Russian terrorist attack at Zaporizhzhia plant; IAEA spots no new mines at site Key developments on June 22: * Russia considers radiation leak at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant, warns Zelensky * Explosions reported in occupied Crimea * Russian proxies claim Ukraine hit bridge connecting Crimea to mainland Ukraine * EU provides $1.6 billion to Ukraine According to President The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Khrebet President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 20, citing intelligence reports, that Moscow was considering a terrorist attack at the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant by deliberately leaking radiation. According to Interior Minister, special coordination centers have already been deployed across Ukraine to prepare for the possible attack. In its June 22 assessment, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote that Russia might be signaling its readiness to sabotage the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to prevent Ukrainian forces from launching a counteroffensive in the area. According to the ISW, a deliberate radiation incident at the nuclear plant remains unlikely but not impossible. The think-tank explained that the radioactive leak would be difficult to control and could potentially affect Russian forces more than Ukrainian ones, depending on given conditions at the time. The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest nuclear power station, has been under Russian occupation since March 4, 2022. French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet was one of five passengers who died aboard the Titan submersible, which the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed on Thursday experienced a "catastrophic implosion" near the wreckage of the Titanic. John Paschall, stepson of Nargeolet, spoke to CBS New York just hours after the Coast Guard reported that it had discovered two debris fields on the sea floor which were pieces of the missing OceanGate sub. Paschall, who is also the son of late CBS New York anchor Michele Marsh, said Nargeolet was known affectionately as "Mr. Titanic" due to his expertise on the doomed cruise ship. "We focus so much on everything he did in the water, but I feel like some of his greatest accomplishments, too, were out of the water," Paschall said. "I understand that in life it is sometimes not easy to be a stepfather, when you are coming into a situation where my father was still in the picture and I had a great relationship with him, but he was always so respectful of my relationship with him and he was such an important part of my life. Nargeolet was the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic, an American company that owns the salvage rights to the wreck and operates exhibits featuring artifacts from the ship. About 30 million people have visited its exhibits, according to the company. In an interview with CBS News this week, G. Michael Harris, founder of RMS Titanic, said that he has worked with Nargeolet for the past 30 years, describing him as an "all-around good guy." "We first met in my freshman year of high school," Paschall said. "I remember the first thing he did for me that was so meaningful was he helped me with a science project on the building of a cell and creating a model of it, and I ended up getting an 'A' on it. Science is now my favorite subject, and it was one of those things where he never forced any help. I went and asked and he just did it." What we know about the tourist sub that disappeared on an expedition to the Titanic wreck Nargeolet leaves behind a wife and three other children. Paschall said it was rewarding to have his stepfather be part of his young son's life, if only for a short period of time. "I was very happy that we were able to have that meeting occur," Paschall said. "My son was born early in 2022, in January, and to be able to have that moment with him, to have him hold him, meant a lot. P-H has just meant a lot to me, my family. He had such a close relationship with my mom. It was so meaningful to me in so many ways growing up." What to know about the 5 passengers who were on the Titanic sub Paschall said he can take solace in the fact that his stepfather died doing what he loved exploring and being an adventurer. "Yeah, I think in my own opinion his home away from home was the ocean. He just felt so comfortable there," Paschall said. "I know so much of the focus of this discussion is about risk, and I felt he just accepted the risk and knew what it was, but he loved what he did. The Titanic meant so much to him, every artifact he brought up, whether it was small or it was large, meant so much to him." The other four people aboard the sub which went missing Sunday, less than two hours into its dive were British businessman Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his teenage son Suleman, and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush. John Bolton discusses possible 2024 bid, Trump investigations How labor shortages are impacting farmers Expert discusses safety concerns he raised about Titan sub in 2018 A Scots university says its staff and students are "shocked" at the death of business student Suleman Dawood. The 19-year-old and his father Shahzada, 48, were among five people who perished on the Titan submersible, which went missing last Sunday. The US Coast Guard confirmed on Thursday that they had found parts of the vessel amidst debris near the wreckage of the Titanic. It was consistent with a "catastrophic implosion of the vessel". Suleman studied at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. A fan of science fiction literature, he loved Rubik's cubes and playing volleyball. He was a former pupil of ACS International School Cobham in Surrey, and had just completed his first year at Strathclyde Business School. On Friday, a spokesperson for the University of Strathclyde 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. "Our student wellbeing team is on hand to offer appropriate support to Suleman's Strathclyde classmates and the wider community at this difficult time." It emerged that the US Navy originally detected "an acoustic anomaly consistent with an implosion" shortly after the Titan lost contact on Sunday A robotic diving vehicle found major fragments of the sub on the seafloor about 1,600ft (480m) from the shipwreck it had been observing. Suleman's father was from one of Pakistan's richest families and is vice-chairman of Pakistani conglomerate Engro Corporation, which is a large fertiliser firm. He and wife Christine have another child, Alina. The family were spending a month in Canada prior to the dive. In a statement, the Dawood family said: "Our thoughts are with the victims of this tragedy, one which has been followed around the world. "As with any tragedy of this magnitude, it brings out the best and worst in people. "Some go out of their way to contribute and support, others use these moments for personal gains. How one behaves in such circumstances reveals more about their own character than anything else." It ended: "The family remains overwhelmed with the love and support that it has received and is grateful to the those who showcased the best in humanity." Suleman Dawood and his father Shahzada Dawood were on the Titanic sub Shahzada Dawood was a founding patron of Prince's Trust International. The charity said it was deeply saddened by the tragedy and "valued [the Dawood family's] support of our work in Pakistan for many years". The British Asian Trust also paid tribute to Shahzada, describing him as a "wonderful and generous man who supported our work in South Asia for many years" and his son Suleman as someone who was "just emerging into adulthood with a promising future ahead". His family said he was interested in "exploring different natural habitats", and had previously spoken at both the United Nations and Oxford Union. The father and son were on board the sub with British adventurer Hamish Harding, former French Navy diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet and Stockton Rush, the chief executive of OceanGate, which runs the Titanic voyages. OceanGate charges $250,000 per person for the deep-sea excursion to the Titanic shipwreck, which sits 3,800m (12,500ft) beneath the surface of the Atlantic. Titan and its passengers were at the centre of a huge international rescue mission, which included a Scottish ship normally used to work on pipelines in the North Sea. The Aberdeenshire-based Deep Energy had remote submersibles that reach the 3,800m (12,500ft) depth of the Titanic wreck to search for the missing vehicle. A large RAF plane also left Scotland for Canada to join the search operation. A C17 Globemaster loaded with ancillary equipment - believed to be cables - departed from RAF Lossiemouth at around 15:00. A second plane - and Atlas A400M - was scheduled to leave later, transporting specialist loaders and crew. Several major universities are in the hot seat as the topic of climate change heats up on campus. A CBS News investigation recently uncovered that many universities touting the fact that they are working to fight climate change are accepting donations from the same dirty energy companies that drive global warming. Whats happening? Students and experts alike are understandably upset that many major universities are profiting from climate change while they claim to be fighting it. A new study by Data for Progress found that from 2010 to 2020, six dirty energy companies or companies that make money off of oil, coal, and gas funneled more than $700 million in research funding to 27 universities in the U.S. Some of the particularly egregious top schools on the list are those that champion climate research, including Stanford University. June Choi, who chose to get her Ph.D. from Stanfords Doerr School of Sustainability, was dismayed to learn that the school accepted funding from the dirty energy industry, calling it a total contradiction. Why is it concerning that dirty energy companies are funding education? Dirty energy use is the largest source of harmful, planet-overheating carbon pollution in the world, so when universities accept donations from oil, gas, or coal companies for climate change research, it threatens to put a positive spin on the very industry causing the problem. As Bella Kumar, lead author of the Data for Progress report, pointed out, These research projects have real-life implications for example a lot of the fossil fuel-funded research has re-centered natural gas in the conversation about renewables. Universities that claim to be doing more to fight climate change than they actually are is an example of corporate greenwashing, which has become increasingly prevalent and problematic. Greenwashing is when a company or establishment makes false or misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a product or practice. Dirty energy companies have been doing it for years, and these relationships with universities are just another example. Michael Mann, a climatologist at the University of Pennsylvania, said [Dirty energy companies] are purchasing the name Stanford University, and that is worth a lot to [an] industry thats trying to purchase credibility. Hey look, were trying to solve the problem and were working with the greatest universities around to do so. Whats being done to hold universities accountable? Since the news came out, students have formed oversight committees and are starting to demand transparency from their universities. Further, due to pressure on universities to divest from stock in dirty energy companies, 50 universities or university systems have exited those investments. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Sinhue Johnson, Jr., age 27, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner to 25 years' imprisonment for sexually exploiting children. The Court also ordered a 15-year term of supervised release to follow the term of imprisonment. READ NEXT: Ohio Man Sentenced to More than 11 Years in Prison for Federal Drug Crime According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Johnson previously admitted to sexually assaulting two thirteen-year-old girls, one in 2018 and 2019 and the other in 2020, and enticing those girls to take sexually explicit pictures of themselves. Johnson also admitted that he possessed hundreds of images or videos of child pornography, some of which depicted infants and very young children. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources." READ MORE: St. Charles County Man Accused of Online Coercion of Minors @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Christine Ro uses ChatGPT to practise her Spanish I tell my Argentinian pal that I've been using ChatGPT to practise my Spanish and, excitedly, I explain what it can do. It can correct my errors, I tell him, and it's able to give me regional variations in Spanish, including Mexican Spanish, Argentinian Spanish and, amusingly, Spanglish. And, unlike when I'm chatting to him on WhatsApp, I don't have to factor in time zone differences. My friend is less enthused. "So you've replaced me?" he jokes. I haven't, of course. The convenience and breadth of an AI chatbot can't compete with the pleasures of chatting with someone whose personality quirks I've learned over the course of years. It is however a useful supplement. And I'm just one of many people who have discovered in recent months the benefits of AI-based chat for language learning. A Costa Rican who works in the construction industry tells me that his AI-powered keyboard has been useful for polishing up his technical vocabulary in English. For instance, it's saved him a great deal of time to be able to find an English word for a tool by describing it. A South African cafe owner has gone further in improving his Spanish grammar with the aid of AI. He had a hard time finding simple study tools, especially given his ADHD, so he started using ChatGPT to quickly generate and adapt study aids like charts of verb tenses. Developers have been quick to jump on this wave of interest, and there are now numerous apps that have drawn on open-source code to customise AI for language learners. These can be more appropriate for learners than general chatbots like the virtual companion Replika. Blanka Klimova, an associate professor of applied linguistics at the University of Hradec Kralove in Czechia, says that Replika has been useful for her students to practise informal English. But the conversations could become repetitive, language corrections were missing, and the chatbot would sometimes ask students for sexy pictures. "This was quite abusive." A conversation in the AI language-learning app Tutor Lily In contrast, one of the specific language-learning chatbots is LangAI, launched in March by Federico Ruiz Cassarino. Mr Ruiz Cassarino drew on his own experiences of learning English after moving from Uruguay to the UK. His English skills improved dramatically from speaking every day, compared to more academic methods. He's now using his own app to work on his Italian. Many people get self-conscious about making mistakes in a language they barely speak, even to a tutor, Mr Ruiz Cassarino notes. But a chatbot won't judge you. And the new wave of generative AI is so advanced that it can cultivate AI penpals, which is how he sees his product. Rather than sticking to boring pre-scripted roleplays, with current AI "you can speak about things that are interesting to you, which makes it feel like not as much of a chore to learn". While many language learners are using popular chatbots like ChatGPT and Bard to practice, Mr Ruiz Cassarino believes that specific language-acquisition apps like his are useful. "We worked really hard to make this well tailored for somebody who wants to learn languages," he says. The team customised LangAI's user interface to match users' vocabulary levels, added the ability to make corrections during a conversation, and enabled the conversion of speech to text. According to Mr Ruiz Cassarino, they're seeing some impressive retention numbers for an education app. Of users who try the app for around 10 minutes, roughly 45% will still be using it a month later. They're now focused on building the subscriber base of people willing to pay for unlimited use. Related to that, they're planning advancements like tracking of improved skills and the ability to personalise the chatbot's tone and personality (perhaps even to practise a language while conversing with historical figures). Some of the many language learning apps Assoc Prof Klimova, who is also a member of the research project Language in the Human-Machine Era, has assessed the useability and usefulness of AI chatbots for students of foreign languages. This research suggests that AI chatbots are helpful for vocabulary development, grammar and other language skills, especially when they offer corrective feedback. To stay ahead of the trend, well-established language-learning apps have been integrating AI into their own platforms. Duolingo began collaborating with OpenAI in September 2022, using that company's GPT-4. It seems unlikely that AI chatbots will replace Duolingo altogether. Joy Ehonwa, an editor and writer in Lagos, mainly uses Duolingo to learn French. But lately she's also been using an AI chatbot developed in Nigeria to help with her French. She interacts with this chatbot, Kainene vos Savant, the way she would with "an all-knowing human friend". Ms Ehonwa explains, "My questions revolve around 'why'? When I fail an exercise on Duolingo, the app is not great at helping me understand why the thing that was wrong, was wrong. So, I ask Kainene. Also, when I think a sentence should be a certain way and it isn't, I ask Kainene why and she helps me understand why it cannot be the way I expect it to be, as an English speaker." Joy Ehonwa says chatbots are good at explaining points of language If the older language-learning platforms have weaknesses, so does AI-powered language learning. Users are reporting that chatbots are well versed in widely spoken European languages, but quality degrades for languages that are underrepresented online or that have different writing systems. Many of the AI language-learning apps are available for a limited set of languages. Even in common languages, the chatbots make errors - sometimes even inventing words. One problem is that they deliver text so confidently, it would be easy for a relatively new learner to take what they say as correct. Emily M Bender, a professor of computational linguistics at the University of Washington in the US, has concerns, "What kind of biases and inappropriate ways of talking about other people might they be learning from the chatbot?" Other ethical issues, such as data privacy, may also be neglected. More technology of business: Still, Assoc Prof Klimova believes that there will be an enormous market for such technologies. And like a number of language learners, she points out that GPT-4, available with a paid subscription to ChatGPT, has made astonishing strides on accuracy. Though many teachers disagree, she believes, "It's just a matter of time when artificial intelligence will replace us as teachers of foreign languages." While that may sound extreme, "teachers will still have an important role as mentors and facilitators, particularly with beginner learners and older people since teachers have a strong understanding of the individual learning styles, language needs, and goals of each student." It will be key for language teachers to assess the added value of AI and their role in relation to it, as more sophisticated self-directed learning becomes possible. As Assoc Prof Klimova advises, "Technology is here to stay, and we have to face it and reconsider our teaching methods and assessments." A new study reveals that plastic pollution brings an added health problem: It is a breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes. Researchers from the Technical University of Mombasa and Stanford University recently discovered that the rainwater that collects in the small, watertight pools created by plastic litter is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. And on the Kenyan coast, where plastic litter is prevalent, that is worse than a nuisance. Mosquitoes there can carry diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Zika. The researchers took 22,144 samples of standing water captured in plastic litter over the course of 24 months and found significant numbers of mosquito larvae. If we create systems to eliminate plastic litter, we will prevent a large number of unnecessary disease cases and deaths, wrote Stanfords Desiree LaBeaud, one of the studys lead researchers. According to the study, more than 10% of febrile (i.e., feverish) illness in Kenya is caused by mosquito-borne infections but goes undiagnosed. The study also found that Kenya lacks adequate public disposal systems for plastic waste, causing it to accumulate and pile up around places where people live. And due to the fact that plastic does not break down or decompose, it just continues to pile up, much to the delight of the mosquitoes, which lay their larvae in standing water. In order to combat the problem, the researchers recommend bolstering existing waste disposal systems in Kenya to get plastic litter away from peoples homes, which would greatly reduce the number of mosquitoes. When we remove plastic litter, we not only improve local environments we improve human health, beautify our community, support local entrepreneurs, and boost tourism. Everyone stands to gain, Francis M. Mutuku of the Technical University of Mombasa, the other lead researcher, said in a briefing. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. "This is so stupid": MTG mocked over resolution to pretend Trump's impeachments never happened Marjorie Taylor GreeneChip Somodevilla/Getty Images Reps. Marjorie Taylor Green, R-Ga., and Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., unveiled joint resolutions Thursday to expunge former President Donald Trump's 2019 and 2021 impeachments. Stefanik's measure pertains to Trump's 2021 impeachment on charges of inciting an insurrection, asserting that the facts the articles were based on did not meet the burden of proving that the former president committed "high Crimes and Misdemeanors" for his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, or participate in "insurrection of rebellion against the United States." Greene's resolution addresses Trump's 2019 impeachment on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress for withholding aid to Ukraine in order to pressure the nation into launching investigations into then-presidential candidate Joe Biden ahead of the election. The document argues that the former president was wrongfully accused of misconduct and that the circumstances on which the impeachment was based did not prove he committed "high crimes and Misdemeanors." Related "You've been nothing but a little b***h to me," MTG says to Boebert during a House floor squabble The conservative congresswomen defended their legislation in a joint press statement Thursday. "The American people know Democrats weaponized the power of impeachment against President Donald Trump to advance their own extreme political agenda," Stefanik said in a press release. "From the beginning of this sham process, I stood up against Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff's blatant attempt to shred the Constitution as House Democrats ignored the Constitution and failed to follow the legislative process. "President Donald Trump was rightfully acquitted, and it is past time to expunge Democrats' sham smear against not only President Trump's name, but against millions of patriots across the country," she added. "The first impeachment of President Trump was a politically motivated sham. The Democrats, led by Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff, weaponized a perfect phone call with Ukraine to interfere with the 2020 election. Meanwhile, the FBI had credible evidence of Joe and Hunter Biden's corrupt dealings, confirming their involvement in a foreign bribery pay-to-play scheme and receipt of over $5 million each. All of this information was revealed to Congress by the FD-1023 form from the FBI's most credible informant. The form vindicates President Trump and exposes the crimes of the Biden family," Greene said in a statement. "It's clear that President Trump's impeachment was a nothing [sic] more than a witch hunt that needs to be expunged from our history," she said. "I'm proud to work with Chairwoman Elise Stefanik on our joint resolutions to correct the record and clear President Trump's good name." Stefanik's office also added in a press release that if the resolutions were passed, it would be "as if such Articles of Impeachment had never passed the full House of Representatives." Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. According to Axios, the measures would be mostly symbolic because expungement processes normally pertain to lower-profile criminal cases that can easily disappear from the public record; Trump's impeachments, in contrast, were widely publicized. Though it's unclear whether either resolution will solicit a vote, Stefanik, who chairs the House Republican Conference, has greater influence than others to ensure it happens. The measures also come amid moves by right-wing House Republicans to impeach President Joe Biden and five of his officials and investigate the Biden family's alleged financial schemes much to the chagrin of their more moderate colleagues. MSNBC host Joe Scarborough, a former Republican lawmaker, slammed Greene and Stefanik's actions on Friday's edition of "Morning Joe," deriding the efforts as "so stupid" and "shameless." "Gesture, gesture, gesture. All they do are gestures," Scarborough complained. "It's totally unclear if such resolutions are even legally possible. House practices offer no guidance," co-host Mika Brzezinski said. "I'm sorry, this is too stupid. I don't even want to read this story," Scarborough said, before repeating that the situation is "too stupid." Brzezinski agreed, adding that we "already knew about Marjorie Taylor Greene she came baked into the cake but what the heck?" "Well, just shameless. But that's okay. That's okay. This is so stupid," Scarborough responded. "I mean, why would you do this? It makes no sense. It doesn't make any sense legislatively," he added. "But if their only focus is raising money for themselves, which they can do, the more the more freakish ideas they have, the more freaks out there send them $25, then this actually makes perfect sense for them, just not for the rest of the party." Read more about Marjorie Taylor Greene Miami Mayor and Republican 2024 presidential candidate Francis Suarez stressed his commitment to pro-life positions on Friday at a Christian-themed political conference, lauding last years Supreme Court Dobbs decision and referring to it as one of the most important moments in U.S. history. I express my profound gratitude to God for the celebration of the anniversary of what historians will call the greatest day defending life in our history: The overturning of Roe v. Wade, Suarez said, referring to the high courts June 24, 2022 decision allowing states to enact stricter abortion laws, including outright bans. Suarezs statements on Friday come as he attempts to gain traction as a presidential candidate. As mayor of Miami, Suarez spoke sparingly in public, if at all, about his position on abortion. But in interviews since announcing his presidential campaign last week, Suarez has stated that he supports a 15-week federal abortion ban, setting him apart from some of the other Republican candidates. READ MORE: FBI investigates developers payments to Miamis mayor as SEC digs into companys finances On Friday, Suarez used his short speech to share his own personal family struggles with fertility. A decade ago, Suarez cited his wifes sudden pregnancy after years of trying to have a child as a reason he dropped out of the citys 2013 mayoral race. You know, many people claim to be pro-life, but youre not pro-life until you are truly tested. In my case, my wife and I were tested by the challenge of infertility, said Suarez. RELATED CONTENT: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is running for president. Here are 8 things you should know Suarez, who is Catholic, also spoke Friday about how his familys positions on abortion influenced his upbringing and his positions today. I am literally a product of the pro-life movement myself. My parents actually met at a pro-life rally, said Suarez. In Suarezs home state of Florida, Governor Ron Desantis also a Republican presidential candidate recently signed a six-week abortion ban, which has yet to go into effect due to an ongoing legal battle. Suarez recently told the Associated Press that he felt the country wasnt ready to embrace such a restriction. That position seems to put him in line with leading Republican candidate former President Donald Trump, who has also stated that the six-week abortion ban is too restrictive. Governor J. B. PritzkerNatasha Moustache/Getty Images One year ago, the Supreme Court made the retrograde and destructive decision to overturn Roe v. Wadevacating nearly a half-century of legal precedent that protected the privacy and autonomy of more than 166 million women and girls throughout the nation. In the almost 365 days since the Dobbs decision unleashed chaos, fourteen states have outright banned abortionstripping vulnerable Americans of their reproductive rights. Doctors in those and other states are now afraid to provide medical care out of fear of being sued or prosecuted. Expectant parents experiencing life-threatening complications have gone into septic shock because of ambiguous anti-abortion laws barely surviving their brushes with death. Family planning centers and abortion clinics have been attacked and vandalized. And abortion providers have faced an ever-increasing stream of violence from those who claim to care about "life" one moment, and then threaten to bomb a women's health facility the next. And while the pro-choice majority calls out such blatant hypocrisy and fights for a return to sanity, radical right-wing legislators around the country continue to push through ever more restrictive policiesgrandstanding for an extremist minority that wish the nation would return to an era where women's rights were subjugated to men's control and women were denied authority over their own healthcare. But here in Illinois, those seeking to take away reproductive rights will fail. Related I own the only abortion clinic in Wyoming: Post-Roe America is a tragedy, and an opportunity As Governor of Illinois, it is my duty to not only keep our residents safe, but to uphold our 205-year legacya legacy rooted in progress and justice. So, while every state bordering us is forcing women to revert to back-alley abortions, with some elected officials threatening to limit contraceptive access only for those with approval from their husbands, I've worked hand-in-hand with members of the General Assembly to extend protections for patients and providers alike. "Here in Illinois, those seeking to take away reproductive rights will fail." We have welcomed abortion providers who fled their states, and we eliminated barriers to access by allowing birth centers to provide all reproductive care and removing copays for birth control and medication abortions. We instituted new protections for patients, doctors and nurses from out-of-state subpoenascreating another safeguard for reproductive access in Illinois. We funded the creation of the Reproductive Health Public Navigation Hotlinea centralized resource where patients will be able to find the services that will meet their needs. And all the while, we are investing millions toward learning collaboratives and abortion provider trainings, so we can continue to train healthcare personnel to meet the demand of patients seeking reproductive freedom who are flooding in from across the nation. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Anti-choice extremists aren't going to stop at Roe v. Wade. They will keep chipping awaybit by bitat reproductive healthcare and other related privacy rights. But Illinois will remain a havenso long as we fight for it. And my administration and pro-choice members of the General Assembly will do everything in our power to ensure widespread, equitable access to reproductive rights as a foundational freedom. In Illinois, abortion is legal, abortion is health care, and personal decisions about it will remain between a woman and her doctor. Read more about reproductive freedom in a post-Roe America Gov. Ron DeSantis efforts to use the court system to win political points against the Biden administration may face a new hurdle after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled that states did not have the authority to challenge federal immigration guidelines and directed Congress to fix the mess. With an 8-to-1 decision written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the court ruled that the plaintiffs, Texas and Louisiana, did not have standing to bring their suit to block the Biden administrations guidelines issued in 2021. But the justices also went beyond immigration when they imposed new limits on state attempts to challenge federal programs. If the court greenlighted this suit, we could anticipate complaints in future years about alleged executive branch under-enforcement of any similarly worded laws whether they be drug laws, gun laws, obstruction of justice laws or the like, Kavanaugh wrote in the opinion that was signed by five of the justices. We decline to start the federal judiciary down that uncharted path. Kavanaughs statement raised the possibility that the ruling could have a potential impact on dozens of partisan lawsuits brought by Republican-led states against the Biden administration, ranging from transgender rights and abortion to student loan debt, securities regulations and horse racing. On Thursday, DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody filed the latest lawsuit against the Biden administration, suing the U.S. secretary of education, Miguel Cardona, in an effort to block accrediting agencies from having influence over the states public colleges and universities. In a major victory for the Biden administration, the court restored the guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that prioritized the arrest and removal from the U.S. of noncitizens who are suspected terrorists or dangerous criminals, or who have unlawfully entered the country recently. Texas and Louisiana had argued that the guidelines allowed immigrants with criminal records to remain free while their cases moved forward, forcing their states to jail or provide social services, such as healthcare and education, to people they said the federal government should have arrested. Precedent in five previous administrations But Kavanaugh noted that for decades, under five presidential administrations, the executive branch has not had the resources to adequately apprehend and detain all non-citizens who pose a threat to public safety. He called the lawsuit extraordinarily unusual and rejected the states request to order the executive branch to alter its arrest policies so as to make more arrests. FILE - Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh stands during a group photo at the Supreme Court in Washington, on April 23, 2021. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool) Federal courts have not traditionally entertained that kind of lawsuit; indeed, the states cite no precedent for a lawsuit like this, he wrote. He suggested the appropriate authority to handle the problem was Congress. Congress possesses an array of tools to analyze and influence those policies oversight, appropriations, the legislative process and Senate confirmations, to name a few, he wrote. The challenge is part of an increasing trend by states controlled by one party to use taxpayer funds to challenge the policies of a president in another party, according to Paul Nolette, a political scientist at Marquette University, who has been tracking the practice since 2014. Earlier this year, Nolette estimated there are 56 pending lawsuits challenging policies of the Biden administration by various states, including Florida. The Biden immigration guidelines attempted to reverse the expansive policies of the Trump administration that targeted for deportation anyone in the country who could not produce legal documentation. The rules were challenged by now-suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was joined by state officials in Louisiana. The lower courts agreed with their argument and blocked the guidelines. In a statement on Twitter, Moody lamented the ruling but agreed the responsibility now lies with Congress. This is a tragic decision for our nation and the safety of our communities, she said. Congress needs to roll up its sleeves. It has a lot of work to do. Florida has also sued the Biden administration over its immigration policies. In 2021, Moody and DeSantis sued the Biden administration and DHS over a parole program used to help DHS relieve migrant congestion at the U.S. southern border. The state argued that DHS had released thousands of migrants into communities without initiating removal proceedings. The federal government subsequently scaled back the parole program and, after a federal judge sided with Florida officials and halted it, DHS did not appeal the ruling. Immigration lawyers leader likes the ruling The decision on Friday was a breath of fresh air coming from this court and a serious smack down to GOP state officials like Paxton, said David Leopold, legal adviser to Americas Voice, an immigration-reform advocacy organization and past president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. For the past three years, Republican governors and attorneys general, led by the recently impeached Ken Paxton from Texas, have tried to take control of the federal immigration system, he said. Their goal is to create immigration chaos, and to destroy any kind of immigration policy in this country. Leopold said he agreed with Moody that Congress now must step up to update the nations immigration policy that responds to Americas economic needs. But he expects litigation to continue to come from GOP-led states over immigration policy because the issue generates intense interest among right-leaning voters. Republicans have nothing to run on in 2024, and immigration and the border are how they rile up their base, he said. They are going to continue to go into the courts to try to jam up any kind of policy that the Biden administration puts through to try to make a broken immigration system work until Congress will fix it. On Monday, DeSantis will return to the Texas border where he will announce his proposed policy to manage the U.S.-Mexico border. Kavanaugh was joined in the majority opinion by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and the courts three liberal members, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil M. Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett voted with the majority but did not adopt its rationale. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. wrote a dissent in which he suggested that the ruling gives the executive branch too much discretion when enforcing the law. To put the point simply, Congress enacted a law that requires the apprehension and detention of certain illegal immigrants whose release, it thought, would endanger public safety, Alito wrote. The secretary of D.H.S. does not agree with that categorical requirement. He prefers a more flexible policy. Mary Ellen Klas can be reached at meklas@miamiherald.com and @MaryEllenKlas WASHINGTON The Supreme Court handed President Joe Biden a rare win Friday in a major immigration case, ruling that Republican officials in two states who challenged the president's effort to prioritize some unauthorized immigrants for arrest and detention over others did not have standing to sue. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for a five-justice majority that included Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Justice Neil Gorsuch, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Amy Coney Barrett, wrote an opinion that agreed with the final outcome but for different reasons. Justice Samul Alito dissented. The states, Kavanaugh wrote, "want a federal court to order the executive branch to alter its arrest policies so as to make more arrests. Federal courts have not traditionally entertained that kind of lawsuit; indeed, the states cite no precedent for a lawsuit like this." What was the latest Biden immigration case about? At issue in U.S. v. Texas was a Biden memorandum from 2021 that focused enforcement on immigrants who pose a threat to national security, public safety, or who recently crossed the border. The administration says it wanted to prioritize those immigrants because it doesn't have the resources to remove everyone in the country illegally. Texas and Louisiana said federal law gives Biden less discretion to pick and choose enforcement targets. Kavanaugh wrote that states don't have a stake in whether the federal government prosecutes more or less immigrants. "After all," he wrote, "the executive branch must prioritize its enforcement efforts. That is because the executive branch invariably lacks the resources to arrest and prosecute every violator of every law." In his dissent, Alito wrote that Biden's policy "inflicts substantial harm on the state and its residents by releasing illegal aliens with criminal convictions for serious crimes." Potential implications beyond immigration Though the policy was at the heart of the case, the justices spent just as much time during the November oral arguments debating whether the states were able to sue and what power lower courts have to block such policies and that more technical matter wound up deciding the case. Biden's attorneys questioned whether Texas and Louisiana should be allowed to sue. The states claim the immigration policy forced them to spend more money but critics have said the states have sought to increase their populations and that the same costs such as for public education would rise with an influx of non-immigrants as well. Case tracker Race, religion and debt. Here are the biggest cases pending at the Supreme Court The decision could have implications for when states may sue a presidential administration over federal policies, which is common. Kavanaugh stressed that the impact of the decision Friday would not give future administrations "some freestanding or general constitutional authority to disregard statutes." But Alito wrote that he worried that in future cases, "presidential power may be extended even further." How did the immigration case arrive at the Supreme Court? Biden laid out his immigration priorities in a Department of Homeland Security memorandum in 2021. But the states said federal immigration law demands more than Biden's approach: It requires the government to arrest and detain immigrants who have committed certain crimes, such as aggravated felonies or human trafficking. Migrants watch others stand next to the border wall in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Dec. 21, 2022, on the other side of the border from El Paso, Texas. A federal district court in Texas sided with the states and halted the policy's enforcement. A three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit all three of whom were nominated by GOP presidents declined to put the district court's ruling on hold. Biden then filed an emergency request in July asking the Supreme Court to pause the 5th Circuit's decision. In July, a 5-4 majority of the court declined Biden's request, barring his ability to carry out the policy. The high court had been set to hear another immigration case in March about whether the government could continue to rapidly expel migrants under the pandemic-era Title 42 program. But after Biden announced he would end the emergency declarations tied to COVID-19, the court removed the case from its calendar. Biden's lawyers argued the administration doesn't have the resources to do what the states are asking: DHS has about 6,000 interior enforcement officers to deal with more than 11 million people in the country illegally. The administration's priorities don't reduce enforcement, the government argued, but rather focus it on the worst offenders. Reaction: What experts say about the immigration decision DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas praised the decision, saying the administration's guidelines will allow immigration officials to "effectively accomplish its law enforcement mission with the authorities and resources provided by Congress." This decision soundly rejects the misguided attempt by Texas and Louisiana to force the government to implement the most draconian immigration enforcement policy," said Omar Jadwat, director of the American Civil Liberties Unions Immigrants' Rights Project. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry accused the Biden administration of "ignoring Congress and releasing violent criminal aliens into our communities." Landry called on Congress to pass legislation that would allow states to "hold federal government officials accountable for their unlawful conduct." Brent Webster, first assistant attorney general in Texas, said officials were "extremely disappointed" by the decision. "The state of Texas and our citizens are disproportionately affected by the Biden administration's unlawful immigration policies," Webster said. "And Texas has played a key role in forcing accountability through the court system." Stephen Yale-Loehr, a professor and immigration expert at Cornell Law School, noted that the Supreme Court "refused to issue sweeping proclamations" and instead "ruled as narrowly as possible." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court decision gives Biden rare win on deportation plan (Bloomberg) -- The US Supreme Court cleared the way for President Joe Bidens administration to shift the governments immigration enforcement priorities to focus on people who recently crossed the border or are a threat to public safety. Most Read from Bloomberg Voting 8-1 to reject two Republican-led states, the justices lifted a lower court ruling that had blocked the Biden apprehension and deportation policy as violating federal law. The administration plans to end a Trump administration approach that focuses more broadly on anyone in the country without authorization. In an opinion for the court, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said Texas and Louisiana lacked legal standing to challenge the policy shift. He said past cases established that judges cant hear lawsuits seeking to force the government to make more arrests or press more prosecutions. If the court green-lighted this suit, we could anticipate complaints in future years about alleged executive branch under-enforcement of any similarly worded laws whether they be drug laws, gun laws, obstruction of justice laws, or the like, Kavanaugh wrote. We decline to start the federal judiciary down that uncharted path. Justice Samuel Alito was the lone dissenter. Its the second immigration victory for the administration at the Supreme Court in as many years. The court last year let Biden end a Trump-era policy that had forced asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for their cases to be processed. The Supreme Court in July refused on a 5-4 vote to let the Biden administration put its deportation guidelines into effect while the justices considered the case. That left in force a ruling by the conservative 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals, which said the Biden policy radically reduces the detention of people who are required by law to be deported. Texas Governor Greg Abbott called the ruling outrageous in a tweet. SCOTUS gives the Biden Admin. carte blanche to avoid accountability for abandoning enforcement of immigration laws, he said. Texas will continue to deploy the National Guard to repel & turn back illegal immigrants trying to enter Texas illegally. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas hailed the ruling. He said the administrations guidelines will let immigration officers focus limited resources and enforcement actions on those who pose a threat to our national security, public safety, and border security. Right to Sue The Biden administration contended the states didnt allege the type of concrete injury that would give them standing to sue. Texas and Louisiana argued that they have to spend more on law enforcement and social services because of the presence of so many undocumented immigrants within their border. In their lawsuit, Texas and Louisiana said the Biden approach violates federal immigration law, which says the Department of Homeland Security shall detain a broader set of undocumented immigrants who are facing deportation. DHS says it doesnt have the resources to detain and deport all 11 million undocumented people estimated to be in the US. Alito cast the dispute as a clash between Congress categorical requirement and the more flexible policy sought by the Biden administration. The courts answer today is that the executives policy choice prevails unless Congress, by withholding funds, refusing to confirm presidential nominees, threatening impeachment and removal, etc., can win a test of strength, Alito wrote. Relegating Congress to these disruptive measures radically alters the balance of power between Congress and the executive. Kavanaugh said the court wasnt deciding whether Biden was complying with the immigration statutes. The question of reviewability is different from the question of legality, he wrote. Justices Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett and Clarence Thomas said in separate opinions they would have used different legal reasoning to toss out the lawsuit on standing grounds. The case is separate from a clash over the Title 42 border restrictions that applied during the pandemic. The Supreme Court last month scrapped a scheduled showdown over Title 42 after the Biden administration ended the emergency declaration that had formed the policys legal basis. The case is United States v. Texas, 22-58. --With assistance from Emily Birnbaum. (Updates with Abbott, Mayorkas reaction starting in eighth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. PHOENIX The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a claim by the Navajo Nation on Thursday that the United States held an obligation to determine the tribe's water needs and secure supplies to meet those needs. The 5-4 decision represents a setback for the tribe, which still lacks reliable water sources in many communities. Writing for the majority, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said the U.S. treaty with the Navajo Nation "said nothing about the affirmative duty for the United States to secure water." "Rather, Congress and the President may enact and often have enacted laws to assist the citizens of the western United States, including the Navajos, with their water needs," he wrote. Kavanaugh was joined in the majority by Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Amy Coney Barrett. Dissenting were Justices Neil Gorsuch, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. The Navajo Nation is the largest Indigenous tribe on the Colorado River without defined water rights. Navajo leaders have negotiated with state and federal leaders for decades in an attempt to secure water, but have never reached an agreement. At issue is whether the United States has a treaty-based duty to assess the Navajo Nations water needs and develop a plan to meet them. One of the questions is whether a lower federal court order requiring the U.S. to develop that plan would conflict with the courts landmark decree in Arizona vs. California, a decision that has shaped the use of Colorado River water for decades. Water settlements: With water, tribes can reclaim their agricultural heritage and restore riverside landscapes States with allocations on the river, including Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado, along with some water districts in California, argued that if the court requires the federal government to set aside water for the Navajo Nation, other users on the river will be forced to give up shares of water. The states are already faced with a river that no longer delivers the water it once did, shrunken by more than two decades of drought and the growing effects of climate change. Arizona is in its second year of reduced allocations and is in ongoing talks with other states and the federal government to potentially made do with less. Of the 22 federally recognized tribes In Arizona, 14 have secured water settlements and much of the water used to satisfy the agreements were carved out of the state's allocation. About 46% of the water that flows through the Central Arizona Project is allocated to tribes, according to CAP officials. 'Indian water rights are based on sovereignty' Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and Speaker Crystalyne Curley expressed their disappointment in the decision. Todays ruling is disappointing and I am encouraged that the ruling was 5-4," said Nygren. "It is reassuring that four justices understood our case and our arguments." He said Navajo Nation lawyers will continue to analyze the opinion, and he remains undeterred in obtaining quantified water rights for the Navajo Nation in Arizona. He also said the Navajo Nation established a water rights negotiation team earlier this year and are working very hard to settle the tribe's water rights in Arizona. "My job as the President of the Navajo Nation is to represent and protect the Navajo people, our land, and our future, said Nygren. The only way to do that is with secure, quantified water rights to the Lower Basin of the Colorado River. I am confident that we will be able to achieve a settlement promptly and ensure the health and safety of my people. And in addition, the health and productivity of the entire Colorado River Basin, which serves up to thirty tribes and tens of millions of people who have come to rely on the Colorado River. Before the decision, former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said with the recent rulings made by the court, especially one last week that upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act, the justices could go either way. He talked about the research needed for justices to rule on Indian rights and law, and had hoped the outcome on the water case would be similar to the one for ICWA. Its difficult to negotiate terms into a settlement during a drought, Nez said. Because everyone is wanting water in the Southwest with the state and all. Indian water rights are based on sovereignty, he added. Our Treaty of 1868 and Winters doctrine, saying we Navajo tribe should have basic necessity to provide for a permanent homeland. The Navajo Nation has over 400,000 people, he said, and while not all live on the reservation, many can say they are planning on coming home someday. We are trying to create a permanent homeland for the Navajo people, said Nez. It's not just drinking water. I know a lot of these water rights discussions are quantification for drinking water, but as Native people, water is life, and it's not just drinking about agriculture, farming, and livestock and animals. He said at the onset of the pandemic, people realized that 30-40% of Navajos did not have running water and that the priority when it came to hauling water was for animals and farms, with whatever was left over for personal hygiene. Sometimes that wasnt a lot, or sometimes it was none for personal hygiene, no wonder we got hit hard during COVID when the CDC and feds were telling us to wash our hands with soap and water, said Nez. Not many people in tribal communities had that blessing. Rep. Raul Grijalva decried the ruling, calling it a dangerous decision that moves us backward to our shameful past in which treaties were promises not worth the paper they were written on. Ruling against the Navajo Nation in this way while we face a third decade of intensifying drying of the West is especially egregious, said Grijalva, D-Ariz. This decision will only further complicate an already tense water allocation negotiation process that has too often shut tribes out. He called on Congress to pass legislation to secure water for the Navajo Nation. The court's ruling and dissent The court case, Arizona v. Navajo Nation, was not about whether the Navajo Nation, or any other tribal nation, was entitled to water. The Supreme Court ruled more than a century ago that tribes were assured enough water to meet their needs. The question was whether the U.S. treaty with the Navajo Nation created a government obligation to determine what those needs were and devise a plan to find the water and potentially build pipelines or other infrastructure to distribute it. In its Thursday ruling, the court said there was no such obligation. The text of the treaty says nothing to that effect, Kavanaugh wrote. And the historical record does not suggest that the United States agreed to undertake affirmative efforts to secure water for the Navajos any more than the United States agreed to farmland, mine minerals, harvest timber, build roads, or construct bridges on the reservation. The court acknowledged the Navajo Nations claims to the Colorado River, which flows along the boundary of the Navajo Reservation. Kavanaugh referred to the drought on the river, and said that, even though the Navajo Reservation encompasses numerous water sources and the Tribe has the right to use needed water from those sources, the Navajos face the same water scarcity problem that many in the western United States face. Kavanaugh also seemed to agree with the claims of some of the states on the river, which opposed the Navajo case. Allocating water in the arid regions of the American West is often a zero-sum situation, he wrote. And the zero-sum reality of water in the West underscores that courts must stay in their proper constitutional lane and interpret the law. In a lengthy dissent, Gorsuch said the courts majority erred in its reading of the case and the law. Navajo leaders have a simple ask, he wrote. They want the United States to identify the water rights it holds for them. And if the United States has misappropriated the Navajos water rights, the Tribe asks it to formulate a plan to stop doing so prospectively. He said the government wields considerable control over the Colorado River, the water source closest to the Navajo Nation, but has failed to resolve what rights the tribe holds on the river. The original Colorado River Compact, he noted, did not allocate water among the tribes in the seven states on the river, and the federal government has repeatedly refused to resolve any of the tribes demands for water. The government holds water in trust for the Navajo Nation and controls a water source to which the tribe contends it holds rights, Gorsuch wrote. Accordingly, the government owes the Tribe a duty to manage the water it holds for the Tribe in a legally responsible manner, he wrote. The tribes lawsuit asks the United States to fulfill part of that duty by assessing what water rights it holds for them. The government owes the Tribe at least that much. He also suggested the Navajo Nation should pursue other legal remedies. "After today, it is hard to see how this Court (or any court) could ever again fairly deny a request from the Navajo to intervene in litigation over the Colorado River or other water sources to which they might have a claim." Scarce water supplies: As the Supreme Court debates a Navajo water rights case, climate change adds new questions Tribe has waited for a solution, but 'it hasn't happened' Attorney Shay Dvoretzky, arguing the court case earlier this year on behalf of the Navajo Nation, told the justices that the tribes current water request is not unreasonable. The relief that we are seeking here is an assessment of the nations needs and a plan to meet them, he said. Weve been waiting half a century for the political branches to solve this problem for the nation," Dvoretzky argued. "It hasnt happened. Indigenous communities were not included when the Colorado River was divided among the seven states a century ago, tribal officials argue. The states made agreements among themselves that left tribes with little or no water without settlments. Arguing on behalf of the Biden administration, attorney Frederick Liu told justices that if the court were to side with the Navajo Nation, the federal government could face lawsuits from many other tribes. A century-old Supreme Court ruling held that Indigenous communities had the right to enough water to meet the needs of their reservations, but those needs have never been quantified for the Navajo Nation. Navajo officials argue that the federal government broke a promise to ensure that the tribe has enough water to meet the needs of its sprawling home in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Tens of thousands of people across the Navajo Nation lack access to running water and must haul supplies from wells that tribal officials say are being overused. Residents of the Navajo Nation are 67 times more likely than other Americans to live without running water, according to the DigDeep Navajo Water Project, a nonprofit has tried to fill the gap in research and solutions. Nez, the former Navajo president, told the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020 that he attributed the high local toll of COVID-19 during the early days of the pandemic to the lack of water in the homes of Navajo people. Clean water is a sacred and scarce commodity, he said. Navajo officials say without a secured water source that a settlement would provide, conditions will never improve because groundwater is insufficient for long-term needs. The federal government says it has helped the tribe secure water from the Colorado Rivers tributaries and provided money for infrastructure including pipelines, pumping plants and water treatment facilities. But it says no law or treaty requires the government to assess and address the tribes general water needs. The Gila River Indian Community secured one of the largest tribal water settlements in 2004 and has used the water to irrigate farms, which had been left dry other water users diverted the flows of the Gila River. Contributing: Joan Meiners, Arizona Republic; The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Navajo Nation water rights: Supreme Case rejects claim in case Supreme Court says states cant overrule Biden on whom to deport Texas and Louisiana do not have authority to challenge the Biden administrations guidelines for when to deport migrants from the country, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday, handing a win to President Biden on immigration policy. In an 8-1 decision, the court determined the two states lacked the standing to sue over one of the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) earliest directives. The States essentially want the Federal Judiciary to order the Executive Branch to alter its arrest policy so as to make more arrests, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the majority. But this Court has long held that a citizen lacks standing to contest the policies of the prosecuting authority when he himself is neither prosecuted nor threatened with prosecution. The suit from Texas and Louisiana challenged the DHSs immigration enforcement policies, which includes guidelines for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to prioritize certain immigrants for detention and deportation. The policy urges agents to focus on the most serious and violent crimes. We applaud the Supreme Courts ruling. DHS looks forward to reinstituting these Guidelines, which had been effectively applied by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to focus limited resources and enforcement actions on those who pose a threat to our national security, public safety, and border security. The Guidelines enable DHS to most effectively accomplish its law enforcement mission with the authorities and resources provided by Congress Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in response. The policy, designed to diminish the collateral damage of heavy policing on immigrant communities, was met with ire on the right. In their lawsuit, Texas and Louisiana claimed the Biden administration policy caused direct harm because of increased costs for social services, including health care and education. The states also accused the administration of failing to enforce immigration laws Congress had enacted designed to deal with increasing rates of criminal activity by immigrants. But Kavanaugh, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and the courts three liberal justices, wrote that granting the states demands would have far-reaching consequences beyond immigration law. If the Court green-lighted this suit, we could anticipate complaints in future years about alleged Executive Branch under-enforcement of any similarly worded lawswhether they be drug laws, gun laws, obstruction of justice laws, or the like, wrote Kavanaugh. We decline to start the Federal Judiciary down that uncharted path. Lower courts had ruled in favor of Texas and Louisiana, endorsing their claims of undue costs related to the administrations selective enforcement policy. In a solo dissenting opinion, Justice Samuel Alito excoriated the majoritys reasoning and sided with the lower courts. The District Courts factual findings, which must be accepted unless clearly erroneous, quantified the cost of criminal supervision of aliens who should have been held in DHS custody and also identified other burdens that Texas had borne and would continue to bear going forward, wrote Alito. These findings sufficed to establish a concrete injury that was specific to Texas. Justice Neil Gorsuch, in a concurring opinion joined by Justices Amy Coney-Barrett and Clarence Thomas, agreed that the states proved the administrations immigration policies increased costs to them, but argued that the lower courts remedy wouldnt fix that problem. The States proved that the Guidelines increase the number of aliens with criminal convictions and final orders of removal released into the States. They also proved that, as a result, they spend more money on everything from law enforcement to healthcare, Gorsuch wrote. He added that the states faced a problem of redressability, meaning a ruling favorable to Texas and Louisiana would not remedy those injuries. An injunction directing federal officials to detain immigrants according to the states interpretation of the statute would stand a better chance, Gorsuch wrote, but lower courts are barred by law from issuing such injunctions. Put simply, the remedy that would ordinarily have the best chance of redressing the states harms is a forbidden one in this case, he wrote. Barrett also wrote a concurring opinion, joined by Gorsuch, in which she agreed the states lacked standing because of redressability, and questioned the majoritys legal reasoning. Updated at 1:17 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Photo : JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images) An Israeli drone attack killed three militants in the West Bank hours after Israelis burned Palestinian communities. (not the actual photo) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded Israeli forces on Thursday for the rare drone attack that eliminated a terrorist cell in the West Bank city of Jenin on Wednesday night. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched the drone attack based on information provided by the Shin Bet domestic security service. It targeted a vehicle carrying three militants responsible for recent gun attacks in the West Bank. Rare Israeli Drone Attack Per i24 News, two of them were members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's Jenin Battalion, while the third was a member of Fatah's Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. According to a spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces, this was the first targeted air attack carried out in the West Bank since 2006. Mohammed Bashar Uweis, 28, Suhayb Adnan al-Ghoul, 27, and Ashraf Murad Saadi, 17, were all identified by the Palestinian news agency Wafa as being from the city of Jenin. According to BBC News, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) claimed that Ghoul and Saadi were its members, while Uweis belonged to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade, the armed branch of the Fatah movement. The IDF reported that its personnel had identified a vehicle containing gunmen who had opened fire at a checkpoint near Jalama, a hamlet located approximately 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) north of Jenin. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire just prior to the assault. Posted social media footage appeared to show multiple emergency vehicles near the smoldering automobile wreckage that was the strike's target. The drone strike occurred several hours after a Palestinian man was shot and killed during a disturbance by hundreds of Israeli settlers who torched residences and vehicles in the town of Turmusaya, located approximately 50 kilometers to the south. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Israeli forces shot and killed the individual while confronting colonizers. The paramilitary border police of Israel stated that its forces were protecting firefighters when residents "rioted" and soldiers opened fire on a man who discharged at them. The attack on Turmusaya followed the interment of a 17-year-old boy in a nearby settlement who was one of four Israelis killed by two Palestinian assailants from Hamas at a gas station and restaurant on Tuesday. Hamas stated that the gunfire was in response to an Israeli military raid in Jenin that murdered seven Palestinians on Monday. It was the first time in years that the IDF employed an Apache attack helicopter in the West Bank. Seven soldiers were injured when the helicopter launched missiles at militants who had targeted military carriers with explosives. Read Also: Titan Submersible: OceanGate CEO's Wife Wendy Rush Related to Famous Titanic Victims Israel-Palestine Tensions Escalate Moreover, Israeli troops demolished the residence of a Palestinian who is suspected of murdering an Israeli soldier last year on Thursday in the most recent military operation in the increasingly volatile and violent occupied West Bank. The demolition occurred during a week of escalating tensions and unremitting violence in the West Bank and just hours after a rare Israeli airstrike near the city of Jenin killed three Palestinian militants. Wednesday morning, Israeli colonizers attacked Palestinian villages in retaliation for the murder of four Israelis the previous day. According to PBS, Israel asserts that destroying the homes of Palestinian assailants functions as a deterrent, whereas critics assert that the practice corresponds to collective punishment. In the meantime, Israeli police reported on Thursday that no arrests had been made in relation to the settler rampage through the Palestinian hamlet of Turmus Ayya. Palestinians and human rights organizations have long accused Israel of not prosecuting settler violence and whitewashing crimes committed by settlers and security personnel. This week's violence was the latest in a spate of battling that has persisted for the past year and a half without abating. The Associated Press reports that 135 Palestinians and 25 Israelis were slain in the West Bank and east Jerusalem in 2018. In early 2022, Israel conducted near-daily raids in the West Bank in response to a series of fatal Palestinian assaults against Israeli civilians. Israel claims that most Palestinians slain were militants, but stone-throwing youths protesting incursions and others not engaged in confrontations were also killed. In the 1967 Middle East War, Israel captured the West Bank, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians desire these territories for a future independent state. Related Article: Iran Nuclear Negotiator Meets EU Official in Attempt To Ease Tensions, Lift Sanctions @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Supreme Court rules the US is not required to ensure access to water for the Navajo Nation A water pump outside a home on the Navajo Nation in Thoreau, N.M. Spencer Platt/Getty Images The Navajo Nation, the largest Native American reservation in the U.S., covers 27,000 square miles (70,000 square kilometers) in the Southwest an area larger than 10 states. Today it is home to more than 250,000 people roughly comparable to the population of St. Petersburg, Florida, or Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Unlike those cities, however, 30% of households on the Navajo Reservation lack running water. Hauling water can cost 20 times what it does in neighboring off-reservation communities. While the average American uses between 80 and 100 gallons (300-375 liters) of water per day, Navajo Nation members use approximately seven. Since the 1950s, the Navajo Nation has pressed the U.S. government to define the water rights reserved for them under the 1868 treaty that created their reservation. These efforts culminated in a U.S. Supreme Court case, Arizona v. Navajo Nation, which posed this question: Does the treaty between the Navajo Nation and the United States obligate the federal government to assess the water needs of the Navajo and make a plan for securing water to meet those needs? On June 22, 2023, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the answer was no. The centrality of water rights Water rights the ability of individuals to use public water supplies have always been a central issue in the U.S. West. They are only becoming more so as drought and climate change shrink the existing supply. Federal reserved rights have special importance with respect to American Indian reservations for several reasons. First, the priority date when the rights begin is the date when the reservation was created. In most cases, this creates a very senior right one that supersedes those of people who arrive in the area later. Second, these rights exist regardless of whether the tribe has begun to use the water. Because all of the water in many western rivers has been fully allocated, these rights have a significant potential to displace existing juniors, or people who came later and have rights under state water law. Third, among the 30 federally recognized tribes in the Colorado River Basin, approximately a dozen including the Navajo Nation are still in the process of getting a court to adjudicate the scope of their federal water rights. Finally, tribes or nations usually need a lot of water to irrigate reservation lands or establish a viable permanent homeland in the dry Southwest. In this context, its clear why the Navajo have called on the federal government for decades to specify their federally reserved water rights. The Colorado River Basin, which includes parts of seven states, has been in severe drought for more than 20 years, intensifying competition over water rights. Drought levels range from D0 (Abnormally Dry) to D4 (Exceptional Drought) U.S. Drought Monitor Does a permanent home imply access to water? The Navajo quest for a clear determination of their water rights is rooted in Americas history of removing Native Americans from their lands and moving them to areas with fewer resources. As Justice Neil Gorsuch recounted in a detailed dissent in this case, the U.S. government embarked in the 1860s on a program of removal, isolation, and incarceration to force the Navajo to vacate lands so they could be settled by whites. Thousands of U.S. troops roamed Navajo lands, destroying everything they could. After the Navajo surrendered in 1864, they were forcibly relocated 300 miles to Bosque Redondo, a barren area of eastern New Mexico. Many Navajo died on the Long Walk, and more perished over the next four years. In 1868, the Navajo agreed to a treaty that created a reservation on a portion of their original lands as a permanent homeland. The U.S. government promised to provide seeds, agricultural implements, sheep and goats, but the treaty made no explicit reference to water. Forty years later, the Supreme Court issued a ruling in Winters v. United States that became a guidepost for understanding tribes and nations federal reserved water rights. The U.S. had established the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in Montana for the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribes, and subsequently sued irrigators in Wyoming who built canals and reservoirs on the Milk River upstream from the reservation. The Supreme Court recognized that the 1888 agreement that had created the Fort Belknap reservation did not mention water, but observed that [t]he lands were arid, and without irrigation, were practically valueless. The justices concluded that the implication or inference was that Congress intended to reserve enough water for the tribes to have a permanent home. What does the 1868 treaty require? Beginning in 1956, the Navajo Nation filed a series of motions to participate in Arizona v. California, the Supreme Courts historic ruling on Colorado River water rights for California, Arizona and Nevada and five Indian tribes not including the Navajo. Over the next several decades, the Navajo repeatedly attempted to get the federal government to assess their water rights to the main stream of the Colorado River. Finally, in 2003, the Navajo Nation filed the current suit. In the ruling, Justice Brett Kavanaugh refused to find that the 1868 treaty satisfied the Winters framework. The 1868 treaty reserved necessary water to accomplish the purpose of the Navajo Reservation. But it did not require the United States to take affirmative steps to secure water for the Tribe, Kavanaugh wrote for the majority. Nor is it the role of the Judiciary to rewrite a 155-year-old treaty. That job, Kavanaugh asserted, fell to Congress. Gorsuch joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented. Gorsuch is widely recognized as an expert on Indian law, including water rights, and is the only member of the Court who grew up west of the Mississippi River. In Gorsuchs view, the promise of a permanent homeland, together with the history surrounding the treaty and background principles of Indian law, was enough to conclude that the 1868 treaty following the principle set out in Winters v. United States secured some water rights for the Navajo. The Navajo have written federal officials. They have moved this Court to clarify the United States responsibilities when representing them. They have sought to intervene directly in water-related litigation, Gorsuch wrote. And when all of those efforts were rebuffed, they brought a claim seeking to compel the United States to make good on its treaty obligations by providing an accounting of what water rights it holds on their behalf. At each turn, they have received the same answer: Try again. When this routine first began in earnest, Elvis was still making his rounds on The Ed Sullivan Show, Gorsuch observed. Whats next for the Navajo? Arizona, California and Nevada all intervened in this case to protect their interests in the Colorado River. Because the American West is so arid, water rights often are a zero-sum game. Any judicially recognized rights for the Navajo from the Colorado River would reduce water available to the states. This ruling solidifies the states Colorado River water rights and indefinitely postpones resolution of the Navajo Nations claims. Meanwhile, the Navajo suffer. Lack of access to clean water contributed to high death rates on the reservation during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 150 years after their reservation was created, the Navajo quest for water rights continues. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. If you found it interesting, you could subscribe to our weekly newsletter. It was written by: Robert Glennon, University of Arizona. Read more: Robert Glennon 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. States cant use the federal courts to try to force the federal government to arrest and deport more people who are in the country illegally, the Supreme Court ruled Friday. The 8-1 decision could cut down on a flood of lawsuits recent administrations have faced from state attorneys general and governors who disagree with Washington on immigration and crime policy. The high courts ruling found that Texas and Louisiana lacked standing to pursue litigation challenging immigration enforcement priorities established by President Joe Bidens administration soon after he took office. Its the second decision in eight days in which the Supreme Court has rejected lawsuits from Texas on standing grounds. Last week, the court ruled that the state did not have standing to challenge a federal law that gives preferences to Native American families in the adoptions of Native children. State standing is a key question in another major issue still awaiting decision from the court in the coming days: the legality of Bidens decision to wipe out billions of dollars in student debt. Six states are challenging the debt-relief plan, but its not clear if the states have suffered the sort of concrete harm that is typically necessary to challenge a policy in court. (In a separate case, two student-loan borrowers who oppose the plan are also suing. Their legal standing is also contested.) In the immigration case, critics of the states approach said their claim of likely financial injury from unwarranted release of undocumented migrants was murky. But the courts majority opinion written, by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, took a different tack and said the case was flawed because of a general principle against suits trying to force the executive branch to enforce the law against someone else. This Court has consistently recognized that federal courts are generally not the proper forum for resolving claims that the Executive Branch should make more arrests or bring more prosecutions, Kavanaugh wrote, in an opinion joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and the courts three liberals. If the Court green-lighted this suit, we could anticipate complaints in future years about alleged Executive Branch under-enforcement of any similarly worded laws whether they be drug laws, gun laws, obstruction of justice laws, or the like. We decline to start the Federal Judiciary down that uncharted path. The states challenged a Biden policy that directed immigration authorities to focus their enforcement efforts on people deemed to pose threats to public safety. Bidens priorities differ from those of his predecessors, but Kavanaugh noted that, in the 27 years since the relevant immigration-law provisions were passed, the executive branch has never done what Texas and Louisiana sought in this case: the arrest and deportation of all foreigners covered by the language of the provisions. All five presidential administrations have determined that resource constraints necessitated prioritizations in making immigration arrests, noted Kavanaugh, an appointee of President Donald Trump who also worked in the George W. Bush White House early in his career. Kavanaugh described the decision in the case as narrow, and said it would not automatically apply to federal government policies outside the area of arrest and prosecution, where the executive branch has traditionally been granted broad discretion. Justices Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas and Amy Coney Barrett agreed that the states lacked standing, but for a different reason. They said Congress specifically barred courts from issuing injunctions related to certain immigration laws. The Constitution affords federal courts considerable power, but it does not establish government by lawsuit, Gorsuch wrote in an opinion joined by the two other conservatives. Justice Samuel Alito was the lone dissenter, arguing that the courts deeply and dangerously flawed ruling unwisely gives the executive branch unbridled power. And it renders States already laboring under the effects of massive illegal immigration even more helpless, the conservative justice added. In a 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court ruled Friday that the Biden administration may focus its efforts on arresting and deporting migrants who pose a current danger. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) The Supreme Court on Friday upheld a key part of President Biden's plan for targeted immigration enforcement, ruling the administration may focus its efforts on arresting and deporting those who pose a current danger. In an 8-1 decision, the justices said Texas and Louisiana lacked standing to sue in their effort to make the federal government adopt a more aggressive policy on arresting migrants. Writing for the court, Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh invoked the conservative principle that judges should not make government policy through politically driven lawsuits. Moreover, enforcing the immigration laws has been understood to be the job of the executive branch, not the courts, he said. "The states essentially want the federal judiciary to order the executive branch to alter its arrest policy so as to make more arrests," he said in United States vs. Texas. But the states and their attorneys have not suffered a direct or personal injury that would give them standing to sue, he said. "If the court green-lighted this suit," federal judges would soon be asked to decide whether the government must make more arrests to enforce laws on drugs, guns and much more, he said. The decision tossed out a lawsuit Texas Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton had filed before a conservative federal judge in Corpus Christi. U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton, an appointee of former President Trump, issued a nationwide order declaring the Biden administrations immigration policy was illegal and could not be used. The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to lift Tipton's order last July, and the Supreme Court did the same when it turned down an emergency appeal filed by Biden's lawyers. But after hearing arguments in the case, all but conservative Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. voted to toss out the lawsuit and allow the administration to proceed as planned. "This decision is outrageous," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted Friday. "SCOTUS gives the Biden Admin. carte blanche to avoid accountability for abandoning enforcement of immigration laws," he said, adding that "Texas will continue to deploy the National Guard to repel & turn back illegal immigrants trying to enter Texas illegally." David Leopold, former president of the American Immigration Lawyers Assn., called the decision "a victory for common sense over chaos and a blow against Republicans reliance on the anti-immigrant judicial pipeline," adding: "We hope todays ruling is a signal that on immigration, judges should follow the law and not impose their own politics." Friday's opinion was the fourth in recent weeks to sound the theme of judicial restraint and deference to Congress or the White House. Earlier this month, Kavanaugh cast the key vote as justices upheld a provision of the Voting Rights Act in an Alabama case, ruling in favor of Congress' requirement that states try to draw compact election districts that give Black voters a chance to elect a candidate of their choice. Last week, the high court upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act, which aims to place Native American children with relatives or tribal members in custody, foster and adoption cases. Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Alito dissented in both cases, saying they would have overturned those laws. On Thursday, the justices tossed out a lawsuit brought by the Navajo Nation seeking more water rights, saying the issue is one for Congress, not the courts. But that trend may not last. Next week, the justices are due to hand down the final decisions of this term. The cases include challenges to college affirmative action policies and to Biden's plan to forgive millions of student loans. In defense of the student loan program, the administration's lawyers have cited standing, saying the six Republican-led states suing are not suffering direct injuries. Those states, rather like Texas in the immigration case, have said they might have to bear some extra costs, in this instance for processing loans. But in a footnote to Friday's opinion dismissing the Texas lawsuit, Kavanaugh said, "In our system of dual federal and state sovereignty, federal policies frequently generate indirect effects on state revenues or state spending." The immigration case decided Friday does not involve the tens of thousands of migrants who arrive at the border or the millions who live in the country without legal documentation. Instead, it concerned immigrants with past crimes on their records, and whether the government is required to seek them out for arrest and deportation. Republican state attorneys and the Democratic administration have been locked in a dispute over immigration enforcement. Last year, the Supreme Court by a 5-4 vote refused to allow Biden's immigration enforcement guidelines to take effect, but the justices agreed to hear arguments on the legal dispute. At issue was whether the law requires mandatory detention for immigrants who have a serious crime on their record, or instead allows the administration to focus on arresting and deporting those who pose a current threat to public safety. Often, immigrants serve years in state prison for crimes such as drug trafficking. Upon release, they may be taken into custody by federal immigration agents, but that is not automatic. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said the federal government had no choice but to set priorities for enforcing the immigration laws. He said the government did not have the staff or the space to seek out and arrest tens of thousands of noncitizens for past crimes. It is well-established in the law that federal government officials have broad discretion to decide who should be subject to arrest, detainers, removal proceedings and the execution of removal orders, he said in September. Mayorkas said enforcement should focus on noncitizens who pose a current threat to public safety, not on all of those who have criminal records. Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. House Democrats join an abortion-rights protest on July 19, 2022, in Washington, D.C. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Its been a year since the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and the predictions by several experts that the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade would lead individual states to ban abortions have come true. Also true has been the impact of those bans and restrictions on the reproductive health disparities between Black and white women. As a scholar who studies reproductive policy, politics and social justice movements, I have always been aware that, even when Roe was in place, abortion access is an elusive right for women of color, women in rural areas and women living in poverty. Black women comprise a disproportionate percentage 39% of abortion patients in the United States, and many live in communities with limited access to health services, including family planning clinics and pharmacies. They also disproportionately experience higher rates of other reproductive health conditions, such as infant mortality and pregnancy-related complications and deaths. The lack of clinics means that Black women often delay or forgo necessary health care services. Before the reversal of Roe, many Black women, who are likely to live in states with abortion restrictions, had to worry not only about the cost of the procedure but also about travel costs and the possible loss of wages. Given the continued actions of anti-abortion policymakers at the state level, its my belief that the U.S. will continue to see more restrictions not fewer and thus make it harder for Black women to have access to reproductive health care. Restricted abortion access A small number of states, such as California, New York and Washington, have passed laws or constitutional amendments that guarantee or strengthen abortion access. Some of those states have seen an increase in demand for abortion at clinics. In fact, the demand has quadrupled for some clinics in California. But at least 17 states, mostly concentrated in the Southeast and the Midwest, have fully or partially banned abortions. An additional 10 states have further restricted abortion access without banning abortion outright. Moreover, some state legislatures have begun to pass legislation that makes it illegal to travel across borders to obtain abortions. That means that pregnant women and those who assist them can potentially face criminal charges for obtaining abortions in another state. Two states with the largest populations in total numbers of African Americans Texas and Florida have abortion bans. The states with the largest percentages of African Americans 37% in Mississippi, 31% in both Georgia and Louisiana, and 26% in Alabama have the most restrictive abortion laws. In fact, abortion is completely banned with few exceptions in Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. These bans have a detrimental impact on access for Black women. They now have to travel even more so than before to obtain an abortion, assuming they have the financial means to do so. Reproductive health disparities beyond abortion The recent tragic death of U.S. Olympic champion Tori Bowie during childbirth is a stark reminder of the reproductive health disparities that continue to plague the Black community. Black women, regardless of income or educational level, are three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related complications as white women. Black women have higher levels of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease that can contribute to these complications. They are also more likely to receive little or late prenatal care, or none at all. But this only partially explains this disparity. Researchers have shown that the implicit bias and stereotypical assumptions of health care providers are also key factors. Pregnant Black women are often refused hospital admission for delivery if they lack health insurance. Sometimes they are denied on the mere assumption that they do not have insurance. In various studies, Black women have reported that they have been treated disrespectfully by medical personnel dismissive of their fears and concerns about their reproductive health. Black womens complaints about pain are often ignored, which can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. In addition, Black women are more likely to be coerced into submitting to unnecessary cesarean sections, which can lead to major medical complications. Black women report that they must be particularly assertive with health care providers to ensure that their reproductive needs are addressed. Where do we go from here? According to the Pew Research Center, 57% of Americans disapprove the reversal of Roe, and 62% say that abortion should be legal. The Dobbs ruling is not only out of step with the general public, it also does not jibe with the opinions of most African Americans, of which a significant majority 68% agree that abortion should be legal in all or most cases. It remains to be seen if these sentiments will have an effect on the upcoming elections. In the meantime, abortion access remains only one part of Black womens reproductive health challenges. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts, from an independent nonprofit. Try our free newsletters. It was written by: Kimala Price, San Diego State University. Read more: Kimala Price does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. A weapons supervisor already facing involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the New Mexico set of the Western film "Rust" now faces an additional felony count. In a court filing obtained by CBS News Thursday, special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis charged the weapons supervisor, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, with one count of fourth-degree tampering with evidence. On the day of Hutchins' shooting, according to the court documents, Gutierrez-Reed is accused of transferring narcotics "to another person with the intent to prevent the apprehension, prosecutions or conviction of herself." No details on the charge were provided. In a statement provided to CBS News, Jason Bowles, an attorney for Gutierrez-Reed, criticized the new allegations, saying that "it is shocking that after 20 months of investigation, the special prosecutor now throws in a completely new charge against Ms. Gutierrez Reed, with no prior notice or any witness statements, lab reports, or evidence to support it." On Oct. 21, 2021, on a film set outside Santa Fe, 42-year-old Hutchins was struck and killed when a prop gun being held by actor Alec Baldwin discharged during a rehearsal. Joel Souza, the film's director, was also wounded. Following a lengthy investigation, both Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed were charged with involuntary manslaughter in January. In April, however, Lewis and Morrissey announced that the charges against Baldwin were being dropped because "new facts were revealed that demand further investigation and forensic analysis." They noted though that their "decision does not absolve Mr. Baldwin of criminal culpability and charges may be refiled." However, they said at the time the charges against Gutierrez-Reed would remain in place. In court filings earlier this month in response to a request from Gutierrez-Reed's attorneys to have the involuntary manslaughter charges dropped, the special prosecutors said that they had witnesses who could testify that Gutierrez-Reed was "drinking heavily and smoking marijuana" at nights during the "Rust" production. They also claimed she was likely "hungover when she inserted a live bullet" into Baldwin's gun. In March, as part of a deal with Santa Fe County prosecutors, "Rust" assistant director David Halls pleaded guilty to unsafe handling of a firearm and was sentenced to six months' probation. On the afternoon of the shooting, prosecutors alleged in a probable cause statement filed in January, Gutierrez-Reed retrieved the gun from the prop truck and handed it to Halls without conducting a necessary safety check. Prosecutors said Halls also did not request the safety check which would involve Gutierrez-Reed showing Halls each dummy round in the gun before he subsequently handed the weapon to Baldwin. Filming on "Rust" resumed in April at Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana. In late May, Baldwin said that he had wrapped filming on the production. Alex Sundby contributed to this report. John Bolton discusses possible 2024 bid, Trump investigations How labor shortages are impacting farmers Expert discusses safety concerns he raised about Titan sub in 2018 After months of off-screen drama, Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan has finally addressed Kevin Costners exit and the end of the modern western dramas original narrative. Word broke in February that the back half of the latest Yellowstone season could be the shows last with Costner as John Dutton. Scheduling conflicts with Costners multi-part western movie epic Horizon precluding the star from continuing his role as patriarch of the Montana ranch family. Paramount confirmed in early May that Yellowstone would indeed end in its current form with the final episodes of season 5. However, a sequel show is said to be in the works that could feature a few familiar faces from the flagship series. Now, Sheridan has shown a peek behind the curtains in his interview with the Hollywood Reporter. Heres what the North Texas native said about Costner, Yellowstone ending and the legendary Four Sixes Ranch: Taylor Sheridan has no ill will for Kevin Costner Despite Costner leaving Yellowstone to work on his movie project, Sheridan said his opinion on the actor hasnt changed. [Costners] creation of John Dutton is symbolic and powerful and Ive never had an issue with Kevin that he and I couldnt work out on the phone, Sheridan said. But once lawyers get involved, then people dont get to talk to each other and start saying things that arent true and attempt to shift blame based on how the press or public seem to be reacting. He took a lot of this on the chin and I dont know that anyone deserves it. His movie seems to be a great priority to him and he wants to shift focus. I sure hope [the movie is] worth it and that its a good one. There are ongoing discussions to try to convince Costner to come back and film a few scenes to wrap up his arc as Dutton family patriarch. However, the scripts arent complete quite yet. Sheridan said his last conversation with Costner was about the Horizon movie project. Costner and Paramount were arguing about when the actor could be done with Yellowstone, to which Sheridan said they could work towards a preferred exit date. When asked by the Hollywood Reporter if Sheridan could have done anything differently to prevent the Costner situation from blowing up, the Yellowstone creator answered honestly. I didnt do anything to begin with! Sheridan said. I dont dictate the schedule. I dont determine when things start filming. I dont determine when things air. Those decisions are made by people way above me. My sphere of control is the content thats it. No production of mine has ever waited on me. Believe me, I begged [for more time] with 1883. I begged with 1923. Begged. Nope, Airdate locked; for what we pay you, figure it out. And I dont stand in a corner and go, Im not going to do it. Nevertheless, Sheridan said John Dutton was never going to be around for the very end of Yellowstone anyhow. While Costners exit seems like a surprise to many, Sheridan knew Dutton wouldnt be the last man standing, but he didnt know it would end so soon. Im disappointed, Sheridan said. It truncates the closure of his character. It doesnt alter it, but it truncates it. Yellowstone spinoff with Matthew McConaughey is a go With Costner on his way out, Yellowstone in its current form is ending with him as well. Paramount announced in May that Yellowstone would return in November, but that seems unlikely with the Writers Guild of America strike ongoing. Sheridan, a WGA member, has put his pen down to support the guilds efforts. But there is some good news for fans of the Dutton saga. The last remnants of season five could be longer than the originally planned final six episodes. If I think it takes 10 episodes to wrap it up, theyll give me 10, Sheridan said. Itll be as long as it needs to be. As for the Yellowstone sequel series, Sheridan has only the broadest strokes of the show figured out. When asked if Kelly Reillys fan-favorite character Beth Dutton would make the jump to the new show, Sheridan said his idea of a spinoff is the same as his idea of a prequel. In other words, a stand-alone story. There are lots of places where a way of life that existed for 150 years is slamming against a new way of life, but the challenges are completely different, Sheridan said. There are a lot of places you can tell this story. While hes still working the story kinks out, Sheridan did confirm that the new spinoff of the main show would feature Yellowstone in its title. In addition, Sheridan confirmed that Texas actor Matthew McConaughey is in late-stage negotiations to lead the new chapter in the Yellowstone saga. [McConaughey] seems like a natural fit, Sheridan said. We had a few conversations over the years, and spitballed a few ideas. Then he started watching Yellowstone and responded to it. He was like, I want to do that. And by that he meant diving into a raw world clashing up against the modern world. And then I said, Buddy, that we can do. Teen leads troopers on high-speed chase, ending in a shootout, GBI says An Atlanta teen is back in jail after leading troopers on a high-speed chase that ended in a shootout with a trooper. Montrez Ballard, 19, is now back in jail after six months of being free. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Ballard was arrested and booked into the Fulton County Jail Thursday. The shooting happened on First St. NW in Atlanta. I just heard about 10, 20 gunshots, and I told my wife to hit the floor, said Kenneth Coffield. Cofield lives near the intersection and said he was just falling asleep before 11:00 Wednesday night when the shooting started. He said he heard officers on the street searching for the 19-year-old. State agents say troopers initially tried to pull Ballard over for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle, but he led the troopers on a chase. GBI says one trooper pulled whats known as a PIT maneuver and forced the car into a stop sign at First St. Thats when GBI said Ballard got out and ran while shooting. A trooper fired back, and one bullet hit Ballard. He survived. He was in Fulton County Jail by Thursday. Jail records and warrants confirm he just got out of that jail in December. TRENDING STORIES: He spent nearly five years locked up in the juvenile and adult system after being convicted of carjacking, leading police on a chase, and shooting at them in 2018. He was 14 then. He was placed on probation in Dec. 2022. Ballard spent less than seven months free before being accused of repeating a crime. He faces 22 charges in this case. To see them, click here. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Teen son of Pakistani billionaire 'terrified' of Titanic sub trip but went for Father's Day, aunt says [Source] Suleman Dawood, the 19-year-old son of one of Pakistans richest men, only went on the deep-sea journey to the Titanic wreckage to please his dad over Father's Day weekend, according to his aunt. Sulemans hesitance: Azmeh Dawood, the older sister of Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood, 48, told NBC News that her nephew informed a relative that he was terrified and wasnt very up for it. However, Suleman ended up going along the 21-foot sub, known as Titan, into the North Atlantic on Sunday morning for his father, who was very excited about the exploration of the sunken Titanic. I am thinking of Suleman, who is 19, in there, just perhaps gasping for breath... It's been crippling, to be honest, Azmeh said. I feel disbelief. It's an unreal situation. I feel like I've been caught in a really bad film, with a countdown, but you didn't know what you're counting down to. I personally have found it kind of difficult to breathe thinking of them. I never thought I would have an issue with drawing breath. It's been unlike any experience I've ever had. More from NextShark: Woman Loses Wedding Rings Given by Her Parents Who Died of COVID-19 Shahzadas Titanic obsession: Azmeh also recounted to NBC Shahzadas obsession with the Titanic when he was younger. She recalled watching the 1958 British film A Night to Remember multiple times as a child with her brother, who she says she had grown apart from her in recent years. According to Azmeh, Shahzada was very passionate about the Titanic and would go to museum exhibitions that feature artifacts recovered from the wreckage. Shahzada's family are asking people to keep the departed souls and our family in your prayers. More from NextShark: Mother of Chinese Cuisine in America Cecilia Chiang Passes Away at 100 The immense love and support we receive continues to help us endure this unimaginable loss, Shahzada's parents, Hussain and Kulsum, reportedly said. What happened: The Titan was launched from a Canadian research vessel into the North Atlantic on Sunday morning. An hour and 45 minutes later, it lost contact with the ship. The search for the submarine has made international headlines with the public worried about the whereabouts of the five passengers, who were said to have had only 96 hours of oxygen. On Thursday, OceanGate announced that the crew have sadly been lost after debris that belonged to the external body of the sub was found. More from NextShark: Naomi Osaka is Now a Sci-Fi Manga Heroine The passengers: Besides Suleman and Shahzada, the crew also included British businessman Hamish Harding, 58; French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77; and OceanGates own CEO, Stockton Rush, 61. 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, the expedition company said in a statement. More from NextShark: 'You F***ing Chinaman': Racist Caught on Video Spitting At, Kicking Asian Man's Car NEW YORK A teenage subway surfer died and another was seriously injured when they fell from an L train near the Bushwick-Aberdeen station in Brooklyn on Thursday afternoon, police said. The two 14-year-old boys were found unconscious on the rail bed when police arrived just before 2 p.m., cops said. Both teens were found under the Manhattan-bound train, NYPD transit chief Michael Kemper told reporters. Both of them had serious trauma to their bodies, and tragically one was pronounced deceased on scene, Kemper said. The other teen was taken to Cohen Childrens Medical Center in Queens, and was in very serious condition with serious trauma to his body, Kemper said. The boys are believed to have entered the subway at Broadway Junction in East New York and climbed to the roof of the L train, which at that station runs above ground. The boys were most likely struck as the train headed underground, Kemper said barely making it one stop away to Bushwick-Aberdeen, which is in Bushwick. It was as the train was entering the tunnel that we believe they made contact knocking them off the top of the train, he said. This incident is tragic on so many levels, Kemper added. We urge anyone even thinking of subway surfing dont do it. Authorities have struggled to discourage youths from subway surfing, a sometimes deadly practice fueled by social media. Subway surfing kills. It kills, Mayor Eric Adams said during a visit to the Bushwick station Thursday. You go online right now, put New York City subway surfing you will see some of our young people are watching, he said. Every family member that lost a loved one to train surfing is reliving the horror today with another child whos lost. We can do better and social media must play a role in addressing this issue, Adams added. Zackery Nazario, 15, was killed in February while subway surfing atop a train rumbling over the Williamsburg Bridge as his girlfriend watched in horror. Another 15-year-old, KaVon Wooden, was killed in December. He was subway surfing on top of a train as it approached the Delancey St./Essex St. station on the Lower East Side when he fell under and hit the third rail. MTA data show the deadly trend is on the rise. In February, 52 people were caught riding outside of a subway car, according to MTA spokesman Michael Cortez. In January, 58 people were found riding outside the train. Cortez could not immediately provide more recent data. A record-setting 928 people were caught riding outside subway cars in 2022 more than four times as many incidents as in the previous two years. By comparison, in 2019, the last full year of data before the pandemic tanked subway ridership, 490 people were caught riding outside a train car. Teen On Titan Sub Was 'Terrified' But Agreed To Dive For Father's Day, Aunt Says Suleman Dawood, the 19-year-old student presumed dead in the Titan submersible implosion, was afraid and reluctant to go on the deep-sea expedition, his aunt told NBC News. Suleman accompanied his father, Pakistani business executive Shahzada Dawood, on the voyage to view the sunken Titanic. Speaking to NBC News, Azmeh Dawood, Shahzada Dawoods older sister, said her nephew Suleman told a relative he was terrified and wasnt very up for the expedition, but agreed to go as a Fathers Day gesture to please his father, who was fascinated by the sunken ships history. The 22-foot submersible, owned by OceanGate, lost contact with its host ship shortly after descending toward the wreckage in the North Atlantic on Sunday. On Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard said debris from the vessel had been found on the sea floor near the Titanic site. Authorities said they believe the vessel imploded on its descent, killing all five aboard. Azmeh said it had been crippling for her to imagine her 19-year-old nephew struggling to breathe aboard the vessel, which set off with a 96-hour supply of breathable oxygen. International teams searched the area for days, with the chances of survival dwindling with each passing hour. I feel like Ive been caught in a really bad film, with a countdown, but you didnt know what youre counting down to, Azmeh told NBC. I personally have found it kind of difficult to breathe thinking of them. Suleman Dawood had just completed his first year of university. Suleman Dawood had just completed his first year of university. Suleman Dawood had just completed his first year as a business student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. The university said in a statement that it was shocked and profoundly saddened by his death. Friends of the family told The New York Times the father and son were passionate about science fiction and travel. Suleman Dawood was enthusiastic about solving Rubiks cubes and played volleyball, they added. Shahzada Dawood and his wife Christine, who lived in the U.K., also have a daughter. The other passengers on board the Titan were: OceanGate founder and CEO Stockton Rush, wealthy British businessperson Hamish Harding and French deep sea explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Related... (Photo : DAVID PINTENS/BELGA/AFP via Getty Images) 3M has agreed to pay up to $10.3 billion to resolve hundreds of lawsuits alleging that its "forever chemicals" contaminated the potable water of cities. The company announced that chemical manufacturer 3M Co. would pay at least $10.3 billion to settle lawsuits involving the contamination of numerous public drinking water systems in the United States with potentially hazardous compounds used in firefighting foam and a variety of consumer products. The agreement would compensate water providers for the contamination caused by polyfluorinated substances, known collectively as PFAS - a broad category of chemicals used in nonstick, water- and grease-resistant products like garments and cookware. 3M to Pay $10.3 Billion to Settle 'Forever Chemicals' Claims Because they do not degrade naturally in the environment, PFAS has been dubbed "forever chemicals" and have been linked to a variety of health issues, including liver and immune system harm and some cancers. According to NY Post, the compounds have been detected at variable concentrations in the nation's potable water. In March, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed stringent limits on two prevalent varieties, PFOA and PFOS, and stated its intention to regulate four others. Water purveyors would be responsible for monitoring their systems for the contaminants. The agreement would resolve a case that was set to go to trial earlier this month involving a claim by Stuart, Florida, one of approximately 300 communities that have filed similar lawsuits against companies that manufactured firefighting foam or the PFAS it contained. 3M CEO Mike Roman said the St. Paul, Minnesota-based company will cease all PFAS production by the end of 2025. The settlement will be paid over 13 years and could reach $12.5 billion, depending on how many public water systems detect PFAS during EPA-mandated testing over the next three years, according to attorney Scott Summy of Dallas, one of the principal attorneys for those prosecuting 3M and other manufacturers. The settlement, which was reached on Thursday, will be used to rid public water systems across the United States of toxic compounds that allegedly seeped from the company's firefighting foam. Read Also: Israel Conducts Rare Drone Attack in West Bank, Killing Palestinian Militants US Water Systems From Philadelphia to San Diego, approximately 300 municipalities report that PFAS compounds in firefighting foam leached into potable water. 3M's decision to settle the nationwide class action comes as companies in various industries seek alternatives to PFAS and as regulations restrict their use. Since the 1940s, 3M has manufactured and used hazardous chemicals; since the 1960s, they have been incorporated into their firefighter foam. They are referred to as "forever chemicals" because they do not degrade in the environment, Daily Mail reported. PFAS have also been utilized in numerous commonplace products, including water canisters and adhesives. According to the Wall Street Journal, Roman described the proposed resolution, which does not include an admission of liability, as "a crucial step forward for 3M." Roman also insisted that the company is investing in water-filtration technology and remains committed to its commitment to cease PFAS production by 2025's end. 3M has stated that it will defend itself in court if certain conditions are not met. The cities' attorneys stated that the settlement would assist municipalities and water providers nationwide in upgrading treatment systems to filter out PFOS, a type of PFAS that 3M used for decades in firefighting foam and has been detected in drinking water across the country. Related Article: Titan Submersible: OceanGate CEO's Wife Wendy Rush Related to Famous Titanic Victims @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Teenager drowns in Colorado River after being trapped under capsized inflatable raft BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. A 14-year-old girl drowned on Tuesday night after falling from an inflatable raft that was being pulled on the Colorado River and getting trapped underneath it. Officers were dispatched to the area at about 7:30 p.m., according to a Facebook post from the Bullhead City Police Department. Bullhead City police officials said witnesses reported seeing the victim riding on an inflatable raft that was being towed by motorized watercraft. Witnesses also reported seeing the teen being tossed off the tube and the raft capsizing. Emergency crews responded to the Riverside Casino boat dock located on the Nevada side of the Colorado River. Here the teen was rescued from the water, as she was pinned underneath the capsized raft and the piling of the Laughlin Bridge. The teenage girl from California was pulled out from the water and rushed to the Western Arizona Regional Medical Center in Bullhead City. According to officials, CPR was immediately performed on the victim, but she was later pronounced dead. Florida: Florida deputies injured in car crash responding to false 911 call of a child drowning What led to the drowning? Officials believe that impairment or negligent operation were not factors in the accident. Moreover, the victim was wearing a life vest during the incident and the operator of the water vehicle was experienced. The incident is under further investigation by the Bullhead City Police Department. Washington: Newly engaged New York man presumed dead after kayak accident at national park This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Teenage girl drowns in Colorado River after being trapped under raft Ten e-bike shops across the city have been cited for unsafe handling of lithium-ion batteries since a blaze Tuesday blamed on e-bike batteries killed four Manhattan residents, FDNY officials said Friday. The shops were hit with 11 civil law violations, three civil court summonses and two criminal court summonses for inappropriately storing and charging combustible e-bike and scooter batteries, FDNY Fire Marshal Daniel Flynn said, speaking at a public safety briefing at City Hall. The Fire Department was tipped off to the non-compliant bike shops by 311 callers, news reporters and public officials since Mayor Adams on Wednesday vowed a crackdown on sketchy e-bike vendors and bike repair shops that fix lithium-ion batteries, Flynn said. The Fire Department did not share the addresses of the shops nor provide a breakdown of the violations Friday, citing the ongoing investigations. A FDNY source said the criminal court summonses were filed against one shop for excessive battery storage and for using power strips to charge lithium-ion batteries careless practices that can spark battery fires. The same shop previously was cited for using power strips, the source said. A lithium-ion battery sparked a deadly inferno inside the HQ E-Bike Repair shop early Tuesday on Madison St. in Chinatown, the FDNY said. The fire and smoke quickly billowed through the building after starting inside the street-level business and the flames were so intense they burned through the stores roll down gates, witnesses said. Four building residents died from smoke inhalation. Two others were hosptialized with critical injuries, but are expected to survive. 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. Lithium-ion batteries have been responsible for 110 fires that resulted in 71 injuries and 13 deaths so far this year, Flynn said. The death toll so far in 2023 is already more than double the six deaths reported in 2022. If the current pace holds, deaths blamed on burning lithium-ion batteries in 2023 will be quadruple the 2022 toll. Only four deaths were linked to e-bike battery fires in all of 2021, FDNY officials said. Its a new problem and its a big problem, Flynn said, explaining that fires caused by the batteries spread rapidly. Fires traditionally start small and become large, he said. These fires they go from zero to 100 in a second. Sixteen e-bike shops have been inspected since Tuesday, FDNY officials said. City residents called in six tips to the 311 system, giving the FDNY four spots to look at. Two of the callers gave 311 an address the FDNY had already been tipped off to. Eight of the shops visited since Tuesday had been inspected before and were already on the citys radar as trouble spots, he said. Besides inspections, the FDNY and the citys Department of Small Business Services have been going to local bike shops that sell or repair lithium-ion batteries to make sure employees know how to properly store, plug in and charge the batteries. We are not trying to vilify anyone who uses them or sells them, he said. We just want them to be used safely. The mayor on Wednesday urged New Yorkers to remain alert to warning signs in stores such as the sale of refurbished batteries, mazes of extension cords and lack of proper licenses. Any suspicious spots should be called in to 311 and local firehouses will investigate complaints within 12 hours, Mayor Adams said. So far this year, the FDNY has completed 220 inspections of e-bike stores, charging areas and repair shops across the city which have resulted in 495 summonses for building and fire code violations with fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, Flynn said. The civil summonses are adjudicated by the citys Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. Of those 495 summonses, 139 were issued for more egregious and hazardous violations, Flynn said. Several Tennessee Republican lawmakers received letters containing an unknown white powder in the mail, compelling a legislative office building to place its sixth floor on lockdown Thursday afternoon. The FBI, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Tennessee Highway Patrols Nashville District have personnel on scene to investigate the incident, the Nashville Fire Department said in a tweet. The department also noted that its own personnel responded to a suspicious letter call at the Cordell Hull Building, one of the state House office buildings that connects to the Tennessee Capitols main building, located in downtown Nashville, The Associated Press reported. The team donned protective suits and air tanks to test the substance, and said there have been no transports or reported injuries. The FBI further confirmed to The Hill that the agency was working with law enforcement partners to investigate a series of suspicious letters sent to a number of public officials, adding that some of the letters contained an unknown substance. The bureau described the issue as an ongoing matter adding that law enforcement and public safety officials are working to determine how many letters were sent, the individual or individuals responsible for the letters, and the motive behind the letters. The FBI confirmed there was no indication of a risk to public safety, but said lab testing of the substance was ongoing. More testing, however, is needed to fully identify the unknown substance in the letters, according to their statement. The incident comes after more than 100 elected officials in Kansas found suspicious letters with white powder in their mail. Kansas Republican leaders described the act as a cowardly attempt to intimidate the legislature. Jennifer Easton, the press secretary for the Tennessee House GOP, also raised suspicions Thursday that liberal political activists were behind the letters in Tennessee, though there was no immediately available evidence proving or disproving her allegation. Easton confirmed members of the GOP leadership in the state received the letters. Members of the Tennessee House Republican leadership today received letters containing an unknown white powder, she said in a statement to The Hill. The letters contained obvious threats made by a liberal activist specifically targeting Republicans. The sixth floor of the Cordell Hull Building remains on lockdown while Homeland Security and first responders investigate, Easton added. All employees and members in the building are safe. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Huerta denies the allegations and says he needs to focus on restoring his reputation. Tenoch Huerta will not appear in an upcoming Netflix film after a woman he describes as a former girlfriend accused him of sexual assault, People reports. The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever actor was set to star in the film Fiesta en la Madriguera directed by Manolo Caro. Huerta, 42, has confirmed that he no longer will participate in the project. Given the impact of the recent false statements by Maria Elena Rios and the damage they have caused, I have no choice but to withdraw from participating in the film Fiesta en la Madriguera, the actor said in a statement. Tenoch Huerta speaks during the 95th Oscar Week Events: Makeup And Hairstyling panel at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on March 11, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) Huerta also noted his concern about the potential harm Rios could bring to the dozens of talented and hard-working people involved in the project. My focus now is simple: continue the process of restoring my reputation, he added. Rios, a musician and activist, took to Twitter more than a week ago to accuse Huerta of being a sexual predator. The two dated for several months, according to The Huffington Post. In a series of tweets in Spanish, Rios said she suffered from emotional abuse during their relationship. Rios also accused activist group, Poder Prieto, for protecting the actor, People reports. She tweeted that Huerta is loved around the world for playing a character in a movie, making it hard for her to talk about the abuse. Rios explained in a follow-up tweet that she didnt speak out sooner because she was afraid that this would happen: people who refuse to believe that a SUPER HERO is an abuser, a manipulator and sexual predator. The Huffington Post reports that Huerta reacted to her allegations in a statement released on social media, claiming their relationship was entirely consensual at all times and mutually supportive. According to People, Huertas statement on his Instagram Story called Rioss accusations irresponsible and false. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Tenoch Huerta, from Wakanda Forever, exits Netflix movie amid sexual assault allegation appeared first on TheGrio. A 6-year-old child with a terminal illness who was evacuated from Afghanistan in the midst of the U.S. withdrawal in 2021 died in U.S. custody last week, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The unaccompanied child died June 13 from severe encephalopathy, which is a general term for diseases and disorders that affect the brain. The unnamed child, who had a preexisting terminal illness, came into the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in August 2021 and was immediately hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, an HHS spokesperson said. The 6-year-old was later transferred to the HSC Pediatric Center for around-the-clock skilled nursing care. Earlier this month, they were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit at Childrens National Hospital for respiratory support after an acute medical complication. Medical treatment was provided according to the parents wishes and aligned with the recommendations of the hospitals health care provider team, the HHS spokesperson said. Our heart goes out to the family at this difficult time. ORR is working with them to provide comfort and assist with arrangements as appropriate, they added. The child is the third to die in HHS custody this year, according to CBS News. A 17-year-old migrant from Honduras died at an HHS shelter for unaccompanied minors in Florida last month, and a 4-year-old Honduran migrant in a medically fragile state died in Michigan in March, CBS reported. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Texas businessman at center of AG Ken Paxton's impeachment pleads not guilty to federal charges This undated photo provided by the Austin Police Department shows Nate Paul. Paul, the businessman at the center of the scandal that led to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons historic impeachment, is set to make an initial appearance in federal court Friday, June 9, 2023, following his arrest by the FBI. (Austin Police Department via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A Texas real estate developer at the center of Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment has pleaded not guilty to charges of making false statements to banks that loaned him more than $170 million. Nate Paul waived his scheduled arraignment before a U.S. district judge in Austin, according to court documents posted Friday. Paul figures heavily in 20 articles of impeachment filed against Texas' top law enforcement officer. Paxton is accused of abusing his power and bribery in order to help Paul, who gave the Republican a $25,000 campaign donation in 2018. There is no reference to Paxton in Pauls indictment, which accuses the developer of making false statements to multiple banks in 2017 and 2018. But one of the banks later received a subpoena, issued in person, by an attorney Paxton hired as an outside independent prosecutor to pursue complaints Paul made after the FBI raided the businessman's offices. Paxton has denied wrongdoing and his impeachment trial is set to begin Sept. 5. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has bizarrely weighed in on a possible cage fight between tech billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. Last month, while reacting to rumours Meta was developing an app to rival Twitter, Mr Musk tweeted: Im sure Earth cant wait to be exclusively under Zucks thumb with no other options. One user quipped the Tesla founder better be careful as Mr Zuckerberg is trained in Brazillian jiu-jitsu. Im up for a cage match if he is lol, Mr Musk replied. Responding to the challenge, Mr Zuckerberg shared a screenshot of the tweet on Instagram, and captioned it: send me location. Since then, a spokesperson for Meta has confirmed its founder is serious about fighting Elon Musk in a statement to The Verge, adding: The story speaks for itself. Replying to a tweet about Mr Zuckerbergs confirmation, Mr Musk suggested the fight should take place at Vegas Octagon, or the UFC Apex in Nevada. Dana White, the president of UFC, has also indicated both Mr Musk and Mr Zuckerberg are dead serious about going head-to-head in a cage match. On Thursday (22 June), Mr Abbott retweeted a post about Mr Whites statement, with the caption: Do it. The biggest fight in UFC history, his tweet read. This cant be serious, one user reacted to Mr Abbotts post, while another wrote: Thatll fix the electric grid! Several commenters urged Mr Abbott to focus on infrastructure issues plaguing the Lone Star state, as Texans suffer through power outages amid an unprecedented heat wave this year. Earlier this week, it was reported that the Texas grid operator was expecting record electricity consumption as temperatures soared into the triple digits in some parts of the state. Mr Zuckerberg competed in his first jiu-jitsu tournament in May, marking the occasion with an Instagram post. Competed in my first jiu jitsu tournament and won some medals for the Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu team, the 38-year-old wrote captioned the carousel, including photos of him from the competition. Meanwhile, Mr Musk, who claims he doesnt exercise, recently explained his strategy to defeat Mr Zuckerberg during a podcast appearance. I have a move called The Walrus, which I used on a friend of mine whos very agile, he told the Full Send podcast. But I was like, let me explain to you why there are weight classes in MMA. Im going to use a move called The Walrus, where I just lie on you and you cant get away. Hispanics are the largest demographic group in Texas, outnumbering non-Hispanic white people for the first time since the mid-19th century, according to U.S. Census data. In 2022, the states Hispanic population reached 12 million, surpassing the non-Hispanic white population and turning Texas into a majority minority state. Some 40.2 percent of Texans are Hispanic, and 39.8 percent are non-Hispanic white. The demographic milestone means that Hispanics are the largest demographic group in the two largest states in the union, California and Texas. Per the Census population estimates, Texas also breached another milestone last year, joining California as the only two states with more than 30 million inhabitants. Numbers alone do not tell the whole story, said Roberto Tellez, the state director for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the countrys oldest Hispanic civil rights organization, which started in Texas. While it is inevitable that Hispanics would become the numeric majority in Texas, until we have fair and equal access to the reins of power through the ballot box, we cannot achieve our full potential. LULAC continues to strive for that day which will and must come, Tellez said. The Hispanic and white populations have been roughly equal in size for years the 2020 Census showed the states Hispanic population trailing the non-Hispanic white population by just more than 200,000 people. But the Hispanic population of Texas has been growing at a faster clip for years. Over the last 10 years, the non-Hispanic white population of Texas increased by 4.7 percent, while the Hispanic population grew by 27.5 percent. It just drives home the fact that Latinos every year become a bigger factor in every election, said Chuck Rocha, a Democratic political consultant who engineered Sen. Bernie Sanderss (I-Vt.) successful Latino vote strategy in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries. But it also shows you the importance of having elections that are easier to access. But I think it means that theres a reckoning coming in Texas. I think Latinos are going to demand more representation and more voice in their government, added Rocha, who pointed out that Texas currently has no Hispanic statewide elected officials. The states demographic change was long believed to be a driver of political change, potentially swinging the state away from nearly 30 years of GOP control. But the demographics is destiny strategy has for the most part not panned out for Texas Democrats. As weve always said, demographics are not destiny, theyre just an opportunity, Rocha said. And its an opportunity for both parties to go make your case to an electorate that is way more persuadable than people used to think it is. Especially in a place like Texas. Though a majority of Texas Hispanics consistently vote for Democrats, a larger percentage of them vote for Republicans compared to Hispanics in California. For instance, in 2022 Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) won reelection with 40 percent of the Latino vote, according to a CBS News exit poll. But its also more difficult for Latinos in Texas to vote due to the states more stringent voting rules, which opponents label voter suppression. According to the ACLU, Texas suppresses voting by not offering online registration, limiting vote by mail, fostering long lines at polling stations, offering fewer resources for non-English speakers and threatening criminal penalties for voting errors. Those strategies are especially effective in large cities, where two-thirds of the states Hispanic population lives. Latinos have been an economic powerhouse in Texas for many generations. We make up a large majority of public sector jobs, as well as in construction and in our healthcare systems not only in Texas but across America, said Eric Holguin, Texas state advocacy director for UnidosUS. But with so much negative noise surrounding Latinos, our economic strength and abilities can go unnoticed especially by political leaders and policymakers, Holguin added. While Californias Hispanic population was the key driver in turning that state into a Democratic bastion from the mid-1990s onward, non-Hispanic white people outnumbered Californias Latinos until 2015. And the sheer size of Texass Hispanic population could scare away the necessary investment to get Latinos more involved in politics. Youre talking about way more people, and so it just takes way more money, Rocha said. Because that way more money is such a large number, people are scared to do that kind of investment into an electorate that white consultants tell them dont vote at the same rate as white and Black voters. So theyre always an afterthought. Updated at 7:05 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A senior high school student has died after an extinguisher exploded during a fire drill at his campus in Thailand. Twenty-one others at Rajavinit Mathayom School in Bangkok were injured in Friday's incident, said the city's governor. Seven were taken to hospital. The explosion had sent the extinguisher flying towards the victim, who was about 10 metres away. Rescuers said the extinguisher may have been defective because of sun or heat exposure. The dead student was in his final year of school. His age has not been confirmed. Police have been investigating the cause of the incident, cordoning off the scene which remained scattered with debris. Officials added that the extinguishers used in the drill have all been sent to the police's forensics division. The exploding cannister contained carbon dioxide, according to the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, the rescue organisation on the scene. The extinguishers are usually refilled with chemicals when empty, but "how and where they were refilled must be investigated, and safety valves must be checked", said the city's police chief. The school is located in the Dusit district, alongside many government offices. Ministry of Education officials have also been sent to the school to determine what happened, permanent secretary Atthaphon Sangkhawasee said. He expressed condolences to the relatives of the dead student, adding that the ministry would assist and compensate those affected, according to The Nation. FILE PHOTO: Agricultural worker operates a tractor as smoke rises in the distance after a military strike in Kherson region KYIV (Reuters) -At least three people were killed in Russian attacks in southern Ukraine on Friday, including two who died after a trolleybus company came under fire in the city of Kherson, regional officials said. Oleksandr Prokudin, the governor of the Kherson region, said two men aged 55 and 43 were killed by "targeted fire" on the Kherson trolleybus company in what he described as "another Russian terrorist attack". Several other people were injured, he said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. Video footage posted by the regional authorities showed a wounded man on the ground inside the trolleybus company's building, with broken glass and blood on the floor. Another dead or wounded man lay on the ground outside, and a man was shown being lifted on a stretcher into an ambulance. The prosecutor's office said the attack took place around 10.20 a.m. (0720 GMT) and that it had launched an investigation. Yuriy Malashko, the governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, wrote on Telegram that a 35-year-old man had been killed in a Russian artillery barrage on the village of Mala Tokmachka and that four people had been wounded elsewhere in the region. Russia, which began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, denies targeting civilians. Russian forces were pushed out of Kherson city in November and have continued shelling it from positions they hold in the wider Kherson region despite flooding caused by the destruction of the Khakovka dam, which lies upstream from the city on the Dnipro River. Kyiv has reported making advances in southern Ukraine in a counterattack against the Russian forces, and both sides have reported heavy fighting in parts of the south. (Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka and Kyiv newsroomEditing by Timothy Heritage and Frances Kerry) Environmentalists, ranchers, and others have opposed lithium mining projects in Nevada for years. But an unexpected source of opposition to mining a specific desert tract for the silvery white metal needed in electric car batteries is space. Why NASA Opposes the Project? (Photo : by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images) A photo shows an apparatus with which Nickel and lithium are separated in a laboratory after being collected from recycled electric car batteries, at the Eramet mining group headquarters, in the Paris suburb of Trappes, on March 16, 2023 NASA claims that the same location, which is undisturbed and as flat as a tabletop in any place in the Western Hemisphere, is essential for calibrating the exact measurements taken by hundreds of satellites orbiting above, according to APNews. According to NASA, the long, flat land area above Nevada's Railroad Valley's undeveloped lithium mine has been used for almost three decades to obtain precise measurements necessary to maintain satellites and the applications that run on them in good condition. The US Bureau of Land Management agreed to the space agency's proposal. Eastern Nevada terrain covering 36 square miles (92 square kilometers) will no longer be included in their list of federal lands potentially open for mineral exploration and exploitation. The bureau has spent nearly three years defending mining approval of a massive lithium mine under construction in northwest Nevada close to the Oregon border from objections of various kinds from environmentalists, tribal leaders, ranchers, and others. The bureau started an assessment of the proposals for a second lithium mine, which environmentalists oppose, in December. It would be located about 230 miles (370 kilometers) southeast of Reno, close to the California border, where an endangered desert wildflower blooms. Read Also: Argentina Emerges as Key Player in Global Lithium Market as Chile Tightens Regulations Nevada Desert Paradox According to NASA, which stated that the satellites "provide vital and often time-critical information touching every aspect of life on Earth," including increasingly certifying measurements related to climate change; satellite calculations are essential to gathering information from space with widespread applications from weather forecasting to national security, agricultural outlooks, and natural disasters. Thus, the Nevada desert paradox. However, in this case, the metal is buried beneath the land, which NASA says must be left undisturbed to ensure the accuracy of satellites monitoring Earth's warming atmosphere. Lithium is the primary component in batteries for electric vehicles, which are crucial to decreasing greenhouse gases. Earlier this month, a congressman from Nevada submitted legislation that aims to overturn the bureau's choice to exclude the site from prospective mining usage. The move, according to Republican Rep. Mark Amodei, highlights the "hypocrisy" of President Joe Biden's administration, he told a House subcommittee last week. When NASA requested the land withdrawal in 2021, the Carson City, Nevada-based business 3 Proton Lithium Inc., which owns most of the mining claims, had yet to provide official project proposals. However, the company asserted that it had conducted an in-depth analysis in preparation for plans to extract the brine-based lithium resource, which it claimed to be one of the ten greatest reserves in the world. According to Chairman Kevin Moore, the tract's withdrawal will probably prevent his energy business from pumping the "super brine" from approximately one-third of its claims there, including the deepest, richest deposits, which account for around 60 percent of the site's value. Related Article: NASA Monitoring Asteroid That Could Hit Earth in the Near Future @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TikTok creator goes viral for 'being Black in Vietnam' [Source] A TikTok video of people in Vietnam admiring a black tourist has gone viral. The video: Uploaded on June 14 by Alana Rainer (@alanarainer), the TikTok video caption reads: Being black in Vietnam be like. In the short clip, Rainer who is Sierra Leonean and English stands at the center of a crowd who have seemingly gathered to stare at the influencer. One woman stands behind Rainer, brushing through the creators hair with her fingers. Despite being at the center of attention, Rainer continues to smile and make conversation with those around her. In her video description, Rainer explains that she personally found it so funny how amazed they were. More from NextShark: 'Everything is destroyed by China': TikToker's conversation with racist Lyft driver goes viral Online reactions: The video, which has garnered over 1.6 million views and 100,600 likes as of this writing, received many comments from TikTok users who found the Vietnamese womans actions endearing and appreciative. She touched the hair so gentle & respectfully, one user wrote. Normally it would be a no but shes touching her hair so attentively, another user wrote. More from NextShark: China downplays possible war with Taiwan amid viral 'surrender now' video, Taipei prepares anyway They are innocent and they truly are amazing about your looks you are beautiful, a different user commented. Rainer agreed with the commenters, stating, Yess thats why I let them touch my hair I was also soo fascinated by them it was honestly an amazing experience in my opinion. Other TikTok users, meanwhile, joked that they couldnt figure out who is black. More from NextShark: Singaporean man who learned Hokkien, danced to BTS for his marriage proposal wins $19,000 wedding Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! LE SSERAFIM releases first studio album Unforgiven' A Buddhist temple surrounded by seawater in the village of Ban Khun Samut Chin near Bangkok (Manan VATSYAYANA) Each morning, four children stand barefoot in a line and proudly sing the national anthem as the Thai flag is raised outside their school, perched on a finger of land surrounded by the sea. They are the last pupils left at the school in Ban Khun Samut Chin, a coastal village less than 10 kilometres (six miles) from the edge of Bangkok that is slowly being devoured by the waves. About 200 people cling on in the village, in a glimpse of what the future may hold for countless coastal communities around the world as climate change melts glaciers and ice sheets, causing sea levels to rise. "I used to have many friends, around 20 or 21 classmates when I started kindergarten," says 11-year-old Jiranan Chorsakul. "I'm a bit lonely and I would like new students to enrol." At a Buddhist temple, supported on posts as it juts far out into the turbid brown-green waters of the Bay of Bangkok, village head Wisanu Kengsamut tells AFP that two kilometres of land have been lost to the sea in the past 60 years. "Behind me there used to be a village and a mangrove forest and you could easily walk from the village to this temple... Villagers started moving inland, further and further away from the temple," he says. Now the only visible signs of where the village once stood are old power poles sticking out of the water. - Vision of the future - United Nations climate experts warn that sea levels have already risen by 15 to 25 centimetres (six to 10 inches) since 1900, and the pace is accelerating, especially in some tropical areas. If warming trends continue, the oceans could rise by nearly one additional metre around the Pacific and Indian Ocean islands by the end of the century. The effects would hit Thailand hard. An estimated 17 percent of the kingdom's population -- about 11 million people -- live by the coast and are dependent on fishing or tourism for their livelihoods. Dublin City University environmental politics assistant professor Danny Marks says Ban Khun Samut Chin is a vivid warning of what a "climate-ravaged world could look like". "We can see this as a stark microcosm of the risk that sea-level rise poses to us, particularly in the developing world," he told AFP. The severe erosion at Ban Khun Samut Chin has been exacerbated by poor management of the local environment and storm surges made more powerful by climate change. Groundwater has been over-exploited and thick mangroves -- which acted as a barrier to tame the waves -- were destroyed to make way for prawn farms. And dams upstream on the Chao Phraya -- the river that flows through Bangkok and discharges near the village -- have slowed the deposition of sediment in the bay. The village has been working for some years with a Chulalongkorn University research project to put in bamboo and concrete pillars and replant mangroves to hold back the sea. But in the long term "these measures might not be enough to withstand the force of nature and the village could be lost", Wisanu says. "We have no plans to move the village further inland because there is no more land for us to move to, so we must try to preserve what we have somehow," he says. Appeals to the government for help have led nowhere, he adds. "I've given up hope that the government will step in. We have to save ourselves." - Bleak future - The village has a homestay programme and hopes to use eco-tourism tours to raise money and educate the public about their fight for survival. The children are studying the local ecology, learning to identify plants and animals, and might one day be tour guides, school principal Mayuree Khonjan says. Back in the classroom decked out with four tiny pink chairs and desks, Jiranan concentrates hard as his teacher writes numbers on the board. "I want to be a teacher so I can pass on knowledge to other students. I want to teach at this school, if it's still here," Jiranan says. But next year one boy will graduate to high school, and only three youngsters will be left to line up and sing the national anthem each morning. pit-lpm/pdw/axn The family of British billionaire businessman Hamish Harding has lashed out at a Cambridge college for hosting a submarine-themed ball just hours before those on the Titan submersible were confirmed dead. Pembroke College students attended the Into the Depths ball on Wednesday night, based on the theme of undersea exploration, amid all the rescue efforts for the now imploded Titan submarine. One of the cousins of Harding, 69-year-old Kathleen Cosnett, told the media that it was unbelievable that the college had a submarine-themed ball and said the event was in extremely bad taste. In its defence, the college committee that organised the ball said that the theme for the event had been decided much before the search for OceanGate Expeditions Titanic expedition became a global rescue operation. The authorities reportedly said it was too late to change the theme. Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here. Thats terrible polite courtesy has missed out on quite a few generations. Ridiculous. They would have had a record of him studying there, I would have thought, Ms Cosnett was quoted as saying by The Telegraph. They ought to think more than twice, and show consideration. Perhaps we are lucky they didnt play Yellow Submarine. But perhaps they are not old enough for that. Harding attended the college in the 1980s and is among five people who died after the submersible is believed to have imploded. The balls committee said in a statement before the news of the implosion: We are aware of the worrying news about Pembroke alumnus Hamish Harding. Todays May Ball theme was chosen many months ago, and if we could change it now, we would. All we can say is that we sincerely hope that Mr Harding and the others on board the submarine will be found safe and well. Our thoughts go out to the Harding family at this very difficult time. All five men on board the missing Titan submersible were declared dead after it was found that the craft imploded near the site of the shipwreck, authorities announced on Thursday. OceanGate Expeditions founder and CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman were all aboard the Titan. The Titan was touted as a groundbreaking submersible that could give tourists the extraordinary chance to visit the deep-sea grave of the Titanic but past passengers have shared chilling accounts of safety issues, communication failures and design concerns. The desperate search for the missing submersible ended Thursday with the Coast Guard announcing that debris from the vessel was found. The five passengers are presumed dead. It brings a close to the four-day race to find the Titan after it lost contact with its mother ship during a Sunday dive to the Titanic, 12,500 feet below the surface. The 21-foot, carbon fiber and titanium submersible fit five people, with no seats and a curtained-off area for a makeshift bathroom. Malfunctions left passengers like 'sitting ducks' Brian Weed, 42, a camera operator for Discovery Channels Expedition Unknown, did a test dive on the Titan in May 2021 and said, The moment we started the test dive, things started going wrong. The submersible descended, but not all the way to the shipwreck. The launch was clumsy, and less than a quarter of the dive in, there were malfunctions with the propulsion system, leaving the passengers like sitting ducks in the water, Weed said. This was supposedly two months before they were supposed to take their first dive down to the Titanic, and that was very worrying for me. We were supposed to be on one of those first dives, he said. He was also concerned that the door was bolted from the outside, saying, Theres still a potential that theres no way out even if youre on the surface. But it was the allure of the Titanic the ocean liner that sank on its maiden voyage from England to New York in 1912 that drew him to the project. The thought of going down and seeing the Titanic really clouds your mind. You want this to be possible. You want this to be true. Your brain is willing to overlook some really glaring problems, he said. Weed declined an invitation to dive again a week later. Weed, no stranger to risky situations, said that something about this felt like there wasnt a plan and that the reward is not worth the risk. Josh Gates, the host of Expedition Unknown, told NBC News Tom Costello on that dive: We had issues with thruster control. We had issues with the computers aboard. We had issues with comms." I just felt as though the sub needed more time and it needed more testing, frankly, he said. OceanGate completed successful expeditions to the wreckage in 2021 and 2022 before the Titian disappeared on the third trip. Lost communications; wandering for hours underwater Colin Taylor, who went on the submersible when it explored the Titanic site last July with his 22-year-old son, described the communication system as very difficult. Colin Taylor (Courtesy Colin Taylor) Theres a text-based communication system thats two-way, very slow, he said. I mean, when youre sending signals through that amount of water, its very, very difficult. Mike Reiss, a writer and producer who has worked on The Simpsons, told ABC News he went on four 10-hour dives with OceanGate, including to the Titanic. The crews lost communication with the host ship each time. When his vessel touched the bottom of the ocean on one of his OceanGate journeys to the Hudson Canyon, a loud squawk came on the radio, he recalled in an episode of the podcast What Am I Doing Here? that aired a year ago. The sonar, the computers, the lights all stopped working. We went back to the surface immediately, he said. Two years later, he took another expedition to the Titanic site in the submersible, describing it as a car that you drunkenly drove into the ocean steered by a video game controller. When the team touched down, they faced a myriad of issues. "We were nowhere near the Titanic. There were underwater currents pushing us farther and farther in the wrong direction. The sonar wasnt working, and the compass kept flopping from east to west, north to south," he said. "There was also a time crunch. We started late, and there was a hurricane rolling in on the surface. David Pogue, a CBS News correspondent, tweeted that last year the submersible got lost on the seafloor" for about five hours when he was on an OceanGate expedition to the Titanics resting place. A segment on the trip aired in November. Pogue wasnt in the Titan he was in a control room on a ship at the surface. They could still send short texts to the sub, but did not know where it was. It was quiet and very tense, he tweeted Monday. Former employee warned Titan's shell wasn't tested to descend deep safely A former OceanGate pilot, David Lochridge, who was hired to run manned tests of submersibles, claimed five years ago in court papers that he was fired after he warned that the Titans carbon shell was not properly tested to ensure it could descend safely to 4,000 meters, the estimated depth of the Titanic. He also claimed OceanGate refused to pay extra for a viewport that could be used safely at a depth of 4,000 meters. When he complained that OceanGate would be endangering customers, Lochridge said in the court papers, he was given 10 minutes to immediately clear out his desk. Lochridges claims, which were first reported by The New Republic, were in his counterclaim to a 2018 breach of contract lawsuit OceanGate filed saying he was not an engineer. The two sides settled a few months later. The details of the settlement were unclear. Expeditions are always a 'risk' Aaron Newman, a former passenger on the missing Titan and an investor in OceanGate, said he felt safe during his journey but acknowledged that risks are involved in such expeditions. They were a professional crew. They did a lot of training around safety and the backup systems around dropping weights, Newman said. Were going places that a very few people have been. This is inventing things. There are risks, right? And we know that. Newman said the explorers on the missing submersible OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, French dive expert Paul Henry Nargeolet, and prominent Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman are a good set of people who were likely doing what they could to stay alive. Arthur Loibl, 61, a retired businessman and adventurer from Germany, went on a voyage to the Titanic site in 2021 with Rush and Nargeolet, he told The Associated Press. He said that while he was able to get a view of the iconic ocean liner, in hindsight he felt a bit dubious about how the dive was carried out. I was a bit naive, looking back now, he said. It was a kamikaze operation. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Researchers are increasingly using small, autonomous underwater robots to collect data in the world's oceans. NOAA Teacher at Sea Program,NOAA Ship PISCES, CC BY-SA Rescuers spotted debris from the tourist submarine Titan on the ocean floor near the wreck of the Titanic on June 22, 2023, indicating that the vessel suffered a catastrophic failure and the five people aboard were killed. Bringing people to the bottom of the deep ocean is inherently dangerous. At the same time, climate change means collecting data from the worlds oceans is more vital than ever. Purdue University mechanical engineer Nina Mahmoudian explains how researchers reduce the risks and costs associated with deep-sea exploration: Send down subs, but keep people on the surface. Why is most underwater research conducted with remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles? When we talk about water studies, were talking about vast areas. And covering vast areas requires tools that can work for extended periods of time, sometimes months. Having people aboard underwater vehicles, especially for such long periods of time, is expensive and dangerous. One of the tools researchers use is remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs. Basically, there is a cable between the vehicle and operator that allows the operator to command and move the vehicle, and the vehicle can relay data in real time. ROV technology has progressed a lot to be able to reach deep ocean up to a depth of 6,000 meters (19,685 feet). Its also better able to provide the mobility necessary for observing the sea bed and gathering data. Autonomous underwater vehicles provide another opportunity for underwater exploration. They are usually not tethered to a ship. They are typically programmed ahead of time to do a specific mission. And while they are underwater they usually dont have constant communication. At some interval, they surface, relay the whole amount of data that they have gathered, change the battery or recharge and receive renewed instructions before again submerging and continuing their mission. What can remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles do that crewed submersibles cant, and vice versa? Crewed submersibles will be exciting for the public and those involved and helpful for the increased capabilities humans bring in operating instruments and making decisions, similar to crewed space exploration. However, it will be much more expensive compared with uncrewed explorations because of the required size of the platforms and the need for life-support systems and safety systems. Crewed submersibles today cost tens of thousands of dollars a day to operate. Use of unmanned systems will provide better opportunities for exploration at less cost and risk in operating over vast areas and in inhospitable locations. Using remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles gives operators the opportunity to perform tasks that are dangerous for humans, like observing under ice and detecting underwater mines. How has the technology for deep ocean research evolved? The technology has advanced dramatically in recent years due to progress in sensors and computation. There has been great progress in miniaturization of acoustic sensors and sonars for use underwater. Computers have also become more miniaturized, capable and power efficient. There has been a lot of work on battery technology and connectors that are watertight. Additive manufacturing and 3D printing also help build hulls and components that can withstand the high pressures at depth at much lower costs. There has also been great progress toward increasing autonomy using more advanced algorithms, in addition to traditional methods for navigation, localization and detection. For example, machine learning algorithms can help a vehicle detect and classify objects, whether stationary like a pipeline or mobile like schools of fish. What kinds of discoveries have been made using remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles? One example is underwater gliders. These are buoyancy-driven autonomous underwater vehicles. They can stay in water for months. They can collect data on pressure, temperature and salinity as they go up and down in water. All of these are very helpful for researchers to have an understanding of changes that are happening in oceans. One of these platforms traveled across the North Atlantic Ocean from the coast of Massachusetts to Ireland for nearly a year in 2016 and 2017. The amount of data that was captured in that amount of time was unprecedented. To put it in perspective, a vehicle like that costs about $200,000. The operators were remote. Every eight hours the glider came to the surface, got connected to GPS and said, Hey, I am here, and the crew basically gave it the plan for the next leg of the mission. If a crewed ship was sent to gather that amount of data for that long it would cost in the millions. In 2019, researchers used an autonomous underwater vehicle to collect invaluable data about the seabed beneath the Thwaites glacier in Antarctica. Energy companies are also using remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehicles for inspecting and monitoring offshore renewable energy and oil and gas infrastructure on the seabed. Where is the technology headed? Underwater systems are slow-moving platforms, and if researchers can deploy them in large numbers that would give them an advantage for covering large areas of ocean. A great deal of effort is being put into coordination and fleet-oriented autonomy of these platforms, as well as into advancing data gathering using onboard sensors such as cameras, sonars and dissolved oxygen sensors. Another aspect of advancing vehicle autonomy is real-time underwater decision-making and data analysis. What is the focus of your research on these submersibles? My team and I focus on developing navigational and mission-planning algorithms for persistent operations, meaning long-term missions with minimal human oversight. The goal is to respond to two of the main constraints in the deployment of autonomous systems. One is battery life. The other is unknown situations. For battery life, we work on at-sea recharging, both underwater and surface water. We are developing tools for autonomous deployment, recovery, recharging and data transfer for longer missions at sea. For unknown situations, we are working on recognizing and avoiding obstacles and adapting to different ocean currents basically allowing a vehicle to navigate in rough conditions on its own. To adapt to changing dynamics and component failures, we are working on methodologies to help the vehicle detect the change and compensate to be able to continue and finish the mission. These efforts will enable long-term ocean studies including observing environmental conditions and mapping uncharted areas. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. If you found it interesting, you could subscribe to our weekly newsletter. It was written by: Nina Mahmoudian, Purdue University. Read more: Nina Mahmoudian receives funding from National Science Foundation and Office of Naval Research. 'Titanic' director James Cameron sees parallel between the Titan submersible tragedy and the Titanic disaster, when the captain repeatedly ignored warnings about an incoming iceberg Director James Cameron finds parallels between the incident of the Titan submersible, left, and the sinking of the Titanic, right. OceanGate Expeditions via Reuters, AP Debris from the missing Titan submersible was found on Thursday. The company behind Titan flouted safety rules, experts said. James Cameron told ABC News that the incident is similar to how the Titanic captain ignored warnings about the iceberg. Director James Cameron, who performed extensive research to film his blockbuster 1997 epic, "Titanic," said he sees parallels between the missteps that led to the fate of the Titan submersible and the infamous RMS Titanic shipwreck. In an interview with ABC News on Thursday, Cameron said that many in the deep-sea diving community, including the director, "were very concerned" about OceanGate's expeditions, which allowed passengers a rare opportunity to visit the site of the Titanic shipwreck in a cramped 22-foot-long titanium and carbon fiber vessel. Debris from the missing Titan sub was discovered Thursday after an intense four-day search. US Coast Guard officials said the debris was "consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber." Years before the fateful Sunday expedition, experts, including OceanGate's own director of marine operations, raised concerns about the safety of the vessel and said that the sub required more testing. "A number of the top players in the deep-submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and that needed to be certified and so on," Cameron said in the interview. In March 2018, more than three dozen people from the Marine Technology Society wrote that OceanGate's approach "could result in negative outcomes (from minor to catastrophic)," The New York Times reported. "I'm struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night, and many people died as a result," Cameron said. "It's a very similar tragedy where warnings went unheeded to take place at the same exact site with all the diving that's going around all around the world. I think it's just astonishing, it's really quite surreal." During the RMS Titanic's maiden voyage, which began April 10, 1912, Captain Edward J. Smith failed to conduct a scheduled safety drill and ignored multiple warnings from nearby ships that icebergs lay ahead of the ship, according to National Geographic. Cameron stands in a unique position to offer perspective on the Titan incident, which officials believe ended with the death of all five passengers. The filmmaker made about 12 submersible dives to visit the wreck in the North Atlantic to prep for the making of "Titanic," according to National Geographic and made visits after the film premiered. In total, Cameron told ABC News that he saw the site 33 times and calculated that he spent more time visiting the shipwreck than the captain of the Titan sub, Stockton Rush, who was among the five passengers. The director said that he also designed and built a submersible that was capable of reaching sea levels three times deeper than the location of the Titanic, which sits about 12,500 feet underwater. "Deep submergence diving is a mature art," Cameron said, claiming that all other deep-submergence vehicles around the world followed the "gold standard" of safety protocols except for the Titan. Read the original article on Insider The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that it would continue its investigation of the debris found near the Titanic wreckage to try to find out how and when the OceanGate Titan submersible imploded after diving to visit the famous shipwreck. An official told CBS News the U.S. Navy detected a noise consistent with an implosion shortly after the Titan first lost contact Sunday. All five people who were on the Titan are presumed dead, and as CBS News correspondent Roxana Saberi reports, it's unclear if their bodies will ever be recovered. It was not the outcome anyone had hoped for, but for some deep-sea dive veterans, it was clear days before the tell-tale debris was spotted Thursday that the Titan had likely met a "catastrophic" end. "OceanGate shouldn't have been doing what it was doing. I think that's pretty clear," movie director and explorer James Cameron told CBS News' partner network BBC News on Thursday. "I wish I had been more vocal about that, but I think I was unaware that they weren't certified because I wasn't really studying it." In a scene from the movie Cameron, who directed the Hollywood blockbuster "Titanic," has made more than 30 dives to the wreckage site, starting in the 1990s. He made the dives in Russian-made "Mir" submersibles, which were designed and operated by the Russian Academy of Sciences. He also designed his own sub, built in Australia in conjunction with the National Geographic Society and Swiss watchmaker Rolex, which he used in 2012 to travel to the deepest part of the Ocean, in the Mariana Trench. That dive took him to a corner of the seafloor 35,876 feet below the surface much more than twice the depth of the Titanic wreckage site. Filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence James Cameron emerges from the Deepsea Challenger submersible after his successful solo dive to the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean, March 26, 2011. / Credit: AP/Mark Theissen/National Geographic Cameron told the BBC he knew an "extreme catastrophic event" had happened as soon as he heard the OceanGate submersible had lost navigation and communications at the same time on Sunday. "For me, there was no doubt," Cameron said. "There was no search. When they finally got an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) down there that could make the depth, they found it within hours. Probably within minutes." Cameron said remarks from authorities and information from OceanGate about there being 96 hours' worth of oxygen on the Titan, and the banging noises detected by surveillance planes scouring the search area, had only fueled a "prolonged and nightmarish charade" giving the families of those on the sub false hope. The naval official who spoke to CBS News said the banging sounds reported by the Canadian aircraft on Tuesday and Wednesday were likely from other ships in the area. Cameron noted to the BBC that the wider global community of deep-sea explorers had previously raised concerns about OceanGate's Titan craft, including a letter penned by submersible engineers at the Maritime Technology Society in 2018, and he said there was a grim parallel between the Titan tragedy and the sinking of the Titanic itself in 1912. "We now have another wreck that is based on, unfortunately, the same principles of not heeding warnings," he said, calling it a "terrible irony." "OceanGate were warned," Cameron said. "It's not lost on me as somebody who studied the meaning of Titanic it's about warnings that were ignored. That ship is lying at the bottom of the ocean, not because of the nature of its steel or the nature of its compartments, but just because of bad seamanship. The captain was warned, there were icebergs ahead, it was a moonless night and he plowed ahead." Guillermo Soehnlein, who founded OceanGate alongside Stockton Rush but left the company in 2013, told a U.K. radio network on Friday that he didn't take part in designing the Titan, but he insisted Rush, who was piloting the submersible and had taken control of the company, "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," Soehnlein told the Times Radio network in response to Cameron's remarks. "That's one of the main reasons I agreed to go into business with him in 2009." In a statement, OceanGate said it was "grieving deeply over this loss." The U.S. Coast Guard said that while it would continue to investigate the incident, it was starting to demobilize some of the international search effort led by its Northeast district as of Friday. After Ohio train derailment, fire chief says he had 13 minutes to decide to burn toxic chemicals Pro-Trump crowd at Faith and Freedom Coalition conference I-95 reopens at site of Philadelphia collapse Titanic International Society head says it might be time to stop people visiting the wreck altogether A shot of the Titanic wreck in 1996. Xavier Desmier/Gamma-Rapho/Getty The deadly implosion of the Titan submersible highlighted the risks of visiting the Titanic. The head of a Titanic research group said it may be time to end human visits altogether. Robots could take over examining the site, he said, without putting lives at risk. The head of a group dedicated to researching the Titanic said the implosion of a submersible carrying five people is a prompt to "consider seriously" stopping human visits to the wreck altogether. Charles Haas, the president of the Titanic International Society, said in a statement that "It is time to consider seriously whether human trips to Titanic's wreck should end in the name of safety." He said there was "relatively little remaining to be learned from or about the wreck" from repeat human visits. Per the society's website, Haas has himself visited the wreck twice, in 1993 and 1996. Autonomous underwater vehicles can do the work once undertaken by manned missions, he said. Haas called the implosion of the Titan submersible, operated by the firm OceanGate, a "tragic, avoidable event." He called for a detailed investigation into the safety and design of the submersible, which was not certified and which had been flagged repeatedly for questionable safety. "Just as Titanic taught the world safety lessons, so, too, should Titan's loss." "Titanic also taught the world about the dangers of hubris and overreliance on technology. This expedition's tragic ending has shown that these lessons remain to be learned." The Titanic, a cutting-edge steam liner, sank in 1912, killing more than 1,500 people. Haas said the implosion meant the Titanic had "claimed five additional victims 111 years after her loss," deeply saddening his society. "We extend our heartfelt sympathy and love to the families of those lost while pursuing their Titanic passions, and pray that their memories will remain as strong and vibrant as their lives. And we hope, too, that their loss galvanizes the world, once again, to ensure the safety of those in peril on the sea.'" The society does offer trips to the wreckage. With his comments, Haas joins other Titanic experts who predicted changes to wreck site visits. The CEO of UK-based Titanic exhibition company White Star Memories Ltd told CNN "The chances of any future research being carried out on the wreck of Titanic is extremely slim. Probably not in my lifetime." Michael Poirier, a trustee for the Titanic International Society nonprofit, told Insider there would likely be a "pause" in trips, saying: "Now you're going to have to look at the submersibles ... and making sure they're up to date and making, they're up to code." Both the US Coast Guard and OceanGate said on Thursday that the Titan's passengers were believed to be dead after the Coast Guard said debris found in the search was consistent with a "catastrophic implosion." The search started on Sunday, after the Titan lost contact with its mothership not long into its dive. The five people on board were 61-year-old OceanGate founder and CEO Stockton Rush, 69-year-old British billionaire and explorer Hamish Harding, 77-year-old former French navy captain Paul Henry Nargeolet, 48-year-old British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood. Haas paid particular tribute to Nargeolet, a diver known as "Mr. Titanic" who had visited the shipwreck site at least 35 times. The society traveled with him to the wreck in the 1990s, The Washington Post reported. Haas said Nargeolet "brought to this expedition more than a quarter-century of expertise, making more dives to Titanic's wreck than anyone on earth." He called Nargeolet's knowledge of the wreck "unique and unparalleled" and praised his willingness to share the information with the world, which Haas said "helped to rewrite significant parts of the ship's history. " "Sadly, that irreplaceable knowledge has been lost. His passion for exploration was just one of his life's many amazing adventures." Read the original article on Insider The Titanic sub disaster was 'clearly preventable' and the vessel wouldn't have been allowed in US, British, or Canadian waters uncertified, expert says The Titan submersible in water. OceanGate The Titan submersible disaster was "clearly preventable," William Kohnen, an industry expert, said. He said regulations gave the industry a "stellar record of success" but OceanGate bypassed them. He said the sub would not have been allowed to operated like it did in US, UK or Canadian waters. The implosion of the Titan submersible en route to the wreckage of the Titanic with five people on board was "clearly preventable" and the vessel would not have been allowed to operated like it did in many countries' waters, including those of the US, an industry expert said. William Kohnen, chair of the Manned Underwater Vehicles Committee of the US-based industry group Marine Technology Society, told the BBC on Friday that industry regulations are strong, but that OceanGate Expeditions got around them by operating in international waters. "This was clearly preventable. We do have regulations," he said. Kohnen said that industry rules meant there has been a "stellar record of success." But he said that OceanGate's Titan submersible was able to avoid those regulations by operating in international waters "where no coast guard has jurisdiction" and because the company made it for themselves. Kohnen said that a submersible like the Titan, with tourists on board, would not be allowed to operate in US waters by the US Coast Guard. It would also "not be allowed to work in British coastal waters because it would have required it to be certified. Same thing in Canada," he said. The vessel lost contact with its mothership an hour and 45 minutes into its dive on Sunday, sparking a major search operation. But on Thursday the US Coast Guard announced that the sub appeared to have imploded amid a "catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber." It said all five passengers were believed to have been killed. Experts raised a raft of safety concerns with the submersible both before and after it went missing. This included a 2018 letter sent to OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who was on the submersible when it imploded, that was signed by experts including Kohnen. In the letter they said that the company's "experimental" approach and its decision not to pay for a leading agency to inspect the Titan could result in "catastrophic" problems. They also said they had "unanimous concern" about the way the Titan was developed. Former passengers of the Titan have detailed worrying issues like communication being lost on multiple trips. One CBS journalist who went on the submersible last year was made to sign a waiver that said the Titan was an "experimental vessel" that had not been "approved or certified by any regulatory body." Before the accident Rush had repeatedly criticized safety regulations. He also said in a 2021 interview that he had "broken some rules" with the Titan's manufacturing, highlighting the mix of carbon fiber and titanium the company used on its hull, despite solid metals like steel or titanium normally being used. OceanGate and Rush repeatedly defended the safety of its design. A spokesman for the mothership that launched the Titan also defended OceanGate during the search, saying the company has an "extremely safe operation." Read the original article on Insider What caused it? Will OceanGate be held liable? And what's next? The tourist submersible that disappeared while exploring the Titanic shipwreck experienced a catastrophic implosion that probably killed all five people on board, U.S. officials said Thursday, a tragic end to the massive international search and rescue mission that captured the worlds attention this week. But lingering issues about the tragedy remain. I know theres also a lot of questions about how, why and when did this happen, Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, who led the search, told reporters. But Im confident that those questions will begin to get answered. The five passengers aboard the Titan were identified as OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, 61; British billionaire and explorer Hamish Harding, 58; Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son, Suleman; and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a 77-year-old French explorer. What caused the implosion? An undated photo shows OceanGate's tourist submersible as it begins a descent. (OceanGate handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) It's not clear exactly when or where the implosion occurred, or what caused it. The Titan, operated by OceanGate, a private exploration company based in Everett, Wash., launched early Sunday morning to tour the Titanic wreckage. The Polar Prince, a Canadian research vessel and support ship for the expedition, lost contact with the submersible approximately 900 miles east of Cape Cod, about an hour and 45 minutes after launch. A senior military official said Thursday that the U.S. Navy, which began listening for the submersible shortly after it lost contact with its surface vessel, detected an "anomaly" that was likely to have been the Titan's fatal implosion. The U.S. Navy conducted an analysis of acoustic data and detected an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost, the official told the Wall Street Journal in a statement. While the Navy couldnt say definitively that the sound came from the Titan, the official said the information was immediately shared with the Coast Guard to assist with the search. Read more on Yahoo News James Cameron, who directed the movie Titanic and has made 33 visits to the wreckage of the luxury liner, blamed the ships carbon-fiber hull for the implosion in a series of interviews, calling it completely inappropriate for a vessel that sees external pressure. Of Rushs contention that certifying the craft would hinder innovation, Cameron said he agreed up to a point but added, You cant take that stance when youre putting paying customers into your submersible when you have innocent guests who trust you and your statements about safety. The sub had a hull-monitoring system that Cameron said wasnt sufficient for safety purposes. "I thought it was a horrible idea, he told Reuters of the Titans design. I wish I'd spoken up, but I assumed somebody was smarter than me, you know? Because I never experimented with that technology, but it just sounded bad on its face. Will there be any liability for OceanGate? Stockton Rush, Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Suleman Dawood and the Titan. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters; Courtesy of Jannicke Mikkelsen via Reuters; Courtesy of Engro Corporation Limited via Reuters; J. Sagat/AFP via Getty Images; courtesy of Engro Corporation Limited via Reuters; Ocean Gate/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Every passenger who went on the dive had to sign an extensive liability waiver, acknowledging that "this experimental vessel has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body, and could result in physical injury, emotional trauma, or death. One former Titan passenger told the BBC this week that the waiver lists one way after another that you could die on the trip, including mentioning "death three times on page 1, and so it's never far from your mind. Depending on the specifics of the waiver and what is found during the investigation of the subs implosion, there could still be potential liability for OceanGate. However, its unclear if any of the victims family members will sue, or the extent of the companys assets to pay damages. If there were aspects of the design or construction of this vessel that were kept from the passengers, or it was knowingly operated despite information that it was not suitable for this dive, that would absolutely go against the validity of the waiver, Matthew D. Shaffer, a personal injury attorney and maritime law expert, told Reuters. In 2018, more than three dozen oceanographers and deep-sea explorers wrote a letter to OceanGate warning that its "experimental" approach could lead to "catastrophic" consequences for its Titanic dives. Last year, while a CBS News crew was filming on the support ship, OceanGate lost contact with the Titan for two and a half to five hours, and the submersible was unable to make it to the wreckage. Whats next? An undated photo of OceanGate's tourist submersible afloat on the sea. (OceanGate handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) While the search and rescue mission for the Titan is over, the investigation into what happened is already underway and would continue in the area around the Titanic where debris from the submersible was found, Mauger said. Deep-sea robots will continue to scour the area miles beneath the oceans surface for additional wreckage and additional clues to what happened to the Titan. The sub implosion is also shining a spotlight on the murky regulations surrounding deep-sea exploration, where laws can be sidestepped by wealthy entrepreneurs. The Titan wasnt registered as a U.S. vessel or with international agencies that regulate safety, the Associated Press noted, nor was it classified by a maritime industry group that sets standards on matters such as hull construction. We're at a point in submersible operations in deep water that's kind of akin to where aviation was in the early 20th century, Salvatore Mercogliano, a history professor at Campbell University in North Carolina who focuses on maritime history and policy, told the AP. Aviation was in its infancy and it took accidents for decisions to be made to be put into laws. Therell be a time when you wont think twice about getting on a submersible and going down 13,000 feet. But were not there yet. According to a statement issued by the White House on Thursday, Boeing has announced a $100 million investment in infrastructure and programs to train pilots in India. This comes after Air India signed definitive orders for more than 200 jets from Boeing earlier this week, including 190 737 MAX narrowbody aircraft and 20 787 Dreamliners, according to Reuters. The news also coincides with a flurry of agreements inked by American and Indian businesses before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit with American officials. The Demand for Pilots in India India is facing a growing shortage of pilots as the country's aviation industry expands rapidly. India will need over 1,000 new pilots every year over the next five years. However, the number of commercial pilot licenses (CPL) issued in India has been declining in recent years. There are a number of factors contributing to the pilot shortage in India. One factor is the high cost of pilot training. The average cost of a pilot training program in India is around INR 45 lakhs (US$67,000). This is a significant investment for many families and can be a barrier to entry for those who want to become pilots. Another factor contributing to the pilot shortage is the lack of adequate training infrastructure in India. There are only a few flight training schools in India that are approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This means that there is limited capacity to train new pilots. Read also: Giant Orca Drone Under Development by Boeing Exceeds Budget, Behind Deployment Schedule What the Indian Government is Doing The pilot shortage is having a number of negative consequences for the Indian aviation industry. Airlines are having to cancel flights due to a lack of pilots, and passengers are facing longer wait times. The shortage is also making it difficult for airlines to expand their operations. (Photo: by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images) An employee walks past an Indigo Airlines bus at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport on June 20, 2023. Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo said on June 19 it had ordered a record 500 A320 airliners from European manufacturer Airbus at the Paris Air Show. The government of India is aware of the pilot shortage and is taking steps to address it. Recently, the government announced a plan to invest in pilot training infrastructure. The government is also working to make it easier for foreign-trained pilots to obtain a CPL in India. These measures are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the pilot shortage in India. If the government takes the necessary steps, India can avoid a major crisis in its aviation industry. The collaboration between Boeing and India is a significant step in addressing the pilot shortage. Boeing is a global leader in aviation, and its expertise in pilot training will be invaluable to India's aviation industry. The investment will also help to create jobs and boost economic growth in India. Related article: India's First Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant To Accommodate MiG-29K 'Black Panther' Squadron Onboard @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The actor compared the way people responded to the missing Titanic submersible and refugees capsizing John Cusack has tweeted about the search for the Titanic submersible. (REUTERS) John Cusack has sparked debate after suggesting that no one cares when refugee boats capsize but that things are very different when it comes to the lost Titanic submersible. The sub went missing in the Atlantic on an underwater journey to the wreck of the Titanic, with five people on board. A large search is under way, with experts predicting that the vessel will soon run out of oxygen. Read more: Channel 5 under fire for 'distasteful' show on missing Titanic submersible Commenting on the search on Twitter, Cusack appeared to reference the migrant boat that recently sank off Greece, leaving 78 dead and hundreds missing. All I can think is refugees capsize no one cares - some billionaires on joy rides go missing - it seems like multiple navys are instantly searching, the 56-year-old posted. All I can think is refugees capsize no one cares - some billionaires on joy rides go missing - it seems like multiple navys are instantly searching - https://t.co/ViOtPMkJsB John Cusack (@johncusack) June 21, 2023 Many people chimed in to agree with the actor, who is known for films such as Sixteen Candles and Being John Malkovich. One person tweeted that it was infuriating and another said: It's really, really sad when it's right in front you. Money people mean more than anyone else. I just got done saying the same thing... said one fan. Five billionaires get lost in a s****** submersible on a $250k per person trip to see the Titanic, and half the US Coast Guard gets mobilised to find them. The tourist submarine went missing in the Atlantic. (Ocean Gate/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Innocent refugees get lost at sea trying to make their way to safety and a better life, and no one can be bothered to give a crap. However, another said: I agree that society is very one-sided but in my mind they're still people. We have to watch the way we refer to people with money, said someone else. It is not fair to think they are less than just because they are rich. One fan suggested people have been gripped by the story because we can see ourselves in a tourist junket that goes awry. Several people agreed with the actor. (REUTERS) Plausible something like that could happen to us, they said. Read more: John Cusack defends speaking out about politics: 'I havent really been hot for a long time' We dont really see ourselves in a boat full of other refugees. "I think people are by and large only empathetic to those with whom they can identify. Watch: John Cusack to host "High Fidelity" screening 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. NEW YORK Tony winner Sheldon Harnick, best known for penning the lyrics to the musical Fiddler on the Roof, has died. He was 99. Harnicks spokesman Sean Katz confirmed that he died Friday at his Manhattan home, The New York Times reports. The Chicago native and Army veteran moved to New York in his 20s to pursue a career in songwriting. The revue Leonard Sillmans New Faces of 1952 featured Harnicks first-ever Broadway song, The Boston Beguine, for which he wrote the music and lyrics. In addition to Fiddler, Harnicks famed collaborations with the late Jerry Bock began with 1958s The Body Beautiful, and spanned 12 years, including productions such as Fiorello! which won Harnick the Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as She Loves Me and The Rothschilds. Set in a Jewish settlement of early-20th-century Russia, Fiddler on the Roof centers on milkman Tevyes efforts to see his daughters married and to maintain his Jewish identity in the face of intensifying anti-Semitism. With over nine Tonys and 3,200 shows, the original Broadway production, which debuted in 1964, at one point held the record for the longest-running Broadway musical. The 1971 big screen adaptation, helmed by Norman Jewison, took home three Oscars and was nominated for five more, including Best Picture. In addition to revivals on and off-Broadway, there have been a host of international productions of the show, including multiple on Londons West End as well as in Tokyo, Tel Aviv, Israel, former West and East Germany, and, according to Broadway World, every metropolitan city in the world from Paris to Beijing. Harnicks legacy includes work as an opera translator, including for Bizets Carmen and writing opera librettos such as 2016s Lady Bird: First Lady of the Land, with music written by Henry Mollicone. Previously, Harnick worked on 1973s Pinocchio with Mary Rodgers, and an off-Broadway, English-language stage adaptation of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg in 1979. Harnick is survived by his second wife, actress-turned-photographer Margery Gray, as well as a daughter, son and four grandchildren. He took an OceanGate sub trip to the Titanic. Now he has 'survivor's guilt' Bill Price, shown wearing a OceanGate shirt, took an earlier trip in the Titan, the lost submersible that was exploring the wreckage of the Titanic. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) For the record: 7:23 a.m. June 23, 2023: In an earlier version of this article, the first name of Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French explorer known as Mr. Titanic, was misspelled as Paul-Henry. Bill Price had complete faith in Stockton Rush. Even when Rushs experimental submersible Titan lost communication with the mother ship about an hour into its descent toward the Titanic shipwreck on its maiden voyage in 2021. Even when Price realized the vessels propulsion system was malfunctioning. Even after he became aware there was an issue with the mechanism that releases weights off the craft so that it rises back to the surface. There was some apprehension of how are we going to get back up, Price told The Times on Thursday. Read more: 5 aboard Titanic tourist sub are dead after 'catastrophic implosion' Rush, the chief executive of OceanGate, which designed and operated the submersible, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French explorer known as Mr. Titanic, remained calm. They came up with a solution to get the sub back to the oceans surface, Price said. Nargeolet and Rush urged Price and his fellow passengers to rock from side to side, swaying the sub to dislodge the weights that held it down. Slowly, they began to hear the sound of metal falling from the vessel. When we heard our first clunk, that was such a relief, Price recalled. Read more: How The Times covered the sinking of the Titanic: 'The annihilated Leviathan' The sub resurfaced, and despite the mishaps, Price felt confident in the craft and its operator. He and the other passengers all opted to join Rush and Nargeolet for another trip the next day. Rush and Nargeolet were two of the five occupants of Titan when it imploded near the site of the Titanic wreckage Sunday. The crafts disappearance less than two hours into its latest voyage sparked a massive manhunt involving U.S., French, British and Canadian governments as planes, boats and submarines desperately scanned the North Atlantic for the lost submersible, fearing it was stuck underwater with a 96-hour supply of oxygen. Debris from the demolished sub was discovered Thursday on the seafloor by underwater robots. The wreckage was consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber, officials with the U.S. Coast Guard said. Price, a 71-year-old retiree from Manhattan Beach, worked in the travel business his whole career. He is not a billionaire. He was able to afford the trip on Titan, which costs around $250,000, by doing some marketing work for OceanGate and using money he received from the sale of a property. An explorer and a history buff, Price was delighted by the opportunity to see the Titanic up close. It was something Ill never forget the rest of my life, he said. He recalls the wall of the bow as they first approached in the dark depths, around 13,000 feet below the surface. Nargeolet pointed out the captains quarters, where they could see the captains bathtub filled with debris. He remembers the decay of the wooden decks. He also remembers the poise of Rush maneuvering the vessel with a video-game controller, and Nargeolets encyclopedic knowledge as they traversed the resting place of the doomed ship Read more: Commentary: As those aboard the Titan submersible suffered, social media laughed . Now, Price is struggling knowing what could have occurred on his trip, as well as grieving the loss of two men he respected deeply. I do have survivors guilt, Price said. Bill Price shown holding a Titan inaugural dive coin. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Price now carries a coin he was given, courtesy of OceanGate, after his dive down to the Titanic. Titan, the coin reads. A new era of exploration. Inaugural Dive Coin, it says. At the top: Respect, Honor, Remember. Price, along with some others who have worked with OceanGate, is hoping to reframe the narrative around Rush and the company. Some in the industry raised concerns about the safety of the Titan sub, which did not follow all of the protocols expected in the submersible industry. Rush chafed at regulations, which he said slowed innovation and made private enterprise in submersibles more costly. 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 said in a 2022 interview in Maptia. 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. Still, Price believes that Rush, an aerospace engineer, was cautious and methodical. I certainly didnt feel that Stockton was a daredevil not even close. It was pretty much the opposite, Price said. Every evening after the dive everyone would get together in the briefing room and do a debriefing, and he was adamant that he doesnt care, you cant hurt his feelings, say whatever you want to say. Officials say an investigation into the implosion will probably examine industry regulations and standards. But it remained unclear Friday which country would lead the probe. The catastrophe occurred in international waters, and search efforts included resources from several countries. A government official familiar with the investigation but not authorized to discuss it publicly said Canada probably would take a leading role. The Canadian research vessel Polar Prince was the point of contact for the Titan after it launched from St. Johns, on the Canadian island of Newfoundland, and before it went missing. The official told The Times that crews would collect the Titans wreckage in an effort to reconstruct the vessels final hours and determine what led to the implosion. Price trusted Rush with his life and said he still would, despite the fact that the Titans final dive ended in catastrophe. In terms of regret, I certainly dont have any regrets. I do feel that maybe at the time I jumped into it without knowing everything, he said. It had not yet become a massive international story when Price heard from associates at OceanGate that the submersible was missing. Still, he knew something was wrong. The amount of time that had gone by, I think six or eight hours. Something should have happened by then, he said. Though Price hoped for a rescue, he thought it more likely that the submersible had imploded. He said he preferred knowing that the occupants deaths were speedy and without suffering, rather than a slow demise as the oxygen supply ran out. It does give me solace, a limited amount, to know that they didnt have to endure extreme anxiety and concerns over a period of time, he said. Times staff writers Richard Winton and Alexandra E. Petri contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. FALL RIVER Another of the top lieutenants in the Orlando Badillo fentanyl-distribution ring - which was dismantled in 2019 after a year-long multi-agency investigation led by Bristol County DA Thomas M. Quinn IIIs office - was sentenced to prison last week. Kelly Rodrigues, 43, of New Bedford, pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court last Friday to indictments charging her with trafficking fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and conspiracy, according to a press release. Rodrigues was one of the organization's distributors and was a close confidant of the drug rings leader. Rodrigues was sentenced by Judge Raffi Yessayan to serve four to six-and-a-half years in state prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Steve Butts, who also coordinated the investigation, dubbed Operation Ghost. Kelly Rodrigues, 43, of New Bedford, pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court last Friday to indictments charging her with trafficking fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and conspiracy. In June of 2018, a Dartmouth Police Dept. detective and a Massachusetts State Police Trooper from DA Quinns State Police Drug Unit developed credible information that Orlando Badillo was operating a large-scale fentanyl Drug Trafficking Organization throughout the greater New Bedford area, according to the release. This information sparked Operation Ghost, a year-long multi-agency effort to stop the trafficking ring. As their investigation progressed, other local and federal law enforcement agencies joined the probe, including New Bedford Police, DEA, Homeland Security and the Bristol County Sheriffs Office. In March of 2019, a Superior Court judge authorized investigators to lawfully intercept the cell phone conversations and text messages going to and from the cell phones used by Badillo and other top members of his organization, according to the release. Between March 5, 2019 and April 30, 2019, investigators gathered additional evidence, via the wiretap, that explained in detail the intricate workings of the Badillo Drug Trafficking Organization and confirmed the roles played by the various members of the organization. During the wiretap, investigators intercepted numerous calls between Badillo and the defendant, wherein he would consult with her about the illegal enterprise and seek her advice on problems that had arisen with other members of the organization, according to the release. The conspiracy indictments relate to several calls and text messages between the defendant and other members of the organization wherein they discuss the general operation of the fentanyl trafficking business and set up distribution to various customers. The trafficking in fentanyl indictment relates to a March 16, 2019 incident where the defendant sold a large quantity of fentanyl to one of the organization's customers. And the illegal distribution indictment relates to the April 30, 2019 execution of a search warrant at her Myrtle Street home. During the search, investigators seized five grams of fentanyl and more than $3,000 in cash.The defendant has a five-page criminal record, dating back to 1992 and has been convicted of distributing heroin on at least two prior occasions. The defendant was a close confidant of Orlando Badillo, who headed up the fentanyl distribution ring. She was deeply involved in the organizations day-to-day business, trafficked fentanyl and has a history of drug distribution convictions. The state prison sentence was warranted, Quinn said. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Member of New Bedford fentanyl-distribution ring gets prison sentence The U.S. Coast Guard has determined that the private submersible craft carrying five people attempting to view the wreckage of the Titanic suffered a "catastrophic implosion" that killed everyone aboard. "We found five different major pieces of debris that told us that it was the remains of the Titan," Paul Hankins, the director of the Navy's salvage operations and one of the military experts loaned to the effort, told reporters at a press conference Thursday. The wreckage of Titan was found just 1,600 feet off the bow of the iconic shipwreck that the five men were trying to see, officials said. The search this week for the small submersible craft piloted by a game controller transfixed the world, and hope for a long-shot rescue -- assisted by U.S. military assets -- in the freezing depths of the northern Atlantic persisted until Thursday. Read Next: House Panel Approves Defense Bill with Highest Pay Raise in Decades After Culture War Brawl According to The Associated Press, the Canadian Polar Prince, a research icebreaker and the vessel from which the Titan launched, reportedly lost contact with the sub about an hour and 45 minutes after it submerged Sunday, approximately 400 miles south of St. John's, Newfoundland. Shortly after OceanGate Expeditions, the company that operated the small private diving craft, reported loss of contact, the Coast Guard, as well as elements of the military's U.S. Transportation Command and the Air National Guard, moved to begin the search effort. Officials at the Pentagon said that three C-130 Hercules aircraft were loaned for the effort, and three C-17 Globemaster III aircraft helped to move equipment and cargo into the area. The U.S. Navy also moved a mobile salvage system and experts into place as well. And the Coast Guard said a submarine officer from the U.K. Royal Navy, stationed in the U.S, was loaned to the team to provide expertise and support. On Tuesday, rescuers heard sporadic sounds that one expert described as "banging noises" from underwater microphones that were dropped around the search site, raising some possibility that the crew was still alive. The next day, Capt. Jamie Frederick, a spokesman for the U.S. Coast Guard, said those noises led them to direct search efforts to the area where they were heard. But on Thursday, Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger said that "there doesn't appear to be any connection between the noises" and the location of the wreck. Mauger also noted that the catastrophic implosion of the submersible "would have generated a significant broadband sound," which was not heard by rescuers, suggesting that it occurred before search efforts began. Looking ahead, Mauger said that the Coast Guard will "begin to de-mobilize personnel and vessels from the scene over the course of the next 24 hours" but added that they will "continue remote operations on the seafloor." Mauger also said he didn't have any answers as to whether there would be efforts to recover any part of the submersible or its crew. "This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there on the seafloor," Mauger said. The Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System, or FADOSS, that the Navy provided alongside diving and salvage experts is capable of reaching the depths in question. A Navy official told reporters Wednesday that "any time where the Navy has done a lift, we've used FADOSS." In 2021, the team set a salvage record when it recovered an MH-60S helicopter from a depth of 19,075 feet off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. However, there are serious logistics involved with employing the system. The official explained that the Navy would need to charter a ship capable of supporting what amounts to a motion-compensating crane and then it would take "24 hours around-the-clock operation to weld it and secure to the deck of the vessel prior to getting underway." "It is a difficult day for all of us and it's especially difficult for the families, and our thoughts are with the families today," Mauger said. -- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin. Related: Here's How the Military Is Helping Search for the Lost Titanic-Bound Sub Hundreds of sea lions and dolphins washed up dead on the shores of Southern California in recent weeks, and marine life experts are blaming green algae blooms. Last week, the state of California warned against catching and eating shellfish caught off the coast of Santa Barbara due to the toxic algae. Algae poisoning in humans can cause headaches, fever, cramps and dizziness. Rapidly growing Pseudo-nitzschia algae produces a neurotoxin domoic acid that leads to the death of the animals that ingest it. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that hundreds of sea lions and at least 60 dolphins have died from the algae this month. Algae outbreaks occur every year and kill dozens of sea lions and dolphins, but this years outbreak is larger and more significant farther offshore. I have never seen anything this intense in terms of the numbers of animals in my 20 years of responding to strandings in this area, Michelle Berman Kowalewski, founder and director of the Channel Islands Cetacean Research Unit, told NOAA. Last year, the outbreak was closer to shore and only impacted sea lions. Now, researchers are taking tissue samples of stranded animals to confirm outbreaks of the algae neurotoxin. We are trying to learn as much as we can as fast as we can, Kowalewski said. As difficult as it is to see these animals die, we want to gather information to help understand how and why this is happening the way it is. NOAA has warned beach goers to stay away from stranded sea lions, dolphins and other marine animals. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Trans Advocate Elle Moxley On The Power Of Using Her Voice: More Access, More Community And More Love Elle Moxley Trans activist Elle Moxley sat down with Blavity to talk about why she was motivated to become a voice for trans advocacy. Moxley, who describes herself as an artist, director, producer, human rights advocate and visionary, is the founder and Executive Director of Marsha P. Johnson Institute. Named after one of the first activists who fought back during the Stonewall Riot, the institute is an organization committed to advocating for human rights for Black trans people. One of its accolades is creating the first-ever National Day of Action for Black Trans Women to raise awareness around the murders of Black trans women, including Amber Monroe, Elisha Walker, Kandis Capri and others. Moxley said to Blavity that her childhood led her to the path of activism. Growing up in my midwest city of Columbus Ohio, I was certainly met with a lot of disdain and resistance to who I was, she said. That sent me on a journey to really not only finding myself but finding ways I could be supported and I could make a living and I could do what it was that I love, which is giving back. She also said that knowing her voice was powerful opened her up to becoming an advocate. If I didnt use my voice, and I didnt use my God-given abilities, that I would have a very different outcome for my life, that I would be subjected to suffering if I didnt take a stand, she said. It was my understanding that I wanted more and that I deserved more that led me to activism and led me to finding my voice and using my voice to advocate for what it is that I know I needed, which was more money, more access, more community and more love. You can watch the full interview on Blavitys YouTube. Russia views the development of the Arctic region and the preservation of its natural resources as its priority, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, addressing The Arctic. The Ice Has Broken forum, Azernews reports, citing TASS. "Over the past years, the state has put a priority status on questions related to harmonious development of the Arctic and to preservation of its unique natural resources," Putin said. According to the Russian president, a clean-up effort has been carried out at 110 hectares of Arctic land, with over 5,000 tons of waste collected and removed. This large-scale important effort will continue, Putin added. Second All-Russian forum and festival, headlined The Arctic. The Ice Has Broken, is being held in the northwestern Russian city of Murmansk as part of Russias presidency in the Arctic Council. The diary of the late Alfonso Pedrajas, a Jesuit priest who allegedly confessed to abusing several youngsters in Bolivia beginning in the 1970s, has been delivered to Bolivia by the Vatican. This is the most recent step in the pedophilia crisis that has rocked the Andean nation. The Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith, which deals with cases of clergy sexual abuse, sent the diary to the Society of Jesus of Bolivia, according to a statement released on Thursday reported by NBC News. The diary was then given to the prosecutor's office in the city of Cochabamba, where the alleged abuse allegedly occurred. The Abuse of 85 Minors The Jesuit order, known as the Society of Jesus, announced that it would ask for a copy of the diary kept by Pedrajas, who passed away in 2009, in order to read the entirety of it. Only a few portions were made public in April by the Spanish newspaper El Pas, which broke the story first. According to the journal, Pedrajas allegedly admits to abusing 85 juveniles, the majority of whom were boarders in Cochabamba between the 1970s and 1990s. Read also: Pope Francis Vows To End Sexual Abuse in Catholic Church: 'It's Monstrous' Church to Cooperate With the Case The diary arrived in Bolivia less than a week after Pope Francis wrote to President Luis Arce, expressing his concern and describing himself as "dismayed" by the claims of sexual abuse by priests and promising the Church's cooperation in the investigation conducted by Bolivia's legal system. Francis dispatched one of his top sex crimes investigators to Bolivia a few days after the Pedrajas case came to light. Prior to this, the investigations into the abuses done by priests in Chile and Paraguay were headed by the Spanish priest Jordi Bertomeu. (Photo: by AIZAR RALDES/AFP via Getty Images) The heads of the new commissions created by the Bolivian Episcopal Conference (CEB) to address cases of abuse in ecclesial environments, Jorge Fernandez (L) for Prevention and Formation, Nancy Loredo (2-K) for Listening, Susana Inch (2-R) of Investigation and Andres Eichmann (R) of Communication, speak to the press in La Paz on June 14, 2023. This investigation has revealed other instances of sexual abuse, and last month one priest was sentenced to three months of pretrial incarceration. According to the Bolivian Episcopal Conference, there are currently at least 12 legal investigations of clergy members in Bolivia, one of which has already resulted in a priest accused of rape receiving a 10-year prison sentence. In several of the cases, the alleged abusers have already passed away. A former Bolivian seminarian, Pedro Lima, has accused a network of Catholic priests in Bolivia of sexually abusing children and adults for decades. Lima said that he was abused by priests when he was a child and that he witnessed other children being abused as well. He also said that senior clergy in the Catholic Church knew about the abuse but did nothing to stop it. The allegations have been corroborated by the journal of a Spanish priest, Alfonso Pedrajas, who died in 2009. Related article: Vatican To Release Evidence Related to 1983 Disappearance of 15-Year-Old Girl @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Treasury Department announced sanctions Friday against two Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers for their role in global malign influence operations. The two officers, who were recently indicted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the same matter, are accused of influencing local elections in the U.S. Authorities say the Russian officers recruited six U.S. co-conspirators, including two who ran for local office, to collect information on the activities of several political groups. The agency accused the Kremlin of creating division in the U.S., including reducing confidence in democratic processes, weakening U.S. diplomatic ties and encouraging anti-U.S. views. The Kremlin continues to target a key pillar of democracy around the world free and fair elections, said Brian E. Nelson, under secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. The United States will not tolerate threats to our democracy. The sanctions are part of a recent crackdown by U.S. authorities on Russian cybercriminals. Last month, the DOJ said it disrupted a Russian cyber espionage group that allegedly released sophisticated malware onto computer networks across the world. The agency attributed the malware to Turla, a hacking unit within the FSB. For nearly 20 years, Turla used the malware to steal sensitive information from hundreds of computers in at least 50 countries, including members of NATO. And earlier this month, the DOJ unsealed charges against two Russian nationals accused of participating in a 2011 hack of cryptocurrency exchange Mt. Gox. The agency said the two Russians were charged with conspiring to launder about 647,000 bitcoins from the Mt. Gox hack. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Tri-Cities man shows up with meth delivery at house being searched by law enforcement A Pasco man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after arriving with almost a pound of methamphetamine and other drugs at a house where a search was underway by law enforcement. A Drug Enforcement Administration task force officer watched Tustuji Matu Wakauwn, 43, park a Chevy Malibu and walk up to the front porch of a Spokane house holding a bag that contained the drugs on Oct. 7, 2021, according to court documents. He also had a 9 mm caliber pistol with a round in the chamber that was discovered in a pat-down search at the door of the house on 10th Avenue. He was prohibited from possessing guns based on a prior federal conviction for drug trafficking. He was on probation after serving a six and a half year federal prison sentence in a 2012 case for distributing meth. Because he had a U.S. marshals warrant, officers placed him in handcuffs. He allowed officers to search his car, where no drugs were found, but refused to allow a search of the black Champion bag he was carrying, according to court documents. A federal search warrant was obtained for the bag and officers found 420 grams of meth, plus fentanyl, cocaine and evidence of drug trafficking, such as a grinder and scale, rubber gloves and small plastic baggies. Wakauwn, who is also known as T-Bird, pleaded guilt to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Both the prosecution and defendant agreed that he had a rough childhood, due to his mothers drug use, crimes and mental health activities, according to court documents. He had left the Crips gang and was making improvements in his life before he became unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to his attorney, Kent Neil Doll Jr., of Spokane. Both the prosecution and defense asked the judge for a 15-year prison sentence. U.S. Judge Thomas Rice also sentenced Wakauwn to 10 years probation after his release from prison. Vanessa Waldref, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, praised law enforcement for their quick work in disarming Wakauwn and confiscating the drugs he had with him. The U.S. Probation Office offers rehabilitative services that play a role in deterring commission of serious crimes by people on probation, Waldref said. The sentence imposed in this case, which is a 15-year mandatory minimum penalty, sends a strong message about the importance of enforcing serious violations of law committed by persons while on supervision, she said. Tributes from grief-stricken relatives and friends have been pouring in after a catastrophic implosion killed all five passengers on board a Titanic-bound submersible at the bottom of the ocean. A dayslong international search effort concluded Thursday after debris from the submersible known as the Titan was found around 1,600 feet from the historic wreckage of the Titanic. The passengers killed were Pakastani businessman and his son, Shahzada and Suleman Dawood; British businessman Hamish Harding; French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet; and Stockton Rush, the CEO of the vessels operator, OceanGate Expeditions. Families issued statements about their loved ones who were among some of the worlds most prominent adventurers and business owners while thanking the international community for their immense love and support. Britains prime minister and foreign secretary also gave their condolences after it emerged that three of the five passengers were British citizens Harding, Dawood and his son Suleman. A spokesperson for Rishi Sunak said: His thoughts are very much with the loved ones of those who have died in this tragic incident and they have been through an unimaginably difficult ordeal in the last few days, adding that the Foreign Office is in touch with those families to provide support. James Cleverly said the UK government is closely supporting the families of the British citizens. Shahzada and Suleman Dawood The family of businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman Dawood, 19, issued a statement announcing their deaths on Thursday night. It is with profound grief that we announce the passing of Shahzada and Suleman Dawood. Our beloved sons were aboard OceanGates Titan submersible that perished underwater, they wrote on Twitter. Please continue to keep the departed souls and our family in your prayers during this difficult period of mourning. The statement added, We are truly grateful to all those involved in the rescue operations. Their untiring efforts were a source of strength for us during this time. We are also indebted to our friends, family, colleagues, and well-wishers from all over the world who have stood by us during our hour of need. The immense love and support we receive continues to help us to endure this unimaginable loss. Shahzada Dawood, pictured, and his son were British citizens from a prominent Pakistani business family. - Courtesy of Engro Corporation Limited/Reuters The family also extended their heartfelt condolences to the families of other passengers on the submersible. The British Asian Trust said Friday it is deeply saddened by the death of its supporter and his son. Shahzada was a wonderful and generous man who supported our work in South Asia for many years, while his son was just emerging into adulthood with a promising future ahead, the statement read. The Dawood Foundation posted a photo of Shahzada and Suleman on Friday with the statement: With heavy hearts and great sadness, we grieve the loss of our Trustee, Shahzada Dawood, and his beloved son Suleman Dawood. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dawood family at this tragic time. Dawood and his son were British citizens from a prominent Pakistani business family. Dawood Hercules Corp., their business, is among the largest corporations in the country, with a portfolio spanning energy, petrochemicals, fertilizers, information technology, and food and agriculture. Dawood was also the vice-chairman of Pakistani conglomerate Engro Corporation. He was trustee of the SETI Institute in California, a research organization, and a number of other foundations. According to the Telegraph, Dawood lived in Surbiton, southwest London with his son, wife Christine and daughter Alina. Hamish Harding Also on Thursday, Dubai-based Action Aviation the company owned by British businessman Harding released a statement on behalf of his family. The 58-year-old, who had an impressive list of extreme expeditions under his belt, was based in the United Arab Emirates and was a trained jet pilot. Today, we are united in grief with the other families who have also lost their loved ones on the Titan submersible, the statement said, adding that Harding was a loving husband to his wife and a dedicated father to his two sons, whom he loved deeply. To his team in Action Avaiation, he was a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a Living Legend. He was one of a kind and we adored him. He was a passionate explorer-whatever the terrain-who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. Hamish Harding looks on before boarding the submersible Titan on June 18. - Courtesy Dirty Dozen Productions What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved. The statement added that Harding 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. Harding 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 also was 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. Paul-Henri Nargeolet French diver Nargeolets grieving wife and children issued a statement on his death, telling the world that their hearts are broken over the loss of our extraordinary father and husband, adding that he will be remembered as one of the greatest deep-sea explorers in modern history. When you think of the Titanic and all we know about the ship today, you will think of Paul-Henri Nargeolet and his legendary work. The statement added that his family will remember him most, however, for his big heart and his incredible sense of humor. A friend of Nargeolet and fellow adventurer Alfred Hagan described him as a wonderful warm human being and a incredibly talented iconic legendary the greatest deep diver that the world has ever known. Speaking to Anderson Cooper on CNN This Morning, Hagen fondly recalled him as being equally at ease on the deck of a ship in a hurricane or sitting conversing in a Parisian cafe, and said its broken my heart that a man of his dynamism will no longer shine his light in this world. Also speaking to CNNs Cooper, Nargeolets stepson John Paschall remembered him as a big loveable guy who [was] a prankster, but he cared so much about his family and everything he did in life. Nargeolet was described by Paschall as someone that you instantly connected with and loved, and shared so many great stories with, and his fascination with the underwater expedition of the Titanic intrigued him to share the stories of the past with people. Theres just so many things that he wanted to uncover and share with people about the Titanic by pulling up those artifacts and providing so much information to people, Paschall said. The Titanic is something that I know hell forever be connected with it, with his work. Nargeolet, 77, was a former commander who served in the French navy for 25 years. He had decades of experience exploring the Titanic and served 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. Stockton Rush As for Rush, the CEO of Titans operator, OceanGate paid tribute to him and pilot Nargeolet as true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion of exploring and protecting the worlds oceans. Mike Reiss, a writer of The Simpsons, described Rush as a magnetic man and the last of the great American dreamers, according to the New York Times. During his life, Rush, 61, cultivated a reputation as a nature lover, adventurer and visionary. He graduated from Princeton in 1984 and went to work for the McDonnell Douglas Corp. as a flight test engineer on the F-15 program. He obtained an MBA from University of California, Berkeley, in 1989, according to his company bio. Stockton Rush, pictured in 2013, often appeared skeptical, if not dismissive, of regulations that might slow innovation. - Greg Gilbert/AP/FILE Rush founded OceanGate in 2009, with a stated mission of increasing access to the deep ocean through innovation. In his eagerness to explore, Rush, 61, often appeared skeptical, if not dismissive, of regulations that might slow innovation. The commercial sub industry is obscenely safe, he told Smithsonian Magazine in 2019, because they have all these regulations. But it also hasnt innovated or grown because they have all these regulations. Rush said he believes deeply that the sea, rather than the sky, offers humanity the best shot at survival when the Earths surface becomes uninhabitable. As those above ground mourn their loved ones, the search for answers continues on the ocean floor. Investigators are continuing to scour the area around 13,000 feet deep in the North Atlantic Ocean for any insight into the implosion of the submersible that suddenly lost communication with its mother ship, the Polar Prince, over the weekend. The international search effort concluded Thursday after debris from the Titan was found near the historic wreckage of the Titanic. Military experts found the debris was consistent with the disastrous loss of the vessels pressure chamber, US Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger announced. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Trucks ice cream machine had much more than frozen treats, border officials say A man was detained at the Mexico-U.S. border when he tried smuggling 146 pounds of cocaine into Texas, officials say. The 43-year-old Mexican man tried hiding the illicit drugs in an ice cream machine, but a canine unit picked up the scent, according to a news release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Border officials said the accused drug smuggler attempted to cross the border June 19 in a Ford F-150. In the back of the truck was an ice cream machine, which contained 56 bundles of cocaine hidden within its walls, officials said. The drugs were seized after an X-ray scan of the vehicle and a canine search, according to border patrol. The Mexican man will face charges in Texas, officials said The drugs are worth an estimated $1.2 million, according to ABC News. The vast majority of commercial shipments CBP officers process pose little risk however seizures like this remind us all that drugs can be concealed almost anywhere and that we must remain constantly vigilant, said Luis Mejia, the acting CBP El Paso port director. Hundreds of live larvae found in shipment of fake flowers at airport, officials say Man beating border patrol agent with wooden club is shot to death, officials say Couple smuggled hundreds of fake Disney DVDs from China to sell on eBay, feds say Five congressional Pennsylvania Republicans are endorsing former President Trump in the 2024 GOP White House primary, Trumps campaign announced Friday as it seeks to flex its support within the party even after he was indicted on federal charges. GOP Reps. Mike Kelly, Dan Meuser, Scott Perry, Guy Reschenthaler and John Joyce are all backing Trumps reelection bid and will serve as part of the campaigns federal leadership team from Pennsylvania. Former Rep. Fred Keller (R-Pa.) and Carla Sands, who served as Trumps ambassador to Denmark and donated to his 2016 campaign, will also serve as part of the team, the campaign said. The endorsements give Trump the support of more than half of Pennsylvanias Republican congressional delegation, and they add to the dozens of other congressional endorsements he has already received. Trump has by far received the most congressional endorsements of any GOP candidate running for president, which his campaign views as both a sign of strength within the party and as evidence of Trumps efforts to build and maintain relationships with lawmakers dating back to his time in the White House. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who is running second behind Trump in most polls, has racked up a handful of congressional endorsements, while his political operation has also touted a flurry of endorsements from state lawmakers in places like South Carolina and New Hampshire, which are early in the primary calendar. Earlier this month, Trump pleaded not guilty on 37 counts following a Department of Justice indictment alleging he violated the Espionage Act and obstructed justice in taking classified records from his presidency and refusing to return them. Trump was indicted in connection with the investigation led by special counsel Jack Smith; the unsealed charging document revealed Trump would also be facing charges on concealing documents and making false statements. A CNN poll conducted after Trump was indicted found 47 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning registered voters said the former president was their first choice in the primary, down from 53 percent in a May poll. But Trump still leads by 21 percentage points over DeSantis, who is running second in the poll at 26 percent support. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. In a sign of just how important a role social conservative voters will play in determining the 2024 Republican standard-bearer, former President Trump and 10 of his GOP presidential nomination rivals will speak starting Friday at a crucial gathering of evangelical activists and leaders. Social conservative voters have long been a key part of the Republican Partys base, and Timothy Head, executive director of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, emphasized that the race for the GOP nomination "goes through the evangelical vote." "Anybody thats going to make it to and through Super Tuesday is going to have to be fluent in speaking to evangelical conservative voters and faithful Catholics, and there really is no plan B in Republican politics at this point," Head told Fox News. Almost the entire field of Republican 2024 contenders will join the former president in the nations capital at the Faith and Freedom Coalitions annual Road to the Majority conference. WHO'S IN AND WHO'S ON THE SIDELINES YOUR GUIDE TO THE 2024 GOP PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION RACE From left to right, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, former President Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence. The event will feature Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former Govs. Chris Christie of New Jersey and Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, entrepreneur, author, and political commentator Vivek Ramaswamy, former nationally syndicated radio host and former California gubernatorial candidate Larry Elder, Michigan businessman Perry Johnson, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The Republican presidential contenders are among the 70 speakers who will address an estimated 3,000 attendees throughout the weekend at the confab, which kicked off Thursday and is being held at the Washington Hilton. TRUMP TOUTS PRO-LIFE CREDENTIALS IN ADDRESSING IOWA EVANGELICALS Evangelical political leaders push back on talk that the role of social conservatives has been diminished as the partys undergone a populist transformation the past seven years at the hands of Trump. "For all the sturm and drang that the faith-based community is on the demise in the United States, it still remains basically 70% of the Republican primary electorate," Head said. The Faith and Freedom Coalition a public advocacy group founded over a decade ago by Ralph Reed, a well-known and veteran political consultant who in the 1990s steered the Christian Coalition advocates for social conservative positions. Pointing to the outsized role evangelical voters play in Republican presidential politics in Iowa and South Carolina, which hold the first and third contests in the GOP nominating calendar, Reed told Fox News last year that "youre not going to win this nomination in 2024 without getting your fair share of these voters." "You dont have to win a majority, but you probably have to win a plurality. I dont think theres any way to win the nomination without getting your fair share. These are very important voters," Reed emphasized. The conference is being held as the nation marks one year since the blockbuster Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision by the Supreme Courts conservative majority to overturn the landmark nearly half-century-old Roe v. Wade ruling, which allowed for legalized abortions nationwide. The decision by the high court moved the divisive issue of abortion back to the states. Head said that what attendees at the conference, "want to hear is a full-throated, unapologetic, passionate address of how a president would plan to defend and restore the protection of innocent life, the defense of religious liberty, the strengthening of the American family, and our partnership with our ally in the Middle East in Israel. Those remain the evergreen four legs to the stool for faith-based voters." However, he added that social conservatives, "increasingly they want to hear what a president is going to do about an activist, corporate echelon, plus restoring parental rights in our education system. There are plenty of on-ramps to be able to speak to evangelical voters. But they want to hear passion, and they want to hear a plan." Former President Trump speaks to guests via video link at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition Spring Kick-Off on April 22, 2023 in Clive, Iowa. Trump, who launched his third straight White House run in November, remains the current commanding front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential nomination polls. While evangelical voters continue to applaud Trump for nominating three conservatives to the high court during his tenure in the White House, which contributed to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, some of his rivals for the nomination in recent months have displayed more full-throated support for banning abortion at the federal level. Dave Wilson, a veteran South Carolina based Republican consultant, noted that "Trump has his core block of voters locked down those who are with him no matter what but that block doesnt represent the totality of the social conservative vote." Pointing to evangelical voters, Wilson emphasized that "many of them are keeping their powder dry at this moment and waiting to see if any of the other candidates will break hard and gain momentum as they get into this race. These voters, more than anything, want to back a winner who will counter the overreaching woke culture machine that is the Biden administration." Former President Trump spoke on Thursday at a fundraiser on behalf of people charged in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol even as he faces scrutiny from national and state prosecutors for his own actions surrounding the attempt to stop the certification of Joe Bidens 2020 election win. Im going to make a contribution, Trump told the gathering hosted at his own private golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. The group, Patriot Freedom Project, included at least one actual defendant along with multiple family members of those charged in the attack. An attendee of the fundraiser verified a video posted online of Trumps remarks. The former president heralded the defendants. You have police officers, you have firemen, you have teachers, you have electricians, you have great people, and theyve been made to pay a price in many cases, not all cases, Trump said, before propagating false claims that BLM and antifa were behind the Capitol attack. Supporters of then-President Donald Trump storm the Capitol (Samuel Corum / Getty Images file) Jeffrey Clark, the former Justice Department official under Trump who sought to help overturn the 2020 election, also spoke at the event. The crowd included Cynthia Hughes, the founder of Patriot Freedom Project and aunt of Jan. 6 defendant Timothy Hale-Cusanelli a Nazi-sympathizer sentenced to four years in prison as well as Derrick Evans, a Jan. 6 defendant who is a former West Virginia lawmaker now running for the GOP nomination for a House seat. Geri Perna, the aunt of Jan. 6 defendant Mattthew Perna, who died by suicide, also attended. Trump has worked with the Patriot Freedom Project in the past, sending a video of support for a fundraising event in December. Hughes and Perna also spoke at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania in September. Trump has increasingly touted the Jan. 6 defendants cause on the campaign trail. His rallies have featured the song Justice for All, Trumps version of the national anthem with the J6 choir of inmates awaiting trial for their roles in the insurrection. In April, at a campaign stop in New Hampshire, he embraced a woman who served time in jail for her role in the Jan. 6 riot and has called for former Vice President Mike Pence to be executed. He has also said he would pardon a large portion of the Jan. 6 rioters if he is re-elected to the White House. NBC News reached out to the Trump campaign and the Patriot Freedom Project for comment but did not hear back. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com If Donald Trump's opponents were ever going to try to knock him down, the gathering of evangelical Christian activists in Washington, D.C. this weekend would have seemed like the place to do it. The first major 2024 cattle call with Trump in attendance, the Faith & Freedom Coalitions annual conference, featured an audience that only reluctantly came around to Trump in 2016 before wholeheartedly embracing him. And the gathering took place amid the former president expressing discomfort with more restrictive abortion laws being pushed by social conservatives, particularly since the Dobbs v. Jackson decision one year ago. But any preference among evangelicals to find a new, more devout, drama-free standard-bearer for the GOP hasnt led to a concerted effort to do so. If anything, the speakers chose to not acknowledge Trump's often awkward fit within the movement as the self-proclaimed most pro-life president ever who has also blamed abortion for political losses and called some evangelical leaders disloyal for not automatically endorsing his 2024 bid. Speaking before the crowd at the Washington Hilton on Friday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) called on all GOP presidential candidates to commit to a 15-week abortion ban. And if you cannot do that, you should not be the nominee for the Republican Party, Graham told the crowd. Left unsaid was the fact that Trump, who Graham has endorsed for president, isnt committing to such a ban. Despite these points of tension, Trump remains not only the GOP frontrunner but the main draw at evangelical conferences like these. His status was reflected in the scheduling for the two-day event. The former president is slated to headline Saturday nights closing gala dinner. One of the biggest applause lines at the gathering on Friday was when North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson endorsed Trump from the stage. Trump was not the only topic that some speakers danced around on Friday. Talk of abortion also showcased the type of challenges the 2024 Republican presidential field has had with the issue one year after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Some voices in the GOP have cautioned against a national abortion ban that could repel general election voters while others have said any presidential nominee should embrace federal restrictions. In his opening remarks, Ralph Reed, the founder of the Faith & Freedom Coalition, said the current moment should serve as a celebration, of sorts, after 50 years of working to curb abortion access. Roe v. Wade is overturned, he said jubilantly. Only a handful of audience members stood as the room clapped fewer than when a speaker later in the morning gave a nod to Trumps appearance the following day. And when former Vice President Mike Pence declared from the stage that every GOP candidate for president should support at least a 15-week ban as a national standard, he received a less than resounding applause and no standing ovations. Reed addressed accusations the group has become, in his words, a cult of personality around the former president during his introduction to the weekends event. The truth about us, he said, we are a cult of only one personality. There is only one person we worship and that is Jesus Christ of Nazareth who is our Lord and savior. Despite such protestations, the Faith and Freedom audience has remained steadfastly loyal to Trump. At the 2021 gathering, Pence was met with boos from some in the crowd over his refusal to stop the certification of President Joe Bidens election on Jan. 6, 2021. Last year Pence skipped the event altogether, and Trump went on to criticize him live on stage. This year, the Road to Majority policy conference is hosting every 2024 GOP candidate, which should provide an early indication for how the field would take on Trump, if at all. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis received an enthusiastic response when he took the stage. DeSantis, Trumps nearest opponent, focused his speech on his culture war battles in Florida and issues popular with evangelicals: supporting Israel, restricting students access to explicit literature, a promise to nominate conservative Supreme Court justices, and the six-week abortion ban he signed into law. But the early indication Friday was that most of those candidates would simply ignore their Trump problem entirely, choosing instead to give conventional stump speeches with a bit of Bible flair. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was the only candidate to go after the former president, facing some booing when he said Trump had let us down. Others in the audience applauded as Christie said they can boo all you want, but that their faith taught people must take responsibility for what they do. Pence, who is most at home with an audience of churchgoers, acknowledged the four solid years that he was proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with President Donald Trump. He declared that America is in trouble, but didnt forecast that a second Trump presidency had anything to do with it. He pinned the threat squarely on President Joe Biden and the radical left. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) on Friday also kept his attacks aimed at Biden and, as he has done all week, pushed back on critical comments President Barack Obama made about himself and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in a podcast interview. Neither biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson nor Miami Mayor Francis Suarez went after Trump in their speeches. A key component of the Christian political right is the anti-abortion movement. And on the anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, that was a focus for the speakers (although a dueling Students for Life event celebrating the occasion was being held across town and attracted national anti-abortion leaders). But for all of the movements talk of finding a nominee who will boldly champion a federal restriction on abortion, Trumps lead remains steady and he himself has largely resisted their entreaties. Trump has been lobbied by anti-abortion leaders to embrace a national abortion ban, and met with the group Susan B. Anthony List and Graham earlier this spring to discuss it. During a closed-door meeting Trump held with pastors outside Des Moines earlier this month, one of the ministers stood to praise Trump for being the most pro-life president weve ever had, according to a person aware of the exchange. He then asked Trump a question. Why, then, go after states that are doing what we wanted them to do as a direct result of Roe v. Wade being overturned? Trump deflected. The meeting went on. Chad Connelly, the former chair of the South Carolina Republican Party who also worked as the Republican National Committees faith engagement director in 2016, now runs an organization that hosts pastor roundtables. He said there is as much eagerness among church leaders to meet this years field of GOP candidates as he can recall from primaries past. But, he added, there doesnt appear to be any massive, concerted push among those evangelicals to find a Trump alternative. Pastors are willing to give Trump the benefit of the doubt, but they are very, very open to hearing from everybody, Connelly said. They know theyre not electing a Sunday school teacher or a deacon. I like to say Jesus aint running, therefore dont vote on person or personality vote on policy or principle. Former President Donald Trump's niece, Mary Trump, has lost her effort to revive her lawsuit against her uncle, which accused him and his siblings of defrauding her out of her inheritance. An appeals court on Thursday denied Mary Trump's appeal seeking to overturn a lower court's ruling from last year that dismissed her case against her uncle -- marking a legal victory for the former president amidst a series of significant legal setbacks. MORE: Judge dismisses Mary Trump's lawsuit against Donald Trump and his siblings Mary Trump alleged that Donald Trump, Maryanne Trump Barry and Robert Trump "carried out a fraudulent scheme to siphon funds from minority interests that she inherited in the family business, concealed their grift, and deceived her about the true value of what she inherited." Her case against her uncle was dismissed in November by a judge who ruled that she had signed contractual releases with her family members that barred her legal claims. PHOTO: In this Jan. 20, 2023, file photo, Mary L. Trump speaks during Jim Owles Winter Pride Gala Award Ceremony at Hard Rock Cafe in New York. (Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images, FILE) She immediately appealed the ruling, saying that the judge "erred in multiple respects" when he granted Donald Trump's motion to dismiss the case. On Thursday, an appeals court in New York determined that Mary Trump's argument "does not compel reversal." "We have considered the plaintiff's remaining contentions and find them unavailing," the appeals court said. MORE: Upcoming book from Mary Trump paints scathing portrait of her uncle turned president In response to the ruling, Mary Trump's attorney, Roberta Kaplan, said, "We respectfully disagree with todays decision and are reviewing it closely." Kaplan said they were considering whether seek a review by the New York Court of Appeals, the states highest court. Mary Trump's 2022 book, "Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man," painted an unflattering portrait of Trump's upbringing and the family's interactions. She told ABC News when the book was published that her uncle grew up in a "dysfunctional" family that believed "money stood in" for acts of love. Trump's niece, Mary Trump, loses effort to revive lawsuit against him originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Chris Gloninger spent the last 18 years breaking down Iowas latest local weather news. This week, he is making the news. After spending the last two years as chief meteorologist at Des Moines news station KCCI, a CNN affiliate, Gloninger announced Wednesday he is resigning as one of the many faces of local TV weather. His departure comes months after receiving a series of harassing emails from a viewer who disagreed with one thing he did on-air: he explained how weather was linked to the climate crisis. He also received other negative feedback via private messages and social media, which has become a common experience for weather and climate communicators. The decision was not easy, Gloninger told the Washington Post, but in a tweet announcing his exit, he cited a death threat stemming from my climate coverage which he said resulted in post-traumatic stress. He also mentioned the need to address family health issues. The emails from the viewer, according to screenshots Gloningers tweeted, called the meteorologist a liberal conspiracy theorist and told him to go east and drown from the ice cap melting. It escalated last summer when he received a more menacing threat from the viewer. It is mentally exhausting and at times I have not been ok, Gloninger tweeted at the time. The threat of course was concerning, but the stream of harassing emails is even more distressing. Gloninger said he plans to embark on a new journey dedicated to helping solve the climate crisis, in addition to spending more time with family. His last day is on July 7. A statement from KCCI about his departure said Gloninger plans to go into climate consulting: Gloninger is leaving television to focus on caring for his family and his own mental health. He plans to pursue work in climate consulting. Gloningers experience is not an isolated one. Climate change has become a highly politicized topic, despite hundreds of global scientists concluding it is unequivocal that humans have caused the crisis and that widespread and rapid changes have already occurred around the world. Climate communicators, journalists, meteorologists and national weather services, including those in the US, Spain and Australia, have reported an increase in harassment, threats and abuse for connecting extreme weather events to climate change. In France, for instance, meteorologists have been accused of overstating the countrys drought and heat. Meteo France, the French national meteorological service, said the agencys communications are the object of more and more repeated attacks, a Meteo France spokesperson previously told CNN. In a series of tweets posted Friday, Jeff Berardelli, the chief meteorologist at WFLA in Tampa Bay, said while the group of people who strongly deny climate change make up only a small fraction of the US population, they are very loud, giving the impression they are a much larger slice of the public. Berardelli acknowledged it is hard to change the minds of those who deny climate science. Instead, he said he tries to educate those who are open to learning. Climate was made political in recent decades, but inherently it is not, so simply dont accept that frame, he said in a tweet. Science is science. Period. Push back [with] science fact, but only with those who are open. Ignore those who would politicize. Gloninger has worked for seven news stations across five states. He shared news of his departure from TV news on air this Wednesday, the same date as Climate Stripes Day, where climate-minded people, including scientists and meteorologists, join a campaign to turn the worlds attention toward the climate crisis. The #ShowYourStripes campaign is a visual one, designed to illustrate how much the Earth has warmed. And during his farewell segment, Gloninger wore a necktie with the iconic pattern on air. CNNs Laura Paddison contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com United States Coast Guard (USCG) officials announced Thursday (June 22) they have confirmed the destruction of the OceanGate Explorations submersible Titan as destroyed due to a "catastrophic implosion." Authorities said the debris field they discovered near the bow of the Titanic was "consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel." The passengers were identified as OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French deep-sea expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British billionaire and explorer Hamish Harding, and British-Pakistani father-and-son tandem Shahzada and Suleman Dawood. All hands aboard have died as the first fatalities in the deep-sea exploration industry. 'Titanic' Director: Titan's Design a Bad Idea In the aftermath of the announcement, Hollywood film director and deep-sea explorer James Cameron expressed remorse for not sounding the alarm about the flaw in the hull design of the tourist sub. He argued that OceanGate's "arrogance and hubris" was the reason why the expedition to the Titanic failed. Ever since he heard that the company was attempting to make a submersible with a composite carbon fiber and titanium hull, he was downright skeptical. "I thought it was a horrible idea," he told Reuters. "I wish I'd spoken up, but I assumed somebody was smarter than me, you know, because I never experimented with that technology, but it just sounded bad on its face." Cameron, widely known for directing the 1997 Oscar-winning film "Titanic," is also part of a very small and close-knit manned underwater vehicle (MUV) industry. He is also a co-owner of the submersible manufacturing firm Triton Submarines, which makes deep-sea subs for research and tourism. As a deep-sea explorer, he has joined in multiple underwater expeditions to the Titanic. He also went aboard the Deepsea Challenger to dive to Challenger Deep, the earth's deepest point at 10,912m (35,800ft). Cameron said the industry standard was to make pressure hulls out of contiguous materials like steel, titanium, ceramic, or acrylic, which were better for conducting tests. "We celebrate innovation, right? But you shouldn't be using an experimental vehicle for paying passengers that aren't themselves deep ocean engineers," he added. In addition, Cameron found a surreal similarity between the fate of the Titan to the subject of its doomed exploration, the Titanic. For the latter case, Titanic captain Edward Smith was forewarned of massive icebergs across the Atlantic but continued to sail at full speed towards New York before hitting one off the coast of the Canadian province of Newfoundland. "Here [we] are again," Cameron said. "And at the same place. Now there's one wreck lying next to the other wreck for the same damn reason." Businessman Reveals He Was Being Convinced by Rush American businessman and financier Jay Bloom shared on Facebook all of the text messages he received from Rush as a way of convincing him to book a $150,000 trip to the Titanic. The texts show Rush offering him a discount for the normal $250,000 per seat price, saying it was "safer than flying" or "crossing the street." "In February, Stockton asked me and my son, Sean, to go with him on the dive to Titanic in May," he said. "I expressed safety concerns, and Stockton told me: 'While there's obviously a risk, it's way safer than flying in a helicopter or even scuba diving. There hasn't been even an injury in 35 years in non-military subs." Nevertheless, Bloom insisted Rush, who "really believed what he was saying," was "very wrong." Read Also: [TIMELINE] Updates on the Disappearance of the Titanic Tourist Submersible Criticism Mounting Against OceanGate While the cause of the Titan's implosive disintegration has yet to be determined, Cameron presumed critics were correct to predict a carbon fiber and titanium hull would enable delamination and microscopic water ingress, leading to progressive failure over time. Other experts in the industry, including a former OceanGate employee, have raised alarms about the submersible's design as early as 2018. However, the company did not address the criticisms or queries about its decision to forgo certification from industry third parties like the American Bureau of Shipping or the European company DNV. Cameron also told the BBC that OceanGate would not have the Titan certified "because they knew they wouldn't pass." A classified US Navy acoustic detection system recorded "an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion" in the general vicinity where the Titan was located when communication to its mothership Polar Price was lost. Cameron said his sources also reported similar information and knew the sub was done for since the news of its disappearance went out, despite him "hoping against hope," his conclusion was wrong. "We got confirmation within an hour that there had been a loud bang at the same time that the sub comms were lost," he added. "I knew what happened. The sub imploded." OceanGate Co-Founder Responds to Cameron OceanGate was supposed to be a company that would expand the knowledge and enthusiasm in deep-sea exploration. In response to Cameron's scathing remarks, OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Soehnlein insisted Rush was not reckless as the "Titanic" director accused the deceased CEO of such. "He was extremely committed to safety," he told Britain's Times Radio. "He was also extremely diligent about managing risks, and was very keenly aware of the dangers of operating in a deep ocean environment." Soehnlein started OceanGate Expeditions with Rush in 2009 but has since left the company in 2013. He also insisted he was not involved with the design of the Titan. Soehnlein also said Cameron himself was asked about "a similar risk" in his dives to the Titanic and the Marianas Trench, further debunking the director's claim of a catastrophic implosion happening as rapidly as a matter of microseconds. However, he stressed it was too soon to say what really happened to the Titan, and it was "tricky to navigate" to formulate global regulations for deep-sea submersibles. He also stated that deep-sea exploration should continue despite the Titan tragedy. "Just like with space exploration, the best way to preserve the memories and the legacies of these five explorers is to conduct an investigation, find out what went wrong, take lessons learned, and then move forward," he said. Did 'The Simpsons' Foreshadow the Titan Disaster? Meanwhile, fans of the long-running animated series "The Simpsons" were convinced the program foreshadowed the Titan disaster. The coincidence was part of the "Simpsons Did It" phenomenon, a string of the show's scenes and episodes which were proven to be prophetic in hindsight. Fans pointed out that several of the show's episodes, including "Simpsons Tide" and "Homer's Paternity Coot," were eerily similar to the Titan incident. "It all comes back to The Simpsons," said one fan of the iconic show. "I'm now convinced that The Simpsons writer is a time traveler," added another. "No longer watching the news since clearly, The Simpsons is more informative," commented another. Coincidentally, Mike Reiss, a New York-based writer and former showrunner of "The Simpsons," completed four dives aboard the Titan, saying the submersible lost contact with its mother ship on every expedition he took because of the depth of the ocean where the Titanic was found. "Every time they lost communication," he said in an interview with ABC News. "That seems to be just something baked into the system." Reiss also told the BBC Tuesday (June 20) OceanGate made him sign a "massive waiver" that "mentions death three times" on the first page alone. Related Article: Debris Discovered Near Titanic Confirmed to Be OceanGate Submersible Titan @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. This TV news anchor is leaving ABC30 in Fresno for full-ride fellowship. Whats next? Brittany Jacob is leaving her job at ABC30 and going back to school. Im hanging up my news hat, the reporter/anchor announced in a social media post Friday. Wow. I said it, and its really starting to sink in. The Houston native said she was accepted into the Haas Business program at UC Berkeley and will start working toward a Masters of Business Administration as a full-ride Consortium Fellow. This has been my prayer for years to pursue a fully-funded graduate degree, Jacob wrote. Timing is everything! This isnt the first career change for Jacob. Before getting into the news business, she worked in media sales and marketing in Washington D.C. The change came with a $60,000 pay cut, but being a TV news personality had been a childhood dream, she wrote. Shes been with Action News since 2020 and prior to that served as an evening weekend anchor and the Southern Illinois Bureau Chief at KFVS12 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Jacob says the move wont necessarily put her out of the news industry forever, but it will allow her to impact the corporate side of the business. Next week will be Jacobs last with the station. The latest departure at ABC30 While there is still no shortage of well-known faces on the Action News team (Warren Armstrong, Margot Kim, Graciela Moreno), the station has seen some turnover the past few months. This is the fourth departure at the station since April, when Madeline Evans left to follow the the deployment of her Navy pilot husband. Evans was followed by Alyssa Flores Johansen and Amanda Venegas in May. Flores Johansen is now a public information officer with UC Merced. Venegas left to spend more time with her family. (Bloomberg) -- As the two Koreas near the anniversary of the start of their conflict in 1950, both sides are pouring money into drone programs to bolster their militaries along a border dubbed the Cold Wars last frontier. Most Read from Bloomberg South Koreas cabinet this week approved plans for a new drone command to be set up by the military around September to provide what the government called an overwhelming response to any provocations by North Koreas unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs. North Korea appears to have started testing a new large drone at its Panghyon airbase, NK News reported last week based on satellite images. The aircraft was the largest it has seen to date, with an estimated wingspan of about 115 feet (35 meters), bigger than the 65-foot drone spotted at the airbase earlier this month, it said. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have let each other know that they intend to step up their drone programs, setting the stage for an escalation after each sent the aircraft across the border in December. That marked a first in the conflict between the two states that started on June 25, 1950, and was halted through an armistice about three years later. Russias war in Ukraine has shown how drones can be used quickly and cheaply to survey the battlefield, deploy small explosives and strike fear in an adversary. For North and South Korea, drones could prove invaluable along a border where each positions hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Drones are currently hitting that spot of being threatening and menacing without yet creating full-blown, open hostilities that could have broader geopolitical ramifications, said Beryl Pong, a faculty member at the University of Cambridge and the National University of Singapore specializing in contemporary warfare. In a landmark speech Kim made in 2021 a congress of his Workers Party of Korea just before President Joe Biden took office, the North Korean leader laid out his weapons priorities for the coming years. That included new missiles to deliver nuclear warheads to the US mainland, hypersonic glide vehicles and reconnaissance drones. His state has not officially unveiled any new UAV or combat drone designs since 2012, according to NK News. The US Defense Intelligence Agency said in its most recent report on North Koreas military power that Kims regime has been flying drones near the border based on Chinese commercial designs and using Chinese components. Spy Satellite Drones could be a far cheaper way for North Korea to keep an eye on military activities on the other side of the 250 km border between the two Koreas than the spy satellite Pyongyang tried to launch in May on a rocket that failed in flight. North Korea is repaving a launchpad at its space rocket facility after saying it intends to try again soon to place a spy satellite into orbit, NK News reported based on satellite imagery. North Koreas UAV programs have been active for years, but in contrast to their many other military achievements, they remain largely unseen and secretive, said Joseph Dempsey, a research associate for defense and military analysis at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. North Korea has shown that its small, uncomplicated UAV types based on off-the-shelf commercial technologies can successfully penetrate and operate within South Korean airspace with relative ease, he said. Dempsey said there are questions over whether North Korea has long-range electro-optical sensors to allow for reconnaissance across the border. The greater concern is that North Korea might try to develop its smaller drones into one-way weapons, which could provide a cheaper alternative to cruise missiles, he said. South Korea received a wake-up call about the threat when Kims regime sent five drones across the border in late December, including one that flew near the Presidential Office in Seoul. South Koreas military tried and failed to shoot the devices down. One complicating factor in that effort was a reluctance to fire munitions in heavily populated areas around the capital city. South Korea Sends Drones to Kims Airspace in Unprecedented Move Shortly after the episode, South Korea unveiled a plan to spend about 560 billion won ($432 million) over the next five years on drones, including systems to bring down those from adversaries. The new command will conduct surveillance, electromagnetic warfare and military strikes, Yonhap News reported. North Koreas UAVs pose a new type of threat for South Koreas military, one that will be difficult for the current missile defense architecture to handle, said Yoon Sukjoon, a retired captain in South Koreas navy who is a senior fellow at the Korea Institute for Military Affairs. UAVs appear to be a future tool for conducting operational and tactical operations, Yoon said, adding that they appear to be sparking a new arms race between two Koreas. --With assistance from Shinhye Kang. (Updates with report on launchpad.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is the most common carrier of hantavirus in New Mexico. At least two people in New Mexico have died from a rare but dangerous form of hantavirus infection so far in 2023, local health officials reported this week. Four other residents have been hospitalized, though they ultimately survived. These viruses are primarily contracted through exposure to rodents, including their urine, and are not typically contagious between people. There are dozens of known hantavirus species, which are broadly divided into those found in the western or eastern hemisphere (New World and Old World hantaviruses). Most of these are native to rodents and arent thought to make them sick. But some hantaviruses can cross over and infect humans, potentially causing life-threatening illness. Read more New World hantaviruses can cause a severe respiratory condition known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, or HPS (Old World hantaviruses are more likely to cause a condition called hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, with symptoms similar to Ebola infection). There are no specific treatments for HPS and its mortality rate in the U.S. is around 35%. On Wednesday, the New Mexico Department of Health reported that six residents have been diagnosed with HPS to date in 2023. Two have died, while four ended up in the hospital needing oxygen or intensive care to survive their ordeal. The current tally is above the historical average seen in the state, with New Mexico typically reporting three to four cases a year. Hantaviruses can sometimes be transmitted through rodent bites. But more often, its caught from breathing in fresh poop and urine particles that have been kicked up in the air or from touching their droppings/urine directly. Only one species of hantavirusthe Andes virushas ever been shown to be transmitted from person to person, but this virus is more often found in South America. The main carrier of hantavirus in New Mexico is the deer mouse, and the most common germ behind human cases in the U.S. is called the Sin Nombre virus. The first known cases of HPS in the U.S. were discovered in the early 1990s. And though the rodents that carry potentially dangerous hantaviruses have been found throughout the country, serious infections remain very rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 850 cases of hantavirus disease in the U.S. have been documented between 1993 to 2021, including some non-HPS cases. Still, these infections are more common in southwestern states like New Mexico, which was one of the four states where the first known outbreaks of HPS occurred. And people in these areas can take precautions to avoid the risk of catching hantavirus, health officials say. Everyone in New Mexico should learn about hantavirus infections and take the necessary steps to minimize possible exposures, said Chad Smelser, a deputy state epidemiologist, in a statement released by the New Mexico Department of Health. The key to preventing infections is to avoid exposure to rodents and their nests. These steps include sealing up homes to prevent rodent infestations, getting rid of nearby trash or junk piles that might entice rodents to set up camp, airing out buildings or vehicles that havent been visited for a while, and soaking discovered rodent nests and droppings with disinfectant before you attempt to clean them up. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. PETERSBURG The city recorded its eighth homicide of the year in one of two shootings at opposite ends of the city that happened within a spate of two hours late Thursday night into Friday morning. Ke'Asia Powell KeAsia Powell of Chesterfield County was identified by family members on social media as the murder victim. Police said she was shot shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday in the 800 block of East Wythe Street, which is at its intersection with Foley Street. She was taken to an area hospital where she later died. Authorities said she had been shot once. About two hours later, police said a man was shot in the 1600 block of North Valor Drive in Petersburgs west end. His injury was considered not life-threatening, and police did not indicate if he was taken to the hospital. On Facebook, one person posted a photo of Powell and said, I just wished this was a dream. Anyone who may have information about either shooting Thursday or Friday is asked to contact Petersburg-Dinwiddie Crime Solvers at (804) 861-1212 or use the P3Tips mobile app. The shootings come less than a week after 10-year-old KayVon Morgan was killed when bullets from a gun battle near his Pecan Acres home pierced the wall of his bedroom and struck him. The child was watching a movie with a friend when he was shot. More: 'Let this be our last murder:' After boy's death, councilor urges community to take responsibility More: Murder victim's mother asks for privacy; community leaders react to the child's death 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: Woman becomes Petersburg's eighth homicide victim of the year Image: Ink Drop (Shutterstock) While Reddits recent moderator-led protests against the companys new API pricing have been loud, dramatic, and sympathetic to most, they dont seem to have affected traffic to the social media platform in a significant way, according to new data. Data from the independent web traffic analyst Similarweb shared with Gizmodo shows that traffic dropped about 5% on June 12the first day of the protest where more than 8,000 subreddits went privatefrom 57.8 million visits to 54.3 million, and remained at that decreased level for nearly a week. Less than a week later on June 18, though, traffic on Reddit began to bounce back to near-normal levels. That day, Reddit traffic stood at 56.9 million, an increase of 7% compared to the previous day. On June 19, traffic to Reddit remained steady at 56.5 million, not significantly far from the June 12 level. Read more David Carr, a senior insights manager at Similarweb, told Gizmodo in an email on Friday that one metric that saw a much steeper decline in response to the protest was the time people spent on the site, which dropped by about 16% in the first days of the blackout. At one point during the protest, the average user was spending 7 minutes and 16 seconds on Reddit, Similarwebs data showed, compared to an average of 8 minutes and 41 seconds in May. However, time spent has likewise returned to pre-protest levels. In other words, people were still coming to the site (traffic was down about 8%), but not sticking around because some of the most interesting content was unavailable, Carr said. Since then, the average duration of visit has recovered to near-normal levels, however. Image: Similarweb Overall, Carr stated that his impression was that that traffic (and probably the business value of that traffic for advertising) are bouncing back after most subreddits came back online, despite the fact that some are still protesting by only posting photos of British comedian John Oliver. In some cases, Carr pointed out, traffic is up in subreddits expressing their discontent with photos of Oliver. Traffic to r/pics, for example, is up 564% compared with last month, while traffic to r/Aww is up 152% compared with last month. The traffic analysis from Similarweb seems to largely support the message Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, the main villain of the protests, sent to the companys employees on the first day of the protest last week, where he reassured them that like all blowups on Reddit, this one will pass as well. At that time, Huffman said that Reddit had not seen any significant impact on the companys revenue. However, Similarweb told Gizmodo traffic to the ads.reddit.com portal, where advertisers can buy ads and measure their impact, has dipped. Before the first blackout began, the ads site averaged about 14,900 visits per day. Beginning on June 13, though, the ads site averaged about 11,800 visits per day, a 20% decrease. For June 20 and 21, the most recent days for which Similarweb has estimates, the ads site got in the range of 7,500 to 9,000 visits, Carr explained, meaning that ad-buying traffic has continued to drop. Reddit declined to comment on the traffic analysis from Similarweb. Moderators on Reddit blocked public access subreddits last week to protest the companys upcoming changes to its API pricing, which was free for years. Reddits API allows third-party developers to create apps and products for the platform. As a result, developers of many third-party apps beloved by Reddit users, such as Apollo, announced they would have to shut down because they wouldnt be able to pay what Reddit was asking to use its API. Reddit, meanwhile, argues that its only fair to charge third-party developers that use its API because the company pays for its data and hosting. The company claims it costs Reddit $10 million to support third-party apps. Reddits new API pricing will go into effect on July 1. Although Huffman, Reddits CEO, originally stated he would let the moderators end the protests on their own accord, the company has changed course in recent days, pressuring moderators to reopen their subreddits and, in some cases, removing them. As of Friday, more than 2,500 subreddits were still barring the public from accessing their communities to protest the companys API pricing. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The U.S. and India unveiled several defense cooperation initiatives on Thursday during Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit, deepening a strategic partnership forged by shared geopolitical goals but beset by human rights concerns raised by members of Congress. The new deals, totaling billions, span a number of key industries including semiconductors, aerospace, and artificial intelligence. Modi touted the partnership in his Thursday address to a joint meeting of Congress. The United States has become one of our most important defense partners, Modi said, triggering a standing ovation. When defense and aerospace in India grow, industries in the states of Washington, Arizona, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Pennsylvania thrive. But government officials and activists raised concerns about the Modi administration. Approximately 70 Democratic lawmakers, led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash), signed a letter Monday urging the Biden administration to make human rights a centerpiece of the weeks negotiations. The cohort criticized the rise of religious intolerance, the targeting of civil society organizations and journalists and growing restrictions on press freedoms and internet access across the subcontinent. Several Democratic lawmakers including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota boycotted the speech, citing Modis human rights record. Modi was welcomed by those who did attend; call-and-response cries of Jai HindLong Live India rang from the Senate chambers upper deck as Modi left the room and some members of Congress sought Modis autograph after his speech. In mid-May, Indias Central Bureau of Investigation jailed Defense News contributor Vivek Raghuvanshi on unspecified espionage charges. White House and Pentagon officials skirted questions about Raghuvanshis detention this week, while the National Press Club issued a statement stating it was deeply concerned about [his] arrest and detention. Modi did not acknowledge the crackdown when asked about it by a reporter at the White House, instead hailing Indias democratic credentials. Biden also avoided a similar question, noting an overwhelming respect for each other because were both democracies. Raghuvanshi would likely have covered a number of high-profile deals unveiled this week. India agreed to procure $3 billion worth of MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones. GE Aerospace said it would partner with Indian flight tech company Hindustan Aeronautics to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. Micron Technology, an American semiconductor firm, pledged to spend upwards of $2.75 billion on construction of an assembly and test facility in India. Meanwhile, the two powers kickstarted negotiations for a reciprocal defense procurement arrangement to coordinate the exchange and development of military technology. The day before Modis address, Indian and American bureaucrats along with executives from startups and defense contractors congregated for a daylong conference at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to network and showcase new tech in the hopes of facilitating joint innovation on defense technologies and accelerate the integration of Indias budding private sector defense industry with the U.S. defense sector, according to the White House. Overlapping strategic concerns and growing economic incentives are drawing the once distant powers together. Both are wary of Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific (though the Biden administration has shied away from mentioning Beijing explicitly during Modis visit). The U.S. is also keen to distance India from Russia, the countrys leading arms supplier. New Delhi, meanwhile, is eager to develop an organic defense industry of its own. The recent slate of agreements builds on decades of summits and signings. Bush administration officials and their Indian counterparts penned a U.S.-India Defense Relationship framework in 2005, setting out mutual priorities and areas of cooperation. A series of subsequent economic agreements culminated in the pairs first strategic dialogue in 2010, as then-President Barack Obama ushered in the American Pivot to Asia. Obama consecrated India as a major defense partner during the prime ministers last full-fledged state visit to Washington in 2016. The U.S. began sharing advanced military communications technology with New Delhi two years later. The QUAD, an informal security collective including India, Japan, Australia and the U.S., held its first meeting in 2021. Earlier this year, India and the U.S. launched the Initiative on Critical and Emerging and Technology to streamline the exchange of military technology and expertise. This undated image provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the companys Titan submersible. The submersibles five passengers are now presumed dead, officials say. | OceanGate Expeditions via Associated Press On Sunday, the submersible Titan began its voyage to the Titanic wreckage when it lost communications with the Canadian research ship Polar Prince about an hour and 45 minutes after the dive, per the Deseret News. Upon the sub losing communications, the U.S. Navy soon began listening for the Titan using an acoustic detection system used to detect enemy submarines. The system detected what was suspected to be an implosion near where the debris field was discovered on Thursday. The Navy told the Coast Guard commander on site about what it had detected, U.S. defense officials said to The Wall Street Journal. Related So, on Sunday, the U.S. Navy had a potential indication that the sub imploded. Contact was lost around the time the sub was 9,000 feet deep into the ocean. U.S. defense officials told The Wall Street Journal, The U.S. held off making public what noises it had detected because it wanted to ensure search-and-rescue operations continued and couldnt say for sure it was an implosion. The search-and-rescue operation for the Titan spanned an area twice the size of Connecticut and went down 21 2 miles into the ocean. The U.S. Navy, Canadian Coast Guard and OceanGate Expeditions were all involved in the search and joined by a French team, a submariner from the British Royal Navy and experts from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, according to the Deseret News. On Thursday during the search, the U.S. Coast Guard said a remotely operated vehicle found a debris field on the ocean floor by the Titanic wreckage and Rear Adm. John Mauger said after assessing the debris, it was consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber, per Politico. The cause of implosion is still unknown, per NPR. The five passengers aboard the Titan were presumed dead. They were Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate; Hamish Harding, a British aviator; Shahzada Dawood, a British Pakistani businessman; Suleman Dawood, son of Shahzada Dawood; and Paul-Henry Nargeolet, director of Underwater Research for E/M Group and RMS Titanic Inc., per the Deseret News. The investigation into what happened to the Titan will continue, Mauger said, according to The Guardian. The debris field was found 400 miles south of St. Johns, Newfoundland. In relation to the Titanic, it was about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic, per CNN. Related What James Cameron said about the Titan We got confirmation within an hour that there had been a loud bang at the same time that the sub comms were lost. A loud bang on the hydrophone. Loss of transponder. Loss of comms. I knew what happened. The sub imploded, James Cameron said, according to The Guardian. Cameron said he had sources who told him about the noise. Cameron is known for being the director of films like Titanic and Avatar, but hes also a deep sea diver. Hes made 33 trips to the Titanic wreckage and took a submersible down to the ocean floor of the Mariana Trench, per the Deseret News. Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night and many people died as a result. For a very similar tragedy, where warnings went unheeded, to take place at the same exact site with all the diving thats going on all around the world, I think is just astonishing, Cameron told ABC News. What happens when a sub implodes? An implosion occurs due to pressure. An implosion is basically the opposite of an explosion. Instead of pressure from within moving outward, pressure from outside is rushing in. Similar to an explosion, there is unlikely to be much left of the vessel and its cargo, Insider reported. Implosions occur quickly. In the case of a catastrophic implosion, it happens within just a fraction of a millisecond, Aileen Maria Marty, a former naval officer and professor at Florida International University, told CNN. The deeper one goes into the sea, the more pressure exists. By Andrew Chung (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday gave President Joe Biden's administration the green light to move ahead with guidelines shifting immigration enforcement toward countering public safety threats, handing him a victory on the politically contentious issue in a legal battle with Texas and Louisiana. The 8-1 decision overturned a judge's ruling last year that had halted Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidelines narrowing the scope of those who can be targeted by immigration agents for arrest and deportation. The decision, authored by conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh, underscored the authority of the U.S. government's executive branch to enforce federal law and decide who to arrest and prosecute, including in the context of immigration. The guidelines reflected the Democratic president's recalibration of U.S. immigration policy after the hardline approach taken by his Republican predecessor Donald Trump, who sought to broaden the range of immigrants subject to arrest and removal. Biden's policy prioritized apprehending and deporting non-U.S. citizens who pose a threat to national security, public safety or border security, giving agents more discretion to consider individual circumstances. The Republican attorneys general of Texas and Louisiana filed suit to challenge Biden's policy but the justices determined that the two states lacked the legal standing to bring the case. Kavanaugh wrote that lawsuits alleging that the government has made insufficient arrests or prosecutions "run up against" the authority of the executive branch to enforce federal law. "The executive branch - not the judiciary - makes arrests and prosecutes offenses on behalf of the United States," Kavanaugh wrote. Conservative Justice Samuel Alito dissented from the decision. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas praised the decision. "The guidelines enable DHS to most effectively accomplish its law enforcement mission with the authorities and resources provided by Congress," Mayorkas said. In a Twitter post, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, called the decision "outrageous" for giving the Biden administration "carte blanche to avoid accountability for abandoning enforcement of immigration laws." Abbott added: "Texas will continue to deploy the National Guard to repel & turn back illegal immigrants trying to enter Texas illegally." Friday's ruling stood in contrast to the Supreme Court's action last July denying Biden's request to block the lower court's judgment and reinstate the new guidelines while the litigation proceeded. Four justices dissented from that decision, including the three liberal justices and conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett. All four were in the majority in Friday's decision. In another immigration-related ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court overturned a lower court's decision invalidating a federal law that makes it a crime for a person to encourage illegal immigration as a violation of constitutional free speech protections. Biden's administration had defended the law. Republicans have criticized Biden as weak on immigration policy, saying his actions - including fewer detentions and deportations - have encouraged more illegal border crossings. The issue of immigration could figure prominently in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, with Biden seeking a second term in office and Trump running for his party's nomination. U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton ruled in favor of Texas and Louisiana in June 2022, suspending the policy nationwide. Tipton was appointed by Trump. The Supreme Court the following month voted 5-4 not to block Tipton's ruling halting the guidelines. In announcing the new guidelines in 2021, Mayorkas cited the longstanding practice of government officials exercising discretion to decide who should be subject to deportation and said that most immigrants subject to deportation "have been contributing members of our communities for years." The administration has said that U.S. officials have long relied on setting enforcement priorities considering that there are estimated 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally. Biden's administration argued that the two states lacked the proper legal standing to sustain the lawsuit because they have not suffered direct harm due to the policy. Texas and Louisiana argued that they would be harmed by having to spend more money on law enforcement and social services due to an increase in non-U.S. citizens present within their borders. During Biden's first year in office, arrests and deportations of immigrants in the United States illegally declined compared to previous years. In the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, 2021, deportations dropped to 59,000 compared with 186,000 the prior year. In the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, 2022, such deportations reached 72,000. (Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) By Andrew Chung (Reuters) -A federal law that makes it a crime for a person to encourage illegal immigration does not violate constitutional free speech protections, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday in upholding the decades-old measure defended by President Joe Biden's administration. The 7-2 ruling, authored by conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, overturned a lower court's decision to strike down the provision, part of a larger immigration statute, in a case involving a California man named Helaman Hansen who deceived immigrants through a phony "adult adoption" program. The lower court had found the law overly broad because it may criminalize speech protected by the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. The measure bars inducing or encouraging noncitizens "to come to, enter or reside" in the United States illegally, including for financial gain. Endorsing the administration's view of the law, Barrett wrote: "Properly interpreted, this provision forbids only the intentional solicitation or facilitation of certain unlawful acts." Barrett wrote that the law does not prohibit a substantial amount of protected speech. Liberal Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor dissented from the decision. American Civil Liberties Union attorney Esha Bhandari, who helped represent Hansen, said, "As written by Congress, the law has left people wondering what they can safely say on the subject of immigration. Now we expect the government to respect free speech rights and only enforce the law narrowly going forward." The case was one of two immigration-related rulings issued by the court on Friday. The justices also upheld the Biden administration's move to narrow the scope of those who can be targeted by immigration agents for arrest and deportation, a shift that had been challenged by the republican attorneys general in Texas and Louisiana. The court said those states did not have legal standing to challenge the new guidelines. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had tossed out Hansen's 2017 conviction for violating the measure. Hansen also was convicted of mail and wire fraud and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Hansen was out of prison pending his appeal. Federal prosecutors accused Hansen of deceiving immigrants in the United States illegally by promising them between 2012 and 2016 that they could gain American citizenship through an "adult adoption" program operated by his Sacramento-based business, Americans Helping America Chamber of Commerce. The prosecution said Hansen persuaded at least 471 people to join his program, charging each of them up to $10,000 even though he "knew that the adult adoptions that he touted would not lead to U.S. citizenship." Hansen and his program collected more than $1.8 million through the scheme, authorities said. In its decision striking down the law, the 9th Circuit ruled that it criminalizes even commonplace speech such as telling immigrants who are in the country illegally, "I encourage you to reside in the United States," or advising them about available social services. The 9th Circuit upheld Hansen's other convictions and ordered that he be resentenced. Biden's administration argued that the law does not cover certain hypothetical scenarios that concerned the 9th Circuit, such as simply encouraging immigrants in the country illegally to remain in the United States or advising them about available social services. Various free speech, libertarian and press advocacy groups had filed briefs backing Hansen, urging the justices not to trust government promises of limited prosecutions. These groups argued that the law threatens attorneys, doctors, scholars and anyone else who speaks in support of immigration. The 9th Circuit decision applied in the group of western states over which it has jurisdiction including Arizona and California, which border Mexico. The Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also ruled against the law in a separate case. (Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) South African President Ramaphosa, Senegal's President Sall, Zambia's President Hichilema, President of the Union of Comoros Assoumani and Egypt's Prime Minister Madbuly visit Ukraine KYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday there would be personnel changes following an inquest into the state of Ukraine's bomb shelters after three people were locked out on the street and killed during an air raid earlier this month. Zelenskiy said he had chaired a meeting of the National Security and Defence Council and discussed the security of the Ukrainian people, judicial reforms and Ukraine's accession to the European Union. "In general, today we have reviewed the situation with shelters in the regions, districts, and cities which are terrorized by the enemy most intensely," Zelenskiy said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app. "The conclusions are disappointing. Almost all over the country. The situation is especially cynical and shameful in those cities that have significant financial resources, but, unfortunately, have other priorities. Personnel decisions will be made." A statement issued after the meeting said measures would be taken to "hold accountable officials responsible for the maintenance of civil defence structures" in areas where they were found to be unsatisfactory. Local authorities were to make shelters ready and "provide round-the clock-unhindered access to them". Several areas, including Kyiv, were cited for a poor performance in maintaining the shelters, but Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschkono was not singled out, and neither were other local leaders. Media had suggested this week that Klitschko could be dismissed as head of the Kyiv military administration - though not as mayor, an elected position. Zelenskiy and Klitschko have been at odds several times before and during the invasion. Zelenskiy ordered an audit of all air raid shelters after the deaths of the three people, who rushed to a Kyiv air raid shelter that failed to open. Their deaths on June 1 caused public outrage. Zelenskiy has criticised Kyiv city officials and prosecutors put the head of Kyiv's municipal department for security under house arrest following an audit of air raid shelters. After the bomb shelter incident, Klitschko said he bore some responsibility but that others were to blame, especially appointees of the president. Zelenskiy also said Ukraine's top security chiefs and top government officials discussed how to advance with judicial and anti-corruption reforms, seen as crucial by Ukraine's Western partners, international financial institutions and investors. Zelenskiy said the council wanted to strengthen criminal liability for corruption offences in the judiciary. (Reporting by Olena Harmash; Editing by Timothy Heritage, Ron Popeski and David Gregorio) A presidential directive expanding access to family planning and birth control is set to be signed by US President Joe Biden on Friday, June 23. One day before the anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the administration will issue an order as part of its efforts to boost reproductive health care. This is the sole policy response the administration will make in honor of the occasion. Justice Clarence Thomas said in a concurring opinion that the Supreme Court should review whether there is a constitutional right to birth control, even though the majority judgment in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization focused on the right to abortion. "Access to contraception has become even more important in the wake of Dobbs and the ensuing crisis in women's access to health care," said Jennifer Klein, head of the White House Gender Policy Council. What's in the Executive Order? Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Labor are all tasked with reviewing existing policies and developing new ones regarding birth control, such as ensuring that all FDA-approved, cleared, or granted contraceptives are covered by private health insurance. According to The Hill, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates insurance companies to pay for certain preventative healthcare treatments for women, such as birth control and contraceptive counseling, at no cost to the patient. There are 18 different forms of birth control that have been authorized by the FDA, but insurance is only required to cover one kind of each. According to Klein, some women who have private health insurance still experience hurdles in obtaining the contraception they need, which is why the executive order may enable agencies to mandate insurers to provide more birth control options. Reuters reported that the directive also mandates that government agencies investigate methods to expand access to low-cost, nonprescription birth control options, including Plan B emergency contraception. Also Read: Nebraska Lawmakers Pass 12-Week Abortion Ban, Restriction of Gender-Affirming Care for People Aged 19 and Below Not an Abortion Substitute While some opponents of contraception have equated it with abortion, polls demonstrate that access to contraception has widespread bipartisan support. Some people who oppose abortion argue that emergency contraception and intrauterine devices are "abortifacients" because they stop a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. Klein added that the directive is not tied to any specific deadline but is designed to send a message to government departments that the White House views this matter as a top priority. Biden has issued two other abortion-related executive orders since a year ago. The purpose of one order is to help women who need to go out of state for abortions, while the other is meant to make sure that medical facilities are in line with federal law in case of an emergency. Shortly after the Dobbs v. Jackson hearing, Biden issued a directive to protect the privacy of patients and preserve their right to obtain abortion and contraception. The three directives provide federal agencies with a clear path to improve health care access. Yet, Klein cleared up that contraception does not replace abortion treatment. Also Read: US Supreme Court's Public Confidence Hits 50-Year Low After Abortion Ruling: Survey @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Russians mined the ZNPP Amid fears Russia may be preparing another act of environmental terrorism this time at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant or ZNPP Ukraines Foreign Ministry has called on the international community to declare Russia to be a terrorist state. The ministry said in a statement on June 22 that hitherto Russia had faced no consequences for atrocities it has committed in Ukraine. Read also: Russian forces mining Zaporizhzhya NPP, says Ukrainian intelligence Russia on June 6 destroyed the dam holding back the waters of the Kakhovka Reservoir, causing a huge flood, massive destruction and dozens of deaths downstream on the Dnipro River. Experts say the draining of the reservoir will have serious environmental consequences for southern Ukraine for years to come, including reduced ground water levels, falls in agricultural production, and shortages of drinking water. The reservoir also fed the cooling ponds at ZNPP with six reactors Europes largest nuclear plant increasing the potential for a nuclear accident there, Ukrainian authorities have said. As a terrorist state, Russia has violated all fundamental principles of international nuclear security law and the vast majority of its own treaty obligations, but was not made to face just consequences for its crimes, the statement reads. Read also: Situation at Zaporizhzhya NPP "extremely fragile, warns IAEA chief The Ukrainian diplomats called on the international community to introduce strengthened restrictive measures against the Russian nuclear industry and military-industrial complex. We insist on the need to recognize Russia as a terrorist state and ensure the inevitability of political, economic, and legal consequences for all crimes and illegal actions committed by it, the report says. Russia is considering conducting a nuclear attack at the occupied ZNPP, and "has prepared everything for this," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on June 22. On June 20, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov reported that Russian forces had mined the cooling pond at ZNPP, though Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, insisted on June 21 that no mining had been observed. Grossi has warned that the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station and Dam poses a threat to the operation of ZNPP, as the necessary water level for cooling the reactors could be lost within a few weeks. Following his visit to ZNPP on June 15, Grossi reported that the situation was serious but stabilizing. Read also: Situation at Zaporizhzhya NPP serious but stable, says UN nuclear chief Current water levels in the cooling pond are enough to sustain ZNPP for up to a year, Ukraines nuclear operator Energoatom has stated. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The AGE - Getty Images The Ukrainian ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myrosnychenko, revealed to media early in June that Ukraine was studying the possibility of acquiring some or all of Australias 46 remaining FA-18A and two-seat F/A-18B Hornet jets. The last of these jets were retired from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) service two years ago, and would otherwise soon be either sold or destroyed. Ukraine had previously focused its efforts on acquiring F-16s and Swedish Gripen single-engine jets. Now, the country is certain to receive F-16s, and seems increasingly likely to buy Gripens at some later point. But Australias 46 retired Hornets, in storage at Williamtown airbase near Newcastle, have created an option that Ukraine appears compelled to exploredespite the costs of introducing an additional type into service. There are further reports that high level negotiations are already underway involving the U.S., Australia, and Ukraine over what could become Australias largest value transfer of military aid to date. The U.S. has already indicated that it is favorably disposed to Australia giving the American-designed jets to Ukraine, having been assured that such jets wouldnt be used over Russian airspace. Earlier in 2019, Australia sold 25 of its 71 remaining Hornets to Canada. Training contractor RAVN Aerospace (formerly Air USA) placed a deposit to purchase 41 of the 46 Australian Hornets for use in aggressor training, i.e. surrogate bad guys. That means RAVN must also give and receive authorization for such a complex transaction. A senior Australian official told ABC News that are There are still many hurdles to clear before the F/A-18s can be sent to Ukraine. Another consideration is the condition of the aircraft. The Defense Post reported a claim that only 12 to 16 are operable. However, another source told Australias Financial Review that all but a handful of the ex-RAAF F/A-18s would require just a little work to restore to flyability and are in good condition. To date, Australia is the largest non-NATO provider of assistance to Ukraine, having so far transferred $475 million in assistance, including customized M113AS4 APCs, Hawkei infantry mobility vehicles, 90 Bushmaster mine-resistant trucks, six M777 howitzers and 300 small D40 kamikaze drones. The McDonnell-Douglas FA-18 Hornet entered service in the 1980s as a twin-engine multi-role fighter (thus having both the Fighter and Attack designation in its name) for both U.S. Navy carriers and land-based Marine Corps squadrons. The design is noted for its excellent low-speed handling characteristics and ability to achieve high angles of attack (i.e. the ability to point the nose at high angles above the planes current trajectory). It also came out in the 1980s with beyond-visual-range capabilities, fly-by-wire avionics, and digital multi-function displayslong before those had become universal in fourth-generation fighters. Despite seeing plenty of combat duty in the Middle East and Balkansincluding claiming two air-to-air kills, though one loss was also suffered to an Iraqi MiG-25the FA-18 Hornet didnt last particularly long in service due to the emergence of the enlarged FA-18E/F Super Hornet jet. The Super Hornet had greater range, far more advanced avionics, and a greatly reduced radar signature, and is generally considered a largely new planedespite its evolutionary lineage from the Hornet. The U.S. Navy retired its Hornets in 2019, though the Marine Corps still operates 138 F/A-18Cs and Ds. Importantly for Ukraine, the Hornetlike the F-16can use the long-range AIM-120 fire-and-forget radar-guided missiles and radars that would give Ukrainian pilots a fighting chance against Russian Su-35 Flanker fighters. It can also employ diverse precision ground and naval attack weapons. However, neither the Hornet nor the F-16 would outrange Russian radars and missiles. They would still need to approach Russian jets at low altitude and, likely, with jamming support to mask their approach before popping up to attack. As each additional aircraft type operated by an air force involves considerable overhead costs to train pilots and maintainers for sustained service, this significantly raises the bar that Ukraine must consider when evaluating whether or not allocating resources to a Hornet fleet (even free Hornets) makes senseespecially given the major costs already implied in operating F-16s. Hornet Versus Falcon Over the Skies of Ukraine? Just like the F-16A/Bs Ukraine will likely receive, Australias first-generation FA-18A/Bs have been updated from their initial production configuration to the A++ standard. This makes them closerin many respectsto second-generation F/A-18C/Ds, thanks to better radars, longer-range missiles, and new cockpit displays. Broadly, the F/A-18A/B and F-16A/B are both short-range, fourth-generation fighters known for their maneuverability. Compared to Ukraines Soviet-era MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters, both bring to the table longer-range radars and missiles that give them a fighting chance against Russias air force. But neither matches the capabilities of Russias newer4.5-generation Su-35 fighter, nor Russias extremely powerful (if indiscrete) Irbis-E radar. The Hornet has a slightly lower maximum speed than an F-16 and, according to one government report, nearly twice the operating costs. However, due to being designed to land on aircraft carrier decks, it has better low-speed/low-altitude handling that makes it an excellent within-visual-range dogfighter. Its also able to operate from shorter, more rugged runways, making it easier to disperse F/A-18s to satellite bases to avoid Russian strikes. Jeff Gilbert - Wikimedia Commons Australias Hornets do benefit from a bigger, longer-range AN/APG-73 radar than any F-16As that Ukraine is likely to get, improving its beyond-visual range capability. It also boasts 9 hardpoints for weapons, compared to 7 on the F-16. Furthermore, Australian F/A-18s can employ EL-2222 jamming pods to reduce vulnerability to radar-guided missiles until (hopefully) they get within range to employ their own AIM-120 or ASRAAM missiles. That said, Israel may exercise its licensing rights to block transfers of pods to Ukraine as it has for other weapons. Popular Mechanics asked Mena Adel, who covers aviation exercises for Scramble magazine, for his thoughts on the relative merits of the Hornet versus the F-16 for Ukraine. He wrote: The plane has ruggedized landing gear that is more strongly suit the Ukrainian environment, in addition to better survivability for the pilots because it has two engines with the ability to carry more missiles for air engagement, and better maneuvering capabilities at medium-low speeds in within visual range engagements. Its considered one of the best for those sorts of mission. He believes the two types could complement each other reasonably well: The combination of the two fighters greatly reduces the pressure on the F-16 in defensive counter-air missions. Also, the F-16 will be free to participate in offensive missions in the event of planning bold ambushes against Russian fighters or even attacking forces near the frontlines. Even the F/A-18 can cover the F-16 during the withdrawal, and it is also possible for the F-16 to open a gap with HARM anti-radar missiles targeting air defenses (much like what the Ukrainians do with their Soviet planes) for munitions launched from F-18s. Notably for surface attack missions, Hornets are compatible with a variety of precision guided weapons, including JDAM GPS-guided and Paveway laser-guided glide bombs, ship-sinking Harpoon Block II missiles (range 81 miles), and potent JASSM long-range stealth cruise missiles. Adel noted that Hornets have trained before to fight in high-threat environments like those in Ukraine before: Despite the presence of advanced integrated air defense systems augmented with capable fighters posing a big threat F/A-18s have consistently participated in exercises such as Red Flag including the latest Red Flag 21-3 All of these tactics depend on electronic support from air and land ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting Acquisition and Reconnaissance) assets via data links for both F-16s and F/A-18s. The main question remains the ability of the Ukrainian pilots to absorb these tactics and implement them. The Unique Australian Hornet Fairfax Media - Getty Images The Hornet found its way to the land down under to replace the RAAFs delta-wing Mirage III fighters, beating out the F-14 Tomcat (too pricy) and the F-16 and Mirage 2000 single-engine fightersthanks to safety benefits of having a second engine and more robust beyond-visual range capabilities than the latter two aircraft. Australia ordered 47 FA-18As and 18 two-seat FA-18Bs to equip its No. 81 Wing (No. 3, 75, and 77 squadrons) and a training unit (No. 2 OCU). The first two were built at McDonnell-Douglass St. Louis plant as usual, while the remainder were assembled at an ASTA factory in Avalon using 40% Australian-built components. The Australian Hornets differed only in having the irrelevant carrier landing equipment removed, as well as minor alterations to their radios, landing systems and ejection seat straps. The first aircraft entered service in 1985 and performed well, with only four lost to accidents 1987-1992 (though, sadly, all fatal) and none after that, compared to ten times as many crashed Mirage IIIs. Hornets of No. 75 squadron first saw combat in 2003, flying 350 escort and close air support missions supporting U.S. Marines invading Iraq. Initially, they were flying escort missions, and then close air support, from Al Udeid airbase in Qatar. RAAF Hornets from No. 75 and later 77 squadrons returned to the Middle East twelve years later for the anti-ISIS war in January of 2015, flying 1,973 sorties and targeting ISIS in Iraq and Syria. But before these expeditions, the introduction of fourth-generation fighters to Australias Pacific neighborhood compelled Canberra to institute its three-phased Hornet Upgrade Program (HUG), which began in 1999. Most importantly, this replaced the original APG-65 radar with the digital AN/APG-73 pulse doppler radar, which had an an effective range of 92 miles and included new high-resolution ground-mapping capabilities. Air-to-air combat capabilities were enhanced by introducing the long range AIM-120 fire-and-forget radar-guided AMRAAM missile and integrating a helmet-mounted sight that allowed pilots to target short-range ASRAAM missiles by craning their head (rather than pointing the nose of the whole aircraft). Larger, but sharing a similar infrared imaging seeker to the comparable U.S. AIM-9X short-range missile, ASRAAM trades some of the latters close-range maneuverability for longer range. Rob Edgcumbe/Stocktrek Images - Getty Images These Hornets also received AAS037 Nitehawk and Israeli-built Litening targeting pods equipped with gimbaled infrared and regular cameras, as well as a laser designator. For improved survivability, they also received an ALR-67(V3) radar warning receiver, which outputs data on incoming threats to a 3 display in the cockpit. Communications were enhanced with encrypted comms and the Link-16 datalink for networking with friendly forces. When Australia retired its F-111 Aardvark supersonic bombers, they passed on their Israeli-built EL/L-8222 self-defense jamming pods for mounting under the Hornets fuselage, which continuously scans for both air- and surface-based threat radars and automatically jams them. Of course, RAAF modernization culminated in the acquisition of beefier Super Hornet fighters, EA-18G Growlers and, ultimately, F-35A stealth fighters that completely replaced the Hornets in service in 2021. Making Ukraine a Hornets Nest? An important final consideration will be Ukraines ability to sustain and expand its Hornet fleet. Arguably the reason that Ukraine fixated on obtaining F-16s was that there were thousands built, and they were used so extensively across the globe. It remains in production today, and is likely to receive additional upgrades in the coming decades. The Hornet, however, is in its twilight, with production having ended long ago and most major Hornet operators planning to replace them with newer jets. But many of those operators are donors of military assistance to Ukraine, creating future opportunities for Ukraine to expand a national Hornet fleet. Education Images - Getty Images Notably, the Finnish Air Force still has 62 F/A-18C/Ds, Spain has around 84 F/A-18Cs and EF-18As in service, and Canada has around 86 customized CF-18As and Bs in service. All of these operators are phasing in F-35A stealth jets to replace their Hornets in the second half of the 2020s. Of course, the U.S. has its own bucket of recently retired F/A-18s too, though some may be in worse condition due to salt-water exposure from carrier operations. These Hornet-operating countries could also help Ukraine train and maintain the type, whether or not they sell/donate any. That suggests that Ukraine could eventually have a shot at acquiring a couple hundred hand-me-down F/A-18s from its allies, with additional theoretical opportunities from Switzerland (25 Hornets), Kuwait (55) and Malaysia (8). But even as appealing as free fighters sounds, it would still require a considerable investment by Ukraine of money and personnel toward a fleet of aircraft which are no longer cutting edge and near the end of their service lives (thus requiring paying for life extensions). This would prevent resources from instead of going toward newer 4.5-generation designs that can more confidently go head-to-head with Russias Su-35s. The cost-benefit analysis may explain why Ukraine hasnt made a full-throated push for Australias FA-18s yet, that is. You Might Also Like The Ministry of Defense said that the main events of the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces are still ahead The main events of the Ukrainian militarys counter-offensive against Russian invasion forces are still ahead, and part of the Ukrainian armys reserves will be deployed later, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on national television on June 23. Read also: Ukrainian counteroffensive or just probing attacks for now "Indeed, we still have major events ahead," Malyar said. "And the main blow is still ahead. Indeed, part of the reserves these are phased things will be used later." Malyar said that everything was going according to plan, and there was no reason to expect the offensive to be a quick operation. "Extensive mining in the south slows down the pace of liberation, but every day we make progress," the deputy defense minister added. "It's gradual, but our troops are gaining a foothold on the lines and advancing confidently." Read also: Ukrainian counteroffensive seeing notable success on southern front, says military Malyar said that Russian troops are panicking and diverting their forces to the south and east from other sectors of the front. The enemy is also suffering heavy losses. "They are already redeploying whole units and assembling the most powerful ones," she said. "That is, they are sending airborne assault units to the south and east. Believe me, it is very difficult for them to defend themselves now." The Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported on June 23 that the Ukrainian military continues to actively conduct offensive operations. The army has already managed to stop the enemy on the Kupyansk and Lyman axes in eastern Ukraine, and it is making successful advances on the southern front. Ukrainian forces launched a long-awaited counter-offensive against Russian invasion forces in early June. During two weeks of offensive operations on the Berdyansk and Melitopol parts of the front, the units of the armys Tavria grouping have liberated eight settlements. Read also: All Ukrainian commanders optimistic about Ukrainian counter-offensive, Zelenskyy says The units on this southern section of the front line have pushed back enemy forces up to 7 kilometers from the previous lines. The area of land liberated in the south currently amounts to 113 square kilometers. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine (Bloomberg) -- Russias invasion of Ukraine is about to hit the 16-month mark. Kyivs ground counteroffensive in the south and east presses on while meeting strong resistance from heavily fortified Kremlin forces. A top Zelenskiy aide lamented delays by Western allies to provide more weapons. Breaking the Russian front today requires a reasonable and balanced approach, Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter. Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner militia group, said Russian troops are sustaining heavy casualties in a new video challenging Moscows military leadership. Our soldiers are dying, Prigozhin said. Most Read from Bloomberg Ukraines foreign minister pushed back on a report that Russias security service had broken up an attempt by five men to buy radioactive material to smuggle into Ukraine and conduct a false-flag operation. The report came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy alleged that Russia is weighing a terrorist attack on the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant that would result in a radiation leak, and said he would share intelligence on the matter with the US, China and others. Zelenskiy urged other countries to heed his warning. Against the conflicting allegations, Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the UNs nuclear watchdog, met with Rosatom officials about the Zaporizhzhia plant and the recent Kakhovka dam explosion. The UN Security Council was scheduled on Friday to discuss the security situation in Ukraine. Russia said it would bar entry to more European officials in response to the EUs 11th round of sanctions against Moscow, which came into effect on Friday. Latest Coverage EU Set to Increase Weapons Fund Used for Ukraine by 3.5 Billion Putins War Economy Is Awash With Bags of Cash Kept Out of Banks Putins Latest Nuclear Threats Demand a Response: Editorial Brewer Carlsberg Signs Agreement to Sell Business in Russia Germanys 11 Billion Defense Orders to Get Lawmaker Approval Coming Up IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi to meet with Rosatom officials in Kaliningrad EU, US will jawbone global-south diplomats over Ukraine over weekend Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Ukraine to receive first GLSDB missiles no earlier than autumn Pentagon GLSDB small-diameter ground-launched bomb Ukraine will receive Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) missiles an alternative to ATACMS missiles no earlier than autumn, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Laura Cooper said while, giving testimony to the U.S. Congress on June 22. The delays are due to development and production issues, Cooper said. The announcement of the GLSDB missile transfer to Ukraine was made on February 3, 2023, as part of a $2.175 billion military aid package for Ukraine. Read also: Issue of providing Ukraine with ATACMS missiles still in play, says Biden The GLSDB glide bomb's extended range of 94 miles (150 kilometers) could enable Ukraine to target previously unreachable locations and assist in its counterattacks by disrupting Russian positions further behind enemy lines, Reuters reported on Jan. 31. The GLSDB is a collaborative effort between Boeing (United States) and SAAB AB (Sweden). These munitions can be launched from the HIMARS and M270 systems, which have already been delivered 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 Ukraine should receive invitation to join NATO at July summit former Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen Ukraine should receive an invitation to join NATO at the upcoming July summit in Vilnius, former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in a comment to Polish news agency PAP on June 23. Read also: Scholz ready to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, but not swift NATO membership We must help Ukraine build a strong army so that it can repel any attack by Russia in the future, said Rasmussen. I am optimistic about security guarantees: we can get signatures on this issue before the Vilnius Summit. On the other hand, I believe that we should invite Ukraine to NATO during the Vilnius Summit, although it may be difficult to achieve consensus, unanimity among all members of the Alliance. He noted that this would be the first time in NATOs history that a country that is effectively at war is invited to the organization. Rasmussen emphasized that it is "very dangerous" to suggest that security guarantees cannot be given to Ukraine because they should only be given to NATO member states. "If we condition Ukraine's accession to the alliance on the cessation of hostilities, we will give Russian President Putin a reason never to stop them," he said. Read also: Russia places ICC judge on wanted list for issuing Putin arrest warrant The former Secretary-General added that practical decisions regarding the application of Article 5 must be made before Ukraine joins NATO. "Where there is political will, there will be political decisions," he concluded. Read also: An intermediate step towards NATO. What to expect from the July summit in Vilnius Ukraine expects to receive clear signals about its membership aspirations at the July 11-12 NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said there would be a signal, but not a formal invitation to join the Alliance. Read also: European Parliament calls for NATO to invite Ukraine to join alliance According to Politico, five weeks before the summit, Western allies have not yet taken a unified position on the security guarantees requested by Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal reported that Western countries will offer Ukraine a security model based on Israel's, sans full membership. This will make it easier to transfer weapons, advanced technology, and will be a step towards joining the Alliance. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The leader of the Wagner mercenary group appears to have blamed the outbreak of war on Russias defence ministry. Yevgeny Prigozhin on Friday accused the Russian military of destroying his fighters, without explaining his accusation, and vowed to stop the "evil" of the military leadership. The defence ministry quickly issued a statement saying Mr Prigozhin's accusations "do not correspond to reality and are an informational provocation". In a series of audio messages on his official Telegram channel, Mr Prigozhin said the "evil" of the Russian military leadership "must be stopped". Mr Prigozhin said: There was nothing out of the ordinary on February 24 [the day of the invasion]. The defence ministry is trying to deceive the president and society by saying Ukraine was going mad with aggression and was planning to attack us together with the whole Nato bloc. Also on Friday, Ukraine said it has retaken eight villages already but the main push in its counteroffensive was still to come. Earlier on , drone footage showed a Russian troop being wiped out by a bomb. Key Points Putin troop position wiped out in huge explosion Russian president accused of committing war crimes on steroids UN adds Russia to global list of offenders for killing children in Ukraine Drone footage shows Russian forces wiped out in explosion 15:48 , Jane Dalton Top photos: June 23 20:30 , William Mata An activist wearing a mask of Russia's President Vladimir Putin stands next to fellow activists of the IPPNW (International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War) peace organisation holding up a poster depciting a copy of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and a banner that reads Vladimir Putin: End the nuclear threats (AFP via Getty Images) Russian servicemen wearing Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) equipment demining a field at the Novoazovsk district in the Donetsk region (AFP via Getty Images) (AP) Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a joint press conference with African leaders, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv (REUTERS) Wagner mercenary chief says Russia's war in Ukraine based on lies 20:00 , Reuters Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Friday that the Kremlin's rationale for invading Ukraine was based on lies concocted by his perennial adversary - the army's top brass. Mr Prigozhin, whose frequent tirades on social media belie his limited role in the war as head of the Wagner private military company, has for months been openly accusing defence minister Sergei Shoigu and Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov, of rank incompetence. But on Friday he for the first time dismissed Russia's core justifications for invading Ukraine on Feb. 24 last year in what it calls a "special military operation", in a video clip released on Telegram by his press service. "There was nothing out of the ordinary happening [the day Russia invaded]... the defence ministry is trying to deceive society and the president and tell us a story about how there was crazy aggression from Ukraine and that they were planning to attack us with the whole of NATO," Mr Prigozhin said, calling the official version "a beautiful story". "The war was needed ... so that Shoigu could become a marshal ... so that he could get a second 'Hero' [of Russia] medal. The war wasn't needed to demilitarise or denazify Ukraine." Sitting on a chair with a giant black Wagner flag behind him, Mr Prigozhin said the war had also been needed to enrich the ruling elite who, he said, were not satisfied with the commercial potential of part of Ukraine's Donbas region that Moscow seized control of in 2014 via a proxy separatist force. "The task was to divide material assets (in Ukraine)," he said. "There was massive theft in the Donbas, but they wanted more." The results are bad' 19:30 , William Mata Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky has tweeted his concern following a meeting with the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC). He said there were three items on the agenda: shelters in the regions, the second issue is courts, and joining the European Union. The president tweeted: We reviewed the situation with shelters in the regions, districts and cities that the enemy is terrorising most intensively. The results are bad. Almost all over the country. The situation is especially cynical and shameful in those cities that have significant financial resources, but unfortunately, other priorities. Personnel decisions will be made. Held the NSDC meeting. Three issues on the agenda. The key ones: We reviewed the situation with shelters in the regions, districts and cities that the enemy is terrorizing most intensively. The results are bad. Almost all over the country. The situation is especially cynical and pic.twitter.com/4lkgOB8ihr (@ZelenskyyUa) June 23, 2023 Ukraine's Zelensky orders audit of heads of military draft offices in regions 19:00 , William Mata President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered the creation of a special commission on Friday to carry out an audit of heads of military draft offices in regions across Ukraine. After meeting his top military commanders, Mr Zelensky said the commission would be headed by general Oleksandr Pavliuk, who is first deputy defence minister. The decision follows Ukrainian media reports of corruption allegations against the head of a draft office. Mr Zelensky said he had ordered the urgent dismissal of the head of a draft office whose family was reported by the Ukrainska Pravda media outlet to own property and cars worth millions of dollars in Spain. "I gave an urgent order to create a commission... and together with law enforcement units and the National Agency for Corruption Prevention to check all the heads of military draft offices in all regions of Ukraine so that they do not disgrace our state and the memory of heroes who die at the front," Mr Zelensky said on the Telegram messaging app. In his statement, he also said he discussed the situation on the front lines, weapons supplies and the pace of production of Ukrainian defence companies. Top Biden aide to Denmark for international talks on Ukraine 18:30 , William Mata Joe Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, is traveling to Denmark this weekend to participate in a meeting about Ukraine which may include some countries that have refused to condemn the invasion. The talks in Copenhagen are being organised by Ukraine "to discuss basic principles of peace," a US official said on Friday. India, South Africa and Brazil were among the countries invited but it was unclear yet whether they were attending, a source familiar with the matter said. India and South Africa have not condemned the invasion. Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in April condemned the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity by Russia and again called for mediation to end the war. Western countries that back the war have also been invited. The US official said Ukraine invited a variety of countries and Denmark agreed to host the meeting in Copenhagen. It will include national security advisers and political directors from various countries invited. The session is considered an informal gathering and not a formal summit. No specific outcomes or joint communiques are expected to come out of it. Jake Sullivan (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Ukraine signals main push in counteroffensive is yet to come 18:00 , Reuters Ukraine signalled on Friday that the main push in its counteroffensive against Russian forces was still to come, with some troops not yet deployed and the operation so far intended to "set up the battlefield. Ukraine says it has retaken eight villages in the early stages of its most ambitious assault since Russia's full-scale invasion 16 months ago, but president Volodymyr Zelensky said this week that gains had been "slower than desired." Addressing the pace of the Ukrainian advances, three senior officials on Friday sent the clearest signal so far that the main part of the counteroffensive has not yet begun. "Offensive operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue in a number of areas. Formation operations are underway to set up the battlefield," presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter. "The counteroffensive is not a new season of a Netflix show. There is no need to expect action and buy popcorn." Deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar said the "main events" of the counteroffensive were "ahead of us." "And the main blow is still to come. Indeed, some of the reserves - these are staged things - will be activated later," Maliar told Ukrainian television. Real war is not a Hollywood blockbuster. The counteroffensive is not a new season of a Netflix show. There is no need to expect action and buy popcorn. Offensive operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue in a number of areas. Formation operations are underway to set up (@Podolyak_M) June 23, 2023 Sanctions may force Russia to cancel Moscow air show 17:30 , Jane Dalton Russia is likely to cancel this years Moscow air show, which for decades has been a major venue for showing off new warplanes and negotiating aerospace contracts, a top official of its organising agency says: Russia is likely to cancel July's Moscow air show as sanctions affect attendees and import of parts Russian mercenary boss says invasion based on lies 16:50 , Jane Dalton Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has said the official Kremlin-backed version of why Moscow invaded Ukraine was based on lies concocted by his perennial adversary - the armys top brass. Prigozhin has for months been accusing Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russias top general, Valery Gerasimov, of rank incompetence, but now for the first time he has rejected Russias core justifications. ... the Defence Ministry is trying to deceive society and the president and tell us a story about how there was crazy aggression from Ukraine and that they were planning to attack us with the whole of Nato, Mr Prigozhin said in a video clip released on Telegram by his press service, calling the official version a beautiful story. The special operation was started for different reasons, he said. The war was needed ... so that Shoigu could become a marshal ... so that he could get a second Hero [of Russia] medal. The war wasnt needed to demilitarise or denazify Ukraine. He also said the war had been needed to acquire material assets to divide among the ruling elite. ICYMI: Ukraines president tells other countries to act before Russia attacks nuclear plant 15:09 , Matt Mathers Ukraine wants other countries to heed its warning that Russia may be planning to attack an occupied nuclear power plant to cause a radiation disaster, president Volodymyr Zelensky said. Members of his government briefed international representatives on Thursday on the possible threat to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. In his nightly address, Zelenskyy said he expected other nations to give appropriate signals and exert pressure on Moscow. Susie Blann reports: Ukraine's president tells other countries to act before Russia attacks nuclear plant Ukraine to bring officials to justice over bomb shelter deaths - Zelensky 14:49 , Matt Mathers Ukraines top security body decided on Friday to bring officials to justice over the deaths of three people who were locked out of a bomb shelter during a Russian missile strike, president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday. Zelensky said the National Security and Defence Council had met and discussed the security of the Ukrainian people, judicial reforms and Ukraines accession to the European Union. "A quarter of bomb shelters in Ukraine and a third in Kyiv are unfit for use," Zelensky said on the Telegram messaging app, citing an audit of air raid shelters that he ordered following the three deaths on 1 June. "The decision of the National Security Council is to bring the guilty to justice, and to get all protective structures in the proper condition." (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER) Russia won't tell US number of nuclear warheads in Belarus 14:18 , Matt Mathers Russia will not inform the US about the number of nuclear warheads it is stationing in Belarus or tests of its nuclear-capable Poseidon torpedo, the Interfax news agency quoted deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying on Friday. Moscow and Minsk say Belarus has already begun receiving the Russian tactical, or short-range, nuclear weapons that president Vladimir Putin had publicly promised to station there, as tensions with the West soar over Russias invasion of Ukraine. "I deeply doubt that this topic will become the subject of any public discussion or disclosure on our part," Ryabkov was quoted as telling reporters in the southern town of Sochi. "For decades the United States has kept its tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of a number of European countries, and it never gives exact numbers." Belarus Russias Military Hub (Sputnik) ICYMI: Suspected Russian diplomat is occupying the nation's vetoed embassy site in Australia's capital 11:33 , Matt Mathers A suspected lone Russian diplomat is apparently squatting on the site of Moscows proposed embassy after the Australian government vetoed the plan on security grounds. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed the Russian act of defiance, saying a bloke standing in the cold on a bit of grass in Canberra is not a threat to our national security. Parliament passed emergency legislation last week blocking on security grounds Russias lease on the largely empty block because the new embassy would have been too close to Parliament House. Rod McGuirk reports: Suspected Russian diplomat is occupying the nation's vetoed embassy site in Australia's capital Ukraine defence ministry releases footage of drone attack 10:59 , Matt Mathers Ukraines defence ministry has published footage of a drone attack carried out on a Russian target. It is unclear where the drone attack place but was carried out by the countrys 72nd Mechanized Bridge, officials said. There are no small things in a war. Even a small drone can cause a big bang, the defence ministry wrote in a tweet. There are no small things in a war. Even a small drone can cause a big bang. 72nd Mechanized Brigade pic.twitter.com/Tu2E4139Os Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) June 22, 2023 Two people killed in Russian attack on Ukraines Kherson - governor 10:15 , Matt Mathers At least two people were killed in a Russian attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson on Friday, the regional governor said. Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said in an initial post on the Telegram messaging app that a municipal transport company had been hit in the attack. A 55-year-old man was killed on the spot and five others were taken to hospital, he said. In a later post, he had said a 43-year-old man had also died of his wounds in hospital. Our counter-offensive is a success - Ukraine deputy PM 09:33 , Matt Mathers Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal has described his countrys counter-offensive against Russias invading troops as a "success". Mr Shmyhal, who was in the UK this week for the Ukraine Recovery Conference, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: "The counter-offensive is not only offensive. "It can take time. It is not an easy walk. In the past two weeks, we have liberated more than 113 square kilometres of our territory. "And we go ... seven kilometres into the deep of the front line of the occupied territory. So it is a success and we continue this counter-offensive operation." Speaking about the post-war rebuild, the Kyiv politician said that, should the countrys armed forces expel Moscows forces, then the reconstruction could cost "double" the current World Bank estimation of 411 billion US dollars (323 billion), which applies "only to damages" on land currently under Ukraine control. It comes after the London recovery summit saw 50 billion promised to help rebuild the Ukrainian economy. VATICANO-UCRANIA (AP) Russia accused of war crimes on steroids' 09:00 , Matt Mathers Russia has been accused of committing war crimes on steroids. Republican senator Lindsey Graham made the comment in a joint press conference with Democrat senator Richard Blumenthal. Senator Blumenthal and I want to put everybody in this congress on notice that the threat of a use of a nuclear device by Russia is real and the best way to deter it is to give them clarity as to what happens if they do that - they will be in a war with NATO, he said. He also accused Russia of committing war crimes on steroids. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) talks with reporters in between votes at the US Capitol (Getty Images) Russia says it detained Caesium smugglers working for a Ukrainian citizen 08:37 , Matt Mathers Russias FSB security service said on Friday it had detained five people who were trying to buy 1 kg of radioactive Caesium-137 for $3.5 million on behalf of a citizen of Ukraine, the TASS news agency reported. The FSB was cited as saying that the Caesium-137 was meant to be taken out of Russia to be used to stage an incident with purported weapons of mass destruction aimed at discrediting Russia. The report could not be independently verified. Russia Reporter Arrested (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Russia using trained bottle-nosed dolphins to snuff out enemy divers - MoD 08:10 , Matt Mathers Russia has nearly doubled the number of floating mammals pens - highly likely to contain trained bottlenose dolphins - in Sevastopol Port, Britains Ministry of Defence has said. The MoD said the dolphins are likely being used to snuff out enemy divers. Imagery shows a near doubling of floating mammal pens in the harbour which highly likely contain bottle-nosed dolphins, it said in a statement. In Arctic waters, the navy also uses Beluga whales and seals. Russia has trained animals for a range of missions, but the ones housed in Sevastopol harbour are highly likely intended to counter enemy divers. Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 23 June 2023. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/ALCbH4WFSc #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/lCXZ3gySdu Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) June 23, 2023 Zelensky accuses Russia of plotting radiation leak attack at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant 07:55 , Matt Mathers Ukraine has new evidence Russia is plotting a terrorist attack on the Zaporizhzhia power plant that will result in a radiation leak, President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned. The Kremlin dismissed the allegation as another lie, and said a team of United Nations nuclear inspectors had visited the plant and rated everything highly. In a video statement, Mr Zelensky said that Kyiv had received intelligence about an attack on the facility the largest nuclear power plant in Europe which is currently occupied by Russia. Bel Trew reports: Zelensky accuses Russia of plotting radiation leak attack at nuclear plant EU says Ukraine is making progress with reforms and on track to membership talks 07:25 , Maroosha Muzaffar The European Union said Thursday that Ukraine, even amid war and relentless attacks from Russia, was staying the course towards opening membership talks with the bloc and lauded it for reforms in several sectors. Ukraine sees EU membership as an essential part of its Western-oriented future. For over a year it has worked on paving the way to opening talks and the 27-nation bloc issued some badly needed words of encouragement, although it said work remains to be done. EU says Ukraine is making progress with reforms and on track to membership talks Suspected Russian diplomat is occupying the nation's vetoed embassy site in Australia's capital 06:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar A suspected lone Russian diplomat is apparently squatting on the site of Moscows proposed embassy after the Australian government vetoed the plan on security grounds. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed the Russian act of defiance, saying a bloke standing in the cold on a bit of grass in Canberra is not a threat to our national security. Parliament passed emergency legislation last week blocking on security grounds Russias lease on the largely empty block because the new embassy would have been too close to Parliament House. Suspected Russian diplomat is occupying the nation's vetoed embassy site in Australia's capital Kakhovka dam disaster caused more than $1.5bn worth of damage to Ukraine 06:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar The collapse of the Kakhovka dam has already caused more than $1.5bn worth of damage to Ukraine, authorities said. Minister of environmental protection and natural resources Ruslan Strilets said that this number will continue to grow. According to preliminary forecasts, the losses could reach hundreds of billions of [Ukrainian] hryvnias. Some ecosystems have been lost forever. They will never recover. We have lost endemic species of animals. These are species that existed only in one place on earth in the south of Ukraine. We have lost half of the forest in this area, Mr Strilets said. Explosions heard in Russian city of Kursk 06:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar Officials said explosions were heard in the Russian city of Kursk late yesterday. The Ukrainska Pravda news outlet reported citing Russian Telegram channels that the governor of Kursk Oblast, Roman Starovoyt, claimed air defence shot down a drone. He, however, did not provide further information. Russian authorities have consistently blamed Ukraine for the attacks on its border regions. Nine communities shelled in Sumy oblast, authorities say 06:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar Russian forces shelled nine communities in Sumy Oblast yesterday and over 147 explosions were reported, the local authorities said on Facebook. Authorities said that the Russian forces carried out 21 shellings, injuring one person and damaging a water tower, residential buildings, and private homes. The communities of Krasnopillia, Khotin, Yunakivka, Vorozhba, Shalyhyne, Bilopillia, Myropillia, Nova Sloboda, and Esman were targeted by mortars, artillery, mines, and even airstrikes, the administration said. No threat from Russian diplomat squatting on site of proposed embassy, Australia's PM says 05:48 , Maroosha Muzaffar Australias prime minister Anthony Albanese said today that the contested site of a proposed Russian embassy was secure, after it emerged that a Russian diplomat was squatting on the land following the governments decision to cancel the lease. Earlier this month, Australia passed a law to prevent Russia from moving its embassy from a Canberra suburb to a prime site close to parliament and the Chinese embassy, citing national security concerns, Reuters reported. Earlier it was reported that a Russian diplomat was squatting on the land under the watch of a police force unable to arrest him as he has diplomatic immunity. Australia will stand up for our values and we will stand up for our national security, and a bloke standing in the cold on a bit of grass in Canberra is not a threat to our national security, Mr Albanese told a news conference today. The site is secure and we are comfortable with our position. Reuters said Moscow on Wednesday barred 48 Australians from entering Russia, in what it said was retaliation for Australias own long-running sanctions regime against the country. EU says Ukraine is making progress with reforms and on track to membership talks 04:55 , Maroosha Muzaffar The European Union said yesterday that Ukraine, even amid war and relentless attacks from Russia, was staying the course towards opening membership talks with the bloc and lauded it for reforms in several sectors. Ukraine sees EU membership as an essential part of its Western-oriented future. For over a year it has worked on paving the way to opening talks and the 27-nation bloc issued some badly needed words of encouragement, although it said work remains to be done. In an interim report addressing only part of the changes the nation needs to make to start talks, EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said Kyiv had completed two of seven steps, on judicial governance and media freedom and that good progress had been made on constitutional court reform. EU says Ukraine is making progress with reforms and on track to membership talks - AP UN adds Russia to global list of offenders for killing children in Ukraine 04:40 , Maroosha Muzaffar The United Nations has added Russia to a global list of offenders for killing 136 children in Ukraine in 2022, it was reported. According to a report to the UN Security Council, Russian forces and affiliated groups maimed 518 children and carried out 480 attacks on Ukrainian schools and hospitals. The report seen by Reuters said that Russias military used 91 children as human shields as well. The UN also accused the Ukrainian military of killing 80 children, injuring 175, and carrying out 212 attacks on schools and hospitals. Ukraine wasnt added to the global list of offenders, it was reported. Robert F Kennedy Jr wildly claims Russia acted in good faith in Ukraine invasion 04:25 , Maroosha Muzaffar Presidential primary candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr said that he believes Russia acted in good faith when it invaded Ukraine, and claimed the US was largely responsible for the war. Mr Kennedy is running as a Democrat in the 2024 presidential primaries. He made the comments during an interview on SiriusXMs The Briefing with Steve Scully, according to the HuffPost. Scully asked Mr Kennedy about Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion, which prompted Mr Kennedy to say that baby steps towards negotiations were the appropriate path forward. The interviewer then pointed out that Mr Putin has largely dismissed calls for negotiations unless they allow Russia to keep the land it has already occupied in Ukraine. Robert F Kennedy Jr wildly claims Russia acted in good faith in Ukraine invasion Zelensky warns of Russian attack at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant 04:10 , Maroosha Muzaffar Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is considering a terrorist attack at the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Our intelligence obtained information that Russia is considering a scenario of a terrorist attack at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. A terrorist attack with radiation leakage. They have prepared everything for this, Mr Zelensky said, according to Kyiv Independent. Earlier, Ukraines military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov claimed that Russian forces have planted additional mines in and around Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, including the cooling pond. The worst thing is that Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was additionally mined during this time. The cooler (pond) was mined. If they disable it by blowing it up, there is a high probability that there will be significant problems, he said. Air raid alerts in effect throughout Ukraine 03:54 , Maroosha Muzaffar Ukraine has warned people that Russian missile and drone attacks might take place as air raid alerts were in effect throughout the country early this morning. Telegram channels reported explosions in several regions, from Lviv in the west, far from the front lines, to Kherson in the south. However, there were no reports of strikes or casualties so far. In pictures Bridge linking Ukraine to Crimea damaged in explosion' 02:00 , Martha Mchardy A view shows the damaged Chonhar bridge connecting Russian-held parts of Ukraine's Kherson region to the Crimean peninsula (via REUTERS) A view shows the damaged Chonhar bridge connecting Russian-held parts of Ukraine's Kherson region to the Crimean peninsula (via REUTERS) Today in pictures Thursday 22 June 2023 23:30 , Martha Mchardy An abandoned car in Kherson in an area flooded by rising water following the collapse of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam (AFP via Getty Images) A Ukrainian service member walks at a training ground near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region (REUTERS) Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko shows a Kh-47 Kinzhal Russian hypersonic missile warhead, shot down by a Ukrainian Air Defence unit (REUTERS) UK could support dropping a stage in Ukraines Nato membership bid Cleverly Thursday 22 June 2023 22:30 , Martha Mchardy 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. Dominic McGrath reports: UK could support dropping a stage in Ukraines Nato membership bid Cleverly What to know about India's ties with Russia Thursday 22 June 2023 21:30 , Martha Mchardy Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Washington in June was expected to reduce Indias dependence on Moscow for arms, economic ties and technology as New Delhi and Washington try to strengthen the Quad partnership, which also includes Japan and Australia, to contain growing aggression from China. India considers Russia a time-tested ally from the Cold War era with key cooperation in defense, oil, nuclear energy and space exploration. But that partnership has become fraught since Moscow started developing closer ties with Indias main rival, China, because of the war against Ukraine. Heres where things stand with India-Russia ties. Ashok Sharma reports: What to know about India's ties with Russia ICYMI: Russia-backed officials say explosion damages bridge linking Ukraines mainland to Crimea Thursday 22 June 2023 20:30 , Martha Mchardy An explosion damaged a bridge that is one of the few links between Crimea and Ukraines mainland, Russia-backed officials said Thursday, as the early stages of a Ukrainian counteroffensive unfold. Russian forces in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, use the Chongar bridge to reach southern Ukraines Kherson province. Russia and Ukraine control different sides of the province, which is a focus of fighting and attacks as Ukrainian troops try to reclaim Russian-occupied territory. Ukrainian authorities have said that for the countrys nearly 16-month war to end, Moscow must withdraw its forces from Crimea as well as from areas they seized during last years full-scale invasion. Read the full story: Russia-backed officials say explosion damages bridge linking Ukraine's mainland to Crimea Voices: Russian brutality has boosted Nato and led countries to abandon neutrality and thats a very bad move Thursday 22 June 2023 20:00 , Martha Mchardy If, as might appear, most of Europe and Russia are now speeding towards a two-bloc division, far more risks being lost than gained, writes Mary Dejevsky. Why more countries should stay neutral | Mary Dejevsky Ukrainian forces contain Russian forces in east -deputy defence minister Thursday 22 June 2023 19:30 , Martha Mchardy Ukrainian forces are containing Russian forces on the eastern front and have not allowed a single metre of Russian advances, Deputy prime minister Hanna Maliar said on Thursday. Our defence forces continue to contain effectively advances by Russian troops, Maliar wrote on the Telegram app, referring to four key sectors in the east, including the Lyman further north, where officials say Russian forces have been active. Maliar said Ukrainian forces on the southern front, where several villages were captured last week, were gradually moving forward. We have had partial success. We are pushing back the enemy and levelling the front line. Today in pictures Thursday 22 June 2023 19:00 , Martha Mchardy A Ukrainian service member fire a machine gun at a training ground near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region (REUTERS) Ukrainian service members are seen inside a bus at a training ground near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region (REUTERS) Ukrainian military medics treat a soldier with concussion in a field hospital in Donetsk region, Ukraine (AP) A man carries boxes with food sets of the UN World Food Program, distributed by volunteers as humanitarian aid to local residents of Liptsy village, Kharkiv region (AFP via Getty Images) Voices: Putin wont stop using spectre of nuclear disaster to terrorise Ukraine Thursday 22 June 2023 18:30 , Martha Mchardy Ukraines president Zelensky has warned of a possible attack on Europes largest nuclear plant, while Russias president has once again talked up his nuclear arsenal, writes Borzou Daragahi. Putin wont stop using spectre of nuclear disaster to terrorise Ukraine Ukraine progresses on reforms to unlock membership talks, EU says Thursday 22 June 2023 17:56 , Martha Mchardy Senior EU officials said on Thursday that Ukraine is making progress on political reforms to open the way for European Union membership talks but still needs to progress in five important areas. The assessment, by the EUs executive body, the European Commission, offered Kyiv hope that it could achieve its aim of getting the green light for membership talks in December even it fights to repel Russias invasion. But it also made clear that Ukraine has a way to go just to complete the seven steps that the EU outlined last year when it granted Kyiv the status of a candidate for membership. They are on track, they are working hard. After all, the country is under attack, said Oliver Varhelyi, the European Commissioner for relations with the EUs neighbours. Compared to that, I think that they are delivering. In an update for the EUs member countries, Varhelyi said Kyiv had completed two of the seven steps, as reported by Reuters on Monday - reform of two judicial bodies and the adoption of media legislation in line with EU standards. He said Ukraine had made progress but had more work to do on constitutional court reform, on measures to fight corruption, money laundering and curb the influence of oligarchs, and on the treatment of minorities. He also stressed the European Commission would look at a broader range of factors in a full report in October on Ukraines suitability for membership talks. We are just in the middle of the work so its too early to tell you where they are going to be, he told reporters after presenting his assessment to European affairs ministers from the blocs 27 member countries in Stockholm. Jessika Roswall, Swedens European affairs minister, said Ukraines reform efforts had been impressive in the face of extraordinary circumstances. Ukraine has taken substantial steps forward, she said. Ukrainian PM says he's sure Ukraine will get money needed to rebuild Thursday 22 June 2023 17:50 , Martha Mchardy Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal said on Thursday he was certain Ukraine would receive the $6.5 billion it needs this year for its rapid reconstruction programmes from pledges made at a conference in London. Earlier, Britain, the United States, the European Union and others pledged billions of dollars in additional help for Ukraine, going some way to meeting Kyivs demand for more capital and commitments to specific projects, not only to rebuild but to further develop Ukraine into a strong member of the West. Speaking on the final day of the Ukraine recovery conference, Shmyhal said his government had yet to assess all the pledges but Im sure that in the nearest time, after this conference ... we will collect all the needed money. On Wednesday, he said he expected to secure almost $7 billion in aid, money needed to spur his governments rapid recovery programme - which is firstly focused on rebuilding the energy sector, especially before another winter. Destruction in Bakhmut (via REUTERS) A closing statement from conference co-chairs Britain and Ukraine said attendees had agreed to provide $60 billion to meet recovery and reconstruction needs over a multi-year period. This was mostly comprised of a 50-billion-euro commitment from the European Union announced on Tuesday and new pledges at the conference from Britain the United States. Shmyhal also said there had been many expressions of interest from the business community in getting involved in projects in Ukraine, particularly after Britain announced the London Conference Framework for War Risk Insurance, which could pave the way for derisking investment. He said that as yet he could not put a figure on the amount of business investment. Nearly 16 months of Russias war on Ukraine has destroyed homes, hospitals and other critical infrastructure. Western nations are keen to maintain support for Kyiv, which faces years, possibly decades, of rebuilding. The total bill will be huge, with Ukraine, the World Bank, the European Commission and the United Nations estimating in March that the cost was at $411 billion for the first year of the war. Shmyhal said that figure only referred to the land currently under Ukrainian control. I think after the liberation of all the Ukrainian territories, this amount will be doubled, he said. And we understand that this a project for dozens of years. ICYMI: Bridge linking Ukraine to Crimea damaged in explosion Thursday 22 June 2023 17:30 , Martha Mchardy An explosion has damaged a bridge that is one of the few links between Crimea and Ukraines mainland, Russia-backed officials said, as the early stages of a Ukrainian counter-offensive unfold. Russian forces in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, use the Chongar bridge to reach southern Ukraines Kherson province. Russia and Ukraine control different sides of the province, which is a focus of fighting and attacks as Ukrainian troops try to reclaim Russian-occupied territory. A view shows the damaged Chonhar bridge connecting Russian-held parts of Ukraine's Kherson region to the Crimean peninsula (via REUTERS) Ukrainian authorities have said that for the countrys nearly 16-month war to end, Moscow must withdraw its forces from Crimea as well as from areas they seized during the full-scale invasion that started last year. The damage to the bridge was not severe and is likely to be repaired within several days, Vladimir Konstantinov, chairman of the parliament of Crimea, said. Vladimir Saldo, the Russia-appointed head of the occupied parts of Kherson province, said the explosion appeared to have been caused by a type of long-range cruise missile that both France and the UK have given to Ukraines military. The claim could not be independently verified. Ukrainian authorities did not immediately comment on the bridge and typically do not confirm specific attacks. UN adds Russia to list of shame for killing children in Ukraine Thursday 22 June 2023 17:00 , Martha Mchardy United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres called out Russia on Thursday for killing 136 children in Ukraine in 2022, adding its armed forces to a global list of offenders, according to a report to the U.N. Security Council seen by Reuters. The United Nations also verified that Russian armed forces and affiliated groups maimed 518 children and carried out 480 attacks on schools and hospitals. Russian armed forces also used 91 children as human shields, according to the report. Russia has denied targeting civilians since it invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Antonio Guterres (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The report also verified that Ukrainian armed forces killed 80 children, maimed 175 children and carried out 212 attacks on schools and hospitals. The Ukrainian armed forces are not on the global offenders list. Guterres said in the report that he was particularly shocked by the high number of children killed and maimed and attacks on schools and hospitals by Russian armed forces. He also said he was particularly disturbed by the high number of such offenses against children by Ukrainian armed forces. Russias mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. Russian Supreme Court rejects Navalny challenge to prison conditions Thursday 22 June 2023 16:58 , Martha Mchardy Russias Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a challenge by the jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny to prison officials refusal to give him writing equipment, the Russian independent news site Mediazona reported. In latest crackdown on critics, Russia declares World Wide Fund for Nature 'undesirable' Thursday 22 June 2023 16:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Russian authorities on Wednesday declared the World Wide Fund for Nature to be an undesirable organization, effectively banning it from operating in the country, in the latest move to stifle dissent. The global organization, which promotes wildlife preservation and works to reduce human impact on the environment, encourages activities that are a cover for the implementation of projects that pose security threats in the economic sphere, the Russian prosecutor-generals office said, according to Russian news reports. Under the pretext of preserving the environment, WWF is carrying out activities aimed at preventing the implementation of the countrys political course for the industrial development of the Arctic, natural resources in the Arctic territories, it said. In latest crackdown on critics, Russia declares World Wide Fund for Nature 'undesirable' Zelensky accuses Russia of plotting radiation leak attack at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant Thursday 22 June 2023 16:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Ukraine has new evidence Russia is plotting a terrorist attack on Zaporizhzhia power plant that will result in radiation leak, President Volodymr Zelensky has warned. The Kremlin dismissed the allegation as another lie, and said a team of United Nations nuclear inspectors had visited the plant and rated everything highly. In a video statement, Mr Zelensky said that Kyiv had received intelligence about an attack on the facility the largest nuclear power plant in Europe that is currently occupied by Russia. He added that they had shared the information with partners including the United States China, Europe, Brazil and India. Intelligence has received information that Russia is considering the scenario of a terrorist act at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant - a terrorist act with radiation leakage, he said. Zelensky accuses Russia of plotting radiation leak attack at nuclear plant MPs demand to cut through Whitehall bureaucracy and get jailed British-Russian dissident home Thursday 22 June 2023 15:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Senior MPs have backed calls for the Foreign Office to do more to help a British citizen jailed for 25 years in Russia for opposing the invasion of Ukraine. British-Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza was sentenced to 25 years in prison in April after he had been convicted of high treason by a Moscow court. Mr Kara-Murza has already survived two poisoning attempts by Russian agents and has developed a medical condition that has deteriorated during his imprisonment to the point where he has lost feeling in his feet and one of his arms. MPs demand to get jailed British-Russian dissident home Russian mercenary boss accuses top brass of Ukraine battlefield cover-up Thursday 22 June 2023 14:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin added fuel to his feud with the top brass on Thursday, accusing them of lying to President Vladimir Putin and the Russian people about the scale of Russian losses and setbacks in Ukraine. Prigozhin, whose Wagner private militia spearheaded the Russian capture of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut last month, is resisting an order for mercenary groups like his to sign contracts with the Defence Ministry before July 1. Prigozhin portrays Wagner as Russias most effective fighting force, and has enjoyed unusual freedom to publicly criticise Moscow - albeit not Putin, on whose support he and Wagner ultimately depend. Yet the order to bring militias under Moscows direct control suggested to some that he may have outlived his usefulness to Putin in challenging a military hierarchy that has failed to deliver the rapid victory he had hoped for. In a series of emotional audio messages over two days, Prigozhin escalated his repeated criticism of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, a close Putin ally, and Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff - by accusing them of hiding Russias very serious losses on the front from Putin. Total trash is being put on the presidents desk. Shoigu and Gerasimov have a simple approach. The lie must be monstrous for people to believe it. That is what they are doing, Prigozhin said in one message. Its all being hidden from everyone. Russia will wake up one day and learn that (Russian-annexed) Crimea has been handed over to the Ukrainians ... They are misleading the Russian people and if it keeps on like this well be left without the most important thing: Russia. There was no immediate response from the Defence Ministry. (AP) Ukraines Zelensky signs law banning import of books from Russia Thursday 22 June 2023 14:44 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed into law a ban on the commercial import of books from Russia on Thursday, the latest move to reduce cultural ties between the two countries following Moscows invasion. I believe the law is right, Zelensky wrote on the Telegram messaging app, announcing he had signed a bill which also bans the commercial import of books printed in Belarus or in occupied Ukrainian territory. The bill, adopted by parliament a year ago, also makes its a requirement to obtain special permission to import books in the Russian language from third countries. Zelenskys office said on Twitter that the law would strengthen the protection of the Ukrainian cultural and information space from anti-Ukrainian Russian propaganda. Ukraine has been carrying out what it describes as derussification process, saying it is necessary to undo centuries of policies it considered aimed at crushing the Ukrainian identity. Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko thanked the president for signing the bill. The adoption of this draft law will protect the Ukrainian book publishing and distribution sector from the destructive influence of the russian world, he said on Telegram. (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER) Ukraine racing to make prepares as it braces for winter of air strikes, minister says Thursday 22 June 2023 14:20 , Andy Gregory Ukraine is carrying out the largest campaign of repairs in modern history to its power system to prepare for another winter of possible Russian air strikes, its energy minister said. The most extensive repair campaign in the history of energy facilities is currently under way in Ukraine, German Galushchenko said. Power generation and distribution facilities are being restored, and work is under way to strengthen the power systems resilience to military challenges. Ukraine has nearly doubled electricity tariffs for consumers since 1 June to find funds to prepare for winter. About 43 per cent of Ukraines energy infrastructure has been damaged in air strikes, with around seven in 10 substations attacked at least twice, state-owned power distributor Ukrenergo estimates. Ben Wallace rules himself out of running to become new Nato chief Thursday 22 June 2023 13:55 , Andy Gregory The UKs defence secretary has ruled himself out of contention to succeed Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg. Following speculation linking him to the general-secretary position ahead of next months Nato summit in Vilnius, Ben Wallace told The Economist: Its not going to happen, adding that there are a lot of unresolved issues in Nato. Washington wants Mr Stoltenberg to stay in the role, Mr Wallace added, despite remarks by US president Joe Biden that he would support a Nato leader from the UK when he met with Rishi Sunak at the White House earlier this month. Downing Street refused to say on Thursday whether Mr Sunak was disappointed to see Mr Wallace exit the running to take over at Nato. A spokesperson for Mr Sunak said the defence secretarys focus would continue to be on protecting our national security and supporting Ukraine. Western defence firms wary on Ukraine's weapons production pitch Thursday 22 June 2023 13:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Western defence companies are interested in making weapons in Ukraine - but not until after the war, according to half a dozen executives contacted by Reuters at the Paris Airshow. Ukraine is desperate to boost its weapons arsenal, from drones and munitions to tanks, as it battles to repel Russias invasion. Its also looking to boost job opportunities and stabilise an economy ravaged by war. On Monday, a Ukrainian deputy minister told Reuters that Kyiv was in talks with defence companies in Germany, France, Italy and eastern Europe to potentially make weapons in Ukraine. But company executives at the worlds biggest aerospace industry gathering said there was currently too much risk. You just have to think about more broadly, the state of the situation ... and the risk associated with that co-production, said Greg Ulmer, who leads U.S. defence giant Lockheed Martins aeronautic business and was not aware of any direct discussions with Ukraine on co-production activities. Representatives from two major defence companies confirmed they had heard about the Ukrainian initiative, with one adding his company was prepared to sign a letter of intent to discuss an industrial partnership in Ukraine once hostilities end. But none of those interviewed expressed an interest in investing directly while the war rages, with security the top concern. What we know about Indias ties with Russia Thursday 22 June 2023 13:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Washington in June was expected to reduce Indias dependence on Moscow for arms, economic ties and technology as New Delhi and Washington try to strengthen the Quad partnership, which also includes Japan and Australia, to contain growing aggression from China. India considers Russia a time-tested ally from the Cold War era with key cooperation in defense, oil, nuclear energy and space exploration. But that partnership has become fraught since Moscow started developing closer ties with Indias main rival, China, because of the war against Ukraine. Heres where things stand with India-Russia ties. What to know about India's ties with Russia Russia warns US not to send NATO troops to Ukraine - RIA cites deputy foreign minister Thursday 22 June 2023 12:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Thursday called on the United States not to make mistakes with dangerous consequences and send NATO troops to Ukraine, the RIA news agency reported. Ukraine says Russia fired 'Kinzhal' missiles in overnight air strike Thursday 22 June 2023 12:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Russia fired cruise and ballistic missiles and strike drones at targets in Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday, causing damage in the cities of Odesa and Kryvy Rih, Ukrainian officials said. Ukrainian air defences downed three of the four drones fired in the overnight attack involving three Kinzhal hypersonic and three cruise missiles, the Air Force said in a statement. ...The enemy rockets did not reach their targets in the Dnipropetrovsk region... the occupiers are continuing their terror against the Ukrainian people, attacking Ukraines critical infrastructure facilities, the air force said. The drones were shot down over the Black Sea region of Odesa in southwestern Ukraine, but one of them struck a warehouse, regional administration spokesman Serhiy Bratchuk said. In the Kryvy Rih area, a Russian missile strike damaged at least 10 homes, the regional administration said. Russia has regularly carried out long-distance missile and drone attacks since October, and increased strikes in May as Ukraine prepared for a counteroffensive. Watch live: Ukrainian PM addresses final day of Ukraine Recovery Conference in London Thursday 22 June 2023 11:54 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Watch live as the prime minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, addresses the second day of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. This years summit will focus on mobilising international support for Ukraines economic and social stabilisation and recovery from the effects of war. Other sessions on Thursday 22 June include speeches on restoring livelihoods, tech for transformation and role of the regions in Ukraines recovery and reconstruction. Opening the conference yesterday, Rishi Sunak pledged to stand with Kyiv as long as it takes as he announced three billion US dollars (2.35 billion) in bank loan guarantees to bolster rebuild. Watch live: Ukrainian PM addresses final day of Ukraine Recovery Conference in London Chonhar Bridge could take several weeks to fix after Ukrainian missile strike Thursday 22 June 2023 11:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Repairing the Chonhar road bridge after a missile strike Russia has blamed on Ukraine could take up to several weeks, a Russian-installed transport ministry official in Crimea was cited as saying on Thursday. Russian-appointed officials said earlier on Thursday that Ukrainian missiles had struck the bridge connecting Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, with Russian-held parts of the southern Kherson region. (via REUTERS) US reporter Gershkovich loses new appeal against pre-trial detention in Russia Thursday 22 June 2023 11:14 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain US reporter Evan Gershkovich had a new appeal rejected by a Moscow court on Thursday against his pre-trial detention on charges of espionage, a Reuters reporter at the court said. The Wall Street Journal reporter denies the spying charge, which could lead to a prison sentence of up to 20 years if he is convicted. His parents Mikhail Gershkovich and Ella Milman, who left the Soviet Union for the United States in 1979, were in court to support their son. U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy was not allowed inside the room. Gershkovich, wearing blue jeans and a black T-shirt, stood in a glass box and smiled at journalists who were briefly allowed to film him before the start of the proceedings. The 31-year-old was arrested in March and accused by Russias FSB security service of collecting military secrets in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg. His newspaper vehemently denies the accusation against Gershkovich, who was accredited by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The United States says he was wrongfully detained and is demanding his release. Gershkovich was appealing against his continued detention in Moscows Lefortovo prison ahead of his trial, for which no date has been set. Emma Tucker, the Wall Street Journals editor in chief, told the BBC before the hearing that she had low expectations from the appeal but it was important to go through the legal process. In April, a court denied a request from Gershkovichs lawyers that he be transferred to house arrest, agree to restrictions on his movements, or be granted bail. Gershkovich is being held at a time when relations between Washington and Moscow are at the lowest point since the Cold War after Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine last year in what it called a special military operation. (EPA) Putin 'plans radiation leak terrorist attack on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant Thursday 22 June 2023 10:41 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Volodymr Zelensky has claimed Russia is planning a terrorist attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. In a tweet, the president said: Intelligence has received information that Russia is considering a scenario of a terrorist attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. A terrorist attack with radiation leakage. They have prepared everything for this. We have just had a report from our intelligence and the Security Service of . Intelligence has received information that Russia is considering a scenario of a terrorist attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. A terrorist attack with radiation leakage. They have prepared pic.twitter.com/WK6qM090Ru (@ZelenskyyUa) June 22, 2023 Pictures show extent of Chonhar bridge damage Thursday 22 June 2023 10:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain A view shows the damaged Chonhar bridge connecting Russian-held parts of Ukraine's Kherson region to the Crimean peninsula, following what Russian-appointed officials say was a Ukrainian missile attack. (via REUTERS) (via REUTERS) Britain backs fast-track Nato membership for Ukraine Thursday 22 June 2023 09:57 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain 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. Britain backs fast-track Nato membership for Ukraine Sweden's prosecutor reserves right to classify Nord Stream investigation materials -RIA Thursday 22 June 2023 09:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Swedens prosecutors office reserves the right to classify material from its investigation into last years sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, Russias RIA news agency cited it as saying on Thursday. If the investigation is dropped and no conclusions are made, materials will not be made public, RIA reported. Russia has unsuccessfully demanded access to investigations by Sweden and other countries into the blasts that severely damaged the pipelines connecting Russia and Germany across the Baltic Sea. Watch live: Ukraine Recovery Conference underway in second day of meetings in London Thursday 22 June 2023 09:09 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Watch live as Ukraine Recovery Conference goes underway in the second day of meetings in London. Live: Ukraine Recovery Conference underway in second day of meetings in London Scholz pledges security assurances to Kyiv but no swift NATO membership Thursday 22 June 2023 08:58 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday pledged long-term security assurances to Ukraine but dashed Kyivs hopes for a swift accession to NATO. We have to take a sober look at the current situation, Scholz told German lawmakers in a speech in parliament, adding the government in Kyiv had itself acknowledged the country would not be able to join NATO as long as the war was still going on. Therefore, I suggest we focus on the top priority (at the NATO summit) in Vilnius (in mid-July), namely strengthening the combat power of Ukraine, Scholz said. Berlin and its partners in the G7 and the European Union were working on long-term security assurances to Kyiv, he said. Our goal is ... a sustainable military support of Ukraine, including with modern Western weapons, and the strengthening of Ukraines economic resilience as it defends itself against the Russian aggression, he said. NATO countries are squabbling over what to offer Kyiv when the alliances leaders meet in Vilnius on July 11-12. While Kyiv and its closest allies in Eastern Europe call for concrete steps to bring Ukraine closer to membership, Western governments such as the United States and Germany are wary of any move that might take the alliance closer to war with Russia. ((Sarah Meyssonnier , Pool via AP)) Ukraine strikes bridge to Crimea, say Russian-appointed officials Thursday 22 June 2023 08:31 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Ukrainian missiles struck the Chonhar road bridge connecting Crimea with Russian-held parts of the southern Kherson region overnight, forcing traffic to be diverted to a different route, Russian-appointed officials said on Thursday. The so-called gate to Crimea, known by Russians with a different spelling as the Chongar Bridge, is one of a handful of links between Crimea - which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014 - and mainland Ukraine. It is on a route used by the Russian military to move between Crimea and other parts of Ukraine under its control. There was no immediate comment from Kyiv, which has said it wants to retake Crimea and drive all Russian forces from its territory. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed governor of Kherson, parts of which Russian forces have captured during what Moscow calls its special military operation, said the road bridge had been damaged but that there were no casualties. One picture Saldo posted on Telegram showed a large hole in the bridges surface with water visible beneath it and debris scattered nearby. Saldo said initial information suggested Ukraine was likely to have used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles for the strike. The Kyiv terrorists want to intimidate Kherson residents and sow panic among the population, but they will not succeed. We know how to repair bridges quickly: vehicle passage will be restored in the very near future, he said. We have an answer to every move by the enemy. A link between the Kherson region and Crimea continues to operate - a reserve route has been temporarily organised for vehicular traffic. Sergey Aksyonov, Crimeas Russian-appointed governor, told people to stay calm and said specialists were examining the site to determine when traffic over the bridge could resume. Ukraine strikes bridge to Crimea, say Russian-appointed officials Thursday 22 June 2023 08:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Ukrainian missiles struck the Chonhar road bridge connecting Crimea with Russian-held parts of the southern Kherson region overnight, forcing traffic to be diverted to a different route, Russian-appointed officials said on Thursday. The so-called gate to Crimea, known by Russians with a different spelling as the Chongar Bridge, is one of a handful of links between Crimea - which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014 - and mainland Ukraine. It is on a route used by the Russian military to move between Crimea and other parts of Ukraine under its control. There was no immediate comment from Kyiv, which has said it wants to retake Crimea and drive all Russian forces from its territory. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed governor of Kherson, parts of which Russian forces have captured during what Moscow calls its special military operation, said the road bridge had been damaged but that there were no casualties. One picture Saldo posted on Telegram showed a large hole in the bridges surface with water visible beneath it and debris scattered nearby. Saldo said initial information suggested Ukraine was likely to have used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles for the strike. The Kyiv terrorists want to intimidate Kherson residents and sow panic among the population, but they will not succeed. We know how to repair bridges quickly: vehicle passage will be restored in the very near future, he said. We have an answer to every move by the enemy. A link between the Kherson region and Crimea continues to operate - a reserve route has been temporarily organised for vehicular traffic. Sergey Aksyonov, Crimeas Russian-appointed governor, told people to stay calm and said specialists were examining the site to determine when traffic over the bridge could resume. U.N. nuclear watchdog head Grossi to visit Russia on Friday Thursday 22 June 2023 07:58 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, will visit Russia on Friday, the Interfax news agency reported on Thursday. Grossi is likely to hold talks about the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine. (AP) Russia considering U.S. request to visit journalist Evan Gershkovich Thursday 22 June 2023 07:52 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday that Moscow was considering a request from the United States to visit journalist Evan Gershkovich who is being held on spying charges he denies, the Interfax news agency reported. A hearing in Gershkovichs case is due later on Thursday. Gershkovich, a U.S. citizen, was arrested in March on espionage charges after Russias FSB security service accused him of collecting military secrets in the city of Yekaterinburg. Gershkovich and his employer, the Wall Street Journal, strongly deny the charges. He was initially remanded in custody until May 29, but a court last month extended his detention until Aug. 30. The United States says he has been wrongfully detained and has called for his immediate release. The U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously on Tuesday for a resolution calling on Russia to release him. Shooting down each Russian helicopter is important', says Zelensky Thursday 22 June 2023 06:50 , Arpan Rai Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukrainian troops are advancing in all the continuing fights along the battlefield front lines, calling on his forces to shoot down each Russian helicopter. Front. Fierce battles. South were destroying the enemy. Donetsk direction were destroying the enemy. The Kupiansk direction whatever the Russian terrorists are planning there, we will destroy the enemy, Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address. He added: In the South, we are advancing. Thank you, warriors! In the East, our defenses are firming. And I am especially grateful, guys, for every shot down Russian helicopter... Each shooting down is important. Ukraine attacks key bridge between mainland and Crimea, says Russia-backed official Thursday 22 June 2023 06:07 , Arpan Rai Ukrainian forces have launched a missile strike on a bridge connecting Ukraines Kherson region and Crimea, Russia-appointed officials in both regions said today. Vladimir Saldo, the Russia-appointed Kherson governor, said the bridge was likely to have been attacked by Storm Shadow missiles that damaged the road, but traffic has been diverted to a different route. No casualty has been reported. Putin sees lull in Ukraines counteroffensive Thursday 22 June 2023 03:58 , Arpan Rai Russian president Vladimir Putin, said Moscow had observed a lull in Ukraines counteroffensive, which began early this month. Although Ukraine still had some offensive potential, Kyiv understood it had no chance, Putin said in televised remarks. This comes as Volodymyr Zelensky said progress in Ukraines 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. Its not, Britains BBC quoted him as saying in an interview. Whats at stake is peoples lives. Zaporizhzhia plant plans to pump water from burst dam's reservoir Thursday 22 June 2023 01:00 , Katy Clifton The Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine plans to resume pumping water from what remains of the massive reservoir behind a nearby dam that burst two weeks ago, the UN nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday. The International Atomic Energy Agency said last week it was unclear whether it would be possible to pump water from the reservoir to cool reactors and spent fuel at Europes biggest nuclear plant given how much the reservoirs level has fallen. While the plant can fall back on other water sources, including a cooling pond with what the IAEA says is months worth of water in it, whatever can be pumped from the reservoir should buy more time before stocks have to be replenished. Ukraines Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is planning to resume pumping water that still remains accessible despite a major loss of water in the Kakhovka reservoir caused by the destruction of the downstream dam earlier this month, the IAEA said in a statement. Russia-aligned hackers pose threat to Canada energy sector' Wednesday 21 June 2023 20:57 , Katy Clifton Russia-aligned hackers could seek to disrupt Canadas powerful oil and natural gas sector, especially since Ottawa is a strong backer of Ukraine, a Canadian spy agency has said. The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) signals intelligence agency said Russia had repeatedly deployed destructive cyber attacks against its adversaries as geopolitical crises escalate. We assess there is an even chance of a disruptive incident in the oil and gas sector in Canada caused by Russia-aligned actors, due to their higher tolerance for risk, the increase in their numbers and activity, as well as the number of vulnerable targets in the sector overall, it said in a threat assessment. Canada is the worlds fourth-largest oil producer. CSE said the oil and gas sector employed about 600,000 people and accounted for 5% of gross domestic product. CSE said the most likely target for cyber attacks by pro-Russian hackers was operational technology networks that monitor and control large industrial assets. UK offers new training for Ukrainian seafarers Wednesday 21 June 2023 19:01 , Andy Gregory The UK has pledged to offer new virtual-reality (VR) training for at-sea Ukrainian cadets, as part of a new package of support. Announced on Wednesday to coincide with a major conference in London on how Ukraine recovers from the Russian invasion, the Government said the training would be provided through VR headsets to help participants practise for real-life scenarios. Ukrainians will also be sponsored to take part in three-year cadetships to UK container ships and other large vessels, with the new package confirmed as Transport Secretary Mark Harper appeared at the Ukraine Recovery Conference. Our support for Ukraine and its people is unwavering, and were not going to let Russias abhorrent actions sink Ukraines great reputation in areas like seafaring, he said. By sharing the UKs world-renowned expertise in aviation and seafaring, we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring Ukraines transport system recovers from Putins illegal invasion. The Department for Transport will also support secondments for Ukraines air traffic controllers to train in the UK, with the latest funding following on from 10 million previously announced to help repair Ukraines rail infrastructure. Belarus court hands long sentences to 2020 protesters Wednesday 21 June 2023 18:27 , Andy Gregory A court in Belarus has handed lengthy prison sentences 18 participants of mass anti-government protests which challenged the grip of president Alexander Lukashenkos authoritarian regime in 2020 in part of Minsks continued attempts to crack down on any and all dissent. Multiple charges against the activists, three of whom had left the country and were tried in absentia, included assault on law enforcement officers, conspiracy to overthrow the government, committing a terrorist act and others. According to the authorities, the protesters formed a resistance movement, attacked law enforcement officers, carried out acts of sabotage and set police stations in Minsk on fire. Some of them were also accused of attempting to set fire to the house of a pro-government politician by throwing Molotov cocktails at it. Sentences handed to the demonstrators ranged from two to 25 years in prison. Sunak pledges $3bn backing to unlock World Bank loan for Ukraine Wednesday 21 June 2023 17:55 , Andy Gregory Rishi Sunak has used todays London conference to unveil measures including $3bn of additional UK guarantees to unlock a World Bank loan for Ukraine. This includes pledge of 20m to boost access to the World Banks Multilateral Investment Guarantees Agency, which provides political risk insurance for projects. Additionally, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc would provide Ukraine with 50bn for 2024-27, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken offered $1.3bn in additional aid. German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said Berlin was offering an additional 381m in humanitarian assistance in 2023. (AP) Ukraine expects Nato invite at Nato summit in July, says Zelensky aide Wednesday 21 June 2023 17:28 , Andy Gregory Ukraine expects to be invited to join Nato at the alliances summit in Vilnius next month, president Volodymyr Zelenskys chief of staff has said. We expect that Ukraine will be invited to Nato with an open date, Andre Yermak told a webinar held by the Atlantic Council think-tank. Putin says nuclear-capable Satan 2 missiles soon ready to be deployed Wednesday 21 June 2023 17:12 , Andy Gregory Here are more of Vladimir Putins remarks on Russias new generation of Sarmat nuclear-capable ballistic missiles being ready for combat duy in the near future. In a speech to new graduates of military academies, the president said the most important task was the development of Russias triad of nuclear forces those launched from land, sea or air which he described as a key guarantee of Russias military security and global stability. 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, Mr Putin said. The first Sarmat launchers will be put on combat duty in the near future, he added. Despite Russian nuclear doctrine stating that Moscow should not strike first unless the states very existence is threatened, Mr Putin has frequently issued nuclear threats since Russias invasion of Ukraine last February. As recently as last week, however, Mr 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, with Russia having said last April that it would be in place by autumn 2022. Dmitry Rogozin, then head of Russias space agency, said at that time that the missiles would be deployed with a unit in the Krasnoyarsk region of Siberia, about 1,860 miles east of Moscow. Mr 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 a historic event that would guarantee the security of Russias children and grandchildren for the next 30-40 years. Blinken urges Turkey to stop blocking Swedens Nato bid Wednesday 21 June 2023 16:35 , Andy Gregory US secretary of state Antony Blinken has urged Turkey to stop blocking Sweden in its bid to join Nato, a spokesperson has said. in a meeting with on Wednesday, a State Department spokesperson said. In a meeting with new Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Summit in London, Blinken stressed the importance of Nato unity at a critical time, the spokesperson said. Mr Blinken also encouraged Turkeys support for Sweden to join the Nato Alliance now and welcomed Ankaras support for Kyiv and its work on the Black Sea grain export deal, the spokesperson said. Boris Johnson attends Ukraine conference in London Wednesday 21 June 2023 15:57 , Andy Gregory Boris Johnson was spotted at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on Wednesday. The former prime minister is a vocal supporter of Kyivs fight against the Russian invasion and repeated his call earlier for the West to focus on ensuring a Ukrainian victory and equip Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets. As the Ukraine Recovery Conference gets underway in London today, let's remember that the absolute prerequisite to Ukraine's recovery is a Ukrainian victory, as fast as possible. The West must continue to do all we can to help. pic.twitter.com/at5k6BL9Iu Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) June 21, 2023 Kakhovka dam breach death toll at 41, Russian minister says Wednesday 21 June 2023 15:29 , Andy Gregory Russias emergency situations minister has said that 41 people have been killed and 121 hospitalised as a result of the breach of the Kakhovka dam in a Russian-controlled part of Ukraine earlier this month. Speaking during a televised government meeting chaired by Vladimir Putin, Alexander Kurenkov said that more than 8,000 people were evacuated from the flood zone. UK could be very supportive of Ukraine skipping key step to joining Nato, says Cleverly Wednesday 21 June 2023 14:56 , Andy Gregory Foreign secretary James Cleverly has suggested that the UK would be very supportive if Ukraine was not required to go through the membership action plan stage of joining Nato. Speaking at a press conference at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, he said: We have seen Ukraine evolve, and evolve incredibly quickly. 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. (via REUTERS) Putin claims lull in Ukraine counteroffensive Wednesday 21 June 2023 14:38 , Andy Gregory Vladimir Putin claims that Moscow has observed a "lull" in Ukraine's counteroffensive, which began early this month. Although Ukraine still has some offensive potential, Kyiv understands it has "no chance", the Russian president claimed in televised remarks. (Getty) Minefields mean counteroffensive progress slower than desired, says Zelensky Wednesday 21 June 2023 13:34 , Andy Gregory Progress in Ukraines counteroffensive against Russian forces is slower than desired but Kyiv will not be pressured into speeding it up as its troops advance through dangerous minefields, president Volodymyr Zelensky has said. Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect results now. Its not, he told the BBC, after speaking remotely at an event in London. Whats at stake is peoples lives. The BBC cited Mr Zelensky as saying the military push was not going easily because 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. West is waging real war against Russia, says Shoigu Wednesday 21 June 2023 13:18 , Andy Gregory Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu has told graduating military academy students today that the collective West is waging a real war against Russia. Speaking alongside Vladimir Putin at an event in the Kremlin, Mr Shoigu added that the Russia military would do everything to ensure the security of the country. Putin claims new Sarmat missiles will soon be deployed for combat duty Wednesday 21 June 2023 13:02 , Andy Gregory Vladimir Putin has claimed 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. My colleague Joe Sommerland has more details on the weapons here: What is Russias Satan II intercontinental nuclear missile? Mines dislodged by destroyed dam could wash up on Black Sea beaches, warns UN Wednesday 21 June 2023 12:48 , Andy Gregory A United Nations official has warned that the mines dislodged by the flood waters from Kakhovka dam in Ukraine could float downstream and reach as far as beaches on the Black Sea. Paul Heslop, head of UN Mine Action at the UN Development Programme in Ukraine, told reporters in Geneva that PMF-1 mines, also known as butterfly mines, were light enough to float downstream for a large distance. 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. Ukraine accuses Russia of blowing up the Soviet-era dam earlier this month, which has been under Russian control since the early days of its invasion. The Kremlin has accused Kyiv of sabotaging the hydroelectric facility. France announces new insurance mechanism for Ukraine Wednesday 21 June 2023 12:14 , Andy Gregory Addressing the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, French foreign minister Catherine Colonna set out a new war insurance mechanism to support Kyiv. Im announcing today the establishment of an insurance mechanism to cover investments in Ukraine against war-related risks via the French public investment bank, Ms Colonna said. The French governments plan was consistent with the insurance mechanism proposed by Britain and Ukraine, Ms Colonna added. Eyes of the world on Ukraine, says Zelensky Wednesday 21 June 2023 11:59 , Andy Gregory The eyes of the world are on Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky told the conference in London this morning. 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 the Ukrainian president. 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. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Western leaders to help rebuild his war-torn country (Henry Nicholls/PA) Ukraine holding back large attacks near Bakhmut and Lyman, claims Kyiv minister Wednesday 21 June 2023 11:39 , Andy Gregory Ukraine is holding back a large-scale assault by Russian forces near Bakhmut and Lyman, Kyivs deputy defence minister has claimed. Kyiv, meanwhile, has reported recapturing eight villages in the south in the last two weeks, representing the largest gains 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 claimed on Wednesday. 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, Ms Maliar said. Russia building elaborate defences near Crimea, says UK Wednesday 21 June 2023 11:24 , Andy Gregory Russia has been building elaborate defences near Crimea, highlighting the strength of concerns in Moscow that Ukrainian forces are capable of directly assaulting the occupied peninsula, Britains Ministry of Defence has said. Intense fighting continues in sectors of southern Ukraine, the ministry said. 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 9km in length, 3.5km north of the town Armyansk, on the narrow bridge of land connecting Crimea to the Kherson region. Russian Defensive Positions North of Armyansk: Area in Detail. pic.twitter.com/nsCFIuNU67 Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) June 21, 2023 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. Germany confirms new ambassador to Russia after downgrading diplomatic ties Wednesday 21 June 2023 11:03 , Reuters Germany has confirmed the appointment of Alexander Graf Lambsdorff as its new ambassador to Russia, weeks after the two countries announced a downgrading of diplomatic ties after relations collapsed in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. Graf Lambsdorff, a 56-year-old diplomat and member of the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) in the ruling coalition, will take up his post in the summer after Russia gave the green light for the move. He replaces Geza Andreas von Geyr, who has represented Germany in Russia since September 2019 and is now set to become Germanys ambassador to Nato in Brussels. Germany last month said it would shut down four out of five Russian consulates by revoking their licences, a tit-for-tat move after Moscows decision to limit the number of German officials in Russia. Mr Graf Lambsdorff has sharply criticised Russias invasion of Ukraine and backed Germany shoring up Ukraines armed forces with military aid. He is a descendent of a political and aristocratic family that traces its roots to Baltic Germans living in the Russian tsarist empire. US pledges 1bn to help Ukraine rebuild Wednesday 21 June 2023 10:35 , Andy Gregory The United States will provide more than $1.3bn (1bn) in additional aid to Ukraine to help the country recover and rebuild its energy grid, secretary of state Antony Blinken has told the conference in London. Of that amount, $520m will go towards helping Kyiv overhaul its battered energy grid, while $657m will be used to help modernise its border crossings, ports, rail lines and other critical infrastructure, Mr Blinken said. Some $100m will be used to help digitise Ukraines customs and other systems to boost speed and to cut corruption, and another $35m to help Ukrainian businesses through financing and insurance. 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, Mr Blinken told delegates. EU has special responsibility to Ukraine, says Ursula von der Leyen Wednesday 21 June 2023 10:16 , Andy Gregory The European Union has a special responsibility towards Ukraine in the long term, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has told the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. This is for Ukraines immediate needs. But lets talk about the future. I believe the European Union has a special responsibility, Ms von der Leyen said. Von der Leyen has no doubt that Ukraine will join EU Wednesday 21 June 2023 10:14 , Andy Gregory Addressing the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she had no doubt that Ukraine would join the EU, adding: We can never match their sacrifice, but we can and we do stand united. Praising the progress and speed of reform in the country, Ms von der Leyen said she hoped Ukraine would become a country that attracts foreign investment, a country that is master of its future, a country that is a member of the European Union. Together we gather here to tell Ukrainians that their dream is also our dream, she told the conference. 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. Ukraine has accelerated its reform agenda with impressive speed and resolve, she said. (Leah Millis/Pool Photo via AP) Ukraine could be largest source of economic growth in Europe for decades, claims Zelensky Wednesday 21 June 2023 09:49 , Andy Gregory Volodymyr 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. He told the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London: 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. We must move towards real reconstruction projects, Zelensky says Wednesday 21 June 2023 09:48 , Andy Gregory Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London that it was necessary to move towards real projects for the reconstruction of Ukraine. We must move from agreement to real projects, the Ukrainian president said. There is a Ukrainian delegation that will present concrete things and we propose to do them together during my tour, he said. Henry Nicholls - WPA Pool/Getty Images (Getty Images) Sunak praises Ukraines spirit of ingenuity and innovation' Wednesday 21 June 2023 09:45 , Andy Gregory Speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, Rishi Sunak highlighted Ukraines technological expertise, saying IT experts and the military have developed a mobile app to track the Shahed drones being used by Russia. The prime minister said that, when he visited Kyiv in November, he saw the peoples spirit of ingenuity and innovation, adding: In a converted office block I met tech experts civilian and military who were working together to find new ways to bolster the countrys defences. They were networking mobile phones so that people across Ukraine could download an app which would allow their phone to pick up the sound of the Shahed drones and feed back the location so that Ukrainian air defence could track them and shoot them down. Rishi Sunak delivers a speech next to his foreign secretary James Cleverly and Ukraines foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba (Henry Nicholls/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Ukraine represents investment opportunity, says Sunak Wednesday 21 June 2023 09:28 , Andy Gregory Ukraine represents an investment opportunity, with its resistance to the Russian invasion demonstrating its peoples capacity for innovation, Rishi Sunak said as he opened the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. Before this terrible war, Ukraines economy was becoming a huge investment opportunity, the prime minister told delegates. 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. Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website Ukraine war latest: Kyiv reports new gains in the south, Prigozhin accuses Russian army of attacking Wagner Check out our LIVE UPDATES on the Wagner Groups armed rebellion in Russia. Key Developments on June 23: General Staff reports advances along southern front line Prigozhin accuses Russian army of attacking Wagner, threatens to respond Council of Europe approves new sanctions package against Russia Explosions reported in Russian-occupied Henichesk and Skadovsk in Kherson Oblast Ukraine recovers bodies of 51 fallen servicemembers Turkey issues licenses to produce combat drones in Ukraine. The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on June 23 that Ukrainian forces had achieved some territorial gains along the southern front line. Supported by artillery, Ukrainian forces have advanced in the directions of Novodanylivka-Robotyne and Mala Tokmachka-Novofedorivka, according to the General Staff. Russian forces are apparently mobilizing reserves in an attempt to impede Ukraine's progress in the direction of Orikhiv and recapture previously-held positions. Ukrainian forces in Donetsk Oblast are also holding back Russian advances in the directions of Lyman, Avdiivka, and Marinka. The most intense battles are taking place near Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast and at Sieverne, Avdiivka, Marinka, and Pobieda in Donetsk Oblast, the General Staff added. Since June 5, Ukraine has been engaged in a counteroffensive in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, aiming to reclaim more of its territory currently under Russian control. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that although the counteroffensive has been off to a slow start, it will gain momentum. 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 Prigozhin accuses Russian army of attacking Wagner, threatens response Wagner mercenary group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed in a video posted on Telegram on June 23 that the Russian Defense Ministry attacked the group's bases in the rearguard. "A missile attack was launched on camps of the Wagner Group. There are many victims. According to eyewitnesses, the attack was launched from the rearguard, meaning it was launched by the Russian Defense Ministry," Prigozhin said. "This bastard will be stopped," the Wagner boss added, referring to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. "We were ready to make concessions to the defense ministry, to surrender our weapons, to find a solution on how we would continue to defend the country. But these scumbags did not back down," Prigozhin said. "We have 25,000 (soldiers), and we're going to figure out why there's chaos in the country," he said. "Everyone who is willing join us." There has been a long-standing feud between Russia's Defense Ministry and Prigozhin. The Wagner founder has repeatedly criticized military authorities and claimed that Wagner mercenaries are the only Russian units achieving success on the battlefield. During the drawn-out battle of Bakhmut, the oligarch complained that his mercenaries were not receiving enough ammunition and threatened to pull them from the battlefield. After the battle, Prigozhin claimed that Russian troops had placed mines on Wagner's exit routes from the city. Army of hired guns: How Russias PMCs are becoming the main invasion force Private armies are illegal in Russia, so naturally, Moscow has been using them for decades. Now, its making them the main invasion force. The rate at which Russia creates new private military company-like units sped up after 2014 but it really took off during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, The Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov Council of Europe approves new sanctions package against Russia The Council of Europe issued a press release on June 23 unveiling its 11th sanctions package against Russia. The sanctions aim to reinforce existing ones and effectively address any attempts to bypass them. "Todays package increases our pressure on Russia and Putins war machine. By tackling sanctions circumvention, we will maximize pressure on Russia by depriving it further of the resources it so desperately needs to allow it to pursue its illegal war against Ukraine," Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat, said. Russia has been reported to import and export products from third-party countries to circumvent Western sanctions. The Council of Europe has imposed sanctions on an additional 87 entities that are "directly supporting Russias military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine." These entities will be subject to import-export controls and restrictions on goods and technologies that have dual use and could be used by Russian forces on the battlefield. Trailers and semi-trailers registered in Russia, even if they are hauled by trucks registered outside of Russia, will also be prohibited from transporting goods by road into the EU. Vessels engaging in ship-to-ship transfers of Russian crude oil and petroleum products at sea will not have access to EU ports. Kyivs frustration boils as flow of Western chips for Russian missiles continues uninterrupted 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 o The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell Explosions reported in occupied settlements of Kherson Oblast Ukraine's Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk published a video from an unspecified source on June 23 showing pillars of black smoke rising from an alleged Russian National Guard base located in occupied Henichesk in Kherson Oblast. According to Oleshchuk, the strike was a "Ukrainian response to Russia's missile terror." Oleshchuk did not say if Ukrainian forces carried out the strike on the base, and it likely could have been local partisan groups, as they have been actively resisting Russian occupation authorities for over a year. Earlier on June 23, both Russian state-owned media outlets and Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-installed proxy in Kherson Oblast, reported strikes targeting Henichesk and Skadovsk, another regional settlement under Russian occupation. Saldo made the assertion that the strikes were aimed at "residential quarters" and carried out using four Storm Shadow long-range missiles provided by the U.K. The Kyiv Independent has not been able to verify this. Accusations from Russian officials and those in Russian-occupied territories frequently point fingers at the Ukrainian military, alleging their involvement in attacks on civilians. However, these claims often lack any substantiating evidence. This Week in Ukraine Ep. 5 Everything we know about Ukrainian attacks inside Russia This Week in Ukraine is a video podcast hosted by Kyiv Independents reporter Anastasiia Lapatina. Every week, Anastasiia sits down with her newsroom colleagues to discuss Ukraines most pressing issues. Episode #5 is dedicated to Ukrainian attacks deep behind enemy lines on Russian soil, and i The Kyiv IndependentAnastasiia Lapatina Ukraine recovers bodies of 51 fallen servicemembers Oleh Kotenko, an official at the Ministry for the Reintegration of Occupied Territories, reported on June 23 that the bodies of 51 fallen Ukrainian servicemembers were successfully brought back to Ukraine. According to Kotenko, the bodies were recovered through collaborative efforts involving the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and international organizations. Ukraine previously recovered the remains of 79 fallen soldiers on May 30. Under the Geneva Conventions, which mandate internationally-recognized standards of humane treatment during wartime, both civilians and servicemembers alike should have the right to a dignified burial. Remembering first fallen US volunteer fighter buried in Ukraine At first, everything about the small, solemn gathering in the grounds of Kyivs St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery had all the signs of a traditional Ukrainian military funeral. A guard of soldiers, a Ukrainian flag held over the coffin, the rolling verse of Orthodox prayers, the national The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell Turkey issues licenses to produce combat drones in Ukraine Baykar, a private Turkish defense company, has been granted licenses to manufacture combat drones, specifically the Bayraktar and Aknc models, within Ukraine. Citing the companys CEO Haluk Bayraktar, the Turkish newspaper Yeni Akit reported that production is expected to start in 2025, with a projected investment of $95.5 million. In 2019, Baykar founded Avia Ventures LLC in Ukraine, with the purpose of establishing two factories in the country. Turkey has been providing Ukraine with the Bayraktar drones, which are medium-altitude, long-endurance, and unmanned combat aerial vehicles that can be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strike missions. Ukraine yet to commit bulk of its forces top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi The bulk of Ukraines forces are not yet committed to the ongoing counteroffensive, commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said in an interview with The Guardian on June 23. Read also: General Syrskyi praises Ukrainian snipers sharp-shooting in Bakhmut video From his command post somewhere in Eastern Ukraine, Syrskyi highlighted that Ukrainian defenders are currently probing enemy defenses for vulnerabilities and that "everything is still ahead." Everyone hopes for a quick, decisive victory; we do, too, said Syrskyi. However, we must prepare ourselves for a protracted process, given the extensive forces, technology, and fortifications on both sides. Our main forces have yet to see combat. Syrskyi also expressed his gratitude to the UK for supplying Challenger-2 tanks. These tanks, initially used for training, are now being held in reserve. When asked about the size of this reserve, Syrskyi cryptically replied, "its a big secret." Read also: All Challenger 2 tanks already in Ukraine, says UK defence secretary The general also reported that Russian forces are making advances around Kreminna, Luhansk Oblast. Furthermore, intense fighting took place recently near the Serebryanske forestry, situated on the border of Donetsk Oblast. Following the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant explosion, Russia has reportedly relocated some of its units, including the 83rd Airborne Assault brigade, from southern Ukraine to Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast. Read also: Ukraines military reserves still held back for counter-offensive, says deputy defense minister Syrskyi cautioned against underestimating the enemy, stating that Russians are highly strategic, anticipating the most likely movements of Ukraines Defense Forces, and establishing robust defenses that are difficult to penetrate. Read also: Russia changes tactics in Bakhmut, looks to go back on offensive General Syrskyi Previously, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar had also spoken about the forthcoming stages of the Ukrainian counterattack, suggesting that the main events were yet to unfold, and some reserves from the Ukrainian army would be called upon later. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The CEO of Pozhmashina and the CEO of Danish Hydrema signed a Memorandum of Understanding Ukrainian company Pozhmashina announced a cooperation agreement with Denmarks Hydrema, the world leader in demining machinery production, on June 23. The agreement was signed between Pozhmashina CEO Oleh Averyanov and his counterpart at Hydrema Jan Werner Jensen during the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023 in London. The memorandum of understanding entails the localization of part of the production of the Danish HYDREMA910 demining machine in Ukraine. The HYDREMA910 vehicle has been widely used by NATO countries and has demonstrated its effectiveness in various conflict zones, including Afghanistan. Read also: Over 700 Ukrainian civilians injured by land mines, including up to 100 children The collaboration aims to expedite the demining process in Ukraine's territories. Currently, about 30% of Ukraine's land, equivalent to 8 million hectares of farmland, is contaminated by mines. By enabling production, training, operation, and maintenance within Ukraine, the agreement seeks to accelerate clearance efforts. According to Dmytro Kysylevskyy, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Economic Development, if the Ukrainian Cabinet orders the equipment, the Danish government will provide funding, including grants, to fulfill the needs of Ukrainian services for such equipment. Read also: Private mine clearance offers golden but grim opportunity for an unconventional business sector This collaboration has been described as a crucial step towards Ukraine's recovery, as it allows foreign partners to provide demining technologies while Ukraine contributes production facilities and workforce, benefiting both parties. The localization of production is a central aspect of Ukraine's economic recovery strategy, focusing on creating job opportunities, fostering economic growth, and facilitating post-war reconstruction. In October 2022, Pozhmashina had previously announced the resumption of production at its plant after relocating its main facilities from Chernihiv Oblast in northern Ukraine. Read also: Ukrainian demining units clearing frontline ahead of counteroffensive The Washington Post 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 Meta announced that it would begin limiting access to its news on Facebook and Instagram for Canadian users after parliament approved contentious online news legislation. According to BBC News, the Online News Act mandates that large platforms pay news publishers for information posted on their platforms. The legislation will become law in about six months. In 2021, as a result of a similar regulation, Australian Facebook users were blocked from reading or posting news stories. However, Facebook's news material was made available again after discussions with the government resulted in changes. Notably, Meta and Google have both been conducting trials in which users in Canada have restricted access to news content. Impact of Passing the Online News Act The Canadian Senate unanimously approved the Online News Act on Thursday, June 22, which establishes regulations regulating commercial partnerships and payment to news organizations from platforms like Meta and Google. Meta has criticized the measure, calling it "fundamentally flawed legislation that ignores the realities of how our platforms work." On Thursday, the company said that all Canadian users would lose access to news on Facebook and Instagram once the law went into force. According to a statement sent to Reuters by a representative of Meta in March, the company believes that "a legislative framework that compels us to pay for links or content that we do not post, and which are not the reason the vast majority of people use our platforms, is neither sustainable nor workable." The tech giant assured Canadian users that this update would not affect their access to any other services. Meanwhile, Google said it wanted to cooperate with the government to find a path forward after calling the measure "unworkable" in its current form. Canada's government claims the online news bill is essential to ensuring that all Canadians have access to digital news and to helping financially-strapped news outlets get enough payment for what users post and share. An independent parliament budget watchdog predicted that news organizations might collect around C$329 million ($250 million) a year from digital platforms after considering the effects of the measure. See Also: Meta Threatens to Block Facebook, Instagram News Content in California: Here's Why! A Win for Media Industry Organizations Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez told Reuters earlier this month that the internet giants' move to remove news from their platforms posed an unacceptable and threatening danger to society. Rodriguez spoke with representatives from both Google and Facebook this week, according to a statement released by his office on Thursday. Further negotiations are scheduled, but the government remains committed to enforcing the measure. He said, "If the government can't stand up for Canadians against tech giants, who will?" The bill's enactment was celebrated by media industry organizations as a victory for more equitable market conditions. "Real journalism, created by real journalists, continues to be demanded by Canadians and is vital to our democracy, but it costs real money," Paul Deegan, president, and chief executive officer of News Media Canada, said in a statement. See Also: TikTok, Facebook, YouTube Sued by Over 2,000 Families Due to Kids' Mental Health @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Russian mercenary chief says his forces are rebelling, some left Ukraine and entered city in Russia FILE - In this handout photo taken from video released by Prigozhin Press Service on Friday, March 3, 2023, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, addresses Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asking him to withdraw the remaining Ukrainian forces from Bakhmut to save their lives, at an unspecified location in Ukraine. Prigozhin's criticism of the top military brass is in stark contrast with more than two decades of rigidly controlled rule by President Vladimir Putin without any sign of infighting among his top lieutenants. (Prigozhin Press Service via AP, File) The owner of the Wagner private military contractor made his most direct challenge to the Kremlin yet, calling for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russias defense minister. The security services reacted immediately by calling for the arrest of Yevgeny Prigozhin. In a sign of how seriously the Kremlin was taking the threat, security was heightened in Moscow and in Rostov-on-Don, which is home to the Russian military headquarters for the southern region and also oversees the fighting in Ukraine. While the outcome of the confrontation was still unclear, it appeared likely to further hinder Moscow's war effort as Kyiv's forces were probing Russian defenses in the initial stages of a counteroffensive. The dispute, especially if Prigozhin were to succeed, also could have repercussions for President Vladimir Putin and his ability to maintain a united front. Prigozhin claimed early Saturday that his forces had crossed into Russia from Ukraine and had reached Rostov, saying they faced no resistance from young conscripts at checkpoints and that his forces arent fighting against children. But we will destroy anyone who stands in our way, he said in one of a series of angry video and audio recordings posted on social media beginning late Friday. We are moving forward and will go until the end. He claimed that the chief of the General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, scrambled warplanes to strike Wagners convoys, which were driving alongside ordinary vehicles. Prigozhin also said his forces shot down a Russian military helicopter that fired on a civilian convoy, but there was no independent confirmation. And despite Prigozhins statements that Wagner convoys had entered Rostov-on-Don, there was no confirmation of that yet on Russian social networks. Video posted online showed armored vehicles, including tanks, stationed on the streets and troops moving into position, but it was unclear whether they were under Wagner or military command. Earlier, heavy trucks were seen blocking highways leading into the city and long convoys of National Guard trucks were seen on a road. The governor of the Voronezh region, just to the north, told residents that a column of military vehicles was moving along the main highway and advised them to stay off the road. Prigozhin said Wagner field camps in Ukraine were struck by rockets, helicopter gunships and artillery fire on orders from Gerasimov following a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, at which they decided to destroy Wagner. The Wagner forces have played a crucial role in Russias war in Ukraine, succeeding in taking the city where the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place, Bakhmut. But Prigozhin has increasingly criticized Russias military brass, accusing it of incompetence and of starving his troops of weapons and ammunition. Prigozhin, who said he had 25,000 troops under his command, said his troops would punish Shoigu in an armed rebellion and urged the army not to offer resistance: This is not a military coup, but a march of justice. The National Anti-Terrorism Committee, which is part of the Federal Security Services, or FSB, charged him with calling for an armed rebellion, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The FSB urged Wagner's contract soldiers to arrest Prigozhin and refuse to follow his criminal and treacherous orders. It called his statements a stab in the back to Russian troops and said they amounted to fomenting armed conflict. Putin was informed about the situation and all the necessary measures were being taken," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Heavy military trucks and armored vehicles were seen in several parts of central Moscow early Saturday, and soldiers toting assault rifles were deployed outside the main building of the Defense Ministry. The area around the presidential administration near Red Square was blocked, snarling traffic. But even with the heightened military presence, downtown bars and restaurants were filled with customers. At one club near the headquarters of the FSB, people were dancing in the street near the entrance. Moscows mayor announced Saturday morning that counterterrorism measures were underway, including increased control of roads and possible restrictions on mass gatherings. Prigozhin, whose feud with the Defense Ministry dates back years, had refused to comply with a requirement that military contractors sign contracts with the ministry before July 1. In a statement late Friday, he said he was ready to find a compromise but they have treacherously cheated us. Today they carried out a rocket strike on our rear camps, and a huge number of our comrades got killed, he said. The Defense Ministry denied attacking the Wagner camps. Prigozhin claimed that Shoigu went to the Russian military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don personally to direct the strike and then cowardly fled. The evil embodied by the countrys military leadership must be stopped, he shouted. Col. Gen. Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of the Russian group of forces fighting in Ukraine, urged the Wagner forces to stop any move against the army, saying it would play into the hands of Russia's enemies, who are "waiting to see the exacerbation of our domestic political situation. Tatiana Stanovaya, a political analyst, predicted this would be the end of Prigozhin. Now that the state has actively engaged, theres no turning back, she tweeted. The termination of Prigozhin and Wagner is imminent. The only possibility now is absolute obliteration, with the degree of resistance from the Wagner group being the only variable. Surovikin was dispatched to convince them to surrender. Confrontation seems totally futile. Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alexeyev, a top military officer, denounced Prigozhins move as madness that threatens civil war. Its a stab in the back to the country and the president. ... Such a provocation could only be staged by enemies of Russia, he said. The Defense Ministry said in a statement that Ukraine was concentrating troops for an attack around Bakhmut to take advantage of Prigozhins provocation. It said Russian artillery and warplanes were firing on Ukrainian forces as they prepared an offensive. In Washington, the Institute for the Study of War, said it appeared that Prigozhin fully intends for Wagner to move against MoD leadership and forcibly remove them from power, more likely against the Southern Military District command in Rostov-on-Don but possibly also against Moscow. It added that despite Putin's support for Prigozhin, he would be highly unlikely to accept any armed rebellion: The violent overthrow of Putin loyalists like Shoigu and Gerasimov would cause irreparable damage to the stability of Putins perceived hold on power. At the White House, National Security Council Adam Hodge said: "We are monitoring the situation and will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments. Michael Kofman, director of Russia Studies at the CAN research group in Arlington, Virginia, tweeted that Prigozhin's actions struck him as a desperate act, though much depends on whether Prigozhin is alone, or if others that matter join him. Im skeptical this ends well for him or Wagner. In Kyiv a Russian missile attack killed at least two people and injured eight Saturday when falling debris caused a fire on several floors of a 24-story apartment building in a central district, Serhii Popko, the head of the city's military administration, posted on Telegram. He said more than 20 missiles were detected and destroyed. Video from the scene showed a blaze in the upper floors of the building and the parking lot strewn with ash and debris. In other developments in the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on other countries to heed warnings that Russia may be planning to attack an occupied nuclear power plant to cause a radiation disaster. Members of his government briefed international representatives on the possible threat to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, whose six reactors have been shut down for months. Zelenskyy said he expected other nations to give appropriate signals and exert pressure on Moscow. The Kremlins spokesman has denied the threat to the plant is coming from Russian forces. The potential for a life-threatening release of radiation has been a concern since Russian troops invaded Ukraine last year and seized the plant, Europes largest nuclear power station. The head of the U.N.s atomic energy agency spent months trying to negotiate the establishment of a safety perimeter to protect the facility as nearby areas came under repeated shelling, but he has been unsuccessful. The International Atomic Energy Agency noted Thursday that the military situation has become increasingly tense amid a Ukrainian counteroffensive that began this month in Zaporizhzhia province, where the namesake plant is located, and in an adjacent part of Donetsk province. FILE PHOTO: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks to the media at the Chancellery in Berlin KYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy ordered the creation of a special commission on Friday to carry out an audit of heads of military draft offices in regions across Ukraine. After meeting his top military commanders, Zelenskiy said the commission would be headed by General Oleksandr Pavliuk, who is first deputy defence minister. The decision follows Ukrainian media reports of corruption allegations against the head of a draft office. Zelenskiy said he had ordered the urgent dismissal of the head of a draft office whose family was reported by the Ukrainska Pravda media outlet to own property and cars worth millions of dollars in Spain. "I gave an urgent order to create a commission... and together with law enforcement units and the National Agency for Corruption Prevention to check all the heads of military draft offices in all regions of Ukraine so that they do not disgrace our state and the memory of heroes who die at the front," Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app. In his statement, he also said he discussed the situation on the front lines, weapons supplies and the pace of production of Ukrainian defence companies. (Reporting by Olena Harmash, Editing by Timothy Heritage and Tom Balmforth) Ukrainian Air Force intercepts 13 Russian missiles in 24 hours, most over Khmelnytskyi Oblast Ukrainian air defense forces shot down 13 cruise missiles launched by Russia on the night of June 23 The Ukrainian Air Force successfully destroyed all 13 cruise missiles launched by Russia overnight on June 23, with the majority of them being intercepted over western Ukraines Khmelnytskyi Oblast, a spokesperson said on June 23. The Russian missiles, specifically Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles, were launched around midnight by Tu-95MS bombers flying over the Caspian Sea. Read also: Russians attack Nikopol and Kupyansk, Shahed UAV downed over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast "A military airfield in Khmelnytskyi Oblast was the intended target of this attack," the spokesperson said. The air force also said it had shot down an unidentified Russian reconnaissance drone. Earlier in the day on June 22, Russia launched three Kh-22 missiles, three Kh-47 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles, and four Shahed-136/131 attack drones against Ukraine. Read also: Ukraine in talks on getting long-range missiles from several countries FM Kuleba The missiles failed to reach their targets, however, and air defense forces successfully destroyed three out of the four drones. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Ukrainian military storm Russian positions near Krasnohorivka, occupied since 2014 video The Ukrainian army is currently engaged in storming Russian positions southeast of the town of Krasnohorivka in Donetsk Oblast in an area that has been under Russian occupation since 2014, a military spokesperson tweeted on June 22. According to the tweet, the Ukrainian 79th Air Assault Brigade's paratroopers are leading the assault on the Russian positions. A video capturing the operation was published the day before. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry stated on June 23 that the Ukrainian military was continuing to actively carry out offensive operations. Ukrainian soldiers successfully halted the enemy's advances in the Kupyansk and Lyman areas in the Donbas in eastern Ukraine, while making significant progress on the southern front. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an interview with the BBC on June 21, acknowledged that battlefield progress has been slower than desired. However, he said the Ukrainian army would continue advancing on the battlefield according to its own strategic considerations. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar confirmed on June 15 that the offensive is ongoing in multiple directions, with the army steadily advancing and inflicting substantial losses on the enemy. Screenshot/Deepstate 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 The 10-truck UN aid convoy crosses into Syria's rebel-held Al-Nayrab, headed for storage facilities near the Turkish border (OMAR HAJ KADOUR) United Nations aid transited Friday from regime-controlled northwest Syria to rebel-held areas for the first time since a devastating February earthquake, an AFP correspondent and a humanitarian official said. The correspondent saw the 10-truck convoy reach rebel-held Al-Nayrab in Idlib province from the direction of regime-held Saraqib, headed for storage facilities near the Turkish border. The last such convoy was in January, according to a humanitarian official in Idlib who requested anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media. The trucks were covered with banners bearing the name and logo of the UN World Food Programme, the correspondent said. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Twitter the "cross-line convoy is underway, carrying UN humanitarian supplies" to northwest Syria. A February 6 earthquake devastated parts of Turkey and Syria, including areas of the war-torn country's Idlib region that are controlled by jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Around three million of people, most of whom have been displaced by Syria's war, live in HTS-controlled parts of the Idlib region. On February 10, President Bashar al-Assad's regime said it had approved the delivery of humanitarian aid directly from government-held territory to rebel areas, but HTS head Abu Mohammed al-Jolani refused assistance through such a route. The UN largely delivers relief to Syria's northwest via neighbouring Turkey through the Bab al-Hawa crossing -- the only way for aid to enter without Damascus's involvement. The number of UN-approved crossings has shrunk from four in 2014 after years of pressure from regime allies China and Russia at the UN Security Council. The UN chief said on February 13 that Assad had agreed to open the Bab al-Salama and Al-Rai crossings from Turkey to allow aid to enter rebel-held areas for an initial period of three months. Syria in May extended access for those two crossings, which are operated by Turkish-backed rebels, for another three months, OCHA said at the time. Syria's war has killed more than half a million people and displaced millions since erupting in 2011 with a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests. Despite periodic exchanges of deadly fire, including in recent days, a ceasefire deal brokered by Moscow and Ankara has largely held in the northwest since March 2020. str-rh/lg/ami One-horned rain-animal from a site near Indwe in the Eastern Cape province. Image courtesy David M. Witelson 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 Scotlands national animal. The unicorns prominence in European culture spread across the globe with colonisation. In southern Africa, colonial European ideas encountered older indigenous beliefs about one-horned creatures. Ive highlighted this in a recent research article about some of the regions 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). Hed 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 whats now the Eastern Cape province, he found and copied an image of a unicorn (Figure 1). 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 dont 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 cant 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. Tongues colleague and co-worker, Dorothea Bleek, compared Stows and Tongues 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=kasso 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 (Bleeks aunt) and translated into English. The girl in |Han=kassos 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 creatures 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. 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. 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: David M. Witelson, University of the Witwatersrand. Read more: 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. Ihor Klymenko, the Minister of Internal Affairs, has said that the Unified Register of Weapons became operational in Ukraine starting from 23 June. Source: Klymenko on Telegram Quote from Klymenko: "Today, 23 June. This is one of the important deadlines that I publicly set for myself and for the entire team of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. And we did it: the Unified Register of Weapons is fully operational from now on." Details: According to Klymenko, the main advantages of introducing the Unified Register of Weapons are that citizens will be able to easily receive information about their registered weapons. The procedure for obtaining permits for weapons will also be simplified. The Minister reported that the Unified Register of Weapons provides for the creation of Electronic Cabinets. So Ukrainians will be able to use the service without leaving their homes and without the need to visit the National Police of Ukraine, merely by submitting documents through the Citizens' One-stop Shop or at a weapons store. Additionally, the Ministry of Internal Affairs created a Unified Register of Weapons contact centre (phone number 044-33-44-035) and a Unified Weapons Register chatbot on Telegram, @arms_mvs_bot, where Ukrainians can get answers to any questions about the new regulations. "We are confidently moving towards the implementation of all planned security projects. There will be more," Klymenko concluded. Background: On 16 June, Ukraines Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that it had simplified the procedure for obtaining a weapon permit everything can be done without leaving home now. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Tired of getting some form in the mail from Washington about health insurance and wonder what it is? The Paperwork Burden Reduction Act is aimed at stopping unnecessary mailings, which now go to an estimated 154 million people. The measure, passed easily by the House, would make the health care form available only to those who request it. The Senate will now consider the legislation. Not only is the bill aimed at reducing the amount of paper that comes into peoples homes and businesses, but its the rare chance for a bitterly divided Congress to agree on something. The one thing we can all agree on is that we need to reduce unnecessary burdens on taxpayers and small businesses, said Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Paso Robles, one of the legislations major sponsors. He was motivated after hearing concerns from constituents in his district, which includes part of San Luis Obispo County. The issue involves forms the federal government has required employers to mail to employees detailing their health care coverage each year. Not only is the paper an anomaly in this digital age, when the Internal Revenue Service is encouraging people to file their tax returns electronically, lawmakers and the Biden administration believe its largely unnecessary. Form without function? The form was designed to show compliance with the Obamacare law that mandated that most people get health insurance coverage or pay a fine. But the mandate was eliminated in 2019. Still, most taxpayers have been receiving in the mail a form that not only details their health coverage, but also helps establish whether theyre eligible for a tax credit on the premiums they pay The credit is available to some people who do not use employer-provided coverage, finding it unaffordable. They can then buy other policies and then seek a tax credit on their return. The only serious questions about the legislation came from Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass. He said he was concerned that the bill did not address the confusion many consumers may find when they try to buy their own health insurance coverage. These forms do not sufficiently or clearly describe whether an employers health insurance offer is affordable, and particularly important for low-income workers, whether they can access potentially more affordable subsidized marketplace coverage, Neal said. If people dont understand their options, he said, they may incorrectly choose coverage that has higher out-of-pocket costs. The bill, though, won House approval by voice vote, as it fills both political and practical needs. The political benefit is that lawmakers can boast they helped cut red tape. Not only are small businesses struggling because of high prices, but Washington mandates are forcing small businesses to waste precious time processing paperwork instead of serving their workers and customers, said Rep. Jason Smith, R-Missouri, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. If people need the forms, said Panetta, they can still request them rather than mandating it and wasting time, wasting money and wasting paper. The bill also allows Washington to take a small step into the 21st century way of doing things. Now more than ever, Americans fill out their tax returns online, said Smith. There is no reason American workers should not be able to access this health insurance tax form online as well.. Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, at a White House state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Anna Moneymaker) US Attorney General Merrick Garland on Friday denied allegations that the Justice Department interfered with an investigation of President Joe Biden's son, Hunter. Prosecutors announced earlier this week that Hunter Biden had reached a plea deal on minor tax and gun charges with the US Attorney in his home state of Delaware. Hunter Biden is due to appear in court on July 26 after agreeing to plead guilty to two federal tax charges and admitting to illegally possessing a gun despite having a history of drug use. A whistleblower from the Internal Revenue Service alleged in testimony before the Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee released this week that the Justice Department headed by Garland had slowed the probe into Hunter Biden. Garland, in remarks to reporters on Friday, noted that the US Attorney in Delaware, David Weiss, had been appointed by former president Donald Trump, a Republican. Garland said he personally had given Weiss the authority to continue his investigation into Hunter Biden and "prosecute any way in which he wanted to." "I don't know how it would be possible for anybody to block him from bringing a prosecution given that he has this authority," the attorney general said. "He was given complete authority to make all decisions on his own." Hunter Biden, 53, is the only surviving child of Joe Biden's first marriage, which ended tragically in 1972 when his wife and baby daughter were killed in a car accident. Hunter Biden's business dealings, especially during the time his father was vice president, have been a major target of Joe Biden's political opponents, and continue to be probed by congressional Republicans. Hunter Biden became a regular focus of Trump's attacks ahead of the November 2020 presidential election for his work in Ukraine and China. In his memoir, "Beautiful Things," Hunter Biden insisted he has never done anything unethical and dismissed allegations that he displayed a lack of judgment by accepting a lucrative position on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma while his father was Barack Obama's vice president. - State dinner - Under the plea agreement, Hunter Biden is unlikely to face prison time but will be sentenced to probation. According to the charges, Hunter Biden, a Yale-trained lawyer and lobbyist, failed to file his tax returns on time on earnings of more than $1.5 million for 2017 and 2018. In both years he owed more than $100,000 in taxes on those earnings. Hunter Biden is also facing one count of "possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance." Hunter Biden has admitted having drug problems in the past and detailed his struggles with crack cocaine in his 2021 memoir, released months after his father took office. Hunter Biden and his wife attended a state dinner at the White House on Thursday for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asked about his attendance at the event, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said "it is not uncommon for family members to attend events at the White House." cl/acb Anna Zargarian joined a lawsuit in Texas after she was forced to fly to Colorado to get an abortion (SUZANNE CORDEIRO) The historic US Supreme Court about-face on abortion a year ago has created a nightmare for women seeking the procedure, a legal morass for the courts and a challenge for the Republican Party. On June 24, 2022, a court reshaped by Republican president Donald Trump overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion and left it up to each state to decide. That same day, several conservative states moved to ban the procedure, forcing clinics to hastily shut down or move to places where they could still operate. Since then, the United States is divided. Some 20 states, mostly in the south and Midwest, have prohibited abortion outright or severely restricted access while others, mainly on the coasts, have moved to protect it. The nationwide impact, in terms of sheer numbers, remains limited. According to a study by the Society of Family Planning, the average number of monthly abortions nationwide between July 2022 and March 2023 was 79,031, 3.3 percent fewer than in April and May 2022, when an average of 81,730 abortions a month were performed. "Many people are still getting the abortions that they need," said Ushma Upadhyay, a public health social scientist at the University of California, San Francisco, and a co-author of the study. "It's just that they have to face great challenges to be able to get those abortions," Upadhyay told AFP. The closure of abortion clinics in about a dozen states has forced tens of thousands of women to travel elsewhere to terminate a pregnancy. Beyond the financial burden, getting days off from work or explaining an absence to one's family is not always easy. Logistical problems can delay the procedure further into a pregnancy, having a psychological impact, not to mention health risks. - 'Russian roulette' - Anna Zargarian, a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed in Texas, recounted her harrowing experience after her water broke at 19 weeks, far too early for the fetus to survive. She was forced to fly to Colorado for an abortion since doctors in Texas would not perform one, a trip she described as "terrifying." "It was like Russian roulette, knowing I was at risk of infection, hemorrhaging or going into labor at any moment," Zargarian said. During the early days of a pregnancy, many women in the United States use the abortion pill but it is illegal in several states and women who acquire it over the internet or through a network of volunteers run the risk of being prosecuted. Upadhyay said it is women "who are the poorest of the poor," mostly African Americans and Hispanics, who are being forced to carry pregnancies to term. "It's disproportionately people of color who are impacted," she said. The long-term outlook is uncertain. Over the past year, a number of private groups have mobilized to help women obtain abortions but "one or two years down the line these private efforts are going to get exhausted," Upadhyay said. "It's not sustainable." The legal landscape is equally uncertain. Every state restriction imposed on abortion is being challenged in the courts and the legal battle is ongoing in heavily populated states such as Georgia and South Carolina. - Abortion pill - One of the biggest unknowns is the fate of the abortion pill, which is used for more than half of the abortions in the United States. In April, a federal judge in Texas banned the widely used drug mifepristone (RU 486), which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2000 and has been used since then by more than five million women. Mifepristone is one component of a two-drug regimen that can be used through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. The judge's decision was put on hold by the US Supreme Court but a conservative lower court currently considering the case could uphold his ruling. The battle is also ongoing in the political arena. President Joe Biden, a devout Catholic who supports abortion rights, and other Democrats have made defending the procedure one of their priorities and it seems to have paid dividends in the 2022 midterm elections. Democratic candidates performed better than expected in the midterms and referendum proposals that would have effectively banned abortion in the conservative states of Kansas and Kentucky were soundly defeated. Republican candidates have been forced to perform a delicate balancing act, satisfying the fiercely anti-abortion religious right, a key base of support, while not alienating more moderate voters. Anti-abortion groups such as SBA Pro-Life have said they will only support a presidential candidate in 2024 who pledges to enact a nationwide abortion ban. The Republican frontrunner, Trump, who frequently boasts about naming the three Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, has yet to give that commitment. chp/cl/acb According to Guo Sheng, CEO of Zhaopin, one of the largest online recruiting platforms in the nation, women with humanities degrees from lesser-known universities are among three kinds of job searchers having the hardest time obtaining employment in China amid record-high young unemployment. The situation is most "painful" for female jobseekers who graduated with non-STEM degrees from institutions outside the government's "985" and "211" projects, a list that includes prestigious names like Tsinghua and Peking, according to Guo, who works for a Beijing-based internet recruiter, reported by South China Morning Post. Youth Unemployment in China Worsens Youth unemployment rates in China are at their worst levels in decades, which complicates Beijing's efforts to recover from the pandemic. Since 2020, the unemployment rate for those between the ages of 16 and 24 has been steadily rising. Over the past two months, it has reached new highs, rising from 20.4 percent in April to 20.8 percent in May. The worst is still to come, according to economists, as a record 11.58 million university graduates are projected to leave campus in July and August, which will cause the rate to increase even more. (Photo: by -/CNS/AFP via Getty Images) This photo, taken on June 14, 2023, shows university graduates and youths attending a job fair in Yibin, in China's southwestern Sichuan province. Unemployment among Chinese youths jumped to a record 20.8 percent in May, the National Bureau of Statistics said on June 15, 2023, as the economy's post-Covid growth spurt fades. Young individuals from low-income families and workers over 35, particularly those who are the only breadwinners and have mortgages and children who attend expensive schools, are two other groups that Guo claims are struggling the most in the present employment market. The process has proven difficult despite Zhaopin's efforts to match these people with the appropriate openings, even going so far as to urge them to transfer industries, partly because employers are "picky," Guo said. According to a report released last month by the state-backed China Academy of Labour and Social Security (CALSS), an increasing number of members of China's younger generation are using online job-search platforms run by tech giants like Tencent Holdings, the owner of WeChat, and ByteDance, the owner of TikTok. These jobs include part-time vlogging, content writing, and running an online store. According to the report, WeChat, for example, contributed to the creation of more than 50 million job chances last year. It also stated that more than 60% of the part-time workers on digital platforms who were questioned expressed interest in transitioning to full-time positions in their chosen professions. Read also: US Companies Adds 311,000 Jobs; Unemployment Rate Increases to 3.6% Unemployed Youth in China China's youth unemployment rate has reached a record high. This is a major challenge for the Chinese government, as young people are a key demographic for economic growth. There are a number of factors that have contributed to the rise in youth unemployment in China. One factor is the economic slowdown that has been underway since 2020. The Chinese economy has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and this has led to a decline in demand for labor. Another factor is the mismatch between the skills of young people and the jobs that are available. China's education system has traditionally focused on academic achievement, but the jobs market is increasingly demanding skills in areas such as technology and innovation. This mismatch has left many young people without the skills they need to find work. The rise in youth unemployment is also having a disproportionate impact on women and poor students. Female humanities graduates are among China's least successful job seekers, and poor students are more likely to be unemployed than their wealthier peers. The Chinese government is aware of the challenge of youth unemployment, and it has taken a number of steps to address the problem. These include providing more vocational training, creating more jobs in the service sector, and easing restrictions on foreign investment. Related article: China - Solomon Islands Security Deal: Foreign Minister Claims US, Allies' Concern Is Manipulative, Untrue @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Bloomberg) -- Senior US and European Union officials will gather over the weekend with diplomats from several countries in the so-called global south in an effort to engage key nations that have remained mostly neutral in the face of Russias war in Ukraine. Most Read from Bloomberg The meeting, which will take place in Denmark, is expected to include envoys from South Africa, Brazil and India, as well as US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyens chief of staff and a senior Ukrainian official, according to people familiar with the matter. China has yet to confirm whether it will attend and the full list of participants hasnt been finalized, one of the people said. Brazil will be represented by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas chief diplomatic adviser, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private. Although the meeting, which was first reported by the Financial Times, is not expected to have a formal agenda, one of the main aims of the gathering will be to discuss Volodymyr Zelenskiys peace formula and the Ukrainian presidents effort to hold a global summit on the proposals, one of the people said. Several other nations including South Africa, Brazil and China have also in recent weeks pitched their own proposals and diplomatic efforts to settle the war. The meeting in Denmark comes as Ukraines counteroffensive to take back occupied territory has made slow initial progress, with Russian defensive lines stuck in and Kyiv mainly focused on testing those lines while targeting Russias artillery and other supplies. Zelenskiys 10-point formula calls for restoring safety around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which Russia occupies and the Ukrainian president has warned Moscow could sabotage. The plan also stipulates that Russian troops need to withdrawal from Ukraine, release all war prisoners and deportees and ensure food and energy security. Kyiv has been pushing to hold a global meeting on the proposed points but key allies have been reluctant to set a firm date without broader buy-in from other countries, the people said. Engagement with the global south was a key goal of a Group of Seven summit that took place in Japan in May, where Zelenskiy also met with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Still, India and other countries in the BRICS grouping which includes Brazil, China, South Africa as well as Russia have not joined EU and US sanctions against Moscow. Some have provided President Vladimir Putin with varying levels of support and stayed mostly neutral. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Fighting overdoses: Staff at St. Ann's Corner of Harm Reduction in New York prepare overdose prevention kits (ANGELA WEISS) The US government has charged four Chinese companies and eight Chinese individuals with trafficking in chemicals used in manufacturing fentanyl, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Friday. Two of the eight have been arrested as the US Justice Department intensifies its crackdown on the synthetic opioid responsible for hundreds of thousands of overdose deaths in the past decade. It was the first time the United States has charged Chinese companies for trafficking fentanyl precursor chemicals inside the United States, rather than shipping them to Mexico, the origin of most of the fentanyl found in the country. The announcement came just days after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing, where he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. "These companies and their employees knowingly conspired to manufacture deadly fentanyl for distribution in the United States," Garland said. "Just one of these China-based chemical companies shipped more than 200 kilograms of fentanyl-related precursor chemicals to the US for the purpose of making 50 kilograms of fentanyl, a quantity that could contain enough deadly doses of fentanyl to kill 25 million Americans," said Garland. Charged in three separate cases filed in federal court in New York were Hubei Amarvel Biotech, Anhui Rencheng Technology, Anhui Moker New Material Technology and Hefei GSK Trade. The eight individuals charged included executives and employees of the four companies. The two people arrested, both employees of Hubei Amarvel, were taken into custody by US officials and held in Honolulu, Hawaii after they were expelled from Fiji on June 8. Although Mexico has been the main source of fentanyl sold in the United States, Washington has increasingly focused its attention on the Mexicans' suppliers in China. - Pressuring Beijing - Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more powerful than heroin and much easier and cheaper to produce. It has largely replaced heroin and prescription opioids like oxycodone as a cause of overdoses. According to the US Centers for Disease Control, 110,000 Americans died from overdoses last year. Fentanyl has become the leading cause of death for Americans between 18 and 49 years old. In Indiana on Friday US officials announced charges against 19 people involved in trafficking fentanyl. Over the past year the US Treasury has imposed sanctions on several Chinese chemical companies and individuals for supplying fentanyl ingredients to Mexican drug producers and traffickers. "The two drug cartels that are responsible for the influx of fentanyl into the United States, the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels, work with chemical companies based in the People's Republic of China to get their raw materials," said US Drug Enforcement Agency Administrator Anne Milgram. The issue has become an important one in the tense relations between Washington and Beijing, and Blinken raised during his visit to China. Before Blinken's trip, US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns said Beijing was not doing enough on the problem. "We have been pushing very hard that the government of China use its considerable power to shut down the ability of these black-market Chinese firms to sell the fentanyl," Burns said. - Helping with recipes - The indictments unveiled Friday said the Chinese companies and their employees were consciously selling their chemicals for fentanyl production, helping with recipes for the drug and offering newly refined chemicals that would help boost production of the opioid. One of the companies, Hubei Amarvel, openly boasted on its website of selling fentanyl chemicals to the United States and Mexico, one of the indictments said. Hubei Amarvel also offered documentation on its website showing it shipped chemicals to Culiacan, the base of the Sinaloa Cartel, it said. Blinken, the top US diplomat, announced Friday plans to host a virtual international conference on the threat of synthetic drugs on July 7. "The United States has been the canary in the coalmine when it comes to synthetic opioids," he said in a statement. "But we see this problem spreading, including especially in our own hemisphere." pmh/bgs US Navy detected Titan sub implosion with top secret acoustic system day vessel went missing US Navy detected Titan sub implosion with top secret acoustic system day vessel went missing The U.S. Navy detected what it suspected may have been an implosion within hours of the Titan submersible descending into the ocean to visit the Titanic wreckage. A U.S. defense official said the Navy began listening for the Titan immediately after the vessel lost communication with the mother ship, approximately an hour and 45 minutes into its mission Sunday morning. This file image provided by OceanGate shows the Titan submersible being launched from a platform. The official said the Navys top secret acoustic detection system picked sounds that were consistent with either an explosion or an implosion near where the Titan was found on Thursday. The Navy passed on that information to the Coast Guard which continued its search because the Navy did not consider the data to be definitive. "While not definitive, this information was immediately shared with the Incident Commander to assist with the ongoing search and rescue mission," the official said in a statement to Fox News Digital. CALIFORNIA NAVY SAILORS INJURED IN WATERCRAFT ACCIDENT AT NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "If these reports are accurate, the acoustic data point is useful in light of the confirmation that we received today, but would not have been sufficient to suspend the search and rescue effort, only to possibly refine the search area," said retired Vice Admiral Robert Murrett, a professor of practice at Syracuse Universitys Maxwell School and deputy director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed earlier Thursday that a debris field found earlier in the day was the missing Titan submersible. U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger told reporters that the debris was consistent with the "catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber." This file image provided by OceanGate shows the Titan submersible being towed in the Bahamas. "On behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families," he said. The Titan lost contact with its surface vessel, the Polar Prince, around one hour and 45 minutes into its dive Sunday morning, about 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and around 400 miles southeast of St John's, in Canada's Newfoundland. Inside the vessel were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush; British businessman turned adventurer 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. Fox News Michael Ruiz contributed to this report. US Senate proposes that radioactive contamination of NATO territory caused by Russia be considered as attack on Alliance The US Senate has introduced a resolution which proposes that the actions of Russia, Belarus "or proxy of Russia" be considered as an attack on NATO, if their actions lead to radioactive contamination of the allies' territory. Source: resolution introduced by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal, as reported by European Pravda Details: They note that they were prompted to introduce the resolution by Russia's announced placement of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Senators noted that this is the first precedent since the collapse of the USSR that Russia has moved its nuclear weapons beyond its own borders, and it is a serious threat to global security amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. It is also clear from the text that the second reason is the unpredictable situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which is under the control of the Russian occupying forces. Graham and Blumenthal proposed that any use of tactical nuclear weapons by the Russian Federation, Belarus "or proxy of Russia", or the nuclear facility destruction, which will lead to the entry of radioactive elements into the territory of NATO member countries and cause serious damage, should be considered an attack on Alliance and the reason for the use of Article 5. "The threat of a use of a nuclear device by Russia is real. And the best way to deter it is to give them clarity, the Russians, as to what happens if they do that. And our message is to those around Putin. That if you do this, if you follow his orders if he ever gives this, you can expect a massive response from NATO. And you will be at war with NATO," Graham said. "This resolution [...] is meant to send a message to Vladimir Putin and even more directly to his military, they will be destroyed, they will be eviscerated if they use tactical nuclear weapons, or if they destroy a nuclear plant in a way that threatens surrounding NATO nations. [...] His (Putin's) military risks total obliteration by NATO forces, if they are so reckless and irrational as to resort to tactical nuclear weapons," Senator Blumenthal said. The senators suggested that the Biden administration conduct appropriate consultations with the leaders of other allied countries and European partners and consider actions to minimise the threat to the civilian population and prepare a diplomatic and military response, "commensurate with the situation". Background: On Friday, 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. The US president called these statements "absolutely irresponsible". But he has also said that the threat of Russian President Vladimir Putin using tactical nuclear weapons is "real". President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that, according to intelligence information, Russia is probably preparing to commit a terrorist attack at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which could lead to a radiation leak. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the international community to react to this information. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! US senators seek resolution to consider spread of radioactive waste by Russia as attack on NATO U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal on June 22 proposed a resolution to consider any potential nuclear or radioactive attack by Russia as an attack against NATO, given that radioactive waste spreads to NATO countries. (The resolution) views the use of any tactical nuclear weapon by the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, or their proxies, or the destruction of a nuclear facility, dispersing radioactive contaminates into NATO territory causing significant harm to human life as an attack on NATO requiring an immediate response, including the implementation of Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty, Graham tweeted. Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty states that a military attack on one member state is an attack on the entire alliance and warrants a joint NATO response, including through military force. The two lawmakers also argue that Russias announced deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus is a threat to Ukraine and NATO member states. Gro Harlem Brundtland: Pulling nuclear powers back from the brink Russias invasion of Ukraine has elevated global nuclear tensions to a level not seen since the height of the Cold War. Absent any signs of responsible leadership from Russian President Vladimir Putin, it is incumbent on the leaders of other nuclear-armed countries to take practical and promp The Kyiv IndependentGro Harlem Brundtland The resolution proposes consultation between U.S. President Joe Biden's administration, NATO leaders, and other European partners to develop a strategy for minimizing threats to civilians and coordinate an appropriate diplomatic and military response to a potential attack. According to Newsweek, Russias Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov responded that the proposal threatens to push the two countries into a nuclear exchange. On June 16, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin claimed that the first batch of tactical nuclear weapons arrived in Belarus. Ukraines military intelligence contested this statement, saying that Moscow has not yet delivered a single nuclear warhead. On June 22, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that, based on intelligence reports, the Kremlin is considering a terrorist attack at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant by deliberately leaking radiation. The president noted that, due to the unpredictable nature of radioactive fallout, such an act could affect the territory of NATO members. The logo for Coinbase Global Inc is displayed on the Nasdaq MarketSite jumbotron and others at Times Square in New York By Andrew Chung and John Kruzel WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday backed cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase Global Inc's bid to halt customer lawsuits while it pursues appeals aimed at moving the disputes out of courts and into private arbitration, which businesses often prefer over litigation. The justices, in a 5-4 decision, overturned a lower court's ruling involving a user who sued after a scammer stole money from his account. The lower court had let a proposed class action lawsuit proceed while Coinbase pressed its appeal contending that the claims belong in arbitration. The justices dismissed a second case that Coinbase had asked it to review. Companies generally prefer to arbitrate claims because the process is cheaper and faster than litigation in court, which can be harder to fight and carries a greater risk of hefty damages awards. Coinbase's exchange allows users to transact in digital currencies such as bitcoin and ether. The company asserts that its user agreement requires disputes to be resolved through arbitration and that under a law called the Federal Arbitration Act, which governs dispute resolution proceedings through arbitration, action in trial courts must come to a halt when a denial of a request to compel arbitration is appealed. Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh, joined by four fellow conservatives, wrote the ruling. Kavanaugh cautioned about the risk of allowing trial courts to proceed while the arbitration question plays out on appeal, saying such a scenario could cause the benefits of arbitration such as efficiency and cost savings to be "irretrievably lost - even if the court of appeals later concluded that the case actually had belonged in arbitration all along." The court's three liberal justices and conservative Justice Clarence Thomas dissented. Liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in the dissenting opinion said the ruling invented a new rule "perpetually favoring" the party seeking arbitration. "Now, any defendant that devises a non-frivolous argument for arbitration can not only appeal, but also press pause on the case - leaving plaintiffs to suffer harm, lose evidence and bleed dry their patience and funding in the meantime," Jackson wrote. Katherine Minarik, Coinbase's vice president for litigation, welcomed the ruling. Minarik said the decision "recognizes that companies like Coinbase, as well as our customers, bear significant burdens when cases that belong in an arbitration process instead proceed in lengthy and expensive court proceedings. It makes sense that lower court litigation should be paused while an appellate court decides whether a case belongs in court at all." One of the cases involved a California lawsuit by customer Abraham Bielski, who alleged that a scammer stole more than $30,000 from his Coinbase account in 2021. The suit accused the company of violating the Electronic Funds Transfer Act by not investigating or recrediting Bielski's account. In the other suit that the court dismissed on Friday, former users accused the company of violating California's false advertising law by duping them into paying to participate in a 2021 sweepstakes that offered prizes in dogecoin, a type of cryptocurrency. In both cases, federal judges had refused to force the claims into arbitration, as the company argued the user agreements required. While Coinbase immediately appealed those decisions, the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022 refused the company's requests to put further litigation on hold pending those appeals. (Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York and John Kruzel in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham) Ukrainian air defense intercepts a Shahed drone mid-air in the third Russia aerial attack on the capital in the last 24 hours in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) UNITED NATIONS (AP) The United States, Britain and France demanded Friday that the United Nations urgently investigate Russias reported use of hundreds of Iranian-provided drones in the war in Ukraine, which would violate U.N. sanctions. But its unclear whether the U.N. will do so in the face of strong opposition from Russia. Russia denies using the Iranian drones, despite widespread evidence that they have been used to attack Ukrainian cities. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield noted that the U.S. this month released further information documenting Iran's provision of hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles, known as UAVs or drones, as well as equipment that can be used in their production. Ukraine and the U.K. also submitted evidence to the United Nations of Iranian drones recovered by the Ukrainian military, she said. This is a matter of life or death for the Ukrainian people, the U.S. ambassador told the U.N. Security Council after delivering the statement calling for an investigation, which also was signed by Albania and Ukraine. The five countries accused Russia of violating the Security Council resolution endorsing the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers, not only by procuring hundreds of Mohajer and Shahed drones by also by working with Iran to produce drones inside Russia. The 2015 resolution prohibits all countries from transferring such weapons from Iran without advance Security Council approval, which was not given, the statement said. Russia has been using these UAVs in recent weeks to strike Kyiv, destroy Ukrainian infrastructure, and kill and terrorize Ukrainian civilians, the U.S. and its allies said. The United Nations must respond to growing calls from the international community to investigate these violations. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the U.N. Secretariat, which is headed by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, is still analyzing information it received regarding the alleged transfer of un-crewed aerial vehicles by Iran in a manner inconsistent with the 2015 resolution. He said a report expected soon from Guterres will be discussed this month by experts on the committee monitoring implementation of the resolution, and by the 15-member Security Council in July. Russia is one of five permanent members with veto power. Thomas-Greenfield told reporters the resolution gives the secretary-general a mandate to open an investigation. Haq gave no indication of whether Guterres would do so. Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council that Ukraine has not given Russia or Iran an iota of credible evidence about the use of Iranian drones. We hope that the secretary-general has sufficient wisdom not to be misled by our former Western partners, Nebenzia said. US vice president announces more than $100M to help Caribbean during official visit to Bahamas U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, center, poses for an official group photo with leaders attending the US - Caribbean Leaders meeting, at the Atlantis Conference Center in Nassau, Bahamas, Thursday, June 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Kristaan Ingraham) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced Thursday that the U.S. is investing more than $100 million in the Caribbean region to crack down on weapons trafficking, help alleviate Haitis humanitarian crisis and support climate change initiatives. The announcement was made ahead of an official trip to the Bahamas for a meeting of Caribbean and U.S. leaders hosted by Harris and Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis. Harris, who is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the Bahamas since it became independent 50 years ago, landed shortly after noon for the one-day visit. Dozens of greeters including school children and members of her sorority greeted Harris as the Royal Bahamas Police Force band dressed in black, red and white uniform played. During a meeting with leaders, Harris said that strengthening the U.S.-Caribbean relationship is a priority for her. Our partnership, we strongly believe, is essential to our mutual security and prosperity, she said. As part of the initiatives, the U.S. Justice Department expects to appoint a coordinator to oversee cases involving illegal weapons smuggling in the Caribbean as island nations report a rise in violent crimes. In addition, the State Department vowed to help improve forensic work in the region, help strengthen local police departments and support a unit based in Trinidad and Tobago aimed at helping islands solve gun-related cases and provide training for the collection and analysis of related intelligence. The U.S., with help from the U.K., also will establish a program in the eastern Caribbean to mentor local judges and prosecutors in a bid to improve prosecutions of gun-related crimes as island nations struggle with a backlog of cases. The State Department also expects to work with Haitis National Police, a severely underfunded and understaffed agency struggling to quell a surge in gang violence, to help investigate and prosecute crimes with U.S. ties that involve gangs, weapons smuggling and human trafficking. That initiative is considered key given that gangs are estimated to control up to 80% of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince as killings and kidnappings soar across the metropolitan area and beyond. U.S. senior administration officials said the worsening security situation requires an international response, and that the U.S. strongly supports the deployment of a multinational force to Haiti. In October, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry requested the immediate deployment of a foreign armed force, but the U.N. Security Council, along with the U.S. and Canada, have yet to respond. Henry, along with other leaders of Caribbean nations, is expected to attend Thursday's meeting with Harris. U.S senior administration officials said discussion are ongoing, and that any decision about military force would be done in consultation with the U.N. and Haiti's government. Harris announced that the U.S. Agency for International Development will invest nearly $54 million in Haiti to help fight a sharp rise in starvation and provide access to potable water and healthcare. Almost half of Haitis more than 11 million people are facing acute food insecurity, and 19,000 are in catastrophic famine conditions. Another $10.5 million will go toward supporting Haitis agricultural sector as poverty deepens, with some 60% of the population earning less than $2 a day. The announcement was cheered by Faith in Action International, a California-based organization that helps grassroots groups worldwide. Haitian farmers are the backbone of fighting hunger in Haiti, and they desperately need critical inputs of seeds, irrigation, tools, and support from agronomists to adapt to drought, said Francois Pierre-Louis, Faith in Actions Haiti director. USAID also expects to invest $20 million to help Caribbean businesses that use technologies related to renewable energy and energy efficiency. Another nearly $15 million will be used to boost emergency response and preparedness across the region. Additional funds will help low-lying island nations whose economies largely depend on tourism prepare and adapt to climate change. Caribbean nations are on the front lines, Harris said. Vanderbilt University stadium VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, UNITED STATES - 2017/07/16: Vanderbilt University stadium. (Photo by John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images) Credit - LightRocket via Getty Images 2017 John Greim Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) confirmed Tuesday that it turned over transgender patients medical records to the Tennessee attorney general as part of an investigation into medical billinga move that stirred controversy and privacy concerns. VUMC offers transgender-related health care for adults and minors in Tennessee and nearby states, where these services are increasingly limited amid polarizing debates and legal clashes over transgender issues across the U.S. Families whose underage children received gender-affirming care at the center felt particularly violated over the record sharing. The scope of how many patients were affected and details about the investigation remain unclear, but the VUMC said it involved patients enrolled in TennCare insurance plans and that it was asked to submit medical records dating back to 2018, according to screenshots circulating from patients who received notice that theyd been affected. 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, VUMCs chief communications officer, told TIME in a statement. VUMC was obligated to comply and did so. More from TIME Much of the backlash on social media against VUMC this week expressed outrage over patient privacy and HIPAA rights, but under federal and state statutes, the medical center is legally required to comply with the attorney generals investigation and hand over patient records. Do we believe that Vanderbilt Medical Center could have fought this and taken a bigger stand? Absolutely. But at the same time, we believe that it would have just prolonged the inevitable because the attorney general unfortunately, has the law on his side, Lance Preston, executive director of the Rainbow Youth Project, a nonprofit that advocates for LQBTQIA+ young people, says. Preston worries that months from now, the investigation might halt, but the attorney generals office would still have a comprehensive list of transgender patientsan idea thats sparking fear, particularly among transgender youth. Growing fears Following the news this week, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmettis chief of staff, Brandon Smith said, We are surprised that VUMC has deliberately chosen to frighten its patients like this. Smith said the attorney general had been investigating potential billing fraud since September and that VUMC began providing patient records in December. Smith emphasized that the investigation was directed toward VUMC and related providers, not patients. Preston says between June 20 and June 21, Rainbow Youth Projects crisis received hundreds of calls from both young people and parents that were frightened over the turning over of VUMCs transgender patient records. Callers were in varying degrees of mental health crisis over the news, including intense fear and suicidal ideation, Preston said. Even though the numbers are high, and its hard for us to handle that call volume, we would much rather see them reaching out than not, Preston says. Rainbow Youth Project had a similar spike in calls last spring after Texas Governor Greg Abbott instructed child welfare agents to investigate child abuse among parents who provided their children gender-affirming care, a move that was later blocked. People dont understand that whether a new bill passes or it gets vetoed, just to talk about it creates fear and crisis, Preston says. Gender-affirming care uses medical procedures like hormone therapy and surgery to help a person transition from their assigned gender at birth to the one they identify as. Access to gender-affirming health care, especially for minors, is somewhat limited throughout the South following a myriad of restrictions over the past year. Nashville, where VUMC is located, is a hub in the region for transgender-related health care. Neighboring states, Arkansas and Kentucky, each currently have under a dozen transgender-affirming providers, according to the Campaign for Southern Equality, a nonprofit. VUMC said it started its Transgender Health Clinic in 2018 to address the heightened risk of mental and physical illness that transgender people face. Prominent medical associations, such as the American Medical Association, have researched and supported gender-affirming care for minors. Last fall, right-wing political commentator Matt Walsh made a series of social media posts condemning VUMCs gender-affirming surgeries for minors and hosted a Rally to End Child Mutilation in Nashville. VUMC stated that it followed standards of care set by the World Professional Association of Transgender Health, but after pressure from Republican lawmakers in September, urging the medical center to cease gender-affirming surgeries on minors, VUMC decided to halt all such surgeries temporarily. VUMC noted that gender-affirming surgeries for minors have been rare at the center, at an average of five per year, and only with patients aged 16 and up. In February, the Tennessee legislature overwhelmingly passed Senate Bill 1, banning gender transition health care for minors, beginning July 1. The Justice Department filed a complaint in late April challenging the bill, but it has yet to move forward. Cultural impact Over the past year, just like the medical center, Vanderbilt University has been embroiled in controversy surrounding transgender issues. The Vanderbilt College Republicans, a student organization, hosted a debate on campus in early April over whether it should be legal for minors to receive gender-affirming care. The debate was preceded by a protest and several other student groups criticized the event, arguing that it was offensive and told transgender students that their existence was up for debate. Induja Kumar, a junior at Vanderbilt studying political science and climate studies, advocates for the university administration to do more to protect queer and transgender students. You can find so many anonymous op-eds by trans students on campus, she says, but publicly, people are really afraid to speak out. She says shes witnessed peers who are vocal about being transgender or queer get doxed and harassed on the internet. Kumar worries that speaking with TIME could have similar consequences for her, but persists to vocalize her concerns. What happens when medical records are turned over to the attorney general in the next investigation? Kumar says, anxious about future privacy breaches against transgender students as well as patients receiving reproductive health services. Abortion is extremely limited in Tennessee. How many students are at risk of having their medical privacy violated, and then being criminalized because of that? Kumar adds. Preston notes that 77 teens who called Rainbow Youth Project over anxiety about the VUMC medical record dissemination reported that they didnt want to receive or continue counseling in Tennessee. Theyre afraid if they go to mental health counseling, and they reveal their gender identity or sexual orientation, thats going to lead to their records being turned over or their families being investigated, Paxton says. Titanic Ralph White / Getty Images A submersible en route to the ruins of the shipwrecked RMS Titanic lost contact with its mother ship and was declared missing with five people aboard. After days of searching, all that was found was debris near the site of the Titanic believed to be the submersible. Following the finding, OceanGate Expeditions, the company responsible for the expedition, declared that all aboard had "sadly been lost." Finding such a vessel is a "very difficult search," according to The New York Times, and sea rescues have been historically rare. How do such vessels get lost, and why are they so difficult to find? How do vessels go missing? Ocean rescues are some of the hardest to be successful because of the number of variables involved in locating a vessel. The ocean is incredibly vast and not static the way land is. In the case of the missing submersible, without any communication or way of tracking its location, the position of the vessel could be anywhere in an area double the size of Connecticut, reported CBS News. The vessel is also only 22 feet long, making spotting very difficult, per the Times. The ocean has always been notoriously difficult to navigate as well as locate debris in. The Titanic wreckage was only discovered over 70 years after the tragedy took place because of how deep in the Atlantic Ocean it was (approximately 13,000 feet) and the lack of technology to navigate such depths. More recently, the remains of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 have yet to be found despite going missing in 2014. The search for the missing submersible has "echoes of the futile search" for the missing flight, according to CNN. "In [the search for] Malaysia Airlines, we heard banging quite often, and it always turned out to be something different," David Gallo, a senior adviser for strategic initiatives for RMS Titanic Inc., told CNN. Most vessels, like the submersible, are small compared to the expansive ocean, making them difficult to spot even when on the surface and even harder when submerged. Also, communication systems are different in water compared to the air because the density of water blocks electromagnetic waves, so GPS systems don't work. Instead, rescuers need to rely on sonar, which uses sound waves. However, Jamie Pringle, a reader in forensic geosciences at Keele University in England, told Forbes that a "specialized" and "very narrow beam" would be needed to locate such a small vessel. Why are vessels so difficult to find and retrieve? Aside from the vast size of the ocean, there are several perils and logistical struggles involved in deep-sea travel. "The only reason organisms can survive at that depth is because they're more or less the same density as the water around them, so they don't get deformed like us air-breathing creatures," Jules Jaffe, a research oceanographer at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, told Scientific American. As we go deeper into the ocean, visibility decreases, temperatures cool, and the water pressure becomes unsuitable for humans. High levels of pressure make it difficult to pull vessels out even if they're found. The deepest successful ocean rescue was only 1,575 feet below the surface, far less than the missing submersible. "Going undersea is as, if not more, challenging than going into space from an engineering perspective," explained Eric Fusil, an associate professor at the University of Adelaide, to Forbes. In addition, "there are very few vessels that can get that deep," Alistair Greig, a professor of marine engineering at University College London, said to Forbes. "If it has gone down to the seabed and can't get back up under its own power, options are very limited." "We have better maps of the moon and Mars than we do of our own planet," Dr. Gene Feldman, an oceanographer emeritus at NASA, told CNN. He added that a "very small percentage of the deep ocean, and even the middle ocean, has been seen by human eyes." Overall, the ocean is a frontier difficult for humans to navigate through, making rescue and recovery operations expensive, difficult and time-consuming. "It's not hard to get stuff down," Jaffe said. "Getting the stuff back is the problem." You may also like The future of 'Doctor Who' 5 theories for why Trump kept boxes of secret documents Alito did not disclose Alaska private jet trip from GOP billionaire with business before Supreme Court Reactions and comments about the OceanGate Titan incident have been observed on social media. Most of the banter was centered around the passengers of the doomed vessel and their apparent wealth, with the reactions to it ranging from statements saying the passengers deserved it to memes that were spread out across platforms. Prior to the news of the submersible's "catastrophic implosion" and the aftermath of the search operation, Los Angeles Times arts and culture writer Jessica Gelt wrote a piece titled "As those aboard the Titan submersible suffered, social media laughed." In the commentary, she noticed the "exploitative [news] coverage of the death and terror unfolding in real time" was exacerbated by the public's desensitized reaction across social media platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram. 'Eat the Rich' Sentiments, Jokes, Memes During that time, as news coverage of the search mission was underway, a number of factors contributed to the topic becoming the subject of acidic social media commentary, dark humor, mockery, and memes, most of it referring to the 1997 film 'Titanic,' directed by James Cameron. Most of them echo the tagline "Eat the rich." "Gleeful best describes the tenor of many posts," Gelt noticed, "which include making fun of the video game controller used to pilot the Titan, laughing at the billionaires inside the submersible, jokes about the effects of lack of oxygen on the human psyche, or substituting fart sounds for the knocking sounds that rescuers apparently heard underwater." She also noticed the untoward attitude of Hamish Harding's stepson, Brian Szasz, who allegedly attended a Blink-182 concert during the search, reasoning that music was helping him through hard times like the Titan incident. Szasz was called out by American rapper Cardi B for what she said was an inappropriate move during that time, and a heated exchange ensued. Gelt saw the exchange and many other social media banter as an "online Mall of America" that was vast, vacuous, relentlessly commercial, and soul-sucking. "Like a digital Tower of Babel, social media is evolving into an increasingly ugly and chaotic space," she wrote. "And in a time of immense crisis...it has become a garbage dump of vile commentary publicly aired because that's just what we do now." Read Also: Debris Discovered Near Titanic Confirmed to Be OceanGate Submersible Titan History Repeating Itself? Gelt's essay also touched on some events in world history which could be similar to the fate of the Titan. First, she noticed news media doing round-the-clock coverage of the search for the Titan, but at the same time, had no similar coverage of migrant boats from Africa tragically sinking off the coast of Greece last week, and as of this writing, the one off the coast of the Spanish Canary Islands. Secondly, she thought the name of the company operating the Titan, OceanGate, was an "unfortunate name" which "intrinsically smacks of scandal." The essay also mentioned its CEO Stockton Rush and his alleged disregard for safety concerns and potentially hazardous conditions on board in order to make a profit. "Finally," Gelt continued, "there's the allure, mystery, and legend of the Titanic itself." Like many journalistic commentaries, she compared the fate of the Titan to the fate of the Titanic, the vessel it was supposedly targeting during that ill-fated expedition. Of particular note in the comparison was the apparent economic inequality in both 1912 and 2023, citing the most recent World Inequality Report. "There is real anger at the wealthy and at the ways they squander their money on vanity projects...while the planet literally burns," Gelt said, making SpaceX's Starship an example. A Call to Calm, Sobriety No matter how the historical background and social implications contextualized the incident, Gelt continued, she believed it was possible to "hold space for both the drowned migrants and the missing billionaires" and to "honor all levels of human suffering and death" in order to maintain whatever was left of human decency. She also provided some examples of how social media could be harnessed for good if people only tried, citing examples like some users tracking marine traffic in the area via satellite and posting their findings or others actively fighting misinformation about the ill-fated sub. Gelt hopes that, no matter the outcome of the search mission, people will not make any kind of tragedy a laughing matter regardless of net value. "But I wonder," she concluded, "as the gap between our brains and our online avatars becomes perilously porous, we seem to have lost contact with the flesh-and-blood-filled vessels that contain our hearts." Calling Out the Vitriol, Schadenfreude Meanwhile, Pennsylvania State University media psychology professor Jessica Myrick suggested the reaction of many social media users to the loss of Titan and its crew could be driven by schadenfreude, a German term that meant the pleasure derived from a disliked person's or group's pain. "We feel it even more strongly when we think the people involved deserved what they got," she added. Other individuals have also expressed their concern about the vitriol the five deceased passengers received because of the Titan disaster. Kentucky-based journalist Bobby Ellison said nothing was funny about the five people who perished in the incident. Meanwhile, a Twitter user with the handle @ChrisLXXXVI said the online discussion surrounding the Titan during the time before the confirmation of its destruction was "an indictment on the vile nature of social media. "I am all for a morbid joke and laughing at tragic events; however, this seems to be particularly nasty because people are directly mocking those currently affected," the user added. C4 Trends technology industry analyst Susan Schreiner told Forbes the jokes were meant to be a representation of the current social atmosphere, of which she was disappointed but not surprised. "People have forgotten how to talk with each other if they are on 'the other side'," she said. The US Coast Guard has confirmed Thursday (June 22) that fragments of the Titan were found near the bow of the Titanic. Rush and Harding, as well as Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Shahzada and Suleman Dawood were presumed dead. Investigations on how the Titan disintegrated are still continuing. Related Article: 'Titanic' Director James Cameron Exchanges Words With OceanGate Co-Founder About Safety, Cutting Corners @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. John Lamparski/Getty A former United States Army officer who was convicted of war crimes over killings in Afghanistan and later pardoned by Donald Trump has been criticized by one of the men who served in his platoon over his apparent plans to become a practicing lawyer. On Thursday, Todd Fitzgeralda specialist who was standing near 1st Lt. Clint Lorance when Lorance gave the orders to fire that led to his court martialpublicly shared his intention to oppose Lorances legal ambitions. Eleven years ago, I witness the harassment, threatening, and murder of innocent Afghan locals by my former platoon leader, Fitzgerald wrote in a Twitter thread. Now, hes applying for the state bar in Oklahoma to attempt to practice law. Im going to object on moral fitness and character. I Love You, Sir: Convicted War Criminal Thanks Trump for Pardon on Fox & Friends In July 2012, Lorance was commanding a platoon in southern Afghanistan when he ordered his soldiers to shoot at three men standing alongside a motorcycle who he claimed were posing a threat, according to The Washington Post. Two of the men were killed while the third escaped. The following year, a court-martial trial found Lorance guilty of murder, and he was ultimately handed a 19-year sentence. Six years into his incarceration, in 2019, Trump issued a full pardon for Lorance following a vocal campaign in right-wing media for his release. In an interview with Military.com after he was freed, Lorance discussed his intention to become a lawyer after studying at the Appalachian School of Lawthough claimed his dean had informed him he would only have a small chance of passing the bar in light of his conviction. In his Twitter thread, Fitzgerald provided a link to the Oklahoma Bar Association website listing Lorance as an applicant for the 2023 bar exam scheduled for July. Not only do I object on the grounds that Clint murdered innocent people, but he has NEVER taken any accountability for his own actions, Fitzgerald wrote. He has continually pushed a false narrative that it was a split-second battlefield decision (it was not) and along with his defense, insists that the men he murdered were enemies and bombmakers (they were neither). I object to his moral fitness because he has no moral fiber, Fitzgerald added. None. We deserve better. Fitzgerald went on to allege that, after the shooting in Afghanistan, Lorance had pointed his rifle at a crowd of crying women and children who had gathered to seek answers about the incident and yelled at them: Shut the fuck up or Ill kill you too. That has stuck with me because he KNEW he killed innocent people, Fitzgerald wrote. He TOLD us to forget we saw their identification. He tried to cover it up and obstruct justice. We deserve better people representing us. That's why Im objecting. The Daily Beast has contacted Fitzgerald, Lorance, and the Oklahoma Bar Association for comment. 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. Lessons Unlearned James Cameron, the director of the megahit movie "Titanic," has weighed in on the submersible that imploded on its way down to the wreck of the eponymous ship, drawing eerie parallels between the fates of both vessels. "I'm struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship, and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night and many people died as a result," Cameron told ABC, after OceanGate, the company behind the doomed submersible, announced that all five of the passengers had died following a fatal implosion. "For us, it's a very similar tragedy where warnings went unheeded," he added. Like in the Titanic's case, the warning signs were clear. During the prolonged search for the submersible, more and more damning details some truly baffling came to light indicating that the vessel called Titan was not safe for deep-sea exploration. "People in the community were very concerned about this sub," Cameron said. "A number of the top players in the deep submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company, saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and that it needed to be certified." https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1671965549381689533 Deep Sea Veteran As a seasoned ocean explorer, Cameron would know a thing or two about the risks involved in such a dangerous undertaking. The director helped design a submersible called the Deepsea Challenger, which he piloted himself to the deepest point in the ocean, the Mariana Trench, reaching a record depth of 35,787 feet. That's almost three times as deep as the wreck of the Titanic, which Cameron also happens to be an expert on, claiming that from his over thirty dives down to the wreck, he's "spent more time on the ship than the captain did." But Cameron, like many of us, is still finding the events surrounding the Titan submersible's demise hard to believe. Some of the details, like remains of the submersible being found only 1,600 feet from the Titanic's final resting place on the seafloor, sound stranger and grimmer than fiction. "To take place at the same exact site with all the diving that's going on all around the world, I think it's just astonishing," Cameron said. "It's really quite surreal." Farewell, Friend Cameron also mourned the loss of his friend Paul-Henri "PH" Nargeolet, who died on board the Titan. Nargeolet's images of the Titanic wreck inspired Cameron to make the movie about the ship's disaster. "PH, the French legendary submersible dive pilot was a friend of mine," he said. "I've known PH for 25 years, and for him to have died tragically in this way is almost impossible for me to process." More on the submersible: OceanGate Says Missing Submarine Passengers "Have Sadly Been Lost" Volunteers help clean up Seattle ahead of next months All-Star Week In preparation for the historic All-Star Week in Seattle next month, the Mariners asked for the communitys help to clean up the city. Participants met at the Mariners Parking Plaza at T-Mobile Park Friday morning and are working until noon. Former Sounders players and hundreds of fans are helping revitalize areas in SoDo, Pioneer Square, Chinatown-International District, and the Waterfront. Volunteers had the choice of litter and leaf cleanup, removing graffiti, or landscaping and weeding. The Mariners partnered with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Together Washington to hold the event. All-Star Week is July 7 to 11. In addition to the All-Star Game, there will be batting cages, a virtual reality home run derby, a mascot home run derby, and a live panel with 20 former Mariners players like Bret Boone, Mike Cameron, and Edgar Martinez. A village, dubbed Play Ball Park, opens July 8 and will go beyond the confines of T-Mobile Park with events being held at Lumen Field and the Lumen Field Event Center. Prigozhin in Roston The long-standing verbal war between Wagner mercenary group kingpin Yevgeny Prigozhin and Russian military and political leadership took a kinetic turn Friday that could lead to a potential coup attempt. Author's note: Check out our latest post that continues our rolling coverage with all new information here. Prigozhin, in audio recordings posted on his Telegram channel is threatening a march on Moscow after claiming his troops were attacked by Russian forces. https://twitter.com/sumlenny/status/1672314821436383245 The Russian Defense Ministry claimed any statements about it attacking Prigozhin are "untrue and an informational provocation" and that the war on Ukraine continues apace. Meanwhile, the official Russian news agency RIA Novosti is reporting on its Telegram channel that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir "Putin is aware of the situation unfolding around Prigozhin, all necessary measures are being taken." Author's note: we are running a rolling update, which will be posted at the bottom of this story. Prigozhin, whose declarations have long called into question how he could survive to continuously make them, is now a top target of Russian authorities. "According to the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, the allegations spread on behalf of Yevgeny Prigozhin have no basis," RIA Novosti reported about the claims the Wagner leader made earlier in the day about Russia's military leadership failures. "In connection with these statements, the FSB of Russia initiated a criminal case on the fact of calling for an armed rebellion. We demand that illegal actions be stopped immediately. https://twitter.com/maxseddon/status/1672331620412538886?s=20 In the wake of what he said was a deadly attack on his troops, the Wagner boss - Putin's former 'chef' - said he was going to march on Moscow. "The command council of the Wagner Private Military Company has reached a decision," Prigozhin said in an audio message delivered on his Telegram channels Friday. "The evil that the country's military leadership perpetuates must be stopped. They disregard the lives of soldiers...Therefore, those who have killed our guys today, those who have taken the lives of tens, many tens of thousands of Russian soldiers will be punished." https://twitter.com/KevinRothrock/status/1672316611250757638 "There are 25,000 of us and we are going to figure out why this chaos is happening in the country," said Prigozhin. That figure "is a tactical reserve, but the strategic reserve is our whole army and the whole country. Everyone who wants, join us. We must end this disgrace can add this." Prigozhin asked "that no one resist. Anyone who attempts to resist we will consider to be a threat and eliminate them immediately, including any checkpoints in our way, any aircraft above our heads. I ask everyone to remain calm, not to succumb to provocations, to stay in their homes, preferably not to go out into the streets along our route. After we finish what has been started, we will return to the front and defend our homeland." Prigozhin claimed many of his troops were killed by Russian forces today. A missile attack was launched on the camps of PMC Wagner, Prigozhin stated on one of his Telegram channels. Many victims. According to eyewitnesses, the strike was delivered from the rear, that is, it was delivered by the military of the RF Ministry of Defense. https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1672308593964580864 However, some Russian propagandists are suggesting that the attack was carried out by Ukraine or its allies to stir an already boiling pot. https://twitter.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1672326507442700290?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A Either way, the alleged attack came after Prigozhin had earlier in the day said Russia was losing the war and accused Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, the Russian Army chief of the general staff, of "genocide" against their own people "for the murder of tens of thousands of Russian citizens and the transfer of Russian territories to the enemy." "Two realities on the ground now, as of today, [the] Russian Army is retreating in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia directions," Prigozhin said. The Ukrainian Armed Forces "are pushing the Russian Army." https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1672203268796055554 Gerasimov and Shoigu "should be held responsible for the genocide of the Russian people, the murder of tens of thousands of Russian citizens and the transfer of Russian territories to the enemy," said Prigozhin. "Moreover, the transfer is deliberate, just like the murder of Russian citizens and genocide. Shoigu has a genocide on a national basis. Prigozhin said the war was started on false pretenses. https://twitter.com/MoscowTimes/status/1672239135761809409?s=20 The initial all-out invasion launched Feb. 24, 2022, was planned "by a bunch of fools" and "degenerates" who sent troops "naked and barefoot toward Kyiv." Shoigu "sat cowardly in his office and at the end of the very first day wondered very much why the thousands of missiles that had been spent, that had been launched without proper intelligence, without having anything, just hadn't gone anywhere..." Continuing his rant, Prigozhin said "in the first days of the war, Shoigu killed thousands of Russian soldiers. He destroyed the most combat-ready part of the army, and combat-ready was very little part of the army, because in the army for many years were raised the fools and any active man, he either left the army or was ready to leave." https://twitter.com/ManiacMagic1/status/1672241575634649088 Igor Girkin, an influential former military leader in the so-called Donetsk People's Republic who is also known by the name Igor Strelkov, said on his Telegram channel that Prigozhin's message, "if not a fake...[it] is the very [definition of a] military mutiny and coup." As of late Friday night Moscow time, Girkin said that there was no indication that Wagner troops were actually on the move. "So far, no information has been received about clashes between the Wagners and the Moscow Region," he said. "Sources do not observe any columns, etc. anywhere." In the Rostov region, "all security forces have been put on high alert, but so far everything is quiet. Let's hope that Prigozhin announced a coup, but Wagner themselves do not intend to participate in it." https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1672312048338837504 This is an extremely volatile and rapidly evolving situation. We will provide updates as we learn more information. Author's note: Latest updates are placed at the top in the update section below, oldest ones on the bottom in chronological order. UPDATE: 10:00 a.m. EST Check out our latest post that continues our rolling coverage with all new information here. Update: 6:00 a.m. EST Russian Ka-52s attacked a fuel depot in Voronezh in order to keep it out of Wagner hands. Incredible video of this strike is now surfacing. Starving Wagner of fuel is clearly an objective of the Russian MoD. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1672542492250480642?s=20 https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1672544025373466625?s=20 https://twitter.com/christogrozev/status/1672541433515917314?s=20 https://twitter.com/Liveuamap/status/1672538268217364480?s=20 Wagner forces shot down a twin turboprop aircraft, possibly an AN-26, in Voronezh Oblast. We had seen Wagner road-mobile SAM systems in the region earlier. https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1672532826703503361?s=20 https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672527344584601601?s=20 https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1672527136320786439?s=20 Videos show armor on the move on the M4 highway towards despite closures to the north near the approaches to Moscow. https://twitter.com/Liveuamap/status/1672540749458554881?s=20 Update: 4:35 a.m. EST Citizens of Roston are getting more confrontational with Wagner forces after Putin's speech. https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1672518922493386754?s=20 https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1672524066954129408?s=20 There are some reports of fighting underway in the Voronezh region, north of Roston. The video below claims to show this but it cannot be confirmed. https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1672521408629420033?s=20 Some heavy weaponry on the roads in Voronezh Oblast, including Pantsir-S1 air defenses. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1672522249176338436?s=20 Multiple reports of Russian forces being moved south towards Rostov. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672515961684131840?s=20 And we are getting another better view of one of the helicopter Wagner supposedly shot down. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1672525163072454659?s=20 Update: 4:19 a.m. EST Some key considerations at this juncture now that Putin has disclosed his orders/intentions: Among the big questions now are who will actually fight who? Will Russian regular troops kill their fellow Russians? Will the federal security services? Who will join Prigozhin? The longer this lasts the worse it is for Putin. The next hours will be historic and crucial. Prigozhin has likely known his days were numbered for some time. We have watched his statements get more damning every day for months. We featured them near daily in our Situation Report updates. Many weeks ago he threatened to do exactly this. Now those threats we know were not hyperbole. He now has nothing to lose and a private army behind him as well as a docile stronghold. The Kremlin not stopping him before he took Roston was massive failure, but really it is not surprising based on Russia's glaring limitations in time sensitive targeting, surveillance, and interdiction. These are issues we have been highlighting since the invasion began. Yet how did Russia not see it coming from an intelligence perspective? These were forces fighting on their own side. This took planning, communications, logistics etc. Massive intelligence failure and/or political failure, the latter of which if warning signs in the form of clear intelligence was not acted upon. Considering he was saying what he would do for weeks, this is really not even up for debate. And then there is the question of possible fractures at the top. Will this opportunity be seized by others in the Russia power structure? What about the security services? Putin's own dog turning on him and attacking him looks very, very bad. How will foreign powers seize on this opportunity? Although far from ideal, it is a massive fissure and can be exploited. What about Ukraine? Once again, the longer it lasts, the more opportunity there will be for adversary exploitation of this crisis. Finally, what about the battlefield? What will Russian troops, many of them forced into service, do knowing Wagner has defected? What will this do for morale and willingness to fight? Maybe more importantly, what will the loss of thousand of Wagner troops at key areas of the battlefield mean? How will Ukraine exploit it? These are just some of the glaring questions going forward. Update: 3:46 a.m. EST Putin has addressed his nation, saying that the act by Prigozhin and his Wagner fighters was mutiny and treason and it will be dealt with harshly. He stated that "Russia today is leading the most difficult war for its future, repelling the aggression of neo-nazis and their handlers. Against us, the whole military, economical and information machines of the West are turned." And continued, saying "Repeat: any internal mutiny is a deadly threat to our state, to us as a nation. Its a strike against our nation, our people. And our actions to defend the fatherland from such a threat will be brutal. Anyone who consciously went on the path of betrayal, who prepared the armed mutiny, went on the path of blackmail and terrorist actions, will take an inevitable punishment." You can read the entire speech that has been translated by the excellent @wartranslated in the tweet below: https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1672509669095383041?s=20 Wagner's response is clear. The longtime relationship between Prigozhin and Putin is clearly over. And such a statement clearly means one thing: War. https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1672510543247155202?s=20 Banners are being taken down in Russia promoting Wagner recruiting, which has been a key aspect of resourcing the manpower for the war effort. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672511440031195137?s=20 https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1672506754511273986?s=20 2:34 a.m. EST We have seen repeated reports of a column of Wagner forces moving toward and eventually into Voronezh. Wagner is now saying they have taken control of the town and its military installations. Voronezh sits roughly 300 miles north of Roston, roughly half way between Roston and Moscow. The fact that Wagner's operation is now in or very near two cities separated by hundreds of miles, one of which is far closer to Moscow, puts even more pressure on the Kremlin. https://twitter.com/revishvilig/status/1672485794324312064?s=20 https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1672492961408376837?s=20 https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1672483945479282695?s=20 The Russian Fighterbomber telegram account says Wagner is not in Voronezh just yet. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1672493270209900544?s=20 Traffic north of Voronezh heading toward Moscow has been totally stopped for some time. Authorities are telling people not to use the highway. https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1672485254534246402?s=20 Other roads are blocked further south, as well. https://twitter.com/TomTomjarvis/status/1672495934972755968?s=20 Russian MoD has posted a statement to Wagner fighters telling them they have been misled by Prigozhin's 'armed rebellion' and that they should contact authorities as soon as possible so they can be returned to 'places of permanent deployment.' https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1672486494999642112?s=20 Meanwhile, in Roston, Wagner troops are mingling with the population that seems to be going about their business relatively unphased. https://twitter.com/maxseddon/status/1672495228064788480?s=20 Fighterbomber Telegram channel says reports of Wagner downing two Russian helicopters are true. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1672488251288944640?s=20 12:55 p.m. EST Fairly remarkable video of Prigozhin, decked out for battle, meeting with Deputy Defense Minister Yevkurov at the Southern Military District headquarters the Wagner forces surrounded has emerged. The entire scene is amazingly calm. https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1672463016586014720?s=20 https://twitter.com/JuliaDavisNews/status/1672465115998715906?s=20 https://twitter.com/DenisRogatyuk/status/1672468741270159362?s=20 He then does a direct address as to his intentions. Stopping the war is not one of them: https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1672466307130748928?s=20 https://twitter.com/JuliaDavisNews/status/1672468446288781313?s=20 https://twitter.com/Tendar/status/1672468948141391874?s=20 If what he is saying is correct, and we really aren't seeing anything to contradict it, he is in control of all the military installations in and around the city and, it seems at least, that he is basically seized the Southern Military District, or at least is acting as something of an overseer. He says nobody has been fired from their jobs and the war operations in Ukraine will continue without any interference from him. He states his same grievances with Russia's top military leadership. https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1672471542754623489?s=20 Here are his recent statements on Telegram: Under the control of PMC "Wagner" the military facilities of Rostov, including the airfield, so that aviation does not strike at the columns of the "Orchestra." At the same time, aircraft for combat work and ambulances leave regularly, there is no interference with the special operation. "The main command headquarters is operating normally, when they tell you that the Wagner PMC interfered and something fell on the front, that's not why it fell on the front." PMC "Wagner" will block Rostov and go to Moscow until we get the Chief of the General Staff and Shoigu - Prigozhin. The head of the Wagner PMC is negotiating with Colonel General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseev in Rostov. Fights take place in places where the military leadership gives false information to the fighters, and therefore skirmishes occur. Where the soldiers meet us, the National Guard and the police, they wave their hands joyfully and many of them say: "We want to go with you." There are already 60-70 people who have joined us, although we have come a little way. I think half the army is ready to go with us." Evgeny Prigozhin on the situation in Rostov. The soldiers cordoned off the building of the headquarters of the Southern Military District. According to information from the field, Valery Gerasimov left the building of the Rostov headquarters, leaving his subordinates to negotiate. Considering how bizarre this situation is, it's possible that we could see some sort of deal worked out with Moscow to address some of his grievances. Then again, letting him get away with what he has done and what he has said seems like a very unlikely proposition. Meanwhile, there are reports that Wagner headquarters in St. Petersburg is being raided by Russian federal security services. https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1672473260343140356?s=20 Also worth noting, it looks as if Prigozhin was sitting talking to the same Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev that went on air just hours prior to tell Wagner troops not to join in Prigozhin assault. https://twitter.com/Biz_Ukraine_Mag/status/1672365308814712832?s=20 It appears the only damage to Rostov we have seen so far has been from this tank that got stuck between two pillars flanking a driveway. https://twitter.com/IntelDoge/status/1672480972485406720?s=20 11:55 p.m. EST Amazingly calm scene considering the circumstances: https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1672456261059727360?s=20 Vasily Golubev, the governor of the Rostov region, said the follow on telegram: "I gave the necessary instructions to the Rostov city administration and the life support services of Rostov to take the necessary measures to preserve the normal functioning of all city systems. I keep the issue under control, regularly listening to reports. Once again I ask Rostovites not to leave their homes unnecessarily and not to come to the center of the Don capital." ... Dear countrymen! The current situation requires the maximum concentration of all forces to maintain order. Law enforcement agencies are doing everything necessary to ensure the safety of residents of the area. I ask everyone to stay calm and do not leave the house without the need." What is especially odd is that the Russian milbloggers have been silent. Update: 11:08 p.m. EST More imagery and confirmation of Wagner forces operating freely in Rostov. The scenes out of there are extremely bizarre, with some locals just watching this all go down in the streets. https://twitter.com/WarMonitors/status/1672435707137196033?s=20 https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672432741072388097?s=20 https://twitter.com/COUPSURE/status/1672438936604491776?s=20 https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672436885099274241?s=20 https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1672450731612295168?s=20 https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1672439888862490624?s=20 And even the cops look like they are confused with the situation. https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1672445605250039808?s=20 There are additional reports that some of Wagner's forces have headed north, towards Moscow. https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1672436952455323648?s=20 https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1672435904613416960?s=20 https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672434046310154241?s=20 Update: 10:45 p.m. EST Becoming more clear now that these are indeed some Wagner forces. https://twitter.com/CalibreObscura/status/1672429505510621190?s=20 https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1672429891499749376?s=20 https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1672431878626766851?s=20 Update: 10:10 p.m. EST Heavy armor and infantry now seen in Rostov. Identifying between Russian troops and Wagner forces is a major challenge. Some claims that forces are massing near the headquarters of the Southern Military District, which would be an outright logical objective for a breakaway Wagner force. Still, this cannot be confirmed. https://twitter.com/WarMonitors/status/1672427538092638209?s=20 https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1672425908202795008?s=20 https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672426094551609344?s=20 https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672424524480913411?s=20 https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1672424943013842949?s=20 Update: 10 p.m. EST ISW is reporting that is believes Prigozhin has launched an armed rebellion to force out Russian MoD's leadership. https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1672418243536109568?s=20 Significant attack helicopter activity over Rostov at dawn: https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672417910290018304?s=20 https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672417220176101379?s=20 Tanks are now seen in areas of the city, although who they belong to remains unclear. https://twitter.com/Liveuamap/status/1672420964271902720?s=20 https://twitter.com/WarMonitors/status/1672422118976266241?s=20 Update: 9:20 p.m. EST There are some indications that this could be the Wagner column, but still far from conclusive. https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1672409506901368833?s=20 Meanwhile, Kyiv just got hit by a missile barrage. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672409533140942848?s=20 https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1672413076467900417?s=20 And unverified video of the supposed shoot-down of a Russian helicopter by Wagner forces: https://twitter.com/WarMonitors/status/1672408192905625602?s=20 More videos of various military convoys supposedly from the Rostov area: https://twitter.com/aldin_aba/status/1672411525800157184?s=20 https://twitter.com/WarMonitors/status/1672412899447390208?s=20 Update: 8:53 p.m. EST Another dispatch from Prigozhin says his forces shot down a helicopter that attacked their column. Assuming this is true, and that this was a Russian helicopter, as it almost certainly would have been, this would be a clear Wagner of Russian military action. https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1672405458508816387?s=20 The translation of his latest message reads: "The Head of General Staff is not calming down: a mistake of any African dictator is to deal air strikes at civilian areas. Right now in the air are two planes numbered 523 and 546 that are trying now to deal these strikes. Remember, lads. The motherland will not forgive you for strikes at your own territory. You should have the courage to strike the enemy territory when our infantry is moving. Thus, these speculations saying that we are interfering with someone fighting on the front are speculations. We do not interfere with anyone. We interfere with criminals savings their asses, who destroyed around 100k Russian soldiers. Gerasimov and Shoygu." https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1672401069001900034?s=20 Video also emerged at around the same time of his dispatch showing firing into the air and the sound of other gunfire, although what this video exactly shows, who is doing the firing, and if it was this same incident is not knonw. https://twitter.com/ELINTNews/status/1672407790734680064?s=20 Still no confirmed signs of the Wagner leader's location or of the armored column that is now supposedly in Russia. Take it all with a grain of salt until we get more substantiated evidence that this is indeed happening. Update: 8:24 p.m. EST There are growing rumors, although they remain unverified, that Wagner columns have reached the Rostov region in Russia, which borders the Donbas where Prigozhins forces had been deployed. A map showing Rostov-on-Don's location in the region. (Google Maps) Reports are indicating that the Putin regime has shut down traffic along the M-4 highway out of Rostov-on-Don that heads towards Moscow. https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1672394783669768192?s=20 https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672396150723297280?s=20 There are also videos emerging purporting to show military equipment in the city of Rostov-on-Don, a little more than 50 miles from the Ukrainian border and roughly 100 miles from the front lines, where the Wagner column was supposedly headed to. https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1672343773907484674?s=20 Please remember, we still have seen no visual evidence of a Wagner column heading toward or into Russian territory. This is a very murky situation and everything has to be taken with a grain of salt until we get confirmation. https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1672398432689098752?s=20 Meanwhile, Ukraine's head of intelligence and the man that many are wondering may have had a hand in this whole ordeal, says it's real. https://twitter.com/DevanaUkraine/status/1672368158345183234?s=20 Update: 8:11 p.m. EST In a new audio message, Prigozhin claims that General Gerasimov ordered military jets to attack his columns moving along the roads among cars and trucks. He added that the pilots are refusing those orders. https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1672387899302596610?s=20 Update: 7:39 p.m. EST National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge tells The War Zone: We are monitoring the situation and will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments. There are additional reports of major security reinforcements in Moscow and to a lesser degree Rostov, the latter of which borders Ukraine on the Sea of Azov. Rostov is where Prigozhin and thousands of Wagner fighters are supposedly headed. Once again, everything is very murky right now, so keep that in mind. https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1672384513400291330?s=20 https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1672363000764719106?s=20 https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1672377391220416516?s=20 https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1672387899302596610?s=20 Update: 6:53 p.m. EST Russian security forces appear to be enacting long-standing measures to deal with the potential for a coup. "Security measures have been strengthened in Moscow, all the most important facilities, state authorities and transport infrastructure facilities have been taken under enhanced protection," the official TASS news agency reported on its Telegram channel, citing law enforcement agencies. Russian Guard units were placed on alert, according to TASS. This is the kind of event Russian security services have been training to deal with for the past several months. https://twitter.com/WarMonitors/status/1672359782932414464?s=20 Update 6:24 p.m. EST The Russian MoD claims Ukrainian troops are on the move in Bakhmut trying to take advantage of the distractions. "Taking advantage of Prigozhin's provocation to disrupt the situation, the Kyiv regime is concentrating units of the 35th Marine Brigade and the 36th Mechanized Brigade of the [Armed Forces of Ukraine] in Bakhmut tactical direction at the initial line for offensive actions," the MoD reported on its Telegram channel. "The servicemen of the Yug Group of Forces are defeating the enemy with air and artillery strikes." Update: 5:53 p.m. EST Russian Gen. Sergei Surovikin, considered a Prigozhin ally, is urging Wagner troops not to comply with Prigozhin and asking that they return to the front lines and concentrate on the fight with Ukraine. https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1672356699422826496?s=20 https://twitter.com/lookner/status/1672358323616727040?s=20 In its typically coy fashion, Ukraine's Defense Ministry weighed in. https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1672347167187509250?s=20 Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin. Press service of "Concord"/Handout via REUTERS Wagner Group boss Prigozhin accused Russia of attacking his mercenaries on Friday. In response, the warlord called Russia's defense ministry "evil" and said it "must be stopped." The exchange marked a serious escalation in the simmering feud between Wagner and Putin's military leaders. Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin blasted Russia's defense ministry as "evil" on Friday, saying Moscow's military leadership "must be stopped" after an alleged missile strike killed scores of his fighters, allegations immediately denied by that Russia's ministry of defense. In a statement shared to social media, Prigozhin seemed to openly declare taking up arms against Russia's defense ministry in an escalation of his simmering stand-off, saying that those who were responsible for the death of the Wagner mercenaries and Russian soldiers should be "punished." "PMC Wagner Commanders' Council made a decision: the evil brought by the military leadership of the country must be stopped," Prigozhin said, according to a translation of his statement. "They neglect the lives of soldiers. They forgot the word 'justice', and we will bring it back." "I'm asking: no one resist. Everyone who will try to resist, we will consider them a danger and destroy them immediately, including any checkpoints on our way," the Wagner chief said. "And any aviation that we see above our heads. I'm asking everyone to remain calm, do not succumb to provocations, and remain in their houses. Ideally, those along our way, do not go outside." Prigozhin noted that the presidential authority a nod to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has historically been Prigozhin's patron "will continue operating as before," and that Wagner will eventually return to the front lines whenever it is done; it was not immediately clear what uses of force that Prigozhin was ordering to seek justice for what he claims was an attack on his employees. Earlier on Friday, Prigozhin published a video to his Telegram account that he claimed to show the aftermath of a missile attack on Wagner Group positions. He accused Russia's defense ministry of carrying out the attack, in which he claimed a "huge amount" of his mercenaries were killed; these claims could not be immediately confirmed, and Russia's ministry of defense countered that they are lies. The video, around one minute and 20 seconds long, shows debris and destruction in an open clearing surrounded by a dense forest. At one point, the camera pans over to a crater, where two small fires are blazing. It's not immediately clear where, exactly, the strike took place. Russia's defense ministry denied Prigozhin's accusations. "All the messages and videos speaded in social networks on behalf of E. Prigozhin about the alleged 'strike of the Russian Ministry of Defense against the 'rear camps of the Wagner PMC' are untrue and are an informational provocation," Russia's defense ministry said on Telegram. "The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to carry out combat tasks on the line of contact with the AFU in the area of the special military operation," Moscow said, referring to its ongoing war in Ukraine. Friday's alleged missile strike and Prigozhin's retaliation comments represent the most serious escalation in the deepening feud between Wagner and Moscow. Mercenaries from the private military company have battled alongside Russia's regular military in eastern Ukraine and played a key role in Moscow's efforts to capture Bakhmut. After months of bloody fighting, Prigozhin successfully spearheaded the seizure of the war-torn city, delivering Russia a rare victory at a huge expense and, for a time, increasing his political cache. Prigozhin has frequently ripped into Russian military leadership, issuing shocking threats, scathing statements, and expletive-filled tirades over Moscow's consistent battlefield failures and incompetence, in turn raising questions about how long he would be allowed to blatantly disregard Moscow's draconian war-time censorship. Read the original article on Business Insider Putin vows to punish armed uprising by Wagner militia as Russia is plunged into crisis Vladimir Putin is facing the greatest threat to his authority in two decades after the head of the Wagner paramilitary group launched an apparent insurrection, claimed control of military facilities in two Russian cities, and warned that his troops would head for Moscow. Staring down a sudden and staggering escalation of internal tensions that have simmered for months, the Russian president said on Saturday that those on path of treason or armed rebellion would be punished. It is a stab in the back of our country and our people, he said in an address to the nation, threatening a harsh response for those planning an armed rebellion. Putin was speaking after the militia chief and his one-time ally Yevgeny Prigozhin dramatically stepped up his feud with Moscows security establishment over the handling of the invasion of Ukraine, throwing the country into crisis with a series of military moves that seemingly took Moscow by surprise. After Putins speech, Prigozhin said on Telegram that the president was deeply mistaken. We are patriots of our Motherland, we fought and are fighting, he said in audio messages. And no one is going to turn themselves in at the request of the president, the FSB or anyone else. Prigozhin, who heads private military group Wagner, said his forces had taken control of Russian military facilities in the city of Rostov-on-Don, an important operations base for Russias war in Ukraine. He threatened to march on Moscow if defense minister Sergei Shoigu and Russias top general Valery Gerasimov did not meet with him in Rostov. The Wagner group also claimed to have seized Russian facilities in a second city, Voronezh, some 600 kilometers (372 miles) to the north of Rostov-on-Don. The governor of the Voronezh region, Alexander Gusev, said the Russian military were engaging in combat measures in the area. In its daily intelligence update, Britains Ministry of Defense said Prigozhins insurrection represents the most significant challenge to the Russian state in recent times. The briefing said some Russian forces had likely remained passive, acquiescing to Wagner. And it predicted that individual decisions to support or betray Putin could tip the balance of the showdown. Over the coming hours, the loyalty of Russias security forces, and especially the Russian National Guard, will be key to how the crisis plays out, the report said. The developments leave Putins grip on power looking suddenly perilous, 16 months after he launched an invasion of Ukraine that has been beset by military setbacks, strategic failure and disorganization. In his remarks, Putin described events in Rostov as an insurrection. The situation in Rostov-on-Don remains difficult during the armed uprising. In Rostov, the work of civil and military administration is basically blocked, Putin said, adding that decisive action would be taken. Prigozhin has been notoriously critical of the Russian military hierarchy since the war in Ukraine started. But he had spared Putin from direct criticism, instead directing his ire towards the Presidents commanders. The private military chief seemingly built influence with with Putin over the course of the conflict, with his Wagner forces taking a leading role in the labored but ultimately successful assault on Bakhmut earlier this year. The capture of that city was a rare Russian gain in Ukraine in recent months, boosting Prigozhins profile further. But his rhetoric on Friday and Saturday indicated that Prigozhin had turned not merely against the military leaderships handling of the invasion of Ukraine, but also on the longtime Russian leader. On Friday, he said Moscow invaded Ukraine under false pretenses devised by the Russian Ministry of Defense, and that Russia is actually losing ground on the battlefield. That was a significant change from his previous criticism. In the past, he defended the reasoning for the war but was critical of how it was being done by the defense minister, Shoigu. When we were told that we were at war with Ukraine, we went and fought. But it turned out that ammunition, weapons, all the money that was allocated is also being stolen, and the bureaucrats are sitting [idly], saving it for themselves, just for the occasion that happened today, when someone [is] marching to Moscow, Prigozhin said in his Saturday Telegram messages. An overnight assault This dramatic escalation came after Prigozhin accused Russian forces of striking a Wagner military camp and killing a huge amount of his fighters a claim Russias Ministry of Defense has denied and called an informational provocation. The militia chief, whose forces have played a key role in Russias invasion of Ukraine, warned of retribution in a series of Telegram messages Friday and Saturday, where he announced his forces were moving into the Rostov region neighboring Russian-occupied Ukraine, ready to destroy everything in their way. There are 25,000 of us and we are going to find out why there is such chaos in the country. There are 25,000 of us waiting as a tactical reserve and a strategic reserve. Its the whole army and the whole country, everyone who wants to, join us. We must end this debacle, hte said, in a radical escalation of a longstanding feud with Russias military leaders. Russias domestic intelligence service, Federal Security Service (FSB), responded on Friday, urging Wagner fighters to detain their leader and opening a criminal case against the militia boss accusing him of calling for an armed rebellion. Authorities in the capital Moscow, meanwhile, tightened its security measures. An armored personnel carrier next to a shopping mall in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on June 24, 2023. - Stringer/Reuters Many officials quickly rallied to Putins side. Russian intelligence official, Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseev, posted a video about Prigozhins actions that day, describing it as a coup attempt. Only the president has the right to appoint the top leadership of the armed forces, and you are trying to encroach on his authority. This is a coup detat. There is no need to do this now, because there is no greater damage to the image of Russia and to its armed forces, he added. Prigozhin denied his acts were a coup, saying instead they were a march of justice that would not interfere with the troops in any way. Another key figure, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov spoke of a vile betrayal by Prigozhin on Telegram. The rebellion must be crushed, and if this requires harsh measures, then we are ready! he said. But in Ukraine, authorities watched one of the most significant developments since the war began with intrigue and defiance. The internal Russian confrontation is a sign of the collapse of the Putin regime, said Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. He said the events are a direct consequence of the Putin regimes criminal military aggression against Ukraine. Russias Ministry of Defense appealed to Wagner forces on Saturday to safely return to their points of permanent deployment. You were tricked into Prigozhins criminal adventure and participation in an armed rebellion, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in their official Telegram Channel. Russia on alert Russian security forces cordoned off Wagners headquarters in St. Petersburg on Saturday, as the state mobilized in response to Wagners moves. The Russian National Anti-Terrorism Committee also announced the introduction of a counter-terrorist operation regime in Moscow, the Moscow region and Voronezh region. The counter-terrorist regime includes but is not limited to document checks, strengthened protection of public order, monitoring telephone conversations and restricting communications, restricting the movement of vehicles and pedestrians on the streets. Moscow officials said in a statement that entry and exit to the city are not being restricted, but said there there may be difficulties with the movement of traffic. Social media posts showed military vehicles were seen driving around the main streets of the Russian capital in the early hours of Saturday. Roskomnadzor, Russias communication regulator, said the government may restrict the internet in areas of the counter-terrorist operation, according to Russian state media agency TASS. Prigozhin has asserted that his forces would receive wide backing from Russian soldiers, claiming they were given a heros welcome when they entered the Rostov region and that by Saturday morning 60 to 70 had already joined up with his fighters. The border guards came out to meet and hugged our fighters, he claimed. Military activity became obvious in Rostov-on-don Saturday morning, when images began emerging on social media of military vehicles going through the streets and helicopters flying overhead, though it was not clear whose control they were in. Rostov region Governor Vasily Golubev earlier Saturday asked residents to stay calm and not leave their homes in a Telegram post. The Rostov region is about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from Moscow. Its capital Rostov-on-Don has a population of around 1 million. In the first suggestion of open armed conflict between the two sides Saturday morning, Prigozhin on Saturday said his units were hit by a helicopter on a highway. Its unclear exactly where the units were. The Wagner units are intact, the helicopter is destroyed and is burning in the forest, Prigozhin said, adding we will take it as a threat and destroy everything around us. He also claimed a second helicopter was downed after it attacked civilians. CNN has been unable to verify any of Prigozhins claims. Prigozhin added the alleged Wagner take-over of military facilities in Rostov would not impede military operations, saying his men are not stopping the officers from carrying out their duties. Everything is just beginning in Russia Wagner has played a prominent role in the Ukraine war, and Prigozhin, so far, has faced few consequences for his public feud with Russias military leadership. Prigozhin and Wagner have played an unusual and informal role in Putins Russia. He has known the president since the 1990s; both are from St. Petersburg. Prigozhin won valuable contracts as the Kremlins caterer and later set up the Russian troll farm known as the Internet Research Agency, whose mission was to interfere in the US 2016 election. Wagner fighters deployed in a street near the headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don, on June 24. - Stringer/Reuters The fallout from his comments also inspired a wave of schadenfreude in Ukraine. Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukraines presidential office on Saturday described the actions as exposing a deeper schism within the Russian establishment. The split between the elites is too obvious. Agreeing and pretending that everything is settled wont work, Myhailo Podolyak tweeted. Someone must definitely lose: either Prigozhin (with a fatal ending), or the collective anti-Prygozhin. Everything is just beginning in Russia, he added. Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraines minister of internal affairs, added on Saturday that Ukraine has become a few steps closer to complete Victory over Russia and complete return of its territories, including Crimea. He called Prigozhin a vile, but useful monster, predicting that Putins hold on power will crumble like a house of cards. The impact of the events on the war in Ukraine remain murky, but it is difficult to see how Russia could emerge from the drama strengthened on the battlefield. Wagners forces have become essential to Russias war effort, and the possible redirection of Wagner troops toward the internal conflict would drastically weaken their ground campaign. CNNs Anna Chernova and Lindsay Isaac contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin on Friday said Russias war in Ukraine is intended to benefit Russian elites and accused Moscow of lying about the full-scale invasion launched last year, escalating his feud with top Russian leadership to new heights. In a video released on his Telegram channel and circulated widely on the internet, Prigozhin countered Russian President Vladimir Putins argument that invading Ukraine was necessary to denazify and demilitarize the country. Putin has also accused Kyiv of persecuting ethnic Russians and of acting as a puppet and battering ram against Russia on behalf of Western allies. The war was not needed to return our Russian citizens and not to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine, Prigozhin said in the video, claiming it was instead launched to benefit Russian leaders. The war was needed by oligarchs. It was needed by the clan that is today practically ruling in Russia. Prigozhin claimed the goal of the special military operation, the official name for the war in Russia, was to install pro-Russian and Putin ally Viktor Medvedchuk, who is living in exile in Russia, as president of Ukraine and to divide up the assets of the country. They were stealing loads in Donbas, they wanted more, Prigozhin said, likely referring to the Russian-backed resistance launched in eastern Ukraine in 2014. He also said there was never any plan for Ukraine or the Western security alliance NATO to attack Russia. Prigozhin, whose mercenary fighters have played a key role in the war in Ukraine, has frequently railed against Russian elites, often targeting Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, Gen. Valery Gerasimov. Analysts say Prigozhin is engaging in an unclear strategy, possibly intended to boost his public profile as a populist leader or gain influence in Moscow. Prigozhin has been known to distort facts, and its unclear how truthful he has been in his public remarks. Wagner Group seized the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine last month and lost at least 20,000 soldiers in the battle. Throughout the months-long siege of the city, Prigozhin slammed Shoigu and Gerasimov for failing to supply enough ammunition and repeatedly called them cowards. After the seizure of Bakhmut, Prigozhin accused Russian leadership of floundering in the war effort and suggesting that inequality and imbalanced elitist power could lead to a revolution, similar to the Bolshevik communist overthrow in 1917. Prigozhin also clashed with Russian soldiers late last month when his fighters pulled out of Bakhmut to regroup and recover, accusing a squadron of planting explosives and firing at his men when they moved to disarm them. Prigozhin showed a video of a captured Russian officer allegedly saying he was intoxicated when he gave the order to fire and had a personal resentment against Wagner Group. Putin has not publicly responded to Prigozhin, but Russia has moved to rein in Wagner Group, forcing allied fighters of the Russian army to sign a contract that would allow Moscow to exert more control. While Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov signed the order for his paramilitary forces, Prigozhin is resisting the contract, ordered by the Kremlin, as a July 1 deadline approaches. The Friday video appears to be a personal tell-all of Prigozhins experience during the war in Ukraine. The Wagner chief accused Shoigu and Gerasimov of being responsible for genocide and the murder of tens of thousands of Russian citizens. Prigozhin said Russia is purposely distorting facts about losses in the conflict and that when his fighters arrived in the spring of last year, victory was not possible, claiming there was hysteria and no management in the operation. Prigozhin also said Russia was losing ground as Ukrainian forces move forward in the counteroffensive launched earlier this month, countering the narrative from Putin that Ukraine is suffering a catastrophic defeat in the offensive push and stands no chance of winning. On the ground now, as of today, the Russian army is retreating, he said. Were washing the blood. There is no control. Same hysteria. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Wagner forces played a central role in Russia's capture of the Donetsk region town, Bakhmut, the longest and likely bloodiest battle of the conflict (Handout) The head of the Wagner mercenary group said Saturday he had crossed into Russia with his forces to topple Moscow's military leadership, saying he and his 25,000 fighters were "ready to die". Yevgeny Prigozhin, 62, said his forces, who have spearheaded much of Russia's offensive in Ukraine, had entered the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and controlled its military sites. "We are inside the (army) headquarters, it is 7:30 am (0430 GMT)," Prigozhin said in a video on Telegram. "Military sites in Rostov, including an aerodrome, are under control," he added. Prigozhin said planes taking part in the Ukraine offensive "are leaving as normal" from the airfield, and called on Russians not to believe what they were being told on state television. "A huge amount of territory is lost. Soldiers have been killed three, four times more than it says in documents shown to the top (leadership)." Videos and pictures posted online, including by the TASS state-run news agency, showed armed men surrounding administrative buildings in Rostov and tanks deployed in the city centre. It was not clear who the armed men were. President Vladimir Putin was due to make a televised address shortly, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies. Russian authorities earlier said security had been tightened in several regions, and the mayor of Moscow announced that "anti-terrorist" measures were being taken in the capital. The FSB security service accused Prigozhin of attempting to launch a "civil conflict" and urged Wagner fighters to detain him. "All of us are ready to die. All 25,000, and then another 25,000," Prigozhin, said in an earlier audio message, after accusing the Russian top brass of launching strikes against his men. "We are dying for the Russian people." The Wagner chief said his forces had also shot down a Russian military helicopter. "We will destroy everything that stands in our way," Prigozhin said earlier, in the most audacious challenge to Putin since the start of the offensive in Ukraine last year. In Moscow, critical facilities were "under reinforced protection", TASS reported, citing a law enforcement source. Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov had informed Putin of "the initiation of a criminal case in connection with an attempt to organise an armed rebellion", Kremlin spokesman Peskov said. - Missile strikes - The extraordinary developments came after Prigozhin accused Moscow of targeting his forces with missile strikes that he said killed "a huge number of our fighters". "The council of commanders of PMC Wagner has made a decision -- the evil that the military leadership of the country brings must be stopped," he said in a series of furious audio messages released by his spokespeople. He warned Russians against resisting his forces and called on them to join him. "We need to put an end to this mess," he said, adding, "this is not a military coup, but a march of justice". In a statement, the FSB said: "Prigozhin's statements and actions are in fact a call to start an armed civil conflict on the territory of the Russian Federation and a stab in the back to Russian servicemen fighting pro-fascist Ukrainian forces". While Prigozhin's outfit has been at the forefront of much of Russia's offensive in Ukraine, he has in recent months engaged in a bitter feud with Moscow's military leadership and has repeatedly blamed Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff, for his fighters' deaths. - 'Urge you to stop' - The Russian defence ministry denied Prigozhin's claims of an attack on his forces, saying the statements "do not correspond to reality". It later said Ukrainian troops were taking advantage of the infighting to ready an assault near the eastern hotspot of Bakhmut. A prominent Russian general urged Prigozhin to call off efforts to remove the defence ministry leadership. "I urge you to stop," Sergei Surovikin, commander of Russia's aerospace forces, said in a highly unusual video address. "Before it is too late, it is necessary... to obey the will and order of the popularly elected president of the Russian Federation". Anti-Kremlin figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky, however, urged Russians to support Prigozhin, saying it was acceptable to back "even the devil" in taking on the Kremlin. Washington-based think tank the Institute for the Study of War said the Wagner chief's attempt to force a leadership change in the defence ministry "is unlikely to succeed" given that Surovikin had denounced his call for rebellion. However, it said Wagner's attempts to take control of Rostov-on-Don, a key logistical base for Russia's offensive in Ukraine, "would have significant impacts on Russia's war effort in Ukraine". Kyiv's defence ministry said it was monitoring the situation. Ukraine was also on high alert after a fresh barrage of Russian missiles Saturday, with casualties and damage reported in Kyiv and the central city of Dnipro. US President Joe Biden was briefed on the situation in Russia and Washington "will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments", National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said. On Friday, Prigozhin said Moscow's forces were retreating in Ukraine's east and south following the start of Kyiv's counteroffensive early this month. That directly contradicted Putin's account that Ukraine was suffering "catastrophic" losses and that there was a lull in fighting. "We are washing ourselves in blood," Prigozhin said. "No one is bringing reserves. What they tell us is the deepest deception," he added, referring to the Russian military and political leadership. - Questioning military operation - After years of operating in the shadows, Prigozhin has now admitted to running the elusive mercenary group Wagner and even interfering in US elections. His forces, bolstered by tens of thousands of prison recruits, played a central role in Russia's capture of Bakhmut in the longest and bloodiest battle of the conflict. However, this week he accused Moscow's top brass of deceiving Russians about the offensive in Ukraine. "Why did the special military operation begin?" he said. "The war was needed for the self-promotion of a bunch of bastards." bur-fb/lcm/mtp/smw Wagner Group financier says Russian Defence Minister attacked Wagner: "There are 25,000 of us, and we are going to sort this out" The leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has said that the Russian regular army had launched a missile strike on the Wagnerites rear camps. Prigozhin has added that Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu has now cowardly fled Rostov and "this creature will be stopped". The Russian Ministry of Defence called this statement a provocation. Source: Prigozhins press service on Telegram; RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet Details: Prigozhin said that the attack was carried out by the Russian Armed Forces: "The information from the field suggests that the attack was carried out from the rear, i.e., by the [forces of the] Russian Defence Ministry. These scums carried out missile attacks on our rear camps. A large number of our fighters were killed. We will decide how to respond to this atrocity. The next step is up to us." According to the leader of the Wagnerites, "Those who struck the rear camps of the private military company will be punished". Quote: "I ask everyone not to resist. Anyone who tries to resist will be destroyed. Including any checkpoints on our way. I ask everyone to stay calm, not to succumb to provocations, and to stay in their homes. Preferably, do not go outside along our route. Justice in the army will be restored, and then justice in the whole of Russia... Shoigu has just cowardly fled Rostov. At 21:00, as cowardly as a woman. This creature will be stopped... There are 25,000 of us, and we are going to sort this out, why there is lawlessness in the country. 25,000 are expected as a tactical reserve, and the strategic reserve is the entire army and the entire country. Anyone who wants to join, do so. We need to put an end to this outrage. This is not a military uprising, this is a justice march. Our actions dont interfere with the troops at all." Details: Prigozhin then claimed that Shoigu had personally arrived in Rostov to carry out an operation to wipe out the Wagnerites: "He used artillery and helicopters after dark to take us out." Meanwhile, the Russian MoD claims that all the messages and videos spread on social media on behalf of Prigozhin about "the Russian MoD striking the 'rear camps' of the Wagner Group" are untrue and are an information provocation. The MoD of the aggressor country states that the Russian Armed Forces "continue to perform combat missions on the contact line against the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the area of the special military operation [as the Russian propaganda calls the war against Ukraine ed.]". Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Donald TrumpJustin Sullivan/Getty Images Right now, the American people are hearing two loud noises at the same time. The result is confusion and disorientation. One sound is from how "the walls are finally closing in" on Donald Trump for his decades-long crime spree where he is now the first ex-president to have been arrested and indicted for federal crimes because of his alleged stealing of top secret documents. The highly classified information supposedly included details of the country's military and other strategic vulnerabilities, identities of its spies abroad, and other closely guarded secrets, including the Pentagon's plans for an attack on Iran. Additionally, Trump is likely to be indicted and arrested for federal crimes connected to the coup attempt on Jan 6, 2021. As it stands today, Donald Trump faces the possibility however unlikely of being put in prison for the remainder of his natural life. Here is where the confusion comes in. Making this noise even louder is Donald Trump himself. Trump, a malignant narcissist who lacks impulse control and internal self-regulation, continues to publicly incriminate himself by basically admitting his guilt during TV appearances and interviews, at rallies, and via his Truth Social disinformation platform while simultaneously proclaiming his innocence. Related "Planted by scoundrels": Trump melts down on Truth Social after DOJ reveals evidence against him That's when the second sound is heard. It comes from the metaphorical and literal cash registers that are continuously ringing from the many millions of dollars that Donald Trump and his inner circle are being given by the MAGA faithful and other Trump cultists as they throw money at their Dear Leader in an act of support for his crimes so that he can "defend himself" against being unfairly "persecuted." Donald Trump is a master showman and his being arrested and indicted is first and foremost an opportunity to make money. To that point, Trump now claims to have raised at least seven million dollars since being indicted and arrested in Miami for his alleged crimes related to the Espionage Act. This is in addition to the millions of dollars that Trump's followers gave him after his pleas for support following his arrest and indictment in New York for alleged crimes connected to hush money payments and other financial crimes at the end of March. Politico provides this context: Former President Donald Trump's 2024 fundraising has been turbocharged by his indictment, according to new figures provided by his campaign. Trump raised a combined $18.8 million in the first quarter through his joint fundraising committee and his campaign, the latter of which is required to report its first-quarter financial activity on Saturday. But the campaign also says it brought in nearly the same amount in the two weeks after the charges were filed against the former president $15.4 million underscoring just how much the charges against Trump have animated his backers. In another indication that the indictment has helped Trump to grow his fundraising base, nearly a quarter of those who contributed to Trump during that period had never given to him before. The figures provide a snapshot of how Trump's arrest has, at least for the time being, shaped the Republican primary. While the former president's indictment along with potential future charges in several ongoing investigations puts him in serious legal jeopardy, it has helped to solidify his standing with his supporters and grow his campaign war chest. "In general, any time a candidate's name is all over the media and dominating attention, it's good for fundraising," said Eric Wilson, a Republican digital strategist. "The wall-to-wall coverage just put him top of mind for donors." Whether Trump's torrid fundraising pace persists or gradually returns to its slower, pre-indictment level is uncertain. Trump had been raising roughly $168,000 per day from Jan. 1 until when charges were filed against him on March 30, according to the figures his team provided. In the 24 hours that followed, he raised over $4 million. (The first quarter ended on March 31, the day after Trump's indictment was first confirmed, meaning only a small segment of Trump's post-indictment fundraising is reflected in the first-quarter figures.) Public opinion polls consistently show that the American people as a whole want some closure. They want all of the Trump noise goes way. Such an outcome is unlikely any time soon, however, because of the vast amounts of money to be made from the chaos, confusion, danger, and peril that surrounds Trump. In a recent interview at Salon, political consultant Cheri Jacobus explains how the Trump money machine works: For Trump's direct victims, and for many in the country at-large, the indictments, while welcome, are somewhat anti-climactic. We are tired. These indictments and the expected additional coming indictments are at least a year too late. So much damage has been done and so many Trump criminal allies still roam free, inciting violence, fomenting fascism, and spreading disinformation. The national security ramifications of this massive breach are almost too frightening to comprehend. The cottage industry surrounding Trump on both sides media, superPACs, pundits are largely repeating the mistakes of 2015-2016 that got us here in the first place. There is big money in promoting Trump, covering Trump as "news", and "fighting" Trump. To be clear Trump understands this at a granular level. [my emphasis added] Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. The matchup between Trump and Special Counsel Jack Smith is lucrative in other ways as well, as there is now an entire industry selling t-shirts, hats, mugs, and other merchandise to both Smith's fans and his haters. So I envision three possible outcomes in the next months and through to the 2024 election: Trumpism will then become a more powerful 21st-century version of the white supremacist neo confederate Lost Cause. One: Trump becomes the Republican Party's 2024 presidential nominee while he is also on trial for violating the Espionage Act, and faces potential trials for cases in Georgia and D.C. for the crimes of Jan. 6, in New York for illegal payments to his mistress Stormy Daniels, and perhaps elsewhere for fraud and financial crimes. America is washed over by a cacophony of sound, fury and chaos; it is deafening and maddening. Trump somehow wins the election, pardons himself or otherwise is allowed to be free, and then embarks upon a revenge-fueled assault on the American people and their democracy. Two: Donald Trump is defeated in the 2024 election by President Biden and the Democrats. Trump is also found guilty and sentenced to prison. He is disappeared from public life but this does not remove all his power or influence as the leader of the MAGA fascist movement and larger white right. Donald Trump is more than a man or leader; he is a type of symbol and signifier and an object of sacred worship and salvation a MAGA Jesus for his followers. Because of that fact, the idea of Donald Trump and what he represents will endure and his power will be passed on to a successor. Related Trump claims he's "exonerated" and demands his boxes back. Experts say he's "confessing to intent" Trumpism will then become a more powerful 21st-century version of the white supremacist neo-Confederate Lost Cause, a threat and constant noise in the background of American life that crashes and electrocutes like thunder and lightning when the right (wrong) circumstances come together to harness it. Here is the third scenario. Donald Trump is truly vanquished and he and the MAGA movement and their followers are treated by "respectable society" as something verboten and to otherwise be shunned. As has often happened in other countries when they have suffered through great national traumas, a type of organized forgetting takes hold. Of course, this does not solve the deeper problems that gave rise to such crises. The American mainstream news media as they have already been doing throughout the Age of Trump and beyond will create false distinctions between "normal" and "responsible" Republicans and the "far right" and "extreme" elements of the party and "conservative" movement as though that separation can be neatly made or even substantively exists. In this scenario, Trumpism and neofascism are absorbed by the Republican Party and "conservative" movement as a new type of status quo and ideological baseline. America's political terrain shifts to accommodate it in unhealthy ways; America's slide into neofascism and competitive authoritarianism continues. Here, Donald Trump and Trumpism are like a type of loud silence, something unnatural and uncomfortable in American life and society, and the public is afraid to say their names aloud lest they manifest like the bogeyman or some other monster. Ultimately, one thing is almost certain: The American people will not have the much-needed silence and peace to heal and recuperate that they desperately need any time soon. Read more about this Donald Trump's big mouth and big troubles 3M Co., a chemical manufacturer, said that it would pay at least $10.3 billion to resolve claims related to the pollution of several public drinking water systems in the United States by potentially dangerous substances used in firefighting foam and other consumer goods. The agreement made on Thursday, June 22, will reimburse water providers for contamination caused by per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), a family of chemicals often found in items designed to resist stain, water, and grease. A number of health issues, including liver and immune-system damage and different kinds of cancer, have been linked to PFAS. This group of chemicals is called "forever chemicals" because they do not break down naturally in the environment. Water Sources Contain Harmful Chemicals Different amounts of the substances have been found in water supplies around the country. In March, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggested severe restrictions on two major varieties, PFOA and PFOS. It said it sought to regulate four others, according to the New York Post. Companies that provide water would have to keep an eye out for the presence of contaminants. Stuart, Florida, is the plaintiff in the lawsuit that would be settled under the deal. It is only one of nearly 300 municipalities that have filed similar complaints against corporations that made firefighting foam or the PFAS it contained. The deal, as described by 3M chairman Mike Roman, is "an important step forward" that expands on the company's pledge to eliminate the use of PFOA and PFOS by 2020 and its investments in "state-of-the-art water filtration technology" in its chemical manufacturing facilities. He promised that by the end of 2025, the firm will stop making PFAS, as reported by Reuters. The settlement amount is up to $12.5 billion and will be paid out over 13 years. Dallas-based attorney Scott Summy, one of the primary lawyers for those suing 3M and others, said this hinges on how many public water systems obtain PFAS during EPA-mandated testing in the next three years. The money would be used to filter PFAS out of systems where it has been found and to evaluate additional systems. Summy stated, "The result is that millions of Americans will have healthier lives without PFAS in their drinking water." See Also: Himalayan Glaciers Melting at Record Rates Raise Concerns: 'It Is Going to Affect Us' Offices, Corporations, and Private Well Owners Have Also Brought Lawsuits Earlier this month, DuPont de Nemours Inc. and its spinoffs Chemours Co. and Corteva Inc. negotiated a $1.19 billion settlement with many drinking water providers, according to The New York Times. Lawsuits have also been filed on behalf of many governments, airports, firefighter training sites, and private well owners. Thousands of lawsuits claiming harm from PFAS are now underway before Judge Richard Gergel in US District Court in Charleston, South Carolina. Firefighter training exercises at airports, military bases, and other places around the US that routinely employed foams laced with high quantities of PFAS have been the primary source of litigation. See Also: International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2023 Focuses on 'People-First' Approach @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Want to walk Cornelia Street? North KC adds new street signs ahead of Taylor Swift shows Looks like you dont have to travel far to get to Cornelia Street. With Taylor Swifts concerts at Arrowhead Stadium only two weeks away, municipalities throughout the Kansas City metro are getting in the Swiftie spirit. On Thursday, the City of North Kansas City hung two street signs on the southwest corner of Swift Street and Armour Road for fans to take photos. One reads Honorary Swift Street (Taylors Version) and the other says Honorary Cornelia Street. Swiftie Vivianne Angles and her dog pose for a picture in front of the new sign on Friday, June 23. Kim Nakahodo, North Kansas Citys assistant city administrator, said a lot of Swifties had reached out to the city asking if it was going to do something on Swift Street to honor the superstar. A handful of city employees, including Mayor Bryant DeLong, formed the City Hall Swiftie Committee to mobilize quickly around the fans requests. We have several diehard Swifties in our organization who volunteered to help, Nakahodo said. Our employees were like yes, you have to do it this way. DeLong announced the street signs on social media Thursday. Big news for our Swifite fans out there. In honor of Swifts Eras tour stop in Kansas City, were excited to temporarily designate Swift Street as Swift Street (Taylors Version), he said in a Twitter video . I encourage you all to stop at the southwest corner of Armour (Road) and Swift Street (Taylors Version) in North Kansas City. One side of the new sign reads Honorary Cornelia Street and the other reads Honorary Swift Street (Taylors Version) ATTENTION SWIFTIES Mayor Bryant DeLong of North Kansas City is excited to announce that Swift Street in #NKC is now Swift Street (Taylors Version). Come snap a selfie in #NKCtaylorsversion in preparation for the #erastour stop in KC from July 7-8.#taylorswift pic.twitter.com/iFU0LjK7Ng North Kansas City (@cityofnkc) June 22, 2023 A spokesperson for the City of Kansas City said to stay tuned for its Taylor Swift plans. Theyre still putting the final touches on what they have in store. Mayor Quinton Lucas previously asked residents for ideas to commemorate the tour. Do you have questions about Taylor Swift in Kansas City? What would you like to see the metro area do to celebrate the event? Let us know at kcq@kansascity.com A jury this week convicted a Warren city councilman of peddling political merchandise without a sales permit in Utica during a 2021 rally for former President Donald Trump. Councilman Edward Kabacinski, 49, was sentenced to one year of non-reporting probation and $825 in fines and costs by Judge Douglas Shepherd in 41A District Court in Shelby Township, according to the court and online court records. A probation review is set for June 21, 2024. Kabacinski was arrested by Utica police on a misdemeanor ordinance violation in 2021. He was found guilty by a jury Wednesday. "Personally, I don't think it should have ever gone to trial. I filed a motion to dismiss ... awhile ago based on free speech issues," said John Temrowski, Kabacinski's court-appointed attorney. Warren City Councilman Eddie Kabacinski Lawyer: 'It's identical to freedom of religion' Temrowski said Kabacinski declined plea offers, taking the position that he didn't do anything wrong. Temrowski said Kabacinski indicated to him that he was going to appeal to Macomb County Circuit Court. No appeal had been filed as of 3:30 p.m. Friday. Temrowski said the city ordinance requires a permit for someone who accepts donations and gives merchandise in exchange. He said he found a 1943 U.S. Supreme Court decision pertaining to Jehovah's Witnesses who were going door-to-door asking for donations and exchanging merchandise if they received one. More: Warren Mayor Jim Fouts touts accomplishments, airs grievances at last annual address He said, "There was an ordinance, almost identical to this one and the U.S. Supreme Court said you cant put a condition on free speech, but it was freedom of religion. And I just used the analogy because the U.S. Supreme Court has said for years that a donation to a political campaign is free speech. That was the analogy that I was trying to make. You know, it's identical to freedom of religion. They're both First Amendment rights. And that this case was directly on point, he wasn't required to have a permit because he was simply accepting a donation. Temrowski said Kabacinski told him people would donate but didnt want anything in exchange. Kabacinski also said his donations were small, with his largest being about $100. It's Kabacinski's second conviction Temrowski said he recommended a bench trial, then a directed verdict at trial because he asked the police officer who arrested Kabacinski whether he saw anyone give Kabacinski money in exchange for merchandise and he said no. Temrowski said the charge was a 90-day misdemeanor, a crime that he said must be committed in the officers presence. I really thought that was really right on point. The officer didnt see anything, and so he technically had not conducted the sale, Temrowski said. He didnt observe him do anything wrong. In September 2022, Kabacinski pleaded no contest in an unrelated case in Eastpointe, where in 2020 he was accused of chasing down and handcuffing a woman who put Black Lives Matter stickers on Trump yard signs. More from Warren: Mayor Jim Fouts touts accomplishments, airs grievances at last annual address Kabacinski pleaded no contest to disturbing the peace, a lesser offense than the original one-year misdemeanor charge of impersonating a public officer. A 93-day misdemeanor assault and battery charge was dismissed. He entered that plea the day that case was scheduled for a jury trial. He was sentenced to 12 months of probation with conditions in addition to $1,055 in fines and costs in the Eastpointe case. His attorney in that case said that plea was taken under a section of the Michigan criminal code that allows for a delayed sentence. If Kabacinski did what he was required to do, the charge could be dismissed. In April, the Eastpointe case was closed and Kabacinski was discharged from probation, according to online records in 38th District Court in Eastpointe. Warren City Council Member Eddie Kabacinski faces off against a racial justice protester during a confrontation on Hoover Road in Warren, Saturday, Sept.19, 2020. Counterprotesters played blaring sounds out of speakers and hurled insults at protesters, who then crossed over Hoover Road and confronted counterprotesters. Pushing and shoving ensued, and shortly after, protesters returned to their side of Hoover Road. Kabacinski seeks second term on Warren council In October 2021, Warren City Council members passed a resolution to censure Kabacinski for his misuse of his position as a councilman and removed him from committee assignments days after they said he was arrested for refusing to wear a mask inside the former TCF Center, now known as Huntington Place, during a Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission meeting. More: Warren police officer charged with punching, assaulting suspect inside city jail Kabacinski, a first-term member of the nonpartisan Warren City Council who is seeking reelection this year, is a Trump supporter who donned a military gas mask during an April 2020 City Council meeting and complained about a loss of freedom because of actions Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took to control the spread of the coronavirus in the pandemic's early days. In September 2020, he took heat after he stood with counterprotesters at a march to support a Black family who lived in his council district and was thrice the victim of attacks because they had a Black Lives Matter sign in their front window. 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: Jury: Warren councilman Edward Kabacinski illegally sold Trump merch Anti-bullying sign In Washington state, a family is seeking $20 million from a school district after their gay son suffered repeated bullying and violence. According to the family, the district was a breeding ground for hate crimes that spread online and flourished. Video clips on social media show the student being jumped by girls who kick and punch him on the ground. Nicole and Doug Stanford, the 13-year-olds parents, say the sights of their sons pain are burned into their brains. Its gonna take a while to bounce back from this, Nicole Stanford told Seattle NBC affiliate KING. It is the third attack of this type this school year. As in all three encounters, the attackers shouted antigay slurs at the helpless boy. Its terrible. Its our one job to keep him safe, and the only place we cant keep him safe is at school, Doug Stanford said. As the teens parents recount, it all started when fellow students pushed their son off the school bus on the first day of school because of his sexual orientation. Harassment was continuous and even planned out in advance, according to the parents. KING reports that students allegedly informed other students about upcoming beatings so that they could record the videos and share them. While the pair took their son out of school in May, those perpetrating the violence remain at the school. I yelled, I cried, I did everything I could except get down on my knees and beg for something to be done, and nothing was, Nicole Stanford said. The school had the perpetrators sign a non-contact agreement twice, though harassment persisted. The familys attorney called the attacks ambushes. According to their claim, Everett School District allowed the attacks to continue and failed to provide the student with safe learning conditions. The district has 60 days to investigate the allegations. TheGrios Natasha S. Alford talks to the composer about translating social justice causes into compositions. Grammy-nominated composer Carlos Simon was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and is the son of a preacher. Hes the composer in residence at the Kennedy Center and a professor of fine arts at Georgetown University. His music is often inspired by the headlines of the day. TheGrios Natasha S. Alford talks to Simon about how a tragedy like the murder of George Floyd is turned into beautiful music. The following is a transcript of their conversation. Carlos Simon works in the studio. (Photo Credit:Toko Shiiki) Natasha S. Alford [00:00:11] That is a performance of Carlos Simons Portrait of a Queen performed at the Kennedy Center. The Grammy-nominated composer is still with us. Carlos, again, great to have you on the show today. Portrait of a Queen is like many of your compositions, its strongly inspired by social justice activism. And youve written pieces celebrating the life of George Floyd, another inspired by the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Eric Garner. Tell us more about how social justice actually informs a composition and how does that affect you as an artist to actually see so much of the pain thats being experienced within our community and sort of put on our community? How are you translating that into music? Carlos Simon [00:00:57] Yeah, well, I often subscribe to this quote that Nina Simone once said the role of the artists is to reflect the times in which they live. And as a Black African American man, its hard not to talk about these issues that affect, not only my community, but our society as a whole. And I think whatever our duty, whatever our jobs are as the accountant or a news anchor or a musician like myself, I think we all have a collective obligation, if you will, to try to make the world a better place. And Im fortunate to use music as a platform for that. So when I start writing something and then it really starts with how Im feeling about this and whatevers happening in the world. Whether it be the murder of George Floyd or Trayvon Martin, and I use music as therapy as dealing with these feelings. And how do I feel about this and in correlation to whats happening in the world? And this is a start for more inspiration for when I begin a piece and it takes on a whole different life of its own. Hearing people who have heard the piece in the audience and its like, wow, okay, I connect with this. I have the same feelings or I may have something different. And thats the joy of being a composer I feel. Alford [00:02:34] Its beautiful. I have to be honest, Carlos. I mean, I kind of feel like youre an anomaly. Like if you look at the mainstream Black music, right? What is promoted, what is marketed to young people in particular, it doesnt always feel like the music is talking about what is happening on a social justice level. Like there might be some mentions, but, I mean, my daddy says todays music is trash compared to his generation. I dont know how you feel about that, but, the sense of Whats Going On Marvin Gaye, like, those types of songs dont necessarily make the top ten on the radio for whatever is marketed to Black people or the so-called urban community. Whats your take on the state of music right now? Mainstream music? And whether weve sort of lost our way in terms of being reporters and witnesses of what is happening on the front lines of social justice. Simon [00:03:35] Well, this is a tough question. I think that the world is a big place and there are so many different artists who speak about different things. Yes, the mainstream doesnt speak about social justice and as far as music is concerned. But I truly believe that music is is one of these things thats universal and it and has the ability to connect on a subconscious level. And my take on music today is that I think that theres more variety with the types of artists being created. And yes, I do wish that there were more artists who responded to what was happening in the society. And thats a hope of mine, but hopefully down in two years, three years from now, this will be something that thats happening, but there are artists doing it, especially in classical music, and thats a great joy. But I wish it was happening in the mainstream more. Alford [00:04:45] Yeah, I think a lot of people have that same wish and I just wonder, could you maybe give advice to a young Black artist who wants to focus on social justice, who wants to focus on issues really impacting the community, but theyre afraid that the industry wont accept them, wont promote their music, wont elevate them. Youve had success, so how does someone else replicate that? Simon [00:05:09] Well, I think the one thing that I practice is being honest. I remember the first piece that I wrote about Black Lives Matter in 2014 when Trayvon Martin was murdered. I wrote the piece for me. I didnt actually expect it to be performed, I just wanted to write it just because it was therapeutic for me. But a friend of mine at the time encouraged me to have it before. And I was so, like, afraid because I didnt know what the people would think, and the 2014 Black Lives Matter movement wasnt really as big as it is today, and I was living in Michigan at the time, a very conservative place. So I was very like, Oh my God, is whats going to happen. And when I had the piece before me, it was like, wow, my soul was on stage and for everybody to see. So I encourage people to just be honest, just to be honest. Alford [00:06:02] Carlos Simon, its been a pleasure talking with you today. Thanks for taking time from your busy schedule to join the show. Definitely want to have you back. Check out the full clip above and tune into theGrio Weekly at 11 am ET every Sunday on theGrio cable channel. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Watch: Composer Carlos Simon on how he turns tragedies into beautiful music appeared first on TheGrio. Watch a freak storm rip through cruise ship in Florida. Like a scene from Twister A sudden freak Florida storm sent cruise ship passengers running for cover last week as they were boarding Royal Caribbeans Independence of the Seas at Port Canaveral in Cape Canaveral. Videos of the tumult show hurricane like winds whipping through the pool area last Friday, sending lounge chairs and umbrellas into the air, and debris crashing onto the deck. Terrified people scramble to find shelter, with some scooting on their behinds as they try to stand up. One woman seen pulling a stroller narrowly escapes being slammed with a flying object as she bolts with her baby in her arms. Oh no! Watch out! screams a woman off camera. Oh my God! yells another as furniture flies by. Passenger Jennifer Stancil posted two angles of the chaos for her You Tube and Facebook followers. So super scary!! said her caption. This storm came so fast!! It just turned crazy, Stancil later told Fox 35 Orlando. It looked like a scene from the movie Twister, the 1996 disaster flick about tornado chasers. About four minutes after the violent weather came, the winds died down, the rain stopped and the skies cleared. READ MORE: Its a tornado! See a storm rip through a Florida Winn-Dixie That was scary, says a woman in Stancils video. The cruise line released a statement regarding the frightening situation: On Friday, June 16, while departing from Port Canaveral, Independence of the Seas encountered a sudden gust of high winds. This lasted for a brief period and there were no serious injuries to our guests or crew. The ship continued its regularly scheduled three-night itinerary, arriving to Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, on Saturday morning, the statement said. Sudden, brief storms, characterized by heavy rains and strong winds, are not uncommon during summertime in the Sunshine State. Watch: UPenn a cappella group sings Bollywood songs at White House to welcome PM Modi [Source] The University of Pennsylvanias popular a cappella group Penn Masala performed Bollywood songs ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis official state visit to the United States. Key details: Penn Masala performed in front of up to 3,000 guests on the South Lawns of the White House on Thursday. The group, which was founded by students at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1990s, sang songs such as "Chaiyya Chaiyya" from the 1998 movie romantic thriller Dil Se.. and Jashn e Bahaaraa from the 2008 historical drama Jodha Akbar. They also performed Coldplays hit song Viva la Vida. More from NextShark: Thailand is fighting to save a lone tree on a small, uninhabited island from overtourism About the group: Touted as "the worlds first South Asian a cappella group," Penn Masala have released 12 full-length studio albums in the span of almost three decades. Back in 2009, the group notably performed for former President Barack Obama at the White House. More from NextShark: New One Piece Film: Red trailer focuses on Shanks daughter Uta In addition to performing Bollywood songs, Penn Masala are known for composing original pieces that explore the experiences of growing up with Western and Eastern cultures. Visiting the U.S.: On Thursday, Biden welcomed Modi to the White House, where the two leaders discussed several topics, including the East and South China Sea, defense deals and Chinas growing global influence, according to reports. Some lawmakers decided to boycott Modis White House visit, citing the leaders treatment of Muslims in India. More from NextShark: Japanese scientists solve mystery of why babies kick in the womb One of those who boycotted the state visit was Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D, NY-14), who issued a statement encouraging her colleagues to join her in stand[ing] for pluralism, tolerance and freedom of the press. Where is the air quality worst around Kansas City? See for yourself with these 5 maps Poor air quality is on the rise this summer around Kansas City, with the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) issuing nine ozone alerts in the past month alone. When you do a web search to check your local air quality, youre likely to find the EPAs AirNow site near the top of the list. This service measures air quality on a colored dial and if you click through to Sensors Near Me, youll see a map with a few local markers showing air quality readings. But this map can leave a lot to be desired: Only three sensors report data in central Kansas City, and just a handful more are located in the suburbs. But this isnt the only map available. Weve gathered five other maps you can check out for more detailed information about smoke, smog, pollen and other air pollutants in the metro. Its hard to say whether certain areas of Kansas City have consistently worse air quality than others, because air pollution is always on the move and sensors arent evenly spaced at locations around the metro. But these maps can help you find the air quality sensors closest to you and make more informed decisions about your respiratory health. If the air pollution reading closest to your home is high (in the yellow, orange or red range), you may want to use extra caution when exercising or spending long periods of time outdoors. Heres what to consider when air pollution levels are high in your area. This U.S. government map combines data from the EPA, the U.S. Forest Service and other partner organizations to detect particulate matter from smoke in the area. Colored map markers show the ground-level particles at particular sensors. These tiny particles often come from smoke, vehicle emissions, ground-level ozone and other pollutants and their location close to the ground mean that Kansas Citians are more likely to breathe them in. Layered gray map areas show where smoke pollution is most prevalent, although these plumes may not impact the air you breathe at ground level. Zooming out on this map allows residents to see how local conditions are connected to smoke patterns across the country. This map also includes symbols for active and suspected fires on the ground. This data comes from the U.S. National Interagency Fire Center and from heat detections made by satellites. Operated by the company PurpleAir, this map uses personal air sensors around the metro to report ground-level air quality. Colored sensor points indicate the air quality using the colored categories established by the EPA. Many of the sensors in Kansas City are operated by the local environmental nonprofit CleanAirNow. They are mostly concentrated in the historic Northeast, south of the Plaza, northern Johnson County and Kansas City, Kansas. This map is a great one to check for air quality reports outside of the downtown and midtown areas. This maps tools also allow users to adjust the period of time over which pollution particles are measured and choose what air quality standards to use including filtering for different sizes of particulate matter. PurpleAir also sells monitoring devices to track the air quality either inside your home or outdoors. This live map combines data from PurpleAir sensors and satellite projections of ground-level air quality. Unlike other maps, it shows moving particles to indicate the direction of winds that influence air quality in Kansas City. This also colors map areas by the prevailing air quality ratings at sensors within them, providing a specific view of the air quality at ones exact location. Below the map, the site provides a list of the local air quality sensors detecting the worst pollution in the area. While not quite a map, this page offers the most up-to-date local air quality information for those with sensitivities to pollen and mold spores. This data, which is collected directly from the hospitals sensors, contributes local pollen statistics to maps all over the country. The page also includes the Mid-America Regional Councils Skycast of air pollution levels predicted for the following day. This year so far, MARC has issued nine high-ozone alerts on days that meet the EPAs standards for unhealthy air quality. You can stay up to date on these alerts through the programs Twitter page MARC does not have a map of its own to track air pollution. Agilaire map from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources While this map only features a few sensors in the Kansas City area, it provides data on pollutants that many other sensors dont track: nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, both of which have a range of harmful effects on the lungs. Missouri was recently cited by the EPA for its nitrous oxide levels a group of harmful gasses, including nitrogen dioxide, that directly contribute to ground-level ozone. This pollutant typically comes from power plants and industrial facilities. Sulfur dioxide is an air pollutant caused by burning a fuel that contains sulfur, such as coal, oil or diesel. Local levels of this gas can indicate how intense vehicle and industrial emissions are in Kansas City. Agilaire sensors also measure particulate matter, a common air quality indicator that most of the other maps track as well. Do you have more questions about air pollution in the Kansas City area? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com. Where to celebrate the Fourth of July on the South Shore: Fireworks, parades and more From food to fireworks, here is your guide to celebrating Independence Day on the South Shore this year. There will be lots of family-friendly activities to mark the holiday, including concerts and parades. But why does the United States commemorate July 4 specifically, since the Declaration of Independence was signed later? When did Americans start observing the patriotic holiday, and why do we set off fireworks? July 4, also known as Independence Day, marks the anniversary of the Second Continental Congress adopting the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. July 4 became more widely observed by Americans following the War of 1812. Independence Day became the most important nonreligious holiday for many Americans by the 1870s, and Congress passed a law making Independence Day a federal holiday on June 28, 1870. At the first July 4 celebration in Philadelphia in 1777, Americans fired a cannon 13 times in honor of the original 13 colonies. Thirteen fireworks were also fired in the city as part of the celebrations. Revelers in Boston set off fireworks in 1777 as well, according to Smithsonian Magazine. Kate Haulman, an associate professor of history at American University, told USA TODAY that fireworks and other festivities fit into a tradition of public celebrations in England, citing Guy Fawkes Day, which commemorates a foiled plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament. George Ford leads the annual July 4th parade down Main Street in Hingham in 2022. Saturday, July 1 Braintree The Braintree High School field will be the site of the town's Fourth of July celebration, also known as Braintree Day, which is celebrating its 50th-year anniversary with a parade, a concert and fireworks. There will be food trucks, vendors, farm animals from Animal Craze and more. The Stars & Stripes Parade will start at the Registry of Motor Vehicles parking lot on Plain Street at 11:45 a.m. and end at the Hollis School, 482 Washington St. The festival and stage performances will start at 4 p.m. leading up to a fireworks display at 9:30 that will be viewable from the high school, Sunset Lake and surrounding neighborhoods. Musician Ryan Faraday, a South Shore native, will perform and the Boat House Row Band will perform yacht rock. Food will include Brazilian and Mediterranean fare, fried dough, cupcakes and more. For more information, visit Facebook.com. Sunday, July 2 Cohasset The Cohasset Community Fireworks will take place at Sandy Beach. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. People are encouraged to walk or take shuttle buses from the high school. There will be no parking in the Sandy Beach parking lot. Due to Piping Plovers, no dogs will be allowed on Sandy Beach. Where to Park: Town Hall parking lot. Village parking lot. High School parking lot. Free transportation: Pickup at Cohasset High and at the corner of South Main Street and Depot Court. Free bus transportation to and from Sandy Beach will start at 6:30 p.m. Buses will run before and after the fireworks. Bus transportation will be suspended during the fireworks show. There will be road closures on the following streets from 5 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. Nichols Road will be closed to non-residents. Atlantic Avenue northbound will be open, one-way, north of Sandy Beach and Atlantic Avenue one-way South of Sandy Beach. Atlantic Avenue will be closed beginning at Jerusalem Road at Atlantic Avenue. There will be no parking on the following streets from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Entire length of Nichols Road. Beach Street from Highland Avenue to Atlantic Avenue. Atlantic Avenue from Lothrop Lane to Sandy Beach. Atlantic Avenue from Jerusalem Road to Sandy Beach. Atlantic Avenue in front of Sandy Beach. Sandy Beach Parking lot. For more information visit Facebook. Monday, July 3 Randolph The Night Before the Fourth Parade is scheduled for 7 p.m. The parade will start at the Higashi School and travel along North Main Street into Crawford Square. After the parade, fireworks will start at about 9 p.m. at the Randolph High School field. Food trucks will be next to the Turner Free Library as well as in the Americas Food Basket parking lot, with several smaller vendors along the parade route. For more information, visit randolph-ma.gov. Weymouth The town's 3rd of July party and fireworks display are scheduled for 5 to 10:30 p.m. at George Lane/Wessagusset Beach. The event will be hosted by DJ Paul Quintiliani and will include musical performances and food trucks. Live music will be provided by The New Band with special guest Todd Angilly. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m. Buses will be available starting at 5 p.m. at the McCulloch Building/Whipple Center at 182 Green St., North Weymouth. There will be return trips after the fireworks display. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/weymouth4th. Sharon The celebration will start at 4 p.m. at Memorial Park Beach with a bicycle and doll carriage parade down Beach Street to the bandstand and a family-friendly performance by Matt Heaton. Activities will continue into the night with the town's 10th Food Truck Fair and train rides from the Roaming Railroad, which is a longtime Fourth of July tradition in Sharon. At 8 p.m., there will be a pie-eating contest on the bandstand lawn sponsored by Shaws supermarket. Musical performances are scheduled for 4:15 to 9:30 p.m. featuring Mo Bounce. Fireworks will be fired from a barge on Lake Massapoag at 9:30 p.m. No parking will be allowed at the beach July 3. Parking will be available at Sharon High School, Sharon Middle School, the Cottage Street School, Walter Griffin Playground and Deborah Sampson Park. Beach Street from Pond Street to Gunhouse Street will close at about 3:30 p.m. Handicapped-accessible parking will be allowed on the section of Beach Street at the main gate. For more information, visit sharonjuly4.org. A scene from Hingham's annual July 4th parade in 2022. Tuesday, July 4 Duxbury Duxbury's July 4th Parade will start at 2 p.m. with the theme "Duxbury Home Spirit." The parade will start at Halls Corner and travel down Washington Street to Duxbury Middle/High School. Prizes will be awarded for the best community floats. Parking at Halls Corner is limited due to the floats and bands setting up. Spectators can park at the schools, on Depot Street or on side streets. For more information, visit duxburycelebrates.com. Quincy The Merrymount neighborhood's 4th of July Parade will step off at 12:30 p.m. from Merrymount Elementary School and finish at Merrymount Beach by 1:30 p.m. The theme for the floats this year is "Summer Blockbusters." For more information, visit facebook.com. Plymouth A day of celebration will begin with the eighth annual 4th of July 5K at Stephens Field at 7:30 a.m. Registration is $30 for adults and $20 for children through July 2, then $35 for adults and $25 for children through July 4. Runners will leave Stephens Field and turn right on Route 3A, right on Nelson, right on Water and left on Union and finish back at Stephens Field. Independence Day: 9 things you didn't know about the Fourth of July The July 4th Parade will begin at 9 a.m. at Cordage Park and proceed onto Route 3A South/Court Street. The route follows Court Street, which becomes Main Street and then Main Street Extension, before turning left onto Water Street and finishing at Pilgrim Memorial State Park. The theme for this year's parade is "Celebrate America." The Rev. Paul Jehle will provide a blessing on the Plymouth waterfront and "America the Beautiful" and the national anthem will be sung. There will be food trucks at Alden Park. The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Pilgrim Memorial State Park. The fireworks will start at 9 p.m. at the park. For parking and more information, visit july4plymouth.com. Everett Manley, 7, of Cohasset, has a new flag for the annual July 4th parade in Hingham Square in 2021. Hingham After a road race starting at 7 a.m., the annual Hingham Fourth of July Independence Day Parade will start at Hingham High School at 10 a.m. The parade will march down Middle Street to Main Street, ending at the Station Street parking lot. The theme for this year is Together for the 4th. The grand marshal for the parade this year is Warren Pelissier. William Donovan from the Plymouth River School won this year's parade button contest. The buttons are sold to pay for the annual July Fourth celebration. On parade day, there will be no parking on the following streets between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m.: North Street from Station Street to Main Street. Station Street near the Hingham Sewer Department building. Main Street from the Square to Cold Corner. Spring Street. School Street. Pleasant Street from Main Street to School Street. Middle Street. For more information, visit hingham-ma.gov. Did we miss any Fourth of July celebrations? Email Joel Barnes at jkbarnes@patriotledger.com. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: July Fourth fireworks, parades, concerts and more on the South Shore Why the Coast Guard doesn't charge for search and rescue operations even in cases like the Titan submersible's and its ultra-wealthy passengers US Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane flies over the French research vessel, L'Atalante during the search for the Titan submersible on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. US Coast Guard/Associated Press The search for the Titan submersible, led by the US Coast Guard, may have cost millions. The Coast Guard does not charge for its search and rescue efforts, even for wealthy individuals. Rescue is part of what the Coast Guard does and they want to avoid any delays related to payment. During the multi-day search effort for the Titan submersible that likely cost millions of dollars, many wondered who exactly would be footing the bill, especially given the $250,000 price tag OceanGate Expeditions charged its wealthy passengers for the voyage. But when it comes to the US Coast Guard, the agency that was leading the search, they don't charge for search and rescue operations regardless of who needs saving. Doing so could cause some people to avoid or delay calling for a rescue when they actually need one out of fear they won't be able to afford it. "At the end of the day, the Coast Guard does not charge people who are in distress for the search and rescue costs," Peter Boynton, a retired Coast Guard officer and affiliated faculty with the Global Resilience Institute, told Insider. Boynton served in the Coast Guard for decades and led or participated in many search and rescue operations. He said the Coast Guard is frugal in how it spends the taxpayers' dollars and that cost-effectiveness is part of the agency's mindset, but that in a life-or-death situation, they do not want to deal with questions of who's paying. "They won't tolerate a response to distress being delayed or limited while trying to sort out who's going to pay," he said. He noted the dangers that can come with being at sea, including to the rescuers, and said that "artificial delays" caused by figuring out payment could cause a rescue effort to become riskier and "less effective." Search and Rescue is part of the Coast Guard's DNA Search and rescue is also just a major part of what the Coast Guard does. "Search and Rescue (SAR) is one of the Coast Guard's oldest missions," the Coast Guard says on its website. "Minimizing the loss of life, injury, property damage or loss by rendering aid to persons in distress and property in the maritime environment has always been a Coast Guard priority." Boynton said that mission is what attracts many people to the Coast Guard. "It's part of the DNA. That's why you go into the Coast Guard," he said. "You only have to pull one person out of the water who would've died, and you never forget that." SAR missions are also built into the operating budget of the Coast Guard, and sometimes that includes extremely costly operations, such as the Titan mission. Boynton said that the Coast Guard has gotten very effective over the years at collaborating with other agencies, including state and sometimes local, as well as international partners and private entities, but does not reimburse them for joining a search effort. "Everyone knows if you join the effort, the Coast Guard is not going to reimburse you," he said, noting that those groups will join a search anyways. Prior to about 30 years ago, the Coast Guard would often respond to even small calls for rescues, such as a boat that's run of out gas or had fishing net caught in its gear, Boynton said. But in the late 80s and 90s, the Coast Guard stopped responding to simple requests like that close to shore. The thinking was that not only was the Coast Guard not needed in those scenarios, but they were also unfairly competing with commercial operations. As a result of that change in protocol, the Coast Guard was able to focus its time and money on SAR situations in which the agency's resources were actually needed, and private towing services were able to step in for the rest. As for situations in which the party that needs rescuing has acted extremely recklessly, it may be possible for the Coast Guard to bill them the costs of the operation, but Boynton said he could not think of an example of that happening in his 28 years of service. One exception would be in the case where a person is found to have made a false distress call for a rescue, in which case they could potentially be criminally charged, sentenced to prison time, fined a quarter of a million dollars, and billed for the SAR operation. As for why wealthy individuals are not treated any differently when it comes to billing, Boynton pointed to a more familiar example. If a fire department puts out a fire in a wealthy neighborhood, the rich family is not expected to pay for their services. Boynton emphasized that for the Coast Guard, it comes down to their priority of safety of life at sea. It's becoming more common for states to charge for land-based rescues Other than the Coast Guard, in most places hikers or climbers who need to be rescued outdoors are also not responsible for the costs. The National Park Service, for instance, does not charge visitors who need to be rescued. However, several states have passed legislation that allows them to bill the subjects of search and rescue operations in some cases. In New Hampshire, hikers who call in a rescue and are found to have acted recklessly can be charged with the bill. One family who called for help after setting out on a 7-mile hike with two children at 11 p.m. were billed by the state, according to The New York Times. Similar laws are on the books in Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Oregon, and Vermont, all with the intention of discouraging careless behavior in the outdoors. Read the original article on Insider Faith & Freedom Coalition Holds Annual Road To Majority Policy Conference Former President Donald Trump addresses the Faith & Freedom Coalition at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center on June 17, 2022, in Nashville Credit - Seth HeraldGetty Images This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox. The Republican Partys top presidential hopefuls are in Washington this weekend to woo voters that are both essential to their success in 2024 and potentially huge liabilities. From a crassly political posture, the Faith and Freedom Coalitions confab is a must-have booking for most of the field. The logical successor to the Christian Coalition, the group connects Evangelical Christians with Tea Party-style activists and is one of the potential kingmakersor queenmakersin the GOPs current amalgamation of interests. But even the title of this years gatheringRoad to Majorityis an implicit admission that the coalitions membership is out-of-step with the country they hope to lead. Former President Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and entrepreneur Vivkek Ramaswamy are all slated to have their shot before the crowd, who are ardently opposed to abortion rights, marriage equality, and even medical marijuana. That makes them simultaneously niche and necessary for any serious Republican contenders. After all, its tough to play well in church-heavy Iowa if you skip a summit aimed at their grasstop leaders. Yet, in the big picture, the turn at the Washington Hilton may not pack the punch it once did, especially in a country that has seen views change hugely on one of the coalitions central agenda items. Even still, skipping it could prove politically lethal. A bit of context. In the weeks following last years midterm elections, we spilled a lot of smart ink on the rapid swing of support for abortion rights following the fall of Roe. With the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization fresh, women signed up to vote, volunteer, and donate at a clip that sent major worries around Republican circles. What had been an intense priority for a relatively small sliver of the electorate suddenly became Issue One, and not in the way that abortion opponents had hoped for. After five decades of relentless dreaming that abortion would no longer be a federally protected right, came at a hefty cost for GOP candidates up and down the ballot. Despite a historically ripe environment, Republicans stumbled as Democrats made access to abortion a central issue of the campaign. Support for abortion rights is the highest its ever been. Opposition to abortion rights becameand remainsa huge problem for Republican candidates in head-to-head contests with Democrats. And, in a way that went unnoticed to most Americans, pushed the shrinking Republican Party into a more radicalized direction. First, a needed caveat: exit polls have a baked-in imprecision. TIMEs Molly Ball has a must-read explainer on their shortfalls and limitations here. The key takeaway is that its difficult to know precisely how people conducted themselves in the privacy of the voting booth no matter how many people pollsters talked with on their way out of local election sites. With that out of the way, lets look at the data we do have, and what we might extrapolate from it. Among all voters, support for abortion rights had a huge spike after Dobbs. In 2020, exit polls found support for legal abortions among 51% of voters. Two years laterwith the Supreme Court shaking loose a lot of ground in the interimthat figure surged to 60%. Among women, that climb went from 52% to 64%, an enormous swing in such a concentrated period. But look at the voters who told exit pollsters they were Republicans. In 2020, 76% of Trump voters said abortion should be illegal. In 2022, 89% of Republicans shared that view. Among Republican women, the increase was roughly the same: a jump from 74% saying abortion should be illegal up to 87%. In other words, the Republican opposition to abortion rights hardened in the wake of Dobbs right at the moment when voters soured on that position. This mismatch has huge implications for America and its ability for leaders to govern. A majority of Americans support legal access to abortion rights yet one of the major parties is unyielding in its opposition. The number of people who identify as neither a Republican nor a Democrat has grown from 26% in 2020 to 31% in last years exit polls, providing yet another proofpoint that confidence in government is ebbing to new lows. All of this, of course, is on the minds of many of the hardcore conservatives gathered here in Washington. Many of the White House hopefuls will take their turn to cheer the end of Roe, the rise of Dobbs, and the Christian Rights ambitious agenda. But as Dobbs hits its one-year anniversary on Saturdaywith many of these self-described faith-informed voters giddy with its arrivalthe country isnt exactly with them. In fact, an NBC News poll timed to the anniversary found 61% of voters disapproved of Dobbs and 53% say abortion is now too difficult to access. Among Republicans, 31% say they opposed the end of Roe. So these activists principled stand may serve them well on Sundaysbut just not on Election Day. Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter. A police agency in Georgia has apologized after images and video were released showing several individuals and officers using shooting targets depicting a Black man during a gun safety lesson, as reported by CBS News. On Saturday, June 17, the Villa Rica Police Department released photographs showing that every single target had a picture of a Black man. The photos no longer exist on the department's Facebook page, but the original postings and comments are still visible. Many commenters questioned the validity of the targets, calling them "offensive and disrespectful" and demanding an apology from the police. Public Apology for the 'Offensive' Use of a Black Guy on Target Practice The Villa Rica police department issued a public apology on Facebook on Tuesday, June 20, writing that they work hard "to be conscious of how our relationship with our community members has a direct impact on our effectiveness within the community we serve." In Villa Rica, which is a city of about 18,000 people, 42.6% of the population is Black, based on the statistics from the US Census Bureau in 2022. As per the post, "The targets utilized in our recent firearms class depict realistic human images and were part of a package which included target images of people from various ethnic groups. It was never our intention to be insensitive, inflammatory, or offensive to anyone." The apology post, however, failed to address why exclusively pictures of Black males were displayed. The government agency acknowledged that it may have offended some people, hence, issuing an apology for doing so. "We invite everyone to attend one of our next citizen firearms classes and share in a positive experience alongside us." Read Also: Military Discrimination Against LGBTQ Troops Exposed in New Report Facebook Users Are Quick to Express Their Disapproval of the Apology The apology was swiftly condemned by Facebook users who wondered why the targets only depicted a Black guy despite the agency's claim that the package included people of all races. On Wednesday, June 21, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) chapter for Carroll County also published a statement in response. "The 'apology' statement from your department via Facebook displays a lack of sincerity and sensitivity toward minority residents and makes it abundantly clear that your department lacks the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion [DEI] that all local officials should strive to participate in," Dominique Conteh, the president of the Carroll County branch, said in the statement shared on Facebook. "We believe that DEI training would've given more insight as to the reasoning as to why those targets are 'unacceptable and deemed racist.'" As per Conteh, the NAACP has requested a meeting with the Villa Rica mayor, municipal manager, and councilwoman. Since making the request, the group has not provided any new information. Read Also: Met Police Scandal: Racism, Sexism Exposed, London Mayor Reacts @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Greek conservatives are set to win big in this Sunday's election. What does this mean for the country's left? Greek conservatives are set to win big in this Sunday's election. What does this mean for the country's left? The first round of voting in Greeces election last month showed conservatives outperforming expectations and leaving the main opposition party, left-wing Syriza, 20 points behind. While many have focused on the extent of the conservatives victory, one of the biggest takeaways from the May 21 vote was the resounding defeat of the opposition. Nick Malkoutzis, the editor of Greek independent data and analysis website MacroPolis, explained that exit polls showed that around 40% of voters picked New Democracy because they thought it was the least bad option, indicating that Syriza missed a chance to convince those voters to back its party. The lack of a unified message, particularly on the economy, and a poor campaign strategy have been cited as some of the reasons for the outcome. As the country heads to the polls again this Sunday, there is concern over what a likely big win for the conservatives, juxtaposed with a fractured, weakened opposition, could mean for the future of democracy in Greece. Opposition Fails To Present A Cohorent Campaign Message Analysts have attributed the poor performance of Syriza, in part, to the lack of a clear strategy. Syriza focused more on fighting New Democracy and pointing to the conservatives failures instead of promoting its own vision for the country, experts said. Syriza had difficulty articulating a clear or coherent campaign message given that it was constantly second in all opinion polls, Harris Mylonas, an associate professor at George Washington Universitys Elliott School of International Affairs, told HuffPost. As a result, it had to entertain several coalition government possibilities that probably unsettled many voters. The first round of voting was conducted under a proportional representation system, following a law passed by Syriza in 2016, when it was in government. Despite knowing that this law makes it really hard for any party to secure an outright majority, Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras spent the ensuing seven years doing little to build the concept of a coalition in voters minds and failed to meaningfully reach out to the other parties in parliament that could have helped him form a progressive alliance and a possible coalition government, Malkoutzis explained. Niko Efstathiou, the deputy editor-in-chief at LIFO, an Athens-based independent news outlet, echoed Malkoutzis, telling HuffPost that this seeming inability of Syriza to find common ground with other center or left parties prompted last-minute undecided voters to gravitate towards New Democracy. I think this is something thats really damaged the left, Efstathiou said. Separately, Syriza ran a negative campaign, failing to grasp that Greeks were ready to turn the page following years of austerity. Because of the huge cost of the very long economic crisis that we went through, there is more desire within Greece for positivity, Malkoutzis said, adding that voters appeared to favor the forward-looking approach of New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the party leader of New Democracy, holds a pre-election rally in Thessaloniki, Greece. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the party leader of New Democracy, holds a pre-election rally in Thessaloniki, Greece. Efstathiou added that Syrizas strategy stood in contrast with the conservatives business school-like campaign. New Democracy managed to successfully set the agenda, mostly around economic issues, reflecting voters priorities. Tsipras strategy to be everything to everyone by reaching out to right-wing voters did not prove convincing and also ended up alienating left-wing voters, leading to his big defeat, said Dimitris Christopoulos, a professor of political science and history at Panteion University in Athens. For instance, the conservatives campaigned on extending the wall guarding the countrys land border with Turkey and consistently pressed Tsipras to clarify its position on the issue. Tsipras did not present an alternative, which Christopoulos said was a strategic mistake. If you want a fence, if you feel threatened by migrants, youll never vote Syriza, he said. Youll vote for the right-wing. Left Fails To Capitalize On Scandals Involving The Government Poor Treatment Of Asylum Seekers The countrys geographic location has meant Greece is at the forefront of the migrant crisis in Europe. The Greek government has come under scrutiny for its treatment of asylum seekers. Just days before the first election last month, the New York Times reported that the Greek coast guard transferred 12 asylum seekers, including young children, from the island of Lesbos to the middle of the Aegean Sea and left them there in an emergency raft in violation of both EU and international law. The migrants were later rescued by the Turkish coast guard. The Greek government has not commented on the report. It is partly this draconian treatment of migrants that has helped New Democracy shore up electoral support, Marina Prentoulis, an associate professor in politics and media at the University of East Anglia, wrote in The Guardian. A BBC report published Monday also raised questions about the Greek coast guards account of the deadly migrant shipwreck earlier this month. The countrys coast guard claimed that the boat was on a course to Italy and didnt need rescuing, while the British broadcaster has records showing the vessel wasnt moving for seven hours. But none of these reports seems to have shaken support for New Democracy. A deadly train collision in February led to protests and calls for changes to improve safety. A deadly train collision in February led to protests and calls for changes to improve safety. Greeces Deadliest Train Disaster The government faced yet another crisis after a northbound passenger train collided with a southbound freight train at Tempe, in Central Greece, in February. The incident which claimed the lives of 57 people the majority of whom were young college students traveling after a bank holiday weekend was Greeces deadliest train disaster, according to The Associated Press. Mitsotakis pledged an investigation into the cause of the tragedy. He also promised his government would unroll a safety improvement plan and later appoint a commission to probe the mismanagement of the countrys railway system. Voters ultimately blamed the train derailment on chronic problems of the Greek state rather than [New Democracy] per se, Mylonas explained. Greek Watergate Last year, the wiretapping scandal the government was involved in, dubbed Greek Watergate, generated negative headlines for the prime minister. Mitsotakis confirmed Greeces intelligence service had wiretapped Nikos Androulakis, the leader of center-left socialist party Pasok and former European Parliament member, under a special warrant obtained for national security reasons. Androulakis also discovered his phone was infected with the Pegasus spyware software, but the Greek government said that was a coincidence and that the countrys intelligence service doesnt use Pegasus, the Times reported. Two people, including Mitsotakis nephew, resigned from the government over the wiretapping scandal. Financial reporter Thanasis Koukakis, who discovered his phone was infiltrated with Pegasus in 2021, was also likely surveilled by the countrys intelligence service. The surveillance of reporters resulted in the countrys drop in the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index. Greece now has Europes lowest ranking on the list. Following the revelations, Mitsotakis passed a bill last year banning the sale of spyware but offered few details on how this would be enforced. All in all, people tend to think that the current government, problematic as it may be in certain circumstances, was a better crisis handler, Efstathiou said. Conservatives Helped By A Favorable Media Environment During all of the above crises, the conservatives have managed to deploy an effective communications strategy that relies on accepting part of the blame but deflecting the rest of the responsibility on others, including their predecessors, Malkoutzis said. Then, conservatives propose solutions to address the situation at hand, he added. Coupled with a heavily pro-government media environment, this has left the opposition at a disadvantage and struggling to take control of the narrative throughout the election, he said. In this environment, it was very easy for New Democracy to get its, lets say success stories across and for anything negative to be ignored, Malkoutzis added. Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras speaks to supporters ahead of the second round of the Greek parliamentary elections. Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras speaks to supporters ahead of the second round of the Greek parliamentary elections. Fractured Opposition The first round of voting also saw Androulakis party, Pasok, come in third by securing over 11% of the vote. Despite, in theory, representing the same side of the political spectrum, Syriza and Pasok are far apart, and many Pasok voters dislike Tsipras. Meanwhile, MeRa25, another left-wing party created by former Finance Secretary and ex-Syriza MP Yanis Varoufakis, did not reach the 3% threshold to enter parliament in the first round and is unlikely to do so in Sundays election, according to the polls. Course of Freedom, a new progressive party led by former Syriza MP Zoe Konstantopoulou, is expected to secure about 4%, while the Communist Party of Greece is expected to get 7% of the total share, according to Politicos Poll of Polls. Efstathiou said he will be watching for the dynamic between the left-wing parties that make it into parliament. Will they choose to coordinate and work together on certain issues where they agree? Efstathiou asked. Will they be competing for who ends up increasing their voter base even more? That will be very interesting to see, he added. Meanwhile, questions surrounding Tsipras leadership are also expected to arise following what is expected to be another defeat. But his departure is not a given. Tsipras has been synonymous with Syrizas rise to power and its rise to prominence from really what was a fringe party, Malkoutzis told HuffPost. So him leaving will be very much a big risk for the party. A Problem For Democracy Meanwhile, the far-right is set to have a greater voice in parliament as three parties representing that end of the political spectrum are likely to cross the 3% threshold. If you cumulatively add all the far right, or outright parties in Greece their power will be around 10 to 12%, Efstathiou said. Even though theyre very fragmented right now, if you add them all together, its a very considerable political force. Analysts also raised concern about what it might mean for democracy if conservatives secure an outright majority on Sunday while the opposition remains divided. The lack of a strong second pole in the party system, the lack of a formidable opposition, is perceived by many as a problem for democratic politics in Greece, Mylonas told HuffPost. I expect that the center-left forces will focus on addressing this right after the election. Christopoulos said we are entering a long period where opposition is going to be very, very weak. That phenomenon is not unique to Greece, but is worrying nonetheless as one party will be in a position to exert more and more control over the countrys institutions, he said. What are witnessing over the last years is the necessary material that can lead to a process of transforming this country to a Hungary of the European south, Christopoulos said. Related... Why there was still a huge search for the missing sub even though the Navy learned quickly that it probably imploded A Coast Guard Air plane flies over the French research vessel L'Atalante on June 21 as part of the search for the lost submersible Titan in the North Atlantic. U.S. Coast Guard via Getty Images The US Navy detected a likely implosion around the time the Titan sub went missing. It hinted at disaster but was inconclusive and officials still launched a massive search. Experts say the Coast Guard will conduct searches even if there's only a small chance of survivors. In an interview Thursday, "Titanic" director James Cameron blasted the four-day search for the Titan submersible as a "prolonged nightmarish charade." It was, he argued, obviously from the get-go that the vessel was lost. "For the sub's electronics to fail and its communication system to fail, and its tracking transponder to fail simultaneously sub's gone," he told the BBC, citing conversations he had with experts soon after it vanished. The rescue operation ended Thursday when a drone scouring the sea bed found remains of the vessel, which was carrying five people. The wreckage showed the signs of a catastrophic, unsurvivable implosion. Cameron's remarks follow reports Thursday that the US Navy also had early reason to believe the sub was lost. Data from its undersea-monitoring systems indicated the vessel imploded soon after setting off on Sunday, multiple reports said, information soon handed to US Coast Guard, which led the search. The Titan submersible in water. OceanGate So why did the Coast Guard still launch a vast search-and-rescue operation? In a statement Thursday, the Navy said its data had not been definitive leaving open the possibility that someone was still alive. After analysis, "the decision was made to continue our mission as a search and rescue and make every effort to save the lives on board," the statement said. Matthew Schanck, the director of MarSAR, a UK-based search-and-rescue consultancy, told Insider that this uncertainty, and the absence of physical evidence from the Titan, was crucial in the decision to search anyway. "What they did was right. Now, if there was debris located very early on, on the surface let's say or something like that, we'd be having a different conversation. But until we had any physical evidence that there has been a catastrophic incident that we could say happened to the craft, we have to carry out a search and rescue operations," he said. Schanck said that banging sounds detected during the search would have factored into the decision to keep searching even after several days had passed even though the noises later found to probably be a false lead. He said he was surprised the Navy did not go public sooner with its information. One reason might be to preserve the morale of those searching, he said. "Dispatching crews searching for extended periods of time, searching wide expanses of the ocean, on the surface and underneath it could be hard to keep people motivated and focused," Schanck said. His comments echo those of Paul Zukunft, a retired Coast Guard admiral, who spoke to The Washington Post. Zukunft said the Coast Guard would generally keep searching for survivors until it's "absolutely conclusive" that there are none. "We're making every attempt that if there's a surface recovery; we are there," he said. He compared the search for the Titan to the operation launched by the Coast Guard in 2015 for the El Faro, a cargo ship that went missing after getting caught in Hurricane Joaquin between Puerto Rico and Florida. Despite pessimistic data indicating that the ship sank, Coast Guard crews still launched a search-and-rescue operation. It that case there were also no survivors, with 33 lives lost. "For one or two people, we will literally spend millions of dollars in attempts to rescue these folks," he said. Read the original article on Insider Power problems in Texas seem relatively frequent in recent years. Cold snaps, heat waves, freak storms any of them can tax the states independent power grid, which is largely cut off from the rest of the country. This week, it was a heat wave triple-digit temperatures and a tornado that had the states power authority, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, asking residents to cut power consumption and turn up their thermostats. Note: This week, according to the website PowerOutage.us, outages continue in parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana for a variety of reasons. In Texas, it was a predictable development, since pretty much the same thing happened last May, and forecasters had already been predicting elevated temperatures this year. Property taxes vs. energy efficiency But the timing of ERCOTs appeal to Texans to turn up their thermostats was awkward for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Among the more than 70 bills passed by the legislature that Abbott recently nixed in order to force consideration of an unrelated property tax issue was a bipartisan one to improve energy efficiency standards for new buildings. While the bill obviously wouldnt have cut energy consumption this week, its veto is a tell about the governors priorities which clearly lean more toward reducing taxes than increasing energy efficiency, despite the states annual power grid issues. Hot is the new reality This is Texas new reality, writes the Houston Chronicle in an editorial criticizing Abbott for the veto. The number of 100-degree days in our state is expected to nearly double by 2036. Combine that with a booming population in a state that already accounts for one-seventh of the nations total energy consumption, and you can expect ERCOT to shatter peak energy demand records for years to come. The Chronicle argues Texas should be looking for every little bit of efficiency it can find. The kind of efficiencies found in new building codes with bipartisan support represent the low-hanging fruit. The nationwide outlook A summer outlook for the US power grid published in May by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation suggested Texas, along with most of the country, could encounter problems if temperatures rise above average this summer. Resources are adequate for peak demand of the average summer; however, dispatchable generation may not be sufficient to meet reserves during an extreme heat-wave that is accompanied by low winds, is how the report phrases the outlook for Texas. The probability, the assessment also notes, is for Texas more so than the rest of the country to experience above-normal temperatures this summer. The grid was strained due to high heat even before a string of unexpected circumstances struck. Things like: The tornado that took out a substation in the small town of Matador, likely leaving residents there without power until Friday or Saturday. Or the Texas nuclear plant that stopped producing electricity last Friday due to problems with a feed water pump. Or the burst of freak storms that hit Houston Wednesday night, leaving more than 100,000 people without power Thursday afternoon. RELATED: The North Atlantic is experiencing a totally unprecedented marine heat wave Push for more natural gas power plants in Texas Officials in Texas are well aware of the risk the heat poses to their power grid and have used that threat to argue for more carbon-emitting natural gas-generated power rather than renewables, which ebb and flow with sunlight or wind. While ERCOT, in asking the public to drive down demand, said the overall power grid was never in danger as a result of the heat wave, it cited a few reasons for the request that Texans cut back on consumption, including: Extreme heat and record demand. Thermal outages, which suggests issues with some natural gas-fired power plants. Lower-than-expected generation of wind power. The daily ups and downs of solar power generation. Texas has been a leader in renewables The vast majority of power in Texas is generated by natural gas, although an increasing amount comes from renewable sources like solar and wind. Texas is, by rhetoric, anti-renewables. But frankly, renewables are bailing us out, Michael Webber, an energy expert and professor at the University of Texas at Austin, told CNNs Ella Nilsen last June, when the state was in the same situation it finds itself in this summer. Theyre rocking. That really spares us a lot of heartache and a lot of money. President Joe Biden appeared in Northern California this week to talk about his climate agenda, which includes money Democrats voted to earmark to help modernize the electrical grid and encourage the transition to more renewable energy sources. Former President Donald Trump, by contrast, was outright hostile to these forms of renewable energy. Most Americans are much more open to renewable energy 66% in a Pew Research Center survey conducted in March said the federal government should be doing more to encourage rather than discourage wind and solar power production. But that openness to renewable energy does not suggest opposition to carbon-emitting sources of energy. Americans are not as supportive of the government encouraging oil and natural gas drilling or coal mining, but majorities do not feel the government should discourage it either. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Wichita Citizens Review Board is asking the City Council to remove Walt Chappell, a longtime activist against racial profiling and the boards most vocal critic of the Wichita Police Department, from the citys police oversight board. Chappell has been vocal with his frustrations about the poor quality of data and information provided by the police department. He said he suspects the department is hiding unflattering information from the oversight board. Capt. Travis Easter said the department is not trying to hide anything and gives the board what it can. Board members on Thursday said Chappell makes up facts to push his agenda. They described him as a bulldog and a bully whose sharp criticisms of the department have resulted in Chief Joseph Sullivan changing the way the WPD communicates with the board. In our experience here with the board, weve had a good working relationship with WPD, said Jay Fowler, a local lawyer and member of the review board. And that depends on our ability to interact with them. In the context of Walts allegations against department members about providing misleading information, the chief became very frustrated and at one point directed that staff was supposed to not talk to Walt, Fowler said. And instead all information requests would go through the chair or the board as a whole. I suppose we can do that, but thats an interference with what was previously a very collaborative process. Chappell has voiced frustration with the boards reliance on the police department for information on disciplinary cases, arguing they are withholding key details from reports they provide to the review board, including data on racial profiling. I dont know, maybe I am a bulldog, Chappell said during the Thursday meeting. If you bite on a bone, you dont give up. I guess I dont apologize for that. But what I do want to say to you is Im willing to cooperate and work with you in any way we can, if we can actually get something accomplished. Chappell also struck a defiant tone, saying he will not step down voluntarily. I dont know what it is . . . that gives this board any right to say anybody is going to get kicked off, Chappell said. In the legislature, an appointed board like this, its the person who made the appointment who makes that decision. Odell Harris Jr., a local pastor who was appointed to the board by the city manager in 2017, called for Chappells removal. He said he has considered resigning because of Chappell. Since Mr. Chappell has been on our board, we have not been able to get through a full agenda, Harris said. Its been very hostile in our meetings. . . . Things are just not as conductive as they should be. Riccardo Harris, executive director of Wichita GEAR UP at Wichita State and a city manager appointee, said he agrees that meetings have been more contentious since Chappell joined the board. It has changed, and I dont feel like we are getting anything accomplished, he said. I think there are other agenda items that are being pushed by Walt, and those agenda items take precedence over anything thats in discussion. The hostility came to a head during a recent closed-door executive session, Fowler said. Without going into the details, because it happened in executive session, he personally attacked a member of staff verbally, not physically making allegations that were unrelated to the specific case, Fowler said. And meant to be harmful and mean. After the meeting, Chappell said the verbal attack was a question to a city attorney about her alleged involvement in a domestic violence case more than a decade ago. Twila Puritty, Mayor Brandon Whipples appointee, said she worries the move to oust Chappell could have a chilling effect on other outspoken board members. She said she has also had trouble getting straight answers from the department. Im concerned that this now is going to discourage questioning, Puritty said. You know, then I might be targeted next because Im asking questions, and these questions may take time. . . . My concern is to get rid of somebody for questioning may just discourage more participation. Ballard disappointed with vote to oust Chappell Chappell was appointed to the board by City Council member Maggie Ballard after the Wichita City Council voted to expand the board to include elected officials appointees. That came after an Eagle investigation found Wichita police mishandled an internal investigation and discipline of SWAT team officers who sent and received racist, sexist and homophobic text messages. Ballard, who appointed Chappell in December, said shes disappointed that the review board moved to oust Chappell without first coming to her with the proposal so she could speak to him about the issues one-on-one. I didnt know they had a plan to take a vote like that tonight, Ballard said. I had heard concerns and planned to speak to Walt but hadnt gotten a chance. Im disappointed to hear a vote was taken when I didnt have a chance to review whatever was discussed at the CRB tonight in advance. Chappell was instrumental in getting the Kansas Legislature to pass a 2005 law that requires police departments to track and report racial profiling data. He also helped the police department start programs that gives people child safety seats instead of tickets for car seat violations and fix-it vouchers instead of tickets for broken taillight infractions. Chappell has also been criticized by other board members for interrupting discussions of routine agenda items to ask why the board has yet to review any high profile police shootings, such as the 2017 police killing of unarmed Andrew Finch, the 2014 shooting of Icarus Randolph and the 2021 in-custody death of 17-year-old Cedric CJ Lofton. Chappell volunteered to stop talking so much during meetings. If you want me to be more quiet, Im glad to do that, Chappell told his fellow board members. If you feel like perhaps were embarrassing the police department by bringing some of these things forward, Im sorry, but were not here to please them. Were here to take care of the citizens. Kevin Harrison, an assistant teaching professor at Wichita State and Council member Brandon Johnsons appointee, voted to remove Chappell. He said Chappell has a tendency to isolate people and that he tried to bully him into running for the chair position after he had already told him he likely would not have time to fulfill the chairmanship. What the record needs to show is that Im definitely not here for a dog and pony show or with any fear of embarrassing the police, Harrison said. If theres malicious behavior going on, Im all for exposing it. Disagreements over Chappells approach Chappell has been critical of the citys handling of the Jensen Hughes report. He says review board members were promised they would get a chance to review new policies before they were put in place. Instead, the board learned of new policies at a news conference where the city touted its commitment to reform. We hadnt seen any of the recommendations on what the city was going to do, and we didnt have any input to that policy. . . . Even though weve asked, we dont receive, he said. Board members said they largely agree with Chappells points but they dont agree with his methods. One major point of contention has been the way the board reviews complaints against officers during executive sessions. Chappell wants all complainants to attend the executive sessions, not just police officers, so the board can hear both sides. Board members say the CRB invites citizens who file complaints, but Chappell said they invite only citizens who ask the board to review the case. They arent allowed to stay in the room while police talk about the case, Chappell said. Fowler accused Chappell of making up facts to fit his agenda. When pressed, the only example he would give was Chappell saying they dont invite complainants. People who ask the board to review their case are given a chance to speak before the board. But most of the cases the board reviews are ones they select from a brief summary of the cases. In those instances, the person involved in the case is not notified. Three longtime members of the board Harris, Harris and Fowler who were appointed by City Manager Robert Layton led the charge to oust Chappell. The city managers appointees voted unanimously to recommend removal of Chappell. They were joined by two city council member appointees, Harrison and Janet Johnson. Two other council appointees Puritty and Paul Kitchen abstained. An April 2022 change to the Wichita Citizens Advisory Board was supposed to give City Council appointees a 7-6 voting majority on the board. But two city council members Jeff Blubaugh and Becky Tuttle have not appointed board members. An additional city manager appointee Sharon Ailslieger has been allowed to remain on the board after her term expired, giving the managers appointees a 7-5 majority on the Citizens Review Board. This board is an advisory board, and we need to come in with an open mind, Ailslieger, a retired librarian, said. Were not out to get the police and show what bad guys they are. . . . On the other hand, we shouldnt come in with the idea that were going to whitewash anything, either, and I dont think we have. Ailslieger said Chappell needs to accept the limitations of the Citizens Review Board, which does not investigate cases and has no authority to discipline officers or change policies. Im not here to tell the police how to do their job, she said. We are here to make sure that somebody is looking over their shoulder to maybe keep them on the straight and narrow. But theyre only people, guys, just like you and me. And I dont care who you are. OK. I dont care if youre pink, white, yellow or polka dotted. We all have biases because were people. Police used the Flock Safety license plate reader surveillance system to help find a 45-year-old Wichita man in Oklahoma after he was accused of shooting someone in the middle of the street in broad daylight at 18th and Chautauqua. Jeremi Mothershed will be extradited to Wichita. He has been charged with felon in possession of a firearm and aggravated battery, police said Friday. Police took the suspect vehicle description and used Flock to find a white Audi headed south toward Oklahoma. The vehicle and license plate were then relayed to law enforcement in Oklahoma. Mothershed was arrested by Norman police and booked into the jail on an unrelated charge. He had a 9mm handgun with him, Wichita police said. The shooting in Wichita happened just after 2:50 p.m. June 6 at 18th and Chautauqua. It left a 28-year-old critically injured with a gunshot wound in the upper left leg. At the time of the incident, officers only knew that the victim was walking around the intersection ... when he got into a verbal argument with a male suspect driving a white vehicle when the suspect produced a handgun and shot the victim, police said in a news release. Officers applied a tourniquet and did CPR. A woman who ran to help told The Eagle she jumped in when an officer got tired and continued CPR before the man started to breathe again. Norman is about a three hour drive south of Wichita. Wife of late OceanGate CEO is great-great-granddaughter of famous couple who died on Titanic The CEO of OceanGate, Stockton Rush who was on board his companys submersible that went missing earlier this week and is believed to be dead was married to a woman with ancestral ties to the infamous Titanic. Wendy Rush is the great-great-granddaughter of Isidor and Ida Straus, two passengers who lost their lives in the sinking of the Titanic and who were briefly portrayed in the 1997 blockbuster film directed by James Cameron. A black and white photograph of an older couple in victorian-era clothing. (Public Domain) Wendy and her husband were married in 1986, according to a wedding announcement published at the time by the New York Times. According to LinkedIn, she is also the director of communications and expedition team member at OceanGate Inc, the privately owned Seattle-based company where her husband served as CEO. The Straus Historical Society confirmed the ancestry link to TODAY.com. Wendy Weil Rush, the wife/widow of Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate, is the great, great granddaughter of Isidor and Ida Straus who lost their lives in the Titanic disaster, they said in a statement. Her great grandmother was Minnie, one of three daughters of Iidor and Ida. Minnie married Richard Weil. According to the National Archives, Straus and Ida had emigrated to the United States from Germany and boarded the Titanic after returning to their native country for a visit. Their fateful voyage across the North Atlantic Ocean ended on April 14, 1912, when the passenger liner hit an iceberg. The older Straus refused to board after realizing that younger men were denied positions on lifeboats. Ida, in turn, refused to leave her husbands side, reportedly saying, Where you go, I go. Her maid, Ellen, survived with a fur coat a departing gift from Ida. The couple were reportedly last seen holding hands on the ships deck before being swept away. The Strauses' story was portrayed in Cameron's film as an elderly couple that chose to spend their last moments in bed together as water rushed into their room. Today, the Isidor and Ida Straus Memorial sits at the intersection of Broadway and West End Avenue at W. 106th Street in Manhattan, New York. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Woman run over and killed outside gas station in domestic disturbance, MN cops say Police in Minnesota are searching for a driver accused of running over and killing a woman outside a gas station. The Wyoming Police Department said the woman was struck around 10:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22, in the parking lot of the Holiday gas station. First responders administered life-saving efforts, but the woman died at the scene, according to police. Officers have not publicly released the identify of the victim, but they called the situation a domestic disturbance and said the victim and suspect know one another. The driver, who the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported is a man, fled the gas station in a white pickup truck, police said. He has not been captured as of Friday morning. Police said officers are actively checking possible locations for the suspect. Its unclear what led to the incident. Wyoming is about 35 miles northeast of Minneapolis. 65-year-old hit and killed by bus he just exited, Georgia police say Man runs over two women, then angry mob drags him out of truck, Texas police say Wife is killed and husband run over as they tried to repair tractor, SC officials say Editor's note: This story was updated at 4:30 p.m. June 23 to include a statement from the Marion County chapter of the NAACP. A Gainesville woman has been arrested and accused of threatening to shoot Ocala-based State Attorney Bill Gladson if he does not upgrade the criminal charge against Susan Louise Lorincz, the woman who fatally shot Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens earlier this month. Regina A. Pines, 31, was taken into custody at a Gainesville residence early Friday on charges of corruption by threat against a public servant and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. The arrest report says Pines should be held without bail because of the seriousness of the threat and the high-profile nature of the Owens case. Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens The arrest report On Thursday, Ocala Police Department Detective Zach Boyer spoke with an employee at the Marion County Judicial Center about the reported threat. The employee, a woman, told the detective that her office had received numerous phone calls from people who want Gladson to upgrade Lorincz's charge from manslaughter with a firearm to murder. State Attorney Bill Gladson The woman said one caller, who identified herself as Pines, demanded to speak with Gladson about the charging decision. When told she could not speak to the state attorney, Pines suggested that the State Attorney's Office does not care about Black people. Pines then made a comment about shooting Gladson, according to the arrest report. Boyer was able to trace the number to Pines. A Gainesville Police Department officer was sent to Pines' residence, but she was not there. Officials said there was an eviction notice on the woman's door. Pines was eventually located in Gainesville and arrested. SA Bill Gladson's statement Gladson said: "It's unfortunate that people who have an agenda have inserted themselves in our community. It's not productive and it doesn't serve the interest of the surviving members of the family. It doesn't serve the interest of the case because it creates a distraction. No amount of threats or complaints are going to impact our decisions that will be based on the facts and the law." He also said, "From the beginning, I've been transparent and continue to be transparent. I have a strong relationship with the community. I've been communicating with the NAACP and our relationship is strong and that's not going to change." As for a decision on whether the charge will remain the same or be upgraded, Gladson said, "When we make a decision, it will be based on the law and the facts and I'll be fully prepared to explain my decision." Statement from the NAACP Marion County NAACP President Bishop James David Stockton III said, "Even though there has been a good relationship with the SAO prior to this case, our position and presumption has always been that the murder of AJ Owens will be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, murder two being what we understood the highest charge applicable." Stockton added, "That's our position and desire because we want justice for AJ, her community, and especially her children." Owens' death Owens, a single mother of three sons and a daughter, ages 3-12, was shot and killed in her Ocala neighborhood by her neighbor, Lorincz, on June 2. Lorincz, who is white, is accused of yelling at Owens' children, using racial slurs, and throwing skates at them. They told their mother. Owens, who was Black, went to confront her neighbor at her home. Lorincz fired a gun through the closed front door, striking Owens in the chest. Her children witnessed the shooting. Owens later died at a local hospital. She was 35. The 58-year-old shooter has claimed self-defense. She's charged with manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, two counts of assault, and battery. Lorincz is represented by the Public Defender's Office and is presently at the Marion County Jail, with bail set at $154,000. Upgrade the charge? Owens' death has trigged protests, rallies, prayer vigils and calls for the SAO to up the charge against Lorincz. Marion County Sheriff's Office officials said Lorincz could not be arrested at the time of the shooting because, by law, they had to prove her action was not justified under Florida's stand your ground doctrine. Once detectives concluded their initial investigation, Lorincz was arrested on the manslaughter charge. Community members and civil rights leaders have called for Lorincz to be charged with second-degree murder. Picking up the pieces: Ocala community looks for normalcy following Owens tragedy Protestors marched to Gladson's office demanding answers. Gladson came outside and spoke to the protesters. Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens At Owens' funeral, approximately 1,000 people were in attendance and the Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy. Noted civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump and Ocala native Anthony D. Edwards, another lawyer, are representing the Owens family. Lorincz's next court hearing is her arraignment. At that time, she will know the exact charges filed by the SAO. Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Gainesville woman charged with threatening Ocala state attorney Francis Bacons Three Studies for a Portrait of George Dyer, during a 2009 retrospective in Madrid. In the second half of July, anyone with a couple of hundred dollars to spare will be able to buy a share in a Francis Bacon masterpiece: Three Studies for a Portrait of George Dyer, finished in 1963. The triptych will become the worlds first painting to go public. And then it will go to the publicto an as-yet-undetermined museum, where thousands of people can gaze at a canvas that has often hung on the walls of private collectors like Roald Dahl. Read more The IPO, conducted by a company named Artex, will see Three Studies listed on a purpose-devised art exchange based out of Liechtenstein. The listings value is roughly $55 million; the painting last sold, at a 2017 auction by Christies, for close to $52 million. From that Christies sale, the painting moved into a private collectionwhich is the fate of many, many works of fine art. Artexs decision to put its listed works on public display is a boon to art lovers who can see paintings and sculptures that were previously difficult to accessand also to the museums that will host these works. How does an art IPO even work? In many ways, an IPO of a painting works the same way as the IPO of a company. At the moment, Artex is offering investors 385,000 shares in the painting (priced at $100 each) through brokers and banks, which represents 70% of all class B shares in the painting. Retail trading will start in late July, and the price of the shares will fluctuate based on supply and demand, just as in the case of Apple or IBM shares. But while a companys stock price soars or sinks depending on how well it is doinghow many phones it is manufacturing, say, or how its revenues compare to its lossesa painting doesnt perform in the same way. In fact, if anything, the value of a rare masterpiece ordinarily just appreciates, year after year. All it has to do is hang on the wall and not get damaged. Given that, why would retail demand for shares in a Bacon triptych rise or drop significantly at all? One scenario is the potential of a takeover bid. As in the corporate world, if a private collector truly wants to own the Bacon, and is willing to buy out all the shareholders for a premium, the stock price will increase. If, on the other hand, an art expert declares the Bacon to be a forgery, the stock price will flatline. That is a particularity that applies uniquely to artworks; its corporate equivalent, though, might be an auditor announcing that a company has cooked its books. How much art do private collectors own? Its difficult to tell how much of the worlds fine art collection lies in private hands, but its safe to say that it is considerable. Larrys List, which compiles data on the art industry, estimated in 2015 that 53% of private collections had more than 500 artworks each. There are at least 8,000 art collectors around the world, and perhaps as many as 10,000. Many of these holdings are hidden from public view, usually in freeportsuntaxed havens in various countries in which the wealthy start companies and store their high-net-worth goods. The Economist estimates that freeports in Zurich and Geneva hold over $10 billion worth of paintings, sculptures, gold, carpets, and other items. Private collections presumably include works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Picasso that havent been seen since they were stolen. But they also include thousands of others that were legitimately purchased for private consumption. If the price is right, these collectors may well sell to Artex, which charges only a 3% fee of the IPO proceeds, rather than the 20% in commission that leading auctioneers levy. And then those works will move into museums, where the rest of us can finally enjoy them. More from Quartz Sign up for Quartz's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Spanish authorities have begun investigating why as many as 60 people stranded on an inflatable dinghy bound for the Canary Islands had to wait for more than 12 hours to be rescued. The operation resulted in the deaths of 35 people, including a child. Passengers on the boat appealed for help after getting difficulties off the coast of Western Sahara Tuesday afternoon (June 20). A Moroccan rescue vessel only appeared the following day and picked up 24 people. The migration NGOs Walking Borders and Alarm Phone have accused Spanish and Moroccan authorities of failing to act quickly enough. "Having 60 people...waiting for rescue for more than 12 hours on an unstable inflatable boat that could sink at any moment is torture," said Helena Maleno, who leads Walking Borders, emphasizing there were six women and an infant aboard. Spain's public ombudsman has also picked up the case after audio emerged Friday (June 23) confirming the Spanish coast guard had left the rescue operation to its Moroccan counterparts. In a statement, the official said it would be "seeking information about the coordinated measures taken with respect to the actions carried out during the rescue operation." The Spanish Maritime Safety and Rescue Society, also known as Salvamento Maritimo, issued a statement Friday, saying it had acted "in full compliance with the rules and procedures on international coordination established in regard to maritime search and rescue." The service added that while the boat had been located in a search-and-rescue operation shared between Spain and Morocco, they had decided to hand the rescue operation over to Morocco as the boat was 88 miles (141.62km) from the Canary Islands and is nearer (40mi/64.37km) to the Western Saharan coastal town of Laayoune. In addition, the Salvamento Maritimo said its rescue boat Guardamar Caliope could not help the rescue as it had just saved 63 other people, some of which required urgent treatment ashore. "As soon as the Moroccan search-and-rescue authorities took charge of coordination, Salvamento Maritimo offered its full collaboration and dispatched a helicopter that was requested," the service said. Read Also: OceanGate Titan Disaster: 'Titanic' Director James Cameron Exchanges Words With OceanGate Co-Founder About Safety, Cutting Corners Survivors of Libyan Migrant Boat Said Greek Authorities Should Have Let Them Be Meanwhile, a survivor of the overloaded Libyan fishing trawler that sank off the coast of Greece told CNN that the boat should not have sunk if they had not been assisted in the first place. The survivor vividly remembered the moment the boat sank off the coast of Pylos on June 14 with most of the 750 Pakistani, Syrian, Egyptian, and Palestinian refugees and migrants onboard. "I can still hear the voice of a woman calling out for help," the survivor said. "You'd swim and move floating bodies out of your way." Other testimonies were taken from some of the 104 survivors of the ill-fated vessel to visualize the final moments of the boat, according to CNN. The survivors also questioned the Hellenic Coast Guard's version of events, suggesting more lives could have been saved, but the coast guard repeatedly denied attempting to tow the vessel. "When the boat capsized, we were not even next to (the) boat. How could we be towing it?" insisted Hellenic Coast Guard spokesman Nikos Alexiou. The Hellenic Coast Guard has declined to answer CNN's specific requests for a response to the survivor testimonies. Meanwhile, rights groups allege the tragedy was both further evidence and a result of a new pattern in illegal pushbacks of migrant boats to other nations' waters with deadly consequences. UNHCR Special Envoy for the Central Mediterranean Vincent Cochetel said the migrant boat was "overcrowded" and "unseaworthy," which meant authorities should have been rescuing the people aboard the vessel. "There was a responsibility for the Greek authorities to coordinate a rescue to bring those people safely to land," he added. Related Article: Dozens Feared Drowned After Migrant Boat Sinks in Atlantic @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. I was wowed: Why adventurers flocked to take OceanGates $250k Titanic expedition before tragedy hit British billionaire Hamish Harding posted on social media of his excitement at visiting the Titanic wreckage (Action Aviation Chairman) 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. 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 fulfillment 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 is believed to be on board the missing 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 foreshadow 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. (Reuters) - A Wyoming judge on Thursday temporarily blocked a law banning medication abortion in the Western state, delaying what could be the nation's first such ban while a lawsuit challenging it makes its way through the courts, the Casper Star Tribune reported. Wyoming's ban, one of numerous abortion restrictions passed by Republican lawmakers in U.S. states in the year since the Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to an abortion by overturning the 50-year-old Roe vs. Wade decision, was set to go into effect July 1. It was challenged by medical providers and others, who said that the measure would force women to have surgical abortions even though such procedures are more invasive, the newspaper reported. "Essentially the government under this law is making the decision for a woman rather than the woman making her own health care choice," Ninth District Court Judge Melissa Owens said, according to the newspaper. Medication abortion, also called medical abortion, involves taking two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol, to end a pregnancy. (Reporting by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Sonali Paul) Yosemite held Pride event and now there are calls for boycotts. Heres what happened Yosemite National Park became the latest target of boycott threats after hosting a Pride parade for park staff. Heres what happened. Popular drag queen and environmentalist Pattie Gonia posted a TikTok showing a Pride parade for park staff on June 8 that quickly went viral. Hello, in case you didnt know, gay people are literally taking over the National Park System, they say in the video, which shows participants hiking through the park with pride flags and attire. Pattie Gonia then describes how they helped throw Pride at Yosemite for the third year in a row. As you can see, there are literal hundreds of queer Yosemite employees, the drag queen, whose personal identity is Wyn Wiley, says in the video. We danced. We marched. We celebrated. And we got wet. I am so proud of all the community organizers in the park system who are making safe space for queer people all year round. No planet, no Pride, they added. Mother Nature is a lesbian. Goodbye. The video caught the attention of conservative commentator and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who shared it with his 2.3 million Twitter followers. Now even our national parks are hosting drag queens for Pride Month, Kirk said. His post inspired some of his followers to suggest boycotting the park. Its time to boycott Yosemite!!! one said. Looks like well skip the hike today, someone else said. I wont be going there anymore, another commented. The park received some negative comments on a statement about the parade it posted on Instagram, with some joking about conservative boycotts. What in the bud light at target is going on here, one asked, seemingly sarcastically. Please promise us youll try and cancel Yosemite, someone replied. Im being serious. If you conservatives are so upset that theyre showing support for us then please by all means stay home and drink your Coors light and then maybe just maybe the park will be enjoyable again without the crowds. An employee who works as a refrigerator technician at the park chimed in to share their disappointment at the hate on the post and to wish everyone a happy Pride month. Im extremely grateful for this incredible community, this is the first workplace Ive ever felt safe being out of the closet, they said. Elsewhere on social media, people even welcomed the boycott. Yosemite posted a pride post (literally just park rangers with pride flags) and people in the comments are having straight meltdowns, someone said on Twitter. Hoping they boycott so the crowds get smaller. Yosemite posted a pride post (literally just park rangers with pride flags) and people in the comments are having straight meltdowns hoping they boycott so the crowds get smaller <3 paulina (@heyimpaul15) June 9, 2023 It was not Pattie Gonias first partnership to instigate boycott threats. After starring in an advertisement for The North Faces Pride month campaign, some threatened to boycott the brand, Newsweek reported. After Bud Light and Target publicly supported transgender people and drag queens in their Pride month campaigns, many conservatives pledged to boycott the companies and any others that followed suit. Target and Bud Light backtracked after the backlash, with Target taking down Pride displays in many of its stores. But most Americans say big retailers should publicly support the LGBTQ+ community and keep their Pride displays, according to recent studies by GLAAD and Data for Progress. Adults interrupt track meet to accuse 9-year-old girl of being transgender, parents say Megan Thee Stallion defended gay classmate in middle school. He got invited onstage Bonnaroo vows to stay champion of self-expression despite Tennessee drag show ban (Bloomberg) -- Zambia has concluded the most difficult part of negotiations to restructure its debt, and sees remaining talks being wrapped up soon, President Hakainde Hichilema said. Most Read from Bloomberg The southern African nation announced a breakthrough debt relief deal with its bilateral creditors on Thursday that will see its payments on $6.3 billion of debt stretched out over about 20 years, with a three-year grace period. While the agreement unlocks a much-needed $188 million payment from the International Monetary Fund, the government still needs to ratify the deal with each lender and negotiate comparable terms with commercial creditors, including bondholders. To get everybody to the table to then negotiate plus-minus what Zambia expected, what creditor A expected, creditor B, creditor C, was the most difficult thing, Hichilema said in an interview on Friday with Bloomberg TV in Paris, where he attended a conference. Now we are here, the next is consummation. Simple, straight. The bulk of the deal covers loans from Chinese creditors, who account for about one-third of Zambias total external public liabilities of more than $18 billion. The IMF put Zambias bilateral debt at nearly $8 billion at the end of 2021, but the government said only $6.3 billion of this will be restructured. Its unclear whats excluded and why. The debt weve restructured is not a complete debt write down so the residual debt, we will continue working on it, Hichilema said. In any negotiation you hardly achieve a 100% of what you want, and if you are off by 3%, by 5%, you live with that and you move on with what is on the table and continue pushing for the remainder that needs to be brought in line, he added, without directly referencing the Zambian deal. Read More: Zambia Wins Debt Relief, Sets Precedent for Stressed Nations In November 2020, Zambia became the first African nation to default on its debt amid the coronavirus pandemic. Its also the first to secure major relief under the Group of 20s Common Framework, designed to help poor nations restructure debt they can no longer afford to service. Zambias accord will free up money that was being used to service debt to grow the economy and invest, according to Hichilema. Progress has already been made, with the IMF forecasting that gross domestic product will expand 4% this year and 4.1% in 2024. If a government reduces the funds it was spending on servicing and repaying its debt and channels those into revenue, then you begin to really get the economy going and opportunities created and obviously growth, jobs, business opportunities, the president said. The deal sets a precedent for other countries buckling under debilitating debts including Ghana, Sri Lanka and Ethiopia locked in negotiations with creditors from China, the Paris Club and bondholders. More than 70 low-income nations face a collective $326 billion burden, with more than half of them already in or near debt distress, according to the IMF. What we are doing is novel. It hasnt been done before so there is a learning curve here, Hichilema said. The countries that will come after us who are debtor countries should be able to do what we have done in a much shorter time as long as there is a commitment from the debtor countries to do what is right, which is enter into the reforms, the restructuring that led the economies to underperform. Read More: Zambia Debt Deal Spurs Rally in Distressed Emerging Markets --With assistance from Monique Vanek. (Updates with presdeints comments throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The logo of German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim is seen at its building in Shanghai By Ludwig Burger FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Zealand Pharma and Boehringer Ingelheim said their experimental obesity treatment was shown to reduce body weight by close to 19% in a mid-stage trial when looking at participants who had reached the intended dosage level. The detailed results from a mid-stage trial, presented at a meeting of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in San Diego on Friday, showed a higher efficacy than the 14.9% weight reduction reported by the companies last month in a brief preview of the data. The treatment regimen starts at a low dosage which is stepped up to reach a maintenance level - the same as with weekly weight-loss shot Wegovy by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, which is expected to win approval for obesity. The higher efficacy readout on the new drug came from looking at only those trial participants that reached the maximum dosage and from excluding patients who could not keep up with the ramp-up schedule, mainly because of gastrointestinal side effects. But Germany's family-owned Boehringer and Denmark's Zealand will likely take well over a year to run a pivotal phase III trial on their drug, called BI 456906, and then to argue what they hope will be a better case with regulators. For one, they aim to better control side effects, which prompted 24.6% of patients to stop taking the drug in the Phase II trial. They plan to give participants more time to ramp up the dosage in the upcoming larger trial. "The steeper the dose escalation, the more gastrointestinal side effects come up," Paola Casarosa, head of therapeutic areas at Boehringer Ingelheim, told Reuters. The partners are also eyeing better efficacy by running the planned Phase III trial for longer because weight loss was not yet levelling off at the Phase II study's 46 week cut-off time. "Additional weight loss could be achieved with longer treatment duration," the companies said in a statement. As the dose-finding trial was in the second phase of three required for approval, it was relatively small with close to 400 participants. The readout was based on a group of 77 people who were meant to ramp up to the highest of four experimental drug dosages and 54 of those actually reached that dose. The design of the Phase III trial is being discussed with regulators, said Boehringer's Casarosa. She would not be drawn on when to expect results. Rivals already have longer-term data. Eli Lilly said last year that Mounjaro was shown to reduce up to 22.5% in weight after 72 weeks of treatment in a much larger late-stage trial. Before that, a late-stage trial showed Wegovy helped patients lose about 15%-17% of weight over 68 weeks, depending on patient subgroups in the study. The enormous demand for weight-loss treatments could support an obesity market worth up to $100 billion within a decade, industry executives and analysts have said. To entrench its lead in obesity, Novo Nordisk is developing two-drug treatment CagriSema, which was shown last year to reduce body weight by 15.6% after 32 weeks in a Phase II trial on overweight diabetics. (Reporting by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Zelenskyy draws conclusions of Security and Defence Council: guilty of improper condition of bomb shelters to be punished The National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine made a decision to prosecute those guilty of improper condition of bomb shelters throughout Ukraine and in the city of Kyiv and to put all protective structures in proper condition. Source: Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on social media Details: Zelenskyy has briefly drawn the conclusions of the meeting, during which three main issues were on the agenda. Quote: "The first [issue ed.] is the safety of people. One-fourth of bomb shelters throughout Ukraine and one-third in Kyiv are unsuitable for use. The decision of the National Security and Defence Council: the guilty must be prosecuted, and all protective structures must be put in proper condition. The second issue is the courts. We continue to implement the court reform in tight cooperation with the EU. We are increasing accountability for corruption in the legal system. We are separately working on the mechanism for the protection of foreign and internal investments in courts. The third issue is our future in the EU. We are accelerating our pace of fulfilling European recommendations." Updated: Later Zelenskyy released a video message following the meeting of the NSDC. In regards to the dire condition of shelters, he promised, among other things, to make certain changes in personnel. Quote: "Ministers Klymenko and Kamyshin presented the first summary of the inspection of shelters in the regions of our country. The conclusions are disappointing. Almost all over the country. In Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv, and Dnipro... and Konotop, and Bila Tserkva, and many other cities. The situation is especially cynical and shameful in those cities that have significant financial resources, but, unfortunately, other priorities. Staff decisions are underway." Details: Regarding the sphere of justice: according to Zelenskyy, there is a proposal to strengthen criminal liability for corruption offences in the field of justice. "And to make it tangible. From 10 to 15 years with confiscation of property... And so that this applies to those who demand money, who take money, who keep this system of corruption at all its links." Next is, according to the head of state, implementation of mandatory checks on the integrity of judges, and not only before their appointment. It is reported that members of the NSDC separately discussed the issue of protecting the rights of businesses and investors in the courts. "Today is exactly one year since Ukraine acquired the status of a candidate for accession to the European Union, and this year the goal is to start membership negotiations. Ukraine will definitely do its part," the president added. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on 23 June, where he listened to the reports of the commanders and instructed Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhny to dismiss Odesa military commissar Yevhen Borysov, who, as discovered by Ukrainska Pravda, has real estate worth millions of dollars in Spain. Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram Quote: "Held a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Heard reports of all the commanders. Generals Zaluzhny, Syrskyi, Tarnavskyi, Moskaliov. I gave an urgent order to the Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi to immediately dismiss, so to speak, the Odesa military commissar the head of the local recruitment centre, of whom our whole country is talking about. He gave an urgent order to create a commission under the leadership of the First Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, General Pavliuk, to check all military commissars in all regions of Ukraine together with the law enforcement unit and the National Agency of Corruption Prevention, so that they do not discredit our state and the memory of heroes who die at the front." Details: The reports of Commander of Ukrainian Navy Vice-Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Maliuk, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov, and Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin were heard at the meeting. In addition to this, the issues of defence and offensive operations, armament supply, contracts with partners and the acceleration of manufacturing capacity in the defence-industrial complex of Ukraine have been discussed. It should be noted that the military enlistment offices of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, oblasts, the cities of Kyiv and Sevastopol are subordinated to the operational command in whose area of responsibility they are located in accordance with the military-administrative division of the territory of Ukraine. Background: In the investigation "The Spanish Battalion". Ukrainska Pravda pays a visit to the Odesa military commissar and other Ukrainian millionaires by Mykhailo Tkach, an Ukrainska Pravda journalist, it was revealed that during the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the family of Yevhen Borysov, head of Odesa Military Enlistment Office, bought real estate and cars worth millions of dollars in the coastal area of Spain. This was substantiated by extracts from Spanish registers, though Borysov himself claims he has no idea whether his family owns property in Spain. Natalia Humeniuk, head of the press centre of the Pivden (South) Operational Command, reported that an internal investigation against Borysov has found no grounds for his removal from office. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Yevhen Borisov Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi to immediately dismiss the head of the Odesa Regional Territorial Recruitment Center, Yevhen Borisov, Zelenskyy said in a video address on June 23. "I gave urgent instructions to Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi to immediately dismiss, as it were, the 'draft commissioner' of Odesa the head of the local recruitment center, about whom the entire country is talking," said the president. Read also: Zaluzhnyi and Syrskyi will personally come to those who put them on Russias wanted list Zelenskyy also announced the creation of a commission to inspect all draft commissioners across the country, aided by law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies "so that they would not disgrace our state and the memory of heroes who die on the front lines." On April 25, former MP Ihor Mosiychuk claimed that Borisovs mother, Nadia Borisova, has recently purchased a EUR 4 million ($4,36 million) house in Marbella, Spain. Read also: Odesa port workers rescue wildlife after Kakhovka dam attack On April 26, Mosiychuk added that Borisov's wife, Oleksandra Borisova, had also bought an office in Marbella during the ongoing war, reportedly worth EUR 2 million. Read also: US reconstruction expert on rebuilding Ukraine, and how to avoid corruption interview Also on April 25, Mosiychuk stated that Borisov imported an expensive Mercedes Benz car as humanitarian cargo in the fall of 2022. According to the former MP, Borisov's wife, who lives in a rented apartment in Marbella, uses the car, along with Borisov during his visits to Spain. Mosiychuk added that Borisov had been in Marbella from December 22, 2022, to January 18, 2023. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Zelenskyy on Odesa military commissar: This person should not be in the recruiting system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on the Spanish property of the family of Odesa military commissar Yevhen Borysov, said that "this person should definitely not be in the recruiting system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine." Source: President Zelenskyy's video address Quote: "I just held a Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff meeting. Justice is also a very important point of our discussion at the Staff meeting. Issues concerning military commission chiefs, in particular the scandal with... a figure in Odesa. This person should definitely not be in the recruitment system of the Armed Forces, it is very unpleasant, frankly immoral, and wrong that this person remained in his position despite everything. I've instructed Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi to remove this person from his post. And First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Pavliuk has been instructed to organize an inspection of this entire system of military commissions. It is a pity that the Staff meeting's attention and time now have to be spent on such issues." Details: He also reported that the situation on the front line was reviewed in detail at the Staff meeting all main fronts, supply of ammunition, artillery. The president also honoured the soldiers of the 35th Marine Brigade. Quote: "A brigade that performs extremely difficult tasks. Guys who fight exactly the way Ukrainian soldiers should fight. Senior sailor Viacheslav Imanhulov and junior lieutenant Serhii Pienov thank you, guys, for your exemplary strength and courage in the battles in Donetsk Oblast. This is exactly what our soldiers, Ukrainian soldiers, should be like. Well done! And I am asking each and every one: please honour the memory of our two paratroopers of the 35th Brigade. Especially brave, especially strong. They gave their lives for our country, for our people right now in the battles in June, and Ukraine should remember them. Captain Ivan Kotsur... Eternal memory! Senior Lieutenant Oleksandr Kazandzhi... Eternal memory!" Background: In the investigation "The Spanish Battalion". Ukrainska Pravda pays a visit to the Odesa military commissar and other Ukrainian millionaires by Mykhailo Tkach, an Ukrainska Pravda journalist, it was revealed that during the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the family of Yevhen Borysov, head of Odesa Military Enlistment Office, bought real estate and cars worth millions of dollars in the coastal area of Spain. This was substantiated by extracts from Spanish registers, though Borysov himself claims he has no idea whether his family owns property in Spain. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on 23 June, where he listened to the reports of the commanders and instructed Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhny to dismiss Odesa military commissar Yevhen Borysov, who, as discovered by Ukrainska Pravda, has real estate worth millions of dollars in Spain. Natalia Humeniuk, head of the press centre of the Pivden (South) Operational Command, reported that an internal investigation against Borysov has found no grounds for his removal from office. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! David Arakhamia, the head of the Servant of the People party faction in the Ukrainian Parliament, has urged the government to consider the evidence that Yevhen Borysov, Head of the Odesa military enlistment office, has abused his powers, as voiced in a recent investigation by Ukrainska Pravda. Arakhamiia also called for a general inspection of military enlistment office heads in all oblasts of Ukraine. Source: Arakhamia on Telegram Quote from Arakhamia: "I watched the investigation by Mykhailo Tkach about the military enlistment office (i.e. Yevhen Borysov, Head of the Odesa military enlistment office ed.), and I was speechless." Details: Arakhamia said that he, as a member of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence, is initiating a review of this case and its detailed coverage in the media. "I am preparing an appeal to law enforcement agencies and taking the progress of the investigation under my personal control." The faction's chairman also noted that he would simultaneously initiate an appeal to the authorised bodies to conduct similar checks on military enlistment office heads of all regions. Recall: Mykhailo Tkach, an Ukrainska Pravda journalist, has released an investigation called "Battalion Spain". Ukrainska Pravda visited the Odesa military commissar and other Ukrainian millionaires, reporting that Yevhen Borysov's family has purchased millions of dollars worth of property and cars on the Spanish coast during the full-scale war. Extracts from the Spanish registry prove this, although Borysov himself says he has no idea whether his family owns any property in Spain. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! They say that violence is never the answer to settle disputes, but it's easy to root for a fight especially if two tech billionaires will be placed in the ring. Predictably, it was Musk who started the idea of the two engaging in a physical fight, to which Zuckerberg agreed. Musk vs Zuckerberg Unlike the fights that certain YouTubers keep promoting, this is the kind of fight that people would be interested to witness. Tech billionaires are probably the last thing you'd think of when it comes to brawls, but it may just become a reality. It started off with a tweet from Mario Nawfal, reporting that Meta will be releasing a "Threads," which was meant to be a "Twitter Rival." Knowing how Musk reacts to such things, it was expected that he would respond to the situation, although not in the way he normally does. Im up for a cage match if he is lol Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 21, 2023 At first, Musk sarcastically responded by saying that Earth can't want to be "exclusively under Zuck's thumb" without other options. When a user pointed out that the Meta CEO knew jiu-jitsu now, Musk said that he was ready for a cage match. Zuckerberg saw the tweet and responded through an Instagram story. Posting a screenshot of Musk's challenge, the Meta CEO captioned it " Send Me Location." Musk, not backing down, stated the Vegas Octagon as the venue. The Tesla CEO even joked about a move called "The Walrus," where he would just lie on top of his opponent and do nothing. Given that Musk is bigger than Zuckerberg, it might be entertaining to watch him attempt that in the fight with the Meta CEO. Still, his opponent has more training than he has. As pointed out by The Verge, Zuckerberg is an aspirational MMA fighter who has already proven himself in tournaments. Meanwhile, Musk claims he's had "real hard-core street fights" while growing up in South Africa. Learning from street fights, while it might help, is still different from actual disciplined training, which Zuckerberg has been going through. If the fight does go through, let's hope that Musk trains a little just to level the playing field. Read Also: Meta Products Will Soon Get Generative AI Features, Says Mark Zuckerberg Let's See the Stats Elon Musk, known as the CEO of several companies, is 5"11 in height and 180 pounds in weight. Almost 52 years old, Musk is more than a decade older than Zuckerberg. In both height and weight, Elon Musk is ahead. The Meta CEO is 5"7 in height and 154 pounds in weight, according to Stars Unfolded, but due to his recent activities and training, he may have gained more muscle weight. He is also ahead when it comes to actual combat training. Just this May, Zuckerberg won gold and silver medals in his first Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament in California, fighting for the Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu team. That proves that his training is more than a hobby and he can actually apply it in real life. Although Musk claims he has experience in street fights growing up in South Africa, training might not be a bad idea since his opponent has already dedicated so much time to getting better at fighting. All we can hope for now is that they actually go through with it. Related: Federal Court Still Won't Elon Musk Tweet Whatever He Wants Experts recommend you delete you home's photos from real estate sites as soon as possible. Experts recommend you delete you home's photos from real estate sites as soon as possible. Zillow-surfing became a pandemic pastime when many of us felt boxed in by our walls, regardless of how many square feet we occupied. But the truth is, people have always browsed real estate listings for sport, and in recent years sites like Zillow, Trulia and Redfin have made it easy to scroll to our hearts content, just like we do on social media. If you have an internet connection and a smartphone, tablet or computer, you have a world of real estate listings at your fingertips, which means that the same information is available to scammers. When a home is put up for sale, a listing agent uploads information to a multiple listing service, or MLS, for potential buyers. That typically includes photos of the interior and exterior, and often detailed photos or a 3D tour highlighting appliances, fixtures, furniture, floor plans and even personal items. Zillow and Trulia are free services, but they sell leads and info to everyone else in real estate and surrounding industries, including mortgage lenders and home improvement outlets, said Bridget Torrey, a managing broker at Gustave White Sothebys International Realty in Tiverton, Rhode Island. The information that can be gathered from real estate listings is staggering. Zillows portfolio is huge and growing, and they have a lot of transactional data as they also own [the document-signing software] Dotloop ... and they have pictures of everyones house, what shoes they buy, what their kids look like, what they drink, etc., Torrey said. Its a consumer market researchers gold mine, organized by zip code. Torrey tells her clients to hide as much of their personal belongings as possible when taking photos for listings, and she doesnt post images that show too much personal info. But she also acknowledges that some information is revealed just by the style of furnishings people have in their homes, and that can be a problem. Protecting your digital privacy has never been more critically important, said Monica Eaton, the founder of Chargebacks911, a company that helps consumers reverse charges to their debit or credit cards after fraud. But when it comes to your online real estate listings, its not just your digital privacy its your physical, real-life privacy, too. Your Homes Layout (Among Other Things) Should Not Be Public Information Celine Coudert, a luxury real estate broker at Serhant in New York City, emphasized that our homes are our private sanctuaries. Listing photos should be removed from the internet after a sale, she said, because theres just too much information that criminals can extract from the images. People feel so much more unsafe these days, and it makes sense not to have the layout of your house on the internet, Coudert said, adding that maybe you do or dont want the world to see how beautiful your home is, but nobody needs to know your access points, where your windows and doors are located. Your home is literally where you live, Eaton said, so its a very different security threat than, say, a random cyberthief hacking an old email address and spamming your contacts. There are obvious concerns for your physical safety. Your home decor could also reveal if you live alone, and there are indicators about your gender, if you have young children, and so much more.Monica Eaton, founder of Chargebacks911 If youve already purchased a home, Coudert recommended downloading the listing photos so you can have them for your records or if you plan to remodel and want before-and-after shots and then removing the interior images from real estate websites. If a house isnt on the market, theres no reason to leave up photos of the interior, said Paul Bischoff, a privacy advocate with the tech services review site Comparitech. Burglars could use the photos to learn what valuables you own or where you might store them, as well as how to get in and out undetected. Though it may make your lovely home look even more impressive, advertising that you have an original Andy Warhol hanging a few feet from your patio entrance isnt a wise idea. This certainly doesnt mean that every home listed online is going to be burglarized. But we already know that the kind of fruit that criminals covet the most is low-hanging fruit, so dont make your house stand out as a tempting target, Eaton said. Its like that old proverb: The nail that sticks out the farthest is the one thats most likely to be hit. Bad Actors Are Extremely Tech-Savvy I recommend never sharing that youre going on vacation on social media, and not posting while youre away, said Athos Kyriakides, a real estate agent in northern New Jersey. I know most people share their trips and usually nothing happens, but I think thats going to change as criminals continue to become more tech-savvy. Emmet Szewczyk, a younger realtor who is licensed in Tennessee and Georgia and working on Illinois, was raised with the internet and understands its permanence. My dad always told me growing up, Anything you post online cannot be removed completely, and it lives forever, Szewczyk said. That doesnt change for listing photos. While the consensus among realtors and cybersecurity experts is that you should remove photos of your home after closing, you dont have much control over what happens before a sale. While the listing is live on the market, anybody with an internet connection can screenshot photos of the house one would potentially buy, Szewczyk pointed out. Consequentially, the buyer of that house can never ensure all photos of the house they are purchasing are removed from the internet. Kyriakides said that photos should be left on the MLS system for licensed realtors to use, but not on the public sites where any person can log on and see the interior of your home at any time. Determined scammers can glean an extraordinary amount of information about their targets from photos. Your home decor could also reveal if you live alone, and there are indicators about your gender, if you have young children, and so much more, Eaton said, Its a treasure trove of personal data. Now that you know why you should remove your homes photos from online real estate sites, heres how to do it on a few of the most popular ones. How To Remove Your House Photos From Zillow In its official documentation, Zillow states that the company will not entirely remove pages about homes, saying that these are based on information gathered from public records. But you can edit the facts about your home, and once youve claimed ownership of the property, you can add, update or delete photos of it. Even though you might have to create an account and provide some personal information to Zillow and others to remove photos, you can always delete your account afterward, Bischoff noted. How To Remove Your House Photos From Trulia Trulia receives its photos from Zillow, its sister site. So when you remove images from Zillow, they should be automatically deleted from Trulia as well. If your photos are still on Trulia after deleting them from Zillow, contact Trulias consumer care team. How To Remove Your House Photos From Realtor.com On Realtor.com, you have to set up an account and verify your address before you can see your homes dashboard, which has a remove photos button under the My Home tab. How To Remove Your House Photos From Redfin Like other sites, Redfin requires you to have an account and sign in to access your owner dashboard. Go to the dashboard using the drop-down menu under your name in the top-right corner of the page. You can select your home, then click on edit photos and then choose hide listing photos. There will be a prompt that says Yes, Hide Photos, which you can select when it pops up. Related... Future growth: Environmentalist Shadreck Ndlovu looks at seedlings harvested from an indigenous Zimbabwean tree (Zinyange Auntony) It is shortly after sunrise, and Peter Mudenda looks for elephant tracks on a dirt road surrounded by mopane trees. Once a farmer, the 49-year-old gave up the plough several years ago when a massive forest protection project was launched in Binga, a remote semi-arid district in northern Zimbabwe. He now makes a living digging fireguards, taking care of trees and keeping tabs on wildlife. "I was getting a good yield... but I was quick to appreciate that we could benefit more as a community from a conservancy," Mudenda told AFP. The conservancy is part of a wider project that makes money selling carbon credits, a financial tool aimed at tackling climate change. But in Zimbabwe, the model has been upended by a shock announcement that the government intends to claim half of all revenues. As more countries look to regulate the sector, the move has created uncertainty in a $2 billion global market, stoking fears that other governments may follow suit, analysts say. "The approach they've taken is quite radical and a bit blunt," said Gilles Dufrasne of Carbon Market Watch, an advocacy group. The scheme in Binga is part of Kariba REDD+, the largest carbon credit initiative of its kind. Carbon credits aim at providing an important funding source for conservation. Companies or individuals buy credits from entities that remove or reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as investing in renewable energy, planting trees or nurturing old forests. Each credit is worth the equivalent of one tonne of carbon dioxide -- a useful badge of honour for those keen on proving their green credentials. A partnership between Zimbabwean firm Carbon Green Investments and South Pole, a Swiss-based carbon offsets developer, Kariba REDD+ was launched 2011. It now covers 785,000 hectares (1.9 million acres) of forest, fostering a series of community-led activities from beekeeping to ecotourism. Since its inception it has generated more than 100 million euros ($110 million) from the sale of carbon credits, according to South Pole -- a figure that is expected to mushroom. - Carbon credit boom - The global market is forecast to grow at least five-fold to $10 billion by 2030, according to a 2023 estimate by oil giant Shell and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Much of the trade happens between companies in a so-called voluntary market. But countries are also negotiating an international carbon offset trading system to reach their climate targets under the umbrella of United Nations-led climate talks. South Pole says most of Kariba's income was produced over the past two years. Gucci and Nestle are among firms that have bought into it. Last month, Zimbabwe, which is cash strapped and in desperate need of foreign currency, said it wants a slice of the pie. Francis Vorhies, a conservation economist at South Africa's Stellenbosch University, said there was a logic behind Zimbabwe's move, given that the national market was based largely on government-controlled resources. But the new policy has spooked investors and locals alike. "This is business, not charity work. There are investors putting in their money," said Elmon Mudenda, a local councillor in Binga, who shares the same surname as the former farmer but is not related to him. "Government must be careful to come up with friendly policies, so that we don't have communities going back to a mindset where they don't value the conservation of forests." Under the new policy, 50 percent of all revenue from carbon offset projects should go to the national treasury. - 'Devil in the details' - At least another 20 percent should go to local investors, while and foreign partners would be allowed to pocket no more than 30 percent. All carbon credit deals are to be subjected to central approval and all agreements previously entered would be declared "null and void", Harare declared last month. "(It) does raise the question of what they're going to do with the money," said Dufrasne of Carbon Market Watch. South Pole says it initially took a 25 percent commission on Kariba sales, before it started to buy the credits for itself at a time of low prices to later resell them. About 20 percent of revenue currently goes to fund environmental protection activities, with the rest split between local councils, communities and leaseholders, according to the firm's website. Stephen Wentzel, director of Carbon Green Investments, said Kariba would remain viable if the government was to put its cut back into the project. But due to Zimbabwe's "historical reputation," foreign firms might shy away from buying credits directly, and harbour suspicions about how the funds will be used, he said. "The devil is in the details," said South Pole's spokeswoman Nadia Kahkonen, explaining no concrete regulation has yet followed the announcement. "Speculation and political discourse currently creates even more uncertainty... and will slow down if not halt investments in local projects." str-klm-ub/sn/giv/ri FREDERICKSBURG Mike Godfrey let out a shout heard round the world, or at least along the mid-Atlantic coast, when he scared away a black bear raiding the bird feeders of his Fauquier County home from 800 miles away. Godfrey, a retired government worker, has a primary home in Florida and a second one about 3 miles northwest of Warrenton. He recently was in the Sunshine State when the motion detectors on his Ring security cameras in Virginia went off after midnight. Through the app, he saw a small black bear, sniffing his daughters car in the driveway and eyeballing the steps leading to the porch. Then, the bear walked around to the front of the house, stood up and started to pull over a pole holding two bird feeders filled with sunflower seeds. From his perch four states to the South, Godfrey shouted into the Ring Stick Up Cam pointed at the front of the Warrenton house. Hey, get offa that, he yelled twice, his voice booming in the dark of night. The bear skedaddled. There have been numerous sightings of black bears this spring from the woods that surround Godfreys subdivision in Warrenton, north to the concrete jungles of Washington and south into the Fredericksburg area. About 10 days ago, a black bear was wandering through backyards less than 5 miles from the White House. The male bear, which weighed approximately 200 pounds, was tranquilized and checked over before being released back into the wild, somewhere in Maryland, said Chris Schindler, vice president of field services for the Humane Rescue Alliance, according to an Associated Press story. The same day the DC bear was making headlines, a Spotsylvania County woman reported to FOX 5 that she and her husband were walking their dog when they spotted a bear. The husband grabbed the dog and ran inside their home in the Lees Park subdivision. The bear continued toward Spotsylvania Parkway, according to the report. While it may seem like bears are making the news more often, the sightings are on par with other years, said Carl Tugend, bear project lead for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. He says three different bear-related behaviors are the reason. Bears are still searching for food and trying to recover from their long winters nap; mothers are pushing yearlings young ones about 15 months old out of the den to get ready for the soon-to-start breeding season; and those yearlings are looking to establish their own ranges. Young bears, especially, dont mind easy pickings like the pic-a-nic baskets that Yogi Bear and Boo Boo used to run off with in the cartoons. Bears dont have a problem with an easy meal or two, said Joseph Ferdinandsen, a wildlife biologist in the Fredericksburg DWR office. Human behavior helps them by providing ample high-calorie food that often comes with very little effort. That includes bird feeders. The wildlife department recommends removing bird feeders altogether from April to November as Tugend says there are plenty of natural food sources for the feathered friends. If homeowners dont want to do that, they can at least take them down at night, Ferdinandsen said. They also can secure their garbage in containers stronger than tin cans, stop feeding their pets outside and clean grills after barbecuing because the grease left behind is an enchanting aroma for bears and other wildlife, Tugend said. Drier weather also affects natural food sources and may lead bears to search out alternatives like bird feeders, beehives and garbage, Ferdinandsen said. He believes people and bears can survive, side-by-side in harmony if humans remove some of the attractants that will bring bears closer to their front and back yards. Bears live all over Virginia and in places where they were unheard of a generation ago, now they are quite common, he said. Tugend stressed that the last thing bears want is to be in contact with people and the dogs they sometimes have with them. He believes there was more to the recent story about the black bear in Arizona that mauled a man to death on his front porch and that some other condition caused the bear to attack. At least for me, in my opinion, being able to see a bear is something that people should cherish. Theyre amazing creatures. Theyre super intelligent, theyre super inquisitive and theyre beautiful to see, Tugend said. As long as youre maintaining a safe distance, you have nothing to worry about. A 19-year-old man who bought fentanyl pills in Omaha and distributed them throughout Cass County, Iowa, was sentenced on Wednesday to 16 years in federal prison. Mason Loudermilk of Council Bluffs was indicted last year on one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, namely more than 40 grams of a substance containing fentanyl, resulting in serious bodily injury. He pleaded guilty earlier this year. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Loudermilk obtained fentanyl pills from a source in Omaha between August 2020 and May 2022. He then distributed those pills in and around Cass County causing at least two fentanyl overdoses that required medical intervention. Multiple agencies assisted in the investigation, including the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Intelligence, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Atlantic Police Department, Council Bluffs Police Department and the Omaha Police Department. A Council Bluffs woman was sentenced June 15 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Amanda Marie Sprinkel, 33, was sentenced to five years in prison following her plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, according to a news release. Sprinkel must serve a four-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa said that, according to court documents, on Sept. 20, 2022, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force executed a search warrant on a home in Council Bluffs. Sprinkel was located sitting in a vehicle in the driveway of the Council Bluffs residence. Prosecutors said that officers witnessed Sprinkel throw an object on the driver side floorboard. A backpack was found containing 62 grams of suspected methamphetamine. A search of Sprinkels phone later showed messages negotiating narcotic transactions and other messages arranging and discussing narcotic sales. An Omaha man was sentenced last week to 180 months in prison following his plea of guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance in Iowa. 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. The Daily News publishes death notices and obituaries on a daily basis for Norfolkans, area residents and former residents. Death notices, which include information about when and where a person died, funeral services, burial and visitation for the deceased and memorial information, are published free of charge. If families of the deceased desire to have an obituary printed, there is a fee charged for doing so. Because of that, families of the deceased can decide what information they want included in the obituary, as well as if they desire to have a photograph of the deceased published along with it. The Daily News reserves the right to edit. 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The Ministry cited Kvrivishvili as noting the importance of technical studies for the Government to make the final decision on where and in what form the countrys main airport project would be implemented. Our goal is for the country to have one of the best airports in the world, which will also be a transit and logistics centre with high-level passenger and cargo terminals, and will respond to airline trends and passenger demands that will be there in the coming decades, Kvrivishvili said. She added the technical study would indicate whether the project for a brand-new airport in Vaziani should be prioritised over expanding the existing Tbilisi International Airport on the outskirts of the capital. Another country has signed NASA's Artemis Accords. Officials from Ecuador's government have recently signed the Artemis Accords, making it the 26th country to do so; it joins the 61 other countries in safeguarding space for future exploration. Ecuador, a South American country, doesn't have a major presence in space, though it did establish a space agency in 2007, per Space News. Ecuador Artemis Accords Signing Details NASA mentioned in its latest blog post that Ecuadorian Ambassador to the US Ivonne A-Baki had signed the Artemis Accords in a signing ceremony at the Ecuador Embassy in Washington. A-Baki is joined by Julio Jose Prado and Gustavo Manrique Miranda, Ecuador's Minster of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, respectively. US Department of State Director of the Office of Space Affairs Valda Vikmanis Keller and NASA Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations Karen Feldstein witnessed the signing during the ceremony. A-Baki mentioned in a statement that Ecuador signing the Artemis Accords sends a "powerful" message to the international community that the Ecuadorian government is open to innovation, investment, workforce development to promote sustainable growth, and international collaboration to help solve "Humanity's greatest challenges." The signing also meant to show that the Ecuadorian government is committed to pursuing cutting-edge efforts in technology, A-Baki added. Feldstein agrees with the Ecuadorian ambassador - she stated that by signing the Artemis Accords, Ecuador adds its voice to a "diverse and growing set of nations committed to the notion that humanity's rapid expansion into space, toward the Moon and destinations beyond, is peaceful, safe, and in full accordance with international law." Read More: OceanGate's Former Employee Fired for Raising Safety Concerns About Submersible in 2018 What Are The Artemis Accords? The Artemis Accords are a set of principles NASA established in coordination with the US Department of State in 2020 and seven other founding member nations, guiding space exploration cooperation among those that signed it, including those participating in its Artemis program. Countries that signed the Artemis Accords are not necessarily required to participate in the effort to reach space. Rather, it reinforces and implements key obligations in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which dictates that space explorations are carried out for the and in the interests of all countries, per the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs. The Treaty also stated that outer space would be Humanity's province and free for exploration and use by all nations, NASA expects that additional countries will sign the Accords in the months and years ahead; those that signed the Accords prioritized having more countries not traditionally seen as space players to sign the Accords. According to an interview with Jennifer Littlejohn, acting assistant secretary of state for oceans and international environmental and scientific affairs, one working group of member countries, led by Brazil and Poland, was examining how to attract more emerging space nations and overcome any obstacles to them signing. While the Accords have not resolved some space-related issues, like space resource utilization, Mike Gold, chief growth officer at Redwire and a former NASA official who spearheaded the development of the Accords in 2020, said a lack of a resolution is necessary to create a "big tent" of countries that can later resolve such sticking points. Related Article: Czech Republic Foreign Minister Signs Artemis Accords On the high instructions of King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan chaired, on Thursday at the Royal College of Higher Military Education (CREMS) in Kenitra, the graduation ceremony of the 23rd group of the Advanced Defense Course and the 57th group of the General Staff Course, said a statement by the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces. During the ceremony, Director of the CREMS presented the annual report on the activities of the Royal College, and handed over to the Crown Prince the best research theses of the graduating group of the Higher Defense Course and the CREMS plaque, before proclaiming the results obtained by the trainee officers. Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan then awarded certificates of higher military education with the grade of Master Specialized in National Defense and General Staff Diplomas respectively to the trainee officers of the Advanced Defense Course and the General Staff Course. The 285 graduates of the two groups included 56 officers from 24 brotherly and friendly countries, namely Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Spain, as well as Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Cote dIvoire, Djibouti, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea Conakry, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, DR-Congo, Senegal, Tanzania and Togo. Bill Gates who is visiting Nigeria this week has urged the government to increase funding for vital solutions, emphasizing the West African nation needs to do more than $10 per person for health care each year. The American business mogul, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is in Niger and Nigeria this week to discuss global health and development with national and local leaders, foundation partners, grantees, scientists, and young innovators. The visit is part of the Gates Foundations commitment to work closely with communities and leaders to support innovation that can help accelerate progress and improve lives across Africa. Speaking in Lagos at the Pan-African Youth Innovation Forum, the Microsoft co-founder underscored that the issues he raised five years ago, economic instability and security threats, remain issues that Nigerians must contend with today. Gates also noted that since Nigeria spends barely $10 per person annually on healthcare in contrast to the $31 average for sub-Saharan Africa more financial support is needed to upgrade the healthcare system and meet the Nigerians most basic requirements. Therefore, Gates advised the newly inaugurated President Bola Tinubu and his administration to devote a lot more money to enhancing basic healthcare services. Nigerias economy has been in the doldrums for years, hamstrung by an inefficient bureaucracy, policy missteps, runaway public debt, rampant corruption, and crime. Tinubu has pledged to end the malaise and double the annual economic growth rate to 6% or more. Since succeeding Muhammadu Buhari last month, Tinubu has scrapped costly fuel subsidies, removed the controversial central bank governor and overhauled the nations exchange-rate policies, effectively devaluing the currency, the naira. Meanwhile, the American tech-guru and Aliko Dangote, Nigerias richest man, have announced a partnership with President Tinubu to boost healthcare in Nigeria. By leveraging their extensive experience and resources, the partnership aims to catalyze advancements in healthcare accessibility and quality. Switzerland has commended Moroccos serious and credible efforts aimed at reaching a lasting political settlement to the Sahara issue, saying the autonomy plan proposed by the North African Kingdom offers a realistic solution to this regional dispute. Speaking to journalists at the end of a working meeting he held Friday in Rabat with his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis said his country reiterates the importance of the serious and credible efforts made by Rabat to advance a peaceful political solution based on compromise to the Sahara question. Its time for this dispute to be settled. This issue has been going on for too long, underlined Mr. Ignazio, reaffirming his countrys backing to the efforts engaged by the United Nations and the UN secretary-generals personal envoy, Staffan de Mistura, to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution to the Sahara issue in accordance with international law and the relevant Security Council resolutions. Moroccan ties have become even stronger and more diversified since the two countries signed a joint declaration 18 months ago. Our partnership is very strong, and we are already reaping the tangible benefits from our joint efforts, said a delighted Cassis and his Moroccan counterpart at the end of their working meeting. Since the two countries signed a joint declaration, there have been a number of results. In November 2022, Switzerland and Morocco signed a bilateral agreement on climate cooperation at COP27 in Egypt. The agreement is intended to help Switzerland reach its climate targets via emissions offsetting while boosting Swiss investment in Morocco and scaling up cooperation in sustainable development projects as well, said the office of Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in a press release. A memorandum of understanding on scientific cooperation signed by the two countries in 2022 has also led to around 10 joint academic research projects between Swiss and Moroccan institutions. In addition, the two foreign ministers welcomed the forthcoming creation of a SwissMoroccan permanent joint migration group, which will enable exchange and cooperation in this field. Morocco is a major host and transit country on the migration route to Europe, the press release said. The outlook regarding recent developments in the Middle East, North Africa and the African continent as a whole was a focal point for the talks. The two ministers reviewed where Swiss and Moroccan efforts share common ground, particularly in the Libyan peace process, the crisis in Sudan, and challenges in the Sahel. Switzerland and Morocco are connected by its geographical proximity to Europe and by cultural ties, including the French language. In 2021, the two countries celebrated the centenary of Switzerlands diplomatic presence in Morocco. The first Swiss representation was opened in Casablanca in 1921. Mr Cassis and Mr Bourita also highlighted the excellent developments in economic relations between the two countries, Morocco being Switzerlands second-largest trading partner in North Africa and its third-largest export market on the African continent. Bilateral trade continued to rise in 2022, reaching around CHF 780 million. More than 60 Swiss companies are based in Morocco, generating almost 8,000 jobs in cutting-edge sectors such as agri-food, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, as well as precision machinery and instruments. The Federal Councillors visit coincides with a trip of a delegation of Swiss MPs to Morocco to discuss cooperation prospects with Moroccan lawmakers and latest developments on the regional & international scene. Head of the Moroccan-Swiss parliamentary friendship group, Khadija Oulbacha said relations between the two countries are based on mutual respect, friendship and shared values of democracy, human rights, and global peace. Switzerland is one of Moroccos most important economic partners, she said, praising the Swiss investment made in several Moroccan sectors and the role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening partnership between the two countries. She also thanked Switzerland for its supportive stand of Moroccos territorial integrity. For her part, MP Latifa Cherif, member of the Moroccan-Swiss friendship group, said talks with Swiss peers focused on political dialogue and partnership between the two countries in various sectors including renewable energies, health, technologies, scientific research, biotechnology, sustainable development Nigers lawmakers Thursday adopted a new national anthem as the country seeks to reconnect with its pride. The new anthem titled Honor of the fatherland proposed in a new law bill was adopted by 149 lawmakers present in the Parliament. The previous anthem, La Nigerienne, hides a certain number of messages, always highlighting a relationship of dependence, subordination, inferiority and racism, notably in the 3rd and 4th lines of the 1st stanza: Lets be proud and grateful/of our new freedom. The 5th line of the 1st stanza said: Lets avoid vain quarrels and the refusal to recognize the cultural identity of the other in the 8th line of the 1st stanza: Our race without tutelage, the State-run news agency ANP reports. Authorities in 2019 named a committee of experts to write a new anthem solving all the above shortcomings. New anthem is expected to promote equality, liberty, fraternity, patriotism and national unity in line with pan-Africanism, addressing social, cultural and sovereignty issues. La Nigerienne dating back to 1961, one year after the independence of the country, was written by French Robert Jacquet, Maurice Albert Thiriet and Nicolas Abel Francois Frionnet. The World Bank Thursday approved a $268.4 million loan to Tunisia earmarked for financing electricity connection with Italy, State-run news agency TAP reports. The electrical interconnection project known as ELMED is set to provide a 230 km-long 600MW connection to Italys Sicily. ELMED will produce a quantum leap in the integration of the electricity markets on the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean. The project is developed by the Italian utility Terna and the Tunisian grid operator STEG. The loan follows that of the European Union (EU) which awarded last December 308 million in funding for the project. The World Bank which is arranging the financing for the project, said in 2019 that ELMED was being planned to respond to rising electricity demand in Tunisia. The multilateral lender added that the project will also contribute to achieving Tunisias renewables development by providing access to large back-up power capacity which will ease the integration of intermittent solar and wind energy into the Tunisian grid. A view of Kiaf Seoul 2022 at COEX in southern Seoul / Courtesy of Kiaf Seoul By Park Han-sol Kiaf Seoul, Korea's longest-running contemporary art fair, is gearing up to return this September for its 22nd edition, joined by over 210 galleries from 20 countries. Like last year, the five-day art fair, hosted by the Galleries Association of Korea, will run alongside its global counterpart Frieze Seoul via a five-year-long partnership at COEX in southern Seoul from Sept. 6 to 10. With an emphasis on its mission to introduce forward-looking contemporary Korean art and rising stars to a global audience, more than 130 participating exhibitors will hail from the local art scene headlined by the likes of Kukje Gallery, Hakgojae Gallery, Gallery Hyundai and Leeahn Gallery said Hwang Dal-seung, president of the Galleries Association of Korea, during a meeting with international press in Seoul, June 21. The leading international art dealers returning to this year's edition include Galleria Continua, Peres Projects, Whitestone Gallery and Asia Art Center. The fair will see 30 first-time participants from around the world as well such as New York-based The Hole, Tuesday to Friday in Valencia, Amsterdam-based Gallery Delaive and Lucie Chang Fine Arts in Hong Kong. Kiaf Plus, Kiaf Seoul's first satellite art fair that debuted at the nearby Seoul Trade Exhibition & Convention (SETEC) in 2022, will be staged at COEX this year for improved accessibility. Joined by 30 emerging galleries here and abroad, the new media- and NFT-focused event aims to serve as a platform for up-and-coming creators and targets a burgeoning group of younger collectors in the country. "In addition, we are organizing a curated exhibition of 10 Korean new media artists. Its primary focus won't be on making sales but on showcasing the current landscape of digital art to the audience," Hwang noted. Kiaf Seoul has also launched its very first membership program, which offers VIP tickets to the September event as well as access to exclusive gallery tours, lectures and networking soirees throughout the year. In 2022, which marked the first year of the partnership established between the two fairs, Kiaf Seoul and the inaugural Frieze Seoul jointly attracted over 70,000 visitors. "We were, of course, able to draw significant global attention thanks to this juncture. We hope our relationship with Frieze can continue to grow this year," said the Galleries Association of Korea president. The Senegalese government has earmarked $50.2 million to finance the digitalization of the countrys health system, a top official of the health sector told State-run news agency APS. The Senegalese government made digital health a priority several months ago. It has agreed to allocate $50.2 million to address the issue, said Ibrahima Khaliloulah Dia, Coordinator of the Health and Social Map, Digital Health and Health Observatory Unit. K. Dia however argues that the financing is not enough to cover the entire country. Senegal has 1,500 health posts, 110 health centers and 40 hospitals. You can imagine what it would take to set up the Internet, equipment, and tablets. Thats a lot of money. Funding this is just a starting point, he said. What were aiming for is to digitalize the entire healthcare system, i.e. to ensure that a health post is able to consult information via a computer, and that tomorrow, if the patient returns, the carer will be able to retrieve the file and update it, K. Dia said. A patient can have his or her medical record tracked and circulated securely in a national database, and this is a great added value for the patient, because there will be savings, and x-rays will not have to be repeated, he said. The health official also indicated that the country already has a digital health orientation law bill, yet to be passed by the parliament. The initiative to digitalize the countrys health system falls within the framework of the World Bank-backed digital economy acceleration project. The bilateral lender has loaned the West African country $150 million for the program. Russia is set to send $10 million humanitarian food aid to the United Nations World Food Program, destined to four African countries, namely Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia. Each country will get funds to the tune of $2.5 million. The Russian Embassy in Ethiopia in a press release indicated that funds allocated for the provision of food aid will be used to purchase goods in the Russian Federation and pay for their delivery by Russian organizations. The aid to the four countries underlines Russias growing presence on the continent where western countries such as the U.S., France, and UK are facing rejection. Russia has become a strategic ally for the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso at the expense of France, the former colonial power. President Vladimir Putin in March said Moscow is ready to provide food to Africa free of charge. The same month, Russia delivered 20,000 tons of fertilizer to Malawi free of charge. Kenya received 34 tons, while Nigeria is reportedly set to receive its own share. Morocco, whose Sovereign, King Mohammed VI, chairs the Al Quds Committee, reiterates its rejection of all Israeli violations and unilateral actions in the occupied Palestinian territories, said, Friday in Rabat, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita. The Kingdom is following with concern recent worrying developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, in a regional and international context marked by tensions, Bourita said at a joint press briefing with Swiss Federal Councilor, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis, who is on a working visit to Morocco. The Kingdom of Morocco reiterates its rejection of all Israeli violations and unilateral actions that inflame the situation, negatively impact appeasement efforts and hinder the conditions for reactivating the peace process in the region, he added. In particular, the Kingdom denounces the recent Israeli attacks on the West Bank town of Jenin, which have resulted in several victims and injuries, and expresses Moroccos total solidarity with the brotherly Palestinian people, the Minister stressed. Morocco also rejects the Israeli governments recent decision to expand settlements in the West Bank and notes with satisfaction the international reactions rejecting Israels settlement policy, added Bourita. Morocco remains confident that negotiations and dialogue are the only means of establishing a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region, within the framework of the two-state solution, an Israeli State and a Palestinian State, established on the June 1967 borders, with East Al Quds as its capital, living side by side in peace and security, the Foreign Minister stated. Several world powers have lately denounced Israels unilateral actions in the occupied territories, such as the construction of settlements. In this connection, the US has strongly attacked the planned settlement construction. Washington said it is deeply disturbed by the construction plans for 4,560 housing units in the West Bank, and the proposal designed to expedite the issuing of construction permits. The expansion of settlements and unilateral actions are an obstacle to peace. We call on Israel to meet its obligations, said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images While the 2024 Republican presidential field continues to expand, it looks like the Democratic field will consist of President Joe Biden and two nuisance candidates. One of them, Marianne Williamson, is a 2020 retread who is having serious problems with the management of her campaign; shes also polling consistently in the single digits. She can be left to exercise her First Amendment rights until the money runs out. But the second candidate, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is another matter. His last name is extremely famous in Democratic politics, and hes polling regularly in the double digits sometimes above 20 percent of the vote. As The Hill reports, that has spurred a debate among Democrats about what to do with the man mostly known as an anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist: Party strategists cleave into two camps on the question of how Biden and his campaign should respond. One faction argues that Biden should ignore Kennedy. Engaging him would only legitimize and elevate his candidacy, they say. The other school of thought holds that Kennedy is too dangerous a figure to let campaign unimpeded. This second camp notes that, even if Kennedy never looks like a fully serious contender for the nomination, he could hurt Biden if he continues edging up in the polls. In a hypothetical scenario where Kennedy rose to 25 percent or 30 percent in the polls, questions about Bidens age and political vulnerability would grow much sharper. The big problem with the Ignore him approach to RFK Jr. is that he doesnt depend on Biden or other Democrats for the publicity that will keep his candidacy churning along like a low-grade fever. Hes getting all the attention he needs from his fellow anti-vaxx and conspiracy-theory buffs on social media. Hes also drawing plenty of conservative-media love for being a thorn in Bidens side and for his willingness to consort with those types of personalities regularly (in part because they agree with much of his agenda). Kennedy has been featured on Tucker Carlsons Fox News show, Joe Rogans podcast, and in Elon Musks Twitter Spaces discussions. These invitations came after the candidate sucked up to all three figures (he called Carlson breathtakingly courageous when Fox fired him, he played into Rogans stunt of trying to ambush a prominent vaccine scientist for an impromptu debate, and he gushed about Musks alleged contributions to free speech). So ignoring RFK Jr. wont starve his candidacy to death. But exposing him for what he is not a real Democrat could effectively cap his vote while forcing the mainstream media to stop treating him as a legitimate Democratic candidate. He should be regarded as a pest doing the bidding of the opposing party. That means constantly calling out Kennedy for the abovementioned coziness with conservative-media figures and for his substantive points of agreement with the less savory elements of the American right. RFK Jr. is set to address Moms for Liberty, the extremist parental rights group, at an event next week along with Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, and an assortment of hard-core right-wing conspiracy theorists. As The New Republic observes, Kennedy is very much at home in such company: In the last week alone, RFK Jr. has made news for comparing Covid-19 mask mandates to Nazi experiments, saying chemicals in our water are making frogs gay and kids transgender, and claiming Wi-Fi causes cancer. He appeared on the conservative network NewsMax and accused China of developing ethnic bioweapons designed to go after specific races of people. And he promised to, if elected, gut funding for federal health agencies that recommend vaccine schedules for children. That includes agencies like the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The mans views simply arent those of a Democrats circa 2024. Even Democratic primary voters unhappy with Biden do not want to help produce a Trump or DeSantis presidency in 2024. Democratic messaging should make it clear that every vote for Kennedy generates smiles in Tallahassee, the fever swamps of the right-wing internet, and at Mar-a-Lago. Any campaign to expose and discredit RFK Jr. should focus on a particular risk: that he could win, or at least put up headline-grabbing numbers, in a rogue New Hampshire primary that wont include Biden. New Hampshire law traps Democrats into a first-in-the-nation primary date that defies the national partys plan to start the 2024 nomination process in South Carolina. Without question, the president and party leader who created the new calendar cannot appear on the New Hampshire ballot or campaign there. So the key thing for Democrats nationally is to relentlessly pound away at the assertion that the nominating contest begins in whatever states primary Biden first enters (probably South Carolinas). Fox News may celebrate a Kennedy win or near win in the Granite State. That should be regarded as spin or the kind of conspiracy RFK Jr. often embraces. Photo: Patrick McMullan via Getty Image/Patrick McMullan via Getty Image Jeffrey Epstein kept much of his money at JPMorgan Chase for 15 years, and this week, the banks efforts to keep information about that relationship private ran into new challenges. On Monday, prosecutors for the U.S. Virgin Islands which is accusing the bank of facilitating Epsteins child-sex-trafficking operation in a civil suit in Manhattan federal court filed a series of exhibits with hundreds of new emails between Epstein and the bank officials, showing that the relationship between the bank and Epstein was deeper than previously known. Prosecutors have also accused the bank of slow-rolling the production of documents, which has allegedly stymied the rest of the fact-finding process including, most crucially, a May 26 deposition of Jamie Dimon, the banks longtime CEO. Prosecutors are now trying to get another shot at deposing the billionaire banker based on the new information, and the judge overseeing the case later granted the government a victory by giving them a look at his preparation material for answering questions about Epstein. So far, the more information thats come out in this case, the worse its looked for the bank and these new revelations continue that pattern. For Dimon, the potential for a second deposition is embarrassing. It implies that his bank hasnt been forthright with producing material. But it goes beyond that. The question of what Dimon knew (or didnt know) about Epstein has always been at the center of the case. The chief piece of evidence tying him directly to Epstein was an email from a lower-level staffer saying that Dimon would have had to approve a $120 million transfer out of Epsteins account but thats not much a smoking gun. (The banks spokespeople have been saying Dimon wasnt aware that Epstein was a client and that theres no evidence that he had reviewed anything about the accounts.) So far, there has been no obvious fact thats contradicted the banks version of events. Epstein was certainly a client, but this is the countrys largest bank were talking about there were a lot of clients, and Epstein didnt matter to the banks overall business. Since 2019, JPMorgan Chase has undertaken its own investigation into Epsteins relationships throughout the bank, called Project Jeep, though the conclusions of that investigation arent yet known. The new evidence in the Virgin Islands suit arguably speaks directly to that question, however. All told, Epstein had direct contact with at least a dozen of the banks employees, ranging from those in the highest deal-making echelons to grunt workers and personal assistants. He appears to have wielded the greatest influence through Jes Staley the head of the wealth and, later, investment-banking divisions. Through Staley, Epstein pushed the bank to do deals with China and the United Arab Emirates and even facilitated a deal for Leon Black, the disgraced former head of private equity firm Apollo, to buy Edvard Munchs The Scream. Dimons former counterpart, Alan Ace Greenberg, the now-deceased former head of Bear Stearns, had personally requested an exception to the felony policy for Epstein, a former Bear Stearns client, at JPMorgan, according to newly released emails. (Bear Stearns was acquired by Dimons bank during the 2008 financial crisis.) Even though Epsteins direct accounts would have been less than a rounding error for bank, his intangible value to the firm may have been higher. What Staley allegedly got from Epstein has largely been drawn from court documents already made public girls, money, influence. Epstein sent Staley pictures of models, coordinated schedules with Prince Andrew, and at one point wired money to a girl after confirming that Staley would be visiting. Staley talks about going to visit Epsteins island and spend time on his yacht even when Epstein wasnt there. During a period when Epstein was under increasing press scrutiny for trafficking young girls, they both appear to have affirmed their commitment to each other as family. I realize the danger in sending this e-mail. But [it] was great to be able, today, to give you, in New York City, a long heartfelt, hug, he wrote, apparently acknowledging that Epstein had violated the terms of his probation for his 2009 conviction by leaving Florida. But Staley appeared to get much more than hugs he also got business advice and connections from Epstein. Your first great move should be a new China initiative. First it was alternative investments, now China. You should have a dedicated China entity, with its own board of advisors, should include China politicos. They love to travel. You should be their link to Treasury, Epstein wrote on October 23, 2009 soon after Staley was promoted to head of investment banking, according to a 23-page exhibit filled with emails between Epstein and Staley, as well as other business associates. Four days later, Epstein lays out the steps necessary for JPMC to expand its business in China down to details surrounding culture, office locations and suggestions for approaching government officials. He goes further to offer fixers that would help ingratiate him with Chinas elite. (Its unclear how much Staley actually followed up on this or whether Epsteins advice was actually helpful. JPMorgans Sons And Daughters pay-to-play campaign, in which the bank hired Chinese officials children in order to secure business in the country, dated back to at least 2006. The program was revamped in 2009 to directly link referral hires to new investment banking deal business, according to the Security and Exchange Commissions order censuring the bank on the program.) In 2011, Epstein appears to have brokered a meeting between Staley and Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel, according to the exhibit. Surprise surprise, Epstein said to Staley after the banker had informed his friend of the meeting. And Epstein tried repeatedly to set up a deal so China would buy ports in Dubai and tried to connect him with Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the head of the Emerati company that controls those ports. The list goes on. The dozen or so JPMorgan employees who are named in court documents as having dealt with Epstein directly include Staleys successor, Mary Erdoes, and other high-ranking members of the banks investment-banking and legal departments. JPMorgan declined to comment about the documents, and Staleys attorneys didnt return a message seeking comment. For his part, Staley appears to have supplied Epstein with confidential information from inside JPMorgan, including nonpublic deal information, an announcement that he was getting promoted to the head of investment banking, and even internal deliberations about dealing with Middle Eastern countries. The Virgin Islands alleges that all of Epsteins largesse toward Staley was done in the service of having the bank look the other way with regard to his sex-trafficking conviction and that it appears to have worked at least for a while. Internal emails from the banks security note that Epstein is alleged to be involved in the human trafficking of young girls but is an alleged personal associate of the CEO of the Investment Bank (Jes Staley), according to another court exhibit, which focuses on the allegedly thwarted attempts by the banks compliance personnel to fire Epstein as a client. By 2021, Staleys relationship with Epstein would prove to be a pivotal factor in him losing his job as the CEO of another bank, Barclays. JPMorgan has already apologized for its relationship, and it offered to pay as much as $290 million to Epsteins victims in a private suit. But it looks like Dimon is still going to have to answer uncomfortable questions about why Epstein was able to get so deep inside a world-class bank. Hanging over this suit is the question of what the ultimate consequences will be for JPMorgan. Even if Dimon knew about Epstein, his culpability here pales compared to Staleys, and its practically unimaginable that the banks board would oust him. Still, the more information thats been revealed about the banks relationship with Epstein, the less believable it is that he was just another client. Impeached and suspended Texas AG Ken Paxton loses again. Photo: Eric Gay/AP The last month has been tough for Ken Paxton. On May 27, the fiery MAGA politician was impeached by the Texas House on corruption charges and suspended from his duties as attorney general pending a September trial by the state senate. And now the U.S. Supreme Court has dismissed one of Paxtons signature lawsuits challenging the Biden administrations immigration policies on grounds that states dont have legal standing to boss the federal government around on its enforcement priorities. In a 8-1 decision with Justice Brett Kavanaugh writing the majority opinion, the Court was clear and definitive in defending the administrations prosecutorial discretion against a challenge from the likes of Paxton: The States essentially want the Federal Judiciary to order the Executive Branch to alter its arrest policy so as to make more arrests. But this Court has long held that a citizen lacks standing to contest the policies of the prosecuting authority when he himself is neither prosecuted nor threatened with prosecution. In an agitated dissent, Justice Samuel Alito accuses the Biden administration of advancing, and the Court majority of abetting, a grossly inflated notion of executive power and suggests the Texas AG and his Louisiana counterpart were simply trying to vindicate Congresss exclusive right to control federal immigration enforcement priorities. In real life, its pretty clear Paxton is just interested in attacking the Biden administration on any and every ground related to immigration on the southern border. But this particular challenge and those like it are, for the moment, dead. The decision was a bit of a surprise since a 5-4 majority of the Court (including Kavanaugh) rejected an opportunity last summer to set aside a lower court ruling (from one of Texass famous Trump-appointed district-court judges) suspending the administrations enforcement policies. After hearing the case on the merits, however, four justices changed their stance, thus reviving the Biden policies, as described by NBC News: Announced in September 2021, President Joe Bidens plan was a shift away from the hard-line enforcement approach Donald Trump took as president. The Biden administration argued that with an estimated 11 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally, the government has to prioritize certain cases because it does not have the resources to detain and deport all of them. So the federal government will not try to pursue every immigrant with a criminal history at the expense of the overall enforcement scheme. And you can expect Republicans to renew loud claims that Biden wants discretion to pick and choose cases to prosecute because hes not interested in enforcing the laws at all. Those claims will not, however, be heard in federal court. As CNN observes, the decision means one less headache for the administration: The ruling is a major victory for President Joe Biden and the White House, who have consistently argued the need to prioritize who they detain and deport given limited resources. By ruling against the states, the court tightened the rules concerning when states may challenge federal policies with which they disagree. And Ken Paxton has one less argument for why the Texas legislature should acquit him on impeachment charges so he can continue to smite Democrats with constant lawsuits. The Foodbank of East Alabama is short on food and needs help from the public as it faces dwindling reserves to feed the seven-county area it covers. Martha Henk, the executive director for the Food Bank of East Alabama has said supplies are so short the food bank has had to resort to purchasing food for distribution to area food pantries an unfortunate first for the nonprofit. The food bank has had to rely on grant funds as well as support from the Lee County Commission and city officials in Opelika and Auburn since donations have been down. Weve been using those funds then to purchase truckloads of food that can then supplement what were able to get in other donations, Henk said. Its been a pretty challenging time, I guess you could say. During a normal season, the foodbank typically distributes around 500,000 lbs of food a month. However now that summer is here, Henk says thats been a challenge as the number of people asking for help have gone up and donations have gone down. The foodbanks seven county coverage area stretches from Randolph County down to Barbour County. There are over 53,000 food insecure people across that area. Out of those, 15,190 are children. Additionally, Henk said about 1/5 of seniors in Alabama live below the poverty level and are struggling with food insecurity. When you really stop and realize that each number represents one of our neighbors going through a hard time, it really helps to put that into context, Henk said. The Food Bank of East Alabama distributes items to 11 food pantries in Lee County alone. Henk said summer is typically a lean time for the food bank, but this year has been worse than usual. She points to a variety of factors including a slowdown of federal grant monies post-COVID, as well as supply chain issues and fewer donations than usual for this time of year. Families turning to the food bank during the summer who would normally rely on schools to help provide meals are adding to the food deficit the food bank now faces. Summertime is always more difficult, because children that have been able to rely on school meals for the most part are now eating at home, Henk said. Those of us that have children know that they can consume a great amount of food and sometimes it can be hard for families to stay ahead of that. The food bank is currently looking for food, funds, and folks to help. Henk said the food bank is in need of canned goods, especially canned meat right now. She also mentions pasta, rice, macaroni and cheese, and peanut butter as big needs. For more on how to help, visit the foodbankofeastalabama.com In addition to the food bank of East Alabama, locals have taken to providing small community pantries in central locations as well. Two small Blessing Box community food pantries have recently popped up in Beauregard. One is outside of the State Farm Insurance building at 7512 Lee County Rd 51 and another can be found at the Providence Baptist Church at 2807 Lee County Rd 166. Both boxes are set up on an honor system where locals can add and take nonperishable food and hygiene products as needed. The boxes are small and designed more to help people with a meal or two rather than to feed whole families for an entire week. Christie Ray Hill runs the State Insurance office where one can be found. She said the pantry has been outside her office for around a week. She said its there to help people get through a few days until their next paycheck. I think weve all had those weeks where maybe an emergency with a car came up, or we had to go to the dentist unexpectedly. It just really leaves you short, Hill said. That I feel like is where the little free pantry comes into play. Hill said both the State Farm and Providence Baptist free pantries were built by local resident, Terrie Webster Dykes. They provide food anyone who needs to use them. A similar pantry is located in downtown Opelika on 1st Avenue between Mama Mochas Coffee Roastery and 10,000 Hz Records. NH Property & Casualty (P&C) Insurance CEO Choi Mun-seob, left, stands next to Duong Thanh Danh Francois, chairman of PVI Insurance, during an MOU signing ceremony in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of NH P&C By Anna J. Park Faced with the limitations of an aging and shrinking population, Korean insurers are looking to the Vietnamese market and its population of nearly 100 million for expansion. Currently, seven Korean insurance companies Hanwha Life, Mirae Asset Life, Shinhan Life, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance, KB Insurance and Seoul Guarantee Insurance are operating either subsidiaries or as branches in Vietnam. While he's not wrong, I get so frustrated when he feels like he needs to lend his voice to anything Reply Thread Link I'd usually agree but this is actually his field of expertise so that makes sense. It'd be one thing if they'd only interview him because "oh he made a movie about the Titanic once" but it's a different thing when he was down there dozens of times and helped design safe subs and is immersed in that community. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh no, I know. I just haaaate hiiiiiim lol But that's petty, because he's right. But his face. But he's right. But his FACE. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link He helped design safe subs?? I did not know that. I always thought this was just him going down to research the titanic for his film. I had no idea he was actually an expert. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link This is probably the first time a celebrity interviewee has actually known shit. Reply Parent Thread Link Didn't he know one of the people? I was watching something where he suggested it was a small community who dealt with submergence so I assume he knew the CEO and was saying he hadn't processed it or something. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I mean, I doubt he went and demanded somebody talked to him about it: looks like BBC interviewed him on that, so he just answered their questions. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link People have been clamoring for his thoughts... Reply Parent Thread Expand Link He seems like a pompous know it all jerk, so I get the annoyance. But since shes the most famous person in that small community, it makes sense that he would be looked to as a public facing expert. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I get that this isnt his field of specialty (I would think physics and engineering for this particular case) but the man has completed 33 dives to the titanic. He kind of is a field expert. Id be surprised if there were people with more experience in this very specific subject. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link idg the responses to your commennt. some people have never had irrational hate in their heart & it shows Reply Parent Thread Expand Link The epitome of "worst person you know just made an excellent point" Reply Parent Thread Link An a related note, I wonder why Kathryn Bigelow married him. I don't like him but he's rightAn a related note, I wonder why Kathryn Bigelow married him. Reply Thread Link I wonder that about all of his wives. Reply Parent Thread Link Omg he's been married 5 times? FIVE TIMES? Liz Taylor who? Reply Parent Thread Link An a related note, I wonder why Kathryn Bigelow married him. I mean he's charismatic and successful and smart. Also while he has the rep of being a pushy asshole she comes across as way more timid. I'm sure she's not a pushover given that she's a director, but maybe they balanced each other out that way. You know, in the brief time before he cheated on her and they divorced. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link It's both weirdly fascinating and horrifying to see people rush into a catastrophe like this because of greed and hubris. I feel sorry for the kid though, the adults should have known better. At least they didn't suffer for days running out of air. Reply Thread Link the worst thing is the kid didn't even want to go, he just went to please his dad. fucking awful. but, yes, at least they didn't suffer, likely it would have been so instantaneous that they wouldn't have known it was happening. i hope that's comfort to the families, at least. Reply Parent Thread Link It really bothers me when parents refuse to accept that their kids have different interests. It's not like this was an example of "he's too young to know what he really likes so I'm going to keep taking him to baseball games in the hopes that he will learn to love it." His son was 19 years old. He did not share his father's obsession with the Titanic. He did not want to go. Guilt tripping him into doing this for Father's Day was a shitty thing to do, even before you take into account the cost and the risk. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link While I'm sure this could have happened, I do wonder if it's true because I believe the sister said it (right?) and I do think after people have died, anecdotally, a lot of people try to rational reasons why things shouldn't have happened the way they did. Like I currently have a relative who thinks their wife would not have died if the kids had looked after her and not sent her to a home and said she never wanted to be in care and he's trying to stop his own kids coming to the funeral because they didn't take her in and give up work to care for the wife. It wouldn't surprise me if the sister had made him not wanting to go into a big thing because if he hadn't gone he'd be alive when he might have just made a passing comment in the negative before agreeing or something. Either way, very sad. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Funny how the dad wanted this experience specifically with his son. If it was for Father's Day, one would think he would want all of his kids there with him. Like, I could understand it if the son wanted to go but that wasn't even the case, soooooo I can only conclude that, for once, misoginy actually saved the woman. Reply Parent Thread Link it sounds like they knew they were in danger though. james cameron talked about it in one of his interviews, they dropped the ballasts and were trying to come back up. the sub had a warning system and would have been creaking. really terrifying Reply Parent Thread Link If I were that kid's mother, I'd spend every cent of the family money to dredge up the father's corpse so I could burn it and dance in the flames. He killed her child. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link is there at least some investigation into that company so it cannot repeat itself? Reply Thread Link There better fucking be. Reply Parent Thread Link I very much doubt the company will survive at all. Reply Parent Thread Link that company about to get picked clean off the bones by lawsuits - its already (forgive the expression) dead in the water Reply Parent Thread Link James Cameron: technically accurate but always insufferable. Reply Thread Link James Cameron doesn't do what James Cameron does for James Cameron. James Cameron does what James Cameron does because he's James Cameron. It's a heavy cross to bear. Reply Parent Thread Link apparently a navy base heard the implosion two hours after the dive Reply Thread Link I feel like that's the kind that should have been logged and passed on to the rescue teams? But maybe it's confidential which is why it didn't come out. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link this whole thing is going to create years of conspiracy theories isn't it, lawd Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Likely it's within internal channels. There's always some sort of deployment protocol for rescues and such. But considering all the malarkey and corner cutting the people did I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't somehow detected properly because they weren't really supposed to be there (the craft itself before it was passenger ready/ had passed all the regulatory standards). Reply Parent Thread Link From what I've read it was passed on, just not made public until they had proof. Reply Parent Thread Link They did tell the Coast Guard, but, yeah, articles have said it's nothing they would make public without knowing for sure because people's lives were involved. On Thursday the US Coast Guard confirmed the Titan suffered a catastrophic implosion, killing all onboard, and there are multiple reports that the US Navy picked up an underwater anomaly on its sensors that was probably the sound of that implosion, before any search equipment had been deployed. The navy passed that information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search because the navy did not consider the data to be definitive. Filmmaker and deep-sea exploration veteran James Cameron said his sources reported similar information on Monday. We got confirmation within an hour that there had been a loud bang at the same time that the sub comms were lost. A loud bang on the hydrophone. Loss of transponder. Loss of comms. I knew what happened. The sub imploded, Cameron told Reuters. He said that he told colleagues in an email on Monday, Weve lost some friends, and, Its on the bottom in pieces right now. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link according to what i've read, it was passed on but they kept the search up anyway because they didn't consider the data "definitive". i can imagine they would have been under a lot of pressure to keep looking even if they likely knew what had happened. Reply Parent Thread Link I think they werent 100% on if it was that or not. Im not even sure they were aware it was missing when they heard it. But I saw a post somewhere saying how people who listen to all the noise in the ocean know certain sounds (like eruptions or whales, etc) but this was an anomaly and while they probably assumed it was the Titan, they had to be sure. Reply Parent Thread Link I was wondering why apparently no one heard this huge implosion. Just a lot of we havent heard an implosion since we put the sonar in on monday but like an implosion should have been heard by someone! I am glad they are admitting it now. This information should have been made public sooner. Reply Parent Thread Link Fuuuuuck Reply Parent Thread Link Which one of the passengers was allegedly an arms dealer? I saw someone mention it in one of the previous posts and I meant to ask then. My google attempt was unsuccessful (the only one I definitely ruled out was the 19 year old). Reply Thread Link coulda been his dad or the ~adventurer~ billionaire Reply Parent Thread Link No, someone in past posts left comments implying that the dad who was killed collaborated with the government to have labor organizers murdered. However, that was apparently his grandfather. They just worded their comments in a way that made it sound like he was responsible for the murders. I dont even think the guy who just died was alive when this happened. Reply Parent Thread Link Here's the 2019 Smithsonian interview where OceanGate founder Stockton Rush lamented that the current regulations for tourist submarines "needlessly prioritized passenger safety over commercial innovation." https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/worlds-first-deep-diving-submarine-plans-tourists-see-titanic-180972179/ Edited at 2023-06-23 10:19 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link The irony writes itself. More money than brains for sure, and now he has neither. Omg, I'll see myself out.. one ticket straight to Hell please. Reply Parent Thread Link I choked and Reply Parent Thread Link SELENAAAAAAA Reply Parent Thread Expand Link If this guy were a character in a film or book, ppl would be criticising the writers for laying it on a bit too thick and yet idiots like him are all too real. Reply Parent Thread Link And apparently he lied about getting help from Boeing and NASA designing the sub??? Wtf was wrong with that dude. Reply Parent Thread Link Translation: safety is annoying and for nerds and gets in the way of my business making money What a scumbag Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I just don't get how he could say that with a straight face and be serious. Like. How do you not understand that passenger safety is the most important thing when offering trips to fucking shipwrecks at the bottom of the ocean? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I didnt wanna agree with the Sealab 2021 memes Ive seen but this guy seems more and more like Captain Murphy to me Reply Parent Thread Expand Link imagine letting the words "needlessly prioritizing passenger safety" leave your stupid mouth Reply Parent Thread Link And how'd that turn out, bud Reply Parent Thread Link Dying to confirm what engineers apparently already knew. Reply Parent Thread Link Dude seriously thought he could defy physics and fuck with the ocean Reply Parent Thread Link ....once again in this weird timeline, I find myself agreeing with a person I'd never say I found to be super endearing (understatement).. asshole James Cameron himself. I feel sorry for the terrified kid who just went because he wanted to make his dad happy on Father's Day. The rest of them? Well, they FAFO when they clearly had the money to avoid the finding out portion of the whole shindig. The Ocean wins again. When will humans stop trying to conquer her? We can't have every damn thing. Reply Thread Link yeah i think as annoying as james cameron comes across sometimes, his intentions with the titanic seem a lot more honest than oceangate's and he is well in his right to comment on this ordeal. must be so frustrating to know someone who constantly refuted advice given by professionals, and ends up going the way they do. the ceo is a f*cking fool Reply Parent Thread Link i didn't know until i googled that he's been down to the wreck THIRTY THREE TIMES....he's spent more time on it than the actual captain of the ship did wtf??? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link The Ocean wins again. When will humans stop trying to conquer her? We can't have every damn thing. IDK Cameron had a really good point in one of his interviews. He talked about there hasn't been an incident like this in decades because deepsea diving has evolved so much and the technology IS there to go that deep relatively safely (it's still expensive and dangerous though). The Titan was playing with fire and ignoring safeguards that were in place for a reason. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link this is still occupying a significant portion of my thoughts Reply Thread Link Me too. God. Reply Parent Thread Link same Reply Parent Thread Link Same, the ocean already terrifies me and the thought of slowly suffocating in a tin can from a few days ago is still giving me anxiety Reply Parent Thread Link Same, Ive been fixated all week Reply Parent Thread Link I keep coming back and checking for posts on ONTD and Googling. I just cannot fathom how something so avoidable was not avoided. Reply Parent Thread Link Same here. Ever since that video of that kid jumping off the ship on a dare, and then this, my mind has been fixated on being lost a sea. Reply Parent Thread Link I somehow missed this and just looked it up now. Wow. That's really tragic. Reply Parent Thread Link [ nsfl ] someone getting eaten by a shark while his family could only watch in horror from the beach, idk why mods wouldn't take that kind of thing down Somebody posted a video last week-ish on r/publicfreakout ofand now I'm just like fuck that, fuck this, I'm never wading more than 3ft into the ocean Reply Parent Thread Expand Link THAT. I saw that and was so confused. and then the next day people were talking about sharks so I thought it was in relation to that, so I click it only to see that guy in Egypt-I'll stop there. But between the kid vs the dare, the man vs the shark, and the sub vs the titanic I can confidently say I AM NOT GOIN ANYWHERE NEAAAAAAAAR NO DAMN OCEANNNSS Reply Parent Thread Link Its got me back into reading up on maritime disasters. Reply Parent Thread Link It's probably not something most people have thought much about, so it's definitely something for your brain to mess around with for a while once it's introduced. Reply Parent Thread Link i'm at maximum capacity where people's takes are getting dumber so i'm tired of hearing about it lol Reply Parent Thread Link Same here its given me a lot of existential angst Reply Parent Thread Link same Reply Parent Thread Link please let this be the end of any tourism to these kinds of depths. there's no need for anyone to go down there recreationally. scientists, experts, researchers, sure. but cowboys hammering people into a tin can and hoping for the best? the arrogance of this, i just can't wrap my head around it. getting people to drop a quarter of a mill and sign a waiver acknowledging that they might die. wtf. Reply Thread Link we don't need to see anything, know anything else about the god damn titanic. let them resttttt! Reply Parent Thread Link we've got 3D, high definition models of the thing!!! you can see every detail!!! there's no need for anyone to go look at it with their own eyes wtf!!! Reply Parent Thread Link maybe Im just A Poor but when my kid was in their Titanic phase we paid like $40 each to go to the museum in Pigeon Forge and it did the job just fine!!! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link If anything, I think this will exacerbate it, along with space tourism, we humans are morbidly curious Reply Parent Thread Link depths or heights. mankind's desire to conquer nature is such a disease. Reply Parent Thread Link On CNN, he also claimed that by Monday he'd already heard the military intel about a "loud noise consistent with an implosion event" being picked up by hydrophones shortly after the sub lost contact. Also this (which hasn't been confirmed by official sources): "I was also told and I don't have confirmation on this that they were on descent, they were a couple hundred meters above the sea floor and they dropped their weights. Now, the only way for the ship to know if they had dropped their ascent weights, would be an emergency abort, is if they had called that in that they were ascending. So I believe now that they had some warning, they heard some acoustic signature of the hull beginning to delaminate. An investigation will hopefully eventually show what did happen because we all need to know as we go forward. The deep sea emergence community needs to know exactly what happened. ...They call it delamination, when water ingress starts to force the layers of the fibers apart, and theoretically you can hear it. I actually believe they heard it with their ears, not through the sensor system in the last moments of their lives. And thats quite a horrifying prospect. Edited at 2023-06-23 10:39 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link If true, they probably were panicking. Reply Parent Thread Link i know this is darksided of me, but there is a part of me that hopes the never-let-safety-get-in-the-way-of-turni ng-a-buck ceo had a moment to realize exactly what was happening Reply Parent Thread Link Me too. Just him, though. I keep thinking of the teenager. I hope he was just chilling with his dad in ignorance. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh no same here. Fuck that guy. Reply Parent Thread Link i hope he, having been on the ship before, realised it. i hope the teen, not knowing what sounds are normal or not, didn't have a clue until it was already over. Reply Parent Thread Link ugh that's horrible. i was at least comforted that it happened quickly but if they knew it was going rupture and were panicking trying to ascend... :( Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i just reread this and: Now, the only way for the ship to know if they had dropped their ascent weights, would be an emergency abort, is if they had called that in that they were ascending it sounds like he's saying the ship didn't just lose contact with the vessel, they knew the vessel was doing an emergency abort and THEN lost contact. which (if true) makes the 8 hour delay in reporting it extra sketchy. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Damn. I was hoping that it went quickly for them and they never realized. That poor kid must have been panicking :( Reply Parent Thread Link I'm about 2/3rds way through watching his Deepsea Challenge documentary and plan to watch his others. Pretty interesting. Reply Thread Link Same, I watched it yesterday and I found it very interesting. There's a lot of safety precautions, studies, tests, etc put into his submersible which in comparison to the Titan... oof Reply Parent Thread Link On the left: the interior of James Camerons submersible, the Deep Sea Challenger. It cost $10 million. On the right: the interior of the Titan. pic.twitter.com/9WyMjbdATm Dr. Crystal Fleming (@alwaystheself) June 22, 2023 Reply Thread Link Im sorry that this is crass given the circumstances, but Titan looks legit r/malelivingspace... Reply Parent Thread Link This reminds me of when there was a post on Reddit that showed a picture of a dingy looking basement, with just a dirty mattress on the floor and a tv/computer. Male commenters were all theres nothing wrong with this, women are just jealous it takes so little to make men happy, while women were all jfc, it looks like a murder basement. It 100% looked like somewhere Dexter would hide people. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Right? Just needs a cheap picnic/beach chair. Reply Parent Thread Link I just don't understand how this man was so into exploring the deep sea and he invested in what looks like a cylinder trash can. Reply Parent Thread Link Nothing abt the Titan is worthy of note. It was hastily & shoddily assembled w/untested materials & eschewed all accepted safety standards for profit. It's not the world's first submersible. It's nowhere close to the deepest diver. Let me tell you about the Deepsea Challenger. pic.twitter.com/bOhKkoXne9 Flying Lady Doctor Says | | (@LadyDoctorSays) June 22, 2023 They had 4 fail safes (which include the materials degrading so the challenger would automatically rise to the top) just for the return ascent. This thread also talks about the Deep Sea challenger's design in more depth:They had 4 fail safes (which include the materials degrading so the challenger would automatically rise to the top) just for the return ascent. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I cant!!! Reply Parent Thread Link I still cant believe people willingly got into that tube multiple times. Reply Parent Thread Link NGL, I thought that was the Satellite of Love from MST3K on the left. Which means a TV set was more prepared looking Reply Parent Thread Link so now we know why james cameron has made 33 successful dives Reply Parent Thread Link It's like a toilet paper roll Reply Parent Thread Link for anyone who hasn't seen it, I really recommend "deepsea challenge" (it's on youtube), which is cameron's documentary about how they made this submersible to get to the deepest known part of the ocean. it's really interesting, especially in light of everything that's happened. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link the only person i feel bad for was the 19 year old. he didnt even want to do it and only went along with it to make his dad happy. Reply Thread Link Same here. He's the one I think about the most Reply Parent Thread Link I hate this because that kid was in a no win situation. He went and lost his life. If he hadn't gone, I can't imagine the guilt he would carry, rational or not. Reply Parent Thread Link He had barely started living. And to know that he was terrified of going...ughhhhhhhh Reply Parent Thread Link At a time when global recession concerns have depressed global oil prices to pre-Ukraine war levels, prices of Middle Eastern oil have skyrocketed on soaring demand from Asian refiners in China to Japan as the market takes stock of heavy trading by the industrys biggest names this month. According to Bloomberg, spot differentials for August-loading Oman crude have jumped to more than $2 a barrel against the Dubai benchmark as of Wednesday, compared with 60-70 cents last week; premiums for Abu Dhabis Murban grade also rose - its rare for spot differentials to move more than 10-to-20 cents a barrel between days and deals. The soaring regional prices have been underpinned by Asian refiners snapping up barrels over the past couple of days, including Chinas Rongsheng Petrochemical, Taiwans Formosa Petrochemical and processors in Japan and Thailand, according to traders. A surge in activity on a normally sedate Middle Eastern crude-trading window has also sparked the interest of market participants. For those asking where is all that pent up oil demand out of a post-covid China, here is your answer: Unipec - a unit of Chinas top refiner Sinopec - TotalEnergies SE and Shell Plc have been going head-to-head with aggressive bids and offers of Dubai crude partial contracts on the so-called Platts trading window this month, an activity that goes into pricing a benchmark of the same name. As Bloomberg explains, cargoes of crude including Oman, Murban and other Middle Eastern grades can be delivered from seller to buyer following the transaction of a set number of Dubai partials. Shipments are typically 500,000 barrels and Oman is one of the easiest to handle due to its high export volume and large pool of buyers and sellers. So far this month, almost 40 Oman cargoes and two Upper Zakum shipments from the United Arab Emirates have been delivered, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, which is the most activity seen on the Platts window in years. However, the number of Oman shipments equates to almost 70% of the grades exported volume in recent months. Thats led traders to consider whether sellers on the Platts window such as Unipec may curtail offers should physical cargoes become scarce. These concerns have contributed to a rise in prices, and may give room for more increases if sellers find it hard to get their hands on window-deliverable cargoes. The sharp increase in sentiment (and price) is a dramatic turnaround from earlier in the month when traders were unsure about the markets direction following contrasting trading on the window. Companies may also actively buy and sell on the window due to associated positions in Brent and Dubai paper markets. The backwardation in prompt Dubai swaps also strengthened to the widest in six weeks Wednesday, while the premium of Londons Brent to the Middle Eastern benchmark also known as Brent-Dubai EFS was narrow at under $1 a barrel. Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia surprised the market with additional output cuts that were followed by a spike in official prices to all regions. Bloomberg notes that last month cargoes of Oman, Upper Zakum and Murban crude for July loading were transacted for Europe and the US, shipments considered unusual, as Asian demand was soft at the time but that has since reversed notably. A US major sold Murban into the US west coast, traders said, while a trading company supplied Upper Zakum to Italy. Western buyers considered spot Middle Eastern crude as affordable due to muted demand from Asia, where many refiners were undergoing seasonally planned maintenance work on plants, according to traders. It now appears that China is fully back in the market. ADVERTISEMENT By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Although the federal government has rushed to reassure customers that it remains a willing and reliable supplier of the super-chilled gas, a deeper dive into the state of Australias gas sector reveals that Uedas concerns are not as wild or far-fetched as When the claim comes directly from the operator of Australias Darwin-based Ichthys LNG project and one of Australian LNGs biggest investors, its worth paying attention. The Ichthys LNG project is operated by Japans INPEX, and its CEO, Takayuki Ueda has recently warned that increasing government regulation, including the possibility of gas intended for LNG projects being diverted into the domestic market, is threatening the countrys newfound LNG superpower status. Lately, the Australian government has been intervening more aggressively in local gas markets. (Last year, following the east coast energy crisis, the federal government toughened the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism (ADGSM), which gives it more power to limit LNG exports.) Australia became the worlds leading exporter of LNG last year. Now, there are claims coming from the industry itself that Australia could lose its LNG superpower status or far worse. Its a curious claim after shipping an astounding 82 million tonnes of LNG valued at $63 billion last year. That was a world record (the U.S. exported just over 79 million tonnes and Qatar exported just over 81 million tonnes). Australia became the worlds leading exporter of LNG last year. Now, there are claims coming from the industry itself that Australia could lose its LNG superpower status or far worse. Its a curious claim after shipping an astounding 82 million tonnes of LNG valued at $63 billion last year. That was a world record (the U.S. exported just over 79 million tonnes and Qatar exported just over 81 million tonnes). When the claim comes directly from the operator of Australias Darwin-based Ichthys LNG project and one of Australian LNGs biggest investors, its worth paying attention. The Ichthys LNG project is operated by Japans INPEX, and its CEO, Takayuki Ueda has recently warned that increasing government regulation, including the possibility of gas intended for LNG projects being diverted into the domestic market, is threatening the countrys newfound LNG superpower status. Lately, the Australian government has been intervening more aggressively in local gas markets. (Last year, following the east coast energy crisis, the federal government toughened the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism (ADGSM), which gives it more power to limit LNG exports.) Although the federal government has rushed to reassure customers that it remains a willing and reliable supplier of the super-chilled gas, a deeper dive into the state of Australias gas sector reveals that Uedas concerns are not as wild or far-fetched as they first sound. (And notably, Beijing agrees with Ueda, with the Chinese embassy in Canberra echoing his concerns.) Australia has 10 operating LNG projects with a total capacity of 88.6 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa). The Pluto Train 2 project currently under construction will bring total capacity to 93.6 Mtpa (126 Bcm) when it starts operations in 2026. Australian LNG has also been highly reliable, achieving 93% of nameplate capacity in 2022. So, what could possibly go wrong? First off, Australian gas reserves, including LNG and domestic gas fields, are not being replaced despite important legacy gas fields reaching the end of their lives. This is likely to be met by shortfalls in the domestic market, which in turn could lead to gas meant for chilling and export being diverted to the domestic market. Since March 2018. Australias Proved and Probable gas reserves fell 11%, from 114,481 PJ (3,057 bcm) to 101,869 PJ (2,721 bcm). And markets have actually heard about this before: Back in 2021, ExxonMobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM), operator of the Gippsland Basin offshore Victoria, warned that producing wells would decline from 68 in 2022 to 36 by next winter. Last year, the Gippsland Basin supplied more than 70% of south-east Australias domestic gas demand. Second climate change laws. The Australian government has been getting stricter with its climate laws and has adopted more ambitious emissions reduction targets. One of the new laws holds that future gas projects must be net-zero from day one. Thats a tough one considering that LNG projects are pretty significant emitters because many Australian gas fields are known to contain significant volumes of CO2. Third, increased domestic demand due to closure of coal-fired generation means that more gas will have to be diverted from east coast LNG projects, which themselves have their own gas supply challenges. With a new oil minister and big production plans there are high hopes for Kuwaits oil and gas industry. Despite difficulties faced during the pandemic, Kuwait has rebounded and expects to continue increasing its oil high output for so long as global demand remains strong. But to stay competitive in the region and ensure its economic stability, Kuwait must introduce reforms that support economic diversification to decrease its reliance on oil revenues alone. A new government was voted into office in Kuwait this month, the fifth in less than a year, with a voter turnout of just 51 percent. It was the third election in three years due to an ongoing political crisis and a dispute between the government and lawmakers. The political conflict has delayed reforms across several sectors and has hindered any efforts at economic diversification beyond oil and gas, on which Kuwait still relies heavily for its revenue. Saad al-Barrak will replace Bader al-Mulla as the countrys oil minister, a move that is expected to support the development of the countrys energy industry. With around 7 percent of the worlds oil reserves and 85 years of drilling experience, oil is still Kuwaits main form of income, contributing around 50 percent of its GDP and 90 percent of government export revenue. The government has long distributed its oil wealth to its 1.5 million Kuwaiti citizens in the form public sector employment and generous subsidies. But this spending is becoming more and more unsustainable, leading to budget deficits, and the government has been in a gridlock over potential reforms for spending cuts and economic diversification. Related: Church Of England Ditches Big Oil Stocks Over Climate Goals Failure Kuwait suffered during the Covid 19 pandemic due to the sharp fall in demand for oil and gas, seeing its economy contract by 8.9 percent in 2020. This was the biggest decrease in the Arabian Gulf, a region that relies heavily on fossil fuel revenues. However, as the demand for oil went up, its economic growth rose by 1.3 percent in 2021 and 8.7 percent in 2022. This growth is expected to slow in 2023 due to lower oil prices and OPEC+ production cuts. While Kuwaits GDP is still expected to increase by around 2.6 percent, this is lower than the regional average. The volatility of Kuwaits economic growth, which continues to depend heavily on oil prices and the global demand for fossil fuel, demonstrates the need for greater economic diversification. As the world undergoes a green transition, Kuwait must use some its oil revenues to invest in the economic development of other sectors, including renewable energy. Monica Malik, the chief economist at the Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, explained Kuwait needs to meaningfully start with the diversification of its economy and fiscal position away from oil. She added, While Kuwait is benefiting from the stronger oil price, it will remain vulnerable to any reductions in prices and the global transition away from oil. While economic diversification is key, there are plans to continue developing Kuwaits oil and gas industry for as long as demand remains high. According to Ahmed Jaber al-Aydan, the CEO of the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), the countrys oil production currently stands at above 2.8 million bpd and is expected to reach 3 million bpd by 2025. Kuwait is continuing to follow the quota cuts enforced by OPEC+ but has significant potential to raise its output to meet global demand, particularly as several countries curb their imports of Russian oil. This year, the state-owned KOC announced it would be investing $43 billion in new oil projects in the next five years to increase its output by almost 200,000 bpd. KOCs CEO al-Aydan also stated that he expects production to rise to around 4 million bpd by 2035, a level which the company could maintain until around 2040 when demand decreases in line with the global green transition. Al-Aydan stated: KOCs strategy during the next five years, until 2028, includes several projects covering drilling of new wells, increasing their output and developing other facilities, adding, This strategy involves spending nearly KWD13 billion on projects and oilfield development besides the construction of new oil facilities. This enthusiasm around the future of Kuwaiti oil comes following significant investment in clean-up activities. In 2022, Kuwait awarded five contracts to national and foreign firms for the clean-up of polluted regions, at a cost of almost $1.01 billion. The KOC had plans to award more contracts for similar operations in other parts of the country. Clean-up operations are expected to be completed within four years. Kuwait has suffered from severe oil pollution since the first Gulf War in 1990. During the conflict, Iraqi forces blew up oil wells, tanks, refineries, and other facilities in Kuwait. This resulted in fires that burned an estimated four to six million barrels of crude per day. Despite seeing its oil revenues fall during the pandemic, Kuwaits oil industry has rebounded to support strong economic growth in the past two years. There are now high hopes for the future of Kuwaits energy sector, with heavy investment expected in new projects. However, as OPEC+ maintains its production cuts and the world invests heavily in a green future, economic diversification will be key to ensuring the future stability of Kuwaits economy. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: NATO will create a critical undersea infrastructure center to protect pipelines (among other undersea infrastructure) in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The new maritime security center will be headquartered in London. NATO leadership has noted that Russia has the capacity to map and potentially to conduct actions against critical infrastructure, including not only oil and gas pipelines but also thousands of kilometers of internet cables across the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. A month after TotalEnergies said it would finally start filling offshore Lebanon in the third quarter of this year, political chaos (again) threatens to throw a wrench in the fractured countrys plans to boost its failing economy and energy supplies with a hoped-for oil and/or gas discovery in the prolific Levant Basin. Lebanon has a vacant presidency and its largely depending on external forces to resolve it before it completely collapses. After 12 tries at electing a new president, the vacuum is set to implode, and the shifting dynamics across the Middle East (a Saudi/Iran detente, UAE normalization of relations with Israel, Irans stepped-up meddling in Syria, etc) always plays out by proxy in fragile Lebanona long-time venue of Sunni-Shiite tinderbox. That makes whatever happens next between Saudi Arabia and Iran of decisive importance to Beirut. Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict A month after TotalEnergies said it would finally start filling offshore Lebanon in the third quarter of this year, political chaos (again) threatens to throw a wrench in the fractured countrys plans to boost its failing economy and energy supplies with a hoped-for oil and/or gas discovery in the prolific Levant Basin. Lebanon has a vacant presidency and its largely depending on external forces to resolve it before it completely collapses. After 12 tries at electing a new president, the vacuum is set to implode, and the shifting dynamics across the Middle East (a Saudi/Iran detente, UAE normalization of relations with Israel, Irans stepped-up meddling in Syria, etc) always plays out by proxy in fragile Lebanona long-time venue of Sunni-Shiite tinderbox. That makes whatever happens next between Saudi Arabia and Iran of decisive importance to Beirut. NATO will create a critical undersea infrastructure center to protect pipelines (among other undersea infrastructure) in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The new maritime security center will be headquartered in London. NATO leadership has noted that Russia has the capacity to map and potentially to conduct actions against critical infrastructure, including not only oil and gas pipelines but also thousands of kilometers of internet cables across the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Further to shifting Middle East relations, this week, the UAE and Qatar moved to restore diplomatic ties that have been cut off since 2017 when the Saudis led a push against Qatar, launching a GCC-wide blockage over Qatars close ties with Iran and its alleged support of Shiite extremism. Restoring diplomatic relations was an obvious development after Saudi Arabia restored relations with Iran. Discovery & Development Guyana is delaying its first offshore block auction while it tries to nail down new regulations for its fledgling oil and gas industry. This is the fourth delay. The delays come after pushback for what was perceived as Exxons sweetheart deal. Ironically, the delays are keeping Guyana from diversifying its oil explorers base. Elections were held this week, which Guyana claimed contributed to the delays, although a new date has yet to be set. Europes OMV Petrom and Romanias Romgaz have rubber-stamped the development of the Domino and Pelican South nat gas fields in Neptun Deep. National Agency for Mineral Resources must now sign off. OMV Petrom is operator, and both parties will have a 50% interest in the project. The project will see 100 Bcm of nat gas brought online. OMV and Romgaz will invest a combined $4.37B. Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions MAC has finalized its purchase of the Cobar copper mine in New South Wales from Glencore for $1.1B. MAC will now own and operate. Glencore will own a 20.6% stake in MAC and will maintain offtake for all of the copper concentrate produced at Cobar. Glencore said the sale was in line with its strategy to focus on lower-cost and long-life assets. Equinor has sealed a long-term deal with Cheniere to purchase 1.75 million mt per year of LNG for 15 years. The volumes will begin in 2027. When the shipments start, Equinor will be exporting 3.5 million mt/year from Chenieres U.S. Gulf Coast LNG terminals. Eni SpA is said to be coming close to reaching a deal to purchase Neptune Energy for $5 billion, and could beat out TotalEnergies for the company. Eni has had eyes for Neptune since late last year. No deal has been struck. Chevron Argentina will invest $500 million to develop the El Trapial block in Argentina. The three-year process will include $66 million for drilling, completing, and commissioning five horizontal weeks, along with $13 million for infrastructure. Investment should take place by the end of July. - High energy content grades of coal, such as Australias Newcastle benchmark, have seen the biggest price decline as they are the most exposed to LNG replacement in Japan and South Korea, with Indonesias lower calorific value prices suffering less. - Asian coal prices plunged to their lowest in two years as falling LNG prices have outweighed strong demand for King Coal, with Australian 5,500 kcal/kg coal now trading at $84-85 per tonne. - Even though Mars production was boosted by Shells Vito platform starting up in February, the US refining system is buying all the volumes that it can in both April and May there was only cargo of Mars exported abroad. - US gasoline demand figures have been consistently above 2022 readings, averaging between 9.2 and 9.3 million b/d, boosting the need for medium-density grades such as Mars. - With Mars currently trading at a $0.30 per barrel premium to WTI, the regions main benchmark, it has almost closed the gap with the USGC favorite Light Louisiana Sweet. - The end of US SPR releases and firm demand from Gulf Coast refineries have strengthened the differentials of medium sour grade Mars, gaining some $6 per barrel since the start of the year. 1. Buoyed by SPR Replenishment, US Sour Grades Roar Back to Strength - The end of US SPR releases and firm demand from Gulf Coast refineries have strengthened the differentials of medium sour grade Mars, gaining some $6 per barrel since the start of the year. - With Mars currently trading at a $0.30 per barrel premium to WTI, the regions main benchmark, it has almost closed the gap with the USGC favorite Light Louisiana Sweet. - US gasoline demand figures have been consistently above 2022 readings, averaging between 9.2 and 9.3 million b/d, boosting the need for medium-density grades such as Mars. - Even though Mars production was boosted by Shells Vito platform starting up in February, the US refining system is buying all the volumes that it can in both April and May there was only cargo of Mars exported abroad. 2. Shunned by Europe, Asia Remains Coal Exporters Only Hope - Asian coal prices plunged to their lowest in two years as falling LNG prices have outweighed strong demand for King Coal, with Australian 5,500 kcal/kg coal now trading at $84-85 per tonne. - High energy content grades of coal, such as Australias Newcastle benchmark, have seen the biggest price decline as they are the most exposed to LNG replacement in Japan and South Korea, with Indonesias lower calorific value prices suffering less. - Amidst waning regional demand, coal stockpiles in Europes ARA region have risen to 5.1 million tonnes, the highest since May 2020, with several European traders re-routing their cargoes to Asian buyers. - According to Kpler data, Asias May and June imports of thermal coal will be the two highest months on record, soaring to 80 and 76.5 million tonnes, respectively. 3. Unambitious US Biodiesel Mandates Anger Agriculture Producers - Producers of bio and renewable diesel expressed their disappointment with the US Environmental Protection Agencys biofuels mandates for 2023-2025, saying theyre well below the industrys expectations. - The finalized volumes include just 15 billion gallons of conventional biofuels such as corn-based ethanol all the way through 2025, with only modest increases to biomass-based diesel (2.82 billion gallons). - Calling the mandates inexplicable, biodiesel makers argue that multi-billion-dollar investments that went into new production facilities have been jeopardized by the Biden administrations lack of ambition. - Prices of soybean oil, a key element in biomass-based diesel, have lost 5% in the wake of the EPA decision, falling to $56 per pound and cutting short three weeks of anticipatory growth. 4. Chinas Control of Graphite Markets Has Carmakers Seek New Supply - Similar to the lithium rush of past years, the worlds leading carmakers are rushing in to secure graphite supply from countries other than China, seeking to satisfy roaring demand for the mineral. - For a standard EV battery, graphite is the largest component by weight with some 50-100 kg needed for the batterys anodes, resulting in more than 50% of global graphite demand coming from the automotive industry. - Industry analysts expect graphite shortages to worsen in the upcoming years, rising to 777,000 metric tonnes by 2030 as some 100 new mines would be needed to meet growing demand. - Wary of future US-Chinese tensions, the likes of Tesla and Stellantis seek to source their graphite from Madagascar or Mozambique, however China still accounts for 61% of graphite production and 98% of the final processed material. 5. Texas Heat Triggers Gas Demand Surge - Texas has been going through a prolonged period of intense heat which triggered a surge in electricity generation from natural gas, tightening up prices at the Permian Basins Waha hub. - Total gas demand in Texas has risen to a new monthly record of 19 BCf per day, up 11% compared to the previous high of 17.1 BCf/day, with triple-digit heat expected to remain in place next week, too. - Some 7 BCf per day of gas demand in the Lone Star State is now going towards power generation, 1 BCf/day above any historical yardstick, despite robust wind and solar utilization. - Prompt natural gas prices at Waha are trading at just $0.25 per mmBtu behind the Henry Hub benchmark, but July and August forward prices are back to the usual $0.55-0.65/mmBtu discounts. 6. Leading Solar Panel Producers Feel the Heat of Overcapacity - Despite the solar industrys outstanding growth over the post-pandemic years, Chinas leading solar producers have lost more than 40% of their market capitalization in the past 12 months. - The plight of Chinas solar panel makers has been a massive build-up in polysilicon production capacity, with future consolidation fears prompting Citigroup to downgrade Longi Green to sell recently, despite it being the worlds largest solar producer. - With most of capacity concentrated in China, global solar module production capacity now stands at 657 GW, even though total installations in 2023 are expected to hit only 344 GW. - The last wave of capacity consolidation in the solar industry took place in 2014-2015, then-leading panel makers Suntech and Yingli Green went effectively bankrupt amidst the concurrent price slump. 7. Singapore Steps In to Halt Unseen Power Price Surge - Singapores Energy Market Authority will cap wholesale electricity prices from July 1, ending a period of soaring prices that went up by as much as 3000% despite falling LNG prices. - The peninsular country currently relies on importer natural gas for more than 95% of its power generation, with renewable capacity capped by lack of physical scape in the densely populated city. - May marked the peak of the Singapore power price explosion, with a megawatt-hour of electricity reaching $2,680 in daily trading after a power plant at Jurong Island went offline for maintenance. - With power retail companies wary of investments into new generating capacity, Singaporean authorities will seek to stimulate the industry and cap power prices using a formula tied to their actual generation costs. Sydney Seiler, left, national intelligence officer for North Korea at the National Intelligence Council, is seen speaking during a seminar hosted by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies on June 22 in this captured image. Yonhap North Korea will likely use its nuclear weapons to coerce political concessions from South Korea and its allies, a U.S. intelligence report said Thursday. The office of the director of national intelligence (DNI) noted that Pyongyang may also employ non-nuclear, non-lethal attacks to advance its goals in the future, believing that its nuclear weapons will deter counter offensives. "We assess that through 2030, Kim Jong-un most likely will continue to pursue a strategy of coercion, potentially including non-nuclear lethal attacks, aimed at advancing the North's goals of intimidating its neighbors, extracting concessions, and bolstering the regime's military credentials domestically," said the report, titled "National Intelligence Estimate" (NIE) on North Korea. The report, dated January 2023, was released Thursday as part of the DNI's transparency efforts, according to Sydney Seiler, National Intelligence Officer for North Korea at the National Intelligence Council. "Kim, who has relied largely on non-lethal coercive measures throughout his rule, probably will employ targeted diplomatic and covert actions and may use limited military force to raise tensions as a means to press key foreign governments into adopting positions favorable to his objectives, confident that his growing nuclear capabilities will deter any unacceptable retaliation or consequence," the report added. North Korea has launched nearly 100 ballistic missiles since the start of last year, firing an unprecedented 69 ballistic missiles in 2022 that marked the new annual record of ballistic missiles fired. Seiler noted the U.S. intelligence community (IC) assessed three different scenarios where the North Korean leader may decide to use nuclear weapons for coercive, offensive or defensive purposes. "The IC assesses that this offensive strategy seeking to seize territory, achieve political dominance over the peninsula and achieve these objectives that would include the use of nuclear weapons will be much less likely, much less likely than the strategy of coercion," he said while speaking at a seminar hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank. "Defensive like the offense was seen to be very unlikely, compared to the coercive scenario," he added. Seiler noted the main driver for North Korea's coercive strategy is its confidence that coercion will yield political, economic and military benefits while it also believes that the resulting escalation of tension will be "manageable." "So you look at provocations over the history of North Korea. One thing that we see often is that these provocations tend not to escalate out of control like one normally would think," he told the meeting. "We might even see periods of lessening of tensions on the peninsula. But again, we felt very unlikely that Kim would forego the very coercive options that his nuclear arsenal has provided," added Seiler. On whether Pyongyang may give up its nuclear weapons entirely, the U.S. intelligence official argued that it is unlikely to do so at least until it has achieved its goals. "What I haven't mentioned one of the drivers here is incredible cost, incredible investment. Will Kim be looking at a return on investment? Why is he spending the amount of money that he is spending on missiles and nuclear weapons or North Korea doing this over the course of three decades in the absence of an imminent existential threat?" said Seiler. "The NIE considered three scenarios of how Pyongyang could perceive value and the purpose of a growing nuclear arsenal through 2030. We assess that the coercive path is probably the most likely going forward, that Kim will most likely employ a variety of coercive methods and threats of aggression to see progress toward achieving his national security policies," he added. (Yonhap) Ending weeks of speculation, Italys energy major Eni said on Friday that along with Var Energi it had reached an agreement to buy private equity-backed Neptune Energy for an enterprise value of $4.9 billionthe largest cash deal in the European oil and gas sector in years. Under the terms of the agreement, Var Energi 63% held by Eni will buy Neptunes Norwegian business, which has an enterprise value of around $2.3 billion, while the Neptune Global Business will go to Eni for an enterprise value of around $2.6 billion. Neptune Energys business in Germany is not part of the transactions and will continue to be owned and operated by the ultimate existing Neptune shareholders as a standalone group, Neptune said. Neptune, an exploration and production company has mostly gas-oriented assets with low carbon intensity and operations in the UK North Sea, offshore Norway, North Africa, Indonesia, and Australia. Neptune is currently owned by China Investment Corporation, funds advised by Carlyle Group and CVC Capital Partners, and certain management owners. Completion of the acquisitions is conditional upon the receipt of necessary regulatory and governmental clearances, among other things, and the transactions are expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2024. The transaction represents an exceptional fit for Eni. It complements Enis key areas of geographic focus and supports its objective of increasing the share of natural gas production to 60%, and reaching net zero emissions (Scope 1+2) from the Upstream business by 2030, the Italian group said in a statement. Enis CEO Claudio Descalzi commented, Neptune will contribute predominantly gas resources to Enis portfolio. Moreover, the geographic and operational overlap is striking, adding scale to Enis majority-owned Var Energi; bringing more gas production and CCUS opportunities to the remaining North Sea footprint; building on Enis leading position in Algeria a key supplier to European gas markets. The deal is expected to add around 4 billion cubic meters (Bcm) of gas supply for European consumers, Descalzi noted. ADVERTISEMENT By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The House of Representatives is discussing a move that would effectively amount to an act of war if carried out: a naval blockade on China. The proposal for an amendment to the next defense budget of the United States came from Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson from Texas, the Epoch Times reports, and was among another 800 amendments approved by the House Armed Services Committee. In fairness, the proposal Jackson made is for a Pentagon study of an oil naval blockade of China, and according to the author it does not amount to aggression or war. Not all in Congress agree with Jackson, however. I can guarantee you if China issues a plan tomorrow about how it would blockade the United States, wed consider that very provocative, Democrat Adam Smith from Washington said, as quoted by the Epoch Times. There are plenty of hawks in the House, though, it seems, and they have no issue whatsoever in discussing war with China. One Republican Representative, Marl Alford, said that it was time the U.S. stopped worrying about whether talking about a war with China would make China angry. China is openly talking about being ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, maybe by 2025, Alford said, per the Epoch Times. We must think about this strategically, and that should include energy and what we should do to cut off Chinas supplies. Some noted that the Pentagon is already studying a naval blockade of China but the results of the study that was proposed by Rep. Jackson and approved by the defense committee are better discussed behind closed doors. Others made a point of arguing that nobody in Congress actually wanted a war with China. ADVERTISEMENT There is a narrative out there that there are people in the United States, including in Congress, trying to egg on a war with China. None of us want a war with China, Massachusetts Democrat Rep. Seth Moulton said. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Gazprom is ready to help African countries to produce natural gas, representatives of the Russian gas giant said at a meeting with officials from African countries in Johannesburg this week. I believe that Gazprom's experience implementing liquefied natural gas and gas pipeline construction projects could be of interest to South African partners," Russian Ambassador to South Africa, Ilya Rogachev, was quoted as saying by Interfax at the roundtable to discuss the benefits of natural gas for Africa. Representatives from nine African countries Algeria, Angola, Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and South Africa attended the meeting. While the West has shunned Russian energy resources and closed most airspaces to Russian aircraft and commercial flights since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, African countries have continued to keep close ties with Russia. Gazprom is open to discussing constructive and mutually beneficial proposals that would facilitate economic development and improve the lives of people in African countries, Dmitry Khandoga, head of Gazprom's foreign economic activities department, said. Raising natural gas production in Africa will help meet the growing energy demand, the attendees of the roundtable heard. Yet, most of the gas produced in Africa is exported, Gazproms representatives said. For example, one in three residents of Nigeria, Africa's largest LNG exporter, does not have access to energy, according to the Russian company. Ironically for Russia, most of the natural gas produced in Africa ends up in Europe, which is buying more pipeline and LNG supply from Africa to replace pipeline supply from Russian Gazprom. Oil and gas majors are now looking to sign additional deals in the Mediterranean and Africa to supply gas to Europe, which wants to ditch Russian gas by 2027. ADVERTISEMENT Enis chief executive Claudio Descalzi told the Financial Times early this year that Europe should look to Africa for a south-north energy axis for gas deliveries. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: 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 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 De Freece 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, De Freece 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, De Freece said. The History Nebraska Foundation is a private organization created in 2020 to rival the State Historical Society Foundation, which had served as the agency's primary fundraiser for decades, devoting 75% of its income to History Nebraska. 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 Guide Star, 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, archaeology 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 Foundation's bank account through October 2021, Mr. Jones was one of only two signatories for the organization's 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. De Freece, 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 short-falls. 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 with 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. When is enough, enough? And when is the Nebraska Legislature going to do something about our steamrolling property tax increases and valuations? The current property tax system is driving people from the homes, farms and businesses they have worked for all their lives to build. Last year, we got those pink cards because the school boards, city and county governments wanted more money. Now, because property valuations are rising, they will end up with even more money. More added value for them to tax you on. I am willing to bet they will not reduce the levy rates to adjust for what they asked for and what they will get due to valuation increases. The sad thing is, as the tax value of our property values continues to increase, none of that value has ended up in my bank account. My income, needed to pay my property taxes, has not increased enough, or at all, to pay for any of the increases in property taxes. This system is nothing more than a legal way to steal your money. The cost of just buying the day-to-day necessities is out of sight and out of control. Our federal government will not or cannot help us because they are too busy, investigating IRS, FBI, Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Trump, the Bidens, the Clintons and LBGTQ rights just to name a few. This is not a democracy and equality. This is extremism either to the left or right of anything that could be considered a center. I just hope someday our local, state and federal governments can get back to doing what they are supposed to be doing. Defending the Constitution and serving the people. If I had to say one word about the state of our country, it would be "insanity." Shawn Qualley, Tekamah, Nebraska WRITE TO THE OPINION PAGES Letters must include your full name, home address and phone number. (Addresses and phone numbers are not published.) Anonymous letters and pseudonyms won't be printed. Letters must be your original words. We won't knowingly publish letters sent to other publications. We edit for reasons including taste, accuracy, clarity and length. The World-Herald now accepts only Pulse letters sent by email to pulse@owh.com. Letters submitted to The Public Pulse should be no more than 300 words in length. An Omaha police officer and a man were injured Thursday night after they exchanged gunfire in southwest Omaha. At 8:40 p.m., police were called to a report of an armed disturbance at 7323 Corby St. Police said the disturbance involved a man who was driving a gray Cadillac sedan. Police went near the vehicles registered address at 6036 Q St., where they saw the Cadillac arriving at the residence. An officer pulled into the driveway behind the Cadillac in an attempt to contact the driver, who was identified as 42-year-old James Wilson. Reports state that Wilson and the officer immediately exchanged gunfire. The incident initiated a help an officer response among other law enforcement personnel. Wilson suffered wounds to his legs and was placed into custody. His injuries were not considered life-threatening. He was taken to Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy. A handgun was found in the driveway of the Q Street residence. The officer suffered an arm injury. It has not been determined yet how the arm was injured. The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave while the OPD Officer-Involved Investigation Team investigates the incident. The Nebraska State Patrol and Douglas County Sheriffs Office are assisting in the investigation. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2023 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. Marlyn Peters never brought just her three kids to Red Willow State Recreation Area. Each of them always had a friend along. Maybe the nieces and nephews would be there, too. Its a safe area, she said. Kids can ride bikes. They can go down and go swimming. Best of all, its an easy 12-mile jaunt from McCook, where Peters lives, to enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking or just find a place to relax. That proximity to a town is great for travelers, too, who dont have to drive far if they forgot a necessity at home. This summer, there have more than the usual visitors to the 1,628-acre lake and its surroundings. Red Willow has been drawing more than 70,000 people a year. Red Willow, which is about five hours from Omaha, is one of 70 stops in this years Nebraska Passport program, the annual tourism promotion effort that encourages Nebraskans and others to visit a variety of attractions, parks, coffee shops, restaurants, stores and more across the state. Each week, were highlighting one or more of the locations. Passport participants collect physical or digital stamps at each stop and qualify for prizes based on how many places they visit during the program, which runs from May 1 to Sept. 30. While the 48 camping pads with electricity usually fill up each weekend, Peters said the park doesnt have the same crowded feel as some of the busier campgrounds in the eastern half of the state. Each site is 50 feet or more apart, so there isnt a lot of complaining about noisy neighbors or dogs. Its not that way out here, she said. Most people are friendly. There are also 50 basic campsites. McCook resident Janet said the campgrounds are well-maintained with modern showers. She and her husband, Chuck, usually bring their camper there during the week when its not so busy. No reservations are accepted, so you might have to arrive a few days before the weekend to get what Peters calls a primo spot that overlooks the lake. The outlook from there is beautiful, says Tyler Francisco, the southwest region supervisor for Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. It is just a really cool view, he said. Low water levels caused by last years drought are improving, he said. No drawdowns by the Bureau of Reclamation, which owns the land, are planned. Gray and her husband, Rod, own a fishing boat, and theyve had lots of luck catching bass, crappie, walleye, northern pike, stripers, muskie, bluegill and catfish. We caught a 23-inch, 5-pound wiper this week, Gray said. We fought it for 15 minutes. Just the sport of fishing is really good. Her husband pulled that one in. Gray said her big fish got away. Although all types of boats are allowed, Francisco likes that a kayaker can find areas that bigger boats dont often access. I think its one of those hidden gems if you are looking for adventure, he said. You have a nice, quiet atmosphere while paddling along the shoreline. For those who want a break from the water, theres a walking archery trail. The wildlife management area on the northwest side of the lake means theres an abundance of animals to see while hiking the hilly terrain. The park stretches across 4,320 acres. On Saturday nights, Peters likes to enjoy the live music at the marina. Theres sand volleyball, too. Its very family friendly, Francisco said. There's lots to do at Red Willow WASHINGTON (AP) 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. A screenshot of North Korean YouTube channel Olivia Natasha- YuMi Space DPRK Daily By Nam Hyun-woo A number of North Korean YouTube channels that have been publicizing daily life inside the regime were blocked at the request of South Korea's intelligence authorities, according to the Korea Communications Standards Commission, Friday. The broadcasting regulatory agency said it blocked YouTube channels Sally Parks, Olivia Natasha- YuMi Space DPRK Daily and NEW DPRK from viewers in South Korea, following its decision on June 5 as requested by the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Access to those channels was blocked and video clips in the search results were disabled, with the message, "This content is not available in this country due to a legal complaint from the government." Accessing the channels from outside of South Korea is still possible. The channels are said to be propagating the North Korean regime through young women and girls who are fluent in English, introducing content centered on "daily life" in North Korea's society. However, critics have pointed out that the lifestyles and recreational facilities shown in the videos are accessible only to a privileged few, presenting a skewed representation of daily life in North Korea. These videos contrast starkly with the desperate reality experienced by average citizens. For more than a decade, Google has been closing North Korean propaganda channels such as Uriminzokkiri whenever they appear, citing slander and smear campaigns against the South Korean government as violations of YouTube's guidelines. After first appearing in October 2010, Uriminzokkiri has been shut down in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022. Unlike Uriminzokkiri, Google had not been restricting the vlog channels, saying they do not violate YouTube's policies. Some of the channels have tens of thousands of subscribers, triggering concerns that the videos may result in misunderstandings about the true nature of the North Korean regime. In light of these concerns, the NIS has decided to take action, considering the channels a part of North Korea's propaganda tactics. "Those YouTube channels are part of North Korea's psychological tactics against South Korea, and responding to those tactics is the NIS' job," an NIS official told Yonhap News Agency. "Under relevant laws, the NIS is taking measures to delete the North Korean regime's propaganda." Former President of the Senate, retired Brigadier David Mark, has commenced the process of retirement from the National Assembly after 20 years in the Senate. David Mark contested the presidential primary election of the People Democratic Party (PDP) for the partys ticket for the 2019 elections to transit to higher political career but lost to Atiku Abubkar and other aspirants. Paul Mumeh, Media Assistant to Mark, in a statement, indicated that David Mark will commence a Thank you tour to his Benue South Senatorial zone on Tuesday to prepare for his retirement from the legislature. Mumeh explained that the tour is to appreciate his people for the trust and confidence reposed on him for 20 years in the upper legislative chamber. It was highlighted that Senator Mark who was first elected Senator in 1999 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has served five terms of 20 years within which he served as President of the Senate for eight years. Mark schedules to meet the traditional rulers, politicians across party lines and all stakeholders in the nine local government areas of the Benue South Senatorial zone. The Media assistant stated that Senator Mark and his successor Comrade Abba Moro will flag off the tour from Agatu Local Government Area and move to Apa Local Government Council on Tuesday. ALSO READ: US vs Iran: Warship, bombers head for Middle East The team will visit Ado and Okpokwu local governments on Wednesday as well as Oju and Obi local governments on Thursday. It will be Ogbadibo and Ohimini Local Governments turn on Friday while the grand finale will be in Otukpo Local Government on Saturday. The programme will be concluded with a thanksgiving Church service on Sunday, May 12, 2019 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Otukpo. Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour at the thanksgiving mass. Post Views: 53 Nollywood actress, Bidemi Kosoko has taken to social media to share her distress over a robbery incident involving her recently employed maid. In a post shared on her Instagram story, Bidemi Kosoko revealed that within just five days of employment, her maid robbed her and her sister of their belongings before disappearing. The actress expressed her frustration, highlighting the substantial amount of money she had spent on the maids healthcare, only to be deceived in the end. She also expressed her dissatisfaction with the security guard, who allowed the maid to absconded from the house aroung 5 am, and urged everyone to be cautious when hiring domestic help. She wrote, Olorun ma je Kan she house help gab ooo This girl na bastard share, she spent just 5 days ooo wasted my money to do plenty medical test for. She stole my things, my sisters things then ran away by 5 am and the stupid security opened the gate for her. Pls lets be careful out there ooo all this help ehn ummm. KanyiDaily had also reported how Nigerian interior designer, Ehi Ogbebor caught her maid who allegedly hacked into her safe and stole $11, 000 which is about N8 million. Related Advertisement Igbo Mandate Congress IMC , a body mandated to shepherd Ndigbo into greatness in Africa , and silently fulfilling its mandate since 2014,, wishes to warn all Igbo Organizations to act circumspectly while meddling in the feud between the leader of Niger Delta Volunteer Force NDVF Mujahdeen Asari Dokubo and the leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnnamdi Kanu. Igbo Mandate Congress is saddened by the advice of Asari Dokubo to President Bola Tinubu that Nnamdi Kanu should not be released. IMC is also saddened by the flurry of non-circumspect responses from numerous Igbo groups condemning Asari Dokubo and subsequently calling for his arrest. Igbo Mandate Congress condemns the penchant with which Igbo groups calls for the arrest of anybody who at certain times does not agree with their opinions. Igbo groups have severally called for the arrest of Bola Ahmed Tinubu over Bullion Van, Alpha Beta, Lekki Toll Gate and every discourse associated with civil opinion differences. Igbo groups have severally called for the arrest of Sheikh Abubakar Gumi for negotiating the release of abducted innocent Nigerians from Fulani bandits. They have also called for the arrest of President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum. Alhaji Sanni Yerima and his counterpart at Coalition of Northern Group, Abdulazeez Suleiman. They have also called for the arrest of Mahmoud Yakubu, INEC Chair, knowing quite well that his arrest can prejudice all cases concerning the electoral body. Recently, they are renewing calls for the arrest of the Commander of IPOB Auto Pilot, Simon Ekpa, for daring to declare a Biafra in Exile without their consent.. Calling for the arrest of somebody at the flimsiest difference in viewpoint, and at the same time wailing when your kinsmen is arrested for same flimsy reasons, is a sign of double speak and double standards. It is on record that Igbo Mandate Congress was pressurized into abandoning its plot WITH THE Buhari Cabals to release Nnamdi Kanu before the 2023 elections. Rev Obinna Akukwe and other key leaders of Igbo Mandate Congress were told emphatically by many Igbo leaders and their youth suppoeters that releasing Nnamdi Kanu will stop Peter Obi of the Labour Party from winning elections, and advised the group to put n hold any plot to get the IPOB leader released, as finalized by the Buhari cabals. Therefore, it is hypocritical to condemn Asari Dokubo while Igbo leaders, youth leaders and key members of the Obidient Movement echoed the same sentiments with the militant leaders just before the Presidential elections, and frustrated all attempts to let Kanu off the gulag. Igbo Mandate Congress thanks President Tinubu for balancing the lopsided security appointments by elevating Igbo into a Service Chief. IMC also asks him to extend another olive branch by releasing Nnamdi Kanu, to his family. Igbo Mandate Congress also asks President Tinubu to ignore calls for the arrest of Asari Dokubo. IMC also asks Tinubu to also ignore calls for the extradition of Simon Ekpa by members of the same IPOB he abandoned to form his own branch. IMC also wants to alert President Tinubu that yet another branch of IPOB is suspected to be plotting to smuggle ubiquitous doctors to harm Nnamdi Kanu in detention.. and thefamily is already kicking against it. Igbo Mandate Congress, first with credible intelligence, wants to warn all these agents of arrests, illegal detention, extradition and poisoning through injection, that any further attempt to carry out their heinous activities, will be exposed to the entire Nigeria. Igbo Mandate Congress believes that it is silly of any Igbo group to believe that Asari Dokubo will speak on behalf of Nnamdi Kanu when they all stood by and allowed the feud between the two warlords to fester for over four years. IMC advises Igbo groups who cry marginalization of Eastern Nigeria to unite Asasr Dokubo and Nnamdi Kanu , reintegrate Simon Ekpa back to its fold, stop castigating the Fulani, Hausa, Yoruba for our self inflicted problems, and speak with one voice so that Eastern Nigeri will reclaim its lost glory. These flippant calls for arrest of persons with diverse viewpoint is in itself undemocratic and bullying.. Rev Obinna Akukwe Director General, Igbo Mandate Congress IMC Rev Paschal Nwaigwe Head, Internal Communications IMC Related Advertisement Spread the love Chief Executive Officer, CEO, and Executive Vice Chairman, EVC of the Nigerian Commissions Commission, NCC, has said that the commission has a crucial role to play in combating electronic fraud in the telecom sector and in Nigerias economy. The EVC said this while presenting a keynote address titled Combating E-Fraud on Telecom Platforms and Building Consumer Confidence in the Digital Economy at the 2nd Quarter 2023 Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (ICAF) in Lagos. According to him, as a regulator, the commission must establish comprehensive legal frameworks for the protection of telecoms. He noted that these legal frameworks must focus on data protection, privacy and incident response, ensuring that operators are held accountable for any lapses in security on their respective networks. He stressed that the commission will collaborate with Mobile Network Operators to ensure the safety of their networks and conduct regular audits and assessments to verify compliance and encourage a culture of cybersecurity within the industry. The NCC as the regulator of the communications sector, has a crucial role to play in combating e-fraud, he said. He disclosed that part of the efforts of the NCC in combating e-fraud include type-approving communications equipment to ensure that they conform to global standards and are interoperable with various relevant technologies. READ ALSO: NCC reduces number of Nigerians living in areas without telecoms service In accordance with the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, telecom operators have a responsibility to ensure the security and integrity of their networks and to prevent it from being used in, or in relation to, the commission of any offense under any law in operation in Nigeria, he added. Meanwhile, speaking to journalists on the sideline, Prof Danbatta, admitted that with the increasing uptake of digital financial services and the advent of disruptive technologies, the issue of cybersecurity has become increasingly important. He advised telecom operators to invest in robust infrastructure, employ state-of-the-art security measures, and conduct regular audits to identify and address vulnerabilities promptly. READ ALSO: NCC deepens telecoms coverage, grants Routelink MVNOs licence Operators should implement stringent authentication protocols, two-factor authentication and encryption mechanisms to safeguard customer data and prevent unauthorized access, he advised. Advertisement Answering questions from Journalists on the concern about how personal data is collected, stored, shared and exploited, the former University lecturer stated that fortunately, NDEPS 2020-2030 adequately addresses the protection of telecom consumers against the threats of cybercrime, encouraging them to embrace digital finance and supporting them to contribute to the Digital Economy. Pillar #6 of the NDEPS, which deals with soft infrastructure, has proven to be proactive. The soft infrastructure pillar focuses on strengthening public confidence in using digital technologies and participation in the Digital Economy. The pillar will address the importance of cybersecurity and other standards, frameworks, and guidelines that encourage citizens to embrace a digital culture. Data privacy and the deployment of technologies like the public key infrastructure are addressed in this pillar, he explained. Those familiar with road travel before fancy luxury buses and jeeps displaced wooden-back Bedford light trucks, famously called mammy wagons, might remember this ubiquitous message in cursive, bright colours scrawled on the rear and sometimes on the sides of trucks plying highways in Nigerias South East: No condition is permanent. Im not quite sure what the motivation was. My guess is that it was a message of comfort to the despairing and a warning to those who take life too seriously. True in life as in politics, that message rang again this week with wide-sweeping changes announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that could affect top appointees in up to 567 parastatals, government departments and agencies. You would be forgiven to think it was not a transition from one All Progressives Congress government to another. The scope, speed and extent of the changes from Tinubus inauguration on May 29 make it look like a hostile takeover, the sort of thing one might have expected if the opposition had won the presidential election. No one is exactly sure of the number of persons that may have been affected by the changes announced this week. But even if allowance is made for a few parastatals whose CEOs may remain in place and will now report directly to the President, instead of the boards which have now been dissolved, we may be looking at over 3,000. That is, assuming that each of the roughly 570 affected establishments has a board of at least six members. Often, the figure is higher. Regardless, every job loss is different in its own way, both in how it affects those directly involved and those who depend on them. Each political appointee has a personal story not conveyed in the usual press headlines of how many have been beheaded, politically, and how many more heads may roll. Like sharks, the press loves the smell of blood, as long as it is not their own. It doesnt matter how prepared those fired may be, they never seem prepared enough when the hammer eventually falls. Its human nature. And those who take their place never fully learn the lesson of the message on the back of those South-East bound trucks until they, too, become victims. Imagine, for example, the response of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, when six years ago he was told of a statement by the Presidency announcing that he had been removed as he emerged from a meeting in the Presidential Villa. Who is the Presidency?, Lawal asked State House reporters in a voice full of blessed self-assurance. Well, that was his last question as SGF. He found, to his shock and surprise, that no condition is permanent. He had indeed been removed with immediate effect with barely enough time to gather his files. He should have learned from the public encounter of the great Nnamdi Azikiwe with Dr. Ukpabi Asika, who had been seconded by the military from the University of Ibadan to be civilian administrator of the East-Central State. Azikiwe had criticised Asikas administration and the administrator didnt like it at all. He replied mocking Azikiwe as ex-this, ex-that, and ex-everything else, adding that Azikiwe was just a politician craving relevance. Azikiwe, who had the gift of asking his adversaries to go to hell and still make them look forward to the trip, replied Asika that one day, he too, would be ex-administrator of the East-Central State, as Asikas father had also become ex-post master general of the post office in Onitsha, his hometown. The message on the back of the mammy wagon, he told Asika, is the inevitable story of every appointee: No condition is permanent. Advertisement Leader of the APC and former Governor of Osun State, Bisi Akande, among the lucky few who lived to tell his own story recalled in: My Participations, how in 1984 after General Muhammadu Buharis military coup, fallen big men of yesterday wept like babies when soldiers descended on them as was often the case during military rule. In the last 24 years of civilian rule, the experience of political appointees has been somewhat different. Perhaps former President Olusegun Obasanjo holds the record of the highest number of federal firings, especially after he retired scores of military officers who had been politically exposed, and followed up with public sector reforms that left even scores more out of jobs. Perhaps because Obasanjos successors between 2007 and 2015 were also from his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and also because of his longevity in office, no other PDP president after him retired or sacked as many political appointees as he did. Sixteen years after Obasanjo left office, Tinubu, a president from a rival party, appears ready to upend a record that once again reminds the public of the message on the back of the mammy wagon. Even Buhari, who took over the reins of power as president from the opposition and matched Obasanjos two-term four-year tenure, did not seem to have the amount of appetite for table-shaking that Tinubu has shown in less than one month in office. Apart from retaining the service chiefs he inherited from former President Goodluck Jonathan for nearly three months, for example, Buhari also retained the suspended Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and a number of heads of MDAs, first appointed by Jonathan. Of course, Buhari made some changes. But with a few exceptions, he seemed to make changes only at gunpoint. Which was neither necessarily strategic nor carefully thought out. There were cases where as a result of poor record-keeping, for example, appointees whose tenures were due escaped removal or where the president yielded to political pressure to extend the tenures of persons who had no business staying on. Buharis 30-year absence from power, his nearly zero rigorous public activity after office, his narrow, clerically-biased social circle, and his introverted style were major handicaps after his election as president. His poor health in his first term did not help matters also. Yet, not a few close to him said once he made appointments, he had a tendency to abdicate rather than delegate responsibilities, often letting some of his appointees run amok. That is partly why Tinubus actions in the last few weeks, especially the sackings this week, are looking like a hostile takeover. But they are not. A number of the decisions taken by Tinubu since he assumed office, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy and unification of the exchange rate, were long overdue. Buhari ignored calls to act, even from a few inside his inner circle, choosing instead to bury his head in chaos under a rubble of debt. As for the dissolution of the boards and the removal of service chiefs, its a ritual of every new government. The problem, in Buharis case, was a frighteningly bizarre absentmindedness or perhaps indifference, that left vital positions, especially in the Judiciary, unfilled; and overdue retirements unattended or indulged by unwarranted extensions. On the whole, under Buhari, it seemed, once appointments were made, all conditions were permanent! Advertisement To be fair, accusations of nepotism against him during his first term were not entirely justified, at least up to December 2018. The data which I obtained from the Presidency at the time showed a distribution of 278 to 289 in the appointments of heads of parastatals and Federal agencies between the South and the North, as a whole. Contrary to the trope of nepotism at the time, the North Central and South West had 102 and 101 respectively. The story changed in Buharis second term. And now, the public is watching to see how Tinubu, who has started the difficult task of correcting the outrageous lopsidedness in Buharis second term, manages the process. Announcement of new policies and personnel changes, however crucial they may be, are only a form of signalling. The more difficult part would be what follows next, especially the institutional changes required to make public offices more responsive, less amenable to the whims of appointees and accountable and service-driven. For now, I recommend the message on the back of the mammy wagon to both the incoming and outgoing appointees: No condition is permanent. Ishiekwene is Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP. A warehouse in Aba, Abia state where the G-Man organic energy drink is being revalidated, has been uncovered by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Vanguard reports. This is coming on the heels of the arrest of six suspected counterfeiters over the importation, distribution and sale of unregistered and expired G-Man organic energy drinks in Delta and Anambra States. According to NAFDAC investigations, the warehouse was discovered during an investigation by the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Asaba, Delta State. Parading two of the suspects in Lagos during a press conference, the Director General of NAFDAC, explained that one Mr Okeke Udeze Francis was arrested with expired G-Man organic energy drink in Onitsha while Mr Uchenna Nwachi was arrested through one Mr Collins in Aba, Abia state. She said further investigation led to the warehouse in Aba, where evidence of revalidation of the expiry date of the drink was established. Stating that the case has been transferred to the office of the Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Lagos, Adeyeye said Mr Okeke had admitted to dealing with the product (G-Man energy drink) and stated that he got the product from one Mr Uchenna Nwachi through one Mr Collins in Aba, Abia state. Following this revelation, the investigation was intensified to get the other suspects arrested. She said further investigation revealed that the violative G-Man energy drink was manufactured in Germany and was imported into Nigeria when some of the products were already expired, and some were close to expiry (and later expired after importation). The expiry dates on the products when imported were 18/12/2020 and 18/12/2022. The violative products were sent to Nigeria by one Mr Paschal Emeka Udo, who is said to be based in the United Kingdom. Mr Wilson John who was an accomplice in the case was later arrested after we extracted a video recording of him cleaning the original date markings on the products with the intent to affix an extended date marking on the G-Man energy drink. The Director General who described the case as a case of food fraud, explained that Mr Uchenna Nwachi, who contracted out the revalidation of the product to Mr Wilson (a staff of the importer) was also arrested and in custody. She said two of the suspects including the importer of the products are still at large and efforts are still on to arrest them. She said the suspects in custody will be charged in court. Continuing, the Director-General further disclosed that the agency also arrested a notorious drug counterfeiter of medicines and narcotic drugs merchant, Mr Emmanuel Obidike, the Managing Director of Tof match Investment Ltd, Onitsha. She said intelligence tracking of a suspected importer of fake Basslox capsules (ampicillin 250mg + cloxacillin 250mg) lead to the arrest of the infamous counterfeit medicines and narcotics drugs importer and distributor, Mr Emmanuel Obidike. Painstaking surveillance and investigation on the reported case of Basslox capsules lead to the arrest of one Mr Anayo Okoye who eventually led us to Mr Emmanuel Obidike who is a notorious importer of counterfeit medicines. She said Obidike is known in the underworld counterfeit drugs trade as Emma to-match, a fallout of his criminal act of counterfeiting popular brands of drugs. She said he was caught with some international brands of drugs, packaging materials and security materials that were recovered from the warehouse of Mr Obidike. She said the Marketing Authorisation Holders of the international brands confirmed that the products recovered from Mr Emmanuel Obidike were not from their company and therefore were fake. She disclosed that the two suspects have been arraigned at Federal High Court in Awka Anambra state. Adeyeye further disclosed that the agency has sealed a warehouse housing revalidated and unregistered expired animal feeds in Abuja worth N1.9 billion. On the 9th of June 2023, the Investigation and Enforcement Directorate stormed a warehouse belonging to Feed Avenue Limited in the Idu Industrial area of the Federal Capital Territory following an intelligence report. The company, belonging to a French national was revalidating the expiry dates of expired animal feeds premix which were not registered by NAFDAC. The warehouse manager who was on the ground at the time of the issue gave the total value of the revalidated finished products at one billion and nine hundred million nairas (N1,900,000,000.0) only. She said the warehouse was sealed and the warehouse manager was arrested. Temidayo Eseyin, an Ilorin-based associate pastor with the Living Faith Church also known as Winners Chapel, has been dragged to court. The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Wednesday, arraigned the pastor for allegedly defrauding Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, to the tune of N19.3 million. Eseyin, a lawyer and former member of the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch, was docked on a four-count bordering on dishonest misappropriation of funds belonging to the University before Justice Funsho Lawal of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin. In a petition to the EFCC, Eseyin, whilst being a counsel/attorney to Landmark University had access to her properties, title documents and funds. In the assumed capacity, it was alleged that Eseyin was cheating, defrauding, misappropriating and shortchanging his client to her utmost dismay. Specifically in one of his alleged atrocities, the defendant, between 2014 and 2022 managed a property known as Old Midland Building belonging to Landmark University, situated along Emirs/Obbo Road, Ilorin, which rents Eseyin collected for 8 years and could not produce when asked. The petitioner also alleged that Eseyin attempted to sell the property without instructions from the university, hence, the petition to the EFCC. Count three of the charge reads, That you, Temidayo Eseyin sometime in the year 2021, in Ilorin Kwara State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court dishonestly misappropriated the sum of Six Million, Sixty Four Thousand Naira Only (6, 064,000) representing payment of rent on property known as Old Midland Building belonging to Landmark University and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Law and Punishable under Section 309 of the same Law. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. Following his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Rashidat Alao, urged the court to fix a date for trial, while praying the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Centre pending trial. However, Eseyins lawyer, Femi Makinde, moved an application for the bail of the defendant. He prayed the court to admit his client to bail pending trial. Justice Lawal, while ruling on the application, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in the sum of N5 million each. The judge ordered that the sureties must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. The judge, while adjourning the case to a date, which would be communicated to the parties, ordered that the defendant should be remanded in the custody of the EFCC pending the perfection of his bail conditions. *as lack of electricity forces Anambra Tribunal One on long adjournment By Chuks Collins, Awka Despite being forced to take a long adjournment due to lack of electricity in the courtroom to play a video recording introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and other energy-powered basics, the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal One panel chaired by Hon Justice L. O. Ogundana however turned down the offer by lawyer to one of the respondents to provide the tribunal with diesel to power the courts generating set to enable things proceed on schedule. The petition ref EPT/AN/SEN/05/2023 was brought before the three-man panel by the Anambra Central Senatorial candidate for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Hon Dozie Nwankwo, popularly called Onyendozi against Chief Victor Umeh of the Labour Party seeking his ouster. The literally steaming and discomforting courtroom made the panel to adjourn to Saturday and Sunday, July 8 and 9,2023. This was with the hope that the poor electricity supply would have improved or fixed. The adjournment came after turned down an humble offer by Chief Alex Ejesieme(SAN), counsel to INEC to offer a self will donation of large quantity of diesel for the court complex generating set. The panels Chairman, Justice Ogundana politely declined, saying he didnt want petitions flying around against the panel over the gesture. He however bemoaned the unfortunate situation where the tribunal sits in very uncomfortable atmosphere. There was no lighting, fans or airconditioners. He compared the hot, dusty, and unfriendly courtroom with broken windows to his experience in Edo State that was so clement with 24hours electricity supply with all the air conditioners in proper condition. However,Ejesieme (SAN),assured that he would take the matter to the Anambra State Chief Judge immediately after the session. Earlier while giving witness in one of the petitions brought against him, this time from Princess Helen Mbakwe, a legal practitioner Senator Victor Umeh insisted that the logo of the New Nigeria Peoples Party on the ballot papers used for the Anambra Central senatorial election on Feb 25,2023 was the actual one approved by the national secretary of the party during parties meeting ahead the election at the INEC headquarters. Umehs stand contradicted the position of NNPPs candidate that her partys logo was not on the ballot papers for the election. Umeh stayed till now. Related Suspected notorious gang leader, Kabir Bala alias (OKWO), has been killed by security forces hours after Kogi government revoked the pardon earlier granted to him. Kogi Commissioner of Police, Akeem Yusuf, made this known while briefing newsmen in Lokoja on Thursday. He said : It would be recalled that the Kogi State Government in October, 2018 granted pardon in prerogative of mercy as part of rehabilitation to one notorious gang leader named KABIR BALA alias (OKWO) in Ejule, Ofu LGA. However, the said Kabir Bala (allegedly) remained an unrepentant criminal with lots of atrocities traced to him which includes; dealing in illegal arms, Kidnappings and killings in the State. Several cases had been traced to him such as: 1. Burning alive of Mrs Salome Abu, a PDP woman Leader in Ofu LGA in her residence on 18th November, 2019 at Ochadamu 2. Killing of two (2) Igala youths; UMORU AREH and UNEKWU SULE on 20th April, 2022 at Ejule. 3. Killing of Five (5) Fulani Herders namely; Ibrahim, Haruna and Shuaibu along Alloma Road, Ofu LGA in April, 2022 and Muhammed and Dauda at Imoko in Ofu LGA on 3rd March, 2023 Other crimes committed by Kabir Bala and his gang are: -. i. Attack on troops of Nigerian Navy and dispossessed them of four (4) Rifles at Alloma village on 4 March, 2022. Though, the Firearms were later returned to the Navy following high-powered intervention. ii. Attack on Elisha Aya, Pastor and founder of Kingdom Faith Assembly Ejule on 18 March, 2022 who later paid N1 million naira to Bala as levy for establishing a Church. iii. Invasion of Egane Fulani settlement, burning 213, huts, rustled 122 cows on 25 December, 2022. IV. Assault on the Lords Chosen Church, Ejule on 29 January 2023 for disturbing his Hotel with their Service, during which Joy Abuh, a worshipper sustained gunshot injury on her left hand. V. He was also responsible for seven (7) Kidnappings along Itobe-Anyigba highway from 5th to 28th May 2023. Based on the above facts, the decision reached at the State Security Council meeting held on 20th June 2023, that; a. The state pardon granted to Kabir Bala in 2018 be revoked immediately. b. Security agencies must go after Kabir Bala and arrest him immediately for prosecution. c. All known agents of Kabir Bala in criminal activities must be apprehended to face the law. d. All illegal arms in the possession of criminals in that area should be recovered for peace of the State. e. Joint Operations should be set up comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, DSS, Civil Defence to go after Kabir Bala and his gang to arrest them and recover the arms in their possession. Today, 22nd June 2023, at about 0430hrs in pursuit of the above, the Kabir Bala and his gang members on sighting the Joint Security team opened fire on them and started shooting sporadically. The team engaged the hoodlums; the said Kabir Bala was neutralized in the process while other members of his gang escaped with varying degrees of injuries, Items recovered from his premises include; i. One (1) AK 47 Rifle with three(3) fully loaded magazines Six (6) locally fabricated weapons ill. Two (2) Phones and Charms Finally, I wish to reiterate that, the ongoing onslaught against criminal activities will be sustained to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the State. The US Coast Guard has confirmed that the submersible bound for the Titanic, which had gone missing on Sunday, met a devastating fate. US Coast Guard Rear, Admiral John Mauger, who announced the development on Thursday after days of intensive search efforts, said the vessel experienced a catastrophic implosion, resulting in the death of all the five people on board. Shedding light on the extent of the incident, Mauger said the debris, including the tail cone, was discovered approximately 1,600 feet away from the bow of the Titanic. He emphasized on the challenges of the deep-sea environment, stressing that the wreckage aligns with a catastrophic implosion. This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there on the sea floor and the debris is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel, Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander, told reporters. Mauger, who revealed that an immediate notification was provided to the victims families, expressed his sympathy, acknowledging the heart-wrenching experience they must be going through. The families were immediately notified. I can only imagine what this has been like for them and I hope that this discovery provides some solace during this difficult time, he said. Missing Titanic Submersible The ill-fated Titan embarked on its descent on June 18, with the aim of exploring the wreckage of the Titanic, resting 13,000 feet below sea level in the North Atlantic Ocean. Equipped with an estimated 96 hours of life support, the expedition promised participants a chance to step outside of everyday life and discover something truly extraordinary Each participant had paid $250,000, as indicated on an archived version of OceanGates website. However, approximately one hour and 45 minutes into the dive, communication with the mother ship was lost, and the submersible failed to resurface as expected. Since then, no further contact has been established. Relatives and social media posts have identified the individuals aboard the Titan as Rush, the CEO and founder of OceanGate; Harding, a British businessman; Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; and Nargeolet, a French diver. Official confirmation of the names has not been made public. Just before a scheduled news conference, OceanGate Expeditions, the company operating the submersible, issued a statement expressing their belief that the five men on board had tragically lost their lives. The statement mourned the explorers deaths, highlighting their adventurous spirit and commitment to ocean exploration and conservation. 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, OceanGate said in a statement. 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. Earlier on Thursday, the US Coast Guard reported the discovery of a debris field near the Titanic, believed to be remnants of the external body of the submersible. The debris was found on the ocean floor, approximately 500 meters from the bow of the Titanic. The Coast Guard intends to hold a press briefing later in the day to discuss findings from the Horizon Arctics ROV on the sea floor near the Titanic. Pelagic Research Services, whose remote-operated vehicle conducted the initial search, confirmed the identification of the debris field. This tragic incident intensifies the ongoing fascination with the Titanics wreckage, even after more than a century since the ships ill-fated maiden voyage claimed the lives of over 1,500 people. BREAKING: TITANIC MISSING SUB UPDATE Debris has been found by The U.S. Coast Guard near Titanic wreckage in the search for the missing submersible. This confirms what weve discussed for 8 hours yesterday: The carbon fibre hull of the submersible IMPLODED, killing everyone pic.twitter.com/bYAsUtjchy Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 22, 2023 The US Coast Guard confirms the Titan submersible imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic. pic.twitter.com/vTp9J2jIvH Pop Base (@PopBase) June 22, 2023 KanyiDaily had also reported how a major search was launched for a Malaysian Airlines jet with 239 people on board that is feared to have crashed after it lost contact flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Related "South Korea and Vietnam have built a close and mutually beneficial cooperative relationship over the past 30 years," Yoon said. "Last year, we elevated the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Today, President Thuong and I discussed ways to further strengthen our cooperation in a way that is commensurate with the elevated bilateral relationship and to contribute to freedom, peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region." President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, listens to his Vietnamese counterpart, Vo Van Thuong, during a press conference after their talks at the presidential palace in Hanoi, June 23. Yonhap Under the aim of increasing bilateral trade to $150 billion by 2030, the two sides agreed to establish an Electronic Origin Data Exchange System, which will allow businesses to submit online proof of origin of export and import items to qualify for preferential duties under the two countries' free trade agreement. Recognizing the large potential for cooperation on developing Vietnam's abundant rare earth elements, the two sides also agreed to set up a center exclusively handling critical mineral supply chains, and to look further for areas of cooperation in liquefied natural gas development, hydrogen energy production, smart cities and climate change response. The summit also led to an agreement to further promote exchanges between the two countries' peoples by increasing support for Korean language education in Vietnam and expanding scholarships for Vietnamese students in South Korea. Yoon said South Korea will continue to expand development assistance to Vietnam by raising the cap on aid provided through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund from $1.5 billion in 2016-2023 to $2 billion in 2024-2030. Under a new deal, South Korea will also provide an additional $2 billion through the Economic Development Promotion Facility by 2030. "Vietnam is a key cooperation state in implementing our Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative for freedom, peace and prosperity," Yoon said. "We will communicate and cooperate more closely with Vietnam, which is a key partner for the development of South Korea-ASEAN relations and South Korea-Mekong cooperation." The two countries signed 17 agreements and documents on the occasion of the summit, including an action plan for the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established last year, an agreement allowing the use of international driver's licenses in each other's countries and a memorandum of understanding outlining rules for the issuance of employment permits to Vietnamese workers in South Korea. Thuong welcomed the agreements and said Vietnam is paying close attention to the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Okwo was killed in a joint operation by the DSS, the Nigerian army, and police in the early hours of Thursday, according to a statement issued by the secret police spokesman, Peter Afunanya on Thursday night. He was gunned down after his hideout was raided when he and his gang members engaged the troops in a gun duel during which he was neutralised. Others, however, fled the area, the statement reads in part. JOINT SECURITY TEAM COMBATS CRIMINAL ELEMENTS IN KOGI AND NASARAWA STATES; DSS CALLS FOR VIGILANCE PRIOR TO EID-EL-KABIR CELEBRATIONS A joint security team comprising the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army and Police carried out operations in Nasarawa and Department of State Services (DSS) (@OfficialDSSNG) June 22, 2023 Items recovered at the scene were one AK47 rifle with three (3) fully loaded magazines, six (6) locally fabricated weapons, two (2) phones, and charms. In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that the Oyo State Police Command on Thursday, invited skit maker, Abdullahi Maruf Adisa, popularly known as Trinity Guy in connection with a prank video that involved a minor. In the prank involving a minor, the skit maker was seen asking a visibly scared little girl of about 8 years to tell him the colour of his private part. The video has been drawing massive condemnation on social media. Related Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has did not honour an invitation to appear before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Friday. According to DailyPost, the Tribunal had on Thursday, ordered a substituted service of a subpoena on Mbah through his lawyer. This was following an application by counsel to the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Barr Alex Amujiogo. The subpoena was immediately served on Mbahs lawyer by Amujiogo. However, when the case came up today, Friday, the PRP counsel told the Tribunal that Mbah did not honour the summons. Amujiogo said, This Honourable Tribunal had on June 22, 2023 made an order that the subpoena be served on Barr Peter Mbah through his counsel. We have since done that for him to appear today. My Lord, it is obvious that he is not in court under the pretence of immunity. And today is my last day for me to close my case; my hands are tied and I have no choice but to close my case. When asked of his next line of action, Amujiogo told journalists: It is now left for the tribunal, in the course of this matter to know the next step that they will undertake as regards his refusal or inability to appear today before the Tribunal; let us watch and see the battle will be like, between the tribunal and the governor. It has two legs- the tribunal can exercise its power of sanctions against the person who refuses his order; you also know that judgement is always at hand; it is the last option. The ball is on the court of the Tribunal to do things one way or the other. However, the lead counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Barr Anthony Ani (SAN) told journalists after the Tribunal sitting that the petitioner did not comply with the provisions of the law while serving the subpoena. He said the Governor was ready to appear had the petitioners done the right thing. According to Ani, The petitioner has not complied with the mandatory provisions of the law; the default provision, respecting election petitions, is the Federal High Court Rules, which is very clear on service of Subpoena Testificandum or Duces Tecum. Now when you serve a subpoena, that subpoena should have been filed alongside the originating process, that is the petition. And in filing it, you have to comply with the relevant order; I think Order 3, Rule 4 of the Federal High Court Rules and serve the witness you are subpoenaing with what we call Form 1A; that form 1A, with mandate the witness to file witness deposition on oath, and then you also serve the witness you are expecting with your pleadings. In this case, they should have served the governor with the petition, to enable the Governor file a deposition on oath, and then come to court to adopt that deposition. So you dont serve just ordinary paper, thats what the Court of Appeal called it, you dont just serve only the subpoena without the accompanying documents. If they had complied with the provisions of the rules of court, Im sure the governor must have been here; There is no issue of immunity here; if they had done the proper thing, the governor would have been here, but they didnt comply with the law, if you comply we will comply, if you dont, we wont comply. Meanwhile, the Tribunal led by Justice K. M. Akano adjourned the case to June 24, 2023, for the 1st Respondent (the Independent National Electoral Commission) to open its defence. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has accused Russia of using children from Ukraine as human shield during the war. In a UN report on Thursday June 22, the global organisation said Russia killed 136 children in Ukraine in 2022, using them as human shield. UN revealed that it has now added Russias armed forces to the global list of offenders, the U.N. Security Council report stated. The United Nations also stated that Russian armed forces and affiliated groups maimed 518 children and carried out 480 attacks on schools and hospitals and they also used 91 children as human shields, according to the report. Russia has denied targeting civilians since it invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The report also claimed that Ukrainian armed forces killed 80 children, maimed 175 children and carried out 212 attacks on schools and hospitals. The Ukrainian armed forces are not on the global offenders list. Guterres said in the report that he was particularly shocked by the high number of children killed and maimed and attacks on schools and hospitals by Russian armed forces. He also said he was particularly disturbed by the high number of such offenses against children by Ukrainian armed forces. Guterres annual report to the 15-member Security Council on children and armed conflict covers the killing, maiming, sexual abuse, abduction or recruitment of children, denial of aid access and targeting of schools and hospitals. The report was compiled by Virginia Gamba, Guterres special representative for children and armed conflict. Gamba last month visited Ukraine and Russia, where she met with Russias envoy for childrens rights, Maria Lvova-Belova whom the International Criminal Court has charged on war crimes. The International Criminal Court also issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin accusing him of illegally deporting children from Ukraine and the unlawful transfer of people to Russia from Ukraine since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, 2022. Two suspected thieves, Paul Agu Daniel, and Mike Ogah have confessed after operatives of the Kaduna State Police command arrested them for allegedly swapping the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card of an unsuspecting victim. A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Mohammed Jalige, dated Friday June 13, 2023, charged the general public to be careful with their ATM cards. On the 12th June, 2023 at about 1340hrs, a woman reported that on the 10th June, 2023 at about 0715hrs, she went to Jaiz Bank located at Ali Akilu Road Kaduna to make a financial transaction using her Automated Teller Machine (ATM). In the course of the said transaction an unknown person dishonestly collected her debit card linked to her Jaiz bank account with a view to assisting her, instead intentionally swapped the debit card and escaped it said According to the statement, few minutes later, she received two debit alerts with a total sum of four hundred and four thousand Naira (N404, 000.00k) from her bank. During investigation, operatives of the State Intelligence Bureau, Kaduna Command arrested (1) Paul Agu Daniel, and (2) Mike Ogah both male of various addresses in Kaduna State and they voluntarily confessed to the alleged crime. Investigations also unravelled that the two suspects had defrauded one of their victims the sum of nine hundred and forty eight thousand Naira (N948,000.00k) using his fidelity ATM card. The suspects are currently assisting the Police in investigation with a view to arresting their other criminal accomplices. The Commissioner of Police hailed the detectives for arresting the suspects, while charging the public to be careful who they let handle their ATM cards. Advertisement FROM Lateef Taiwo A senior Magistrate Court No 4 sitting in MINNA, Niger state has sentenced a Police Inspector Gbenga Fajuyi to 22 years imprisonment for impregnating his 13 years biological daughter. While delivering the judgement on Thursday, the presiding senior Magistrate Christy Barau,described the convict as a monster . she castigated the police officer as a law enforcement officer who supposed to protect the little girl, but ended up putting her into adulthood. According to the Magistrate , the police officer was found guilty of three-count charge of unlawful sexual intercourse, putting her into a family way impregnating a female student, and criminal intimidation. In his submission the police prosecutor, Inspector Lawrence Owette, the three-count charges contravened Section 18 (2) of the Niger State Child Right Law 2010, Section 390 25 (3), and 397 B of the penal code. According to the police first Information Report, marked SMC/MN, CR/06/2023 made available in court and obtained by our Reporter , stated that Gbenga Fajuyi, who is 47 years, sometime in 2019, at the Ungwan Nasarawa area of Tafa Local Government, lured his biological daughter, an SS1 student of Government Day Secondary School Sabon-Wuse, into his room and forcefully had carnal knowledge of the girl. The act by the father , Gbenga Fajuyi resulted putting his daughter into a family way and delivered a baby girl, warning her not to tell anybody else he would kill her. Prosecutor said during the police Investigation,Gbenga Fajuyi, confessed to have committed the offence ,he further admitted to have strangled the new Baby to death after delivery at a nearby River After the presiding senior Magistrate Christy Barau read the charges to him,he pleaded guilty to the charges, but the court turned it into not guilty, The Magistrate Christy however charg said that the police prosecutor had proved his case and have brought along his witnesses and evidence to enable the court to give him the maximum punishment in accordance with the offenses he committed. At the court during the trial, the prosecutor called the investigating police officer, the mother of the girl, and the girl, who narrates how the father started having sexual intercourse with the daughter when she was 12 years until he impregnated her at 13 years of age. Senior Magistrate Christy Barau, while delivering the judgement described the police inspector as a monster and a disgrace to the entire police, expressed regret that the convict, who is a police officer, saddled with the responsibility of protecting life and property ,fighting crime in the society, shamelessly engaged himself in such act instead to protect his own family.but chose to be inhuman towards his own biological daughter. The Magistrate however ruled that he is to spend the next 22 years in prison without the option of a fine, and the sentence was to run concurrently. Related Advertisement June 23, (THEWILL) The Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC), Abuja, has admitted in evidence, certified copies of a B.Sc certificate from the Chicago State University, an NYSC Discharge Certificate and Mobil Nigeria Oil Plc certificate of service, among others, allegedly belonging to President Bola Tinubu. The academic and work records were tendered in Court on Friday, by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Atiku and the PDP are challenging the outcome of the February 25 Presidential election which produced Bola Tinubu as President. The PDP had brought the documents through a Private Legal Practitioner, Mike Enahoro-Ebah, subpoenaed as witness. According to the petitioners, the documents were purportedly obtained by Tinubu, but bore the name Bola Adekunle Tinubu. Led in evidence by the lead Counsel to PDP, Chris Uche, the witness also tendered forms EC13 and EC9 nomination forms and the letters written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as attachments. The witness referenced among others, certified true copies of form EC9 (Nomination letter of Tinubu, receipt of payment for certification, witness application letter, requesting for the documents, INECs Letter of response, Certificate from Chicago university belonging to the 2nd respondent (Tinubu), NYSC discharge certificate belonging to the 2nd respondent, with the name Tinubu Bola Adekunle, Certificate of service from Mobile Oil Nigeria PLC., and Party Membership card. The witness also tendered, academic records from Chicago university, a copy of the subpoena served on the Chicago university, the original academic records and degree certificate, original admission letter, original transcript from South west college to the school Tinubu attended, given to Chicago university with the gender referred to as Female. He also tendered a notarised judgement of USA for criminal forfeiture of assets of Tinubu and the cover note authorising it. Furthermore, extracts of a Guinea passport and the certificate of compliance for Tinubu were also presented. When the lead counsel to PDP applied to tender the documents, all the respondents including Counsel to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud; Tinubu, Emmanuel Ukala and the APC, Lateef Fagbemi, all objected to the admissibility of the documents. Under cross-examination by Counsel to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud, the witness said he has not spent too much money even as he tries to bring the truth to Nigerians. The PDP also presented in evidence: a Certified true copies of forms EC8As of 25 LGAs in Delta state, Certified true copies of forms EC8As of 13 LGAs in Ebonyi state, Certified true copies of forms EC8As of 18 LGAs in Edo state., Certified true copies of forms EC8As of 17 LGAs in Enugu state, Certified true copies of forms EC8As of 27 LGAs in Imo state and Certified true copies of forms EC8As of 21 LGAs in Kogi state The Court of Appeal Abuja division has reinstated the former Director General National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Dauda. Delivering judgement Justice Peter Ige said the evidence leading to the dismissal of Dauda was frivolous and lacking in merit. The Judge also resolved all the contentious issues against NIA in favour of Dauda who is a respondent in the suit. He further ordered that his salaries and entitlements since the day of dismissal from office be paid. READ ALSO: Tribunal Admits Chicago State University, NYSC, Mobil Certificates Against Tinubu The Appellate Court also gave an order that the sum of N1million be paid to Dauda. Justice Ige held further held that Dauda should be allowed to retire in service in accordance with the stipulated laws. The Justice further said that there was no evidence before the court that shows that the Dauda had constituted any risk or breached any law. Mr Dauda had earlier acted as the head of the agency from November 2017 to January 2018, when he was replaced by former President Muhammadu Buhari. Dissatisfied, he challenged his removal in court, saying his dismissal from service did not follow due process and was wrongful. He argued that in contravention of the law, no special management staff of the disciplinary committee (SMSDC) was set up to investigate the charges against him, adding that he was not given a fair hearing. The Muhammadu Buhari administration will not shy away from its total commitment to fighting corruption, and there will be no sacred cows in the course of the fight, a group campaigning for the administration said today. According to the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), the decision to relieve Winifred Oyo-Ita of her position as Head of Service (HoS) of the Federation is another proof that this government would not allow people with questions to answer to remain in office longer than necessary. In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said that the action is bound to send clear signals to public office holders on consequences for misdemeanours under the watch of President Buhari. This is another sign of the Presidents zero-tolerance for acts such as that which Mrs Oyo-Ita is being investigated for by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Buhari has, on several occasions, maintained that the anti-corruption stance of his administration is non-negotiable and it is quite clear that he wont tolerate any iota of verifiable scandal among key government officials. In this case, the anti-graft agency had been investigating Mrs Oyo-Ita over an alleged N3 billion contract scam, abuse of duty tour allowance, money laundering, among others, during her previous position of permanent secretary. So, like President Buhari did in the grass cutting scandal when he sacked the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal for allegedly defrauding the Federal government to the tune of five hundred million naira (N500m), he had no misgivings about sending Oyo-Ita on indefinite leave. It is also somewhat ironic that the former HoS was relieved of her job on the same day that the EFCC presented a key prosecution witness in continuation of the trial of the former SGF. All these are enough proof that the Buhari administration is not prepared to look the other way and ignore cases of financial misdemeanours against top government officials at the same time that some members of the previous administrations were standing trial, it said. BMO also said the delay in taking action on the former Head of Service even after news of the investigation broke, is a reflection of the painstaking way the administration conducts its activities. We have seen how opposition elements and their supporters push false narratives of an alleged bid by some unnamed Presidency officials to shield Babachir Lawal of prosecution, even after he was indicted by the House of Representatives. Yes, it indeed took time before President Buhari acted, but he left no doubt about his readiness to follow due process by first suspending Babachir Lawal on April 19 2017, before officially relieving him of all duties on October 30 2017, for misappropriating funds intended for alleviating the food crisis in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in North-East Nigeria. And in Oyo-Itas case, there were suggestions that she had turned in her resignation letter few weeks ago but the Presidency rejected it until now that unexpectedly a statement was issued announcing that she was proceeding on indefinite leave to allow for completion of investigations. This goes to show that President Buhari is prepared to give room for benefit of doubt and allow the law to take its full course. The Buhari group also assured Nigerians that the administration would ensure that the former Head of Service and others alleged to be involved have enough opportunity to clear their names if the EFCC considers it necessary to charge them to court. It has been reported that as many as 3 Nigerians were injured in a new wave of xenophobic violence rocking South Africa. An update on the recent attack which started in the early hours of Tuesday October 22, at different locations of Witbank, Mpumanlaga Province of South Africa revealed that 5 Nigerian-owned business outlets were burnt down by the group made up of community members and taxi drivers. Some Nigerian-owned business outlets burnt and looted in the fresh attack include a big spare parts dealership, two restaurants, a grocery shop and a Nigerian foodstuffs shop. See more photos below. A Korea-Vietnam business consultation event takes place in Hanoi on the occasion of Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's state visit to the Southeast Asian nation, in this June 22 photo provided by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency. Yonhap Korea and Vietnam agreed Friday to make joint efforts to nearly double bilateral trade to $150 billion by 2030 and deepen cooperation on key industry minerals and net-zero goals, the industry ministry said. The three memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on stronger bilateral industry relationships were signed after a summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong held in Hanoi earlier in the day, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. In detail, the Korean and the Vietnamese trade ministries agreed to set up a "PLUS" task force of the respective nation, to be led by director-level officials, which will be in charge of exchanging information on trade and industry circumstances, helping address problems their companies face and exploring new business chances. The improvement in trade conditions is expected to help the two sides achieve the goal of $150 billion in two-way trade by 2030, according to the Korean ministry. Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has condemned the reported extrajudicial killings in several parts of the country by security agencies enforcing the lockdown ordered by the Federal Government and some states of the federation to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Ekweremadu, who is also a member of the seven-man International Parliamentary Taskforce on COVID-19, made his feelings known in a statement in Abuja on Thursday and called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the security agencies to stem the needless killings immediately. He said: I am deeply saddened by report from the National Human Rights Commission of the loss of 18 Nigerian lives in the hands of security agents enforcing the lockdown ordered by the Federal Government and various state governments. This is most unfortunate and condemnable, especially when we consider that the number of Coronavirus fatalities in the country, stand at 12, as at today. I call on President Muhammadu Buhari and the relevant security and government agencies to ensure that the reprehensible acts are thoroughly investigated and the culprits brought to book. We must ensure that law enforcement agents do not turn their weapons against the very citizens they are supposed to protect. While the lockdowns and other precautionary measures are very necessary for containing the pandemic, they must be enforced with every sense of professionalism, discipline, restraint, empathy, and above all, with utmost respect for human life, which the lockdowns were put in place to protect in the first place. The lawmaker condoled with families that lost their loved ones and prayed God to grant the deceased eternal repose. *Cemetery also decontaminated By Abankula All mourners not properly kitted against the coronavirus at the burial of Mallam Abba Kyari at Gudu Cemetery, Abuja have been rounded up for isolation. Dr Mohammed Kawu, acting Secretary Health and Human Services of the FCTA made this known on Saturday. All the unprotected men at the burial have been identified, he said. He also said the Hazmat suit dumped by a mourner at the cemetery has been professionally evacuated. The mourner was among those rounded up for isolation, he said. Kawu also said the cemetery has been decontaminated. He said that necessary tests would be conducted on all of the arrested mourners to determine their level of exposure to coronavirus. Henceforth, the FCTA will ensure that all future burials of victims of COVID-19 are conducted in line with protocols established by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). He urged the FCT residents to remain calm and rest assured that the FCT would continue to do all necessary to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 in Abuja. Reported by NAN Back in May, Gov. J.B. Pritzker told reporters that his administration had given lawmakers seven options to rein in costs of a healthcare program for undocumented immigrants which was growing well beyond affordability. Pritzker told reporters at a more recent event that he had originally budgeted the program for a $220 million increase, but since then the program was projected to actually grow by $1.1 billion in the coming fiscal year. So, he said, the state needed to limit the growth to $550 million. Pritzker said his administration believed we could manage the program with the number of people that are in it now to keep those cost increases at $550 million, which was a clear sign that an enrollment cap was coming. The administration has been meeting with the Legislative Latino Caucus about the unexpected growth in the program since March. And it's been pretty clear from the beginning that enrollment would have to be capped and other cost-cutting measures put in place to prevent the program from eating up even more limited state resources. Even so, some Latino legislators were enraged during the final briefing about the solutions the governor decided to put into place: Pausing new enrollment for those aged 42-64; establishing co-pays; implementing managed care; clawing back some over-payments to the Cook County Hospital System and limiting or eliminating backdated medical coverage. The plan was called racist by at least one person on the Zoom call. Several hours later, the Latino Caucus issued a toned-down press release, calling the governors announcement disappointing. They did, after all, vote for the Medicaid omnibus bill which enabled the emergency rulemaking authority. Others werent so muted. U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez sponsored the original bill to create the program for senior citizens when she was still a state legislator. Ramirez and others predicted at the time the program would only cost a few million dollars a year. After Pritzker acted, she called the governors decision to impose the limits a false choice built on fearmongering and anti-immigrant rhetoric, which will put thousands of hard-working, taxpaying immigrants' lives in danger. But the sharpest criticism came from activists. The Healthy Illinois Campaign, which lobbied hard to expand the program even further this year despite the exploding costs, issued a press release back in May supporting the new state budget, and thanked the General Assembly for protecting existing coverage for undocumented immigrants who are 42 and older. But then the reality of what it really takes to save $550 million out of a projected cost increase of $1.1 billion within the span of one fiscal year fully set in when Pritzker issued his emergency rules. The governor went to Florida last week to receive an award from two prominent immigration groups, but the Healthy Illinois Campaign called on the groups to rescind the honor. It is absolutely scandalous that Governor Pritzker will be receiving an immigrant leadership award while in the state of Illinois he has rejected and perverted the idea that immigrants have the right to healthcare, the Healthy Illinois Campaigns statement claimed. Governor Pritzker is not different from Ron DeSantis hurting the most vulnerable immigrants, they continued. A billionaire governor so willfully causing pain to the hardest working people - is that any different from Ron DeSantis? Is this the standard now for opportunistic politicians running for president? Ouch. The Healthy Illinois Campaign has never accepted the governors cost projections, but it has yet to fully explain why they believe the expected costs are not nearly as high as the administrations estimates. The governor, for his part, seemingly contradicted himself when he told reporters a few weeks ago that the state saves money when it invested in the healthcare program. If they don't get basic health care, they end up in an emergency room and we all end up paying for that at a much higher cost than if we have preventative care. This is obviously an unusual position for the governor to be in. Hes been a darling, even a hero, of the progressive wing of his party since Day One. But, at least for now, hes taking some real heat. This is a welcoming state, progressive Sen. Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) thundered during Thursday's die-in demonstration at Chicagos Federal Plaza. Always, he said, Not only when it's convenient. And Democratic Socialist Chicago Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa recently tweeted that, while he had previously called Pritzker arguably the best Illinois governor since progressive John Peter Altgeld, he now believes that the decision to impose the emergency rules is Criminal. New polling shows trouble ahead for Republican politicians who continue blocking any attempt at rational restrictions on guns: Young conservatives of the kind the GOP will increasingly need in the future are far more open to required psychological exams for gun purchasers and other firearms limits than are their older conservative counterparts. The reason is hardly mysterious: Gen Z including its more right-leaning members have all grown up in a country drowning in gun violence thanks to older conservatives stubborn resistance to even the mildest gun-safety proposals. Mass school shootings have become such a routine part of American life that its easy to forget it hasnt always been like this. The start of this dark era is generally put at 1999, the year of the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado, which left 15 dead. As the nation reeled from the shock of what was then a singular tragedy, a barrage of new firearms restrictions were proposed in Congress. As the debate wore on, it soon became apparent that even this horrific demonstration of the dangers of Americas loose gun laws couldnt budge lawmakers held in thrall to the gun lobby. It was the same story a little over a dozen years later, when 20 small children and six adults died in 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. By then, mass shootings were becoming more common, but this one was uniquely soul-searing. Many assumed the country would finally stop the insanity and impose reasonable restrictions on weapons of war in civilian hands. It didnt. The rare has become common. In each of the past three years there have been, nationally, more than 600 mass shootings (defined as four victims or more), many of them in schools. This year has seen 200 so far. In fact, school shootings have become so common that there have been multiple recent reports of the same young people surviving two of them, years and miles apart. That phenomenon, as much as any other, might finally move the needle. As Politico reported earlier this month, several recent polls have confirmed that young conservatives as a whole dont share their older counterparts stubborn opposition to gun restrictions. A Harvard poll in the spring found a majority of young conservatives favored mandatory psychological examinations as a condition of purchasing guns. A separate YouGov poll in March showed millennial and Gen Z Republicans are open to more gun restrictions generally and that that support has grown. Its telling that prominent conservatives can acknowledge such a disturbing fact while still maintaining the partys unreasonable refusal to even discuss reforms like limits on high-capacity magazines, red-flag laws and universal background checks. Thats how thoroughly the party, and too much of the country, has come to view these horrors as inevitable. They arent. And the fact many young conservatives, at least, seem to understand that provides a glimmer of hope for the future. St. Louis Post-Dispatch The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has warned people not to travel through floodwaters to get to their destinations. Frank Duodu, NADMOs Ashanti Regional Director, warned the public not to endanger their lives during a downpour. NADMO issued the warning after four people were reported dead as a result of Wednesdays severe rainfall. During the rainy season, he advised the public to take the Ghana Meteorological Agencys warnings seriously and to behave accordingly. Make sure that when the rains are coming, we follow the warnings of the Meteorological Agency, and if there is no need to go to places you know are flood-prone areas, dont go. You find high places to lodge when the rains are coming but if it turns out to be what we witnessed on Wednesday, not that the place got flooded but you decide to go through the flood waters, then I will say there is more that we have. Background The Ashanti Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Frank Kwadwo Duodu, confirmed on Thursday, June 22, 2023, that four individuals died as a result of the severe rains that fell on Wednesday evening. Three of the casualties he mentioned occurred on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, in the evening. The death of the fourth individual, he informed the media, was announced on Thursday, June 22, 2023. He stated that the first casualty occurred at Tafo. He further stated that two of the deceased were siblings. He claimed that one of them had fallen into the water the night before and that on Thursday morning, traditional leaders poured a libation, after which rescuers were asked to enter the water and collect the body. However, his brother attempted to collect the body and drowned as well. The other person, who was on a bicycle, was advised against crossing the river but ignored all the warnings and decided to cross. Unfortunately, his motorcycle fell into the river, and in an attempt to retrieve it, he was washed away. He also confirmed that there was a six-year-old boy who died by the name of Lovick Atta Oduro. Agya Kwame, 45; Kwaku Aboagye, who was attempting to rescue the bicycle, and his brother, John Kwame Asuman, 57, have been identified as the other three victims. Source: rainbow radio Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The UN has urged Tunisian authorities to end a crackdown on the media and free speech. It comes a few days after a prominent Tunisian journalist was arrested on charges of insulting President Kais Saied. A judge ordered the detention of Zied el-Heni ahead of a trial in which he could be sentenced to five years in prison. In a statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk described the situation as "troubling". "The crackdown earlier this year against judges, politicians, labour leaders, businesspeople and civil society actors has now spread to target independent journalists, who are increasingly being harassed and stopped from doing their work," Mr Turk said. "I urge Tunisia to change course," he added. President Saied has previously defended his administration by saying he wants to save the north African nation from chaos. However, critics have accused him of staging a coup after he suspended the National Assembly in 2021, passed a new constitution and moved to rule by decree. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mali's military-led government on Thursday seized the diplomatic passport of influential and outspoken Muslim cleric Mahmoud Dicko, who is a vocal critic of the ruling junta. Community-based station Radio Nostalgie reported that the authorities seized Mr Dicko's passport at an airport in the capital, Bamako, upon his return from neighbouring Mauritania. Mr Dicko was issued the passport by the government of the late President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. Less than a week after vehemently criticizing the transitional government, Dicko is more than ever in the crosshairs of the authorities, privately-owned channel Renouveau TV reported. In May, Mr Dicko and several Islamic groups launched an "anti-secularism" movement to oppose plans to designate the country as a secular state as envisioned in a draft constitution. Mr Dicko also played a leading role in the protest movement that led to Mr Keitas downfall in 2020. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video What started as a happy and productive day ended in sorrow for Mrs Amanda Amoah who has to become a widow. Amanda Amoah had a series of phone call conversations with her now-late husband, Lance Corporal Calystus Amoah before what she described as a life-shuttered incident occurred. We spoke earlier, but after he had sent me money for something, I called again twice but couldnt reach him. I wasnt worried then because he doesnt always answer his calls when he is on duty. She told Youtuber, Kofi Adomah in an interview and was monitored by Peacefmonline.com Fear started gripping in when Amanda had gone to pick up their child from school. I had a call from a colleague nurse, she asked if I and the child are okay and I said yes. She then asked if Calystus is okay and said he is okay. Right after she consoled me and said she is not the right person to break the news to me but the police will call to tell me I panicked; I asked her what is going on but she refused to say anything. She narrated Whiles at home with her in-law, a call came through from the police headquarters, they wanted to speak to Amanda. So, the police National Protection Unit called my mother-in-law to inform her, they asked to talk to me and I spoke to them but they told me they will come home to tell me whatever is going on. Teary Amanda said Moments later, Amandas father called to break the news to them. My father said he went online and said a police officer has been shot by armed robbers. I quickly checked the TV and I saw the news all over. Why did they do that to me. Amanda who could not hold back her tears said. Background According to the report, the late Lance Corporal Calystus Amoah passed out of the Pwalugu Police Training School in 2017 and was serving at the National Protection Unit (NPU) at Ghana Police Service headquarters in Accra. Four armed robbers during an operation shot and killed LCpl Calystus Amoah when a bullion van he was escorting made a stop at the Ablekuma FanMilk Star Oil filling station. The incident which unfolded on Thursday, June 22, 2023, is said to have claimed the life of the police officer on the spot despite frantic efforts by eyewitnesses to transport the deceased to a hospital. The Ghana Police Service mounted a manhunt for the four robbers involved in the gruesome murder of the officer on Thursday while sending prayers up for the bereaved family. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A security policy expert, Anthony Acquaye, has squarely placed the blame for the gruesome killing of one of its officers at the doorsteps of the high command of the Ghana Police Service. The deceased officer, identified only as Amoah, was attacked and fired at multiple times while he was in the passenger seat of a bullion van that had gone to a popular fuel station at Dansoman to collect money. In CCTV footages that have since gone viral, some four men atop two motorbikes, went directly for the policeman in the front seat of the white van, firing at him until he succumbed to death. But reacting to the incident, which the police have announced is under investigation, Anthony Acquaye said that the top hierarchy of the police service have failed to prioritise the safety of their own men. Having noticed the poor-quality bullion van in question in the video footage and the police officer shot without wearing armoured vest and ballistic helmet has triggered me to ask the Ghana Police high command on how well do they ensure their men and women adhere to the right operating standard procedure in such an important operation involving life and money. Understanding the police service as an institution on how it stands by its directives and ensures its full implementation in this poor-quality bullion van issue has become very problematic and questionable, he said in a statement made available to GhanaWeb. Anthony Acquaye, who also works at the Centre for Security Dialogue and Peace Advocacy (CSDPA), further questioned the commitment of the service in ensuring that it provides the best protection for its men in such situations. He also questioned the police high command on why it continues to allow its men to go on such assignments when it once stated that it would no longer allow such assignments if institutions do not provide them with standard protection. Referring to the press statement signed and released by the then Director of Public Affairs, Superintendent of Police, Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman (Mrs), dated 14th June, 2021, with reference number PAD/PRESS/VOL3 178, having it 3rd paragraph read as, The IGP is also reminding the Association of Bankers to provide a fortified armoured vehicles for carting currencies by the close of June 2021 as earlier agreed between them and Police Service, lest the Police withdraws its officers for escort duties. So, the question Im asking is, if the Police Service High Command are aware of how the security of cash movement and escort officers are critical in the banking business and for that matter have warned the Association of Bankers on the deadly threat the sub-standard vehicles used by most of their banks in transporting of their money pose on personnel life and the money, why then do the Police high command allow them to continue using them? he added. Besides, the security policy expert raised concerns on why police personnel on such assignments still do so without bullet proofs. Again, why are some police officers on these special duties not given bullet proof vests and ballistic helmets to wear for their personal protection, he added. He has therefore called on the police service to prioritise the security of its men, stressing that it should enforce its directive on the use of the armoured bullion vans by the banks or withdraw its officers on such duties entirely. What we know so far on the bullion van attack that killed a police officer: Time of the attack Even though reports of the incident got into the media late afternoon, the incident is said to have happened at around 1:30 pm according to eye witnesses, a claim buttressed by Star Oil statement. The oil company confirmed thus in a statement: "Star Oil is deeply saddened to announce an armed robbery attack at our Ablekuma Fanmilk station on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at approximately 1:30 PM. What the attackers took away From our review of CCTV footage, the robbers made away with two bags, the contents of which remain unknown at this point. Star Oil further confirmed in their statement that the van had just arrived to collect money when the attack was launched. "The robbers attacked the van a few minutes after it arrived for cash collection at the station," their statement of June 22 stressed. Officer identified by first name only The slain officer who was retrieved from the van after the robbers had bolted has been declared dead. Even though the terse police statement on the incident did not fully identify him, Star Oil's statement provided a single name as Amoah. Police launch manhunt for robbers Contrary to some social media reports that the police had arrested the robbers, their statement released hours after the incident disclosed that a manhunt was on for the killers. "The Police are on a manhunt to arrest a gang of four robbers who attacked a bullion van at Ablekuma Fanmilk, a suburb of Accra and shot the Police escort who has unfortunately passed on," the statement read. Eyewitnesses speak on operation Eyewitnesses in the area told the media about how the operation unfolded stating among others that the sound of repeated gunshots had them scampering and taking cover. That after the robbers had bolted, most people rushed to the scene where they saw the policeman slumped in the car seat. "It was there that some of the people carried him into a car and rushed him to the hospital," one of the eyewitnesses told Metro TV news. Read Anthony Acquaye's full statement below: ABLEKUMA BULLION VAN ROBBERY IN FOCUS: BLAME POLICE HIGH COMAND FOR THEIR INABILITY TO ENFORCE THE RIGHT OPERATING STANDARD PROCEDURE TO SAFEGUARD ITS OFFICERS - Security Analyst Seriously, it is too sad to have another gallant police officer killed in a sub-standard bullion van robbery attack at Ablekuma-Fanmilk. It on record that, between February 2021 and February 2022, four separate bullion van robbery attacks were recorded across Greater Accra Region. A critical analysis on the video footage intelligence recorded by the closed-circuit television (CCTV) at the filling station showed clearly how the robbers with their two motorbikes ambushed the bullion van, shot the police officer on target whiles the driver run for his life. Having noticed the poor-quality bullion van in question in the video footage and the police officer shot without wearing armoured vest and ballistic helmet has triggered me to ask the Ghana Police high command on how well do they ensure their men and women adhere to the right operating standard procedure in such an important operation involving life and money. Understanding the police service as an institution on how it stands by its directives and ensures its full implementation in this poor-quality bullion van issue has become very problematic and questionable. Referring to the press statement signed and released by the then director of public affairs, superintendent of police, Sheilla Kessie Abayie - Buckman (Mrs) dated 14th June, 2021 with reference number PAD/PRESS/VOL3 178 having it 3rd paragraph read as "The IGP is also reminding the Association of Bankers to provide a fortified armoured vehicles for carting currencies by the close of June 2021 as earlier agreed between them and Police Service, lest the Police withdraws its officers for escort duties" So, the question Im asking is, if the Police Service High Command are aware of how the security of cash movement and escort officers are critical in the banking business and for that matter have warned the Association of Bankers on the deadly threat the sub - standard vehicles used by most of their banks in transporting of their money pose on personnel life and the money, why then do the Police high command allow them to continue using them. Again, why are some police officers on these special duties not given bullet proof vests and ballistic helmets to wear for their personal protection. It is important to state that, protecting, detecting and deterring are the ultimate security strategies that can safeguard our gallant police personnel in an unaware situation like this, with they are alertness in combating coupled with the presence of the armoured bullion van with its security features such as its tracking device, its bullet resistance glass and siren could have deterred the robbers in the first place or the tracking device could have tracked them by alerting the danger as they continued to follow them with their motorbikes or probably it could have been very difficult for the robbers to open the door of the armoured bullion van and shoot the police officer. It is prudent to establish that, if the police officer was wearing the armoured vest the bullet probably wouldn't have penetrated into his body. Ghana Police Service must as a matter of urgent enforce its directive on the use of the armoured bullion van by the banks or withdraw its officers on such duties. Signed Anthony Acquaye (MA in Security, KAIPTC) Security Policy Expert Center for Security Dialogue and Peace Advocacy (CSDPA) 0556783703 Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The momentum of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the NPP Flagbearership primaries continued on Thursday with massive reception and endorsements on Thursday. Enthusisatic party delegates turned up in their numbers to receive Dr. Bawumia in Bortianor-Ingleshie-Amanfro, Gbawe and Anyaa Sowutuom constituencies respectively. However, the most tumultuous reception was at Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfrom constituency where one of Mr. Alan Kyerematen's national coordinators is Member of Parliament. Delegates in the constitutuency met Dr. Bawumia with wild cheers. The Constituency Chairman praised Dr. Bawumia for his commitment and hard work to the party and on behalf of polling station, electoral area coordinators and executives, declared support for the Vice President. "We all know what Dr. Bawumia has done for this country," Mr. Bright Ofori Ampofo, the Chairman of Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfrom constituency said. "Dr. Bawumia has also done well for the party and he has supporters Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfrom. It is time for him to see the results of his investment; not just here, but in all the constituencies. The ground is fertle for harvest and we will do it together," he added. At the other two constituencies, their Chairmen also assured the Vice President of their strong support stressing they will work hard to ensure he wins massively. "My members here, especially the polling station executives, have vowed to help you by working for you and when the time comes, we shall all give you the needed support for you to lead the party. Weija Gbawe will join the others and give you the key to break the 8," Michael Danquah, Chairman of Weija Gbawe constituency said. The Chairman for Anyaa-Sowutuom, Tony Boadu was equally emphatic in declaring the constituency's support for Dr. Bawumia. "I stand here today, together with my people and declare that Anyaa Sowutuom is for you. We are for you not because you're the Vice President today, but because we know you are competent and with you, we will break the 8," he said. Sylvester Tetteh booed by his constituents in absentia Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Boartianor Ngleshie Amanfrom Constituency, Sylvester Tetteh was booed by his constituents during the visit of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to interact with constituency delegates on Thursday. During the introductory remarks of the constituency Chairman, he said the NPP MP for the area, Sylvester Tetteh who is a leading coordinator for the Alan Kyerematen campaign, could not be present because the MP is out of town on assignment. However, the mention of the MP's name sparked furious reactions with spontaneous boos and jeers from the delegates. "No, no, no, no", "he should go; away! away! away!", and "don't mention his name here", the angry delegates charged with some getting off their seats to "warn" the Chairman not to mention Sylvestre Tetteh's name. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Yoon Suk Yeol and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong applaud during a joint press conference after their summit in the Presidential Palace of Vietnam in Hanoi, Friday (local time). Yonhap Seoul pledges $4 billion in loans to Hanoi by 2030 By Nam Hyun-woo South Korea will strengthen its cooperation with Vietnam to "drive a united international response" to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats as part of the two countries' security partnership, President Yoon Suk Yeol said Friday. "North Korea's nuclear and missile programs are the most urgent security threat in the region," Yoon said during a press conference after his summit with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong in Hanoi. "In order to drive a united response from the international community, South Korea and Vietnam will strengthen their bilateral and ASEAN-wise cooperation." Yoon and Thuong held the summit in Hanoi upon the former's state visit to Vietnam. It is Yoon's first visit to an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member country since taking office in May 2022. It is also Yoon's return visit after then-Vietnam President Nguyen Xuan Phuc made a state visit to Korea last December, during which the two countries elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. During the summit, the two leaders adopted an action plan on behalf of their respective governments to implement a comprehensive strategic partnership. This agreement entails areas such as security, diplomacy, the economy as well as other issues. As part of the action plan, Yoon said that the two sides agreed to hold annual foreign ministerial talks to deepen their strategic discussions. This follows the two countries' agreement on holding defense ministers' talks every March. An Accra High Court has issued a witness summons against former Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia and two others at the request of former Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to testify for him in his ongoing trial before the court. The other two are Seidu Kotomah, former Controller and Accountant General and Patrick Nimo, the current Chief Director at the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation. Both Mr. Segbefia and Mr. Nimo are to appear before the court on June 29, 2023, while Mr. Kotomah is scheduled to appear on July 6. Dr. Ato Forson, Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health, as well as private businessman, Richard Jakpa, are standing trial for willfully causing financial loss of 2.37 million to the state, through a contract to purchase 200 ambulances for the Ministry of Health, among other charges. He was expected to call his second witness yesterday but his lawyer, Dr. Abdul Basit Aziz Bamba, told the court that they were not able to secure the attendance of the witness, Mr. Kotomah, to testify. He said upon realising that they would not be able to have the witness testify in court yesterday, they made diligent effort to get other witnesses to appear in court to testify but it was unsuccessful. He indicated that he approached Alex Mould who has already filed a statement in the trial to enquire whether he would be available but he also indicated his inability to do so. Dr. Bamba told the court he also got Dr. Forson to talk to other witnesses despite the short notice to get others, but did not get a positive response. He, therefore, apologised to the court and the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame for the inconvenience. Dr. Aziz then moved an application for witness summons against Mr. Segbefia, Mr. Kotomah and Mr. Nimo to appear and testify in the trial, and it was granted. The court ordered Dr. Forson to direct service, and the summons may be served in electronic format via WhatsApp number. Alex Mould and former Minister of Finance, Seth Terkper, would be testifying for Dr. Forson after the three summoned witnesses are done with their testimonies. An Accra High Court on March 30, 2023, ordered Dr. Forson and two others to open their defence in a trial in which they are accused of purchasing defective vehicles as ambulances for the Ministry of Health. The main issue raised during the prosecutions case was whether the defective vehicles were purchased in accordance with the purchase agreement approved by Parliament. The other was whether Dr. Forson was authorised by the substantive Finance Minister or any superior officer to write a letter to the Controller and Accountant General directing the establishment of irrevocable Letters of Credit (LCs) which led to the payments. The Attorney General (AG), in a written submission to establish the prosecutions case, asserted that Dr. Forson was criminally reckless in not ensuring that the terms of the agreement were adhered, and that resulted in the institution of the criminal case against him. Dr. Forson, in his submission, argues that he wrote the letter on behalf of the then substantive Minister of Finance, Seth Terkper. The AG disagrees with the assertion and argues that the letters were written with no authorisation from any quarters. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Seasoned journalist, Kwesi Pratt has raised questions about the bullion van attack at Ablekuma Fanmilk in Accra which resulted in the death of a Police officer. Four armed robbers shot and killed a Police officer guarding the bullion van which reportedly stopped at a fuel station to refill its tank. A CCTV camera captured the moment when robbers riding a motorcycle ambushed the van immediately after it parked at the fuel station. The robbers made away with a sum of money and a gun belonging to the late Police officer. Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Kwesi Pratt asked some questions worth answering as he found the incident perplexing. "The robber who got down was wielding a gun, is that the Police officer didn't see him approaching the vehicle? Also, what was the bullion van doing at a fuel station and if it was going to collect money, what precautionary measures were taken? Why wasn't the Police officer wearing armored uniform?", he asked, stressing he cannot fathom the incident. "If the Police officer was wearing a bulletproof vest, maybe he might not have died", he added. Mr. Pratt also expressed concerns over the treatment of Police officers in the country, lamenting about how they are under-resourced and the need for them to be protected. "What sin have the Police committed against us to deserve all these?", he further asked and demanded "the Police also need protection...It is about time to take good care of the Police". Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video This 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: Longquan celadon sherds from southern Iran, the Williamson Collection (a, c-f) and Kush in Ras al-Khaimah, UAE (b). Credit: World Archaeology (2023). DOI: 10.1080/00438243.2023.2216183 The history of Chinese trade is sometimes still a bit of a mystery due to the lack of historical records. This is where archaeologists are relying on ceramics to tell the story. Analysis of high-quality glazed ceramic pottery, called celadon, has shown that this greenware was produced in the Zhejiang Province in China from the 12th to the 15th century on a scale that was unparalleled anywhere in the world at that time. The research, conducted through a long-standing partnership between Durham University and the Palace Museum in Beijing, found that the trade in this product was one of the earliest 'global' manufacturing and export industries. Large-scale production The study indicates that this high-quality and highly valued ceramic was used across China as a tableware and exported across the Indian Ocean as far as East Africa, Arabia, Egypt and Iran. The researchers say the phenomenal scale of production within the kilns at Longquan in the Zhejiang Province is solid testimony to China's technical skill and development at this time. The pieces of ceramics, which can often be precisely dated, contain a wealth of largely untapped information on the extent of trading networks through time. They show not only the significant scale of the production but also a level of integration between the Chinese domestic economy and overseas trade and consumption, demonstrating China's economic reach and power during the later 13th and 14th centuries. The work is published in the journal World Archaeology. More information: Ran Zhang et al, Longquan celadon: a quantitative archaeological analysis of a pan-Indian Ocean industry of the 12th to 15th centuries, World Archaeology (2023). DOI: 10.1080/00438243.2023.2216183 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: Dr Leonie Huijser University of Queensland researchers have found bottlenose dolphins in Moreton Bay off Brisbane could be teaching other dolphins to "beg" for food from recreational fishers, with the behavior creating short and long-term risks. Dr. Leonie Huijser from UQ's School of Veterinary Science made the surprise discovery as she investigated the social structure of Moreton Bay's population of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins for her Ph.D. thesis. "Within the dolphins' social network, I found a cluster that would consistently patrol moored boats, waiting for recreational fishers to illegally toss them discarded bait or catches," Dr. Huijser said. "Fishing is popular in the bay and it seems some dolphins have learned to exploit it." Dr. Huijser said the begging behavior was dangerous for the dolphins, and she was concerned it could spread throughout the population. "Dolphins learn behavior from their peers," she said. "If these 'beggar' dolphins start to associate with 'non-beggar' dolphins, the behavior may spread rapidly, making it a population-wide problem." Pods of dolphins displaying these behaviors have also been sighted off Bribie Island and North Stradbroke Island. "Some of the dolphins who boldly approach boats have evidence of propeller strike and fishing line entanglement," Dr. Huijser said. Professor Michael Noad supervised Dr. Huijser's research project, and said her findings show how adaptable bottlenose dolphins were and how this influenced their social structures. "Not all adaptations are positive and begging is an example of an adaptive strategy that may have short-term gain but long-term risks," Professor Noad said. "Dolphins risk becoming reliant on donated fish, which is like junk food to themquick and easy, but unhealthy. It may lead to food poisoning or nutritional imbalances." Professor Noad said better policing of illegal dolphin feeding in Moreton Bay was needed. "Dr. Huijser's findings should be used by wildlife rangers to increase awareness through a public education program around the potential negative effects of dolphin feeding," he said. Dr. Huijser is planning further surveys to inform authorities about "begging hotspots." More information: Long-Term Social Dynamics of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in Moreton Bay, eastern Australia. espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:b75be3a This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Shutterstock ,If you take a plunge in the sea this winter, you might notice it's warmer than you expect. And if you're fishing off Sydney and catch a tropical coral trout, you might wonder what's going on. The reason is simple: hotter water. The ocean has absorbed the vast majority of the extra heat trapped by carbon dioxide and other greenhouses gases. It's no wonder heat in the oceans is building up rapidlyand this year is off the charts. That's even without the likely arrival of El Nino, where the Pacific Ocean gets warmer than usual and affects weather all over the world. Our coastal waters are forecast to be especially warm over the coming months, up to 2.5 warmer than usual in many places. Many marine species live within a narrow temperature range. If the water heats up, they have to move, and if they don't, they might die. So those that can move, are moving. In Australia, at least 200 marine species have shifted distributions since 2003, with 87% heading south. This pattern is happening all around the world, both on land and in the ocean. This year, the warmer ocean temperatures during winter mean Australia's seascapes are likely to be more like summer. So, the next time you go fishing or diving or beachcombing, keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready. You may glimpse the enormous disruption happening underwater for yourself. Here are eight species on the move 1. Moorish idol (Zanclus cornutus) Historic range: northern Australia Now: This striking fish can now be seen south of Geraldton in Western Australia and Eden in New South Wales. This is a great fish for divers to spot on hard-bottomed habitats. 2. Branching coral (Pocillopora aliciae) Historic range: northern NSW Now: Look out for this pale pink beauty south of Port Stephens, not far from Sydney. Seemingly immovable species like coral are fleeing the heat too. They're already providing habitat for a range of other shifting species like tropical fish and crab species. Oceans around Australia are forecast to be much warmer than usual. SSTA stands for projected Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly, the difference between forecast ocean temperatures and a historical baseline period encompassing 19902012. Credit: Bureau of Meteorology 3. Eastern rock lobster (Sagmariasus verreauxi) Historic range: common in NSW Now: South, as far as it can get. It's now found in Tasmania and even in South Australia. This tasty greenish crustacean doesn't like heat and has moved south into the territory of red southern rock lobsters (Jasus edwardsii). 4. Gloomy octopus (Octopus tetricus) Previous range: common in NSW Now: As far south as Tasmania. Look out for this slippery, smart invertebrate in Tasmanian waters this winter. You might even spot the octopus nestled down with some eggs, as this looks to be a permanent sea change. 5. Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) Previous range: northern Australia Now: South of K'gari (formerly known as Fraser Island). Classed as vulnerable in parts of the world, this tropical shark is a slow swimmer and never sleeps. It poses very little danger to humans. 6. Dugongs (Dugong dugon) Previous range: northern Australia Now: As far south as Shark Bay in WA and Tweed River in New South Wales. Our waters are home to the largest number of dugong in the world. But as waters warm, they're heading south. That means more of us may see these elusive sea-cows as they graze on seagrass meadows. Some of the most adventurous have gone way out of their normal rangein 2014, a kitesurfer reported passing a dugong at City Beach, Perth. As a WA wildlife expert says, dugongs may occasionally stray further south of Shark Bay but "given the recent warming trend [] more dugong sightings might be expected in the future" The gloomy octopus is also known as the common Sydney octopus. Credit: Niki Hubbard, Wikimedia, CC BY 7. Red emperor (Lutjanus sebae) and other warm water game fish Previous range: northern Australia Now: Appearing much further southespecially in WA. Look for red, threadfin, and redthroat emperors in southwest WA as the Leeuwin current carries these warm water species south. As WA fisheries expert Gary Jackson has said, this current is a warming hotspot, acting like a warm water highway for certain marine species. These fish are highly sought after by fishers. 8. Long-spined sea urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii) Historic range: NSW and Victoria Now: Tasmania Look out for these spiky critters in southern and western Tasmania. The larvae of these urchins have crossed the Bass Strait and found a new home, due to warming waters. Urchins are grazers and can scrape rocks clean, creating urchin barrens where nothing grows. That's bad news for kelp forests and the species which depend on them. In response, Tasmanian authorities are working to create a viable urchin fishery to keep numbers down. You can help keep watch For years, fishers, snorkellers, spearfishers and the general public have contributed their unusual marine sightings to Redmap, the Australian citizen science project aimed at mapping range extensions of species. If you spot a creature that wouldn't normally live in the waters near you, you can upload a photo to log your sighting. For example, avid spearfisher Derrick Cruz logged a startling discovery with Redmap in 2015: A coral trout in Sydney's waters. As he told us: "I've seen plenty of coral trout in tropical waters, where they're at home within the coral. But it was surreal to see one swimming through a kelp forest in the local waters off Sydney, much further south than I've ever seen that species before!" How does tracking these movements help scientists? Many hands make light work. These vital observations from citizen scientists have helped researchers gain deeper understanding of what climate change is doing to the natural world in many places, from bird migrations to flowering plants to marine creatures. So, please keep an eye out this year. The heat is on in our oceans, and that can mean sudden change. 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 Netherlands' Groningen gas field is the largest in Europe. The Netherlands said Friday it would end production at Europe's largest gas field on October 1 after years of earthquakes, despite global energy worries sparked by Russia's war in Ukraine. Wells at the massive Groningen field in the northern Netherlands will remain open for one more year in case of a cold winter but then be shut down forever, the government said. Residents near the huge site, which opened in 1965, have complained for more than two decades of being terrorized by quakes directly attributed to drilling operations. "We are really turning off the tap," said Hans Vijlbrief, the Dutch minister for extractive industries. The decision was an "important moment after decades of gas extraction," he added. "The problems of Groningen residents have not yet been solved and unfortunately the earthquakes will continue for years to come, but the source of all misery will be closed from October." The Netherlands first said five years ago that it would close the site by 2030 due to the increasingly severe quakes, which damaged homes and traumatized locals. Although gas extraction from the field has been almost cut to zero over the last few years, the Dutch government kept the site operational due to the global energy uncertainties prompted largely by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But Prime Minister Mark Rutte's cabinet decided at a meeting on Friday to completely end production by October 1. Residents have complained for years of damage from earthquakes blamed on drilling operations at Groningen. 'Uncertain international situation' The government said that "due to the uncertain international situation" it would be possible to draw gas from the Groningen site for one more year "in very exceptional situations." These would include "very severe cold" or a gas shortage. But the final 11 wells would then be "permanently closed" by October 1, 2024, it said. Oil giants Shell Netherlands and ExxonMobil have equal stakes in NAM, the company responsible for drawing gas from the Groningen field since the early 1960s. A top Shell official said in March this year that the gas field "must be closed". So far Groningen's residents, who suffered severe damage to their homes and buildings from the slew of quakes, have received a trickle of compensation. They have been caught in a bottleneck of bureaucratic bungling and red tape, said a report by a parliamentary commission of inquiry earlier this year The Netherlands, which has around a third of its surface area lying below sea level is particularly vulnerable to climate change. It is also under pressure to cut its reliance on fossil fuels. An environmental group won a landmark case in 2019 in Dutch courts, ordering the government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25 percent by the end of 2020. 2023 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: (a) Annual eruption probability based on ice-core (Sigl et al., 2022) and satellite (S. Carn, 2022) datasets. (b) Empirical cumulative probability density function of the SO2 mass distribution of the 1,000-member stochastic scenarios and the Holvol ice-core dataset (95% bootstrap confidence bounds in light gray). We estimate the probability of exceeding CMIP6 volcanic flux using the 18502014 flux from current volcanic emission inventories (S. Carn, 2022; Neely & Schmidt, 2016; Sigl et al., 2022). (c) Eruption time series of VOLC2.5, VOLC50-1, VOLC50-2, and VOLC98 with annual volcanic SO2 flux of each scenario in brackets. Credit: Geophysical Research Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1029/2023GL103743 Researchers have found that the cooling effect that volcanic eruptions have on Earth's surface temperature is likely underestimated by a factor of two, and potentially as much as a factor of four, in standard climate projections. While this effect is far from enough to offset the effects of global temperature rise caused by human activity, the researchers, led by the University of Cambridge, say that small-magnitude eruptions are responsible for as much as half of all the sulfur gases emitted into the upper atmosphere by volcanoes. The results, reported in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, suggest that improving the representation of volcanic eruptions of all magnitudes will in turn make climate projections more robust. Where and when a volcano erupts is not something that humans can control, but volcanoes do play an important role in the global climate system. When volcanoes erupt, they can spew sulfur gases into the upper atmosphere, which forms tiny particles called aerosols that reflect sunlight back into space. For very large eruptions, such as Mount Pinatubo in 1991, the volume of volcanic aerosols is so large that it single-handedly causes global temperatures to drop. However, these large eruptions only happen a handful of times per centurymost small-magnitude eruptions happen every year or two. "Compared with the greenhouse gases emitted by human activity, the effect that volcanoes have on the global climate is relatively minor, but it's important that we include them in climate models, in order to accurately assess temperature changes in future," said first author May Chim, a Ph.D. candidate in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry. Standard climate projections, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report, assume that explosive volcanic activity over 20152100 will be at the same level as the 18502014 period, and overlook the effects of small-magnitude eruptions. "These projections mostly rely on ice cores to estimate how volcanoes might affect the climate, but smaller eruptions are too small to be detected in ice-core records," said Chim. "We wanted to make a better use of satellite data to fill the gap and account for eruptions of all magnitudes." Using the latest ice-core and satellite records, Chim and her colleagues from the University of Exeter, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Durham University, and the UK Met Office, generated 1,000 different scenarios of future volcanic activity. They selected scenarios representing lower, median and high levels of volcanic activity, and then performed climate simulations using the UK Earth System Model. Their simulations show that the impacts of volcanic eruptions on climate, including global surface temperature, sea level and sea ice extent, are underestimated because current climate projections largely underestimate the plausible future level of volcanic activity. For the median future scenario, they found that the effect of volcanoes on the atmosphere, known as volcanic forcing, is being underestimated in climate projections by as much as 50%, due in large part to the effect of small-magnitude eruptions. "We found that not only is volcanic forcing being underestimated, but small-magnitude eruptions are actually responsible for as much as half of all volcanic forcing," said Chim. "These small-magnitude eruptions may not have a measurable effect individually, but collectively, their effect is significant. "I was surprised to see just how important these small-magnitude eruptions arewe knew they had an effect, but we didn't know it was so large." Although the cooling effect of volcanoes is being underestimated in climate projections, the researchers stress that it does not compare with human-generated carbon emissions. "Volcanic aerosols in the upper atmosphere typically stay in the atmosphere for a year or two, whereas carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for much, much longer," said Chim. "Even if we had a period of extraordinarily high volcanic activity, our simulations show that it wouldn't be enough to stop global warming. It's like a passing cloud on a hot, sunny day: the cooling effect is only temporary." The researchers say that fully accounting for the effect of volcanoes can help make climate projections more robust. They are now using their simulations to investigate whether future volcanic activity could threaten the recovery of the Antarctic ozone hole, and in turn, maintain relatively high levels of harmful ultraviolet radiation at the Earth's surface. More information: Man Mei Chim et al, Climate Projections Very Likely Underestimate Future Volcanic Forcing and Its Climatic Effects, Geophysical Research Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1029/2023GL103743 Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters 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: Young Icefish, Chaenocephalus aceratus. Credit: Peter Bucktrout/Bas/Shutterstock An international team based at the University of Cambridge and the Wellcome Sanger Institute in the U.K., the University of Oslo in Norway as well as institutes in the Netherlands, Switzerland and the U.S. has sequenced the genomes of 24 Antarctic fish species. Their work, published in Nature Communications, enables the study of how these fish survive in the subzero Southern ocean, and sheds light on the evolutionary history of these iconic animals. Notothenioids are a unique group of fish species. They live in the cold waters below the Antarctic ice, largely isolated from the rest of the marine world by a circular current around the continent. The Notothenioids have evolved antifreeze proteins which allow them to survive the water temperatures, which can reach -2Can environment hostile for most species. One subgroup of notothenioidscalled "icefish" have lost their oxygen-binding hemoglobin proteins and that makes them the only vertebrates known to not have red blood cells. The researchers sequenced the genomes of 24 species of notothenioid fish. These new genome data were generated using the latest long-read technologies, which enabled the team to determine the sequence of complex, repetitive regions of DNA in the genome that it has not previously been possible to decipher. Using these new data they explore the evolutionary history of the notothenioids and the mechanisms that support adaptation to extreme cold. They show that the cold-resistant notothenioids split off from other species about 10.7 million years ago, which is more recent than was previously thought, and many new species started evolving rapidly at approximately 5 million years ago. Several genomic characteristics have aided the survival and establishment of this group. The researchers found that the size of the genome has doubled in the species that specialize in extreme cold, such as the family of Channichthyidae or "icefish." This expansion of the genome size was due to a large increase in the number of genomic elements known as transposons which have the ability to copy themselves into new positions within the genome and can potentially introduce new functions. At the same time, functions that are normally considered essential for survival such as the production of hemoglobin, have been lost in the "icefish." "Survival in such a harsh environment requires additional compensations of the organism, and these fish have developed special proteins that act as antifreeze to stop them from freezing," says Dr. Iliana Bista. "These fish are the only vertebrates known to have completely lost their hemoglobins, and their blood looks white. This is remarkable because hemoglobins are needed to transport oxygen through the body; their loss in icefish is only possible because oxygen dissolves better in water at very low temperatures, and because of additional genomic and physiological adaptations." "Notothenioid fish live at the edge of viability. Sequencing a broad collection of their genomes gives insights into how they have evolved to survive there, and supports our understanding of a critical ecosystem. This study is a great example of how advances in genomics are revolutionizing our ability to understand biodiversity across the world," says Professor Richard Durbin. More information: Iliana Bista et al, Genomics of cold adaptations in the Antarctic notothenioid fish radiation, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38567-6 Journal information: Nature Communications This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Traditional practices in southern Uganda support meetings in which farmers can discuss and evaluate information from Indigenous knowledge and government meteorological services to plan upcoming agricultural activities, in a context in which climate change has altered the timing of the rainy seasons. Credit: Carla Roncoli Climate change is often framed as a scientific problem that requires technical solutions, but Indigenous activists and other leaders have long called for it to be recognized as a social crisis, too. Past and current fossil fuel development is rooted in the long history of European and North American colonialism and extractiona legacy that can't be addressed through technology or science alone. A growing group of academics and activists are calling for climate solutions that repair the ongoing wounds of colonialism. Research into climate solutions must be decolonized, according to an open-access paper published in Ambio in April. The paper builds on the decades-long efforts of Indigenous scholars and activists who have worked for the recognition of diverse knowledge systems alongside Western scientific methods. The paper suggests that epistemic justice, or the true and full inclusion of diverse ways of knowing, is just as critical as social or political justice in climate solutions. To achieve epistemic justice and true partnership between local communities and top-down institutions in climate research and planning, the paper recommends practices for governing climate issues at the local, national, and international level. "Many people have spoken of recognition and respect, that the holders of the different knowledge systems have to recognize the intrinsic worth of other knowledge systems, have to respect them," said Ben Orlove, the paper's co-lead author and an anthropologist with the Columbia Climate School. "We move beyond that by saying we need specific mechanisms, of which consultation is only one." The paper proposes six policy instruments that, when used together, can help decolonize climate research and planning. These instruments are: full consultation of Indigenous peoples and local communities in climate governance and research; free, prior, and informed consent on projects and activities that affect Indigenous peoples and local communities; recognition of customary law, including traditional cultural rules around land- and water-rights practices and territorial rights; intellectual property rights for Indigenous communities; Indigenous data sovereignty; and preservation and promotion of Indigenous languages. The paper is clear that these instruments are not a simple fix for the long history of colonization. Nor do the authors suggest that including the instruments in climate research guarantees the sharing of power or full parity for Indigenous communities. But the paper argues that by using and building upon these instruments, transformation of the power relations between Indigenous Peoples and Western scientific and governmental bodies is more possible. Decolonizing climate research requires transformative changealways a long and painstaking process. But as study author Melissa Nelson, a professor at Arizona State University School of Sustainability and an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, said, "You do not enter partnerships with Indigenous Peoples unless you have a long-term commitment and you are giving, you're not just taking." The authors point out that even the term "climate solution," though useful in certain contexts, can be problematic when considered through the lens of colonization. A single-minded focus on a solution or outcome risks ignoring the means taken to achieve it. In the context of Western colonialism, ends-over-means thinking often comes at the expense of Indigenous peoples. This is why the paper asserts that decolonizing climate research is necessarybecause to bring about just outcomes, the process of building climate solutions must be made more just. As Nelson put it, "If we're going to be talking about Indigenous knowledge systems and local knowledge systems, we ha[ve] to confront epistemic hegemony and epistemic justice and decolonization. Not just decolonizing climate policy, but really decolonizing the way we think about climate problems. We can't talk about solutions until we talk about how we frame the problems." Ultimately, the goal is a transformation in the power relations and process of climate research. It's a daunting, slow task, but a necessary one. "Really what climate change has exposed is how little we know about a changing Earth and how little we know about human resilience and human vulnerability. And so by the invitation of transformative change and really placing it in transformative climate research, I'm hoping it will encourage more radical research, more radical partnerships, more risk taking," said Nelson. The paper grew out of a working group led by Orlove and Passang Sherpa, of the Department of Sociology at Tribhuvan University in Nepal. The authors, who are Indigenous and non-Indigenous, collaborated across time zones. Orlove hopes the six instruments and other recommendations for the transformation of power relations in climate research and governance will help to inform the upcoming seventh cycle of the U.N.'s climate report. More information: Ben Orlove et al, Placing diverse knowledge systems at the core of transformative climate research, Ambio (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01857-w Journal information: AMBIO Provided by State of the Planet This story is republished courtesy of Earth Institute, Columbia University http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: In this undated photo provided by NASA, a satellite captures the Railroad Valley (RRV), a dry lakebed in Nevada, for conducting ground-based calibration of Earth-observing satellite instruments. At the request of NASA, U.S. land managers have withdrawn about 36 square miles of federal land otherwise open to mineral exploration and mining at the site 250 miles northeast of Las Vegas. Nevada Republican Rep. Mark Amodei has introduced legislation that would rescind the land withdrawal and potentially reopen it to mining. Credit: NASA via AP Environmentalists, tribal leaders and others have fought for years against lithium mining ventures in Nevada. Yet opposition to mining one particular desert tract for the silvery white metal used in electric car batteries is coming from unusual quarters: space. An ancient Nevada lakebed beckons as a vast source of the coveted element needed to produce cleaner electric energy and fight global warming. But NASA says the same siteflat as a tabletop and undisturbed like none other in the Western Hemisphereis indispensable for calibrating the razor-sharp measurements of hundreds of satellites orbiting overhead. At the space agency's request, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has agreed to withdraw 36 square miles (92 square kilometers) of the eastern Nevada terrain from its inventory of federal lands open to potential mineral exploration and mining. NASA says the long, flat piece of land above the untapped lithium deposit in Nevada's Railroad Valley has been used for nearly three decades to get measurements just right to keep satellites and their applications functioning properly. "No other location in the United States is suitable for this purpose," the Bureau of Land Management concluded in April after receiving NASA's input on the tract 250 miles (400 kilometers) northeast of Las Vegas. The bureau has spent nearly three years fighting mining challenges of all sorts from conservationists, tribes, ranchers and others who want to overturn approval of a huge lithium mine in the works in northwest Nevada near the Oregon line. In December, the bureau initiated a review of plans for another lithium mine conservationists oppose near the California line where an endangered desert wildflower grows, about 230 miles (370 kilometers) southeast of Reno. In Railroad Valley, satellite calculations are critical to gathering information beamed from space with widespread applications from weather forecasting to national security, agricultural outlooks and natural disasters, according to NASA, which said the satellites "provide vital and often time-critical information touching every aspect of life on Earth." That increasingly includes certifying measurements related to climate change. Thus the Nevada desert paradox, critics say. Although lithium is the main ingredient in batteries for electric vehicles key to reducing greenhouse gases, in this case the metal is buried beneath land NASA says must remain undisturbed to certify the accuracy of satellites monitoring Earth's warming atmosphere. "As our nation becomes ever more impacted by an evolving and changing environment, it is critical to have reliable and accurate data and imagery of our planet," said Mark Moneza of Planet Labs, a San Francisco-based satellite imaging company that has relied on NASA's site to calibrate more than 250 of its satellites since 2016. A Nevada congressman introduced legislation earlier this month seeking to revoke the bureau's decision to withdraw the land from potential mining use. Republican Rep. Mark Amodei told a House subcommittee last week that the decision underscores the "hypocrisy" of President Joe Biden's administration. "It is supposedly a goal of the Biden Administration to boost the development of renewable energy technology and reduce carbon in our atmosphere," Amodei said. "Yet they support blocking a project to develop the lithium necessary for their clean energy objectives." The Carson City, Nevada, company holding most of the mining claims, 3 Proton Lithium Inc., had not submitted any formal project plans in 2021 when NASA requested the land withdrawal. But the firm claimed to have done extensive research in anticipation of future plans to extract the brine-based lithium resource it said is one of the 10 largest deposits in the world. Chairman Kevin Moore said the tract's withdrawal likely will prevent his energy company from pumping the "super brine" from about one-third of its claims there, including the deepest, richest deposits holding about 60% of the site's value. He joined Amodei in testifying last week before the House Resources Subcommittee on Mining and Mineral Resources. "This project is a vital part of transitioning to a green economy, creating good-paying American jobs, combating climate change, ending America's over-reliance on foreign adversaries and securing a domestic supply chain for critical and rare earth minerals," Moore said. Other opponents of BLM's move include James Ingraffia, founder of the energy exploration company Lithium Arrow LLC. He told the bureau in earlier public comments that by establishing obstacles to Railroad Valley lithium mining, it was undermining efforts to combat climate change. "Essentially, your actions are boiling down to, 'There's a problem that we want to keep worrying about but NOT allow to be solved,' " he said. "It's self-contradictory." 3 Proton Lithium insists its brine-pumping operations would cause little if any disturbance to the land's surface. But NASA doesn't believe the risk is worthwhile. The area's unchanged nature has allowed NASA to establish a long record of images of the undisturbed topography to assist precise measurement of distances using the travel time of radio signals and assure "absolute radiometric calibration" of sensors on board satellites. "Activities that stand to disrupt the surface integrity of Railroad Valley would risk making the site unusable," Jeremy Eggers, a spokesman for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, told The Associated Press. "The ultimate decision was to protect Railroad Valley, which in turn protects the critical scientific data that multiple economic sectors rely on," he said in an email Thursday. 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (L) and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pose for a photo during their meeting in Hanoi on June 23, 2023. Yonhap South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Friday discussed ways to expand economic cooperation in areas including critical minerals, energy and defense, the presidential office said. The two held talks at the prime minister's office on the second day of Yoon's three-day state visit to Vietnam, shortly after Yoon held a summit with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong at the presidential palace. "Let's strengthen cooperation in areas such as economic security, which includes critical mineral supply chains; energy; and smart cities," Yoon said, according to presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon. "Seeing Vietnam's vibrancy for myself, I've become confident that Vietnam's goal of becoming an advanced nation by 2045 is achievable, and South Korea will be a reliable partner in the process of Vietnam's development," he said. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: "Without phytoplankton, we may not be able to breathe or eat sushi," said Aimee Neeley, a NASA Goddard oceanographer. Large green blooms of phytoplankton swirl in the dark water around Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea. Credit: USGS/NASA/Landsat 7 They're small, but they're mighty. From producing oxygen we breathe to soaking up carbon we emit to feeding fish we eat, tiny phytoplankton are a crucial part of ocean ecosystems and essential to life as we know it on Earth. To give us a new view of these extraordinary aquatic organisms, NASA is launching a satellite in early 2024. Instruments on the PACE (short for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and ocean Ecosystem) satellite will peer down at the ocean and collect data on the colors of light reflecting off it, telling us where different types of phytoplankton are thriving. The Ocean Color Instrument on PACE will be able to observe more than 100 different wavelengths, and is the first scientific satellite to do so daily on a global scale. This "hyperspectral" instrument will make it possible to identify phytoplankton by species for the first time from space. Phytoplankton and photosynthesis Phytoplankton are tiny organisms that float on the surface of the ocean and other water bodies. Like land-based plants, phytoplankton use photosynthesis to absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide and generate oxygen and carbohydrates, which are carbon-filled sugars. These sugars make phytoplankton the center of the ocean food web: They nourish larger animalsfrom zooplankton to shellfish to finfishthat are then eaten by even larger fish and marine mammals. The creation of those sugars from sunlight is called primary production. Even though phytoplankton make up less than 1% of the total biomass on Earth that can photosynthesize, they deliver about 45% of global primary production. Without phytoplankton, most oceanic food webs would collapse, which would be devastating for both marine life and humans who rely on fish for food. The tiny organisms provide more than just nutrients. Through photosynthesis, phytoplankton create oxygen that is released into the ocean and atmosphere. In fact, since they began photosynthesizing over 3 billion years agomore than two billion years before land plants and treesphytoplankton have made about 50% of all the oxygen that has been produced on Earth. Photosynthesis gives them a key role in the global carbon cycle as well, as they soak up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. What phytoplankton do with that carbon depends on the species. "Like plants on land, phytoplankton are highly diverse," said Ivona Cetinic, a biological oceanographer in the Ocean Ecology Lab at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Each of these diverse species has different characteristics that allow them to take on different jobs in Earth's carbon systems, she said. Phytoplankton like Emiliana huxleyi incorporate carbon into their shell-like outer coating. When they die, the shells sink and sequester the carbon in the ocean depths. Other phytoplankton species fit a certain niche for picky eaters like oysters, which only eat phytoplankton of a certain size. Still other species of phytoplankton may capture carbon through photosynthesis, where it then remains on the ocean surface until the organisms decompose, releasing the carbon back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. "I hope that PACE, once it gives us a view of ocean phytoplankton diversity, can tell us so much more about global carbon flow in oceans, now and in the future," Cetinic said. Ivona Cetinic, the Science Lead for Ocean Biogeochemistry for PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) describes the weird, wonderful and important world of phytoplankton and why it's important for the PACE mission to study these tiny creatures. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Phytoplankton in the cold Even in colder waters at higher latitudes, phytoplankton are crucial to ocean life. In polar regions, phytoplankton bloomswhen the organisms grow and multiply in vast numbers visible from spacecan follow the cycle of sea ice melt. When sea ice cover recedes, sunlight can reach the surface of the ocean and the phytoplankton that float on it, allowing them to photosynthesize and thrive after a long period of being covered. This produces fuel for other species. Polar species from clams and krill all the way up to walruses and whales rely on these timely blooms for their food sources. "An alteration of the timing of the blooms impacts the entire ecosystem," said Aimee Neeley, a biological oceanographer at NASA Goddard. As the timing and extent of sea ice retreat changes in a warming climate, PACE will be able to track changes to the timing of blooms, providing insights into the wider impacts to the ecosystem. Identifying harmful phytoplankton Not all phytoplankton are beneficial for ecosystems. Some species can produce toxins that are dangerous for humans or other marine species. These harmful algal blooms can disrupt ecosystems as well as daily life for people near coasts, lakes, and rivers. Blooms of cyanobacteria, for example, can spoil drinking water and recreational water use with the toxins they generate. Scientists have been using some satellite data to track and monitor these blooms and the conditions that cause them. PACE should make it easier to decipher these species and conditions, allowing people to develop ways to mitigate the impacts and prevent future blooms. "Not all phytoplankton create harmful algal blooms, so if we can use the satellite data to better separate harmful from non-harmful blooms, that would be helpful for water managers and scientists that are trying to understand phytoplankton communities in a region," said Bridget Seegers, an oceanographer at NASA Goddard. PACE will not be the first satellite to let us see phytoplankton from space. The mission is a successor to missions like Terra, Aqua, Landsat, and SeaWiFS (the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor), which have gathered data on phytoplankton since the 1990s. PACE, which is being assembled at and managed by engineers at NASA Goddard, will significantly expand our ability to distinguish and track phytoplankton every day, all over the planet. "Hopefully, the hyperspectral nature of the Ocean Color Instrument will allow us to better tease apart the phytoplankton types from each other and from non-phytoplankton particles," Neeley said. "To me, the opportunities for research will be endless." Provided by NASA 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: Ontario must prioritize funding for accessing essential social services to address the root causes of students behavioural issues. Credit: Shutterstock Farewell to another school year. In Ontario, after a return to full activities with academics, clubs and teams after pandemic shutdowns, it seems that schools were constantly in the news for negative reasons. The public heard about a lack of support for LGBTQ2S+ identities, chaotic and divisive school trustee meetings and a rise in violence in schools. A major contributing factor to this rise in violence in schools is the chronic underfunding of public education and the social service sector. We need more infrastructure in communities that are economically neglected, often racialized communities. In this challenging context, schools need to think hard about how they allocate resources and staff equitably, particularly now, at a time when they are approving their budgets for September. Violence in schools In the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), 323 students were involved in violence between September 2022 and April 2023, meaning the year has been on pace to set a new record by the end of the school year. An alarming three-quarters (77 percent) of members of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO), said they have "personally experienced violence or witnessed violence against another staff member" in a recent survey conducted by Strategic Communications. Survey results are based on a weighted sample of 24,872 ETFO members' responses. Black and other minoritized youth and educators are becoming collateral damage by being pushed out of schools due to wilful neglect of institutions in not supporting their needs. For students, the effects can be deadly: there have been 222 homicides of school-aged children (students up to age 21 years old) since 2007 in Toronto, with the victims and perpetrators predominantly Black. The school-to-prison pipeline The school-to-prison pipeline continues to cast a dark shadow over the education system in Ontario. This "pipeline" refers to the systematic processes that push students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, out of the educational system and into the criminal justice system. This trend disproportionately affects marginalized communities, particularly Black and Indigenous students, perpetuating a cycle of poverty, systemic discrimination and mass incarceration. When Jordan Manners died 16 years ago, it was the first time a high school student had been fatally shot inside a Toronto school. Since that time, despite numerous reports commissioned and recommendations made by various stakeholders, little has been done to address the root causes of violence in schools and racialized communities. There is no national strategy to prevent violence and homicide largely impacting Black and racialized communities. More policing and the tough-on-crime rhetoric is not the solution, particularly with a mayoral election happening soon in the City of Toronto. Tragic impact on marginalized communities The school-to-prison pipeline encompasses various interconnected factors including zero-tolerance punitive disciplinary practices in schools, over-policing of racialized communities, inadequate resources for students' social and emotional well-being and a lack of alternative support systems. This is a result of many institutions and leaders at all three levels of government collectively failing to support the needs of racialized communities. Suspensions and expulsions disproportionately affect marginalized students. This is why as of 2020, Ontario's Ministry of Education mandated no more suspensions for children from junior kindergarten to Grade 3. Indigenous and Black people are disproportionately overrepresented in the criminal justice system. This disparity is rooted in systemic racism and a culture of institutional apathy which together perpetuates cycles of inequality, poverty and intergenerational trauma. Calls to action There needs to be long-term funding by all institutions to create infrastructure and access to timely and reflective social services for minoritized communities to mitigate and dismantle systemic inequities, such as the housing crisis and food insecurity, contributing to the rise in violence in schools. A comprehensive approach is necessary. Meanwhile, schools and school boards need to plan for the future. Important considerations include: 1) Implement restorative justice practices within all institutions: Move away from punitive disciplinary measures and embrace restorative justice models that focus on repairing harm through trauma-informed and healing approaches. 2) Allocate staff and resources equitably: Ontario must prioritize funding for essential social services to address the root causes of students' behavioral issues, ultimately preventing students being pushed into the criminal justice system. Redirect funds towards mental health services, counselors, social workers and community programs that prioritize prevention and timely intervention. 3) Develop culturally responsive programs and services: Inclusive curricula and programs and services that reflect the histories, cultures and contributions of diverse communities matter. This helps foster a sense of belonging and connection and reduces the likelihood of student and staff disengagement. There needs to be a more urgent implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's 94 Calls to Action. 4) Establish community partnerships to mitigate risk factors during evenings and weekends: Forge collaborations between schools, community organizations and families to provide holistic supports and resources that address local community needs, particularly on evenings and weekends. Such community partnerships create continuity of care for children and youth. At the end of April, Ontario's Ministry of Education announced funding to combat violence and improving safety in schools through community partnerships. Such investments are critical. Yet, according to the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the provincial government has used accounting tricks to disguise what amounts to a cut in public school funding for 2023-24. Trustees with the Halton District School Board say there is a $20-million funding shortfall, and funds for 2023-24 won't support important classroom programs. If we do not systemically change our approach in how we support marginalized schools, students, parents and teachers, why are we surprised that the system keeps failing them? The effect of such failure is often the tragic outcome of death, being pushed out of schools or receiving a prison sentence. We all have to do our part to hold institutions accountable, including for failures and neglect. 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 wavelengths of the components of H and H as computed by Schimeczek & Wunner (2014) compared to the spectra of WD 0810353. Top panel: the normalized I spectrum is overplotted twice, once with the continuum offset to correspond with the 31 MG level and once with the 45 MG level. This shows the coincidence between the computed wavelength of the various line components and the observed absorption features. Bottom panel: same as top panel, but for the V /I spectrum. (Note that the WD polarization spectrum is not affected by atmospheric absorption bands.) Credit: arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2306.11663 A trio of astronomers from Armagh Observatory & Planetarium and Centro de Astrobiologia (CAB), CSIC-INTA has found that a white dwarf that was recently projected to make its way toward our solar system will not do so. In their study, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, and now available on the preprint server arXiv, John Landstreet, Eva Villaver and Stefano Bagnulo showed that the strong magnetic field of the white dwarf WD 0810353 fooled other scientists into projecting that it would travel toward the Oort Cloud at the outskirts of our solar system. WD 0810353 was first spotted back in 2018. At the time, astronomers noted that it was a white dwarf. Earlier this year, a pair of Russian astronomers added it to a list of astral candidates to watch over the long term as they could one day wander near to the solar system. They found it was traveling at approximately 373.7 km/sec, which would have it passing through the Oort Cloud in approximately 29,000 years, and putting it within 0.49 light-years of the sun. Shortly thereafter, a team in Spain found new evidence suggesting that the dwarf was not, in fact, heading our way. This change in projection was due to a recalculation of its speedthey found it was traveling at 4,200 km/sec. In this newest effort, the researchers took an even closer look at the white dwarf, its speed and its likely path in the future. Their work began by investigating the white dwarf's magnetic field. In studying the hydrogen alpha line, the research team found it was shifted toward the bluer part of the spectrum, which, they note, was caused by the dwarf's abnormally strong magnetic field. That could make it appear to be moving straight at us. By taking a more precise measurement of its speed, they found it was just 83 km/sec. Their conclusion is that the white dwarf is not on a course that would bring it close to our solar system. 2023 Science X Network SARATOGA SPRINGS A Saratoga Springs man has been indicted on a possession of child pornography charge. Christopher Barry, 41, was arrested on Thursday and arraigned in U.S. District Court in Albany. The indictment alleges that between June 2021 and January 2022, Barry received child pornography, and on Feb. 9, 2023, possessed two phones containing child pornography, according to a news release. If convicted, Barry would face at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. U.S. Magistrate Judge Christian Hummel ordered Barry detained pending trial. The Office of Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood. SOUTH GLENS FALLS Officials are preparing for a large scale project to replace all the water meters throughout the village. I would strongly encourage the public to start thinking about fixing leaky faucets, leaky toilets, South Glens Falls Mayor Nicholas Bodkin said during a past Village Board meeting. Thinking about water conservation, because as we start to move into the water meter project all of these things will start to be more and more important. The village was awarded a grant through the Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP), which will be used to pay for the project. It requires a 25% match with village funds. The Village of South Glens Falls will utilize this $1 million grant with an anticipated project total of $1,367,365 to make water distribution and conservation improvements by replacing non-compliant existing water meters and installing new water meters to the villages water users, Bodkin wrote in a subsequent correspondence with The Post-Star. The project was one of the topics discussed during the budget planning process, as it would directly affect the water rates for the upcoming year. Right now, we do not know what the minimum rate will be. We dont know what the fees will be. Were going to have to look at this and work with some experts to come up with a fee schedule that makes sense, thats fair and equitable for everyone involved, Bodkin said during those talks. Bodkin reminded residents to be aware that water meter readings are used to calculate sewage usage. Any other water use, which does not connect to the village sewer system, such as sprinklers and pools, should contact the village to obtain a secondary water meter. Bodkin said the project is expected to begin later this year, but officials are still working through the logistics, and that future communications would be coming to help guide residents through the process. Exercise caution when allowing anyone into your home, he wrote. All contractors are required to carry proper ID. Do not let anyone into your home, office, or property without it. For more information, visit, www.epa.gov/greeningepa/water-management-plans-and-best-practices-epa, or contact the village office by calling 518-793-1455. Police have arrested the driver of the vehicle whose passenger fled and later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a traffic stop on Interstate 88 on Friday. ATLANTIC CITY The new leaders of the Atlantic City Housing Authority have been interviewing candidates for important leadership roles in the agency, Executive Director Matt Doherty said at Thursday's board meeting. "Tom and I have diligently been interviewing for CFO, human resources director, director of maintenance, management specialist and contract administrator," Doherty said of himself and Chief Operating Officer Tom Sahlin. "These are five very important posts that are now vacant." He hopes to have the positions filled soon, he said. Once the director of maintenance is hired, the authority will begin advertising for more maintenance workers, Doherty said. "We anticipate the next 30-60 days to be a transition period where we staff up," Doherty said. "We would love to employ folks who live in Housing Authority buildings or in Atlantic City (in maintenance). These are good jobs, with good pay, health insurance, dental and a pension." There are now 12 maintenance workers on staff, and Doherty hopes to add 10 more "to start to improve services to residents. Right now we are not doing a very good job." The board also voted to rescind emergency declarations and contracts at its Thursday meeting, and discussed ways to get needed services to tenants outside the emergency route. The meeting was the second in-person board meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. New Atlantic City Housing Authority director faces problems head on ATLANTIC CITY The new executive director at the troubled Atlantic City Housing Authority k Work on testing gas lines, remediating mold and fighting pest infestations had to stop earlier this month at Stanley Holmes Village and the eight other complexes owned by the Housing Authority. Contractors were working under emergency contracts, and the authority has been told by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development it must now move to awarding regular contracts, Doherty said. "Our goal is to have contractors starting to come online mid-July," he said of those hired under standard competitive contracts. The process for awarding regular contracts takes longer than for emergency contracts but assures competitive bidding. Doherty said he has been working with HUD's Newark office and with Mayor Marty Small Sr.'s administration to figure out ways of getting contractors in the short term, until they can properly be procured for the long term. "We are also working with the Fire Department on the gas monitoring under the buildings," Doherty said. Doherty has been on the job about a month, and some of the emergency contracts were negotiated by his predecessor, interim part-time Executive Director John Clarke, who is also executive director of the New Brunswick Housing Authority and runs the Princeton Housing Authority on an interim basis. Clarke, who continues as a consultant with the Atlantic City Housing Authority, had put out regular contracts for some work, like bedbug extermination, while those for elevator maintenance and repair predate him. That work will continue, Doherty said. HUD rejects emergency contracts for Atlantic City Housing Authority work ATLANTIC CITY Work on testing gas lines, remediating mold and fighting pest infestations h But work on the gas lines at Stanley Holmes, and on eradicating rodent and roach infestations and mold intrusions, was only put out under emergency contracts, so it must stop until regular contracts can be obtained. It is unclear why regular contracts were not negotiated for all services at some point in Clarke's tenure, which started in August. South Jersey Legal Services is suing the authority over conditions at Stanley Holmes Village and has serious concerns about how the work stoppage will affect residents. The city declared an emergency at Stanley Holmes Village in October, when the heating and hot water systems failed, and the authority was unable to continue providing trash pickup and other services. The heating system has since been stabilized, and the city had provided trash pickup for some time. ATLANTIC CITY A Pleasantville woman has been charged with starting a three-alarm fire that destroyed row homes and displaced residents on Belfield Avenue on Wednesday, police said. Monica Parish, 48, was charged with aggravated arson. She was sent to the Atlantic County jail. Parish will go before Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Dororthy Garrabrant on June 28 for a detention hearing, state court officials said. Ten people were rescued from the burning building in the 1500 block of Belfield Avenue. Three were treated at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus. An update on their condition was not released Friday. Witnesses told police they saw Parish use an "accelerant" on several porches to start the fire. A witness also said Parish started the blaze in retaliation for being assaulted by a man named "Reem" at the location, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Surveillance footage from the area caught Parish near the row homes about one minute before the fire began, the affidavit states. WATCH: 10 rescued in Atlantic City row home fire ATLANTIC CITY Ten people were rescued from a three-alarm row home fire Wednesday on Belfie Her relationship with the man is unknown to police, Lt. Kevin Fair said. Charges in the purported assault haven't been filed. Security at the Atlantic City Free Public Library at Atlantic and Tennessee avenues was alerted Thursday to Parish being inside the facility. Officers were called and brought her to police headquarters to speak to a detective, the affidavit states. During questioning, Parish confessed to being at the building at the time of the fire, saying a "board smoking" was the source, the affidavit states. Detectives said her claim wasn't possible because of how quickly the fire grew. Parish changed her story, instead claiming it was caused by a "candle next to an unknown liquid" that she accidentally knocked over, the affidavit states. Other aspects of her description of the incident, such as the size of the bottle holding the liquid, were inconsistent, the affidavit states. Mayor Marty Small Sr. thanked first responders and law enforcement when police announced the charges. "Without hesitation, the men and women of the Atlantic City Fire Department and Atlantic City Police Department ran into that burning building and saved lives, then they were able to quickly figure out the cause," Small said in a statement. Fire Chief Scott Evans said the fire response was unlike any he has seen in his 36 years of firefighting. Police Sgt. Matthew Cocuzza and fire Capt. Stephen Kohler led the investigation. Firefighters from Absecon, Ventnor and Pleasantville assisted. The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety also assisted, providing a dog trained in accelerant detection, police said. This undated file photo shows the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency. Korea Times file A woman accused of killing her two newborns and keeping their bodies in a refrigerator was formally arrested Friday after a court issued a warrant for her arrest. The Suwon District Court issued the warrant, citing fears she might flee. The woman in her 30s was charged with murdering two babies, one boy and one girl, after their births in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and storing their bodies in a freezer at her home in Suwon, 30 kilometers south of Seoul. Earlier in the day, she declined to attend a court hearing on the arrest warrant amid speculation that she made the decision because the hearing would make no difference, as she had already confessed to the crime. After her arrest Wednesday, she told police that she strangled the babies due to economic hardships while raising three children. She also said she lied to her husband that she had an abortion, and the husband told police he believed what she said. Police sought an arrest warrant for her on charges of infanticide Thursday. Police plan to continue the investigation after a decision on the arrest warrant is made, while conducting digital forensics on the suspect's and her husband's cellphones. Police launched the probe earlier this month after receiving a report from the Suwon city government about the babies, who had no birth registration despite having birth records. In a similar case, the whereabouts of another undocumented baby are unknown in the city of Hwasong, 45 km south of Seoul, with the mother saying she handed over the baby to someone she got to know online. Police suspect foul play could have been involved. The two cases came to light as the Board of Audit and Inspection sought to check the well-being of babies that have not been registered with the government. Such unregistered births are believed to amount to about 2,000 between 2015 and 2022, according to an estimate by the state auditor. (Yonhap) Prosecutors say an Atlantic City man convicted in March of murdering his ex-girlfriend will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Maximo Santiago, 72, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for killing 32-year-old Marketa Thorpe during an argument in 2020, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said Friday in a news release. He received an additional five years for weapons offenses. Santiago was found guilty March 10 of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and certain persons not to possess weapons. Prosecutors said Santiago is "a dangerous recidivist," having committed violent acts against women, including when he used a rifle to shoot Thorpe in her torso. Police found Thorpe in the 1500 block of Belfield Avenue on Sept. 12, 2020, and took her to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus, where she later died. Santiago was arrested shortly after the shooting. He would be indicted a year later. Prosecutors said Thorpe and Santiago were arguing when the murder happened. They were in a relationship before the murder and had been affiliated with one another for many years. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. ABSECON The Rev. Perry Cherubini, president of Holy Spirit High School, will step down at the end of the month, school officials said Friday. Cherubini has been president of the Catholic school on New Road since 2008, according to a story by the Catholic Star Herald on his retirement. In announcing Cherubini's departure, school officials thanked him for his service, particularly for "his loyalty and his wisdom." "He has been a mentor and friend to our faculty, staff and students, and we pray for his continued blessings during this next phase of his life," Holy Spirit wrote on its Facebook page Friday. School officials did not elaborate on the process of selecting the institution's next president. Cherubini first arrived at Holy Spirit as a religion teacher in the late 1990s, leaving in 2001 to become vice principal of Gloucester Catholic High School in Gloucester City, Camden County, the Star Herald reported. He became the pastor at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church on Mill Road in the city in 2006 before returning to Holy Spirit, the Star Herald said. He is currently the pastor of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Sea Isle City. PHOTOS Holy Spirit High School 100th anniversary Mass PLEASANTVILLE It is graduation season, and students are preparing to embark onto the next chapter of their lives. One local school is drawing the praise of students and casino insiders alike for readying its pupils to enter into the staple industry of the Atlantic City area. The Casino Dealer Division of the T. Byrd Training Center is now graduating students into the workforce. It recently held its first graduation ceremony and expects to graduate another set of students in a couple of weeks. The school is state certified as an official job training program. Angel Jones, director of the casino dealer program and a longtime dealers teacher, spoke about what the schools success signified for her and the community. It was something that I dreamed about, to be a director of a state-approved school, Jones said at a graduation ceremony in May. My passion is just to help people. The casino school held a grand opening last fall. Classes began at the school in April, and it held its first graduation in May. Its curriculum includes lessons on how to deal a combination of games, potentially including mini baccarat, blackjack, craps, poker and roulette. The specific games featured can be adjusted, school officials said, based on the expressed needs of partner casinos. Recent graduates expressed their enthusiasm for the program. Kamia Walker, 35, of Mays Landing, said the school let her pursue a career in a field she has always enjoyed. She said she had a job lined up for her at Resorts Casino Hotel. Her family was in attendance to congratulate Walker at the May graduation, which included freshly cooked food, cake and the band Angela Burton & Passion playing live music. I love talking, I love having fun, I love hosting and I love playing games. ... It really means a lot to me, Walker said. I havent been to school in like a decade, so theyre really, really proud of me. Theyre really happy that I took the time out to try and better myself and move forward. Daniel Harlan, 19, of Absecon, said, I want to make sure I get a good future, make sure Im making some money and doing good for myself, being successful. Im going to go out here, make it big, get it going. ... I want to go ahead and make my mom proud. Northfield woman wins Miss New Jersey pageant ATLANTIC CITY An Atlantic County woman won it all Saturday night. In addition to helping newcomers, the school helps those with experience hone their skills. Niasia Miller, a 22-year-old woman originally from Pleasantville who lives in Atlantic City, said she previously dealt for an online gaming platform. She said the school taught her aspects of dealing unique to the in-person experience, including counting chips, handling money and dealing with players. It came easy to me, and I really liked it, so I figured why dont I come on the table floor and do it, Miller said of her experience with online gaming. Here (at the T. Byrd Center) we learned everything. New challenges Jones has decades of experience in dealing, having started in 1979, and has been teaching how to deal since 1994. She also is the CEO of the Casino Dealers Academy at the Tilton Shopping Center in Northfield and works to provide hospice care to people in the community. In recent years, however, Jones has endured a gauntlet of new challenges in her teaching career. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Northfield school into dire straits and left the future of her casino teaching career in doubt. She also described an arduous process to obtain state accreditation for the school at the T. Byrd Training Center and other challenges in getting the school off the ground. We just hung in there and waited and waited, Jones said. Since Ive been doing this for so long, its been an experience because all these people ... have jobs lined up. The T. Byrd facility had been the site of a computer-training school, led by its namesake and CEO, Trina Byrd, who said she has been involved in computer teaching for more than 20 years. When many of those classes were moved to a virtual setting, Byrd said she needed to find a new purpose. She said the dealing classes thus far have proved to be a success, helping young people into what she described as a growing casino industry. Its rewarding. Its what we call today a pivot, Byrd said. The demand for casino jobs in this area is enormous. That sentiment was reflected by several casino officials who have worked with Jones school. Peter Perfetti, a casino manager at Ballys Atlantic City, said he had directed several students to the T. Byrd center to prepare for the role. He said it was natural for Ballys to have made a good partner with the new school. I have a couple of them on the floor right now, and theyre doing a great job, Perfetti said of the students. I saw an opportunity for them. Perfetti said casinos in Atlantic City, Las Vegas and nationwide are facing a shortage of dealers amid a tight labor market and an economy growing following pandemic public-health shutdowns. He said programs such as Jones could help satisfy the demand for new dealers in the region. Diane Spiers, vice president of marketing and public relations at Ballys, agreed and added that having a deep stock of well-trained dealers would improve the gaming experience for casino patrons. Its a win-win for everybody, Spiers said. Barbara Hulsizer, vice president for workforce development at Resorts, said the casino was thrilled to be partnered with Trina Byrd and Angel Jones. She described the new school as an exceptional, grassroots service that was critically needed given the tight labor market. Their Table Games Professional program is the most comprehensive in the area and provides an emphasis on customer service, Hulsizer said. So far, the program has produced graduates with exceptional skills who are poised to have long, successful careers at Resorts. State assistance AtlantiCare highlights health equity efforts at DEI summit ATLANTIC CITY With the past several years bringing health inequities to the forefront, the Those pursuing a career at the school will be able to do so with support from Trenton. Tuition is $5,000 for 240 hours of training and certification in two table games, such as blackjack or mini baccarat; and three carnival games, including three-card poker, four-card poker and let it ride. Byrd said tuition is fully covered by a state workforce development grant, so students paid nothing out of pocket. To apply for a grant, Byrd added, students can contact the Atlantic County One Stop Career Center, located on Main Street in Pleasantville, at 609-485-0052 and schedule an in-person or virtual workforce-development orientation session. Another recent graduate, Hamzah Aijaz, 24, of Galloway Township, said the casino school can be a critical resource for those looking for a new job or career. Many times, were not given the opportunity to excel, and life is kind of tough when youre not given opportunity, especially when youre unemployed, Aijaz said. Its overwhelming when people ... give you the opportunity to do well. Claria Barrigher, of Atlantic City, said she was eager to challenge herself by joining the school. She said she was motivated to enroll to become a positive role model for her young children and let them know anything is possible. I like challenges. I felt like it was going to be something hard for me to do, which it was, Barrigher said. But you know, I conquered it. I did it, and I succeeded and now Im a graduate. PLEASANTVILLE The Board of Education ratified a new contract with its school bus drivers last week. The agreement came as officials from Teamsters Local 331, which represented the drivers and bus aides in negotiations, spoke about the need to attract and retain drivers in the midst of a tightening labor market. After the ratification, which occurred in the middle of a three-hour June 13 meeting, union officials in attendance celebrated the new contract. Local 331 President Marcus King reflected positively on the negotiations with Pleasantville Public Schools and said he was satisfied with the terms the union achieved for bus drivers. The agreement, King said, had won overwhelming support in a vote of union rank-and-file, describing it as a fair contract. This was an improvement tonight, King said just before the vote on the contract. Im very satisfied with what happened, probably one of the best negotiations Ive had in the three contracts Ive negotiated (with Pleasantville). I believe the drivers received what they were entitled to, added Local 331 Secretary Treasurer Abi Ortiz. Thomas Henshaw, a labor negotiator for the school district, felt similarly positive about the talks. Negotiations went really well with the Teamsters, Henshaw said. Pleasantville school bus drivers say higher pay is needed to avert labor shortage PLEASANTVILLE The local school bus union is speaking out for the need for higher wages in In the runup to the ratification vote, union officials had expressed anxiety about pay. Shop stewards said stagnant wages were leaving Pleasantville uncompetitive in the labor market, as neighboring districts and private busing companies hike pay. At a school board meeting in May, they warned that a failure to keep pace with the market could see the district experience staffing shortages. King has framed negotiations in Pleasantville in the context of broader, structural issues in the busing market. He added school districts and bus companies now have to contend with new federal regulations in the labor market. In February 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enacted new regulations requiring driving candidates to obtain their commercial driver's licenses from a nationally certified organization, something that has further disrupted the supply of drivers. King added that private companies were often in a position to pay for their applicants' training, a luxury not available to school districts. Its going to be harder for the school to have a system where people will be coming along, King said. Theyre going to hire people now who (already) have a CDL. Theres no feeder program for the school board. Henshaw said finding a way to retain bus staff was a priority of the school district as well. The school board had voted to retain Henshaw for talks with the Teamsters at a rate of $100 per hour and on June 13 authorized Henshaw to work an additional 25 hours at a rate of $100 per hour for negotiations with the Teamsters. The two major factors for us during negotiations on both sides was retainage of employees, because its hard to get people today to come with a CDL license and everything, so if you lose an employee, its very hard to replace, Henshaw said. King said there was a particular need to add more full-time drivers to the district, so they could better manage their workload and give more consistency to their schedules. The prominence of part-time drivers, King said, often leaves the relatively smaller fleet of full-time drivers to handle after-school and other non-regular assignments in the district. He had previously said the part-time drivers do not collect the benefits that their full-time counterparts have and so were particularly vulnerable to being poached by a private-sector offer. Of the 27 total bus drivers at Pleasantville, King said 18 drove part time. When you look at it, some of the driving work they have to sub out to some of these private companies, because we dont have enough drivers, King said. Not that the school district did anything wrong its just the marketplace and theres more driving needed. Pleasantville fills school board seat amid time of change for district PLEASANTVILLE The local Board of Education voted last week to appoint Patricia King to fil The structural problems faced by Pleasantville were on display at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year in South Jersey school districts, including neighboring Egg Harbor Township, citing a bus-driver shortfall. An Integrity Transportation official said just before the start of the school year that his company was running about 10 bus drivers short from his typical workforce of 150 to 170. He said the company needed to raise pay significantly to draw new drivers but was getting fewer than two applicants per job advertisement. A report from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics published in May 2022 found the average hourly wage for elementary and secondary school bus drivers was $19.45. The current collective bargaining agreement scheduled $1-per-hour pay increases on July 1 of 2020, 2021 and 2022 and runs through the end of June. The new contract runs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026. Details about pay were not included in the version of the contract available on the district website. The division bench of Karnataka High Court (HC) has issued a notice to the Centre on Xiaomis petition against the single bench order in connection with seizure of Rs 5,551.27 crore for alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The bench headed by Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice MGS Kamal issued the notice on Wednesday while looking into the appeal petition by Xiaomi Technology India Pvt Ltd seeking remedy under Section 37A of the FEMA Act. The Karnataka High Court had rejected the plea by the Chinese firm Xiaomi against the seizure of Rs 5,551.27 crore from its bank accounts by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on April 21. The bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna though dismissed the petition, upheld the maintainability of the petition. The Chinese technology company is facing charges of violations of the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). IANS SEATTLE (AP) 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. In the first piece of good news since the search began, a Canadian aircraft detected underwater noises, though the vessel has not been found, the U.S. Coast Guard reported early Wednesday. David Lochridge, OceanGates 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 (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 onto the hull, Lochridge's counterclaim said. Further, the craft was designed to reach depths of 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), where the Titanic rested. 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. However, 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 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. In an emailed 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 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 industrys approach was stifling innovation. There hasnt been an injury in the commercial sub industry in over 35 years, he said. Its obscenely safe because they have all these regulations. But it also hasnt innovated or grown because they have all these regulations. When I was in high school, my Grandma Wanda fought a battle with the American Legion to have a veterans marker placed on the grave of her husbands grandfather. Eventually, the Legion post relented and put a veterans stone over John Beckerdites earthly remains. What gave the veterans organization pause is that John hadnt served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces. He fought for the Confederacy. Although he fought for the South, he fought for his country, Grandma wrote in a family history. When she wrote that, I was about 14 years old. I thought it was nonsense then. And I think it even more so today. My forbear didnt fight for his country, he betrayed it. And, no, he didnt battle for freedom, he fought for slavery. When I made these points to Grandma, she wouldnt hear of it. She had bought into the myth of the Lost Cause. I was thinking of that long ago argument this past week, as the U.S. armed forces began renaming military bases that had been named after Confederate generals. For example, Fort Bragg will become Fort Liberty. Fort Hood will become Fort Cavazos. Fort Benning will become Fort Moore. And Fort Gordon will become Fort Eisenhower. Some traditionalists are hopping mad about the change. They say the Biden administration is erasing history. Baloney. The administration is eradicating the remnants of a fable. Its the myth that the Southerners fought a noble fight for independence. They will tell you with a straight face the Civil War was fought not over slavery but states rights. Its just not true. All 11 Southern states said in their individual articles of secession that they were departing the Union over the issue of slavery. One Southern friend concedes that the South may have left the Union over slavery. But he adds the North didnt fight the war to end slavery. Well, I guess you can ignore the Emancipation Proclamation or Abraham Lincolns moral opposition to slavery, but what about this line from the Battle Hymn of the Republic that Union soldiers sang marching into battle: As Christ died to make men holy, let us die to make men free? Whose freedom do you think they were dying for? No one wants to believe their ancestors died and sacrificed for something as reprehensible as the right to own another human being. But men like Braxston Bragg, John Bell Hood, Henry Benning and John Brown Gordon did just that. Its shameful that our nation named its military bases after these and other traitors. And make no mistake about it, these men betrayed their country. They took up arms against a nation that they once pledged to serve. Worse yet, they did it in support of an issue as abhorrent as slavery. My father spent a miserable few months at Fort Gordon, where he went through Army basic training during the Korean War. He never spoke well of his time as a draftee. There was no nostalgia directed toward his time in the service. But I cant help but think he would be pleased that the base where he suffered is now named after the first person he supported for president Eisenhower. Unlike Gordon, who is believed to have headed the Georgia Ku Klux Klan, Ike fought for individual liberty. He and his troops defeated Nazism and liberated concentration camps. While president, he sent the 101st Airborne to Little Rock, Ark., to force the integration of public schools. Those are actions worthy of praise. And no, Eisenhower wasnt perfect. He made mistakes. But the thrust of his lifes work was moving the nation in the right direction. Some will say that renaming the bases is rewriting history. Thats silly. What we are rewriting is who we choose to honor in our history. The bases got their names as part of a political compromise. As the Army was expanding during World War I, it wanted to establish training bases in the South. To get local buy in, it allowed state legislatures to choose the names of the bases. Lawmakers just 49 years after the Civil War chose to name the bases after Confederate generals. Please note, Southern African Americans couldnt vote during this era. They had no say over who was honored. Illinoisans should be proud of our heritage. The two individuals most responsible for defeating secession and slavery Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant both hailed from the Prairie State. So why does the Civil War still divide us? The best answer is that we havent come to terms with its causes. Race still divides our nation. In 2017, we saw the deep divisions of the Civil War manifest themselves in Charlottesville, Va. where riots ensued after a statue of Robert E. Lee was to be taken down. Those who supported the statue remaining said it wasnt about race, but their heritage, which they contended was being marginalized. But if it wasnt about race, why would neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan members and other white supremacists be there rioting? We should be proud that our military has expunged the names of secessionists from their places of honor. Haunted faces filled a Rock Island County courtroom Friday. The 16 people in six rows of the gallery were there to see 16-year-old Napoleon Jackson. He was making his second appearance since he was arrested and charged with the April 14 home invasion and killing of 17-year-old Danny Taylor in rural Milan. They were there for almost 15 minutes and learned Jackson will make his next court appearance at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 1. Before the hearing, Dave and Melodi Taylor, Danny's parents, led their family into the pews behind the prosecutor's table. Melodi wore a pale-yellow summer dress, and her eyes darted around the room. Jackson's friends and family followed and took seats behind the defense attorney's table. Both families sat in silence for almost 10 minutes while Rock Island County State's Attorney Dora Villarreal, public defender Hany Khoury and Judge Frank Fuhr waited for Jackson's arrival. The silence was broken by a few whispers, then the sound of Melodi Taylor softly sobbing. Dave Taylor held her and tried to comfort her. Jackson entered the courtroom with shackles at his ankles. He wore a white shirt, blue jeans and a band-aid strip across his nose. "Love you, Bubba," a few family members said to Jackson. Prosecutors called one witness during the hearing. Brittany Jones was there, the prosecutors said, because she was a material witness, and they asked for her to be allowed to appear Sept. 1 via Zoom, because she lives out of town. Jones said she didn't want to appear at all. "I don't know the kid," Jones said, gesturing toward Jackson. "I don't know nothing. Just leave me out of it." Fuhr warned the witness that she is expected to keep in contact with Villarreal's office and make all required appearances. Jackson did not speak to the judge during the hearing. He was arrested on April 19 in Newton, Iowa one day after an unnamed 15-year-old was arrested. Both teens were charged with first-degree murder and home invasion in the killing of Taylor. Jackson is being tried as adult. Illinois law dictates all juveniles 15 and younger be charged in juvenile court. The Rock Island County Sheriff's Department responded at 12:44 a.m. April 14 to a home in rural Milan, where officers found the 17-year-old Taylor "with multiple gunshot wounds." Life-saving measures were unsuccessful, and the teen was pronounced dead at the scene. "Initial information gathered suggests that a confrontation occurred inside the residence," according to a news release from the sheriff's department. "Several gunshots were fired during this incident, including the round that is believed to have struck the victim. "Suspects fled the scene." Investigators said a 15-year-old with gunshot wounds was taken to UnityPoint Health-Trinity Rock Island at 1:04 a.m. The teen was later transferred to OSF St. Francis in Peoria before being taken to the Mary Davis Juvenile Detention Facility in Galesburg. Jackson was charged with aggravated battery for wounding the 15-year-old. During Jackson's first appearance, Judge Peter Church read the charges to Jackson and explained the potential sentences he faces if convicted: For first-degree murder, the sentence is between 45 and 85 years, and Jackson would have to serve 100%. On the home invasion charge, he could face anywhere between 21 and 45 years, Church said. Church asked if Jackson understood the charges and penalties to which the teen answered, "Yes." Asked if he could post the $1 million cash-only bond, Jackson said, "No." The American Red Cross closed its temporary shelter Thursday morning for people displaced by The Davenport apartment building collapse. The last former tenant staying at the Red Cross shelter at 1111 Kimberly Road checked out Wednesday night, said Tim Karcher, a volunteer shelter coordinator from Bettendorf, who was locking the doors Thursday morning. He said everyone who had been staying with the Red Cross at its temporary shelter found permanent housing or a place lined up and were staying elsewhere temporarily. Our caseworkers have worked with all current shelter residents to ensure that all have appropriate plans to transition to alternative housing, said Brian Williamsen, the communications manager for Red Cross of Illinois. Residents are making plans for their next steps by moving into more comfortable and longer-term housing solutions. If anyone was still staying there, Karcher said, they wouldve referred them to another service agency, he said. Typically, Red Cross shelters arent open longer than two weeks, Karcher said, but Red Cross has operated a shelter since May 28 first at the nearby Centers for Active Seniors, Inc. building, then at the old Select Specialty hospital. Since May 28, the Red Cross has tallied more than 200 stays, said Willliamsen, which includes individuals who stayed multiple nights. Karcher said only people affected by the disaster could access the Red Cross shelter. To verify, he said, Red Cross had a list of tenants from the building owner and from those who checked in at St. Anthonys Church, the initial reunification point after the collapse. There were a few people who inquired about the shelter who had to be turned away, he said. Thats because the shelter is set up specifically for temporary disaster relief and doesnt have the resources to provide permanent homeless services. Karcher previously told the Quad-City Times that 14 rooms were available at the shelter, and the Red Cross could accommodate more through congregate sheltering (housing everyone in one room) if needed. Others were using Red Cross meal services but chose to sleep in their cars, Karcher said. Dubai-based carrier flydubai today celebrated its inaugural service to Olbia, becoming the first UAE carrier to operate direct flights from Dubai. This marks the start of the carriers three-times weekly service to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) as part of its seasonal operations, growing its network in Italy to five points including Catania, Milan-Bergamo, Naples and Pisa. The inaugural flight landed at Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) to a water cannon salute and warm welcome by airport officials led by Silvio Pippobello, the Chief Executive Officer of Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport. CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said: "flydubai is committed to opening up underserved destinations and we are excited to offer our customers more options for travel during the summer with the launch of flights to Olbia in Sardinia." "Since 2018, when we first started operations to the region, Italy has been a popular destination for customers from the UAE and GCC and we look forward to offering more options for travel as flydubai enters another record-breaking summer," he stated. Pippobello said: "Thanks to flydubai's extensive network, today's inaugural launch significantly enhances the connectivity of the island for the benefit of the region and the local population, while also providing a crucial opportunity for our tourist destination to officially open up to the global market." "Starting from today, in fact, Sardinia can be easily reached with just one stop from every corner of the planet," he stated. "We thank the airline for believing in our destination, the region of Sardinia for the valuable support, the Sardinian airports that have collaborated in achieving this milestone, and all the stakeholders who are working to make this flight a success," he added. On the launch of flights, Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: "With the launch of flights to our fifth destination in Italy, we look forward to offering more convenient and reliable options for passengers travelling between Dubai and Olbia.' "Our flights will be operated by our Boeing 737 MAX aircraft where passengers can enjoy a comfortable travel experience, whether they choose to travel in Business Class or Economy Class," he stated. "Olbia joins flydubais network of seasonal summer destinations which include Batumi, Bodrum, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Mykonos, Santorini, Tivat and Trabzon," he added.-TradeArabia News Service A court on Friday acquitted three fishermen wrongly imprisoned for 50 years after being released from captivity in North Korea. Yonhap A court on Friday acquitted three fishermen who were wrongly imprisoned over five decades ago after being released from captivity in North Korea. In a retrial held at the Chuncheon District Court, Lee Sung-guk, 69, was cleared of charges, including the violation of the National Security Act. The fisherman from Chuncheon, 75 kilometers east of Seoul, was abducted by North Korea on Oct. 25, 1971, and returned to the South 11 months later. In 1972, he was sentenced to one year of imprisonment, suspended for two years, on charges to which he claimed to have falsely confessed due to torture by investigators. In April 1981, he was once again arrested on the same charges and subjected to torture during 86 days of confinement. He received a 10-year prison sentence and served nine years before being released on parole in 1990. During Friday's trial, the prosecution requested a not guilty verdict for Lee, which Judge Lee Young-jin accepted. Later in the day, the court also issued acquittals for two other fishermen who had been imprisoned after their release from North Korea about 50 years ago. On May 12, in a separate retrial in the city, 32 fishermen who were abducted by North Korea in 1971 and released in 1972 were cleared of violations of anti-communist and security laws. The Chuncheon District Prosecutors Office is currently pursuing retrials for an additional 93 fishermen who were charged and imprisoned in similar cases. (Yonhap) A Sherrard woman is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the agency that shares Scott County casino profits with non-profit groups. Angela Arnold Nelson, who was the executive director of the Epilepsy Advocacy Network, Moline, was arrested on four counts of theft by deception and four counts of fraudulent practice, all felonies, according to Scott County court records. The Scott County Regional Authority awards grants twice a year to area nonprofits, governments, civic and educational institutions from funds generated from gaming at Isle Casino Hotel in Bettendorf. The SCRA requires grant-awardees to submit vendor invoices or signed contracts before it pays organizations, according to guidelines on the SCRAs website. Court records allege that Nelson submitted four fraudulent invoices to SCRA for reimbursement totaling more than $39,000. Kari Jones, the Epilepsy Advocacy Networks current executive director, said Nelson created a separate, unauthorized account to seek out grants from the SCRA without the networks knowledge. The nonprofit cut ties with Nelson when allegations first arose about six months ago, Jones said, and the network itself is not under investigation. The fraudulent invoices Nelson is alleged to have sent to the SCRA include two that claimed to be from Girl Scouts of EIWI for $18,795 and $13,775, a third from Performance Food Service for $3,800, and a fourth from ONE STEP for $2,775. Past grant lists show the SCRA awarded grants to what was listed as the "Epilepsy Foundation" in spring 2018 for $10,000, fall 2019 for $25,000, and fall 2021 for $12,500. The Epilepsy Foundation is a national organization with chapters across the country, but no organization of that name operates in the Quad-Cities. A representative for the national organization said Nelson has never been employed by them. The reasons for each were listed as camPossible! According to a 2022 volunteer form, camPossible! was a camp the Epilepsy Advocacy Network hosted in New Liberty, Iowa, for children and teens with epilepsy. The SCRA paid the 2018 and 2019 grants for a total of $35,000, but the 2021 grant was not paid out, SCRA President Kirk Anderson wrote in an email. Of the $35,000 paid to Nelson, Anderson said, "we were only able to confirm that $15,341 was spent for the payment of services rendered for" the Moline-based epilepsy nonprofit, he wrote. In October 2022, the SCRA board sent a special agent with the Division of Criminal Investigation an email, regarding an expense validation issue with what the court documents describe as the "Epilepsy Foundation of Moline." The SCRA grant administrator had been in communication with Nelson about issues with invoices submitted, according to court documents, and Nelson had responded addressing those concerns. After reading the email, the SCRA board didnt feel comfortable continuing communication with Nelson and the Epilepsy Advocacy Network and turned the information over to the DCI. In December, credit bureaus and IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union were subpoenaed to locate bank accounts and possible fraudulent transactions by Nelson, court records state. Banks statements for an account titled Epilepsy Advocacy Network and a second account, Passion Pursuit Inc. Epilepsy, show Nelson made several transfers, purchases, and withdrawals between 2019 and 2022, including a $13,000 transfer to Nelsons personal account, court records allege. Jones emphasized that the Epilepsy Advocacy Networks priority is that services are not disrupted and that the organization was doing everything in our power to show our partners that we are good stewards of our funds. We understand for our funders, it can be scary for them to hear this story. We want to assure them we had no record of this at all because it was a separate account, Jones said. All of our funding sources were going through our proper accounts. Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify that no organization bearing the name Epilepsy Foundation operates in the Quad-Cities. Justin Keim will face a jury in Rock Island County. He is accused of neglect and abuse in the Nov. 3, 2020, death of his 15-year-old stepson, Joseph J.J. Hammond. During a status hearing Thursday, he learned his trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 16. Its been two years, seven months and 20 days since Hammonds death. Justin Keim and his wife, Jennifer Keim, initially were charged with murder. Jennifer Keim took a plea deal in January, agreeing to serve four years of probation. As he left the courthouse Thursday, Justin Keim declined to say whether he was offered a similar plea arrangement. He is no stranger to the inside of the courthouse in Rock Island or to status hearings, appearing in court 24 times since his first appearance on March 24, 2021. Keims attorney, Matt Paulson, declined to comment on the progress of the case or why his client agreed to a jury trial. Jennifer Keim originally was charged with murder and pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of neglect and abuse of a disabled person. Both Jennifer and Justin Keim petitioned for and received bond reductions, which allowed them to be out of jail while awaiting hearings. Prosecutors accused Jennifer Keim of failing to provide, appropriate hydration, nutrition and medical care knowing that doing so created the strong probability of death or great bodily harm. The teen was born with cerebral palsy and was profoundly disabled. Friends said the teen survived to 15 because of the care supplied by his mother. In her sentencing hearing Jan. 23, Jennifer Keim said J.J.s death, tore my family apart. There is pain that never goes away, she said. There is not a day that goes by that my heart does not ache. The Iowa Supreme Court dismissed claims against Gov. Kim Reynolds and a former communications director in a wrongful termination lawsuit, but allowed a claim against the state to proceed. Polly Carver-Kimm sued the state of Iowa, Reynolds and the governor's former communications director Pat Garrett in 2020, alleging she was fired from her position as the communications director for the Iowa Department of Public Health for fulfilling records requests from journalists. A district court previously denied a motion to dismiss the case, and the defendants appealed to the Supreme Court, which ruled on Friday. The court did not decide whether Carver-Kimm was, in fact, wrongfully terminated. The case was sent back to the district court to decide on that claim. A spokesperson for Gov. Kim Reynolds declined to comment. Reynolds, Garrett and the state asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing Carver-Kimm had no grounds to justify a wrongful termination. Reynolds and Garrett also argued they had no legal authority to discharge Carver-Kimm. Lawyers for Carver-Kimm argued that Reynolds and Garrett exerted influence over her termination. Justice Matthew McDermott wrote the majority opinion, joined by Chief Justice Susan Christensen and Justices Thomas Waterman and Edward Mansfield. The majority sided with Reynolds, saying Iowa law grants the department director full authority over employment decisions, while no law grants that authority to the governor. The justices said Carver-Kimm may pursue her claims against the state, which involve two claims of wrongful termination: that her firing violated Iowas whistleblower-protection law, and that her firing violated a clearly defined public policy, specifically Iowas open records law. The public records law outlines which records maintained by state agencies must be provided to the public upon request, and what information can remain confidential. Carver-Kimm said she faced retaliation after responding to records requests early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Carver-Kimm, who was in charge of responding to records requests to the department, said in court filings Garrett and supervisors at the department directed her to hold responses to records requests and advised her that all press releases should be routed through the governors office. Carver-Kimm said she was removed from responding to all records requests in June of 2020 after she informed certain news outlets that they could modify their requests and receive the requested information more quickly. She also complied with a request for responses to all open records requests by any other media organization. According to her petition, she fulfilled some requests after that was removed as part of her job duties. In July, Carver-Kimm was asked to resign or be terminated, and chose to resign, according to court records. The state had previously argued the public records law is not well-recognized public policy. But the court disagreed, saying the law could support a wrongful termination claim. When Carver-Kimm was the custodian of records at the department, she was under a statutory duty to fulfill proper requests for public records If Carver-Kimm was discharged for complying with that duty which is what she alleges in her petition those circumstances could support a claim, McDermott wrote. The court also allowed Carver-Kimms claim of wrongful termination under whistleblower protections to advance. In a separate opinion penned by Justice Christopher McDonald and joined by Justices Dana Oxley and David May, they agreed with most of the majority opinion but argued the open records law does not support a wrongful termination claim based on a violation of public policy. Because Iowas open records law allows individuals to pursue civil lawsuits for violation, it does not create a cause of action for wrongful termination, McDonald argued. The justices also argued Carver-Kimm did not have an obligation to respond to open records requests after her superiors removed it from her job responsibilities. If she was fired for responding to records after that point, they said it would not constitute a wrongful termination. In sum, Carver-Kimm alleges she resigned in lieu of termination after producing records she no longer had the statutory responsibility or authority to produce, McDonald wrote. Tom Duff, a lawyer representing Carver-Kimm, said they were disappointed the court dismissed their claims against Reynolds, but they were satisfied with the overall decision. He said the decision that Iowas public records law can serve as a basis for a wrongful termination claim is promising, and it has broader impacts for free access to government information. In the broader scheme of things, beyond Polly's case, it sends a message to other public information officers that they can do their job, disclose lawfully requested records, and the employer cannot retaliate against them for doing so, he said. This morning's top headlines: Thursday, June 22 Evan Gershkovich detention; Titanic sub update; NBA Draft preview; and more morning headlines. Nation & World breaking Search for missing Titanic submersible passes critical 96-hour mark for oxygen supply. Follow live updates. The search for the missing submersible on an expedition to view the wreckage of the Titanic neared the critical 96-hour mark Thursday when breathable air is expected to run out. Dakotans for Health, described as a healthcare advocacy and ballot initiative group, filed a lawsuit against Lawrence County for alleged First Amendment violations. The group alleged Lawrence County's rules on circulating petitions within and surrounding the administrative and courthouse building limit the area to collect petition signatures and restricts First Amendment rights to engage in political speech. According to Dakotans for Health, the only place these activities are authorized is an "unfrequented courtyard" between the two buildings. Dakotans for Health recently won a preliminary injunction against Minnehaha County in a similar filing as that lawsuit continues. The group is currently circulating petitions to restore rights under Roe v. Wade and eliminate the state sales tax on groceries. Dakotans for Health played a role in the successful 2022 campaign to expand Medicare coverage to more than 50,000 South Dakotans. "South Dakotans have used citizen initiatives to enact reforms and overrule their politicians when they go too far. From the abortion referendum in 2006 to the 2014 increase in the minimum wage, campaign finance reform, medical marijuana, and last year Medicaid expansion," said Adam Weiland, co-founder of Dakotans for Health. "The Lawrence County petition policy restricting free speech is unconstitutional. For the November 2024 election 35,017 signatures are needed to place the Roe v. Wade initiated constitutional amendment on the ballot, and 17,509 signatures are needed to place the initiated law to eliminate the state sales tax on food on the ballot, according to Dakotans for Health. Lawrence County officials told the Journal they have no comment at this time. The full text of the complaint is available here: To mark the occasion of the Air Forces mid-air refueling 100th anniversary, the Air Mobility Command of Sioux City, Iowa, is collaborating with the South Dakota National Guards 114th Fighter Wing. They will be conducting flyovers in South Dakota, North Dakota and Iowa to honor the occasion on June 27. According to the National Museum of the Air Force, the first successful air refueling took place on June 27, 1923, when 1st Lt. Virgil Hine and 1st Lt. Frank W. Seifert, flying a DH-4B, passed gasoline through a hose to another DH-4B flying beneath it carrying Capt. Lowell H. Smith and 1st Lt. John P. Richter, accomplishing the first aerial refueling. Air refueling units from around the nation are planning to commemorate the event by performing flyovers at major landmarks, population centers and state capitols around the nation on June 27. The Iowa Air National Guards 185th Air Refueling Wing and South Dakotas 114th Fighter Wing are planning flyovers with a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker and F-16 Falcons. Flyovers are expected at the following locations and times: South Dakota: Pierre, 10:25 a.m.; the Badlands, 9:40 a.m.; Mount Rushmore National Monument, 9:50 a.m.; and Sioux Falls, 12:20 p.m. North Dakota: Bismarck, 11:40 a.m.; and Teddy Roosevelt National Park, 10:20 a.m. Iowa: Sioux City, 9:50 a.m. All times are local for the various locations. The United States Air Force invites the public to join them on June 27 to observe flyovers of the aerial refuelers above communities across the country and around the world, honoring 100 years of aerial refueling excellence. Todays U.S. Air Force air refueling capabilities deliver unrivaled rapid global reach for U.S. forces and our Allies and partners through the mobility air forces fleet of KC-46, KC-135 and KC-10 tankers. Aerial refueling serves as a force multiplier, increasing the speed, range, lethality, flexibility and versatility of combat aircraft. Tankers also carry cargo and passengers, perform aeromedical evacuations, and enable strategic deterrence for the United States. Air refueling propels our Nations air power across the skies, unleashing its full potential, said Gen. Mike Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander. It connects our strategic vision with operational reality, ensuring we can reach any corner of the globe with unwavering speed and precision. Air refueling embodies our resolve to defend freedom and project power, leaving an indelible mark on aviation history. This critical capability is essential for the Department of Defenses most vital missions. To remain relevant in the current and future security environments, the Air Force is in the process of recapitalizing its tanker fleet with the ongoing acquisition of the KC-46A and accelerating its pursuit of the next-generation air refueling system (NGAS), announced in March propelling forward the capability developed and entrusted to Airmen a century ago. As we embark on the next 100 years of air refueling, we will continue to strengthen our air mobility excellence, Minihan said. We must leverage the remarkable capabilities of air refueling to preserve peace, protect freedom, and bring hope to the world." The Environmental Protection Agencys official mission is to protect human health and the environment. But as Buttes Superfund era approaches its fifth decade, with many years of cleanup work left to be performed, the question of human health and whether the agency has acted appropriately to protect it here looms large. From a study of EPA records and multiple interviews, The Montana Standard has found a disturbing pattern of agency involvement in repeated efforts over the past two decades to discredit and pressure scientists studying how metals exposure may have affected Buttes health and mortality. The stakes are huge. Just how extensive and expensive the cleanup will ultimately be depends on how such research is interpreted. In at least two cases, independent studies have pointed to heightened mortality rates in Butte, with deaths from many causes including cancers, autoimmune diseases, heart attacks, strokes and organ failures well above state and national averages. In both of those cases, EPA has driven efforts to discount the research and criticize the scientists. The EPA, often working in concert with Atlantic Richfield, which must pay for much of the Superfund cleanup, has pressured scientists and discredited their work without following up with a thorough, ongoing federal health study, despite repeated promises to consider doing so. Earlier this month, the EPAs regional office in Denver reported that it had referred allegations to the Office of the Inspector General that agency employees had colluded with Atlantic Richfield, Montana Resources and others to discredit scientists and research about mining-and-smelting related health impacts in Butte. EPA takes the allegations seriously and is dedicated to maintaining public trust and confidence, said Taylor Gillespie, public affairs director for the EPAs Region 8. Citing personnel privacy constraints, the EPA declined to disclose more. It said it first began investigating the allegations after an article in High Country News in February described a troubling coziness between the regulator and the regulated. When, in late 2019 and early 2020, EPA officials were openly critical of scientists Suzanne McDermott and Katie Hailer after health studies by the two scientists, it was like deja vu for Stacie Barry or, more precisely, like a PTSD flashback. Heres a look at how the Barry, Hailer and McDermott cases played out. EPA threatens consequences In 2011, Stacie Barry was feeling plenty of stress. She was putting the final touches on a doctorate in multidisciplinary studies from the University of Montana, the culmination of nearly a decade of undergraduate and graduate work, most of it at Montana Tech, where she had earned bachelors and masters degrees in environmental engineering with a specialty in mine waste. As a part of her doctoral process, Barry was doing research for the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department. At the same time, her father, Creighton Barry, was suffering the final stages of Parkinsons disease. With the completion of her dissertation, Barry, whose fifth-generation Butte Irish lineage is reflected in her red hair and blue eyes, had achieved something amazing. Many who have read it, including her dissertation chairman, professor Pat Munday of Montana Tech, believe it is one of the best things ever written about the Mining City. Coming to the Surface: The Environment, Health and Culture in Butte, Montana 1950-2010 is a celebration of Buttes beauty, strength and resilience, written by one of its own, and at the same time a scientific analysis of the great price the city has paid in its heroic effort to provide the metals that electrified the nation and armed its soldiers in two world wars. Interdisciplinary, it surely is. Barry, who has always considered herself a writer, an environmentalist AND a scientist, brought all of her intellectual pursuits to bear. The dissertation examines the literature and poetics of Butte, the sociology and psychology of the mining town and the health impacts of the mining landscape. Barrys multidisciplinary approach actually reflects the many facets of Butte itself. Her summary section begins, Butte is a small city in southwest Montana profoundly shaped by over a century of mining and smelting activities. These activities resulted in widespread environmental contamination and elevated health threats, as well as economic prosperity and cultural vitality. Today, Butte is a post-industrial city that is the focal point of Americas largest Superfund site as well as the nations largest National Historic District. But the compelling writing and cultural observations were not the most remarked-upon parts of Barrys dissertation. Also included was a longitudinal meaning covering a period of time a health study, in which Barry researched and analyzed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mortality statistics from 1978-98 and 1999-2007. While breaking the study period into two parts was largely a function of the way CDC statistics are organized, it did provide an opportunity to judge whether the initial remediation efforts under Superfund made a difference in mortality rates. Barrys study showed that mortality in a wide range of disease categories throughout the study period was markedly elevated in Butte compared with the rest of Montana and compared with the nation as a whole. The categories included cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurological diseases, cancer and other diseases of the internal organs. And indeed the 1999-2007 results showed some improvements in mortality for mental and behavioral disorders, which could potentially indicate some improvement because of the Residential Metals Abatement Program lead remediation endeavor, and also in neurological disease mortality rates, which, Barry wrote, could potentially correlate to capping of waste and remediation of metals, including neurotoxins arsenic, aluminum, lead, manganese and mercury, and in some cardiovascular diseases. But the data for the later years also reflected an increase in mortality for diseases of the digestive system, diabetes and renal failure. The 1999-2007 numbers also showed increases in mortality for most kinds of cancer, indicating that remediation had not yet had an impact on cancer mortality. This study showed that the majority of the mortality rates in Butte are greater than those in the state of Montana and United States rates, and that mortality rates fluctuate over time, Barry wrote. It also showed that mortality rates correlate with the target organs of concern, but it did not show a clear reduction in mortality rates after remediation. Before being incorporated into Barrys dissertation, the painstakingly researched and presented health study results were shared in quarterly reports to the Butte-Silver Bow County Board of Health, which had funded some of her research with money it had received from Atlantic Richfield. When her report of the results was read by local officials, Barry said, one official Sara Sparks, then the EPAs remedial project manager for the Butte Priority Soils Superfund operable unit became extremely agitated. Dan Powers (then-associate health director) called me in to the Health Department. I went into a meeting room with him, Sara Sparks and another gentleman from Butte-Silver Bow. She said, This cannot come out in any way until its been reviewed by EPA and ATSDR (the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry). Barry told her the study had already been reviewed by her professors and that it would be part of her dissertation. She told me that she would stop my dissertation from being published, she would stop me from graduating. Ill go to the university, she said. Barry says Sparks also told her that she would make sure that Barry never worked in the state of Montana in environmental engineering, and that her work for the Health Department would be halted immediately. And indeed, Barry said, Powers told her that day to finish up a final report and send it to him. 'We cant do this anymore, he told me. Shaken, Barry went to her dissertation committee members, including Munday, and asked whether the EPA could prevent her publication or stop her from getting her doctorate. They all told her absolutely not. She had impeccable grades, shed passed her cumulative exams, and the doctorate topic was approved. Asked in March 2023 about the incident, Sparks denied threatening Barry. I would never have said such a thing, she said. Thats a long time ago, but I would never do that. She added, I dont even remember that study. Asked recently about his recollection of the meeting, Powers would only say, It got pretty contentious. At the time, despite Sparks reaction, Powers defended Barrys research. In an email sent Aug. 15, 2011, to two Board of Health members, Dan Harrington and Julie Hart, Powers wrote: As you know, EPA (Sara Sparks) has been saying she is going to do everything in her power to stop Stacies health study since she thinks it is court-ordered protected information regarding Consent Decree negotiations. She has stated this in a couple of meetings. BSB totally disagrees with her stance on this. He went on, I have talked with Dan Dennehy, Rick Larson and Jon Sesso. It is our understanding that the health study was funded, separately, under the Allocation Agreement with AR (Atlantic Richfield). There was never any mention of oversight by EPA or AR. It is, in fact, a health study funded by AR, and contracted privately with Stacie Barry through the BSB Health Department in conjunction with her doctoral thesis at Montana Tech. All of the information she has used is publicly available and her analysis is based on CDC and ATSDR protocols. Powers also told the Board of Health members that he was trying to contact Joe Vranka with EPA to discuss the matter without Sara Sparks influence. I feel it is necessary for the Board of Health to reiterate the study as an important tool in trying to provide a statistically relevant public health study that may provide information to direct future efforts in protecting public health. If you agree, I will draft a letter to the EPA and AR for your review and comment. In fact, a detailed letter under the signature of Harrington, then chair of the Butte-Silver Bow Board of Health, was sent the next day to Julie DalSoglio, then director of the EPAs Montana office, with copies to numerous federal and local officials. In it, Harrington wrote, The Butte-Silver Bow Board of Health strongly endorses the health study currently being done. It is the charge of public health agencies to investigate, study, interpret and analyze results from these approved types of studies to further the goal of protecting public health. Any deviation from this is unacceptable. Ten days later, EPA Superfund Branch Chief Vranka officially backed down from Sparks position that publication of the study should be blocked because of the confidentiality agreement that covered consent-decree negotiations. In a letter to Harrington, Vranka wrote that after further discussion internally, the agency agreed that the study and its underlying data are not confidential and added, I apologize for any confusion that we may have caused as a result of our misunderstanding. After that white flag on Sparks effort to suppress the study, the agencys fallback position was to criticize and attempt to discredit Barry. In this effort, the EPA was aided by ATSDR and by the responsible party for the Butte pollution, Atlantic Richfield. An article in The Montana Standard in April 2012 titled Feds question Butte mortality study summarized Barrys findings in a couple of sentences, but then spent several paragraphs allowing ATSDR, EPA and Atlantic Richfield to discount the results and praise each others work in the Butte cleanup. According to the article, Dr. Michelle Watters of ATSDR said Barrys report is not conclusive and only a starting point to conduct further public health studies," adding that the data used by Barry has several limitations." There is always a question of looking at your data and appreciating what the shortcomings of your data are, Watters told a public meeting at the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department. Its really a mortality ratio that shes presenting its a crude rate. Barry said recently that Watters criticized her study for failing to look at the death statistics by race, age, sex, etc. Barry said that would have divided the data into categories with smaller numbers that could have engendered even more criticism. Watters did allow that Barrys study had value, adding that it showed the need to conduct a more thorough environmental health analysis in Butte. Battling bullies in Butte This pattern of criticizing private studies but saying they show the need for more extensive study has been used repeatedly in Butte but the larger study has never occurred. An Atlantic Richfield representative at the Health Department meeting was far less subtle, calling Barrys study inherently flawed without saying exactly how it was flawed. The company issued a statement saying it would support future health studies in Butte that are science-based. The studies that come under criticism from Atlantic Richfield and EPA in Butte have certainly been science-based, but the paper trail suggests its not been the sort of science the agency and the company wish to embrace. They (EPA and Atlantic Richfield) were both bullies, a person who was a Butte-Silver Bow county official at the time of the Barry study said recently. The former official asked for anonymity because I dont want their lawyers on me. Play along with what they wanted, and youre fine, the former official added. Deviate from the company line, and they would immediately start talking about withholding funding. Barrys study spurred the EPA and Atlantic Richfield to circle the wagons. We believe the current remedies are protective of human health and the environment and we have confidence in EPAs work, Atlantic Richfields statement said. John Ray, Ph.D., a Montana Tech professor who was frequently a gadfly in cleanup matters, took exception to the EPA-Atlantic Richfield love fest. Now we have the regulated praising the regulators, Ray said. I never recall (Atlantic Richfield) being as outspoken in praising EPA as they are now. Ray would later write, Dr. Stacie Barry provided a compelling answer to the question of Superfunds effectiveness: Superfund has not reduced the cancer rates in Butte. The EPA went ballistic! Instead of reevaluating the efficacy of their cleanup efforts, EPA marshaled its full resources to discredit Dr. Barrys report, even resorting to personal attacks on her professionalism and competency. For Barry, the public criticism was devastating. I felt like a pariah, she says now. I couldnt walk down the street in my hometown. Barrys dissertation was published with the study intact. She received her doctorate. But, she says, she has indeed been shut out of work in her specialty, environmental engineering. She has worked at the National Center for Appropriate Technology for nearly two decades. I have a great job, she said, one that I enjoy and am very grateful for. But Ive never been able to work here in the specialized field Im trained in. McDermott studies create stir A few years after Barrys research, Suzanne McDermott, Ph.D., visited Butte for a reason that had absolutely nothing to do with her professional role as an environmental epidemiologist at the University of South Carolina: Her son, daughter-in-law and grandson lived here. As she learned about Buttes Superfund status and the active mining in the city, though, she could not help but wonder about health effects from metals exposure. She read the work of Stacie Barry, and thought more research should be done. In September 2018, McDermott published a study of death records in Butte-Silver Bow and Anaconda-Deer Lodge counties from 2000-2015. According to her research, adults in the two counties died from cancer and several other diseases at significantly higher rates than residents of all other counties in Montana. Her research team, based at the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina-Columbia, studied death certificates in an online database kept by the Centers for Disease Control as had Barry in earlier years. According to their research, deaths in the two counties from strokes, heart disease, cancers and organ failures were elevated. Overall, adult deaths from strokes and heart disease were 36 percent higher than elsewhere in Montana, deaths due to kidney and liver failures were 24 percent higher, and cancer deaths were 19 percent higher. Within those broad numbers were some startling numbers in particular age or gender groups. For instance, when comparing deaths from stroke and heart disease: Deaths among men ages 35 to 54 were 71 percent higher. Deaths among men ages 55 to 74 were 46 percent higher. Deaths among women ages 35 to 54 were 62 percent higher. And deaths among women ages 55 to 74 were 67 percent higher. Looking at cancer, deaths among men ages 55 to 74 were 29 percent higher, and among women in the same age group, deaths were 31 percent higher. McDermotts study did find that the disparities in death rates had trended modestly downward during the 15-year study period, indicating that remediation was having some positive effect. Charlie Partridge, Ph.D., an EPA toxicologist in the agencys Region 8, which includes Butte, was quick to latch onto that finding. Weve hit a turning point, he said. While still in the midst of a cleanup, you would expect to see a downward trend. Its modest, but as we get close to the finish, wed expect the trend to significantly decrease. But McDermott didnt stop with the general mortality study. She led researchers in two more studies and one of them would bring great criticism and rancor. A study published in November 2019 showed levels of copper, manganese, zinc and arsenic in the meconium, or first excrement, of 15 newborns in Butte that far exceeded levels in a control group of 17 babies in South Carolina. The study was originally intended as a proof of concept or pilot study, not intended for publication. But because of the difference in levels from the samples from the two groups, McDermott and her co-researchers, Katie Hailer, Ph.D., of Butte and Jamie R. Lead, Ph.D., of the University of South Carolina, decided it should be published. As Hailer said, We felt the results were too striking not to talk about." We believe that there is an urgent need for further research to understand the mechanisms and the human consequences of this potential public health emergency, the study concluded. McDermott said she was surprised by the results. Two of the metals really scared us at those levels, she said. Manganese and zinc are both neurotoxic metals with great potential to harm human health. She added, When babies are exposed in utero, some of the metals are absorbed in bone and muscle. What we measured is the excess what was passed out. This is not measuring what was absorbed internally. The potential health emergency language spurred a strong response from the cleanup establishment. Internal EPA emails show that the initial response to the study was not a discussion of whether a larger, more comprehensive study should be performed but rather how to push back against the study to question its credibility and validity. Within days, this approach would be coordinated and expanded with ATSDR, Atlantic Richfield, Atlantic Richfields environmental engineering consultants, EPAs environmental consultants, Montana Resources and their consultants, and local officials a veritable blitzkrieg of opposition. While some of the multi-pronged pushback was public, much of it played out behind the scenes. Almost all of it mirrored the attacks on Stacie Barry. Hailer, a chemistry professor and chemistry department head at Montana Tech, has done extensive research on metals and the environment in Butte. In 2017, she did a study showing elevated arsenic and other metals in hair samples from Butte residents as compared with samples from Bozeman residents a study largely ignored by the EPA. She expected pushback from the meconium study. But the intensity of it surprised even her. Attempts to reach Hailer for this article were unsuccessful. In 2011, Barry said Sparks threatened to go to the university to stop publication of her dissertation and keep her from getting her doctorate. Hailer was not as vulnerable, being a department head. But that didnt stop the EPAs Partridge from trying. He called the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education to seek a conversation with Hailers superiors at Montana Tech. When OCHE called Montana Tech, the matter was referred to Beverly Hartline, Ph.D., then Techs vice chancellor for research. Hartline took a call with Partridge in the office of Amanda Badovinac, Techs director of communications. In a recent interview with The Montana Standard, Hartline, now retired, remembered, He was putting a lot of pressure on us to put pressure on Katie. I kept telling him shes a good researcher, she does good research. If shes made errors, Im sure she would communicate about them. Hartline said she firmly rebuffed Partridge. I told him I wasnt going to interfere with any research at Montana Tech. I communicated with the provost about that. They were harassing Katie, she said bluntly. Hailer cooperated with the EPA, giving the agency splits of her samples, sharing the data from her research. At no time did the EPA or anyone else identify any error or inaccuracy in any of Hailers work. Instead, the agency zeroed in on the comparison samples taken in South Carolina, saying they were so low in comparison with the Butte samples that a mathematical error must have been made. I understand that the EPA doesnt like our findings, Hailer said. But the numbers are expressed correctly. The EPA also claimed that the Butte numbers were within the range of results in other studies. Hailer and McDermott responded that many of those studies were examining communities that have, like Butte, been exposed to toxic metals. They stressed that we wont know any more about Buttes values until a larger, much more comprehensive study is undertaken. This suggestion was made repeatedly by the scientists, who pointed out that their study was designed as a pilot to show the need for a larger study. It was equally rejected by the agencies and public officials, who showed no interest in such a study. Karen Sullivan, then Butte-Silver Bows Health Department director, often advocated for more study, but pushed back in this instance, saying she was tired of her community being leveraged for scientists seeking money for more studies. Hailer also pointed out that she shared the studys results with Partridge in March 2019 and the EPA toxicologist ignored the information, actively attacking the study only after it was published in November. Partridge initially dismissed this, but he was later forced to apologize to Hailer for his characterization of that early disclosure, saying that at the time he had not been aware of the use or significance of meconium in other scientific studies. The EPA repeatedly pointed out that zinc, copper and manganese are micronutrients, needed in small doses for infants health. The scientists acknowledged this but pointed out that, like many things, the substances are beneficial in small amounts and toxic in larger amounts. Largely ignored in the dialogue was the fact that arsenic was present in all of the Butte samples. Arsenic is not a nutrient at any level. It is toxic to humans. The EPA opened another front in the fight against the meconium study. It commissioned Lynn Woodbury of consultant CDM Smith to write a letter to the editor to the scientific journal that published the study, demanding it be retracted. Woodbury did so, and the letter was submitted by Nikia Greene, a remedial project manager for EPA, to the journal, Science of the Total Environment. Woodbury followed up with one of the journals editors, Jay Gan, a professor at the University of California-Riverside, seeking to confirm that he received the letter. I am not sure if one EPA scientist can really represent EPA to issue criticisms on a publication, Gan responded. Statements such as in the header 'U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concerns regarding the validity of recently published meconium study' and at multiple places in the letter seem inappropriate to me and may have unintended complications and consequences. Earlier, another letter drafted by a consultant, Rosalind Schoof, Ph.D., a toxicologist who is a principal of Ramboll, a consulting company retained by Atlantic Richfield, became controversial when it was signed by members of the Butte Citizens Technical Environmental Committee. The lengthy letter to the editor of the publishing journal, taking issue with some methodology and context of McDermotts initial Butte mortality study, was ultimately signed by Josh Bryson of Atlantic Richfield; EPAs Partridge and Greene; and Bill Macgregor and Joe Griffin of CTEC. David Hutchins, then a CTEC board member, objected to the letter and CTECs involvement. He said that for the letter to have been drafted by Atlantic Richfields environmental consultant was a conflict of interest and should be disclosed. He wrote, I assume BP-Arco money paid for her time writing this, am I wrong? He also enumerated several issues with the substance of the letter. I would ask that CTEC and CTECs representatives not sign this letter until we have had a chance to have a thorough discussion. I do not think this is appropriate for the board to endorse, Hutchins wrote. The issue eventually led to Hutchins resignation from the CTEC board. The McDermott mortality studies, like Barrys work, seem to cry out for a detailed health assessment by ATSDR or its equivalent, with the EPAs involvement and active support. As both Hailer and Barry have noted, if the EPA had spent the energy and money on a health study that was instead spent on attempting to discredit their work, the community would at least have more answers and perhaps those answers would indicate the need for a more stringent cleanup. Montana Resources has joined the call for more comprehensive study of the health effects of active mining and has sought out Hailer to work on such a study. EPA has repeatedly promised to consider doing a deeper look at Superfund-related health concerns, beyond the blood-lead monitoring and five-year reviews that are currently called for in the Butte Hill consent decree. Region 8 Administrator KC Becker repeated that promise as recently as her visit to Butte in March. But that deeper look has not materialized. More recently, in mid-June, Gillespie, the regions public affairs director for EPA, spoke to the prospect of health studies. EPA recently requested ATSDR to do a urinary arsenic study for the Butte community, she said. EPA is also conducting an inventory of all the Butte health assessment research and speaking with community members to determine if there are any data gaps that need to be addressed. Gillespie added that the EPA has encouraged Hailer, Barry and other Montana Tech scientists to apply for national grant funding through EPA. Dig deeper I care about the people of Butte, Suzanne McDermott says. Not about me vs. the EPA. Still, the epidemiologist says, the regulatory capture of the EPA in Buttes Superfund situation is outrageous. (The phrase regulatory capture refers to the phenomenon of a regulatory agency coming under the influence of the company it is supposed to be regulating.) Beyond discrediting the scientists, they are not funding the right kind of science, McDermott says. What hurts my feelings is that this hasnt sparked what it should have real, solid, important, well-funded research by credible scientists. I want to see it done by the best experts. I never do anything without having a pilot study first, McDermott said. I always pay for pilots, the payback being getting a big study going. These pilots all showed something, all scratched the surface. They were met by antagonism and silence. McDermott suggested that Montana Tech, while capable of doing excellent scientific research, should be joined by larger universities with medical schools and schools of public health in the West. Its a remote location, but there are excellent universities in places like Denver and Seattle that could take this on. Something is going on. Dig deeper, McDermott said. This ended where it shouldnt have. For Stacie Barry, the lack of a solid follow-up study stings for a different reason. Butte is her home. Despite the public criticism, despite being blacklisted from working or teaching locally in her chosen field, she is happy today happy with her work as energy program director at NCAT, happy with her life. They didnt ruin me, she said. Im very stubborn. But she wants more for the Mining City. Clean it up, do it right, she said. BPSOU has the worst concentration but the aerial deposition from the Anaconda smelter spread throughout the entire Summit Valley. The residents want the entire town cleaned up, so we can go forward as a viable, livable city. A growing conflict between Kosovo and Serbia is threatening to become a major crisis for the U.S. and Western leaders who are already responding to the largest land war in Europe since World War II. With a war raging in Ukraine, Washington is trying to deftly navigate a series of violent clashes and boiling tensions in the independent state of Kosovo, which remain unresolved more than a month after the conflict erupted. Last week, the standoff grew worse after neighboring Serbia, which placed its combat forces on high alert, arrested three Kosovan police officers and ignored international calls to release them. Kosovo responded to the arrest by closing its borders with Serbia. Meanwhile, the heads of both countries are refusing to negotiate with each other, setting off an emergency in the western Balkans at the worst time possible for Western leaders. Jorn Fleck, the senior director of the Atlantic Councils Europe Center, said the conflict could grow worse, even as he is cautiously optimistic it could be resolved diplomatically. No one in Washington, Brussels, Paris, Berlin, needs another source of major insecurity or conflict in Europe, Fleck said. There is real concern about the situation. Some analysts are also worried that Russia, which has never recognized the independence of Kosovo and maintains historically close ties to Serbia, could use the crisis to spread more disinformation. Moscow, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, has repeatedly accused NATO of committing atrocities after intervening in a deadly war between Kosovo and Serbia decades ago. Amid the current tensions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last month called the situation alarming and pinned the blame on the West. A major explosive situation is brewing in the heart of Europe, Lavrov said, according to Russian state-run media outlet TASS. The West has embarked on a course of total subjugation of all those who in any way express their own opinion. The Kosovo-Serbia crisis has roots in November of last year, when Serbian elected officials resigned from public institutions en masse to protest a ban on Serbian-issued license plates. Last year, Kosovo implemented a ban on Serbian-issued license plates for certain Kosovan cities, penalizing Serbs unless they instead used a license plate issued by Pristina. An agreement was reached in late November in which Serbia would not issue car license plates for Kosovo cities and Pristina would stop re-registering vehicles, but a wider agreement on the issue and to normalize ties was not provisionally agreed upon until February. A European Union-brokered agreement to normalize ties and resolve issues was provisionally agreed upon in February; then, Serbs boycotted local elections in March. That led to ethnic Albanian mayors taking office in four Serb-dominated municipalities in the north. The candidates won the elections with voter turnout of less than 4 percent. The elections led to violent clashes between Serbs and police. NATO troops, authorized to maintain security through a United Nations resolution, intervened by sending in hundreds of troops to keep the peace. The forces are holding down the violence but have done little to defuse tensions. Serbia arrested three Kosovan police officers last week, though its unclear if they were taken deep inside Serbia, as Belgrade claimed, or within Kosovo, as Pristina claims. The U.S. has called for their immediate release, but Serbian President Aleksandar Vu?i? has simply ignored those pleas. On Monday, President Biden expanded an existing emergency declaration in the western Balkans, expressing concern about an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States in the region. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Thursday he has called for emergency meetings with both Vu?i? and Kosovos Prime Minister Albin Kurti, but thats likely to be complicated by the fact both leaders are hesitant to negotiate in good faith. Vu?i? said in a Thursday interview with a Serbian outlet that he would not meet with Kurti, arguing there is no point in talking to him and that Pristinas goal was to expel Serbs from Kosovo. Kurti said in an address this week he was against war and open to talking to the Serbian leader, but he also accused Belgrade of attempting to turn back the clock to when Kosovo was under Serbian control, before 2008. It seems the government in Belgrade is in search of a time machine, he said. The attack on and abduction of officers, the firing upon of [Kosovan] soldiers, the violence against journalists, will not be tolerated. Engjellushe Morina, a senior policy fellow with the wider Europe program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, cast doubt on any immediate negotiations because the disagreements are much deeper than just the elections. Morina said there are deeply rooted beliefs in Kosovo on both sides, presenting major obstacles for discussions. I think Serbias president is still hoping to retain control in the north and citizens in the north have been fed this illusion for years and years and years, that they one day will be returned to live under Serbia, Morina said. Meanwhile, Morina said Pristina is extending its sovereignty and territorial integrity all the way to the end of this northern part of Kosovo. The trouble with this dialogue process at the moment is that it doesnt offer any kind of tangible or serious incentive for both of them, she added. Ethnic Albanian and ethnic Serbs have a long and frayed history in Kosovo, a region dominated by Albanians but also historically and spiritually important to Serbs. Kosovo was an autonomous province of Serbia, then part of the greater Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, starting at the end of World War II. Ethnic relations between the two cultures worsened toward the end of the century as the gradual weakening and eventual breakup of Yugoslavia in the 80s and 90s sparked conflict across the western Balkans. Under President Slobodan Milosevic, Serbia moved to claim full control over Kosovo, breaking up its autonomy, which led to a peaceful resistance and then a full-blown military revolution from the Kosovo Liberation Army in 1997. The brutal crackdown from Serbia also led to the intervention of NATO, which authorized a deadly bombing campaign that targeted Belgrade. Under pressure from NATO, Serbia eventually relented its control. A UN peace settlement was enacted, breaking off the governance of Serbia over Kosovo and establishing a NATO peacekeeping force. Kosovo officially gained its independence now recognized by about 100 countries in 2008, but Serbia has never recognized it. In turn, Kosovo has not implemented a 2013 agreement to create an association of the four northern municipal regions in Kosovo dominated by Serbs. Analysts say the best way to resolve the current stand-off is to restore Serbs to municipal public offices, hold new elections and remove Pristinas police forces from northern Kosovo. And Serbia would have to release the three officers it detained last week. Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow with the reimagining U.S. grand strategy program at the Stimson Center, said she is optimistic the situation can be resolved without a major military clash. Grieco cited efforts to increase ties with Belgrade under the Biden administration and the diplomatic experience of Christopher Hill, the U.S. ambassador to Serbia. The right people are in place to address the issue and I do think that the European Union in particular has some leverage here, she said. Even more so than NATO, because Kosovo and Serbia want to gain entry into the European Union. The Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency raids the city hall in Daegu after accusations arose that Mayor Hong Joon-pyo violated the Public Official Election Act, June 23. Yonhap Police raided Daegu City Hall in the southeastern city Friday over alleged election law violations involving Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, about a week after the two sides clashed over an LGBT festival. Hong cried foul and denounced the police as "gangsters," claiming they were taking revenge on the city government after last week's clash between 500 city officials and some 1,500 police personnel over whether the queer festival could be held on a public road in the city, 237 kilometers southeast of Seoul. During the raid, about 10 investigators from the Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency searched the city hall's "new media office" in charge of the city's YouTube channel at 9 a.m. for four hours and seized boxes of evidence. Officials said the raid was conducted in connection with an election law violation case involving Hong, but the mayor was not subject to the search. They did not elaborate. In February, a civic group in Daegu filed a complaint against Hong and a city official in charge of the city's YouTube channel, alleging the channel was being used as a publicity tool for the mayor in violation of the Public Official Election Act. The police received a search warrant from the court a week ago and carried it out Friday. The raid came nearly a week after Saturday's clash in which city officials tried to block the main venue of the queer festival, claiming the event organizers were trying to illegally occupy the road, while police prevented city officials from doing so, saying the event was officially sanctioned. "After forcefully suppressing the legitimate execution by the official duties of Daegu city officials, they are now even conducting a revenge investigation," Hong said in a Facebook post. "If investigative power is exercised this way, they are not police but gangsters." Later in the day, Hong declared the city hall off-limits to Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency officials. "I don't think this case has anything to do with the queer festival," said Jeong Jang-su, a senior Daegu city official, adding that police power should be used in a way that does not cause misunderstanding. The police rejected the claims, saying the warrant would have been executed regardless of the festival. The work council of the Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency also issued a statement denouncing Hong, saying the raid was carried out under a court-issued warrant and the mayor's claims of a "revenge investigation" would mean the court and the prosecution are working in tandem. (Yonhap) Moms Siam servers and staff from the Carytown restaurant are asking for increased wages and benefits from their employer. Many of the front-of-the-house workers hosts, servers, food runners and bartenders have organized together as Workers Siam. Moms Siam, at 2811 W. Cary St., is owned by Sukanya Pala-art, who also owns YaYas Cookbook and MPM Tiki Bar in Short Pump, and Moms Siam 2 in Shockoe Slip. With her sons, she also owns My Noodle Bar on Monument Avenue. The group said that after trying to meet with Pala-art for three months with no progress, it decided to post a petition to Coworker.org, a workplace organizing platform, listing four main demands: an increase in wages, fair scheduling practices, room for growth and raises to maintain retention. In two weeks, the petition has received over 2,800 signatures as of this writing. The group also formed an Instagram account at Workers Siam. We really enjoy working at Moms. Were proud to work there. We want the restaurant to do well, said Kai Pang, who has been working at the Carytown restaurant for two years, moving from a server to the back of the bar. Were asking to collectively bargain and to have a seat at the table. Theres a certain mindset in the restaurant industry, that this is just the way it is. Were asking, does it have to be that way? said Tempest Britt, another employee. Worker exploitation has been around (forever). Servers have never been paid as they should. And that needs to change. The servers at Moms Siam are currently being paid $2.13, plus tips, which is Virginias minimum wage for tipped employees. According to the petition, Workers Siam is asking for a $12 hourly wage for servers. Ive had Moms Siam for 23 years. Never had a problem. Now all of sudden, theyre posting to Instagram. Its not good for my business, Pala-art said Tuesday. The food service industry has been spotlighted since the pandemic, with workers asking for better wages and better working conditions. Most notably, over 8,000 workers at 320 Starbucks stores have voted to unionize, although the path to forming unions at Starbucks has been fraught. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has accused Starbucks of hundreds of labor law violations, including firing labor organizers and illegally closing unionized stores, culminating in Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz recently being called to testify before Congress about the alleged violations, which he strongly denied. One Chipotle Mexican Grill voted to unionize in Augusta, Maine, but the burrito chain shuttered the store and eventually agreed to pay $240,000 to the former employees. Workers Siam said they are not seeking to form a union, but rather a seat at the table where they can discuss their work concerns with the owner. Pala-art said part of the staffing issue is that Moms Siam in the past two years has gone from seven to eight full-time staff to 25 part-time staff, primarily made up of students. They dont want to work too much. Nobody wants to work more than three days, she said. She said the only way she can offer more wages to staff is to cut down the number of part-time workers in favor of full-time workers. Pala-art met with the group on Wednesday to discuss its demands. On Tuesday, Pala-art said she had already increased bartenders and support staffs wages. The hosts are now paid $14 to $15 and the bartenders will be paid $15. At the meeting, she agreed to a $0.50 raise every six months, according to Workers Siam. But if servers want to be paid more, they need to work more hours, Pala-art stated. If they dont like it, why not work somewhere else? Or work more (hours here)? she said. In response, Workers Siam will be holding a rally outside Moms Siam in Carytown on Sunday at 1 p.m. The rally will involve speakers, chanting and fliers. Workers Siam said they are requesting another meeting with the owner and management, to continue negotiating in good faith in hopes of finding a resolution that is satisfactory for all parties. Pang, Britt and Ray Newlin, three spokespersons for the Workers Siam group, said they were worried about being fired for speaking up. Its within our legal right to organize. If you want change, you have to take a risk, Britt said. We think its a risk thats worth it. Were not going on strike. We dont want to interrupt service. Our plan is to picket and to build public support, Newlin said. Richmond area restaurants opened in 2023 Rams House Bar + Kitchen Torchy's Tacos Midlothian Burtons Grill & Bar Ellie's Hot Dogs & Ice Cream Click A Wine Spot The Queens Tea Room Smashed RVA Shake Shack Luxe New American Bar & Grill Slurp! Slay Burgers Mariscos Mazatlan Eggs Up Grill Seafood Palace Fat Boy boil A Taste of Nostalgia 88 Street Food Acacia Midtown Odyssey Lost Letter RVA Stanley's Hibachi House Main St. Dragon Nokoribi Urban Myth Street Food Revel Market & Bar Genovas Pizza Station & Take Out Kitchen Brick House Diner Mayu Sushi & Thai Wok This Way Boiling Crab Richmond Raising Cane's ChefSuite BigWife's La Fogata Grit Coffee The Brass Tap Penny's Wine Shop A.M. Kitchen Company Verseau Bistro Chic'n & Beer Bar West Sidecar Cocktail Lounge Soul N Vinegar Wong's Tacos Elegant Cuizines Rio Grande Tex-Mex Grill Mi Casita Restaurant Blue Cow Ice Cream Co. Suzy Sno Diablo Doughnuts RVA Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams A database firm hired by Henrico County-based insurance giant Genworth Financial has been hit by hackers, exposing information about some 2.5 million to 2.7 million of its customers. Hackers reportedly linked to Russian gangs accessed databases at several government agencies, companies and schools by breaching a gap in the MOVEit file transfer system. Genworth said the attack on its vendor, PBI Research Services, exposed personal information on life insurance policyholders and other customers, including Social Security numbers. The attack did not reach information about its mortgage insurance customers. The company said it will notify individuals affected by the attack. It will offer credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to them, and additional help and contact information can be found at genworth.com/moveit. Genworth uses PBIs services to identify the deaths of insured people under its life insurance, annuity and long-term care policies. Others affected by the attack on the MOVEit software, which is used to share sensitive data, include Californias state pension fund, Johns Hopkins University and Health System, Nova Scotias provincial government, British Airways and Shell Oil, according to published reports. Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said the hackers attack was short-lived and relatively superficial, the British newspaper The Guardian reported. The Associated Press reported that the breach of the file-transfer application also hit the California Public Employees Retirement system, the countrys largest public pension fund. It said the data Russian cybercriminals stole included personal information of about 769,000 retired California employees and other beneficiaries including Social Security numbers. The AP reported that the breach of the MOVEit file-transfer program, discovered last month, is estimated by cybersecurity experts to have compromised hundreds of organizations globally. Confirmed victims include the U.S. Department of Energy and several other federal agencies, more than 9 million motorists in Oregon and Louisiana, Ernst & Young, and the BBC. PHOTOS: Genworth Free Community Day at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden VPM, which operates the local National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service stations, is planning to build a new headquarters in downtown Richmond. VPM will erect a five-story, 54,000-square-foot building at 13 E. Broad St. in Monroe Ward complete with audio, television and digital content production tools. The space is currently a parking lot but was home to a department store that burned down in 1987. The new structure will enable us to realize our vision of more connected, informed and empathetic Virginians for generations to come, said Jayme Swain, CEO of VPM. Its scheduled to open in the spring of 2026. Located between North First and Foushee streets, near Tarrants Downtown and jeweler Waller & Co., the headquarters will have facades on both East Broad and East Grace streets. The facility will include space for live performances and events with room for spectators. In addition to the main building, VPM is planning a one-story, 1,500-square-foot building on the Grace Street side of the block and might build a parking structure in between. VPM is under contract to purchase the plot, which was assessed at $1.7 million and has been owned by an LLC tied to Fred Shaia for more than 30 years. The network does not know the cost of construction yet, a spokesperson said, but a portion of the cost will be paid for by VPMs foundation, the Virginia Foundation for Public Media and fundraising. The network, which has a staff of 99 local employees, is currently headquartered in Chesterfield County. VPM has selected local architectural firm SMBW. As far back as 1886, the location was home to the Cohen Company Department Store, which sold clothing, shoes and textiles until 1936, VPM said. Then it became Charles Store Inc., which renovated the building and operated there until 1985. While the building was vacant, it caught on fire in 1987 and was destroyed. VPM also has offices in Charlottesville and Harrisonburg. 9 in 10 small businesses use tech platformshere are the most common types 9 in 10 small businesses use tech platformshere are the most common types #4. Point-of-sale tools (tie) #4. Productivity tools (tie) #3. Marketing platforms #2. Accounting software #1. Social media accounts Virginia State Police troopers apprehended a man Friday morning after he fled from police in King William County and then barricaded himself in a recreational vehicle at a Henrico County intersection for several hours, police said. Deputies with the King William Sheriffs Office responded to a residence in Manquin at around 2:30 a.m. Friday after reports of a domestic dispute, police said. After finding out the man had left the residence in a 1992 Winnebago, King William deputies chased the vehicle. State police helped in the pursuit before taking the lead once the Winnebago crossed into Henrico. According to a VSP spokesperson, the Winnebago ran out of gas at Glenside Drive and Bethlehem Road in Henrico, where the driver barricaded himself in the vehicle. He was later identified as Wayne Scherer Alvis, 51, of Henrico County, police said. He was taken into custody at about 8 a.m. after several hours of negotiation. Alvis has been charged with one felony count of eluding police, destruction of state property, one felony count of hit-and-run, and one felony count of assault on a law enforcement officer. An out-of-state Klan chapter that was involved in the 2017 Unite the Right rally-turned-riot has taken credit for the flyers. Del. Sally Hudson may have narrowly lost to incumbent Creigh Deeds the Democratic nomination for a Charlottesville-anchored state Senate seat, but as she sees it the numbers tell a winning tale about the arc of politics in Virginia. In this past weeks one-on-one primary, turnout in the five localities that make up the Senate district the city of Charlottesville and all or part of the counties of Albemarle, Louisa, Amherst and Nelson was about 25% higher than that of the Democrats 2021 gubernatorial primary in which there were five candidates, including the winner Terry McAuliffe, who was already well-known having been governor from 2014 to 2018. The number of votes cast for Hudson and Deeds, who won by 553 votes or 2.1%, was just over 26,000, the most in any Senate primary this cycle. There were fewer than 20,000 votes among McAuliffe; Jennifer Carroll Foy, a former delegate nominated the other day for a new Senate seat in Northern Virginia; then-Del. Lee Carter; then-Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax; and Jennifer McClellan, a former state senator now in Congress. Personalities and generational and philosophical dynamics drove the Deeds-Hudson race a center-left, baby boomer legislative veteran versus a progressive millennial, relative newcomer to the General Assembly but so, too, did the process. This may seem achingly boring stuff, compared with the glossy, high-visibility elements of a campaign, such as television advertising and celebrity endorsements. But changes in procedure some quite subtle can have not-so-subtle consequences. For example, the longer primary season the date was moved by the legislature from early to mid-June lengthened the campaign by two weeks, demanding even more money from donors. But because this contributed to a longer lag in reporting, intel prized by candidates the identities of donors and the scale of their beneficence wasnt necessarily timely. This was the first full-on test in new districts of new voting procedures, most notably 45 days of early voting, a practice adopted in the first months of the coronavirus pandemic and which Republicans want to cut to two weeks. Early voting paired with another procedure new to Virginia, same-day registration, which allows you to enroll as a voter and simultaneously cast a ballot has clear implications in the fight for control of the General Assembly. All 140 seats will be decided 100 in the Republican-run House of Delegates, 40 in the Democratic-controlled Virginia Senate with GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkins conservative agenda hanging in the balance. For Youngkin, restoring total Republican dominance of the legislature is not just about money hes already raised some $10 million and can supplement that with funds from his vast fortune its about how that money is spent, including voter mobilization. Though its au courant in a Trump-beholden Republican Party to trash early voting as a ruse for stealing elections and GOP early voting badly lagged that for Democrats in the General Assembly primaries Youngkin is signaling hes serious that Republicans adopt the new ways, hiring Brian Barrett, the operative credited with the robust get-out-the-vote apparatus behind Georgia Gov. Brian Kemps reelection last year after a close call in 2018 to the same opponent, Stacey Abrams. Early voting in the general election doesnt begin until mid-September, so Youngkins efforts may have to speak for themselves. The governors political action committee, Spirit of Virginia, wasnt saying anything at weeks end, with texts and a telephone call to its spokesman, Zack Roday, going unanswered. In a district that includes the very blue Grounds of the University of Virginia, where Hudson is an economics professor, and the deep-red farm country flanking Charlottesville, to which Deeds, a lawyer, moved from far-western Bath County, the early vote in their primary was the heaviest in the state: 12,512 ballots of 100,915 Virginia-wide cast in-person or by mail. The Deeds-Hudson contest not only led the state, it was first among Democrats in early voting. In contrast, the leading early voting in a Republican primary was 4,697 in a three-way contest in a suburban Richmond district in which Sen. Amanda Chase of Chesterfield a Trump acolyte now disputing the outcome, making vague claims about supposed balloting irregularities was narrowly defeated by Glen Sturtevant, a former senator in an old, adjacent district who was routed after a single term in the 2019 blue wave. To Hudson and this may be a reflection of her academic specialty her organizations emphasis on early voting had economic consequences for a race that was almost entirely a friends-and-neighbors affair because it was about the preferences of Democrats in the springtime rather than those of all voters in the fall. Describing the push on early voting as a brass-tacks campaign decision, Hudson backed with five- and six-figure donations from prominent Charlottesville environmental advocates said it meant that you dont have to spend all your energy convincing all people to vote for you. Still, she said, a month and a half of early voting can put a real strain on your campaign because it dramatically lengthens the get-out-the-vote effort that when in-person, Election Day voting was largely the practice would kick in via direct mail, door-knocking and telephone calls two to three weeks before balloting. The nuts-and-bolts of a campaign are, ultimately, inseparable from the issues, ideas and individuals that shape it. This month, particularly for Democrats, who held the bulk of the 47 legislative primaries, there was much to keep voters engaged and voting early: former President Donald Trumps criminal indictments, the first anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning a half-century of abortion rights, and the disruptive effects of the most aggressive redistricting in Virginia since the courts and Congress began in the 1970s forcing the state to shed its racially discriminatory election practices. Said Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, a possible floor leader for his party should it hold the Senate: Is this the new normal, or is this a one-time occurrence because all the stars aligned the same way? Lashrecse Aird election night 2023 062123-rtd-met-primaries 062123-rtd-met-primaries 062123-rtd-met-primaries 062123-rtd-met-primaries DOMINANT ART In an op-ed last summer, I discussed the role of the public governing boards that oversee Virginias universities and community colleges. Gov. Glenn Youngkin had just announced his first round of board appointees, and I opined on how they would tackle their new roles as the first line of defense in protecting public interest in public higher education. While tracking and compiling board voting records on proposals for tuition and fee rates over the past few months, which my organization posts annually to a dashboard on our website, the answer became clear. For the 2023-2024 academic year, in-state undergraduates at Virginias public four-year universities will see their tuition and mandatory fees increase around 3%. The State Board for Community Colleges will consider tuition rates at its meeting next month. But perhaps whats most notable about these increases is the amount of resistance from board members in approving them. This year, more board members pushed back against tuition hikes than in the past decade. Fifteen board members cast dissenting votes on tuition and fee proposals, with an additional four abstaining. Eight dissentions and three abstentions are confirmed to have been cast by Youngkin appointees. And while four dissenting votes cast by the James Madison University board members are noted in the draft meeting minutes, the board members are not specified. This is an encouraging development, especially now that the universities are considering more significant increases than weve seen in several years. The last time Virginia saw anywhere near this level of board resistance to tuition hikes was in 2015, when tuition and fees rates for in-state undergraduates increased a whopping 6%. That year, six board members are documented voting against these increases. But as tuition rates rose an additional 16% over the following three years, just one or two board members opposed. Notably, two of the six dissenting board members from 2015 after being asked by Gov. Youngkin to reprise their roles as governing board members last year are now among the 15 board members who opposed increases this spring. 2019 was the beginning of a four-year period marked by the lowest tuition increases in recent history, but this was largely due to efforts of state lawmakers in providing financial incentives for freezing or capping tuition and fees, not board initiative. Last year, Gov. Youngkin called on public college and university boards to hold the line on in-state tuition. They all complied. As stated in my previous op-ed, Intervention by elected officials is effective in protecting the public interest in public higher education, but they are not the first line of defense. The boards are. Yet, it has become an all-too-common practice in higher education, both in the commonwealth and beyond, for university boards to simply rubber-stamp tuition hikes by unanimous consent. And in Virginia, up until a few years ago, they would do so largely without hearing any public input whatsoever. In the absence of a state mandate requiring them to accept public comment, it was solely up to the members of these public governing boards to ensure the voices of Virginia students and parents were heard. The very reason the boards of visitors and the State Board for Community Colleges exist is to provide public oversight and accountability on behalf of Virginia residents who pump billions of dollars into them each year. To fulfill their purpose, and do it well, it is essential that board members are prepared to offer constructive feedback for, and sometimes even oppose, proposals prepared by university administrators. They play an essential role in institutional governance, having the ultimate say on strategic priorities, program offerings, operating budgets, the approval/renewal of the presidents contract and, of course, tuition and fee rates. Its a rare occurrence in higher education for board members to block a tuition hike backed by university administrators, but it came shockingly close to happening in Virginia earlier this year. The Radford Board of Visitors approved a tuition increase by only a slim margin (7-5-1), with all four Youngkin-appointees on the dissenting side. Gov. Youngkin is expected to announce his second round of higher education board appointments later this month, replacing over 50 board members whose terms are expiring. With this turnover, Youngkin appointees will make up board majorities at seven universities. This year, Youngkins appointees not only pushed back against tuition increases, but also led the charge to do so. If his new round of appointees is of a similar mindset, the impact could be significant. It is very possible that by next year we could see board members successfully blocking tuition hikes by their own volition, negating the need for any intervention by elected officials. Perhaps, at long last, the tuition rubber stamp is finally running out of ink. Close Tracy Lowerre, nurse liaison, and Zach Isbell, JLL project manager, talk about the VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond building that is under construction Tuesday, May 18, 2021. They are standing on the third floor where the pediatric emergency dept. will be located. City Hall is at right and the new General Assembly Building is being constructed behind them. The Coliseum, left, and the new VCU Health Adult Outpatient Pavilion, rising at right, can be seen from the third floor of the VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond building that is under construction Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The floor will become the pediatric emergency department. Tracy Lowerre, nurse liaison, speaks about the VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond building under construction during a tour Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Beside her are (L-R) Zach Isbell, JLL project manager, and Dr. Matthew Schefft, physician liaison. They are standing on the third floor which will become the pediatric emergency dept. Rooms for the pediatric emergency dept. are being framed on the third floor at the VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond building under construction Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The third floor of the Childrens Hospital of Richmond, which is under construction, offers views of City Hall. In this May 2021 photo an expansion of the VCU Childrens Hospital of Richmond is under construction along East Marshall Street. The VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond is under construction along East Marshall Street Tuesday, May 18, 2021. City Hall is on right. The VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond is under construction along East Marshall Street Tuesday, May 18, 2021. City Hall is on right. The VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond building is under construction along East Marshall Street Tuesday, May 18, 2021. At top is the Virginia Mechanics Institute Building. The Childrens Hospital of Richmond at VCU PHOTOS: VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond construction The VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond is under construction along East Marshall Street Tues., May 18, 2021. Tracy Lowerre, nurse liaison, and Zach Isbell, JLL project manager, talk about the VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond building that is under construction Tuesday, May 18, 2021. They are standing on the third floor where the pediatric emergency dept. will be located. City Hall is at right and the new General Assembly Building is being constructed behind them. The Coliseum, left, and the new VCU Health Adult Outpatient Pavilion, rising at right, can be seen from the third floor of the VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond building that is under construction Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The floor will become the pediatric emergency department. Tracy Lowerre, nurse liaison, speaks about the VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond building under construction during a tour Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Beside her are (L-R) Zach Isbell, JLL project manager, and Dr. Matthew Schefft, physician liaison. They are standing on the third floor which will become the pediatric emergency dept. Rooms for the pediatric emergency dept. are being framed on the third floor at the VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond building under construction Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The third floor of the Childrens Hospital of Richmond, which is under construction, offers views of City Hall. In this May 2021 photo an expansion of the VCU Childrens Hospital of Richmond is under construction along East Marshall Street. The VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond is under construction along East Marshall Street Tuesday, May 18, 2021. City Hall is on right. The VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond is under construction along East Marshall Street Tuesday, May 18, 2021. City Hall is on right. The VCU Children's Hospital of Richmond building is under construction along East Marshall Street Tuesday, May 18, 2021. At top is the Virginia Mechanics Institute Building. The Childrens Hospital of Richmond at VCU New polling shows trouble ahead for Republican politicians who continue blocking any attempt at rational restrictions on guns: Young conservatives of the kind the GOP will increasingly need in the future are far more open to required psychological exams for gun purchasers and other firearms limits than are their older conservative counterparts. The reason is hardly mysterious: Gen Z including its more right-leaning members have all grown up in a country drowning in gun violence thanks to older conservatives stubborn resistance to even the mildest gun-safety proposals. Mass school shootings have become such a routine part of American life that its easy to forget it hasnt always been like this. The start of this dark era is generally put at 1999, the year of the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado, which left 15 dead. As the nation reeled from the shock of what was then a singular tragedy, a barrage of new firearms restrictions were proposed in Congress. As the debate wore on, it soon became apparent that even this horrific demonstration of the dangers of Americas loose gun laws couldnt budge lawmakers held in thrall to the gun lobby. It was the same story a little over a dozen years later, when 20 small children and six adults died in 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. By then, mass shootings were becoming more common, but this one was uniquely soul-searing. Many assumed the country would finally stop the insanity and impose reasonable restrictions on weapons of war in civilian hands. It didnt. The rare has become common. In each of the past three years there have been, nationally, more than 600 mass shootings (defined as four victims or more), many of them in schools. This year has seen 200 so far. In fact, school shootings have become so common that there have been multiple recent reports of the same young people surviving two of them, years and miles apart. That phenomenon, as much as any other, might finally move the needle. As Politico reported earlier this month, several recent polls have confirmed that young conservatives as a whole dont share their older counterparts stubborn opposition to gun restrictions. A Harvard poll in the spring found a majority of young conservatives favored mandatory psychological examinations as a condition of purchasing guns. A separate YouGov poll in March showed millennial and Gen Z Republicans are open to more gun restrictions generally and that that support has grown. As the chairman of the Texas Young Republican Federation told the website: There are some concerns from Gen Z voters specifically, mainly because theyve had to deal with it more growing up its become more rampant in society. Its telling that prominent conservatives can acknowledge such a disturbing fact while still maintaining the partys unreasonable refusal to even discuss reforms like limits on high-capacity magazines, red-flag laws and universal background checks. Thats how thoroughly the party, and too much of the country, has come to view these horrors as inevitable. They arent. And the fact many young conservatives, at least, seem to understand that provides a glimmer of hope for the future. Michael Paul Williams Follow Michael Paul Williams 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 Deja Taylor was never going to be a poster child for the National Rifle Association. Her firearm was used by her child to shoot his first-grade teacher, Abby Zwerner, on Jan. 6 during a class at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News. Zwerner survived, but prosecuting a 6-year-old boy in the shooting proved untenable. The ire over this unthinkable act quickly shifted toward Taylor, whose fitness as a mom was called into question. Charges piled up, including felony child neglect and a misdemeanor charge of allowing a minor access to a firearm on the state level. But it was a federal charge that caught my attention the one in which Taylor was charged with buying a gun illegally because she was a marijuana user. Marijuana is legal in Virginia, but its still illegal on the federal level. Taylor pleaded guilty to making a false statement in purchasing her handgun by saying she wasnt a marijuana user. She could have received up to 25 years in federal prison but appears to be facing a sentence of no more than two years as a result of the plea agreement. On Tuesday, we learned that Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to two federal misdemeanor counts of failing to pay his taxes. A separate felony gun possession charge stemming from his use of cocaine will likely be dismissed if he meets certain conditions, according to NBC News. And therein lies the perfect metaphor for the inequities baked into the war on drugs. Cannabis products for adult nonmedical use are legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Cannabis products for medical use are allowed in 38 states and the District of Columbia, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Cocaine, as far as I know, is not legal anywhere in the U.S. But Taylor is not the son of a U.S. president. Never doubt the criminal justice systems willingness to punch down. Yes, Taylor, as a mother and a gun owner, bears responsibility for the Richneck shooting. Her grandfather, a retired Army soldier, has taken full custody of her child. Speaking of the boys father and Deja Taylor, Calvin Jerome Taylor told a Daily Press reporter: His role is very limited. Just like my granddaughters role is very limited. Theyre always gonna be his parents, but until they can get their lives together, thats how we are gonna be. You can find fault with the boys parenting, or with curious inaction at Richneck Elementary after warnings that the boy had a gun. Zwerner is suing the school district on that point. But the connection of marijuana to this shooting seems circumstantial, at best. Or in the view of Chelsea Higgs Wise, executive director of the nonprofit Marijuana Justice, the federal charge had everything to do with this womans personal use of her body and choosing to be a gun owner. This clash of federal and state laws is problematic because a) it highlights Americas history of denying Black people gun ownership; b) it reinforces the disproportionate charging of Black people for drug offenses, despite drug use rates similar to those of white people; and, c) it leads us to the inescapable conclusion that this charge is selectively brought. According to survey data from Gallup, 16% of Americans say they smoke marijuana; nearly half of those surveyed say they have tried it. Given that there are more guns than people in America, it seems theres a lot of lying going on with gun purchases. Or as Wise says, Because of this very inconsistent law from federal to state, it leaves people in states like Virginia in a very odd place, including would-be gun purchasers who use marijuana for medical purposes. Thats a concern of Rep. Brian Mast, R-Florida, who in April introduced the Gun Rights and Marijuana (GRAM) Act, which would exempt from the gun sale prohibition adult marijuana use by residents in a state or tribal land where the drug is legal. The Second Amendment is clear: the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. And yet, in many states, the rights of those who use cannabis legally are being infringed, Mast said on his website. Mast said the prohibition, regardless of whether or not the state you live in has legalized medical or recreational use ... turns legal cannabis users into second-class citizens by depriving them of a constitutional right. He added he has heard from countless fellow veterans whose lives have been dramatically improved by cannabis. Its been an incredible tool when it comes to treating things like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but many dont want to have to choose between a viable treatment for their health, and the ability to protect themselves and their families. Even within Virginia, the stigma of marijuana dies hard. Wise says marijuana use continues to be weaponized in matters of child custody and visitation. The bill sailed through the Senate on a 31-9 vote. This was beyond bipartisan, Wise said. But it failed to advance out of a House subcommittee along party lines after opposition from the administration of Gov. Glenn Youngkin, she said. The Senate vote suggests theres common ground between progressives concerned about the continued persecution and prosecution of marijuana users and political conservatives worried about infringements on Second Amendment rights. But for now, we remain in a weird place in which a drug that has been legalized remains criminalizing, in a landscape that users arent terribly sure how to navigate. We have not had a real pathway for entering a post-war on drugs world, Wise said. And the post-legalization world is looking just as bleak for Black people as pre-legalization. Until we align marijuana laws in a way that makes common sense, it will be deja vu all over again. 15 photos of the Richmond City Jail from The Times-Dispatch archives Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Two more Maya Train workers shot at while working section 6 Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Q.R. A total of eight Maya Train construction workers have been shot in the past few weeks while working. On Thursday, two more Maya Train workers were taken to hospital with wounds after being shot while on the job. It is the eighth such shooting this month. All eight men have been fired upon in the same Maya Train work station in Felipe Carrillo Puerto. The shootings against the construction workers began June 5. On Thursday, the latest two victims were taken to local hospital after being shot with a pellet gun, however, the six before them were hit by bullets. The attacks are occurring near the Sijil Noh Ha Lagoon access road south of the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto. Elements of the Army and National Guard deployed in the area again Thursday in search of the person(s) responsible. The attacks are occuring against workers on section 6 of the Maya Train. Authorities have begun a search operation for those responsible. Photo: June 22, 2023. The first six who fell victim to the bullet attacks were working various jobs at the time they were shot. One was a heavy machine operator. Another was shot at while clearing and burning brush. The latest two received surface wounds from a pellet gun while on the job (exact duties not known). Authorities have not commented publicly on the incidents, however, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has been made aware of the situation and has ordered the Army and National Guard to begin a search operation for those responsible. Leaders of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea are seen at the party's leadership meeting in the east coast city of Gangneung, Gangwon Province, June 23. Yonhap The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) pledged Friday to make all-out efforts to prevent the contaminated water from Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant from flowing into the eastern coast of Korea. The DPK's floor leader Park Kwang-on made the pledge at a party meeting held in the east coast city of Gangneung, saying Tokyo's plan to dump the radioactive waters into the ocean will deal a "direct blow" to the region's economy. "The DPK will do everything it can to prevent the contaminated radioactive waters from Fukushima from flowing into the eastern coast of the country," Park said. The main opposition party has strongly opposed the Fukushima release plan, arguing that it would pose great health risks to people in Korea. But the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol says the release would pose no health hazards as long as it is done in a scientifically safe manner. During the meeting, Park reiterated his party's plans to verify the water's safety through various efforts, including forming a special parliamentary verification committee on the water's health hazards and opening a parliamentary hearing. He also said the DPK is trying to win support from 18 Pacific island nations against the release plan. Early this week, the DPK sent a letter to member nations of the Pacific Island Forum to drum up support against the ocean discharge plan. The ruling People Power Party strongly denounced the move saying it was "irrational" and "irresponsible" and would be a disgrace to Korea globally. (Yonhap) Two men have been arrested and charged with robbing a Roanoke bank on Thursday. Ramel L. Abrams, 28, of Roanoke and Demonte J. Belcher, 23, of Vinton each face a robbery charge after an incident that occurred Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in the 1700 block of Hershberger Road Northwest. Roanoke police said two men entered the Carter Bank & Trust branch, and according to an arrest warrant, demanded money from bank employees. They left the building with an undisclosed amount of money. A search by investigators located evidence that identified the two suspects, police said. Abrams was arrested at a residence in the city at about 11:10 p.m. Thursday by Roanokes tactical response team, police said. Belcher was arrested Friday at a Vinton residence in the 1100 block of Ruddell Road. The Vinton Police Department said law enforcement went to the Ruddell Road residence at about 7:45 a.m. Friday to serve a high-risk warrant. The Roanoke County Police Departments SWAT team took Belcher into custody without incident shortly before 11 a.m. and then handed him over to city police. This remains an ongoing investigation and no further details can be released at this time, Roanoke police said. Wed like to thank our partners at Vinton Police Department, Roanoke County Police Department, the Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their assistance with this investigation. A Radford police officer accused of an off-duty assault against a Wytheville man had his trial delayed Thursday, with the understanding that the charge can be dismissed in six months. John Fuhrman, 42, of Wytheville will be back in Wythe County General District Court on Dec. 7 to face a misdemeanor assault charge taken out by Zane Perkins. The case was continued Thursday after a joint motion. After the hearing, Fuhrmans attorney, Jimmy Turk of Radford, said that an agreement had been reached in which the charge against his client will be dismissed if there are no more problems between the men. Turk noted that Fuhrman entered no plea Thursday. In a criminal complaint, Perkins said Fuhrman nudged him with his forearm during an April 22 altercation at Wythevilles Log House 1776 Restaurant. A police report said Perkins said the two started arguing because Fuhrman, who had issued Perkins multiple traffic citations in March, asked if hed flattened Fuhrmans tire the night before. Fuhrman told the officer Perkins cornered him at the bar about the citations all of which were later dropped except for a speeding charge. Fuhrman, who was moved to non-enforcement administrative duties pending the outcome of his court case, was the fourth Radford officer to face criminal charges in the past two years. Two of the four officers were convicted. A third officer, who left the force after being charged, was ordered to take an alternatives to domestic violence course and is to have his charges dismissed in November if there is no additional trouble. ROCKY MOUNT Franklin County could soon see a major increase in available housing following a board of supervisors decision Tuesday to ask its staff to move forward with development proposals for 84 acres of property near Ferrum College. The county-owned Ferrum property consists of an 82.67 acre property as well as a 1.5 acre adjacent lot with frontage on Franklin Street. Franklin County purchased the land in 1996 with the intention of it eventually becoming a industrial park. Since that time, the property has gone untouched. Discussions have been ongoing since 2019 on what to do with the county property. Last year, the county used grant funds from Housing Virginia to create a master plan for the property. Vlad Gavrilovic, a representative from Charlottesville based engineering consultant firm EPR P.C., presented the findings on Tuesday. Three property concept alternatives for the properties were presented by Gavrilovic, each providing a mixture of home density as well as room for green space and walking trails. The low density alternative envisioned between 141 to 169 dwelling units that included town homes as well as small, medium and large single family lots. A higher density alternative envisioned between 390 to 453 dwelling units including multifamily homes, town homes and some small single family lots. In the concepts proposed by Gavrilovic, he said the 1.5 acre adjacent lot could be used for civic or commercial space. The mixture of housing types is aimed to provide workforce housing aid but also senior housing which we hear a lot of need for, Gavrilovic said. Assistant County Administrator Steve Sandy said using the recently created plans, the county can send out requests to area developers to bid on a portion of the development or the entire 84 acres. He mentioned that some local developers have already shown an interest in the property, though they may interested in some assistance from the county whether it is on the sale price, utilities or access to grant opportunities or loan programs through the county. Even if the county is able to get positive responses from developers, Sandy said this project will take years to develop. This is not a one to two year build out, he said. This is a longer term build out. Probably 10, 15 or 20 years depending on the density. Blue Ridge District Supervisor Tim Tatum commended Sandy and county staff for their efforts on the project. He said the property has been sitting idle and unused by the county for too long. We need to get this property to where it best benefits the community, Tatum said. Im not saying all of it needs to be developed in housing. I think a big portion of it would make a very nice trail system that could tie into the colleges trail system. Sandy said design guidelines for developers will require them to incorporate features such as trails into the plans. Supervisors will be able to decide which proposals work best for the property. Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of allowing county staff to begin the process of soliciting requests for development proposals for the Ferrum property. A secretive family of feral horses has been discovered living in isolation on a remote part of North Carolinas Outer Banks. The find was announced June 22 by the nonprofit Corolla Wild Horse Fund, which says the two adults and a foal were seen on an island in the sound west of Carova Beach. A woman visiting the area is credited with making the discovery after spotting the foal wandering by itself. Meg Puckett, who manages the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, says the discovery proves there are areas that are still truly wild. There are horses who live in these areas that we are lucky to see once or twice a year, Puckett says. Most of the horses do regularly travel back and forth from the sound islands to the main part of the beach, but its not often you find groups like this who seem to live out there permanently. A team sent to the island reports the foal, which is six to eight weeks old, and her mom are in excellent shape. The foal has been named Doe and her mother is being called Libba. They were accompanied by another adult, but we couldnt get a good enough look at him/her to see if we recognized them or not, the fund reported. Corolla Wild Horse Fund manages a herd of about 100 horses and tends their medical needs with the help of donations. The herd roams 7,600 acres at the northern end of the Outer Banks, much of it marshy, swampy, and difficult to navigate, the fund says. Outer Banks horses, known as bankers, often swim in search of food, which explains how some would end up on a remote island. But the fact some continue to escape detection is surprising, giving the booming Outer Banks tourism industry and the presence of three national parks. The fund intends to put a team on the island later in the year to identify the three horses and collect tissue for DNA samples, Puckett says. There are horses who live in these areas that we are lucky to see once or twice a year, and we always assume there are probably a handful more that we never see, Puckett says. We sometimes spot a couple horses here and there on the islands when we fly over for aerial counts, but it can be difficult to ID them from that distance. Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com. His book, "The Burzynski Breakthrough, The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It" is now available in a soft cover fourth edition. For more Elias columns, visit www.californiafocus.net Dennis Beaver Practices law in Bakersfield and welcomes comments and questions from readers, which may be faxed to (661) 323-7993, or e-mailed to Lagombeaver1@Gmail.com. Also, visit dennisbeaver.com. " " Charles Babbage created the concept of a programmable computer. National Library of Wales/Wikimedia Commons We could argue that the first computer was the abacus or its descendant, the slide rule, invented by William Oughtred in 1622. But many people consider English mathematician Charles Babbage's analytical engine to be the first computer resembling today's modern machines. Before Babbage came along, a "computer" was a person, someone who literally sat around all day, adding and subtracting numbers and entering the results into tables. The tables then appeared in books, so other people could use them to complete tasks, such as launching artillery shells accurately or calculating taxes. Advertisement In fact, Babbage wrote that he was daydreaming over logarithmic tables during his time at Cambridge, sometime around 1812-1813, when he first imagined that a machine could do the job of a human computer. In July 1822, Babbage wrote a letter to the Royal Society proposing the idea that machines could do calculations based on a "method of differences." The Royal Society was intrigued and agreed to fund development on the idea. The first machine design that came out of these efforts was Babbage's first difference engine. It was, in fact, a mammoth number-crunching project that inspired Babbage in the first place. In 1792 the French government had appointed Gaspard de Prony to supervise the creation of the Cadastre, a set of logarithmic and trigonometric tables. The French wanted to standardize measurements in the country and planned to use the tables to aid in those efforts to convert to the metric system. De Prony was in turn inspired by Adam Smith's famous work "Wealth of Nations." Smith wrote about how the division of labor improved efficiency when manufacturing pins. De Prony wanted to apply the division of labor to his mathematical project. Unfortunately, once the 18 volumes of tables with one more describing mathematical procedures were complete, they were never published. In 1819, Babbage visited the City of Light and viewed the unpublished manuscript with page after page of tables. If only, he wondered, there was a way to produce such tables faster, with less manpower and fewer mistakes. He thought of the many marvels generated by the Industrial Revolution. If creative and hardworking inventors could develop the cotton gin and the steam locomotive, then why not a machine to make calculations? Babbage returned to England and decided to build just such a machine. His first vision was something he dubbed the difference engine, which worked on the principle of finite differences, or making complex mathematical calculations by repeated addition without using multiplication or division. He secured 1,500 pounds from the English government in 1823 and hired engineer Joseph Clement to begin construction on the difference engine. Clement was a well-respected engineer and suggested improvements to Babbage, who allowed Clement to implement some of his ideas. Unfortunately, in 1833 the two had a falling out over the terms of their arrangement. Clement quit, ending his work on the difference engine. But, as you might have guessed, the story doesn't end there. " " Bohr's model of the atom. Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0) You can search for a picture of an atom on the internet and you'll find one, even though nobody's actually seen an atom before. But we've got an estimation of what a single atom looks like because of the work of a bunch of different scientists like Danish physicist Niels Bohr. Atoms are the building blocks of matter a single atom of any individual element is the most basic entity in nature that still abides by the rules of physics we can observe in everyday life (the subatomic particles that make up atoms have their own special rules). Scientists suspected atoms existed for a long time before they could conceptualize their structure even the ancient Greeks figured the matter of the universe was made up of components so small they couldn't be broken down into anything smaller, and they called these fundamental units atomos, which means "undivided." By the end of the 19th century, it was understood that chemical substances could be broken down into atoms, which were very small and atoms of different elements had a predictable weight. Advertisement But then, in 1897, British physicist J.J. Thomson discovered electrons negatively-charged particles inside the atoms everyone had spent the better part of a century believing were entirely indivisible as the smallest things that existed. Thomson just hypothesized that electrons existed, but he couldn't work out exactly how electrons fit into an atom. His best guess was the "plum pudding model," which depicted the atom as a positively-charged pie studded with negatively-charged areas scattered throughout like fruit in an old-timey dessert. "Electrons were found to be negative electric, and all with the same mass and very small compared with atoms," says Dudley Herschbach, a Harvard chemist who shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1986 for his "contributions concerning the dynamics of chemical elementary processes," in an email. "Ernest Rutherford discovered the nucleus in 1911. Nuclei were positive electric, with various masses but much larger than electrons, yet very small in size." Maria Gomes-Solecki, DVM. Credit: UTHSC On one wall in the modest office of Maria Gomes-Solecki, DVM, a professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Biochemistry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, hangs a framed letter that is the culmination of more than 20 years of work. Dated April 27, the letter is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture with notification that an animal vaccine for Lyme disease that she conceived, funded with federal grants for development, and field tested has been conditionally approved for commercialization. Dr. Gomes-Solecki is also a co-founder of the Memphis-based company, US Biologic Inc., which holds the license to bring the oral vaccine designed to block the spread of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, to market. "This is a professional accomplishment that fills me with great joy," Dr. Gomes-Solecki said. "This was a goal I had from my early days as a rookie scientist. There's a nice little document over there that I've framed to remind me of that on the days I have to check my grant scores." The big idea In 2002, Dr. Gomes-Solecki had the idea for what today is the vaccine called Borrelia Burgdorferi Bacterin, which is now being marketed by US Biologic. At that time, a vaccine for Lyme disease that had been approved for human use was being discontinued. Dr. Gomes-Solecki felt that this vaccine could still be used for a different purpose. With some tweaks she turned the injectable vaccine for humans into an oral vaccine that could be delivered to an animal population, in this case mice, which carry the Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi) bacterium. "The vaccine is designed to be administered to mice in the form of pellets," Dr. Gomes-Solecki explained. "When the mice eat the pellets, they produce antibodies in their blood to the B. burgdorferi protein contained in the pellets. When deer ticks (traditional carriers of this bacterium) take a blood meal from vaccinated mice, the antibodies in the mouse blood neutralize B. burgdorferi inside the tick, thus, no Lyme disease transmission occurs if the tick feeds on humans. So, what we're doing indirectly is reducing the infection rate of the ticks that can transmit Lyme disease." In reducing the B. burgdorferi infection rate of the ticks, that should theoretically reduce human exposure to Lyme disease, lowering the incidence of the disease in humans, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates affects approximately 476,000 people a year in the United States. "I had this idea in 2002 and I did the experiments for about two years to acquire data to write the first grant," Dr. Gomes-Solecki said. When she got the first grant in 2004, she brought in Luciana Richer, DVM, MSc, who did much of the work in the laboratory, first when the two researchers were at New York Medical College, and later at UTHSC. Dr. Gomes-Solecki also partnered with several other institutions to field test an early version of the vaccine from 2007-2011 in the woods in upstate New York. That test showed a reduction in tick infections and moved the project forward. From promise to production Once the preclinical work on the vaccine was accomplished in 2012, she stepped back, and enabled the technology transfer from Biopeptides, Corp. (the company that held the patent) to the new company she co-founded (US Biologic), which has been shepherding the vaccine through the complex USDA regulatory process for the last 11 years. This month, US Biologic is poised to send pellets coated with the vaccine through the vast distribution network of pest-management professionals located in the 15 states in the upper northeast, upper Midwest, and the Atlantic Seaboard, where Lyme disease infection rates are highest. "Luciana Richer, is a person I would like to share credit with, as she rendered this vaccine to practice in the long run, and she worked relentlessly at US Biologic to get this vaccine through the USDA approval process," Dr. Gomes-Solecki said. Dr. Richer is now the laboratory director and senior scientist at US Biologic. "The vaccine going to market is personally satisfying for me, to translate basic technology into an important product," Dr. Richer said. Mason Kauffman, chief executive officer for US Biologic, is excited not only about the potential for the product to impact Lyme disease infection rates, but also about the future of Memphis as a hub of public-private partnerships like this for the development and distribution of vaccines to combat pathogens that cause disease outbreaks. Kauffman said Memphis presents the perfect blend of academic medicine, biological science technology companies, business incubators and support services, and a strong logistics network to encourage similar success stories in the future. He said Memphis could one day be a "world vaccine platform" for exporting disease prevention technology. US Biologic is now working with the USDA for full approval. The next big idea Dr. Gomes-Solecki is back in the laboratory working on an intranasal Lyme disease vaccine for humans. She also has submitted two grants to the National Institutes of Health through UTHSC for basic research, one on leptospirosis, and one, developed by a collaborator, to test probes for imaging Borrelia burgdorferi. Essentially, not much has changed since the conditional approval of the drug she invented two decades ago. She is quick to say that researchers do not work for accolades or to get rich when their work goes to market. "I don't think people that do what I do, do it for money," she said. "We pursue science because we have to. It's a calling, you just do it. I enjoy doing it." "The idea was good, and I've been able to write grants on it, and the reviewers of these grants appreciated the impact of the research," she continued. "Like any other scientist, my salary comes mostly from my grants, so that's what we get paid to do and what we're supposed to do. People going off thinking that they're going to launch companies and that they're going to make a lot of money, it is unlikely to happen." Still, she is excited to see her vaccine concept moving into commercial use, thanks to the combined effort of the US Biologic team, and she keeps her eye on the good it stands to produce. "I am very happy, and I hope the vaccine will help," she said. "I mean, the goal is to have an impact on reducing Lyme disease cases in humans." Provided by University of Tennessee Health Science Center COLUMBIA, S.C. State troopers and wildlife officers will be checking drivers and boaters during the July 4 weekend, looking for people drinking. During a joint press conference Thursday at the Lake Murray Dam, the S.C. Highway Patrol and S.C. Department of Natural Resources notified drivers and boaters in South Carolina that they can expect to see increased enforcement efforts from June 30 to July 4. The Fourth of July weekend is the years busiest weekend on state waters. Drivers and boaters who drink are urged to designate a sober driver or use a rideshare service. The Independence Day travel period begins at 6 p.m. Friday, June 30, and ends at midnight Tuesday, July 4. Last year, there were 13 deaths on South Carolina roadways during the Independence Day holiday travel period. Eight of those deaths involved a driver who was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. What our data shows is that a disturbing number of deaths during the July Fourth holiday weekend involve drunk or drugged drivers, said Colonel Christopher Williamson, commander of the S.C. Highway Patrol. Even one traffic death is too many, but to see so many involving such reckless choices is truly a cause for alarm. We want the public to know that our troopers will be doing everything they can to stop these violators who are taking unnecessary risks and putting others lives in danger on our roadways. Additionally, troopers urge motorists to buckle up and obey the posted speed limits. For those on the water, the Department of Natural Resourcess Law Enforcement Division suggests checking that you have the required safety equipment including enough life jackets to fit every individual on board. Our SCDNR Law Enforcement Division is focused on educating the public on the dangers of boating under the influence. Our law enforcement officers will be out on our waterways looking for negligent and impaired boaters to provide a safe boating experience for all said Colonel Chisolm Frampton of the Department of Natural Resources. The partnerships announcement comes as South Carolina approaches the midpoint of the 100 Deadly Days of Summer, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when traffic fatalities typically increase. The total number of collisions during the 100 Deadly Days of Summer decreased from 39,661 in 2021 to 36,502 in 2022. The total number of traffic fatalities during that time also decreased from 344 in 2021 to 297 in 2022. However, of the 297 traffic fatalities in 2022, more than 75% of those were related to speed-or to alcohol or drugs. Yoon Hyeong-joong, left, the spokesperson for the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea's special committee for party innovation speaks at a press conference, June 23. Yonhap The innovation committee of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) demanded Friday that all party lawmakers submit written pledges to give up their immunity from arrest and that the party adopt it as an official policy to pass future arrest consent motions. The newly established committee put forward the demands as part of reform efforts at a time when the party has struggled with a series of scandals. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has also launched a similar campaign where more than half of its lawmakers signed pledges to give up arrest immunity. By law, lawmakers in Korea are immune from arrest while parliament is in session and can be arrested only when the National Assembly consents to it. But criticism has arisen recently that the privilege is abused to protect corrupt politicians. "We demand that all DPK lawmakers submit written pledges renouncing their no-arrest privilege and that the party adopt it as an official policy to approve future arrest motions," said Yoon Hyeong-joong, the spokesperson for the DPK's innovation committee at a press conference. Earlier this week, PPP leader Kim Gi-hyeon also suggested giving up this privilege as part of political reform efforts. After his pitch, almost all of the PPP's 113 members in parliament signed an oath to give up such rights. The DPK, which controls a majority in the 300-member National Assembly, came under fire after voting down arrest consent motions for two DPK lawmakers earlier this month. It marked the fourth time the party has rejected arrest motions for DPK lawmakers since the launch of the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol. During Friday's meeting, the innovation committee also discussed the future direction of the team. "Our big goal is to restore politics as an ethical party, diagnose where we are at now and provide visions for the future," said Kim Nam-hee, another spokesperson of the committee. (Yonhap) SIOUX CITY A Sioux City man has pleaded not guilty of having sex with a 14-year-old girl and taking photos and videos of their encounters. Marc Estrada, 34, entered his written plea Thursday in Woodbury County District Court to charges of third-degree sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of a minor and distribution of a controlled substance to a person under age 18. According to court documents, police were made aware of a sexual relationship between Estrada and the girl in May, when the girl said she met Estrada May 2 at a Sioux City home. She said the two had sex three or four times in his car. Police interviewed Estrada, and, according to court documents, Estrada said he had sex with the girl the day they met. He said that on the following day he bought $20 of marijuana and smoked it with the girl before they drove to Council Bluffs and had sex in a hotel room. The two returned to Sioux City the next day and had sex in a hotel room. Estrada admitted to police he had taken pictures and videos of the two having sex and sent photos to the girl and a cousin. ONAWA, Iowa An Onawa woman has been formally charged with attempted murder for the May stabbing of her boyfriend. Monona County Attorney Ian McConeghey on Thursday filed a trial information charging Inessa Lyons, 30, with attempted murder and willful injury. She's scheduled to be arraigned July 10 in Monona County District Court. Attempted murder is a Class B felony that carries a 50-year prison sentence. Willful injury is a Class C felony punishable by 10 years in prison. In the early morning hours of May 10, authorities were called to Burgess Health Center in Onawa, where Derek Webster Jr. was being treated for a stab wound to the chest. According to court documents, Webster and Lyons initially told sheriff's deputies Webster had been jumped by a motorcycle driver outside a local bar. Lyons later admitted she stabbed Webster with a knife in their apartment's kitchen because he had repeatedly asked her to drive him to a store to buy more alcohol. Lyons was previously convicted of manslaughter at age 15 for the 2008 fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old girl in Macy, Nebraska, and sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison. SIOUX CITY -- A Sergeant Bluff man has pleaded guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage girl at his home. Leuanglong Thongvilay, 37, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Woodbury County District Court to third-degree sexual abuse and distribution of a controlled substance, which was amended as part of a plea agreement from distribution of a controlled substance to a person under age 18. The amended charge is a Class D felony as opposed to the original charge, which is a Class B felony that carries a longer prison sentence. According to the plea agreement, Thongvilay will be sentenced to 15 years in prison. He also will be required to register with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry for life and serve a lifetime special sex offender sentence after he completes his prison sentence. If he were to violate terms of the special sentence, he could be sent back to prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled. Thongvilay sexually assaulted the minor female March 24 at his home in the 100 block of West Eighth Street in Sergeant Bluff. After offering the girl marijuana, Thongvilay pushed her into his room and onto his bed and assaulted her while pinning her arms. He later offered the girl $100 to remain quiet about the assault. Sergeant Bluff police learned of the assault after responding to an April 12 disturbance at Thongvilay's home involving him, the victim's mother and others. He was arrested the following day. Thongvilay is charged in O'Brien County with two counts each of second-degree sexual abuse and indecent contact with a child for allegedly sexually assaulting and inappropriately touching a girl several times when she was age 7-12 from approximately January 2015 to August 2020. Thongvilay, who was living in Sheldon at the time, is scheduled to enter a plea in that case on July 24 in O'Brien County District Court. SIOUX FALLS -- A Yankton, South Dakota, man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison for filming underage children engaging in sexual conduct. Jason Sejnoha, 44, pleaded guilty in March in U.S. District Court in Sioux Falls to one count of production of child pornography. He was sentenced Friday to 188 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. He also was ordered to pay $5,100 in special assessments and $439 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system. Sejnoha hid a camera in a bathroom to record minors while they were undressed in May 2021. Authorities seized a hidden camera and digital memory card containing the footage on Aug. 12, 2021. CHEROKEE, Iowa The Cherokee Community School District has rescinded its weapons policy. In an emergency school board meeting Friday morning, the school board decided to rescind a policy -- that would arm teachers -- due to loss of insurance coverage and no viable new insurers. We recommend that without the alternative property coverage option, the district should consider rescinding the armed staff policy and seek a reinstatement of their cancellation with EMC, said the districts insurance broker Bruce Dagel of Central Insurance. The board voted unanimously to rescind the weapons policy they put in place in October 2022. I reluctantly made a motion that we rescind the policy, said Board Vice President Angie Anderson. No individual other than law enforcement shall be authorized to carry firearms on school grounds. Anderson said the board is dedicated to the safety of students, and said it is disappointing to have to rescind the policy, but this situation will not stop the board from pursuing other options for students safety. "While the board is disappointed by EMCs position and the lack of alternative coverage options in Iowa, it is critical that the district maintain property insurance," according to a statement from the board. "Therefore, the board had no other choice but to overturn the weapons policy at this time." The board listened to a presentation from Dagel explaining why he recommended the board rescind the policy. In May, the board received a notice of non-renewal from EMC insurance, ending coverage as of July 1. Reasons given for the loss of coverage included the weapons policy, as well as the insurance market. Thursday, the Spirit Lake School Board voted to rescind its weapons policy. Both schools were covered by EMC and both received letters that they would no longer be covered due to underwriting guidelines. Dagel explained that after receiving notice his staff began searching for other options for coverage. "Our trusted agents at Central Insurance were able to secure coverage for all insurance policies except for property insurance," according to a statement from the board. From January to March, Central Insurance began searching for alternate insurers. In March, 26 submissions were sent to the insurance marketplace. Of the 26, only two indicated they would not provide coverage due to the weapons policy. Other reasons given included the size of the district, location and weather patterns. On June 1, Central Insurance felt there were three viable options for district coverage. None of the potential carriers would be willing to insure Cherokee for various reasons. One of the markets was declining due to size and market, and another market was having difficulty with coverage. The last insurance option denied providing a proposal due to the weapons policy. Recent publicity about the Cherokee Community School District and another district in Northwest Iowa concerned the program's board of directors and they did not want to pursue a proposal, Dagel said the insurer responded when questioned. Now, Central Insurance had no alternative proposal for insurance coverage. School Board President Jodi Thomas asked if Central Insurance had exhausted all available options for property options, to which Dagel responded yes. The board was told Friday that EMC Insurance would reinsure the district, as long as the district met the underwriting guidelines. In October, the Cherokee Community School District school board voted to change the districts weapons policy, exempting staff from the policy. The policy says school district facilities are not an appropriate place for weapons and outlines the process if a student or parent brings a weapon into the facilities. One sentence of the policy was changed to add staff to those exempted from the policy: Weapons under the control of law enforcement officials and staff approved by the administrative team are exempt from this policy. Thomas said the board and district took the policy change seriously after being approached by staff. They wanted to protect themselves, our students and their friends and colleagues, she said. In November, the board approved weapons training for 29 individuals; in February the board approved weapons training for up to 45 staff members. No other changes have been made to the policy, nor have any other policies or procedures been voted on in the open session. Parent Sofia Seliger said after the weapons policy was changed, community stakeholders were told multiple steps would occur before staff members are allowed to carry weapons at school and would involve school board approval in public meetings. She said it was assumed there would be additional information presented to the public before any aspects of the program were implemented and it was shocking to see the board approve the weapons training for staff. A group of parents and community members now called the CCSD Stakeholders for Accountability, have been vocal against the new policy, sharing concerns related to safety, financial impacts, lack of transparency and lack of professional data and research. Throughout the process, the group shared its concern about the potential loss of the districts insurance carrier. The group stated EMC Insurance has maintained they will not carry policies for schools who choose to arm staff and teachers. "We are incredibly relieved and elated the CCSD school board has rescinded the addition of firearms being carried by staff from their weapons policy," the group said in a statement. "We appreciate their dedication to continue with measures which are appropriate and proven to keep our communitys children safe." The Iowa House approved a bill that would protect schools that arm their staffs from being dropped by their insurance carrier, but it was not heard on the Senate floor by the end of the session. SIOUX CITY Long overdue. That's how Sioux City Fire Rescue Captain Richard Andersen characterized a new training tower his department unveiled Friday morning during an event at the facilities at 1701 Terminal Drive. The four-story, $560,000 structure features multiple burn rooms, movable walls for search and rescue missions, a tower with standpipe connections to practice high-rise fires, sprinkler systems and more. "I hope this facility would become available to volunteer departments in the area for their use and hopefully firefighting not just in Sioux City. One of the things my father always told me is to try and leave something better than when I found it. Chief, I think I did." Andersen and Sioux City Fire Rescue's Marc Smith said the idea of such a tower was the culmination of about three-and-half years worth of work that actually started under Andersen's predecessor, Frank Fulton. Other officers offered suggestions about what such a facility should feature and Andersen and Smith even toured fire training sites in Clive, Iowa and Spencer, Iowa to get inspiration for their project. Sioux City Fire Rescue- Richard Andersen At a present on Friday, June 23, 2023, Sioux City Fire Rescue Captain Richard Andersen, at podium, said the new training tower the department To make their ideas a reality, Andersen and Smith worked with FEH Design, L&L Builders Co. and American Fire Training Systems. "And (we) now have a training facility behind us that has been long overdue. The multipurpose training facility behind us not only allows Sioux City Fire Rescue but also Sioux City PD or SWAT Teams to do work and training inside it." Andersen then suggested Western Iowa Tech Community College and the Sioux City Community School District's Career Academy could utilize the space for fire science programs and other learning opportunities. Prior to the completion of the tower, Andersen said Sioux City Fire Rescue had only one burn room and a single search and rescue cell. The new structure boasts three burn rooms and the ability to craft all kinds of search and rescue cells. "We're only limited by the imagination of the firefighters and training officers of the future," Andersen said. Sioux City Fire Rescue- Marc Smith Marc Smith, of Sioux City Fire Rescue, gives an inside tour of the department's new training tower. The four-story facility includes options t The burn rooms inside the tower have heat sensors and temperatures of up to 800 F are possible on a ceiling. On the first floor, there are bales of hay to burn for combustibles and old recliners and a bulky, metal stove to get acclimated to residential fire possibilities. To make the simulations feel even more real, Smith said "We have a big, theatrical smoke machine that can fill this up pretty quick." Further up the tower, there are tighter corridors to navigate. The upper deck of the area has a hatch for firefighters to practice with and even a space meant to recreate the feeling of historic building along Fourth Street in Sioux City. In another corner of the deck, is a slanted roof that allows officers to practice scaling. With so many scenarios, Smith said the department will more than get its money worth. Sioux City Fire Rescue- Marc Smith 2 Sioux City Fire Rescue's Marc Smith stands on a top level of the department's new training tower where officers can practice scaling a roof. At the beginning of the ceremony, Sioux City Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore told attendees that equipment such as the tower demonstrates the city's commitment to helping the fire department in its training mission. He said officers total about 42,000 hours of training a year. "Dangerous and time sensitive work," Moore said. "This new training tower provides the means to train safely." A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked them out. Here are the facts: ___ Hunter Biden's gun charge isn't the same as those previously faced by Lil Wayne, Kodak Black CLAIM: Hunter Biden is pleading guilty to the same gun charge as Lil Wayne and Kodak Black, but the two rappers faced prison sentences while the president's son does not. THE FACTS: Biden entered into a plea agreement on tax charges in a deal that would allow him to potentially avert the gun charge. He was charged with illegal possession of a firearm by a drug addict while Lil Wayne was charged with illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and Kodak Black was charged with making false statements to purchase multiple firearms. The crimes carry the same maximum sentence under federal law, but legal experts note that the two rappers' prior criminal records would have factored into their sentences whereas Biden is a first time offender. Social media users are comparing the cases to argue that Hunter Biden was given a pass for his most recent legal transgressions. "Feds wanted to send Lil Wayne to prison for 10 years for the same crime that Hunter Biden is getting a slap on the wrist for," wrote one user on Twitter who shared a screenshot juxtaposing news headlines of the two separate cases. "2 tiers of justice?" wrote Bradford Cohen, Kodak Black's lawyer, in an Instagram post. "Kodak was charged for the same crime. Got over 3 years." Federal prosecutors announced Tuesday that Biden had agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of failing to pay federal income taxes. As part of the plea deal, the 53-year-old also agreed to complete a pretrial drug counseling program in exchange for prosecutors dropping a felony charge of illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user. Meanwhile Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter, pleaded guilty in 2020 to a federal charge that he unlawfully possessed a weapon despite being a convicted felon. The 38-year-old rapper admitted to possessing a .45 caliber, gold-plated handgun found in his luggage in 2019. And Kodak Black, whose legal name is Bill Kapri, was sentenced to three years in prison for falsifying documents used to purchase weapons at a Miami gun store in 2019. Former President Donald Trump granted Carter a full pardon just days before he was to be sentenced, and commuted Kapri's sentence as part of a flurry of clemencies shortly before leaving office in January 2021. " Associated Press writer Philip Marcelo in New York contributed this report. ___ Video of water in a glass on China's space station is scientifically sound, not proof of 'deception' CLAIM: A stagnant glass of water seen in videos of Chinese astronauts proves the footage wasn't actually filmed in space. THE FACTS: Experts say the footage filmed aboard Tiangong, the Chinese space station, is consistent with how water behaves in zero gravity and there is no reason to doubt China's presence in space. Other videos show one of the astronauts carefully putting the water in the glass using a container with a straw, as well as strips that adhere the glass to the table. A clip shared online uses news footage from a 2021 science lecture by Tiangong's Shenzhou-13 crew and of the crew's return to Earth. The water glass is highlighted in a circle that has been edited into the footage. "How did they get the water into the glass?" text in the video asks. "And how is it not floating out of the glass?" One Instagram post featuring the compilation suggests this is proof that the footage wasn't actually taken in space: "How could they get away with such a massive deception?" But the footage is not proof of deception: There's a basic scientific phenomenon that explains the water's behavior, an expert told the AP. "Water molecules like to stick to glass and also to other water molecules more than they like to disperse in the air," Jordan Bimm, a postdoctoral researcher and space historian at the University of Chicago, said. "So if there is no external force, water remains in 'clumps' in the weightless environment, and in this case inside the glass." He added that surface tension a property of a liquid's surface that helps define its shape and allows it to resist external forces "also works to help maintain the static shape and presents the illusion of how water would act on the ground." A separate video posted on Weibo, a social media platform popular in China, in June 2022 by China's manned space program shows behind-the-scenes footage of the Shenzhou-13 crew preparing for their livestream lesson by carefully pouring water into the glass through a straw so that it stays in place. It also clearly shows strips adhering the glass to the table. During their lesson, the taikonauts also demonstrated another behavior of water unique to zero-gravity environments by submerging a ping pong ball in the glass. The ball would float to the top on Earth because of water buoyancy, but in space it stays submerged. Other astronauts from around the world have also posted videos about how liquids work in space, including how they make coffee or what happens when they wring out a wet towel. There is also other evidence backing up the fact that Tiangong is indeed among the stars. "The presence of the space station has been verified by international actors, including China's biggest space competitor the US," said Molly Silk, a doctoral researcher at the University of Manchester who has studied the Chinese space program. Silk explained that China has even offered United Nations member states to send their astronauts to Tiangong. Associated Press writers Melissa Goldin in New York and Karena Phan in Los Angeles contributed this report. ___ A video of Biden speaking at a White House children's event was edited to add offensive audio CLAIM: A video of President Joe Biden speaking at the White House during a "Take Your Child to Work Day" event shows him being interrupted by a child who yells, "shut the f--- up." THE FACTS: C-SPAN footage of the April event has been edited to add the disparaging outburst. The edited video spread online in recent days, racking up tens of thousands of likes. "I want to thank you all, all you kids, for bringing your parents to work," Biden states in the footage. The video's audio then makes it sound like a child in the crowd screams the objectionable command, which is followed by a number of people shouting "hey!" and one saying "that's not nice!" Meanwhile, Biden appears to continue his remarks without acknowledging the outburst. No such interruption occurred at the April 27 event, during which Biden answered questions from the children of White House staff as part of "Take Your Child to Work Day." The original C-SPAN footage shows Biden speaking without any unexpected disturbances from the crowd. A White House transcript of the event also does not include the obscenity. The additional audio comes from an unrelated video that has been shared online since at least 2019. In the clip, a young child can be heard cursing at a teacher during a classroom graduation ceremony as adults try to quiet the situation. It is unclear where the video was taken, but its audio has since become a widely shared sound effect, often used in comedic ways. The same disparaging audio has beenedited into videos of first lady Jill Biden in the past. Melissa Goldin ___ The World Economic Forum's vice chairman was not on the Titan submersible CLAIM: Shahzada Dawood, one of the five people who died in the Titan submersible, was the vice-chairman of the World Economic Forum. THE FACTS: A page on the World Economic Forum's website listed Dawood as "Vice-Chairman, Engro Corporation, Dawood Hercules," referring to his family's firms, not the forum itself. Dawood was a member of the World Economic Forum's Family Business Community, but wasn't an employee, a WEF spokesperson said. Dawood, a prominent Pakistani businessman, and his son were on board the OceanGate submersible, Titan, which officials now say imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic. Before the U.S. Coast Guard announced the passengers' fate, some social media users shared a page from the forum's website, falsely claiming it showed Dawood was a WEF leader. The Geneva-based think tank and event organizer best known for hosting an annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland is a frequent subject of conspiracy theories. "What is the coincidence that the father and the son that are trapped on this contraption right here, in this tin can, are part of an organization that us Americans and Canadians all despise?" a man said in an Instagram video. "He is part of the World Economic Forum. He is also the vice chairman of World Economic Forum," he continued, displaying a screenshot of the webpage about Dawood on the World Economic Forum website. However, that is not what was published on the forum's page. It says "Vice-Chairman, Engro Corporation, Dawood Hercules." Engro Corporation is a Pakistani conglomerate that works in multiple industries, including energy and agriculture. It is owned by Dawood Hercules Corp., his family's firm. Yann Zopf, a spokesperson with the World Economic Forum, confirmed to the AP that Dawood is not the vice chairman or an employee. Dawood is also not featured on the WEF leadership page. Zopf noted that Dawood was a member of the World Economic Forum's Family Business Community and attended some of the events in this capacity. The Family Business Community connects "prominent family business leaders worldwide," according to its website. Engro Corp is also listed as a World Economic Forum partner, which allows businesses to participate in the organization's centers and events for networking. Pages on the WEF website like the one featuring Dawood are created for any person who has ever attended a WEF event or has written a blog posted on the site, Zopf previously told the AP. Karena Phan ___ On the podcast this week, BVP vs. the Supreme Court Three, Tulsi Gabbard has no regrets, and stories on policies that impact Iowans, from mobile home park residents, to student loan debt holders, to food assistance recipients. On Iowa Politics is a weekly news and analysis podcast that aims to re-create the kinds of conversations that happen when you get political reporters from across Iowa together after the day's deadlines have been met. This weeks show is hosted by The Gazettes Des Moines Bureau Chief in Cedar Rapids Erin Murphy and features The Gazettes Deputy Bureau Chief Tom Barton, Jared McNett of the Sioux City Journal, Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Caleb McCullough, Sarah Watson of the Quad City Times, and Gazette columnist Todd Dorman. The show was produced by Stephen M. Colbert and the music heard on the podcast is courtesy of McPhisto and Copperhead. President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during the Korea- Vietnam Business Forum held at a hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, Friday. Joint Press Corps. By Baek Byung-yeul Korea and Vietnam agreed to expand economic cooperation by signing an agreement to increase bilateral trade to $150 billion by 2030 on the sidelines of President's Yoon Suk Yeol's visit to the Southeast Asian country, according to the industry ministry, Friday. The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to stabilize supply chains for key minerals and work together on climate change response, the ministry said. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said that it signed the three deals with Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade in the presence of President Yoon Suk Yeol and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong at the presidential palace in Hanoi. The industry ministry said the three MOUs were signed by the industry ministries of the two nations to overcome global export challenges. Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang, second from left, shakes hands with Vietnam's Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, second from right, after signing MOUs on economic cooperation in the presence of President Yoon Suk Yeol and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, right, at the presidential palace in Hanoi, Friday. Yonhap Among the three MOUs, the industry ministry said the two ministries will operate the PLUS organization, which includes trade-related officials from both countries to monitor and support progress toward the goal of expanding bilateral trade to $150 billion in 2030. In 2022, bilateral trade between the two nations amounted to $87.7 billion, making Vietnam Korea's third-largest trading partner after China and the U.S. "The PLUS organization will play a role in identifying issues, exchanging information and conducting joint research to expand bilateral trade. The two countries also agreed to strengthen public-private consultation channels to resolve import and export difficulties and Korean companies' operations in Vietnam," the industry ministry said. For supply chain-related cooperation, Vietnam, a resource-rich country, and Korea, a country with high value-added technologies such as refining, will establish the Core Mineral Supply Chain Center to provide a core mineral supply chain cooperation system. Exploration cooperation, joint research and education and training between the two countries' institutions will be promoted to transform Vietnam's abundant core minerals into high value-added products. Also, the establishment of joint ventures between companies from both countries will also be supported to build stable supply chains and diversify import lines. Bonnie Garmus debut novel, Lessons in Chemistry, has become one of those books you see everywhere: in the hands of subway passengers and waiting room idlers, on the nightstands of book group members, all over the realm of TikTok known as #BookTok, as Barnes & Nobles Book of the Year for 2022, and, last but not least, on the New York Times bestseller list for 58 weeks and counting. Last November, the Times noted that it was on track to be the best-selling debut novel of 2022, and it seems to have only sold better since. Theres also good reason to believe that its only going to get bigger: In October, Apple TV+ will premiere a TV series based on the novel, starring Brie Larson. Garmus, who is 66 and wrote Lessons in Chemistry after a long career as a copywriter, is living every first-time novelists dream. Whats the fuss about? Chances are: not what you think. As the Times article observed, the novels American cover is misleading, a cartoon image of a woman side-eyeing coquettishly over a pair of cat-eye glasses against a pink background. Paired with the title, this image shouts STEMinist romance novel, a currently booming genre. But Lessons is only incidentally about romantic love. Instead, its the story of Elizabeth Zott, a woman chemist and single mother confronting sexism and other tribulations as she tries to pursue her vocation in the early 1960s. She stumbles into a gig hosting a chemistry-centric cooking show on daytime TV and becomes a celebrity in syndication. Advertisement Lessons in Chemistry belongs to a genre of literary fiction that could be called the quirky tragicomedy. The novel its most often likened to is 2012s Whered You Go, Bernadette, by Maria Semple, about a daughter trying to understand her mothers abandonment. In these books, the main character has amusingly eccentric traits or interests and suffers undeniably serious losses, but the overall tone remains light, with a touch of rueful melancholy and a whole lot of brave soldiering on. After a boom in the 2000s, this style of fiction seems to be increasingly uncommon, which explains why some of todays readers, raised on plots that milk trauma for all its worth, find the novels tone confusing. Advertisement Advertisement Elizabeth, who appears to be neurodivergent in some way, gets peeved when a male colleague suggests that she learn to outsmart the system, because she cant see why systems cant just be smart in the first place. She knows that she lives in a patriarchal society founded on the idea that women were less, but she indignantly refuses to acknowledge the dictates of that society. After Elizabeth becomes pregnant out of wedlock by one of the few decent men in the novel, and the head of her lab tries to fire her on moral grounds, she seems genuinely astonished, as if she is only just now finding out about the sexual double standard. Advertisement Advertisement Related from Slate Addicen Bauer The Long, Strange History of Grave Robbing and Its Modern Counterpart Read More Much of the humor in Lessons in Chemistry comes from the collision of Elizabeths stubborn scientific rationalism with the unthinkingly conventional attitudes of everyone else. Elizabeth herself has no sense of humor. Her daughter, Madeline, is a similarly brainy prodigy who reads Norman Mailer in kindergarten, shocking her sourpuss teacher, and cant understand why she gets in trouble for insisting that human beings are animals. Advertisement Garmus has an impressive ability to maintain a Campari-like balance of the bitter and the sugary. Elizabeth endures harrowing setbacks, not just a wall of sexism in her career but also a sexual assault and the deaths of loved ones. Trauma abounds in the sympathetic characters backstories. Elizabeths father, a charismatic religious charlatan, is in prison, and her gold-digger mother is out of the picture, run off to Latin America with her latest rich husband. Madelines father, an orphan, grew up in a grim Catholic boys school. Elizabeths helpful neighbor Harriet has a vile, abusive husband who expects her to tidy up his dirty magazine collection. All of Elizabeths bosses (with the exception of the meek producer who makes her a TV star) are insulting, domineering lechers. A more vulnerable woman would be utterly downtrodden by all this, but Elizabeths determined single-mindedness and indifference to what other people think of herthe same qualities that tend to alienate her colleaguesprovide a kind of shield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In counterbalance, there are Elizabeths improbably studious multitudes of fans, housewives who watch her show, Supper at Six, with notebooks in hand, jotting down her explanation of the hydrogen bonds role in the cooking process. Elizabeth delivers on-screen pep talks about subsidized child care and encourages one live audience member to follow her dream and apply to medical school, to the cheers of the crowd. There is an absurdly anthropomorphized dog named Six-Thirty (for the time when Elizabeth found him on the street), a noble creature who understands hundreds of words and assists Elizabeth in her home lab. Even readers who dont care for the rest of the novelevery very popular book inevitably reaps some detractorsadore Six-Thirty. Advertisement Call me a cat person, but Six-Thirty seems a calculated bid for reader sympathy designed to shore up the novels sentimental side against the harshness of Elizabeths life. There are sensitive readers who feel so overwhelmed by the cruelty of Elizabeths persecutorscomplaints about the lack of trigger warnings are commonthat they profess bafflement that anyone could call Lessons in Chemistry a comic novel. But Id argue that the novels bad guys are the real secrets to its success. Were all men in authority in the early 60s so comprehensively horrid, a rogues gallery of bigots, rapists, plagiarists, and gaslighters? No, but a popular fairy talewhich Lessons in Chemistry most certainly isneeds a thoroughly hateable villain, and this book has several corkers. The dastardly, smug baddies of Garmus novel are the engines that drive her plot like a locomotive. You keep reading as much to see them defeated as to see Elizabeth win. To make that happen, Garmus resorts to a final reveal that is pure Dickensthe furthest thing from the collective action that actually made scientific careers possible for women like Elizabeth. Then again, as every Lessons in Chemistry critic ought to bear in mind, too much reality does not a bestseller make. We have to talk about Baby A. When the doctor finally came in, I was aware something was wrong. I was pregnant with twins and 37 years old, so wed had many ultrasounds before. But something was taking too long. The ultrasound techs were usually cheerful and chatty, but this one kept asking how far along I was and remeasuring Baby As head. I was well aware from my time as an abortion lawyer that many terrible things can be discovered at the 20-week scan. But somehow it just seemed too on the nose for one of those terrible things to be happening to me. Advertisement Baby A had enlarged ventricles in his brain. This could mean nothing and resolve on its own, we were told. Or it could require surgery. Or it could be a symptom of a condition that is, as they say, incompatible with life. Baby As condition was also a potential threat to Baby B. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They gave me amniocentesis and ushered me and my husband to a genetic counselor. The counselor raised the possibility that we needed a selective termination. Then she told us we didnt have a lot of time to decide because 24 weeks was the legal cutoff to have an abortion in New York. I had the impulse to argue with herto explain that the abortion law then in place in New York predated Roe v. Wade and was technically unconstitutional (this was 2017, when Roe was still the law). I wanted to tell her abortion could not be banned prior to viability and that whether a fetus is viablemeaning, theoretically able to live outside of the wombis a medical determination specific to each particular pregnancy. Advertisement But I did not launch into a soliloquy on abortion law, probably because I did not want an abortion. Also, I knew that it doesnt matter if the law arguably permits an abortion if no hospital will give you one. But the counselors warning grated on methere was something so awful about having to consider the law while trying to process this news. The next day, my husband and I rented a car and drove an hour out of town to a fetal MRI specialist. The results: The babys brain wasnt mush, as the doctor put it. If things got worse, however, excess fluid could escape Baby As brain, causing me to go into early labor and potentially lose them both. We had less than four weeks to decide what to do. Advertisement The results were as good as we could have hoped for. I threw up out the window of the rental car all over the West Side Highway on the way home. Advertisement Advertisement No one wants to have an abortion when they are far into a pregnancy. People with unwanted pregnancies prefer to have abortions as early as possible. This is why approximately 95 percent of abortions happen before 15 weeks, when a fetus is about the size of an apple. Advertisement Advertisement People have abortions after the first trimester when something has gone very wrong: a medical tragedy, being too young to recognize one is pregnant, or being unable to get the money, child care, or time off of work to travel to a clinic at an earlier stage. But Republicans tell us there are people who wish to have abortions up until birth and who must be stopped by force of law. In September, RNC chair Ronna McDaniel advised Republican candidates to accuse Democrats of having a policy of due date abortion. Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis, Blake Masters, Kari Lake, Doug Mastriano, Herschel Walker, Ron Johnson, and many more did so, claiming on the campaign trail that some people want abortions up until birth. Mehmet Oz, in a debate last week with John Fetterman, argued his opponent would allow abortion at 38 weeks, on the delivery table. Advertisement The strategy is clear. Republicans must distract from the crisis that is the end of Roe, as well as the many unpopular bans enacted since the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health decision in June. In order to frame supporters of Roe as the extremists, they pretend there exist women who are such vile monsters that they would carry a healthy baby to term and then try to abort it up until the momentand afterbirth, as House Republican Conference chair Elise Stefanik put it in September. The logic, insofar as there is logic to this, is that allowing post-viability abortion to save the life or health of the patientas Roe requiredamounts to supporting abortion up until birth because patients will lie about their health in order to abort viable babies for frivolous reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Back at home, in 2017, I called the genetic counselor and asked if people often had to decide whether to terminate a pregnancy before they had all the information they should. Unfortunately, that does happen, she told me. She was sympathetic, but she had little hope for us, noting our complicated genetic histories. (My husband and I have three cousins between us who did not survive childhood.) At 23 weeks, we met with a pediatric neurologist to prepare us for life with a disabled child, should Baby A survive. Instead, he gave us an even worse diagnosis. I was panicked, but skeptical. Id gone from being scared about the babies lack of motion to feeling like aliens were wrestling in my belly. This didnt seem consistent with the terrible condition the doctor described. Advertisement I spoke to an attorney friend who knew more about abortion in New York, a supposedly super-blue state, than I did. She confirmed I really wouldnt be able to get an abortion in-state if I waited but encouraged me to do what I needed to do. If things got worse, I could go to Maryland or Colorado. I knew this meant going to LeRoy Carhart or Warren Hern, two of the four or so doctors in the country who were openly providing third-trimester abortions despite constant harassment and threats to their lives. Id read about the torturous experience of a woman whod had to fly to Dr. Hern in Colorado just to receive the shot to induce demise in her baby with a fatal condition before returning to New York to endure 24 hours of labor to remove her dead baby. Id written about what anti-abortion activists had done to the family of a fellow New Yorker whom Dr. Carhart couldnt save. Not great options, but they were, ultimately, options. We decided to blow past New Yorks deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that Roe is gone, Republican politicians and other abortion opponents are arguing that even that legal landscape was too permissive. Perhaps you think Im being unfair. Surely they arent talking about people in my situation? Well, lets consider some actual proposed legislation: When Sen. Lindsey Graham put out his proposed federal ban on abortion at 15 weeks, he did not include an exception for fatal fetal anomalies, or exceptions for the removal of a fetus that is dying, but not yet dead. Nor did his bill delineate how immediate the threat to a patients life must be for treatment to be legal. Now, writing a bill that would make exceptions for all the things that can go wrong in a pregnancy would be basically impossiblebut Graham didnt even try. Advertisement At his press conference announcing the bill, a woman named Ashbey Beasley (who survived the Highland Park shooting with her 6-year-old son and was in Washington to support gun control legislation) asked Graham what he would say to someone who finds out at 16 weeks, as she did, that her baby has a fatal fetal anomaly. Graham displayed not a shred of empathy for Beasley in his nonresponse and appeared to deny having any responsibility to address the practical implications of his bill. Advertisement Graham neednt bother to improve upon the dangerously poor drafting of the state-level abortion bans that are causing so much harm to people with pregnancy complications because it is not a good faith attempt to end abortions after 15 weeks. What the bill actually does is elevate a claim for which there is no evidence: that people choose to have abortions after 15 weeks when they could have or should have had them earlier. (Indeed, with the advent of medication abortion, we could make it the norm to end unwanted pregnancies as soon as a person suspects she is pregnantbut anti-abortion activists dont want that either.) Advertisement Advertisement The reality is, after the Dobbs ruling, clinics in states where abortion remains legal have been overwhelmed with patients from out of state, predictably resulting in more abortions after 15 weeks. A person who has been forced by legal barriers to end a pregnancy at a later gestation than she feels is appropriate, or at a point when the simplest and safest early abortion options are no longer available to her, has had her bodily integrity violatedshe has not made a choice to have a late abortion. Unfortunately, lying about later abortion works. Various polls have found support for 15-week bans at 37 percent, 48 percent, and 77 percent. Ive heard smart, kind people who consider themselves pro-choice casually repeat the claim that there are extremists on both sides because some Democrats want abortion up until birth. One pro-choice friend reached out to me during the 2020 campaign shaken because she thought abortion at eight months might actually be a Thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These misperceptions are intended. Anti-abortion lawmakers and activists know more about abortion than the average person. But they vilify the people forced by medical circumstances or anti-abortion laws to have later abortions because even in the many states where legislators have banned abortion from the moment of fertilization, criminalizing all abortion is not popular. Early abortion is acceptable to much of the general public, so the people who have those make less useful targets. I was hospitalized three times during my pregnancy. My condition deteriorated, but Baby As did not. I had an array of complications, but made it to 33.5 weeks before my water broke, and I gave birth to two baby boys. Advertisement Advertisement Their NICU stay was the most exhausting experience of my life, but after two weeks, my premature but relatively healthy babies came home. Baby A has grown into a creative, opinionated little kid who still refuses to stop wrestling his brother. He has a slightly larger-than-average craniumprobably unrelated to how the heck hes reading at 4 years old. Most parents up against a gestational cutoff cannot take the risks my husband and I did. I owe my sons lives to the bravery of a few doctors I knew were out there, should I need them. And to my privilege. I could rely on having a late termination because I was unusually knowledgeable about abortion, could call people who knew even more than I did, and could come up with the money for travel out of state and a procedure that can cost more than $10,000. We do not need a law to stop later abortion in this country. Patients should be permitted to wait and pray as I was able to. In fact, we need more providers of third-trimester abortion for people who are losing wanted pregnancies, and much better access to very early abortion for those who do not want to be pregnant. Instead, the up until birth accusers are using the tragedies of those who didnt want abortions to take away the right from those who do. Earlier this month, a boat carrying an estimated 700 migrants sunk off the coast of Pylos, Greece. At least 82 people died, only 102 have been rescued, hundreds are still missing, and many are feared dead. The shipwreck was one of the deadliest incidents off the countrys coast in modern history and has prompted shock and outrage across the world. Pylos, though, must be placed in a global context where anti-migrant policies from Europe to the U.S. result in inevitable tragedies repeating themselves over and over again. Almost exactly one year ago, 53 people were found dead in an abandoned truck in San Antonio, in what the New York Times reported was one of the worst episodes of migrant deaths on the southern border in recent years. The victims, migrants from Mexico and Central America, died after being trapped inside a tractor-trailer in the sweltering Texas heat. And just three months ago, 39 migrants burned to death inside a Ciudad Juarez detention center near the U.S. border. As Pedro Gerson wrote in Slate at the time, policies on both sides of the U.S. border guaranteed the fire would not only be a tragedy but also a premonition of what is to come for future migrants seeking refuge in the United States. The Pylos disaster renders this prophecy just as true in the Mediterranean as it is in the Sonoran Desert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related from Slate Caroline E. Light and Janae E. Thomas The Pitiful Excuse Sheriffs Trot Out for Not Arresting White Shooters of Black Victims Read More All of these incidents are tragedies of unimaginable proportions, but they are not coincidences. As three human rights lawyers working in the European Union and the United States, we know that they are the direct result of parallel policies implemented at our respective external borders. Barely one week before the Pylos shipwreck, European leaders took a critical step towards passing long-discussed reforms to the Common European Asylum System. While politicians across Europe hailed the agreement as a breakthrough after years of failed migration policies, if passed, it will expose more people to immigration detention, undercut legal safeguards, and severely curtail the right to asylum. It will also inevitably lead to more dangerous crossings like the one that led to the tragedy in Greece. Advertisement Meanwhile in the United States, just last month, President Joe Biden, who repeatedly criticized the Trump administrations cruel and needless immigration policies, decided to outright to adopt some of the very same. Crucially, the administration recently implemented an updated version of Trumps transit ban, which was struck down repeatedly by federal courts. The rule virtually eliminates asylum for those who did not first apply in any of the countries through which they traveled to reach the U.S. border, constricting an already narrowed pathway to refuge in the country Advertisement The Biden administrations newest immigration reforms also take a page from a similar policy that has been in place in Greece for nearly a decade. Since 2016, Greece has relied on the Safe Third Country policy to systematically reject thousands of asylum seekers by claiming that they can be returned to Turkey to apply for asylum there. This policy, backed by the EU, is born from a disastrous 2016 migration agreement between the EU and Turkey, which tried to establish a system for returning asylum seekers arriving on the Greek islands to Turkey in exchange for EU funding. Advertisement Advertisement Governments like Greece and the United States want you to believe that these policies actually protect migrants by encouraging people to apply for asylum closer to home. That could not be farther from the truth; as we saw last week in Greece, deterrence policies do not work. Instead, they simply force people to look for more dangerous ways around them, including smuggling. In Greece, we have noticed for more than a year now an increasing number of shipwrecks off the coast of Crete and mainland Greece as people try to take the much longer journey from Turkey to Italy instead. These policies fail because protection for asylum seekers in countries of transit is often illusory. Turkeys protection system is woefully inadequate, and asylum seekers there regularly experience detention, expulsion, torture, and sexual assault. This is not to mention that Turkey has refused to take back any asylum seekers from Greece since March 2020, leaving thousands of people trapped in legal limbo in the meantime. At the same time, in Central America and Mexico, persecutors track migrants routes across borders, and asylum application in those countrieswoefully underdeveloped and underfundedoffer fools protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who do manage to arrive in Greece are met with unimaginable cruelty. Since 2016 hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers have arrived in Greece only to be forced into overcrowded refugee camps, separated from their families for years on end, and left to linger in detention in the name of the EU-Turkey Statement. As one young Syrian woman told us about her asylum procedure in Greece, if I knew that it would be this way, I would rather have died in my country than come here. The situation in the U.S.-Mexico border is no less devastating, as demonstrated by this years migrant detention center fire. The policies leave little hope for those unable to secure asylum appointments in short supply, while those seeking to cross in between ports encounter either the infernal Sonoran Desert or the currents of the Rio Grande, with few alternative options between the Scylla and the Charybdis. Advertisement Advertisement The obligation to protect refugees and asylum seekers is not simply a moral one; its the law. Out of the smoldering embers of World War II arose the universal commitment to protect the right to seek asylum, a plant that once sown was meant never to wither. The newly formed United Nations consecrated asylum and refugee rights in the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, the cornerstone of global human rights law. But despite this international compact, as war rages, the climate crisis worsens, and global political turmoil displaces millions, our leaders and policymakers have left this legal commitment to die on the vine. This is part of Opinionpalooza, Slates coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. Were working to change the way the media covers the Supreme Court. Sign up for the pop-up newsletter to receive our latest updates, and support our work when you join Slate Plus. On Friday, the Supreme Court delivered an overdue message to red states: quit wielding the federal courts as a weapon against President Joe Bidens immigration policies. The courts 81 decision in U.S. v. Texas is a rebuke to the Republican attorneys general battling the Biden administration, most prominently the now-impeached Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. It also rebuffs the conservative lower courts attempting to transfer control over the southern border from the executive branch to federal judges. The red-state brigade and its black-robed allies whove worked together to obstruct the Biden administration from week one have suffered an embarrassing and lopsided defeat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas is the latest in a long line of cases designed to give a handful of Republican-appointed district court judges sweeping authority over immigration law. It was initiated by Paxton (who has since been impeached over allegations of bribery and corruption), joined by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, and supported by 21 other red states. This challenge took aim at the Department of Homeland Securitys enforcement guidelines, which prioritized the arrest and removal of certain unauthorized immigrantsthose who are suspected of terrorism, convicted of felonies, or caught entering the country very recently. DHS has far too few resources to go after every single noncitizen who qualifies for deportation, so the agency has no choice but to prioritize the removal of some groups over others. It has exercised this enforcement discretion for decades, under Democratic and Republican presidents alike. Yet Paxton asserted that the enforcement guidelines violated a federal law that says DHS shall arrest a broader swath of noncitizens, leaving no room for discretion. He shopped his case to Judge Drew Tipton, a Donald Trump appointee who had already issued the very first nationwide injunction against Biden during the presidents first week in office. Advertisement Tipton is one of several Trump-appointed district court judges who specializes in issuing decrees (called universal injunctions or vacaturs) that block a Biden administration policy across the entire country. He sits in the single-judge division of Victoria, Texas. So when Paxton files suit in Victoria, he is guaranteed to draw Tipton. And when he draws Tipton, he is guaranteed to win. Thats what happened here: Tipton issued a decision in Paxtons favor, ruling that DHS priority guidelines are unlawful and purporting to vacate them on a nationwide basis. The increasingly lawless U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit refused to stay his decision. Advertisement Related from Slate Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern Alito and Thomas Might Be Losing Their Fellow Conservatives Read More When the Biden administration appealed to the Supreme Court, it centered its arguments on a threshold question: Does Texas even have standing to sue? The court has long held that, to establish standing, a plaintiff must show a concrete injury thats caused by the defendant and redressable by a court order. Tipton held that the DHS guidelines would injure Texas by letting noncitizens remain in the state and commit more crimes. He claimed that invalidating the guidelines would directly decrease in the number of these criminal aliens, which sufficed to give Texas standing. Advertisement To which the Supreme Court said on Friday: no. Justice Brett Kavanaugh authored the majority opinion, which won the votes of Justices John Roberts, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Kavanaugh explained that there is no precedent, history, or tradition of courts ordering the executive branch to make more arrests or bring more prosecutions. Rather, the Supreme Court has held that plaintiffs cannot establish standing by challenging an exercise of enforcement discretion over whether to arrest or prosecute. Thats especially true in the immigration context, where the presidents power to enforce federal law is intertwined with his constitutional prerogative over foreign policy. In this area, the president must balance many factors when devising arrest and prosecution policies. And courts simply have no meaningful standards for assessing those policies. So the states have no judicial cognizable interest that the courts can redress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That holding will wipe out not only Tiptons decision, but several other pending cases that challenge to DHS enforcement priorities. Thats a major victory for the Biden administration, which should no longer be bedeviled by these lawsuits. Whats more, language in the majority opinion suggests that red state lawsuits against other Biden policies are in serious trouble, as well. Kavanaugh cast doubt upon Massachusetts v. EPA, the 2007 decision that Republican attorneys general have used to justify all of their suits against Biden. Massachusetts said that states deserve special solicitude in standing analysis because of their quasi-sovereign interests. But Kavanaugh not-so-subtly noted the many disagreements with that logic. The justice also wrote that states do not have standing to challenge federal policies just because they generate indirect effects on a states revenues or spending. This theory, too, lies at the heart of many red state lawsuits, which frequently allege that the cost of imprisoning noncitizens or giving them drivers licenses is, by itself, enough to establish standing. Advertisement Advertisement So while Kavanaugh insisted that his holding was narrow, its reasoning should prove fatal to red state lawsuits that rely on the same theories that he shot down here. For instance: Red states have attacked the Biden administrations efforts to parole specific groups of noncitizens, allowing them to remain in the country while their claims are adjudicated. Trump-appointed judges have issued nationwide injunctions purporting to block these rules. (One judge wrote that the Southwest Border has been out of control for the past 2 years and suggested that a surge of aliens was poised to invade the country.) Red states have also urged Trump-appointed judges to shred Bidens asylum policies, with considerable success. Yet in both contexts, the states theory of standing rests on the idea that the presence of noncitizens within their borders harms their treasures and other quasi-sovereign interests. If those arguments are null, as per Kavanaughs ruling on Friday, the states have nothing else to stand on. Advertisement Advertisement Remarkably, Kavanaughs opinion did not go far enough for three conservatives. In a concurring opinion joined by Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Clarence Thomas, Justice Neil Gorsuch expressed a desire to cut off all these lawsuits at the knees by stripping judges of the power to halt Bidens policies in the first place. The justice asserted that federal law bars district courts from issuing injunctions against many immigration policies, or attempting to vacate them nationwide. Gorsuch cast serious doubt on the legality of any universal injunction or vacatur, writing that these decrees strain our separation of powers, allow individual judges to act more like a legislature, and encourage parties to engage in forum shopping. If just two liberal justices agree with Gorsuchs critique, then there will be five votes to rein in out-of-control judges like Drew Tipton and Matthew Kacsmaryk. Still, it is understandable, that the liberals took the narrower route in this case: If the court abolishes nationwide injunctions now, they will be unavailable to use against the next Republican president, regardless of how brazenly he violates the law. It makes sense that the three progressive justices might want to keep this powerful remedy in their toolkit for extreme scenarios in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kavanaugh and Gorsuchs emphatic denunciations of boundless standing for red states garnered a collective eight votes; only Alito dissented, expressing his usual contempt for immigrants, the Biden administration, and any legal theory that limits his power to own the libs. That 81 outcome raises a question, though: Why did the court refuse to stay Tiptons decision a year ago, keeping it on hold during this appeal? Sotomayor, Kagan, Jackson, and Barrett would have stayed Tiptons ruling, but the five men kept it alive. Four of those menRoberts, Kavanaugh, Gorsuch, and Thomaslater determined that Tipton never even had jurisdiction to hear the case. A cynic might say that these justices wanted to stick it to the Biden administration for an extra year before finally imposing some real law on this whole mess. But thats ancient history. What matters now is that eight justices have signaled to the Ken Paxtons of the country that red states can no longer bullshit their way to standing before a hand-picked Trump judge. Will lower courts listen? Some, maybethough certainly not the 5th Circuit, which only gets more defiant when SCOTUS puts it in timeout. U.S. v. Texas is not the end of red states weaponization of the judiciary against Biden. But it puts them on notice that their reign of terror over immigration policy has approached its expiration date. Even before Elon Musk lit a match under a pile of money and agreed to buy Twitter for $54.20 per share last April, he was talking a lot about bots. If our twitter bid succeeds, we will defeat the spam bots or die trying! he tweeted one day. Four days after that, Musk inked a contract to buy the company. His statement in the big press release started with a line about how free speech (such as Musk sees it) is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square. But spam got high billing, too. Musk listed defeating the spam bots and authenticating all humans as goals. Advertisement Did he really mean it? Its impossible to say. Musk had nearly 100 million followers back then, and has many more now. The replies to anything he posts are a digital war zone. In addition to being a convenient place to find a lot of the most annoying people on the internet, the area underneath a Musk tweet is surely a good place to find spam. Given that Musk has a challenging time looking away from the site he boughtthats part of why he bought it!hes probably seen more spam on Twitter than just about anyone. So it may have been a sincere goal, when he first laid it out, to eradicate bots from his new property. Every platform where people can post anything is worried, at least a bit, about online garbage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But ever since then, nearly everything hes said about bots has been just clearly not true in the slightest. You could pick any number of bones about Musks leadership, not the least of which is that it has sucked on pure business terms and destroyed the companys value. Musk says a lot of things that do not seem like theyre on the level, but because support of and opposition to Musk on Twitter have become politically coded positions, its become hard to pin him down. Musk decides to troll LGBTQ+ users by declaring a widely used term is a slur? Hes got people to cheer for him, because those people dont like trans people. But Musks constant lying about Twitters bot situation should be different. Nobody likes bots, and Musk has spent many months concocting ludicrous claims about them. Everyone should be annoyed. When he tried to get out of buying Twitter, he said bots were rampant. Since being forced to follow through on his purchase, he has claimed the opposite. Neither position has been honest. Fourteen months after Musk made his deal, and nine after he took over, something has become clear about his public statements: If hes talking about bots, he is absolutely full of it, and nobody should believe him. Advertisement Advertisement The first bot lie Musk told was the one he used to try to get out of the deal. Recall that when Musk made his play for Twitter, and when he succeeded, he portrayed himself as champing at the bit to fight a bot war. Yes, Twitter had some big number of bots, Musk acknowledged, though it was hard to nail down the exact number for reasons Twitters old management explained. Musk was not just OK with bots being on Twitter. He was buying Twitter, he said, so that he could fight the bots. It was a feature of the deal, not a bug. Advertisement Within a few weeks, Musk realized what should have been obvious on the day he signed the deal: He had messed up. He was not just overpaying for Twitter at a $44 billion valuation. He was overpaying for an ungovernable platform that nobody should want to own, which could easily (and did) become a headache for the car company that generates his cataclysmic wealth. But the contract Musk signed was a tricky devil, and his Hail Mary of choice was to argue that, actually, Twitter had an enormous bot problem that it had understated to him. It was a wildly transparent charade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks effort to get out of the deal started in the spring and rolled well into October. It failed because Twitters lawyers planned for the eventuality that hed try something exactly like he did. Musk gave up the fight just before a Delaware business court trial that he was probably going to lose. The second bot lie Musk told stemmed from the first ones ineffectiveness. When Musk took over Twitter and started acting childishly, advertisers disliked it. They still dislike it, as the New York Times reported a recent 59 percent plunge in Twitters year-over-year ad sales. Advertising was about 90 percent of Twitters revenue when it was a public company, and Musk tanked the advertising business. That left him in need of another revenue stream, and the big one he settled on was paid subscriptions to Twitter Blue. The $8 blue check mark and priority placement in replies were Musks answer. Advertisement Related from Slate Nitish Pahwa The Chilling Meeting Between Elon Musk and Narendra Modi Read More In a funny argument with Stephen King, who did not want to pay to retain his check mark, Musk first told the truth: We need to pay the bills somehow! Twitter cannot rely entirely on advertisers. Indeed, especially given that the new Twitter had alienated so many advertisers. The lie came next, when Musk said that paid verification on Twitter was the only way to defeat the bots & trolls. Advertisement Advertisement It doesnt pass the sniff test. Does requiring payment for an account make it less likely that someone will use it to run a scheme? It could, if the person fears losing eight bucks when the account gets banned. And maybe, by prioritizing tweets by paid users, Musk really could make it harder for spam tweets to find life in the platforms search results or replies to tweets. Advertisement But it also might cut the other way, as scammers could try to trade on the (now paper-thin) veneer of legitimacy that comes from the blue check marks history as a symbol that an account was notable. Its an academic question, because only a tiny fraction of Twitter users pay for the subscription, and theres nothing that prevents a would-be scammer from just opening a free account. Twitter Blue has not actually gotten anywhere near majority adoption, and the bullish theory of its potential deterrence of spam has not been borne out. Ive noticed an uptick in crypto and get-rich-quick direct messages, but those existed before. A fun new innovation in my Twitter experience has been the appearance of porn spam under huge numbers of tweets, something I rarely encountered before. To the 20-year-old woman in see-through orange lingerie under lots of my tweets, asking me if I want some of what shes offering: I wish you the best of luck. Another day, another dollar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The third bot lie, which Musk tells now, emerges from some mixture of the other two not working and an apparent difficulty admitting that anything he does is anything less than a smashing success. At a recent Wall Street Journal event, Musk, the paper reported, said Twitter had eliminated at least 90 percent of scams on the platform. Its not entirely clear what that even means, and its even less clear how Musk could measure that. If hes referring to spambots, or to accounts sending phishing links trying to get someone to deposit Ethereum somewhere, then it certainly doesnt seem that way. Advertisement Theres no evidence, in fact, that anyone other than Musk can see that says Twitter has achieved any significant wins in his long-promised crusade against bots. One possibility is that Musk is a singular force of personality and business acumen, and that he has managed to beat these spam accounts in ways that only he and his crack team can measure. Another possibility is that somewhere in the course of nuking the Twitter staffs headcount to less than half of what it used to be, Musk made it a little bit harder for the company to deal with its spammiest accounts. And maybe offering an $8 optional subscription that a small handful of users paid for did not prevent people from throwing their bot armies at Twitter. None of us have Musks brain, so none of us will ever know. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to provide clear guidelines on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. The organization is part of a coalition of business groups that has filed an amicus brief in the case Acheson Hotels, LLC v. Laufer. The case questions whether a self-proclaimed tester has the constitutional right under Article III to challenge a businesss website accessibility, even without plans to physically visit the business in question. NFIB had earlier filed an amicus brief urging the court to consider this case. The potential impact on small businesses is substantial. Beth Milito, Executive Director of NFIBs Small Business Legal Center, voiced concerns over the lack of certainty for small businesses attempting to comply with ADA requirements, particularly as they relate to website accessibility. Power Up Your Event's Success Conduct Market Research Sell Your Business Milito stated, This case highlights the uncertainty for small businesses when complying with the ADA and the applicability of websites. She further explained the pressing challenge faced by small businesses who, while trying to adhere to a myriad of government regulations, are exposed to potential litigation through tester lawsuits, such as the one in question. This appeal to the Supreme Court forms part of a wider call by small business owners for clarity in the ADAs applicability to business websites and protection from those who might misuse the ADA for personal financial gain. In an effort to guide businesses through this legal landscape, NFIB previously released a tip sheet for small business owners. The NFIB Small Business Legal Center also published a White Paper titled, The ADA and Small Business: Website Compliance Amid a Plethora of Uncertainty. The amicus brief was not only filed by NFIB, but was also supported by several other organizations, including the Restaurant Law Center, American Hotel and Lodging Association, Rhode Island Hospitality Association, Puerto Rico Restaurant Association, New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association, Massachusetts Restaurant Association, and HospitalityMaine. NFIBs Small Business Legal Center is known for championing the rights of small business owners in the nations courts. NFIB is currently active in over 40 cases across federal and state courts nationwide and in the U.S. Supreme Court. As the country awaits the Courts decision, the potential for change looms large for small businesses. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for future ADA website compliance, with the power to reshape the legal obligations and financial implications for small businesses across the country. For the latest, follow us on Google News. VUB Banka will introduce new fees as well. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Share Twitter Facebook Whatsapp E-mail Link to the page Two large banks in Slovakia, Slovenska Sporitelna and VUB Banka, will increase several of their fees starting from July. Some clients to pay more for ATM withdrawals Slovenska Sporitelna decided to change one of the conditions for obtaining a bank account without a fee. Clients will have to make card payments in the amount of at least 350 to enjoy a free bank account. Currently it is 250. The conditions for young and older clients will remain unchanged, the SITA news agency explained. An urgent transfer requested at a Slovenska Sporitelna branch will cost 10 more, rising to 40. The fee for depositing cash into a bank account will increase by 1, to 4. Coin processing fees will also increase. Also, the bank will increase a fee for a cash withdrawal from an ATM. For withdrawals from Slovenska Sporitelna ATMs and Erste financial group ATMs, the fee will increase from 0.20 euros to 0.25. There will be a fee of 3.50 for withdrawing money from another banks ATM in Slovakia and in the European Economic Area countries. Currently, the fee is 3. The cashless payment for goods and services will increase from 0.20 to 0.25. Card payments as well as withdrawals from our ATMs are free for the vast majority of our clients who have various types of SPACE accounts, the bank said, adding that the fees apply only to the MINI SPACE account, Sporoziro senior, a basic banking product, and an account with basic functions. VUBs new fees As for VUB Bankas package accounts, in which the terms of the reward for loyalty are determined, the monthly volume of credit transactions for the first type of account will increase from 500 to 700. With the second type of account, it will rise from 1,000 to 1,200. At the same time, the client must use internet banking or a mobile application at least once a month, SITA added. Balances in deposit accounts, savings accounts and investments will have to be at least 13,000 a month. Currently it is still 10,000. The fee for sending statements by post will increase from 2.50 to 3.20. The bank will also introduce a new fee of 10 for issuing an account confirmation letter based on a clients request in internet banking or via a mobile application. Deposits of cash into the account, as well as cash withdrawals from the account at a VUB branch, or transfers and direct debits made at a bank branch will also become more expensive for the client. The fee for transfers by bank cheque outside Slovakia and urgent transfers at a branch will also increase. From July, a fee for a plastic credit card will also be introduced. Depending on its type, it will range from 0.25 to 0.50 a month. Payment card services at the branch will also become more expensive. Google moves aggressively to protect information integrity ahead of elections. YouTube has taken action against channels linked to the far-right Republika party that it says violate its content policies. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Share Twitter Facebook Whatsapp E-mail Link to the page The Slovak far-right party Republika, which was formed by breakaway members of Marian Kotleba's neo-fascist LSNS party, purports to support peace in Ukraine while simultaneously promoting views that deflect criticism of the Russian government and shift blame towards the West. On Saturday, June 17, YouTube, the video platform owned by Google, removed several channels associated with the party, citing policy and content violations. Among the deleted channels were ones operated by the alternative media outlets Kulturblog and Konzerva, as well as a fan channel featuring Republika member Milan Mazurek. According to a report by news website Aktuality.sk, Mazurek stated that other channels were deleted by YouTube, but he did not specify which ones. Pro-Russian narratives and criticism of the West YouTube explained that the removal of the channels is part of an investigation into coordinated influence operations in Slovakia. The mention of such operations is significant, especially with the parliamentary elections due in September, suggesting that Google's expert team has identified deeper coordination behind the operations of the affected channels. Republika propagates narratives in support of the Russian Federation, especially a desire for peace, while simultaneously criticising the European Union and NATO (Slovakia is a member of both), and strongly opposing military aid to Ukraine. Similar content can be found on Kulturblog, where party leader Milan Uhrik and prominent MP Milan Mazurek host regular shows. Connections with Republika All the blocked channels have personnel connections to Republika, reinforcing the association between these media platforms and the far-right movement. YouTube, in collaboration with its specialised Threat Analysis Group (TAG), is committed to uncovering government-backed hacking attacks and coordinated influence campaigns. TAG's objective is to identify specific actors involved in these activities and take appropriate measures within Google's services. The information it obtains is also shared with cybersecurity experts, contributing to broader efforts to ensure information security. Proactive approach ahead of elections YouTube's move, three months ahead of parliamentary elections in which Republika is predicted to win seats, marks a significant intervention. The site says that its aim is to foster a healthier information environment and uphold its content policies, address the spread of disinformation and harmful content, and take a proactive stance against coordinated influence operations on its platform in order to protect the integrity of the democratic process. The move underscores the growing awareness of the role that digital platforms can play in the manipulation of public opinion. Highlights are a rare 13th-century altar and an original Gothic altarpiece from St Martin's Cathedral. Sacred Art is one of two long-term displays the Slovak National Gallery opened on June 22. (Source: TASR) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Share Twitter Facebook Whatsapp E-mail Link to the page The Slovak National Gallery (SNG) yesterday opened the first of two long-term collection displays. They present the greatest gems of sacred art from the Gothic and Baroque periods, and of Slovak modern art from the first half of the 20th century. Many of you [visitors] were waiting for the display of these pieces of art for more than 20 years, Dusan Buran, one of the curators of the SNG. The SNG reopened its exhibition premises in Bratislava last December after an extensive, seven-year refurbishment. Before that, exhibitions had been gradually curtailed since 2001 due to the gallery's deteriorating condition. Sacred Art and The Modern are the first two of six planned long-term SNG collection displays in Bratislava. The remaining four will open by the first half of 2024, and in the meantime several short-term exhibitions will be staged, the SNG says. Sacred art In the Sacred Art display, visitors can see the SNGs most precious Gothic and Baroque paintings and sculptures, as well as icons and paintings from European art of the 16th to 19th centuries. One of the highlights is a tabernacle from the third quarter of the 13th century. Only around 10 such artworks have been preserved, noted Buran. This is the oldest and most published piece of art in the SNGs collection, said Buran, who curated the display with Katarina Kolbiarz Chmelinova. Another highlight is a relief depicting the birth of Christ, dating from 1480-1490. It used to be the central piece of the Gothic altar of St Martin's Cathedral, said Buran. The altar was dismantled to make space for the Baroque altar created by George Rafael Donner. The display guides visitors through several themes and aspects associated with religious art, such as the Passion, the Holy Family, Folk Piety, and Original & Copy, ultimately arriving at a group of the oldest wooden sculptures in Slovakia. Modern art The other display, The Modern, introduces the story of Slovak visual art from the first half of the 20th century. The Modern, one of two long-term collection displays at the SNG. (Source: TASR) We have selected the most important developments in our art between the years 1890-1900 and 1948, said Katarina Bajcurova, the displays curator. Visitors will discover how art responded to new civilisational challenges and social transformations, how artists reacted to the world they lived in, and how these realities were reflected in their works, thus changing the imagery and language of visual art. Key points are highlighted by the inclusion of several artworks from the second half of the 20th century that indicate the affinity of certain semantic codes and images, a shift in their understanding, and their transformation over time. Esterhazy palace opened, too The gallery also re-opened its popular experimental displays Amazing Art History with Professor Hamster, the unique Kornel and Nada Foldvari Library, and the Antimuseum of J.K. in the Esterhazy Palace. These were complemented by the new display Biblioman, devoted to the art historian and bibliophile Igor Gazdik. The new display Biblioman, devoted to the art historian and bibliophile Igor Gazdik. (Source: TASR) We are presenting a selection of his bibliophilia at the SNG in an authorial re-design of a living room set in the times of normalisation by designer Sylvia Jokelova, said Viera Kleinova, the displays curator. Additionally, for the occasion of the opening of the collection displays, the SNG introduces a large-scale graphic, In the Name of the Pentode Everything Is as It Really Is, by contemporary artists Pavol Cejka, Jan Cumlivsky, and Tomas Klepoch. Last month, we brought news of Kansas Citys FairWave Specialty Coffee Collective acquiring two Minneapolis-based sister companies, Folly Coffee Roasters and Philtera Cold Brewed Coffees, continuing their growth in Minnesota and Missouri. And now, their Midwest expansion grows eastward into Wisconsin with their acquisition of Milwaukees Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co. Opened in 1999, Anodyne has been a staple in the Milwaukee coffee scene for over two decades and is arguably one of the biggest names FairWave has acquired in the three years since its formation. As reported by Globe Newswire, Anodyne is the first Wisconsin brand to come under the FairWave umbrella and the 10th coffee company overall. With more than two decades of experience in the specialty coffee industry, Anodyne is bringing a wealth of talent and experience to the collective, said Joe Marrocco, VP of coffee sourcing and product development. Milwaukee has a strong sense of community with a vibrant food and beverage scene, and we couldnt be happier to launch in this market with such an incredible partner. Like previous acquisitions by FairWave, Anodyne will continue to act independently, and the day-to-day cafe and roastery activities will remain unchanged. Becoming part of the conglomerate will allow Anodyne access to FairWaves much more extensive buying network. Per the press release, Anodynes leadership teamSteve Kessler, Nolan Truttschel, Laura Lown, and Stephanie Burtonwill serve as FairWaves local Milwaukee ownership group. At the same time, owners Matt McClutchy and Lacee Perry will become partial owners in FairWave through this transition. For more information, visit FairWave Specialty Coffee Collectives official website. Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge. Director James Cameron poses for photographers upon arrival at the World premiere of the film 'Avatar: The Way of Water' in London, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. AP-Yonhap "Titanic" director and renowned deep-sea explorer James Cameron said many warnings were ignored about the safety of the tourist submersible that imploded near the famous shipwreck, killing five people. Cameron said the sub had been the source of widespread concern in the close-knit ocean exploration community, and drew parallels to the 1912 ocean liner sinking in which around 1,500 people died. "I'm struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship, and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night, and many people died as a result," Cameron told ABC News. "And for a very similar tragedy, where warnings went unheeded, to take place at the same exact site, with all the diving that's going on all around the world, I think it's just astonishing. "It's really quite surreal." The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed Thursday that the small sub, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, had suffered a "catastrophic implosion" in the ocean depths, ending a multinational search-and-rescue operation that captivated the world. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/air-force-head-becomes-australias-first-sybersecurity-shief-as-intrusions-spike-1111412166.html Air Force Head Becomes Australia's First ybersecurity hief As Intrusions Spike Air Force Head Becomes Australia's First ybersecurity hief As Intrusions Spike Previously, Australia was named as the fifth-most targeted country by data thieves, punching well above its weight among nations similar in economy and population. 2023-06-23T07:30+0000 2023-06-23T07:30+0000 2023-06-23T07:30+0000 world anthony albanese australia gold coast timor-leste (east timor) royal australian air force cybersecurity /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105807/59/1058075908_134:0:1786:929_1920x0_80_0_0_bed17d5fac2cacce61f6549e329752b7.jpg Australia has appointed its first dedicated cybersecurity boss to manage the government's response to major data breaches and boost the nation's security capabilities after hack attacks and malevolent activity have shown a spike in cases.Air Marshal Darren Goldie, a 30-year Air Force veteran, will be the first national cybersecurity coordinator, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced. He will be supported in the newly created role by a national office within the Department of Home Affairs and will start work on 3 July.His views were echoed by Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil who said that the appointment of Goldie as head of this agency was an "important part of the jigsaw puzzle" put in place to offset hackers and other malefactors.Australia has seen a marked rise in cyber crimes since late last year, prompting the government to intervene. Among others, it reformed security rules and set up a dedicated agency to oversee government investment and help coordinate responses to hacker attacks.In the most recent example, Australian commercial law firm HWL Ebsworth - whose clients include the country's largest banks and some government departments - came under attack from hackers, warning that some of the stolen data may have ended up on the dark web. Major breaches have also been reported by health insurer Medibank Private and telecom company Optus.Tellingly, IDCare, an Australian government-backed service for victims of identity theft, singled out Australia as the fifth-most targeted country by data thieves in January 2023, being affected far worse than nations with a comparable economy and population.Who is Darren Goldie?Air Vice-Marshal Goldie assumed the role of Air Commander Australia, who is responsible for effectively preparing air combat forces, in April 2022.A native of Gold Coast, Goldie joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1993 and attended the Australian Defense Force Academy. After pilot training, Air Vice-Marshal Goldie flew C-130 E, H and J model Hercules on Operations in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was an A Category Captain with 5,000 flying hours.In the 2010s, Goldie served as Commanding Officer in No 37 Squadron in Sydney and No 92 Wing in Adelaide. Subsequently he served as aide de camp and staff officer. In 2020-21 he provided strategic foreign policy advice to the government, prime minister and Cabinet.Goldie is highly decorated and his honors include the Australia Day Medallion, the Conspicuous Service Cross and he is also a Member of the Order of Australia.He has a Bachelor of Science from ADFA, a Masters of Management from UNSW and a Masters of Strategic Studies, obtained on posting to US Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama in the US. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230510/australia-cuts-some-defense-spending-to-fund-nuclear-submarine-project---reports-1110243262.html australia gold coast timor-leste (east timor) Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Igor Kuznetsov Igor Kuznetsov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Igor Kuznetsov cybersecurity doctrine, cyber intrusions, data breach, hack attack, dark web https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/everything-we-know-about-tsunami-causing-poseidon-drone-subs-1111420657.html Everything We Know About Tsunami-Causing Poseidon Drone Subs Everything We Know About Tsunami-Causing Poseidon Drone Subs An informed source has given Sputnik exclusive new details on the Poseidon the nuclear-capable, nuclear powered, unmanned underwater vehicle first unveiled... 23.06.2023, Sputnik International 2023-06-23T13:40+0000 2023-06-23T13:40+0000 2023-06-23T16:47+0000 military vladimir putin russia khabarovsk navy nato washington t-15 poseidon nuclear posture review /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106454/62/1064546243_18:0:1414:785_1920x0_80_0_0_87b86734ab3368b0202b57b51ca6bfd0.jpg Bench testing of the Poseidon drone subs nuclear reactor installations has been carried out successfully, confirming their safety and readiness for operation, an informed source in the Russian defense sector told Sputnik this week.The first sea trials of the autonomous drones are scheduled to start later this summer, according to the source, and will focus on the operational testing of the Poseidons nuclear power plant. The trials will involve the Belgorod the Russian Project 949A cruise missile submarine custom-modified for special operations made famous in 2015, when information on a secret Russian autonomous nuclear-powered autonomous sub was first leaked in a Russian television news report.On Thursday, Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Nikolai Evmenov confirmed to Sputnik that the Belgorod, which was delivered to the Navy in 2022, will formally enter service sometime later this year.What Do We Know About the Poseidon?The Poseidon project, originally codenamed the Status-6, NATO code name Kanyon, was first officially unveiled in 2018, with Russias Defense Ministry publishing footage of development work, plus a computer-generated presentation of the principles of the autonomous torpedos operations. This included footage of the Poseidons detachment from its sub carrier and maneuvering near the bottom of the ocean floor toward targets, which can comprise an enemy carrier group, or an enemy port.Since then, additional details, including information about the Poseidons dimensions and weapons payload, have been made available. The autonomous torpedo is 20 meters long, 1.8 meters in diameter, and weighs 100 tons.Equipped with a nuclear reactor and operating autonomously with the help of satellite communications and artificial intelligence, Poseidons have what is essentially an unlimited range allowing them to travel to any underwater location on Earth, and to remain operational so long as their technical resource allows. The system has an estimated operating speed of between 60-70 knots (about 100-130 km/hour) respectively, and the ability to carry conventional explosives, or a nuclear warhead with an explosive power of up to two megatons.What Do We Know About the Poseidons Carriers?While the Belgorod sub is being used to develop and test the Poseidon, an entire lineup of special-purposed submarines known as the Project 09851 Khabarovsk-class is being built to carry them.The Khabarovsk, the lead boat of the new fleet, was launched last year, and is expected to be commissioned with the Pacific Fleet in 2024. The second sub, laid down in 2017, is expected in 2025, and will serve in the Northern Fleet. Two more Khabarovsk-class subs have been ordered. The Khabarovsk-class is widely believed to be a modification of the Borei-class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile subs, featuring the same basic hull, but customized to carry up to six Poseidon drones, and possibly, 6-8 533 mm torpedoes for defense against attacks by enemy vessels.What Does the US Say About Poseidons?The Pentagon appears to acknowledge the strategic significance of the Poseidon, with its 2018 Nuclear Posture Review acknowledging that Russia is developing a new intercontinental, nuclear armed, nuclear-powered, undersea autonomous torpedo. In 2020, the US Naval Institute said that the ramifications of the new system cannot be overstated, given that it is impervious to ballistic-missile defense and cannot be detected until it is detonated.Also in 2020, the State Department expressed fears that Poseidon drones could swallow up US coastal cities in radioactive tsunamis, and condemned their development as a potential violation of applicable international legal rules and principles.Does the Poseidon Have a Predecessor?The Poseidon is actually not the first doomsday torpedo developed by Russia. At the dawning of the nuclear age in the late 1940s, Soviet engineers were tasked with creating a nuclear-armed torpedo which could be launched toward US shores in the event of war. The highly classified project, known as the T-15, began development in 1949, shortly after the USSR test detonated its first nuclear bomb, but before Moscow could reach nuclear parity with Washington, which had by then accumulated a stockpile of nearly 300 nukes.The T-15 projects torpedo was 23.5 meters long, 1.55 meters wide, weighed 40 tons, and was armed with a thermonuclear warhead. It would be launched from a Project 627 Kit-class attack sub, the USSRs first-ever nuclear-powered sub.The preliminary design of the torpedo was completed in 1953, with that of its carrier finished a year later. Unlike the Poseidon, the T-15 was not nuclear-powered, and instead relied on an electric motor that gave it enough juice to travel about 30 km. The Navy studied the project, ultimately concluding that it was problematic, given the need for the sub carrier to approach to within 40 km of the target area, the systems comparatively slow speed (about 24 knots), and the need to dramatically reduce the subs onboard torpedo tube defenses. Project 627s future revisions ultimately excluded the T-15 from its design, and the boat would go on to successfully serve in the Soviet Navy as a traditional attack sub until 1990.Soviet academic Andrei Sakharov also tinkered with an idea similar to the Poseidon, recalling in his memoirs that in the early 1960s, he had come up with the concept of a submarine-launched nuclear torpedo powered by a direct-flow nuclear water-to-steam jet engine with enough power to fire a 100-megaton torpedo which would jump out of the water and attack targets several hundred kilometers away. The physicist ultimately shelved the project.Why Did Russia Develop the Poseidon?In the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States and its NATO allies took a series of steps to undermine Russias strategic security, first by expanding the Western alliance into Eastern Europe, swallowing up every former member of defunct Warsaw Pact, three ex-Soviet republics and four ex-Yugoslav republics, despite repeated promises not to do so.In 2002, Washington unilaterally tore up the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, a breakthrough 1972 arms control agreement limiting the development of advanced anti-ballistic missile defenses by the nuclear superpowers.Concurrently in the 2000s, the US began to station missile defense systems in Europe, to protect against rogue powers, Washington assured, first in the Czech Republic and Poland, and then in Poland and Romania, with the latter featuring the construction of Aegis Ashore facilities. Russia expressed serious concerns about these installations, pointing out that they use the same MK 41 Vertical Launch Systems used to launch nuclear-tipped Tomahawk cruise missiles. If equipped with the latter, Russia would have just 2-5 minutes warning time in a surprise US attack.But thats not all. Also in the 2000s, US military planners began to develop the concept of Prompt Global Strike, an initiative proposing the mass launch of hundreds or even thousands of conventional cruise ballistic missiles to neutralize an enemys nuclear deterrent and decapitate its leadership. These steps prompted Russia to reactivate its Soviet-era Perimeter autonomic nuclear-control system, better known in the West as the Dead Hand, which allows for the launch of Russias nuclear weapons automatically if the enemy has successfully carried out a first strike and eliminated Russias decision-making centers.In an environment of undermined trust and weakened or scrapped treaties, Russia developed a new generation of strategic weapons including the Poseidon, the Avanguard hypersonic glide vehicle, the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, and the Kinzhal hypersonic missile. Together, they are designed to help preserve global strategic stability, and to inflict such devastating losses on an aggressor as to eliminate the very possibility of a surprise enemy first strike. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230410/belgorod-nuclear-submarine-armed-with-poseidon-torpedoes-1109325885.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/a-fateful-error-history-of-natos-expansion-1108611973.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230614/which-russian-weapons-systems-have-built-in-ai-1111158825.html russia khabarovsk washington Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov poseidon, autonomous sub, underwater drone, range, characteristics, nuclear-powered, nuclear, unmanned autonomous vehicle https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/fing-good-for-business-blackrock-doesnt-want-ukraine-conflict-to-end-1111430875.html 'F***ing Good for Business': Blackrock Doesnt Want Ukraine Conflict to End 'F***ing Good for Business': Blackrock Doesnt Want Ukraine Conflict to End The hedge fund signed a memo of understanding with Ukraine in 2022, and indicated it looks forward to its advisory role in the nations reconstruction. In January, the Ukrainian president thanked BlackRock for its support. 2023-06-23T20:26+0000 2023-06-23T20:26+0000 2023-06-23T20:25+0000 economy volodymyr zelensky blackrock ukraine russia us hedge fund /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/17/1111430718_0:155:3001:1843_1920x0_80_0_0_4a388c4ba6ec040e07942fe4a38c44fb.jpg Stretching out the Ukrainian conflict for as long as possible is good for Blackrock, an employee with the asset management giant accidentally blabbed to an undercover reporter.The Ukrainian economy is tied very largely to the wheat market, [the] global wheat market. This is fantastic if youre trading. Volatility creates opportunity to make profit. War is really f***ing good for business, he said, smiling before adding its exciting when s*** goes wrong. Right?Giving a hypothetical example, Varlay said if something were to happen to Ukraines grain silos, wheat prices would go mad up, with trading firms immediately pumping trades into whoever the wheat suppliers are. Into their stocks. Within an hour or two that stock goes f****ing up and then you sell and you just made, I dont know, however many mil.Varlay also offered insights into the ins and outs of political power in the US, saying financial institutions like Blackrock and banks actually run the world and are in the habit of buying politicians. What matters isnt who the president is, but whos controlling the wallet of the president, he said. The Blackrock employee added that the medias job is not to inform, but to misinform the American public.As for companies like Blackrock, they dont want to be in the news. They dont want people to talk about them. They dont want to be anywhere on the radar, he said, suggesting it was easier to do things when people arent [thinking] about it.Later, confronted by OKeefe Media Group head James OKeefe in a coffee shop in Brooklyn, New York, to explain his remarks, Varlay backpeddled, stressing he was just a low-ladder person in the company, a nobody, and eventually fled the cafe to hide in a nearby police station. ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov blackrock, revelations, admissions, ukraine, russia, conflict, fighting, investment https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/first-trial-of-poseidon-nuclear-capable-underwater-drones-planned-for-summer-2023---source-1111411028.html First Trial of Poseidon Nuclear-Capable Underwater Drones Planned for Summer 2023 - Source First Trial of Poseidon Nuclear-Capable Underwater Drones Planned for Summer 2023 - Source First trials of the Poseidon nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drones from the Belgorod nuclear-powered submarine are scheduled for the summer of 2023, a source in defense industry has told Sputnik. 2023-06-23T01:25+0000 2023-06-23T01:25+0000 2023-06-23T04:40+0000 military nikolai evmenov russia belgorod russian navy poseidon science & tech /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107282/40/1072824000_0:4:1244:704_1920x0_80_0_0_16409e83522766f0de93564345af8ccd.jpg First trials of the Poseidon nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drones from the Belgorod nuclear-powered submarine are scheduled for the summer of 2023, a source in the defense industry has told Sputnik.Adm. Nikolai Evmenov, the commander-in-chief of the Russian navy, told Sputnik on Thursday that the Belgorod submarine designed to carry Poseidons will enter into service of the Russian Navy in 2023. The operation of the Poseidon's reactor units will be tested first during the trials, the source said, adding that the units have already undergone bench tests, and the safety and readiness for their operation has been confirmed. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230410/belgorod-nuclear-submarine-armed-with-poseidon-torpedoes-1109325885.html russia belgorod Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International poseidon nuclear-powered underwater drones, belgorod, nuclear-powered submarine, first trial https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/hungary-offering-to-increase-number-of-ports-exporting-ukrainian-grain---minister-1111414794.html Hungary Offering to Increase Number of Ports Exporting Ukrainian Grain - Minister Hungary Offering to Increase Number of Ports Exporting Ukrainian Grain - Minister Hungary is planning to hold talks with Turkey on expanding the number of ports which process exports of Ukrainian agricultural products under the UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative because the current maritime routes transfer only 12% of Ukrainian grain, Hungarian Minister of Agriculture Istvan Nagy said after a meeting with his Polish counterpart, Robert Telus. 2023-06-23T07:24+0000 2023-06-23T07:24+0000 2023-07-17T11:38+0000 ukraine hungary russia the united nations (un) grain grain exports black sea grain deal /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/0e/1100758304_0:0:3094:1740_1920x0_80_0_0_cd66d0cb8c9a9bbe9f9aab9085d5d147.jpg Hungary is planning to hold talks with Turkey on expanding the number of ports which process exports of Ukrainian agricultural products under the UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative because the current maritime routes transfer only 12% of Ukrainian grain, Hungarian Minister of Agriculture Istvan Nagy said after a meeting with his Polish counterpart, Robert Telus. The statement read that Nagy had asked Telus for a mandate to hold negotiations with Turkey on launching new sea routes for grain exports along with the existing three Black Sea ports. Telus said it was important to boost the number of ports for Ukrainian grain exports, adding that Warsaw would support the move, the statement added. Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN reached an agreement on July 22, 2022, to unblock grain and fertilizer exports in the Black Sea amid the military conflict between Moscow and Kiev. The package deal included a memorandum between the UN and Russia to facilitate Russian exports, including through the Tolyatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline. Moscow has since agreed to several extensions to the deal, which is now due to expire in mid-July, but complained that its memorandum component was not being fully implemented. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230614/kremlin-says-russia-can-withdraw-from-grain-deal-after-its-termination-1111149597.html ukraine hungary russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International exporting ukrainian grain, black sea grain initiative, ukrainian grain https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/icc-judge-aitala-appears-on-wanted-list-of-russias-interior-ministry-1111411176.html ICC Judge Who Issued 'Warrant' for Putin, Put on Russias Wanted List ICC Judge Who Issued 'Warrant' for Putin, Put on Russias Wanted List Rosario Salvatore Aitala, a judge of the International Criminal Court who issued a warrant for the "arrest" of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has appeared in the database of wanted people of the Russian Interior Ministry. 2023-06-23T01:57+0000 2023-06-23T01:57+0000 2023-06-23T12:52+0000 russia international criminal court (icc) vladimir putin russia ukraine icc criminal code interior ministry /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/12/1108528967_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_ad857964e3b249bbe789b291ae5e2e9b.jpg "Basis for the search: wanted under an article of the Criminal Code," the wanted list in the database said. A picture of Aitala with the caption "wanted" appeared at a stand near the Sviblovo District Department of the Internal Ministry in Moscow. On March 2, 2022, the Office of the ICC Prosecutor, the jurisdiction of which is not recognized by Russia, started investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine. On March 11, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan said an investigative team had started gathering evidence. The Pre-Trial Chamber II of the ICC issued on March 17 a warrant for the "arrest" of Putin and Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova, citing "unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation." The Russian Investigative Committee initiated on March 20 proceedings against the prosecutor and judges of the ICC. In mid-May, the Russian Investigative Committee said it filed charges in absentia against Khan and Aitala, including bringing criminal proceedings against a person known to be innocent, combined with unlawfully charging a person with a particularly serious offense, and preparing to attack a representative of a foreign state enjoying international protection, with the aim of complicating international relations. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230317/kangaroo-court-what-is-the-international-criminal-court-that-just-issued-a-warrant-for-putin-1108521835.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International international criminal court, rosario salvatore aitala, russian president vladimir putin, russian interior ministry, database of wanted people https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/japan-france-agree-to-strengthen-defense-cooperation--foreign-ministry-1111417043.html Japan, France Agree to Strengthen Defense Cooperation Japan, France Agree to Strengthen Defense Cooperation Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his French counterpart, Catherine Colonna, have agreed to strengthen defense ties, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said on Friday. 2023-06-23T09:33+0000 2023-06-23T09:33+0000 2023-06-23T09:46+0000 military yoshimasa hayashi emmanuel macron japan france nato japanese foreign ministry /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/17/1111416138_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_18ea49c387213f0ccbe027abe653931c.jpg Hayashi and Colonna met on Thursday on the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris. In addition to security and defense, Japan's top diplomat welcomed the progress of bilateral relations in such areas as the economy, science and technology, global engagement, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, the ministry said. The two ministers also discussed Russia sanctions and support for Ukraine, but not the potential opening of a NATO office in Tokyo, according to the ministry's statement. Earlier in June, the Financial Times reported that French President Emmanuel Macron voiced opposition to the idea of opening NATOs first representative office in Asia, as such a move would antagonize China. japan france Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International japanese foreign ministry, yoshimasa hayashi, catherine colonna https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/modis-big-us-trip-pm-tells-off-biden-to-his-face-wont-tow-us-line-on-ukraine-1111427821.html Modi's Big US Trip: PM Tells Off Biden to His Face, Won't Tow US Line on Ukraine Modi's Big US Trip: PM Tells Off Biden to His Face, Won't Tow US Line on Ukraine Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is winding down his trip to the US, meeting President Biden and addressing Congress on Thursday. 2023-06-23T18:41+0000 2023-06-23T18:41+0000 2023-06-23T18:41+0000 joe biden narendra modi china russia india us white house congress visit outcome /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/17/1111427508_0:160:3074:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_ecdea95d0b7000baf3a129a450f34642.jpg Modis visit to the US has been hailed by both sides as a major success, with the two nations signing a flurry of agreements in fields ranging from technology sharing and space cooperation to semiconductors, industry, academic and scientific collaboration, clean energy, minerals, and private sector investment.On the military cooperation front, the two countries signed a deal allowing US defense giant GE to build jet engines for military aircraft in India in cooperation with Hindustan Aeronautics. Modi and Biden also welcomed Delhis plans to purchase a maritime variant of General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper drone, with the $3 billion agreement envisioning the UAVs assembly in India.In another much talked about development, US warships have been given the okay to stop over at Indian shipyards to undergo repairs, formalizing in writing a practice that began last year.Two great nations, two great friends, and two great powers. Cheers, Biden said later at a state dinner in his high profile guests honor."You are soft spoken, but when it comes to action, you are very strong," Modi replied.Modi Won't Budge on UkrainePursuant to diplomatic traditions established by Delhi after India achieved independence in 1947, Modi did not kowtow to the US on issues relating to Indian sovereignty and foreign policy independence. For example, the India-US joint statement brought up the Ukrainian crisis only in the context of its "terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences," with a focus on the need for "greater efforts to mitigate the consequences" of the conflict, "especially in the developing world."China was not mentioned in the document directly at all, but only hinted at in the context of the need to maintain "freedom of navigation and overflight" in Indo-Pacific, and address "challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the East and South China Seas." The US side even paid lip service to "the importance of adherence to international law, particularly as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," even though Washington isn't even a party to that landmark 1982 treaty.In his address to Congress on Thursday, Modi again mentioned the severe impact the Ukraine crisis has had on the Global South, reiterating that the current era should be an era of "dialogue and diplomacy," not of conflict.Modi to Biden: Dont Meddle in Indian AffairsAt their press conference, Modi, once banned from setting foot in the US over his alleged "severe violations of religious freedom" while serving as chief minister of the state of Gujrat, told Biden and US journalists that criticism of India's treatment of minorities is misplaced and unacceptable.Biden, who berated Modis government on the campaign trail in 2020 over Indias actions in Kashmir, sheepishly refrained from repeating these criticisms while standing alongside the prime minister in the White House, instead assuring he and Modi had a good discussion about democratic values and respect each other.US Will Try to Exploit Indias Vulnerabilities on ChinaI am very strongly of the view that the US has been taking advantage of our concerns relating to China, Talmiz Ahmed, a former Indian diplomat and strategic affairs expert, told Sputnik India, pointing to the Biden administrations efforts to massage the ego of Indias prime minister during his visit.The observer pointed out that until the escalation of border tensions in Eastern Ladakh in 2020, India and China's interests in the Indian Ocean were actually more or less aligned, focusing on the need to secure vital shipping lanes for energy and trade.For the former diplomat, the agreement to allow US warships to access Indian ports is deeply concerning, given the threat of Washington dragging Delhi into its escalating confrontation with Beijing.On top of that, he said, the 2021 US freedom of navigation mission in Indias Exclusive Economic Zone, which sparked outrage from Delhi at the time, demonstrates perfectly that Washington will attempt to bully the Asian nation into submission if it wont agree with US security policy.Alexei Kupriyanov, an expert on South Asia and Indian Ocean affairs at Russias Institute of World Economy and International Relations, says as far as US-Indian military cooperation is concerned, its important not stress that allowing US warships to repair vessels in Indian ports does not mean American military bases in India."This must be understood because this is the principled Indian position that there are [to be] no foreign military bases on [its] territory, Kupriyanov told Sputnik India.Non-AlignmentFor his part, Dr. Zhiqun Zhu, a professor of political science and international relations at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, said that notwithstanding US efforts to bring Delhi in as a full-fledged member of its anti-China bloc, the two countries policies do not converge completely, because India sees China as more of a regional rival rather than a global challenger in every area.Of course Washington would like India to play a "more active role in the US Indo-Pacific strategy," the academic noted. "However, India has been ambiguous and ambivalent in its China policy," refusing to throw its full support behind the US Indo-Pacific strategy."Weapons Deals and Tech Transfer Pipe DreamsTalmiz Ahmed dismissed the significance of the technology transfer agreements signed during Modis visit, pointing out that the US hasn't actually engaged in technology transfers with other countries in decades, and "has never transferred state-of-the-art technology."Pravin Sawhney, an acclaimed Indian author and editor of Force Magazine, an Indian national security affairs publication, agreed with Ahmeds assessment, telling Sputnik India that US had shared very little with India, and adding he isnt even sure India will receive US jet engine technology despite the "hyped" optimism in Indian media.Sawhney also tamped down the significance of the Reaper drone deal, saying the costly US drones are "a very slow-moving unmanned aircraft" which require "a lot of pilots on the ground" to keep them in the air. On top of that, he said, India's military won't be able to receive all of the information collected by the drones in "real-time."For his part, Alexander Mikhailov, the head of the Bureau of Military-Political Analysis, a Russian military affairs think tank, told Sputnik India that Delhis defense deals with the US are a politically motivated push on Washingtons part to eat into Russias market share in Indias arms imports, which also includes uncompetitive practices like sanctioning Russian organizations, intermediaries, contractors and even clients. "There is more politics here than military affairs," he said."The Americans are playing their game here and it is beneficial for them to drive wedges between India and Russia, India and China," Mikhailov said.Ultimately, the observer expressed confidence in Delhis ability to maneuver through these diplomatic minefields, pointing out that Indians are "very smart" when it comes to geopolitics, demonstrating their ability to maneuver between East-West power centers going to back to the days of the Cold War to maximize their own advantage without jeopardizing ties with any major power. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/modi-biden-summit-can-us-pry-india-from-brics-orbit-1111365147.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230323/report-us-gave-india-unprecedented-intelligence-used-in-border-clash-with-china-1108706608.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230616/growth-of-brics-could-accelerate-de-dollarization-1111210989.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230608/military-vet-new-japan-taiwan-drone-fleet-is-part-of-us-plan-to-contain-china-1111011747.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230525/russia-boosts-hydrocarbon-exports-to-india--novak--1110578742.html china russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International narendra modi, joe biden, united states, india, ukraine, china, world order, analysis, affairs, policy https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/netanyahu-us-weapons-sent-to-ukraine-spotted-on-israels-borders-1111428304.html Netanyahu: US Weapons Sent to Ukraine Spotted on Israel's Borders Netanyahu: US Weapons Sent to Ukraine Spotted on Israel's Borders Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Western weapons previously sent to Ukraine are turning up in the hands of militants on Israels borders. 2023-06-23T19:23+0000 2023-06-23T19:23+0000 2023-06-23T19:22+0000 world benjamin netanyahu michael maloof ukraine israel arms sales /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107824/95/1078249512_0:115:2808:1695_1920x0_80_0_0_e2c7b03617074a34c702024c6d24e313.jpg Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Western weapons previously sent to Ukraine are turning up in the hands of militants on Israels borders.Speaking to a prominent Israeli newspaper on Friday, Netanyahu said he had concerns about Western weapons being funneled into Ukraine and explained why his government has so far abstained from the proxy conflict."First of all, we have a close military border with Russia. Our pilots are flying right next to Russian pilots over the skies of Syria," he continued. "And I think its important that we maintain our freedom of action against Irans attempts to place itself militarily on our northern border."Indeed, last October, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, warned Jerusalem that sending weapons to Ukraine would destroy all interstate relations between our nations.In response to Netanyahus recent remarks, the Kremlin said on Friday: "We assess the threat [of Ukraine selling NATO equipment to the third parties] as very, very urgent.The Likud-led government of Netanyahu has faced both internal and external pressure to send its more advanced weapons to Ukraine, especially its Iron Dome short-range air defense system, for several months, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is Jewish, has made extensive efforts to court Jerusalems support. For the most part, Israel has only sent humanitarian aid to Kiev, but reports in March indicated Israel had also sold them anti-drone jamming systems.Michael Maloof, a former senior security policy analyst in the US Office of the Secretary of Defense, told Sputnik that Netanyahu had broken ranks and criticized NATOs Ukraine policy because hes very alarmed about the blowback, but also because it presents an opportunity to score political points against the Biden administration, which has been increasingly critical of Likuds alliance with several far-right parties.There's no control over their dispersal. This became an issue here and then it quietly died, but the Pentagon is saying, Well, we're going to send some people to the US embassy in Kiev to keep track. Well, that's nonsense, Maloof said.Maloof said he expected no meaningful response from Washington to Netanyahus concerns.They've been totally irresponsible. They will remain that way, and I don't see any ability or desire on their part to try to correct the situation, he told Sputnik. It's so out of hand and so out of control that there's no way at this point for them to get their hands around this problem and curb it and put an end to it. If they stopped sending weapons [to Ukraine,] that would be the answer, frankly. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230621/long-costly-legal-battle-awaits-attempt-to-seize-frozen-russian-assets-for-ukraine-reconstruction-1111370843.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230520/thousands-protest-netanyahus-judicial-reform-in-tel-aviv-1110492481.html ukraine israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Fantine Gardinier Fantine Gardinier News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Fantine Gardinier israel; ukraine; netanyahu; arms; nato https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/putin-says-western-countries-seem-to-be-ready-to-fight-to-last-ukrainian-1111410285.html Putin Says Western Countries Seem to Be Ready to Fight to Last Ukrainian Putin Says Western Countries Seem to Be Ready to Fight to Last Ukrainian Ukrainian troops launched a large-scale offensive in five sectors of the South Donetsk direction on June 4 but failed to achieve their goals, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. 2023-06-23T04:04+0000 2023-06-23T04:04+0000 2023-06-23T17:37+0000 the critical hour radio ukraine israel cornel west venezuela haiti cuba child welfare /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/16/1111410127_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_abc7d021733da57c90d80cb2f9038fe9.png Putin Says Western Countries Seem to Be Ready to Fight to Last Ukrainian Ukrainian troops launched a large-scale offensive in five sectors of the South Donetsk direction on June 4 but failed to achieve their goals, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin says Western countries seem to be ready to "fight to the last Ukrainian," as Ukrainian troops failed to reach their goals in spite of a large-scale offensive in five sectors of the South Donetsk direction.George Koo, journalist, social activist, and international business consultant, joins us to discuss China. India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is visiting the US this week following Secretary of State Antony Blinken's strained trip to China. The visit follows President Joe Biden's comments earlier this week calling Xi Jinping a dictator.James Carey, host of The Left is Dead podcast, joins us to discuss Israel and Palestine. The UK has the Economic Activity of Public Bodies bill on the table that, if made into law, will grant Israel impunity from censure and "totally discredit" the UK's claims to uphold human rights and international law. Also, Israel kills three Palestinians in a West Bank drone strike.Margaret Kimberley, editor and senior columnist at Black Agenda Report and author of "Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents, joins us to discuss The Black Agenda Report. Margaret discusses Russia continuing its dominance in the war against Ukraine and Cornel West's presidential campaign run.Levi Rickert, editor and publisher of NativeNewsOnline.net, joins us to discuss Native American affairs. A US federal judge ordered a stretch of Enbridge Line 5 shut down on tribal land and ordered the Canadian oil company Enbridge to pay the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa $5 million in damages for trespassing. The ruling came after finding out the company put the tribe's sacred land at risk. Also, the US Supreme Court upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act, giving Indigenous tribes the right to remain sovereign nations and allowing their children to stay in their culture.Coco Thompson, organizer with Community Movement Builders and Black Alliance for Peace joins us to discuss US-based Black Radicals and Cornel West. The US Black Radicals are convening in Atlanta, Georgia, this week for a major conference to develop an agenda for resistance and transformation. Also, there is talk about Dr. Cornel West's candidacy for the Green Party's 2024 nomination and the fact that if he wins, the Green Party may qualify for a ballot in all 50 states.Ricardo Vaz, political analyst and editor at Venezuelanalysis, joins us to discuss Venezuela. The Venezuela economy is discussed. In a recent Brasilia summit, there were discussions that a narrative about Venezuela portraying the legitimate and legal government as a dictatorship, and Maduro as a tyrant, in order to recognize "imposter Juan Guaido as Venezuela's head of state."Kim Ives, filmmaker, journalist, and editor at Haiti Liberte, joins us to discuss Haiti and Cuba. Former Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, is rumored to have stolen 60 million dollars from workers. Also, Cuba refutes American accusations that there is a major Chinese spy base on the island, calling the reports "another US fairy tale."We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik. ukraine israel venezuela haiti cuba Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg the critical hour, the situation in ukraine now, ukraine, who's winning in ukraine, ukraine offensive, narendra modi visiting the us, west bank, israel and palestine, cornel west's presidential campaign, enbridge line 5, indian child welfare act, us-based black radicals, venezuela economy, haiti, cuba, chinese base in cuba U.S. President Joe Biden, right, and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi toast during an official state dinner at the White House in Washington, D.C., June 22. Reuters-Yonhap U.S. President Joe Biden and Narendra Modi hailed a new era in their countries' relationship after the White House rolled out the red carpet for the Indian prime minister on Thursday, touting deals on defense and commerce aimed at countering China's global influence. "Two great nations, two great friends, and two great powers. Cheers," Biden told Modi in a toast at a state dinner. Modi said in reply: "You are soft spoken, but when it comes to action, you are very strong." Though the countries are not formal treaty-bound allies and India has long relished its independence, Washington wants Delhi to be a strategic counterweight to China. While neither leader criticized Beijing directly in official statements, they alluded to the Xi Jinping-led government. "The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo Pacific," Modi told Congress. "The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership." After Biden and Modi spoke privately for more than two hours, a joint statement included a warning of rising tensions and destabilizing actions in the East and South China Sea and stressed the importance of international law and freedom of navigation. "The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require that India and the United States work and lead together, and we are," Biden said as he welcomed Modi to the White House. The state dinner, held in a large, elaborately erected tent on the White House South Lawn, featured a number of Silicon Valley executives on the guest list, including Apple's Tim Cook, 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, among others. With the slightly Indian-accented dinner, the Bidens followed a White House tradition of serving guests from abroad food that has faint echoes of home with a strong American bent. Modi is seeking to raise the status that India, the world's most populous country at 1.4 billion and fifth-largest economy, has on the world stage as a manufacturing and diplomatic powerhouse while navigating strained ties with China. His participation in a White House press conference itself was a reflection of contrasting political traditions, marking the first time Modi has taken questions in such a format in his nine-year tenure. He took one question apiece from an American and an Indian journalist selected in advance, and dismissed criticism about India's human rights record. Washington has been frustrated by India's close ties with Russia while Moscow wages war in Ukraine. Modi avoided direct mention of Russia, but told lawmakers the conflict was "causing great pain in the region. Since it involves major powers, the outcomes are severe." U.S. First lady Jill Biden, left, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, and President Joe Biden wave from the Blue Room Balcony during a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, June 22. AP-Yonhap Modi's visit was not without controversy. The speech to Congress, normally a bipartisan affirmation of a visiting leader from an allied nation, was boycotted by some liberal lawmakers, who cited the Modi government's treatment of India's Muslim minority. "I encourage my colleagues who stand for pluralism, tolerance and freedom of the press to join me in doing the same," Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on Wednesday. Modi's speech to the Congress also drew a crowd of on-lookers who chanted "Modi, Modi" at applause lines. As some 7,000 well-wishers gathered for a colorful opening ceremony at the White House, a far smaller group of demonstrators gathered blocks away to protest the Biden administration's coziness with Modi, who leads the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Asked by a U.S. reporter about what steps he would take to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities, Modi said "there's absolutely no space for discrimination" in India. Biden told reporters he and Modi had a straightforward discussion about democratic values. Tim Cook, left, and Lisa Jackson arrive for the State Dinner with President Joe Biden and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, Thursday, June 22, in Washington, D.C. AP-Yonhap The two countries announced agreements on semiconductors, critical minerals, technology, space cooperation and defense cooperation and sales. Some are aimed at diversifying supply chains to reduce dependence on China. Others are aimed at cornering the market in advanced technologies that may feature on the battlefields of the future. They also ended disputes at the World Trade Organization, and India removed some tariffs on U.S. goods. The United States is India's largest trading partner but the U.S. has much larger trading relationships with China, the EU, and North American neighbors. Biden and Modi signed off on a deal to allow General Electric to produce jet engines in India to power Indian military aircraft, through an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics. U.S. Navy ships in the region will be able to stop in Indian shipyards for repairs under a maritime agreement, and India will procure U.S.-made armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones. U.S. chipmaker Micron Technology's plans a $2.7 billion semiconductor testing and packaging unit, to be built in Modi's home state of Gujarat. The U.S. will also make it easier for skilled Indian workers to get and renew U.S. visas. India also agreed to join the U.S.-led Artemis Accords on space exploration and to work with NASA on a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024. (Reuters) https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/russian-ministry-of-defense-denies-media-reports-of-strikes-on-wagner-positions-1111429344.html Prigozhin Armed Mutiny Attempt: What We Know So Far Prigozhin Armed Mutiny Attempt: What We Know So Far Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said the FSB had opened a criminal case over "calling for an armed rebellion," and that allegations spread on behalf of Wagner chief Prigozhin were "unfounded." 2023-06-23T18:59+0000 2023-06-23T18:59+0000 2023-06-26T14:08+0000 pmc wagner russia defense ministry russia russian defense ministry vladimir putin coup attempt wagner aborted mutiny /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/0b/1111067431_0:177:3011:1871_1920x0_80_0_0_86452a748428f5f04177397ddc329cd5.jpg Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said the FSB had opened a criminal case over "calling for an armed rebellion," and that allegations spread on behalf of Wagner chief Prigozhin were "unfounded."The Prosecutor General's Office confirmed that the case against Prigozhin had been launched, addressing it in an official statement:Russian army general Sergey Surovikin called on Wagner troops to return to their bases and hold their positions.Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry reported activity by Ukrainian forces:Earlier in the day, footage and audio attributed to Wagner troops and Prigozhin surfaced online alleging that a "missile attack" had been launched at a Wagner camp, and that the strike was "delivered from the rear, that is by forces of the Russian Defense Ministry." The voice attributed to Prigozhin appeared to call for the ouster of the Defense Ministry's leadership. The footage and audio were immediately jumped on by Ukrainian and US state-funded media outlets, which have been reporting heavily on Prigozhin's criticism of Russian generals in recent weeks.Russia's Defense Ministry addresed the claims, calling them fake:"The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to carry out combat missions on the line of contact with the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the area of the special military operation," it added.A video posted by Prigozhin purporting to show "the aftermath of the rocket strike on the Wagner rear camps" by the forces of Russian Defense Ministry was staged, Russia's Channel One said with its anchor Ekaterina Andreeva pointed out live on air 3 points that prove that the video of the aftermath of the alleged strike on the Wagner camp is staged:Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that President Putin has been "informed of all events around Prigozhin," and said that "necessary measures are being taken." The press secretary did not elaborate.Russian regional authorities said that law-enforcement agencies were doing everything necessary to protect the general public. At the same time, they noted Ukraine was seeking to spread disinformation about the introduction of curfews.Wagner units and Russian Army forces jointly took part in the battle of Artemovsk (Bakhumut), liberating the Donbass city in late May after eight months of heavy fighting which pinned down large concentrations of Ukrainian troops, allowed Russia to train up its mobilized reserves, and resulted in a major defeat for Kiev ahead of its now-stalled counteroffensive. russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia coup attempt, wagner's coup attempt in russia, prigozhin coup attempt, coup attempt russia latest, russian defense ministry on coup attempt https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/russias-ryabkov-doesnt-rule-out-that-us-will-take-steps-to-withdraw-from-start-treaty-1111420978.html Moscow Doesnt Rule Out US Withdrawal From START Treaty Moscow Doesnt Rule Out US Withdrawal From START Treaty Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov did not rule out that Washington may take steps to withdraw from the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). 2023-06-23T11:53+0000 2023-06-23T11:53+0000 2023-06-23T12:08+0000 world sergey ryabkov russia moscow strategic arms reduction treaty washington us /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101560/73/1015607381_0:0:3011:1694_1920x0_80_0_0_045dba7e7d538801c87b9c4384781697.jpg Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov did not rule out that Washington may take steps to withdraw from the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). The format of possible future agreements on arms control can be in the form of parallel unilateral statements on restrictions, Ryabkov said."We need to think about how to formalize possible potential future agreements. And here, the schemes we mentioned earlier, including parallel unilateral statements, are acceptable. That, strictly speaking, is already happening. As you know, both Moscow and Washington, in fact, unilaterally announced their intention to adhere to the central restrictions under the New START Treaty," Ryabkov told reporters.Russia does not have to notify the United States of the planned tests of the Poseidon nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drones, according to the agreements in force between Moscow and Washington, Sergey Ryabkov stressed.A source in defense industry told Sputnik earlier in the day that first trials of Poseidon drones from the Belgorod nuclear-powered submarine are scheduled for this summer. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230221/whats-new-start-treaty-and-why-did-russia-suspend-it-1107667839.html russia moscow washington Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International strategic arms reduction treaty, russian deputy foreign minister sergey ryabkov, withdraw from start treaty https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/third-stunning-roman-mosaic-unearthed-at-syrias-al-rastan-archaeological-site-1111429806.html Third Stunning Roman Mosaic Unearthed at Syrias Al-Rastan Archaeological Site Third Stunning Roman Mosaic Unearthed at Syrias Al-Rastan Archaeological Site Another mosaic scene has been discovered at al-Rastan, an ancient city dating to Greek Macedonian rule, alongside several other mosaics. 23.06.2023, Sputnik International 2023-06-23T20:08+0000 2023-06-23T20:08+0000 2023-06-23T20:07+0000 world homer syria archaeology byzantian empire /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/17/1111430460_73:0:660:330_1920x0_80_0_0_9580020162a6383d82312c9bab31f3e8.jpg Muhammad Nazir Awad, Syrias director general of Antiquities and Museums, told reporters on Thursday that the newly discovered mosaic depicts a third scene from "The Iliad," an epic poem about the Trojan War by the ancient Greek writer Homer. The new mosaic depicts the War of the Centaurs and sits alongside mosaics of the War of the Amazons and Poseidon, God of the Sea.The mosaics were first discovered on a floor last October and cover some 300 square meters. They are made of multicolored shards of glass embedded in intricate patterns, as well as the depictions of the famous mythical scenes. According to the Syrian Ministry of Culture, they date to the 4th Century CE, when Syria was under Byzantine Christian rule.In its prime, Al-Rastan was called Arethusa and was a wealthy, well-defended city guarding a crossing of the Orontes (Asi) River between Homs and Hama Governorates. After being destroyed in 634 CE during the Muslim conquest of the Levant, the city recovered but declined in importance. Today, it is a city of roughly 40,000 nestled in the farmland of Syrias fertile Asi River basin.Awad said he expects such discoveries to be economically and culturally beneficial for the regions around them as they become tourist destinations."We think that in the future it will be an important visiting point that is no less important than archaeological sites most visited in Syria, including the ancient cities of Palmyra and Apamea, and other places."At Palmyra, one of Syrias six UNESCO world heritage sites, restoration efforts are continuing at an extremely slow pace after parts of the archaeological site were deliberately destroyed by Daesh* during the Syrian Civil War. The oasis was once a major metropolitan center and the capital of Septimia Zenobias empire during the Third Century CE before being annihilated by the Romans in retaliation for Zenobias rebellion. The Islamic terrorist group laid landmines that have to be removed, and security issues remain.In addition to the civil war, the February 4 earthquake on the Turkish-Syrian border, the regions most destructive ever recorded, also heavily damaged many archaeological sites. However, Al-Rastan escaped damage.*Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist organisation outlawed in Russia and many other states https://sputnikglobe.com/20230622/syria-turkiye-agree-with-russias-road-map-concept---envoy-lavrentyev-1111381761.html syria Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Fantine Gardinier Fantine Gardinier News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Fantine Gardinier al-rastan; mosaic; syria; roman https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/turkish-drone-factory-in-ukraine-may-become-legitimate-target-for-russia-1111417185.html Turkish Drone Factory in Ukraine May Become 'Legitimate Target' for Russia - Analyst Turkish Drone Factory in Ukraine May Become 'Legitimate Target' for Russia - Analyst Baykar, a key Turkish defense firm, plans to start production of the Bayraktar TB2 and Bayraktar Akinci combat drones in Ukraine in 2025, CEO Haluk Bayraktar, revealed earlier. 2023-06-23T12:35+0000 2023-06-23T12:35+0000 2023-06-23T12:57+0000 ukraine turkiye kiev ankara bayraktar drone russian armed forces denis fedutinov analysis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/103211/19/1032111971_0:1:1220:687_1920x0_80_0_0_4c7ff34d576fc21fa0fc31abc755b6e0.jpg The Bayraktar factory, which will produce Turkish combat drones in Ukraine, can become a legitimate target for the Russian Armed Forces if the special military operation continues by that time, Denis Fedutinov, a leading Russian expert in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles, told Sputnik.The expert pointed out that Kiev is interested in forging military-technical cooperation with Ankara and, in the long term, Turkiye "expects support from Ukraine in terms of its aircraft engine production."On the other hand, Ukraine aims to boost its capabilities in developing large-scale modern MALE-class drone systems, and is seeking assistance from Turkiye to achieve this goal, the agency's source explained.In recent years, Turkiye has made considerable efforts to improve its military capabilities. This has been achieved through the development of its own Bayraktar TB2 drones, which have gained international recognition, as well as ushering in its new Bayraktar Akinci high-altitude, long-endurance drones. In addition, Turkiye has taken on a more assertive stance toward its regional rivals, further bolstering its position.Back in August 2022, Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkiye Vasyl Bodnar said that the Baykar defense company would build the Bayraktar factory in Ukraine and has already bought a plot of land for this purpose. According to Bayraktar, the total area of the forthcoming Baykar center in Ukraine will be more than 30,000 square meters, employing more than 300 Ukrainian engineers and technicians.Earlier, Moscow sent a note to NATO members touching on arms supplies to the Kiev regime. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that any shipments containing weapons for Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russia. The Foreign Ministry said that NATO countries were "playing with fire" by supplying weapons to Ukraine. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that flooding Ukraine with Western weapons did not contribute toward any success in Russian-Ukrainian negotiations and would only have a negative effect. https://sputnikglobe.com/20221127/erdogan-says-mass-production-of-turkeys-first-unmanned-fighter-jet-will-start-in-2023-1104755940.html ukraine turkiye kiev ankara Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International bayraktar drone, bayraktar factory in ukraine, potential target for russian strikes, ukraine-turkiye military-technical cooperation, denis fedutinov https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/uk-public-support-for-rejoining-eu-rises-to-58---poll-1111423974.html UK Public Support for Rejoining EU Rises to 58% - Poll UK Public Support for Rejoining EU Rises to 58% - Poll Support for rejoining the European Union among people in the United Kingdom has surged to 58%, with 42% saying they would opt to stay out if there was a new referendum on EU membership, a YouGov poll showed on Friday. 2023-06-23T13:49+0000 2023-06-23T13:49+0000 2023-06-23T13:49+0000 world united kingdom (uk) european union (eu) yougov eu membership /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102008/60/1020086068_20:0:982:541_1920x0_80_0_0_787c4754780587263975c02889cdb0a4.jpg The figures come from the pollsters latest Brexit tracker survey of 2,037 British adults. They exclude those who said they would not vote or did not know. With the latter factored in, the number of UK respondents who said they would vote to rejoin was down to 46% in the May poll, compared to 47% recorded in the previous month. Thirty-three percent said they would vote to leave or stay out, while 9% each said they would not vote or did not know. The poll, conducted in the UK and across the EU from May 10-23, also showed that support of EU membership remained strong in France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Spain and Italy. In Italy and France, two of the most EU-skeptical countries, 50% and 47% respectively said they would vote to stay if a Brexit-style referendum was held. united kingdom (uk) Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International european union, eu membership, yougov poll, rejoining eu https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/us-uk-seeking-to-destabilize-central-asia---russian-security-council-1111418617.html US Bio-Programs Likely Pursuing 'Race-Targeted' Viruses, Russian Security Chief Says US Bio-Programs Likely Pursuing 'Race-Targeted' Viruses, Russian Security Chief Says The United States and the United Kingdom seek to destabilize the situation in Central Asian countries in order to warrant the expansion of NATO's military presence in the region, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said on Friday. 2023-06-23T11:16+0000 2023-06-23T11:16+0000 2023-06-23T13:59+0000 world nikolai patrushev central asia united kingdom (uk) nato russian security council biolab /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104864/75/1048647569_0:0:2879:1620_1920x0_80_0_0_99ae62362dd692f19db235c5a82290a1.jpg Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said that Moscow is particularly concerned by the Pentagon's biolabs operating in Central Asia, similar to those it used to run in Ukraine and Georgia. These labs are capable of creating "race-specific" viruses, Patrushev specified.Patrushev urged his Central Asian colleagues to cooperate and coordinate more closely on biosecurity issues, including within the framework of bilateral memorandums already concluded.The United States and the United Kingdom seek to destabilize the situation in Central Asian countries in order to warrant the expansion of NATO's military presence in the region, Patrushev said."Central Asia has become a priority target of their information influence to establish control over the population. The manipulation of public opinion by Washington and London is aimed at aggravating the internal political situation, pressuring the authorities and forming a stratum of the population that shares values alien to the centuries-old traditions of Central Asian peoples," Patrushev said at the inaugural Russia-Central Asia meeting of security council chiefs in Kazakhstan. Its purpose is to create ploys to expand NATO's military presence in the region, and this can be done by taking advantage of the security risks emanating from Afghanistan, the Russian security chief said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230619/cholera-pathogens-found-in-odessa-may-be-associated-with-us-biolabs-1111303467.html central asia united kingdom (uk) Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International united states and the united kingdom, destabilize the situation in central asia, nato's military presence https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/us-warship-to-visit-vietnamese-port-as-south-china-sea-tensions-brew-1111414200.html US Warship to Visit Vietnamese Port as South China Sea Tensions Brew US Warship to Visit Vietnamese Port as South China Sea Tensions Brew An American warship, the USS Ronald Reagan, is scheduled to call at the Vietnamese port of Danang on June 25, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2023-06-23T09:10+0000 2023-06-23T09:10+0000 2023-06-23T09:46+0000 world us uss ronald reagan south china sea vietnam china antony blinken uss milius /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107957/96/1079579645_0:69:3396:1979_1920x0_80_0_0_5f056aa3e711fa292b5425c513e7257a.jpg An American warship, USS Ronald Reagan, is scheduled to call at the Vietnamese port of Danang on June 25, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier will be visiting Vietnam from June 25 to 30, and the supercarrier's arrival is timed to mark the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive partnership between the two nations, said Pham Thu Hang, spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a press briefing. Previously, only two US aircraft carriers made similar visits to the southeast Asian nation since the end of the Vietnam War. The USS Carl Vinson docked at Danang in 2018, and became the first such American combat vessel to visit the country in over 40 years. The USS Theodore Roosevelt visited Vietnam in March 2020, when Hanoi and Washington marked the 25th anniversary of normalizing bilateral ties.The USS Ronald Reagan is the flagship for Carrier Strike Group 5, currently operating in the South China Sea, according to the Pentagon. The supercarrier had participated in drills with Japan, France and Canada from June 7-10 in the Philippine Sea and East China Sea as part of the Indo-Pacific Commands (INDOPACOM) Large Scale Global Exercise 2023.China has long been disputing ownership of several of the hydrocarbon-rich islands, specifically the Paracel archipelago, the Spratly Islands, and the Scarborough Shoal. Vietnam's claims to the islands were also addressed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' press conference on Thursday. As the territorial affiliation of a number of islands in the South China Sea continues to be a subject of disputes, the situation has been further exacerbated by the passage of the US warships in the region, which the Chinese Foreign Ministry has condemned as a violation of international law. In April, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) entered the South China Sea near the Spratly (Nansha) Islands in order to "assert navigational rights and freedoms", as per the US 7th Fleet. In March, USS Milius entered the South China Sea near the Paracel (Xisha) Islands, which China sees as its territory. This prompted Beijing to condemn the actions of the United States, saying the US destroyer "illegally entered" the area "without Chinese government's permission ... undermining the peace and stability in the South China Sea."Peddling the 'China Threat'The US warship's visit to Vietnam comes as part of Washington's Indo-Pacific strategy designed to counter Beijing's growing assertiveness in the region. The United States has been making moves to bolster ties with Vietnam - an important Southeast Asian trade partner. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in April, voicing Washington's desire to upgrade ties. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink stated earlier, Vietnam is "one of Americas most important partners in the region.Earlier this year, the US also signed a defense and maritime surveillance pact with Papua New Guinea.In response, China warned that to push for "such alliances in the region" is "a way of kidnapping regional countries and fuelling confrontation, which will only plunge the Asia-Pacific into a whirlpool of disputes and conflicts". https://sputnikglobe.com/20230323/chinese-military-accuses-us-destroyer-of-illegal-intrusion-into-waters-of-paracel-islands-1108711633.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230410/us-navy-destroyer-enters-south-china-sea-off-spratly-islands-1109308456.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230608/us-japan--taiwan-to-integrate-real-time-drone-data-amid-china-threat-narrative-tensions--1110996995.html south china sea vietnam china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko us nuclear-powered, aircraft carrier, uss ronald reagan, vietnam port, danang, us warship, southeast asian nation, south china sea tensions https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/watch-russian-tank-firepower-demolish-ukrainian-stronghold-1111418221.html Watch Russian Tank Firepower Demolish Ukrainian Stronghold Watch Russian Tank Firepower Demolish Ukrainian Stronghold The Russian Defense Ministry has released a video of a Russian assault squad destroying Ukrainian forces stronghold. 2023-06-23T11:18+0000 2023-06-23T11:18+0000 2023-06-23T11:18+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia ukraine video /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/17/1111415963_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_f518175d13d8ac59995aa37e5d61ff65.png The Russian Defense Ministry has released video footage of a Russian assault squad obliterating a Ukrainian military stronghold.The squads drone operators uncovered a chain of fortifications belonging to Ukrainian militants, as Russian forces advanced toward the town of Krasny Liman. Having swiftly advanced to the specified area, the T72-B3 tank crew requested the coordinates of the Ukrainian troops' fortifications and accurately destroyed them by unleashing 125-mm cannon fire from a closed firing position, preventing Ukrainian troops from abandoning cover while employing solid firepower to mow down infantry who took flight. russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Russian assault squad obliterates Ukrainian stronghold Russian assault squad obliterates Ukrainian stronghold 2023-06-23T11:18+0000 true PT1M51S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian defense ministry, ukrainian forces stronghold, assault squad https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/west-in-denial-about-failure-of-ukrainian-counter-offensive-1111418070.html West in Denial About Failure of Ukrainian 'Counter-Offensive' West in Denial About Failure of Ukrainian 'Counter-Offensive' Ukraine's long-anticipated offensive to cut off Crimea from the Russian mainland has faltered, despite the West supplying its best weaponry. Mark Sleboda said the US was deluded by its "Hollywood" perception of the conflict. 2023-06-23T15:17+0000 2023-06-23T15:17+0000 2023-06-23T15:17+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine mark sleboda david petraeus kiev russia cia us central command (centcom) nato leopard 2 /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/14/1111325740_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_35e82cc430c784cba36b48a1bc23d903.jpg Western military and political leaders and mainstream media are in denial Former CIA director and US Central Command chief General David Petraeus predicted on June 6, two days into Kiev's southern offensive, that "the Russians will prove to be more brittle than the expectation is" when faced with Western-supplied armour, also claiming that Moscow's troops were poorly trained, equipped and led and exhausted after a year on the front line without a break.Since then, the Russian army's Vostok (East) battlegroup has destroyed at least 246 Ukrainian tanks, including 13 NATO models including the vaunted Leopard 2s, along with more than 440 other armoured vehicles, while the Ukrainian forces have suffered some 13,000 casualties.Military analyst Mark Sleboda told Sputnik that Petraeus' statements were "blatantly false."He also attacked the Western view of the conflict as akin to a heroic war film."Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect results," Sleboda noted. "No it's not. Why would we think that this is a Hollywood movie?"That was followed by an "obvious deepfake video" of Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, believed hit by a Russian missile strike on his Kiev headquarters on May 29, "staring into the camera for a interminable period of time, blinking oddly at these intervals."The military analyst predicted that once the Ukrainian offensive runs out of steam, Russia will mount a counter-offensive in the "proper use of the term.""There won't be a big tank blitzkrieg, riding on the minefields, because we've seen how well they work for Kiev," the security expert stressed. "It will be doing what works for them, which is the slow grind of artillery and air power from above."The analyst argued that Russia was much better prepared for a protracted conflict than the Kiev regime and its Western masters.For more incisive analysis of the burning issues of the day, check out our Sputnik Radio shows. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/ukraine-gambles-on-coercive-call-up-as-counteroffensive-flounders-1111419114.html ukraine kiev russia hollywood Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png russia's special military operation (smo) in ukraine, ukraine's southern counter-offensive towards crimea, can the us and nato use ukraine as a proxy to defeat russia? https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/what-could-have-caused-the-titan-sub-tragedy-1111422376.html What Could Have Caused the Titan Sub Tragedy? What Could Have Caused the Titan Sub Tragedy? On Monday, what began as concerted search-and-rescue operations in the Atlantic Ocean for a deep-sea expedition submersible - Titan - carrying five passengers, ground to a halt yesterday afternoon after found patches of its debris 2023-06-23T17:17+0000 2023-06-23T17:17+0000 2023-06-23T17:17+0000 americas newsfeed science & tech chris parry titan david atlantic ocean us coast guard us navy royal navy /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/16/1111403666_0:158:3077:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_b825a27494054c5253d4db63b722f753.jpg Operational safety concernsConcerns about Titan's safety and quality control were raised in January 2018. David Lochridge, then-OceanGate's director of marine operations, wrote a report, according to court documents stressing "the potential dangers to passengers of the Titan as the submersible reached extreme depths. Even so, the company fired Lochridge and sued him in June 2018 for contract breach, stealing trade secrets, and fraud. Lochridge's countersuit in August 2018 revealed that the Titan's viewport wasn't certified beyond a depth of 1,300 meters - while the company planned to take expeditions down 4,000 meters.In March 2018, the firm received an "unanimous letter" from the Marine Technology Society, warning OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush about the dangers of doing so without the conventional assessment and its potentially devastating outcomes for its planned $250,000 per person Titanic expedition. "It [Titan's tragedy] hasn't surprised us...."We've been aware of this project for some time and have had some concerns," said Will Kohnen, the Marine Technology Society's submarine committee chair.Low-grade quality partsThe quality of the sub's construction and parts have been called to question by some people who are familiar with the Titan. In an interview with a UK media outlet, a former Royal Navy admiral, Chris Parry, said:Speaking on the Unsung Science podcast, correspondent David Pogue - who took a tour of the Titan last year - described the low-quality construction of the vehicle as a craft put together by "MacGyver" - a character in a TV series well-known for his ingenious way of getting out of challenging situations by making devices from mundane objects.Last ditch effortsGlobal media outlets latched on to an ensuing frenzy as a robust international search effort was ongoing for the underwater craft and crew. At the French president's appeal, a French research vessel, The Atalante, carrying a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), Victor 6000, was transferred to the search area on Tuesday.This ROV is among the few underwater vehicles capable of reaching greater depths and tugging stranded submersibles to the surface. In the afternoon, a Canadian Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft raised hopes when it detected "banging sounds." The next day, the US and Canadian Coast Guards, OceanGate, and the US Navy formed a unified command to supervise the search.On Thursday, US Navy's top secret underwater acoustic detection system tracked down an abnormal noise suspected of an implosion near the Titan's debris site.Meanwhile, the actual cause of the incident remains unclear, but professional and technical negligence and issues about using questionable parts could have contributed to the mishap. americas titan david atlantic ocean Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International deep-sea expedition submersible, titan, catastrophic implosion, us coast guard, undersea vessel, oceangate expeditions, canada, st john's, newfoundland, submersible, polar prince, canadian research vessel, rescue efforts, safety and tests, ms kathleen cosnett, mr harding, french president, the atalante, victor 6000, canadian lockheed p-3 orion aircraft, canadian coast guards, titan's debris site, wsj, david lochridge, oceangate ceo stockton rush, will kohnen, the chair of the marine technology society's submarine committee, chris parry, former royal navy admiral, cbs correspondent david pogue, unsung science podcast, rear admiral john mauger For the first time in 2023, the New York Sire Stakes circuit paid a visit to MGM Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (June 22) with a couple of $77,300 divisions for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters on the 12-race program. In the first grouping, Bargain, driven by Yannick Gingras, blasted right to the front from post seven. He put up fractions of :29.3, 1:00.3 and 1:30.2, and when pocket-sitter Wild Ticket (Brian Sears) broke and Mister Mellby (Ake Svanstedt) was unable to threaten from first-over, Bargain drew off to an 8-1/2 length victory in 1:59.1. Mister Mellby wound up second and Wild Ticket got back on-stride to finish third. Nancy Takter trains Bargain, a Chapter Seven colt bred by Steve Stewart and Michael Andrew, for owners Christinatakter&Anderberg, Nancy Takter & Jaf Racing, Joe Sbrocco and R A W Equine Inc. Making his debut off a fifth-place finish in a baby race at the Meadowlands on June 3, Bargain paid $51.50 to win as a 24-1 offering and led a $234.50 exacta and a $908 trifecta. Chaplind, with trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer at the controls, minded his manners while the rest of the field didn't and had a loose lead through stations of :30.2, 1:00.2 and 1:30 before coming home in :29.3 to win the other section by a length and three-quarters in 1:59.3. Keep Asking (Gingras) and Thinker Monkey (Sears) overcame their early miscues to grab second and third, respectively. Purple Haze Stables LLC owns Chaplind, another colt by Chapter Seven, and he was bred by Eli Miller and Peter Barbato. Chaplind, who was second at New Jersey's Magical Acres in his lone qualifier on the 14th of June, returned $14.60 to win after being sent off at 6-1 and was atop a $72 exacta and a $164 trifecta. There were a pair of $20,000 New York Excelsior "A" Series splits as well. Crazy Wow gelding Tobern, steered by owner/trainer John Stark Jr., won the test on the pari-mutuel program on the engine in 2:00.2, and Whiskey Double, a gelding by Chapter Seven, captured the flight held as a non-betting event on the front-end in 2:04 for driver Jason Bartlett, co-owner/trainer David Dewhurst and co-owner Philip Hale. Tobern was bred by Bernard White and Kristie Leigh Farm Inc., and Fred Hertrich III bred Whiskey Double. Stakes action continues Friday night (June 23) at Yonkers with two $40,000 MGM Yonkers Trot eliminations in races six and seven and a pair of $20,000 Park MGM Pace eliminations in races one and two. The top four finishers from each of those dashes will advance to their respective finals on June 30. As a reminder, no eliminations were required for the MGM Grand Messenger Stakes or the New York New York Mile. MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday-Tuesday-Thursday- Friday-Saturday live racing schedule with post time at 7 p.m. (EDT) (Yonkers Raceway) A superb card of Atlantic Canadian harness racing will be front and centre on Saturday (June 24) at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park. The city track has 15 dashes starting at an amended 5 p.m. opening post time featuring the Home Hardware Maritime Breeders for three-year-old colt and filly pacers along with two divisions of the Cecil Ladner Memorial Invitational presented by Ladner Source For Sports. Atlantic champion Malignity is favoured in the first $15,700 Maritime Breeders division, carded as the second race, over Fishermans Son (Adam Merner) and Elm Grove Restwind (David Dowling). Paul Langille trains and drives the favoured Malicious colt for owners Debbie Francis and Rosanne Langille from post five. Woodmere Dealer is the favoured choice in the second $15,700 colt division (Race 6) for trainer-driver Jason Hughes and owner Donald MacRae of Vernon Bridge. Top entries include Tobins Profit (Marc Campbell) and Junes Boy (Langille). No Boats On Sunday will have the rail to take advantage of in the final colt division, heading to post in the ninth race. Myles Heffernan Sr. drives the Source Of Pride colt for trainer Myles Heffernan Jr. and owner Jackie Heffernan. JJ Landon (Gilles Barrieau) is a major threat from post two along with Starship Art (Patrick Shepherd) with post four. In three-year-old pacing filly action, the first $16,100 Home Hardware Maritime Breeders division (Race 4) has Saulsbrook Abbey and Jason Hughes as the top choice from post seven for co-owner and trainer Saul Lanigan and co-owners Peter and Mark Lanigan. The undefeated daughter of Malicious will face off with Woodmere Amora (Langille) and Marina Del Rey (Campbell). Rock N Roll Cays is the morning line favourite in her filly split (Race 7) with Dowling in the driver's seat for trainer Jeff Holmes and owner Hardcore Racing of Belfast. Her archrival Saulsbrook Mabel (Barrieau) has rail control after having her four-race undefeated career cut short by Rock N Roll Cays in her last start. Elm Grove Redwine is the favourite in Race 12 in a $16,100 Home Hardware Maritime Breeders filly division. Dowling trains and drives the filly, who leaves from post two, for owners Alex Quinn, Carl Peterson and Brittany Dowling. Her main rivals are on either side of her with Itsuptoyou (Campbell) leaving from the rail and Lil Reeses Pieces (Merner) with post three. The first $7,500 Cecil Ladner Memorial Invitational dash is carded as Race 11 with YS Mathis as the top entry from post five. He comes in fresh off setting a new stallion record at Red Shores Summerside winning in 1:52.1, two-fifths off the overall track record. Corey MacPherson picks up the drive for trainer Campbell and owners Brady Doyle and Jacinta Campbell. Time To Dance (Campbell) is a top choice from post one along with No Plan Intended (Hughes) from post three in the field of eight. The other eight-horse Ladner Invitational race has Twin B Tuffenuff (Barrieau) as the morning line favourite from post five over Stash It Away (MacPherson) and Batterup Hanover (Langille). Ron Matheson trains the Race 14 favourite for owner Pat Morris of Charlottetown. For complete racing information, stats, bios, the Race Day broadcast and more, visit the Player Portal at redshores.ca. To view the entries for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Red Shores Charlottetown. (Red Shores) In harness racing, its common for freshmen to improve for their three-year-old seasons. That having been said, the development of Lillehammer Hall remains remarkable. Off the ticket in all six starts last year, shes begun her sophomore campaign by ripping off five straight wins including a pair of PA Stallion Series splits. Shell try to stretch that streak to six in Saturdays $58,390 Currier & Ives for three-year-old filly trotters at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows. The Currier & Ives goes as race nine, with first post at 12:45 p.m. Owner Kimberly Farmer shifted the daughter of Andover Hall-Contender Hanover to The Meadows stable of Todd Rooney only a few months ago, so Rooney really cant address her freshman season. (Lillehammer, by the way, is the Norwegian village that hosted the 1994 Olympic Winter Games.) But he indicates he didnt press any magic buttons in the areas of rigging or training regimen to trigger her improvement. Its just maturity more than anything, said Rooney. Sometimes, if these young ones have some talent and you give them a chance to grow up physically and mentally, thats all they really need. Nevertheless, hes seen some assets that bode well for the future. She has decent speed off the gate, so she never gets away too far back. And she doesnt give up. Shell dig right through the wire. Shes had a lot of success because weve managed her well. We could have been over-anxious and put her in sire stakes where she might have been overmatched. Shes never had to drop three or four seconds in a race, so shes been able to dominate her competition. She leaves from the rail with Ronnie Wrenn Jr. at the helm. If Lillehammer Hall is to dominate once more, shell likely have to get by the highly-touted Swanky Hanover (post five, Dave Palone), who also is on the upswing, with three victories in four outings this year after laying a goose egg at two. Heres the difference. While Lillehammer Hall brought $30,000 responsible enough as a yearling, Swanky Hanover is a daughter of Muscle Hill out of the Cantab Hall mare Secret Magic. That makes her a full sister to Manchego, a three-time Dan Patch Award winner and one of the greatest contemporary distaff trotters. At Harrisburg, Swanky Hanover was hammered down to Jeff and Michael Snyder for a tidy $700,000. Shes marched through her conditions this year for trainer Marcus Melander but has yet to win a stakes race. Rooney, for one, isnt unhappy to see her in the field. Beating a $700,000 filly definitely would be a feather in our cap, he said. It certainly wouldnt hurt Lillehammer Halls value. (MSOA) The Central Ontario Standardbred Association is launching a contest starting on July 1, 2023 with the goal to find a slogan or tag line that highlights COSAs commitment to Ontario harness racing. An example of a slogan might be "On Gait for Ontario Racing." The person(s) submitting the winner, as selected by COSAs board of directors, will receive dinner for two at Mohawks Harvest Kitchen (alcohol not included). The deadline for entries is July 15 with the winner announced on July 31. Please email suggestions and entries to [email protected]. (COSA) The South Simcoe Police Service is making the public aware of two upcoming road closures that will impact traffic on Innisfil Beach Road and access to Highway 400, closures that will impact participants heading to Georgian Downs. Closure #1: The Town of Innisfil has received notification from the Ministry of Transportation regarding a short-term closure of the northbound ramp from Innisfil Beach Road to Highway 400. The ramp will be closed on Friday, June 23 at 10 p.m. until Monday, June 26 at 5 a.m. to complete the ramp realignment. Closure #2: A FULL CLOSURE of Innisfil Beach Road from the 5th Sideroad to the 10th Sideroad is scheduled for July 4 July 26 (three weeks). The full closure means that it will not be possible to drive under Highway 400 on Innisfil Beach Road at all during this three week period. Traffic will need to detour to other roads to get across the 400 (e.g., 6th Line). Access to the 400 itself will be possible from Highway 89, or Mapleview. Police are urging motorists to note the following road closures and plan accordingly. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination, exercise patience and follow the detour signs during this period of time. Officers will be in the area to ensure drivers navigate the closures safely. (SSPS) A Charlotte man was arrested Thursday in connection with a shooting that occurred on May 2 in Statesville. Nashawn Amoneta Lester, 29, of Charlotte, was arrested on three counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and felony conspiracy. He was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Charlotte on Thursday. A magistrate set bond at $1 million. The Statesville Police Department, in a news release, said that Lester is the second person charged in the shooting on Fifth Street that wounded four people. Chavion Quante Smith, 20, of Statesville, was arrested on May 31 by U.S. Marshals in Greensboro. He faces three counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. A magistrate also set his bond at $1 million. Statesville police said four people came to Iredell Memorial Hospital on May 2 with gunshot wounds. The Violent Crime Unit began an investigation and identified several suspect based on evidence collected, the SPD said. On May 18, warrants were issued for Smith. On June 15, warrants were issued for Lester. The Statesville Police Department thanked the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Mooresville Police Department, and the US Marshals Service for their assistance in the investigation and their continued partnership. The investigation is still ongoing. by Austin Bay June 23, 2023 Enemy actions confirm the brutal truth: America's homicidal foes make America a battleground. Globally they target U.S. allies and interests. Locally they target American lives and civil society. 9/11 demonstrated terrorists can and will kill en masse on American soil. Their goals are absolute. We learned the only way to stop them is to kill them. We killed Osama bin Laden, but the war against Islamist terror flickers in Syria, Yemen and Africa. The complex war against civil society is more deadly. The drug fentanyl is a weapon of mass destruction. In 2021 over 70,000 Americans died from fentanyl-related causes. Drug addiction afflicts all state, but San Francisco, LA, Portland? Combine drug addiction with "woke" policies like defund the police and -- behold -- wastelands. Major corporations have fled downtown San Francisco. They left vacant buildings, not their hearts. Enemy anti-American Society drug operations start in Myanmar's Golden Triangle, Afghanistan's poppy fields, Colombia's cocaine producers and Chinese pharmaceutical labs. Mexican drug cartels bring it over the border and distribute, from Texas and California to Canada. As I argued in last week's column, America confronts a new type of war with Foreign Adversary Collaborating Hybrid-Warfare Organizations. The key foreign adversary: communist China, but Iran is an accessory evil. FACHWO is a clunky acronym, but American policy and smart leaders need it because fighting them justifies the use of all tools of American power -- especially military power since a foreign enemy uses them as an operational line of attack. This week in Washington Beltway antics shows why. Defense News reported that House defense appropriations Chairman Ken Calvert, R-Calif., wants to reorganize deck chairs on the Titanic. Calvert: "To prioritize combatting the trafficking of fentanyl by Mexican drug cartels, we are transferring Mexico from the jurisdiction of Northcom to Southcom, which has a long history of successful international and interagency counter drug operations." Calvert wants to transfer Mexico to Sitcom's area of operations. Note this is the Appropriations Committee, not the Armed Services Committee or Committee on Homeland Security. Calvert may well be a security expert. Southcom has done an admirable job in counter drug operations. For the record, Northcom's Joint Task Force North (formally JTF6, located in El Paso, Texas) has coordinated Defense Department counter-drug operations since 1989. Its authority extends to the Bahamas and Florida Straits. At one time JTF6 coordinated with a surveillance task force in Key West, Florida. Big difference: Northcom, unlike Southcom, is on Mexico's border. It also has active liaison with vetted Mexican military authorities. What stymies JTF-North will also stymie Southcom task forces: Immigration policies, open border advocates and the failure to use all elements of American power to combat human trafficking, illegal drugs, illegal smuggling of goods and illegal immigration. And inept political leadership. Since January 2021 -- when the Biden administration started directing policy -- some 4 to 5 million illegal immigrants have entered the U.S. The illegal surge shatters social safety nets created for American citizens. Even the most liberal sanctuary cities are buckling, especially the crime-ridden cities who defunded the police in the name of equity and other tyrannical Marxist utopian notions. Fair question: who funded the "defund the police" movement and similar chaos-seeding, socially destructive policies? No matter their claimed motivation, their policies weaken American society. The social destruction operation is right out of Chinese strategic theorists Qiao Liang's and Wang Xiangsui's treatise "Unrestricted Warfare." We don't have a question of Southcom versus Northcom. In war, both headquarters have access to all military and civilian defense assets. Here's what we're missing: a warfighting awareness. The U.S. homefront has become a war zone under persistent attack by adversaries who employ an array of weapons and execute operations exploiting stealth, ambush, naivete and, in many cases, utter stupidity. A Wytheville woman got a suspended sentence and probation on Wednesday morning after pleading guilty to child abuse and drug charges. As part of a plea agreement, 46-year-old Stacy Thompson Freeman, who had no prior criminal record, will be on supervised probation for two years, during which time shell waive her Fourth Amendment protections. Freeman was also ordered to cooperate with the Wythe County Department of Social Services. According to the commonwealth, police found Xanax, oxycodone, Suboxone, fentanyl and suspected methamphetamine while executing two search warrants on Freemans residence, which she shared with her husband and child. Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Terri Bowles said a box of fentanyl was found near the childs gaming system. She also said the child tested positive for one illicit substance. Freeman was convicted of two counts of child abuse and neglect and one misdemeanor count of drug possession. The commonwealth dropped two additional felony drug charges. Stemming from the same searches, James Eric Freeman is awaiting trial on similar charges. Commonwealths Attorney Mike Jones said Stacy Freeman had cooperated with child protective services and regained custody of her child. Felon convicted of burglary On probation for similar crimes, a Wythe County woman admitted to burglarizing a local property in 2021. Tonya Desiree Scott, 52, of Wytheville was sentenced to serve a year in jail with credit for time served while awaiting trial. Shell be on supervised probation for two years, during which time shell waive her Fourth Amendment rights. She was also ordered to have no contact with the victim. According to a prosecutor, Scott and a co-defendant broke into a local property but were interrupted by police. Scott had stolen items in her pocket but returned them to police, the prosecutor said. As part of plea deal, the commonwealth dropped additional charges of grand larceny and possessing stolen property with the intent to sell. Given consideration for her testimony in the co-defendants case, Scott apologized to the court and victim before being sentenced. In 2019, Scott pleaded guilty to burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary and grand larceny. At the time, a prosecutor said Scott used information from a church prayer list to target an elderly woman whod been admitted to a local nursing home. Some of the stolen property was found in Scotts residence and at local pawn shops. N.C. resident admits to 3 felonies Austin L. Sessoms, 31, of Stedman, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to April 15, 2022, charges of check forgery, uttering a forged check and attempting to obtain cash from a bank by false pretenses. In a plea agreement with the commonwealth, Sessoms was sentenced to serve seven months in jail with credit for time served while awaiting trial. Hell be on supervised probation for two years after his release, during which time hell waive his Fourth Amendment protections. Sex offender denied bond Facing new criminal charges after police searched his motel room last month and reported finding drugs and paraphernalia, a Wythe County sex offender was denied bond again on Wednesday after appealing his case to Circuit Court. Dixie Earl Russell Jr., 65, of Wytheville will stay in jail while awaiting trial on charges of possessing 10 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute and possessing more than 1 ounce of marijuana with the intent to distribute. Testifying at Wednesdays bond hearing, Russell said he wanted out so he could take care of high blood pressure issues that were discovered in jail. He said he still had a place to stay at the Rodeway Inn where he was living when police searched his room. His sister also said he could stay with her for a few days if needed. Russells attorney said Russell also wanted to be released so he could contest a civil asset forfeiture filed by the commonwealth. Police reported finding more than $11,000 in cash in Russells room, which he said came from lottery winnings. Citing Russells prior criminal record that included drug-related convictions, a judge denied Russells appeal and ordered him held without bond. Russell has an August preliminary hearing set in Wythe County General District Court. WYTHEVILLE Amanda Brittani Mitchell can remain free as she awaits trial on felony homicide charges tied to the death of her 2-year-old daughter, a judge ordered Wednesday. But she will have to put up a $40,000 secured bond. Mitchell, 33, of Rural Retreat, lived in Radford in 2020 when her 2-year-old daughter Harper died of blunt force injuries to her head. Mitchells boyfriend at the time, Andrew Jonathan Byrd, 36, was convicted in a March jury trial of aggravated murder for Harpers death. He also was found guilty of aggravated malicious wounding and other charges for attacking Mitchell in the hours after Harper was injured, of possessing methamphetamine, and more. Mitchell was charged in 2020 with three counts of child abuse or neglect, and three counts of cruelty to a child, related to Harper and her other two children, as well as with possessing a Schedule I or II drug. Those charges remain pending. Mitchell, who now lives in Wythe County, has been free on a $5,000 bond. She testified as a prosecution witness at Byrds trial. Earlier this month, however, a Radford grand jury indicted Mitchell on more charges: two counts of felony homicide and one count of involuntary manslaughter, all related to Harpers death; as well as another felony child abuse or neglect charge, and another felony count of cruelty to a child. Mitchell was arrested June 12 and held in the New River Valley Regional Jail. Radford Commonwealths Attorney Chris Rehak said last week that he does not think the new charges against Mitchell will affect Byrds convictions or his sentencing, which is scheduled for Aug. 21. Byrd faces a mandatory life sentence for the aggravated murder conviction. On Wednesday, Mitchell appeared in Wythe County Circuit Court to ask to be released on bond. The hearing was held in Wythe County because Judge Joey Showalter, who presides over both Radford and Wythe County circuit courts, was in Wytheville to hear cases and could more easily take up Mitchells bond request there. Rehak said that he would not get too far into the details of the case against Mitchell, but that the felony homicide cases accuse her of contributing to her daughters death through the commission of a felony, either child abuse or neglect or cruelty. Rehak said that the new counts of child abuse or neglect, and of cruelty, narrow the date range when the acts are said to have occurred from some of the charges placed earlier. The two felony homicide charges and the involuntary manslaughter charge appear to give a judge or jury options for parsing Mitchells role, if they think she is guilty in Harpers death. At Wednesdays hearing, Rehak said that Mitchell gave police a shifting set of stories about her daughters condition and her own actions on the night of April 16, 2020, and early morning hours of April 17. Harper, along with Mitchells other children, had spent the afternoon and evening with Byrd at the home that he and Mitchell shared. Byrd took the children as he drove to pick Mitchell up from her job as an intake clerk at Carilion New River Valley Medical Center. Mitchell told police that when they got home, she found that Harper was cold to the touch and making gurgling noises, yet she waited 2 hours to call for help and when she did, she called Byrds mother rather than 911, Rehak said. Cell phone records showed that after discovering that Harper was hurt, Mitchell used her phone for Google searches on topics like toddler with concussion, toddler growling, and toddler with concussion sleeping a lot and not waking up, Rehak said. The searches showed that Mitchell had access to her phone for 33 minutes before she called Byrds mother for help, Rehak said. At Byrds trial, which Showalter presided over, medical experts said that in cases of severe head injury, there is a golden hour when rapid treatment might save someone, Rehak reminded the judge. In one of the accounts that Mitchell gave investigators, she said that she saw blood on her daughters mouth while they still were parked at the hospital, yet she did not take the girl inside to be checked by a doctor, Rehak said. Rehak asked that Mitchell be jailed until her charges are resolved, in part because she might pose a danger to her two remaining children. Mitchell made some horrific decisions up to this point, Rehak said. But defense attorney Fred Kellerman of Christiansburg said that Mitchell has had no contact with her children and will not while her case continues. Mitchell had no criminal record before her daughters death, had been free on bond for more than two years before her arrest this month, and always showed up for her court hearings, Kellerman said. Mitchell testified that she recently began a new job. Showalter said that he would release Mitchell from jail if she posted a $40,000 secured bond. The judge said that Mitchell would be supervised by pretrial services. He said that conditions of her release would include no alcohol, marijuana or illegal drugs; no contact with minors; and a curfew in which she would have to remain in her home from 11 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. the next day. Mitchell is to return to court on Sept. 8 for attorneys to set a schedule for resolving her charges. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued Public Notice No. 17/2023 DGFT, dated 22nd June 2023, announcing significant changes to the procedure for importing Copper products and Zinc Oxide under the Revised India-Nepal Treaty of Trade. These changes follow powers conferred under paragraphs 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. Analysis: The new amendments primarily designate DGFT as the authorized entity for allocation and monitoring of all TRQ items under the Revised India-Nepal Treaty. It will be responsible for monitoring 10,000 MT of TRQ of Copper products and 2500 MT of Zinc Oxide from Nepal. The quota allocated to each manufacturer/exporter on a quarterly basis would be communicated by Nepals designated authority to DGFT, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The Indian importers are required to file an online application for TRQ certificate on the DGFT website, providing reference to the TRQ issued to the Nepalese Exporter by the competent authority in Nepal. The TRQ authorization is electronically issued by the DGFT and transmitted to Indian Customs EDI System (ICES), with imports against the TRQ allowed only upon debiting electronically in the ICES system or on debit as endorsed. The TRQ Certificate shall be valid for a maximum period of 12 months or the end of the financial year, whichever is earlier. Conclusion: The new amendments in the import procedures for Copper products and Zinc Oxide under the Revised India-Nepal Treaty of Trade signify a significant change in trade dynamics between the two nations. The change not only streamlines the import process but also ensures improved oversight and monitoring of trade activities. It reflects both nations commitment to enhancing bilateral trade and cooperation, while ensuring that trade practices align with the latest guidelines and regulations. Government of India Ministry of Commerce & Industry Department of Commerce Directorate General of Foreign Trade Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi Public Notice No. 17/2023 DGFT | Dated: 22nd June, 2023 Subject: Amendment in procedure for import of Copper products and Zinc Oxide under the Revised India Nepal Treaty of Trade. F. No. 01/89/180/Misc-37/AM-07/PC-2[A]/Part-V/E-25648. In exercise of powers conferred under paragraph 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), hereby amends the procedure in continuation to Public Notice No. 9 /2002-2007 dated 30th April, 2002 as amended time to time in sync with Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) Notification No. 9/2003-Customs dated 15th January, 2003, for import of items under Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) under India Nepal Treaty in terms of Para 2.92 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP), 2023, as under: i. DGFT(Hqrs) shall be the designated authority for allocation and monitoring of all TRQ items under Revised India-Nepal Treaty; ii. Accordingly, the DGFT is authorised for allocation and monitoring of 10,000 MT of TRQ of Copper products under Chapter 74 and HS code 8544 of ITC(HS) 2022, Schedule 1 (Import Policy) and 2500 MT of Zinc Oxide from Nepal; iii. The quota so allocated to each manufacturer/ exporter on a quarterly basis would be communicated by the designated authority of Nepal (Department of Commerce) to DGFT, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India over email at policy2-dgftin; iv. Imports will be permitted through the Land Customs Stations (LCS) at: Kakarbhitta/Naxalbari, Biratnagar/Jogbani, Birganj/Raxaul, Nepalgunj/Nepalgunj Road and Mahendranagar/Banbasa; v. The Indian importer shall file online application for TRQ certificate on the DGFT Website (dgft.gov.in) by navigating to Home page ,Services Import Management System Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) Apply for TRQ; vi. The importer shall mandatorily upload/provide reference to the TRQ issued to the Nepalese Exporter by the competent authority in Nepal; vii. The TRQ issued shall contain the name and address of the importer, Importer -Exporter Code (IEC), Customs notification number, tariff item as applicable, quantity and validity period of the TRQ; viii. The TRQ authorisation shall be issued electronically by the DGFT and transmitted to Indian Customs EDI System (ICES); ix. Imports against the TRQ shall be allowed only upon debiting electronically in the ICES system or on debit as endorsed; x. For the Financial Year 2023-24, there shall be no end date for applying for the TRQ Certificate online on DGFT website. The DGFT shall monitor the cumulative quantities for TRQ Certificates issued. No further TRQ Certificates shall be issued once the stated TRQ quantity limit is reached; xi. The year in respect of these imports will be the period from 1st April to 31st March, i.e., financial year in India; xii. TRQ Certificate shall be valid for a maximum period of 12 months or the end of the financial year, whichever is earlier; xiii. Further, the DGFT reserves the right to make any changes in the modalities/allocation process at any point of time, as deemed fit; xiv. Other modalities shall remain the same as notified earlier time to time; and xv. Procedure for application for import of items under TRQ under Revised India-Nepal Treaty as enumerated above is inserted under Annexure VI of Appendix 2A. Effect of this Public Notice: Henceforth, DGFT(Hqrs) shall be the designated authority for allocation and monitoring of all TRQ items under Revised India-Nepal Treaty. Accordingly, revised procedure for allocation and monitoring of Copper products and Zinc Oxide under TRQ under Para 2.92 of the HBP, 2023 is notified. (Santosh Kumar Sarangi) Director General of Foreign Trade & Ex- officio Addl. Secretary to the Government of India Email: dgftnic.in [Issued from File No. 01/89/180/Misc-37/AM-07/PC-2[A]/Part-V/E-25648] GRANTS PASS, Ore. One Thursday morning in May, instead of sitting at a desk in her sixth grade classroom in the Oregon mountains, Khloe Warne sat at a table in her mothers bakery, doing her schoolwork on a laptop and watching her favorite clips of anime. Khloe, 12, loves drawing, writing and especially reading in second grade, she was already reading at a sixth grade level. But she only goes to school one day a week for two hours. The district said she needed shorter school days last year when Khloe threw a desk and fought with students in outbursts her mother attributes to a failure to support her needs. Khloe, who has been diagnosed with autism, ADHD and an anxiety disorder, had no individualized education plan for her disability when she returned to in-person learning after the pandemic. Not being able to attend school regularly has saddened Khloe, stunted her education and isolated her from her peers, her mother says. It has also upended her familys life. Her mother, Alyssa Warne, had to quit her job for a time in order to stay home with her. She described the fight to get her daughter back in the classroom as exhausting, stressful and sad. She just wants a friend, Alyssa Warne said. Its not asking much to send your kid to school for at least one whole day. Across the U.S., advocates say, schools are removing students with disabilities from the classroom, often in response to challenging behavior, by sending them home or cutting back on the days theyre allowed to attend. Schools say the move can be necessary to keep students and teachers safe and prevent disturbances. But parents and advocates argue the shortened days, often referred to as informal removals, amount to discrimination and violations of students civil rights. Under federal law, it is illegal to bar a child from receiving the same education as their peers based on conditions stemming from their disability. Alyssa Warne sued her daughters school and school district this month, alleging disability discrimination. School officials did not respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit. In an earlier email, the school director said she couldnt comment on individual students because of privacy concerns. In Oregon, a clash between parents and schools culminated this spring at the Statehouse. A bill to curb the use of shortened days, essentially giving parents veto power over such a decision, is pending in the House of Representatives after near-unanimous passage in the Senate. Pressure from school boards and superintendents has hurt the legislations chances, its chief sponsor said. It shouldnt have been controversial because these kids have had this right for such a long time, Democratic state Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin said of her bill. I wish that we could serve these kids, respect these kids and lift these kids up and honor their rights without being ordered by a court to do so. Dan Stewart, managing attorney for education and employment at the National Disability Rights Network, said he wasnt aware of other states with laws limiting schools use of shortened days as Oregons bill would have. But a number of states have issued guidance through their departments of education informing schools that shortened days could potentially amount to discrimination under federal law. Since the 1970s, federal law has guaranteed students with disabilities the right to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. This means, as much as possible, they should be learning alongside their peers who dont have disabilities, with necessary accommodations. Its illegal for school districts to cite a lack of money or staff as a reason for not educating a child with disabilities. But states dont always enforce the law, advocates say. Instead of hiring specialists, training teachers or providing tailored services, they say, some schools are shortening students schedules as a way to manage difficult behavior. Oregon is embroiled in a lawsuit over schools use of shortened school days, filed by the nonprofit advocacy group Disability Rights Oregon in 2019. Experts appointed by the court to research the issue found about 1,000 Oregon students with disabilities most of them in elementary school are on shortened schedules. While less than 2% of students in special education are placed on a shortened school day, for those students and their families, this amounted to often a dramatic decrease in the amount of instruction received, a loss of opportunities for interaction with peers, and an educational program that put them in a position to lag further and further behind their peers in both academic and social emotional skills, the experts report said. This spring, in the debate over the bill, teachers unions said a lack of specialized training and a post-pandemic crisis in student mental health were putting them in harms way and disrupting classrooms. Education employees are reporting frequent injuries caused by students, and yet they are provided with limited training and scarce options to protect themselves from harm, wrote Susan Allen of the Oregon School Employees Association. But schools receive federal and state money for kids with disabilities that they should use for training and staffing, advocates say. Resource allocation is a decision, and school districts have decided not to invest, said Meghan Moyer, public policy director for the nonprofit advocacy organization Disability Rights Oregon. For some Oregon families, the bills stalling is only their latest setback. Another parent in Grants Pass, Chelsea Rasmussen, has been fighting for more than a year for her 8-year-old daughter Scarlett to attend full days at school. Scarlett reads at her grade level, but is nonverbal and uses an electronic device and online videos to communicate. She was born with a genetic condition that causes her to have seizures and makes it hard for her to eat and digest food. Because of her medical needs, the school must have a resident nurse on site. After the pandemic, Scarletts mother agreed to start her on a three-day school week to ease her into in-person learning for the first time. But it took months of meetings to bump her up to five days a week, Chelsea Rasmussen said. School employees, she said, told her the district lacked the staff to tend to Scarletts medical and educational needs at school. Officials at the school system attended by Scarlett, Grants Pass School District 7, said staffing was not a factor in her case. We try not to shorten days for students with special needs, said Vanessa Jones, the districts director of special services. Its a team decision and we use it as sparingly as we can. At home, Scarlett kept showing her mom online videos of children playing or Sesame Street lessons. She longed to be at school, her mother said. We wasted a year with a child that could do grade-level work, Chelsea Rasmussen said. She plans to continue speaking out both for Scarlett and other families struggling with the same issue. How can you not allow a child to have an education? she said. We dont feel like we should have to fight that hard for a student to feel like they belong. RAINIER Police identified the man killed in Tuesdays two-vehicle crash that caused the hours-long closure of U.S. Highway 30, nearly 6 miles east of Rainier. Jason Ray Bennett, 34, of Clatskanie, died at the scene, after veering into an oncoming lane, Oregon State Police released Thursday. Bennett was driving east on U.S. 30 in a brown Honda CR-V when police report he crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a white 2022 Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Gregory Alan Woodall, Jr., 50, of Deer Island, who was heading west. Authorities say it is unclear why Bennett crossed into oncoming traffic. The collision occurred before 5:16 a.m., near milepost 41. Bennett died at the scene, and Oregon State Police said Woodall was uninjured from the crash. The crash caused a 4.5-hour closure for on-scene investigation and the Oregon State Police say they were assisted by Columbia River Fire & Rescue, Columbia County Sheriffs Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation. 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. The 26-year-old suspected of killing two women and injuring three others on Saturday at the Gorge Amphitheatre was allegedly experiencing hallucinations after taking psychedelic mushrooms, according to probable cause documents filed Wednesday in Grant County Superior Court. The suspect, an active duty member of the U.S. Army at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, allegedly shot and killed two women, seriously injured his girlfriend and another festival goer, and also caused minor injuries to an employee. A detective eventually shot him in a field next to the campground and police arrested him. The Seattle Times typically does not name suspects until they have been charged. The hospital released the suspect on Tuesday and police booked him into the Grant County Jail for investigation of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and one count of first-degree domestic violence assault. The shooting On June 17, the suspect traveled with his 20-year-old girlfriend to the Beyond Wonderland electronic dance music festival that thousands of people attend each year, which was held this year at The Gorge in Central Washington, alongside the Columbia River. That evening he took a dose of mushrooms before they walked to the concert venue, according to probable cause documents. Once at the venue, the suspect began feeling the effects, a detective wrote. As [the suspects] hallucination trip got going, he began to believe that the world was ending and that he needed to return to his camp immediately with [his girlfriend], documents say. At their campsite, the suspect grabbed a handgun from their truck, loaded a magazine and chambered a cartridge, probable cause documents say. Shortly before 8:30 p.m., Brandy Escamilla and Josilyn Ruiz, the engaged Seattle couple the suspect fatally shot, were walking through the Gorge campground and came across the suspect, according to court documents. The suspect shot Escamilla and Ruiz, documents say. Both died at the scene. A 31-year-old man from Eugene, Ore., who headed to the suspects location upon hearing gunfire, also was shot and seriously injured, according to court documents. On Tuesday, police said he was in stable condition. As the suspect moved through the campground, his girlfriend called 911 and told dispatch he had a gun, but the suspect took her phone and discarded it before she could give more information, documents say. Near the outer fence line of the campground, the suspect shot at a vehicle carrying Crowd Management Services employees who were responding to reports of gunfire. One bullet went through the windshield and hit her glasses, bruising and cutting her, probable cause documents say. A Grant County Sheriffs Office drone spotted them in a field next to the campground, according to court documents. The suspect allegedly shot at it. The suspect also shot his girlfriend in the foot and upper leg, police wrote. The young woman is in stable condition at Harborview Medical Center. When officers encountered the suspect, Moses Lake Police Department Detective Edgar Salazar fired his gun, hitting the suspect once. Salazar has been placed on administrative leave, per standard procedure, Wenatchee Police Department Capt. Brian Chance said in a news release. Its unclear how the suspect was able to get a weapon inside the campgrounds. Police did not release further details Wednesday. The Gorge Amphitheatre website states firearms and weapons of any description are not allowed in the venue or on campgrounds. The suspect joined the Army in 2021. He is a joint fire support specialist assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment, said Lt. Col. Mike Burns, a spokesperson with U.S. Army Special Operations Command. The command takes allegations very seriously and is cooperating with authorities, Burns said. The five passengers aboard Titan, a deep-sea vessel that vanished on its way to the Titanic wreckage, have died, the U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday. The Coast Guard believes the vessel imploded, a catastrophic event that would have instantly killed the five passengers. A remotely operated vehicle found the Titan debris field near the sunken shipwreck Thursday morning during the frenzied four-day search. Among the five on board the OceanGate Expeditions vessel was Stockton Rush, a Seattle resident and the founder and CEO of the Everett-based company. OceanGate confirmed in a news release Thursday the company believes Rush and the four others on board Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding and Paul-Henri Nargeolet have died. The men were true explorers, who all shared a distinct spirit of adventure and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans, OceanGate wrote. 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, the company wrote. For years, Rush dreamed of planting his feet anywhere but on Earths surface the moon, Mars anywhere but solid land. I wanted to be an astronaut, he said at a 2017 New York Citys Explorers Club lecture, a place where a guest might actually meet someone whos escaped our planets gravitational grasp. Rush, who grew up in a family of wealthy industrialists and benefactors, got an aerospace engineering degree for this very reason, watched Star Trek and Star Wars for this very reason, all to one day have the opportunity to see those alien life-forms, he said in 2017. Rush became a pilot, and at only 19, was the youngest jet transport-rated pilot in the world, according to his company bio. Rush continued over decades as a flight test engineer and board member and chair of manufacturing and technology companies. I eventually realized I wasnt going to get to Jupiter or Mars, he had continued at the Explorers Club lecture, which was OK, he said, because he realized all the cool stuff I thought was out there is actually underwater. So began Rushs journey to the great depths of the ocean. He founded OceanGate in 2009, beginning with a five-person submarine purchased from a private owner. The submarine Antipodes was introduced the next year and made 130 dives within two years. Along with two submarines, he began making his own vessel, a submersible different from a submarine because it needs a mothership made from carbon fiber. He called it Cyclops, which served as a prototype and platform for Titan. OceanGate was recently valued at $60 million, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence records. Rush was interviewed often, showing reporters the ins and outs of OceanGates deep-sea vessels and talking about his ambitious endeavors to take researchers and private citizens to the Titanic wreckage, about 12,500 feet below the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean. Rush was on one such eight-day expedition this past weekend when Titan went missing about an hour and 45 minutes after its initial descent to the Titanic site. The OceanGate vessels have gone on dozens of dives throughout the Puget Sound region and around the world. On one such expedition in 2014, rapper Macklemore went aboard Antipodes into Elliott Bay to find sixgill sharks, in a dive that was documented by the Discovery Channels Daily Planet for Shark Week, according to OceanGates website. In 2018, OceanGate worked with the SeaDoc Society for a Salish Sea expedition, doing seven dives in Cyclops 1 off San Juan Island over five days. Titan had the capability of going eight times deeper than Cyclops, and in 2021 and 2022 OceanGate completed expeditions to the Titanic site. The goal was to take researchers and mission specialists on board, charging up to $250,000 for a seat. One reason for the focus on Titanic, Rush said in a 2019 Smithsonian Magazine story, was because everyone seems to know about it. If you ask people to name something underwater, its going to be sharks, whales, Titanic, he said in the story. The company has been the subject of at least one lawsuit related to Titan, filed in 2018 by an employee who said he had safety concerns about the vessel. The case was settled out of court, according to court documents. That same year, a marine technology group wrote to Rush that members were concerned about Titan and negative outcomes. The letter, sent by the Manned Underwater Vehicles committee of the Marine Technology Society, was obtained by The New York Times. The group described outcomes from minor to catastrophic, which would have serious consequences for everyone in the industry. Seattle Times staff reporter Paige Cornwell contributed to this report. Information from Seattle Times archives is included in this report. Malaysian authorities said on Friday they will take legal action against Facebook parent company Meta Platforms for failing to remove "undesirable" content on the social media platform. Facebook has recently seen a significant volume of undesirable content relating to race, royalty, religion, defamation, impersonation, online gambling and scam advertisements, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said in a statement. It also said Meta had failed to take sufficient action despite its repeated requests and that legal action was necessary to promote "accountability for cybersecurity" and for "enhancing consumer protection". Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The commission also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on what legal action might be taken. Big social media firms such as Meta, Google's YouTube and TikTok are often under regulatory scrutiny over content posted on their platforms. Some Southeast Asian governments have frequently requested that content be taken down. In 2020, Vietnam threatened to shut down Facebook in the country if it did not bow to government pressure to censor more local political content on its platform. It said last year that social media platforms operating in Vietnam removed more than 3,200 posts and videos in the first quarter that contained false information and violated the country's law. In Indonesia, Facebook in 2019 took down hundreds of local accounts, pages and groups linked to a fake news syndicate. Meta's Oversight Board asks Facebook owner to evaluate election integrity efforts (Reuters) - Meta Platforms' Oversight Board has asked the social media firm to evaluate efforts to prevent promotion of political violence on its platforms, after it allowed a video calling for violence post the 2022 Brazilian election to stay online. The board said on Thursday that Meta's original decision to leave up the Facebook video, which featured a Brazilian general calling people to "hit the streets," raised concerns about the effectiveness of the company's election integrity efforts. "In this case, the speaker's intent, the content of the speech and its reach, as well as the likelihood of imminent harm ... all justified removing the post," said the Oversight Board, whose recommendations are not binding on Meta. After initially letting the video stay up, Meta took it down on Jan. 20, after the board selected the case. The company's election preparedness efforts are in focus as the United States prepares for the presidential elections next year. Meta's Facebook and Instagram, two of the most popular social media sites in the world, have been in the past used to spread misinformation and incite violence on the ground. In 2020, the company said that its platforms were used by certain Russian groups to influence U.S. voters during the 2016 elections, where Republican Donald Trump emerged victorious. The company was also among the social media platforms that suspended Trump in 2021 after the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol Hill riot, determining he had incited violence. The former U.S. president was reinstated earlier this year. Meta, in a response to the board, said that it does not currently have metrics for measuring the success of its election integrity efforts generally. The Oversight Board was created in late 2020 to review Facebook and Instagram's decisions on taking down or leaving up certain content and make rulings on whether to uphold or overturn the social media company's actions. Facebook to end news access in Canada over incoming law on paying publishers OTTAWA (Reuters) - Meta Platforms Inc plans to end access to news on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada once a parliament-approved legislation requiring internet giants to pay news publishers comes into effect, the company said on Thursday. The legislation, known as the Online News Act, was approved by the Senate upper chamber earlier on Thursday and will become law after receiving royal assent from the governor general, a formality. The legislation was proposed after complaints from Canada's media industry, which wants tighter regulation of tech companies to prevent them from elbowing news businesses out of the online advertising market. "Today, we are confirming that news availability will be ended on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada prior to the Online News Act taking effect," Meta said in a statement. Facebook had telegraphed such a move for weeks, saying news has no economic value to the company and that its users do not use the platform for news. The act outlines rules to force platforms such as Facebook and Alphabet's Google to negotiate commercial deals and pay news publishers for their content, a step similar to a groundbreaking law passed in Australia in 2021. The U.S. technology companies have said the proposals are unsustainable for their businesses. Google has argued Canada's law is broader than those enacted in Australia and Europe, saying it puts a price on news story links displayed in search results and can apply to outlets that do not produce news. The search engine giant proposed that the bill be revised to make the displaying of news content, rather than links, as basis for payment and to specify that only businesses that produce news and adhere to journalistic standards are eligible. A spokesperson Google said on Thursday that the bill remains "unworkable" and that the company was urgently seeking to work with the government "on a path forward." Canada's federal government has so far pushed back against suggestions to make changes. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Meta and Google were using "bullying tactics" as they campaign against the legislation. Google and Facebook had also threatened to curtail their services in Australia when a similar rules were passed into law. Both eventually struck deals with Australian media companies after amendments to the legislation were offered. Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, who introduced the bill last year, said on Thursday that the government "will engage in a regulatory and implementation process" after the legislation comes into effect. "If the government can't stand up for Canadians against tech giants, who will?" Rodriguez said in a statement. The heritage ministry has had meetings with Facebook and Google this week, and it looks forward to further discussions, a government spokesperson said. Danielle Coffey, president of the News Media Alliance global industry group, said the Canadian Parliament "should be applauded for standing up to Big Tech" after the bill's approval in the Senate. "We are encouraged by the increasing recognition of the need for legal action to ensure just compensation, both in Canada and abroad, and hope to see the United States follow suit," Coffey said. Wipro announced the inauguration of its new office at Sable Park, Century City, in Cape Town, underscoring its commitment to clients in the region. Anis Chenchah, Chief Executive Officer Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA), Wipro Limited and Member of the Wipro Executive Board said, The inauguration of our office in Century City, Cape Town, is a significant milestone for Wipro as it emphasizes our commitment to invest in and expand our presence across South Africa. This new office will help us better address the requirements of the growing client base in the region and provide interesting opportunities to the local talent. Wipros Cape Town office was inaugurated in the presence of Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member Economic Growth, City of Cape Town, representatives from the Indian Consulate in Cape Town and from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), along with Wipros clients, technology partners and local employees. The Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector in Cape Town is booming and currently more than 70,000 Capetonians are employed in the industry. That number is set to grow even further with more companies setting up shop in the Mother City. We are delighted that Wipro, a global leader focused on driving digital transformation, can contribute meaningfully to employment opportunities and digital-skill development for our local talent, said Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth in the City of Cape Town. In 2021, the international BPO market in Cape Town contributed around R14 billion to the metros economy. The city is continuously investing in skill development and promotion campaigns to leverage itself as a much sought-after destination for technology and BPO companies. Warren Zambelli, Managing Director Africa, Wipro Limited, said, Wipro is developing talent and creating jobs with clients that will yield a lasting impact for our communities in South Africa. We appreciate this opportunity to expand our presence in the region and continue our momentum towards becoming the leading professional services business across the continent. Africa is one of the six focus regions that comprise Wipros APMEA Strategic Market Unit. Wipro has been present in Africa since 2007, supporting enterprises and public sectors in accelerating their digital transformation to be globally competitive. Wipro also has a steadfast commitment towards local communities. We continue to build a strong local talent pool with diverse skill sets and make strategic investments that will better serve our clients. Wipro has launched various social initiatives under the Wipro SIYAPHA brand. Today, we are a BBBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) level 2 contributor scored on the ICT Charter. 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 Silicon Valley is poised once again to cash in on other people's products, making a data grab of unprecedented scale that has already spawned lawsuits and congressional hearings. Chatbots and other forms of generative artificial intelligence that burst onto the technology scene in recent months are fed vast amounts of material scraped from the internetbooks, screenplays, research papers, news stories, photos, art, music, code and moreto produce answers, imagery or sound in response to user prompts. Technology companies are falling over themselves to leverage this new and potentially lucrative technology. Google, valued at $1.5 trillion, has gone all in with its Bard chatbot after rival Microsoft, valued at $2.4 trillion, invested billions in San Francisco's generative AI pioneer OpenAI. Meta, valued at $680 billion, just announced plans to add chatbots to its apps. Venture capitalists are pouring billions of dollars into generative AI startups. But a thorny, contentious and highly consequential issue has arisen: A great deal of the bots' fodder is copyrighted property. In January, Bay Area artist Karla Ortiz joined an Oregon cartoonist and a Tennessee painter to sue UK-based image-generation company Stability AI in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, claiming Stability violated the rights of millions of artists by training its software on more than 5 billion copyrighted images scraped from the internet without permission or compensation. "It just took them," the lawsuit alleged. Outputs from Stability AI are "derived exclusively" from those images and "will substantially negatively impact the market" for artists' work, the lawsuit claimed. Stability AI, in an April court filing, argued that its software "enables users to create entirely new and unique images" and that its technology does not produce material with "substantial similarity" to artists' copyrighted work. The new AI's intellectual-property problem goes beyond art into movies and television, photography, music, news media and computer coding. Critics worry that major players in tech, by inserting themselves between producers and consumers in commercial marketplaces, will suck out the money and remove financial incentives for producing TV scripts, artworks, books, movies, music, photography, news coverage and innovative software. "It could be catastrophic," said Danielle Coffey, CEO of the News/Media Alliance, which represents nearly 2,000 U.S. news publishers, including this news organization. "It could decimate our industry." The new technology, as happened with other Silicon Valley innovations, including internet-search, social media and food delivery, is catching on among consumers and businesses so quickly that it may become entrenchedand beloved by userslong before regulators and lawmakers gather the knowledge and political will to impose restraints and mitigate harms. "We may need legislation," said Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, D-California, who as a member of the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony on copyright and generative AI last month. "Content creators have rights and we need to figure out a way how those rights will be respected." Central to the issue is the doctrine of fair use, which allows copyrighted work to be used without permission under certain conditions. Lofgren believes courts will decide that matter before Congress might take any action. Bay Area lawyer and computer programmer Matthew Butterick launched the first legal salvo late last year with a proposed-class-action lawsuit on behalf of two unnamed plaintiffs against Microsoft, its subsidiary GitHub, and its partner OpenAI, alleging the AI-powered coding assistant GitHub Copilot is built upon "software piracy on an unprecedented scale." The defendant companies in January fired back in U.S. District Court in San Francisco with the assertion that its tool "crystallizes the knowledge gained from billions of lines of public code," that it "withdraws nothing from the body of open source code available to the public," and advances learning, understanding and collaboration. Furor over the content grabbing is surging. Photo-sales giant Getty is also suing Stability AI. Striking Hollywood screenwriters last month raised concerns that movie studios will start using chatbot-written scripts fed on writers' earlier work. The record industry has lodged a complaint with federal authorities over copyrighted music being used to train AI. Santa Clara University law school professor Eric Goldman believes the law favors use of copyrighted material for training generative AI. "All works build upon precedent works," said Goldman, an expert in internet law. "We are all free to take pieces of precedent works. What generative AI does is accelerate that process, but it's the same process. It's all part of an evolution of our society's storehouse of knowledge." Technological advances, however, have a history of skirting legal protections for content producers, noted renowned wildlife photographer Frans Lanting of Santa Cruz, California. "The sanctity of copyright law has been undermined more and more by new technologies," Lanting said, citing "an assumption by the general public but especially by technology companies that individual works can be reproduced without attribution or any compensation for the creators. Everything becomes for free." Lanting worries that his own photos, typically presented with stories about human effects on the natural world, could be replicated via AI and presented in ways that undermine trust in his work. University of California-Berkeley engineering lecturer and venture capitalist Shomit Ghose said generative AI may need regulation to bar direct mimicry of creators' work. But its potential to enhance many forms of creativity, he said, recalls the comic book and movie hero Iron Man, a human augmented by technology. Quite possibly, Ghose said, "the future is Iron Man." To the News/Media Alliance's Coffey, attention from federal lawmakers provides reason for guarded optimism, particularly in light of Silicon Valley's history, which saw Google and Facebook cripple the news industry by inserting themselves between news producers and consumers to siphon off the lion's share of digital-advertising revenue, with legislators around the world taking decades to respond. The Alliance's "AI Principles" say fair use does not apply to unauthorized scraping of publishers' content for AI, and that news producers must be paid through a yet-to-be-developed system, possibly licensing. Licensing might prove a problematic solution. When tech firms like Apple, valued at nearly $3 trillion, and $30 billion Spotify intervened between musicians and listeners to deliver music online, those firms and record labels, along with a small fraction of music stars, captured the bulk of the revenue, with the majority of musicians earning a relative pittance. Lofgren wants a solution that does not sacrifice the nation's leadership on the new technology and the advances it promises. "We want to balance our efforts to make sure that artists and other are treated fairly," she said. "We also don't want to put America in second or third place." Sunnyvale, California, software engineer Johannes Ernst, CEO of Dazzle Labs, a startup building a platform for control of personal data, said content producers could annotate their work with conditions for use that would have to be followed by companies crawling the web for AI fodder. Debates about legal protections put the cart before the horse, Ernst said. "We need to figure out what's right and wrong here," he said. "Ignore what the law says for a second and say, "How should it be?" Then see what laws we can use to make it that way, and see what new laws might be necessary." 2023 The Mercury News Distributed by Tribune 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 Google logo is displayed at their offices, Nov. 1, 2018, in London. Canada's Senate on Thursday, June 22, 2023, passed a bill that will require Google and Meta to pay media outlets for news content that they share or otherwise repurpose on their platforms. Credit: AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File Canada's Senate on Thursday passed a bill that will require Google and Meta to pay media outlets for news content that they share or otherwise repurpose on their platforms. The bill, which is set to become law, was passed amid a standoff between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government and Silicon Valley tech giants. Ottawa has said the law creates a level playing field between online advertising giants and the shrinking news industry. And Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez has promised to push back on what he describes as "threats" from Facebook and Google to remove journalism from their platforms. Meta confirmed Thursday that it plans to comply with the bill by ending news availability on Facebook and Instagram for its Canadian users, as it had previously suggested. Meta would not offer details about the timeline for that move, but said it will pull local news from its site before the Online News Act takes effect. The bill will come into force six months after it receives royal assent. "We have repeatedly shared that in order to comply with Bill C-18, which was passed today in Parliament, content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to people accessing our platforms in Canada," said Meta spokesman Scott Reid. The Meta logo is seen at the Vivatech show in Paris, France, Wednesday, June 14, 2023. Canada's Senate on Thursday, June 22, passed a bill that will require Google and Meta to pay media outlets for news content that they share or otherwise repurpose on their platforms. Credit: AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File Legacy media and broadcasters have praised the bill, which promises to "enhance fairness" in the digital news marketplace and help bring in more money for shrinking newsrooms. Tech giants including Meta and Google have been blamed in the past for disrupting and dominating the advertising industry, eclipsing smaller, traditional players. Meta, which is based in Menlo Park, California, has taken similar steps in the past. In 2021, it briefly blocked news from its platform in Australia after the country passed legislation that would compel tech companies to pay publishers for using their news stories. It later struck deals with Australian publishers. Laura Scaffidi, a spokesperson for the minister, said Rodriguez was set to have a meeting Thursday afternoon with Google, which has hinted that removing news links from its popular search engine is a possibility. The company didn't provide comment on the matter. Meta is already undergoing a test that blocks news for up to five percent of its Canadian users, and Google ran a similar test earlier this year. The Online News Act requires both companies to enter into agreements with news publishers to pay them for news content that appears on their sites if it helps the tech giants generate money. "The tech giants do not have obligations under the act immediately after Bill C-18 passes. As part of this process, all details will be made public before any tech giant is designated under the act," said Scaffidi. 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: In this image 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 are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night. Credit: Action Aviation via AP, File Eight hours. And within them, many unanswered questions. About an hour and a half after it dipped below the North Atlantic, a submersible on an expedition to view the wreckage of the Titanic lost communication with the surface Sunday. It would take another nearly eight hours before the Canadian research icebreaker Polar Prince, supporting the Titan submersible, reported it missing to the Coast Guarda report that triggered an intense international rescue effort. The time lag has yet to be explained by the company that owns the submersible, OceanGate Expeditions. But it may not have matteredThe U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday the vessel imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, killing all five people on board. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger said it was too soon to say whether the implosion happened at the time of last communication. But it was not detected by sonar buoys used by search crews, he said, which suggests it happened before they arrived. "We had listening devices in the water throughout and did not hear any signs of catastrophic failure from those," he said. Sean Leet, head of the company that co-owns the Titan's support ship, refused to discuss the timeline during a news conference Wednesday, saying only that "all protocols were followed for the mission." But experts familiar with deep-sea exploration said those lost hours raise red flags. "The time delay between declaring a submersible sunk and notification to outside resources and emergency responders appears to be excessive," said Robert Kraft, a deep-sea explorer who has located missing ships in the ocean. The emergency procedure in question, he said, is typically declared after three consecutive scheduled communications are missed "but can vary slightly between organizations." Others suggested the delay could have been due to the unorthodox approach taken by the company behind the experimental vessel. Salvatore Mercogliano, a history professor at Campbell University in North Carolina who focuses on maritime history and policy, said the people on the Polar Prince likely didn't call for help after losing communication with the Titan because the submersible had previously experienced communication failuresso such an occurrence didn't raise immediate alarms. The vessel used a rudimentary system that basically communicated with the surface ship through text message, Mercogliano said. "They've lost communications before. And so what it appears is when they lost communications, they did not assume that this was a disaster at all," Mercogliano said. "They probably were waiting for what was would have been the end of the scheduled voyage. And they probably waited for the period when they expected the Titan to come back to the surface," he speculated. "They were unable to locate it. And then they knew they had an emergency." Another thing to consider: Mercogliano said the Titan lacked an emergency radio beacon that could have floated to the surface and started beeping if there was an emergency. "But they didn't have that," he said. "And so it sounds like the Polar Prince waited the normal period of time for the recovery of this submersible to send out the mayday in distress." Norman Polmar, a prominent naval analyst and author, said the protocol for "checking in" would be set by the company, and it varies by company and submersible. A company may say to check in every four hours and check in immediately if there's a problem, but there are absolutely no set rules with commercial submersibles, he added. "From a military viewpoint, there are specific protocols. But from a commercial one, there is nothing that's standard," he said Thursday. "If they said nine hours, that might have been what their agreement was if we don't have a problem, we'll call you in nine hours. For civilian submersibles, it's what they want. Within the military, if you have got an experiment or test or trials, yes there is a fixed protocol." Aaron Davenport, a maritime expert, senior policy researcher with the RAND Corporation and a retired U.S. Coast Guard officer, said he's been perplexed by the operation's perceived lack of safety protocols given the inherent dangers, including the timing of when Polar Prince sent out its distress call. First of all, Davenport said, the Titan and Polar Prince should have had a procedure in place in which they stayed in periodic contact, such as every hour or so. "The protocol that is normally used in the Coast Guard operations, and in any kind of potentially dangerous situation, is that you want to maintain communications with someone on the surface or ashore that can call for help or render assistance in the event of an emergency," Davenport said. "And so you would think they would check in with the surface on a regular basis," Davenport said. "And then if you don't hear from them, then that would be an indication that you may need to start thinking about a potential rescue or getting things staged or invoke a plan, if you are unable to determine if they are safe or not." Davenport added that most ships carry an emergency beacon, which is automatically deployed if the ship sinks. But he said he's seen no indication that the Titan had a way to alert anyone of an emergency situation. In an email after an Associated Press interview, Davenport added that the vessel that launched the submersible appeared incapable of rescuing the vessel. "They lost several hours early onthey should have started alerting folks and preparing for a rescue immediately," Davenport said. "What is confounding is that they lost comms with the sub at the beginning of the mission, and it does not seem they had a good plan to restore comms and/or abort the mission." 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: This undated image provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible. Rescuers are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night. Credit: OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File The search for a missing Titanic-bound submersible has become an investigation and salvage mission that will take an indefinite amount of time, officials said, as tributes from around the world poured in for the five people killed when the vessel imploded deep in the North Atlantic. The announcement Thursday that all aboard perished when the submersible imploded near the site of the iconic shipwreck brought a tragic end to a five-day saga that included an urgent around-the-clock search and a worldwide vigil for the vessel known as the Titan. The investigation into what happened was already underway and would continue in the area around Titanic where debris from the submersible was found, said Rear Adm. John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District. "I know there are also a lot of questions about how, why and when did this happen. Those are questions we will collect as much information as we can about now," Mauger said, adding that it was a "complex case" that happened in a remote part of the ocean and involved people from several different countries. The first hint of a timeline came Thursday evening when a senior U.S. Navy official said that after the Titan was reported missing Sunday, the Navy went back and analyzed its acoustic data and found an "anomaly" that was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the vessel was operating when communications were lost. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive acoustic detection system. 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. Credit: OceanGate Expeditions via AP Those killed were Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the submersible; two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. OceanGate, which has been chronicling the Titanic's decay and the underwater ecosystem around it via yearly voyages since 2021 that included paying tourists, released a statement calling all five people killed "true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world's oceans." Tributes to those killed and praise for the searchers who tried to save them poured in from across the globe. The White House thanked the Coast Guard, along with Canadian, British and French partners who helped in the search and rescue efforts. 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 are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night, June 18, 2023. Credit: Alan Berner/The Seattle Times via AP, File "Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives on the Titan. They have been through a harrowing ordeal over the past few days, and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers," it said in a statement. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry wrote on Twitter that it appreciates "the multinational efforts over the last several days in search of the vessel." The Dawood family also thanked all involved in the search. "Their untiring efforts were a source of strength for us during this time," the family said in a statement. "We are also indebted to our friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers from all over the world who stood by us during our need." The Titan launched at 6 a.m. Sunday and was reported overdue Sunday afternoon about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's, Newfoundland. Rescuers rushed ships, planes and other equipment to the site of the disappearance. CORRECTS SPELLING OF THE NAME TO HENRI, INSTEAD OF HENRY This photo combo shows from left, Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Stockton Rush, and Hamish Harding are facing critical danger aboard a small submersible that went missing in the Atlantic Ocean. The missing submersible Titan imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, killing all five people on board, the U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday, June 22, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/File Authorities were hoping underwater sounds detected Tuesday and Wednesday might help narrow their search, whose coverage area had been expanded to thousands of milestwice the size of Connecticut and in waters 2 1/2 miles (4 kilometers) deep. Any sliver of hope that remained for finding the crew alive, however, was wiped away early Thursday, when the submersible's 96-hour supply of air was expected to run out and the Coast Guard announced that a debris field had been found roughly 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the Titanic. "The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber," Mauger said. The Coast Guard said Thursday that the sounds heard in the previous days were likely generated by something other than the Titan. "There doesn't appear to be any connection between the noises and the location (of the debris) on the seafloor," Mauger said. U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, talks to the media, Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Coast Guard Base Boston, in Boston. The missing submersible Titan imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, killing all five people on board, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne The Navy official who spoke of the "anomaly" heard Sunday said the Navy passed on the information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search because the Navy did not consider the data to be definitive. At least 46 people successfully traveled on OceanGate's 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 questions about the submersible's safety were raised by both by a former company employee and former passengers. David Lochridge, OceanGate's former director of marine operations, argued in 2018 that the method the company devised for ensuring the soundness of the hullrelying on acoustic monitoring that could detect cracks and pops as the hull strained under pressurewas inadequate and could "subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible." The logo for an OceanGate Expeditions 2019 Titanic expedition is seen on a marine industrial warehouse office door in Everett, Wash., Tuesday, June 20, 2023. Rescuers are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night. Credit: AP Photo/Ed Komenda, File "This was problematic because this type of acoustic analysis would only show when a component is about to failoften milliseconds before an implosionand would not detect any existing flaws prior to putting pressure onto the hull," Lochridge's attorneys wrote in a wrongful termination claim. OceanGate disagreed. Lochridge "is not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan," it said, and it noted he was fired after refusing to accept assurances from the company's lead engineer that the acoustic monitoring and testing protocol was, in fact, better suited to detect any flaws than a method Lochridge proposed. One of the company's first customers likened a dive he made to the site two years ago to a suicide mission. "Imagine a metal tube a few meters long with a sheet of metal for a floor. You can't stand. You can't kneel. Everyone is sitting close to or on top of each other," said Arthur Loibl, a retired businessman and adventurer from Germany. "You can't be claustrophobic." In this image 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 are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night. Credit: Action Aviation via AP, File 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, "Antipodes," about three miles off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., June 28, 2013. Rescuers are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night, June 18, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File In this satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies, from top to bottom, the vessels Horizon Arctic, Deep Energy and Skandi Vinland search for the missing submersible Titan, Thursday, June 22, 2023 in the Atlantic Ocean. Credit: Satellite image 2023 Maxar Technologies via AP This 2004 photo provided by the Institute for Exploration, Center for Archaeological Oceanography/University of Rhode Island/NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration, shows the remains of a coat and boots in the mud on the sea bed near the Titanic's stern. Rescuers are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night, June 18, 2023. Credit: Institute for Exploration, Center for Archaeological Oceanography/University of Rhode Island/NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration, File U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick, right, faces reporters as Royal Navy Lt Cdr Rich Kantharia, left, looks on 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. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick, left, faces reporters as Carl Hartsfield, director and senior program manager Oceanographic Systems Laboratory, center, and Paul Hankins, U.S. Navy civilian contractor, supervisor of salvage, right, look on 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. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Warren Deyampert is docked as a member of the Coast Guard walks past, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Coast Guard Base Boston, in Boston. Rescuers are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night, June 18, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne, File A sign stating there is no public access to the OceanGate offices is seen Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Everett, Wash. The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that the missing submersible Titan imploded near the Titanic shipwreck site, killing everyone on board. Credit: AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson A boat with the OceanGate logo is parked on a lot near the OceanGate offices Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Everett, Wash. The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that the missing submersible Titan imploded near the Titanic shipwreck site, killing everyone on board. Credit: AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson In this satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies, from top to bottom, the vessels L'Atalante, Horizon Arctic, Deep Energy, and Skandi Vinland search for the missing submersible Titan, Thursday June 22, 2023 in the Atlantic Ocean. Credit: Satellite image 2023 Maxar Technologies via AP A boat with the OceanGate logo is parked on a lot near the OceanGate offices Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Everett, Wash. The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that the missing submersible Titan imploded near the Titanic shipwreck site, killing everyone on board. Credit: AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson Equipment with the OceanGate logo is parked on a lot near the OceanGate offices Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Everett, Wash. The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that the missing submersible Titan imploded near the Titanic shipwreck site, killing everyone on board. Credit: AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson 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. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne During the 2 1/2-hour descent and ascent, the lights were turned off to conserve energy, he said, with the only illumination coming from a fluorescent glow stick. The dive was repeatedly delayed to fix a problem with the battery and the balancing weights. In total, the voyage took 10 1/2 hours. Nicolai Roterman, a deep-sea ecologist and lecturer in marine biology at the University of Portsmouth, England, said the disappearance of the Titan highlights the dangers and unknowns of deep-sea tourism. "Even the most reliable technology can fail, and therefore accidents will happen. With the growth in deep-sea tourism, we must expect more incidents like this." 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: Scientists from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications developed SSSMBs using a high energy Na 4 MnCr(PO 4 ) 3 cathode. Credit: Zhongyue Wang, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications A team from China has broken new ground in the development of sodium ion batteries (SIBs.) "The development of high safety and high energy density SIBs is imperative," said paper author Zhongyue Wang, lecture with the College of electronic and optical engineering & college of flexible electronics (future technology), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. "Currently, great progress has been made in sodium-ion batteries, but their energy density is still much lower than LIBs limited by the cathode." Wang explained that NASICON-type phosphate (Na x MM'(PO 4 ) 3 , M, M' =transition metal Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni) is regarded as the most competitive high energy cathode benefiting from its stable structure, 3-D open frameworks and structural diversity. "Na x MM'(PO 4 ) 3 contains an enormous Na reservoir with potential for up to four extractable Na; however, it is uncommon to perform reversible extraction/insertion of more than two Na ions," Wang said. "One/two-electrons electrochemical reaction per formula unit makes most phosphate cathode provide low energy density (<500 Wh kg-1). Hence, exploring a cathode enable three-electron reaction and high operating voltage is extremely desirable to achieve a higher energy density for SIBs." But not all Na x MM'(PO 4 ) 3 cathodes are capable of three-electron reactions. According to Wang, you can't have your cake and eat it. Cheap Ti and Fe -based phosphates cathodes can achieve a specific capacity of over 170 mA h g-1, but the lower operating voltage results in a low energy density. On the other hand, extra-high voltage plateau of Co or Ni-based phosphates cathodes (over 4.5 V vs Na+/Na) poses a great challenge to the electrochemical stability of electrolyte and cause its decomposition inevitably. Na 4 MnCr(PO 4 ) 3 , due to its higher voltage plateau (4.34 V for Cr4+/3+, 4.11 V for Mn4+/3+, 3.43 V for Mn3+/2+), high theoretical energy density (566 Wh kg-1), low cost and low/non-toxic, will become an ideal cathode for SIBs. However, there are a few reports on Na 4 MnCr(PO 4 ) 3 , the results are very inconsistent and the cycle performance over 4.5 V cutoff voltage windows is very poor. Wang said that the main reason is the decomposition of organic electrolyte under high voltage. Wang and his team synthesized carbon coated high energy Na 4 MnCr(PO 4 ) 3 , and more importantly, realized better cycle stability in solid state sodium metal batteries. "In this paper, the surface carbon content of Na 4 MnCr(PO 4 ) 3 was controlled by adjusting the molar ratio of citric acid and metal ions, and the electrochemical performance of Na 4 MnCr(PO 4 ) 3 was optimized, an ultra-high energy density of 523.6 Wh kg-1 was obtained," Wang said. "The as-prepared Na 4 MnCr(PO 4 ) 3 @C were assembled into solid state sodium metal batteries by matching Na 3.3 La 0.3 Zr 1.7 Si 2 PO 12 (3 wt% Na 2 B 4 O 7 ) ceramic electrolyte, and achieved a more stable cycle than that of half-cell." "Better cyclic stability is attributed to the super high ionic conductivity (1.2 mS cm-1) of Na 3.3 La 0.3 Zr 1.7 Si 2 PO 12 (3 wt% Na 2 B 4 O 7 ) and its wide electrochemical stability window (>5 V)," Wang said. "There is still a lot of room for improvement in Na 4 MnCr(PO 4 ) 3 -based solid-state batteries," Wang said. "For example, ultra-thin composite solid electrolyte is expected to improve the interface issues and increase the energy density of SSSIBs, and finally to realize the practical applications." The findings are published in the journal Energy Material Advances. More information: Zhongyue Wang et al, High-Energy Na 4 MnCr(PO 4 ) 3 @C Cathode for Solid-State Sodium Metal Batteries, Energy Material Advances (2023). DOI: 10.34133/energymatadv.0036 Provided by Beijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Malaysia threatened to take legal action against Meta on Friday, accusing the tech giant of failing to remove "undesirable" content from Facebook. The country's communications regulator said the platform had been plagued by a "significant volume" of harmful posts on issues including race, royalty, religion and online gambling. It said Meta had failed to scrub such content despite repeated requests and raised the possibility of legal action against the US firm. "As there has been no sufficient cooperation from Meta, the commission has no option but to take definitive steps or legal action," the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said in a statement. The body did not specify the exact legal avenue it might pursue. Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil could not be reached for comment on Friday but echoed the regulator's statement in a tweet. "This is due to Meta's refusal to cooperate in taking down harmful content," Fahmi said. Meta could not immediately be contacted by AFP. The warning comes days after Malaysian authorities met with representatives from messaging platform Telegram as part of efforts to tackle cybercrime. Fahmi had claimed last month that the company was refusing to cooperate on the subject. But the minister said after their Monday meeting that Telegram had agreed to work with the government. Race, religion and royalty are often seen as taboo topics in Muslim-majority Malaysia, with harsh penalties sometimes meted out to people posting content online deemed unacceptable 2023 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The NAIACs first annual report recommends new steps to bolster U.S. leadership in trustworthy AI, new R&D initiatives, increased international cooperation, and efforts to support the U.S. workforce in the era of AI. Credit: B. Hayes/NIST, Shutterstock The National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee (NAIAC) has delivered its first report to the president, established a Law Enforcement Subcommittee to address the use of AI technologies in the criminal justice system, and completed plans to realign its working groups to allow it to explore the impacts of AI on workforce, equity, society and more. The report recommends steps the U.S. government can take to maximize the benefits of AI technology, while reducing its harms. This includes new steps to bolster U.S. leadership in trustworthy AI, new R&D initiatives, increased international cooperation, and efforts to support the U.S. workforce in the era of AI. The report also identifies areas of focus for NAIAC for the next two years, including in rapidly developing areas of AI, such as generative AI. "We are at a pivotal moment in the development of AI technology and need to work fast to keep pace with the changes it is bringing to our lives," said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves. "As AI opens up exciting opportunities to improve things like medical diagnosis and access to health care and education, we have an obligation to make sure we strike the right balance between innovation and risk. We can lead the world in establishing trustworthy, inclusive and beneficial AI, and I look forward to considering the committee's recommendations as we do that." When it comes to AI, President Biden has been clear that in order to seize the opportunities AI presents, we must first mitigate its risks. NAIAC's work supports the Biden-Harris administration's ongoing efforts to promote responsible American innovation in AI and protect people's rights and safety. Given the fast pace of development and deployment of AI technology such as generative AI, which includes the large language models that power chatbots and other tools that create new content, the committee also plans to consider various mechanisms for carrying out its work on short time frames in the coming years. The committee recently completed plans to realign its working groups to allow it to explore the impacts of AI on workforce, equity, society and more. The new NAIAC focus areas are: AI Futures: Sustaining Innovation in Next Gen AI AI in Work and the Workforce AI Regulation and Executive Action Engagement, Education and Inclusion Generative and NextGen AI: Safety and Assurance Rights-Respecting AI International Arena: Collaboration on AI Policy and AI-Enabled Solutions Procurement of AI Systems AI and the Economy The full report, including all of its recommendations, is available on the AI.gov website. 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 suns peaks over the California Public Employees Retirement System's building in Sacramento, Calif., on Sept. 6, 2022. California officials say the personal information of about 769,000 people has been exposed in a third-party data breach linked to the state's retirement system. Credit: AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File California pension officials say personal information of about 769,000 retired state employees and other beneficiariesincluding Social Security numberswas among data stolen by Russian cybercriminals in the breach of a popular file-transfer application. They said they were offering impacted members two years of free credit monitoring. The breach of the MOVEit program, discovered last month, is estimated by cybersecurity experts to have compromised hundreds of organizations globally. Confirmed victims include the U.S. Department of Energy and several other federal agencies, more than 9 million motorists in Oregon and Louisiana, Johns Hopkins University, Ernst & Young, the BBC and British Airways. The criminal gang behind the hack, known as Cl0p, is extorting victims, threatening to dump their data online if they don't pay up. The California Public Employees' Retirement System said in a statement that a third-party vendor was breached that used MOVEit to help inform it of member deaths and validate payment eligibility. "This external breach of information is inexcusable," CalPERS CEO Marcie Frost was quoted as saying. "Our members deserve better. As soon as we learned about what happened, we took fast action to protect our members' financial interests, as well as steps to ensure long-term protections." Security experts say such so-called supply-chain hacks expose an uncomfortable truth about the software organizations: Network security is only as strong as the weakest digital link in the ecosystem. The stolen data included names, birth dates and Social Security numbersand might also include names of spouses or domestic partners and children, officials said. It identified the vendor as PBI Research Services/Berwyn Group. CalPERS planned to send letters Thursday to those affected by the breach. CalPERS said PBI notified it of the breach on June 6, the same day cybersecurity firms began to issue reports on the breach of MOVEit, whose maker Ipswitch is owned by Progress Software. PBI reported the breach to federal law enforcement, and CalPERS placed "additional safeguards" to protect the information of retirees who use the member benefits website and visit a regional office, officials said. 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 honoured Kabah and the Meccan sanctuary, 1880 photography by Sadiq Bey. Credit: Khalili Collections via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA The Hajjthe annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which Muslims are expected to make once in their lives if they are ableis expected to begin June 26 and last for five days. In 2023, approximately 2 million pilgrims will participate, close to the annual numbers of pilgrims in years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Their visits, like those in generations past, will be enhanced, and even made possible, by modern technology. In recent years, the Saudi government has developed smartphone apps aimed at organizations of pilgrim groups. Pilgrims use apps themselves, with guides to help them find and pray at specific holy locations. And they document their journey, both physical and spiritual, on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The country is rolling out smart cards for pilgrims to access Hajj services and information, as well as make cashless payments. And in 2022, the Saudi government established an online system by which prospective pilgrims from the U.S., Australia and Western Europe must enter a digital lottery for visas allowing them to make the Hajj. As for Muslim-majority countries, one visa is allocated per 1,000 Muslims in each country. Those who are granted visas must book their travel through the Saudi government, rather than through travel agencies in their home countries. As those changes have occurred, news coverage about the Hajj has often mentioned the technology involved, describing it as a new phenomenon that is "transforming" the pilgrimage. Yet as a historian of the Middle East and an expert on contemporary Islam, I know that technology has been at the heart of the Hajj since the mid-1800s. Transportation and communications technologies have long been fundamental to governments' management of the pilgrimage and to pilgrims' spiritual experiences. Travel technology As far back as the 1850s, steamship technology made it possible for many more Muslims to make the pilgrimage even if they lived long distances from Mecca. According to scholar Eric Schewe, "European shipping lines sought Hajj pilgrims as passengers to supplement" the money they made from shipping commercial cargo through the Suez Canal. By dropping off pilgrims at Arabian ports along a route their ships were already traveling, merchants were able to make a little extra income around the time of the Hajj. And the pilgrims appreciated the safety, speed, reliability and lower cost of steamship travel. As a result, they could reach the Hajj more quickly and more cheaply than at any earlier period in history. From the 1880s to the 1930s, the number of pilgrims going on Hajj each year quadrupled. While steamships helped those traveling by water, rail helped those coming by landespecially those from Russia, whose multi-leg journeys often included travel by train to Odessa, in today's Ukraine, or another Black Sea port, where they crossed to Istanbul by steamship and then to Mecca via caravan. Communications technology The telegraph also played an important role in the Hajj. The Ottoman government used its extensive telegraph network to govern and as a sign of independence from European powers; one key link was from the capital in Istanbul through Damascus, Syria, to Mecca. European consular officials, rail and steamship companies and even individual pilgrims used the telegraph system for Hajj-related communications. Other communications technologies also affected the pilgrimage. Colonial powers with Muslim populations worried that the mass gathering of Muslims would lead to political unrest. They also worried about public health. The speed of rail and steam travel meant that pilgrims could bring infectious diseases home with them, as happened with the cholera epidemics that broke out regularly during the Hajj in the 1800s. Many governments introduced tracking regulations that relied on print technologies: The Dutch in 1825 began requiring pilgrims to get passports, while the French in 1892 began requiring Algerian pilgrims to have travel permits. The British government in 1886 gave travel agency Thomas Cook an exclusive contract for Hajj travel from India, requiring pilgrims to pre-purchase tickets for each leg of the journey. Together, these regulations helped pilgrims get through the Hajj safely. But they also worked to minimize its potential political and public health risks for the colonial powers that governed most of the world's Muslim population. Into the modern era The spread of commercial air travel starting in the 1940s changed Hajj dynamics further: Flying was even faster, cheaper and safer than steamship travel. It offered to further open Hajj participation to more Muslims, but created massive logistical, political and economic challenges as the number of pilgrims increased six or seven times between 1950 and 1980. New communications technologies further popularized the Hajj. For example, radio stations covered the Hajj, starting in the 1940s in Mandate Palestine, with pilgrim letters broadcast to listeners at home. Like earlier cinema newsreels, television from the 1960s showed viewers footage of pilgrims circumambulating or walking around the Kaaba, one of the key Hajj rituals. This footage helped inspire them to want to go on Hajj as well. Meanwhile, growing literacy rates allowed Muslims to read the increasing number of printed Hajj guides helping them navigate lodging, eating and worship. Contemporary Hajj travelogs recording pilgrims' experiences are part of a classical genre of Middle Eastern travel literature, known in Arabic as the rihla or seyahetname; both terms describe books of travels that typically included pilgrimage. As pilgrims celebrated their ability to travel to the Hajj via airplane, glitches happened. In 1952, the Saudi government's last-minute cutting a Hajj entry tax encouraged thousands of additional pilgrims to fly to Beirut, where Lebanese airline companies had no seats available. Instead, the United States Air Force organized an airlift that transported nearly 4,000 stranded pilgrims from Beirut to Mecca in time to make the Hajj. Again, communications technologies played an important role in pilgrim management. In the 1950s, British-governed Malaysia issued so-called "pilgrim passports," which collected all information relevant to a pilgrim's travel, from vaccination dates to next of kin contact information. Saudi-issued Hajj visas evolved from handwritten and hand-stamped in the 1970s to digitally stamped, bar-coded visas by the late 2000s. Large numbers of travelers Historically, a tiny minority of Muslims envisioned making the pilgrimage at any point in their lives. Even today, most Muslims will never be able to go on Hajj, and most who do will go only once. But the global Muslim population numbers just over 2 billion, so even a small fraction of their total means a lot of people. The 2 million expected on this year's Hajj are still just 0.1% of the world's Muslims. With travel and communications eased, Mecca's ability to handle all those visitors at once has become the major challenge. The stakes are high for the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah: It is expected to provide a safe, healthy and spiritually meaningful experience for all pilgrims, while avoiding any bad press for the host country. Umrah, known as the "lesser pilgrimage", is recommended but not required for Muslims. It includes many of the Hajj rituals but can be completed at any time of the year. Now, with its own digital tools and devices in the hands of many pilgrims, the 21st century Hajj fits within the longer history of technology and the Hajj, a story nearly 200 years old. Even as the specific technologies have changed, their importance to the management of the Hajj and to pilgrims' spiritual experiences remains constant. 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 icon for TikTok is seen, Feb. 25, 2020, in New York. TikToks Chief Operating Officer, V Pappas, is leaving the popular social media platform after nearly five years at the company. The news was announced in a note sent to employees Thursday morning, June 22, 2023, and later shared on Twitter. Credit: AP Photo, File TikTok's Chief Operating Officer, V Pappas, is leaving the popular social media platform after nearly five years at the company. In a note sent to employees Thursday morning and later shared on Twitter, Pappas, who uses she/her and they/them pronouns, said now that the company has achieved a lot of success, she felt it was the right time to move on and focus on "entrepreneurial passions." TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said in a note sent to employees that Pappas, one of the company's most public faces, will continue to serve as a strategic adviser. "I want to take this opportunity to thank V for their many contributions over the years," Chew wrote. "Throughout their time at TikTok, they have been instrumental in growing the business, advocating for the company, elevating our product offerings and marketing campaigns, and fostering a positive community of creators and users. They have had a significant and lasting impact and we are truly grateful for their tireless efforts." Pappas joined TikTok in 2018 as general manager and was promoted to interim head in 2020 when then-CEO Kevin Mayer left the company just after three months in the role. The former YouTube official assumed the COO role the following year, and has testified on Capitol Hill and appeared in media interviews offering a full-throated defense of the company, which has been under scrutiny by lawmakers concerned about its Chinese origins. For years, TikTok has been fending off claims that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, would share user data from its popular video-sharing app with the Chinese government, or push propaganda and misinformation on its behalf. The company is currently negotiating its data privacy plans with the Biden administration, which, earlier this year, threated to ban it nationwide if its Chinese owners don't sell their stakes. TikTok maintains its never been asked by the Chinese government to share U.S. user data, and it wouldn't do so if asked. In his email to employees, Chew also announced an organizational shakeup at the company. Zenia Mucha, who served nearly two decades as a communications executive at Disney, will join TikTok as the chief brand and communications officer, overseeing the company's marketing and public relations arm. Chew said TikTok's Chief of Staff Adam Presser will become the company's head of operations. 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: 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. Credit: OceanGate Expeditions via AP Authorities turned their focus to determining why a submersible carrying people to the wreck of the Titanic imploded deep in the North Atlantic, as tributes poured in for the five aboard who were killed. The announcement that no one survived Thursday brought a tragic end to a five-day saga that included an urgent around-the-clock search for the vessel known as the Titan. The investigation into what happened was already underway and would continue in the area around Titanic where debris from the submersible was found, said Rear Adm. John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District. "I know there are also a lot of questions about how, why and when did this happen. Those are questions we will collect as much information as we can about now," Mauger said, adding that it was a "complex case" that happened in a remote part of the ocean and involved people from several different countries. The first hint of a timeline came Thursday evening when a senior U.S. Navy official said that after the Titan was reported missing Sunday, the Navy went back and analyzed its acoustic data and found an "anomaly" that was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the vessel was operating when communications were lost. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive acoustic detection system. This undated image provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible. Rescuers are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night. Credit: OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File Those killed were Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the submersible; two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. The Titan launched at 6 a.m. Sunday, and was reported overdue Sunday afternoon about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's, Newfoundland. Rescuers rushed ships, planes and other equipment to the site of the disappearance. Any sliver of hope that remained for finding the crew alive was wiped away early Thursday, when the submersible's 96-hour supply of air was expected to run out and the Coast Guard announced that debris had been found roughly 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the Titanic. "The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber," Mauger said. 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 are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night, June 18, 2023. Credit: Alan Berner/The Seattle Times via AP, File The Coast Guard said Thursday that the sounds detected during the searchthat had given rescuers some hope that maybe the people were alivewere likely generated by something other than the Titan. The Navy official who spoke of the "anomaly" heard Sunday said the Navy passed on the information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search because the data was not considered definitive. Tributes to and praise for the searchers who tried to save them poured in from across the globe. Harding's family said in a statement: "He was one of a kind and we adored him... What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, it's that we lost him doing what he loved." In a statement beginning with a Quranic verse, the Dawood family thanked rescuers: "Their untiring efforts were a source of strength for us during this time, We are also indebted to our friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers from all over the world who stood by us during our need." U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, talks to the media, Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Coast Guard Base Boston, in Boston. The missing submersible Titan imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, killing all five people on board, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne A longtime friend and colleague of Nargeolet told French media that when contact was lost Sunday, he quickly feared the worst. "Unfortunately, I thought straight away of an implosion," diver and retired underwater filmographer Christian Petron said Friday to broadcaster France-Info. At the depths in which the submersible was operating, the pressure is intense and unforgiving, he noted. "Obviously, the slightest problem with the hull and its implosion is immediate," Petron said. Director James Cameron, who has made multiple dives to the wreckage of the Titanic, told the BBC that he knew an "extreme catastrophic event" had happened as soon as he heard the submersible had lost navigation and communications at the same time. "For me, there was no doubt," Cameron said. "There was no search. When they finally got an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) down there that could make the depth, they found it within hours. Probably within minutes." In this satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies, from top to bottom, the vessels Horizon Arctic, Deep Energy and Skandi Vinland search for the missing submersible Titan, Thursday, June 22, 2023 in the Atlantic Ocean. Credit: Satellite image 2023 Maxar Technologies via AP He said briefings about 96 hours of oxygen supply and banging noises were a "prolonged and nightmarish charade" that gave the crew members' families false hope. At least 46 people successfully traveled on OceanGate's 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 questions about the submersible's safety were raised by both by a former company employee and former passengers. David Lochridge, OceanGate's former director of marine operations, argued in 2018 that the method the company devised for ensuring the soundness of the hullrelying on acoustic monitoring that could detect cracks and pops as the hull strained under pressurewas inadequate and could "subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible." 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, "Antipodes," about three miles off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., June 28, 2013. Rescuers are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night, June 18, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File CORRECTS SPELLING OF THE NAME TO HENRI, INSTEAD OF HENRY This photo combo shows from left, Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Stockton Rush, and Hamish Harding are facing critical danger aboard a small submersible that went missing in the Atlantic Ocean. The missing submersible Titan imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, killing all five people on board, the U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday, June 22, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/File In this image 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 are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night. Credit: Action Aviation via AP, File The logo for an OceanGate Expeditions 2019 Titanic expedition is seen on a marine industrial warehouse office door in Everett, Wash., Tuesday, June 20, 2023. Rescuers are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night. Credit: AP Photo/Ed Komenda, File The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Warren Deyampert is docked as a member of the Coast Guard walks past, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Coast Guard Base Boston, in Boston. Rescuers are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night, June 18, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne, File This 2004 photo provided by the Institute for Exploration, Center for Archaeological Oceanography/University of Rhode Island/NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration, shows the remains of a coat and boots in the mud on the sea bed near the Titanic's stern. Rescuers are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night, June 18, 2023. Credit: Institute for Exploration, Center for Archaeological Oceanography/University of Rhode Island/NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration, File U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick, right, faces reporters as Royal Navy Lt Cdr Rich Kantharia, left, looks on 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. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick, left, faces reporters as Carl Hartsfield, director and senior program manager Oceanographic Systems Laboratory, center, and Paul Hankins, U.S. Navy civilian contractor, supervisor of salvage, right, look on 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. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne A 2019 Titanic survey expedition sticker is seen on the garage door at the OceanGate offices Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Everett, Wash. The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that the missing submersible Titan imploded near the Titanic shipwreck site, killing everyone on board. Credit: AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson A sign stating there is no public access to the OceanGate offices is seen Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Everett, Wash. The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that the missing submersible Titan imploded near the Titanic shipwreck site, killing everyone on board. Credit: AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson A boat with the OceanGate logo is parked on a lot near the OceanGate offices Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Everett, Wash. The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that the missing submersible Titan imploded near the Titanic shipwreck site, killing everyone on board. Credit: AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson Equipment with the OceanGate logo is parked on a lot near the OceanGate offices Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Everett, Wash. The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that the missing submersible Titan imploded near the Titanic shipwreck site, killing everyone on board. Credit: AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson A boat with the OceanGate logo is parked on a lot near the OceanGate offices Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Everett, Wash. The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that the missing submersible Titan imploded near the Titanic shipwreck site, killing everyone on board. Credit: AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson In this satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies, from top to bottom, the vessels L'Atalante, Horizon Arctic, Deep Energy, and Skandi Vinland search for the missing submersible Titan, Thursday June 22, 2023 in the Atlantic Ocean. Credit: Satellite image 2023 Maxar Technologies via AP 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. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, center at microphone, talks to the media Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Coast Guard Base Boston, in Boston. The U.S. Coast Guard says the missing submersible imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, killing all five people on board. Coast Guard officials said during the news conference that they've notified the families of the crew of the Titan, which has been missing for several days. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne OceanGate disagreed. Lochridge "is not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan," it said, and it noted he was fired after refusing to accept assurances from the company's lead engineer that the acoustic monitoring and testing protocol was, in fact, better suited to detect flaws than a method Lochridge proposed. One of the company's first customers likened a dive he made to the site two years ago to a suicide mission. "Imagine a metal tube a few meters long with a sheet of metal for a floor. You can't stand. You can't kneel. Everyone is sitting close to or on top of each other," said Arthur Loibl, a retired businessman and adventurer from Germany. "You can't be claustrophobic." 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. AUSTIN The attorneys who will argue for the removal of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from office said Thursday that rules adopted for the impeachment trial are fair. The rules the Senate has propounded for the impeachment trial of Attorney General Kenneth Paxton provide a fair trial for both sides, read a statement from Houston attorneys Rusty Hardin and Dick DeGuerin. The two men are representing House managers in the impeachment case against Paxton. The attorney generals historic impeachment trial is set to begin Sept. 5. On Wednesday night, the Senate adopted rules that outline how Paxtons historic impeachment trial will be conducted, including a rule that bars his wife, McKinney Republican Sen. Angela Paxton, from voting on the verdict. Ken Paxton is the first statewide official to be impeached in more than 100 years. He is accused of bribery, abuse of office and obstruction of justice. He has denied any wrongdoing. Lead defense attorney Tony Buzbee issued a statement Thursday that did not comment on the merits of the rules but reiterated the allegations against Paxton are a sham. Now that the Senate has adopted the rules, we look forward to proving every count of this sham impeachment is baseless, Buzbee said. Three senators Sens. Paxton, Bob Hall and Sarah Eckhardt voted against the rules. Eckhardt, a two-term Democrat from Austin, filed a statement on her vote indicating that she opposed the rules because they create an intentionally unlevel playing field that favors Paxton. Conviction requires a two-thirds majority vote of the Senate. But Paxtons defense team could win dismissal of any articles of impeachment with a simple majority vote of the Senate. The rules also allow for senators to find an allegation against Paxton true but to determine it is not an impeachable offense. Eckhardt said those rules are unprecedented. The entire nation will be watching us as we conduct this impeachment trial, she wrote. Eckhardt also noted that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has too much power over the trial. Through these rules, the Senators have allowed themselves to be reduced from a tribunal (both judge and jury) to a largely powerless and silent jury in a trial controlled by the Lt. Governor, Eckhardts statement read. In previous impeachment trials in Texas, the lieutenant governor served as the presiding officer over a court of impeachment and could issue rulings on motions and objections. However, a single senator could request a vote on a motion. That will not be the case for Paxtons trial. Patrick can rule unilaterally on most motions without debate from the Senate. A two-thirds majority would be required to change that rule. Hall and Angela Paxton did not immediately return messages seeking comment on their vote. The senate has adopted a gag order rule as well against commenting publicly on the impeachment trial. Manila Water (OTCMKTS:MWTCY Get Rating) and Pennon Group (OTCMKTS:PEGRY Get Rating) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability and risk. Institutional and Insider Ownership 0.0% of Manila Water shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get Manila Water alerts: Earnings & Valuation This table compares Manila Water and Pennon Groups revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Manila Water N/A N/A N/A C$58.75 0.15 Pennon Group N/A N/A N/A $0.58 33.31 Profitability Manila Water is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Pennon Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. This table compares Manila Water and Pennon Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Manila Water N/A N/A N/A Pennon Group N/A N/A N/A Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Manila Water and Pennon Group, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Manila Water 0 0 1 0 3.00 Pennon Group 0 3 0 0 2.00 Pennon Group has a consensus price target of $1,048.00, suggesting a potential upside of 5,321.62%. Given Pennon Groups higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Pennon Group is more favorable than Manila Water. Dividends Manila Water pays an annual dividend of C$6.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 73.9%. Pennon Group pays an annual dividend of $0.17 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Manila Water pays out 10.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Pennon Group pays out 29.4% 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. Manila Water is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Summary Manila Water beats Pennon Group on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Manila Water (Get Rating) Manila Water Company, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides water treatment and distribution, sewerage, and sanitation services in the Philippines and internationally. It also offers integrated used water, pipework, engineering, procurement, and management services. The company provides its services to approximately six million people in the East Zone encompassing 23 cities and municipalities, including Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig, Marikina, Quezon City, Paranaque, and Manila, as well as Rizal towns comprising Angono, Antipolo, Baras, Binangonan, Cainta, Cardona, Jala-Jala, Morong, Pililia, Rodriguez, San Mateo, Tanay, Taytay, and Teresa. It serves residential, commercial, semi-business, and industrial customers. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is based in Quezon City, the Philippines. 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. Receive News & Ratings for Manila Water Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Manila Water and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lear (NYSE:LEA Get Rating) and AB Dynamics (OTCMKTS:ABDDF Get Rating) are both auto/tires/trucks companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, earnings and profitability. Insider & Institutional Ownership 98.4% of Lear shares are held by institutional investors. 0.8% of Lear shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Get Lear alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings for Lear and AB Dynamics, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Lear 0 6 5 0 2.45 AB Dynamics 1 0 1 0 2.00 Profitability Lear presently has a consensus price target of $155.23, indicating a potential upside of 12.82%. AB Dynamics has a consensus price target of C$1,800.00, indicating a potential upside of 5,354.55%. Given AB Dynamics higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe AB Dynamics is more favorable than Lear. This table compares Lear and AB Dynamics net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Lear 1.96% 12.32% 4.23% AB Dynamics N/A N/A N/A Valuation & Earnings This table compares Lear and AB Dynamics top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Lear $20.89 billion 0.39 $327.70 million $7.06 19.49 AB Dynamics N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Lear has higher revenue and earnings than AB Dynamics. Summary Lear beats AB Dynamics on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Lear (Get Rating) Lear Corporation designs, develops, engineers, manufactures, assembles, and supplies automotive seating, and electrical distribution systems and related components for automotive original equipment manufacturers in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. Its Seating segment offers seat systems, seat subsystems, keyseat components, seat trim covers, seat mechanisms, seat foams, and headrests, as well as surface materials, such as leather and fabric for automobiles and light trucks, compact cars, pick-up trucks, and sport utility vehicles. The company's E-Systems segment provides electrical distribution and connection systems that route electrical signals and networks; and manage electrical power within the vehicle for various powertrains. This segment's products comprise wire harnesses, terminals and connectors, engineered components, and junction boxes; electronic system products, including body domain control modules, smart and passive junction boxes, gateway and communication modules, integrated power modules, and high voltage switching and power control systems. It also offers software and connected services comprising Xevo Market, an in-vehicle commerce and service platform; and software and services for the cloud, vehicles, and mobile devices. In addition, this segment provides cybersecurity software; advanced vehicle positioning for automated and autonomous driving applications; and short-range communication and cellular protocols for vehicle connectivity. It offers its products and services under the XEVO, GUILFORD, EAGLE OTTAWA, ConfigurE+, INTUTM, LEAR CONNEXUSTM, EXO, JOURNEYWARE, ProTec, SMART JUNCTION BOX, STRUCSURE, AVENTINO, and TeXstyle brands. Lear Corporation was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan. About AB Dynamics (Get Rating) AB Dynamics plc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, manufacture, and supply of vehicle test and development systems, and verification products and services for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous vehicle technology, and vehicle dynamics in the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States of America, China, Japan, Singapore, and internationally. The company offers advanced vehicle testing solutions from physical proving ground automation to large scale virtual testing in simulation; rFpro, a simulation environment for the automotive and motorsport industries; and full-scale track testing services, including ADAS and vehicle dynamics tests, along with applied research, human factors, and simulation. It also provides automotive testing services comprising evaluations of ADAS systems, infotainment, connectivity, electric vehicle performance and charging, and other associated functions; and retrofit solutions that enable the automation of conventional vehicle fleets rapidly and cost-effectively. In addition, the company creates and deploys a range of Driver-in-the-Loop (DIL) simulators for all types of vehicles, driving scenarios, experiments, and product development aims; supplies end-to-end simulation solutions, such as hardware, software, application consultancy, training, and aftermarket support; and advanced vehicle testing solutions from physical proving ground automation to virtual testing in simulation. Its products are used to evaluate vehicle dynamics, noise, vibration, and harshness and autonomy for a range of applications comprise conventional vehicles, motorsport, and automated/autonomous vehicles. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Bradford-on-Avon, the United Kingdom. Receive News & Ratings for Lear Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lear and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CVC Credit Partners European Opportunities Limited (LON:CCPG Get Rating)s share price traded down 2.7% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as GBX 93.20 ($1.19) and last traded at GBX 93.20 ($1.19). 174,302 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 28% from the average session volume of 135,646 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 95.80 ($1.23). CVC Credit Partners European Opportunities Stock Performance The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 93.20 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 87.58. CVC Credit Partners European Opportunities Company Profile (Get Rating) CVC Credit Partners European Opportunities Limited is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund of fund launched by Goldman Sachs International. The fund is managed by CVC Credit Partners Investment Management Ltd. It invests in the fixed income markets of Western Europe. The fund seeks to invest in securities of companies across diversified sectors. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for CVC Credit Partners European Opportunities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CVC Credit Partners European Opportunities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Installed Building Products, Inc. (NYSE:IBP Get Rating)s share price traded up 2.9% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $133.05 and last traded at $133.02. 133,867 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 41% from the average session volume of 225,424 shares. The stock had previously closed at $129.22. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have issued reports on IBP. Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of Installed Building Products from $125.00 to $140.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. BTIG Research began coverage on shares of Installed Building Products in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Stephens increased their target price on shares of Installed Building Products from $115.00 to $132.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Loop Capital increased their target price on shares of Installed Building Products from $108.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised Installed Building Products from an underperform rating to a sector perform rating and boosted their price target for the company from $85.00 to $111.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $117.14. Get Installed Building Products alerts: Installed Building Products Stock Up 2.7 % The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $116.81 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $108.10. The company has a quick ratio of 2.19, a current ratio of 2.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.79 and a beta of 1.69. Installed Building Products Cuts Dividend Installed Building Products ( NYSE:IBP Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The construction company reported $2.05 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.20 by ($0.15). Installed Building Products had a return on equity of 57.73% and a net margin of 8.71%. The business had revenue of $659.31 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $698.36 million. On average, equities research analysts expect that Installed Building Products, Inc. will post 8.18 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a $0.33 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.99%. Installed Building Productss payout ratio is currently 15.79%. Insider Activity In other news, CAO Todd R. Fry sold 500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.24, for a total value of $57,120.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 5,943 shares in the company, valued at approximately $678,928.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CAO Todd R. Fry sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.24, for a total transaction of $57,120.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,943 shares in the company, valued at approximately $678,928.32. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jeffrey W. Edwards sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.61, for a total transaction of $5,980,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 2,747,819 shares of the companys stock, valued at $328,666,630.59. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 51,197 shares of company stock worth $6,117,956. Corporate insiders own 17.30% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Installed Building Products Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in IBP. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in Installed Building Products by 16.9% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 20,337 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,718,000 after acquiring an additional 2,940 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can raised its position in shares of Installed Building Products by 2.6% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 8,295 shares of the construction companys stock worth $730,000 after acquiring an additional 209 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of Installed Building Products by 51.7% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 12,596 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,064,000 after acquiring an additional 4,291 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers raised its position in shares of Installed Building Products by 8.9% during the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 58,380 shares of the construction companys stock worth $4,933,000 after acquiring an additional 4,791 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its position in shares of Installed Building Products by 14.1% during the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 20,232 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,709,000 after acquiring an additional 2,494 shares during the last quarter. 79.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Installed Building Products Company Profile (Get Rating) Installed Building Products, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the installation of insulation, waterproofing, fire-stopping, fireproofing, garage doors, rain gutters, window blinds, shower doors, closet shelving and mirrors, and other products in the continental United States. The company offers a range of insulation materials, such as fiberglass and cellulose, and spray foam insulation materials. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Installed Building Products Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Installed Building Products and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Performance Food Group (NYSE:PFGC Get Rating) from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report published on Tuesday, The Fly reports. The brokerage currently has $66.00 price objective on the food distribution companys stock, down from their prior price objective of $74.00. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. TheStreet upgraded Performance Food Group from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research note on Monday, March 20th. Truist Financial increased their price target on Performance Food Group from $75.00 to $80.00 in a report on Friday, May 12th. StockNews.com upgraded Performance Food Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 11th. Finally, Stephens restated an overweight rating and issued a $68.00 target price on shares of Performance Food Group in a research note on Friday, February 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $72.20. Get Performance Food Group alerts: Performance Food Group Trading Up 1.1 % Performance Food Group stock opened at $56.86 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $58.49 and its 200-day simple moving average is $58.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 1.69. Performance Food Group has a 52 week low of $41.59 and a 52 week high of $63.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.88 billion, a PE ratio of 27.34 and a beta of 1.36. Insider Activity at Performance Food Group Performance Food Group ( NYSE:PFGC Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The food distribution company reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.12. Performance Food Group had a return on equity of 17.20% and a net margin of 0.57%. The firm had revenue of $13.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.94 billion. Equities research analysts forecast that Performance Food Group will post 3.88 earnings per share for the current year. In other Performance Food Group news, insider Patrick T. Hagerty sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.91, for a total transaction of $111,820.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 151,790 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,486,578.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, insider Patrick T. Hagerty sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.91, for a total value of $111,820.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 151,790 shares in the company, valued at $8,486,578.90. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider George L. Holm sold 2,680 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.06, for a total value of $160,960.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 658,400 shares of the companys stock, valued at $39,543,504. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 2.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Performance Food Group A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System increased its stake in shares of Performance Food Group by 21.3% during the first quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 103,618 shares of the food distribution companys stock valued at $6,252,000 after buying an additional 18,230 shares during the period. Alterna Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Performance Food Group in the first quarter worth about $209,000. Toroso Investments LLC grew its holdings in Performance Food Group by 6.3% in the first quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 5,929 shares of the food distribution companys stock worth $358,000 after purchasing an additional 354 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its stake in shares of Performance Food Group by 2.0% in the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 405,340 shares of the food distribution companys stock worth $24,458,000 after acquiring an additional 7,959 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC grew its stake in shares of Performance Food Group by 1,026.0% in the first quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 1,081 shares of the food distribution companys stock worth $65,000 after acquiring an additional 985 shares during the last quarter. 97.40% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Performance Food Group Company Profile (Get Rating) Performance Food Group Company, through its subsidiaries, markets and distributes food and food-related products in the United States. It operates through three segments: Foodservice, Vistar, and Convenience. The company offers a range of frozen foods, groceries, candy, snacks, beverages, cigarettes, and other tobacco products; beef, pork, poultry, and seafood; and health and beauty care products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Performance Food Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Performance Food Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. 1848 was a year of revolution in Europe, with French workers rising up and exploding onto the streets in a struggle against the old order. Today, as Marx wrote then, a spectre is once again haunting the ruling classes the spectre of communism. In February 1848, the workers of Paris overthrew their king and founded the Second French Republic. Months later they would rise again, in what became known as the June Days, which Karl Marx described at the time as the greatest revolution that has ever taken placea revolution of the proletariat against the bourgeoisie. The workers went down to defeat in June 1848. But their heroic struggle passed down a legacy and lessons which remain extremely valuable to workers of today. The July monarchy The most well-known socialist of the 1840s was Louis Blanc / Image: public domain France in the 1830s and 1840s lived under the so-called July monarchy of King Louis-Philippe. The regime was a hotbed of corruption. Through the ever-expanding national debt and the distribution of contracts for public works, the ministers piled the main burdens on the state, and secured the golden fruits to the speculating finance aristocracy, in Marxs words. This state of affairs will feel very familiar to anyone living in Britain today. The young working class was ruthlessly exploited under this bourgeois monarchy, often working 14 or even 18 hours a day, earning barely enough to survive. The lack of housing meant that workers and their families were crammed into tiny rooms, forced to live in the most squalid conditions imaginable. But it was also in this period that the workers began to forge their own organisations and education societies, where the ideas of socialism were eagerly debated. The most well-known socialist of the 1840s was Louis Blanc, who published his best-known work, The Organisation of Labour, in 1839. Taking up the right to work an idea first put forward by utopian socialist Charles Fourier as his slogan, Blanc called for the creation of social workshops by the state, which would offer employment to all. The February Revolution France was rocked by a deep economic crisis in 1846 and 1847. In this context of instability, the liberal opposition resolved to strengthen its case for electoral reform by appealing directly to the people, or at least the respectable middle classes, who would stand to gain from their modest extension of the franchise. The monarchys draconian anti-assembly laws, however, made it impossible for them to hold political meetings or rallies. Instead, they announced a campaign of banquets, in which attendees would pay an entrance fee to receive some food, wine for toasts, and then be harangued by a handful of well-known speakers. In an atmosphere of escalating tension, liberal deputy Alexis de Tocqueville offered a warning / Image: public domain The first banquet of the campaign took place in Paris in July 1847. Immediately, the campaign came under the influence of the more radical Democrats, who were supporters of universal suffrage. As the campaign progressed, the workers were also drawn into the political struggle. But in addition to the vote, they also raised their own social demands, just like the British Chartists. At a banquet in Chartres for example, the organisation of labour was raised as a demand alongside universal suffrage. In parliament, the banquet campaign had done nothing to break the resistance of the government. In an atmosphere of escalating tension, liberal deputy Alexis de Tocqueville offered the following warning: This, gentlemen, is my profound conviction: I believe that we are at this moment sleeping on a volcano. When the authorities banned the last of the banquets, in Paris on 22 February 1848, this volcano erupted. In the working-class districts of the city, arms shops were looted and barricades began to be built immediately. The next morning, the National Guard was called out to restore order. But instead they came chanting Long live reform! The king dismissed the government, hoping to quell the revolt. But this only urged the masses on. When a column of protestors carrying a red flag pressed up against a line of infantry, the troops fired directly into the crowd. Fifty-two were killed on the spot. The workers were enraged by the massacre, pledging, Vengeance! From this point the fate of the monarchy was sealed. By the next day the city was under the control of the armed working class. As the abdication of the king in favour of his nine-year-old grandson was being announced, the parliament was invaded by the revolutionary workers, who forced the proclamation of the Republic. The workers betrayed At all stages of the revolution of February 1848, the initiative belonged to the working class. It was the workers who built and died on the barricades. And it was the workers who forced the proclamation of the Republic. But the class that was brought to power as a result of this workers revolution was not the working class. Nor did their representatives even obtain a majority. The Provisional Government which was handed power on 24 February was overwhelmingly made up of pure, or moderate republicans, with a couple of socialists like Louis Blanc tacked on under pressure from the workers. The workers insurrection had placed its enemies in power. Leon Trotsky called this the paradox of the February Revolution in 1917, which applies just as well to February 1848. On the streets of Paris, meanwhile, the armed workers remained the almost undisputed power. And having conquered the Republic, they naturally sought in it their liberation from poverty and oppression. At noon on 25 February, day one of the new republic, a detachment of armed workers marched to the Hotel de Ville. One of their number slammed the butt of his musket on the floor and demanded: Droit au travail [right to work]. Blanc, seeing his own slogan menacingly thrust at him, immediately drafted one of the first decrees of the provisional government: The provisional government of the French republic pledges itself to guarantee the means of subsistence of the workingman by labour. It pledges itself to guarantee labour to all citizens. The same decree announced the creation of national workshops to provide employment for all. Overnight, the workers of Paris had effectively made Louis Blancs programme the law of the land, much to the surprise of its author. But Blanc himself was kept as far from the means to realise it as possible. Instead he was given a commission to look into the question of the organisation of labour, without any power or budget to offer any practical solution. Meanwhile, 100,000 unemployed workers were enrolled into the national workshops. But the task of finding and organising the work for this army of unemployed was given not to Blanc, but to Alexandre Marie, who was hostile to socialism. It was the workers who built and died on the barricades / Image: public domain Enrolled workers were given projects such as levelling the Champs de Mars. Employment on more useful projects such as building railways or canals was rejected by the government. Unsurprisingly this arrangement pleased no one. Respectable society was scandalised by the sight of thousands of workers being paid public money in return for enforced idleness, while the workers themselves were bitterly disappointed. For them, the right to work signified not charity, but the organisation of production in order to guarantee useful work to everyone in accordance with their skills. What they wanted, in essence, was socialism. What they got was grimly described by Marx as English workhouses in the open. The revolutionary clubs Marx described the clubs as the centres of the revolutionary proletariat / Image: public domain One of the most inspiring products of the February Revolution was the club movement. The clubs took their name from the clubs of the Great French Revolution. But they possessed a very different class content. Even the most radical clubs of the first revolution were a largely bourgeois affair. The clubs of 1848, on the other hand, were a cross between workers assemblies and political parties. They would meet regularly to discuss the pressing matters of the day, as well as questions of economic and political theory. By mid-April there were 203 clubs in Paris alone, of which 149 were united in a single federation. They were essentially organs of workers democracy, growing rapidly out of the daily tasks of the revolution. Marx described the clubs as the centres of the revolutionary proletariat, and even the formation of a workers state against the bourgeois state. A key question for the club movement was that of its position in relation to the provisional government: should it support the government, albeit critically, or move to overthrow it? The majority of the Paris clubs took a conciliatory position, seeing their role as a support for and, if necessary, a check on the government. The attitude of the Provisional Government towards the clubs, on the other hand, was more of fear and loathing, than surveillance and support. So long as the armed workers were the main power on the streets, the Provisional Government would have to temporise, offering many concessions. But no one in the government had any illusions in this temporary state of affairs. The government advances The government was strengthened by the elections, which took place on 23 and 24 April 1848. All Frenchmen over the age of 21 were eligible to vote for 900 deputies to a single National Assembly. This realised almost all of the political demands of the British Chartists, who had held a huge demonstration in London only weeks earlier. The result was an overwhelming victory for the provisional government and the bourgeois republic. Almost every successful candidate ran as a republican including many monarchists! This showed the mood that existed in the country. But radical and socialist deputies only took up around 55 of the 900 seats in the assembly. It must be remembered that the working class constituted a tiny minority of the French population at this time, and the vast majority of the electorate were peasants, living in the countryside. A significant section of the peasantry would later shift violently to the left, but this would take time and experience. It was inevitable that at this stage the socialists would find themselves isolated. The revolutionary workers in the clubs were disgusted by the result of the election, and began immediately calling for the overthrow of the assembly. Meanwhile, the government purged itself of its socialist members, Blanc and Albert, and prepared for war. On 24 May, it was announced that the workers enlisted in the national workshops would either be drafted into the army or forced out of Paris. The workers were faced with the dissolution of their organisations, deportation, and destitution. On 22 June, Louis Pujol, a lieutenant in the workshops, led a demonstration to the Ministry of Public Works and confronted the minister, Marie, who told them: If the workers dont want to go to the provinces, we shall make them go by force. That evening Pujol addressed a mass meeting at the Pantheon. The people have been deceived! he cried. You have done nothing more than change tyrants, and the tyrants of today are more odious than those who have been driven outYou must take vengeance! The June Days On 23 June, barricades began to rise in Paris / Image: public domain On 23 June, barricades began to rise in Paris. By noon, almost all of the eastern part of the city was under the control of roughly 50,000 insurgents although the armed fighters were undoubtedly supported by an even broader layer of the working-class population. At the same time, the National Guard had been called out. But the response was extremely mixed. In eastern Paris, National Guardsmen allowed themselves to be disarmed by the workers or actively joined the insurrection. In the wealthier, western part of the city, however, the response to their orders was emphatic. By eleven oclock that evening, there were already 1,000 dead, with no end to the fighting in sight. All of the most prominent workers leaders either betrayed, or were killed, arrested, or in exile. Not a single socialist or radical deputy in the National Assembly supported the insurrection. The democratic socialist paper, La Reforme, explained, We were ardent revolutionaries under the monarchy, but we are progressive democrats under the Republic, with no other code but universal suffrage. Louis Blanc signed a declaration calling upon the workers to throw down their fratricidal weapons, alleging they were victims of a fatal misunderstanding. In theory, Blanc saw the democratic republic as a means of emancipating the working class. But in practice, his faith in the bourgeois state led him to defend it above all else, even against the very workers it was supposed to serve. This fatal flaw of reformism would return to haunt the working class time and time again throughout the world. A state of siege was officially declared in Paris, and General Eugene Cavaignac was invested with dictatorial powers to defeat the insurrection. Engels reported: Todaythe artillery is brought everywhere into action not only against the barricades but also against houses. Many captured insurgents were shot on the spot and thrown into the Seine. In contrast, in the areas under their control, the workers maintained perfect order. Only the gun shops were looted, and prisoners taken during the fighting were often set free. New from Wellred! Series of 3 key writings by #Marx on France: 'The Civil War in France' - Marx's analysis of the #ParisCommune - 'The Class Struggles in France' and 'The 18th Brumaire'. Pre-order series for a discount price: https://t.co/OpARKUqyPH #ParisCommune150 #Socialism pic.twitter.com/SIOBsHFS6I Wellred Books (@WellredBooks) March 15, 2021 Defeat Crucially, the workers fought alone. This fact, above all, determined the result. The February Revolution had been led by the workers. But it was supported by a decisive section of the small property owners and artisans of Paris, who constituted the majority of the citys population at the time. In June 1848, this petty bourgeoisie sided with the defenders of private property against the workers. In the meantime, up to 100,000 volunteers from the rural provinces were flooding into the city, travelling from as far as 500 miles away to fight against the insurrection. Blasted by explosive shells and surrounded on all sides, the insurrection began to retreat. On the third day, the tide began to turn against the workers. And on Monday 26 June, the last barricade was cleared by Cavaignacs troops. The Paris workers, isolated, without centralised leadership or artillery of their own, had held out for four full days against the full military might of bourgeois civilisation. The government reported 708 casualties. The total number of insurgents was not accurately reported, but likely mounted into the thousands. Thousands more were deported to penal colonies in Algeria. Paris had never seen such bloody fighting, which would only be surpassed by the crushing of the Paris Commune in the bloody week of 21-28 May 1871. What distinguished June 1848 from all previous insurrections was not only its scale. The June Revolution was arguably the first time the proletariat assailed the class rule of the bourgeoisie directly, in its own name. That the workers and their leaders, experimenting and groping their way forward, made mistakes is undeniable; such is the lot of all pioneers. This was still an early stage in the development of the working class. Not only was there no real party of the working class at this stage, even the trade union movement was under-developed and largely limited to specific crafts. But that they came so close to victory, at a time when they constituted a minority even in Paris, let alone in the rest of France, is much more significant. The workers had learned and achieved more in just over three months than in the preceding three decades. Having won the democratic republic, the workers immediately sought to use it for their own ends. Blocked by the very institutions they had brought into being, they created their own democratic organs for the conquest of power and for the socialist transformation of society. And in their defeat, the workers had passed down an immense revolutionary legacy. Workers power What June 1848 had only decreed in words was eventually carried out in practice by the Paris Commune of 1871 / Image: public domain The titanic events of June 1848 also had an extremely important impact on the development of Marxism. Drawing directly from the experience of the Paris workers, Marx issued an address to his organisation, the Communist League, in 1850. In it, he insisted that in a future revolution: Alongside the new official governments [the workers] must simultaneously establish their own revolutionary workers governments, either in the form of local executive committees and councils or through workers clubs or committees. Further, he explained that the aim of these councils or clubs should not be to support the official government, but to expose and eventually overthrow it, establishing what he termed the dictatorship of the proletariat the class rule of the workers. Their battle-cry, he concluded, must be: The Permanent Revolution. Eventually, what June 1848 had only decreed in words was eventually carried out in practice by the Paris Commune of 1871: the first workers state in history. These lessons were also studied carefully by Lenin and Trotsky, who applied them so successfully in 1917. It is therefore no exaggeration to say there is a direct link between the defeat of the workers in June 1848 and their victory in October 1917. Today These events still have a lot to teach us today. Global capitalism faces the deepest crisis in its history. Already, across the globe, the masses have toppled one government after another in search of a better life. And this is only the beginning. In Europe, a level of corruption and malaise comparable to the last days of the July monarchy can be felt by all layers of society. Like de Tocqueville in January 1848, the most farsighted representatives of the present order see the danger ahead. The volcano of revolution threatens to erupt once again. But the modern working class is incomparably stronger than it was in 1848. And the possibility of the socialist transformation of society has never been greater. With a revolutionary leadership, guided by the lessons of history, its victory is assured. Workers of the world: unite! State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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The message of the Bible passage is to continue to make a difference, "continue to love one another, whether you know them or not," Naranjo said at the appreciation barbecue, which ran from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Even though we live in a broken world, "we all have the ability to make a difference, and that's what each and every one of you are doing daily," Naranjo said. "I just want you to know, it does not go unrecognized," he said. The first responders are important not only to the All Faiths family, "but you're so important to your own individual families. You're important to the community," Naranjo said. "Thank you for your service." On behalf of All Faiths, Naranjo then presented $1,000 checks to five organizations. One of the checks went to the Hall County Sheriff's Department. "Coming from an agency that has tight budgets, all this helps," said Sheriff Rick Conrad. The money will go to the department's canine division. Police chief Kevin Denney accepted a check that will go to the police department's youth services summer program. GIPD is looking to make a difference in people's lives, and making a difference in "the lives of our youth is a big deal," Denney said. That assistance will leave a legacy, he said. Other checks went to the Grand Island Rural Fire Department and the Nebraska State Patrol Foundation. A retired State Trooper, Bill Kealing, works for the funeral home. Another check was presented to the local firefighters union. It will be used to purchase exercise equipment for former Grand Island firefighter Russ Bolling, who retired in 2016. Bolling, a firefighter for 24 years, was in a serious motorcycle accident near Gordon in August of 2022. One of the attendees was Fire Chief Cory Schmidt. "I just think it's nice to have the strong community support that we do. This is just another example of how our community really rallies behind public safety," he said. Many firefighters are modest "and don't necessarily always like this kind of recognition. But at the same time it's very nice knowing that people do care," Schmidt said. Schmidt, who enjoyed his meal, sat next to Grand Island Police Lt. Dale Hilderbrand. "I just liked visiting with the other people that I don't get to see very often," Schmidt said. GIFD Battalion Chief Phil Thomas said it was "real good food" and it was nice to hear Naranjo speak. It was the second time the funeral home served an appreciation BBQ for law enforcement, firefighters and emergency service personnel. The first was in September 2020. Funeral home staff members made the lunch, which included barbecued pork sandwiches. The cupcakes came from Red Bird Bakery of Doniphan. Due to the renovation of the Conestoga Mall, the event was held at First Presbyterian Church in Grand Island. We would like to give them a special thanks for allowing us to use their wonderful facility. We would also like to thank TAP Auction for assisting with the advertising, sale and shipping of baskets, CopyCat Printing for our printing needs, and Roses for You for the table. There was an Episcopal priest who was shopping for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The salesman talked about speed, acceleration, risk and how women love to climb up on the back of such a powerful machine. Then, he discovered his customer was a priest. Immediately, he changed his approach. He spoke soberly about good mileage, the advantages of 360-degree visibility and how practical motorcycles are. Writing about the experience later, the priest had this to say: Have we told the world that being a Christian is more like riding a lawnmower than a motorcycle? Is the life of faith more safe and sound or dangerous and exciting? The common image of the church is pure lawnmower slow, deliberate and plodding. Our task is to take the church out on the open road, give it the gas and see what this baby will do! I would like to add that some of the churches I served where more like a push mower without any motor. I felt that way because it seemed that if anything happened it had to be the pastor pushing hard to get anything to move. How many of you have ever used a push mower? I used one when I was a kid. You had to get a run at the grass and push with all your strength. A few of the churches I served were hardly any work at all. Churches can do a lot of good and bless a lot of people if the church leaders are positive and energetic. I have to agree with the priest. Most churches probably see themselves as lawnmowers. A lot of churches could benefit from thinking more motorcycle taking the church out to see what this baby will do. Im sure that the motorcycle analogy could be a bit misleading. Some people would think that motorcycle means fun. A fun life sounds pretty good but even better is a full life. On one occasion Jesus said, I have come that my people may have life and have it a abundantly. (John 10:10) Abundant life I think is what most of us are after. A fun life might feel good for a while but in the long run we are looking for a full life, a life that satisfies us in a lasting way. Jesus came to offer us significance and meaning. I think many generations have settled for instant gratification and self-absorption. God does ask us for our all, 100%. And when we give it to God, then things get pretty interesting. What if every morning we woke up with an attitude that said, Whatever Jesus asks of me today the answer is Yes! Do that and youll never lack for excitement. Prayer: Our Lord, may we honestly check our attitude to see if we are more motorcycle or lawnmower. Amen. The lush green lawn of First Presbyterian Church on Anna Street (Grand Island) was covered with rainbows and signs of support Saturday at Grand Island Pride 2023. Some vendors had items for sale, but most were stations of support for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies. One of those was a makeshift art studio, put together by Hastings Museum. Visitors could paint with Kool-Aid, make colorful friendship bracelets and make connections. Dan Brosz is curator of collections at Hastings Museum. The Museum also participated in Hastings's Pride festival, he said. "We're not here just to promote the museum, but to share the message that the museum is an all-inclusive place," Brosz said. "We're here for everyone." One organization had something not unlike a hugging booth, sharing something that many take for granted. "Free Mom Hugs is here to advocate and show love for all those kids that maybe don't get a hug," said Karen Williams, who was one of the happy huggers. "There are unfortunately some kids who don't get hugs at home after they came out." Hugs seem simple, but Williams said for someone whose family doesn't accept who they are, hugs are a pretty big deal. "Some folks have said that we're their favorite booth," she said. Starbucks store manager Beth Gartner was with her coworkers showing their support. "We decided it was super important to get out today and show our support," she said. The Starbucks station was a popular stop for free coffee, water and conversation. Gartner said that while she thinks the "majority" of Grand Islanders support LGBTQ+ members of their community, "we still have a way to go to educate those who don't really know the community that well. I think it's important for us to keep sharing our stories and be who we are." Danielle Helzer was at the event not only to help host Save Our Schools Nebraska's petition campaign, but to be an ally. She was asked why she thought there is hostility toward LGBTQ+ people and organizations. "I think people fear the unknown. I think people fear something that comes into direct conflict with who they are or what their beliefs are," Helzer ventured. "In reality, LBGTQ+ people are not asking for anything big; they're just asking to be recognized as the people that they are. "If you don't know anybody who is part of the queer community it's easier to hate someone," she said. "It's easier to say nasty things about someone when you don't know anyone (like them)." Ace Grim (they/them), was among a group of friends from Grand Island who attended the festival. Grim, who recently attended Grand Island Public Schools, had advice for young LGBTQ+ people like themself and allies. "Just be authentic," they said. "There's always going to be people that are going to not agree with you." Haters are going to hate, Grim said. "It's kind of dumb, but don't let them ruin it." The Grand Island City Council is taking a look at its residential chicken law. During its Tuesday study session, the council discussed altering chapter five of the city code to allow more residents to own chickens. The proposed changes would allow for three to eight hens on any residential lot, with up to 24 for every acre of land. The current city code allows for four hens on an acre, with none allowed on smaller residential lots. Kathy Nabity, a licensed veterinary technician and chicken owner, said its easier to own a horse, mule, donkey, cow, sheep and goat within the city as the code allows one of those larger animals for every half acre. Nabity's husband, Chad, is the regional planning director for the city. Chad Nabity was at the session in support of his wife but would not be part of the decision-making process. This restriction is discriminatory against those in our community who would benefit most from a reliable source of fresh eggs but cannot afford an acre of land, Kathy Nabity said. According to Assistant City Attorney Stacy Nonhof, a group of citizens brought the idea of allowing more chickens in the city at the annual Animal Advisory Board meeting in January. The group was told to come back with signatures from citizens. According to Nabity, they received 300 signatures in favor of the changes. After gathering signatures, supporters presented the Animal Advisory Board with new wording to the different provisions of city code that would require a change for more residents to own chickens. Those proposed changes were brought to the City Council for discussion. For section 5-1, they wish to change the definition of livestock to any hoofed animal or poultry commonly associated with domestic agricultural purposes. They also propose adding the definition of poultry, domesticated fowl which are bred for the primary purpose of producing eggs or meat, in the code for clarity. For section 5-14, the proposed addition is for every owner to provide a hen house or coop to shelter the chickens. The shelter must allow at least 1.5 square feet of floor space per hen, while being constructed to have good ventilation, be easy to clean and shield chickens from mild and extreme weather conditions. For section 5-15, a line is added to exclude rabbit, bird and chicken enclosures from participating in rules for larger animal enclosures. The change is meant to maintain consistent wording with section 5-16, which lists distances for enclosures from residences and property lines. For section 5-16, a proposed change would be that enclosures for rabbits, birds and chickens must be 20 feet from other residences and they cant be within 5 feet of the property line. Enclosures must be able to keep the animals on the property adequately and prevent predators from getting in to them. For section 5-17, the addition is about how enclosures can be registered with the Animal Control Authority. Enclosures will be considered registered when an owner has submitted a diagram or aerial photo of it on the property, which shows compliance with the distance requirements. For section 5-18, the change is for residential lots less than an acre can only have three to eight hens on the property, with up to 24 chickens allowed per acre. The numbers were chosen based on responsible animal husbandry, as its unhealthy to keep chickens by themselves since they are flocking birds. Adding hens will be necessary since older hens slow down in egg production and single hens should not be added since they would be bullied in the chickens pecking order. For section 5-27, the change is that chickens and ducklings younger than eight weeks can not be sold in quantities less than three. According to animal husbandry, chickens and ducklings need to be raised in groups, so a minimum of three allows for responsible purchase of new hens. For section 5-41.1., the addition is to prohibit hens that crow, along with roosters. Roosters and crowing hens are not allowed to be kept in backyard flocks within city limits. In addition, Nonhof said that renters will also be able to own a chicken coop, as long as the apartment complex or landlord allows it. A neighborhood homeowners association can still prohibit backyard flocks for residents in their area. Nabity presented the benefits of owning hens, such as providing companionship, teaching responsibility, utilizing kitchen scraps, insect control and social interactions. Nabity also mentioned that owning chickens increases self-sufficiency and food security, with backyard eggs healthier than the store-bought alternative. Nabity also addressed concerns with backyard chickens, such as property values, diseases, odor, waste, noise and the animals running wild. Todays small flock chicken coops are designed to look pretty in the yard, said Nabity. Your neighbors who want to keep hens care about the value of their homes and the quality of life in our community. Amos Anson, developer of Highland North, a 25-acre residential subdivision, spoke in support of the proposed changes as a developer. Anson said that he wants Highland North to cater toward self-reliant people and backyard chickens are a part of the puzzle. There's a certain demographic of people that want a healthier lifestyle, said Anson. They want to be able to grow their own food and be more resilient, thats the lens that I am looking at it through and that is why I am asking for support to pass this for citywide approval. Ward Three Councilor Bethany Guzinski also voiced support for the changes and is part of the group who proposed them. Guzinski said she had made a half-hearted attempt to get the item on the agenda within her first few months on the council, but was shot down quickly. Guzinski was one of the people who helped gather signatures from people in support of these changes, having records of everyone she spoke to. I ask my fellow council members, said Guzinski, review this list and pick out the addresses, you guys all kinda know your wards, and see that there is demonstrable support throughout the entire city for these measures. Ward Four Councilor Mitchell Nickerson voiced his personal concerns about the changes, like with registration. However, Nickerson said his vote would come down to what the community thinks. I will honestly tell you that if I get inundated with people saying I hate the idea, Im going to probably side with them, said Nickerson. If I have people say I really dont care, I have no reason to probably oppose it, but I want to know what the community thinks. The council did not say when the issue would be a voting item on a meeting agenda, but members noted it could come up at the June 27 meeting. Anyone with opinions on the proposed changes to city code is encouraged to call their council member before the vote. Contact information is available at grand-island.com/government/city-council. Chickens build community, said Nabity. They are a conversation starter. For the past week, the world has been treated to a macabre piece of theatre: an international, multi-million-dollar operation to save the lives of five crewmen of the Titan submersible, who it now turns out were almost certainly known to have died from the start. Life is sacred: who could object to any expense to save just a single soul? But if all life is indeed sacred, then some lives are clearly more sacred than others. Five men, including British billionaire Hamish Harding, and a British-Pakistani multimillionaire and his son voluntarily paid $250,000 each to descend in an untested death-trap 3.5km below the Atlantic Ocean to the site of the Titanic wreck. Shortly into its descent, the sub simultaneously lost communication and tracking, exactly at the same time as the US Navy detected a loud bang. It was obvious what had happened. The sub had catastrophically imploded. Its five passengers were certainly dead. We werent given this piece of information until debris was found four days later information that certainly would have diminished a piece of media theatre. The media would not be reconciled to the idea that such eminent persons should suffer such a cruel fate. They speculated day and night over sounds heard on the sea bed; over the oxygen capacity of the vessel; they counted down the hours, and they described the different stages of asphyxiation, hypothermia and coma the subs occupants might be going through. BBC reporters waxed lyrical about the mournful fog descending on Cape Cod from where they were reporting. Governments, authorities and media all wept for the rich adventurers and their families, and none would rest until the lost men were returned. Governments, Navies, Coast Guards and private companies formed a joint rescue mission. A Unified Command was formed involving the US Coast Guard, US Navy and Canadian Coast Guard. Numerous maritime and sub-maritime experts were collected together. State-of-the-art technology including numerous sonar buoys were deployed. A huge fleet of ships and aircraft were dedicated to the mission: 3 Canadian Coast Guard vessels, 1 Canadian Navy defence vessel, 2 research vessels, 2 commercial vessels, 6 US military aircraft, 2 Canadian military aircraft, and numerous, high-tech Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs). And four days later, a debris field was found precisely where it was expected: a few hundred metres from the submersibles last known location. This is how much a life is worth if you are one of the richest men in the world. Even when they are pretty much certain you are dead, no expense is spared. How much are the lives of the poor worth? The names and biographies of the Titans crew have been so widely discussed, they hardly need recalling. They are household names now: British billionaire Hamish Harding; the CEO of OceanGate, Stockton Rush; deep sea explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet; and heir to one of Pakistans biggest fortunes, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood. Yet just one week before this sub went missing, 300 other Pakistani nationals went missing locked in the hold of a fishing trawler and drowned alongside hundreds of others in the Mediterranean. The CEO of OceanGate, Stockton Rush, has been made a household name / Image: OceanGate, Wikimedia Commons It wasnt a hunt for pleasure that drove these poor souls to board an unseaworthy vessel. They did so out of desperation. Most of those from Pakistan came from rural Punjab or Azad Kashmir. Those who know it well describe Kashmir as a natural paradise: its white, snow-peaked mountains, its deep, lush, green valleys, its beautiful lakes. What causes a person to flee a paradise? Poverty and hunger. Not one name or biographical detail has appeared in the international media. Werent their lives just as rich as those of a Hamish Harding or a Shahzada Dawood? Apparently not. On 10 June, a vessel destined for Italy set off from Libya with 800 men, women and children on board. But at 11am on 13 June, whilst passing the Greek coast, pleas for help were sent out by the vessel. And what was the response? What were their lives worth? Did the Greek and Italian Coast Guards, joined by the Navies of Europe form a Unified Command to come to their aid? Did the media raise an outcry for these poor souls? Were a dozen aircraft and vessels scrambled? For the first 11 hours after calling for help, not a thing was done. Finally, at 10pm, a single Greek Coast Guard vessel attended the scene, at last. By that time, 6 of those on board the trawler had died of dehydration. And what did they do when they arrived? Were they equipped with high-tech medical equipment, like that on board the Canadian Navys HMCS Glace Bay, which was deployed just in case the crew of the Titan were recovered? No. The purpose of their presence was far more sinister. According to their own report now proven to have been packed with lies they discreetly observed the struggling vessel from afar. If we believe the survivors testimony over the Greek Coast Guards and we are certainly inclined to do so it seems that the Greek Coast Guard intercepted the vessel, not to save lives, but to violently push it back into Italian waters, making it someone elses problem. But instead their actions likely capsized the vessel, sending 700 lives to a dark and watery grave, making it no ones problem. Or, rather, the mourning relatives problem. The media noted the incident in the record of the days events and issued a collective shrug of the shoulders. All life is sacred. But not these lives. These were mere migrants, and we cannot tolerate more migrants, as an MP from Greeces ruling New Democracy party put it in the wake of the events. These are an invasion to use the British Home Secretary Suella Bravermans rhetoric, and they are treated just like invaders including the threat by the British government to use military naval vessels to repel them. Every year, more than 2,000 lives are lost in the Mediterranean 25,000 since 2014. That is 17 times the number of lives lost in the Titanic disaster 100 years ago in less than a decade. Perhaps in decades to come their graves too will become a tourist attraction for wealthy pleasure seekers? This is the difference between the worth of a rich mans life and that of a poor man. In anticipation of any objection that we are being unfair here to the Greek Coast Guard, and to the racist politicians of New Democracy, we would like to point out that their brother ruling classes in other countries regard rich lives as no less sacred, and poor lives as no less worthless. As proof we cite another recently forgotten tragedy. Emanuele Macron, lost no time in personally ordering the 279-foot French research vessel, LAtalante, equipped with a state-of-the-art Remotely Operated Vehicle capable of diving to 20,000 ft, to be dispatched all the way to the Atlantic when he heard of the Titans disappearance. These were the lengths he was capable of going to when his heart was stirred. Yet when a distress call was received on a freezing November night in 2021 from an inflatable vessel in the English Channel a mere 15 miles off the French coast, what did the French Coast Guard do? They ignored it. Worse than that, they lied to the UK coastguard, telling them that they could not dispatch a rescue craft in the area because it was engaged in other vital tasks. It was not. And finally, when a tanker vessel came across the distressed dinghy, they were told not to intervene because a French coastguard vessel was on its way. It was not. 27 lives were lost. The Titanic 100 years on Out of respect for the dead, we do not wish to make much of the irony of the Titans implosion, which added five more to the mass grave of the 1,500 unfortunate passengers of the Titanic. But it is worth saying a few words about the sinking of the Titanic, and the light it sheds on todays world. The Titans passengers were fairly warned that they were entering a death trap the waiver for boarding the Titan included the word death three times on its first page. Tragically, the five passengers became victims of OceanGates own cost-cutting, profit-seeking measures. The company had refused to submit the experimental carbon-fibre-titanium frame to an expensive testing and certification process. And indeed, the companys own director of marine operations, David Lochridge, lost his job for writing a report in 2018 stressing that the craft was dangerous. The Titanics passengers, on the contrary, were told they were stepping aboard an unsinkable vessel. The story of the Titanic, which sank 111 years ago, concentrates within itself all the moral hypocrisy, all the same contrasts of concern for the rich and contempt for poor lives, that we see demonstrated in so many instances under capitalism today. The Titanics passengers were told they were stepping aboard an unsinkable vessel / Image: public domain The story itself is well known. On 14 April 1912, the Titanic hit an iceberg on its maiden Atlantic voyage, sinking and taking 1,500 of its 2,200 passengers down with it. The Titanic was equipped to cater to the tastes of its wealthiest passengers: it had an a la carte restaurant, a great lounge, and even a famous Grand Staircase. But it also had its Third Class passengers, many of them Irish migrants. They were kept in special compartments, below decks, behind grilled gates to keep them from interacting with the First Class passengers the former were regarded as carriers of disease. When the vessel began to sink, those gates remained locked shut according to some witnesses, just as hundreds of Pakistani women and children were kept locked in the hold of that fishing trawler on that fateful journey from Libya to Italy two weeks ago. 39 percent of First Class passengers perished. 76 percent of Third Class passengers lost their lives, and 98 percent of Third Class male passengers died. In the words of one survivor, Mary Davis Wilburn, The dead came up holding children in their arms. The poor people never had a chance. When the Third Class passengers were shoved by the owners of the Titanic into the ships hold, was the morality of the latter higher or lower than that of todays human traffickers traffickers now being blamed by European and Greek authorities, keen to divert attention from the blood on their own hands. Another fact about the Titanic, known to anyone who has watched James Camerons film about the ships sinking, is that it lacked sufficient lifeboats to save its 2,200 passengers, thus leaving hundreds of the predominantly poorer passengers to drown. What is less well known is the reason. This was not so much a cost-cutting measure as a means to create a nice view for First Class passengers. You see, having sufficient lifeboats to save all passengers would have created an eyesore on the upper decks. Does this not recall the use of dangerous, inflammable cladding to hide the eyesore that the Grenfell flat was deemed to be from the other, richer residents of Kensington in London? The same inflammable cladding that led to 74 lives being lost in 2017. Horror without end The ruling class will go to the ends of the Earth or the depths of the ocean to save one of their own / Image: U.S. Coast Guard District 1, Wikimedia Commons The two tragedies in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean are both horror stories. However, only in one of the two cases were the lives involved deemed worthy of saving by the great and the good. These are the values of our ruling class. They will go to the ends of the Earth or the depths of the ocean to save one of their own. But the working class, the poor, and above all migrants, are seen as a nuisance: raw material for exploitation at best, and at worst, as a mere surplus population, barely worthy of life. The democratic, civilised ruling classes of today share the same morality as their forebears of a century ago, who allowed poor Irish migrants to sink to the bottom of the Atlantic. Whereas Malthus two centuries ago lauded the social benefits of disease and hunger, today our politicians are on record, laughing and partying through the night, whilst their herd immunity policies allowed COVID-19 to rip through working class communities. This point is not lost on millions of people. You can read it in social media posts about the Titan implosion, in workplace discussions, in bars and cafes. The lesson learned is, quite simply: live or die, they do not care about us. A monument assistance program fund has been established. A community assistance fund has been created at Home Federal Savings and Loan to assist those who have waited up to three years for a headstone ordered from Monument Advisors, but not received. The Hall County Attorneys Office is assessing 37 complaints against the headstone company to determine legal next steps. More than 50 reports have been submitted to Grand Island Police Department, totaling more than $200,000 in unfilled headstone orders. In the meantime, an outpouring of concern and support has led to a variety of offers to ease the financial burden on affected customers. Dan Naranjo, owner of All Faiths Funeral Home, has arranged with Home Federal Savings and Loan to provide a safe and secure way for individuals and organizations to make donations toward this effort. Naranjo is aided by Steve Fosselman, a retired Grand Island resident who was director of the Grand Island Public Library from 1991 to 2020 and is active in a Facebook support group for over 60 customers affected by Monument Advisors. The Monument Assistance Program is intended to have a short life of three months while these customers work out order details with other monument companies, organizers said. While the fund itself will not conduct any fundraisers, the public is welcome to organize fundraisers for the program. Naranjo and Fosselman anticipate a need of at least $150,000. As a start, Naranjo has reached out to local church leaders and Fosselman has begun working with over 600 Facebook victim support group members. All Faiths Funeral Home has donated $10,000 to get the fund started. All donations are to be made out to Monument Assistance Program and delivered or mailed to: All Faiths Funeral Home 2929 S. Locust St. Grand Island, NE 68801 Customers of Monument Advisors in need of financial assistance to reorder or complete their headstone orders with another company should send the following documents to Naranjo at All Faiths Funeral Home: Monument Advisors order materials Grand Island Police Department police report Order with different monument company More information will be provided at a later date regarding how all donated funds will be distributed to aid in victims financial burden. On June 15, the residents of The Heritage at Sagewood had a good time sitting outside, listening to the music of Rascal Martinez. A few of the residents even got up and danced. The party was for people who live at the senior living community, as well as those who work there. Some of the associates, or employees, brought family members. Employees who weren't scheduled to work showed up "just to join in on the fun," said Pamela Taylor, executive director of The Heritage at Sagewood. Attendees could play Jenga and shoot Nerf guns. The party also included a dunk tank. "One of our core values here is fun," Taylor said. Playing a role in the event was a 42-foot trailer owned by a Colorado company called TaleGate. That mobile film studio was used to tape interviews with Heritage at Sagewood residents and staff members. It was the first such outdoor party for The Heritage at Sagewood, which is an assisted living and memory support community. The videos capture moments of life at Heritage, Taylor said. Family members have access to the videos. The videos will also be used in marketing, to show what it's like to live and work at the retirement community. In the interviews, people talk about friendships they've made since moving in. The videos also show them enjoying a variety of activities, such as playing the piano. The videos show "our standard of care," Taylor said. Heritage Communities, based in Omaha, operates 15 senior living communities in Nebraska, Iowa, Arizona and Texas. The facilities offer a mix of independent living, assisted living, memory care and respite care. Heritage believes in relationship building, said Taylor, who's also a registered nurse. The goal is to help people "age in place" and live better, she said. Some people mistakenly believe that when you move in, you'll lose all your independence, she said. Heritage keeps its residents busy and engaged and helps them make friends, Taylor said. The community also helps people return to hobbies they got away from while living at home. For instance, somebody who stopped cooking while living at home might start cooking again. Four people brought the mobile film studio to Grand Island. The videos will show that The Heritage at Sagewood is a cool place to work, said Jack York of TaleGate. Working with older people can be both fun and meaningful, he said. Danang among top places to visit globally this August By Trang Nguyen Thu, June 22, 2023 | 11:57 pm GTM+7 Vietnam's central city of Danang was ranked third on a list of the world's nine places to visit in August by popular Scottish flight booking platform SkyScanner. "While north and south Vietnam are right in the middle of monsoon season, Da Nang and the rest of central Vietnam remains dry and sunny during August. Temperatures tend to sit between 24C to 34C, perfect for lazy days on the beach or mornings exploring the nearby attractions," it said. According to the booking platform, Danang is famous for its soft golden sands, clean crystal waters, and watersports, making the city one of Vietnams best beach destinations. Start at My Khe Beach or Non Nuoc Beach, which have calm waves perfect for swimming in. My Khe Beach in Danang city, central Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the beach. SkyScanner suggested: "One of Vietnams most beautiful beaches, it sits in the shadow of the Marble Mountains, a cluster of limestone hills near the city. Take a day to explore the area with its network of natural caves, Buddhist pagodas and Hindu grottoes. Its also a wonderful place to stop and watch the famous sunset." "Laid-back Da Nang also makes a great jumping off point for day trips. The port city of Hoi An, with its perfectly preserved ancient town, is around an hour away by car. Or, head north to the imperial city of Hue for a visit to the ai Noi Citadel once home to the last Vietnamese dynasty, Nguyen," it added. The other places mentioned on the list in order are: Bornholm (Denmark), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Seattle (U.S.), Gdansk (Poland), Maasai Mara (Kenya), Madeira (Portugal), Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Turin (Italy). In mid-May, Danang was listed among 10 Asia's best scenic mountain vistas by the Microsoft Travel news site. Danang, a tourism hub, boasts the most beautiful beaches in Southeast Asia. The Golden Bridge in the city topped the list of world's new wonders by the UKs Daily Mail newspaper. My Khe beach was recently ranked eighth in the list of Asia's top 10 beaches by the world's largest travel platform TripAdvisor. About five kilometers from the city center, My Khe runs 10 kilometers from the base of Son Tra Peninsula to Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son). The beach is famous for its blue sky, smooth white sand, gentle slope, clear and warm water year-round, and beautiful areas surrounded by coconut trees. Major S Korean banks keen on Vietnam expansion By Phan Nguyen Fri, June 23, 2023 | 5:43 pm GTM+7 Six South Korean banks are waiting for the State Bank of Vietnams approval to upgrade and expand their presence in the country. These include two state-run institutions: the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) and the Korea Development Bank (KDB). The proposed expansions were mentioned in a business meeting Friday between Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai and executives of South Korean banks accompanying South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on his ongoing visit to Vietnam. Vietnams Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai at the meeting in Hanoi on June 23, 2023. Photo courtesy of Vietnams government portal. The Vietnamese Deputy PM congratulated IBK on its performance to date in Vietnam, acknowledging the lenders recently expanded business activities for Vietnamese SMEs, including funding for renewable energy projects. This shows IBKs strong commitment to supporting the Vietnamese economy, Khai said. IBK operates branches in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and is in the process of setting up a subsidiary in Vietnam, said IBK chairman and CEO Kim Sung-tae. He said that with total assets of about $1.5 billion in, IBK was financing Korean businesses and its partners in the country. Kim expressed his desire to set up a subsidiary to better fund both Korean businesses in Vietnam and Vietnamese businesses, especially domestic SMEs. He said this project acquired greater importance with Vietnam and South Korea upgrading their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last December. IBK chairman and CEO Kim Sung-tae (central) at the meeting in Hanoi on June 23, 2023. Photo courtesy of Vietnams government portal. KDB chairman Kang Seoghoon said his bank focused its Vietnam activities on areas like high-tech development, digital transformation and green energy development in response to global climate change. Kang said he sees further expansion and deepening of bilateral ties between the two countries; and therefore, KDB is looking to set up a branch in Vietnam in the near future. KDB chairman Kang Seoghoon at the meeting in Hanoi on June 23, 2023. Photo courtesy of Vietnams government portal. Deputy PM Khai said at the meeting that at the Deputy Prime Minister level economic dialogue this March, he had discussed with his South Korean counterpart Choo Kyung Ho the issue of Korean banks broader presence in Vietnam. Vietnam is now home to nine 100% foreign-owned banks and 50 branches of foreign banks, Khai said. The Vietnamese government encourages foreign financial and banking institutions to join Vietnams process of restructuring the banking system to handle weaker banks. Priority will be given to foreign banks participating in the process, he added. South Korea is currently the biggest investor in Vietnam, the second biggest ODA provider, and the third biggest trading partner. The registered capital of South Korean investment projects in Vietnam has reached $82 billion. Vietnam is the biggest Southeast Asian economic partner of South Korea. Nestle to support regenerative, low-emission agriculture in Vietnam By Tri Duc Fri, June 23, 2023 | 5:24 pm GTM+7 Nestle Vietnam has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to support the countrys transition to regenerative and low-emission agriculture. The three-year deal, signed Tuesday, will help Vietnam move towards sustainable agriculture and its 2050 net zero emissions target. The collaborations initiatives and activities will be implemented through the Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture in Vietnam (PSAV), co-chaired by both sides. Mark Schneider (third, right), CEO of Nestle S.A, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Quoc Tri (second, right) at a strategic partnership signing ceremony on June 20, 2023. Photo courtesy of Nestle. Nestle Vietnam said it will work with the ministry to share and advance regenerative farming practices for coffee growers as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions and increase farms resilience to climate change. We want to transition to ecological and low-emission agriculture to help Vietnam achieve its net zero goal, Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri said at the signing ceremony. 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 signing ceremony, an agroforestry and reforestation project in the Central Highlands was inaugurated. The project aims to plant and grow over 2.3 million forest and fruit trees on coffee farms in the Central Highlands by 2027. It is estimated that these trees will sequester 480,000 tons of carbon emission over five years. Agriculture within our supply chains accounts for more than two-thirds of our total greenhouse gas emissions, said Nestle CEO Mark 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, Schneider said. Nestle, the worlds largest food and beverages corporation, has said it aims to plant 200 million trees within its sourcing landscapes globally by 2030. The reforestation program is a key part of its Net Zero Roadmap. No more power cuts in northern Vietnam: EVN By Huong Dung Fri, June 23, 2023 | 3:35 pm GTM+7 Vietnam Electricity (EVN) says it is geared up to meet electricity demand in the northern region starting Friday, easing shortages that had persisted for several weeks. The state utility reported Thursday evening that water levels in hydropower reservoirs have increased over the past few days and problems facing some turbines at thermal power plants have also been fixed. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has backed EVN, saying that starting next week, power supply will not be as stressful as the last days of May and the beginning of June. It said hydropower reservoirs are expected to fill up with early onset of floods in the northern region, ensuring supply of about 421 million kWh per day. "There will be no power cuts in the North," the ministry said. Neither EVN nor the ministry specified the duration of sufficient power supply. The Hoa Binh hydropower reservoir. Water levels in major hydropower reservoirs in the North and North Central regions were 1.5-2.2 meters higher than the dead level on June 22, 2023. Photo courtesy of EVN. The northern region accounted for nearly 46% (18,974 MW) of the country's peak usage capacity (41,569 MW) on Thursday. Hydropower and thermal power plants supply the region with 74 million kWh and 269.5 million kWh a day. By Thursday afternoon, water levels in all hydropower reservoirs in the northern and north-central regions including the provinces of Tuyen Quang, Son La, Lai Chau and Hoa Binh were 1.5-22 meters higher than the dead levels. At the Thac Ba, Huoi Quang, Ban Ve and Quang Tri reservoirs, the water levels were at 0.9-1.7 meters above the minimum levels. From late May, Hanoi and many other northern localities experienced power cuts due to soaring demand in the hot season. The situation was caused by a fall in hydroelectricity output due to drought conditions and supply disruptions at thermal power plants because of problems like shortages of coal. In a letter sent to EVN in early June, port and logistics companies in northern Vietnam's Hai Phong city cried out for help as the frequency of power blackouts continued to rise amid electricity shortages. The government stepped in, requesting the MoIT, the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises (CMSC), EVN and Petrovietnam to resolve the shortages at the earliest. The ministry and the relevant agencies were also asked to accelerate power and transmission projects, and mobilize more rooftop solar power. The MoIT was required to speed up progress of the Quang Trach II power plant in the central province of Quang Binh. The ministry and the CMSC were assigned to supervise the implementation of a 3,500-kilovolt transmission line from the central region to the North, which is part of Vietnams newly-approved Power Plan VIII. The government also instructed the ministry to work on a mechanism in July to encourage the use of rooftop solar power to serve residents and public offices; and another mechanism facilitating direct power purchasing agreements. Shinhan Bank organized 'Bike Run' event to present bicycles, scholarships to underprivileged students By Trang Nguyen Fri, June 23, 2023 | 9:20 pm GTM+7 Shinhan Bank Vietnam on Thursday organized the Bike Run event to present bicycles and scholarships to underprivileged students at SOS Children's Village Vietnam. Kim Keon Hee, the First Lady of South Korea, attended the event, one of her activities while accompanying President Yoon Suk Yeol on his state visit to Vietnam. At the event, Shinhan Bank presented 110 bicycles, scholarships worth VND100 million, and gift boxes to students at SOS Children's Village Vietnam in Hanoi. The First Lady of South Korea Kim Keon Hee at Shinhan Bank Vietnam's Bike Run 2023 event. Photo courtesy of the bank. "These bikes will give happy memories to students, promote their health, and be partners in realizing their dreams," The First Lady said. "What's important is to try and have the courage to stand up again when you fail," she told the children, adding that she hopes they will bring beauty to not only Vietnam but the entire world as they realize their dreams. The First Lady of South Korea Kim Keon Hee at Shinhan Bank's event to present bicycles and scholarships to underprivileged students at SOS Children's Village Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the bank. Bike Run is one of the significant and humanitarian annual activities held by Shinhan Bank to motivate and help underprivileged students in pursuing their goals for future education. Since 2015, the bank has donated more than 1,100 bicycles to students across the country. In addition to efforts in business development, Shinhan Bank has demonstrated its sustainable bonding commitments to the Vietnamese market through significant CSR activities like the Bike Run, Tree Planning Project, and Happy Meal which contain extensive humanity meanings. Particularly in 2022, the bank contributed $260,000, 1,337 hours of social activity, and 5,132 participation turns. Total expenses for its CSR activities since 2007 have reached $3.5 million. "2023 is an important milestone of Shinhan Bank, marking 30 years of our banks presence in Vietnam. With the mission A better world through Finance, we have continuously strived to strengthen meaningful social activities, in order to bring warm finance to the community, contributing to the socio-economic development in Vietnam in the next stages," said Kang Gewwon, CEO and general director of Shinhan Bank Vietnam. South Korean President okays $4 bln ODA for Vietnam By Nguyen Long Fri, June 23, 2023 | 3:11 pm GTM+7 Visiting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has agreed to provide Vietnam with $4 billion in official development assistance by 2030. President Yoon announced this during a joint press briefing with his Vietnam counterpart Vo Van Thuong in Hanoi. Yoon said South Korea will continue to expand ODA to Vietnam by raising the cap on aid provided through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund from $1.5 billion in 2016-2023 to $2 billion in 2024-2030. Under a new deal, South Korea will also provide an additional $2 billion through the Economic Development Promotion Facility by 2030. This is Yoon's first state visit (June 22-24) to an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member. Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong (right) poses for a photo with South Korean counterpart Yoon Suk Yeol in Hanoi on June 23, 2023. Photo courtesy of Vietnam News Agency. South Koreas Yonhap News Agency reported that the President also elaborated on wide-ranging measures to strengthen bilateral ties. "South Korea and Vietnam will strengthen coordination both at the ASEAN level and bilaterally to draw a united response from the international community," Yoon said Yonhap quoted Yoon as saying the two countries will hold annual foreign ministerial talks and expand defense industry cooperation based on strengthened political confidence in each other. "South Korea and Vietnam have built a close and mutually beneficial cooperative relationship over the past 30 years. "Last year, we elevated the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Today, President Thuong and I discussed ways to further strengthen our cooperation in a way that is commensurate with the elevated bilateral relationship and to contribute to freedom, peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region." With the aim of increasing bilateral trade to $150 billion by 2030, the two sides agreed to establish an electronic origin data exchange system that will allow businesses to submit online proof of origin of export and import items to qualify for preferential duties under the Vietnam-South Korea free trade agreement. The two sides also agreed to set up a center that will exclusively handle critical mineral supply chains and to look further for areas of cooperation in liquefied natural gas development, hydrogen energy production, smart cities and climate change response. Agreement was also reached on further promoting exchanges between the two countries' peoples by increasing support for Korean language education in Vietnam and expanding scholarships for Vietnamese students in South Korea. Taiwan textile giant plans additional $250 mln investment in southern Vietnam By Tri Duc Fri, June 23, 2023 | 1:38 pm GTM+7 Far Eastern Polytex Vietnam, a Taiwan-invested textile firm, will invest an additional $250 million in Binh Duong in Q3/2023, making it the southern provinces biggest foreign investor. CEO Yeh Ming Yuh also said at a Wednesday meeting with Binh Duong Chairman Vo Van Minh that the company has already invested $1.37 billion in the province since 2015. This included $610 million invested in 2021, the peak year of the Covid-19 pandemic. With the latest investment, the firm will expand the manufacturing of resilient fibers for production of auto parts and build a solar power plant to power production, Yeh said. The business will also invest in green transition, sustainable development, human resource training, and corporate social responsibility to aid workers and the environment, he added. Far Eastern Polytex Vietnam factory in Binh Duong province, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the firm. Welcoming the additional investment, Binh Duong Chairman Minh requested relevant agencies to support the firm by removing business hurdles and easing implementation of its plans. As of May 20 this year, Binh Duong had attracted 4,103 valid foreign direct investment projects with a total registered capital of $39.99 billion, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment. The registered capital is the second-highest figure in Vietnam after Ho Chi Minh City with $56.71 billion in 11,734 projects. In 2015, Far Eastern Polytex Vietnam invested $274 million in a 99-hectare factory at the Bau Bang Industrial Park to manufacture polyester, chemical fibers, resins, PET and other products. It has two sister firms in Vietnam: the Apparel Far Eastern Vietnam with two factories in VSIP I and VSIP II industrial parks in Binh Duong province; and the New Apparel Far Eastern Vietnam with one plant in the neighboring province of Binh Phuoc. Vietnam top investment focus for leading S Korean firms By Nguyen Thuy Fri, June 23, 2023 | 10:25 am GTM+7 Vietnams importance as a highly favoured investment destination for leading South Korean companies is reflected in the strong business delegation accompanying President Yoon Suk Yeol, officials say. The heads of 205 leading businesses in Yoons entourage are seeking new investment opportunities in the country, they add. President Yoon began a three-day official visit to Vietnam Thursday. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee arrive in Hanoi, June 22, 2023. Photo courtesy of Vietnam News Agency. "Last year, Vietnam emerged as South Korea's third-largest trade partner following China and the U.S.," Choi Sang Mok, Koreas senior presidential secretary for economic affairs, said at a press briefing in Seoul last week before Yoons departure for official visits to France and Vietnam. Electronics giant Samsung had announced early last December its plans to increase its investment in Vietnam from $18 billion to $20 billion. Later the same month, Samsung Electronics executive chairman Lee Jae Yong launched the South Korean giants new $220 million R&D center in Hanoi in late December. Lee is part of the business delegation accompanying the South Korean president. More than half of Samsung smartphones are currently made in Vietnam, recognized as one of the worlds fastest-growing economies. Samsung Electronics currently operates four manufacturing companies in Vietnam, together with a sales entity. The giants subsidiaries make flagship phones, home appliances, communications equipment, displays, camera modules and other products. A Samsung Vietnam R&D team was formed in 2012. A Samsung factory in Bac Ninh province near Hanoi. Photo courtesy of Bac Ninh newspaper. Other leading lights in the business delegation include SK Group chairman Chey Tae Won, LG Group chairman Koo Kwang Mo and Hyundai Motor Group executive chairman Chung Euisun. South Koreas second-largest conglomerate, the SK Group with large operating companies in semiconductors, telecommunications, energy and life sciences, has already established a significant presence in Vietnam. Last week, the groups SKC Co. signed a preliminary agreement with Hai Phong city to explore potential investments in advanced materials for semiconductors, secondary batteries, and other green sectors. SKC said it was considering Hai Phong, a major port city and logistics hub in the north, as a site for its expansion into high-tech materials. The SK Group is already a big investor in Vietnam. It established the SK Southeast Asia Investment Corp. in 2018 in Singapore to invest in promising Vietnamese companies. The same year, it purchased a 9.5% stake in leading multi-business corporation Masan Group for $470 million. In 2019, it announced a $1 billion investment in Vingroup, Vietnams largest private conglomerate. Meanwhile, LG Display Co. announced last June that it was raising $1 billion in new funding from global banks to expand its organic light-emitting diode module line and build up infrastructure at its Vietnam display plant in the northern port city of Hai Phong. It said the funds would be sourced from ANZ, HSBC, Citibank and Spains Caixa Bank, with guarantees from the Export-Import Bank of Korea and the Korea Trade Insurance Corp, shortly known as K-Sure. The LG Group began its Vietnam investment journey in 1995 and has built production sites in Hai Phong (its strategic spot in the country) and Hung Yen province, also in the north. LG Electronics Vietnam Hai Phong focuses on electronics while LG Innotek Vietnam Hai Phong and LG Chem Vietnam supply electronic components. LG Display Vietnam Hai Phong manufactures LCD and OLED displays. The group said last December that it plans to channel another $4 billion into Vietnam. At the end of last year, its investments in the country stood at about $5.3 billion. The Hyundai Motor Group has been a leader in the Vietnamese auto market with two popular brands - Hyundai and Kia. Kia started its manufacturing unit in Vietnam in 2004, collaborating with Vietnamese carmaker Thaco. The Thaco Kia manufacturing facility is located in Thaco Chu Lai, a complex of auto assembly, car parts and engineering factories in the central province of Quang Nam. In 2017, the group established Hyundai Thanh Cong Motor Vietnam as a joint venture with another Vietnamese group, Thanh Cong, launching their first plant in the northern province of Ninh Binh. The company inaugurated its second facility in the province last November. The group has unveiled plans to solidify their lead in the rapidly growing Vietnamese auto market through the release of new models and sales of popular vehicles, the Korea Times reported Wednesday. Accordingly, it will start local production of the IONIQ 5 in July to expand its presence in the Vietnamese electric vehicle market, competing with Vietnamese EV maker VinFast of the SK Group-backed Vingroup. On Thursday, President Yoon visited a Hanoi trade fair promoting South Korean businesses and helping entrepreneurs from both countries make inroads into each other's markets. The fair included a K-Industry Showcase offering first hand introductions to goods and services made by Korean firms, a trade consultation program matching South Korean businesses with potential Vietnamese buyers and a "grand challenge" event identifying Southeast Asian startups wishing to launch businesses in South Korea. Yoon is also set to take part in the Vietnam-Korea Business Forum held Saturday in Hanoi as part of sustained efforts to further expand bilateral economic ties. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (R) talks with participants during a South Korea-Vietnam business partnership fair in Hanoi on June 22, 2023. Photo courtesy of Yonhap News Agency. At an export event in Hanoi Thursday, Korean companies discussed potential business deals with a combined value of up to $100 million with Vietnamese counterparts. South Koreas Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said that around 100 South Korean firms discussed potential business ties with 200 Vietnamese companies in several sectors, including smart farming and biotechnology. As many as 400 meetings were held at the event hosted by the state-run Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency. The ministry said that the anticipated scale of deals implemented within a year has been estimated at $40 million. A separate event was organized at the venue to introduce South Korea's latest technologies, with participants including executives of Samsung Electronics, SK Group and the Hyundai Motor Company. ELLIS GROVE Travel up the hill into Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site and you will pass a sign at the site of the French fort, built in 1759. It was long believed that the fort was occupied by French or U.S. troops until 1807, according to the sites website. Today, we know a second fort, an American fort, was located on Garrison Hill, thanks to the work of the Center for Archaeological Investigations Summer Field School at SIU. Students are working this year to find the walls of the American fort and are having some success. They located the corner of the south and west walls, finding holes for the wood posts used to construct the fence. Students found the south wall of the fort in 2022 using a magnetometer and ground penetrating radar to find anomalies. They then excavated the anomalies to find the location of the wall. Were finding really cool stuff, but most importantly, we are looking for the walls (of the American fort), Kaliegh Best, who is finishing her Ph.D. at SIU, said. When the Summer Field School first began digging at Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site, no portion of a fort was believed to remain on-site. The French fort is marked at the site with raised earth outline of what was believed to be the fort and a sign. Students began digging at the site, expecting to find artifacts from both French and American soldiers. Students found artifacts, like French buttons and fragments of pottery, but the only American artifacts were found outside the fort in what is believed to have been a trash pile. Students started digging in the French fort, but did not find any American artifacts, Best said. During the summer of 2017, they uncovered part of a wall of the French fort. The wall had a stone base and would have held wood on top of that base. They spent several years digging to find more American artifacts. Last summer, they found the south wall of the American fort in an unexpected place the top of Garrison Hill next to Garrison Hill Cemetery. On Thursday, they were getting close to finding two more walls of the American fort. Best explained that what they know from historical documents is that the walls were 125 feet long. She said they used that information to estimate where the corner of the south and west walls would be. When they found the corner, they realized they were off on the location of the west wall and changed locations. SIU student Paulo Mendes was digging in the new location Thursday morning when he began to see a discoloration in the dirt. It went from a reddish-brown color to more gray. That color change indicated he was digging at the site of the wall. Were finding lots of interesting things, Mendes said. They also were close to finding a portion of the north wall of the fort, after again changing locations. The first dig for the north wall uncovered what they believe was the kitchen of the fort. They found part of a knife, pottery, parts of a tea tin, pieces of a soup pot and animal bones at that spot. The have also found numerous buttons. Most are from the 2nd Regiment, which inhabited the American fort. The buttons were made through 1802. One has an eagle and stars. It was made in 1803. They also have found buttons of ghost regiments. Those were regiments needed to fight in a French-American war, but the war never happened. One of the buttons is larger and marked with GLT. Best said that button was only worn by the artillery officer. It probably belonged to Amos Stoddard, who was the forts longtime artillery officer. The only other person who could have worn the button was William Clark, but he only spent three days at the fort. They found part of a neck clasp which held a leather sheath that protected a soldiers neck from saber blows, according to Best. The pottery fragments range from redware to porcelain to creamware and pearlware. The East wall of the fort and part of the north wall were disturbed when the park paved the road and a parking lot at the top of Garrison Hill. Best hopes they can find the walls so they can be protected from further development. Summer Field School has eight students and seven teaching assistants from New Hampshire, Indiana and Kentucky, as well as SIU students. They have been joined by Cherokee youth on Remember the Removal bike ride and high school students. For more information, visit cai.siu.edu. CARBONDALE 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) ands 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. Chris Hespen has built an impressive resume with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The Peotone native was recently named the site superintendent at Pyramid State Park. Hespen is just the fourth site super in Pyramids 55-year history, following Bob Shaw, Dave Phillips and the recently retired Cha Hill. Pyramid has come a long way since about 950 acres of former coal mine land was ceded to the IDNR in 1968. Today, Pyramid is the largest state park in Illinois and is a mecca for fishing and field trial events. Im an avid outdoors person, hunting, fishing and camping, said Hespen. The field trial aspect is very attractive to me. Ive run retriever trials 15-20 years. The last 8-10 years, Ive been running master field trials. Being an upland hunting and trainer for principally the last 25 years, I was anxious to get back into that aspect of IDNR land management. An SIU graduate, Hespen began his IDNR career as an interpreter at Kaskaskia River-Baldwin Lake. After a stint with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, he returned to IDNR as the first site superintendent at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta. Hespen spent an additional 12 years at Pere Marquette State Park before accepting the Pyramid position. The World Shooting Complex, Pere Marquette and Pyramid are all high profile positions within IDNR for different reasons. The shooting complex is obviously one of the states most high volume sites. Pere Marquette, with its historic lodge is considered one of the jewels of the state park system and Pyramid is the largest of the state parks. I wouldnt have changed much of anything in my career path, he said. I had a mentor (Richard Niemeyer, former site superintendent at Pere Marquette) within the agency. His approach to some of the major properties is walk slow and drink lots of water. The parks are kind of living, breathing things on their own. They are truly the peoples parks. Despite that impressive resume, Hespen isnt taking his current posting for granted. You cant prepare yourself for decades of institutional knowledge (Hill) walking out the door, he said. Pyramid State park has one of the most significant ag lease programs, 3,000 acres it functions as a budgetary component for the system. Its an important aspect of Pyramid. Hespen said he wants to continue the pursuit of a modern campground on the north side of the park. He is also anxious to continue the parks close relationship with its Friends of Pyramid State Park group. The principal user groups there are the fishing, hunting and field trial communities, Hespen said. There is horseback riding and some mountain bike activities. The camping is principally primitive, no electric, water and sewer. I do know there has been some planning within the agency and some conversations with Bill Roe (head of the Friends group), trying to get a shower house facility. Mr. Hill worked closely with the planners in the department to move that project forward. It just hasnt moved to fruition at this time. In the meantime, Hespen said he will have a clearer picture of the parks needs and direction after he has been at the park through a calendar year. Hespens learning curve will be steeper because for the time being he will just be at Pyramid on Monday and Friday. The rest of the week he will be in Springfield, filling the shoes of former chief of parks Ryan Prehn. Prehn left IDNR to take a job in another state agency. Its an important administrative facet for the division, he said. As much work as there is at any given site, there are constant budgetary decisions and policy reviews. It needs to continue and not come to an abrupt halt. I want to do justice to both jobs and do the best I can and keep moving forward. CHESTER -- South Carolina Farm Bureau officially launched the SCFB Land Trust, which will focus on conserving working farmlands, ranches and forests. Farmers need options to protect their land and their legacy, said Harry Ott, South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation president. We formed the Land Trust to provide an option to farmers across the state that doesnt end in their land being sold for development. Since 2001, South Carolina has lost nearly 290,000 acres of farmland and is the third fastest growing state in the nation. If this trend continues, by 2040 South Carolina will lose another 436,700 acres of farmland the equivalent of 3,600 farms, $239 million in economic output and 5,900 jobs. The Land Trust will help to ensure agricultural lands can be passed to future generations while providing present financial benefit. Farmers trust farmers, said Jeff Wilson, owner of Cotton Hills Farms in Chester County. The South Carolina Farm Bureau Land Trust will make it easier for farmers to protect their land, and I hope farmers will consider this as a viable solution. Chester County Farm Bureau made a $10,000 donation to aid in funding the Land Trust. As one of the first state Farm Bureaus in the nation to launch such a program, South Carolina Farm Bureau is committed to helping farmers preserve their livelihoods that have spanned generations. To date, the SCFB Land Trust has already received 24 applications. Farmers interested in enrolling their land in the SCFB Land Trust should visit www.scfb.org/landtrust for more information. For more information, visit www.scfb.org/landtrust. Alumni of the former all-Black Orangeburg Christ the King Catholic Church and School gathered on Monday Juneteenth to commemorate and memorialize the foundational impact the church had on the Black community during the height of the civil rights era. Historical markers were unveiled at the site of the former school on Amelia Street and the former church on Treadwell Street. This is a very special day to commemorate an era in Orangeburg, said Jim Sulton Jr., who helped lead the Juneteenth memorial. It is an era that blends religious history and the history of civil rights and the desegregation movement into one. We are memorializing so that it will never be erased from memory and history Christ the King Christ the King Church and Christ the King School, he said. The school educated many hundreds of students and the church served an Orangeburg-wide community. Sulton was joined with dozens of alumni from the school as well as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston and representatives of Catholic religious communities affiliated with the history of the Orangeburg Catholic church. Currently the grounds of the former Christ the King Church and School are owned by Trinity United Methodist Church. The site of the former school is now the Trinity UMC John W. Curry Center and the site of the former church is a playground. The markers, which were sponsored by the Cecil Williams South Carolina Civil Rights Museum and the Orangeburg NAACP 2022, were blessed with holy water and prayer. The marker for Christ the King Catholic Church on Treadwell Street notes: "In 1930, white Catholic priests in the Redemptorist missionary order assumed charge of local Holy Trinity Parish. In 1939, they opened a mission named 'Christ the King' to evangelize to local African Americans. Their first permanent church was built on College Avenue. "In 1940, it burned in a likely arson days before its dedication. A second church, of Colonial Revival-inspired design, was built here in 1942." The marker also notes the site was home to a Black Catholic school: "The school was staffed by the Oblate Sisters of Providence, an order of African American nuns and eventually moved to the site of their convent on Amelia Street," the marker states. "Christ the King served Black Orangeburg-area Catholics until 1967, when congregants integrated with historically white Holy Trinity Catholic Church." The Catholic school in Orangeburg would eventually close in 1998. A marker on Amelia Street notes the new Christ the King moved from Treadwell Street in 1949 and housed 200 students in grades K-8. The marker states that both Catholic and non-Catholic students attended the school. Greg Jones, who traveled all the way from Connecticut, attended Christ the King in the early 1960s and was in the seventh grade when the school closed in 1969. Jones would end up going to Brookdale and then to Orangeburg-Wilkson High School in 1971. It means a lot to commemorate the history of Christ the King School and the impact it had on our lives by being a small community and being a Catholic school for Black and African Americans, Jones said. There was a community there. We all share a DNA about discipline and success. The early '60s was a challenging time, but we had a very strong and confident Black community there based on the fact of South Carolina State and Claflin here, Jones said. That, along with Christ the King, allowed us to get a solid education foundation for folks to go on and do a lot of great things. Jones said he was not Catholic, but his parents were educators and wanted him to experience a solid education. They wanted me to go to the Catholic school because they understood and saw the regimen and the acumen we would get, Jones said. "We may have been oblivious to the stuff going on around us, but we were focused on what was happening for us educationally." "My guess is that probably everybody graduated from college," Jones continued. "Everyone went on to successful careers." Greg Bodrick echoed Jones' praise of the foundation laid by Christ the King that has stayed with him throughout his life. "We think about the fundamentals of what that brought to us in our DNA and how the discipline, the education that was the basis for us starting there how that has shaped my life over the years, Bodrick said. The school was a foundation for the Black community. The Diocese of Charleston stuck their neck out to create a Black Catholic church in Orangeburg during segregation. The church had its obstacles, Bodrick said. The church was burned down. The KKK was prominent in Orangeburg. That was a big fight of trying to be inclusive of having African Americans given a church and also a school. What it means to me is coming back to where it all began, Bodrick said. Even though I was not Catholic -- I was a Baptist -- but when the school started there were not enough Black Catholics to maintain the school. So they went out recruiting for people to come to the school. We knew the history of what was going on in 1968 but we at the time were not able to comprehend it, but we knew about it, Bodrick said, noting his grandparents lived on Amelia Street and from their front porch, he saw students marching for civil rights. There is a lot of history here but we think about the start that we got. I have to give a lot of credits to the sisters of Christ the King. The eventual desegregation of the Catholic church in Orangeburg came at a time when the Catholic Church was in the midst of the Second Vatical Council, the 21st global council in the church's 2,000-year history. One of the fruits of the council was a document titled Joy and Hope," a Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1965. Written in December 1965, it reads, "respect to the fundamental rights of the person, every type of discrimination, whether social or cultural, whether based on sex, race, color, social condition, language or religion, is to be overcome and eradicated as contrary to God's intent. For in truth it must still be regretted that fundamental personal rights are still not being universally honored. Two years later, the archives of the Diocese of Charleston note that, In light of the struggle for civil rights in Orangeburg and the U.S., and in response to concerns about the dual system of separatism and segregation in the Catholic Church in Orangeburg, Bishop Ernest L. Unterkoefler decided to merge Christ the King and Holy Trinity parishes in August 1967. Christ the King School was moved into Holy Trinity Catechetical Center and was renamed Holy Trinity School. Prior to the unveiling ceremony of the historical markers, a ceremony was held at the Orangeburg County Library and Conference Center on Russell Street. Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Redemptorists, Father Michael Koncik related a history of the order and its charism to preach the Gospel to the poor and abandoned, and to especially serve the African American community. Koncik said the history of the Catholic church in Orangeburg showed a time in the 1950s when the white townspeople tried to remove Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston Bishop John Russell, but Russell was steadfast. People did not understand in the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King that all are equal, Koncik said. A lot of people did not see it that way since the Redemptorist Fathers permitted students when they were having a protest to go in and pray. None of the other churches did that. Koncik said there were riots in Orangeburg and the Catholic church was burned down. That is not very Christian, Koncik said. They also set fires to the priests cars. Koncik said the priests serving in Orangeburg were also taken out and beaten. Those were the bad old days, Koncik said. Please God, I hope we never see those days again. They have an expression that goes 'the person who does not remember their history is doomed to repeat it,' Koncik said. Let us always remember the great ministry of the men and women who have gone before us and struggled to bring equality and to bring justice. Oblate Sisters of Providence Sister Magdala Marie Gilbert, who participated remotely, served in Orangeburg from 1966 to 1971. She taught fifth and sixth grades. They were wonderful kids, Gilbert said. I loved Christ the King. Gilbert recalled the parents of the children were engaged in their schooling. I think it is because most of them were graduates from South Carolina State and they knew the value of education, Gilbert said, noting it was her first time teaching those grade levels. Children are children and they really gave their best. I enjoyed them very much. Gilbert said she did not remember having to punish any of the students. You might say they were almost perfect children, Gilbert said, noting that some of her students did not show up to class due to picketing as part of the civil rights demonstrations. Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston Vicar General Monsignor Anthony Droze said as Christians and temples of the Holy Spirit, each is called to become like Jesus and to "remember from the mind of Christ." Christ protects our memories so they dont burden us and torment us, but they give us life, Droze said. "There are wounds that are given to Gods glory; it is not meant to destroy us. "At this event today as we remember the great events that have made us come to this moment, thank God for the past," Droze said. "The past which has been purified by the blood of Christ and the past which gives us dignity today. "On this day of remembering, we clothe our memories in the glory of Christ and any wounds we have, we submit them to the healing power of Jesus. It is an extraordinary act of witnessing to the wonders of God that these plaques are to be erected to remind all those who look at them of the wonders of God, Droze said. When Gods promises are embraced, unbelievable things happen. The event also served as a school reunion with members of Christ the King School from years past in attendance. Attendees hailed from Wisconsin, Connecticut, Ohio, North Carolina and Georgia. The first integrated class of Orangeburg High School came together to celebrate their 56th reunion, and also reflect on how far theyve come since the tumultuous times of integration in the 1960s. More than 100 people, including more than 60 classmates, converged upon D&B Fried Fish and Barbecue at 851 John C Calhoun Dr. in Orangeburg on April 29. Some of the classmates hadnt seen each other since they graduated in 1967. Tyrone Dash, the owner of D&B Fried Fish and Barbecue, was one of three Black sophomores who desegregated OHS in 1964. He hosted the reunion luncheon at his restaurant, the former Berrys on the Hill. Dash, who was surrounded by a sea of classmates, was happy to see the gathering take place and see how far race relations have come since he suffered abuse as a student. As he walked around the restaurant greeting individuals, many of his classmates thanked him for hosting the event. As a child, we sacrificed ourselves in going to the integrated school to make this world a better place for everybody. To see the progress thats been made since 1964, our investment is paying off. This world is a better place, Dash said. Here today at my restaurant, I have schoolmates here to fellowship with one another, with me, to eat our food at a place where at one time Blacks were not allowed to come in. So we have made progress, he said. During a brief program held prior to the luncheon, Dash spoke to his class about the importance of change. We really have made this world a better place. This event today is a step pushing us forward in making this world a better place. It means a whole lot to us that you are here. I am so grateful that were still here, he said. Dashs wife, Mary, said her husband considered the reunion luncheon a part of the healing process. He stated that when they had their 45th class reunion, so many of the classmates came up to him and apologized for some of the things that occurred when they first integrated the school. This is a historic event here today, it really is, Mrs. Dash said. Clarence Bonnette was another African-American member of the OHS Class of 1967. He attended the reunion with his wife, Ann. Bonnette said it was good to be able to see his classmates and how things have changed since 1967. We were invited to the 25th year reunion, and I dont recall another reunion after the 25 years. But this one is unique because weve been out of school 50-plus years. When you meet classmates now around town, its different from what it was in the 60s when we went to school, Bonnette said. He continued, I think on both sides, the Black community and the white community, the youngsters didnt really understand what was going on. A lot of our elders were pushing it in one direction or the other, but since the 25th anniversary, Ive seen a lot of my classmates, talking with them on the phone, or just seeing them at their businesses. Its just a unique feeling to see the change in how we react toward each other. Bonnette said he would like to one day conduct a roundtable with the class members to talk about how they can make race relations better going forward for our young kids. I think that would be ideal because theres so much going on in the country now. People are confused. Everybody that says something, somebodys got a unique way of putting it in another perspective, he said. Claire Cookie Clyburn Sprouse said she worked with a committee of more than 10 members to plan the reunion luncheon. A memorial wall was erected in memory of the more than 40 deceased class members, and biographies were also put together for each class member as part of the event. Sprouse said it was good for her history-making class to come together again to see each other, particularly since she and her husband, Walt, were in a near-fatal auto accident less than two years ago. We decided that its time to appreciate the fact that were still here. ... Im just glad we got together. When I went to the last reunion, several people passed within a few months of our being together. When you get over a certain age, you realize our time is fragile. Weve got a lot people who have health issues. So thats kind of what generated this, Sprouse said. Perry Weeks said it was great to be able to fellowship with his classmates. We dont get together that often. Just seeing how everybody looks and what they been doing and all. Ive enjoyed it so far. I think this is my fourth one, he said. Weeks said he had no problem with the integration of the school and recalled that Dash and Tyrone Robinson, who was also among the first Blacks to desegregate the high school, were great fellas to be around. Its great that Tyrone offered this. Theres not many places in town big enough to handle a crowd, he said. Al Saunders, also a 1967 OHS graduate, said it was fun seeing many people he had not seen in a while and remembering the relationships that were formed during school. Its just a lot of fun seeing people that you havent seen in a while, seeing how older were all getting like everybody else. Were all getting to that point, and its good to see them. Its just a good time to get together, Saunders said. Its been 56 years now. I never thought Id make it this far, but its just a joy to see everybody and hear some stories. Most of them are staying busy and keep in touch, taking care of the grandchildren. My wife and I are doing the same thing, he said. Class of 67 graduate Martha Jeffcoat Hall, who now lives in Virginia, was joined by her husband, Richard, for her first reunion. Shes got some people here she hasnt seen since graduation, Richard said. Martha said, Its just a time to come back and see what everyone looks like, what theyve done, how theyre doing now. I think its a special time. Its good to still be alive. Nancy Jo Mobley Swan of Mt. Pleasant was also glad to be among her classmates. Im so excited to be with my classmates here who I havent seen in 57 years. Its only my third reunion. So Im catching up. Its wonderful. Its so nice of Tyrone to have it here. Its so good. Hes great, Swan said. Donnie Dukes, Roger Gramling and Thomas Tommy Tatum Jr. addressed their classmates during a short program held before the luncheon. Dukes said deceased classmates were missed, but were in everyones memories and hearts. I know weve had our ups and downs and recoveries or whatever, but thats life in general. I think generally we dont have too much to complain about. So thats kind of my message, he said. Gramling, a preacher, thanked God for the gift of memory and asked him to help individuals dedicate their lives to purposeful and thoughtful living. While not all memories were good and still weigh upon us, Gramling said he was still thankful that God brought the group together. We ask you to use our time of reflecting on the years that have passed as a way of growing and our appreciation of life as indeed a gift. Were aware that some of our classmates are gone. We miss them and note their passing. We commit their lives to your care and keeping even as we ask that you continue to keep us in your care, Gramling prayed. Tatum, who was student body president, drew laughs when he opened an old yearbook and said he couldnt believe how much everyone looked the same. I dont know where the time has gone, but it sure has gone rapidly. We were young back in 1967, full of hope, dreams for the future and just looking forward to life and following the path on our journey. But now were here for today and everything that we have done has culminated into us coming here today, Tatum said. He continued, While we have different backgrounds, we bonded through sports, music, academic, etc., and became the awesome OHS Class of 1967. I think of it as were part of a team. Each of us came from different places, different backgrounds and we went on to do our work in the world. We helped improve the world. ... Each of us has talents that we share with the world. ... With a team, celebrating individual activities is nice, but we (also) have to remember as individuals that we work for the common good of the team. Gregory Linton had endeared himself to the farming community in SVG, according to one farmer. Gregory Linton, a Dominican who was the representative of Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, is dead. Linton was found dead in his vehicle in the early hours of Monday, June 19, when police from the Central Police State, Kingstown, responded to a report that there was a dead man in a vehicle - a blue Toyota Hilux - parked in the vicinity of the Kingstown Preparatory School. Later on Monday, on confirming the discovery, the RSVG Police Force said that the body was partially decomposed and identified the persons as Gregory Linton, a Dominican domicile in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The police also confirmed on Monday that they had taken a man into custody and he was assisting with their investigations. From what THE VINCENTIAN could discern, the man whom the police had taken into custody was the one who had made the report to the police about a dead man in a vehicle. And while a post mortem will determine the cause of death, one report said that Linton showed signs of an injury to one side of his head. Linton, who lived at Glen, was a 43-yearold qualified Agricultural Engineer specializing in Agricultural Parasitology and Plant Health. He had been stationed in St. Vincent and the Grenadines since 2017. While here Linton, according to a statement by CARDI, "was involved in the implementation of the Regional Coconut and Sweet Potato projects in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Just last week he participated in a Regional Coconut Workshop in Grenada where he shared his experiences with managing coconut pests. CARDI also spoke of Lintons most significant achievement as being part of a team that developed a locally-produced lime, Sulphur-base organic post-harvest treatment for dasheen. This allowed farmers to successfully restart export to the European market. One person who was the beneficiary of Lintons expertise told THE VINCENTIAN, "Greg will be sadly missed by the farming community. Elvis Daniel, perhaps remembered by most Vincentians as a former New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for the North Windward constituency, died on the evening of Thursday 15th June, 2023. His passing was first made public on Friday by NDP New Times host Igal Adams. Daniel was also a local preacher and a mathematician of no mean measure. He contested General Elections in the North Windward Constituency as a candidate for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in 2005 and 2010 general elections, and was defeated on each occasion by the incumbent Montgomery Daniel of the Unity Labour Party (ULP). But Daniel was also a noted and outstanding Mathematics teacher at secondary and post-secondary levels. When the ULP government refused to reinstate him as a lecturer at the SVG Community College following his defeat at the polls in 2010, not only was there an outpouring of support for his reinstatement, but immediately following his dismissal, results in that subject area showed a marked decline. He was also, for most of his life a devout Christian and served for many years as pastor of the Langley Park Church of Christ, Georgetown. THE VINCENTIAN extends sincere condolences to his family and friends. The following is a statement released by the NDP on Daniels passing: NDP on the passing of Elvis Daniel "We are saddened on the passing of a stalwart of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Brother Elvis Daniel. Mr. Daniel died on Thursday, 15th June 2023. He was an educator, politician and pastor. As an educator, Mr. Daniel taught at all levels of the educational institution in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He was recognized as one of the best Mathematics teachers in the country. His contribution to national development was exemplary. Mr. Daniel contested general elections on an NDP ticket in 2005 and 2010 in the constituency of North Windward. He was one of the teachers, which the government refused to reinstate following the general elections of 2010. The NDP extends condolences to Mr. Elvis Daniels family, his church family and the constituents of North Windward. May his soul Rest in Peace. CCJs President, Justice Adrian Saunders has promised that the the CCJ will implement a number of activities to increase public awareness about the role of the court and its methods, and to provide insight into the position of the court in the operations of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Civil engagements will form an integral part of the Caribbean Court of Justices (CCJ) development agenda, in an effort to expand access to and strengthen awareness of the judicial process. CCJs President, Justice Adrian Saunders has made it clear that the court will embark on several projects to promote public awareness of the legal system. Justice Saunders was speaking during the opening ceremony for the second itinerant hearing of the CCJ in Guyana on Wednesday, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). He emphasised that these sittings are crucial to the perception of justice, and play an essential role in sensitising the public to the functions of the court. "A regional apex court cannot function as effectively if it is perceived as a remote, brooding infallible omnipresence. Judges must avail themselves of appropriate occasions to interface directly with key stakeholders. Throughout the region, people from all walks of life need to have the opportunity to see, in flesh and blood, those who pass ultimate judgment on them, Justice Saunders explained. To this end, the CCJ will implement a number of activities to increase public awareness about the role of the court, and its methods, and also provide insight into the position of the court in the operations of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). In particular, these activities will build on the ongoing project developed with the Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (CARIFORUM), under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), which called for attention to people-centred development. "This project aims to, specifically in Guyana, sensitise the judiciary, the bar, and other stakeholders about the CSME and the role of the court and national courts and tribunals within that CSME regime, the judge stated. The CCJ President added, "We will also engage with civil society and the public, including a session with students from the University of Guyana. Over the next week, we have scheduled a compact and robust schedule, and we look forward to the mutual exchanges and learnings that will no doubt ensue from all of these interactions, as we discuss matters concerning the administration of justice and how we can serve the people of Guyana and the community with excellence. Reminding that since its establishment in 2008, the CCJ has presided over 111 matters for Guyana alone, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards stressed that Guyanas legal landscape has been significantly transformed through its processes. "This court is known to be revolutionary, forward-thinking, and even groundbreaking in some of its decisions that have been handed down over the years. The judges have had their dockets dominated by a number of subject areas including criminal law, land law, constitutional law, and a number of election cases from Guyana. It is evident that Guyana has contributed significantly to the development of the CCJ and its jurisprudence, she said. She added that physical presence is an important component of the delivery of justice. Meanwhile, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George emphasised the importance of engendering public trust and confidence in the justice system in upholding the rule of law. Nigel Urk Louie might just have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. A Rillan Hill man who had a speech impediment was shot and killed in that South Leeward community on Monday 19. Nigel Urk Louie died at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where he had been taken to after being shot around 10:30pm. He is said to have died some two or so hours after he arrived at the hospital. Louie was among a group of friends hanging out when, according to reports, two gunmen approached the group and opened fire. He was shot multiple times about his body. Residents in the community are adamant that Louie was not the intended target of the gunmen. Many Rillan Hill residents are speculating that the shooting incident is related to the May 6th killing of Jamarlo Ice Dunbar, a Rillan Hill resident who was shot and killed in Arnos Vale, in the vicinity of Randys Supermarket, around 4:00pm. Four days after Dunbar was killed, there was a shootout in Rillan Hill that resulted in the damage of a vehicle. "Dem had a shootout last month after Ice death. Man dey firing shots and anudda man fire back. Yo know, it have one of Ice relative who want revenge and dat I think is de reason for all this. Urk na bin foe get killed, one resident speculated. Louies shooting death followed that of Joel Nappy John, a 32-year-old mechanic of La Croix, who was shot and killed while he worked on a truck outside his home in La Croix on June 8. The mechanic who lived not too far from a SDA Church in La Croix, was found dead between two trucks. John originally hailed from Caruth in the Marriaqua Valley. Louies death brings the total number of homicides committed by civilians to 19, with an additional three shooting deaths during police actions. Marsha Henderson, St. Kitts and Nevis Tourism Minister, extended an official invitation to bring your ganja and come to the Music Festival. "Come with your pre-rolled cannabis for personal consumption. That clear and unambiguous invitation formed part of the welcome to the 2023 St. Kitts Music Festival that kicked off last Thursday, June 22, and will culminate on June 24. The St. Kitts Music Festival features an array of musical genres and regionally and internationally renowned performing artistes. This years Festival will have as one of its billed acts Vincentian Skinny Fabulous. According to St. Kitts and Nevis Tourism Minister, Marsha Henderson as she addressed a press conference on Monday, June 19, "We will have an Act once it is passed, for designation of certain public areas as smoking areas for which the Warner Park stadium on the mound will be what we call the smokers lounge, she said at a press conference on June 19 at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort. And so it was, that the way was paved for the 25th staging of the annual event be 420-friendly for the first time in its history, to include the smoking of cannabis in public spaces, when on Tuesdays (June 20), National Assembly sitting, Members of Parliament unanimously approved the Smoking (Designated Areas) Bill, 2023, the Drugs (Prevention and Abatement of the Misuse and Abuse of Drugs) (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Rastafari Rights Recognition Bill, 2023, and the Freedom of Conscience (Cannabis) Bill, 2023. Henderson also said at the press conference that, "The music festival is a part of the overall tourism product as we prepare to emerge for the market of cannabis tourism, which has the potential to stimulate the local economy and create a niche in the tourism industry. We see this as a pilot project. Of course, the first major music festival in the OECS is our music festival here in St. Kitts and we are happy to embrace a cannabis-friendly festival environment. And in anticipation of the passage of the Bill, the Tourism minster openly declared, ". were asking patrons to come with your pre-rolled and Im sure everybody knows what that means. I see some people looking stunned. But we are asking patrons to bring their own pre-rolled cannabis for personal consumption within the designated area as we are not going to have it on sale. She added, "More and more of the worlds top festivals are now cannabis friendly and the time is right for us to work towards normalizing the use of cannabis so that it is no longer seen as taboo or unacceptable. St. Kitts continues to break barriers and set new standards, one observer said on hearing of this development. A split shot of an area at Bluff gives clear indication of major deterioration in the road. (Photo Credit: St. Vincent Times) Remedial work on the potion of road known as Bluff in the Northern Grenadine Island of Bequia is expected to commence soon. This is according to Montgomery Daniel, Minister of Transport and Works, while speaking on the NBC Radio Face-to-Face programme on June 21. He, however, did not provide a precise commencement date for the project. Bluff forms part of the main road stretching between Friendship and Paget Farm along the southern coast of the island. The area was in such a deplorable condition that in May this year, when panic set in about the potential for disaster, mini-bus operators on Bequia withdrew their services for almost a week, leaving commuters on the island stranded. Dr Godwin Friday, Leader of the Opposition and Parliamentary Representative for the Northern Grenadines, expressed concern about the area saying that driving on the existing road was dangerous, especially with the left lane leaning towards the sea. "And it frightens people who drive there, I drive there regularly, he told THE VINCENTIAN during a previous interview and noted that personnel from the Roads, Buildings and General Services Authority (BRAGSA) was seen in the area attempting to do a temporary fix. Friday contended that despite him raising in parliament over many years, the need for attention to be paid to this stretch of road and other roads on the island, nothing had been done. But Daniel said on radio that a design to realign the road at Bluff was done in 2017 under the Economic Planning Division of the Ministry of Finance. The proposal involved the removal of 22 properties and was estimated to cost EC$25 million. "It was indeed a huge cost.., Daniel said. He disclosed further that a second design was done since, and 12 properties were identified as having to be relocated. This undertaking was estimated to cost in the region of EC$20 million. But in 2022, during a town-hall meeting in Bequia, Daniel said that more options were explored, and it was identified that the existing road could be shifted inland to the extent where only three properties would be required to be relocated. "This is what has been identified and the engineers are there working on this, Daniel assured, though he admitted that estimated cost of the work is unknown currently. He did, however, cite a preliminary advanced cost as EC$5m to EC$6m. Main blow still to come as counteroffensive makes some gains, says Ukrainian defense official. KYIV (Reuters) | Ukraines armed forces have halted a Russian offensive towards the cities of Kupiansk and Lyman in the east of the country, and are advancing in the south, a senior Ukrainian defense official said on Friday. We had very fierce battles in the Kupiansk and Lyman directions, but our soldiers stopped the enemy there, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar told Ukrainian television. Ukraine is in the early stages of its most ambitious counterattack since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022 and says it has retaken eight villages, its first substantial gains on the battlefield for seven months. But Russia still holds swathes of territory in eastern and southern Ukraine, and Ukrainian forces have yet to push to the main defensive lines that Russia has had months to prepare. Indeed, we still have the main events ahead of us. And the main blow is still to come, Maliar said. She said Russian forces still aimed to gain control of the whole of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine. Ukraines military operation in the south was going according to plan and its forces were advancing, even if minefields were slowing them down, she said. It is not necessary to expect the offensive to be something very fast, Maliar said. Reuters was unable to verify the situation on the battlefield. Each side says the other has suffered heavy losses since Ukraine began its counteroffensive, and Moscow has not acknowledged Ukraines recent military gains. (Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka and Kyiv Newsroom.) Ukraine Progresses on Reforms to Unlock Membership Talks, EU Says BRUSSELS (Reuters) | Senior EU officials said on Thursday that Ukraine is making progress on political reforms to open the way for European Union membership talks but still needs to progress in five important areas. The assessment by the European Commission offered Kyiv hope that it could achieve its aim of getting the green light for membership talks in December even it fights to repel Russias invasion. But it also made clear that Ukraine has a way to go just to complete the seven steps that the EU outlined last year when it granted Kyiv the status of a candidate for membership. They are on track, they are working hard. After all, the country is under attack, said Oliver Varhelyi, the European Commissioner for relations with the EUs neighbors. Compared to that, I think that they are delivering. In an update for the EUs member countries, Varhelyi said Kyiv had completed two of the seven steps: reform of two judicial bodies and the adoption of media legislation in line with EU standards. He said Ukraine had made progress but had more work to do on constitutional court reform, on measures to fight corruption, money laundering, and curbing the influence of oligarchs, and on the treatment of minorities. He also stressed that the European Commission would look at a broader range of factors in a full report in October on Ukraines suitability for membership talks. We are just in the middle of the work so its too early to tell you where they are going to be, he told reporters after presenting his assessment to European affairs ministers from the blocs 27 member countries in Stockholm. Jessika Roswall, Swedens European affairs minister, said Ukraines reform efforts had been impressive in the face of extraordinary circumstances. Ukraine has taken substantial steps forward, she said. Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraines deputy prime minister for European integration, said the assessment held no surprises. She told Ukrainian TV the government would now focus on the steps necessary to get a positive verdict in October and it was cautiously optimistic that it would achieve one. A decision on whether and when to start accession talks rests with the EUs member governments. Ukraines neighbors on the EUs eastern flank, Poland and the Baltic states, generally support a fast track for Kyiv, while western, older member states including France, Germany, and the Netherlands are cooler on the idea. (Reporting by Andrew Gray in Brussels and Olena Harmash in Kyiv.) 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. With concerns rising that more than 100 Venezuelan migrants who were held at a bar in St Jam About a week ago, I wrote about a friend who was robbed on Stanmore Avenue. That was a Frida The Fourth of July is a day intended to unite us, all of us, this nation founded and enriched by immigrants from all over the world. We may sometimes look different, sound different and believe different things, but we are Americans, all of us. Nowhere is our diversity celebrated more joyously than it is in modern literature, so volunteers from the Tucson Festival of Books were invited to suggest some books to help us celebrate the many unique journeys that have led us all here to the United States. Solito by Tucsonan Javier Zamora is a remarkable memoir recounting Zamoras 3,000-mile journey from El Salvador to the United States. Alone. At the age of 9. One of last years most honored works of nonfiction, Zamoras story helps us understand the desperation and vulnerability of those approaching our southern border today. Margie Farmer If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery is a collection of interconnected stories that follow a family of Jamaican immigrants trying to make their way in Miami. The book features Trelawny, the younger son, who struggles to understand just who he is and how he fits in in America. Emily Walsh The American Way by Helene Stapinski and Bonnie Siegler reminds us how the American dream could come true in the years following World War II. It features Jules Schulback, Sieglers grandfather. He had fled Nazi Germany for the U.S. Siegler remembered him as a teller of tall tales until she discovered one of them was true. Schulback had, indeed, taken the iconic photo of Marilyn Monroe with her white dress billowing on a New York street. Wait, theres more! Thea Chalow The Candid Life of Meena Dave by Namrata Patel is the story of an adopted woman in her 30s who mysteriously inherits a Boston apartment and makes discoveries about herself through friendships with her new neighbors. She learns there is the family youre born with and the one you choose for yourself. This is a beautiful peek into the culture of India and Indian-American history. Jeiza Quinones Ivory Crying In H Mart by Michelle Zauner has now spent 64 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list because it is a tale that resonates with so many of us who struggle to find their place in the world around them. Herself Korean and one of the few Asian Americans in her Oregon schools, Zauner reflects on her journey, and the steps she now knows were the ones that mattered. Sara Hammond All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir captured last years National Book Award for young persons literature. Written for young adults, it a story of two young Pakistani immigrants as they navigate family, forgiveness, love and loss in the small desert town of Juniper, California. Emily Walsh Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann reads like a novel but is a deeply researched work of history about a series of Oklahoma murders in the 1920s. The victims were Osage, all of them owners of land where oil had been discovered. As the death toll rose, a new government agency called the FBI took up the search for a killer or killers. First published in 2017, the book has been re-released in anticipation of a movie adaptation scheduled for release in October. Abby Mogollon Better Living Through Birding by Christian Cooper may not be a book youd always consider, but consider this: The author is the Black birdwatcher who became the center of a cultural firestorm one morning in Central Park. Coopers American moment came in May 2020, when a white woman who was walking her dog called the police falsely saying Cooper had threatened her. Better Living is not a story about that, but instead is a memoir and travelogue detailing Coopers love of nature and how much we could learn from birds if we would only look and listen. Abby Mogollon Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa features a nonbinary teen who has decided to take a gap year before college to paint beautiful murals in his community. He befriends and eventually falls for an undocumented boy who comes to work at the family restaurant. Jessica Pryde 66 on 66 by Terrence Moore is a picture book for history buffs, a collection of 66 stunning photographs Moore has taken of the people and places along Route 66. Still a symbol of Americana, Route 66 extends from the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles to the Institute of Art in Chicago. The 2,448 miles in between? Thats where America lives. Lynn Wiese Sneyd The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende explores the sacrifices that parents must sometimes make to protect their kids. The book is framed by two immigrant children. The first is Samuel Adler, a 5-year-old traveling alone from Germany to England in 1938. The second features Anita Diaz, a 7-year-old fleeing El Salvador for the U.S. in 2019 only to be separated from her mother in Nogales. Bill Finley More than 30 years ago, a pair of young scientists landed in Tucson and helped develop electronically dimmed glass that would later find its way into millions of cars as auto-dimming rearview mirrors. Now theyre looking to push the latest version of their technology into millions of homes, as spiraling energy costs are driving demand for energy-efficient windows. Tucson-based startup Glass Dyenamics, co-founded by material scientists Anoop Agrawal and John Cronin, is raising funds to set up a pilot manufacturing line for its dimmable glass windows, after recently hitting a major milestone in a testing program with the U.S. Department of Energy. The company has developed its own patented electrochromic glass which is dimmed by means of a low-voltage electrical current acting on layers of special materials with the aim of cheaply producing it for residential windows. While electrochromic glass technology has been around for decades, its use for windows has been limited to commercial buildings because of its high cost some 10 times the cost of standard insulated windows. Christopher Angelo, a former solar materials company executive who joined Agrawal and Cronin to co-found Glass Dyenamics in 2017, said the companys technology can help homeowners achieve energy savings of up to 20% paying for itself faster than rooftop solar panels. We believe that this technology can achieve a much greater percentage of mass adoption than residential solar, Angelo said. Pioneering work Agrawal and Cronin worked to develop electrochromic glass for self-dimming auto mirrors and windows in the late 1980s and 1990s at Donnelly Corp., which made mirror components and had its advanced technology center in Tucson. Agrawal got his doctorate in materials science and engineering from MIT, where Cronin also completed post-doctorate studies in material science. Michigan-based Donnelly became a leading supplier of self-dimming auto mirrors, and it was acquired by auto parts supplier Magna International in 2002. In 2004, Agrawal and Cronin founded a consulting firm, AJJER LLC, and tech startup Berylliant Inc. based on technology to detect particles of beryllium, a toxic metal used in industrial processes. That company is still based in Tucson and is profitable, Cronin said. The pair continued to work on electrochromic glass, and later formed a company in Tucson called Polyceed with Maha Achour, a MIT physics Ph.D based in California, to advance the technology. Angelo later joined the company and the name of the company was changed to Glass Dyenamics to reflect its new technology. We were working on a variety of different technologies, Agrawal said, besides electrochromic glass including a collaboration on beryllium analysis with Los Alamos National Laboratory and anti-microbial materials. The company ended up leasing Donnellys former Advanced Technology Center on East Fort Lowell Road and set up labs there to develop its glass products. Early on, Glass Dyenamics got a $1.5 million grant to advance its research through the Wells Fargo IN2 business incubator, in partnership with the DOEs National Renewable Energy Lab, which funded successful high-stress weatherization testing of the companys glass. How it works Like existing electrochromic technologies, Glass Dyenamics glass uses a low-voltage electrical current to activate chemical layers that darken. Agrawal likened the design to a dry-cell battery, including a solid electrolyte, or layer that allows electrons to flow between electrodes to charge or discharge a battery. But instead of exchanging electrons for energy storage, the current changes the state of the active layers in the glass. When we charge it, its one color, when its discharged its another color, Agrawal said. While electrochromic glass is commonly made with layers of metal oxides, Glass Dyenamics uses proprietary, organic dyes to achieve the dimming effect. The company has 15 issued patents and another 10 applications under review, Agrawal said. The companys glass panes start dimming almost immediately and reach their full dimming, down to as low as 1% light transmission, within a couple of minutes. Agrawal said the company has proven the scalability of its technology to window sizes of meter wide and larger. In a lab demonstration, he and Cronin showed showed a meter-wide strip of glass dimming in about a minute. "Scalability is important as many such devices suffer from (poor) scalability, which we had to overcome systematically by material modifications," Agrawal said. While Glass Dyenamics has shown its technology works, now it is working to show it will last. Testing milestone In May, Glass Dyenamics announced that its dimmable glass lasted an industry-leading 150,000 cycles over 5,000 hours under standard durability testing conditions, while also performing within rarely-achieved optical performance degradation industry standards. Achieved in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, the test results far exceed the minimum 50,000 cycle threshold required by ASTM International, formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials. Cronin said the company has refuted the idea that organic dyes cant match the durability of dimmable glass made with inorganic metal oxides. Weve proven that its extremely durable, said Cronin who is originally from Dublin, Ireland, and after getting his Ph.D. from Trinity College and attending MIT came to Tucson in the 1980s to work as a research fellow at the University of Arizona. Only three companies in the world have ever achieved the minimum 50,000-cycle standard, the company says. Glass Dyenamics collaboration with NREL also has led to the development of customizable glass-tint colors with privacy benefits, the company said. Robert Tenent, senior materials scientist at NREL, noted the government lab has been working on organic dye based electrochromics with Glass Dyenamics since the initial collaboration with the Wells Fargos incubator and continue to be impressed. We believe that these results open the door to a new paradigm of dynamic glazing functionality and customer affordability, Tenent said in remarks when the test results were announced. Angelo, who spent seven years as chief financial officer at a San Francisco company that makes silicon material for solar panels, said lower expected production costs will make the companys glass a viable alternative to rooftop solar installations as a way for homeowners to cut their power bills while helping the environment. The primary value proposition of residential solar is reducing your monthly energy bill and our view is, look, for homes with with our technology, we can provide that same customer value proposition for more than 10 (times) less cost, he said, adding that also avoids dependence on a local utilitys power grid. Looking ahead, the company is working to raise an initial round of venture-capital funding to build a pilot glass plant in Tucson, said Angelo, who recently moved from the San Francisco Bay area to Bend, Oregon. Raising money The company is initially focusing on small panes used for doors and home entry areas, but has demonstrated the technology can work in meter-wide glass window panes and expects to produce panes in the one- to two-meter size, or from about three to 6.5 feet. The company so far has raised about $4.5 million in capital, mainly from friends and family with about $1 million from outside investors, Angelo said, noting that the other companies that reached the 5,000-hour durability standard collectively raised $80 million. One of the key reasons for that is the founding team that we have are well-renowned, respected scientists in this particular technology, he said. And of course, they were instrumental in developing and bringing to market the most successful electrochromic technology today, which is the automobile rear-view mirror. FUGITIVE former Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has two arrest warrants hanging over his head that were issued way before he expressed his intentions to contest for the presidency with police keen to question him, The Herald can report. Kasukuwere has been desperate to portray his charges as political, but the fact of the matter is that two warrants of arrest were issued way back before he expressed his intentions to run for the highest office in the land. On Wednesday, Kasukuwere was among 11 candidates that successfully filed their nomination papers to contest presidential elections on August 23. He will stand as an independent candidate. In interviews with the South African media where he is based, Kasukuwere sought to paint a picture of persecution by the Zimbabwe Government and alleged that he feared arrest on political grounds once he lands in the country to campaign ahead of elections. However, The Herald can reveal that a warrant of arrest was issued on January 18, 2019 by retired Harare magistrate Mr Hosea Mujaya after the former Cabinet minister and key G40 figure in the late President Robert Mugabes Government, failed to appear for trial on four counts of criminal abuse of office. Another was issued after Kasukuwere failed to resubmit his passport to the clerk of court during the agreed period. The disgraced former Cabinet minister has been making feeble attempts to play the persecution card as he has been portraying his charges as politically motivated, but the fact of the matter is that he was issued with warrants of arrest after he skipped court proceedings and after he proved untrustworthy. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told The Herald last night that police were in possession of two warrants which had not been cancelled. We have two warrants of arrest that have not been cancelled yet. The first warrant was issued by magistrate Mujaya on 18 January 2019 where he was facing criminal law charges under Section 174 (b) (a) of the criminal law code because he defaulted court under number CRB HarareR842/18. The second warrant is under 39/18, he was given his passport but failed to submit it back within the stipulated period so the police should execute these warrants they are currently in possession of and so far there are no indications that they have been cancelled, he said. In a separate interview, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Permanent Secretary Virginia Mabhiza said Kasukuwere should submit himself before the laws of Zimbabwe. When someone is issued with a warrant of arrest, they should submit before the law. What he should do is submit himself before the law and seek cancellation of the warrants. He has his lawyers, so they should advise him on what he should do. His submission to the law is standard procedure, she said. Herald A Honduran woman who federal investigators say led an intricate people-smuggling ring through Arizona has been extradited to face criminal charges, officials said Friday. In the first time Honduran officials have helped to extradite a citizen in a U.S. smuggling case, Maria Mendoza Mendoza, known as Guera, faces smuggling charges for an operation that dates back to at least 2018, said Gary M. Restaino, U.S. Attorney for the district of Arizona, at a news conference Friday in Tucson. Mendoza was arrested in February and arrived on U.S. soil late last night. She is one of 27 defendants in an 18-count indictment and is facing charges of conspiracy to transport and harbor people for profit, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and illegal transportation of people for profit. Restaino, United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, held a press conference Friday afternoon detailing the 18-count indictment with 27 defendants, more than 20 of whom have already pleaded guilty. The investigation was developed in tandem by the U.S. Attorneys Office, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, and the United States Marshals Service. In June 2021 Joint Task Force Alpha was created by Attorney General Merrick Garland in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security. JTFA is a collaboration of U.S. attorneys and law enforcement from border districts like southern Arizona. JTFAs work has already resulted in 191 domestic and international arrests to-date with 86 convictions. Its mission is to strengthen the departments overall efforts to target leaders, organizers and facilitators of human smuggling networks operating in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, Restaino said. Were targeting leaders of organizations to disrupt their command-and-control networks. The methods and tactics of smuggling organizations are increasingly becoming a public safety concern, not only for communities along the border, but for everyone, everywhere, said John Modin, Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrols Tucson sector. Todays announcement of the arrest and extradition of a convicted human smuggler is a testament of our commitment and longstanding partnerships to combat human smuggling. Investigations uncovered a Facebook post containing a picture of Mendoza next to a car with a California license plate that was associated with human smuggling. Investigators were also able to retrieve a ledger of payments to Mendoza and others, tying the money to the operation. Mendoza is in federal detention and was scheduled to appear in court Friday afternoon. A man traveling by train with the gunman who shot and killed a DEA agent during a stop in Tucson in 2021 was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison. Devonte Okeith Mathis, 24, of Mesquite, Texas, was ordered to serve 10 years in prison by Federal Court Judge Rosemary Marquez in connection with the death of Michael Garbo, who was killed in a shootout when he approached a man Mathis accompanied on an Amtrak train. Mathis previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On Oct. 4, 2021, Mathis and Darrion Taylor, 26, were traveling together on an Amtrak train in Tucson. They were seen by a DEA agent sitting in the same row but on opposite sides of the aisle. The agent then saw Mathis move several bags a few rows away and return to his seat, the Arizona Daily Star previously reported. When the bags were opened, agents found 2.39 kilograms of marijuana, marijuana edibles and other products related to the drug, the Star reported. Mathis told agents that the bags werent his. As agents approached Taylor, a shootout erupted, killing Garbo and injuring two other DEA agents. Taylor was also killed in the shootout. Further investigation revealed that Mathis knew Taylor had guns, that Taylor was on the run and had told Mathis that he did not want to go back to jail, court documents say. Stephanie J. Meade asked the that Mathis be sentenced to five years and six months in prison followed by supervised release. She said Mathis plans on completing drug treatment in prison, will seek mental health counseling and wants to get his commercial drivers license in hopes of becoming a long-haul truck driver. However, prosecutors asked Marquez to sentence Mathis to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release, saying Mathis knew he was traveling with a dangerous person and allowed law enforcements officers to be blindsided. Vida Garbo, Michael Garbos wife, tearfully told the court that he was a man who was deeply loved and respected. She said her familys lives have been shattered since the incident. Mathis has robbed me of the love of my life, Garbo told the judge. Their daughter, Alexis, said her father was the kind or person to drop everything for you. She recalled a time when she made him walk into work with painted toenails because she had a new glitter polish. He is gone but his memory is irreplaceable, Alexis Garbo said. Mathis sat with this his head down, wiping tears from his face, as the pair talked about Garbo. Mathis apologized to the victims when he spoke in court. I wish I could take it all back, Mathis said. The identity of a man found dead inside a hotel room in Nogales two decades ago has been solved thanks to DNA testing. In September 2002, a man checked to the hotel claiming to be from St. Petersburg, Florida. He had an 8-inch surgical scar along his hairline and told the hotel manager that hed been consulting a doctor in Mexico about surgery on his head, according to the DNA Doe Project. The manager later found the mans body, hours after he had died. The man was between 49-73 years old, about 6-feet tall with brown eyes. He wore a silver necklace with a C medallion. The name he used at the hotel led authorities to nothing but records of identity theft and fraud. A fingerprint search came back with the name of Donald Hadland, Jr., but investigators were unsure whether that too was a stolen identity. The death was treated as a John Doe case for more than 20 years. The Pima County Medical Examiners Office on Wednesday said it could not immediately confirm the mans cause of death. This year the agency approached the DNA Doe Project with this Nogales case. Founded in 2017, the volunteer non-profit organization has the goal of helping investigators and law enforcement identify people using genetic genealogy. It creates family history profiles with a combination of DNA tests and traditional genealogical methods, such as oral interviews and historical records. A blood sample was taken from the Nogales case for DNA analysis by the project in conjunction with the new-Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) Center at Ramapo College of New Jersey. The undergraduate certificate program teaches students how to conduct research and effectively work alongside investigating agencies and forensics labs. The profile was uploaded to a database to help law enforcement and investigative authorities match raw DNA files with those in their system. Almost immediately, the name Hadland began popping up. This case was unique as there was an investigative lead to the identity of Donald Hadland, Jr., to begin with, Cairenn Binder, the Ramapo program director said in a news release. Our students were able to compile additional supporting information using investigative genetic genealogy to demonstrate how Nogales John Does genetic matches were consistent with Donald Hadland, Jr. Confirmation of the mans identity was obtained by a comparison with the DNA of a close family member, the news release said, and thus Donald Hadland, Jr., had his name back. PHOENIX Gov. Katie Hobbs issued an executive order Friday stripping the states 15 elected county attorneys of their authority to prosecute doctors and other medical professionals who perform abortions and give it to the attorney general. And given Attorney General Kris Mayes views on the issue, that could effectively lead to total decriminalization of abortion in Arizona as she has said she wont bring charges. Hobbs and Mayes are Democrats. In the order, Hobbs noted that the U.S. Supreme Court, in the Dobbs case last year, overturned Roe v. Wade and its constitutional right of a woman to terminate a pregnancy. That led to legal questions still playing out before the Arizona Supreme Court about which state laws can now be applied and enforced. Hobbs said that could lead county attorneys across the state to make disparate decisions on whether and how to criminally prosecute the same, or similar, conduct relating to abortion care. The state has an interest in ensuring that abortions laws are applied equally, consistently, and predictably to all people and in all counties in Arizona, the governor said in her order. She is directing Mayes to assume all duties with regard to any criminal prosecution of a medical provider or other entity or individual that is pending or brought in the future by the county attorney of any county in the state for violation of any state law restricting or prohibiting abortion care. Conflict between laws Hobbs specifically cited a statute that dates back to territorial days that imposes a prison term of between two and five years on anyone who performs an abortion unless it is necessary to save the life of the woman. Thats crucial because the Arizona Supreme Court is set to decide whether that law, which never was repealed after the U.S. Supreme Court decided Roe in 1973, automatically became enforceable again once the justices voided Roe last year. That was the legal position of Republican Mark Brnovich who was Arizona attorney general at the time. Mayes has instead taken the position that a law banning abortion after 15 weeks, approved by the Legislature last year before the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs ruling, takes precedence. That is the law being enforced for the moment based on a ruling by the state Court of Appeals. Abortion providers can be prosecuted under that law if they terminate a pregnancy after 15 weeks. Arizona lawmakers previously repealed penalties against women who obtain abortions. Abortion foes are urging the states high court to restore the territorial-era ban. That leaves the question of which law is enforceable in legal limbo. Hobbs order, though, is about more than whether abortions remain legal through 15 weeks. During her campaign last year, Mayes said she believes the 15-week ban is no more legal than the territorial law. That is based on her argument that, regardless of what the U.S. Supreme Court says, women in Arizona have a right to terminate a pregnancy based on a specific state constitutional provision which says no person shall be disturbed in his private affairs ... without authority of law. Mayes takes an absolutist view of it, including when it comes to so-called late-term abortions. Late-term abortions are extremely rare and almost always done to save the life or the mother or when the fetus is no longer viable, said Mayes press aide Richie Taylor. The attorney general believes decisions in such matters should be made between the woman, her family and her doctor. Mayes refused this year to defend another law, which makes it a crime to perform an abortion if the sole reason the woman is seeking it is because of a genetic abnormality of the fetus. That resulted in Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma, R-Peoria, and Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, filing a motion to intervene so they could defend the 2021 law in federal court. Is the order legal? The legality of the governors order is being questioned. Hobbs press aide Christian Slater cited a statute saying she has the power to direct the attorney general to prosecute and defend any proceeding in a state court ... in which this state or an officer of this state is a party or has an interest. But Cochise County Attorney Brian McIntyre said Hobbs is misreading the scope of that authority. It says the governor has the power to say enforce this, to the attorney general, he said. It doesnt say the governor has the power to then remove a constitutional officer, the county attorneys office. The phrasing in the state constitution is that county attorneys shall be the public prosecutor of the county, McIntyre said. He said that, whatever people believe about abortion, the governors order sets a dangerous and he contends illegal precedent, setting the stage for what might happen in the future when there are vastly different people holding the offices of governor and attorney general. McIntyre, a Republican, said that if the governor doesnt want people going to prison for performing abortions, she does have other legal remedies. For example, he said, she could tell the state Board of Executive Clemency that it should recommend that anyone convicted of an abortion offense be given an immediate pardon. And McIntyre said Mayes could eliminate the possibility of prison sentences by simply deciding her office will not mount a defense any time someone convicted of an abortion-related offense files an appeal. No prosecutions in Pima County Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said she supports Hobbs action, citing the lack of a final ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court on which abortion law the near-ban or the 15-week limit is enforceable. We agree with the governor as to both the urgency and severity of this very unique situation, she said in a written statement. Conover, a Democrat, said that while abortion providers are protected against prosecution in her county, by her office, that may not be true statewide. This is an unacceptable equal protection problem and dangerous, especially for our rural communities, she said. Conover initially sidestepped the question of whether she believes Hobbs action is legal. Instead, she said her office will voluntarily send all criminal referrals to the attorney general in the spirit of fixing this constitutional inequity. But an aide later said Conover now believes the statute cited by Hobbs appears to convey the power to the governor to issue the executive order. We respectfully defer to the governor and the attorney general at this time, the statement says. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell had no qualms about analyzing the order. The governors attempt to undermine the 15 elected county attorneys authority is outrageous, she said. Mitchell, a Republican, said her attorneys are reviewing the order and will take the appropriate next steps. At the Capitol, Toma, the House speaker, who has voted for abortion restrictions, said Hobbs cant legally do what she did. The governor cannot unilaterally divert statutory authority to prosecute criminal cases from Arizonas 15 counties to the attorney general, Toma said in a written statement. He said the issue isnt just gubernatorial power. At a minimum, this order shows disrespect and contempt for the judiciary, Toma said, noting that the state Supreme Court is still deciding which laws are in effect in Arizona. That is not the view of Brittany Fonteno, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona. This executive order will help ease the fear and uncertainty that swept through Arizona in the year since Roe was overturned, and protect all those seeking and providing necessary health care, she said in a prepared statement. But Cathi Herrod, executive director of the anti-abortion Center for Arizona Policy, said in a statement Friday that the order is illegal. She cites a provision of state law that says the governor may require the attorney general to aid a county attorney in the discharge of his duties. Aid does not mean supplant or replace, Herrod said. In her zeal for abortion, Gov. Hobbs has exceeded her authority as governor, she continued. The law does not allow her to strip county attorneys of their clear authority as granted in various Arizona laws. Out-of-state residents Hobbs order also directs state agencies not to assist in investigations from other states, where abortion restrictions remain, about their own residents seeking abortion care in Arizona. There would be cooperation only if ordered by a court or state or federal law. PHOENIX Gov. Katie Hobbs joined a state lawmaker and the leader of a reproductive rights advocacy group Thursday to announce an effort to enact a law protecting the right to access contraceptives. The Democratic governor said reproductive freedoms are at risk following last years U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, the 50-year-old court decision that said abortion is a constitutional right. Since the so-called Dobbs decision, laws blocking or limiting access to abortion that Roe had barred have been implemented in Arizona and a host of other states with Republican-led legislatures. There is more on the way if no one prevents it, Hobbs said. It didnt take long for extremist politicians to turn this into a full-core attack on access to reproductive care, including contraception, Hobbs said. Just last year, every Arizona Republican in Congress voted against ensuring that every American can access basic contraception. Speaking on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the high courts decision overturning Roe, state Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, said she will introduce legislation next year making access to contraception a right for all Arizonans. Enough is enough, Salman said. We believe that contraception is central to a persons privacy, health, well-being, dignity, liberty, equality, and ability to participate in social and economic life. But getting the legislation through the Republican-controlled Legislature will be a heavy lift, and one GOP lawmaker pronounced Salmans bill dead on arrival. Unsellable to GOP lawmakers Rep. Travis Grantham, R-Gilbert, said that while he has not seen the proposal, he thinks Salman will include provisions that make it unpalatable for Republicans. All Im doing is guessing based on who is introducing the bill whats going to be in it, and it will be totally unsellable to a majority of the caucus and the majority of the Legislature, Grantham said. You need 31 (House) votes and I personally dont know one Republican who will support that bill if its the bill I think it is. Salman said her proposal has not even been drafted. Despite that, Grantham called the proposal unnecessary since contraception is protected by other Supreme Court rulings. Everybodys got a right to contraception anyway, he said. Clarence Thomas quotes cited But Hobbs, Salman and others who spoke at Thursdays news conference highlighted Justice Clarence Thomas concurring opinion in the Dobbs case as a reason to be fearful that the right to contraception is also at risk. Thomas pointed to cases that established the right to contraception, outlawed sodomy laws and legalized same-sex marriage as decisions that hinged on privacy rights he says are not in the Constitution. He specifically suggested the full court should reconsider those decisions including the 1965 ruling in Griswold v. Connecticut that there is a right to privacy that prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal. That part of his ruling spurred Democrats in the U.S. House to pass a law last year protecting contraception access across the nation, but it was blocked by Senate Republicans. Cathi Herrod of the Center for Arizona Policy, a powerful group that has pushed anti-abortion laws at the state Capitol for years, said Democrats are making much ado about nothing. The proposal appears to be a solution in search of a problem, Herrod said. No one is talking about restricting contraception, she continued. No one is talking about making contraception illegal or leaving it up to the state Legislature to determine access. So its a non-issue. Salman, however, pointed to a fetal personhood law pushed by Herrods group and enacted in 2021 as a concern. The law confers rights to unborn children and she said it could be used to ban certain forms of contraception in the state if higher courts overturn a federal judges ruling that has so far blocked its implementation. Arizona is one of the states where birth control can just be under extreme legal jeopardy at the snap of a court (if) they lift that injunction, Salman said. Herrod called that a far-fetched notion. The language in what we call the preemption clause that is before the Ninth Circuit (Court of Appeals) currently, that is about unborn children in the womb, she said. I thought that the individuals today were talking about preventing pregnancy. That would be the point of contraception. Plans for abortion rights ballot measure Both Hobbs and Salman acknowledged that politics and Democrats hope of getting voters to pass a separate constitutional amendment allowing abortion in the state and winning control of the Legislature in 2024 are part of the reason theyre acting now. Bre Thomas, CEO of Affirm, a nonprofit that coordinates federal contraception funds and advocates for making reproductive health care accessible, said backers of an abortion rights ballot initiative are doing polling and working to write a ballot measure. They have not yet made any public announcement, she said. And you know, theres a huge amount of resources that will be needed, Thomas said in response to a question about the status of a potential ballot measure. Were looking at $40 (million) to $50 million, she said, so fundraising needs to be successful. Hobbs said her agenda is to protect the rights and freedoms of Arizona residents. I think this legislation, (and) a ballot measure to protect abortion rights, is in line with that. she said. Thats my focus, Hobbs said. And in an election year, voters will have the ability to reinforce that or not. The governor also issued a warning to lawmakers should they pursue any new restrictions on what she called access to basic reproductive health care. A Tucson environmental group filed suit Thursday to try to force the federal government to move faster on protecting the once-endangered pygmy owl and a flock of other species it says are imperiled. The Center for Biological Diversity lawsuit alleges that, specifically for the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now six months past its formal, legal deadline for deciding whether to list the tiny bird as a threatened species. The wildlife service proposed listing the owl as threatened in December 2021, saying it is imperiled due to loss of habitat, proliferation of invasive, non-native species, and climate change. The center said in its lawsuit that the service should have made its decision 12 months after it proposed the listing, meaning by Dec. 22, 2022. The lawsuit also listed 12 other species for which service decisions on whether to list or not are running behind schedule. These fearsome little owls and many other species have waited too long for lifesaving protection, said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the center, in a news release announcing Thursdays lawsuit. Wildlife service spokesman Al Barrus didnt return a phone call seeking comment on the suit. Typically, service officials decline to comment on pending litigation. Greenwald said, The Fish and Wildlife Services program for protecting species is badly broken and the administration is doing nothing to fix it. The Endangered Species Act is our best tool for addressing the extinction crisis, but it only works if we actually use it. Center: Biden administration lags Suing over missed federal deadlines for endangered species protection has long been a common tactic of the center, one that has resulted in numerous listings of various plants and animals as endangered or threatened. Indeed, the center successfully sued under similar grounds to force the wildlife service to list the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl as endangered back in 1997. It had first petitioned the service to list the owl in 1992. In its news release Thursday, the center said the Biden administration is lagging behind other, recent Democratic administrations in listing imperiled species. The Biden administration has protected 11 species per year compared to 65 species a year under the Clinton administration and 36 species each year under the Obama administration, the center said. Many critics of the center have said its litigation on endangered species diverts service officials from carrying out other important duties. But center officials have said their lawsuits forced the wildlife service to carry out a basic responsibility listing and protecting imperiled animals and plants. The original pygmy owl listing had major impacts on development on Tucsons northwest side for many years, forcing developers to delay and in some cases scale back their projects to accommodate the owls presence. In many instances, the developers set aside land to preserve owl habitat. But that protection disappeared in 2006, when a lawsuit filed by various homebuilder groups led to a service decision to de-list the owl. The homebuilders groups, including the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association, said the owl didnt deserve protection in the United States because it was far more common in northern Mexico. The center fought back, petitioning and suing once again, and in 2017, a federal judge ruled that the services opposition to re-listing the owl was not valid. That led to the services proposal to re-list the owl has threatened four years later. Habitat loss The service in 2021 proposed to list the owl as threatened in Southern Arizona, south Texas and in parts of northern Mexico, including northern Sonora. It concluded at the time that the owl was threatened by habitat loss from development and other urbanization, invasive species and either crop production or forest-based timber harvesting. It also said the bird could be affected by hotter, more arid conditions throughout much of its range, due to past, present and future climate changes. In Arizona, the service said the birds potential range covered eight counties, including Pima, Santa Cruz, Cochise and Yuma counties in Southern Arizona. The pygmy owl tops out at 6.7 inches long and weighs 2 to 2.6 ounces, depending on its sex. Its colored reddish brown overall, with a cream-colored belly streaked with reddish brown. Its eyes are yellow and its tail is relatively long for an owl, the wildlife service said in its 2021 proposal to list the bird as threatened. The owls nest in cavities in various trees and cacti, including the saguaro. In Arizona and northern Sonora, they are known to live in Sonoran desert scrub and semi-desert grasslands, and have been known to concentrate in riparian areas along rivers and washes. In addition to the pygmy owl, the new lawsuit also seeks federal decisions on protecting the Mt. Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan, the Penasco least chipmunk, the Humboldt marten, the tall Western penstemon, six Texas mussel species, the pyramid pigtoe mussel and four distinct populations of the foothill yellow-legged frog. CHICAGO United Airlines says when flights are delayed or canceled it will use its app to send customers options for rebooking and, in some cases, vouchers for meals and hotel rooms. United said Thursday that it began testing the service on its app late last year and found that it reduced the number of people waiting in airports lines to speak to airline agents. Airlines are under pressure from the Biden administration to improve customer service. The Transportation Department said recently it would begin writing new rules to require passenger compensation when the airline causes delays and cancellations. Uniteds chief customer officer, Linda Jojo, said the new app features would save time and reduce stress for travelers because we know things dont always go as planned. So far this year, United has canceled about 5,400 flights, or 1.3% of its schedule, which matches the industrywide average, according to figures from FlightAware.com. Nearly 100,000 other United flights this year have arrived at least 15 minutes late. WASHINGTON (AP) Eager to impeach President Joe Biden, hard-right House Republicans forced a vote Thursday that sent the matter to congressional committees in a clear demonstration of the challenge that Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces in controlling the majority party. The ability of single lawmaker in the 435-member House to drive an impeachment resolution this week caught Republicans off guard and many of them viewed it as a distraction from other priorities. The measure charges Biden with high crimes and misdemeanors over his handling of the U.S. border with Mexico. Rep. Lauren Boebert, backed by allies, was able to use House rules to force a snap vote on such a grave constitutional matter. The 219-208 party-line vote sent her resolution to committees for possible consideration, like any other bill. They are under no obligation to do anything. Still, Boebert, R-Colo., argued during debate, The House is taking historic action." The episode underscores the hold that the House conservative flank exerts over McCarthy, compelling him to accommodate their hard-right priorities if he wants to stay in power. Conservatives are gearing up for more. The process Boebert employed is the same method that Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., relied on to force a vote Wednesday to censure Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff over his investigations into Donald Trump's ties to Russia. Theres going to be no end to this, Schiff said. Kevin McCarthy has no control over his conference, Schiff said. The race to the extreme is now running the House of Representatives and of course its doing terrible damage to the institution. During Thursday's debate, Republicans were admonished multiple times by the presiding officer to tone down their remarks. Democrats argued that the case against Biden made a mockery of the seriousness of impeachment and was merely an attempt to distract from the twice-impeached Trump, the former Republican president now indicted for hording classified documents under the Espionage Act. Today they're dishonoring this House and dishonoring themselves by bringing to the floor this ridiculous impeachment referral resolution, said Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee, suggesting Trump put his allies up to it. "This body has become a place where extreme, outlandish and nutty issues get debated passionately, and important ones not at all," McGovern said. In short, the Republican Party is a joke. The vote capped days of maneuvering by McCarthy, R-Calif., to quell the uprising within his party over a roll call that many did not to take. A sudden vote to impeach Biden would have been politically difficult for GOP lawmakers and a potentially embarrassing spectacle for McCarthy, splitting his party. In a private meeting Wednesday, McCarthy encouraged lawmakers to consider the traditional process for bringing such consequential legislation forward. Boebert had used what is called a privileged resolution to force the vote. In the end, McCarthy negotiated a deal with her to send the Biden impeachment resolution for review to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee, fending off a vote for some time. I think its best for everybody, McCarthy said. But conservatives said more such votes are ahead. We are just beginning, said Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, an influential member of the House Freedom Caucus. Conservatives are lining up votes, for example, to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and censure Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson, who was the chairman of the committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Its part of their effort to steer control of the House from the traditional centers of power, including the speakers office. This is what we were talking about, said Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, a leader in the conservative efforts to block McCarthys rise to speaker. Boebert said that if the committees drag their feet, she would bring her resolution back to the floor every day for the rest of my time here in Congress, forcing a House vote on Bidens impeachment. Rank-and-file Republicans were angry at being forced into the position of having to vote on a resolution to impeach Biden even though they had not gone through the traditional process of an impeachment inquiry. They resented a single lawmaker jumping the queue of priorities. In one fiery exchange overheard Wednesday on the House floor, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., laid into Boebert for taking the Biden impeachment on her own. Greene has her own articles of impeachment against the president. Greene confirmed a report about the exchange later and said of Boebert, She has a great skill and talent for making most people here not like her. Boebert declined to comment about the conversation, only saying it's "not middle school." Trump was impeached twice on corruption and obstruction charges over withholding military aid to Ukraine while seeking political dirt on Biden, and later on charges of inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. Both times, Trump was acquitted by the Senate. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Tropical Storm Bret bore down on the eastern Caribbean on Thursday night as islands shut down and braced for torrential downpours, landslides and flooding. A hurricane watch was issued for St. Lucia and local forecasters warned of a potential direct hit. The storm was centered about 55 miles southeast of St. Lucia on Thursday night and moving westward at 16 mph. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, below the 74 mph threshhold for a Category 1 hurricane. Airports, businesses, schools and offices closed on St. Lucia, Dominica, Martinique and other islands by midday. Protect your lives, property and livelihoods, urged St. Lucia Prime Minister Philip Pierre. Residents across the island filled up their cars with gasoline and stocked up on water and canned food, hoping the storm wouldn't cause too much damage. You always have to be ready, Ben Marcellin, who manages a guesthouse, said in a phone interview. You never know. It can become serious. Authorities in St. Lucia opened one shelter at the request of some residents who feared their homes would not withstand the storm. Andre Joyeux, director of St. Lucias Meteorological Services, said Bret was expected to cut directly over the island. So we are hoping that persons take heed, he said. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Up to 10 inches of rain forecast for the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe south to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including Barbados, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miamisaid. Waves of up to 13 feet also were forecast for Guadeloupe, according to local meteorologists. Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, urged people to go to a government shelter if they believed their home might not withstand the strong winds and heavy rains. These storms can turn around fairly quickly, he warned. Bret wass expected to lose strength after entering the eastern Caribbean Sea and was forecast to dissipate by the weekend. The Caribbean is also closely watching a tropical depression that Bret. Early forecasts said it could become Tropical Storm Cindy by Friday and then take a path northeast of the Caribbean over open waters. If the depression should strengthen into a storm, it would be the first time since record-keeping began that two storms formed in the tropical Atlantic in June, meteorologist Philip Klotzbach at Colorado State University said. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecast 12 to 17 named storms for this years hurricane season. It said between five and nine of those storms could become hurricanes, including up to four major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher. PHOENIX Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer is suing fellow Republican Kari Lake, saying she spread intentional or reckless falsehoods about his role in the 2022 election that harmed him and his family and resulted in threats of violence and death for family members. In some cases, he said, she did it for financial gain. In legal papers filed Thursday in Maricopa County Superior Court, Richers attorney, Daniel Maynard, said Lake, like all Americans, has a right to express views that others find distasteful or offensive as well as to criticize the government. But he told Judge Jay Adelman that what Lake has said and done accusing him of sabotaging the 2022 general election after she lost the governors race by more than 17,000 votes crosses the line of what is legal. Richer is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages from Lake, her campaign and the Save Arizona Fund, which Lake has used to raise funds. He also wants a court ruling that the statements made about him are false, as well as an order for Lake and those two other defendants to remove any false and defamatory statements about him from any websites and social media accounts they control. There was no immediate response from Lake. Acted with actual malice The lawsuit, first posted by Arizonas Law, a nonprofit journalism organization covering courts and the legal system, raises two issues. One involves statements Lake has repeatedly made that Richer intentionally printed ballots with 19-inch images on 20-inch ballots to sabotage the 2022 general election. The on-site tabulators would not read the smaller images, resulting in lines at polling places and in some cases, according to Lake, people leaving without being able to vote. Lake also has said Richer illegally inserted more than 300,000 phony early ballots into the system. But Lake was making those statements at a Jan. 29 rally, weeks after the Arizona Superior Court found that Lake had provided nothing more than speculation and conjecture to support her claims of intentional misconduct, Maynard said. A trial judge also said Lake had brought forward no evidence to contradict testimony that the 2022 election was conducted in accordance with established procedures. For that reason as well as many others Lake knew that her ballot size sabotage and bogus ballot injections claims were false before the Jan. 29 rally or, at a minimum, she was reckless as to the truth or falsity of those claims, Maynand wrote in the legal filings. She didnt stop, Maynard said, citing repeated instances of videos, social media posts and podcasts made and posted through the end of May. The lawsuit says that Lake, her campaign and the Save Arizona Fund all acted with actual malice. That is a crucial claim. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that people who are considered public figures like Richer cannot sue for defamation unless they can provide by clear and convincing evidence that the statements were made with actual malice. In general that means the person making the statement knew it to be false or that the statement was made with a reckless disregard for the truth. Richer testified in court, under questioning from one of Lakes lawyers in the election challenge, that he is not responsible for Election Day operations, emergency voting or ballot tabulation. Richer said that is the responsibility of the Board of Supervisors, a situation he said is true in all 15 counties. Moreover, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter Thompson, who heard Lakes challenge in December, rejected suggestions by Lake that errors in printing ballots at vote centers caused ballots to be miscounted, Maynard noted. Potentially more significant, Thompson said there was no evidence presented that any voters were turned away or refused a ballot as a result of printer failures. In cases where ballots could not be read on site, voters had the option of putting them into a locked box to be tabulated later, he pointed out. The superior court likewise determined that Lakes allegation of unlawful ballot insertions was implausible, Maynard wrote. Financial incentive alleged Political motives aside, Maynard contended Lake and the Save Arizona Fund had a a financial incentive to defame Richer. He said a website for the fund features a six-minute video of Lake discussing the 2022 election and accusing Richer of intentionally sabotaging the election. The site also asks visitors to donate to support Kari Lake and Save Arizona, seeking donations from $25 to $100,000. Maynard said he thinks that just between Dec. 5 and Dec. 24 when the trial judge ruled Lake raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through the Save Arizona Fund. He said all of the funds raised are being used to boost Lakes political ambitions. For example, he said, the Save Arizona Fund paid for campaign events in Iowa where Lake has met with voters. That follows a prior pattern where Lake has told her supporters that fundraising money was needed to contest the election, but then spent the money raised on other items, including more than $35,000 on travel and hotel accommodations, Maynard said. The lawsuit also said the accusations Lake made about the 2022 general election are in character for her. Maynard cited statements Lake made about the 2020 general election, including that it was stolen from former President Donald Trump. Even though Lake won the 2022 Republican primary, she claimed she was already detecting some stealing going on in that election, he said. In a written statement Thursday, Richer said he decided to sue after seven months of what he said has been constant harassment, intimidation and threats to himself and his family due to falsehoods being spread by Lake, her campaign and the Save Arizona Fund. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. A day after revelations that the Titan submersible imploded, officials searched the ocean floor for evidence and grappled Friday with vexing questions about who is responsible for investigating the international disaster. A formal inquiry has not yet been launched because maritime agencies are still busy searching the area where the vessel was destroyed, the U.S. Coast Guard said Friday. Debris was located about 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) underwater near the Titanic wreckage it was on its way to explore. The U.S. Coast Guard led the initial search and rescue mission. I know there are also a lot of questions about how, why and when did this happen. Those are questions we will collect as much information as we can about now, Rear Adm. John Mauger of the First Coast Guard District said Thursday. It was not entirely clear Friday who would have the authority to lead what is sure to be a complex investigation involving several countries. OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the Titan, is based in the U.S., but the submersible was registered in the Bahamas. OceanGate is based in Everett, Washington, but closed when the Titan was found. Meanwhile, the Titans mother ship, the Polar Prince, is from Canada, and the people on board the submersible were from England, Pakistan, France, and the U.S. The National Transportation Safety Board said the U.S. Coast Guard has declared the loss of the Titan to be a major marine casualty and the Coast Guard will lead the investigation. NTSB spokesperson Peter Knudson said that information was provided to the agencys senior management by Coast Guard officials, and the NTSB has joined the investigation. The Coast Guard has not confirmed that it will lead the investigation. Coast Guard headquarters said the Coast Guard First District in Boston will discuss future operations and plans, but did not say when. The First District did not respond to phone and email messages seeking comment. Meanwhile, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said it was launching an investigation into the Polar Prince, the Titan's mother ship and support vessel. Seventeen crew members and 24 others were on board the ship during the Titan's journey. How the overall investigation of the tragedy will proceed is complicated by the fact that the world of deep-sea exploration is not well-regulated. Such expeditions are scrutinized less than the companies that launch people into space, noted Salvatore Mercogliano, a history professor at Campbell University in North Carolina who focuses on maritime history and policy. The Titan was not registered as a U.S. vessel or with international agencies that regulate safety. And it wasn't classified by a maritime industry group that sets standards on matters such as hull construction. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who was piloting the Titan when it imploded, complained in the past that regulations can stifle progress. Bringing an outside entity up to speed on every innovation before it is put into real-world testing is anathema to rapid innovation, Rush wrote in a blog post on his companys website. Bob Ballard, a member of the research team that found the Titanic wreck in 1985, called the lack of certification by outside experts the smoking gun in the implosion. Weve made thousands and thousands and thousands of dives ... to these depths and have never had an incident, Ballard said on ABCs Good Morning America. The smoking gun is that this is the first time by a submarine that wasnt classed, he said. One question that seems resolved is when the implosion likely happened. After the Titan was reported missing Sunday, the Navy analyzed acoustic data and found an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion in area where the vessel was when communications were lost, according to a senior U.S. Navy official. The Navy passed on the information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search because the data was not considered definitive, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive acoustic detection system. Condolences and tributes to those who died flowed in from around the world. Killed in the implosion were Rush; two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. The Titan launched at 8 a.m. Sunday, and was reported overdue that afternoon about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. Johns, Newfoundland. Rescuers rushed ships, planes and other equipment to the area. Any sliver of hope that remained for finding the crew alive was wiped away early Thursday, when the submersibles 96-hour supply of air was expected to run out and the Coast Guard announced that debris had been found roughly 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the Titanic. A flurry of lawsuits is expected, but filing them will be complex and it's unclear how successful they will be. Plaintiffs will run into the problem of establishing jurisdiction, which could be tricky, just as it will be for the investigation, said Steve Flynn, a retired Coast Guard officer and director of Northeastern Universitys Global Resilience Institute. The implosion happened basically in a regulatory no mans land, Flynn said. There was essentially no oversight, Flynn said. To some extent, they leveraged the murkiness of jurisdiction to not have oversight. James Cameron, who directed the blockbuster movie Titanic and has made multiple dives to the iconic ship's wreckage, told the BBC that he knew an extreme catastrophic event had happened as soon as he heard the submersible had lost navigation and communications at the same time. For me, there was no doubt," Cameron said. "There was no search. When they finally got an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) down there that could make the depth, they found it within hours. Probably within minutes. Theres no other comparable ocean search, especially with so many countries and even commercial enterprises being involved, said Norman Polmar, a naval historian, analyst and author based in Virginia. The cost will easily stretch into the millions of dollars for the U.S. Coast Guard alone. The Canadian coast guard, U.S. Navy and other agencies and private entities also provided resources and expertise. Some can seek reimbursements. But the U.S. Coast Guard is generally prohibited by federal law from collecting reimbursement pertaining to any search or rescue service, said Stephen Koerting, a U.S. attorney in Maine who specializes in maritime law. At least 46 people successfully traveled on OceanGates submersible to the Titanic in 2021 and 2022, according to letters the company filed with a U.S. District Court in Norfolk, Virginia, that oversees matters involving the shipwreck site. But safety concerns have been raised by by both an ex-employee and some former passengers. Associated Press writers Lolita C. Baldor in Washington; Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia; Holly Ramer in Concord, New Hampshire; David Sharp, in Portland, Maine; and Gene Johnson in Seattle contributed to this report. Kenny Glass had tried his hand at a variety of ways of making art, but it was catching a glimpse of a particular piece of clothing that proved to be a source of endless inspiration. I was attending a stomp dance, and a friend of mine was wearing this Seminole patchwork dress, Glass recalled. And I remember thinking, I want to make something like that. Glass laughed, then added, At the time, I didnt even know how to sew. But I started learning and found that I enjoyed making clothes more than anything else I had done. Glass is one of seven Cherokee textile artists whose work will be featured in the first Ribbon Skirt Fashion Show, to be held Saturday, July 1, at the Anna Mitchell Cultural & Welcome Center in Vinita. Talisha Lewallen, manager of cultural programs and events for the Cherokee Nation, said, This is going to be a full-scale fashion show, with a huge catwalk, special lighting and projections, and 28 models who will be showing off the artists creations. Lewallen said the artists for the show were specifically invited to represent a broad range of Cherokee artists, from Cherokee National Treasure Tonya Hogner-Weavel, who in her 35-year career has been the seamstress for the Cherokee National Youth Choir, as well as stage productions at the Cherokee Heritage Center and the musical Nanyehi, to Shadow Hardbarger, a student at Northeastern State University who uses her creations to raise funds for those in need through her Creating with Purpose program. The event will feature an artists market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the fashion show beginning at 2 p.m. Just prior to the fashion show will be a short presentation on the history and evolution of the Cherokee ribbon skirt. Many of the items that will be part of the fashion show will also be available for purchase. For those unable to attend, the fashion show will be live-streamed on the visitcherokeenation.com website. Jennifer Loren, host of the TV series Osiyo: Voices of the Cherokee People, will serve as the events master of ceremonies. Lewallen said the reason for devoting a fashion show to the ribbon skirt, a garment that usually features brightly colored ribbons and other decorative fabrics as adornments, was because it has become more prevalent as an item of everyday clothing, rather than something reserved for a special occasion. While ribbon skirts are not exclusive to the Cherokee people, we wanted to focus on the ways that we are making this garment our own, Lewallen said. Glass, who has been working in textiles for about 13 years, said that for many of the people who commission a skirt from him, the ribbon skirt is a very personal statement. I had one woman who wanted to have a skirt that represented her three children, he said, so that skirt had ribbons of three different sizes, with the widest representing her oldest child, and the narrowest one representing her youngest. Glass said he tends to use bold patterns and vivid colors in his work, which is a way of combining the traditional with the contemporary. The skirts I made for the fashion show are maybe a little flashier than I usually make, Glass said. I used some fabrics I designed myself and custom ribbon thats pretty shiny. I made ribbon skirts almost every week, he said. I sell mostly through my Facebook page, and it surprises me a little that a lot of my buyers are Cherokees who live in North Carolina. And I always enjoy it when I see people wearing the clothes I make. Thats really the reason why I make them. I want them to be worn and not just displayed. Glass is also not bothered by the fact that he is the only male designer whose work will be featured in the Ribbon Skirt Fashion Show. I grew up with three sisters and a lot of aunties, Glass said, laughing. I also work at Little Cherokee Seeds Program, which is an immersive language program for mothers and their babies, and Im the only man on the staff. So Im used to being surrounded by a lot of Cherokee women. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. OKLAHOMA CITY The District Attorneys Council on Thursday approved a plan to pay experienced attorneys a retention bonus. We pointed out to the Legislature that we have been losing mid-level prosecutors with experience at an astounding rate to the U.S. Attorneys office and Indian tribes, said Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler. We could not match their salaries they were offering those experienced prosecutors. Lawmakers appropriated about $2.2 million for the stipends. Matt Ballard, chairman of the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council, said U.S. Attorneys offices in the state are adding 98 prosecutors, which is unprecedented. The Eastern District is adding 60, which will vault it to one of the larger offices in the nation, Ballard said. We have never seen anything like this, Ballard said. He said there are only 241 state prosecutors in Oklahoma. Kunzweiler plans to give the stipends out after approval from the State Auditor and Inspectors office. The stipends will be $4,000 in the first year and $4,000 the second year for prosecutors with three or more years experience, he said. He said the funds will incentivize mid-level prosecutors to stay working in the state system. Kunzweiler said it will affect about 30 attorneys this year in his office and 36 next year. There are law enforcement agencies and prosecution offices outside of the state in states that border us as well as federal prosecution offices and Indian tribes that are simply paying well beyond what we have been able to pay, Kunzweiler said. And so it creates a crisis for Oklahoma citizens. You have to have experience to prosecute major crimes. Ballard said the DAC had asked for funds to bring salaries up to a competitive range, but the stipend program was what was agreed a compromise. We appreciate the Legislature very much giving us what they did, he said. This is still a Band-Aid to a problem. Ballard, district attorney for Rogers, Mayes and Craig counties, said it will impact 11 posts in his office. During the first year, the stipend would apply to 195 prosecutors, said Kathryn Brewer, DAC executive coordinator. It would apply to 222 the second year, she said. The stipends do not apply to lawyers working in the Attorney Generals office, according to a spokesman. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. TAHLEQUAH Riders on the Remember the Removal Ride rolled into the capital of the Cherokee Nation on Friday after a 950-mile bike ride where they experienced the history of the Trail of Tears. Amaiya Bearpaw, 22, one of the 10 cyclists to make the journey, said she was encouraged to do the ride by alumni of the program. I finally found a connection here in Tahlequah to my heritage culture and so I just wanted to explore that, understand where we came from and understand where I came from more specifically through genealogy, Bearpaw said. During the Trail of Tears several Indigenous tribes were forcibly removed from their homelands and relocated to Oklahoma. It is estimated that 16,000 Cherokees were removed in the early 1800s and nearly a quarter of them died during the journey, according to the Cherokee Nation. The ride traced the path of the Trail of Tears and stopped at historical sites like Mantle Rock in Kentucky, where Cherokee ancestors waited to cross the Ohio River. The riders journey began in New Echota, Georgia, and extended through six other states. Bearpaws mother, Amy Revas, was at the welcome ceremony and wore a purple Remember the Removal shirt. I was shocked, but I was humbled just because I didnt know that she had a desire to do something of this magnitude, Revas said. Of the 10 riders, five were from the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma, while the other half were from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are descendants who did not go on the Trail of Tears or returned to North Carolina. The ride is to remember Cherokee ancestors who were forcibly removed from their homelands, said Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner. This is one way that we can send our youth out, Warner said. This is sort of a leadership building thing. This is a spiritual journey. The riders are taking the same steps as their ancestors, Warner said. It is a cyclists trip, but they stop at several points along the way to have days of reflection, to have days of meditation and to think about where we come from, where were at today and which direction do we need to go in the future, Warner said. Samantha Cavin, 18, said the riders learned about the history and language in addition to training for the ride. Training was super intense, but I was super grateful for it because I was really well-prepared for the journey, Cavin said. After finishing the ride, Cavin said she felt like more of a leader. I feel more confident in myself and now I know a lot about my history that I can give my community and share with everyone, Cavin said. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a comment from the state Attorney General's Office. A federal judge has ordered the state of Oklahoma to free a Broken Arrow woman who since April had resumed serving a 107-year prison term related to a 2007 traffic accident that left five people dead in Tulsa. U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan ordered Kimberly Elizabeth Graham, 52, of Broken Arrow immediately released from state custody, according to a 42-page order and opinion released Thursday in Tulsa federal court. Based on the foregoing, the Court concludes that Graham is in state custody in violation of her Fourteenth Amendment right to due process, under the reinstated judgment and sentence entered against her in Tulsa County District and should be granted federal habeas relief, Eagan wrote in her ruling. The judge also banned the state from retrying Graham, noting that while setting aside a judgment and sentence doesnt typically forbid prosecutors from retrying someone, barring a new trial is a permissible form of judgment given that the error which prompted the basis for relief cannot be corrected in further proceeding. During her trial in Tulsa County District Court, a prosecutor maintained that Graham was impaired by alcohol on Nov. 9, 2007, when she drove a Dodge Ram pickup into a group of people who had gathered on Memorial Drive to help an injured motorcyclist. Killed were De Anna Rosser-Coatney, 42; her husband, Ronald Coatney, 49; Anita Pauline Polly Foote, 50; Casey Jones, 29; and Shannon Montgomery Lacey, 36. Grahams attorney, Richard OCarroll, commented on the ruling. Were pleased, obviously, OCarroll said. Up until now every ruling has been repugnant to any lawyer with a basic sense of due process. Were pleased Judge Eagan agreed with that notion. Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler issued a written statement following the ruling. First and foremost my concern is for the victim family members who have long endured what seems to be a neverending and tragic roller coaster ride for them, Kunzweiler said. They should have received finality when a jury convicted her of her horrific crimes. They should have received finality when she failed in her direct appeal of those convictions. Graham has been in state Department of Corrections custody since April 18, two days after the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, in a 3-2 ruling, determined that the reinstatement of her convictions and prison sentences were authorized by law. Graham was initially freed from state prison in April 2021 after a Tulsa County District Court judge granted her post-conviction relief based on the U.S. Supreme Courts 2020 McGirt ruling. The state of Oklahoma did not seek a stay of or appeal that ruling, according to court records. The Supreme Courts 2020 ruling, named for Jimcy McGirt, determined that the state of Oklahoma did not have jurisdiction over a Seminole Nation man alleged to have sexually abused a child in the 1990s because the Muscogee Nation reservation where the alleged crime occurred had never been disestablished by Congress. The state of Oklahoma does not have criminal jurisdiction over tribal citizens who commit crimes in Indian Country. Four months after Graham was freed, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals issued a ruling in an unrelated criminal case that effectively barred post-conviction appeals based on McGirt. State officials followed that ruling by filing a motion that if granted would vacate the order granting Graham post-conviction relief, reinstate her conviction and sentences and remand her back to state custody. A Tulsa County District Court judge in November 2021 ordered Graham back into state custody after siding with prosecutors claims that the earlier ruling was erroneous because it was based on a decision that has since been withdrawn by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Graham was permitted to remain free while she challenged the November 2021 ruling. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals in April denied Grahams appeal of the order, sending her back to prison. Eagan noted the dissent in the April 16 OCCA ruling in which two judges agreed that the Tulsa County District Court didnt have the authority under state law to vacate its final order granting post-conviction relief when the state did not file an appeal of its own. Eagan wrote that the the OCCA arbitrarily disregarded the crushing weight of the state law and its own procedural rules governing post-conviction review and capriciously rested its conclusion that the TCDC had authority to vacate the April 8, 2021, order granting post-conviction relief on the demonstrably false premise that the April 8, 2021, order was unauthorized by law. Eagan noted that on April 8, 2021, when the order freeing Graham was issued, it was the law despite the OCCA the next day recalling the decision. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors said when Graham was initially freed in 2021 that they could not bring charges against her because the statute of limitations had run out. Graham still faces five counts of felony homicide and one felony count of accident involving nonfatal injury in Muscogee Nation District Court. Kunzweilers statement noted that the McGirt decision had turned the state upside down. Long after her seemingly final conviction was entered into the books, and while she was years into serving her time, she received an erroneous benefit of release due to McGirt, the district attorney said. That erroneous benefit was recently corrected by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals Once again, however the victims family members have to revisit the tragedy of their losses and seek justice due to this most recent decision. Kunzweiler said he was confident the state Attorney Generals Office would pursue an appeal. I remain hopeful that at some point these aggrieved folks, who have endured far too much pain, will know for certain that she will be remanded to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections to serve out the remainder of her justly deserved punishment, he said. Late Thursday, the Oklahoma Attorney General's office issued the following statement when asked to comment on the ruling: "The Office of the Attorney General strongly disagrees with the ruling and will be appealing the order to preserve justice for the families of Ms. Graham's victims," a spokesman for the office said in a text. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. OKLAHOMA CITY A new study found Oklahoma has 32 times more regulated marijuana than necessary to meet the demand of the nearly 400,000 Oklahomans who have medical cannabis licenses. The study commissioned by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority determined the oversupply is so significant that it is likely to pose an immediate threat to public safety. The 24-page report from Cannabis Public Policy Consulting indicates the vast quantities of medical marijuana in the state are contributing to the cannabis black market and that many illegal suppliers are likely licensed cannabis businesses. OMMA Executive Director Adria Berry said the reports findings were somewhat surprising. We knew there was an oversupply problem in the market, but the reason for the study was so we could have it quantified and create a plan to address it, she said. More than 43% of cannabis in Oklahoma is obtained by illicit sources, according to the report released Wednesday. Thats compared to roughly 38% of cannabis thats legally sourced from local dispensaries or grown at home by licensed cannabis patients. Another 18% is purchased from recreational marijuana dispensaries in other states. Non-medical marijuana patients making purchases from dispensaries was the most common way Oklahomans obtained cannabis from illicit sources, according to the report. Roughly 110,270 pounds of cannabis, or 328,604 plants, are needed to meet the demands of the states 369,515 medical marijuana patients in a year. But the total yearly cannabis demand, which factors in regulated and illicit marijuana for all consumers (not just licensed patients) amounts to 750,880 pounds of cannabis, or 2.2 million plants, according to the report. Although some elected officials have likened the states medical marijuana program to states that have legalized recreational marijuana, the report dispelled that comparison because patient demand for medical cannabis in Oklahoma is comparable to other states with medical programs. Efforts by the Oklahoma Legislature, the OMMA and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs to crack down on illicit marijuana operations and increase oversight and regulation of the states medical marijuana program are expected to improve the states supply-to-demand ratios, the reports states. The biggest piece is enforcement, Berry said. Were past the time to talk about prevention. We have to enforce our rules and regulations equally across the state. Berry said her agency will work with the Oklahoma Legislature to find ways to reduce the supply of marijuana in the state. She said imposing production limits on certain cannabis businesses could be one step forward. OMMA officials will also go on a statewide listening tour this fall to solicit feedback from Oklahomans. Jed Green, director of Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action, questioned whether the study took into account the sheer volume of marijuana needed to make concentrates, which can be used in edibles or in vaping devices. He also urged the OMMA to double down on working with lawful business owners who have a real world understanding of supply and demand. Marijuana has been here and is not going away, he said in a statement. Our lawmakers have one simple choice moving forward. Do they want the State to benefit from marijuana sales, or do they continue giving away market share to illicit operators by taxing and regulating the good guys out of business? Oklahoma legalized medical marijuana in 2018 with few limits on cannabis patients and businesses. The OMMA last year implemented a two-year moratorium on issuing new grower, dispensary and processor licenses after the number of licensed growers ballooned to more than 8,600. The Legislature also hiked fees assessed on cannabis businesses. Now, roughly 10% of the states population has a medical marijuana card. The high number of patients is likely a result of the state not limiting access solely to Oklahomans with certain medical conditions, the report states. State officials have been trying for years to get their arms around Oklahomas free-market medical cannabis program. Cannabis Public Policy Consulting surveyed more than 1,300 cannabis consumers in 68 of Oklahomas 77 counties. The group also estimated the amount of regulated marijuana in the state through the OMMAs seed-to-sale tracking system, which ensures cannabis plants are grown, processed and sold in accordance with state law. This was the first statewide survey commissioned by the OMMA. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. More than 1,000 buildings have been identified as damaged by Saturday nights high winds, Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Joe Kralicek said Thursday. Kralicek said his agencys preliminary damage assessment found 987 single-family homes, 39 multi-family properties and 41 commercial properties suffered observable damage in the storm. Six buildings, he said, were destroyed. Thats a tremendous amount of damage to homes. Thats a tremendous amount of damage to businesses in addition to all of the debris, Kralicek said during a city disaster response briefing. The preliminary damage assessment is used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine whether a disaster qualifies for federal assistance. Kralicek said damages included in the assessment range from minor to a pile of rubble. To conduct the assessment, he said, teams built around building inspectors combed through areas identified as having storm damage. He encouraged owners and occupants to contact their insurance companies, rather than the local government, to report damage. Kralicek said his agency is coordinating with volunteer organizations to provide debris clearance and other services. He said those seeking assistance should see https://www.cityoftulsa.org/weather. Wayne Greene of Public Service Co. of Oklahoma said about 55,000 customers remained without service at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. He said that number would drop noticeably once a transmission line under repair Thursday afternoon is energized. Mayor G.T. Bynum said about 200 of the citys 500 traffic signals were either flashing red or inoperable as of midafternoon Thursday. Officials later pointed out that one of the components of the August Improve Our Tulsa bond package is new traffic signals with battery-powered backup systems. Bynum voiced dismay at the number of people dumping storm debris on school playgrounds and at city parks. We have 135 city parks, he said. Over 100 have sustained significant damage. Were going to have a whole lot of work to do with those over the next several weeks. You dumping your own stuff in there is not helping. Similarly, Bynum continued, we talk all the time about how education in Oklahoma is underfunded. And yet for someone to dump stuff on school grounds so that then our school districts have to pay to clean it up is ridiculous. Police Chief Wendell Franklin pointed out illegal dumping is also a $500 fine or up to 30 days in jail. In response to a question, Bynum said he has not yet talked to Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has been at the Paris Air Show since late last week, about the storm. He said he has had several calls with Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who has also been out of the state. Cox Communications Vice President and Market Leader for Operations Roger Ramseyer said his companys crews are following PSO and city crews to restore cable television and internet services. Ramseyer said a little under 20% of Cox Tulsa-area customers were without service Thursday afternoon, down from more than 50% on Sunday. Fire Chief Michael Baker warned that drying storm debris poses a fire hazard and that his department has responded to a few fires caused by re-energized power lines. The city said free ice will be available 8 a.m.-8 p.m. or while supplies last at the Muscogee Creek Nations River Spirit Casino, 8330 Riverside Parkway. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell said Oklahoma has turned away $80 million worth of film and television business leading to possible economic development due to the tight cap on the states film incentive program. Pinnell has strongly pushed for House Bill 1362, which would boost the cap from $30 million to $80 million. He said Friday the reason the number is $80 million is because thats how much the state had to turn away because it couldnt afford to invest in the film and television industry. Ive turned away $80 million worth of economic development projects. Thats the way that I look at it, and thats the way that you should look at it, too, Pinnell said during a PageOne Luncheon at the Tulsa Press Club. I know that its not permanent jobs, but in some ways, it is. ... So to go from $30 (million) to $80 (million) puts us in a completely different stratosphere. Pinnell said states like Georgia, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas have recently poured funds into the film and television businesses. Pinnell said Texas sees Oklahoma as a threat to the film industry, quoting a recent campaign video by Good for Texas showcasing Texas-born actors pleading for more investment. Pinnell said Oklahoma needs to diversify its economy and not focus on just oil and gas. He said Texass incentive program is hard to compete with, but he said Oklahoma has more to offer than other states. There will be productions possibly over the next two years that were supposed to be in Oklahoma that will go to Texas, Pinnell said. Ill tell you right now, were locked in on the number of our productions, but I got the $30 million cap rebate, and I cant go $1 above it. ... We have a lot of advantages over Texas. We do. Were a whole lot more diverse, and our landscapes are easier to get around. Its true. Our crew base in Oklahoma is better than Texas because we built up our crew base over the last 10 years. Pinnell said Oklahoma will soon see the benefits of an Oscar-winning movie filmed in the state with state history at the center. Pinnell traveled to the Cannes Film Festival in May for the world debut of Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon, adapted from David Granns novel of the same name that focuses on the 1920s serial murders of oil-rich members of the Osage Nation. The investigation of the murders led to the creation of the FBI. Pinnell, who is also the secretary of tourism and oversees the states film and music office, worked closely with production for the movie. The movie is one that will win awards and bring people to Oklahoma for tourism and for business, Pinnell said. He also emphasized Friday that everybody should read Killers of the Flower Moon. Oklahoma teachers have expressed concern about teaching the book in classrooms because of possible ramifications or pushback due to House Bill 1775, which was passed in 2021 and prohibits teaching that one race or gender is inherently superior, with many considering it a ban against critical race theory. Pinnell told the Tulsa World that he doesnt believe the Legislature will repeal the law but, because of its vagueness, the bill can be interpreted to keep children from reading the book or learning about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, which he said needs to be taught. He said hes had conversations with legislators who pushed for the law, asking for a clear set of guidelines about what can and cannot be taught. If we have teachers that dont think we can teach (Killers of the Flower Moon), that needs to be clarified, Pinnell said. (HB 1775s authors) are telling me that it can, the 1921 Race Massacre can and The Outsiders can be in schools. Youve got to explain this; youve got to clarify it somewhere if that is the case. I dont think the Legislature is going to revoke that legislation, but what I hope they would do is clarify. Other notes Pinnell discussed possible tourism investments coming in the future, such as continually investing in Route 66 ahead of the highway's centennial in 2026. He said the two commissions focused on Route 66 will soon be allocating money to cities with the historic road in it to help build up Main Streets and infrastructure. Pinnell said nobody is going to do as much for Route 66 as Oklahoma. The state has the most miles of the road, and he said Tulsa will specifically be an epicenter for this centennial with the attractions and investments. Pinnell also announced unofficially an Oklahoma Hit List Music Trail through the state to highlight 40 to 50 artists from Oklahoma. He said the current trail doesnt attract tourism to the state, but he hopes to encourage infrastructure around these artists to attract people to the state and showcase Oklahomas music scene. Pinnell said he wants to boost shoreline developments at all of Oklahomas man-made lakes. He also said one of his big goals is to finish the OKPOP museum. OKPOP hopes to showcase the states popular culture and is in the Tulsa Arts District. Work has stalled on the museum after some legislative pushback, but Pinnell said the Legislature knows it needs to be finished and it is one of his goals moving forward. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. September 2021 photos: Final days of filming for 'Killers of the Flower Moon' crew in Oklahoma Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon 091721-tul-nws-flowermoon-p1 091721-tul-nws-flowermoon-p2 091721-tul-nws-flowermoon-p3 091721-tul-nws-flowermoon-p4 Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Flower Moon Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES When Martin Cooper started drag in college, he never expected it to be more than a way to make extra money. Cooper, who studied theater arts at Alabama State University, said he always wanted to be a performer and on stage. Taking on the drag persona Coco Montrese, Cooper was Miss Gay America in 2010 and later competed on RuPauls Drag Race in 2013, coming in fifth place. I really enjoy the transformation and being on stage as a different character than myself, Cooper said. Thats why I really took to drag a lot, and it honestly became a profession right away for me. Now, Cooper has performed as Coco nearly every day on the Las Vegas strip for the past 10 years, and he is performing in town this weekend as one of Tulsa Prides headliners. Oklahomans for Equalitys three-day annual Tulsa Pride festival and parade begins Friday with several local and national drag queens and kings, including Cooper, performing for the crowd on Prides main stage. Jayzeer Shantey, who is also headlining Pride alongside Cooper and drag queen Joey Jay, described Pride as a time to celebrate the achievements and equality of the LGBTQ+ community. Shantey explained that fighting for rights grows increasingly harder every year, but he finds Pride as a time to meet people, explore and learn more about the LGBTQ+ community. Pride is being happy in your own skin and who you have become as a person in this time of life, Shantey said. The fact that were still alive and standing is something to be proud of. Thats something that should always go along with Pride, being courageous enough to stay alive. Behind the joy and booming nature of Pride lies an underlying feeling of hurt and attack as conservative lawmakers in Oklahoma and across the country passed more bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community than ever. After restricting certain gender-confirming health care for minors at the University of Oklahoma Health systems in October 2022, Gov. Kevin Stitt pledged to ban the practice entirely during his State of the State address in February. Senate Bill 613, which is currently not enforced due to several unresolved lawsuits, prohibits gender-confirming health care for children in the state and was signed by Stitt in May. Oklahoma lawmakers introduced legislation aiming to ban drag performances and adult cabaret in the presence of minors, restrict certain sex education practices in the state and prohibit certain reading materials that included LGBTQ+ themes or characters. The Human Rights Campaign issued a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ residents in the U.S. for the first time in the organizations 40-year history. More than 525 pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation were introduced in 41 states in 2023, with 75 of those bills signed into law so far, more than doubling last year. Cooper said drag, as an art, fuels him every day when facing controversy and legislative attacks. He described the laws, in Oklahoma and around the country, as scare tactics This happens every (couple) years before the election. ... After women, it was the LGBTQ+ community. Its all a pattern, Cooper said. They have to find somebody to hate to fuel the base of a bunch of negative people who are not happy with themselves. Other GOP-majority states also attempted to ban drag performances in the presence of minors this year, claiming it was harmful to children. A federal judge ruled Tennessees drag performance ban as unconstitutional on June 2. Montana and Florida also passed bills restricting drag performances in May We are artists. Im an entertainer. Im a performer. I know what my art has done for people, Martin said. That fuels me every day. Im not going to allow someone else to define my art and then try to destroy my art. Shantey said drag is powerful, like any art form. He explained that through his art hes able to express himself freely, help people around him and affect people in the same way watching drag impacted him. After going to several drag shows, Shantey entered an amateur competition on a dare and won. He now performs in Las Vegas like Martin. Drag really allows me to express all that creativity, the colorful little world that I have in my head, Shantey said. Expressing your art in many different forms and shapes gives other young people the same courage to be able to express themselves for who they are and own it. Shay Brewer, Oklahomans for Equalitys head of programming and events, said hes watched Tulsa Pride grow bigger and bigger every year. Brewer, who also performs as a drag queen, said Pride is a time of visibility for when the LGBTQ+ community might feel attacked. Its still a possibility that we might be going through a lot around us, but theres still places that are allowing us to perform our talents in our community, Brewer said. In his second year performing with Tulsa Pride, Shantey said hes excited to return to Tulsa. He said the city is welcoming to him and he feels love across the city during Pride. Every single time I go there, I feel at home, Shantey said. I feel the warmth and the love from people. Thats what brings me back to Tulsa is the love that the people of Tulsa give me and show me every single time. Brewer said despite the recent storm that wiped out a large portion of Tulsas power, Tulsa Pride will be held this weekend as planned. The Pride festivities are held along Fourth Street between Frankfort and Lansing avenues starting at 5 p.m. Friday. Tulsa Pride schedule Friday, June 23 Festivities start at 5 p.m. One mile fun run/walk starts at 7 p.m. Rainbow Run 5k starts at 7:30 p.m. with performances to follow. Saturday, June 24 Festival gates open at noon. Pride parade starts at 6 p.m. with performances to follow. Sunday, June 25 Pride in the Park starts at noon. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Photos: 2021 Tulsa Pride Parade Pride Parade Pride Parade Pride Parade Pride Parade Pride Parade Pride Parade Pride Parade Pride Parade Pride Parade Digital Offer: $1 for six months South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his spouse Kim Keon Hee on Thursday afternoon visited and spoke with students at the University of Languages and International Studies (ULIS) under the Vietnam National University (VNU) Hanoi during his on-going state visit to Vietnam. President Yoon told the ULIS Faculty of Korean Language and Culture students that his visit takes place at a time when the two countries are witnessing the great development of their bilateral ties. He said he was glad to know that there was a rising number of young Vietnamese opting to learn Korean, adding that the Vietnamese students had excellent Korean pronunciation. The South Korean state leader remarked that he would do more to promote the Vietnam - South Korea bilateral ties, especially in the realm of educating young generations about the relations. Vietnam has organized cultural exchanges with South Korea, paving the way for young Vietnamese to better understand Korean culture, the top South Korean official noted. Besides cultural exchanges, President Yoon shared his expectations that educational activities would be held so that Vietnamese students could study Korean at higher levels. The South Korean government will create more policies to support young Vietnamese in approaching Korean language and culture, he affirmed. President Yoon and his spouse also chatted with and answered questions raised by the ULIS students about Korean culture and the 'Korean Wave.' The Korean Wave, or Hallyu, refers to the global popularity of South Korean pop culture, particularly K-pop music and K-dramas. VNU Hanoi director Le Quan revealed at the meeting that more than 50,000 Vietnamese are currently learning Korean and the language is being taught at close to 60 universities and junior colleges across Vietnam. Quan suggested the South Korean government continue to support Vietnam in the fields of education and technology transfer, as well as in the teaching and research of Korean culture and language. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank officials are joining dozens of economic leaders for a two-day summit in Paris, aiming to tackle the interlinked challenges of poverty alleviation and climate change. The meetings, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, have been billed as an opportunity to refocus the global financial architecture to better address the vast scale of financing needed to meet the world's climate targets by the end of the decade. The summit has also brought focus on the IMF and World Bank's own climate change policies, amid calls for multilateral development banks (MDBs) to do more to help developing economies access funds to both adapt to climate change and deal with its consequences. Insufficient funds Both the IMF and World Bank have introduced policies in recent years to help countries deal with the climate transition. Last year, the IMF launched its Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST), with just over $40 billion in funds at its disposal, to offer longer-term loans to finance projects related to these issues. Bangladesh, Barbados, Costa Rica and Rwanda are the first countries to benefit. And at the World Bank, former president David Malpass lauded moves under his watch to double climate financing to $32 billion and to put in place a global warming action plan for the period of 2021 to 2025. His successor, Ajay Banga, used his inaugural address to call on the bank to "pursue both climate adaptation and mitigation," among other issues. "Change is appropriate for the World Bank," Banga said. "It isn't a symptom of failure or drift or irrelevance, it is a symptom of opportunity, life, and importance." But both institutions admit that their financing capacities are currently insufficient to meet the needs of developing economies, which the IMF estimates will be well over a trillion dollars per year by 2025. Institutional reforms The United States, European Union and others have been pushing a series of reforms to the IMF and World Bank since late last year. These include proposals to reform the governance of the MDBs to ensure a greater role for major emerging markets and developing economies, and to expanding their missions to integrate climate change financing. The goal is to make progress on these reforms by the next annual meeting of the IMF and World Bank, which take place in October in Morocco. The World Bank's primary objective is to promote long-term economic development and poverty reduction, while the IMF looks to promote global macroeconomic and financial stability by providing financial and technical assistance and policy advice. Some developing countries have voiced concerns that these reforms could lead MDBs to prioritize climate change over poverty alleviation. The most significant breakthrough so far came at the IMF and World Bank spring meetings, when agreement was reached to boost the World Bank's lending capacity by up to $5 billion per year for 10 years. However, this was achieved primarily by increasing the bank's leverage, and not through the provision of additional funding from World Bank member countries. More to do Even if the reform process is successful, the IMF and World Bank's leaders have stressed that international financial institutions cannot by themselves meet the enormous needs of the most vulnerable countries. Banga centered his campaign for the World Bank presidency on greater private sector involvement in financing the climate transition. "There is not enough money without the private sector," the former Mastercard chief executive told reporters in March, adding that the World Bank should set up a system that could help share risk or mobilize private funds to achieve its goals. Heading into the summit, there were hopes that progress could be made on a stalled two-year-old pledge by wealthier countries to recycle $100 billion in IMF special drawing rights (SDRs) from rich countries to vulnerable economies. SDRs are foreign exchange reserve assets awarded to countries based on how much they contribute to the IMF. The stalled plan, which some European countries resisted, was for wealthier countries to lend these foreign exchange reserve assets to the IMF, which could in turn lend them to developing economies. Ahead of the summit, France and Japan announced that they would redeploy 30 percent of their SDRs for this purpose. Media reports suggest that the Paris summit could yield a breakthrough in pledges from other countries, which would help hit the $100 billion target. Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Volodin Vyacheslav Victorovich will pay an official visit to Vietnam on Sunday at the invitation of Vuong Dinh Hue, chairman of Vietnams lawmaking National Assembly. As part of his two-day visit, the Russian official will co-chair the second session of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee between the National Assembly and the State Duma, the Vietnam News Agency reported. The visit will mark the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia. Victorovich visited Vietnam in late 2018. During the visit, top officials from the two nations underscored that it helped boost the exchange of high-ranking officials and deepen bilateral relations. Also during the 2018 visit, the two sides cut a deal to establish the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee between the National Assembly and the State Duma. This was the first time Vietnams National Assembly had set up an inter-parliamentary cooperation committee with a nation. Accordingly, Vietnam and Russia were expected to beef up their partnership in various potential fields, mainly parliamentary activities, and shore up their long-standing traditional friendship and relationship. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! U.S. aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan is slated to arrive in Da Nang, a tourist hotspot on Vietnams central coast, this Sunday for a six-day visit, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently announced. This ninth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier will visit Da Nang for friendly exchange activities from June 25 to 30, spokeswoman for the foreign ministry Pham Thu Hang told a press conference in Hanoi on Thursday. She stated that the coming arrival of the USS Ronald Reagan, which is now operating in the East Vietnam Sea, is among the planned visits to Vietnam by naval vessels from different countries. This is an ordinary friendship exchange activity for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation, and development in both the region and the world, the spokesperson added. The visit was scheduled in alignment with the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-U.S. comprehensive partnership, which was set up on July 25, 2013 during a visit to the U.S. by then-Vietnamese State President Truong Tan Sang. The USS Ronald Reagan, the sole forward-deployed aircraft carrier of the U.S. Navy, would be the third U.S. flattop to visit Vietnam. The USS Carl Vinson called at Da Nang in March 2018, becoming the first U.S. ship of its kind to visit Vietnam in more than 40 years since the end of the war in the Southeast Asian nation. On March 5, 2020, when Vietnam and the U.S. celebrated 25 years of the normalization of bilateral ties, the USS Theodore Roosevelt also docked in the central coastal city for a five-day port call. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam may have millions more men than women by 2034, and that figure may rise to over four million by 2050 if the countrys current sex imbalance at birth is not addressed, the Ministry of Healths General Office for Population and Family Planning (GOPFP) warned. The Southeast Asian country is facing a serious gender imbalance as the countrys sex ratio at birth sits at 112.1 boys to 100 girls, the GOPFP said, citing official statistics. The country has faced an imbalance of its sex ratio at birth since 2006 when it had 109 male newborns for every 100 female newborns, exceeding the natural ratio of 104-106 boys for every 100 girls. While other Asian countries have been dealing with similar issues for quite a while, the issue in Vietnam seems to be worsening much faster, according to Dr. Pham Vu Hoang, GOPFP deputy director. The sex imbalance at birth has hit all six socio-economic regions in Vietnam, particularly the Red River Delta in the northern part and many northern mountainous midland areas. Currently, there are 21 provinces and cities nationwide with a sex ratio at birth higher than the national average. Population experts have predicted that if the sex imbalance at birth is not controlled, Vietnam will have 1.5 million more men than women by 2034 and 4.3 million more men than women by 2050. Experts also warned that the imbalance will force more men to either marry late or stay single. The situation will have a direct and profound impact on the national population structure and lead to far-reaching, long-term social consequences, including increased inequalities related to women marrying young, divorce, women remarrying, gender-based violence, and human trafficking, Dr. Hoang said. The main cause of men outnumbering women is the notion of 'valuing men above women,' a gender prejudice that has long been ingrained in the Vietnamese mindset. Additionally, the abuse of scientific and technological advances that allow expecting parents to choose the sex of the fetus has contributed to worsening the sex imbalance at birth, according to Dr. Hoang. Vietnam has set a target to pull down the at-birth gender imbalance to a natural ratio of below 109 boys to 100 girls by 2030, the GOPFP said, adding that it will be difficult as it requires a yearly reduction of 0.4 percent in the sex imbalance at birth ratio. In the past eight years, the ratio has only decreased by 0.1 percent per year. To achieve the ambitious target, it is necessary to improve the publics awareness of impacts of gender imbalance, continue fighting gender prejudice against women, and prevent the abuse of science and technology in prenatal sex selection, the GOPFP stated. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Armed attacks on the headquarters of two communes in Vietnams Central Highlands province of Dak Lak earlier this month are acts of organized terrorism, Major General Pham Ngoc Viet, director of the Department of Homeland Security at the Ministry of Public Security, said on Tuesday. The attackers claimed the lives of nine people, injured two others, and took three residents hostage, Viet told the United Nations High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States, which took place in New York from Monday to Thursday this week. The deaths included secretary of the Party Committee of Ea Ktur Commune, chairman of the Peoples Committee of Ea Tieu Commune, four police officers, and three residents. The two injured victims are policemen one of whom is receiving treatment at the Central Highlands Regional General Hospital in Dak Lak. The other has just been transferred to Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for further treatment. On June 11, two groups of people armed with guns and home-made weapons attacked the headquarters of the People's Committees of Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur Communes in Cu Kuin District, Dak Lak and local people. The arrested suspects included a member of a U.S.-based organization. He received orders from this organization to enter Vietnam and stage the attacks, Viet revealed. However, Viet did not disclose the motive for the attacks. Major General Le Vinh Quy, director of the Dak Lak Police, on Tuesday informed that as of Tuesday, provincial police officers had detained 74 suspects for their alleged involvement in the attacks. He added that the attacks were acts of organized terrorism, which were reckless, barbarous, and inhumane. Vietnam strongly condemns the individuals and organizations who paved the way for, assisted, directed, and were directly involved in the attacks. Vietnam calls on relevant countries and international organizations to support and cooperate closely with Vietnam in investigating the case and fighting similar acts. The fight against terrorism requires the joint efforts of the international community. Only through solidarity, cooperation, and responsibility sharing can we effectively address global terrorist threats and promote peace and security in each country and in the world, Viet stressed. Y Tim Nie, a suspected leader of the attacks on the headquarters of two communes in Vietnams Central Highlands province of Dak Lak on June 11, 2023. Photo: T.A. / Tuoi Tre At the conference, Viet also pointed out four external terrorism risks that may harm Vietnams national security. He affirmed that Vietnam resolutely condemns and opposes acts of terrorism in all forms and supports counter-terrorism measures of other countries and international organizations in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law. Vietnam has neither experienced any terrorist attacks conducted by international individuals and organizations nor detected activities of their affiliates. However, Vietnam has identified external terrorism risks, Viet added. In particular, Vietnam has potential targets for terrorists, such as the headquarters of foreign diplomatic agencies. The nation also faces the risk of the flow of Islamic State (IS) militants from the Middle East. Terrorist and violent extremist groups are taking advantage of technology and social networks to spread extremism around the world. As Vietnam has a massive number of Internet users, the country faces a heighted risk. Vietnamese exile reactionary organizations and extremists living in other countries have taken advantage of ethnic and religious issues to expand their networks, train Vietnamese people, and detach their members to Vietnam to perform acts of terrorism. These organizations have opened disguised offices and recruited and trained members in Southeast Asia, as well as used the Internet and social networks to incite and guide bad actors in Vietnam to carry out terrorist attacks on law enforcement forces and innocent people. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! State utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has said it will basically ensure sufficient electricity supply to the northern region of Vietnam from Friday amid alternate power outages. The water levels of hydropower reservoirs in the region have increased, while problems at some thermal power plants have been fixed, resulting in an improvement to the electricity supply, according to EVN. However, the northern regions power supply system has no backup capacity, so power outages may still happen in the future. Directions of the prime minister, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises as well as the support of localities and relevant units have helped improve the power supply in the northern region, EVN said. The group also thanked its customers for sharing and understanding and apologized to them for alternate power cuts over the past few months. EVN also called on its customers to continue using electricity sparingly, safely, and effectively in the coming time. The power supply systems peak capacity reached some 41,500 megawatts on Wednesday, according to the National Load Dispatch Centre. A report by the Ministry of Industry and Trade showed that the northern region has entered the rainy season, but the rise of the water level of reservoirs remains slow. The north of Vietnam has suffered repeated power outages over the past few months. The blackouts have caused multiple difficulties for residents and enterprises there. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee sat in on an event held to donate bikes to underprivileged children in Hanoi on Thursday. Kim is accompanying her spouse, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, during his three-day state visit to Vietnam. The South Korean leader arrived in Vietnam on Thursday morning. Kim visited SOS Childrens Village in Hanoi to take part in the Bike Run program through which bicycles were donated to poor Vietnamese children on Thursday, reported Yonhap. These bikes will bring happy memories for students, improve their health, and act as a way of making their dreams come true, Lee Do Woon, a spokesman for the South Korean president, cited Kim. Kim also advised the children in the village to try their best and be brave in order to overcome obstacles. At the event, Kim greeted each of the children and watched them pedal their new bikes. She said she expected them to be healthy, strong, and helpful people in the future. South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee receives a gift from a child in Hanoi, June 22, 2023. Photo: Yonhap Headquartered at 2 Pham Than Duat Street in Cau Giay District, Hanoi, SOS Childrens Village spans 19,000 square meters. As of 2019, the village had nurtured over 500 children. Among the disadvantaged, 300 have matured and are enjoying independent lives. Apart from equipping these children with knowledge, the SOS village also provides training. The village regularly hosts training courses and talent clubs. Many children have won prizes in drawing and chess contests. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his spouse Kim Keon Hee speak with students at the University of Languages and International Studies under the Vietnam National University-Hanoi, June 22, 2023. Photo: Vietnam News Agency Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! This Sunday on 60 Minutes, the woman ASIO suggests may be a Russian spy and Tom Steinfort in Europe for the latest on the invasion of Ukraine. Secrets & Spies The murky business of espionage usually exists in the shadows. But not this week on 60 Minutes. In an intriguing and at times robust encounter, Tara Brown interviews a woman our spy agency, ASIO, claims is an agent tasked by Russia to gather sensitive information. Her name is Marina Sologub, and up until earlier this year shed been living and working in Adelaide for three years. Now shes in immigration detention waiting to be kicked out of the country. As Brown reports, cases like this would normally be kept top secret, but quite remarkably a very bold Sologub is refusing to go quietly, denying accusations shes a spy, and vowing to fight her deportation to the bitter end. Reporter: Tara Brown Producer: Amelia Ballinger A Few Good Women He has killed thousands of soldiers and civilians and flattened countless towns and villages, but 17 months on from his illegal invasion of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin is still a long way from victory. Its a major embarrassment for the Russian bully, who originally expected to win the war within days. And now, along with the defiant Ukrainian forces, Putin is also facing other formidable foes. Tom Steinfort travels to north-eastern Europe to meet a group of fearless females, including the prime ministers of Finland and Estonia, who despite the dangers are bravely standing up to the dictator, determined to play their part in his defeat. Reporter: Tom Steinfort Producers: Natalie Clancy, Sheree Gibson 8:30pm (ish) Sunday on Nine. The Traitors Australia has been acquired by the BBC, where viewers cant get enough of the mystery format. The series hosted by Rodger Corser will screen on BBC Three at 8pm on Sunday 9th July and all 12 episodes will be available as a boxset on BBC iPlayer. For those who are new to The Traitors, it is a psychological reality game show centred around tactics, betrayal, suspicion and manipulation. Should the Faithful contestants eliminate all the Traitors, they will share the prize fund. If a Traitor makes it to the end, they steal the money, says BBC. Nasfim Haque, Head of Content at BBC Three says: The Traitors is an addictively fiendish format and I am so pleased that viewers can get their summer fix of treachery and suspicion as we head Down Under for the Australian version of the show on BBC Three and iPlayer. One review comparing UK, US and Australian versions described the Aussie version as having the weakest production values but the most fascinating game play. A second season will screen on 10 later this year, including with Gyton Grantley, Hannah Ferrier, Ash Pollard and Luke Toki playing. Welcome to 7th Annual Asia Gas Congress 2012 on 19 & 20 April in Beijing,China. The theme of this year's event, "Connecting Asian Gas Buyers to Global Gas Suppliers,Unlocking Massive Gas Investment & Partnership Opportunities," is designed to look into more emerging long-term strategic issue. This is the only regional conference focused entirely from upstream to downstream on Asia gas industry. The previous supporting from companies like Shell,BP,Total,Exxon Mobil,Chevron made great success on our event. This time getting support by the IOC and NOC again, top industry professional from the region's energy centers Asia, Middle East, Europe will attend. And the policy, guidance, marketing forecasting, new project, equipments, LNG, shipping, EPC will also be a hot topic this year. Not since 24 has a real time drama been as much fun as Hijack, the new 7 part thriller starring Idris Elba. Its a 6hr 45min flight from Dubai to London for business passenger Sam Nelson (Elba) on Kingdom Airways, about an hour short of unscripted flights I suppose. The clever trick in the story by Jim Field Smith and George Kay is the seven episodes track the seven hour flight as it is hijacked not long after wheels up. Spoiler? Sam is a corporate negotiator heading home to son Kai (Jude Cudjoe) and estranged wife Marsha (Christine Adams) with whom he is hoping to reconcile. But Marsha has already moved on with local detective Daniel (Max Beesley). Like a classic Airport 75 plane, this is a manifest full of characters and stories, all colliding in economy, business and amongst flight crew. There are introductory glimpses of families, seniors, single passengers of varying nationalities (including one Aussie), most of which will expand at one point or another. They include the young woman who makes a peculiar discovery in the bathroom after take-off, and the chummy Brit who helps her get to the bottom of it. Yet ever-observant Sam cant help but notice a tense conversation between passengers (Neil Maskell & Jasper Britton) which, as the title suggests, leads to a full blown hijack scenario with guns, hostages and demands. To detail much more would deny you the thrill-ride you have already boarded from the safety of your couch. But the series does expand to negotiations from the ground, in both Dubai and principally, London. These include Mohamed Faisal Mostafa as a cluey Dubai Air Traffic Controller, Archie Panjabi as a Counter Terrorist expert and Eve Myles as a plucky British Air Traffic Controller whose ability to follow instincts is one of the more gallant and satisfying performances of the series. Whats constantly kept at arms length from the viewer in early episodes is how some activites on the ground are linked to the crisis happening in the sky, but the deck of cards gradually becomes evident as the series progresses, all without ever taking the foot off the accelerator. From the first episode this is a tense ride, full of jolts and brinkmanship, constantly ramping up to episode cliffhangers that compel you to dive into the next episode (be warned, two episodes at premiere, then weekly). Idris Elba is a man you want on your team in the case of a crisis and as a corporate negotiator here, Sam charts an unexpected course. Even in a genre that has been heavily dramatised on screen, Hijack manages to find new twists. Theres but a handful of slightly incredulous moments (Ive never been on a flight where this many people were so restrained from needing the toilet) but you forgive such shortcomings for the sheer popcorn excitement of it all. Hijack is an intense game of cat and mouse 30,000 feet in the air. Fasten your seat belts. Hijack screens Wednesday on Apple TV+ Versie 12.5 van Tor Browser is uitgekomen. Tor staat voor The Onion Router en is een netwerk dat gebruikt kan worden om redelijk anoniem over internet te surfen. Al het tcp-verkeer van gebruikers wordt langs verschillende Tor-routers geleid, waarna het voor de ontvanger vrijwel niet meer mogelijk is om te achterhalen wie de oorspronkelijke verzender was. Binnen het Tor-netwerk is die informatie nog wel aanwezig, zodat antwoorden, uiteraard ook weer via het stelsel van routers, uiteindelijk weer op de juiste plek aankomen. De releasenotes voor deze uitgave zien er als volgt uit: In Tor Browser for desktop, the Tor circuit for each of your tabs can be found in the circuit display. Up until this release the circuit display lived in the site information panel meaning you'd have to click the padlock icon (or onion icon, in the case of onion sites) to the left of the address bar to access it. Usability testing participants often struggled to find the circuit display when asked, and users generally needed to be taught where it lived. To fix this, we've moved the circuit display behind a colorful new icon that sits beside the padlock. In addition, relays now have flags to help make their locations easier to identify at a glance; the design of onion site circuits has been made more concise; SecureDrop users who visit a human-readable onion name can now see and switch back to the underlying V3 onion address; and the panel as a whole has been rebuilt from scratch for better compatibility with screen readers. Previously, onion sites were represented by the onion-glyph a tiny, flat version of Tor Browser's onion logo. Now, when you visit an onion site in Tor Browser 12.5 on either desktop or Android you'll notice something new. It's important to recognize that onion services are not exclusive to Tor Browser, and are a product in their own right. As onion service adoption has grown among civil society groups, human rights organizations, and news media outlets, so too has support for visiting onion services by third-party apps. Today, in addition to Tor Browser, you can also access onion services in compatible apps like Orbot, Onion Browser and Brave, to name a few. Given that, it no longer makes sense to continue to represent onion sites with an icon so closely associated with Tor Browser, and we're excited to introduce their new identity today. In Tor Browser 10.5 for desktop we retired the Tor Launcher in favor of a new interface that allows users to connect to Tor from the browser window itself. This feature unlocked the added benefit of being able to access Tor Browser's other menus while offline, including Connection settings, which offers greater functionality than the equivalent Tor Launcher settings page ever did. Since that release, usability testing participants have sometimes had difficulty figuring out how to connect after navigating away from the Connect to Tor tab. To remedy this, we've made the Connect button accessible in the address bar of any page you visit while offline, and Tor Browser will connect automatically after you've configured a bridge in Connection settings. We've also improved the visibility of the browser's connection status, which can now be found in the top-right of the browser window, and you'll notice a new connection icon appear throughout the browser too. As Tor Browser is based on the Extended Support Release of Firefox, we reuse as much of Firefox's front-end user experience as possible so that we can concentrate our resources on privacy and security issues. However Tor Browser also includes many custom pages and components on top of Firefox. In parallel with longstanding efforts by Mozilla to improve Firefox's accessibility, we began an accessibility review of our own to document issues with Tor Browser for desktop's custom features. This review has now been completed, and we're beginning to deploy the first fixes in what will be a multi-release effort to improve Tor Browser's accessibility. Since Tor Browser 11.5 we've refactored several components including bundled changelogs (about:tbupdate), the circuit display, the security level panel, miscellaneous dialogs and other parts of the browser chrome. If you use a screen reader or any other assistive technology, we'd love to get your help testing past and future fixes by volunteering as an alpha tester and feeding back to our developers on the Tor forum. In Tor Browser 12.0 we added support for Albanian and Ukrainian. Now, thanks to the incredible work of our volunteer translators and partners at the Localization Lab, we're delighted to include Finnish (Suomi) as a language option on both desktop and Android too. If you spot an error in Finnish or any other language, you can learn more about how to contribute to the translation of Tor Browser, its documentation and our websites on our localization portal. An H&M sign is seen at the entrance to an H&M store in Palma on the island of Mallorca MADRID (Reuters) - Shop assistants at Swedish fashion retailer H&M in Spain extended a three-day strike planned in late June to demand pay raises into two more days in early July, unions said on Friday. The strikes, called by the CCOO and UGT trade unions, were scheduled for June 20, 22 and 26 and workers have now decided to walk out on July 1 and 8 as well, in the middle of H&M's summer sales season. "The strike is extended because negotiations are blocked," said union leader Maria de los Angeles Rodriguez. Around 95 of the 125 H&M stores in Spain were closed on June 22 as 80% of the 4,000 shop assistants walked out on the second day of the strike, according to a statement from the two unions. The flagship store in Gran Via, in downtown Madrid, had to shut. The workers decided to protest after a months-long wage negotiations failed to yield an agreement. Workers claim H&M paid less than its major competitors, including main rival Zara, which is owned by Inditex. H&M declined to comment on the workers' demands but said it "respects the rights of employees to express themselves freely". Earlier this year, Inditex agreed to a 20% rise in average wages for shop workers in its home market of Spain in response to workers' demands for higher pay to offset soaring consumer prices. "The company wants to discuss other issues, but now is the time to resolve the problems raised by the workers, such as wages and the enormous workload," said Lucia Trenor, another union leader. Spain accounts for 3.7% of H&M's global 106,000 shop workforce, 75% of whom are women, according to its 2022 annual report. (Reporting by Corina Pons, editing by Inti Landauro and Louise Heavens) The South East is in line for another heatwave this weekend as temperatures soar again. Temperatures are set to soar again on Saturday. (Getty) Parts of the UK are in line for another heatwave as temperatures soar again this weekend. The Met Office has forecast heavy rain and a thunderstorm warning has been issued, but some areas will also hit 30C (86F). The South East will benefit most from the latest hot spell, according to forecasters. Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said: "By Friday theres some possibility of rain in Northern Ireland, the west of England, it will be generally drier in the South East. "The weekend could get up to the high 20s or low 30s, the South East will see the warmer weather. "The week will be sitting relatively warmer for this time of year but more subdued than weve seen, but areas will hit heatwave criteria as we get to the weekend." Friday starts fine for many southern and eastern areas Meanwhile, cloud and rain will affect many northern and some western parts pic.twitter.com/Zbz2da5VSw Met Office (@metoffice) June 22, 2023 The weather is expected to get progressively hotter with a mixture of sunny spells and patchy clouds throughout Saturday. Temperatures are expected to be close to 29C in parts of the south and west and will continue to rise, with the possibility of breaking 30C on Saturday. Read more: UK heatwave: How hot is too hot? Forecasts suggest the warmest temperatures will be in South and Southeast, with London and Norwich experiencing close to 28C. Minimum temperatures are also expected to hit 17C in some areas. A yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for Northern Ireland on Monday between 1pm and 8pm, with 15 to 20mm of rain predicted to fall in less than an hour. The South East is set to benefit from warmer temperatures again this weekend. (Getty) Elsewhere, sunshine is expected for most of Monday but with some cloud and scattered showers in the North West, said Dixon. Overnight into Tuesday there will be heavy rain moving from the south of England to the North East, and southern and western parts of England could see 30mm of rain, making driving conditions "uncomfortable", according to Dixon. Rain will change from persistent to showers on Wednesday, but it will be drier in the South East, and while showers will continue on Thursday, there will more warm weather as temperatures rise again towards the weekend. The UK has been having record temperatures, with a heatwave in England and Wales leading to health alerts and concerns of pressure on the NHS> The hottest temperature of the year so far was 32.2C (89.9F) recorded on 10 June in Surrey, but temperatures aren't expected to quite hit that in the next period of hot weather. Hungary has injected itself between Ukraine and Russia by seemingly facilitating the release of 11 Ukrainian prisoners of war. Captured by Moscow during its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the POWs were transferred to Hungary earlier this month, with the help of the Russian Orthodox Church. They belong to Transcarpathia, a region in western Ukraine home to a large Hungarian community. It remains unclear how the exchange took place, with some officials in Budapest completely denying any Hungarian government involvement. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said the "Hungarian state did not participate in the exchange." Three of them have already returned to Ukraine, while Kyiv has claimed they are unable to contact the remaining 8 POWs, accusing Hungary of blocking access. The European Union has demanded that authorities in Budapest clarify the circumstances of the exchange. "We believe that Hungary did not consult with Ukraine, and that the case was handled in a way that was not agreed with them. However, this issue should have primarily belonged to Ukraine, since it is mostly about their citizens," EU spokesperson Peter Stano said on Wednesday. Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) are seated on a truck in Novohryhorivka, Ukraine. 27 February 2015 - AP/Copyright 2022 The AP. All rights reserved Unilateral diplomatic efforts between Hungary and Russia could be perceived as a means to undermine the collective effort by the EU to pressure Moscow into backing down from the invasion of its neighbour. According to media reports, the POWs are Ukrainian citizens of Hungarian ethnic backgrounds from the Transcarpathian region of the country. There has been a cacophony of messages that have come out related to this incident, and it is hard to discern what is and what isnt true, Peter Kreko, the director of Political Capital Institute and a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, told Euronews. The Hungarian government has claimed they have no knowledge about this, that they werent even aware it was happening. But the deputy PM, Zsolt Semjen, the head of a Fidesz satellite party, boasted that he was involved in the process, Kreko continued. Imagine if the whole secret service and the government are unaware of the fact that the Russian Orthodox Church and the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta were bringing over 11 POWs from Russia? he exclaimed. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, awarded Semjen who leads the Christian Democratic Peoples Party, which is in a coalition with Orbans Fidesz the Order of Glory and Honour Second Class in September of last year. The head of the Russian Orthodox Churchs branch in Hungary, Metropolitan Hilarion, bestowed the order onto Semjen to commemorate Semjen on his 60th birthday and recognise his assistance to the Diocese of Budapest-Hungary. Saviour of every Hungarian Ever since coming to power over a decade ago, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has fostered a romanticised idea of helping Hungarians that live in Europe outside the countrys borders. Ethnic Hungarians are found in countries that were once part of the Kingdom of Hungary, including Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Ukraine. The Treaty of Trianon, which was drafted during the Paris Peace Conference after World War I, foresaw the independence of these countries and shrank Hungarys borders to what they are today. Hungarian PM Viktor Orban delivers a speech at a commemoration marking the 100th anniversary of the Trianon Peace Treaty in Satoraljaujhely, Hungary. 6 June 2020 - AP/Copyright 2022 The AP. All rights reserved Hungarian national historiography presents Trianon as a deeply traumatic event. It is seen as an attempt by European powers to strip the kingdom of its once greater influence on the continent. To this day, the feast of King Stephen I is commemorated on 20 August each year to mark the day the now-abolished kingdom was founded at the end of the 10th century. Orban and others in the country have latched on to the emotionally-laden legacy to significantly expand the countrys involvement with Hungarians abroad and capitalise on their involvement politically. It is part of Orbans foreign policy to send a message that Hungary is the most important caretaker of ethnic Hungarians abroad. Hes definitely playing the ethnic card, which benefits him in the elections, said Kreko. Hungarians living in neighbouring countries can apply for citizenship and vote in the elections despite not having a residency there. This is why bringing home ethnic Hungarians captured by Russia is likely to resonate positively with Hungarians at home and abroad. Given that the government is aware of the popularity of every measure it makes, its hard to assume that it would not be popular. They like appearing like the people who can outsmart everyone, who miraculously brought these POWs from Russia without Ukraine even being aware of it, continued Kreko. Inter-religious dialogue instead of traditional diplomacy One thing that is certain is that Hungarian Deputy PM Semjen was part of facilitating the exchange according to his own words. The deputy PM boasted it was his personal move to bring these prisoners of war to Hungary, said Kreko. The Russian Orthodox Diocese in Budapest has received funds from the Hungarian government in the past years, including to build churches. Publicly, the argument is that the reason they are so involved with the Russian Orthodox Church is because they want to promote peace through interreligious dialogue, he explained. Orban boycotted a set of EU sanctions presented in May 2022 because they featured Patriarch Kirill and demanded he should be removed from the list, citing protections for religious freedom. Kirill has been a vocal supporter of the invasion of Ukraine and has publicly thrown its weight behind Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian President Vladimir Putin receives Patriarch Kirill on the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture, in Moscow. 24 May 2023 - AP/Copyright 2022 The AP. All rights reserved The Russian Orthodox Church is the oldest operating institution in the country, predating the various iterations of the Russian state. It has a significant influence on believers in the former Soviet Union. They have also not shied away from political influence in several countries, including Ukraine. During a recent visit by Pope Francis to Budapest, he also met with Metropolitan Hilarion. The Vatican recently launched an initiative to end the war in Ukraine and foster dialogue through its global religious connections, which is in line with the stance of the Hungarian government. In the meantime, the relationship between the Hungarian Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church continues to remain invisible and not transparent, said Kreko. Hungary and Ukraine remain estranged While at the very beginning of the invasion, Hungary joined the EU-wide condemnation of Russias aggression on Ukraine, it has since resisted blockades of Russian oil and gas and agreed to pay for gas in Russian roubles. After the parliamentary elections in April of last year, Orban said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was one of the opponents he had to overcome in order to win. Documents leaked by a US Air National Guardsman on the Discord chat platform earlier this year allege that Zelenskyy considered bombing the Druzhba pipeline, which also runs through Hungary, in order to starve Orban of access to Russian oil. The incident with the POWs is only the latest in the slowly deteriorating relationship. I think its a provocation for the Ukrainian side. The bilateral relations are at a pretty low level, and I think its due to the Hungarian government and its behaviour towards Ukraine and Russia, explained Kreko. Ukraine is perceived by the Hungarian government to have joined the international chorus of critics of Orbans political and rule-of-law measures, which could be another reason why Budapest did not negotiate the prisoner exchange with them. The European Commission, Western allies and Ukraine which enjoys huge international solidarity are all criticising Hungary, Kreko said. Two army veterans who served in Iraq have teamed up 20 years on from the conflict to work for an ex-service charity. Nick ONeill and Mark Elder completed multiple tours of Iraq among other armed conflicts including Bosnia and Northern Ireland, where they witnessed first-hand the physical and emotional toll that war can take on soldiers. Both men used to drive tank transporters during their army days with the former, at one stage, responsible for the upkeep of more than 2,500 vehicles. Now the pair are working together again having both transferred their skills over from the army to Erskine to keep the charitys fleet of vehicles moving. In his role as transport and support service manager, Mr ONeill leads a more modest fleet of 24 vehicles and a department of 15 staff while Mr Elder works alongside him as Erskines transport supervisor. The pair can often be seen taking residents of Erskines care homes out on day trips or driving veterans to and from hospital appointments. Reflecting on their roles in the lead-up to this weekends Armed Forces Day, both men said there was no better way to honour current and former military personnel. Mr ONeill, 45, from Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, said: The modern-day society that we live in today is because of the people who serve, many of which are residents at Erskine or under our care. It is thanks to them that we live in a free world, so while they are needing care, I am honoured to be a part of a team who are there for them when they require it most. Armed Forces Day is a reminder of everyone that we served alongside, and the residents that have come to Erskine throughout the years. Being able to play a part in this charity is amazing. Erskine is unique, and as veterans caring for veterans, there is no greater honour than to care for our heroes. I just get a sense of achievement because I come from a background where I was always part of a team. Having spent 22 years in the army the camaraderie is a massive thing for me and just to wander around the houses and spend time speaking to veterans and hearing their stories is amazing. Its rewarding just to know that they acknowledge the current militarys respect for them. Times are different but the sort of things that youve had to face are very similar. Being away undertaking dangerous missions in hostile environments. That never changes. You know that remains the same. Mr Elder, 55, from Erskine, Renfrewshire, added: Myself and Nicks shared experiences in Iraq forged a bond that goes way beyond the battlefield. However, I can only thank him for bringing me to Erskine for the next chapter of my life. The Army is a brotherhood that is never lost, we are always looking out for one another, and we have carried that into our civilian lives. It is privilege to come together again on this occasion to honour our armed forces. Armed Forces Day represents the resilience and strength of our military community, and we are committed to ensuring that no veteran is left behind. Every day at Erskine, we see first-hand the care and support provided to veterans of all ages from the Second World War to the Falklands, and more recent conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan. For that reason, I will never take for granted pulling on the Erskine uniform. It allows me to not only serve those who put their lives on the line, but also to ensure that they receive the quality of care and service that they richly deserve. Erskine needs to raise more than 10 million per year to keep operating. To donate to the charity visit https://www.erskine.org.uk/armed-forces-day/ After more than 30 years of diplomatic relations, designation first as a "Strategic Cooperation Partner" in 2009 and then an upgrade to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partner" last December 2022, South Korea has become one of Vietnam's top partners, ranking first in investment, second in ODA and third in trade. Korean investors have over 9,500 active projects with a total registered capital of nearly US$82 billion in Vietnam. Some 9,000 Korean businesses have invested in the country, with many prominent names playing an important role in the expansion and promotion of global supply chains. Trade between the two countries increased by 175 times from 1992 to US$87.7 billion last year. The visit by Yoon and the business delegation will create new momentum and promises new breakthroughs in trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. Amid this, HDBank announced the launch of the "Korea Desk" to provide international standard banking products and services and dedicated advisory support for Korean corporate customers operating or planning to operate in Vietnam. It currently serves and/or provides financing to over 80 Korean corporate customers, making significant contributions to their export efforts and participation in global supply chains. At HDBank's Korea Desk, Korean corporate customers will be provided with a full range of banking products and services, including account services, liquidity management, business financing, project investment, import-export financing, e-banking services, financial and investment advisory, tax, and labour-related services. The Korea Desk will contribute to strengthening trade and investment cooperation of Korean enterprises in Vietnam and promoting trade and investment between the two countries. Kim Byoungho, chairman of HDBank, said: "The visit by the South Korean President to Vietnam is an opportune time for HDBank to launch the Korea Desk. Through this, HDBank aims to support Korean enterprises operating in Vietnam with more favorable conditions and support Vietnamese businesses in promoting their business with potential partners from South Korea." HDBank is expediting plans to open a representative office in the Korean capital Seoul by completing necessary procedures in both countries, he said. Once it opens, it would serve as a direct bridge for HDBank in South Korea, and further expand opportunities for trade and investment cooperation between businesses in the two countries, he said. Since 2014 HDBank has been successfully operating the Japan Desk for Japanese corporate customers. With the expansion of this specialized model through the Korea Desk, and plans for establishment of a representative office in South Korea, HDBank continues to take proactive steps in its internationalisation strategy and global integration. HA NOI Viet Nam is well-positioned to contribute to the EU's efforts in fighting global deforestation. This remark was made by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Daniel Caspary in an interview with Zingnews on Tuesday. He said the EU's regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR) is instrumental in achieving climate-neutral targets. Viet Nam would have no trouble complying with EUDR thanks to the similarity between the country's legal framework and the EU's. He also said Viet Nam and the EU shared the same target for net-zero carbon emission by 2050. The Just Energy Transition Partnerships concluded at the EU-ASEAN Summit last year would help both parties move one step closer to the remarkable feat. The MEP also mentioned the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), the ratification of which had been sped up in the European Parliament. Most MEPs had ratified the agreement and were pushing others to follow their steps. According to Caspary the slow ratification of EVIPA in some countries has nothing to do with the EU-Viet Nam relations, but comes from their specific parliamentary procedures, which require time for a seal of approval. He expressed his hope for an early ratification of EVIPA, which would help cement bilateral relations and unlock more commercial opportunities for both parties. He said EVIPA would hold the key to the EU's diversification of supply chains in which Viet Nam always plays an important role. The EU official also underlined the role of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in bilateral trade. He said EVFTA had raised certain Vietnamese exports to the EU by around 30 per cent in recent years. What both parties have to do now is to ensure their legal frameworks work in line with the agreement to remove barriers to bilateral trade, according to Caspary. European Ambassador to Viet Nam Giorgio Aliberti said an EU high-level delegation would visit Viet Nam next week to keep the country well-informed about EUDR. The ambassador also said the transition to green energy in Viet Nam could not do without the involvement of the public sector. The Government thus should take measures to incentivise more companies to engage in the green transition. Twenty-seven countries were in the EU rubber-stamped EUDR on April 19. The ratification can be seen as a historic moment in the global fight against agriculture-induced deforestation. The EU has been among the largest importers of Vietnamese agricultural products, consuming around 13.7 per cent of the country's exports annually. Their staple imports include coffee, cashews, rubber, and pepper. VNS SEOUL With South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol taking his largest economic delegation involving top conglomerate chiefs on a state visit to Viet Nam on Thursday, anticipation is growing on new joint business opportunities their trip will create for the two countries. For the three-day state visit, Yoon has formed his largest-ever delegation to accompany him, consisting of 205 entities - 24 conglomerates, 28 mid- and small-sized companies, six economic lobbying groups, six economic associations and three public companies, encompassing diverse industries of semiconductors and defense to cosmetics and food. The delegation also includes South Korea's top four conglomerate chiefs - Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo. During the visit, the business heads are expected to strengthen cooperation in supply chain, next-generation technology, energy and environment-friendly initiatives with Viet Nam, South Korea's third-largest trading partner after China and the US. One of the key areas where potential business opportunity lies is in the defense sector. Viet Nam is reportedly interested in military helicopters made by Korea Aerospace Industries, as it seeks to replace its old ones. GS Energy is also expected to forge an investment deal worth 3.5 trillion won (US$2.7 billion) with Viet Nam's biggest asset management firm VinaCapital in the liquefied natural gas sector. Yoon's economic delegation also includes Korean Air Chairman Cho Won-tae, Hanwha Solutions Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan and Daewoo Construction and Engineering Chairman Jung Won-ju, who doubles as chairman of Herald Corp. Daewoo E&C, which is currently working on the Starlake City project in Ha Noi, is expected to establish a partnership agreement with local companies during the presidential visit. Other South Korean companies have also been actively forging business ties with Viet Nam over the years. Samsung Electronics, a global leading consumer appliances and mobile devices manufacturer, has established ties with Viet Nam early on. Its construction and trading arm Samsung C&T opened its overseas headquarters in Viet Nam in 1989, three years before South Korea and Vietnam established diplomatic relations. The tech giant currently produces more than half of its smartphones sold in the world from its two manufacturing plants in in Bac Ninh and Thai Nguyen provinces in the northern part of Viet Nam. In the opening ceremony of Samsung's R&D centre in Viet Nam in December last year, Lee had said the center would strengthen the Southeast Asian country's industrial competitiveness, and also boost the friendly relationship of the two countries. SK Group, South Korea's second-largest conglomerate, also has strong connections with Viet Nam, having invested in the country's leading businesses. Not only has SK invested $500 million to establish SK South East Asia Investment with the aim of finding a potential growth engine in Southeast Asian countries like Viet Nam in 2018, the conglomerate has also established a strategic partnership with Masan Group, Viet Nam's largest food and retail company. In 2021, SK acquired 16.3 percent stake in Viet Nams VinCommerce - a retail affiliate of Masan Group. In the same year, SK also invested in Crown X, a consumer retail platform of Masan Group. Hyundai Motor Group has also established joint ventures with Viet Nams Thanh Cong Group to lead sales in the Vietnamese market. The automotive group established a joint venture called HTMV with Viet Nam's Thanh Cong Group for car production in 2017. The two also launched another joint venture called HTV in 2021, and Hyundai became the No 1 seller in the Vietnamese automotive market two years later. Since LG Electronics first tapped into the Vietnamese market in 1995, LG Group affiliates now operate a total 12 corporate entities in the Southeast Asian country. The combined production volume of LG affiliates in Viet Nam last year posted about $12 billion, taking some 3 per cent of the country's growth domestic product. THE KOREAHERALD/ANN PARIS Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha called on more efforts from governments to encourage the private sector to invest in renewable energy. He was speaking at a debate in the framework of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris on Thursday. Ha said the profit potential and interest of the private sector in renewable energy was high and governments needed to further facilitate the participation of this sector by ensuring consistency, and synchronisation in strategies and plans to mobilise investments. He said it was necessary to build standards, complete a stable and transparent legal corridor, and renew the financial cooperation model between the government and the private sector. The Deputy PM stressed the importance of innovating the method of raising capital from the private sector, developing green financial markets, exchanging carbon credits, supporting technology development and transfer, implementing strategic projects such as renewable energy and hydrogen production and smart power transmission. He also believes public investment capital from the government should play the leading role in promoting private investment, and support costs during the investment, product consumption, loan guarantee, and risk reduction for the private sector in green growth and renewable energy projects. It was necessary to strengthen the capacity of the private sector and stakeholders, especially developing countries, to build and implement a green transition roadmap that is equitable, diverse, highly practical and conforming to market rules, said Ha. The Deputy PM told participants that Viet Nam was accelerating green transformation and digital transformation, developing the knowledge-based economy and circular economy, and striving for the goal of "zero" emissions by 2050. He thanked partners for their help and expressed his hope to continue receiving effective cooperation in infrastructure projects, green projects, climate change adaptation, and sustainable use of water resources. He said he believed that the world would overcome the climate and environmental crisis if countries unite and mobilise the participation of all parties, especially the private sector, thereby helping build a sustainable and prosperous future for all people. The Vietnamese representatives opinions and suggestions were appreciated by participating delegates, who noted that Viet Nam's participation in the Fair Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and its efforts in mobilising financial resources from both the public and private sectors to achieve energy transition were of great significance, creating new impetus for economic growth. US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen highlighted the potential in implementing cooperation projects with Viet Nam and Indonesia in the field of energy transition. Within the framework of the summit, Deputy PM Ha had a meeting with French Minister for Energy Transition Agnes Pannier Runacher, who affirmed that France wished to strengthen cooperation with Viet Nam, especially in renewable energy and nuclear energy development. Ha proposed France continue supporting Viet Nam in the process of implementing the political declaration establishing the JETP as well as in the transfer of green technology, and connect businesses in renewable energy and green energy. The two sides agreed to continue working together to contribute to the common success of the upcoming 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) to be held in November in Dubai. VNS By Viet Dung HA NOI Viet Nam offers abundant business opportunities for Korean companies thanks to its political stability, fast economic growth, and cultural similarities to the Republic of Korea (ROK). This was a remark by Tran Thi Hai Yen, Head of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), at the Korea-Vietnam Partnership Fair on Thursday. She said Korean companies see Viet Nam as a market with significant untapped potential as Vietnamese consumers are shifting their buying patterns towards a more diverse range of products. About 120 Korean companies, including nine heavyweights, were showcasing their products at the event. KOTRA aimed to help those companies strike deals with more than 300 Vietnamese companies searching for new suppliers. "Around 1,000 deals between the Korean and Vietnamese companies will be negotiated at the fair today," said Yen. SaeFarm, a Korean company that provides farmland analysis based on AI-powered satellite images, had an exhibition booth in the corner. SaeFarm CTO Kang Jun Seo told Viet Nam News that his company attended the fair to look for Vietnamese clients. SaeFarm wants to do business in Viet Nam because the country has a fast-growing agricultural sector. "Viet Nam has a larger agricultural market than the ROK. We attempt to enter the Vietnamese market to expand our customer base," said Kang Jun Seo. The CTO believed that AI-powered satellite images would soon rise to prominence since the EU's new regulations on deforestation-free products require geographic information on agricultural land plots. Another Korean company present at the fair was SMSBio, which sells pine needle distilled concentrate oil. SMSBio CEO Lee Il Gyun told Viet Nam News that his company first established in Viet Nam seven years ago. Despite the global economic downturn, its business in the country kept flourishing thanks to the local demand for herbal supplements. "We will expand our business by opening more branches in Viet Nam," said Lee Il Gyun. The CEO also said Vietnamese administrative procedures had been overhauled in favour of foreign investors, especially Korean investors, in recent years. Some of his new products obtained permits from Vietnamese authorities last year. Vu Thi Thu was among the Vietnamese entrepreneurs on the lookout for partners yesterday. Thu is the CEO of FASO Vietnam CO LTD, an importer of Korean products for the last 10 years. Thu told Viet Nam News that ROK-made products won favour with Vietnamese consumers because ROK Government had always been active in promoting the products abroad through trade fairs and favourable tax policies. Many products FASO imported from ROK were tax-favoured by ROK Government, including garimi roasted seaweeds, which had been made exempt from duties. Hong Sung, Chairman of the Korean Chamber of Business, said Viet Nam provided a fertile business ground for Korean companies owing to the close cultural affinity between the two countries. In fact, Viet Nam remained ROK's third-largest trade partner, behind only the US and China. The third position, as the chairman said, "speaks volumes about the special nature of the Viet Nam-ROK relationship". Hong Sung revealed that the two countries were aiming to reach US$100 billion in accumulated bilateral trade this year and $150 billion by 2030. He said Vietnamese agricultural, forestry and fishery exports hold the key to a more balanced trade relationship. He cited the current visa policy as a major hindrance to Korean companies in quest for business opportunities in the country. He said a more relaxed visa policy would serve the country well in terms of foreign investment. Co Han Deog, Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), said his agency would be eager to assist Viet Nam in management enhancement, quality control, and education and training with regard to mega projects. "In light of the presidential visit to Viet Nam, the ROK will initiate a loan of $4 billion for infrastructure development in the country," said the director. KOICA would follow suit with a non-repayable package of $30 million, aimed at innovation, science, and technology. It was also working on projects to improve the competitive advantages of Vietnamese agricultural products. Tran Hai Linh, Chairman of the Vietnam-Korea Businessmen and Investment Association, said his association had launched scores of cooperative programmes to facilitate the investment flows from ROK to Viet Nam. The programmes bore fruits with more business opportunities available for Vietnamese small- and medium-sized enterprises in recent years. "The comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries is a milestone laying the grounds for further business cooperation," said Linh. The Korea-Vietnam Partnership Fair was organised on the sidelines of the visit by ROK President Yoon Suk Yeol to Viet Nam from 22 to 24 June. VNS HA NOI Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen uc Hai on Friday received Chairman of the RoK's Hyundai Motor Group Chung Eui Sun, who is accompanying President of the RoK Yoon Suk Yeol on a state visit to Viet Nam. The Vice Chairman expressed his belief that the visit, the first to Southeast Asia by the President since he took office in May 2022, would be an important milestone, promoting the two countries' relations to develop in a stronger, more substantive and effective way in the coming time. He spoke highly of the successes of Hyundai Motor Group, including investment and business in Viet Nam, especially the joint venture with Thanh Cong Group and Truong Hai Group that has helped build and distribute automobiles of RoK quality in Viet Nam. Hai emphasised that the lifting of the two countries relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership would create a strong foundation for businesses of the two countries to bolster collaboration and heighten their relationship. He said Viet Nam wished to attract high-quality investment capital from the RoK, especially leading enterprises such as Hyundai Group, and affirmed that Viet Nam had always paid attention and attached importance to improving investment environment, committing to creating favourable conditions for foreign enterprises to conduct long-term production and business activities in the country. Hai also suggested that Hyundai Group continue to expand investment in Viet Nam and encouraged the opening of an innovation centre and an R&D centre in the country, while proposing the group to sponsor the Vietnamese-RoK students exchange programmes, participate in training high-quality human resources in the mechatronics industry, and invest in and develop the production of electric vehicles and renewable energy. For his part, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group Chung Eui Sun affirmed that the groups investment activities had achieved many results in recent years thanks to enormous supports from the Vietnamese Government. He stated that through its products, the group always wanted to share its experience in electric vehicle development and clean energy industry with Viet Nam. The group had a plan to develop automotive technology and was ready to share it with partner countries, he noted. VNS HA NOI Viet Nams early-ripening lychees of this year's harvesting season are hitting the shelves at many of the largest supermarkets and Asian markets in Houston, Texas. From June this year, fresh lychees from the northern province of Bac Giang - dubbed the lychee granary of Viet Nam - were flown to the US. Vietnamese fresh lychee is currently being sold at supermarkets such as Hong Kong, Tan Binh, Viet Hoa and Linda's Tropical Fruits in Houston. Bac Giang province has signed MOUs with agencies, corporations, and associations to support the trade, according to the province's People's Assembly. As a result, Bac Giang Lychee is becoming a well-known brand. The fruit is widely regarded for its exceptional quality and has steadily picked up pace in the US market. LNS is a distributor that specialises in advertising the "Made in Viet Nam" label in the US market. LNS will continue to work with import and transportation partners to provide Vietnamese agricultural products to numerous US states, said a company spokesperson. The collaboration of Vietnamese firms in the market plays an important role. Specifically, product distribution through the network of supermarkets and Asian markets. The shipment was jointly transported by LNS International Corporation (importer) and L&V Food Supply Company (distributor) based in Houston. The rapid expansion of firms will facilitate bilateral trade, and boost exports of Vietnamese products to the United States. From there, we can focus on improving the reputation of Vietnamese firms and encouraging American consumers to purchase the country's agricultural products. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese and Korean companies will continue to strengthen their ties to take bilateral trade and investment to new heights, surpassing current levels three- to four-fold. That was the remark made by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the Vietnam-Korea Economic Forum on Friday, which was graced by the presence of ROK President Yoon Suk Yeol. The PM expressed his gratitude to Korean companies, which have been playing a role in the economic ties between the two countries for the past three decades. He said their efforts were a clear manifestation of an unwavering partnership that had been built on shared interests and goals. He called on Korean companies to push ahead with more investments in digital transition, biotechnology, green energy, semiconductors, smart city, and high-tech agriculture to change Viet Nam's economic landscape. He called on Korean associations to take on the role of 'speakers' for Korean companies, which would voice concern at any legal hindrance to their business in the country. He said the Vietnamese government would make every single voice heard and take measures to handle any such hindrance. President Yoon Suk Yeol said the two countries should strengthen their bilateral relations to deal with the growing uncertainties in the world. Culture, commerce, and investment would be sectors on the agenda in the short term. The president also underlined the need to raise bilateral trade to over US$150 billion cumulatively by 2030, which, in turn, would be a catalyst for the surge in other sectors. He also said the ROK would assist Viet Nam in the development of its technology infrastructure. More cooperation would continue in the digital and energy transitions. He closed his speech with the remark that the amicable relationship between Viet Nam and the ROK would last as long as the Mekong River, which never stops flowing. Cho Huyn Joon, Chairman of the Hyosung Cooperation, said his corporation first established its presence in Viet Nam 20 years ago. It always sees Viet Nam as a strategic market and is planning to expand its operation in the country with 10,000 more job openings. "We want to play a part in Viet Nam's economic growth and we see ourselves doing business in Viet Nam in the next century," said the chairman. About 9,000 Korean companies are operating in Viet Nam, with about $1.3 billion invested in renewable energy and green growth. They play important roles in various industries, including electronics and construction. VNS HA NOI The Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin, will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from June 25-26. The visit is made at the invitation of Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue, announced the NAs Committee for External Relations. During the visit, the Russian official will co-chair the second session of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee between the National Assembly of Viet Nam and the Russias State Duma. VNS HA NOI Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on June 22 said that Viet Nam will try its best within its conditions and capabilities to help Cuba overcome difficulties that the country is facing. Receiving Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba Alvaro Lopez Miera who is paying a visit to Viet Nam, the Vietnamese Party leader highly appreciated the significance of the visit in the context of the two countries looking forward to the 50th anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro's visit to the liberated area in Quang Tri Province. He expressed his belief that the visit would contribute to consolidating and deepening the special traditional friendship between the two parties, the two countries and the two militaries. General Secretary Trong appreciated the important role and results of defence cooperation between the two countries. He suggested the two sides strengthen practical and effective cooperation, in line with the interests of each country and for peace and development in the region and in the world. For his part, the Cuban minister voiced his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the Vietnamese people would continue to reap great achievements of historical significance, and successfully implement the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress. He updated the host leader on the situation in Cuba, the Cuban people's support for the Party and the Revolution as shown through the results of the elections to the People's Councils at all levels, the National Assembly, the State leader, and local government. Speaking about the results of cooperation between the armies of the two countries over the past time, he affirmed that they would work closely to implement bilateral cooperation agreements, contributing to strengthening and consolidating the special relations between the two parties, the two States, the two peoples and the two armies. Prime Minister welcomes Cuban guest Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba Corps General Alvaro Lopez Miera in Ha Noi the same day. Welcoming the Cuban minister on his fifth trip to Viet Nam, PM Chinh said the visit was highly meaningful as both countries were celebrating the 60th founding anniversary of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Viet Nam (September 25, 1963) and 50 years since then leader Fidel Castros first visit to Viet Nam and arrival in the liberated zone in South Viet Nam (September 15, 1973), and that it would help strengthen the two countries special traditional friendship, including defence cooperation. "Viet Nam always views Cuba as a comrade, a brother, and a traditional friend," Chinh said, affirming that it always kept in mind the enormous and effective support and assistance from the Party, Government, people, and armed forces of the Caribbean nation for Viet Nam's struggle for independence and efforts in national construction and safeguarding. Viet Nam wished to share the difficulties Cuba was facing and would do its utmost within its capacity to assist the latter, the PM noted, adding Viet Nam was ready to share experience in both the fields it had performed well and those it had not. Viet Nam always backed the United Nations resolution opposing the embargo on Cuba, he said. The host leader expressed his belief that under the clear-sighted leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba, led by Miguel Diaz-Canel, the Cuban people would definitely overcome difficulties, sustain political and social stability, and gain even greater victories. PM Chinh highly valued the close multi-faceted cooperation between the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, and also applauded the outcomes of the talks between the two ministers. The Vietnamese Government had been creating favourable conditions for bilateral defence relations to continue developing and become a pillar and an example in the two countries cooperation, he said. For his part, Minister Alvaro Lopez Miera said that his country had always been treasuring and nurturing the time-tested and special friendship with Viet Nam as late leader Fidel Castro used to say: For Viet Nam, Cuba is ready to sacrifice its blood. He appreciated Viet Nams support and assistance for Cubas national defence and construction, including the advocacy for the UN resolution opposing the embargo on Cuba and its help with agricultural development. The visiting official also appreciated the contributions by Vietnamese businesses which he said had helped foster bilateral economic and trade links. He pledged coordination with the Defence Ministry and relevant ministries and sectors of Viet Nam to fruitfully implement the issues both sides agreed on as well as the directions of Vietnamese and Cuban Party and State leaders. VNA/VNS HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai on Thursday said that economic cooperation has continued to be a bright spot in relations between Viet Nam and the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is once again proved by a large number of Korean businesses that are visiting the country, attending a business forum and signing cooperation agreements during the State visit to Viet Nam by President Yoon Suk Yeol. Speaking at the meeting with the RoKs Deputy Prime Minister Choo Kyungho who is also Minister of Economy and Finance, Khai affirmed that economic cooperation between the two countries was flourishing more than ever. The two Deputy PMs reviewed the economic cooperation in general and the implementation of the second Viet Nam-RoK Deputy Prime Minister-level Economic Dialogue in particular. They also made recommendations to further promote the cooperation. The RoK is currently the biggest investor of Viet Nam in terms of direct investment with accumulated investment of US$82 billion, the second biggest partner in development cooperation, tourism, and labour; and the third in terms of trade cooperation with trade revenue of $86.4 billion in 2022. Khai suggested the two sides continue to promote economic cooperation in the direction of balance, sustainability, and mutual benefit. The two sides signed a "Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of Korea Plus in Viet Nam and Viet Nam Plus in Korea" and a joint statement on establishing an electronic origin data exchange system. Those would be very important prerequisites for the two countries to further promote bilateral trade. Khai said that although the bilateral trade cooperation had improved, Viet Nam still saw a large trade deficit, therefore, the two sides also needed to coordinate to implement measures to further open their markets. He welcomed the signing of the Letter of Intent by the two sides on cooperation to promote the startup ecosystem and exchange of human resources. He hoped that the RoK would increase the reception of Vietnamese workers and expand labour cooperation between the two countries. Khai said the Vietnamese Government encouraged Korean businesses to make new investments and expand their investment, especially in priority areas such as infrastructure development, production of high-tech electronic equipment, semiconductors, Big Data, biotechnology, and smart city. He proposed the RoK create favourable conditions and loosen technical measures on food safety and animal and plant quarantine to promote the export of Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products to the RoK. Khai also called on the RoK to further expand the scale of grant aid to Viet Nam, especially in the fields of research and development, and innovation. For his part, Choo said that Viet Nam was the country that RoK had the deepest cooperation with. The ongoing trip to Viet Nam was the first state visit to Southeast Asia by President Yoon Suk Yeol, showing that the RoK attached great importance to its relations with Viet Nam. He also shared his points of view on Khais proposals and informed the Vietnamese Deputy PM of the areas that the RoK wants to cooperate with Viet Nam, including digital and green development. VNS NEW YORK Maj. Gen. Pham Ngoc Viet, Director of the Ministry of Public Securitys Homeland Security Department, has pointed out some external terrorism risks that may harm Viet Nams national security and also confirmed that the June 11 attacks on the administrations headquarters and civilians in ak Lak Province were organised terrorist acts. He released the information while delivering an important speech at the high-level conference of heads of counter-terrorism agencies held by the United Nations in New York from June 19 to 22, according to the Ministry of Public Security. The official stated that Viet Nam resolutely condemns and fights terrorist acts conducted in any form and supports counter-terrorism measures taken by countries and international organisations in line with the UN Charter and international law. In Viet Nam, there hadnt been any terrorist attacks by international individuals or terrorist organisations, neither had the country detected activities of their affiliates, he noted. However, it had identified certain external terrorism risks that might harm its national security, Viet said, elaborating that there were several objects often targeted by terrorists such as offices of foreign diplomatic agencies. Risks also come from the flows of militants of the self-proclaimed Islamic State from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, according to Viet. Terrorist and violent extremist groups are taking advantage of technology and social networks to spread extremism around the world, and Viet Nam is highly vulnerable as it is among countries with large numbers of internet users. Besides, exiled reactionary Vietnamese organisations and extremists based in some countries have taken advantage of ethnic and religious affairs, set up bases and affiliates, provided training for some persons in Viet Nam, and sent their members to enter Viet Nam to direct the implementation of terrorist acts in the country. These organisations have used the territories of Southeast Asian countries to open disguised offices, recruit and train members, and use the internet and social networks to incite and guide bad elements in Viet Nam to make terrorist attacks on law enforcement forces and civilians, according to the official. On June 11, two groups of persons armed with guns and self-made weapons attacked the headquarters of two communal administrations and civilians in ak Lak, killing nine, injuring two, and taking three hostages. We have arrested 65 suspects, including a member of a US-based organisation, who had received orders from this organisation to intrude into Viet Nam and stage the attacks, Viet revealed. Those attacks were organised terrorist acts that were barbarous and inhumane, he went on, stressing that Viet Nam strongly condemns the individuals and organisations who have harboured, backed, or directed the acts, as well as the persons directly involved in the incident. "Viet Nam calls on countries and relevant international organisations to assist and cooperate closely with Viet Nam in the investigation of the incident and the fight against similar acts," he said. The combat against terrorism requires common efforts of the international community. Only through solidarity, cooperation, and responsibility sharing, can we effectively deal with this global threat and promote peace and security of each country and the world, Viet emphasised. VNS HA NOI ak Lak Province Police on Friday began prosecution proceedings for "terrorism against the people's administration; concealing criminal; failure to report crimes; and organising, brokering for other people to illegally exit, enter or stay in Viet Nam" over the fatal armed attacks in the Central Highlands locality on June 11 that left nine people dead. Major General To An Xo, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Security, made the announcement on Friday. At the same time, the Security Investigation Agency of ak Lak Province Police issued temporary detention orders against 75 suspects charged with "terrorism against the people's administration" (pursuant with Article 113 of the 2015 Penal Code); seven suspects charged with "failure to report crimes" (Article 390 of the 2015 Penal Code); one suspect charged with "concealing criminal" (Article 389 of the 2015 Penal Code); and one suspect charged with "organising, brokering for other people to illegally exit, enter or stay in Viet Nam" (Article 348 of the 2015 Penal Code), Xo said. These arrest warrants and temporary detention orders were approved by the Procuracy. According to the spokesperson, law enforcement units to date have seized 23 guns of different types (military guns, air guns, homemade guns), two grenades, 1,199 bullets of various types, 15 detonators, 1.2 kg of explosive materials, a silencer, two scopes, a mock grenade model, 30 knives, 10 FULRO flags (an illegal, seditious organisation), and many vehicles and tools used in the attack that killed four police officers, two commune leaders, and three civilians, while seriously injuring two police officers. Regarding the current situation in ak Lak, spokesperson Xo said that with very rapid and effective measures of the police force, active support and assistance from the people, especially in encouraging those involved in the attacks to surrender themselves and pursuit of suspects, the situation in the area was stabilised after only two days since the incident. Most of the participants have been arrested and weapons, explosive materials, and supporting tools have been seized. Under the resolute direction of the Government and the participation of the Party Committee and the authorities of the Central Highlands provinces, ak Lak Province in particular, normal, stable life and local security have been restored. The Ministry of Public Security assesses that the attack is an organised terrorist act aimed at the people's administration and has left grave consequences. The actions of the suspects were very brutal and inhumane, and demonstrates their determination to commit crimes to the end. The police force has evidence and documents proving that the incident was supported and directed by some organisations and individuals from abroad, who have even sent people from abroad to illegally enter Viet Nam to plan and direct the terrorist attack. The authorities are continuing to investigate and clarify to strictly handle the case according to the provisions of Vietnamese law. Major General Pham Ngoc Viet, Director of the Ministry of Public Securitys Homeland Security Department, earlier during the high-level conference of heads of counter-terrorism agencies held by the United Nations in New York, has specified one member (now arrested) from a United States-based organisation that was sent to intrude into Viet Nam and stage the attacks in ak Lak. Exiled reactionary Vietnamese organisations and extremists based in some countries have taken advantage of ethnic and religious affairs, set up bases and affiliates, provided training for some persons in Viet Nam, and sent their members to enter Viet Nam to direct the implementation of terrorist acts in the country, he said. "Viet Nam hopes that international countries and friends will actively cooperate, support, and closely cooperate with Viet Nam in investigating and handling this case in particular, and in the fight against terrorism in general," Viet noted. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) agreed on a common need to cement the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the field of national defence and security and to promote substantive cooperation and technology transfer in the defence industry. President Vo Van Thuong said on Friday morning at a press conference after the talks between Thuong and President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol in Ha Noi. The two leaders agreed on a number of major orientations to promote the relationship of the two countries in the near future in the spirit of a comprehensive strategic partnership. President Thuong said that he had agreed with the RoK's President Yoon Suk Yeol to maintain contact and exchange high-level visits and delegations of all levels. The two countries would also make efforts to deepen economic cooperation and strive to raise bilateral trade turnover to US$100 billion, towards the goal of US$150 billion by 2030. Viet Nam would welcome South Korean businesses to make new investments on a greater scale, especially in priority areas such as national key projects and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects including thermal power plants, liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants, high-tech electronics manufacturing factories, semiconductor manufacturing factories, big data, biotechnology and smart cities, Thuong said. Viet Nam would also welcome South Korean businesses to focus on transferring source technology to Viet Nam, Thuong said. The two sides agreed to continue working closely to effectively implement the RoKs Official Development Assistance (ODA) support for Viet Nam, Thuong said. The two sides were delighted at the signing of a cooperation agreement with the RoKs Economic Development Promotion Fund (EDPF) worth US$2 billion to implement large-scale investment projects in transport and urban infrastructure in Viet Nam, Thuong said. Thuong welcomed the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding on sending Vietnamese labourers to work in the RoK. The two sides agreed to facilitate the simplification of administrative procedures for residence registration and work permits for experts and workers of one country in the other, Thuong said. On the matter of security, Thuong said that the two sides agreed to continue to support ASEAN's stance on ensuring maritime and aviation security in the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). Viet Nam always paid close attention to the situation on the Korean Peninsula and would be willing to promote and participate in the process of its denuclearisation, Thuong said. For his part, RoK President Yoon Suk Yeol said that the two sides agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation in the fields of diplomacy and security. The two sides would open a new mechanism of periodic talks between the foreign ministers of the two countries, Yoon said. The RoK Government would actively support the enhancement of security and order at sea in Viet Nam based on the Memorandum of Understanding on maritime security signed this time, Yoon said. He added the RoK would expand defence technology cooperation with Viet Nam based on the political trust between the two countries that had been increasingly consolidated. Yoon said that the RoK would support non-refundable aid at the scale of US$200 million to Viet Nam in the period of 2024-27 for the fields of environment, climate change, health, education and digital transformation. There was also a plan to support joint research between the two countries with a scale of $30 million in the next decade, in order to support the focus on science and technology innovation in Viet Nam. Emphasising that Viet Nam is a key partner in the implementation of the Indo-Pacific strategy and ASEAN-Republic of Korea Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity, Yoon said he had agreed with Thuong about close cooperation with Viet Nam to promote ASEAN-Korea relations and Mekong-RoK co-operation. The two leaders said they agreed to promote the expansion of cultural exchanges, education and tourism, and enhance mutual understanding and trust among all social classes. They also agreed to create favourable conditions for each other's citizens, further promoting cooperation between localities and supporting the Meet Korea programme. The RoK Government would continue to expand its support for Korean language training in Viet Nam, as well as the Korean Government scholarship programme to enhance exchanges of future generations who would develop the relationship between the two countries. The two leaders strongly agreed that the RoK would continue to help Viet Nam in accessing core technology and modernisation; carrying out the second phase of the Viet Nam - Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) project - a symbol of future-oriented development and cooperation between the two countries. After the talks, the two sides witnessed the two countries' relevant agencies exchanging 17 signed co-operation documents in various fields. VNS By Thuy Giang SPRATLY ARCHIPELAGO With the nature of their profession, journalists have set foot in various regions, but for many, the journey to the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago is a great source of pride and a lifetime experience. Trips organised by the Naval Command and the Ministry of National Defence often include a team of reporters. During these trips, they create vivid press works about the lives, struggles, and military-civilian bonds in the distant islands. They act as a bridge of information between the remote islands and the mainland, allowing Vietnamese people to take pride in their homeland's seas and islands, join forces, and unite to protect national sovereignty. During the voyage to the Truong Sa Archipelago in May, journalist Ngo Thu Lan from the Vietnam News Agency's Television Channel (VNEWS) shared that this was her third visit to the islands, after two others in 2015 and 2017. Reflecting on the motivation to cross the vast sea multiple times to visit the island troops, Lan revealed that her love for the sea and adventure drove her to explore and provide information to VNEWS viewers about all the Truong Sas islands and platforms. "If given the opportunity, I would come every year. Each visit brings a different feeling. Its always full of anticipation, excitement, and pride," Lan said. During this voyage, the delegation encountered two days of a tropical depression, causing many members to experience seasickness. However, once arriving on the islands, Lan and her colleagues made every effort with the highest spirit to carry out their work. Television reporters faced challenges while moving their equipment around, hauling cameras, microphones, gimbals, and more. The female editors often had to shoulder the responsibility of carrying equipment and filming. They had to work diligently to capture beautiful and comprehensive shots since the time spent on the islands was limited. Lan said that each time she sets foot on Truong Sa, she tries to seize every moment to talk with the soldiers and residents on the island to fully reflect their lives to viewers. "Working in Truong Sa brings me a peculiar sense of sanctity. The island soldiers possess unwavering political fortitude and resilience amidst countless challenges to firmly protect the sacred seas and islands of the nation. They serve as motivation for all of us," she said. Nurturing love for the homeland During the voyage on ship 571 to Truong Sa in April, journalist Giang Hai, head of Content Production at the VTC1 Political News Channel accompanied 220 delegates, including close to 50 overseas Vietnamese currently residing in more than 20 countries and territories. This was his second visit to the islands. His excitement and emotions remained just like the first time. "To visit this sacred land of the nation has always been a desire and dream of every Vietnamese person, he said. After this trip, the love for the homeland within himself and among the overseas Vietnamese was nurtured and grew with sufficient feelings and understanding of Viet Nam's island and seas. Hai recalled the six-day voyage, where he witnessed the soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army standing guard with their weapons. Once again, he and the entire delegation had the opportunity to learn about the history of the generations of soldiers who fought for and preserved the sovereignty of the seas and islands. Many shed tears during the ceremony to commemorate the heroes and martyrs who were sacrificed in the Gac Ma Battle on March 14, 1988. They could not hide their emotions when learning that even in peacetime, Second Lieutenant Ta Ngoc Tu sacrificed his life while monitoring a suspicious target in the darkness on Platform DK1/16 in Phuc Tan Shoal. During his visit, Hai took every opportunity to convey information about Truong Sa, such as the hardships the soldiers face at the forefront of the nation; the daily lives of the island residents; and cultural exchanges with officers and soldiers on the islands and the mainland. These valuable materials helped him complete the documentary film Coi Nguon Viet Nam (The Roots of Viet Nam), which aired at the time of the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day this year. Reporter Chu Van Chinh, from VTV4 said that the working trip to Truong Sa this April allowed him to meet people from around the world, fostering a deeper love for the country and the islands. Chinh said after travelling thousands of nautical miles at sea, good health is certainly a prerequisite for every journalist who wishes to work effectively on the islands. Chinh experienced a tight schedule to visit four islands and one platform in six days while he carried ten kilogrammes of equipment, including cameras, tripods, and microphones, to go up and down the islands. "Carrying cameras and walking under the scorching sun around the large islands is extremely challenging for filmmakers. However, the hardships are worthwhile to bring beautiful and authentic images of the lives of the military and civilians on the islands to the people across the country and our overseas Vietnamese, he said. One thing Chinh remembered most was the absence of phone signal on the islands or during the entire voyage, creating a unique experience in his career. Connecting remote islands with the mainland Truong Sa Island District in the south-central Khanh Hoa Province now feels closer to the mainland as information about the lives of officers, soldiers, and people living and working beyond the sea is regularly updated through various media channels. Every day, the journalists wake up at 5am to prepare their equipment for work. They capture precious moments of the lives and emotions of the soldiers and people living in the most distant places of the nation. Journalists always strive to produce works full of emotions, contributing to sharing an authentic and vivid portrayal of the lives, struggles, and emotions of the military and civilians in the remote islands. VNS LAI CHAU An evangelical Christian pastor in the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau has spent many years helping Mong people receive treatment for drug additions and develop their household economy. He is Hang A Xa, a Mong man, in Sin Suoi Ho village of Phong Tho District, a 48-year-old pastor of the Northern Viet Nam Evangelical Church. For years, he has encouraged family, relatives and followers to develop the economy and respect the guidelines and policies of the Party and State, which has contributed to maintaining security and order in the village and forming a united community of believers. The village of Sin Suoi Ho has 148 households with more than 700 Mong people. From a village of poor households where over 80 per cent of residents were drug addicts, after ten years, only 1 per cent are still drug addicts. This result is due to the great contribution of pastor A Xa. Born in a family of 12 brothers and sisters, he and his siblings had a rough childhood. Like many other families, we did not have enough rice to eat but opium was everywhere, A Xa told the Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper. A Xa recalled that from 1995 onward, Sin Suoi Ho village was a poppy growing area so the number of addicts increased day by day, making the economy slowdown and 100 per cent of households were in poverty. At that time, he was only 20 years old, but he was determined to help people get rid of drug addiction and develop production. He, the village's Party secretary, the head of the village, elders and other non-addicts visited each household to persuade people to stop using opium. First, they asked addicts and their families to destroy all smoking instruments, and then sent the addicts to camps in the uplands and the forest to get rid of opium addiction. Every day, these addicts received food and other supplies from their relatives or the village's volunteers to ensure their health, said A Xa. Just like that, the old addicts helped the new. When they were clean and returned to the village, they always closely watched by volunteers so that there was no chance of relapse, he said. After ten years, from 1995 to 2005, the village basically abolished poppy growing and drug addiction. Chang A Hang is an example of successful detox. In the past, A Hang did nothing but spend all his family's money on opium. After getting successfully detoxed, A Hang worked so hard that he earned enough money to build a house and pay tuition fees for his children. A Hang said: I was addicted to opium starting in 1990. I was encouraged by A Xa and the village's authorities to move to the upland area for drug rehabilitation. After five years, I successfully detoxed, A Hang said. Since then, his health improved, and he opened a small grocery store. Up to now, his familys life has been stable and better. Along with helping many villagers get rid of opium addiction, from 2005 to 2010, A Xa also mobilised the Mong people to change their habits and give up outdated customs in daily life and production. He mobilised the villagers and the commune authorities to contribute to building a 5km-concrete road in the village. Then, he talked about forest protection to make people aware of the environment and to stop deforestation as a traditional habit. The villagers build chicken coops, pigsties and barns to raise livestock and poultry. Each household has its own garbage pit to ensure environmental hygiene. Many villagers have focused on household economic development including planting orchids and growing cardamom. Along with economic development, the ethnic people are also interested in preserving their cultural identity by establishing teams to perform in fairs. Sin Suoi Ho village has gradually formed a community tourism area that was granted a certificate by Lai Chau Province. Notably, at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in 2023 held in Indonesia, Sin Suoi Ho Community Tourism Site received the 3rd ASEAN Community Tourism Award. From a poor Mong village, Sin Suoi Ho village has now become a typical community tourism village of Lai Chau Province. In the village, 10 per cent of children go to universities and colleges and 10 per cent of households participate in tourism service. Currently, each household earns a yearly income of VN100-400 million (US$4,200-17,000). All households are committed to implementing the "5 Nos": No addiction, No littering, No domestic violence, No social evils, and No third child. A Xa said: For Sin Suoi Ho village to attain these achievements, it had to go through five steps of detox, mindset changing, infrastructure development, human resource training and unique product making. If you want people to believe, you have to be a pioneer. When the people have agreed, they will voluntarily follow, the pastor said. Deputy chairman of Phong Tho Communes Peoples Committee Mai Thi Hong Sim said that A Xa is a good example with great influence on the Mong community. The pastor's creative approach to drug addiction treatment in the community is a bright spot in Phong Tho District as well as in Lai Chau Province, Sim said. In particular, the pastor is a pioneer and has guided the ethnic people to do tourism, gradually building Sin Suoi Ho village to become a typical tourist destination of the province, she added. Pastor Hang A Xa has received many certificates of merit for his contributions to the community. VNS HA NOI The State Agency for Technology Innovation (SATI) under the Ministry of Science and Technology on June 22 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strategic cooperation in advanced technology development with the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT). The signing of the MoU took place on the occasion of the State visit to Viet Nam by President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Yoon Suk Yeol. It is part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and a solution to promote cooperation in technology, innovation, and green transformation towards Viet Nams goal of net zero emissions by 2050. At the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan inh said as Viet Nam and the RoK upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022, the MoU signing will not only bring great benefits and potential to the science and technology industry of the two countries but also create economic-social-environmental impacts when the joint research results are widely applied. SATI Director Nguyen Mai Duong said that Viet Nam is promoting activities of studying, trading, and transferring new, high-tech, and advanced technologies with partners; strengthening international cooperation with organisations and individuals abroad in R&D activities, technology transfer, human resource training, and innovation. Therefore, cooperation between the Vietnamese and Korean agencies is one of the solutions to promote the flow of knowledge and R&D cooperation, contributing to improving the technological capacity and productivity of enterprises, and the quality, and competitiveness of products. Earlier the same day, SATI also signed an MoU with the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) to promote cooperation activities in technology connection, research, and development, innovation for businesses of the two countries, and join the international innovation network. VNS Nguyen Le Gia Linh It is not wrong to say that we are living in an era of mental health revolution, a time when people thrive to prioritise their mental wellbeing. But it can be a challenge for victims of bullying to join this movement. News in March about a bullied student in Vinh City committing suicide has sparked the question of whether bullying really poses threats to the victims mental wellbeing, or did the student overreact. There were many comments who said that being bullied has nothing to do with mental health, and that the victims were being dramatic about the problem. Some even blamed them for their inability to tolerate such a minor hardship. Reading those comments stirred my thoughts on how bullying heavily pressures its victims, mentally and physically, and how neglectful people are on this matter. I have reached out to my friend Quynh Phuong, who used to be a victim of bullying, to share her thoughts on the matter. She says that as a person with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and anxiety, the bullying exacerbated her mental disorders, and that she had to up-dose her medication while knowing it would be harmful to her physical health. Back then, it was really hard for me to speak up with my teacher or classmates. They barely cared about me. Things got better only when the bully went to study abroad. In my case, I was verbally bullied during my school years, ostracised and called fat and ugly. The repetition of harsh words back then manipulated me into having an identity crisis and struggling hard to find my self-value. A friend of mine, Nhu Cat, 22, agrees with me, saying that harmful words and/or actions can affect people and shape the way they think of themselves. Being bullied left some people with unmendable mental scars that run so deep that they are in complete darkness and can no longer fight back. One of the most-asked questions to those victims is Why dont you guys reach out for help?. But the people who ask that question typically do not consider that the answer is, They have, but they only received backlash against themselves. In a society where mental wellbeing is still deemed as unnecessary, fighting for mental wellness is perceived as dramatic or overreacting. Sometimes, blaming others is easier than giving them a hand. Being told that they are overreacting seriously belittles the victims, confuses them, and keeps them from sharing with others, making way for negative feelings to accumulate and reach the unbearable point. We are not in the position to judge those who took their own lives, or blame them for not trying otherwise. I think it is best for us to put ourselves in their shoes and show our condolences instead, my friend Anh Minh, 22, says. I recently watched the South Korean drama series The Glory revolving around bullying and revenge, one of many pieces of media about this long-standing issue. In the drama, high-school bullies put scorching-hot hair curlers on the protagonists body, beat her, and sexually assaulted her. No one was there to defend her, even her biological mother. She was so hopeless that she spent her adulthood planning and executing her revenge towards them. It was scary to me, thinking how desperation could steer ones life in a completely different direction. It makes me think about how some people either project in and harm themselves, and some do the opposite project out and harm others, says Cat. When it comes to school bullying, it is hard to find the one to take responsibility aside from the bullies themselves. Responsible is relatively vague, as there has not been a protocol on anti-bully or any standard guideline on how to deal with the problem. In the incident of the student who committed suicide, her school blamed the homeroom teacher while netizens blamed both the school and her parents. Regardless, had there been someone who actually tended to her, then it would not have gone that far. Suicides and self-harm can happen, but they are not supposed to, Phuong says. But positive changes have been made thanks to the availability of online media channels like podcasts and videos which openly discuss mental wellness and bullying, making significant progress in informing the public on this matter, as well as suggesting possible solutions. Several schools also now have talk shows or forums addressing bullying, showing the great effort of school officials in tackling the issue. I am heartened to see several individuals stand up for themselves and share their stories, breaking the wall of fear and silence in victims, showing them that their situation is not unique to them. Cat says that in addition to spreading awareness, it is necessary to have schools adopt policies to prevent and address all acts of bullying, improve their rules regarding bullying like what is and is not considered bullying, or how a victim reports or how to report a bully as a third party, train teachers, and have a consultant or psychologist. Needless to say, self-harming, suicide, or any negative acts are not the solution. For problems like this, we cannot rely on the victims to sort out themselves, but rather, we must change societys outlook on the problem. VNS All five people aboard a submersible missing near the wreck of the Titanic died -- likely in an instant -- after their vessel suffered what the US Coast Guard said Thursday was a "catastrophic implosion" in the ocean depths. The somber announcement ended a multinational search-and-rescue operation that captivated the world since the tiny tourist craft went missing in the North Atlantic four days ago. Rear Admiral John Mauger told reporters in Boston that analysis showed debris found on the seafloor, 1,600 feet (500m) from the bow of the Titanic, was consistent with the implosion of the sub's pressure chamber. "On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families," Mauger said. On board were British explorer Hamish Harding, French submarine expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani-British tycoon Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, and Stockton Rush, CEO of the sub's operator OceanGate Expeditions. OceanGate said its "hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time." "These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world's oceans," it said in a statement. "We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew." The Coast Guard announced earlier Thursday that an underwater robot had discovered a "debris field" in the search area. 'Unforgiving environment' Authorities said they later learned the pieces included the sub's tail cone and front and back ends of its pressure hull. Mauger said the Coast Guard could not be sure when or why the vessel imploded and declined to be drawn on whether remains of the men would be retrieved. "This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there on the seafloor," he said. The process of demobilising personnel and vessels from the scene would soon begin but unmanned robots would continue operations on the seabed for now, Mauger added. "We'll collect as much information as we can," he said. The US military originally detected the likely implosion of the craft on secret underwater sound monitoring devices shortly after it went missing on Sunday, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. "The US Navy conducted an analysis of acoustic data and detected an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost," a unnamed senior Navy official told the Journal. The small sub named Titan disappeared on Sunday as it descended to 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. OceanGate Expeditions charged $250,000 for a seat on the sub. In a 2018 lawsuit, its former director of marine operations raised concerns about the "experimental and untested design" of Titan. Harding was a billionaire and keen explorer with three Guinness Records to his name, while the Dawoods belonged to one of Pakistan's richest families. Nargeolet was nicknamed "Mr Titanic" for his frequent dives at the site. The British and Pakistani governments expressed their "deepest condolences" to all the men's families. Titanic's lure The 21-foot (6.5-meter) Titan had been due to resurface seven hours after beginning its descent at 8:00 am on Sunday. But the craft lost communication with its mothership less than two hours in. Ships and planes from the US and Canadian coast guards, as well as a robot sent from France, scoured 10,000 square miles (around 20,000sq.m) of surface water -- roughly the size of the US state of Massachusetts -- for the vessel. The search honed in on areas where underwater banging noises were detected late Tuesday and Wednesday. But Mauger said that ultimately the sounds did not appear to have any relation to the site of the debris. 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. Marine scientist and oceanographer David Mearns, who specializes in deep water search and recovery operations, said earlier the debris discovery indicated a rapid breakup of the submersible. "The only saving grace about that is that it would have been immediate, literally in milliseconds, and the men would have had no idea what was happening," Mearns, who was friends with two of those onboard, told Sky News. AFP However, EVN warned that there may be extreme weather conditions leading to power outages in the future since the northern power system lacks the required reserve capacity. Many power plants have more than a month's supply of coal to generate electricity, but six plants at Na Duong, An Khanh, Thai Binh, Thang Long, Haiphong, and Son Phong, have less than five days' supply. The Industrial Safety Techniques and Environment Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade reported the same day that the discharge of hydropower reservoirs in the north and central highlands is stable and rising. The water level in the lakes in the southeast is low, while the flow on the north central coast and south central coast has fallen slightly. The lakes at Thac Ba, Ban Ve, and Dong Nai 3 are currently near the dead water level, whereas some hydropower plants are generating electricity in moderation at Son La, Huoi Quang, Ban Chat, and Thac Mo. Forecasts indicate that water flow to lakes in the northern region will rise slightly in the next 24 hours, and decrease in the north central and south central coast regions. Since the end of May, Hanoi and many other northern communities have been experiencing power scarcity due to summertime demand. Hydroelectricity production, one of two primary sources of supply for the north, has decreased considerably because of drought. Some continuously operational thermal power facilities have also experienced problems. EVN strives to ensure stable electricity supply for the north The North-South 500kV transmission line plays an important role in ensuring electricity for the northern region as the power supply is limited, the water falling into the hydropower reservoirs is exhausted, much of the lake water evaporates, and the electricity demand in the hot season skyrockets. North's electricity supply may be strained until July In the event that power shortages in the northern region of Vietnam continue for an extended period of time, the operation of the power grid will be significantly hampered. In a strategic endeavour to bolster its presence and capitalise on the manufacturing sector in Binh Duong, the Taiwan-backed Far Eastern Group has committed to investing an additional sum of $250 million to grow its factory operations. Far Eastern Group invests further $250 million to expand factory in Binh Duong This substantial capital injection will raise the company's total investment in the region to surpass the noteworthy milestone of $1 billion. Despite grappling with numerous challenges stemming from the pandemic, Far Eastern Group demonstrated determination in 2021, as it registered an additional investment of $610 million to augment its total invested capital. Scheduled for implementation in the third quarter of 2023, this new funding will primarily focus on expanding the production lines dedicated to manufacturing highly durable fibres employed in the manufacture of safety belts, airbags, tyre reinforcement materials, and other related applications. Furthermore, the firm aims to construct a solar power plant to ensure a sustainable and environmentally conscious energy supply for its manufacturing operations. Committed to transitioning towards eco-friendly production practices and fostering sustainable development, Polytex Far Eastern (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. has reaffirmed its commitment to Binh Duong and will prioritise the development of a highly skilled workforce. In a discussion with corporate executives, Vo Van Minh, Chairman of Binh Duong People's Committee, acknowledged that with the increased investment capital, Polytex Far Eastern stands as a key contributor to the province. Minh requested collaboration and support from relevant departments and agencies to facilitate the expeditious implementation of the company's projects. He also emphasised that the provincial government of Binh Duong is resolutely committed to assisting the company in swiftly surmounting any obstacles, thereby further propelling its efficient production in the foreseeable future. Polytex Far Eastern Vietnam Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Far Eastern Group, initially established its factory on a 99-hectare site in Bau Bang Industrial Park in 2015, with a primary focus on the production of synthetic fibres, textile dyeing, and garment manufacturing. The registered investment capital for phase 1 of the project amounted to $274 million. In May 2022, Polytex Far Eastern Vietnam obtained the provincial certification for an additional adjusted investment of $610 million to expand its production project. With the forthcoming investment of over $250 million, the business is solidifying its commitment to the region's industrial growth and economic development. THACO to invest $1 billion in an industrial park in Binh Duong The automaker Truong Hai Auto Corporation (THACO) is mulling plans to invest in a mechanical supporting industrial park with the total investment capital of $1 billion in the southern province of Binh Duong. Binh Duong leather factory to generate $1 million in monthly revenue The inauguration of Argentine leather factory "Serendipity Bros" took place on May 31 in Binh Duong province. The factory boasts a production capacity of 600,000 square feet, which translates to a monthly revenue generation of US$1 million. South Korea and Vietnam have enjoyed more than 30 years of diplomatic relations. The two sides became 'Strategic Partnership' in October 2009, and further upgraded the relationship to 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' in December 2022. As of present, South Korea has become one of Vietnam's top economic partners, ranking first in investment, second in official development assistance, and third in trade. Currently, South Korean investors have over 9,500 active projects with the total registered capital of nearly $82 billion in Vietnam. Approximately 9,000 Korean businesses have invested in Vietnam, with many prominent names playing an important role in the expansion and promotion of Vietnam as a global supply chain partner. The bilateral trade value between the two countries has increased by 175 times since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, and the trade turnover in 2022 reached the highest level in history at $87.7 billion. The visit of President Yoon Suk Yeol and the delegation to Vietnam this time is expected to create more momentum and promises new breakthroughs in trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. HDBank has officially announced the launch of the 'Korea Desk', a specialised department that provides international standard banking products and services, as well as dedicated advisory support for Korean corporate customers currently operating or planning to operate in Vietnam. Currently, HDBank serves and provides financing for over 80 Korean corporate customers investing in Vietnam that make significant contributions to the country's export activities. With HDBank's Korea Desk service, customers will be provided with a full range of banking products and services, including account services, liquidity management, business financing, project investment, import-export financing, e-banking services, financial and investment advisory, tax, and labour-related issues. With the cooperation of potential partners from South Korea, the service will strengthen the trade and investment cooperation of Korean enterprises in Vietnam, as well as connect and promote trade and investment activities between the two countries. "The visit of the South Korean president to Vietnam is an opportune time for HDBank to launch the Korea Desk service. Through this, the bank aims to support Korean enterprises in operating in Vietnam with better conditions and to support Vietnamese businesses in promoting their potential partners from South Korea," said Kim Byoungho, chairman of the Board of Directors of HDBank. According to chairman Kim Byoungho, HDBank will expedite plans to establish a representative office in Seoul in the near future. Once operational, this office will serve as a direct bridge for HDBank in South Korea, further expanding opportunities for trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. HDBank successfully implemented the Japan Desk in 2014, a specialised service for Japanese corporate customers. With the expansion of this model through the Korea Desk service, as well as the promotion of plans to establish a representative office in South Korea, HDBank continues to take proactive steps in its internationalisation and global integration strategy. HDBank's leadership discusses strategy at AGM At HDBank's annual general shareholders' meeting, the lender affirmed its steadfast commitment to actively engage in the Credit Institutions Restructuring Programme, while expanding its investment portfolio. Meanwhile, the question of whether the bank's foreign ownership cap of 49 per cent will be lifted remains unclear. HDBank targets 29 per cent profit growth for 2023 HDBank has successfully organised its 2023 annual general shareholders' meeting with a high approval rating from shareholders. The bank has approved a number of targets, plans and proposals, including a target of VND13.2 trillion ($562.67 million) in profit for 2023, a growth of 29 per cent on-year. How does the IOM assess the issue of social security, accommodation and stable employment for workers at foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs)? Foreign investment has remained a driving force for socioeconomic development and stability in Vietnam. According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam is projected to hit $38 billion in 2023, while the processing and manufacturing sectors remain the biggest drivers of economic growth thanks to the relatively cheap labour costs. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the risks in the current system, particularly for low-skilled migrant workers who form a significant portion of the labour force in IZs and FIEs. A 2022 IOM-VCCI study found that migrant workers are among the most vulnerable during prolonged lockdowns, particularly those without regular contracts who are ineligible for social security. Also, migrant workers are participating much less in social insurance than before due to low wages and high living costs, leaving them vulnerable should they be laid off. It is estimated that only 17.5 per cent of the population has social insurance, and 68.5 per cent of all employment is informal. Millions of workers who spent all their savings during lockdown had no choice but to return to their home communities in late 2021- early 2022, overwhelming their local authorities' capacity to assist them. Accommodation costs are reported to take up about 20 per cent of a migrant workers average monthly income. The rising cost of living in IZs compared to the slowly increasing wages of workers has been cited as one of the reasons behind the slow return of migrant workers to the factories earlier this year. We also saw how companies with resources to improve their accommodation facilities were better placed to adapt during the pandemic and follow government guidelines to continue production. In other words, foreign enterprises with production partners in Vietnam should look into providing stable accommodation and jobs with social security to retain Vietnamese workers. The IOM-VCCI study identified three key challenges facing workers, especially low-skilled and internal migrant workers, and those are inadequate accommodation, economic struggles leading to non-participation in or withdrawal from social insurance schemes, and the risk of being replaced by other lower-skilled workers or machines, or dismissed during an economic downturn. The study recommends that state agencies and FIEs ensure adequate living and working conditions and skills development for low-skilled workers, especially internal migrant workers. The government should continue the enforcement of regulations on housing, social insurance, and training for internal migrant workers. Social policies should also pay attention to the left-behind parents of migrants, most of them elderly, and such policies need to be made based on evidence and data on migration, which needs to be collected and analysed more. What are the limitations or difficulties that need to be overcome? Besides promoting access to essential services for workers, skills training is crucial to meet demand for skilled labour at FIEs. There are also discussions on lowering the retirement age and providing support for social housing to low-income workers, which requires significant resources to implement effectively. A holistic and coordinated response from government, business, and society is required to address the challenges facing workers, but should eventually improve the quality of the labour force and strengthen Vietnams position as an attractive investment destination. What support does the IOM offer to workers for digital skills' development in the face of the extensive digital transformation that Vietnam is going through? Vietnam is striving to expand its vocational training and improve its vocational education to be one of the top countries in the region by 2030. To support this plan, the IOM, in partnership with Microsoft and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, the General Directorate of Vocational Training, has developed and promoted the e-learning platform congdanso.edu.vn. After nearly two years, the e-learning platform has benefitted over 13,000 Vietnamese learners, especially internal migrant workers, and a little over half of those are women. In recent research by the ILO, 70 per cent of jobs in Vietnam are potentially at risk of automation, with female workers and low-skilled workers being the most affected. The e-learning platform aims to help low-skilled workers learn essential skills such as IT, job interview, and entrepreneurship skills through 22 online courses, helping their employment chances in a digital working environment while increasing their resilience to change. The platform is currently being promoted to workers including migrants workers at IZs in Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Quang Nam and Thai Nguyen, and we hope to be able to expand it more in the future. What role does the IOM play in influencing policies to improve working conditions for migrant workers? Addressing the exploitation of migrant workers requires a coordinated and systemic approach. The IOM has recently taken significant steps to promote supply chain accountability across sectors to increase migrant worker protection. The IOM works directly with the government, employers, labour recruiters, migrant workers, and civil society in Vietnam to provide support across a range of supply chain interventions related to the ethical recruitment and migration of workers. This includes migrant-centred human and labour rights risk assessments, advisory and technical support to strengthen policies and management systems, action-oriented training, and customised tools and multi-stakeholder engagement to foster greater collaboration. The IOM will continue to support the government of Vietnam to address migration to ensure that no one is left behind in the process of achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. We will lend a hand to create more platforms to promote the voices of all migrants, to raise awareness of safe migration, and to make sure that Vietnamese who want to go abroad and those who have returned, or are already overseas, need to be aware of their rights, the services that are available and how they can benefit from them. Shinhan Bank presented 110 bicycles, VND100 million ($ 4,200) scholarships and students gift boxes at SOS Children's Village Vietnam, at this event. The First Lady of the Republic of Korea participated in the "Bike Run" event organised by Shinhan Bank Vietnam, where bicycles and scholarships were presented to underprivileged students at SOS Children's Village Vietnam. "These bikes will give happy memories to students, promote their health and be partners in realising their dreams," The First Lady said, according to Presidential spokesperson. "What's important is to try and to have the courage to stand up again when you fail," she told the children, adding she hopes they bring beauty to not only Vietnam but the entire world as they realise their dreams. Bike Run is one of the significant and humanitarian annual activities held by Shinhan Bank to motivate and help underprivileged students in pursuing their goals for future education. From 2015 to the present, the bank has donated more than 1,100 bicycles to students in localities across the country. In addition to efforts of business development, Shinhan Bank has also demonstrated its sustainable bonding commitments with Vietnams market through significant CSR activities including, Bike Run, Tree Planning Project, Happy Meal, etc. which contains extensive humanity meanings. Particularly in 2022, Shinhan Bank had contributed up to $260,000 as well as 1,337 hours of social activity and 5,132 participation turns. Total expenses for CSR activities since 2007 until now reached $3.5 million (approximately VND79 billion). Kang Gewwon, CEO and general director of Shinhan Bank, stated: 2023 is an important milestone of Shinhan Bank, marking 30 years of our banks presence in Vietnam. With the mission A better world through Finance, we have continuously strived to strengthen series of meaningful social activities, in order to bring a warm finance to community, contributing to the socioeconomic development in Vietnam in the next stages. Shinhan Bank Vietnam Limited (Shinhan Bank) is a subsidiary of Shinhan Bank Korea, an affiliate of Shinhan Financial Group (SFG). SFG is the leading financial holding company in Korea and listed to both Korea Exchange (KRX) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). In Vietnam, Shinhan Banks history can be traced back to 1993 when Shinhan Bank first opened the representative office in Ho Chi Minh City. Over the history of 30 years, Shinhan Bank has built a broad network expanding from the North, the Central and the South of Vietnam. Currently, Shinhan Bank has been offering a diversified portfolio of tailored corporate and consumer banking products and solutions. In 2023, Shinhan Bank was received three consecutive awards from the prestigious international organizations, including: Best Foreign Retail Bank Vietnam 2023 granted by Global Business Review Magazine, Best Foreign Digital Bank Vietnam 2023 granted by International Business Magazine and Best Foreign Bank Vietnam 2023 granted by World Economic Magazine, Fast Growing Corporate Bank Vietnam 2023 by Global Banking and Finance Review Magazine. For more information about Shinhan Bank Vietnam, please visit Website: https://shinhan.com.vn/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/Shinhanbankvn/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nganhangshinhan/ Shinhan Bank Vietnam takes centre stage with prestigious digital transformation award In a dazzling display of its commitment to digital innovation, Shinhan Bank Vietnam has been honoured with a prestigious certificate of merit at the 2023 Digital Transformation Event held in Hanoi by the State Bank of Vietnam. This recognition serves as a testament to the bank's remarkable achievements in spearheading the digital revolution within the banking sector. Representatives from SATI and KEIT at the MoU signing ceremony. (Photo: vnexpress.net) Hanoi The State Agency for Technology Innovation (SATI) under the Ministry of Science and Technology on June 22 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strategic cooperation in advanced technology development with the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT). The signing of the MoU took place on the occasion of the State visit to Vietnam by President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Yoon Suk Yeol. It is part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and a solution to promote cooperation in technology, innovation, and green transformation towards Vietnam's goal of net zero emissions by 2050. At the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh said as Vietnam and the RoK upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022, the MoU signing will not only bring great benefits and potential to the science and technology industry of the two countries but also create economic-social-environmental impacts when the joint research results are widely applied. SATI Director Nguyen Mai Duong said that Vietnam is promoting activities of studying, trading, and transferring new, high-tech, and advanced technologies with partners; strengthening international cooperation with organisations and inpiduals abroad in R&D activities, technology transfer, human resource training, and innovation. Therefore, cooperation between the Vietnamese and Korean agencies is one of the solutions to promote the flow of knowledge and R&D cooperation, contributing to improving the technological capacity and productivity of enterprises, and the quality, and competitiveness of products. Earlier the same day, SATI also signed an MoU with the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) to promote cooperation activities in technology connection, research, and development, innovation for businesses of the two countries, and join the international innovation network. RoK President's Vietnam visit expected to further promote Comprehensive strategic partnership 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. RoK President talks to Hanoi students President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee on June 22 visited and talked to students at the Faculty of Korean Language and Culture of the University of Languages and International Studies under the Vietnam National University Hanoi (VNU), as part of the Presidents state visit to Vietnam. President Vo Van Thuong (R) and his RoK counterpart Yoon Suk Yeol witness the signing of the two governments' agreement on the loan from the economic cooperation promotion fund for 2023-2030. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi - President Vo Van Thuong and his visiting counterpart from the Republic of Korea (RoK) Yoon Suk Yeol witnessed the exchange of 17 cooperation documents across fields between agencies of the two countries after their talks in Hanoi on June 23. Informing the press about the outcomes of the talks on the same day, the two leaders emphasised that based on the nations comprehensive strategic partnership, both sides agreed upon several major orientations to promote bilateral relations in the time to come. The Presidents concurred that in the bilateral diplomatic relations, established more than three decades ago, have seen remarkable progress with important milestones, including the upgrades from comprehensive partnership in 2001 to strategic partnership in 2009 and comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022. President Thuong elaborated that the leaders reached a consensus on further promoting cooperation in politics and external affairs, and maintaining regular exchanges, contacts, and dialogues of delegations at all levels, especially the high level. The two presidents at the press conference (Photo: VNA) Both sides shared a common perception on concretising the framework of comprehensive strategic partnership in defence and security; and pushing substantive cooperation in technology transfer, transnational crime combat, terrorism fight, and response to non-traditional security challenges. Both leaders highlighted the need for joint efforts to make economic cooperation more effective, striving to soon achieve the goal of raising the bilateral trade to 100 billion USD and then to 150 billion USD by 2030 in a balanced and sustainable manner. Vietnam welcomed Korean enterprises new investments and investment expansions particularly in such priority areas as key national and BOT (build-operate-transfer) projects regarding thermal power plants, liquefied natural gas (LNG), high-tech electronics and semiconductors production, big data, biotechnology and smart city development. It wished the RoK to focus on transferring source technology to Vietnam. The two sides said they will continue their close collaboration in effectively implementing the RoKs ODA projects in Vietnam. The RoK agreed to further expand the scale of non-refundable assistance to Vietnam, particularly in research and development (R&D), innovation and creativity. It is also necessary to promote the expansion of cultural, educational, and tourism exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and trust among different social strata, and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese and Korean citizens, they noted. Both sides concurred to continue supporting ASEAN's stance on ensuring security and safety of navigation and overflight in the East Sea in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Vietnam remains concerned about and closely monitors the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and is ready to promote and participate in the denuclearisation process here. For his part, Yoon stated that the sides agreed to enhance strategic cooperation in the fields of diplomacy and security and affirmed their commitment to deepening their strategic relations through the mechanism of regular dialogue between the two foreign and defence ministers. He said the RoK will provide Vietnam with a non-refundable aid worth 200 million USD for the 2024-2027 period, focusing on the areas of environment, climate change, health care, education, and digital transformation. It also plans to support joint research cooperation between the two countries with 30 million USD over the next decade, aiming to support Vietnam's concerted effort for scientific and technological innovation, he added. Both presidents agreed that the RoK will continue to support Vietnam in accessing core and modern technologies and implementing the second phase of the Vietnam - Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) - a symbol of future-oriented development cooperation between the two nations. RoK President's Vietnam visit expected to further promote Comprehensive strategic partnership 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. Vietnam, RoK enhance partnerships in construction The International Contractors Association of the Republic of Korea (RoK) (ICAK) and the Vietnam Association of Construction Contractors (VACC) signed a memorandum of understanding on June 22, during an ongoing State visit by President of the RoK Yoon Suk Yeol. Vietnam, RoK boost cooperation in technology, innovation The State Agency for Technology Innovation (SATI) under the Ministry of Science and Technology on June 22 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strategic cooperation in advanced technology development with the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT). The Integrated ESG Director Certification Program is the result of The Vietnam Institute of Directors' (VIOD) close collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and the technical support provided by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. The course has been designed to empower corporate directors and executives with the necessary tools and knowledge to integrate ESG considerations into their organisations. Kicking off the first year of the initiative, Darryl Dong, deputy country manager and principal economist from the IFC, delivered a speech to distinguished guests and course participants emphasising the significance of ESG in today's world of corporate governance "ESG is not easy, but it makes good-corporate sense, and its DNA permeates the global market. ESG brings with it a boost in corporate reputation and market recognition. Investors today look beyond financial performance to partners with a solid footing in ESG to manage risks, boost corporate standing, and strengthen investor relations, he said. The launch event witnessed a diverse gathering of participants from private sectors as well as state-owned enterprises, showcasing a shared commitment to advancing corporate governance practices in Vietnam. The scheme, spanning three consecutive days, will provide comprehensive training, sharing, and interactive discussions on the practical implementation of ESG principles. 5th Annual Corporate Governance Forum held by VIOD and VIR The 5th Annual Corporate Governance Forum took place on December 9 in the Reverie Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, with the theme "Stronger leadership for a multi-threat world". The annual event is co-organised by the Vietnam Institute of Directors (VIOD), a member of Global Network of Director Institutes and Vietnam Investment Review. Businesses can show the way with ESG compliance The importance of sustainability to the bottom line, particularly a stronger corporate governance foundation, has risen to the top of the agenda for businesses large and small. LOCUST GROVE, Ga. (AP) A South Korean company will open a factory in suburban Atlanta to make parts for electric batteries. NVH Korea said Thursday that it would invest $72 million in a plant in Locust Grove, south of Atlanta, hiring 140 workers. The plant will make sensors, connections and protectors for electric vehicle batteries, beginning operations in 2024. Chairman and CEO Ja Kyum Koo said in a statement that its NVH Korea's first venture into making components for electric batteries. Based in Ulsan, NVH Korea is the 10th supplier to locate in the region after Hyundai said in 2022 that it would build a $5.5 billion plant to assemble electric vehicles and batteries in Ellabell, Georgia, near Savannah. The site could grow to 8,100 employees and is slated to begin producing vehicles in 2025. Suppliers have pledged to invest nearly $2.1 billion and to hire nearly 4,900 people. It's NVH Korea's second plant in Georgia. Subsidiary AFS America in Columbus makes floor mats and cargo trays for the Hyundai plant in Montgomery, Alabama, the sister Kia plant in West Point, Georgia, and for General Motors. NVH Korea has 19 plants worldwide in South Korea, North America, China, India, Europe and Russia. It makes sound-dampening parts and materials, floor mats, headliners, insulators, as well as parts to help manage engine and cooling system temperatures. The state of Georgia will pay to train NVH Korea's workers. The company could qualify for $1.2 million in state income tax credits, at $1,750 per job over five years, as long as workers make at least $31,300 a year. The company could qualify for other incentives, including property tax breaks from Locust Grove and Henry County. WATERLOO The Iowa Court of Appeals has upheld the removal of two children from a home after their sibling died under suspicious circumstances in 2021. No criminal charges have ever been filed in the case, and the appellate court ruling only identifies the mother and children by their initials. According to court records, paramedics with Waterloo Fire Rescue were on another call when they were flagged down by the mother, who handed them the unresponsive 2-month-old baby identified as B.J. Medics began CPR and took him to UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital, where doctors revived him. He was then flown to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City for what was initially believed to be a medical issue. But then doctors discovered head injuries and retinal hemorrhaging, and suspected possible abuse, records state. Both parents initially denied causing the injuries. The two older children were removed from the home at that time and placed in foster care. The mother later provided a detailed confession to police, claiming she had shaken the baby and demonstrating the act on a doll, records state. The following day, the childs father took his own life and was found dead on a Cedar Falls bike trail. The mother then recanted her statements to police and claimed the childs father had shaken the baby, court records state. The infant died on Dec. 21, 2021. Court records allege the mother was struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues and wasnt successful with treatment. Her parental rights were terminated during a February 2023 hearing. The Iowa Court of Appeals upheld the termination in a ruling handed down Wednesday, saying she had not addressed concerns over her drug use and never offered a plausible explanation to how her child was injured. The cause and manner of the infants death remain undetermined, according to the childs death certificate. CEDAR FALLS Local nonprofit Leader Valley welcomed a very special guest speaker to Bien VenU Event Center on Wednesday the man behind its core teaching strategy, Sean Covey. Covey is a New York Times best-selling author and president of FranklinCovey Education, the proprietor of the Leader in Me program. Leader Valley works to implement the Leader in Me program in area schools by training staff members and providing materials on Coveys seven habits geared toward creating happy and effective children, teenagers and adults. Current Leader in Me administrators, students, educators, volunteers and donors as well as prospective Leader in Me school administrators were invited to attend. Covey gave a keynote address where he shared stories about his own children, other school programs and experiences with his father Stephen Covey, a teacher and author. His fathers book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, has sold over 40 million copies worldwide since its publishing in 1989. During his presentation, Covey noted how Leader Valley was one of the first organizations of its kind to implement the leadership program in multiple schools and districts throughout the community. This communitys amazing in the way theyve established Leader in Me throughout the entire community, Covey said. Its all about helping kids become college, career and life ready. Its powerful because its business, community and schools coming together on one initiative. When that happens, you can do anything. This has been a model for so many other initiatives around the country, he added. Other people have seen what youve done and are mimicking it, so its not just the influence youre having here but throughout the whole nation. Covey also participated in a panel discussion alongside four students from area Leader in Me schools. The students talked about the ways Leader Valley has impacted their school and home lives. One of the big reasons I would encourage anyone to become part of a Leader in Me schools is the confidence that you can see coming from each of the kids, said Sofia Park, a student panelist from Blessed Maria Assunta Pallotta Middle School in Waterloo. The way that we all carry ourselves and the belief that we can do anything we put our minds to is something really valuable that I would encourage everyone to have, she said. This coming year, Leader Valley will be serving 27 Leader in Me schools in eight different districts. Last year they served over 11,800 students in preschool through 12th grade. Our primary mission is bringing to life leadership across the Cedar Valley in our PreK-12 schools. We always say our mission is changing lives through leadership, Leader Valley Executive Director Melissa Reade said. Today is really a celebration of education, a celebration of leadership and a celebration of the work that our Leader in Me schools are doing in the Cedar Valley. One of those schools is Kittrell Elementary in Waterloo, where Audrey Wallican-Green is going into her 19th year as principal. At Kittrell, students are given specific roles to fulfill both building-wide and in the classroom alongside learning the skills laid out in Coveys seven steps. About Coveys presentation, Wallican-Green said, It was amazing to hear. As we instill something positive in our children, the world is open to anything they want to do. Im instilling those things in my grandbabies, she said. Kittrell has been a Leader in Me school for about eight years. If youre not a Leader in Me school, you should be, Wallican-Green said. Once you figure things out, its a good way to build citizens in your community, she said. Life has changed a lot. ...The earlier we start building leaders the better off our society will be. PHOTOS: East at Columbus Catholic softball 062122-spt-columbus-east-1.JPG 062123-spt-columbus-east-2.JPG 062123-spt-columbus-east-3.JPG 062123-spt-columbus-east-4.JPG 062123-spt-columbus-east-5.JPG 062123-spt-columbus-east-6.JPG Third in a series WATERLOO When Jamie Oberheu was a young girl, she was told by those around her she would make an amazing teacher one day. Fourteen years into her career as a Waterloo elementary school teacher, she makes an effort every day to live up to those predictions. While not leading her classroom of 20 second-grade students at Orange Elementary School with a zest for learning, she is a dedicated wife and mother of three in her familys quaint neighborhood on the edge of Waterloo. Despite her roots and lifelong residence in the Cedar Valley, one key factor could determine whether Oberheu remains in Iowa during the coming decades. Our own children see and feel that Iowa is not a place that they will want to live in as they grow older, said the Waterloo native. Oberheus children, ages 13, 11 and 8, already talk about moving out of state when they grow up. One reason she and her husband, Donavan, an art teacher at East High School, originally settled in the community after they married was to stay close to their families. Now, the couple has had conversations about retiring out of state depending on where their children end up. She explained her childrens desire to leave Iowa stems from something greater than just wanting to spread their wings. Many of the recent LGBTQ bills affect our kids friends in different ways, she said. They see all of the laws and restrictions and the way that our government is targeting individual groups or marginalized people. Oberheu considers her home a safe space for open conversation on political issues. We have a home where we talk about these things frequently and bring them up and have discussions, she said. Our older two are always asking questions, wanting to know more, asking us why there became different laws, or asking how they can get involved in making change in some way. Though she considers herself a lifelong Democrat, Oberheus family never discussed politics when she was growing up. It wasnt until her time in college at the University of Northern Iowa that she began to fully step into her political beliefs. She remembers listening with her husband to Barack Obama speak leading up to the 2008 presidential election, the first election where she was old enough to vote. The couple also caucused in 2020, bringing their kids along. I caucused for Elizabeth Warren while he caucused for Bernie Sanders and we made our children pick the side they wanted to go to, she recalled with a laugh. However, just over a year ago a tragedy not only shook the nation but also served as a personal wakeup call for Oberheu. The day of the Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Oberheu had texted a colleague who was a first-year teacher to check in on how she was processing the news. The first-year teacher responded as Oberheu predicted: she was having a rough time. Oberheus next move would start a new chapter of her life. My response back to her was, Your first one is always the hardest, and in that moment I realized, What are you doing? she said. Why is that a thing that were texting each other? I have now been teaching during two, now three with Nashville, elementary school shootings, she added. I decided in that moment that I wanted to stop just letting things happen to me, and I wanted to stand up and do something myself. Oberheu contacted the Iowa City chapter of Moms Demand Action, a nationwide organization fighting for public safety measures to end gun violence. Now, she is the chapter leader of Moms Demand Action in the Cedar Valley as well as their gun safety education strategy, the BeSMART program. Between holding monthly meetings and working with area school boards to distribute gun safety education materials to parents, Moms Demand Action works to stop legislation that would loosen gun laws. While the threat of gun violence consistently lurks in her mind as a mother and teacher, Oberheu feels that another entity has taken a more controlling role in these areas of her life as of late the government. Recent legislation, such as the book banning bill signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds in late May, has put a veil of uncertainty on the future of the veteran teachers classroom. There is worry that now my classroom library will look different or books that are accessible for kids will look different, she said. Alongside book bans, Oberheu has witnessed a lack of support for social-emotional learning, a crucial area in helping children learn to regulate their own emotions, something she has seen her own students struggle with more and more during the past few years. A bill was introduced in the Iowa Senate in February to ban social-emotional learning, claiming it conflicts with the religious and political beliefs of many families. This issue is just one example of a disconnect Oberheu sees between what teachers see kids needing in the classroom and what lawmakers believe to be happening behind classroom doors. For some reason people think we have time to make children change their gender or make children believe a certain thing. If that was the case Id make them all believe the multiplication facts, because thats what Im trying to get them to learn, she said. Thats where I feel the government stepping in a bit. Theyre trying to take away our ability to do our job in certain ways of what we see kids needing, or imagining that things are happening that arent truly happening, she added. She also feels the government is overstepping when it comes to restrictions on LGBTQ rights and access to abortion. Its not our right to tell people who to be or how to be, just to protect them, and it doesnt feel like were doing much protecting, she said. Instead were inflicting more danger. The events of the past few years have made Oberheu doubt her choice of vocation. Asked if she ever considers leaving the profession, she gives a resounding Yes. During the 2020-21 school year, she reached the point of interviewing for other jobs. However, her passion for teaching was stronger than the doubts in her mind. I do believe that Im a good teacher, and I do love what it is that I do, so leaving them and leaving that would be really hard, she said. I have to believe that all of (the challenges) are for something big and wonderful that is going to come out of it, she added. Thats part of my reason for sticking with it, because I do believe that were going to come out of this with an understanding of how important our schools are. And not just any schools, but our public schools, because we really are the thing that helps a society continue to function. Instead of leaving the profession, she changed grades from fifth to second, which she says has now put her here for the lifelong gig. However, she cant deny how much the challenges of her profession, and the publics view of her profession, have changed over the years. I dont think well ever go back to where we were but I have to believe that all change requires a valley that then equals a mountain peak, she said. Family always remains front and center for Oberheu. She would be willing to leave the state where she has spent her entire life to be close to her children. Their safety and happiness are most important to her. If my kids could all just come to school feeling safe, that would start us off on a much better playing field than the things that we are worrying about, micromanaging in different ways instead of hitting the bigger issues that are at stake, she said. Theyre the harder issues, theyre harder things to talk about and overcome, but theyre the big things. Jamie Oberheu Age: 36 City of residence: Waterloo Occupation: Second-grade teacher at Orange Elementary School Family: Husband and three children Years in Iowa: 36 Political affiliation: Democrat What presidential candidate did you vote for in 2020?: Biden 3 Questions What are the biggest challenges you face in everyday life? Fears as a mom for the safety of her children and family, obstacles and restrictions in being able to teach in a way that best serves students. How do you see Iowas government affecting your life? Affects classroom abilities, child labor laws affect her children, gun safety legislation impacts feelings of safety for her family and students. What issues do you wish the government paid more attention to? Gun safety. Less attention? Monitoring libraries/social-emotional learning laws, LGBTQ+ restrictions, abortion restrictions. Photos and video: Iowa legislators pass governor's private-school funding bill WATERLOO The Waterloo Public Library will welcome Debra Marquart, Iowas poet laureate, at 6 p.m. on June 29. The event will have music, storytelling and poetry. Marquart has written seven books, including The Horizontal World: Growing Up Wild in the Middle of Nowhere and Small Buried Things: Poems. Shes been featured on National Public Radio and the British Broadcasting Company and has received more than 50 grants and awards including a National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowships, a PEN USA Award, a New York Times Editors Choice commendation and Elle Magazines Lettres Awards. In 2021, she was awarded a Poets Laureate Fellowship from the Academy of American Poets. Her visit is supported by a grant from Humanities Iowa. 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. NEW YORK 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 relearn 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. 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 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." The persistence of anti-Black hate crimes is an American tradition: What more than 30 years of federal data tells us The persistence of anti-Black hate crimes is an American tradition: What more than 30 years of federal data tells us Over 60% of all reported hate crimes are racially motivated At least 1,500 anti-Black hate crimes have been reported every year since 1991 Complete data based on official hate crime reporting is limited There are 3 main reasons why hate crimes go unreported Opportunity for nuanced conversation and data SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Tropical Storm Cindy has formed behind Tropical Storm Bret, in the first case of two storms in the tropical Atlantic in June since record keeping began in 1851, forecasters said Friday. The historic event signals an early and aggressive start to the Atlantic hurricane season that began on June 1 and that usually peaks from mid-August to mid-October. Some forecasters blamed unusually high sea temperatures for the rare development. "The Atlantic is awfully warm this year," said Kerry Emanuel, a meteorologist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, adding that it's partly a result of global warming, natural variability and the ocean's recovering from sulfate aerosols pollution that cooled it decades ago. Studies show that a warmer world is producing wetter and more intense hurricanes, with scientists still trying to figure out if climate change alters how many storms brew. Because of more early and preseason storms, the National Hurricane Center started issuing advisories earlier in the year, with experts recently discussing the idea of declaring the start of the hurricane season earlier. Emanuel noted that in the entire Atlantic Ocean not just the tropical Atlantic it's not unusual to have storms in June. Including this year, it happened 34 times since 1851, he said. Cindy is expected to remain a tropical storm as it heads northeast into open waters. Meanwhile, Bret brought winds, heavy rain and swells of up to 15 feet tall early Friday to islands in the eastern Caribbean that shut down to prepare for potential landslides and flooding. Officials in the French Caribbean island of Martinique said they were searching for four people who apparently were aboard a lifeboat after their catamaran sank during the storm. Power outages were reported in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with at least 130 people seeking protection in government shelters as the storm washed away one home and caused severe damage to several others, officials said. Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, told NBC Radio, a local station, on Friday that officials were still assessing the damage and helping those in need. Authorities in Barbados said they received more than a dozen reports of damage across the island, according to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. The storm's center was west of St. Vincent and moving west into open waters at 18 mph. Its maximum sustained winds were 60 mph. Airports, businesses, schools and offices closed on St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Dominica, Martinique and other islands by midday Thursday. Forecasters warned that the storm might pass directly over St. Lucia, which is north of St. Vincent, but its path shifted south. Bret was expected to lose strength after entering the eastern Caribbean Sea and was forecast to dissipate by the weekend. Meanwhile, Cindy's maximum sustained winds were around 50 mph on Friday, and forecasts called for some strengthening. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast 12 to 17 named storms for this year's hurricane season. It said between five and nine of those could become hurricanes, including up to four major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher. 25 costliest hurricanes of all time Costly storms #25. Alicia #24. Opal #23. Fran #22. Georges #21. Floyd #20. Jeanne #19. Matthew #18. Frances #17. Irene #16. Hugo #15. Charley #14. Laura #13. Rita #12. Florence #11. Wilma #10. Michael #9. Ivan #8. Ike #7. Andrew #6. Irma #5. Ida #4. Sandy #3. Maria #2. Harvey #1. Katrina #25. Opal #24. Fran #23. Georges #22. Floyd #21. Jeanne #20. Matthew #19. Frances #18. Irene #17. Hugo #16. Charley #15. Laura #14. Rita #13. Florence #12. Wilma #11. Michael #10. Ivan #9. Ike #8. Andrew #7. Irma #6. Ida #5. Sandy #4. Maria #3. Ian #2. Harvey #1. Katrina What do 9-year-olds need to know about sexual activity or gender fluidity? For most parents, the answer is, Whatever I choose to tell them at home. But for millions of parents, thats not an option. Their school districts are ignoring their wishes and engaging in conversations about these sensitive and intimate issues often without the knowledge or consent of parents. In response, states such as Arizona and Florida have passed Parents Bill of Rights laws, returning the power over their childrens educations to their parents. Gender ideology poses new threats to childrens minds and bodies, as well as to their family relationships, said Emily Kao of the Heritage Foundation. And polls show that, even with opponents falsely labeling the legislation the Dont Say Gay bill, Floridians overwhelmingly supported its basic tenets. Advocates for sex and gender content in elementary schools argue these discussions are necessary to help students feel safe and heard. But what about parents? Shouldnt they feel safe and heard, too? Many parents are expressing extreme discomfort with the tone and content of these classroom discussions. Yet they are dismissed as bigoted and narrow-minded when they share that discomfort. It isnt bigotry to demand sensitive and controversial topics be reserved for the home. Teachers are tasked with teaching, not psychological analysis. One might consider it bigotry toward parents to silence them when they have concerns about their children and what theyre learning. Parents are not obstacles. Some parents may be more or less helpful than others. Still, it is the height of arrogance for a public school employee to judge what any parent should or should not be allowed to know about their childs school day. These arent just discussions about the benignly labeled gender identity. That term means something, and digging into it leads to explicit conversation. What kind of conversation are you having when youre discussing gender and sexual identity? Sexual identity involves physical attraction and romantic love. What kind of conversation are you having when youre discussing gender identity? You are necessarily discussing reproductive organs, their function and what part they do or dont play in your gender identity. Most sane adults would not prefer any acquaintance, professional or otherwise, talking to their children about such private and mature issues. Why, then, do we give school administrators this authority over our own children? Yes, we charge them with educating our children, and thats a special job. But we pay them to provide a service. We appreciate what they do, but they are not the people we look to for guidance on how to raise our children or what is appropriate for young eyes and ears. Some parents choose to give their children smartphones. Others do not. No teacher has any business on that matter. Whether or not a child has a smartphone is exclusively up to the parent. Nary a person out there would disagree. What would happen to an elementary school teacher who decided his students all needed smartphones and open internet access, regardless of their parents wishes, and started handing out iPhones? Wouldnt they be fired or at the least reprimanded? Talking to a 10-year-old about whether he really is or isnt a boy shouldn't be any different. Isnt it worse? But when parents speak out, we are often branded as utterly useless or moral fascists simply because we want a say in who can talk to our children about sex and gender. At the very least, the education system owes it to parents to defer to their judgment on any sensitive issues about their children. It is all well and good to endeavor to set up a safe space for kids to discuss their sexuality. But those spaces dont belong in a classroom setting. It is better to err on the side of caution. We can set up extracurricular clubs or side activities to help with at-risk kids. The classroom is for learning facts and figures, not therapy. BOSTON (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 were killed aboard the Titan submersible when it imploded in the Atlantic Ocean sometime this week. The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday said there were no survivors after the catastrophic implosion deep in the North Atlantic. The search for the submersible as well as any clues to explain what happened underwater continued Thursday after a deep-sea robot found debris near the Titanic shipwreck. Rear Adm. John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District, said search efforts will continue but that the prospect of finding or recovering remains was unknown. The 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 raced against the clock because it was feared the oxygen supply could run out by Thursday morning. 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 were on the Titan. They were: 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 was 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 McDonnell Douglas Corp. in 1984 as a flight test engineer. Over the past 20 years, he oversaw 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. Rush's wife, Wendy Rush, is a descendant of a wealthy couple who died when the Titanic sank in 1912. She is the great-great-granddaughter of Isidor and Ida Straus, The New York Times reported Thursday. Straus was a retailing magnate who co-owned Macys department store. HAMISH HARDING A British businessman, Harding lived in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Action Aviation, an aircraft brokering company for which Harding served as chairman, said he was one of the mission specialists, who paid to go on the expedition. Harding was a billionaire adventurer who held 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. Hardings family said in a statement: He was one of a kind and we adored him. ... What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved. 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. SHAHZADA AND SULEMAN DAWOOD Father-and-son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood were members of one of Pakistan's most prominent families. Their family had said in a statement that they were both aboard the vessel. Their firm, Dawood Hercules Corp., based in Karachi, is involved in agriculture, petrochemicals and telecommunication infrastructure. In Pakistan, the Dawood-owned Engro Corporation, a fertilizer company, announced the deaths of the two men early Friday. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dawood family at this tragic time. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends and all those around the world who grieve the unthinkable loss, the statement said. When called, the companys employees said they were reciting verses from the Quran for the Dawoods. Shahzada Dawood also was on the board of trustees for the California-based SETI Institute that searches for extraterrestrial intelligence. The Dawoods lived in the UK, according to SETI. Shahzada Dawood was also a member of the Global Advisory Board at the Princes Trust International, founded by Britain's King Charles III to address youth unemployment. He had degrees from the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom and Philadelphia University (now Thomas Jefferson University) in the U.S. Condolences poured in from Pakistans Foreign Ministry, government officials, friends and ordinary Pakistanis. Pakistani TV stations halted their routine broadcasts and shared the news. Salman Sufi, an adviser to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, wrote on Twitter: Very sad and unfortunate news. Prayers for the families of deceased. Mr Dawood and family are in our prayers. PAUL-HENRI NARGEOLET Nargeolet was a former French navy officer who was considered a Titanic expert after making multiple trips to the wreckage over several decades. He was director of underwater research for E/M Group and RMS Titanic Inc., had completed 37 dives to the wreck and supervised the recovery of 5,000 artifacts, according to his company profile. RMS Titanic, Inc., the company that owns the salvage rights to the Titanic shipwreck, mourned the longtime employee known as PH. The maritime world has lost an iconic and inspirational leader in deep-sea exploration, and we have lost a dear and treasured friend, the company said in a statement Thursday. Friend and former colleague Matthew Tulloch said Nargeolet loved his work from the time they first collaborated in the 1990s up until Nargeolet's death. I never got the impression that he was looking forward to retirement, Tulloch said with a small laugh. You sort of think of people as they retire, then they can go on and do things that they love to do. This was exactly that for him I cant think of anything that Im aware of that he would enjoy doing more than traveling around and sharing information and his experiences with people. Longtime friend and colleague Christian Petron hailed Nargeolet as surely one of the worlds greatest explorers of the deeps. Speaking Friday to broadcaster France-Info, the retired diver and underwater filmographer said he and Nargeolet had known each other for more than 40 years after meeting in the French navy, and made repeated dives to the Titanic together. He opined that Nargeolet was aware of the risks, but would have been powered by a thirst for further exploration of the Titanic wreck and its fauna and flora. There are always extraordinary things. When you descend deeper than 1,000 meters, you always find unknown things, unknown animals, he said. Theres always something to find on a wreck like that, which is a genuine oasis on a sandy bottom where there is absolutely nothing. Nargeolet was expedition leader on the most technologically advanced dive to the Titanic in 2010, which used high-resolution sonar and 3D optical imaging on the Titanic's 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. This story has been updated to correct spelling to Paul-Henri Nargeolet, not Paul-Henry. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (22 June 2023) Tonight, Russian Aerospace Forces launched group long-range precision strikes at AFU foreigh-made hardware and weapons depot. Assigned target has been destroyed. The goal of the strike has been achieved. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have continued their unsuccessful attempts to launch offensive in South Donetsk, Zaporozhskoye, Donetsk, and Krasny Liman directions during the past 24 hours. Two attacks by AFU units of the 37th Marine Brigade have been repelled near Vremevka salient, Novodonetskoye and Makarovka in South Donetsk direction. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation have launched strikes at manpower and hardware clusters of 31st Mechanised Brigade, 110th and 128th Territorial Defence brigades close to Neskuchnoye, Novosyolki, and Novodarovka. As a result of the strikes, an infantry fighting vehicle, as well as three armoured fighting vehicles have been destroyed. In Zaporozhye direction, aviation and artillery of the Vostok Group of Forces inflicted a fire damage on the AFU units close to Novodanilovka, Preobrazhenka, Shcherbaki, and Lobkovoye. Total losses of the enemy over the past 24 hours in these directions have amounted to over 110 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, four infantry fighting vehicles, eight armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, and two D-20 howitzers. In Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces aviation, artillery have successfully repelled four enemy attacks close to Vesesoye, Severnoye, and Pervomayskoye. Over 185 Ukrainian servicemen, an infantry fighting vehicle, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles have been eliminated in this direction during the day. Apart from that, two ammunition depots of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been destroyed near Seversk and Avdeevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). In Krasny Liman direction, committed and skillful actions of Russian units, Operational-Tactical Aviation, artillery and heavy flamethrower systems of the Tsentr Group of Forces allowed to repel five enemy attacks close to Kuzmino and Serebryansky forestry. Aviation inflicted fire damage on the 21th and 67 Mechanised Brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Terni and Serebryanka. In addition, actions of three sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been thwarted near Yampolovka, Chervonaya Dibrova, and Serebryansky forestry. The enemy has suffered losses of over 135 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, two armoured fighting vehicles, three pick-up trucks, one Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer, and one D-30 howitzer in this direction in the past 24 hours. In Kupyansk direction, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces have destroyed AFU manpower and hardware close to Novomlynsk, Petropavlovka, Kotlyarovka, and Stelmakhovka. In addition, two sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were neutralised near Sinkovka and Novosyolovskoye. The enemys losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops, armoured personnel carrier, two motor vehicles, as well as an American-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system during the day. In Kherson direction, up to 45 Ukrainian servicemen, two motor vehicles, and a D-30 howitzer have been neutralised by fire. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged 105 AFU artillery units at their fire positions, manpower, and military hardware in 124 areas during the day. Moreover, a command and observation post of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was destroyed close to Veseloye. Air defence forces have intercepted five Storm Shadow cruise missiles and two HIMARS MLRS projectiles during the day. Air defence means have shot down 15 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near Dvurechnoye (Kharkov region), Kremennaya, Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Razdolovka, Volnovakha, Kirillovka, Krasnopolye (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Lyubimovka, Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region), and Chervoniy Mayak (Kherson region). In total, 444 airplanes and 240 helicopters, 4,740 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 10,278 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,129 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,193 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 11,110 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. WtR Six Chicago residents from 16 to 23 years old were arrested after three stolen vehicles were found in Dane County after fleeing from Columbia County law enforcement. More than 80 group are tragically dormant aliases injured aft 3 different horrific events from astir nan globe. A state canister exploded earlier coming successful a Chinese barbecue edifice up of a vacation weekend. Thirty-one group were killed and 7 others injured. President Xi Jinping has called for a thorough investigation, starring to nan apprehension of nan proprietor and 8 others. Another detonation this clip successful Paris group a celebrated creation schoolhouse ablaze. Authorities opportunity 4 were near successful captious information and much than 30 others injured. While immoderate propose a state statement caused nan explosion, a constabulary spokesperson said it was excessively early to find nan source. And successful a horrific enactment of pack violence, 46 women were murdered astatine a Honduran situation connected Tuesday. The onslaught was carried retired by incarcerated Barrio 18 members, who had banned guns and machetes, against rival pack members. The Chinese threat grows by nan day. On nan heels of nan find that China has a spy installation successful Cuba, The Wall Street Journal reports that it is besides building a associated subject training guidelines connected nan island. Earlier this week Secretary of State Antony Blinken said nan U.S. is concerned astir Chinas operations successful Cuba. The study cites existent and erstwhile U.S officials who noted pinch interest that nan sites of nan caller accommodation are only astir 100 miles disconnected Floridas coast. As a consequence Florida politicians are taking note. Today Congressman Matt Gaetz urged President Biden to usage nan subject to intervene. Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that Chinas moves are nan nonstop consequence of Bidens overseas policy. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Why cant the surviving Beatles just let it be? Paul McCartneys announcement that there will be a new Beatles record this year, based on an unreleased demo from John Lennon in which his voice has been extricated and massaged via artificial intelligence (AI), should send shudders through any true fan of the Fab Four. In a recent BBC Radio interview, Sir Paul admitted that theres a scary side to the latest technology including entirely AI-generated tracks that hes heard with digital replications of Lennons voice singing McCartneys songs when he never did so in real life. Imagine all the people creating fan-fiction versions of the Beatles catalog good enough to fool the average listener. For some reason, though, McCartney seems perfectly content to risk the Beatles reputation by pushing off down the slippery slope of AI into a project that feels like a long and winding road away from anything that Lennon or George Harrison would have endorsed in their lifetimes. (Lennon died in 1980, Harrison in 2001.) McCartney is not the only one seeking to capitalize on the latest technology to produce new works out of digitized versions of classic stars. There are now fresh music releases by long-dead artists, holograms that seek to recreate a concert performance, and movies that might resurrect dead stars in entirely new scenarios. When it comes to skin care in your 50s, restoring that luminous glow you once had in your 20s may seem like wishful thinking. Turns out, exfoliating regularly (and properly) helps shed dead skin cells, unclog pores, improve skin texture and allows skin care products to penetrate deeper. The result? A healthier, more youthful-looking complexion. Aesthetician Michelle Ghafari and dermatologist Monee Thomas share best practices for exfoliating to achieve your most radiant, 50-plus skin yet. 1. Understand the difference between chemical and physical exfoliants. Slathering on a grainy scrub may seem like the most satisfying way to slough off the gunk but its not the only way. In fact, there are two forms of exfoliants: physical and chemical. A physical exfoliant manually removes dead skin cells from the surface layer of the skin, including scrubs that contain tiny particles, or more aggressive methods like dermaplaning, a professional treatment that involves the use of a scalpel to scrape off dead skin cells and facial hair. A chemical exfoliant uses acids, such as alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA), as well as vitamin A (retinol) to break down dead skin cells on the skins surface, and is a much gentler option for aging skin. Think: serums and peels. I personally try to have my clients cycle through different forms of exfoliants, whether it is a combination of physical and chemical exfoliants or two different forms of chemical exfoliants, and we make a plan to alternate the days each product is used, says Ghafari, a licensed aesthetician at Aesthetic Theory Medspa in Michigan. This will usually [depend on] skin type and the condition we are treating. A Guide to Better Skin After 50 Have healthy looking skin at any age Tips, advice and resources 2. Start slowly. Exfoliating can do wonders for the skin, but dont get carried away. Mature skin can be dry, more prone to irritation and less resilient, so if you overdo it, your skin will let you know. Overexfoliation can damage the skin barrier, leading to irritation and inflammation, warns Thomas, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Glow Dermatology in Houston. The key is to incorporate exfoliating into your regimen gradually and watch your skins response, Ghafari adds. A skin care professional can help you determine the right products and frequency for your needs. But generally, its wise to limit the use of physical exfoliants, such as scrubs and masks, to once a week to prevent irritation. And although chemical exfoliants are milder, using them once or twice a week is usually enough for mature skin to reap the benefits. (Left to right) skinbetter science AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads; skinbetter science AlphaRet Clearing Serum; Alastin Skincare ReSurface Skin Polish; Zo Skin Health Complexion Renewal Pads skinbetter science (2); Alastin Skincare; ZO Skin Health 3. Know your skin type. Dry, aging skin can benefit from an AHA, such as lactic acid, which contains hydrating properties, Ghafari says. And, of course, retinol is a must for mature skin, as it helps with cell turnover, thus improving skin texture. Oily or blemish-prone skin may benefit from a BHA, such as salicylic acid, which helps remove excess sebum. Oftentimes, [these] types of ingredients can come in different forms of pads that you can use at home, Ghafari says. The AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads from skinbetter science ($115, skinbetter.com) is a really good option for most skin types, and it has a combination of those ingredients in there. Other safe options that Ghafari recommends for most skin types include Alastin Skincares ReSurface Skin Polish ($62, Alastin.com), Complexion Renewal Pads by Zo Skin Health ($59, zoskinhealth.com) and skinbetters AlphaRet Clearing Serum ($135, skinbetter.com). Struggling with adult acne or sensitive skin? Ghafari suggests staying away from harsh scrubs and sticking to chemical exfoliants to keep excess oil and bacteria at bay. Constantly massaging the skin topically with something physical can cause a lot of irritation, and if youre acne prone, that stimulation can cause breakouts to arise, Ghafari explains. When you spend hours scrolling on your digital device on a couch, you are likely holding your head forward and down. It is a position that the neck can manage for a while, but if you do it too long and repeatedly, the brain and body may protest with pain. Physical therapists call this posture tech neck: the term for a repetitive strain injury to the necks ligaments and muscles caused by spending long periods looking down at a digital device with the head tilted forward. Your head is essentially supposed to be between your shoulders, says Los Angeles physical therapist Sarah Court, who is also cohost of the podcast Movement Logic. Every time you bring it forward, your neck is rounding, and while that position in itself isnt a problem, it can become one. The head weighs, on average, between 10 and 11 pounds, and when it stays forward for long periods, it leads to uneven distribution of load along the spine. Older adults are at risk of negative effects from tech neck because, with age, the body loses muscle mass and bone density. The forward position of the head can exacerbate degeneration of spinal discs, leading to pinched nerves and a reduction in the ability to turn the head left and right, Court says. Many people have been advised to turn to ergonomic strategies to prevent tech neck, such as buying a stand for a phone to place on a table to keep the screen at eye level or a chair that encourages the head to stay in alignment with the shoulders over the hips. Inevitably, however, most people will still end up rounding their head forward when they are in front of a computer or phone screen. People have the best intentions and may start in a really good position, Court says, and then 45 minutes later realize theyre slumped forwards. Theyre not able to maintain it because its tiring to hold the body still, even in a good position, for a long time. What works better for preventing and responding to tech neck is adding in a mix of movements throughout the day to counter the forward movement of the neck, physical therapists say. Movement, in general, encourages bones to remain strong and strengthens muscles up and down the spine; it hydrates connective tissue and reduces stiffening in the whole body. You have to think about sitting like its a sport, says Katy Bowman, a Carlsborg, Washington, biomechanist and author of the new book Rethink Your Position. You are using your body to do something for six to eight hours a day and so anything you can do to improve mobility and muscle endurance will help you sit better with less pain. If you are going to be in front of a computer or using your mobile technology for hours, here are five ideas of movements and strategies to prevent tech neck: 1. Create nudges to take mini-breaks from stillness Changing your habits can be hard, especially if you get lost in scrolling on social media. Reminders can help. Set a kitchen timer or your digital device timer for every 30 minutes to an hour as a nudge to change the position of your head and body. Stand up and walk around for one minute. Move to a different spot in the room. If getting out of the chair isnt possible, spend one minute fidgeting in the seat, Bowman says. If you have a pet, you want to give it the best care possible. But that may be harder to afford right now. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that in November 2022 petflation boosted the cost of pet food a whopping 15.7 percent, year over year. Wet food for dogs and cats rose even more, 22.6 percent and 18.8 percent, respectively. The total pet category (food and services) rose 12.7 percent. Medical care can be especially challenging to afford. In a TEDx talk in Santa Barbara, California, Matthew Bershadker, president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, estimated that the top 40 percent of pet owners can regularly afford veterinary care, the middle 40 percent can sometimes provide it and the bottom 20 percent may not be able to. Its simply not an option. The cost of veterinary medicine is out of reach for so many, Bershadker said. What can you do? Fortunately, there are ways to lower, defray or eliminate some expenses. You could, as the ASPCA suggests, do nail-cutting, brushing and even grooming at home instead of paying for these services. Following are more ways to keep costs down, as you provide your pet with loving care. 1. Include pet care in your budget First, track expenses, as you may be spending more than you think. According to a survey by Rover.com, depending on where you live and your lifestyle, one dog may cost from $480 to $3,470 per year. These figures dont include upfront costs, such as supplies, initial veterinary care, and spaying or neutering, which may bring that figure to $1,050 to $4,480 for a dog thats healthy. A cat, says the ASPCA, may cost around $634 annually for food, treats, safe toys, routine checkups, vaccinations, and flea and tick and heartworm medications. Pet costs are necessary, just like food, rent, or mortgage payments, says Matthew Gaffey, a certified financial planner at Corbett Road Wealth Management in McLean, Virginia. To better afford them, look for discretionary items in your budget that you can easily cut. They will likely pale in comparison to the love you have for your pet, Gaffey says. Instagram Celebrity The Harvard University grad previously accused her dad Russell of being 'awful to [her] for years' and 'hasn't given [her] a dime in years.' Jun 23, 2023 AceShowbiz - Aoki Lee Simmons said she's been facing backlash amid her feud with her father, Russell Simmons. However, the Harvard University grad remains unapologetic and even took to social media to fire back at "pathetic" men who sent her "misogynistic" DMs. The 20-year-old offered her clapback via Instagram Story. "I wonder how your mothers, sisters, daughters, nieces, girlfriends [and] wives, would feel seeing some of the sexist, racist, honestly foul comments and messages some of you 'men' are leaving me," she began in the Wednesday, June 21 post. "The misogynistic stereotypes and names and absolute hate for women of color a lot of your comments show, just waiting to take your anger at how you feel you've been 'treated' by women," she added. "All of us 'b***hes are like this' and 'this is the problem with you girls/women/black women/bitter women/h*es/skanks today?' " "No how about all of YOU B***hes are like this. I only see one bitter mess in a DM between a 40+ year old male stranger yelling at me about 'all the bitter black women' I represent," she continued fuming. "And it's not the 20 year old on the receiving end." Aoki followed it up with a throwback photo of her and her dad. On the top of the snap, she argued, "Until a short time ago, this is the man who told me 'always defend and look after your mother girls,' and 'never let a man curse at you,' 'you call Daddy if a man ever tries to yell [at] you or scare you that's never ok! Real men don't shout at women and girls.' " "So to all the toxic men in my comments using 'Im defending him' to be foul and talk about all the grievances you have with women, you can save it," she further stressed. "It's pathetic. He would agree I know that for sure." Aoki previously accused Russell of being "awful to [her] for years" and "hasn't given [her] a dime in years." Aoki claimed her dad even threatened to ruin her modeling career, leading her to stop talking to him since it gave her a panic attack. Russell's ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons has backed up their daughter's allegations. In response to the accusations, the music mogul apologized to his kids and noted, "for sure i love you guys more than i love myself." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity A man has allegedly broken into the house owned by the former 007 actor in Los Angeles before he was detained and charged for stealing water from the star's property. Jun 23, 2023 AceShowbiz - Pierce Brosnan's home was allegedly broken into by a man trying to wash himself. The 70-year-old actor - who was initially wed 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 - lives in a $100 million mansion in Los Angeles with his wife and officers have reported that on Monday, June 19 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. "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," Law enforcement officers told TMZ. 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. You can share this post! Instagram/Cover Images/DARA KUSHNER Celebrity The former star of 'Jon and Kate Plus 8' leaves out his famous mom from his graduation post after it was reported that Kate 'coldly snubbed' him at the ceremony earlier this month. Jun 23, 2023 AceShowbiz - Two can play at that game. Collin Gosselin excluded Kate Gosselin from his celebratory graduation post after it was reported that Kate "coldly snubbed" him at the ceremony earlier this month. On Wednesday, June 21, the 17-year-old took to his Instagram account to let out some pictures from the event. One picture saw Collin posing with his sister Hannah in the car, while dad Jon Gosselin was in the driver seat. "Better late than never! Graduation [check emoji]," the former "Jon & Kate Plus 8" star began his caption. "I wasn't totally sold on the idea of making a graduation post, as most students graduate, therefore making it not such a big deal." He continued, "So I decided to anchor this post more towards gratitude for mentors, friends, and of course family I want to first thank my amazing sister, Hannah, for standing by me and supporting me, she is my number 1." He also expressed gratitude towards his dad "for always supporting my decisions, and having my back when I bite off more than I can chew." He additionally thanked Jon's ex-girlfriend Colleen Conrad, saying, "I'd like to thank Colleen for rooting for me day in and day out. When you think of someone you want by your side, you think of Colleen. And as I've told her many times, she is my motivator for being successful in this world." After paying tribute to his Army Junior ROTC instructors, Collin revealed his next plan following the graduation. "This chapter of my life has come to a close Next stop Parris Island and soon after I will be studying Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in college! Can't wait!!!" Prior to this, it was said that Kate "coldly snubbed" Collin as she attended Hannah and Collin's high school graduation. A source claimed that gave "only Hannah love" at the ceremony. "Kate did end up taking photos with Hannah, but never spoke to Collin and never took photos with him," the insider added. It was also said that the 48-year-old "didn't even clap" for the teens. "[Her presence] was a bit of a surprise considering she truly has been missing from most of Collin's adult life and barely sees Hannah," the source added. Kate reportedly attended the ceremony with Leah, one of Hannah and Collin's sextuplet siblings. As for Alexis, Joel and Aaden (19), as well as twins Madelyn and Cara (22), they were reportedly not present at the Pennsylvania ceremony. You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity The 'Easy A' actress, who has been placed on a 5150 hold for the second time this year, will be committed for at least another week after she completes the mandatory 72-hour psychiatric hold. Jun 23, 2023 AceShowbiz - Amanda Bynes' psychiatric hold will reportedly include medicating her and counselling. The "Easy A" actress, 37, was said at the weekend to have placed on a 5150 hold for the second time this year after apparently calling police for help, and is now said to be set for at least another week in care as her loved ones apparently have ongoing worries for her health and well-being. Sources who spoke to TMZ said, "Once Amanda completes the mandatory 72-hour psychiatric hold she will be committed for at least another week while doctors work to stabilize her with medications and therapy." TMZ also reported over the weekend Amanda was detained by cops at the weekend and taken into custody for a mental health evaluation. Sources later told the outlet the "She's the Man" actress was deemed a danger to herself and those around her. The actress was previously placed on a psychiatric hold in March after she was seen walking around naked in Los Angeles. An eyewitness told TMZ she flagged down a car and told the driver that she was coming down from a psychiatric episode before calling police. At the time, sources told the outlet Amanda, who has also struggled with substance abuse, had likely been living "on the streets for days" before the incident. The former child star's ex-fiance Paul Michael also told Page Six she had probably been "off her meds." Amanda was hospitalized for nearly three weeks before starting outpatient treatment and her eight-year conservatorship was terminated in March 2022 after the court determined the legal arrangement was "no longer required." You can share this post! Instagram Music After the 'Bodak Yellow' hitmaker warns the blogger for bringing Takeoff in a dig at her, Tasha claims that the raptress has run out of money to make her second album following their years-long legal battle. Jun 23, 2023 AceShowbiz - It appears that the beef won't die anytime soon. In an update of the new Cardi B and Tasha K saga, the blogger has mocked the rapper over her delayed album in a sarcastic statement masked an as apology to the Bronx femcee. In the statement posted on her social media account on Wednesday, June 21, Tasha claimed that their years-long legal battle has drained the "WAP" hitmaker's bank account. "I wanna send a sincere apology out to #bardigang. It's my fault as to why y'all don't have a 2nd album," she wrote. "She's been in court with me for 6 years distracted from her purpose. Now going on 7." "Atlantic is broke and won't help pay for a 2nd album, offset in court fighting to release an album and my sis-in-law sold her rights to her catalog off too early in her career," Tasha continued throwing shade at Cardi. "Now there is no money to produce the album." She added, "She is constantly taking car insurance ads to keep the lights on and pay lawyers to continue to chase me down for money I don't have. I'm so sorry for distracting yall queen! Between me & the surgeons we owe y'all a huge apology." "Atlantic refuses to give her any money to produce a second album because they took such a loss on her first album that she is now starting to promote 6 years later," Tasha penned, before stressing, "Again, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault." She then showed her support for Ice Spice, who has just released her collaboration with Nicki Minaj, "Barbie World", for the upcoming "Barbie" movie. "But if you want music, real consistent music, please stream #barbieworld this Friday. #Icespice is from where she is from and can give y'all the music y'all need instead of her giving yall a #TashaKalbum," Tasha wrote. The fight between Cardi and Tasha was ignited after the latter weighed in on Cardi's criticism of the stepson of a missing Titanic sub billionaire. "Wasn't she posting guns right after Takeoff died? And on the internet, cutting up not long after his sudden takeoff?" the YouTuber said of the hip-hop artist, adding, "I'm just asking...Everyone grieves diff..." Cardi quickly responded to the diss via Twitter as writing, "And Tasha K with your despicable a**.. to bring up Takeoff to prove a fake a** point is disgusting. I lost weight, I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, me and my man STILL dealing wit that to to this day." The 40-year-old femcee also defended herself for having a gun. "I'm a rapper, we targeted all the time so of course I have guns for protection," so she claimed, before threatening Tasha, "But since you wanna be funny for comments, ima make sure your kid don't go to college. You think my lawyers don't know you hiding money in Africa? Ima make sure I get every red cent of my 4 mill. DONT EVER PUT TAKEOFF NAME IN YA MOUTH." Apparently receiving backlash for her response to Tasha's dig, Cardi penned in the comment of The Neighborhood Talk's post, "Y'all saying I'm talking about people kids.. I'm talkin about how her mouth is going to affect financials for YEARS all because she can't stop talking but I'm wrong for saying that but it's cool for her to bring up my family we lost less than a year ago?" "Y'all saw me waving a gun after take passed or literally months later on put it on the floor music video?" she added. "But let me guess I'm wrong as always." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity The former President of the United States is caught tapping his wife's butt while scaling the steps of the Acropolis in Athens with their daughters Malia and Sasha. Jun 23, 2023 AceShowbiz - Barack Obama still has the hots for Michelle Obama after being married for over three decades. The former POTUS was caught getting handsy with his wife during a family vacation in Greece with their two daughters. On Wednesday, June 21, the couple was photographed exploring the Acropolis in Athens. While scaling the steps of the ancient site, the 61-year-old politician was caught caressing his wife buttocks. Malia and Sasha walked side-by-side as they followed their parents behind. For the outing, Barack was casually dressed in a blue button-up shirt paired with white pants and matching sneakers. Michelle kept it stylish, but still comfortable in a green jumpsuit, a coordinating headband and a while macrame sweater. Malia opted for a brown skirt set and boots, while her younger sister Sasha sported jeans and a purple tube top. Their father was seen taking pictures with his phone as they enjoyed the view from the popular historical landmark. Barack is never shy to showing his affection to Michelle. Back in 2020, he shared several photos of himself kissing and hugging his wife while celebrating her birthday. "In every scene, you are my star, @MichelleObama!" he captioned the Instagram post. "Happy birthday, baby." The Obamas are in Greece for an Obama Foundation event and it appears that they have taken some downtime to see the popular tourist attraction. The foundation is hosting 100 changemakers from across Africa, Asia-Pacific and Europe for a week-long leadership and cultural experience in Athens. "During the week, Leaders are exchanging ideas, workshopping solutions, and building meaningful connections," according to the foundation's website. "From Athens, Greece, to the South Side of Chicago, we are committed to investing in the next generation of emerging leaders-and President Obama is too!" In a tweet posted to his account on Tuesday, the 44th POTUS said, "Michelle and I started the @ObamaFoundation to support the next generation of leaders creating sustainable change in their communities. This week, I'll be joining our Obama Leaders in Greece where we'll share ideas and dive deeper into the work they're doing." You can share this post! Music The former Disney darling releases the song to mark the one-year anniversary of the 'Roe v. Wade' reversal as she explains in a statement, 'I created 'SWINE' to amplify the voices of those who advocate for choice and bodily autonomy.' Jun 23, 2023 AceShowbiz - Demi Lovato is still mad about the "Roe v. Wade" reversal. To mark its one-year anniversary, the "Heart Attack" hitmaker released a new single called "Swine" where she expresses her anger regarding the Supreme Court's decision. To promote the track, the 30-year-old wrote on Instagram, "It's been one year since the Supreme Court's decision to dismantle the constitutional right to a safe abortion, and although the path forward will be challenging, we must continue to be united in our fight for reproductive justice." She added, "I created 'SWINE' to amplify the voices of those who advocate for choice and bodily autonomy." "I want this song to empower not only the birthing people of this country, but everyone who stands up for equality, to embrace their agency and fight for a world where every person's right to make decisions about their own body is honored," Demi added. "Swine" arrived on Thursday, June 22 alongside its provocative and political music video. In the clip, which is directed by Meriel O'Connel, Demi shows up in front of a table of men who seemingly represent the Supreme Court as she leads a revolution. At one point, she takes a document they signed and rips it apart. At the end of the MV, Demi can be seen walking through a burning building. On the angsty pro-choice song, she chants, "My life, my voice/ My rights, my choice/ It's mine, or I'm just swine/ My blood, my loins/ My lungs, my noise/ It's mine, or I'm just swine." The one-year profit from "Swine" will be donated to the Reproductive Justice Fund at the Demi Lovato Foundation. The funds will then be directed to three non-profit organizations, including NARAL Pro-Choice America, Plan C as well as The National Network of Abortion Funds. You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity For the bash, the 33-year-old 'Uncut Gems' star puts on a leggy display as she wears a figure-hugging, strapless minidress with a printed design on the fabric. Jun 24, 2023 AceShowbiz - Julia Fox turned heads with her latest fashion choice. The actress/model offered a show-stopping look while attending the Diesel x Tom of Finland Foundation event in New York City on Thursday, June 22. For the bash, the "Uncut Gems" star put on a leggy display as she wore a figure-hugging, strapless minidress with a printed design on the fabric. The dress paid homage to the Diesel and Tom of Finland capsule collection that was released in celebration of Pride 2023. Completing her look, the 33-year-old beauty layered the dress with a brown-colored leather jacket and paired it with open-toed, silver heels. The former girlfriend of Kanye West kept her accessories minimal as she brought a rhinestone-studded, gold purse and a smaller, white bag for a unique flare with her. Julia also sported orange see-through shades and a stylish hat to add edgy touch on her look. As for her hair, she chose to let her long locks flow down straight past her shoulders. Upon arriving at the newly opened AllTogether Clubhouse, the media personality was snapped striking a few poses for the camera. She was later seen mingling with other guests during the event, which exhibited 17 pieces feature work from artists that was 'curated by The Community, a multi-disciplinary, new-generation art institute in Paris, appears printed and patchworked' on the items. According to Diesel's website, the event also rung in the opening of the AllTogether Clubhouse, which is "a homecoming show celebrating the history of Queer culture in New York, from nightlife and the erotic arts to uncompromising activism." In addition to an exhibition, it will also include panel discussions, a concert, and a Pride 2023 party for attendees. The clubhouse is open from June 21 until June 25. You can share this post! HBO Max TV The actress who takes on the lead role on the 'SATC' franchise explains her onscreen character couldn't be bothered to do manicure because of her job as a writer. Jun 24, 2023 AceShowbiz - Sarah Jessica Parker explains Carrie Bradshaw never got a manicure on "Sex and the City" as she was always typing. The actress, 58, who has returned as the neurotic relationship columnist in "SATC" spin-off show "And Just Like That" said despite Carrie's obsession with clothes and shoes, she was rarely seen bothering about her nails. "Carrie's a writer, so she would have been typing originally on a proper typewriter. She would have learned typing in high school, and she was a practical writer and a necessary writer and a romantic writer," she told Glamour magazine. The "SATC" star added manicures were unnecessary for Carrie as they "seemed (a) futile because it would always be messed up and (b) an obstacle on the speedy road toward thoughts being written." She said, "It just never seemed that it was where Carrie would spend her time expressing herself." Sarah also revealed there were continuity reasons for not giving Carrie different nail varnish colours. She said, "We also don't shoot in order. You're moving from scene to scene, so practically speaking, it's problematic to have a nail colour that's got to match every single scene. It gets in the way of speed and economy." But Sarah admitted the new second series of HBO's "AJLT" would feature Carrie showing off dark nail polish, saying, "I thought it would be interesting to do, given the outfits and given the environment in which those scenes take place." The show's executive producer Michael Patrick King added to Glamour about the surprise of seeing Sarah on set with bold nails while filming in Brooklyn, "I thought, Wow, she's wearing nail polish! And it's a dark nail polish, which is interesting and surprising." He added about Carrie's clothes choices, "She decides, 'I'm going to wear this or that. I'm going to wear this long slip tutu to go get coffee. And, oh, maybe I'll put on nail polish tonight.' What's great about the character is she is not guarded by rules. Even rules she makes up." Sarah told People about her own nails, "My nails are just buffed and clean. I use my hands a lot. I cook. I clean. I do laundry. (Nail polish) is not practical in my life given what my hands need to do every day! But for a red carpet, I will wear a dark green (polish) or something specific." You can share this post! French data protection authority CNIL has sanctioned online advertising company CRITEO with a fine of EUR 40 million for failing to ensure valid consent from individuals whose data it processed. The fine comes as a result of investigations carried out by the CNIL following complaints filed by Privacy International and None of Your Business. CRITEO specializes in behavioral retargeting, a practice that involves tracking the online activities of Internet users to display personalized advertisements. The company collects browsing data through its CRITEO tracker (cookie) placed on users' devices when they visit partner websites. By analyzing browsing habits, CRITEO determines the most relevant advertisements to display to individual users through real-time bidding. During its investigations, the CNIL identified several infringements by CRITEO, particularly related to the lack of evidence of individuals' consent, inadequate information and transparency, and non-compliance with individual rights. The CNIL's restricted committee, responsible for imposing sanctions, levied a fine of EUR 40 million on CRITEO. In determining the penalty, the CNIL took into account the scale of the data-processing activities, which affected approximately 370 million identifiers across the European Union. Despite not possessing users' names, the CNIL considered the data to be potentially re-identifiable in certain cases. The CNIL also acknowledged CRITEO's business model, heavily reliant on collecting and processing vast amounts of data to display relevant advertisements and generate income as an advertising intermediary. In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)'s one-stop shop mechanism, the decision was submitted to the other 29 European supervisory authorities, all of whom approved the sanctions, recognizing the cross-border nature of the case. The CNIL identified five infringements of the GDPR by CRITEO: Failure to demonstrate valid consent from data subjects (Article 7.1 GDPR): The CRITEO tracker (cookie) was deposited on users' devices without their consent, and the company failed to verify the consent collected by its partners. Failure to comply with information and transparency obligations (Articles 12 and 13 GDPR): CRITEO's privacy policy lacked completeness and used vaguely worded terms, impeding users' understanding of the data being used and the purposes. Failure to respect the right of access (Article 15.1 GDPR): CRITEO provided incomplete data when individuals exercised their right of access and failed to provide sufficient information to understand the content. Failure to comply with the right to withdraw consent and erasure of data (Articles 7.3 and 17.1 GDPR): CRITEO only stopped displaying personalized advertisements but did not delete identifiers or associated navigational events upon withdrawal of consent or data deletion requests. Failure to establish an agreement between joint controllers (Article 26 GDPR): The agreement with partners lacked clarity on various obligations outlined in the GDPR, including data subjects' rights, breach notification, and impact assessments. CRITEO has taken corrective measures to address these infringements. The company has added a clause in its contracts with partners to ensure proof of consent is promptly provided. Its privacy policy has been updated to include all intended data processing purposes in simple and understandable terms. CRITEO now provides complete data in response to access requests and has implemented procedures for individuals to exercise their right to withdraw consent. Additionally, agreements with partners have been amended to include all necessary obligations under Article 26 of the GDPR. E T M L , a leading Growth Advertising & Analytics Company has bagged the digital mandate for SoulTree, an Indian Ayurvedic beauty and wellness brand. ETML would be responsible to help the brand by providing high-end performa nce marketing services through this partnership, with an aim to serve larger business obje ctives. SoulTree is the rst Indian br and to offer European certied -natural personal care and beauty products. All of SoulTree products contain authentic Ayurvedic ingredients, sourced sustainably. Beyond India, the brands products are also retailed in international markets such as France, Germa ny, Switzerland, UK, Spain and many more countries. The bran d was recently acquired by the Lotus Herbals Pvt. Ltd, makin g its presence and growth jour ney even stronger. Commenting on the win, Raghav Kansal, Founder & CEO of ETML, said, "We are excited to announce our partnership with SoulTree. With the help of our strong Growth Advertising & Analytics acumen, our primary focus will be on delivering sustainable business growth through innovative campaigns in the paid digital space. We intend to pl ay a vital role in the brands journey in achieving sustaina ble business growth. Adding on to this, Jatin Mahani, Brand Lead, SoulTree, said, "We are condent that our partnership with ETML will help us achieve our business objectives, and accelerate our digital growth. Having an experienced partner like ETML would help us leverage the power of Growth advertising. They stand out for their distinctive data-driven approach, and we anticipate that they will be crucial in assessing and personalizing the need of our brand and business to provide the desired results Hong Kong: Green committee convenes The Green Technology & Finance Development Committee was established and convened its first meeting today under the chairmanship of Financial Secretary Paul Chan. During the meeting, apart from learning about the Government's goals and strategies for achieving carbon neutrality and the work by relevant policy bureaus and financial regulators in driving the development of green technology and finance, members of the committee discussed matters on further promoting development in these areas. Mr Chan said embracing green transformation and achieving carbon neutrality are common goals actively pursued by our country and other countries in the world, and Hong Kong's goals and strategies in promoting green development are very clear. In terms of green finance, we are already leading in Asia. In addition to serving as a green fundraising centre in the region, we also contribute to setting green standards for the global market in various aspects. In terms of green technology, Hong Kong also has a number of outstanding enterprises and startup companies, many of which have already expanded into overseas markets. In the future, Hong Kong will strengthen co-operation with its sister cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, robustly attract funds, technology, and talent from within the region and around the world, and channel funds to support green transformation within the region, in particular accelerating the development of the 'dual engine' of green technology and green finance, with a view to establishing a new industry chain. The committee was set up pursuant to the Financial Secretary's announcement in the 2023-24 Budget to assist in the formation of an action agenda for promoting the development of Hong Kong into an international green technology and financial centre. Members of the committee include representatives from relevant policy bureaus, departments and financial regulators, as well as 13 non-official members from the relevant industries. The term of the non-official members will take effect from today for two years. This story has been published on: 2023-06-23. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Assyrians Seek Congressional Support for Resolution Recognizing 1933 Massacre A congregation of Assyrians gathered in Washington, D.C., on June 6 to give their backing to a bill that would recognize a massacre of their people by Iraqi Muslims during the mid-20th century. Assyrians hail from northern Iraq, northeastern Syria, and parts of Turkey. Almost entirely Christian due to the early evangelizing efforts of St. Thomas the Apostle, Assyrians are one of the oldest cultures in the world, responsible for world wonders like the Gates of Nineveh, recently destroyed by the Islamic State, and renowned classics like "The Epic of Gilgamesh." Though they once lived peacefully in their ancestral homelands, where some communities have persisted for over 5,000 years, the political upheavals of the 20th and 21st centuries shattered this comfort. Following the end of World War 1, the Ottoman Empire, which had kept a relative peace in the broader Middle East for a millennium, was dissolved as part of the Treaty of Versailles. Territories of the former Ottoman Empire were split apart, often without much regard for the ethnic, cultural, and religious differences of peoples. Because of this division, Assyrians found themselves placed in the same country with Shia and Sunni Muslims still fuming over their previous defeat. In 1933, tensions between the two religions boiled over, leading to the Simmele massacre, a Muslim-backed massacre of Christian Assyrians who had fled to the small town of Simmele to escape Muslim incursions against them. Historical accounts vary, but between 3,000 and 6,000 Assyrians were killed in the massacre, leading ultimately to a diaspora that has only accelerated amid the escalated threats of the 20th century. Now, a bipartisan duo is seeking passage of a resolution recognizing the massacre, and Assyrians from around the world gathered in Washington to express their support for the measure. The measure is sponsored by Reps. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.). It would recognize the genocide for legal purposes. Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) speaks in favor of a resolution recognizing a Muslim genocide of Christian Assyrians in Iraq during the mid-20th century. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) "The resilience and endurance of the Assyrian people is commendable and praiseworthy, despite being victims of an ethnocide that is being continued by the Islamic State," the resolution reads. "The Assyrian community across the world continues to feel the effects of the Assyrian Genocide, including families that have never been reunited." Thus, the measure would "commemorate the Assyrian Genocide through official recognition and remembrance; reject efforts to enlist, engage, or otherwise associate the United States Government with denial of the Assyrian Genocide or any other genocide; call upon the Republic of Turkey to officially recognize the Assyrian Genocide; and encourage education and public understanding of the facts of the Assyrian Genocide, including the United States' role in the humanitarian relief effort, and the relevance of the Assyrian Genocide to modern-day crimes against humanity." Lesko told The Epoch Times that she was sponsoring the measure because "I think it's important for people to know what happened to the Assyrian people. And I think it's important to recognize it so that it doesn't happen again." Speaking at the event, Schakowsky echoed this sentiment, saying, "We have to name it, and we have to pass it." Epoch Times Photo Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) speaks in favor of a resolution recognizing a Muslim genocide of Christian Assyrians in Iraq during the mid-20th century. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) Though the resolution is not controversial, it has previously languished in committee after being introduced during previous Congresses. "It's been 90 years that we've been trying to get worldwide recognition about this atrocity against unarmed women and children," said Sam Darmo, an Assyrian American who was instrumental in pushing Lesko to back the resolution. He thanked Lesko for "spearheading this in Washington." The two helped secure the passage of a similar measure at the local level in Arizona, Darmo said, "but this is the first time we're doing it at the federal level. "It feels good," Darmo said, indicating that the measure would help bring attention to the "martyrs" who died in the massacre. "This way, these things will not happen again." Juliana Taimoorazy, president and founder of the Iraqi Christian Relief Council, said the resolution is "crucial" in that it would "finally give a voice to the deceased and dead who fought and died for our cause." Juliana Taimoorazy, president and founder of the Iraqi Christian Relief Council, speaks with reporters in Washington on June 6, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) She noted that even though the massacre is in the distant past, the Assyrian people "have continued to suffer." During the reign of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath Party, Assyrians were relatively well protected, guests said, so long as they didn't cross the dictator's totalitarian Iraqi nationalist aspirations. One guest joked that people were "oppressed equally" under Hussein. That fell apart in 2003, following the American invasion of Iraq. Hussein was killed in the invasion, and the region quickly descended into a maelstrom of chaos, famine, and political instability. Thus, many Assyrians living in Iraq were forced to leave the country for more tolerant places like Syria, Turkey, Europe, and North America. In the wake of advances by the Islamic State, the few Christian Assyrian people still living in Iraq are increasingly being pushed out, accelerating the centuries-long diaspora that began with the Simmele massacre. Meta has launched its Community Forum on Generative AI, aimed at fostering feedback and insights on the principles people desire to see reflected in new AI technologies. In an effort to address the hyperbolic discourse surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI), Meta recognizes the need for transparency, collaboration, and inclusivity in the development and governance of AI systems. The surge of interest in generative AI, which empowers users to create text, audio, and visual content through simple prompts, has ignited both excitement about its potential and concerns about its risks. To bridge the gap between developers and the public, Meta believes that an open approach is crucial. Tech companies must share information about their technologies, collaborate with industry, government, civil society, and academia, and actively involve the community in shaping the guardrails for AI systems. "An open approach not only fosters a better understanding of AI technologies and their capabilities but also empowers people to contribute to their development and ensures diverse perspectives shape decision-making processes," says Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta. Meta has engaged in extensive discussions with academics, researchers, and community leaders to gain insights on generative AI content. Moreover, Meta has partnered with the Partnership on AI since its founding in 2016 to establish ethical boundaries for constructing AI products. In pursuit of greater inclusivity, Meta is now launching the Community Forum on Generative AI in collaboration with the Stanford Deliberative Democracy Lab and the Behavioural Insights Team. The Community Forum follows the deliberative polling model, where representative groups deliberate on complex issues after receiving educational materials and expert guidance. Participants engage in multiple rounds of small group discussions, ask questions to independent experts, and share their perspectives. This model ensures a comprehensive understanding of generative AI and enables more thoughtful and nuanced insights. "By involving users through our Community Forum, we seek to understand the governing principles they desire in generative AI technologies. This feedback will shape the future development of our systems and contribute to the broader industry," explains Clegg. Meta's commitment to an open approach extends beyond the Community Forum. The findings of the forums will be made public, benefiting technology companies, academics, and society as a whole. Additionally, Meta emphasizes transparency, accountability, and collaboration through its participation in the Partnership on AI and the establishment of the Oversight Board in 2020. The company's dedication to openness extends to research and innovation, as Meta has released over 1,000 AI models, libraries, and data sets to researchers, enabling them to leverage Meta's computing power for open and safe exploration. Meta's Community Forum on Generative AI builds upon its ethos of transparency and collaboration, fostering an environment where the voices of users and experts worldwide can shape the future of AI technologies. By democratizing decision-making and integrating diverse perspectives, Meta aims to create responsible AI systems that benefit society as a whole. This past weekend, Netflix hosted Tudum: A Global Fan Event in Sao Paulo, Brazil, delivering an unforgettable experience for fans and setting new records. The event, held at the Bienal of Ibirapuera Park, spanned three days of fan conventions and culminated in a global livestream event that captivated millions of viewers worldwide. Over 25,000 passionate fans from all corners of the globe attended the Tudum fan convention at the Bienal of Ibirapuera Park. Spread across three days, the convention featured 21 interactive activations showcasing 29 shows and films, providing attendees with an immersive and engaging experience. From meet-and-greets to games, live music performances, and more, fans had the opportunity to connect with their favorite stars and indulge in the world of Netflix like never before. The grand finale of Tudum was a global livestream event that showcased Netflix's biggest stars in front of an enthusiastic audience of 11,000 fans. The livestream garnered an incredible 78 million views globally across Netflix's social channels, surpassing all previous records in Tudum's three-year history. Trending at #2 on Twitter in the US, Brazil, and worldwide, Tudum ignited conversations and excitement around the world. During the livestream, the highly-anticipated teaser debut of ONE PIECE propelled the show to claim the #1 spot globally, creating a massive buzz on social media platforms. Characters like Katara, Sokka, Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Penelope from Bridgerton trended, further highlighting the event's cultural impact. In total, the pre-event trailers, the livestream, and day-of title asset debuts garnered over 1.2 billion views worldwide, showcasing the immense reach and popularity of Netflix's titles and brand. Inaki Godoy, star of ONE PIECE, expressed his gratitude for being part of such a monumental event: "I am so grateful for the opportunity to be included in such a massive event. The experience was everything I could have ever wished for, and the people of Brazil were so welcoming. I am so happy we were able to celebrate such a special moment with them." Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, known for her role in Never Have I Ever, shared her excitement and appreciation for the incredible energy of the fans: "I knew the energy and excitement would be outstanding, but I could have never imagined it would be as amazing and passionate as it was. Brazil made me feel so welcome, and that truly is just so special. Tudum got to highlight the power of TV/film but also the immense power of fans internationally." Tudum showcased its magnitude through impressive statistics and memorable moments: 25,000 fans attended the fan convention in person, with an additional 11,000 fans joining the global livestream. Over 100 Netflix stars participated both in-person and virtually, engaging with fans and creating unforgettable memories. The event celebrated 45 Netflix series, films, and games, generating excitement for upcoming releases. The livestream was broadcast in 10 languages across 20 individual streams on YouTube and Twitter, featuring 12 live cameras for an immersive viewing experience. The 2-hour live show united fans from around the world on a global stage, captivating viewers with exclusive Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Bern, 23.06.2023 - Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, visited Rabat on 22 and 23 June at the invitation of his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates. Switzerland and Morocco enjoy excellent bilateral relations and are further expanding their partnerships in trade, sustainable development and scientific research. SwissMoroccan ties have become even stronger and more diversified since the two countries signed a joint declaration 18 months ago. "Our partnership is very strong, and we are already reaping the tangible benefits from our joint efforts", said a delighted Cassis and his Moroccan counterpart at the end of their working meeting. Since the two countries signed a joint declaration, there have been a number of results. In November 2022, Switzerland and Morocco signed a bilateral agreement on climate cooperation at COP27 in Egypt. The agreement is intended to help Switzerland reach its climate targets via emissions offsetting while boosting Swiss investment in Morocco and scaling up cooperation in sustainable development projects as well. A memorandum of understanding on scientific cooperation signed by the two countries in 2022 has also led to around 10 joint academic research projects between Swiss and Moroccan institutions. In addition, the two foreign ministers welcomed the forthcoming creation of a SwissMoroccan permanent joint migration group, which will enable exchange and cooperation in this field. Morocco is a major host and transit country on the migration route to Europe. Mr Cassis and Mr Bourita also highlighted the excellent developments in economic relations between the two countries, Morocco being Switzerland's second-largest trading partner in North Africa and its third-largest export market on the African continent. Bilateral trade continued to rise in 2022, reaching around CHF 780 million. More than 60 Swiss companies are based in Morocco, generating almost 8,000 jobs in cutting-edge sectors such as agri-food, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, as well as precision machinery and instruments. Regional developments on the agenda The outlook regarding recent developments in the Middle East, North Africa and the African continent as a whole was a focal point for the talks. The two ministers reviewed where Swiss and Moroccan efforts share common ground, particularly in the Libyan peace process, the crisis in Sudan, and challenges in the Sahel. Mr Cassis reaffirmed the Swiss position on Western Sahara, whereby Switzerland continues to support the efforts of the UN and the UN secretary-general's special envoy, Staffan de Mistura, to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution in accordance with international law and the relevant Security Council resolutions. Switzerland has reiterated the importance of serious and credible efforts by Morocco to find a solution based on compromise. It takes note of Morocco's Western Sahara Autonomy Proposal submitted to the UN secretary-general in 2007 and urges all parties to continue their commitment in a spirit of compromise. Switzerland and Morocco are connected by its geographical proximity to Europe and by cultural ties, including the French language. In 2021, the two countries celebrated the centenary of Switzerland's diplomatic presence in Morocco. The first Swiss representation was opened in Casablanca in 1921. Address for enquiries Nicolas Bideau Head of FDFA Communication +41 79 667 6915 nicolas.bideau@eda.admin.ch Publisher Federal Department of Foreign Affairs https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html A suspected lone Russian diplomat is apparently squatting on the site of Moscows proposed embassy after the Australian government vetoed the plan on security grounds. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed the Russian act of defiance, saying a bloke standing in the cold on a bit of grass in Canberra is not a threat to our national security. Parliament passed emergency legislation last week blocking on security grounds Russias lease on the largely empty block because the new embassy would have been too close to Parliament House. A man has been living on the site in a portable building since Sunday when passersby first saw Australian Federal Police outside the fenced block in Canberras Yarralumla diplomatic precinct. The Russian Embassy refused to comment on a report in The Australian newspaper that the man seen smoking cigarettes outside his accommodation was a Russian diplomat. The embassy also declined to explain why the man was on the site, saying in an email: The Embassy does not comment (on) this. Albanese said the issue would be resolved, but did not detail how. Australia will stand up for our values and we will stand up for our national security and a bloke standing in the cold on a bit of grass in Canberra is not a threat to our national security, Albanese told reporters in a courtyard outside his Parliament House office. The outdoor temperature at the time was 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit). Australian National University international law expert Don Rothwell said occupying the site gave Russia no advantage in any legal challenge to their eviction. What theyre doing is diplomatic civil disobedience in terms of indicating their displeasure with the action of the Australian government, Rothwell said. Russias only potential for legal challenge was over the amount of compensation that Australia offers for money already spent on construction and earthworks, Rothwell said. Russia says it has spent $5.5 million on the site since it was granted the lease in 2008. Completed works include fencing and a single perimeter building that was to be part of a planned complex of several buildings. If the man is a diplomat, he could claim diplomatic immunity if detained by police, who would then have to set him free. The government could declare him persona non grata, which would mean his diplomatic immunity was revoked. Such people are then usually given 48 hours to leave Australia or face arrest. Russia could then send another diplomat to take his place, said Rothwell, who lives in Yarralumla and had noticed police outside the site on Sunday. Thats the sort of scenario that I think the government would be keen to avoid, Rothwell said. Albanese did not directly answer when asked if the government were considering revoking the mans diplomatic status. Were confident of our position that it will be resolved, Albanese said. Albanese said he was not concerned by the possibility of a Russian court challenge. We actually support the law. Russia has not been real good at the law lately, Albanese said, referring the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Australian Federal Police did not immediately answer why the man had not been removed for trespassing. Russia last week accused Australia of Russophobic hysteria for canceling the lease, which follows a deterioration in relations since the Ukraine war began last year. In February, a newspaper reported that Australia had quietly expelled a large Russian spy ring whose members were posing as diplomats. The spy ring comprised purported embassy and consular staff as well as other operatives using deep-cover identities, The Sydney Morning Herald reported, citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the operation. The Australian Security Intelligence Organization, the nations main domestic spy agency, revealed days earlier it had detected and disrupted a major spy network. ASIO has not named the country responsible. Youd think Bobby Kennedy just declared war on the Enlightenment. My fellow Americans, I have come to shake your faith in science. Join me as I drag our nation back to the medieval period. Youd be appalled. Shaking Americans faith in science. Imagine if youre an ordinary New York Times subscriber reading that over your pre-war rent controlled duplex on Columbus Avenue. Eight years later, the Times attacked Bobby Kennedy in the very first sentence of the story. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced a presidential campaign on Wednesday built on re-litigating COVID-19 shutdowns and shaking Americans faith in science. When Trump rolled out his presidential campaign in 2015, the New York Times waited until the 17 th paragraph of the story to attack him. But as well known as he is, the paper said at the time, Trump is also widely disliked. Then they cited a pool to back it up. That was the attack on Trump. You thought that title belonged to Donald Trump. Of course, it must. But go check the coverage. Theres never been a candidate for President the media hated more Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Anne Dachel has transcribed Tucker Carlson's Tucker on Twitter June 22, 2023 comments on Candidate Kennedy and Dr. Peter Hotez for posterity. Posterity in this case is not "future generations," but anyone who tries to find the YouTube video, which will surely be taken down soon. Isn't Anne Dachel the GREATEST? June 22, 2023, Tucker Carlson 6/22/23 Ep. 6 CBS News viewers likely were appalled. In its coverage of Kennedys announcement, CBS denounced the candidates views as misleading and dangerous. The LA Times called him a threat to democracy. At the offices of National Public Radio in Washington, a full-blown category 5 hysteria typhoon broke out. NPR devoted an entire segment to savaging Kennedy, not just as a candidate, but as a human being. NPR described him as someone who, for his own perverse reasons, has made debunked and false and misleading claims that undermine trust in vaccines. And who, in his spare time, provides moral support to crazed extremists who rally under the banner of what they call liberty or freedom. People Magazine didnt even bother to report a single word of anything Kennedy said at his announcement and instead wrote an entire story about how his relatives hate him. Kennedys younger sister Kerry, the magazine reported solemnly, does not approve of Bobby Jr.s harmful views. His harmful views! Bobby Kennedys thoughts alone are evil enough to hurt people. Thats been the tone of the media coverage around Bobby Kennedy, Jr. for the past 18 years, since July of 2005. Thats the moment that Kennedy published a magazine article suggesting there might be a link between the rise in diagnosed autism cases and the ever-expanding schedule of mandatory childhood vaccines. The day that story was published, Kennedys reporting was considered so solid that two outlets ran it simultaneously, Rolling Stone and Salon.com. Unfortunately, neither one of them understood what they were up against. The Pharma lobby rolled out the most ferocious public relations campaign in memory, and both publications swiftly caved. Both pulled the story and then disavowed it, groveling as they did. No one in the national media bothered to explain why autism diagnoses had sky-rocketed. If it wasnt the vaccines, then maybe it wasnt, then what was it? To this day there has not been a convincing explanation instead reporters just attack Bobby Kennedy. Theyve called him a lunatic and a Nazi. Instagram shut down his account. You Tube, just last week, pulled down a perfectly reasonable interview he did with Jordan Peterson, citing unspecified misinformation, and so on. Kennedy became the most censored famous person in the United States. At this point, most Americans have heard a lot more about Bobby Kennedy, Jr. than theyve heard from him. He doesnt get many offers to speak from big platforms. But last week, Joe Rogan gave him one. Heres some of what he said: Why do five of my seven kids have allergies? Of course we know why. Aluminum adjuvants give you allergies. Theyre designed to 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, but 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. Why do five of my seven children have allergies? We dont know the answer of course, but its an interesting question. In fact its an important question that deserves an adult answer, not that you should hold your breath waiting to get one. Bobby Kennedy asks a lot of questions like that. He notices things. Kennedy pays attention to the world around him, and he wonders why its changing. Hes an outdoorsman, a falconer, a fly fisherman. Hes interested in how nature works. Hes curious. Not so long ago these qualities were considered essential to the practice of science. All scientific discovery comes from observation, empiricism, patient watching. Without the willingness to put aside your pre assumptions and assess with honesty the things you see and touch and smell, the changes taking place right in front of your face, you cant do science. You cant create art either or journalism or theology. You have to be willing to notice the obvious, and when they tell you youre not allowed to notice the obvious, you should be concerned. Imagine youre on a commercial airline flight. The plane has just leveled out at 37,000 feet. Youre closing your eyes for a nap, and suddenly you smell smoke. Its not your imagination. You can see it. Its starting to fill the cabin. All around you people are hacking and choking. The guy in the next seat has a napkin pressed against his mouth, and hes mumbling what sounds like Psalm 23. Clearly the plane is on fire, but almost unbelievably, no one has said a word about it. Not a single person is acknowledging this is happening. Everyone is silent. SO in panic, you yell for the flight attendant. Theres smoke in the cabin you say, as if she hasnt noticed. But she stares at you with hard eyes. Shut up, racist, she replies. Thats a dangerous Russian conspiracy theory. Stop spreading misinformation or Ill call TSA and have you arrested when we land. That sounds like a fever dream, but its also pretty close to the experience of living in the United States at the moment. All around you, things seem to be fraying and getting worse. Your gut tells you theres something very bad going on and all the evidence suggests that there is. But the people in charge wont acknowledge that. Everythings fine, they scream. Stop noticing. But wait, I dont remember this many kids having allergies or asthma or eczema or autism, or for that matter, body dysmorphia. And why so many suicides? Whats going on here? Shut up. Quit asking questions. Thats their answer. But Bobby Kennedy wont stop asking, and thats why they hate him. As Kennedy spoke on the Rogan show, a reporter for Vice.com called Anna Merlin was watching. Merlin was so enraged by what she saw that she dashed off an article attacking Joe Rogans employer for allowing the conversation to take place. Spotify has stopped even sort of trying to stem Joe Rogans vaccine misinformation read the headline. The piece never even described much of what Bobby Kennedy had actually said. Merlin dismissed the entire interview as a detailed survey of Kennedys most dangerously incorrect views, a far too extensive list to outline in full. In other words, we here at Vice dont have time to describe all of Bobby Kennedys lies, but trust us, they were lies. Then Merlin called Spotify to see if she could get the episode censored. Much to her profound frustration, Spotify refused to censor the episode and kept the interview on its website. So she spent the next several days ranting about all this on Twitter. People are listening to the wrong thing. Anna Merlin was mad about it. So is Peter Hotez. Hotez is a pediatrician from Texas who became moderately famous on MSNBC during the COVID lockdown as a Biden shill and a vaccine promoter. Hotez read Anna Merlins piece and huffily retweeted it, effectively, Why is Bobby Kennedy allowed to talk in pubic? And that gave Joe Rogan an idea, why not have Peter Hotez debate Bobby Kennedy on his show. You claim hes wrong, why dont you explain why hes wrong. That seemed fair. But Hotez wouldnt bite, so Rogan offered to give a hundreds grand to Hotezs favorite charity if he agreed to come on. Soon others made their own pledges, and the pot swelled to over a million dollars. But still, Peter Hotez wouldnt come. Instead, he scampered back to MSNBC where one of the channels oilier hosts assured him he was doing the right thing by dodging the debate. Arguing with Bobby Kennedy is morally equivalent to debating a Holocaust denier the host said. No decent person would do that, and of course, Hotez agreed. Two hundred thousand American needlessly perished because they believed the anti-vaccine disinformation and refused to take a COVID shot. So really talking to Bobby Kennedy would be a lot abetting murder, and Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, was not going to do that. But wait a second, you ask yourself, lets think about those numbers. Two hundred thousand people died because of vaccine disinformation from Bobby Kennedy and people like him? How do we know that? Is that really science? No, its not science, because we dont know that. We cant know that. There is no way to know that. Peter Hotezs claim is a political attack posing as science, and he specializes in those. Here he is on television during the so-called Pandemic. Hotez (CNN): Its all about mask compliance. Thats going to be absolutely critical because if you dont have masks, this virus aerosolizes, so even six feet is not enough. It can go 17, 18 feet, several meters. Hotez (MSNBC): What you really have to do is have vaccine mandates in the schools. We should have a rule that anyone who walks into a school over the age of 12 has to be vaccinated. Hotez (MSNBC): This is the nature anti-vaccine movement in this country. Its somehow married now to far-right wing extremism and white nationalist groups. Hotez: Anyone whos unvaccinated and has been lucky enough to have escaped COVID, your luck is about to run out. Hotez (CNN): I call it the anti-science aggression coming from Senator Rand Paul, Senator Johnson, members of the House of Representatives in addition to those two senators, are killers. Its all about mask compliance. We must have vaccine mandates for children. Take the vaxx or you will die. Anyone who disagrees with me is a white nationalist and a killer and probably an agent of Putin. Do we say probably? Lets revise that: Certainly an agent of Putin. Again, here is Dr. Peter Hotez. Hotez: Were starting to see now the same anti-vaccine messages thats coming out of the U.S., and now were finding it in Africa and Latin America. Remember what the other reason were seeing this is the Putin government has, this has been reported by U.S. and British intelligence has been piling on with this whole systematic program of whats been called Weaponized Health Communications, trying to destabilize democracies with anti-vaccine, anti-science messages and targeting. So according to British and U.S. intelligence, anyone who disagrees with Dr. Peter Hotez is a disloyal American working to destabilize our democracy on behalf of Vladimir Putin. Now, by comparison, never in his life has Bobby Kennedy, Jr. said anything half that demented, but keep in mind, Peter Hotez claims to have a valid medical license. He is allowed to treat patients. After a while even MSNBC viewers were going to have some questions about a guy who talks like that, and apparently some of them did. As the lockdowns wore on, the population started to notice that many of the core claims the TV doctors were making were untrue. Youd only need one shot. If you got the shot, you would never get sick. You would never pass the virus to others, and so on. They said these things, as you know, again and again. Ultimately they were proven wrong, but they never admitted it. They just attacked the people who noticed. Heres Dr. Peter Hotez calling for the Biden Administration to arrest anyone who questions the COVID vaccine. Hotez,(CNN): The Biden Administration has to realize that anti-science is a killer. Disinformation, its not even disinformation. This is an anti-science empire right now, and we need Homeland Security, we need the Justice Department. Weve really got to figure this out. Health and Human Services will not be able to figure this out on their own. Its not a medical problem. Its a law enforcement problem. Theyve doubted me, arrest them! Its a horrifying outburst if you think about it. If you were on tape saying something like that, youd be deeply ashamed. But Peter Hotez is not ashamed. Hes become even more grandiose. Hotez has written a self-congratulatory new book called, The Deadly Rise of Anti-ScienceA Scientists Warning, as if you were a scientist. Heres how Hotez describes himself in the books promotional literature: During the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic one renown scientist, in his famous bow tie, appearing daily on major news networks such as MSNBC, NPR and BBC and others. Dr. Peter J. Hotez often went without sleep, working around the clock to develop a non-profit COVID-19 vaccine and to keep the public informed. During that time, he was one of the most trusted voices on the Pandemic and was even nominated for a Noble Peace Prize for his selfless work. He also became one of the main targets of anti-science rhetoric that gained traction through conservative news media. SO here you have a renown scientist, selfless, trusted, going without sleep, self-denying, persecuted by extremists for daring to tell the truththe Albert Schweitzer of Cable News. Thats Dr. Peter J. Hotez. The fact that a partisan buffoon like Peter Hotez can describe himself this way with a straight face and the backing of a publisher, makes you despair for the countrys future. But dont despair. There is hope. Hotez will never debate Bobby Kennedy, Jr., but it doesnt matter. Kennedy has already won. Hes more honest than Dr. Peter Hotez, and thats obvious to anyone whos paying attention. A new Economist poll shows that Kennedy is more popular and far less hated than either major party front runner. After almost 20 years of being silenced, Bobby Kennedy, Jr. is being heard, and why wouldnt he be? Kennedys theories about vaccines may be right, they may be partially right, they may be utterly wrong. No ones proved it either way. But what we can say with certainty is that Americas medical establishment has beclowned itself for all time. Its official positions on vaccines, psychiatric drugs, puberty blockers, reassignment surgeriesa long list of other politically fashionable priorities, have no connection whatsoever to legitimate science. Its all effectively witchcraft. At the annual meeting of the American Medical Association in Chicago last week, for example, delegates issued a statement attacking the body mass index as a tool of racist exclusion which has caused historical harm. Next year they will denounce thermometers and stethoscopes. Theyre insane. Compared to them, Bobby Kennedy is a mainstream figure, and people understand that. Thats why hes winning, and you know how hes winning by how his critics are doing. You had one job, McDonalds! When the fast-food giant announced it was celebrating Grimaces birthday with a limited-edition purple shake, I was excited. Could it possibly be an Ube-flavored shake? The delicious and nutty purple sweet potato from the Philippines and my youth has become the it ingredient in foodie culture of late, popping up in everything from cheesecakes and ice cream to cookies and waffles. But after finally trying Grimaces Birthday Shake, I can report its definitely not Ube. Whats its deal then? The backstory: Grimace made his debut in 1971, appearing in an ad campaign along with other McDonaldland characters such as Ronald McDonald, Hamburglar and Captain Crook. The big, fuzzy blob originally had four arms, which he used to steal milkshakes from customers. In fact, the purple bestie loves milkshakes so much, he celebrates every birthday at McDonalds. So, in honor of the characters 52nd trip around the sun, the chain introduced the Grimace Birthday Meal on June 12. It comes with a choice of a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, plus fries and that purple, not-Ube shake. What you need to know: Knowing a social media opportunity when it sees one, McDonalds has been intentionally coy about the shakes flavor. The creamy concoction is inspired by Grimaces iconic color and sweetness, the company said in a press release. And the menu items nutritional info page is of no help, indicating its made with vanilla reduced-fat ice cream and Grimace Shake Syrup. Scrolling down, theres nothing in the ingredients of Grimace Shake Syrup that provide any clues of the intended flavor either. Its just the usual sugar, water, corn syrup and the ominous natural flavor. A company spokesperson, however, recently told the Today show the sweet treat contains berry flavors. OK, but I wanted to be sure. The taste test: Fast-food shakes can often be too thick or too runny. But this one was right in that sweet spot of moderately creamy. The first flavor that popped into my mind was grape jelly, but that was probably just the purple talking. I took a second and third sip and noted how sweet the shake is. So, I mixed the whipped cream on top and the vanilla ice cream at the bottom into the purple midsection and that balanced it out nicely. I then tried to narrow in on the flavor with each subsequent sip. Birthday cake? Maybe. Cereal milk? Perhaps. But its more like if someone dropped a Wild Berry Pop Tart into a fairly standard vanilla milkshake and then hit the pulverize button on the blender. Nice, as Dom DeLuise in History of the World Part I might say. Not thrilling, but nice. If you go: Grimaces Birthday with Special Meal & Shake is available at participating McDonalds restaurants nationwide while supplies last via the app, in-restaurant or delivery. I paid $12.79 for my Big Mac Meal & Shake, while the McNuggets option costs $13.49. Prices may vary by location. Two state inmates died Thursday in Jefferson County, one at William Donaldson Correctional Facility and the other a work release inmate who died at the hospital. Authorities have not released the name of the Donaldson inmate but said he was 28 years old. He was found unresponsive in his cell at the western Jefferson County prison at 6:55 a.m. Thursday and pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m. The Jefferson County Coroners Office said there was no evidence of trauma or foul play. In the second case, 54-year-old Mashell Brasher Mann was housed at the Birmingham Community Work Release Center on 25th Street North. She was found unresponsive June 16 and taken to UAB Hospital. She was pronounced dead at 11:18 a.m. Thursday at the hospital. An autopsy will be performed today to determine her cause of death. Both deaths are being investigated by the Alabama Department of Corrections Law Enforcement Services Division. The unidentified Donaldson inmate is the third to die in less than a week at the facility, and the 15th to die this year. In 2022, 40 inmates died at the prison. The city of Birmingham has been awarded a nearly $22 million federal grant to create a new urban trail to connect downtown to historic neighborhoods just west of the city center. The $21.6 million grant from the United States Department of Transportation will support the development of the Birmingham Urban Trail and Multimodal Corridor. The corridor is a 2.5-mile trail that will run through the Civil Rights District downtown, the Smithfield neighborhood and surrounding communities headed west. The funding will pay for a two-way cycle track, improved ADA access, sidewalks, and additional design elements. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell celebrated the grant in a tweet Thursday from her official account. Woohoo!!! We just found out that Birmingham will receive $21.6 million to support the Birmingham Urban Trail! I know this grant will help make our city more walkable, bikeable, and livable. Sewell described the grant as a transformational investment. It will be the spine of a growing multimodal transportation network, providing safe and equitable options via an urban trail and complete streets and creating a more walkable, bikeable, safe, connected, and livable community, she said in a statement. The RAISE Grant program is designed to fund road, rail, transit and port projects throughout the country. The grant program was previously known as the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) and the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grants. DOT receives hundreds of applications in the grant competition. In total, Congress has dedicated nearly $12.1 billion for 14 rounds of national infrastructure investments to fund projects designed to have a significant local or regional impact. Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett said Friday she was involved in a serious car crash recently, and it gave her a better perspective on surviving the split in the United Methodist denomination. Giving her state of the North Alabama Conference address on Friday at its annual meeting in Huntsville, Wallace-Padgett said that on May 8, she was riding with her husband, Lee Padgett, who was driving through Chattanooga on the interstate. Going about 70 mph in their red Prius, they were hit from behind by an 18-wheeler, which then sideswiped them. She said her husband worried the car might flip, but instead they were able to pull off the interstate and come to a stop on a grassy area. She shared a slide with pictures of the of the wrecked Prius. Our Prius was totaled, Wallace-Padgett said. But we were unscathed. Two good Samaritans stopped to help, including an off-duty police officer going the other direction who came back to help, she said. A woman also stopped, and when Wallace-Padgett got out of the car, the woman said, Thats my bishop! The woman was a pastor in the Holston Conference in Tennessee, which Wallace-Padget also supervises. The bishop joked that she has now assigned the woman as pastor of the largest church in the conference. Not really, she said. The near-disastrous wreck gave her a new perspective, Wallace-Padgett said. I now look at life in a little different way, she said, thinking how precious it is and how quickly it can change. She said the same has happened as she dealt with the disaffiliation of 330 churches from the North Alabama Conference over the past year leaving 305 churches. Its been hard but weve come through that with grace and strength, she said. It has impacted our perspective. More than a quarter of all clergy in the conference, active and retired, have left over the past year as part of the disaffiliations, she said. Our focus is not on budgets or buildings or statistics, but it is on discipleship and passionate spiritual disciples and passionate spiritual leaders, Wallace-Padgett said. Thats who we are as a church. Thats what we are focusing on. In the conference budget report on Thursday, it was revealed that the 2023 budget of $9,647,931 had to be slashed by 35 percent, about $2.3 million, to adjust for the impact of disaffiliating churches. The 2024 budget will be $5,867,368, to account for an additional projected loss of $755,000 due to continued disaffiliations. The number of district superintendents, who supervise regional areas, will be reduced from seven to four superintendents, supervising eight districts. Those remaining in the North Alabama Conference are called to pursue a deeper relationship with God and other people, Wallace-Padgett said. All is well, she said. The savior we follow and serve is risen from the dead. Later on Friday, the North Alabama Conference approved a resolution calling for the next General Conference to remove language from the Book of Discipline that calls homosexuality incompatible with Christian teaching and bans same-sex marriage and ordainly openly gay clergy. See also: United Methodists urge repeal of ban on same-sex marriage, openly gay clergy Birmingham-Southern College president tells United Methodists: Its been a tough year Mountain Brooks Canterbury United Methodist Church votes to stay in denomination Another 132 North Alabama United Methodist churches disaffiliate: Trussville, Helena, Gardendale Division is of the devil, United Methodist bishop says as 193 churches disaffiliate United Methodists crushed after being left behind by disaffiliating churches United Methodists plan new churches in Prattville, Orange Beach, elsewhere to replace churches that disaffiliate in split United Methodists start new congregations where churches disaffiliated in North Alabama United Methodist split: 198 churches leave North Alabama Conference A company that hopes to produce and sell medical marijuana in Alabama has sued the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, alleging problems in the AMCCs awarding of licenses, a process that was already on hold. Alabama Always LLC filed the lawsuit Thursday afternoon in Montgomery County Circuit Court. The company is asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order on the licensing. The AMCC awarded 21 licenses on June 12, choosing from among 90 applicants. Alabama Always applied for an integrated license, which would allow it to cultivate, produce, and sell medical marijuana, but was not selected. The AMCC has already acknowledged the process was flawed. At an emergency meeting on June 16, the commission voted to suspend the process and said it would not issue licenses based on the June 12 meeting. AMCC Chair Dr. Steven Stokes said the staff had found potential inconsistencies in scoring the applicants. The AMCC said it would resume the process after an independent review. In the lawsuit, Alabama Always cites concerns about the AMCCs use of third-party evaluators to score the applications. The AMCC hired the University of South Alabama to recruit evaluators. The lawsuit alleges that the AMCC failed to exercise independent judgement in choosing which companies were most qualified. The lawsuit also raises concerns that the AMCC held deliberations on the licensing decisions behind closed doors, rather than during the brief portion of the June 12 meeting that was open to the public. According to the lawsuit, Alabama Always is nearing completion of a cultivation and production facility for medical marijuana in an economically depressed area just west of Montgomery. The complaint said the company has spent $4.5 million on the facility. Alabama Always intends to sell medical cannabis products at dispensaries in Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Gadsden, and Mobile, according to the complaint. The Legislature passed a law in 2021 to authorize medical marijuana. Alabama is one of 38 states that have legalized medical cannabis, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Alabamas industry will be fully intrastate. Doctors who receive certification will be able to recommend medical cannabis products for a wide range of conditions and symptoms. Those include autism spectrum disorder; cancer-related pain, weight loss, and vomiting; Crohns Disease; depression; epilepsy or conditions causing seizures; HIV/AIDS-related nausea or weight loss; panic disorder; Parkinsons Disease; persistent nausea; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); sickle cell anemia; spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury; Tourettes Syndrome; a terminal illness; and conditions causing chronic or intractable pain. Licensed dispensaries will sell the products, which can include pills, capsules, tinctures, gel cubes, creams, patches, suppositories, nebulizers, and liquids or oils for an inhaler. No raw plant materials or products for smoking or eating will be allowed. Officials have said the products could be ready late this year or in early 2024 but that litigation could potentially delay the availability. For people late to the story and curious or veterans of the long fight over the U.S. Space Commands permanent headquarters, a congressional debate Thursday lends some clarity. And some heat as U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Alabama) says hes enraged by base competitor Colorados latest moves. The video of the debate shows the House Armed Services Committee reviewing the proposed Pentagon budget this week. The fight between Colorado and Alabama, finalists in a competition for the headquarters that Alabama won, came when U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) proposed to strike an amendment to the Pentagon spending bill related to the command. Watch the debate here starting at time mark 4:22 (four hours, 22 minutes in). The amendment would stop the Pentagon from spending any money for construction or modification of the provisional headquarters in Colorado or its final location if the report required by the rest of this section has not been submitted. Lamborn, whose state has the startup headquarters and was one of the finalists for the permanent headquarters, said he had no problem with the required report, but freezing any spending on facilities at the current Colorado headquarters could threaten national security. He does share Alabamas frustration, Lamborn said. Lamborn would later withdraw the measure after committee Chairman U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and member U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala) both opposed it and U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) ran down the evidence for Huntsvilles Redstone Arsenal as preferred command headquarters. When the ranking Democrat on the committee, U.S. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, also opposed Lamborns attempt to remove Rogers spending amendment, Lamborn withdrew it. I can see the handwriting on the wall, Lamborn said later. Space Command HQ history Space Command was established in 2019 and based in Colorado Springs, where it has operated while the Pentagon followed procedure and reviewed proposals by various states that wanted the command. Huntsvilles Redstone Arsenal won that formal competition, but Alabama lawmakers have accused the command of quietly spending so much money upgrading the temporary Colorado facilities that the Pentagon could do Space Commands vital mission there. Theres no need for a headquarters anywhere else, Colorado supporters now say. Rogers himself introduced the amendment Lamborn opposed. It would prohibit any funding for construction or modifications of U.S. Space Command at either its provisional or final headquarters starting on Oct. 1 of this year if the (review requested by the legislation) is not completed. Lamborn said the amendment is seriously flawed and harms our national security. It freezes funding for any U.S. Space Command construction projects no matter how necessary. Should this become law this provision would prohibit even minor improvements necessary for national security including adding classified spaces for mission planning, shielding computers and other critical electronics from magnetic pulses and even routine cyber security upgrades. Lamborn said he shares Alabamas frustration with the drawn out and flawed headquarters selection process. I share their desire that this decision be made soon, Lamborn said. But he said operations at Space Command could not be allowed to be interrupted. The chair now recognizes himself, Rogers replied. Theres nobody that knows the threats we face in national security space better than me. Thats why Im so enraged by this pointless, ridiculous amendment. Let me restate the facts weve got, Rogers said. There was a competition for Space Command. After that first competition, there were some objections by some states so there was another competition. That was completed 18 months ago. There was then complaints by the Colorado delegation because they came in fifth and Alabama came in first that there had to be political shenanigans by the previous (Trump) administration. So this (Biden) administrations (General Accounting Office) and Inspector General reviewed it, Rogers said. They completed that a year ago stating there was no manipulation. Alabama won it fair and square. Colorado came in fifth. The Secretary of the Air Force has yet to make an announcement on a decision of where the permanent headquarters will be, Rogers said. All (his) language says is, Make a decision. If you dont make a decision, were going to stop you from spending more money on temporary headquarters and, by the way, were taking half your travel budget. It does not say what decision to make, Rogers said. All I want them to do is make a decision. Im not telling them how. Make a decision. And this guy (Lamborn) is willing to delay it. I urge you to vote no on the amendment. When Rogers finished speaking, Smith, a Democrat, said he agreed with Rogers and his summary of the facts. What the chairman is referencing is as theyre stumbling along here (en route to a decision) theyre spending money on building up a potential Space Command in Colorado without making the actual decision, Smith said. I believe this kind of forcing mechanism will push the Air Force to make a decision. And I dont care where they put it, Smith said. I really dont. Just make a decision. It has been too long; it has been a great failure by the Department of Defense to not address this to date. We should have this decision tomorrow. Would you buy the fifth-best bulletproof vest? U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) followed Smith and reviewed what he said were the facts about the competition. It all started when the Air Force announced Redstone as the preferred location in January 2021 after a yearlong, thorough, 21-category basing process, Strong said. In the first phase of the basing process, Redstone ranked No. 1, Strong said. In the second phase of the basing process, Redstone ranked No. 1. In the first phase of the basing process, Peterson Air Force Base (in Colorado Springs) ranked No. 4. In the second phase of the basing process, Peterson Air Force Base ranked No. 5. Investigations by the Department of Defense inspector general and the General Accounting Office found no violation to justify overturning that ranking, Strong said. The final reports from both investigations were released a year ago. Strong said he understood and respected Lamborns fight for his district but asked the committee if it would select the fifth-most-qualified to build an F-35 fighter jet. Would you buy the fifth-best bulletproof vest for the U.S. warfighter? Committee member Sewell, the Alabama Democrat, also spoke to support Republicans Strong and Rogers. This is really about forcing the Air Force to make a decision, she said. It does not demand a particular decision in favor of one or the other. (Updated to correct U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborns party. He is a Republican) A 49-year-old Georgia man drowned in the waters off Gulf Shores Thursday evening, according to Baldwin County Coroner Brian Pierce. Pierce identified the man as William Strozier of Madison, Ga. Strozier was pulled from the water near the Gulf State Park Pavilion, Gulf Shores Beach Safety Chief Joethan Phillips confirmed to AL.com. Phillips said Strozier and his son were both in the water when lifeguards arrived, but he was unsure whether both had originally been in the water or Strozier had gone into help his son. Strozier reportedly tried to assist his son before a third man went in to assist. Lifeguards began CPR on Strozier and he was transported to the South Baldwin Regional Medical Center Freestanding Emergency Department, where he was pronounced dead at 7:09 p.m., according to Pierce. Phillips said yellow flags were on Gulf Shores beaches Thursday evening, meaning moderate hazard conditions. Rip currents were present, he said. The Villa Rica Police Chief apologizes after the department posted images to Facebook from a recent training seminar showing a black man used as a target. He says they use a variety of images but knows this wasnt a good choice to use. The NAACP want answers @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/S737jf2TY4 Eric Perry (@Ericperrytv) June 22, 2023 An investigation has been launched into a Georgia police department after officers reportedly used a photo of a Black man for target practice, and later posted the event on social media. The training was part of a gun safety class for civilians, hosted Saturday by a police department in Villa Rica, roughly 30 miles west of Atlanta, reports NBC News. Photos of participants pointing their guns at a life-sized image of a Black man were later shared to the departments Facebook page. In the image used for the target, the man is wearing a beanie and pointing a firearm. Screenshots of the post have been shared widely and criticized across social media, and the original post has since been removed from Facebook. The Villa Rica Police Department addressed the criticism in a separate post on Wednesday, saying, It was never our intention to be insensitive, inflammatory or offensive to anyone. The department added that it values the honest opinions of our fellow citizens and apologized for any offense we may have caused. Michael Mansour, Villa Ricas chief of police, said the targets shown in the post are commonly used throughout the state for training purposes. He pointed out that other targets of white and Asian people were also used in the safety class, but the officer who posted the images to social media mistakenly posted the Black targets, and none of the others. Its just an innocent mistake, but it was a mistake, Mansour told NBC News. And Im very transparent in saying that we messed up. But at no time will I accept people telling me Im a racist, or our department is a racist because we made a mistake, he added. 2023 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Owning a beach home is a dream for many, but that dream can quickly become a nightmare thanks to factors including flooding and rising sea level. And Gulf Shores is among the riskiest places to own a beach home in the country, according to a recent study by Assurance. Using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and Zillow, the study examined 75 U.S. beach towns and compiled scores for each using a point system taken from data including: Percentage of homes at risk of flooding Percentage of population living in at-risk homes Property value of at-risk homes Property taxes of at-risk homes Overall flooding risk Projected sea level rise Landslide severity Acres burned by wildfires Number of hurricanes Median home value The study assigned each town a score of 0-5 in each category, with the higher the score meaning the more at risk. Each towns total score was compiled from its individual factor scores, which were weighted according to their impact on the risk associated with owning a beach house. Among those 75 beach towns, Gulf Shores ranked 7th, compiling a score of 32.7 out of 50. Galveston, Texas, took the dubious title of riskiest place to own a beach home with a score of 37.24. Four Florida beach towns made the top 20, although none in the Florida Panhandle. Key West ranked 8th (32.24); Miami Beach was 10th (30.37); Sanibel Island was 16th (28.26); and Clearwater was 19th (25.23). Among beach towns with the most homes at risk of flooding, Gulf Shores ranked 8th, with 6.81% of its beach homes considered at risk. Ocracoke, N.C., located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, had the greatest share of at-risk homes at 33.12%. When the study examined which beach towns had the highest property values at risk of flooding, Gulf Shores moved up even higher on the list. Gulf Shores has an average property value of $1.09 million among its homes which are at risk of flooding, just behind Miami Beach ($1.17 million). Interestingly, while southern U.S. beach towns comprise 10 of the top 20 overall riskiest beach towns in which to own a home, only Gulf Shores and St. Simons Island, Ga., crack the top 10 in both highest percentage of at risk homes and highest average property value among at risk beach homes. Unsurprisingly, Newport Beach, Calif., which has some of the nations highest overall property values, also has the highest property value among homes at risk of flooding, with an average value of $2.6 million. Sometimes its hard to move forward on something. Sometimes its because we dont want to lose something that we enjoy (in the case of the Interstate 65 Saturn 1B rocket near Huntsville). Sometimes its because of glitches when youre, say, trying to create a whole new industry (such as newly legalized medical cannabis). Read below for more, and then make sure you enjoy your weekend. Get the Down in Alabama newsletter: Enter your email to subscribe to the daily Down in Alabama newsletter: Still no solution for rocket Its been tough letting go of the big Saturn 1B rocket that stands along Interstate 65 just south of the Tennessee state line. AL.coms Paul Gattis reports that last month the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission called on subcommittees to take another look at the deteriorating rocket and potential options for saving it. After all, its not only a popular and familiar roadside attraction but also one of only two Saturn 1Bs left in existence. But the review landed in the same place we keep coming back to: The prudent thing to do is to dismantle the big landmark. Not everybodys giving up yet. Steven Thornton of a group trying to save the rocket say he expects there to be an objection to the subcommittees review at the Commissions next full meeting in August. Medical cannabis hiccup Not everybody was thrilled after the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission awarded licenses to businesses in the new industry. Namely, those who were not selected. Or at least not selected yet. AL.coms Mike Cason reports that Alabama Always LLC has sued the Commission, claiming there were problems with the licensing process -- and the Commission itself has said it realizes there have been issues. It announced 21 licensees on June 12, then temporarily suspended the issuance of licenses a few days later after discovering inconsistencies in the way the applicants were scored. As for Alabama Always, according to its lawsuit it has spent $4.5 million on a cultivation and production facility just west of Montgomery. It applied for an integrated license so it could cultivate, produce and sell medical marijuana. Whose name are you calling strange? The site 24/7 Tempo released its list of the 43 strangest town names in the U.S., reports AL.coms Leada Gore. One Alabama city made the list, and it gives us another chance to explain why we have an Arab, Alabama. Stop me if youve had this conversation with somebody from out of state. Youre asked why theres an Arab, Alabama. You then have to explain that its pronounced EH-rab, not AIR-ub. The truth is that in the mid-1800s the community there brought in a post office and named it after the founders sons middle name, Arad. Well, at some point somebody misspelled it and it became the Arab Post Office. When the community decided to incorporate, it did what many new towns did at the time and took the name of the post office. So Arab it is. And if they dont like it they can move along to Boring, Oregon, or Embarrass, Wisconsin, or any other place from the strangest-town-names list. Quoting It been a tough year, Ill just tell you that. Miracles do happen. Birmingham-Southern College President Daniel Coleman, speaking to the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church Wednesday, a week after the governor signed legislation that allows BSC to take up to a $30 million loan to keep its doors open. The number of parents who are burying their children because of gun violence confirms to me that what were doing is simply not working. Selma Mayor James Perkins, whose city has seen 14 murders in the past six months, 13 of those gun-related. By the numbers More Alabama news The podcast: The newsletter: A Montgomery judge issued an order Friday preserving the opportunity for companies denied a license by the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission to appeal that decision. Montgomery County Circuit Judge James Anderson issued a temporary restraining order at the request of license applicants Alabama Always LLC and Hornet Medicinals LLC. Anderson issued the order after a hearing Friday morning. Lawyers for the two companies and the AMCC spoke at the hearing. The AMCC did not oppose the order. The judge denied the request by Alabama Always for expedited discovery to obtain depositions and documents from the AMCC to learn more about what the company claims are legal problems and inconsistencies with the commissions process. Anderson said the request was premature. Arch Lee, a lobbyist for Alabama Always, said after the hearing the temporary restraining order was an important first step. I think thats what everybody involved was looking for, to give us a chance to get to the bottom of it and give us time to look at everything, Lee said. We certainly had hoped for some discovery and that might come down the road. The AMCC has acknowledged its scoring of applicants was flawed and voted June 16 to suspend the licensing and the deadline for companies to appeal. The companies asked for a court order because of concerns that the AMCC did not have the authority to put a hold on the proceedings. The companies were afraid they would lose their chance to appeal. Under the AMCCs original timeline, companies that did not receive a license had until June 26 at 4 p.m. to appeal. Andersons order means that deadline is suspended. His order also affirms the AMCCs position that it will not issue licenses on July 10, as originally scheduled. Andersons order will be in effect until July 13, when the judge is scheduled to hold another hearing. We were concerned that the commission didnt do it properly, didnt give proper notice, and that it didnt have the authority under its rules and regulations to issue a stay, William Somerville, an attorney for Alabama Always, said after the hearing. And so we thought if we just sat around and let the time continue to run we would lose our rights or have to file an immediate appeal. Alabama Always, in its lawsuit filed Thursday, also cited what it said were the AMCCs possible violations of the state Open Meetings Act, abdication of its responsibility to exercise independent judgement in the choosing the companies best qualified to receive licenses, and unfair use of a rule on the electronic filing of license applications. A key issue is the AMCCs decision to hire the University of South Alabama to recruit evaluators to assign scores to the license applications and the extent to which it relied on those scores. In the lawsuit, Alabama Always says the AMCC rubber stamped the evaluators scores and did not publicly discuss the merits of the license applicants. The AMCC met on June 12, the long anticipated day when it would award licenses. The commission almost immediately voted to go into closed session. The commission reopened the meeting a few hours later and voted without discussion to award licenses to 21 companies out of the 90 that applied. The Commission accepted the anonymous graders scores without question, essentially rubber-stamping the graders scoring sheets with no exceptions, and exercising no independent analysis or judgment, the lawsuit says. Somerville said the lack of public discussion by the AMCC is a major concern. One thing we hope is that the commission, based on our filing, will do a better job of observing the requirements of the Open Meetings Act, Somerville said. We think the one thing thats really hurt this process is the secrecy that the commission has been engaging in. We havent seen them debate. We havent seen them discuss which applicants are better, or why. We think that needs to be for the public to hear. Alabama Always applied for an integrated facility license, which would allow it to cultivate, produce, and sell medical marijuana. In the lawsuit, the company said it has spent more than $4.5 million to build a cultivation and processing facility west of Montgomery. Alabama Always could begin cultivation in late July or early August and could stock products in five dispensaries by January of 2024, the lawsuit says. The company has leased stores in Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Gadsden, and Mobile. The Legislature passed a bill in 2021 to authorize medical marijuana. The bill created the AMCC and placed caps on how many licenses it could award for integrated facilities (five); cultivators (12); processors (four); and dispensaries (4). There is no cap on the number of licenses for testing labs and transport companies. Thirty-eight companies applied for integrated facility licenses. My client feels that that theyve done as good or better a job as anybody, as any other applicant, Somerville said Theyre not going to ask the judge to award them a license. They just want the process to work along the way its supposed to. And they feel confident in their chances. Sen. Katie Britt has joined several of her colleagues to introduce legislation to prohibit the Biden Administration from banning gas stoves, her office announced on Friday. There is perhaps no greater example of government overreach than the radical attempts to eradicate the use of gas stoves, Britt said. Britt and Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, introduced the Save Our Gas Stoves Act with Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.). Im proud to join Senator Sullivan and my colleagues in introducing this commonsense measure to ensure that hardworking American families continue to have access to affordable appliance choices for their homes, Britt said. Similar legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week after having been delayed earlier this month as a procedural vote was help up by members of the House Freedom Caucus. Cooking with gas-fired stoves can expose people to roughly the same cancer risk as breathing secondhand cigarette smoke, according to researchers from Stanford University and nonprofit PSE Healthy Energy, the Los Angeles Times recently reported. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has explored banning the stoves for several months citing concerns about harmful indoor air pollutants emitted by the appliances. Madison County authorities are seeking a man on a first degree assault warrant. According to the sheriffs office, Jeremy Kentrell Norwood ran over a woman with his vehicle while she was exercising on her bicycle. There was no word on the victims condition. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriffs office at (256) 533-8864. The Supreme Court on Friday upheld a key part of President Joe Bidens plan for targeted immigration enforcement, ruling the administration may focus its efforts on arresting and deporting those who pose a current danger. In a 8-1 decision, the justices said Texas and Louisiana lacked standing to sue in order to require a more aggressive federal policy of arrests. Writing for the court, Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh invoked the conservative principle that judges should not make government policy through politically driven lawsuits. Moreover, enforcing the immigration laws has been understood to be the job of the executive branch, not the courts, he said. The states essentially want the federal judiciary to order the executive branch to alter its arrest policy so as to make more arrests, he said in United States v. Texas. But the states and their attorneys have not suffered a personal injury that would give them standing to sue, he said. If the court green-lighted this suit, federal judges would soon be asked to decide whether the government must make more arrests to enforce the drug laws, gun laws and many others, he said. The decision tossed out a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton before a conservative judge in Corpus Christi, Texas. U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton, a Trump appointee, issued a nationwide order declaring the Biden administrations immigration policy was illegal and could not be used. The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to lift the order in July of last year, and the Supreme Court did the same by turning down an emergency appeal filed by Bidens lawyers. But after hearing arguments in the case, all but Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. voted to toss out the lawsuit and allow the administration to proceed as planned. Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott tweeted that this decision is outrageous. SCOTUS gives the Biden Admin. carte blanche to avoid accountability for abandoning enforcement of immigration laws. Texas will continue to deploy the National Guard to repel & turn back illegal immigrants trying to enter Texas illegally. But David Leopold, former president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, called the decision a victory for common sense over chaos and a blow against Republicans reliance on the anti-immigrant judicial pipeline. We hope todays ruling is a signal that on immigration, judges should follow the law and not impose their own politics. Fridays opinion is the fourth in recent weeks to sound the theme of judicial restraint and deference to Congress or the White House. With Kavanaugh casting the key vote, the justices earlier this month upheld a provision of the Voting Rights Act in an Alabama case, ruling that Congress required states to try to draw compact election districts that give Black voters a chance to elect a candidate of their choice. Last week, they upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act that seeks to keep Native American children with relatives or tribal members. Justices Clarence Thomas and Alito dissented in both cases and said they would have overturned those laws. On Thursday, the justices tossed out a lawsuit brought by Navajo Nation seeking more water rights and ruled the issue is one for Congress, not the courts. But that trend may not last. Next week, the justices are due to hand down the final decisions of this term. They include challenges to college affirmative action policies and to Bidens plan to forgive millions of student loans. The immigration case decided Friday does not involve the tens of thousands of migrants who arrive at the border or the millions of those who live in the country without legal documentation. Instead, it concerned immigrants with past crimes on their records and whether the government is required to seek them out for arrest and deportation. Republican state attorneys and the Democratic administration have been locked in a dispute over immigration enforcement. Last year, the Supreme Court by a 5-4 vote refused to allow Bidens immigration enforcement guidelines to take effect, but the justices agreed to hear arguments on the legal dispute. At issue was whether the law requires mandatory detention for immigrants who have a serious crime on their record or instead allows the administration to focus on arresting and deporting those who pose a current danger to public safety. Often, immigrants serve years in state prisons for crimes such as drug trafficking. Upon release, they may be taken into custody by federal immigration agents, but that is not automatic. Bidens Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said the government had no choice but to set priorities for enforcing the immigration laws. He said the government did not have the staff or the space to seek out and arrest tens of thousands of non-citizens for past crimes. It is well-established in the law that federal government officials have broad discretion to decide who should be subject to arrest, detainers, removal proceedings and the execution of removal orders, he said last September. He said enforcement should focus on noncitizens who pose a current threat to public safety, not all those who have a criminal record. ___ 2023 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A juvenile has been charged in connection with a fatal shooting outside an east Birmingham home. The 17-year-olds name is not being released because of his age. He is charged with reckless manslaughter in the Wednesday-afternoon shooting death of Tadarrien Griffin, 22. The shooting happened about 5:30 p.m. in the 100 block of 71st Street North. That location was in front of one of the houses nearest to Wahouma Park. Officer Truman Fitzgerald said East Precinct officers arrived on the scene to find Griffin unresponsive outside of a vehicle. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced him dead on the scene. The juvenile remained on the scene. He was taken into custody for questioning and then booked into the Birmingham City Jail. Detectives presented their evidence to the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office Thursday, which issued the reckless manslaughter warrant. The teen and the victim knew each other and apparently were outside together when the fatal shooting happened. After warrants were issued, the teen was transported to the Jefferson County Jail with bond set at $30,000. A trial date has been set Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper in his arrest earlier this month on a harassment charge in Marshall County. Court records show a trial date has been set for August 2. There are still few details available surrounding the allegations facing Cooper. There are no details provided in Alabamas online court records system. Efforts to reach prosecutors in Marshall County were not immediately successful Friday morning. Coopers attorney George Barnett refused to comment. Cooper, who has been ALDOTs transportation director since 2011, was in the Marshall County Jail for about 30 minutes on June 12 before posting $500 bond on a charge of harassment/intimidation, according to jail records. Barnett earlier appeared to suggest the arrest stemmed from a land dispute between Cooper and his neighbor. Mr. Cooper directed me to file a complaint for declaratory judgment cause of action in Marshall County Circuit Court regarding a neighbor who is falsely claiming an easement on Mr. Coopers property, said Barnett. The complaint about the land dispute has not been filed as of Friday morning. Cooper, 75, has served as transportation director for ALDOT since his appointment by then-Gov. Robert Bentley in 2011. Cooper was the CEO of Avocent Corp. in Huntsville from 2002 until 2008 and was also chairman of Avocents board from 2003-2008. From 1996-2001, Cooper was chief financial officer and senior vice president finance and administration for Adtran Inc. of Huntsville, a global telecommunications provider. A California man who drove a stun gun into a police officers neck during one of the most violent clashes of the U.S. 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 U.S. 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 cant blame what you did once you got there on anyone but yourself. Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanones 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 Capitols 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 Rodriguezs statement to the judge. He didnt miss an apology from Rodriguez, who has been jailed for more than two years and will get credit for that time already served. Im hopeful that Michael Fanone will be okay some day, Rodriguez said. It sounds like hes in a great deal of pain. Fanone said he left the courtroom because he didnt care to hear his assailants 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 Bidens 2020 electoral victory. Rodriguezs criminal conduct on January 6 was the epitome of disrespect for the law; he battled with law enforcement at the U.S. 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, D.C. On Jan. 6, Rodriguez attended then-President Donald Trumps 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 officers neck and dragged him out onto the terrace steps, then restrained Fanone while other rioters attacked him. Rodriguez shocked Fanones 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 officers 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. Rodriguezs 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. The mayors of two Alabama cities joined together Thursday to discuss the frustration, the setbacks and the misery index resulting from gun violence in their communities and nationwide. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed and Selma Mayor James Perkins said held a press conference as part of National Gun Violence Awareness Month and said they are committed to facilitating a vessel for possibly solutions to the ongoing gun violence crisis. Statistically, politically and emotionally speaking, Im convinced what were doing across this nation, including my own community, is not working, Perkins said. The sheer numbers of gun violence deaths confirm that what were doing is simply not working. The number of parents who are burying their children because of gun violence, he said, confirms to me that what were doing is simply not working. Selma has had 14 murders in the past six months, 13 of those gun-related, the mayor said. The youngest victim was just 5 years old. Montgomery has had 37 homicides this year, with arrests made in 62 percent of the slayings. Both mayors said they believe the new permitless carry law is part of the problem. Alabama on New Years Day became the 25th state to remove a requirement for gun owners to purchase a permit to carry a handgun. Law enforcement personnel at all levels are telling me that this permitless carry law makes it nearly impossible to execute preventive policing of illegal guns and the illegal use of guns, Perkins said. What were starting to see is more non-fatal shootings, Reed said. That coincides directly with the permitless carry bill that was passedacross this country. Reed said theyve seen a 40 percent increase in non-fatal shootings in Montgomery this year. But gun arrests are down because everybody has a right to carry irrespective of a permit or not, he said. Weve taken 900 guns off the streets, but were still seeing guns playing too much of a role in disputes and arguments. Perkins said authorities have not done a good job of listening to victims. We need to really listen to mothers and fathers who have had to bury their children because of some senseless act of gun violence. We need to listen to children and parents who are suffering from anxiety over the risk of sending their children to school, he said. We need to listen to families and elders who are afraid to go to church over fear of some deranged individual with some military-style weapon randomly shooting people down within the sanctuary. We need to listen to the people who we vow to serve, Perkins said. The Selma mayor said he owns guns, and he doesnt want to disarm law-abiding citizens. The bottom line is to disarm those who should not have a gun, he said. I challenge anyone to help me understand the need for military assault style weapons on the streets in our communities. Perkins said he and Reed dont have the answers, but they believe they need to invite federal, state and local law enforcement, business leaders and faith leaders to have a frank conversation not about whats happening, but about what can be done that hasnt been tried previously. That includes listening to victims. We need to listen to the people who are caught up in our inability to make decisions to address this situation, he said. Im convinced if we do that honestly and genuinely, we will be able to address some of the frustrations, setbacks and misery index. Reed said Gun Violence Awareness Month highlights the challenges seen across the country from gun violence. None of us can do this by ourselves but we do believe through our platforms and our ability to convene, we do have an opportunity to reach out to people from all backgrounds across our region to address this topic, Reed said. Last year, President Biden signed into law the most important gun violence legislation enacted in the last 30 years and we know there is still more work to do, he said. They also need Congress to enact common sense gun laws and banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Reed also talked about the lack of conflict resolution and the countrys fascination with the gun culture. Nobody wants to be show up and no one wants to be last to pull their gun because they believe the other person has one, he said. Reed said his Office of Violence Prevention, though small, is doing yeomans work. He said his city is also working with Central Alabama Crime Stoppers and expanding technology, including Shot Spotter. But more needs to be done. We understand and really hear your frustration. We hear and feel your pain, he said. We want to do everything we can to try to rectify that. We believe this is the start of a very important collaboration, Reed said, that will move with forward with action steps soon to come and its one that we welcome feedback and interaction. A woman wanted for murder in the fatal Thursday morning shooting of a 39-year-old Anniston man should be considered armed and dangerous, police said. Authorities are also searching for a man they want to question in the case, said Sgt. Jason Hawkins of Anniston police. Officers responded to the 4300 block of Skyline Drive around 10:05 a.m. Thursday on a call of shots fired. As officers were on their way, they were notified that several vehicles sped away from the scene. One of the vehicles was flagged down near the intersection of Noble and 21st streets and officers conducted a traffic stop. Inside the vehicle was the victim, 39-year-old Traveno L. Burnett, of Anniston. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police identified Tanquilla LaShay Thomas, 35, as the suspect in Burnetts slaying. A warrant was issued for Thomas arrest. She was still at large as of 8 p.m. Thursday and should be considered armed and dangerous, police said. A man, 36-year-old Thomas Tramaine Cunningham, is wanted for questioning in connection to the slaying. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Thomas or Cunningham were asked to call Anniston police at 256-240-4000. Alabama environmental groups are urging their members to speak out against plans to sink more money into a $5 billion project to build an interstate highway bypass north of Birmingham. The Alabama Department of Transportation announced plans to spend an additional $460 million over the next four years working to build a 52-mile interstate bypass around the northern side of Birmingham. Proponents say the Northern Beltline project would spur economic development in the communities north of Birmingham. But with cost estimates more than $5 billion and the completion timeline stretching decades, critics say the project is expensive, unnecessary and environmentally destructive. The proposed highway will permanently degrade our community, including our drinking water; and it is the most expensive project in the history of Alabama, Southern Environmental Law Center Senior Attorney Sarah Stokes said in a letter to ALDOT opposing the plan. Taxpayer funding for this highway should instead be spent on other needed projects in the state that can be completed in less than 60 years (the estimated completion time for the Beltline). An outline of the proposed Northern Beltline from 2011.The Birmingham News The letter was sent by the Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of Black Warrior Riverkeeper, which is also urging its members to oppose the project. Comments on the current Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, which includes $460 million toward restarting the beltline, can be sent to ALDOT here. Of particular concern to the environmental groups are impacts to the Black Warrior and Cahaba Rivers, which provide the Birmingham area with its drinking water. The groups say the proposed route of the highway would cross tributaries of those rivers 90 times over 52 miles. Not only is the Northern Beltline a bottomless money pit, its a reckless threat to our water resources, Black Warrior Riverkeeper Nelson Brooke said in a news release. Stokes said the route chosen by ALDOT was the most environmentally destructive option of seven routes considered. Construction has long been stopped after phase 1 of the Northern Beltline between Hwy. 75 and Hwy. 79 in northeast Jefferson County. The idea of a Northern Beltline for Birmingham has been around since the 1960s, but so far, no actual roads have been completed. ALDOT has drained and graded about 1.3 miles of the proposed 52-mile highway that would connect Interstate 59 in northeast Jefferson County with Interstate 459 in Bessemer, beginning work in 2014. Construction stopped in 2016 as federal funding ran out. But now, with new federal money, the project is moving forward again. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced earlier this year that construction on the project would continue with $489 million in federal funds. The project could receive as much as $1.5 billion in federal transportation funds through 2045. The hope for proponents of the highway is that completing the project will spur development north of the city of Birmingham just as I-459 spurred development in Birminghams southern suburbs like Hoover and Vestavia. The new highway would be called I-422 But that comes at a cost, and the cost is constantly fluctuating as decades go by. The 2009 projection for a six-lane interstate along the 52-mile route was $3.4 billion. Then an update in 2011 increased that figure to $4.7 billion. A later estimate pushed the figure to $5.4 billion. Now, the project has been scaled back to four lanes, but cost estimates are still around $5 billion, based on current estimates. A project analysis from the Federal Highway Administration estimates that completing the 20-mile stretch from I-65 to I-59 will cost. $1.97 billion, with an estimated completion date in 2048, for just that 20-mile segment. The SELC says at that rate, the total project would cost more than $5 billion and would not be completed for 60-75 years, and that much of the Beltline funding could be directed toward other projects across the state. Ivey and Alabamas Congressional delegation, however, remain committed to the project. The Alabama delegation is committed to making this happen, U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Hoover, said at an April press gathering with Ivey. In the movie, Field of Dreams, they said, Build it, and they will come, Palmer said. That applies to infrastructure. The critics say Alabama has more pressing transportation needs than building a road to nowhere. The people of Alabama need real transportation solutions and safe roadsnot taxpayer money wasted on this farce of a project, Stokes said. This outdated, unnecessary highway lacks mandatory environmental review and permitting, is relying on an environmental study that is 26 years old, and as a whole does not represent metro Birminghams current day needs. The groups also argue that interests owning large chunks of land around the proposed route of the highway, and those who would profit from the highways construction are pushing a project that is not truly needed. This project is designed to pad the pockets of wealthy landowners and developers while more pressing statewide transportation needs and safety upgrades that would actually benefit Alabamians are left behind, Brooke said. Huntsville area universities and colleges are receiving more than $130 million in supplemental appropriations from the Education Trust Fund through the 2023 legislative session. Of that, about $100 million will be going to projects at the Alabama Robotics Technology Park, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama A&M and Calhoun Community College. The Robotics Technology Park on U.S. 31 in Tanner will receive $30 million for an electronic vehicle workforce training center. State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, who serves as chairman of the finance and taxation education committee, said the center will assist the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing facility as it begins production of electronic vehicles. The center will focus on the maintenance of EVs, fuel cells and batteries, including the disposal of batteries. Orr said the center will be constructed south of the current campus. Alabama traffic deaths increased to nearly 1,000 in 2022, a 6 percent rise from pre-pandemic 2019 blamed largely on drivers taking increased risks, a new report says. Those risks include distracted driving, failure to wear seat belts and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, the nonprofit traffic research organization TRIP said in a report released today at tripnet.org. Research also showed distraction by cell phones as another significant risk. In Mobile County, there were 69 fatal crashes in 2022, according to data from the Alabama Critical Analysis Reporting Environment (CARE), and a total of 75 deaths. That number is on par with the number of fatal crashes in 2018, but significantly lower than 2019, when there were 78 fatal crashes in the county, killing 86 people. Meanwhile, the number of pedestrians killed in crashes in Mobile County is increasing, the data shows. In 2022, 18 pedestrians were killed in crashes, out of 106 pedestrian-involved accidents. In the first five months of 2023, 11 pedestrians have been killed and there have been 47 pedestrian-involved accidents. In 2019, 15 pedestrians were killed out of 121 pedestrian-involved accidents. In Baldwin County, there were 29 fatal crashes in 2022, the data shows, killing 32 people. Thats an increase of seven fatal crashes from 2021 but a decrease from 2019, when there were 39 fatal crashes and 48 deaths. Although largely upstaged by former President Donald Trumps federal indictment, the Supreme Courts voting rights decision earlier this month is likely to have a game-changing impact for many years to come. What the court decided is almost as surprising as who decided it. By a 5-to-4 vote, justices from the conservative and liberal sides came together to reaffirm the courts 1986 ruling on how legislative districts must be drawn under the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act, as amended in 1982. In Alabama, where 1 in 4 voters is Black in the states seven congressional districts, the justices ruled that the Republican-dominated state legislature had denied African American voters a reasonable chance to elect a second representative of their choice. A panel of three federal judges, including two appointed by Trump and one by former President Bill Clinton, had thrown out the states congressional map and ordered lawmakers to draw a new one with two, not just one, districts that are likely to elect Black representatives. It was the sort of racial gerrymandering case for which the Voting Rights Act was enacted and, in more recent times, weakened by conservatives. Now Alabama will have to redraw its map to include a second predominantly Black district. Although the ruling does not expand minority voting rights, it doesnt reduce them either. Thats a net gain for Democrats and other liberals at a time when the Dems feared worse as they try to recover from the loss of their House majority, among other setbacks. Suddenly, they see new hope coming from an unexpected source, the conservative court of Chief Justice John Roberts, which leaves many wondering why two of the courts conservatives moderated their opposition enough to let Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits racially discriminatory voting practices, survive. One was Roberts. He has been a famously outspoken critic of race-based remedies who authored or joined earlier decisions that gutted key parts of the voting law. Roberts declared in a 2007 affirmative action case that the way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race. Sure, but if it was that easy we wouldnt need to turn to the Supreme Court to sort it out. The other was Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a Trump appointee, who leaned toward the belief that the need for Section 2 was fading over time and suggested in his opinion that plaintiffs could try to return in some future case to argue that changing times had rendered the law unconstitutional. I hope I live that long. Which left many, including me, to wonder why both justices just happened to moderate their opposition enough to let the strongest remaining enforcement section of the Voting Rights Act survive. Im intrigued by how Roberts maneuvers as best he can to sound fair and evenhanded in weighing his opinions, as a good, credible chief justice should. Roberts has long been reported to be extremely concerned about the courts integrity and credibility, a noble and necessary goal, even when both sides of the political spectrum are shouting at him. With opinion polls in these polarized times showing the high courts approval ratings to be in the cellar, Im sure recent headlines about a billionaire patron providing luxurious gifts to Clarence Thomas as well as about Justice Samuel Alitos alleged luxury vacations paid for by a billionaire Republican donor must cause the chief justice no end of consternation. I cannot write about the high court without the classic 1901 quote from the Mr. Dooley stories of Finley Peter Dunne coming to mind: No matter whether the constitution follows the flag or not, the Supreme Court follows the election returns. Im sure the justices might well deny that, but one thing is certain: Supreme Court appointments follow elections. And they last a lifetime. Thats another reason for us, the voters, to pay attention. Still, theres another reason why the high courts conservatives voted to rescue the Voting Rights Act. Theyre softening us up before they overturn affirmative action, which also is expected any day now. If so, that also will be controversial. But nobody should be too surprised. (E-mail Clarence Page at cpage@chicagotribune.com.) 2023 Clarence Page. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A roundup of conversations we're having daily on the site. Subscribe to the Reckon Daily for stories centering marginalized communities and speaking to the under-covered issues of the moment. In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court has ruled against the Navajo Nation in its fight to secure water rights to the Colorado River, leaving thousands of families on the reservation to remain without access to running water. The Thursday ruling on the case Navajo Nation v. Arizona hinged upon a 150-year-old treaty requiring the federal government to meet the water requirements of Native American reservations. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who wrote the majority opinion, determined that the Navajo Treaty of 1868 did not require the federal government to proactively ensure water access for the tribe. It is not the Judiciarys role to rewrite and update this 155-year-old treaty, wrote Kavanaugh. Rather, Congress and the President may enact and often have enacted laws to assist the citizens of the western United States, including the Navajos with their water needs. Water is a critical resource for the Navajo Nation, considered the U.S.s largest reservation. A third of the approximately 175,000 people who live there dont have running water in their homes. Members of those thousands of households without running water must drive for miles to refill barrels and jugs with water to bring back home and use for drinking, cleaning, cooking and bathing. Some depend on unregulated wells for their water needs. The average person on the Navajo Nation reservation uses just seven gallons of water a day. The national average is 80 to 100 gallons [per day], said attorney Shay Dvoretzky, who represented the Navajo Nation during the cases hearing before the Supreme Court in March. The Nation only asks that the United States, as trustee, assess its peoples needs and develop a plan to meet them. But Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and several water districts in California maintained that the governments involvement would disrupt their management of the rivers dwindling water supply. Kavanaugh, along with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Amy Coney Barrett, ruled that it would be anomalous to conclude that the United States must take affirmative steps to secure water. Under the treaty, the United States has no duty to farm the land, mine the minerals, or harvest the timber on the reservation or, for that matter, to build roads and bridges on the reservation, Kavanaugh writes. Just as there is no such duty with respect to the land, there likewise is no such duty with respect to the water. Speaker of the 25th Navajo Nation Council Crystalyne Curley and Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren expressed disappointment in Thursdays ruling. Our leaders long ago fought for our right to our precious homeland between our Sacred Mountains and that included the water right, the right to life, Speaker Curley said in a statement. Through the sacrifices and prayers of our ancestors, we secured the right to have access to water based on our treaties. Our leaders negotiated the terms of our treaties in good faith with the federal government. President Nygren remains resolute in the nations pursuit for water rights. As our lawyers continue to analyze the opinion and determine what it means for this particular lawsuit, I remain undeterred in obtaining quantified water rights for the Navajo Nation in Arizona, Nygren said. Justice Neil Gorsuch, who wrote the dissenting opinion, accused the majority of misreading the Navajo Nations request. Where do the Navajo go from here? Gorsuch wrote. The Navajo have waited patiently for someone, anyone, to help them, only to be told (repeatedly) that they have been standing in the wrong line and must try another. According to High Country News, this decision impacts the entire ecosystem of the Navajo Nation that relies upon water to sustain life within the reservation and also for carrying out traditional practices and ceremonies. The decision also highlights the broader challenges faced by Indigenous communities across the country in securing their rights to vital natural resources. According to The Guardian, an estimated one in 10 indigenous Americans lack access to safe tap water or basic sanitation, without which a host of health conditions including COVID-19, diabetes and gastrointestinal disease are more likely. Reduced rainfall and droughts linked to climate change has further strained access to water from the Colorado River a crucial water source for 40 million individuals throughout the entire Southwest. The seven states dependent on the river have long been entangled in legal disputes concerning its management. Recently, they have faced challenges in reaching an agreement on implementing water consumption reductions. Water is necessary for all life and when our ancestors negotiated agreements with the United States to secure our lands and our protection, water was understood and still is understood to be inseparable from the land and from our peoples, said Fawn Sharp, President of the National Congress of American Indians. The Supreme Court has once again assisted in the United States centuries-long attempts to try to get out of the promises they have made to Tribal Nations by stating that treaties only secure access to water, but do not require the United States to take any steps to protect or provide that water to our people. English News China's smart home industry embraces rapid development Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 20 Juin 2023 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. 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. 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. "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. 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. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Small zippers come with big time technologies NATO in Cold War dream undermines global peace, stability Full text of Xi's address at SCO summit Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) The radical left are desperate that we all believe two things. They want us all to believe America is divided half woke, half not. Its why Anderson Cooper called Trump supporters, that audience that upset you, thats a sampling of about half the country. Its why, in his red speech, Biden claimed half of America is MAGA. Its why TV news would report a 2022 UC Davis survey where half the subjects saw democracy as imperiled and expected civil war. Placing the divide at 50-50 makes their side look bigger than it is; and ours, smaller. The illusion theres no clear majority supposedly indicates instability, and broken government, which requires a Civil War 2.0. Until the right-wing steps up to fill the political violence quota, the left is doing the stirring. Persistent shortages of dangerous right-wing characters and incidents of bigotry leaves the left clinging to ridiculous hoaxes, and continually dredging up a few old stories (e.g., the Charlottesville fine people hoax). Jussie Smollett himself wouldnt really believe two Chicago MAGA Empire viewers were lurking in a polar vortex, just to tie clothesline around someones neck. Slurs shouted during every serve by a college volleyball player went unheard and unrecorded by anyone else? Nascar driver Bubba Wallaces discovery of a rope loop on a Talladega garage door was rightly a cause for concern? Antifa burning Portland, Minneapolis and Milwaukee for months was mostly peaceful. An actually peaceful and huge one-day gathering, where a few dubious characters broke some windows and put feet on Pelosis desk, and one protestor was killed by a (never charged) Capitol Police officer, was insurrection. Draconian treatment was unevenly distributed. Holding our ground, refusing the bait, has kept most communities peaceful, perhaps even slowed expansion of government manhandling of patriots. Theres an added bonus of driving wokeys crazy. Theyre so triggered by minimal incidents that they cant fathom resisting bait, which gets them triggered. For almost a decade, left-stream media was bypassing certain trends, and the publics residual habit of equating no reporting with no news hadnt yet bottomed out. These factors had obscured the increasing disengagement with woke entities. In 2023, the impression of America divided 50-50 can no longer hold. Signs are everywhere that incrrasing numbers of Americans are actively resisting the wokeness. In spring 2023, the spark caught. Trans creature Dylan Mulvaney posted a video of himself fully dressed in a full bathtub, then another highlighting his Audrey Hepburn drag face on a beer can. Sales VP Alissa Heinerscheid followed Mulvaney into the viral zone, eyes shining as she dismissed Americas top beer and its customers as distasteful relics. Then came a tsunami of home made anti-Bud Light videos brimming with humor, and patriotism. Sales plunged, consistently, for weeks. Bud Lights Memorial Day Weekend sales were down 60% compared to 2022. The double-digit declines occurred in every region, every state, red and blue, and continue today. A recent rumor has emerged that Bud Lights European owners, InBev, engineered the woke controversy intentionally. A 10% dip in sales, lasting just long enough, would be an excuse to extract wage reductions from a strong unions well-paid members. InBev is now issuing crisis payments to distributors and financial support to employees and wholesalers. Right inside their front doors, Targets 2023 Pride merchandise featured trans clothing for children and infants. Breast binding garments for girls, and tuck friendly bottoms for little boys repelled customers, and the market capitalization of the company dropped $9 billion the first 7 days, then $3.4 billion more by the end of May. Corporate HQ ordered some stores to move, not remove (as inaccurately reported on NPR) items. Bomb hoaxes berated Target for insufficient trans support. Strategic omissions in some news outlets headlines implied the threats were motivated by opposition to LGBTQwerty. Disney disenchantment began slowly, as US versions of films and videos have been drip-feeding audiences gay and lesbian moments, anti-happily-ever-after feminism, and allusions to trans. The 2023 The Proud Family revival cartoon incorporated a divisive, historically inaccurate musical number about race grievances. Video circulating online showed a burly man in mustache, eyeliner and a princess dress staffing The Bippity Boppity boutique for little girls. Over Memorial Day Weekend 2023, lines were short at Disney World and Disneyland, continuing declining park attendance. Two months ago, during a conference call, CEO Bob Iger was blasted by stockholders over graphic Disney childrens content. Stockholders are suing because of declining stock prices and decisions not based on consumer preferences and not maximizing audience sizes. The entire corporation (19 parks and resorts, cruise line, multiple movie and animation studios) reportedly has only $200 million in liquid assets, roughly the budget of the live-action-remake race-swap girl-power flop, The Little Mermaid. A recent rumor from within Disney suggests the current Hollywood writers strike is an opportunity for course correction. By declaring the strike an event beyond its control, triggering the force majeure clause in the writers contracts, Disney could ditch projects certain to be woke money losers. Gillettes ugly, misanthropic 2019 ad, led to an $8 billion writeoff few months. Sales for 2019 and 2021-2023 were below 2018, with a fluky peak in 2020. When My Pillow founder Mike Lindell publicly supported Trump in 2020 and funded investigations into elections shenanigans that preceded Bidens occupation of the Oval Office, Bed, Bath & Beyond dumped the widely-popular (and, I can personally attest, quite comfortable) bedding brand. By 2023, the once popular big box chain was Bed Bath & Begone. When Goya CEO Robert Unanue, voiced support for President Trump in 2020, the left announced a boycott. But the conservative counter buycott increased Goya sales into late 2020 even in Democrat counties. This was following a 400% increase in purchases during early 2020s lockdowns. A 2022 Cornell University study of the Goya boycott aftermath argued boycotts damage to companies may be overblown. Yet, by June 2022, Goya was expanding, doubled its Chicago facilities, selling in 10 more states, and donating millions of pounds of food to the needy. Conservatives quiet, non-violent disengagement from companies that clearly signal whose business they dont want have made not just a dent, but a crater. Unlike the lefts shrill political noise and shabby goons tearing up inner cities, the right-of-centers restraint mixes with joy, humor and confidence. The cumulative impact of silent noncooperation, in every part of the country, in every state, red and blue, has become too vast, too deep to conceal or minimize. With little violence, relative to Americas size, the left amassed a lot of power. What are our chances of taking America back, without initiating Civil War 2.0? There is no more room for underestimating Americans determination for freedom. The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. Sun Tzu Graphic credit: Clkr-Free-Vector-Images :Pixabay license Kevin Costner's wife of many years, Christine Baumgartner, has filed for divorce. I was struck by the routine manner in which the news of the filing was reported, as if it were "just another divorce," hardly worth reporting. Costner's publicist blamed the divorce on "circumstances beyond his control," a pretty bland explanation for something as momentous as the dissolution of an eighteen-year marriage. In fact, progressives have done all they can, beginning with Women's Lib and "Open Marriage" in the 1970s and continuing through woke politics, with its emphasis on gay and trans-gendered experience, to undermine conventional marriage. At its heart, progressivism is nihilistic, seeking to destroy existing institutions and beliefs and replace them with slavery masquerading as the freedom. All traditional institutions and beliefs stand in the way of this transformation, which is why they are the target of left-wing politicians and media. No other institution is as important as the nuclear family. When a man and a woman join together for life with the intention of raising children and working toward a secure retirement, he State loses much of its control over them. They do not need the "services" of the State. Their marriage is a fortress against the State's determination to exert dependency. They can live happily and raise their children according to their values and not those of the State and their values are based on truths about human nature, not on the warped ideology of Marxism. Progressives are determined to destroy traditional ideas of marriage and replace them with ad hoc arrangements more amenable to state control. The deep and enduring love of man and wife offers something real and meaningful, beyond anything the State can provide. When love is lasting and true, it is the foundation for a joyful existence not the State, not what one is told on state-controlled media, not what is taught in government schools, not the endless "benefits" dangled in front of the voter to buy his vote. From within the bastion of the family, one can see the State for what it is: the enemy of liberty and of life itself. No wonder the nuclear family is one of the prime targets of the left. How often do films or media depict conventional nuclear families in a positive light? How often do a couple with young children, especially if they are white, appear as positive role models? How often do government schools encourage parents to work with teachers to construct a family-centered curriculum? Why does the tax code impose a marriage penalty? Why do welfare laws exclude those families with a father in the home? The State is determined to discredit marriage and make it just another "lifestyle choice," like bowling or crafts. The one thing that cannot be allowed is for individuals to put spiritual beliefs ahead of the State, and belief in marriage along with faith in God and belief in traditional morality is a deeply spiritual and redemptive faith in the goodness of life, the goodness of one's mate, and the goodness of the future for one's children. None of this is within the control of the State, a fact intensely resented by progressives like Biden and those who control him. Not long ago, Biden celebrated "Pride Month" at the White House. When's the last time a liberal celebrated the nuclear family? A true marriage is forever, "'til death do us part," and it is tragic when a marriage fails. Marriage is one great source of meaning and security in a world that is, and always has been, insecure and dangerous. It provides couples with the courage and strength to face hardship without the assistance of the State. A stable marriage provides the comfortable, affirming, loving home that is the opposite of the cold, faceless bureaucracy of government assistance. By definition, marriage is monogamous and exclusive. Husband and wife are faithful to each other and to the task of raising their children. At its heart, marriage involves a deep concern for the well-being and happiness of one's mate and one's children, and that concern is not just for a season or a year. Because it is permanent and stable and exclusive, married love grows over the years. Friendships come and go, as do work relationships, but the love of married couples can conquer time. According to an article in Harvard Health Publishing, the "health benefits" of marriage are also extensive and remarkable. Those who are married have fewer strokes and heart attacks, avoid depression, better survive operations, and are "less likely to have advanced cancer ... and are more likely to survive cancer for a longer period of time." Probing the reasons for these positive outcomes, Harvard Health suggests that married persons have stronger immune systems and better cortisol management; have a safer, less risky, and healthier lifestyle; and enjoy a better, less stressful emotional life. All of this is just to say that marriage fulfills needs that are deeply grounded in human nature. For most people, marriage is the best and proper path because it is rooted in the natural order of things: it is in our nature as human beings to seek a stable, permanent relationship with one person of the opposite sex. Marriage is not just an arrangement that can be dispensed with or not: it fulfills the need for intimacy, affirmation, security, and love that, for most, can be found only in a permanent relationship with another person of the opposite sex. There is also the matter of children. For most married persons, procreation and raising of children is a supremely meaningful part of their lives. In his account of Socrates's dialogue with Diotima in the Symposium, Plato conveyed very much the same idea: that most human beings, as he put it, seek "immortality" through offspring. As an elitist, Plato believed that mental pursuits, especially philosophy, offered a "higher" form of immortality, but he thought that only a few were capable of this "higher" vocation. On this point, Plato was wrong, as he was about so much else, but at least he did recognize that marriage and family are natural and necessary for most persons. I do not believe that marriage is the only means to satisfying human needs for stability and meaning. Some who live alone find great meaning in their work; some devote themselves to helping others; some discover similar sources of meaning in lifelong friendships. It is also true that a large percentage of marriages end, as Kevin Costner's and Christine Baumgartner's may have, in divorce, but this does not mean that divorce is in any sense "natural" or that is should be accepted as such. It happens, but there is a loss of happiness, security, and human potential, both for the divorcing couple and for children, family, and friends. Marriage is, quite simply, a beautiful and inspiring devotion of a man and a woman to one another and to their dreams of raising a family, achieving success, a living together forever in love. The State is the enemy of all these dreams, and marriage, along with other forms of faith grounded in human nature, is part of what stands in the way of the totalitarianism we are facing. We must honor marriage and celebrate the freedom and happiness it makes possible. Jeffrey Folks is the author of many books and articles on American culture including Heartland of the Imagination (2011). Image: StockSnap via Pixabay, Pixabay License. With America's Independence Day fast approaching, it is worth repeating that there is nothing wrong with pointing out and condemning government tyranny. Doing so is not only a natural right, but also a long cherished American duty. When we celebrate on July 4, we celebrate those who stood up to tyranny. Never let Deep State defenders such as Bill Barr or Lindsey Graham hypnotize you into believing that criticism of the American government threatens the durability of American institutions. It is government corruption that threatens those institutions, and only those institutions resilient enough to survive public scrutiny deserve continued life. Tyranny thrives in the absence of confrontation. It depends on a conspiracy of silence when good people become too afraid to speak its name. Do not fear directing an outstretched finger at the unjust machinery of the State. Those quick to denounce free speech as "treason" are often the most deserving of blame. We are in an uncomfortable stage in history during which a growing number of people have begun to accept difficult truths, and the response from people in power has been to crush those truths before they can be fully heard and appreciated. This has happened many times before. Censorship is not new, nor is political persecution. Oppressive State surveillance is not new, nor is use of the legal system to imprison political enemies. Just because these forms of tyranny have been digitized and now operate behind a network of computers, that does not make them at all different from the secret police forces that terrorized citizens living behind the Iron Curtain last century. Being "canceled" is an instance of crippling tyranny whether that "cancelation" involves black-clad men with billy clubs "disappearing" outspoken dissidents in the middle of the night or black-clad Antifa clubs destroying someone's livelihood while under the implicit protection of the State. While the dangers during this kind of historical moment are frightfully familiar, so are their antidotes. Truth and courage remain both dagger and shield. There has never been a form of tyranny that does not eventually meet its deserved end, and that end always comes when good people find the strength to rise and speak tyranny's name. The faster people break their silence, the quicker they discover that real power resides within them and not with the small collection of government agents who hoard power in their name. Some have called this moment a kind of "quiet revolution" or "great awakening." Whatever it is called, the change in social consciousness always serves a similar purpose: it becomes a hinge that swings open a door to the next epoch in history. Understood in this way, it should not surprise you to see governments working so hard to suppress information and control what their populations can hear, read, and believe. Those who protect the status quo have no role on the other side of that door and therefore will do anything to keep it slammed shut permanently. Government heavy -handedness should never be mistaken as a demonstration of enduring strength, but rather as a telltale sign that the State is weakening. Central bank digital currencies, automated fact-checking, "vaccine" passports, social credit scores these are the actions of governments in fear of losing their control. Healthy, respected, self-sustaining institutions do not construct digital prisons, treat citizens like cattle, or use heavily armed revenue agents as shock troops for intimidation. Like a star expanding into a red giant before finally shrinking into a white dwarf, dying political powers expand into totalitarian monstrosities before their despotic bluster wanes. In between monster and minion, it is normal citizens who drain the State's powers and reclaim them as their own. Draining the State's power requires a mindset that accepts that things are changing. Destroying tyranny requires heightened self-reliance and diminished respect for authority. Whenever I hear someone say that the battle for America's future is already lost because of institutionalized election-rigging, I always think, "The more that people understand the voting process as rigged, the less important fraudulent elections become." The recognition of injustice is far more potent than its imposition. Imagine if George Washington and Thomas Jefferson had dismissed colonial resentment to English taxes simply because the Crown had assured them that faraway lords in Parliament were more than capable of representing Virginians' interests. Well, George, the king says our rights are secure, and it is best to follow orders and trust authority. Quite right, Thomas, we have nothing to fear with the Redcoats here to ensure our safety. That never could have happened. They did not tolerate the trampling of their rights because those who did the trampling assured them that it was for their own good. They did not bow down before their would-be conquerors because their tormentors accused them of treason. They certainly did not vote their way out of tyranny when they did not even have a voice in Parliament! More likely, I imagine, the two future American presidents clinked their snifters of brandy while Washington toasted emphatically, "You grab your quill, Tom; I'll get my sword; and we'll meet somewhere in the middle." The idea wasn't to play by the rules, but rather to break free from a system lacking legitimacy. So, if Americans today no longer trust elections that have turned into months-long affairs inundated with mail-in ballots devoid of voter identification or secure chains of custody, that's a good start. If voters are fed up with elections that lack transparency, statutory fidelity, timeliness, and prompt reproducibility, then we're moving in the right direction. When elections are correctly understood as tainted by fraud, then we can finally have a "national conversation" about election illegitimacy. We can talk about the unbelievability of Joe Biden winning more votes than anyone in history. We can talk about how cruel and oppressive Congress and the courts have been in aiding unethical prosecutors in their persecution of J6 election protesters. We can talk about how despotic the ruling government has become when it advocates for the life imprisonment of a former president and the sitting president's chief political enemy. Saying the quiet part out loud is critical because there is no doubt that Washington and Jefferson would see all this nonsense as outright tyranny. Some say calling out election theft is dangerous for the country. I think the last few years of national destruction under Joe Biden prove that not calling out election theft is even more dangerous. Tyranny thrives on intimidation and silence; truth, on the other hand, never fears confrontation. The fact that the federal government has conspired with social media companies to censor Americans from criticizing their own elections says everything. If Americans cannot trust their government to oversee free and fair elections, then what exactly can Americans trust their government to do? To guard the country's borders from invasion? Nope. To enforce the law impartially and safeguard citizens and their property from violence? Not anymore. To vigorously defend Americans' constitutionally protected rights? Not when the federal government attacks their free speech, freedom of religion, right to bear arms, and freedom from warrantless searches. To maintain the monetary value of the nation's currency? Not with reckless money-printing and spending. To protect American sovereignty and avoid long-term foreign obligations? Not when the U.N., WHO, and WEF rule from afar. In every way, the federal government has failed to fulfill its principal obligations to citizens of the United States. As Lawrence W. Reed wrote recently in an essay for the Foundation for Economic Education, "evil is on the loose. The restraints with which civilized society shackled it seem to be dissolving." However, evil fears nothing more than "an informed citizenry eager to resist. It is not inevitable that evil should win unless good people give up." Exactly right. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain. The Supreme Court will soon decide the legality of racial preferences in higher education, In Students for Fair Admission Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College, the plaintiffs contend that Harvard University (and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in a separate case) violated Title VI of the US Civil Right Act of 1964 that prohibits racial discrimination for institutions receiving federal funds. Given the clear statistical evidence that both schools favored blacks over Asians, and the Courts current conservative majority, the Asian plaintiff Students for Fair Admission, will most likely prevail. Opponents of preferences are thus hoping that at long last U.S. higher education will restore meritocracy in college admissions. Unfortunately, the likely judicial victory will change little, and conceivably make matters worse. Giving African Americans an extra boost in everything from exams for police officers to awarding government contracts to admission to elite schools is now hard-wired into our national DNA. Past efforts to curtail such preferences whether by elections or judicial decrees have fallen short, and this current effort will similarly fail. Why this zombie-like survival when opinion polls repeatedly show public aversion to explicit racial preferences, and a half century of costly failure should motivate schools to escape this social engineering, Two factors explain why racial preferences survive. The first is support for preferences and the larger Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (DIE) agenda are now sacrosanct on nearly every college campus. This is especially true at elite schools, including universities dependent on conservative state legislatures for funding. The embrace resembles a religious faith and is professed top-to-bottom from the most junior instructor to the schools president. Those raising any doubt about this orthodoxy are persona non grata on campus or shouted down if they do express their heresies, The smothering orthodoxy bodes poorly for enforcing any Supreme Court ruling banning preferences. Those in charge are true believers able to dig in and pretend that nothing has happened. Recall President Andrew Jackson reaction when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Native American rights, a decision he opposed: John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it. Yes, the university will be sued, but it may take years for the judicial verdict to arrive, and if the university loses, the culprits behind illegal racial preferences suffer no personal consequences. Moreover, thanks to the principle of academic freedom, elected political leaders and major donors opposing preferences cannot force university officials to follow the law. Many college administrators will either stall or just outright lie -- we appointed a review committee that will (eventually) meet, so progress is imminent. Ironically, open defiance will be cheered on by the faculty and many students, Secondly, racial discrimination is easily accomplished regardless of what the Supreme Court decides, and the academy has long experience in deceiving outsiders, even judges, and exposing this deceit is nearly impossible, And, if, exposed, obscure university functionaries will make a few minor adjustments and the cat and mouse game begins anew. In fact, most universities have anticipated legal challenges to racial preferences and possible subterfuges are already in place. Most notably, since the Fair case involves SAT scores as smoking-gun evidence of racial discrimination, 83% of more than 1900 colleges no longer require the SAT (or the ACT) for applicants. Many graduate and professional schools meanwhile taking a similar approach to litigation-proofing their admission process by dropping exams such as the GRE, GMAT, LSAT and GMAT for admission to graduate programs. Schools instead employ a multitude of fuzzy, often difficult to define measures to boost African American enrollment. That these substituted admission criteria, unlike SAT-like tests, have no demonstrable link to intellectual ability clearly demonstrates how intellectual excellence is subordinated to diversity, A popular evasive tactic involves using proxies that ostensibly entirely avoid race, and thus would escape the ban on racial discrimination. Universities might set aside slots for applicants from impoverished backgrounds or residents from rundown neighborhoods. Or just automatically admit a fixed percentage from all state high school regardless of student abilities, a tactic that guarantees ample blacks given widespread school segregation. Or give extra weight to class standing and grades so unqualified blacks from dreadful segregated schools will now be deemed academically qualified. Particularly ingenious to a bonus for non-academic factors (often called holistic admissions) such as community involvement, being first in a family to attend college or a demonstrated commitment to social justice, Such ruses provide cover to those pursuing a racial agenda on the sly and are difficult to expose as illegal. Indeed, some of these subterfuges such has helping poor immigrants attend college are alluring though those in this category such as poor kids may not be the actual beneficiaries of this policy. Yet one more example of how institutions ostensibly committed to pursuing truth currently manufacture falsehoods on an industrial scale. These deceitful stratagems will dilute the value of a college degree. It is comparable to GM secretly passing off a Chevy as a Cadillac. Alas, consumers eventually detect the deception, and market share dwindles, A perspective employer will pay a premium to hire an Ivy League graduate on the assumption that he is super smart, i.e., SAT scores in the top 1%, and passed dozens of intellectually demanding courses taught by hard-nosed professors unwilling to tolerate ideological nonsense passed off as knowledge. No different from an airline passenger who can relax knowing that the pilot meets both tough FAA and airline standards and, for good measure, would not be allowed to fly if drunk, tired, or sick. Now imagine the same perspective employer who discovers that this Ivy League job applicant skipped the SAT, owed his admission to excelling at a terrible inner-city school, and majored in Gender Studies while receiving all As from his Marxists instructors? In short, a shoddy product masquerading as a brainy Ivy Leaguer. The real world can, of course, fight back and this pushback will only hurt the beneficiaries of racial preferences, Employers can give job applicants their own tests or conduct deep background checks to ferret out just how they gained admission to an elite school. Most important, however, as college degrees no longer reflect intelligence and a strong work ethic, employers fall back to the traditional strategy of relying on ethnic stereotypes. A savvy high-tech firm, for example, might just hire only Asians, Russians, Indians, and others notable for exceptional brainpower. If legally pressured to hire African Americans despite qualms about their prestigious degrees, they would exclusively be employed in non-technical dead-end positions in sales or marketing. Eliminating objective measures to protect racial preferences will thus harm the very people that are supposed to benefit from these preferences. Picture the frustration of an ambitious, hard-working black Stanford graduate applying for a position at Intel who insists that he, unlike many of his black classmates, is the real McCoy. But he did not take the SAT or graduate from an elite high school that relied exclusively on test scores. Who would believe his claims to intellectual excellence? Racial preferences dont work regardless of all the tinkering, but matters will be even worse when schools try to keep them on the sly when the Supreme Court outlaws them. Image: Joe Ravi Affirmative action has largely lost the support of the public, given that it doesn't accomplish much in the way of equality for black people, and it's led to a lot of discrimination against Asian-Americans. It's still around in the fancy colleges, though, and now Harvard University has found itself under legal scrutiny from the Supreme Court for its affirmative action admissions practices. This has prompted New York Post columnist Rikki Schlott to ask an important question: if the affirmative action case is going to bring a lot of discovery as to Harvard's admissions practices, why shouldn't that discovery also put Harvard's rampant legacy admissions in the spotlight? If anything, that practice is even more nefarious. She writes: A decision could come anytime between now and June 30, and many legal analysts expect the conservative-majority court will overturn race-conscious admissions practices. It would be a consequential and disruptive decision that, in my view, would represent a victory for fairness in the application process. But it would only do part of the job of making college admissions truly fair: The next behemoth that should be tackled is nepotism. Thanks to the Supreme Court case, Harvard had to hand over troves of internal data about how they craft their classes. And, when you pull back the curtain on that infamously cutthroat and opaque admissions process, you find rampant backdoors into Harvard. The stats on that, which are known as "legacy admissions," or the admissions of mostly white people who get into the prestigious university because they had a parent who went to the school, or who had a parent who gave a lot of cash to the school, or who had a parent who was employed as faculty or staff at the school, are truly nasty. In fact, the [National Bureau of Economic Research] researchers found that 43% of white students at Harvard were either legacies, children of faculty, kin of donors, or a recruited athlete. And a staggering 75% of them wouldn't have gotten in if not for that special status. The stats are so bad that it makes one look askance next time one sees a white Ivy League grad preening and posturing about wokery in the name of equality. Did Trent or Biff really get in on his brains, or did he get in on his daddy's legacy? Did Chelsea Clinton and Hunter Biden get into their schools on brains, or...well, we all know the answer to that one. The bottom line here is that they perpetuate an entitled, arrogant, and indolent "elite" instead of a true meritocracy. No wonder they are woke. Since so many of these legacy admits are whites, they clog up the "white" slots in the class assembly process, leaving far fewer slots for whites with no such incomes or connections in the bean-counting scheme. A white with no connections through the legacy gateway has a microscopic chance of being admitted to any top Ivy League institution, no matter how hard he's worked and how well he's done because of the legacy admits. There are other problems with the practice, too. Sometimes people who've been admitted on color grounds can't do the work, and admitting them is cruelly setting them up for failure. Meanwhile, other slots slated for minorities are filled by people who do have merit but may not actually be from the oppressed groups the practice was supposed to lift up. Recent immigrants from the Caribbean, Africa, and Latin America have scarfed up these slots, leaving ordinary African Americans on the outs. Fake Indians, such as Elizabeth Warren, have corrupted the process further by pretending to be Indians in order to get their slots, too, muscling out actual Native American applicants. And most annoying of all, light-skinned Latin American elites, who actively oppress the dark-skinned locals back home, have a field day being admitted as oppressed Hispanics through affirmative action. Yeah, sure. Things like this will give the Supreme Court a good chance of ruling against the counter-equality practice, which offends all sense of fairness. But as Schlott writes, they should not stop there. Legacy admissions have got to go, too if anything, even faster. Image: Picryl, public domain. While most people followed the tragic saga of the missing Titan submersible, deep underwater exploring the Titanic, hoping against hope that the five passengers aboard would be safely rescued, the warped leftists at the New Republic had a different perspective. On June 20, writer Alex Shephard complained: The Media Cares More About the Titanic Sub Than Drowned Migrants U.S. media has largely ignored a shipwreck with hundreds of migrant deaths but has focused intently on a missing submersible full of rich people. Uh, Alex, while the death of the potential illegal aliens (and yes, that's what they were, not migrants) is certainly tragic, the two events really aren't comparable. And oh, by the way, Alex, the death of innocents under unusual circumstances, searching for the shipwrecked Titanic, even if the victims are rich, is also tragic. Continuing this warped economic victim focus, the following day, New Republic reporter Daniel Strauss revealed: OceanGate CEO Missing in Titanic Sub Had History of Donating to GOP Candidates Here's who OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush has donated to ... Washington state Democratic consultants told The New Republic they don't regard these donations as a sign that Rush is anything like a GOP megadonor, just that he leans to the right. Apparently to the narrow-minded, green-with-envy belittlers at the New Republic, that's all you need to know about a Titan victim: the New Republic editors did not approve of his political contributions. And now you know if you hadn't already that lefties, such as those spouting off at the New Republic, are uneasy with the success of others, as it highlights their own failures. In contrast, the sorrow and failures of others boost the egos and status of these lefties as they smugly shed crocodile tears for the sad souls drowned while invading a foreign country, pretending they care about the helpless. (Pssst: They don't!) Meanwhile, while much is still unknown about what happened to the Titan, many thanks to those who attempted to rescue the victims and to those who are working on the causes of the tragedy. And deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims. Photo credit: YouTube screen grab (cropped). The media, government bureaucrats and other Democrats have spread a massive number of lies to the public for years through many election cycles. All are meant to mislead the public and influence or interfere in elections, but now Obama wants more government control to determine what the truth is. This, from a former president who has a long record of lying. Obama suggests digital fingerprints to counter misinformation, so we know what is true or not true. Former President Barack Obama suggested in a new interview the development of "digital fingerprints" to combat misinformation and distinguish between true and misleading news for consumers. Who will be Obama's arbitrators? Will they be Rachel Maddow and MSNBC, Brian Stelter, WaPo, DHS, SPLC, the Justice Department? Obviously, Obama wants some kind of censorship power under the rubric of "stopping disinformation" because lying is so hard to conceal when the truth keeps getting out. Here is a small sample of misinformation that has been spread by the leftist mainstream media, which I do not recall Obama ever complained about. In 2008, after endorsing John McCain in the Republican primary, the New York Times ran a hit piece on him about a supposed affair with a lobbyist. After the election, when a lawsuit was launched, the Times said it didn't mean to imply a romantic relationship. I don't believe these people. They obviously meant for the public to believe there was an improper relationship because they were campaigning for Obama. The media also went into attack mode in 2008 to destroy Sarah Palin as soon as she was nominated for the GOP vice presidential ticket. Yet they didn't have any interest in letting the public know about Obama's history of political dirty tricks, such as he pulled during his first election, when he had sealed records unsealed and leaked in what writer Ann Coulter called his "signature move" and went on to pull similar moves on his 2012 GOP rival, Mitt Romney. Meanwhile. the media essentially buried Obama's relationship with terrorist Bill Ayers, the radical Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and the convicted white-collar criminal Tony Rezko. In that latter case, the Cook County Assessor's Office appears to have no record of any tax being paid on a property transfer between a future convicted felon and a future president, in possible violation of Illinois law. In 2005, at a time when Rezko was under federal investigation for influence-peddling in former Illinois governor Blagojevich's administration, then-senator Obama and Rezko's wife Rita bought adjacent pieces of property from a Chicago doctor. Rezko would later be convicted of 16 of 24 counts of influence-peddling. The doctor sold one parcel to Obama for $1.65 million, $300,000 below the asking price, while Rezko's wife paid full price, $625.000, for the adjacent vacant lot. Six months later, the Obamas paid Rezko's wife $104,500 for a ten-foot-wide strip of her land to create a bigger yard and ensure a greater measure of privacy. While the media were destroying Palin, they had no interest in telling the public the truth about Biden, whom they had chased from the 1988 presidential race earlier. In 2009, Obama and others intentionally lied to the public to get Obamacare passed. Basically, they had to lie to mislead voters. An Obamacare architect even described how the effort to sell health law was benefited by "stupid" voters. Remember him? The media malfeasance around the Obama administration went on and on. Instead of lifting a finger to help Americans under attack in Libya, Obama and his thensecretary of state, Hillary Clinton, concocted a lie about a provocative video causing a spontaneous mob reaction and then the attack. They even sent NSC official Susan Rice out to promote this lie because they were more concerned about Obama's re-election prospects and retaining power than the people who died. And they say Democrats are the party of empathy. If you want to see what Democrats' philosophy about the truth and elections is, all you must see is what Harry Reid said about his lie that Romney didn't pay taxes for ten years: "Well, they can call it whatever they want. Romney didn't win, did he?" Obama didn't care when associates, such as Lois Lerner, Eric Holder, James Clapper, and John Brennan lied to Congress and got off. They were above the law. Obama didn't care when his FBI director, James Comey, went out and listed all of Hillary Clinton's crimes regarding massive mishandling of classified information and then lied to the public that no prosecutor would take the case. Obama knew that many people have been prosecuted for lesser crimes. Then there was Obama's Russia-Russia-Russia scandal, which dogged President Trump through his presidency. In 2016, Hillary and the DNC paid a foreign national over $10 million to create a fictional dossier to destroy Trump. Then they committed fraud by lying to the FEC that the money was for legal fees. Corrupt and dishonest FBI bureaucrats, who wanted Hillary to win, continually lied to the FISA court so they could illegally spy on people surrounding Trump. The corruption, and interference in the 2016 election by people throughout the Obama administration, with his knowledge, dwarfed Watergate. Most of the media not only didn't care, but participated. For years, the biased media, along with corrupt Justice Department officials and other Democrats, colluded to continually bombard the public with endless lies and investigations based on the fictional Russian collusion. The purpose was never to inform the public with the truth. It was solely to destroy Trump and his administration. They could not afford an outsider draining the corrupt swamp. In 2020, the public was fed with misinformation about COVID masks, social distancing, shutdowns, lockdowns, and other government edicts that Dr. Anthony Fauci and others falsely claimed were based on science. The purpose was to get the public to capitulate to government control. The damage was massive to children and others. Obama still hasn't said a word denouncing the misinformation. Nor did he say anything when the media, Fauci, and others colluded to stop an investigation into the Wuhan lab as the source of COVID by falsely calling it a disproven conspiracy. The purpose of stopping an investigation was to protect Fauci and others, who had funded the dangerous research at the lab. Obama, along with the media, has known about the Bidens, along with the Clintons, and their corrupt history of lining their pockets with kickbacks, yet all of them said nothing when the media, the Justice Department, 51 former intelligence officials, and others colluded to hide the truthful story about the Hunter Biden laptop from the public before the 2020 election. They went to an old playbook by falsely blaming the Russians to bury the truth. Almost three years later, the media and other Democrats are still burying the story of massive Biden family corruption, no matter how much proof they are shown. And they never ceased promoting the biggest lie of all, which is that the Obama administration was scandal-free because no one went to jail. That's called skating in the real world. That tells how corrupt the justice system is. The reason the criminal activity of so many within the Obama administration didn't get punished is because he had wingmen blocking any accountability. The Obama-Biden administration is the most corrupt administration I have seen in my seventy years, but the Biden-Harris administration is closing in. So why do the media continually have liars like Obama, Hillary, Comey, Schiff, Holder, Rice, Clapper, and Brennan on and pretend they are reliable sources as they trash Republicans and support Biden? The answer can be found in Harry Reid's words. To paraphrase, it doesn't matter how much we lie, or whom we destroy, as long as we win. Yesterday, the Democrats set out to destroy Special Counsel John Durham for daring to tell the truth about how corrupt Justice officials were and how the Russian collusion story was always based on nothing. It never ends. No one should believe Obama when he says we need more government power to make sure the public see the truth before they vote. The truth has always been irrelevant to Obama, as well as government officials, and most journalists, especially people who pretend to be fact-checkers. Image: Pixabay, Pixabay License. I was so lucky to read this piece by the AP in my local paper sending the message to the public about how great Merrick Garland is and how he is completely focused on law and order and applying it in an unbiased fashion. WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) On his first day as attorney general in March 2021, Merrick Garland pledged a return to what he called the "norms" of the Justice Department and said he would work to eliminate the perception of political interference. But in the two years since he assumed the role, the former federal judge has found himself in the middle of a political firestorm of historic proportions. "We live in a democracy. These kind of matters are adjudicated through the judicial system," Garland said, as he spent a few minutes accepting questions from two of the gathered reporters at the start of a meeting with U.S. attorneys on violent crime. That mantra of commitment to the rule of law has not soothed some Republicans, who are standing by the indicted former president and reframing the charges as an unfair political persecution. Those close to Garland say he has maintained a thoughtful presence and does what is needed, with few outward displays of emption. Even so, this moment is likely not an easy one, said friend Robert Post, a professor at Yale Law School who first got to know Garland when they served as clerks together in the late 1970s. "I'm sure he is saddened by the spectacle of a former president being indicted for the kinds of crimes that we see Trump indicted for," Post said. "He's the least partisan person that I know. He cares about the law first and foremost." Three sentences stand out: Merrick Garland pledged a return to what he called the "norms" of the Justice Department and said he would work to eliminate the perception of political interference. This one clearly is meant to say that he is moving back to what the department was like before that animal Trump took over and ruined the Justice Department. That mantra of commitment to the rule of law has not soothed some Republicans, who are standing by the indicted former president and reframing the charges as an unfair political persecution. And here is Garland focused on the rule of law, unlike those partisan Republican hacks in Congress. "He's the least partisan person that I know. He cares about the law first and foremost." And he, of course, has no bias. So let's see what a normal Justice Department looks like, with a law-and-order attorney general who is unbiased. First, we must establish a baseline for what a normalized Department of Justice looks like, so we must show a few things from the Obama-Biden administration, when it was so focused on applying the rule of law in an unbiased fashion. It was great when James Comey read the list of Hillary's crimes and then falsely claimed that no prosecutor would ever take the case despite knowing that many people have been prosecuted for similar and lesser crimes before. Then we had the non-partisan FBI lying to the FISA court so it could illegally spy on and destroy people surrounding Trump because it wanted Hillary to win. Obama's wingman A.G. Eric Holder was held in contempt of Congress for hiding documents on Fast and Furious. Eric Holder also lied multiple times to Congress and, of course, was above the law. That is what a normalized Justice Department looked like. Before he lied to Congress while under oath about what he knew about targeting reporters, he lied about Fast and Furious. As early as the New Black Panthers case, Eric Holder had a problem with the truth. Obama-Biden had a slush fund at the DOJ, where they shook down corporations and funneled settlements to political supporters. Trump got rid of them, but Biden and that non-partisan Garland brought them back. Biden DOJ Brings Back Obama-era Slush Funds President Biden's Department of Justice appears to be rebuilding a dubious money chain known as "settlement slush funds." The Obama DOJ used these funds to channel cash from corporate settlements to bankroll private progressive organizations, circumventing the budget and oversight authority of Congress. On May 5, Attorney General Merrick Garland revoked a Trump-era rule that specifically prohibited the DOJ from directing funds from corporate settlements to finance third-party organizations and causes. We are continually told that the reason there was an armed raid on Trump for classified documents and not one on Biden was because Trump was hiding the documents and Biden turned them in as soon as he knew he had them. What a joke! Biden was not authorized to have any classified documents as senator or vice president. The documents were found in many locations, which means they had to be moved several times, and Biden admitted that some were almost fifty years old. Are we supposed to believe that the first time he knew he had them was in 2022, when some were in his unsecured garage by his precious Corvette? We also can read about what documents Trump had in the WaPo, yet there are no leaks about Biden's. Isn't that amazing? Clearly, a sign of a non-partisan DOJ. When the National Association of School Boards wanted to silence parents, it worked with the White House on a letter, which was then sent to A.G. Garland. Within a few days, Garland sent out a letter to prosecutors throughout the country telling them to focus on parents as if they were domestic terrorists. Then, just like Holder, Garland lied to Congress. Proof that AG Garland misled Congress about silencing parents who dissent Attorney General Merrick Garland stands exposed as a liar or a fool. He testified to Congress last month that he didn't order the targeting of parents who criticize schools policies, let alone treat them as domestic terrorists. Now an internal Justice Department memo shows just that is under way. The Garland Justice Department is also targeting Catholics. Can anyone imagine the outrage by the media if they were targeting Muslims and Jews instead? In February 2023, an FBI intelligence document was leaked that revealed FBI targeting of Catholics who adhere to traditional beliefs on abortion and other cultural issues. And they are failing to turn over documents relating to the targeting, just like hiding documents on Hunter and Joe Biden, and just as Holder did with Fast and Furious. And Garland's non-partisan DOJ sent in armed agents to arrest a Planned Parenthood protester but justifies not arresting groups that firebomb crisis pregnancy centers because they do it at night. And that, folks, is a brief look at what a normalized Department of Justice looks like under a Democrat attorney general who is solely focused on law and order and is absolutely non-partisan. And the propagandists at the NYT are pretending the Justice Department under Biden is independent, just as they pretended it was under Obama. It is so hard to spot the bias and misinformation of people pretending to be factual reporters. I wonder why people don't trust the media. Photo credit: YouTube screen grab (cropped). One of those little unexpected perks in life is being able, in our electronic age, to email well known, well regarded experts all over the world and, sometimes, if one is lucky, receive a reply. This writer has, over the years, exchanged emails with historians, investment bank officers, journalists, legal analysts, (he said, proudly) late former New York City mayor Ed Koch, and others. It was during one such correspondence, with a well known, well respected attorney and legal analyst, that I posited a problem I saw with the Trump documents case. I am keeping the analyst's name confidential. What matters is that this expert agreed that the following analysis does indeed identify a problem. The problem has to do with the need in any trial to ensure an impartial jury no easy task in these highly politicized times if the defendant is Donald Trump. Harvard professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz, in a recent article, stated one such problem: Trump was indicted under the Espionage Act, even though the indictment contains no charge of actual espionage. "Espionage," Dershowitz pointed out, is a highly charged word, evoking images of the most egregious betrayers of America, people like Robert Hanssen and the Rosenbergs a word, according to Dershowitz, sufficiently prejudicial to a jury as to require the judge to declare a mistrial if the word "espionage" is merely uttered at trial. But there's another problem, one apparently not identified, at least not publicly, by any expert or journalist. Can there be any potential juror who has not seen at least one of the following photos? In these photos we see dozens and dozens of boxes transported from the White House to Mar-a-Lago, filled with classified documents. Or do we? "Boxes and boxes of classified documents" was, certainly, this writer's, and surely much, if not most, of the public's impression. But the actual number of "documents with classified markings" recovered by the FBI is...102. One hundred two documents. Total. Not enough documents to fill one box, let alone the many boxes in the above photos. Surely, the FBI could have consolidated these 102 documents into a single box and photographed and leaked only that box. Or dispensed with a box entirely and simply stacked and photographed the documents on a table. Here is Senator Rand Paul standing behind the 2022 omnibus spending bill: Sen. Rand Paul, Twitter. Some heck, all may be long, but not that long. Here's a more reasonable idea of what 102 classified documents looks like: Photo by Mediamodifier on Unsplash. So what's with all those boxes? The purpose, obviously, is for a corrupt, politicized FBI and Justice Department to create a false impression in the mind of the public, to make Trump's possession of 102 questioned documents appear much worse than it actually was. This writer's question to the legal expert was whether the sight of all these boxes and the misleading impression they create were intended to create could prejudice a jury. The expert's answer: yes, it could. The task, then, for both sides' attorneys, but especially the prosecution, is to find enough people who have not seen the FBI photos to assemble an impartial jury. Good luck with that. Gene Schwimmer is the proprietor of Gene's Geopolitical Thought of the Day on YouTube and Rumble. Why are the establishment having such a cow over Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.? Tucker Carlson notes that he's being called "a Nazi," "a threat to democracy," "anti-science," "a lunatic," and a man of "harmful views." He's been censored on social media platforms "and at this point the public is hearing more about Bobby Kennedy than they've heard from him," as Tucker noted. Ep. 6 Bobby Kennedy is winning pic.twitter.com/jW51PYahLV Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) June 22, 2023 Well, the answer is pretty obvious: he's winning. That was what Tucker saw in the drama so far around RFK Jr., and it's hard to argue with him. He's winning because he's a very real threat to the current Democrat establishment, and yes, the discontent about that failed bunch is strong even among Democrats. The current crop of Democrats in power, led by an inchoate, run-down, old-goat dotard who is mired like no other president in corruption revelations, and who seems to be buttressed by an establishment ensconced in office due to the miracle of election fraud, has long been dry tinder for some kind of conflagration. When an establishment is in office illegitimately, voters know it. Polls show that most voters, including a large plurality of Democrats, do believe that elections are tainted with fraud. The establishment dismisses anyone upset about this as a conspiracy theorist and suggests to the public that they take its word for it that it wouldn't dream of committing election fraud instead of proving it, and the discontent that comes of that sits there steaming. It steams for a long time, and it's going to go somewhere if it has somewhere to go, which is where Kennedy the unconventional outsider comes in. He's challenging the Democrat establishment in a way to which it has never been accustomed. Bernie Sanders, after all, who was another outsider, went quietly even after establishment honchos nakedly, blatantly, rigged him out of the race, but Kennedy seems to owe them nothing and probably already knows all their dirty tricks, so he seemingly won't and therefore will always be a threat to them. That explains their vehemence against him and the public's growing support for him. Kennedy's also been demonized for years over his vaccine views, which was fine and dandy at the time, but things have changed now that the public health establishment and much of the medical establishment have discredited themselves in the wake of COVID and still haven't been held accountable. That questioning stance has prompted a strange new respect for Kennedy, who never apologized for pursuing the real science even if he may not be right on everything. "He's curious," as Tucker noted. The gate to turning that negative into a positive was opened when the medical establishment discredited itself about COVID, the origins of COVID, the extended lockdowns, the closure of schools, the command of the teachers' unions diktats onto the round-heels CDC, the demonization of effective off-label treatments such as ivermectin, the efficacy of masks, the demonization of those who questioned masks, including on children, who now suffer speech development issues, and teens, who now suffer from depression related to lockdown isolation, and the monstrous death count of old and ailing people, which was unseen even in the vaccine-deprived Third World. The public is also disgusted with the COVID vaccine forced on people, including babies and pregnant women as well as low-risk young people, which has led to a lot of young people dropping dead or developing heart conditions that we aren't supposed to ask might be related to that unnecessary vaccine use. And the dismissal of natural immunity for those who have had COVID, which is Medicine 101. That refusal of the medical establishment to admit any error in its response, as well as its shifting and erratic stances, accompanied by great unaccountable power to disrupt our lives, has left its credibility in tatters. It used to be an impenetrable fortress, but now that it's got abuse of power and lots of money, opaqueness and corruption attached to its diktats, its trust from the public has crumbled. Yet it remains arrogant because it doesn't care. It's all "hain't we got the power?" for these people, so they will never care. Again, that creates a lot of unease, a lot of public distrust in established institutions and like the election fraud issue, it easily channels to Bobby Kennedy, who, as Tucker notes, is winning. Here's yet another reason why: as American Thinker contributor John Klar of Vermont noted, Kennedy comes off as a very nice man who doesn't call other people names and really does try to look for a middle. When he's allowed to speak, instead of just being talked about in the press, he's actually formidable. Klar notes this: Speaking energetically in the low-ceilinged event room, Mr. Kennedy engaged the smilingly attentive crowd with a history of his legal battles against large industrial polluters, challenging PCBs that tainted the Hudson River and coal-burning plants that polluted the country with mercury. Mr. Kennedy's passion and confident optimism held the room even for those who might disagree: there was no doubting the intensity of his sincerity. Tellingly, RFK Jr. did not pontificate about greenhouse gases or condemn Republicans for climate change. He instead focused on the nonpartisan consensus that toxic chemicals are destroying the ecosystem and the free market forces that must be harnessed to compel polluters to internalize the true environmental costs of their products. Kennedy made an accurate case that protecting environmental resources can be accomplished without sacrificing economic growth. The standing ovation that followed suggested that his closing argument had hit home. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. truly appeals to an American political middle. He calls out the woke totalitarianism that has infested culture and government, ensuring that he is anathema to the far left. Yet he adheres to traditional liberal positions such as renewable energy manufacturing, and appeals to conservatives disenchanted with Donald Trump (and his infamous tweets!). Juxtaposed with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, Kennedy highlights the corrupt incompetence of the bumbling incumbents. That's an eyewitness account of what happened that we don't get in the press. No wonder the corrupted establishment can't stand him. He's now at 20% support in the polls from Democrats, and that's without his getting any proper media coverage or space to express his views. That leaves him massive room for growth in popular support from Democrats, particularly if some elements of the press actually cover his campaign and his views. I'm not saying I would vote for him. I still disagree with his views on communist Cuba, which is foul, and abortion, which is even worse, but I like the cut of his jib and his ability to get to the middle. I sure as heck wouldn't object if he became President Trump's running mate, and they could work out for themselves what kinds of things Bobby could accomplish on his side that wouldn't offend the right, and what Trump could accomplish on his side that wouldn't upset the RFK Democrats too much on the reasonable left. Not surprisingly, the establishmentarian leftist Daily Beast confirmed Tucker's thesis that the left hates Kennedy...because he is winning against the tattered, rotten wall of the Democrat establishment, ready to kick it in. They had a complete meltdown about Tucker's monologue, knowing that Tucker was obviously calling it right: In his latest Tucker on Twitter episode, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson gushed over Democratic presidential candidate and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and suggested that his debunked 2005 article linking childhood vaccines to a rise in autism was retracted not for its myriad errors but due to the pharma lobby's "ferocious public relations campaign." The historical revisionism comes the same day former Salon editor-in-chief Joan Walsh apologized in an op-ed for publishing the "mendacious, error-ridden piece," which was ultimately retracted six years later after numerous corrections. As a result, "Kennedy became the most censored famous person in the United States," Carlson said, after also pointing out that his anti-vaccine group was booted from Facebook and Instagram last year for spreading misinformation. Carlson, in the video captioned "Bobby Kennedy is winning," went on to praise the candidate as "curious," and someone who "pays attention to the world around him." For the praise, RFK Jr. tweeted: "Thanks @TuckerCarlson. Grateful. Tucker knows a potential winner when he sees one, and in his monologue, I could hear echoes of Rush Limbaugh. Establishment leftists know it, too. No wonder they're going bonkers. Image: Twitter screen shot. Of course, the now-politicized Navy is claiming they didnt have definitive knowledge that it was the sound of the implosion Titan that it picked up on Sunday, so thats why the public was kept in the dark and the media were allowed to obsess over the drama of possibly rescuing the doomed passengers. But oddly enough, that didnt prevent it from sharing this possibly, just barely possibly unrelated data to the people who would act on it. The Wall Street Journal broke the story: A top secret military acoustic detection system designed to spot enemy submarines first heard what the U.S. Navy suspected was the Titan submersible implosion hours after the submersible began its voyage, officials involved in the search said. The Navy began listening for the Titan almost as soon as the sub lost communications, according to a U.S. defense official. Shortly after the submersibles disappearance Sunday, the U.S. system detected what it suspected was the sound of an implosion near the debris site discovered Thursday and reported its findings to the Coast Guard commander on site, U.S. defense officials said. While the Navy couldnt say definitively the sound came from the Titan, the discovery played a role in narrowing the scope of the search for the vessel before its debris was discovered Thursday, the officials said. Hunter Bidens wrist-slap plea deal, the Pentagons accounting error that is sending billions more to Ukraine, John Durhams congressional testimony, and yesterdays IRS whistleblower testimony were all shoved aside from media space by obsessive coverage of the drama whose grim conclusion the Navy picked up last Sunday. The technology of the SOSUS system that the Navy used to listen for the Titan may be top secret, but the existence of the system isnt. There is a long Wikipedia article on it, for example. So, protecting national defense secrets was no cause to suppress the finding. Hey, the media got a compelling cliffhanger of a story to draw readers and eyeballs, the Coast Guard got the useful information, and the Biden regime got a lot of silence on stories it didnt want publicized, at least until the real powers-that-be decided to let the public know and signal the Bidens to prepare for the end of their grifting. YouTube screengrab The Landes region of southwestern France, bordering the Bay of Biscay, is covered by a large pine forest. In fact, its the largest maritime pine forest in Europemaritime pine is a species native to the Mediterranean region. But a hundred years ago, the landscape looked very different. Instead of forests, there was a great level of plain that stretched from horizon to horizon. This plain was covered with stunted bushes and dry heath that were periodically burned off by the local population to create grazing land for sheep. Around the middle of the 19th century, there were an estimated one million sheep in this area. A 1938 postcard showing shepherds from the marshy region of Landes, France, getting around on stilts. The sheep were managed by shepherds who moved around on long stilts. Using stilts had several advantages. It extended their field of vision allowing them to survey distant flocks of sheep. Tall stilts also increased their stride allowing them to cover long distances in less time. Most importantly, it allowed them to traverse the soft, marshy ground that the plains became after the slightest rainfall. As a matter of fact, practically the entire population of Landes walked on slits to avoid the soggy ground during rainy days. This system of locomotion was so effective that men on stilts could keep up with horses at full trot. The locals called this unique mode of transportation tchangues, which means "big legs". The stilts made of wood are about five feet high and are provided with a shoulder and strap to support the foot. The upper part of the wood is flattened and rests against the leg, where it is held by a strong strap. The lower part which rests upon the earth is enlarged and is sometimes strengthened with a sheep's bone. The shepherd carries a staff which he uses as a point of support for getting on to the stilts, and also as a crook for directing his flocks. The stilt is so stable and comfortable that the shepherd, perched upon the high seat, would often knit to pass his time. Habituated from their childhood by this sort of exercise many shepherds developed extraordinary skills of acrobatism and maneuverability. They can pick up a pebble from the ground, pluck a flower, simulate a fall and quickly recover, run on one foot, and so on. In 1808, when the Empress Josephine went to Bayonne to meet Napoleon I, the municipality sent an escort of young Landese stilt walkers to accompany and amuse the ladies of the court. The ladies took delight in making the stilt walkers race, or threw coins upon the ground and watched them scramble sometimes resulting in falls. Stilt races were also an essential part of any merry-makings in the villages of Gascony. The young people vied with each other in speed and agility, and even the young girls, who were as skillful with stilts as the men, took part in the contests. A notable demonstration of silt walking was made by Sylvain Dornon in 1891 when he walked from Paris to Moscow a distance of more than 2,800 km on stilts in just 58 days. Stilt walking gradually died out in the Landes starting from the middle of the 19th century with the systematic development of large pine plantations that transformed the landscape and the local economy. The disappearance of the moors, because of the expansion of the pine plantations, brought about the end of sheep herding, and with it the iconic image of shepherds on stilts disappeared as well. Shepherds of Landes with their distinctive sheepskin coats, circa 1936. circa 1908 An illustration of a mid-19th century Landes postman, circa 1850. circa 1930. Stilt dancers from Landes walk through London on their way to a performance at the Albert Hall. Jan. 9, 1937 Sources: Scientific American Supplement, 1891 / Wikipedia / Chronicling America / Mashable On the afternoon of September 22, 1932, listeners across America and the UK tuned their radio sets to an extraordinary live broadcast that was being transmitted from inside a small steel sphere hundreds of feet below the oceans surface. Locked inside the sphere was naturalist William Beebe and inventor Otis Barton, who designed the device. Through a telephone system supplied by Bell Laboratories, Beebe described the wonderful marine life that swam past his tiny quartz windowa school of brilliantly illuminated jellyfish with pale green lights came within three feet of [our] window. I have never seen such brilliant light, Beebe announced. Transmitting from 1,500 feet beneath the surface, Beebe and Barton was on their way to the deepest ocean dive in history. William Beebe inside the Bathysphere. At that time, five hundred feet was the deepest anybody had ever dived using an armored diving suit. A typical submarine barely descended to 400 feet. Beebe wanted to dive deeper, not because for the thrill, but to observe the mysterious ocean life that dwelled there. Until then, the only understanding of deep sea life came from animals dredged from the ocean floor. Nobody had ever watched them in their native environment. Beebe and Bartons vessel, called the Bathysphere, was a sphere less than five feet across. The inside was crammed with all sorts of scientific equipment, a telephone for communication to the top, electric lamps, bottles of oxygen and trays of soda lime and calcium chloride to absorb carbon dioxide exhaled by the occupants. To observe the outside world the vessel was equipped with two small windows fitted with three-inch-thick fused quartz, and a spotlight mounted above one of the portholes. Beebe and Barton would squeeze inside the sphere through a small hole, and the 400-pound (180 kg) entrance hatch would be bolted from the outside to prevent leakage. Beebe and Barton conducted their first test dive on May 27, 1930, off the coast of Bermuda. The Bathysphere was attached to a 3,000-feet-long steel cable by which the vessel was lowered into the waters from the deck of a former British Naval ship. Over the next four years, the two intrepid explorers made nearly three dozen dives to the deep, pushing further and further below the surface. With each deep dive, the stakes began to climb and the dangers increased. Even a small leak at that depth would have caused a jet of water to shoot into the Bathysphere tearing through flesh and bone like bullets. But the rewards were worth the risks. Cross-sectional view of the Bathysphere. Beebe and Barton observed an astounding variety of life, many of which were never seen before. Beebe also became the first person to observe how sunlight gradually loses its colors as one descends into the depths of the ocean. The green faded imperceptibly as we went down, and at 200 feet it was impossible to say whether the water was greenish-blue or bluish-green, Beebe wrote in his book Half Mile Down, an account of his experiments with the Bathysphere. At 1,000 feet, we took stock of our surroundings. I tried to name the water; blackish-blue, dark gray-blue. It is strange that as the blue goes, it is not replaced by violetthe end of the visible spectrum. That has apparently already been absorbed. The last hint of blue tapers into a nameless gray, and this finally into black, Beebe added. An article describing his dives appeared on the June 1931 issue of the National Geographic, accompanied by beautiful illustrations of the animals Beebe observed, visually transformed from Beebes notes into paintings by nature artist Else Bostelmann. Many of these previously-unseen animals would be confirmed years later using underwater photography. Observed sea life drawn by Else Bostelmann. Observed sea life drawn by Else Bostelmann. In order to raise funds for explorations, Beebe and Barton struck a deal with NBC promising the national broadcaster that the duo would dive to half a mile beneath the surface, while describing what they saw to the audience. On the day of the dive, the sea was unusually rough, but the program had already began airing so Beebe and Barton decided to continue with the descent. Beebes voice, as he spoke into the telephone, was carried up through nearly 3,000 feet of wire from the submerged capsule to the deck of the ship Freedom. From there, a portable 50-watt radio transmitter beamed his voice to the receiving station at Flatts, in Bermuda, to be broadcasted across the country. As soon as the program ended, Beebe gave the order for them to be pulled back up. The motion of the Freedom on the surface, where the sea was extremely choppy, was transmitted down the steel cable, causing the Bathysphere to swing wildly from side to side like a pendulum. Beebe and Barton were violently thrown about inside the sphere, and both were bruised and bleeding. Barton had succumbed to seasickness and vomited. William Beebe and Otis Barton. Beebe and Barton were just 440 feet short of the promised 2,600 feet, or half a mile, when the dive was terminated. They would have to wait another two years before they could reach the goal. On August 11, 1934, Beebe and Barton descended to 2,510 feet (770 m) when Beebe stopped the descend so that he could observe the spectacular life forms at the depth. The remaining distance was called off. The two returned again, four days later, and this time reached 3,028 feet (923 m), setting a new world record. Barton would eventually break that record, fifteen years later, on his new, improved diving vessel which he called the Benthoscope. Barton reached an unprecedented depth of 4,500 feet (1.4 km). Although the Bathysphere was rendered obsolete by technological advances within a few decades, the work that was achieved from the vessel continues to inspire generations of scientists and oceanographers. Beebe named several new species of deep-sea animals on the basis of observations he made during his Bathysphere dives, some of which remain controversial to this day because they have never been observed again by anyone else. Some of Beebe's critics claimed that the scientist erred in observation, possibly because of his breath fogging up the Bathysphere's window, or that he willfully made things up. Today, the Bathysphere stands on display at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. A replica of the Bathysphere on display at the National Geographic museum in Washington DC. Photo: Mike Cole/Wikimedia Commons References: # National Geographic, https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2014/08/15/commemorating-a-milestone-in-ocean-exploration/ # The Official William Beebe Web Site, https://sites.google.com/site/cwilliambeebe/Home/bathysphere # William Beebe, Half Mile Down Google Nest cameras have become an integral part of most smart home systems in Europe and around the world. But recently, some European users have seen this piece of tech trip out. Now this is not a self-induced problem as users arent forgetting to turn on their cameras but more of a technical fault. By saying that this is a technical fault, we dont mean that its users can fix it by themselves. Folks at The Verge have also experienced this fault and have been able to point out that its something only Google can properly handle. This issue shouldnt be taken lightly, as it poses a serious security threat to users. In a bid to create awareness of this issue, users of the Google Nest cameras have come on the internet to explain what they are facing. Tons of users have come on various platforms to narrate how their Nest camera keeps going offline randomly. With the number of users in Europe facing this issue and coming out to speak of it, there is no way Google hasnt got these complaints. But what exactly are they doing about the incessant complaints? Nest cameras are going offline in Europe and Google responded This issue isnt just affecting a handful of users in Europe, as its plaguing many people. Platforms like Twitter, Reddit, websites (9to5Google), and Google Nest Community have seen users complain about this issue. Without any reason, Nest cameras will go offline whilst recording, but not show the live feeds from the recording. Advertisement Google Nest cameras are security products that help users keep an eye on activities around their property. They do this by actively recording the surroundings and syncing this live video with the users devices via the Google Home app. With the app showing some European users the offline status and not sharing live feeds, a user can tell whats happening around their property. Tom Warren, a senior editor with The Verge, was among those in Europe that had their Nest cameras go offline. To fix his cameras, he had to perform a hard reset, returning the cameras to their factory setting. According to his report, some other users have seen their cameras come back online after hours of showing offline on the Google Home app. To perform a factory reset to your Google Nest camera, simply go to the Home app and tap on the camera button. This will pull up an interface to view what your camera is recording. Now tap on the settings icon at the top of the interface. On the settings page, select the forget device option at the end of the page. Then grab your Nest camera and find the reset button at the back of the camera. Press and hold the reset button for a while until the lights go off. After the reset, you can connect the camera back to your Google Home app and it should function properly. Google is aware of this issue, as a spokesperson claims it has been resolved. However, some users in Europe might still be facing this issue, posing a threat to their home security system. If you are facing this issue, simply hard reset your camera or wait till Googles fix arrives for your Nest camera. Qualcomm has announced that Sony will continue making smartphones, for years to come. Qualcomm basically shared a press release in which its confirmed that Qualcomms partnership with Sony has been extended. Sony will continue making smartphones for years to come The company was quite specific, and mentioned that Sony will keep using its Snapdragon chip for years to come. Qualcomm mentioned a multi-year deal, though were still not sure how many years were agreed on exactly. One thing worth noting is that Qualcomm didnt mention low-end, so Sony will likely stick to high-end and mid-range tiers. The press statement says that Sony and Qualcomms joint efforts will focus on the integration of Qualcomm Technologies advanced Snapdragon mobile platforms into Sonys future smartphone lines, providing users with enhanced functionality, higher performance, and more immersive user experiences. So, if you were at all worried that Sony will bow out of the smartphone business, that wont happen, at least not anytime soon. There were no indications of that, but Sony hasnt really been selling a lot of its phones. If you were worried about Sonys smartphone business, dont be We all know how that ended for HTC and LG, but Sony is a different store entirely. Much like LG, it has the cash to push its mobile unit as long as it takes, but it also uses its phones in other ways. Sony uses them for showpieces in its movies, for example. On the flip side, theres the PlayStation that they need to think about. Its not exactly a secret that you can play your PlayStation remotely via newer Sony flagships. That alone is a selling point for some people, of course. Sonys smartphones are here to stay. I said earlier that Sony is not selling many of its phones, which is a shame, because theyre usually really good. Learning to play the piano can be challenging and requires immense dedication and sincerity. Luckily, in this digital era, your Android smartphone can be of great help. Whether you want to learn piano for fun or just want to help your kids with their piano lessons, there are tons of apps for all your needs on the Google Play Store. Of course, a piano app cannot be an equivalent substitute for taking lessons in person. Technology still cant beat the one-on-one teachings of a human. However, if youre dedicated enough, you can always learn something with a good piano app. And if youre struggling to find the best app for you, we have compiled a list of the best piano apps for Android below. Go through the article below for detailed information on each app, including a description, Google Play rating and size, cost of in-app purchases, and screenshots or promo videos, as well as a Google Play Store download link. Best Android apps for Learning Piano 2023 Below is a quick overview of the best Android apps for learning piano for 2023, including any download and in-app purchase costs. Download Cost In-app cost (per item) Piano by Yousician $14.99 $194.99 Simply Piano $0.99 $179.99 Perfect Piano $0.99 $12.99 Flowkey $19.99 $119.99 Piano Music Keyboard & Tiles $1.49 $89.99 Skoove $19.99 $149.99 Piano $0.99 $47.99 Piano Academy $5.99 $99.99 Piano Lessons $2.99 Real Piano Teacher $4.99 Best Android apps for Learning Piano 2023 downloads Below is a little more information on each app, including a direct link for easy downloading. Advertisement All download links go to the apps Google Play Store listing. Users are always recommended to download apps from Google Play or an authorized app store. Piano by Yousician Price: Free to download In-app purchases: $14.99 $194.99 Size: 89MB Google Play rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars Yousician is an award-winning interactive and educational music service. It offers apps for learning various musical instruments, including the piano. This app provides piano lessons on hundreds of songs. There are step-by-step video tutorials that guide you through each lesson. You can play on your real instrument and the app will listen along to offer instant feedback on how well you are hitting the pitch and tone. You can also upload and practice your songs. Piano by Yousician has piano curriculums for everyone, from complete beginners to professionals. Designed by expert piano teachers, these curriculums will help you improve your skills over time. You can learn piano at your own pace with Yousician, whenever and wherever you want. This app is available on both PC and mobile devices and offers unlimited and uninterrupted playtime across all platforms. A Weekly Challenge feature lets you compete with friends and millions of other piano players worldwide. DOWNLOAD PIANO BY YOUSICIAN Simply Piano Price: Free to download In-app purchases: $0.99 $179.99 Size: 49MB Google Play rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars If you are a beginner and want to learn the basics of piano before investing in a real instrument, then Simply Piano is the app for you. You can use your touch-enabled Android smartphone to function as a virtual piano. This app offers piano lessons on thousands of popular songs like Imagine, Chandelier, All Of Me, and Counting Stars. Advertisement There are piano courses for different musical tastes and playing levels. The app allows you to select the level that youre at as a piano player. Depending on your current knowledge, you can start from the very basics such as reading sheet music to playing with both hands. Like Yousician, Simply Piano also provides instant feedback on your playing so you can quickly learn and improve your skills. DOWNLOAD SIMPLY PIANO Perfect Piano Price: Free to download In-app purchases: $0.99 $12.99 Size: 56MB Google Play rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars Perfect Piano is a piano simulator app that serves as a piano teaching tool. It features an 88-key piano keyboard and supports multiple modes: single-row mode, double-row mode, dual players, and chords mode. The app also supports multi-touch and lets you adjust the width of the keyboard. There are multiple in-built sound effects such as Grand Piano, Bright Piano, Music Box, Pipe Organ, Rhodes, and Synthesiser. There are also multiple play modes, guidance patterns, and speed and difficulty adjustment features. Perfect Piano supports a USB MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) keyboard, so when you decide to move to a real instrument, you can do so smoothly. A widget for your home screen lets you play around without even opening the app. You can also play the piano with other players from all over the world, make friends, chat, and participate in weekly challenges. Advertisement DOWNLOAD PERFECT PIANO Flowkey Price: Free to download In-app purchases: $19.99 $119.99 Size: 39MB Google Play rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars Flowkey is another popular piano app that supports multiple platforms. It offers piano lessons on over 1500 songs from all genres including classical, pop, rock, and jazz. You can even choose from the latest game and movie soundtracks. Interactive step-by-step courses about notes, chords, and rhythm will help you improve your skills. This app has several high-quality video tutorials recorded by professional pianists to help you learn the right technique. Flowkey also offers instant feedback on your playing so you know where you need to work more. You can use a microphone or MIDI connection. A split-screen feature lets watch a video of someone playing the song while you practice it. Premium subscription costs $19.99 for a month, $83.99 for six months, and $119.99 for a year. DOWNLOAD FLOWKEY Piano Music Keyboard & Tiles Price: Free to download In-app purchases: $1.49 $89.99 Size: 146MB Google Play rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars Piano Music Keyboard & Tiles is also a keyboard simulator app that features fun and engaging music games to help learn piano keys. You can play famous songs by tapping keys under falling tiles. This not only improves your sense of timing and tempo but also helps you identify the sounds of different keys on the keyboard. Advertisement This app has a full 88-key keyboard and features nine piano instruments: Basic keyboard, Grand Piano, Organ, Harpsichord, Accordion, Electric Guitar, Harp, Cello Pizzicato, and Vintage Piano. You can choose between a single or dual scrollable keyboard. You can also record your piano sessions and share them with your friends. DOWNLOAD PIANO - MUSIC KEYBOARD & TILES Skoove Price: Free to download In-app purchases: $19.99 $149.99 Size: 125MB Google Play rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars Skoove is fairly new to the online piano lesson space but has quickly made its way up. It currently boasts more than two million users of varying skill levels, from beginners to advanced players. The lessons on this app are designed to get anyone started with ease, whatever might be their skill level. You get a rich, curated catalog of music across genres so you can learn piano your way. Skoove recognizes the notes when you play piano and guides you if youre doing something wrong. It uses artificial intelligence to give you personal feedback and help you improve at your pace. You can also get one-on-one support from expert piano instructors on this app. DOWNLOAD SKOOVE Piano Price: Free to download In-app purchases: $0.99 $47.99 Size: 43MB Google Play rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars Simply named Piano, this app is ideal for learning to play the piano to popular songs. It currently offers piano lessons on over 1000 hit songs, with new songs added daily. Hello by Adele, Stitches by Shawn Mendes, Let It Go Disneys Frozen, Chandelier by Sia, Despacito by Luis Fonsi, My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion, and Love Yourself by Justin Bieber are a few to name. Advertisement This app is essentially a game where you tap on falling bubbles at the right time to hit the right tone. You can adjust the difficulty level to suit your skills. You can also play with backing vocals and instruments for more fun and enjoyment. The app provides scores and feedback on every song compilation. You can share your score and compete with your friends for the best score. DOWNLOAD PIANO Piano Academy Price: Free to download In-app purchases: $5.99 $99.99 Size: 46MB Google Play rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars Piano Academy is another great app to learn piano online, particularly for kids. This app offers piano lessons on tons of songs, starting with popular kids rhymes like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and If Youre Happy and You Know It. Of course, these kinds of songs are easy to play and are ideal for anyone starting from scratch. But kids would find this much more engaging. Piano Academy also offers tutorial videos to teach you theoretical topics like notes, the staff, chords, and much more, as well as practical lessons. You can play on the on-screen virtual keyboard or connect a real instrument. The app listens to every note you play and gives you instant feedback, so you know where and how to improve. While kids would find Piano Academy engaging, it is also suitable for adults. DOWNLOAD PIANO ACADEMY Advertisement Piano Lessons Price: Free to download In-app purchases: $2.99 per item Size: 14MB Google Play rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars The best thing about Piano Lessons is that you can use this app as a piano without learning mode. It features a full 88-key keyboard. So once you learn the basics, you can play around on your own. You can even record the songs you play and share them with your friends or with other users in the Cloud Playlist. Of course, the app offers piano lessons on a number of songs. You can click on the highlighted keys to play along. The app will analyze your timing and accuracy and rate your performance. Best Piano Lessons lets you customize the number of visible piano keys on the screen and supports multitouch. This ensures an optimal experience for users. DOWNLOAD PIANO LESSONS Real Piano Teacher Price: Free to download In-app purchases: $4.99 per item Size: 21MB Google Play rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars Real Piano Teacher offers piano lessons for both beginners as well as advanced users with full offline audio lessons in various languages and accents. You can connect a real instrument or use the on-screen virtual keyboard to practice the songs. The app supports USB MIDI Keyboard. Theoretical lessons offered by this app include how to position your fingers on the piano, understanding the elements of the keyboard, groupings and naming of the various keys, and notes for each position, staffs, clefs, and chords. Once you master this, you can play along with the songs and see where you need to improve. There are also some fun games designed to train your hand coordination, musical hearing, sense of rhythm, and other skills required to master the piano. Real Piano Teacher also lets you record your play and share it with your friends and family. DOWNLOAD REAL PIANO TEACHER (ANSA) - ROME, JUN 23 - Ahead of Spain's EU Presidency, the country's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for European unity ahead of the elections next year. The socialist wants to lead Europe through crises and aims to settle the major issues by the end of this year: the European migration pact, the debt rules and reducing the bloc's dependence on third countries, among other topics. The national snap elections in July could spoil that. Times of crisis. Spain's EU presidency, which it takes over from Sweden on 1 July, comes in times of crisis. Moreover, it will be the last full presidency before the European elections in the spring of 2024. A time that is usually used to close many issues before the polls. As Spain faces snap elections on 23 July, and surveys are suggesting a possible right-wing government, there is the question of how that could impact policy-making in Brussels in the second half of 2023. Reindustrialization, green transition, strengthening social justice and EU unity are the four priorities on the agenda of Spain's presidency. "We will promote the reindustrialization and digitalization of Europe. We will make decisive progress in the ecological transition. We will make the economy more prosperous, but also fairer, and we will strengthen European unity with new tools and new agreements," said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez last week in Madrid, presenting the program of the presidency. In addition to the four priorities, Sanchez said he hoped to close the EU's New Pact on Migration and Asylum. The Council and the European Parliament will now have to reach a consensus, which Spain had advocated in order to achieve the relocation of migrants. "We have always said that the EU cannot be divided, we are all victims of these crises. Spain has always said that we must strengthen the external dimension of the phenomenon, strengthen cooperation with the countries of transit and origin," concluded Sanchez. Another major objective proposed by Sanchez will be the creation of minimum corporate taxation throughout the EU in order to put an end "once and for all to tax evasion by large fortunes and large corporations." According to Spain's prime minister, tax evasion costs the European Union 1.5 percentage points of its annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the same amount, he said, that is invested in subsidised housing and the environment. Further key topics for Spain's EU Presidency will be the reform of the energy market, the review of the fiscal rules in the Stability and Growth Pact and continued support for Ukraine. Snap elections in Spain. Spain's Prime Minister himself has played down the national elections happening during his country's presidency of the Council of the European Union. "It is not the first time that elections are held during the rotating presidency, there have also been changes of governments during the presidency," said Sanchez. In view of the opinion polls that suggest a future right-wing government in Spain, Sanchez has recalled that the role of his government "is not to impose European dossiers or debates, but to guide the existing ones before the end of the six-month period." Prime Minister Sanchez had called the snap elections on 23 July after his Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) suffered a heavy defeat in local elections in May. This is the second government of Sanchez, who has been Prime Minister since 2018. Geopolitical opportunities: EU and Latin America. Pedro Sanchez wants to strengthen ties with Latin America. The Spanish government considers that, in recent times, the EU has turned its back on Latin America, despite the fact that both regions share values and principles. As pointed out at the Ibero-American Summit this year, Latin America also sees Spain's presidency of the EU as an opportunity for closer ties. Spain will also propose a strategy to guarantee the EU's economic security and global leadership until 2030. It aims to promote dossiers to foster the development of strategic industries and technologies in Europe and diversify trade relations, with a special focus on Latin America. The EU-CELAC Summit is planned to be held in Brussels in July and intends to conclude the pending trade agreements with Mercosur, Chile and Mexico. In addition, the Spanish presidency announced that it will work to attract new companies to Europe amidst geopolitical, technological and environmental changes, which it sees as an opportunity to reduce the EU's excessive dependence on third countries in areas such as energy, health, digital technology and food. Bulgaria: Schengen stays the top priority. However, there are more issues to be solved during the 6-month presidency. The Schengen accession continues to be one of Bulgaria's top priorities. Sofia hopes the Spanish Presidency will schedule a new vote no later than October. Last December, such a vote failed during the Czech Presidency, as Austria and the Netherlands blocked Romania's and Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area. Since then, Sofia has received EU support to strengthen its external borders and adopted long-awaited law reforms concerning the judiciary and rule of law. Therefore, Sofia hopes that the upcoming European Commission Rule of Law report, set to be published in July, could give additional momentum to the Schengen enlargement. Bulgaria's new Deputy Prime Minister, soon-to-be head of government and former European Commissioner, Mariya Gabriel, told reporters earlier this week that she was optimistic the report would be positive and she expected the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism for Bulgaria, introduced in 2007, to finally be lifted. U Enlargement in the Western Balkans. On a visit to Slovenia in mid-February, Sanchez and the Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob underlined their support for Ukraine as well as the importance of tackling energy challenges and a united European response to migration. They also discussed the EU's enlargement policy, with a focus on the Western Balkans. The prime ministers stressed the importance of Europe's strategic autonomy, which will be one of the priorities of the Spanish EU Presidency. "We expect the issue of EU enlargement to be on the agenda of the Spanish presidency. We support the decision to grant candidate status for EU membership to Ukraine and Moldova, but we also expect the Western Balkans region to retain a central place in EU enlargement policy," said Milos Todorovic from Serbia's Foreign Ministry, adding that Serbia welcomes the Spanish presidency and hopes for further progress in the accession negotiations. Presidential trio. The Spanish presidency will kick off the new trio, also comprising Belgium and Hungary, which will preside in the first and second half of 2024, respectively. The presidential trio defines long-term goals and prepares a joint program of the main topics and issues that the Council will deal with in a period of 18 months. Based on that program, all three countries are preparing their detailed six-month programs. This is the fifth presidency of Spain since the country became a member in 1986. It presided for the first time in 1989, and again in 1995, 2002 and 2010. In the second half of this year, Spain will organize 21 informal meetings on its soil, each of them in a different city. A meeting of EU heads of state or government is scheduled for October in Granada. It remains to be seen how the snap elections on 23 July turn out, and whether Prime Minister Sanchez will be able to lead Europe through these crucial six months to close the dossiers ahead of the European elections. The content is based on news by agencies participating in the enr, on this occasion ANSA, BTA, EFE, Europa Press, HINA, STA, and Tanjug (ANSA). Protesters are calling on central banks to limit the flow of money going into new fossil fuel projects. Frontline activists and climate groups from around the world are staging a coordinated action in the lead up to the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) annual general meeting in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday. At least 400 protesters, including Greta Thunberg, are expected to march through the Swiss city on Saturday, ahead of the meeting which will be attended by Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey. Activists gather for the Peoples Forum for Climate Justice and Financial Regulation (Klima-Allianz Schweiz) Meanwhile, artistic works will be on show in the city as a tribute to 20 environment defenders from around the world who have been killed over their work to protect nature, including British journalist Dom Phillips. Tim Ratcliffe, 42, from Stoke-on-Trent who has joined the action with the UK Climate Bailout protest group, told the PA news agency: The broad message is End fossil finance. Its within the responsibility of the central banks and financial regulation to ensure financial stability. Activists gather for the Peoples Forum for Climate Justice and Financial Regulation (Klima-Allianz Schweiz) But theres no financial stability in a world thats suffering from climate emergency and climate breakdown. So were calling on them to stop the flows of finance to new fossil fuel projects and stop the expansion of the fossil fuel industry. Mr Ratcliffe said there is not enough capacity or movement strength to fight every new fossil fuel project. That is why it comes down to lobbying more systematically, looking at what levers can be pulled and whats the role of the supervisors, the regulators, the central banks and the core institutions in the financial sector, he added. Around 200 of the climate campaigners have also been gathering for plenary sessions and discussions in Basel this week as part the Peoples Forum for Climate Justice and Financial Regulation. They include grassroots activists, policy workers in NGOs and community representatives who are resisting oil and gas projects on the ground in their home countries like Colombia, Argentina, Senegal and Mozambique. Climate activists Fernanda Herrera, from Argentina, speaks at the Peoples Forum for Climate Justice and Financial Regulation (Klima-Allianz Schweiz) Among them is Aryanne de Campo, 25, from the Centre for Energy, Ecology and Development in the Philippines, who is campaigning to protect the Verde Island Passage a marine corridor in the country teeming with biodiversity. It comes after a tanker carrying 800,000 litres of industrial oil capsized close to the strait earlier this year. Fears of further spills and disruption to local fishing have been prompted by Shells plans to build a liquid natural gas import terminal in nearby Batangas City, which is being financed by HSBC, Barclays and Standard Chartered. Ms de Campo told PA: Communities have lived and flourished on the Verde Island Passage for centuries but the actions of oil and gas companies, and the banks that finance them, have undermined their livelihood, harmed their health and polluted the precious habitats that exist there. Artists prepare works in tribute to environmental defenders who have been killed over their work (Klima-Allianz Schweiz) I am coming to Basel to tell the banks and the world that some things are too precious to be bought. A spokesperson for the BIS said representatives met with the Peoples Forum for Climate Justice and Financial Regulation on Tuesday and acknowledged their concerns. They said: While direct policy action to address climate change is a matter for legislators and governments and the BIS has no direct role to influence climate change, its members are taking a range of actions within their mandates to mitigate financial stability risks and raise awareness of the need to manage the transition in an orderly way. They added that BIS decisions on setting standards have no legal force but members are expected to implement them, and that it works to mitigate risks to the global banking system, including from climate change, to ensure financial stability. Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis has confirmed the Arctic Monkeys will headline the Pyramid Stage on Friday after their set was thrown into question earlier this week. The rock band announced on Monday that frontman Alex Turner had acute laryngitis which forced them to cancel their show in Marlay Park, Dublin, on Wednesday. They will close out the main stage at the festival in Pilton, Somerset, which kicked off this year at midday with a group of Sufi musicians, named The Master Musicians of Joujouka, who performed a form of trance beats which are said to be used for healing. Broadcasting from the grounds of the festival at Worthy Farm, Zoe Ball asked during her BBC Radio 2 show if the band were still set to play, and Eavis replied theyre on, which was welcomed with uproarious applause. It was a little bit close there for a minute and we were thinking about whether we should have a serious back-up plan in place, but no, thankfully theyre on, so thats great, she added. It will be the Sheffield bands third time headlining the festival after topping the bill on 2007 and 2013. The group are currently on a world tour with venues in Europe, the US, Canada and Mexico lined up across the next few months. Since the start of the year, they have performed hits across Australia, Asia and the UK from their back catalogue including I Wanna Be Yours, 505 and Do I Wanna Know? They performed three shows at the Emirates stadium in London from Friday to Sunday last week before they had to announce that Turner was under doctors orders to rest. The Master Musicians of Joujouka performing on the Pyramid Stage, at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset (Yui Mok/PA) Fridays music highlights opened with the group of 10 Sufi musicians who are from a village in the southern Rif Mountains in Morocco. They played a range of drums and woodwind-type instruments while donning brown robes over a white shirt with a cream headpiece. A male dancer later came onto the stage dressed in a brown fur costume and wicker hat to represent Bou Jeloud, a Pan-like figure half-goat-half-man who is part of their legends. Crowds clapped and danced around the field as he shook two tree branches as he performed. They were followed by singer-songwriter Maisie Peters, 23, who played a range of tracks from her new album The Good Witch, which was released on Friday. Rapper Stefflon Don and Scottish rock band Texas will also play there throughout the afternoon and early evening. Foo Fighters are rumoured to play the main stage on Friday evening (Victoria Jones/PA) The other major rumour of the day is in relation to a mystery band named The Churnups who are listed to perform ahead of rock duo Royal Blood and Arctic Monkeys, with speculation that could be a cover name for Foo Fighters. Addressing the rumblings, Eavis told Radio 2: To be honest, I think theres a lot of rumours that are circulating about The Churnups one of which is true. I dont think I can completely confirm but its coming soon. But this is a huge, huge, huge, huge surprise and we have kept this secret for so long, just me and (her husband) Nick, we didnt even tell the kids we were like Nobody can know this and I think its going to be extraordinary later. Hozier has also confirmed on Friday morning that he will be the surprise act at 7.30pm on the Woodsies stage, previously named the John Peel stage. The Irish singer-songwriter, full name Andrew Hozier-Byrne, said he is thrilled to be performing at the festival again in a not-so-secret set on Friday evening. Eavis also appeared to accidentally confirm rumours that Rick Astley and Blossoms will play a secret set this weekend. When asked about if their set was confirmed, she said: Yep before catching herself and asking if the show was being broadcast live. The third day of the festival in Pilton, Somerset, will also host film screenings, theatre and circus performances and a debate titled Solidarity With Iran which will include British-Iranian charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was imprisoned there for six years. The festival is set to remain mainly dry and bright on Friday, with temperatures hitting around 25C during the day, the Met Office has forecast. In a statement, a spokesperson for the national weather service said: The weather is set fair for much of the weekend at Glastonbury Festival with only a small chance of a shower. Friday and Saturday should see a good deal of dry, bright weather with some sunny spells, albeit hazy at times, with highs in the mid-20s, with some warm nights to follow once the sun goes down. 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. Sir Elton John (Ian West/PA) Sir Elton John, 76, will close the festival on Sunday night for what has been billed as the final UK show of his mammoth farewell tour. Eavis revealed she has wanted to book the Rocket Man superstar for years but felt it was something that would never ever happen. Then I wrote him a letter, it was probably September or October last year, and it was like a really cool autumn morning and I sat thinking Whats my dream? Ive got to try and get him, she added. So I wrote this letter and so lucky that he called up and just said, Im so up for this. And I was like, what? I cant believe it. Braintree District Council has lost a Court of Appeal challenge over Government plans to house asylum seekers at Wethersfield Airfield in Essex. The council brought legal action against the Home Office over the proposed use of the redundant RAF airfield to accommodate up to 1,700 male asylum seekers for up to 180 days each under emergency powers. The Ministry of Defence (MoD)-owned land was one of the sites identified when immigration minister Robert Jenrick unveiled plans in March to house asylum seekers in disused military bases to reduce reliance on hotels. The local authoritys lawyers asked a judge to grant it an injunction preventing the use of the 6.5-hectare site, arguing proposals would breach planning control. But, in a ruling in April, a High Court judge concluded the court did not have the legal power to grant the councils application and struck out the bid, ruling in favour of the Home Office. Earlier this month the council brought a challenge to the Court of Appeal and argued the High Court judge Mr Justice Waksman had the power to make an injunction. However, in a judgment on Friday afternoon, three judges dismissed the appeal. In their ruling, Sir Keith Lindblom, Lord Justice Dingemans and Lady Justice Whipple said that the original judge was correct. They said: Having considered all the submissions made to us, both written and oral, on the issue of jurisdiction, we find it impossible to accept the argument advanced on behalf of the council. They added: It seems to us clear that the judge was right to conclude as he did on this issue, and that his essential reasons for doing so are sound and complete. Mr Justice Waksman said in his original ruling that the Home Office estimated there were 109,000 asylum seekers the highest level on record in need of accommodation and support as of the end of March, including 48,000 being housed in hotels, at a total cost of 6.2 million a day. The court heard in April that Home Office operational plans are based on scenarios of up to 56,000 small boat arrivals in 2023, which would take the number of people needing accommodation and support to between 120,000 and 140,000. Councillor Graham Butland, leader of Braintree District Council, said after the ruling: We are extremely disappointed with this outcome. We now need to reflect on the detail contained within the judgment and consider the councils position, he added. Mr Butland added there would be a hearing to ask for the green light to bring a separate legal challenge over the Government plans next month. He continued: We continue to stand behind the community on the fact that the site is unsuitable for these plans and we are doing all we can through legal routes to prevent it from going ahead. This is all whilst we are continuing to work with our partners to mobilise should the plans progress, to support asylum seekers accommodated and ensure minimal impact on all those involved. A gunman has been found guilty of murdering a custody sergeant after smuggling a revolver into a police station and opening fire in a holding cell while still in handcuffs. Former tax office data analyst Louis De Zoysa claimed diminished responsibility, but was unanimously convicted after a jury decided that he pulled the antique weapons trigger deliberately and did not suffer an autistic meltdown. A three-week trial at Northampton Crown Court was shown distressing video footage of New Zealand-born Met Police Sergeant Matt Ratana being hit in the chest by the first of three shots discharged by De Zoysa within three seconds. Sgt Ratana died of his injuries in hospital despite the efforts of medical staff. Sergeant Matt Ratana (Metropolitan Police/PA) A second bullet struck the 54-year-old in the thigh, before De Zoysa was wrestled to the ground by other officers as a third round hit the cell wall at Croydons Windmill Road custody centre. De Zoysa, who was living in Banstead, Surrey, discharged a fourth shot while on the cell floor 16 seconds later, hitting an artery in his own neck and causing brain damage. The 25-year-old, who now uses a wheelchair, has communication difficulties and is being treated at a healthcare unit in Northamptonshire, was arrested in London Road, Norbury, in the early hours of Friday September 25 2020. A bag containing seven bullets and cannabis were found during a search of De Zoysas clothing and body, but officers did not discover a .41-calibre revolver loaded with six rounds. During the trial, prosecutors said De Zoysa retrieved the weapon from a holster under his left arm, while handcuffed to the rear, as he was being transported to Windmill Road in a police van. CCTV evidence suggested he managed to get hold of the gun with his right hand around 16 minutes before the shooting and then took advantage of a vent at the back of his overcoat to hide the weapon until the shooting. Jurors deliberated for just over five hours over two days before unanimously convicting De Zoysa, who listened to the verdict sitting in a wheelchair in the secure glass-fronted dock. Louis De Zoysa in the cell where he later opened fire (Metropolitan Police/PA) De Zoysa nodded twice as the judge confirmed with him that he had heard the verdict being announced by the jury foreman. Sgt Ratanas partner, Su Bushby, and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley were among those in the public gallery as the verdict was returned. After the verdict, trial judge Mr Justice Johnson thanked the jury for its deliberations on the case and said it had fulfilled an onerous but critically important public duty. Prosecutor Duncan Penny KC told the court that further firearms and ammunition charges faced by De Zoysa will be allowed to lie on the file at a sentencing hearing at the same court next month. The judge did not address any remarks directly to De Zoysa, who has communication difficulties due to brain damage from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, immediately before he remanded him in custody. After buying the antique revolver, which was legal to own, on the internet three months before the murder, De Zoysa used bullets he had made and tested that it worked, the court heard. At the time of his arrest De Zoysa was travelling in the general direction of his fathers home in south-east London, having caught two buses and walked to the junction of London Road and Pollards Hill North. Pre-trial hearings, at which De Zoysa was twice ruled fit to plead to the charges despite his communication problems, were told that an infantry rifle was among items found at his flat and workshop in Banstead. Jurors were not told about the other weapons owned by De Zoysa, which also included a pipe gun, a dummy launcher and various types of ammunition. An examination of his digital devices confirmed his interest in weapons as well as violence across a range of ideologies including right-wing extremism, Islamic extremism and homophobia. The chief executive of the company responsible for the Titan submersible dismissed safety concerns over the deep-sea vessel, emails have shown. The BBC reported Stockton Rush, who was one of the five people who died in Titans catastrophic implosion, had previously written that he had heard baseless cries of you are going to kill someone which he believed were a serious personal insult. His words could be seen in emails between Mr Rush and deep sea exploration specialist Rob McCallum in which he also said he was tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation. Tributes have been paid to the Titan submersible passengers and pilot who were killed in the fatal implosion, with the families of Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, and Hamish Harding describing them as beloved and dedicated fathers and sons. Mr Rush and French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet were also confirmed to have died in the incident. The emails, seen by the BBC, show Mr McCallum told OceanGates chief executive that he was mirroring that famous cry of the Titanics builders: She is unsinkable. The broadcaster reported that the email exchange ended when the companys lawyers threatened legal action. After the catastrophic implosion of the vessel, the other co-founder of OceanGate, Guillermo Sohnlein, defended the firm describing regulations surrounding visits to the Titanic wreckage as tricky to navigate. Flowers left at St Johns harbour on Friday (Jordan Pettitt/PA) On Friday, five red roses were left in St Johns harbour in memory of the pilot and four passengers, with each displaying a message saying RIP followed by their name. After the emails were released, Mr McCallum told the BBC he repeatedly urged OceanGate to seek certification for the Titan before using it for commercial tours. One of his emails read: I implore you to take every care in your testing and sea trials and to be very, very conservative. As much as I appreciate entrepreneurship and innovation, you are potentially putting an entire industry at risk. 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. Mr Sohnlein, who no longer works for OceanGate, told Times Radio he and his co-founder Mr Rush were committed to safety during expeditions. He said: 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. Engro Corporation, the Pakistani conglomerate that Shahzada Dawood was vice chairman of, said it was difficult to articulate the grief of the Dawood family. Their statement described the relationship between Shahzada and Suleman Dawood as a joy to behold, adding: They were each others greatest supporters and cherished a shared passion for adventure and exploration of all the world had to offer them. Titanic film director James Cameron, who is also a submersibles expert, criticised OceanGate Expeditions for not heeding warnings following the vessels implosion. He told the BBC: We now have another wreck that is based on, unfortunately, the same principles of not heeding warnings. 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. A report from The Wall Street Journal said 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 that 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. Glastonbury crowds were given a super special treat as Cate Blanchett made a surprise appearance onstage with US pop-rock duo Sparks. The Oscar-winning actress stars in the music video for Sparks recent single The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte. Kicking off the bands set on Friday on the Park Stage, singer Russell Mael told crowds: Hopefully as many of you know we have a brand new album, it just came out a couple of weeks ago. We have a super special treat tonight. We did a video for this song recently and we had the great honour of having the great actor Cate Blanchett join us where are you Cate Blanchett? Blanchett then appeared on stage, wearing a yellow suit, green glasses and red, over-ear headphones, to roars from the crowd. It was the same outfit she had worn for the Sparks music video. The Oscar-winning actress stars in the music video for the US pop-rock duos recent single The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte (Doug Peters/PA) After displaying a series of energetic moves to the song, which she performed while standing still, Blanchett bowed, and left the stage again without saying a word. Sparks consists of veteran musicians Ron and Russell Mael. The pair met Blanchett in Paris last year, prior to her rampant success during the 2023 awards season for her performance in Todd Fields film Tar. We met Cate Blanchett in Paris at the Cesar Awards last year, little knowing that a year later one of the great actors of our time and a splendid person would graciously consent to lending her booty-shaking skills to the first video from our new album, the Mael brothers said previously. A gun fanatic is facing a life sentence for the murder of a Met Police custody sergeant after smuggling a revolver into a holding cell and shooting him in the chest and thigh without warning. Jurors who convicted Louis De Zoysa on Friday were shown distressing CCTV footage of the 25-year-old using a legally-bought revolver to gun down Sgt Matt Ratana in a holding cell at a police station in Croydon, south London, in 2020. The jury panel, which took around five hours to unanimously convict the former tax office data analyst, were not told that a shortened infantry rifle, numerous types of ammunition, a pipe gun, and a dummy launcher were found at his rented property after the killing. De Zoysa claimed diminished responsibility during a three-week trial, but was found guilty after a jury decided the cannabis user pulled the antique weapons trigger deliberately and did not suffer an autistic meltdown. Northampton Crown Court was shown slow-motion video of New Zealand-born Sgt Ratana being hit in the chest by the first of three shots discharged by De Zoysa within three seconds. Sergeant Matt Ratana (Metropolitan Police/PA) A second bullet struck the 54-year-old in the thigh, before De Zoysa was wrestled to the ground by other officers as a third round hit the cell wall at Croydons Windmill Road custody centre. Sgt Ratana died of his injuries in hospital despite the efforts of medical staff. De Zoysa, who was living in Banstead, Surrey, discharged a fourth shot while on the cell floor 16 seconds later, hitting an artery in his own neck and causing brain damage. CCTV footage showed Louis De Zoysa hiding the gun under his coat as he left a police van (Metropolitan Police/PA) The killer, who now uses a wheelchair, has communication difficulties and is being treated at a healthcare unit in Northamptonshire, was arrested in London Road, Norbury, in the early hours of September 25 2020. A bag containing seven bullets and cannabis were found during a search of De Zoysas clothing and body, but officers did not discover a .41-calibre revolver loaded with six rounds. During the trial, prosecutors said De Zoysa retrieved the weapon from a holster under his left arm, while handcuffed to the rear, as he was being transported to Windmill Road in a police van. CCTV evidence suggested he managed to get hold of the gun with his right hand around 16 minutes before the shooting and then took advantage of a vent at the back of his overcoat to hide the weapon until the incident. Officers restrain Louis De Zoysa after the murder (Metropolitan Police/PA) De Zoysa nodded twice as the judge confirmed with him that he had heard the guilty verdict being announced by the jury foreman. Sgt Ratanas partner, Su Bushby, and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley were among those in the public gallery as De Zoysa was convicted. Reading a statement outside court, Ms Bushby paid an emotional tribute to Sgt Ratana. She said: Today is about justice for Matt. His life was taken too soon in the line of duty doing a job that he loved a cruel end to a lifetime of service and dedication protecting others. Whilst the court case has concluded, the constant feeling of grief and loss continues. My love for Matt, my gentle giant, will never end. He will never be forgotten. Standing alongside Ms Bushby and her family liaison officer, Sir Mark said: I first met Su in my first week as Commissioner when I visited Croydon to pay my respects to Matt on the anniversary of his murder. Sir Mark Rowley speaking outside Northampton Crown Court (Jamie Lashmar/PA) Im inspired by the strength she showed then and more so by the strength she shows here today. I cannot begin to imagine how difficult this has been for her and for all of Matts family and friends. After the verdict, prosecutor Duncan Penny KC told the court that further firearms and ammunition charges faced by De Zoysa will be allowed to lie on the file at a sentencing hearing at the same court next month. The judge did not address any remarks directly to De Zoysa immediately before he remanded him in custody. The court was told that after buying the antique revolver, which was legal to own, on the internet three months before the murder, De Zoysa used bullets he had made to test that it worked. An artists sketch of Louis De Zoysa in the dock (Elizabeth Cook/PA) At the time of his arrest, De Zoysa was travelling in the general direction of his fathers home in south-east London, having caught two buses and walked to the junction of London Road and Pollards Hill North. Pre-trial hearings, at which De Zoysa was twice ruled fit to plead to the charges despite his communication problems, were told that a rifle was among items found at his flat and workshop in Banstead. An examination of his digital devices confirmed his interest in weapons and uncovered material relating to ideologies including right-wing extremism, Islamic extremism and homophobia, all of which he later denied being interested in. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said an investigation into the shooting found the officers who initially searched De Zoysa would benefit from more training, but commended them for their incredible bravery in trying to disarm him. IOPC director of operations Amanda Rowe said: Searching officers can request the removal of outer clothing, but it is not mandated by the legislation, policy or guidance. Given that we now know De Zoysa wore a gun holster beneath his coat, it is possible the search would have yielded different results if the coat was removed. The same officers should be commended for their incredible bravery in trying to disarm De Zoysa after he produced the firearm. They acted without hesitation, despite the significant danger they were placed in at the time. Jackass star Steve-O says that being sober does not impact him doing crazy and painful stunts and has made him a more creative performer. The US comedian and prankster said he had been determined that sobriety would not turn him into a pussy and had made him more determined than ever to prove himself. Steve-O is due to embark on a tour of the UK with his new multimedia comedy show, titled The Bucket List, which he says pushes everything a lot further than Jackass ever did. He will visit major cities including Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham, as well as two dates in London the city where he was born and grew up which will be filmed as specials. Steve-O is due to embark on a tour of the UK (Alamy/PA) The show combines stand-up comedy and video footage of stunts, which Steve-O says aim to literally give you the receipts for his anecdotes. Most stand up comedians who tell stories are telling stories that are either completely made up, or just embellished to the point of hyperbole, he told the PA news agency. Whereas the stories I tell are just ridiculously implausible. But then I play the video and literally give you the receipts. And the way that the details of my utterly absurd, implausible stories match up to the details in the videos, like, really makes for some outrageous comedy. Steve-O said he was so goddamn proud of the show, and that its purpose was to show what Jackass could not show so-called forbidden stunts. The stunts link back to his routine, which explores his relationship with his fiancee. It is a wild-ass show, like, I took Jackass and raised the bar from where Jackass left it. I pushed everything a lot further than Jackass ever did all of this stuff is so absurd, he said. What makes my comedy specials unique is how much ridiculously fucked up shit happens in them, and my Bucket List special going to take the cake! Its being taped in London, England next month, get your tickets here: https://t.co/kAeGQCfIXK pic.twitter.com/FDIjZmenuq Steve-O (@steveo) June 15, 2023 You cant come up with these ideas, and then carry them out without there being some really colourful stories to tell. Steve-O has been sober for 15 years. His UK tour show in 2003 titled Dont Try This At Home saw him promise audience members he would be drunk or on drugs or your money back. That was an absolute f****** shit show, he told PA. Just getting loaded, I mean, wed go through a bottle of tequila and the stage would be covered with vomit and blood. It was really, really something else. But he said his decision to go clean had not impacted his career or love of crazy stunts, despite having an initial impact on his confidence. Generally, the reason why Ive done everything is that Im an attention whore. And you can take away the drugs and alcohol and all you have is a sober attention whore, he told PA. In recovery the focus is on deflating the ego, practicing humility and spirituality in all of your affairs all of this crazy stuff that just didnt seem to jive with being Steve-O from Jackass. So there was a big question mark on my future when I got sober (but) I absolutely had no better priority sobriety was my priority. I just focused on that and put the camera down for the first couple of years, and then we started filming the third Jackass movie and at that time, it wasnt any easier to do that shit. But I was so determined to prove that sobriety didnt turn me into a pussy that I was just more game than ever. He said that after returning to Jackass for the first time sober he had agreed to do anything that did not risk his life or spine. I said as a rule, if I dont have to worry about being killed, or paralysed then Ill do anything, he said. He continued: Creatively, I wrote more bits for that third movie than the first two movies combined. In that third movie, I was super not comfortable in my skin. I was still like newly sober, and I was this awkwardness and lack of confidence. And then on the fourth, with 10 years of between, I felt like I really came out of my shell on that for my voice. I was confident. So the difference between Steve-O in Jackass three and Steve-O in Jackass four theres a lot of growth there and its the same thing with my specials. Being sober doesnt bother me doing stunts at all. I am currently running f***** circles around every version, every younger version of myself. Hands down. Steve-O says he is already working on another special (Alamy/PA) He added: The beautiful thing about being an alcoholic, and or a drug addict, is that its the only disease where once you treat it, you become a better version of yourself than you ever were before you got sick. Any other disease the best you can hope for is to get back to as healthy as you were before you got sick. But again, drugs and alcohol, we become improved versions of ourselves. And its so awesome. Steve-O says that ahead of the UK tour of The Bucket List, he is already working on another special, which will examine the effects of getting older on his career. Theres gonna be a lot of lashing out at Father Time Im not going to shy away from the fact that Im clearly too old to be f****** doing this shit, he said. The UK leg of Steve-Os The Bucket List Tour kicks off on June 30 and tickets are available now online. Junior doctors in England are to stage a five-day strike next month in a dramatic escalation of their dispute with the Government over pay and staffing. Members of the British Medical Association (BMA) will walk out from July 13 to 18 in what the association said is thought to be the longest single period of industrial action in the history of the health service. The announcement was made as a BMA survey showed that junior doctors report being inundated with more opportunities to move abroad in the last four months than ever before. Just over half of the nearly 2,000 junior doctors surveyed said they have received more job advertisements from recruiters to overseas jobs since strikes were announced. The government of South Australia even paid for trucks to be sent to junior doctor picket lines carrying job adverts offering improved pay if those doctors emigrated, it was revealed. Co-chairs of the BMA junior doctors committee Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi said: The NHS is one of this countrys proudest achievements and it is shameful that we have a Government seemingly content to let it decline to the point of collapse with decades of real-terms pay cuts to doctors driving them away. With the 75th birthday of the NHS just days away, neglect of its workforce has left us with 7.4 million people on waiting lists for surgery and procedures, 8,500 unfilled doctors posts in hospitals, and doctors who can barely walk down the road without a foreign government tempting them to leave an NHS where they are paid 14 per hour for a country which will pay them properly. It has been almost a week since the last round of strikes finished but not once have we heard from Rishi Sunak or Steve Barclay in terms of reopening negotiations since their collapse of our talks and cancelling all scheduled meetings a month ago. What better indication of how committed they are to ending this dispute could we have? As their refusal to even discuss pay restoration leads to continued disruption to the health service, more than four-fifths of junior doctors report finding their patients supportive they understand the value of a fully staffed and resourced NHS. We are announcing the longest single walkout by doctors in the NHSs history but this is not a record that needs to go into the history books. Even now the Government can avert our action by coming to the table with a credible offer on pay restoration. Restoring pay can stem the flow of Australian job adverts in doctors social media feeds and lead to a future 75 years of doctors being paid fairly, in a rebuilt workforce and NHS that this country can continue to be proud of. The Prince and Princess of Wales joined racegoers at Royal Ascot when they took part in the traditional carriage procession with the King and Queen. William and Kate made their first appearance of the week at the famous Berkshire meet, where high fashion rubs shoulders with the racing world. The Princess of Wales during day four of Royal Ascot in Berkshire (Jonathan Brady/PA) Kate wore a red dress by Alexander McQueen and a Philip Treacy hat while William, like the other royal men, looked smart in a morning suit, and top hat. The couple live close to the racecourse, having moved to their four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage in Windsors Home Park last year, to offer their children more freedom away from central London. They were spotted on Thursday with eldest son Prince George at Williams former school Eton College, prompting speculation the young royal, who turns 10 next month, will follow in the footsteps of his father. William and Kate were guests of the late Queen a number of times at Royal Ascot, a racecourse the monarch had a great affinity with and where she had more than 20 winners. The King and Queen arrive by carriage at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA) Charles and Camilla appeared ecstatic when their thoroughbred Desert Hero, an 18-1 longshot, won the King George V Stakes on Thursday their first Royal Ascot win and they have another chance of victory when Candle of Hope rides later in the Sandringham Stakes. They were joined in the carriage procession by actress Dame Judi Dench, the Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice and her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi. The King has paid tribute to the selfless service and sacrifice of British troops in a letter to mark Armed Forces Day. In a signed address, Charles thanked military personnel for their immense and dedicated contribution. He wrote: The Queen and I join many around the United Kingdom in celebrating Armed Forces Day, recognising the immense and dedicated contribution of our military both at home and overseas. Today provides a particularly valuable opportunity to acknowledge publicly the selfless service and sacrifice made each day by our Armed Forces personnel to keep this nation safe. Charles meeting Army Cadets (Richard Stonehouse/PA) Drawing on his own time in the military, Charles recognised the deep pride service personnel take in their duty, as demonstrated during the Coronation. He wrote: Having trained, and served, in both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, and having had such close affiliations over the course of the last 47 years as Colonel or Colonel-in-Chief of multiple regiments within the British Army, I know only too well of the deep pride our service personnel take in their duty, so superbly shown during our recent Coronation. As your Commander-in-Chief, I send my warmest good wishes to you all, your families, and the entire Armed Forces community on this special day. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer speaks to military personnel during a visit to an RAF base in Oxfordshire (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer visited an RAF base to mark the occasion. He and shadow defence secretary John Healey visited RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, where they met with military personnel including those involved in the ongoing UK operation to provide assistance to Ukraine. Sir Keir said: Those who serve in our Armed Forces represent the best of Britain courage, duty and professionalism. As we mark Armed Forces Day, we thank our Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families for all they sacrifice to keep Britain safe. My uncle served aboard HMS Antelope in the Falklands War, and pride in his service echoes through our family. Its a privilege to mark Armed Forces Day by meeting with serving personnel. Their comments come as new research shows one million fewer Britons are donating to military charities compared to five years ago. The study, carried out by YouGov on behalf of military charity Help for Heroes, found a 1.1 million drop in the number of people donating to military charities within the last half decade. In 2017, an estimated 3.2 million Britons donated to such causes. That figure fell to 2.1 million in 2022. The researchers quizzed more than 175,942 people in two separate polls carried out over the course of 2017 and 2022 respectively. The decline in support has been described as a worrying trend by Help for Heroes, which has seen its own income fall by 56% since British forces ended combat operations in Afghanistan in 2014. The charitys chief executive, James Needham, said: Demand for our services is growing, yet the donations we rely on to provide life-changing support to veterans and their family members are falling. It is a worrying trend because the daily struggles of our Armed Forces community are no less challenging, nor have they gone away they have just stopped making the headlines. This Armed Forces Day we celebrate the men and women who have served our country, past and present, but also remember that there are many veterans out there who still need our support and will do so long into the future. Armed Forces Day is an annual event taking place on the last Saturday of June that offers people a chance to show their support for the Armed Forces community including serving troops, their families, veterans and cadets. A maintenance worker has appeared in court accused of attacking colleagues at a hospital and stabbing one of them in the neck with a mattock. Matteo Bottarelli, 43, is alleged to have chased colleagues with a mattock a large pickaxe around the grounds of Central Middlesex Hospital in north-west London before stabbing one of them in the neck from behind. A second man was later found collapsed with multiple head injuries shortly after the incident on Wednesday, which saw the hospital evacuated. The suspect was arrested by armed police outside the hospital where he was found to have non-life threatening injuries thought to have been self-inflicted. Bottarelli, of Luma Apartments, Central Way, north-west London, appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court on Friday charged with three counts of attempted murder and two of counts of threatening violence with a bladed article. Appearing in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit and with a bandage around his neck, Bottarelli spoke to confirm his name and date of birth. He was remanded in custody until Tuesday June 27 when he will appear at the Old Bailey. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said following the incident, one man had injuries that were thought to be life-changing while another escaped with minor injuries. The third victim did not sustain any injuries during the incident, which is not being treated as terror-related. Technology giant Meta has rejected an accusation of online censorship as protesters called for language around womens bodies to be normalised. Demonstrators gathered outside the companys London office in Kings Cross on Friday morning. She Oath, described as a female empowerment charity, joined representatives from period product firm Bodyform, which is running a campaign aimed at normalising use of words such as vagina, clitoris and vulva online. Bodyform said that since launching its campaign it has been slapped with multiple violations of Metas ad policy deeming their content as too sexual and labelling it with an 18+ warning. It says menstrual health shouldnt be censored and doing so makes important subjects, that are already taboo, almost impossible to talk about, affecting lives and health. But Meta said some adverts had been removed by mistake and had since been reinstated, and apologised for any confusion. The company said it has no blanket ban on words like menopause or vagina, adding that adverts are governed by a stricter set of policies because they receive paid distribution to appear in peoples feeds. Demonstrators gathered to protest against what they described as online censorship of words to do with the female body (Joe Pepler/72Point/PA) She Oaths founder Brookmorgan Henry-Rennie said: We use our platform to educate, entertain and inform around subject matters like authentic confidence, womens health and well-being. So this shadow-banning is not just depriving trauma-experienced girls and women from gaining access to our resources, its putting them in further danger. These are our bodies and we shouldnt be shamed or cast into the shadows for what we naturally have to experience. If it wasnt for Bodyforms ads being banned, we wouldnt have even realised that our posts were being deprioritised. Meta really does need to do better. Ruth Gresty, spokesperson for Bodyform, said: Its unfortunate but not surprising that our latest campaign, which calls out the unnecessary censorship of words commonly used to talk about, describe and define womens bodies and their experiences, has been censored by some social media companies. In doing so, these companies have simply underlined the need for campaigns of this nature that seek to break down the barriers that prevent women from being able to speak openly and confidently about their bodies. We at Bodyform will not be deterred from our mission to make talking about the female body normal. A spokesperson for Meta, which owns Facebook, said: We want Facebook to be a place where people can express themselves and we are proud of the way our community uses the platform to have important and open conversations about womens health. The adverts were removed by mistake by our automated review systems and have since been reinstated. We apologise for any confusion caused. A snap inspection should be carried out at a college where a teacher was reportedly recorded telling a pupil she was despicable for refusing to accept her classmate identified as a cat, a minister has said. Women and Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch has written to the schools watchdog Ofsted requesting that it inspect Rye College in East Sussex following the incident. In a statement this week, the school said none of its pupils identify as a cat or any other animal, and a school leaders union warned there must be a sense of proportion, accusing the minister of unnecessarily getting involved and grandstanding. But in her letter to Ofsted, Ms Badenoch said that the widely circulated recording of a teacher acting inappropriately regarding her pupils beliefs about sex, gender and a fellow pupil who claimed to identify as a cat in the ministers view raises issues about safeguarding at the school. Ms Badenoch said she believes the teacher in question was not acting in a way consistent with the Equality Acts requirements upon schools, nor in accordance with Ofsteds Education Inspection Frameworks requirements to promote respect for the different protected characteristics as defined in law. The minister added that by apparently teaching contested political beliefs as fact including that there are lots of genders or that gender is not linked to the parts that you were born with beliefs which are both politically controversial and have no scientific basis it appears to me that the teacher was in breach of the political impartiality requirements set out in Articles 406 and 407 of the Education Act 1996. Ms Badenoch said she expected Ofsted to carefully consider the snap inspection request and trust that you will see the importance, both for this school and the integrity of the school system more broadly, in carrying one out. Ofsted confirmed it is considering the letter but had no further comment when approached on Friday. Earlier this week the House of Commons heard Education Secretary Gillian Keegan had launched an investigation in response, with MPs also raising concerns in Parliament. The college said on Thursday that it had met with the Department for Education to share a comprehensive update on the events which took place before, during and after the recording and that it can confirm no children at Rye College identify as a cat or any other animal. It has said it would as always, fully support and engage with the process should an inspection go ahead. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: There is a need for a sense of proportion here. This involves an incident at one school in which the trust has already met with the Department for Education to share an update on the events that took place, and the school has said that no pupils identify as a cat or any other animal. Now we have politicians, including the Minister for Women and Equalities, weighing in over this matter in a manner that is unnecessary, unhelpful and smacks of grandstanding. He urged the Government to urgently publish long-awaited guidance over matters affecting transgender pupils, warning that it is of the utmost importance that this guidance which we believe to be imminent is genuinely helpful and supportive to schools and pupils, and that it is not intolerant and burdensome. Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders union NAHT, warned against inappropriate interventions from ministers. He said: Ms Badenoch has a duty of care to weigh her words carefully to ensure the wellbeing of pupils, teachers and school leaders. The very last thing that school leaders need is ministers from other departments interfering in the work of schools. Due process and the principles of good government are the very least that the sector should expect not inappropriate interventions fuelled by reports that have now been significantly discredited. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been given a standing ovation at Glastonbury Festival after she spoke about her imprisonment for six years in Iran. Joined on stage at Left Field by an all-female panel to discuss the rights of women in Iran, where Ms Ratcliffe was released from jail in 2022, she spoke about the power of solidarity and the impact of her time in prison. My daughter was 22 months old when I was arrested we missed six birthdays in between I was used as a political pawn in something that predated me, she told the crowd. Midway through the debate, Ms Zaghari Ratcliffe described how while imprisoned she was shown a picture of #FreeNazanin demonstrations at Glastonbury Festival. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe stood to accept the applause (Edd Dracott/PA) All the time I was in prison I had very little access to the outside world, she said. I didnt know the details of what was happening. She said she was smuggled one very low quality picture while in prison, explaining: It was the banner at Glastonbury 2019 that said Free Nazanin on. Appearing emotional, after another panel member had already appeared to shed tears, Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe said while describing seeing the image: Were all going to cry now. She added: I think there was also a picture of a man holding a baby on his shoulders and the baby would have been about my childs age at the time. That shows how far your story can get if people care about you. We always talk about how every single one of us is a light and we have power. She encouraged people to be the voice of those who are oppressed or detained in countries such as Iran and share their story. As she ended her speech the crowd clapped and then gradually everyone in the packed Glastonbury tent stood up to cheer and applaud Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe. She stood up to clap in response, holding her hands to her chest in appreciation as the crowds applause continued for around 40 seconds. After the applause fellow panel member Shappi Khorsandi, an Iranian-born British comedian, said: What just happened there was a dream come true. In the six years that you were gone we lived for this moment. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has described the response to her appearance at Glastonbury Festival as humbling after she received a standing ovation during a debate on Friday afternoon. Speaking to the PA news agency at her first Glastonbury Festival, Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe also explained how a picture from the Somerset showpiece in 2019 of a Free Nazanin banner had been a heartwarming moment for her while she was incarcerated in an Iranian jail for six years. A packed crowd at the Left Field tent on Worthy Farm stood and applauded Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe for around 40 seconds after a speech she made in the middle of a debate by an all-female panel to discuss the rights of women in Iran. Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who appeared emotional as she held her hands to her chest in appreciation of the ovation, told PA afterwards: It was humbling to see all those people turning up. People are here to listen to music and theyre not here to listen to someone who is talking about a horrific story. I was very happy to see that people are caring to the point that they would stop by to listen to my story. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe (second from left) appeared in the Left Field tent with an all-female panel (Edd Dracott/PA) Even if they think about it for another half an hour, I think it would be a good thing. During the debate Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe Nazanin spoke about her imprisonment for six years in Iran and the power of being a voice for those who are imprisoned or oppressed. She noted the impact made on her by a very low quality photograph that was smuggled into prison to her of a man carrying a child on his shoulders, a similar age to her own daughter, at Glastonbury Festival in 2019 next to a banner which read Free Nazanin. Speaking afterwards, she said: One of the functions of prisons is to isolate you. I knew that my husband was campaigning to get me home, but the details of that and all that love and care and support I dont think I knew even a fraction of that. Knowing that your story has has gone far enough to reach Glastonbury, which is one of the biggest music festivals in the UK, probably in the world, it is heartwarming. That is a very, very good feeling when youre left on your own in prison. Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe stood to accept the applause (Edd Dracott/PA) During the talk onstage, Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe said the first names of eight friends she made in Iranian prison who she is still campaigning to help free: Nilufar, Sepideh, Mahvash, Fariba, Morad, Siamak, Emaad and Nargess. Asked what message she would like her friends to hear from her after the debate, she said: I want my friends to know that I will be their voice as much as I can, and what they have gone through has been unjust. If I can change that, for them to come home only a teeny tiny bit earlier, then I will definitely do that. I will be their voice and I will tell their stories and the story of their injustice until such time that they come home. On the message she wished to share with the crowd during her appearance Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe said: When I was detained on the morning of April 3 2016, freedom looked all the time (like) something that is a given. But thats not the case you might be free today, you might not be free tomorrow. The world probably is very bleak and dark in my case, it doesnt happen to everyone. But just to know that there are some people whose freedom is taken away from them by force, and to think about it, I think thats a very important thing especially given what is happening in Iran at the moment. Richard Ratcliffe and his wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, for whom he went on hunger strike twice to campaign for her release (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffes husband Richard Ratcliffe, who fought a public campaign to get her freed including two hunger strikes, described being at Glastonbury Festival with his wife and daughter as a happy ending. Its nice to be a happy ending, he told PA. Its nice to be here, not quite as a normal family because here we are doing interviews, but being able to go out and breathe again and bump into old friends. My life is much happier now than it was a couple years ago. Mr Ratcliffe added that the family got to meet the man who was carrying a Free Nazanin banner at Glastonbury 2019. (To have) that kind of closure on all thats happened before and just breath my life is much happier now than it was a couple of years ago, he said. An obsessive man has been jailed for 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. Muhammad Arslan (Metropolitan Police/PA) A jury at the Old Bailey found him guilty of the charges on Wednesday. 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. Judge Richard Marks KC sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder and five years running concurrent for perverting the course of justice. The judge told Arslan: I am satisfiedthat your unrequited feelings for Hina boiled over and resulted in you taking hold of a facemask and forcing it into the back of her mouth which led to her collapse and ultimately to her death from asphyxiation. He added that Arslans prime motivation was to save himself after killing Ms Bashir, embarking on a campaign of lies to conceal what he had done lying to all and sundry before disposing her body in a shocking and callous manner. Judge Marks said it was apparent that Arslan had been madly in love and obsessed with Ms Bashir, feelings which he added were clearly not reciprocated. The judge told Arslan he was extremely sceptical of his claim that he had been sent naked photographs of Ms Bashir before he attacked her as no such photos were ever recovered. Ms Bashirs father, Bashir Khan, made an impact statement which was read out in court in which he asserted that animals would treat my daughter better. He treated her in a heinous and brutal way, Mr Khan added. The father spoke of how Ms Bashirs death has traumatised his family and how they loved their beautiful, bubbly girl. Arslan showed no emotion during the hearing and his defence barrister told the court there was nothing to say in mitigation. Six jurors returned to the Old Bailey to listen to the sentencing. These jurors heard during the trial 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. Hina Bashir (Family handout/Metropolitan Police/PA) 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. The prosecution said Arslan set off from his house the next morning dragging a suitcase containing Ms Bashirs body, travelling to an industrial estate by the M25 near Upminster where he hid the suitcase in some undergrowth to the side of a lane. 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. 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. Police found a large number of photographs of Ms Bashir, including collages of her image, on Arslans phone. Love hearts had been added on some pictures. Following Arslans conviction, detective chief inspector Dave Whellams, said: Arslan was obsessed with Hina to the point that he told people they were engaged and said they should have children together. This relationship was completely in his mind. Our investigation showed that Arslan was unable to live with the fact Hina did not want to be with him. It was this rejection that tragically led to her death. Once Arslan had murdered Hina he did everything he could to cover his tracks but the evidence gathered by our team left no doubt in our mind as to his guilt. We are pleased the jury felt the same way and our thoughts now continue to remain with Hinas family and friends who are dealing with an incomprehensible loss. A pensioner has been jailed for 21 years after he travelled abroad to sexually abuse children in Asia. David Mould, 68, of Seaford, East Sussex, made trips to the Philippines and Nepal between April 2018 and May 2019, to sexually abuse and exploit children, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. He would use the dark web under the username Globe Trotter on an international paedophile chat site which allowed users to share indecent images of children and use message boards to discuss and tell stories of abuse. Prosecutors said Moulds conversations showed he would travel to smaller cities and rural areas in the two countries to meet local families and befriend young boys, often offering gifts and money, in order to groom and sexually abuse them. Mould, a moderator of the site, would provide advice for other paedophile sex tourists as well as encourage other users to commit similar offences internationally. Mould was arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) on April 2, 2020, and a variety of digital equipment from his home and work address provided a wealth of evidence. The NCA said Mould had chat logs saved on a hard drive, where he arranged to meet with a user of the website in Nepal and introduce him to young boys he had abused in the past, with the user explaining in later chats that he had travelled to the country and taken the boy back to his hotel room. The user was later identified as an American citizen, who the NCA said was arrested in March 2021 and is now serving 14-year prison sentence in Nepal for sex offences. Three boys in the Philippines are now being safeguarded and more than 100,000 indecent images of children along with four manuals detailing techniques on how to abuse children and avoid detection were recovered from Moulds hard drive, the NCA said. Mould pleaded guilty to 24 offences largely related to child sex abuse and was sentenced to 21 years imprisonment with an extended licence of seven years on Friday at Lewes Crown Court, the CPS said. He was previously convicted in 2000 of making indecent images of children, for which he served four weeks in prison. He has also been banned from travelling to 22 countries and will have to sign the sex offenders register. A domestic abuser who strangled a young woman nearly 50 years ago has been jailed for 10 years and six months. John Apelgren, 80, hit sex worker Eileen Cotter in the face and throttled her before throwing her body out of his car, the Old Bailey heard. Ms Cotters partly naked body was found on June 1 1974 outside garages known to be a sex worker haunt. The 22-year-olds death in Islington, north London, came two years after Apelgren sexually assaulted an 18-year-old guest at his own wedding to second wife Ann Apelgren in October 1972. Prosecutor Alexandra Healy KC had told jurors the incident only came to light years later when police interviewed Ann Apelgren as part of the re-investigation into Ms Cotters death. That case had been reopened in 2012, when DNA was extracted from samples from Ms Cotters body and compared with a then-prime suspect, who was ruled out. The trail went cold for seven more years until 2019, when former minicab driver Apelgren came to the attention of police for attacking his third wife. John Apelgren whose DNA was flagged as a match to the historical killing nearly 50 years ago (Metropolitan Police/PA) He accepted a caution for the assault and his DNA was flagged as a match to the historical killing, which happened just six weeks after the birth of his first child with his ex-wife Ann. She went on to reveal to investigators he had mistreated her too and once applied force to her neck with both of his hands. Apelgren, from Sydenham, south London, declined to give evidence in his trial. He was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter and indecent assault. The garages in Islington, north London, where the body of Eileen Cotter was found in 1974 (Metropolitan Police/PA) On Friday, Mrs Justice May jailed him at the Old Bailey for 10 years for the killing and a further six months for the earlier assault to run consecutively. The senior judge acknowledged the effect of Ms Cotters death on her half-brother, Patrick, who was just five years old at the time and sat in court metres from her killer. She said: He was so young when Eileen died that he does not remember her well but his fathers statement made in 1974 says that Eileen used to take her little brother Patrick out all the time. Patrick Cotter himself is sure that she cared for him. He has felt her loss all of his life, and as he points out in his statement, the knock-on effects of her death on the family were catastrophic. Addressing Apelgren in the dock, she said: By their verdict, the jury were sure that you strangled Eileen Cotter, although they were plainly not sure that you did so with the intent required for murder. She must have been terrified, even if the activity had started consensually, when you hit her and when your hands round her neck continued to squeeze. In his statement, Patrick Cotter said: No-one ever spoke to me about my sisters death. I have no memory of her funeral. I have no idea where she was laid to rest. Her violent death led to the breakdown of his parents relationship and he was taken into care. Mr Cotter said: As a result of the traumatic event during my childhood I shut down emotionally. Its made it difficult for me to form close relationships. I only have very faint memories of my sister but I believe she cared for me. He concluded: To sum it up in simple terms, the impact of Eileens killing had on my life: I was not only deprived of a sister I had little time to get to know, the knock-on effect also meant I lost my mother to suicide and my father to mental illness and alcoholism, all brought about because John Apelgren took Eileens life. I would like to see justice for Eileen whose life was cruelly cut short 49 years ago. John Apelgren as he was in 1972 aged 29 (Met Police/PA) In a statement from the 1970s, the victims late father, also called Patrick, detailed his daughters short life marred by family tragedies. Ms Cotter was born three years after Irish labourer Mr Cotter moved to England in 1949. She was aged just 15 when she found the body of her mother after she took her own life. She left school at 16 and worked at a holiday camp in Barry Island in Wales and at a care home in Ireland. The court was told Ms Cotter had given birth to a son around 1970 but the child died in infancy and she left the family home in Battersea months before her death. In mitigation, Justin Rouse KC listed Apelgrens health problems saying the defendant would be affected significantly by serving his sentence. Victim Eileen Cotter saw the best in people (Met Police/PA) Speaking outside court, Detective Chief Inspector Laurence Smith told PA news agency: We are just glad we were able to bring some sort of conclusion, or comfort, to Eileens family, that weve identified the person responsible and secured his conviction. All cases are continually reviewed. I think this demonstrates a relentless pursuit of predators and people that prey on vulnerable people in our community. Eileen was a vulnerable lady. She was only 22 when she met her death and she had a difficult life, a very, very difficult life, and we all feel for Eileen when we read into her story. She also made time to look after her younger half-brother at the time. Its a good indication of what sort of person she was. She saw the best in people. We have sympathy for Eileen. She was trying to make the best of a difficult upbringing, a difficult period of her life. I hate to think what was going through Eileens mind in those moments that led to her death. Mr Smith praised the original investigators who gathered the physical evidence which would eventually led to Apelgrens conviction. The defendants indifferent reaction to being identified in 2019 made the team confident we had the right person, Mr Smith said. He added: Im glad that he stayed alive to face the consequences of his actions all those years ago. That satisfying. A former police officer who sent sexual messages and indecent pictures to teenagers on a cadet scheme has been jailed for five years. Adnan Ali, 36, sexually assaulted three victims, aged between 15 and 18, and sent sexual messages which were bordering on relentless while working on the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) cadet scheme and apprenticeship programme between 2015 and 2018, Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday. Ali, who was supported by eight family members in court as he was sentenced, was convicted of 15 counts of misconduct in a public office and five sexual assaults following an earlier trial. Judge Denis Watson KC said Ali deliberately ignored guidelines for cadet schemes which included principles of respect and safeguarding. He said: Your vanity meant you decided you wanted to be seen as the star of Greater Manchester Police cadet programme. Your real interest was yourself rather than the cadets, the public at large or the police force you purported to serve. The court heard he indulged in making sexual remarks to the young people and sent messages about sexual activities, positions, preferences and partners as well as exchanging sexual photographs. One of his victims was sexually assaulted while on a cadet camp, while other incidents took place in an office and in a car, the court heard. The judge added: The reputational damage you have caused to Greater Manchester Police and the police service generally and to cadet and apprentice schemes is huge. Anne Whyte KC, prosecuting, said Alis incentive was sexual gratification. She said eight of the nine victims had provided statements about the impact on them. She told the court: The overwhelming common denominator from all of those is the scale of loss of trust in these young people for other people in authority. Jane Osborne KC, defending, said a number of character references, including from parents of another cadet, had been submitted to the court. She said Ali, a father-of-one, was attacked while on duty in 2013 and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder. Ali, of Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, has been dismissed from the force and efforts are being made to ensure he is not eligible for his police pension, a spokesman for GMP said. Head of GMPs Professional Standards Branch, Chief Superintendent Mike Allen said: Though Ali is now in prison thanks to the commendable bravery of the victims and integrity of those who worked with him, it is the view of Greater Manchester Police that he should never reap the benefits of having been an officer. He has already been added to the College of Policings barred list preventing him from serving for the rest of his life, and we are now following the process to try to ensure that he loses his valuable pension. Greater Manchester deputy mayor Kate Green said: This is an appalling and sickening case and I want to commend the victims and witnesses for their bravery in coming forward so justice can be done. Police officers are there to keep the rest of us safe, but instead of being a role model, Ali abused his position to prey on vulnerable young cadets who simply wanted to learn so they themselves could one day protect the public. Allowing him to collect his pension after committing these offences would be an insult to his victims. I fully support GMPs proposals and will now make the case to the Home Office for Ali to be ordered to forfeit his pension. Regional director for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) Catherine Bates said: Former Pc Ali has shown no remorse for his actions, which have had significant and lasting effects on many of the young people he was supposed to be looking after. His behaviour has absolutely no place in policing and I am pleased to see this sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes. His horrific actions were massive breach of the trust placed in him and an unforgivable abuse of his position. Instead of caring for these young people, he saw an opportunity to exploit them. Since concerns were first brought to our attention by GMP in October 2018, a huge amount of work has gone into ensuring Ali was held accountable for his actions. Just as importantly, this investigation has led to substantial changes being made to protect young people. Police looking for a man who went missing almost two years ago and whose body has never been found have begun searching two areas in the East Midlands. Frank McKeever was last seen on August 28 2021 along Highbury Park, close to the junction of Highbury Grange, London. While the 63-year-olds body has never been found, two people have been charged with his murder. On Friday, the Metropolitan Police began searching two areas Lutterworth Road near Swinford and Walcote in Leicestershire and Welford Truck Stop in Northamptonshire in an attempt to find Mr McKeevers remains. Officers have also reiterated their appeal for anyone with information that may assist the search to contact them. Detective Inspector Laura Nelson, of the Metropolitan Police, said: Though two people have been charged with Franks murder, our investigation is ongoing and efforts to establish what happened to him continue. Franks family are distraught and their grief is compounded by the fact that his body has not yet been found. Our specially-trained officers are supporting them. My team have been poring over many hours of CCTV, forensic and ANPR work in what is a very complex investigation. Their diligence and hard work have led to us identifying the two sites in these areas that we believe could have great operational significance. Members of the public can expect to see a police presence in those areas and both local constabularies are assisting us with our inquiries. Local people could have information that may be extremely important in helping us to establish what happened to Frank. I am asking people to remember if they saw any suspicious activity in these areas in late August or early September 2021. Surie Suksiri, 31, from Islington, north London; and Juned Sheikh, 48, of Camberwell, south London, both denied murdering Mr McKeever in a hearing at the Old Bailey in January this year. The pair also denied preventing the lawful decent burial of a body and will face trial at the Central Criminal Court on October 2. The Queen of Sweden is to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Stirling. Former Mars chief executive Grant Reid, gender and equality campaigner Khadija Coll, and entrepreneur Robert Kilgour will also be honoured during next weeks summer graduation ceremonies. All four will receive honorary doctorates for their outstanding contributions to the arts, society, and business. Queen Silvia has close links with the universitys world-renowned researchers in dementia through her charity foundation Silviahemmet, and she will be recognised by the institution for her services to dementia. Grant Reid is a former boss of confectionery giant Mars (University of Stirling/PA) Mr Reid, a Stirling graduate in management economics, served as the boss of Mars for nine years, during which time he is said to have twinned an ambitious growth programme with a bold leadership agenda, with a particular emphasis on climate change and sustainability. Ms Coll, who has worked with refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland and Africa, is the founder of the charity One Community Scotland, which supports families and young people settling into Glasgow. Born in Kenya and a resident of Scotland since 1998, she also campaigns against female genital mutilation and gender-based violence. Khadija Coll helps refugees settle in Glasgow (University of Stirling/PA) Mr Kilgour, a former Stirling student, is an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist whose business interests have ranged from local radio and insurance to care homes. He founded Four Seasons Health Care and is currently the executive chairman of Renaissance Care. The honorary graduates will join 2,251 other Stirling students collecting their degrees and celebrating their achievements on the campus next week along with classmates, friends and family. Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, said: We are delighted to be awarding these honorary doctorates to such a diverse and well deserving group, who each in their own way have had an influence on our society. They truly are inspirational in their fields, and role models for our graduating students. A teenage mother has been found guilty of murdering her newborn son by fracturing his skull and stuffing balls of cotton wool down his throat before putting his body in a black bin bag. Paris Mayo, 19, cried in the dock after jurors at Worcester Crown Court took eight hours and 38 minutes of deliberation to find her guilty of her son Stanley Mayos murder. The court had previously heard Mayo was 15 when she gave birth to Stanley alone and unaided in a living room at her parents home in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, on March 23 2019. She assaulted Stanley, leaving him with a fractured skull, and stuffed five cotton wool balls into his mouth before putting his body in a bin bag, leaving it on the front doorstep and going to bed. Paris Mayo, who has been found guilty of murdering son Stanley (West Mercia Police/PA) Mayos mother found the child the next morning when she looked inside the bloodstained bag and immediately called 999, the court was told. The teenager had earlier denied causing Stanleys complex skull fractures, thought to have been caused by her foot on his head, claiming her son had the umbilical cord round his neck, hit his head on the floor during labour and was already dead when he was born. However, jurors were told Stanley is thought to have lived for a little over two hours after his birth. When Mayo and Stanley were taken to Hereford County Hospital, the teenager was asked why she had not told her mother what had happened. She is said to have replied: Shes got a lot going on with dad. The jury previously heard Mayos father, Patrick Mayo, had serious health problems, was having home dialysis in an upstairs room assisted by Mayos mother on the night of the birth, and had died 10 days after the events unfolded. Mayo appeared in court on Friday wearing a black T-shirt, a black-and-white patterned skirt and white Converse trainers. The jury of five men and seven women was thanked by judge Mr Justice Garnham, who told the jurors it had been a difficult and stressful case for them to deal with. Following the verdict, Mayo, of Ruardean in Gloucestershire, was remanded into custody to be sentenced on Monday. West Mercia Police senior investigating officer for the case, Detective Inspector Julie Taylor, said: Paris Mayo, who was 15 years old at the time, claimed Stanley was born cold, did not make any noise and hit his head on the floor when he was born. She did not alert anyone to the birth of Stanley, or the fact he had died. She claimed she did not know she was pregnant at the time. Today, following a six-week trial at Worcester Crown Court a jury found Mayo was in fact responsible for his death; and attempted to conceal her pregnancy from those who couldve, and wouldve, supported her. The death of a newborn baby is utterly heartbreaking, even more so when the person who is responsible is the babys own mother. This has been a devastating case for the investigative team to deal with and I would like to thank those involved for their outstanding efforts to ensure justice has been done today. The Crown Prosecution Service said Stanleys short life was filled with pain and suffering when he should have been nurtured and loved. In a statement, a spokesperson added: The prosecution built a case based on medical evidence which proved that Paris Mayos actions were deliberate, she chose to hide her pregnancy, give birth alone and kill her baby, then hide his body despite accepting that she had a family who would have supported her. I would like to thank the jury for their careful consideration of this difficult case. It is time to consider whether trips to the wreckage of the Titanic should end following the death of five people on board the Titan submersible, the president of the Titanic International Society has said. The five people on board the deep-sea vessel Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henri Nargeolet and the chief executive and founder of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush were killed after it imploded on its way to the wreckage. In a statement published online, Charles Haas, president of the Titanic International Society, an organisation set up in 1989 to preserve the history of the Titanic, questioned whether visits to the historic site 3,800m below the surface should continue. Five people died while on board the submersible (OceanGate/PA) He said: It is time to consider seriously whether human trips to Titanics wreck should end in the name of safety, with relatively little remaining to be learned from or about the wreck. Crewed submersibles roles in surveying the wreck now can be assigned to autonomous underwater vehicles, like those that mapped the ship and its debris field in high-resolution, 3-D detail last summer. The world joins us in expressing our profound sadness and heartbreak about this tragic, avoidable event. Mr Hass also paid tribute to Mr Nargeolet, saying his consummate knowledge of the wreck and wreck site was unique and unparalleled. He added: Commander Paul-Henri Nargeolet brought to this expedition more than a quarter-century of expertise, making more dives to Titanics wreck than anyone on earth. His willingness to share that information kept the world informed about Titanics deteriorating condition and helped to rewrite significant parts of the ships history. Sadly, that irreplaceable knowledge has been lost. The Titan was on its third visit to the wreck, having previously made trips to the site in 2021 and 2022. Mr Haas said there needed to be an investigation into the voyage. He said: We believe that an extensive, detailed investigation by the US Coast Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board and/or their Canadian counterparts clearly is warranted. It should deeply inquire into the submersibles design, structure, communication and safety systems, owners policies and emergency preparations and procedures, and the proximity, state of readiness and deployment of deep-sea rescue systems to the site. Hamish Harding was one of five people on board Titan (Dirty Dozen Productions/PA) Additionally, intensive pre-service inspection of deep-sea submersibles should be required by international regulation. Just as Titanic taught the world safety lessons, so, too, should Titans loss. Until 2019, no one had visited the wreck for 14 years before five dives were made in eight days to take the first ever 4K images of the ship as it decayed. Mr Nargoleot is believed to have visited the wreckage more than 30 times. Film director James Cameron, who has visited the wreck a number of times and was a friend of the Frenchman, said there were warning signs ahead of the voyage to the wreck. Speaking to ABC News about submersible engineering, Cameron said: This is a mature art and many people in the community were very concerned about the sub. A number of the top players in the deep submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company, saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and they needed to be certified. The families of Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, and Hamish Harding have paid tribute after they died in the Titan submersibles catastrophic implosion. The US Coast Guard confirmed the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered around 1,600 ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage during a press conference in Boston. Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was also found, in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, that was consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. 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 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. Please continue to keep the departed souls of our family in your prayers during this difficult period of mourning. The family statement said they are truly grateful to those involved in the rescue operations and the untiring efforts brought strength to the family. We are also indebted to our friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers from all over the world who have stood by us during our hour of need, the statement said. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers onboard the Titan submersible. 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. Shahzada Dawood was vice chairman of Engro Corporation (Engro Corporation/ PA) Shahzada Dawoods company paid tribute to him and his son after their deaths. In a statement, Engro Corporation, the Pakistani conglomerate that Mr Dawood was vice chairman of, said: With heavy hearts and great sadness, we grieve the loss of our vice chairman, Shahzada Dawood, and his beloved son, Suleman Dawood. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, friends and all those around the world who grieve this unthinkable loss. Meanwhile, the family of a British billionaire adventurer who died have paid tribute to their dedicated father. Hamish Harding was described as a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a living legend following the news of his death on Thursday. 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 (Action Aviation via AP) In a short statement, Mr Hardings family said: He was one of a kind and we adored him. He was a passionate explorer whatever the terrain who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved. 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 Harding was remembered by friend Richard Garriot de Cayeux, who is the president of the Explorers Club, which Mr Harding helped found. Hamish Harding is a dear friend to me personally and to The Explorers Club, Mr Garriot de Cayeux said. He holds several world records and has continued to push dragons off maps both in person and through supporting expeditions and worthy causes. The submersible vessel named Titan (OceanGate Expeditions) Rear Admiral Mauger 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. The Wall Street Journal reported the US Navy said they detected a sound in the search area for the submersible on Sunday that was consistent with an implosion. Titanic director and submersible expert James Cameron told the BBC he predicted the outcome days earlier. I felt in my bones what had happened, he said. For the subs electronics to fail and its communication system to fail, and its tracking transponder to fail simultaneously subs gone. I knew that sub was sitting exactly underneath its last known depth and position. Thats exactly where they found it. (PA Graphics) According to court documents, safety concerns had previously been raised about the Titan submersible by a former employee of OceanGate. The filings said David Lochridge, OceanGates former director of marine operations, claimed wrongful dismissal after flagging worries about the companys alleged refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design. Court papers suggest 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. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly described the update as tragic news and said the UK Government is closely supporting the British families affected. Pakistans foreign ministry released a statement, sharing their condolences. Our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and the family of other passengers on the sad news about the fate of Titanic submersible in the North Atlantic, the statement said. The White House said the families of those who died had been through a harrowing ordeal over the past few days, and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers. Titanic director and submersible expert James Cameron said he predicted Titans fate days before the debris from the missing submersible was found. All five people onboard the submersible died in the vessels catastrophic implosion. Cameron has told BBC News he predicted the outcome of the ill-fated submersible days before the news was confirmed. OceanGate Expeditions submersible vessel named Titan (OceanGate Expeditions/ PA) I felt in my bones what had happened, Cameron said. For the subs electronics to fail and its communication system to fail, and its tracking transponder to fail simultaneously subs gone. I knew that sub was sitting exactly underneath its last known depth and position. Thats exactly where they found it. He added:(It) felt like a prolonged and nightmarish charade where people are running around talking about banging noises and talking about oxygen and all this other stuff. I immediately got on the phone to some of my contacts in the deep submersible community. Within about an hour I had the following facts. They were on descent. They were at 3500 metres, heading for the bottom at 3800 metres. We now have another wreck that is based on unfortunately the same principles of not heeding warnings. All five people onboard the submersible died in the vessels catastrophic implosion (OceanGate Expeditions/ PA) It comes as the US Navy said they heard a sound consistent with an implosion when communications were lost. The US Navy went back and analysed its acoustic data and found an anomaly that was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost, a senior Navy official told The Associated Press on Thursday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive acoustic detection system. The Navy passed on that information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search because the Navy did not consider the data to be definitive. The US Coast Guard confirmed the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered around 1,600 ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage during a press conference in Boston. Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was also found, in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, that was consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. The five people who died after Titan, the submersible vessel exploring the Titanic shipwreck imploded, have been remembered by family and friends. British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman died on the vessel alongside French submersible pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet, chief executive of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush, and British billionaire and pilot Hamish Harding. Shahzada and Suleman Dawood The father and son were a part of Pakistans most prominent families. Shahzada Dawood, 48, was the vice-chairman of Pakistani conglomerate Engro Corporation, and a long-time adviser to the Kings charity, Princes Trust International, with a focus on its work in Pakistan. He lived in Surbiton, south-west London, with his son, wife Christine and daughter Alina, according to the Telegraph. The Dawood family released a statement on Thursday night, mourning the loss of the father and son. Please continue to keep the departed souls of our family in your prayers during this difficult period of mourning. Suleman Dawood (Engro Corporation Limited via AP) The family statement said they are truly grateful to those involved in the rescue operations and their untiring efforts brought strength to the family. The statement said: We are also indebted to our friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers from all over the world who have stood by us during our hour of need. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers onboard the Titan submersible. A separate family statement reported by the BBC said Shahzada was interested in exploring different natural habitats, and had previously spoken at both the United Nations and Oxford Union. Suleman was described as a big fan of science fiction literature and learning new things, with an interest in Rubiks Cubes and playing volleyball. Shahzada Dawood, one of five people who was on board Titan (Engro Corporation/ PA) Mr Dawood became a director of the Dawood Hercules Corporation in 1996, and served as vice chairman between 2018 to 2021, according to his LinkedIn profile. The company is an investment holding platform, of which Engro Corporation is a subsidiary. Alongside his work in business, he was a supporter of the British Asian Trust, an organisation and a trustee of the Seti Institute. Shahzadas father, Hussain Dawood, was a founding patron of Princes Trust International, according to the charity. Stockton Rush Stockton Rush, pictured left (Wilfredo Lee/ AP) The chief executive and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, Stockton Rush originally trained as a pilot, becoming the youngest jet transport-rated pilot in the world aged 19 in 1981, according to his profile on the OceanGate website. He graduated from Princeton with a degree in aerospace engineering in 1984, the profile says. Mr Rush was described as highly professional alongside pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet by a businessman who Mr Rush led on a previous visit to the Titanic wreck. OceanGate said in a statement that the men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion of exploring and protecting the worlds oceans. Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time. Mike Reiss, a writer and producer of The Simpsons, described him as a magnetic man who is the last of the great American dreamers, the New York Times reported. Mr Reiss, who went on a Titanic dive in a different OceanGate submersible with Mr Rush, also compared him to business magnates Henry Ford and the Wright brothers. In a 2017 interview with the alumni magazine for Princeton University, where he studied mechanical aerospace engineering, Mr Rush 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. Stockton Rush is the chief executive and founder of OceanGate Expeditions (Greg Gilbert/The Seattle Times via AP) Having co-founded OceanGate in 2009, Mr Rush has led crewed expeditions to remote ocean locations including the Titanic. He was also the founder and member of the board of trustees of the linked charity organisation OceanGate Foundation, which uses marine technology to develop understanding of marine science, history and archaeology. Paul-Henri Nargeolet A former commander who served in the French navy for 25 years, Mr Nargeolet, 77, was in the first human expedition to visit the ship in 1987, according to the Telegraph. His family released a statement after his death, saying he will be remembered as one of the greatest deep-sea explorers in modern history. When you think of the Titanic and all we know about the ship today, you will think of Paul-Henri Nargeolet and his legendary work. But what we will remember him most for is his big heart, his incredible sense of humour and how much he loved his family. We will miss him today and every day for the rest of our lives. After his career in the French navy, where he was captain of the deep submergence group, he held a number of roles in deep diving and piloting submersibles, including acting as director of DESM, noted on his LinkedIn profile as a French deep-diving equipment company. Paul-Henri Nargeolet, left, previously served in the French navy (Jim Rogash/AP) As director of the Underwater Research Programme with RMS Titanic Inc, which owns the rights to the Titanic wreck, he has led the retrieval of items from the ship across many expeditions. Born in Chamonix, France, he spent his childhood in Africa with his parents, according to the Daily Mail. Mr Nargeolet was married to American newsreader Michelle Marsh until her death in 2017 aged 63, according to the New York Times. Last year, Mr Nargeolet published a book in France about his experiences with the Titanic titled Dans Les Profondeurs Du Titanic (In The Depths Of The Titanic). Hamish Harding The billionaire pilot and chair of Action Aviation, a sales and operations company which manages private jet sales, shared on his Instagram account that he had joined the OceanGate expedition as a mission specialist. Mr Harding, 58, was based in the UAE where the Action Aviation HQ is located, and presents himself in personal social media biographies as a world explorer. Hamish Harding has spoken previously about wanting to venture into uncharted territories (Dirty Dozen Productions/PA) In a short statement, his family said: He was one of a kind and we adored him. He was a passionate explorer whatever the terrain who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved. Mr Harding was remembered by friend Richard Garriot de Cayeux, who is the president of the Explorers Club, which Mr Harding helped found. In a statement, Mr Garriot de Cayeux said: Hamish Harding is a dear friend to me personally and to The Explorers Club. He holds several world records and has continued to push dragons off maps both in person and through supporting expeditions and worthy causes. Hamish Harding looks out to sea before boarding the submersible Titan for a dive into the Atlantic Ocean on an expedition to the Titanic (Action Aviation via AP) He has two sons, named Rory and Giles, a stepdaughter named Lauren and a stepson, Brian Szasz, and his wife is called Linda. On the Action Aviation website profile, Mr Harding writes that the company is the professional representative of choice for large aircraft transactions between heads of state, VIPs, Fortune 100 companies and international corporations. Mr Harding holds several Guinness world records, including the fastest circumnavigation of the Earth via the North and South Poles by an aircraft, in 46 hours, 40 minutes and 22 seconds. In March 2021, he was awarded the record for the longest time traversing the deepest part of the ocean on a single dive, alongside Victor Vescovo, at four hours and 15 minutes along the sea floor of Challenger Deep in the western Pacific Ocean. He said he often took his son Giles with him on these trips, including another world-record beating journey to the South Pole when Giles, aged 12, became the youngest person to have visited. Last year, he took part in the fifth human space flight by Jeff Bezoss aerospace company Blue Origin, according to Sky News. Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 76-year-old woman was found dead in south London. A 28-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were detained at Stansted Airport in the early hours of Friday in connection with the death of Nelly Akomah. Ms Akomah was found fatally injured at a house in Ladbrook Road, Croydon, on Wednesday morning after a suspected burglary. Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn, of the Metropolitan Police, said: First and foremost my thoughts are with Nellys family and friends. Nelly was active in her church and her loss will be keenly felt by many people. #ARREST | Detectives investigating the murder of 76-year-old Nelly Akomah have this morning arrested two people at Stansted Airport. They remain in police custody Read more here: https://t.co/tz1PZDdww6 Croydon MPS (@MPSCroydon) June 23, 2023 The arrests mark substantial progress in what is a fast-moving investigation. I dont underestimate the level of concern in the local community following this shocking incident and there are various suggestions circulating about what may have happened. At this stage, we are investigating the possibility that there was a burglary at Nellys address. I must stress that our investigation is in its very early stages and we are working to establish what exactly happened. I want to reiterate my appeal to the wider public. We need to know what led to Nellys sad death. If you havent already spoken to officers and you have information, footage or anything that could help our investigation please do so without delay. Were you in the area of Ladbrook Road, Croydon, during the evening of 20 June between 2200 hours and midnight? Do you have any dashcam footage? Did you see anyone else in the area or any activity that you thought may be out of the ordinary? If you can help, we need to hear from you. A post-mortem examination is under way and police are awaiting the results. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference CAD 2540/21Jun, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. A university community has been left profoundly saddened by the death of one of its students who was on board the Titan submersible, its principal has said. Suleman Dawood, 19, a student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, was on board the vessel with his father Shahzada Dawood, 48, and three other men. They died in the Titan submersibles catastrophic implosion during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck off the coast of Canada. Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal & Vice Chancellor: To the Strathclyde Community, I am writing to you again following last nights update from the US Coast Guard. We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the death of Suleman Dawood and his father in this tragic incident. pic.twitter.com/NLWL57VUmw University of Strathclyde (@UniStrathclyde) June 23, 2023 Professor Sir Jim McDonald, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, said: We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the death of Suleman Dawood and his father in this tragic incident. The entire Strathclyde community offers our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and all those affected by this terrible accident. Our student wellbeing team remains on hand to offer appropriate support to Sulemans classmates and the wider Strathclyde community at this difficult time. The university confirmed on Thursday that the teenager was a business school student who had just completed his first year. The US Coast Guard confirmed the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered about 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage during a press conference in Boston. Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was also found, in the North Atlantic off the coast of Newfoundland, that was consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader and MSP for Glasgow, described the incident as absolutely heart-breaking. He added: The minute-by-minute drama that has unfolded on our screens has been heart-breaking to watch, but I cant even begin to imagine the heartbreak that those individual families will be facing, having lost a loved one. So my thoughts, of course, go out to them. But Im also thinking about all the classmates and friends that Suleman, this young man, would have made here in Glasgow and in Scotland, and I hope those individuals are getting any support that they need for any of the emotional impact that this may have taken on them. When Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis traveled to Fort Pierce to sign the state budget, the traditionally policy-heavy event quickly turned political when he was asked about recent criticism from his longtime political foe, California Gov. Gavin Newsom. What I would tell him is, you know what, stop pussy-footing around, DeSantis, a GOP presidential candidate, said with a smirk. Are you going to throw your hat in the ring and challenge Joe [Biden] or are you just going to sit on the sidelines and chirp? Within the hour, DeSantis campaign was selling Chirping from the Sidelines T-shirts for $34. The merchandise featuring the governors quote alongside a RD24 campaign logo was up on the campaigns online store before his office released details of the $116.5 billion state budget to the public. The sequence of events is a snapshot of a conflict politicians have long faced as they hold one office and run for reelection or higher office. DeSantis has even suggested Newsom, who has been reelected and is not a current candidate, of using his public office for political gain. But DeSantis pursuit of a presidential bid has Republicans and Democrats questioning whether he values the traditional separation between his role as the governor for all of Florida, and his role as the candidate seeking the GOP nomination for president. Those questions have led to a state ethics complaint and a state elections complaint against DeSantis and his aides, who have been seen as increasingly blurring the lines between official state business and political work meant to advance DeSantis political aspirations. There are also two federal complaints alleging campaign finance law violations related to the governors super PAC. READ MORE: Fried files ethics complaints against DeSantis state staff over political fundraising Some recent examples: Top deputies in the DeSantis administration, including the governors chief of staff, have solicited donations for his presidential campaign, an unprecedented shift from the traditional separation between the governors suite and the campaign. The fundraising efforts, first reported by NBC News and confirmed independently by the Herald/Times, have been publicly defended by DeSantis office as appropriate because his staff was campaigning on their free time. Those actions, however, are now at the center of an ethics complaint filed Wednesday by Nikki Fried, the chair of the Florida Democratic Party. A day after announcing his bid for president on Twitter alongside Elon Musk, DeSantis signed legislation benefiting spacelift companies, such as SpaceX, a company controlled by Musk. In the lead up to the campaigns launch, DeSantis aides sought endorsements from state lawmakers at a time when their budget and legislative priorities were still awaiting a decision from DeSantis. The action left some GOP lawmakers with the impression that their projects could be at risk if they did not endorse. One Republican state senator who endorsed former President Donald Trump has accused the governor of slashing funding for his district for political reasons. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, held a press conference at True North Classical Academy charter school in Miami where he announced and signed several bills including the approval of a $1 billion for teacher salaries and a teachers bill of Rights, on Tuesday May 09, 2023. On social media, DeSantis taxpayer-funded state communications staff regularly promotes the political side and attacks the governors political foes. When criticized for it, they say the First Amendment protects their overtly political commentary. They also argue they are not doing so while on duty, although many times posts happen in the middle of the day on weekdays. Florida election officials quietly made changes to long-standing rules that have legally allowed DeSantis to transfer $82 million from his state-level political committee to an affiliated Super PAC, Never Back Down, which DeSantis campaign has allowed to take the lead on field organizing. In prior years, such transfers of funds were not allowed. For the first time in modern political history, the governor has exempted himself from public records disclosure as he crisscrosses the country for campaign fundraisers and events. His travel as well as the people who travel with him are shielded from public records. So are the names of those he invites to the governors mansion in Tallahassee where DeSantis has hosted Republican donors. And, while like most politicians he touts policies on the campaign trail that are in sync with those he advances in office, he has been more ostentatious than previous governors in using state taxpayer resources to make his point outside of Florida. For instance, he is spending millions of taxpayer dollars to pursue out-of-state immigration efforts, which comprise a major theme in his presidential campaign. Most recently, the state sent two flights with roughly 30 South American asylum seekers from Texas to California. I dont think that there is any question that theyre pushing the limits beyond the tearing point of what good ethical practices would be, said Ron Meyer, a longtime Tallahassee-based Democratic campaign finance and elections attorney. DeSantis on Thursday called the Democratic Partys complaints frivolous and defended his staffs calling lobbyists to solicit donations. So we have staff in the executive office of the governor who, in their private time, have wanted to do things to be able to help our campaign, he said. So they have called friends, asked for support, donations, all this other stuff. They have every right to do that. They dont use state resources to do that, of course not. But you have every right as a private citizen to be engaged and to be involved. READ MORE: Is Ron DeSantis governing, campaigning or both? That depends on whom you ask DeSantis and his aides have argued that the governor simply does what he thinks is in the best interest of his state, regardless of the political implications. The governor repeatedly promotes this image in interviews and on the campaign trail. I think the country is more prepped right now than ever to get behind somebody who is going to say, you know what, we need someone who is going to fight against all this nonsense, that is going to do it smartly, that is going to be disciplined, that is going to be focused and going to bring this in for a landing, DeSantis said in a recent interview with the Christian Broadcast Network at the governors mansion. But even some Republicans have criticized the governor for mixing state business and his campaign. State Sen. Joe Gruters, a former Florida GOP chairman who endorsed Donald Trumps presidential campaign, accused DeSantis of being mean spirited after the governor vetoed funding for projects in his district, arguing he did so for political reasons. Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, answers questions about his sanctuary cities bill before the Senate passed it Thursday, May 2, 2019. The role of the governors office staff Nearly every candidate who has ever run for office has made their governing record a centerpiece of their campaign, arguing that good policy makes for good politics. But while its typical for the governors staff to aid or play a role in political campaigns, DeSantis has raised eyebrows among Republicans who worked for previous Florida governors for the extent to which he has allowed the open use of his office in organizing rally-like news conferences, social media posts that target political opponents and, recently, even political fundraising. Clarity between government taxpayer paid salaries and service performed for taxpayers citizens and political activities for campaigns should be bright and clear for all involved participants, said Kathleen Shanahan, the former chief of staff for Republican Gov. Jeb Bush from 2000 to 2003 including during his 2002 reelection campaign. Shanahan and other former staff for Republican governors Bush, Charlie Crist and Rick Scott told the Herald/Times they were highly supportive of the political aspirations of their bosses but worked to keep what one called a firewall between the political operation and the campaign. They held no political meetings in the governors office, they said, and required executive and communications staff to leave their governors office jobs to go to work for the campaign to do fundraising, conduct political messaging or plan strategy. Any perception of using your government platform to ensure support and or funds for campaigns could be easily misinterpreted, Shanahan said. Gov. Bush expected government employees to do work for every citizen, every Floridian to the best of our ability every day. Campaign-paid staff performed campaign activities. Taryn Fenske, DeSantis communications director, however, has argued there is nothing wrong with the governors staff dividing their time between the campaign and the governors office if they do so on their free time. If the executive team wants to fundraise, knock doors, or volunteer in their free time, more power to them they have First Amendment rights like every American, Fenske told NBC News when asked about DeSantis chief of staff James Uthmeiers fundraising efforts for DeSantis presidential campaign. That concept is foreign to several former senior staff members for Florida Republican governors who agreed that in their time in state government there was a clear firewall between the governors office staff and campaign staff. Navigating political and state interests DeSantis, of course, isnt the first candidate to launch a presidential campaign while holding elected office. Many recent presidents, in fact, began their candidacies while in office, including Bill Clinton (governor of Arkansas), George W. Bush (governor of Texas) and Barack Obama (U.S. senator from Illinois). Every sitting president who has run for reelection has also grappled with the potential for conflict of interest. Occasionally, its gotten them in trouble: In 2019, former President Donald Trump was impeached by the U.S. House, charged with withholding military aid to Ukraine until it provided damaging information about then-presidential candidate Joe Biden. Trump denied the allegations and called the impeachment a politically motivated witch hunt. The former president was ultimately acquitted by the U.S. Senate. Florida does have a system of laws and rules in place intended to protect the public from an opportunistic elected official that uses government resources for personal gain. On Wednesday, Fried, the states Democratic Party leader, filed complaints with the Florida Commission on Ethics and the Florida Elections Commission accusing three DeSantis staffers of soliciting campaign contributions from lobbyists in violation of state law. State law prohibits public officials from using their government office to solicit contributions for any fund for political purposes and bars them from participating in any political campaign for an elective office while on duty. The same day, a left-leaning group, End Citizens United, filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against DeSantis and Never Back Down, a super PAC supporting his presidential candidacy. It claimed DeSantis team illegally transferred $82.5 million from a state political action committee to the federal super PAC, a transfer that was facilitated by the DeSantis administration decision to quietly change some long-standing state election rules. Ron DeSantis transfer of these funds is a flagrant and egregious violation of federal law. These rules are designed to safeguard against undue influence over elected officials and outright corruption, said ECU President Tiffany Muller. The complaints are in addition to a federal complaint filed by the nonprofit Campaign Legal Center in May that also accused DeSantis state political action committee of violating federal election laws for the transfer. A heavy handed approach Darrell West, a senior fellow at the Washington-based think tank Brookings Institution, said he was concerned about both the report that members of DeSantis official office were pressuring lobbyists for campaign contributions and the governors approval of a law that would shield SpaceX from legal liability, saying they were heavy handed and problematic. But any repercussion would likely have to come not from the legal system but from voters. To government ethics experts, however, proving a conflict of interest is difficult, if not outright impossible in most situations without a credible witness or smoking-gun email or document as evidence. It is generally left to the court of public opinion because the lobbying laws are very vague, West said Its almost impossible to convict anyone of anything. In part, thats because Floridas campaign finance laws have gray areas. State law is fairly clear that a candidate cant in the furtherance of his candidacy use the services of any state employee during working hours. The question that recurs is if its not during working hours, does that same prohibition apply? The statutes are a little gray in this area, Meyer said. Florida law, for example, allows the governor to use state planes for political and personal travel for security reasons but previous campaigns have reimbursed the state for the travel. As DeSantis presidential campaign travels ramp up taking up large chunks of his weeks questions are mounting about whether taxpayers funds are being increasingly used to finance his political travel. The governors office and the campaign have not responded to requests seeking comment on whether the political side has reimbursed the state for some of these costs. In the last month, DeSantis has campaigned in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Arizona, Texas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Nevada and California. He is expected to continue touring early voting states, which his campaign has identified as a key for his path to win the GOP nomination for president in 2024. Hundreds gathered to hear Gov. Ron DeSantis speak at the North Carolina Republican Party 2023 State Convention on Friday, June 9, 2023 in Greensboro. The voters have to be the ultimate judge on whether they think someone has acted improperly, said Michael Thorning, director of structural democracy at the Bipartisan Policy Center. And then its up for them to decide how to respond. Will they vote for the person or not? GOP strategists say DeSantis day job as governor presents opportunities and challenges for his presidential campaign. For one, it can be difficult to do both at the same time, forcing him to choose between performing official duties and doing campaign-related activities, including fundraisers and in-person rallies. Running for president is a full-time job. Full stop, said Alex Conant, who advised Sen. Marco Rubios campaign for president in 2016. Having a day job while youre running for president means youve having to sacrifice on one end or the other. Fenske, the governors communications director, suggested his staff is also willing to juggle both positions. In a statement provided to NBC News, she defended the use of state employees to raise money for DeSantis presidential run. The governors team is 100% behind him in his presidential run, because we know the great work hes accomplished as governor, Fenske said. Gruters, the Republican state lawmaker, however, said he believes the governor has used public resources for personal gain, pointing to his veto of millions in funding for Gruters district projects. In a text message, Gruters concluded the vetoes are a result of DeSantis being clearly upset I endorsed Donald Trump for president, and so he took it out on the people of Sarasota County. The governors office did not respond to the accusations when asked for comment. Its mean-spirited acts like this that are defining him here and across the country, Gruters added. Cypress Hills Black Sunday: Track By Track Cypress Hill has reigned as one of the west coasts greatest rap groups since forming in L.A. in the late 80s. With B-Reals distinctive nasal tone, Sen Dogs commanding bark, and thumping, sample-heavy beats by DJ Muggs, the trio bridged the gap between gangsta rap and laid-back stoner hip-hop celebrating the virtues of marijuana. Over the course of 10 studio albums, from 1991s self-titled debut to 2022s Back in Black, Cypress Hill built a broad and passionate fanbase by performing constantly, often with rock bands and with touring festivals like Lollapalooza and Smokin Grooves. Cypress Hills classic sophomore album, the triple platinum Black Sunday, turns 30 this summer. To commemorate three decades of hits from the bong, heres a look back at the groups ten best live performances, broadcast on TV or over the web: More from Spin: 10. (Rock) Superstar on Late Night with Conan OBrien (2000) After years of touring with rock bands like Rage Against the Machine and Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cypress Hill decided to capitalize on the rising tide of rap metal with Skull & Bones, a double album featuring one disc of hip hop and one disc of heavy guitar-driven tracks. The albums lead single appeared on both discs as (Rap) Superstar and (Rock) Superstar, and the group blew the roof off of 30 Rockefeller Plaza with the latter version, Cypress Hills biggest alternative radio hit. 9. Whats Your Number? / Latin Thugs on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (2004) Cypress Hill promoted 2004s Till Death Do Us Part with a medley of both of the albums singles on The Tonight Show. B-Real rapped over a sample of The Guns of Brixton by The Clash on Whats Your Number? while Sen Dog spit Spanglish bars from the groups Tego Calderon collaboration Latin Thugs. At the end of the performance, the group presented host Jay Leno with a personalized Cypress Hill shirt. 8. Grid with Public Enemy and George Clinton on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2020) CBSs usually pre-taped Late Show aired live on Sept. 29, 2020, following the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Public Enemy had just released the album What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down? and were the episodes musical guest. Chuck D and Flava Flav closed the program with a suitably apocalyptic track for that tense moment in history, Grid featuring Cypress Hill and Parliament-Funkadelic legend George Clinton. 7. Weed Medley on MelodyVR (2021) The British startup MelodyVR built its reputation on tapping popular touring acts to combine live music with virtual reality for a series of virtual concerts. Cypress Hills 2021 MelodyVR concert featured a dazzling light display and a special medley of four of the groups biggest pot-themed anthems from across their catalog: 1993s I Wanna Get High and Hits From The Bong, 1998s Dr. Greenthumb, and 2010s Light It Up. Now is time for all you stoners to light it up if you havent already, B-Real announced at the top of the nine-minute suite, rapping with a joint in hand. 6. Rise Up with Tom Morello, John Dolmayan and Sergio Vega on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2010) Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello guested on the title track to Cypress Hills 2010 album Rise Up. For the Jimmy Kimmel Live! performance of the song, Cypress Hill was backed by a nu-metal supergroup that also included System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan and Deftones bassist Sergio Vega. And the song definitively rocks harder live than on record, thanks largely to how Dolmayans kick drum locks in to B-Reals flow. 5. Real Estate on MTVs Live And Loud (1993) MTVs Live And Loud concert special, taped on Dec. 13, 1993, and aired on New Years Eve, was initially set to feature Nirvana and Pearl Jam in a grand burying-the-hatchet gesture between grunges biggest bands. When Eddie Vedder got the flu and Pearl Jam canceled, the bill for the concert held on Pier 48 in Seattle wound up being Nirvana, Cypress Hill, and The Breeders. In between the corny comedy of host segments in which Anthony Kiedis and Flea dressed up as leprechauns and rabbis, the telecast featured performances of Cypress Hill bangers like the Hand on the Pump B-side Real Estate. 4. I Wanna Rock / Insane In The Brain with Snoop Dogg on Lopez Tonight (2009) Comedian George Lopez became the first Hispanic American to host an English-language late-night talk show with his TBS series Lopez Tonight. Cypress Hill also made history as the first platinum Latin rap group. The group appeared once on the late-night show, and it was an unexpected one at that. The nights official musical guest Snoop Dogg brought out B-Real and Sen Dog to perform their signature song at the end of his performance. 3. So Whatcha Want with Beastie Boys and DJ Hurricane on The Arsenio Hall Show (1992) Cypress Hill made another surprise appearance as a part of someone elses late-night performance in the early 90s when the Beastie Boys promoted Check Your Head on Arsenio. One of the remixes of the albums lead single, So Whatcha Want (Soul Assassin Remix), featured a new beat by DJ Muggs and a verse by B-Real. DJ Hurricane joined the Beasties to spit a few bars on the song, followed by B-Real and Sen Dog storming the stage. Cypress Hill and Beastie Boys remained tight for years, with percussionist Eric Bobo and DJ Mixmaster Mike touring with both groups. 2. I Aint Goin Out Like That on Saturday Night Live (1993) Cypress Hill was already famous for sparking joints and hitting bongs onstage by the time they performed on Saturday Night Live with host Shannon Doherty in October 1992. After NBC warned the group not to light up on live TV, DJ Muggs decided to defy the network as openly as possible. Cypress Hills second song opened with Muggs, lighter and spliff in hand, declaring, They said I couldnt light my joint, you know what Im sayin? But we aint goin out like that. Muggs, stalking the stage as a hypeman for once instead of manning the turntables, knocked over Eric Bobos congas during his drum solo, yelling Legalize it! as the group leaves the stage. Cypress Hill joined a long list of musical legends like Elvis Costello and Sinead OConnor who had been banned from returning to SNL. Watch the performance here. 1. How I Could Just Kill A Man on Yo! MTV Raps (1992) Throughout the 90s, MTV would throw a massive party on Daytona Beach every year for college students on spring break, complete with live performances from up-and-coming artists. In 1992, the MTV Spring Break edition of Yo! MTV Raps featured the unusual spectacle of Cypress Hill performing their gangsta rap classic How I Could Just Kill A Man on a sunny Florida afternoon, sweating it out in jackets and hoodies. Shouting out fellow Sping Break performers Naughty By Nature and Leaders of the New School, B-Real and Sen Dog made their tale of murder sound downright celebratory for a cheering audience of vacationing frat bros. To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here. The post Cypress Hills Black Sunday: Track By Track appeared first on SPIN. Marking its first corporate step in international expansion outside Spain, Madrid-based Zeta Studios, producer of Elite and Garcia! has named Marcelo Tamburri, one of Latin Americas preeminent TV execs, to the newly-created position of director of international content. Spun off from the sale of publishing house Grupo Zeta to Prensa Iberica in 2019, and rebranded from Zeta Audiovisual, when it comes to individual titles., Zeta Studios boasts one of the biggest international reaches of any production house in Spain. More from Variety The appointment comes as Netflix preps the bow of Elite Season 7 on Oct. 20, making Elite one of the longest-running of streamer series and one of the most successful from outside the U.S., its Seasons 3 and 4 ranking in Netflixs Top 10 of most-viewed non-English series ever on the OTT service with 334.8 million and 302.2 million hours viewed. Love at First Kiss, a romcom movie, ranked as No. 1 on Netflix global charts in the non-English film category in March. Tamburris appointment marks a strategic move which takes Zetas expansion to another level, however. Well-known and much liked, Tamburri will continue to be based in Mexico City, where he served from Oct. 2020 through April this year as VP, scripted content development at WarnerMedia Latin America and finally Warner Bros. Discovery Latin America. Wed like to establish a foothold in Mexico and the rest of Latin America but thinking internationally, and doing it in the most organic way possible, Zeta Studios president Antonio Asensio Mosbah told Variety. Marcelo has all the experience in the world, he knows the market and this is an important added asset, and he knows how to make series which are liked in Mexico and in the whole Latin America region, he added. I am moved to be able to support Antonio Asensio and collaborate with the team of Zeta Studios, to drive more its international expansion and, above all, do so with quality and originality, caring for series and features which we will produce outside Spain, Tamburri added. Why Mexico. Spain and Mexico are the two biggest TV production powerhouses in the Spanish-speaking world. They also share the same language and, on many of their biggest hits think Money Heist, Elite, Who Killed Sara? success in recasting melodrama in a genre-bending mix with a modern edge and high production values. A large part of Asensios family is in Mexico he is half-Mexican, married to a Mexican, has some business interests in the country, and has introduced successfully Mexican performers into major titles, such as Danna Paola in Elite and Erick Elias in Dias mejores, he commented to Variety. That said, Marcelo knows how to make TV which can find an easier place in Mexico, he has experience with melodrama and knows how to handle it well, he added. Zeta Studios Slate: Breadth and Platform Play Since 2019, in Spain Zeta Studios has focused on building its slate across a broad gamut of titles, from the mass audience appeal of Elite to titles such as the soon-to-bow Te estoy amando locamente, a LGBTQ period feature from Alejandro Marin which have more of an indie appeal. Series, such as the upcoming Picadero and The Chauffeurs Son have been selected for the cream of Europes project competitions Picadero for the 2021 Series Mania Forum Co-Pro Pitching Sessions, The Chauffeurs Son for this years Berlinale Co-Pro Series showcase. They also balance a genre gristle with distinctive elements. Picadero weighs in as a Barcelona high society crime investigation drama with an LGBT and libertine sexual edge; Based on true events, The Chauffeurs Son is billed as a journalism, blackmail and corruption thriller, charting how the most modern part of Spina emerging from Francos dictatorship was governed at times by a mixture of horse trading, coercion and illicit gains. The common denominator of Zeta Studios titles is that they have been mostly made for or with streaming services: For Netflix, Prime Video (action comedy Sin huellas), Prime Video and Paramount+ in Latin America (the grief therapy group-set drama Dias mejores), HBO Max (the big-scale action-adventure Garcia!), Movistar Plus+ (late-night radio dramedy Reyes de la Noche) and Atresplayer (the upcoming teen drama Red Flags). What Zeta Studios and Tamburri Bring to the Table Mexico has a highly competitive TV market which knows how to do its work very well, said Asensio. Though there are exceptions, the lions share of series are for free-to-air audiences. As a foreign company, well try to bring titles which have distinctive elements. Zeta Studios will also be open to co-production in many cases. Mexico has a larger tradition of co-production than Spain, Asensio said. Tamburri can bring to the table his involvement at a high executive level of main paradigm shifts in the vertiginous recent evolution of Latin Americas higher-end TV scene. Working for Turner for 16 years based out of Argentina, where the company built as essentially a top U.S. cable TV company in Latin America, distributing U.S. content, Tamburri went on to help power up a first wave of premium original series in Argentina, two of which, The Cockfighter and La Fragilidad de los Cuerpos, both made in co-production, provided Conecta Fiction the two galas of its first edition in Santiago de Compostela in 2017. Tamburri was head-hunted by Tomas Yankelevich in 2018 to move to Mexico and head up Turner Latin America development in all Latin America, as TLA aimed to ramp up production of original series to about 12-15 in two years time for TNT and Space. Now that Latin Americas broadcast sector looks to have shifted gears to another tenor, Tamburri can bring to Zeta Studios his insider-knowledge of platform needs in Mexico, far-ranging creative talent relationships and enthusiasm for production partnerships. I hope to contribute to Antonio and the Zeta team, my experience in the generation of projects, taking into consideration the vision, necessity and parameters of the platforms. The business and industry has turned to a deeper analysis of the effectiveness of business, Tamburri told Variety. The great challenge is to offer something different and a large objective is collaboration, such as in co-production which mean sharing risk, and not only working with our own productions but seeing the possibility of developing other productions and collaborations with other production houses, he added. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Despite life-threatening complications in wanted pregnancies, some women have struggled to find abortion care. (Illustration: Yahoo News Visuals; photo: Getty Images) Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that guaranteed women in the U.S. the right to an abortion, was overturned a year ago with Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Since then, stories of women struggling to find reproductive care often after experiencing life-threatening complications of wanted pregnancies have continued to make headlines. Women have shared devastating stories of nearly dying before doctors in states with strict abortion laws could legally intervene to help provide care that, just a year ago, was considered standard. On the anniversary of the end of Roe v. Wade, here's a look at just a few of the alarming stories that have surfaced and what it means to be a woman of reproductive age in the U.S. right now. Melissa Novak, a 40-year-old woman in Georgia, learned eight weeks into a wanted pregnancy that she had miscarried. Novak previously told Yahoo Life that she decided to have a medication abortion to manage the miscarriage, which usually involves taking the prescription drugs mifepristone and misoprostol. However, her ob-gyn said she could prescribe only misoprostol because of strict laws in Georgia. Novak says she started bleeding four hours after inserting four misoprostol pills vaginally at home as instructed, but she was still bleeding when she came home from a family trip. Four days later, Novak felt like she was coming down with a cold, followed by a fever. "My whole body was shaking, with intense pain in my lower back," she said. She went to the emergency room, where doctors discovered she was in septic shock, a life-threatening condition caused by a bacterial infection from tissue that remained after an incomplete abortion. I was having trouble talking because I was in agony, she said. I was so tired and I'm suffering in this way and its beyond what I think I can handle. Novak remembers thinking at one point that she could die. She had a surgical procedure called a D&C to remove the pregnancy tissue and eventually recovered. "Ive never felt so powerless," she said. Lauren Miller, a 36-year-old woman in Texas, found herself unexpectedly needing abortion care after discovering that one of the twin boys she was carrying, whom she named Thomas, had fetal abnormalities that were incompatible with life. Miller had to travel to Colorado to have an abortion to save her healthy baby's life. "Someday, I will hold my boys and tell them that I love them and that for a few weeks, they had a little brother named Thomas," she told the Guardian. "Thomas who never lived, but will be with us forever. I will explain that mercy can be heartbreaking. I will explain that the abortion for their brother was out of love." Miller is now suing the state of Texas, alongside 14 other plaintiffs, for being denied access to life-saving abortion care; the lawsuit is backed by the Center for Reproductive Rights. Texas resident Amanda Eid became pregnant after a year and a half of fertility treatments, but her water broke just four months into her pregnancy. I just kept asking, Isnt there anything we can do? And the answer was no," she told CNN. Eid's baby, who she named Willow, still had a heartbeat and, under Texas law, her doctors couldn't intervene, even though the baby would not survive. Doctors told Eid to go home and wait for signs of a life-threatening infection. Three days later, it came. We were having a heat wave, I think it was 105 degrees that day, and I was freezing cold, and I was shaking, my teeth were chattering," she said. "I was trying to tell [her husband] Josh that I didnt feel good, and my teeth were chattering so hard that I could not even get the sentence out." Eid was taken to the hospital, where she was given IV antibiotics and a blood transfusion. She still developed signs of sepsis and was taken to the ICU. Family members flew in from across the country because they feared she would die. Eid recovered, but her uterus suffered scarring from the infection, and she may not be able to have more children. Jessica Bernardo spent years trying to conceive before becoming pregnant with her daughter, Emma. But Bernardo, who lives in Texas, discovered 14 weeks into her pregnancy that Emma had Down syndrome, along with an underdeveloped heart and a rare, deadly disorder called fetal anasarca, which causes fluid to build up in the fetus's body. He handed me a tissue box, Bernardo told the Associated Press of her doctor. I thought maybe the worst thing he was going to tell us was that she's going to have Down syndrome. Instead, he said, I can tell you right away . . . she wouldnt make it.' Bernardo's blood pressure started climbing and her ob-gyn met with her hospital's ethics board to see if her pregnancy could be terminated. She was told Bernardo wasn't sick enough, so Bernardo had to spend $7,000 to travel to Seattle to have an abortion. Had I not received an abortion, my life would have very likely been on the line," Bernardo said. Mom of three Jaci Statton was diagnosed with a partial molar pregnancy which is not viable and three precancerous cysts in her uterus, but she was unable to receive the care she needed due to Oklahoma law. Statton was sent to several hospitals and repeatedly turned away. They admitted me, did another ultrasound . . . and the cancer pockets had basically took over my placenta and the area around the baby, she told Today. A team of seven specialists came in . . . they told us: We cant do anything. You may have two weeks to live. The baby wont even make it to two weeks. You need an abortion, but we cant touch you.' Statton says doctors told her she could travel either to Kansas, Colorado or New Mexico for an abortion or sit in the parking lot and wait to get worse. She and her husband traveled 3.5 hours to Kansas to get an abortion. Statton now says she's "terrified to get pregnant again. 'It has been devastating' "It's hard to underscore enough the legal and public health chaos and crisis that has occurred," Michelle Banker, director of reproductive rights and health litigation at National Women's Law Center, tells Yahoo Life. "This is the first time that a constitutional right has been taken away from us. It affects people in so many areas of their lives. From a legal standpoint, it's been chaos. from a public health standpoint, it has been devastating." While abortion bans are often designed to prevent women from accessing care for unwanted pregnancies, it has the unintended effect of causing devastation and life-threatening complications for women with desired pregnancies, Katrina Kimport, a qualitative medical sociologist at the University of California, San Francisco, whose research focuses on gender, health and reproduction, tells Yahoo Life. "The way that these bans are written ties the hands of doctors who are caring for people who have medical emergencies," she says. Kimport adds: "There are a shocking and deeply upsetting number of ways that pregnancy can go wrong. It's very consequential and serious. Doctors are not able to offer evidence-based medicine in states where abortion is banned or restricted." The end of reproductive rights that had been granted by Roe v. Wade "definitely worsened U.S. maternal mortality rates," Noreen Farrell, executive director of Equal Rights Advocates, tells Yahoo Life. "It doesn't just impact access to abortion these are resulting in clinics being shut down altogether. People who can become pregnant aren't even able to access reproductive information or birth control." Experts say it's crucial to vote The 2024 election may show fallout from all of this, say experts. "We know that Americans broadly support access to abortion care in the U.S.," Kimport says. "Whether the legislation will catch up is an open question." Banker says she's hopeful that the status quo will improve in the near future. "I have hope," she says. "So far, voters have voted to protect abortion." Farrell says it's crucial for people to get out and vote in favor of reproductive rights. "The lives of millions are at risk if we don't come together and fight for reproductive care and abortion access," she says. Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here. Illustration by Juanjo Gasull. This week marks one year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which previously guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion, returning the issue of abortion to individual states. In the year since the courts controversial ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, 13 states have completely banned abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. At the same time, abortion rights advocates have turned to ballot initiatives as a powerful tool in the face of such bans. In the 2022 midterms, voters in conservative Kansas, Kentucky and Montana used citizen-led ballot initiatives to reject proposals restricting abortion access, while voters in the more progressive states of California, Michigan and Vermont passed initiatives to enshrine abortion rights into each of their state constitutions. Voters at a polling place at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 8, 2022. (Sarah L. Voisin/the Washington Post) Now, abortion rights groups are hoping to re-create those midterm victories in 2023 and 2024 with similar citizen-led ballot initiatives in states with GOP-dominated legislatures like Florida, Ohio and South Dakota. Some Republican-led states, such as Ohio, have responded to the success of such measures by seeking to make it harder for citizens to change laws or state constitutions through ballot initiatives. But in other states, conservative lawmakers are taking a page from the abortion rights advocates book by proposing ballot initiatives of their own. Heres a look at some of the abortion-related ballot initiatives both sides are proposing ahead of statewide elections in 2023 and 2024. Possible anti-abortion ballot initiatives: Pennsylvania: The No State Constitutional Right to Abortion Amendment, which could be on the Pennsylvania ballot in 2023, would change a section of the state constitution to read: This constitution does not grant the right to taxpayer-funded abortion or any other right relating to abortion. Abortion is currently legal in Pennsylvania until the 24th week of pregnancy. Iowa: A similar proposal, which could make its way onto the ballot in Iowa in 2024, would add this line to the state constitution: To defend the dignity of all human life and protect unborn children from efforts to expand abortion even to the point of birth, we the people of the State of Iowa declare that this Constitution does not recognize, grant, or secure a right to abortion or require the public funding of abortion. Abortion remains legal in Iowa through 22 weeks of pregnancy, as the states Supreme Court is currently deadlocked over Gov. Kim Reynoldss six-week ban. Pro-abortion-rights measures that have already secured a spot on the ballot in 2024: Maryland: The Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment would change Marylands constitution to say that every person has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including but not limited to the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end ones own pregnancy. Maryland state law currently protects abortion until viability. New York: The Equal Protection of Law Amendment would enshrine abortion rights in New Yorks state constitution by banning any kind of discrimination based on "ethnicity, national origin, age, and disability," as well as "sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy." New York state law currently protects abortion until viability. Additional abortion rights initiatives that advocates are hoping to get on the ballot in Republican-led states: BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) A Romanian court on Friday extended by 30 days the house arrest of Andrew Tate, the divisive social media personality and former professional kickboxer who was charged this week with rape, human trafficking, and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. The Bucharest Tribunals decision comes days after prosecutors from Romanias anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, formally indicted the 36-year-old social media star after filing their criminal investigation to a Bucharest court. Tate, who has amassed nearly 7 million Twitter followers and is known for expressing misogynistic views and hate speech online, was initially arrested near Romanias capital, Bucharest, in late December, along with his brother, Tristan. Two Romanian women are also charged in the case. All four defendants will remain under house arrest for 30 days, the court ruled, but the decision can be appealed within 48 hours. DIICOT requested this week that judges extend the house arrest measure as they filed their investigation. Under Romanian law, judges have 60 days to decide whether the case is sent to trial, but nonetheless often takes longer. The agency alleges that the four defendants formed a criminal group in 2021 in order to commit the crime of human trafficking in Romania, as well as in the United States and Britain. All four have denied the allegations against them. There are seven female victims in the case, DIICOT said, who were lured with false pretenses of love and transported to Romania, where the gang sexually exploited and subjected them to physical violence. One defendant is accused of raping a woman twice in March 2022, according to the agency. The women were allegedly controlled by intimidation, constant surveillance and claims they were in debt, prosecutors said. The Tate brothers, who are dual British-U.S. citizens, won an appeal on March 31 to be moved to house arrest after spending three months in police detention. Andrew Tate, who is known to peddle conspiracy theories online to his mostly young male followers, has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy designed to silence his views. In a video posted on Thursday to his Twitter account, he labeled the charges against him as a level 10 matrix attack and said, Theyre trying to destroy me without evidence. Tate was previously banned from several prominent social media platforms for expressing hate speech and misogynistic comments, including that women should bear responsibility for getting sexually assaulted. Several women in Britain also are pursuing civil claims to obtain damages from Tate, alleging they were victims of sexual violence. During their investigations, prosecutors have ordered the confiscation of the Tate brothers assets, including 15 luxury cars, luxury watches and about $3 million in cryptocurrency. IRANAWILA, Sri Lanka (AP) Ranjith Sunimal Fernando now has a shell of a home at the edge of Sri Lanka's coast, lost to the sea. Waves lap past the broken walls into damaged, empty rooms. One night last month, my son went to the bathroom and I suddenly heard him screaming, our house has gone into the sea!, said Fernando, a 58-year-old fisher born and raised in Iranawila, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the capital, Colombo. I saw parts of my house were already eaten up by the sea and my son coming out of the water, carrying our commode. Our homes foundation was completely washed out and we were forced to shift further inland. He salvaged what he could from the wreck of what was once his home wooden support beams, sections of roof and other building materials to build another further inland. Others go out to the water to recover items they lost to the sea. Much like the hundreds of other fishing hamlets that dot the coastline, the village of Iranawila suffers from coastal erosion. Cyclones, surging seas and flooding are taking away peoples homes and sometimes their livelihoods. There is measly protection: sections of sea walls are already toppled by crashing waves. Almost everyone in Iranawila are fishers. With increasing erosion from the encroaching sea, they have less space to anchor their boats. Fernando and others fishers in the village said they are unable to go fishing because of these problems. Locals say increasing severe weather and the development of a sea reclamation project not far from Iranawila are the main reasons for the increased erosion that is leading to so much destruction. They say that the sea shore has moved in a few hundred meters (yards) in the last three years. I dont know what will happen in the future but I still keep my faith, said Nuwan Fernando, one of a few in Iranawila whose house, which is slightly elevated off the shoreline, remains intact. There is a lot of work on big reclamation projects but no proper plan to protect people like us." Tens of millions of people in South Asia, among the most densely populated region in the world, live along coastlines and are vulnerable to extreme weather events. ___ Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia on Friday named a senior air force commander as its first cybersecurity boss to help lead the government's response to major data breaches and boost the nation's security capabilities amid a recent spike in network intrusions. Air Marshal Darren Goldie, a 30-year veteran, will become the national cybersecurity coordinator, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. He will be supported by a national office within the department of home affairs and begin his term on July 3. "We see this as a vital component of what modern government needs to do to respond to what our new and emerging challenges which are there," Albanese said during a media briefing. The appointment comes as the government responds to an infiltration at Australian law firm HWL Ebsworth, the latest company targeted by hackers, and whose clients include the country's largest banks and some government departments. HWL Ebsworth has flagged ransomware group BlackCat, also known as ALPHV, may have published some stolen data on the dark web. The country's top four banks earlier this week said their systems were not impacted by the incident. IDCare, an Australian government-backed service for victims of identity theft, has noted that Australia was the fifth-most targeted country by data thieves in January 2023, far worse than other nations relative to its economy and population. Australia has seen a rise in cyber intrusions since late last year, prompting the government in February to reform security rules and set up an agency to oversee government investment and help coordinate responses to hacker attacks. The appointment of Goldie as the head of this agency is an "important part of the jigsaw puzzle" being put in place to thwart hackers, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said. Major breaches were reported by health insurer Medibank Private and telco Optus, owned by Singapore Telecommunications. (Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Jamie Freed) By Alasdair Pal SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday the contested site of a proposed Russian embassy was secure, after it emerged a Russian diplomat was squatting on the land following an Australian decision to cancel the lease. This month, Australia passed a law to prevent Russia from moving its embassy from a Canberra suburb to a prime site close to parliament and the Chinese embassy, citing national security concerns. The Australian newspaper reported on Thursday a Russian diplomat was squatting on the land under the watch of police, who were unable to arrest him as he has diplomatic immunity. "Australia will stand up for our values and we will stand up for our national security, and a bloke standing in the cold on a bit of grass in Canberra is not a threat to our national security," Albanese told a press conference on Friday. "The site is secure and we are comfortable with our position." The Russian embassy in Canberra declined to comment to Reuters, but Russia's RIA news agency quoted the mission as saying that it had taken the matter to Australia's High Court and various people were involved The embassy told RIA that staff members were at the site to protect an already constructed building and the supplies stored there, and police had made no attempt to remove them from the location. It did not name any of the squatting staffers. Russia on Wednesday barred 48 Australians from entering the country in what it said was retaliation for Australia's long-running sanctions regime against it. (Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Additional reporting by Moscow bureau;Editing by Stephen Coates, Robert Birsel) BEIRUT (AP) Carlos Ghosn said Friday that the $1 billion lawsuit he recently filed against Nissan and others is just the beginning of his fight. The former Nissan CEO said during an interview with The Associated Press in Beirut that had he been an American citizen filing a lawsuit in the United States, I would not be asking for $1 billion, but for much more, given his suffering. Ghosn led Japanese automaker Nissan for two decades, rescuing it from near-bankruptcy, before he 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. He fled Japan in December 2019 for Lebanon where he has lived since. Ghosn is wanted in Japan and France. Since he fled to Lebanon, Beirut has received three notices from Interpol based on arrest warrants for him from those countries. In France, he is facing a number of legal challenges, including tax evasion and alleged money laundering, fraud and misuse of company assets while at the helm of the Renault-Nissan alliance. Lebanon has no extradition treaty with Japan and does not extradite its citizens. Ghosn has French, Brazilian and Lebanese citizenship. Ghosn was kept in solitary confinement in Japan for months without being allowed to speak with his wife. He has said he fled the country fearing he would have no chance of a fair trial. Ghosn said it took him more than three years to file the lawsuit because he wanted it to be as solid as possible based on evidence, on facts, (and) on witnesses. He added that our intention is to win it, so in order to win it, it has to be substantiated by a lot of facts. Thats why it took a lot of time. A hearing date in the case by Lebanon's prosecution is set for Sept. 18. Half of the money sought by the 69-year-old Ghosn is for damages, he said, while the other half is for compensation including salary, retirement funds and stock options. Ghosn is also seeking monetary compensation from a Nissan affiliate based in Lebanon, as well as entities that took part in the investigation leading up to his arrest and those that obtained documents and computers from his homes. When contacted by the AP in Tokyo for comment on the lawsuit, a Nissan official said: We will not be commenting. Ghosn fled Japan after jumping a $14 million bail in a Hollywood-style caper. His improbable escape - hidden in a box stashed in the hold of a Turkey-bound private jet - embarrassed Japanese authorities and allowed him to evade trial. Ghosn, however, alleges that he was ousted illegally from the company. You dont want companies to be at ease with weaponizing the legal system to make a coup where they cannot change management in a legal way, Ghosn said. They use the legal system in order to get rid of management and to establish a new management and thats exactly what Nissan has done. Ghosn said he had no choice but to challenge Nissan regardless of the odds of winning his lawsuit. Frankly, Im not very optimistic about the future of the company, Ghosn said. Ghosn said he believes in the Lebanese justice system more than Japan's. You can defend yourself, he said. He added that Ive been through the Japanese legal system, the so-called justice system, which, by the way, Im criticizing it through my own experience. The first time I was able to express myself and defend myself was when I arrived in Lebanon, he said. Ghosn claims to be the victim of a character assassination campaign led by Nissan with the complicity of the Japanese government, aided by accomplices in France. Prosecutors in Japan have charged three Americans with helping Ghosn escape the country. Asked if the lawsuit he filed means that he plans to fight back, Ghosn said that "this is the beginning of the fight. A group of civil rights organizations on Friday again asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate constitutional violations, excessive force complaints and discrimination against Black people by the Kansas City Police Department. The group, led by the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity, or MORE2, includes the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City and other faith and social activist groups. In a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice, released publicly by the group Friday, the activists said federal authorities have not addressed the deep concerns of citizens, namely the disparate treatment of Black Kansas Citians, from disproportionate stops to use of force. The letter cited systemic constitutional violations, an alarming amount of excessive force violations and the targeting of Black motorists to achieve ticket quotas. The same organizations were part of a group that filed a similar letter to the Justice Department in July 2021. Since then, the Justice Department has launched an investigation of employment practices to determine whether racism is a factor in the hiring and promotions of Black KCPD officers. Lora McDonald, executive director for MORE2, said during a press conference Friday that Dylan Pifer, who fatally shot Terrance Bridges in May 2019, continues to work as a Kansas City police officer. Theres case after case after case of officers who arent being held accountable, McDonald said. Weve been seeing these things over and over. Its a pattern. Its a practice of sweeping things under the rug. The group is asking the Justice Department to conduct a pattern and practice investigation of the Kansas City police force. Sgt. Jacob Becchina, a police department spokesman, told The Star in an email that Police Chief Stacey Graves takes the concerns of the community very seriously. Since she was appointed Chief, she has made relationships a priority. She has met with community groups, key stakeholders, and instituted regular listening sessions to hear the communitys concerns, Becchina wrote. Becchina said the police department has cooperated, and would continue to cooperate, with the Justice Department. June 23 letter to the U.S. ... by Ian Cummings In the 22-page letter to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, the social activist group laid out examples they said demonstrated a pattern of systemic constitutional violations. The letter pointed to the millions of dollars the police department has paid out to settle civil lawsuits stemming from officers using excessive force against Black residents, the departments failure to investigate missing Black residents and the slowness of Kansas City police to arrest a white man who shot Ralph Yarl, a Black teen who knocked on the mans door by mistake. Black people in Kansas City live in terror of KCPD because of the lack of any accountability, the letter said. When an officer uses excessive force, the department claims the force was legal, the prosecutor rarely charges officers, and if an individual is lucky, they will get a settlement and KCPD will not make any policy changes. The letter notes that Kansas City, unlike most major U.S. cities, does not control its own police department. As a result, the police department is not accountable to city residents. Four of the five members of the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners board, which controls the police department, are appointed by the Missouri governor. The fifth member is the mayor of Kansas City. In their letter, the activists say the board is essentially a rubber stamp for anything the department puts before it. To this point, no amount of public complaints, lawsuits and judgments/settlements have been enough to spark a shred of change, the letter said. In September, the Justice Department announced it had launched an investigation of employment practices at KCPD to determine if the force engaged in racial discrimination in hiring and promoting Black officers. Federal investigation arrived months after The Star published a series of stories examining allegations of racism and harassment inside KCPD. The series profiled Herb Robinson, a Black detective, who believes he was racially profiled by two of his colleagues. The stop was captured on dash camera, in which his colleagues can be heard calling him dumbass and a retard. Robinson has filed a civil racial discrimination lawsuit against KCPD. Leaders of the group said they hoped a federal investigation would result in the police department entering into a consent decree with the Justice Department. Such a move would compel the police department to address problems with the use of force and failure to properly train and discipline officers. The KCPDs misconduct will continue to go unfettered and unchecked until an independent outside agency intervenes - and the federal government is the only independent entity that has the power to intervene, according to the letter. On June 16, the Justice Department released the results of a two-year investigation of Minneapolis police begun after the murder of George Floyd. The investigation found that Minneapolis officers used excessive force, including unjustified deadly force, and violated the rights of people engaged in constitutionally protected speech. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is running for the Republican Partys nomination for president, holds a rally in Gilbert, South Carolina on Friday, June 2, 2023. (Joshua Boucher/jboucher@thestate.com) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is seeking the GOP nomination for president, said he supported state efforts to restrict abortion but sidestepped whether he supported a national abortion ban when asked at a campaign stop in North Augusta. I think that the progress right now is being made, really, from the bottom up, DeSantis said to the crowd of 400 to 500 people in a gym at Riverview Park. These places like South Carolina, Georgia, these places have done well, and some of these other states, you know, may not necessarily follow suit. But this will be something that we are going to be able to debate. His response to the question came two days ahead of the one-year anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned in the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision, allowing states to decide whether abortion is legal within their borders. In Florida, we have promoted a culture of life, DeSantis said. DeSantis referenced Floridas six-week abortion ban, known as the Heartbeat Protection Act, that he signed into law April 13, and he applauded South Carolina for similar efforts. He did not say whether he supported a six-week or complete national abortion ban. He also criticized President Joe Biden and pro-abortion access legislation. In terms of federal, I am very concerned with what Biden wants to do, DeSantis said. He wants federal legislation to override every single pro-life law in the country and force abortion all the way up until the moment of birth in this country. That is inhumane, that is obscene and that will not happen when I am president. Biden supports restoring the protections of Roe as a federal law, but he has not said he supports abortion up until the moment of birth. The Washington Post reported that Republicans use this talking point because of Democratic candidates supporting the Womens Health Protection Act, which would restore the right to abortion as defined by Roe v. Wade. That bill makes exceptions for abortion if the health of the mother is in jeopardy, which Republicans say is a loophole that creates no limit on abortion. South Carolina earlier this year passed a new ban on abortions after cardiac activity can be detected, which is around the six-week mark of a pregnancy, before most women know they are pregnant. However, the law is not being enforced because the state Supreme Court in a 3-2 decision in January struck down a similar ban due to violations of the state constitutions right to privacy. The state Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on the new law on Tuesday. Alyssa Bradley, spokeswoman for the S.C. Democratic Party said that abortion access in South Carolina is under immediate threat and called Floridas abortion law extreme. DeSantis and the rest of the MAGA Republican Party are running on banning abortion before many women even know theyre pregnant, criminalizing health care providers, and forcing victims of rape and incest to either share their trauma or give birth, Bradley said. In one Virginia art studio, little hands are hard at work. Mom of four Laurasha Lovett says when she exchanged video games for paintbrushes, something happened. "I didn't have to pull teeth, I seen them opening up more. And then that developed our bond as parent and child because when we started the activities, I got all the information because they were comfortable," Lovett told Scripps News. The longtime artist used her kids' love of gaming and social media and their creative nature and turned it into daily art projects. "We would do bath bombs, and then name it or color it some type of skin from like, Roblox or My Little Pony or Spongebob," said Lovett. Teaming up with fellow artist Dametrii Nelson, that side project blossomed into All Things Arts and Crafts, an art-filled summer camp for area kids. "It's healing, it's fun. It takes your mind off of things and it's a healthy challenge," said Nelson. "It's always like a very therapeutic experience, whatever art you're doing." The healing aspect is important. While experts say there are benefits to the online world, especially for kids hoping to find connections with shared identities, a recent advisory from the U.S. surgeon general warns of "ample indicators that social media can be harmful for the mental health of young people." A study of more than 6,000 youth published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that "adolescents who spend more than 3 hours per day on social media may be at heightened risk for mental health problems." These are problems like anxiety and depression. SEE MORE: US Surgeon General warns social media may harm children and teens "One of the benefits of disconnecting is that it can help your overall well-being and mental health, so being able to remove yourself from these devices allows more time for you to socialize and engage in more human-to-human interaction," said Dr. Erlanger Turner, a clinical psychologist and founder of Therapy for Black Kids. Doctors say it's important for parents to check in, especially during the summer months when social media usage may increase. "The more time a child is in front of a screen, the less time they're interacting with the people around them. So, whether that's family members, parents and siblings, or potentially friends and other children in their neighborhood, that is contributing to social isolation, especially if they're doing more of that kind of passive scrolling," cautioned Dr. Irene Mathieu, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Virginia. Doctors say checking in means monitoring what kids may be consuming and asking questions. "'How are you feeling? What's been going on lately? Are there things on social media that stress you out?' Really be direct with them to see if they can give you some information to say, 'You know, what, this sort of popped up on my screen and bothered me a little bit,'" said Turner. Experts say to really drive home the point, sometimes parents have to lead by example. SEE MORE: TikTok creator suing Montana says the app is her 'livelihood' "One guideline I've seen a lot of parents set is to say, at meals, we put away all screens and we actually put our phones physically in another room; or to not have any phones in the bedroom. And this is something that's good for kids' sleep, but also for adults' sleep," said Mathieu. They also say unplugging from social media might mean finding ways to work the things they already love into the everyday routine. "Dance, engaging with the art, whatever your family and your teen enjoys. Making time for those things can be another way to create spaces where you're sort of replacing the use of technology with some other type of activity," said Turner. While not everyone can send their kids to camps or completely rid their homes of technology, the artists/parents here say creative outlets are everywhere. "You can use buttons, you can use string, you can use pebbles, you could use whatever you have at your disposal to create what your heart and your mind wants to create," said Lovett. (This June 23 story has been corrected to say analysts had suggested cases in California, not only the Goetz case, would have cost GSK 'low hundreds of millions' of dollars to settle, in paragraph 13) By Natalie Grover and Eva Mathews (Reuters) - GSK agreed to settle a U.S. lawsuit alleging its discontinued heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer, the British drugmaker said on Friday, preventing the first such case from going to trial next month. The company said it had reached a confidential deal with California resident James Goetz who alleged he developed bladder cancer from taking the drug. The trial was due to start on July 24, and would have been the first test of how Zantac cancer claims would fare before a jury. The deal could set a precedent for thousands of cases set to go to trial next year. The drugmaker's shares rose nearly 5%, making it the best performer on London's blue-chip FTSE 100. The company still faces more than 5,000 similar lawsuits in California and close to 73,000 in Delaware. No trials are currently scheduled. "It was this headline risk with a trial date right around the corner that was keeping investors on the sidelines in GSK," Barclays analyst Emily Field wrote in a note. GSK said the settlement reflected its desire to avoid distraction related to protracted litigation. It did not admit any liability and said it would vigorously defend itself in any other Zantac cases. Lawyers for Goetz said in a joint statement that they were pleased the company "agreed to settle and finally bring closure to Mr. Goetz." Originally marketed by a forerunner of GSK, the drug was later sold by several companies, including Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi, as well as generic drugmakers. Companies facing litigation scored a victory in December, when a federal judge threw out tens of thousands of Zantac cases in U.S. federal courts after finding that science did not back the opinions of the plaintiffs' expert witnesses linking the drug to cancer. Lucy Coutts, investment director at wealth management firm JM Finn, which holds GSK shares, said the Goetz settlement could create a precedent to settle other cases. "It also removes the distraction of any protracted litigation as the company must focus on its future pipeline which is where value will be created for shareholders," she said. Adam Zimmerman, a law professor at the University of Southern California who studies mass tort litigation, cautioned that it was "way too early to say anything" about what the settlement means for the broader litigation. Bank of America analysts on Friday said they continued to see the litigation risk of Zantac to be low in absolute terms, suggesting that settling cases in California would have likely cost GSK "low hundreds of millions" of dollars in the worst case. In a note, they predicted cases in Delaware were unlikely to progress to trial, and considered GSK's strategy of avoiding large public damages against them in "plaintiff-friendly courts as sensible as litigation is inherently unpredictable". Pfizer and Sanofi settled with Goetz late last year. Concerns about protracted legal wrangling and compensation wiped almost $40 billion off the market value of GSK, Sanofi, Pfizer and GSK-spin-off Haleon over roughly a week in August. First approved in 1983, Zantac became one of the first drugs to top $1 billion in annual sales. In 2019, some manufacturers and pharmacies halted Zantac sales over concerns that its active ingredient, ranitidine, degraded over time to form a chemical called NDMA. While NDMA can be present in low levels in food and water, research has found it causes cancer in larger amounts. The FDA in 2020 withdrew from the market all remaining brand name Zantac and generic versions, triggering a wave of lawsuits. The companies involved have repeatedly denied that Zantac can cause cancer. Friday's settlement follows a setback for GSK in March, when a California judge disallowed the company's attempt to keep expert testimony on whether the drug is linked to cancer out of the trial. (Reporting by Natalie Grover in London and Eva Mathews in Bengaluru, Additional reporting by Michael Erman and Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Dhanya Ann Thoppil, Barbara Lewis, Elaine Hardcastle and David Gregorio) GUATEMALA CITY (AP) As Guatemala prepares to elect a new president Sunday, its citizens are fed up with government corruption, on edge about crime and struggling with poverty and malnutrition all of which drives tens of thousands out of the country each year. And for many disillusioned voters especially those who supported three candidates who were blocked from running this year the leading contenders at the close of campaigning Friday seem like the least likely to drive the needed changes. Guatemalas problems are not new or unusual for the region, but their persistence is generating voter frustration. As many as 13% of eligible voters plan to cast null votes Sunday, according to a poll published by the Prensa Libre newspaper. Rolando Quiroa, 62, a lawyer in downtown Guatemala City, said he had no hope for positive change in Guatemala because he sees the leading candidates as just a continuation of failed politics. Quiroa, who declined to say who he would vote for, said Guatemalas parties had conditioned voters to think merely of what benefits are promised in exchange for votes, but that he wants "a vision to completely change the country. Those with the least chance are the ones who possibly have a different idea of governing, Quiroa said. With no single candidate among the field of two dozen candidates polling anywhere near the 50% threshold required for victory Sunday, a second round of voting between the top two vote-getters appears likely. The leading candidates heading into the weekend are on the conservative end of the political spectrum. Former first lady Sandra Torres, making her third bid for the presidency, has had success running a populist campaign promising support for those in need. The real battle appears to be for the second spot in what would be an Aug. 20 runoff. Diplomat Edmond Mulet is wrestling with the ultra-conservative Zury Rios Sosa, daughter of late dictator Efrain Rios Montt. They promise heavy-handed tactics like in neighboring El Salvador to address Guatemalas crime. But popular candidates who did appear willing to challenge the status quo, like Thelma Cabrera, an Indigenous leader from the Maya Mam, and Carlos Pineda, a conservative populist who cast himself as a renegade, were kept off the ballot by electoral authorities. Some of voters' cynicism could be the result of years of unfulfilled promises and what has been seen as a weakening of democratic institutions. The levels of democracy fell substantially, so the (next) president is going to inherit a country whose institutions are quite damaged, said Lucas Perello, a political scientist at Marist College in New York and expert on Central America. We see high levels of corruption and not necessarily the political will to confront or reduce those levels. Experts say the latest democratic backsliding can be traced to 2018, when then-President Jimmy Morales decided to end a United Nations-backed anti-corruption mission that had made strides in breaking up powerful networks of corruption reaching all the way to the presidency. Morales appointed Attorney General Consuelo Porras, who has since been sanctioned by the U.S. government and accused of corruption. The stability of Guatemalas democracy is of keen interest to the United States, largely because it remains one of the top sources of emigration in the hemisphere. When U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris visited Guatemala in June 2021, the Biden administrations priority was getting a handle on migration flows. Harris made corruption one of the priorities in her talks with President Alejandro Giammattei. The Biden administration pushed the idea that Guatemalans had to see a future for themselves in their own country to slow migration to the U.S. But a month after Harris visit, the Biden administration announced that it had lost confidence in Guatemalas commitment to battling corruption. Not only are its prosecutors no longer pursuing many of the cases they had started, but the Attorney Generals Office has opened cases against its own former anti-corruption prosecutors and some judges who specialized in those cases. More than two dozen, including former anti-corruption prosecutor Juan Francisco Sandoval, have fled the country. Entrenched corruption has been blamed for severe inequality that leaves Guatemalas poorest with little hope for advancement. The money sent home by migrants mostly in the United States is critical in keeping many Guatemalans afloat. Remittances amounted to some 20% of Guatemalas gross domestic product last year and are expected to reach a record $20 billion this year. The migration of Guatemalans to the U.S. border this year has been below what it was during the past two years, but there still have been more encounters with Guatemalans during this fiscal year than with citizens of any other Central American nation. Honduras is a close second. Poverty, reflected in worrisome levels of malnutrition, is another factor driving Guatemalans out of the country. Victor Aguayo, director of nutrition and infant development for UNICEF, said the situation in Guatemala has worsened in the past two years. Perello, of Marist College, said that high levels of null votes, blank votes and abstention can be expected from Sundays vote. The levels of dissatisfaction that exist are quite high, he said. Ana Esquivel, a 30-year-old shopkeeper in Guatemala City, said she had never voted and didnt plan to start Sunday. For one, she has to work Sunday to support her 5-year-old daughter, but she also expressed strong apathy and suspicion. I feel like none of (the candidates) are qualified because right now everyone walks around saying Im going to do this, Esquivel said. When theyre in the presidency they dont do what they say. Its like its all a lie. TOKYO (AP) The head of Japan's national fisheries cooperatives has reiterated his groups opposition to the planned discharge of treated radioactive water into the sea from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant, demanding the government take full responsibility for any negative impact on the industry. We cannot support the governments stance that an ocean release is the only solution, said Masanobu Sakamoto, president of JF Zengyoren, or the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives. A release is expected to begin this summer, though the exact date has not been set. Sakamoto met Economy and Trade Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura on Thursday and handed him a statement of objection to the treated wastewater release plan. Whether to release the water into the sea or not is a government decision, and in that case we want the government to fully take responsibility, he told reporters after meeting with Nishimura. Japans government announced plans in April 2021 to gradually release the treated but still slightly radioactive water following its dilution to what it says are safe levels that are well within international standards. Japanese officials say the water, currently stored in about a thousand tanks at the plant, needs to be removed to prevent accidental leaks in case of an earthquake and to make room for the plants decommissioning. The plan has faced fierce protests from local fishing communities concerned about safety and reputational damage. Nearby countries, including South Korea, China and some of the Pacific Island nations, have also raised safety concerns, and on Friday South Korean fishing vessels staged a protest against the plan. Japans government says it has set up a fund to promote Fukushima seafood and to provide compensation in case sales fall due to safety concerns. Nishimura, during his meeting Thursday with Sakamoto, said The planned ocean release of the water is unavoidable in order to achieve decomissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi and reconstruction of Fukushima. Nishimura said he recognizes the serious concerns of fishing communities and that the government will tackle the project to help them maintain their livelihoods sustainably and with sense of safety in the future. He met with fisheries officials in Fukushima and neighboring Miyagi and Ibaraki prefectures earlier this month and also faced opposition to the release plan. Nishimura said he hoped to gain the understanding of fishing communities while working to prevent reputational damage. Japanese officials say the diluted water will be released into the ocean over decades, making it harmless to people and marine life. Japan has sought support from the International Atomic Energy Agency to gain credibility and ensure safety measures meet international standards. Some scientists say the impact of long-term, low-dose exposure to radionuclides is unknown and the release should be delayed. Others who say the release plan is deemed safe also call for more transparency, including allowing outside scientists to join sampling and monitoring. A massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011 destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plants cooling systems, causing three reactors to melt and their cooling water to be contaminated and leak continually. The water is collected, treated and stored in the tanks, which will reach storage capacity in early 2024. By Asif Shahzad ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -At least 350 Pakistanis were on an overloaded boat that capsized and sank in open seas off Greece last week, Pakistan's Interior Minister said on Friday, promising to arrest and prosecute the human smugglers responsible. The fishing boat with a capacity of 400 people had over 700 people on board when it sank on June 14, Rana Sanaullah told the country's parliament, adding that a total of 281 Pakistani families had contacted the government to seek help. Another 193 Pakistani families have taken DNA tests to try to identify those who died in one of Europe's deadliest shipping disasters in recent years, he said. Hundreds of people from countries including Egypt, Syria and Pakistan were crammed on the 20- to 30-metre-long (65- to 100-foot) fishing boat when it sank about 50 miles (80 km) from the southern Greek town of Pylos. Pakistan's economic meltdown in recent months has spurred more people to risk their lives to reach Europe in search of a better future. Pakistan said it has arrested several human traffickers and their agents who told authorities that their ring leader was based in Libya. These human smugglers had charged around $8,000 a person to take them to Europe illegally through the sea route after flying legally to Dubai, Egypt and Libya, authorities said. A high level inquiry is underway to identify and arrest those involved in the human smuggling, Sanaullah said, adding that Pakistan is also working to recommend amendments to the law to plug loopholes and ensure conviction in such cases. Not a single human trafficker has been convicted for over five years, he said, citing data, adding that this was mostly due to victims' families agreeing pardons in exchange for money. (Reporting by Asif Shahzad, writing by Tanvi Mehta; Editing by Shivam Patel, Christina Fincher and Conor Humphries) A Charlotte-area medical professional has been publicly reprimanded for abandoning dozens of urgent care patients in the midst of the pandemic to meet a would-be prostitute for sex. On March 18, 2021, Jeffrey Michael Harrell, a licensed physician assistant then working in Virginia, was the only provider on duty at his Richmond-area urgent care center when he sent a text to a person he believed to be a teenage sex worker, according to a filing by the N.C. Medical Board. Harrell, who most recently worked in Hickory, then left work, telling fellow staff members that he had to take care of a maintenance issue at his apartment complex. In fact, according to the medical board filing, Harrell went to a nearby hotel. There, he was greeted by an undercover police officer and charged with felony solicitation of a minor along with a related misdemeanor. He later pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of misdemeanor solicitation and received a suspended six-month sentence, Virginia medical records show. On the day of the incident, Harrell never returned to work. Left behind were dozens of patients, including about 20 who had come to the urgent care center to be tested for COVID-19. All had to be referred to other treatment facilities or had their appointments canceled outright, according to the filing. Harrell could not be reached for comment Thursday and Friday. His disciplinary files in North Carolina do not include the name of an attorney. The day after his arrest, Harrell told his boss by email that he left his shift to run an errand and that his car had been stolen when he stopped to help another driver, the filing claims. He was fired that day, according to records from the Virginia Board of Medicine. Later that same year, Harrell joined the staff of Urgent Care of Mountain View, which operates urgent care centers north of Charlotte in Hickory, Morganton, Taylorsville and Newton. On Thursday he was still listed as a staff member on the Mountain View website. Yet, when The Charlotte Observer called the companys Hickory clinic to talk to Harrell, the woman who answered the phone said, He no longer works here, and we dont know where hes gone. She declined to elaborate. Left in his wake are multiple disciplinary actions in two states. The Virginia Board of Medicine reprimanded Harrell for the prostitution incident in March 2022. The N.C. Medical Board followed suit a year later. Harrell, who received his N.C. Medical license in 2015, notified the N.C. Medical Board of his solicitation arrest and conviction on Sept. 19, 2021, as part of the process to renew his license. Yet, according to the Medical Boards disciplinary filing in March 2023, Harrell withheld or misrepresented many of the details of the incident during his interview with a board investigator. For example, Harrell claimed he had not offered money for sex to an erstwhile prostitute but had only agreed to go on a lunch date with a woman he had met on a dating app a few days before, the filing shows. Furthermore, Mr. Harrell never mentioned ... anything about abandoning the urgent care where he was employed, as the only on-duty provider with patients waiting to be seen, in order to meet the purported woman, the board wrote. Prior transgressions Harrell, a military veteran, had run afoul of regulators in both states before, again for a violation in Virginia. In May 2021, he was publicly reprimanded in North Carolina for the first time for prescribing medication from 2015-2018 to a female patient with whom he had or was still having an intimate relationship. He lost his job in Virginia over the matter and was reprimanded by Virginia authorities in September 2020. His attorney at the time, Michael Goodman of Richmond, did not immediately respond to an Observer email requesting comment. In its March filing, the N.C. Medical Board said it had ordered Harrell to be examined by Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services in Hattiesburg, Miss., which found that while Harrell did not pose an imminent threat to patient safety, he required treatment to prevent possible, future patient harm. The medical board banned Harrell from treating female patients until he complied with all of Pine Groves treatment recommendations. Those included residential or partial-hospitilization levels of care to address inappropriate and disruptive behavior among physicians, including sexual and non-sexual boundary concerns, as well as general professional issues. Its unknown what treatment Harrell has completed. His medical license in North Carolina comes up for renewal in November. As an increasing proportion of Americans identify as LGBTQ, leaders in sexual and gender minority health care say that the nations medical schools are largely failing to adequately prepare the next generation of doctors to properly care for this population. The need is critical, according to experts in medical education and LGBTQ care. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, as stigmatized minorities, often have difficulty accessing health care that properly addresses their health concerns, that is sensitive to their sexual and gender identities and that is not flat-out discriminatory, researchers have found. Its terrible that theres a whole population of people who arent getting the health care they need, said Ann Zumwalt, an associate professor of anatomy and neurobiology at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and a leader in the effort to improve medical school curricula pertaining to LGBTQ care. In 2014, the Association of American Medical Colleges, or AAMC, released a call for the 158 U.S. and Canadian medical schools to provide comprehensive training in caring for LGBTQ people and those born with sex-development differences. Since then, the need for such instruction has only ballooned, given the dramatic increase in LGBTQ identification among young people in particular. A constellation of medical schools has heeded the AAMCs call progress that inspires hope among queer-health advocates. But the schools adoption of comprehensive LGBTQ-focused curricula are the exceptions to the rule. The organizations call, which was buttressed by a 300-page roadmap for reform but lacked the teeth of a mandate, has mostly gone unheeded nearly a decade later. Progress at medical schools has been stymied by a myriad of factors, including the lack of LGBTQ-related content in medical licensing exams; inadequate or nonexistent knowledge and clinical experience among educators; administrators and the medical old guards resistance to change and concerns about competing educational priorities; and outside political pressures as conservatives seize upon transition-related care for minors and diversity policies as wedge issues and as they scrutinize higher education. Dr. Alex S. Keuroghlian, director of education and training at the LGBTQ-focused Fenway Institute in Boston, and six other medical educators who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of the very reprisals they described told NBC News that recent state-level efforts to restrict diversity programs in education and transition-related health care for transgender minors have instilled fear in some medical schools that their LGBTQ-related medical training could draw increased scrutiny and punitive attacks from legislators. Keuroghlian, who is also an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, said that the recent state gender-care bans would likely have a chilling effect on our ability to teach in an evidence-based way that is grounded in human rights and autonomy. Where are the needs? Researchers who have assessed the capacity of the nations health care workforce to serve the specific needs of LGBTQ Americans have found them woefully unprepared, especially to care for transgender people. And LGBTQ people remain in dire need of improved physical and mental health care, according to a trove of studies. Despite the population skewing younger, 23% of LGBTQ people report being in poor health, compared with 14% of the non-LGBTQ population, according to the health-care analysis nonprofit KFF. And research finds that as many as 1 in 5 LGBTQ people have experienced discrimination during health care encounters, including refusals to prescribe medication and even verbal attacks. Resulting alienation from the health care system, researchers say, is a key driver of the various health disparities that plague LGBTQ Americans. Such apparent consequences include elevated rates of heart disease, cancer, depression and anxiety, substance use disorders and risk of suicide. These disparate outcomes, according to researchers, are likely also fueled by the damage that being a member of a stigmatized minority can apparently inflict upon the mind and body. These are pervasive problems that the health care establishment would ideally mitigate, not exacerbate. And yet a 2011 survey of 176 U.S. and Canadian medical schools found that their students received a median of just five hours of LGBT-related training. One in 3 schools devoted no such time during clinical rotations. Dr. Dustin Nowaskie is the founder and president of OutCare Health. (Courtesy Dustin Nowaskie) Dr. Dustin Nowaskie is the founder and president of OutCare Health, a nonprofit LGBTQ health-equity organization that is at the forefront of a growing movement to improve medical training on this front and has developed queer-medicine training programs for both medical students and physicians. Nowaskie, who uses gender neutral pronouns, argued in a 2020 paper that medical schools should, in fact, provide at least 35 hours of such training. This instruction, according to Nowaskie, should start with basic terminology and cultural sensitivity and expand to issues such as health conditions that occur at higher rates among LGBTQ people, including sexually transmitted infections and skin cancer. These skills should absolutely be required, Nowaskie said, because of the expanding LGBTQ population and the inevitability that doctors will frequently treat such patients. Nowaskie said they consistently hear from medical students nationwide that LGBTQ-specific instruction is often minimal, and that it is very outdated, relying on language, terminology and an overall understanding of queer people that has otherwise been retired thanks to recent social progress. A recent Gallup poll found that over the past decade, the proportion of Americans openly identifying as LGBTQ has doubled, to 7.2%, and that 1 in 5 young adults say they identify as something other than a cisgender heterosexual. The Williams Institute at UCLA Law recently estimated that 0.5% of older adults identify as transgender, compared with 1.4% of adolescents and 1.3% of young adults. A team directed by Dr. Carl Streed, research lead for the Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery at Boston Medical Center, is preparing to publish an update of the 2011 medical school survey. Streed was keen to highlight medical schools that have adopted comprehensive LGBTQ-related curricula including, among many others, the University of Kentucky at Louisville, Stanford University and Boston University, where Streed is an assistant professor. But Streed tempered expectations that his team would identify much of an uptick in overall training. Who ends up being remotely comfortable and competent in caring for sexual and gender minorities, Streed said, is a matter of where they trained rather than whether theyve been trained. Any progress over the past decade has transpired against a split-screen backdrop of sweeping advances for LGBTQ civil rights and, in response, a fierce backlash against transgender rights, in particular. At least 20 states have now passed various restrictions on transition-related care for minors a legislative effort that even many physicians who express misgivings about the science backing such treatment say they oppose. The current political and social climates are unfortunately leading to many, many health care-professional students and residents feeling uncertain and frightened to engage in LGBTQ+ education and training, Nowaskie said. At the same time, Nowaskie said, these climates are perpetuating health care stigma among biased, discriminatory providers. How medicine can fail LGBTQ people Delia M. Sosa, a first-year medical student in Ohio, wants to focus on LGBTQ care. Sosa, who uses gender-neutral pronouns, said they are motivated, in part, by their own alienating encounter with the medical old guard. After growing up in what they described as a conformist Christian community in New England, Sosa came into their trans and nonbinary identity in their early 20s. At 21, they sought to establish a relationship with a primary care physician in their hometown in hopes of eventually having a double mastectomy, or whats known in trans medical care as top surgery. But after Sosa disclosed to the doctor their queer identity and the fact that they were dating a nonbinary person, they recalled, she looked at me with a look of confusion that was also mixed with frustration. Sosa said they spent the bulk of the appointment providing the doctor a trans-identity 101 tutorial, including breaking down the difference between gender and sex, what it means to be nonbinary, what gender neutral pronouns are and how sexual orientation can be fluid with respect to the gender of partners. They found the experience so off-putting, they let three years pass before seeking surgery again, which they ultimately had last year. Dr. Sarah Pickle, a family physician and medical educator in Ohio, is a leading proponent of medical schools cultivating a deft hand in up-and-coming physicians in how to care for LGBTQ people. Pickle insists that such training, which focuses, for example, on speaking with sensitivity and inclusivity regarding queer peoples differences, can be crucial in keeping LGBTQ people engaged in care. Medicine is playing catch-up in a lot of ways, Pickle said. I get some really seasoned, experienced physicians who come up to me and say, I never had a chance to learn about this, yet I know this is something I need to learn. Sosa discovered their own evidence of the potential perils of physicians lack of knowledge about treating LGBTQ patients when researching trans peoples experiences with cancer care. Some oncologists, Sosa found, were confounded over how to manage such treatment in a patient taking cross-sex hormones. I cant tell you how many stories I heard of trans folks where they had delayed care because an oncologist didnt know what to do with them, Sosa said. One expert in LGBTQ medicine, who preferred to remain anonymous because of attacks from the far right, described an often cavalier attitude among specialists toward trans patients hormone therapy. A cardiologist, they said, might advise a patient to simply go off hormones due to cardiovascular risk, rather than thoroughly reviewing the risks versus benefits of a therapy that is fundamental to many trans peoples sense of self and well-being. This health care provider and medical educator expressed frustration that such doctors often remain ignorant to studies that provide insight into managing hormonal therapy in the context of certain health problems. Who is leading the change? Keuroghlian stands at the vanguard of the movement to train doctors in caring for trans and gay patients. At Harvard, he and a team of colleagues led a three-year effort to design and implement a new curriculum that provides comprehensive training in such care. The curriculum, which other schools are free to adopt, permits all professors, regardless of their own identity or experience, to weave LGBTQ themes and practices into their own instruction. So, for example, a course on endocrinology would include instruction on cross-sex hormonal treatment and an embryology course would teach about intersex variations. Bringing a broad swath of medical educators up to speed is crucial, Keuroghlian said. A major roadblock to progress has been the fact that the professors, who are meant to pass on their own acquired knowledge, have typically never received their own training in sexual and gender minority care. So, in addition to the four-hour training he helped craft for Harvard faculty about how to teach this subject, Keuroghlian is among the educational pioneers, a group that includes Nowaskie, who are designing medical education seminars to train other health care providers nationwide. Dr Christopher Terndrup. (Courtesy Vanderbilt University Medical Center) Dr. Christopher Terndrup, an associate professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, noted that most demand for LGBTQ health education is actually pushed by the medical students themselves. But such eagerness from the new generation can hit old bureaucratic walls, according to Dr. Nelson Sanchez, an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and the chair of the annual LGBT Health Workforce Conference. Sanchez said administrators often resist calls for such curriculum by insisting that a zero-sum game governs all medical-school education hours. Dr. Lily Rolfe, who recently graduated from Rush Medical College in Chicago and is matriculating to a residency in family medicine, with a focus on caring for LGBTQ patients, at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, conducted an informal survey of students at Chicago area medical schools about the quality of their education in caring for LGBTQ people. Its always, The gay guy has HIV, Rolfe quipped regarding the typical way the respondents characterized their limited education on this front. HIV is important, Rolfe said. We should learn about it. But that shouldnt be the entirety of LGBT health. Otherwise, the Chicago students said that social determinants of health pertaining to sexual and gender minorities were commonly addressed. But the survey respondents, Rolfe said, noticed a lack of discussion about trans people, including gender dysphoria; gender euphoria; medical, social, legal and surgical transitioning; and a lack of the discussion of the over pathologization of trans people. Harvards LGBTQ curriculum, meanwhile, goes beyond just infectious disease, including basic concepts and terminology about gender and sexuality; stigmas impacts on health inequities; major health concerns that are more common in LGBTQ people, such as anal cancer in gay men or breast cancer in lesbians; effective doctor-patient communication methods; navigating power imbalances and implicit bias; addressing microaggressions; and how to generate learning opportunities if an LGBTQ patient responds negatively to a physicians words or actions. Other med schools that have also established substantial training efforts on such subjects include Louisiana State University, the University of Mississippi at Jackson, the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Vanderbilt University, the University of Pennsylvania and Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. The current hostile political environment notwithstanding, Keuroghlian said he remains optimistic for how well prepared the next generation of doctors will be. People in medical school are increasingly passionate about doing this work, because theres more understanding for the need for skilled, culturally responsive care, Keuroghlian said of sexual and gender minority care. Theres also a sense of social justice and health equity that drives young people to do this work, he said. They see this as one of the major health rights issues of their generation, and thats very engaging for them. But, he acknowledged, we have a long way to go. Striking employees gather outside Rancho Pescadero Hotel in El Pescadero, Mexico, on June 16, days after a couple were found dead at the hotel. (Meghan Dhaliwal / For The Times) Two bodies were found in the hotel room one on the shower floor. Now an investigation has been launched into the deaths of an Orange County couple, and the tony Baja California Sur resort where they were found has closed its doors. The $600-a-night Rancho Pescadero Hotel in the seaside village of El Pescadero closed Sunday, a spokesperson for the Hyatt property confirmed to The Times on Thursday. Its a temporary closure while an official investigation is underway into the June 13 deaths. But a statement from the hotel says that Hyatt together with the hotels owners ... is conducting an extensive, independent investigation of the incident led by a third party. Hyatt did not respond to further questions regarding the investigation, only noting that guests planning to stay at the resort were being contacted by Hyatt personnel. Some were being directed to the Cape Hotel, a Hyatt property about 45 miles southeast of El Pescadero in Cabo San Lucas. Hyatt lists Lisa Harper of Rancho Resorts as owner of the adults-only resort. Harper did not respond to an emailed request for comment. The closure comes after John Heathco, 41, of Mission Viejo and Abby Lutz, 28, of Newport Beach were found dead in their rooms last week. Forensic examiners working with the attorney generals office in Baja California Sur state determined June 15 that the cause of death was poisoning by [a] substance to be deter- mined. That toxin is still being investigated. The doctors added that they did not find evidence of violence and that the couple had been deceased between 10 and 11 hours before their bodies were discovered. Read more:Two Americans found dead in luxury hotel room in Mexico's Baja California Sur Hotel staffers found Lutz in the couples room and Heathco on the shower floor after entering at a little past 9 p.m. on June 13, according to a police report obtained by The Times. Lutz and Heathco had initially received hospital treatment for what they thought was food poisoning, according to Lutzs sister Gabrielle Slate on a GoFundMe page. They even appeared to be recovering before Slate was alerted that the pair had been found dead. We received a phone call saying that they had passed away peacefully in their hotel room in their sleep, she wrote. We have been told it was due to improper venting of the resort and could be carbon monoxide poisoning. A former Rancho Pescadero manager, Ricardo Carbajal, said onJune 16 that resort management ignored signs of a possible gas leak and disconnected carbon monoxide detectors that had been frequently sounding alarms. Carbajal said monitors rang almost constantly for three months in 2022 which he chalked up to likely gas leaks. Hotel Pescadero management eventually disconnected the detectors in January after multiple guest complaints, according to Carbajal. They knew there were problems with gas leaks, said Carbajal, who ended his tenure at the resort in March. Everyone was aware of the alarms and that the detectors were off. Read more:Deaths of Newport Beach couple at Baja resort still not fully explained Two current employees, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they feared for their jobs, also said that hotel managers ignored complaints about the strong smell of gas. Housekeepers reported gas leaks, security reported gas leaks, maintenance workers reported gas leaks, said one of the employees on Sunday. A few days before the guests were found dead, a housekeeper cleaning their room fell ill because of suspected gas poisoning, the employee said. Initially, hotel general manager Henar Gil Rios said in a statement that she was not aware of any threat to guests safety and well-being. Hyatt said in a statement on June 16 that Mexican authorities immediately tested the air quality in the room after responding to the situation, and at the time, did not report any findings of gas or carbon monoxide and advised that the hotel was cleared to continue normal operations. Although Hyatt did not answer questions regarding its detectors, the company said it was closing the hotel out of caution for its guests. The property will not resume normal operations until our investigation is complete, a company statement said. The local authorities have not yet released their findings of their ongoing investigation which Hyatt and the hotel owners continue to fully cooperate with. Slate wrote an update on Sunday stating that the fundraiser she established had raised more than $30,000 to bring her sisters body home for burial. Donations from family and friends have been extraordinary, and we have received donations from people we have never met, Slate wrote. We are so deeply humbled yet in awe. Times staff writers Alexandra E. Petri and Kate Linthicum contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Tom Girardi, the disgraced former attorney, shown in 2014. (Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press) Attorneys in California will be required to report misconduct by their peers starting Aug. 1, in yet another major reform to emerge from the Tom Girardi scandal. The state Supreme Court announced the new rule Thursday. It obligates attorneys to notify the State Bar if they have credible evidence that another lawyer has committed a criminal act or has engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or other wrongdoing that raises a substantial question as to that lawyers honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness." Those who do not comply face penalties of up to a three-year suspension of their law licenses. Versions of the reporting law are on the books in 49 other states. But for decades, Golden State attorneys resisted what many call the snitch rule, with some arguing that such regulation was unnecessary for members of Californias prestigious bar. That changed last year after The Times wrote about the states outlier status and how it contributed to the longevity of Girardis corruption. The powerful trial attorney misappropriated millions of dollars of settlement money at least as far back as the 1980s, but many attorneys who knew or should have known that he was stealing from clients did not turn him in. Read more:Vegas parties, celebrities and boozy lunches: How legal titan Tom Girardi seduced the State Bar One former employee of Girardis firm told The Times he was aware that his boss was pilfering a burn victims settlement. But he said he opted not to notify the State Bar after determining that the states Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers did not require him to do so. The State Bars board of trustees initiated the drafting of the mandatory reporting rule last year and submitted it to the Supreme Court for approval this spring. The high court justices added additional features, such as specifying that lawyers could also inform a judge about misconduct during ongoing litigation and highlighting that a false report to a judge can result in discipline or criminal penalties. The chair of the State Bars board of trustees, Ruben Duran, said he was grateful to the Supreme Court for quickly refining and approving what the trustees had proposed. Read more:For widows, orphans cheated by Tom Girardi, 'Real Housewives' riches add to the pain Protecting the public is our most important duty, Duran said. The new requirement "will further our mission, aid the State Bar in the investigation of misconduct, and provide California with a similar rule that is in place in every other state in the nation. Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Orange), who proposed a similar version of the rule in the Legislature, called it an important step forward for consumer protection. Maintaining the integrity of the legal profession is not a weight that should fall solely on the public, and this action finally brings California into the ranks of all other 49 states, Umberg said. Not all attorneys were enthusiastic. Glendale lawyer James Ham, who represents lawyers accused of misconduct, called the new rule just classic bureaucratic CYA that will have no significant impact, but looks good. In his experience, he said, honest lawyers already report misconduct, and those who opt not to alert the State Bar are often prosecuted for much more serious offenses than a failure to report. I think they are creating the illusion of quote, unquote 'doing something,' Ham said. What you are going to get is a bunch of lawyers who are going to use it as an excuse to file mediocre, low-level, nickel-and-dime complaints against their adversaries and cloak themselves in the self-righteous obligations of this rule. Jeremy M. Evans, president of the California Lawyers Assn., had been among those expressing concerns about the move toward mandatory reporting, noting in February that lawyers may be less likely to assist or engage with one another for fear of inviting liability resulting from a failure to report about another lawyers conduct. Evans said in a statement on Thursday that his organization will ensure that attorneys are educated as to the new standards that guide the profession forward. There are some exceptions to the rule. If information about misconduct is learned during a substance abuse or mental health treatment program, or in the context of attorney-client privilege, then the attorney is not required to alert the State Bar. The new reporting rule is the latest reform effort prompted by the downfall of Girardi, the Los Angeles plaintiffs attorney made famous by his work on the toxic litigation depicted in the movie Erin Brockovich. After his firm imploded in 2020, evidence emerged that Girardi had used settlement funds to underwrite the opulent lifestyle he shared with his third wife, Erika, a cast member of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Read more:The Girardis, the Secret Service and wire fraud claims that nearly ruined a Hollywood designer The 84-year-old is facing federal wire fraud charges in Chicago and Los Angeles related to his raiding of millions of dollars from settlement funds. He has pleaded not guilty in both criminal cases. In the wake of revelations about his mishandling of client funds, cozy ties with State Bar officials and use of mediators to siphon funds, the State Bar has introduced new rules to govern client trust accounts and tightened conflict-of-interest regulations. The mandatory reporting law is one of the most consequential changes stemming from the Girardi scandal, as it affects nearly every member of the profession, no matter their specialty. The need to continue pursuing wholesale reform was one of the motives for adopting the new rule. At the State Bar trustees meeting last month, San Francisco-based litigator and trustee Sarah Good noted, We are coming from a place of trying to rebuild trust in the State Bar as an institution, and I think that this is one of the necessary reforms that we need to take. The American Bar Assn. developed the model rule for reporting in 1983, and states began adopting it in the years that followed. Some, such as Georgia and Washington, merely encouraged lawyers to file reports, but most made doing so mandatory. In California, commissions studied the possibility, but many rank-and-file lawyers saw it as an unnecessary intrusion into their relationships with clients and each other. One opponent was then-federal prosecutor George Cardona, who voted to reject the rule in 2015 while serving on a blue-ribbon commission to improve legal ethics. In the wake of the Girardi scandal, Cardona was hired by the State Bar as chief trial counsel, or top prosecutor, with the aim of cleaning up the agency's tattered reputation. He told The Times last year that he had changed his mind after surveying the damage inflicted on the profession by the wayward attorney. I think, ultimately, an adoption of a rule like this might help that, he said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia on Friday charged four Thai nationals for smuggling migrants from Myanmar in a case related to the 2015 discovery of mass graves and suspected human trafficking camps at the country's border with Thailand, state news agency Bernama reported. A total of 139 graves and over two dozen campsites suspected to have been run by people-smuggling groups were discovered in 2015 in Wang Kelian, Malaysia along the remote border between the two countries. The dense forests of southern Thailand and northern Malaysia have been a major stop-off point for smugglers bringing people to Southeast Asia by boat - most of them Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar and squalid refugee camps in Bangladesh. The four Thai men were charged in Malaysia under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 for smuggling two Myanmar nationals, Bernama reported. If found guilty, the men face a maximum jail term of 15 years and a fine. The court did not allow bail and no plea was recorded from the Thai nationals, Bernama reported. The four men were extradited from Thailand this week. On Thursday, Malaysia said they were among 10 Thai nationals it had sought for extradition since 2017 as part of its probe into the border camps. A Malaysian public inquiry launched in 2019 found weaknesses on the part of border patrols but concluded that no Malaysian enforcement officials, public servants or locals were involved in trafficking or migrant smuggling syndicates. (Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) The last defendant in a Columbia drug scheme has pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. Corey Xavier Baldwin, 53, of Concord, N.C, was a fugitive for eight years after law enforcement said Baldwin worked with 10 other individuals to help distribute heroin throughout the Columbia area in 2013. Baldwin also transported money to New York during trips to obtain the drug, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office. Law enforcement said they intercepted heroin packages destined for Columbia through a 2013 investigation and in 2014 arrested six of the 10 defendants. Baldwin was one of four individuals who remained a fugitive until he was arrested by United States Marshals Service in North Carolina in September 2022. Two more suspects were arrested in 2017 in Texas, and one was arrested in New York in May 2022. Six of Baldwins co-defendants were from Columbia and also pleaded guilty for their role in the drug conspiracy. They were all sentenced to prison with times ranging from about four years to 27 years. Baldwin faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and up to a $1,000,000 fine. MATADOR, Texas -- Survivors are still trying to pick up the pieces after a deadly tornado tore through the small town of Matador, Texas, on Wednesday evening. Four people died, and nine others were injured as the twister devastated the town of just 571 people about 60 miles east-northeast of Lubbock. One of those survivors was Deana Washington, whose family managed to get into a safe place moments before disaster struck. "We were in the process of getting into the basement we had a very old two-story house, and you had to go outside the house to get to the basement," Washington recalled. "And we started out, and my husband said, 'Oh! We cant go out there!' " They had a tarp along their backyard patio, and it was twisting. "(He said) 'It's here! Go to our bathroom,'" Washington said. TORNADO SAFETY: HOW TO IDENTIFY THE SAFEST PLACES INSIDE YOUR HOME The two scooped up their two visiting grandkids and got them into an interior bathroom. "I told them to get into the bathtub and lie down," she said. "And I put king-size pillows on them, and I said, 'Oh God, youve got to protect us.'" The tornado struck moments later, destroying much of their house and the surrounding neighborhood. "We didnt have anything, it was all gone," she said tearfully. "God protected us from that because all that stuff had to come over the top of us." But four people in their community did not survive the terrible storm. Washington said a truck driver who wasn't very far from her house was killed in his truck. A second death occurred at a dollar store across from their home. A third person died just down the road. The four killed in Matador on Wednesday brings the total number killed by tornadoes so far this year to 73. Eight of those were reported this past week alone, with three killed in Perryton, Texas, and one in Jasper County, Mississippi. "It was a devastating thing that people didnt survive through," Washington said. But Washington is grateful for the support she has from her community. Her husband works for a local ranch who was able to find temporary housing for their family. HOW ARE TORNADOES RATED? THE ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE EXPLAINED "We work for incredible people, and we have an incredible family to come in and try to help us," she said. "But when you are left with nothing, God provides." The National Weather Service in Lubbock has storm surveyors in the area assessing the damage and will eventually give the tornado a rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's Supreme Court ruled in a lopsided vote on Thursday to strike down part of a legislative overhaul of the country's electoral authority which was championed by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Nine of the court's 11 justices voted to invalidate the reform, the court announced on Twitter, which overall would significantly shrink Mexico's national electoral institute INE and cut its budget. Lopez Obrador has argued that INE is bloated, and has long nursed a grudge against the body for his two previous losing runs for the presidency, when he claimed the elections had been stolen from him. Critics of the reform drive counter that the electoral shake-up would cede power to state and local officials, many of whom are currently affiliated with Lopez Obrador's Morena party. The officials could play a role in the next year's general election. In March, Lopez Obrador said he will seek a vote on a broader electoral reform just before leaving office, if Morena and its allies can win a supermajority in the next Congress which would be needed to enact constitutional changes. (Reporting by Raul Cortes Fernandez and Valentine Hilaire; Editing by David Alire Garcia) PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The cost of the unprecedented search for the missing Titan submersible will easily stretch into the millions of dollars, experts said Friday. The massive international effort by aircraft, surface ships and deep-sea robots began Sunday when the Titan was reported missing. Searchers raced against a 96-hour clock in the desperate hope to find and rescue the vessel's occupants before their oxygen supply ran out. But all hope was extinguished Thursday when officials announced the submersible had suffered a catastrophic implosion, killing all five aboard. A scaled-back search remained in place Friday as the robots remotely operated vehicles, known as ROVs continued to scan the sea floor for evidence that might shed light on what occurred in the deep waters of the North Atlantic. The search area spanned thousands of miles twice the size of Connecticut and in waters 2 1/2 miles (4 kilometers) deep with agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard, the Canadian Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and other agencies and private entities. Theres no other comparable ocean search, especially with so many countries and even commercial enterprises being involved in recent times, said Norman Polmar, a naval historian, analyst and author based in Virginia. The aircraft, alone, are expensive to operate, and the Government Accountability Office has put the hourly cost at tens of thousands of dollars. Turboprop P-3 Orion and jet-powered P-8 Poseidon sub hunters, along with C-130 Hercules, were all utilized in the search. Some agencies can seek reimbursements. But the U.S. Coast Guard whose bill alone will hit the millions of dollars is generally prohibited by federal law from collecting reimbursement pertaining to any search or rescue service, said Stephen Koerting, an attorney in Maine who specializes in maritime law. The Coast Guard, as a matter of both law and policy, does not seek to recover the costs associated with search and rescue from the recipients of those services, the Coast Guard said Friday in a statement. The first priority in search and rescue is always saving a life, and search and rescue agencies budget for such expenses, said Mikki Hastings, president and CEO of the National Association for Search and Rescue. In the end, these people were in distress. We know what the ultimate result was. But during the search operation, there are people who are in distress, she said of the Titan submersible. Rescue agencies dont want people in distress to be thinking about the cost of a helicopter or other resources when a life is in danger. Every person who is missing they deserve to be found. Thats the mission regardless of who they are, she said. Five science projects will study the Sun and its influence on Earth during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, NASA announced Tuesday. The total solar eclipse will provide a unique opportunity to study the Sun, as the Suns wispy outer atmosphere known as its corona is more clearly seen when the Moon blocks out the face of the star, NASA said. Additionally, total solar eclipses can be quite rare. While solar eclipses happen about twice a year, the American Astronomical Society says darkness from a total solar eclipse for any point on the planet only happens once every 400 years. The five NASA-funded projects taking advantage of this rare event on April 8 will study the Sun and its influence on Earth. As the eclipse will only last a few minutes, each project has a small window of time to conduct their experiments. COUNTDOWN IS ON FOR THE GREAT NORTH AMERICAN SOLAR ECLIPSE Path of totality during the Great North American Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024. Here are the five projects: One project will use NASAs WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft to capture images of the eclipse from above the Earths atmosphere. At this altitude, the team hopes to be able to see new details of structures in the middle and lower corona. The project is led by Amir Caspi at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado. Another project will utilize the WB-57 aircraft to learn about the temperature and chemical composition of the corona and coronal mass ejections, or large bursts of solar material. The team hopes to gain new insights into the corona and the sources of solar wind. The team is led by Shadia Habbal of the University of Hawaii. HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER One project tests the impact of a total solar eclipse on radio communications. Radio communications are affected during eclipses, when the Moons position in front of the Sun blocks particles that impact the upper region of our atmosphere, where radio communications travel. To learn about its impact, ham radio operators from different locations are asked to make as many radio contacts as possible during the eclipse. This project is led by Nathaniel Frissell of the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. One experiment will study the impact of solar radiation on upper layers of the Earths atmosphere during the eclipse. The team will utilize three Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radars to gather data on this during the eclipse. The project is led by Bharat Kunduri of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. Another project will observe solar "active regions," or magnetically complex regions that form over sunspots, as the Moon moves over them during the eclipse. The team will use a 34-meter Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT) to measure subtle changes to the radio emissions from those active regions. The project is led by Thangasamy Velusamy of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The event in 2024 will take place during the afternoon as the eclipse will travel over Mexico, into Texas and 14 other states before exiting through Canada. San Antonio, Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo are among the places inside the path of totality. MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AP) Muslim pilgrims streamed into the holy city of Mecca on Friday ahead of the start of Hajj next week, as the annual pilgrimage returns to its monumental scale after three years of heavy restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic. Saudi officials say close to 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in the country so far, the vast majority by air. More are expected, and hundreds of thousands of Saudis and others living in Saudi Arabia will also join them when the pilgrimage officially begins on Monday. Saudi officials have said they expect the number of pilgrims to reach pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, more than 2.4 million Muslims made the pilgrimage. On Friday, pilgrims thronged the Grand Mosque in Mecca to attend weekly communal prayers. Many then did a ritual circuit walking seven times around the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure inside the Grand Mosque that is Islam's holiest site. On Thursday night, the vast marble court around the Kaaba was packed with the faithful, walking nearly shoulder to shoulder in stark contrast to scenes two years ago at the height of the pandemic, when the sparse numbers kept far from each other in the nearly empty court as they walked the circuit. Pilgrims do the circumambulation, known as Tawaf" in Arabic, upon arriving in Mecca, and the large crowds circling the Kaaba will last into the Hajj's first day. Carrying umbrellas against the sun in temperatures reaching 42 degrees Celsius (107 Fahrenheit) on Friday, pilgrims walked for kilometers (miles) from bus lots into the Grand Mosque area in central Mecca, often jostling with barricades set up by security forces to direct the giant flows of people. Coming from all around the world, many pilgrims converged on nearby shops and malls to buy souvenirs. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to undertake it at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so. It is one of the worlds largest religious gatherings. This years pilgrimage will be the first without the restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic. Fewer than 10,000 pilgrims performed the Hajj in 2020 and around 60,000 in 2021 all of them residents of Saudi Arabia since pilgrims were forbidden to come from abroad. Last year, around 900,000 made the pilgrimage as Saudi Arabia allowed limited numbers of pilgrims from abroad. The Saudi media ministry announced Thursday that more than 1.49 million foreign pilgrims had arrived through its international ports by Wednesday, with 1.43 million travelling by air. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) North Carolina Republican legislators rolled out on Thursday adjustments to the state's new abortion restrictions that are set to take effect in days, addressing some provisions that litigation seeking to block the law's enforcement calls confusing and inconsistent. GOP senators said the changes offered on the Senate floor were small, designed to affirm the intent of the measure enacted last month over Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's veto that in part would ban starting July 1 nearly all abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy. We very much see it as something that is technical and clarifying, Sen. Ralph Hise, a Mitchell County Republican, told reporters after the Senate voted for the abortion alterations, tacked on to another pending state health agency bill. It makes no substantive changes. But the language appears to attempt to thwart a federal lawsuit filed last week by Planned Parenthood South Atlantic and a doctor who performs abortions that seeks to declare all or parts of the enacted abortion law unconstitutional. The litigation accelerated Wednesday when those who sued formally asked to block enforcement of a large portion of the law much sooner, before any potential trial. U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles scheduled a hearing for next week on the temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction requests. The lawsuit cited several requirements in the new abortion law that it claims are unintelligible, inherently contradictory, irrational, and/or otherwise unconstitutional into every part of the abortion process. Thursday's legislation, which was placed on the Senate floor with little procedural notice, speaks to many of those provisions. For example, the bill clarifies that medication abortions also are allowed up until 12 weeks of pregnancy and not 10, as critics argued the new abortion law seems to suggest. Thursday's bill also makes clear that it wouldn't be illegal for someone to help a woman obtain an abortion outside of North Carolina in states where the procedure would remain lawful, and that a lawful abortion is an exception to North Carolina's fetal homicide statute. Senate Democrats who vehemently opposed the new abortion law in the spring said Thursday's changes could have been avoided if Republicans hadn't rushed through the underlying abortion changes over three days in May. Now, pending litigation is making them act to attempt to fix the problems, said Sen. Sydney Batch, a Wake County Democrat. If I were on their side, I absolutely would do this, said Batch, adding that the language is an "admission that there is actually ambiguity and they're trying to fix it. Jillian Riley with Planned Parenthood South Atlantic said separately the new law was sloppily drafted and will result in people being denied the health care they need, no matter how many changes are hastily made behind closed doors. All Democrats in attendance Thursday afternoon voted against the bill, which will need one more affirmative vote next week before it goes to the House for consideration. This measure, like the new abortion law, would be subject to Cooper's veto stamp. Republican legislators have veto-proof majorities in both chambers. The North Carolina Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, which opposed the new abortion law, said in a statement Thursday that it appreciated the willingness of legislators to clarify the rules on medication abortions. The July 1 abortion law will change existing rules for North Carolina that ban nearly all abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, without exceptions for rape or incest. It also adds exceptions, extending the limit through 20 weeks for rape and incest and through 24 weeks for life-limiting fetal anomalies. Abortion-rights advocates say other new rules on patients and providers will make it even harder for poor or rural residents to obtain abortions and could force some abortion clinics to close. Supporters of the new law call the 12-week limit with exceptions a middle ground in one of the few Southern states with relatively easy access to abortion following last years U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down the Roe v. Wade ruling. State Attorney General Josh Stein, a strong abortion-rights supporter and Democratic candidate for governor in 2024, said later Thursday that his office wouldn't defend in court parts of the new abortion law. Stein is listed as a lawsuit defendant because it's the attorney general's job in part to defend state laws. But after a thorough review of the case ... I have concluded that many of the provisions in North Carolinas anti-abortion law are unconstitutional, Stein wrote in a tweet. State health officials and local district attorneys also are defendants. By Thursday night, House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger had asked Eagles to join the case to defend the challenged portions of the law, citing in part Stein's decision. By Casey Hall SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Premier Li Qiang urged China and Europe to "rise above differences" and find "creative solutions" at a summit in Paris on Friday, in order to overcome global problems such as climate change and poverty alleviation. "China will unequivocally reject trade protectionism and all forms of decoupling and severing of supply chains," Li said on the final day of the two-day summit, adding that China would continue to take practical steps to support its fellow developing countries. Easing the debt burden on some of the world's most vulnerable countries while finding ways to free up billions of dollars in new funds for climate finance were key objectives of the summit. "China is ready to be engaged in debt relief efforts in an effective, realistic and comprehensive manner in keeping with the principle of fair burden sharing," Li said. During the summit, Zambia struck a deal to restructure $6.3 billion in debt owed to other governments, including China, its largest official creditor. (Reporting by Casey Hall; Editing by Christina Fincher & Simon Cameron-Moore) The Centre County Commissioners will hold a public hearing next week on its proposed Responsible Contractor Ordinance before voting on the controversial measure. The proposal has garnered a lot of attention countywide, from both supporters and in opposition, and even gained recent attention from a state representative and a candidate for Pennsylvania attorney general. The board of commissioners have been in disagreement over the RCO, split along party lines. Democrat Commissioners Mark Higgins and Amber Concepcion have been in favor of the ordinance, while Republican Commissioner Steve Dershem has not. Below is a list of common questions and misconceptions, as well as what county and state leaders have said about the ordinance. The answers are based on the ordinance, what commissioners and others have said during public meetings, and other public events. What does the Responsible Contractor Ordinance do? The Responsible Contractor Ordinance, or RCO, applies only to public construction contracts with the Centre County Government over $250,000. The RCO outlines procedures for solicitation and award of some public construction contracts, provides certification requirements for public contractors and subcontractors, procedures for public contract review and assurance that such projects will use properly trained construction personnel. The RCO was first publicly discussed by the Centre County Commissioners in January. Higgins, Concepcion and then-Commissioner Michael Pipe have been supportive of the ordinance, while Dershem has been opposed to the ordinance from the start. County code requires the board to award public works contracts to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. But because there is limited guidance on what responsible means, the county has proposed adopting a Responsible Contractor Ordinance with those guidelines and requirements. It would decide and define what would be responsible for Centre County. So how would responsible be defined? The RCO would require the county public works contracts to be performed by qualified responsible contractors and subcontractors that meet criteria like satisfactory records of past performances and adequate present performance capabilities. That includes contractor and subcontractor competency and availability of skilled craft personnel. Among other requirements, such as having the necessary experience, equipment, skills and such to complete the project, the ordinance would require the firm to pay all craft employees on the project prevailing wage, at minimum. The wage requirement would also apply to employees doing custom fabrication work for the project. The contractor or person seeking the contract for a county project would need to submit a notarized Contractor Responsibility Certification, which will confirm several facts regarding its past work history and performance, and current qualifications. The ordinance would require the county to use contractors with at least 70% of the craft labor workforce employed on the project be either journeyperson workers who have completed an apprenticeship training program registered with/approved by the federal Department of Labor or state apprenticeship agency or registered apprentices enrolled in such programs. A list of all the trades or classifications of craft employees that will work on the project, and names and addresses of all apprenticeship programs relating to the employees will be submitted with the certification. Why is the county proposing the RCO and why do people support it? John Franek, county administrator, previously told the CDT the goals of the RCO include: Informing the county of any potential bidder non-performance issues Encouraging/promoting worker safety and safety training Ensuring quality county projects through recognized training/apprenticeship programs Promoting workforce development and employment of workers within Centre County and Pennsylvania Continue providing opportunities for smaller contractors to compete for work on county projects costing under $250,000 Creating potential cost-savings to the county and county taxpayers Supporters of the ordinance say it will promote worker safety and support workforce development. Concepcion, during a May 23 board meeting, said the RCO would protect both the county and workers on large projects, and will ensure quality work in highly skilled technical fields is being done on county projects. Concepcion cited a study that examined the impact on project cost with RCOs in place in Ohio, which found that they did not have a statistically significant impact on the price of public projects, which she said was reassuring. Higgins said it would encourage worker safety because employers will need to certify that all the employees on the job have had their initial 10 hours of OSHA safety training, with at least one on the job site with 30 hours. People at the state level have also started chiming in and sharing their support. State Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township, held a press conference about it with Eugene DePasquale, candidate for Pennsylvania Attorney General earlier this month. Takac said hes spoken with many people who have served as elected officials in various levels of government, business officials and lawyers, and hes heard positive impacts and benefits of RCOs, including fewer change orders, cost overruns, delays and higher quality work. I support the commissioners in raising this issue and look forward to a vigorous debate in the upcoming hearing. And I will add that based on my conversations with people I know and trust folks who have direct experience in this area I believe that an RCO can be a positive development for our county, our community, our businesses and our taxpayers. It would put people, not profits, first, Takac said. The Centre County board of commissioners, Amber Concepcion (left), Mark Higgins and Steve Dershem, during a meeting Jan. 24. Why do people oppose it? Dershem has been a vocal critic of the proposal and Republican commissioner candidate Marie Librizzi has also been an outspoken opponent. Dershem has said in previous meetings that the ordinance is unfair and discriminates against numerous Centre County contractors. He said it would limit the availability of local contractors that would be able to bid on such projects, and companies that arent unionized or have apprenticeship programs will have to figure out how to fit their program into the ordinance. This is about the exclusivity of some groups of laborers and construction folks, Dershem said earlier this month. I want a fair, level field for everybody. I want to get the sharpest pencils out there. I want to make sure that we have the best deals, I want to make sure we get the best product at the end. And we have construction managers and bonds that make sure that occurs. Major construction companies have also spoke out in opposition. Some, like Jim Willshier, director of government affairs for the Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors, said the workforce requirement isnt realistic. ABC has an apprenticeship program, he said, but the 70% workforce threshold is unattainable. Beyond that, hes said a big reason theyre opposed to the ordinance is because theres been a lack of clarity and transparency on a number of issues, including the workforce requirement and lack of definitions in the ordinance. Worries of increased taxes and limiting competition have also been voiced at meetings, although Higgins previously said if enacted, it would not cause a tax increase. A previous version of the proposal stated in lieu of the participation of an apprenticeship program, the county would accept a successful resume of projects, documentation of the firms internal training program, roster of the trained (personnel) in its employ and submission of its safety program and Experience Modification Rate. But the board removed that part in the third version, which is what is advertised and will be voted on. Mike Hawbaker, of Glenn O. Hawbaker questioned that during a previous meeting. I guess what I am confused by whyd you remove the EMR in there? You gave a measurement potential there to measure things upon. You continue to talk about safety, but yet you removed the EMR so, that is confusing based on the comments stated here. Because otherwise you lack any measurement status in what you mentioned, Hawbaker said. What does it say about unions? Nothing. The actual ordinance does not mention unions at all, though local union leaders have been in support of the RCO. Oftentimes apprenticeship programs are union, and there have been concerns raised by Dershem and some Centre County residents about recent campaign donations Higgins and Concepcion received from unions during the last reporting cycle. What projects would be affected by it? The ordinance would only apply to public works projects undertaken directly by the Centre County Government for construction, demolition, alteration, renovation, modernization, service or maintenance of building, structures or facilities with a price tag of $250,000 or more. This would not impact any private construction projects or public works projects done by another municipality. An upcoming Centre County Government project it would apply to, if enacted, is the renovation of the former Centre Crest building. The Centre County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on June 27 on a proposed Responsible Contractor Ordinance. When would it go into effect? Thirty days after the board votes to enact it. Once its passed, can the board waive the ordinance requirements? Yes, but only under two conditions and only for a specific project. The county can waive the requirements of the ordinances through a resolution if the county doesnt receive any bids for the project by the end of the bidding period, or if the county receives one bid for the project that exceeds the project budget. When will the board vote on enacting the RCO? The board will hold a public hearing during its regular meeting at 10 a.m. June 27 in room 146 of the Willowbank Building, 420 Holmes St., Bellefonte. The board can choose to vote on the ordinance after the hearing concludes. The meeting room has been full the last two times the board discussed the RCO. During the last commissioners meeting, the CDT asked the board if they considered moving the meeting time and location to accommodate more people. Higgins said the public hearing would need to be held during a time when the board of commissioners are open for business, and at that point, that would be at 10 in the morning for the regularly scheduled commissioner meeting. But after the meeting, Dershem said he thought they had the ability to hold the public hearing at a different time and that it was probably a mistake to hold it during their regular meeting. Higgins said he expects the public hearing to be toward the beginning of the meeting. Have other places done RCOs? A number of other municipalities and counties have adopted Responsible Contractor Ordinances, including Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Some opposed to the RCO in Centre County have mentioned concerns about the ordinance inviting lawsuits. In 2018 Northampton County was sued over its RCO, according to reporting by the Morning Call. But courts have since upheld the ordinance. The Allentown City Council approved a similar RCO but later reversed course and postponed it indefinitely in 2022, according to WFMZ. The council did not respond to an inquiry from the CDT about why they decided not to move forward with it or if it is planned to be brought up again in the future. Will municipalities in Centre County adopt an RCO? Its possible. At least one municipality, the State College Borough, is looking at it. Jesse Barlow, council president, said in an email to the CDT that an ordinance is being drafted and he expects it to be passed by the current State College Borough Council. I am a strong supporter of it, Barlow said. Where can I read the full ordinance? The Centre County Government has the legal notice for the meeting, ordinance and Contractor Responsibility Certification form available for review on its website, centrecountypa.gov/167/Ordinances, or on file at the County Commissioners office in the Willowbank Building, 420 Holmes St., Room 151, Bellefonte. By Andrew Osborn LONDON (Reuters) - Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said on Friday that the official Kremlin-backed version of why Moscow invaded Ukraine was based on lies concocted by his perennial adversary - the army's top brass. Prigozhin has for months been accusing Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov, of rank incompetence, but on Friday he for the first time rejected Russia's core justifications for invading Ukraine on Feb. 24 last year in what it calls a "special military operation". "... the Defence Ministry is trying to deceive society and the president and tell us a story about how there was crazy aggression from Ukraine and that they were planning to attack us with the whole of NATO," Prigozhin said in a video clip released on Telegram by his press service, calling the official version "a beautiful story". "The special operation was started for different reasons," he said. "The war was needed ... so that Shoigu could become a marshal ... so that he could get a second 'Hero' [of Russia] medal. The war wasn't needed to demilitarise or denazify Ukraine." He also said the war had been needed to acquire "material assets" to divide among the ruling elite. Prigozhin portrays his Wagner private militia, which spearheaded the capture of the city of Bakhmut last month, as Russia's most effective fighting force, and has enjoyed unusual freedom to publicly criticise Moscow, albeit not President Vladimir Putin, on whose support he ultimately depends. Yet his latest assertion runs directly counter to the rationale for the war espoused by Putin, who said when sending his armed forces into Ukraine that it was to demilitarise and denazify a country that posed a threat to Russia. The Kremlin leader casts the conflict as an existential struggle against a Western alliance that wants to use Ukraine as a platform to destroy Russia. There was no immediate response from the Defence Ministry, which has ignored previous complaints from Prigozhin, in public at least. Nor was there any immediate reaction from the Kremlin, which has declined in the past to comment on Prigozhin's outbursts. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Kevin Liffey) CANBERRA, Australia (AP) A suspected Russian diplomat is apparently squatting on the site of Moscow's proposed new embassy in Canberra after the Australian government vetoed the plan on security grounds and passed legislation that Russia will try to overturn in Australia's highest court. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed the Russian act of defiance in occupying the site, saying on Friday that a bloke standing in the cold on a bit of grass in Canberra is not a threat to our national security. Albanese also said he was confident that the eviction would stand up to any Russian legal challenge. Parliament passed emergency legislation last week blocking on security grounds Russias lease on the largely empty block because the new embassy would have been too close to Parliament House. A man has been living on the site in a portable building since Sunday, when passersby first saw Australian Federal Police outside the fenced block in Canberra's Yarralumla diplomatic precinct. The Russian Embassy refused to comment on media reports that the man seen smoking cigarettes outside the building was a Russian diplomat. The embassy also declined to explain why the man was on the site, saying in an email, The Embassy does not comment (on) this. Albanese said the issue would be resolved, but did not explain how. Australia will stand up for our values and we will stand up for our national security, Albanese told reporters in a courtyard outside his Parliament House office. The outdoor temperature at the time was 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit). Russia later informed the government that it intended to challenge the termination of the lease in the High Court on constitutional grounds, the Australian government said in a statement. Russia's challenge to the validity of the law is not unexpected, the statement said. This is part of the Russian playbook. An injunction hearing has been listed for Monday, government officials said. Australian National University international law expert Don Rothwell said occupying the site gave Russia no advantage in any legal challenge to the eviction. What theyre doing is diplomatic civil disobedience in terms of indicating their displeasure with the action of the Australian government, Rothwell said. He said Russia's only possible constitutional challenge would be to question the Australian government's power to overturn the decision by local Canberra authorities to issue the lease. But that power was absolute, Rothwell said. Russias only potential for a successful challenge is over the amount of compensation that Australia offers for money already spent on construction and earthworks, Rothwell said. Russia says it has spent $5.5 million on the site since it was granted the lease in 2008. The completed work includes fencing and a single perimeter building that was to be part of a planned complex of several buildings. If the man is a diplomat, he could claim diplomatic immunity if detained by police, who would then have to set him free. The government could declare him persona non grata, which would mean his diplomatic immunity was revoked. Such people are then usually given 48 hours to leave Australia or face arrest. Russia could then send another diplomat to take his place, said Rothwell, who lives in Yarralumla and noticed police outside the site on Sunday. Thats the sort of scenario that I think the government would be keen to avoid, Rothwell said. Albanese did not directly answer when asked if the government is considering revoking the mans diplomatic status. Were confident of our position that it will be resolved, he said. Albanese said he was not concerned by the possibility of a Russian court challenge. We actually support the law. Russia has not been real good at the law lately, Albanese said, referring the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Australian Federal Police declined to answer why the man had not been removed for trespassing. Police advised reporters at the site on Friday not to cross the perimeter fence or gate which was chained and padlocked from the inside. A hand occasionally shifting blinds was the only evidence anyone was inside the small cabin. Russia last week accused Australia of Russophobic hysteria for canceling the lease, which follows a deterioration in relations since the Ukraine war began last year. In February, a newspaper reported that Australia had quietly expelled a large Russian spy ring whose members were posing as diplomats. The spy ring included purported embassy and consular staff as well as other operatives using deep-cover identities, The Sydney Morning Herald reported, citing unidentified sources with knowledge of the operation. The Australian Security Intelligence Organization, the nations main domestic spy agency, revealed days earlier it had detected and disrupted a major spy network. It has not named the country responsible. ___ Find more of APs Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific DETROIT (AP) A teenager awaiting sentencing for killing four students at a Michigan high school has been exhibiting sporadic, disturbing behavior in jail, prosecutors said, just a month before a key hearing to determine if he will serve a life prison term. The disclosure about Ethan Crumbley, 17, was made in a court document this week and at a routine monthly hearing Friday in Oakland County court. Prosecutors did not offer any details in public but shared them privately with Judge Kwame Rowe and Crumbley's attorneys. Crumbley pleaded guilty to murder, terrorism and other charges for a mass shooting at Oxford High School in 2021. Four fellow students were killed and seven more people were wounded. Crumbley is being held at the county jail but is kept away from adults who are also in custody. He has started exhibiting sporadic, disturbing behavior, assistant prosecutor Marc Keast said in a court filing. This behavior has been documented via report and body-worn camera from jail personnel responding to various incidents. It is not readily apparent what the impetus for or cause is of this behavior. Crumbley was 15 at the time of the shooting. First-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence in Michigan. But because of his age, Crumbley is entitled to a hearing where Rowe will hear testimony about his family life, mental health and other factors and decide whether a shorter sentence would be appropriate. Keast and Crumbley's attorneys said they still believe he is mentally competent for the sentencing phase of the case. The hearing starts July 27. Separately, his parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, face involuntary manslaughter charges. They're accused of ignoring their son's mental health needs and making a gun accessible at home. ___ Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez A new Thai restaurant that just opened in Warner Robins lives up to its name. ZAAP Thai Street Food at 670 Lake Joy Road, Suite 400, in the Kathleen community is in its soft opening. Zaap in Thai means delicious or spicy, and on a recent, unannounced visit, everything I ordered was, in fact, delicious. I also asked two customers, sisters who are half-Thai, to share their thoughts. Chicken egg rolls at ZAAP Thai Street Food in Warner Robins. A review For starters, I chose the chicken egg roll, which is described on the menu as chicken and mixed veggies wrapped and deep fried served with sweet and sour sauce. The presentation was faultless. Served on a blue plate with garnishments, the three crispy egg rolls were filled with finely cut chicken and veggies and cut in such a way that made them easy to dip. Pad Thai with jumbo shrimp at ZAAP Thai Street Food in Warner Robins. For my entree, I tried the Pad Thai with jumbo shrimp, which the menu describes as stir-fried rice noodles with ZAAPs tamarind sauce, bean sprouts, red onion, green onion, tofu, eggs and peanuts. I asked for mild seasoning. Everything was just mixed together perfectly to create a sweet flavor. Served in a copper dish, the entree stayed warm throughout the meal. The atmosphere of the restaurant was inviting and relaxing and the service was excellent. A.J. Hill, left, and her sister, Janell Holloway, try ZAAP Thai Street Food in Warner Robins for the first time. A.J. Hill and Janell Holloway, sisters from Warner Robins, also stopped in on the second day the restaurant was open. We just wanted to try something new, Hill said. Were actually half-Thai and we like to try all the Thai food. Hill tried the Pad Ma Ma with no meat, which is described on the menu as stir-fried ramen noodles with Thai herb, egg and veggies in a chili garlic sauce. Meat options for this dish include chicken, jumbo shrimp and seafood. I think it was pretty authentic, Hill said. It was pretty good. Bamee Moo Daeng (dry) at ZAAP Thai Street Food in Warner Robins. Holloway also said she enjoyed her dish. She tried the Bamee Moo Daeng (dry), which is described on the menu as egg noodle with BBQ pork, fish cake, meatball flavored with fried garlic oil and veggies. The meat was tender, Holloway said. The mixes, the combination, made the flavor pop. The sisters also enjoyed their Boba milk teas. Holloway tried the Tiger milk tea, while Hill tried both the iced Thai tea and the Thai coffee. The restaurant also serves beer, wine, sake, Coca-Cola products, tea, including green and jasmine served hot, and refreshing drinks such as butterfly pea lemonade and red, green, peach and lime sodas. Desserts include Thai roti and snow ice with Sala-flavor syrup. From left to right, the owners and operators of ZAAP Thai Street Food in Warner Robins: Kook Supranee Sritan, Annie Porntip Ngernngok and Kai Patcharee Sintuwong. Family owned & operated The restaurant is owned and operated by sisters Kai Patacharee Sintuwong and Kook Supranee Sritan and their cousin Annie Porntip Ngernngok. KAAP is a sister restaurant to three other Middle Georgia restaurants: Kin.D.96 at 1057 Ga. 96, Warner Robins, which opened in 2019; Thai Pepper at 1806 Russell Parkway, Suite 1100, Warner Robins, which opened in 2015; and Kai Thai, 2600 North Columbia St., Suite C2, Milledgeville, which opened in 2008. Jackie Tonsiri, a server at ZAAP Thai Street Food in Warner Robins. Jackie and Cody Tonsiri met at Kai Thai in Milledgeville. She was already working there when he started traveling back and forth from Warner Robins to help out. On my recent visit, Jackie was my server, and her husband was in the back cooking. She was very attentive. I asked her about the owners. Theyre laid back, she said. Theyre very giving. They take care of their employees. ZAAP Thai Street Food is now open at 670 Lake Joy Road, Suite 400, Warner Robins. Next time During the break between lunch and dinner when the restaurant was closed, I was allowed to linger. I watched the restaurant staff finish up their duties and then relax over lunch. Stopping by her table to say goodbye to Jackie, I discovered what I would order on my next visit: the Tom Yum Noodle Soup that she was enjoying. Tom Yum Noodle Soup at ZAAP Thai Street Food in Warner Robins. The soup is described this way on the menu, The flavors are a combination of noodles with Thai flavors served with ground pork, fish cake, boiled egg, meatball and veggies. It looked amazing. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m .to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday. The number is 478-287-2080. ZAAP Thai Street Food is now open at 670 Lake Joy Road, Suite 400, Warner Robins. ZAAP Thai Street Food is now open at 670 Lake Joy Road, Suite 400, Warner Robins. Chiang Mai Noodle at ZAAP Thai Street Food in Warner Robins. ZAAP Thai Street Food is now open at 670 Lake Joy Road, Suite 400, Warner Robins. Ka Na Moo Krop at ZAAP Thai Street Food in Warner Robins. In the days before the Titan vessel went into the ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, the 19-year-old university student accompanying his father on the expedition expressed hesitation about going, his aunt said in an interview Thursday. Azmeh Dawood the older sister of Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood told NBC News that her nephew, Suleman, informed a relative that he "wasn't very up for it" and felt "terrified" about the trip to explore the wreckage of the Titanic. But the 19-year-old ended up going aboard OceanGate's 22-foot submersible because the trip fell over Father's Day weekend and he was eager to please his dad, who was passionate about the lore of the Titanic, according to Azmeh. "I am thinking of Suleman, who is 19, in there, just perhaps gasping for breath ... It's been crippling, to be honest," Azmeh said in a phone interview from the home in Amsterdam she shares with her husband, Jonathan. Titanic capsule missing crew members (Courtesy Dawood family) She was devastated on Thursday when OceanGate, the company behind the Titan expedition, confirmed that all five passengers aboard were presumed dead. The U.S. Coast Guard said that debris in the search area was consistent with a "catastrophic implosion." "I feel disbelief," Azmeh said, speaking through sobs. "It's an unreal situation." The last four days were agonizing for Azmeh. She was glued to television news coverage of the hunt for the Titan, desperate for updates about her brother and nephew and fearing the worst. "I feel like I've been caught in a really bad film, with a countdown, but you didn't know what you're counting down to," she said. "I personally have found it kind of difficult to breathe thinking of them." "I never thought I would have an issue with drawing breath," she added. "It's been unlike any experience I've ever had." Azmeh and Shahzada are scions of one of the most prominent corporate dynasties in Pakistan. The familys namesake business empire, Dawood Hercules Corp., has investments in agriculture, the health sector and other industries. Shahzada was the vice chairman of the Karachi-based Engro Corporation and an adviser to Princes Trust International, a charitable organization founded by King Charles III. 'He was my baby brother' In recent years, Azmeh had fallen out of touch with Shahzada. She was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in 2014 and "reduced to being in a wheelchair." She and her husband decided to move from England to Amsterdam so she would have easier access to medicinal cannabis. But some of her family members, including Shahzada, disapproved of her use of cannabis and they started speaking less frequently. She said that she continued to feel close to Suleman, a young man she described as thoroughly good-hearted. But with the news Thursday that both men were believed to be dead, Azmeh was reminded of the intense love she felt for her sibling. "He was my baby brother," she said, weeping and seemingly overwhelmed with emotion. "I held him up when he was born." Shahzada Dawood. (Kohi Marri / Dawood family) In a statement, Azmeh and Shahzada's parents asked people to "keep the departed souls and our family in your prayers" and thanked the search teams for their "untiring efforts." "The immense love and support we receive continues to help us endure this unimaginable loss," Hussain and Kulsum Dawood said. Azmeh recalled that Shahzada was "absolutely obsessed" with the Titanic from a young age. When they were kids in Pakistan, the Dawood siblings would constantly watch the 1958 film "A Night to Remember," a British drama about the sinking of the cruise liner. She recounted that when Shahzada met her husband, he asked if they could sit down and watch a four-hour documentary about the Titanic. Shahzada also loved going to see museum exhibitions featuring artifacts recovered from the wreckage. She was not surprised when she learned that her brother had purchased tickets for the OceanGate mission. It was not something she would ever do, she explained: "If you gave me a million dollars," she said, "I would not have gotten into the Titan." Azmeh spent part of Thursday afternoon looking at old family photos, trying to make sense of the tragedy that befell her brother and nephew and grappling with the emotional ripple effect around the world. "I feel very bad that the whole world has had to go through so much trauma, so much suspense," she said. By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Friday denied allegations by an Internal Revenue Service whistleblower, who said the high-ranking federal prosecutor tasked with investigating President Joe Biden's son Hunter was hindered by the Justice Department from pursuing more aggressive criminal tax charges. Speaking publicly for the first time since Hunter Biden was criminally charged on Tuesday with two misdemeanor counts of willfully failing to pay income taxes, Garland told reporters at a press conference that U.S. Attorney David Weiss, the top federal prosecutor in Delaware, "was given complete authority" to make charging decisions on his own. "David Weiss was appointed by President Trump as the U.S. attorney in Delaware and assigned this matter during the previous administration," Garland said. "He was given complete authority to make all decisions on his own," the attorney general added. Weiss' office on Tuesday revealed in a court filing that Biden has agreed to plead guilty to the two misdemeanor tax charges. He has also agreed to enter into a pretrial diversion program to avoid facing a more serious felony count of possessing a firearm while a drug addict. Republicans have since attacked the charging decision, calling it a sweetheart deal that will likely allow the younger Biden to avoid prison time. On Thursday, lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives released the transcript of an interview with Gary Shapley, an IRS criminal supervisory agent who worked on the Hunter Biden probe. Shapley said that the Justice Department slow-walked the case, starting during the Trump administration and continuing through Garland's tenure. Most notably, Shapley said investigators uncovered evidence of more serious tax crimes that could only be pursued in either Washington, D.C., or California, but not in Delaware. But when Weiss sought permission from Garland to be designated as special counsel, so he could bring charges from anywhere in the country, his request was denied, Shapley said. Garland denied that claim on Friday. "Mr. Weiss never made that request to me," he said, adding that Weiss actually had "more authority" than a special counsel. In a statement, Hunter Biden's attorney Chris Clark said that "any suggestion the investigation was not thorough, or cut corners, or cut my client any slack, is preposterous and deeply irresponsible." (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; editing by Jonathan Oatis) KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian state-owned energy company Naftogaz said on Friday it had taken legal action in the United States against Russia to recover $5 billion awarded in the Hague as compensation for damages and lost property in Crimea. It said it had filed a motion in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and that it had the right to do so as the U.S. is among countries hosting Russian assets. Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, seized Crimea in 2014 and annexed the peninsula, triggering sanctions from Western governments. Naftogaz's assets in Crimea included Chornomornaftogaz, which produced significant amounts of gas from the Black Sea. Naftogaz said in April that an arbitration court in The Hague had ordered Russia to pay $5 billion in compensation for unlawfully expropriating the Ukrainian company's assets in Crimea. "Since Russia has not voluntarily paid the funds to Naftogaz as provided for by the award, we intend to leverage all available mechanisms to recover these funds," Naftogaz CEO Oleksiy Chernyshov said. Chernyshov said the company was working on this in the United States and other target jurisdictions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia would look at all possible ways to protect its legal rights in the case. (Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka and Olena Harmash; Editing by Tom Hogue and Timothy Heritage) A joint statement from the U.S. Representative to the United Nations on behalf of a coalition of European countries has urged the U.N. to investigate Russias use of Iranian drones in Ukraine. "Earlier this month, the United States released further information documenting how Iran has provided Russia with hundreds of one-way attack UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), as well as UAV production-related equipment. Ukraine and the U.K. also submitted evidence to the U.N. of Iranian UAVs recovered by the Ukrainian armed forces," Linda Thomas-Greenfield, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters. "Russia has not only procured hundreds of Mohajer and Shahed series UAVs from Iran in clear violation of Resolution 2231, but it is also now working with Iran to produce these weapons inside Russia," she continued, reading a statement on behalf of the U.S., the U.K., France, Ukraine and Albania. "Russia has been using these UAVs in recent weeks to strike Kyiv, destroy Ukrainian infrastructure, and kill and terrorize Ukrainian civilians. Media reports indicate just this week Russia targeted Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with dozens of Iranian-made drones," she said, adding, "The United Nations must respond to growing calls from the international community to investigate these violations." RUSSIA IS TARGETING THE US HOMELAND WITH ITS STRATEGY OF CYBER ARMAGEDDON Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on her nomination to be the United States Ambassador to the United Nations on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 27, 2021. When confronted with the counterclaim that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres does not have the mandate to launch an investigation, Thomas-Greenfield claimed that Resolution 2231 "does give the Secretary-General a mandate to carry out these investigations, and we have all encouraged the U.N. to move forward on carrying out these investigations immediately." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Russias and Irans actions violate U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231," Thomas-Greenfield said. "That resolution prohibits all countries, including permanent members of the Security Council, from transferring these types of weapons from Iran, absent advance Security Council approval. Approval was, of course, not given." Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the U.N. Secretary-General, told Fox News Digital, "The Secretariat continues to analyze information received with regard to the alleged transfer of uncrewed aerial vehicles by Iran in a manner inconsistent with paragraph 4 of Resolution 2231 (2015) and will report to the Security Council in due course." RUSSIAN WARLORD BLASTS PUTIN'S MISLEADING TAKE ON UKRAINE WAR A fragment of a kamikaze drone is seen on the ground in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv, Ukraine. "The next report will be discussed at a meeting at the experts level on implementation of Resolution 2231 (2015) in late June and then by the Council in a briefing next month," he added. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) first accused the Iranian regime of providing Russia with drones in November 2022, with an initial shipment of 3,500 drones for use in Ukraine. The U.S. National Security Council (NSC) this month said that the relationship has developed to a stage at which Iran has sent Russia materials to build drone manufacturing plants east of Moscow to produce more drones. CONGRESSIONAL CONSERVATIVES LAUNCH EFFORT TO PREVENT ENDLESS WARS WITH RESOLUTION ON NATO TREATY Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Sept. 15, 2022. "As of May, Russia received hundreds of one-way attack UAVs, as well as UAV production-related equipment, from Iran," NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said. Kirby noted that a graphic released at the time "shows how Iranian drones are being transferred to Russia: the drones are built in Iran, shipped across the Caspian Sea, from Amirabad, Iran, to Makhachkala, Russia, and then used operationally by Russian forces against Ukraine." "Russia and Irans actions are violations of their obligations under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 by participating in these transfers of drones from Iran to Russia without UN Security Council approval," Kirby said of the situation. "We will continue to work with allies and partners and with the U.N. on ways to hold them accountable." Arturo Bravo Santos was in the middle of more than one love triangle when he was shot and killed by Greg Leon, the husband of a woman Bravos Santos was seeing, according to testimony from his roommate and long time romantic partner. In addition to Leons wife, other female admirers lavished Bravo Santos with gifts, according to the roommates testimony. At one point, he had a 17-year-old girlfriend while he was in a multi-year relationship with the roommate, Ruby Sierra. But his affair with Rachel Leon strained their relationship, Sierra said. She thought it was dangerous to be mixed up with a married woman. If (Rachel) didnt care, he didnt care even less, Sierra said. After Bravo Santos was killed, Sierra became an undercover informant for police investigators, wearing a microphone in 2022 in an operation designed to catch Leon engaged in witness tampering. In Lexington County court Thursday, prosecutors from the 11th Circuit Solicitors Office and Leons defense attorneys bickered over sordid details of Bravo Santos personal life. They also sparred over whether the taped conversations proved Leon attempted to bribea witness to record false statements in exchange for cash or assistance with obtaining a visa. On the stand, Sierra described how a woman named Maria Moreno, who worked with Leon and described herself as being close to him, arranged for her to provide false statements that would paint Bravo Santos as a sadistic gang leader. Sierra, a transgender woman who works as a baker, had met Bravo Santos at a party in 2011. They would become roommates and romantic partners for four years, even while Bravo Santso pursued other relationships. On two occasions, when it appeared that Leons criminal case was moving forward, Moreno encouraged Sierra to make damaging statements about Bravo Santos. In late 2021, Sierra alerted a detective investigating Bravo Santos death, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was assigned to conduct a sting. Photos taken by SLED agents of a meeting between Maria Moreno and Ruby Sierra in December, 2021, where Moreno encouraged her to make false statements about victim Arturo Bravo Santos were shown as exhibits in Greg Leons murder trial on June 22, 2023. On Feb. 7, 2022, Sierra agreed to go with Moreno to record the statements about Bravo Santos. But Sierra was wearing a wire and was secretly accompanied by three SLED agents and a translator, let by agent Phil Turner. On recordings made with a hidden pinhole camera worn by Sierra, Moreno tells her that Leons case was closed but the courts needed the statement for their records. In reality, Leons case was moving forward after being delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inside of a car in the parking lot of Columbia attorney and state senator Dick Harpootlians law firm, Moreno instructed Sierra to act frightened and to make false statements to attorneys at the firm. Turner said that there was no evidence that anyone at the law firm, who represented Leon at the time, knew anything about the plan. It was important that Sierra claim Bravo Santos had been the leader of a gang called El Tigres (the tigers), named after his own supposed nickname, Moreno said. Sierra also was encouraged to say that gang members had called her from Mexico promising to enact revenge against Leon for killing their leader. Brian Zwolack, a sergeant with the Lexington County Sheriffs Department, testified that there was no record of Bravo Santos or any of his aliases in any gang databases. But Moreno urged Sierra to say that Bravo Santos was the scum of the earth who watched child pornography, raped her with a gun in her mouth, and once ordered her to drive to North Carolina to collect an underage girl for him while she was recovering from a chest surgery. He would not put his weapons down, even when he was eating, Sierra was encouraged to say. He lived like a crazy person, if someone knocked on the door he went for his weapon, ... that helps Goyo. Prosecutors have argued that Goyo is Greg Leon. His voice can be heard on two phone calls captured on the recording, where he urges Sierra to do what Maria says. Were any of those true? Deputy Solicitor Suzanne Mayes asked Sierra. No. Its false, Sierra replied. After the meeting, the two traveled to a San Jose restaurant and met with Leon. Morena went into a back room with Leon and returned putting cash in her pocket, Sierra said. For Sierras cooperation, Maria gave her $500 in nine $50 bills, two twenties and a ten, which 11th Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard meticulously counted out and laid on the rail in front of the jury. South Carolina Law Enforcement agent Phillip Turner showed the jury in Greg Leons murder trial pictures of individuals whose voices could allegedly be heard on a taped recording of a witness tampering sting on June 22, 2023. But in a lengthy cross examination, Swerling argued that Leon never asked Sierra to lie. It was Moreno who instructed Sierra on the stories she should tell, who promised that Leon could offer either money or help getting a visa and who paid Sierra. Maria was getting orders from someone, Sierra shot back. But Sierra acknowledged there was some truth contained in the statements she had been asked to make. She had received a call from Mexico from an individual called Ricardo threatening Leon after Bravo Santos death. But she said the always smiling and singing Bravo Santos, who installed dry wall for a living, didnt not even own a weapon, much less lead a gang of killers. When Bravo Santos was 23, he had also dated a 17-year-old girl who followed him to North Carolina when he went there for work. The girls mother, who Sierra said initially gave her blessing to the relationship, filed a police report when her daughter left South Carolina. It was true that women would give him gifts, Sierra said, but it was far from Morenas claim that Bravo Santos was dedicated to only winning the hearts of married women with money so he could extort them later. They gave him presents because they wanted him, but nobody was obligated to do that, Sierra said on cross examination. Do you know what the word gigolo means? Somebody who takes advantage of women, defense attorney Jack Swerling replied. But one of the gifts strained the relationshuip between Bravo Santos and Sierra: the 2014 silver Toyota Tundra pickup that Rachel Leon bought for him just three days before he was killed. Sierra said she and Bravo Santos had fought before he left with Rachel Leon and their third roommate to buy the truck, and she even offered to leave their house. On Valentines Day they agreed to discuss it further, but Bravo Santos never returned home. He was shot and killed inside of the backseat of the truck. Did you care about him until the day he died? Mayes asked. Yes, until now, Sierra said. British billionaire Hamish Harding posted on social media of his excitement at visiting the Titanic wreckage (Action Aviation Chairman) 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. 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 fulfillment 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 is believed to be on board the missing 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 foreshadow 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. SANAA, Yemen (AP) Yemen's warring sides have exchanged 64 bodies of their fallen, local media and tribal leaders said. The handover between the countrys Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia marked the latest in reconciliation efforts amid Yemen's yearslong conflict. The rare exchange took place on Wednesday near the Saudi border town of Nahran, according to the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV and three tribal leaders. All three tribesmen spoke on condition of anonymity fearing reprisals. The TV reported that remans of 58 rebels were handed over by Riyadh, while the Iran-backed Shiite rebels handed over the bodies of six Saudi soldiers. There was no immediate comment from the kingdom on the exchange. The handover marked the third exchange of bodies between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia since the war began, al-Masirah TV said. The two sides have also exchanged prisoners in organized swaps brokered by the United Nations. Yemen's civil war erupted in 2014 when the Houthis swept down from their northern stronghold and removed the internationally recognized government from the capital of Sanaa, forcing it first to the south, then into exhile in Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition intervened the following year to try and restore the government to power. In time, the conflict turned into a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The war has devastated Yemen, already the Arab poorest country, and created one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters. More than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, have been killed. In recent months, Saudi and Houthi officials have repeatedly met for talks aimed at a negotiated settlement to the conflict. The talks gained momentum earlier this year when Saudi Arabia and Iran, the main foreign backer of the Houthis, reached an agreement to restore diplomatic ties after years of frayed relations. In another sign of easing tensions, a commercial flight carrying over 270 Yemeni Muslim pilgrims departed last week from the Houthi-held Sanaa to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, the pilgrimage that is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for all Muslims physically and financially able to make the journey. By Sara Merken NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Thursday imposed sanctions on two New York lawyers who submitted a legal brief that included six fictitious case citations generated by an artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT. U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel in Manhattan ordered lawyers Steven Schwartz, Peter LoDuca and their law firm Levidow, Levidow & Oberman to pay a $5,000 fine in total. The judge found the lawyers acted in bad faith and made "acts of conscious avoidance and false and misleading statements to the court." Levidow, Levidow & Oberman said in a statement on Thursday that its lawyers "respectfully" disagreed with the court that they acted in bad faith. "We made a good faith mistake in failing to believe that a piece of technology could be making up cases out of whole cloth," the firm's statement said. Lawyers for Schwartz said he declined to comment. LoDuca did not immediately reply to a request for comment, and his lawyer said they are reviewing the decision. Schwartz admitted in May that he had used ChatGPT to help research the brief in a client's personal injury case against Colombian airline Avianca and unknowingly included the false citations. LoDuca's name was the only one on the brief that Schwartz prepared. Lawyers for Avianca first alerted the court in March that they could not locate some cases cited in the brief. Bart Banino, a lawyer for Avianca, said on Thursday that irrespective of the lawyers' use of ChatGPT, the court reached the "right conclusion" by dismissing the personal injury case. The judge in a separate order granted Avianca's motion to dismiss the case because it was filed too late. The judge wrote in Thursday's sanctions order that there is nothing "inherently improper" in lawyers using AI "for assistance," but he said lawyer ethics rules "impose a gatekeeping role on attorneys to ensure the accuracy of their filings." The judge also said that the lawyers "continued to stand by the fake opinions" after the court and the airline questioned whether they existed. His order also said the lawyers must notify the judges, all of them real, who were identified as authors of the fake cases of the sanction. (Reporting by Sara Merken; Editing by Leigh Jones and Jamie Freed) By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) - As New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins prepares to lead a trade delegation to China seeking greater access for both the country's primary exports and emerging sectors such as gaming, producers are diversifying away from their biggest market. Beijings attempts to punish neighbouring Australia through trade for perceived intransigence over issues from the origin of COVID-19, to spying and human rights, has been noted in New Zealand. The percentage of New Zealands goods exports going to China dropped to 29% in the year to April from 31% in 2022, the first time since 2015 that the share of exports to China has dropped. Wellington has historically taken a more conciliatory approach towards China than Australia or its other Five Eyes security partners. It signed an upgraded Free Trade Agreement during the pandemic and when former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met with President Xi Jinping in November last year, the Chinese leader noted New Zealand's independent foreign policy. But in recent years, New Zealand has become increasingly vocal on issues including human rights, the international rules based order and potential militarisation of the Pacific. This month, it signed a joint statement of Western allies condemning economic coercion through trade. The heightened implication of the geopolitical landscape is huge, said Mathew Talbot, general manager for Alliance, one of New Zealands largest beef and sheep meat exporters. Building of North Asia (markets) and the building of Southeast Asia (markets) is really, really crucial because it's de-risks that dependency, Talbot said. After New Zealand signed on to a joint statement condemning economic coercion, without citing the agreement directly, Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong tweeted: More often than not, those that seek to sanction other countries to stunt their progress to no avail have only hurt themselves. He did not respond to a request for comment. CALLS FOR DIVERSIFICATION There is no expectation that New Zealand will stop selling to China. China needs the food and fibre that New Zealand produces and is prepared to pay for it. But calls for diversification are growing, driven on two fronts. Firstly, fears the market could become more challenging if geopolitical challenges heat up, but secondly, by a growing number of small companies that see markets in Australia and North America as offering better opportunities as they will pay for premium and sustainable products. Hipkins, who heads to China on a trade mission for six days on Sunday, is aware of the need to seek new buyers. The government has signed seven new or upgraded free trade agreements as part of our really concerted effort to diversify our overall market shares, Hipkins told media last week after announcing the trip. At the same time, he said China was a valuable partner. Twenty-nine businesses leaders from a range of sectors will accompany Hipkins, who also has visits with the President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress Zhao Leji, on his visit. I think we'll have a fairly broad ranging conversation (with Xi Jinping) ... It's an opportunity for me to underscore the importance of the New Zealand-China relationship, said Hipkins on Monday at his weekly press briefing. A Chinese embassy spokesperson said in an email the bilateral relationship has come a long way with many firsts created, greatly benefiting the two countries. They hoped the Hipkins visit would result in a deepening of mutual understanding and trust between the two countries. China is going to be a really, really fundamental trading partner for this country for the foreseeable future, Pete Chrisp, chief executive of government funded international business development agency New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. But there is some hedging around other markets...The market diversification is driven by both the need to find premium consumers who are going to pay for sustainability credentials, but also they'll be making their own geopolitical assessment and they'll be doing the 'China And' not "China Or' (strategy)." (Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Additional reporting by Martin Quin Pollard in Beijing; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) Severe thunderstorms are expected to impact the same northern Texas town struck by an "unprecedented tornado" that killed four and injured 10 on Wednesday. Isolated tornadoes and very large hail around 2 inches in diameter are possible Friday afternoon and evening across an area from South Dakota and Wyoming stretching down to the Texas Panhandle. An estimated 7 million people may be affected. The storm system is also expected to bring thunderstorms, strong winds and hail to the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles along with parts of southwest Kansas and along the New Mexico border. This risk area includes Matador, Texas, where homes and businesses were destroyed by a tornado Wednesday. To the north, parts of South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska and northeast Colorado may also see severe thunderstorms with very large hail and wind gusts in excess of 75 mph. Isolated tornadoes are more likely in this northern risk area than in the southern risk area. Cities to watch include Rapid City, South Dakota; Cheyenne, Wyoming; and North Platte, Nebraska. On Saturday, about 10 million people will be at risk for severe storms across the Midwest, including areas in southern Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri. Very large hail will be the main risk followed by damaging winds and a few possible tornadoes. Des Moines, Iowa, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, could see tornadoes. Larger metro areas like Kansas City, Minneapolis and St. Louis are on the fringe of the severe threat but may experience strong storms. By Sunday, the severe storm threat is expected to shift east to include 14 million people from southwest Ohio down through northeast Arkansas, including cities like Nashville, Tennessee; Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; and Louisville, Kentucky. Heat alerts remain for 19 million people Friday across the southern Plains, with another day of heat index values as high as 110 to 120 degrees. The heat index is what temperatures feel like to the human body "when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature," according to the National Weather Service. Northern and central Texas had a brief break from the highest heat over the last couple of days, but highs will soar back into the upper 90s and the 100s across the region this weekend and into next week. Temperatures in Dallas on Sunday may soar as high as 105 degrees with a heat index of 113. In Houston, residents can expect a high of 102 degrees early next week. More record high temperatures are likely across Texas and Louisiana next week, especially from Tuesday into Thursday. Queer history is an act of excavation. Telling stories about the LGBTQ community and of transgender people in particular necessarily requires sifting through archives that are outright hostile to those they document. In The Stroll, a new HBO documentary directed by Kristen Lovell and Zackary Drucker, the filmmakers excavate decades worth of images to tell the story of trans sex workers in the Meatpacking District of New York City. Ostensibly a slice of local history of an increasingly gentrified city that sees marginalized folks as handily disposable, The Stroll is an empathetic portrait of a community still fighting for its own survival. The film opens on footage of a young Lovell, taken from the 2007 doc Queer Streets, in which she speaks about how she first turned to sex work to make money more money, in fact, than what she made at her day job. Her eyes are a bit glazed and she keeps looking away: ashamed, perhaps, of what shes matter-of-factly describing. We then witness the filmmaker, all these years later, assessing those shots in an editing bay where she further explains how she was likely on cocaine when she had cameras following her close to two decades ago. More from Variety Looking back on how Lovells own story was framed, audiences are keyed into the why and how of her desire to chronicle the history of the Stroll the name given to the streets that she and her peers covered from her own point of view. Only, of course, it is not solely her story and perspective that the documentary includes. The Stroll is a mosaic of tales from generations of trans sex workers who once thrived while walking those streets looking for johns and found, in turn, a welcoming community that has since been pushed out by the citys ever-evolving gentrification. There are stories of strife and of struggle here, but also of joy and community, of sisterhood and resilience. Lovells project understands that a citys history the way neighborhoods evolve, whether by policy or policing or both tells only one side of its story. While documentaries and newscasts over the decades have grappled with and portrayed the Stroll as a seedy, crime-riddled space in need of cleaning up, Lovell and Drucker begin their historiographical project by reframing such impressions. Archival photographs of trans women walking the streets and sensationalized news reports tinged with questionable ethnographic impulses (including one led by RuPaul, who plays the entire segment for laughs) here become mere representational matter, with which the filmmakers illustrate how that area became a safe haven for so many trans women looking for ways to survive and even thrive. To flip that script and to really capture the expansive history of the Stroll, reaching back to the early days of gay liberation and all the way through a post-9/11 New York City, Lovell stages candid conversations with a number of trans women who reminisce about their experiences in the streets. These interactions have the feel of well-worn chats between old friends, using shorthand and basking in each others glow, and lend The Stroll a warm sense of intimacy. This is a trans history project created by, and in service of, the trans community a community that can collectively account for why its story merits telling, even if its fractured and fragmented today. (The films team had to actively seek out many of its subjects, some of whom had spent years in jail, or had moved on and out of the city, while one had even detransitioned.) Throughout, audiences are welcomed not as interlopers or as voyeurs but as curious queer kin. Shuffling between archival images, intimate testimonials and even animated sequences that bring to life storied tales of encounters with police and johns, The Stroll has the hallmark of a cohesive choral project, excavating the past in order to make sense of both the present and a possible future. Watching Lovell and her subjects walk through the glittery streets of a now extremely bourgeois, tourist-filled Meatpacking District, the concept of the Strolls history as now existing only through these embodied memories becomes an urgent call to action. The evanescence of such safe spaces, coupled with the aggression with which the police and the New York City government clamped down on the likes of Lovell and the films subjects, makes The Stroll a piece of queer history that feels unsparingly timely. One of its most affecting scenes comes late in the film, courtesy of footage from the 2020 Brooklyn Liberation for Black trans lives, where an impassioned Ceyenne Doroshow opened her speech on housing advocacy with two simple words that roused the crowd: Were whores! Indeed, whats most astonishing about the film is the way it refuses the censuring, sensationalized gaze that has so often been used to frame and present the lives of trans sex workers. Both aesthetically and politically, it refuses the insidious call to adhere to a respectability politics that would look away (in shame, or even denial) from the fate and function of trans sex workers within the LGBTQ movement. Instead, it continually honors the dignity with which women like Ceyenne, Egyptt, Lady P and Tabytha and Lovell too have confronted a world that would have much rather ignored if not outright erased them. As such, The Stroll is a powerful piece of trans history-making, a document that feels wounded, lived in, and yet joyfully alive. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. WASHINGTON The deputy director of Election Day operations for Donald Trump's 2020 presidential campaign appeared before a federal grand jury Thursday as part of special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into Jan. 6 and efforts to interfere with the lawful transfer of presidential power. Gary Michael Brown, who has been accused of being involved in the so-called fake electors scheme after the 2020 election, was seen headed into the third-floor grand jury space at a courthouse in Washington where a grand jury has been hearing testimony about efforts to stop the transfer of power to President Joe Biden. Stanley Woodward an attorney who is representing several Trump aides, including Walt Nauta, who was indicted along with Trump in the Mar-a-Lago documents case accompanied Brown in court Thursday. He declined to comment. Brown, speaking with a member of the media after having emerged from the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse, declined to comment, saying he was starving and wanted to get a sandwich. The defunct Jan. 6 committee in Congress, when it subpoenaed Brown last year, said it had found credible evidence that he was aware of, and participated in, efforts to promote unsupported allegations of fraud in the November 2020 Presidential election and encourage state legislators to alter the outcome of the November 2020 election by, among other things, appointing alternate slates of electors to send competing electoral votes to the United States Congress. The committee also said Brown and other members of Trumps campaign had a coordinated strategy to contact Republican members of state legislatures in certain states that former President Trump had lost and urge them to reclaim their authority by sending an alternate slate of electors that would support former President Trump. The committee said it appeared Brown helped manage the Trump campaign staffers participating in this effort. NBC News reported last week that two of the "fake electors" testified before the federal grand jury in Washington the same day Trump appeared at a federal courthouse in Miami in connection with his indictment over his handling of classified records. Trump pleaded not guilty. Smith's investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, riot and efforts to interfere in the transfer of power is separate from the probe that led to Trumps indictment in Florida, although some of the grand jury proceedings related to that indictment took place in Washington, as well. The special counsel's office declined to comment Thursday on Brown's appearance. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Express your opinion! Fill out this form to submit a Letter to the Editor. Submit A month before the elections, the National Assembly passes a law that punishes boycotting an election that is meaningless after the Candlelight Partys disqualification. Now anyone who does not vote will not be able to run for office for at least four consecutive elections. According to human rights groups, this is but another campaign of intimidation by Hun Sen, the countrys strongman. Phnom Penh (AsiaNews/Agencies) Cambodias National Assembly today approved, by a unanimous vote, an amendment to the election law in order to sanction anyone who does not participate in next month's national elections. Outside the country, Cambodian elections are seen as a farce since incumbent Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power for almost 40 years, has stifled every form of opposition. Earlier this month, the Election Commission announced that those who urge people not to vote will be fined or imprisoned. The prime minister asked lawmakers to revise the legislation to ban from office people who boycott the 23 July elections. Anyone not going to vote without an appropriate reason will lose the right to run for office in four consecutive elections, said Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng without explaining what constitutes an appropriate reason. "The amendments impose fines and punish individuals who disrupt and obstruct the voter registration process...(and) the election," he added. The new law targets primarily prominent opposition figures who fled the country to avoid politically motivated convictions. National elections in Cambodia are held every five years and it is impossible to vote from abroad. Opposition leader Sam Rainsy has been in exile in France since 2015, while Kem Sokha, another opposition politician, was sentenced to 27 years in prison in March on treason charges. For the Cambodian government, this it is a way to enforce the law, but for human rights groups, the new law is part of a campaign of intimidation. "This really shows that this is a dictatorship that is playing in the democracy game," said Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch. Civil rights and political liberty have been completely, totally restricted by Prime Minister Hun Sen and his government, he added. In the last elections in 2018, Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party won every seat with 4.8 million votes out of a total of 6.9 million. The only opposition party, the Candlelight Party, was first hounded and then disqualified by the Election Commission, officially for improper paperwork. Photo: Cambodian National Assembly A series of deals and investments in semiconductor testing and assembly in India were agreed during PM Modi's visit, but production will still have to wait. Some defence agreements have also been signed, not only to counter Beijing, but also to free Delhi from dependence on Moscow. Despite criticism for the deterioration of human rights at home, the visit was a great success for the Indian prime minister in view of next year's elections. Washington (AsiaNews) US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a series of trade and defence agreements yesterday designed to improve military ties and microchip production. Days before Modi's historic visit to the United States, the Indian government approved a US$ 2.75 billion plan to build a new semiconductor testing and assembly facility in India by chip maker Micron Technology, which will invest more than US$ 800 million in the project. Delhi agreed to provide production-related incentives worth 110 billion rupees (US$ 1.34 billion) for the plant, which is expected to be built in Modi's home state of Gujarat, probably in the city of Sanand. The new facility will not yet manufacture chips; instead, Micron (or other manufacturers) will be able to test and package them before shipment to customers. For both countries, this is an important step in closer relations, following Bidens decision to reduce the risks of domestic companies' dependence on China. As part of the ongoing trade dispute between the world's two largest economies, Washington imposed a series of limits on the sale of microchip software to China in October last year, while Beijing in May barred Chinese companies from buying Micron products. For Modi, who maintains a less assertive attitude towards China, this is undoubtedly a gain, and not only because doing business with the largest democracy in the world brings great prestige in view of next year's elections. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, India has tried to present itself as an alternative to China by announcing a US$ 10 billion incentive to boost semiconductor production in the country. For now, it is still a work in progress, but in the not-so-distant future, it could proceed quickly. In fact, in addition to Micron, US semiconductor toolmaker Applied Materials, which makes equipment and software to manufacture chips and other materials for electronics, plans to invest some US$ 400 million to set up an engineering and marketing centre, while chip manufacturer Lam Research has announced a training programme in India for up to 60,000 engineers. Upon his arrival in New York, Modi met with multibillionaire Elon Musk, Tesla and SpaceX CEO. I am confident that Tesla will be in India, and we will do so as soon as humanly possible, Musk told a press after he met with Modi on Tuesday. I am planning to visit India next year, Musk added. I would like to thank PM Modi for his support, and hopefully, we will be able to announce something in the future. It is quite likely there will be a significant investment in India. This signals an end to the tensions between the Indian government and the electric vehicle maker after its decision last year to move production from India to the Middle East. The many agreements signed recently by Washington and Delhi also concern defence, not only to prevent China's growth in power in the Indo-Pacific, but also to reduce India's dependence on Russia for arms supplies. General Electric's aerospace division has signed a deal with India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics to make Tejas fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. Delhi also plans to buy 31 MQ-9B drones by General Atomics, another company that announced the creation of a new facility in India. India's Vikram Solar will invest up to US$ 1.5 billion to help the US produce solar panels and be competitive in the clean energy sector. India will also join the Minerals Security Partnership, a US-led mineral sourcing initiative. Finally, trade and cooperation between the two countries space programmes will be facilitated, while the US will make visas easier for Indian workers. However, some experts have raised doubts about the transfer of sensitive technologies to India, which continues to maintain close military and economic relations with Russia even after the invasion of Ukraine. In Congress, two Muslim and several progressive lawmakers, including Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, boycotted Modi's speech to the US Congress, citing aggressive Hindu nationalism against religious minorities and restrictions on press freedom since Modi came to power. At a press conference, when asked what measures he would take to improve the rights of Muslims and support freedom of speech, Indian Prime Minister Modi responded by saying that there is no need for improvement, since theres absolutely no space for discrimination under his administration. INDIAN MANDALA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO INDIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY FRIDAY IN YOUR E-MAIL? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE. Monitoring systems and artificial intelligence have increased the risks and costs for those trying to flee the Kim regime. If a face does not match a profile, the police can intervene. COVID-19 and increased surveillance have cut down the numbers of fugitives. Brokers fees have increased to US$ 10,000-15,000. Beijing (AsiaNews) For North Korean refugees in China, Beijings facial recognition technology increases the risk of capture, while driving up the price charged by brokers who organise cross-border escape. Most North Korean would-be escapees choose to cross the border with China, sources told Radio Free Asia; however, Chinas facial recognition systems with cameras installed on street corners, in public places and at train stations can track vehicles and people on the move. What is more, since the face of nearly every Chinese resident has been recorded in a government database, North Koreans can be easily singled out since they are not in the latter. When a face does not match a profile, police can check out that person to determine why they are in the database, notes Seo Jae-pyoung, head of the Association of North Korean Defectors, a South Korea-based support group. Although it is difficult to know for sure whether the software leads to the capture of North Korean refugees and exiles in China, what is sure is that its widespread use has increased the cost and risks of escape. Seo notes that last March, surveillance software seems to have been a key factor in the capture of a group of five or six refugees and a local broker who helped them move in Chinese territory, most probably captured by Chinese police near Dalian, a city in north-eastern China. It seems that those North Korean escapees were already tracked down, Seo explained. It is highly likely that they were caught because they were unaware of the dangers of facial recognition technology and tracking. The activist notes that China has massively boosted the use of artificial intelligence-based facial recognition technology and this has increased the risks facing North Koreans who want to flee the Kim regime. China is usually the first stop on a journey that takes escapees to Southeast Asia before reaching South Korea, the final destination of scores of desperate attempts to escape. According to experts, this could be one of the reasons why the number of North Koreans who manage to reach South Korea is down. Between 2001 and 2019, more than a thousand North Koreans arrived in South Korea per year, with a peak of 2,914 in 2009. More recently, the number dropped to 229 in 2020 and then to double digits in 2021 and 2022, according to data from South Korea's Unification Ministry. Of course, the drop was largely affected by the strict travel restrictions imposed in February-March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Beijing and Pyongyang sealed their 1,350-kilometre border. Facial recognition technology is also an important because, according to experts, it discourages potential defectors from escaping since capture and repatriation mean detention in concentration camps under very harsh conditions, not to mention death. Given its advanced technology, China appears to be even able to monitor escapees at North Koreas request, noted Choo Jaewoo, a professor at the department of Chinese language and literature at Seouls Kyung Hee University. If North Korea requests tracking of a specific person and China accepts it, the risk of being caught by facial recognition technology could be much greater," Choo explained. The software has also increased risk for brokers, prompting them to raise prices. Before facial recognition technology was so widespread, crossing China with the help of a smuggler could cost about ,000 per refugee, while now it can cost ,000 to ,000 or more. Before, fugitives could at least see the police arrive and try to avoid them, or hide when they heard sirens. Now we are exposed to more invisible and unaware fears, said Ji Chul-ho, head of the Emergency Rescue team at Now Action & Unity for Human rights, a South Korean organisation that helps North Korean escapees. That is a serious problem. Audience at the Vatican with 200 writers, musicians, painters, film directors marking 50 years since the inauguration of the contemporary art collection of the Vatican Museums. Some significant figures of Asian art were also present. The Pontiff's recommendation: 'Be sentinels of the true religious sense, which is sometimes trivialised or commercialised. And be interpreters of the cry of the poor'. Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "We are not only light, and you remind us of this; but we need to cast the light of hope into the darkness of the human, of individualism and indifference. Help us to glimpse the light, the beauty that saves." This was the message that Pope Francis delivered this morning to a group of 200 artists from around the world at a meeting held in the evocative setting of the Sistine Chapel to mark the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the modern and contemporary art section of the Vatican Museums. The audience - promoted by the Dicastery for Culture and Education - was attended by writers, poets, musicians, painters, directors and actors. Among them were also personalities from Asia: South Korean pianist Yiruma, Indian writer Pankaj Mishra, Malaysian figurative artist H.H. Lim, Korean-born American director Jean Lee Young, East Timorese artist Jose Avelar Borges, and Israeli writer and playwright Roy Chen. Pope Francis reminded them of the "natural and special" relationship between the Church and art, which - he said - "is like a sail that is filled with the Spirit and moves us forward". Quoting the theologian Romano Guardini, who likened the figure of the artist to those of the child and the seer, he emphasised his placing himself "in the space of invention, of novelty, of creation, of bringing something into the world that had never been seen before". "You are allies of God's dream," he added, "You are eyes that look and that dream. We human beings yearn for a new world that we will not fully see with our own eyes, yet we long for it, we seek it, we dream of it'. It is precisely for this reason that the pope invited artists to escape "the suggestive power of that supposed artificial and superficial beauty that is widespread today and often complicit in the economic mechanisms that generate inequalities. It is a fake, cosmetic beauty, a make-up that conceals instead of revealing". The real one, on the other hand, is 'critical awareness of society, removing the veil from the obvious. You want to show what makes people think, what makes them alert, what reveals reality even in its contradictions, in its aspects that it is more convenient or convenient to keep hidden'. And 'you do well,' he added, 'to also be sentinels of the true religious sense, which is sometimes trivialised or commercialised'. "One of the things that brings art closer to faith is that it disturbs a little,' he commented. 'Art and faith cannot leave things as they are: they change them, transform them, convert them, move them. Art can never be an anaesthetic; it gives peace, but it does not put consciences to sleep, it keeps them awake'. Regarding the relationship with beauty, Francis spoke of 'an important criterion for discerning, that of harmony'. "We are in a time of ideological media colonisation and lacerating conflicts," he commented, "a homologising globalisation coexists with many closed localisms. We need the principle of harmony to inhabit our world more. And you artists can help us make room for the Spirit'. Finally, the pope addressed a recommendation to the artists: "I would like to ask you not to forget the poor, who are Christ's favourites, in all the ways one is poor today. The poor also need art and beauty. Some experience very harsh forms of deprivation of life; therefore, they need it most. They usually have no voice to make themselves heard. You can be the interpreters of their silent cry". I'm fine, as I'm very fortunate to own my home I own, but I'm feeling the pinch on my mortgage with other inflation costs I rent and it's expensive, but it could be worse I'm seriously considering leaving the valley if something doesn't give Vote View Results Though V8s had been mass-produced since 1915, Cadillac's 1949 331-ci (5.4-liter) OHV was a tremendous leap forward that set the standard for the next fifty years. A design that originated in the second part of the 1930s Photo: Cadillac Motor Car Division OHV A huge leap forward Photo: RM Sotheby's A host of standard-setting advancements Photo: Cadillac Motor Car Division Revolutionizing V8 design in the Motor City Photo: Cadillac Motor Car Division DOHC One of the most popular configurations in the history of the combustion engine , the V8, was born in 1904. Designed by French engineer Leon Levavasseur and built by a manufacturer called Antoinette, it was initially used for speedboat racing, and several years later, it transitioned to airplanes.But several months after the Antoinette V8 debuted, carmakers Renault and Buchet also began producing V8s for race cars.Only one decade later, many carmakers were developing their own V8 engines. In the US, Cadillac started production of the L-head, a unit that went down in history as the first mass-produced V8 designed for road-going automobiles.The L-head was continually improved for the next twenty years, but as it began showing its limits, Cadillac started to make plans for a successor.The development of an advancedV8 that could replace the aging L-head began during the late 1930s, but when the US joined the Second World War , the project had to be halted as the focus shifted towards aiding the war effort.Nevertheless, the advancements made during the war years, particularly when it came to refined fuels, would trickle down to the automotive industry in the following decades, influencing the future of Cadillac's new V8.After the war ended, the GM division resumed its ambitious project, which was handed down to a team that included engineering masterminds Jack Gordon, Ed Cole, Byron Ellis, and Harry Barr.The first functional prototypes were built in 1946, leading to the final design, which was extensively tested, raking up over 1,000,000 miles (1,609,344 km) before it was put into full-scale production.Introduced in 1948, the first all-new postwar Cadillacs with their Lockheed P-38 fighter plane-inspired tail fins were not just a leap forward in terms of design thanks to the vision of the legendary Harley Earl.For the 1949 model year, the cars received the long-awaited L-head replacement, a 331-ci (5.4-liter) that was soon recognized as the most technologically-advanced V8 in the world.Boasting an overhead-valve (OHV) layout with more efficient combustion chambers, the new unit, which shared almost no commonalities with its predecessor, was sensibly lighter, more powerful, and more fuel efficient Apart from the valve-in-head layout, the new V8 introduced many state-of-the-art improvements, making it a trendsetter for the next five decades.Tipping the scales at 663 pounds (300.7 kg), the OHV was nearly 200 pounds (90.7 kg) lighter than the 346.Additionally, it was built around a sensibly more compact cast iron block with five mains (instead of the three of the comparable 346 L-head). The innovative powerplant boasted larger cylinder bores and a much shorter stroke that significantly reduced piston speed (and thus friction), improving its overall thermal efficiency.Slipper pistons were another critical feature that helped engineers produce a compact package. The brainchild of GM engineer Byron Ellis, these pistons featured scalloped skirts that allowed them to "slip" between the crankshaft counterweights, reducing the crankshaft-to-top-of-the-block proportions. This enabled engineers to design shorter, lighter connecting rods and reduce the cylinder decks' size.Byron Ellis was also responsible for developing the hydraulic valve lifters that helped the new engine become one of the quietest V8s on the market.As I mentioned before, the increasing quality of airplane fuels during the Second World War would trickle down to the automotive industry. Though higher octane gasoline was still years away when this V8 was introduced, Cadillac predicted its arrival, which is part of the reason why its engineers went for the OHV design.Therefore, the engine's architecture could withstand compression ratios of up to 12:1. However, when the 331 came out, its ratio was lowered to a modest 7.5:1.Nevertheless, the engine was rated at 160 hp and 312 lb-ft (423 Nm) of torque, making it one of the most powerful US-built production V8s. It was a popular choice among motorsport enthusiasts like Briggs Cunningham , who entered two OHV V8-powered Cadillacs at Le Mans in 1950. Both cars finished the race 10th and 11th, respectively. It also became one of the top choices for early hot rodders, as you can see in the YouTube video below by IronTrap Garage.By the mid-1950s, most of Detroit's carmakers, big and small, were developing their own short-stroke, overhead-valve V8s. This recipe became the norm for the next fifty years and triggered a horsepower war that gave birth to some of the most legendary V8 engines ever built.Cadillac's OHV was continually improved for the following decades, increasing in displacement and power. With the same basic architecture, the 390-ci (6.4-liter) Tri-power version in the 1958 Eldorado could make no less than 325 hp.Redesigned Cadillac powerplants that used the same OHV principle with modern tech continued to be developed well into the 1990s. The last great series of V8s produced by Cadillac (albeit with help from Oldsmobile's R&D department) was the all-aluminum Northstar series produced until the late-2000s. The average Joe might confuse it during the daytime for the latest Land Rover Defender. The reason is the boxy overall look, with a more upright nose, or so it appears from beneath that thick camouflage sprinkled with fake cladding. With a floating style accentuated by the black pillars, the new roofline starts above the less angled windscreen and ends where the tailgate starts. Due to that rear hunch, it's impossible to make out the design of the back end.We already saw a good part of the interior a few months ago, with the main screen positioned above the thinner central air vents and likely featuring a tablet-like design partially under wraps. It sits next to the new digital instrument cluster. Look closely at the steering wheel, and you will see a column-mounted shifter. This has freed up additional space on the center console, which is home to a wireless charging pad and a large cupholder. Physical buttons and knobs are still a thing in the next-gen Santa Fe, making it easier to control different things than having to search through different submenus in the central display.All unofficial data points towards the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe using the same platform as the Kia Sorento. It should get a range of gasoline engines, some of which will be partially electrified, with mild hybrids and plug-in hybrids likely completing the offering. The exact units that will make up the powertrain family will be detailed in due course, and the magic numbers will probably be announced during the grand unveiling. We expect the North American spec to launch with seating for five, as the larger Palisade will still be the go-to three-row crossover in the Korean brand's lineup. In Europe, however, it will probably launch with additional seating behind the second row.Since the wraps have yet to come off, we expect the next-gen Hyundai Santa Fe to debut either before the end of 2023 or early next year. It is likely that it will be a 2024 model by the time it makes its way to the United States, and it is expected with a small price bump. With its catfish-like face , the current Santa Fe has an MSRP of $28,750 for the 2023 model year. The Santa Fe Hybrid is a $36,210 affair before destination and handling, and the Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid starts at $42,410. PHEV SUV ICE On the Old Continent, there are new models like the Mitsubishi Captur, pardon me the Renault ASX, oh, sorry, there I did it again. So, let us start all over that would be the Renault Captur-based second-generation Mitsubishi ASX, as well as the rebadged Renault Clio (aka Mitsubishi Colt). And it's all right to lament what has become of the proud Lancer Evolution X and Pajero manufacturer. In the United States , the range comprises models that do not even go above the $40k threshold in terms of starting MSRPs but that is hardly a badge of honor even when all carmakers are increasing prices with two hands on every occasion. That is because in between the Mirage, Eclipse Cross, and the Outlander series, the only one worth mentioning is of course the 2023 OutlandercrossoverIn places like Asia, on the other hand, Mitsubishi is still rocking a workhorse hero the Triton, which is fast approaching the moment of arrival for the sixth generation after the XRT Concept was unveiled this spring at the 2023 Bangkok International Motor Show. Also known as L200 across many international markets, this model was also sold in the United States.There, it made a nice career for itself as the Mitsubishi Mighty Max and as a captive import from partner Chrysler some fans might remember the Dodge D50, Dodge Ram 50, and Plymouth Arrow trucks, perhaps. And even today, the Ram 1200 model is still based on the same underpinnings albeit not for North America but for the Middle East. So, is it too farfetched to imagine that the Mitsubishi truck could make a comeback to the United States?Not if we play a little bit with the suspension of disbelief and enter the imaginative realm of digital car content creators, that is. Over there, Dimas Ramadhan, the virtual automotive artist behind the Digimods DESIGN channel on YouTube, has taken up the task of revealing the next Mitsubishi truck - in CGI and with electric power under its belt instead of-based prowess.Naturally, that might not be to everyone's liking because it could seriously disrupt the established balance of power, which currently leans heavily towards the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, a model that is not yet on sale and only now ready to adopt the hybridization ethos through its 326-hp i-Force Max capabilities. Oh, and not to mention that the rest of the mid-size pickup truck pack Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado & GMC Canyon, Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier, or Jeep Gladiator all have traditional powertrains under their belts?Speaking of tradition, the pixel master also shook the established norm with something interesting a successor for the little-known SsangYong Musso pickup truck that looks like a spaceship in the second video embedded below, at least from the front. So, do you dig any of them, both or none? EV ICE DCT kW kWh For the final leg of testing, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N was unleashed at the Nurburgring racetrack to prove its worth. The engineers ensured everything functions as it should because many things can go wrong , from the battery pack and electric powertrain to the fake engine noise and faux gear shifting.Hyundai says the hardware cooling tech was reinforced thanks to new heat management solutions. These are called the N Battery Preconditioning and N Race. Split into two modes, Drag and Track, the former pre-sets the battery cell temperature to its most efficient setup. The latter prioritizes Spring and Endurance driving by giving those behind the wheel more direct control of energy usage.The lack of driver feedback is said to be no longer an issue in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N , as thehas fake engine noise and gear shifting, named the N Active Sound + and N e-Shift, respectively. Consisting of ten speakers, eight inside and two outside, the N Active Sound + has three different settings, the Ignition, which simulates the sound of the 2.0L turbo'd unit of the-powered N cars, Evolution, with a sound inspired by the Vision Gran Turismo and RN22e, and Supersonic, which simulates a fighter jet. By controlling the motor torque output, the N e-Shift simulates the gear shifting of the 8-speedfor a more immersive experience.Industry-leading regenerative braking is also on deck, with the zero-emission performance-focused model capable of offering up to 0.6 G decelerative force through this feature alone. Hydraulic brakes are also included, and they feature large 400-mm (15.7-in) discs made of lightweight material and optimized for cooling. The Korean car marque claims the transition between regenerative and hydraulic brakes is imperceptible to the driver.What else should you know about the Ioniq 5 N? That it uses a powertrain similar to the one of the Kia EV6 GT. The latter has 576 hp (584 ps/430) and 545 lb-ft (739 Nm) of torque, and the Hyundai is expected to be slightly punchier, with roughly 600 horsepower on tap. The dual electric motors will probably be fed by the EV6 GT's 77.4battery pack, which enables an EPA-estimated total driving range of 206 miles (332 km). Kia is asking at least $61,600 for the 2023 EV6 GT in our market, and we expect the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N to be priced similarly when it launches. As we already told you, the unveiling is set for the Goodwood Festival of Speed next month, on July 13. 1963 was a fairly big year for Impala SS. Two years after its debut as a $53 option package, the Super Sport was already a rockstar, sporting a very intriguing mix of the mesmerizing Impala styling with an increased performance appetite. To nobody's surprise, Chevrolet even picked the SS to mark a historical milestone. The company's 50 millionth vehicle rolled off the assembly lines in 1963, and to celebrate the event, the GM brand invited New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller to drive a brand-new Impala SS out of the Tarrytown factory.As such, it's really not a surprise that the 1963 Impala SS has become a highly desirable model, especially for wealthy collectors. Sure enough, not anyone can afford a perfect-10 vehicle, so getting a project car and bringing it back to tip-top shape is the preferred way to go for many people.The 1963 SS that I recently discovered on Craigslist is at least worth a look. It comes with very few specifics, but this mysterious side makes it even more enticing. It's dirty, rusty, and lacks some parts, but all the big components still seem to be in there.Except for the engine, that is, as the Impala looks like it has already undergone some work on this front. Most likely, someone tried to remove the engine, either for a swap or for a rebuild, but failed to complete the project. A good mechanic should be able to figure out what it's all about, so an in-person inspection is mandatory.Without a doubt, if you don't mind a restomod or are willing to go for a restomod, a 409 Turbo-Fire would fit this Impala like a glove. The 409 was the big-block superstar in 1963, coming in three different power versions. The single four-barrel configuration produced 340 horsepower, while the mid-range version was rated at 400 horsepower. The icing on the big-block cake, and the engine that everybody would love to have on an Impala SS , generated 425 horsepower.Despite looking rough, this Impala SS is far from becoming a rust bucket, despite requiring the obvious metal work. We're not getting a good look at the floors, but the trunk already seems to exhibit concerning holes, so it's probably safe to assume the undersides need massive repairs. Most likely, the car has been sitting outside, so the rust damage kind of makes sense.The interior needs a thorough wash more than anything else, and the good news is that everything looks in place, including even the door panels.Taking this Impala home isn't going to be affordable, as the car won't let it go for less than $9,500. No trades are accepted, and the car comes without a title. It's currently parked in Modesto, California. kW kWh NEDC Adaptive Cruise Control Pricing starts at AU$129,950, equaling US$88,005, which makes it roughly US$10,000 pricier than the US model. Power is supplied by the turbocharged 2.0-liter mill and two electric motors for a grand total of 280(380 ps/375 hp) and 637 Nm (470 lb-ft) of torque. The 17.3battery pack gives it an electric range of 52 km (32 miles) on thecycle, and it drinks 3.2 l/100 km (73.5 mpg US) combined.It features an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, and in the proper configuration, it can tow up to 2,772 kg (6,111 lbs). The charging time varies between less than ten and under three hours, with the latter achievable at a 7.4 kWh connection. Built at the new Detroit Assembly Complex, the Grand Cherokee 4xe Summit Reserve operates as a hybrid when the battery nears its minimum state of charge and features air suspension for a more comfortable drive.Available in eight exterior colors and riding on 21-inch alloys, the plug-in hybrid version of the Grand Cherokee has a black roof, automatic LED headlamps with auto high-beam control, and a two-speed active transfer case with low-range gear. Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Path Detection, Active Lane Management,, Active Driving Assist, Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking with Cyclist Detection, ParkSense, 360-degree camera system, Traffic Sign Information, and others are included.Speaking of the on-board gear, Australia's Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe also comprises the leather-trimmed seats in Tupelo (optional) and Black (standard) with electric adjustment and massaging function up front, ventilated first and second-row (outboard), four-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. A premium audio system with 19 speakers is included, and so are the 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment with smartphone integration and 10.25-inch digital dials. The North American automaker says that the head-up display, wireless charging pad, front passenger display, and night vision camera are optional.The Jeep Grand Cherokee family Down Under also includes the Night Eagle, Limited, Overland, and Summit Reserve. Our market comprises the Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, kicking off from $40,030 for the former with two-wheel drive and $2,000 more with four-wheel drive. The Summit Reserve 4x4 is a $69,435 affair, before destination and dealer fees, with two rows of seats. Opt for the three-row derivative, and the pricing will go up to at least $71,435. The 4xe lineup is made of six models, with pricing varying between $60,360 and $78,320, excluding destination, dealer fees, and options. When you think about it, a 2024 Lexus LC 500 could not be more opposed to the notion of an American muscle car than it already is. After all, the Japanese automaker explains its name through the idea of a "Luxury Coupe," which is their personification of a grand tourer. In turn, something like a Challenger, Camaro, or Mustang is big, brawny, unwieldy on a winding course, and (much) cheaper. It's like trying to compare an instrument of blunt force against an artist's work of the subtlest art. But that does not mean people will not attempt such amazing feats, even if they do not always get exactly what they wanted. Anyway, unlike the all-new 2024 GX off-roader or the first-ever 2024 TX family-oriented three-row crossover, Lexus was not exactly in a giving mood when its engineers and stylists upgraded the 2024 model year LC with the company's touchscreen infotainment system and not much else.As such, the 2024 Lexus LC 500 and 500h models in both coupe and convertible from now on have a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with OTA (over-the-air) capability, Cloud Navigation, Intelligent Assistant, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus the usual stuff of 4G internet and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Nothing out of the ordinary, right? Well, that is only in the real world, as it turns out.Meanwhile, across the imaginative realm of digital car content creators, Evrim Ozgun , a Turkish virtual automotive designer, has decided to get down to the CGI business of creating his vision of the 2024 Lexus LC 500 'muscle car.' Now, after you wrap up with the LOLs, it's true that the pixel master was a little off in his characterization, and this independent project might qualify a little better in the field of JDM-style tuning. But has anyone noticed that, as of late, the boundaries have gone blurry, and slammed widebody muscle cars are just about everywhere?Anyway, irrespective of the interpretation, these two versions of the LC 500 with or without a crazy rear wing assembly, are still something well worth writing home about, especially if you like exotic combinations. As such, the careful grand tourer lines of the OEM LC 500 are mercilessly transformed into something that would not look out of place either at the local quarter-mile dragstrip, the regional tuning car show, or the latest national track festivities.And, most likely, it is all thanks to the reworked front and rear, the all-black aerodynamic additions (front spoiler chin, trippy side skirts, and the nice four round pipes at the rear with an integrated diffuser), as well as the extreme widebody treatment. Not to mention the thoroughly stanced atmosphere, plus the black or orange-spoked concave aftermarket wheels. Last but not least, the atmosphere is made whole through the nostrils in the engine hood, for sure! The Mazda BT-50 mid-size pickup truck has been in production since 2006 but never as a solitary creation from the Japanese manufacturer. Instead, the larger spiritual successor variant of the B-Series pickup (not sold at home or in North America) always had a sibling like the Ford Ranger (PJ/PK and T6) for the first two iterations and the third-generation Isuzu D-Max for the current model. But that hasn't stopped the automaker from infusing it with the latest Kodo styling to make it akin to the CX crossover range.As such, no wonder the company is calling its creation a 'beauty' from time to time. But what if you want the commercial-oriented vehicle to warrant its workhorse status and turn into a 'beast?' Well, if you live in the Land Down Under, that's not going to be a problem because Mazda's Australian subsidiary just announced the introduction of two new accessory packs to "add to the off-road appeal of the Mazda truck." They are designed to offer "a choice of sporty and sophisticated upgrades," and customers can mix and match them to the top SP and Thunder models.First, the Mazda BT-50 SP Pro "enhancement pack" welcomes a Nitrocharger suspension for the first time in the BT-50 range, which has upgraded springs and twin-tube shock absorbers along with a lifted stance of up to another couple of inches compared to stock. But wait, because that is not all. Mazda also offers new and exclusive 18-inch wheels for a wider track, an integrated Lightforce LED lightbar in the front grille that ensures one lux of illumination at up to 569 meters (0.35 miles), along with BT-50 'SP Pro' decals on the flanks.Getting the Mazda BT-50 SP Pro accessory pack will set eager customers back exactly AUD 7,668 (RFP recommended fitting price), which is around $5,132 at the current exchange rates. Still, it's a tad less than the BT-50 Thunder Pro pack that's priced at AUD 9,046 RFP (over $6k) and will also become available for order from local Mazda dealers starting in July for any BT-50 SP and Thunder, even older ones thanks to their retrofit design. The highlights for the BT-50 Thunder Pro pack continue to build on the OEM goodies, which include an ADR-approved single hoop bulbar and a LED lightbar.Still, the Thunder Pro pack is not the be trifled with, either, thanks to the new manually adjustable (compression and rebound) Old Man Emu BP-51 suspension (medium load use in the range of zero to 300 kg/661 lbs.) featuring nitrogen-filled dampers with remote reservoir. Additional accessories with the pack include a snorkel, round Lightforce LED driving lights combined with the lightbar for one lux of illumination at over 1.1 km (0.68 miles), and 'Thunder Pro' decals to wrap up the bespoke Australian look. Plana is hardly as famous as other manufacturers in the AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) world, but it deserves full attention. Its flagship product, a hybrid VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) named CP-01, has great potential to rise to the spotlight as one of the top Korean-made electric air taxis. VTOL We're only halfway through 2023, and it's already been an excellent year for Plana . If it was somewhat behind compared to the main US and European competitors, it's certainly catching up. The highly-anticipated Paris Air Show brought significant collaborations and debuts for many eVTOL manufacturers, including the South Korean air mobility startup.Following the announcement of a partnership with infrastructure developer Bluenest (the AAM subsidiary of Globalavia), Plana shook hands with another big player in the industry, DUC Helices Propellers.This acclaimed propeller and rotor manufacturer has a strong reputation both in France (where it's headquartered) and the US. It focuses on products made of carbon composite, known for offering high resistance and durability in a lightweight form, something that's particularly important for eVTOLs.The two haven't shared technical details so far, but it's clearly a huge step for the South Korean developer. Until now, it got attention mainly for the design of its future aircraft. It won the prestigious iF Design Award for professional concept earlier this year.The CP-01's cabin concept revealed a spacious interior with an unconventional six-passenger configuration (most electric air taxis are designed for two to four passengers) and generous storage space. Large doors and bucket seats with three-point belts are some of the elements included for optimal comfort and safety.Although in-flight comfort was so important for the Plana designers, the's main selling point is the hybrid configuration. A few other manufacturers also opted for this solution which drastically increases range compared to purely electric versions.At the time, the issue of bringing emissions down to zero was tackled by replacing fossil fuel with SAF (sustainable aviation fuel), a solution used by conventional airplanes also. Although this won't make the Plana air taxi emission-free, it still promises 80% fewer emissions compared to conventional helicopters.In terms of performance, the hybrid propulsion system would give the CP-01 a range of more than 300 miles (500 km) and a maximum speed of 186 mph (300 kph).Soon enough, folks in the US will be able to check out the Plana air taxi and enjoy a first-hand experience because the South-Korean company is gearing up to sell it here as well, not just in its home country.Another milestone this year was the confirmation of a US office set up in Silicon Valley and Irvine. A local office will also facilitate getting the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certification. In the meantime, Plana continues with a series of flight tests conducted with a small-scale prototype. Inductive charging has made significant progress in recent years, and many consider it ripe for charging electric vehicles. Tesla is looking to acquire German wireless charging pioneer Wiferion, fueling the rumors that the EV maker is preparing an inductive charging solution. EV kW Inductive charging is not a new concept, being used for charging electric toothbrushes and other devices that spend most of their time in humid environments. Recently, wireless charging solutions for mobile phones have become widespread, and the auto industry has adopted them as an elegant way to charge the phone without fiddling with cables. Still, inductive charging could play a bigger role, thanks to electric vehicles becoming popular.A year ago, we learned about WiTricity, a startup trying to pitch the wireless charging idea to carmakers. After it made no headways with its first partner Toyota, WiTricity tried to sell automotive inductive charging as an aftermarket solution. Witricity modified a Tesla Model 3 to include a power receiver and showed that charging yoursimply by parking it on top of a corresponding charging pad is super convenient. WiTricity licensed its inductive charging technology to the German startup Wiferion, which is interesting considering that Tesla is rumored to acquire Wiferion. A Business Insider / Gruenderszene report shows that Wiferion shareholders agreed to sell the company to Tesla International BV, a Tesla subsidiary. Investors confirmed the sale, although they didn't mention the company's name.Tesla has been working on its own inductive charging solutions for some time. During the March 1 Investor Day, Rebecca Tinucci, Tesla's head of global charging infrastructure, teased a wireless charging solution . No other information was offered at the time. It's likely that Tesla liked WiTricity's solution but decided to acquire Wiferion, possibly because it's more interested in its industrial charging solutions. The startup also offers inductive charging solutions for robots, which is interesting considering Tesla's efforts in this field.With Elon Musk confident that Tesla will solve self-driving relatively soon, Tesla will put the robotaxi idea on the menu again. Autonomous vehicles are not truly autonomous if somebody needs to plug them in to charge. Tesla previously tried to solve this problem with a robotic charging arm. With inductive charging , things are a lot easier, as autonomous vehicles can be "trained" to park directly on top of the charging pad.WiTricity's solution can charge the car at 11, similar to a Level 2 AC charger. In the case of a Tesla Model 3, it takes six hours for a complete charge. With Tesla's record of thinking outside the box, I'm confident the EV maker will use the technology developed by Wiferion and turn it into a vastly superior solution. Then Wiferion could be sold again, similar to how Maxwell was dumped after Tesla used its dry battery electrode technology. Photo: OceanGate Expeditions The end for Titan Photo: OceanGate Expeditions Was Titan safe? Photo: OceanGate Expeditions In the hours and days that followed, Canadian and U.S. authorities launched a desperate search and rescue operation to locate the sub. They worked against the clock since Titan carried only a 97-hour supply of oxygen onboard this, assuming it was still in one piece when communication was lost.It was probably not, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a press conference, some hours after the 97-hour deadline was crossed. On June 18, the U.S. Navy picked up an acoustic signature consistent with an implosion and relayed this information to the commanders of the search operation, who deemed it "not definitive." Hours later, sonar buoys picked up "bangs at regular intervals, but authorities refrained from commenting on what they might have been. Some theorized that they could be SOS messages from the crew in the sub , while others believed it was the sound of debris coming off the nearby Titanic.The U.S. Coast Guard is now saying that the acoustic signature is indicative of a "catastrophic implosion" of the sub, which is confirmed by the discovery of debris within that same area, near the bow of the Titanic . The search party has already located and retrieved large pieces from Titan, including the tail cone and the fore part of the hull.All crew members have been pronounced dead. The search operation continues in the hope of retrieving their bodies and finding an answer to what happened to cause such a catastrophic event. There is a strong chance that loss of communication coincided with the implosion, which may have been caused by a leak.OceanGate has confirmed the news and the identities of the five crew, praising them as pioneers, lamenting their fate, and sending condolences to the families. It did not address the safety fears that have come to light since the sub disappeared.The definitive answer to that question will come at the end of the ongoing investigation, but there are several red flags that point that OceanGate either rushed development on the sub or flat-out ignored safety issues signaled out by their own workers after its public debut.OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who was serving as pilot on the sub's last mission, often claimed that Titan was designed and engineered in partnership with Boeing, the University of Washington , and NASA. The first two supposed partners were quick to distance themselves from the project when the sub went missing.The makeshift nature of Titan was also brought to light after its disappearance, though it failed to cause too many ripples when it was initially pointed out by CBS journalist David Pogue. Pogue went for a dive with Titan in the summer of 2022 and chatted with Rush about the build, obviously shocked to see that it was operated with a videogame controller, used scrap metal for ballast, used off-the-shelf components, and had a hull made out of an experimental mix of carbon fiber and Titan. For such a mighty submersible and such a high price tag, Titan seemed to cut too many corners.Pogue's own dive was marked by extended loss of communication with the mothership. Losing communication emerged as a pattern in the days following the disappearance, just as did the fact that all those who boarded Titan were made aware repeatedly (including in the waivers they signed) that this was a highly risky and experimental dive contrary to how it was marketed to the public The man, Tigran Arakelian, was detained on June 17 on charges of blackmailing state officials to extort money from them. The Investigative Committee has not yet named those officials. In a video message posted on social media late on Thursday, Arakelian claimed that senior law-enforcement officials, including Kyaramian, beat him up in the office of the head of the committees Yerevan division. I was subjected to beating, verbal abuse and threats to my family, said the suspect, who is currently under house arrest. They told me that youre not going to see your wife and children anymore, a car will run over you, your home will be set on fire at night, something will happen to your loved ones because we are going to eliminate you together with your family. That was said by none other than Argishti Kyaramian. Argishti Kyaramian met me twice that day and during both meetings I was tortured, tortured by an electric shock gun. They poured water on me and started burning various parts of my body with the electric shock gun. Arakelian did not say what his interrogators wanted him to say or do. He said he will reveal that later on. The Investigative Committee flatly denied the allegations on Friday. We do not comment on baseless statements made out of thin air, said a spokesman for the law-enforcement agency. Armenias Office of the Prosecutor-General pledged, meanwhile, to look into the latest allegations of torture facing the countrys law-enforcement authorities. Human rights activists say that ill-treatment of criminal suspects remains widespread despite sweeping law-enforcement reforms promised by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians government. Arakelian was already arrested in 2015 and subsequently convicted of blackmailing two Armenian parliamentarians. He had already spent two years in prison for his role in a 2011 violent clash between several police officers and opposition activists. Arakelian used to be a well-known member of former President Levon Ter-Petrosians Armenian National Congress (HAK). Incidentally, Pashinian was also actively involved in Ter-Petrosians opposition movement until falling out with the ex-president in 2012. Kyaramian, 32, is now widely regarded as one of the prime ministers trusted lieutenants, having held five high-level positions in the Armenian security apparatus and government since Pashinian came to power in 2018. He previously worked as a police officer and prosecutor. Baku stopped on June 15 the movement through the Lachin corridor of humanitarian convoys organized by the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Karabakh and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The move followed a shootout near an Azerbaijani checkpoint controversially set up in late April by a bridge over the Hakari river, the starting point of the Lachin corridor. Armenia said its border guards opened fire to stop Azerbaijani servicemen manning the checkpoint from placing an Azerbaijani flag on adjacent Armenian territory. Azerbaijan insisted, however, that they did not cross into Armenia. The near total blockage of the Lachin corridor, in place since 15 June is very worrying, Nabila Massrali, the EUs foreign policy spokeswoman, said in a statement. It directly threatens the livelihoods of the local population and raises serious fears of a potential humanitarian crisis. The EU was also alarmed by heightened tensions along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the Karabakh line of contact. Following the series of recent high-level meetings, the EU continues to be engaged at the highest political level to help defuse these tensions and find mutually acceptable solutions, added Massrali. Her statement came two days after a group of European Parliament members and the head of the EU Delegation in Yerevan, Andrea Wiktorin, joined EU monitors for a patrol near the Hakari bridge. Nathalie Loiseau, who led the visiting parliamentary delegation, demanded afterwards an immediate end to the illegal blockade. The Azerbaijani side showed on Friday no signs of planning to lift it. A video released by Karabakhs leadership showed that Azerbaijani security personnel placed concrete road blocks on the bridge, making renewed traffic through the corridor even more difficult. 23 June 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00) By Akbar Hasanov, Day.az It's just an amazing "talent" - to refute oneself on the same day, at the same event. Judge for yourself though. Armenia proposed to Azerbaijan to hold a meeting of the commission on the issues of demarcation and security of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and there is a fundamental readiness to hold it. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan stated this at a government meeting on June 22. "Armenia is ready to unblock the transport and economic routes of the region on the basis of the principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction and reciprocity of the parties," he added. At first glance, this statement of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia should be taken positively, as evidence that slowly but surely Yerevan is beginning to move from words to deeds on the issue of recognizing the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and signing a large peace treaty with our country. At the same time, I note that that step of official Yerevan was forced, and not at all voluntary. As Pashinyan himself recently admitted, he signed the tripartite statement on the night of November 10, 2020 involuntarily, after the liberation of Shusha and the understanding that the 25,000-strong group of Armenian armed forces could be defeated. At the same time, again, according to Pashinyan, he called Russian President Vladimir Putin 60 times. In general, nothing happened for Armenia and its leadership during the 44-day war. Their efforts to counteract all the objective demands of Azerbaijan turned out to be useless after that as well. Over the past years, everyone has seen regular examples of the diplomatic triumph of official Baku, regardless of the place of negotiations at the top. And now, the crown of all this was the forced recognition by Armenia, in the person of its prime minister, of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. And now, as we see, Pashinyan is already declaring his readiness to hold a meeting of the commission on the demarcation and security of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But Pashinyan would not have been Pashinyan if he had not demonstrated another trick with his ears along the way. He stated that "the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh continues to deteriorate." After that, he added that "everything is being done to make the life of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh impossible." And finally, he accused Azerbaijan of "ethnic cleansing". All of what he said, of course, is a lie and nonsense. Let's start with the fact that Pashinyan cannot but know that there is no Nagorno-Karabakh, but there is the Karabakh economic region of Azerbaijan. When he announced the recognition of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, he himself spoke about the territories where tens of thousands of Armenians illegally reside. Illegal because they have passports of Armenia, not Azerbaijan. Tens of thousands of Azerbaijanis do not live in Armenia, and even with passports of our country. What is ethnic cleansing? This is a situation in which there will be no people of a certain ethnic group in a certain territory. So, there are no ethnic Azerbaijanis in the Karabakh economic region of Azerbaijan, although several tens of thousands of Armenians live there. So who is pursuing a policy of ethnic cleansing?! The fact that in the RA itself there are no longer Azerbaijanis who have lived on their historical lands for centuries, it is even unnecessary to recall. On the other hand, it would not be superfluous to mention that a new interstate loan in the amount of 2.9 billion drams was provided to the Karabakh separatists from the state budget of Armenia. The decision was made on June 22 at a meeting of the Government of Armenia. To be more clear, we are talking about the amount of 7.511.036.04 US dollars at the current rate. How to call it? Before us is another Armenian provocation, open support for separatism. Armenia has no right to allocate funding to the Karabakh economic region of Azerbaijan. Official Baku did not give consent to this. Therefore, as we see, there is a huge gap between the words and deeds of the RA leadership. Without overcoming which there can be no talk of any peace in the region. But with its provocative actions, official Yerevan is bringing a new war closer. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 23 June 2023 13:33 (UTC+04:00) The implementation of the Trans-Caspian international transport route (Middle Corridor) between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan contributes not only to the development of transport and logistics ties but also to general trade and economic relations and mutual investment, says political analyst Ilgar Velizade, Azernews reports, citing local media. The Middle Corridor acts as a unifying principle in cooperation between the countries, an important transport artery that contributes to the development of trade and bilateral trade and economic relations. As a result, the level and quality of relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are enhanced. According to the expert, the development of the Trans-Caspian route is a priority for both states and is at the heart of regional discussions. "The Middle Corridor is an important systemic project in which cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, primarily between the ports of Alyat near Baku and Kuryk and Aktau on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, plays a significant role. It is very important to improve the systematic clearance of goods, as well as to increase the volume of transit, in particular through container transportation," the expert believes. According to the political analyst, the cooperation between the two countries is characterized by great dynamism. Importantly, the two countries are participants in the Turkic Automotive Industry Conglomerate project. "As is known, Uzbekistan also participates in this conglomerate, along with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. This major project was proposed by the Uzbekistan side. Turkic Automotive Industry Conglomerate is a very promising project, as all participating countries have the capacity to develop a common car industry," he said. The expert noted that the market of the conglomerate participants is capacious, which allows for predicting sufficiently high demand at an optimal price for the products. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 23 June 2023 14:45 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more Following the recent Armenian provocations near the conventional border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, especially at the Lachin border checkpoint, the activity of the exit point was temporarily suspended for the purpose of investigation. The Azerbaijani side's attitude to the provocations and the suspension of travel in return caused a strong counter-reaction in Armenia. Armenia is accusing Azerbaijan of allegedly carrying out ethnic cleansing against the Armenian minorities in Karabakh. Armenia, which commits a crime against Azerbaijan while recognizing its territory and, moreover, hinders the investigation of that crime, showing its extremely shameless face, even interferes with the European Union inadequately in the matter. Azernews learned the opinion of British political analyst Neil Watson regarding the issue. According to him, Pashinyan is clearly trying to prevent peace by doing all these things. In my view, Pashinyan often makes statements and then the reverse seems to happen. There could be several reasons behind this. Firstly, it may be indicative that he is still trying to placate his compatriots and the diaspora, who are actively against a peace treaty. Secondly, the Armenian government may feel empowered to make these claims, due to the ongoing support of Iran and Russia. Thirdly, Armenia may be still attempting to badge this as a religious conflict so as to gain EU support for the maintenance of the illegal Armenian entity in Karabakh. Fourthly, and most concerning, it may be that Pashinyan is gradually losing control, and these government statements are being made without his approval. Certainly, such claims are extremely unhelpful when the signing of a peace treaty is so near, yet so far, the expert said. Another issue is the claims made against Azerbaijan by the European Union in solidarity with Armenia, but illegally. First of all, the political leadership of the European Union, which should learn to pronounce the name Karabakh correctly, not "Nagorno Karabakh", should remember the statements of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. President Ilham Aliyev said in his statements that Karabakh is already considered a fully internal issue of Azerbaijan. Both the European and Armenian leaders have expressed their unequivocal acceptance of this. This also confirms that the problems of the Armenian minorities in Karabakh also belong to the Republic of Azerbaijan. In such a case, European Union join and support Armenia's baseless statement regarding the closing of the Lachin road by Azerbaijan without listening the other side. According to the expert, Armenia can gain more influence in the European Union because it can attract certain supporters in its surrounding. Most countries in the EU are Christian and unfortunately Armenian propaganda has been extremely successful in making the roots of the conflict opaque, clouded by badging this as a religious conflict and recompense for the alleged events of 1915 at the hands of Ottoman Turkiye. The EU certainly has no legal basis for its statement, but that doesnt seem to stop it from making comments and statements based on falsified information. Azerbaijan may have won the war, but the fact is that Armenia seems determined to protract the peace negotiations in the hope that the illegal regime in Armenia will remain and eventually be strengthened by such third countries as Russia and Iran. Even if a peace treaty is signed, and I feel it will, Azerbaijan has a long way to go before it will win the peace and dispel all the false information spread by Armenia over the years, Watson added. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 23 June 2023 10:47 (UTC+04:00) The Protocol on Air Communication was signed by the representatives of the countries, including the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of Kazakhstan, Azernews reports, citing the information by the Kazakh Ministry of Industry. In accordance with the document, the legal framework for regular flights between countries has been expanded. Now the designated carriers of both countries will operate 42 flights instead of 32. "The expansion of the legal framework will increase the number of flights operated between the countries, which will increase competition in the air transportation market between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, and will also further strengthen trade, economic, business, tourism and cultural cooperation between the countries," the ministry explained. It should be noted that the signing of the protocol took place during the visit of Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov to Azerbaijan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 23 June 2023 13:09 (UTC+04:00) In April 2023, Azerbaijan exported 814 million 775 thousand cubic meters of natural gas to Italy compared to 473 million cubic meters in March, Azernews reports with reference to the statistical office of the European Union - Eurostat. Thus, this figure increased by 1.7 times compared to the previous month. At the same time, the value of exports was 392,949,687 euros in April compared to 486,051,445 euros in March, which means a decrease of more than 19 percent. It should be noted that according to the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry, from January to April 2023, the country exported a total of 3.9 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Europe, which is 10.5 percent more year on year. During this period, Azerbaijan exported 3.4 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkiye and 1.1 billion cubic meters to Georgia. The Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline (TANAP), which is part of the Southern Gas Corridor, transported 1.9 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkiye. Azerbaijan started gas supplies to Europe on December 31, 2020 via the Trans Adriatic Gas Pipeline (TAP). The initial capacity of the pipeline is 10 billion cubic meters of gas per year with the potential to expand to 20 billion cubic meters. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 23 June 2023 11:17 (UTC+04:00) An online meeting was held between the Ministry of Energy and German energy companies, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijan's Energy Ministry. Deputy Energy Minister Elnur Soltanov and representative of the German Green Transition Business Platform Andreas Chollet made an opening speech at the online meeting. Then, Deputy Director of AREA under the Ministry of Energy Aygun Zeynalova gave detailed information about the projects implemented in connection with the transition to green energy in our country. At the meeting, reports of representatives of German companies on decarbonization, green hydrogen, green economy, and green energy were heard, and participants' questions were answered. At the end, it was agreed to continue the meetings between the parties in this direction. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 23 June 2023 10:02 (UTC+04:00) "Alpan-2023" joint exercises held in Azerbaijan continues with the participation of Azerbaijani and Turkish military personnel 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, Azernews reports, citing Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan. On the next day of the exercises, the military pilots accomplished tasks on take-off and landing, difficult pilotage and combat maneuvers at different altitudes, as well as other activities with high professionalism. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 23 June 2023 11:59 (UTC+04:00) As part of a working visit to the UK, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a number of meetings with members of the House of Lords and the Commons of Parliament. Alicia Cairns, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, Stephen Douty, Member of Parliament and Minister for European and North American Affairs of the Kingdom, Lord Evans, Lord Waferly, Baroness Uddin, Lord Hussein, Bob Blackman and David Dugid, Azernews reports with reference to the press service of the Foreign Ministry. The parties stressed the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation and the development of partnerships between the two countries. The prospects for the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UK, including a sustainable partnership in the field of energy and alternative energy, were discussed. The growing role of Azerbaijan in the energy security of Europe, as well as in the "middle corridor" and the transport and transit sector was brought to attention. The Minister discussed the process of normalization of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations in the post-conflict period, the current state of negotiations on a peace agreement, intensive restoration and reconstruction work carried out in the liberated territories, the beginning of the process of returning internally displaced persons to their native lands. The parties also exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine, issues of regional security and other issues of mutual interest. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 23 June 2023 12:43 (UTC+04:00) A peace deal was within reach if Armenia was ready to take certain steps, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov's interview with Reuters on 21 June. "If there is a willingness not only to make statements but also to take some practical steps, I think an agreement could potentially be reached even before the end of the year," Jeyhun Bayramov said. "But if there is no real willingness ... then it could be later," he added. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister said there had been "some progress" in the peace talks and that Baku was keen to strike a deal, but also made comments that showed how wide the gap was before he would meet his Armenian counterpart for further talks in Washington next week: "Why did it take the Armenian prime minister two and a half years (since the end of the war) to say that he had effectively recognized Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity?" Bayramov, who traveled to London for a conference on Ukraine's reconstruction, also complained about the continued presence of thousands of Armenian troops on Azerbaijani territory. Moscow (which has peacekeepers on the ground), Washington, and the European Union are separately trying to help bring lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which have endured two wars since the early 1990s and are still exchanging fire from time to time. After fierce fighting and a Russian-brokered ceasefire in 2020, Azerbaijan seized territories controlled by ethnic Armenians in and around the mountain enclave. Since then, the two sides have been discussing a peace agreement in which they would agree on borders, resolve differences over the enclave and unfreeze relations. It seemed like a breakthrough: last month Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said Armenia did accept that Karabakh was part of Azerbaijan, but wanted Baku to provide guarantees for its ethnic Armenian population. However, in an interview with Reuters, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said such a guarantee was unnecessary and the demand amounted to interference in Azerbaijan's affairs. "We do not accept such a precondition ... for a number of reasons," he said. "The most fundamental is the following: this is an internal, sovereign issue. Azerbaijan's constitution and a number of international conventions to which Azerbaijan is a party provide all the necessary conditions to guarantee the rights of this population." He said ethnic Armenians can still use and receive education in their native language and preserve their culture, as long as they are integrated into Azerbaijani society and state structures, like other ethnic and religious minorities. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 23 June 2023 16:57 (UTC+04:00) Foreign nationals are banned from entering Nakhchivan by Baku-Nakhchivan bus, Azernews reports citing the Baku International Bus Station. Due to the current situation, foreign nationals and persons with permits to stay in Azerbaijan are not allowed to cross the border by land transport, so they cannot travel to Nakhchivan by Baku-Nakhchivan bus. This decision is related to the extension of the special quarantine regime in Azerbaijan. The special quarantine regime in the country has been extended from 1 July to 2 October. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 23 June 2023 16:38 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan intends to cooperate with Harbour Space University and Holberton School in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) training, Azernews reports. The Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev tweeted about it. According to the minister, the issue was discussed at a meeting with representatives of the said educational institutions. "ICT human capital development is one of our priorities. We met delegations from Harbour Space University and Holberton School, which are distinguished for their innovative approaches to education. We discussed common goals to train ICT professionals in our country and explored partnership opportunities," the minister wrote. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 23 June 2023 21:15 (UTC+04:00) Austrian company Airport Competence will conduct the first technical study for the possible construction of a new airport on the territory of the former airfield in Vaziani, near Georgias capital city of Tbilisi, Deputy Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili said on Friday, Azernews reports, citing Agenda. The Ministry cited Kvrivishvili as noting the importance of technical studies for the Government to make the final decision on where and in what form the countrys main airport project would be implemented. Our goal is for the country to have one of the best airports in the world, which will also be a transit and logistics centre with high-level passenger and cargo terminals, and will respond to airline trends and passenger demands that will be there in the coming decades, Kvrivishvili said. She added the technical study would indicate whether the project for a brand-new airport in Vaziani should be prioritised over expanding the existing Tbilisi International Airport on the outskirts of the capital. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 23 June 2023 20:40 (UTC+04:00) Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Friday said the Government welcomed the prospects of increasing transportation of Kazakhstan's energy resources using Georgia's transport infrastructure and Black Sea ports, Azernews reports, citing Agenda. The Government Administration cited Garibashvili as telling a joint briefing with his Kazakhstani counterpart Alikhan Smailov that all this should be attractive for the Kazakh side. On his part, Smailov also confirmed his countrys readiness to expand the cooperation to utilise Caspian and Black Sea basins in the form of routes. In this context, it is very important to use opportunities of port infrastructures of both countries for the purpose of cargo transportation, Smailov said. At the meeting, the two officials also discussed cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. Smailov welcomed the recent launch of direct flights between the capitals of the two countries, and said they would have a good impact on business [ties] and people-to-people relations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 23 June 2023 19:05 (UTC+04:00) Turkish pilots in the Air Defender 2023, the largest multinational air defense exercise in NATOs history, have garnered praise from their fellow American and German participants, Azernews reports, citing Yeni Shafak. From June 12-23, up to 10,000 exercise participants from 25 nations with 250 aircraft conducted defensive maneuvers in European airspace under the command of the German Air Force. Turkiye also participated in the exercise with three F-16 aircraft, which flew from the 151st Squadron Command in Merzifon, a Turkish town in Amasya province in the Black Sea region, to Germany, conducting approximately 40 sorties throughout the exercise. Turkish fighter pilot Col. Ersin Ozmen told Anadolu that the Turkish Air Force participated with three F-16 jets and 56 personnel. "Our aim was to increase the operational capacity and coordination with NATO member countries," he said. "For us, it was a great opportunity to demonstrate our combat readiness and enhance our cooperation with NATO members." Ozmen added: "We worked mutually with all countries. We carried out missions simultaneously from different airbases. We saw that it is feasible. Such missions will also be performed in a real operational environment. Therefore, it was a valuable training opportunity for us." American Lt. Col. Josh Higgins, an F-15 pilot and team commander who came from the US base in New Orleans, said he had several interactions with Turkish pilots during the air drill, and called them "good and professional," and that they learned while flying together. A German officer who worked with the Turkish team throughout the exercise also expressed satisfaction with their collaboration. "I had worked with the Turkish team nine years ago. Therefore, I knew what to expect. They were excellent, and the exercise went very well," he said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 23 June 2023 19:35 (UTC+04:00) At least 281 families have reached the Pakistani government over the Greek boat tragedy last week, the nations interior minister told the parliament on Friday, Azernews reports, citing Yeni Shafak. 82 deceased Pakistani victims had been recovered after they lost their lives in the tragic boat accident off the coast of Greece on June 14, Rana Sanaullah said. Expressing concern that relatives of 281 families may have been caught up in this incident, Sanaullah feared the toll in the incident may escalate dramatically. The 30-meter-long fishing boat capsized and sank early on June 14 about 50 miles from Greeces southern coastal town of Pylos, which carried around 700 people on board, including Pakistanis, Syrians, and Libyans. The Pakistani minister said the boats capacity was about 400 passengers, but there were around 700 onboard. Among these, the number of Pakistani passengers on board as per the information that we have received so far is approximately 350, he added. To identify the Pakistani citizens, according to Dawn News, Sanaullah said 193 DNA samples have been taken from their families across Pakistan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 23 June 2023 20:10 (UTC+04:00) Work is ongoing to establish the UN Regional Sustainable Development Goals Center for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty, National Minister of Kazakhstan Alibek Kuantyrov said at the meeting of the Parliamentary Commission for SDGs monitoring, Azernews reports, citing Kazinform. Kazakhstan presented its second National Voluntary Review at the high-level Political Forum held in July 2022 in New York. It reflected the main achievements, challenges, and emerging issues, as well as lessons learnt. As part of the review, an in-depth analysis on the five priority goals for the country: no poverty, good health and well-being, quality education, clean water and sanitation, and decent work and economic growth, said Kuantyrov. According to the minister, the mentioned goals were defined during the survey conducted in all regions of the country, involving government officials, reps of the civil society, and international organizations. Kuantyrov noted that the international community representatives and participants of the Astana International Forum commended the process of the implementation of the SDGs in Kazakhstan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz RevolKa Ltd.: Announcement of Milestone Achievement in the Collaborative Research with Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. State regulators took action this week against two companies they say are responsible for oil wells found late last month to have been leaking Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Heceta Head Lighthouse on Oregon Coast Vandalized, Tagged; Suspect Photos Published 06/20/23 at 10:21 p.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Florence, Oregon) Oregon State Police (OSP) late Tuesday released suspect photos of an attempted break-in at one of the Oregon coast's most famous lighthouses, after Heceta Head was tagged with graffiti and vandalized on June 14. OSP is asking the public to help identify the group of young people seen here. What OPS called acts of criminal mischief were reported on June 15 at 11: 43 a.m., with the incident occurring the prior day at 8:43 p.m., according to the surveillance footage at the Oregon coast landmark. The suspects tried to break into the Heceta Head Lighthouse and damaged nearby property. Four individuals were seen on camera approaching the 129-year-old lighthouse, one of which was carrying a spray can. Two suspects broke a window on the lighthouse and tried to get inside which counts as attempted burglary. See history of Heceta Head Lighthouse As a result of this incident, one of the associated lighthouse buildings was vandalized with spray paint, and signage along the trail from the parking lot to the lighthouse was also affected, OSP said. Another person walking towards the Heceta Head Lighthouse caused the four to flee the area. It's unclear at this time if that person confronted them or the suspects were simply spooked. Oregon State Parks Ranger Burke Martin told OSP he had estimated the damage will cost between $10,000 to $20,000 to repair. OSP said the site is iconic in Oregon's history and they are working hard to ensure it remains untouched. OSP is still investigating the incident and asked for the public's help in identification of the four youth in the video. If you have information relating to this crime or know the individuals, you are urged to contact Oregon State Police Dispatch Center at *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone or 800-442-0776. Reference case # SP23-178524. We appreciate the cooperation and support of the community in assisting us with this ongoing investigation, OSP said on social media. The group which oversees some maintenance of the Heceta Head area, Keepers of Heceta Head Lightstation, has so far not revealed anything about the crime. The last time an Oregon coast lighthouse saw major damage caused by humans was 2010, when the Cape Meares Lighthouse near Oceanside was riddled with bullets, and the lawn area was torn up by the pair driving their truck over it many times. The lighthouse's Fresnel lens, over 100 years old, was severely damaged. Total price of restoration there was about half a million dollars before it was over. It took several years for the Cape Meares Lighthouse to get back to normal. Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Oregon Coast Law Enforcement: Fines Involved for Fireworks on Beach, Advice Published 06/20/23 at 7:21 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Oregon Coast) Summer is all about the fun, no matter where you are in the Pacific Northwest, but especially on the Oregon coast there's a ton of repose waiting to happen. Part of that is that Fourth of July is right around the corner, meaning big bang celebrations throughout the coastline. (Photo above: this is a no-no. Oregon Coast Beach Connection) It also means fireworks for the masses, as stands begin to pop up everywhere. On the Oregon coast, however, things can be sizably more susceptible to fire hazards than you might imagine, even with all that ocean around. That's why the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) in Newport offered up a bundle of warnings and suggestions for firework use on the coast recently. At the top of their list is that not everyone appreciates them. Fireworks, loud sounds, and bright, sudden flashes can trigger vets, pets, and people with PTSD, the office said. If you choose to use fireworks, remember to be considerate of others, consider the time of day and the location, and prioritize safety. Laws may differ slightly from county to county on the coastline, but they're largely the same, and so are the dangers. It doesn't matter if you're in Yachats, Newport, Seaside, Oceanside, Bandon, Brookings or Reedsport: the LCSO's discussion rings true everywhere there's sandy shoreline or rocky cliffs. First, all of the beaches are under the guide of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and they have banned fireworks of any kind near the shore. In Oregon, a lot of fireworks are strictly illegal, and the LCSO said it's important you know the difference between what is legal and what is a dangerous explosive device. Anything that flies in the air is illegal in Oregon that means many of the kinds of devices sold in Washington. This also applies to things that move in any kind of unpredictable manner or explode. Some examples include firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, bottle rockets, or other items of similar construction and any item containing explosive or flammable compounds, the LCSO said. Tablets or other devices containing explosive substances or flammable compounds are not legal in Oregon without a permit. Items such as M-80s, M-100s and blockbusters are not fireworks: they are federally banned explosives. They can cause serious injury or even death. Stay away from anything that isn't clearly labeled with the name of the item, the manufacturer's name, and instructions for proper use. What happens if you are caught with illegal fireworks in Oregon or the coast? It is a Class B Misdemeanor where you can get fined up to $10,000. You could even get six months in jail. Fire at Crissey Field, Brookings - Oregon State Parks Ocean beaches are even more vulnerable to fires than you think, because of dune grass in the area along with other foliage that is often on clifftops. Driftwood can catch fire easily if your device winds up in a pile of smaller bits, which there are plenty of during the summer. Dry driftwood pieces had something to do with a fire that caught parts of the beach at Crissey Field in Brookings two years ago. Never light and throw any firework, the LCSO said. When it comes to preventing fires, if the area is dry, warm and windy, it will be much more prone to have ignitable sources. That includes more than just fireworks, as other activities can start a flame or create sparks. Be aware of your surroundings on the coastline. If you know of anyone selling illegal devices in Oregon, you are urged to tell law enforcement. The LCSO said you should read instructions on fireworks and make sure you place them on a flat surface which does not exist on Oregon beaches and cliffs. Light them far from buildings, dry leaves or other flammable materials. Dealing with pets and fireworks is a whole other level of issues. They are especially vulnerable to loud noises, flashing lights and even strong odors. The sheriff's office recommends you leave them at home, and make sure they have an ID on the collars in case they break loose to flea from noises. Then there are kids to worry about. Fireworks are not toys. NEVER give fireworks to children. Close adult supervision of all fireworks activities is mandatory, this includes sparklers, the sheriff's office said. Oregon Coast Hotels for this - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Our perception is that most Americans we know are sick and tired, indeed, fedup with what has been coming out of Washington DC in recent months. The stench is literally overwhelming and most Americans just ignore it. But we think that is a serious mistake. The FBI and the DOJ have made serious errors and unless the next President and Congress fix this broken system our nation simply cannot survive as it was founded. The best summary that supports this contention was this week in the House Judiciary Committee hearing when Rep. Harriet Hageman got her turn to speak. And speak she did. And the conclusion should be front and center in every Americans understanding of the last three years. Susie Smith writing at Red State reported the event, with videos of Rep. Hagemans and Mr. Durhams comments at the link above: Special Counsel John Durham testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday for nearly six hours. The Democrat members of the committee trotted out their standard barrage of sly accusations and sinister insinuations, while the Republicans, for the most part, sussed out the highlights (or lowlights) of the most critical findings contained in Durhams report. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) shook things up a bit, going right after Durham and accusing him of essentially serving as the Washington Generals to the Swamps Globetrotters. For his part, though he appeared somewhat ill at ease, Durham kept his composure, even lobbing a brushback pitch at Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA). He took some affront to Gaetzs accusations. But it was his response to Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY) at the very end of the hearing that served as a chilling portent for the nations future. Hageman utilized most of her allotted five minutes to address Durham, reading prepared remarks: Mr. Durham, in reviewing your report, I sincerely wanted to understand the work that you did and decipher the various investigations that we have been discussing: the origins, the history, the backstory, the whos, the whys, the whats, the what ifs, and the hows. I desperately wanted to figure out what happened to what was once our flagship law enforcement agencies the FBI and the DOJ to determine what went wrong and to evaluate how we can go forward from here. I have listened with great interest, hoping to find some answers to the burning questions of the day. And I have reached a few conclusions that I do not believe are subject to dispute or debate. Now, I truly appreciate your regard for the agency you have dedicated your career to. I am sure that as your investigation progressed, you must have been truly saddened by what you found. What you have exposed, however, is that we are dealing with something so corrupt and so rotten that no amount of face paint, deflection, or whitewashing can fix this. You have been asked lots of questions about predicates, protocols, the Steele dossier, the Australian connection, Mr. Papadopoulos, Mr. Carter, the FISA court, and Crossfire Hurricane, among others. Your responses have been enlightening, but lets get to the brass tacks: None of those people or documents or reports were relevant to the FBI when it identified Donald Trump as Public Enemy Number One. What do I mean? The accuracy and veracity of the Steele dossier was irrelevant to the FBI. The accuracy and veracity of the reports coming from the Australian embassy were irrelevant to the FBI. The fact that the Russian experts in the CIA, FBI, NSA, and other agencies had no evidence of any kind of relationship between Mr. Trump and Putin or Russia was irrelevant to the FBI. And the fact that there was no verifiable evidence, such as testimony, documents, videos, or recordings of Russian collusion was irrelevant to the FBI. Hageman continued, laying out her theory of the motivation behind the whole endeavor. Nothing and I repeat, nothing that the FBI did was designed to show that Donald J. Trump was a Russian asset. That wasnt the purpose of the entire charade. How do I know this is true? Because they told us so. The very people who cooked this up, and the ones who ran this entire operation: Strzok, Lisa Page, Andrew McCabe, Clinesmith, Steele, the DNC, Perkins Coie. It was never their purpose to prove Russian collusion, and in fact, from the very beginning, they knew that no such thing actually existed. They knew that the entire Russian collusion narrative was fabricated by the Clinton campaign to deflect attention from her mishandling of classified materials and destruction of official emails. They didnt need to prove Russian collusion. They just had to keep the investigation alive. And so long as they had a complicit press, and so long as they had people in this very body, who has been here one of the gentlemen, who has been here much of the day, who would go on TV every night and lie about the smoking gun they could further their personal and political agendas. Oh no, the purpose of Crossfire Hurricane wasnt to prove Russian collusion it was to destroy Donald J Trump, and they told us that with the text messages that are set forth on page 49 and 51 of your report 49 and 50 of your report. And then, if they failed at blocking Mr. Trump from being elected as president, well, they had a backup plan they had their insurance policy, to use Strzoks terminology which was to make it impossible for him to govern; to use whatever tools were available to taint his presidency, the legitimacy of his election, his ability to work with foreign leaders, and to make everything about Russia, Russia, Russia. And then, Hageman drilled down to the heart of the matter. And how has this corruption and rot manifested itself in our everyday lives? In our national culture? In our ability to solve the problems we are facing? It has destroyed some of the key foundations of this country, a foundation built on equal protection, on the belief that justice is blind, on the belief that you will be held accountable if you commit a fraud of the magnitude of what we have been discussing here today, on the belief that due process, justice, and constitutional rights are more than mere words. It has left a smoldering hot volcanic mess where the soul of this country used to be all because a few people in the FBI decided they wanted to destroy a political candidate and ultimately a president and anyone associated with him. While these folks set out to destroy a presidential candidate and later a presidency, the fact is that they destroyed so much more and that will be their ultimate legacy. One casualty is Americas faith in our institutions, and another casualty is the erosion of a justice system that is supposed to apply equally to all Americans, but that has been weaponized to protect the favored few elites the Clintons, the Bidens while targeting political enemies. That is the current legacy of the FBI and DOJ, Now at the end of her allotted time, Hageman asked her one and only question of Durham though Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) did his level best to cut her off: Mr. Durham, here is my question: How long do you think that this country will survive with a two-tiered justice system that seeks to persecute people based on their political beliefs? Whatever ones takeaway of Durhams report and his testimony might be, it would be difficult to doubt the sincerity (or the foreboding accuracy) of his response: I dont think that things can go too much further with the view that law enforcement, particularly the FBI or Department of Justice, runs a two-tiered system of justice. The nation cant stand under those circumstances. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday the appointment of Dr. Vanessa Kerry as the organizations first-ever Director-General Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health. Dr. Kerry is a global health expert, medical doctor, and CEO of Seed Global Health, according to a WHO press release, and will play a pivotal role in amplifying WHOs climate and health messaging and undertake high-level advocacy. Kerry is a World Economic Forum (WEF) Young Global Leader and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) (here, here), two of the most powerful organizations promoting and installing globalism into businesses and governments around the world. She spoke about putting health at the heart of climate action at the WEFs Davos meeting in January. During her time in medical school, Kerry conducted a study on immunization in Ghana as an intern at the Vaccine Fund of the Global Alliance for Vaccines (GAVI), founded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She was one of 24 inaugural fellows of WomenLift Health, awarded by the Gates Foundation. In September 2021, Kerry told her Twitter followers to embrace governments forcing citizens to take vaccines under threat of losing their civil liberties. https://americanfaith.com/who-appoints-wef-young-global-leader-cfr-member-as-director-general-special-envoy-for-climate-change-and-health/ By, Dennis Prager at Patriot Post After a speech in Romania last week, I was asked a question by a young member of the audience that, remarkably, I dont remember ever having been asked: What is leftism? The question seems so simple and so basic to understanding contemporary life that you would think it would be posed frequently and if it werent, the reason would be that almost anyone who cares about society would already know how to answer it. But the question is rarely posed, and few know how to answer it. What is leftism? is not at all the same as What is liberalism? Leftism and liberalism share almost no values. Indeed, perhaps the greatest tragedy of America today is that liberals do not vote their values. Leftists vote their values, and conservatives vote their values. But liberals vote for left-wing values, almost none of which they hold. To cite but two examples: Liberals do not believe in racial segregation, whereas the left does: all-black dorms, all-black graduation exercises, different standards for blacks, etc. And liberals do not believe that males who say they are females should be allowed to compete in womens sports; only leftists do. If you ask people, What is leftism? most will respond by listing left-wing positions, not by defining it. People confuse identifying left-wing positions with knowing what leftism is. But naming left-wing positions is not the same as defining leftism. To be fair, many people, including conservatives, cannot define conservatism either. In fact, the inability of millions of American conservatives to define conservatism is a major reason so many conservative parents dont have conservative children. (See my two-part column, Explaining Conservatism.) Ironically, if conservatives had not defined conservatism but had only defined leftism, that alone would have ensured that many of their children would never have embraced left-wing views. The moment you understand leftism, almost everything that is happening in and to America at the present time becomes clear. And the moment that becomes clear, most people reject the Left. What, then, is leftism? Leftism is the attempt to destroy the past every value and every institution, the good as well as what it regards as the bad. That is why leftists, by definition, hate conservatism. Conservatism seeks to conserve the best from the past. The Left seeks to destroy the past, including the best. The first of the modern left-wing revolutions, the French Revolution, quite consciously sought to destroy every major institution and value of French society not just the monarchy but God, religion, the legal system, traditional notions of good and evil, the calendar, the old way of telling time, the old weights and measures, and even the names of the days of the week. In other words, the past. Just like the Left in contemporary America, the leftists of the French Revolution toppled statues in their case, the statues of every king of France. The next major left-wing revolution, the Russian, did the same. As the Soviet dissident joke went, In the Soviet Union the future is known; its the past which is always changing. Now you can begin to understand leftism. In a very real sense, todays leftism began in the 1960s with the infamous clarion call, Never trust anyone over 30. That phrase meant nothing less than value nothing from the past. Precisely what all leftism has been about from France under its revolutionaries to Russia under the Bolsheviks to China under Mao to America under the Left. That is why, as I have said almost every day on my radio show for years, The Left destroys everything it touches. Whatever its noble-sounding rhetoric, the Left stands for nothing and therefore builds nothing (other than state power). Aside from state power, it only destroys. Leftism in music, art, sculpture, and architecture destroyed everything beautiful and noble that had been created over all the preceding centuries. It is destroying the universities, the high schools, and the elementary schools. It is destroying science. More and more medical schools, for example, no longer speak of pregnant women but of birthing persons. The American Medical Association has come out in opposition to listing the sex of newborns on their birth certificates; children, the AMA holds, will eventually decide whether they are male or female, neither or both. Like the French revolutionaries, it has redefined moral categories. It has substituted class and racial categories for moral ones. Good and evil have been replaced by black and white, male and female, rich and poor. It is destroying the ideal of the nuclear family a married man and woman with children. The Left has made war on heteronormativity and has redefined marriage. And most telling even the French Revolution did not conceive of this break with the past the Left is working to destroy the distinction between man and woman. Days before the 2008 presidential election, then-candidate Barack Obama told a wildly cheering crowd, We are five days away form fundamentally transforming the United States of America. Thats all the Left does: fundamentally transform. Destroying everything it touches is not a byproduct of leftism. It is its aim. San Jose, Calif.-based family medicine physician Donald Siao, MD, was convicted of 12 counts of illegally distributing oxycodone and hydrocodone. According to evidence presented at trial, Dr. Siao had written 8,201 prescriptions for controlled substances between May 2016 and May 2017, according to a June 23 Justice Department news release. An investigation that followed resulted in Dr. Siao prescribed oxycodone and hydrocodone over 17 visits by four separate undercover law enforcement agents who complained only of vague pain or discomfort. Dr. Siao had also prescribed dangerous opioids to a mother and son after the mother repeatedly claimed her pills had been lost or stolen and being advised that she was jailed for selling pills. Additionally, Dr. Siao prescribed opioids to her son after he overdosed twice. A jury convicted Dr. Siao of 12 counts of distributing opioids outside the usual course of professional practice, the release said. Galena, Ohio-based Eskender Getachew, MD, has been convicted of unlawful prescription of opioids and benzodiazepines. Dr. Getachew prescribed the pills based on the amount of money that patients paid at their office visits, according to a June 23 news release from the Justice Department. Additionally, he was aware of several reports that patients were selling their drugs but continued to prescribe the pills. Dr. Getachew was convicted of 11 counts of unlawful distribution, facing a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count. University Medical Center of El Paso, Texas, will pay $55 million to acquire and upgrade a surgical hospital that closed in January, the El Paso Times reported June 23. UMC aims to use the hospital, which has six operating rooms, for orthopedic, cardiology and neurological surgeries, among others. The 10 surgery rooms at UMC in Central El Paso are operating at capacity, a spokesperson told the publication. The 40-bed surgical hospital will also be used to ease overburdened surgery rooms at UMC and alleviate seasonal bed shortages. UMC has been leasing the hospital since March 17 for $362,000 per month - money that will go toward the purchase price, according to the El Paso Times. UMC has been working on upgrades since then and expects to open the facility in September. The sale is projected to be completed by June 30. Once fully operational, it will employ about 140 people. Cybercriminal gang BlackCat has threatened to release stolen plastic surgery photos unless its demands for ransom are met, The Daily Dot reported. The group posted on the dark web June 21 that it had taken patient data from Beverly Hills (Calif.) Plastic Surgery and would release pictures if it is not paid, according to the June 21 story. "This is not the first time a ransomware gang has attempted to weaponize patients' photos, and it will not be the last," Emsisoft cybersecurity analyst Brett Callow told the news outlet. "If [the photos] do end up online, they could be accessed and potentially misused by third parties and that misuse could include attempts to extort money from the patients themselves." BlackCat, which has ties to Russia, previously posted photos of patients receiving breast cancer treatment at Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Health Network after the health system refused its ransom request. St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital is facing media criticism after a Netflix documentary, Take Care of Maya, shows 10-year-old Maya Kowalski being sheltered at the hospital due to allegations of child abuse that were never proved, the Tampa Bay Times reported June 23. The documentary, which was the second-most-watched movie on the platform as of June 22, features Maya Kowalski and her mother; Johns Hopkins All Children's twice reported her mother to the state's abuse hotline alleging child medical abuse. Maya's mother, Beata Kowalski, was ordered not to have physical contact with her daughter, and Ms. Kowalski ended up taking her own life after 87 days. The allegations of child medical abuse were never proved, according to the publication. A lawsuit has been filed against All Children's; Sally Smith, MD, a pediatric physician and former medical director of the Pinellas County Child Protection Team; and Catherine Bedy, a hospital social worker employed by a third party. Johns Hopkins All Children's told Becker's that Ms. Bedy and Dr. Smith are not employees of its hospital. According to court records, during Maya's stay, she was allegedly "videotaped for 48 hours and, on another occasion, stripped down to her underwear and photographed without the permission of her parents." The nonprofit that employed Dr. Smith was also named in the lawsuit and settled with the Kowalski family for $2.5 million. Dr. Smith retired from her position as medical director in July. The lawsuit is expected to go to a jury trial in September, according to the publication. The documentary caused an uproar on social platforms, leading the hospital to temporarily disable comments as there has been a "significant increase in inappropriate engagement," All Children's told Becker's. The hospital also told Becker's it values the safety and privacy of all its patients and families. "We follow federal privacy laws that limit the amount of information we can release regarding any particular case," the hospital said. "Our first responsibility is always to the child brought to us for care, and we are legally obligated to notify the Department of Children and Families (DCF) when we detect signs of possible abuse or neglect. It is DCF that investigates the situation and makes the ultimate decision about what course of action is in the best interest of the child." Pittsburgh-based Highmark Health laid off 118 employees on June 21, including two from Allegheny Health Network, a spokesperson for the health system told Becker's. The layoffs follow the health system's cutbacks in March and April, according to the Pittsburgh Business Times. Highmark laid off 141 workers earlier this year, sparked by changes in the post-pandemic environment. "Change is not only constant but necessary for Highmark Health to remain an innovative company that is competitively positioned for future growth in a marketplace that is rapidly evolving," Highmark said in a statement shared with Becker's. "We are actively transforming to meet the changing needs of members and our communities through our living health model while maintaining financial strength and stability." Highmark posted $6.7 billion in revenue for the first quarter and $227 million in net income. Allegheny Health, part of Highmark, posted an operating loss of $36.2 million in the first quarter, improving on the $105.5 million loss for the same period last year. Highmark said it will "continue to invest strategically in growth, new markets and reinventing health to fulfill our mission of delivering a remarkable health experience." Cyberattacks on hospitals can lead to serious implications for patient safety and privacy, but could force many hospitals in precarious financial positions to close their doors for good, Bloomberg reported June 23. Healthcare facilities have been hit with 266 digital incursions affecting 36 million people this year, with 2023 on track to exceed the number of cyberattacks last year, according to John Riggi, the national adviser for cybersecurity and risk at the American Hospital Association. The costs and time taken to recover from a ransomware attack which are becoming increasingly sophisticated can be significant. Cyberattacks against hospitals, specifically, have tripled in the last five years. Chicago-based CommonSpirit estimates that the ransomware attack it suffered in October cost it about $160 million. The estimate includes lost revenues due to business disruption and extra costs to fix the IT issues. The 143-hospital system, which posted $1.1 billion in operating losses for the nine-months ending March 31, reported 623,774 patients' data was breached during the attack and patients sued the system for failing to prevent the attack. Fortunately, CommonSpirit is confident of recovering much of the $160 million, "but we expect it to take some time," Benjie Loanzon, senior vice president of finance, said during a May 22 earnings call. On June 16, St. Margaret's Health closed its Spring Valley, Ill., hospital, five months after it closed its other hospital in Peru, Ill. The Spring Valley facility is believed to be the first healthcare facility to close because of a ransomware attack, which hospital officials said hampered its ability to submit claims to payers. "You're dead in the water," Linda Burt, vice president of quality and community services at the hospital, told NBC News. "We were down a minimum of 14 weeks. And then you're trying to recover. Nothing went out. No claims. Nothing got entered. So it took months and months and months." The cyberattack was also partly to blame for St. Margaret's decision to suspend operations at its Peru hospital. Peoria, Ill.-based OSF Healthcare, a 15-hospital system operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, is in the process of buying and reopening the Peru hospital. The sources of physicians' frustration the last few years have been numerous, from administrative burdens to strained relationships with patients to dwindling autonomy. Researchers recently found 43 percent of physicians said they would not choose to become a physician again. Of physicians, 62.8 percent manifested at least one trait of burnout in 2021, compared to 38.2 percent in 2020. Leaders are honing in on the greatest issues with regard to physician burnout and dissatisfaction. Here are the top issues facing physicians, according to eight leaders. Note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length. Thomas Corkery, DO. Chief Medical Officer at Canonsburg (Pa.) Hospital/Allegheny Health Network: The administrative burden of practicing medicine has gotten larger between electronic health records and the kind of authorizations. There's more need to get preauthorization for simple testing preventive testing, diagnostic testing, echocardiograms, even bone densities, CT and MRIs. They require you to jump through a lot of hoops, and I think that beats physicians down. Michael Ivy, MD. Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health: Nobody becomes a physician because they hope to feel like a cog in a factory. However, between meeting the demands of payers for referrals, denials of payment and increased documentation requirements in order to assure proper reimbursement and risk adjustment, as well as an increasing number of production metrics, it can be difficult not to feel like a cog. On top of that, the default solution of many health systems for regulatory or medico-legal concerns is requiring clinicians to document more, even if the benefit is small. We blame the EMR for the increased time spent documenting, but much of that burden is not the fault of the EMR. Another key issue is that the work physicians perform can be isolating. Physicians only come into the hospital if they need to be there, which means less social interaction with colleagues. The physicians who work solely in the hospital are very busy without much time for connecting with colleagues. Similarly, practicing in an office can be lonely. It is a smaller pool of people and everyone's schedule is packed. Eric Katz, MD. Chief Medical Officer at Banner Estrella Medical Center (Phoenix): It seems like people are no longer willing to trust anyone who is not in their immediate circle. As a result, patients trust their care team less, physicians trust their employers less and the close relationships between co-workers become threatened. It makes for an uncomfortable experience. Add to that the normal frustrations of increasing regulations, EHR systems that are not intuitive and we will have a challenging practice. Oliver Mayorga, MD. Chief Medical Officer at the Lawrence + Memorial and The Westerly Hospital (New London, Conn.): Non-patient-facing work probably tops the list of issues. The increase in administrative and computer tasks can take away from the meaning and joy that physicians get from direct patient care. Additionally, the burdens and barriers of insurance authorizations can also detract from what many physicians expected from medicine. Lastly, at least in Connecticut and Rhode Island, the challenging malpractice environment continues to give doctors in these states some pause when considering whether to remain in medicine. Ryan O'Connell, MD. Regional Director of Quality at Hartford Healthcare Fairfield (Conn.) Region: Physicians may be reluctant to publicly share this because of the optics of "blaming" patients, but many physicians, especially in primary care, are feeling much more strain because patients have more direct access to them, around the clock. In the height of the pandemic, patients were strongly encouraged to sign up for patient portals, which facilitate a kind of "email" with their physicians. At the same time, federal guidelines have pushed most health systems to provide immediate access to notes and test results often patients see results before their physicians do, and this invariably leads to questions. Although this is clearly positive for patients, the result is that physicians get many more questions in their "in basket" which they feel they must address, often on nights and weekends. Just this morning, I learned of a well-regarded local primary care physician who left primary care for an urgent care setting because he was overwhelmed by in-basket messages. Karan Singh, MD. Chief Medical Officer at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital (Banning, Calif.): I think what's going on has puzzled a lot of us physicians and physician leaders. There's definitely a generational change that's occurring with some physicians that are reaching retirement. They have been used to a different style of practicing medicine. They valued autonomy, independence from larger corporate structures. And we see the new generation coming in with different priorities: priding themselves on being profession driven and valuing being home more. The pandemic also heightened frustration and burnout, but not so much because of critical care or sick patients that's what we live and breathe and what we went to school for but I think it's the extra things that came with that. A lot of physicians like to be autonomous and the things that were rolled out during the pandemic did not allow us to practice that. There's still that frustration of being told what to do that hasn't settled well. A lot of physicians retired early so they would not have to deal with this. And I think a lot of patients are frustrated with the system in general, and physicians feel the brunt of it. Nancy Sudak, MD. Chief Well-being Officer and Director of Integrative Health at Essentia Health (Duluth, Minn.): Physician burnout and moral injury escalated during the pandemic and are currently compounded by the financial crisis health care systems are experiencing across the US. The primary drivers of burnout are: Higher acuity and complexity of patient conditions. Inadequate time to attend to complex patients' needs, let alone establish strong relationships. Lack of control over workload. Time pressure for documentation. Chaotic work environments. Burden of messages from patients who expect swift responses. Failed recruitment for partners. Inadequate staffing. Sentiment that health care systems do not value physicians' time that is not generating income. Feeling unappreciated. Values misalignment between healthcare leadership and clinicians. In some cases, mistreatment by patients and their families. Donald Yealy, MD. Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Health Services Division at UPMC (Pittsburgh): While compensation, nonclinical clerical work and the electronic medical record are common sources of physician ire, I see a more pervasive and insidious set of concerns. The pace of change in everything about care expected of physicians serving patients has increased dramatically in the past few years; that, coupled with a sense of less gratitude and more hostility, serve to create a sense of "Why am I doing this? This isn't what I thought I'd be doing X years ago when I started." Change has always been needed in medicine, but the pace and the breadth today are dizzying, even for those freshly entering practice. Members of the Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU voted to ratify a new contract for resident physicians at the Burlington-based University of Vermont Medical Center. The contract includes a base salary increase totaling 20 percent over two years and seven months, according to a June 21 news release from the hospital. It also includes additional compensation for moonlighting and unplanned backup shifts, education and meal funds for each resident, and increased vacation and caregiver leave, among other provisions. This is the first time the hospital has negotiated a contract with resident physicians amid "unprecedented growth" in their labor organizing, the release said. Chief innovation officers told Becker's that hospitals must become more comfortable with risk and willing to make cultural changes for healthcare innovation to flourish. Despite recent leaps and bounds in adopting artificial intelligence and other digital tools, some healthcare leaders still identified a spirit of inactivity that holds back innovation. "The barrier is 'HIS' or what I call 'healthcare inertia syndrome.' The symptoms are slow decision-making and lack of progress that defaults to the status quo," David Shulkin, MD, the former secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, told Becker's. "The etiology of 'HIS' is multifactorial but includes lack of organizational focus, being overwhelmed by the complexity of the reimbursement system, having too many decision-makers, unwillingness to address institutional bureaucracy and fear of taking risks in new ways of doing business." Recently, some healthcare organizations looking to overcome "HIS" have turned in-house and sought innovative solutions from their clinicians. In May, New Hyde Park, N.Y.-Northwell Health awarded $1 million to two employee-driven innovation projects. Charles Bruce, MD, chief innovation officer of Jacksonville-based Mayo Clinic in Florida, also pointed to sluggish bureaucracy as a barrier to healthcare innovation. "The development of new innovations is outpacing the ability for expeditious regulatory approval," said Dr. Bruce. "Innovators require frictionless access to resources healthcare providers, researchers, engineers, regulatory experts, business experts and sources of capital hence the creation of the Mayo Clinic Innovation Exchange to serve as the world's foremost healthcare innovation concierge." Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic has partnered with hospitals in Brazil, Canada and Israel as part of an effort to spur innovation through global data-sharing. Taking risks in an uncertain economy Chief innovation officers also have to be mindful of how processes outside of their organization and control impact innovation. Geographic and macroeconomic considerations can play a massive role in a hospital's ability to innovate. "The venture folks on the coasts, in the last few years when things were going really well for them, were starting to look very seriously at the Midwest and how to expand, recognizing that good ideas can happen anywhere," said Jon Darsee, chief innovation officer at Iowa City-based University of Iowa. "That seems to have curtailed a little bit because now everybody's a little more cautious. The deeper diligence is in the funding to support their existing portfolio companies, more so than in the past." Mr. Darsee predicted that more health systems in the Midwest could create their own venture capital arms to push for in-house innovation as coastal funding dries up. He pointed to nearby Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint Health's venture capital arm as an example. In March, health system venture capitalist leaders told Becker's that the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank will hurt innovation as investors become more prudent. "Healthcare innovation is siloed and risk averse. Healthcare innovation requires multidisciplinary teamwork and an appetite to break down silos," said Dr. Bruce. As of June 23, 150 people have joined a class-action lawsuit against Boston-based Harvard University and the school's former morgue manager in a case related to stolen human remains, according to NBC Boston. On June 14, federal officials announced the indictment and arrest of Cedric Lodge, Harvard's former morgue manager, and several other individuals. Mr. Lodge is accused of stealing and selling human remains from bodies donated to Harvard for medical research. According to the indictment, Mr. Lodge and his wife sold human remains to buyers from their New Hampshire residence from 2018 through August of 2022. Keches Law Group filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of families affected by the thefts June 16 in Massachusetts' Suffolk County Superior Court. About 150 people have since joined the suit, which alleges Harvard and Mr. Lodge breached their duty of care and failed to take reasonable steps to "ensure that the cadavers were properly handled and maintained for their intended purpose of scientific study and not properly mishandled, dissected, and/or sold to third parties." An attorney with the law group believes up to 400 bodies were mishandled. Harvard mailed letters overnight to families that may have been affected after the arrests were announced, released a detailed statement and created a frequently asked questions page, though has faced criticism for not addressing what processes are in place to monitor bodies donated for medical research. The university has told several news outlets that it would not comment on pending litigation. Nurses at Wichita, Kan.-based Ascension Via Christi St. Francis are raising safety concerns about the hospital's security measures after a man was accused of entering the hospital and raping three patients, KWCH reported June 23. Miguel Rodela, who was not employed by or a patient at the hospital, was discovered in the building around 1:57 a.m. June 15, Wichita police spokesperson Juan Rebolledo told The Wichita Eagle. Mr. Rodela fought with security guards, battering two of them, before police arrived, Mr. Rebolledo said, adding it was unclear how Mr. Rodela entered the hospital. KWCH reported he was charged with four counts of rape and two counts of battery. Nurses at two Wichita hospitals are planning a one-day strike June 27 650 nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital and 300 nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph Hospital are expected to participate. They told the news outlet safety is their first concern and one of the main reasons for the strike. "These are concerns that nurses have had for a long time. We've been to management. Unfortunately, this is a trend that's continuing, and it's getting worse," Lisa Watson, RN, a nurse at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis, told KWCH. "Anything that would make nurses and patients feel safe in the hospital, but when they're publicly avoiding things like rapes in the hospital, they're not going to get people to work here." Nurses said they're concerned about what they call a lack of transparency and want to see changes. Ascension Via Christi said in a statement to KWCH that "the safety of our patients and associates is of the utmost importance to us. We continue to review our security measures and implement new procedures and workplace safety education for all of our associates as opportunities for improvement are identified." What do the C-suite leaders at America's top pediatric hospitals have to say about being named to U.S. News & World Report's Best Children's Hospitals 2023-24 Honor Roll? Becker's compiled their reactions, after learning they made the top 10 Honor Roll, from the hospitals' June 21 news releases. U.S. News has been ranking children's hospitals for 17 years, naming the top 10 pediatric hospitals to its "Honor Roll" for obtaining the highest average scores in 10 specialties, including cancer, cardiology and heart surgery and diabetes and endocrinology. The publication also ranks children's hospitals by region in the U.S. Here's what executives from the Honor Roll hospitals said about making the top 10 list. 1. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center For the first time, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center took the top spot on the list. The hospital has the only level 4 neonatal intensive care unit, which offers care to infants at all level 3 NICUs in the area. The hospital discovered a "super antibody" it believes will inform new vaccines and offered a specialized approach to reduce stays in the NICU for opioid-exposed newborns. Steve Davis, MD, president and CEO: "This distinction only confirms what we have always known that we have outstanding, talented team members who are unmatched in their dedication to ensuring that all children have access to exceptional care." 2. Boston Children's Hospital The leaders at Boston Children's believe the rankings represent the level of trust families have when they bring their children to the hospital. Kevin Churchwell, MD, president and CEO: "Every day, families look to Boston Children's for answers, treatment, and hope. And every day, they inspire us to meet that challenge by seeing beyond the limitations the rest of the world places on what's possible. They inspire us to believe that we can do more that we must do more for them and for every child in our care." 3. Texas Children's Hospital (Houston) Texas Children's has ranked as the No. 1 pediatric hospital in Texas for 15 years in a row. For seven years running, U.S. News ranked the hospital as the best place in the country when it comes to pediatric cardiology and heart surgery care. Further, the hospital was included in all 10 of the subspecialties considered by U.S. News when compiling the Best Children's Hospital list. Mark Wallace, president and CEO: "Today, more than ever, I am grateful for the dedication and expertise of all our faculty and employees, whose continued pursuit of excellence has made these outstanding rankings possible." 4. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Children's Hospital of Philadelphia made the Best Children's Hospital ranking for the past 17 years. It also tops the Mid-Atlantic region list for best children's hospitals and is ranked the No. 1 pediatric hospital for orthopedic care. Madeline Bell, CEO and president, in a statement shared with Becker's: "I am proud that CHOP is once again ranked among the best children's hospitals in the nation and No. 1 in the region by U.S. News & World Report. Eight of our clinical specialties ranked in the top 5 this year, and we offer many other extraordinary clinical, research and community programs that have been recognized across the nation and the world. I am grateful to each member of the CHOP team for supporting all of our programs and for making it possible for us to provide the very best care to every child who needs us, year after year." 5. Children's National Hospital (Washington, D.C.) The 2023-24 listing marks the 7th year in a row Children's National made the U.S. News' Honor Roll of Best Children's Hospitals. For the 13th straight year, Children's National also ranked in all 10 specialty services, with eight specialties ranked in the top 10 nationally. In addition, the hospital was ranked best in the Mid-Atlantic for neonatology, cancer, neurology and neurosurgery. Kurt Newman, MD, current president and CEO: "Even from a team that is now a fixture on the list of the very best children's hospitals in the nation, these results are phenomenal. It takes a ton of dedication and sacrifice to provide the best care anywhere and I could not be prouder of the team. Their commitment to excellence is in their DNA and will continue long after I retire as CEO later this month." Michelle Riley-Brown, incoming president and CEO: "... These truly incredible results leave me further humbled by the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization and contribute to its continued success. I am deeply committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, empowering our talented teams and charting a bold path forward to provide best in class pediatric care. Our focus will always remain on the kids." 6. Nationwide Children's Hospital (Columbus, Ohio) This year marks the 10th consecutive year Nationwide Children's Hospital has been named to the U.S. News Honor Roll. The hospital is also ranked among the nation's best in all 10 specialties, making the top 10 list in seven specialties. Tim Robinson, CEO: "Our entire hospital team is committed to caring for children from Ohio and around the world, making a positive impact on our communities, and advancing research that will improve lives far into the future." 7. Children's Hospital Los Angeles For 15 years in a row, Children's Hospital Los Angeles has secured a spot on U.S. News' Honor Roll of Best Children's Hospitals in the country. The hospital made the top of the best children's hospitals in California, in the Pacific region and ranked nationally in all 10 pediatric subspecialties. Paul Viviano, president and CEO: "... This is confirmation of Children's Hospital Los Angeles' longstanding commitment to delivering superior and compassionate care for patients and families. It is a testament to the hundreds of physicians and thousands of nurses and team members focused exclusively on children and youth who distinguish CHLA as the largest pediatric provider of hospital care not only in Los Angeles but across the entire state and as a trusted leader in family-centered clinical care and innovation." 8. UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is ranked for excellence in all pediatric specialty areas and among the top 10 in six specialties: cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and GI surgery, nephrology pulmonology and lung surgery and urology. Diane Hupp, DNP, RN, president and Endowed Chair for Nursing Excellence: "This extraordinary honor once again is a testament to the dedication of our talented physicians, nurses, researchers and staff to delivering exceptional pediatric care and compassionate service to our patients and families every day." 9. Rady Children's Hospital (San Diego) This marks the first year that Rady Children's Hospital was included on U.S. News top 10 Honor Roll listing of the Best Children's Hospitals in the country. Rady is a nonprofit hospital with more than 40 locations in Southern California. It is the largest children's healthcare system on the West Coast. Patrick Frias, MD, president and CEO: "I'm so proud of our incredible nurses, doctors, researchers and team members from every department and division across Rady Children's and the UC San Diego School of Medicine. Achieving Honor Roll status is a tribute to their unwavering dedication to providing the highest level of care to our patients and families." 10. Johns Hopkins Children's Center (Baltimore) In addition to being named to the U.S. News 2023-24 Honor Roll of Best Children's Hospitals in the country, Johns Hopkins Children's Center was named best pediatric hospital in Maryland and fourth in the Mid-Atlantic region. Theodore DeWeese, MD, interim dean of the medical faculty and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine, and Kevin W. Sowers, MSN, RN, president of Johns Hopkins' Health System and executive vice president of Johns Hopkins Medicine, offered a message to all faculty, leadership and staff. "Your compassion and skill have touched countless lives, and we are thankful for each of you. No matter your role, you have helped strengthen our institutions and keep them among the nation's best for patients and families seeking the highest quality pediatric care." Ranking methodology: U.S. News ranks children's hospitals annually after analyzing data collected from two surveys one sent to close to 200 hospitals and another completed by more than 5,000 pediatricians in the United States. Hospitals are rated based on clinical outcomes, efficient coordination of care and their ability to provide care-related resources, such as enough nursing staff and outpatient programs. Telehealth has helped transform care for Boston Children's Hospital patients who no longer have to endure the stress of traveling for every appointment. Just ask 5-year-old Weston Mahady. Weston, who is legally blind and has epilepsy, made huge strides in his development once the hospital shifted to virtual care during the pandemic, according to a June 23 news release. He saw providers in 20 different departments at Boston Children's, which is an hour's drive from his home. The appointments would take up most of the day and cause him stress because of his sensory issues. His visits with his complex care nurse practitioner, endocrinologist and neurologist are now mostly virtual, giving him time to "grow and thrive" at home, according to the release. "If you had seen him before the pandemic, you wouldnt even recognize him now," his mother, Ali, said in the release. "He's like a totally different kid and we're huge advocates of telehealth." Michigan lawmakers are considering two bills that would raise fines if a person pleads guilty to or is convicted of assaulting a healthcare worker. House Bill 4520 would create enhanced criminal fines for simple assault and aggravated assault, and House Bill 4521 would create an enhanced criminal fine for assault with a deadly weapon if the victim is a healthcare professional or medical volunteer who was on the job at the time the act occurred, according to a legislative analysis by the House Fiscal Agency. The first bill would raise the penalty for "a person who assaults or assaults and batters an individual." If the victim is a healthcare professional or medical volunteer performing their duties, the penalty would increase from up to 93 days in prison or a fine of up to $500, or both, to up to 93 days in prison or a fine of up to $1,000, or both. The bill would also increase the penalty for "a person who assaults an individual without a weapon and inflicts serious or aggravated injury on that individual without intending to commit murder or inflict great bodily harm less than murder." If the victim is a healthcare professional or medical volunteer performing their duties, the penalty would increase from up to one year in prison or a fine of up to $1,000, or both, to up to one year in prison or a fine of up to $2,000, or both. The second bill addresses "a person who assaults an individual with a gun, knife, iron bar, club, brass knuckles or other dangerous weapon without intending to commit murder or inflict great bodily harm less than murder." If the victim is a healthcare professional or medical volunteer performing their duties, the penalty would increase from up to four years or a fine of up to $2,000, or both, to up to four years or a fine of up to $4,000, or both. The enhanced fines in the bills would not apply if the defendant is a patient receiving treatment from the victim, although such a person "could still be subject to prosecution" under Michigan's simple assault provisions, the legislative analysis says. Other states, such as Kansas and Florida, have already enhanced criminal penalties related to violence against healthcare workers. Each Michigan bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment. Stuart Kinsella, MD, joined The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo., on May 1, and a key element of his role will be building the robotics spine program at one of the practice's partner hospitals. Dr. Kinsella spoke with Becker's about the job and his outlook on robotics in spine surgery. Question: What are your top three goals at The Steadman Clinic? Dr. Stuart Kinsella: I hope to develop a successful robotic spine program at Aspen (Colo.) Valley Hospital. I hope to serve the community and offer care that they otherwise wouldn't have access to. And I hope to help further progress the use of navigation and robotics in spine surgery. Q: Are you the first to bring robotic spine surgery at Aspen Valley Hospital? SK: I am the first to bring robotic spine surgery to Aspen Valley Hospital. I was successful in bringing robotic spine surgery to the local hospital at my last practice, and am excited to embark on a similar journey with The Steadman Clinic at Aspen Valley Hospital. Q: What challenges are you expecting with that? SK: Given the geography of the area, there is quite a bit of legwork that needs to be done to ensure the safest possible surgery, because access to resources can be limited. Reliable backup plans are essential in safe spine surgery, and ensuring that they are employable can be a challenge in a place where factors outside of my control like the weather may limit access. In addition, when introducing this kind of novel technology to this community and hospital, it's important to educate the administration, staff and community prior to effective implementation. Education about the capabilities of the technology, as well as the technical aspects of how it works, is essential. We are making great progress. The Globus Medical representatives have been very helpful in assisting with training. The Steadman Clinic and Aspen Valley Hospital have also been helpful in community awareness to this wonderful new resource. The attention and energy from everyone involved in developing this spine program is invigorating. Q: What's your own personal experience with ExcelsiusGPS? SK: My initial exposure to robotic spine surgery came during training, where I saw the power of the technology to provide precise and reproducible outcomes. When I started practice in Florida, I surveyed the landscape of available platforms and found the Globus ExcelsiusGPS platform to be the most surgeon-friendly and reliable. I subsequently established the first Globus ExcelsiusGPS program on the east coast of Florida, and have now performed over 100 robotic spine surgeries with excellent results. Q: How do you see robotic spine surgery developing in the next few years? SK: I think it has become evident through the range of robotic platforms now available that robotic spine surgery is here to stay. We have seen improved outcomes as a result of the technology. In the next few years, I see an increase in the breadth of cases that may be assisted robotics, and improvements in the visualization of biomedical devices in the disc space. Interbody devices can now be navigated, but there is work to do on improving the accuracy of intradiscal visualization. Ultimately, one might see true robotic assistance in the placement of such interbody devices. Q: What advice would you give to spine surgeons who are looking to bring robotic spine technology to their regions? SK: I think when everyone involved with bringing a robotic spine platform to a region realizes the benefits of the technology and invests in its potential, the process will be successful. Directly relaying your excitement for the improvement in surgical outcomes that the technology affords to your hospital and community helps garner support. Q: What other spine technologies are catching your eye? SK: Expandable interbody device technology certainly excites me. Any technology that allows for more precise improvement in balance and alignment in the spine is of interest to me. I am also interested in recent advances in microscopy beyond traditional lens-based microscopes to improve ergonomics and visualization. Kevin Ward, the former CEO of Des Moines-based Iowa Orthopedic Center, is alleging retaliation and age discrimination after he was fired days after filing a defamation lawsuit, the Des Moines Register reported June 23. Mr. Ward, who was CEO since 2005, was fired days after he filed his lawsuit. He had been placed on indefinite suspension in April, but he claims he was never told why. On April 6, members of Iowa Orthopedic Center's executive committee told Mr. Ward that he was under investigation and demanded access to his personal cell phone. Mr. Ward said he had no indication anything was wrong until he was approached, the report said. Mr. Ward filed a lawsuit June 10, suing on counts of libel and slander. The complaint alleges written and verbal statements about his suspension have caused personal and professional harm. Mr. Ward's attorney, David Albrecht, told the Des Moines Register that the former CEO is cooperating with the company's investigation. A complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission alleging age discrimination was also filed. Mr. Ward was subsequently fired June 16, and Mr. Albrecht told the news outlet his client would amend his lawsuit to reflect the alleged retaliation and breach of contract. Attorneys for Iowa Orthopedic Center told the Des Moines Register that the dispute is "purely a personnel matter" and didn't involve patient care. St. Cloud (Minn.) Orthopedics claims that the region's largest health system, CentraCare, is trying to push it out of business by ending their decadeslong practice of working together to care for orthopedic trauma patients, according to a June 23 report from the Star Tribune. In the fall, CentraCare-owned St. Cloud Hospital informed the orthopedic group that come January, its physicians would no longer be on call for providing orthopedic trauma care at the hospital. This has significantly reduced the number of patients seeking follow-up care at St. Cloud Orthopedics, according to the report. The practice has been providing care at the hospital for over 60 years. Four years ago, CentraCare announced a new orthopedics partnership with University of Minnesota Physicians, but continued to keep St. Cloud Orthopedics on call for orthopedic trauma patients. The decision to remove St. Cloud Orthopedics physicians from the on-call list was made without seeking input from the community or the hospital, according to St. Cloud Orthopedics surgeon and President Kim Schaap, MD. "We have no formal relationship with CentraCare other than that we've provided service for St. Cloud Hospital and the community at large for 60-some years," Dr. Schaap told the Star Tribune. "We sat at the table with them for years trying to develop some sort of partnership. And then they walked away." Since losing its trauma connection to the hospital, St. Cloud Orthopedics has lost two of its specialists. "As we evolve to a regional destination for orthopedics with cutting-edge care options only available through an academic medical center, CentraCare has partnered with the University of Minnesota Physicians to bring expert specialists to central Minnesota," a CentraCare spokesperson told the Star Tribune. Dr. Schaap told the Tribune that by excluding St. Cloud Orthopedics, CentraCare is "further monopolizing CentraCare's control of patient referrals and care." Bespoke carpets designed by Ulster Carpets for the Four Seasons Minneapolis Seagrass Herringbone natural patterned carpet from Alternative Flooring, a Hampshire firm just bought by Ulster Carpets Chris Brammall, retiring chairman of Alternative Flooring, with David Acheson, strategic development director at Ulster Carpets Northern Ireland manufacturer Ulster Carpets has snapped up a business in Great Britain. Ulster Carpets, granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Elizabeth II before she died last year, has acquired Alternative Flooring in Hampshire for an undisclosed sum. Alternative Flooring supplies quirky, natural fibre carpets and rugs in textured coir, jute, seagrass and sisal. Ulster Carpets, which is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year, employs more than 700 people and reported turnover of 68m in its latest financial statement. Its portfolio includes carpet manufacturer Ulster North East, Griffith Textile Machines, wool processing and dyeing company Ulster Yarns, sustainable underlay manufacturer Axfelt, commercial carpet manufacturer Danfloor, luxury interiors brand Roger Oates Design, and sustainable furniture and materials producer Solidwool. Seagrass Herringbone natural patterned carpet from Alternative Flooring, a Hampshire firm just bought by Ulster Carpets David Acheson, strategic development director at Ulster Carpets, said: We believe that the Ulster Carpets Group is a fitting home for Alternative Flooring in terms of culture, outlook and ambition. Alternative will remain an independent, autonomous brand within the Ulster Carpets Group, but with the added expertise and resources to strengthen its capability, service, and product range. It is good news for Alternatives valued customers, key suppliers, and exceptional employees. Trading for more than 25 years, Alternative Flooring is an ethically conscious designer and supplier of high-quality flooring with a quirky twist including its Make Me A Rug programme, allowing any design to be turned into a hand-finished rug at its Hampshire base. Chris Brammall, retiring chairman of Alternative Flooring, said: We are enormously proud of what we have achieved since taking over Alternative Flooring. Securing a bright future for the Alternative brand, together with its employees, customers and key suppliers, was a major factor in deciding the most suitable home for its next phase of development. This acquisition gives Alternative the opportunity of reaching its considerable potential. Bespoke carpets designed by Ulster Carpets for the Four Seasons Minneapolis Ulster Carpets was established in 1938 in Portadown and is still owned by the founders family. It is a leading supplier of Axminster and Wilton carpets to the residential, hospitality, marine and casino sectors across the world, with offices in London, Paris, and across the USA. After a number of pandemic-hit years, the firm is rebuilding capacity with the commissioning of new weaving technology in its headquarters in Portadown and at Ulster North East in England. The Hollywood star said the two-part film was made with a culmination of all my skills and that even those unfamiliar with the series would have an epic adventure. Cruise stars alongside Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell, and Ving Rhames in the seventh instalment of the franchise, which is part one of two. Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One sees him reprise his role of Ethan Hunt yet again, as the Impossible Mission Force (IMF) set out to track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity. The film includes the usual slew of death-defying stunts, including one in which Cruise jumps off a cliff on a motorcycle. Speaking at the films London premiere on Thursday, he said that even as a child he had always wanted to make movies, and had devoted himself to taking on new challenges and learning new skills. Since I was a little kid, thats what I did, he told the PA news agency. (left to right) Esai Morales, Cary Elwes, Pom Klementieff, Vanessa Kirby, Hayley Atwell, Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, Simon Pegg and Rebecca Ferguson (Ian West/PA) When I was three or four years old I was jumping off my roof and climbing trees I wanted to make movies, I wanted adventure, I wanted to travel the world. So thats what I do, I train I really enjoy taking on different skills, to work to become competent in everything that I do. He continued: It was actually years of training because I fly jets, I fly helicopters, I fly aeroplanes. Im a skydiver, Im a parachuter, race cars, motorcycles. (This film) was a culmination of all my skills. Theres a lot going on theres a lot happening (but) the most important part is getting the shot and getting the story across. Tom Cruise arrives at the UK premiere of Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One (Ian West/PA) Cruise said that all Mission: Impossible films thus far had led to this. Each one is different we give you Mission: Impossible, but the scale and emotion of this film it truly is an epic adventure, he said. The whole franchise has led to this and I think its our biggest moment. If you havent seen a Mission: Impossible (film) then it doesnt matter, youre still going to get a great adventure. Simon Pegg reprises his role of Benji Dunn in the film (Ian West/PA) Hot Fuzz star Pegg, who reprises his role of tech-savvy Benji Dunn, said the film had written the rulebook on how to produce films during the pandemic. In 2020 there was a lot going on that was a huge challenge just trying to figure out how to make a film in those circumstances, he told PA. We kind of wrote the rulebook on how to do it and it was an extraordinary experience just sort of getting through it made the shoot a little longer, but I think its made the film better. Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One is due for UK release on July 14. A banned motorist was remanded in custody today accused of ramming two police cars during a cross-county bout of dangerous drink-driving. Curtis Tanner also allegedly crashed through barriers at Belfast International Airport before he was arrested in the early hours of Thursday morning. The 34-year-old, of Loughside Drive in Ballynahinch, Co Down, is charged with a total of 16 motoring offences. He appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court to face counts of dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol and while disqualified, failing to stop for police and failing to remain at the scene of an accident causing damage. Officers were first alerted to a suspected drink driver in a Ford Focus at Annalong Marine Park in Newry on Wednesday night. The car was said to have swerved over the road and gone through a red light. A member of the public claimed it had struck a wall and been badly damaged. Less than an hour later the vehicle was detected in the Grosvenor Road area of Belfast. The court heard it was allegedly driven into two PSNI vehicles, with officers sustaining minor injuries in the collisions. Police claimed the Ford Focus then travelled to the International Airport and struck barriers in the short-stay car park. The car was next sighted in the Antrim area where it failed to stop for officers near the Junction One retail park. During a subsequent pursuit, it crashed into the Dublin Road roundabout before coming to a halt. Tanner was arrested at the scene and failed a preliminary breath test. District Judge Steven Keown heard the accused is currently disqualified from driving for a 10-year period. Defence lawyer Owen Beattie acknowledged it was a difficult case, but argued that Tanner still has an address available to him. Refusing bail, Mr Keown cited the potential risk of harm to the public. He told the solicitor: It is a completely hopeless application, but you could say no more on behalf of your client. Tanner was remanded in custody to appear again by video-link on July 21. Pervert DUP councillor William Walker visited school just days before sting by paedophile hunter group The light sentence has been criticised by two DUP MLAs as Walker avoided jail for child sex offences William Walker at a youth awards event. Staff Reporter Fri 23 Jun 2023 at 08:10 A north Belfast woman appeared in court today accused of having 50,000 worth of cocaine stored at her home. Police said 10,000 in cash, deal bags and a suspected list of debts owed by customers were also discovered in 41-year-old Jacqueline Farrells house. Farrell, of Limestone Road, faces charges of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply and having criminal property. Belfast Magistrates Court heard half a kilo of cocaine in various states of preparation was located in her bedroom and other parts of the house during searches on Wednesday. A quantity of cannabis and more than 1,000 pregabalin tablets were also seized. Large amounts of deal bags, multiple sets of digital scales, the cash and other drugs-related paraphernalia were located in the raid, according to an investigating detective. There was a debt list or deal list for customers with figures running into thousands of pounds, he told the court. The drugs seized have an estimated street value of 50,000 and there is also a 10,000 cash loss. It was claimed that the mixing agent and blenders found at the property indicated drugs were being prepared for onward supply. Farrell has also been charged with possessing Class B drugs and possessing pregabalin with intent to supply. Opposing her application for bail, the detective contended: The quantities and packaging associated with the preparation of drugs is consistent with someone involved in this activity at a significant level for a substantial period of time. Defence barrister Turlough Madden confirmed his client made no comment during police interviews. He argued that other people could have had access to the house. Mr Madden said Farrell has suffered a number of bereavements, but was supported by nine family members who attended court. Refusing bail, District Judge Steven Keown held that there were too many uncertainties in the case. We dont know what we are dealing with in assessing what is already a substantial drugs operation, he said. Farrell was remanded in custody to appear again on July 21. Police at the scene of the incident (Photo by Kevin Scott) A man has died at Cavehill Country Park in north Belfast, police have confirmed. A major search and rescue operation was launched at the beauty spot on Thursday night. The incident began at around 9pm following concerns for the safety of a person in the park. Major search and rescue operation on Cave Hill in Belfast Police, ambulance, fire service and search and rescue teams were assisted by a coastguard helicopter that was scrambled from Scotland to assist in the operation. Rescue 199 from Prestwick was spotted circling Cavehill during the operation before landing in the nearby Belfast Zoo. In a short statement on Thursday night, a police spokesperson said: Police are currently in attendance following the report of a concern for the safety of an individual in the vicinity of Cavehill Country Park. "Access to the park is restricted at this time and members of the public are asked to avoid the area. In an update issued on Friday morning, a PSNI spokesperson added: "Officers attended along with our colleagues from other emergency services. "Sadly the man died at the scene. His death is not being treated as suspicious." A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Prison service recruitment posters have been torn down in Londonderry. A video circulating online shows people removing posters from a bus shelter and placing them in a nearby bin. The footage, lasting almost two minutes and circulating online, also shows people placing anti-PSNI posters. Stills from a video circulating online showing prison service posters being removed. The incident is understood to have occurred in the Top of the Hill area of the city last week. DUP MLA Gary Middleton condemned those responsible. The Foyle representative said: We have seen this type of activity over a number of years in Londonderry, including the disruption of PSNI recruitment events in the city. "There must be a united and concerted stance against those who believe they can exert their will over the entire community. The prison service is an integral part of our society, helping keep everyone in our community safe. The only people who stand to gain from threats and intimidation against Prison Service staff are those who want to see criminality and gangsterism flourish. Stills from a video circulating online showing prison service posters being removed. Mr Middleton added that it is vital that a clear community message is sent to show that police are valued as they work to keep us safe. "Unfortunately in recent years we have seen the threat faced by both Prison Service and PSNI staff with attacks directly against them. These are career paths which should be considered by everyone and we must send out that message clearly, he said. Republican activist group Lasair Dhearg said its Derry activists removed the poster. Top of the Hill is a community which is continuously oppressed by British Imperialism, it said. "Many members of this community are republican ex-prisoners and know too well the role that prison officers played, and continue to play, in the oppression of republicans inside gaols. Billy McDowell visits the park where tributes are being left to his niece Chloe Mitchell (inset) Every day, Billy McDowell visits the park near his home where tributes are being left to his niece Chloe Mitchell. As he read the heartfelt messages amid a sea of flowers, Billy said his family were touched by the beautiful words being written about the 21-year-old Ballymena woman. The tributes in this park have been a real comfort for us, he told the Sunday World. There are strangers who are coming to the park and sitting here. They have maybe lost ones and are coming here to say their own prayers. We have loads of people who are coming down here and talking, which is good. I come here every day to read the messages and do a bit of tidying. People have approached me and other members of the family here to offer their condolences and it is very heartwarming. Chloe went missing on June 2 and had last been seen in Ballymena town centre. A massive search operation was launched but ended in tragic circumstances when human remains were found at the rear of a house at James Street in the town. Two men have been charged in connection with her death. The horrific story has touched the hearts of people across Northern Ireland and a book of condolence has been opened as far away as Derry. Chloe Mitchell's brother leads tributes as vigils are held in Ballymena and Belfast Billy, who is a brother of Chloes mother, said they were so thankful for the support they have received. It is heartbreaking but we are very proud of the community we live in. We have made so many friends who have approached us and come to us with gifts and to express their sorrow. Everyone has just been tremendous and it is so appreciated by our family. We are a big family and we are strong. We will never get over this but we will do our best to stick by each other and help everyone through it. Billy had a special word of thanks for everyone who had helped in the search operation for his niece. He added: Chloe will always be in our hearts and will never be forgotten. She was a good child. Chloe was the youngest of her family and is survived by her parents, two older sisters and two older brothers. A vigil in her memory was held at King Georges Park in Ballymena last week. A tribute to Chloe Mitchell Speaking at the vigil, Reverend Eddie Chestnutt, from nearby Harryville Presbyterian Church, said if felt like a great darkness had descended over Ballymena. The park has now become a focus for the local communitys heartbreak at her death. Earlier this month, a court was told the man accused of murdering Chloe had absconded to the Ballymena area three times from a secure mental health facility. Brandon John Rainey (27), of James Street in Ballymena, appeared via video link at the towns magistrates court. Charged with murdering Chloe between June 2 and June 5 this year, he replied yeah when asked if he understood the charges. A solicitor for Rainey made an application that the defendant be remanded at the Shannon Clinic, a secure psychiatric unit in Belfast, rather than at HMP Maghaberry. He said the defendant was a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic and argued he should be detained in the facility under Article 43 of the 1986 Mental Health Order. The court heard Rainey had previously been a resident at the clinic and had been subject to a tribunal in August 2022 to assess him for release. The tribunal ruled that he should not be released, but a full hearing 14 days later overturned the decision, leading to Raineys release. Police objected to the application at the court hearing and said Rainey should be remanded at Maghaberry as he had previously absconded three times from the facility. On each occasion, he was located in the Ballymena area, which DI Foreman said indicated a propensity to return to the area. District Judge King refused the defence application, remanding Rainey at HMP Maghaberry to appear before the court again on July 6. Also in court was co-accused Ryan Johnston Gordon (34) of Nursery Close, Ballymena. Johnston replied yes to indicate he understood the charge against him of assisting an offender. His solicitor indicated that Gordon also suffered from mental health issues, and that more time was required to prepare his bail application. Judge King agreed to adjourn the bail application until June 20. A flat at James Street was at the centre of the investigation into Chloes disappearance. Local people said Brandon Rainey had moved into the flat several months ago. One neighbour told the Sunday World windows in the property had been smashed the night after Rainey moved in. The police cordon around the flat was removed last Wednesday evening and the property was boarded up on Friday. It is understood the human remains discovered were found in the rear of a house close to Raineys flat. The family living in the house were moved out to a hotel while police carried out a detailed forensic examination of the scene. The family, which includes a number of young children, were allowed back into the house last Friday but were too upset yesterday to speak about their ordeal. A man who lives close to the James Street flat said he was disgusted at the actions of some people who have visited the scene to post videos and photographs on social media. These people need to show a bit of respect to Chloes family, he said. The PSNI have also urged people not to share or comment on graphic videos and texts circulating on social media in relation to the case. Detective Chief Inspector Richard Millar, who is leading the investigation, said this was causing significant distress to her family and friends. A vigil in Chloes memory was also held last week at City Hall in Belfast. Speakers at the event called for more to be done to end gender-based violence. Anti-Irish News graffiti has been scrawled on the wall of an Alliance party office in east Belfast. It comes after councillor Michael Long highlighted concerns in The Irish News over a loyalist bonfire displaying violent, sectarian and Nazi images. Mr Long said he will not be intimidated after an office run by his wife, Alliance leader Naomi Long, was targeted on the Newtownards Road overnight on Thursday. The message which said: "F*** The Irish News", was signed CRT. CRT is believed to be a reference to loyalist youths in east Belfast who call themselves 'Clonduff Rocket Team'. The PSNI said they are treating the development as a sectarian motivated hate crime. A spokeswoman added that two males were seen in the area on an electric-powered motocross-type bicycle at around 1.40am on Friday. The driver is described as wearing dark trousers, a dark-coloured 'Canada Goose' coat, 'Nike Air Max' trainers and a balaclava. "The passenger was described as wearing a dark-coloured hooded top and lighter-coloured work trousers with multiple dark-coloured pockets," the PSNI said in a statement. The attack was carried just hours after Mr Long, voiced concern about a loyalist bonfire and symbols hung in a hut used by builders at Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre. In a video shared on Twitter Mr Long said he said he spoke out about unacceptable paramilitary and sectarian images and their office was targeted. He had clear message for those responsible: Whatever the rocket, whatever the bully, I will continue to stand up for the rights of those in my local community and who I represent. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Pictures showed the inside of the builder's hut draped in a flag depicting a masked man holding a rocket launcher and included the words 'Clonduff Rocket Team'. A similar flag has been flown from a lamppost nearby. Other offensive images include a Swastika, the letters UVF have etched onto the table and the letters KAT, 'Kill All Taigs', have been scrawled onto a battered sofa seat along with an obscene image. The Illegal Migration Bill is part of the UK Governments efforts to deter people from crossing the Channel in small boats (PA) A group of civil society organisations, academics, political parties and faith leaders based in Northern Ireland have released a joint statement condemning what they call the UK Governments Illegal Bill on Migration. The signatories said they stand in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers in Northern Ireland and insist that the UK Government must abandon this cruel and unnecessary Bill, encouraging it to work towards a legal, moral, and workable asylum system that values the dignity and rights of every human being. The statement is being made on Friday at Ulster University at a Refugee Week event called Human Rights and the Illegal Bill on Migration, with speakers from the Law Centre NI, Refugees and Asylum Seekers Voices in Northern Ireland (RASNI), and Horn of Africa Peoples Aid NI (HAPANI). Alexa Moore, Research Officer in the Human Rights Consortium, said: The breadth of support from across sectors, academics, and political parties goes to show the widespread opposition to this immoral, unworkable and illegal Bill. The Governments disregard for their international obligations including the Refugee Convention, Article 2 of the Windsor Framework, and the European Convention on Human Rights cannot go unchallenged. Signatories of the letter include human rights organisations such as Amnesty International UK, the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ), the Human Rights Consortium, the Childrens Law Centre and the Public Interest Litigation Support (PILS) Project. It also includes organisations supporting migrants and asylum seekers in Northern Ireland, including the Northern Ireland Council for Racial Equality (NICRE), Migrant Centre NI, the North-West Migrants Forum, the Migration Justice Project, and End Deportations Belfast. Political parties including Sinn Fein, Alliance, the SDLP, and People Before Profit have also signed the statement. Hilary Perry, PILS Membership Coordinator, said: This Bill amounts to an almost complete dismantling of the UKs asylum system. It replaces it with a system of automatic detention and removal, while removing protections for unaccompanied children and pregnant women. The legislation would also remove protections for victims of trafficking and modern slavery, including those enshrined in devolved legislation such as the Human Trafficking (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015. A DUP MLA has written to the Public Prosecution Service and Attorney General asking them to review the sentence handed to a former party councillor who admitted child sex offences. Edwin Poots said he was appalled that William Walker avoided jail this week. He said today the punishment must be increased. Walker, who served as a councillor on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, contacted, while posing as a 24-year-old man, who he believed were two teenage girls and asked for photos of them in their school uniforms. He was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and three years on probation after he admitted two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child. He was also given a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order and told to sign the sex offenders register for five years. Judges are bound by sentencing guidelines and must take into account mitigating circumstances, such as early guilty pleas, co-operation with police and remorse, as well as aggravating factors. But Mr Poots took to Twitter to brand Walkers sentence incredibly light. This afternoon he tweeted: I have contacted the Public Prosecution Service and Attorney Generals office today asking for the lenient sentence handed down to Billy Walker to be appealed. A man in his 50s grooming teenagers is perverse, sickening and unacceptable. The punishment must be increased. Jonathan Buckley, one of the DUPs Upper Bann representatives, shared Mr Poots initial social media post criticising the sentence and added: Agree entirely. A despicable act which must be condemned and called out by all. This is wrong on so many levels. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Earlier this week, DUP councillor Glyn Hanna, Mr Walkers former colleague, confirmed he wrote a character reference on Walkers behalf Mr Hanna has now withdrawn the reference, saying he was misled by Walker. Earlier this week, Downpatrick Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard that Walker (60), formerly from Killyleagh but with a current address at Palatine Road in Blackpool, contacted two teenage girls, pretending to be a much younger man. The girls, who stated they were teenagers in their conversations with Walker, were actually members of a paedophile hunters group acting as decoys. Aware that Sammy Jo was 14, Walker began exchanging messages with her and asked her 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. Walker 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 a fake profile, told her she was stunning and, on February 16, 2022, sent her a message asking if she had a boyfriend, to which she replied saying she didnt and that it was her 14th birthday that day. 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 arrested, Walker 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. 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. A decision taken by Marine Scotland last year to vary sea fishing licences for vessels using methods believed to be harmful to marine life has been branded unlawful by a judge. Open Seas, a charity working to protect the marine environment, sought a judicial review of the decision involving vessels dragging nets along the seabed to gather catches, arguing it was not taken in accordance with the Scottish Governments National Marine Plan (NMP). The document is supposed to ensure Government body Marine Scotland incorporates protection for the marine environment in its decision making, but Open Seas argued in the Court of Session that last Decembers decision was taken without considering its effect on species and habitats classed as Priority Marine Features. James Findlay KC said at the conclusion of the judicial review hearing that the charity was seeking a ruling from Lord Braid that would require Marine Scotland to take more account of the NMP in all its future decisions to vary sea fishing licences. A written ruling has now been published in which Lord Braid points out the Marine Scotland Act 2010 expressly requires the organisation to take any authorisation decision in accordance with the NMP and concludes last years decision was unlawful. The ruling said: The short issue for determination in this judicial review is whether, in taking decisions to vary conditions attached to sea fishing licences in terms of powers accorded to it by the Fisheries Act 2020, the respondent must have regard to the NMP. The petitioner, a charity whose purposes include the conservation and the environmental protection of marine species in the waters and seas surrounding the UK, argues that it must. The respondent disputes that: its position is that its approach of achieving the purposes of the plan through statutory instrument (SSI) is sufficient compliance with its statutory duty to act in accordance with the NMP, and that it need not take the plan into account when making individual decisions regarding sea fishing licences, of which there are many. Since the respondent admittedly did not consider the plan or its policies in taking the decision complained of, that is sufficient to dispose of the petition. For all these reasons, I have concluded that since the respondent did not consider the NMP in making the licensing variations complained of, the decision of December 30, 2022 is unlawful at least to that extent. Director of Open Seas Phil Taylor welcomed the judgment, saying: This decision is a major win for environmental justice and everyone who has campaigned to protect our seas for many years, divers who have seen the problem with their own eyes and those within communities who have bravely spoken out, including many fishermen. The case was heard at the Court of Session in Edinburgh (PA) But it is a hollow victory, because whilst it shows we were right to make this challenge, it reveals that the Scottish Government has been unlawfully neglecting its legal duty to protect our seas for the last eight years. Marine Scotland has effectively been endorsing and sanctioning harm to our marine environment during this time. The NMP requires environmental protection to be mainstreamed into decision-making about fishing and this judgment reaffirms that. Damaging fishing methods like scallop dredging and bottom-trawling have the most widespread impact of any human activity in our sea. Our seabed and fish stocks are being degraded and depleted by these damaging fishing methods. Marine Scotland argued in court that the routine decisions made about bottom-trawling and dredging didnt need to consider the NMP and, in particular, the environment. Its good to see the judge reject this argument. Our seas are a public commons and must be managed in the public interest. The Scottish Government must now take urgent steps to protect our seabed to safeguard both the environment and a future for sustainable fishing. Hina Bashir was killed by Muhammad Arslan who had followed her when she she moved from Pakistan to the UK to study, the court heard (Metropolitan Police/PA) An obsessive man has been jailed for 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. Muhammad Arslan (Metropolitan Police/PA) A jury at the Old Bailey found him guilty of the charges on Wednesday. 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. Judge Richard Marks KC sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder and five years running concurrent for perverting the course of justice. The judge told Arslan: I am satisfiedthat your unrequited feelings for Hina boiled over and resulted in you taking hold of a facemask and forcing it into the back of her mouth which led to her collapse and ultimately to her death from asphyxiation. He added that Arslans prime motivation was to save himself after killing Ms Bashir, embarking on a campaign of lies to conceal what he had done lying to all and sundry before disposing her body in a shocking and callous manner. Judge Marks said it was apparent that Arslan had been madly in love and obsessed with Ms Bashir, feelings which he added were clearly not reciprocated. The judge told Arslan he was extremely sceptical of his claim that he had been sent naked photographs of Ms Bashir before he attacked her as no such photos were ever recovered. Ms Bashirs father, Bashir Khan, made an impact statement which was read out in court in which he asserted that animals would treat my daughter better. He treated her in a heinous and brutal way, Mr Khan added. The father spoke of how Ms Bashirs death has traumatised his family and how they loved their beautiful, bubbly girl. Arslan showed no emotion during the hearing and his defence barrister told the court there was nothing to say in mitigation. Six jurors returned to the Old Bailey to listen to the sentencing. These jurors heard during the trial 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. Hina Bashir (Family handout/Metropolitan Police/PA) 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. The prosecution said Arslan set off from his house the next morning dragging a suitcase containing Ms Bashirs body, travelling to an industrial estate by the M25 near Upminster where he hid the suitcase in some undergrowth to the side of a lane. 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. 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. Police found a large number of photographs of Ms Bashir, including collages of her image, on Arslans phone. Love hearts had been added on some pictures. Following Arslans conviction, detective chief inspector Dave Whellams, said: Arslan was obsessed with Hina to the point that he told people they were engaged and said they should have children together. This relationship was completely in his mind. Our investigation showed that Arslan was unable to live with the fact Hina did not want to be with him. It was this rejection that tragically led to her death. Once Arslan had murdered Hina he did everything he could to cover his tracks but the evidence gathered by our team left no doubt in our mind as to his guilt. We are pleased the jury felt the same way and our thoughts now continue to remain with Hinas family and friends who are dealing with an incomprehensible loss. Shahzada Dawood was among the victims of the Titan catastrophe (SETI Institute via AP) The families of Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, and Hamish Harding have paid tribute after they died in the Titan submersibles catastrophic implosion. The US Coast Guard confirmed the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered around 1,600 ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage during a press conference in Boston. Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was also found, in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, that was consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. 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 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. Please continue to keep the departed souls of our family in your prayers during this difficult period of mourning. The family statement said they are truly grateful to those involved in the rescue operations and the untiring efforts brought strength to the family. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content We are also indebted to our friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers from all over the world who have stood by us during our hour of need, the statement said. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers onboard the Titan submersible. 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. Shahzada Dawood was vice chairman of Engro Corporation (Engro Corporation/ PA) Shahzada Dawoods company paid tribute to him and his son after their deaths. In a statement, Engro Corporation, the Pakistani conglomerate that Mr Dawood was vice chairman of, said: With heavy hearts and great sadness, we grieve the loss of our vice chairman, Shahzada Dawood, and his beloved son, Suleman Dawood. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, friends and all those around the world who grieve this unthinkable loss. Meanwhile, the family of a British billionaire adventurer who died have paid tribute to their dedicated father. Hamish Harding was described as a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a living legend following the news of his death on Thursday. 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 (Action Aviation via AP) In a short statement, Mr Hardings family said: He was one of a kind and we adored him. He was a passionate explorer whatever the terrain who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved. 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 Harding was remembered by friend Richard Garriot de Cayeux, who is the president of the Explorers Club, which Mr Harding helped found. Hamish Harding is a dear friend to me personally and to The Explorers Club, Mr Garriot de Cayeux said. He holds several world records and has continued to push dragons off maps both in person and through supporting expeditions and worthy causes. The submersible vessel named Titan (OceanGate Expeditions) Rear Admiral Mauger 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. The Wall Street Journal reported the US Navy said they detected a sound in the search area for the submersible on Sunday that was consistent with an implosion. Titanic director and submersible expert James Cameron told the BBC he predicted the outcome days earlier. I felt in my bones what had happened, he said. For the subs electronics to fail and its communication system to fail, and its tracking transponder to fail simultaneously subs gone. I knew that sub was sitting exactly underneath its last known depth and position. Thats exactly where they found it. (PA Graphics) According to court documents, safety concerns had previously been raised about the Titan submersible by a former employee of OceanGate. The filings said David Lochridge, OceanGates former director of marine operations, claimed wrongful dismissal after flagging worries about the companys alleged refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design. Court papers suggest 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. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly described the update as tragic news and said the UK Government is closely supporting the British families affected. Pakistans foreign ministry released a statement, sharing their condolences. Our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and the family of other passengers on the sad news about the fate of Titanic submersible in the North Atlantic, the statement said. The White House said the families of those who died had been through a harrowing ordeal over the past few days, and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers. The student was on board the Titan submersible (American Photo Archive/Alamy/PA) A university community has been left profoundly saddened by the death of one of its students who was on board the Titan submersible, its principal has said. Suleman Dawood, 19, a student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, was on board the vessel with his father Shahzada Dawood, 48, and three other men. They died in the Titan submersibles catastrophic implosion during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck off the coast of Canada. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Professor Sir Jim McDonald, principal & vice-chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, said: We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the death of Suleman Dawood and his father in this tragic incident. The entire Strathclyde community offers our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and all those affected by this terrible accident. Our student wellbeing team remains on hand to offer appropriate support to Sulemans classmates and the wider Strathclyde community at this difficult time. The university confirmed on Thursday that the teenager was a business school student who had just completed his first year. The US Coast Guard confirmed the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered about 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage during a press conference in Boston. Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was also found, in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, that was consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. Twitter trolls who suggested a ship carrying the first wave of the Windrush generation should have sunk have been taken down following public criticism. On June 22, 1948, HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury in Essex with around 500 workers aboard from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. They were among the first of the Windrush generation people who had travelled to the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries as part of a scheme to help fill post-war labour shortages. On 75th anniversary of Windrush, Sunder Katwala, director of independent think tank British Future, told the PA news agency about a series of offensive tweets. British Future director Sunder Katwala (British Future/PA) One anonymous user with a profile image of a St Georges flag had suggested that the then-prime minister Clement Attlee should have told the Royal Navy to sink it in the middle of the Atlantic. The user had also argued that black and Jewish people could not be British. Initially, complaints about the account were rejected despite MPs receiving assurances in the past that such comments probably violated Twitter rules. Mr Katwala was tagged in a further tweet by another user, which stated: Should have sunk it just as we should be sinking the illegals coming to our shores. He had reported that offensive post too, but on Thursday had yet to receive a response from moderators. PA had attempted to contact Twitter on Thursday for a comment. By Friday afternoon, both accounts appeared to have been removed or suspended from the micro-blogging site. Mr Katwala said: It is good that the right decision has been made in this case after the indefensible decision to declare this incessant racism within the rules was challenged publicly. My concern is that the Twitter moderation system is invariably getting the most clear cut cases wrong so users are not getting the protection they need most of the time. The Windrush flag flies at the Houses of Parliament (Aaron Chown/PA) Previously, the author and prominent social commentator had said that public figures including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, ministers and MPs face daily racism because of the failures of social media platforms. So you cant participate in public space on equal terms without experiencing racism, even though in every other sphere of life, if youre on the train, on the bus, or in the playground, or in business, people cant do that anymore, because we have social norms and we uphold them. Theres no enforcement at all of the most basic social norms even when put in the most vitriolic terms, he said. Allowing the views of a tiny minority to be amplified on social media skewed how the younger generation saw progress in the real world, leaving an impression society was going backwards, no forwards, he suggested. Mr Katwala had said social media does have the ability to step up to tackle online hate, as happened after the Christchurch terror attack in New Zealand and after Euro 2020 racist abuse. But he added on Thursday: It is very clear to me that Twitter is now taking the most extreme content considerably less seriously than two years ago. How far that is a policy decision under new ownership and how far a reduction in staff capacity is less clear. The type of very extreme content they would take down when challenged is much more likely to stay up for much longer now. If the platform is not going to act, the case for external regulation gets stronger. Mr Katwala has recently published a new book, How To Be A Patriot, which is a personal account of what it is to be British. He joined a celebration of the 75th anniversary at the National Windrush Monument in Waterloo, south London, and at a special service at Southwark Cathedral. One of the victims of the Titan sub tragedy had visited the Titanic site in Belfast earlier this year. Stockton Rush (61), the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions which owned the submersible, visited the docks where the ill-fated ocean liner was built. Mr Rush was one of five men now known to have died after a "catastrophic implosion on the sub, which killed those on board instantly. In a Twitter post from his company on June 6, he was pictured standing in the same dry dock in Belfast that the Titanic ship was manufactured in, over a century ago. It came as Titanic director and submersible expert James Cameron spoke about the tragic resemblances between the missing Titan submersible and the Titanic itself. Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field. All five people on board the submersible died in the vessel's catastrophic implosion. Cameron told BBC News he predicted the outcome of the ill-fated submersible days before the news was confirmed. "I felt in my bones what had happened," Cameron said. "For the sub's electronics to fail and its communication system to fail, and its tracking transponder to fail simultaneously - sub's gone. "I knew that sub was sitting exactly underneath its last known depth and position. That's exactly where they found it." As well as being an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, Cameron is a seasoned ocean explorer. In 2012, he became the first person to do a solo descent to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the Earth's ocean, in the Deepsea Challenger submersible. Submersible lost on dive to Titanic suffered 'catastrophic implosion' US Coast Guard He added:"(It) felt like a prolonged and nightmarish charade where people are running around talking about banging noises and talking about oxygen and all this other stuff. "I immediately got on the phone to some of my contacts in the deep submersible community. Within about an hour I had the following facts. They were on descent. They were at 3500 metres, heading for the bottom at 3800 metres. "We now have another wreck that is based on unfortunately the same principles of not heeding warnings." It comes as the US Navy said they heard a sound consistent with an implosion when communications were lost. The US Navy went back and analysed its acoustic data and found an anomaly that was "consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost", a senior Navy official told The Associated Press on Thursday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive acoustic detection system. The Navy passed on that information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search because the Navy did not consider the data to be definitive. The US Coast Guard confirmed the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered around 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage during a press conference in Boston. Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was also found, in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, that was "consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber". All five people onboard the submersible died in the vessels catastrophic implosion (OceanGate Expeditions/ PA) Safety concerns about the sub have been revealed in multiple reports. Before boarding OceanGate vechiles, travellers were warned in a waiver they had to sign, 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. A lawsuit and a letter from industry leaders pointed to potential issues with the Titan. The family of another one of the Titan submersible tragedy victims have paid tribute to "a dedicated father" who "lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding (58) was among the victims alongside Mr Rush, as was Pakistani-British business adviser Shahzada Dawood (48) and his son Suleman (19), who also reside in the UK. Former French Navy diver and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet (77) was piloting the submersible. Mr Nargeolet has family in Cork, including a grandson being educated in the city and two adult children. Family of billionaire explorer Hamish Harding say he was passionate explorer and one of a kind Details such as the propeller, shoes and unopened champagne bottles are part of a hge section of debros surrounding the ship. Credit: ATLANTIC PRODUCTIONS/MAGELLAN The bow section of the Titanic is still unmistakenly recognisable in the scan. Credit: ATLANTIC PRODUCTIONS/MAGELLAN 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 The family of one of the Titan submersible tragedy victims have paid tribute to "a dedicated father" who "lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding was one of five men now known to have died after a "catastrophic implosion on the sub, which killed those on board instantly. It marks a tragic conclusion to a story that had gripped the world since the vessel disappeared on Sunday. A remote operating vehicle found the tail cone of the Titan submersible approximately 1600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreck, along with additional debris. Oceangate, the company which owned the missing sub, said it now believed the five men on board the missing vessel have sadly been lost. Mr Harding (58) was among the victims, alongside Pakistani-British business adviser Shahzada Dawood (48) and his son Suleman (19), who also reside in the UK. Former French Navy diver and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet (77) was piloting the submersible. Mr Nargeolet has family in Cork, including a grandson being educated in the city and two adult children. Stockton Rush (61), the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions which owns the submersible, was also on board. Mr Hardings family said: "Today we are united in grief with the other families who have also lost their loved ones. Hamish Harding was a loving husband to his wife and a dedicated father to his two sons, whom he loved deeply. To his team in Action Aviation, he was a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a living legend. He was one of a kind and we adored him. He was a passionate explorer - whatever the terrain - who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, it's that we lost him doing what he loved. He will leave a gap in our lives that can never be filled. 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. OceanGate Expeditions also paid tribute, saying the men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans". It added: 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. UK foreign secretary James Cleverly said the fate of the submersible was tragic news. Posting on Twitter, he said: Tragic news that those on the Titan submersible, including three British citizens, have been lost following an international search operation. The UK government is closely supporting the families affected and expresses our deepest condolences. The president of the Explorers Club paid tribute to the Titan passengers, saying: "Our hearts are broken. Meanwhile, Rear Admiral John Mauger said he cannot confirm whether the US Coast Guard will be able to recover the bodies of the five men. "This is an incredibly unforgiving environment," he added. Earlier, a rescue expert who is friends with two men lost on the missing submersible Titan said his worst fears have been realised after the debris was found in the search site. David Mearns is friends with Mr Harding and Mr Nargeole. "Two friends of mine are gone," Mr Mearns told Sky News. Mr Mearns added that the term debris field would not be used unless theres no chance of a recovery of the men alive. "A debris field implies a break-up of the submersible... that really sort of indicates what is the worst-case scenario, which is a catastrophic failure and generally that's an implosion, he said. "The only saving grace is that it would have been immediate - literally in milliseconds - and the men wouldn't have known what was happening." More ships and expertise were scrambled on Thursday to help find the missing deep-sea vessel and the five men on board. Titan was lost on Sunday about 435 miles south of St John's, Newfoundland, during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck off the coast of Canada. Credit: ATLANTIC PRODUCTIONS/MAGELLAN Rear Adm Mauger said there were nine vessels on the scene at present, as the search for more details continues. "We have medical personnel on the scene, we have other technicians on scene, and we will begin to demobilise personnel and vessels from the scene over the course of the next 24 hours," he said. "This is an incredibly difficult and dangerous environment to work in." He added: "On behalf of the US Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families. "I can only imagine what this has been like for them. "Additionally, we have been in close contact with the French and British consuls general to ensure that they are fully apprised and that their concerns are being fully addressed. "The outpouring of support during this highly complex search operation has been robust and immensely appreciated." Titanic director James Cameron, who has famously visited the wreck 33 times, has said many people in the community were concerned about this sub. Speaking to ABC, he said: Ive been down there many times I know the wreck site very well I understand the engineering problems associated with building this type of vehicle and all the safety protocols He added that he was struck by the similarity between the two disasters. This is a mature art and many people in the community were concerned about the sub Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night and many people died as a result. Aaron Newman is an investor in OceanGate; the company that operates the craft, which usually serves as a tourist or research vessel. He claimed Titan was designed to return to the surface after 24 hours. Guests are believed to pay around $250,000 (about 195,000) to take the underwater voyage see the Titanic wreck, which lies 12,500ft beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. Mr Newman visited the site on the vessel in 2021. Titan is held underwater by ballast heavy weights that helps with a vessels stability built to be automatically released after 24 hours to send the sub to the surface, Newman said. Read more Everything we know about missing Titanic submersible so far The Explorers Club is a professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research and scientific exploration. Founded in New York City in 1904, it has served as a meeting point for explorers and scientists worldwide ever since. Richard Garriott de Cayeux, the club's president, called Mr Harding his "dear friend" who continued to "push dragons off maps both in person and through supporting expeditions and worthy causes." He said Mr Nargeolet was "one of the foremost experts on submersible expeditions to the Titanic." Mr Garriott de Cayeux also paid tribute to "friend" Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and son Suleman, who he said would have been "welcomed" to the club at some point in their futures. Rescuers race against the breathable air clock after noises heard from Titanic vessel search area Tim Maltin, a Titanic expert, told the BBC that he believes tourism dives to the Titanic wreck should be suspended "until lessons are learned". The Titan submersible had five people on board: (from left) OceanGate founder Stockton Rush, Hamish Harding, Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Suleman Dawood and his father Shahzada All five people onboard the submersible died in the vessels catastrophic implosion (OceanGate Expeditions/ PA) The story of the five men that went missing underwater on Sunday during a voyage to the Titanic wreck, has gripped the world this week. On Thursday, the US Coast Guard announced that the worst case scenario had likely taken place, in that the Titan submersible suffered a "catastrophic implosion which would have killed all those onboard instantly. The Belfast Telegraph has taken a look at what causes such a vessel to implode, and what could happen next in this tragic tale. What is an implosion? An implosion, by the simplest dictionary definition, is the process in which an object is destroyed by violently collapsing inwards on itself. It is essentially an explosion in reverse, and a catastrophic implosion literally means breaking into pieces and small fragments. Professor Stefano Brizzolara, an expert in marine autonomy an robotics, told ABC News that this is where "the hull" comes in it's the main body of a ship or vessel and the Titan's is made from carbon fibre and titanium. Carbon fibre is an unusual material for a deep-sea submersible because it is far weaker than solid steel or titanium. For context, navy submarines use high-strength steel or titanium alloys. The ocean specialist that said carbon-reinforced plastic collapses "catastrophically" and this is because the material is not ductile like metal alloys; therefore it 'catastrophically' implodes." Why did the Titan implode? The Titans communications with land broke down about one hour and 45 minutes into its underwater expedition, when the sub was probably close to the bottom of its dive. At that depth, any object including a human body is subject to a water pressure more than 300 times stronger than the pressure Earth's atmosphere exerts on us every day. On the surface, we only need to withstand 14.7 lbs per square inch (Psi) of pressure, whereas the Titan had to withstand 5,500 psi. The craft was designed to survive this level of pressure, with two strong titanium domes at either end of the hull linked by a five-inch-thick cylinder of carbon fibre. Reports say that it was subjected to rigorous safety checks before every dive to make sure there were no defects or faults in the hull. OceanGate founder Stockton Rush one of the men that died on the Titan apparently believed that carbon fibre was more feasible for deep-sea diving than commonly credited. Unlike metal, it is naturally buoyant beyond 2,000m, meaning the Titan could be far lighter and cheaper than previous subs. The Titan was equipped with a "real-time hull health monitoring system" to offset this weaker material, that could, in theory, detect any deformations, cracks, or other faults rapidly enough for the crew to attempt an emergency ascent. However, if even one part of the hull fails and lets in a little bit of water, at such great depths, the pressure would be so great, and the velocity of the incoming liquid so fast, that the catastrophic implosion could take place within just a fraction of a millisecond. That is according to Aileen Maria Marty, a former US Naval officer and professor at Florida International University. The entire thing would have collapsed before the individuals inside would even realise that there was a problem, she told CNN. Ultimately, among the many ways in which we can pass, thats painless. Submersible lost on dive to Titanic suffered 'catastrophic implosion' US Coast Guard Chairman of the US-based Manned Underwater Vehicles Committee, William Kohnen, said the implosion of the Titan submersible was likely caused by "instability". Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Kohnen said: "Clearly, something disturbed the pressure hull. "If you've ever held a balloon and it just pops, if you just hold it lightly... something happened. Earlier in the programme, Guillermo Sohnlein, co-founder of OceanGate Expeditions, was asked about the potential cause of the implosion. He said: "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." What will happen in the search effort now? The bodies of the five passengers aboard the Titanic sub may never be recovered from the Atlantic, according to the US Coast Guard and many ocean experts. 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. He added: This is an incredibly complex operating environment on the sea floor over two miles beneath the surface. The Coast Guard says that ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) will remain in place, but that the rescue effort will begin to pull back equipment over the next 48 hours. 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. Suzanne Breen reveals how meetings between the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee chairperson and loyalists came about. Jamie Bryson (inset) has not always had a high opinion of Simon Hoare, but a coffee together seems to have brought about a thaw. A chance meeting between loyalist activist Jamie Bryson and Tory Simon Hoare led to the MP meeting loyalist leaders in Belfast. Northern Ireland Affairs Committee chairperson Hoare denies the meetings were secret negotiations, but they came as the government is trying to get Loyalists to buy into the Windsor trade protocol to help get Stormont back up and running. Ciaran Dunbar is joined by our political editor Suzanne Breen who broke this exclusive story. Shutterstock.com Any attempt to understand Christs suffering on the cross must account for the fact that years of holy Christian traditions have largely domesticated the cross, making it challenging to realize how it was viewed during Jesus time. The shameful and painful aspects of crucifixion have become blurred, and no matter what we think we know about this execution technique, it doesnt mean the same thing to us as it did to those living in the first century. We know that God sent Jesus to earth to provide a pathway to salvation for Gentiles or people of no Jewish background. God already gave Hebrews access due to the Abrahamic covenant. Jesus became the Lamb so humanity could access Gods forgiveness. Jesus was convicted of blasphemy because He was declared Gods Son. His accusers beat Him and made another man carry His cross. Jesus was crucified on the cross between two thieves, but what else do we know about Jesus crucifixion? Crucifixion in the Bible. Most crucifixion references are found in Matthew 26 and 27, but there are also references to the crucifixion in Luke 23, John 18 and 19. Recollections differ from book to book, but they all reveal that Jesus was ridiculed, mocked, and called King of the Jews. Others tempted Him to use His godly power to remove Himself from the cross if He was Gods Son. When they got to Golgotha, the place of the skull, they offered Jesus wine mixed with gall to drink, but after tasting it, Jesus refused it. Two rebels were crucified with Jesus. Some threw insults at Him, while the elders and chief priests mocked Him, saying He saved others but couldnt save Himself. They also said that if He was indeed the king of Israel, He would come down from the cross so they would believe in Him. If He trusts in God, let God rescue Him now. Jesus wasnt the only one mocked; bystanders also mocked those crucified with Him, as detailed in Matthew 27:32-44. The Bible says that darkness came over all the land from noon until three in the afternoon. At the same time, Jesus loudly cried out, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? When some people standing around heard this, they believed He was calling out to Elijah. Immediately, one person got a sponge, filled it with wine vinegar, and offered it to Jesus to drink. However, the rest said to leave Him alone and see if Elijah comes to save Him. When Jesus cried out again, He gave up His spirit. At that moment, the temples curtain ripped from top to bottom, the earth shook, rocks split, and the tombs broke open. The bodies of holy people who died were raised to life, coming out of the tombs after Jesus resurrection and into the sacred city, appearing to many people. Those who saw all of these things happen believed He was the Son of God. Why was there darkness during Jesus crucifixion? Its a familiar scene from some movies and modern traditions of the Bible. As Jesus hung on the cross, an eclipse blotted out the sun. However, did a solar eclipse darken the skies during the crucifixion? Scholars have debated the exact date of Jesus death for centuries and questioned whether an eclipse could happen during that time. Three of the four Gospels that detail Jesus earthly life and ministry mention the sky became dark as Jesus hung from the cross. Luke 23:44 says that darkness came over the land from about noon until 3:00 p.m. because the suns light failed. The New American Bible translates this to because of an eclipse of the sun. Rev. James Kurzynski said from his perspective, he views the question as a byproduct of living in a culture that tries to explain everything with science. He added that we get into the mindset that theres an explanation for everything in the Bible. Still, this question isnt new, for even Sir Issac Newton pursued it. Could there have been an eclipse during Jesus death? The Gospels clearly state that Jesus was crucified during Passover, a Jewish festival celebrated during a spring full moon. However, according to Brother Guy Consolmagno, director of the Vatican Observatory, a new moon is necessary for a solar eclipse to happen, making it the wrong moon phase. Also, the darkness during the crucifixion was too long to be a solar eclipse. The time from the start to the end of a partial eclipse can run almost three hours. However, Consolmagno says the darkness of a total eclipse only lasts a few minutes. Not to mention, people were aware of eclipses. They could accurately predict them, so its inevitable that they knew the darkness at the time of the crucifixion couldnt be a typical solar eclipse. How should Christian readers interpret this darkness? The darkness couldve been caused by increased cloud coverage if not an eclipse, or it mightve been a poetic device highlighting the moments gravity. It also couldve been a miraculous sign. Evangelist Anne Graham Lotz said the darkness wasnt just creation feeling sorry for the Creator; it wasnt just a warning; it was a sign of Gods judgment. Christians who believe in substitutionary atonement believe Jesus died as a substitute for sinners, taking the judgment they deserve. Lotz also pointed out other mentions of darkness in the Bible, like the darkness plague described in Exodus, one of the 10 plagues God sent to Egypt to influence Pharoah to free Jewish slaves. The Prophet Joel also details the sun turning to darkness and the moon to blood before the Lords day. Lotz said its a sign of Gods absence and total judgment, and she believes the judgment on the cross was more meaningful than a solar eclipse, but when we go to heaven, well find out. Why was Jesus crucified? God sent Jesus to earth as the middle man between God and humanity. His purpose was to come to earth, preach the gospel, and be crucified, which was challenging, even for Jesus. He spent much time praying, seeking Gods will regarding the event. We may never know why there was darkness for three hours during Jesus crucifixion. However, we know that He died on the cross for our sins. Chris Lauer/Shutterstock.com Occasionally, cemetery visitors throughout the United States might see coins on headstones, gravestones, and tombstones and wonder if theres any significance to the currency. The Montana Veterans Affairs Division, or MVAD, which works with the Department of Military Affairs, a group of federal and state government agencies that help discharged veterans, released a Coins on Headstones Meaning guide that breaks down the tradition and symbolic meanings these coins hold. What do these coins mean? The MVAD wrote that a coin left on a headstone lets the deceased soldiers family know that someone came to pay their respect. The guide states that the practice of leaving coins on the headstones of military personnel can be traced back to the Roman Empire. Soldiers would put the currency in the deceased soldiers mouth to guarantee they could cross the River Styx into the afterlife. According to the MVAD, leaving coins on burial markers became standard practice during the Vietnam War. The MVAD reports that leaving a coin was seen as a way to communicate that you had visited the grave instead of contacting the soldiers family, which could turn into an uncomfortable disagreement over politics relating to the war due to the political divide in the country during the war. Different coins hold different meanings. According to the MVAD, each coin left on a veterans grave supposedly has a special meaning. For example, leaving a penny means someone visited the veterans grave. Leaving a nickel indicates that the person who visited the veterans grave trained them at boot camp. Dimes signify the person who visited the fallen soldiers grave finished part of their service with the deceased in some capacity. Leaving a quarter means the person who visited the veterans grave was there when the soldier died. The MVADs coin guide shares that most gravesite operators collect coins left on burial spots monthly. The money helps cover cemetery maintenance, the cost of burial for soldiers, or necessary help for veterans. Other reasons for leaving coins. According to the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, in Salem, Massachusetts, visitors and residents leave flowers, coins, and other small objects on headstones during the anniversaries of the Salem witch trial hangings from June 10 to September 22. The Schumacher and Benner Funeral Home & Crematory in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, states that American history lovers might also choose to leave coins on headstones to honor Benjamin Franklin, one of Americas founding fathers. Franklins famous phrase, A penny saved is two pence clear, which translates to A penny saved is a penny earned, inspired people to leave and throw pennies on his Philadelphia gravesite. The Associated Press reported that so many coins were thrown at Franklins grave that the memorial site had to be restored in 2017. Schumacher and Benner wrote that some Americans had adopted this belief for their respected friends and family members graves. However, many cemeteries have asked people not to throw coins and ask them to place them on the headstone instead. Globally, leaving coins as offerings to a deceased loved one is a tradition practiced by different groups in Europe, South America, and Asia, according to Join Cake, an end-of-life planning tool that helps people create estate plans and living wills. Now that you know what each coin means when you see it, youll better understand what it means when you see a coin left behind. More importantly, youll understand the correct way to leave a coin. A woman, who said she was a victim of human rights abuses, cries during a protest outside the Aceh Monitoring Mission in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Dec. 14, 2006. Human rights groups and locals on Friday condemned authorities for demolishing a building where security forces had committed serious abuses during a decades-long separatist conflict in the Aceh region. A local official said the house, known as Rumoh Geudong, was razed to erase painful memories, but some observers questioned its demolition this week ahead of a visit by President Joko Jokowi Widodo on June 27. Acehnese saw Rumoh Geudong in Pidi regency as a symbol of the Indonesian militarys brutality during the past insurgency in the staunchly Muslim province that ended in 2005 when Jakarta and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) struck a peace pact. They have destroyed, damaged and eliminated an important site that should serve as evidence for judicial purposes, in this case human rights courts, Syahrul, the director of LBH Banda Aceh, a legal aid group, told BenarNews. His group and others have been demanding that human rights courts be set up to try cases of abuse by the Indonesian security forces. This is one of the deliberate and organized ways of the state to provide impunity for the offenders of grave human rights abuses, said Syahrul who, like many Indonesians, goes by one name. The demolition took place June 19-21. Rights activists and locals said that the military used Rumoh Geudong to detain and torture civilians accused of links to separatist rebels. They said many were killed or disappeared after being taken to the house. Former rebel leaders from the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) release doves during a symbolic ceremony marking the10th anniversary of the peace agreement between the rebel group and the Indonesian government in Banda Aceh's Baiturrahman mosque in Aceh province, Indonesia, Aug. 15, 2015. [Chaideer Mahyuddin/AFP] Aceh, on the northern end of Sumatra island, gained special autonomy in 2005 after a peace agreement ended the war with GAM, a separatist group. It is the only Indonesian province where Islamic law is practiced and that has its own local political parties, due to an autonomy scheme granted in 2002 to pacify the clamor for independence. Rumoh Geudong was one of the sites investigated by Indonesias National Commission on Human Rights in 2018. It found evidence of grave abuses committed by the military in Aceh, including extrajudicial killings and rape. Jokowi is scheduled to visit Aceh next week, including the site where the house stood. During his visit, the president is expected to launch a non-judicial resolution process for past abuses in Aceh, based on recommendations from a government-appointed team. Last year, the team identified 12 events between 1965 and 2003 as serious human rights violations committed by security forces across the countrys flashpoints. The events include the shootings of alleged criminals in 1982-1985, killings of suspected Islamic militants by security forces in Lampung province in 1989, abductions of activists in 1997-1998, and torture of civilians by the special forces during the Aceh conflict. Jokowis government has favored reconciliation and compensation measures to address the abuses. Victims groups and activists have criticized the policy as inadequate and unjust. In January, Jokowi became the first Indonesian leader to acknowledge and express regret for those violations. White veil vs whitewash Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International in Indonesia, said the house in Aceh should be preserved, not destroyed. The site has become a memorial monument because it has great cultural, historical and symbolic value, as a reminder of the suffering experienced by the people of Aceh during the armed conflict and to prevent similar events from happening again, he said in a statement. Usman said the demolition raised serious questions about the governments commitment to addressing human rights violations in Aceh and elsewhere in Indonesia. The government, though, defended the demolition, saying it was part of the restoration of the rights of the victims, who would receive various forms of assistance from the government. Mohammad Mahfud MD, the coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, said a mosque would be built on the site. He said victims and their families had requested that. The victims will also sign a plaque, either in person or online, he said. He also said victims would receive free health insurance, scholarships and agricultural equipment. One Pidie resident said he felt betrayed by the demolition of the house. They are trying to protect the violators of human rights at Rumoh Geudong by destroying the evidence, Andy Firdaus Lancok told BenarNews. Now, all that remains of the structure is a concrete staircase with a large rock next to it. During his visit, Jokowi will draw a white veil over that staircase, Pidie Regent Wahyudi Adisiswanto said. He hoped the new generation in Aceh would not hold grudges, he added. [I]t is a painful memory that wed rather not recall, Wahyudi said. A smartphone with Facebooks logo is seen in front of the companys rebranded logo Meta in this illustration taken October 28, 2021. Malaysias government says it is taking legal action against Meta over its failure to address harmful content. Malaysias government on Friday said it would take legal action against Facebooks parent company, Meta Platforms, for its failure to remove harmful content from the social media site despite repeated requests. Facebook has been plagued by a significant volume of undesirable content related to issues of race, religion and royalty as well online gambling, defamation, impersonation and scam advertisements, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said. The communications regulator said efforts to get Meta to cooperate on the issue had failed. Metas response, which has been sluggish and unsatisfactory, has not met the urgency of the matter and has led to increasing public concern and scrutiny, it said in a statement. Meta Malaysia did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BenarNews on the matter. The MCMC, meanwhile, has not yet responded to questions asking for more detail about the legal action. Out of 5.3 billion global Internet users, 3.71 billion people use at least one Meta app every month Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, or WhatsApp according to Hootsuite, a Canadian social media management platform. Statista estimates that more than 25 million people use Facebook in multicultural Malaysia, where race, religion and royalty are highly sensitive issues. In April, the Royal Malaysian Police established a special task force to investigate insults related to these three matters. Malaysia has instructed websites and social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter, to remove content in the past. Earlier this month, the Malaysian government threatened to take action against Russian-owned messaging app Telegram due to misuse of the app, including for scams, pornography and illegal drug sales. However, Telegram has since agreed to collaborate with authorities following a meeting with the police and communications regulator. Social media companies have come under increasing scrutiny from the public and lawmakers across the globe in recent years, amid heated debate about the level of responsibility platforms should take to moderate content. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam have passed legislation that requires social media companies to remove content deemed harmful within 24 hours. Singapore introduced regulations under its Online Safety Bill late last year that give authorities similar powers. Rights campaigners say in many cases this has come at the expense of freedom of expression. Authorities in Malaysia have arrested internet users for online criticism of the government, monarchy and Islam, according to Freedom House, a nonprofit based in Washington D.C. In a quarterly report released in August last year, Meta said it had removed 596 Facebook accounts, 180 Pages, 11 Groups and 72 Instagram accounts for violating policy against coordinated inauthentic behavior. The Malaysian network was established to corrupt or manipulate public discourse and had links to the Royal Malaysia Police, Meta said. Police escort four Thai nationals at the Sessions Court in Perlis, Malaysia, June 23, 2023. A Malaysian court charged four Thai nationals on Friday with trafficking migrants from Myanmar, a day after Thailand extradited citizens for the first time in a bid to show it would crack down hard on human smuggling. The Thais were charged in a case related to the 2015 discovery of more than 100 graves of Rohingya and Bangladeshi human smuggling victims found near Malaysias border with Thailand. If they are found guilty, the suspects face a maximum of 15 years in jail and a fine, or both. The four, who were not represented by lawyers, were charged under Malaysias anti-trafficking and anti-smuggling of migrants laws, under which fall non-bailable offenses. The accused nodded in understanding when the charges were read out in Thai by a court interpreter before Judge Musyiri Peet at the Sessions Court in the northern state of Perlis. The next court date is set for July 25, Musyiri said. According to the chargesheet, the four Thai suspects are Kaeofainok, 30, Jepha Lapi-E, 51, Somphon A-dam, 51, and Amree Nesalaeh, 58. Arun, Jepha and Somphon trafficked a Myanmar national, Mohd Belal, between August and March 2014 at Wang Kelian in Padang Besar, a district in Perlis. The fourth accused, Amree, allegedly trafficked another Myanmar national, Zedul Islam, between February and April 2013 at the same location. In Bangkok on Friday, Thai Police Gen. Surachate Hakparn said that sending the four suspects to Malaysia constituted a historical extradition. The cooperation will show the world that we take this trafficking in persons issue seriously and are ready to combat every kind of transnational crime from now on through the strong international link between national authorities like today, he said. Malaysia in 2017 had sought the extradition of 10 suspects from Thailand, but Thai authorities said one of them was from Bangladesh. The nine suspects wanted by Malaysia were found involved in human trafficking, said Surachate, the deputy national police chief. They [victims] were looking for a better chance in life but were cheated, coerced, detained in the jungle and finally killed. Of the remaining suspects, Surachate said only one or two were still serving jail terms in Thailand while the rest had died. He did not give details. When they finish [serving their sentence], we will send them over to Perlis [in Malaysia], he said. Thai police guard four citizens set to be extradited to Malaysia in connection with the 2015 discovery of mass graves containing remains of human smuggling victims, in Bangkok, June 22, 2023. [Courtesy Royal Thai Police] Meanwhile, in Perlis, Deputy Police Chief Baderulhisham Baharudin told the media after the court proceedings that another Thai suspect in the Wang Kelian case had been arrested in Johor state last year and was charged in April with human trafficking. The suspect Suchat Tohdin, 34, a food stall trader, allegedly trafficked a Myanmar national between August 2014 and March 2015 at Bukit Wang Burma, Wang Kelian. His trial is still pending, Baderulhisham said. In January 2015, Malaysian authorities found 139 mass graves and 28 abandoned camps scattered near the rocky hills along the Thai-Malaysia border at Bukit Wang Burma in Wang Kelian, but waited four months to exhume the bodies. More than 100 skeletal remains, believed to be those of members of Myanmars stateless Rohingya Muslim minority, were found in the graves while other remains apparently belonged to undocumented migrants from Bangladesh. No Malaysian has been charged in connection with the 2015 discovery. Only four foreign nationals have been convicted and imprisoned. But in Thailand, prosecutors tried 102 people linked to 32 graves found on its side of the border in May 2015. Of the 62 people convicted, one was a three-star general, who died in prison while serving an 82-year sentence. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. You are the owner of this article. EGREMONT When guests are invited to dinner at Neil Foxs home, they are greeted by an old, wood-framed tabletop chalkboard, similar to that featured in many eateries to display daily specials. The guests initial question upon being invited is usually, Whats on the board? The chalkboard, found about 15 years ago in a junk shop, not only features Foxs menu for that night, but also his drawings and salutations. Out of these dinners came the inspiration to write Whats on the Board?, a cookbook celebrating Foxs many friends, their stories, the meals they shared, the many faces of the chalkboard illustrations and, of course, recipes for the dishes served. Read It "What's on the Board?" by Neil Fox. 144 pages $24.95 Fox, a full-time resident of Egremont for about 18 years (originally as a second-home owner and now a full-time resident), was in the ad business most of my life, owning a very successful ad agency, whose clients included Mercedes Benz and Nespresso, and was involved in bring Lego to the United States in the 1960s, he said in a recent phone interview. The idea for the cookbook, he said, was inspired by his sister-in-law. It was an impromptu idea. She looked at the cartoons [on the chalkboard] and said They look so great, you have to do something with it, Fox said. The book is about food and friendship, and joy, for people you care about. In many ways, the book is a memoir. I have friends all over the world Spain, England, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia all interesting people, which makes it a memoir. As we get older, friendships become more and more important, there is a gratification of being with a friend and feeding them. The cookbook features 30 groups of friends, 30 stories and 30 recipes. The recipes include shrimp scampi, clams posillipo, white pepper shakshuka, and camarones con salsa verde which Fox says is a simple recipe and most delicious and so quick. It took over a year to write the cookbook. Sticking with the unusual, but not difficult, is important to me. I branded a lot of dishes that are simple to produce, he said. The recipes are original for the most part. He added he enjoys reading cookbooks, Theyre inspirational and a very creative way to spend time. When creating a recipe, Fox takes into consideration who is coming to dinner, what season of the year it is If its summer, the grill is out. What can I do on the grill? If its winter, a hearty soup. He also takes into consideration whats growing at the time Herbs are now growing great, what can I make with herbs? He added the Berkshires have great food stores, organic meat producers and farmers markets. I find it inspirational to walk through the farmers market, he said. I came up with the idea for recipes to parallel the board and the people coming, Fox said. The chalkboard became the nucleus of the night. People felt very special because of the chalkboard created for them. It [the cookbook] became very personalized. It kind of tells people how much I care for them and I gave each of them a copy of the book. He added, Its a love story for all the people in my life, who have meant so much to me. And while Fox said he has had no formal culinary training, everyone in the family is in the food industry, he said. His daughter, Mindy Fox, is a food writer/publicist, who has 12 cookbooks to her name, some with celebrities, he said. His son, Jason Fox, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, works as a cook at the King Arthur Flour Cafe in Norwich, Vt. Ive been cooking all my life. I love cooking, Fox said. Favorite kitchen gadgets include a Weber upright chicken roaster [used for the beer can chicken recipe in the book], good Japanese knives and a Nespresso machine. Its nice to ask after dinner decaf or espresso, he said. His pantry must-haves include Aleppo pepper, cilantro, good salt (Maldon), fresh ground pepper, Berkshire Mountain Bakerys mini-cheese and herb ciabattas, garlic and of course, VOO (virgin olive oil). I love salt. Im a fan of over-salting, he said. It really wakes up the flavor of meat and fish. He added it was really important not to over cook. You can always cook it more, but if its overcooked, theres no going back. His favorite dishes are chicken primavera, which he said he often makes for himself, matzo brei [a recipe is included in the cookbook] I love it in the morning grilled cheese on Berkshire Bread and using muenster cheese, and Berkshire Bread ciabattas in different styles. They make an excellent base for everything from guacamole to olive tapenade. While Fox said there are no current plans for a sequel to Whats on the Board?, he said hes been writing prose. A recent poem, I Saw a Bluefish Jump, was recently published in The East Hampton Star. Fox served on the executive boards of Outward Bound USA for 17 years; New York Citys, City Harvest, one of New Yorks largest food rescue organizations, for 12 years, and served as a member of the Overseers Board of the Dartmouth Institute for six years. Now, as a full-time resident of the Berkshires, he works as a tutor for the Literacy Network of the South Berkshires (Lit Net), and cooks community suppers several times a year for the Berkshire South Regional Community Center in Great Barrington. Whats on the Board is available on Amazon.com. READ IT "What's on the Board?" by Neil Fox. 144 pages $24.95 You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close This Story in History is selected from the archives by Jeannie Maschino, The Bekshire Eagle. Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter BECKET A cannabis company is moving forward with plans to grow marijuana indoors on Quarry Road after a legal appeal from neighbors objecting to the farm was settled earlier this month. Last year, the towns Planning Board voted in a rare split decision to give TetraHydra AgTek LLC a special permit for an indoor growing facility. A group of several dozen neighbors appealed the boards decision in Land Court, arguing, among other points, that it didnt fit the neighborhood. On June 2, the case was dismissed with prejudice meaning it cant be retried by voluntary agreement of the neighbors, the company and the Planning Board. The cannabis farm is going through the Cannabis Control Commission licensing process before it can open. TetraHydra is excited to be an involved and productive member of the Becket business community and looks forward to beginning operations, the companys attorney, Joshua Segal of Lawson & Weitzen LLP, said in a statement. No money was exchanged between the parties as part of the resolution, according to a brief agreement filed in Land Court. There was also a private agreement signed, but what exactly the business and the neighbors appealing agreed to, neither side will say. Both parties lawyers declined to provide any details on what the private agreement contained. The neighbors decided they didnt want to share the details, their attorney, Mitchell Greenwald, told The Eagle. Greenwald alluded to his clients getting some wins in the agreement through. Dismissal doesnt mean we walk away with nothing, he said. The Becket Planning Board was also named in the suit. The towns attorney, Joel Bard of KP Law, said the plaintiffs and TetraHydra worked out the settlement agreement. He said he did not have details and declined to comment further. The farm plans to grow cannabis in a 31,000-square-foot greenhouse, it told the town in presenting its plans last year. As part of the approval from the town, the business agreed to, among other provisions, track odor and use trees to screen the greenhouse. Bucking a statewide trend, opioid overdose deaths in Berkshire County saw a significant drop in 2022 compared with the previous year. A total of 48 people died, according to a new report from the state, down from 62 deaths in 2021. The data was released Thursday by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Meanwhile, statewide, the picture was much more grim. Deaths were the highest on record in 2022 with 2,357 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths a 2.5 percent increase in the death rate compared with 2021. These numbers are devastating, DPH Commissioner Robert Goldstein told members of the Public Health Council meeting Thursday afternoon in releasing the report. The most rural parts of the state had the highest per-capita overdose deaths rates. Black residents saw the largest increase in overdose deaths of any racial or ethnic group in the state. The opioid overdose rate per 100,000 for Black people increased from 36.4 to 51.7 deaths per 100,000 from 2021 to 2022. Too many Massachusetts families, particularly families of color, have been impacted by this crisis, Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement, and in order to effectively respond, we need to address the gaps in the system by advancing long-term solutions that include housing, jobs, mental health care and more resources for our cities and towns. Alongside the report, the state released an outline of the Healey administrations plans to address rising opioid overdose deaths. The state is working to start a free overdose prevention hotline similar to Never Use Alone, a number that someone who uses drugs can call before using and if they become unresponsive, the operator calls emergency responders. In 2021, the Never Use Alone hotline saved a North Adams womans life when she overdosed. We know that people use alone and that is the biggest contributor to overdose deaths, Deirdre Calvert, director Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, told the Public Health Council. Fentanyl was detected in 93 percent of opioid overdose deaths last year when toxicology reports were available. We have a toxic drug supply, Calvert said. The DPH also plans to, by the end of the year, complete a feasibility study looking at overdose prevention sites, also known as supervised consumption sites. A study will look at legal issues, funding and existing sites in New York and Vancouver, Goldstein said. In 2019, a state Harm Reduction Commission report recommended the state pilot one or more supervised consumption sites. DPH is going to lean heavily on that prior report that came out, Goldstein said. We certainly are not going to repeat all of those efforts again, but we are going to add to it by making sure that we have up to date data, as well as conversations with other municipalities and jurisdictions that have moved forward with safe injection facilities or overdose prevention sites. To further combat the opioid crisis in the Berkshires, 14 harm reduction vending machines will be up and running by the end of the year through Berkshire Harm Reduction. The first of their kind in the state, the machines will have free supplies like Narcan, medication that can reverse an opioid overdose and sharps containers, said Sarah DeJesus, Berkshire Harm Reduction program manager. Specific locations for the machines have not yet been selected, DeJesus said, but they will be spread between cities and rural areas where people face more transportation barriers. It will have harm reduction supplies available to people 24/7, she said. Similar machines were set up in Ohio, and DeJesus is traveling there to learn more to help the rollout in the Berkshires. Dalton Delan can be followed @UnspinRoom on Twitter. He has won Emmy, Peabody and duPont-Columbia awards for his work as a television producer. About two dozen protesters came to the Statehouse on Thursday to push for stronger gun laws in the state. Its been said for years that there are two things you dont talk about: politics and religion. Funny enough, I am about to talk about both. When you lead with politics, you may fall victim to what I call Biblical fallacy. What I mean by that is you use Scripture out of context to validate your political statement or position. Either that, or you explain away why that Scripture does not apply in this situation. Let me give you an example. When you read these verses, the instruction is fairly simple. We offer petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving for all people and for kings and those who are in authority. That is about as straightforward as it gets. Let me ask you how many of you do this? If we are going to be honest, most of us dont. Here is what we do. We pray for those in office we like, and we rail and complain about those in office we dont like. If we pray, we pray blessings for those we like and curses for those we dont like. Please stop me if I am not telling the truth, because this is biblical fallacy. The problem is we often justify our positions with excuses. We will say look at what they are doing, or I just dont like their policies. While both things may be true, please tell me what does that have to do with offering petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving? The answer is nothing. To take it a step further, I am going to make an observation from recent history. When President Trump was in office, pastors and leaders were lining up at the door of the White House to pray for him. There were prayer meetings and worship services at the White House. Prominent Christian leaders were exhorting their followers to pray for President Trump. When President Biden took office, all those voices went silent. The rallying cries to pray for President Biden disappeared. Now here is the real test of whether you lead with politics or with the Bible. What is your immediate response to that observation? If the first words out of your mouth are But, then you are putting your politics ahead of your commitment to the word of God. If that is true, you are destroying your witness. I am not saying you must agree with any policy a person in office has. I am saying according to Gods word, that should not stop you from praying for them. One last thought here, when you pray for them, pray the same way for the leaders you like and the ones you dont like. I dont know how this article will be received. After all, I broke the rule and talked about politics. My heart is that we would get past the political stuff and realize our calling in Christ is much higher than that. Yes, you can get involved and you should. Yes, you can have candidates you like and dont like. Just remember, the world is watching and what they need to see in you and me is Jesus. Quite frankly if they dont see that, then your politics wont matter anyway. The last time I checked, the road to salvation and eternal life goes through the cross and not through the voting booth. More from this author The One Thing Satan Really Wants to Take from You 13 Things You Should Never Lack because the Lord Is Your Shepherd Why Are Single People So Often Left out of Church Leadership? Photo credit: Getty Images/Dick Craft There are two ways salt commonly features in the Old Testament. While it is not overly symbolic, the times where it does come up have to do with the end of life, or being cut off. The most common instance of salt in the Old Testament is in reference to the Salt Sea, also commonly known as the Dead Sea. This body of water has such a high salt content that when people go swimming there, they float. The water is also undrinkable, and nothing lives in it. There are no wildlife or plants in the Dead Sea, and there are no population centers or significant animal life in the area. Some theologians believe the Dead Sea is located in the general location of Sodom and Gomorrah, though this idea is debated. When God decided to destroy those two wicked cities, He searched for righteous men and found none. He spared Lot and anyone in his family as an act of love toward Abraham, since they were cousins. The angels who warned Lot when it was time to flee said, Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away (Genesis 19:17b). While they fled, Lots wife looked back, and she was turned into a pillar of salt. She died and was cut off from the earth, along with the wicked land that she loved more than her own life and the God who was offering them a chance at life. Just like someone would salt a field in order to prevent bad things from growing, God metaphorically salted the earth of Sodom and Gomorrah, since it yielded only evil or bad fruit. This practice of salting the earth is the other common negative use of salt in the Old Testament. In the Book of Judges, the Hebrews salt the land of their enemies, so that nothing could grow in their fields again. In these contexts, salt is a thing which cuts off life, or cuts someone off from Gods blessings. These meaning changes when God begins directly making covenants with the Nation of Israel. While an overabundance of salt can quelch life, an appropriate amount of it can preserve something, making it last longer. God has the meat of sacrifices sprinkled with salt, which represents Gods ability to preserve a covenant. For example, the promise between God and Aarons priestly descendants is that they will always be able to live off the Temple. All the holy contributions that the people of Israel present to the Lord I give to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual due. It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord for you and for your offspring with you (Numbers 18:19). The covenant between God and David, that his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel forever, is also described as a covenant of salt (2 Chronicles 13:4-6). God is the salt in this symbol, making a promise last longer by His ability to uphold it forever through His eternal nature, His righteousness, and His holiness. Photo credit: Getty Images/Atstock Productions Talking Points Memo: The failure of the Biden administration is only getting more and more obvious by the day. Heres three major agencies that are falling apart. President Biden snaps at reporter for asking about Hunters text messages. SCOTUS rules on states control over elections and agrees to hear case on wealth tax. Bill renews calls for investigation into Zuckerbergs efforts into the 2020 presidential election. Former Prosecutor Cully Stimson on his new book Rogue Prosecutors: How Radical Soros Lawyers are Destroying Americas Communities. Reuters releases report that says all living US Presidents descended from slaveholders all expect Donald Trump. Smart Life: pickleball injuries This Day in History: International Body Piercing Day Final Thought: Leaving money to kids, charities & friends In Case You Missed It: Read Bill's latest column, "They're Not Victims" It's the 'Summer Reading Special!' 'Killing the Killers,' Killing the Legends,' and 'Killing Crazy Horse' all for $32.95. We'll also give you a FREE 'Team Normal' hat. 'Team Normal!' gear is 15% for a limited time. Go to BillOReilly.com now and order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thirty-year-old Sherilyn Kamga excels in the emerging FinOps sector, bridging finance and technology. Source: Supplied. Sherilyn Kamga, senior strategic finance analyst at Talend. She is senior strategic finance analyst at Talend, specialising in FinOps - an operational framework and cultural shift that brings finance, technology, and business together to drive financial accountability and accelerate business. The emergence of this activity can be attributed to the cloud revolution and its profound influence on businesses, a phenomenon that was non-existent a decade ago. FinOps is becoming a must-have practice for businesses looking to optimise their cloud spending. As the field continues to evolve, collaboration between teams, integration with agile methodologies, and prioritising sustainability will be key best practices for success in 2023, Kamga says. Talend serves customers across multiple industries, including finance, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and telecommunications. Among Talends clients are AstraZeneca and global financial-services corporation, Citigroup, which operates in South Africa through its subsidiary, Citibank South Africa. In a new chapter for the firm, Talend was acquired by Qlik last month. Based in the US, Qlik specialises in data analytics and business intelligence. Here Kamga unpacks FinOps trends: What are some notable trends in the management of cloud spending and how has it impacted organisations? The practice of Finops has gained momentum in recent years, as more and more companies are seeking to optimise their cloud spending. Over the past few years, FinOps has emerged as a distinct discipline within organisations, with a dedicated role and the implementation of specialised frameworks to effectively manage cloud expenditures. Can you speak to the early beginnings of FinOps and its evolution? Since the introduction of FinOps as a concept in 2019, the practice has evolved significantly. Initially focused on managing costs related to cloud services, FinOps has become a broader set of practices to help businesses align their cloud infrastructure spending with their business goals. In the past few years since 2019, we saw significant growth in FinOps as a dedicated role within organisations. More companies started hiring FinOps professionals to help manage their cloud spending and optimise their cloud infrastructure. Additionally, the adoption of FinOps frameworks and best practices continued to increase, with more companies realising the benefits of having a structured approach to managing cloud costs. What are some key emerging directions of FinOps? A key trend in the evolution of FinOps has been the increasing focus on collaboration between different teams within organisations. The traditional silos between finance, IT, and operations have started to break down, with more cross-functional teams working together to optimise cloud spending. This trend is highlighted in the 2023 State of FinOps report, which states that other frameworks are starting to intersect and integrate with FinOps, indicating a growing recognition of the importance of a holistic approach to cloud financial management and the need for cross-functional collaboration to optimise cloud spending and drive business value. Emergence of new tools and technologies In addition, the emergence of new tools and technologies to support FinOps has been a key trend in recent years. Several vendors have released new FinOps-specific tools, such as Finout, CloudFix,Granulate, and Zesty, among others. These tools help companies automate many of the manual tasks associated with FinOps, such as tracking and analysing cloud spending, and making it easier to implement FinOps best practices. Moreover, the inclusion of FinOps in Pitchbooks list of emerging spaces confirms the dynamic nature of this field and its potential for investment. As more businesses look to optimise their cloud spending and improve their financial-management practices, FinOps is emerging as a critical discipline that can help organisations achieve these goals. Its recognition as a promising investment from an investor standpoint further solidifies its importance in the business world. What are some of the best practices for successful FinOps in 2023? As the FinOps space continues to evolve, its important for businesses to stay up-to-date with the latest best practices to ensure they are getting the most out of their cloud spending. Here are some of the key best practices for FinOps in 2023: Integrate FinOps with agile methodologies: Integrating FinOps with agile methodologies can help businesses become more efficient and effective in managing their cloud infrastructure. This integration can help identify cost-saving opportunities earlier in the development process and make it easier to implement FinOps best practices. Integrating FinOps with agile methodologies can help businesses become more efficient and effective in managing their cloud infrastructure. This integration can help identify cost-saving opportunities earlier in the development process and make it easier to implement FinOps best practices. Foster a culture of collaboration: Successful FinOps practices rely on collaboration between different teams within an organisation, such as finance, IT, and operations. To foster this culture of collaboration, businesses should invest in training and education programmes to help employees understand the importance of cost optimisation and how they can contribute to these efforts. Successful FinOps practices rely on collaboration between different teams within an organisation, such as finance, IT, and operations. To foster this culture of collaboration, businesses should invest in training and education programmes to help employees understand the importance of cost optimisation and how they can contribute to these efforts. Prioritise sustainability: As the focus on sustainability continues to grow, businesses should consider the carbon footprint of their cloud infrastructure when making spending decisions.This can help reduce the environmental impact of cloud infrastructure while also driving cost savings. Were thrilled to announce our formal acquisition by @Qlik, bringing Talends data integration & data quality solutions underneath the Qlik umbrella. Learn how we're now well positioned to deliver what data leaders need today & in the future. https://t.co/KNH6Qyzlfo #QlikTalend pic.twitter.com/SKxNXAgcCJ Talend (@Talend) May 16, 2023 So whats next for FinOps? As cloud adoption continues to grow, FinOps will become even more critical for organisations looking to manage their cloud costs effectively. Here are some of the emerging trends that are likely to shape the future of FinOps: On the penultimate evening of the Cannes Lions, Wunderman ThomSaudi Arabia has won a Grand Prix and SA's Ogilvy has been shortlisted for the Titanium Lions. Source: Ad Age www.AdAge.com Bread of the Nation, AB InBev SA, Castle Lager, from Ogilvy, Cape Town SA is shortlisted in the Titanium Lions Wunderman Thompson took home the Grand Prix for its client's Hunger Station, for the The Subconscious order campaign for Experience: Creative Commerce in the Targeting, Insights and Personalisation category. SA's Ogivly is the only agency from Africa and the Middle East region to be shortlisted in the Titanium Lions, the awards that celebrate game-changing creativity. The agency's Bread of the Nation campaign for AB InBev SA's Castle Lager was shortlisted. The Titanium winners will be revealed this evening as well as the Film category and other special Lion Awards. Experience: Brand experience and activation Guerrilla Marketing & Stunts Bronze Lion The Heinzjack, Heinz, Heinz ketchup, FP7 McCann, Dubai UAE Experience: Creative commerce Targeting, insights and personalisation Grand Prix The Subconscious order, Hunger Station, Hunger Station Delivery App, Wunderman Thompson, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Experience: Creative Commerce Social behaviour &cultural insight Silver Self-check out, K-Lynn, Leo Burnett, Dubai UAE Experience: Creative commerce Social behaviour & cultural insight Bronze Lion Time to read, Kinokuniya Bookstore, Saatchi & Saatchi ME, Dubai UAE Strategy: Creative Strategy Corporate purpose & Social responsibility Bronze Lion The Elections Edition, Annahar Newspaper, Impact BBDO, Dubai, UAE Strategy: Creative Strategy Experience and Relationship Models Silver Lion Self-check out, K-Lynn, Leo Burnett, Dubai UAE Titanium Shortlist Shortlist Bread of the Nation, AB InBev SA, Castle Lager, Ogilvy, Cape Town SA As media partner to the Creative Circle SA, were proud to publish exclusive daily snapshot updates from Cannes. Dont miss the first Diary of Creative Circle at Cannes from the SA cohort on the ground in Cannes, every day from 19-24 June! Also Book Now for The Full Circle event, brought to you by the Creative Circle - an inspiring showcase of the top trends, insights and award winning work from the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. South Africa's media houses rely too heavily on events like conferences, climate disasters and the release of scientific papers in their reporting on climate change. That's a problem: it creates the potential for day-to-day issues related to climate change, like ongoing mitigation and adaptation efforts, to go unreported. Thats one of the key findings of a study I recently conducted into how the countrys media cover the climate crisis. I also identified major shortcomings in overall communication on the climate crisis by key stakeholders in South Africa policymakers, captains of industry, scientists and non-governmental organisations. These shortcomings are hugely worrying given what scientists say lies in store for South Africa in the coming years. Along with many parts of the broader southern African region, it is projected to become both warmer and drier, putting pressure on water security and agriculture. Increasing heatwaves will affect human health and result in deaths. Tropical cyclones are likely to become stronger, with catastrophic impacts in central and southern regions of Mozambique and certain areas in north-eastern South Africa. The kind of coverage favoured by South African media probably doesnt do much to improve the publics understanding of climate change because they cannot associate the reporting with their day-to-day lives even though, as the science makes clear, the toll is tremendous. It also leaves the impression that climate change is an issue for elites, politicians and activists, and not ordinary people. Ignoring the end of the world The study was jointly commissioned by the Wits University Centre for Journalism (South Africa) and Fojo Media Institute of Linnaeus University, Sweden. To conduct the study, I reviewed some 476 articles published between September 2021 and August 2022 about climate change in 11 online South African publications that report frequently on the issue. I also interviewed 42 people from government institutions, civil society and the corporate sector, as well as members of the media and climate change scientists. The majority of climate change-related stories I reviewed were about the release of scientific reports, or high-profile global meetings. However, some local media houses barely covered perhaps the most important and high-profile of these publications: the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The presentation of the report by UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, on 9 August 2021, was covered live by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Al Jazeera, and dominated their bulletins throughout the day. None of South Africas news networks covered the reports release on the day. This choice led South African political scientist Steven Friedman to declare: Mainstream media ignore the end of the world. Foreign news dominates Another key finding of the study is that South Africas media have relied on news from foreign news networks in their reporting on the climate crisis. This dominance of foreign news reports creates the impression among audiences that climate change is not a local concern. It has been well established in media theory that if some development is not reported in the media, it is viewed as less important than those that are. This reporting also creates a psychological distance between audiences and climate change; they come to see it as a distant problem. After the fact Where local stories were covered, these tended to centre on disasters. One example was extensive reporting on the disastrous floods in the KwaZulu-Natal province in April 2022, in which the media mentioned climate change as the cause. Of course, the coverage of climate disasters is an obvious choice for any newsroom. But, as some interviewees in my study pointed out, communities need ongoing reporting on the climate crisis to inform and educate them about adaptation so they can prepare themselves for future disasters. Reporting only after the fact of a disaster was not, they said, particularly helpful. The interviewees also argued that climate change news was not attractive to most audiences because it did not talk to their pressing day-to-day concerns. They decried the fact that most articles on the climate crisis were published in online media and some were behind paywalls. This was seen as limiting public access, particularly by ordinary people who need the information the most because they are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Finally, interviewees lambasted communication from stakeholders other than the media. They suggested that this stifled media coverage. If institutions such as the government, for instance, were communicating more extensively on the crisis, the media would follow suit and improve their own coverage. Recommendations The findings of the study could be addressed in several ways. For instance, I propose an indaba (workshop) involving key stakeholders like the government, NGOs, scientists, policymakers and journalists to discuss the issue of climate change journalism and the overall communication of the crisis in South Africa. Academic institutions should also introduce courses on climate change journalism and communication. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The insurance sector in South Africa serves as a vital component of the country's economy, offering financial protection to individuals and businesses. However, this industry is not immune to the pervasive threat of financial fraud. With the advent of technology and evolving fraudulent techniques, insurance companies in South Africa face mounting risks. To give more insight into the scale of the problem, the Insurance Crime Bureau recently reported that up to 20% of the R35bn in short-term insurance payouts in 2019 may have been fraudulent. If this is accurate, it indicates that the South African short-term insurance sector lost over R7bn to fraud in just 2019 alone. Additionally, TransUnion reported that the percentage of suspected digital transaction attempts against businesses in South Africa increased by 44% from March 2019 to March 2021, with identity theft and document forgery being a growing concern in the digital era as criminals use stolen identities to acquire insurance policies and make deceitful claims. As the insurance sector in South Africa grapples with varied types of financial fraud, including policy fraud, claims fraud and identity theft, digital solutions have emerged as a crucial weapon in the fight against insurance fraud. Now, more than ever, it is vital that insurance companies engage financial software tools to help fortify their assets. EasyDebit's digital solutions provide a range of powerful tools and technologies to help insurance companies in South Africa combat financial fraud. Our advanced digital solutions enable robust identity verification solutions, including biometric authentication, allowing clients to mitigate the risk of identity theft. EasyDebit's Biometric Identity Verification software incorporates vigorous biometric authentication methods, such as fingerprint and facial recognition, to strengthen identity verification processes. By implementing biometric authentication, insurance companies can ensure that policyholders and claimants are genuine individuals, thus mitigating the risk of identity theft and fraudulent activities. This technology enhances security while providing a seamless user experience for customers. EasyDebits digital solutions go beyond just verifications as each client has different pain points. We offer tailored digital solutions that can remedy these fraudulent attacks by analysing cloud-based data and comparing it to that given by the consumer. EasyDebit have been a prominent digital solutions partner for almost a decade, empowering insurance companies to enhance their fraud prevention measures and protect their operations. Keeping in mind that the insurance sector in South Africa confronts significant financial fraud risks, resulting in substantial monetary losses for companies and policyholders, EasyDebit can help address the escalating financial fraud risks that necessitate the adoption of digital solutions, specifically targeting malice directed to the insurance sector in South Africa. With the insurance sector in South Africa facing significant fraud risks that threaten its stability and financial well-being, our smart digital solutions offer innovative tools to enhance fraud detection and prevention. This will result in increased revenue and significant improvement in fraud related activities. EasyDebits digital solutions leverage artificial intelligence, collaborating with prominent financial institutions and Home Affairs to analyse data, identify patterns and detect anomalies indicative of fraudulent behaviour. By tackling fraud head-on, the insurance sector can protect its integrity and ensure the provision of reliable and affordable coverage to South African policyholders. Many of the world's largest brands have value at imminent risk if the sustainability perceptions of stakeholders are not aligned with sustainability performance. Source: JD Power JD Power Tesla has a high Sustainability Perceptions Value but weaker CSRHub scores This is the finding of brand valuation consultancy, Brand Finance and their report, Brand Finance Sustainblity Gap Index. First launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year, The Sustainability Perceptions Index shows that for many of the worlds most valuable businesses, there can be billions of dollars of financial value to be gained from enhanced ESG action and associated communication. Public perceptions vs actual performance Brand Finance has now recalculated the valuations of each brand by considering their ESG performance, utilising data from CSRHub. The newly derived values, in conjunction with the Sustainability Perceptions Scores (SPS) disclosed in the latest Sustainability Gap Index report, expose whether the public perceptions align with the actual performance of each brand. Our research found that where performance exceeds perception, there is an opportunity to rapidly generate value, by communicating the brands genuine commitment to sustainability more effectively, says Robert Haigh, strategy & sustainability director, Brand Finance. Conversely, where perception exceeds performance, value is at imminent risk, as brands leave themselves open to public backlash and a correction of their sustainability perceptions value, adds Haigh. Tesla: One such brand Tesla, perhaps surprisingly, is one such brand. Known as a pioneer of the electric vehicles and battery technology, Teslas image has clearly carried across into the perceptions held by global consumers. Tesla has the highest proportion of value underpinned by sustainability perceptions of any brand (26.9%) resulting in a Sustainability Perceptions Value of $17.8bn. However, the strength of this perception creates its own risk, because whilst Tesla performs well on environmental components of sustainability, it is weaker on governance and measures of social sustainability. Teslas weaker CSRHub scores therefore create a value at risk of up to $4.1bn, more than any other brand in the table. Microsoft: Highest positive gap value Conversely, Microsoft has the highest positive gap value of any brand according to Brand Finances research - $1.5bn. This reveals that Microsofts sustainability performance exceeds its sustainability perception; meaning there is an opportunity for Microsoft to generate up to $1.5bn through enhanced communication of its sustainability initiatives and services. Chanel: High Sustainability Perceptions Score and high CSRHub score Luxury fashion house Chanel is an example of a brand that has both a (relatively) high Sustainability Perceptions Score (4.88/10) and a high CSRHub score. By engaging with a wide range of stakeholder groups, Chanel can better align its sustainability performance with its sustainability perception, based on strong, authentic sustainability communication. View the full Finance Sustainability Gap Index 2023 report here The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica) acknowledges the need for appropriate sanctions in the profession where required. However, Saica is concerned about the publication of fines without a clear framework or public education on the basis for these proposals. This concern comes after the National Treasury gazetted the maximum monetary fines that may be imposed on registered auditors in terms of the Auditing Profession Act, 2005 (APA), on 15 June 2023. In terms of this notice, an individual auditor may be fined up to R5m per charge and an audit firm may be fined a maximum amount of R15m per charge. This applies to registered auditors and audit firms that admit guilt as contemplated in section 49(4)(a) of this act. Furthermore, individual auditors and auditing firms may also be fined up to R10m and R25m respectively, for charges brought under a disciplinary hearing process constituted in terms of section 51B(3)(b) of the APA. It is assumed, but subject to clarification, that this penalty would be per charge, and not in totality. These maximum monetary fines come into effect for improper conduct committed after 26 April 2021 which is the date on which the Auditing Profession Amendment Act came into effect. Upon initial consultation by National Treasury in September 2022 on the then-proposed fines, Saica had made a detailed submission to National Treasury highlighting some considerations that Saica believes needed to be considered. Amongst these was the need to have a framework that provides clarity on the basis and mechanisms on which these fines will be imposed by the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA). Saicas view is that a clear and objective framework that will be used in the process of applying the fines ought to be developed and shared to assist individual auditors and firms to understand the process of the imposition of fines and penalties. Guidance that will provide clarity on the processes and considerations to be followed when determining the imposition of fines and penalties for registered firms and registered auditors, should be issued, advises Thandokuhle Myoli, executive for audit and assurance at Saica. Myoli further asserts that transparency in this regard is critical to the profession. Such an approach is followed in other territories. For example, in the United Kingdom, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has a Sanctions Policy that is available to the public that addresses, in detail, considerations to be made when imposing sanctions. The policy is advisory in nature, however, any deviations from its application where relevant need to be explained. Such a policy in the South African context would be useful in creating transparency and we urge National Treasury to consult with the IRBA in this regard. A lack of such a framework has the propensity to create significant uncertainty and anxiety in the profession, said Myoli. Saica recognises the importance and need to have a strong and robust auditing profession in order to safeguard the capital markets and provide both investor confidence and assurance. However, the unintended consequences that changes to regulations and legislation impacting the auditing profession need to be considered in conjunction with the challenges currently facing the profession. One of these challenges relates to the need to attract young talent to the profession and to retain existing members, thus ensuring the sustainability of the auditing profession in South Africa, stated Myoli, who further expressed that the proposed fines could and may very well be seen as a further deterrent to individuals who have an interest in joining or remaining within the profession. They may rather elect what they deem to be less risky careers. This is particularly concerning as the profession has already witnessed a decline in the number of registered auditors in recent years with a significant number of these individuals emigrating. A decline in the number of auditors may have a negative impact on the South African economy, particularly in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) space. These SMEs would be unjustly prejudiced by a reduced number of registered auditors to select from, in particular, those audit firms operating in the small and medium practices environment. The auditing profession operates within a wider financial reporting ecosystem. It is important that there should be, potentially, a focus and accountability placed on all role players within this ecosystem, and not the auditors alone. The publication of fines without providing a suitably related framework or educating the public on the basis used to reach the proposals creates the impression that the intention may just be to punish erring auditors, irrespective of the nature and context of possible indiscretions. As the only professional body currently accredited by IRBA to produce registered auditors, Saica remains open to engaging all parties affected by this matter in the best interest of all its members as well as within the public interest. A methane gas explosion in a disused South African mine killed at least 31 people last month believed to be from Lesotho, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) said on Friday, 23 June. The deaths occurred in a ventilation shaft in the shuttered Virginia mine in the Free State. Lesotho's foreign ministry reported the incident to Pretoria, it said. The DMRE said an investigation into the incident with the help of Harmony Gold - the previous owner of the mine which ceased operations in the 1990s - determined that methane levels were very high in the ventilation shaft and an explosion had occurred. "As such, it is currently too risky to dispatch a search team to the shaft. However, we are considering various options to speedily deal with the situation," it said. A spokesperson for mining and energy minister Gwede Mantashe said it might take a while to retrieve the bodies as authorities did not want to risk losing more lives. Harmony said it viewed the incident - which occurred in the third week of May - as a criminal matter and has handed it over to the South African police for further investigation. "We were informed by one of the illegal miners (who survived) that there had been an explosion and that the incident resulted in loss of life," said Jared Coetzer, Harmony's head of investor relations. Coetzer said the shaft was acquired in the mid-1980s but was closed shortly after due to a methane gas explosion and was never used by the miner. "We don't know how the people got to the place where the explosion occurred," he added. Highly explosive gas Methane is a highly explosive greenhouse gas often found in underground mines and poses serious safety and health threats to mine workers. Talks were ongoing between South Africa and Lesotho to retrieve the bodies and bring them home, said Thapelo Mabote, a government spokesperson for the small mountain kingdom. Ted Kaczynskis criticisms of environmental destruction and out-of-control technology were incisive. But, disdaining leftists and being unwilling to join with others in a social movement, he resorted to abhorrent terroristic methods that had no chance of solving any of the problems he perceived. Dr. Theodore Ted Kaczynski died this month in a Federal Bureau of Prisons medical center, apparently by suicide. For most Americans, the name will need no introduction. For 17 years, Kaczynski terrorized the nation as the elusive Unabomber, mailing a series of homemade explosives to scientists, academics, and business executives, among other victims. From his cabin in the Montana woods, he killed three people and injured 23, all in service of a one-man crusade against what he called the techno-industrial system. By any measure, he was one of the most prolific and notorious domestic terrorists in U.S. history. He was also, to put it provocatively, not entirely wrong about the techno-industrial system. In 1995, Kaczynski successfully blackmailed both the Washington Post and New York Times into printing his 35,000-word manifesto, Industrial Society and its Future, which opens with the now-infamous lines: The Industrial Revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race. They have greatly increased the life-expectancy of those of us who live in advanced countries, but they have destabilized society, have made life unfulfilling, have subjected human beings to indignities, have led to widespread psychological suffering (in the Third World to physical suffering as well) and have inflicted severe damage on the natural world. The continued development of technology will worsen the situation. For someone reading this passage in 2023, its difficult not to see Kaczynskis words as prescient. He wrote them before the internet was widely used, and before smartphones and social media were even dreamt of. Today, as Thomas Moller-Nielsen has written for Current Affairs, the charge of widespread psychological suffering resulting from technology seems inarguable: we live in a world where 41 percent of adults report that theyd rather give up sex for a year than forgo using their smartphones, and where loneliness, depression, and anxiety are on the rise, in part because vast swaths of the U.S. population would prefer to spend time with their personalized high-tech gadgets rather than attempt to foster meaningful human relationships. According to one Pew survey, 59 percent of teenagers have been bullied or harassed online, and the rate of suicide in 13 and 14-year-olds has more than doubled between 2008 and 2018, concurrent with the rise of the major social-media platforms. In the news, there have been multiple stories of infants whose first words are not mama or dada, but Hey Google or Alexa. Meanwhile, Amazon has patented a wristband that can track the hand movements of its warehouse workers, and use vibrations to nudge them in a different direction, effectively turning them into remote-controlled drones. Across the board, indignities, a destabilized society, and a sense that technological developments have made life unfulfilling are very much with us, with no end in sight. Then, too, the charge of physical suffering located particularly in the Third World lands home. Its a simple historical fact that the Industrial Revolution (and its consequences) went hand-in-hand with European imperialism, and that its raw materials were furnished by the ravaging of entire continents. To pick just one example, much of the rubber in Europe was once supplied by the so-called Congo Free State, where Belgian overseers systematically whipped and mutilated their African subjects for failing to meet production quotas. Today, only the materials involved have changed. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as its now known, thousands of workers are still forced into functional slavery in cobalt mines, where they scrape at the earth with pickaxes, breathe toxic dust, and often die in tunnel collapsesall to feed the demand for rechargeable batteries for the latest high-tech devices. In all likelihood, the laptop Im typing this on contains metals mined by enslaved people, and so does whatever device youre using to read it. Elsewhere, in countries like Cameroon, climate change driven by the fossil fuel industry has made lethal fights over dwindling water supplies more and more commonplace. Across the Global South, the continued development of technology, to use Kaczynskis words, has indeed been a disaster for the human race. Even some of Kaczynskis victims show a surprising appreciation for his analysis of modern society. After learning of the Unabombers death, Gary Wrightwho suffered wounds from more than 200 shrapnel pieces when his computer shop was attacked in 1987went so far as to call him prophetic: [T]hrow away the murders, right? Throw away the meaning and everything else. It was the wrong method, but if you apply where we are today, its kind of prophetic in a way, that here we are today, were debating A.I., were debating all kinds of things. You got [sic] mental health issues due to social media. He did see some elements early on that maybe others werent recognizing. Wright isnt alone in feeling this way. Paradoxically, Kaczynski has spawned his own fandom among the chronically online, with entire subcultures of TikTok users posting edgy jokes about being Tedpilled. (The Industrial Revolution lowkey be cringe, opines one teen on the app.) Like with many internet trends, its impossible to tell how much of this is sincere, and how much is a post-post-ironic joke at the expense of social media itself. Probably the answer is that its a bit of both. Others, though, take the Unabomber as a serious inspiration. In 2018, New York Magazine ran a profile of anti-technology radical John Jacobi, who encountered Industrial Society and its Future when he was living on an anarchist commune in North Carolina: Staggered by the shock of his Kaczynski Moment but intent on rising to the challenge, he began corresponding with the great man himself, hitchhiked the 644 miles from Chapel Hill to Ann Arbor to read the Kaczynski archives, tracked down his followers all around the world, and collected an impressive (and potentially incriminating) cache of material on ITS along the way. Clearly Kaczynskis ideas still have power, if they can spark a reaction like that. ITS, in this case, refers to Individualidades Tendiendo a lo Salvaje (or, in English, Individualists Tending to the Wild,) a a loose association of terrorist groups started by Mexican Kaczynski devotees after the manifesto was translated into Spanishby a radical theorist known only as Ultimo Reducto, who, like Jacobi, has written extensively about Kaczynskis life and work. The Unabombers appeal, it seems, is not only cross-generational, but global. Of course, theres a glaring flaw here. As admirable as Gary Wrights capacity for forgiveness might be, we cant just, as he recently put it in the New York Times, throw away the murders, or glibly say that it was the wrong method before moving on. The fact remains that Ted Kaczynski was a serial killer, and its primarily as such that hell be remembered. He forfeited the chance to be known as a modern Thoreauor even Jacques Ellul, the Christian anarchist whose book The Technological Society appears to have influenced him heavilythe moment he started blowing peoples limbs off. Really, Wright got lucky. Three other menHugh Scrutton, Thomas Mosser, and Gilbert Murrayare dead at Kaczynskis hands, never having known who was targeting them or why. For their loved ones, the fact that the Unabomber occasionally made some good points about psychology or the environment must come as hollow consolation. The really tragic part, though, is that it was all for nothing. To this day, its unclear how Kaczynski thought mailing bombs to random people, who happened to be loosely connected with technology, would in any way alleviate the problems hed identified within advanced industrial societies. His manifesto is full of bombastic talk about revolution against the industrial-technological system, speculating that under suitable conditions large numbers of people may devote themselves passionately to such a cause, but theres no indication that he ever attempted to rally anyone to his side. Instead, he simply retreated from the world, hiding away in his cabin and lashing out with haphazard violence. Theres a distinct element of sociopathy to his crimes, as seen when he writes in his diary about Hugh Scruttons death: Experiment 97. Dec. 11, 1985. I planted a bomb disguised to look like a scrap of lumber behind Rentech Computer Store in Sacramento. According to the San Francisco Examiner, Dec. 20, the operator (owner? manager?) of the store was killed, blown to bits, on Dec. 12. Excellent. Humane way to eliminate somebody. He probably never felt a thing. 25,000 reward offered. Rather flattering. Notice, theres no mention of what Scruttons supposed offenses against humanity had been, or how his death was supposed to liberate anyone. Kaczynski didnt even know who he was targeting; his bomb would have killed whoever picked it up. He simply took satisfaction in the act of killing itself, and the notoriety it brought. In the 2020 Netflix documentary Unabomber: In His Own Words, he goes further, admitting that I hate the system not because of some abstract humanitarian principle but because I hated living in the system, and that It was simply anger and revenge, and I was going to strike back. Hardly the stuff revolutionary movements are made of. Kaczynskis mental healthor rather, his mental unwellnessappears to have played a role, both in shaping his beliefs and his way of acting on them. In the course of his criminal trial in 1998, he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, and although he vehemently objected to his lawyers attempts to pursue an insanity plea, paranoid does seem like an apt word for some of his rhetoric about an all-powerful scientific system. In his journals, Kaczynski acknowledged that many people would regard him as insanealthough he frames this, too, as a conspiracy against him: As I said, if I succeed in killing enough people, the news media may have something to say about me when I am killed or caught. And they are bound to try to analyse my psychology and depict me as sick. [. . .] I would point out that many tame, conformist types seem to have a powerful need to depict the enemy of society as sordid, repulsive or sick. This powerful bias should be borne in reading any attempts to analyse my psychology. This paranoid outlook and resistance to being analysed may have its roots in Kaczynskis experiences as an undergraduate student at Harvard. There, according to an investigative report in The Atlantic, he volunteered as a test subject in purposely brutalizing psychological experiments run by one Dr. Henry Murray. Along with 21 other students, he was subjected to intensive interrogationwhat Murray himself called vehement, sweeping, and personally abusive attacks, assaulting his subjects egos and most-cherished ideals and beliefs in lengthy sessions. The experiments, wildly unethical by any modern standard, were apparently intended to study different individuals responses to acute stress, and had their roots in work Murray did for the Office of Strategic Servicesthe precursor to the CIAduring World War II. There, Murray had screened potential covert agents for their ability to resist interrogation, and had long shown interest [] in the whole subject of brainwashing. It would be easy to get conspiratorial here, and its important to note that the mistreatment Kaczynski received doesnt absolve him of his later crimes: his actions are still morally atrocious. Still, being intentionally traumatized in this way, involving tactics designed for soldiers, cant possibly have helped his mental state. It seems likely that the military-industrial complex contributed to both the Unabombers hatred of science and scientists, and his belief that he could trust no one. More fundamental to Kaczynskis ideology, though, was his loathing for the political left. Throughout Industrial Society and its Future, he complains almost as bitterly about leftists and leftism as he does about technology itself. Leftists tend to be oversocialized types who try to satisfy their drive for power by imposing their morality on everyone, he writes, and they tend to hate anything that has an image of being strong, good and successful on principle. Their stated concern for social and environmental issues is only an excuse for them to express their own hostility and frustrated need for power. (No projection here, of course.) As a result, a movement that exalts nature and opposes technology must take a resolutely anti-leftist stance and must avoid all collaboration with leftists, because leftism is in the long run inconsistent with wild nature, with human freedom and with the elimination of modern technology. Some of this language sounds like it was ripped straight from Fox News, and it may go a long way toward explaining why Kaczynski seems to have shunned the environmentalist groups of his day. Most of them were concerned, to a greater or lesser degree, with notions of social justice, and therefore too leftist. The Unabomber manifesto displays a deeply cynical worldview, one which dismisses out of hand the idea that people might have sincere concerns for each other and their shared world and that these sentiments might be more than simply a mask for neurosis or a lust for power. Rejecting the humanitarian commitments of the left in this absolute way, Kaczynski closed himself off from the possibility of forming a broad movement at all, even with others who, generally speaking, might have shared his views. For him, the plan wasnt necessarily to create a better or more just society; it was simply to destroy the existing one, and let human freedom take over from there. What kind of world would result, and whether or not anyone actually wanted it, was beside the point. With the supreme confidence of a man used to being lauded for his intellect, Kaczynski had decided for everyone, and was content to wage his bombing campaign without anyones help. The whole thing is distinctly crankish and narcissistic, but perhaps not surprising. When a core part of your politics is the desire to be left alone, alone is exactly where you end up. None of this is without precedent. Historically, terrorism has always been the politics of the desperate and the isolated, and people have turned to individual acts of violence to express all kinds of social and antisocial agendas. For parallels, we can look to the Nihilists of pre-revolutionary Russia, who (unlike the later Bolsheviks) saw little hope in mass politics, and opted for bomb-throwing and assassination attempts as their tactics of choice. Or there are the anarchist assassins, such as Leon Czolgosz, who successfully killed President William McKinley in 1901, and Alexander Berkman, who almost did the same to the steel magnate Henry Clay Frick in 1892. Most of these figures were more discriminating than Kaczynski, both in their choice of targets and their stated goals: anarchism and nihilism, for all their flaws, are at least coherent and historically-rooted ideologies, rather than the quixotic creation of one man. Theyre more realistic than simply trying to get rid of technology as such via pipe bomb. But radical terrorism of every stripe shares a similar whiff of futility. Even when its practitioners succeed in their plots, they rarely change the world in the way theyd hoped. After McKinleys death, he was simply replaced with Roosevelt, and Tsar Alexander II with Alexander III. The underlying society rolled on, relatively unbothered. In the aftermath of the 1978 Sydney Hilton hotel bombing, the Libertarian Socialist Organization of Australia put out an excellent little pamphlet called You Cant Blow Up a Social Relationship, laying out their objections to political violence: [F]oul means, far from being justified by distant ends, merely provide a guarantee that the ends achieved will be horrible. You cant blow up a social relationship. The total collapse of this society would provide no guarantee about what replaced it. Unless a majority of people had the ideas and organization sufficient for the creation of an alternative society, we would see the old world reassert itself because it is what people would be used to, what they believed in, what existed unchallenged in their own personalities. If only Kaczynski had read this along with his Ellul! He might have seen that his bombing spree, and a thousand acts like it, had already been anticipated. As the Australian socialists argue, such eruptions of violence are not only futile in themselves, but they stigmatize whatever cause theyre committed to by associating it with bloodshed and terror, and they provide a pretext for greater repression of that causes adherents by the state. When by their own actions terrorists serve such ends, they conclude, they are contributing to the destruction of politics and the closing of various options for the spreading of ideas before they have been fully utilised. This, then, is the tragedy of the Unabomber. By conventional measures, Ted Kaczynski was a brilliant man, even a geniusbut he fundamentally misunderstood the nature of power, and the possibilities for effecting real societal change. If hed been serious about opposing the ills he saw in the modern world, the thing to do was to remain in societyto actually try to convince people, rather than blowing them up, and to build bonds of solidarity with his fellow human beings. Theres no telling how many allies he might have gained, and what they might have accomplished together. But instead, he took a selfish and small-minded path. He killed not only three innocent people, but an entire alternate selfTed Kaczynski as he should have been, Ted Kaczynski the world-renowned activist and advocate. We are left with only Ted Kaczynski the murderer, and he leaves only pointless misery in his wake. Around 50 heads of state, along with representatives from international institutions and civil society, will attend a summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday and Friday in Paris. Their objective is to develop a new global financial system so the most vulnerable countries will be better equipped to combat both poverty and climate change. The worlds wealthiest nations are demonstrating a "surge of solidarity" with those most vulnerable to climate change, said Cecile Duflot, president of the NGO Oxfam. Some 50 heads of state and government, representatives from international financial institutions, members of the private sector, climate experts and members of civil society will be attending the summit in Paris hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on June 22 and 23. The objective of this ambitious conference is to "build a new contract between [the global] North and South", according to the Elysee Palace. Macron announced his intention to host this summit at the end of COP27 back in November, 2022. Environmentalists were not satisfied with how the climate negotiations had concluded. But in the final hours, a historic agreement was reached providing for the establishment of a fund to compensate for the effects of climate change suffered by developing countries. The initial aim of this weeks Summit for a New Global Financing Pact was to establish concrete measures to finance this fund. "From now on, the battle against poverty, the decarbonisation of our economy and the fight for biodiversity will be very closely linked," Macron said at the time. In the months since, the stakes have only heightened for countries in the Global South due to the combined fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the climate crisis and galloping inflation. In the Palais Brongniart at Place de la Bourse, once the seat of the Paris stock exchange in the 2nd arrondissement (district), the hundreds of attendees will attempt to lay the foundations for an overhaul of the entire global financial system by adapting the post-war Bretton Woods institutions the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to today's challenges. On Wednesday, 13 political leaders including Macron, US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wrote that they are "urgently working to fight poverty and inequalities" in a contribution to French daily newspaper Le Monde. A rare Israeli drone strike killed three Palestinian resistance fighters north of the city of Jenin. On 21 June, Israel carried out the first targeted assassination in the occupied West Bank since the Second Intifada ended 18 years ago, killing three Palestinian resistance fighters north of Jenin via drone strike. BREAKING: At least 3 Palestinian resistance fighters killed in Jenin after their vehicle was targeted by an Israeli drone the first drone assassination in the occupied West Bank since 2005. pic.twitter.com/l0LMvIK2JC The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) June 21, 2023 The attack targets were Al-Quds Brigades Commander of the Jenin Battalion Suhaib Adnan al-Ghoul, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades leader Muhammad Bashar Owais, and Ashraf Murad al-Saadi of the Jenin Battalion. Al-Quds Brigades is the military wing of the Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), while the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades is loosely affiliated with the West Bank-ruling Fatah political party. The Israeli army and the Shin Bet intelligence agency said in a statement that the three resistance fighters were responsible for a shooting operation at the Jalameh Checkpoint, north of Jenin, earlier in the night. We identified a vehicle shooting at the checkpoint and removed the threat, army spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters on Wednesday night, stressing that the assassination was not a targeted killing. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant personally authorized the strike, as it represents a marked escalation in the violence gripping the occupied West Bank. We will use all the means at our disposal, and we will exact the heaviest price from every terrorist or terrorist emissary, Gallant told reporters. This is the second aerial strike in the occupied West Bank in less than a week. Following the attack, the spokesman for the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, Hazem Qassem, warned that it would not go unpunished. The Zionist enemys use of aircraft to assassinate our people is a dangerous escalation that confirms their efforts to ignite the situation after failing to resolve the battle through direct confrontation on the battlefield, Qassen said. The assassination in Jenin will receive a response and will not go unpunished from our people and the resistance, he added. Tel Aviv launched the rare drone strike mere hours after gangs of masked settlers descended on the Ramallah village of Turmus Aya under the protection of the Israeli army, torching homes, stores, and vehicles and assaulting Palestinians along the way. At least one Palestinian was killed during the Israeli pogrom. While the military condemned the violence, no arrests were made. Wednesdays rampage came less than a day after settlers stormed several areas of Nablus and set fire to around 140 vehicles, as well as huge swathes of Palestinian farmland. According to Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO), Weiss sought to be appointed as a special counsel in the case last year but was denied as well. What's more, the IRS sought felony charges against Hunter, send their recommendations to the Biden DOJ, and they 'came out as two misdemeanors,' Byron York tweets. Newly-released transcripts show the IRS wanted felony charges against Hunter Biden. But their recommendations went to the Justice Department and came out as two misdemeanors. From Whistleblowers #1 and #2:https://t.co/pvMX3fqEDH pic.twitter.com/ZNNQ9z25Rv Byron York (@ByronYork) June 22, 2023 According to the whistleblowers, one of whom is Gary Shipley - who came forward weeks ago to reveal his identity, the IRS was notified of potential evidence "in the guest house of former Vice President Biden," but were rebuffed by US Attorney Lesley Wolf, who said there was "no way," as search warrant "would ever get approved." House Ways & Means Chair Jason Smith details multiple felony charges whistleblowers say the IRS recommended against Hunter Biden, covering "$2.2 million in unreported tax on global income...from Ukraine, Romania, and China." Instead, Biden's DOJ gave Hunter a sweetheart deal. pic.twitter.com/8SdMkWgaaT RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 22, 2023 "Whistleblowers describe how the Biden Justice Department intervened and overstepped in a campaign to protect the son of Joe Biden by delaying, divulging, and denying an ongoing investigation into Hunter Bidens alleged tax crimes," said Smith in a statement. "The testimony shows tactics used by the Justice Department to delay the investigation long enough to reach the statute of limitations, evidence they divulged sensitive actions by the investigative team to Bidens attorneys, and denied requests by the U.S. Attorney to bring charges against Biden." As IRS criminal investigators prepared an affidavit for a search warrant on a storage unit Hunter Biden used to hide his business records, AUSA Lesley Wolf objected. When U.S. attorney David Weiss overruled her, she alerted Biden's legal team, giving them time to vacate the unit. pic.twitter.com/fEHHFQJP5K Sean Davis (@seanmdav) June 22, 2023 During seven hours of testimony before the Ways and Means Committee, Shipley and the other whistleblower's testimony implicates both AG Merrick Garland and IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel for lying to Congress about political interference in the Biden probe. BREAKING: On September 4, 2020, DOJ ordered a "cease and desist" on any overt investigation of Hunter Biden or Biden family influence peddling, according to IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley. pic.twitter.com/CQxPSm4FSx Sean Davis (@seanmdav) June 22, 2023 "Whistleblower Ones story was corroborated by Whistleblower Two," said Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK). "One individual came forward and laid out the full case of whats going on. The second individual, through his attorney, asked Ways and Means to contact him and ask for testimony. So we didnt seek these, they sought us," added Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC). As Techno Fog notes via The Reactionary; With the rejection from the DC US Attorney, the team sought the approval to bring tax charges for years 2016-2019 in the Central District of California. Shapley concluded that the Central District of California declined to allow charges to be brought there. The rejection to bring charges in DC and California stands in stark contrast to the testimony of Attorney General Garland, who in March of 2023 stated that US Attorney Weiss had the full authority to bring cases in other jurisdictions. Garland also said that he personally would ensure that Weiss could carry out his investigation and that he [would] be able to run it. Both those statements now appear to be false. (Your humble author thinks the Republicans knew Garland was making misrepresentations at the time.) ... Preferential treatment of Hunter Biden might be an understatement. In reality, it was sabotage, the affirmative effort to decline investigative steps and deny prosecutors the ability to bring charges. The DOJs conduct included: included slow-walking investigative steps, not allowing enforcement actions to be executed, limiting investigators' line of questioning for witnesses, misleading investigators on charging authority, delaying any and all actions months before elections. Prosecutors even wanted to remove Hunter Bidens name from electronic search warrants and document requests, even though this could cause investigators to not get certain evidence. Joe Biden was in the room In another piece of evidence presented on Thursday, Hunter Biden can be seen in a message to Chinese business associate, Henry Zhao, demanding that they send money as promised. "I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled," wrote Hunter via WhatsApp on July 30, 2017. "Tell the director that I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand, and now means tonight." Hunter then warned that "if I get a call or text from anyone involved in this other than you, Zhang or the chairman, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction. I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father." The whistleblower also revealed that the IRS recommended felony charges for Hunter Biden because he failed to pay more than $2.2 million in taxes on $8.3 million of income from foreign entities in Ukraine, China, and Romania.https://t.co/kg9ZVVxU3y Greg Price (@greg_price11) June 22, 2023 ...The problem is that the Bidens succeeded in investing the media in the denial of this scandal. https://t.co/sCAcQT9bBd Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) June 22, 2023 FLASHBACK: I have never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings -- Joe Biden in 2019 pic.twitter.com/mTsD5XItMI Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) June 22, 2023 'There is no way a search warrant for evidence would ever get approved.' Democrat privilege. pic.twitter.com/toXqwvkBaf Hans Mahncke (@HansMahncke) June 22, 2023 And back to the embargo on the Hunter Biden laptop story... The FBI had the laptop in October of 2019. It was verified in November 2019. In October of 2020 Twitter blocked any sharing of the NY Post story. Biden called it a smear orchestrated by Russia. Biden's name appears here. pic.twitter.com/wj2dfo6i78 Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) June 22, 2023 Stay tuned, folks... Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. WASHINGTON (PTI): Two top US senators have introduced legislation to simplify defence exports to India by streamlining consideration of defensive military sales to the country under the US Arms Export Control Act (AECA). The legislation was introduced by senators Mark Warner and John Cornyn (R-TX), co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus on Wednesday prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US. The legislation that would streamline consideration of defensive military sales to India under the US Arms Export Control Act (AECA), supporting ongoing security cooperation between the two nations. The AECA outlines requirements for Congress to be notified prior to the finalisation of foreign military sales. Under standard consideration, a presidential administration is required to notify Congress 30 calendar days before any deal for defence articles, services, or training above a certain financial threshold becomes final. However, for certain countries outlined under the AECA like Australia, Japan, Israel, New Zealand and South Korea the law provides an expedited 15-day consideration period for Congress and raises the financial threshold for deals that trigger that review. The legislation would list India as one of the countries that receives expedited consideration, reflecting the importance of this security relationship, and ultimately supporting more resilient defence supply chains. This legislation does not intend to address membership in any formal alliances and instead addresses domestic US arms export regulation. The relationship between the United States and India is a crucial one, said Warner. Streamlining our nations ability to consider defence sales to India will strengthen our defence partnership as well as our supply chains both of which are crucial as we grapple with threats to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Cornyn said. By increasing investment by US companies and expediting the process of purchasing military equipment, we can remove barriers to US-India cooperation and increase our own national security at the same time," he said. Separately, Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Warner and Cornyn introduced a resolution in the Senate celebrating US-India relations ahead of this weeks official state visit with India. The resolution reaffirms the strong and long-standing partnership between the US and India rooted in people-to-people ties, strategic interests, including upholding peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. It encourages the United States and India to continue and expand cooperation for a free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific, including through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD). It welcomes India's participation in economic initiatives, including through bilateral and multilateral forums, its participation in the Quad, and other venues of cooperation; The resolution supports the US and India in identifying more opportunities to deepen engagement and further defence, commercial, and investment ties and affirms the importance of technology cooperation between the US and India, including through the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology. It views the bilateral relationship as holding the potential to bring significant benefits to the citizens of both nations and to make considerable contributions to addressing the global challenges of 21st century. I would like to join the vibrant and important Indian-American community in the United States and in my home state of New Jersey in celebrating US-India relations ahead of this weeks official state visit, said Chairman Menendez. From our people-to-people and educational exchanges to our collaboration in critical international forums such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (the Quad) and the G20, the growing US-India relationship promises a prosperous future for our two nations and the world," he said. He said Modi's visit symbolises the value that the US places on this relationship and their mutual commitment to continue to bring the two societies closer together for the sake of promoting global prosperity in the decades to come. It is my honour as Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus to join the Indian diaspora in Virginia and across the country in welcoming this official state visit by Prime Minister Modi, said Senator Warner. This visit will continue the important work of building a strong partnership between our two countries, which has now grown into one of the most consequential relationships for the United States. From strengthening defence relations to increased collaboration in the tech realm, our shared commitment to this relationship is crucial to freedom and prosperity around the globe. Kalvari-class submarine of Indian Navy. BENGALURU (PTI): Larsen & Toubro and DRDO on Thursday signed a contract to develop two Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system modules for Kalvari-class submarines of the Indian Navy. The contract documents were exchanged between Arun T Ramchandani, Executive Vice President and Head-L&T Defence and PT Rojatkar, Director Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) in the presence of J D Patil, Member of Executive Committee of Management and Advisor (Defence & Smart Technologies) to CEO & MD Larsen & Toubro Limited as well as senior officials from NMRL and L&T, the conglomerate said in a statement. It added that these modules constitute the core of the fuel cell-based AIP System, indigenously developed by NMRL of DRDO with L&T as prime industry partner, an association spanning more than a decade. The Energy Modules (EMs) comprising fuel cells produce the required power, along with on-board Hydrogen generation. The technology of the indigenous AIP system is a unique one that generates hydrogen on demand, thereby obviating the need for carrying hydrogen onboard which is a major safety concern for a submarine, the statement said. On realisation and integration of these modules in the submarines, India will join an elite club of a handful of nations who have indigenously developed fuel cell based submarine AIP technology which is critical for increasing the endurance of conventional submarines, L&T said. The company also said that principally this technology is a green one since the byproduct of the reaction is non-polluted water, which can be released into the oceans. Sailors remove an AIM-9X SIDEWINDER air-to-air missile from an F/A-18F Super Hornet on the flight deck of the of the US Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Photo: US Navy. TUCSON, ARIZONA (BNS): Raytheon Technologies (now RTX) was awarded a USD264 million modification to a production Lot 23 contract originally awarded in December 2022. According to a press release by RTX, under the modification, Raytheon, an RTX business, will produce and deliver 571 AIM-9X SIDEWINDER missiles and associated parts for the US Navy, US Air Force, and foreign military sales customers. Included in the modification, Raytheon will also provide captive air training systems, containers, spare assets, and related kits and support equipment. The majority of work will be performed within the continental US and is expected to be completed in August 2026, the release added. The AIM-9X SIDEWINDER missile is a triple-threat missile that can be used for air-to-air engagements, surface-attack, and surface-launch missions without modifications. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. mBank in Poland expects to additionally provision PLN 1,513 million (appr. 342 million) for its CHF loan portfolio in Q2. Commerzbanks second quarter opeRating result will be burdened by a corresponding amount which will be booked as negative revenues in Other net income. The additional provision results from an adjustment of the provisioning models mainly as consequence of a ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) regarding foreign currency loans of an mBank competitor. Despite this burden, Commerzbank still aims for a net result in 2023 well above that of 2022. The outlook depends on the further development of mBanks Swiss franc mortgages and is based on the assumption of a mild recession in Germany. Disclaimer This release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. In this release, these statements concern inter alia the expected future business of Commerzbank, efficiency gains and expected synergies, expected growth prospects and other opportunities for an increase in value of Commerzbank as well as expected future financial results, restructuring costs and other financial developments and information. These forward-looking statements are based on the managements current plans, expectations, estimates and projections. They are subject to a number of assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from any future results and developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include the conditions in the financial markets in Germany, in Europe, in the USA and other regions from which Commerzbank derives a substantial portion of its revenues and in which Commerzbank holds a substantial portion of its assets, the development of asset prices and market volatility, especially due to the ongoing European debt crisis, potential defaults of borrowers or trading counterparties, the implementation of its strategic initiatives to improve its business model, the reliability of its risk management policies, procedures and methods, risks arising as a result of regulatory change and other risks. Forward-looking statements therefore speak only as of the date they are made. Commerzbank has no obligation to update or release any revisions to the forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. Contact:Christoph WortigHead of Investor RelationsCommerzbank AGInvestor RelationsTel.: +49 69 136 - 81672e-mail:ir@commerzbank.com Two separate but related High Court proceedings over the supply of an allegedly contaminated horse feed ingredient have been settled. In the first case, Glanbia Foods Ireland Ltd claimed it had lost some 9 million as a result of having been supplied with the feed ingredient molasses which contained the performance enhancing banned substance, Zilpaterol. Advertisement Kilkenny-based Glanbia, trading as Glanbia Agribusiness, sued ED&F Man Liquid Products Ireland Ltd which supplied the molasses used by Glanbia in its "Gain Equine Feed ''. In October 2020, the French horse racing authority, France Galop, announced five horses, and later another 13, had tested positive for Zipatreol. Glanbia claimed the source of the contamination was identified as molasses. The defendant argued the matter should go to arbitration, rather than through the court process, in accordance with contractual dispute resolution provisions. Advertisement 'Gain' feed Advertisement In the second case, horse trainer Aidan O'Brien, his son Donnacha, and a number of companies, sued Glanbia for 30 million over the supply to them of the alleged contaminated "Gain" feed. Glanbia denied responsibility for the alleged losses and sought an indemnity from ED & F Man. The proceedings were brought by the O'Briens, Linley Investments t/a Coolmore Castlehyde and Associated Stud Farms and Golden Dale Unlimited trading as Ballydoyle Racing. They were also brought by Orpendale Unlimited Co, Chelston (Ireland) Unlimited Co, Wynatt Unlimited Co, Bengurragh Ltd, Roncon Unlimited Co and Whisperview Trading No 2 Unlimited Co which are corporate entities with shared ownership in a number of racehorses. Advertisement It was claimed that as a result of feeding Gain to the plaintiffs' horses, a number of racehorses were withdrawn from the Longchamp Paris racing festival in October 2020 following the taking of urine samples from the animals prior to the races. It was claimed the plaintiffs suffered the loss of the opportunity to race and win prize money there. One of the major consequences of the withdrawal was the loss of the breeding value arising from of the horse "Wembley", a son of major prize winner "Galileo". This was because Wembley was deprived of attaining Group One winner status in the later Dewhurst Stakes race in Newmarket, it was claimed. Advertisement This meant a loss of approximately 30 million in the breeding value of the animal had he been sold straight after a victory at Dewhurst, it was claimed. Cases settled On Friday, Mr Justice Denis McDonald was told both sets of proceedings had been settled on agreed terms. An adjournment was sought for a month when a further application will be made to strike out the cases. The judge said he was thrilled to hear the cases were resolved because they would have been lengthy and difficult. He was also glad to hear there had been mediation which helped greatly in the resolution. He congratulated the parties and said he would leave the cases in the list until next month and he noted it had been settled on confidential terms. Tom Cruise says Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning is the franchises biggest moment. The Hollywood star said the two-part film was made with a culmination of all my skills and that even those unfamiliar with the series would have an epic adventure. Advertisement Cruise stars alongside Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell, and Ving Rhames in the seventh instalment of the franchise, which is part one of two. Advertisement Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One sees him reprise his role of Ethan Hunt yet again, as the Impossible Mission Force (IMF) set out to track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity. The film includes the usual slew of death-defying stunts, including one in which Cruise jumps off a cliff on a motorcycle. Speaking at the films London premiere on Thursday, he said that even as a child he had always wanted to make movies, and had devoted himself to taking on new challenges and learning new skills. Advertisement Since I was a little kid, thats what I did, he told the PA news agency. Advertisement (left to right) Esai Morales, Cary Elwes, Pom Klementieff, Vanessa Kirby, Hayley Atwell, Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, Simon Pegg and Rebecca Ferguson (Ian West/PA) When I was three or four years old I was jumping off my roof and climbing trees I wanted to make movies, I wanted adventure, I wanted to travel the world. So thats what I do, I train I really enjoy taking on different skills, to work to become competent in everything that I do. Advertisement He continued: It was actually years of training because I fly jets, I fly helicopters, I fly aeroplanes. Im a skydiver, Im a parachuter, race cars, motorcycles. (This film) was a culmination of all my skills. Theres a lot going on theres a lot happening (but) the most important part is getting the shot and getting the story across. Tom Cruise arrives at the UK premiere of Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One (Ian West/PA) Advertisement Cruise said that all Mission: Impossible films thus far had led to this. Each one is different we give you Mission: Impossible, but the scale and emotion of this film it truly is an epic adventure, he said. The whole franchise has led to this and I think its our biggest moment. If you havent seen a Mission: Impossible (film) then it doesnt matter, youre still going to get a great adventure. Advertisement Simon Pegg reprises his role of Benji Dunn in the film (Ian West/PA) Hot Fuzz star Pegg, who reprises his role of tech-savvy Benji Dunn, said the film had written the rulebook on how to produce films during the pandemic. In 2020 there was a lot going on that was a huge challenge just trying to figure out how to make a film in those circumstances, he told PA. We kind of wrote the rulebook on how to do it and it was an extraordinary experience just sort of getting through it made the shoot a little longer, but I think its made the film better. Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One is due for Irish release on July 14th. Despite Ulster Bank losing its High Court appeal against tracker mortgage cases, the impact of this ruling should be manageable for the bank, according to Davy. Earlier this week, Ulster Bank lost a High Court appeal against findings that two borrowers were entitled to tracker mortgage refunds. This could lead to the lender paying compensation to thousands of other customers. Advertisement In July 2019, the Central Bank of Ireland published its final TME, resulting in 680 million of redress and compensation to impacted borrowers, at a total cost to the system of in excess of 1 billion. The Central Bank of Ireland has stated that where the FSPO makes a ruling, this needs to be applied to all customers covered by the same circumstances. In 2022, the FSPO ruled on 134 cases related to tracker mortgages and upheld or substantially upheld three of those. Advertisement As Ulster Bank claim this latest ruling could potentially impact thousands of borrowers, Davy has called for legal uncertainties to be delt with when they are sold to the AIB group. "The impact of the latest ruling, relating to Ulster Bank, remains unclear in terms of direct financial impact for Ulster Bank and read across for the rest of the system. Nonetheless, any impact should be manageable. "Average redress and compensation across all cases covered in TME is c.17,000. In addition, the portfolio is shortly due to be sold to AIB Group it would be customary to either include representations and warranties in the sale contract or for the price to reflect legal uncertainties. " A successful businessman who was jailed for a serious attack that left his victim out of work for six months has launched a bid to overturn his conviction, arguing that the jury had no evidence about the functionality of a machine used to extract DNA from blood found at that scene. Security provider Gezim Idrizi (38) of Luttrellstown Heights, Castleknock, Dublin, was found guilty last February by a jury of one count of assault causing harm but was acquitted on one count of false imprisonment of a man at GZ Security, Rosemount Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin 11, on February 1st 2016. Advertisement When passing sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in February Judge Patricia Ryan said it was "a very serious assault with three people involved". Aggravating factors Judge Ryan said the aggravating factors were the injuries sustained by the injured party, the effect the assault had on the injured party and that the assault was a "prolonged" one in which the man was bound. Advertisement Judge Ryan sentenced him to three years and nine months and suspended the final six months for two years. Idrizi had pleaded not guilty to both charges. Advertisement At the trial, Garda Stuart Gleeson told Eoghan Cole, BL, prosecuting, that the injured party had gone to the business premises on the day in question hoping to sell a payment system to Idrizi. Both men were known to each other and had done business in the past. Idrizi met the man, but he did not wish to go ahead with the business offer. The injured man left and went to his next appointment. Gda Gleeson said the man received a call later that day from Idrizi and asked him to return to the business premises under the promise of doing business. The injured man returned, arriving at the premises at 2pm and went into a ground-floor office with Idrizi. The court heard that another man came into the office, and Idrizi accused the man of defrauding him in the past. The man was then punched in the face by the accused. Advertisement The man said he was in shock and continued to be hit with a closed fist many more times. His hands were held behind his back by the second man. Advertisement Gda Gleeson said that the injured man was bound with tape, placed on a chair and had a towel put over his head. The injured man was in and out of consciousness and believed that a third man also came into the office during this time. When the towel was removed, Idirzi asked him if he was okay to drive and told him not to contact the gardai, or he would be killed. The injured man left and drove home and contacted gardai, who came to his home. The gardai took a statement and called an ambulance, and the injured man was brought to hospital for fracture and laceration wounds. Advertisement The court heard that a search warrant was issued, and gardai searched the GZ Security premises, where blood stains were found on the floor of the office. The accused was also present in the office and was arrested and brought for interview. Idirzi denied all wrongdoing and assaulting the man. DNA Machine The defence submitted in their appeal that there had been no evidence before the trial court relating to a machine that extracted the DNA from the blood regarding its functionality, nor had procedural checks or balances relating to the use of the machine been put before the court. Advertisement At the Court of Appeal, defence counsel Michael Bowman SC further submitted that Ms Sarah Fleming of Forensic Science Ireland interpreted the results that came from the machine but was not in a position to give evidence as to what the machine did with the samples provided to it. Advertisement Eoghan Cole BL, for the State, said that on the basis of the samples being lawfully obtained and transmitted to the laboratory, any issue in respect of what happened within the laboratory was a matter of weight as opposed to admissibility. Counsel further submitted that it had never been put to Ms Fleming at trial that the machine was not in working order. Mr Bowman said it was a matter for the prosecution to prove each element of its case, which included calling evidence in respect of the functionality and operation of the machine. Counsel said the trial judge erred in allowing the DNA evidence into the trial, leaving it as a matter of weight for the jury, as opposed to ruling it inadmissible. Mr Bowman said the trial judge also neglected to charge the jury at all in respect of the weight to be attached to the evidence of Ms Fleming in her expert opinion evidence. Advertisement Mr Bowman said there had been "no evidence given of what the machine or robot" does and what level of interaction with human operatives is required - the process is not understood". Mr Bowman said that DNA "looms large in the case" and the trial judge failed to warn the jury that "DNA is not infallible" and failed to explain the role of an expert giving opinion evidence on DNA "central to the case". Mr Bowman said it had been an "oversight" by all parties not to put a requisition to the judge to warn the jury of the DNA evidence. Mr Cole said a "minuscule amount" of blood had been taken from the scene and that both men had admitted to being present at the scene. Mr Cole said that at the trial "it was never suggested that the analysis was wrong or that Ms Fleming was wrong in her conclusions". Counsel said the trial judge had given a short charge to the jury which was "perfectly fair and well-balanced". Mr Cole said the trial judge had "specifically told the jury they were free to accept or reject all evidence in the case". Counsel said there was no mandatory need to give a warning on DNA processes in the case unless it was raised as an issue at the trial, which had not been the case. "If you don't raise it then it's not an issue," said Mr Cole. Mr Cole said the machines that extracted the DNA had been "approved, accredited and there were checks, balances and measures in place". Mr Justice John Edwards said the court would reserve its judgement in the matter. A then-teenager who attended the Stardust on the night of the fire which claimed the lives of 48 young people has told how the doors of the clubs main entrance were closed to stop those who had got out from re-entering as crowds desperately tried to escape, and she could hear people inside screaming and banging. Linda Bishop, who was 18 at the time, also told how as panic took hold and the crowds rushed towards the door, she was pushed up against the wall and believed she would not escape the blaze. Advertisement In her evidence to the jury at the Coroners Court, Ms Bishop said: "I didnt think we were going to be able to get outI think Id given up at that stage, I thought: 'Were not going anywhere.' Advertisement She said she and a friend eventually made it out into a hallway near the main entrance where there was no fire, and they could breathe. However, she said soon after: The lights went out, people were falling. The smoke and the fumes filled the hallway then, so it was very hard to breath. She said the hallway was just full of people and after she made it outside, her friend said look, theyre closing the doors". Ms Bishop said this wasnt very long at all after they had escaped. Advertisement In her original statement made in 1981, the then teenager said she realised they were trying to keep the people outside out as they were trying to get back in. In her direct evidence on Friday, she said those outside were looking for brothers and sisters and friends outside and described the scene as mayhem. Doors closed Asked by Brenda Campbell KC, representing a number of families of the deceased, if the doors were closed at a time when people were still inside, Ms Bishop said: Oh absolutely, we could hear people screaming, we could hear people in the toilets banging. In her evidence to the inquest, Ms Bishop said that she initially thought the fire could be easily contained as it looked to her that there was just one seat on fire. Advertisement Advertisement She said she was a regular patron of the Stardust and would always have sat in the area that was closed off on the night, the West Alcove, every week. Asked by Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane how often she had seen the alcove closed off, Ms Bishop said the night of Friday, February 13th, 1981, was the first time. Ms Bishop told Ms Campbell that it had been noticeably cold in the building on the night of February 13 and she and her friends had asked the bouncers to turn the heating on. She said the night proceeded as normal until she felt a blast of heat shortly after 1.30am. I suddenly got a shudder, thats the only way I can describe it, she said. Advertisement The witness said to this day, a blast of heat from a shop heater is a trigger of the memory. If I go in anywhere and a blow heater hits me, Im back, she said. She said she then went back over to the dancefloor with her friend and a couple of minutes later she saw the fire, which she at first believed was capable of being contained. Ms Bishop said she was dancing with her back to where they had been sitting when her friend pointed and said: Look theres a fire. Panic Advertisement She said initially, people werent panicking but then suddenly the crowd started to panic and run in all directions. Advertisement She said as they tried to get to the door, there were too many people and they were pushed back against the wall. The whole area was blazing, Ms Bishop said, and the flames were starting to roll across the ceiling. Everything just happened so quick the ceiling over our head was in flames and I could hear it crackling the fire was so noisy. We didnt know there was an exit in the kitchen I didnt think we were going to be able get out. Ms Bishop said her friend grabbed her by the wrist and dragged me out. The jury also heard that after giving evidence at the Tribunal of Inquiry in 1981 before Mr Justice Ronan Keane, Phelim Kinahan, the floor manager of the Stardust at the time, allegedly said to Ms Bishop in April 1981 you hung us. Asked by Ms Campbell if she knew why he had spoken to her in particular, Ms Bishop said she believed it related to the evidence she had given that she and her friends, who were aged between 16 and 18, had no trouble getting into the Stardust and had no trouble getting served a drink. Advertisement Ms Bishop agreed that in reply she said: You hung yourselves and the next day she gave another statement to gardai. The inquest also heard that in a statement given in 1981, a part time doorman said that on his last Sunday night on duty at the Stardust, two exits in the club remained chained and locked all night. Before it was read to the jury, Harry Fitzsimons told the inquest he did not remember making a statement in 1981. However, after the account was read into the record at the inquest taking place in the Pillar Room of the Rotunda Hospital, he confirmed to Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane that he did not take issue with any of the details contained in it. In his deposition, Mr Fitzsimons said on the nights when discos took place in the club the doors would remain locked until 11.30pm or 12am. Damaged exits He confirmed to Michael OHiggins SC, representing some of the families of the deceased, that exit six had been damaged recently and had to be nailed up until it was fixed. Asked by Mr OHiggins if this had caused him any discomfort, the witness said it didnt at the time. When Mr OHiggins queried if he had ever seen people trying to get into the club, the former doorman said he had witnessed it on about a half a dozen occasions. Advertisement Counsel asked the witness if it was disproportionate to lock hundreds of people into a building like a fortress in order to keep half a dozen fellas out. Would it be right to lock everybody in and leave six out? No it wouldnt be right, Mr Fitzsimons replied. Did any of the staff ever say whats going to happen here if something goes wrong? Mr OHiggins asked. No, I never heard it being said, said the witness. I know hindsight is a very valuable thingbut there didnt seem to be a safety culture at the time? counsel queried. There wasnt. I wasnt there on the night but what happened on the night should never have happened, the former doorman added. In his statement, Mr Fitzsimons said he always covered the disco on Friday and Sunday night and there would normally be seven doormen on duty in the club on these nights. He said emergency doors number four, five, six and one would be locked when they came on duty. If there was a cabaret type show on the locks on the exit doors would be opened as soon as they took up duty, he said, usually before the patrons arrived. However, on the nights when discos were held on Friday and Sunday, the doors would remain locked until 11.30pm or 12am. The witness said the decision as to when these doors should be unlocked would usually be taken by the head doormen and they would usually do it themselves. Mr Fitzsimons said the last Sunday night that he worked the disco at the Stardust he was in the partitioned off area overseeing two exits, exit number 1 and exit number 6. He said it was his job to ensure that no one opened them. He said because that area was not being used that night these exits remained chained and locked all night. In his statement, Mr Fitzsimons also said that when all the patrons were in the front main door, exit number 2 was closed and locked. He said the key was left in the lock and there was always at least one doorman there and usually two, adding there is no way they would take the key out of the door and leave it. He said the roof at the rear of the area beside exit 6 had been broken a few weeks previously, and he did not know if this had been repaired. A motorist in his 80s who struck and fatally injured a pedestrian out walking on a country road near Athy, Co Kildare three years ago has been given a suspended 18-month jail sentence. Robin Dickenson (80), of Ballyroe, Athy, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving causing the death of Christiane Phelan (58) on May 20th, 2020, before a sitting of Naas Circuit Criminal Court on Friday. Advertisement The court heard that a Fiat Panda car driven by the accused had hit Ms Phelan on a road between Athy and Castledermot at Nicholastown, Co Kildare shortly after 4pm. The married mother of one from Bray, Athy, Co Kildare died subsequently from her injuries at Beaumont Hospital three days later. Garda Dave McGrath told the court that there was no evidence of any emergency braking or that Dickenson had reacted to the pedestrian. Driving into sun Advertisement Garda McGrath said Dickenson would have been driving directly into the sun but the vehicles sun visor on the drivers side was not in use. Advertisement He said the vehicle driven by the defendant was found to be in good mechanical order upon examination. Garda McGrath said that although Ms Phelan was walking on the same side of the road and in the same direction as the car driven by the accused contrary to general advice, he stressed she was technically correct for her own safety as she was approaching a tight right-hand bend. He said Dickenson no longer drove a car since the fatal accident and was using an electric bike for transport. Cross-examined by counsel for Dickenson, Roderick OHanlon SC, Garda McGrath agreed the incident had had a significant impact on the accused. Advertisement The court heard another motorist who was travelling behind the defendant, William Bennett, saw what he thought was a black bag of rubbish being thrown in the air before realising it was a person after seeing a pair of legs. Going to doctor Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Daniel Boland BL, said Dickenson stopped his vehicle and when informed by Mr Bennett that he had hit someone, had replied: I know. I know. Im on my way to a doctors appointment. Advertisement Mr Boland said Dickenson had not seen the pedestrian, who was wearing dark clothes, and he had appeared in shock. In a victim impact statement, the deceaseds husband, Kieran Phelan, said that with the call that informed him about the incident life as Id known it for 30-plus years was over. Advertisement The part of me that wasnt me was gone, he remarked. Mr Phelan said he was left in a void of being alone after a lifetime of togetherness. In an emotional speech, Mr Phelan said his two grandchildren would only ever know their granny as a face in a picture. I am coming home to an empty house. Nothing can change that, he added. Advertisement He also pointed out that there was no room for a rat to walk on the other side of that road. Terrible nightmare In a separate statement, the couples daughter, Ruth Kelsa, said nothing could prepare her for being told that nothing could be done to save her mother. Ive never fully recovered from that and am reeling ever since, said Ms Kelsa. She expressed hope that she could wake up and that it all would be a terrible nightmare but it is our new reality. Advertisement The court heard that the last time Ms Kelsa saw her mother was the day after her wedding when they hugged each other goodbye. She said she bore no anger or recrimination towards the accused but just felt sadness and pain that will never go away. Mr OHanlon told the court that his client, a retired widower with no immediate relatives, estimated he was driving at about 50km/h at the point of collision on a road with an 80km/h speed limit. The barrister said Dickenson offered his condolences to Ms Phelans family and deeply regretted the accident. Offering condolences to the victims relatives, Judge Mary OMalley Costello, said no blame was attached to Ms Phelan in relation to the incident as she had moved to the other side of the road away from oncoming traffic to be safer and to allow herself to be seen by traffic. Judge OMalley Costello sentenced Dickenson to 18 months in prison but suspended it in full for a period of three years on condition that he does not drive during the term of suspension. The judge acknowledged that her ruling might be difficult for the victims family to understand in the circumstances. She also disqualified Dickenson from driving for a period of four years. The second day of the Governments major security forum was interrupted by protests during the opening sessions. The Consultative Forum on International Security Policy was being held at the University of Galway on Friday, after beginning at University College Cork on Thursday. Advertisement Fridays opening discussion between chair Professor Dame Louise Richardson and Tanaiste Micheal Martin was delayed as 89-year-old activist Margaretta DArcy insisted on making a statement demanding for Irelands security and foreign policy to be discussed through the alternative forum of a citizens assembly instead. Ms DArcy said: Lets have it first, not the stitch-up, which is whats going to happen at the forum. Margaretta DArcy made a statement before the opening discussion. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Advertisement The subsequent session on Irelands previous participation in the UN Security Council was disrupted by a lengthy contribution from activist Lelia Doolan, also 89, who walked onto stage to address the audience from the lectern against the request of panel chair and Department of Foreign Affairs deputy secretary general Sonja Hyland. Advertisement Ms Doolan said: Being impartial peacekeepers, offering that gift to others as an actively neutral small nation is definitely one of the things we could and should be doing. There were further shouts of criticism and protest from other members of the audience throughout the session. Advertisement Ms Hyland encouraged those participants to wait for the open question session for the chance to air their views. Unlike the interruptions during Thursdays proceedings in Cork, these protesters were not removed from the sessions by gardai. Advertisement Speaking to reporters at a break in proceedings, Mr Martin said there has been a mischaracterisation of the event He said the forum is holding well-balanced conversations. Tanaiste Micheal Martin speaking to the media at University of Galway. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Advertisement Mr Martin, who is also Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs, said there would have been less citizen participation in a citizens assembly compared to the Governments ongoing security forum. However, Mr Martin said the consultative forum is a much better model. He said: The entire public can listen in, if they wish, online or they can attend. We have facilitated protesters. Theyve registered, as youve seen in the audience, and they can ask questions. He said there were some who simply want to disrupt and shut down the forum. Advertisement Niall Farrell, of the Galway Alliance Against War, attends the forum. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Asked if he was overstating the concern of Russian vetoes over peacekeeping missions on the UN Security Council in order to end the requirement of that bodys authorisation in Irelands triple-lock system for overseas deployments, he said no. Thats a domestic requirement we put in ourselves. So, were not overestimating anything. He said the issue for Ireland is that it wants to engage in peacekeeping. We want to make sure that nothing would really hinder our capacity to get involved in genuine peacekeeping missions. Mr Martin also characterised TDs Richard Boyd Barrett, Paul Murphy and Mick Barry as very arrogant over their criticism of the forum. He said they looked at the forum purely through the prism of Nato and did not acknowledge Irelands contributions abroad, for example Palestine and the UN Security Council. Theyre essentially saying you cannot discuss this because youre not discussing it on our terms. Its a very arrogant position. A little girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted by her mother's partner when she was a toddler has told his trial that she stopped living with him and her mother because they were being mean. The now seven-year-old girl gave evidence via video link in the Central Criminal Court trial. Advertisement The 29-year-old Dublin man has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges involving sexual abuse and reckless endangerment of the girl, as well as child cruelty to her and her older brother on dates between February and April 2018. The children were just under two and three years old at the time. The man cannot be named to protect their identity. Specialist interview The jury was this week shown a video of a specialist interview gardai carried out with the girl when she was four years old, in which she said the man bit her on her private area and hit her with a stick on her bottom and privates. Advertisement Seamus Clarke SC, defending the man, cross-examined the girl. When asked why she stopped living with her mother and the accused man, the girl said: Because they were being mean. Advertisement When asked if she now remembered the man biting her on her privates as she alleged in the garda interview, the girl shook her head no. (The accused man) has told us he did not hit you with a stick on your privates or your bum, Mr Clarke said. Might you have made a mistake about him hitting you with a stick? The girl shook her head before saying: No. The jury was also shown videos of four specialist interviews carried out by gardai with the girl's brother. The first three interviews were carried out in 2019 when he was aged four, and the fourth interview was carried out in 2020 when he was five. In the final interview, when he was five, the boy told the interviewing garda that the accused man was a bold daddy. He didn't tell the truth, the little boy said. He hurted us. Advertisement During the interview, the little boy drew pictures of the Incredible Hulk with the garda and discussed his favourite cartoons. When asked how the man had hurt him and his sister, the boy repeatedly said he didn't remember. He was too strong. He ate all of his vegetables, he said of the man. Hurt 'every day' Advertisement The boy said his mother threw hot spaghetti at him and his sister, which he said hit them in their faces. It was too hot, he said. The boy said the man hurt him and his sister every day. He laughed, he told the interviewing garda. It wasn't funny. Advertisement I had to go to hospital, he told the garda. Because he hurted us so much and it really hurt. The trial resumes on Monday before the jury and Mr Justice David Keane. The accused man has 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. He has also pleaded not guilty to wilfully assaulting or ill-treating the boy by causing bruising to his penis, body and face and to wilfully assaulting or ill-treating both children at a Dublin shopping centre. Advertisement The man has pleaded not guilty to wilfully, ill-treating, neglecting, abandoning or exposing the children by leaving them alone together outside the door of an apartment. Finally, the man has pleaded not guilty to wilfully assaulting or ill-treating the girl by causing bruising to her face and body and additionally to sexually assaulting her by biting her on her genital area. 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. Relief Therapeutics Holding SA / Key word(s): Financing/Private Equity RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA Announces Closing of CHF 5 Million Private Placement 23-Jun-2023 / 07:00 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA Announces Closing of CHF 5 Million Private Placement GENEVA (June 23, 2023) RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA (SIX: RLF , OTCQB: RLFTF RLFTY ) (Relief Therapeutics, or the Company), a biopharmaceutical company committed to delivering innovative treatment options with the potential for transformative outcomes to benefit those suffering from select specialty and rare diseases, today announced the closing of the previously announced private placement. The Company sold 1,200,000 shares at a purchase price of CHF 3.33 and 300,000 pre-funded warrants to a healthcare-focused institutional investor. Each pre-funded warrant has an exercise price of CHF 3.33, with CHF 3.329 prepaid upon issuance and CHF 0.001 payable upon exercise. The pre-funded warrants will expire upon exercise. As part of the transaction, Relief Therapeutics also issued to the investor 1,500,000 warrants. These warrants are immediately exercisable, will expire in five years and have an exercise price of CHF 3.40 per share. The aggregate gross proceeds from the offering were approximately CHF 5 million, before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The private placement shares and, upon exercise, the shares underlying the warrants, will be traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange and rank pari passu (carrying the same rights) with Relief Therapeutics ordinary shares, and will be delivered from Relief Therapeutics treasury shares previously issued out of its authorized share capital under exclusion of the existing shareholders pre-emptive rights. H.C. Wainwright & Co. acted as the exclusive placement agent for the offering. 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 jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements. ABOUT RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Relief Therapeutics is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing treatment paradigms and delivering improvements in efficacy, safety and convenience to benefit the lives of patients living with select specialty and rare diseases. Relief Therapeutics' portfolio offers a balanced mix of marketed, revenue-generating products, our proprietary, globally patented Physiomimic and TEHCLO drug delivery platform technologies and a highly targeted clinical development pipeline consisting of risk-mitigated assets focused in three core therapeutic areas: rare metabolic disorders, rare skin diseases and rare respiratory diseases. In addition, Relief Therapeutics is commercializing several legacy products via licensing and distribution partners. Relief Therapeutics' mission is to provide therapeutic relief to those suffering from rare diseases and is being advanced by an international team of well-established, experienced biopharma industry leaders with extensive research, development and rare disease expertise. Relief Therapeutics is headquartered in Geneva, with additional offices in Balerna, Switzerland, Offenbach am Main, Germany and Monza, Italy. Relief Therapeutics is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the symbol RLF and quoted in the U.S. on OTCQB under the symbols RLFTF and RLFTY. For more information, please visit our website www.relieftherapeutics.com or follow Relief Therapeutics on LinkedIn and Twitter CONTACT : RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA Catherine Day Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications contact@relieftherapeutics.com DISCLAIMER This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including market and other conditions, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Relief Therapeutics to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, the anticipated use of proceeds from the offering. A number of factors including those described in Relief Therapeutics' filings with the SIX Swiss Exchange and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could adversely affect Relief Therapeutics. Copies of Relief Therapeutics' filings with the SEC are available on the SEC EDGAR database at www.sec.gov . Relief Therapeutics does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of this date, except as required by law. Catherine DayVice President, Investor Relations & Communications Additional features: File: RLF Ad Hoc Press Release Private Placement Close June 26 2023 End of Inside Information The chief executive of the company responsible for the Titan submersible dismissed safety concerns over the deep-sea vessel, emails have shown. The BBC reported Stockton Rush, who was one of the five people who died in Titans catastrophic implosion, had previously written that he had heard baseless cries of you are going to kill someone which he believed were a serious personal insult. Advertisement His words could be seen in emails between Mr Rush and deep sea exploration specialist Rob McCallum in which he also said he was tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation. Advertisement Tributes have been paid to the Titan submersible passengers and pilot who were killed in the fatal implosion, with the families of Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, and Hamish Harding describing them as beloved and dedicated fathers and sons. Advertisement Mr Rush and French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet were also confirmed to have died in the incident. The emails, seen by the BBC, show Mr McCallum told OceanGates chief executive that he was mirroring that famous cry of the Titanics builders: She is unsinkable. The broadcaster reported that the email exchange ended when the companys lawyers threatened legal action. Advertisement After the catastrophic implosion of the vessel, the other co-founder of OceanGate, Guillermo Sohnlein, defended the firm describing regulations surrounding visits to the Titanic wreckage as tricky to navigate. Flowers left at St Johns harbour on Friday (Jordan Pettitt/PA) On Friday, five red roses were left in St Johns harbour in memory of the pilot and four passengers, with each displaying a message saying RIP followed by their name. Advertisement After the emails were released, Mr McCallum told the BBC he repeatedly urged OceanGate to seek certification for the Titan before using it for commercial tours. One of his emails read: I implore you to take every care in your testing and sea trials and to be very, very conservative. As much as I appreciate entrepreneurship and innovation, you are potentially putting an entire industry at risk. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Sohnlein, who no longer works for OceanGate, told Times Radio he and his co-founder Mr Rush were committed to safety during expeditions. He said: 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. Engro Corporation, the Pakistani conglomerate that Shahzada Dawood was vice chairman of, said it was difficult to articulate the grief of the Dawood family. Their statement described the relationship between Shahzada and Suleman Dawood as a joy to behold, adding: They were each others greatest supporters and cherished a shared passion for adventure and exploration of all the world had to offer them. Titanic film director James Cameron, who is also a submersibles expert, criticised OceanGate Expeditions for not heeding warnings following the vessels implosion. He told the BBC: We now have another wreck that is based on, unfortunately, the same principles of not heeding warnings. 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. A report from The Wall Street Journal said the US navy had detected a sound in the search area for the submersible on Sunday that was consistent with an implosion. Advertisement The Associated Press, citing a senior military official, reported that 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. Graeme Souness has praised a brave young girl who inspired him to raise more than 1.2 million (1.4 million) for charity as the most special human being he has ever met. Speaking on the red carpet at the annual Pride of Scotland Awards in Edinburgh, Souness talked about his friend Isla Grist, a 14-year-old girl who lives with an agonising skin condition, who won the Teenager of Courage award for her bravery and service to charity. Advertisement The youngster has recessive dystrophic Epidermolysis bullosa, a rare condition that causes painful, blistering skin, also known as butterfly skin. He said: This is a very emotional night. Ive known Isla for five years and shes the most special human being I think Ive ever come across. And thats not a throwaway line. Advertisement She really is. What she goes through on a daily basis is unbearable for her. Advertisement Brian Cox arrives for the Pride of Scotland Awards (Jane Barlow/PA) Despite her tough situation, Souness said Isla is more concerned about her parents and her sister than herself. He added: Shes smart and shes funny, shes forthright, and shes just a pleasure to be around, and were mates. She takes me out on every opportunity. Souness and Islas father, Andy, took part in a gruelling 21-mile swim across the English Channel to raise money for Debra, a charity that supports people with Epidermolysis bullosa the severe skin condition Isla has battled her entire life. Advertisement Isla was handed her award by comedians and Pride of Scotland hosts Elaine C Smith and Sanjeev Singh Kohli. Several other Scots celebrities were in attendance, including Dougray Scott, Irvine Welsh and Brain Cox. Other winners this year include 10-year-old Jade Edward a quadruple amputee from Aberdeenshire who has defied all odds and become a talented young surfer, and siblings Grace and Harry Sinclair of Dunfermline, who have fundraised to help families coping with cancer. Speaking from the red carpet ahead of the award ceremony, co-host Kohli said: Literally just came up the red carpet there and there were a couple of kids behind me. Advertisement Advertisement They are buzzing, I am buzzing that they are buzzing this is their moment. He added: When you watch the news, I think you sometimes see the worst of humanity, and tonights about celebrating the best of humanity and Im here for it. UK naval expert and former submarine commander, Ryan Ramsey has called for an end of trips to the wreck of the Titanic. Mr Ramsey told RTE radios Morning Ireland that the site was essentially a location where many people had died and as such tourism trips should stop. Advertisement When asked about the possible reasons for the catastrophic implosion of the OceanGate submarine this week with the death of five people on board, Mr Ramsey said there were two potential reasons for the implosion one that there had been a catastrophic failure of the pressure chambers or secondly that the hatch failed which tied in with the fact that there had been constant communications until they stopped suddenly. The only positive aspect of the finding of debris close to the wreck of the Titanic was that the families of the five men on board would now get some form of closure as would the rescue forces, he said. Advertisement But it's a tragedy and this is the conclusion of that tragedy. The debris found at the site would now have to be analysed in an effort to discover what happened, he explained. However, it was very unlikely that the bodies could be recovered. They probably just need to focus on why this happened and hopefully give closure to the families that way. Advertisement The investigation could offer conclusions and lessons for the wider maritime community, many of whom questioned why such a trip had been allowed to happen. Most submersibles and definitely submarines are regulated. They go through really thorough safety checks, very, very stringent maintenance and all that. So unless they're completely capable of sailing and tested and I think in this particular case, just from the literature that's available and footage it appears to have been less regulated than many others. "And I think that will be the question, not to find blame because that's pointless, but actually to turn around and go 'right, what more can we do to make sure that this is regulated and is safe'? When asked if he thought such deep sea dives should be banned, Mr Ramsey said I'm torn with this because in essence, lots of these events, commercial or otherwise, test the limits of human endurance, pushes our limits a bit. But in this particular case, the Titanic was a graveyard, lots of people died when the ship went down. And I think trips to the Titanic in particular should probably stop. Participants at the Paris summit on finance and climate have stopped short of a deal to create a tax on greenhouse gas emissions produced by international shipping. The two-day gathering of world leaders and finance bosses, aimed at tackling climate change and poverty, ended without a major announcement on Friday. Advertisement French President Emmanuel Macron, who hosted the summit, said upcoming reforms of the international finance system would be assessed within the next two years. Advertisement The idea of a global tax on the greenhouse gas emissions produced by international shipping has been gaining traction and could be adopted at a July meeting of the International Maritime Organisation, the United Nations agency regulating shipping. Some experts believe a tax on shipping alone could raise 78 billion a year, and a strong endorsement of it in Paris would have provided Mr Macron with a symbolic win. Advertisement This is a tax-free sector. And theres no reason why its not taxed, he said. But the French president suggested China and the US were not supporting the idea. Advertisement If China and the US and several key European countries are not on board, then you would put a tax in place that would not have any impact, he added. The money raised through taxation would be directed towards developing countries to help them deal with the challenges of climate change. US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen called the tax a very constructive suggestion, adding: I think I would agree with President Macrons description of the logic of why it would be appropriate, and its something that the United States will look at. US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen shakes hands with Emmanuel Macron (Lewis Joly/AP) Advertisement It is unclear which countries attending the summit supported the proposal, which could be an important step towards getting a heavily emitting industry to help meet the cost of fighting climate change. Shipping accounts for almost 3% of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the International Maritime Organisation. A European Parliament report has warned that share could increase dramatically by 2050. The gathering in Paris had no mandate to make formal decisions, but Mr Macron had pledged to deliver a to-do list that would be accompanied by a progress-tracking tool. Such a document has not been released yet. Advertisement Advertisement Several activists and non-governmental organisations had urged the summit participants to ensure that rich countries commit to debt relief for poor nations, including the cancellation of loans. A debt suspension clause for countries hit by extreme climatic events was also discussed. To bring in more money, activists are also pushing for a tax on the fossil fuel industry and another one on financial transactions but those two proposals appear to have little support from wealthier nations. In terms of concrete announcements in Paris, the International Monetary Fund has made 78 billion of assets called Special Drawing Rights available to some vulnerable countries. The French presidency then said France would share 40% of its own assets from the Covid-19 pandemic. The summits first day included announcements of a pair of deals. French officials said debt-burdened Zambia had reached a deal with several creditors including China to restructure 4.9 billion in loans, and Senegal reached a deal with the EU and western allies to support its efforts to improve its access to energy and increase its share of renewable energy to 40% by 2030. Serbia has reiterated a threat to intervene militarily in its former province of Kosovo if Nato-led peacekeepers there fail to protect minority Serbs from what Belgrade called the terrorist threat of Kosovos ethnic Albanian authorities. In a brief televised address, the Serbian army chief-of-staff, General Milan Mojsilovic, said Kosovo Serbs can no longer tolerate the terror of the Kosovo government, and that Serbias military stands ready to fulfil its tasks in accordance with the Serbian constitution and any orders from President Aleksandar Vucic. Advertisement Serbia has put its troops on the border with Kosovo on the highest state of alert amid a series of recent clashes between Kosovo Serbs on one side and Kosovo police and Nato-led peacekeepers, known as KFOR, on the other. In recent weeks, Nato has sent in reinforcements amid fears of an open clash between ethnic Albanians and Serbs. Advertisement Very alarmed by situation in north of Kosovo: extrajudicial arrests of K-Serbs & Kosovo Security Forces marching in South Mitrovica; followed by heavy rhetoric from Serbia. Despite yesterday's crisis meeting, escalation continues & is becoming dangerous. We will not tolerate it. Advertisement Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) June 23, 2023 Serbias armed intervention in Kosovo would mean a direct clash with some 4,000 Nato troops currently stationed there. Advertisement Serbia and its former province of Kosovo have been at odds for decades. Their 1998-99 war left more than 10,000 people dead, mostly Kosovo Albanians. Belgrade has refused to recognise Kosovos 2008 declaration of independence. Tensions flared anew last month after Kosovo police seized local municipality buildings in northern Kosovo, where Serbs represent a majority, to install ethnic Albanian mayors who were elected in a local election that Serbs overwhelmingly boycotted. The latest flare-up focused on Kosovo police arresting at least eight Serbs who are suspected of taking part in last months violent clashes with the Nato troops and Kosovo police, leaving dozens of injured on all sides. In his brief address to the nation on Friday, the Serbian army chief-of-staff said that Kosovo Serbs can no longer tolerate the terror of the regime of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Advertisement Advertisement Serbian soldiers rest during a military exercise (AP) According to the facts, I informed the commander of KFOR that we demand urgent measures to protect the Serbian people, Gen Mojsilovic said. This is our request to KFOR and other international organisations. In their meeting in Brussels on Thursday, the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo made no breakthrough in EU-hosted emergency talks amid fears of a return to open conflict. Advertisement The EUs foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, described the soaring ethnic tensions in northern Kosovo as alarming. Despite yesterdays crisis meeting, escalation continues (and) is becoming dangerous, he tweeted on Friday. We will not tolerate it. Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday vowed that the alliances peacekeepers will continue to act impartially and increase its presence to ensure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo. Both Serbia and Kosovo are seeking EU membership, and need to normalise their relations to do so. There are fears that Serbias ally Russia could inflame another armed conflict in central Europe to divert at least part of the international focus from Moscows aggression in Ukraine. The families of Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, and Hamish Harding have paid tribute after they died in the Titan submersibles catastrophic implosion. The US Coast Guard confirmed the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered around 1,600 ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage during a press conference in Boston. Advertisement Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was also found, in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, that was consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. Advertisement 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 Dawood family released a statement on Thursday night, mourning the loss of the father and son. Advertisement Our beloved sons were aboard the OceanGates Titan submersible that perished underwater, the statement said. Please continue to keep the departed souls of our family in your prayers during this difficult period of mourning. Advertisement The family statement said they are truly grateful to those involved in the rescue operations and the untiring efforts brought strength to the family. We are also indebted to our friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers from all over the world who have stood by us during our hour of need, the statement said. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers onboard the Titan submersible. Advertisement 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. Shahzada Dawood was vice chairman of Engro Corporation (Engro Corporation/ PA) Shahzada Dawoods company paid tribute to him and his son after their deaths. Advertisement In a statement, Engro Corporation, the Pakistani conglomerate that Mr Dawood was vice chairman of, said: With heavy hearts and great sadness, we grieve the loss of our vice chairman, Shahzada Dawood, and his beloved son, Suleman Dawood. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, friends and all those around the world who grieve this unthinkable loss. Meanwhile, the family of a British billionaire adventurer who died have paid tribute to their dedicated father. Hamish Harding was described as a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a living legend following the news of his death on Thursday. 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 (Action Aviation via AP) In a short statement, Mr Hardings family said: He was one of a kind and we adored him. He was a passionate explorer whatever the terrain who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved. 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. Advertisement 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 Harding was remembered by friend Richard Garriot de Cayeux, who is the president of the Explorers Club, which Mr Harding helped found. Hamish Harding is a dear friend to me personally and to The Explorers Club, Mr Garriot de Cayeux said. He holds several world records and has continued to push dragons off maps both in person and through supporting expeditions and worthy causes. The submersible vessel named Titan (OceanGate Expeditions) Rear Admiral Mauger 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. The Wall Street Journal reported the US Navy said they detected a sound in the search area for the submersible on Sunday that was consistent with an implosion. Titanic director and submersible expert James Cameron told the BBC he predicted the outcome days earlier. Advertisement I felt in my bones what had happened, he said. For the subs electronics to fail and its communication system to fail, and its tracking transponder to fail simultaneously subs gone. I knew that sub was sitting exactly underneath its last known depth and position. Thats exactly where they found it. (PA Graphics) According to court documents, safety concerns had previously been raised about the Titan submersible by a former employee of OceanGate. The filings said David Lochridge, OceanGates former director of marine operations, claimed wrongful dismissal after flagging worries about the companys alleged refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design. Court papers suggest 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. UK foreign secretary James Cleverly described the update as tragic news and said the UK Government is closely supporting the British families affected. Pakistans foreign ministry released a statement, sharing their condolences. Our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and the family of other passengers on the sad news about the fate of Titanic submersible in the North Atlantic, the statement said. Advertisement The White House said the families of those who died had been through a harrowing ordeal over the past few days, and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers. Twitter needs to do more work to fall in line with the European Unions tough new digital rule book, a top EU official said after overseeing a stress test of the companys systems in Silicon Valley. European commissioner Thierry Breton said that he noted the strong commitment of Twitter to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA), sweeping new standards that the worlds biggest online platforms all must obey in just two months. Advertisement However, work needs to continue, he said in a statement after reviewing the results of the voluntary test at Twitters San Francisco headquarters with owner Elon Musk and new CEO Linda Yaccarino. Mr Breton, who oversees digital policy, is also meeting other tech bosses in California. Thank you @ThierryBreton. Europe is very important to Twitter and were focused on our continued partnership. https://t.co/eXo1E5SBwr pic.twitter.com/5UN7EiKUeV Advertisement Advertisement Linda Yaccarino (@lindayacc) June 23, 2023 He is the EUs point person working to get Big Tech ready for the new rules, which will force companies to crack down on hate speech, disinformation and other harmful and illegal material on their sites. Advertisement The law takes effect on August 25 for the biggest platforms. The Digital Services Act, along with new regulations in the pipeline for data and artificial intelligence, has made Brussels a trailblazer in the growing global movement to clamp down on tech giants. The mock exercise tested Twitters readiness to cope with the DSAs requirements, including protecting children online and detecting and mitigating risks such as disinformation, under both normal and extreme situations. Twitter is taking the exercise seriously and has identified the key areas on which it needs to focus to comply with the DSA, Mr Breton said, without providing more details. Advertisement With two months to go before the new EU regulation kicks in, work needs to continue for the systems to be in place and work effectively and quickly. Twitter owner Elon Musk (AP) Twitters global government affairs team tweeted that the company is on track to be ready when the DSA comes into force. Advertisement Advertisement Ms Yaccarino tweeted that Europe is very important to Twitter and were focused on our continued partnership. Mr Musk agreed in December to let the EU carry out the stress test, which the bloc is offering to all tech companies before the rules take effect. Mr Breton said other online platforms will be carrying out their own stress tests in the coming weeks but did not name them. Despite Mr Musks claims to the contrary, independent researchers have found misinformation as well as hate speech spreading on Twitter since the billionaire Tesla CEO took over the company last year. Mr Musk has reinstated notorious election deniers, overhauled Twitters verification system and gutted much of the staff that had been responsible for moderating posts. Last month, Mr Breton warned Twitter that it cant hide from its obligations after the social media site abandoned the blocs voluntary code of practice on online disinformation, which other social media platforms have pledged to support. Twitter is the 1st platform to undergo a stress test to prepare for #DSA The company is taking this exercise very seriously. Constructive dialogue in San Francisco with @elonmusk & CEO @lindayacc ahead of the real test on 25 August. Sufficient resources will be key. pic.twitter.com/99uz5hqNUG Advertisement Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) June 22, 2023 Tackling disinformation will become a legal requirement under the Digital Services Act. If laws are passed, Twitter will obey the law, Mr Musk told the France 2 TV channel this week when asked about the DSA. Mr Bretons agenda on Friday includes discussions about the EUs digital rules and upcoming artificial intelligence regulations with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, whose company makes the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT. The DSA is part of a sweeping update to the EUs digital rule book aimed at forcing tech companies to clean up their platforms and better protect users online. For European users of big tech platforms, it will be easier to report illegal content such as hate speech, and they will get more information on why they have been recommended certain content. Violations will incur fines worth up to 6% of annual global revenue amounting to billions of dollars for some tech giants or even a ban on operating in the EU, with its with 450 million consumers. How did we get here? Investors of the infant formula company do not face a straightforward task. They will have to navigate the differing claims made by the two parties, who are also at loggerheads about the manner in which key events unfolded. The current Bubs board has vigorously defended its decision to remove Carr and Lin from their roles, arguing that long-running issues at the company made their leadership positions untenable. Carr and Dennis Lin assembled a dissident shareholder group named Save Our Bubs, which is backed by Bubs customer and Chemist Warehouse chair Jack Gance. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer In a letter to shareholders this week, the company said it made the move to oust the duo in light of significant deterioration in Bubs recent financial performance, undisciplined expenditure and the long-term decline in shareholder value presided over by [Lin and Carr] as the chair and chief executive of the company. Bubs share price declined by more than 80 per cent between May 2020 and May 2023. The company also denies that Carr was blindsided by her termination. In Kristys case, there were legal negotiations with her lawyers for some weeks. A final offer was put to her via her lawyers with a clear communication that if it was not acceptable her employment would be terminated, Rathie said. At the centre of the bitter spat between the company and its founder is the groups strategy in China in particular, the underperformance of exclusive agreements that the company had inked with daigou distributor AZ Global. Daigou refers to the sale of overseas goods, including baby formula, to consumers in China. Lin and Carr (right and far right) in China in early April days before a major board spill. AZ Global has been unable to shift all the product it was allocated under the distribution deal, resulting in excess inventory in the market and creating challenges for Bubs China sales targets. The Bubs board has been quick to highlight that two of the shareholders who were part of the spill motion, Alice Trading and Willis Trading, are associated with AZ Global and owe Bubs Australia $2.9 million and $2.6 million respectively. These entities have failed to repay the debts despite repeated demands from Bubs. Bubs current management has also questioned the appropriateness of Carrs chief executive nominee, Peter Nathan, given his former employer A2 Milk is subject to shareholder class actions relating to statements made about A2s sales performance in China. Mr Nathan previously worked for A2 Milk, which is currently a defendant in two shareholder class actions which relate to continuous disclosure obligations and making allegedly false and misleading statements in connection with the deterioration in A2s sales in China, during the period when Mr Nathan was chief executive officer Asia Pacific, the company said in a letter to shareholders. Rathie is also a board director at SBS, Starlight Childrens Foundation, NSW Rugby Union and Media Diversity Australia. Credit: Louie Douvis The board believes the ongoing class actions present significant reputational risks for Bubs at a critical time when it is seeking FDA [Food and Drug Administration] approvals in the US and reviewing its China strategy. Under Rathies direction, the company is undertaking a strategic review of the business and has promised shareholders will get more details about the boards vision for the company before the extraordinary general meeting. We dont want to pre-empt the outcome of the strategic review, but it will be much more focused on major initiatives, in China and the US particularly, that will deliver sustainable shareholder value, Rathie said. For a while, Bubs Australia was on a winning streak. Having won the approval of US President Joe Biden for its speedy assistance in patching the US infant formula crisis, the ambitious baby formula manufacturer turned a profit for the first time in 2022. From the outside looking in, the first blow appeared to land in April this year when Dennis Lin was deposed. But for Carr, discord has been brewing in the boardroom since 2019 after C2 Capital, a Chinese private equity firm backed by e-commerce giant Alibaba, purchased a 15 per cent stake in the company and installed managing partner Steve Lin as a director. The misalignment had been well known to us and had been escalating over a long time, over around two years, Carr said. Steve from C2 Capital, other than being very geared towards Alibaba as a platform, actually never presented or proposed a China strategy he just opposed and was very against our China strategy. Chinese ecommerce giant Alibaba is a key investor in C2 Capital, a private equity firm that owns a stake of over 10 per cent in Bubs Australia. Credit: Bloomberg She views the strategic review, which will be overseen by C2 Capitals Jackie Lin, in a similar vein. Hes an Alibaba, a C2 Capital employee. That is the biggest conflict of interest I have ever heard. In a statement through the Save Our Bubs group, supported by Chemist Warehouse chair Jack Gance, Carr has accused the board of taking control of the company by stealth without consultation with shareholders. The biggest concern for me, after this hostile takeover of the boardroom which really feels like a hostile takeover of the company but without paying shareholders for the privilege of doing so is that they just did not have a plan, Carr said. Rathies contention that lawyers provided Carr with a final offer, warning she would be fired if she didnt accept, is also rejected by Carr. She is suing Bubs and its directors in an unfair dismissal case in the Federal Court in Victoria. The assertion is categorically refuted, Carr said. Federal Court proceedings have commenced against the current non-executive directors alleging, amongst other things, contraventions of the Fair Work Act. Given the matter is currently before the court, I would not propose to comment further. Not happy Jan. Credit: Marija Ercegovac Bubs in investors hands Most of Bubs Australias investor base has been left bewildered. One retail investor, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, believes Carr and Dennis Lin were not given enough time to execute their freshly restructured plans for the China market and wonders whether the company can recover. Im really worried now as a shareholder about the team, the people on the ground that are doing the work every day, they said. I think its a real crossroads. The shareholder also has concerns about the independence of the strategic review led by Jackie Lin. To get someone with Alibaba background is just a straight conflict of interest. I dont buy that ... Thats inappropriate from a shareholder point of view. Carr and Dennis Lin are working together again and have established their boutique consultancy firm, TAKE Global. Credit: Getty The recruitment of agribusiness dealmaker David Williams to help conduct the strategic review has not inspired confidence. [It] just tells me one thing: theres no sector experience around the table at a board level to help them with making strategic decisions. So they were calling people outside to help them, and thats really disappointing. The one thing both parties seem to agree on is the weight of the vote and its significance for the companys future. A vote to spill the board is a vote to return to underperformance, compromised governance and a continuation of failed strategies, including the exclusive AZ Global partnership in China. Its a vote for a further decline in shareholder value, Rathie said in a statement. Loading A vote to support the important changes we are implementing is a vote for strategic rigor, focus, the intelligent and measured investment of shareholder funds and for the independence needed to ensure Bubs is managed in the interests of all shareholders. Meanwhile, Carr doesnt see a future for Bubs if it remains under the control of Rathie and the Alibaba-linked board directors. A Claude Monet masterpiece worth $174 million will be the first painting from the National Gallery of Australia collection to be loaned out to a regional gallery under a new federal government scheme that could also see its most famous work Blue poles shared across the country. Minister for Arts Tony Burke with Claude Monets, Meules, milieu du jour [Haystacks, Midday] at the National Gallery of Australia. Credit: Rohan Thomson Meules, milieu du jour [Haystacks, midday], 1890, a jewel in the national collection, is headed to the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre in October where it will hang for the next two years. National Gallery director Nick Mitzevich said no work in its collection could be ruled out for loan, including Jackson Pollocks Blue poles, recently valued at more than $508 million, or its Andy Warhol, Campbells Soup I . Of course we wouldnt put the collection at risk and the institution would have to meet our requirements for security and museum conditions, but if the idea is relevant and makes an impact on community then we are willing to consider it, Mitzevich said. We are genuinely excited to share our collection and want to be as generous as we can be. But in a companion document titled Background to the Plan, the scale of the challenges the broadcaster faces were made clear. The ABC is at a crossroads where it needs to balance the replacement of broadcast equipment with investment in digital platforms, the authors wrote. Maintaining broadcast operations while funding modernisation will be a critical challenge for the corporation. Aunty agony: Some traditional ABC jobs will need to disappear to make way for new ones more fitted to these emerging ways of connecting. It noted that evolutions in the way content is created and consumed including on and for social media were having a huge impact on the ABCs ability to connect with audiences. Recently, it has introduced new roles and skills around reporting, social media distribution, and video production, the background document notes. There is more change to come. More established tasks and methods will need to cease or be scaled back to allow for the new workflows required for the digital media environment. Loading There are challenges in every aspect of the broadcasters operation: technology, skills, content creation, distribution, and marketing. The ABC faces an increasingly complex operating environment that will continue to make long-term planning difficult. New platforms and technologies will continue to emerge and potentially disrupt the market the ABC will need to balance its resources between serving current audiences and reaching new ones. In other words, some traditional ABC jobs like national political editor and its arts editors will need to disappear to make way for new ones more fitted to these emerging ways of connecting. The assumption from management appears to be that the 120 positions made redundant are unfit for this new age, and that by implication an Andrew Probyn, for instance, cannot adapt or create content that might be adapted to suit it. That, says one Canberra bureau veteran who knows Probyn well, is patently ridiculous. Loading Chasing a younger audience doesnt mean you should get rid of the political editor, the journalist said. You need the content first, then you work out how to carve it up for different platforms and audiences. Theres a sense among some at the ABC that Probyn may have been axed because hes not an easy character to manage. Theres the old adage in business that you never waste a crisis, says one senior ABC figure. Im sure Andrew was a bit of a thorn in the side of management, and these changes presented an opportunity to remove that irritant. Hes in your face, he tells you what he thinks, and that is clearly not what the ABC wants, Probyns Canberra colleague concurs. He would push back against any crazy agenda they were trying to push. Another ABC staffer pointed out Probyn had been an early adopter of the digital strategy, spearheading the short-lived YouTube series The Brief, which took viewers behind-the-scenes at Parliament House. Loading While Probyns removal has soaked up most of the headlines in this latest wave of redundancies, other changes have left many in the ABC scratching their hands about the organisations priorities. News reporters were left bewildered after management announced it was scrapping state-based news bulletins on Sunday night, the most viewed night of the week. Others in the ABC question how seriously the organisation is committed to its pivot to digital when it scrapped its sole digital arts editor. Even the ABCs most widely respected investigative programs Four Corners and Background Briefing werent spared. Staff in other teams, including daily current affairs program 7.30, have been targeted for redundancies but are still unsure who is being shown the door. ABC redundancies have infamously become known as the hunger games because staff are pitting against one another in a battle to keep their jobs. Few in the organisation disagree that the broadcaster has to get better at attracting new audiences, but many question how it will achieve that goal with morale dealt such a big blow given this wave of cuts, and the continual slashing of resources from programs with the biggest cut-through, like Four Corners, which have become synonymous with the organisations brand. The ABCs dilemma can be reduced to a simple equation: the existing audience is ageing, and the younger audience with which it might be replenished is simply not coming on board. In part, that is because linear television where much of the ABCs resources have traditionally been focused no longer holds the appeal it did (which is why the five-year plan advocates a reallocation away from linear to digital). Time spent watching free-to-air broadcast television is in decline, and many younger viewers simply dont watch at all (catch-up viewing and broadcast video on demand is a different matter, though the ABCs success even in this space is predominantly with older viewers). ABC Managing Director David Anderson (foreground) with news director Justin Stevens, two of the key figures in the five-year plan. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen In this age of endless competition for attention, all free-to-air television broadcasters have to deal with shrinking audiences. But even the most cross-generational offerings on the ABC arent immune. Take Gruen, for instance, whose 2009 iteration The Gruen Transfer averaged 1.3 million viewers in the five capital cities alone. The most recent episode of the show, broadcast on Wednesday, pulled roughly one-third that number, 436,000. Radio audiences are similarly in decline. No less a figure than Leigh Sales, former host of flagship current affairs show 7.30, identified the scale of the issue to this masthead this week. I know the way I consume media has changed so drastically I dont watch anything now on a schedule, I literally timeshift every single thing that I watch, Sales said. We have to keep adapting and evolving and changing if we want to remain relevant to the audience. So while its always sad to see things change and change is always hard its change or death basically in the media landscape. To reach younger audiences, the ABC needs to change, and that means to go where those viewers are principally the plethora of platforms via which they consume their content, such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and, increasingly, TikTok (which is the only one of the major social media platforms, the background paper argues, that has not plateaued). And that means finding people who can work to those media. The ABC will need to scale back traditional broadcast services over time and invest more in content and distribution aimed at audiences for its own and third-party digital platforms, says the background paper. One of the greatest challenges facing the ABC right now is the generational divide that sees its established older audience resisting efforts to make the organisation more inclusive to appeal to younger audiences as wokeism. News Corp particularly The Australian newspaper and Sky News, which has outgrown the limitations of its pay TV status by finding a foothold on regional free-to-air television, airport lounges and screens on petrol station bowsers relentlessly attacks the broadcaster on this basis. Younger audiences, meanwhile, continue to resist the lure of the national broadcaster. The task ahead of the ABC is enormous. It needs to cater to its existing but declining older audience, and to maintain its decreasingly relevant traditional modes of distribution (AM radio, linear broadcast television), while developing the technological and distribution means not to mention the actual content to reach an as-yet largely hypothetical younger audience. It cant not do either, though attempting to do both puts it under enormous financial, management and operational strain. While the ABC continues to improve the value and appeal of its digital content, products, and services, it must continue to cater to important audiences for free-to-air television, says the background paper. Traditional broadcast services are still popular across some older audience segments ... the ABC seeks to maintain such services for Australians unable to access internet services. In short, the five-year plan captures the ABC in a moment in which it is staring at an abyss of irrelevance and preparing to take a leap of faith. It cant be sure where it will land, but the ground on which it was standing is crumbling fast, and it has no choice but to jump. In this, it is far from alone. But in having identified the challenges so clearly it has at least shown it is willing to make a move. Whether this five-year plan is the right one remains to be seen. In Ukraine, Russian commanders made a lot of mistakes and one of the most fatal, and personal, was not making an effort to conceal their field headquarters. The Ukrainians took advantage of this and during an eight month period in 2022 attacked Russian command posts over twenty times, killing ten generals and 152 colonels and lieutenant-colonels along with hundreds of lower ranking staff officers. This crippled Russian efforts to carry out offensive operations, and even defensive operations were clumsy because combat units often lacked timely communications with senior commanders. Requests for supplies or updates on the overall situation resulted in Russian operations being sluggish and less effective. Field headquarters are vulnerable because they are easily identified by the high volume of electronic communications they send. The field headquarters are mobile but often have to be set up in tents without any protection from artillery or missiles. During the Cold War field headquarters were described as missile magnets. Western armies never came up with an effective solution while the Russian-dominated Soviet Union relied on the tactic of attacking units advancing in a general direction during the initial offensive and not relying on communications with higher headquarters until the attacking units ran out of essential supplies (usually fuel) and had to halt. This worked against the Germans during the last few years of World War II when the Germans were on the defensive and the Red Armys minimal electronic tactical communications was sufficient. Over 70 years later everyone is more reliant on electronic communications at a time when detecting such communications is easier, as is hitting them from a distance with guided missiles. Western armies have sought to solve this problem by using field headquarters that are more mobile and dispersed. Traveling in armored trucks that do not congregate, there is still a lot of electronic communications, but from dispersed targets that are difficult to destroy with missiles. These communications are often encrypted, which slows down enemy use of intercepted messages while the intended recipients of these messages have the decryption codes to quickly render the messages in usable form. These techniques cost more to implement and require headquarters personnel to work harder to get the job done. The Russian use of headquarters in Ukraine made it clear that you either adapt or die. As recently as World War I (1914-18) assignment to a headquarters meant safety and comfort. Over the last century the increased use of aircraft and missiles as well as electronic communications has changed all that. Russia and the NATO nations supporting Ukraine have seen the grim new world for headquarters duty. Thats an incentive to adapt, something not all nations are willing or able to do. This story is part of the June 24 edition of Good Weekend. See all 18 stories . 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 Marnie Ogg likes to be kept in the dark, especially when it comes to her work. Ogg, 52, is the founder of the Dark Sky Alliance, a charity dedicated to combating light pollution, and the director of an astro-tourism company, Dark Sky Traveller, which takes tour groups to look at, say, a solar eclipse in the Kimberley or the aurora borealis in the Arctic. She is, by nature, a nocturnal creature, a night-sky connoisseur who tolerates daylight as you would a traffic jam, a distraction from life as she prefers it to be; namely, coddled in blackness and lit only by the cosmos. She is, in other words, a bit like a bat or an owl, except that she has blonde hair and is standing beside me dressed in a pair of jeans and a pink fleece vest. Its 6.30pm on a winters night and were on Oggs patio in Sydney with her husband, the astronomer Fred Watson. Beside us is a one-metre-long Unitron telescope with which Ogg and Watson are showing me constellations mostly invisible to the naked eye. Theres the Jewel Box (distance from Earth: 6419 light years), a cluster called the Southern Pleiades, and a busy little spray of stars called NGC 2516. To the north looms the moon, which through the telescope looks scabrous and pocked and ominously tranquil. Oggs home, which is opposite a national park and sheltered by a ridge from the glow of the city, is well-situated for such stargazing. Its actually one of the reasons we bought it in the first place, she says. Ogg, who grew up in Avalon on Sydneys northern beaches, began her career as a flight attendant, before becoming a hotel manager and tour guide. In 2006, she invited Watson, who was a well-known astronomer and media commentator, to host a solar eclipse tour to Cairns. The trip went well, and she moved increasingly into astro-tourism with him. (The pair started dating four years later, and were married in 2019, at the Haleakala Observatory, in Hawaii.) Ogg and Watson took tours to observatories in Paris and Stockholm, and went stargazing in the Namib Desert and the Chaco Canyon, in the US. Then, in 2012, they visited Asiago, near Venice, which hosts Italys National Telescope. We were so excited, but it turned out to be disappointing, she says. It was completely light polluted. We ended up seeing about 12 stars. On her return to Sydney, she walked into her backyard to feed her chickens and was astonished by how dark it was, and how clearly the stars blazed above her. It was a hundred times better than Italy, she says. Light pollution is now increasing by 10 per cent a year, which is scary. And so, she threw herself into a little-known corner of the environmental movement: dark sky conservation. Dark Sky Alliance founder Marnie Ogg with her husband, astronomer Fred Watson, at home on Sydneys northern beaches. Modern technology has divorced us from the natural world, she says. Credit: James Brickwood Advertisement For 3.7 billion years, life on Earth has evolved according to a regular day/night cycle, a binary rhythm that has shaped everything from our eating and sleeping to our mating habits and migratory patterns. Then, in 1880, Thomas Edison invented the first mass-produced light bulb. Electric light signalled a Promethean leap in human history, allowing us to turn night into day, fuelling huge boosts in productivity and the growth of cities. But as electric light became more available, humans became profligate with its use. By the 1960s, astronomers were using the term light pollution to describe the ambient glow caused by city lights at night, an orangey grey pall that made it more difficult to see the stars. Increased development compounded the problem: wherever humans went, light followed giant lamps on motorways and playing fields; skyscrapers sparkling like Christmas trees; cars and factories and thousands upon thousands of satellites, whizzing through orbit like supersonic baubles, bouncing sunlight down from space. We now use light in the same way we used water in the 1970s, Ogg says. Spraying it on the driveway and leaving the sprinklers on. The idea of a truly dark sky a sky as our ancestors saw it is now extinct in many parts of the world. According to a 2016 study published in the journal Science Advances, the Milky Way is now hidden from one-third of humanity. Some 80 per cent of the worlds population lives under light-polluted skies; in the US and Europe, its 99 per cent. A lot of people dont know what a proper night sky looks like, says Associate Professor Chris Lidman, the Director of the Siding Spring Observatory near Coonabarabran, in north-western NSW. You could be in the Swiss Alps, away from anywhere, and think youre seeing a dark sky, but youre not. Loading The implications of this are both material and ontological. Astronomical research the kind done by Lidman seeks to answer some of humanitys biggest questions, including how time began and are we alone in the universe. As the stars disappear from view, so do the potential answers. Light pollution also impacts animals. On Queenslands Sunshine Coast, turtle hatchlings, which emerge from their nest at night, are being drawn off course by house lights, away from the ocean and into residents backyards, where they are eaten by domestic pets. Insects swarm around night lights until they die from exhaustion. Dung beetles, who navigate by the stars, wander in circles. Clownfish eggs, which only hatch at night, remain dormant. Magpies, kept up at night, lack the energy during the day to forage for food. Its tempting to regard light pollution, sometimes called ALAN (artificial light at night), as benign, especially compared with coal-fired power plants or ocean plastics. People associate light with wellbeing and progress, says Ogg. But ALANs inexorable sprawl has inverted that, birthing a billion-watt, energy-sapping, klieg light-dystopia where birds slam into illuminated skyscrapers, and trees bud weeks early; where there is no corner of our lives that remains hidden, safe from the diode glow of your laptop or a streetlight through the curtain. Not surprisingly, ALAN is making us sick. It suppresses melatonin, the hormone that tells us when to sleep, leading to insomnia. Its linked to depression, by altering neurotransmitters, like serotonin, that determine mood. A recent study found that ALAN is associated with impaired blood glucose control, with more than nine million cases of ALAN-induced diabetes in China alone. Advertisement Most people, once the sun goes down, they move inside, turn on the lights and switch on the TV. Thats our version of the night, which is kind of sad. Marnie Ogg There are also questions of identity. What would it mean for Australians if the Southern Cross disappeared? (Already, Ginan, the constellations fifth and faintest star, can be hard to spot.) For millennia, First Nations peoples used the stars to navigate, forecast the weather and find food. The best example of this in Australia is the dark emu, an emu-shaped constellation made by the dust lanes in the Milky Way. The emus position in the sky during the year could be used to predict the birds behaviour, including when it lays eggs. Light pollution is erasing the emu, along with other significant constellations, a process Duane Hamacher, Associate Professor of Cultural Astronomy at the University of Melbourne, has likened to cultural genocide. Light pollution is slow violence, Hamacher wrote in the Journal of Dark Sky Studies, a whitewashing of the night sky through colonial policy and practice. But there is something more elemental at stake. Who hasnt lay down on the ground and beheld the night sky, the infinite meadows of heaven, as poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow put it, and pondered the mystery of existence? The stars are a link to the mystic, the loss of which impoverishes our deeper being. Modern technology has divorced us from the natural world, Ogg says. Most people, once the sun goes down, they move inside, turn on the lights and switch on the TV. Thats our version of the night, which is kind of sad. We now use light in the same way we used water in the 1970s, Ogg says. Spraying it on the driveway and leaving the sprinklers on. Credit: James Brickwood The answer to light pollution is simple you just turn off the lights. Reducing the number of external lights around your house is a good start; you can also change from harsh LED bulbs to warmer, amber shades. On Queenslands Sunshine Coast, where many of Australias most important loggerhead turtle hatcheries are located, the council has lowered and mounted shields on street lights, and put motion-activated lights in public toilets. Everyone is on board, says Kate Hofmeister, conservation officer at Sunshine Coast Council. Weve even heard that the police politely remind people to turn off their headlights when they park near the beach. Advertisement Advertisement Eating outRestaurant news Afternoon delights: High-end happy hours are making hatted restaurants more affordable (plus five to try) From $12 cocktails at Gildas to $15 chorizo hot dogs at Rockpool. happy hour is making going out (early) in Sydney less expensive, Bianca Hrovat June 24, 2023 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Forget TGIF, its midweek happy hours that are luring office workers into inner-city bars and restaurants this winter. Data released by restaurant technology company OpenTable reveals a 15 to 20 per cent month-on-month spike in the popularity of happy hours on Wednesday and Thursday in May. Mid-week happy hours have been growing in popularity since February, when OpenTable data showed a 70 per cent year-on-year increase on Wednesdays. Golden Hour at Gildas. James Brickwood The trend has led to an increasing number of high-end happy hours at hatted venues such as The Charles, Rockpool Bar & Grill and Gildas. Advertisement It gives people a reason to come in and check out the venue without the big price tag, Carr says. When you have [The Charles Grand Brasserie, beside The Charles Bar], people can assume youre just a celebratory venue. But the bar can be quite a casual space, and we wanted to highlight that with a more approachable offering. Chef Lennox Hastie. Edwina Pickles Acclaimed chef Lennox Hastie, who opened Surry Hills wine bar Gildas in partnership with hospitality group Fink in 2022, says the newly introduced golden hour from 5.30-6.30pm each Wednesday and Thursday has encouraged an influx of new customers. Many, he says, drop in on their commute home due to Gildas proximity to central station. Its a beautiful space, which creates the perception it might be expensive, but once they come inside they realise its the same price, if not cheaper [than surrounding venues], he says. Advertisement Golden hour is breaking down those barriers. Hastie says the hour-long promotion is leading to long queues and increased drink sales, allowing budget-conscious diners to order more than one of the $12 house cocktails. And more often than not, theyre pairing their drinks with a $5 gilda or a $12 plate of paleta iberico (Spanish cured ham) with housemade potato crisps. Accompanying food specials have proven a popular inclusion at restaurants like Bastardo on Phillip Street, where the aperitivo hour offers snacks like marinated olives, pizza fritta and zucchini flowers between $5 and $26. People are pounding those zucchini flowers, says Ben Milgate, co-founder of Bastardos parent company The Porteno Group. The happy hour influx coincides with signs of the so-called Great Return, as big banks implement return-to-work mandates and commuter numbers rise to 70 per cent of pre-COVID levels at inner-city train stations. Advertisement Lil Sis wine bar at The Abercrombie in Chippendale. Thursday is the new Friday, says Zoe Brunton, head sommelier at Lil Sis in Chippendale. The small wine bar introduced its Wednesday-Sunday happy hour promotion in March, in hopes of recreating that pre-pandemic culture of socialising with colleagues, without stressing people out financially during the cost of living crisis. The economy was a huge consideration, Brunton says, referring to the selection of $10 cocktails and $7 beers. Everyone is feeling the pinch. Advertisement The Charles Bar. Steve Woodburn At The Charles Bar on King Street, director of bars Jonothan Carr has noticed significantly more people taking advantage of their happy hour between 3 and 6pm on Thursdays. I think the numbers were seeing in the venue is pretty aligned to what weve seen in terms of trends in people coming back to work, Carr says. Thursday is certainly the day when everyone comes into the office, and [given that] many work from home on Friday, its also the day when people start their weekend early. Advertisement Milgate attributes the rush on 4pm snacks to a change in working hours since corporate staff have returned to the CBD. One of the biggest things Ive noticed is people coming into the city later in the morning, then staying later at night. [That means] theyre not having that conventional midday lunch, he says. [Instead], we get one or two diners coming in [for aperitivo hour] and grabbing a quick bite in between meetings. After-work happy hours to try in Sydney Lil Sis, Chippendale Advertisement For a selection of $10 cocktails, $7 beers and a $25 charcuterie board featuring LPs meats and Josies rainbow olives. Order the popular reverse martini, which flips the ratio of vermouth to gin. Wed-Sun 4-6pm abercrombie.sydney/lil-sis Gildas, Surry Hills For $12 house cocktails, $12 wines, $12 off-menu specials and $5 gildas. The wine bar encourages walk-ins but be prepared for a queue. Wed-Thu 5.30-6.30pm gildas.com.au Advertisement Bastardo, CBD For an aperitivo hour featuring a discounted selection of snacks, like $12 anchovy pizza frittas and $12 zucchini flowers. Pair them with a house made limoncello spritz ($19). Mon-Fri 3-5pm porteno.com.au/bastardo-cbd The Charles Bar, CBD For a selection of characteristically classy cocktails (think sidecars and southsides) from $12 and Moet & Chandon champagne for $15 by the glass. Dont miss the mini prawn cocktail, for just $10. Advertisement Mon-Fri 3-6pm thecharles.sydney Rockpool Bar & Grill, CBD For RP Hour at the bar, where youll find $15 snacks (with options like fish poboys and chorizo dogs), $12 martinis and $7 beers. Theres also a daily sommeliers selection of wine, for $15 a glass. Mon-Fri 4-6pm rockpoolbarandgrill.com.au Having stared down Vogue readers from 40 covers, veteran supermodel Lauren Huttons opinion of beauty is surprisingly more homespun than high fashion. I like looking good because people are nicer to you and then youre nicer to them, Hutton, 79, says. I just need to remind myself to be nicer to myself. Supermodel Lauren Hutton on the Valentino runway in Paris, 2019. Credit: Getty Surely, the woman who inspired some of photographic master Richard Avedons best work and broke modellings reflective glass ceiling in 1973, by signing a $250,000 a year Revlon contract for 20 days work, understands the power of high cheekbones, an unflinching stare and athletic frame. Well I spent enormous amounts of time in the sun growing up, so some days I wake up looking like the bottom of a foot. FO: About $20,000. Fitz. And it could have been used on the Titan, as just one easy safety measure among many, but wasnt? FO: Yes. They went in a completely different direction. They proudly stated on their website that they chose to focus on hull strength as the whole basis for the safety of their submersible which is tragically ironic, given what appears to have happened. They had these gauges on the hull continuously measuring the strains on it as it changed depth, which they said were better than anything, and therefore we dont need anything else. Frank Owen with the Australian submarine rescue vehicle Remora, which was designed, built, certified and tested in 23 weeks. Fitz: Was that madness? FO: It was complete madness to ignore previous accidents and previous systems and all the knowledge that has been built up on how things can go wrong, and what needs to be done to limit those risks. Fitz: But if it is that obvious that having no safety systems beyond a strong hull was crazy, how did it escape them? FO: Because they started from the precepts that the classification and certification systems were too bureaucratic and stodgy and would take years to get through. Their approach was: Were innovative and cutting-edge, and we cant afford to wait, weve got to get on with this. And so well focus only on the strength of the hull, using carbon fibre and not steel or titanium. And by the way, when carbon fibre does collapse, it takes about 20 milliseconds. It just goes, instantly. Another design failing is that if you wanted to go to 4000 metres depth like this, youd design it to be able to go to 50 per cent more than that, so about 6000 metres. But this submersible was able to go to a depth of 4000 metres and was going to 3800 metres. Fitz: So your best estimate is that the submersible imploded in just 20 milliseconds? FO: Yes. From what we know now, it looks like started to delaminate and Fitz: Delaminate? FO: Peel back. The carbon fibre is made up of many layers bonded together. Under the pressure and the strain the outer layers likely started to lose structural integrity. Fitz: So all the alarms you mentioned would have started to beep? FO: Their alarms would have started to go off, and it seems they likely dropped their clump weights to start up to the surface, but it was too late. When it happened and it imploded, it would have been instantaneous. Fitz: Whats the explanation for the knocking sound that confused everyone? Loading FO: That is a complete mystery to me, and will likely be discussed for years to come. All the reports had regular knocking, not just the regular noise that the ocean is full of. But when you get regularity, that suggested it was man-made. Fitz: All right. All up you make it sound like a catch-as-catch-can affair. I mean, there was one report from someone who had been down on the Titan previously saying something that broke was fixed up with zip-ties. Are they cowboys? FO: Yes. The tourist submersible industry sprang out of the offshore oil and gas industry, and it isnt mandated to comply with any of these certification rules because ultimately, they are operating in international waters beyond the reach of much law. And the CEO of this company, who was in the submersible, said he had no interest in certification because that takes years and years, while they were innovative. He said he wouldnt employ 50-year-old white men because theyre not inspirational. Well, I can tell you that what we did building the Collins Class rescue system was completely innovative and never been done before. [The Australian submarine rescue vehicle Remora] was designed, built, certified and tested in 23 weeks. I think that was inspirational, and innovation is not limited by age. In fact, age actually helps you understand what can go wrong and how you can innovate to avoid it because youve got so many bent knees and bruised shins that you actually dont want to go through that again. Fitz: OK, this is delicate, but what are the ethics of this? There has been some criticism of the commercial enterprise of the Titan diving on a grave site. Will we see future commercial missions diving on the Titanic, then going over the 400 metres to see the Titans effective grave site too? The latter would certainly seem to me to be ghastly, ghoulish, horrible and unimaginable paying money to gaze at the aquatic graveyard of those who had died while paying money to look at another aquatic graveyard. How soon is too soon to look at such things? Loading FO: Its too soon to say. The biggest ethical problem is if you take action to interfere with either site. But beyond the Titans remains being a grave site, it is also a monument to folly and will act as a warning to all who might follow. It says: you are involved in a risky business here, and all the evidence points to the need to do things the proper way and not the way these cowboys did it. There is good reason to go through an oversight process, or review by others who have experience in this area. And while that might take time, haste can come at the terrible price now strewn on the ocean floor next to the Titanic. Fitz: Thank you for your time. Whatever the rights and wrongs, vale the dead. Quote Of The Week Twitter appears to have dropped the ball on tackling hate. Australias eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant. Tweet Of The Week We should call Australian crime dramas Yeah, noir. Dr Nathan Kilah, @ChemistryNathan Joke of the Week I met a fairy today who granted me one wish. A chemical waste company that caused one of Melbournes worst industrial fires was warned before the catastrophic blaze about safety risks and leaking tanks at its warehouses. But the County Court judge who imposed a $2.98 million fine on the business on Friday conceded the penalty was unlikely to ever be paid because the business was broke and in liquidation. About 200 firefighters spent more than four days extinguishing the fire that erupted on a worker in April 2019 and spread at the Campbellfield premises of Bradbury Industrial Services; a chemical recycling operator subsequently linked to the largest illegal toxic waste dumping operation in Victorian history. The fire forced the closure of nearby schools and waterways as toxic liquid leaked from the site into Merlynston Creek and Foden Reserve. A coronial inquest into the disappearance of Perth woman Iveta Mitchell has concluded she died shortly after she was last seen 13 years ago and was likely the victim of homicide. In a report handed down on Friday, WAs Deputy Coroner Sarah Linton ruled the mother of three likely died after leaving her Parmelia home on the night of May 2, 2010. Missing without a trace ... Iveta Mitchell. Linton said she believed another person was involved in the 37-year-olds disappearance and deliberately hindered attempts to find her body. The findings come more than six months after Ivetas husband, Chad Mitchell, her children, friends, witnesses and police officers gave evidence as part of a three-day probe into her disappearance. As far as we can tell, looking across all of the polls and taking into account the differences between the polls, from the beginning of the year to about six weeks ago Yes was shedding an average of one quarter of a percentage point per week. With the last batch of polls, its accelerated to shedding an average of one half of a percentage point a week. If uninterrupted over the 15 weeks to the expected voting date, this trend would cost the Yes vote another 7 percentage points or so, driving it emphatically to failure. Loading This is testament to the very fine fearmongering weve seen from the Coalition and the other No campaigners. The Voice as proposed is nothing more than an advisory body. The federal government already has dozens. This would be just one more. But the opponents successfully have insinuated and hyperventilated the thing into something sinister and scary. And headed for failure. This shouldnt be a surprise. In the dismal history of Australian constitutional referendums, the only ones that have succeeded have enjoyed bipartisan political support. Once a referendum question has been contested by a major party, its been doomed. Besides, its harder for the Yes case because of the double majority required to change the constitution, you not only need a majority of voters nationwide, you also need a majority of voters in a majority of states. Australia has six states, so a majority is four. So if support dips below 50 per cent in three states, the referendum is lost. And, according to the Resolve poll, we are there already. Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland all showed Yes support in minority, with the caveat that the sample sizes in these less populous states are relatively small so the uncertainties are large. Reed puts it this way: Its five times harder for the Yes case because the No vote just needs 50 per cent plus one, in three of the smaller states. So if thats WA and South Australia and Tasmania they only need 1.5 million votes to block it. But the Yes side needs a national majority, which is 8.7 million or 7.5 million allowing for turnout and informal votes. So its stacked against Yes its as if they have to run five laps while No only needs to run one. Its that difficult. Loading Something dramatic has to change. This week, two things did. First, the legislation to allow the referendum passed its final parliamentary test. The parliament need not have any further involvement. Theres a big distinction between the phase we have just been through and the phase we are about to enter, says Noel Pearson, Cape York Institute policy director and a board member for the Yes campaign, formally known as Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition. Its been a torrid period, these last two months, wrangling politicians, arguing politicians that have been raising problems with the Voice. They are irrelevant now, strictly speaking, he tells me. Once the bill becomes law, its handed over to the Australian people. My view is that the 151 Australian MPs are 151 votes in October, when the referendum is expected to be held. Its the 17.5 million voters in whose hands this lies. Not that politicians are about to fall silent on the matter. Many are looking to advance their careers with it, both those for it and against. So political noise will go on. But the new phase doesnt depend on the parliament. And there is limited opportunity for parliamentary posturing on it, with only four sitting weeks remaining before the expected October voting date. And the Yes campaign has been waiting for this post-parliamentary phase before becoming fully active. Second, the Labor Party realised that something dramatic needed to change. Its organisational wing has decided to deal itself into the campaigning effort. Labors national secretary, Paul Erickson, announced to the federal caucus room on Tuesday that the party is about to mobilise a field campaign in support of the Yes vote. Erickson told the assembled MPs and senators that the party would activate members and supporters and union members and volunteers across the wider community to go out and talk to voters across the country. We will turn on a field campaign, and on the same scale, as for a federal election, he said. In last years election, Labor counted 27000 of its volunteers making 1.4 million phone calls and 891,000 door knocks. Erickson cheered the caucus by giving three reasons for optimism. First, the post-parliamentary phase would reduce the scope for Coalition divisiveness, he said. Second, Australians know that the Labor government can do more than one thing at a time, according to Erickson. He cited an Essential poll that voters trust Labor over the Coalition to handle the cost of living crisis, for instance. This gave Labor scope and standing to campaign for the Voice at the same time as managing other issues. Loading Third, that all Labors research showed a broadly positive attitude to the Voice among the electorate and that the campaign should be able to maintain a double majority because it will put forward compelling arguments, framing the vote as being about recognition and listening, he said. Erickson told the caucus that it wouldnt look like a Labor campaign because it would be working closely with the Yes23 campaign. Yet the decision to mobilise shows that Labor knows the Voice is in serious trouble and its determined to salvage it. Yet Labor also mobilised a major field campaign in the 2019 federal election, with 25000 volunteers and over a million phone calls. And lost. The Coalition ran a scare campaign and won. So itll take something more dramatic than a Labor field campaign to revive a Voice that has been drowned out by unrelenting fearmongering. In such times, opposition party strategists have been known to drop everything and focus on engineering a win. They mustnt. If there is one lesson from the last decade and a half, it is that a loss is an opportunity not to be wasted. When the Coalition lost to Kevin Rudd in 2007, it wasnt because it was on the nose, but because it had delivered a period of great stability and made it look easy. Peter Dutton is looking like a new man one who could win the next election. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Armed with the Fightback agenda developed under John Hewson, then-prime minister John Howard led a philosophically coherent team which managed to turn internal disagreement into constructive debate. But its hard to develop new ideas while in government, so by the end of the Howard era, the Liberal Party was in need of some fresh policy thinking. Instead, it fell apart. The contest of ideas was replaced by a scuffle between rivals representing different streams of the conservative and classical liberal alliance that Howard called the broad church. So when Rudd ran into a knife backwards, the Liberal Party wasnt ready to govern. But that didnt stop it from campaigning. Tony Abbott proved a formidable campaigner. Backed with the credibility of the Howard government, he was able to use simple, powerful language to tell voters what the incumbent Labor government was doing wrong: stop the boats, axe the tax, put the adults back in charge. It got him closer to a win than anyone had dreamed of in 2010. By 2012, the leadership spills of Rudd-Gillard-Rudd had caused Anthony Albanese to shed his first public tears over a party that was fighting itself instead of the Tories. In 2013, Abbott won. But it soon became apparent that the policy hard yards had fallen victim to the campaign to regain government. In haste, the Liberal Party lifted a shelf-ready platform, more or less straight from the free market Institute of Public Affairs, to add substance to its slogans. This might have worked out OK if Abbott were a libertarian fundamentally aligned with that era of IPA ideas. As a proper conservative by nature, he wasnt and isnt. Loading By 2015, leadership rival Malcolm Turnbull was aghast at the lack of policy detail. Policies need to be carefully thought through, painstakingly explained and be robust enough to withstand rigorous policy debate, he decreed. But that didnt stop him challenging Abbott for the top job without having done what he accused his prime minister of having neglected. A shaky prime ministership ensued, ended by the Morrison ascendancy. Finally, there was someone in charge who didnt care enough for policy to desire it or come into conflict with it. And thats how Australia muddled through a decade on the momentum of commodities, without any significant new initiatives to get the otherwise sluggish economy moving again. Luckily, we had those commodities, so the decade didnt wipe us out; but it just about killed the Liberal Party. With so few ideas and so little to believe in, supporters bled out in all directions. With so little common cause, the Liberal Party has become a game of factions. Now the travails of the government have made a Coalition win once again look possible. But winning again without doing the policy work could finish the party off once and for all. Loading Policy work is underway to identify and propose solutions to the problems of today. Some people are stress-testing and articulating the principles and values that should anchor the party and its policies. There is even thought being given to how to overcome factional capture. That work now needs to happen on double time. A party which has lost members must woo new ones who bring good ideas. The temptation will be to drop everything and campaign on the governments weaknesses and failures. After all, the excuse always goes, its the oppositions job to hold the government to account, and you cant implement policy unless youre in government. Melbourne home buyers can make savings of up to seven figures in their property search just by taking a slightly longer commute. Travelling one or two stops further on the train line can cut the cost of a typical property as much as half in parts of the city, Domain data shows. The analysis comes as rising property prices, reduced borrowing power and a drop in the number of homes for sale force buyers to broaden their property search. The biggest gap in prices is along the Frankston line, where riding one extra stop between the pricey suburbs of Toorak and Armadale, reduces the median house price from $4.9 million to $2.5 million, on March quarter figures. Vatican City: A Vatican prosecutor said he had uncovered new leads worthy of further investigation into the disappearance of a Vatican schoolgirl, who vanished 40 years ago. Emanuela Orlandi, the daughter of a Vatican usher, failed to return home on June 22, 1983 following a music lesson in Rome. She was 15 at the time and lived inside the Vatican City. Her disappearance is one of Italys most enduring mysteries. Emanuela Orlandi. The case drew fresh worldwide attention following the release late last year of the Netflix series Vatican Girl. Vatican chief prosecutor Alessandro Diddi announced in January that he was reopening a previous, inconclusive Vatican investigation after he inherited files from his retired predecessor. Two years after Australia decided to abandon diesel-electric subs for nuclear powered models, details of how hat will work have been disclosed. Australia will obtain eight American Virginia-Class SSNs (nuclear attack subs). The first three will be transferred from the United States, with the first one arriving in 2033. The other five will be built in Australia, with some modifications requested by Australia which will technically make the Australian Virginias a variant of the American Virginias. The first three will arrive from the United States in the 2030s.. Two will be transferred from the U.S. Navy while the third will come from one of the American Virginians under construction. The first two American Virginias will be used to complete the training of Australian crews. Australia will establish a shipyard and workforce capable of building the other five Virginias locally and this will take until 2052 for all eight Australian SSNs to be in service. To speed this up or simply make sure all eight are in service by 2052, the American may transfer another two, leaving Australia to build the other three. The Australian capability to build Virginians will also provide Australia with the capability to maintain, repair and upgrade Australian SSNs as well of those of allies like the United States and Britain. The U.S. plans to eventually have 66 Virginians in service by the 2040s and each of these will serve for at least 30 years. Currently, only 34 Virginias are guaranteed. The rest will be upgraded models that will be more expensive and require Congressional approval. The Navy put its 21st Virginia class SSN into service during 2022. Currently Block 3 and 4 Virginia's take about six years to build. In 2008 the navy got its fifth Virginia eight months ahead of schedule and under budget. At that point, the Virginias were taking 5-6 years to build and arriving at the rate of one a year. Over the last decade, the speed of construction has increased as well as the rate of delivery, now one or two a year. This is essential to replace the aging Los Angeles class boats. Covid19 halted the ability to build Virginias at the rate of two a year. Another time-consuming element is that current Virginias are 30 percent larger than the previous ones because they will have 40 launch tubes for cruise missiles. This is about three times as many cruise missile tubes as the previous Virginias. That means even more skilled workers are needed for the larger Virginias. The Navy currently plans to have up to ten Virginias under construction at the same time. Blocks 1-4 of Virginia are all armed the same way but Block 5 (arriving in the mid-2020s) will have additional space to store and launch missiles and will carry 65 missiles and torpedoes. This is 75 percent more than Block 1-4 boats. This will be accomplished by adding an additional section called the VPM or Virginia Payload Module. This adds 25.6 meters to the length of the sub and increases displacement to 10,400 tons. Each new Block gets better electronics and sensors and it is believed that the passive sonar in the late model Virginias have much longer and accurate detection ranges. The Block 5 will also receive a large number of equipment upgrades. The main problem with future Virginias is their larger size plus a shortage of shipyard capacity to simultaneously build all of them and the new Columbia-Class SSBN (larger ballistic missile carrying nuclear subs). Diverting existing Virginias and some on order to Australia is not seen as a problem as Australia is a long-time American ally and is facing the same Chinese naval threat as the United States. The planned Australian SSN shipyard is a major advantage for the U.S. Navy because currently the two American yards are on the Atlantic coast. Some SSN maintenance can be done at Pacific coast naval facilities but, for shipyard level attention, a Pacific-based SSN must make a long trip to the east coast of the United States. Australias decision to go nuclear came in 2021 and required the cancellation of a $65 billion contract with a French firm to build twelve non-nuclear versions of the new French Barracuda class SSN. Simultaneously it was announced that Australia had formed a military cooperation coalition with Britain and the U.S. called AUKUS. This made Australia a member of an exclusive club, one that long consisted of only two members; the United States and Britain. This special arrangement dates from the late 1950s when the U.S. agreed to provide Britain with access to military tech that America shared with no one else. This included nuclear submarine tech, including reactor design and SLBMs (Sea Launched Ballistic Missiles). France was offered access to submarine nuclear reactor tech but declined and developed its own. In the case of the twelve French non-nuclear subs (called the Attack class), Australia was concerned about constantly growing delays and escalating costs. The contract contained numerous opportunities for Australia to terminate the deal, with minimal cancellation fees, for failure to meet deadlines. Australia exercised one of those termination opportunities, which the French never expected. France reacted with denunciations against Britain and the U.S. for conspiring with Australia to steal the contract. That made for great headlines, but wasnt true. Australia was already paying a lot of money to deal with the delays already incurred. For example, two months before the French deal was canceled, Australia decided to spend over $4 billion to refurbish all six, instead of just three, of its current Collins class diesel-electric submarines. This was necessary to deal with delays in the construction of the twelve new Attack class boats. The Attack class are diesel-electric versions of the new French SSNs and are smaller because they have no nuclear reactor and all the additional equipment needed to support it. Part of the problem was that the Barracuda SSNs took longer than expected to enter service and that delayed equipping the Australian shipyard selected to use French SSN tech to build the non-nuclear Shortfin Barracuda. As a result of the delays in France and Australia, the cost of developing and building the Attack class boats in Australia had increased by over fifty percent. Extending the life of all six Collins class boats was seen as a cheaper and safer alternative than scrapping the innovative Shortfin Barracuda project and looking elsewhere. One likely replacement was the German 216 class boats, which came in second in the competition to replace the Collins class. The 216s are smaller and less effective, on paper, than the Shortfin Barracuda but can be delivered on time and at half the original cost of the French design. France was aware of this possibility but did not expect the AUKUS deal which would enable Britain and the U.S. to share nuclear submarine tech with Australia. This appeals to Australia because the Americans share nuclear sub tech with Britain, not construction contracts, and continues to do so. Britain designs and builds its own SSNs and SSBNs. While Britain uses American SLBMs (Sea Launched Ballistic Missiles), Britain supplies its own nuclear warheads. Much, if not most of the tech in British SSNs and SSBNs is British and Australia would like to purchase American and British tech for the six to eight SSNs Australia plans to build or buy to replace the French Barracuda design. The Collins class boats entered service between 1996 and 2003 and were expected to retire after 30 years of service. That long service life was attained by giving each Collins class boat one or more expensive refurbishments when the boats got older. By refurbishing all six Collins class boats one more time, all will have a useful life of 37 years and retire much later, sometime in the 2040s, giving the Attack class enough time to enter service to replace the six retiring Collins class subs. The first Attack class boat was supposed to be in service by 2035. By 2021 Australia had doubts that the Attack class subs would be ready before Collins class boats were too old to be operated safely. Australia had been discussing this with the British and Americans for over a year and the AUKUS proposal came out of that. There would have been an AUKUS agreement no matter what happened to the Barracuda project. The Australian naval officers had long been interested in the British switch to an all-nuclear sub force in the 1990s. Since the 1960s Britain had maintained a mixed nuclear/diesel-electric submarine force but when they put their first SSBNs into service during the 1990s they found it practical to go all nuclear rather than continue developing and building nuclear and non-nuclear subs. Now Australia plans to make the same switch. The non-nuclear Barracuda began in early 2016 when it was agreed that the French firm DCNS would design and share construction of twelve new diesel-electric submarines. Australians preferred the French design because it was a larger boat than those offered by Germany and Japan. The French proposal was a diesel-electric version of their new Suffren (Barracuda) class SSNs. This non-nuclear Shortfin Barracuda design was about 20 percent smaller (in surface displacement) than the 4,700-ton nuclear powered Suffren but was otherwise very similar with a crew of about 60, four 533 mm torpedo tubes and 24 torpedoes, missiles or mines. A major selling point for the Barracuda was the proven silencing technology France had developed for their SSNs. This would now be added to an inherently quiet diesel-electric design. The Shortfin Barracudas were to be built in Australia as the Attack class and cost about $2.4 billion each. This included an AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) system that would allow these boats to operate submerged for two weeks at a time. French firms were to only control about half of the construction budget, with much of the rest going to American firms that would provide the electronics and weapons. The RAN (Royal Australian Navy) Attack subs were to begin construction in 2022 and enter service in 2035. That did not happen because of problems in France. In mid-2019 the first of six new French Barracuda type SSNs was launched. Called the Suffren, it officially entered service in late 2020 but was not completely operational until sometime in 2021. All six will be in service by the late 2020s. Back in 2006, France decided to buy six Barracuda class SSNs, for about $1.5 billion each. These 4,700-ton (surface displacement) boats are smaller than America's new 7,300-ton Virginia class subs (which cost about $2.8 billion each) and use different nuclear power plant and silencing technologies. The unique French tech works but since they developed it themselves, without relying on the use of American tech, like the British do, getting a new class of SSNs into service usually takes longer than British or American designs and, in this case, took much longer than expected. Construction on the first Barracuda began in 2007 and it was supposed to be launched by 2012. That launch date was tentative and was delayed until 2019 because development of the Barracuda nuclear power plant began in 2003 and soon ran into problems. Problems with the power plant were no surprise because France, unlike Britain, did not license the American SSN power plant. This would make it more difficult to export French nuclear subs, which France has never been able to do because of a lack of customers. The French chose a different power plant design that used commercial (not military) grade nuclear fuel. This meant French nuclear subs had to be refueled more often but this was made easier by building the hull with special large hatches that could be quickly opened once every 7-10 years for refueling then sealed again. France is the only nation using this type of ship power plant and had to handle development and maintenance procedures itself. With a small fleet of nuclear subs, this increased the cost per sub. Britain, by licensing the American tech, gets the benefit of a much larger American nuke fleet and the larger budget for work on the power plants. Ever since the first Barracuda began construction, the delays have come from power plant problems. By 2012 it was believed that launch date could be 2017 but delays perfecting the power plant continued. The sub could not be launched until the power plant was completed and the hull made watertight. Delays in getting the Barracudas into service added more delays in completing the Attack Class design and getting construction going. Australia exited the Attack Class agreement because it appeared that AUKUS provided a more reliable and affordable solution that also enabled a switch to an all-nuclear sub force. Britain and the U.S. also provide crew and construction staff training in a common language and the option to lease one or more American or British SSNs that are about to retire. This would have the Australian crews ready by the time the first Australian SSN entered service. By building these subs in Australia, American and British nuclear subs would have access to some repairs or maintenance for their nuclear subs operating in the Western Pacific. The U.S. currently has over half its SSNs operating in the Western Pacific. One critical factor to how many SSNs Australia will build is the problems Australia already has finding enough qualified recruits for their diesel-electric subs. Britain and the U.S. have similar problems with their nuclear subs, as does China with its diesel-electric and nuclear subs. That might make it easier for Australia to settle for four or six nukes rather than the eight currently discussed. Washington: A former FBI intelligence analyst from Kansas received nearly four years in prison in a case that bears parallels to that of former President Donald 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, Kansas. She pleaded guilty to two counts of violating the Espionage Act. Kendra Kingsbury worked for the FBI for more than 12 years. Credit: AP During her sentencing hearing in US District Court in Kansas City, Missouri, Kingsbury said she was loyal and did not apologise for taking the records. She was guilty of being too honest, Kingsbury said, because she had told the FBI in late 2017 she had the documents. She criticised 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 FBIs office in Kansas City. 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 From clawbacks to trail commissions, the systems that allow brokers to be paid need an overhaul, says Bianca Patterson, director and founder of Perth brokerage Calculated Lending. Patterson (pictured above) said that while on average she felt the pay structure was reasonable for what brokers did, there is certainly room for improvement in a number of areas. We brokers really do work for it, said Patterson. It takes on average between 12 hours to 20 hours for the office to process a loan from initial meeting to the 30 days post-settlement check-ups, and then up to 15 hours for check-ins throughout the year. Patterson acknowledged that the time per client could vary due to factors such as client circumstances, cooperation in providing required documents, choice of lender, and the expertise of the professionals managing the file throughout the settlement process. But with the MFAAs latest Industry Intelligence Service Report (15th edition) showing more than 46% of Australian brokers wrote $5 million in home loans or less for the period between April 1 and Sept. 30 last year, Patterson said many in the industry could be impacted by some of the industrys structures. Rewarding customer outcome Clawbacks are a controversial subject in the broking community, and with the latest spate of cashback offers on the market many brokers are taking a hit to their commissions. Patterson said that while she agreed that clawbacks were necessary in the industry, the current method of calculation couldnt continue. Clawback should be calculated pro rata by month, not year one and two, she said. This is especially true coming off an environment where the lenders have been buying each others customers bases with cashback offers, knowing they are clawing back some of that cost from us. Patterson also said that the way trail commissions were being domiciled to brokers needs an overhaul. If a customer signs off that they are working with a new broker, and the bank is satisfied that the broker is working to retain that customer with them, then this should be rewarded by the customer being moved under the new Brokers Code so they can complete ongoing maintenance for the customer with ease, and the trail should be moved accordingly, she said. Patterson also said she wondered how many orphaned clients were out there and how that was affecting the industry. Orphaned clients are those whose broker has retired, is not checking in with them and generally no longer actively involved in managing their loan. How many are still being paid trail while another broker is working hard for that client? she said. Patterson said that the industry needed to start looking at ways to reward great customer outcomes if it wanted to be seen as one of the preferred professional services to join. An easy fix to this is to pay a broker for the work they do with the trail from that loan, she said. Changing this up is also a way we can ensure the best outcomes for clients as brokers exit the industry, as the current method of paying the original broker the trail until the loan is paid out does not promote best practice. How can brokers manage trail commissions? While Patterson advocates for change, the current environment makes a large portion of a brokers pay uncertain, and she urges others to look for ways to manage their books. I always budget that any upfront commission we receive could be clawed back over the next two years, so that money is a variable that I dont commit to fixed costs in the business, she said. Trailing income pays for our fixed costs including the office, wages and all operating costs. Due to this its an asset that needs to be actively watched and maintained. Patterson said that brokers needed to keep in mind that each month a trail book would naturally decrease due to the amortisation of debt. For me its about making sure we bring in enough new clients to cover this, along with new clients to replace any that may have discharged their loans, plus a little more for growth, she said. By Ava Benny-Morrison, Lydia Beyoud and Patricia Hurtado US authorities are looking into what representations Adani Group made to its American investors following a scathing short sellers report that accused the company of using offshore companies to secretly manipulate its share prices. The US Attorneys Office in Brooklyn, New York, has sent inquiries in recent months to institutional investors with large holdings in the India conglomerate, one person familiar with the inquiries said. The requests for information were focused on what Adani Group told those investors, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the probe isnt public. The Securities and Exchange Commission also has a similar probe underway, two other people said. Requests for information from US prosecutors dont necessarily mean that criminal or civil proceedings will be filed as law enforcement agencies often open inquiries that dont lead to action. The interest from US authorities adds to the intense scrutiny of Adani Group, one of Indias biggest conglomerates, following short seller Hindenburg Researchs report accusing it of long-running stock manipulation and accounting fraud. The group, led by billionaire Gautam Adani, already faces regulatory probes in its home country. News of the inquiries emerged as President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House. Both Adani and Modi hail from the western Indian state of Gujarat, and the tycoons meteoric growth mirrors Modis own political journey to Indias top elected office. A spokesperson for Ahmedabad, India-based Adani Group said it was not aware of any subpoenas to investors. Also Read Adani-Hindenburg saga: Two Mauritius firms in report were under I-T lens Adani Green Energy to seek board approval to raise up to $1 billion Can Adani convince investors to back his capital-hungry businesses? Adani woos bankers: Invites them for a trip to restore confidence Protect small investors against profiteering by short-sellers Nova IVF Fertility expands footprint with acquisition of WINGS IVF Despite slowdown in PC business, gaming segment continues to be robust: HP Google backs creation of cybersecurity clinics with $20 mn donation: Pichai Carlyle Group sells 18.4 million shares of Delhivery for Rs 710 crore JPMorgan to pay $4 mn fine to SEC as it mistakenly deletes 47 mn records Our various issuers groups remain confident that the disclosures are full and complete as disclosed in the relevant issuer offering circulars, the spokesperson said. The group has denied the short sellers accusations. Spokespeople for the Eastern District of New York US Attorneys Office and SEC declined to comment. Hindenburg Report Adani Groups troubles began when Hindenburg on Jan. 24 released a report accusing the conglomerate of using a network of offshore companies in tax havens to embellish share prices and financial results. The report also alleged that the group had flouted disclosure and shareholding laws. Adani Group rejected the accusations and said in a lengthy rebuttal that Hindenburgs report was nothing short of a calculated securities fraud. Still, a steep share price decline followed that at one point wiped as much as $153 billion off the combined market value of Adani Groups 10 publicly traded businesses. Some investors divested quickly. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut Adani Group stocks from its ESG funds in the weeks following the report. Other institutional money managers, like BlackRock Inc. and and the fund management unit of Deutsche Bank AG, stayed put. In the months following the report, GQG Partners LLC had spent about $2.5 billion in five Adani Group stocks. In a bid to reassure investors, Adani Group in March met with Pacific Investment Management Company, BlackRock and Blackstone Inc. as part of a plan to market privately placed bonds for some of its companies, Bloomberg previously reported. Spokespeople for PIMCO, BlackRock, Blackstone declined to comment. New York-based Hindenburg, led by Nate Anderson, first attracted Wall Streets attention in 2020 after raising red flags about electric-vehicle maker Nikola Corp. Prosecutors in Manhattan pursued that lead, which culminated in the conviction of Nikola founder Trevor Milton for fraud in 2022. Adani firms combined market capitalisation declined by nearly Rs 48,000 crore to below Rs 10 trillion, following reports that US authorities had opened an inquiry into statements made by the group during its investor meetings. The US Attorneys Office in Brooklyn, New York, has sent inquiries in recent months to institutional investors with large holdings in Adani group stocks, according to a Bloomberg report, which quoted a person familiar with the inquiries. The requests for information were focused on what the Adani group told those investors, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the probe isnt public. The Securities and Exchange Commission also has a similar probe underway, the report said quoting two others. Following the report, an Adani group spokesperson, in a statement, said: We strongly reject any suggestion that the Adani group and its businesses have not acted as per the regulations and accounting standards of the jurisdictions in which they operate. We are not aware of any such subpoena to investors. Our various issuers groups remain confident that the disclosures are full and complete as disclosed in the relevant issuer offering circulars, the spokesperson further said. Shares of flagship Adani Enterprises fell 6.8 per cent, extending its month-to-date fall to 10.5 per cent. Eight other group stocks fell between 9.6 per cent and 1 per cent. Only Ambuja Cements ended with gains of 0.6 per cent. Also Read Stocks to Watch on May 15: Adani Group, Tata Motors, DMart, PVR Inox Stocks to Watch today, May 23: PolicyBazaar, BPCL, Vedanta, NMDC, JSW Steel Stocks to Watch Today: L&T. DRL, Adani Group, Asian Paints, Hero Moto Stocks to Watch on May 12: Adani Total, RIL, TaMo, ONGC, Vedanta, Mankind Kansai Nerolac, Canara Bank, Mankind Pharma among top stocks to watch today Local production to ownership: Strict rules of Shein's India re-entry deal Board of CUMI appoints Sridharan Rangarajan as new MD from August 3 Byju's early investor Pai calls for better governance after auditor exit Shriram Life Insurance declares highest-ever bonus of Rs 149 crore Concorde to invest Rs 225 cr to build 2 mn sq ft commercial real estate During the week, the Adani group lost $9 billion in market cap most in nearly four months. I think this is a typical knee-jerk market reaction to the news. Its a routine inquiry process that the regulators undertake, said Abhay Agarwal, founder and fund manager at Piper Serica Advisors. Requests for information from US prosecutors dont necessarily mean that criminal or civil proceedings will be filed as law enforcement agencies often open inquiries that dont lead to action. The interest from US authorities adds to the intense scrutiny of the Adani group, one of Indias biggest conglomerates, following American short-seller Hindenburg Researchs report accusing it of long-running stock manipulation and accounting fraud. The group, led by Gautam Adani, already faces regulatory probes in India. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), one of the biggest IT firms in India, has been rocked by a bribes-for-jobs scandal. According to a report by Mint, a few senior personnel at the company were accepting bribes from staffing firms for giving jobs to their candidates, for years. This has led to the company sacking four officials from its resource management group (RMG) and banning three staffing firms. The report said that earlier, a whistleblower at the company wrote to the company's CEO and COO stating that the global head of RMG, ES Chakravarthy, had been accepting commissions from these staffing firms. The company then formed a committee of three members, including chief information security officer Ajit Menon to probe the allegations. After the conclusion of the probe, TCS sent its head of recruitment on leave and sacked four officials from RMG. Chakravarthy has been debarred from coming to the office. Another official in the RBM division, Arun GK, has been sacked. An executive quoted in the report said that in the last three years, the company hired 300,000 people, including contractors. They added that the people involved in the scam may have earned at least Rs 100 crore through commissions. "The entire senior leadership is shocked," the official told Mint. Also Read Flexi-staffing industry's Q3 growth lowest in past 10 quarters: ISF report TCS Q4 review: Near-term growth to moderate, demand levers intact: Analysts TCS Q4 Preview: Revenue may rise up to 18% YoY; EBIT margin seen at 25% How does outgoing TCS CEO Gopinathan's salary compare to other IT execs? TCS Q3 preview: Margins to expand sequentially; Revenue may grow 16-18% YoY A hard lesson for Byju's Raveendran amid mass firings, delayed results Adani Group draws regulatory scrutiny in the US after short seller's report Nova IVF Fertility expands footprint with acquisition of WINGS IVF Despite slowdown in PC business, gaming segment continues to be robust: HP Google backs creation of cybersecurity clinics with $20 mn donation: Pichai The most preferred routes for hiring executives, as well as contractors for IT companies like TCS, are employee referral programmes and staffing firms. These firms provide lists of candidates to the company, which then conducts tests or interviews and later hires them as per the need. The RMG division of TCS has around 3,000 people and places around 1,400 engineers on projects daily. The average comes out to be one placement every minute. This is also the first such scandal that has been reported in TCS. It comes just days after K Krithivasan took over as the company's chief executive officer (CEO). By Chris Thomas BENGALURU (Reuters) - Mohandas Pai, an early investor in Indian edtech giant Byju's, said on Friday the company has not paid enough attention to governance, a day after its auditor and three prominent board members resigned. Byju's and its CEO Byju Raveendran did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Deloitte disclosed on Thursday that it was resigning as auditor because Byju's had delayed providing financial statements for 2021-22. The same day, board members representing Peak XV Partners, earlier known as Sequoia Capital India, Prosus and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative also stepped down without giving reasons. Pai, chairman and co-founder of Aarin Capital and one of India's most prominent business figures who once worked at IT giant Infosys, was Byju's early investor. Byju's website says Pai was among those who "have backed us and guided us" and "always believed in our vision." "Byju has not paid enough attention to governance and releasing financial figures in time. If you take money from any investor, you are accountable," Pai told Reuters. Also Read After many rocking years, we needed a rocky year: Byju's CEO Raveendran Edtech major Byju's faces deadline for $40 million payment of $1.2 bn loan A hard lesson for Byju's Raveendran amid mass firings, delayed results Byju's accuses lenders of manufacturing fake debt crisis to extort money Byju's schedules call for lenders to discuss loan amendment proposal Shriram Life Insurance declares highest-ever bonus of Rs 149 crore Concorde to invest Rs 225 cr to build 2 mn sq ft commercial real estate Shiprocket integrates it's app with ONDC to ease seller onboarding Repeated cockpit incidents show pilots are not learning: Air India CEO Kotak Investment Advisors invests Rs 732 cr in RattanIndia Power NCDs Byju's offers online tutorials for school students. It was once a darling of investors that valued it at $22 billion last year, but it has been embroiled in legal spats with lenders and sacked many employees amid a broader slowdown. This week's resignation of Deloitte and the three board members has put a spotlight on its financial management. "Even if you are a private company, you are still accountable," Pai added. Byju's global investors include General Atlantic, BlackRock and Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, but none of them have so far commented on the recent developments. Demand for Byju's tutorials boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reporting by Chris Thomas in Bengaluru; Editing by Aditya Kalra and Susan Fenton) BENGALURU (Reuters) -India's corporate affairs ministry ordered an inspection of edtech startup Byju's last week, CNBC-TV18 reported on Friday, citing sources. The ministry has taken cognisance of various corporate governance lapses at Byju's, the television channel reported. A Byju's spokesperson denied the report and called it speculative. "We have not received any such correspondence from MCA regarding this, and are not aware of any such inspection," the spokesperson said in a statement. The finance ministry did not respond to a message seeking comment. The report comes a day after Deloitte and three board members of Byju's severed ties with the company amid an escalating legal battle with its lenders and its plummeting valuation in the eyes of some investors. Also Read Byju's accuses lenders of manufacturing fake debt crisis to extort money Byju's schedules call for lenders to discuss loan amendment proposal Byju's lenders say lawsuit is meritless, designed to dodge obligations Network18 posts Rs 76.8 mn net loss in December quarter amid ad slowdown Byju's lenders, their advisers weigh options after missed interest payment Not aware of any subpoena from US regulators to investors: Adani Group Govt starts process to fund state refiners' green goals via equity: Reports Aurobindo Pharma arm signs pact with Medicines Patent Pool to develop drug Boeing to invest $100 mn in infrastructure, pilot training in India Tycoon Shapoor Mistry's firm set to sell India's biggest low-rated bond Byju's is also locked in a dispute with its lender Redwood Management, which alleged that the edtech company "wrongfully moved" $500 million, leading it to sue the investment management firm. (Reporting by Chris Thomas and Manvi Pant in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann Thoppil, Sonia Cheema and Janane Venkatraman) IT major Infosys has said it is cooperating with the Australian parliamentary committee that is investigating possible tainted contracts following allegations that former minister Stuart Robert helped lobbying firm Synergy 360 and its client, Infosys, win government contracts. Infosys is committed to the highest level of compliance, integrity and ethical business practices across markets in which it operates. We are cooperating with the Australian parliamentary inquiry in good faith, Infosys said in a statement to Business Standard. Media reports in Australia alleged Infosys paid $16 million to Synergy 360 over five years to help it grow the companys business with the Australian government. It has been alleged that Synergy 360 helped its clients meet Robert in order to win some of the countrys biggest government contracts on IT. A report by The Sydney Morning Herald said: Infosys became a key supplier to Services Australia in November 2019 when it won the ECE (Entitlement Calculation Engine) contract to process income support, an ambitious idea to transfer the payment system from an old mainframe. Infosys struggled to deliver results and the federal agency later chose to do much of the work itself. Infosys said the contract concerned resulted from a 14-month-long stringent government procurement process in accordance with the official framework. This included government-appointed pricing and probity consultants and government legal counsel to ensure an unbiased selection process. Also Read Infosys Q3 growth may be muted on higher furloughs; PAT may rise 9-15% YoY Infosys strong TCV, deal wins in Q3 lend comfort amid macro risks: Analysts Infosys Q4 Preview: Profit may weaken sequentially; FY24 guidance eyed IT major Infosys rewards employees with equity shares under 2 schemes Salary of Infosys CEO Salil Parekh drops 21% to Rs 56.45 crore in FY23 CBIC slaps Rs 942 crore demand notice on HDFC Life Insurance Company TPG Capital exits Landmark Cars; sells 11.25% stake for Rs 293 crore British India Corp employees to get dues from Saturday: Textiles Minister Apple likely to bring Apple Pay services to India; in talks with NPCI Drone manufacturing firm ideaForge raises Rs 255 cr from anchor investors Infosys Executive Vice-President Andrew Groth on Friday told the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) the company was working with Synergy 360 to grow its government business, and to help design, build, and deliver IT solutions. We worked to pursue opportunities across state and federal government. Groth told the committee Infosys no longer engaged Synergy 360 and had not been aware of anything untoward. Intel India Chief Nivruti Rai has resigned from the company after working for 29 years. She was the head of Intel's operations in India and vice-president of Intel Foundry Services. She started at Intel in February 1994 as a design engineer. Releasing a statement at her exit, Intel said that the company is grateful to Nivruti for the tremendous progress Intel India has made under her leadership. During her tenure at Intel, Nivruti Rai worked in the United States from 1994 to 2005. In September 2005, she shifted to Bengaluru assuming the role of senior director of chipset engineering and intellectual property development. So far, Intel has not announced the successor to Nivruti Rai. "Today, Intel India is our largest engineering site outside the US and a critical talent base for the company. We will have more to share soon about Intel India's leadership plans and we wish Nivruti all the best in her next chapter," Intel said in its statement. Who is Nivruti Rai? Also Read Intel announces Arc Pro A60 and Pro A60M GPUs with up to 12GB video memory We will look at a wider spectrum of Green economy companies: Renuka Ramnath Meta India partnership head Manish Chopra resigns; fourth exit in a year Intel rebrands its processor chips for the first time in 15 years Web Werks to invest Rs 1,400 crore to develop data centre in Navi Mumbai Will not reach emissions goal with current technologies, says Tata Steel Bribes-for-jobs scam uncovered at TCS, miscreants may have made Rs 100 cr Sebi bars Eros Group entities, MD from securities mkt over irregularities A hard lesson for Byju's Raveendran amid mass firings, delayed results Adani Group draws regulatory scrutiny in the US after short seller's report She is known for her expertise in the tech domain and was awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar on International Women's Day 2022. The award was given in recognition of her exceptional contribution towards semiconductor chip development that was power-efficient and cost-effective. The award was presented by former President of India, Ramnath Kovind. Rai is among the strong supporters of artificial intelligence and machine learning and has expressed that these new-age technologies have the ability to create economic value for people. Under her leadership, Intel India grew leaps and bounds as the company created a long-term framework of "cloud, network, edge-computing and devices" to support research and development. Jio Satellite Communications is the only satellite communication firm that has favoured auction for the allocation of spectrum while other players in the segment, including telecom operator Bharti Airtel, have opposed it. Elon Musk-owned SpaceX too has suggested an auction model but it is not for the auction of spectrum but bids in the form of a percentage of annual revenue as spectrum value fee in lieu of upfront currency bids. Jio Satellite Communications Limited (JSCL) in its counter-comment submission to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) toed the line of its sister concern Reliance Jio Infocomm to suggest auction as the best and legitimate method to allocate radiowaves frequencies. "We submit that JSCL supports an auction-based process for spectrum assignment for space-based communication services. The auction-based assignment provides equal opportunity to all service providers and brings requisite regulatory certainty and predictability by being a legally sound assignment mechanism," JSCL said. Trai made the comments public on Friday after the deadline ended on June 22. The satcom firm said that it will use frequencies in Ka and Ku spectrum bands and would be interested in acquiring the right to use the frequencies in these bands through upcoming auctions. Also Read WPL auction: Smriti Mandhana goes to Royal Challengers for Rs 3.4 cr Musk eager to bring satellite broadband 'Starlink' to India, Ambani resists '73% respondents on Trai's consultation paper seek satcom allocation' Bharti Airtel to hike mobile services rates across all plans this year OneWeb satellites soon to offer space-based internet services globally Cooperating with Oz parliamentary panel on contract probe: Infosys CBIC slaps Rs 942 crore demand notice on HDFC Life Insurance Company TPG Capital exits Landmark Cars; sells 11.25% stake for Rs 293 crore British India Corp employees to get dues from Saturday: Textiles Minister Another bite: Apple in talks with NPCI to launch Apple Pay in India JSCL said that regulatory certainty and predictability protect the investments and are instrumental in bringing in additional investments in the sector. "On the other hand, administrative assignment is uncertain, anti-new-entrant, and unpredictable due to its 'First come, first serve' nature and legal untenability due to the Supreme Court judgement in the 2G case," the company said. Among telecom operators, Vodafone Idea suggested allocating spectrum for space-based communication through auction only. However, Airtel, OneWeb, Tata Group's Nelco, Indian Space Association (ISpA), Satcom Industry Association and other players have countered the argument of allocating spectrum through auction. Airtel said that in the Presidential Reference to provide certain clarifications about the 2G judgement, the larger bench of the Apex Court has held that alienation of natural resources is a policy decision and there is no directive under the 2G judgement that natural resources can only be allocated through auctions. ISpA said while auction is a common method used to allocate scarce resources, such as terrestrial spectrum but in the case of satellite spectrum, auction is neither a common method nor even a preferred one, and instead it is the administrative allocation that is a common method in case of satellite spectrum. The industry body said that the satellite spectrum by nature is shared unlike terrestrial spectrum which is exclusive. "Further, in case of auction, the winning bidder will still have to share the spectrum with other users. Hence, there is no motivation for the bidder to be the highest bidder, as they will not be able to use all of the spectrum that they purchase. It makes the entire proposition of auctioning satellite spectrum an unnecessary exercise, "ISpA said. Highlighting the importance of satellite communications, SIA-India said the telecom service providers (TSPs) have miserably failed to meet the national broadband goals for the majority of the Indian population living in the rural and remote corners of the country for the last two to three decades. It said that despite having sufficient resources and government support including USOF and many other incentives, the TSPs could not penetrate these far-flung areas, as their "sole motive was only profit maximization in the lucrative market". "The satellite operators, with their inherent capabilities, are willingly extending their support to achieve the national broadband mission," SIA-India said. SpaceX said that it continues to oppose an exclusionary auction design especially one designed for terrestrial assignment, but stands alone in its drive to find a resolution that helps expedite the rollout of space-based communications for Indians. "SpaceX suggested an auction where bidders commit a percentage of annual revenue as a spectrum value fee in lieu of upfront currency bids," SpaceX said. Amazon's satcom arm Kupier Systems said that the auctioning spectrum for satellite-based services will impose an artificial restriction on existing and effective spectrum sharing mechanisms, result in an avoidable fragmentation of the available spectrum, and limit the number of operators. " If satellite operators are not able to use large, contiguous blocks of spectrum, this will result in reduced incentive to invest in new satellite technologies and, consequently, limit innovation," Kupier Systems said. Chinese-founded online fast-fashion giant Shein received permission to re-enter India only after agreeing to a strict licencing agreement with Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), The Economic Times (ET) reported. The agreement, which comes three years after Shein was booted out of India, will require Reliance's retail arm to fully own the domestic business, people familiar with the matter told ET. Shein, which has its headquarters in Singapore, will provide production support and training to more than 25,000 small- and mid-sized local suppliers so they can produce Shein-branded products globally, they said. Such a structure would allow Shein to capitalise on rising consumer demand in the world's most populous country while taking a cut of sales, they further said. It would also allow Shein to increase the proportion of made-in-India goods sold on its platform, potentially adding Rs 50,000 crore ($6.1 billion) of South Asian exports if its manufacturers could handle one-fourth of Shein's global demand, they added. Shein was one of a number of Chinese apps that India banned in 2020 as a result of deadly clashes between the militaries of the two nations along their disputed Himalayan border. Also Read Shein is coming back to India. Here's why it was banned in the past Shein is ready to make its second entry into India with Reliance Retail Chinese fast-fashion retailer SHEIN 100% Indian on return, says Centre This Chris Wood owned stock hit a 52-week low. What's worrying the Street? LIVE: MC, AAP boycott inauguration of new Parliament building on May 28 Board of CUMI appoints Sridharan Rangarajan as new MD from August 3 Byju's early investor Pai calls for better governance after auditor exit Shriram Life Insurance declares highest-ever bonus of Rs 149 crore Concorde to invest Rs 225 cr to build 2 mn sq ft commercial real estate Shiprocket integrates it's app with ONDC to ease seller onboarding Shein, which doesn't sell any of its apparel in China, has since made an effort to distance itself from its home country by moving its headquarters to Singapore in 2021. All data generated by Shein's app and from its operations in India will be stored in India and will be inaccessible to the online retailer in accordance with strict requirements from the Indian government regarding data security concerns, people familiar with the matter said. The company will receive a licence fee from the Indian entity as there is no equity involved, and payments will only come from any profits that the entity makes, they added. "We are not aware of any such subpoena to investors. Our various issuers groups remain confident that the disclosures are full and complete as disclosed in the relevant issuer offering circulars", the Adani spokesperson said. Gautam Adani's conglomerate Adani Group said that it was not aware of any subpoena from the US regulators to investors. "We strongly reject any suggestion that Adani Group and its businesses have not acted as per the regulations and accounting standards of the jurisdictions in which they operate", the spokesperson further added. This comes after Bloomberg reported that US regulators are looking into the representations made by the group to its American investors after the Hindenburg report accused it of manipulating stock prices. This comes after Bloomberg reported that US regulators are looking into the representations made by the group to its American investors after the Hindenburg report accused it of manipulating stock prices. According to the report, the US Attorney's Office in Brooklyn, New York, has sent inquiries in recent months to institutional investors with large holdings in the conglomerate. The requests for information were focused on what Adani Group told those investors. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also has a similar probe underway, the Bloomberg report added. Also Read Adani Green Energy to seek board approval to raise up to $1 billion Adani-Hindenburg saga: Two Mauritius firms in report were under I-T lens Give report on Adani-Hindenburg probe by August 14, SC tells Sebi RIL, ITC lift Sensex 418 pts, Nifty regains 18,700; MRF tops Rs 1-L mark Sensex slips 347 pts on profit-taking, Nifty holds 18,500; RIL, SBI dip 2% Govt starts process to fund state refiners' green goals via equity: Reports Aurobindo Pharma arm signs pact with Medicines Patent Pool to develop drug Boeing to invest $100 mn in infrastructure, pilot training in India Tycoon Shapoor Mistry's firm set to sell India's biggest low-rated bond Adani-EdgeConneX JV enters deal to raise $213 million for two data centres Notably, requests for information from US prosecutors don't necessarily mean that criminal or civil proceedings will be filed as law enforcement agencies often open inquiries that don't lead to action. Following the report, Adani Group stocks took a hit on the Indian bourses. On Friday, the conglomerate's stocks fell up to six per cent in intra-day trade on the BSE. In India too, the market regulator the Securities Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is investigating allegations made by a foreign short-seller on January 25, 2023 and also into market activity before and after that date. The verdict is expected from the securities watchdog in August. A panel of experts appointed by the Supreme Court, however, said in a report last month that they could not find any regulatory failure or wrongdoing behind the wild swings of Adani stocks. "We are fully compliant with all laws, rules and regulations and are confident that truth will prevail. We are fully cooperating with Sebi and will continue to provide all our support and cooperation," Adani Group had said in a media statement on April 29. Adani Group's troubles began when Hindenburg, on January 25, released a report accusing the conglomerate of using a network of offshore companies in tax havens to embellish share prices and financial results. The report also alleged that the group had flouted disclosure and shareholding laws. By Saikat Das Indias Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. is in talks to raise a loan for about $1.6 billion to fund the purchase of equipment from Nokia Oyj, according to people familiar with the matter. Banks involved in the discussions with billionaire Mukesh Ambanis telecoms company include Citigroup Inc., HSBC Holdings Plc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co., said the people, who asked not to be named because the matter is private. The loan will likely have a maturity of as much as 15 years and will be priced over the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, they said. As the deal hasnt yet been finalized, the lineup of banks and the terms may still change. Finlands export credit agency, Finnvera, will issue guarantees covering the majority of the loan, they said. Nokia announced last October that it had clinched an agreement to supply Jio with equipment for its 5G rollout in India. Ambanis Reliance Industries Ltd. was first out of the starting blocks to offer 5G in India, after investing billions of dollars to acquire the airwaves. Also Read HMD Global launches Unisoc T612-powered Nokia T21 tablet: Know price, specs Nokia C12 budget smartphone goes on sale at introductory price of Rs 5,999 New Nokia C12 Plus debuts in India with Android 12 Go Edition, 2GB RAM 20 years at Reliance helm: Mukesh Ambani redefines scale, business growth We are empowering Reliance with new leadership capital, says Mukesh Ambani CBI registers 2 cases against IL & FS subsidiaries for defrauding banks BPCL in talks with Rosneft to buy oil priced on Dubai benchmark: Reports Intel India chief Nivruti Rai resigns, successor to be announced soon Will not reach emissions goal with current technologies, says Tata Steel Bribes-for-jobs scam uncovered at TCS, miscreants may have made Rs 100 cr JPMorgan, Citibank and HSBC declined to comment. A Nokia spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by Bloomberg about the loan talks, as did Finnvera. A representative of Reliance Industries declined to comment. Repeat incidents where Air India's pilots allowed unauthorised persons in the aircraft's cockpit indicate that they are not learning and improving "due to complacency, carelessness or some other factor", its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson said on Friday. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday suspended two pilotsa captain for one year and co-pilot for one monthfor allowing an unauthorised person in the cockpit during the airline's Chandigarh-Leh flight on June 3. A similar incident had taken place on the airline's Delhi-Dubai flight on February 27 when its captain had allowed a female friend in the plane's cockpit. The DGCA had in April suspended this captain for three months and warned the co-pilot as he was not assertive to prevent this violation. "You may have read about the license suspension our regulator handed to two of our colleagues (pilots of June 3 flight) for not adhering to sterile cockpit regulations. The one-year suspension is long but, given that this is the second such incident in a relatively short space of time, it is quite understandable," Wilson told employees in a message reviewed by 'Business Standard'. The aviation industry operates with a "just culture" mindset that recognises that genuine mistakes happen and that they are opportunities from which to learn and improve, he said. "But learn and improve we must, and repeats indicate that we are not adequately doing so whether due to complacency, carelessness or some other factor," said Wilson. Also Read One year since Tatas took over Air India, here's how the journey has been NCLAT to hear SMBC Aviation's plea against NCLT order on Go First today Taxi to Take Off: Air India says Phase 1 of its transformation complete Overcast morning in Delhi with 25.4 deg C minimum temp, air quality drops Go First airline asks NCLT to pass urgent order on insolvency plea Kotak Investment Advisors invests Rs 732 cr in RattanIndia Power NCDs Edtech major Byju's in talks with investors who quit board to reconsider AdaniConneX raises $213 mn for setting up 2 data centres in Chennai, Noida Modi, Biden hail Indian contribution to Fermilab upgrade project Corporate affairs ministry ordered inspection of Byju's last week: Report The rules and regulations exist for a reason, and the airline expects them to be followed. "The strong action taken by DGCA should serve as a reinforcement, not that one should be needed, that it is incumbent on us all to keep elevating our game," he stated. BENGALURU (Reuters) -India's market regulator said on Thursday it had barred Eros Group Managing Director Sunil Arjan Lulla and three of the media company's entities from the securities market, citing accounting irregularities at the firm. In an interim order, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) said it had found prima facie evidence that the books of accounts of the company were "overstated and do not present a true and fair picture of the financial health of the Company." The SEBI has barred Eros International Media Ltd, Eros Worldwide and Eros Digital from the securities market until further orders. Pradeep Kumar Dwivedi, CEO of Eros International Media, was also barred from the securities market. Both, Lulla and Dwivedi have also been restricted from holding directorial positions in listed companies, according to the SEBI order. Eros International Media was in the process of seeking legal advice in the matter, the company said in a stock exchange filing. (Reporting by Rama Venkat in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar and Anil D'Silva) Also Read SEBI plans to restrict borrowing by AIFs to prevent systemic risk Sebi bars Eros International, MD Sunil Lulla from securities market Sebi plan to prune MF costs: New expense slabs, no additional charges Sebi lists new norms for high-risk FPIs: What it means for investments Five builders booked in Thane due to MahaRERA norm irregularities Bribes-for-job scam uncovered at TCS, miscreants may have made Rs 100 crore A hard lesson for Byju's Raveendran amid mass firings, delayed results Adani Group draws regulatory scrutiny in the US after short seller's report Nova IVF Fertility expands footprint with acquisition of WINGS IVF Despite slowdown in PC business, gaming segment continues to be robust: HP Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Indias largest IT services player, in a statement said that the media report suggesting the involvement of senior executives in bribes for jobs from recruitment firms relates to a breach of the companys Code of Conduct by certain employees and vendors. It also said that there was no financial impact and does not involve any fraud. TCS made these clarification to the exchanges in a filing, as a media report said that senior executives involved in hiring thousands of personnel took bribes from staffing firms. The story also stated that TCSs Resource Management Group (RMG) head has been accepting commissions from staffing firms. However, TCS in a statement said, The recruitment activities in TCS are not handled by the Resource Management Group (RMG) as alleged, therefore the reference to the alleged scam in the recruitment process is incorrect. RMG is responsible for the allocation of available resources to various projects and in case of any shortfall, fill such requirements through contractors. The complaint referred to in the article relates to the hiring of such contract resources employed by the contractors. The statement further stated that on receipt of the complaint TCS launched a review to examine the allegations in the complaint. Based on the review: (i) this does not involve any fraud by or against the Company and no financial impact; (ii) the issue relates to a breach of the companys Code of Conduct by certain employees and vendors providing contractors, and (iii) no key managerial person of the Company has been found to be involved, said the statement. The incident however, as shaken up the staffing industry in the country and brought up an issue that the industry has been dealing for some time. The Indian Staffing Federation said in a statement: We urge all stakeholders, including corporates and the Government, to consider engaging staffing companies that prioritize ethical employment practices and regulatory compliance. Also Read TCS Q4 review: Near-term growth to moderate, demand levers intact: Analysts TCS Q4 Preview: Revenue may rise up to 18% YoY; EBIT margin seen at 25% Here's how K Krithivasan will spend his first six months as TCS CEO TCS Q3: Weak deal wins, negative headcount signal slowdown, say analysts Gopinathan's resignation will not hurt TCS much; add stock on dips: Experts Tata Power installs EV charging stations in West Bengal's Malda Jio Satellite Communications favours auction, Bharti Airtel opposes Cooperating with Oz parliamentary panel on contract probe: Infosys CBIC slaps Rs 942 crore demand notice on HDFC Life Insurance Company TPG Capital exits Landmark Cars; sells 11.25% stake for Rs 293 crore Indias staffing workforce plays a pivotal and irreplaceable role across various sectors, significantly contributing to India's economic progress, said Lohit Bhatia, President of, Indian Staffing Federation. India's corporate affairs ministry ordered an inspection of edtech startup Byju's last week, CNBC-TV18 reported on Friday, citing sources. The ministry has taken cognisance of various corporate governance lapses at Byju's, the television channel reported. A Byju's spokesperson denied the report and called it speculative. "We have not received any such correspondence from MCA regarding this, and are not aware of any such inspection," the spokesperson said in a statement. The finance ministry did not respond to a message seeking comment. The report comes a day after Deloitte and three board members of Byju's severed ties with the company amid an escalating legal battle with its lenders and its plummeting valuation in the eyes of some investors. Also Read Byju's accuses lenders of manufacturing fake debt crisis to extort money Byju's schedules call for lenders to discuss loan amendment proposal Edtech major Byju's faces deadline for $40 million payment of $1.2 bn loan Byju's lenders say lawsuit is meritless, designed to dodge obligations Byju's lenders, their advisers weigh options after missed interest payment Orxa Energies inaugurates new facility ahead of electric bike launch In Indian start-up technology churn, generative AI gets edge over Web3 VC firm Avaana Capital announces first close of climate tech fund at $70 mn Climate-focused VC firm Avaana Capital raises $70 mn in first funding round Spacetech start-up Digantara raises $10mn in funding for satellite service Byju's is also locked in a dispute with its lender Redwood Management, which alleged that the edtech company "wrongfully moved" $500 million, leading it to sue the investment management firm. Unsubscribe to continue This is a subscriber only feature Subscribe Now to get daily updates on WhatsApp The joint statement issued on Friday morning after a bilateral meeting that stretched much beyond its initially allotted time between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden stressed that no corner of human enterprise had been left untouched by the partnership between the two nations. From the seas to the stars, this partnership will now be deepened by the defining role of technology, the statement said. From expanding bilateral technology partnership with a focus on tech-sharing and co-production to creating first of its kind platforms on financing renewables and closer industry tie-ups on space, the strategic global tie-ups are aimed at keeping India and the US as the closest partners in the world. The two countries are committed to the key Indian demand of greater technology sharing, while also ensuring co-development, and co-production opportunities, the statement said. In fact, the term technology was mentioned as many as 44 times in the document. It had found just five mentions the last time both nations released a joint statement, back in February 2020. President Biden also reiterated his governments commitment to work with the US Congress to lower barriers to US exports to India of HPC technology and source code, it added. It also announced a new implementation arrangement on artificial intelligence, advanced wireless, and quantum technologies. Also Read Indo Count hits 16-month high; surges 36% in four days on strong Q4 results Karnataka HC says not having sex is cruelty under Hindu Marriage Act RBI MPC: When and where to watch policy announcement by Shaktikanta Das RBI MPC: When and where to watch policy announcement by Shaktikanta Das Suzlon Energy secures fourth wind energy project order in less than a month Reserve Bank of India purchased $7.7 billion in April, highest in 2 years Outward remittances under LRS scheme fall slightly in April to $2.33 bn Learn & earn: Monthly stipend of Rs 10,000 for youth in Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan govt gives a booster shot to rural health infrastructure India, US sign MoU to establish collaboration in greener railways The cooperation extended to outer space where the leaders welcomed Indias Space Policy 2023, and called for enhanced commercial collaboration between the US and Indian private sectors in the entire value chain of the space economy. The statement also included addressing current export controls and facilitating technology transfer. In the energy space, both nations announced the setting up of a multi-billion-dollar investment platform for green energy aimed at providing catalytic capital and de-risking support. Another platform aimed at accelerating cooperation in green hydrogen, offshore and onshore wind, and other emerging technologies was also announced. Securing supply chains Securing of supply chains has figured significantly during the Prime Minister's visit with both nations reiterating the partnerships and commitments focused on establishing a reliable flow of critical products and technology. Launch of two joint task forces on advanced telecommunications, focused on Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) and research and development in 5G/6G technologies, also figured prominently in the statement. O-RAN field trials and rollouts, including scaled deployments, in both countries with operators and vendors of both markets, will be backed by US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) financing. According to the statement, India has joined the global Mineral Security Partnership (MSP). Launched in June last year by the United States, the European Union and other G7 partners, it aims to contain Chinese influence over mining and shipping of critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt, across the world. Both nations noted the opportunity for deeper collaboration to secure supply chains in defence procurement and pharmaceuticals. "The Indian Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defence will commence negotiations for a Security of Supply arrangement and initiate discussions about Reciprocal Defence Procurement agreement," the statement said. As part of the Defence Industrial Roadmap, both countries have agreed to work together for the creation of logistic, repair, and maintenance infrastructure for aircraft and vessels in India. The statement also announced the launch of the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X), a network of universities, startups, industry and think tanks, with the goal of facilitating joint defence technology innovation. Greater trade, easier movement In a significant move, the US and India have decided to mutually resolve six of the seven outstanding bilateral trade disputes at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). "The leaders welcomed the resolution of six outstanding WTO disputes between the two countries through mutually agreed solutions as well as their understandings on market access related to certain products of significance to the bilateral trade relationship," the statement read. Also, Boeing will invest $100 million on infrastructure and programmes to train pilots in India, supporting the countrys need for 31,000 new pilots over the next 20 years. The leaders welcomed Boeings announcement of its completion of a C-17 aftermarket support facility for MRO and a new parts logistics center in India. Pointing to the US decision to allow domestic renewal of 1-B and L category temporary work visas by next year for Indian nationals, the statement said both sides will open new consulates too. The US will open new facilities in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, and India in Seattle and two other US cities. ALL TIED UP The leaders directed officials to identify additional mechanisms to facilitate travel, the statement said. Strategic partnership across sectors: Technology The Indo-US Quantum Coordination Mechanism A $2-million grant programme for joint development of AI Jointly funded research projects on cybersecurity Defence Adoption of the Defense Industrial Cooperation Roadmap A defence acceleration platform for joint tech innovation Energy transition An India-US multibillion-dollar investment fund for green tech India to co-lead multilateral Hydrogen Breakthrough Agenda to boost availability of low-carbon hydrogen globally Trade Mutual resolution of six WTO trade disputes India now part of the Minerals Security Partnership Space Nasa, Isro to develop strategic framework for human spaceflight by the end of 2023 Immigration New US consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad; an Indian consulate in Seattle Aviation Boeing to invest $100 mn to train 31,000 pilots in India in 20 years US lawmakers and industry leaders have welcomed the announcement of an agreement with India to end the retaliatory tariffs placed on American apples and pulse crops which New Delhi will now give access to American agricultural producers and manufacturers to the country's huge market. In 2018, the US imposed 25 per cent and 10 per cent import duties on certain steel and aluminium products respectively on grounds of national security. In retaliation, India June 2019 imposed customs duties on 28 American products, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents. "Today is a very good day for Washington's world-famous apples and a huge boost to Washington state's agriculture economy," Senator Maria Cantwell said. "India has announced it is lifting retaliatory tariffs that all but shut down the Indian market for Washington's more than 1,400 apple growers and now our growers will once again have access to this USD 120 million market," Cantwell, the Democratic Party lawmaker, said in a statement. Cantwell's statement came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with US President Joe Biden. India was Washington's second export market for apples, bringing in USD 120 million in 2017. This season, Washington only exported about USD 1 million worth of Apple products to India, according to Cantwell's office. Also Read Why has Donald Trump been indicted and can he run for 2024 elections? US House committee to release Trump's personal tax returns for 6 yrs CBIC extends interest waiver on customs duty payable via ECL till April 13 Donald Trump to appear in New York court today: What happens next? Comfort and security: what does it take to set up a smart home Govt spending to drive India's growth in this fiscal, economists say: Poll Truck operators raise heat over govt's air-conditioned cabin proposal Under scanner: Insurance companies likely to soon face GST audits Digital public infra helped make optimum use of taxpayers' money: FM Chip plant, fighter jets: A flurry of India-US deals as Modi, Biden meet The tariffs will end within 90 days just in time for the 2023 apple harvest. United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai on Thursday announced that the US and India have agreed to terminate six outstanding disputes at the World Trade Organisation. "India also agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs, which it had imposed in response to the US Section 232 national security measures on steel and aluminium, on certain US products, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents," USTR said in a statement on Thursday. "These tariff cuts will restore and expand market opportunities for US agricultural producers and manufacturers. This announcement comes as President Biden welcomed Prime Minister Modi to the US for an Official State Visit," the statement said. Washington Apple Commission President Todd Fryhover said the agreement will again put Washington's apple industry on equal footing with competitors in India, local media reported. The Washington apple industry has worked hard to develop the Indian market for our world-class apples, and this will help us try to regain our lost market position, he said in a statement. Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison said in a statement that regaining access to the Indian market is a big win. The lifting of retaliatory tariffs in India is great news for Washington agriculture, especially for Washington apple producers, Sandison said. The Northwest Horticultural Council, the Washington Apple Commission and local farmers praised the agreement. Northwest Horticultural Council President Mark Powers said farmers are eager to get back to business in India. This is a win for apples, NHC president Mark Powers said in a statement." The US is the largest trading partner of India. In 2022-23, the bilateral goods trade increased to USD 128.8 billion as against USD 119.5 billion in 2021-22. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, said Thursday's agreement is a major win for Washington's apple growers because the tariffs severely restricted apples from being sold to India. The Directorate of Admissions of Hyderabad's Osmania University has released exam dates for Telangana Common Post-Graduate Entrance Test (TS CPGET) 2023. According to the official schedule, exams will begin on June 30 and will last till July 10, 2023. Candidates who have registered for TS CPGET 2023 exams can check their exam dates and timing from the official website, i.e., cpget.tsche.ac.in. The registration process for admission to postgraduate courses at Osmania University, Hyderabad, concluded on June 20. The registered candidates will be able to download their TS CPGET 2023 admit card soon. The TS CPGET entrance exams will be held in three shifts, i.e., morning, afternoon and evening shifts. The morning shift will be held from 9.30 am to 11 am, followed by the afternoon shift between 1 pm to 2.30 pm and lastly, the evening shift will be held between 4.30 pm to 6 pm. Candidates must note that the concerned authorities have not released the entrance exam date for M.A. Arabic, Kannada, Marathi, Persian, and Theatre Arts, because admission in these courses is not conducted via entrance test. TS CPGET Exam Dates 2023 Here's the complete schedule for the TS CPGET entrance exam: An Indian regulator has approved HDFC Ltd's move to transfer its near 49% stake in its life insurance unit to HDFC Bank, clearing a key step ahead of their merger. HDFC announced a $40 billion deal last year to merge with the top private lender. As part of the transaction, which is set to close next month, HDFC Ltd was required to transfer its units to HDFC Bank. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has also allowed HDFC Ltd to raise its stake in HDFC Life to more than 50%. Post-merger, HDFC Bank will have a majority stake in the insurer, allowing the bank to show it as a subsidiary and consolidate its earnings. By Subhadip Sircar The United Kingdom government has said that Indian clearing houses overseen by the nations central bank meet its regulatory requirements, a move that may help resolve the ongoing impasse over allowing overseas regulators oversight over local counterparties. The legal framework of India, as implemented by the Reserve Bank of India, provides for an effective equivalent system for the recognition of central counterparties authorized under other regimes of other countries, according to the UK Treasury documents. This change is a prerequisite for Bank of England to recognize overseas counterparties. The move now paves the way for British banks like Barclays Plc and Standard Chartered Plc, with a significant presence in India, to continue trading in the South Asian nation using the Clearing Corp. of India platform. Hundreds of billions of rupees of trading in government bonds and interest-rate derivatives was threatened to be disrupted with European and British banks required to move away from the platform as the European Securities and Markets Authority, or ESMA, withdrew recognition to six Indian central counterparties from May 2023. The British ruling would have kicked in from July. For non-British banks, the standoff continues with ESMAs withdrawal of recognition to counterparties. German and French regulators in February extended by 18 months the time their banks have to transfer trading positions from Indian clearing houses. The Manipur government has declared that riots and violence in the state have impacted the economic activities and livelihood of a majority of the general public. As a relief measure, the government has decided to invoke the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) riot relief measures in the state. So far, the guidelines have been mostly used in the areas impacted by natural calamities and not under difficult law and order situations. Manipur has been in the grip of ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities. Over 100 people have been killed, and over 50,000 have been displaced since it erupted on May 3. Curfew has been imposed in several districts, and the internet remains suspended in the state. The state government's order said that Chapter VII of the "Reserve Bank of India (Relief Measures by Banks in Areas Affected by Natural Calamities) Directions, 2018", related to "Riots and Disturbances", applies to the state. What are RBI's riot relief measures? Chapter VII of the directions says, "Whenever RBI advises the banks to extend rehabilitation assistance to the riot/disturbance affected persons, the aforesaid guidelines may broadly be followed by banks for the purpose." Also Read As Manipur reels from violence, home minister Shah to visit the state today High-balance bank accounts without updated KYC under govt's radar MPC lowers projection for inflation, raises growth outlook a bit in FY24 No need for customers to visit bank branches for re-KYC, says RBI RBI Monetary Policy: Repo rate up by 25 bps, FY23 inflation pegged at 6.5% Swap rates increase amid global central banks' hawkish sentiment Lenders appoint SBI Caps as advisor for Rs 2,000 cr debt resolution of VIPL MPC minutes: RBI members diverge on further rate hikes amid growth risks RBI directive on one-time-settlement with defaulters can derail banks: MP Fund pick: ICICI Pru Medium Term Bond The rules specify several norms that must be followed for restructuring the loans, providing fresh loans and other measures, including KYC norms. According to the directions, all the short-term loans, except those overdue at the time of the occurrence of riots, will be eligible for restructuring. "The principal amount of the short-term loan, as well as interest due for repayment in the year of occurrence of the natural calamity (or riots), may be converted into a term loan," they say. Crop loans For crop loans, if the loss is between 33 per cent and 50 per cent, a maximum repayment period of up to two years should be allowed. If the crop loss is 50 per cent or more, the repayment period may be extended up to a maximum of five years. Also, in all restructured loan accounts, a moratorium period of at least one year should be considered. Banks should also not insist on additional collateral security for such restructured loans. Long-term agri loans In these loans, the existing term loan instalments should be rescheduled according to the repaying capacity of the borrower and the nature of the riots. If only the crop for the year is damaged and productive assets are not damaged, the banks may reschedule the payment of instalments during the year of natural calamity or violence and extend the loan period by one year. The banks may also postpone the payment of interest by borrowers. On the other hand, if the productive assets are also damaged, it may lead to a need for a new loan. Other loans In all other loans, the state-level banking committee (SLBC) and district consultative committee (DCC) must specify which loans need to be restructured. Based on that and the extent of loss, the loans will be restructured by individual banks. Fresh loans The issuance of fresh loans will also be taken based on the decision of SLBC or DCC. The directions state, "For fresh loans, a sympathetic view will have to be taken". The banks will assess the need and decide on the quantum of loans to be granted to the affected borrowers taking into consideration, amongst others, their credit requirement and the due procedure for sanctioning loans. The banks will also grant consumption loans up to Rs 10,000 to existing borrowers without any collateral. Moreover, credit "should not be denied for want of personal guarantees", and a fresh loan will be granted even if the value of security, existing as well as the asset to be acquired from the new loan, is less than the loan amount. Relaxation of KYC norms For the people who have lost their documents due to the calamity of riots, the banks need to open new accounts for such people. This will be applicable where the balance in the account does not exceed Rs 50,000. The total credit in the account should not exceed Rs 1,00,000. Access to banking facilities The RBI has also asked the banks to make arrangements to render banking services in the affected areas by setting up satellite offices, extension counters or mobile banking facilities. Additionally, to meet the immediate cash requirement of the affected people, "due importance" is to be given towards restoring the ATMs or other alternate arrangements. Cupertino-based Apple is gearing up to launch its credit card, dubbed Apple Card, in India soon. Apples CEO Tim Cook met HDFC Bank CEO and Managing Director Sashidhar Jagdishan during his recent trip to India in April, according to a report in Moneycontrol on Friday. Apple Inc executives have also discussed matters with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) related to the legalities of the car. The RBI asked Apple to follow the norms laid out for other co-branded credit cards. The central bank clearly stated that no special provisions will be made for the tech giant to launch its credit card in India. The discussion about the Apple Card is in the initial stages and no concrete steps have been taken till now. At present, neither Apple nor HDFC Bank has made any official statements regarding the deal. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also not issued any official confirmation. The iPhone maker is also holding talks with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to possibly launch Apple Pay in the country. It is not clear whether discussions were related to the credit card being powered by the Rupay platform or the unified payments interface (UPI). Rupay credit card can be linked to UPI as well. Only banks are allowed to launch credit cards in India while UPI makes it easier for customers to make fast payments by scanning QR codes. Currently, Apple runs a credit card service in the United States. The card is made of titanium and was launched in collaboration with Mastercard and Goldman Sachs. The development comes as the number of payments made through mobile phones is increasing rapidly. Tech firms, such as Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung, are all actively expanding into the payments sector and have ambitious plans for the financial services space. These companies have developed payment apps and are looking to make inroads in the sector. Also Read PAN-Aadhaar link status: Are your cards already linked? Learn how to check Google Pay allows UPI payments using RuPay credit cards; check details here Your credit card payments overseas will attract a 20% TCS from July 1 HDFC Bank shares fall post Q3 as moderating loan, deposit growth weighs Fintech Stripe debuts charge card program in US; soon to launch in UK, EU Karnataka minister invites Musk to set up business units in the state Ex-MP, nine others sentenced in model code of conduct violation case PM's US visit unprecedented, decisions taken will help build new India: BJP Delhi CR Park firing: Bike-borne masked men shoot at car, driver injured 'Socialist', 'Secular' missing from Preamble on textbook cover in Telangana Focusing on India Apple has been increasing its focus on India in the last couple of years. In the financial year 2022-23 (FY23), the iPhone maker's sales in India reached Rs 50,000 crore. Cook, the CEO of Apple, recently visited India and launched two exclusive stores in Mumbai and Delhi. Apple has been shifting a significant portion of iPhone production to India, and it currently has a four per cent share of the overall smartphone market in the country, which amounts to twenty million users. What could have led to Apple planning the launch of its Apple Card in India is that the company at the present moment does not accept card payments in India. App Store purchases mostly run on UPI in India. The special investigation team (SIT) of the CBI probing Manipur violence cases and forensic experts from the CFSL have visited the scenes in Imphal and Churachandpur linked to the alleged loot of arms and ammunition from armouries, officials said on Friday. The team faced protests from locals near Pangei when a group of women put up a roadblock. But it managed to complete its work and return safely on Thursday, the officials said. During the course of the investigation, the CBI team and the experts from the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL) visited the crime scenes at the Manipur Police Training College (MPTC) at Pangei, besides Naoremthong, located close to the NG Collge near Imphal, they said. The forensic experts collected samples and took photographs at the MPTC. A mob allegedly made off with a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the MPTC armoury on May 3, the officials said. The SIT also visited Churachandpur in connection with the investigation of a case related to the alleged loot of arms and ammunition from the armouries in the district, they added. Thousands of weapons were looted across districts in the northeastern state during ethnic clashes that erupted on May 3. Also Read 54 dead in Manipur violence, Imphal peaceful, most shops, markets open Imphal peaceful but tense; gunfights between militants, security forces As Manipur reels from violence, home minister Shah to visit the state today Tribal protest in Manipur turns violent; curfew imposed, internet suspended Northeastern Railway cancels all Manipur-bound trains following violence Shah lays foundation of forensic laboratory, inaugurates multiple projects In a first since 2011, no heatwave recorded in Delhi this summer PM Modi to pay tribute to World War I's Indian soldiers during Egypt visit KPCC chief Sudhakaran arrested by Crime Branch, later released on bail Area under paddy down 35% this kharif season, pulses, cereals acreage up The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has formed a 10-member SIT under a DIG-rank officer to probe six cases related to the Manipur violence referred to it by the state government, the officials said. During his visit to the northeastern state, Home Minister Amit Shah had announced a CBI probe into six FIRs -- five on alleged criminal conspiracy and one on the general conspiracy behind the violence in Manipur. The CBI had dispatched its Joint Director Ghanshyam Upadhyay to coordinate with the state officials and the SIT was formed upon his return, the officials said. The agency re-registered the six cases referred to it by the state government. The Special Crime Branch, Kolkata will probe the cases, the officials said. Violence broke out in the northeastern state after a "Tribal Solidarity March" was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The clashes were preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. Around 10,000 Army and Assam Rifles personnel have been deployed in the state to maintain peace. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that the combination of technology and talent will be a guarantee for a bright future for the world. Modi made the remark at the India-US Hi-Tech handshake event organised at the White House and attended by US President Joe Biden and CEOs of top Indian and American companies. "This morning (meeting) is only among a few friends but has brought with it the guarantee of a bright future," he said as President Biden nodded. Modi, who is on a state visit to the US, also stressed that there is a great opportunity for everyone to take along Biden's vision and capabilities and India's aspirations and possibilities. The Indian prime minister referred to the event as "honhaar, shandaar, dhardaar" in Hindi and also thanked the US president for his presence. Modi further said that representatives of the business community have come from every sector -- from agriculture to space -- with some of them representing well-established firms while some others only start-ups. Also Read These are the non-IT sectors most eager to hire tech talent in India NARCL gets Centre's blanket guarantee worth Rs 15,300 crore: Report Rajasthan govt increases workdays to 125 under its job guarantee scheme As the race for AI domination intensifies, Apple looks for talent World TB Day: PM Modi launches initiatives to eliminate disease by 2025 US Vice Prez Kamala Harris hosts luncheon for Prime Minister Narendra Modi PM Modi's visit: From seas to stars, technology seals India-US ties NMC restores recognition to govt med college in Puducherry: CM Rangasamy India, US embarking on a journey of technology-led advancement: Nasscom Monsoon arrives in Chhattisgarh; heavy rainfall forecast at isolated places He said the combination of technology and talent will be a guarantee for a bright future for the world. President Biden said their partnership will ensure a free, more secure and prosperous future for the coming generation. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, AMD CEO Lisa Su, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams were among the US-based company representatives who participated in the meeting. Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, Zerodha and True Beacon co-founder Nikhil Kamath and 3rdiTech co-founder Vrinda Kapoor joined the meeting as part of the India business delegation. According to police, two masked men on bikes shot at a car in a shocking incident in Chittaranjan Park in south Delhi, narrowly missing the front passenger seat next to the driver. The driver's finger was wounded when the bullet hit the car window. The incident occurred on Thursday evening. Delhi CR Park firing: Overview The unidentified assailants have been charged with attempted murder and firing, by police. The investigation is currently ongoing. According to reports, one of the occupants of the car could be involved in a betting operation in Sangam Vihar, but there is no confirmation from the police on this claim. They are looking into personal rivalry and business rivalry. According to the reports, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), Chandan Chowdhary, the police control room received a call on Thursday evening at 8.14 pm regarding a shooting at C-block in CR Park that resulted in one person's injury. When a police team went there, they found that Sachin Gupta and Waseem Ahmed were in a car. "Gupta was talking on the phone while driving the car. A single round shot came from the driver's side all of a sudden. Gupta was hit in the finger by the bullet, which entered through the window on the driver's side. Further investigation revealed that two people on bikes were following the car with masks on. DCP Chowdhary added, "We are further investigating the case." MBABANE Local musician CheiStar is set to tour the United States of America (USA) from July to August this year. The tour will start in Pennsylvania on July 2127, then proceed to Los Angeles on July 27August 1, and from August 27, she will be performing in New York. She will end her tour with a performance in Washington, DC, on August 813. Born Cheilla Merissa Vovos, when reached for comment, said: I am very excited to be touring the USA since the inception of my music career in 2018. Excited is truly no word; I cannot express my gratitude to God. What a time to be alive! Thank you to my entire team, Alasea Visuals, Zed Makeup Laboratory, XLR Kingdom, Nommy Designs, Viva Beverages, and other individuals who consistently show up regarding preparations and rehearsals; it has all been worth it. She went on to say, I love every second of this. I will be performing at the Epic Gig Festival this year, and I am also headlining a show July 1 at the Theatre Club, where there will be a special production. I will be showcasing what is yet to come and what I will be doing overseas. According to the artist, she will be competing as a quadruple treat in four different categories and also visiting a few local radio stations. I cannot reveal much regarding the line-ups yet, but I can say that I will be competing at Ipop in Los Angeles, she added. It is worth noting that CheiStar was the first Eswatini-based artist to host the screening of a full extended play (EP) in music video format in a movie theatre at Gables Movie Zone. She was screening her EP titled Letters to Her, which was launched in 2022. The screening was a milestone for CheiStar as a brand. She has been very strategic in promoting her brand between South Africa (SA) and Mozambique. She was also in the top three in the MTN Bushfire Firefly in 2021, battling out with Criss Tino and Ashton-Rae. Egypt is ready to provide India with an exclusive cluster in the industrial and logistics hub, which could act as a portal for New Delhi to reach other markets more effectively, the chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) stated, according to a report in The Economic Times. Waleid Gamal Eldien's remarks about the SCZONE came before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day official visit to Egypt, which will begin on June 24. During Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi's New Delhi visit in January, India was offered full support to build a formidable industrial presence in the SCZONE. Egypt offers unique opportunities to Indian investors to reach out to markets such as Africa, Europe, West Asia, and Latin America, Eldien was quoted as saying by ET. Eldien said the SCEZ is a strategic location for India to reach out to markets in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East and the zone has six ports, two of which are dedicated to Russia and one to China. Egypt is willing to offer India a dedicated hub in the SCEZ, he added. This issue will be a top priority during PM Modi's visit to Cairo, the first by an Indian prime minister since 1997. Eldien met with Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan and Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal to discuss ways to attract Indian investment in the SCZONE. He highlighted Egypt's unique location along the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea and said that Indian investment in the SCZONE would provide access to markets in West Asia, Africa, Europe, and beyond. Eldien also said that the SCZONE would provide a market of over 100 million people locally. Also Read Egypt may allocate land to Indian industries in Suez Canal Economic Zone Together we stand stronger: PM Modi as he leaves for US on 1st state visit PM Narendra Modi to visit US from June 21 to 25: What is a state visit? PM Modi in the US: Semiconductors to drones, here's what will be in focus Leadership at global institutions like UN needs to be re-evaluated: PM Modi Malaysia to take legal action against Meta over harmful content on Facebook 'No ifs or buts' in dealing with terrorism, says PM Modi in US Congress MHA offers to deploy 337 companies of central forces for WB panchayat polls Praising US Congress members for coming together, PM takes swipe at Rahul India, US to enhance tech commerce; to focus on semiconductor, telecom Eldien stated that Egypt has a big market for cars and pharmaceuticals. The SCZONE is designed to provide investors with world-class, value-added supply chain industrial parks, he added. Indian energy firm ACME signed a memorandum of understanding with SCZONE to build a green hydrogen and ammonia factory in an area of 4.5 million square metres in Sokhna, with a total production volume of 2.2 million tonnes annually. The SCZONE on Wednesday said that it had signed an agreement with ACME to begin construction on the Sokhna hydrogen project in early 2024. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday held a series of bilateral meetings with her counterparts in France, Brazil and UAE on the sidelines of the Paris summit on the new global financing pact. Sitharaman met France's Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Bruno Le Maire and exchanged views on key G20 deliverables under Indian Presidency, including strengthening MDBs (multilateral development banks) and managing debt vulnerabilities, among other issues. Sitharaman expressed hope that the outcomes of the Paris Summit can provide political momentum to ongoing G20 and other multilateral efforts in the UN, World Bank and CoP28. Sitharaman also met Brazilian Minister of Finance Haddad Fernando and discussed the upcoming G20 India and Finance Track outcomes. "@Haddad_Fernando supported #G20India Presidency efforts and also appreciated the works under #G20India Presidency. FM Smt. @nsitharaman extended India's support to the upcoming #G20Brazil Presidency in 2024," a finance ministry tweet said. In her discussion with UAE Minister of Industry & Advanced Technology Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, both ministers exchanged views on synergising common efforts at G20 India and COP28 by prioritising concerns of the developing world in the global climate policy dialogue. Also Read Rajnath to hold bilateral meet with Chinese counterpart on SCO sidelines CWC Qualifier Day 2 preview: Sri Lanka take on UAE, Oman challenge Ireland Post-pandemic development requirements becoming lot more focussed: FM FM Nirmala Sitharaman arrives in Washington to attend IMF, WB meetings PM Modi to attend Paris's Bastille Day Parade as guest of honour on July 14 Nepal cinema's resumes screening of Hindi movies except 'Adipurush' Self-regulatory body for pharma industry on cards: Mansukh Mandaviya RBI Bulletin: GDP growth, decline in inflation and other key highlights Why no coercive action order against Wankhede should be vacated: HC to CBI Modi, Biden share light moments at dinner amid praise for Indian-Americans "FM Smt. @nsitharaman highlighted the need to collaborate both through #G20 and #COP forums in catalysing global action for ensuring availability of credible, predictable, and additional #climatefinance for developing countries," the ministry tweeted. Sitharaman is in Paris to attend the two-day summit, scheduled during June 22-23, being co-organised by France, Barbados and India. The objective of the summit New Global Financing Pact' is to set the foundations for a new global financing architecture beyond the Bretton Woods system to address climate change, biodiversity crisis and development challenges. As parts of India reel from a searing summer with over 150 lives reportedly lost in a matter of days to heatwave, climate experts have warned that El Nino conditions linked to warming sea surface temperatures may add to the crisis triggering extreme weather events till early July. Climate change is the disease and El Nino and other factors are just symptoms. With increasing global warming, incidents of heatwaves are expected to increase in the future, said Anjal Prakash, research director and adjunct associate professor, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. While definitions of heatwave vary across and even within countries, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) identifies a heat wave as when the daily maximum temperature of more than five consecutive days exceeds the average maximum temperature by 50 degrees Celsius. In India, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a heatwave should be declared when the maximum temperature is recorded at or above 45 degrees Celsius for all locations and at or above 40 degrees Celsius for coastal locations. In India, heatwaves start in the last days of March and continue till July. This years heatwaves are more severe than recorded last year, experts claim. Amid rising cases of heatwave across the country, several state governments have started providing compensation. Recently, the Maharashtra government announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh after more than a dozen people died of heatstroke at a state-sponsored event. Earlier this month, Odisha, while confirming its first heat wave-related death, sanctioned an ex gratia of Rs 50,000 for the family of the deceased. However, governments in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar two of the worst-hit states have not made any such announcement. Experts point out that most victims of heatwaves are from low-income groups and lack health and life insurance. Also Read Heatwave scorches north India as mercury touches 46 degrees; respite soon? IMD issues heatwave to severe heatwave warning for several states/UTs As mercury soars, Centre issues guidelines for workers during hot summers Ahead of searing summer, analysts bet on consumer appliance stocks No respite from heatwave yet, IMD issues warning for Delhi-NCR and UP 'Haryana taking steps to convert paddy straw in income source for farmers' Funds of Indians in Swiss banks down 11% to Rs 30,000 cr, shows data Odisha CM Patnaik sanctions Rs 20 cr for Aahaar programme in state DGCA suspends AI pilot for allowing unauthorised person in cockpit Sebi invites applications to hire for 25 senior-level posts in legal dept Government compensation is the only help victims families get in such cases. However, in many cases, it becomes difficult for the family to avail of compensation due to the lack of proper documentation. A country like India needs a central advisory on compensation for victims of heatwaves, said Prakash. India reported one of the hottest summers in 2022, when it recorded 203 heatwave days. The total in 2022 was more than five times the 2021 figures (36). Last year, western disturbances did not reach the mainland, causing low weather activities and more heatwaves, said Naresh Kumar, senior scientist at IMD. According to the IMD, heatwave or severe heatwave conditions have been prevailing over Odisha, Jharkhand, Telangana and north coastal Andhra Pradesh for the last 12-14 days, and over East Uttar Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha for last 8-10 days. However, heatwave conditions over East India and adjoining Central India areas are likely to abate from June 23, IMD said in its report on Wednesday. The rising number of heatwave days is also taking a toll on human lives. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, in 2021, out of 7,126 accidental deaths attributed to the forces of nature, 5.2 per cent (374) are due to heatstroke. From 2017 to 2021, 4,195 people died of heatstroke. From 1998 to 2017, globally, more than 166,000 deaths were attributed to heatwaves, including more than 70,000 in Europe in 2003, according to the World Health Organization. Experts fear that the impact of climate change will be more visible as the earths temperature is rising. According to the recent IPCC Sixth Assessment Report by Working Group I, titled Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis, the global mean concentrations of anthropogenic aerosols and greenhouse gases that are drivers of climate change have increased in South Asia and will result in a more intense and frequent increase in heatwaves and humid heat stress in the 21st century. India will also experience the impact of climate change. According to a reply by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh, a government has found that the warming of the tropical Indian Ocean and more frequent El Nino events in the future may lead to more frequent and long-lasting heat waves over India. Addressing a joint meeting of the US Congress in Washington, DC, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of the symbiotic India-US economic relations, the ties of democracy that bind the two countries as also that of shared challenges, including the dark clouds of coercion and confrontation casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific. Modi said the stability of the Indo-Pacific region had become one of the central concerns of the India-US partnership and hailed the emergence of Quad as a major force of good in the region. In his second address to a joint sitting of the Congress the first Indian prime minister and one of a handful of world leaders to do so Modi said the countries of the Global South had been particularly affected by the Ukraine war. Modi last addressed the Congress in 2016 and thanked the members for the exceptional privilege of addressing it again. In the past few years, there have been many advances in AI Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, there have been even more momentous developments in another AI America and India, he said. The PM acknowledged the participation of Indian Americans in the US democracy. I am told that the Samosa Caucus is now the flavour of the House. I hope it grows and brings the full diversity of Indian cuisine here, Modi said, adding how over two centuries, the two countries have inspired each other through the lives of great Americans and Indians, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Junior. The PM said India celebrated 75 years of its independence in 2022, which was not just a celebration of democracy, but also of diversity. Modi said India had 2,500 political parties. About 20 different parties govern various states of India. We have 22 official languages and thousands of dialects, and yet, we speak in one voice, he said. In India, diversity is a natural way of life, Modi said. Modi said when he first visited the US in 2014, India was the tenth-largest economy in the world. It is now the worlds fifth largest and will soon be its third. We are not only growing bigger, but we are also growing faster, he said. Modi spoke of the digital revolution in India. Last year, of every 100 real-time digital payments in the world, 46 happened in India, he said. Also Read Biden falls onstage at graduation ceremony; White House says he's 'fine' EB-5 visa: What is it, who can apply and how it is different from H1-B visa US extends visa walk-in interview waiver for more applicants; check here H1-B visa deadline likely to get extended as users face technical glitches US visa threat before B'desh elections: Warning to faltering democracies Delhi govt to roll out welfare schemes for nearly 500,000 domestic workers Knowledge is future, media plays important role in transmission: Gadkari L20 plays a significant role in G20 grouping, says Bhupender Yadav FM Sitharaman holds bilateral meetings on sidelines of Paris Summit Nepal cinema's resumes screening of Hindi movies except 'Adipurush' On India-US commercial ties, Modi said, When defence and aerospace in India grow, industries in Washington, Arizona, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania thrive. When American companies grow, their research and development centres in India thrive. When Indians fly more, a single order for aircraft creates more than a million jobs in forty-four states in America, he said. Modi said when an American phonemaker invests in India, it creates an entire ecosystem of jobs and opportunities in both countries. When India and the US work together on semiconductors and critical minerals, it helps the world in making supply chains more diverse, resilient, and reliable, the PM said, flagging that one consequence of globalisation has been the over-concentration of supply chains. The PM said India and the US would collaborate to diversify, decentralise, and democratise supply chains. Technology will determine the security, prosperity and leadership in the 21st century. That is why our two countries established a new Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies, he said. According to a PTI report, Modis address received over a dozen standing ovations from US lawmakers and multiple applause. Later in the day, the PM attended the State Dinner that US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted for him at the North Lawn of the White House. They invited over 400 guests, including industrialists Mukesh Ambani, Anand Mahindra, Google CEO Sunder Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and Apple CEO Tim Cook. Modi raised a toast for his hosts and for India-US friendship. With every passing day, Indians and Americans are getting to know each other better. We can pronounce each others names correctly. We can understand each others accents better. Children in India become Spider Man on Halloween, and America's youth is dancing to the tune of Naatu Naatu, the PM said. In his remarks, Biden said the bonds between India and the US stretch back to Americas earliest days. In 1792, our first President, George Washington, established one of the first consulates in Calcuttaa hub of commerce and culture..., he said. India is ready to contribute in any way it can to restore peace in Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, reiterating that New Delhi favours the resolution of the dispute through dialogue and diplomacy. Prime Minister Modi's remarks came during a joint news conference with President Joe Biden at the White House after their talks. From the very beginning of the events in Ukraine, India has laid emphasis on the resolution of the dispute through dialogue and diplomacy, Modi, who is here on his maiden state visit, told reporters. We are completely ready to contribute in any way we can to restore peace. Under India's G-20 presidency, we are emphasising the spirit of one earth, one family, one future, he said. 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. India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Also Read Fact check: Did Asle Toje call PM Modi biggest contender for Nobel Prize? Gita Press gets Gandhi Peace Prize 2021; all you need to know about it China calls for Russia-Ukraine cease-fire, peace talks to end conflict India abstains in UNGA on resolution underscoring need for peace in Ukraine Yemen's warring sides gear up for conflict in 2023 amid stalled peace talks Top headlines: Adani draws scrutiny in US, 1.3 bn to have diabetes globally India only G20 country that fulfilled promises on climate change: PM Modi Democracy is in our veins, no discrimination against minorities: PM Modi President Biden, PM Modi welcomes India's plans to procure Predator drones India, US walk shoulder to shoulder to combat terrorism, extremism: PM Modi Biden said the two leaders talked about their shared efforts to mitigate the humanitarian tragedies unleashed by Russia's brutal war in Ukraine and to defend the core principles of the UN Charter on sovereignty and territorial integrity. IT industry body Nasscom on Friday said that India and US are embarking on a journey to make the decade a remarkable era of technology-led advancement, with strengthening of their bilateral ties. Nasscom said that Indo-US collaboration not only shapes open, secure and resilient world but also paves the way for India to thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape, driving innovation and transforming industries. The affirmation from US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the significant role of technology in strengthening partnership between both nations is reflective of the importance of tech, as also its significance in bringing about a transformation to the way the world operates, nasscom statement said. "Nasscom appreciates and commends this fostering of an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem built on mutual confidence and trust," it said. This collaboration not only shapes a world that is open, prosperous, secure, and resilient but also paves the way for India to thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape, driving innovation and transforming industries. Mutually beneficial policy formulation and intervention, and adapting regulations that encourage technology sharing and co-development opportunities among industry, government, and academia are important for the foundation of this collaboration across defence, clean energy, telecom, emerging technologies like AI, cybersecurity, sustainability, biotechnology, and semiconductors. Also Read Biden falls onstage at graduation ceremony; White House says he's 'fine' No deal has yet been reached, says Joe Biden after debt ceiling talks Incredible rich diaspora truly an asset to both countries: Biden's top aide US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill receive PM Modi at White House US Prez Joe Biden's family to host intimate dinner for PM Modi on June 21 Monsoon arrives in Chhattisgarh; heavy rainfall forecast at isolated places Plan to send astronaut to ISS will not affect Gaganyaan: Jitendra Singh Several coaches, parents demand withdrawal of exemption for 6 wrestlers Assam flood situation grim, death toll at 2, over 488,000 affected Indian steel, aluminium products to get greater mkt access in US: Comm min "The partnership between the US and India focuses on fostering open and inclusive digital economies through the development and deployment of DPIs in developing countries, leveraging India's successful implementation," Nasscom said. This collaboration provides India with the opportunity to cement its position as a global digital innovation hub, setting an exemplary model for other nations to follow. The US acknowledges and values the Indian tech industry's contributions to STEM education, community development, and upskilling the American workforce, Nasscom observed. "Efforts will also be made to streamline visa procedures, enabling visa revalidation within the US to enhance mobility and alleviate the strain on consulates, ensuring a smoother and more efficient visa experience. These announcements represent the White House's recognition of the importance of cross border workers and increased efforts to streamline the flow of talent," it added. India's technological landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation, positioning itself as a prominent hub for innovation and talent in emerging technologies, it noted. "With its abundance of highly skilled professionals, thriving startup ecosystem, and forward-looking mindset, India has become a frontrunner in AI advancements. nasscom's extensive guidelines on responsible use of generative AI exemplify India's commitment to promoting ethical and responsible practices in the field of AI, setting a global benchmark while continuing to drive innovation," nasscom pointed out. Giving new wings to the India-US ties, US jet engine manufacturer General Electric (GE) and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, June 22 to produce combat aircraft engines for the Indian Air Force. The announcement was part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's agenda on his state visit to the United States of America (USA). The agreement paves the way for the potential joint manufacturing of GE's famous F414 engines in India. This engine will power India's homegrown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2. Why is the deal so special? The deal assumes significance because very few countries around the world have the know-how to develop their own jet engine. So far, only the US, Russia, the UK, and France have the expertise to develop jet engines independently. The technology and metallurgy around manufacturing a jet engine capable of powering a fighter aircraft are very closely guarded and remain the single biggest impediment for countries worldwide wanting to develop their own combat aircraft. In fact, India has been ambitious about developing its own jet engine, and to this end, it sanctioned the Kaveri engine project in 1989. However, DRDO's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) could not achieve the desired results after multiple attempts. This engine's thrust and power figures were not adequate to meet Indian Air Force's operational needs. Also Read Jet Airways looks into abyss as JKC fails to renew its flying permit Jet Airways revival hits new snag as more employees quit amid uncertainty Mumbai costliest city to live for expatriates in India: Mercer Report Rane Engine Valve freezes in 20% upper circuit on strong Q4 performance Chequered history: Why the MIG-21 came to be called 'the flying coffin' PM Modi's joint address to US Congress: Here are key highlights, takeaways Some people taking law in their own hands, won't be spared: VP Dhankhar Indian Railways, USAID collaborate on clean and efficient energy solutions Screen inmates' mental health to prevent in-prison suicides: NHRC First Made-in-India semiconductor chips to come by Dec 2024: Vaishnaw This resulted in a situation where the LCA Tejas program had to choose a GE F404 engine. How good is the GE F414 engine? The US Navy has used the technology setup used to build the GE F414 engine for more than thirty years. This engine is used in F-18 Super Hornets and is known for its reliable performance. The F414G, the single-engine variant of the F414, has been chosen for Saab's Gripen E/F aircraft, GE's official website said. Its predecessor, the GE F404, powers the Tejas LCA. The GE website says more than 1,600 GE F414 engines have been delivered. What is a jet engine? A jet engine is an internal combustion engine that pushes an aircraft ahead by producing a rearward discharge of a fluid jet. The 'jet' refers to the discharge of a mix of hot exhaust gases produced by burning fuel with air. How do jet engines work? Imagine when a balloon filled with air slips from our hands before we have tied a knot on it, and it starts moving in all directions. It does so until it has air in it. The balloon makes these movements because of the fast release of air from one end that pushes the balloon in the opposite direction of the release of the air. This is what Newton explained with his third law of motion. Simply put, something similar happens in the jet engine, where the plain air is replaced by a stream of gases containing fuel and air that leave the engine at a very high temperature and velocity, producing the required thrust that propels the aircraft forward. In order to achieve this thrust, air enters the engine through its wide inlets in the first stage. As the air travels further inside, it is compressed in multiple stages. Air compression is carried out using various fan-like rotators placed one behind another, with their size becoming smaller and smaller. Another mechanism that compresses the air is the design of the engine case itself. The engine's cross-section is widest at the air-inlet point, and it is narrower as the air travels through the engine and towards the outlet. As the air travels through the engine, it is taken through various compression stages. As the compressed air reaches the combustion chamber, fuel droplets are introduced to the compressed air. (Combustion chamber is part of the jet engine that contains multiple tubes that discharge fuel. When this fuel meets the compressed air, combustion happens.) At this stage, the hot air ignites the fuel generating a high-energy fluid that makes the turbine blades turn as it leaves the combustion chamber. As the gases leave the turbine and rotate it, the rotational energy thus produced is utilised to power the turbines placed near the inlet point of the jet engine. As the fluid exits the jet engine, it generates the required thrust that pushes the aircraft forward. Types of Jet Engines There are six types of jet engines: Turbojet Turboprop Turbofan Turboshaft Ramjet, and Scramjet Each engine has a slightly different design and is used in different kinds of aerial vehicles. Turbojet engine These are the most basic and oldest type of jet engines. They work on the principle of taking the air and compressing it to a point where it becomes hot and pressurised. At this point, fuel is added to the combustion chamber resulting in the burning of fuel that produces extra thrust to push the aircraft forward. Turboprop engine The turboprop engine is nothing but a Turbojet engine attached to a propeller. A turbine attached near the engine outlet is turned by the hot gases produced in the combustion chamber, much like in turbojet engines. These engines have better propulsion efficiency and are suitable for aircraft that fly at speeds below 500 miles per hour. Thus, they are used in small airliners and transport aircraft. Turbofan jet engines A turbofan jet engine is characterised by the presence of a large fan at its front end. The fan helps suck more air. In these engines, not all air passes through the jet engine, some of which passes from the outside of the engine. This makes the engine quieter and produces more thrusts at low speeds. Because of their better fuel efficiency, most commercial airlines are powered by turbofan engines. Turboshaft engines Turboshaft engines are also a type of gas-turbine engine, but the primary focus in these engines is to create maximum shaft power instead of jet thrust. In these engines, a power shaft is attached at the end of the jet engine, which utilises the exhaust thrust to rotate itself at high speeds. Due to their additional power output, high reliability, and compact form, they are used in helicopters. Ramjet engines This engine is the most simple in its construction as it has no moving parts. While ramjets also work on the same principle of compressing air to high temperatures and adding fuel thereafter, these engines do the same but differently. With no turbines and propellers present, ramjet engines need to reach a certain speed to become active. In other words, they can not work at speeds below a certain level. Essentially, they need the air to be rammed into their inlets at high speeds. This means that a ramjet vehicle requires some form of assistance to reach such speeds. For optimum performance, ramjets need to attain speeds of around 0.5 Machs, before they can start functioning. These engines are primarily used in the guided-missile systems and space vehicles. Scramjet engines A scramjet engine is a type of ramjet engine that operates at supersonic speeds (more than the speed of sound). Scramjet engines allow aerial vehicles to attain even faster speeds. They have a more streamlined design which is only possible because they do not need the airflow to be slowed for combustion. Rather, they utilise the high-speed intake of air directly without the need for a combustion chamber housing in the engine. This makes scramjets engines more fuel-efficient at high speeds. However, attaining supersonic speeds adds to the complexities of this engine. Compared with ramjets and turbojets, they are also more expensive to manage and maintain. Companies that make jet engines There are a number of companies engaged in manufacturing these jet engines, mostly based in the Western world. Prominent jet engine manufacturers include Pratt & Whitney (US), General Electric (US), Honeywell Aerospace (US), Safran (France), Rolls-Royce (UK), Aviadvigatel (Russia), NPO Saturn (Russia). Countries that can make their own jet engines So far, only the US, Russia, the UK, and France have the expertise to develop jet engines independently. Cost of jet engines Commercial jet engines can cost between $5 and $50 million, depending on the size and use-case requirements. The engines used in the ace US fighter plane Lockheed Martin F-35 cost anywhere between $45 and $65 million, according to a simpleflying report. India and the US have agreed to end six trade disputes at the World Trade Organisation while New Delhi will also remove retaliatory customs duties on 28 American products such as almonds, walnuts, and apples, according to an official statement. This comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State Visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. In 2018, the US imposed 25 per cent and 10 per cent import duties on certain steel and aluminium products respectively on grounds of national security. In retaliation, India in June 2019 imposed customs duties on 28 American products, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents. "United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai today announced that the United States and the Republic of India have agreed to terminate six outstanding disputes at the World Trade Organization. India also agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs which it had imposed in response to the Section 232 national security measures on steel and aluminium," Tai said on Thursday. It added that these tariff cuts will restore and expand market opportunities for US agricultural producers and manufacturers. "Today's agreement represents the culmination of intensified bilateral engagement over the last two years, including through the US-India Trade Policy Forum, to deepen our economic and trade ties," Tai said. Also Read PM Narendra Modi's upcoming US visit: India eyes WTO disputes resolution WTO ruling against India in tech tariffs dispute with European Union ICT levy dispute at WTO: EU may opt for retaliatory tariffs on Indian goods India rules out immediate impact of WTO panel ruling on IT tariffs WTO flags poor utilisation of India scheme for least developed countries Top headlines: Adani draws scrutiny in US, 1.3 bn to have diabetes globally India ready to contribute in any way to restore peace in Ukraine: PM Modi India only G20 country that fulfilled promises on climate change: PM Modi Democracy is in our veins, no discrimination against minorities: PM Modi President Biden, PM Modi welcomes India's plans to procure Predator drones "As a result of our work, US agricultural producers and manufacturers will now enjoy renewed access to a critical global market and we will strengthen our trade relationship with one of our closest partners. I look forward to continuing to work with my counterpart, (India's Commerce and Industry) Minister (Piyush) Goyal, as we identify additional ways to bring our people and our economies together," she added. The six disputes include three initiated by India and as many by the US. These include countervailing measures on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India, certain measures relating to solar cells and modules, measures relating to the renewable energy sector, export-related measures, certain measures on steel and aluminium products, and additional duties on some products from the US. According to trade experts, both countries can resolve the disputes on mutually agreed terms and later inform the Geneva-based WTO about the same. The US had filed a complaint in the WTO about India's support measures to its export sector under different schemes. In 2019, a WTO dispute panel ruled that India's export measures are inconsistent with global trade norms. The US is the largest trading partner of India. In 2022-23, the bilateral goods trade increased to USD 128.8 billion as against USD 119.5 billion in 2021-22. According to WTO rules, a member country can file a case in the Geneva-based multilateral body if they feel that a particular trade measure is against the norms of the world body. Bilateral consultation is the first step to resolving a dispute. If both sides are not able to resolve the matter through consultation, either of them can approach the establishment of a dispute settlement panel. The panel's ruling or report can be challenged by WTO's appellate body. Interestingly, the appellate body is not functioning because of differences among member countries to appoint its members. Several disputes are already pending with this body. The US has been blocking the appointment of the members. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (local time) emphasized the need to combat terrorism and extremism, which pose a genuine threat to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. Speaking during a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden at the White House, PM Modi said, "India and America are walking shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism and extremism. We agree that concerted action is necessary to end cross-border terrorism." Notably, these remarks come in the wake of China's obstruction of UN proposals to designate Sajid Mir of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba as a "global terrorist." Even after 15 years since the Mumbai terrorist attacks, the masterminds behind the atrocity have yet to be brought to justice. So the first and most critical gap to combat terrorism is to address avoiding double standards and this self-defeating justification of good terrorists versus bad terrorists. "The two biggest democracies of the world, India and the US can contribute towards global peace, stability and prosperity. I'm sure that on the basis of these values, we can fulfil the aspirations of the world," said PM Modi. Also Read Biden falls onstage at graduation ceremony; White House says he's 'fine' BRICS members vow to combat terrorism financing, terror safe havens Incredible rich diaspora truly an asset to both countries: Biden's top aide No deal has yet been reached, says Joe Biden after debt ceiling talks US lawmakers ask admin to address India visa wait time issue on priority India, US plan to send Indian astronaut to ISS in 2024: President Biden India is the home to all faiths in world: Modi at joint sitting of Congress Corporate leaders, lawmakers among guests at dinner hosted for PM Modi Make plan to ensure smooth flow of traffic during Amarnath Yatra: Official Classrooms should inspire students to become better persons: L-G Sinha PM Modi further said that both countries have decided that like trusted partners the US and India will prepare a reliable, secure, resilient global supply chain and value chain, amid global uncertainties. "Today holds a special significance in the history of India-US relations. Today's discussions and important decisions taken by us open a new chapter in our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Got a new direction and a new energy," said PM Modi. He said that the US-India partnership in trade and investment is not only important for both countries but also for the global economy. "Today, the US is the biggest trade partner of India. We have decided to give closure to pending issues related to trade and begin a new start," said PM Modi. "We both agree that governments, businesses and academic institutions should come together to fulfil our strategic technology partnership," added PM Modi. He said that the presence of such a large number of Indians in the White House is testimony to the fact that Indian-Americans are the real strength of our relationship. "We welcome the decision by the US to open consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad to further deepen these ties," added PM Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "We welcome the setting up of consulates in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru. Likewise, we will open a new mission in Seattle. He said that the decision to build engines by General Electrics through technology transfer is a landmark agreement. "This will open new opportunities for jobs in both countries. It will be a new dimension to our defence partnership in the future," said PM Modi. The prime minister also spoke on peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, a shared priority of both India and the US. "We are unanimous that the development and success of this region is important for the whole world," said PM Modi. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on Wednesday received Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House. The president, the first lady and the prime minister gathered for an intimate dinner and enjoyed a musical tribute to the regions of India, according to the White House. Modi 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, attended by UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday blamed the previous BJP government for 'financial indiscipline' that has caused problems for government contractors, and said it would take some time to fix the state's economy. He assured the contractors that the 'commission racket' will be busted during his tenure. Financial indiscipline and commission menace of the previous government has created problems for contractors. It will take some time to fix the economy, which was derailed by BJP, Siddaramaiah told contractors during a meeting here. The contractors led by the Karnataka State Contractors' Association president D Kempanna requested him to release the pending bills of contractors worth Rs 20,000 crore and issue the letter of credit. A review meeting of BBMP and Finance Department Secretaries will be called after the budget session, the CM assured them. He requested that the withheld amount be released and a no objection certificate be issued. Also Read Come May 13, will BJP script history in 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections? High-voltage campaigning for Karnataka elections to end today at 5 pm Karnataka may keep additional expenditure on 5 poll promises fiscal neutral Congress will emerge victorious: Party leaders on Karnataka poll counting Cheap, not part of K'taka politics: CM Bommai on Siddaramaiah's remarks Centralized Cell to be set up for sale and purchase of power: CM Sukhu Odisha CM Patnaik 'outsourced' administration to officers, says JP Nadda Semiconductor announcements to create 80,000 jobs: MoS IT Chandrasekhar India, US to discuss GSP restoration issue to find solution: Piyush Goyal HC seeks NCERT's response on plea against online bids from empanelled firms Later speaking to reporters, Kempanna said he asked the CM to clear the pending bills, which was the big issue before the contractors. Contractors are in trouble. Other than pending bills we have not discussed anything. He has promised to solve this problem, the contractor association president said. Asked whether he raised the issue of harassment by the previous government, he said, No. That is a different issue. Most important is the pending bills. Regarding the BJP's charge that he was not producing evidence to substantiate the 40 per cent commission allegation, Kempanna said he has discussed the issue with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah but refused to share the details. I will not discuss it here. I will submit details when the time comes, he added. To a query whether there was zero corruption in the current government, Kempanna said the present government is just one-month-old. So far no one has come to us with a complaint on demand of bribe. If someone makes such a demand, then we will expose it. There is no need for us to get scared. If someone asks money, then we are ready to expose. I will be the first person to expose it, he said. SIDVOKODVO A digital solutions innovation hub, designed to integrate operations with an electronic health record and quality service delivery, has been launched at The Luke Commission (TLC). The Silulu Innovation Hub is a digital platform that integrates business operations with an electronic health record, empowering high efficiency, transparency, and quality service delivery. It was developed over the last seven years. The innovation hub was opened yesterday at TLC Miracle Campus during the US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Ambassador, Dr John Nkengasongs visit. Making her remarks during the launch, TLC Managing Executive Director Echo Vanderwal said Silulu was a Siswati word that meant the incubation of ideas and storage of knowledge. She said TLC always had, and always would be a solutions-focused team, stating that they loved innovating for change for the good of the nation. Patient-focused digital solutions have transformed healthcare delivery at TLC, and we believe these solutions can be applied, not only in other health facilities, but also across other sectors in Eswatini and beyond, Vanderwal said. She added that the hub offered some of the highest impact at the lowest cost, translating to more and better care for every person. She said among the innovations developed at Silulu was Luvelo, TLCs customised digital ecosystem. On another note, Vanderwal said they were grateful for PEPFARs contributions in public health over the past three decades, and were particularly grateful for its leadership through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, including advocacy for COVID-19 vaccine for African countries. She further extended her gratitude to the ambassador on behalf of herself and her husband, Harry, for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Programme, which provides loan forgiveness to those working in the public sector for a decade or more. This programme along with support from Harrys uncle and aunt helped us retire all debt from medical school and fully focus on the work here in Eswatini. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, she expressed. Finacial Vanderwal highlighted that from the beginning, they were supported by friends and family grassroots or super glue partners. She said they were forever grateful for the love, prayers, and financial gifts from Americans who gave out of commitment instead of abundance. Vanderwal recalled an indelible moment in her life back in 2009, where the team was serving at a mobile hospital outreach in a rural area. We saw hundreds of patients. We gave out 24 wheelchairs, finishing at 2am. During the outreach, two people I had never seen before walked up and introduced themselves. They said they were from the US Agency for International Development (USAID). They had been sent out to learn more about what TLC was doing, Vanderwal recounted. Meanwhile, she said the meeting was the start of a longstanding friendship between USAID and TLC. Vanderwal stated that since 2011, USAID, principally through PEPFAR, had supported TLCs work in prevention, care and treatment of HIV, TB, and COVID-19 through grant funding. She said this funding was a gift of love and compassion from the American people to the people of Eswatini, adding that they were profoundly grateful. USAID has supported us and helped build our capacity to serve the most isolated and underserved populations of Eswatini, and we are truly thankful, Vanderwal quipped. She reiterated that the friendship was personal and that every day during the darkest days of COVID-19, Vanderwal said Chris Detwiler, USAID Country Director for Eswatini, called them personally to make sure they were alright. She echoed that they would never forget this kindness and clear demonstration of humanity. She said they were particularly appreciative of USAIDs support of the 2500 LPM medical gas production on the Miracle Campus. She added that along with several other champions, PEPFAR and USAID believed in oxygen independence for Eswatini when many others thought it was not possible. This belief translated into what is the largest PSA oxygen production plant in Africa, capable of serving all the oxygen needs of Eswatini. This plant helped cut the COVID-19 mortality rate by more than 50 per cent between the second and third waves of COVID-19 in Eswatini, Vanderwal revealed. PEPFAR Ambassador Dr Nkengasong said they were proud of the incredible work at TLC Miracle Campus and the impact PEPFAR had in Eswatini. Dr Nkengasong said it encouraged them to do more. The Karnataka government on Friday invited Tesla Inc, the world's largest electric car maker, to invest in the state, saying it is the ideal destination for the company's expansion into India, and that the authorities here are ready to support the company and its ventures and provide the necessary facilities. Tesla said earlier this week that it is looking to make a significant investment in India. After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US, Tesla chief Elon Musk said he saw India as holding more promise than any other large country around the globe. He said he plans to pay a visit to the country in 2024. "I am confident that Tesla will be in India and we will do so it 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. State Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil said if Tesla considers setting up a plant in India, Karnataka, with its great potential and capabilities, is "The Destination". As a progressive state and a thriving hub of innovation and technology, Karnataka stands ready to support and provide the necessary facilities for Tesla and other ventures of Musk, including Starlink (a low Earth orbit satellite internet provider), the minister said. Karnataka, Patil said, is focused on being the hub for technology and 'Manufacturing 5.0', to propel the state for the next two decades. Karnataka is the ideal destination for Tesla's expansion into India, he said, adding that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and he extended their invitation to Tesla in "words and spirit". (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran was on Friday arrested by the Crime Branch wing of the police in a cheating case, in which the prime accused is controversial antique dealer Monson Mavunkal, and later released on bail. Sudhakaran, after being released on bail, told reporters that he was arrested after several hours of questioning by the Crime Branch before which he had appeared in the morning for questioning. "They questioned me. After that, they recorded my arrest and then I was released on bail. I have faith in the judiciary. I will face the case in court," he told reporters here. Sudhakaran, surrounded by several party leaders and workers, said that he was "fully confident" that the police had no evidence against him in the case for him to be punished. "I am not afraid. I am not going to hide anywhere," he said. On being asked whether he rejected links with Mavunkal, the KPCC chief said that he has. Also Read Cheated his father and Congress: KPCC chief on Anil Antony joining BJP Fight erupts between CPI(M), Congress in Kerala over fake certificate issue KPCC chief Sudhakaran raises plight of Christians in UP with PM Modi Pre-arrest bail remedy to be granted in extraordinary cases: Delhi court Doctor stabbed to death in Kerala's Kollam district allegedly by patient Area under paddy down 35% this kharif season, pulses, cereals acreage up Late southwest monsoon pulls down urad, arhar, soybean, paddy sowing India growing bigger, faster: PM Modi's address to the US Congress Delhi govt to roll out welfare schemes for nearly 500,000 domestic workers Knowledge is future, media plays important role in transmission: Gadkari Meanwhile, senior party leaders of Congress in Kerala criticised Sudhakaran's arrest and termed it as a "political conspiracy". Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state assembly V D Satheesan contended the Left government was "ruled by fear" and was therefore trying to silence the opposition by such tactics. He said that both the Congress and the UDF opposition led by it would resist the Left government's alleged move of filing false cases against the opposition leaders who are criticising the administration and making allegations of corruption against it. Satheesan alleged that the actions of Chief Minister Pinaryi Vijayan in Kerala were a "carbon copy" of what Prime Minister Narendra Modi was doing in Delhi. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala too equated Vijayan with Modi by alleging that they both share the same fascist attitude of imprisoning those critical of their government. He contended that Sudhakaran's arrest was "politically motivated" and would be countered legally and politically. Chennithala also said that the KPCC chief's arrest was a "drama" to divert public attention from the alleged corruption and mismanagement by the state government. He also said that Vijayan and CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan were living in a "fool's paradise" if they thought they can silence the opposition by such moves. He also took a dig at the police by joking that the force allegedly stands with its hands tied when party criminals walk in front of it and now it was also hiding criminals. KPCC general secretary T U Radhakrishnan also spoke in support of his party's state unit chief and said June 24 would be observed as a Black Day by Congress across Kerala in protest against Sudhakaran's arrest in a false case against him. He said that Congress workers from booth level onwards would light torches and hold demonstrations in all districts and asked party workers to exercise restraint during their protests and agitations. Earlier in the day, prior to leaving for the Crime Branch office here, Sudhakaran told media that his "conscience is clear" and he has "not committed any wrong or illegality" and therefore, he does not need to fear anyone or anything. "No matter what statement they (Crime Branch) have, as long as my conscience is clear I do not need to fear anything. Whatever be the evidence they have, let it come. I will face it. "I know what I did and didn't do. My conscience tells me I have done no wrong. I have not misused anyone. I have not accepted bribes from anyone. In my life and politics, I am a politician who has never accepted a bribe. It is political ethics. Therefore, I do not need to fear anyone," the KPCC chief said. During the day, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan told reporters in Delhi that his remarks against Sudhakaran in connection with a POCSO case were based on a news report and he was sticking to his stand until new evidence came to the contrary. "Let it be investigated, that is what I had said," he said. Govindan, citing a report that appeared in his party's mouthpiece Deshabhimani, had claimed on June 18 that the minor victim in the rape case told the Crime Branch that Sudhakaran was present at one of the locations where she was raped by Mavunkal, and therefore the special wing might question the KPCC leader. However, hours later on the same day, in a setback for the CPI(M), the Crime Branch wing of Kerala police said no such statement was ever made by the victim. Mavunkal was on June 17 sentenced to life term in prison for rape of the minor victim who was the daughter of his maid. The Kerala High Court on Wednesday, while asking Sudhakaran to appear before the Crime Branch on June 23, had said that in the event he is arrested in the cheating case, he shall be released on bail on furnishing a bond of Rs 50,000 with two sureties of the like amount. "This order shall be in force for two weeks," the court had said. It had also directed the KPCC chief to cooperate with the investigation and not to attempt to intimidate or influence witnesses in the case. The order came on the anticipatory bail plea filed by Sudhakaran who was asked to appear before the Crime Branch, which is probing the cheating case. The Crime Branch had decided to interrogate the KPCC president on the basis of a statement by complainants, who lost their money in the cheating case, claiming they had handed over money to Mavunkal in the presence of Sudhakaran. Earlier, the agency had submitted an additional report before the court here, arraigning Sudhakaran as an accused in the case. When the allegations cropped up against him two years ago, Sudhakaran denied them. The issue had snowballed into a political controversy as images of Mavunkal, along with Sudhakaran, emerged. Sudhakaran had said he had gone to Mavunkal's residence for treatment, as the latter claimed to be a trained cosmetologist. Mavunkal had allegedly made false representations about himself and his business to various people and collected money from them. Many images of Mavunkal with senior police officers and bureaucrats of the state have surfaced. Cherthala native Mavunkal, who claims to be in possession of rare and historic antiques, was arrested by the Crime Branch in September 2021. He is facing charges of having swindled Rs 10 crore from several people. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta Thursday directed for framing a proper plan to ensure smooth flow of traffic during the annual Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to begin next month. Chaired a meeting here to review the traffic arrangements in the Srinagar city, Mehta said the experience of pilgrims and tourists should be pleasant so that they promote the Union territory as a tourist destination. The chief secretary also reviewed the status of traffic movement on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra and the ongoing tourist season. Enquiring about the traffic arrangements for the yatra, Mehta said a proper plan should be framed to ensure smooth flow of traffic. He said the coming months should not witness any traffic jams and all preparations have to be made in advance to plug any loopholes. In the meeting, the chief secretary enjoined upon the officers that the experience of Amarnath yatris and other tourists should be pleasant so that they promote Jammu and Kashmir as a tourist destination back home. Also Read Amarnath Yatra 2023 registration begins today; Check complete details Security arrangements for the annual Amarnath Yatra underway: CRPF official Amit Shah to review preparations, security for Amarnath pilgrimage in J&K Sadhus from across India reach Jammu for upcoming Amarnath Yatra Amarnath Yatra 2023 to commence from July 1, registration starts next week Classrooms should inspire students to become better persons: L-G Sinha No plans to shift cheetahs from Kuno National Park: Bhupender Yadav PM Narendra Modi's gifts to Bidens: Upanishad to lab-grown diamond Sky not the limit for India-US partnership, says PM Narendra Modi For partnership between India and US, 'even sky is not the limit': PM Modi He also asked the traffic department to hold a stakeholders' consultation and formulate SOPs which all of them comply with without need for coercive measures. Mehta stressed upon the officers to take all necessary measures to smoothen the flow of traffic in Srinagar and all other areas with zero tolerance against offences like illegal parking and lane indiscipline. He expressed concern on the traffic snarls around the Dal Lake area and directed the officials concerned to take corrective measures in this regard at the earliest. Maintaining that checking points should not create unnecessary problems for commuters, the chief secretary directed the traffic authorities to make their checking methods more people friendly. He said there should be no halting of buses at their will and those should stop only at designated locations. Measures to encourage capital investment have been an important aspect of Modinomics as it is not just a wealth creator but also a means of employment generation, said Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday. In the 60 years of Congress rule, hatred was spread against capitalists. During the Congress rule, governance was budget-centric, said the minister of road transport and highways here at an event on the achievements of nine years of the Narendra Modi government. Encouraging domestic capital investment, and bringing foreign capital for development are necessary to eradicate poverty, he said. Works worth Rs 9 lakh crore are being carried out with a budget of Rs 900 crore because the Modi government is encouraging capital investment, said the senior BJP leader. Capital investment creates wealth and jobs, he stressed. Recalling his days as the PWD (public works department) minister of Maharashtra in the 1990s, when the undivided Shiv Sena-BJP alliance was in power, Gadkari said he would then speak of infrastructure projects on BOT (build-operate-transfer) and PPP (public-private partnership) basis. He said the Congress leaders would mock him saying whether the government was "given on BOT and PPP". Today, public-private partnership and build-operate-transfer models are well accepted, he said. Also Read BJP eyes hat-trick in 2024 at Centre riding on '9 years of achievements' Would rather jump into well than join Congress: Gadkari recalls old advice PM Kisan Yojana's 14th instalment likely soon: Check if you are eligible Arunachal CM holds 26th e-Pragati meet, seeks timeline on pending issues Rajasthan's roads will be like those in US by 2024: Nitin Gadkari BJP office gutted in Bengal's Darjeeling, supporters rush to douse fire Joshimath observes bandh to protest construction of Helang-Marwari bypass India-US jet engine deal: What are jet engines? Why is this deal important? PM Modi's joint address to US Congress: Here are key highlights, takeaways Some people taking law in their own hands, won't be spared: VP Dhankhar In the Modi government, Gadkari said, decision-making is transparent and time-bound because of good governance with a focus on development and economic growth. He said the target of the Modi government is the eradication of poverty and socio-economic inequality. The Antyodaya schemes of the Modi government have benefitted the poor sections of society. While 9.5 crore people have benefitted due to Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana', 3.5 crore citizens got houses under the PM Awas Yojana, he said. Forty-nine crore bank accounts have been opened, 37 crore people have benefitted under the Ayushman Bharat (health scheme), and 12 crore toilets have been constructed under the Swachh Bharat programme. A majority of these schemes have benefitted the poor and given them dignity, he said. After India's independence, Gadkari said, then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru adopted a socialist economy. Today, socialism and communism have been rendered irrelevant. The BJP has adopted nationalism with good governance as its development model and its policies have benefitted the socially, educationally and economically backward population, he said. He also shared the outlook for the coming years. The automobile sector will be the number 1 in the next five years. Gurugram and Pune have developed due to the automobile sector and roads in UP and Bihar will be like America in the next new years, he said. The logistics sector will contribute about 9 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2024, pushing up exports and creating employment potential, he said. What couldn't be achieved in 60 years of Congress rule was accomplished in 9 years of the Modi government. It is the people who need to be credited for this development as they voted us to power. Abhi sirf trailer dekha hai, poori film baaki hai, he added. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday offered to deploy 337 companies of central forces in West Bengal after the State Election Commission (SEC) made a request for 822 companies for the upcoming panchayat polls. On Wednesday, the Calcutta High Court had taken exception to the SEC demanding 22 paramilitary companies as against 825 companies deployed in 2013. The division bench of Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam and Justice Uday Kumar said that the SEC has to deploy central forces and it cannot be less than what was used in 2013, according to a report in The Indian Express. The High Court said, The State Election Commission shall within 24 hours requisition sufficient number of central forces to be deployed to all the districts and the number of companies/battalion which are to be requisitioned shall be not less than the forces which was requisitioned for the 2013 election and it has to be definitely more than the same as the number of districts have increased and the electorate would have definitely increased between 2013 and 2023, in these ten years. The court stated that the deployment of forces from other states to be in place on the date of polling will not yield the desired result, according to the Indian Express report. The court said, Therefore, de hors the number of police forces which may have been requisitioned from other states, the State Election Commission shall independently assess the requirement and as observed earlier, the assessment should be honest. Also Read Comfort and security: what does it take to set up a smart home LIVE: BJP wins 16 of 17 mayoral posts in UP, CM Adityanath hails verdict RBI policy: How a repo rate hike/cut impacts your home loans and EMIs Karnataka Election Results 2023: Here is how tally looks like at 11:30 am Karnataka Election Results 2023: Here is how tally looks like at 12:30 pm Praising US Congress members for coming together, PM takes swipe at Rahul India, US to enhance tech commerce; to focus on semiconductor, telecom Infiltration bid foiled in J-K's, four terrorists killed in joint operation PM Modi's visit will take India-US ties to next level, says Kamala Harris Indians are brilliant in every field, not just in Spelling Bee: PM Modi West Bengal has witnessed a number of violent incidents since June 9, when the panchayat polls were announced in the state. The elections will be held on July 8. During his state visit to the United States this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed the Artemis Accords with the nation's national space administration, as confirmed by the White House. This agreement holds significant importance for India to establish itself as a global space power. Furthermore, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) have also agreed to launch a joint mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024. What are Artemis Accords? The Artemis accord outlines the principles for cooperation in space exploration and the use of the moon, mars, comets, and asteroids for peaceful purposes. These principles are non-binding multilateral arrangements between the US government and other governments that wish to participate in NASAs Artemis programme. What is the Artemis program? Also Read Budget 2023-24: Manufacturing sector eyes revised taxations, new PLIs Union Budget 2023: Experts don't expect surprises in social sector outlay Budget 2023: A look back at some major announcements in previous Budget Crypto industry wants 0.1% TDS, Sebi-like regulator in Budget 2023 Budget 2023 to increase capex for infra projects for growth: Experts All-party Opposition meet ahead of 2024 elections today; all you must know Egypt to offer exclusive industrial cluster to India in Suez Canal EZ Malaysia to take legal action against Meta over harmful content on Facebook 'No ifs or buts' in dealing with terrorism, says PM Modi in US Congress MHA offers to deploy 337 companies of central forces for WB panchayat polls One of its key goals is to land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon. This historic event will pave the way for greater diversity and inclusivity in space exploration. Furthermore, the programme aims to land the first astronauts on Mars and eventually on other planets and celestial bodies. When were Artemis Accords established? Nasa, in collaboration with the US Department of State, established the Artemis Accords in 2020. The accords are agreements between the United States and seven other founding member nations. They reinforce the commitment to international space treaties and agreements, such as the Registration Convention and the Rescue and Return Agreement. Additionally, the accords emphasise best practices and norms that promote responsible behaviour, including the sharing of scientific data with the public. What are the guiding principles of the accords? The Artemis Accords also aims to create a foundation for peaceful and cooperative space exploration. These agreements facilitate progress, ensuring that humanity can explore space while upholding ethical and responsible practices. Given that multiple countries and private companies are actively involved in lunar missions and operations, the accord lays out a set of shared principles to govern civil exploration and the use of outer space. According to Nasa, the principles include conducting all activities in space peacefully and with full transparency; this includes sharing findings, registering space objects, and releasing scientific data. For safety purposes, the accord calls for interoperability and emergency assistance when needed by whichever organisation or nation has the resources and ability to help in respective situations. Furthermore, communication and coordination with countries during exploration are important. The Accord calls for the protection of sites and artefacts preservation as well as the mindful use of resources during space exploration and development. Finally, Nasa and its partner nations must agree on the efficient disposal of spacecraft and plan to mitigate orbital debris. What is the budget of Artemis program, and who is funding it? The US has allocated $7.9 billion toward deep space exploration programmes in the financial year 2024. Out of this, approximately $3.2 billion will go towards the Artemis program. According to Ars Technica, around $41.5 billion will be spent on the Artemis program between the financial years 2024 and 2028, although it may not be sufficient due to the rising costs of equipment. Why joining the Artemis Accords is an important step for India? India's decision to join the Artemis Accords highlights its dedication to global space cooperation and a keen interest in participating in lunar exploration missions. By becoming a signatory, India can collaborate with other nations, including the United States, in future Moon missions. This collaboration enables the sharing of knowledge and expertise, contributing to the advancement of scientific research, technological development, and the expansion of humanity's presence in space. Furthermore, as part of Prime Minister Modi's state visit, several US companies will partner with India to establish a semiconductor ecosystem that promotes diversification in the supply chain. Micron Technology, with the support of the Indian National Semiconductor Mission, recently announced a significant investment of over $800 million. Alongside additional financial backing from Indian authorities, this investment will create a $2.75 billion semiconductor assembly and test facility in India. These developments highlight the growing collaboration between India and the United States in the field of technology and innovation. Which other nations are a part of the Artemis Accords? While Nasa is leading the Artemis program, the accords were signed by the directors of the national space agencies of the US, Australia, Canada, Japan, Luxembourg, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates in October 2020. Ukraine signed the accord a month later. The accords were extended to South Korea, New Zealand, Brazil, Poland, the Isle of Man, and Mexico in 2021. In the following year, 2022, Israel, Romania, Bahrain, Singapore, Colombia, France, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, Nigeria, and the Czech Republic also joined the accords. Spain, Ecuador, and now India have also signed on, making a total of 28 nations so far. Collaborating with other countries is essential to the accord in order to establish a sustainable and long-lasting presence on the Moon. This presence is crucial to Nasa's goal of sending astronauts to Mars, marking humanity's first mission to the red planet. Nasa's Artemis program focuses on making new scientific discoveries and expanding the exploration of the lunar surface. By studying the Moon, scientists hope to gain valuable insights and make discoveries that can contribute to advancements in various fields, including technology, medicine, and a better understanding of the workings of the entire universe. Amid rising global scrutiny of India-made medicines, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said there were plans to have a self-regulatory body for the pharmaceutical industry. Stressing that India has a zero-tolerance policy for any sort of quality compromise, Mandaviya said a joint squad of regulators from both the state and Centre had been formed for inspections of plants. The minister, however, did not divulge further details on the nature and composition of the self-regulatory body. He said the government was industry-friendly, but it did not want to leave any opportunity for anyone to point out flaws in the quality. Speaking at the eighth Quality Forum organised by the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, Mandaviya said 150 plants had already been inspected, of which over 70 had been issued show-cause notices and 18 issued closure notices. The regulatory authorities have started risk-based audits of plants. If any companys products have a history of failure, then we are auditing these sites. If someone needs handholding, the industry at the regional level should help to improve quality. However, if anyone is callous about quality, they have no right to operate, Mandaviya said. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, the minister highlighted that upon receiving complaints from certain regulatory authorities, India had tested samples of alleged contaminated cough-syrups. We tried to do a root-cause analysis, and found that one child had diarrhea. Also, not all the samples of the 23 tested were found to be contaminated. This is strange, as if there is a batch failure, all samples from that batch should fail the test, he said, alluding to the Gambia incident where more than 40 children died after allegedly consuming India-manufactured syrups. Also Read Cabinet approves National Medical Devices Policy 2023: Mansukh Mandaviya Centre forms panel to prepare road map for health care regulations Centre working on rolling out petrochem policy: Mansukh Mandaviya Diseases know no borders, Covid underlined need for joint effort: Mandaviya Union Health Minister proposes a Global Medical Countermeasure Platform RBI Bulletin: GDP growth, decline in inflation and other key highlights Why no coercive action order against Wankhede should be vacated: HC to CBI Modi, Biden share light moments at dinner amid praise for Indian-Americans 822 companies of central forces for Bengal rural polls: SEC to Calcutta HC CBI raids in 3 cities against IL-FS Energy Development Company Limited After the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a palpable shift in the way every country or continent is trying to secure its supplies of medicines, Mandaviya said. We have supplied pharmaceutical products to 150 countries during the pandemic, and vaccines to around 100 countries. Not a single country has complained of substandard quality, he said, adding that now countries were looking for Indian pharma companies who can set up manufacturing capacities in their area. Indian companies should not miss this opportunity. While we may focus on exports, others may, in the meanwhile, set up local manufacturing plants, he said, adding that several international organisations were now allocating funds for such proliferation of manufacturing footprint. To boost local manufacturing, the minister said it was now time to think of innovative models of partnership between the industry and government. The Centre can pick up stake in a special purpose vehicle for a pharma park where the industry as well as the state government also have stakes. Lets say the government brings in Rs 1,000 crore for building this plug-and-play infrastructure. Once the park is ready, in about four to five years, the government can sell its equity and exit, and re-invest that amount in another project, Mandaviya said. BJP president J P Nadda on Friday accused Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of outsourcing the administration to bureaucrats. Nadda attacked the state's BJD government while addressing a rally in Kalahandi district on the occasion of the completion of nine years of the Narendra Modi government. I wonder who has been running Odisha! Is this the officers or leaders who are running this state? I want to know this. Someone told me that it's actually the officers who are running the state, they are ruling it, Nadda said. Alleging that Naveen Patnaik has outsourced the total administration to officers, Nadda claimed that the people of the state are deprived of basic facilities despite the BJD's uninterrupted rule for 23 years. Claiming that Odisha remained backwards under the BJD rule, he asserted that the state's per capita income is lowest, its average monthly income for agricultural households is lowest while incidents of crime against women are increasing. It is time for the lotus (BJP symbol) to bloom in Odisha, Nadda said. Also Read Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik owns property worth Rs 65.40 crore, shows CMO Odisha CM Patnaik drops Higher Education Minister after 'poor' review Odisha CM unveils Biju Patnaik's iconic Dakota aircraft for public display CM Patnaik launches heavy lift logistics drone in Odisha Skill Conclave Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik's assets increase by Rs 42.90 lakh in 2022 Semiconductor announcements to create 80,000 jobs: MoS IT Chandrasekhar India, US to discuss GSP restoration issue to find solution: Piyush Goyal HC seeks NCERT's response on plea against online bids from empanelled firms UP adds biographies of Nehru, Savarkar, to curriculum for classes 9-12 JP Nadda, Dharmendra Pradhan pay tribute to Dr Syama Mukherjee in Odisha He claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided ration to 3.5 crore people of the state's population of 4.5 crore population. The BJP leader also alleged that the actual beneficiaries are not getting houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Odisha. Ineligible people are getting houses. There will be a probe. I will speak to Union (rural development) minister Giriraj Singh. Those involved in the scam will be put behind bars, he said. Noting that as many as 11 crore people across the country have availed the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, he said the people of Odisha are being deprived of the scheme as Patnaik is not implementing it. Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Bisheswar Tudu and other senior party leaders were present at the rally. Nadda also held discussions with office bearers and workers of Kalahandi Lok Sabha constituency and met a few prominent citizens in different fields before flying back to Delhi this afternoon. Earlier in the day, the BJP leader offered prayers at Maa Manikeswari temple near here. United States Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer and Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Capitol Hill where he delivered his address to the joint session of the US Congress. PM Modi highlighted the commitment to deepen the friendship between India and the United States, emphasising that a lot has changed since his previous visit but the dedication has remained the same. The PM referred to the trusted partnership between India and the US as a guiding light in this new dawn that focused on the importance of demonstrating that democracies matter and deliver. There have been many advances in AI - Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, there have been even more momentous developments in another AI - America, and India, he said. PM Modi received 15 standing ovations and 79 applauses on his address and here are the highlights of his speech. On democracy and shared values Also Read From marinated millets to stuffed mushrooms, White House menu for PM Modi Together we stand stronger: PM Modi as he leaves for US on 1st state visit PM Narendra Modi to visit US from June 21 to 25: What is a state visit? PM Modi in the US: Semiconductors to drones, here's what will be in focus Leadership at global institutions like UN needs to be re-evaluated: PM Modi Some people taking law in their own hands, won't be spared: VP Dhankhar Indian Railways, USAID collaborate on clean and efficient energy solutions Screen inmates' mental health to prevent in-prison suicides: NHRC First Made-in-India semiconductor chips to come by Dec 2024: Vaishnaw Indian astronauts may be headed to ISS in 2024 under India-US joint mission PM Modi spoke about the two democracies and playfully mentioned the samosa caucus, referring to Vice-President Kamala Harris and other senators of Indian origin in the US senate. He stated, The foundation of America was inspired by the vision of a nation of equal people... There are millions here who have roots in India, some of them sit proudly in this chamber and there is one behind me He paid tribute to both Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr, stating, We remember many others who worked for liberty, equality, and justice. Democracy is one of our sacred and shared values. Democracy is a spirit that supports equality and dignity. Democracy is an idea that welcomes debate and discourse. Democracy is culture that gives wings to thought and expression, he said. The Prime Minister spoke about India's rich diversity being acknowledged as a natural way of life that the world is increasingly interested in exploring. Adding that despite diverse languages, parties, and dialects, India speaks in one voice when it comes to its nation. He also highlighted India's economic growth, from being the 10th largest economy to now the fifth largest, with expectations of becoming the third-largest soon. Moreover, India's vision extends beyond development that benefits women to women-led development, where women lead the journey of progress. Climate change, development, and Indias vision On climate change, PM Modi emphasised Indias commitment to democracy, inclusion, and sustainability, with responsible growth respecting the environment. India became the only G20 country to meet its Paris commitment and the nations renewables account for over 40 per cent of our energy sources, which is nine years ahead of the target of 2030. Our mission is pro-planet progress, pro-planet prosperity, pro-planet people. We live by the motto of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'-the world is one family. Our engagement with the world is for everyone's benefit. The same spirit is also seen in the theme when we chair the G20 Summit, One Earth, One Family, One Future. Last week, all nations joined our proposal at the UN, to build a memorial wall to honour the peacekeepers. This year the whole world is celebrating the International Year of Millets, to promote sustainable agriculture he said. US and India synchronicity The Prime Minister in his address, stressed on the partnerships and synchronicity of the economies of India and the US. When an American phone maker invests in India, it creates an entire ecosystem of jobs and opportunities, in both countries. When India and the US work together on semiconductors and critical minerals, it helps the world in making supply chains more diverse, resilient and reliable, he stated. He added that he agreed with President Biden that this was a defining partnership of this century as it served a larger purpose. The countries are now defense partners which adds to the limitless opportunities for synergies between the two nations. Call for diplomacy and dialogue on Ukraine conflict PM Modi expressed his concern over the Ukraine conflict and its severe consequences, considering it a return of war to Europe. He added that global order was based on respecting the United Nations charter through the peaceful resolution of disputes and maintaining sovereignty and territorial integrity. As I have said before and directly, this is not an era of war. This is an era of dialogue and diplomacy, he said. Global challenges of terrorism, Indo-pacific security, and the United Nations The Prime Minister brought attention to the 9/11 attacks in the US and 26/11 in Mumbai, stating that even after two decades, radical terrorism was still a danger worldwide. He stated, We must revive multilateralism and reform multilateral institutions with better resources and representation that applies to all our global institutions of governance, especially the UN. When the world has changed, our institutions too must change or risk getting replaced by a world of rivalries without rules. In working for a new world order based on international law, our two countries will be at the forefront as partners. Adding that such threats underscored the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, with stability being a central concern. PM Modi concluded his address by reiterating that the trusted partnership between India and the US was a guiding light in this new era. The BJP on Friday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US tour as "unprecedented" and said several diplomatic and strategic decisions taken during the visit will help build a "new India" with economic progress. The prime minister's visit has resulted in "significant outcomes" in the areas of defence, cooperation with regards to strategic technology, a partnership in renewable energy and also critical minerals cooperation, BJP leader and Union minister Smriti Irani told a press conference at the party's headquarters. "Several diplomatic and strategic decisions were taken during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US which will help build a new India with the resolve of Atmanirbhar Bharat, and provide opportunities of economic progress to Indians," she said. "Fifteen standing ovations and over a hundred applause to the prime minister's speech at the US Congress, this was not only the hallmark of the prime minister's visit to the US but what is unprecedented is the Indo-US partnership in many critical areas which will help serve a better future the Indian populace," she added. The minister said the MoU signed on semiconductor supply chain and innovation partnership will promote not only research but commercial opportunities as well. "Micron Technology Inc will invest 825 million dollars to build a new semiconductor assembly and test facility in India with the support of the Indian government. The combined investment is valued at 2.7 billion dollars," she said. Also Read US reopening visa, consular services in Cuba post-2017 health issues US responsible for Ukraine crisis, seeks to reap economic benefits: Lavrov Tunisia welcomes decision as Saudi Arabia, Iran move ahead to resume ties Indo-US strategic allies hold up Sri Lanka's struggling politics, economy BRICS members vow to combat terrorism financing, terror safe havens Delhi CR Park firing: Bike-borne masked men shoot at car, driver injured 'Socialist', 'Secular' missing from Preamble on textbook cover in Telangana US, India decision to end trade disputes a big victory, says Piyush Goyal Man talks about 'hijacking' over phone before flight take-off, arrested Modi, Biden hail Indian contribution to Fermilab upgrade project It will create not only direct and indirect job opportunities but will also add "a fillip" to the prime minister's vision of 'Make in India', she said. Irani said NASA and ISRO will develop a "strategic framework" for human space flight cooperation by the end of 2023 and a joint Indo-US quantum coordination mechanism will help facilitate collaboration between the industry, academic and government. "A two million dollar grant programme for joint development and commercialisation of artificial intelligence and quantum technologies was launched," she said. The MoU signed between American multinational General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the manufacture of GEF 414 jet engines in India is being hailed across the country, she added Irani said India-US State Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X), launched at an event in Washington during Modi's visit, is a network of universities, start-ups, industry and think tanks which will facilitate joint defence technology innovation and help co-produced advanced defence technology between the industries of India and the US. "A pro-planet prime minister (Modi) has helped actualise India-US new and emerging renewable energy tech action platform. The launch of this platform will accelerate cooperation in green hydrogen, offshore and onshore wind and other emerging technologies," she said. This platform will complement the world's largest green hydrogen mission launched by India, she added. Irani said India has now become the "newest partner" in the mineral security partnership which will help accelerate development of diverse and sustainable critical energy and mineral supply chains. "This is just a small reflection of the big Indian agenda that was serviced by the Pradhan Sevak (PM Modi) during his US visit," she said, adding, "The oldest democracy through dialogue and diplomacy has yet again delivered for the people of india." Asked asked about some of the US congressmen and senators reportedly building pressure on President Joe Biden to take up with India the issue of alleged suppression of minorities, Irani said those flummoxed by the strategic achievements of the prime minister's visit seek to denounce a democracy where 20 political parties are currently serving the interests of India and Indians. "Those who want to deflect attention from the prime minister's personal efforts undertaken in strategic cooperation in defence, artificial intelligence, ecosystem of semiconductor assembly line and critical mineral engagements would like to raise the minority bogey," she charged. As the general elections come closer such "political gas-lighting" is expected, she claimed. "What I am grateful to is the prime minister's steadfast focus on issues that are critical to Indian economy," she added. MBABANE - Despite a slight delay in the distribution of the 2023 General Elections voters roll, the EBC has assured that most places would have access to it by today. According to the general elections calendar that was issued by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC), the voters validation exercise was supposed to start yesterday. The validation is an exercise where the EBC publicises the list of people who have registered to vote and residents, competent witnesses and the inner councils of communities around the country go through it to verify if the people who were registered to vote in that particular community actually qualify. The voters validation exercise will last until July 12, 2023. Distribution The distribution of the voters validation was slightly delayed though the EBC managed to quickly rectify the problem. Last evening, Reverend Sipho Tembe from the EBC, urged all emaSwati to start going through and scrutinise the voters register as of yesterday, following the successful registration process. "We will have members of the commission in various parts of the country, where the voters register will be pinned. We encourage all sectors of the populace who registered for the elections to check the voters register, he said. In an earlier interview with EBCs Communications Officer Mbonisi Bhembe, he had confirmed the delays in the publicising of the voters roll. The list was supposed to be distributed on Wednesday so that yesterday the process would have begun, though it eventually did but late in the evening. Bhembe explained that the reason for the delay was that they had last minute changes from it. The officer said the changes included the format as well as the overall appearance. He highlighted that it was noted on the day it was supposed to be distributed that there was too much information that was available from the voters roll they initially produced, some of which was a breach of privacy policies that registrants had trusted them with.On behalf of the commission, I would like to sincerely apologise to the entire nation for the inconvenience caused by this, he said. Changes The officer also noted that the last minute changes in the voters roll could have been realised earlier, however, he noted that they had to extend the registration for four days which then contributed to the delay. The registration stage was supposed to end on June 14, 2023, but it was extended to June 18, 2023, which means the less than three days to prepare the voters roll. It had been discovered that during the voter registration, some people were registered offline, meaning they were not immediately uploaded in the EBC system. Some were automatically uploaded while others had to be uploaded manually after the completion of the registration, which also had to be done after the equipment was brought back at EBC. The first step of the validation exercise, Bhembe said people should first verify if they appeared on the register. If one does not appear of the voter register, Section 17 of the Voters Registration Act of 2013 states that one would need to make a claim to the commission by filling in forms that would be available with the clerks or online. The section states that: (1) A person who has duly applied to be registered and whose name is not included on the appropriate register of voters may make representation to the registration officer for his name to be included on the register within seven days. (2) The manner and time within which such representation under subsection (1) may be made shall be prescribed by the commission. (3) A claim under subsection (1) shall be determined by the registration officer and if a person is not satisfied with the decision of the registration officer, the person may appeal to the commission within 10 days of the decision. (4) The commission shall consider the appeal within 14 days after the appeal was lodged, and the commission shall notify its decision to the registration officer and the person who appealed against the decision of the registration officer. (5) A person who is dissatisfied with the decision of the commission may, with leave of the High Court, appeal against the decision within twenty eight days of the decision. During the validation exercise, resident registrants will also inspect the list of people who noted the interest to vote in their constituency. The CBI conducted searches in three cities after registering an FIR against IL&FS Energy Development Company Limited in connection with an alleged fraud of Rs 100.30 crore in Punjab National Bank, officials said on Friday. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked the company and its directors for alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating and under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act for diversion of funds and other irregularities in the utilisation of loans availed from the bank. "The CBI has conducted searches at office and residential premises of accused including the private company at New Delhi, Dehradun (Uttarakhand) and Mumbai (Maharashtra), etc. which led to recovery of incriminating documents/articles etc.," a CBI spokesperson said. It was alleged that the accused entered into a conspiracy to cheat Punjab National Bank (erstwhile e-United Bank of India), he said. "In pursuance of the said conspiracy, the accused misappropriated the sanctioned credit facilities by way of cheating, utilisation of loan funds contrary to the sanction terms and conditions, diversion of sale proceeds to related and sister concern companies, etc. and thereby caused loss to the tune of Rs. 100.03 crore plus interest to the bank," the spokesperson said. The CBI said e-United Bank of India had sanctioned a term loan of Rs 100 crore to the company on December 28, 2017 under a multiple banking arrangement. Also Read PNB Q4 results: Net profit jumps over five-fold to Rs 1,159 crore Card and internet fraud cases up 257% since Covid-19 pandemic began 53-year-old Mumbai man sells flat for Rs 1.3 cr, loses all to cyber fraud India's economy already 10% more energy efficient than G20 average: IEA Indonesian govt promises move to clean energy, but challenges remain K'taka CM blames BJP for 'financial indiscipline' and 'commission racket' Centralised Cell to be set up for sale and purchase of power: CM Sukhu Odisha CM Patnaik 'outsourced' administration to officers, says JP Nadda Semiconductor announcements to create 80,000 jobs: MoS IT Chandrasekhar India, US to discuss GSP restoration issue to find solution: Piyush Goyal The account turned a non-performing asset (NPA) on December 31, 2018. To ascertain if there had been a fraud, a forensic audit was conducted through Haribhakti and Co. for the period from December 1, 2013 to April 30, 2020, the agency said. The forensic auditor submitted its final report on March 9, 2021 that red-flagged several irregularities, including the potential diversion of funds of Rs 576 crore. "The potential diversion of funds to the extent of Rs. 576.07 crore has been observed by the forensic auditor. However, PNB is concerned with the facilities sanctioned to the tune of Rs 100 crore," the FIR said. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday took a dim view of "some people" taking to the streets and indulging in violence and arson when found on the wrong side of the law. Speaking at an event at the Malaviya National Institute of Technology here, Dhankhar, however, did not mention any particular incident or name any state where violence was reported in recent times. "We cannot claim to be a society governed by law if someone is above the law, if someone has immunity from law, be it anyone, he said. Some people, if they get a legal notice, take to the streets. "No one is above the law and the law will not spare anyone. This is understood by all," he said, adding that "they" are now fighting the last battle. Without elaborating he asked why no action is taken when public property and police vehicles are burnt, and this is caught on video. "How can we allow such a scenario to develop? Dhankhar said youngsters will have to make a difference in society by building narratives and flooding social media with positive and growth-oriented ideas. Also Read Court acquits 9 in 2020 Delhi rioting-arson case on 'benefit of doubt' VP Dhankhar arrives in Delhi after attending King Charles's coronation Hostel fire that killed 6 people was arson, says New Zealand police 2020 Delhi riots: Four acquitted of rioting, arson, theft charges Delhi riots: Court orders charges against 19 for arson, attempted murder Indian Railways, USAID collaborate on clean and efficient energy solutions Screen inmates' mental health to prevent in-prison suicides: NHRC First Made-in-India semiconductor chips to come by Dec 2024: Vaishnaw Indian astronauts may be headed to ISS in 2024 under India-US joint mission 'Atmanirbhar Bharat not possible if socioeconomic disparities don't end' "You are lucky to be living at a time when India is rising as never before. This rise is unstoppable. The incremental trajectory will get a boost with your contribution, he said. He said India will become the third-largest economy in the world by the end of the decade and number one by 2047. He said the growth trajectory of the country is unstoppable and the entire world is now looking at India. A decade ago, we were the 10th largest economy. In September 2022, we moved to the fifth spot which is an achievement, he said, adding that it was not an easy journey. "And when India celebrates the centenary of its Independence in 2047, we will be number one. You (youth) will be in the driver's seat. The world knows this, the world is looking at India, he said. However, some people are pained by the achievements of the country, Dhankhar said without taking any names. He said these people claim that India is not a vivid democracy when it is the only country in the world that has constitutional democracy at the village, panchayat, zila parishad levels along with state legislatures and parliament. "We cannot allow these narratives by sinister minds to decry and demean our institutions and to ridicule our growth," he said. The vice president called upon the youths to neutralise such forces. On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit, he said, "The presence of the prime minister in the US is very impactful". Indian ambassador to Spain Dinesh Patnaik has said that the European country has "a lot to offer" in terms of bilateral trade in defence, start-up and IT ecosystem, and cultural exchange. The two countries share an increasingly important relationship through bilateral exchanges, he said, adding more and more Indian filmmakers are now exploring Spain's scenic locations, the latest being films such as Pathaan and Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar, and India is buying C295 aircraft, submarines and automotive components from Spain. The European country, in turn, procures chemicals, mechanical, engineering and electrical equipments from India, he said. "In the last one-and-a-half years, our trade has increased by about 30 per cent. We have a surplus of $4 billion with them. With very few countries we have such large surpluses, especially when it is non-petroleum products. But there is a lot more that can be done. This is just the tip of the iceberg," Patnaik told PTI in an interview. Speaking on the sidelines of the recently concluded JLF Valladolid here, Patnaik said that for years Spain has been "outside the periphery of our activities" as more attention was given to the anglophone world and to Germany and France in Europe. The two countries, he added, can benefit from each other through trade in chemicals, machine and engineering products, electrical equipment, and automotive components. Also Read US firms prioritize others over China: American Chamber of Commerce China Germany enters recession: What went wrong with Europe's largest economy? Hockey World Cup Crossover Hlts: Korea upset Argentina, Germany beat France China asks embassies to avoid 'propaganda' in pro-Ukrainian displays India, US making efforts for cooperation in civil nuclear energy sector Phase-I construction of Ayodhya's airport to be completed by August PM's foreign policy made world see India as trusted partner: Vaishnaw Climate change has doubled chances of heatwave in Uttar Pradesh: Report India, US throw weight behind Ukraine, condemn N Korea's missile launches Technology cooperation featured prominently in India-US talks: Foreign Secy According to the Indian Embassy in Spain, bilateral trade in goods in 2022 stood at $7.92 billion, growing by 17.6 per cent over a similar period a year ago. India's exports grew by 21.3 per cent and stood at USD 6.02 billion and imports grew by 7.3 per cent and stood at $1.9 billion. The ease of business in India has also attracted Spanish manufacturers to relocate from Russia and China, he said. "India will be the place with the maximum automobiles sold in the future. Our automobile capacity is very low. So a lot of these Spanish companies are relocating to India, putting in a large part of their activities. They're moving production away from China, Russia and other places, where they find it difficult, to go to India where they find it easier to do," the diplomat said. Talking about the business opportunities from India to Spain, Patnaik noted that while there are about 100 Indian companies in Spain the number has been steadily increasing. "A large number of Indian professionals are coming and working here, a large number of researchers, research institutes, IT companies, start-ups, many of them are moving here. We encourage all of them, we help them. We made the embassy their first stop. We have started the India Spain Chamber of Commerce which is going to be launched soon," he added. The India-Spain bilateral ties go beyond commercial cooperation as the two countries share similar culture, food and even behavioural traits. Talking about cultural similarities and affinity towards each other's culture, Patnaik said there has been an increasing interest among the Spanish people towards Indian activities such as yoga, films, dance and music. "The Spanish people love Indian music and dance. Bollywood is very popular here.... There's a lot more than that, both countries have vibrant cultural industries. So we have been doing a lot in the last many years, we do Yoga Day, for example. Everywhere there are yoga schools and yoga institutes. When you do anything, culturally, music, dance, there are a lot of takers for it, Patnaik said. He added that they encourage people to take meditation courses and take part in Indian festivals such as Holi and Diwali. The cultural similarities, he said, make one miss home a little less. "Half the time you feel you're in India because the people are so similar. They're family-oriented. They're loud. They argue a lot. They love food. They love colourful clothes. If you look at the rest of Europe, most of them wear black and greys, here they wear very colourful clothes. So it's a place where you feel at home. "I mean for us, India is always home, you miss the vibrancy of India but as diplomats when you're abroad, this is the place where you miss India the least," Patnaik said. Despite sharing a similar palate for spicy and savoury food, Indians coming to Spain find a dearth of vegetarian food options, a situation the embassy is trying to resolve, he said. "They are like us, they like it more spicy, more 'chatpata'. We are now working on a project to map all the Indian restaurants here and to do annual food promotion to see how we can increase their visibility. To make sure people know about it and not just Indian restaurants but all vegetarian restaurants. Because I find that whenever Indians travel they look for vegetarian restaurants and there are very few places where you can find vegetarian restaurants," he said. The international extension of Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) is held in different parts of the world, including the US and the UK. The first edition of JLF Valladolid was organised earlier this month with an aim to become "a bridge between the diverse and vibrant literatures of Spain and India". Sky not the limit for India-US partnership, says PM Narendra Modi India and the US upgraded their strategic partnership by a few crucial notches on the second day of Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to Washington, DC, with the signing of agreements spanning mega defence deals, semiconductors, critical minerals, cooperation in critical and emerging technology, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, telecommunications and space cooperation on Thursday. Read more Adani Group draws regulatory scrutiny in the US after short seller's report US authorities are looking into what representations Adani Group made to its American investors following a scathing short sellers report that accused the company of using offshore companies to secretly manipulate its share prices. The US Attorneys Office in Brooklyn, New York, has sent inquiries in recent months to institutional investors with large holdings in the India conglomerate, one person familiar with the inquiries said. The requests for information were focused on what Adani Group told those investors, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the probe isnt public. The Securities and Exchange Commission also has a similar probe underway, two other people said. Read more Under scanner: Insurance companies likely to soon face GST audits Insurance companies may soon face goods and services tax (GST) audits as tax authorities plan a deep dive into their business practices to check for the possibility of a raft of tax-linked irregularities. Several insurance companies are being probed for wrongly availing of the input tax credit without the underlying supply of goods and services based on fake invoices generated by their channel partners and intermediaries. Read more Also Read Adani Green Energy to seek board approval to raise up to $1 billion Adani Group revives Mundra PVC project, gets credit line worth Rs 14,000 cr Rajiv Jain's GQG Partners to invest another $1 bn in Adani group stocks Top 5 headlines: MSCI drops 2 Adani firms, Twitter to get new CEO and more Top 5 headlines: Windfall tax slashed on petroleum crude, IBM pauses hiring India only G20 country that fulfilled promises on climate change: PM Modi Democracy is in our veins, no discrimination against minorities: PM Modi President Biden, PM Modi welcomes India's plans to procure Predator drones India, US walk shoulder to shoulder to combat terrorism, extremism: PM Modi India, US plan to send Indian astronaut to ISS in 2024: President Biden Truck operators raise heat over govt's air-conditioned cabin proposal Truck operators are up in arms over the governments plan to make air-conditioned cabins mandatory for truck drivers by 2025. If implemented, the move will not only increase the cost of trucks by up to Rs 50,000, but also lead to a spike in freight rates, they claim. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) recently announced its decision to make air-conditioned drivers cabins mandatory for trucks by 2025. Read more Over 1.3 billion people globally to have diabetes by 2050, finds study By YP Rajesh NEW DELHI (Reuters) -The aerospace unit of General Electric on Thursday announced it had signed an agreement with India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics to jointly make engines in India to power fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. The announcement was timed to coincide with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark visit to the United States this week. The deal, called "historic" and "trailblazing" by officials, is considered the most significant of a number of agreements expected to be concluded between the two countries or their companies during Modi's visit, which ends on Friday. Below are some facts about the engine and why it is critical for India's military. THE ENGINE Also Read Samsung to unveil 2023 foldables at Galaxy Unpacked in Seoul: Details here Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro: Lightweight laptop lifted by ecosystem benefits Samsung to launch Galaxy S23 smartphone in lime colour: Details here Samsung Galaxy F54 5G review: Feature-packed smartphone in midrange segment Samsung Galaxy F54 5G phone goes on sale with introductory offers: Details New electricity tariff rules to make bills cheaper during solar hours Boeing to invest $100 mn in infrastructure, pilot training in India 73% Gen-Z employees say physical workplace improves effectiveness: Report Tata Cliq gets new CEO as Tata Digital reshuffles management USFDA emphasises on response over perfection in inspections: Sarah McMullen The GE engine in question is called the F414 and it has been used by U.S. Navy aircraft for more than 30 years. The F414 powers or is on order to power jets in the U.S., Sweden, Australia, Kuwait, Brazil, South Korea, India and Indonesia. GE says it has delivered more than 1,600 F414 engines and they have clocked more than 5 million flight hours. It is also manufactured in South Korea. INDIA'S NEED India's quest to manufacture an engine for an indigenous light combat aircraft called "Tejas" began in the 1980s but has struggled. Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) turned to GE's F404 engine - the predecessor of F414 - to power Tejas in the mid-2000s. So far, 75 F404 engines have been delivered and another 99 worth $716 million are on order for Tejas Mark 1. Tejas Mark 2, still under development, is a more powerful jet and needs a bigger engine. HAL has procured eight F414 engines for this programme. The F414 will also be used to develop India's next generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. India's Air Force is desperate to shore up its fighter squadrons, which have fallen to 31 from a target of 42. New Delhi hopes it can meet its target with home-made jets powered by home-made engines to keep costs under control and also to avoid becoming dependent on a foreign supplier. U.S. COOPERATION India and the United States, once on opposite sides of the Cold War, have grown closer over the last two decades and are building a strong bond centred on trade, defence and technology partnerships as well as geopolitical alignment. Washington designated India as a "major defence partner" in 2016 and New Delhi's military purchases from the United States passed $20 billion in 2020 from near-zero in 2008. India faces twin military threats from China and Pakistan and is the world's largest arms importer. It has traditionally been dependent on its old friend Russia for arms supplies but has over the decades also sourced from France, Israel and the U.S., among others. Washington has sought to deepen ties with New Delhi also as a counter to China's rising global influence. It also wants to wean India away from Russian military supplies and is willing to give India access to critical American technologies such as F414 it rarely shares with non-allies. WHAT NEXT? The GE-HAL deal to co-produce F414 engines in India requires U.S. government and legislative approvals. It is not known yet how much of the technology behind the F414 that GE will share with HAL, and if that includes sensitive technology that deals with managing very high engine temperatures. The first F414 engines are expected to be delivered from the U.S. over the next three years while HAL sets up a production facility for it in India. The first Tejas Mark 2 is expected to fly in 2026. Full scale production of F414 in India and Tejas Mark 2 is expected only early in the next decade. (Reporting by YP Rajesh in New Delhi; Editing by Conor Humphries) The cryptocurrency market saw a bull run with major tokens gaining double digits following the rising interest of big institutions in the sector. According to data from CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin has gained over 17 per cent in the last seven days. Ethereum, the second largest crypto coin as per market cap, was up over 12 per cent. On Friday, Bitcoin and Ethereum were trading at $30,023 and $1,876 respectively. Cardano, Solana, Litecoinand Polkadot also registered double-digit gains in the last week. "The surge comes after the recent filing of spot bitcoin ETF applications by BlackRock, Invesco, and other large asset management firms has given investors hope that the crypto market is starting to recover," the research team of crypto exchange CoinDCX told Business Standard. Spot bitcoin ETFs are designed to track the price of bitcoin directly, and their approval would allow investors to buy and sell bitcoin through traditional brokerage accounts. According to Edul Patel, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of crypto platform Mudrex, Deutsche Bank's announcement of applying for crypto custody services in Germany also played a role in boosting the investors' confidence in the industry. "Bitcoin has crossed the $30,000.01 mark, demonstrating its stability and resilience in the face of market fluctuations," said Shivam Thakral, CEO of crypto exchange BuyUcoin. Also Read Bitcoin breaches $30k-mark fuelled by Powell's comments, spot ETF filings Crypto industry wants 0.1% TDS, Sebi-like regulator in Budget 2023 Crypto market cracks 5%, Bitcoin at 3-month low after US SEC sues Binance Crypto wrap: Fed's rate hike comment, SEC cases drag Bitcoin to 3-month low Crypto wrap: SEC's fine on Kraken poses wider threat to market, say experts Bitcoin breaches $30k-mark fuelled by Powell's comments, spot ETF filings Crypto wrap: Fed's rate hike comment, SEC cases drag Bitcoin to 3-month low Hackers impersonate crypto news journalists, steal $3 mn from 1,932 victims US securities watchdog declares all-out war against crypto, files 130 cases RBI averse to crypto but is all set to float CBDC; FinMin weighs options The SEC approval of BlackRock's application may take months and is still uncertain but according to Parth Chaturvedi, investments lead at CoinSwitch Ventures, the timeline is overlapping with the scheduled date of Bitcoin's halving and is keeping investors motivated. The largest crypto token is expected to be halved in April 2024. "The institutions have finally arrived big time, and BTC is of particular interest in all these developments, given that there is some clarity on its classification as a commodity. Even though the SEC approval for a spot Bitcoin ETF is still months away (and uncertain), the timeline overlapping with BTC Halving in April 2024 is really building the 'bull case' for Bitcoin prices. This is also being manifested in Bitcoin's rising dominance of overall crypto markets," he said. After the network mines 210,000 blocksroughly every four yearsthe block reward given to Bitcoin miners for processing transactions is cut in half, it is called Bitcoin halving. It cuts the rate at which new bitcoins are released into circulation in half. This usually results in the price of the token going up immediately. The last halving took place on May 11, 2020. However, experts also said that to maintain the bull run, Bitcoin will need to maintain its position. "To maintain its positive momentum and reach new annual highs, Bitcoin needs to solidify its position above the critical level of $30,000," Patel said. Also Read Adani Green Energy to seek board approval to raise up to $1 billion Rajiv Jain's GQG Partners to invest another $1 bn in Adani group stocks Adani Group revives Mundra PVC project, gets credit line worth Rs 14,000 cr Adani Enterprises bounces 17% from day's low on massive jump in Q3 profit Sebi lists new norms for high-risk FPIs: What it means for investments Tube Investments hits new high; rallies 5% on healthy business outlook Sebi bars Eros Group entities, MD from securities mkt over irregularities Stocks to watch: L&T, GAIL, ONGC, Fortis Health, Tata Power, Paytm, Vedanta MARKET LIVE: Sensex off lows, down 150 pts as private banks lead recovery F&O Strategy: Here's why you should adopt Bear Spread on AB CAPITAL Shares of Adani Group companies were under pressure, falling up to 6 per cent on the BSE in Fridays intra-day trade following reports that the Group has drawn regulatory scrutiny in the US after short seller's report.Shares of Adani Enterprises, the flagship company of Adani Group, dipped 6 per cent to Rs 2,251 on the BSE in intra-day trade. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, Adani Power, Adani Total Gas, Adani Transmission, Adani Green Energy, Adani Wilmar, Ambuja Cements and ACC were down 2 per cent to 4 per cent. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 0.28 per cent at 63,061 at 10:17 AM.According to Bloomberg report, US authorities are looking into what representations Adani Group made to its American investors following a scathing short sellers report that accused the company of using offshore companies to secretly manipulate its share prices.The US Attorneys Office in Brooklyn, New York, has sent inquiries in recent months to institutional investors with large holdings in the India conglomerate; Bloomberg reported quoting one person familiar with the inquiries. CLICK HERE FOR FULL REPORT Meanwhile, the market regulator the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is conducting an investigation into allegations made by a foreign short-seller on January 25, 2023 and also into market activity before and after that date. The verdict is expected from securities watchdog in August.However, a panel of experts appointed by the Supreme Court also said in a report last month that theres no regulatory failure or wrongdoing behind the wild swings of Adani stocks.We are fully compliant with all laws, rules and regulations and are confident that truth will prevail. We are fully cooperating with SEBI and will continue to provide all our support and cooperation, Adani Group had said in media statement on April 29.It is pertinent to note that in the SEBI application filed before the Hon'ble Supreme Court, there are no conclusions of any alleged wrong-doing. The SEBI application only cites the allegations made in the short-sellers report, which are still under investigation, the Group said.While we continue to remain focused on our business and growth, we would request the media to avoid needless speculation at this time and wait for SEBI and the Expert Committee appointed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court to complete their work and submit their findings, it added. Shares of Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) fell over 3 per cent on Friday, a day after the exchange cancelled the mock trading session for the new trading platform. The exchange is in the process of implementing a new commodity derivative platform. In a circular on Thursday, MCX said, "the exchange had proposed a mock trading session on 22 June 2023, from 05.00 pm to 11.30 pm which stands cancelled." The stock went lower by 3.12 per cent to settle at Rs 1,570.45 on the BSE. During the day, it fell 6.37 per cent to Rs 1,517.80. At NSE, it declined 3.28 per cent to end at Rs 1,568.80. Earlier this week, the exchange had proposed a mock trading session on June 19 also but cancelled the same. The exchange had earlier also announced to conduct mock trading sessions to familiarise members with the new trading platform. The exchange said mock trading was successfully underway on Friday and it will go on till 11:30pm. "MCX stock price fell on June 23 as media carried reports in the morning about cancellation of mock trading on the previous day. Mock trading has been cancelled on a couple of occasions," said Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities. MCX has targeted to shift to new technology from July 1, Jasani added. Also Read MCX Gold likely to re-test Rs 58,000; Silver may drop to Rs 63,500 MCX Gold likely to test Rs 54,000-level; Silver can dip to Rs 61,200 Near support for MCX Crude Oil seen at Rs 6,030; Natural Gas to test Rs 285 MCX Crude oil may find support at Rs 6,400; Natural Gas could test Rs 227 Range-bound MCX Crude Oil may test Rs 6,100; Natural Gas in oversold zone NSE, NITIE ink pact for academic, research collaboration in economics Sebi issues demand notices to 5 entities in Fortis fund diversion case ICICI Securities surges 7% to hit 7-month high on strong growth prospects Tycoon Shapoor Mistry's firm set to sell India's biggest low-rated bond IKIO extends rally post strong listing; zooms 67% over issue price "The street is eagerly monitoring as to whether it will be able to do that smoothly. There may be a few more mock sessions and we will have a better idea by next week about the success of the shift to new technology. Soft overall markets also contributed to the weakness in the stock price," he said. In the equity market, the 30-share BSE Sensex fell 259.52 points or 0.41 per cent to settle at 62,979.37. The NSE Nifty declined 105.75 points or 0.56 per cent to end at 18,665.50. The exchange had in the past requested members to actively participate in the mock trading session to avoid any issue when the exchange plans to go live with the new version of trading software. The software support and maintenance agreement between 63 Moons and MCX, which was last amended on September 27, 2014, ended on September 30, 2022, but it was extended at the last moment for a period of three months till December 31, 2022. MCX had later extended the software contract with 63 Moons up to June this year. The technology support for MCX has been provided by 63 Moons, which was earlier known as Financial Technologies India Ltd and was its erstwhile founder-promoter. However, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was selected as the vendor for the development of the new commodity derivative platform in February 2021. The Multi Commodity Exchange of India Limited, the country's first listed exchange, is a commodity derivatives exchange that facilitates online trading of commodity derivatives transactions. The exchange started operations in November 2003. Capital markets regulator Sebi has sent notices to five entities asking them to pay Rs 5.7 crore within 15 days in Fortis Healthcare's case of fund diversion and misrepresentations to conceal the fraud. In addition, the regulator warned of attachment of assets and accounts if they fail to make the payment within the stipulated time. The five entities that received notices are Saubhagya Buildcon, Zolton Properties, Tiger Developers, Torus Buildcon and Rosestar Marketing. The demand notices came after the entities failed to pay the fine imposed on them by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in May 2020. In five notices issued on Thursday, Sebi directed them to pay Rs 5.7 crore, which includes interest and recovery cost, within 15 days. In the event of non-payment of dues, the regulator will recover the amount by attaching and selling their moveable and immovable properties. Besides, they will face attachment of their bank accounts. Also, the regulator takes the route of arrest and detention in prison to recover the amount. Earlier this month, Sebi had issued demand notices to four entities in the same case. In May 2022, Sebi imposed penalties totalling Rs 38.75 crore on 32 entities, including these five entities in the case related to the diversion of funds of Fortis Healthcare Ltd (FHL) and misrepresentations to conceal the fraud. It levied a fine of Rs 1 crore each on the five entities. Also Read Sebi issues notices to 4 entities in Fortis Healthcare fund diversion case Fortis Healthcare to acquire Manesar-based Medeor Hospital for Rs 225 cr CAG Girish Murmu reelected as external auditor of WHO for 4-year term CAG to explore new audit areas as it adopts end-to-end digital framework More people adopting preventive healthcare post-Covid, say experts ICICI Securities surges 7% to hit 7-month high on strong growth prospects Tycoon Shapoor Mistry's firm set to sell India's biggest low-rated bond IKIO extends rally post strong listing; zooms 67% over issue price Delhivery, Craftsman Automation: Strategies for stocks amid block deals Voltas dips 4%, nears 52-week low on concerns of tepid growth in RAC biz The matter goes back to 2018 when a media report came out that the promoters of the listed FHL had allegedly taken massive funds out of the listed company. It also pointed out that Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP, the statutory auditor of FHL, had refused to sign on the company's second-quarter results until the funds were accounted for. Subsequently, the regulator initiated an investigation into the matter to examine possible violations of the provisions of the PFUTP (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices). In its probe, Sebi found that a systematic scheme of fraud was devised by the erstwhile promoters of FHL to funnel the resources of a listed company behind the facade of investment through Inter-Corporate Deposits (ICDs) or short-term loans to various intermediate entities for the benefit of RHC Holding, an entity which was indirectly owned and directly controlled by the erstwhile promoters. The funds aggregating to Rs 397 crore were diverted from FHL to RHC Holding, through a wholly-owned subsidiary of FHL -- Fortis Hospitals Ltd. The funds were allegedly routed through a network of entities. Language purists know no bounds: From US presidents and Indian prime ministers to more recently the Pakistan Army chief, prominent world figures have been the target of such zealots for the slightest of linguistic misdemeanours in their view. While a month ago, Pakistani netizens mocked their Army Chief General Asim Munir for his terrible grasp of the English language after a clip from his China visit went viral, way back in 2009, Barack Obama had to take the oath of office twice as US president over split infinitives. US Chief Justice John Roberts, known as a stickler for grammar, made a modificat LOBAMBA Government has spent at least E6.5 million on the advances that were afforded to both Members of Parliament (MPs) and senators. A total of 65 MPs and senators applied for a E100 000 advance each and were all granted according to the Ministry of Finance Communications Officer, Setsabile Dlamini. She stated that among the legislators who applied for the advances, no member of the Cabinet did. We also have applications from tindvuna tetinkhundla and bucopho and the disbursement of their advances will commence next week, she said. Specific The ministry did not specify on how many from the House of Assembly or Senate applied, but gave the overall figure of applications from both chambers. The ministry was also not specific on the number of bucopho and tindvuna tetinkhundla who had applied for the advances. The legislators engaged the Ministry of Finance on getting E100 000 advances against their gratuity or ex-gratia. A gratuity is a lump sum amount that is paid to an employee by an employer, as a token of appreciation on the termination of the employees service. This was in anticipation that the 4th Parliament maybe dissolved anytime soon and that would mean they would no longer be beneficiaries of either the constituency or sitting allowances, with only the basic salary to rely on, yet some of them were still servicing loans and other monetary commitments. The contract of the MPs depicts that once Parliament is dissolved, they no longer benefit from constituency or sitting allowances, but only the basic salary. According to Finance Circular No.2 of 2013, a sitting allowance shall be paid to Members of Parliament, tindvuna tetinkhundla and bucopoho betinkhundla and each sitting is E350. Entitled The circular also depicts that all parliamentarians will be entitled to a constituency allowance. The allowance will be equal to 12.5 per cent of the basic pay of the Member of Parliament, payable every month. As far as repaying the advance is concerned, Dlamini previously explained that for MPs who would not be re-elected to Parliament, it would be a difference of the advance from their gratuity that they would be getting while those who would be re-elected, they would service the advance as a loan and repaying from their salaries or any other source of income. In Eswatini context, the ex-gratia payment is a grant that is payable to former parliamentarians to assist with the costs of adjusting to non-parliamentary life. This is contained in Circular No.2 of 2013, which depicts that the ex-gratia payment is available to all parliamentarians who fail to be re-elected or re-appointed into the new Parliament. In the event that the parliamentarian does not fully serve the five year term, the ex-gratia payment would be pro-rated taking into account the actual period served as stipulated in the circular and under no circumstances would a part year served be considered as a full year. Should the parliamentarian be dismissed or removed from office due to misconduct or incompetence, the ex-gratia payment will be forfeited. The ex-gratia will be paid as once-off payment equal to 12 months (one year) basic salary before taxation for all parliamentarians, reads the circular. Read here Despite the best regulatory intent in banking, India faces significant risks because of the domination of public-sector banks (PSBs). Six PSBs, for example, do not have a non-executive chairman. In some cases, the position has been lying vacant for over two years. In this context, our lead editorial notes that, although the issue of government interference in lending decisions seems to have been addressed, the present National Democratic Alliance government has not been able to tackle the legacy problem of delayed appointments to key positions in PSBs. From both operational and governance standpoints, it is important that key positions are not allowed to remain vacant. In other views: Read here EUs tax on carbon-intensive imports contradicts multilateral climate and trade norms, writes Amita Batra. Read here Emerging economies must take stronger action to address risk mispricing, a problem at the heart of financing economic transformation, writes Rathin Roy. Quote Also Read Best of BS Opinion: Laws and order, corporate battles of 2023, and more Best of BS Opinion: Dumping ground, defending constitutional order, & more Best of BS Opinion: Unintended consequences, green growth conundrum, & more Best of BS Opinion: Tapping global trade, confirming compliance, and more Best of BS Opinion: Protecting investors, the green wall, and more Best of BS Opinion: Limits in the sky, ban pan-masala promotions, and more Best of BS Opinion: Poor productivity, a story for every screen & more Best of BS Opinion: An inflexion point, the visible hand, and more Best of BS Opinion: Paying for a safety net, preserving SHE values, & more Best of BS Opinion: Pathways to a Viksit Bharat, rules of recovery, & more Our fight against inflation is not yet over. We need to undertake forward-looking assessment of the evolving inflation-growth outlook and stand ready to act, if situation so warrants. Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das (Minutes of the Monetary Policy Committee Meeting, June 6 to 8, 2023) As many as 17 opposition parties on Friday resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the BJP and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences. Addressing a joint press conference after an almost four-hour-long meeting, during which leaders of 17 parties expressed their views, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said the leaders will meet in the next few days to give final shape to their plan of fighting together. "We had a good meeting and several leaders expressed their views during the meeting. 17 parties have decided to work together and contest the Lok Sabha elections unitedly," he told reporters. Kumar, who hosted the first such meeting, said they were working in the national interest and accused the BJP of acting against the national interest as it was trying to change the country's history. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced that the next meeting of opposition leaders would be held in Shimla in Himachal Pradesh next month. "We have decided to prepare a common agenda and will take decisions in the next meeting on how to move forward," he said. Also Read All-party Opposition meet ahead of 2024 elections today; all you must know As Nitish tries to bring Opposition together, here's a look at his journey Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 pm amid Opposition protests on Adani issue Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm amid ruckus by Opposition Opposition leaders arrive in Patna for meet, BJP slams mega gathering PM's US visit unprecedented, decisions taken will help build new India: BJP BJP office gutted in Bengal's Darjeeling, supporters rush to douse fire Opposition leaders discuss roadmap for 2024 LS polls in mega meet in Patna Oppn unity nearly impossible, will face drubbing in LS polls: Amit Shah PM Modi working to fulfill Syama Mookerjee's dream of Akhand Bharat: Saha "We will have to evolve separate plans for every state and we will work together to dethrone the BJP at the Centre," he said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said,"We may have some differences but have decided to work together with flexibility and will work to protect our ideology". West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said the first meet was organised in Patna as "Whatever starts from Patna, takes the shape of the public movement". "We all are united and will fight unitedly against BJP," she said and added that "the BJP wants to change history but we'll ensure that history is saved". She also asserted that they were not opposition parties but were also citizens of the country who had patriotism and loved 'Bharat Mata'. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the Amarnath pilgrimage, sources said. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and top officials of the intelligence agencies, paramilitary forces, police and the civil administration attended the meeting here. At the meeting, the home minister took stock of the security situation and was given a detailed briefing, sources said. Shah was apprised about the situation along the International Border as well as the Line of Control, they said. He gave necessary directions to the security agencies to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the Union territory, sources said. The security review meeting came days ahead of the annual Amarnath pilgrimage. Also Read Amarnath Yatra 2023 registration begins today; Check complete details Security arrangements for the annual Amarnath Yatra underway: CRPF official Amit Shah to review preparations, security for Amarnath pilgrimage in J&K Amarnath Yatra 2023 to commence from July 1, registration starts next week Sadhus from across India reach Jammu for upcoming Amarnath Yatra Congress to support ruling NPP in Meghalaya sans BJP: State party chief It'll be BJP vs 15 in 2024: Opposition parties resolve to stay united Pack of wolves whose prey is India's future: BJP on opposition unity AAP skips press briefing, slams Cong silence over Delhi services ordinance PM Modi fulfilled Syama Mookerjee's dream by revoking Article 370: CM Yogi The 62-day-long annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Amarnath, located at a height of 3,880 metres in the south Kashmir Himalayas, will begin on July 1 and continue till August 31. At a meeting on June 9 in New Delhi, Shah had said the Modi government's priority was to ensure a comfortable Amarnath pilgrimage. He had then directed officials to make adequate security arrangements along the entire pilgrimage routes in Jammu and Kashmir. The pilgrims travel through two routes - Baltal and Pahalgam - in Jammu and Kashmir. All the pilgrims will be given RFID cards so that their real-time location can be traced and everyone will be given Rs 5 lakh insurance cover. There will be insurance cover of Rs 50,000 for each animal carrying the pilgrims, sources said. Last year, 3.45 lakh people visited the holy cave and this year, the figure could go up to 5 lakh, they said. The sources said that to avoid any incident like last year's flash flood which claimed 16 lives near the shrine, the National Disaster Response Force has started identifying ideal locations for setting up pilgrim camps keeping in mind any possible natural disaster. Indian Air Force helicopters are expected to be deployed to carry out aerial sorties in the upper reaches of the holy cave to check for glacial events and the formation of lakes that may trigger flash floods downhill. Last year, such sorties were conducted only after the flash flood occurred in June, but this year, the exercise will be undertaken before the start of the pilgrimage and at continuous intervals during the two-month yatra, the sources said. The aerial surveys may be conducted by a team with expertise in remote sensing and satellite, hydrology and disaster response. Once a dangerous water build-up is spotted, contingency measures will be taken along the pilgrimage routes, especially in the areas near the cave shrine, they added. Recently, a lot of snow has been found along both the routes - Baltal and Pahalgam - leading to the holy cave and therefore the Border Roads Organisation has been given the task to clear the snow by June 15, the sources said. Days after opposition Congress supported the ruling National People's Party in a tribal council, Congress MP Vincent H Pala said the party is ready to support the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government minus the BJP. Pala, who is also the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief, said his party with 5 MLAs would be very happy if it can convince the NPP (with 28 MLAs) in the House of 60 to sever ties with the BJP (with 2 MLAs). We will be very happy if we can convince the NPP to sever ties with the BJP. Minus the saffron party, we are ready to support and work together with the NPP in the state, Pala told PTI on Friday. The Congress members of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council got the approval of the party before extending support to the NPP, he said. The Congress, with 5 MDCs, had supported the NPP in ousting the United Democratic Party (UDP)-led United Democratic Alliance (UDA) executive committee in the KHADC. We are ready to work with anybody except the BJP, he said. Also Read Presence of many parties to help NPP win: Meghalaya Dy CM Prestone Tynsong Swearing-in-ceremony of Meghalaya's NPP-led govt likely on Tuesday Meghalaya assembly polls: A look at key contests between candidates Corruption of NPP-led govt in Meghalaya encouraged by BJP: Congress NPP's Conrad Sangma takes oath as Meghalaya CM, cabinet sworn-in It'll be BJP vs 15 in 2024: Opposition parties resolve to stay united Pack of wolves whose prey is India's future: BJP on opposition unity AAP skips press briefing, slams Cong silence over Delhi services ordinance PM Modi fulfilled Syama Mookerjee's dream by revoking Article 370: CM Yogi Opposition meet: Nitish calls for unity; next meeting in Shimla in July Reacting to this, BJP spokesperson M Kharkrang said this was nothing but a publicity stunt. This is reflective of the fear the Congress has against the BJP's transparent and zero tolerance towards corruption, he said. Claiming that the BJP is a strong and steady partner of the MDA 2.0 alliance, Kharkrang said the BJP is an ally in the government and has been ensuring that dividends of central schemes reach the beneficiaries. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday said various important issues plaguing the country, including the current situation in violence-hit Manipur, will be discussed in the meeting of Opposition parties in Patna. Top leaders of opposition parties will meet in the Bihar capital on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting is being hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (JDU) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav (RJD). Apart from Pawar, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (TMC), Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann (AAP), Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin (DMK), Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav and Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT) are scheduled to attend the first high-level opposition meeting. Talking to reporters in Pune before leaving for Patna, Pawar said, "We will be discussing some important issues that are being faced by the country, including the situation in Manipur." Incidents like people hitting the streets and creating law and order situation have been taking place, especially in non-BJP ruled states, the former Union minister said. "It is clear who is behind this, and it is not good for the country. The focus of the meeting is to deliberate on these issues and chalk out a future plan. Leaders from other states may put forth their concerns," he said. Emerging from their four-hour ice-breaking meeting in Patna on Friday evening, 32 leaders from 15 political parties kick-started their collaboration for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, resolving to unitedly fight the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a spirit of accommodating mutual interests. A brief spat, which an Opposition leader dubbed a misunderstanding that lasted barely seven minutes, between Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, however, threatened to unsettle unity efforts. Kejriwal insisted the Congress join his party to publicly denounce the Centre's ordinance on Delhi bureaucrats at the Patna meeting. He later skipped the joint press conference of the leaders and his party issued a stinging statement against the Congress. At the meeting, the leaders said they would protest in one voice any vendetta of the Centre against their parties and meet again in Shimla in the second week of July to discuss the future course of action, including initiating a discussion on a common agenda. Several leaders mooted strengthening the index of opposition unity, or IoU, sacrificing their claims on seats to ensure one-versus-one contests in the greater interest. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he attended the meeting without memory of past likes or dislikes and prejudices. He said the Congress would do its utmost to sustain Opposition unity. Hinting that he could be open to seat sharing with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav said he hailed from the state that sent the most MPs to the Lok Sabha and would show large-heartedness in looking at alliances. Yadav said all parties attending the meeting were like-minded in their inclination towards the Congress and were anti-BJP. In his reaction to the Opposition meeting in Patna, Union Home Minister Amit Shah dubbed it a photo session. Also Read All-party Opposition meet ahead of 2024 elections today; all you must know As Nitish tries to bring Opposition together, here's a look at his journey Road to 2024: BJP reaches out to allies amid Opposition's unity push 2024 LS polls: Opposition strategists will need to agree on a common agenda LIVE: We dance to beats of Diljit, do Yoga to stay fit, says Antony Blinken Pack of wolves whose prey is India's future: BJP on opposition unity AAP skips press briefing, slams Cong silence over Delhi services ordinance PM Modi fulfilled Syama Mookerjee's dream by revoking Article 370: CM Yogi Opposition meet: Nitish calls for unity; next meeting in Shimla in July Monsoon covers 23 Jharkhand districts, heavy rainfall alert for June 25-26 All I want to say to these opposition leaders is that your unity is nearly impossible and even if it gets real, please come in front of the people as in 2024, Modis return with 300 plus seats is confirmed, Union Home Minister Amit Shah told a public rally in Jammu. Earlier in the day, the Congress leadership at the meeting -- Kharge and Rahul Gandhi -- didn't proffer any assurance to Kejriwal on the Ordinance issue, with the Congress president promising to take it up at the Opposition strategy meeting before the Monsoon session. Kharge also flagged comments by an AAP spokesperson alleging the Congress had a deal with the BJP. Kejriwal skipped the subsequent press briefing, and his party issued a statement condemning the Congress' silence on the issue. Opposition sources attributed this to the AAPs political compulsions in Delhi and the Congress not heeding its request that Gandhi gives Kejriwal an audience. They maintained the AAP was very much on board. Trinamool Congress President and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee intervened between Kharge and Kejriwal, requesting them to resolve the differences in the coming days. Sources said the leaders of the Congress and the AAP could meet soon. At the press conference, Janata Dal (United) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had convened the meeting, sought to downplay the AAP's absence. Those who had to catch an early flight could not stay back for the press conference. Dont fixate on that. Pay attention to how many parties have joined us in our endeavour, Kumar said. He further stressed if Opposition parties stand united in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJPs tally could be brought down to below 150. According to a leader present at the meeting, in his comments, Kejriwal said it wasn't the time to expand parties and committed that the AAP would not do so until 2024. The Congress had accused the AAP in the recent past of trying to dent it in states, such as Gujarat and Goa. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, chief of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, suggested a one-size-fits-all unity formula was not feasible. He said it should be tailored according to the electoral situation of each state. Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad said the largest party in a state should determine the contours of the alliance, such as the Congress in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and other states, or the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. Kejriwal and others suggested ensuring one-versus-one formula against the BJP and that the parties should be willing to sacrifice seats for allies in the larger interest. Banerjee said the answer to the question of who would be the PM if not Modi was that the battle is Modi versus the people of India. When asked to speak first as they represented the largest party, Congress' Kharge and Gandhi said they would rather listen to the rest and speak last. Gandhi said flexibility was the need of the hour, as was shaping the public discourse and holding meetings with goal-oriented agenda. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said, here in the US, India is part of our daily lives. We enjoy our Jhumpa Lahiri's novels over samosas. We laugh at the comedies of Mindy Kaling. We dance to the beats of Diljit at Coachella. We keep ourselves more or less fit and healthy doing Yoga. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar said that "Manipur issue will also be discussed" in the Opposition leaders' meeting scheduled to take place in Bihar's Patna, as he left to attend the meeting on Friday morning. Pawar, who was accompanied by her daughter Supriya Sule, further added that "they are meeting to discuss some important issues of the country and decide the future course of action." Apart from that Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and MP Sanjay Raut were also spotted leaving for Bihar's Patna to attend the Opposition leaders' meeting. Leaders of several opposition parties already had arrived in Patna on Thursday ahead of their crucial meeting which is aimed at forging unity for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls even as they face challenges in terms of turf wars in states. The meeting has been called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar and will be attended by leaders of parties opposed to the BJP. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti were among the leaders who reached Patna ahead of the meeting. On her arrival in Patna, Mamata Banerjee called on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch and former Bihar CM Lalu Yadav and his son and state Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. "It was wonderful to meet Lalu Prasad Yadav ji. He is a senior leader. Unfortunately, he was in jail for so many days and then was hospitalized for a long time. It was good to see him. I cannot share the details of the meeting right now. All I can say is that we are here to fight collectively, like a family." Also Read NCP committee rejects Sharad Pawar's decision to step down as party chief 2023 will be a great year if country gets good rainfall: Sharad Pawar Congress 'mukt' Bharat not possible, says Sharad Pawar at Pune party office NCP panel set up by Pawar to decide on next party chief to meet on May 5 NCP chief Sharad Pawar receives death threats, party demands action Rahul, Kharge to address party workers ahead of Opposition meeting in Patna 'Why temple committee not clarifying...': Cong leader over gold plating row 'We want to fight together...': Kharge ahead of Opposition meet in Patna 'All leaders are united to defeat PM Modi,' says JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar Issues plaguing country to be discussed at Oppn parties' meeting: Pawar After meeting with RJD Supremo, Mamata Banerjee met Nitish Kumar at Patna Circuit House. Kejriwal and Mann also met Nitish Kumar. RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary said he will be able to attend the meeting due to a pre-decided family program. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday arrived in Bihar's Patna to attend the Opposition leaders' meeting hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, with an aim to arrive at a consensus to forge a united Opposition front to take on the BJP. Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, Kharge said that the opposition parties' agenda is to remove the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre and they all would fight together. "We all want to fight together against BJP and our agenda is to remove the BJP government," Kharge said while talking to the media as he left for the opposition meeting in Bihar's Patna. Speaking on the issue of the Centre's Ordinance put forward by the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Congress President said that they will take a decision on this before the Parliament session. "We will take a decision on this (on supporting AAP against the Centre's ordinance) before the Parliament session," he said. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar welcomed both the leaders on their arrival. Also Read Demolition of old Patna Collectorate was a mistake, says Bihar BJP MP Criteria are being decided for implementation of guarantees: Priyank Kharge 'Nalayak' jibe only to highlight PM's empty rhetoric for Banjaras: Priyank Only heads of respective parties should be at oppn meet: Bihar CM Nitish To ensure Kharge, Rahul availability, Oppn unity meet now likely on June 23 Decision on Delhi ordinance issue will be taken before Parl session: Kharge Manipur issue to be discussed in Oppn meeting: NCP's Sharad Pawar Rahul, Kharge to address party workers ahead of Opposition meeting in Patna 'Why temple committee not clarifying...': Cong leader over gold plating row 'We want to fight together...': Kharge ahead of Opposition meet in Patna Earlier, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah arrived in Bihar's Patna to attend the Opposition leaders' meeting. Leaders of Opposition parties from across the country are set to meet in Patna to chalk out a strategy to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. As leaders of several opposition parties arrived in Patna on Thursday, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary decided to skip the conclave due to a "pre-decided family program". Chaudhary, however, hoped the meeting will be an "important milestone in the path of opposition unity". West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti were among the leaders who reached Patna ahead of the meeting. On her arrival in Patna, Mamata Banerjee called on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch and former Bihar CM Lalu Yadav and his son and state Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. The Opposition picked Patna as a venue for its meeting as it represents the 1974 call of total revolution by Jayaprakash Narayan that toppled Indira Gandhi's majority government. Leaders of several opposition parties arrived in Patna on Thursday ahead of their crucial meeting which is aimed at forging unity for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls even as they face challenges in terms of turf wars in states. The meeting has been called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar and will be attended by leaders of parties opposed to the BJP. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti were among the leaders who reached Patna ahead of the meeting. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge are expected to reach Patna on Friday morning. On her arrival in Patna, Mamata Banerjee called on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch and former Bihar CM Lalu Yadav and his son and state Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. "It was wonderful to meet Lalu Prasad Yadavji. He is a senior leader. Unfortunately, he was in jail for so many days and then was hospitalised for a long time. It was good to see him. I cannot share the details of the meeting right now. All I can say is that we are here to fight collectively, like a family." Also Read As Nitish tries to bring Opposition together, here's a look at his journey Ex-JD(U) president RCP Singh joins BJP, attacks Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Nitish Kumar reprises role played by George Fernandes in formation of NDA Bihar on alert, daily testing on large scale: CM Nitish Kumar on Covid-19 No more Deputy CM, new faces likely from RJD, Congress: Nitish Kumar Delhi L-G raises concern over inordinate delay in govt's hospital projects Thackeray govt suffered from 'policy paralysis', says Deputy CM Fadnavis Shah enough to handle Manipur, no need of PM Modi: Fadnavis to Uddhav Opposition parties to meet in Patna tomorrow; check who all are attending Oppn to start 'Mission 2024' with Patna meet, chart course to take on BJP After meeting with RJD Supremo, Mamata Banerjee met Nitish Kumar at Patna Circuit House. Kejriwal and Mann also met Nitish Kumar. RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary said he will be able to attend the meeting due to a pre-decided family programme. Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati took a dig at the meeting with sarcastic remark, "Dil mile ya na mile, haath milate rahiye". She also used another Hindi proverb "Muh me Ram, bagal me chhuri" and said the opposition parties should have cleared their intentions before the meeting. Mayawati said Uttar Pradesh has 80 Lok Sabha seats and a key to electoral success but the opposition parties do not seem to be serious about their objectives. Taking a dig at the Opposition over the mega meeting, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi said all the Opposition leaders accused of "corruption" have come together fearing arrest once Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns for a third term in office after next year's Lok Sabha elections. He said that RJD which does not have a single seat in the Lok Sabha is challenging the party with 303 seats. "The party (RJD) which does not have a single seat in the Lok Sabha, is challenging the party with 303 seats (BJP), Bihar will give 40 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats to PM Modi," he said. Kejriwal wrote to opposition leaders, urging them to discuss the Centre's ordinance on the control of services in Delhi at the June 23 meeting. However, state-specific issues may not be taken up for discussion in the first such meeting. There is some unease in Congress over the Aam Aadmi Party's suggestion that Opposition leaders clarify their positions on the Centre's ordinance. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray are among leaders expected to attend the meeting. NHLANGANO An 11-year-old pupil from a school around Hlatikhulu was gang raped by four men travelling in a black BMW vehicle. Hlatikhulu is in the Shiselweni Region. The school will not be mentioned to protect the identity of the survivor from discrimination. It was gathered from her mother *Nomsa that the minor was headed to school for her morning classes when the incident happened. It was said that she was alone when walking to school. According to Nomsa, the minor narrated that she saw the black BMW vehicle stopping next to her which was when four men who had covered their faces alighted and grabbed her. It was said that after raping her, they left her and she headed back home where she reported the matter. It was alleged that one of the perpetrators had a tattoo, according to the childs description. The criminals are said to have further tried to pursue another minor who was able to escape. Nomsas child was taken to the police station, where the matter was reported and the minor was later driven to hospital for medical examination. In an interview with Swatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) Director Nonhlanhla Dlamini, she shared that she was disappointed and shocked by the incident. She said she was disappointed by what the country was becoming. She said looking at how the minor was grabbed; no one was safe in the country. She requested members of the public to assist in locating the perpetrators. She said they would assist the child with counselling or at least make sure she was taken care of as she was traumatised. Dlamini said they did not know whose child was supposed to experience such trauma for the country to take the matter of gender-based violence seriously and declare it a national disaster that needed serious attention. She urged government to look at such matters differently. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the incident. She requested members of the public who may have information on the black BMW to call the police. The next Opposition meet will be held on July 12 in Shimla and will be chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addressing the media after the meet. Kumar said that after the Opposition meet, 17 parties have decided to collectively chalk out a plan to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the Opposition is the fight of ideologies. "The institutions and voices of India are being attacked by the BJP-RSS. I said in the meeting that this is a battle of ideologies and we are together against it. The Opposition unity is a process and we will take deep concerns into consideration." Expressing similar concerns, former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah said that this is not a fight for power but for values and ideology. "From Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari, every like-minded party participated in the meeting. It is not the fight for power but for values and ideology." During the address, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that if anybody goes against the BJP, they "have to face the ED and the CBI". Also Read All-party Opposition meet ahead of 2024 elections today; all you must know As Nitish tries to bring Opposition together, here's a look at his journey Opposition parties to meet in Patna tomorrow; check who all are attending Mikes of opposition silenced; media under attack in India: Rahul Gandhi Latest LIVE: Yes Bank to raise up to $305 million through debt securities Monsoon covers 23 Jharkhand districts, heavy rainfall alert for June 25-26 17 opposition parties decide to fight unitedly against BJP in 2024 LS polls PM's US visit unprecedented, decisions taken will help build new India: BJP BJP office gutted in Bengal's Darjeeling, supporters rush to douse fire Opposition leaders discuss roadmap for 2024 LS polls in mega meet in Patna She said the atrocities of the BJP cannot be tolerated anymore. "The BJP is controlling the media and they send lawyers to court and get cases filed against us under central agencies," she added. Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti said that the "Opposition will not allow Gandhi's country to turn into Godse's country." She said that the Indian Constitution, democracy, and secularism are under attack in the country. At the meeting, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray said that the Opposition will continue to oppose anyone against the country's democratic values. "I don't consider myself as Opposition, but we'll all oppose anyone who tries to establish dictatorship in India," he said Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president and former railway Minister Lalu Yadav said that the "BJP has been fighting in the name of Hanuman but now Hanumanji is with us." We are sure that the BJP will face massive defeat in the upcoming polls, he added. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal skipped the meet over not getting the support of Congress on Delhi ordinance issue. The Opposition is going to hold a mega meeting in Patna today. The meeting is the brainchild of Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar in order to get the Opposition on the same page against the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Nitish, as one might recall, dumped the BJP as an ally last year. But the question is whether the Opposition can stay on the same page. Let's take a look: What do we know about the meet? The idea of hosting a meeting of Opposition leaders in Patna was first floated by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. Banerjee had invoked the memory of Jayaprakash Narayan upon meeting Kumar in Kolkata in April. Also Read As Nitish tries to bring Opposition together, here's a look at his journey Rahul Gandhi takes a late-night truck ride to speak to drivers; see video Rahul Gandhi convicted in Modi surname defamation case: What we know so far Nitish Kumar is not a PM candidate for 2024 elections, says JD(U) leader Mikes of opposition silenced; media under attack in India: Rahul Gandhi Issues plaguing country to be discussed at Oppn parties' meeting: Pawar Opposition leaders arrive in Patna for meet, BJP slams mega gathering Opposition parties to meet in Patna tomorrow; check who all are attending Oppn to start 'Mission 2024' with Patna meet, chart course to take on BJP Will contest 2024 polls from Kaiserganj, announces WFI chief Brij Bhushan Kumar has been advocating for "Opposition unity" ever since severing ties with the BJP in August. Indian Express reported that the Opposition leaders would have lunch and dinner at CM's house on 1 Arrey Marg. The menu is said to include Bihari cuisine. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, Banerjee, Delhi CM and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, party leader Abhishek Banerjee, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and NCP president Sharad Pawar, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin are among the leaders expected to attend the Opposition meeting. What's the aim of the Opposition meet? The Opposition is meeting to create a united front to defeat the BJP and to unite behind a joint candidate. NDTV quoted sources as saying that no common minimum programme would be released and only plans would be debated. The release of a common statement also appears to be on the cards. "There is a clear-cut agenda to strengthen the united Opposition, chalk out our strategies and common minimum programme, and to put a joint Opposition candidate against BJP and its allies to defeat them in the next elections," a JDU leader told NewsClick. "This meeting is a starting point, and nothing big is expected, but a united Opposition will be a reality after it," the leader added. 'BJP will be nowhere to be seen' Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the party workers in Patna ahead of the mega meet of the Opposition leaders, said that in the upcoming Assembly elections in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Congress will win and "BJP will be nowhere to be seen." 'We will win India' Raising the pitch for a united Opposition front in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that "Congress' ideology can never be separated from Bihar". He also said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was instrumental in bringing together Opposition leaders from across the country. Kharge added, "If we win Bihar, we will win India." 'Hope gathering is constructive' On Thursday, Mamata Banerjee said she hoped the gathering would be constructive and said that the BJP must be defeated in the next Lok Sabha polls to save the country from disaster. Banerjee, who has been critical of the BJP's "mishandling" of the situation in Manipur, said it is due to the policies of the saffron camp that the northeastern state is on the boil and the convening of the all-party meeting on 24 June was a "late decision". "Tomorrow is our Opposition meeting. We hope it will be good and collective decisions will be taken. I feel that to save the country from disaster, people will vote against the BJP," she told reporters. Who are not attending the meet? 1. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati was not invited to the meeting. Reacting to the development, she said it does not seem from the attitude of the Opposition parties that they are serious about their objective in Uttar Pradesh. 2. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary will skip the Opposition leaders' meeting in Patna on Friday due to a pre-decided family programme. However, Chaudhary hoped the meeting would be an "important milestone in the path of opposition unity." 3. Andhra Pradesh's ruling YSR Congress, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal, and Karnataka's Janata Dal (Secular) will also not be in attendance. (With inputs from agencies) Ahead of the Opposition leaders' meeting scheduled to take place on Friday morning, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi, will address the party workers at the Congress office in Bihar's Patna. The two Congress leaders will visit the party office in Patna and address the party workers at 10 AM on Friday. Bihar State Congress office Sadakat Ashram will welcome the two senior leaders of the party. The party office is covered with posters and banners of Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other leaders. Leaders of Opposition parties from across the country are set to meet in Patna to chalk out a strategy to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Opposition picked Patna as a venue for its meeting as it represents the 1974 call of total revolution by Jayaprakash Narayan that toppled Indira Gandhi's majority government. The meeting will be hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with the aim to arrive at a consensus to forge a united Opposition front to take on the BJP. Also Read Rahul Gandhi takes a late-night truck ride to speak to drivers; see video As Nitish tries to bring Opposition together, here's a look at his journey Rahul Gandhi convicted in Modi surname defamation case: What we know so far Leaders from like-minded opposition parties meet at Kharge's office today Digvijaya offers residence to Rahul after he was asked to vacate bungalow 'Why temple committee not clarifying...': Cong leader over gold plating row 'We want to fight together...': Kharge ahead of Opposition meet in Patna 'All leaders are united to defeat PM Modi,' says JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar Issues plaguing country to be discussed at Oppn parties' meeting: Pawar Focus on law and order: Health Min Saurabh Bhardwaj responds to L-G Saxena As leaders of several opposition parties arrived in Patna on Thursday, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary decided to skip the conclave due to a "pre-decided family program". Chaudhary, however, hoped the meeting will be an "important milestone in the path of opposition unity". This came after the Janata Dal (United), which is hosting the meet, said Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has not been invited to the event. The meeting has been called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar and will be attended by leaders of parties opposed to the BJP. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti were among the leaders who reached Patna ahead of the meeting. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, and former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray are among the leaders expected to attend the meeting. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge would attend the opposition unity meeting in Patna on Friday along with party leader Rahul Gandhi. Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, Kharge said that the opposition parties' agenda is to remove the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre and they all would fight together. "We all want to fight together against BJP and our agenda is to remove the BJP government," Kharge said while talking to the media as he left for the opposition meeting in Bihar's Patna. Speaking on the issue of the Centre's Ordinance put forward by the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Congress President said that they will take a decision on this before the Parliament session. "We will take a decision on this (on supporting AAP against the Centre's ordinance) before the Parliament session," he said. Ahead of the Opposition party meeting in Patna, Arvind Kejriwal has urged Opposition parties, including the Congress to clarify their stand on the Centre's ordinance on control of administrative services in the national capital. Also Read Day is not far when PM will run all states, Delhi CM writes to Oppn parties Operation Sheesh Mahal: Why do BJP and Congress want Delhi CM to resign? Several from BJP attended rally against Centre's ordinance, claims Kejriwal Centre's ordinance brazen power grab, united Oppn will defeat it: Kejriwal Cong Prez Kharge calls meeting to discuss 'ordinance' issue in Delhi 'All leaders are united to defeat PM Modi,' says JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar Issues plaguing country to be discussed at Oppn parties' meeting: Pawar Focus on law and order: Health Min Saurabh Bhardwaj responds to L-G Saxena PM Modi will return to power with huge majority in 2024: MP CM Chouhan LIVE: Oppn leaders reach Patna for big meeting ahead of 2024 poll battle Leaders of Opposition parties from across the country are set to meet in Patna to chalk out a strategy to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Opposition picked Patna as a venue for its meeting as it represents the 1974 call of total revolution by Jayaprakash Narayan that toppled Indira Gandhi's majority government. The meeting will be hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with the aim to arrive at a consensus to forge a united Opposition front to take on the BJP. As leaders of several opposition parties arrived in Patna on Thursday, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary decided to skip the conclave due to a "pre-decided family programme". Chaudhary, however, hoped the meeting will be an "important milestone in the path of opposition unity". This came after the Janata Dal (United), which is hosting the meet, said Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has not been invited to the event. The meeting has been called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar and will be attended by leaders of parties opposed to the BJP. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti were among the leaders who reached Patna ahead of the meeting. In the ongoing controversy over the gold plating of the sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath Dham Temple, former Uttarakhand Minister and Congress Disciplinary Committee Chairman Navprabhat said the information that is coming to the fore points out towards getting the investigation done regarding the amount of gold donated to the temple. Talking to ANI, Navprabhat said, "Some discussions have arisen regarding the donation of gold by a donor in Kedarnath and doubts are being expressed by the people. I have also spoken to some people who have been associated with this management committee and know about it in detail." The former minister said that there has been a tradition in all religions that people donate money to temples and that is how places of worship are built, but the question here is why our Badrinath-Kedarnath Management Committee is not clarifying it. He said how much gold was received as a donation, as well as why gold was mixed with copper and many such questions are being raised. The Congress leader said that a question also arises as to whose account the money was deposited in the silver leaf that was fixed there. He told that information is being received about this happening not only in Kedarnath but also in Badrinath. All these doubts point towards getting the investigation done. Former Minister Navprabhat said that the work being done in the four Dhams is being done directly under the supervision of the Prime Minister's Office, even an officer has been appointed here who has been associated with the Prime Minister's Office earlier. Also Read First puja performed in name of PM Modi as doors open for Kedarnath Temple Priest accuses Kedarnath temple admin of Rs 125 cr gold scam; details here Gold price remains unchanged at Rs 59,450, silver falls Rs 500 to Rs 71,500 Kedarnath Heli Service: Book tickets through IRCTC's official website Kedarnath in upper Garhwal Himalayas to open for devotees on April 25 'We want to fight together...': Kharge ahead of Opposition meet in Patna 'All leaders are united to defeat PM Modi,' says JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar Issues plaguing country to be discussed at Oppn parties' meeting: Pawar Focus on law and order: Health Min Saurabh Bhardwaj responds to L-G Saxena PM Modi will return to power with huge majority in 2024: MP CM Chouhan He said that in such a situation it becomes even more important that the correct information about that episode should reach the people. He said that the faith of crores of people is related to the four Dhams, so a clear account of all the donations received and all the property should come in front of the people, which will not hurt the religious sentiments of the people. Along with this, the former minister also said that whatever is coming to the fore through social media, it seems that there is some scam somewhere, if there is an investigation, it will come out whether he is doing a scam in donating or income tax. Certificates are being obtained in the guise of these temples, so it is very important to check them. Earlier on June 19, Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) president Ajendra Ajay said that gold-plating has been done on the jaleri of the sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath temple and a transparent acrylic layer has also been applied over it so that the gold polish is not damaged. BKTC refuted claims on social media platforms that the gold plating of the sanctum sanctorum of the Kedarnath temple is brass. It had termed such reports as "conspiracy". Ajay had said that the gold plating of the temple's sanctum sanctorum was done by a donor. The committee said the donor had expressed his desire to gold-encrust the sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath Temple and respecting the feelings of the donor, the permission was granted after examining the proposal. The gold-plating was done under the supervision of the experts of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). BKTC has also clarified that the work of making the sanctum sanctorum gold-plated has been done by the donor. An explosion at a steel mill in China's northeast killed four people and left five hospitalised with injuries, the city government said on Friday. A blast furnace exploded Thursday morning at the Yingkou Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. in Yingkou, east of Beijing in Liaoning province, the city's Emergency Management Bureau said in a statement. The cause was under investigation, but experts believe an equipment malfunction was to blame, the announcement said. Phone calls to the Yingkou government on Friday weren't answered. The disaster occurred less than 12 hours after an explosion Wednesday evening blamed on cooking gas killed 31 people in a barbecue restaurant in Yinchuan, a city in China's northwest. Also Read 6 injured after gas explosion at recycling plant in Australia's Victoria Death toll in tanker explosion incident on Mumbai-Pune E-way rises to 5 Cooking gas explosion kills 31 people at barbecue restaurant in China More initiatives on anvil to boost steel sector in 2023: Union Minister Turkey probes contractors as earthquake death toll breaches 33,000 mark Infighting among Putin's lieutenants reveals signs of 'deep dysfunction' Titan sub's implosion draws attention to deep-sea expeditions regulations India joins Nasa's Artemis Accords: Here is why this is significant Egypt to offer exclusive industrial cluster to India in Suez Canal EZ 'No ifs or buts' in dealing with terrorism, says PM Modi in US Congress Sri Lanka's former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa reportedly destroyed police records of a mass grave discovered in the country when he was the military coordinator during the Marxist rebellion of 1988-89, an international rights group has alleged. The report titled Mass graves and failed exhumations in Sri Lanka', authored by four organisations Centre for Human Rights Development (CHRD), Families of the Disappeared (FOD), International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) and Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka (JDS) was released on Thursday. The mass graves were discovered in the Matale district of central Sri Lanka in 2013. The report aims to analyse shortcomings in the Sri Lankan exhumations which include 155 bodies at Matale, and at Mannar where 81 bodies and 318 skeletons were exhumed. The report said that Rajapaksa's alleged action was a prime example of political interference. The report advocated that the Sri Lanka state should take action against Rajapaksa under Article 12 (4) of the International Convention on the Protection of People from Enforced Disappearances. Also Read Sri Lankan police quiz Gotabaya Rajapaksa over president's house cash Sri Lanka concludes debt restructuring talks with Japan: Wickremesinghe China assures Lanka of 'steadfast support' on its road to economic recovery Ahead of Jaishankar's visit, Sri Lanka Prez assures to fully implement 13A EAM discuss cooperation in infra, connectivity with Lankan counterpart 2024 Olympics: Flame to be carried for 68 days before cauldron is lit India-US to end six outstanding WTO disputes in move to boost economic ties Titan submersible tragedy: What debris was found, and what are implosions? Japan's fisheries head against pumping treated radioactive water into sea US, India decision to end trade disputes a big victory, says Piyush Goyal Gotabaya Rajapaksa, then Secretary to the Ministry of Defence (who had been Military Coordinating Officer of Matale district between July 1989 and January 1990, and who later became President of Sri Lanka) was reported to have ordered the destruction of all police registers and records older than 5 years at police stations in the Central Province including Matale. This report was never denied by officials, a report from the rights group, the International Truth and Justice Project has said. It said that Rajapaksa, who was ousted as the Sri Lankan President a year ago through a popular uprising, had been the military coordinator in Matale during the Marxist rebellion of 1988-89. Rajapaksa was elected President in a popular mandate in 2019 and faced public anger for his mishandling of the island's ongoing economic crisis. After months of public agitations against him, he fled the country in early July last year and resigned from the post in exile in Singapore. He later returned to the country. Eager to impeach President Joe Biden, hard-right House Republicans forced a vote Thursday that would send the matter to congressional committees in a clear demonstration of the challenge that Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces in controlling the majority party. The ability of single lawmaker, Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., to push forward the impeachment resolution caught Republicans off guard by the unscripted move this week. Many viewed it as a political distraction from other priorities. The measure charges Biden with high crimes and misdemeanors over his handling of the U.S. border with Mexico. Boebert, backed by her allies, showed how a lone lawmaker in the 435-member House could use the chamber's rules to force a snap vote on such a grave constitutional matter. The vote would send impeachment to committees for possible consideration, like any other bill. The House is taking historic action, Boebert said during the debate. The dayslong episode underscores the hold tthat he House conservative flank exerts over McCarthy, forcing him to accommodate hard-right priorities if he wants to stay in power. It also reinforces, if not rewards, a small band of Republicans to employ rare tactics to exert power over broader House GOP majority. Also Read Biden falls onstage at graduation ceremony; White House says he's 'fine' GOP must move off extreme positions on raising debt limit, says Joe Biden Republicans divided, McCarthy fails for 3rd day in GOP House speaker fight My career of 280 years': Biden jokes off 2024 US prez poll age concerns Biden, McCarthy speak on debt crisis; GOP negotiator says issues remain Pak collects DNA samples from 200 families of those missing after boat sank Letter raising objections over Holi celebration at Pak varsity withdrawn Tornadoes, hail and hurricane-force winds tear through west Texas, kills 4 India, US plan to send Indian astronaut to ISS in 2024: President Biden S Korean firm plans $72M Georgia plant to make battery parts, hiring 140 Conservatives are gearing up for more such actions: The process Boebert used to force the issue is the same method another hard-right conservative, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., dispatched Wednesday to force a separate vote to censure Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff over his investigations into Donald Trump's ties to Russia. There's going to be no end to this, Schiff told The Associated Press and others amid the censure vote Wednesday at the Capitol. Kevin McCarthy has no control over his conference, Schiff said. The race to the extreme is now running the House of Representatives and of course it's doing terrible damage to the institution. During Thursday's overheated morning debate , the Republicans were admonished multiple times to tone down their remarks as they blistered Biden over his handling of the border. Exasperated Democrats argued that the entire case against Biden made a mockery of the seriousness of impeachment, and merely an attempt to distract from the twice-impeached Donald Trump, the former GOP president now indicted for hording classified documents under the Espionage Act. Today they're dishonoring this House and dishonoring themselves by bringing to the floor this ridiculous impeachment referral resolution, said Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the Rules committee, suggesting Trump put his allies up to it. "This body has become a place where extreme, outlandish and nutty issues get debated passionately, and important ones not at all," said McGovern of Massachusetts. In short, the Republican Party is a joke. Behind the scenes, the outcome Thursday capped days of maneuvering by McCarthy, the Republican speaker, to quell the uprising within his GOP majority over the impeachment vote that many rank and file lawmakers did not want to take. Such a sudden vote to impeach Biden would have been politically tough for GOP lawmakers and a potentially embarrassing spectacle for McCarthy, splitting his party. In a private meeting Wednesday, McCarthy encouraged lawmakers to consider the traditional process for bringing such consequential legislation forward. In the end, McCarthy negotiated a deal with Boebert to send the Biden impeachment resolution for review to the Judiciary and Homeland Security committees, fending off a vote for some time. I think it's best for everybody, McCarthy told reporters late Wednesday. But conservatives vowed more votes like this to come,. We are just beginning, said Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, an influential member of the House Freedom Caucus, during the floor debate. Conservatives are lining up other such votes to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, to censure Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson, who was the chairman of the committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol as they rush ahead with their agenda. It's all part of the right flank's broader effort to steer control of the House away from the traditional centers of power, including the speaker's office. This is what we were talking about, said Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, a leader in the conservative efforts to block McCarthy's rise to speaker as they brokered greater say in the House process. But in a sign of the right flank's determination to push ahead, Boebert said that if the committees slow-roll action, she'll bring her resolution back to the floor every day for the rest of my time here in Congress, forcing a House vote on Biden's impeachment. Rank-and-file Republicans were angry at being forced into the position of having to vote on a resolution to impeach Biden even though they had not gone through the traditional process of an impeachment inquiry. They resented a single lawmaker jumping the queue of priorities. In one fiery exchange overheard on the House floor, hard-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene laid into Boebert for taking the Biden impeachment on her own. Greene has her own articles of impeachment against the president. Greene confirmed the exchange later and said of Boebert, She has a great skill and talent for making most people here not like her. Boebert declined to comment about the conversation, only saying it's "not middle school." I wish the anger that's been directed towards Ms. Boebert was directed towards the president and his policies, said Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., a member of the Freedom Caucus. Gaetz noted that when Democrats had control of the House they went through failed Trump impeachment efforts by renegade lawmakers before the majority backed the effort and the former president ultimately was impeached. That did help the Democrats build momentum, so maybe this is our version of that, said Gaetz. Trump was impeached twice on corruption and obstruction charges over withholding military aid to Ukraine while seeking political dirt on Biden, and later on charges of inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol trying to overturn Biden's election. Both times, Trump was acquitted by the Senate. The head of Japan's national fisheries cooperatives has reiterated his group's opposition to the planned discharge of treated radioactive water into the sea from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant, demanding the government take full responsibility for any negative impact on the industry. We cannot support the government's stance that an ocean release is the only solution, said Masanobu Sakamoto, president of JF Zengyoren, or the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives. A release is expected to begin this summer, though the exact date has not been set. Sakamoto met Economy and Trade Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura on Thursday and handed him a statement of objection to the treated wastewater release plan. Whether to release the water into the sea or not is a government decision, and in that case we want the government to fully take responsibility, he told reporters after meeting with Nishimura. Japan's government announced plans in April 2021 to gradually release the treated but still slightly radioactive water following its dilution to what it says are safe levels that are well within international standards. Also Read S Korea dismisses chances of lifting Japan Fukushima seafood import ban Fukushima's nuclear wastewater can produce cancers on release: Scientists Ukrainian nuclear plant loses power supply again, is 'extremely vulnerable' US energy secretary says G7 can lead global carbon emissions cuts Japan eyes delay of Fukushima nuclear power plant water release: Report US, India decision to end trade disputes a big victory, says Piyush Goyal Modi, Biden hail Indian contribution to Fermilab upgrade project PM Modi's joint address to US Congress: Here are key highlights, takeaways An explosion at a Chinese steel mill kills 4 and injures 5, says city govt Infighting among Putin's lieutenants reveals signs of 'deep dysfunction' Japanese officials say the water, currently stored in about a thousand tanks at the plant, needs to be removed to prevent accidental leaks in case of an earthquake and to make room for the plant's decommissioning. The plan has faced fierce protests from local fishing communities concerned about safety and reputational damage. Nearby countries, including South Korea, China and some of the Pacific Island nations, have also raised safety concerns, and on Friday South Korean fishing vessels staged a protest against the plan. Japan's government says it has set up a fund to promote Fukushima seafood and to provide compensation in case sales fall due to safety concerns. Nishimura, during his meeting Thursday with Sakamoto, said The planned ocean release of the water is unavoidable in order to achieve decomissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi and reconstruction of Fukushima. Nishimura said he recognizes the serious concerns of fishing communities and that the government will tackle the project to help them maintain their livelihoods sustainably and with sense of safety in the future. He met with fisheries officials in Fukushima and neighboring Miyagi and Ibaraki prefectures earlier this month and also faced opposition to the release plan. Nishimura said he hoped to gain the understanding of fishing communities while working to prevent reputational damage. Japanese officials say the diluted water will be released into the ocean over decades, making it harmless to people and marine life. Japan has sought support from the International Atomic Energy Agency to gain credibility and ensure safety measures meet international standards. Some scientists say the impact of long-term, low-dose exposure to radionuclides is unknown and the release should be delayed. Others who say the release plan is deemed safe also call for more transparency, including allowing outside scientists to join sampling and monitoring. A massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011 destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant's cooling systems, causing three reactors to melt and their cooling water to be contaminated and leak continually. The water is collected, treated and stored in the tanks, which will reach storage capacity in early 2024. Pakistan's higher education watchdog on Thursday withdrew a letter raising objections over the celebration of the Holi festival at a university here after a backlash on social media and intervention by the government. Shaista Sohail, the executive director of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), had issued a letter taking exception to the celebration of the festival by the students of Qaudi Azam University in Islamabad. However, the letter invited a barrage of attacks on social media with many people asking about the academic performance of the HEC and suggesting to improve it instead of correcting the morals of the people. Salman Sufi, the head of the Prime Minister's Strategic Reforms Unit, clarified that Education Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain had instructed the HEC to retract its controversial letter. According to a statement by Sohail, the HEC was highly respectful of all religions, faiths, and beliefs, and the associated festivals and celebrations observed in the country. The message communicated in this regard is in no way intended to hurt the sentiments of any individual or group, according to the HEC official. Also Read Ex-Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi arrested in Islamabad Pak anti-corruption watchdog seeks 14-day physical remand of Imran Khan Here's how Indians celebrate Holi across different parts of the country Pak Police serves court summons to Imran Khan in judge threatening case Pakistan's media watchdog bans live coverage of rallies in Islamabad Tornadoes, hail and hurricane-force winds tear through west Texas, kills 4 India, US plan to send Indian astronaut to ISS in 2024: President Biden S Korean firm plans $72M Georgia plant to make battery parts, hiring 140 Interest rate hikes will come at a 'careful pace' from here: Fed's Powell Vienna holds on to crown of world's most liveable city, shows data The letter clarified that the impression that the HEC had banned any festivity was out of context. The letter acknowledged that the message conveyed in the communication had been subject to misinterpretation and the HEC said it was withdrawing the notification. Earlier, the education minister informed the parliament that the HEC had retracted its letter, which imposed a ban on the celebration of Holi. MBABANE The prosecution and the police say CPS member Mvuselelo Mkhabela has the potential to influence other people to do more disruptions during the 2023 National General Elections. The Crown then beseeched the court not to admit him on bail. Mkhabela (21) of Nsingizini under Chief Sisusa is the member of the Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS) who was engaged in a scuffle with a police officer at KaLiba and got shot in the lower part of his leg. This was during the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) civic and voter education exercise at the chiefdom. He was arrested around Kwaluseni during another EBC exercise, after being noticed by police officers as he made a submission. Mkhabela has been charged with assault, malicious injury to property and common assault. He now wants out of jail and has moved an urgent bail application at the High Court. Same is, however, being met with resistance from the prosecution. In his opposing affidavit the investigator of the matter, Sergeant Dlamini, submitted that it would not be in the interest of justice to release the applicant (Mkhabela) on bail. The country is currently engaged in the exercise of conducting free and fair elections which need not to be disturbed by persons such as the applicant. His release will not be in the interest of justice as this may disturb public peace and order, contended the investigator. It was further his averments that the applicant had the potential of influencing other people to conduct themselves in a manner that was in breach of the law. This will lead to more disruptions during the elections. The applicant has already depicted signs of disrespect by assaulting police officers and also disrupting a civic education exercise that was conducted by the EBC, he argued. He related to the court that Mkhabela and his cohorts allegedly went to a gathering where officials from EBC had come to conduct civic education regarding the upcoming elections in the country. Investigator The investigator recounted that on the day in question, the constituency headman stood up to address the gathering and that was when Mkhabela and his legion started shouting foul-tasting words, with the intention of disrupting the proceedings. According to the investigator, police officers who were within the vicinity then came through in order to maintain law and order, but Mkhabela and his associates allegedly continued to disturb the proceeding. Sergeant Dlamini continued to state that Mkhabela and his cohorts allegedly prevented the police from doing their job by pelting them with stones. Mkhabela, as per the investigator, further hit a police car with stones, which was in the process damaged. After the disruptions, some police officers, who were travelling in a white double cab, came to see what was happening, along the way they were met by a hail of stones coming from the bush directed at them and the car they were travelling in. They tried to reason with the attacker, submitted Sergeant Dlamini. He alleged that despite being admonished by the police officer to desist from his action, he allegedly persisted. The investigator brought it to the attention of the court that the police then decided to retaliate and with the aim of arresting the applicant and his associates, they (police officers) pursued them. He alleged that four boys including the applicant emerged from the bushes. According to the deponent (investigator) one of the police officers chased the applicant and when he (applicant) realised that he was about to be caught, he allegedly turned back and assaulted the police officer with a stone, hurting him on the mouth. Shoot The officer then decided to shoot at the applicant, thus injuring him in the leg in the process. He was taken to Hlatikhulu Government Hospital where he was admitted, submitted Sergeant Dlamini. He told the court that the applicant then resurfaced in Matsapha where there was another civic education exercise by the EBC officials at Kwaluseni Primary School on April 15, 2023. Sergeant Dlamini alleged that Mkhabela and his allies again started saying unpalatable words with a view of disrupting the proceedings. This, according to the investigator, was then reported to the police who were present on that day. The police came closer and they realised that he was the accused in the cases that were committed at KaLiba. He then tried to flee but the police were able to apprehend him and he was found in possession of a dangerous weapon, averred the law enforcer. The applicant, according to the police, conducted himself in a manner which demonstrated that he had no respect for members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS). Mkhabela is said to have allegedly disregarded that the police were there to protect them, in that he purportedly continued to be unruly and ignored all the warnings, resulting in him being shot. His conduct shows that he has no respect for the law and he cannot be trusted to respect any court order if he were to be released, since bail comes with conditions, argued the investigator. Sergeant Dlamini said the police were able to identify Mkhabela as their assailant. He asserted that the country was currently engaged in the exercise of conducting free and fair elections, which did not need to be disturbed by people like Mkhabela. Meanwhile, in his application for bail, Mkhabela informed the court that he was innocent of the charges and would exonerate himself during his trial. He argued that he was confident that he had a strong defence. Mkhabela told the court that he was currently incarcerated at Nhlangano Correctional Facility and was now desirous to be admitted to bail. It was also his contention that his continued detention was unfair and allegedly not in the interest of justice. Mkhabela further told the court that he had been advised that bail applications were urgent by their very nature as they touched on freedom protected by the Constitution. I am a student at Gwamile Voctim in Matsapha, therefore, my continued detention impacts negatively on my academic life, he argued. The bail application was due to be heard yesterday but was postponed as Judge Khontaphi Manzini is yet to go through the papers that were filed by both parties. The Crown is represented by Lomkhosi Dlamini from the chamber of the director of public prosecutions (DPP), while for Mkhabela is Sabelo Makhubu of Makhubu-Mdluli Attorneys. By Jillian Deutsch Elon Musks Twitter needs to increase its resources if it wants to comply with new European regulations ahead of a deadline in August, according to Thierry Breton, the blocs internal market commissioner. There are a few critical areas that Twitter needs to focus on immediately, especially around child abuse and controlling disinformation around elections, Breton said. The commissioner is touring Silicon Valley to explain the EUs upcoming requirements on content regulation and draft rules on artificial intelligence, meeting with execs at companies from Twitter to OpenAI and Meta Platforms Inc. On Thursday, an EU team conducted a stress test of Twitters compliance systems. While promising, Breton said there are certain areas Twitter needs to focus on in order to comply in just six weeks. Twitter has until Aug. 25 to implement the EUs Digital Services Act, considered the worlds most stringent set of regulations in the policing of online content. Breton said after the meeting with recently appointed Twitter Chief Executive Officer Linda Yaccarino standing next to him that from Aug. 26, the bird will fly on its own. Twitter took the exercise very seriously and the conversation between EU officials and Twitters leadership was constructive, Breton said. Employees from Chicago, Los Angeles and Ireland flew in for the test. The EUs DSA unit came to San Francisco as well to review data with the company in order to understand how prepared it is to comply with the rules. Also Read Elon Musk credits father for teaching 'physics, engineering & construction' Elon Musk begins second day of China visit after emphasizing ties Tesla chief Elon Musk threatens to sue Microsoft for using data 'illegally' Twitter now worth just 33% of Elon Musk's purchase price, says Fidelity Twitter removes legacy blue ticks for thousands; all you need to know NSAs from Western countries, developing nations to meet for Ukraine talks UN puts Russian forces on blacklist for killing children, attacking schools Zambia reaches deal with China, other nations to rework $6.3 bn in loans India, US to end 6 trade disputes at WTO; Delhi to remove customs duties India ready to contribute in any way to restore peace in Ukraine: PM Modi The company is interested in using technology to handle disinformation and illegal content, but Breton warned that the technology has to be proven and ready in time: They need to have enough resources to match the gap. Twitter said it is on track to be ready when the DSA comes into force, in a tweet from its global government affairs account. Separately, Yaccarino said Europe is very important to Twitter. The stress test is being offered to all other platform companies that want to participate, the commissioner said. The commission will conduct another stress test with TikTok, owned by Chinas ByteDance Ltd., next month. Denmark will host a meeting this weekend of national security advisers from Western countries backing Ukraine and countries that have refused to condemn the Russian invasion, officials said Thursday. The U.S. will send national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland to the meeting in Copenhagen, which will focus on how to achieve a just peace in Ukraine, a Western official said on condition of anonymity because the trip hasn't been formally announced. India, Brazil and South Africa, which have refused to condemn the invasion and join Western sanctions on Moscow, have also been invited to the talks, the official said, but couldn't say which countries would attend. South Africa foreign ministry spokesman Clayson Monyela confirmed the country would send National Security Prof. Syndey Mufamadi and Foreign Ministry Director-General Zane Dangor to the meeting in the Danish capital. Danish officials didn't respond to requests for comment on Thursday, but Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen has previously said that Denmark would be willing to host talks on how to end the war with a variety of countries, including those that haven't offered their support to Ukraine. Brazil, India, China and South Africa, which along with Russia make up the BRICS group of developing economies, have adopted neutral stances in the conflict and called for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Also Read Danish Crown Prince Frederik Andr Henrik Christian in India for 4-day visit Pakistan, China may not join SCO NSAs meet physically, to attend virtually Denmark's energy consumption down in 2022 as renewables gain ground NSAs of India, Iraq agree to enhance cooperation, counter-terror efforts Piyush Goyal describes India as 'voice of developing countries' in Rome UN puts Russian forces on blacklist for killing children, attacking schools Zambia reaches deal with China, other nations to rework $6.3 bn in loans India, US to end 6 trade disputes at WTO; Delhi to remove customs duties India ready to contribute in any way to restore peace in Ukraine: PM Modi GOP moves to push off Biden impeachment, as hard-right clamours for action US Coast Guards have stated that debris field found near the Titanic site indicates that the submersible that went missing on Sunday may have imploded on its descent to the historic site. The breakthrough came on Thursday, June 22, as round-the-clock efforts were being made to locate the missing vessel, hoping to rescue its five passengers as oxygen levels ran out. However, the US Coast Guard said the passengers died due to a "catastrophic implosion." The debris field was discovered near the Titanic, approximately 1,600 feet from the ship's bow on the seafloor, as revealed by Rear Adm John Mauger during a press conference. The exact timing of the implosion is yet to be determined, as the submersible went missing eight hours after losing contact with its surface ship. The search efforts involving sonar buoys have not detected any signs of catastrophic failure prior to the implosion. What debris was found? By definition, debris refers to scattered fragments or remnants resulting from the destruction or disintegration of an object. Also Read 'Banging sounds' heard by rescuers in search for missing Titan submersible Titan's 'catastrophic implosion' kills all five on board; details here Titanic tour submersible goes missing, here's everything you need to know Whistleblower was fired for raising concerns on missing Titanic submersible Titan Q4 net profit up 50% to Rs 734 crore, dividend of Rs 10 declared Japan's fisheries head against pumping treated radioactive water into sea US, India decision to end trade disputes a big victory, says Piyush Goyal Modi, Biden hail Indian contribution to Fermilab upgrade project PM Modi's joint address to US Congress: Here are key highlights, takeaways An explosion at a Chinese steel mill kills 4 and injures 5, says city govt In this context, the debris found near the Titanic wreckage site is consistent with the "catastrophic implosion" of the submersible's pressure chamber. According to the US Coast Guard, these fragments are the remnants of the submersible that collapsed and disintegrated during the implosion. According to a report by NBC New York, the initial discovery was made by a remotely operated vehicle or ROV from the vessel Horizon Arctic. The ROV found the tailbone of the Titan submersible. Further examination of additional debris pointed to a loss of the pressure chamber. The families of the five crew members on board were notified of the findings. What is an implosion? How Is it different from an explosion? An implosion refers to the collapse of an object inwardly, occurring when the external pressure surpasses the internal pressure. A violent inward burst causes the object to collapse or squeeze in on itself. This collapse is driven by external forces, such as the pressure exerted on the vessel. Aileen Maria Marty, a former Naval officer and professor at Florida International University, told CNN that "catastrophic implosions" are incredibly quick and can occur in milliseconds. Marty added that the implosion would have taken place before any warning signals could go up, and as far as deaths go, this would have been "painless." According to Scientific American, if the submersible was near the Titanic, it would have experienced a pressure "higher than that of a great white shark bite." To combat this form of pressure, the report added that most submersibles are designed to be spherical, while the Titan was cylindrical. In contrast, an explosion occurs when pressure builds up inside an object, causing it to burst outward. Implosions concentrate and minimise the volume occupied by the collapsing object, often resulting in the ejection of smaller parts as the larger parts collapse. Where did the submersible implode? During the press conference, as reported by NBC NY, the Director of Woods Hole Oceanographic Systems Laboratory, Carl Hartsfield, stated that the debris found was "consistent with the location of an implosion in the water column." The water column refers to the entire area between the water's surface and the ocean floor. Therefore, the submersible could have imploded at any point after it began its descent on Sunday. It never touched the seafloor. In the days before the Titan submersible went into the North Atlantic Ocean, Suleman Dawood, the son of the Pakistani billionaire and among the five people who died after a "catastrophic implosion" of the Titan submersible expressed hesitation about going, his aunt has said. Speaking to NBC news, the older sister of Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, said that her nephew informed a relative that he "wasn't very up for it" and felt "terrified" about the trip. But he joined the expedition because the trip fell over Fathers Day weekend and it was important to his dad, who was passionate about the Titanic, Azmeh Dawood said. Azmeh Dawood said she was devastated and absolutely heartbroken when OceanGate, the company behind the underwater expedition, confirmed that all five passengers aboard were presumed dead. The US Coast Guard said the debris of the submersible was found 1,600 feet (488 metres) from the bow of the Titanic. "I feel very bad that the whole world has had to go through so much trauma, so much suspense," Azmeh Dawood said in an interview with NBC News. She said that she felt like she had been caught in a really bad film, with a countdown, but she didn't know what she was counting down to. She added that she personally had found it kind of difficult to breathe thinking about them. Azmeh Dawood said that she wouldn't have gotten into the Titan "for a million dollars" Her remarks came after the search for the missing Titan ended, with debris from the submersible found and its five occupants presumed dead. Also Read Titan Q4 net profit up 50% to Rs 734 crore, dividend of Rs 10 declared Sale of petroleum products halves in Pakistan, high inflation to blame Framed for growth: Titan's Titan Eye+ has set sights on booming market Titan Company slips 2% to hit over four-month low; down 14% from 52-wk high Diamond jewellery contribution to touch 30% over 2-3 years: Titan Ex-prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa accused of destroying records of mass graves Pak FM Dar allegedly harasses journalist over question on elusive IMF deal 2024 Olympics: Flame to be carried for 68 days before cauldron is lit India-US to end six outstanding WTO disputes in move to boost economic ties Titan submersible tragedy: What debris was found, and what are implosions? On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families," Rear Admiral John Mauger of the Coast Guard told reporters. "I can only imagine what this has been like for them and I hope that this discovery provides some solace, during this difficult time." In addition to Shahzada Dawood and his son, the submersible also carried British explorer Hamish Harding, French submarine expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Stockton Rush, CEO of the sub's operator OceanGate Expeditions. A convoy carrying United Nations aid entered opposition-held Idlib from government-held Syria on Friday, the first such shipment to cross battle lines since a deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria in February. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA, announced that an aid convoy carrying humanitarian supplies crossed from Aleppo to northwest Syria. The last UN aid shipment to cross battle lines into the northwest was on January 8. In the wake of the earthquake that struck Turkey and northern Syria on February 6, causing widespread destruction, cross-line aid convoys had been prevented from entering Idlib from government-held areas by the formerly al-Qaeda-affiliated rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, which dominates the area. An administrative arm of the group accused the government of Bashar Assad in a statement at the time of trying to benefit from the aid intended for victims of the earthquake. In the wake of the earthquake, the delivery of aid to earthquake-affected areas became a political battle, with opponents of Assad and many aid organisations pushing for the UN to send more aid shipments to northern Syria by way of Turkey, while the Syrian government and its ally, Russia, pushed for the aid to be sent via Damascus. The UN is normally only allowed to deliver aid through a single border crossing from Turkey, at Bab al-Hawa, at the insistence of Russia, which is a permanent member of the Security Council. Also Read Suspected Iranian drone strike kills US contractor in Syria: Pentagon Abolish veto rights or give them to new permanent members in UNSC: India Assad emerges victorious, as Arab governments accept Syria back to the fold UN continues to deliver cross-border aid to Syria in wake of earthquakes US' claims to waive sanctions for earthquake relief 'misleading': Syria After Google and Facebook, Twitter agrees to follow EU laws on fake news Titan tragedy: Pak billionaire's son was 'terrified' before trip, aunt says Ex-prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa accused of destroying records of mass graves Pak FM Dar allegedly harasses journalist over question on elusive IMF deal 2024 Olympics: Flame to be carried for 68 days before cauldron is lit After the earthquake, Assad agreed to the opening of two new crossing points from Turkey, at Bab al-Salam and al-Raee on a temporary basis, although in practice, the majority of cross-border aid has continued to come via Bab al-Hawa. The mandate for cross-border aid deliveries at Bab al-Hawa is up for renewal next month at the UN Security Council. HTS officials declined to comment on the reasons for their change in stance on aid coming from government-held areas. But Sam Heller, a fellow with the New York-based Century International research centre, said the group's decision may be related to next month's vote. He said Russia's UN envoy has complained about the lack of cross-line deliveries, and allowing one now may have been intended to encourage Russia to approve the continuation of cross-border aid. "The cross-border mandate will only be renewed with Russia's consent," he said. Syria Response Coordination Group, a humanitarian organisation working in northwest Syria, said in a statement that humanitarian convoys have been at the mercy of international political tensions and called for international organisations to find ways to increase the amount of assistance reaching the area. The United Nations put Russian forces on its annual blacklist of countries that violate children's rights in conflict for killing boys and girls and attacking schools and hospitals in Ukraine, according to a new report seen Thursday by The Associated Press. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in the report to the Security Council that he is appalled by the high number of grave violations against children in Ukraine in 2022, shocked at the number of attacks on schools and hospitals, concerned by the detention of children, and troubled that some Ukrainian children have been transferred to Russia. The U.N. chief did not put Israel on the blacklist for grave violations against 1,139 Palestinian children, including 54 killings last year as supporters had hoped. Instead, he welcomed Israel's engagement with the U.N. special envoy for children in armed conflict, Virginia Gamba and its identification of practical measures including those proposed by the U.N." to protect children. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, told reporters Guterres made a big mistake in not listing the most extreme government in Israel's history. It is very disappointing to the Palestinian people and to the Palestinian children, he said. Also Read UN appoints Indo-Canadian coordinator for Scaling Up Nutrition Movement UN chief Antonio Guterres calls for data-driven fight against terrorism UN chief calls for international support for people in quake-hit Turkey UN chief Antonio Guterres welcomes cease-fire announcement in Colombia UN protests US spying on Guterres, calls it 'interference' by Washington Zambia reaches deal with China, other nations to rework $6.3 bn in loans India, US to end 6 trade disputes at WTO; Delhi to remove customs duties India ready to contribute in any way to restore peace in Ukraine: PM Modi GOP moves to push off Biden impeachment, as hard-right clamours for action Pak collects DNA samples from 200 families of those missing after boat sank In the wide-ranging report, the secretary-general said that last year children were disproportionately affected by conflict. He said the U.N. verified grave violations against 13,469 children, including 2,985 who were killed, in 24 countries and one region. Grave violations include the recruitment and use of youngsters by combatants, killings and injuries, sexual violence, abductions, and attacks on schools and hospitals. Guterres said the spread of conflicts to new areas contributed to a 140% increase in grave violations in Myanmar and a 135% increase in South Sudan. An upsurge in activity by armed groups, including al-Qaida and the Islamic State, also caused a severe deterioration of the situation in the central Sahel, particularly in Burkina Faso, leading to an 85% increase in grave violations. Violations also increased in Colombia, Israel, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, Sudan and Syria, the secretary-general said. The report also lists two new countries of concern for children: Haiti and Niger. Guterres said the Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups were listed for carrying out 480 attacks on schools and hospitals, and for killing children, in particular through their shelling and airstrikes on cities and town. According to the report, 136 Ukrainian children were killed and 518 injured. The secretary-general urged Russian forces to abide by their obligations under international law and their own commitments to protect children, including by avoiding the military use of schools and hospitals, putting in place accountability and reparations measures, and exchanging information with the U.N. on all children in conflict-affected areas. Guterres also urged Russia to ensure that no changes are made to the personal status of Ukrainian children, including their nationality. Deportations of Ukrainian children have been a concern since Russia's invasion, and the International Criminal Court increased pressure on Russia when it issued arrest warrants on March 17 for President Vladimir Putin and the Russian children's rights commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, accusing them of abducting children from Ukraine. The U.N. chief said he is also concerned by the number of grave violations against children by Ukrainian forces and urged them to abide by protections for civilians under international law. According to the report, Ukrainian armed forces were responsible for the deaths of 80 children and injuries to 175 others, as well as 212 attacks on schools and hospitals. Zambia and its government creditors, including China, have reached a deal to restructure USD 6.3 billion in loans, the French government announced Thursday on the sidelines of a global finance summit in Paris. The agreement covers loans from countries including France, the UK, South Africa, Israel and India as well as China Zambia's biggest creditor at USD 4.1 billion of the total. The deal, announced by officials who spoke anonymously in accordance with the French government's customary practices, may provide a roadmap for how lenient China may be with other nations in debt distress. The International Monetary Fund approved the deal, meaning it's going to allow Zambia to receive more financing from the institution, they said. A discussion between French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema to praise the conclusion of year-long negotiations is to take place during a dinner of heads of state and government at the Elysee presidential palace on Thursday evening. The Zambia deal came at a summit that is bringing together more than 50 world leaders, finance officials and activists to discuss ways of reforming a global financial system to better help developing nations struggling with debt, climate change and poverty. Also Read RBI policy: How a repo rate hike/cut impacts your home loans and EMIs Vedanta may successfully handle its debt in the next 12 months: Report Banks ask RBI to frame policy for silver loans similar to gold metal loans China uses US debt battle to deflect pressure on relief for Zambia Bad loan firms call for rule change to open up sector to new players India ready to contribute in any way to restore peace in Ukraine: PM Modi GOP moves to push off Biden impeachment, as hard-right clamours for action Pak collects DNA samples from 200 families of those missing after boat sank Letter raising objections over Holi celebration at Pak varsity withdrawn Tornadoes, hail and hurricane-force winds tear through west Texas, kills 4 Zambia became Africa's first coronavirus pandemic-era sovereign nation to default when it failed to make a $42.5 million bond payment in November 2020. The debt has prevented the democratic nation from developing economically and taking on new projects. Experts have said a prolonged debt crisis could permanently prevent Zambia and other debt distressed nations from recovering, leading to nations sliding deeper into poverty and joblessness and excluding them from credit to rebuild in the future. Full details of the deal weren't announced. The French officials said Zambia's debt would be reorganized over 20 years, with a three-year grace period. It also includes a clause aimed at ensuring that Zambia gets similar treatment from private creditors, who hold an additional $6.8 billion in loans to Zambia, but it wasn't clear that those private creditors could be required to do so. Private creditors know they're going to need to restructure (the debt), they have been warned they'll need to make a similar effort, a French official said. A memorandum of understanding is expected to formalize the deal in the coming weeks. The deal is the second to be agreed under a mechanism created at the end of year 2020 to associate the Paris Club of government creditors and other major economies from the Group of 20, including China, in debt negotiations. The first was struck last year with Chad. Earlier Thursday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who is also attending the Paris summit, expressed hope that debt treatment can move forward soon" regarding Zambia. She visited Lusaka in January, to meet with Hichilema and bring attention to the ramifications of the debt crisis. MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) has released its 2022 Sustainability Report, detailing how the company lives up to its purpose, contributes to more confident futures, and creates a virtuous circle of shared value for its customers, colleagues, communities and shareholders. Sustainability is integral to MetLifes business. MetLifes sustainability strategy is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the company remains committed to driving meaningful impact around the world. Our commitment to protecting families, businesses and communities underpins our purpose always with you, building a more confident future and allows us to make a greater difference, said MetLife President and CEO Michel Khalaf. We deliver on our long-term sustainability commitments through the commitment of our colleagues and the strength of our products, services, and investments. MetLifes goal is to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world and to make progress towards its 2030 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Commitments and environmental commitments. This years report highlights MetLifes progress against these goals and how the company serves as a force for good, including: Awarding $37.9 million in grants in 2022 through MetLife Foundations Economic Inclusion, Financial Health and Resilient Communities portfolios Continuing to support a resilient and thriving environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 49% since 2019, planting ~800,000 trees since 2020, and maintaining carbon neutrality, which MetLife has done since becoming the first U.S.-based insurer to achieve the status in 2016 Securing over $77 billion in responsible investments managed by MetLife Investment Management as of year-end 2022 Originating ~$885 million in DEI investments in 2022, nearly completing MetLifes commitment of $1 billion by 2030 Expanding its 360Health offering throughout Asia in 2022 to help more customers improve their mental, physical, financial and social health Earning the status of a certified Great Place to Work in eight of its markets based on the feedback and experience of MetLife colleagues in eight of its markets based on the feedback and experience of MetLife colleagues Completing 109,000+ volunteer hours in 2022, advancing MetLife towards its commitment of 800,000 volunteer hours by 2030 To read the 2022 Sustainability Report and learn more about MetLifes sustainability commitments and progress, visit MetLife.com/Sustainability. About MetLife MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (MetLife), is one of the worlds leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help individual and institutional customers build a more confident future. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com. Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements in this news release, using words such as commitment continuing, goal, long-term and remains and other words and terms of similar meaning are based on assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, including the Risk Factors MetLife, Inc. describes in its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. MetLifes future results could differ, and it does not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statements if MetLife, Inc. later becomes aware that such statement is not likely to be achieved. Please consult any further disclosures MetLife, Inc. makes on related subjects in subsequent reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230622971119/en/ Fifty years ago, the celebrated actor and martial arts icon Bruce Lee died in Hong Kong at the age of 32 from a brain edema. In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of his death, Hong Kong has organized several workshops and exhibitions with artwork, memorabilia and displays honoring his legacy. Born in November 1940 in San Francisco, Bruce Lees movies sparked a global kung fu frenzy, helping popularize the genre of martial arts cinema Jul 20, 2023 05:03 PM Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company (SAMI), a unit of kingdom's wealth fund PIF (Public Investment Fund) company, has signed an agreement with Safran Helicopter Engines for its engine maintenance and repair services. Safran Helicopter Engines is the worlds leading manufacturer of helicopter engines, with more than 75,000 produced since being founded. It offers the widest range of helicopter turboshafts in the world and has more than 2,500 customers in 155 countries. The national defence and security champion, SAMI said with this Safran Helicopter Engines deal it is set to extend its maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) capabilities in Saudi Arabia. The agreement includes technical assistance and qualification, development of technical infrastructure, and technical training for Saudi talents who will earn their top qualifications through Safran Helicopter Engines' facility in Tarnos, France, it stated. Commenting on the move, CEO Engineer Walid A. Abukhaled said: "This is a major milestone of our commitment towards localizing aerospace capabilities in the kingdom." "And through this agreement, SAMI is determined on its path to secure national engine sustainment by developing capabilities that include technical infrastructure and exceptional career development for Saudi specialized talents," he stated. As per this deal, Safran will also develop SAMI's Saudi talents in the maintenance and repair of the Makila 1 and Arriel 2 helicopter engines installed in the Saudi Super Puma, Panther, and other helicopter platforms," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Allison Transmission, a global leader in commercial-duty automatic transmissions and propulsion solutions, has expanded its presence in Saudi Arabia and Qatar with key partnerships. This underscores the company's dedication to providing cleaner and more sustainable transportation systems across the Middle East. Recent successes for Allison in Qatar and Saudi Arabia include a major fleet deal in the kingdom, reflecting the company's growing network of strategic partners and the increasing demand for its cutting-edge technology. These milestones highlight the pivotal role of the Middle East in the company's global growth strategy. In Saudi Arabia, Allison recently partnered with a Chinese manufacturer to supply 40 buses for the Hajj and Umrah periods equipped with Allison transmissions for the first time ever, reinforcing the crucial role the company has played in supporting the country's transportation needs for these important religious occasions. Major Saudi fleet operators have selected Allison fully automatic transmissions for their reliability, efficiency and passenger comfort. Smooth driving Allisons torque converter and Continuous Power Technology eliminate power interrupts resulting in a comfortable and smooth driving experience for both the driver and passengers. The fully hydraulic automatic transmission without mechanical clutches, has less wear and tear also on all parts of the drivetrain and therefore resulting in fewer costly breakdowns and repairs. The company's collaboration with leading bus manufacturers contributed to the delivery of some 450 buses in 2020 alone, the largest single sale in the Middle East North Africa (Mena) region. This achievement was made possible through partnerships with Chinese bus OEMs. Allison Transmission is also celebrating a successful collaboration with TAM, a new Chinese brand of city buses making their debut in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Around 20 TAM city buses equipped with Allison transmissions arrived in Jeddah last month, demonstrating the partnership's commitment to delivering reliable and efficient transportation solutions. This milestone reinforces Allison Transmission's dedication to supporting emerging brands and expanding their presence in the Middle East market. 250 school buses In Qatar, Allison has partnered with Yutong & Higer, a renowned Chinese bus manufacturer, to help supply over 250 school buses. These buses, equipped with the Allison 3000 Series, embody the companys top-tier technology and its commitment to delivering high-performance and reliable solutions. Allisons enduring partnerships with Chinese manufacturers in both Qatar and Saudi Arabia are built on a foundation of trust and collaboration established over three decades. These alliances have enabled the seamless integration of Allison propulsion solutions, including its renowned T390R transmission, known for its reliability, ease of operation and fuel efficiency. "These achievements in Saudi Arabia and Qatar highlight the importance of the region to our company and demonstrate our commitment to supporting its transportation needs, said Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Area Manager for Middle East & Pakistan. By collaborating with leading bus manufacturers and delivering top-tier technology, we contribute to the modernisation of transportation networks, enhancing operational efficiency and meeting the evolving demands of our Middle East customers."-- TradeArabia News Service Washington, June 23 (UNI) US senators' speculations about the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons in Ukraine are absurd and contribute to the escalation of tensions, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said Thursday. Earlier on Thursday, US Senator Lindsey Graham said the lawmakers were introducing a resolution to consider the use of a nuclear weapon by Russia in Ukraine as an attack on the NATO alliance. "Speculations about Russia's possible use of tactical nuclear weapons are absurd. The provocative and short-sighted rhetoric of US lawmakers only contributes to the escalation of tensions and increases the risk of the situation sliding to an even more dangerous line," Antonov said in a statement shared among media. Antonov slammed the resolution as another "crazy initiative" of "Russophobe senators" in the US. Russia's deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus was done on legal grounds, the ambassador noted. "We have not violated a single international obligation and have done exactly what the Americans have been doing for decades, deploying nuclear bombs on the territories of European allies," Antonov said. The ambassador suggested that these speculations serve to prepare the world community for a false-flag provocation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by sliding a "dirty bomb" there and blaming it on Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in mid-June that Russia had transferred the first part of the nuclear warheads to Belarus and would complete the task of moving tactical nuclear weapons completely by the end of the year. Putin said the deployment was an element of deterrence and a signal to those thinking about inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia. Russian Foreign Intelligence Service head Sergey Naryshkin said earlier in June that Kiev could continue to work on the creation of a "dirty bomb," adding that the possible use of the "dirty bomb" by Kiev would have severe consequences for the life and health of the entire population and ecosystems of Eastern Europe. UNI/SPUTNIK GNK The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore will release the IPMAT 2023 results soon after the exam ended in online format on June 16. Candidates whose names appear on the list will be invited to the next phase, which will involve a Personal Interview (PI). Candidates can access the IPMAT result 2023 at iimidr.ac.in by entering their application number and registered email ID/date of birth. Overview Conducted Body Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Exam name Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test, or IPMAT IPMAT 2023 Exam date June 16th, 2023 IPMAT 2023 result date Last week of June 2023 Official website www.iimidr.ac.in Result The IPMAT result for 2023 will be available on the IPMAT Result Indore website. Candidates can access their IPMAT exam results by entering their login credentials into the result portal. The final score will contain the overall score, sectional scores, and the candidate's rank. Candidates who pass the exam will be eligible for subsequent rounds of selection, therefore keep an eye on the official website for updates on the same IPMAT Result. How to Check the Result? Step 1: Candidates should go to the IPMAT official website, iimidr.ac.in. Step 2: Locate and choose the "IPMAT Result 2023" tab. Step 3: A new page will appear, prompting candidates to enter their IPMAT 2023 application number. Step 4: Candidates must now input their application number, registered email address, or date of birth in DD/MM/YY format. Step 5: After clicking the 'Get Status' link, enter the captcha (security) code that appears on the screen. Step 6: The IPMAT 2023 result displays on the computer screen. Step 7: Save and print the IPMAT result for future use. Details mentioned in the Result 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... New Delhi, June 23 (UNI) To achieve the target of Net Zero Carbon emission by 2030, the Indian Railways inked an agreement with United States Agency for International Development/India (USAID/India) here on Friday. "The agreement has been signed for collaboration on Renewable energy and Energy Efficiency" , said the Ministry statement. The effort is to reduce carbon footprint of Indian Railways in order to achieve Mission Net Zero Carbon Emission The other aspects of agreement includes Long-term energy planning including clean energy for Indian Railways, Developing an Energy Efficiency Policy and Action Plan for IR Buildings, Planning for clean energy procurement to achieve Indian Railways net-zero vision. It also helps in technical support for addressing regulatory and implementation barriers, bid design and bid management support for system-friendly, large-scale renewable procurement and supporting Indian Railways in the promotion of e-mobility. "Indian Railways is proactively working towards the achievement of Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2030" said the Ministry statement. The MoU was signed by Naveen Gulati, Member (Traction and Rolling Stock), Railway Board, Indian Railways and Ms. Isabel Coleman, Deputy Administrator, USAID, in the presence of Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman & CEO, Railway Board. As per the Ministry, the projected energy demand of Indian Railways in 2029-30 is expected to be about 8,200 MegaWatt (MW). To achieve Net Zero Carbon Emission, the expected requirement of renewable capacity by 2029-30 would be about 30,000 MW. As of February 2023, about 147 MW of solar plants (both on Rooftops and on land) and about 103 MW of Wind power plants have been commissioned. Further, about 2150 MW of renewable capacity has also been tied up. UNI JA KK CB Green and ECOCEM announce JV for decarbonisation 23 June 2023 CB Green, a division of Groupe CB focussed on delivering low carbon and circular economy solutions for the concrete and construction industries, and Ecocem, Europes leading independent provider of low-carbon cement technologies, have agreed a long term cooperation agreement to establish a new joint venture which will support the scale-up of Ecocems low-carbon ACT technology by 2025, and CB Greens ambitions to deliver low carbon solutions to the construction industry. The joint venture will build a grinding mill at Ecocems plant in Dunkirk and deliver a long-term agreement to supply and grind limestone filler, a key component in ACT, Ecocems low clinker cement technology. This venture will accelerate the availability of low carbon cement technologies in Western Europe. Focussing production in northern France will allow Ecocem to supply ACT to all the concrete players located in the key markets from Paris to London and Amsterdam. Both companies require significant increased grinding capacity to support their ambitions. The mill is expected to enter into production by mid-2025, with the ambition to reach full capacity by 2030. The joint venture is expected to gradually invest over EUR60m and produce 600,000t of high-quality limestone filler per year by 2030. The joint venture will produce high-quality limestone fillers essential for low-carbon cements, which the companies claim can reduce clinker content by 70 per cent. Founder and Managing Director of Ecocem, Donal ORiain, said: This long-term cooperation agreement with CB Green marks a major milestone in our work to scale ACT, our low-carbon cement technology and deliver on our commitment to help the cement industry cost-effectively decarbonise by 50 per cent by 2030. It secures production of fillers and access to high quality limestone and is an important next step to ensuring that our ACT technology can be distributed at scale and start delivering on its potential to reduce CO 2 emissions by up to 70 per cent. Technology is no longer the issue, scale and speed are what matters now. Commenting on this landmark agreement, Gilles Poulain, CEO of Groupe CB, continued: This partnership between CB Green and Ecocem signals a major step forward. We are united in our ambitions to support rapid decarbonisation and scale a range of solutions, including low carbon cements. Ecocems ACT technology was unveiled in late 2022. A breakthrough cement technology, it combines a range of technical innovations with the use of widely available low-carbon materials to decarbonise the production of cement by as much as 70 per cent, while enhancing the strength and durability of the concrete it is used to manufacture. Published under Samson win Chinese EcoHopper order 23 June 2023 One SAMSON Eco Hopper type EH60 has been successfully tested and put into operation for bulk material loading and unloading in China. Thanks to the environmentally friendly design and the installed filter systems it makes an important contribution to the reduction of dust emissions during ship loading and unloading processes. Mr Gang Gong, the managing director of AUMUND China, says: The customer is very satisfied with the Eco Hopper unit and is interested in taking our working relationship to the next level. Approximately 13Mt of goods pass through the inland river port each year at Dagang Port of Zhen Jiang, where the Yangtze and the Jing-Hang Grand Canal meet, creating a major shipping hub in China. Published under Iranian cement demand advances 14% in April ICR Newsroom By 23 June 2023 Irans cement market has expanded by 13.9 per cent to 5.82Mt in May 2023 when compared with May 2022, when 5.11Mt of cement was sold, according to the Iranian Cement Association. Cement and clinker production increased YoY by 18.4 per cent to 6.37Mt and 5.6 per cent to 7.3Mt in May 2023, respectively. Irans cement producers exported 0.4Mt of cement in May 2023, up 33.6 per cent YoY, and 0.81Mt of clinker, up 45.7 per cent YoY. Published under Shrimp from Asia. (Photo credit: FAIUOKAMEI NgaU, Creative Commons) Health inspectors have recorded more than 2,600 violations of a 2019 Louisiana law that requires restaurants and other food establishments to indicate on their menus if theyre selling imported shrimp or crawfish, but the state hasnt levied a single fine for those violations since the law took effect. Its a problem local fishermen have been calling attention to for years. Foreign seafood has become so cheap that it is almost ubiquitous. According to the Louisiana Shrimp Association, most restaurants in the state have chosen to serve imported shrimp and crawfish to patrons who are either oblivious to it or believe theyre eating local fare. The influx of foreign-farmed catch is decimating a domestic industry and unique Louisiana culture while also increasing the risk of introducing harmful contaminants into the food supply. A 2020 LSU Agricultural Center study tested a variety of imported shrimp purchased from multiple locations in the Baton Rouge area and detected banned veterinary drugs in more than two-thirds of the samples. Researchers noted the prohibited chemicals can have severe adverse effects on humans. Seafood is the most common type of imported food linked to outbreaks, and the rate of imported seafood outbreaks is increasing, according to a Johns Hopkins University study. Louisiana Shrimp Association President Acy Cooper said shrimping is a way of life passed down through generations. It offered decent pay at one time, enough to provide for a family. But massive seafood imports, mostly from Asia, have significantly undercut domestic shrimp prices over the last decade, he said. We definitely got to get something done, or were going to have a lot of people going bankrupt, Cooper said, and Im one of them. Cooper and other shrimpers have urged state officials to crack down on seafood misrepresentation, which occurs when restaurants or food establishments either deliberately obscure or simply fail to disclose the origin of their catch. The labeling law requires restaurants to either indicate on their menus if theyre selling imported shrimp or crawfish. They can also post an 18-inch by 18-inch sign that says their fare is sourced from foreign waters. The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) conducts routine sanitary inspections to check if restaurants comply with the law. Many are not, and they have so far gotten away without any consequences. LDH has issued 2,671 citations for violations of the labeling law since it took effect in 2019. As of May 30, the state has issued no fines. When the issue came up at a legislative committee hearing in April, Rep. Mack Cormier, D-Belle Chasse, pointed to a statute that says first-time violations carry a $50 fine. However, the state health department doesnt have jurisdiction to issue those fines, according to spokesperson Kevin Litten. The problem stems from a patchwork of statutes and administrative regulations between the health department and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). The 2019 labeling law contains nothing about fines. It simply gave state health officials the authority to inspect and cite businesses for shrimp and crawfish labeling violations. The law is under Title 40, which encompasses the states public health statutes for which violations carry civil law penalties, Litten said. Also, LDH classifies infractions of the labeling law as non-critical violations, meaning they dont pose an immediate threat to public health. Businesses are afforded the opportunity to correct any non-critical violations before their next inspection. Under existing rules, a restaurant would have to violate the labeling law five times before LDH could take action by charging a $150 reinspection fee, Litten said. Cormiers reference to $50 fines comes from a separate law that took effect back in 2008. It states: No owner or manager of a restaurant that sells imported crawfish or shrimp shall misrepresent to the public, either verbally, on a menu, or on signs displayed on the premises, that the crawfish or shrimp is domestic. That law includes fines of $50 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense and $500 for any subsequent offenses. The 2008 law exists under Title 56, known as the Wildlife and Fisheries code. Infractions carry criminal law penalties and are enforced through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, which has a division of law enforcement agents. However, not all of the statutes in Title 56 fall under the purview of Wildlife and Fisheries, according to its general counsel, Cole Garrett. In 2013, the Louisiana Legislature transferred a broad swath of statutes in Title 56 and placed them under the purview of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, which doesnt have a law enforcement arm, in the lieutenant governors office. Apparently, the 2008 law that spells out the $50 fines was swept up in that transfer and is no longer the responsibility of Wildlife and Fisheries, Garrett said. The text of the law seems to allow local district attorneys to prosecute the violators based on complaints from the public, Garrett added. The statute specifically assigns jurisdiction to the district attorney for the area where the offending restaurant is located. Its bizarre that its written that way, he said. I think that thats probably what the legislative intent was. Garrett assisted Cormier in drafting a bill that wouldve given enforcement back to Wildlife and Fisheries and increased a first-offense fine to $1,000. However, the House Committee on Natural Resources rejected the proposal. At that committee hearing, Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris told lawmakers the health department wasnt issuing fines because restaurants are following the law. No one at the meeting was provided data on the number of violations that had been issued. LDH later provided numbers to the Illuminator showing the department had issued 204 citations for shrimp and crawfish labeling violations as of May 30. The number is on track to be lower than the peak of 757 reached in 2020. Litten said violation numbers tend to improve over time after businesses are cited during inspections and adjust to comply with the law. The Louisiana Restaurant Association, which did not respond to multiple requests for comment, has opposed bills that would create fines and other restrictions dealing with imported shrimp labeling, though not all restaurant owners share that view. Conrad Chura, owner of the New Orleans eatery Wakin Bakin, pays extra to be able to serve domestic Louisiana shrimp and agrees with penalizing those who are ignoring a law that other restaurants are following. Its mostly about honesty and not false advertising, Chura said. As a customer, you have a right to know where your food comes from. Cooper, who is also a restaurant owner, said the legislature needs to fix the patchwork of laws and assign the proper agency to enforce them. Until they do that, restaurants in Louisiana will continue to serve mostly foreign shellfish, and local fishermen will continue to be outpriced, he said. Its a big problem, Cooper said. If theyre not forced to, theyre not going to do it and Louisiana shrimp, as you know it, aint gonna be here. The post There have been 2,600 violations of Louisianas imported shrimp law and no fines appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit After a four-hour meeting with 40 people commenting about the budget and setting Red Banks new tax rate for fiscal year 2023-2024, the majority of the commissioners did not change their minds. Vice Mayor Stefanie Dalton, and Commissioners Pete Phillips and Hayes Wilkinson were in favor of increasing the property tax rate by 57 cents, and Commissioner Jamie Fairbanks Harvey was opposed. With the final vote, including the increase, the tax rate will go from $1.10 to $1.67 for every $100 of assessed value of a property. With a large number of residents expected, the meeting had been moved to the Red Bank Community Center that has a larger capacity than the room where the commission regularly meets. Residents lined up to speak about the proposed property tax increase. Those opposed to the budget and tax rate as proposed outnumbered those in favor three-to-one, mirroring the meeting prior to the first vote on the budget on June 6. City Manager Martin Granum said the $9,773,647 budget had been created to fulfill the goals set by the commissioners for 2023-2024. Those are to revamp the stormwater ordinance and associated processes and fees, to make multi-modal transportation improvements and to develop a comprehensive plan for the city which includes creating a new park to replace park property that was used to build Red Bank Middle and High Schools. There is also the desire to develop more parks, trails and recreational opportunities including all residents living within a 10-minute walk to a park. Another goal is to create a Red Bank Community Library and Civic Center. It was noted that no funding was in the budget for this. And a loan will be taken out to make improvements at White Oak Park, so that cost is not included in the budget, but will be spread out over five years. There was mutual agreement among city officials and residents that fire and police personnel had been underpaid and there was little opposition to the increased salaries and additional officers and firefighters that will be added in those departments. There was more disagreement about increases for employees in the administrative positions and about the additional people who have been hired. There was also push back against paying $200,000 for consultants that will be used to make assessments of parks in the city, for the development of the Red Bank Middle School property and to create a Comprehensive plan for the city. A seven percent cost of living raise for all employees along with the increased pay increases for specific jobs were both considered too much by many people. One speaker said that compensation in Red Bank was going to be much more than the average in the state of Tennessee. Most speakers acknowledged that to live in a city and receive services, property taxes are needed, but why everything needs to be done all at once causing the large increase to be made at one time became the issue. The commissioners were asked to make the increases incrementally and spread over several years. They were asked to narrow the list down to needs, not wishes. Other suggestions made were that the city should attract more businesses which could generate business and sales taxes that could reduce the reliance on property tax. A comment that was repeated many times is that there are a large number of people in Red Bank living on a fixed income and an increase that large would cause them to make hard decisions for where to reduce spending. Some said it would force them to move because they would be unable to pay the taxes. One resident said that not only will taxes be going up, so will everything else except for most incomes. Commissioners responded that Hamilton County has a tax relief program available to low-income households, and the city is prepared to look into how to freeze taxes for seniors, said the vice mayor. Citizens are also afraid that this will set a precedence for tax increases to continue. One resident presented the commissioners with a petition containing 1,000 signatures of people against the tax increase as proposed. And toward the end of the long line of speakers, one said that we wish youd change your minds and have compassion for residents that have low incomes, and she added, We dont need new parks in Red Bank. But she said Youve already got your minds made up. Arguments from the 11 speakers who supported the tax increase included the You get what you pay for, and you cant keep kicking the can down the road. Some considered the increase in taxes and what it will accomplish as an investment in the citys future. One person said they wanted to live in a city that "thrives, not just survives." The average appraised value of a house in Red Bank is $201,400, said City Manager Martin Granum, which will mean the property tax amount will increase around $20-$25 per month on that house, or about $250-$300 per year. Most of the speakers who had calculated the amount of tax on their properties, said it would add about $500 per year to their property tax bill. Because of the Independence Day holiday, the Red Bank commission meeting on July 4 has been cancelled. The next meeting will be on July 18. The Tennessee State Veterans Home in Cleveland celebrated its grand opening, marking a "significant milestone in providing exceptional care and support to the Veterans of Southeast Tennessee," with ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on Thursday at 11 a.m. A variety of guests, including state officials, local leaders, veterans' advocates and community members gathered to commemorate the completion of the state-of-the-art facility."The Tennessee State Veterans Home in Cleveland stands as a testament to the Volunteer States unwavering commitment to providing our veterans with the highest quality of care and comfort," officials said."Situated on nearly 28 acres of picturesque land, this modern-rustic facility offers a tranquil setting that serves as a home away from home for our esteemed veterans."The grand opening ceremony was a momentous occasion, attended by guests who were shown firsthand the immense value of this facility for Tennessee Veterans."The event featured remarks from state and local officials and stakeholders highlighting the significance of the Tennessee State Veterans Home in Cleveland. Among the speakers was Tennessee Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Tommy Baker, who expressed his appreciation for the tireless efforts in bringing this project to fruition, and TSVH Executive Director Ed Harries."We are deeply honored to celebrate the opening of the Tennessee State Veterans Home in Cleveland," said Comm. Baker. "This project stands as a testament to the profound responsibility felt by both the community and the state in caring for those who have served while ensuring they genuinely feel our gratitude."Our organization takes great pride in not only the care we provide but also the amenities in which that care is facilitated. Additionally, it is important that we evoke a home-like feel in all of our buildings, said Dir. Harries. This home is no exception with state-of-the-art accommodations and lodge-like ambiance. The honor to continue forward progression in each home we create for Tennessees veterans needing long-term skilled nursing care is overwhelming."The Tennessee State Veterans Home stands as a beacon of gratitude and honor to the veterans who have dedicated their lives to the service of our country. The successful grand opening ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter in providing exemplary care and support to the veterans of Southeast Tennessee." officials said.Established in law by the General Assembly in 1988, TSVH currently operates five State Veterans Homes across Tennessee, with another under construction in Arlington. Those interested in applying for admission to the Tennessee State Veterans Home in Cleveland, or who are looking for more information should visit TSVH.org. Eight members of the 2022-2023 Cougar softball team are on their way from Cleveland State to complete their degree at higher educational institutions of learning with six committed to continue playing collegiate softball. Three players who completed two years at Cleveland State will be attending Tennessee Wesleyan University. They are Carlynn Atamaniuk, Emily Higgins and Bailee Phillips. As a Cougar Atamaniuk played centerfield and batted second, Higgins batted fifth, playing third and pitched while Phillips pitched and was a designated hitter. Hope Ingle will be attending Wofford University and will be a member of the first softball team at Wofford. They will be in the Southern Conference. Ingle who was the Cougar leadoff hitter caught every game her freshmen year and played shortstop her second year. University of Tennessee Southern will be the new home for Shelby Sullivan. Both of Sullivans years she batted fourth for Cleveland State and played first base. With the opportunity to move onto a four year school after one year of Cougar softball, Abby Reed will be attending Truett McConnell University and will be a part of their softball program while she studies towards her degree. Two-year pitcher Hadley Burnette leaves Cleveland State to attend Wallace Hanceville to complete an Allied Health degree in the field of Occupational Therapy. Burnette will not be playing softball as she completed her goal here at Cleveland State to compete for two years in college. As a freshman, Abby Young entered Cleveland State to be part of the softball program while having earned numerous college level classes attained through dual enrollment. Young has chosen Dalton State to complete her degree goals in higher education. A man is in critical condition after a shooting at College Hill Courts early Thursday afternoon. Police responded at 1:02 p.m. to 806 W. 13th Street Court. Police located a man who was suffering from a life-threatening injury. He was taken to a local ospital for treatment. In 2019, Gillian Brockwell of the Washington Post reported Trumps plan to buy Greenland was met with widespread ridicule. Brockwell did add the decision to buy Alaska was also met scorn and mockery. Over time, Alaska has been of both strategic importance and a vast source of natural resources. Greenland could be that and more. It has one of the largest rare earth mineral deposits in the world, second only to China. These minerals are used in LED lights, smartphones, hybrid cars, nuclear power, wind turbines and medicines. Russia and China are also becoming major competitors in the polar regions which could make Greenland vital to our national security just as is Alaska. Joe Biden told the League of Conservation Voters, We have plans to build a railroad from the Pacific all the way across the Indian Ocean (C-Span 6/14/23). Then on Sky News, 6/19, Biden announced at the Lucy Evans Baylands Center, Ive committed to-by 2020, we will have conserved 30 percent of all the lands and waters the US has jurisdiction over and simultaneously reduce emissions to blunt climate impact. Did the liberal news services find either of these worthy of the same treatment afforded Trump or did any even report it? Such mind blowing feats as these, one requiring unimagined engineering skills while the other using a Time Machine, couldnt be done by mere mortals. So should we expect a Bullet Train over the pole to Siberia from Joe to be revealed next? Ralph Miller * * * Yes, President Biden misspoke when he was talking about what will be the trans-Africa rail line, connecting the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. Kenya is working with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to build that rail line which would drastically reduce the time goods move to and from the 38 Indian Ocean Nations. But thank goodness President Biden didnt have a really insane meltdown and propose that we inject ourselves with disinfectants to prevent COVID, or that we should nuke hurricanes, sweep our forests to prevent forest fires, or even how General Washington won the Revolutionary War by seizing British airfields. A comment like that would have indicated that he belongs in a strait jacket rather than the Oval Office. Rod Dagnan * * * Will those who take any and all opportunities to portray President Biden in a negative light portray Senator Marsha Blackburn similarly? After all, what has the esteemed Senator done to deserve negative treatment by her constituents? Well, Friday evening, June 23, at 9:11 p.m., the esteemed Senator offered up another conspiracy theory again showing her constant hatred of all things Democratic and facts be damned. She tweeted the following: If the U.S. Navy suspected that the Titan Submersible imploded just hours after it began its voyage, why did the Coast Guard wait until Thursday - the same day the IRS whistleblowers testified before Congress - to make their announcement to the public? Comeon, now. There's only one correct phase in the tweet. "The U.S. Navy suspected . . . However the Navy did not immediately if it was the Titan. The interviews with the so-called whistleblowers were conducted in May. Two 1000+ page transcripts were released the day the search ended. But there must not have been much to the transcripts, now days later. Certainly not any bombshell that all Republicans said there would be. Heard that story for a few years now. Does the esteemed Senator expect the Navy to comment immediately on every noise in the ocean it hears, without investigating first? For all the Navy knew at the time, that implosion could have been one of its own vessels, or another countrys vessel. Common sense would dictate not commenting until more facts were known. Somehow, I dont think common sense is one of the esteemed Senators virtues. If her voters believe her, maybe not a virtue of them either. Why didnt Georgias MTG didnt think of this herself? Maybe shell have it out with the esteemed Senator since MTG was beaten to the punch, just like her impeachment rants. Joe Warren Ringgold Teacher vacancies are problematic in Tennessee and challenges remain. Data from the Tennessee Department of Education shows 67 percent of Tennessee schools started the school year with vacancies, with an average of 20 openings per district. The vacancies are up 16 percent since last school year. Programs to make it easier to recruit new teachers, like Grow Your Own, are often touted by the state. Is it working? A cursory glance says no. Writer TC Weber shared concerns by Educator Preparation Providers and partner school districts about the lack of transparency by both the Tennessee Department of Education and the newly launched Grow Your Own Center. Funding and communications are not the only issues plaguing the program according to Weber. Gloria Johnson, an enduring thorn in the side of the Lee Administration, took to social media in early June to address disturbing rumors about the lack of funding for the Grow Your Own program. She wrote that Governor Lee has been taking victory laps on the program. And to cut funding for the program during a teacher shortage would be insane. To counter that position, we must ask a key question: does the Grow Your Own program work? The teacher pipeline program was praised by First Lady Jill Biden and US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, who visited the center in September 2022. Former Tennessee Commissioner of Education Penny Schwinn wanted the program to serve as an example for other states. Weber warned, As the GYO program has grown, the Center, which was created by The Tennessee Department of Education and the University of Tennessee System in 2022, has attempted to exert more influence on individual preparation programs. Two key staff members from the Center have now resigned. The Grow Your Own program can be salvaged. It can probably be better managed within the Tennessee Department of Education itself. As far as being a national model, establishing success statewide would be a more convincing objective. Policymakers must filter out the noise and look at the facts. It will probably be one of the first challenges for incoming Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds to address. Educator Preparation Providers also need to step up and offer some solutions. Teacher attrition continues to climb higher, yet those entering the field are going down. What happened? That is the problem we must solve. Why do educators quit? There are numerous reasons: salary, low morale, student discipline issues, and safety concerns are just a few reasons frequently cited. When teachers lose hope in their careers, eventually they change the direction of their own future, and in turn, it impacts the future of our children. If you are an educator or have friends who are educators, you have undoubtedly discussed teacher morale in public education and their thoughts on the future of education. We have worked with policymakers to address these issues. Student Discipline issues led Professional Educators of Tennessee to work with legislators to pass the bipartisan "Teacher's Discipline Act" to help create a system to address chronically disruptive students. We also worked simultaneously on a Mental Health Trust Fund, which Governor Lee funded. This will help address mental health challenges. However, the trust fund needs better implementation by the state. We have also worked to strengthen school safety with state leaders. Compensation is critical to recruiting and retaining effective educators in our classrooms. According to most economists and policy wonks, we do not pay commensurate salaries to get and keep the best and brightest in our classrooms. Educators must move up to administrative positions to get bigger salaries. Sometimes the skills that made them excellent teachers fail to translate into an administrative role. This year we also worked with policymakers to raise teacher salaries. For too long, teachers have seen salary increases be used for other necessary items, but not go to them. Most school districts employ more staff than are covered by state funding, and the available state and local dollars earmarked for salaries had to stretch over more teachers than the staff positions generated by the previous funding formula. The new funding formula will change that. More importantly, dollars can now reach the teachers for whom it was intended. This year Governor Lee proposed, and the Tennessee General Assembly included, an additional $350 million investment in the new Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) funding formula, including $125 million for educator salary increases. This is a strong start, but we must continue our advocacy. Money alone will not stop teacher attrition nor serve as a reason people will choose to enter the field of education. In education, there is never a shortage of issues we need to address. We will continue to raise the right issues and champion educators and children. A strong educational system is essential to our future. An engaging and challenging education is the proven path to prosperity and a life-long love of learning. The most effective vision for P-12 education in Tennessee is one that embraces local control of education and listens to those educating our children and engages with parents and families. We have a lot of work left to do. JC Bowman Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee Re: Senator Blackburn: Trumps Indictment Exposes 2 Tiers Of Justice Only two tiers of Justice, do not be naive. The House of Representatives has abandoned its duty to impeach three justices of the Supreme Court when they obviously broke ethics rules. If the justices of the highest court in the land cannot be ethical, who can? Justices that have personal relationships with people who have, or will have, cases before the court those justices should not hear cases that involve friends. Then many of the Republicans in the House and Senate think that Trump broke no laws. I have dealt with classified documents on what was one of the top 10 most top secret bases in the country, right there in your state of Tennessee. I cannot tell you what I did on that base or or what its mission was or I will run into serious problems The base did not close because their mission was shut down, they closed because of finding radon in the buildings where a couple of hundred people worked daily. When found to have violated ethical rules, Abe Fortas resigned the court. One of the committee chairs in the house is attempting to shut down those who do fact checking which would, in effect, tear the First Amendment to shreds. The House and the Senate should clean out their houses before they say that the Department of Justice is corrupt. I cannot get it out of my mind that during the second impeachment of Trump, when it was time for the defense to pursue their case, three senators, Graham, Lee and Cruz, went into the room where the defense was preparing their case to give them advice on how to handle their case. Those three, along with the rest of the Senate, made an oath to look at the evidence against Trump impartially, not assist the defense of Trump to prepare their case. Nothing was done about that. No one in the Senate even thought of throwing those three out of the chamber. Do not try to tell me that there are two tiers of justice when there are many more examples of injustice in this country. Injustice reigns from the lowest city and county courts to the highest court in the land. Sweep the whole mess clean. The fine wine of justice has turned into vinegar. This conversation about shutting down the DOJ and FBI is incredibly stupid. If they shut those down, the government, regardless of which party has the presidency, would simply collapse. Raleigh Perry We tend to be most attracted to people who share similar interests. However, new research published by the American Psychological Association (APA) shows that this attraction might be rooted in the flawed belief that similar interests reflect a more fundamental similarity or essence. Our attraction to people who share our attributes is aided by the belief that those shared attributes are driven by something deep within us: ones essence, explained Charles Chu, the studys lead author. To put it concretely, we like someone who agrees with us on a political issue, share our music preferences, or simply laughs at the same thing as us not purely because of those similarities, but because those similarities suggest something more this person is, in essence, like me, and as such, they share my views of the world at large. According to Chu, the thought process behind this is fueled by psychological essentialism that specifically applies to peoples notions about individual identity and the self. In turn, people essentialize or define something by a set of deep-rooted properties different types of things in all cultures. For example, the category of wolf is defined by a wolf essence, residing in all wolves, from which stems attributes such as their pointy noses, sharp teeth, and fluffy tails as well as their pack nature and aggressiveness, Chu detailed. But beyond other categories, the researchers discovered that as humans, we essentialize the self, too. To essentialize yourself is to define who you are by a set of unchanging and deeply-rooted properties. So, those who self-essentialize believe that the way they behave and the way other people view them is caused by a specific essence. The researchers set out to better understand how this self-essentialism impacts attraction by conducting four different experiments. In the first experiment, 954 participants were asked to share their position on one of five social causes which were randomly assigned. These social causes included capital punishment, abortion, animal testing, gun ownership, and physician-assisted suicide. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Healthcare is extremely expensive in the United States. Nearly half of all Americans struggle to afford it. And it doesnt look like the costs are going down anytime soon. TikToker Chelsea (@cityloveletter) is a mom of three living in Manhattan, and shes sharing how her childrens pediatrician is charging an annual fee of $350 per patient. Since Chelsea has three kids, it would require her to pay over $1000 just to be able to visit the doctor. And that doesnt include the cost of insurance, copays, or any other fees. Not to mention that simply living in New York is a strain on ones finances. Chelsea compared the charge to a brokers fee for pediatricians and asked TikTok users if this type of practice would be acceptable anywhere else. Many TikTok users described similar experiences they had, and some explained why an increasing number of doctors are implementing this system. Our pediatrician in Los Angeles is doing the same. $150 per child. Talk about de-incentivizing the lower class from taking their kids to the doctor, commented one user. Thats because its being used to cover overhead costs, which have become astronomical as insurance companies cut reimbursements even more, wrote another. My previous pediatrician charged $10 per form that they filled out. So every school form, camp form, etc, cost $10, stated a third. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Pexels/RDNE Stock project The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the biggest Protestant Christian organization in the U.S., experienced a pivotal week last week. At its annual convention, the SBC confirmed the expulsion of two churches with female pastors, sparking uproar. The two churches in question were Saddleback Church, a sizable southern California congregation with more than a dozen campuses founded by Pastor Rick Warren, best known for his book "The Purpose Driven Life," and Fern Creek in Louisville, Kentucky, where Rev. Linda Barnes Popham has served as the pastor since 1993. Tension Rises in Southern Baptist Convention Over the Exclusion of Female Pastors According to the article in CNN, Christian women both inside and outside the SBC have questions about the decision. The church also proposed an amendment to its constitution that sought to limit all pastoral and elder duties to men alone, further fanning the fires of contention. According to the SBC's constitution, only the position of pastor was previously reserved for men. Although a second vote will be required to approve this amendment next year, the SBC has already begun to feel its potential impact of it because it may have a substantial impact on more congregations and female leaders. Erica Edwards, an ordained leader at Macedonia Baptist Church, expressed concerns over the Southern Baptist Convention's (SBC) recent policy decisions restricting female leadership roles. Edwards highlighted the contradiction between these rules and the practical reality within many churches. With the new ruling, she fears women's contributions to congregations may be minimized or hidden. Despite the SBC's traditional stance, Edwards affirms that women have been instrumental in nurturing Baptist churches for centuries and believes this reality will remain unchanged. Within the SBC, disagreements arose over the decision to expel the churches. With about 8% of members choosing to save Fern Creek and 11% supporting Saddleback, the vote was far from unanimous. According to the article shared in the Albany Herald, only Fern Creek and Saddleback made an appeal after the SBC removed five congregations with female pastors. The vote total in favor of the amendment prohibiting women from holding elder positions was not made public. SBC President Bart Barber supported the choice after the meeting, highlighting the impact of the New Testament and Southern Baptist interpretations on their perspectives. He emphasized their renewed position, which reiterates their stand from the year 2000 and maintains that Scripture alone justifies men holding the office of pastor. This was stated by Barber at a press conference. The SBC has not made any other remarks on the subject, and any additional questions have been referred to the press conference that was taped. Also Read:Fern Creek Church Faces Removal From Southern Baptist Convention As Female Pastor Sparks Controversy Rick Warren's Push for Female Pastors got Rejected The passionate push for the approval of female pastors by evangelist Rick Warren has been rejected. According to the article shared here in Christianity Daily, Warren ran a thorough campaign that included videos, open letters, media appearances, and social media lobbying, but she was unable to influence the convention, which decided to expel her by an overwhelming margin. Pastor Linda Barnes Popham of Fern Creek and Warren made fervent pleas for harmony and the acceptance of various doctrines. While Andy Wood, the current Saddleback Church pastor, continues to support the vital role that women play in pastoral roles, Warren is still optimistic that truth will ultimately triumph over tradition. Related Article:Rick Warren's Saddleback Appeal Rejected by Southern Baptists Following Controversy Over Female Pastors Unsplash/Tim Marshall In Newham, tucked away from the main road, people are waiting in a queue outside a modest church hall. Inside, volunteers from a local church have been setting up food and beverages for their bi-weekly food bank for over an hour. Most of the people arriving on this day are seeking refuge in the UK and have been housed at a nearby hotel temporarily. Following training from LCM missionaries, the volunteers confidently offer to talk and pray with each person that walks through the doors. East London Church Reaches Out to Displaced Individuals, Providing A Sanctuary Amidst Uncertainty According to the article in Christian Today, an unassuming church hall in the Newham borough creates a line outside, away from the busy main road. The neighborhood church's biweekly food bank is being set up inside by volunteers. Although the preparations began an hour ago, the enthusiastic faces outside indicate that the effort will be worthwhile. Most of the people that were waiting in line are British citizens looking for asylum. While temporarily staying in a nearby motel, they eagerly anticipate the friendly welcome they will receive at the church hall. Because of the training provided by missionaries from London City Mission (LCM), the volunteers are prepared to extend a hand of friendship, lend a sympathetic ear, and engage in prayer with each person that enters their doors. A Mission Associate from LCM, who has been involved with the church's work for half a year, offered a perspective on the circumstances faced by displaced families and individuals. She noted these people's appreciation but emphasized the constraints of even the most luxurious hotel accommodations, which are meant for temporary usage. Also Read:Title 42 Expired, Methodist Church in Texas Gets Ready for Thousands of Refugees Seeking Shelter Celebrating World Refugee Day Christian communities worldwide are banding together on World Refugee Day. Their aim? To shine a spotlight on the uphill battle being faced by millions of people who've been ripped from their homes due to the growing global refugee crisis. According to the article in Charisma, a compassionate response that embodies the biblical principles of welcoming strangers and fighting for justice and love is required in light of the sad rise in displacement that is a result of conflict, persecution, violence, and natural disasters. According to an article shared in UNHCR, there is an increase in the number in refugees around the world. There are about 108.4 million people uprooted from their homes by the end of 2022, a substantial increase from 38.5 million in 2011. These numbers highlight the enormous difficulties faced by persons who are forced to leave their familiar environments in search of safety and better futures. Christians are obligated to emulate Jesus' teachings on hospitality and kindness. The gospel clarifies the responsibility of believers to defend the weak, the outcasts, and the foreigners among us. This commitment to serve the is embodied in the endeavors of the Christian organizations like the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The ELCA champions the cause of justice, peace, and protection for displaced persons, urging nations - the United States included - to uphold their responsibilities as global leaders in refugee resettlement. By encouraging increased admissions, they aim to create sanctuaries for those desperately in need. Related Article:North Carolina Baptists Open Doors to Refugees with Vacant Church Spaces Pixabay/Koonan Kurishu Christian and Muslim leaders in India have expressed their support for the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and lawmakers who have urged President Joe Biden to address the issue of shrinking religious freedom in India during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. Prime Minister Modi is on a three-day visit to the United States starting Tuesday, Jun 20. Addressing Shrinking Religious Freedom in India The UCA News reported that A. C. Michael, president of the Federation of Catholic Associations of Archdiocese of Delhi, emphasized the responsibility of the US president to raise concerns about religious freedom. He stated, "As the most powerful leader in the world, the US president has to address the decline in religious freedom since Modi came to power in 2014." Michael is also the national coordinator of the United Christian Forum (UCF), which monitors incidents of violence against Christians in India. The church association's president also highlighted the significant rise in violence against Christians during Modi's tenure. Nearly 300 incidents of violence against Christians have been reported this year. The UCF reported 600 incidents in 2022 and 505 in 2021, illustrating an alarming trend. Moreover, a letter signed by 75 Democratic senators and members of the House of Representatives expressed their concerns regarding religious intolerance, press freedom, disruption of internet services, and targeting of civil society groups under Modi's leadership. PM Modi's visit includes a prestigious banquet at the White House hosted by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Additionally, PM Modi will become the first Indian prime minister to address the US Congress twice. Also Read: Christians Launch Protest to Call for Action Against Church Attack in India Controversial Visit of PM Modi to the US According to The Shillong Times, upon his arrival in Washington, Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off the second leg of his US visit by conveying his greetings to the Indian community. The President of the United States, Joe Biden, was joined by his wife, the First Lady, Jill Biden, as they visited the National Science Foundation. Later on, the Bidens hosted a private dinner for their guests. Despite the persistent rain, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honor at the Andrews Air Base in Washington DC. In a tweet, he thanked the Indian community for their warm reception. He also mentioned that the blessings of Indra Devta made his appearance even more special. However, Aljazeera reported that the Indian Prime Minister's commencing a visit to the United States had sparked controversy. The visit began with Modi hosting a yoga event at the United Nations. It was held on the front lawn of the United Nations in New York City on Wednesday, Jun 14, and has been met with swift condemnation from critics. The allegations against Modi's administration of promoting Hindu nationalism, which has led to the oppression of minorities, weakened democratic values, and disregarded human rights, were overshadowed by another issue. It was also reported that the case diverted the attention from the allegations. On the other hand, the administration of US President Joe Biden has also faced criticism for this, as he is scheduled to host PM Modi for an official state dinner on Thursday night, Jun 15, which is considered one of the most prestigious honors for visiting officials. The two nations' leaders are scheduled to hold a joint news conference on the same day, and PM Modi is also expected to address a joint session of the United States Congress. Related Article:Indian Catholic Bishops Raise Concerns as Criminal Cases Target Church Leaders Pixabay/TheHilaryClark The leaders of the church recently issued a warning to Armenian Christians about the potential risks that they may face to their existence in the country as a result of the 'religious cleansing' that is taking place due to the conflict that is currently taking place between Armenia and Azerbaijan. War Between Armenia and Azerbaijan Global Conflict Tracker stated that within the borders of what is now the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic, the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast was founded by the Soviet Union in 1923. Its population is composed of ethnic Armenians to a 95 percent degree. Even though Nagorno-Karabakh is technically a part of Azerbaijan, the regional assembly of Nagorno-Karabakh adopted a resolution in 1988 stating the region's wish to merge with the Republic of Armenia. During the time that the Soviet Union was in power, armed conflict between the two states, which have an extended tradition of racial and ethnic hostility, was controlled. But as the Soviet Union began to fall apart, the peace in the region also began to disintegrate. Nagorno-Karabakh formally declared its independence upon the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, just as Armenia and Azerbaijan were becoming independent nations. The employment of assault drones, bombing, and special operations conducted by the Armenian and Azerbaijani military have led to intermittent conflicts since the two countries' mutual acceptance of a ceasefire in 1994. In addition, the ceasefire is nominally scheduled to stay in effect until September 2020. At the beginning of April 2016, the combat along the line of separation was the bloodiest it had been since 1994. As a result, hundreds of people lost their lives. After four days of fighting, the two opposing groups stated that they had agreed to end the war. Despite this, the negotiations eventually broke down, which resulted in both sides accusing the other of violating the truce, and emotions continued to be high. Also Read: Biden Commended For Decision To Call Turkeys Murder Of Armenian Christians A Genocide 'Religious Cleansing' Threats on Armenian Christians' Existence Recently, Armenian Bar Association published a report entitled "Religious Persecution and Ongoing Ethnic Cleansing in Artsakh 2023," discussing the systematic destruction of Armenian Christian landmarks and heritage in the world's oldest Christian nation caused by Azerbaijan. Based on an article from Persecution.org, the Armenian Bar Association is a non-profit organization in Los Angeles. Its purpose is to address the legal challenges the Armenian community faces by bringing together legal professionals of Armenian descent. Accordingly, the Holy Savior Cathedral in Shushi, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), also referred to as "Ghazanchetsots," can be seen in an aerial photograph that serves as the cover image for this report. It reportedly illustrates the destruction caused by two airstrikes that Azerbaijan carried out in October 2020 under the presumption that the Apostolic church was being utilized for military reasons. This conduct was referred to as a "possible war crime" by Human Rights Watch. On the other hand, Catholic News Agency reported that during a news event on Tuesday, Jun 20, former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, along with other Christian leaders, issued a warning that the current conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia poses an imminent danger to the existence of Christian communities in the near east. Brownback, a Catholic, described Islamic Azerbaijan's invasion of Armenia and its continuous siege of the area known as Nagorno-Karabakh as the most recent attempt at "religious cleansing" of the Christian nation of Armenia. According to Brownback, Azerbaijan, with the support of Turkey, is in the process of really slowly suffocating Nagorno-Karabakh. What is taking place on the ground is that they are working toward making it inhabitable so that the Armenian Christians who live there will be compelled to leave the territory. He also mentioned that if the United States government does not step in, it will witness yet another historic Christian population being driven out of its country of origin. Furthermore, Brownback reportedly has advocated for the passage of a "Nagorno-Karabakh Human Rights Act" by the United States Congress to provide the population of Nagorno-Karabakh with fundamental assurances of safety. Related Article: Turkey Justifies Genocide Against Armenian Christians In Latest Report: ICC Unsplash/Donovan Reeves This month's steady flow of customers at Hobby Lobby was abruptly disrupted when several images created by artificial intelligence began to circulate on social media. The Satanic Temple member Jennifer Vinyard's intriguing paintings gave the appearance that the sizable Christian-owned arts and crafts chain was selling demon sculptures. Vinyard created remarkably realistic renderings of the iconic demonic deity Baphomet using the Midjourney generative artificial intelligence technology, which were displayed as if they were being sold in the well-known aisles of Hobby Lobby stores. Social media erupted over the curious photo, which was shared with messages of confusion and fear for the youth. Bizarre AI-Generated Images Suggest Hobby Lobby Sells Demonic Statues According to the article shared in Church Leaders, the post garnered over 6,000 shares in a short period of time and a flurry of comments, which greatly piqued the interest and confusion of Hobby Lobby's enthusiastic followers and lovers. The largest social media platform Facebook soon disabled comments on the post, but not before the chaos had completely taken over the online world. One commenter, who was aware of the photographs' synthetic nature amid the flurry of replies, voiced their worries, claiming that Hobby Lobby would lose business if people thought the images were authentic. In a conversation with Motherboard Tech by VICE, Vinyard conveyed her astonishment about the online uproar sparked by the images. She was taken aback by the significant number of likes and shares the photos received and found the comments especially amusing, particularly those from individuals who mistakenly believed the images to be genuine and consequently responded with anger. Vinyard even mentioned receiving some unpleasant messages through Messenger from some of these individuals. Also Read:'SatanCon' Debuts in Boston, Marking a Decade of The Satanic Temple's Defiance Against Religious and Political Norms Varied Reactions of the Community According to the story in Vice, the responses were incredibly varied. Some quickly recognized the AI influence, others humorously suggested they'd rush to Hobby Lobby to purchase the unusual decor, while a few responded with fear and disappointment, disconcerted that their favorite craft store would feature such items. One commenter was seen voicing their dismay about how even "Christian owned" companies could be swayed given the right incentives. Another user, reacting to the reposted images on Facebook, questioned if the Christian owners had compromised their values and were embracing 'woke' culture, which they found utterly absurd. This was a line they believed real Christians wouldn't cross. 'Woahthatisstrange,' a user on TikTok, reacted to the weird incident by presenting the AI-generated photographs and pointing out that Hobby Lobby appeared to have various statues resembling demons. They drew attention to the price tags that had symbols for pounds, indicating that these goods might be sold someplace in Europe. They weren't frequent visitors to Hobby Lobby, so they weren't sure if they were available in America. The emergence of fascism on a global scale in recent years, together with other indications of instability, has increased the likelihood of a new period of Satanic Panic. God Daily Dot shared that in the last year alone, celebrities including Sam Smith, Kim Petras, Rihanna, Doja Cat, Damar Hamlin, Kylie Jenner, Danny DeVito, and even Elon Musk have been accused of spreading Satanism. Related Article:Emmanuel Christian Community Vandalized With Satanic Graffiti For the Second Time Pixabay/ F. Muhammad A trial awaits for a former Methodist pastor in South Korea accused of sympathizing with homosexuality. The pastor had previously been suspended from his duties for two years by his church after blessing gay individuals at a queer festival in August 2019. Trial for 'Sympathizing with Homosexuality' Based on a report from UCA News, Rev. Lee Dong-hwan has been prohibited from delivering sermons, providing blessings, and conducting prayers for the Korean Methodist Church (KMC). The decision was made after the reverend sprinkled flower petals on LGBTQ Christians and other attendees at a queer festival in Incheon in 2019. After being banned, Lee filed a lawsuit against the KMC with the Seoul Central District Court, alleging that the church's suspension was invalid. As mentioned, Lee has been prohibited from carrying out his pastoral responsibilities until the church ruling is concluded, following the church law that indicted individuals who are ineligible to serve as pastors. In October of last year, the ban was officially confirmed. Moreover, Premier Christian News reported that Lee's support for the LGBTQ+ community has persisted despite disciplinary action. He has founded a Christian advocacy group that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and has continued to perform blessings at queer festivals even during his suspension. In March 2023, Lee was accused by eight members of the KMC of "disparaging the doctrine and the Book of Discipline'' and "slandering the Methodist Church." The KMC indicted him on June 8th for violating its Doctrine and Discipline laws, prohibiting any act showing support or sympathy towards homosexuality. Also Read: U.S. Appeals Court in Cincinnati Considering Same Sex Marriage Cases for Four States Lee's Blessing of LGBTQ People at a Festival As per Vice, in 2019, a Methodist pastor named Lee Dong-hwan caused controversy within his church community. During the Incheon Queer Culture Festival in Seoul, he took to the podium to pray for the festival attendees. Wearing a white robe and a rainbow stole, he showered the crowd with flower petals, referring to them as his friends, much like how Jesus befriended those shunned by society. The church, which considers support for homosexuality to be on par with engaging in drug use or gambling, has accused him of breaking church regulations. On the other hand, according to the Book of Discipline, which serves as a guide to the doctrines and regulations of the church, homosexuality is deemed "inconsistent with Christian teachings." Recently, the church has banned same-sex marriage and the ordination or appointment of LGBTQ individuals to serve within its ranks. The Korean Methodist Church has reportedly upheld similar principles. A clause was added in 2015 that defined advocacy of homosexuality as misconduct. Lee was found guilty of violating this rule. Furthermore, after appealing the ruling, the authorities upheld Lee's two-year suspension, handed down in early October. In response to the judgment, the individual, who identifies as a church member, expressed deep shame and sadness. It has been demonstrated that the Methodist Church is a discriminatory and antiquated organization. The Methodist Church, with a membership of almost 13 million globally, is widely recognized for its opposition to the LGBTQ community. Several Methodists, including Lee, are resisting the church's traditional doctrines. Despite facing punishment for his non-traditional beliefs, Lee supports his decision to advocate for the LGBTQ community publicly. Related Article: Supreme Court Will Decide the Constitutionality of Same Sex Marriage for the Nation With transgender identity continuing to rise in the US, evangelical pastors are challenged to think through how they might welcome a trans person attending their church. For many conservative pastors, this scenario may still be a hypothetical. But odds are, for the youth in their congregation, the question of how to relate to their transgender peers is already a reality. Nearly 20 percent of those who identify as transgender in the United States are between the ages of 13 and 17, which means that most teens today go to school alongside students who identify as trans. High school and college students have ushered in an influx of questions and scenarios that their church leaders and mentors hadnt faced growing up. Theyre considering their witness in contexts where some can see it as hateful or discriminatory to believe gender remains tied to biological sex. Northview Church in Carmel, Indiana, holds a biblically orthodox view on gender and sexuality, and high school pastor Jude Wright knows how sensitive the topic can be. He encourages students to lead with relationships with their friends and classmates, citing the example of Jesus meeting people where they were. There was a generation where they just tried to pound truth and pound Bible without having relationship, said Wright. And thats just not the culture we live in nowadays. Among the youth group of about 150, students regularly ask questions about sexuality and gender. In response, Wright first points to the love and compassion in Gods character, emphasizing his goodness in the midst of identity struggles and confusion. Theyre asking if God is good, can you prove it to me? How can I experience that for myself? Wright said. He believes churches can reflect that goodness as they respond to these questions with empathy, love, and sensitivity. As transgender identity becomes more prevalent, more surveys and testimonies reflect the challenges faced by those who are transgender, including verbal harassment, physical attacks, and sexual assault. The 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health Survey reported that the majority of LGBT teens experienced depression and that trans individuals specifically considered suicide at a higher rate than others. Many transgender youth are raised in Christian families and identify as Christians themselves. The most comprehensive survey data comes from the National Center for Transgender Equality, an advocacy group, which found that 19 percent of those who had previously been part of a religious community left due to rejection. Evangelical pastors strive to be sensitive to those struggling with gender dysphoria and uphold Christian teachings on gender and sexuality. Article continues below When I started in youth ministry six years ago, students were still asking about evolution, miracles, and the problem of evil, said Cris OBrien, youth pastor at Eau Gallie First Baptist Church in Melbourne, Florida. Those questions have largely been displaced by questions about sexuality and gender. Because this is what students are thinking and talking about so much, the church cannot afford to sit on the sidelines of this conversation, he said. Those working to understand gender identity are sheep without a shepherd and need to hear the truth in love. Shane Pruitt, director of Gen Send, has seen the same trend. I used to get questions all the time about How do I reach my Muslim friendor some other world religionwith the gospel? said Pruitt. Now Im more often getting questions about how How do I reach people who identify as LGBTQIA with the gospel? Church policies Even churches that believe people are created by God as male and female have varying approaches and policies around transgender youth. In a private Facebook group with over 11,000 youth leaders from a variety of backgrounds, a post on the subject of gender pronouns drew a slew of comments. Using a childs preferred pronouns can be an essential piece of their mental health, said one person. Another wrote that using nonbiological pronouns is against the Truth of Gods word, putting souls at stake. They need truth, and not a continuation of the twisted agenda trying to shove its way into the church, wrote another pastor. One group member said her church addresses everyone as friend to avoid pronoun miscommunication. On the 9Marks site last year, pastor Zach Carter wrote that his previous church offered a written policy that included what to do if a transgender student attended youth group activities. The policy required that participating students live and present according to their biologically assigned sex. This included biologically correct pronouns, dress, appropriate bathrooms, locker rooms, assigned sleeping arrangements, groups, and classes. Article continues below Some churches without specific guidance or policies have incorporated conversations about gender identity into sermon series, which can influence youth group conversations. Aaron Swain, pastor of students and operations at Freedom Church in Lincolnton, North Carolina, said the church covered the issue of transgender identity in a sermon titled Beauty, Brokenness and the Gender Binary that portrayed Gods plan for human sexuality as good and beautiful. It was not our goal to complain about people with whom we disagree, he said. We pushed our members to view their transgender neighbors and coworkers with genuine care and sympathynot with disdain, jokes, or mockery. Swain frequently digs deeper into the sermons during youth meetings, recently walking students through 1 Corinthians and addressing issues like the nature of marriage, sexuality, divorce, and gender roles. I also host a Q&A night once a semester where students can ask me anything. I regularly receive questions about LGBTQ+ issues, Swain said. The thrust is always the same: Hold out Gods design as good and beautiful, love your LGBTQ+ neighbor with genuine affection, and point everyone to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pruitt said students are eager to speak openly about the issues. Its the leaders who are nervous about these discussions, Pruitt told CT. Silence isnt an option if were going to reach a generation with the gospel. Former student ministry leader Seth Stewart wrote about the time a student approached him and announced he was transgender. Stewart said he prayed silently as the student spoke, and then he thanked him for his vulnerability. I then told him that his story deserved to be heard in all its complexities, because he is a unique person created in Gods image, Stewart wrote. I told him it would be an injustice to have this conversation in the last 20 minutes left of youth group, when he deserved far more. Stewart said he asked a few more questions and then asked the student if he would meet another time to talk in more depth. Before we parted ways, I told him I believed in a traditional, biblical sexual ethic, that I didnt want him to be surprised in our future conversations when I did not affirm same-sex attraction or gender transition, Stewart added. Nevertheless, I was interested to hear his full story. Article continues below Stewarts church decided to add details to its bylaws about transgender identity, including how to communicate truth to students and share information about students and their questions within the church. The pronoun debate Among Christians, pronouns are one of the most discussed and controversial elements of hospitality toward transgender people. We should respect the conscience of the believer who cannot bring themselves to use someones preferred pronouns and the convictions of the believer who feels like using those pronouns is lying and unloving, said David Sanchez, who works through gender and sexuality issues as the director of ethics and justice for the Christian Life Commission of Texas Baptists. We can also admire the efforts of believers who use someones preferred pronouns with the intention of wanting to build a lasting relationship where they can show Christs love." Mike McGarry, founder and pastor at Youth Pastor Theologian, said his view on pronouns has changed over time. For the sake of evangelism, I simply use the gender and name that visitors ask me to use, McGarry told CT. But for students who grew up in the church or whom I already know I share with them that using their preferred pronoun is really hard for me. McGarry said he tries to use their preferred names most of the time, which can allow him to take a more gracious posture toward a nonbelieving student. When guiding youth leaders in ministry, McGarry recommends sticking with coed groupings to help avoid difficulties for those who struggle with gender identity. Asking them not to join a group with their preferred gender would feel disingenuous, he said. McGarry said he doesnt allow sexuality or gender conversations to dominate the ministrys priorities. I engage the LGBTQ issue similarly to the mental health crisis: They are frequently mentioned in subtle ways as application points when the biblical text addresses it, he said. But, in general, the youth leadership team works to cultivate a ministry atmosphere where students who are struggling are welcome and know that we want to support them as we lead them in accordance with Scripture. More conservative entities like Focus on Family have also put out resources for youth leaders and parents. Though they do not advocate using nonbiological pronouns, they direct people toward compassion-based responses that recognize the many factors surrounding gender dysphoria, including the spiritual, psychological, social and possibly biological. Article continues below Across the country Leaders at churches in urban and more liberal areas of the country like New York City and Washington State, which has one of the most dense populations of LGBT individuals, regularly encounter the issue, especially among young people. In Seattle, youth minister Katy Faust finds herself welcoming kids she calls pre-Christian to youth group. With mixed company of both lifelong churchgoers and newcomers, Faust said she grounds her teaching in compassion and the reality of the body. We always circle back to the reality that we are a body and soul in unity and that our bodies are not an obstacle to our true selves, Faust said. Our bodies tell us something true about how we are to live. Faust said because she front-loads teachings with a robust apologetic of the human person and a Christian worldview, topics like pronouns, gender, and sexuality are already anchored in established ideology from which to teach. The emphasis on empathy and compassion was universal among those CT spoke with for this story. In a sermon streamed online, pastor Josh Howerton told the audience hed be talking about transgender issues, requesting that no one clap or say amen during his preaching that day because it could be very painful and misinterpreted as being against those individuals. Given the quick rise of transgender identification in the United States, its not surprising that churches are playing catch-up with the issue. Several evangelical pastors working with youth told CT they believe its possible to maintain orthodox Christian standards while loving transgender youth with compassion and truth within the context of relationship. The reason [Jesus] is able to approach people and not affirm everything they do, and still have it lead to transformation, said Wright, the pastor from Northview, is because he always builds relationship equity at the beginning of his encounters. [ This article is also available in Portugues. ] Bible apps have brought a trove of resources to anyone with a smartphoneand an internet connection. But after hearing feedback from Christians in places where people cant access or afford high-speed broadband, the team behind YouVersions Bible app recently launched an app that doesnt need a connection. Designed for users in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, the Bible App Lite is a space-saving app that, once downloaded, can be used entirely offline. It still includes YouVersions key features: the Bible reader, audio Bibles, verses of the day, and prayers. So far, more than four million people have downloaded the lite version of the app, and it has reached the top 10 in the Google Play store in 17 African countries and the No. 1 spot in Kenya, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to YouVersion. Globally, more than a billion people dont have access to affordable broadband internet, according to a 2020 report published by the Alliance for Affordable Internet. Though mobile broadband prices are dropping, Africa remains the region with the least access, the report found. While most towns have internet connectivity, many of Africas rural areas still struggle with it, said Kevin Muriithi Ndereba, a lecturer at St Pauls University and a pastor in Kenya. He told CT that sermons, Bible plans, and Bible commentaries can be difficult to retrieve online. He listens to Bible podcasts only to have them cut off midway through his drives. Muriithi Ndereba has encouraged offline pastors to remember their pastoral care does not depend on whether their phone has a strong internet connection. Do not be anxious about your lack of technological tools, he wrote for The Gospel Coalition Africa in 2020. Do not fear the unfamiliar online platforms. Ministries have worked to provide Bible resources to Christians in Africa in a variety of formats, including radio and TV broadcasts, audio Bible players, and e-readers. The app offers the searchability and ease of online Bibles but with content that can be downloaded to be available offline. Image: Courtesy of YouVersion / Life.Church YouVersion heard positive feedback from early users involved in the apps pilot program in Africa last year. One called it the best Bible available without data, and another shared how he read the Bible for the first time because of the app. YouVersion, developed by Life.Church in Oklahoma, partnered with the global Bible ministry Biblica to create the lite app. For most of us in the developed world, always-on data is a fact of life. We barely think about how much data a particular app consumes, or if we will have a reliable cellphone connection, said Mark Finzel, Biblicas vice president of digital innovation. This is not the reality for much of the developing world. Internet speeds and costs vary significantly from one country to another. The goal was to give users as many features as possible without requiring mobile data. The freedom of offline functionality is key, he said. Beyond Africa, Bible App Lite has since launched in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, with plans to expand to additional countries in the next few months. Our desire is to reach every person, in every part of the world, with Gods Word in their heart language, said Bobby Gruenewald, YouVersions founder and CEO, in a statement. This new app enables us to reach tens of millions of new people that were difficult to reach with the media-rich Bible App. John Gray at The New Statesman: In its surrender to mystery, McCarthys sensibility was religious. Unlike the religions with which we are familiar, he does not offer any glimpse of a final harmony. Even Buddhism, by the standards of Western monotheism an atheist faith, holds out the prospect of nirvana, release from suffering. McCarthy comes closer to the faiths of ancient Mexico, on which DH Lawrence drew in The Plumed Serpent (1926). There is no evidence that he read the prolific English writer, but there are parallels between the religion implicit in McCarthys novels and that sketched in Lawrences writings on Mexico. In both, human beings are not accidentally embodied minds but mortal creatures of flesh and blood, whose fates are as random and inescapable as those of birds and toads. All living things find themselves in a state of war. As Judge Holden put it: It makes no difference what men think of war As well ask men what they think of stone. War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner. more here. Can a Christian talk show improve health disparities for the black community? Do you believe that the black church has been able to really embrace and understand and minister to persons who have mental illness? Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC) President Jacqui Burton asked the Rev. Kim Murray Cruse in a recent episode of a new talk show on the Impact Network called Healing & Hope. Yes and no, replied Cruse, who during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic developed an initiative at the historic Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, New York, called Grace Guidance Prayer Strength, to help support the healing of Christians through a combination of prayer and mental health support in an environment of worship. Yes, the black church has always been able to minister to people with mental illness. The black church is a central space in the community as, I would say, a crisis relief space. So the black church is there as a catch-all for everything, Cruse said as the shows host and chairman of the CNBCs board of trustees, W. Franklyn Richardson, who is also senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church, listened intently. It has been ministering to people with mental illness but its oftentimes not doing the most effective job of doing that because it at times isolates people with mental illness by not embracing the fact that they need help, by ignoring some of those issues, Cruse added. I believe prayer and therapists will help to sustain peoples mental health. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cruse co-authored the interfaith affirming service providers questionnaire and "Directory of Faith Affirming Community Mental Health Service Providers First Edition" to service the mental health needs of the interfaith community in the New York area. Cruses work in the mental health space is an example of how black churches jumped into action as COVID-19 ravaged black communities disproportionately across the country primarily due to underlying health conditions. In a recent interview with The Christian Post, Richardson revealed how through their network of 30,000 congregations, 20,000,000 congregants and a partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CNBC was able to train some 5,000 pastors to promote the COVID-19 shots in the black community. The effort spanned the six historically black church denominations of the CNBC: the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; the Church of God In Christ; the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., International; the National Baptist Convention, U. S. A. Inc.; and the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. Well, born out of this two-year experience we have of addressing COVID, we had over 5,000 pastors in training, Richardson said. We trained them about COVID and about vaccinations. In the course of the two years, we have done more than a million vaccinations in churches. That is in addition to testing, and other efforts such as pop-up health centers that churches helped the CDC set up in black communities. Richardson said after the partnership was formed between the churches and the CDC during the pandemic, they began asking the agency to address the issue of general health disparities faced by the black community. We needed them to take on the responsibility that African Americans have health issues in every area of their lives, and we are at the bottom of the list, he said. No matter what disease you point to in America, black people are at the bottom, whether it's diabetes, whether it's heart trouble, whether it's obesity, whether it's infant mortality, whatever disease you can come up with, the statistics put black people at the bottom. Indeed, data from the Office of Minority Health, an arm of the Department for Health and Human Services, shows that the death rate for black Americans is generally higher than whites for COVID-19, heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma, influenza and pneumonia, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and homicide. Black Americans were also found to be more likely to die early for all causes of death because younger members of the group tend to be living with diseases more commonly seen in older ages for other races such as high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke according to the CDC which are compounded by socio-economic issues. Research from Cigna also said blacks are 20% more likely to report psychological distress but 50% less likely to receive counseling or mental health treatment. Richardson said when the CNBC leaders engaged the CDC on the health outcomes for black Americans, We weren't willing to just have a Band-Aid operation that they were cool with because COVID simply pulled back the scab, and showed how black people are underserved by the healthcare system. As that relationship remains ongoing, the Mount Vernon pastor said black church leaders came together to discuss how else they could challenge the status quo on black health, and they launched the Healing & Hope talk show in February which airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays on the Impact Network at 10 p.m. We decided that we would try to go for the mass appeal because one of the places that they marketed our relationship with COVID was on Impact TV, trying to reach that constituency, Richardson said of the network which has a market of 80 million households. Since the Conference of National Black Churches launched 'Healing & Hope' in February, the show has featured guest appearances by prominent CNBC denominational leaders, presidents of higher education institutions, activists, CDC and HHS leadership, Terence Cullen, a spokesperson for the CNBC added. The show is intended to uplift, inform, and call viewers to action in the face of COVID-19 and todays most pressing social justice issues. Richardson said they have recorded episodes for the talk show all the way into August, and the hope is to continue getting the word out with additional funding. I would hope that the connection would be that we communicated and postured the Church's profile in the minds of a larger community, as a tool for helping empower and heal and give hope to our communities, said Richardson when asked what he hopes the legacy of the show will be. I would hope that Healing & Hope has provided and is providing an opportunity for people to take a second look at what faith communities can do and it's also helping the faith community to see itself. It's defined aspirational goals for the faith community. Christian university cancels Promise Keeper's event over LGBT pride month statement A private Christian university in Tennessee has canceled a Promise Keepers event after the national Christian men's ministry posted a blog criticizing LGBT pride month. The university accused the organization of "unnecessarily fan the flames of culture wars." Promise Keepers, a male Evangelical parachurch organization founded in 1990 that holds men's rallies in stadiums nationwide, released a statement this week stating that Belmont University in Nashville canceled an event it was to host at the university's Fisher Center in late September even though the group claims that it had already begun promoting the event. The event was part of Promise Keepers' "Daring Faith" event series, which will occur in Houston, Memphis, New York City, and other cities. The events will focus on "Biblical manhood and the difficulties of navigating the tension between our Christian identity and the often antithetical identities of the culture in which we live," according to the statement released by Promise Keepers. The reason for the move, according to the statement, is because Promise Keepers released a statement for pride month warning about what it calls the "dangers of gender ideology" and reaffirming its stance on biblical marriage between one man and one woman. "We will not stand on the sidelines and remain quiet. As fathers, husbands, grandfathers, and young men we see the dangers of gender ideology and the harm it causes," the organization's pride month statement reads. "At Promise Keepers, we believe it is more important than ever to stand up boldly for what we believe as Christians. God's Word is very clear on this topic and we also see the way gender ideology has damaged lives, mutilated bodies, and torn apart families in our own communities." In an interview with the Edifi Podcast Network, Promise Keepers CEO Ken Harrison confirmed that the ministry signed a contract with the university and advertised for the event. Roughly two days before tickets went on sale, Harrison said he was sent an email from the campus stating: "due to recent information, we realize our values don't align with your values or something to that effect so we can't do the event here." Harrison said he contacted the university's vice president to understand the reason for the cancellation better, and he was informed that it was because of "the statement we put out a week before Pride week." The Christian Post reached out to Belmont University for comment. A response was not received by press time. Belmont University Office of Communications pushed back against Promise Keeper's claims, telling CBN News in a statement that the organization's press release "incorrectly states why Belmont University decided to withdraw the campus' Fisher Center as the potential venue for an event anticipated for late September in Nashville." "Belmont informed Promise Keepers leadership that the event could not be held on our campus because a blog the organization posted, 'In Light of June Being Designated as 'Pride Month,' includes comments that we believe unnecessarily fan the flames of culture wars and are harmful to members of our community," the statement reads. "The Promise Keepers press release also falsely asserts that Belmont had not responded, when in fact University leaders have had multiple conversations with senior leaders at Promise Keepers, including CEO Ken Harrison. In these phone calls our reasoning was thoroughly and respectfully discussed, and we believed we reached mutual understanding." The university's statement adds that it welcomes the opportunity to work with "a variety of groups that hold disparate opinions, and we encourage the exchange of dialogue." "Yet as an ecumenical, Christ-centered institution we are also unequivocal in our belief in the value of each human being, and we are committed to engaging in constructive conversations that demonstrate kindness and seek understanding," the school asserts. "We will not knowingly provide a space for any group whose language we believe to lack that same respect." In addition to calling gender ideology "dangerous," Promise Keepers' pride month post also called gender ideology an "idol of our culture" and a "sin" that is "poisonous." Belmont, which averages over 8,500 students from each state and more than 33 countries, was once tied to the Tennessee Baptist Convention. A lawsuit in 2007 put an end to its relationship with the convention after about 56 years. The university now identifies itself as "the largest ecumenical Christian university in the United States" with no denominational ties. Harrison said people should beware of "Christian schools who are not teaching Christ." "The state of Christian colleges today is really concerning and people need to know this, that Belmont is by no way unique in this way," Harrison told Edifi. "If you go on their homepage, it is all Christian this and Christian that and training people for Christ. What does that mean when you deny the basic tenets of scripture?" The saga with Promise Keepers comes as the Belmont University student newspaper, The Belmont Vision, published a "Nashville Pride Guide" in early June. In 2015, Belmont University made headlines when it began offering employment benefits to legally recognized same-sex spouses of school employees following the Supreme Court's ruling overturning state bans against same-sex marriage. Lawmaker urges parents to 'flee California' over gender 'affirmation' bill A California Republican lawmaker has urged parents to "flee" the state after the state Senate advanced a bill that critics say could lead to the loss of parental custody in divorce proceedings if parents refuse to affirm their child's gender identity. Assembly Bill 957, which passed the state Senate Judiciary Committee last week, would require any judge in a California family court to factor into divorce and custody disputes if parents offer "affirmation of a child's gender identity." An updated version of AB 957 states such affirmation is considered part of the "health, safety, and welfare of the child," meaning any failure to do so could be viewed as an act of harm toward the child. The legislation prompted Republican State Sen. Scott Wilk of Santa Clarita to urge parents to consider the potential threat this legislation could pose to their families. Wilk said in the wake of the state's strict COVID-19 policies, he believes the time has come for lawmakers to enact laws to protect children and parents. "In recent years, we have put government bureaucrats between parents, children and doctors when it comes to medical care, and now we have this, where if a parent does not support the ideology of the government, they're going to be taken away from the home," said Wilks. While conceding that the legislation would apply only to divorce proceedings in its current form, Wilks warned, "I can assure you it's not going to end with divorce proceedings." "In the past, when we've had these discussions, and I've seen parental rights atrophied, I've encouraged people to keep fighting," he added. "I've changed my mind on that." "If you love your children, you need to flee California. You need to flee." Wilk said he doesn't plan to stay in the state when he leaves the legislature because it's "too oppressive." The bill was co-authored by Democratic State Sen. Scott Weiner of San Francisco and Assemblywoman Lori Wilson of Suisun City and does not specify a definition for "affirmation," leaving the proposed legislation open to a broader legal interpretation. Last April, Wilson became the first parent of a trans-identified child to be elected to the California Legislature in the state's history. A spokesperson for Wilson told Fox News that the bill doesn't tell judges to make affirmation the only factor in determining custody agreements but one of many factors that the judge should consider. The bill cleared the Assembly after a 51-13 vote on March 30, where all votes in favor of passage came from Democrats and all votes against it came from Republicans. Parents and supporters of parental rights held a rally prior to last week's Senate Judiciary Committee vote, where several speakers warned about their experiences with the state and their children. Adam Vena, a dad who lost custody of his 5-year-old son after his mother allegedly convinced their son he is actually a female, said parents everywhere need to be concerned about AB957. "I will not play pretend with his ideology that has overtaken many institutions in the state of California," Vena told the crowd. "I am the canary in the coal mine this can happen to anyone. "Sorry guys, no child or rational parent is safe in California." Mother of girl killed by trans ideology slams bill to seize kids from parents The mother of a trans-identified daughter who died by suicide after she was taken from her family and placed in a home with adults who encouraged her transition has pleaded with California lawmakers to reject a bill that could remove children from their parents if they don't support transing their children. Abigail Martinez testified before the California state Senates Judiciary Committee last week to speak out against Assembly Bill 957, which would take into account a parents affirmation of the childs [self-identified] gender identity as part of the health, safety, and welfare of the child when determining the best interest of a child as it pertains to custody placement. The bill passed the committee last week by a party-line vote of 8-2, in which all Democrats voted to advance it while all Republicans opposed it. AB 957 now awaits approval by the full state Senate, which is controlled by Democrats. Martinez recounted how her 16-year-old daughter, Yaeli, was murdered by gender ideology nearly three-and-a-half years ago. [Child Protective Services] took my daughter when she was 16 years old. It was helped by her public school counselor, an LGBTQ group RISE and another trans-identified girl, she said. My daughter was taken from her loving home because the state of California claimed I was abusive for not affirming her trans identity. Insisting that her daughter was not a boy trapped in a girls body, Martinez maintained that she had mental health issues and lamented that against my consent, my daughter was given testosterone instead of therapy. The LGBTQ group used her to raise money for them, she said, expressing concern that parents are given one option to treat their distressed child: affirm, drugs and remove their healthy body parts or else lose your child. As her voice broke, Martinez recalled how the abuse claim against me was finally dropped, but it was too late, the damage was done. By then, my daughter was in horrible mental and physical pain. My daughter knelt down in front of a train. Reiterating that her daughter was murdered by gender ideology, Martinez emotionally pleaded with the Democrat-controlled state Legislature to stop pushing gender ideology, stressing, I dont want any parent to feel what I feel every day. She asserted that affirmation is not good for the health, safety and welfare of any child. Assembly Bill 957 has already been approved by the Democrat-controlled California Assembly in a 51-13 vote on March 30, where all votes in favor of passage came from Democrats and all votes against it came from Republicans. Californias consideration of AB 957 comes as several states have enacted laws that ban some or all sex-change procedures on minors due to the long-term effects they have on physical and mental health. These states include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia. The American College of Pediatricians has discussed the potential side effects of sex-change procedures on minors in detail. Potential long-term impacts of puberty blockers, often administered to youth suffering from gender dysphoria, include osteoporosis, mood disorders, seizures, cognitive impairment and, when combined with cross-sex hormones, sterility. Cross-sex hormones, which were prescribed to Martinezs late daughter, can cause an increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, blood clots and cancers across their lifespan. Other organizations, including 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, have expressed support for so-called "gender-affirming care" for minors. Ruben Israel, outspoken traveling street preacher, dies Ruben Israel, a well-known traveling street preacher who made headlines by pursuing and winning a free speech lawsuit after an altercation with Muslim protesters in Michigan, has died suddenly. On his official Facebook page, Israel's family announced Sunday that the Los Angeles, California native unexpectedly died last Saturday at 5 a.m. but did not disclose the cause of death. He was 62. "We are shocked and devastated by the loss of our beloved husband, father, brother and uncle," they stated. "Yet, we take comfort in knowing that he was a dedicated servant of God, and we find peace and solace in understanding that he is now in God's loving arms." Israel was a traveling street preacher for over three decades, often working through the Evangelical Christian organization Bible Believers, which he founded and led. Israel was also involved with the organization Street & Open Air Preachers of America. He was known for his inflammatory rhetoric and large signs and banners calling for repentance. He also didn't mince words when it came to his beliefs about hot-button issues like Islam, sexuality and abortion. In June 2012, when Israel and some peers preached at an Arab festival held in Dearborn, Michigan, a city with a high Muslim population, they faced violent backlash from some attendees. Critics reportedly threw stones and water bottles at the preachers, with one thrown rock cutting Israel's face. Israel filed a lawsuit against the local police officers, claiming that they failed to adequately protect the First Amendment rights of himself and his group of preachers. In October 2015, the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Israel and Bible Believers, with the county eventually paying $197,500 in attorneys' fees. "The beauty of our First Amendment is that it affords the same protections to all speakers, regardless of the content of their message," stated the majority of the circuit court. "If we encroach on the free-speech rights of groups that we dislike today, those same doctrines can be used in the future to suppress freedom of speech for groups that we like." In 2015, while protesting an Islamic event in Garland, Texas, Israel spoke with The Christian Post, saying he was there "like any red-blooded, God-fearing Christian should be." "I'm not here to sing 'Kum Ba Ya,' I'm here to draw a line in the sand. They hold an American flag in one hand and a dagger in the other hand," Israel said. "These people despise this country. Everywhere Islam goes, it's bad news crime, murder and destruction. Detroit, Michigan, is a perfect example. Once a God-blessed city, it's now almost cursed soil because of this religion." A week before he died, Israel posted on his blog that he had been in Salt Lake City, Utah, preaching at an LGBT pride event, referring to the Mormon-majority city as "Moronland." "Last weekend we were the watchman on the wall in Salt Lake City, warning the wicked of their wicked way and many walked saying they believe in God. So we exercise our free speech and spoke against them," he wrote. "At the end of the day Utah pride heard what the God of the Bible says about the lifestyle." Texas Christian U offers 'Queer Art of Drag' course teaching 'gender binary' is white supremacy Texas Christian University is offering a course on creating a drag persona in which the culmination of the class is a performance in the university's annual drag show. Texas Christian University will offer "The Queer Art of Drag" course during the 2023-'24 school year through its Women and Gender Studies Department. The syllabus listing the weekly assignments and student expectations states that students will create their personas through a "drag vision board," engage in self-reflection and assemble a collage of images to gain inspiration. Students must also read commentaries such as "The Gender Binary Is a Tool of White Supremacy" by Kravitz Marshall. Nino Testa, the course instructor, has a drag persona of his own named Maria von Clapp. According to the school's website, the professor's focus areas include queer theory and activism, as well as "LGBTQ history and culture." Those who take the course will also write a "drag bibliography," finding eight to 10 articles "about the people, performers, aesthetics, movements, politics, ideas, or communities." Students enrolled in the class will also create a lip-sync performance to share with the class and participate in a live group number on the night of the Spectrum Drag Show. The syllabus also describes a "drag worksheet" that students must fill out throughout the semester that contains "elements of your drag persona." As part of the "drag worksheet," students are asked to "name your drag persona," "describe your drag persona," design a "drag greeting" and "strike a pose." Each student must "produce a one-to-two-minute solo drag performance to be recorded, edited, and shared with an open audience at TCUs Annual Night of Drag on April 21." Texas Christian University did not respond to The Christian Post's request for comment. "The Department of Women & Gender Studies, in collaboration with community partners at the Gender Resource Office, The End, Spectrum, Westside Unitarian Church, local drag performers, and LGBTQ organizations in Fort Worth, has produced a series of opportunities to develop campus vocabulary and understanding of drag history and practice," TCU's website states about the course. The university's website includes links highlighting other ways the school promotes drag, including footage of its April 2022 Annual Night of Drag and a 2019 Critical Drag Symposium, which "focused on drag as a critical performance practice." Though TCU boasts about its affiliation with the Disciples of Christ denomination on its website, the university has more than 60 religious traditions represented on campus. The Religious and Spiritual Life community also advises more than 22 student religious organizations. "TCU's foundation is built on pursuing knowledge for the greater good," the website reads. "Our historic covenant with the Disciples of Christ informs our roots as a liberal arts college, valuing others' perspectives during the educational journey." As CP previously reported in August 2016, TCU offered students three credit hours if they interned with Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas. In a now-deleted post by Students for Life of America, the pro-life youth activist organization revealed that the History Department had sent an email to students promoting the internship. During the internship, a student or students would work to "develop a project highlighting [Planned Parenthood's] history in Fort Worth since it was established here in 1935." "Their office ... about 15 minutes from campus, has a substantial archival collection of photographs, scrapbooks, and other materials," the TCU email obtained by SFLA read. "There are also opportunities for oral history, interviewing local families who have long been involved in support of PP." SFLA President Kristan Hawkins said in a statement at the time that "it is a disgrace for a large Christian university to offer credit for an internship at the largest abortion provider in the nation." "Instead of educating and equipping students on how to persuasively discuss the pro-life viewpoint and help women in crisis, they instead reward students for spending valuable time volunteering for an organization that ends the lives of over 325,000 innocent human beings a year," Hawkins said. "And just think of the parents who thought their child would be receiving a valuable Christian-focused education at a private school. They are paying over $53,500 a year to be swindled." 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. Bible That Survived Titanic Finds Home in Tenn. Museum The Bible that survived the sinking of the infamous Titanic ship in 1912 will now be on display at a museum in East Tennessee for the remainder of 2014. The Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. dedicated their new religious display on Thursday, the National Day of Prayer. The Bible originally belonged to the Rev. Robert J. Bateman of Bristol, U.K., who was traveling to the U.S. with his sister-in-law, Ada Ball, on the RMS Titanic, a British passenger liner that infamously sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912, after it struck an iceberg. Bob Thone, the actor portraying the Rev. Robert J. Bateman at the interactive Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, explained to the local WBIR-TV station of how the Bible ties into the East Tennessee community. "Bateman on the night the ship sank handed the Bible over to his sister-in-law, Ada Ball, who he placed on a life boat and then she returned it to her sister, his wife, Emily. On her death bed she gave it to Dr. Harry Upperman from the Baxter Seminary here in Baxter, Tennessee," Thone said. The Rev. Bateman had reportedly lived in the U.S. for a short time before his fateful voyage on the Titanic. The pastor founded the People's Tabernacle Church in Knoxville in the 1890's, and then moved to Florida. He took the Titanic after visiting his hometown in England for a few months. John Joslyn, owner of Titanic Museum, told WVLT-TV that it's a "privilege" for his museum to get to carry the historic Bible. "[] he helped his sister in law get off board to a life boat that night and he handed her the Bible so it got saved. Here we are 102 years later and we're able to display this Bible, it's a privilege for us." Along with its Pigeon Forge location, the Titanic Museum also has a second location in Branson, Missouri. The Pigeon Forge location consists of a large building shaped and painted like the Titanic and containing over 400 personal and private artifacts on display. The museum boasts an interactive experience where visitors can meet actors playing the roles of Titanic passengers, as well as "touch a real iceberg, walk the Grand Staircase and third class hallways, reach their hands into 28-degree water, and try to stand on the sloping decks." Biden admin. abandons push to force Catholic doctors to perform sex-change surgeries The Biden administration has declined to appeal a federal court ruling blocking its requirement that Catholic healthcare professionals perform or assist with gender transition surgeries even if doing so violates their religious beliefs. Becket Law announced in a statement Wednesday that the Biden administration declined to appeal a Dec. 9 decision from the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals preventing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from enforcing a 2016 rule that would have the effect of forcing religious healthcare professionals to perform body-mutilating gender transition surgeries in violation of their deeply held beliefs. The administration had until Tuesday to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. The rule in question, implemented in 2016 during the Obama administration, required recipients of federal financial assistance to treat individuals consistent with their gender identity, except that a covered entity may not deny or limit health services that are ordinarily or exclusively available to individuals of one sex, or to a transgender individual based on the fact that the individuals assigned sex at birth, gender identity, or gender otherwise recorded is different from the one to which such health services are ordinarily or exclusively available. Plaintiff organizations the Religious Sisters of Mercy, Sacred Heart Mercy Health Care Center in Alma, Michigan, SMP Health System, the University of Mary, the Catholic Benefits Association, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fargo, Catholic Charities of North Dakota and the Catholic Medical Association filed a federal lawsuit in the North Dakota. The plaintiffs asked the court to provide injunctive relief from the requirement to perform or cover gender transition surgeries. The district court granted their request in early 2021, concluding that the [Religious Freedom Restoration Act] entitles the Catholic Plaintiffs to permanent injunctive relief from the provision or coverage of gender-transition procedures. The Biden administration appealed the district courts ruling to the 8th Circuit, which affirmed the lower courts judgment in December. Becket Vice President and Senior Counsel Luke Goodrich described the development, which follows years of litigation, as a win for patients, conscience, and common sense. He expressed gratitude for the plaintiffs who brought the lawsuit, described as doctors and hospitals that provide vital care to patients in need, including millions of dollars in free and low-cost care to the elderly, poor, and underserved. After multiple defeats in court, the federal government has thrown in the towel in its controversial, medically unsupported transgender mandate, he added. Doctors take a solemn oath to do no harm, and they cant keep that oath if the federal government is forcing them to perform harmful, irreversible procedures against their conscience and medical expertise. Another federal court decision blocked the Biden administrations efforts to require healthcare providers to perform or cover gender transition surgeries. Last year, HHS issued a notice declaring that federally-funded covered entities restricting an individuals ability to receive medically necessary care, including gender-affirming care, from their health care provider solely on the basis of their sex assigned at birth or gender identity likely violates Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. An August 2022 decision from the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the implementation of the rule. As explained in its Wednesday statement, Becket also represented the plaintiffs in that case, a religious hospital network sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration and the Christian Medical & Dental Associations. Much like the 8th Circuit ruling, the Biden administration declined to appeal the 5th Circuit ruling to the Supreme Court by the deadline, leaving it in place. The rulings mark a victory for compassionate, evidence-based healthcare and protect religious doctors and hospitals across the country from suffering multimillion-dollar penalties for following their religious beliefs, conscience, and informed medical judgment, Becket stated. Illegal immigrant sex offenders released due to Biden's detainer policy Dozens of criminal illegal immigrants were released in Texas, including at least two sex offenders, due to the Biden administrations guidance to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement regarding deportations. In March, more than 36 inmates at the Bexar County jail with ICE detainers were not picked up [by ICE] and had to be released to the streets of San Antonio, Fox News' San Antonio affiliate reported. Instead of being deported, the convicted felons were released in Bexar County, which has a population of 2 million people. The felons' charges range from assaulting a police officer, family violence and drug-related charges. Other felons released in the state are sex offenders. Sources within law enforcement and ICE told Fox San Antonio that the U.S. Marshals Office is having to release detainees, allegedly because ICE will not pick them up. That includes two sex offenders with ICE detainers, who were both released from the custody of the U.S. Marshals after they served their state time or settled their state proceedings, one in Del Rio, the other in Austin, Fox San Antonio reporter Yami Virgin said. Sources at the U.S. Marshals tell us that in some districts, deputies now release the detainees to probation officers and then onto the streets since ICE wont honor all of their own detainers and pick them up, Virgin added. Federal agents are not picking up the offenders despite the fact that there are ICE detainers saying that they must do so, she added. Instead, these criminals are going free and walking the streets right here at home. Aristides Jimenez, the former agent in charge of South Texas Homeland Security Investigations, told the outlet that detainers are intended to keep criminals out of local communities. How its done is by allowing ICE officers to take custody of a criminal alien within the confines of a jail, Jimenez said. Virgin described detainers as the way the federal government asks state and local law enforcement to notify ICE when an undocumented detainee or inmate is to be released. Under normal circumstances, ICE picks them up and sends them back to their country of origin, she added. However, the Biden administration has taken a different approach to immigration enforcement. Theyre basically telling the state and locals to just release them into the community, Jimenez added. When ICE is not responding, underscore the importance of information sharing and good public safety and policing between state, local and federal entities, he added. According to Fox San Antonio, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stopped deportations for 90 days, starting back on Feb. 18. The Feb. 18 guidance identifies three priorities for civil immigration enforcement and removal. The guidance urges ICE officials to prioritize the removal of those believed to have engaged in terrorism or espionage, crossed the border since Nov. 1, 2020, and were convicted of an aggravated felony or participation in a street gang or a transnational criminal organization. Deportations of individuals that do not fall into one of these three categories require preapproval. In a statement to Fox San Antonio, ICE stated that the guidance provided to them by the federal government focuses on the agencys stated interim priorities, and does not prohibit the arrest, detention, or removal of any noncitizen. The report comes as Texas and Louisiana are suing the federal government over this issue. The lawsuit alleged that the Feb. 18 memorandum and a previous memorandum issued on the first day of the Biden administration established a two-tier system that led federal immigration authorities to rescind detainer requests relating to incarcerated criminal aliens, to not issue detainer requests even for individuals subject to mandatory removal, and to release individuals from federal detention facilities. As a consequence, dangerous criminal aliens are being released into communities, the lawsuit continued. The lawsuit accuses federal immigration officials of breaking federal law by refusing to take custody of aliens convicted of serious crimes, specifically referring to drug offenses or crimes of moral turpitude. Examples of crimes of moral turpitude listed include evading arrest with a vehicle, failing to stop and render aid after being involved in an automobile accident, theft, and crimes in which fraud is an ingredient. The lawsuit asks a federal judge to invalidate portions of the Feb. 18 and Jan. 20 memorandums and require the federal government to take custody of criminal illegal aliens as mandated by federal law. Paxton is not the only Texas official sounding the alarm about immigration enforcement policies. When asked about the allegations that convicted felons are being released by ICE and not deported, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said that [t]hese allegations are outrageous and irresponsible and reckless and dangerous. Lives of people in this country are at risk if the allegations are true that felons are being released, he said. Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, told Fox San Antonio that two coyotes transporting 15 people in their truck were released even though they had ICE detainers. The interim guidance will remain in effect until the Biden administration issues new enforcement guidelines. The new guidelines are expected in the coming weeks. Katy Nichole talks to Candace Cameron Bure about her journey to making 'In Jesus Name' Christian musician Katy Nichole recently spoke with actress Candace Cameron Bure about how much she relies on prayer and faith in God in moments of despair and during life's high notes. The 22-year-old artist said she believes the power of God led to her song going viral after she posted a recording of herself singing the chorus of In Jesus Name (God of Possible) on TikTok that went viral and subsequently became a hit song. Nichole told Bure that this song, in particular, carries something that is not from me. During the podcast released on June 16 as part of Bure's "summer song series," Nichole shared how she started out in music as a full-time worship leader at her church. At the time, she was also in medical school and had no idea she would eventually make music her full-time career. After she became a certified medical assistant and continued as a worship leader for about two more years, Nichole said she started to feel as though the path that God was leading me down wasnt medical, and it was music-related. Im so grateful that I get to create music that has an encouraging, uplifting message so that someone can be given hope throughout their day, Nichole said. The song that made her famous, In Jesus Name (God of Possible), was on Billboards Christian Airplay chart for 20 consecutive weeks. The song received a nomination for a GMA Dove Award in 2022, and she was awarded Worship Song of the Year at the 2022 K-LOVE Fan Awards. Nichole was also nominated as Favorite Inspirational Artist at the 2022 American Music Awards. She once believed she would solely be a worship leader at her church and never anticipated that her dream of being signed to a record label would become a reality. However, God took her by surprise. Honestly, I wouldve been fully satisfied with [singing worship at my church for many more years] because I love having the community of that, and I love being able to lead people well in that, Nichole said. So, that space was always a comfortable space for me, but I think God was trying to pull me out of that comfort zone. In 2022, Nichole posted a clip of her singing portions of her song In Jesus Name (God of Possible) on social media. And it wasnt long before the clip spread across social media platforms, garnering roughly 80 million impressions of fans using her song in their own videos. Nichole said that what many people dont know about her journey in music is that she was signed by a record label prior to her song going viral. She said she remembers praying to God about the chances of her being signed to a label before it ever happened. She decided that laying [her dream to be signed to a record label] at the feet of Jesus, [while] not really thinking much of it, might not lead to anything. However, her prayer eventually became her reality. In Jesus Name (God of Possible) was written in roughly eight months. It actually is straight from my prayer journal, Nichole said. Nicholes other popular song, God of Possible, was created in Nashville while she was sitting at a piano in the middle of having a panic attack because the anxiety had gotten to me. Nichole said she credits God for the creation of all her music and her success thus far. This is my heart. This is the expression of my relationship with God, she said. Lindsey Graham introduces 15-week abortion ban as pro-lifers seek to put Democrats on defense WASHINGTON A 15-week abortion ban has been introduced in the United States Senate, the first pro-life legislation introduced at the federal level since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., held a press conference alongside pro-life leaders on Capitol Hill Tuesday, unveiling the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act. The legislation would ban abortion after 15 weeks of gestation and is similar to the Mississippi law that the Supreme Court upheld in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Along with upholding the Mississippi law, the court declared in Dobbs that Roe was egregiously wrong from the start and reversed the 1973 decision. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. A statement from Smiths office confirms that the bill has secured the support of more than 80 members of Congress, including Reps. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., and Andy Harris, R-Md. The Dobbs decision does not ban abortion nationwide but gives state and federal lawmakers the authority to set limits on abortion or increase gestational ages for abortion. Several states have moved to ban abortion in the weeks following the Dobbs decision, while abortion remains legal up to the moment of birth in other states. In response to the Dobbs decision, congressional Democrats have restarted their previous efforts to pass the so-called Womens Health Protection Act, which would codify abortion into federal law and limit the ability of states to pass pro-life laws. Graham characterized his legislation as a response to the Womens Health Protection Act, which has passed the House but failed to pass the Senate. At the press conference, Graham compared both the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act and the Womens Health Protection Act with the abortion laws on the books in other countries. If we adopted our bill, we would be in the mainstream of most everybody else in the world. I think there are 47 of the 50 European countries [that] have a ban on abortion from 12 to 15 weeks, he said. A graphic on display at the press conference highlighted that France, Denmark and Norway ban abortions after 12 weeks gestation, while Belgium, Germany and Spain prohibit the procedure after 14 weeks gestation. A separate graphic noted that the Democrats' so-called Womens Health Protection Act places America in the company of only seven other countries who allow abortion on demand, including North Korea and China. Carol Tobias, president of the pro-life group National Right to Life, was among the pro-life leaders who attended the press conference. There, she spoke about the adverse impact the Womens Health Protection Act would have if passed: Reasonable limits such as parental consent or womens right to know laws, which were possible under Roe v. Wade, would not be allowed under the WHPA. Graham and the pro-life leaders touted the pro-life legislation as reflective of a consensus on abortion, pointing to a Fox News poll showing that 54% of Americans support banning abortion after 15 weeks gestation, with exceptions for medical emergencies, while just 41% opposed. The Womens Health Protection Act is out of touch with mainstream opinion on the issue of abortion, they added, citing a Harvard-Harris poll finding that just 10% of Americans support abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy. Additional polling from CBS News and the Pew Research Center measured support for legal abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy at 17% and 19%, respectively. Emphasizing that Grahams bill is in keeping with a national consensus on abortion, supporters of the bill also see it as consistent with scientific evidence about fetal development. As Concerned Women for America President Penny Nance explained at the press conference, At 15 weeks, a little baby girl can feel pain. She can move her fully formed fingers and her toes. She can suck her thumb and she has a fully developed heart that is pumping 26 quarts of blood per day. This is a human life that deserves our protection. Pro-life activists and Republicans see this legislation as an opportunity to put Democrats on defense with less than two months to go until the midterm elections. Should we look like Iran and North Korea when it comes to national abortion policy or maybe France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Norway? Graham asked. If you vote with us, then well look more like these countries. If you vote with the Democrats, well look more like Syria and North Korea and Iran. I want to be a nation as a whole that recognizes at 15 weeks, the baby feels pain, that to save the babys life, you have to provide anesthesia because you dont want to hurt the baby in the process of saving its life, and we are not a better nation by just dismembering that child, Graham added. March for Life President Jeanne Mancini, added, Politicians voting against this bill will stand not only against science, but they will stand against the American public, not to mention standing against basic compassion for women and unborn children. Since Dobbs, Republicans have found themselves on defense about abortion. Special election results that have occurred this summer to fill vacancies in the House have caused concern that the issue of abortion is motivating pro-abortion Democratic voters to turn out in higher numbers and will lead to the party overperforming in special elections compared to their districts voting patterns in the 2020 presidential election. Public opinion polling has shown that while most Americans support legal abortion at some point in pregnancy, most remain opposed to late-term abortions. A handful of Republicans running for office in swing states have amended their rhetoric about abortion in an effort to appeal to swing voters who take a more nuanced position on abortion. Specifically, Blake Masters, the Republican nominee running for the Senate seat in Arizona, removed a statement from his website declaring that he would support a federal personhood law (ideally a constitutional amendment) that recognizes that unborn babies are human beings" and should not be killed. The section of his website devoted to highlighting Masters pro-life platform now outlines his intention to support a law or constitutional amendment that bans late-term (third trimester) abortion and partial-birth abortion at the federal level. Masters also revised his vow to strip funding from Planned Parenthood by removing his initial inclusion of all other abortionists and any organization that promotes abortion as those worthy of defunding. Masters also deleted a section of his website promising to remove funding for any research that uses embryonic stem cell research or aborted fetal remains. Scott Jensen, the Republican nominee running for governor in Minnesota, released an ad last week of him insisting that abortion was a protected, constitutional right in the state. He also stated that no governor can change that and Im not running to do that. When running for the Republican primary in March, before the Dobbs decision, Jensen said in a Minnesota Public Radio interview that he would try to ban abortion if elected. Graham rejected the idea that the Republican Party and the pro-life movement is on the run. The senator vowed that were going nowhere, adding, We welcome the debate, we welcome the vote in the United States Senate as to what America should look like in 2022. I dont think this is going to hurt us. I think it will more likely hurt them when they try to explain to some reasonable person why its OK to be more like Iran and less like France on abortion, he said. Pro-life groups and Republican candidates for office agree that a refusal to condemn late-term abortion presents a vulnerability for Democrats, especially those running for office in swing states. Masters website amended its section on abortion to emphasize the position of his opponent, Democrat Sen. Mark Kelly, on the matter. Mark Kelly believes in nationwide abortion on-demand up until the moment of birth, with zero limits, the website reads. Only China and North Korea support the extreme no-limits policies that Senator Mark Kelly supports. The pro-life group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America noted in an advertisement that Kelly voted against the Kennedy Amendment to the federal governments budget for fiscal year 2022, which would have established penalties for physicians who perform abortions after 20 weeks gestation. Kelly is not the only swing-state Democrat to implicitly express support for abortion to the moment of birth. Another ad from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America highlights the refusal of Rep. Tim Ryan, the Democratic nominee for the open Senate seat in Ohio, Beto ORourke, who is running for governor of Texas, and Stacey Abrams, who is seeking the governorship of Georgia for the second time, declining to explicitly support any restrictions on abortion when asked. A majority of Americans support common sense limits on abortion. (See: https://t.co/xBGvPracxj) But these Democratic Senate candidates seem unable to name a SINGLE limit on abortion that they would support: pic.twitter.com/9rIDSeNl4s SBA Pro-Life America LifeSavingLaws.com (@sbaprolife) August 31, 2022 John Fetterman, the Democratic nominee for the open Senate seat in Pennsylvania, responded with a No when asked if he supported any limits on abortion. "Are there any limits on abortion you would find appropriate?" PA Democrat John Fetterman: No."pic.twitter.com/WaYJke2I2J RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 5, 2022 Graham stressed that the results of the midterm elections will likely determine the fate of his bill: If we take back the House and the Senate, I can assure you well have a vote on our bill. If the Democrats are in charge, I dont know if well ever vote on our bill. The bill is unlikely to be brought up for a vote in either chamber of Congress as long as Democrats remain in charge. The FiveThirtyEight Deluxe model, which predicts the results of elections based on polls, fundraising, past voting patterns as well as the opinions of political experts currently gives Republicans a 72% chance of retaking the House, while giving Democrats a 72% chance of maintaining control of the Senate. Even if the bill were to pass both chambers of Congress, President Joe Biden, an outspoken opponent of the Dobbs decision, would likely veto it. Graham expressed optimism that if we stay on this and keep talking about it, maybe less than a decade from now, this will be law. Pence wants 15-week abortion ban to become 'minimum nationwide standard' WASHINGTON One of the most prominent candidates seeking the Republican nomination for president is calling on all Republican presidential candidates to support a federal 15-week abortion ban as the party continues to debate how to handle the issue of abortion going forward. Former Vice President Mike Pence was one of several presidential candidates who addressed Christian conservatives at the Faith & Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority Conference at the Washington Hilton Friday, one day before the first anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. During his remarks, Pence expressed gratitude for the court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision, which determined that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion and upheld Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban. Pence rejected the idea that "the Supreme Court returned the issue of abortion only to the states and nothing can be done at the federal level." "We must support efforts in statehouses across the country to protect the unborn and to support women facing crisis pregnancies," he added. "Every Republican candidate for president should support a ban on abortion before 15 weeks as a minimum." In prepared remarks delivered to the press before his speech, Pence said the 15-week ban should be "a reasonable and mainstream standard." "[N]early every nation in Europe has a limit of 15 weeks or less," the remarks state. "Today, American abortion policy has more in common with China and North Korea than it does with the nations of Europe and it is time for that to change. The former Indiana governor also refuted arguments that continuing the fight for life will produce state legislation that is "too harsh" and that the Dobbs decision led to "election losses" in the 2022 midterm elections. "The cause for life is the calling of our time and we must not rest and must not relent until we restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law in every state in this country," Pence said. Pence's remarks come as the influential pro-life grassroots group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, which spent over $78 million in the 2022 midterm elections, promised not to support any presidential candidate who does not support a 15-week abortion ban. The organization made that vow after the campaign of former President Donald Trump made a statement to The Washington Post suggesting that states should decide the abortion issue following the Dobbs decision and that the federal government should not play a role in abortion policy going forward. "President Trump's assertion that the Supreme Court returned the issue of abortion solely to the states is a completely inaccurate reading of the Dobbs decision and is a morally indefensible position for a self-proclaimed pro-life presidential candidate to hold," SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement at the time. "Life is a matter of human rights, not states' rights. Saying that the issue should only be decided at the states is an endorsement of abortion up until the moment of birth, even brutal late-term abortions in states like California, Illinois, New York and New Jersey. The only way to save these children is through federal protections, such as a 15-week federal minimum standard when the unborn child can feel excruciating pain." As of Friday, the Real Clear Politics average of Republican nomination polling shows Pence in third place with 5.7% support. Trump leads with 52.2%, trailed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis with 21.4% support. Last September, weeks before the 2022 midterm election, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina introduced a bill to institute a federal 15-week abortion ban. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. introduced companion legislation. The legislation was backed by leading pro-life advocacy organizations despite concerns from some conservatives that it could hurt Republicans' midterm election goals. Supreme Court rejects Christian colleges bid to block Biden trans discrimination policy The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a case by a private Christian college in Missouri seeking to stop a Biden administration policy that it believes would mandate the acceptance of biological males in female dormitories. In an orders list Tuesday, the nation's high court denied the appeal in School of the Ozarks, Inc. v. Biden. Located near Branson, the College of the Ozarks filed a case against the U.S. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in April 2021 over a policy that forbids housing discrimination based on gender identity. The policy follows an executive order issued by President Joe Biden in 2021, broadening the scope of the Fair Housing Act's anti-discrimination provisions to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal nonprofit working for religious freedom which represented the college, argued that the policy would compel the institution to permit biological males access to female dormitories and shared shower spaces, or risk incurring financial penalties potentially exceeding six figures, along with punitive damages and legal fees. "The U.S. Supreme Court left this issue unresolved," ADF Senior Counsel Julie Marie Blake said in a statement to The Heartlander. "Alliance Defending Freedom will continue to confront government overreach. ... It is wrong to force schools to open girls' dorms, bedrooms, and shared showers to males, and ADF will do everything in its power to ensure that religious colleges remain free to protect the young women who attend their institutions." ADF and the college argue that the HUD directive contradicts the traditional interpretation of the Fair Housing Act, which recognizes sex as biological in nature. Their stance, backed by 19 states, multiple Christian colleges and numerous advocacy groups, also claims the case represents an expansion of federal power, arguing that the government has failed to balance anti-discrimination policy with religious beliefs. Despite the lack of Supreme Court review, the college has indicated it may not comply with the Biden administration's mandate, hinting at possible future conflicts over the issue. ADF Senior Counsel and Vice President of Appellate Advocacy John Bursch underlined this defiance, arguing that the government cannot suppress a faith-based institution's constitutionally protected freedoms due to disagreements over views on marriage and sexuality. In May 2021, U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark of the Western District of Missouri, appointed by former President Barack Obama, initially ruled against the college. Subsequently, in July 2022, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit upheld Judge Ketchmark's ruling in a 2-1 decision. They contended that the college lacked standing, as the HUD policy did not directly impact the institution. Circuit Judge Leonard Grasz, who former President Donald Trump appointed, expressed his disagreement, asserting that the directive contradicted the appropriate procedure of federal guidance, which includes a provision for public feedback. "An agency's issuance of a guidance document that fails to adhere to the proper administrative procedures may achieve compliance with the government's desired policy outcomes by in terrorem means, but it skirts the rule of law and undermines our values," wrote Grasz. "This is especially true where regulated entities are placed under a sword of Damocles but are denied access to the courts because the sword has not yet fallen." Last September, the college filed a request for a full court hearing before the 8th Circuit, however, the appeals court denied the rehearing request on Sept. 30, 2021. Supreme Court keeps Title 42 immigration policy alive; El Paso mayor declares state of emergency The U.S. Supreme Court has put a stay on the termination of an immigration measure aimed at limiting the number of people who could seek asylum in the nation for medical reasons. In a brief order released Monday, Chief Justice John Roberts ordered that a ruling against Title 42 from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia be stayed pending further order of the undersigned or of the Court. It is further ordered that a response to the application be filed on or before Tuesday, December 20, 2022, by 5 p.m. (EST), he added. The stay comes as problems at the border regarding the large number of people entering the country illegally continue to put a strain on local municipalities. Oscar Leeser, the mayor of El Paso, Texas, recently announced that he was declaring a state of emergency in response to the border crisis and its impact on his city. Had Roberts not issued the order, the Title 42 measures would have expired on Wednesday per an order from U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan issued last month. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a statement in response to the stay, explaining that individuals who attempt to enter the United States unlawfully will continue to be expelled to Mexico. While this stage of the litigation proceeds, we will continue our preparations to manage the border in a safe, orderly, and humane way when the Title 42 public health order lifts, noted the department. We urge Congress to use this time to provide the funds we have requested for border security and management and advance the comprehensive immigration measures President Biden proposed on his first day in office. Title 42 is a part of the U.S. Code that allows the federal government to medically examine immigrants seeking asylum and deny them entry to prevent the spread of disease. The measure was first used in 1929 to prevent ships from China and the Philippines from entering U.S. ports due to a meningitis outbreak, according to NBC News. Then-President Donald Trump began using Title 42 in 2020 as a way to try and curb the spread of COVID-19 from the border, with an estimated 2 million people being deported as a result, reported NBC News. In April, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention announced that it was planning to discontinue the Title 42 measures effective on May 23, having concluded that the Order suspending the right to introduce migrants into the United States is no longer necessary. Later that month, U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays issued a temporary restraining order stopping the Biden administration from ending the Title 42 restrictions enacted by Trump. Supreme Court says Texas can't sue Biden admin. over immigration enforcement policies The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that Texas and Louisiana do not have the standing to challenge immigration law guidelines issued by the Biden administration in 2021. In an 8-1 decision in Texas et al. v United States, the high court ruled that guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security months after President Joe Biden took office could not be challenged by the states. Justice Brett Kavanaugh authored the majority opinion, writing that the states did not have standing to sue the federal government under Article III of the U.S. Constitution. "The States have not cited any precedent, history, or tradition of courts ordering the Executive Branch to change its arrest or prosecution policies so that the Executive Branch makes more arrests or initiates more prosecutions. On the contrary, this Court has previously ruled that a plaintiff lacks standing to bring such a suit," wrote Kavanaugh. "Moreover, lawsuits alleging that the Executive Branch has made an insufficient number of arrests or brought an insufficient number of prosecutions run up against the Executive's Article II authority to enforce federal law." Kavanaugh noted, "this Court has declared that the Executive Branch also retains discretion over whether to remove a noncitizen from the United States." "In light of inevitable resource constraints and regularly changing public-safety and public-welfare needs, the Executive Branch must balance many factors when devising arrest and prosecution policies. That complicated balancing process in turn leaves courts without meaningful standards for assessing those policies," he added. The lone dissent came from Justice Samuel Alito, who argued that the majority "brushes aside a major precedent that directly controls the standing question, refuses to apply our established test for standing, disregards factual findings made by the District Court after a trial, and holds that the only limit on the power of a President to disobey a law like the important provision at issue is Congress's power to employ the weapons of inter-branch warfare withholding funds, impeachment and removal, etc." "I would not blaze this unfortunate trail. I would simply apply settled law, which leads ineluctably to the conclusion that Texas has standing," Alito continued. "In future cases, Presidential power may be extended even further. That disturbing possibility is bolstered by the Court's refusal to reject the Government's broader argument." In September 2021, DHS issued the "Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law," which, among other things, curbed the extent to which detention could be used on those who illegally entered the country. "It is estimated that there are more than 11 million undocumented or otherwise removable noncitizens in the United States," stated the guidelines. "We do not have the resources to apprehend and seek the removal of every one of these noncitizens. Therefore, we need to exercise our discretion and determine whom to prioritize for immigration enforcement action." Texas and Louisiana both sued the federal government over the 2021 guidelines, arguing that the guidelines violated federal detention mandates that were created by Congress. U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton sided with the states in June 2022, arguing that "this case is about a rule that binds Department of Homeland Security officials in a generalized, prospective manner-all in contravention of Congress's detention mandate." "It is also true that the Executive Branch may prioritize its resources. But it must do so within the bounds set by Congress. Whatever the outer limits of its authority, the Executive Branch does not have the authority to change the law," wrote Tipton. "Using the words' discretion' and 'prioritization,' the Executive Branch claims the authority to suspend statutory mandates. The law does not sanction this approach. Accepting the Executive Branch's position would have profound consequences for the separation of powers." The Supreme Court held oral arguments in the case last November. UMC demands release of immigrant caretaker after ICE arrest on church grounds The United Methodist Church is calling on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release an undocumented immigrant and father of two U.S. citizens they say was detained on church grounds in a Maryland suburb of Washington, D.C., on Sept. 10. Binsar Siahaan moved to the U.S. from Indonesia in 1989 on a temporary visa. Soon after, his wife, Eko Sukemi, moved to be with him but both overstayed their visas when they expired a few years later. In 2003 the couple applied for asylum on religious grounds, according to The Washington Post, but two years later an immigration judge ordered Siahaan's deportation which has since been upheld. The UMC General Board of Church and Society, the advocacy arm of one of the largest mainline Protestant denominations in the U.S., has condemned the detention of Siahaan, who has been a member of the Glenmont United Methodist Church in Silver Spring for six years. Siahaan, who along with his wife serves as the congregations caretakers, was living with his family in a home on the grounds of the church. According to a statement from the church body, six ICE agents knowingly violated the agencys Sensitive Locations policy and lied to Siahaan in order to arrest him and begin deportation proceedings. The General Board of Church and Society called the arrest a clear violation of the agencys own policy because ICE entered church property to arrest and detain the man. According to the agencys website, places of worship, such as churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples are listed as sensitive locations. Under ICE policy, enforcement actions are not to occur at or be focused on sensitive locations such as schools, places of worship unless exigent circumstances exist, other law enforcement actions have led officers to a sensitive location or prior approval is obtained from a designated supervisory official. The United Methodist Church believes church grounds are sacred and should always offer safety, the statement from the UMC board reads. ICE crossing church property to arrest someone under false pretenses is not only a violation of human rights and due process but a breach of ICEs own policy regarding removing someone from a sensitive location. ICEs reckless actions pose a huge risk for immigrants throughout the country who are in sensitive locations; attending school, receiving care in hospitals and health facilities, and seeking refuge in faith communities, the statements adds. Across the nation in recent years amid increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, some illegal immigrants have taken shelter in churches to avoid deportation. But in the case of Siahaan and his family, they lived on the church grounds because it was their job to care for the church. Siahaan and his wife have lived in the U.S. for over 29 years and have two minor children who are U.S. citizens. The couple has a pending motion to reopen their case for asylum on religious grounds as Muslim-majority Indonesia ranks as the 49th-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2020 World Watch List. The UMC contends that the father poses no threat to the community. Binsar and Eko cooperated with all ICE check-ins and requirements, but have tragically fallen victim to ICEs unjust practices and the Trump administrations method of terrorizing families and faith communities who stand with them, the board's statement contends. Church and Society calls on ICE to immediately release Binsar back to his family and church community and publicly commit to their own Sensitive Locations guidelines. Siahaan was initially held by ICE in Baltimore before being transferred to the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia. An attorney for Siahaan filed a motion to temporarily block his impending deportation. The lawyer, Elsy Ramos Velasquez, also filed a petition with a federal court in Maryland contending that Siahaans arrest was illegal because ICE entered the home without a warrant. A hearing has been set for Oct. 2. In a statement provided to The Washington Post, ICE stated that officers arrested Siahaan after he received full due process in the nations immigration courts. ICE added that an immigration judge ordered his removal in 2005, an order that the agency says has been upheld despite multiple appeals. Siahaan filed an emergency stay of removal after his most recent arrest, which is currently pending, the statement reads. The agency did not comment on the UMCs claims that its officers violated ICE policy to obtain Siahaans arrest. Sukemi told the newspaper that her husband temporarily moved to the U.S. in 1989 on an A-3 visa, giving him the ability to work as a driver for the Indonesian Embassy. She followed him in coming to the U.S. a few years later as she went to work as a nanny for a diplomats family. The couple overstayed their visas when they expired in the early 1990s. In 2012, the couple agreed to an order of supervision agreement with ICE requiring them to check in regularly with a local ICE office. For the past several years, the couple has worked as caretakers of the Glenmont church. In February, Siahaan was detained after a routine check-in. He was later released with an ankle monitor pending appeals. The UMC General Board of Church and Society claims that agents tricked Siahaan into leaving the house on Sept. 10. Siahaan was informed that ICE agents needed him to come with them to a local field office. The sanctity of our sacred spaces should never be violated, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, leader of the UMC Baltimore-Washington Conference, said in a statement. This calls into question our Administrations respect for communities of faith and for Gods people. This action creates a moral stain on this administration and jeopardizes their integrity in every similarly situated immigration case. Our federal government is not exempt from acting morally and consistently. Easterling added that Siahaan is the head of a household with two American children who are depending on him for food, shelter and safety. I call upon ICE to release Mr. Binsar Siahaan immediately, to continue to respect church property as sacred and holy ground, and follow their own established policies and practices around compliance and deportation, Easterling said. Their inappropriate and unnecessary action in this case violates practice, policy, and the Kingdom of God. Wooden cross made from Titanic wreckage goes on auction A wooden cross made from oak taken from the Titanic and crafted as a mark of respect to those lost is up for auction in the U.K. later this month. The cross was made by Samuel Smith, a carpenter on the ship S.S. Minia, which was one of the vessels that recovered the bodies of Titanic victims in April 1912, the BBC reports. According to the outlet, crew from the S.S. Minia picked up debris from the Titanic as they retrieved the bodies. Smith made the cross from some of that wreck wood to honor the more than 1,500 passengers and crew who died when the ship struck an iceberg. The piece has remained in Smiths family, but will now go up for auction on Oct. 19 at Henry Aldridge and Son in Devizes, Wiltshire, a world-renowned auction house which specializes in Titanic artifacts. The cross has a pre-sale estimate of $14,755 to $22,132. Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge told Fox News that the artifact is incredibly powerful and poignant. "The cross made from wreck wood from Titanic is without doubt one of the most powerful and emotive pieces of memorabilia of its type I have ever auctioned, he said, according to the Belfast Telegraph. "The provenance is fantastic, we literally know the timeline of where this has been since the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912. "It was created by Samuel Smith, who was a joiner on the Minia, one of the ships that was given the unenviable task of collecting the bodies of those lost in the disaster and either burying them at sea or returning them to Halifax, Nova Scotia. "In the course of this the crew picked up flotsam and jetsam, and this cross was made from some of that wreck wood by Mr. Smith as a mark of respect to those lost." The cross is part of an archive relating to the recovery of Titanic victims. Other items in the collection are photographs, documents and Smith's woodworking tools, as well as a certificate of discharge documenting his marine career. In total, the collection is valued at $49,182. Aldridge described the archive as "one of the most complete collections of material owned and collected by a Minia crewman. The RMS Titanic sank in the North Atlantic Ocean after hitting an iceberg on April 15, 1912, causing the deaths of 1,517 people. It is still remembered as one of the greatest passenger-carrier disasters in history. Over the years, various artifacts from the infamous ship have been auctioned off or put on display in museums around the world. In 2017, a sea-stained letter recovered from the body of a Titanic victim was sold at auction for $166,000, and a cracker from the ship sold for $23,000 the same year, according to CBS News. A violin owned by the Titanic's orchestra leader fetched more than $1.4 million in a 2013 auction, and two menus went for $140,000 in 2012. A cup presented to the captain by Titanic survivor Molly Brown sold for $200,000 in 2015. The RMS Titanic's ship plan sold for $336,000 through Henry Aldridge and Son auction house in 2011. GOP Refutes "Pro-Birth" Narrative, NYC Mayor Eric Adams' Faith, Christian School Offers "Queer Art Of Drag" Course link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:37 06:37 Top headlines for Friday, June 23, 2023 We discuss a top House Republican's push for a 15-week abortion ban and support for families raising children to show that the pro-life movement is not simply pro-birth. Next, we delve into NYC Mayor Eric Adams' passionate Father's Day speech about faith in society, stating that he'll continue talking about God, regardless of media criticism. We then explore a unique course at Texas Christian University focused on creating drag personas, culminating in a university-wide drag show performance. Finally, we look at a Tennessee private Christian college's cancellation of a Promise Keepers event following the organization's controversial blog post about LGBT Pride Month. Subscribe to this Podcast Follow Us on Social Media Get the Edifi App Subscribe to Our Newsletter Links to the News Top headlines for Friday, June 23, 2023 We discuss a top House Republican's push for a 15-week abortion ban and support for families raising children to show that the pro-life movement is not simply pro-birth. Next, we delve into NYC Mayor Eric Adams' passionate Father's Day speech about faith in society, stating that he'll continue talking about God, regardless of media criticism. We then explore a unique course at Texas Christian University focused on creating drag personas, culminating in a university-wide drag show performance. Finally, we look at a Tennessee private Christian college's cancellation of a Promise Keepers event following the organization's controversial blog post about LGBT Pride Month. Church of England cuts investment ties with fossil fuel companies over climate crisis The Church of England Commissioners and Pensions Board say they are disinvesting from fossil fuels companies that have not done enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Commenting on the decision, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said that the Church had a responsibility to act. He said that the companies were not doing enough to align with the Paris Agreement and that more needed to be done to reduce carbon emissions. "The climate crisis threatens the planet we live on, and people around the world who Jesus Christ calls us to love as our neighbours," he said. "It is our duty to protect God's creation, and energy companies have a special responsibility to help us achieve the just transition to the low-carbon economy we need. "We have long urged companies to take climate change seriously, and specifically to align with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and pursue efforts to limit the rise in temperature to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. "In practical terms that means phasing out fossil fuels, investing in renewables, and plotting a credible path to a net-zero world. Some progress has been made, but not nearly enough. "The Church will follow not just the science, but our faith both of which call us to work for climate justice." The announcement follows a report from the Church of England's National Investing Bodies (NIBs) which concluded that although some companies have made significant progress in reducing carbon emissions, none have gone far enough. The Church Commissioners for England, which manages the Church of England's 10.3bn endowment fund, announced that it would exclude all remaining oil and gas majors from its portfolio. On the exclusion list are companies "primarily engaged in the exploration, production and refining of oil or gas, unless they are in genuine alignment with a 1.5C pathway, by the end of 2023". Companies affected include BP, ExxonMobil, Shell and Total and Occidental Petroleum, Pemex, Repsol, Sasol, Shell, and Total. "The decision to disinvest was not taken lightly," said Alan Smith, First Church Estates Commissioner. "Soberingly, the energy majors have not listened to significant voices in the societies and markets they serve and are not moving quickly enough on the transition. "If any of these energy companies come into alignment with our criteria in the future, we would reconsider our position. Indeed, that is something we would hope for." The cultural tide is continuing to turn more conservative In case you haven't noticed, this year's "Pride Month" is different than pride months in the past. As I recently noted, more and more Americans, from all walks of life, are saying, "Enough is enough." This is what many of us have predicted for years, recognizing that the very success of the gay revolution would lead to its undoing. As I wrote in 2015 (which I called the year of "pushback"), "the gay revolution will continue to overplay its hand. As those who were once bullied now bully others, this will produce an increasing backlash ... And as gay activists win more and more battles in the courts and the society, that will actually work against them, as their goals will continue to become more and more extreme." This has been self-evident for years. Or do you really think that a caring and sane society can tolerate more and more stories like this? "California woman, 18, sues doctors for removing her breasts when she was just THIRTEEN because she thought she was trans after seeing influencers online." That's why today, in 2023, even editorials on totally secular websites can speak with sympathy of the growing "pushback against the perceived extreme expressions of gender fluidity." That's why an article on The New Republic website announces (in a clearly pro-LGBTQ spirit), "There has been a wave of ultra-conservative pushback against companies that express support for equal rights." That's why another headline asked (again, in a clearly pro-LGBTQ spirit), "Does 2023 Bring the Great Pushback Against LGBTQ+ Rights?" Note that word "pushback" is repeated time after time. The righteous opposition is rising. And while there are surely some mean-spirited, even hateful people involved in this pushback (they should be called out and rebuked), those that I know and work with are motivated by love love for God and love for neighbor. They are convinced that there must be an about-face for the good of society. Here is a representative sampling of relevant, recent news. Quite a few articles have focused on the striking news from the recent Gallup pollwhich pointed to a dramatic spike in the rise of conservatism in America in the last two years. And so, while only 10% of Democrats identify as conservative or very conservative (the same as in 2021), Independents have moved from 24 to 29 %, while Republicans have moved from 60 to 74%. (Accordingly, Independents who identify as liberal or very liberal dropped in the last two years from 27 to 23%.) As for the breakdown by age, Gallup notes that, "Since 2021, there have been double-digit increases in conservative social ideology among middle-aged adults those between the ages of 30 and 64. At the same time, older Americans' ideology on social issues has been stable, while there has been a modest increase in conservative social ideology among young adults." But even that "modest increase" is quite substantial, with 1829 year-olds who identify as conservative or very conservative moving from 24 to 30% in just two years. As for Americans between 30-49 years old, the shift has been dramatic, from 22 to 35%, again, in just two years. This is highly significant. As for views on same-sex relationships, Gallup observed that, "Last year, a record-high 71% of U.S. adults said gay or lesbian relations are morally acceptable. The figure has fallen back this year to 64%, returning to a level last seen in 2019." Will that number continue to drop? And as righteous laws are being passed in state after state to protect gender-confused children from radical surgery and irreversible drug treatments, for the first time in its 40-year history, the Human Rights Campaign, the world's largest LGBTQ+ activist organization, has issued a national state of emergency. I'm aware, of course, that the vast majority of LGBTQ+ identified readers will be either grieved or irate or shocked at the contents of this article. Even more, will they be either grieved or irate or shocked by my attitude, as I'm quite pleased to see the shifts that I have highlighted here? In their eyes (your eyes?), this is as hateful as it gets, an open and unashamed display of homophobia and transphobia, an unapologetic demonstration of the bigotry produced by fundamentalist religious beliefs. Yes, I get it, and I understand your fear that I am celebrating the potential unraveling of what you have worked so hard to achieve over the last 50 years. The problem, of course, is that LGBTQ+ activists declared war on religion 50 years ago. The problem is that their coming out of the closet necessitated putting us in the closet. The problem is that they targeted our children with ceaseless indoctrination, from pre-school to the university and from social media to TV and movies. The problem is that the goalposts continued to move, and no recognition of "rights" was sufficient until the rights of those they opposed were removed. The problem is that the trajectory of LGBTQ+ activism inevitably leads to queer critical theory which denies the existence of human nature. The problem is that the fringe elements of the community became celebrities. The problem is that we will not stand by idly when our own kids or grandkids have been chemically castrated or genitally mutilated. No way, no how. That's why I will continue to push back against what I truly believe is a destructive agenda for our society. At the same time, I will work against hatred and bigotry, seeking equal protection under the law for all and cultivating a climate of grace and mercy rather than anger and hatred. Let us go about our work and live our lives as citizens in the same great country, even in the midst of our deep differences, and even as America, with God's help, turns back to at least a semblance of normalcy. As I stated in my 2015 book, Outlasting the Gay Revolution: Where Homosexual Activism Is Really Going and How to Turn the Tide, "the call here is not so much to defeat the gay agenda as much as it is to promote a better agenda, one that by design will outlast the gay revolution." By doing what is right and good we will outlast what is wrong and harmful. I pray that we will have the resolve to promote and live out that better agenda, especially now that the tide is clearly turning. Dr. Michael Brown(www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book isWhy So Many Christians Have Left the Faith. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. UN Security Council adopts UK government's freedom of religion resolution The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution incorporating the Bishop of Truro's recommendations on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). The resolution was sponsored jointly by the governments of the UK and United Arab Emirates. It is the first time that the UN Security Council has passed a resolution on Freedom of Religion or Belief. The resolution commits the UN Secretary General to producing an oral report on FoRB-related threats to international peace and security. The first report is due to be delivered by 14 June 2024 and it is anticipated that this will become an annual event. The recommendations contained in the resolution draw from a UK government-sponsored review into the persecution of Christians and the state of FoRB globally. The review was carried out by the Bishop of Truro, Philip Mounstephen, and completed in 2019. It found that persecution was widespread and worsening. Recommendations made to the Foreign Office included seeking a Security Council resolution urging Middle East and North African governments to protect Christians and other persecuted minorities. Bishop Mounstephen welcomed the UN Security Council's adoption of the resolution. "I'm delighted by this news of the implementation of one of the key recommendations of the Truro Review - especially in the light of the fact that last year it was deemed unlikely that any Security Council Resolution on Freedom of Religion or Belief would be possible," he said. "That it's happened is huge credit to the UK's UN team and speaks volumes of the UK's commitment to this vital human right. This, along with other recent actions, puts this issue firmly on the international geo-political table." Jeremy Hunt, who commissioned the Truro Review while Foreign Secretary, said: "I'm proud and delighted to see this key recommendation of Bishop Philip's report implemented and send my warm congratulations to the UK team at the UN on their very impressive work." Utah school district reverses ban on Bible in libraries (CP) The world's all-time bestselling book is back on library shelves in one Utah school district. Board members with the Davis School District north of Salt Lake City announced Tuesday that district officials have determined the Bible is appropriate for school-age students after banning the Good Book last month for containing "sex and violence," The Associated Press reported. The committee published its determination that the Bible "has significant, serious value for minors which outweighs the violent or vulgar content it contains" and will be made accessible to all grade levels, according to the AP. As many as 70 people filed appeals with the district after the book was banned last month and pulled from library shelves at as many as eight Davis School District elementary and middle schools. The reversal comes after the board removed the Bible from the libraries of elementary and middle schools following a single complaint from a student's parent. Despite removing the Bible, the district continued to permit other religious texts, including the Book of Mormon and the Quran, to remain available to students without age restrictions. After the district initially agreed, another request was made to ban the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Book of Mormon due to its violent content. The Mormon religious text, deemed "a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible" by the LDS, is expected to face a review to determine its suitability for school libraries. The status of that review as of Thursday is unclear. Serving roughly 72,000 students, the Davis school district made headlines back in March after a parent provided officials with a list citing verses from Genesis to Revelation and calling for the Bible to be removed from a high school library for being "pornographic." The request made in December 2022 described the Bible as "one of the most sex-ridden books around" and, therefore, in violation of Utah state code. "Incest, onanism, bestiality, prostitution, genital mutilation, fellatio, dildos, rape, and even infanticide," the parent was quoted as writing in the request. "You'll no doubt find that the Bible, under Utah Code Ann. 76-10-1227, has 'no serious values for minors' because it's pornographic by our new definition." The code referenced in the request defines pornographic and harmful materials as those which include a "description or depiction of illicit sex or sexual immorality" or a "nude or partially denuded figure." However, the code notes that such definitions do not apply to any material with "serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors," which could likely include the Old and New Testaments. In submitting the request, the parent referred to Utah Parents United, a conservative parental rights group that, in recent months, has challenged various books in school libraries under Utah's HB374. The statute prohibits "certain sensitive instructional materials in public schools." The national debate over the practice of book banning has grown increasingly heated in recent years. Last fall, the American Library Association claimed that efforts to ban or restrict books in school libraries are on the rise amid parents' concerns about sexually explicit material depicting child sex and pedophilia. Between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, 2022, the organization said it documented 681 attempts to ban or restrict library resources, aimed at 1,651 titles; more than 70% of the attempts sought to ban multiple titles. According to the ALA, the ban attempts are "on track to exceed record counts from 2021," when 729 attempts were made that targeted 1,597 book titles. "The unprecedented number of challenges we're seeing already this year reflects coordinated, national efforts to silence marginalized or historically underrepresented voices and deprive all of us young people, in particular of the chance to explore a world beyond the confines of personal experience," ALA President Lessa Kananiopua Pelayo-Lozada stated. "Librarians develop collections and resources that make knowledge and ideas widely available, so people and families are free to choose what to read." That backlash is due in large part to an increase in parents across the country who have complained about kids' access to sexually explicit materials in school libraries, including in Michigan, where parents many from the Muslim community pressured a Michigan school district to reduce students' access to certain books in school libraries. The Christian Post The return of textile art: In a digital age, there is a craving for something you can touch Six contemporary artists who are expanding the possibilities of textile art in all its forms, from tapestry and embroidery to knitting and crochet. Illustrated with lots from Christies Post-War and Contemporary Art sales in London Along with cave paintings, threads were among the earliest transmitters of meaning, Anni Albers wrote in her seminal 1965 publication On Weaving. Yet despite the mediums capacity for storytelling, colour and scale, textile art which encompasses everything from weaving and embroidery to tapestry and knitting was long regarded as womens craft. It was only during the Bauhaus years, in the early 20th century, that textile art was elevated to the realm of fine art, thanks to artists like Albers, Louise Bourgeois and Sheila Hicks, who embraced traditional craft techniques to investigate Modernist principles of form, colour and structure. Their experimental approach to the medium would go on to influence a group of feminist artists in the 1970s, including Judy Chicago and Faith Ringgold, who used textiles and other handcrafts to explore a variety of concerns, from gender and sexual identity to cultural history and memory. Today, textile art is enjoying an increased presence in museums and galleries around the world. German artist Rosemarie Trockel, for instance, is currently staging a solo exhibition at the MMK in Frankfurt, while Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire is set to display Grayson Perrys landmark tapestry series The Vanity of Small Differences from 28 June until 3 September 2023. In 2018, Anni Albers was thrust back into the limelight with a long-overdue solo show at Londons Tate Modern the first major UK exhibition of her work. Textile is a multifunctional medium that allows the artist to work in scale and with materials that are very tactile, says Christies Post-War and Contemporary Art specialist Stephanie Rao. In a digital age, when we are all so used to seeing images on a phone, I think there is this craving for the physical for something that you can touch and feel. Below, we spotlight six contemporary artists who are exploring and expanding the possibilities of textile art in all its forms, and whose works are offered in the Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale on 29 June 2023 at Christies in London or First Open: Post-War and Contemporary Art Online until 5 July. Ghada Amer (b. 1963) Egyptian artist Ghada Amer has made her name creating erotic embroideries that engage with such issues as female sexuality, desire and identity. I didnt invent embroidery, but I wanted to paint with embroidery, Amer has said of her feminist practice. I was speaking about women with a medium for women, and it made the speaking stronger and more present. The nude figures in Amers embroidery paintings from the 1990s are derived from American soft-porn magazines. The same figure, as seen in this untitled work from 1999, is usually repeated in bands of coloured thread with the tailings gathered in bundles. Even though shes using a medium thats quite static, she creates so much movement in her works, says Rao. Its almost as if the imagery is appearing and disappearing right in front of your eyes. Amer has likened her free-flowing threads to the drips of paint in Abstract Expressionist canvases. Of her decision to explore the historic codes of abstract painting, she has said: I occupy this territory aesthetically and politically because I create materially abstract paintings, but I integrate in this male field a feminine universe: that of sewing and embroidery. By hybridising those worlds, the canvas becomes a new territory where the feminine has its own place in a field dominated by men, and from where, I hope, we wont be removed again. Open a larger version of this image William Kentridge (b. 1955), Porter Series: Egypte, 2012. Handwoven mohair tapestry. 93 x 134 in (250 x 342 cm). This work is a studio copy from an edition of three plus two artists proofs and a studio copy. Sold for 138,600 on 29 June 2023 at Christies in London William Kentridge (b. 1955) Born in Johannesburg, William Kentridge is best known for works that respond to the legacies of colonialism and apartheid. He began making large-scale tapestries in collaboration with the Marguerite Stephens Tapestry Studio in Johannesburg in 2001. The studio uses hand-carded and hand-spun mohair to bring Kentridges narratives of movement and migration to life. The weaving process could almost be said to animate the collages, to give them a visual energy bordering on motion, the art critic Roberta Smith said in a review of William Kentridge: Tapestries at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 2007. Part of Kentridges Porter series, Egypte depicts two silhouetted figures with their belongings a chair on the womans head and a rucksack strapped to her companions back marching across the woven surface of a 19th-century map. Unidentified by age, ethnicity or citizenship, Kentridges shadowy figures represent the universal experiences of movement across countries and continents. Its magnificent how it takes over the whole room, says Rao. Tapestry is a very powerful medium to tell stories that really matter. A number of tapestries were included in Kentridges critically acclaimed solo show at the Royal Academy in 2022, the artists largest exhibition in the UK to date. Open a larger version of this image Grayson Perry (b. 1960), Expulsion from Number 8 Eden Close (from The Vanity of Small Differences), 2012. Wool, cotton, acrylic, polyester and silk tapestry. 78 x 157 in (200 x 400 cm). This work is number six from an edition of six plus two artists proofs. Sold for 226,800 on 29 June 2023 at Christies in London Grayson Perry (b. 1960) Grayson Perry rose to prominence in the 1990s with his classically shaped ceramic vases featuring motifs and figures that explore the absurdity, curiosity and pain of everyday experience. Since then, he has worked in a variety of mediums including photography, film, print and tapestry, won the Turner Prize (2003) and been named one of the 100 most powerful people in British culture. In 2023, he was awarded a knighthood for services to the arts. Among his most feted satirical works is The Vanity of Small Differences, a group of six large tapestries from 2012 exploring social class in Britain. The landmark series, following on from Perrys 2012 television documentary All in the Best Possible Taste, was chiefly inspired by William Hogarths A Rakes Progress (17321734). Perrys version follows Tim Rakewell, a working-class boy who swaps his humble beginnings for a life of fame and fortune. The third work in Perrys series, Expulsion from Number 8 Eden Close, depicts Tim and his girlfriend after a fight with his mother and stepfather, passing through a rainbow into Tims girlfriends family home. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver the god of social mobility, according to Perry looks down on them as they cross the threshold from one social milieu to another. On my television taste safari, I only saw tapestries hanging in stately homes. They depicted classical myths, historical and religious scenes or epic battles, Perry has said of his decision to work with tapestry. I enjoy the idea of using this costly and ancient medium to show the commonplace dramas of modern British life. Open a larger version of this image Joana Vasconcelos (b. 1971), Shoreditch, 2011. Hand-made woollen crochet, Murano glass and polyester on canvas. 84 x 56 x 21 in (215 x 144 x 55.5 cm). Sold for 20,160 on 29 June 2023 at Christies in London Joana Vasconcelos (b. 1971) For the past three decades, Joana Vasconcelos has been creating vibrant, large-scale works that explore themes of feminism and consumerism, as well as national and collective identities and traditions. She is perhaps best known today for enveloping everyday objects pianos, saucepans, commercially produced decorative items in traditional Portuguese materials such as crochet, knit, lace and ceramics. These works not only subvert traditional structures of patriarchal power, but also prompt questions about the values associated with mass-produced and handcrafted objects. Typical of her crochet paintings, Shoreditch (2011) comprises a series of crochet forms that are slotted together like a jigsaw puzzle, each shape pressing against another. Were used to going to art galleries where youre not supposed to touch the art, says Rao. But this is made with something so tactile and so soft, you can almost imagine how it feels underneath your hands. It really puts into focus the materiality of the work. Open a larger version of this image Damien Hirst (b. 1965), Enter the Infinite (The Visions), Trance, 2016. Jacquard woven tapestry. 99 x 100 in (253.1 x 255.6 cm). This work is number 17 from an edition of 20 plus four artists proofs Damien Hirst (b. 1965) Damien Hirsts sculptures, drawings, paintings and textile works examine the complex relationships between art and beauty, religion and science, and life and death. In Enter the Infinite (2016), a suite of 12 jacquard-woven tapestries featuring a kaleidoscopic explosion of red, blue, yellow and green, Hirst attempts to create a transcendental experience through art. For each tapestry in the series including Enter the Infinite (The Visions), Trance (above) sections of Hirsts 2008 Spin Painting titled Beautiful Flailing, Falling, Grip on Reality, Pull Yourself Together Painting were divided, reflected and repeated to form symmetrical prismatic bursts of colour. At the heart of Trance is a small purple shape surrounded by a yellow block of colour. From this central point, an X-shaped cross extends outwards, sending the eye to the far corners of the canvas. As with his Spin Paintings, Hirst leads the viewer to consider ideas of depth, space and perception. The viewer is fully immersed in this work, says Rao. You feel like youre in a trance when youre standing in front of it. Although Hirst has removed the narrative from the tapestry a medium traditionally used to tell stories of epic battles or show images of grandeur he instils it with belief and spirituality. Open a larger version of this image Udomsak Krisanamis (b. 1966), A Swing for Life, 1999. Acrylic and printed paper collage on cotton towelling. 12 x 12 in (30.5 x 30.5 cm). Sold for 2,016 on 5 July 2023 Udomsak Krisanamis (b. 1966) During the mid-1990s, Thai-born, New York-based artist Udomsak Krisanamis established a reputation for his abstract black-and-white collage paintings with deeply textured surfaces. He began by gluing torn strips of newspaper to his canvases, then blacking out the words using paint or a felt-tip pen. Over the years, he has added fabric, vermicelli noodles and other found materials such as bubble wrap and wooden strips to the surfaces of his compositions. He has explored the visual effects of open grids, swirls and musical phrases, while also experimenting with thicker, more colourful paint. The resulting works are a distinctive fusion of Eastern and Western influences, blending high art with traditional craft practices. Sign up today Christies Online Magazine delivers our best features, videos, and auction news to your inbox every week Subscribe Christies Selfhood exhibition: We want to bring together artists who use art to explore the unique experience of being human An exhibition of 20th- and 21st-century works at Christies in London held to coincide with the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery examines the notion of the evolving self. Most of the works, by artists including Leonora Carrington, Lucian Freud and Cinga Samson, are available for private sale Every painter paints himself, noted the Renaissance politician Cosimo de Medici, repeating a maxim widely held in 15th-century Italy that an artists style was in some way an expression of their personality. Over time, this concept of a painting being a surrogate self-portrait took on an existential dimension, with artists expressing themselves psychologically as well as physically on canvas. As the deeply moral artist Basil Hallward says in Oscar Wildes The Picture of Dorian Gray: Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter. Open a larger version of this image Zeng Fanzhi (b. 1964), Mask Series 1999 no. 12, 1999. Oil on canvas. 28 x 22 in (72.8 x 56.3 cm). Offered in Selfhood: Explorations of Being and Becoming in 20th and 21st Century Art, on show until 13 July 2023 at Christies in London, and available online until 31 August Such ideas are investigated in a new exhibition at Christies in London to celebrate the long-awaited reopening of the National Portrait Gallery. Selfhood: Explorations of Being and Becoming in 20th and 21st Century Art runs until 13 July 2023 (and online until 31 August) and is, says Imogen Kerr, senior specialist in Impressionist & Modern Art, a way of exploring different ways of communicating the human experience. The show of 35 paintings begins with a candid self-portrait by the French post-Impressionist painter Suzanne Valadon. In the painting made in 1917, when she was 52 Valadon confronts the male gaze, foreshadowing interrogatory self-portraits by post-war artists such as Alice Neel, Caroline Coon, Tracey Emin and Zeng Fanzhi. The exhibition ends with a quietly subversive picture by the contemporary South African painter Cinga Samson, an artist known for challenging cliched Western ideas about African identity. One of the highlights of Selfhood is a portrait by Neel of her daughter-in-law, Nancy Greene. According to Maggie Kwiecien, associate director of Private Sales, in the video above, the New York painter often described herself as a collector of souls. Neel would scrutinise her subjects intently to capture a sense of their emotional inner lives and psychological vulnerabilities. This is painting as psychiatry, with Nancy exhibiting an anxious intelligence in the face of impending motherhood. Her style was so defined, and yet the individual in each painting is so unique, says Kwiecien. Also included is a painting by Leonora Carrington, who emerged as a prominent figure within the Surrealist movement through works exploring themes of transformation and the subconscious mind. Carrington used Surrealism to convey a sense of self beyond the male object of desire, says Kerr. The artist incorporated recurring creatures, symbols and emblematic figures in her paintings as clues to her private mythology. That said, she was wary of interpretation. Do not psychoanalyse my paintings, she counselled one interviewer. If you continue I shall go on strike. Primeste notificari pe email Nota bene: Adresele email cu extensia .ru nu sunt acceptate. Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele Three charities have been named in a government list of organisations that previously failed to pay the minimum wage to their lowest-paid workers. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) named and shamed 202 organisations this week in breach of national minimum wage (NMW) law after failing to pay nearly 5m to around 63,000 workers. Its list includes United Church Schools Trust, a charitable company with an income of 130m, Little Sunbeams Pre-School (Portsmouth) and St Marks Pre-School in Salisbury. The charities, alongside the other organisations named in the list, have since paid back what they owe to their staff and have also faced financial penalties, DBT said. United Learning: Surprising and disappointing The list says that United Church Schools Trust failed to pay 554.82 to two workers. United Learning, the trading name of the charitable group that comprises United Church Schools Trust and United Learning Trust, was originally fined 1,058.28 which was then reduced to 529.14 due to prompt payment. The group told Civil Society that it was surprised and disappointed to appear in the list, adding that it is a compliant employer that pays its staff above the NMW. It said the breach, which affected two employees in October 2018, occurred because of deductions in their wages made to recover previous overpayments. A spokesperson for United Learning said: This was a technical breach rather than any attempt to pay below the national minimum wage and was immediately rectified when it came to our attention in 2018. Pre-schools: Clerical error Little Sunbeams Pre-School (Portsmouth) failed to pay 3,561.97 to nine workers, with arrears starting on 25 August 2014 and ending on 31 August 2018, the list said. The charity, whose annual accounts for the reporting years ending 31 July 2021 and 31 July 2022 are overdue by 388 and 23 days respectively, said that the figures published by DBT were incorrect. A letter sent from HMRC to the pre-school in 2019, seen by Civil Society, confirms that the correct NMW had not been applied in relation to two people who are 19 years of age or over and have completed their first 12 months of their apprenticeship or reached 19 years of age during their apprenticeship. Isobel Edwards, one of the charitys trustees, said that it was a mistake made by the accounting firm that was used by Sunbeams and rectified straight away and in accordance with HMRC. She added that it was two staff members, not nine, who were mispaid during their apprenticeship. I said everything in our letter of appeal and even our local MP could not stop our pre-school being named in circumstances beyond our control, Edwards added. St Marks Pre-School, whose reporting to the Commission is overdue by 358 days, also failed to pay 870.55 to six workers, according to DBTs list. Its committee said: Following a recent government publication the pre-school committee are aware that St Marks Pre-school has been named for not paying staff the minimum wage. The pre-school committee would like to reassure you that this was picked up by HMRC following a random check in 2016. This was a clerical error linked to the number of days worked within an academic year. HMRC accepted that it was an error made in good faith and levied a small fine. The few practitioners involved received back promptly and the pay procedure changed with immediate effect. Paying minimum wage is non-negotiable The breaches in the list occurred between 2013 and 2019, with HMRC concluding its investigations between 2017 and 2019. Nearly two-fifths of the employers named in the list deducted pay from their workers wages while another two-fifths did not pay employees correctly for their working time. The remaining 21% paid the incorrect apprenticeship rate. DBT said that while not all minimum wage underpayments are intentional, there is no excuse for underpaying workers. 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. 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, In what appears to be the first time, the New Jersey Appellate Division considered whether contracting COVID-19 or exhibiting its symptoms is sufficient for an employee to claim they qualify as an individual with a disability or a perceived disability under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), concluding that at least in this instance the employee did not qualify. However, the Appellate Division was careful not to create a bright-line rule that COVID-19 does not qualify as a disability under the LAD; ruling only that, under the specific facts of the case presented to it, the employee did not qualify. The Facts of the Case On June 7, the New Jersey Appellate Division in Guzman v. M. Teixeira Intl, Inc. ruled that an employee who alleged he was terminated because his employer suspected he had contracted COVID-19 could not state a claim for which relief could be granted under the LAD. Under the LAD, discrimination based on an employees qualifying disability, or perceived qualifying disability, is illegal. A qualifying disability under the LAD is broader than under most statutes prohibiting employment discrimination based on disability (such as the federal equivalent, the Americans with Disability Act), in that it is not limited to severe or immutable disabilities, or conditions that result in substantial limitation of a major life activity. In Guzman, the plaintiff alleged that on or about July 23, 2020, he came to work feeling ill and told his employer he felt cold, clammy, and weak. The plaintiffs employer asked him to work until the end of the day. That evening, the employer called plaintiff at home and told him he was not permitted to return to work until he took a COVID-19 test. The following day, the plaintiff went to a free testing clinic and obtained a COVID-19 test. While waiting for the test results, the plaintiff reported to his employer that he was feeling better and wanted to return to work. The employer then terminated plaintiffs employment on July 29, 2020, before he received his test results. The plaintiff sued, asserting discrimination based on perceived disability, i.e. contracting COVID-19. The defendants (specifically, the employer and alleged decision-maker) sought dismissal of the plaintiffs complaint on the basis that, because COVID-19 is not a qualifying disability, the plaintiff failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. The motion judge agreed, initially dismissing the plaintiffs complaint without prejudice (thereby permitting plaintiff to amend) and, thereafter, with prejudice. The plaintiff appealed the dismissal and the Appellate Division affirmed. The Appellate Division reasoned that even assuming the defendants believed the plaintiff had contracted COVID-19, the facts alleged were not sufficient to establish a prima facie case under the LAD. The plaintiff was able to finish his working day when he felt ill, took himself to the free COVID-19 test clinic, did not go to a hospital or see a doctor, and reported to his employer that he was feeling better and was able to return to work. In other words, the plaintiff had not sufficiently shown he qualified as an individual with a disability or perceived disability. This opinion suggests that, at least under the LAD, COVID-19 is not considered a qualifying disability. In other words, adverse employment actions against an employee for contracting COVID-19 are not considered disability discrimination under the LAD. However, the Appellate Division did not go so far as to outright reach that conclusion, at least in this opinion. Rather, it was careful to conclude that, under the specifics facts asserted by plaintiff perhaps most notably that he reported he was feeling better and was able to return to work before even receiving his COVID-19 test results the plaintiff did not have a qualifying disability under the LAD. What This Means for Employers While this opinion should give employers some comfort with regard to treatment of employees who contract COVID-19, caution is needed. As a preliminary matter, other laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law, and potentially the New Jersey Family Leave Act, could apply to afford employees who contract COVID-19 certain employment protections. Additionally, given the Appellate Divisions concerted effort to focus on the specific facts asserted in plaintiffs complaint, employers should still take care when an employee reports COVID-19 exposure, symptoms, and/or a positive test. PARIS (AP) A 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. 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. 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. 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. Sylvie Corbet in Paris, John Leicester in Le Pecq, France and Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed to this report. Top photo: In this photo provided by the Paris Fire brigade on Thursday June 22, 2023, firefighters working at the site of an explosion in Paris, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. French rescue workers searched Thursday for a person feared missing after a powerful blast brought down a building on Paris Left Bank, injuring more than 30 people, four of them critically. (E Thepault/BSPP via AP) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. BROOK PARK, Ohio Brook Park City Council on June 20 voted unanimously to deny a request for a conditional use permit for short-term leasing for which a resident applied in hopes of continuing to offer her home as an Airbnb rental. Planning Commission previously denied the permit at its June 5 meeting, forwarding its decision to City Council for a final determination. At councils June 13 caucus, Mayor Ed Orcutt noted no one from the public offered support for granting the permit during the prior Planning Commission meeting. I received many phone calls, e-mails and a lot of questions and there was not one person that was in any way in favor of this, Councilman Rich Scott said. Their main concern was the safety of the neighborhood and the kids around there. Brook Park Codified Ordinance 1121.342, Standards for Conditional Use Permits, indicates the proposed use at the proposed location shall not result in a substantial or undue adverse effect on adjacent property (and) the character of the vicinity of the proposed use. Residents in attendance at both council meetings voiced their opinions. Property owner Seko spoke to council on June 20 prior to the final vote. I live in the back of the house, Seko explained, saying a guests typical stay is two to three weeks. The Airbnb would be the three-bedroom, one-bath (space) in the front. I know (the neighbors) have an issue with me, and I have no idea what that issue would be. Residents cited prior disturbances at the property, as well as all-night street parking when several adults simultaneously rent the home. Smoking and drinking outside at all hours were also mentioned, as was a lack of property maintenance during the winter. Will it stay maintained? Councilman Jim Mencini asked, wondering if complacency would set in. Thats the big issue. As a council, we have to be pretty careful. Councilman Brian Poindexter said allowing the conditional use could set a precedent by enabling other homeowners to establish Airbnb rentals for additional income. Brook Park would be just a stopover town with people passing through, Poindexter said. We dont know who is coming and going there, Middlebrook Blvd. resident Sandy Osborne added. Im totally against it. Read more stories from the News Sun. VILLA RICA, Georgia A police department in Georgia is scrambling to explain itself after it posted images on social media showing civilians taking a firearms safety class shooting at a photo of a Black man during target practice. Police Chief Michael Mansour said there was no ill-intent in using the life-size photo of a Black man, who is pointing a gun and wearing a beanie, but said it was bad judgment to post the images on social media, Yahoo! News reports. Mansour said images of white and Asian people also were used in the safety class. It was never our intention to be insensitive, inflammatory, or offensive to anyone, the department says in a Facebook post. However, we respect the honest opinions of our fellow citizens and apologize for any offense we may have caused. The police department has removed the images from its Facebook page. However, NBC News reports screenshots of the images have been shared on social media. Atlanta News First posted some of the images. And it hasnt stopped the mayor of Villa Rica from launching an investigation into what happened. The NAACP chapter in Carroll County is asking for a meeting with city leaders, calling the target extremely offensive. These types of targets have been used by other police departments in the U.S. and have been deemed racially inappropriate and unacceptable, the chapter says in a letter to the police chief posted on Facebook. The apology statement from your department via Facebook displays a lack of sincerity, sensitivity toward minority residents, and makes it abundantly clear that your department lacks the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training that all local officials should strive to participate in. A representative with the police department says the photo of the Black man will no longer be used for civilian training but still will be used by officers, ABC News reports. Its just an innocent mistake, but it was a mistake, Mansour tells NBC News. And Im very transparent in saying that we messed up. But at no time will I accept people telling me Im a racist, or our department is a racist because we made a mistake. ROCKPORT, Texas Two people are facing criminal charges after a 40-year-old man died following an attack by a pack of dogs, authorities say. A news release from the Aransas County Sheriffs Office says the dogs were still attacking Lewis Flores, who had been knocked to the ground, when deputies arrived at about 5 a.m. Tuesday. Flores reportedly had been walking down a street when he was mauled. A deputy who approached Flores ended up shooting and wounding one of the dogs when the pack became aggressive toward him, the sheriffs office says. The gunshot caused the dogs to run from the area, allowing emergency workers to try to help Flores. Flores was taken by ambulance to Bay Area Hospital in Corpus Christi but could he not be saved. The Caller Times reports two people, Guadalupe Carreon, 33, and Mario Alberto Mendoza Pena, 33, have been arrested in connection with the attack. Both have been charged with attack by dog resulting in death. If found guilty, they would face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. KIIITV Channel 3 reports five dogs, three adults and two puppies, were involved the attack. All of the dogs have been found and are in the custody of animal care. There have been no reports on the breed of the dogs. In a gofundme post, Flores is described by his family as having a warriors heart and as someone who loved to make people laugh. Being a big kid himself, Lewis loved everything about being the fun uncle and most importantly, he loved his family deeply, the post says. CLEVELAND, Ohio Many calls to the Cuyahoga County call center for help navigating programs like SNAP and Medicaid are still going unanswered, despite the county implementing changes and adding staff in response to the poor service. Over the last three months, public records show that just 53% of calls were answered, records show. CLEVELAND, Ohio After 19 years, JumpStarts founding CEO Ray Leach is going to step down so that he can focus on a new venture. It will be JumpStarts first leadership change. JumpStart has already started a national search for its new CEO, according to a statement from the economic development nonprofit. Leach intends to stay on as CEO until the end of September. CLEVELAND, Ohio Rhonda Brown, who was recently appointed by Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb as the citys first senior strategist for arts, culture and the creative economy, is a special kind of boomerang returnee to her hometown. As a newly minted cultural leader in Cleveland, shell draw on nearly 30 years of experience in Chicago as an artist, arts administrator and fundraiser in higher education. LAWRENCE TWP, Ohio Tallmadge police shot a 42-year-old man in Stark County early Friday morning, according to Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Tallmadge police got a call that the man, Larry Beall Jr., was in the 1100 block of Woods Drive, police said in a release. The man had active warrants for his arrest, police said. CLEVELAND, Ohio Military and overseas absentee voting is underway for the Aug. 8 Special Election, but for the rest of the population, early voting begins July 11. Theres only one question on the ballot, State Issue 1, which, if passed, would require a 60% supermajority in future statewide votes to change the Ohio Constitution, rather than the current 50%, plus one vote threshold. It also would make it significantly harder to get issues on the ballot by requiring campaigns to collect a minimum number of signatures from all 88 counties, instead of the current 44 counties. A yes vote would approve the changes, while a no vote would reject them. Read more: Coverage of State Issue 1 The outcome of that vote could impact whether a potential abortion rights issue expected to appear on the November ballot will be successful. Signatures are being collected now to put the Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety constitutional amendment before voters this fall. If passed, it would guarantee patients get to make their own decisions about reproduction, including birth control, fertility treatment, continuing a pregnancy or abortion and miscarriage care until viability, which is around 22 to 24 weeks. But the states sudden decision to hold an August election has left BOE offices scrambling to prepare and voter turnout harder to predict. Generally, August elections are low turnout affairs, with the 2022 special election turning out only 8% of registered voters, but officials dont know what to expect this year. Theyve estimated a wide range in turnout between 10-50%. To avoid any confusion or conflicts with summer activities or vacations, officials are encouraging residents to make a voting plan. Theres more flexibility than ever, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections spokesman Mike West said of the options. We break down how to vote in Cuyahoga County. Related: How to vote at Summit board of elections Early in-person voting Registered voters can cast their ballots in-person early at the BOE office, 2925 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, at various scheduled times from July 11 through August 6: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday between July 11 and 28 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 31 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Aug 2-4 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6 There is no early in-person voting on Monday, Aug. 7 The BOE office is tucked into a less-trafficked neighborhood east of downtown Cleveland, at the intersection of East 30th Street and Euclid Avenue. There is a small, one-way parking lot directly behind the building, off East 30th street, that voters can either drive through to place completed mail-in ballots in the drop box or park for free while they vote inside. A sign marks the entrance of the one-way parking lot behind the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections office at 2925 Euclid Ave., in Cleveland. (Kaitlin Durbin, cleveland.com) Most days, there are 18 public parking spaces available in the middle of the lot, with two handicap spaces next to the door, but on busy days, staff remove their vehicles to increase capacity to about 50 spaces. If that lot fills up, the elections office will provide overflow parking in a lot directly across the street on East 30th, about 200 feet from the office. Any additional parking added will be well-marked and easily accessible, West said. We wont allow people to be turned away by a lack of parking, West said. Public transit users can also take the number 9 bus to the stop at the intersection of Payne Avenue and E. 30th Street, and then walk the roughly half-mile south up E. 30th Street to the BOE office. Or riders could take the number 15 bus to the stop outside Cleveland State Universitys Berkman Hall on E. 22nd Street and walk a third of a mile east down Euclid Avenue, to the office. Riders coming from the east can also use the HealthLine, which stops directly in front of the BOE office. A man walks through the parking lot to the back entrance of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections office at 2925 Euclid Ave., in Cleveland, on June 23, 2023. (Kaitlin Durbin, cleveland.com) Voters are asked to use the back entrance, unless the front door is marked as being open. They will enter through two sets of glass doors and immediately see a floor sign directing them to take the first right down a short hallway, passing by restrooms. At the end of the hall, voters will step left into the main room, where theyll wait in line to be checked in. At the check-in counter, voters will present a valid form of ID, which could include an Ohio drivers license, state ID card (free at any Bureau of Motor Vehicles deputy registrar license agency), interim identification form from the BMV, US passport or passport card, or a US military ID card, Ohio National Guard ID card or Department of Veterans Affairs ID card. Once verified, voters will receive a printed ballot and will be directed to an open voting booth. Voters turn out for the first day of early voting for the March 17 primary at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections office on Feb. 19, 2020. After completing their ballot, voters will remove the ballot stub and place it in a marked box before feeding their ballot through a scanner along the left wall. Staff will be available to help direct voters through each step, West said. For most people its just a matter of minutes, West said of the voting process. Voters who forget to bring a valid ID or who have not updated their registration with their current address can still cast a provisional ballot. Those ballots will be counted if the voter presents their valid proof of identity or otherwise has their eligibility verified by Aug. 12 -- four days immediately following the election. The deadline to register to vote or update an address is July 10. By mail Residents can vote by mail by requesting an application or printing one on the BOE website, and then mailing it to the office at P.O. Box 89448, Cleveland, OH 44101. Ballots will start being mailed to residents on July 11. The ballot drop-off box located in the parking lot behind the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections office at 2925 Euclid Ave., in Cleveland. (Kaitlin Durbin, cleveland.com) Once received and filled out, the ballot can either be mailed back to the same P.O. Box address -- postmarked on or before August 7 -- or deposited in the drop box, open 24 hours, in the Board of Elections parking lot, at 2925 Euclid Avenue, by 7:30 p.m. on August 8. Residents who mail in ballots can track them at www.boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/voters/track-my-ballot. On Election Day Residents can cast their ballots at their assigned polling location from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. To verify your polling location, visit www.boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/voters/get-your-voting-information and enter your information, as instructed. Election Day voting at the polling site at the Rocky River United Methodist Church in November 2021. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)John Kuntz, cleveland.com Your name and current address must match your voter registration record. You are also required to provide the same proof of identification as listed in the instructions for voting early a drivers license, state ID card, interim identification form, passport, passport card, or military ID card. Again, voters who do not bring valid ID or have not updated their voter registration can still cast a provisional ballot, which will be counted once their eligibility is verified. Additional questions about where or how to vote can be answered on the county BOEs website or by calling 216-443-8683. Rotunda Rumblings Puff, pass: Public health experts and anti-cancer lobbyists say language in the state Senates budget proposal would needlessly weaken Ohios tobacco laws, Jake Zuckerman reports. But top Republicans say it will cut down on youth tobacco usage. Criminal sentence: Federal prosecutors filed a motion late Thursday outlining their recommendation for sentencing former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, who was found guilty earlier this year of engaging in a bribery scheme in exchange for an energy bailout. Zuckerman reports that they asked a federal judge to put Householder in prison for 16 to 20 years. Householder and his co-conspirator, Matt Borges, are scheduled to be sentenced next week. The Cleveland show: The Ohio Senates budget proposal has a number of proposals targeting Northeast Ohio, including redirecting $2 million to help pay for infrastructure improvements to a proposed massive redevelopment in downtown Cleveland. As Jeremy Pelzer reports, the Senates plan also would revoke Cuyahoga Countys authority to ask voters to tax vaping products and allow the county to seek a tax hike on cigarettes. Signature issue: Backers of a potential Ohio abortion-rights amendment say theyre confident theyve gathered enough signatures to qualify their issue for the November ballot. During a Thursday conference call with reporters, leaders with Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, a group backing the amendment, declined to say exactly how many signatures theyve collected. But, one of the groups co-founders, Cleveland-area pediatrician Lauren Beene, said: The signature gathering effort has been going very well. We are on track to be successful. Another co-founder, Marcela Azevedo, said: Our folks are working diligently on this, on counting and verification, but were really optimistic about where we are. The campaign had an internal deadline earlier this week to submit signatures for internal pre-verification ahead of a July 5 deadline to submit them to the state. The group needs to submit roughly 413,000 valid voter signatures from 44 of 88 Ohio counties to qualify. Flush with cash: State revenues this year and the next two fiscal years are now predicted to be significantly higher than projections from just a few months ago, according to separate estimates announced by the Legislative Service Commission and the Office of Management and Budget on Thursday. LSCs revised income estimate for that period is a total of $585.7 million higher than previously expected, while OBM is now expecting $816 million more than in its last forecast. That news may help House and Senate conference committee members as they hammer out a compromise deal on the states new two-year budget, though in past sessions higher-than-expected revenue estimates sometimes sparked new budget fights over what to do with the unexpected money. Bake sale: The Ohio Board of Pharmacy awarded certificates of operation Thursday to Nar Reserve, at 342 E. Long St. in Columbus, and Backroad Wellness, 3210 Rhodes Ave. in New Boston in Scioto County. This allows the businesses to open to patients. There are now 91 dispensaries with certificates of operation. On the ground: The National Transportation Safety Board is holding a two-day field hearing in East Palestine, Ohio, this week on a Norfolk Southern train derailment that spilled hazardous material into the air and waterways on Feb. 3. The Associated Press reports that Thursdays hearing brought testimony from fire chiefs who said more training is needed on hazardous chemicals, though it might not matter because of the magnitude of the disaster that unfolded when the train derailed. Funding cliff: An estimated 2,111 childcare programs could close and 135,000 children could lose access to childcare in Ohio because billions in federal subsidies for childcare providers are set to run out by the end of September, according to a new report from The Century Foundation. Zachary Smith reports the $40 billion package was part of the American Rescue Plan (ARPA), initially passed to help childcare facilities pay wages, lower tuition and expand services during the pandemic. Buckeye Brain Tease Question: What is the state fruit of Ohio? Email your response to capitolletter@cleveland.com. The first correct respondent will be mentioned in next weeks newsletter. Thanks to everyone who responded to last weeks trivia question: American humorist and Columbus native James Thurber was named after a civic leader in his hometown. Who was the leader? Last weeks answer: A: James Grover Thurber was named after Rev. James L. Grover, the Columbus Metropolitan Librarys first director, from 1872 to 1878, a minister and friend of the Thurber family. Capitol Letter reader Pam Manges of Wooster, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Networks Ohio state lead ambassador, was the first to provide the correct answer! On The Move Mike Brice, assistant managing editor for the Toledo Blade, announced he will cover politics for the newspaper starting next month. Birthdays Friday, 6/23: State Rep. Sara Carruthers; Ben Cech, business development and government relations specialist at The Management Council; Maureen Corcoran, Department of Medicaid director; Keary McCarthy, executive director of the Ohio Mayors Alliance Saturday, 6/24: U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown; Adam Gumpf, public affairs liaison for the Ohio Treasurers Office Sunday, 6/25: Alana Jarrell, deputy finance director, Republican Senate Campaign Committee Straight From The Source Maybe you have too much money. Mo money, mo problems, is a famous quote out there. - Ohio House Finance Chair Jay Edwards, an Athens County Republican, when asked Thursday whether the budget conference committee might get into additional fights now that updated revenue forecasts show that, over the next two years, the state is projected to take in hundreds of millions of dollars more than previously expected. Edwards was referencing the title of a Notorious B.I.G. song. Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. Subscribe to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free. COLUMBUS, Ohio Federal prosecutors asked a judge Thursday to put Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder in prison for 16-20 years. Invoking his abuse of the public trust, likening him to the quintessential mob boss, and accusing him of dishonesty at trial, prosecutors say the Glenford Republican should broach the legal maximum. Artificial intelligence algorithms are increasingly being used in financial services but they come with some serious risks around discrimination. Sadik Demiroz | Photodisc | Getty Images AMSTERDAM Artificial intelligence has a racial bias problem. From biometric identification systems that disproportionately misidentify the faces of Black people and minorities, to applications of voice recognition software that fail to distinguish voices with distinct regional accents, AI has a lot to work on when it comes to discrimination. And the problem of amplifying existing biases can be even more severe when it comes to banking and financial services. Deloitte notes that AI systems are ultimately only as good as the data they're given: Incomplete or unrepresentative datasets could limit AI's objectivity, while biases in development teams that train such systems could perpetuate that cycle of bias. A.I. can be dumb Nabil Manji, head of crypto and Web3 at Worldpay by FIS, said a key thing to understand about AI products is that the strength of the technology depends a lot on the source material used to train it. "The thing about how good an AI product is, there's kind of two variables," Manji told CNBC in an interview. "One is the data it has access to, and second is how good the large language model is. That's why the data side, you see companies like Reddit and others, they've come out publicly and said we're not going to allow companies to scrape our data, you're going to have to pay us for that." As for financial services, Manji said a lot of the back-end data systems are fragmented in different languages and formats. "None of it is consolidated or harmonized," he added. "That is going to cause AI-driven products to be a lot less effective in financial services than it might be in other verticals or other companies where they have uniformity and more modern systems or access to data." watch now Manji suggested that blockchain, or distributed ledger technology, could serve as a way to get a clearer view of the disparate data tucked away in the cluttered systems of traditional banks. However, he added that banks being the heavily regulated, slow-moving institutions that they are are unlikely to move with the same speed as their more nimble tech counterparts in adopting new AI tools. "You've got Microsoft and Google , who like over the last decade or two have been seen as driving innovation. They can't keep up with that speed. And then you think about financial services. Banks are not known for being fast," Manji said. Banking's A.I. problem Rumman Chowdhury, Twitter's former head of machine learning ethics, transparency and accountability, said that lending is a prime example of how an AI system's bias against marginalized communities can rear its head. "Algorithmic discrimination is actually very tangible in lending," Chowdhury said on a panel at Money20/20 in Amsterdam. "Chicago had a history of literally denying those [loans] to primarily Black neighborhoods." In the 1930s, Chicago was known for the discriminatory practice of "redlining," in which the creditworthiness of properties was heavily determined by the racial demographics of a given neighborhood. "There would be a giant map on the wall of all the districts in Chicago, and they would draw red lines through all of the districts that were primarily African American, and not give them loans," she added. "Fast forward a few decades later, and you are developing algorithms to determine the riskiness of different districts and individuals. And while you may not include the data point of someone's race, it is implicitly picked up." Indeed, Angle Bush, founder of Black Women in Artificial Intelligence, an organization aiming to empower Black women in the AI sector, tells CNBC that when AI systems are specifically used for loan approval decisions, she has found that there is a risk of replicating existing biases present in historical data used to train the algorithms. "This can result in automatic loan denials for individuals from marginalized communities, reinforcing racial or gender disparities," Bush added. "It is crucial for banks to acknowledge that implementing AI as a solution may inadvertently perpetuate discrimination," she said. Frost Li, a developer who has been working in AI and machine learning for more than a decade, told CNBC that the "personalization" dimension of AI integration can also be problematic. "What's interesting in AI is how we select the 'core features' for training," said Li, who founded and runs Loup, a company that helps online retailers integrate AI into their platforms. "Sometimes, we select features unrelated to the results we want to predict." When AI is applied to banking, Li says, it's harder to identify the "culprit" in biases when everything is convoluted in the calculation. "A good example is how many fintech startups are especially for foreigners, because a Tokyo University graduate won't be able to get any credit cards even if he works at Google; yet a person can easily get one from community college credit union because bankers know the local schools better," Li added. Generative AI is not usually used for creating credit scores or in the risk scoring of consumers. "That is not what the tool was built for," said Niklas Guske, chief operating officer at Taktile, a startup that helps fintechs automate decision-making. Instead, Guske said the most powerful applications are in pre-processing unstructured data such as text files like classifying transactions. "Those signals can then be fed into a more traditional underwriting model," said Guske. "Therefore, Generative AI will improve the underlying data quality for such decisions rather than replace common scoring processes." watch now But it's also difficult to prove. Apple and Goldman Sachs , for example, were accused of giving women lower limits for the Apple Card. But these claims were dismissed by the New York State Department of Financial Services after the regulator found no evidence of discrimination based on sex. The problem, according to Kim Smouter, director of the group European Network Against Racism, is that it can be challenging to substantiate whether AI-based discrimination has actually taken place. "One of the difficulties in the mass deployment of AI," he said, "is the opacity in how these decisions come about and what redress mechanisms exist were a racialized individual to even notice that there is discrimination." "Individuals have little knowledge of how AI systems work and that their individual case may, in fact, be the tip of a systems-wide iceberg. Accordingly, it's also difficult to detect specific instances where things have gone wrong," he added. Smouter cited the example of the Dutch child welfare scandal, in which thousands of benefit claims were wrongfully accused of being fraudulent. The Dutch government was forced to resign after a 2020 report found that victims were "treated with an institutional bias." This, Smouter said, "demonstrates how quickly such dysfunctions can spread and how difficult it is to prove them and get redress once they are discovered and in the meantime significant, often irreversible damage is done." Policing A.I.'s biases Chowdhury says there is a need for a global regulatory body, like the United Nations, to address some of the risks surrounding AI. Though AI has proven to be an innovative tool, some technologists and ethicists have expressed doubts about the technology's moral and ethical soundness. Among the top worries industry insiders expressed are misinformation; racial and gender bias embedded in AI algorithms; and "hallucinations" generated by ChatGPT-like tools. "I worry quite a bit that, due to generative AI, we are entering this post-truth world where nothing we see online is trustworthy not any of the text, not any of the video, not any of the audio, but then how do we get our information? And how do we ensure that information has a high amount of integrity?" Chowdhury said. Now is the time for meaningful regulation of AI to come into force but knowing the amount of time it will take regulatory proposals like the European Union's AI Act to take effect, some are concerned this won't happen fast enough. "We call upon more transparency and accountability of algorithms and how they operate and a layman's declaration that allows individuals who are not AI experts to judge for themselves, proof of testing and publication of results, independent complaints process, periodic audits and reporting, involvement of racialized communities when tech is being designed and considered for deployment," Smouter said. The AI Act, the first regulatory framework of its kind, has incorporated a fundamental rights approach and concepts like redress, according to Smouter, adding that the regulation will be enforced in approximately two years. "It would be great if this period can be shortened to make sure transparency and accountability are in the core of innovation," he said. US President Joe Biden looks on as India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a meeting with senior officials and CEOs of American and Indian companies, in the East Room the White House in Washington, DC, on June 23, 2023. The CEOs of Apple , Alphabet , Microsoft got a healthy dose of facetime with the leader of India this week, who was in the U.S. to meet with President Biden as well as other political and business leaders. The tech company execs spent over an hour with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside the White House on Friday, discussing opportunities and challenges in investing in India. Earlier in the week, Modi met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk. After the meeting concluded at the White House, Apple CEO Tim Cook told CNBC that India represents a "huge opportunity." When asked if Apple would continue expanding there, he pointed to the two retail stores the company opened in India earlier this year. It was the first state visit to the U.S. for Modi, who became prime minister in 2014. Following Friday's meeting, the White House said Google will be working with the Indian Institute of Science on open sourcing of speech data for artificial intelligence models. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was also in Washington for the event. Two people with knowledge of the matter said Altman and Modi discussed opportunities to collaborate on AI. Hemant Taneja, CEO of venture capital firm General Catalyst, attended the roundtable. Ahead of the meeting, he shared with CNBC his intentions to find alignment on efforts to streamline technology transfer rules between the U.S. and India, which has overtaken China as the world's most-populous country. U.S. relations with China have become increasingly strained in the past few years. "We are in a digital cold war with China, and this approach will ultimately foster an atmosphere of increased cooperation," Taneja said. Large semiconductor companies like Micron and Applied Materials used Modi's visit as an opportunity to announce plans to make significant investments India. Micron is aiming to open a facility in Modi's home state of Gujarat as the broader chip industry looks for ways to diversify its supply chain. Lam Research revealed plans to train 60,000 Indian engineers. Access to highly skilled labor and outdated labor laws are challenges for American businesses when it comes to staffing up in India. "U.S. companies in India have had difficulties over time with regulatory uncertainty as well as challenges in relocating or terminating employees," said Kenneth Juster, former U.S. Ambassador to India. Juster, who's now a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said he remains optimistic, adding that India has pledged to ease the process for foreign companies to do business there. WATCH: Big tech CEOs meet with Biden Investors should expect data center stock Equinix to build on its already solid gain for this year, according to Bank of America. The bank reiterated a buy rating on shares of Equinix and raised the price target to $850 from $750. The firm's forecast implies roughly 14% upside from Thursday's $746.99 closing price. While the company largely focuses on network communications, analyst David Barden said higher expectations for revenue after Equinix's investor day don't fully encapsulate the artificial intelligence opportunity. The company held its investor day Wednesday, and BofA highlighted Equinix's commentary on growing its cloud segment and strong positioning to handle the supply and demand picture. EQIX YTD mountain Equinix shares year to date "EQIX remains our top data center pick as a function of its strong balance sheet, demonstrable pricing power, and position as a call option on the emerging incremental AI demand opportunity," Barden said. He highlighted a conversation with CEO Charles Meyers in which the company chief pointed to "industry reports projecting an 'AI Infra' total addressable market (TAM) of $60bn by 2027 as well as a $21bn AI serviceable addressable market (SAM) for EQIX." Barden added that while the AI opportunity has yet to be fully realized, the prospect for a deeper investment in the space could "create business tailwinds at a later date." "We also appreciate this trend will take time to play out in terms of a material financial impact," he added. Equinix shares are up 14% this year. Over the past month, the stock is also up 7.2%, outpacing the S & P 500 during that time. CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report. President Joe Biden signs an executive order in support of Joining Forces, the initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors on June 9, 2023 at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. President Joe Biden on Friday will sign a wide-ranging executive order aimed at protecting and increasing access to contraception, his administration's latest attempt to shore up reproductive rights as abortion restrictions rise in many states. The White House announced the order one day shy of the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, which established the constitutional right to abortion in the U.S. in 1973. Justice Clarence Thomas suggested in a concurring opinion that the nation's highest court should revisit similar cases, including those guaranteeing access to contraception. "Contraception is an essential component of reproductive health care that has only become more important in the wake of [the Supreme Court decision] and the ensuing crisis in women's access to health care," the White House said in a press release. The president's executive order directs the secretaries of the Treasury, Labor Department, and the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure private health insurers cover all contraceptives approved by the Food and Drug Administration a requirement under the Affordable Care Act. That 2010 health law, also known as Obamacare, requires most insurance plans to cover at least one type of contraceptive per category without a copay. There are 18 contraceptive methods approved by the FDA. Biden's order also: Directs those departments to consider new ways to broaden access to affordable over-the-counter birth control medications, such as Plan B emergency contraception. That could include convening pharmacies, employers and insurers to discuss how to do so, according to the White House. Directs HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to strengthen coverage of contraceptives for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly women of reproductive age with disabilities. Instructs the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Office of Personnel Management to consider actions that would shore up birth control access for veterans and federal employees, among other provisions. The president's order does not suggest a timeline for shoring up that access and does not direct federal departments to consider new requirements to codify access to birth control. Contraception is widely used in the U.S. Approximately 65% of women ages 15 to 49 used birth control from 2017 to 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most common contraceptive methods used during that time period were female sterilization, oral contraceptive pills and condoms, the CDC said. Two Democratic lawmakers this month relaunched legislation to codify contraception access. The executive order comes as the battle over abortion rights further polarizes in the U.S. That includes a legal fight over mifepristone, one of the two pills involved in a medication abortion. A group of anti-abortion doctors sued the FDA last November to pull mifepristone from the U.S. market entirely. U.S. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in the Northern District of Texas ruled in the doctors' favor in April and suspended the FDA approval. The Supreme Court intervened in the case and preserved access to mifepristone as the litigation plays out. More than a dozen states have also implemented abortion restrictions since the Roe v. Wade decision last year, with some laws criminalizing the procedure as early as six weeks into pregnancy. C3.ai did little to differentiate itself among an increasingly crowded space of artificial intelligence stocks at the company's investor day, according to Deutsche Bank. The bank on Friday reiterated a sell rating on the stock, with a $16 per share price target. Deutsche Bank's forecast calls for a 57% drop over the next 12 months. C3.ai has surged 234% year to date as investor hype over artificial intelligence lifted the entire sector. But Deutsche Bank analyst Brad Zelnick said it isn't clear now how the company will stand out and added that the investor day held earlier this week only provided "somewhat limited incremental updates." AI YTD mountain C3.AI has been on an impressive run since January tied to investor excitement over artificial intelligence. "While we appreciate the vast opportunity presented by AI, the event did nothing to ease our skepticism on the true differentiation of the company's platform, its traction with customers or its ability to hit its constantly evolving financial targets," Zelnick said. "Until we get more comfort in some of the leading indicators, magnitude of new deals and signs of sustained new business traction we maintain our Sell rating, especially with valuation at ~13x EV/FY25E rev." Meanwhile, Zelnick added C3.ai's primary focus on the generative AI space and appeal to AI businesses essentially aggregating data into a central database while also helping limit so-called large language model hallucinations may not even be deemed necessary by peers. Hallucinations generally refer to false information, content or facts provided by AI. "In our view, there is still much to be settled in what the final state of Gen AI architectures look like and if companies will ultimately want or need a platform like C3 vs. the wide range of solutions coming from hyperscalers, direct competitors like Palantir, other ISVs and/or the open source community," he said. Zelnick wasn't the only Wall Street analyst skeptical of C3.ai going forward. Morgan Stanley's Sanjit Singh reiterated his underweight rating on the stock, noting that, while AI enthusiasm is leading to "Top of the Funnel Momentum," it's uncertain when the company can see a growth inflection point. Meanwhile, Joshua Tilton of Wolfe Research maintained an underperform rating on the stock, noting, "At the end of the day, with no incremental financial targets, the A-Day itself was not enough to move shares higher or deter us from our thesis." CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report. In this article Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Grindr at the NYSE, Nov. 18, 2022. Source: NYSE Seven months in the public market In the seven months since Grindr representatives rang the opening bell, CEO George Arison has shifted his focus to matters relevant to a public company, such as hiring specialists versus generalists and raising liquidity. He and company leaders have been attending bank conferences, boosting the company's profile among the Wall Street set. Last month, Grindr leadership was at an event hosted by JPMorgan in Boston. Arison has been surprised by the amount of interest from investors when attending these conferences, noting one in March that had back-to-back meetings from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To be sure, not all investors who meet with management wind up buying in. Arison noted that some banks have not been welcoming at conventions; he declined to share names. However, he thinks more are now accepting of a stock like Grindr which unapologetically focuses on the LGBTQ+ community and embraces sex culture than if the company went public even just a few years prior. "I don't think even 10 years ago, that would have been the case," he said. "I think if you ask people, they would tell you, 'Oh, nothing would have been different.' But I think it would have been very different." Grindr's stock has followed the typical technology story line but to a greater extreme. Shares are up about 20% in 2023. The stock dropped 54% in 2022 when accounting for the SPAC's share price of roughly $10 prior to the merger. By comparison, Bumble and Match Group ended 2022 lower. In 2023, Match shares are about flat, while Bumble is down about 18%. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Grindr's stock since going public Grindr does not yet have any coverage from Wall Street firms, with its last earnings call consisting of questions from retail investors inquiring into topics such as if any board members use the app or if web-based competitors are a concern. The stock has attracted the attention of the Wall Street Bets Reddit page, which rose to fame in the investing world as it became a primary discussion forum for meme-stock action. A new competitor has also joined the field: Match Group launched its Archer dating app on June 1, focusing on gay, bisexual and queer men. Some see an improving environment for dating apps as a whole, though Grindr leadership is quick to note the platform offers more than just that. Online dating penetration is still growing despite concerns the market was oversaturated, according to a Morgan Stanley report released earlier this month. The firm noted that demand is rising, with 65% of online daters planning to increase usage over the next year. Arison said he's confident the stock will perform well as long as the company stays on its path of innovation. "The reality is that what I can control, and what my team can control, is, execute to a plan and exceed people's expectations," he said. "If we deliver that quarter after quarter after quarter, the stock's gonna take care of itself." George Arison, CEO Grindr, at the NYSE, November 18, 2022. Source: NYSE Who's standing behind the stock? Slightly more than 6% of shares are available for public investors to buy and sell, according to FactSet. That means that most shares are held by institutions and major individual investors. The biggest institutional investor is 12 West Capital Management, which holds about 2.7% of total shares of the stock, a position worth $28 million. Prescott Investors, the next biggest institutional holder, recently shaved its position down to nearly a half of what it was and now holds a roughly $14 million stake, or 1.3% of the total. Big names such as Vanguard, BlackRock and Charles Schwab also have small holdings, with each accounting for less than 0.2% of total shares. These institutional holders all either did not respond to CNBC's requests for comment or declined an interview, with many noting they do not discuss individual holdings as a matter of company policy. The 'Grindr' app logo is seen amongst other dating apps on a mobile phone screen. Getty Images G. Raymond Zage, a Grindr board member who also leads Tiga, is the biggest single investor, with more than 45% of all shares. Board chair James Fu Bin Lu had the second largest position equating to around 22% of the total available. A 'gay super-app' Grindr is also busy planning the future of the app. Arison called the product a "total open book" and said there's the potential to be a "super-app" for the community it serves. Arison has been pleased with the extensive free functionality to make it a social network and a community space. Grindr has about 13 million monthly active users, with representation worldwide, company data shows. The average user spends 58 minutes per day on the platform, as of the end of 2022. "When people see the engagement levels on Grindr, which are out of this world, they are like 'Wow, there's no way you can be used as purely a dating product,' because nobody ... comes even close to this level of engagement," he said. But he also sees an opportunity to further monetize, with the amount of paying customers lower than peers. There were about 866,000 paying customers in the first quarter, representing less than 7% of the total monthly users. Arison said Grindr has an opportunity to grow in international markets: As other countries become more welcoming of LGBTQ+ people, this can encourage members of the community to feel safer on the app. An advertisement-free offering is one idea for getting more paid users, though the company also sees the potential to get more focused advertising for companies that specifically want to reach LGBTQ+ people. Another idea is to add a function that will allow users to "move" their profile to other locations and be found in different areas, which can appeal to regular travelers. Grindr also recently launched a web offering, which may offer more features at an additional cost in the future. The LGBTQ social networking platform Grindr puts on a public show outside of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as the company goes public following its merger with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Tiga Acquisition Corp. on November 18, 2022 in New York City. Spencer Platt | Getty Images Governor Kathy Hochul holds media availability press conference and makes an announcement on abortion rights at the office on 633 3rd Avenue. Governor Hochul updated the media on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state, announced more funding to provide abortion on demand, updated on the situation with monkeypox, and invited businesses around the country to relocate to New York state-based on laws of equality, abortion rights, and friendly business climate. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday signed a bill that would legally protect doctors who prescribe and send abortion pills to patients living in other states where the procedure is outlawed. Under the measure, New York abortion providers can serve more out-of-state patients without fear of litigation. That could help expand medication abortion access nationwide, allowing more patients to end pregnancies without having to travel to states where the practice is legal. Medication abortion, which typically involves taking the pills mifepristone and misoprostol together, accounts for about half of all abortion procedures in the U.S. More than a dozen states implemented near-total abortion bans since the Supreme Court decided to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling a year ago, ending half a century of federal abortion rights. Many state bans penalize people who assist with an abortion. Reproductive rights are set to take center stage in the 2024 election, with both parties seeking to capitalize on the polarizing issue. More than 60% of registered voters disapprove of the Supreme Court's decision, according to an NBC News poll released earlier this month. "We are witnessing a shameful regression of women's rights in this country as abortion access is restricted in states across the nation," Hochul said in a press release. "With this bill, New York is continuing to fight back against restrictive abortion laws and help more people access the care they need." The bill specifically aims to protect New York doctors who use telehealth systems, which allow them to serve patients residing in other states. Similar telehealth abortion laws have been enacted in Massachusetts, Colorado, Vermont and Washington. The New York measure would prohibit state law enforcement from cooperating with any out-of-state litigation against doctors who use telehealth services to prescribe medication abortion or provide other reproductive health care. The bill builds upon similar legislation passed last year, which aimed to protect New York abortion care providers from litigation, but did not specifically address telehealth. "You want to prosecute, penalize, sue one of our health care providers?" Hochul said Friday at a news conference. "Well, we're not going to help you." "You can continue hell bent down your path on continuing this radical behavior," the governor declared. "But we will be just as hell bent on stopping you. This is New York." The bill comes as conservatives wage an unresolved legal battle over the fate of mifepristone. A group of anti-abortion doctors sued the Food and Drug Administration last November to pull mifepristone from the U.S. market entirely. Federal Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in the Northern District of Texas ruled in the doctors' favor in April and suspended the FDA approval. The Supreme Court intervened in the case and preserved access to mifepristone as the litigation plays out. Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, David Stein experienced his share of homophobia. The 30-year-old recalls a conversation in his sixth-grade history class about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Under the U.S. military policy enacted in the early '90s, service members were not required to disclose their sexual orientation. But if it was discovered they were gay, they could be legally discharged. The discussion in Stein's class was about whether or not the policy should be repealed. Kids were basically "discussing if it's okay for people to be who they are," he says, whether or not it's OK for people to be in the LGBTQ community. The policy is now widely considered to be discriminatory and was officially repealed in 2011. Stein believes that on some level, he always knew he was gay. But having soaked up negative messaging about his identity, it took until about his mid-20s to finally come out. As he got to know the LGBTQ community better, Stein realized many in it still face challenges with sexual health and wellness and that greater ease in getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases could make a huge difference. In 2019, he co-founded Ash Wellness, which now offers at-home diagnostic testing for "everything from HIV, cholesterol, lipids," he says, and more. Thus far, the company has raised $6.6 million in funding, according to Crunchbase. He's now serving as its CEO. Here's how he turned challenges he faced as a gay man into a full-fledged business. 'They start to give me a lecture on safe sex' Stein attended George Washington University and worked in D.C. for several years after graduation. Still closeted, he started dating men. One of them suggested he get tested for any sexually transmitted diseases, and the experience left a mark. People at the facility where he was getting tested "start to give me a lecture on safe sex," he says. "I was like, 'you don't know I didn't have safe sex.'" They then asked, do you have sex with men, women or both? How many times have you had unprotected sex? Who have you slept with? While this is the typical line of questioning for an STD test, as he was still closeted, it made Stein deeply uncomfortable. The experience made him realize, "if there's the ability to do this from home," more people would probably do it, he says. And more people could avoid contracting STDs. After a stint working in startups in San Francisco, Stein decided he wanted to found his own company, one focused on solving this very problem by selling at-home STI tests. 'We raised $3.3 million kind of overnight' Stein got accepted into Cornell Tech's one-year MBA program where he met his three co-founders Kyle Waters, Mio Akasako and Nick Sempere. They won the school's startup award of $100,000 at the end of their degree program in 2020 and ended up getting into an accelerator program called 500, which awarded them another $250,000. Ash Wellness kit. Photo courtesy David Stein Originally, the idea was to sell at-home STI kits directly to consumers. Drawing from their own experience with STD tests, the kits competitors were selling and the help of medical advisors, they bought the supplies they needed and ended up "packing and shipping testing kits out of our dorm-style apartments," Stein says. They also found a lab partner where patients could send their samples and built the online infrastructure for them to get their results. But by the time the entered the accelerator, the four realized the model wasn't sustainable. "We just could not make the economics work out," says Stein. "It cost us $150 to acquire a patient and our testing kits sold for just under $150." Instead, they tried shifting their model to business-to-business, selling the kits en masse to organizations who'd order them from fulfillment centers working with Ash Wellness. "The first project we sold was to a sorority at Villanova [University]," he says. They sold them about 250 testing kits and over the next month sold kits to three more B2B clients. The revenue was considerably higher. "This is a no brainer," Stein says the four realized. "We have to pivot to a B2B site." At the end of their accelerator in early 2021, startups had an opportunity to pitch their products to investors. "And we raised $3.3 million kind of overnight," says Stein. A year later, they raised another $3 million from the same investors. '70% of the tests we run are STIs for PrEP' The development, from Lithuanian infrastructure firm Tech Zity, is inspired by British renovation projects like the Battersea Power Station and Tate Modern art gallery. Tech Zity Lithuania is building a huge tech campus Europe's largest in the capital of Vilnius, as it looks to become the new tech capital of the Baltics. Built by Tech Zity, an infrastructure project in Lithuania, the campus is a 100 million euro ($109.6 million) development that will span 55,000 square meters and house 5,000 digital workers, the firm said Friday. related investing news Wells Fargo raises its price target on Tesla. Here's what the pros are saying That would make it larger than Paris' Station F, currently the largest startup campus in all of Europe. The development is inspired by British renovation projects such as the Battersea Power Station and Tate Modern art gallery. Tech Zity developers will renovate a number of sewing factories in a disused industrial space in Vilnius' New Town, maintaining factory-like office floors with ceiling heights of at least 7 meters. The campus is aimed at encouraging Vilnius' tech workers to come back to the office post-pandemic. Tech Zity The project aims to encourage Vilnius' tech workers to return to the office after the pandemic. Tech companies have increasingly been pushing for their employees to go back to the office, in a reversal from the pandemic-era trend of working from home. Lithuania's growing tech scene Lithuania's tech ecosystem has grown dramatically over the past decade, Darius Zakaitis, Tech Zity's founder, told CNBC. "When I started 30 years ago, there were 200 people in the Lithuanian tech ecosystem," Zakaitis said. "Now it's 18,000 people." The development project is a restoration of old disused industrial space in Vilnius' New Town, which is known as the hipster part of town. Tech Zity "It's a result of 10 years of active young people building new companies every day. Some of them are very successful," he said. "Lithuanians are very productive, very results-oriented, highly-skilled guys, very aggressively building their own companies," he added. Vilnius, the second-largest city in the Baltic states, is home to a burgeoning tech industry, including major unicorns such as used clothing retailer Vinted and cybersecurity firm Nord. Nord has its own 300-square-meter campus in Vilnius about 300 meters away from Tech Zity's, while Vinted's headquarters is roughly 200 meters away. Tech Zity's new campus will include co-living spaces, restaurants and bars, and cultural and educational facilities. Tech Zity wants the campus to foster a buzzing night life as well as other socializing opportunities, incorporating co-living spaces, restaurants, and bars. Tech Zity "Vilnius is maintaining a firm position within the European tech scene thanks to rapid innovations and visionary businesses such as Tech Zity," Valdas Benkunskas, the mayor of Vilnius, said in a statement Friday. "Bursting with innovative entrepreneurs, multinational talents, and ambitious investors, the capital has grown to a modern tech hub that evokes bold ideas, successful collaborations, and people-focused solutions." Lithuanian tech companies make roughly 99% of their revenues abroad, he said. He added that the country's tech scene models itself after Israel's, which has produced numerous global tech successes, including self-driving tech firm Mobileye and the mapping app Waze. Tech Zity manages three tech campuses in Vilnius, including Tech Park, Tech Loft, and Tech Spa, which are home to companies like Google, Bored Panda and Kilo Health. The project is a huge undertaking at 55,000 square meters, it is expected to be the largest tech startup campus in all of Europe. Tech Zity U.S. streaming platform Netflix has used Tech Zity locations for filming, including the docu-series "The Playlist" which focuses on Spotify founder Daniel Ek. Currently occupying 20,000 square meters, Tech Zity plans to reach 80,000 square meters over time, considering new campuses, existing locations, and other projects. Long way to go Despite its recent successes, Lithuania is far from becoming a major tech hub that rivals the likes of the U.K., France or Germany. The country attracted 222 million euros of venture capital funding in 2022, paling in comparison to its Western European peers. By contrast, U.K. tech startups raised $30 billion, while their French counterparts raised 13.5 billion euros. But the country has been drawing more interest from venture capitalists, according to local founders. "All the top VC firms are now coming to Lithuania and talking with startups, angel investors, and anyone else," Tom, CEO and co-founder of Nord Security, told CNBC on the sidelines of the Web Summit tech conference in Lisbon, Portugal, last November. "The last raise for a Lithuanian startup called Kevin was from Accel, Vineted has Insight Parnters, EQT, Accel, and many others." WATCH: Russia sanctions must go further, Lithuania's president says Meta has announced it would shut down access to news on Facebook and Instagram in Canada after the country's federal government passed the Online News Act, or Bill C-18, a law mandating that tech companies pay content fees to domestic media outlets. "We have repeatedly shared that in order to comply with Bill C-18, passed today in Parliament, content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to people accessing our platforms in Canada," Meta, Facebook's parent company, said in a statement Thursday. The company added that it is currently conducting several weeks of product tests to "end news availability in Canada" following Parliament's decision. The decision follows a similar law passed last year in Australia, mandating that digital platforms such as Facebook and Google pay domestic media outlets when linking to their content in search or feeds. In response, Meta took a similar path to its current approach in Canada, blocking users from seeing or sharing news content on Facebook. It also reportedly blocked some pages for hospitals and emergency services. Within a week, Meta relented and came to a deal with the Australian government, via amendments to the law allowing tech companies two months to negotiate with media outlets. Earlier this month, California lawmakers advanced a bipartisan bill that would require digital platforms to pay news outlets for the content they host, the first U.S. state to consider such a proposal. If the legislation is approved by the state Senate and passed into law, it would require online platforms with at least 50 million monthly active U.S. users, a billion worldwide active users or U.S. net annual sales or market cap over $550 billion to pay eligible media outlets for hosting their content. Meta said it would remove news from Facebook and Instagram if the law passed in California, similar to its current strategy in Canada. "While these product tests are temporary, we intend to end the availability of news content in Canada permanently following the passage of Bill C-18," Meta wrote in the statement. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 23: XBOX CEO Phil Spencer arrives at federal court on June 23, 2023 in San Francisco, California. Top executives from Microsoft and Activision/Blizzard will be testifying during a five day hearing against the FTC to determine the fate of a $68.7B merger of the two companies. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) As Microsoft attempts to convince regulators to approve its $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard , the company is revealing some of the other ways it's looked to expand in the video game industry. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer testified in San Francisco on Friday that the company previously opened up talks with mobile game developer Zynga but ended up not consummating a deal. The hearing, which began on Thursday and will continue next week, came after the Federal Trade Commission gained a temporary restraining order to keep Microsoft from closing the Activision purchase. The court agreed to maintain the status quo as it reviewed the FTC's request for a preliminary injunction for the deal. "A lot of respect for people at Zynga and what they built," Spencer said at the hearing. "In the end, for our opportunity, we thought we needed to have something that was even bigger than what Zynga was, given our very small starting space in the mobile gaming business." Take Two Interactive , the publisher of Grand Theft Auto titles and other games, ended up acquiring Zynga, in May of last year for $12.7 billion. Zynga was originally for the Facebook hit social game FarmVille, before eventually expanding into mobile games, largely through acquisitions. Prior to the Microsoft offer, Activision met with a financial firm to work on topping Take-Two's purchase of Zynga, CNBC reported at the time. Spencer didn't say when Microsoft was in talks with Zynga, and the company wouldn't provide further comment. However, Zynga said in a filing last year that executives met in September 2021 with representatives from an unnamed "strategic acquirer," which "expressed non-specific interest in an acquisition of Zynga." It wasn't the the first time Microsoft showed such interest. The company reportedly tried to buy Zynga in 2010. In trying to the get Activision deal over the finish line, Microsoft says that even if the two companies combine, the joint entity would be smaller than Sony , whose PlayStation console competes with Microsoft's Xbox, as well as China's Tencent. Spencer said on Friday that mobile games represent a faster opportunity for growth than PC games and consoles, where Microsoft gets the bulk of its gaming revenue. Microsoft has tried to boost cloud-based game streaming on mobile devices, but that effort has challenges. They include the smaller typefaces on phone screens and the fact that smartphones don't come with controllers, Spencer said. Additionally, Apple has stood in the way of bringing Microsoft's Game Pass library of video games to its App Store, he said. Spencer said that after the company went to Zynga, he worked with Microsoft finance chief Amy Hood to look for mobile opportunities. Activision was the biggest publisher of mobile content, and it was already a longtime Microsoft partner, he said. Activision grew its portfolio of mobile games with the 2016 acquisition of King, publisher of Candy Crush Saga. About 35% of the company's $8 billion in 2022 revenue came from its King segment. WATCH: Microsoft-Activision Blizzard five-day hearing begins When you think of the phrase "soft skills," you probably think of a few specific traits: emotional intelligence, interpersonal ability, an adeptness at communication. That's fine, says millionaire bestselling author Seth Godin just stop calling them "soft." "We give too little respect to [those] skills when we call them 'soft' and imply that they're optional," Godin, a marketing entrepreneur and leadership expert, wrote in a recent TED blog post. "Let's uncomfortably call them 'real skills' instead," he added. Godin, a prolific author on topics like marketing and professional development, wrote that soft skills which can also include work ethic, critical thinking and leadership presence are constantly undervalued, partially because of how people refer to them. Those skills are anything but optional, he wrote. His words could ring especially true as artificial intelligence gains workplace popularity. AI has already automated some traditional vocational skills, from coding and data analysis to copywriting and even architectural design. If that trend continues, uniquely human skills like collaboration and empathy could matter more. "Even if you've got the vocational skills, you're no help to us without these human skills, the things that we can't write down or program a computer to do," wrote Godin. The problem, he noted: You can learn engineering, computer science or law in a classroom, but it's much harder to get a graduate degree in charisma, drive or reliability. Those skills are harder to quantify, and therefore harder for a hiring manager to identify on a resume. That's why many companies pay "less attention to soft skills when hiring," Godin wrote. That could change soon, as recruiters and universities teach the Class of 2023 how to conduct office small talk, find appropriate professional workwear and make client introductions, the Wall Street Journal reported last week. Those skills will particularly matter for students whose social and professional development was impeded by pandemic lockdowns, Heidi Brooks, a senior lecturer at Yale University's School of Management, told the Journal. Consider, for example, that some new grads have never even stepped foot in an office before: Remote internship opportunities were seven times higher in 2020 than 2019, an Indeed report found in 2021. And even though soft skills may not be strongly considered in most hiring processes, any new employee's ability to communicate and work with the rest of the team is on display from Day 1. Eighty-nine percent of employers say poor soft skills are a sign of a "bad hire," according to a LinkedIn survey conducted in 2018. Godin agrees. "Hiring coders who can't code, salespeople who can't sell, or architects who can't design is a waste," he wrote, adding: "[But] what actually separates thriving organizations from struggling ones are the difficult-to-measure attitudes, processes and perceptions of the people who do the work." DON'T MISS: Want to be smarter and more successful with your money, work & life? Sign up for our new newsletter! China's artificial intelligence evolution is at an "inflection point" and the country is catching up with the U.S., according to Morgan Stanley. In fact, the bank estimates there's a $7.4 trillion AI opportunity in China. "We believe China's AI evolution is at an inflection point, set to drive consumer behavioral change and business transformation, and more important, accelerate tech diffusion across the economy," the bank said in a June 19 report. Morgan Stanley said a mass adoption of AI applications is set to drive further digitalization of business-to-consumer and business-to-business transactions in addition to the productivity boost it will give the economy. That's set to benefit some big Chinese tech names which are also listed in the United States. Stock picks The bank named e-commerce giant Alibaba , internet services firms Baidu and Tencent , which it described as "AI enablers," given "their willingness/capabilities to invest and rich proprietary data resources." When it comes to cloud services, Alibaba has the highest market share at around 40%, Tencent has 10-20% and Baidu has 5%, according to Morgan Stanley. All three also have, or are rushing to develop, AI chatbots in response to the wildly popular ChatGPT. Morgan Stanley, in a separate note, flagged Baidu in particular as the best AI play in China, and the "most obvious beneficiary" of the $7.4 trillion AI opportunity in China. "It is one of the very few cloud service providers that has built a full-stack cloud framework, providing AI offerings from hardware, frame-works and models to industry applications ... Baidu has also proven its solid AI abilities by extending such technology to intelligent driving. It already runs the largest robotaxi fleet globally and has established autonomous driving OEM partnerships," the bank's analysts wrote. Baidu, China's largest search engine, owns the most extensive proprietary search data and it's essential for the development of AI-generated content, Morgan Stanley noted. "Being the first player to launch a ChatGPT-type product in China, Baidu enjoys early mover advantage, not only in terms of better model training but also increasing potential switching costs for enterprises once they have integrated with Baidu Cloud," the bank said, referring to its chatbot Ernie. It also pointed to Baidu's willingness to continue research and development investments in AI. The outlook for Baidu's revenue growth is improving, the bank added, saying its non-marketing growth has been picking up from 12% of the revenue mix in 2019, to 30% in 2022. Morgan Stanley predicts that growth will be close to 50% in the next three to five years. For 2025, it predicts that there will be a 12% upside to Baidu's core revenue estimates. Morgan Stanley gave Baidu a target price of $190, or 35% potential upside. CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report. Less than 24 hours after Wagner Group mercenaries took control of the strategic southern city of Rostov and began an armed convoy march towards Moscow, Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin abruptly announced late Saturday that his violent, attempted insurrection was over. "The moment has come when blood may spill. That's why, understanding the responsibility for spilling Russian blood on one of the sides, we are turning back our convoys and going back to field camps according to the plan," Prigozhin said on an official Telegram channel. Within a few hours of the statement, Wagner mercenaries in Rostov were filmed climbing into their trucks and departing the city. As they did, civilians took selfies with the Wagner troops and cheered for them. The apparent end of Wagner's march on Moscow came as the result of a deal reached between Prigozhin and the Kremlin, brokered by an unlikely intermediary: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. In exchange for his turning back, the criminal case against Prigozhin had been dropped, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian reporters, according to the state controlled outlet TASS. Prigozhin himself "will go to Belarus," Peskov said, describing what appeared to be a sort of official exile. Wagner mercenaries who participated in Prigozhin's "walk" would not be prosecuted, said Peskov, citing their service to Russia so far in the Ukraine war. Instead, they would be given the opportunity to sign contracts to join the Russian military, ostensibly to return to the fight in Ukraine, TASS reported. At first glance, the deal appeared to signal the end of the Wagner Group, and the integration of its fighters into the Russian armed forces. Peskov also said Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be delivering an address or live comments on the events of the past 24 hours. Putin's absence from the public eye as his grip on power faced its greatest challenge was yet another remarkable detail of the failed insurrection. Siemens Energy shares plunged over 37% on Friday after the company scrapped its profit forecast and warned that costly problems at its wind turbine unit could last for years. The company, born from the spinoff of the former gas and power division of German conglomerate Siemens , announced late Thursday that a review of issues at subsidiary Siemens Gamesa had found a "substantial increase in failure rates of wind turbine components." The Siemens Gamesa board has initiated an "extended technical review" aimed at improving product quality that the parent company said will incur "significantly higher costs" than previously assumed, now estimated to be in excess of 1 billion euros ($1.09 billion). "It is too early to have an exact estimate of the potential financial impact of the quality topics and to gauge the impact of the review of our assumptions on our business plans," Siemens Energy said in a statement. "However, based on our initial assessment as of today, the potential magnitude of the impact leads us to withdraw the profit assumptions for Siemens Gamesa and consequently the profit guidance for Siemens Energy Group for fiscal year 2023." Siemens Gamesa has been a thorn in the side of its parent company since its full takeover late last year. Marchers with Starbucks pass through the landmark intersection of Hollywood and Highland during the annual Pride Parade in Los Angeles, June 12, 2022. Strikes at some organized U.S. Starbucks stores started Friday in Seattle, after the coffee giant and the union representing baristas publicly clashed over claims that the company was not allowing Pride month decor in cafes. The union, Starbucks Workers United, said more than 150 stores representing nearly 3,500 workers have pledged to join the strikes, which will take place over the next week. More than two dozen additional stores are voting on strike authorizations and the count could rise to nearly 200 stores by the end of the week, the union said. Last week, the union alleged dozens of U.S. stores were not allowing employees to decorate for Pride month, accusations that suggested a wave of backlash against LGBTQ+ inclusion had reached a perceived liberal bastion in corporate America. Starbucks said it had not revised its guidelines for store decorations. "We want to be crystal clear Starbucks has been and will continue to be at the forefront of supporting the LGBTQIA2+ community, and we will not waver in that commitment!" Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan and Executive Vice President and President for North America Sara Trilling said in a statement Friday. "Despite today's public commentary, there has been no change to any of our policies as it relates to our inclusive store environments, our company culture and the benefits we offer our partners. We continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for U.S. Pride month in June, as we always have," they added. The executives said they "strongly disapprove of any person or group, seeking to use our partners' cultural and heritage celebrations to create harm or flagrantly advance misinformation for self-interested goals." In response to the strike pledges, the company earlier said, "Workers United continues to spread false information about our benefits, policies and negotiation effortsa tactic used to seemingly divide our partners and deflect from their failure to respond to bargaining sessions for more than 200 stores." In a post on its website, Starbucks shared a June 14 letter from its VP of Partner Resources, May Jensen, to Workers United President Lynne Fox demanding the union "cease from knowingly misleading partners." The CNBC survey was conducted from May 15-June 20, encompassing the period of trading during which Nvidia passed the $1 trillion market cap mark for the first time, after it forecast soaring sales of $11 billion for the second quarter of its fiscal 2024, citing demand for its graphics processors that power artificial intelligence applications like the ones at Google, Microsoft and ChatGPT maker OpenAI. Overall, nearly two-thirds say their AI investments are accelerating, and it is a bigger piece in a smaller overall pie: a little over half of tech executives (53%) say the rise in interest rates has caused them to slow overall spending. Still, as AI has boomed in 2023 and tech stocks have led the market higher, there was also a sharp drop since the last time TEC members were surveyed the second half of 2022 in tech executives saying that cost-cutting pressures due to fears of a recession were their top tech challenge over the next year. That was down from over 30% last year to 16% now, and there was a big rise in survey respondents who said the biggest tech challenge now was meeting customer demand for tech-driven products and solutions, up from 9% to 26%. That's according to the latest CNBC Technology Executive Council bi-annual survey, which includes responses from top technology executives at companies beyond the tech sector itself, including chief information officers, chief technology officers and chief information security officers from areas of the economy including marketing, pharmaceuticals, telecom and utilities, and from public sector entities. In a signal of just how quickly and widely the artificial intelligence boom is spreading, nearly half of the companies (47%) surveyed by CNBC say that AI is their top priority for tech spending over the next year, and AI budgets are more than double the second-biggest spending area in tech, cloud computing, at 21%. "It's hard to think of an area that this couldn't help," said Diogo Rau, Eli Lilly chief information and digital officer. He said Lilly already is using generative AI to write patient safety reports and clinical narratives, and ultimately, it will play a role in drug discovery. "What I'm excited about is what machines can come up with that no human might have imagined, such as new molecules for medicines," Rau said. One of the most anticipated uses for generative AI is in customer relationship management, and that is happening at more companies. Eddie Fox, chief technology officer at telecom company MetTel, said it has built AI functionality into its care center to read incoming client emails, interpret the intent, and then take action. He said this is making employees significantly more productive and efficient personally, and providing service more quickly to customers. "It's had a tremendous impact on incident related tasks and gave our team about 380 hours extra (to really concentrate on care) per month," Fox said. Other members of the TEC indicated they are using generative AI to remove bias from job descriptions, create images for marketing, manage social media, as well as IT and HR tickets. It's also seen as a tool to get expert information to younger employees more quickly. Others noted their firms are in the early days of rolling out code generation tools using gen AI, as well as AI "co-pilots" across many roles, and using generative AI to help make investment decisions. Some described their efforts as still preliminary. "We are just in the learning and exploring phase," said Nicole Coughlin, chief information officer for the town of Cary, North Carolina, a tech startup hub that boasts firms including Fortnite maker Epic Games. Even as firms across the economy spend more on AI, many of their strategic technology aims are not possible with the cloud computing infrastructure already built and still being enhanced. Cloud computing remains the most critical tech area for most companies, with 63% of TEC members citing the cloud as critically important for their company's tech strategy over the next 12 months, but it barely edged out the 58% of respondents who cited AI. Cybersecurity also continues to be a major threat, with 42% of respondents saying ransomware is a bigger concern today than a year ago. The latest advances in AI are being applied to the challenging cybersecurity landscape. Jim Richberg, vice president of information security at Fortinet and its field chief information security officer, said his firm has been using AI for over a decade, not only to improve large (multi-billion node) generative AI models, but to identify that subset of the model that generates most of its predictive power. "When you look cumulatively at trillions of pieces of data, much of the accuracy comes from a fraction of the data," he said. The volume of data and complex relationships currently make it difficult to manage and customize cyber defense. "Most organizations either react when a problem becomes severe enough to be noticed, or they rely on implementing best practices/implementing required practices. Generative AI could enable a more customized and pro-security posture for organizations," he said. One reason AI needs to be deployed in cybersecurity more broadly is because it is being used by hackers already, and they can gain an early advantage. At least in the short-term, Richberg said, generative AI will increase the ability of malicious actors to create social engineering content that makes it harder for users to distinguish it from legitimate data. A malicious actor may steal email traffic as well as a victim's address book, enabling spear-phishing messages that focus on the content of the victim's recent conversations with each of their contacts, and uses the language and syntax for each. "An email to your boss vs. your mother would talk about different things and use different language and tone. This will make it harder to distinguish malicious content based on cues such as awkward language or topics," he said. Similarly, generative AI will enable voice and even video facsimiles to become harder to distinguish from legitimate ones. "Most people already find it harder to apply the same cognitive filters to real-time interaction that they can use in assessing email. The cumulative effect will be to make it harder to rely on user training to detect malicious lures and avoid compromise," Richberg said. Joe Levy, technology group president at cybersecurity firm Sophos, said it has been developing large language models and deep-learning AIs for many years, and is now able to use AI to detect malicious software, stop business email compromise (BEC) emails and phishing attempts, and predict and interrupt incipient ransomware attacks. "What's most exciting about this new generation of generative AIs is its capacity to make every employee in our company more efficient in their work," he said. That includes more effective "threat hunts," but goes beyond core cybersecurity work to improved customer service response and contract review in legal. "Technological advancements have always helped organizations to scale, but have never really offloaded or augmented human intelligence. This time, it's not just a technological advancement, but an intelligence that we can partner with in a broad set of tasks, across many knowledge domains," Levy said. Many tech executives have taken the position that AI will not destroy more jobs than it creates. In the TEC survey, 47% of respondents said they think AI technologies will create more jobs than they destroy. But another 26% said it will destroy more jobs than it creates, while an equal 26% said it is too soon to know. "We always underestimate the social impact of any new technology. Can you think of a technology that didn't change how people interact with each other? From the car to the radio to the internet to the phone, what really changed was social interaction," Rau said. But he worries more about firms that shy away from AI use based on fears. "Maybe I need to start a fund that shorts companies that ban ChatGPT use and go long on ones that encourage it," he said. Levy said there is good reason to worry more this time. "While we have generations of historical precedents for technological advancements and the positive and negative impacts they've had on society, we have no real precedent for a technology that is effectively an alien intelligence, so there's a lot we can't predict about the impacts of generative AI. That doesn't mean we should panic, but it does mean that we should take care when it comes to considerations like its capacity to hallucinate, emergent intellectual property concerns, future legislative actions designed to protect against inevitable 'dual-use' abuses, and the effects that it will have on the future composition of workforces," he said. But he added, "It's not so much a worry as a cautious optimism." Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to deliver remarks during the Georgia state GOP convention at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center on June 10, 2023 in Columbus, Georgia. Donald Trump on Friday netted endorsements for his White House bid from a handful of House Republicans from Pennsylvania, the first lawmakers to formally back the former president since his federal arraignment 10 days ago. Trump, the clear frontrunner in the race for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, was also endorsed by North Carolina Lt. Gov. and gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, who earned raucous applause when he announced his decision on stage at an annual conference of religious conservatives. "This nation needs a fighter," Robinson said. "Someone who is willing to go onto the world stage, walking boldly, strongly, waving the American flag, saying, 'The Americans are here, and we are in charge again.'" Trump last week pleaded not guilty to 37 criminal counts related to his retention of classified records, and alleged efforts to stop the government from getting them back, after leaving the White House in 2021. Some of his former Republican allies, such as ex-Attorney General William Barr, have said the indictment against Trump is "damning." Yet many other Republicans, including most of Trump's primary opponents, have been reluctant to wield the frontrunner's legal troubles against him. The latest endorsements further indicate that even after becoming the first former president ever to face federal criminal charges, Trump's grip on a major swath of the Republican Party remains firm. As if to drive home that point, the same crowd that cheered Robinson also loudly booed another GOP presidential candidate, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, when he criticized Trump for a "failure of leadership." "You can boo all you want," Christie, one of Trump's top GOP critics, told the audience of the Faith and Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority conference in Washington, D.C. "But here's the thing. Our faith teaches us that people have to take responsibility for what they do," Christie said. Those remarks came shortly after the Trump campaign announced his "Pennsylvania Federal Leadership Team," including five current House Republicans from the Keystone State: Mike Kelly, Dan Meuser, Scott Perry, Guy Reschenthaler and John Joyce. Reschenthaler, the House Republican chief deputy whip, is the second member of the chamber's GOP leadership to endorse Trump after House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York. The endorsements from more than half of Pennsylvania's House Republican delegation bring Trump's total number of congressional endorsements to 69, including 10 senators, according to an NBC News tally. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump's nearest Republican primary competitor, has so far amassed five congressional endorsements. Trump's Pennsylvania coalition also includes former Rep. Fred Keller and Carla Sands, the former U.S. ambassador to Denmark, the campaign said. It's not the first time Trump has won more Republican officials' support after being charged with crimes. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., endorsed Trump in April on the same day he was set to be arraigned in Manhattan on state charges of falsifying business records. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., endorsed Trump days before his latest arraignment in Florida on federal charges. Polls of the GOP primary field showed Trump widening his lead after his first indictment. A CNN poll conducted after Trump was arraigned on the federal charges found the former president's support slightly dipping, though he remained the clear Republican polling leader. Trump is set to speak at the Faith and Freedom conference on Saturday evening. Preceding him on Friday's stage were a slew of his Republican primary rivals, including DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and other presidential hopefuls were also on the schedule. The gathering of religious conservatives prompted some of those candidates to tout their records on abortion more clearly than they have done elsewhere on the campaign trail. The issue has split some Republicans since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, marking a victory for anti-abortion activists that was later seen to galvanize Democratic voter turnout. DeSantis, who has seldom trumpeted his state's six-week abortion ban since he quietly signed it into law earlier this year, said Friday that it "was the right thing to do." Scott, who fumbled a question on abortion near the start of his presidential campaign, told the crowd that the pro-abortion left has "lost faith in life itself." Pence, Trump's former vice president who is running on a more traditionally conservative platform, urged "every Republican candidate for president" to "support a ban on abortion before 15 weeks as a minimum nationwide standard." U.S. President Joe Biden India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi toast during a state dinner at the White House in Washington, DC on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images U.S.-India relations entered a new chapter as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden announced a slew of technology and defense deals. "When India and the U.S. work together on semiconductors and critical minerals, it helps the world in making supply chains more diverse, resilient and reliable," Modi said during a speech to the joint session of the U.S. Congress. "We were strangers in defense cooperation at the turn of the century, but now the United States has become one of our most important defense partners." Former diplomats and analysts told CNBC they only expect that relationship to grow stronger and generate even more deals. That includes more military agreements, according to Atul Keshap, president of the U.S.-India Business Council, and former charge d'affaires at the United States Embassy in New Delhi said. "It's going to be great for democracy, great for our two countries, and frankly, great for the Indo-Pacific and the world. So I'm feeling very bullish and I'm really quite impressed by the deliverables that have been announced by both governments," he told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Friday. U.S. President Joe Biden hosts India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India for an Official State Visit in Washington, DC. The Washington Post | The Washington Post | Getty Images The two nations strengthened their defense partnership this week, striking deals that include building General Electric F414 jet engines in India and repairing deployed U.S. Navy ships in Indian shipyards. Still, the U.S. and India are not allies and their relationship will be very different from what other countries in the region have with Washington. "The Biden administration has placed a huge bet on the strategic and economic relationship. And that is not contingent upon India supporting the United States down the line. It's not an ally relationship, but it is one of equal partners and equal strategic interest," said Raymond Vickery, senior associate in U.S.-India policy studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies said. More tech deals on the horizon The U.S. and India are also expected to reach more deals on technology in the future, as Washington pursues "friend-shoring" a strategy in which it diversifies away from China and taps into the potential of other countries in the region. "India needs cutting edge technology. And I think Americans have become much more open about sharing those critical technologies and moving in a direction, which also helps India build its own defense manufacturing base," said Harsh V. Pant, vice president of studies and foreign policy at Observer Research Foundation, a Delhi-based think tank. The U.S. and India agreed to work together across space and artificial intelligence, while also collaborating to secure resilient critical minerals supply chains. watch now "These are bound to lead to further deals [as] the habit of partnership and confidence in the relationship grows further," said Arun Singh, non-resident senior fellow at Carnegie India. "The U.S. understands that the human tech capital is a very important part of U.S. global leadership in innovation," said Singh, who previously served as India's ambassador to the United States. "Indian origin tech entrepreneurs and Indian origin CEOs were an integral part of U.S. leadership in innovation," he said, adding that Modi's state visit has further cemented U.S. investments in Indian critical technology areas. Don't expect a free-trade agreement soon The joint statement noted Modi "expressed India's interest towards being recognized as a Trade Agreements Act-designated country by the United States to further enhance the integration of both economies and to further promote trade and investment between two countries." Despite the cozier relationship, ORF's Pant said a free-trade agreement is unlikely in the short to medium term. "Comments from both sides of the political aisle show that there is no real willingness to move forward on free-trade agreements That seems to be the bottleneck at the moment," he said. watch now It is worth noting that this will be PM Modis first trip to Egypt since he came came to power in 2014. Modis two-day visit (June 24-25) is the first bilateral visit by an Indian leader since 1997. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Egypt in the second leg of his two-nation tour from June 24 to 25. PM Modi is visiting the North African country at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The Egyptian president had invited PM Modi for a state visit when he was here for India's Republic Day celebrations as chief guest in January. It is worth noting that this will be PM Modis first trip to Egypt since coming to power in 2014. In fact, his two-day visit is the first bilateral visit by an Indian leader since 1997. While a lot has been written about the visit and outcomes with the US, the PMs visit to Cairo is also highly significant in the Asian context since West Asia and North Africa are strategically critical geographies for India. During his trip, Modi will be visiting some symbolic Egyptian sites on June 25. According to a PTI report, the Indian PM will take a tour of the 11th Century Al-Hakim mosque, which was restored with the help of the Dawoodi Bohra community. Additionally, Modi will also visit the Heliopolis War Cemetery to pay his tributes to the Indian soldiers who died for Egypt during World War 1. PM Modi is also scheduled to hold a meet-and-greet with the members of the Indian community on June 24. He will hold deliberations with a group of high-level ministers constituted by the Egyptian president. This group has been formed to boost relations with India. PM Modi and President el-Sisi will then hold one-on-one talks and oversee the signing of various memoranda of understanding and agreements. During President el-Sisis visit to India in January, the two leaders had agreed to elevate the relationship between the two countries to a strategic partnership. PM Modis quick reciprocal visit shows that India and Egypt are trying to strengthen all aspects of their relationship. India has even invited Egypt as a special guest to the G20 summit, which will be held in New Delhi in September. Last week, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had issued an official statement regarding PM Modis visit to Egypt. "Relations between India and Egypt are based on ancient trade and economic linkages as well as cultural and deep-rooted people-to-people ties," the MEA said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) Popular ice cream brand Cornetto has introduced its Cornetto Pride variant, sending a resounding message that there is no wrong way to love. Launched in time for Pride Month, Cornetto Pride carries the goodness of their strawberry yogurt ice cream with strawberry sauce in a two-toned cone. The limited-edition ice cream is priced at 40 and is available in major stores nationwide. Cornetto is also partnering with Metro Manila Pride Organization for this year's Pride March, celebrating with over 30,000 LGBTQ+ advocates, key opinion leaders, and allies on June 24. In the upcoming months, Cornetto will donate part of its Cornetto Pride proceeds toward student LGBTQ+ organizations, working hand-in-hand with the youth of today to drive awareness regarding the LGBTQ+ community within campuses. More details of the collaboration will be released soon. "Cornetto has always been a brand that champions love, encouraging the lovestruck to express their genuine feelings. We're proud to be working together with the LGBTQ+ community to inspire today's generation to accept love in all forms," said Earl Keh, Selecta Ice Cream Philippines Lead. "As we look forward to providing platforms to amplify the voices of the wider LGBTQ+ community, we will continue to be supportive of the stories within our own Unilever proUd network," he added. The limited-edition Cornetto Pride is aligned with the brand's recently released short film, "No Wrong Way to Love", which encourages mainstream media to break stereotypes and stigma on queer people. LGBTQ+ advocate and director Boon Kiaoruenrom said that Cornetto sheds light on the constant surroundings that communicate societal expectations and ideals around love, provoking audiences to realize and consider the uniqueness of LGBTQ+ love while supporting people in being their authentic selves. "Till today, there is still a lot of miscommunication in the media about LGBTQ+ love. This project has been incredibly important to me as someone who has felt this in my own life as a member of the LGBTQ+ community," he said. "As content creators and storytellers, we can work together to challenge expectations and create a more representative, diverse, and inclusive narrative that makes space for all kinds of relationships and ways that people express their love to one another." Cornetto's stance on LGBTQ+ needs, he said, is built on the aspiration to help create a society where everyone celebrates their truest selves. "Our unwavering commitment to love is built on our aspiration to help create a society where everyone celebrates their truest selves. We believe there is 'No Wrong Way to Start' when it comes to creating your own love story," Keh added. To learn more about how Cornetto is celebrating LGBTQ+ love stories and if you are interested in sharing your LGBTQ+ love story, visit Selecta Cornettos Facebook and Instagram. #CornettoPride Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 22) Eligible employees of the Department of Education (DepEd) will receive a bonus not exceeding 3,000 in celebration of the 12th founding anniversary of the agency. According to the DepEd Order No. 11 series of 2023, teaching and non-teaching personnel that have rendered at least one year of service in office are entitled to the anniversary bonus. This includes full-time, part-time, permanent, coterminous, provisional, temporary, casual, and contractual employees. But the agency clarified that employees who went absent without leave (AWOL) or no longer in service as of June 23 are not covered by the grant. Teachers have been calling for Congress to certify salary increase bills as urgent. Earlier this year, Alliance of Concerned Teachers chairperson Vladimer Quetua noted that public school teachers (Teacher I, II and III) are only receiving a net take home pay of 23,000 to 27,000 in 2023 a far cry from the 33,000 family living wage based on government data. READ: Teachers' group bats for salary hike amid record-high inflation rate Citing the Department of Budget and Management Staffing Summary for 2020, Quetua said 76% or 1,085,772 personnel under the Salary Standardization Law V (SSL V) received unlivable salaries in the country. Of the number, he said 92% are public school teachers. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 23) A Las Pinas court sentenced three Bilibid gang leaders to up to eight years in prison after pleading guilty as accessories to the October 2022 murder of veteran broadcaster Percival Percy Lapid Mabasa, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Friday. Roy Mabasa, the brother of Lapid, announced this update through a Twitter post. He said inmates Aldrin Galicia, Alvin Labra, and Alfie Penaredonda will serve from two to eight years in jail. This is a very welcome development, Justice Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said in a message. They are not only doing this for the case but for themselves as well. It is a mitigating circumstance to plead guilty which will lessen their sentence for this crime. But the DOJ spokesperson said the agency is not stopping there and would like to see their principal, the brains behind the murders, plead guilty or convicted to say that justice has been served. Then unidentified gunmen in motorcycles shot dead Lapid inside his vehicle on Oct. 3 at the gate of a subdivision along Aria St., Barangay Talon Dos in Las Pinas City. A month later, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police filed murder complaints against suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Zulueta the alleged masterminds behind the killing of the radio broadcaster and alleged middleman Jun Villamor. The three inmates were also named respondents. Galicia was the commander of the Sputnik Gang, while Labra and Penaredonda headed the BCJ Gang and HappyGoLucky Gang. Bantag and Zulueta are still at large. The DOJ has offered reward money to speed up the gathering of information on the whereabouts of the two. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 23) The deactivation of unregistered subscriber identity module (SIM) cards will no longer be carried out over one month before the July 25 registration deadline, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy said on Friday. We may no longer need to do it. Naka-100 million na tayo eh [We are at 100 million]. So I think probably we dont need to do it anymore, Uy told reporters, adding that this is a good number and indicated a successful SIM registration program. The National Telecommunications Commission said 100,048,884 card chips have been registered across Globe, Smart and DITO as of June 20. READ: Registered SIMs now over 100 million NTC Masyadong hassle pa yata. Gagawa pa tayo ng program to ano tapos we will just use it for one month. Eh yung development nun at deployment baka abutin ng three weeks or one month, Uy said. [Translation: Its a hassle to continue. Well launch a program and then we will only use it for a month. The development and deployment might take up to three weeks or a month.] The first deadline for SIM registration was April 26, but the government extended since only 82 million of the 168 million active SIM were registered at the time. In April, Uy said his agency was in talks with telecommunication companies about halting select SIM services, including access to linked social media accounts, during the extension. Meanwhile, Uy appealed to users to register their SIM since the deactivation will happen after the deadline. So in the remaining one month, last chance for everybody to register their SIM cards. Oras na hindi kayo makarehistro at maputol ang inyong SIM, huwag na kayong magalit. Binigyan na kayo ng lahat ng oportunidad na magparehistro. At inextend pa natin, Uy said. [Translation: If you dont register in time and your SIM is deactivated, dont get angry. You were given every opportunity to register and it was extended, too.] Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 23) The Department of Health and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) are exploring ways to fill the 4,500 nurse vacancies in the country, as the plan of Health Secretary Ted Herbosa poses legal challenges. I met with the Professional Regulation Commission Commissioners and the Board of Nursing and they understand my view and they are there to help me find solutions, Herbosa said in a statement Friday. The health chief believes the government can tap other options despite legal limitations. In a press conference later on the day, Herbosa said among the possible suggestions were hiring nursing graduates as nursing assistants. He said the proposed position may have a monthly salary of around 20,000 lower than the Salary Grade 15, which is around 32,000, of entry-level nurses in public hospitals. We can call them nurse trainees, it can be a training program as well until they get their certification so they'll be under supervision of a licensed nurse, he told reporters. WATCH: Herbosa wants to hire nursing assistants amid workforce shortage On Thursday, the PRC said it cannot issue a temporary license or permit to nursing graduates who have not passed their board exam, based on stipulations from the Republic Act 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act. If Herbosa still pushes for this and the government hires those who failed their boards, PRC Commissioner Jose Cueto said they will be placed under supervision. READ: Despite mixed reactions, Herbosa to still push for hiring unlicensed nurses to fill shortage Herbosas discussion with the Board of Nursing, meanwhile, revolved around suggestions for fixing the issues of the outward migration of Filipino nurses. I am thankful that Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and PRC Commissioner Charito Zamora are all very supportive of finding legal ways to solve our health manpower problems, he added. In the press conference, Herbosa was also not dismissing the possibility of amending the law to consider his proposal in giving temporary license to those who will fail the board exam but will meet a set cut-off score. The PRC says that's the better way and I have congressmen also supporting my idea, he told reporters. So sabi niya madali lang 'yan amendment lang ng PRC to the nursing act to have that, but the president has to declare it urgent para gawin ng legislator. [Translation: They told me its easy since it would only need an amendment to the nursing act, but the president has to declare it urgent to compel legislators.] CNN Philippines correspondent Kaithreen Cruz contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 23) The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Grab Philippines should start coordinating with each other to address the impact of the company's mass layoff on its employees in the country, a digital advocacy group said on Friday. "DOLE should be on top of this issue," Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo told CNN Philippines' The Source. "Dapat ngayon pa lang they should be coordinating with Grab," he added. "Grab should also be coordinating with DOLE nang sa ganoon po ay hindi naman maagrabyado yung ating mga kababayang empleyado ng Grab." [Translation: They should be coordinating with Grab by now. Grab should also be coordinating with DOLE so that our countrymen working in Grab will not be at a disadvantage.] Grab CEO Anthony Tan announced this week that the company will lay off 1,000 employees. Aside from Singapore and the Philippines, the company also operates in Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. "The primary goal of this exercise is to strategically reorganize ourselves, so that we can move faster, work smarter, and rebalance our resources across our portfolio in line with our longer term strategies," Tan said in an email sent to employees. "Restructuring thus emerged as a painful but necessary step, to set Grab on the correct trajectory towards our longer-term future." Grab Philippines told CNN Philippines that authorities were already told about the move to lay off some of its employees in the country. "We can confirm that we have notified the DOLE on this exercise," the company said. Gustilo emphasized that Philippine labor laws should be followed during the process, which includes abiding by the two-notice rule. DOLE said this policy refers to the procedural due process in termination of employment which includes a notice of intent to dismiss specifying the ground for termination where an employee can explain their side, a hearing or conference where the employee can respond to the charges, and a notice of dismissal indicating that grounds have been established to justify termination. Gustilo said affected employees may file a complaint with DOLE if the right process is not followed. This is not the first time Grab reduced its workforce. It laid off 360 people or 5% of its employee count in 2020. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 23) Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Friday said he intends to deal with nurses' demand for better pay particularly those employed in private facilities after the thousands of nurse vacancies in government hospitals are filled. Herbosa told reporters that he believes the call for higher salaries largely comes from private nurses whom he said are generally paid less than their counterparts in the government. "Yung mababa ang pay, I think sa private (hospitals) yun [On the low pay, I think that's in private hospitals]," the health chief said. "That's another issue that I will tackle after the shortage, because the salary grade for government is I think acceptable." In 2020, the Department of Budget and Management upgraded the pay of entry-level nurses in public hospitals from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 15, which is around 32,000. The Alliance of Health Workers said it is demanding a 33,000 entry-level salary for all public and private health workers in the country, as it cited the rising prices of basic commodities. Health workers' groups have long attributed the exodus of Filipino nurses to low wages in the country. "Sabi nila through legislation, the people who are pushing for higher pay, na i-legislate niyo nalang 'yan na bawal mag-sweldo nang mababa sa nurse. Kasi they're thinking 'yun ang cause na umaalis yung nurses," Herbosa said. "My thinking is umaalis yung nurses kasi there's a need outside. Meron din silang vacant positions abroadSo, if you're asked to be hired for a job, syempre you'll go to the highest bidder...If you have options to go to the US or to the Middle East, kukunin ng nurses natin yun. So, ninanakaw talaga yung ating Filipino nurses," he added. [Translation: The people pushing for higher pay said there should be a law passed prohibiting low salaries for nurses. They're thinking that's the reason nurses leave. My thinking is that nurses leave because there's a need outside. There are also vacant positions abroad. So, if you're asked to be hired for a job, of course you'll go to the highest bidder. If our nurses have the option to go to the US or the Middle East, they'll take it. So, other countries are really robbing us of our Filipino nurses.] Herbosa earlier said there are around 4,500 available positions for nurses in government hospitals in the country. As a temporary solution, he has proposed hiring nursing graduates who scored at least 70% in their board exam, but the Professional Regulation Commission said it cannot issue a temporary license or permit to those who have not passed their board exam. READ: Herbosa: DOH working with PRC to address nurse shortage Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 23) The country's health chief on Friday expressed support for the proposal to mandate medical and nursing graduates from state universities and colleges (SUCs) to render service in the country for a certain period of time before they're allowed to work overseas. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said SUCs currently have the prerogative to decide if they'll implement the so-called "return service" arrangement but that he would "love" if there'd be a law requiring this. "I'd love it kasi [because] we'll have the manpower for universal healthcare to happen," he told reporters. "So, kung ipu-push yan ng congressmen, tutulungan ko sila [So, if congressmen push for that, I'll help them]...I won't push for it, but I will probably concur with such proposal if it passes through the department." The secretary explained he backs the proposal since the education of students in SUCs is funded by taxpayers money. He said the Filipino people would be short changed if the graduates immediately leave the country for employment abroad. Herbosa noted that the University of the Philippines is among those implementing this arrangement, with medical and nursing students asked to sign an agreement stating they have to work in the Philippines for a certain number of years after graduation. Pag umalis ka [If you leave] without paying that time back, you pay the government. The parents actually are the ones who sign, he said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 23) Makabayan bloc lawmakers have filed a resolution condemning the Department of Education's (DepEd) order to its local offices to submit a list of teachers affiliated with ACT Teachers Party-list. DepEd issued a memorandum dated June 14 with a subject "Request for Submission of the List of ACT Union-Affiliated Teachers Who are Availing of the Automatic Payroll Deduction System." The memo came from Revsee Escobedo, the department's undersecretary for operations, addressing regional directors and division superintendents to submit the list by June 21. The document was not published on the agency's website, but can be found on the website of DepEd Calabarzon. DepEd Cordillera, on the other hand, posted a regional memorandum showing the template for the supposed list to be submitted. In its resolution filed at the House of Representatives, the Makabayan bloc led by ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro condemned the "profiling operations" of the agency against the teachers' group, adding it also violated the Data Privacy Act. "DepEd's profiling operations against ACT and their members are highly alarming and a clear violation of their basic rights. The disclosure and processing of their personal information and sensitive personal information without their consent is a direct attack on their privacy and security," the resolution read. "Whereas, given the lack of declared legitimate purpose from the face of the order from the Central Office and the fact that no rule or regulation permits such consolidation and submission of the data, the profiling directive is apparently intended to be politically motivated," it said. "This is especially true since DepEd Secretary (Sara) Duterte is the co-chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communism and Armed Conflict and has made no secret of her baseless view that progressive organizations such as ACT and ACT Teachers Party-List are 'communist fronts,'" it added. DepEd has yet to respond to CNN Philippines' request for comment. A similar event happened in 2019 where, in a letter, the school division office of Manila forwarded to school heads in the city a memorandum of the Philippine National Police (PNP) ordering the inventory of educators affiliated with the group. DepEd later recalled the endorsement letter of the school division office. At the time, the Commission on Human Rights urged the agency to "unequivocally speak up in defense of ACT and to provide them with sufficient protection and support especially to those whose personal information have been released." RELATED STORIES: Teacher group eyes filing charges vs. police for alleged profiling No personal info of teachers turned over to gov't entities, DepEd says In April, ACT reported alleged red-tagging statements of the DepEd to the International Labour Organization, the labor agency of the United Nations. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 23) The warden of the Malabon City Jail male dorm stepped down on Friday after inmates staged a noise barrage and called for his removal for alleged mistreatment and poor living conditions within the facility. Videos on social media showed inmates shattering windows, throwing objects out of the building, calling to speak to media, and holding up signs with the words "Ibaba si warden [Remove the warden]" and "bulok ang sistema [the system is rotten]," written on them. Malabon Vice Mayor Bernard Dela Cruz, in a Facebook livestream a few hours after the incident, explained that he had spoken with the warden and asked him to step down as the inmates would not stop unless he left the post. Dela Cruz, who negotiated with the inmates, said they stopped their protest and returned to their cells after the warden quit. Mayor Jeannie Ng-Sandoval told reporters shortly after the barrage that what happened at the jail was internal and would not compromise peace in the city. (CNN) During their quest to find the source of one of the brightest and most powerful explosions in the universe, astronomers discovered a new chaotic way that stars can die. The bright flash of gamma-ray light was first detected by NASAs Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory on October 19, 2019. The explosion lasted just over a minute considered long, like any gamma-ray burst, or GRB, that lasts more than two seconds. Most GRBs have been traced back to the collapse of stars with at least 10 times the mass of our sun or to the mergers between neutron stars the dense remnants left behind when large stars explode. But the October 2019 burst, named GRB 191019A, came from a different source, revealing a type of stellar death that had been theorized but never observed. Astronomers believe the burst occurred when stars, or possibly the remnants of stars, collided within the densely crowded environment near the supermassive black hole at the center of an ancient galaxy. A study detailing the findings published Thursday in the journal Nature Astronomy. For every hundred events that fit into the traditional classification scheme of gamma-ray bursts, there is at least one oddball that throws us for a loop, said study coauthor Wen-fai Fong, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Northwestern Universitys Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, in a statement. However, it is these oddballs that tell us the most about the spectacular diversity of explosions that the universe is capable of. How stars die Over time, astronomers have observed what they categorize as the three main ways that stars can die, depending on their mass. Lower mass stars like our sun shed their outer layers as they age, eventually becoming dead white dwarf stars. Massive stars burn through the fuel-like elements at their core and shatter in explosions called supernovas. These violent, destructive bursts can leave behind dense remnants like neutron stars or result in the creation of black holes. A third form of star death results when neutron stars or black holes begin to orbit one another in a binary system and spiral closer to one another until they collide and explode. But astronomers may need to add a fourth scenario to the list. Our results show that stars can meet their demise in some of the densest regions of the universe, where they can be driven to collide, said lead study author Andrew Levan, an astrophysics professor at Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands, in a statement. This is exciting for understanding how stars die and for answering other questions, such as what unexpected sources might create gravitational waves that we could detect on Earth. Gravitational waves, or ripples in space-time first predicted by Albert Einstein and initially detected in 2016, can occur when neutron stars or black holes collide. Why ancient galaxies could hide star deaths During their search for the origin of the gamma-ray burst, astronomers used the Gemini South telescope located in Chile to observe the afterglow of the cosmic explosion. Their observations pointed to a location less than 100 light-years from the core of an ancient galaxy. But the telltale signs of a supernova were missing. The lack of a supernova accompanying the long GRB 191019A tells us that this burst is not a typical massive star collapse, said study coauthor Jillian Rastinejad, a doctoral student of astronomy at Northwestern, in a statement. The location of GRB 191019A, embedded in the nucleus of the host galaxy, teases a predicted but not yet evidenced theory for how gravitational-wave emitting sources might form. Ancient galaxies, which can be billions of years old, arent hubs of active star formation. But at their core, these older galaxies are filled with stars and remnants like white dwarfs, black holes and neutron stars. Compared with younger, more typical galaxies, ancient galaxies can have up to a million or more stars densely packed into their cores. Astronomers thought it likely that stellar collisions could occur in these dense regions, especially so near to the strong gravitational pull of a supermassive black hole at the galactic center. The researchers liken it to a demolition derby, where the black holes gravitational influence can send stars zooming in different directions, eventually colliding in cataclysmic explosions. But they had no evidence for any long gamma-ray bursts originating from ancient galaxies until now. If the chaotic environments at the center of ancient galaxies can result in stellar collisions that release bright, powerful gamma rays, why havent astronomers seen them before? The researchers believe that the centers of such old galaxies are cloaked in vast amounts of gas and dust, which could obscure the gamma-ray burst. That would mean the 2019 event was an exception. While this event is the first of its kind to be discovered, its possible there are more out there that are hidden by the large amounts of dust close to their galaxies, said Fong, who is also a member of the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics at Northwestern. Indeed, if this long-duration event came from merging compact objects, it contributes to the growing population of GRBs that defies our traditional classifications. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Ancient galaxy reveals a surprising way to annihilate a star." DuckDuckGo, the privacy-centric internet company best known for its search engine of the same name, released a public beta of its own browser for Windows PCs today. Characteristically, the browser puts user privacy front and center. DuckDuckGo said that the browser (called simply DuckDuckGo for Windows) boasts best-in-class privacy functionality, which is enabled by default. It blocks trackers before they load, which DuckDuckGo said lets it consume fully 60% less data than Google Chrome. The browser doesnt yet support extensions, but the company said that the built-in functionality replicates some of the most common extension use cases, like ad blocking, privacy, password management, and a Duck Player mode for watching YouTube that stops the lions share of tracking and advertising present on that platform. The browser also provides some customizeability in the way it handles web pages. The left corner of the address bar lets users toggle different types of protection on and off for individual web pages, which is an important consideration for a browser that, by design, blocks a lot of functionality. It also boasts a fire feature, which deletes all browsing history, tabs and cookies in one click, but enables fireproofing to exempt particular sites from the deletion. Finally, the browser seems to block most I accept pop-ups from loading, if the user chooses to enable that feature. It will automatically reject many cookies via this feature, if desired, and provides email protection via a forwarding service using a custom email address with an @duck.com suffix. DuckDuckGo for Windows was fully created in house, according to the company, and isnt a fork or customization of some other browser. DuckDuckGo said that the company believes in open sourcing our apps, and said that it plans to do that for the browser, but the code is currently proprietary. The company said that the browser uses the Windows WebView2 call to the Blink rendering engine for web page rendering. The open beta test is meant to provide the companys engineers with feedback for compatibility and improvements, according to DuckDuckGo. While a Mac version of the browser already exists, Windows PCs have a much wider range of hardware configurations, making that type of feedback important. DuckDuckGo also has browsers for Android and iOS, making it easier for users to stay within the DuckDuckGo ecosystem across platforms. Apple this week held its first Smart Manufacturing Forum for SMBs event in South Korea at the Apple Manufacturing R&D Support Center. Its not only a education and research hub, it also builds smart process related equipment, potentially for use across Apples supply chain. The special event underscores the company's focus on Industry 4.0 at the heart of its APAC manufacturing chain in South Korea. Apples Industry 4.0 research center The event took place at the $55 million research and training hub in Pohang that Apple was forced to build in 2021 to settle a case with South Koreas FTC. This facility was designed to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) learn about Apples manufacturing techniques, while also serving as an innovation hub for developers. Apple promised that the center would, provide training for using advanced smart technologies well aligned with environment protection. Subsequent reports indicate this is the worlds first such center created by Apple. Bridging the smart industry gap The Smart Manufacturing Forum was opened by Priya Balasubramaniam, an Apple vice president from the operations team. "Not many companies have bridged the gap between conventional and smart manufacturing," she said, according to The Korea Herald. "Many, especially small and medium-scale enterprises, dont know where to begin. At Apple, we believe that we can help bridge this gap. And we saw an opportunity to work toward that mission here, Participants were given the chance to learn about the latest manufacturing technologies. They heard lectures from Apple officials, academics, and women leaders in the manufacturing arena. Speakers included people Postech, SMBs, and thought leaders from AI and machine learning. World Economic Forum Lighthouse companies also took part, inclduing Posco, LG Electronics, LS Electric, and Kenvue, all of which discussed what they know about smart manufacturing. Those on hand also got experience with smart manufacturing processes. How Apple thinks about smart industry The sessions were arranged across three primary pillars: Smart Data, Smart Process, and Smart Quality, and explored real-life applications of Apples machine vision intelligence in manufacturing and predictive maintenance. This likely shows us both the importance of applied machine vision intelligence in the companys products, as well as its outlook for future implementation of such sophisticated tech in future. The Machine Learning With Vision track for example, included: An explanation of vision-based algorithms and their practical applications; How to use the Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) framework for image inspection; How to use vision to detect issues in sample products; The scope and power of ML models; How to build an ML model with Create ML to identify defects in nuts and bolts; Part identification using an ML model. Of course, these kinds of industrial solutions arent unique to Apple. They're already used across production lines today, and Apple obviously hopes to unlock innovation in smart industry processes. You can anticipate extensive use of any great ideas that emerge from the research center to spreadacross Apples own supply chain, and to diversify across other factories and locations. Production as a product This matters, because while Apples adventures in Industry 4.0 arent the first thing most of us think about when pondering the company that invented the iPod, the fact is that how the company works means it is deeply immersed in manufacturing design. Its experts dont just develop products, they also build manufacturing processes for those products in partnership with third-party suppliers. Why wouldnt the company explore how to improve, or even monetize, some of what it learns? It's easy to imagine part of Apples work in smart industry development will involve unlocking more environmentally friendly production processes and the adoption of renewable energy sources. With a view toward its carbon targets and its continued work to convince third-party suppliers to become carbon neutral, a research hub to identify tech solutions to enable this empowers core business objectives. After all, what is arguably the worlds biggest consumer electronics company today has a lot of insight to share to help create smart manufacturing processes. I say, watch this space. Please follow me on Mastodon, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe. Last week, we were treated to two very weird stories in the news. In one, a woman in Ecuador died, after having previously been falsely declared dead and having previously awoken in her coffin at her funeral. In another, a man faked his death and staged his own funeral, as a TikTok stunt. These stories prompt a question: Has the whole world gone mad? The answer to that, of course, is yes. However, they really got us thinking about how funerals are always ripe for weirdness. Its the one event where someone died is the normal and best outcome. Beyond that, things can go nuts, and quick. 5 The Departed Showed Up. His Dad Wasnt Pleased In 1913, a huge freighter sank on Lake Huron, because the Great Lakes (in case you hadnt heard) are pretty huge. The last we saw of the SS James Carruthers were the bushels of wheat it was holding hitting shore. The ship itself presumably sank, but we never found the wreckage. via Wiki Commons It could still be sailing somewhere, we guess. What we did find were some bodies that washed ashore, which people spotted even before the wheat. Tom Thompson, whose son John had been part of the crew, looked over the bodies to see if his son were among those found. Sure enough, one body had a tattoo of the initials J.T. on his arm, just like John had had. It had deformed toes, like Tom, and similar dental features. It had familiar scars on the legs and nose, too. And while the rest of the face was unidentifiable, that all added up to what sounds like a convincing case for a positive I.D., even today. Except, that wasnt John. And in fact, John hadnt been on the freighter at all Tom had just heard hed been, incorrectly. John was in Toronto when he read his own death notice in the newspaper. He now headed home to prove that reports of his death had been greatly exaggerated, but he took his time getting there, stopping at a friends first and not bothering to call ahead. Advertisement When he did show up, his wake was underway. Tom wasnt happy about having had to go through days of needless trauma, and he especially wasnt happy about having had to needlessly pay for the burial plot. It's just like you to come home and attend your own wake, he said to John. And you can get right out of this house until this thing blows over! 4 A General Attended a Rivals Funeral and Died If you were having trouble distinguishing John Thompson and Tom Thompson in our last story, we have another generic name for you: Joe Johnston. Johnston was a general in the Confederacy, and in April 1865, he surrendered directly to Union General William Sherman. It was the biggest surrender of the war, and other Confederates referred to his decision as treason. Currier and Ives Fighting against the U.S. was also treason. A real treason-if-you-do, treason-if-you-dont situation for him. Advertisement Those several days of surrender negotiations were enough to turn Johnston and Sherman into friends. Try debating something in a room with a stranger for several drunken hours one night yourself, and you'll see the same thing happen to you (unfortunately, this does not work when debating over the internet). Sherman would go on to praise Johnston, while not extending the same respect to Confederate leaders like Jefferson Davis. Johnston, meanwhile, was said to forbid anyone around him from criticizing Sherman. Advertisement When Sherman died in 1891, Johnston showed up as a pallbearer. It was a cold day, and most men wore hats, but Johnston refused. He caught a cold that day. Pneumonia set in, and he was dead in 10 days. If I were in his place, and he were standing here in mine, he had said at the funeral, he would not put on his hat. We're not so sure about that. Look back at the illustration above. Sherman had no problem keeping his hat on there. Advertisement 3 Stalin Threw Himself into His Wifes Grave Then Had to Flee the Police Before Joseph Stalin was Joseph Stalin, he was a young man named Soso, who married a woman named Kato. Kato died in 1907, and Stalin declared, This creature softened my heart of stone. She died, and with her died my last warm feelings for humanity. He would never love again. Unless you count the 14-year-old he impregnated at the age of 35 (he abandoned her and her child). Or his second wife, whom he drove to suicide. Or his sister-in-law, or his housekeeper, with whom hes merely alleged to have had affairs. via Wiki Commons Theres a difference between sex and love. Joseph Stalin Advertisement At Kokos funeral, Stalin threw himself in the grave as they were lowering the coffin down. If hed studied Shakespeare properly, he would have known that this is not an appropriate expression of love but simply a way of painting a guy as a drama queen. The real drama hit after that, however. Agents from the Okhrana showed up. Those were Russias anti-revolutionary investigators Stalin didnt invent the concept of the secret police, you see, hed just perfect it. In 1907, Stalin was a police target, so despite his supposed devotion, he scampered out of funeral early, by running away and hopping a fence. Advertisement My personal life is shattered, said Stalin after that. Nothing else attaches me to life except socialism. Im going to dedicate my existence to that! And we all know how that ended for everyone. Advertisement 2 At a Japanese Musicians Funeral, Someone Killed Herself, and Hundreds Collapsed A Japanese guitarist named hide (name spelled in lowercase, just one part of his wild persona) was huge in the 1980s and 1990s. He had a band named Saber Tiger and a band named X Japan. At the end of his career, he had a band named Spread Beaver, the innuendo of which might have been more subtle if you spoke Japanese. In 1998, he was found dead in his hotel room with a towel around his neck. Millions of kids mourned him, not just in the way kids mourn a pop idol but because he was one of the few rebel symbols in Japanese culture at the time. Cygnusx523/Wiki Commons Flowers were still arranged symmetrically, though. Lets not go crazy now. Advertisement The death was followed by what the media called copycat suicides, with five teens separately trying to kill themselves while surrounded by imagery of the artist. The irony here is that hide might not have killed himself at all. He put the towel around his neck, sure, but there are a number of reasons a drunk rock star might want to cut off their breathing for a bit in pursuit of gratification. So, numerous people tried killing themselves following the mans death, but the craziest part was that one teen succeeded at this by cutting her wrists at the wake itself. This wake was followed by a funeral that 50,000 people attended on the hottest day of the year. Hundreds of people collapsed from the heat, and more than 50 had to be hospitalized. It was a most inefficient day for Tokyo, and critics whod called hide a bad influence felt deeply vindicated. Advertisement Advertisement Going to the doctor usually isnt reserved for a positive reason. Even if its for a mere annual checkup, going to the physician just reminds you of how fragile your body is and how it will only get more fragile with age. Nobody knows this better than comedians (Matt Rife and Matt Rifes abs excluded). Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox. Still, they say laughter is the best medicine, so its more than fine to giggle at some of the darkest jokes about doctors, the world of medicine and our fear/confusion at both... 13 Tom Segura on His Jerk Doctor Segura breaks down how much he hates when his doctor remarks about his hair loss, says wow after learning his weight and accuses him of being a cocaine addict. Play 12 Ralph Barbosas Physician Review This man was my doctor for the last 12 years, and I am still diabetic. One star. Play 11 Norm Macdonalds Doctors Advice Macdonald tells a story about his doctors unconventional solution to waking up his wife from a coma. Keep in mind, this is Norm Macdonald telling the story. 10 Ken Jeong on Being a Doctor I used to be a doctor at Kaiser Permanente, where they deliver health care in quotes. Play Advertisement Advertisement 9 Do These Look Like Press-Ons to You? For obvious reasons, Kit Harington seems concerned about his rectal exam by a doctor with long fingernails. Play 8 Dr. Hartmans Shtick on Family Guy Play Advertisement Advertisement 7 John Mulaney Tries to Get a Xanax Prescription Mulaney tried to get a prescription for Xanax by visiting the doctor for an unrelated issue and casually mentioning it, per his friends advice. However, after Mulaney listed his reason for his visit as frequent urination, things took a dark turn. Play 6 Doctor Web, M.D. College Humor took aim at what it would be like if WebMD were an actual physician and how we as a nation rely too much on it in spite of its inaccuracies and scare tactics. Man, American health care blows. Play Advertisement Advertisement 5 Kids in the Hall Tackle Surgical Scars Sometimes youll have a surgical procedure that will leave a scar. It just happens. The type of scar, however Play 4 Key & Peeles Terrible Excuse to Get Medical Marijuana Back when recreational marijuana wasnt legalized in most states, you would have to get a prescription for weed. While it could be prescribed for nearly any ailment, there was one disease that pot wouldnt impact. Play Advertisement Advertisement 3 Saturday Night Lives The Physical Weve all felt the uncertainty and confusion whenever a doctor doesnt tell you what they are/arent noticing or seeing. Or they just enjoy feeling testicles. Play 2 Dr. Crawfords Bedside Manner in Silicon Valley Richards physician doesnt follow patient privacy protocols very well, but he loves to commit to a pitch. Play Advertisement Advertisement Steve Martin has a new album out! Well, sort of. Its not another comedy record like Lets Get Small or Wild and Crazy Guy. Instead, hes plucking his banjo for Kelly Clarksons new album, Chemistry. The famous funny guy that owns several banjos didnt even have to audition for the gig. Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox. Clarksons new album is pretty dang angry, featuring a number of songs inspired by a painful divorce. On the song, i hate love, Clarkson penned these lyrics: And The Notebook lied/Its Complicated is more like what happens/So you can keep Gosling and Ill take Steve Martin Play I thought it was funny, I did the whole Steve Martin reference and then I asked him to play on it and he said yes, which I thought was incredible, Clarkson told The Hollywood Reporter. So I still cant believe he said yes, but he cant take it back. Its on there. How in the world did Clarkson convince Martin to pull out the banjo for the track? I literally emailed, she confesses, reaching out to the comics publicist and crossing her fingers. It didnt take long for Martin to say yes, but it wasnt a completely happy ending for Clarkson. Advertisement I was so frustrated because I got a lot of jobs and I was doing the talk show at the time and I think The Voice as well, but I wasnt able to go whenever he recorded his part, she laments. Her producer, Jesse Shetkin, went to record with Martin, texting Clarkson that I cant believe this is my life! Unfortunately, it wasnt Clarksons. I really wanted to be there because Ive never met him and Im a huge fan, she says. Hes cool and Ill do anything for Steve Martin at this point. Is Clarkson aware that her Martin tribute is also a Ryan Gosling diss track? Lets make this clear, she says. I love Ryan Gosling. I think he is so funny and charming and handsome and cool. He just so happens to be Noah from Notebook, which I was not referencing in a bright light in the song. But I mean, come on, even Ryan Gosling would choose Steve Martin over Ryan Gosling. Assuming US police would guard them in California, Harry and Meghan found, to their cost, that the American Security Services rarely indulge in frivolities. Yet William, who turned 41 on Wednesday, has received an unexpected birthday message from the US Diplomatic Security Service, the State Departments men in black who protect visitors. The service tweeted: Happy birthday to the Prince of Wales! accompanied by a photo, taken in Boston last year, of a burly operative with William and Kate. Surely not an unsubtle dig at Harry and Meghan? Has King Charles abolished the quaint tradition of Royal Ascot chauffeurs waving glove puppets as they follow the carriage procession from Windsor Castle? Assuming US police would guard them in California, Harry and Meghan found, to their cost, that the American Security Services rarely indulge in frivolities Royal chauffeurs in the empty limousines sported glove puppets including Sooty and Sweep puppets In the last ten years of the late Queens attendance the drivers of the empty limousines sported glove puppets Sooty and Sweep featured, waving at those lining the route before they parked up awaiting their Royal passengers for the return journey. This week Sooty and chums were absent. Off their oats? The King has continued his mothers tradition of handing out Royal Victorian gongs to staff, with baubles this time for a gamekeeper, a carpenter, a tractor driver, a payroll officer, Princess Alexandras dresser and a receptionist. There used to be an ulterior motive a handy method of rewarding staff in lieu of a pay rise. Knighthoods and peerages continue to reflect male supremacy, turning wives into ladies. It doesnt work the other way round. Sir Elton Johns husband David Furnish once bemoaned that he remained simply Mr, saying: I havent thought about what would be an appropriate designation for the husband of a sir. The Honours Unit would prefer to let sleeping dogs lie. Derek Jacobi, packing his toga to fly to Malta to film Gladiator 2 with Paul Mescal (pictured), may experience difficulty identifying his Irish co-star Derek Jacobi, packing his toga to fly to Malta to film Gladiator 2 with Paul Mescal, may experience difficulty identifying his Irish co-star. He is the hot new thing isnt he? asks Derek, 84. I dont think I have seen him in anything. I have heard his name but I cant put a face to him. Perhaps Paul, pictured, who plays the lead as Lucius, nephew of Roman Emperor Commodus, could help Derek by donning a nametag bearing the Latin inscription normalis populis, the title of his breakthrough BBC series. Publicising his upcoming book Code of Conduct: Why We Need To Fix Parliament, Labour MP Sir Chris Bryant piously announces: I care passionately about the state of Parliament. Its the only way we can change the country for the better. But public horror at our shenanigans undermines it. Is this the same Bryant who, during a clash with Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle at PMQs in 2020, stood accused of telling the latter to f*** off? Belgravias Cundy Street flats, where 51 years ago Charles and Camilla first shared a pillow, are no more. Royal chum the Duke of Westminster has razed them to the ground and is putting up a shopping mall. Heritage plaque anyone? Don't think that the Titan disaster was a one-off. According to marine experts, the huge growth in 'extreme tourism' means that we will see more deaths, not fewer. And at what cost? My heart goes out to the family and friends of the five men killed on their sightseeing trip to the Titanic which set off last Sunday, Father's Day. On board the sub Titan was Stockton Rush, owner of OceanGate expeditions, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a distinguished underwater pilot, and three wealthy tourists (a dad and his anxious 19-year-old son) who'd paid 195,000 for a 9-hour trip to see the most famous wreck in the world. After their vessel went missing late on Sunday, an international rescue operation was hastily assembled, coordinated by the US CoastGuard. Boats and planes rushed highly specialised equipment into the area south of St John in Newfoundland. Experts came from Canada, the US and France. Billions of pounds' worth of submersibles, underwater robots, deep ocean salvage systems and their operators, not to mention doctors and medical teams, all frantically searching for signs of life. Many of these marine experts normally work on underwater cabling or scientific expeditions. Now they were rescuing tourists, a situation which would have been unthinkable a decade ago. With the discovery yesterday of five pieces of debris from Titan, we know that those onboard are sadly dead. 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 The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions to explore the wreckage of the sunken SS Titanic, which imploded on Sunday Ten years ago, wealthy tourists sought their thrills shooting rare animals in Africa, climbing Everest, K2, or navigating the upper reaches of the Amazon. But dangerous adventures are a heady drug, and these days 'the ultimate experience' is the goal for top end tourists chasing their dreams. Rich men and women want to go to the moon courtesy of Elon Musk or Richard Branson. They want to meet protected tribes in South America or Papua New Guinea. They crave life-changing memories gleaned from dangerous confrontations, not the kind the rest of us get on a sunny beach or in a quiet cottage. Janet Street-Porter In short, they are thrill seekers, and when things go wrong, it is ordinary workers like the oil industry divers, the naval medics, tanker pilots and marine engineers who have to come and rescue these modern day 'explorers'. To be honest, the term 'explorer' is misleading, because they are (generally) not experts researching something that will benefit mankind. They are holiday makers, not Christopher Columbus or Jacques Cousteau. Unfortunately, the wreck of the Titanic has replaced shooting a white Tiger or a rare panther as the ultimate thrill seekers' goal. Ever since the liner sank in1912, taking 1500 passengers and crew to their final resting place 12,500 feet below the sea off the coast of Newfoundland, there have been books, movies and conspiracy theories about what might have caused the tragedy. The most famous depiction of that fateful night in 1912 is a gloriously over-the-top movie starring Kate Winslet and Leo DiCaprio, with Celine Dion belting out the theme tune My Heart Will Go On. Titanic movie director James Cameron, a keen diver, has visited the site around 33 times. He owns a company which makes submersibles and is passionate about marine exploration. Cameron says he would have advised passengers against taking a trip on Titan because the vessel had not undergone sufficient testing. When modern 'exploration' is run by commercial (ie for profit) companies who do not undergo stringent financial scrutiny or technical checks, there must be all sorts of risks. Rich men and women want to go to the moon courtesy of Elon Musk (pictured) or Richard Branson British multi-millionaire Richard Branson points at other hot air balloons flying over the city of Marrakesh OceanGate had planned trips to the Titanic since 2018, and undertaken dives in 2021, and 2022. Although the body of the vessel was made of Titanium and Carbon Fibre to withstand the extreme pressure at depths or 13,000 feet, many of the parts - like handles and lights - were off-the-shelf components and it was steered by an adapted off-the-shelf Logitech game controller which can be bought on Amazon for just 42! Although OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush claimed he was confident in his 'experimental' system which used touch screens to navigate and communicate, others were not so sure. A reporter on one of the earlier trips in 2020 says that they lost communications for two and a half hours and he was terrified. Travellers are asked to sign documents which recognise the risk of death - but were the passengers last Sunday fully aware of any technical shortcomings? A German tourist who took the trip in 2021 has said it felt 'like a suicide mission' after his expedition to the wreck was delayed by five hours due to electrical issues. The Director or Marine Operations at OceanGate had called for more tests on Titan, and 36 leading marine experts had signed a letter asking for the sub to be submitted to rigorous testing. In the event, the vessel was only ever certified at 1,300 metres, far short of the depth of the wreck of Titanic. It seems that OceanGate had been offering discounts to other 'explorers' to make these trips more viable. But potential travellers turn out to be rich, white businessmen and bankers (of a certain age), very different to professional astronauts, climbers or divers who train for months so they are in peak condition when they carry out extreme physical activity. And what about the mental stress involved in taking such an extreme journey in a confined space? The OceanGate trip to the Titanic involved lying down in a cramped narrow tube for nine hours. It would take over two and a half hours to be lowered to a depth of 13,000 feet so that passengers could spend an hour or so gawping at what is a burial site. Onboard there was little food, only basic toilet facilities, and only 96 hours of oxygen. The very notion of visiting the Titanic for tourism is repugnant and disrespectful to the relatives of those who lie entombed below the ocean, and many would like to see all future trips banned. Last Sunday, the trip was delayed because of bad weather, and then contact was lost after two and a half hours. It took quite a few more hours before anyone knew that a disaster was unfolding and there were calls for help. Extreme tourists have ensured that the once-pristine slopes of Everest are now littered with poo bags, discarded equipment, and dead bodies. Let's have far more regulation concerned exploration of our planet's unique places so that we don't experience another Triton disaster. And far more rules about who pays for rescue operations. Beautiful mountains must be respected, they are not the playground of the rich. Before long, the atmosphere around the Earth will be littered with space debris from would-be astronauts taking fun trips to see the Moon. And those poor souls who lie aboard the Titanic need to be left in peace. It was seven years ago yesterday that the country voted, by a narrow margin, to leave the European Union and it's fair to say neither Remainers nor Brexiteers are particularly happy about it. The Remainers are naturally put out that we left at all, with a hardcore still scheming to get us back in though so far, it must be said, without any visible sign of progress. Even Keir Starmer's Labour party, once mustard keen to thwart Brexit from happening at all despite the referendum result, has seemingly abandoned that project (at least for now). But Brexiteers are just as grumpy, some wallowing in buyer's remorse because the benefits of Brexit have not materialised to anything like the extent they were promised. Their disappointment, even regret, was clearly on display during Thursday night's BBC1 Question Time, which came from the Essex seaside town of Clacton, which voted solidly for Brexit in 2016 as had everybody in the audience. It was seven years ago yesterday that the country voted, by a narrow margin, to leave the European Union Whats striking is how both sides got so many big things wrong A poll taken beforehand showed that, though 70 per cent still supported Brexit, 20 per cent had changed their minds and 10 per cent were swithering. I was surprised, given the paucity of plusses since leaving the EU, that 70 per cent still backed Brexit. Tony Blair's former communications guru Alastair Campbell, donning the mantle of the Rabid Remainer which he invariably wears during his all too frequent studio outings, told the audience that they had been lied to by the Brexiteers. This was a bit rich coming from the man who was propagandist-in-chief for the invasion of Iraq in 2003, which was both illegal and based on what was revealed to be a demonstrably false assertion that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. Looking back on that fateful referendum vote, what is striking is not so much the lying as how both sides got so many big things wrong. The Remainers told us that, if we voted to leave, the economy would be immediately plunged into recession, house prices would collapse and unemployment would soar. None of that materialised. Leavers assured us that quitting would be a walk in the park, that Brussels would give us a sweetheart deal because our economy was so important to the EU and that the rest of the world would quickly form an orderly queue to do fresh free-trade deals with us. Tony Blair's former communications guru Alastair Campbell (pictured during Kite Festival) told the audience that they had been lied to by the Brexiteers We now know from bitter experience that it did not exactly pan out that way. Even more striking, with the benefit of hindsight, is what was barely debated at all during the referendum campaign. I interviewed most of the major protagonists on prime-time TV in the run up to the vote. None, not even the Remainers, mentioned we'd have to pay a multi-billion euro exit fee for the privilege of departing. Nor did they spend any time confronting the fact that Northern Ireland and its open border with the Republic of Ireland would constitute a major stumbling block to any clean break with the EU. It didn't even cross Brexiteers' minds that Brussels would use the negotiations as a punishment beating pour encourager les autres. The EU's imperative was to stop any other member from following the British example. So, from day one, it had to make Britain's departure as expensive and uncomfortable as possible. It pretty much succeeded. Even the staunchest Eurosceptics on the Continent now don't propose an exit of their own. Brussels was hugely helped by the post-referendum failure of the British political system. The usual Tory back-stabbing meant that, far from a committed Brexiteer taking over from David Cameron as Prime Minister, delivering Brexit fell to Theresa May, an out-of-her-depth Remainer who saw Brexit as a problem to be solved rather than an opportunity to be enthusiastically grasped. Her position became impossible when she called an unnecessary general election in 2017 and promptly lost her majority. Cue the pro-Remain Blob in Parliament, the civil service, the law, the quangocracy and the media to marshal its forces in a bid to stop Brexit in its tracks. Delivering Brexit fell to Theresa May, an out-of-her-depth Remainer who saw Brexit as a problem to be solved rather than an opportunity to be enthusiastically grasped It was the most depressing, debilitating, soul-destroying period in British politics I have ever covered. And the Blob almost won. Only the overdue defenestration of May and her belated replacement by Boris 'Get Brexit done' Johnson saw the Remainers off. His landslide election victory in December 2019 reflected a widespread desire, including on the part of many Remainers, to be done with Brexit and move on. At last, or so it seemed, the country could concentrate on its post-Brexit future and confront the challenges and opportunities that it offered. But within months we were stricken by an epochal pandemic and, even as that receded, Russia's invasion of Ukraine the first demanding all the resources of government be devoted to it, the second exacerbating a looming cost of living crisis which is still with us today. Brexit has delivered so little after seven years because, after three wasted years under May, the British government simply didn't have the talent or the bandwidth to capitalise on it and deal with Covid and the fallout from the war in Ukraine. Perhaps no government could have coped well with all of that. But the disappointments of Brexit were made worse by the fact that those most enthusiastic about it such as Johnson and Michael Gove had no real idea how to take advantage of it once they'd won the referendum. No wonder Brussels managed to tie them in knots again and again. Brexiteers can still take heart from some achievements which would have been harder or impossible inside the EU: the speedy vaccine rollout; taking the lead in aiding Ukraine; consolidating existing free trade deals and agreeing new ones; striking a significant new military and technology pact with America and Australia (Aukus); and, above all, the trade agreement with the countries of the Pacific Rim, which opens doors to the globe's fastest growing economies at a time when the EU is in relentless economic and geopolitical decline. But none of that, even combined, amounts to the step change in Britain's circumstances that Brexiteers assured us leaving the EU would herald. It is, of course, early days for such a major shift in Britain's status. But I fear those still harbouring the Brexit faith are in for slim pickings for the rest of the decade. For a start, neither Labour nor the Conservatives want to talk about it. Every time Labour's Jenny Chapman was asked about a Brexit-related matter on Thursday's Question Time special she ignored it and fell back on predictable scatter-gun attacks on the Tories. At least Labour turned up: the Government couldn't even be bothered to send a minister to participate in a debate about the defining political issue of our age. It's clear Rishi Sunak's heart is not in concocting a radical Brexit Britain agenda. With his government's increases in corporation and income taxes he's already taking Britain in the opposite direction. When he discussed the incredible potential of artificial intelligence with the Biden administration in Washington D.C. recently, his emphasis was not on exploiting it but on regulating it, showing how the Brussels mindset still grips the British political elite, even that part which was supposedly pro-Leave. A Starmer government is even less likely to do anything to capitalise on Brexit. His pitch is based on getting closer to the EU, even realigning more with its rules and regulations. He seems not to have noticed he would once again be hitching us to one of the slowest-growing regions in the world. A Starmer government is even less likely to do anything to capitalise on Brexit. His pitch is based on getting closer to the EU I understand, despite protestations to the contrary, the fears of those who think Starmer's real agenda is to take us back into the EU. He has, after all, ditched most of the principles that got him elected Labour leader. And the polls show a majority in favour of rejoining. But such polls are meaningless. Nobody knows on what terms we'd rejoin except that they'd be a lot more unfavourable than the ones we had. Nobody knows the state the EU would be in should we ever be ready to rejoin or whether it would even be worth rejoining. At the moment it is leaderless and drifting nowhere fast. Even the fabled Franco-German duumvirate that once gave it direction is disintegrating. Starmer is many things but he's not daft. Above all he's pragmatic. He knows that any move to rejoin the EU means he'd lose the Red Wall as quickly as he's likely to retake it come the election. So whoever wins the next election, it will not produce a government committed to making the most of Brexit. A dynamic digital economy. Low, competitive taxes for individuals and business. Light-touch regulation of new technologies. A robust welfare-to-work programme to tackle poverty and labour shortages. The reskilling of our people for the digital age. All that is probably easier to achieve outside than inside a sclerotic EU. But nobody is offering it. As a result, when it comes to Brexit, we face a lost decade. Seven years ago today we voted to leave the European Union. Seven years in which you might have hoped that the argument had been settled, and the result of the democratic process accepted. There's little prospect of that, to judge by the behaviour of Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and his senior ministers. As the Tories find themselves mired in economic gloom and the polls increasingly point to a Labour win if not landslide at the next election, the Starmer camp has been ramping up its pro-European rhetoric. Only this week, his Shadow Minister David Lammy told a conference of Remainers that 'reconnecting' with the European Union will be one of the party's top priorities if it wins power. This was an echo of the moment last month that Starmer, in a speech to business leaders, promised to negotiate 'a closer trading relationship' with the EU. The Starmer camp has been ramping up its pro-European rhetoric Only this week, his Shadow Minister David Lammy (pictured) told a conference of Remainers that 'reconnecting' with the European Union will be one of the party's top priorities Why did No 10 dodge BBC Brexit show? Ministers were accused of dodging the opportunity to celebrate leaving the EU after no one from the Government appeared on a BBC Brexit special last night. The Question Time episode, which marked the seventh anniversary of the EU referendum, had an audience made up entirely of Leave voters. Former spin doctor Alastair Campbell, Labour peer Jenny Chapman, former MEP Ben Habib and academic Anand Menon all appeared in front of the Essex audience. But no government minister appeared to defend Rishi Sunak's record. Backbencher John Redwood was the sole Tory representative. Last night No 10 said decisions on guests for political shows were a matter for the Conservative Party which in turn said it wasn't their responsibility to put up ministers. Mr Campbell, who is a vocal Remainer, wrote on Twitter that it was 'quite something' that no minister appeared. Advertisement Starmer insists that he respects the decision of the British people to leave Brussels behind, but we have to remember he is not the man of principle he would have us believe. He not only campaigned for Jeremy Corbyn to be prime minister but also to overturn the Brexit vote in a second referendum. The indications are that he would like not just to build bridges with Europe which might be a good thing but to crawl penitently towards Brussels in the hope of eventually rejoining. I voted to remain in the Brexit referendum, and yet I view the attitude of Starmer and the Labour Party with considerable alarm. While I thought Brexit was a mistake, I believe trying to undo it would be a complete disaster. The ugly divisions which we saw in the run-up to the Brexit vote would be opened up all over again if Keir Starmer's rumoured ideas are put into practice. We just have to examine the facts and statistics of the vote to see the potential for strife. There's no doubt that the Brexit referendum was the most decisive political event in the past 50 years. In the biggest mandate in British history, 17.4 million people voted out, and out we had to come. But the referendum did not simply tell us about our relationship with Europe. It revealed the often painful lack of unity in our own country. For a start, the country was split down the middle 52 per cent voted to leave, 48 per cent to remain. And then there were all sorts of other divisions within our United Kingdom. In the biggest mandate in British history, 17.4 million people voted out, and out we had to come. Pictured: Pro-Brexit supporters In Scotland, for example, a whopping 62 per cent voted to remain. Brexit was a huge boost to the nationalists who said: 'Why should we Scots, a huge majority of whom wish to remain in the EU, be forced to leave by the Brexiteers of England?' There was division among young and old: far more over-65s, voted Leave than Remain; among the under-30s, the great proportion voted Remain. Division, too, among the regions. The Cornish, whose fishermen got such a raw deal out of the Common Agricultural and Fisheries policies, voted in favour of leaving by a big majority. London, in contrast, was by a sizeable majority for Remain. I love London and live in London, but Brexit was a wake-up call for us we had little idea what people who are not the 'metropolitan elite' actually feel. There has been the most horrible feeling, since Brexit, of the Remainers sneering at the Brexiteers. Many of them speak as if to have voted Brexit was racist, or stupid, or both. The liberal elite have treated the whole thing as a national disgrace, even though it is hard to see why a democratic process should be regarded as disgraceful. There has been the most horrible feeling, since Brexit, of the Remainers sneering at the Brexiteers Unless you think as, of course, they do that they should run the show regardless of what anyone actually votes. Some of those I love most are Brexiteers, and they are afraid of saying so in many contexts, because to have voted Brexit implies you are not quite respectable. It is clear that many voted Brexit because they considered levels of immigration to Britain were unacceptably high. The lofty Remainers considered such fears to be concealed racism, but it is legitimate to worry about this issue, even if so far no government has done much to address it. Immigration, legal and illegal, has gone up since Brexit. If Keir Starmer and the Labour Party entered into an agreement with the EU to allow 'free movement of labour' again, some commentators would tell us that certain sectors of our economy would benefit hospitality, fruit-picking, nursing and so on. But those who do not want free movement would be right to feel that their views, accepted by a democratic process, had been treated with utter contempt. Ignoring their views would surely be a recipe for anger and confrontation. It is clear that many voted Brexit because they considered levels of immigration to Britain were unacceptably high As I said at the beginning of this article, I voted Remain. I did not do so because I am a Euro-fanatic, though I am a sentimental European who delights in the fact that we share so many things, going back to the Roman Empire, with our friends in the other European countries music, religion, learning, science among them. I voted Remain largely because it seemed to me that there were distinct economic advantages in belonging to the EU and that, having negotiated ourselves into a position where we did not have to join the dreaded euro, Britain was actually in a really advantageous position vis-a-vis the rest of Europe. If Keir Starmer and David Lammy began to negotiate our re-entry to Europe, I feel quite sure that one of the first requirements by Brussels would be that, this time, Britain would have to join the euro. To do so would be an economic disaster, and we have already had enough of those to last a generation. The landslide victory of Boris Johnson was a demonstration of what the British people wanted from the man who had 'delivered Brexit'. They wanted it done, and they wanted it done decisively. Circumstances and, alas, the incompetence of the governments of Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, have failed to give those voters what they quite legitimately expected. Circumstances and, alas, the incompetence of the governments of Johnson, Liz Truss (pictured) and Rishi Sunak, have failed to give those voters what they quite legitimately expected Whatever happened to the idea that we might become a great independent powerhouse, a sort of Dubai on Thames or Singapore beyond the Channel? How could the governments have allowed themselves to get entangled in the sheer nonsense of the 'protocol' over such esoteric questions of whether you can take a packet of sausages across the border into Northern Ireland? I grew up in Stoke-on-Trent, one of the most fervent Brexiteer constituencies. So far, the things they voted for have not been delivered. Probably, at the next General Election, they will vote Labour again, and will have to watch Keir Starmer going cap in hand to Brussels begging to be forgiven for the sins of wanting the laws of Britain to be independent of an unelected Brussels, of wanting to limit immigration, of wanting their country back. So far, I feel from a purely economic point of view that since 2016, I was right to have voted Remain. The export figures alone show that this country is far less prosperous than it was when it was part of the largest free trade area in the world. But, Remainer as I was, I truly believe that if Keir Starmer went back to try to rejoin Europe it would be, as well as a total betrayal of those who voted Brexit, an advertisement of his abject cowardice. Britain would become a laughing stock in the eyes of the world. We voted out and we must stay out, rather than spend long, dreary years renegotiating with those awful eurocrats who so enjoyed torturing Theresa May with their ludicrous, pettifogging demands. What we are looking for is a leader who has the clarity of vision that appeared to motivate the Brexit campaign when it won in 2016. We want imagination and courage. We want major world trade deals which could not have been achieved inside the EU. Boris Johnson proclaimed the day of the vote as Independence Day, but in fact there has not been a feeling of freedom since it happened. Only mutual distrust and recrimination. We should snap out of it, rediscover our sense of national unity and cry, in the words of that great European, Winston Churchill: 'Let us go forward together.' As far as BBC bosses are concerned, this year's Glastonbury festival coverage is all set to be a huge success for the corporation. With a 'record number of hours' on BBC1 and what has been billed as increased 'scale and accessibility' of its 'iPlayer offer', the Beeb has been hyping up this year's event for weeks. But one thing it is less keen to promote, amid the giddy build-up to what one industry insider has branded the 'Generation X Proms', is just how many of its staff decamp to the five-day music festival in Somerset. You will be hard pressed to find any mention of the roughly 500 workers it is estimated the BBC will be sending to the festival in its press announcements about the event. (Not surprising, perhaps, given that many in the industry reckon the total could be far greater, though the corporation has described speculation that it could be as high as 1,000 as 'completely inaccurate'.) Thousands gather around the the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival in Worthy Farm, Somerset, Friday Presenting team Lauren Laverne, Jack Saunders, Jo Whiley and Clara Amfo are among the BBC's hordes of employees at the festival Nor are you likely to read about the sky-high cost of putting up these workers in local four and five-star hotels that many of them are believed to be staying in for the entire five days. Rooms at the Charlton House Hotel understood to be one of the BBC's main bases cost up to 400 per night. And the expense of airing this year's festival, which is said to run into 'several millions', has not been made public either. It's all enough to make the increasingly put-upon licence fee-payer wonder whether this budgetary excess represents value for money. The multi-million-pound figure should come as no surprise, however, given that the BBC's blanket coverage of the event which is featuring top acts including Guns N' Roses, Sir Elton John, Lizzo and Blondie will be spread across its TV, radio and online services. The staggering array of outlets producing shows from those famous fields in the West Country includes BBC1, BBC2, BBC3, BBC4, Radio 1, Radio 1 Dance, Radio 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 6 Music, Asian Network and Radio 4. Then there are numerous live streams on iPlayer and further audio content on BBC Sounds. And it's not just specialist music shows that are getting in on the act numerous mainstream shows are too. Radio 4's Woman's Hour was broadcast from Glastonbury for the first time yesterday, bringing listeners 'the latest from the festival', while Zoe Ball's Radio 2 breakfast show was also based there. And BBC1's prime-time magazine programme The One Show has been reporting live from the festival, as have the corporation's news outlets. Even the CBeebies Bedtime Stories slot will be broadcasting Glastonbury specials after the festival. Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters performs on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival on Friday Thousands are gathering on Worthy Farm in Somerset this weekend for the Glastonbury Festival But the party spirit pervading the corporation's Glastonbury coverage is by no means shared by everyone not least some of its own staff. The Daily Mail has been told that BBC employees working for services being subjected to swingeing cuts and job losses regard the atmosphere of excess that surrounds the corporation's 'Glasto' operation as deeply offensive. One BBC insider says: 'We are all fuming that the money is so free and easy for these network luvvies while they cut millions from local radio, which has caused incredible upset and sickness.' A source who works in radio adds: 'It's ridiculous, despite Tim's [director-general Tim Davie] supposed cost-savings diktat to all departments, it's crazy money sloshing around for this. We thought it would be scaled back after all the multi-millions spent on Eurovision, but it's huge. Everyone is on the Glasto gravy train.' There is also a sense of bewilderment among senior TV executives outside the corporation at the way the BBC has made great play of ending 'duplication' within some parts of its operation, such as news, but appears to be ignoring that policy at Glastonbury. One TV boss points to the sheer number of radio stations and TV outlets descending on Worthy Farm: 'Do Radio 1 and Radio 6 need to be there as well as TV? 'There are lots of cuts being made across the BBC because of process duplication. But there seems to be a triplication of processes, or at least a duplication, at these events. I guess the nice festival jollies are the ones avoiding the cuts.' Another leading TV producer agrees: 'Best gig of the year for BBC folk. The staff list is very long correspondingly. Interesting to compare the production costs with the ratings.' Crowds watch performers on the Pyramid Stage on Day 3 of Glastonbury Festival on Friday Indeed it is. TV ratings from last year's event show audiences ranged from 180,000 through to 3.1million. The senior programme-maker adds: 'The crew do work very hard but definitely have fun too. The issue is the executives who are just there to hang out.' A corporation source responds by insisting that all of its staff at the event are there for work purposes and claims they will be working around the clock to provide the coverage. The BBC also says it is airing 'more Glastonbury coverage than ever before' this year, with more than 40 hours of programming across TV channels and 85 hours of live broadcasts on its 'pop radio networks'. A BBC spokesman added: 'Whilst over the years we have extended our content offer across TV, radio and online, we are able to deliver this efficiently due to technical advances and greater collaborative working across teams.' Its presenting line-up for the festival's TV coverage will be led by Clara Amfo, Lauren Laverne, Jack Saunders and Jo Whiley, and innovations introduced for this year's event include a 'Glasto-Cam Live', a static webcam offering a panoramic view of the festival accompanied by a soundtrack. There will also be spin-off shows, playlists and podcasts. Earlier this week former BBC radio presenter Liz Kershaw said she was completely fed up with the corporation's promotional onslaught for the music festival. BBC radio presenter Liz Kershaw slammed the corporation on Twitter saying she was 'sick of hearing BBC banging on about bloody Glastonbury' Carly Rae Jepson performs during the Glastonbury Festival in Worthy Farm on Friday She wrote on Twitter: 'Just driven to Kent coast for ten days. Sick of hearing BBC banging on about bloody Glastonbury (four days of ads for a huge corporate event). Other festivals are available!' Ms Kershaw added: 'I always worked at it. Not freeloading.' In response to such criticisms, a BBC spokesman says: 'The number of staff we have on site reflects what is required to ensure the quality and breadth of coverage audiences expect from the BBC, which includes 40 hours on TV and iPlayer, 85 hours of live radio, extensive content on BBC Sounds and for the first time this year, a live stream of Pyramid Stage performances in British Sign Language.' The question is: Will the licence fee-payer agree that such a massive operation is justified? She's the no-nonsense royal who is cherished by Brits. And Princess Anne has emerged as the most popular of all the Royal Family in a recent YouGov poll, beating the Prince and Princess of Wales to top spot. Yet many have now forgotten that the 72-year-old Princess Royal almost lost her life in an attempted kidnapping by a crazed gunman. It is nearly half a century since the terrifying episode on the evening of March 20, 1974. Crazed gunman Ian Ball used his Ford Escort car to force the limousine carrying a then-23-year-old Anne and her first husband Captain Mark Phillips to stop as it was being driven down The Mall to Buckingham Palace. He used a pistol to fire volleys of shots through the Austin limo windows, prompting Captain Phillips to shield his wife before he attempted to bundle her out the other side of the car to safety. The Daily Mail's coverage of the attempted kidnap attempt in March 1974 The aftermath of Ian Ball's attempt to kidnap Princess Anne, on The Mall, London, on 20 March 1974. Ball's white Ford Escort is parked blocking the path of the Princess's Princess IV limousine Anne's horrific ordeal was recreated by ITV in film To Kidnap a Princess Anne's police bodyguard, Detective Inspector Jim Beaton tried to intervene but his gun, a Walther PP, jammed and he was shot three times in the chest and arms. While trying to stop Ball, a further three people were shot including Anne's chauffeur and another policeman. Ball told Anne he was going to kidnap her and ordered her to get out of the car, reportedly saying: 'Please, come out... Youve got to come.' She is said to have replied 'Not bloody likely,' part of an exchange she later described as 'very irritating'. And the princess finally 'lost her rag' when her dress was ripped in the melee. Ball was stopped when he was bundled to the ground by officer Peter Edmonds after being punched in the head by passing former boxer Ronnie Russell, who had led Anne to safety. Whilst Ball was later declared to be mentally ill, it emerged in 2014 that he had claimed in police interviews that 'one good thing' to come out of his 'audacious' crime was that officials would 'have to improve' Anne's protection. Speaking on ITVs Anne: The Princess Royal at 70, the royal recalled: 'What is interesting is what you remember and how you remember it, because although I thought I remembered everything that happened I would never have been able to swear I could remember in the right order. 'Because they were like photos, individual snapshots. Very clearly.' Anne confessed that she had previously thought about how she would react if someone attempted to kidnap her. She said: 'One thing about horses and sport is you have to prepare for the unexpected and you've got to think through the problems that are likely to occur'. Princess Anne and her then husband Captain Mark Phillips together in 1974. They were divorced in 1992 Under heavy security precautions, Ian Ball, then 26, is led in handcuffs from police van to court A witness, named as Miss Sammy Scott, told the Daily Mail at the time: 'I could see Princess Anne and Mark huddled in the back of the car' The kidnap attempt took place at around 8.30pm. The Queen's daughter accompanied by her husband, whom she had married the previous year, had been on their way back to Buckingham Palace after attending a charity film screening. Inside the car with the couple was Anne's lady-in-waiting Rowena Brassey, while chauffeur Alex Callender was at the wheel. Ball had followed Anne's car down The Mall and overtook it opposite Clarence House before braking sharply to force the limousine to stop. He then got out and began shooting as he tried to get into the car. A witness, named as Miss Sammy Scott, told the Daily Mail at the time: 'I could see Princess Anne and Mark huddled in the back of the car. The bid to kidnap Princess Anne was the front page story in the Daily Mail the following day. A witness described the moment she saw DI Beaton collapse after being shot 'They were on the opposite side to the gunman. Suddenly, I saw a man fall down in front of me. He had been shot. He was covered in blood. He lay on the pavement. 'Another man, a detective I suppose, came running up. I said to him: "This man has been shot, why doesn't he go to hospital?" 'The detective looked at me for a moment and then said: "So have I". He opened his jacket and I could see blood pouring from his shoulder. Then he also collapsed.' DI Beaton, who is now in his 70s, was shot immediately as he tried to intervene, meaning that he missed when he fired his first and only round before his gun jammed. He was then shot twice more when he instead opted to try to use his body to protect Anne and her husband He later explained how security measures have changed since the incident. He said: 'I had nothing. 'There was no back-up vehicle. The training was non-existent; but then again, we thought nothing was going to happen. They are highly specialised now, highly trained.' The Princess Royal chatting to her bodyguard, Inspector James Beaton, after he was injured during Ian Ball's attempt to kidnap her Ball was finally stopped when he was bundled to the ground by officer Peter Edmonds after being punched in the head by passing former boxer Ronnie Russell (pictured), who had led Anne to safety Brian McConnell, a journalist who had been following the couple, also tried to intervene to stop Ball and was shot in the chest. Chauffeur Mr Callender was also shot. The passing former boxer Mr Russell, who won the George Medal for his bravery efforts, led the princess to safety before hitting the gunman twice in the head. When PC Michael Hills came across the situation, he too was shot after calling for backup and then trying to intervene. When support arrived in the form of Detective Constable Peter Edmonds, Ball was finally arrested. Although DI Beaton, PC Hills, Mr Callender and Mr McConnell were hospitalised, all recovered and were able to continue their careers. Princess Anne, Captain Mark Phillips (left) and Queen Elizabeth with a group of guests including Inspector James Beaton (third from left), and former boxer Ronnie Russell (right) after they helped to foil the kidnap attempt As well as Mr Russell's award, DI Beaton was awarded the George Cross by the Queen, whilst PC Hills was also handed the George Medal. Speaking in 1984 about the ordeal to chat show host Michael Parkinson, Anne said she had been 'scrupulously polite' to her attacker, because it would have been 'silly to be too rude at that stage' but said she lost her temper when he ripped her dress. Ball went on to plead guilty to attempted murder and kidnapping and is still imprisoned at Broadmoor Hospital under the Mental Health Act. The excuses Ball made in his police interview were revealed after the Mail on Sunday won a seven-month Freedom of Information battle. They had only been due to be released in 2048. The would-be kidnapper told police that he had believed Anne would be an easy target. He said he had learned of her movements by phoning the Buckingham Palace press office. He said: 'I had thought about it for years She would have been the easiest. I have seen her riding with her husband.' The files also revealed Ball showed no remorse for shooting three men. Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips are seen at an engagement the week after the kidnap attempt He said: 'They were getting in my way so I had to shoot them. Well, the police, that's their job. They expect to be shot. I took a chance of getting shot so why shouldn't they?' Ball had planned to take the Princess to a Central London property which he had rented under an alias, and to demand a ransom of 3 million - the equivalent of 26 million today. Detectives initially feared Ball was part of the IRA but he told officers: 'I have got no friends. I'm a loner. I put a lot of thought and work into it. 'I can't expect people like you to understand or accept that I did it and planned it alone. Do you think I am part of the IRA or something? If there had been anyone else they would have helped me at the scene.' He also told police: 'I knew [Beaton] would be armed. If his gun had not jammed, I would be dead.' Pippa Middleton recently relocated from a 17milion townhouse in Chelsea to a 30-room Berkshire retreat with her husband, James Matthews. But the Princess of Wales' younger sister could one day be tempted to move to the Scottish highlands when her billionaire husband inherits his family's Glen Affric Estate. James's father David Matthews bought the estate in 2018 along with the main house, Affric Lodge, set amid 10,000 acres of a peninsula and a loch of the same name. Glen Affric is located in the south-west of the village of Cannich in the Highland region of Scotland, some 15 miles west of Loch Ness. Guests can stay at the main house, Affric Lodge, and the newly built Stable Cottage, on the grounds of the estate The beautiful Glen Affric Estate west of Loch Ness is a noted wilderness retreat which belongs to the family of Pippa Middleton's husband, James Matthews Glen Affric, which includes mountains and a loch of the same name, is north west of the Great Glen and south west of Inverness. The estate caters for visitors Pippa, the Princess of Wales' younger sister, married billionaire James Matthews in 2017. The pair are pictured together at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle James Middleton, younger brother to Pippa and the Princess of Wales, is pictured at Glen Affric, where he has hosted visitors. He is pictured in the Scottish Highlands with his wife, Alizee, and their dog, Mabel David took on the courtesy title Laird of Glen Affric and promptly converted the estate into a fancy rental offering. It is unknown how much he bought it for, but with it costing 11,800 for a three night stay for up to eight people, or 17,800 for a group of 16, we can only guess. The main lodge has a total of eight bedrooms, as well as a whisky room, a sitting room, a dining room and various living rooms. The lodge is decorated with paintings of Highland landscapes by 19th-century artist Sir Edwin Landseer and maintains its traditional Victorian features such as turrets and fireplaces. It was built between 1860 and 1872 with local pine and hardwoods, and Caledonian granite. Meanwhile, the charming and newly built Stable Cottage sited nearby is contemporary and colourful. The lodge is known in larger circles too, and the late Queen's grandmother Mary previously stayed at the lodge during the 19th century, while David Beckham also filmed an advert for his Haig Club whisky there in 2014. James brother, former Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews even married his wife Vogue Williams at the estate in June 2018. The estate website says Glen Affric is considered to be among the most beautiful places in Scotland - and the pictures seem to suggest that's correct. Keeping it in the family, Pippa's and the Princess of Wales' brother James Middleton also acts as a host at the estate. James, 35, has regularly shared his thoughts and moments at the Glen Affric Estate. In the past few years he has shared images of himself, with his French wife Alizee and their dogs standing on a paddleboard. James posted the image with the caption: I had tingles not from the cold but from how beautiful it was. Yes, this is Scotland in November! The lodge is decorated with paintings of Highland landscapes by 19th-century artist Sir Edwin Landseer The main lodge has a total of eight bedrooms, as well as a whisky room, a sitting room, a dining room and various living rooms It was built between 1860 and 1872 with local pine and hardwoods, and Caledonian granite and maintains its traditional Victorian features such as turrets Pippa's father-in-law David has held the title, the Laird of Glen Affric, since purchasing the property The lodge is known in larger circles and the late Queen's grandmother Mary previously stayed there during the 19th century James Middleton, pictured on the bonnet, has regularly shared his thoughts and moments at the Glen Affric Estate David Beckham, pictured with Guy Ritchie, filmed an advert for his Haig Club whisky at the estate He then told his 243,000 followers, Its crazy how peaceful the planet can be but at the same time how crazy it can be - make sure you take some out for you (and your dogs). Go outside, open a window, walk, breathe, meditate, or even make a good old cup of tea! James also said that he adopted a morning ritual of jumping into the freezing cold loch to help himself feel alive. 'After a restless night, every single bit of my body woke up,' he said. Pippa's father-in-law David has held the title, the Laird of Glen Affric, since purchasing the property, and it will be inherited by James upon his father's death, while Pippa will become known as Lady Glen Affric. Michael and Carole Middleton have played a growing role in royal life It has been quite a transformation for the Middleton family - from the ambitious middle classes to the edge of royalty. The parents of Catherine, Princess of Wales, took their place at Westminster Abbey for King Charles' Coronation along with Pippa Matthews, and James Middleton in May. Still more significantly, they continue play an important family role in the lives of their grandchildren, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. But if it's Carole and Pippa who tend to catch the eye - Carole certainly did so with a sapphire-coloured dress at the Abbey - and garner the attention, the smiling figure of Michael Middleton, Catherine's father, plays a crucial role. Michael, who turns 74 today, is often seen in the background. But he has been a calming presence throughout, first, the long courtship and, then, the marriage of his daughter to Prince William. Watching over a future King: Michael with his grandson Prince George as they watch the inaugural Kings Cup regatta in Cowes, 2019 Carole, looking elegant in sapphire, and Michael Middleton at the Coronation Michael cuts a dignified figure as he gives away his daughter, Kate, at her 2011 wedding A part of the family: The Middletons seem to have slotted into their new royal role with ease. Pictured right to left, back row: Pippa, James, Carole and Michael Celebrating his birthday on this day, June 23, Michael Middleton was born in 1949 in Leeds. Brought up by parents Captain Peter Middleton and Valerie Glassborow, it was a family with aristocratic antecedents. In the early twentieth century, the Middleton family had rubbed shoulders with members of the British royal family. Both of his parents served during the Second World War, his mother was a code breaker and volunteer nurse and his father was a pilot for the Royal Air Force. During his service, Peter had once flown alongside Prince Philip as co-pilot during a two-month flying tour of South America in 1962. Like his father and grandfather, Michael attended Clifton College, a boarding school in Bristol, before going on to study and graduate from the University of Surrey. Michael had originally planned to follow in his father's footsteps and become a pilot and studied at the British European Airways flight school, before deciding to be part of the ground crew, instead. He then started working for British Airways as a flight dispatcher, where he met his future wife, Carole Goldsmith. Michael and Carole were married on June 21, 1980, at the Church of St. James in Buckinghamshire. It was while working for British Airways as a flight dispatcher that he met future wife, Carole Goldsmith Two years later, in 1982, they welcomed their first child, Catherine Middleton, the future Princess of Wales. Their second daughter, Philippa followed in 1983. Michael moved his family to Amman, Jordan from May 1984 until September 1986 for his work. Once they returned to England in 1987, the couple welcomed their youngest child James. Carole established Party Pieces, a company selling party supplies and decorations, in 1987. By the 1990s, it had branched into mail orders and was managed by both Carole and Michael. During this time, business was booming and in 2012 they moved into a Tudor-style manor house in Bucklebury, Berkshire. Michael and Carole welcomed their first child, Catherine, in 1982 A heartwarming family photo of Michael and his daughter, Kate Middleton as a baby Catherine Middleton aged four with her father and sister Pippa in Jerash, Jordan Pippa, Michael and Carole Middleton leave after a community carol service held at Westminster Abbey in 2021 Since becoming grandparents to Kate and William's three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, Michael and Carole have played an even bigger part in the lives of the royals. William refused to allow them to be treated as non-royal in-laws had in the past, rarely receiving invitations. Even the late Queen was delighted and warmed to the hard-working aspirational values of the Middletons. Michael and Carole were invited to Balmoral, to Royal Ascot, to Sandringham, where they were Christmas Day guests, and most recently to the Coronation of King Charles. Unlike previous generations, it is clear that the Middletons are going to be active participants in the Wales's lives. A doctor has revealed the three ways hay fever sufferers can combat hay fever without using medication. Dr Sooj, who lives in the UK, took to TikTok to share his tips online in a video which has racked up almost 90,000 views. The NHS doctor often makes health-related videos such as speaking about the symptoms of melanoma, foods to avoid in pregnancy and carbon monoxide poisoning. Discussing the 'pollen bomb' that has hit the UK, he said: 'Since we're approaching the summer months here are five things you can do to improve your symptoms of hay fever and the last (tip) has really helped me. 'One, put Vaseline around your nostrils and just under your eyes to try and trap some pollen.' Dr Sooj, who lives in the UK, took to TikTok to share his tips online, racking up almost 90,000 views The doctor, who also has a YouTube channel, then moved onto his second tip, which was to wear wrap around sunglasses as it stops pollen from getting into and irritating your eyes. Dr Sooj continued by saying: 'Three, keep your windows and door shut as much as possible.' The fourth piece of advice was to vacuum your house regularly and dust it with a damp cloth. The medic then moved on to his final point to combat hay fever without medication. 'Finally, buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car.' Users took to the comments to speak about his tips and even shared their own. One person said: 'Wouldn't trapping the pollen activate symptoms and keeping it on you. Doesn't seem like a good idea.' But Dr Sooj responded: 'It helps stop pollen going into your eyes and causing symptoms.' The doctor started with his first tip, which was to put Vaseline around your nostrils and under your eyes Another wrote: 'Also cutting out dairy as it's a mucus-inducing food, studies have shown,' however the doctor did not confirm nor deny this. In a second video, the medic spoke about what you shouldn't do if you have hay fever, including cutting grass or even walking on grass. He also said: 'Avoid keeping fresh flowers in the house. Don't smoke or be around smoke because this can make your symptoms worse. 'Don't dry your clothes outside because these can catch pollen. 'And finally, if possible, don't let pets inside the house, this is because they can bring pollen indoors.' Earlier this week, another NHS doctor, Dr Karan Rajan, also made a video claiming that most people use their hay fever nasal sprays wrong. Users took to the comments of the hay fever video to speak about his tips and even shared their own Dr Karan Rajan has taken to TikTok to reveal the most effective hay fever medicines, as well as the best way to use nasal spray He said: 'If you use a nasal spray don't point up towards your brain. Point sideways towards your ears. 'This way it will be in parallel with your sinuses which is where the medication needs to go. 'Don't inhale because the medication will end up in your throat and it won't work'. 'But you need to do these as well' he adds. The King's distant relative Zenouska Mowatt looked typically elegant at Royal Ascot this week. The 33-year-old, looked elegant in a green gown which she paired with a matching floral headpiece by Rachel Trevor-Morgan. The sophisticated dress by Emilia Wickstead featured puffed sleeves and frilled neckline. The beauty is the granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth's cousin, Princess Alexandra of Kent, making her Her Majesty's first cousins twice removed. Zenouska, who's mother is Princess Alexandra's daughter Marina Ogilvy, also took to her Instagram to showcase her stunning ensemble - and share a number of behind-the-scenes snaps from the event. The King's distant relative Zenouska Mowatt looked typically elegant at Royal Ascot on Thursday The 33-year-old, looked elegant in a green gown which she paired with a matching floral headpiece by Rachel Trevor-Morgan She completed her chic ensemble with silver open toe heels and a stunning 1,900 Oscar de la Renta's Alibi box bag. The beauty, who works as the Head of Marketing for royal-warrant holder Halcyon Days, accessorised with elegant gold Salamander Torque bangles from the luxury store. Her blonde locks were styled in bouncy curls and her glam makeup enhanced her dewy complexion. The beauty posed up a storm with the founder of London-based footwear brand Camilla Elphick at the races. Camilla wowed in a floor length white gown which she paired with a pale chic blue headpiece. Zenouska, who is a distant cousin of the King, often attends royal events. She attended the lying in state service, where she was seen in a dignified black outfit after The Queen's death last year. Accompanying it was a black pleat grosgrain ribbon disc hat with bow, priced at 1,249 from the Rachel Trevor Morgan collection. She also held a Dior handbag. Zenouska, who's mother is Princess Alexandra's daughter Marina Ogilvy, took to her Instagram to showcase her stunning ensemble Her blonde locks were styled in bouncy curls and her glam makeup enhanced her dewy complexion The beauty, who works as the Head of Marketing for royal-warrant holder Halcyon Days, accessorised with elegant gold Salamander Torque bangles from the luxury store The beauty posed up a storm with the founder of London-based footwear brand Camilla Elphick at the races Zenouska is the key part of the social set, and is known friends with Kinvara Balfour, film producer and niece of the Duke of Norfolk, and Tiggy Pettifer, formerly Legge-Bourke, the nanny of Prince William and Prince Harry. She was present at one of the Queen's final engagements earlier this year at Windsor Castle, where the two were seen enjoying a sweet moment together. The Queen was visited by Zenouska and the company she works for, luxury artefacts by British craftwork firm Halcyon Days, which is held in high esteem by the royal family and has three Royal Warrants. Sweet images from the engagement showed the Queen and Zenouska sharing a smile with one another as they chatted through various artefacts from the company. Jazmin Grimaldi has gushed over her family following an eventful night out at a summer party in Berlin. Jazmin, 31, Prince Albert of Monaco's illegitimate daughter with Tamara Rotolo, took to Instagram to share how 'proud' she is of her father and 'baby brother' Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste. The darling actress shared the sweet images alongside an appearance at the Raffaello Summer Day Party at The Royal Porcelain Factory. In the images, she praised her father, the prince, for attending a United Nations event in New York, meanwhile she celebrated her half-brother, 19, for making a 'special appearance' at a Louis Vuitton show in Paris. Posting to her Instagram stories, she wrote: 'Very proud of my Dad at my old stomping grounds the United Nations in NYC! Jazmin Grimaldi (pictured) has gushed over her family following an eventful night out at a summer party in Berlin She boasted of her younger brother Alexandre Grimaldi-Coste, Prince Albert's son with flight attendant Nicole Coste, as she featured an Instagram story of him looking suave in honour of uber luxury brand Louis Vuitton She teamed the caption with a screengrab of what appeared to be her father meeting with officials at an official building, which was taken from a television recording. She also boasted of her younger brother Alexandre, Prince Albert's son with flight attendant Nicole Coste, as she featured an Instagram story of him looking suave in all purple in honour of uber luxury brand Louis Vuitton. She added: 'Proud of my baby brother @AlexandreGrimaldi_ for his special appearance at the Louis Vuitton show last night in Paris!' Alexander looked exceedingly dapper in a matching printed set that he paired with white leather trainers. Jazmin also stunned in an all white Nawabi Couture floor-length gown, as she posed for photographers on the red carpet in Berlin. The elegant damsel stepped out for Italian chocolatier Raffaello's glittering bash looking every inch the sweetheart. The halter neck dress was decorated with lace detail and featured a striking bow that laid upon her shoulder. Her effervescent pink nails made a bold statement, while, her make-up spoke a more subdued language of nude and bronze. Her golden locks fell effortlessly to the side. Jazmin, 31, Prince Albert of Monaco 's illegitimate daughter with Tamara Rotolo, took to Instagram to share how 'proud' she is of her father Jazmin stunned in an all white Nawabi Couture floor-length gown, as she posed for photographers on the red carpet She accessorised her look with nude heels by Berlin designer Maison Baum and an Aigner handbag She accessorised her look with matching nude pointed heels by Berlin designer Maison Baum and an Aigner handbag. Also in attendance was her boyfriend Ian Mellencamp. The two looked adorable as they posed together at the grounds. Opting for opposing glamour, the couple were a picture of colourblocking perfection, as Ian opted for a green and blue printed floral suit which sat in stark contrast to his sweetheart's look. A DNA test in May 2006 confirmed Albert was the father of Jazmin Grace, the result of an affair with Tamara Rotolo, an American estate agent he met while she was on holiday in the South of France. Her mother, then a waitress, had a fling with the monarch back in 1991, while on vacation. She attended Italian chocolatier Raffaello's glittering bash with her boyfriend Ian Mellencamp (pictured right). The two looked adorable as they posed together Now a real estate agent, Tamara took Jazmin to California with her and she only met her father aged 11. Albert confirmed he was the biological father of Alexandre, whose mother was Nicole Coste, a former Air France flight attendant from Togo, in May 2005, just before he was enthroned as Prince of Monaco. The prince also shares eight-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella with Princess Charlene of Monaco. A great ad campaign can really get people thinking and that is certainly the case with these advertisements. People from around the world have shared ad campaigns that caught their eye and Bored Panda collated the best into a thought provoking gallery. The selection includes a hilarious job advert by the city of Los Angeles looking for a graphic designer which went viral online. While a clever Denver water billboard which read 'use what you need' and only used a quarter of the billboard space. Elsewhere a drive safely campaign used an X-ray to hammer home the point that a seatbelt can save your life. Well played! People from around the world have shared ad campaigns that caught their eye and Bored Panda collated the best into a thought provoking gallery including a clever Denver water billboard which read 'use what you need' and only used a quarter of the billboard space While a powerful Moms Demand Action campaign, in the US, perfectly showcased the nonsensical laws that ban Kinder Eggs, due to 'safety concerns related to having a plastic capsule inside' but not guns. Here FEMAIL takes a look at the best advertising campaigns that made people think... Yikes! Elsewhere a drive safely campaign used an X-ray to hammer home the point that a seatbelt can save your life Emotional advertising! This restaurant owner used a simple but powerful to promote their business Fun! A hilarious job advert by the city of Los Angeles looking for a graphic designer which went viral online Awkward! One of Durex's most memorable campaigns was when it roasted Facebook after a data leak Smart! These leaflets were apparently flown into people homes, in the US, via an open door or window to warn them about burglars Clever! A billboard by Eskom perfectly made its point by only used the light over the writing to 'use electricity wisely' So sad! While a powerful Moms Demand Action campaign, in the US, perfectly showcased the nonsensical laws that ban Kinder Eggs, due to 'safety concerns related to having a plastic capsule inside' but not guns Don't text and drive! Das Auto managed to get a really important message across in such a simple way Awful: Another powerful ad campaign to help single mothers move out of poverty by showcasing their hardships on a magazine cover Wow! Unicef released this bold ad campaign on their social media highlighting that it wasn't about likes for them Experts discussed the Sussexes' next moves after their Spotify deal was axed Spotify executives were likely 'horrified' by Prince Harry's admission he had signed lots of deals in a hurry to make money, as their podcasting deal comes to an end. Speaking to Palace Confidential, the Daily Mail's Diary Editor Richard Eden recalled Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021 when the Duke discussed his financial worries after his family security was withdrawn. Speaking in March 2021, Prince Harry said that the multi-million-pound deals he had signed with streaming giants Spotify and Netflix was 'never part of the plan' and insisted: 'That was suggested by somebody else by the point of where my family literally cut me off financially, and I had to afford security for us.' A week after Spotify announced it was parting ways with the Sussexes following just one series of Meghan's podcast series, Archetypes, Eden claimed Harry's admission left Spotify bosses reeling. 'It takes an awful lot of work [to produce a podcast]. It's serious work, it's planning,' he said. 'You can't just turn up and, 'Oh, what shall we do today'?' Richard Eden, the Daily Mail's Diary Editor, told PALACE CONFIDENTIAL that Spotify executives were likely left reeling by Prince Harry's admission that he signed deals with streaming giants to pay for his security He added: 'That's shown by... you know... I had to listen to these podcasts for the programme so frankly, I'm not surprised it's coming to an end.' The Daily Mail's Royal Editor, Rebecca English, agreed with her fellow panellist, saying both Spotify and the Sussexes had put a 'brave face' on the end of the deal but it was 'undoubtedly a blow' to the couple. She said: 'What it gets to the heart of is what it is they can sell.' English added that, although the Sussexes likely wanted to make 'worthy' programmes championing causes they care about, streaming giants are more interested in what it's like to be a member of the royal family. 'I think anybody, even their biggest supporters, will admit people are not given multi, multi-million pound deals with no track record in the industry on the basis they're going to produce some incredibly worthy programmes over a number of years,' she continued. During his explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021 (pictured) the Duke said it had never been 'part of the plan' to sign the streaming deals As the Sussexes' next move appears uncertain, English said that, despite rumours Prince Harry's Netflix project about the Invictus Games had been axed, it is still slated to go ahead this summer. Eden said: 'To be fair, that could be really interesting.' Elsewhere in the episode, English teased 'a big launch' from William, 41, on an initiative about homelessness in the coming weeks. Speaking about how the Prince of Wales as 'stepping up his game' on the cause, the pair spoke about how William was introduced to the plight of the homeless from young age when his late mother, Princess Diana, first took him to visit The Passage charity. 'He started going to homeless shelters like The Passage with his late mother when he was kind of 11 eleven years old and it's something he's always worked quite passionately on in front and behind the scenes,' she said. However, both English and Eden agreed that a Sunday Times article in which William discussed the issue, which was published last Sunday, was unusual timing given that Trooping the Colour had taken place just one day earlier, and risked overshadowing Charles's first birthday celebration as monarch. 'Last weekend we had Trooping the Colour,' Richard explained. 'It was the King's first birthday parade, it was a big, big occasion for king Charles and Camilla. 'And then that was pushed off the front pages by this interview which had been given before and was timed to come out on the Sunday, the day after Trooping the Colour.' He found the timing 'strange', adding it 'caused a lot of raised eyebrows... among the King's supporters'. Rebecca agreed, adding the story was relevant enough to run on another day. Speaking on Palace Confidential, Daily Mail Royal Editor Rebecca English teased 'a big launch' from William, 41 (pictured with his wife and children at Trooping the Colour) on project initiatives this week 'As someone who's been a journalist for 20-30 years, I did find it a little odd from a news management perspective because that interview could've come out any day this week,' she told the programme. 'And if you'd wanted to do it particularly with a Sunday paper because you feel they maybe devote more space to the complex issues involved, then they could've done it this Sunday so I didn't quite understand that, I have to say.' Richard also remarked on the absence of Charles's name in William's interview. 'Prince William made it sound in the Sunday Times interview as if it's completely his new initiative,' he said. 'Remember, he's in charge of the Duchy of Cornwall now, which is a huge area of land... and he was talking about some venture on building more social housing. 'Well King Charles has been doing that for years... he's really increased the amount of social housing in these areas and it's something he feels very strongly about and he didn't get a single mention whereas William was keen to pay credit to his mother...' The royal has recently revealed his lifelong ambition to end homelessness in the UK and said he will build social housing on his private estate, the Duchy of Cornwall, which he inherited from his father. William spoke in his first interview since becoming the Prince of Wales, and used it to explain that he is determined to 'make a difference... that doesn't set people up that are homeless for another fall'. The 130,000-acre Duchy of Cornwall spans from Cornwall to Kent and includes estates in Newquay and Dorchester which comprise of a mix of private and some affordable housing. When asked by the Sunday Times whether there are plans for affordable homes on Duchy land, William said: 'Absolutely. Social housing. You'll see that when it's ready. I'm no policy expert, but I push it where I can.' Described by the paper as a 'curveball' which aides were not expecting, William indicated that he will 'start small' with the housing and if the scheme does well will look to increase the amount available. William said: 'It's all very well doing big gestures, but there's no point if... there's no future to it.' Poundbury, an estate in Dorset which is part of the royal's over 1billion property portfolio, comprises of 35 per cent affordable housing, as well as private homes. William is a patron of the charity Centrepoint and recently spoke at an affordable housing development of 33 flats for young people funded by the group. Pictured earlier this month Under the national planning policy framework, major developments which include housing should be required to have at offer 10 per cent affordable homes. The Prince was vocal in his frustration around the government, councils and charities' just 'managing' the homelessness crisis rather than 'preventing' it. Now he is teasing what he calls a 'really big project' coming from the Royal Foundation, which he heads along with the Princess of Wales. He said he hopes the project, which is being kept under wraps until later this month, will have a 'tangible impact' on improving living conditions. William was 11-years-old when his mother, the late Princess Diana, took him and Prince Harry to a homeless shelter and is now a patron of the Passage, the charity that ran it. He followed in his mother's footsteps to become a patron of another charity, Centrepoint, in 2005, and recently spoke at an affordable housing development of 33 flats for young people funded by the group. The charity's research revealed last year that the number of 16 to 24-year-olds who were either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless was 122,000. This figure, obtained through freedom of information requests to all councils, has risen since Centrepoint's first request five years ago, when it was 110,000, and is due to rise again this year. The Prince also revealed that he is planning to take his children to a homeless shelter, and that he tries to make sure his kids are exposed to the realities facing tens of thousands across the country. He said that during the school run through London, he often asks Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte about what they see and why they think people are sleeping rough. Princess Diana's twin nieces Lady Amelia and Eliza showed off their model good looks last night as they joined their brother Samuel Aitken in London for the Peroni Nastro Azzurro 'Stile Capri' launch. Amelia and Eliza, who moved from Cape Town to London in 2021, are the daughters of Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer and his first wife Victoria Aitken, while Samuel is the son of Victoria and South African businessman Jonathan Aitken. Lady Amelia, 30, opted for a summery floral dress which she paired with red stilettos. The beauty swept her blonde locks back into a sleek ponytail and she accessorised with designer sunglasses. Lady Eliza looked typically chic in orange printed trousers by Tory Burch which she paired with a white long sleeve white top. Lady Amelia (centre) and Lady Eliza Spencer (L) looked stylish as they attended the Peroni Nastro Azzurro 'Stile Capri' launch at Night Tale in London alongside their brother Samuel Aitken (R) Her blonde locks fell loose in a centre parting and she carried a cream leather handbag. Samuel looked smart in a blue and white striped shirt which he paired with light washed jeans. The siblings posed up a storm at the star studded event in central London. They share another brother, Louis Spencer - who won the attention of women across the world when he was pictured at The Dukes and Duchess of Sussex's wedding in 2018. Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia grew up between Constantia, South Africa, and their family's seat, Althorp. But since moving to London full time, 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. Lady Amelia, 30, opted for a summery floral dress which she paired with red stilettos as she snapped pics of Daniel Cordas painting a design on trainers The beauty swept her blonde locks back into a sleek ponytail and she accessorised with designer sunglasses 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. Meanwhile Samuel first garnered a global profile when he walked his model sister Kitty down the aisle at her lavish four-day Rome wedding to retail millionaire Michael Lewis. He was quickly snapped up by Twenty Model Management and has since appeared in the pages of Tatler magazine. Modelling is in the blood for the teenager, who graduated from Cape Town's prestigious Bishops Diocesan College last year and now has his sights set on following brother Louis to Edinburgh University. His mother, Victoria Aitken, the first of Charles Spencer's three wives, had a successful career in front of the camera that serves as inspiration to her young son. 'I am an unashamed mummys boy,' he told Tatler. 'Im very grateful to her for providing me with this life and education; she is so giving. Lady Eliza (L) looked typically chic in orange printed trousers by Tory Burch which she paired with a white long sleeve white top as the siblings posed up a storm at the star studded event 'Im closest to her out of anyone. She has just done the most for me by miles.' The bond he shares with his eldest sister was laid bare to the world when Kitty asked him and Louis to walk her down the aisle at her wedding. 'Kitty is so close to both of us, so it was natural that we were both by her side,' he told the magazine. 'I didnt expect it to be emotional, Im not really an emotional person, but walking her down the aisle was also one of the proudest moments of my life. 'I was very touched to have been asked, together with my brother, Louis. It was a spontaneous and beautiful moment.' He added he was the 'little prince' of his family and was 'spoilt' by his siblings. While Sam was joined by his brother Louis at his sister Kitty's wedding, the elder brother was nowhere to be seen at Lady Amelia's wedding last month. Like his father Charles, Louis was conspicuous by his absence at the nuptials. Louis is said to have a better relationship with his historian father, Charles, than his sisters do. Advertisement The Princess of Wales enjoyed the festivities on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot 2023 as she enjoyed the company of other royals and famous faces - and even gave her husband a cheeky tap on the bottom. Looking stunning in a scarlet Alexander McQueen dress, Kate, 41, engaged in a little act of PDA with her husband - who also turned 41 earlier this week - at the Berkshire racecourse. Elsewhere, Kate enjoyed chats with her royal relatives including the Duchess of Edinburgh, 58, and also other famous faces including Dame Judi Dench. As the Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at the racecourse today, Kate stunned in the McQueen frock, which had a plunging yet conservative neckline, statement shoulders and an A-line shape, paired with a Philip Treacy hat in a matching shade. The mother-of-three tied her hair back into a sleek bun and opted for fabulous statement gold earrings from Sezane, which she has worn before. As she looked elegant in the A-line red frock, the mother-of-three paired her dress with a red clutch bag from Hermes and red suede pumps. Joining the Prince and Princess of Wales in the second carriage in the royal procession was Princess Beatrice, 34, and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 39. The foursome arrived in the second carriage in the procession, which followed King Charles and Queen Camilla with the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The Princess of Wales, who was stunning in a scarlet Alexander McQueen dress, gave Prince William a cheeky tap on the bottom as they got ready to present a trophy on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot The Princess and the Dame! Kate had a chat to Dame Judi Dench, who also arrived at Royal Ascot in the royal procession, as they enjoyed refreshments in the royal box A royal thumbs up! The Princess of Wales appeared to respond positively to the Duchess of Edinburgh as they sat together in the royal box As the Princess opted for the scarlet frock, she deviated from previous Ascot looks, where she has typically opted for pastel colours in more muted tones. While the action got underway on the racecourse, the Princess of Wales could be seen reading through the programmes for the day as she and William looked to pick up some tips. Kate was also pictured chatting intently with Dame Judi Dench in the royal box, who herself looked stunning in a pale pink dress. The Princess and her royal relative, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, shared sweet moments as they laughed together while watching the action unfold on the course - while Kate was spotted giving the Duchess a thumbs up as she celebrated a win on the horse she had backed. After joining Prince and Princess Michael of Kent in the carriage procession, the mother-of-two, dressed in a pastel pink dress with a matching tulle fascinator, celebrated her horse winning a race. Sophie appeared to place a bet on Porta Fortuna, who registered an impressive success in the Albany Stakes to provide Frankie Dettori with his 80th Royal Ascot win. Looking down at a her betting slip the royal looked delighted as she pumped her fist in celebration, while niece-in-law Kate Middleton looked delighted for her, giving her a thumbs up. Today is the first time William and Kate have attended the event since the death of the Queen in September - who was often dubbed Royal Ascot's 'biggest fan'. During her 70-year reign, Her late Majesty attended almost every single Royal Ascot festival, with the exception of last year where she couldn't attend due to mobility issues. The king has a horse racing today, yesterday he shed a tear when he secured his first ever Ascot win. The royal couple were overcome with emotion as they watched their horse Desert Hero win the King George V race from the royal box, after two losses. Throughout the week Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice and Mike and Zara Tindall have also been spotted enjoying the races. The King's cousins - Earl Snowdon and Sarah Chatto - also joined the royal procession yesterday. Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales on stage to present the Commonwealth Cup on day four of Royal Ascot The Prince and Princess of Wales gazed intently at the trophies as they prepared for the presentation on the penultimate day of the racing festival The Princess of Wales greeted jockey Oisin Murphy after he won The Commonwealth Cup on Shaquille and was presented with a trophy The couple looked pensive as they waited to present the trophies to winning jockeys following a race A royal round of applause! The Prince and Princess of Wales beamed as they applauded the winning jockeys following the races The Princess's red A-line dress flowed in the wind as she strolled across the racecourse while Prince William walked slightly behind her Kate and William looked like a picture-perfect couple as they strolled among other racegoers, with William looking smart in his top hat and tails Getting some tips! The Prince and Princess took a look through the racing programme as they prepared to watch today's action on the course The Princess's stunning Alexander McQueen frock is A-line in cut and Kate paired the stylish dress with red suede pumps and a red clutch The King pointed to the action on the racecourse on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot 2023 The Princess could be seen clutching betting slips as she watched from the Royal Box at the racecourse in Berkshire earlier today Having a royal laugh! Kate and Sophie shared a smile as they cheered on the winner at the Royal Ascot earlier this afternoon Cheering them on! Princess Kate stood alongside the Duchess of Edinburgh and threw her hands in the air in an animated display The royal was animated as she watched the race, clenching her hands into fists as she celebrated during day four of Ascot Kate's appearance at Royal Ascot is the first of the year, as she has spent her week carrying out other engagements including a visit to the National Portrait Gallery The Princess's eyes lit up as she watched the action get underway on the racecourse, and she beamed while the races continued Princess Beatrice offers a clap to the runners and riders on the fourth day of Royal Ascot, as husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi looks on Kate smiled up at an animated Duchess Sophie, who has been enthusiastic about the day's events so far as races are getting underway The two women could be seen chatting as they enjoyed the races earlier this afternoon (pictured) Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was pretty in pink in an A-line frock that was tied at the waist, paired with nude pumps and a hat Meanwhile, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi looked VERY animated as they watched the races and things appeared to be close The Princess of Wales appeared pensive as she chatted to another race observer in the royal box as the excitement got underway Kate burst into laughter as she chatted to another racegoer while they waited for the action to get underway The Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla looked animated as they chatted to each other on the lawn as they arrived for an afternoon of fun The Princess of Wales and Princess Beatrice both beamed as they entered the racecourse, with Beatrice sporting a white lace frock with flashes of colour The Princess laughed along with other racegoers as the action got underway on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot 2023 Kate beamed as she showed off her Philip Treacy hat and statement earrings from Sezane The look of love! Kate appeared wistful as she stood before Prince William, who was smart in his top hat and tails, upon arrival Amid a sea of black suits in top hats and tails, the Princess looked radiant and cut a striking figure in the scarlet McQueen frock The Princess's make up featured a smokey eye, a nude lip, a touch of blush and some bronzer as she pulled her hair back into a bun to show off her look Kate looked elegant in the red frock from Alexander McQueen as she strolled across the grounds ahead of the penultimate day of action The Princess looked animated during her chat with Olivia Baker as they chatted on the lawn, with Kate gesturing while she spoke Something appeared to catch Kate's eye as she stood on the grass with the other racegoer, who is a friend of Prince William's from university The Princess of Wales appeared deep in conversation with another racegoer dressed in a hot pink frock The A-line skirt on Kate's red frock flowed in the wind as she chatted to the other racegoer in the fuchsia dress, as their outfits made for the perfect colour-clash As Kate got stuck into the action, she appeared not to be able to contain her excitement and laughed as she chatted to race officials The Princess looked animated as she chatted to another guest at the festival while carrying her low-key Hermes clutch bag Picture-perfect princess! Kate, 41, looked photogenic as racegoers milled around her ahead of the action on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot The Princess looked sun-kissed on the summery day as the scarlet shade complemented her skin tone perfectly Prince William shook the hand of Frankie Dettori, a world-famous jockey whose career has spanned more than three decades Prince William, who celebrated his 1st birthday on Wednesday, chatted to the successful jockey at what is his final Royal Ascot, after he announced earlier this year that he is retiring Kate, 41, looked stunning in the Alexander McQueen frock and Philip Treacy hat, which she paired with statement gold earrings from Sezane The Princess's Alexander McQueen frock featured a plunging yet conservative neckline and sstatement shoulders with long sleeves The Princess of Wales stunned in scarlet as she arrived in the royal procession on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot 2023 in a carriage alongside Prince William A glimpse at Princess Beatrice revealed her lace frock with some purple and yellow hues, and a white fascinator on her head as she opted for an intricate updo Dressed in an elegant lace floral ensemble by Monique Lhuillier, thought to cost around 2,700, Princess Beatrice wore an elegant cream fascinator Beatrice, who shares daughter Sienna with Edo, glances across at her husband as they arrive at Ascot on Friday Princess Beatrice seated next to her husband Edo joined the Prince and Princess of Wales in the Royal Ascot carriage procession today The Princess of Wales and Princess Beatrice waved to racegoers and royal fans as they took part in the royal procession The Princess's hair was pulled back into a sleek low bun which was bunched at the side to showcase her stunning, wide-brimmed hat from Philip Treacy The royal couple, both 41, beamed as they chatted to Prince William's cousin Princess Beatrice, 34, and her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi The Princess of Wales looked stunning in red, in a look that deviated from her usual Royal Ascot outfits, an event at which she has previously chosen to wear more muted, pastel tones A glimpse of the couple in the second carriage in the royal procession showed William prior to putting on his top hat, as Kate's Philip Treacy headpiece shielded her eyes from the sunshine The royals sat next to each other in the royal procession, and opposite Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi The Princess of Wales sat in the royal procession alongside her husband, Prince William, who looked sharp in a top hat and tails The couple looked picture-perfect and ready for an afternoon of excitement at the races as they arrived in the second carriage in the royal procession Kate beamed as she waved to racegoers and royal fans while sitting in the second carriage in the royal procession on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot 2023 The Prince and Princess of Wales looked picture-perfect in the sunshine as they arrived at the festival for an afternoon of action The Princess, 41, opted for a smokey eye, accentuated with liquid eyeliner, a touch of blush and some bronzer as she arrived The Queen looked elegant in white as she donned a structured frock, white leather gloves and a white hat with black detailing as she arrived Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, beamed as she waved at royal fans and race attendees during the royal procession at the penultimate day of Royal Ascot 2023 The first carriage in the royal procession carried King Charles and Queen Camilla, who was dressed in a white frock and a white Philip Treacy hat The King and Queen beamed as they arrived at the Berkshire racecourse for the festival's penultimate day The King took off his hat as he waved hello to royal fans and racegoers on arrival at the penultimate day of Royal Ascot, as the black-and-white detailing of the Queen's hat gave a sharp monochrome effect Elsewhere, many revellers donned their finery to celebrate in the glorious June sun. High heels and fascinators were a common theme with guests, who opted for colourful dresses and full glamour. Many female racegoers opted to make the most of the relaxed rules - which allows people to dress from the male or female dress code regardless of their gender - opting for bright trouser suits. Last night revellers looked worse for wear this evening as they left the Berkshire racecourse after hours of partying. Earlier in the day, glamorous guests had dressed themselves up to the nines to attend the event, which is considered to be the crown jewel in the racing calendar. While its competitors Cheltenham, Epsom and Aintree have ditched their dress codes , Ascot still has a fairly strict clothing policy. Having made it past security in high heels this morning, racegoers were pictured giving their feet a break as they left the premises in flip flops. David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linely, also known as Earl Snowdon, is the son of the late Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon. His sister, Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel Chatto joined the procession too, alongside Lord Nicolas Soames, a former Conservative MP and grandson of Winston Churchill. Camilla's family - including her sister, ex sister-in-law and ex-husband have also been spotted at the races. 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 as her horse galloped along the track. The Queen was taking part in an unofficial race with other 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. A mother-to-be from America has claimed she has fallen pregnant after her imprisoned fiance sent his sperm through the post. Nesha is engaged to her partner Twinnoo, who is in prison, but she has claimed they managed to conceive in an elaborate way. In a short video posted on TikTok, the mother-to-be revealed: 'Me and my incarcerated fiance try for a baby through the mail.' She posted a photograph of her fiance and father of her future child, who smiled into the camera while wearing his burgundy prison uniform. She then revealed how she got pregnant. Posting on TikTok, Neesha revealed she was pregnant with her partner's baby - and how she did it First, Nesha did an ovulation test to see if her body was in the right stage of the menstrual cycle. The thin strip produced two red lines, which gave her the green light to go ahead. She then shared a picture of a strange contraption used to impregnate herself without her fiance being present. 'Here's what I used - couldn't show you the real thing,' the text reads. The image shows a diagram of a woman's reproductive system with a cone-like piece of medical equipment inside pointing up towards the cervix. On the outside of the body is what looks like a syringe and a tube - which was presumably used to push Twinnoo's sperm into Nesha's body. She then shared a picture of an envelope - which was used to send Twinnoo's sperm. Finally, a short clip shows Nesha's pregnancy test flash up as positive. Neesha posted how she got pregnant with her partner's sperm, and the happy shot of her pregnancy test Fans were quick to comment on the news. One wrote: 'Please tell me how?? I'm a prison wife, my man has two more years,' said a second. Nesha replied: 'Dropping an in depth step by step process soon.' It comes after it was revealed a 31-year-old Colorado woman won't see the inside of a prison cell despite admitting to having sex with a 13-year-old boy in June 2022. It later emerged that Andrea Serrano had become pregnant as a result of the sexual assault on the minor. She was freed shortly after her original arrest in July of last year on a $70,000 bond. The Fountain Police Department had charged Serrano with sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, as well as sexual assault on a child. Investigators said that Serrano admitted to the relationship. In March, it was widely reported that Serrano's lawyers had come to a plea deal with prosecutors that will force her to register as a sex offender but means she will avoid prison. Since her arrest, Serrano has given birth to the teen's baby. The child is in her care. His family are planning to petition the courts to gain custody. The victim is now 14 years old. Princess Royal pulled off the ultimate sustainable fashion trick as she attended Royal Ascot this week. The royal, 72, dressed to impress in a pleased turquoise number as she was spotted by the Berkshire racecourse on Wednesday. Eagle-eyed royal fans spotted that the dress, which Anne sported with a white jacket, was actually a number she first wore 45 years ago, in 1978. At the time, she debuted the dress as she and the late Queen Elizabeth II welcomed Botswana's president Sir Seretse Kham and his wife Lady Khama at Buckingham Palace. But the outfit looked just as stylish as it decades ago as the Princess Royal stepped into the royal enclosure earlier this week. The Princess royal, 72, looked elegant in a turquoise number she first wore in 1978 as she attended Ascot's second day on Wednesday (left, 45 years ago, and right, this week) Looking elegant in the Tiffany blue A-line pleated dress, Anne updated it with a white jacket and wide-brimmed royal blue hat. Thanks to the well-chose accessories the look sported just the right hint of vintage, without looking dated in the slightest. Anne was the picture of poise as she was spotted in the royal enclosure, pairing her look with a triple pearl necklace, pendant pearl earrings. She also proudly sported her Jockey Club pin next to a turquoise brooch on the lapel of her jacket. 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. Anne, a keen equestrian, attended the event on several days. Anne updated with Tiffany-blue dress with white accessories and gorgeous pearl accessories, with a wide rim blue hat For Ladies Day yesterday, she was dressed in a chic green lace gown and white hat. She took part in the royal procession, sitting with her husband Sir Timothy Laurence in the second carriage. Meanwhile, the Princess Royal's daughter Zara Tindall and son-in-law Mike skipped the royal procession and headed straight to the races. 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. The Princess Royal looked elegant as she donned the blue number in the royal enclosure on Wednesday 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 as her 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. A reveller gearing up for Glastonbury has been dubbed an unlikely early comedy 'hero' of the festival after a crossed-wires interview at Worthy Farm went viral. The music fan with a strong Liverpudlian accent was asked about the large rollers she was wearing in her hair by BBC journalist Colin Paterson - but after having endured a suitcase nightmare while getting to the festival site, there was only one kind of rollers on her mind...the wheels on her pesky case. During the dawn interview yesterday, Paterson asked her: 'What about the rollers?' after he approached those arriving at the Somerset farm for the first official day of this year's festival. After laughing and looking down at her suitcase, she launched into how she'd had a 'nightmare' negotiating the Somerset terrain, saying 'it just all snapped and we've literally had to drag it the whole way'. The persistent reporter asked again 'What about the rollers?' to which, she responded with a deadpan 'What rollers?'... before the penny dropped that he was talking about her hair prep. Dissolving into smiles, the Glastonbury fan explained that she thought the reporter had been talking about the wheels on her suitcase before clarifying sweetly: 'I just got a curly blow this morning.' The hilarious encounter left viewers wanting more, saying they were 'obsessed' with the Glastonbury fan and her cameo on breakfast telly. RuPaul's Drag Race winner The Vivienne called the TV moment 'camp!'. 'What rollers?' A festival goer from Liverpool won fans on social media for her dawn interview with BBC Breakfast, after being asked about her hair prep for the music event One responded: 'K, I am having a bad day and you are my hero. Thank you, Roller Person.' Another added: 'I love her so much Ill do anything for her.' Over on Twitter, there was a similar response to the encounter. Another, who claimed they went to 6th form college with her, said: 'She's an absolute icon, she's so lovely.' One wrote: 'I'M OBSESSED, WHO IS SHE?' When asked about the rollers, the Glastonbury-goer recounted what a 'nightmare' she'd had with her luggage...much to viewers' delight Nightmare morning: She told BBC Breakfast that her luggage hadn't responded well to the Somerset terrain Britain's biggest music festival kicked off in earnest yesterday, with some 200,000 people heading for Worthy Farm in Somerset. Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis has confirmed the Arctic Monkeys will headline the Pyramid Stage on Friday after their set was thrown into question earlier this week. The rock band announced on Monday that frontman Alex Turner had acute laryngitis which forced them to cancel their show in Marlay Park, Dublin, on Wednesday. Glastonbury kicked off on Thursday, with the headliners this year including the Arctic Monkeys and Elton John Broadcasting from the grounds of the festival at Worthy Farm, Zoe Ball asked during her BBC Radio 2 show if the band were still set to play, to which Emily responded 'theyre on', which was welcomed with applause. 'It was a little bit close there for a minute and we were thinking about whether we should have a serious back-up plan in place, but no, thankfully theyre on, so thats great,' she added. It comes after she revealed there were 'back-up plans' in place in case the group were forced to pull out of their headline slot. Princess Beatrice joined a carriage ride with her cousin Prince William and the Princess of Wales as they arrived at Royal Ascot on Friday afternoon. Beatrice, 34, looked elegant as she took her seat alongside husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in the horse-drawn carriage, sitting opposite Kate and William for the Royal Procession at the historic British racing event. Dressed in an elegant lace floral ensemble by Monique Lhuillier, thought to cost around 2,700, the royal wore her highlighted hair in an elaborate plait, tucked under a stylish cream fascinator. Beatrice appeared to be enjoying the traditional parade in bright sunshine at the Berkshire course, complementing her look with a pair of diamond hoop earrings, and a 475 Pearls Maud recycled satin ivory clutch bag by Anya Hindmarch. Meanwhile her husband Edo, 39, with whom she shares a daughter, Sienna, cut a sharp figure in a three-piece suit and tails. Princess Beatrice offers a clap to the runners and riders on the fourth day of Royal Ascot, as husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi looks on Princess Beatrice seated next to her husband Edo joined the Prince and Princess of Wales in the Royal Ascot carriage procession today The quartet of royals followed the King and Queen Camilla, who shared the parade's first carriage with the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The Princess of Wales, 41, wore a scarlet Alexander McQueen dress and a Philip Treacy hat in a matching shade, smiling at crowds as she arrived in the carriage procession alongside Prince William, also 41. Kate tied her hair back into a sleek bun and opted for fabulous statement gold earrings from Sezane, which she has worn before. It's the penultimate day of the annual meet, with the 1 million Diamond Jubilee Stakes marking the racing crescendo tomorrow. Earlier this week Princess Beatrice donned a 495 Beulah long-sleeved nude dress patterned with tiny pink flowers as she made her first appearance at the event. This year's event marks the first since the death of the Queen in September - who was often dubbed Royal Ascot's 'biggest fan'. Princess Beatrice and the Princess of Wales chat as they stand on the grass of the royal enclosure following their carriage ride on the fourth day of Ascot The Princess of Wales, 41, wore a scarlet Alexander McQueen dress and a Philip Treacy hat in a matching shade, smiling at crowds as she walked alongside Princess Beatrice Beatrice, who shares daughter Sienna with Edo, glances across at her husband as they arrive at Ascot on Friday In bright Berkshire sunshine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, left, joined William's first cousin Princess Beatrice and husband Edo for the traditional parade Dressed in an elegant lace floral ensemble by Monique Lhuillier, thought to cost around 2,700, Princess Beatrice wore an elegant cream fascinator During her 70-year reign, Her late Majesty attended almost every single Royal Ascot festival, with the exception of last year where she couldn't attend due to mobility issues. While the King has a horse racing today, yesterday he shed a tear when he secured his first ever Ascot win. The royal couple were overcome with emotion as they watched their horse Desert Hero win the King George V race from the royal box, after two losses. Throughout the week Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice and Mike and Zara Tindall have also been spotted enjoying the races. The King's cousins - Earl Snowdon and Sarah Chatto - also joined the royal procession yesterday. Elsewhere, many revellers donned their finery to celebrate in the glorious June sun. High heels and fascinators were a common theme with guests, who opted for colourful dresses and full glamour. Many female racegoers opted to make the most of the relaxed rules - which allows people to dress from the male or female dress code regardless of their gender - opting for bright trouser suits. Last night revellers looked worse for wear this evening as they left the Berkshire racecourse after hours of partying. Earlier in the day, glamorous guests had dressed themselves up to the nines to attend the event, which is considered to be the crown jewel in the racing calendar. While its competitors Cheltenham, Epsom and Aintree have ditched their dress codes , Ascot still has a fairly strict clothing policy. Having made it past security in high heels this morning, racegoers were pictured giving their feet a break as they left the premises in flip flops. A smiling Edo can be seen next to his wife Princess Beatrice as the pair sat opposite the Prince and Princess of Wales for the Royal Parade at Ascot on Friday Edo offers his wife an adoring look as they drive through the Berkshire racecourse to the royal enclosure David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linely, also known as Earl Snowdon, is the son of the late Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon. His sister, Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel Chatto joined the procession too, alongside Lord Nicolas Soames, a former Conservative MP and grandson of Winston Churchill. Camilla's family - including her sister, ex sister-in-law and ex-husband have also been spotted at the races. The Princess of Wales stunned in scarlet as she arrived in the royal procession on the final day of Royal Ascot 2023 in a carriage alongside Prince William The Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla looked animated as they chatted to each other on the lawn as they arrived for an afternoon of fun 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 as her horse galloped along the track. The Queen was taking part in an unofficial race with other members of her royal party and ended up finishing fourth. The Princess's stunning Alexander McQueen frock is A-line in cut and Kate paired the stylish dress with red suede pumps and a red clutch 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. Royal fans have gone wild over pictures of two of royal equerries chatting at Ascot today. Eagle eyed royal watchers spotted Prince William's right hand man, Lieutenant Commander Rob Dixon chatting to Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson, a hunky equerry for King Charles. Mr Dixon, who appears to be building a legion of fans thanks to his dashing looks, is a Royal Navy officer who's worked for the Royal Household since 2020. Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland was spotted in top hat and tails chatting to him today. 'Rob Dixon alert!' one royal fan wrote on Twitter. 'Thanks to the wonderful [photographer] Chris Jackson who understands the needs of the public,' said another. An equerry is an officer of a royal household or court, who assists members of the royal family with their duties. Royal fans have gone wild over pictures of two of Prince William's 'hot equerries' chatting at Royal Ascot today Major Jonathan Thompson, 39, was spotted at Westminster Abbey last year behind the Princess Rob Dixon (left) was snapped with Prince William (right) in July this year, at a polo match in Egham, Surrey The role, which is normally occupied by a senior officer from one of the armed services, is held for three years. Mr Dixon was appointed to the Royal Household in September 2020, working as an equerry for Prince William, according to his LinkedIn. The military man, who attended Dr Challoner's Grammar School in Amersham, followed by the Joint Services Command and Staff College in Shrivenham, spent almost 22 years working for the Royal Navy. His CV boasts an impressive list of roles, including Helicopter Instructor, and Wildcat HMA Mk2 Pilot. While describing himself as 'mostly operating as a leader', he has noted that he also 'operates well as part of the team'. In 2015, he was awarded a Green Endorsement, being commended for 'the speed of thought, judgement and total professionalism with which he dealt with a compounding series of circumstances'. Lieutenant Commander Rob Dixon (right) was snapped in April 2021, near the the Princess of Wales during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle Major Thompson (pictured left) cracked a smile as he walked with the Queen through the gates of Balmoral Castle earlier this year, before the monarch's death Following the Queen's death last year, he has been snapped at events including the vigil at Westminster Hall, where the Queen's grandchildren stood at the monarch's casket. Images snapped in July last year show the equerry smiling as he attends a polo match in Surrey with Prince William. Meanwhile an April 2021 snap shows him with the Princess of Wales during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle. Lieutenant Commander Rob Dixon is not the only equerry to set pulses racing in recent days. Meanwhile, Major Jonathan Thompson, 39, of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, was once the Queens most senior bodyguard but is now serving King Charles and has been seen constantly at his side. Major Johnny Thompson was spotted behind Prince Harry and Megan when they attended the National Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June earlier this year Lieutenant Commander Rob Dixon (right) has been noticed by royal watchers, some of whom have commented on his looks, after attending royals events in recent times (pictured with with Sophie Wessex, left, at a vigil in honour of the Queen at Westminster Hall) Last year, following the death of the Queen, he found himself thrust front-and-centre at historic Royal events as the equerry of King Charles III, having served in the role when he was Prince of Wales. Major Thompson, known to friends as 'Johnny', tied the knot with marketing manager Caroline, 44, in 2010 and the couple have a four-year-old son as well as two black labradors called Odin and Piper a nod to his military time in Scotland. Last Saturday he was caught on camera calmly and coolly removing a pen tray which was cluttering the Kings desk, as Charles signed the Proclamation which named him as the new monarch following the death of Queen Elizabeth. Contrary to most people believing he is Scottish, Major Thompson was actually born in Morpeth, Northumberland, and now lives with his family in Surrey. He joined the Army in 2006 and is a Platoon commander, according to his LinkedIn. He is thought to have been working as an equerry with Charles for the last two years. Major Thompson was also seen in the procession on Wednesday, when the Queens coffin was escorted from Buckingham palace to Westminster Hall for the four days of lying in state. The King 'wants to play part in celebrating the history what the Windrush pioneers have done', member of his portraits committee have claimed. Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin and Paulette Simpson CBE were interviewed by the Berkshire racecourse yesterday, to celebrate 75 years of the Windrush generation in a video shared on Twitter and retweeted by the Royal Family. The two women spoke of the 10 portraits His Majesty commissioned to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Windrush generation, which has joined the Royal Collection, and which he unveiled yesterday. The portraits, who tell the story of the people who came on the Windrush to help rebuild Britain following the second World War, were also shown on electric screens across Ascot yesterday. 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 King 'wants to play part in celebrating the history what the Windrush pioneers have done', member of his portraits committee have claimed Royal Ascot has celebrated Windrush's 75th anniversary this week and interviewed Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin and Paulette Simpson CBE to discuss the portraits of 10 Windrush elders commissioned by the King to mark the occasion The King commissioned ten portraits of the Windrush Elders, which you can see in the video. Speaking in the interview, Bishop Rose said: 'We are marking the story of the pioneers, that's what I refer them as, they are pioneers, not just the Windrush celebration blanketly. 'That first group who came, and who came because they wanted to make a contribution to Britain,' she added. 'So they were there in the rebuilding of Britain.' 'And unfortunately, as a nation, we have forgotten about their contribution and hence as if they didn't belong. 'So Windrush day, 22 June, is the day when we make sure that as a nation, we remember them, we remember their contribution. 'And I think this is our hope that as pioneers those of us who are their descendants, that we will wave the flag, and continue to carry their hopes and their dreams into fruition,' she added. She also mentioned a special service that was help at St George's Chapel in Windsor, which was attended by King Charles yesterday, Paulette said that she felt the Monarch 'wants to play part in the acknowledging and celebrating and writing into history what the Windrush pioneers have done.' Bishop Rose said the King's involvement in remembering Windrush is 'absolutely vital.' 'We are appreciative of his genuine interest and support, and said that the Windrush generations and their descendants are 'inter-connected with Britain.' She added that the Monarch's involvement with Windrush shows that he is 'a King who is himself to learn and to connect with all his people.' The King proudly unveiled the portraits he commissioned to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Windrush generation yesterday, and praised their 'immeasurable' contribution to the UK. The exhibition will go on display at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which is His Majesty's official residence in Edinburgh. King Charles shook hands with Gilda Oliver during a reception to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at Buckingham Palace earlier this week Pictured: a portrait of Linda Haye, which was commissioned by King Charles last year when he was still the Prince of Wales 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. 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. Pictured: a portrait of Windrush generation member Jessie Stephens, who travelled over to the UK from the Caribbean Pictured: this portrait of Professor sir Godfrey Palmer is included in the exhibition which will be displayed in Edinburgh 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 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. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden looked pretty as a picture today as she stepped out for an event in Stockholm. The royal, 45, appeared in good spirits while posing for photographs at the ceremony, which marks the 100th anniversary of Stockholm City Hall. Victoria also unveiled the 'Lovers on the Rock' statue by Swedish artist and illustrator Stina Persson. She opted for a smart blue shirt dress with matching heels alongside her husband husband Prince Daniel for the event. The mother-of-two dazzled in a Ralph Lauren 'eyelet' embroidered cotton dress in light blue. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, 45, looked pretty as a picture today in a light blue frock by Ralph Lauren The royal unveiled a statue at the ceremony, which marks the 100th anniversary of Stockholm City Hall in Stockholm The dress, priced at 349, features a scalloped hem alongside a drawstring waist for an easily adjustable fit. The monarch opted for her own matching blue belt that served to cinch her waist. She teamed the dress with matching pointed suede heels, while for her make-up, she went for a natural base and deep red lip. Her luscious brunette locks were tamed by a tightly pinned bun, while a few strands of her hair feel loosely on her forehead. For an extra touch of glamour, she opted for a dazzling pair of leaf drop down earrings, gorgeously decorated with a hint of blue. Three gold bracelets and a silver wristwatch were the final touches to the glamorous look. Prince Daniel looked suave in a double-breasted royal blue blazer and matching trousers. He donned a light blue tie to match. The renown artist has also showcased her work in the US and Japan, and has worked with luxury retail brands like Louis Vuitton and Veuve Clicquot. Victoria sported the embroidered frock with matching heels alongside her husband husband Prince Daniel The smiling couple were also spotted at the opening of Charlotte Gyllenhammar's sculpture Unsaid at Princess Estelle's Sculpture Park in the Swedish capital last month The princess teamed the dress with pointed suede heels in sky blue, while for her make-up, she went for a natural base and deep red lip Her luscious brunette locks were tamed by a tightly pinned bun, while a few strands of her hair feel loosely on her forehead Last month the duo were spotted looking just as elegant as they attended the opening of Charlotte Gyllenhammar's sculpture Unsaid at Princess Estelle's Sculpture Park in the Swedish capital. The princess and heir to the Swedish throne made sure her elegant ensemble was fitting for the park environment, donning a frock boasting a floral-style print. The chic garment, made from a floaty pink fabric, was decorated in a purple motif that appeared similar to small flowers or ferns. And she kept the look weather appropriate, opting for open-toed pale shoes, which complemented the fresh, Spring look of her dress. She slung a small leather handbag, in a pale purple shade, over her shoulder. Keeping the look stylish but simple, the royal wore her brunette locks styled into a neat, but unfussy bun. Her make-up look was fresh, and she opted for a clear, dewy complexion, peach blush, and brown eye shadow. The Princess Royal appeared in great spirits as she attended the Royal Highland Show in Ingliston, Edinburgh. The royal, 72, donned a turquoise dress as she as she met with exhibitors in the cattle ring today. Princess Anne completed her chic ensemble with a cream blazer and she accessorised with a gold horse brooch and a necklace. She enjoyed a visit to the food hall where she sampled some cheeses and chatted to the vendors. The royal even petted some cows while she was given a tour around the cattle ring. The Princess Royal appeared in great spirits as she attended the Royal Highland Show in Ingliston, Edinburgh on Friday Princess Anne completed her chic ensemble with a cream blazer and she accessorised with a gold horse brooch and a necklace Anne's hair was pulled back into a elegant style while her glam makeup featured a pink lip. It comes after the royal pulled off the ultimate sustainable fashion trick as she attended Royal Ascot this week. The royal dressed to impress in a pleased turquoise number as she was spotted by the Berkshire racecourse on Wednesday. Eagle-eyed royal fans spotted that the dress, which Anne sported with a white jacket, was actually a number she first wore 45 years ago, in 1978. At the time, she debuted the dress as she and the late Queen Elizabeth II welcomed Botswana's president Sir Seretse Kham and his wife Lady Khama at Buckingham Palace. But the outfit looked just as stylish as it decades ago as the Princess Royal stepped into the royal enclosure earlier this week. Anne's hair was pulled back into a elegant style while her glam makeup featured a pink lip at the show Princess Anne chatted with members of staff and volunteers at the Royal Highland Show in Islington Despite a busy few days, the Princess Royal appeared to be in high spirits, and shared a laugh with staff at the event Anne's hair was pulled back into a elegant style while her glam makeup featured a pink lip (pictured) The royal donned a turquoise dress as she as she met with exhibitors in the cattle ring today in Edinburgh The Princess Royal visited the Food Hall to sample some produce at the Royal Highland Show in Ingliston The royal even petted some cows while she was given a tour around the cattle ring (pictured) Looking elegant in the Tiffany blue A-line pleated dress, Anne updated it with a white jacket and wide-brimmed royal blue hat. Thanks to the well-chose accessories the look sported just the right hint of vintage, without looking dated in the slightest. Anne was the picture of poise as she was spotted in the royal enclosure, pairing her look with a triple pearl necklace, pendant pearl earrings. She also proudly sported her Jockey Club pin next to a turquoise brooch on the lapel of her jacket. 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. Anne, a keen equestrian, attended the event on several days. With flight prices at an all time high, this genius hack might be worth pocketing. Ohio-based writer Lisa Galek revealed in a piece for Yahoo how she recently saved $146 on a flight with her two children, aged 12 and eight, by not reserving seats. She discovered that Frontier Airlines has a policy 'many travelers don't know about' whereby children under 14 are automatically seated with at least one adult in their party. Thanks to this, the total cost for three return flights from Cleveland to Orlando for Mother's Day came in at $490. Ohio-based writer Lisa Galek revealed in a piece for Yahoo how she recently saved $146 on a flight with her two children, aged 12 and eight, by not selecting reserved seats (stock image) Poll Would you risk not reserving seats when flying with children? Yes No Would you risk not reserving seats when flying with children? Yes 34 votes No 116 votes Now share your opinion Breaking down the price, Lisa said: 'Each of the round-trip tickets cost about $127, and because that rate didn't include any checked bags or carry-ons, I paid $52 on the way to Orlando and $55 on the flight back to Cleveland to check one suitcase that we all shared.' She said securing seat reservations in advance would have cost an extra $146. Frontier's policy isn't outlined on the website and Lisa found out about it after conducting some research online. She also confirmed the rule by talking to friends who frequently fly with the Denver-headquartered airline and by calling the company's customer service. Frontier sent Lisa her seating assignments four days before her departure, and she described the whole process as 'seamless.' While she had some concerns that she wouldn't get to sit with her daughters, in the end Lisa said she had nothing to worry about. The mom-of-two explained: 'On the Sunday before my Wednesday departure, I got an email with our seating assignments for both flights. To be fair, I'm not sure if this advanced notice is standard or not. 'I couldn't choose where the seats were located on the plane, but all three of them were together on both flights. Frontier Airlines' policy isn't outlined on the website and Lisa found out about it after conducting some research online 'Everything was all set, but if there was an issue, I would've had plenty of time to contact customer service and resolve it.' On both of her flights, Lisa's seats were in the back of the plane which she said was convenient as they were right next to the toilet and her children 'tend to use it at least once a flight.' While she gave Frontier's policy a thumbs up, Lisa did have several gripes with the airline. She said there was a delay of 30 minutes on her departing flight, and her luggage also went to the wrong carousel at baggage claim. Another complaint she had was that on her return flight to Cleveland, her seats were in the very last row, which didn't have a window. She revealed: 'My daughters usually take turns sitting in the window seat - my 8-year-old got it on the flight to Orlando, and my 12-year-old was supposed to have her turn on the flight home. 'Needless to say, they were disappointed.' Overall, Lisa gave her experience with Frontier the seal of approval and she said both flights felt 'pretty standard' for the airline. She concluded: '[The flights] got us where we needed to go, and that's all I expected. 'The budget airline isn't for everyone (I've heard some unpleasant stories), but my family has always had pleasant experiences flying with Frontier. It's all about following the guidelines and gauging expectations.' E-cigarettes have been linked to five deaths in Britain, MailOnline can reveal today. None of the fatalities, which have all occurred since 2010, are proven to have been caused directly by vaping. No ages were mentioned for any of the deaths. But health chiefs tasked with policing the safety of e-cigs admit there is 'a suspicion' the gadgets may have been to blame. Two were put down to heart disorders, including one cardiac arrest. Respiratory complications were blamed for the other three deaths, with one caused by inhalation of fat a known potential consequence of vaping. Almost 1,000 serious adverse reactions to e-cigs have been logged by Britain's health watchdog including blood, nervous system and respiratory disorders, as well as cancer and injuries like burns. This includes five deaths linked to the devices. Latest figures show the proportion of adults using e-cigs in the UK increased last year to the highest rate on record, at 8.3 per cent, according to the charity Action on Smoking and Health. This accounts for the roughly 4.3million people across the country Almost 1,000 serious adverse reactions to e-cigs have also been logged by Britain's health watchdog including blood, nervous system and respiratory disorders, as well as cancer and injuries such as burns. Leading experts today told MailOnline the figures we uncovered 'emphasise vaping is not safe' and warned the data may only represent 'the tip of the iceberg'. But others insisted the gadgets are 'substantially less harmful than smoking'. It comes amid growing fears over Britain's burgeoning child vaping crisis, with rates having doubled within years.' Colourful displays of the gadgets, sold for as little as 5, litter high streets across the UK. Two of the five deaths were put down to heart disorders, including one cardiac arrest. Respiratory complications were blamed for the others, with one caused by inhalation of fat a known potential consequence of vaping Predatory manufacturers lure kids in with flavours such as bubblegum and cotton candy and some shops even sell the devices next to sweets. Rishi Sunak has vowed to crackdown on the crisis. Other experts have also demanded a total ban on disposable vapes such as Elf bars, popular with teenagers. New Zealand has already announced such a move. The five fatalities from vaping are logged through the Yellow Card system, set up in the 1960s in the wake of the thalidomide scandal. Officials use the same database to track the safety of Covid vaccines. It allows doctors, pharmacists and patients themselves to report adverse reactions believed to be caused by prescription and over-the-counter drugs, implants and alternative medicines. This can lead to them being reviewed, having warnings added to the label or even being taken off the market. Since 2016, the scheme, run by The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), has also covered e-cigarettes and refill containers. However, a yellow card report named after the yellow forms initially used in the 1960s does not prove the product in question was to blame. Regarding e-cigs, the MHRA says: 'It may be difficult to tell the difference between something that has occurred naturally and an adverse reaction. 'Sometimes reactions can be part of an underlying condition rather than being caused by the e-cigarette.' It adds: 'Many factors have to be considered when assessing whether an e-cigarette has caused a reported adverse reaction.' Shock data last month revealed a record 11.6 per cent of 11 to 17-year-olds in Britain have now tried vaping. This is up on 7.7 per cent last year and twice as high as rates seen a decade ago before the UK's kid vaping epidemic blew up NHS Digital data, based on the smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England survey for the year 2021, showed 30 per cent of children in Yorkshire and the Humber have used a vape Experts however fear the true toll of vaping adverse reactions could be far higher if swathes of the population are unaware of the yellow card scheme. Authorities track the database closely to spot any 'potential patterns of concern'. Similar issues surrounding blood clots caused by AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine were found months into the historic immunisation drive. According to the drug watchdog's 25-page document of adverse reactions for e-cigs, some 942 reports of reactions have been logged since January 1, 2010. Almost half (405) of all reports logged cited respiratory disorders, including 47 with oropharyngeal pain and 57 with shortness of breath. Some 120 were for gastrointestinal disorders, while 114 general disorders, including chest pain, fatigue and malaise, were also noted. One report of laryngeal cancer, three of atrial fibrillation a condition that causes an irregular heart rate and one anaphylactic shock, were also logged by the MHRA. An MHRA spokesman told MailOnline: 'We keep the safety of e-cigarettes under close review and convene working groups when required to review data and evidence surrounding suspected adverse reactions associated with e-cigarette usage.' They added: 'If you have purchased a product that is not published on our website, you should return it to the retailer or your local trading standards service. 'If you experience an adverse effect from use of a nicotine-containing e-cigarette product, please report it to us via our yellow card scheme. 'It is important to note that a report of an adverse reaction does not necessarily mean that the e-cigarette has caused the reaction, only that the submitter suspects it may have. 'Many factors have to be considered when assessing whether an e-cigarette has caused a reported adverse reaction.' In 2019, a 57-year-old British factory worker was named as the first e-cig user in the world feared to have developed a fatal disease directly linked to his vaping habit. Terry Miller, 57, from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, died in 2010 after developing lipoid pneumonia, with medics confirming oil from vaping fluid was found in his lungs. After smoking around 20 cigarettes a day for 41 years, he decided to give up and bought an e-cigarette from his local pharmacy, believing it was an healthier option. He began vaping every day and would often buy nicotine liquid refills and new e-cigarettes on the internet from a company based in the South of England. But around eight months after he switched to vaping in 2010, Terry's lungs began to fail and he was diagnosed with fibrosis. E-cigs allow people to inhale nicotine in a vapour which is produced by heating a liquid, which typically contains propylene glycol, glycerine, flavourings, and other chemicals. Unlike traditional cigarettes, they do not contain tobacco, nor do they produce tar or carbon two of the most dangerous elements. In 2019, a 57-year-old British factory worker was named as the first e-cig user in the world feared to have developed a fatal disease directly linked to his vaping habit. Terry Miller (pictured), 57, from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, died in 2010 after developing lipoid pneumonia, with medics confirming oil from vaping fluid was found in his lungs Tests on e-cigarettes confiscated from youngsters found they contained dangerous levels of lead, nickel and chromium. Some were almost 10 times above safe limits. Exposure to lead can impair brain development, while the other two metals can trigger blood clotting Vaping has risen rapidly over the past decade to reach record levels in the UK, with an estimated 4.3million people who are regular vapers, according to a report last year. The data suggested that 8.3 per cent of adults in England, Wales and Scotland vape, up from 1.7 per cent a decade ago, which equated to about 800,000 people. Health chiefs say e-cigarettes carry a fraction of the risk of smoking and believe they can play a key role in weaning the remaining five million smokers in Britain off tobacco and putting an end to the killer habit. Read more: Head of NHS demands tougher regulation of e-cigs after shock data shows number of kids hospitalised by vaping has QUADRUPLED in two years Advertisement Although widely viewed as safer than smoking, the long-term effects of vaping still remain a mystery. Doctors fear there could be a wave of lung disease, dental issues and even cancer in the coming decades in people who took up the habit at a young age. Dr Salim Khan, head of department for public health at Birmingham City University, told MailOnline: 'The MHRA analysis is welcomed as it provides additional evidence of the potential harm that e-cigarettes and vaping can cause. 'In addition to more than half of the reports relating to respiratory disorders, there are several non-respiratory health events listed which is consistent with published research findings. He added: 'Whilst e-cigarettes and vaping are assumed to be the causal factor, it is important to recognise that there may be other contributing factors which could have resulted in the health events listed. 'It is also important to note that the volume and pattern of adverse respiratory and other health events associated with e-cigarette use or vaping in the UK may not be fully represented by the data. 'The data may only represent the tip of the iceberg. 'To establish the potential impact that e-cigarettes and vaping are having on people's health, we require continued data collection and reporting. We need rigorous evidence that clearly demonstrates the detrimental impact of e-cigarettes and vaping on health.' Professor Jamie Brown, director of University College London's Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group, meanwhile told MailOnline: 'These new data emphasise that vaping is not safe and never smokers should not vape. 'However, to put these numbers in context, cigarette smoking causes about 76,000 deaths a year in the UK. 'So, in the same period, cigarette smoking caused approximately 1million deaths in the UK.' Prime Candy on Oxford Street, where MailOnline found huge vape displays alongside many different types of American sweets House of Candy, where a MailOnline investigation found large amounts of vapes advertised in the window, while the shop is packed with sweets Equally, Professor John Britton, who sits on the Royal College of Physicians Tobacco Group, said the figures show reactions 'are very rare'. He told MailOnline: 'These reports demonstrate adverse events from vaping, and in particular serious adverse events, are very rare. 'In contrast, since 2010 tobacco smoking has killed around one million people. 'We can thus be confident that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking.' Under its position statement, the Royal College of Physicians Tobacco Group acknowledges that while e-cigarettes 'are probably more hazardous than nicotine replacement therapy, the harm is unlikely to exceed 5 per cent of that from smoking tobacco'. Mark Oates, founder of consumer advocacy group We Vape, also told MailOnline it is 'important to keep the MHRA findings in perspective' but acknowledged the research into the health impact of the devices. He said: 'We welcome detailed and continuous research into the health effects of vaping so the safest possible devices are available to smokers trying to quit. 'Some 4.3million people now vape in the UK and there have been no confirmed deaths as a result. 'In contrast, since 2010, more than a million people have been killed by smoking. It's therefore important to keep the MHRA findings in perspective. 'Following the Covid vaccine rollout and booster scheme, for example, there were more than 11,500 reports of side effects from the jab using the Government's yellow card system, yet we didn't halt a programme that has invariably saved countless lives.' He added: 'Vaping is helping millions of people avoid a preventable and often agonising death, around the world, every year from smoking. 'This excellent news should not be overlooked when studying self-reported side effects in a significant minority of vapers.' Earlier this month however, leading paediatricians also warned children were being hospitalised with vaping-induced breathing difficulties amid a 'disturbing' youth vaping epidemic. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) warned that e-cigarettes 'are not a risk-free product and can be just as addictive, if not more so than traditional cigarettes'. It called for urgent action to protect youngsters, saying experts agree that longer-term data is needed on the effects of vaping, particularly in regard to cardiovascular disease. Under an anti-smoking push, last month health minister Neil O'Brien revealed a 3million taskforce would be established to enforce the current rules of selling of vapes. Tom Padley, pictured here when he was 16, said he is angry he was able to get vapes so easily as a child and now suffers health complications from his nicotine addiction But one million cigarette addicts will also get e-cigarette 'starter kits' as part of a 'swap to stop' scheme. The free kits are set to be offered to almost one in five of all smokers in England at an estimated cost of 45million over two years. Health chiefs hope the world-first policy will make England smoke-free. But Mr O'Brien also acknowledged No10's ambition to crackdown on the sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s as well as the colourful packaging and candy flavours they use to lure kids in. It is illegal to sell vapes to under-18s but social media carries posts from teenagers showing vapes and discussing flavours such as pink lemonade, strawberry, banana and mango. A damning MailOnline expose in April laid bare the true scale of the problem and the marketing tactics of vape retailers trying to target children. Tom Padley, now 19, from Putney, London, told MailOnline at the time that he had been using vapes since the age of just 13. Tom, who picked up the habit in boarding school, said 'it's not like cigarettes, where you would have to find a place to go outside and do it you can just do it non-stop indoors'. But six years into vaping, he has begun to suffer health issues. 'I get ill a lot more. I get ulcers occasionally in my mouth. I have a lot of coughs. I guarantee it's massively increased due to vaping,' he told MailOnline. Last month, the BBC also discovered 'highlighter vapes', confiscated from youngsters at a college in Kidderminster, contained dangerous levels of lead, nickel and chromium. The gadgets, which can cost as little as 5, were over 9.6 times the safe level of nickel and 6.6 times the safe level of chromium. Exposure to lead can impair brain development, while the other two metals can trigger blood clotting. The Environmental Working Group released data listing the top cities and countries where PFAS is found Advertisement These are the cities and counties with the highest levels of toxic 'forever chemicals' in drinking water after manufacturing giant 3M agreed to settle a series of landmark lawsuits alleging it contributed to the problem. Per- and polyFluorinated Substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals manufactured since the 1940s and can be found in foam used by firefighters, cookware, carpets, textiles, and even children's toys. 3M manufactured the chemicals in several common items, such as plastic water bottles and tape. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits PFAS to 0.004 parts per trillion (ppt) for drinking water, a small amount due to their links to cancer, infertility, obesity, and autism. Yet a 2020 report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that some United States cities and counties have thousands of times more PFAS in their drinking water. Brunswick County, in North Carolina, topped the list, with 185.9 ppt, followed by Quad Cities, Iowa, and Miami, Florida. TYPE YOUR ADDRESS TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR AREA RANKS Environmental Working Group (EWG) data from 2020 ranked Brunswick County, North Carolina, as the top region in the US with PFAS in drinking water PFAS have been dubbed 'forever chemicals' because they don't break down after being released into the environment. The EPA has called PFAS an 'urgent public health and environmental issue.' In 2020, EWG released data ranking the cities and counties with the highest levels of PFAS in tap water. The metric measures the prevalence of the particle within a swab sample. According to 2017 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the top cause of death in North Carolina is cancer. PFAS have long been linked to increased risk of several forms of cancer, including kidney and testicular cancer. Brunswick County is followed closely Quad Cities, a region of five cities across Iowa and Illinois. The data also included rates at the city level. Top cities listed include Miami, Wilmington, North Carolina, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Charleston, South Carolina. PFAS contamination is often detected in water near manufacturing facilities, as well as at military bases and firefighting training facilities where flame-retardant foam is used. 3M, for example, has used the chemicals in firefighter foam since the 1960s. A 2014 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study said firefighters are nine percent more likely to get cancer than the general US population and 14 percent more likely to die from cancer. Last June, the International Agency for Research on Cancer determined that the occupation of being a firefighter was itself 'carcinogenic to humans.' EWG released a database that tracks PFAS exposure in drinking water, at military sites, and other sites PFAS is commonly found in tap water across the United States, as well as household products like cookware, carpets, textiles, and children's toys Studies suggest that more than 97 percent of Americans have PFAS chemicals circulating in their blood. A report published in earlier this month in the Annals of Global Health found that 3M and chemical manufacturer DuPont were first alerted to health risks of forever chemicals in 1961 but failed to raise alarm until the 1990s. These risks include liver enlargement, poisonings, and birth defects in children, as well as many others. A government-funded study from this month in the journal Environmental Health perspectives, for example, found that children who were exposed to high levels of PFAS in the womb were more likely to be overweight or obese. This builds on past research that has suggested that PFAS contributes to weight gain by disrupting hormone regulation. Additionally, a 2021 study from the University of Texas found that children exposed to PFAS in the womb were more likely to develop autism. 3M has said that 'PFAS are safely made and used in many modern products' and that their decision to end the manufacturing of the chemicals by the end of 2025 is due to increased regulations regarding their presence in the environment. Last month, Minnesota, which did not make EWG's list, announced plans to ban the chemicals from everyday household products by 2025. FASHION The Royal Wardrobe by Rosie Harte (Headline 22, 384 pp) Which royal feared looking fat and had her photos so robustly retouched she looked like a waxwork? Who wooed a king with a headdress which scandalously exposed her hairline? And what shade has Queen Camilla banished from her wardrobe? Answers: Queen Victoria was afraid of looking fat; Anne Boleyn wore the scandalous headdress to woo Henry VIII; and the shade Camilla has said no to is frumpy menopausal mauve. These, and many other intriguing sartorial snippets are found in fashion historian (and TikTok star: @theroyalwardrobe has over 400,000 followers) Rosie Hartes lively, gossipy forage through royal wardrobes from the Tudors to the present incumbents. Iconic: Dianas revenge dress, which she wore to the Serpentine Gallery in 1994, was a last-minute swap for the royal-approved conservative dress Diana was meant to wear The social capital of the modern royal is attention, Harte notes wryly and clothes are a canny way of seizing more of it, as in The Kate Effect. Theres little doubt that Kate is the princess with sell-out power. From the very first, she got it, wearing a red Armani coat dress to Williams passing out at Sandhurst, echoing Williams uniform. Her wedding dress embodied her sartorial messaging: traditional meets modern. Her wardrobe is curated to show that she is both one of us (those Zara blazers and LK Bennett heels) and in step with tradition sleek, colourful dresses. She re-wears clothes: unthinkable a generation ago. She is an almost attainable source of inspiration. Meghan declared her love with a necklace strung with initials H and M unwittingly reminiscent of Anne Boleyns B necklace, and penchant for clothes embroidered with her and Harrys initials. Meghans wedding veil was embroidered with California poppies, Commonwealth flowers, and wheat, the royal symbol of love and peace. If the Sussexes have a colour, its green: from Meghans dress in their engagement photos, to the dress she wore for their final royal engagement, with Harrys suit lined in the same shade. Fashion historian Rosie Harte uses her TikTok account @theroyalwardrobe to explain the origins of different elements of royal dress. She reveals that tiaras are a relatively modern concept, which only became a key part of eveningwear at the turn of the 20th century Diana marked the shift to royal but one of us. Whereas Charles errs on the side of tradition cufflinks stamped with the royal cypher; shoelaces allegedly steamed by his valet Diana was different. Initially, sartorially insecure she was turned away from fashion house Bellville Sassoon, told to try somewhere more affordable, while looking for an outfit for her engagement photocall Diana learned fast. Her style was less formal, more princess of hearts, eschewing tradition (gloves and wide-brimmed hats) for approachability. She wore a vibrantly flowered frock which she called her caring dress to visit childrens hospitals. That short, black revenge dress? A last-minute swap for the royal-approved conservative dress Diana was meant to wear. It said more than words ever could and was also an ironic nod to the dress Diana wore for her first public engagement, which had been deemed inappropriate for the fairytale princess. But then our royals have long sought to control the narrative using sartorial cues. Slight Edward VI wore padded clothes to make him look more magisterial. Henry VIIIs exaggerated codpiece was on-trend as a symbol of virility. Queen Victoria's sapphire and diamond coronet, designed by her beloved Prince Albert Elizabeth I had a deliberately modest style of dress: acutely conscious of the power of the royal appearance, portraits were burned if they displeased her. Fashion semaphored the difference between them and us: royalty was cut from and wore a different cloth. And dear heavens, the jewels. Queen Mary (wife of George V) believed the size of her tiara conveyed her status, so wore one on every possible occasion, including family dinners. The Delhi Durbar tiara is a three-inch wall of diamonds and Queen Marys iconic lovers knot has been worn by Diana and Kate. Her favourite brooch was cut from the worlds largest diamond and was referred to by granddaughter Elizabeth II as Grannys chips. For Elizabeth II, Norman Hartnell designed intricately decorated outfits that reinforced the unattainability of royal life. He was horrified when the gown she wore to a premiere in 1933 was widely imitated by the High Street. THE LATE AMERICANS (Jonathan Cape 18.99, 320 pp) by Brandon Taylor (Jonathan Cape 18.99, 320 pp) This is a second impressive campus-novel-of-sorts from Taylor, whose much-lauded debut, Real Life, was shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize. Here, the setting is Iowa City (the author himself attended the prestigious Iowa Writers Workshop), where a bunch of 20-something graduates are living out the wet amphibian prologue to their grown-up lives. The focus shifts fluidly between characters, from Seamus, an unhappy white poet unwisely wading into the culture wars; to Goran, a black musician adopted into a wealthy white family, and his boyfriend Ivan, who sells porno clips to keep abreast of his debt. There are townies, too, such as meatpacker Fyodor, the lover of vegetarian academic Timo. Rather than plot, what connects the mostly-male cast is stuttering, never particularly enjoyable sex. Race, money, art and gritty lived realities are probed in the context of the great indifference of the universe. PET (Europa 14.99, 336 pp) by Catherine Chidgey (Europa 14.99, 336 pp) A delicious sense of foreboding descends early in Chidgeys Miss Brodie-esque seventh novel, which takes us to 1980s New Zealand when narrator Justine is just 12. Like her Catholic classmates, she is obsessed by glamorous new Corvette-driving schoolmarm Mrs Price, whose allure is increased by her mysterious past and whose favoured pets are the envy of all. But Justines own elevation threatens to destroy her friendship with classmate Amy, while her teachers fondness for pill-popping rings alarm bells. And when a thief strikes, Mrs Prices unorthodox response creates a toxic atmosphere and sets in motion a shattering train of events. With precision and economy, Chidgey captures the cruelty of pubescents, as well as the casual racism and misogyny of the time. Its a shame that, compared to the subtlety and control of the majority of the novel, the lurid twists in the latter stages feel rushed, but this is nonetheless an absorbing page-turner. SECOND SELF (Trapeze 16.99, 320 pp) by Chloe Ashby (Trapeze 16.99, 320 pp) The first time that narrator Cathy resisted the pull of nature was as a child, fighting against the tide on the Norfolk coast. Now, at 35, its the reassertion of her biological clock that is creating waves. Previously, she and her ten-years-senior husband Noah had considered the question of children settled, making a mutual decision against. But a false alarm and a best friends pregnancy has art conservator Cathy thinking again, and before long she finds herself in a whole new world of hormone injections and social egg freezing, knowing that having a child will mean losing her partner. Ashbys set-up is a classic one, juxtaposing fertility with decline as Cathy wrestles with her agonising dilemma, while simultaneously coaxing an old Dutch master back to life, her septuagenarian mothers mind is slowly slipping. Neat and quiet, this is a novel in which many women will be glad to find themselves reflected. The Trial by Rob Rinder (Century 20, 368 pp) In his crime debut, television judge Rinder introduces the world to Adam Green, barrister-in-training (known as a pupil) in an engaging courtroom drama. Still with six months to go to see whether he gets a formal place in barristers chambers, Green finds himself with the unenviable task of defending well-known criminal hardman Jimmy Knight against a charge of murdering heroic policeman DI Grant Cliveden. The detective keeled over and died when he was about to give evidence at the Old Bailey. He had been poisoned after meeting Knight in a pub. On the surface it is an open-and-shut case, and Greens pupil master washes his hands of it and leaves his pupil to do what he can. Determined to become a full member of chambers, Green fights against the odds to prove his clients innocence. Strong storytelling with a murder mystery at its heart makes it one to treasure. All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby (Headline 20, 352 pp) Already compared to the unforgettable Elmore Leonard, Cosby goes from strength to strength, and this his fourth haunting story underlines it. Titus Crown is the first black sheriff in the history of Charon County, Virginia, a place where he grew up before leaving to make his name as an FBI agent. A year after his return and election, he is called out to a school shooting, where one of the towns favourite white teachers is killed by a former student who is then shot dead by Crowns deputies. It is the first step in the discovery of a horrifying series of crimes that have claimed the lives of many black children. The ugly truth is that a serial killer has been hiding in plain sight in the county for many years and no one noticed. At the same time, a group of far-Right activists want to celebrate the towns Confederate history. The tensions between black and white escalate, with Crown trying to keep the peace and find the killer. Richly textured, this is elegant, fierce storytelling at its absolute best. After That Night by Karin Slaughter (HarperCollins 20, 432 pp) International best-seller Slaughter who has sold more than 40 million books around the world returns with another compelling case for Georgia Bureau of Investigation detective Will Trent, and it does not disappoint. Fifteen years ago, Sara Lintons life was transformed when a celebratory night out went terribly wrong and she suffered a violent attack. She has rebuilt her life, becoming a successful doctor, engaged to a man she loves. But now she finds herself in the emergency room fighting to save another woman, Dani Cooper, who has also been brutally attacked. Could the two crimes be linked? Detective Trent certainly thinks so, as his investigation doggedly uncovers the parallels. Packed with Slaughters trademark forensic skills, including her eye for telling postmortem details, the plot races along, leaving the reader gasping for breath. No wonder Trent is already a big hit on the Disney+ channel, having just been renewed for a second series. The Other Side of Mrs Wood (4th Estate 14.99, 368 pp) by Lucy Barker (4th Estate 14.99, 368 pp) Theres much fun to be had in Barkers vivid, delightfully original debut as two devious, rivalrous mediums compete for the starring role on the Victorian seance scene. Well practised in showmanship, and with many a cunning contrivance in her repertoire, Mrs Wood has been the doyenne of table turners for years her well-heeled clients have been treated to ghostly voices, strangely flickering candles and playfully disruptive spirits as proof of the afterlife. But a rush of cancelled appointments, the routing of fake mediums and the onset of middle-age have led Mrs Wood to make a rash decision and take on an apprentice. Ingenue Emmie is initially biddable, but armed with heartless ambition, and the dark secrets of Mrs Woods past, the conniving protege sets about the ruination of her mentor as the duo vie for supremacy. The East Indian (Scribe 14.99, 272 pp) by Brinda Charry (Scribe 14.99, 272 pp) The East Indian is a sweeping coming-of-age story which heads from the jasmine-scented air of the Coromandel Coast in 1635 via the teeming streets of London to arrive in the gruelling tobacco plantations of Jamestown, Virginia, in the charismatic company of orphaned Tony. Gambled away by his first master, the abusive Ganter, he finds companionship with a kindly adventurer and then an education with Dr Herman, who is keeping a potentially dangerous secret close to his heart. Tony, curious, ambitious and determined to make something of himself as the physicians assistant, is an engaging narrator, offering painful insight into the plight of indentured servants poor, put upon and rootless, where the world is an unfixed, unsettled place and his own hopeful perspective as he finds friendship and love in such a hopeless and often violent place. The Second Lady Silverwood (Allison & Busby 8.99, 384 pp) by Emma Orchard (Allison & Busby 8.99, 384 pp) Orchards debut is delicious a Regency romance with added raunch. This tale of a widowed, dashing aristocrat looking for a wife reads like a hot Georgette Heyer (whos very much a favourite writer for the author), with all the glittering trappings of the period balls, fine dresses, champagne and country houses, but with heartfelt steamy sexual passion, too. Sir Benedict Silverwood is rich, handsome and lonely, and hoping that a companionable marriage will deliver an heir. Steadfast, sensual and smart, Kate Moreton, of a noble but impoverished Italian family, is already smitten, but must decide whether to risk her heart and accept his pragmatic marriage offer, even as family secrets and a fortune-hunting cousin play havoc with the couples chance of happiness. STILL WATER (The Borough Press 9.99, 272 pp) by Rebecca Pert (The Borough Press 9.99, 272 pp) This dark, lyrical novel follows Jane Douglas, who has returned to her childhood home on the Shetlands having suffered unspecified trauma involving her hated mother and dead brother. Jane has found peace living in a caravan, gutting fish at a local factory and enjoying a relationship with kind, stable Mike. But then police find the body of her long-missing mother in a lake, and Jane is forced to confront the past by reading through her mums diaries. Pert evokes the bleakness and beauty of the landscape perfectly, and although loose ends are tied up rather too quickly, this examination of motherhood, fear and mental illness is impressive. THE GOD OF GOOD LOOKS by Breanne Mc Ivor (Fig Tree 14.99, 384 pp) Beautiful, brainy Bianca Bridge has returned to her native Trinidad determined to become a writer. But after her ill-advised affair with a (loathsome) MP is plastered all over the papers, she becomes a social pariah and makes ends meet by modelling for dubious shoots. Enter arrogant Obadiah Courtland, who has outgrown his poor background by becoming a make-up expert and entrepreneur and hires Bianca to edit his magazine. A will-they-wont-they tension ensues as Mc Ivor uses the metaphor of make-up (theres an awful lot of it) to examine privilege, corruption and truth. Its wickedly funny at times and, despite some inconsistencies, Bianca is a hugely endearing heroine. EVERYTHINGS FINE by Cecilia Rabess (Picador 16.99, 336 pp) Jess and Josh, both maths prodigies at an Ivy League university, first clash when Obama is elected president: shes black and liberal, hes white and conservative. After graduation, she joins an investment bank where Josh is a rising star and he mentors her. A friendship develops that escalates into a passionate sexual relationship during which arguments about race, class, politics and wealth highlight their differences. As Trump rises on a Right-wing wave, the question is how much do we sacrifice for love? Rabess is funny, sharp, provocative and excellent on both casual and institutional racism but the weakness, for me, is how anyone could actually love Josh? Average side hustle in the UK now generates over 22,000 a year She quit her job as a marketing director in 2022 to pursue the business full-time Katie Anderson launched Pine & Treasure in 2019 while living in New Zealand Katie Anderson launched Pine & Treasure in 2019 while living in New Zealand for a year with her husband When Katie Anderson set up an Instagram page for her vintage clothes business, she never dreamed it would be anything more than a side hustle. That is, a rewarding fun small part-time project which earned her a little cash on the side from her main job. Fast forward three years and she has generated enough profit to go full-time and match her previous salary in her job as a marketing director. Like a growing number of entrepreneurial Britons, Katie's first experience of running her own business came as a side project while working full-time. The challenges of the pandemic, combined with the cost-of-living crisis, means more and more people have set up their own companies to supplement their income. Many of those who have taken the plunge are reaping the benefits. Recent research by website hosting platform GoDaddy shows the average UK side hustle generates 22,900 a year in supplemental income. A fifth of side hustlers are making more than 25,000 a year, while 11 per cent are earning over 50,000. Meanwhile, 4 per cent are making six figures or more. Katie set up the Pine & Treasure page in 2019 while travelling with her husband in New Zealand for a year. Her aim was to make a bit of extra cash selling secondhand clothes and she had no plans to continue it once she was back in the UK. She says: 'When I left New Zealand in December 2019 to return home to the UK I thought I'd be leaving it there and switching off the account. I felt gutted to be leaving it, but my entire customer was NZ based. 'My husband encouraged me to just give it a go when I returned home and thank God I did. 'It just goes to show how you can develop an online business and pivot along with whatever circumstances you're going through. 'I would have never, ever imagined when I set up the Instagram page that I'd be doing it now as a full-time job.' The ease and speed of setting up a side hustle online, whether through social media like Katie, or via a website, means 70 per cent of entrepreneurs hope to turn their side hustle into their primary business, GoDaddy research shows. After running Pine & Treasure for three years alongside employment, Kate handed in her notice at the end of her maternity leave last August. Katie quit her full-time job after maternity leave in August 2022, and from there her business has gone from strength to strength 'By that point I'd already trialled how viable it would be to purely live off my Pine & Treasure income. I used my maternity leave as a mini test to see if it would work, and it did. 'It didn't seem risky as I'd really dragged it out as a side hustle. I felt fully comfortable to take it full time by that point. I'd built a strong and reliable customer base and reputation.' Since then, the business has stepped up a gear. She launched her website in April 2023, which cost 230, to start selling her made-to-order pieces. Pine & Treasure now generates enough profit for Katie to manage it full-time, matching her previous salary as a marketing director for a creative agency. The future looks as bright for the UK's other online side hustlers too. Almost two thirds of the 521 entrepreneurs surveyed by GoDaddy expect their venture to grow by the end of the year. Just three per cent thinks they will decline. Andrew Gradon, head of GoDaddy UK & Ireland, said: 'It has never been easier, or quicker to set up an online side hustle, and GoDaddy's data shows the financial rewards can be significant. 'Technology has dramatically reduced the barriers to entry, giving entrepreneurs the tools to start and grow their businesses in no time at all.' Former patients of the NHS's controversial gender identity clinic for children may now take legal action against it. Thousands of young people were treated by the Tavistock centre in north London and in many cases were prescribed powerful drugs to delay the onset of adolescence. But now the NHS has ordered it to be shut down in the wake of a damning report that found teenagers were suffering because they were being forced to wait for treatment. The expert carrying out the review also warned of potentially serious side-effects of 'puberty-blocker' drugs. Thousands of young people were treated by the Tavistock centre in north London and in many cases were prescribed powerful drugs to delay the onset of adolescence Dr Hilary Cass told NHS England there is no way of knowing if the medication may 'disrupt' the process of children deciding on their gender identity, rather than 'buying time' for them. She also raised concerns that the drugs could interrupt the process of the brain maturing, affecting children's ability to exercise judgment. Her findings raise the prospect that patients treated at the Tavistock and their parents may now sue the NHS for compensation. They could try to prove they were damaged by the medication, which staff at the centre are said to have claimed was 'fully reversible' despite a lack of evidence. The patients may also claim they could not have given informed consent to take the drugs given the lack of knowledge about their long-term effects. A high-profile court case was previously brought against the Tavistock by Keira Bell, who transitioned after being prescribed puberty blockers but later regretted it. Judges initially ruled that under-16s could not consent to the treatment but the ruling was overturned on appeal. James Esses, co-founder of Thoughtful Therapists, said: 'I have been contacted by a number of detransitioners who are considering taking legal action. 'Already in the USA there are class lawsuits being taken by parents of children prescribed puberty blockers. It is only a matter of time until we see similar action on our shores.' He went on: 'Gender dysphoria is a mental health condition and should be treated as such through explorative therapy, rather than irreversible medication and surgery. 'Far too many children have been left with physical and emotional scars from decisions we should never have let them make.' John McQuater, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, said there is a 'potential for claims' but only in specific circumstances. He said: 'A patient can only claim redress if he, or she, has been injured. The law does not require clinicians to provide exemplary standards of care, it only requires healthcare professionals to exercise reasonable standards of care and skill. 'The decision about what level of care is reasonable is made by fellow clinicians and, where the standard has fallen below that benchmark, that patient has every right to full redress to help put things right.' A high-profile court case was previously brought against the Tavistock by Keira Bell, who transitioned after being prescribed puberty blockers but later regretted it Stephanie Davies-Arai, founder of Transgender Trend, who raised concerns on behalf of Tavistock patients' parents, said: 'I would imagine that parents who did not agree with the treatment or approach may now consider a challenge.' But she said that in many cases parents were keen for their children to be treated and added: 'It's very hard for parents because their priority is always to maintain a good relationship with their children.' Barrister Simon Myerson QC predicted that the scandal could even lead to a criminal investigation. He claimed months ago 'that the next wave of legal action will be in respect of gender identity and children' and now believes 'closing the Tavistock will accelerate that process'. 'Interesting to see which solicitors firms do the work. I predict a police investigation into the Tavistock by June 2023,' he wrote on Twitter. 'We're in the extraordinary position that drugs prescribed to children as safe and reversible appear not to have yet been subject to clinical trials in respect of the purpose for which those children received them. There is thus unlikely to be informed consent to taking them.' Laura Preston, a principal lawyer in clinical negligence at Slater and Gordon, one of Britain's biggest law firms, said: 'It is certainly possible that we could see a wave of compensation claims as a result of the closure of the Tavistock clinic. 'This is clearly an emerging area of medicine that requires greater research and regulation in order to better serve the potentially vulnerable people accessing the service. 'We encourage the use of independent reviews which ensure medical facilities are adhering to the strict standards that are expected of them. 'In this instance, the Tavistock clinic was not up to standard and therefore potentially placing patients at risk, which warrants investigation and may result in the need to compensate injured patients.' Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust insisted that the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) was only being closed because the Cass review recommended a regional model instead of a single national service, and not because of safety concerns. A spokesman said: 'We are not aware of any claims for compensation levied against the Trust by GIDS patients. 'The Trust is proud of its Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS), which for 30 years has been providing support to children and young people experiencing difficulties around their gender identity development. It is a caring and thoughtful service.' Any claims against the Tavistock would be handled by NHS Resolution, which deals with clinical negligence claims across the country. Latest figures show it paid out 1.7billion in damages to patients in the past year. Ellingsworth Homes' managing director, Mark Osborne, had a book published in July, 2017 titled: 'Things to Consider When Renovating Your Home' A residential construction company whose owner once wrote a book giving advice on how to best renovate a home has collapsed owing more than $3million, Daily Mail Australia can reveal. PTW Residential Pty Ltd, better known as Ellingsworth Homes, went into administration on May 19, leaving customers with half-built homes, documents filed with the corporate regulator reveal. The company, which had its main office in Barangaroo, in Sydney's CBD, offered clients new home builds, renovations, extensions and various other services, such as deck installations and attic conversions. Ellingsworth Homes' managing director Mark Osborne published a book in July 2017 titled Things to Consider When Renovating your Home from Ellingsworth Homes. 'With years of experience in the industry and seeing behind the curtains from working my way up through other builders in the industry,' he wrote in the book's description, which was available to buy on Kindle. 'Things to Consider When Renovating your Home by Ellingsworth Homes brings to light the important issues that many homeowners who choose to renovate are quite unaware of. 'This book is designed to identify the common mistakes made by home owners when renovating their home, which is potentially costing them thousands of hard-earned money.' The 48-page eBook did warn a 'slight mistake while selecting the renovation [for] your home can lead to disastrous results' - but failed to mention the biggest risk of all is your builder falling into liquidation, which is increasing at a rapid rate in Australia due to soaring costs. Between July 2022 and April 2023, 1,709 builders went into administration as supplies and labour increased by more than 40 per cent, making fixed contracts unfeasible. Mr Osborne's book is available to buy on Kindle via Amazon for $1.24 Ellingsworth Homes, which started operating in 2011, owes unsecured creditors, including various contracting companies, up to $3million, while employees are owed more than $1,700, according to ASIC documents seen by Daily Mail Australia. Seven properties were under construction and at various stages of completion across Sydney when administrator Bruce Gleeson from Jones Partners, Insolvency & Restructuring was appointed last month. A couple who signed a contract with the business for a home in Curl Curl, on Sydney's northern beaches, filed a claim against the company for more than $2million. A concreting company also filed a claim against Ellingsworth Homes over unpaid invoices, ultimately leading to the company entering voluntary administration. 'Based on my preliminary investigations, I believe that the Company failed as a result of the legal disputes and increased costs in labour and materials, which have been experienced across the building and construction industry since the COVID-19 pandemic,' Mr Gleeson said in the report. 'I also believe that lack of adequate working capital and management expertise were contributing factors.' From July last year to May this year, Ellingsworth Homes suffered significantly financially, with a 45 per cent loss in income. The company's expenses, however, only decreased by 1.7 per cent during this time. Mr Gleeson said based on his preliminary investigations, he believes the company may have been 'insolvent from at least 28 July 2022'. One family who signed a contract with the company for their dream home have been left furious after learning Ellingsworth Homes had collapsed. About 20 per cent of their home is still unfinished - and it is virtually impossible to contact the builder. The company's LinkedIn and Twitter pages still exist, but its website, Instagram and Facebook pages have all been wiped from the internet since the company's collapse. Phone numbers associated with the business have also been disconnected and emails are not responded to. The client, who wished to remain anonymous, said they'd signed a contract with the company in May 2021, and the first slab was poured in August that year. There was a three-month wait for the timber frame to arrive, which is when problems started to arise, the homeowner claimed. 'The supervisor kept saying things would happen but they never did and when tradies came to our site, they'd turn up for a day or two and then there would be nobody there for up to a month,' he told Daily Mail Australia. The client said they repeatedly called the business to ask about its progress and were given access to one of the on-site cameras where they noticed hardly any work was being done. He also said they went through three site supervisors, all who were inadequate and one who was 'hopeless'. PTW Residential Pty Ltd, known as Ellingsworth Homes, went into administration on May 19 (pictured is a home by the company) 'I was checking in daily to try and get some information, it got to the point where if I saw anyone was actually on site I would go and have a look myself because things weren't being done according to the plans,' the client said. 'I picked up so many mistakes.' The father said they'd had concerns the company, given it was a smaller construction firm, would go under following the Covid pandemic and material shortages. 'But Mark kept saying that wasn't going to happen,' he said. Since January, hardly any progress has been made to the family's build, and they claim they were given no heads-up before the business fell into administration. A practical completion inspection, which is usually carried out when a house is about 90 per cent completed, was done at the family's home before it was ready. 'We weren't ready but Mark was pushing for it so he could charge us the final invoice,' the client claimed. They eventually spoke to Mr Osborne in May of this year, refusing to pay the final payment until the house was finished. That was the last time they ever heard from Mr Osborne, with the builder disconnecting his phone numbers. Pictured is one home Ellingsworth Homes worked on before they went under 'Two weeks went by and nobody had been to our house. Every number either had no answer or was disconnected,' the client said. Eventually they managed to get onto one contractor who informed them the business had gone under. The family now have a home that's 80 per cent complete, and cost them $800,000. Fortunately insurance was taken out on the build which means the family are unlikely to lose any money. Their next step is finding a builder to come in and finish the job. 'We're coming up to two years now and the house was supposed to be ready by June last year,' the client said. The family say they don't know if they'll be ready to move into their new home by the end of the year, and are furious at the money they've had to fork out on rent. Ellingsworth Homes' website was once filled with images of luxury homes. Their mantra is 'our passion, your lifestyle'. 'With years of experience, we pride ourselves on integrity and professionalism with work that will not only be what you desire and more but also on time and most importantly, within budget,' the business said. The company, which had its main office in Barangaroo, offered clients complete new builds of homes, renovations, extensions and various other services such as installing decks The company said it also wanted to ensure the process of building a new home was 'as smooth and enjoyable as possible'. Ms Osborne has 17 years of experience in the building industry. 'From a young age I was always around builders and creators. My family couldn't always afford certain luxuries, so we had to create them with our bare hands,' he said. 'My father and I would go and source raw materials and build items such as beds and furniture, some that I still have today. 'This experience brought me so much happiness, more than if we had gone and purchased them and is my fondest childhood memory.' A notice to the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), published on Friday, said creditors will meet for a second time on June 26. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ellingsworth Homes for comment. Senate sat until 4am debating the remit of the Voice A heated clash in the Senate in the dead of night proved to leading No campaigner Jacinta Nampijinpa Price that 'everything is in play' when it comes to what policies Aboriginal Voice to Parliament will make representations on. Labor's Agriculture Minister Murray Watt was grilled until 4am about the powers of the Aboriginal advisory body last Friday. Senators Nampijinpa Price and Michaelia Cash peppered him with a range of questions about the scope of the body if Australia were to vote Yes at the referendum later this year. Ms Nampijinpa Price told Daily Mail Australia the altercation amplified her concerns about the Voice when Senator Anthony Chisholm - who was relieving Mr Watt while he took a bathroom break - was stumped on a 'very simple question'. 'I asked if Aboriginal Australians are Australian citizens. He turned to advisors for that question, which is a pretty simple question,' she said. Ms Nampijinpa Price said the point she was trying to make is that 'there is no policy issue that doesn't impact Indigenous Australians, or one that impacts us differently'. 'And that's the word that concerns me most - differently. That we are being treated differently based on our racial heritage.' 'I asked if Aboriginal Australians are Australian citizens. He turned to advisors for that question, which is a pretty simple question,' Ms Nampijinpa Price said of Senator Anthony Chisholm (pictured left circled, with his advisor, right circled) In the midst of the hours-long exchange, Mr Watt provided what might the most comprehensive overview of the powers of the Voice to Parliament of any government official yet. He'd earlier been slammed by Ms Cash, who said: 'If you cannot tell the Australian people... the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples what this government means by ''matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples'', then, quite frankly, I say: ''Shame on you''.' And Ms Nampijinpa Price said: 'Your answers are as clear as mud. All I'd like to know is: is the Voice restricted in making representations?' Mr Watt said Labor has no intention to narrow the remit of the advisory body. He said the government instead has 'confidence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to prioritise the work... and work out for themselves what are priority issues'. Ms Cash said: 'If you cannot tell the Australian people... the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples what this government means by ''matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples'', then, quite frankly, I say: ''Shame on you''.' Ms Nampijinpa Price told Daily Mail Australia the altercation amplified her concerns about the Voice, when Senator Anthony Chisolm - who was relieving Mr Watt while he took a bathroom break - was stumped on a 'very simple question' The advisory body will have freedom to decide what issues 'affect them differently to other people in the Australian community'. 'They don't need me to tell on that. With respect, they don't need you to tell them that. 'I reckon they've got the smarts to be able to work that out for themselves, and I think we should listen to them.' Mr Watt said it is 'not for me or any member of the government to dictate to the Voice what it can and can't provide advice on'. But he added that it is 'not the intention that the Voice would make representations on every single thing governments are considering or developing'. He further detailed some examples in which the Voice could advise on, should the committee members deem it necessary. 'It can proactively make representations if it were to decide, for instance, that addressing the high levels of incarceration of Indigenous people was a priority and if they had some ideas about what could be done differently to reduce the rate of incarceration,' he said. 'If it had ideas about how we could improve the standard of housing that many First Nations people live in in Australia, then it could make those representations. 'The parliament and the executive government, if considering actions on those issues, could seek advice, but it is up to the Voice to decide what it does and doesn't want to get involved in.' Ms Nampijinpa Price said: 'Your answers are as clear as mud. All I'd like to know is: is the Voice restricted in making representations?' The Country Liberal Senator for the Northern Territory said there is nothing 'that won't be on the table for consideration', despite assurances otherwise Ms Nampijinpa Price later told Daily Mail Australia this should be cause for concern for the general public. She claimed conflicting visions for the scope of the Voice within the referendum working group and government had sparked concerns that a Yes vote would constitute a logistical nightmare. The Country Liberal Senator for the Northern Territory argued there is nothing 'that won't be on the table for consideration', despite assurances otherwise. When Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney told the House of Representatives that changing the date of Australia Day wouldn't be in the remit of the advisory body, Ms Nampijinpa Price was shocked. 'She cannot say that,' Ms Nampijinpa Price said. Mr Watt said it is 'not for me or any member of the government to dictate to the Voice what it can and can't provide advice on' but said it is 'not the intention that the Voice would make representations on every single thing governments are considering or developing' The wording of the amendment - which will become constitutionally enshrined if the majority of Australians in the majority of states vote Yes in the referendum this year - does not limit the scope of the advisory body, she said. 'Nothing that the government currently says can actually be confirmed. Unless there is a specific list that is pre-determined by the parliament that are ''no go'' areas... there is no way we can say that something is off the table. 'Everything is in play.' Ms Nampijinpa Price pointed to the differences already in the language of members of government and the referendum working group. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has assured the public this is a 'modest' request which will not impact the lives of most Australians, but make a world of difference to the nation's most vulnerable. He said Australians will be afforded a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to improve the lives of First Nations people at the referendum, to be held between October and December. 'Where's the downside here?' he asked. 'What are people risking here? From my perspective this is all upside.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has assured the public this is a 'modest' request which will not impact the lives of most Australians, but make a world of difference to the nation's most vulnerable 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. Meanwhile the likes of Thomas Mayo and Aunty Pat Anderson have been boasting of the power a Voice to Parliament will bring. Mr Mayo said a constitutional Voice will give Indigenous people a platform to 'negotiate' with the Commonwealth on their 'obligations'. 'A constitutionally enshrined Voice is important to establish to use the truth to support treaty negotiations,' he said, detailing a desire for reparations for Indigenous people, 'rent' being paid to live on Australian land and the abolishment of 'harmful colonial institutions'. And Aunty Pat said a Yes vote will give 'the mandate of the Australian people', noting 'yes, it has to have some power'. Ms Nampijinpa Price argues the reality of the matter is that nobody truly knows the truth. 'If a committee that has been put together to give direction so far are already speaking a different language to the government, you can foresee that a Voice would be made up of individuals who all have their own ideas. 'Who knows if at some point those members... are prepared to use the full power of the Voice to litigate in the High Court against decisions being made.' Mr Watt, in the Senate at midnight on Friday, insisted litigation would not take place because there will be 'no constitutional duty to consult the Voice'. The Senate sat until 4am debating details of the Voice. The PM - along with the official Yes23 campaign - states the Voice to Parliament will be able to make recommendations regarding matters that specifically impact First Nations people. But it will have no veto power, nor any assurances that any recommendations made will actually be written into legislation. 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 this year Ms Cash asked 'why we're even having this debate' if the government is under 'no obligation to consider the representations made'. Mr Watt said: 'Senator Cash, you might have been part of a government that wouldn't listen to Indigenous people or a body like a voice, but I'm certainly part of a government that intends to. We won't necessarily accept everything the Voice recommends but we'd certainly be pretty keen to listen.' A Voice to Parliament was a direct recommendation from the Uluru Statement from the Heart. But Ms Nampijinpa Price told the Senate 'the government needs to understand that 1,200 invite-only participants is not representative of the over 800,000 Indigenous Australians in this country. 'You keep attempting to convince the Australian people that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wholeheartedly support this statement. 'No other race of Australian people are treated in this way. 'To suggest that 0.03 per cent of the population of Indigenous Australians putting their signature to this document is a fair representation of Indigenous Australians and our views, as far as I'm concerned, is utterly disrespectful.' Find out what happened between then and now by reading below Mark Zuckerberg appears to have accepted Elon Musk's challenge to a cage fight after the pair's most recent online spat. The two are some of the richest people on the planet, with Musk recently the world's richest man. Their 'beef' dates back to 2016, when Zuckerberg was left unimpressed by Musk's SpaceX failing to launch an internet satellite. Since then, they have not been subtle in their digs at each other about artificial intelligence (AI) or rockets. Find out all the stages of this petty feud below. Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly 'serious' about fighting his tech rival after seemingly agreeing to a face-off in the octagon Elon Musk reacted to Zuckerberg's latest business developments by challenging the Meta CEO to a 'cage match' Musk's chances are already being doubted by spectators online who cite Zuckerberg's jiu-jitsu background as reason to back the Facebook billionaire September 2016 The beef began in September 2016, after Elon Musk's SpaceX rocket was due to be delivering a satellite to space. The AMOS-6 satellite was owned by Internet.org, which was in turn owned by Zuckerberg and Facebook, and was intended to provide internet coverage to parts of Africa. However, the Falcon 9 rocked exploded during tests on September 1 days before the planned launch due to an 'anomaly', and took the satellite with it. Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page in reaction that he was 'deeply disappointed' by the destruction of the satellite which 'would have provided connectivity to so many,' in a pointed statement. It took Musk two years to directly respond to the comments, saying it was 'my fault for being an idiot.' 2017 The following year, the pair were involved in a war of words regarding AI, beginning with Zuckerberg labeling the Twitter CEO's negativity on the topic 'pretty irresponsible' during a Facebook live stream. But the Tesla man responded swiftly by saying that Zuckerberg's knowledge of the topic was 'limited' and claiming the two had discussed it together. Musk was known at the time for his reluctance to embrace AI over fear about jobs, while Zuckerberg believed in its ability to help humanity become safer and healthier. Zuckerberg labeled the Twitter CEO's negativity on AI 'pretty irresponsible' during a Facebook live stream in 2017 March 2018 The next development was another year later, when Musk publicly deleted his company's Facebook profiles as the social media network was embroiled in the Cambridge Analytica scandal. What is the Cambridge Analytica scandal? Consultancy firm Cambridge Analytica had offices in London, New York, Washington, as well as Brazil and Malaysia. The company boasted it can 'find your voters and move them to action' through data-driven campaigns and a team that includes data scientists and behavioural psychologists. In 2013, Cambridge professor Aleksandr Kogan used his app, This Is Your Digital Life, to ask 270,000 Facebook users questions about their personalities. By answering them, the users granted Kogan access to not only their profiles but to those of their friends. He subsequently sold that information to Cambridge Analytica for $51million. Facebook changed its rules in 2014 to limit what data such apps could access. A year later, the company learned that Kogan had sold his findings and contacted both him and Cambridge Analytica to tell them to delete the data which they promised to do. In March, Facebook made its announcement that it had suspended Cambridge Analytica after being warned of looming media reports that claimed not all of the information had been destroyed. Those reports, which were informed by the accounts of whistleblowers who worked at the firm, also revealed the true scale of the breach. It was initially estimated that the firm was able to mine the information of 55 million Facebook users even though just 270,000 people gave them permission to do so. But Facebook later since revealed the number was actually as high as 87 million. The data firm suspended its chief executive, Alexander Nix, after recordings emerged of him making a series of controversial claims, including boasts that Cambridge Analytica had a pivotal role in the election of Donald Trump. The same information is said to have been used to help the Brexit campaign in the UK. Advertisement SpaceX and Tesla's pages were both deleted, after Musk claimed he previously 'didn't realise there was one.' Musk insisted, however, that it was not a political statement, rather that Facebook 'gives me the willies.' February 2020 Musk responded to a tweet by actor Sacha Baron Cohen, calling for more regulation of Facebook, by urging people to delete the app. Baron Cohen's tweet asked: 'Why do we let one man control the information seen by 2.5 million people?' January 2021 After the January 6 riots at Washington's Capitol, Musk shared content linking the chaos to Facebook. The evening of the attack, Musk shared an image of a set of dominoes with the first one labeled 'a website to rate women on campus', in reference to the invention of Facebook at Harvard University, and the last referencing the rioters. He also, once again, tweeted about Facebook's data sharing history, sharing a meme implying that Facebook 'spies' on its users in response to news that Facebook and WhatsApp accounts would be required to share data after the acquisition of the messaging platform. April 2022 While Musk was in discussions to take over twitter in 2022, he found time to take aim at the Facebook CEO, mocking his control over Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The jab was a response to a question about whether it was dangerous for him, the world's richest man at the time, to take over such a powerful platform. Must said that Zuckerberg was 'worse' and jokingly called him the 'Sun King.' Musk took aim at Zuckerberg over his ownership of all of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in 2022 as he tried to buy Twitter May 2023 Earlier this year, Musk was firing shots at Zuckerberg again, saying that 'WhatsApp cannot be trusted' in claims that the app was listening in to its users. A user of the app had tweeted alleging that the messaging app had accessed their phone's microphone overnight. However, WhatsApp said that this was down to an Android bug, and Google acknowledged that fact. This incident came not log after Musk had, once again, criticised Zuckerberg, this time for his donations to the Democrat party. June 20 Details emerged of Zuckerberg's Meta planning to launch a rival to Twitter called 'Threads' in an attempt to capitalise on the chaos caused by Musk's ownership of Twitter. Meta's chief product officer Chris Cox told Meta employees that they were hearing of a desire for 'a platform that is sanely ruin.' Musk did not take kindly to the suggestion that Meta, owned by Zuckerberg, would be launching a rival to Twitter called 'Threads' June 21 Musk responded to the reports saying that 'Im sure Earth cant wait,' saying it would leave people 'with no other options.' One follower replied warning Musk of being so antagonistic given the Meta CEO's jiu-jitsu background. Musk seemed unfased, saying 'I'm up for a cage match if he is.' June 22 Zuckerberg shared a screenshot of Musk's invitation to fight on his Instagram Story, and said 'send me location,' echoing UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, indicating that the fight could be on. Musk obliged, suggesting a UFC octagon in Las Vegas. If the figures involved were not divisive enough, Andrew Tate, recently charged for rape and human trafficking in Romania, waded in to offer his services to Musk as his trainer. The former kick-boxer tweeted: 'Meta banned me everywhere... But now we can restore honour.' Tate has the small matter of being under house-arrest ahead of a potential trial that could thwart this though. Members of Elvis Presley's estate reacted with disgust to the new Sofia Copolla-directed biopic about Priscilla Presley and her relationship with the 'King of Rock n' Roll.' Officials connected to the estate said 'Priscilla' was produced without the knowledge or permission of the family and ripped the film saying 'feels like a college movie.' They are ripping the film as yet another cash grab by Priscilla Presley, who has publicly feuded with her granddaughter about control of parts of the estate of Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis' daughter who died unexpectedly in January 2023. 'Pricilla' was written and directed by Sofia Coppola and is based on Priscilla's famous 1985 memoir, 'Elvis and Me,' which tells the story of the iconic couple's early romance. The real Elvis and Priscilla Presley on their wedding night in 1967. Their romance will be featured in the upcoming film 'Priscilla' Sofia Coppola wrote and directed the forthcoming biopic starring Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny Jacob Elordi of Euphoria will take on the role of Elvis, and Cailee Spaeny, who starred in The Mare of Easttown, assumes the titular role. One individual connected to the estate reportedly saw the film and described Copolla's writing and directing as 'horrible,' according to TMZ. They added the whole production 'feels like a college movie.' 'The set designs are just horrific, it's not what Graceland looks like,' they said. Priscilla herself, on the other hand, feels differently about the film. 'I am very excited to see the interpretation of my book by the masterful Sofia Coppola. She has such an extraordinary perspective and I have always been such an admirer of her work. 'I'm certain this movie will take everyone on an emotional journey,' said Priscilla, 78. The film, which is due in October, follows the courtship of Elvis and Priscilla, from the first time they met to their 1967 marriage to their divorce six years later. The trailer, which was released five months after the passing of the couple's child, Lisa Marie Presley, showed flashes of their lives together. The film will also come out a little over a year after Baz Luhrmann's Elvis biopic debuted and was received as a critical and commercial success. The movie earned eight Oscar nominations, including Best Actor for Austin Butler's portrayal of the musical icon, and Best Picture. Elordi and Spaeny in the trailer for the new film, which will concentrate on the love story of Elvis and Priscilla. The film has been slammed by some connected to the Elvis estate. The book is based on Priscilla's 1985 memoir 'Elvis and Me.' An Elvis estate insider said: 'The set designs are just horrific, it's not what Graceland looks like.' The film will arrive in October, more than a year after Baz Luhrmann's successful Elvis biopic debuted Elvis and Priscilla with their young daughter Lisa Marie, who died earlier this year aged 54 Days ago, Priscilla settled a legal battle for control of her late daughter's estate, ceding to her granddaughter, Riley Keough. In a recently-signed settlement Priscilla, 78, agreed - in exchange for $1.4 million plus an undisclosed sum for 10 years - to relinquish control of her late daughter's Promenade Trust, leaving 34-year-old Riley, star of TV's Davy Jones and the Six, as sole trustee. Soon after the deal was signed, Priscilla filed a motion asking LA Probate Judge Lynn Scaduto to seal the financial particulars of the settlement, keeping them secret from the public. 'The settlement agreement contains private details regarding my daughter's Trust that is to benefit my two minor granddaughters (14-year-old Harper and Finley, Lisa Marie's children by fourth husband Michael Lockwood, 62).' The agreement between Priscilla and Riley settled a reported feud between the two sparked when, only two weeks after Lisa Marie's death in January, Priscilla filed a legal challenge to her daughter's will - which had given control of the Promenade Trust to Riley. In recent days, Priscilla Presley settled a legal matter pertaining to control over her late daughter's trust. Her granddaughter Riley Keough was awarded control of the trust, but Priscilla will be paid an undisclosed amount annually for the duration of her life Riley was said to be furious when her grandmother went to court to protest the will. But in her motion to seal, Priscilla downplayed the notion of a feud and said she had fired the lawyers who filed her petition disputing the will. 'My January 2023 petition was misconstrued in the press as a "fight" over my beloved daughter's Trust,' she wrote. 'That was not the intent. The petition was filed by a law firm who has since been terminated. 'I filed the petition to resolve all potential uncertainty surrounding the interpretation of the Promenade Trust.' A New York City mother called her former babysitter a 'straight-up predator' after he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexually abusing her son for six years in their Manhattan home. The unidentified mother addressed Jonathan 'Jay' Luna, 34, of New York, in the Manhattan Supreme Court Thursday, telling her former babysitter that he broke her 'mom heart.' 'To call you a wolf in sheeps clothing is in a way how it feels, but that sounds too poetic,' she said through tears. 'What you really are is a straight-up predator, a pedophile.' The mother only discovered the abuse - which took place from the time her son was in second to sixth grade - after her child told her Luca had 'raped' him. 'He told us that that guy our guy had repeatedly and regularly molested him raped him were our sons words,' she said during her 10-minute victim impact statement. An unidentified mother addressed Jonathan 'Jay' Luna, 34, of New York, (pictured) in the Manhattan Supreme Court Thursday, telling her former babysitter he broke her 'mom heart' Luca reportedly sexually abused the woman's son for six years while acting as his babysitter Her 'tormented' son, who is now a teenager, suffered from nightmares and has been unable to enjoy similar experiences to his peers, like sleep-away camp, according to his mom. 'You did those things, and then you did them again. You couldve quit knowing you crossed the line but you didnt. You kept at it for years in our home without his consent. He was so young, so little,' the mother said in court, according to the New York Post. 'Up until then, we considered you part of the family. I cared for you more like a nephew than a babysitter,' she continued. 'As for me, your actions quite literally broke my heart my moms heart.' In addition, prosecutors worry there are more victims, as Luca has worked with children for several years. The mom's 'tormented' son, who is now a teenager, suffered from nightmares and has been unable to enjoy similar experiences to his peers, like sleep-away camp, she said Prosecutors fear there are more victims as he worked with children as a camp counselor and in after-school programs He worked as a Cubmaster from 2007 to 2012, as a camp counselor at the Boy Scout Keowa Summer Camp in Sullivan County in the summer of 2015, an after-school counselor at the McBurney YMCA Afterschool Program at PS 41 in Greenwich Village from 2013 through 2016, as a camp counselor at Camp Wayne for Boys in Pennsylvania in 2016 and 2017, and as an after-school counselor at the Imogen Foundation at PS 340 in Chelsea from March 2022 through May 2022. 'Based on the charged individuals employment history working with children in afterschool programs and summer camps, we are deeply concerned that there may be additional victims,' District Attorney Bragg said in a statement. For those who think they are a victim of Luca's is encouraged to call DA Offices Child Abuse Unit. Luca was sentenced to 12 years in prison and 13 years supervised post-release. Former members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believe their children have been abducted by the Mormon group in a twisted way to fulfill a prophecy of its disgraced leader. Four mothers, Lorraine Jessop, Miranda Johnson, Elizabeth Roundy and Sarah Johnson, believe their eight missing children did not run away, as court records suggest, but are, in fact, being concealed by their former church. The FLDS is a polygamist offshoot of Mormonism best known for its prophet Warren Jeffs, who is currently serving life in prison for sexually assaulting girls as young as 12. Jeffs remains the church's leader and is releasing prophecies from behind bars, experts claim. In one prophecy made last June, and seen by ABC News, Jeffs calls for children of ex-members to come back into the fold. Law enforcement officials have said they believed the children ran away. While they are listed as missing people in a national database, no criminal charges have been filed in connection to their disappearance. Four mothers, of eight missing children, claim they have been taken by their former church Lorraine Jessop, whose three youngest children, have been missing since February 2023 told ABC that she believes the 'church authorities' have taken her kids FLDS leader Warren Jeffs is currently serving life in prison for sexually assaulting girls as young as 12 Lorraine Jessop, whose three youngest children, Nathan, 16, Summer, 13, and Benjamin, 12, have been missing since February 2023 told ABC she believes the 'church authorities' have taken her kids. 'I checked on them at midnight,' Jessop, 42, said of the night her children disappeared, 'and my daughter was awake. And I thought, "That's odd."' 'At 5 in the morning, I awoke to a cold house because the front door was wide open and the kids were gone,' Jessop continued. 'It was horrifying.' 'I feel like that either someone took it upon themselves or were told by church authorities to gather up these children,' Jessop told ABC's Nightline. Another mother, Elizabeth Roundy, 49, alleges her children were also taken by the church. Roundy's daughter Elintra ran away in January 2023, but Roundy alleges the church told her how to runaway. 'I am positive that FLDS are hiding Elintra,' Roundy said. One ex member's missing child, a girl aged just 10, was found last year and returned to her parents. Ex-member Lorraine Jessop's youngest children, Nathan, Summer, and Benjamin, have been missing since February 2023 Lorraine Jessop's son Nathan, 16, has been missing since February 2023 Summer Barlow, 13, is also missing. Her mother believes she has been taken by the church The polygmaist group views women as second class and demand they are obedient to men Another mother, Elizabeth Roundy, 49, alleges her children were also taken by the church Jeffs, is a 67-year-old convicted pedophile who had approximately 80 wives, many of them underage, according to experts. Jeffs, now 67, remains the group' leader and is said to be releasing prophecies from behind bars Warren Jeffs' nephew, Heber Jeffs, was charged last December with kidnapping his 10-year-old niece, whose parents had left the FLDS. Heber followed his uncle's prophecies and directives, including the return of ex-members' children, the charging documents alleged. When a member leaves the FLDS, the community brands them an 'apostate.' 'When you leave, you're considered an apostate, and are treated severely by the people who remain in the church,' Roger Hoole, an attorney who represents some of these mothers, explained. 'It's often a very long process before somebody leaves, and then it's a long process before they emotionally are able to make the real adjustment. It's not something that's done overnight.' The mothers told ABC News the apostate label frightened their children and encouraged them to run away. 'Our concern is, how do they run away by themselves?' Hoole said. 'Are they being helped? Are we seeing a pattern here?' In the church, women are deemed second-class and expected to be subservient to men. 'Growing up, it was our purpose to be married,' said Sarah Johnson, whose son Salome has been missing since March 2021. 'I decided in the very beginning that I was going to be the most obedient, the most perfect wife I could be.' She says she was betrothed at 17 to a man 25 years her elder. One of her four sister-wives was her biological sister and, among them, they had more than 30 children. The FLDS was founded more than 130 years ago after polygamy was outlawed in the Mormon Church. Its current prophet, Warren Jeffs, is a 67-year-old convicted pedophile who had approximately 80 wives, many of them underage, according to experts. Jeff and the FLDS church were recently pushed back into the spotlight as they were featured on a Netflix documentary Watch Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey. The first baby surrendered to a Safe Haven Baby Box in Florida has been adopted by the firefighter and his wife six months after they found the infant. The rescuer who discovered baby Zoey in the compartment on January 5 in Ocala, Florida, and his wife successfully adopted her after ten years of trying to start a family. 'We've been trying for almost a decade to have a family, and everything has kind of not worked out for us. So we are like, "Don't get our hopes up, don't get our hopes up,"' Zoey's adoptive mom said. According to WKMG, Zoey was adopted in April by the man and his wife - who asked the station to remain anonymous for privacy concerns - over a Zoom proceeding. Safe Haven Baby Boxes' Founder and CEO, Monica Kelsey, told the outlet the adoption is a best-case scenario and exactly what her boxes are meant to do. The boxes are installed on government buildings and allow parents to safely and anonymously leave a newborn through 'safe haven' laws. 'We've had 10 [babies] this year in 2023, this is a record year for us,' Kelsey said. 'But it's working. And this little girl is proof that these boxes are needed in Florida.' The first baby surrendered to a Safe Haven Baby Box in Florida has been adopted by the firefighter and his wife six months after they found the infant Baby Zoey (pictured in her adoptive mother's arms) was adopted in April The Safe Haven Baby Box in Ocala, Florida, where baby Zoey was dropped off in January Zoey's adoptive mother says she is grateful to her daughter's biological mom for her decision to use the Safe Haven Baby Box. Safe Haven laws allow parents to give up a newborn without fear of prosecution. 'I think it's very respectable, what she did,' Zoey's adoptive mother said. 'We really felt in our hearts that we wanted to let the birth mom know in some way, shape or form that she is safe, she is happy, and she is very loved,' she continued. Her husband was stationed at Ocala Fire Rescue Station 1 when the alarm for the climate-controlled box began ringing. Upon opening the chamber's door, he discovered Zoey inside with a shoelace tying off her umbilical cord. He rushed her to the hospital and immediately began talking with his wife and started the adoption process. They stayed with Zoey until they got the go-ahead to formally begin adding her to their family, waiting patiently at the hospital. 'It wasn't real until I got the call I could go in there with her in the NICU,' the adoptive mother told WKMG. To the couple who had been attempting to grow their family for a decade, the little girl was a blessing beyond belief, they said. 'Everyone was just in disbelief honestly that she was hand-delivered to us almost and that everything had kind of worked itself out to where we could bring her home two days later,' Zoey's new mom said. The 'baby box' at the Ocala Fire Fire Rescue Station 1 in Florida, allows parents to abandonment a newborn without fear of prosecution Zoey was officially adopted by the rescuer and his wife in April The box in Ocala is one of 134 Safe Haven boxes in the US that have been used more than two dozen times since being launched in 2017. In an interview with NPR earlier this year, Kelsey said she knew someone in Florida would want to use the box, which provides a safe opportunity to hand over a child. 'When we launched this box in Florida, I knew it wasn't going to be an if - it was going to be a matter of when,' Kelsey told NPR. 'This does not come as a surprise.' Talking with WKMG, she said she is glad to see the boxes making an impact. 'You know I never really looked at myself as someone who was going to change other people's lives, I just wanted to put a few boxes here in Indiana and save the two babies a year that we were finding deceased,' Kelsey said. She added she is working on installing a second box in near Gainesville. Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn (left) and Safe Haven Baby Boxes' CEO Monica Kelsey (right) Kelsey found inspiration to start the safe haven box organization came after she saw a box in South Africa Kelsey found inspiration to start the organization came after she saw a box in South Africa, according to her website. 'The process, the procedure worked,' said Ocala Fire Chief Clint Welborn. The Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn also spoke during a press conference in January to encourage other cities to integrate the boxes into their hospitals or fire stations. 'I'd recommend to mayors and city council people across the state of Florida to do it on your own, just like we did,' he said. A black college graduate ripped the microphone out of a white administrator's hand after she cut her off during her commencement speech and footage of the incident has sparked strong reaction online. Kadia Iman was seen in a TikTok video wrestling a microphone out of white lecturer's hand while graduates stood in line to receive their diplomas at an unidentified school. 'I want the mic,' Iman can be heard yelling at the educator as she aggressively tugged the electronic from her. 'Let go. You didn't let me get my moment.' Each student was given the opportunity to say their name, major, and a few small things about themselves as they traveled toward the stage, the influencer and Only Fans star admitted in a separate TikTok video. But as she and other black students got the chance to speak, she said she noticed the woman 'pulling the mic down super fast for some black people.' Iman went to 'reclaim' her moment and told the crowd her full name. Kadia Iman was seen in a TikTok video wrestling a microphone out of a white lecturer's hand while the graduates stood in line to receive their diplomas at an unidentified school 'I want the mic,' Iman can be heard yelling at the educator as she aggressively tugged the electronic from her in the now viral video. 'Let go. You didn't let me get my moment' @kadiaimantv @tiktok you are racist stop removing mt video i am a black woman speaking from being silences why take my video down ( full story on my page ) original sound - kadiaimantv 'I don't like how you snatched the mic out of my hand and today is going to be all about me,' she told the administrator before throwing the microphone forcibly onto the ground and walking away. 'I dont want to be that person, but that was the tea. So, I just couldnt let her, I just couldnt let that happen because I worked so hard to graduate, went through so much s**t to graduate, that I just felt like I needed to reclaim my moment,' she said. 'I'm not a problematic person, I don't want to ruin no one's day. I don't want to violate anybody, but that's what she did.' 'I dont want to be that person, but that was the tea. So, I just couldnt let her, I just couldnt let that happen because I worked so hard to graduate, went through so much s**t to graduate, that I just felt like I needed to reclaim my moment,' she said She took to Instagram to add that she is not 'embarrassed' by her actions and the internet will 'not gaslight me into thinking I'm the bad guy. I did it for girls that look like me, love you' She took to Instagram to add she is not 'embarrassed' by her actions and the internet will 'not gaslight me into thinking I'm the bad guy. I did it for girls that look like me, love you.' DailyMail.com has attempted to reach Iman for comment. Many took to the comments to congratulate Iman, with one writing: '"I had to reclaim my moment" AND DID.' 'All the black girls stand up,' one wrote. A woman named Zaria wrote: Im so glad you stood up for yourself & had your moment! Im proud of you & congratulations!!' One user wrote: 'The fact that she stood there and tried to keep you from getting the mic proved she was trying to keep you down.. I am so glad you got your moment.' 'You was obviously right cos security behind you didnt even budge,' one wrote. The name of the college hasn't been released and no administrators from the unnamed facility have commented on the video. Maxwell Taylor Kennedy was a guest at the White House Thursday as his brother Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is mounting a primary challenge to President Joe Biden. There were three Kennedys on the list of about 400 guests for the lavish State Dinner in honor of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a gathering of notables including Hunter Biden, who is on the verge of making a guilty plea for a pair of tax misdemeanors, and longtime Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin. Kennedy is the ninth child of the late Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He was accompanied by his wife, Vicki S. Kennedy, according to a guest list provided by the White House. Also listed as attending was Max Kennedy, a likely reference to the couple's son. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is challenging President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination. Biden invited his brother Maxwell Taylor Kennedy to a State Dinner Thursday Maxwell Taylor Kennedy (the brother of RFK Jr.) and Vicki S. Kennedy arrive for the State Dinner Max Kennedy arrives for the State Dinner It is another Kennedy, RFK Jr., who has been in the headlines recently, after polling as high as 20 per cent against the current president. He was at 14 per cent in the latest Real Clear Politics average. Few political experts consider the COVID vaccine skeptic to be a threat to the incumbent president winning the nomination. But he does risk damaging Biden by sapping a sense of momentum in the early primaries. That comes in part because New Hampshire, due to its first-in-the-nation tradition and state law, may buck new Democratic National Committee rules and try to jump ahead of South Carolina. Max Kennedy, grandson of Robert F. Kennedy, was on the list for Thursday's State Dinner. Earlier this week, he addressed a reception to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of its founding at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Robert Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy with their newborn Matthew Maxwell Taylor Kennedy Maxwell Taylor Kennedy is a lawyer and writer Should Biden decide not to compete there after putting his support behind the DNC's effort to diversify the calendar, it could allow RFK Jr. to deliver a black eye to his campaign. Incumbents who avoid stiff primary challenges tend to do much better in the general election. It was another Kennedy, Biden's friend and Bobby Kennedy's brother Sen. Edward Kennedy, who inflicted lasting damage on President Jimmy Carter with his own campaign in 1980. Max Kennedy Jr. served on the administration's coronavirus task force during the Trump administration and became a whistleblower after seeing what he termed incompetence in the initial response amid the effort to procure protective gear. Three other RFK Jr. siblings penned an article calling him 'tragically wrong' on vaccines where they blasted his 'campaign to attack the institutions committed to reducing the tragedy of preventable infectious diseases.' The family of a British billionaire adventurer who died after the Titan submersible suffered a catastrophic implosion have paid tribute to their 'dedicated father' and said he died 'doing what he loved'. Hamish Harding, 58, was described as 'a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a living legend' following the news of his death. Mr Harding died alongside fellow explorers Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood, and French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet. In a short statement, the 58-year-old billionaire's family said: 'He was one of a kind and we adored him. 'He was a passionate explorer - whatever the terrain - who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. 'What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, it's that we lost him doing what he loved.' Hamish Harding (pictured), 58, was described as 'a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a living legend' following the news of his death on Thursday In a short statement, the 58-year-old billionaire's family said: 'He was one of a kind and we adored him' Mr Harding died alongside fellow explorers Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood, and French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet Mr Harding's 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. They added: '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.' It comes after Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard revealed at a press conference today: 'The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. Upon this determination we immediately notified the families. 'On behalf of the Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families.' It would have been an instant death for the men, some of whom had paid 195,000 each to see the famous shipwreck. In a gut-wrenching blow for their families, experts say there is little prospect of recovering any of their remains. Born in Hammersmith, west London, Mr Harding, who would've turned 59 on Saturday, ran an airplane company in Dubai, catering to the needs of the world's wealthiest people by selling and buying jets. His business saw him rack up a vast personal fortune but his adventures outside the corporate world are what made him stand out from the crowd. Born in Hammersmith, west London, Mr Harding, who would've turned 59 on Saturday, ran an airplane company in Dubai Mr Harding was one of five people on board a submersible, which at 4am on Sunday, began its descent to the resting place of the Titanic Rescuers had scrambled to locate the missing Titanic tourist submersible but it was confirmed that debris had been found from it today Mr Harding made a career out of 'making unusual things happen' and had three Guinness World Records and a trip to outer space on the Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin on his resume. In 2021, he set the record for the longest time spent at the bottom of the sea after exploring the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on Earth, for four hours and 15 minutes. At the same time, he set the record for the greatest distance covered at full ocean depth. Also, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 2019, he set a world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the Earth. In 2016, he joined close friend Buzz Aldrin on an expedition to Antarctica, where the astronaut became the oldest person to reach the South Pole at the age of 86. Mr Harding repeated the trick in 2020, returning with his son Giles who, at the age of 12, became the youngest person to reach the point. And last year, he was awarded a Living Legends of Aviation honour by actor Morgan Freeman. The award has previously been given to Mr Aldrin, as well as billionaires Sir Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. Speaking about his daredevil lifestyle, Mr Harding also said: 'People, especially as they grow older, tend to give up on their dreams. When I think of something unusual, I just try to find ways to make it happen.' University student Suleman (left), 19, and his father Shahzada Dawood (right) were two of the five victims who were killed instantly when the OceanGate submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) was also in the sub along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition It comes as the aunt of Suleman Dawood revealed he was 'terrified' about the trip and only joined the crew to please his dad for Father's Day. Azmeh Dawood told NBC News that her nephew informed a relative he 'wasn't very up for it' but felt compelled to please his father, who was very passionate about the 1912 shipwreck. 'I am thinking of Suleman, who is 19, in there, just perhaps gasping for breath... It's been crippling, to be honest,' she told the US outlet from her home in Amsterdam. The older sister of Mr Dawood, who was the vice chairman of Engro Corporation, added: 'I feel disbelief. It's an unreal situation.' Azmeh, who like the other anxious relatives were hoping for a miracle, continued: 'I feel like I've been caught in a really bad film, with a countdown, but you didn't know what you're counting down to.' She said she 'personally found it kind of difficult to breathe thinking of them', adding: 'It's been unlike any experience I've ever had'. Azmeh herself admitted she would not have gotten on the Titan submersible 'if you gave me a million dollars'. Prosecutors added an evidence tampering charge against Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed and say she transferred narcotics to impede the investigation New Mexico prosecutors brought another charge against 'Rust' armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who is currently awaiting trial in connection to the fatal shooting of the film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Reed is now facing an evidence tampering charge relating to an unspecified transfer of narcotics to stop her criminal prosecution. Prosecutors were light on information explaining the charge, but charging documents stated that Reed 'did transfer narcotics to another person with the intent to prevent the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of herself.' The charge comes after a prosecutor's report earlier this month that stated witnesses saw Reed 'drinking heavily and smoking marijuana' in the days prior to the onset shooting. The shooting happened on October 21, 2021, when Alec Baldwin was accused of firing the gun on the New Mexico movie set, striking Hutchins and director Joel Souza. Hutchins died from her injuries. Baldwin was initially charged, but his case was later dropped In a filing from earlier this month, special prosecutors wrote that Hannah Gutierrez Reed was likely 'hung over' when she loaded the gun on the movie set with a live bullet. Now they accused her of tampering with evidence Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed on the set of Rust when she was hit by a live bullet from a gun fired by Alec Baldwin Charges were dropped against Baldwin after losing several pretrial rulings, but could be refiled in the coming weeks In June 9 filing, special prosecutors wrote: 'It is likely that Defendant Gutierrez [Reed] was hung over when she inserted a live bullet into a gun that she knew was going to be used at some point by an actor while filming a shooting scene with other actors and crew members.' As the trial approaches, Reed's attorneys have tried to change the narrative and raise concerns about the law enforcement investigation. The state of New Mexico, where the shooting took place, dropped charges against the lead defendant in the case - actor and producer Alex Baldwin - after losing several pretrial rulings. The original two special prosecutors on the case resigned due to controversies highlighted by Baldwin's defense team and two new ones were appointed. Now, Reed's defense team is attempting to stir up more controversy in the prosecutor's office by pointing to an email exchange between the case's lead investigator, one of the new prosecutors and one of the old prosecutors - who was no longer working on the case at the time the email was delivered. The investigator, Robert Shilling, wrote in a note: 'The current special prosecutor has directed that I conduct no further investigation into this matter. The conduct of the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office during and after their initial investigation is reprehensible and unprofessional to a degree I still have no words for. 'Not I or 200 more proficient investigators than I can / could clean up the mess delivered to your office in October 2022 (1 year since the initial incident inexcusable),' he wrote. Prosecutors were light on information explaining the charge, but charging documents stated that Reed 'did transfer narcotics to another person with the intent to prevent the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of herself' Filming of Rust has since resumed following the fatal October 2021 shooting, that left Hutchins dead and director Joel Souza hurt. The email was accidentally sent to Reed's attorney, Jason Bowles, who questioned why one of the old prosecutors was still receiving information about the case. In a seven-page letter, Bowles wrote: 'This whole exchange is beyond troubling on many fronts.' 'First, it appears beyond doubt now that the State is attempting to sweep exculpatory information under the rug. But for the fortuitousness of this inadvertent send, defense counsel would likely have never known about Shillings information and extremely negative views on the investigation. 'Ms. Gutierrez Reed has an expert witness regarding the severe problems in the investigation. The fact that the States lead investigator shares those views, or some of those views, is highly exculpatory,' he concluded. Reed's legal team has now demanded 'all communications and emails in and between Mr. Shilling, DA Carmack Altweis (one of the old prosecutors), and the special prosecutors.' The only other defendant in the case, assistant director David Halls, pleaded to a minor charge, which resulted in a non-jail sentence. The actor had been charged with involuntary manslaughter, but that charge was dropped in April after prosecutors said new evidence showed that the gun's hammer had been modified Image of the gun fired by Baldwin on the 'Rust' set shooting. Producer and actor Baldwin fired the prop gun that had life bullets While Baldwin had his charges dropped, Santa Fe County prosecutors could still decide to file new counts after sending the gun for further testing. The actor had been charged with involuntary manslaughter, but that charge was dropped in April after prosecutors said new evidence showed that the gun's hammer had been modified -- raising questions about whether the gun might fire without a trigger pull. Baldwin insisted he never pulled the trigger, but a prior FBI test of the gun had found it would not fire unless the trigger was pulled. Prosecutors say additional testing from the state's independent expert is required to see how the hammer was modified, the source of the modification and what impact it might have on the firearm's performance. 'If it is determined that the gun did not malfunction, charges against Mr. Baldwin will proceed,' prosecutors wrote in a court filing on Friday in the case of Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who remains charged with involuntary manslaughter in the case. 'The prosecution anticipates making a final charging decision with regard to Mr. Baldwin within the next sixty days,' added the motion from special prosecutors Kari Morrisey and Jason Lewis. The Church of England says it will sell off its holdings in oil and gas companies by the end of the year 'to protect God's creation' from climate change. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said oil giants are failing to fall in line with the Paris Agreement, which requires all countries to assist in slowing global warming to 1.5C. But activist shareholder group Follow This says the C of E's move is 'virtue signalling', as the shares will end up in the hands of more unscrupulous investors. The archbishop, before taking holy orders, was an executive for French oil giant Elf Aquitaine, and for exploration firm Enterprise Oil in the 1980s. Eleven oil companies, including BP and Shell, will be excluded from the Church's investments. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (pictured) said oil giants are failing to fall in line with the Paris Agreement, which requires all countries to assist in slowing global warming to 1.5C The Church Commissioners for England, which manages the endowment fund, and the Pensions Board, said they had made their decision to divest after attempts to engage oil and gas majors on decarbonisation had failed. The archbishop said: 'The climate crisis threatens the planet we live on and people around the world who Jesus Christ calls us to love as our neighbours. 'It is our duty to protect God's creation, and energy companies have a special responsibility to help us achieve the just transition to the low carbon economy we need. 'We have long urged companies to take climate change seriously, and specifically to align with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, and pursue efforts to limit the rise in temperature to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.' He added: 'The Church will follow not just the science, but our faith - both of which call us to work for climate justice.' READ MORE: Britain could become a tinderbox AGAIN this summer as Met Office refuses to rule out temperatures hitting 40C in the next two months Advertisement John Ball, chief executive officer of the Church of England Pensions Board, said: 'Today we announce our intention to disinvest from all remaining oil and gas holdings across our equity and debt portfolio. 'There is a significant misalignment between the long term interests of our pension fund and continued investment in companies seeking short term profit maximisation at the expense of the ambition needed to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.' But a spokesperson for the activist shareholder group Follow This said: 'Divestment doesn't work. 'An investor once said to me, "I can clean my portfolio, I can sell off all the fossil fuels, but it won't help clean the world. And my remaining portfolio will still be in danger of devastating climate change. "I can say I'm fossil free, which is nice virtue signalling but it doesn't change anything."' Every fraction of a degree of warming will 'intensify' the hazards to the planet, the report warns. Devastating impacts will include melting of ice caps leading to rising sea levels, a loss of coral reefs and glaciers, as well as huge economic damage to agriculture, forestry, fishery, energy, and tourism A Shell spokesperson said: 'Its disappointing, but not surprising given its recent change in stance, that the Church of England Pensions Board has taken this decision. 'Our commitment to becoming a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050 remains as strong as it ever was, and we firmly believe our strategy is aligned with the more ambitious goal of the Paris climate agreement. 'At the same time, we are clearly focused on capital discipline, enhanced performance and delivering shareholder value, through a strategy which balances delivering energy security with investments in the lower-carbon energy sources of the future.' A photo of Bill Shorten and Jim Chalmers appearing to 'swap wives' has gone viral after Canberra's Midwinter Ball on Wednesday. Mr Shorten was pictured in a black suit with his arm around Laura Chalmers, the wife of Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Meanwhile the government services minister's wife, Chloe Shorten, was posed beside Dr Chalmers dressed in black. A photo of Bill Shorten and Jim Chalmers appearing to 'swap wives' has gone viral on social media (pictured L-R, Bill Shorten, Laura Chalmers, Jim Chalmers and Chloe Shorten) 'Great night at the Midwinter Ball last night with my absolutely beautiful wife. Good to see Laura and Jim Chalmers - we thought Laura looked stunning,' Mr Shorten wrote. 'It was a worthy evening raising funds for charity, including @billcrewsfoundation. '(Thanks for the photobomb @louise_pratt).' Social media users were quick to notice the Labor frontmen had done a 'wife swap'. Mrs Shorten, who wore a black sequin gown and large glittery earrings, grinned as they were 'photobombed' by WA Labor Senator Louise Pratt 'Great night at the Midwinter Ball last night with my absolutely beautiful wife. Good to see Laura and Jim Chalmers - we thought Laura looked stunning,' Mr Shorten wrote The Shortens posed with Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie who wore a strapless black gown 'Ok but why did Bill Shorten and Jim Chalmers swap wives?' one wrote. 'Maybe they swapped husbands,' a second suggested. A third joked: 'It's a Labor thing. You wouldn't understand.' Both Laura Chalmers and Chloe Shorten have a lot in common. Mrs Chalmers, has a long history with the Labor party, having worked as a press secretary for former prime minister Julia Gillard and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong. She eventually returned to her job as a journalist, including as national editor-in-chief for News Corp's Saturday Weekend Magazines. She spent almost three years in Canberra as the Adelaide Advertiser's federal political reporter before working for the politicians. Mrs Chalmers wore a floral gown paired with a bright pink clutch to the 2023 Midwinter Ball Meanwhile, Mrs Shorten, the daughter of former governor-general Dame Quentin Bryce, has long been in the public eye. She has been an ambassador for the Gidget Foundation, which raises awareness of perinatal anxiety and depression, and the Furlong Park School for Deaf Children in Melbourne. After school she worked as a journalist at the Sunday Mail in Brisbane and later wrote for Australian Consolidated Press magazines including Cleo. She then moved into corporate communications where she practiced in-house for large organisations in the resources and technology sectors for more than 20 years. The glamorous Midwinter Ball started in 2000 and is hosted by the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery. Politicians, corporate chiefs and journalists from across the country arrived in their finery for the sit-down three-course meal in the Great Hall of Parliament House. The night raised $362,000 for charity. Australia is the world's top destination for ultra-wealthy individuals because it doesn't have inheritance taxes and favours wealthy foreigners, a global investment migration consultancy says. The United Arab Emirates lost its top spot to Australia this year. This meant Australia was the most popular country for migrating millionaires for the first time since 2019, with 5,200 high-net worth individuals expected to migrate in 2023 during a skills shortage. Tony Le Nevez, the managing partner of Henley & Partners in Australia, said the absence of inheritance taxes was a major factor, along with visa programs designed to attract the very wealthy. 'What is it about Australia that has it consistently mentioned as the millionaires' migration destination of choice? Australia is the world's top destination for ultra-wealthy individuals because it doesn't have inheritance taxes and favours wealthy foreigners, a global investment migration consultancy Henley & Partners says (pictured are spectators at Sydney's Royal Randwick Racecourse) 'Is it the climate and lifestyle, the world-class education and healthcare, the distance from global crisis hotspots, or is it the fact that, unlike the UK and the USA, Australia has no inheritance taxes or death duties? 'The answer is, all of the above, plus some very attractive visa programs aimed at attracting highly skilled professionals.' Australia abolished inheritance taxes in July 1979, a year after Queensland's eccentric National Party premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen led the charge to get rid of death duties. The other states copied Queensland and saw Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser scrap the federal inheritance tax. In the United States, the Internal Revenue Service levies an estate tax when the property of a dead person is transferred. The UK has a 40 per cent inheritance tax for the value of estates worth more than 325,000 ($A616,000). Australia also has special visa programs to attract high-net worth individuals, which Henley & Partners defines as someone having $US1million or $A1.478million in assets. But to be considered for one category of the 188 business visa, an ultra-wealthy individual seeking permanent residency in Australia needs to invest at least $2.5million. To be eligible, they must provide the funds for a project nominated by a state or territory government since July 2021. Australia was the most popular country for migrating millionaires for the first time since 2019, with 5,200 high-net worth individuals expected to migrate in 2023 during a skills shortage (pictured is a panoramic view of Sydney Harbour taken from Vaucluse in the eastern suburbs) Henley & Partners expected 5,200 high net worth individuals to move to Australia in 2023, ahead of the UAE's influx of 4,500 millionaires, Singapore's elite intake of 3,200 and the United States with 2,100 new cashed-up arrivals. World's top nations for rich migrants in 2023 AUSTRALIA: 5,200 arrivals UAE: 4,500 arrivals SINGAPORE: 3,200 arrivals US: 2,100 arrivals Advertisement Australia had the top spot from 2015 to 2019 before Covid stopped a lot of global migration. The UAE was the top destination for the very rich in 2022. Mr Le Nevez said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor government was likely to continue favouring skilled migrants, which would include high-net worth individuals investing in businesses. 'In May 2022, Australia had a change of government and almost immediately the incoming government announced an increase to the permanent migration program and a review of the immigration system,' he said. 'Like many developed countries, Australia faces a severe skills shortage and an aging population. 'The review recommended major changes to the way Australia manages its visa programs, but importantly it restated the long-held view that the migration of highly skilled people can help increase Australians' standard of living by contributing to higher productivity levels in the economy.' A record 387,000 migrants moved to Australia in 2022 and Treasury is expecting that annual net figure to hit 400,000 by the end of June. Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil in April said that while she wasn't particularly keen on the 188 category visas for the ultra-wealthy, she wouldn't be abolishing them In a bid to stop exploitation, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil in April announced the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold would increase to $70,000, up from $53,900 from July 1. Ms O'Neil said that while she would keep the 188 visas for wealthy migrants, she wasn't particularly keen on them, as she announced policy changes following a migration system review. 'The business investment visas is part of this broader class with the significant investor visa which was designed to bring capital and entrepreneurs to our country, and there are some quite on the record significant issues with those,' she told the National Press Club in April. 'We haven't said that we will abolish those programs. 'What we have said is that they need a radical restructure as part of the work that we're doing and I think this needs to be folded into the broader conversation about highly skilled people who we see as creating the future jobs for Australians and now how we manage them in.' Unemployment in May fell to 3.6 per cent, down from 3.7 per cent in April, putting it closer to March's 48-year low of 3.5 per cent. A gifted schoolboy who had won a scholarship to a 12,000-a-year private school has been sentenced to life in prison after being hired by a drug lord to kill a rival gang leader. At the end of an eight-month trial one of the longest in English legal history Michael Mingoes, was convicted for the murder of Michael O'Connor in November 2021. He will serve a minimum of 28 years behind bars. The bright 21-year-old had been hired to kill the rival gang leader over a county lines network worth more than 1million a year. Eight others were also convicted of murder, but it was Mingoes who delivered the fatal blow, thrusting a knife into O'Connor's heart. During the trial at Nottingham Crown Court, it emerged that he had attended St Bede's College, a Catholic school in Whalley Range, Manchester, and appeared to have a bright future ahead of him. Michael O'Connor (pictured) was murdered outside a pub in Nottingham after being mistaken for a rival gang boss Michael Mingoes (pictured) delivered the fatal blow to Mr O'Connor, stabbing him in the heart While sentencing, Mr Justice Turner referenced his intelligence and maturity, adding that he had a 'mental agility and cunning well beyond [his] years'. The court heard how 31-year-old O'Connor, who had been acting as a peacemaker between two gangs, was killed by mistake. Mingoes, who was 19 at the time, and his associates thought that he was the drug lord they had been tasked with killing. A dispute between the two gangs first surfaced after a crime boss in Nottingham tried to take control of a profitable Class A drug line from Leonard Ward, 41, and Jerome Sheard, 30, when he was freed from prison. Ward and Sheard, who were handed life sentences with minimum terms of 32 and 31 years respectively, contacted their supplier in Manchester, 37-year-old Benjamin Taylor a man described in court as 'steeped in a history of extreme violence'. They put together a hit squad to carry out the planned attack, made up of Taylor's drug dealers. Taylor was also sentenced to life. Mingoes and three others were picked for 'their size, sheer aggression and/or willingness to use weapons', it was heard. The gang agreed to meet with the rival gang leader at the Poets Corner pub in Nottingham, but instead they were sent O'Connor, a cosmetics clinic owner. The balaclava-clad gang ambushed him outside of the pub and savagely stabbed him to death. While Mingoes, Ward, Sheard and Taylor have been sentenced, five others are also due to find out how long they will serve this week. Mingoes had been hired to kill the rival gang leader over a county lines network worth more than 1million a year. When they agreed to meet the gang leader, it was Mr O'Connor (pictured), a cosmetic clinic owner, who turned up Ward (left) and Sheard (right) were handed life sentences with minimum terms of 32 and 31 years respectively Benjamin Taylor was described in court as being 'steeped in a history of extreme violence'. Mingoes told the trial that he had grown up in a rough part of Trafford, an inner city borough of Manchester, but won the scholarship to St Bede's College when he was 11. The academically gifted pupil achieved As in his GCSEs before moving to Xaverian College a Catholic sixth form where he was hoping to study business A-level. Mingoes eventually left home after encountering problems, which he says were caused by his ADHD, and the fact his father was suffering with cancer. He was soon introduced to drug dealing by the man who would ultimately hire him for the Nottingham murder. In sentencing, the judge told him: 'I am satisfied that you were the lowest in the pecking order, a relative youth... but you demonstrated in the witness box that you had a maturity that belied your age.' When giving evidence, Mingoes was scolded by the judge for his verbosity and told to speak in plainer English after claiming he had been 'subjected to a barrage of beratement' by two co-defendants as they fled the scene in a car. O'Connor's family have told how they were left 'feeling sick' after one of their son's nine murderers taunted them in the public gallery. Paula Usherwood used her car as a weapon to block their son's every attempt at escape, before he was fatally wounded. On Wednesday, a statement revealed the family's reaction to the hurtful words shouted from the dock. 'To Paula Usherwood, on June 8, you shouted to the family in the public gallery, "at least I'm not walking around with a picture of my dead son on my T-shirt, I'm still alive and got my family around me". Paula Usherwood (pictured) used her car as a weapon to block their son's every attempt at escape, before he was fatally wounded The nine defendants who were found guilty of murder of murdering Michael Anton O'Connor 'A heinous act which left our family feeling sick to their stomach at the lack of remorse shown by this defendant,' they said. 'We cannot fathom how someone could be so flagrantly audacious, atrocious and hateful towards the victim's family,' they added. 'At times our family were made to feel like we were on trial, an unwelcome spotlight, rather than the victim's family.' They added: 'Joseph Boscombe, on June 12, the jury found him guilty of the murder of our son. He showed no remorse and instead chose to make threats to kill our remaining son in open court. 'Imagine hearing the murderer of one son threaten the other. Words cannot described the heartache and devastation.' After all four minimum terms were delivered, Mr and Mrs O'Connor said: 'We feel justice has been administered in terms of the sentences passed so far. We appreciate the time and care in considering each defendant and appropriateness of sentence.' Salvatore Del Deo, 94, is being evicted by the National Parks Service after 77 years due to a land law that delivers the shore land back to government hands An elderly artist in Cape Cod is being kicked out of a dune shack bequeathed to him by the owner years ago, a property he has helped maintain for the better part of eight decades. The artist Salvatore Del Deo, 94, has lived in the shack, one of 19 along Provincetown's northwest shore, for 77 years. The shack was given to him by a family friend and he had hoped to celebrate his 95th birthday there. But, that hope may be thwarted by the National Park Service, which has ordered Del Deo to vacate the cottage because an heir of the original owner had died, thereby ending an agreement that allowed occupancy of the residence on National Seashore land. According to the Park Service, Del Deo does not maintain a legal claim to the shack. Salvatore Del Deo, 94, a painter and artist who has cared for the same dune shack for 77 year. In 1983, the shack was bequeathed to him by its original owner The National Park Service is now attempting to evict Del Deo, arguing that the heir to the property has passed and so the land is now given back to the state Romolo Deo, Salvatore's son, appealed the notice on behalf of his father and was granted a 90-day extension, which is now coming to an end. Del Deo was told he has until June 27 to remove his personal belongings and vacate the premises. 'I thought that I would spend my last days there,' Del Deo told the Boston Globe. The elderly gentleman is a celebrated painter who has lived a long life in Provincetown, Massachusetts, originally as a successful restauranteur. The Park Service has indicated it will enter the small cottage into a bidding contest, where members of the public will be able to bid for long-term leases of public land. Romolo, an internationally recognized sculptor, said officials have so far dismissed his arguments against the Park Service's aggression. The Del Deos' possession of the dune shack is itself a story that dates back many years in Provincetown history. Del Deo came to Provincetown in 1946 after studying art at the Rhode Island Institute of Design. He quickly befriended Jeanne 'Frenchie' Schnell, who had come to Provincetown via New York and Paris. When Del Deo married his wife Josephine in 1953, Schnell offered the newlyweds her beach shack as a honeymoon suite. When Schnell eventually died in 1983, she bequeathed the small structure to the care of the Del Deos, who have paid property taxes and maintenance costs since. In the 1960s, the Park Service took land on which the shack sits by eminent domain but offered the owners lifetime leases. A real estate officer for the National Park Service informed the Del Deos that the 2016 death of Adrienne Schnell, Frenchie's daughter and heir, meant the occupants had to leave. 'Were not even allowed to bid [on the shack] right now. We dont know when that might be possible, or under what conditions,' said Romolo. He added the legal structure and penalty for resisting a federal order of the sort his father has been handed is so costly that he has no choice but to comply. 'Were not their enemy. But we are being treated like their enemy. And we wish that they wouldnt treat us that way like, you know, something that needs to be eradicated and replaced,' he said. The Park Service, he added, as ignored Schnell's other living heir, a daughter in Tennessee, who also wants the Del Deos to stay on as stewards of the property. This week, close to two dozen protestors arrived at the dune road entrance on Route 6, waving handwritten signs. Online, a change.org petition arguing that Mr. Del Deo should be allowed to remain in place has garnered more than 5,000 signatures. The dune shack is one of 19 on the northwest shore of Provincetown that the state claimed by eminent domain in the 1960s and is now trying to snatch back from their occupants The National Park Service has told Del Deo that he has until June 27 to vacate the property. His son, Romolo Del Deo, is attempting to help his father fight the order Romolo says his family has been touched by the community's outpouring of support: 'Im still hoping that someone in a position of authority essentially goes to whoever is blundering their way through this policy,' he said. 'We will try to continue to get the message through to somebody whos capable of halting this travesty.' The elder Del Deo said he is prepared to be disappointed by the eventual outcome of the situation, saying: 'Ive had a wonderful life. So if this has to be, its to be ... But Id like to finish my life being able to go out there.' He said he hopes others in his situation get to keep their properties as well, but added that he doesn't 'want to be the one to be sacrificed on the altar of pleasure, because somebody else has more money than I do. I dont have any money. But I built that shack with my own hands. My son helped me and my friends helped me. And we did it.' A seasoned magistrate has described a brutal alleged road rage attack as the 'worst' he has ever seen, as the alleged victim's family says he may never be able to return to work as a bus driver. Ford Raptor driver Din Decevic, 34, was refused bail at Sydney's Bankstown Local Court this week over an alleged incident where he is accused of assaulting Hyundai Getz owner and father-of-two John Totsis, 47, at Belmore on Sunday, May 28. Decevic was arrested in nearby Lakemba on Monday evening and was refused bail by Magistrate Glenn Walsh, after the court heard he was already on bail for an alleged stalking charge involving another man. Police are investigating whether an incident may have occurred between Decevic and Mr Totsis at a nearby gym, Belmore Plus Fitness, before Mr Totsis made his way home between 7pm and 7.15pm. The father of two teenage sons stopped his Hyundai Getz hatchback near the corner of Peel and Bridge streets, Belmore and stepped out of his car, police will allege in court. A short time later, police allege Mr Decevic parked his Ford Raptor utility behind the Mr Totsis' Hyundai, exiting the vehicle. Police will allege he then assaulted Mr Totsis, who fell to the ground, and then continued to assault him. Mr Totsis may never be able to return to his job as a bus driver due to brain seizures he has suffered since the attack, his sister Vicki Totsis said, adding that 'he has no memory of' the incident. Police obtained CCTV from a Peel Street resident which showed this Ford Raptor around the time of an alleged road rage incident which put Mr Totsis in hospital with serious injuries John Totsis (above with his partner, science teacher Liezl Rubillos) may not be able to resume his job as a bus driver after suffering a brain injury from the alleged road rage attack The fit and towering 188cm tall Mr Totsis suffered skull fractures and a cerebral haemorrhage when he was allegedly hit from behind and fell to the ground. Next week, a month after the alleged attack, Mr Totsis will be transferred to a brain injury rehabilitation facility. Vicki Totsis questioned whether the alleged attack was 'personal' and if it may have started during her brother's late afternoon workout. She said that a Good Samaritan passing motorist stopped to give her brother CPR at the scene. Belmore Plus Fitness told Daily Mail Australia they had looked through the gym's CCTV 'to pick up any odd body language' of a possible fight. However, a spokesperson said Mr Totsis appeared to be having normal conversations and was 'speaking to a lot of people that afternoon'. Detectives arrested Mr Decevic after a three-week investigation and he was remanded in custody and formally refused bail. He was later denied bail in his subsequent release application on Thursday. Mr Totsis' partner, high school science teacher Liezl Rubillos, told Daily Mail Australia she was stuck in the Philippines waiting for an Australian visa she had applied for in tandem with Mr Totsis to be processed. When Vicki Totsis posted a photograph of her stricken and bloodied brother in hospital, Ms Rubillos wrote that she was tortured by images of him in hospital with a fractured skull and swelling of the brain. Mr Totsis (above in hospital) was allegedly punched by Din Decevic and then aided by a Good Samaritan. He will soon be transferred to a brain injury rehab facility Mr Totsis' family have questioned if anything happened before the incident when he trained at Belmore Plus Fitness (above) which has studied its CCTV and found no 'odd looking body language' John Totsis (above with Liezl Rubillos) is in hospital with brain injuries after an alleged road rage attack by a 34-year-old man who a magistrate denied bail toon Thursday 'Praying for your fast recovery my sweetheart. It's torturing me when I really want to see you, take care of you and be with you in this time of crisis, but I can't for now. I don't have yet my visa,' Ms Rubillos posted on Facebook. Vicki Totsis said her nephews have been 'devastated' by their father's injuries and the family was now adjusting to the fact he had a long road to recovery. Mr Decevic's case will return to court at a later date. JPMorgan Chase said the US Virgin Islands gave Jeffrey Epstein more than $300million in tax incentives and waived sex offender monitoring requirements, shielding the disgraced late financier as he gave cash and gifts to top officials and local police. In a Tuesday court filing, the largest US bank 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 US 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 federal court against the territory's lawsuit filed in December over its relationship with Epstein, a client from 1998 to 2013. The US 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 said the US Virgin Islands gave Jeffrey Epstein more than $300million in tax incentives and waived sex offender monitoring requirements, shielding the disgraced late financier as he gave cash and gifts to top officials US Virgin Islands police said they 'never received a single complaint' about Epstein's sex trafficking and would have investigated complaints. Pictured is Little St. James Island, one of the properties of financier Jeffrey Epstein, '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 US Virgin Islands attorney general, said in a statement. 'The evidence disclosed so far suggests the bank chose to prioritize its profits over protecting victims.' US Virgin Islands police said they '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. JPMorgan agreed last week to pay $290million 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. JPMorgan had described a 'quid pro quo' relationship between Epstein and US 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. The Virgin Islands, including former first lady Cecile de Jongh (pictured), 'actively facilitated' his sexual abuse of young women and teenage girls, the bank said. The bank has said Cecile de Jongh managed Epstein's local companies for eight years and helped arrange visas for some victims Tuesday's filing described Epstein's Financial Trust Co, also known as Southern Trust Co, receiving $219.8million in tax benefits from the US Virgin Islands between 1999 and 2012, and $80.6million 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 US 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. The Virgin Islands said has accused JPMorgan of facilitating Epstein's crimes by providing banking services and enabling his abuse The bank denies any wrongdoing, but has sued Jes Staley - who was friends with Epstein - accusing of him acting on his own to help the sex offender JPMorgan has sued Staley, and wants him liable for damages it might owe in the accusers' and US 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. Internal emails show that following Epstein's July 2019 arrest on sex trafficking charges, JPMorgan conducted an internal review review known as 'Project Jeep' investigating the bank's relationship with Epstein. The review included emails between Epstein and Staley, a former friend and JPMorgan private banking chief whom the bank has tried to blame for its client relationship with Epstein. In a July 2019 email, JPMorgan's head of financial crimes compliance Peter Neilson wrote that he was working on the review with input from 'top of house,' which attorneys for the Virgin Islands argue is a reference to JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon. 'Top of house requested that we expand our analysis to related parties and put together slides. Should have in a few days. We are treating it as a project at this point,' Neilson wrote in the email. Epstein had been a JPMorgan client from 1998 until the bank terminated him in 2013, years after he was convicted of soliciting a minor for sex in a Florida state case. In a May 26 deposition, Dimon said he never met Epstein, did not recall discussing his accounts internally, and barely knew who Epstein was prior to the July 2019 arrest. The US Virgin Islands wanted Dimon to sit for a second deposition after additional documents about Epstein and Staley surfaced, including the emails cited in the newly unsealed letter. However, US District Judge Jed Rakoff, who oversees the lawsuit, denied that request for a second deposition. JPMorgan declined to comment when reached by DailyMail.com on Tuesday. The bank has previously denied any wrongdoing, but said it regrets taking on Epstein as a client. James Cameron was told within 24 hours of the Titanic sub disappearing that an implosion had been heard, and 'watched over the ensuing days this whole sort of everybody-running-around-with-their-hair-on-fire search, knowing full well that it was futile.' The film director and deep-sea expert, who has made over 30 dives to the Titanic wreckage, said he was told Monday the noise of a likely implosion of the sub had been registered by underwater acoustic devices. 'I tracked down some intel that was probably of a military origin, although it could have been research - because there are hydrophones all over the Atlantic - and got confirmation that there was loud noise consistent with an implosion,' he told CNN. He said it did not surprise him, because he felt the carbon fiber hull of OceanGate Expedition's sub, named Titan, was fundamentally unsuitable. Cameron, who directed the smash-hit 1997 film Titanic, said his dives had been done in a ceramic sub which was more resistant to the intense pressure underwater. James Cameron on Thursday night told Anderson Cooper that he was not surprised the submersible had imploded - and he learnt about its likely fate within 24 hours OceanGate Expeditions is one of the only companies that offers the tours. Tickets cost up to $250,000 Cameron told Anderson Cooper Thursday night he was 'kind of heart sick from the outcome of this.' But, he said, he had had more time than most to come to terms with it. 'I've been living with it for a few days now, as have some of my colleagues in the deep submergence community,' he said. 'I was out on a ship myself when this happened on Sunday. 'The first I heard of it was on Monday morning. I immediately got on my network - because it's a very small community in the deep submergence group - and found out some information with about a half hour that they had lost comms and they had lost tracking simultaneously. 'The only scenario that I could come up with in my mind that could account for that was an implosion. A shockwave event so powerful it actually took out a secondary system that has its own pressure vessel and its own battery power supply, which is the transponder that the ship uses to track where the sub is.' Cameron, 68, said he began speaking to friends and colleagues in the deep sea industry, and swiftly learned there was little doubt there had been a catastrophic implosion. 'I let all of my inner circle of people know that we had lost our comrades, and I encouraged everyone to raise a glass in their honor on Monday. 'Then I watched over the ensuing days this whole sort of everybody-running-around-with-their-hair-on-fire search, knowing full well that it was futile, hoping against hope that I was wrong but knowing in my bones that I wasn't.' 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 are now confirmed to have died in the disaster Five people were onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19 French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) was in the sub along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition Cameron said it 'certainly wasn't a surprise' when the U.S. Coast Guard and OceanGate confirmed Thursday that all five onboard were dead, and debris from the imploded sub had been found on the sea bed. He said he felt terrible for the families, saying they had to 'go through these false hopes that kept getting dangled as it played out.' And he said he felt the team behind OceanGate were reckless. 'Here's a case starkly, today, where the collective, we didn't remember the lesson of Titanic these guys at OceanGate didn't,' he said. 'I just think it's heartbreaking that it was so preventable.' Cameron told Cooper the carbon fiber hull used by the OceanGate team was not suitable. Stockton Rush, who founded the company in 2009 and is among those who perished, claimed he had worked on the design with Boeing, NASA and the University of Washington, but all three have now denied being involved. Cameron said when he heard OceanGate was making a deep-sea submersible with a composite carbon fiber and titanium hull he was skeptical. 'I thought it was a horrible idea. I wish I'd spoken up, but I assumed somebody was smarter than me, you know, because I never experimented with that technology, but it just sounded bad on its face,' he told Reuters on Thursday. The cause of the Titan's implosion has not been determined, but Cameron presumes the critics were correct in warning that a carbon fiber and titanium hull would enable delamination and microscopic water ingress, leading to progressive failure over time. OceanGate's submersible was designed by the company to travel almost 13,000ft below sea level to the wreck of the Titanic - but 'has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body, and could result in physical injury, emotional trauma, or death' Search officials are now faced with the task of locating - and potentially retrieving - what may remain. That, however, could be a fool's errand - given the fact the intense pressure at such a depth may make a retrieval operation impossible Other experts in the industry and a whistle-blowing employee raised alarms in 2018, criticizing OceanGate for opting against seeking certification and operating as an experimental vessel. OceanGate has not addressed recent queries about its decision to forgo certification from industry third parties such as the American Bureau of Shipping or the European company DNV. At the time, they said that certification was too lengthy a process and would slow their innovation. The five who died mark the first deep-sea fatalities for the industry, Cameron said. The industry standard is to make pressure hulls out of contiguous materials such as steel, titanium, ceramic or acrylic, which are better for conducting tests, Cameron said. 'We celebrate innovation, right? But you shouldn't be using an experimental vehicle for paying passengers that aren't themselves deep ocean engineers,' Cameron said. Cameron said both the Titanic and the Titan tragedies were preceded by unheeded warnings. In the Titanic's case, the captain sped across the Atlantic on a moonless night despite being told about icebergs. 'Here were are again,' Cameron said. 'And at the same place. Now there's one wreck lying next to the other wreck for the same damn reason.' Despite intense backlash recently over rival Bud Light's partnership with LGBTQ and transgender star Dylan Mulvaney, Coors Light is remaining the title sponsor of the Pride parade in Denver. Anheuser-Busch, which makes Bud Light, has lost $27 billion in value due to a campaign with Mulvaney that upset conservatives. Then the company upset progressives too after failing to support Mulvaney through the backlash. Molson Coors, which is headquartered in Golden, Colorado, about 15 miles west of Denver, is standing by, with the parade remaining 'The Coors Light Denver Pride Parade' set for Sunday. Several major corporations have backed the event - which is expected to draw over 100,000 visitors. Fellow alcohol manufacturer Absolut and companies such as Verizon, Visa, Walmart, Amazon and Target have backed the event. However, local LGBTQ+ rights leaders see Coors sticking by the parade as a huge moment when it might be seen as a damaging business decision in the wake of the Mulvaney controversy. Despite intense backlash recently over rival Bud Light's partnership with a trans influencer, Coors Light is remaining the title sponsor of the Pride parade in Denver Molson Coors, which is headquartered in Golden, Colorado, about 15 miles west of Denver, is standing by, with the parade remaining 'The Coors Light Denver Pride Parade' set for Sunday 'This is kind of the hard part of allyship,' said Rex Fuller, the CEO of the parade organizer Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado, told Axios. 'We are in a time period when it can be quite fashionable in some corners to pretty openly express homophobic, transphobic (sentiments) and racism, and I think that can make this uncomfortable at some points.' Adam Collins, Molson Coors chief communications and corporate affairs officer, gave a statement to Fox News standing by the parade. 'At the end of a long day or the start of a great night, everyone deserves to feel comfortable having a drink and being themselves,' Collins said. 'That's why beer, wine and spirits companies like ours have supported Pride for decades, why we'll do so in 2023 and why we'll continue to do so for decades to come,' he added. Anheuser-Busch has been dealing with the scandal since Mulvaney posted cans the company sent, specially designed to celebrate her first year of 'girlhood' in April. 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. Several gay bars in Chicago have also decided to drop all Anheuser-Busch products, arguing the company has turned its back on the LGBTQ+ community. A photo from Denver Pride 2022. Local LGBTQ+ rights leaders see Coors sticking by the parade as a huge moment when it might be seen as a damaging business decision in the wake of the Dylan Mulvaney controversy Anheuser-Busch has been dealing with the scandal since Mulvaney posted cans the company sent, specially designed to celebrate her first year of 'girlhood' back in April The Mulvaney controversy has seen Bud Light sales tank as boycotts have lasted for weeks The company has since lost billions of dollars in market capitalization, and continues to be boycotted by tens of millions of former consumers. Earlier this month, Modelo Especial dethroned Bud Light as the top American beer, as its sales have increased more than 15 percent from the same time a year ago. Bud Light's parent company said earlier this month it will triple its marketing spending in the US this summer as it tries to boost ailing sales. Anheuser-Busch InBev CEO Michel Doukeris has downplayed the impact of the backlash, saying Bud Light's US sales declines in the first three weeks of April represented only one percent of InBev's global volumes. 'We believe we have the experience, the resources and the partners to manage this,' Doukeris said during a conference call with investors earlier this month. The Belgian based brewer placed two executives responsible for the partnership Alissa Heinerscheid, the vice president of marketing, and her boss, Daniel Blake on leave in April. The exec 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'. A concrete pumping truck crane has collapsed and demolished a house near Brisbane with the occupants making a narrow escape. Emergency crews were called to the house at Deebing Heights in Ipswich on Friday morning after the crane toppled and smashed into what appears to be a recently built house. Queensland Ambulance said about 11.20am they had cleared the scene and no patients required transport to hospital. The extended crane tore through the newly built property's roof and walls (pictured) Emergency crews were on the scene with no patients requiring transport to hospital The concrete pumping truck was parked at a building site over the road from the house where it had its crane raised before falling on its side across the entire street. Pictures show the extended crane tore through the building's roof and walls. Workers were seen levelling off and finishing the newly poured concrete foundation slab across the street before it dried as police, fire and paramedics inspected the damage. The homeowner Melinda Stewart was at home with her son when the crane smashed through the roof. Her son's bedroom took most of the damage but they were thankfully both uninjured. 'Someone was watching over us,' Ms Stewart told The Courier Mail. They had been due to have friends with a newborn visit them but they were yet to show up when the roof caved in. Queensland Police said WorkSafe Queensland would be leading the investigation into the incident. The truck was pouring the foundation slab for another house being built across the road A Florida mom has been released on bail after being charged with child neglect in a case that involved a pit bull mix puppy gnawing off the fingers of a child. Chloe Wisniewski, 21, was arrested last week following a four-month investigation, according to court records. According to the arrest affidavit, on February 14, deputies in Charlotte County, Florida, went to a home in Port Charlotte, about an hour south of Tampa, to investigate a dog bite. They met with Wisniewski, who recounted placing her baby in a bassinet so that she could take a 'quick shower.' While she was in the bathroom, she heard 'screaming' and left to find the new family dog Apollo, a three-month-old pit bull mix that the household had brought home the night before, 'chewing' on her baby daughter's hand. Chloe Wisniewski, 21, was arrested for child neglect after a pit bull mix chewed off several of her baby daughter's fingers The three-month old pit bull mix, Apollo, had been brought home by the family the night before the tragic incident The mother said she immediately pulled the dog off the baby, wrapped the wounds in cloth and called 911. She told deputies there was 'so much blood' that she couldnt look at the baby's fingers. After emergency medical workers stabilized the baby, she was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, where she was taken into surgery. Surgeons were forced to amputate three fingers from the child's left hand, and partially amputated two fingers from her right, according to the criminal complaint. Charlotte County Animal Control took Apollo into custody and the Department of Children and Families conducted an assessment of Wisniewski. Authorities determined that a urine analysis of the mother's urine tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. 'It really was just sort of a bizarre, very unfortunate incident,' said Brian Jones, Division Manager at Charlotte County Animal Control, according to the local NBC outlet. The case was then handed off to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office's Major Crimes Unit, which headed up the four-month investigation. 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,' leading to 'permanent disfigurement' to the child. Apollo was reportedly quarantined per Animal Control protocol and eventually transferred to the Animal Welfare League. The baby was sent to recover with family members and Wisniewski was granted supervised visitation of the child after posting a $7,500 bond on Monday. The child, whose name and age are not known, was airlifted to the Tampa General Hospital Neighbors of Wisniewski recalled the swarm of emergency responders that filled the generally quiet neighborhood following the attack. Kecia Godfrey said: 'We heard a whole lot of commotion going on out here. There was police vans, forensics vans, they were starting to rope off everything with the yellow tape.' Godfrey called what happened a 'tragedy' and said that in a quarter-century, she has never seen or heard of anything like this happening. Manufacturing giant 3M has agreed to pay up to $12.5 billion in order to settle hundreds of lawsuits that allege its 'forever chemicals' contaminated cities' drinking water. The settlement, reached Thursday will go towards ridding public water systems across the US of harmful chemicals allegedly leaked from the company's firefighting foam. Around 300 municipalities, from Philadelphia to San Diego, say PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam leached into drinking water. The foam used PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which have been associated with cancers and other illnesses. PFAS have been found in thousands of other household products. 3M's move to resolve the national class action comes as companies in various sectors search for alternatives to PFAS, and regulations clamp down on their use. 3M has agreed to pay up to $12.5 billion in order to settle hundreds of lawsuits related to 'forever chemicals' in the water supply Firefighting foam used PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which have been associated with cancers and other illnesses 3M has manufactured and used the harmful chemicals since the 1940s, and used them in their firefighter foam since the 1960s. They are called forever chemicals as they don't break down in the environment. PFAS have also been used in many everyday items including water bottles and tape. Mike Roman, 3M Chief Executive, called the proposed settlement, which does not include an admission of liability, 'an important step forward for 3M,' the Wall Street Journal reported. Roman also insisted the company is investing in water-filtration technology and is committed to its pledge to end PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025. The agreement, which would see 3M pay between $10.5 billion and $12.5 billion over 13 years, must still be approved by the court. If certain conditions are not met, 3M said it is prepared to defend itself in court. The cities' attorneys said the settlement would help municipalities and water providers across the country upgrade treatment systems to filter out PFOS, a type of PFAS that 3M used in firefighting foam for decades and that has been found in drinking water nationwide. 3M has manufactured and used the harmful chemicals since the 1940s, and are found in everyday household items including plastic water bottles Tape is among the household items that has been found to contain harmful PFAS chemicals 'Water is a fundamental necessity, and by holding 3M accountable for the PFOS contamination, we are fortifying the right of every American to clean and safe drinking water,' said Paul Napoli, a lead plaintiffs attorney. More than 4,000 lawsuits involving firefighting foam that contained PFAS have been consolidated in federal court in Charleston, S.C. The Environmental Protection Agency proposed the first federal limits on six types of PFAS in drinking water in March. The move could require water systems serving up to 94 million people to install costly treatment systems. The tentative agreement was announced just three weeks after a judge postponed a bellwether trial between 3M and a Florida city that alleged the company was responsible for drinking water contamination. Judge Richard Gergel in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina gave both sides more time to negotiate a settlement and the propose agreement is subject to his approval. The lawsuit filed by Stuart, Florida, had been chosen as a bellwether for the water system cases. The city claimed its water systems had been infiltrated by foam which included chemicals made by 3M over decades. Stuart sued 3M for $115 million to recover the cost of installing and operating a filtration system over the next 40 years to remove the chemicals and to clean up contaminated soil. Mike Mortell, Stuarts city attorney, said he was grateful the two sides were able to reach a resolution. He added city officials would hold a meeting on Friday to discuss ratifying the settlement. 'The city is very happy that it played a part in resolving this issue for all of the water providers,' Mortell said. 3M has said that 'PFAS are safely made and used in many modern products' and that their decision to end the manufacturing of the chemicals by the end of 2025 is due to increased regulations regarding their presence in the environment. It's still an open question whether the bodies of the 'Titanic Five' could be recovered from the ocean's depths, but the stepson of the French explorer who perished said he believes his stepdad should remain in the North Atlantic beside the Titanic shipwreck that became his life's passion. The 77-year-old Paul-Henry Nargeolet - dubbed 'Mr. Titanic' and among the five who lost their lives in the Titan - spent more than two decades in the French Navy before leading several expeditions to the famous wreck in the Atlantic Ocean. 'I know how much he loved the ocean and especially the Titanic,' John Paschall, 31, said of his stepfather, speaking exclusively with DailyMail.com Thursday, just hours after the news broke that all five members of the Titan crew were killed. The US Coast Guard announced the submersible experienced a 'catastrophic implosion' just 1,600ft from the bow of the wrecked ocean liner. 'I think that in terms of where he would ever want to lie and be, in my opinion, it would be there,' Paschall said. 'That's a discussion the family is going to have. But I know how much he loved the ocean, loved the Titanic.' John Paschall (pictured right), 31, the stepson of the British explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet (pictured to his left) who perished said he believes his stepdad should remain in the North Atlantic beside the Titanic shipwreck that became his life's passion The 77-year-old Paul-Henry Nargeolet - dubbed 'Mr. Titanic' and among the five who lost their lives in the submersible - spent more than two decades in the French Navy before leading several expeditions to the famous wreck in the Atlantic Ocean. On Thursday, Nargeolet was confirmed to have died in the tragedy, alongside the CEO of OceanGate, Stockton Rush, 61; British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, 58; and Pakistani father and son Shahzada Dawood, 48; and Suleman Dawood, 19. Paschall, an editor for NBC Sports, is the son of late television news anchor Michele Marsh, who was married to Nargeolet until her death in 2017. He said he was still praying for a miracle until Thursday morning when officials alerted him and other relatives that debris from the Titan had been found. 'I'm still in a state of shock,' he told DailyMail.com. 'I've spent so much of this week having hope that a miracle could happen. 'I was up very late [Wednesday] just keeping an eye on any correspondence with people who were out at sea, hanging on every word, and still in that moment believing we really were going to pull out a miracle,' he said. 'I pictured everything I would say to PH (Paul-Henry) when I see him, the first meal we'd have, the first beer we'd have together, and all that stuff. I was so locked in on that. Then we heard from the Coast Guard about the debris.' 'And then the news that it was a catastrophic event. Obviously getting the news was quite devastating.' He had been thinking about telling his stepfather that he should finally give up his deep-sea adventures. With 37 dives to the Titanic shipwreck under his belt, Nargeolet earned the title of a 'super-hero' in his native France after leading several expeditions to the famous wreck in the North Atlantic. His unparalleled knowledge of the Titanic and the images he captured during his epic dives there helped inspire his friend James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster film. 'I was so speechless thinking about what I'd say,' Paschall told DailyMail.com. 'There was a side of me thinking of telling him, 'You're not going to do this again, right?' 'And then there's another side of me that knows this is in his DNA in terms of exploring the sea and taking these risks and going to places that not many people have gone to.' 'So one side of me was like, you're going to stay on land, spend time with your family and all that,' he said. 'Then I was like, this is who he is.' 'I also wanted to tell him how much I appreciate everything he's done for me and my life, outside of all of his incredible explorations,' he continued. Paschall, who lives in Minnesota with his wife and baby, last saw his stepdad in early May, when he visited him on the East Coast. Nargeolet lived in Connecticut with his wife, Anne Sarraz-Bournet. Paul-Henri Nargeolet is pictured on the right with some friends after they caught fish on a boat Commander Paul-Henry Nargeolet, left, laughs with Millvina Dean, 84, of England at the Black Falcon Pier in Boston on Sept.1, 1996 Over dinner, Nargeolet mentioned his plans to take another plunge to the Titanic. 'He mentioned this trip, but knowing PH I really didn't think twice about it,' the stepson recalled. 'He's just done this so many times, I was like, another exploration of the Titanic, here he goes.' 'And now, looking back, I guess I had an irrational amount of confidence. He last texted with Nargeolet a couple of weeks ago, arranging to visit him again on July 6 or 7. 'I wasn't even sure exactly when he was going down,' he told DailyMail.com. 'I just knew he'd be back in time so we could see him in July.' The nail-biting search for the men on the Titan, a 21ft submersible operated by OceanGate Expeditions, drew to a devastating close when a remote-operated submarine found debris on the ocean floor. Search and rescue officials say the men likely died on Sunday - before military planes using sonar buoys detected what they thought could have been SOS 'banging' sounds in the water. The tragic news has opened a world of questions about exactly what went wrong, the subject of an ongoing investigation. Paschall, an editor for NBC Sports, is the son of late television news anchor Michele Marsh, who was married to Nargeolet until her death in 2017 Nargeolet is on board the missing OceanGate submersible, the Titan (file image) He is the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic, Inc, and has appeared on numerous films and documentaries on the ship Paschall said he has questions, too, 'but at the same time, I don't want to rush to any judgement. I would like to see how everything unfolds in terms of the investigation before making any judgement.' He believes no findings of wrongdoing will ease the pain of the victim's families. 'We could obviously play what ifs forever,' Paschall said. 'The reality is we lost five members of that crew and we have a bunch of devastated families that are really grieving right now. It's not something we can turn back the clock and fix.' He met Nargeolet during his freshman year in high school, and told a story about his stepdad helping him with a project on the building of a cell, getting him interested in science. Paschall also spoke of his graduation from Northwestern University in Chicago in 2014, when his mom and stepdad's flight from Connecticut got cancelled, Nargeolet improvised to get his ailing mother to her only son's graduation. 'They were going to fly in the night before but their flight got canceled due to weather,' he remembered. 'And it was quite devastating for my mom because we went to the same university, and I'm an only child. So without hesitating, they threw themselves in his tiny blue Mini Cooper and he drove 16 hours across the country overnight and made it with about an hour to go before my graduation.' 'At the time, my mom was very sick with breast cancer, and so to have her there meant so much to me and I know it meant an immense amount to her as well,' he said. 'It's easy to Google my stepfather's accomplishments,' he continued. 'It's amazing and still blows my mind. But to me what I think about is the incredible person that he was and the impact he had on so many lives, family, friends, the people in the community where he lived. So many people loved him.' He led the first recovery expedition of the Titanic in 1987 after specialising in deep submersibles Asked why he thinks Nargeolet kept returning to the Titanic well into his golden years, he said, 'It was just the mystery, the artifacts, the stories he discovered about the people on the ship, the intrigue, the unsinkable nature of the ship and how it all unfolded.' 'We never really talked about the extreme risks of it,' he said. 'It was sort of understood in a way that things can happen, that the ocean can be unpredictable and that something bad can always happen.' He pointed to an interview his stepfather gave in 2019, when Nargeolet, then 73, was asked whether he got scared diving 12,500 feet below the water's surface to reach the Titanic. 'If you are 11 meters or 11 kilometers down, if something bad happens, the results are the same,' the mariner told the Irish Examiner at the time. 'When you're in deep water, you're dead before you realize that something is happening, so it's not a problem.' Earlier Thursday evening, the immediate family of the French Titanic expert paid tribute to life's work, remembering fondly his sense of humor and 'his big heart'. 'Our hearts are broken over the loss of our extraordinary father and husband,' his family stated.' He is a man who will be remembered as one of the greatest deep-sea explorers in modern history. When you think of the Titanic and all we know about the ship today, you will think of Paul-Henri Nargeolet and his legendary work. ' 'But what we will remember him most for is his big heart, his incredible sense of humor and how much he loved his family,' the family added. 'We will miss him today and every day for the rest of our lives.' Stockton Rush, the 61-year-old founder and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, is among the five people killed. He founded the company in 2009, and was piloting the craft Five people were onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding, 58, and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19 The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions to explore the wreckage of the sunken SS Titanic The Nargeolet family also thanked all those involved in the search and rescue efforts. Nargeolet leaves behind a wife and three children, plus his stepson, Paschall. Sidonie Nargeolet, his 39-year-old daughter, also spoke Thursday, but before reports that debris from the vessel was found on the ocean floor. 'He is very passionate about the Titanic since they found it 30 years ago and I know now he is at the place he would like to be,' she told Reuters. Sidonie said she learned about the accident on Monday, when she received a text message from her father's spouse saying he should have been back at 6 p.m. on Sunday. 'I cried a lot,' she said of her reaction to the news. She had last seen her father just before Christmas last year in Andorra. 'He sent me a message a week before (getting in the submersible) telling me the weather was bad, so they hadn't been able to go down, but that there was a great atmosphere,' she said. 'I sent him a message on Sunday for Father's Day but he didn't reply.' Nargeolet's love of diving and the oceans began at the age of nine when he discovered his 'first wreck' by following divers in Morocco. And that passion led him to join the French Navy where he served for 22 years in mine disposal before becoming a 'leading authority' on the Titanic. In 1986, Nargeolet was chosen by the French ocean research institute Ifremer to supervise the underwater research on the Titanic. At the time, the French navy commander had been clearing the Suez canal. 'I wasn't interested in the Titanic any more than that,' Nargeolet told Le Parisien. 'Admittedly I had seen or read reports on the subject, but I did not imagine that it was going to take such a big place in my life.' In his position at the Ifremer, 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.' 'That's it, we've done it,' Nargeolet exclaimed when they found the wreck. Nargeolet became the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic, which owns the rights to the ship's remains. Mark Zuckerberg's Meta will remove news from Facebook and Instagram in Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau passed a law that forces tech giants to pay media outlets for content. Meta confirmed Thursday it plans to comply with the Online News Act by ending news availability on Facebook and Instagram for its Canadian users, as it had previously suggested. Meta would not offer details about the timeline for that move, but said it will pull local news from its site before the Online News Act takes effect. The bill will come into force six months after it receives royal assent. 'We have repeatedly shared that in order to comply with Bill C-18, which was passed today in Parliament, content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to people accessing our platforms in Canada,' said Lisa Laventure, head of communications for Meta in Canada. Canada's Senate passed a bill Thursday that will require Google and Meta to pay media outlets for news content that they share or otherwise repurpose on their platforms. Mark Zuckerberg's Meta will remove news from Facebook and Instagram in Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau passed a law that forces tech giants to pay media outlets for content Meta confirmed Thursday it plans to comply with the Online News Act by ending news availability on Facebook and Instagram for its Canadian users, as it had previously suggested. Meta would not offer details about the timeline for that move, but said it will pull local news from its site before the Online News Act takes effect The bill, which is set to become law, was passed amid a standoff between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government and Silicon Valley tech giants. Ottawa has said the law creates a level playing field between online advertising giants and the shrinking news industry. Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez has promised to push back on what he describes as 'threats' from Facebook and Google to remove journalism from their platforms. Legacy media and broadcasters have praised the bill, which promises to 'enhance fairness' in the digital news marketplace and help bring in more money for shrinking newsrooms. Tech giants, including Meta and Google, have been blamed in the past for disrupting and dominating the advertising industry, eclipsing smaller, traditional players. Laura Scaffidi, a spokesperson for the minister, said Rodriguez was set to have a meeting Thursday afternoon with Google, which has hinted that removing news links from its popular search engine is a possibility. The company didnt provide comment on the matter. Meta is already undergoing a test that blocks news for up to 5 percent of its Canadian users, and Google ran a similar test earlier this year. The Online News Act requires both companies to enter into agreements with news publishers to pay them for news content that appears on their sites if it helps the tech giants generate money. 'The tech giants do not have obligations under the act immediately after Bill C-18 passes. As part of this process, all details will be made public before any tech giant is designated under the act,' said Scaffidi. Canada's Senate passed a bill Thursday that will require Google and Meta to pay media outlets for news content that they share or otherwise repurpose on their platforms. Canada isn't the only country that is looking at laws that could force Big Tech to pay news operations. Australia passed a world-first law in 2021 that compelled big tech companies to strike deals with media outlets to compensate them for content. Facebook initially blocked all news on its platform in the country while the legislation was being debated in the Senate. The historic move also inadvertently blocked non-media pages including some run by the government and emergency services. Facebook restored news to feeds after the government agreed not to apply the code to the company and others such as Google if they entered into licensing agreements with media publishers. Lawmakers said in December that the bill - which has led to more than 30 deals between tech firms and media outlets - had largely been a success. In addition, Meta has threatening to pull news content from its platforms in California if the state passes a bill forcing big tech companies to pay publishers a 'journalism usage fee.' The proposed California Journalism Preservation Act would oblige social media companies and firms, including Google, to pay a cut of advertising revenue to news publishers whose work appears on their websites. The bill is designed to reverse a decline in the local news industry, with publishers who receive payments forced to invest 70 percent of the money into 'news journalists and support staff.' Meta said Wednesday the act would create a 'slush fund' that benefits large media companies and threatened to pull news from Facebook and Instagram accounts accessed in California, where it is headquartered Salvage crews were continuing their search for debris from the Titanic tourist submersible to fully understand the tragedy as questions form about future legal action, paying for the international rescue effort and the future of the niche travel industry. Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard said that all the remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) dispatched to the site will remain on the scene to help officials understand what caused the sub's likely implosion. The debris from the sub, created by Washington-based OceanGate Expeditions, was found on Thursday. The founder and CEO of OceanGate, Stockton Rush, 61, was among those killed, as well as French Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77. Also on board were British billionaire Hamish Harding, 58; and Pakistani-British father and son Shahzada Dawood, 48, and Suleman Dawood, 19. They had begun their descent on Sunday at 8am, and contact with their sub, named Titan, was lost at 9:45am. Now, reports indicate the US Navy possibly heard the sound of the vessel imploding during the descent. Victor 6000, a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) from a French team, is one of several ROVs which is continuing to search for debris from the Titan submersible The submersible, Titan, is pictured descending. It was the only five person sub capable of reaching Titanic, and it is believed to have imploded on Sunday morning at 9:45am Stockton Rush, the 61-year-old founder and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, is among the five people killed on the sub. He was piloting the craft, having founded the company in 2009 It is now believed that the sub imploded: U.S. Navy sources said their underwater listening devices detected the sound of an implosion at the time the sub stopped communicating with the mothership. The debris from Titan was found Thursday by an ROV operated by Pelagic Research Services. The crew, based in Cape Cod, used the Horizon Arctic rescue ship to deploy their Odysseus 6K, an ROV that can reach depths of up to 19,000 feet. The Odysseus has lights and cameras on board that enable the team on the surface ship to see in real-time what is on the floor of the ocean. It also has two mechanical arms capable of extremely delicate maneuvers. At 6:56am Thursday, the Coast Guard tweeted: 'The Canadian vessel Horizon Arctic has deployed an ROV that has reached the sea floor and began its search for the missing sub.' After hours of searching, the Odysseus found an area of debris only 1,600 feet away from the Titanic's bow, 12,500 feet underwater. Officials confirmed the debris contained the Titan's tail cone. OceanGate's submersible was designed by the company to travel almost 13,000ft below sea level to the wreck of the Titanic - but 'has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body, and could result in physical injury, emotional trauma, or death' Five people were onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19 French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) was in the sub along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition Mauger said on Thursday that five 'major pieces' of debris from Titan had been found so far: part of the pressure chamber, the nose cone, the front-end bell and the aft-end bell. The Odysseus will continue searching for more debris, along with the other ROVs deployed to the scene. They include a French ROV, Victor 6000, deployed from L'Atalante, and an ROV from the British team Magellan. Magellan produced detailed photographic images of Titanic last year. Captain Mark Martin, a salvage master and deep submergence pilot, said that it was 'fairly easy' to work out what had happened. 'Where the passengers were is in pieces,' he said. 'It had to be an implosion rather than an explosion. They will also be able to tell with the way that carbon fiber or metal is bent: it will be bent inwards, rather than outwards.' He said the teams will need a crane that is capable of going to the sea bed, plus at least one ROV. 'More than likely what they'll do is put down several recovery baskets, which look like half a shipping container made out of mesh. If there's a piece too large they'll rig some strapping around it and bring it up on the crane.' He said the recovery baskets will then be winched up to the surface. Captain Mark Martin said that it would be 'fairly easy' to work out from the debris what happened Ret. Captain Mark Martin, an offshore manager and salvage master for Britannia's Gold, explains what equipment and crews will be needed in the recovery of the Titan submersible pic.twitter.com/MH3f1Nz0yy The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) June 22, 2023 Mauger said it will take time to determine a specific timeline of events in the 'incredibly complex' case. But he said most the rescue and support ships, and the medical team on board the Canadian ship Glace Bay, will now return to harbor. Mauger could not say whether the bodies of the five would be recoverable. The sudden, massive increase of pressure caused by a sub imploding at such depths would likely render such a task impossible. 'This is an incredibly unforgiving environment out there on the sea floor,' said Mauger. 'The debris is consistent with the catastrophic implosion of the vessel. We will continue to work and search the area down there but I don't have an answer on prospects at this time.' The families, meanwhile, are left to grieve for their loved ones, and in time deal with swirling questions about OceanGate's liability. The Titan was not classified - i.e. approved by an independent body. OceanGate said that classifying its sub was an impediment to innovation and speed. In 2018, their director of maritime safety was fired after he disagreed with his bosses about the design. 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 Video from a previous mission shows the interior of the submersible and the cramped inside for the crew The Polar Prince is the expedition ship used to take tourists from Newfoundland out to the wreckage site. The sub is deployed once out at sea That same year, a group of industry experts wrote to Rush, the CEO, and said they were concerned that he was pushing too many boundaries. Rush himself, however, appeared extremely confident with the risks - telling CBS News reporter David Pogue in the summer of 2022 that it was not dangerous. '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,' said Rush. In another interview, Rush boasted that he'd 'broken some rules' in his career. Pogue had to sign a waiver which said that he was entering 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.' Yet, on Thursday, legal experts said the liability waivers may not shield the vessel's owner from potential lawsuits by the victims' families. Waivers are not always ironclad, and it is not uncommon for judges to reject them if there is evidence of gross negligence or hazards that were not fully disclosed. 'If there were aspects of the design or construction of this vessel that were kept from the passengers or it was knowingly operated despite information that it was not suitable for this dive, that would absolutely go against the validity of the waiver,' said personal injury attorney and maritime law expert Matthew D. Shaffer, who is based in Texas. OceanGate's offices in the Port of Everett complex are pictured on Thursday. The sign has been removed from the door A statement from OceanGate is posted on the grounds of their offices The statement was also posted to the office door: it has now been removed The degree of any potential negligence and how that might impact the applicability of the waivers will depend on the causes of the disaster, which are still under investigation. 'There are so many different examples of what families might still have claims for despite the waivers, but until we know the cause we can't determine whether the waivers apply,' said personal injury lawyer Joseph Low of California. OceanGate is a small company based in Everett, Washington, and it is unclear whether it has the assets to pay significant damages, were any to be awarded. On Thursday, the Port of Everett, where OceanGate is a tenant, confirmed to The Seattle Times the company's offices had closed permanently. A sign with OceanGate's name on it had been removed. Families could collect from the company's insurance policy if it has one. They could also seek damages from any outside parties that designed, helped build or made components for the Titan if they were found to be negligent and a cause of the implosion. Rush boasted the Boeing, the University of Washington and NASA were all involved, but all three have since said they were not. David Pogue, a CBS journalist, is seen inside the submersible. He descended to see Titanic last year The controller of the submersible is taken from a video game handset 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 on board remain unaccounted for The crew was diving to the ocean floor to survey the Titanic wreckage from the famous 1912 disaster OceanGate could seek to shield itself from damages by filing a so-called limitation of liability action under maritime law, which lets owners of vessels involved in an accident ask a federal court to limit any damages to the present value of the vessel. Since the Titan was destroyed, that would be zero. But OceanGate would need to prove it had no knowledge of potential defects with the submersible and would carry the burden of proof, which legal experts said is a difficult burden to meet. If OceanGate were to fail in such a case, families would be free to file negligence or wrongful death lawsuits. Another maritime law, the Death on the High Seas Act, allows people who were financially dependent on someone who died in a naval accident to seek only the portion of that person's future earnings they would have otherwise earned. Plaintiffs cannot recover losses for pain and suffering in those cases. What OceanGate knew about the vessel's safety and what the passengers were told about it would be the central questions during discovery, a process during which parties share information about a case. Plaintiffs could potentially cite allegations of safety lapses at OceanGate made by a former employee in a 2018 lawsuit against the company in Washington federal court. The employee, David Lochridge, said he raised 'serious safety concerns' but was ignored. That case was settled on undisclosed terms, court records show. A group of industry leaders also wrote to OceanGate in 2018 expressing grave concerns about the vessel's safety and the company's decision not to certify the Titan through third parties such as the American Bureau of Shipping, a leading classifier of submersibles. And the future of the entire Titanic tourism industry remains uncertain. Those on board the Titan paid $250,000 each for the trip: Philippe Brown, founder of the luxury travel company Brown and Hudson, told The Washington Post there was a long waitlist for the OceanGate Expeditions submersible experience. It certainly seems unlikely that carbon fiber hulled subs will continue to be operated. James Cameron, director of the 1997 film Titanic and a deep sea expert, said many within the industry were startled by OceanGate's use of the material. Saturday: The drama begins Hamish Harding reveals with pride that he is one of five passengers about to embark on an exclusive deep sea tour of the Titanic wreckage in the North Atlantic. In a post on social media, the billionaire adventurer excitedly says a weather window has just opened up that would allow the OceanGate Expedition to dive next morning. Together with fellow Britons Surrey-based tycoon Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his teenage son Suleman Mr Harding has made the 400-mile journey from Newfoundland to the site of the wreck. Each has paid a staggering 195,000 for the privilege of setting their eyes on the legendary Titanic which sank in 1912 at the cost of 1,500 lives. They would have been asked to sign a disclaimer acknowledging Titan was an uncertified experimental vessel and the trip could cause physical injury, disability, motion trauma or death. Despite the dire warnings, Mr Harding appears to be confident in the abilities of their escorts: French submarine pilot Paul-Henry Nargeolet and Stockton Rush, the head of OceanGate. Six days of hope and tragedy that kept the world transfixed by the Titanic sub disaster Pictured left, British billionaire Hamish Harding. Right, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush Pictured left, Shahzada Dawood. Right, Commander Paul-Henry Nargeolet This undated photo provided by Engro Corporation Limited shows Suleman Dawood In his post, he describes them as a couple of legendary explorers who have done over 30 dives to the Titanic. Mr Harding signs off his last message from the mothership Polar Prince promising: More expedition updates to follow IF the weather holds! But only a few hours later the submarine loses contact, triggering an unprecedented and monumental search effort with ships swarming the ocean and state-of-the-art robots being deployed to the sea bed. The mystery will seize the attention of the world for the next four days. Sunday: Disaster strikes Oblivious to the imminent catastrophe, the group would have excitedly boarded the submersible on Sunday morning eventually launching after a short delay. They would have seen the Titans dome window from which they were expecting to take in the breathtaking views. The men are sealed in with limited food supplies as well 96 hours of oxygen sufficient for what is expected to be a seven-hour trip due to resurface at 9pm. A last haunting photo of Titan shows it being towed by Polar Prince in grey choppy seas shortly before the men embark on what is billed as a once in a lifetime adventure. The submersible, which is programmed to ping every 15 minutes to indicate its location, then begins its two-hour descent to the Titanic which lies at a depth of 12,500ft. But disaster appears to strike before they even reach the shipwreck all contact is lost after just one hour and 45 minutes. Initial searches of the area are said to have been made but disturbingly the US Coastguard says it was not notified until almost eight hours later at 11.40pm. Monday: The search is on The following morning the authorities reveal that a massive maritime search operation is under way to find the overdue submersible. A unified command centre is set up on Polar Prince while both US and Canadian Navy ships and the US Air National Guard are scrambled. They are soon joined by specialist aircraft including P3 Aurora and P8 Poseidon with underwater detection capabilities. But rescuers reveal that the sub could have become stuck on the 111-year-old wreckage which would make it nearly impossible to locate without underwater robots. In this grab taken from a digital scan released by Atlantic/Magellan on Thursday, May 18, 2023, a view of the bow of the Titanic, in the Atlantic Ocean created using deep-sea mapping 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 John Mauger, a US Coast Guard rear admiral, admits they do not have capabilities to search the bottom of the ocean. He says multiple assets including three ROVs remotely operated vehicles are being mobilised. Tuesday: Oxygen fears The following morning the Bahamian research vessel Deep Energy arrives on the scene and is able to start vital ROV operations. At 7pm, coastguards hold a press conference beamed around the globe from Boston in which they reveal the passengers have just 40 hours of oxygen left. With no sign of the missing sub despite more than 48 hours of intensive searching over 10,000 square miles hopes for the passengers are beginning to fade. By now France has deployed the research vessel Atalante and its advanced ROV Victor 6000 that can dive to 20,000ft. It is said to hold the key to the operation bit is not expected to arrive until Wednesday night. Behind the scenes an encouraging development is emerging. Canadian aircraft scouring the area have detected banging noises at regular 30-minute intervals and thought to be from an area close to the Titans last known location. Recordings are handed to experts in the US Navy for analysis while search efforts are redeployed to find the origin of the sounds. Wednesday: Hopes rise Further aircraft sweeps of the area pick up the banging noises again four hours later and again the next day, Wednesday. Mr Hardings cousin Kathleen Cosnett says the detection of the noises has given her hope that the crew are banging on the hull signalling for help. Mr Dawoods sister Sabrina says the family is fully focused on the rescue of her bother and nephew. In this U.S. Coast Guard handout, a Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina HC-130 Hercules airplane flies over the French research vessel, L'Atalante approximately 900 miles East of Cape Cod during the search for the 21-foot submersible, Titan, June 21, 2023 over the Atlantic Ocean The debris was discovered by the Odysseus 6K, the remote-operated submarine deployed by the Horizon Arctic. The ROV can dive up to 20,000ft Scathing documents then emerge that reveal safety concerns were raised about the Titan to OceanGate by former employees and industry experts as long ago as 2018. OceanGate has previously said that seeking safety certification delays innovation. An open letter signed by 38 industry experts warned the unregulated experimental vessel was heading for catastrophe and required proper testing. Meanwhile further vessels arrive on scene to assist the search including the Canadian Coast Guards John Cabot, a vessel with sonar capabilities, and commercial craft Skandi Vinland and the Atlantic Merlin. By now, the area of the search is expanding exponentially because of the ever-changing weather conditions. Coastguards have five surface vessels searching the area which is said to be twice the size of Connecticut. At 7pm a second press conference by the US Coast Guard is held in which they admit they have struggled to locate the origins of the banging sounds. Captain James Frederick says initial analysis has proved inconclusive, however search efforts including sonar buoys are focusing on where the sounds were coming from. A Hercules plane conducts a search covering a range of 879 miles on Wednesday afternoon. Yesterday: Tragic end A few hours later Atalante finally arrives with the Victor 6000 which enters the water first thing on Thursday morning. It has lights, cameras and mechanical arms capable of cutting or removing debris. The Canadian-flagged ship the Horizon Arctic also deploys an ROV supplied by the US Navy. By now the Titans oxygen supply is dangerously low and scheduled to run out at 2pm. But Rear Admiral Mauger says it is still a rescue mission with a robot now on the ocean floor. A mobile decompression chamber is on standby in the hope that the Titanic explorers are in with a fighting chance. But then the US Coast Guard makes a disturbing announcement that dashes all hope. In a tweet posted shortly before 6pm, rescuers announce the devastating news that the robotic devices have found a debris field close to the Titanic. David Mearns, a rescue expert who knows two of the five men on board, says two crucial parts of the system have been detected, with the hull yet to be found Mr Mearns tells Sky News: They dont use phrases like debris field unless theres 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. A Sydney court has been told that the son of a former Fiji prime minister Frank Bainimarama faces multiple 'extremely serious' domestic violence allegations. 'Extremely serious' domestic violence charges against the son of an ex-Fiji prime minister include allegations of choking and biting, a court has been told. Ratu Meli Bainimarama, 36, son of former Fiji PM Frank Bainimarama, faces 18 charges including assault, stalking, destroying property, choking without consent, and recording and distributing an image without consent over alleged incidents in 2022. In his opening address at Parramatta Local Court, police prosecutor Darren Pearce outlined a string of alleged assaults on the female complainant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, between February and May in Sydney. The first incident, Mr Pearce said, took place in a car on the way to the airport where Bainimarama hit the woman across the face and pulled her hair, then after missing his flight called her a 'whore' and a 'f***ing slut'. Ratu Meli Bainimarama, 36, son of former Fiji PM Frank Bainimarama (pictured), faces 18 charges including assault, stalking, destroying property, choking without consent, and recording and distributing an image without consent over alleged incidents in 2022 Also in February, Bainimarama threatened to snap the complainant's phone, choked her, and 'pinned' her to a bed and bit her at a Bligh Park residence, Mr Pearce said. In March, at the same address, it was alleged Bainimarama bit the woman on the face and shoulder after getting on top of her during an argument in a bedroom. '(There's) an allegation that he again choked her on that occasion,' Mr Pearce said. The same month, the police prosecutor contended Bainimarama, also at the Bligh Park home, grabbed the woman and pushed her twice into a wall. In April, after attending a concert in Parramatta with the woman then passing out in a hotel room, Bainimarama sent her an intimate video message with 'the intention to distribute' it, Mr Pearce said. Other allegations were that Bainimarama hit the complainant across the ear at a house in Redfern causing her to bleed, and punched and choked her at a relative's house in Roselands after she refused to drink kava, the court heard. Other allegations were that Bainimarama hit the complainant across the ear at a house in Redfern causing her to bleed, and punched and choked her at a relative's house in Roselands after she refused to drink kava, the court heard Earlier, Bainimarama's barrister AJ Karim said it was 'objectively' one of the more serious sets of domestic violence allegations he had seen. 'The allegations are extremely serious,' Mr Karim told the court. The court heard there would be evidence from the complainant, a flatmate and police witnesses, and that text messages formed part of the brief of evidence. Mr Karim said there were 'certain complexities' in the case including the complainant's 'extensive criminal history' of dishonesty that involved fraud and counterfeiting. The hearing continues in closed court before Magistrate Gareth Christofi. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 An evangelical pastor has successfully had his conviction for groping a woman overturned on appeal after a judge said he had concerns about the woman's evidence and her claims of having 'repressed memories'. John McMartin was earlier this year found guilty of indecently assaulting a 19-year-old woman at his Pleasure Point home in Sydney's southwest before he this week had his conviction quashed in the NSW District Court. The founder of the Liverpool-based Pentecostal Inspire Church was given a 16-month suspended prison sentence to be served by way of an intensive corrections order. Mr McMartin appeared before an appeal hearing earlier this week and was successful in having his conviction overturned. Mr McMartin has continually denied the allegations that he touched the woman's breasts, thighs and buttocks and sucked on her earlobes. He pleaded not guilty before a Local Court hearing and denied touching the woman in a sexual manner. In a judgment published on Friday, District Court Judge Andrew Scotting found there were 'critical inconsistencies' in the complainant's evidence and a reasonable doubt about Mr McMartin's guilt. John McMartin has been cleared of claims he groped a 19-year-old woman The court was told the incident occurred at Mr McMartin's Pleasure Point home in January 2013, and several days later the then 19-year-old woman complained to a pastor before making a written complaint to the Australian Christian Churches. The court was previously told the woman accepted his offer of a massage before, she alleged, he touched her inappropriately. Mr McMartin's barrister, Phillip Strickland SC, had argued the woman's version of events had changed over several statements made over many years. The court was told her complaint to the church was later retracted before a statement was made to the police seven years later. Judge Scotting found there was reasonable doubt about Mr McMartin's guilt. He noted Mr McMartin had made consistent denials, had participated in a formal police interview and gave evidence to the court when he was under no obligation to do so. John McMartin is seen with his wife. He'd been found guilty of indecently assaulting a 19-year-old woman before the conviction was quashed He also took into account his 'good character' given he was 67 years old, had no prior convictions and had 'lived a life of faith and service to others'. Judge Scotting also said Mr McMartin was at a 'forensic disadvantage' because of the delay in making the complaint and text messages and phone records, which Mr McMartin said supported his version of events, were lost. The court was also told the woman stated that she had 'repressed' some memories of the alleged incident that she later recalled. 'The complainant's evidence about trying to forget what happened and having 'repressed memories' causes me some concerns about her evidence,' Judge Scotting said. 'I am not sure if her evidence was a recollection of the events of the night or a reconstruction of them through discussions with others.' Mr Strickland argued that magistrate Peter Thompson was wrong to make negative findings about Mr McMartin's demeanour, including talking over lawyers and flossing his teeth during the hearing. The court heard the 67-year-old had no prior convictions and had 'lived a life of faith and service to others' 'The magistrate reasoned that the appellant's conduct in the body of the court was at least one of the matters that adversely impacted his credit as a witness,' Judge Scotting said. Mr Strickland had argued that he was not aware that Mr Thompson was set to make adverse findings about Mr McMartin's credit based on his behaviour and demeanour in court and was not afforded an opportunity to make submissions about the matter. Judge Scotting also found there were inconsistencies in the woman's evidence, in particular her claim that Mr McMartin called her the following morning to remonstrate with her that was incompatible with notes made by another pastor. 'I have come to the conclusion that there is sufficient doubt about the appellant's guilt ... which means that the appellant must be acquitted,' Judge Scotting found. Men inside likely to have died instantly in an implosion that created underwater boom heard by the US Navy Advertisement Titanic director James Cameron said he predicted Titan's implosion days before the debris from the missing submersible was found, calling the search a 'prolonged nightmarish charade'. Mr Cameron, also a submersible expert who has visited the world's most famous seawreck 30 times, said the tragedy this week has parallels with the the 1912 disaster, where the captain repeatedly ignored warnings about an incoming iceberg but carried on at top speed. The five on the Titan were killed instantly when the submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' just 1,600ft from the bow of the wrecked ocean liner, the US Coast Guard announced yesterday. A remotely operated submarine from a Canadian ship found debris on the ocean floor. But officials say the men were likely to have died on Sunday before military planes using sonar buoys detected what they thought could have been SOS 'banging' sounds in the water. The US Navy said they heard a sound consistent with an implosion after communications were lost around two hours into their journey. The Navy passed on that information to the Coast Guard, an insider said. Mr Cameron told BBC News that the search 'felt like a prolonged and nightmarish charade where people are running around talking about banging noises and talking about oxygen and all this other stuff'. 'I knew that sub was sitting exactly underneath its last known depth and position. That's exactly where they found it,' he said. According to court documents, safety concerns had previously been raised about the Titan submersible by a former employee of OceanGate. David Lochridge, its former director of marine operations, claimed wrongful dismissal after flagging worries about the company's alleged 'refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design'. Mr Cameron said last night: 'A number of the top players in the deep-submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and that needed to be certified and so on. 'I'm struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night, and many people died as a result It's a very similar tragedy where warnings went unheeded to take place at the same exact site with all the diving that's going around all around the world. I think it's just astonishing, it's really quite surreal'. Titanic director and submersible expert James Cameron said he predicted Titan's implosion before the debris from the missing submersible was found, calling the search a 'prolonged nightmarish charade'. OceanGate Expeditions were allegedly repeatedly warned about safety concerns A satellite image shows ships taking part in the search and rescue operations associated with the missing Titan submersible near the wreck of the Titanic. Mr Cameron called it a 'charade' Mr Cameron said: 'I felt in my bones what had happened. I immediately got on the phone to some of my contacts in the deep submersible community. Within about an hour I had the following facts. They were on descent. They were at 3500 metres, heading for the bottom at 3800 metres. 'For the sub's electronics to fail and its communication system to fail, and its tracking transponder to fail simultaneously sub's gone 'We now have another wreck that is based on unfortunately the same principles of not heeding warnings.' The victims are OceanGate chief executive Stockton Rush, French Navy veteran Paul-Henry Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19. 'The implosion would have generated a significant, broadband sound that the sonar buoys would have picked up,' explained Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard at a press conference. James Cameron's pointed message comes after it was revealed that emerged that OceanGate boss Rush had been warned years before that his 'experimental approach' could lead to a catastrophe and in another interview he spoke about 'breaking rules' to make the submarine. It would have been an instant death for the men, some of whom had paid $250,000 (195,000) each to see the shipwreck. In a gut-wrenching blow for their families, experts say there is little prospect of recovering any of their remains. 'This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there. The debris is consistent of a catastrophic implosion of the vessel.. we'll continue to work and search the area down there - but I don't have an answer for prospects at this time,' Paul Hankin, a deep sea expert involved in the search, said. Five people were onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19 French Navy veteran Paul-Henry Nargeolet (left) was in the sub along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition In a heartbreaking tribute, Richard Garriott, president of the Explorers Club, of which Harding and Nargeolet were both members, said that the men had been drawn to explore 'in the name of meaningful science for the betterment of mankind.' 'Our hearts are broken. I am so sorry to have to share this tragic news,' Mr Garriott announced. He said the club was 'grateful for all our members and the scientific and exploration community around the world who have mobilized personnel and resources to support the search and rescue'. Mr Garriott described Mr Harding as a 'dear friend' to himself and the club. 'He holds several world records and has continued to push dragons off maps both in person and through supporting expeditions and worthy causes,' he wrote. 'We're heartbroken for the families, friends and colleagues of those who were lost. Their memories will be a blessing and will continue to inspire us in the name of science and exploration,' Mr Garriott said. In addition to the vessel's landing frame and rear cover that were the first pieces of debris detected, the ROV submarine also found fragments of the pressure hull the main body of the submersible. 'The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. Upon this determination we immediately notified the families. 'On behalf of the Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families. 'I hope this discovery provides some solace during this difficult time,' Rear Admiral Mauger said. OceanGate said yesterday: 'We now believe that our CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henry 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.' The company added: 'This is an extremely sad time for our dedicated employees who are exhausted and grieving deeply over this loss. 'The entire OceanGate family is deeply grateful for the countless men and women from multiple organisations of the international community who expedited wide-ranging resources and have worked so very hard on this mission. 'We appreciate their commitment to finding these five explorers, and their days and nights of tireless work in support of our crew and their families. 'This is a very sad time for the entire explorer community, and for each of the family members of those lost at sea. US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger announcing the men's deaths at a press conference in Boston In this US Coast Guard handout, a Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina HC-130 Hercules airplane flies over the French research vessel, L'Atalante approximately 900 miles East of Cape Cod during the search for the 21-foot submersible Titan on Wednesday Ten ships from the US, Canada and France rushed to the Titanic wreck to try to assist in the search earlier this week 'We respectfully ask that the privacy of these families be respected during this most painful time.' Earlier, David Mearns, who was friends with two of the men on board, said the 'only saving grace' for the men was how quickly their deaths would have occurred. The world had been praying for a 'miracle' after rescuers estimated the vital oxygen supply would end at 7.08am EST (12.08pm UK time, 9.09pm Sydney) yesterday. Officials said the field had been found by Odysseus 6k, a remote operated vehicle (ROV) deployed by the Canadian vessel, the Horizon Arctic, that can dive 20,000ft underwater. A glimmer of hope came on Wednesday when the Coast Guard confirmed consistent 'banging' noises had been detected by P-3 aircraft, but the search teams were unable to find the source of the sound nor confirm that they were the SOS signals the world had hoped for. Experts have for days warned of the possibility that the Titan had sprung a leak and imploded under the pressure, which is 400 times that experienced at sea level. 'They would be dead before they knew anything had even happened,' L. David Marquet, a retired Navy nuclear submarine commander, said earlier this week. The Titan submerged at 8am (1pm BST) and lost communications at 9.45am (2.45pm) but was not reported as missing to the US Coast Guard until 5.40pm (10.40pm). The sub was due to return to the Polar Prince ay 3pm EST (8pm BST) Sunday. Since Sunday night, there has been a frantic, international effort to find it and save the men on board. 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 The Royal Air Force A400M Atlas aircraft at RAF Lossiemouth preparing for take-off Kathleen Cosnett, a cousin of UK businessman Hamish Harding, 58, who was on the sub, said the eight-hour delay before contacting the authorities was 'far too long'. She told the Daily Telegraph: 'It's very frightening. It took so long for them to get going to rescue them, it's far too long. I would have thought three hours would be the bare minimum.' Titan lost communication while about 435 miles south of St John's, Newfoundland, during a voyage to the Titanic off the coast of Canada. The last 'ping' of its homing device was heard on Sunday afternoon directly above the world's most famous wreck. A Canadian Navy ship carrying medics specialising in treating health issues relating to deep-sea diving arrived on the scene this morning on the HMCS Glace Bay. They also brought a hyperbaric chamber which can be used for decompressing divers after they return to the surface. Above the wreck was flotilla of at least ten ships, two robot subs and several aircraft scanning the Atlantic for any sign of Titan as sonar continued to hear a banging noise from the depths. A Royal Navy submariner, as well as equipment from a British company, was also sent to assist in the search. Oceanographer and water search expert Dr David Gallo said earlier yesterday: 'It's going to be almost impossible. We need a miracle but miracles do happen'. But former Royal Navy Officer, Chris Parry, said as midday approached: 'I'm afraid time's up I don't think there's any prospect of getting those people out alive now'. Rescuers were insistent that they would continue to look for the men even after the 96 hour oxygen window expired. As recently as Wednesday afternoon, Coast Guard response coordinator Captain Jamie Frederick for First Coast Guard District said: 'This is a search and rescue mission, 100 per cent.' A Scotland Yard detective was convicted of pleasuring himself on Hampstead Heath after being caught by two colleagues he did not realise were plain clothes officers. Detective Constable Dariusz Alexander, 49, had to be told three times to stop touching himself when the officers spotted him with his trousers down at the north London beauty spot, prosecutors said. Alexander said he had locked eyes with one of the policemen while walking through a gay cruising area and had misinterpreted the look as one of desire. The arresting officer, who cannot be named, said he was shocked and upset by what he had seen. Alexander, who was attached to the Met Operations Command and was off-duty at the time, was arrested on March 18. Appearing at Stratford Magistrates Court yesterday, he denied one count of public indecency and claimed he thought the officer was a gay man who was attracted to him. Detective Constable Dariusz Alexander, 49, had to be told three times to stop touching himself when the officers spotted him He added that he did not hear his colleague telling him to stop because he was listening to music through his headphones. But Judge Anthony Woodcock found him guilty and handed the disgraced detective a six-month conditional discharge. The judge told him he was confident that he would not offend again but had no choice but to hand down a guilty verdict based on the evidence. The two officers who arrested Alexander had been conducting an unrelated search on Hampstead Heath when they saw their colleague with his trousers down, Joe Mensah, prosecuting, said. He [the unnamed officer] observes the defendant to be performing a sexual act, he added. The officer then said put that away, mate. That didnt seem to stop him so he repeated the command and brought out his card. This caused the defendant to immediately comply and to become apologetic. The officer then called his colleague to assist him and Alexander was arrested. This was an area that had people, members of the public, present. Alexander told the court that he came to the UK from his native Poland because he believed British society was more accepting of homosexuality. Alexander told the court that he came to the UK from his native Poland because he believed British society was more accepting of homosexuality He said he had gone to Hampstead Heath to relax away from the stress of his job, when he noticed a man in his 30s who appeared to be staring at him. He looked at me intently for a number of seconds, he said. It was a very keen look. That area of the heath is a well-known area where LGBTQ, gay men go to pursue sex. He insisted he would not have exposed himself had there been more people around. During his police interview, Alexander said he found the other officer attractive. I thought he felt the same way about me. I exposed my genitals to indicate that I was interested in a sexual encounter with him, he said. I couldnt hear what he was saying. I had my headphones on. I feel terribly embarrassed that I misread the situation. Police colleagues gave character witnesses to support Alexander, including Detective Inspector John Millward, who described him as one of his best officers. Hes thorough, conscientious, excellent with victims and their families, he added. He is very popular at the station. In addition to the conditional discharge, Alexander was order to pay 625 in prosecution costs and a 26 victim surcharge. The Met said Alexander had been suspended and there would be misconduct proceedings. Rescuers have found 'five major' parts of the Titan submersible which suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic, killing all five onboard. A remotely operated vehicle deployed by Canadian vessel Horizon Arctic found a debris field on the ocean floor which included parts of the tail cone and landing frame. Authorities said they later learned that the pieces discovered also included the front and back ends of its pressure hull as well as the porthole window one of the doomed passengers would have been looking out of when the vessel imploded. It comes as former Royal Navy commander Ryan Ramsey said the debris will allow experts to analyse the break structure and potentially 'piece together what actually happened in those last moments'. All five onboard including British explorer Hamish Harding, British businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman would have died instantly without ever knowing there was a problem, naval experts say. Rear Admiral John Mauger, who led the search, said the parts that were found in the debris field were 'consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber'. Graphic showing the parts of the Titan submersible that have been found following 'catastrophic implosion' University student Suleman (left), 19, and his father Shahzada Dawood (right) were two of the five victims who were killed instantly when the OceanGate submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' British explorer Hamish Harding was among those killed in the 'catastrophic implosion' French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) was in the sub along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition The somber announcement ended a multinational search-and-rescue operation that captivated the world since the tiny tourist craft went missing in the North Atlantic on Sunday. Cdr Ramsey, who served in the Royal Navy's submarine service for 23 years, said the pieces of the Titan that have been discovered will help piece together what happened to the submersible. Comparing the current investigation to one involving a crashed plane, Ramsey told the BBC: 'There is no black box, so you are not going to be able to track the last movements of the vessel itself. 'But as many pieces of the vessel as they can do, to get those back up to the surface, and from them they should be able to analyse the break structure, any fractures that have happened and maybe piece together what actually happened in those last moments.' The debris will be examined under a microscope and experts will try to find any breaks in the carbon fibre structure, which could help them locate the exact spot the rupture took place. Professor Roderick Smith, from Imperial College London, said the sheer strength of the 'catastrophic implosion' means it could be difficult to create a timeline of what happened. 'Hence the need for retrieval and painstaking examination if possible,' he said. Bobby Chacon, a retired FBI special agent and a former leader of the FBI dive team, told CNN it would be impossible to know what happened 'unless you recover the majority of the vessel'. He said that a remotely operated vehicle could be able to bring up more parts of the submersible. 'The sooner they do that, the better, because the ocean changes things all the time. The tides and currents and ocean pressures moves things around,' he said. Search and rescue officials say the five men are likely to have died on Sunday before military planes using sonar buoys detected what they thought could have been SOS 'banging' sounds in the water. 'The implosion would have generated a significant, broadband sound that the sonar buoys would have picked up,' explained Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard at a press conference yesterday. It would have been an instant death for the men, some of whom had paid 195,000 ($250,000) each to see the famous shipwreck. Aileen Marty, a former naval officer and professor at Florida International University, said the implosion would have happened at 1,500 miles per hour. 'It takes more than that it takes about 0.25 more than that for the human brain to even realise it's happening. So the entire thing would have collapsed before the individuals inside would even realise there was a problem,' Mr Marty told CNN. 'They died in a way that they didn't even realise that they were about to die. Ultimately, among the many ways in which we pass, that's painless.' The tiny vessel carrying the crew was protected by a pressure chamber, a sealed pod that holds internal pressure significantly higher than ambient pressure, a gas system to control the internal pressure, and a supply of breathing gas for the occupants. Dr. Dale Mole, the former director of undersea medicine and radiation health for the US Navy, said: 'The pressure hull is the chamber where the occupants reside. It sounds as though they had reached the bottom when the pressure vessel imploded, and usually, when it gives way, it gives way all at once. 'It sounds like it was the carbon fiber cylinder that gave way and resulted in the implosion.' How the pressure chamber was breached remains unclear. But such an implosion could be due to a leak, power failure, or small fire from an electrical short circuit. What would have resulted would have been a violent and instantaneous implosion as the high pressure water outside flooded in, wrenching away the rear cover, landing frame, and ripping apart the sub's hull, crushing those inside. Dr Mole said: 'They would have been ripped to shreds. 'An implosion is when the wave of pressure is inward, whereas an explosion is when the pressure wave or the shock wave goes out from whatever the source of that is.' He explained it like blowing up a balloon too much the balloon will eventually pop when there is too much pressure. In an implosion, the opposite occurs, when there is more outward pressure than the container can understand, then the insides collapse. Dr Mole said: 'When somebody stands on an empty soda can, it would support your weight, but then if you press on the sides, the can would collapse immediately.' He added: 'It's simply where the debris and fragments and everything else goes inward because of a strong external force. In this case, it was the ocean. 'At least at the depth of the Titanic, which is 12,500 feet, the external pressure would be 6,000lb per square inch. It's that pressure that, if there were a weakness in the hull, would cause the hull to collapse and suddenly creates a shockwave. An implosion can certainly be every bit of destructive as an explosion.' OceanGate, which has been chronicling the Titanic's decay and the underwater ecosystem around it via annual voyages since 2021, released a statement calling all five men killed 'true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world's oceans'. It comes as it emerged that 19-year-old Suleman, who was killed in the tragic 'implosion' was 'terrified' about the trip and only joined the crew to please his dead for Father's Day. His heartbroken aunt, Azmeh Dawood, told NBC News that Suleman informed a relative he 'wasn't very up for it' but felt compelled to please his father, who was very passionate about the 1912 shipwreck. The older sister of Mr Dawood, who was the vice-chairman of Engro Corporation, reportedly said through tears: 'I feel disbelief. It's an unreal situation.' Azmeh, who like the other anxious relatives was hoping for a miracle, continued: 'I feel like I've been caught in a really bad film, with a countdown, but you didn't know what you're counting down to.' She said she 'personally found it kind of difficult to breathe thinking of them', adding: 'It's been unlike any experience I've ever had'. It was steered by a modified video games controller, used lighting and handles bought from a DIY store and did not have international safety certification. But while OceanGate bosses had previously boasted about the 'off-the-shelf components' used to construct Titan, the first fatal accident aboard a deep-sea tourist submersible is now certain to raise calls for additional safety regulations. In the high seas where the Titan and other submersibles operate, there are no regulations and there is no government that controls international waters. But questions are being asked over why experts who repeatedly raised safety concerns about the OceanGate vessel were ignored before tragedy struck this week. All five people aboard the Titan were killed in the submersible's catastrophic implosion, with the US Coast Guard confirming the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel has been discovered around 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage. Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was also found, in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, that was 'consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber'. Regulations for building sub vessels are 'written in blood' William Kohnen, chairman of the Manned Underwater Vehicles Committee, said the regulations for building submersible vessels were 'written in blood'. Mr Kohnen's organisation, based in Los Angeles in the US, raised safety concerns in 2018 about OceanGate's development of Titan. He suggested the company was 'not willing to undergo the standard certification process which we all do in the submarine industry' via a third party 'double check' system. The committee warned at the time that the development decisions could have 'negative outcomes from minor to catastrophic that could have serious consequences'. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Kohnen said: 'We're only smart because we remember what we wrote and what we did wrong last time. 'The rules are written in blood - it is in there because it caused trouble before, and to say: 'Well I think we're just going to ignore that and go on our own way,' suggests there might be a bit of input of wisdom that this might not be the best decision.' It comes after Guillermo Sohnlein, co-founder of OceanGate Expeditions, told the same programme that the Titan had undergone 14 years of 'rigorous' and 'robust' checks during development. Advertisement Undersea expert Paul Hankin said five major pieces of debris helped to identify it as from the Titan submersible - including the vessel's nose cone and the front end bell of the pressure hull. If any part of the submersible's carbon-fibre and titanium hull had suffered a small crack or fault, under the weight of two-and-a-half miles of water the craft would have been squashed flat within a fraction of a second. Titanic director James Cameron has said he presumes critics were correct in warning that this carbon fiber and titanium hull would enable delamination and microscopic water ingress, leading to progressive failure over time. Among the victims was OceanGate chief executive Stockton Rush, who had told CBS last November that Titan was built with 'off-the-shelf components.' Pointing at parts of the submersible on board, Mr Rush said: 'We can use these off-the-shelf components. I got these from Camping World.' He then picked up the video games controller and said: 'We run the whole thing with this game controller.' But reporter David Pogue asked him: 'It seems like this submersible has some elements of MacGyvery, jerry-rigness. I mean, you're putting construction pipes as ballast.' But Mr Rush said: 'I don't know if I'd use that description of it. But there's certain things that you want to be buttoned down. 'So the pressure vessel is not MacGyver at all because that's where we work with Boeing and Nasa and the University of Washington. Everything else could fail. Your thrusters can go, your lights can go, you're still going to be safe.' Meanwhile a friend of victim Hamish Harding who signed up to join him on the dive has revealed he cancelled over concerns the organisers were 'cutting too many corners'. Chris Brown, 61, had paid a deposit to join Mr Harding but discovered the controls used by OceanGate were 'based on computer game-style controllers'. The multi-millionaire digital marketing tycoon dropped out of the 250,000 expedition because delays and technical issues caused him further concern that the firm was cutting corners. Mr Brown met Mr Harding while on a trek to the South Pole alongside US astronaut Buzz Aldrin in 2016. Titan is prepared for its dive to view the wreck of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday A file photo of people on board the Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions The OceanGate Expeditions submersible was steered by a video games controller A file photograph of Titan which has been used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic The two friends were holidaying on Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island the same year when they decided to join a Titanic mission. Mr Brown said: 'I was one of the first people to sign up for this trip with OceanGate while the submersible was being developed. 'I found out they used old scaffolding poles for the sub's ballast and its controls were based on computer game-style controllers.' Mr Brown said in the years the submersible was developed he was told OceanGate had missed key targets as they depth-tested Titan. He told The Sun: 'If you're trying to build your own submarine you could probably use old scaffold poles. But this was a commercial craft. 'Eventually, I emailed them and said, 'I am no longer able to go on this thing'. I asked for a refund after being less than convinced.' Meanwhile German adventurer Arthur Loibl, 60, who went on the craft to visit the Titanic wreck two years ago, claimed he was 'incredibly lucky' to survive. He told German tabloid Bild that the first submarine that operators OceanGate Expeditions tried did not work, that a second attempted dive had to be abandoned, that 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!', he told the newspaper. Shortly before the sub was launched, Mr Loibl said a bracket on the stabilisation tube used to provide balance as the craft descends fell off. 'That was re-attached with zip ties,' he recalled. Mr Loibl added: 'It must be hell down there. There's only 2.5 meters of space, it's four degrees, there's no chair.' Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood both died in the Titan tragedy this week (From left) Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Stockton Rush, and Hamish Harding also died in the disaster It comes after Mike Reiss, a New York-based writer who travelled on the Titan to the Titanic wreck last year, revealed that communication failures happened on each of the three dives he went on. Dire warnings over safety were sounded as far back as 2018. Scathing documents show that experts within and outside the company began sounding the alarm that year as OceanGate raced to provide the Titanic wreck trip. Industry experts said Mr Rush and the other four Titan victims are the first known fatalities in more than 60 years of civilian deep-sea submergence. But even as industry leaders braced for increased scrutiny, they said it was difficult to forecast what sort of changes may come. Film director Cameron, who became a deep-sea explorer in the 1990s while researching and making the movie Titanic and is part owner of Triton Submarines, said he would support regulation to require certification of vessels, but it would have to be passed in every country where submersibles operated. 'If it's taking passengers, whether they're science observers or citizen explorers, it should be certified,' said Mr Cameron, who is part of the small and close-knit submersible community, or Manned Underwater Vehicle (MUV) industry. Mr Cameron also told the BBC: 'We now have another wreck that is based on, unfortunately, the same principles of not heeding warnings.' OceanGate has not addressed queries about its decision to forgo certification from industry third parties such as the American Bureau of Shipping or the European company DNV. Of roughly ten submersibles that exist in the world and are capable of diving to the depth of the Titanic - nearly 4,000 meters below the surface - only OceanGate's Titan was uncertified, said Will Kohnen, chairman of peer-review group Marine Technology Society's (MTS) committee on manned submersibles. Most tourist submersibles explore coral reefs and other natural phenomenon at 500 meters or less. A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules plane flies over L'Atalante during the search on Wednesday In 2018, Mr Kohnen authored a letter warning Mr Rush that forgoing third-party certification for the Titan could result in a 'catastrophic' outcome. But the company wanted to go its own way, despite the committee's warning the project's development could have 'negative outcomes from minor to catastrophic that could have serious consequences'. Noises heard 'don't appeal to be connected to location of debris' Underwater noises heard in the search for a missing submersible do not appear to be connected to the location where debris was found, the US Coast Guard has said. The noises, described as 'banging', were heard on Tuesday and Wednesday during the search for Titan, which went missing on Sunday during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck off the coast of Canada. But yesterday during a press conference in Boston, the US Coast Guard said debris was found which was 'consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber'. Rear Admiral John Mauger 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. US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger speaks to reporters in Boston yesterday 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 doesn't appear to be any connection between the noises and the location 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.' And after he was 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. He said: 'Right now it is too early to tell with that. 'We know that as we've been prosecuting this search over the course of the last 72 hours and beyond that we've had sonar buoys in the water nearly continuously and have not detected any catastrophic events when those sonar buoys have been in the water.' Advertisement Voluntary industry regulations were 'written in blood' to prevent just such an outcome, Mr Kohnen said, adding: 'We're only smart because we remember what we wrote and what we did wrong last time.' Rear Admiral Mauger said at a press conference yesterday in which he announced that the Titan had imploded that 'questions about the regulations that apply and the standards - that's going to be, I'm sure, a focus of future review.' Ofer Ketter, the president of SubMerge, a submersibles consulting and operations company based out of Costa Rica, said he had reassured clients that what happened to the Titan was unlikely to take place in the more hospitable depths that most private submersibles explored. He said regulators could now focus on operations - how and when such vessels dive - but that no governments currently regulated the manufacture of private submersibles. While acknowledging the loss of life aboard the Titan, Mr Ketter said 'the facts are the facts' when it came to the experimental path OceanGate chose to take. 'Professionals in this industry are sitting at home right now and holding their heads, and saying to themselves, 'What a mess, how do we explain this to the world, how do we differentiate between what most of us do and what OceanGate did?' Mr Ketter said. Justin Manley, president of Marine Technology Society, said the OceanGate incident could lead to increased oversight, but that 'the high seas are inherently not regulated.' Dives in international waters, where no country can impose its law, would remain unaffected. 'It's not that the regulations would be irrelevant, but they probably wouldn't be the biggest forcing function on the industry,' Mr Manley said. Meanwhile Mr Rush's former business partner said he was 'extremely' serious about safety. Guillermo Soehnlein, who started OceanGate with Mr Rush in 2009 before leaving the company in 2013, denied his late friend was reckless. 'He was extremely committed to safety,' Mr Soehnlein told Times Radio, while stressing he was not involved in Titan's experimental design. 'He was also extremely diligent about managing risks, and was very keenly aware of the dangers of operating in a deep ocean environment.' Responding to Cameron, Mr Soehnlein noted that the Titanic director had conducted many submersible descents, including more than 30 to the Titanic site, and to the Earth's deepest point in the Pacific Mariana Trench. 'I think he was asked about a similar risk and he said, 'look, if something happens at that depth, it will be catastrophic in a matter of microseconds'. 'To the point where the implosion happens at almost supersonic speeds and you'd basically be dead before your brain could even process that anything was wrong.' Mr Soehnlein stressed it was too soon to say what happened to the Titan and that it was 'tricky to navigate' to formulate global regulations for ultra-deep submersibles. But deep-sea exploration should continue despite the tragedy, he said. 'Just like with space exploration, the best way to preserve the memories and the legacies of these five explorers is to conduct an investigation, find out what went wrong, take lessons learned and then move forward.' A Las Vegas financier turned down cut-price seats on the Titan's doomed trip after raising safety concerns but was told by the company boss that it 'was safer than crossing the street', MailOnline can reveal today. Jay Bloom has shared texts between himself and OceanGate chief executive Stockton Rush showing he and his son were offered a 'last minute price' of $150,000 a head (120,000) a discount on the usual $250,000 (195,000) fee. Mr Bloom, a Democrat supporter who has been photographed with Joe Biden, has described his sadness at Mr Rush's death and his grief that Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19, had taken their spots and perished as well as French Navy veteran Paul-Henri Nargeolet and British billionaire Hamish Harding. In a Facebook post he said: 'I expressed safety concerns and Stockton told me: While there's obviously risk it's way safer than flying in a helicopter or even scuba diving". 'He was absolutely convinced that it was safer than crossing the street. I am sure he really believed what he was saying. But he was very wrong'. Jay Bloom and his son Sean (pictured together) were close to going on the doomed Titan voyage to the Titanic and were even offered a last-minute discount Jay Bloom, pictured with Joe Biden, revealed he was first offered the seats on the Titan but had safety concerns Mr Rush speaks to Mr Bloom about taking part in one of his firm's trips to the Titanic wreck Mr Bloom's Facebook post showing his grief that Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19, had taken his and his own son's places Stockton Rush shows the controller used to steer the Titan which has been compared to something from a XBox or PS5 In February this year Stockton Rush asked Mr Bloom and his son Sean to go on the dive to Titanic in May. Both May dives were postponed due to weather and the dive got delayed until June 18, the date of the ill-fated trip. Mr Bloom said: 'I told him that due to scheduling we couldnt go until next year. Our seats went to Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood, two of the other three who lost their lives on this excursion, the fifth being Hamish Harding. 'RIP Stockton and crew. As for Sean and I... we are going to take a minute to stop and smell the roses. Tomorrow is never promised. Make the most of today'. Texts between Mr Rush had repeatedly tried to reassure Mr Bloom about the safety of the Titan and heading to the Titanic's wreck. He said his son was very worried about the risks after speaking with a friend. Mr Rush said: 'I'm happy to have a video call with him. Curious what the uninformed would say the danger is and whether it's real or imagined'. They discussed how the hull would deal with pressure, or even if it came into contact with a whale or squid. Mr Rush said: 'While there's obviously risk it's way safer than flying in a helicopter or even scuba diving, There hasn't even been an injury in 35 years in non-military subs'. A satellite image shows ships taking part in the search and rescue operations associated with the missing Titan submersible near the wreck of the Titanic OceanGate Expeditions were allegedly repeatedly warned about safety concerns Five people were onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19 French Navy veteran Paul-Henri Nargeolet (left) and Mr Rush (right), CEO of OceanGate Expeditions Titanic director and submersible expert James Cameron said he predicted Titan's implosion days before the debris from the missing submersible was found, calling the search a 'prolonged nightmarish charade'. Mr Cameron, who has visited the world's most famous seawreck 30 times, said the tragedy this week has parallels with the 1912 disaster, where the captain repeatedly ignored warnings about an incoming iceberg but carried on at top speed. The five inside Titan were killed instantly when the submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' just 1,600ft from the bow of the wrecked ocean liner, the US Coast Guard announced yesterday. A remotely operated submarine from a Canadian ship found debris on the ocean floor. But officials say the men were likely to have died on Sunday before military planes using sonar buoys detected what they thought could have been SOS 'banging' sounds in the water. The US Navy said they heard a sound consistent with an implosion when communications were lost around two hours after they dived. The Navy passed on that information to the Coast Guard, an insider said. Mr Cameron told BBC News that the Coast Guard search 'felt like a prolonged and nightmarish charade where people are running around talking about banging noises and talking about oxygen and all this other stuff'. 'I knew that sub was sitting exactly underneath its last known depth and position. That's exactly where they found it,' he said. According to court documents, safety concerns had previously been raised about the Titan submersible by a former employee of OceanGate. David Lochridge, OceanGate's former director of marine operations, claimed wrongful dismissal after flagging worries about the company's alleged 'refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design'. Mr Cameron said last night: 'A number of the top players in the deep-submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and that needed to be certified and so on. 'I'm struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night, and many people died as a result. 'It's a very similar tragedy where warnings went unheeded to take place at the same exact site with all the diving that's going around all around the world. I think it's just astonishing, it's really quite surreal'. Titanic director and submersible expert James Cameron said he predicted Titan's implosion before the debris from the missing submersible was found, calling the search a 'prolonged nightmarish charade'. Mr Cameron said: 'I felt in my bones what had happened. I immediately got on the phone to some of my contacts in the deep submersible community. Within about an hour I had the following facts. They were on descent. They were at 3500 metres, heading for the bottom at 3800 metres. 'For the sub's electronics to fail and its communication system to fail, and its tracking transponder to fail simultaneously - sub's gone 'We now have another wreck that is based on unfortunately the same principles of not heeding warnings.' 'The implosion would have generated a significant, broadband sound that the sonar buoys would have picked up,' explained Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard at a press conference. Mr Cameron's pointed message comes after it was revealed that emerged that OceanGate boss Mr Rush had been warned years before that his 'experimental approach' could lead to a catastrophe and in another interview he spoke about 'breaking rules' to make the submarine. In a gut-wrenching blow for their families, experts say there is little prospect of recovering any of their remains. 'This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there. The debris is consistent of a catastrophic implosion of the vessel.. we'll continue to work and search the area down there but I don't have an answer for prospects at this time,' Paul Hankin, a deep sea expert involved in the search, said. Pro-Jeremy Corbyn activists have defied Glastonbury bosses' decision to ban a film about the former Labour leader after it was branded 'antisemitic' and 'laden with conspiracy theories'. The documentary called 'Oh Jeremy Corbyn - The Big Lie' was meant to be shown at the festival on Sunday afternoon but was axed in a last-minute decision by the festival after it was deemed 'not appropriate'. Last night, however, Reel News - described as an activist video collective to 'help effect social change' - flouted the ban, screening it at the festival's Speaker's Forum tent. Footage showed a crowd of people listening to a series of clips from Corbynites while a film's ominous narrator, Alexei Sayle, claims that for some the idea of Mr Corbyn becoming Prime Minister 'was a declaration of war'. The film covers Mr Corbyn's leadership of the Labour party between 2015 and 2019. The festival at Worthy Farm, Somerset, had been set to show 'Oh Jeremy Corbyn - The Big Lie' on Sunday afternoon at the site's Pilton Palais cinema but made a U-turn following fierce backlash Reel News - described as an activist video collective to help effect social change - flouted the ban, screening it at the festival's Speaker's Forum tent On Twitter Reel News shared the video captioned: 'Reel News defying Glastonbury festival's ban on the Jeremy Corbyn film and showing it right now to a packed Speakers Forum tent in Green Futures.' According to producers the 'documentary' reveals how an 'extraordinary grassroots movement' took the veteran politician 'close to becoming prime minister' in 2017. It also claimed to unveil the 'dark and murky story of political deceit and outrageous antisemitic smears' that led to Mr Corbyn's end as party leader. Critics, however, blasted the film for being a 'full-blown conspiracy theory about Corbyn's opponents'. Paul Mason, a former BBC journalist who previously supported Mr Corbyn, claimed the film conflates 'Zionists, Jews and Israel as part of a force that 'orchestrated' his overthrow'. 'That, to me, appears to match at least two examples of anti-Semitism in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition, and should raise legal and ethical questions for any venue considering screening it,' he added in an article for the LabourList website. Mr Mason also revealed how the film suggests Mr Corbyn's successor as Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, is an 'establishment spycop' who 'infiltrated the Corbyn project just to bring it down'. Meanwhile, Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, joined the condemnation of the festival's plans to go ahead with the screening. The decision to not screen the film comes almost six years after Mr Corbyn addressed festivalgoers from the Pyramid Stage weeks after the 2017 General Election The Worthy Farm festival had been set to show 'Oh Jeremy Corbyn - The Big Lie' on Sunday afternoon at the site's 'Pilton Palais' cinema Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, on Monday joined condemnation of Glastonbury's initial plans to show the film He said earlier this week on Twitter: 'It's not often I find myself agreeing with Paul Mason. 'Glastonbury shouldn't allow itself to be exploited by antisemitism-deniers seeking to peddle their vile conspiracy theories. 'I hope they change their mind and decide against screening this film.' The film was supposed to be played at Pilton Palais cinema on Sunday as the festival draws to a close. The festival told MailOnline on Monday that the film would no longer be screened. In a statement it said: 'Although we believe that the Pilton Palais booked this film in good faith, in the hope of provoking political debate, it's become clear that it is not appropriate for us to screen it at the Festival. 'Glastonbury is about unity and not division, and we stand against all forms of discrimination.' The response came after Maria van der Zyl, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said it would be 'profoundly sinister' to have such a film platformed at the festival. The film, narrated by Alexei Sayle, covers Mr Corbyn's leadership of Labour between 2015 and 2019 Glastonbury bosses have cancelled a planned screening of a pro-Jeremy Corbyn film denounced for being 'antisemitic' and laden with 'conspiracy theories' She wrote: 'This film, we understand, seeks to suggest that organisations such as the Board of Deputies of British Jews, of which I am the president, somehow helped to 'orchestrate' Jeremy Corbyn's downfall as Labour Party leader.' 'Your festival is one of the most successful festivals in the UK. It seems profoundly sinister for it to be providing a platform to a film which clearly seeks to indoctrinate people into believing a conspiracy theory effectively aimed at Jewish organisations,' she added. The film's producer Norman Thomas claimed that the ban had been caused by 'outside' pressure groups who 'declared war' on the film'. The decision to not screen the film comes almost six years after Mr Corbyn addressed festivalgoers from the Pyramid Stage weeks after the 2017 General Election. MailOnline has contacted the festival for an updated statement. A 'naughty possum' has dumped 12-tonnes of grain over a farmer's ute in an expensive mishap which could have cost the business more than $6,000. The cheeky creature inadvertently flicked a switch which emptied an entire silo with devastating consequences at Mount Gnomon farm in Tasmania's north west. Luckily the ute owner saw the funny side of it and posted a photograph of the aftermath on Friday as the clean-up operation swung into action. The picture showed the massive silo next to the ute with its contents swamping the dark-coloured Mazda which was parked near some trailers and bushland. The farmer captioned the snap: 'Never a dull moment!' They said the switch that lets the grain out of the silo had been left in the off position but was still plugged into the wall - until the possum flicked it on and caused chaos. The image showed the massive silo next to the ute with its grain contents swamping the dark-coloured Mazda which was parked near some trailers and bushland (pictured) 'The moment when a naughty possum turns on the switch on your electricity and empties 12-tonne of grain over your ute and ground,' the Tasmanian said on social media. 'It has happened before. We should have learned the lesson in underestimating the intellectual capacity of a possum. 'Definitely unplugging in the future and installing cameras to capture the cheeky culprit.' The farmer praised the team at Tasmanian Stockfeeds who dashed to the pyramid-shaped mound of grain with a giant vacuum to salvage it - before the rain was due to hit. It saved the business from a loss of more than $6,000. 'They did a great job and virtually all the grain was put back safely into the silo. We then opened the gates for the pigs to clean up the scraps,' the farmer said. 'There is never a dull moment at the farm and yes, there were a few expletives.' The photo attracted a slew of jokes and other disaster stories involving possums. 'And I thought they were cheeky at my place coming in the cat door and eating my warm bread!' one Tassie woman said. 'We should have learned the lesson in underestimating the intellectual capacity of a possum,' the farmer said 'Happened to us before - one silo of hemp always grounded the electricity before left,' another wrote. 'Thats funny but at the same time - wow!!!' a third said about photo. 'After grain there is rain. Old Chinese saying,' one sage said. 'Possum stew on the menu this week?' another joked. 'Thats a lot of shovelling,' wrote another, while one more suggested the 'possum was only trying to help by loading the ute for you'. 'Only in Tassie,' one local wrote. Australia's richest woman Gina Rinehart has launched a scathing attack on new Aboriginal heritage laws which she says could cause havoc in Western Australia. The mining mogul said the state's new regulations will cause 'unintended consequences', with even the addition of a granny flat to a property being subject to delays. The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act will come into effect on July 1, despite demands for a delay by businesses which has been refused by new WA Premier Roger Cook. Mrs Rinehart warned the new laws will hurt companies throughout the state, including mining and developers. Gina Rinehart (pictured) has launched a scathing attack on the government for the introduction of new Aboriginal heritage laws The mining mogul warned that from July 1 when the legislation comes into effect even building a granny flat will be subject to scrutiny (pictured: Pemberton, WA) 'Many are concerned that some elements of this Act have not been consulted on broadly enough,' she said in a speech in Brisbane on Friday. 'There is a risk of unintended consequences, even property developers are raising concerns, not just the mining industry. 'These unintended consequences could extend further too, with all West Australians who own a block larger than 1100sq/m needing to be aware of their potential obligations under the Act. '[That] could involve additional assessment, permitting, plans and or approvals for various activities.' She said anyone wanting to build a granny flat for ageing parents or for teenagers would have to comply with the new regulations if they move more than 20kg of soil. Mrs Rinehart said the changes were 'carefully tailored' to protect voters of properties under 1000sq/m - the size of a traditional quarter-acre block. The mining mogul warned even simple changes could require heritage assessment and approval under the new laws. Mrs Rinehart (pictured with Garry Korte) described the changes as 'carefully tailored' to protect voters of properties under 1000 square metres- the size of a traditional quarter-acre block WA Premier Roger Cook (pictured) continues to stand by the Act which has dominated parliamentary discussions for the past fortnight 'All those who have more [land] need to carefully study this legislation,' Mrs Rinehart said. The WA Premier continues to stand by the Act which has dominated parliamentary discussions for the past fortnight. The Opposition has accused the government of rushing the rollout of the new regime but the new Premier is standing firm. Mr Cook said the Coalition is 'on the wrong side of history' after they unsuccessfully called for a six-month delay to the Act's implementation. Under the change many rivers, creeks and other tributaries will be considered ethnographic sites, requiring the highest level of assessment to change. The host of the reality TV Real Housewives franchise has said Meghan Markle failed to tackle him over her critical claim his show spreads negative stereotypes about women. On her now-axed Archetypes Spotify podcast, the Duchess of Sussex questioned whether the show, which Andy Cohen produces, creates 'caricatures of women.' However, she failed to put her criticisms to Mr Cohen directly, even though he was interviewed in the same episode in November last year. Writing in his new book The Daddy Diaries, Mr Cohen highlighted this, saying: '...in that narration, she talks about what a tough conversation this was for her, mentioning that she has conflicting feelings about the Housewives,' Newsweek reported. He added: 'I think it was interesting that she said it in the narration but didn't discuss it with me head-on. Wouldn't that have made for a more dynamic conversation?' The host of the reality TV Real Housewives franchise has hit out at Meghan Markle (above) over her critical claim his show spreads negative stereotypes about women Mr Cohen featured on Archetypes in November last year in what turned out to be the show's final episode. It emerged last week that the production will not be renewed for a second season despite Meghan and her husband Prince Harry signing a 15million deal for the project in 2020. Mr Cohen said the month after appearing on Meghan's show that she was 'gleeful' at getting to mention during their conversation that he had forgotten ever meeting her before she became a royal. In an episode of his SiriusXM show Andy Cohen Live, the TV producer joked that the Duchess threw the slip-up 'in his face'. Speaking of Real Housewives, Meghan said in the episode named 'Mani-festing A Cultural Shift': 'I'm conflicted about this. 'Not about [Cohen's] success, his rightfully deserved success, but on what his success specifically with this franchise has been based off of. 'Because as we grapple this season with what archetypes are and how limiting they are, on the flip side of that is...are we exploring giving women the space and allowance to be exactly who they are as complicated layered challenging, funny, silly, etc.? On her now-axed Archetypes Spotify podcast, the Duchess of Sussex questioned whether the show, which Andy Cohen (above) produces, creates 'caricatures of women.' However, she failed to put her criticisms to Mr Cohen directly, even though he was interviewed in the same episode in November last year 'Or in a franchise like Housewives, are we fueling the fire of archetypes by creating caricatures of women?' The Duchess then played a clip of an argument about cheating from The Real Houswives of New Jersey before saying: 'Oh my gosh. Oh man, this is a tough one for me. 'This is a tough one because as you heard Andy describes this as a feminist show and I want to hear him out on that because this drama it tends to feed off the kinds of women that they often feature on the show, or at least one facet of their personalities. 'And yes, some might call them stereotypes and I think for this reason people have reallylike I'm explainingmixed feelings about the show and the role that the show might play in perpetuating the sorts of labels we've been discussing on Archetypes. 'So, I thought it was important to really hear Andy out on this and to get to know him a little better too.' Mr Cohen said in his book that he had agreed to the interview on the expectation that he would have to defend Real Housewives. He wrote: 'I'm going into this expecting to have to defend my beloved troop of Housewives, something I've grown accustomed to and enjoy doing.' The star initially spoke of the pair's conversation on his radio show. Pointing out how she picked up on his failure to remember that they had already met, he said: 'She was gleeful in telling me, I have to say. 'She was so happy to tell me that,' adding: 'I understand why she would want to throw that in my face, basically. 'I understand, you know, you never forget how you were treated. You're still the same person she's still Meghan Markle. Mr Cohen featured on Archetypes in November last year in what turned out to be the show's final episode But he admitted that he had no idea Meghan would be keeping that 'awkward' moment in, saying that he 'got it' but that he found the move 'interesting' on her part. 'I just have to say, I get why she left that in. I thought that was so interesting,' he said. Cohen went on to hint that he considered Meghan something of a 'whatever' person back when they first met, saying: 'First of all, you never know who you meet in a day. 'But listen, I didnt become a Duchess obviously... I became an old queen talk show host. 'And when I was a young queen I remember meeting people who were "whatever", so I just think its interesting. Its really interesting.' Shannon Beador, Tamra Judge, Heather Dubrow, Vicki Gunvalson, Meghan Edmonds from Real Housewives of Orange County The 'awkward' interaction between Meghan and Andy unfolded at the start of their interview, when the TV host told the Duchess it was 'nice to meet' her - only for her to reply: 'Its good to see you. Ive met you before, [but] youll never remember it.' Cohen was shocked he had previously met the former actress and Markle then explained she first met at USA-Bravo event and added that she was a 'huge fan 'of the Real Housewives executive producer. 'I was so eager to be on your show, because I was such a Housewives fan at the time, and I just couldnt get booked Andy!' Meghan said, before quipping, 'So, thanks for being here with me.' She then noted the pair met a second time when she attended a WHHL taping with her Suits costar Gabriel Macht, however, the Duchess wasn't a guest on the hit show. Cohen explained that when Markle added that she came to a WWHL taping 'before', he felt 'a little worse'. He then admitted that rejecting the former actress an appearance was 'the biggest blunder in the 13 years of the show,' adding that he'd now be 'begging' for her to come to the show. It was spotted on Wednesday off a dock on the island of Arousa in Pontevedra A shark has been spotted in a Spanish port less than a week after another sparked panic at a Costa Blanca beach. It was seen on Wednesday morning off a dock on the island of Arousa in the Galician province of Pontevedra, home to spectacular white sandy beaches beaches and small coves which are popular with tourists and locals. This time the type of species seen was a blue shark, which rarely bite humans but have been implicated in fatal attacks in the past. Footage showed the shark's telltale fin appearing above the water line as it approached a fisherman's boat. The clear shallow water made it very easy to see. A blue shark was spotted on Wednesday morning off a dock on the island of Arousa in the Galician province of Pontevedra It comes just days after a shark neared the shoreline off a Costa Blanca beach Local fisherman Rogelio Santos Queiruga insisted the tintorera, which appeared to be injured from a harpoon, faced greater danger than humans. He admitted: 'If we try to touch it, it can hurt us with its teeth or rough skin.' But he added, insisting these types of sharks are not great white sharks or tiger sharks which can be very aggressive: 'The fact they are seen close to the coast is good news. 'It is a sign that on the high seas, where they usually live, they may be recovering following decades of overfishing.' The shark seen in the province of Pontevedra has been described as measuring around five feet and was thought to be young and not yet fully-grown. Fishermen filmed it swimming in the swallow water because its presence so close to the shoreline is rare. The water temperature in the area was around 20 degrees Celsius, which is higher than normal. The latest sighting brings the total in the last week to four in the sea off the Spanish coast. The shark seen in the province of Pontevedra has been described as measuring around five feet and was thought to be young and not yet fully-grown This time the type of species seen was a blue shark, which rarely bite humans but have been implicated in fatal attacks in the past Footage showed the shark's telltale fin appearing above the water line as it approached a fisherman's boat Three have been blue sharks or tintoreras, blamed for an attack on a holidaymaker in Elche near Alicante in July 2016. The other one was a bluntnose sixgill shark, sometime called the cow shark, which are not considered a threat to humans due to their small size and deep water habitat. Last Thursday a fully grown blue shark measuring some seven feet caused panic off the Costa Blanca beach of Aguamarina in Orihuela Costa south of Alicante. Bathers were filmed trying to run to safety through waist-high water as it neared the shoreline. Lifeguards blew on their whistles to warn locals and holidaymakers about the big fish and urge them to get out of the sea as quickly as possible. One woman, thought to have been an elderly person seen being helped out of the water by Good Samaritans, is said to have suffered a panic attack after realising the shark was beside her. It washed up dead the following day by rocks at La Caleta Beach in Cabo Roig a couple of miles away. The same day it emerged the same species of shark had been spotted inside Ciutadella Port in Menorca. Fishermen filmed it swimming in the swallow water because its presence so close to the shoreline is rare At the weekend a cow shark approached a boat belonging to a group of fishermen off Cap de Formentor near Puerto Pollensa in Majorca. The men turned the boat engine off to avoid hurting it. Blue sharks rarely bite humans but have been implicated in several biting incidents, four of which are said to have ended fatally. A blue shark was blamed for an attack on a holidaymaker in Elche near Alicante in July 2016. The 40-year-old victim was rushed to hospital and given stitches to a wound in his hand. First aiders described the bite as 'large' and said he had come out of the sea with blood streaming from the injury. In August 2018 tourists fled the sea in panic after a blue shark, among the most common in Spain, appeared off the packed Majorcan beach of Calas de Majorca on the island's east coast. In April a near seven-foot shark also believed to be a tintorera was filmed in the surf on the southeast coast of Majorca at a nearby beach called Cala Llombards. Initial reports pointed to the earlier shark being a tintorera or blue shark which was about seven-foot long The footage of it in shallow water showed it was obviously disorientated. A Spanish woman watched it as its tell-tale fin appeared above the water's surface and it headed towards the shoreline in the clear water before nearly beaching on the sand. She could be overheard saying as it was knocked on its side in the swallow water and thrashed its tail around in a bid to get back out to sea: 'This one is going to end up getting stuck here. 'We have to get it out of the water, it's going to stay where it is.' Its efforts eventually paid off and it was filmed swimming back out to deeper water before disappearing. Earlier this month Russian tourist Vladimir Popov, 23, was filmed being attacked by a tiger shark and dragged underwater off the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada. His body parts were later recovered from inside the predator's belly after it was clubbed to death by beachgoers. Biologist Juan Antonio Pujol told a Spanish paper after it emerged the blue shark seen off Aguamarina beach last Thursday had been found dead at a nearby beach: 'Coming across something like this when you're swimming in the water makes an impression but you should stay calm because they're not aggressive.' A marine who turned down a trip on the Titan submersible that 'imploded' in the Atlantic Ocean claims it did so between 4,000 and 5,000 feet saying that a carbon fiber hull has never been successful at extreme depths. OceanGate, the company that built the vessel, offered Robert Mester a voyage onboard the vessel's predecessor Antipodes and later on Titan itself, but he says he turned it down after sighting its 'off-the-shelf' equipment. Mester, a former marine and deepwater salvage expert based in Washington State, said none of the equipment he saw inside was up to the task of reaching the wreck of the Titanic which was where Titan was headed when it vanished on Sunday. After a desperate four-day search, it was announced yesterday that all five people aboard perished when the OceanGate craft suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' near the site of the iconic shipwreck, 12,500 feet below the surface. Mester said he was put off taking a trip on the vessel himself after seeing the equipment used by OceanGate and the company's CEO Stockton Rush, who is one of the five killed in the disaster. OceanGate , the company that built the vessel, offered Robert Mester (pictured) a voyage onboard the Titan's predecessor Antipodes and later on Titan itself, but he says he turned it down after sighting its 'off-the-shelf' equipment 'They were using off-the-shelf hardware from [US electronics retailer] Radio Shack to operate inside, and quite frankly we're talking about an environment that requires robust equipment that has certifications and qualifications that are established by different agencies for man-rated submersibles,' Mr Mester told the Daily Beast last night. 'None of the equipment that I saw inside the [Antipodes] submersible was up to that [level], so I just chose not to go.' He told the publication that he later boarded the Titan on dry land, and as with its predecessor, decided against going on a voyage into the depths. 'Quite frankly, I found something else to take that time up, rather than take the trip,' he said. '[The Titan] has a carbon fiber hull, which, how do I put this it's not a material that's ever been successfully used at great depths.' Previous reports about the Titan found much of the equipment inside the cabin was store-bought. Rush has spoken about how the lights, for example, were purchased from a camping shop. Questions had also been raised about the strength of the hull made from a carbon-fiber composite, and the acrylic window mounted on the front. The Titan launched at 6am Sunday and was reported overdue Sunday afternoon about 435 miles south of St. John's, Newfoundland. Rescuers rushed ships, planes and other equipment to the site of the disappearance. Authorities were hoping underwater sounds detected Tuesday and Wednesday might help narrow their search, whose coverage area had been expanded to thousands of miles in waters 13,000 feet deep. Any sliver of hope that remained for finding the crew alive, however, was wiped away early yesterday, when the submersible's 96-hour supply of air was expected to run out and the Coast Guard announced that a debris field had been found roughly 1,600 feet from the Titanic. 'The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber,' Rear Admiral John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District, said last night. Mester, the founder of Northwest Maritime Consultants, told the Daily Beast that he believed from the start that the Titan had imploded, and he thinks it happened at roughly 4,000 to 5,000 feet. 'The pressure at that depth is a ton-and-a-half per square inch,' he explained. 'It wouldn't take much of a failure to cause an implosion, and it would have been instantaneous. 'A submersible can drop weight and come back to the surface, but nothing has gone beyond that one-and-three-quarter-hour timeline when they lost communication.' OceanGate, the company that built the vessel, offered Robert Mester a voyage onboard the Titan's predecessor Antipodes and later on Titan itself (pictured, file photo), but he says he turned it down after sighting its off-the-shelf equipment The Titan launched at 6am Sunday and was reported overdue Sunday afternoon about 435 miles south of St. John's, Newfoundland. Rescuers rushed ships, planes and other equipment to the site of the disappearance. Pictured: In this satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies, from top to bottom, the vessels L'Atalante, Horizon Arctic, Deep Energy, and Skandi Vinland search for Titan yesterday Any sliver of hope that remained for finding the crew alive was wiped away early yesterday, when the submersible's 96-hour supply of air was expected to run out and the Coast Guard announced a debris field had been found roughly 1,600 feet from the Titanic. Rear Admiral John Mauger said debris was 'consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber' Pictured: Rear Admiral John Mauger speaks to the Press yesterday The remotely operated vehicles (ROV) that located the debris was launched from the Horizon Arctic vessel, seen here in the port of St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, June 20 At least 46 people travelled on OceanGate's submersible to the Titanic wreck site in 2021 and 2022, according to letters the company filed with a US District Court in Norfolk, Virginia, which oversees matters involving the Titanic wreck. Passengers paid $250,000 (195,000) for a space on the vessel. But questions about the submersible's safety were raised by both by a former company employee and former passengers. David Lochridge, OceanGate's former director of marine operations, argued in 2018 that the method the company devised for ensuring the soundness of the hull relying on acoustic monitoring that could detect cracks and pops as the hull strained under pressure was inadequate and could 'subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible'. '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,' Mr Lochridge's attorneys wrote in a wrongful termination claim. OceanGate disagreed. Mr Lochridge 'is not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan,' it said, and it noted he was fired after refusing to accept assurances from the company's lead engineer that the acoustic monitoring and testing protocol was, in fact, better suited to detect any flaws than a method he had proposed. One of the company's first customers likened a dive he made to the site two years ago to a suicide mission. 'Imagine a metal tube a few metres long with a sheet of metal for a floor. You can't stand. You can't kneel. Everyone is sitting close to or on top of each other,' said Arthur Loibl, a retired businessman and adventurer from Germany. Those killed were Stockton Rush (top-right), the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the submersible; two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood (bottom-right); British adventurer Hamish Harding (top-left); and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet (bottom-left) Mr Mester said he was put off taking a trip on the Titan after seeing the equipment used by OceanGate and the company's CEO Stockton Rush (pictured giving a tour of the vessel) During the two-and-a-half hour descent and ascent, the lights were turned off to conserve energy, he said, with the only illumination coming from a fluorescent glow stick. The dive was repeatedly delayed to fix a problem with the battery and the balancing weights. In total, the voyage took ten-and-a-half hours. Nicolai Roterman, a deep-sea ecologist and lecturer in marine biology at the University of Portsmouth, England, said the disappearance of the Titan highlights the dangers and unknowns of deep-sea tourism. 'Even the most reliable technology can fail, and therefore accidents will happen. With the growth in deep-sea tourism, we must expect more incidents like this.' The announcement that all aboard perished when the submersible imploded near the site of the iconic shipwreck brought a tragic end to a five-day saga that included an urgent around-the-clock search and a worldwide vigil. The Coast Guard said yesterday that the sounds heard in the previous days were likely to have been generated by something other than the Titan. 'There doesn't appear to be any connection between the noises and the location (of the debris) on the seafloor,' Mr Mauger said. The Navy official who spoke of the 'anomaly' heard on Sunday said the Navy passed on the information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search because the Navy did not consider the data to be definitive. The investigation into what happened was already under way and would continue in the area around Titanic where debris from the submersible was found, said Mr Mauger. 'I know there are also a lot of questions about how, why and when did this happen. Those are questions we will collect as much information as we can about now,' Mr Mauger said, adding that it was a 'complex case' that happened in a remote part of the ocean and involved people from several different countries. The first hint of a timeline came last night when a senior US Navy official said that after the Titan was reported missing Sunday, the Navy went back and analysed its acoustic data and found an 'anomaly' that was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the vessel was operating when communications were lost. The official spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive acoustic detection system. Those killed also included two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. OceanGate has been chronicling the Titanic's decay and the underwater ecosystem around it via annual voyages since 2021 that included paying tourists. It released a statement calling all five people killed 'true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world's oceans'. A HC-130 Hercules airplane flies over the French research vessel, L'Atalante approximately 900 miles East of Cape Cod during the search for the 21-foot submersible Titan in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday Tributes to those killed and praise for the searchers who tried to save them poured in from across the globe. The White House thanked the Coast Guard, along with Canadian, British and French partners who helped in the search and rescue efforts. 'Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives on the Titan. They have been through a harrowing ordeal over the past few days, and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers,' it said in a statement. Pakistan's foreign ministry wrote on Twitter that it appreciates 'the multinational efforts over the last several days in search of the vessel.' The Dawood family also thanked all involved in the search. 'Their untiring efforts were a source of strength for us during this time,' the family said in a statement. 'We are also indebted to our friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers from all over the world who stood by us during our need.' A British tourist has died in front of his partner during a beach trip in Majorca. Lifeguards brought the 62-year-old man out of the water and emergency responders spent nearly an hour trying to revive him on the sand at the popular holiday resort of Puerto Pollensa. Their attempts to save him were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The alarm was raised around 3.30pm local time on Thursday. Well-placed sources said his partner alerted lifeguards. The tragedy happened at a beach in the popular holiday resort of Puerto Pollensa in the north-east of Majorca (file photo) One said: 'She saw him floating in the water after he went for a swim. Lifeguards pulled him out of the water and tried to revive him before emergency responders took over when they arrived.' The dead man has not been named. A routine probe into the tragedy coordinated by a local investigating judge has been launched. In April a British man drowned in front of his teenage son in Tenerife. The unnamed 58-year-old was pulled out of the sea by two people said to include a nurse who performed CPR on him after he went into cardiac arrest while they waited for emergency responders to arrive. The emergency responders continued to try to revive him after reaching the scene, near the Punta de Teno lighthouse at the northwestern tip of Tenerife, but there was nothing they could do to save him. In May a British toddler drowned in a a swimming pool at a villa in La Nuria near Benidorm. Sources said at the time the 19-month-old child's mum was at the property with three of the youngster's siblings at the time. Puerto Pollensa, which in the local Majorcan language is known as Port de Pollenca, is one of the favourite destinations on the island for British holidaymakers and many have second homes in the area. It is known as a family-friendly resort. Visitors over the years have included former PM David Cameron and his family and former professional road and track racing cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins. A man has been found alive after going missing in remote Western Australia for four days. The unnamed 67-year-old was bushwalking in the Carr Boyd Ranges near Kununurra in WA's far north-east on Tuesday when he went missing. He was one of a group of eight people who had intended to hike from Revolver Falls to Packsaddle Springs, but WA Police said the man went off on his own 'exploring and traversing through some rough terrain to see some waterfalls'. The 67-year-old man (pictured with his rescuers) was found at around 9:30am on Friday A helicopter was used to search the area for the missing man in the croc-infested outback His friends last saw him at about 2:15pm standing on top of a waterfall. Police were notified of his disappearance at 8am on Wednesday, with a land and air search immediately commenced. The terrain was so difficult that police were unable to deploy a vehicle and had to use local air provider Helispirit to search the area. 'A helicopter was arranged, and four officers, including a drone operator, were deployed to the location and commenced initial searching without success,' a police spokesperson said. Officers searched without success on Wednesday and Thursday, with police vehicles also sent to other areas nearby to search for the man. Temperatures in the area went as high as 32C during the day and 13C at night in the time the man was missing. The terrain in the Kimberley is extreme with sheer cliff faces, loose ground and large assents and descents. 'Terrain in the Kimberley is extreme, being sheer cliff faces, loose ground and large assents and descents,' WA police said. 'It is heavily vegetated with a significant amount of running freshwater. Salt water crocodiles are known to be in the nearby Dunham River.' The man was finally located at about 9:30am on Friday within the search area. He received initial treatment at the scene before being flown to Kununurra where he was met by paramedics who took him to hospital for further treatment. Officers reminded bushwalkers to carry a personal locator beacon, especially if they are in a remote area. A furious van driver appears to scream 'get out of the f***ing road' at relentless Just Stop Oil protesters as they continue their slow marching campaign in London. The climate demonstrators are out yet again, blocking roads and disrupting commuters in various locations across the capital including near Waterloo station, Fleet Street, Millbank and Islington. Photographs show the eco-zealots holding banners with slogans such as 'we have reached the tipping point' - as cars and lorries get stuck behind them during rush hour. In one incident, a frustrated van driver honks his horn at the protesters before managing to get past them. As the van drives past, they appear to shout 'get out of the f***ing road' at demonstrators - who still remain unfazed. In other video footage, one activist explains through a megaphone: 'People shout at us "get a job"- we all have jobs, we have taken time off today to speak to you. We do not like holding you up in hot, sweaty weather.' Just Stop Oil protesters in Waterloo London - cars having to move out of the way as they block the road Protesters from the climate group Just Stop Oil are delaying traffic and causing problems by slow marching on St Pauls Road in Islington Ongoing Just Stop Oil protests in London - police speaking to demonstrators this morning Protesters are seen holding banners which say 'I won't die quietly,' 'new oil is deadly' and 'for my family'. Other placards read 'fossil fuels cost lives' and 'for my kids' generation'. Met Police tweeted this morning: 'Police arrived at first Just Stop Oil #protesters walking slowly in the road nr Waterloo Station at 08:05hrs, Friday 23 June. 'A condition was immediately imposed as the protest was causing serious disruption to traffic. #Protesters moved out of the road at 08.07hrs.' The force then said: 'Police arrived to Just to Stop Oil #protesters walking slowly in #FleetStreet at 08:06hrs, three mins after notification, and imposed a condition on arrival as protest was causing serious disruption to traffic. 'Protesters complied and moved off the road at 08.12hrs.' They also had to attend another location, saying: 'Police were on scene at 08.08hrs, #Millbank to Just to Stop Oil #protesters walking slowly in the road, causing more than minor disruption to traffic. 'Officers imposed a condition to move off the carriageway at 08.24hrs, and the road was cleared a minute later.' Yesterday Just Stop Oil protesters were drenched in water by a furious Londoner on a balcony during yet another traffic-halting protest. Just Stop Oil protesters were drenched in water by a furious Londoner standing on a balcony on Thursday morning as they held up yet more traffic in north London The activists were sprayed with water from an upstairs balcony, after which the camera tilted to the thrower (pictured) who was seen shouting and pointing at the activists below The eco-zealots were seen walking in the middle of a busy road in the north of the capital during rush hour on Thursday morning. Footage showed them dawdling along with signs as frustrated vans and buses honked their horns behind them in Camden. The protesters were then sprayed with water from an upstairs balcony, after which the camera tilts to the homeowner who is seen shouting and pointing at the activists below. Meanwhile the protesters tried to look unfazed as they held signs adorned with messages such as 'for my family' and 'I won't die quietly'. 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. But Just Stop Oil said it is going to be carrying out the same tactics until the Government and multi-national corporations cave in to their demands. 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. The result of the vote means the measures will become law but a separate vote in the Upper House criticised the way the Government introduced the powers. Peers said similar measures were already dropped from the Public Order Act earlier this year, and that ministers had not allowed scrutiny of the new attempt. Crossbencher Lord Pannick KC described it as a 'constitutional outrage'. The leading barrister said he supported the aims of the legislation and that the public should not have their daily lives interrupted by road-blocking protests. But he added: 'This is a constitutional outrage. The issue is whether we are going to approve regulations which defy the will of Parliament.' Lord Hogan-Howe, a former Metropolitan Police commissioner, agreed that it was the 'wrong way' to introduce the measures but insisted police need more 'clarity' on when they can act to remove demonstrators. A student paramedic returning from a holiday in Abu Dhabi was messaged by an airline contractor after they got her phone number from a database. Shocked Hannah Smethurst was en-route home from her break with a friend on an Etihad Airways flight, the airline who sponsor Treble winners Man City. The 23-year-old had passed through the airport and handed her passport over for checks. But, when queuing up to board, she said she received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number. The exchange started: 'Hey. I have seen you from Abu Dhabi.' Hannah Smethurst, 23, was going home from a break in Abu Dhabi at the time it happened Hannah had passed through the airport and handed her passport over for checks before texts Hannah replied: 'How did you get this number?' The unnamed third-party contractor added: 'Sorry.' She said she asked again: 'How did you get my number?' To which she got another message saying: 'I searched you in the system.' Shocked, Hannah asked in the messages: 'What system?' The contractor added: 'I am working.' She responded: 'Yes what system? The WhatsApp messages came through from someone working for the airline as a contractor Hannah, a third-year University of Greenwich student, is training to be a paramedic at uni 'The hotel or the airline?' She got a reply saying: 'Airline. 'Sorry for the trouble. 'If am disturbing you. 'Just block me. 'FYI Your flight is boarding.' Hannah, a third-year University of Greenwich student, from Manchester, claimed: 'A guy who works for the Etihad Airways used my personal data. 'Which he found via the airline database after seeing my passport to get my phone number and proceeded to text me. The airline said they were a third-party contractor had contacted Hannah via WhatsApp 'Terrifying experience travelling alone. 'I was stood at the gate getting ready to board the plane as he messaged. 'So checked in and ready to go and it was on his personal WhatsApp.' The airline said they were a third-party contractor and that they are being disciplined. A spokesman for Etihad Airways said: 'Our team have been in contact with the guest and Etihad initiated a full investigation as soon as it was made aware of inappropriate conduct by an employee of a third-party contractor. 'As a result of the investigation, the relevant employee involved has been disciplined in accordance with the contractor's disciplinary procedures. 'The privacy and safety of our guests is our number one priority and we sincerely apologise for the distress caused to our guest.' New photo ID rules meant at least 14,000 people did not vote in May's local elections, according to a watchdog probe. The Electoral Commission estimated that number were turned away for not having acceptable identification and did not end up casting a ballot. But it suggested 'significantly more' stayed away because of the new arrangements. The English council contests last months were the first time ID has been required in Britain. The government introduced the system - similar to that used in many other countries around the world - to counter any voting fraud. It is set to be used at the general election due to happen next year. But critics complain that the rules shut out poorer Brits who are less likely to have valid ID, and discourage those who are suspicious of the authorities. 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. Craig Westwood, director of communications at the Electoral Commission, said the 'vast majority' of people were able to vote without any problems. New photo ID rules meant at least 14,000 people did not vote in May's local elections, according to a watchdog probe The Electoral Commission estimated that number were turned away for not having acceptable identification and did not end up casting a ballot. But it suggested 'significantly more' stayed away because of the new arrangements Research published by the commission indicated that 0.7 per cent of people were initially turned away from polling stations in May, but around two-thirds of them returned later in the day and were able to vote. Some 14,000 voters 0.25 per cent who went to a polling station were not able to vote as a result of not being able to show ID. Among those recorded as being turned away from a polling station, 70 per cent had not brought any ID and 30 per cent brought a type that was not accepted. There was 'concerning' evidence that disabled and unemployed people were 'more likely than other groups to give a reason related to ID for not voting'. Commission officials said the data currently available suggested there is 'some correlation' between the numbers turned away and 'specific socio-demographic factors, such as ethnicity and unemployment'. The commission said its analysis indicated a 'very high awareness' of the need to produce photo identification and that more than half of people were aware that free IDs, in the form of Government-issued voter authority certificates, were available. Close to 90,000 people applied for a voter authority certificate before the deadline, and 81,033 certificates were issued ahead of the locals, the commission reported. However, only 25,000 were used as a form of ID on the day. The watchdog is calling for work to be carried out to make sure elections remain accessible to all. Last month former cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg suggested voter ID was an attempt at 'gerrymandering' that backfired against the Tories. Mr Westwood said: 'The evidence suggests that the vast majority of voters were able to present an accepted form of ID at the May elections. 'But it also shows that some people were prevented from voting in polling stations due to the requirement, and significantly more did not attempt to because they lacked the required ID. 'Overall awareness was high and achieved in a matter of months, but we can see that people who lacked ID were less likely to know they needed to show it. 'We don't want to see a single voter lose the opportunity to have their say. We are working to understand the challenges people faced, and will make recommendations that, with the engagement of Government and wider electoral community, will support the participation of all voters.' The Electoral Commission found that by last month there was a high level of awareness that ID would be needed to vote He said it was 'too soon to draw conclusions' about the impact of the polling station policy on specific groups of people, but added that 'some of the emerging evidence is concerning' in regards to its impact on disadvantaged people. 'Elections should be accessible to everyone, so we are working to build a better understanding of the specific experiences of voters at these elections. This includes consultation with those voters we know are most at risk of facing barriers to participation,' he added. The data on voters recorded as turned away and the reasons for refusal was captured by polling station staff across England, the watchdog said. The commission plans to publish its full election report in September. Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner called for ministers to conduct a 'comprehensive review into this discredited policy', which she described as a 'barrier to voting'. 'No legitimate voter should be locked out of democracy but that has been the effect of the Tories' failed voter ID regulations,' she said. Two people were arrested at Stansted Airport on suspicion of the murder of a church leader grandmother who was found dead in her 500,000 Croydon home after a suspected 'burglary gone wrong'. Nelly Akomah, 76, was found with fatal injuries and a black eye at the bottom of the stairs in her house on Ladbrook Road in Thornton Heath, south London, at 10.46am on Wednesday. The mother-of-two's body was discovered by her sister, who lives nearby and had become worried when she could not contact her that morning. A man, 28, and a woman, 31, were arrested early on Friday morning at the Essex airport and have been taken into police custody for questioning. Detectives probing the killing believe she may have been attacked during a burglary but her exact cause of death is not yet known. Police have arrested two people on suspicion of the murder of church leader grandmother Nelly Akomah (pictured), 76, who was found dead in her 500,000 Croydon home She was found with fatal injuries and a black eye at the bottom of the stairs in her house Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn, said: 'First and foremost my thoughts are with Nelly's family and friends. Nelly was active in her church and her loss will be keenly felt by many people. 'The arrests mark substantial progress in what is a fast-moving investigation. I don't underestimate the level of concern in the local community following this shocking incident and there are various suggestions circulating about what may have happened. 'At this stage, we are investigating the possibility that there was a burglary at Nelly's address. I must stress that our investigation is in its very early stages and we are working to establish what exactly happened.' Police launched a murder investigation after being called by the London Ambulance Service on Wednesday morning. Detectives named Ms Akomah yesterday as part of a public appeal for information while awaiting formal identification and the results of a post-mortem examination. Police were called by the London Ambulance Service after reports of that Nelly was found dead at a house on Ladbrook Road (pictured) They said that her family have been informed of the arrests and they are being supported by specially trained officers. Fellow churchgoers described Nelly as an 'understanding' leader of the 'Croydon group' of the Upper Tooting Methodist Church in south London. The president of Ms Akomah's Nigeria Methodist Mission UK, Dame Susan Solanke, said in a statement: 'Sister Nelly, only last week we were all at a weekend retreat, full of life. 'You were such a valuable member of the mission who will be sorely missed. My heart is broken with this cruel, mindless and senseless attack. 'I pray God brings the culprits to book as soon as possible.' evgeny Prigozhin claimed Sergei Shoigu is lying to Putin about 'thousands of destroyed tanks and armoured vehicles' littering the streets of Bakhmut The chief of the Wagner mercenary group has claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin is being fed lies about 'colossal' battlefield failures in Ukraine by 'mentally ill a**holes' in Russia's high command. Yevgeny Prigozhin, an outspoken critic of the Russian army, said Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu is not telling Putin about the 'thousands of destroyed tanks and armoured vehicles' littering the streets of the embattled Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. He claimed Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, the head of the Russian army, are bringing 'total c**p' to Putin's desk and are refusing to tell the despot there are 'colossal problems' in Bakhmut. Russia has repeatedly claimed Kyiv's counteroffensive is 'failing' and Russian troops have inflicted severe casualties on Ukrainian forces. But Prigozhin said the opposite was true with the 'mentally ill b******* and a**holes' in Russia's high command sending thousands of men to their deaths as cannon fodder. Moscow has also claimed its troops destroyed German-supplied Leopard 2 tanks in Ukraine but Prigozhin slammed such claims as 'total nonsense' and 'lies'. Yevgeny Prigozhin, an outspoken critic of the Russian army and its commanders, said Shoigu is not telling Putin about the 'thousands of destroyed tanks and armoured vehicles' littering the streets of the embattled Ukrainian city of Bakhmut Ukrainian artillery batteries fire on the frontline as clashes continue near villages recaptured by the Ukrainian army in Donetsk, Ukraine on June 21 Prigozhin has claimed Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (pictured in the Kremlin on 21 June) is lying to President Vladimir Putin about 'colossal' battlefield failures in Ukraine In his scathing speech, Prigozhin said the war in Ukraine was triggered by greedy oligarchs wanting even bigger fortunes - not by a threat of Nazism in the country as Putin claims. And retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, a former commander of the US Army Europe, said that any reports that Ukrainian troops are 'failing' on the battlefield and have been forced to stop their counter-offensive is 'utter nonsense'. Hodges pointed to how Commander-in-Chief General Vallerii Zaluzhnyi 'has, from the very beginning, been very disciplined about protecting information' from the front lines about any battleground success. 'And so, when I read reports saying this [Ukrainian counteroffensive] is a failure, they're having to stop - this is utter nonsense,' Hodges told Newsweek. 'Because you couldn't declare a failure more than you could declare victory based on what we are able to see,' the former commander explained. Prigozhin, whose mercenary troops have spent months fighting in Bakhmut on behalf of the Kremlin, also dismissed Russia's claims that the army had inflicted heavy losses and the Ukrainian counteroffensive was failing. He said Shoigu and the military command were 'mentally ill a**holes' who have slaughtered their own men with their incompetence. 'Their plan was, we'll throw a few thousands more Russian guys as meat,' Prigozhin said. 'They will die like dogs under artillery fire, but we will achieve our goal.' The Wagner boss said his claims about Ukrainian advances in the Zaporizhzhia region hasn't been reflected by the Russian Defence Ministry or the Kremlin because Shoigu is lying to Putin about Russia's 'colossal' battlefield failures. 'I'll explain why [my words] differ [from the official data],' Prigozhin said in an audio message, according to Newsweek. 'Because they are bringing total c**p to the president's desk, [it's] shameless. 'When we took Bakhmut, we let all military correspondents go there, you remember this well, so that they see the real state of affairs. No one talks about the thousands of destroyed tanks and armoured vehicles. 'They don't let anyone there [in Bakhmut], they don't show anything precisely because there are colossal problems there.' Prigozhin added: 'Shoigu and Gerasimov have a simple approach: a lie needs to be monstrous to be believed in. This is what they do.' The Wagner chief said once the war had started Shoigu killed thousands of Russian soldiers and didn't 'have enough balls' to go near the front lines himself. 'He sat like a coward in his office and at the end of the first day he was very surprised why the troops could not advance. In the first days of the war, Shoigu killed thousands of Russian soldiers. 'He destroyed the most combat-ready part of the army, and a very small part was combat-ready.' Ukrainian artillerymen blow up Russian 2S1 Gvozdika howitzer in huge blast in Ukraine in undated footage. The footage was released by the 40th Artillery Brigades on Wednesday A Ukrainian MSLR BM-21 'Grad' fires towards Russian positions, near Bakhmut at the frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on June 21 'Our holy war with those who offend the Russian people, who are trying to humiliate them, has turned into a racket, or rather into rat-mongering raised tonational ideology,' said Prigozhin. 'I arrived in Ukraine and asked the commanders on the ground why we do not count the number of killed and wounded soldiers. I was told that no one in the management is interested in this. 'There are tasks to be completed. The number of dead will be counted after the war. No-one was interested in what it would take to achieve victory.' The only way for Russian to win the war would be to axe the defence ministry, he said. 'The Russian army is currently retreating in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia directions. The Ukrainians are pushing through the Russian army. 'We wash ourselves with blood, no-one gives reserves, there is no management, there is still hysteria. What we are being told is a profound deception. The enemy soldiers are not destroyed, and save their equipment. But he doesn't save ammo. Time is rapidly collapsing.' Prigozhin said Putin failed to gather his top team around him at the start of the war, conducting all meetings remotely because of fears for his health. Foreign leaders contacted Prigozhin 'en masse and everyone asked one question: how could Russia have sunk into such a monstrous shame?', the Wagner chief said. He continued: 'It's a shame for Russia to get into such a deep [mess]. Everyone counted on a miracle, on tactical nuclear weapons, on a nuclear bomb that was about to be thrown on Warsaw. 'But their balls are not [strong] enough. Weak grandfathers. They cannot get out of their comfort zone.' Prigozhin also claimed the war was triggered by oligarchs wanting even bigger fortunes. 'The oligarchs needed the war,' he said. 'It was needed by the clan that actually runs Russia today. This oligarchic clan, they get everything they can. 'If this clan closes its foreign businesses, the state will immediately divide the domestic businesses and give them to it. That is why businessmen are put in jail, banks are shut down, so that the clan does not lose money. 'They do not need the money. They have done everything for themselves a long time ago. Clinics with special machines to prevent him from getting cancer and everything else. To live as long as possible. 'This oligarchic elite thinks only about one thing, how to live as long as possible and that the body is in as good a condition as possible. It's their brain disease. 'They don't think about the country, people, war, or anything but themselves.' Prigozhin claimed Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, the head of the Russian army, are bringing 'total c**p' to Putin's desk and are refusing to tell the despot there are 'colossal problems' in Bakhmut. Russian missiles struck a hospital in Dnipro, Ukraine, on 26 May Ukrainian servicemen of the 30th Kostiantyn Ostrozkyi Separate Mechanized Brigade fire from a T-80 main battle tank captured earlier from Russian troops in a field near Bakhmut on June 19 Prigozhin's latest rant came after he slammed claims by the Russian defence ministry it had killed 1,500 of Kyiv's soldiers in two days in the embattled city of Bakhmut as 'absurd science fiction'. Russia's defence ministry had claimed earlier this month that Russian forces had repelled two major offensives in South Donetsk. It claimed to have killed 1,500 troops and destroyed among other military equipment, eight main battle Leopard tanks supplied to Ukraine by its Western allies and 109 armoured vehicles. 'Having suffered heavy losses the day before, the Kiev regime reorganized the remnants of the 23rd and 31st mechanized brigades into separate consolidated units, which continued offensive operations,' the ministry said on Telegram. 'A complex fire defeat was inflicted by army forces, assault and operational-tactical aviation, missile forces and artillery, as well as heavy flamethrower systems.' But this was quickly, and very publicly, doubted by Prigozhin, who has repeatedly lambasted senior officials in the Kremlin, the Russian Army and Vladimir Putin himself for perceived missteps in the war effort. In remarks published on the Telegram channel of his press service, the 61-year-old said to kill that many Ukrainian troops would require daily gains of 150km (93 miles). 'I therefore believe that this is simply wild and absurd science fiction,' said Prigozhin. Totting up the figures provided by the ministry would imply 'we have already destroyed the entire planet five times over,' he added sarcastically. And last week, Prigozhin resisted an attempt by Shoigu to take control of its ranks. The Wagner chief said his fighters would not sign any contract with the Defence Minister, publicly defying what appear to be efforts to rein in his influence. Prigozhin has repeatedly attacked Shoigu for what he casts as treachery, slamming him for failing to fight the war in Ukraine properly and taunting him about coming to the frontline. Tensions with Moscow were ratcheted up when mercenaries kidnapped a frontline Russian general earlier this week, who admitted in a humiliating video to being drunk on duty after allegedly firing on a Wagner vehicle. Russian Lt-Colonel Roman Venevitin claimed Wagner forces, who are supposed to be on Russia's side in the war, kidnapped Russian soldiers before torturing and raping them A video later emerged which showed the general, Roman Venevitin, accusing Wagner of torturing Putin's soldiers and Prigozhin of discrediting the army - a crime which could see him jailed. In the video from earlier this month, which was reportedly orchestrated by Russian military leaders after Venevitin was released, Venevitin said of Prigozhin: 'You are engaged in active discrediting of the Russian armed forces. 'I [am speaking] to convey to the Russian public the truth about what happened, to tell some facts about the so-called Wagner,' he said. 'Honour requires me to do this.' This allegation, which Venevitin appears to read from a script, hints that the authorities are attempting to disempower Prigozhin, who slammed the allegations about his troops' violence towards Russian ranks as 'absolute nonsense'. Russia's defence ministry has since urged all 'volunteer detachments' to sign contracts with the defence ministry by the end of the month, a step it said would increase the effectiveness of the Russian army. Though the ministry did not mention Wagner by name in its public statement, the Russian media reported that it was an attempt by Shoigu to bring the mercenaries to heel. Relatives of passengers and crew who were on the Titanic have said the wreck should be left 'in peace' after the news yesterday that the five submersible passengers were killed when their craft imploded. More than 1,500 passengers and crew lost their lives in April 1912 after the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank. Helen Richardson, 40, from Norfolk, is the great-great granddaughter of Christopher Arthur Shulver, a fireman on the Titanic who survived the sinking before dying in an explosion on the RMS Adriatic, another White Star Liner, in 1922. Speaking to MailOnline, Ms Richardson said: 'It should be left alone. It is a site where all those poor people lost their lives, and a tragic site even for those who survived.' It was announced yesterday that the five wealthy passengers on board Titan - which was created by US firm OceanGate and was on its way to see the wreck in the Atlantic - all perished when the craft imploded. The victims were British billionaire Hamish Harding, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French navy veteran PH Nargeolet and wealthy Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman. The news came after debris from Titan was found near the Titanic's wreck by a remote submarine, confirming that the five men had lost their lives. Relatives of people who died on the Titanic have said the wreck should be left 'in peace' after the news yesterday that the five submersible passengers were killed when their craft imploded. Above: A 3-D scan of the wreck revealed by experts last month Helen Richardson (left), 40, from Norfolk, is the great-great granddaughter of Christopher Arthur Shulver (right), a fireman on the Titanic who survived the sinking before dying in an explosion on the RMS Adriatic, another White Star Liner, in 1922 OceanGate was offering wealthy tourists the chance to see the Titanic at a cost of $250,000 per person. Englishman Percy Thomas Ward, a bedroom steward on the luxury 'unsinkable' vessel, was among those who lost their lives A previous passenger on the same submersible that imploded said he signed a waiver which listed 'three ways to die on page one.' The deaths of the five passengers this month has raised questions over whether or not expeditions should take place at all. Englishman Percy Thomas Ward, a bedroom steward on the luxury 'unsinkable' vessel, was among those who lost their lives in the 1912 sinking. Writing on a Facebook group for relatives of victims, his great-granddaughter Anna Roberts said: 'I deplore the fact Titanic has become a tourist attraction. It is a graveyard and should be left in peace and respect.' A relative of another victim urged divers to 'leave those poor souls to have eternal rest.' Ms Richardson, who said that Shulver looked 'exactly' like her own father, added: 'We have got those great scans now and recovered artefacts, so now we have just got to be respectful. It is where they were laid to rest. 'Its not a spectacle to go and look where people lost their lives.' Shulver testified at the inquiry into the Titanic's sinking that he spent the entire journey before the disaster putting out a fire in the coal bunker in one of the vessel's boiler rooms. Anna Roberts, the great-great granddaughter of Titanic bedroom steward Percy Ward said: 'I deplore the fact Titanic has become a tourist attraction. It is a graveyard and should be left in peace and respect' Brett Gladstone, whose great-great-grandmother was killed on the Titanic, told Inside Edition: 'I've always been uncomfortable with the exploitation of the ship down there. 'Over a thousand people died. My great great-grandmother's body was never found, it lies at the bottom. 'Her soul and the souls of a thousand people remains in a kind of graveyard.' John Locascio, whose uncles perished on the Titanic, told CNN: 'I compare it to looking inside a grave. I mean, people died there tragically, very tragically. 'Why make it a place for people to go see? 'Why, why do you have to do that? Let the people rest.' Shelly Binder, whose great-grandmother Leah Aks and great-uncle F. Philip Aks survived the 1912 disaster, told The Sun: 'For those who lost family members, they see it still as a grave site and they think it's tacky and obnoxious to go there.' She added: 'It's horrific. And you can see the wreckage without having to physically go down there yourself. 'Is there really much they were going to see by looking out those windows?' It comes after the co-founder of OceanGate said the regulations surrounding visits to the Titanic wreckage are 'tricky to navigate'. Guillermo Sohnlein 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. 'Why, why do you have to do that? Let the people rest,' John Locascio and his wife Angelica Harris. Locascio's uncles, who were brothers, died in the 1912 disaster Shelly Binder, whose great-grandmother Leah Aks and great-uncle F. Philip Aks survived the 1912 disaster, said it is 'horrific' to visit 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 that's 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 they're designed for specific instances. 'So it's kind of tricky to navigate those regulatory schemes.' A black delivery driver has won an unfair dismissal race claim after colleagues posted Klu Klux Klan pictures in a work WhatsApp chat and bosses 'colluded in his ostracisation'. Kenny Clarke was targeted by co-workers while working at GXO Logistics Drinks as a driver and unloader, and when he moved to the depot in Preston, Lancashire. One post in the 'banter' filled WhatsApp chat featured a video of a child trying to say 'blackcurrant', but instead saying something 'offensive', an employment tribunal heard. Mr Clarke's bosses made a rota to allocate when people would work with him in 'Kenny time', and asked 'what else am I going to do with you?' when he complained. Having been told to 'stop playing the race card' Mr Clarke was sacked for being caught on his phone while looking at it for satnav directions. One post in the 'banter' filled WhatsApp chat targeting Kenny Clarke featured a video of a child trying to say 'blackcurrant', but instead saying something 'offensive', an employment tribunal heard (File image) Now he is in line for compensation after winning claims of race related unfair dismissal and harassment in the 'hostile' work environment, after a judge ruled bosses 'colluded in his ostracisation'. His claim of unfair dismissal due to race succeeded. The tribunal found that for two years Mr Clarke was 'isolated and ridiculed' by people who were not prepared to work with him. 'The Preston depot at the relevant time was a depot where the management and the union colluded in making the working environment difficult for Mr Clarke,' Employment Judge Kate Ross said. 'There was a long history of the workforce treating Mr Clarke in an unpleasant way and refusing to work with him and the management colluding with that situation.' Mr Clarke also won claims of normal unfair dismissal and of race related harassment. A remedy hearing to determine compensation will take place at a later date. The tribunal heard Mr Clarke started work at GXO Logistics Drinks as a driver and unloader in July 2013, before moving to a permanent contract in the Preston, Lancashire depot later that year. In October 2014 colleagues at the Manchester depot 'refused to work' with Mr Clarke after he agreed to a shift during a union dispute, resulting in an 'unpleasant' scenario and a petition forming. Kenny Clarke was targeted by co-workers while working at GXO Logistics Drinks as a driver and unloader, and when he moved to the depot in Preston, Lancashire (File image) The tribunal ruled management 'allowed' workers to sign 'The Kenny Clarke issue', stating they would refuse to work with him if he were brought back to the Manchester depot 'to work in any capacity'. The tribunal, held in Manchester, heard this continued in Preston, where out of 20 workers in the depot 16 refused to work with him. In May 2015, an 'offensive' video was posted on a Facebook page of a child 'being encouraged to say the word blackcurrant', but it sounded like something deeply offensive. The panel also heard a rota was made by boss Jim Meiring, despite 'no clear reason' being given as to why the other men would not work with Mr Clarke, other than 'generalised allegations that he was unsafe'. Mr Clarke was then 'stood down from driving' from September 2015 until he was permitted to resume driving in February 2018, the panel heard. Within the WhatsApp group chat for drivers, the tribunal saw an image said to resemble Mr Clarke when he was older, in the year 2034, being 'mocked about his driving', with lorries in 'awkward positions' captioned: 'FFS Kenny.' There was also a picture of Klu Klux Klan members - said to be 'a union meeting at the Preston depot'. The panel found colleagues would make fun of who was on 'Kenny time' while on shift and he was accused by one of 'playing the race card'. When Mr Clarke asked Mr Meiring about the rota he said: 'What else am I supposed to do with you?' By 2019 Mr Clarke wanted to leave the Preston depot for a 'fresh start' but was denied a request to move to Manchester. Mr Clarke raised a grievance because he felt he was being discriminated against after being disciplined for bumping a trailer in the yard, but it was rejected. He appealed the decision and claimed he was being racially discriminated against because 'other employees had been involved in driving accidents and not faced any action'. In November 2019, he was allowed to return to driving but was not invited to the Christmas party. In January 2020, Mr Clarke was hauled in front of bosses after a video was taken showing him on his phone while driving, which he said he was holding for directions. He was suspended from work and in March 2020, he was dismissed. The tribunal ruled it was 'difficult to understand' why co-workers refused to work with Mr Clarke. Judge Ross said: 'There was a long period where Mr Clarke was subjected to ridicule from other drivers, a refusal of other drivers in Preston to work with him underpinned by unkind remarks and offensive racist posts on social media. 'That was behaviour of his work colleagues not the managers. 'However, the management colluded in the ostracisation of Mr Clarke by organising a rota so he did not work with individuals who objected to him and also removed him from solo driving when another colleague objected. 'The tribunal is not satisfied [GXO Logistics Drinks Limited] has shown the decision to dismiss Mr Clarke and the decision to reject the appeal was in no sense whatsoever based on the protected characteristic of race.' In a statement following the tribunal GXO said: 'The events of the case were prior to GXOs ownership of the business. GXO has zero tolerance for harassment and discrimination of any kind. We are disappointed with the judgment.' Participants must send in their 'best' pictures for analysis by a five-member jury Men are paying 50 for a three-page professional evaluation of their penis - where they are assessed on criteria from length to aesthetics. Website Eronite doesn't hold back to spare anyone's feelings, advertising their service as a 'well-founded and honest evaluation, which can also be tough at times'. A five-member jury evaluates a man's lower region based on eight criteria: thickness, length, shape, veins, aesthetics, glans, pubic hair and testicles. A participant will receive a three-page certificate costing 59 euros (50), with the option to add a seal for an extra 20 euros. Those seeking an evaluation must send in their 'best' pictures, as well as a 'self-assessment'. Afterwards, the graphic images are all deleted for privacy reasons. Men are paying 50 for a three-page professional evaluation of their penis - where they are assessed on criteria from length to aesthetics (file image) The jury is headed by Eronite's editor-in-chief Mario Meyer, 47. The other members are two authors, a psychologist and a dominatrix. Meyer estimates he has examined around 2,500 at porn castings, so is very experienced in what to look for and knows what others find desirable. He told BILD: 'When I see genitals, it's nothing special for me. Like elbows or ankles just a part of the body.' Mayer added that most men are overconfident in how they believe their appearance looks. 'I think they're hoping for a good rating. You can often see that in self-assessment. It's almost never realistic, most of them absolutely overestimate themselves,' he said. The team have evaluated the private parts of more than 150 men so far, the majority of whom have wanted their certificate. Excerpts from anonymous ratings include advice to 'shave yourself!' and 'make it look more presentable'. It comes after new data revealed the countries with the world's largest penises. On average, men who live in Ecuador and Cameroon have the biggest members, with penises measuring nearly seven inches (17cm) from the root to the tip of the head when erect. The US and UK didn't even make the top 50, with America languishing at 60th with men having an average size of 5.4in (13.5cm) nearly a third shorter. Britain was in 68th place, with a penis size of 5.2in (13.1cm). The King was left emotional by the poignancy of following in his late mother's footsteps to see a win in the first Royal Ascot of his reign, an expert said today. Charles and Queen Camilla jumped to their feet in jubilation yesterday as Desert Hero galloped over the line in a nail-biting finish to the King George V Stakes. The King appeared to wipe away a tear as he watched his first win as monarch - and the first without his mother, Elizabeth II. He appeared to find it difficult to contain his emotions as he collected the trophy, knocking it over as Camilla looked on. Charles and Camilla are the first ruling monarchs to co-own horses racing at Royal Ascot in more than 300 years, since Queen Anne founded the racecourse in 1711. And bookmaker Paddy Power estimated that, industrywide, backers of Desert Hero collected more than 1million in winnings after the horse was priced at 18/1. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said the win was a 'deeply emotional experience' for Charles because it was 'an event which his mother loved so much'. He told MailOnline that the win would have 'brought back so many memories' for Charles and Camilla and the King's face 'said it all' after the 'surprise victory'. Mr Fitzwilliams added that Royal Ascot was said to have been the first date filled in Elizabeth II's diary every year - and her joy at winning was 'unforgettable'. He added that cheers greeting the royal procession this week 'must have been most heartening' and it is 'pivotal that King Charles keeps this link with the turf and, together with other members of the Royal Family, continues to support Royal Ascot'. King Charles III and Queen Camilla appear emotional as they wave to the crowd after their horse Desert Hero won its race during Ladies Day on day three of Royal Ascot yesterday King Charles seems emotional as he wins his first Royal Ascot race with Camilla this afternoon Charles and Camilla were on the edge of their seats as their horse won the King George V race King Charles celebrate after Desert Hero wins the King George V Stakes at Ascot yesterday Mr Fitzwilliams also pointed out that in the Grandstand at Royal Ascot there is a special photographic tribute to Elizabeth II which Charles and Camilla, in their joint message in the official programme, feel sure will 'prompt many happy memories'. ANALYSIS: Emotional experience for Charles as his mother loved Royal Ascot so much By RICHARD FITZWILLIAMS King Charles's face when his horse, Desert Hero, won the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot yesterday, said it all. He was deeply emotional and this moment was obviously so very special for him. The Queen wiped away a tear. Photographs have captured the way they were both so affected by this surprise victory. In the Grandstand at Royal Ascot there is a fascinating photographic tribute to the late Queen. The King and Queen, in their joint message in the official programme, feel sure it will 'prompt many happy memories'. Royal Ascot was reportedly the first date filled in her diary every year. She had 24 winners there including when Estimate won the Gold Cup, a wonderful moment which I remember well. The monarch's joy was seen by millions and was unforgettable. The late Queen had bred Desert Hero and, as Princess Anne's daughter Zara said, its victory was a 'bittersweet' moment for the royal family as they would have remembered so vividly 'how proud and excited' she would have been. Zara also spoke of 'keeping that dream alive' in having a winner for the King ands Queen, as though this success would encourage them to follow in the Queen's footsteps. Desert Hero was 18-1, and its win must have brought back so many memories to both King Charles and to Queen Camilla, who recently described the late Queen's love of and knowledge about racing as 'her passion in life'. On Ascot Opening Day she wore a heirloom diamond brooch in a tribute to Queen Elizabeth. The Platinum Jubilee Stakes has also been renamed the Queen Elizabeth 11 Jubilee Stakes, in her honour. Royal Ascot is the Britain's most famous race meeting and the highlight of the social season. The royal procession is one of its best known features and dates from 1825. It is pivotal that King Charles keeps this link with the turf and, together with other members of the royal family, continues to support Royal Ascot. The cheers that have greeted the royal party on their arrival every day so far must have been most heartening. As we have seen, it is also a deeply emotional experience for him as this is an event which his mother loved so much. Advertisement Meanwhile veteran horse racing journalist and former jockey Brough Scott has spoken of the importance of the horse being owned by both Charles and Camilla. Mr Scott wrote in The Times today: 'The owners were here. The plural is important. 'For while ruling monarchs have had racehorses for four centuries now, never before has the ownership been clearly stated as 'HM The King & HM The Queen' and as their majesties came into the unsaddling enclosure it showed. 'This is clearly a hobby they can share and in which other members of the family get pleasure too. 'Here was the Princess Royal walking up with her expert horsewoman touch and here her daughter (Zara Tindall) throwing protocol aside in celebratory embraces.' In the King George V Stakes yesterday, a wide-open sprint followed by a nail-biting photo finish saw Desert Hero win the race - and 51,540 prize money in dramatic style. The King and Queen were seen leaping up as the three-year-old colt staged a surprise win, having started the race at 18/1. Charles was later seen accepting congratulations and handshakes from his guests in the Royal Box, before he and Camilla waved gleefully down at their winning jockey Tom Marquand. Charles's good fortune echoes that of Elizabeth II, whose first Royal Ascot winner also came in her Coronation year of 1953. The late Queen saw 24 Ascot wins during her time as monarch. Zara Tindall told ITV: 'It's bittersweet to think how proud and excited the Queen would have been. To have a winner for Charles and Camilla and to keep that dream alive. And besides all that, what a race!' She added: 'I just think how excited my grandmother would have been. To have a winner for Charles and Camilla and to keep that dream alive was incredible, and what a race - asides all of that, what a race. 'I was stood with Sheikh Fahad (owner of the runner-up) and the horses were either side, pulling their way up to the line, and it was incredible. 'I think it is a new excitement (for the King), like all those owners here who come here with horses, they have dreams and hope, and to follow it is incredible. 'Horses are the main game here - that's why we get involved, we love them, the competition, the feelings are indescribable.' The King and Queen later appeared on the podium to present the Ascot Gold Cup to retiring legend Frankie Dettori. Speaking after the race, Marquand said: 'That will be hard to top. I grew up watching Ryan (Moore) on Estimate (winner of the Gold Cup for the late Queen in 2013). Royal winners at the Royal meeting are extremely special, especially this one. 'I think it's a poignant one and to be a part of that, for (trainer) William and Maureen (Haggas) and the whole Somerville Lodge team to bring a horse to the Royal meeting and have that perfect prep - it's an insanely special day. It will live high in my career, probably at the top for the rest of my days in the saddle at least. 'Coming into the paddock wearing royal colours, whether you think you've got a chance or not, is special in itself. Explaining your tactics obviously holds a bit more pressure because you're expected to stick to them - there's no blagging your way out of it when His Majesty and Her Majesty are here. King Charles and Queen Camilla smiled as they arrived at Royal Ascot yesterday afternoon Charles accidentally knocked over the cup during the Ascot presentation ceremony yesterday 'It's fantastic, Royal Ascot is where everyone wants to be and to wear these colours, it's quite an emotional winner.' He added: 'I tracked Ryan round on the horse (Bertinelli) that I thought was the one to beat, he's a big galloper and he took a lot longer to get going than I thought he would and I was sort caught on the back of him needing an out, or an in, and couldn't get either for a long way. 'He was extremely brave to take the split that I asked him for, most horses would have probably told me where to stick it! He had a heart of a lion to battle after squeezing through such tight gaps. What a moment. 'You can see from William and Maureen how much it means to them, we all feel privileged to have anything to do with royal horses and we want to do the job. Doing the job is winning and we've done it. It's a hard game breeding horses and racing horses and to have the Queen's legacy carried on is immensely special. Everybody appreciates the magnitude of what's just happened and it's a special day for everyone. 'It will be (one of the highlights of my career) and it will be forever, even if I'm fortunate enough to have more success at the Royal meeting in the royal colours, I think there'll be few that hit quite the same as that.' Trainer William Haggas said: 'The King and Queen are absolutely thrilled. They have been looking forward to Ascot for a long time and wanting to have as many runners as possible, and I think they are absolutely delighted. 'It is obviously very important for racing, but it is important that the King and Queen enjoy it, which they clearly appear to do, and long may that continue.' Crowds had cheered the King and Queen as they rode up in carriages for their traditional entrance to the course. Charles, wearing a traditional charcoal morning suit and pink tie, waved his hat with enthusiasm. Charles strokes Desert Hero who won The King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot yesterday Zara and Mike Tindall led the Royal Family arrivals at Ladies Day at Royal Ascot yesterday Princess Anne arrives at Royal Ascot with her husband Sir Timothy Laurence yesterday A photographic exhibition curated by royal photographer Chris Jackson for Royal Ascot to mark the late Queen's close association with the event and a lifelong interest in horses Camilla was sophisticated in a pale green coat dress by Anna Valentine, pairing it with a matching hat, complete with a feathered trim, by her go-to designer Phillip Treacy. READ MORE Cousin love! Princess Margaret's daughter Lady Sarah Chatto joins King Charles for royal procession at Ascot in rare public appearance Advertisement She also wore a diamond brooch belonging to the late Queen, a five-strand pearl necklace, a Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet and a pair of pristine white gloves. Anne dressed in a chic green lace gown and white hat and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence followed in the second carriage. Also in attendance was Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, a member of the Qatari royal family who is also a horse owner and David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linley, the son of the late Princess Margaret. His sister, Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel Chatto joined the procession too, alongside Lord Nicholas Soames, former Conservative MP and grandson of Winston Churchill. Camilla's friends, Colin Chisholm and Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen, as well as trainer John Gosden and wife Rachel, Royal bloodstock adviser John Warren and wife Lady Carolyn Warren, joined the procession. Sabrina Elba, actress wife of superstar Idris, led the glamour in a Kate Middleton-inspired white Self Portrait dress suit and beret. Other celebrities at the event included TV stars Charlotte Hawkins and Louise Roe. Meanwhile, Zara and Mike Tindall skipped the royal procession and headed straight to the races on foot. Queen Elizabeth II watches her horse 'Fabricate' in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2018 Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla view horses in the Parade Ring ahead at Royal Ascot in 2013 Queen Elizabeth II waves after her horse Estimate wins at Royal Ascot in June 2013 Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie cheer Estimate to victory at Royal Ascot in June 2013 The Queen and Queen Mother arrive in the rain on the last day of Royal Ascot in 1997 Zara stunned in a French lace short sleeve dress from Scanlan Theodore, which she paired with a fascinator with pretty flower detail. Camilla's Philip Treacy-designed feathered hat was bang on trend, with many other stylish racegoers opting for fluffy plumage to bring a touch of class to their headgear. The avian influence spread far and wide among racegoers on the busiest day of the five-day Berkshire meeting so far, with birds from peacock to ostrich lending their plumage to the show. Another trend among women guests was the trouser suit, with one racegoer opting for a stylish spin on the traditional men's morning jacket. There is one royal runner today, the 40-1 shot Candle Of Hope in the Sandringham Stakes at 5pm. A sex attacker tradie who raped a deaf woman after she turned him down eight times insisted he wasn't attracted to his victim and 'it was just lust'. David Elmer, 30, targeted the vulnerable woman in May 2019 when he raped her at a campsite near Lorne on Victoria's south coast after helping to set up her tent. Elmer, from Jervis Bay, NSW, was travelling with two female friends when they stopped at the camping ground. The group met the woman - who uses Auslan as her first language - in a car park before he helped carry her things and set up her tent. But afterwards Elmer kissed her, and Victorian County Court heard she responded with surprise and kissed him back. David Elmer (pictured), 30, targeted the vulnerable woman in May 2019 at a campsite near Lorne in Victoria Elmer raped the woman at a campsite near the picturesque coastal town of Lorne in Victoria (pictured) When Elmer - who dreamed of playing in a Christian rock band - suggested they have sex in the tent though, she refused, the Herald Sun reported. He then persisted asking if they could do other sex acts but she walked away from him and rejected his advances. Elmer then followed her and offered to have sex with her in a toilet block but she refused him up to eight times. He then took hold of the woman from behind and digitally penetrated her. The frightened woman walked away from him in a calm manner before he exposed himself to her and asked the woman to perform a sex act. The pair then returned to the car park where Elmer took off with his friends who were oblivious to the assault. The victim then told friends about the incident and reported it to police. Elmer told cops the incident was consensual but was convicted by a jury of rape after a week-long trial in January this year. The tradie told police in an interview he 'didn't have any feelings for her, so it was just lust'. Judge Fiona Todd told the court during her sentencing remarks that Elmer's crimes were 'opportunistic, persistent and brazen'. 'You fundamentally failed to read [her] clear rejection of further physical intimacy with you,' Judge Todd said on Friday. 'Your own desire for sexual activity made you either unwilling or unable to comprehend what was being clearly conveyed to you.' Judge Todd added the woman still has panic attacks after the incident. 'Four years later, she still feels she has not recovered enough to embark upon an intimate relationship,' she told the court. The court also heard the victim had been a keen surfer and loved camping but has been avoiding going out into nature since the attack due to fear, Yahoo News Australia said. Elmer may have thought the act was consensual but that belief was 'quite unreasonable', Judge Todd said. But the man has strong prospects for rehabilitation due to his prior good character, the judge added. Elmer had undergone a theology course and a Christian gap year while wanting to join a Christian rock band but he took up a trade instead, the court heard. Elmer (pictured) had undergone a theology course and a Christian gap year while wanting to join a Christian rock band - but he took up a trade instead, the court heard The court heard Elmer had strong prospects for rehabilitation due to his prior good character Judge Todd sentenced Elmer to four years and nine months in jail with a non-parole period of two years and 11 months. He will be eligible for supervised release in 2025 in the light of the 144 days on remand he has already served. The judge told Elmer to never overlook rejections for sexual contact again. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028 A holidaymaker was run over by her own car on a seaside hill - as she tried to stop in when it rolled away with her pet dog inside. Mary Andrews, 56, left her pet dog called Elvis in the Audi A3 when she parked up on a steep hill. But her handbrake failed - and the car began to roll down the hill with the miniature Dachshund sat on the front seat. Horrified Mary jumped in front of the car in an attempt to stop it crashing with her two-year-old dog sat inside. But instead she was run over and almost killed when she was trapped under the wheels in Borth, West Wales. Mary Andrews, 56, left her pet dog called Elvis in the Audi A3 when she parked up on a hill The car began to roll down the hill with the miniature Dachshund sat on the vehicle's front seat Mary was run over and almost killed when she was trapped under the wheels in Borth, West Wales Mary suffered a dislocated hip and knee, four broken ribs and a spine fracture in the drama. She said: 'I stopped on the hill to get a book but when I looked behind the car was moving. 'It was instinct. I just thought the car would kill people and I would lose Elvis - he was just sitting there. 'So I just panicked and went in front of the car to stop it rolling down the hill and it went over me.' But she thanked quick-thinking passersby for saving her life - including an off-duty doctor also on holiday who stopped to help. She said: 'The doctor was the first one on the scene. He was really good. He called people and got the help to get me out from under the car - and held my hand all the way through it.' She suffered a dislocated hip and knee, four broken ribs and a spine fracture in the drama She also suffered some very painful looking cuts and grazes during the rescue gone wrong Mary jumped in front of the car in an attempt to stop it crashing with her two-year-old dog sat inside Mary thanked her rescuers after she was trapped for 20 minutes before being airlifted to hospital. She said: 'PC Joe Roberts sorted Elvis for me - took him to the caravan and made sure he had water and food. He saved the day. 'It all happened so quickly so I didn't get any names. I'm so grateful for everybody who helped me get out from under the car. 'I'm on the mend but my legs are black because the bruising has come out now and the scabs are healing over but my ribs are absolute agony. 'My head was nearly under the back wheel of the car. I don't know how I got out of it. Mary regularly travels 70 miles from her home in Shrewsbury to her caravan at Cambrian Coast Holiday Park Mary was then airlifted to Royal Stoke University Hospital where she remained for eight days 'If that car hadn't been stopped and it had rolled down that hill, it could have killed other people or smashed other vehicles.' Mary regularly travels 70 miles from her home in Shrewsbury to her caravan at Cambrian Coast Holiday Park. She was returning from a daytrip to Aberystwyth when she stopped to pick up a book on the hilly B4572 near Borth when the drama unfolded. She was airlifted to Royal Stoke University Hospital where she remained for eight days. She said: 'I'm still on crutches but thank God I'm still here. It was very traumatic - and Elvis is fine.' A devastated bride saw the love of her life die from a fatal blood clot one hour after tying the knot. It should have been the happiest days of her life, but Johnnie Mae Dennis's wedding took a tragic turn when new husband, Toraze Dennis, died while taking wedding pictures outside their venue in Omaha, Nebraska, on Monday. 'We were in the church and it was a beautiful ceremony. It was the happiest day of Toraze's life,' Jewel Robeson, a friend of the bride, told KETV. Another of Johnnie Mae's friends, Monica Miller, said it was the happiest day of Toraze's life: 'I could just see the smile on his face and how happy he was.' At 4.35pm, just an hour after the ceremony began, Toraze's heart stopped. At just 48, he suffered a fatal blood loss due to a blood clot, leaving his new wife a widow. It should have been the happiest day of her life, but her wedding took a tragic turn when Johnnie Mae Dennis's (left) new husband, Toraze Dennis (right), died while taking wedding pictures outside their wedding venue in Omaha, Nebraska, on Monday At 4.35pm, just an hour after the ceremony began, Toraze's (left)heart stopped. At just 48, he suffered a fatal blood loss due to a blood clot, leaving his new wife (right) a devastated widow on their wedding day 'We were in the church (pictured) and it was a beautiful ceremony. It was the happiest day of Toraze's life,' Jewel Robeson, a friend of the bride, told KETV 'It happened within seconds,' said Robeson, who was in attendance alongside the couple's children, their family and friends. Miller added in an appeal for donations on GoFundMe: 'Both Johnnie Mae and Toraze planned on living the rest of their lives together. 'Unfortunately, Toraze gave his last breath shortly after saying "I Do". All our hearts are aching for Johnnie Mae and her children.' Robeson said Johnnie Mae's friends are now are trying to help the grieving widow cope with losing the love of her life after she has 'suffered through so much'. She added that the newlywed has dedicated her life to helping the most vulnerable members in her community via her work in a care network for the elderly and disabled. 'She's been widowed and married in a 10-minute span,' Robeson said and appealed for donations for Johnnie Mae to aid her with funeral expenses as well as tasks like lawn mowing, snow removal and others in the coming months while she is grieving. Miller added: 'We really want to stress that we want to be able to take care of her.' Another friend of Johnnie Mae's, Tonja Ross, said Toraze's tragic death should serve as a reminder to take one's health seriously: 'It is important to keep being active in your health, so your happiest day does not turn into the most devastating day of your life or your loved ones' life.' At least five people narrowly avoided going on Titan's doomed voyage due to twists of fate or deep concerns about the safety of the sub, MailOnline can reveal today. Diver Chris Brown signed up with tragic pal Hamish Harding, 68, after a 'few beers' while holidaying on Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island but later claimed scaffolding poles were used as ballast and the vessel was 'shoddy'. MailOnline has revealed that Vegas financier Jay Bloom and his son Sean also declined a voyage with his son Sean - even when they were offered a $100,000 discount off the $250,000 price by OceanGate CVEO Stockton Rush. And another explorer, David Concannon, was slated to join the trip but was forced to cancel at the last minute due to a work meeting. OceanGate also offered Robert Mester a voyage onboard the Titan's predecessor Antipodes and later on Titan itself, but he says he turned it down after sighting its 'off-the-shelf' equipment. Mr Mester said: 'Quite frankly, I found something else to take that time up, rather than take the trip,' he said. '[The Titan] has a carbon fiber hull, which, how do I put this it's not a material that's ever been successfully used at great depths.' Jay Bloom and his son Sean (pictured together) were close to going on the doomed Titan voyage to the Titanic and were even offered a last-minute discount but decline over safety concerns Chris Brown has spoken of his grief at the deaths of the five men - and said that he asked for his money back over saefty concerns David Concannon was supposed to be on the dive but could not go due to another client matter at the 11th hour OceanGate , the company that built the vessel, offered Robert Mester (pictured) a voyage onboard the Titan's predecessor Antipodes and later on Titan itself, but he says he turned it down after sighting its 'off-the-shelf' equipment Mr Brown, 61, of Harrogate, North Yorkshire paid his deposit for the 80,000 voyage to the wreck but later pulled out over safety fears including learning scaffolding poles were used as ballast. He said today: 'I am deeply saddened by the tragedy of the Titan. The world of exploration has lost some amazing individuals. And my thoughts are with the families of all the lost souls.' Debris of their subversive was found by a robot sub at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean after a 'catastrophic failure.' Oxygen on the sub also ran out yesterday and any hope of finding them alive ended. Fellow Brits Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son Suleman, plus OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, 61, and Paul-Henry Nargeolet, 77, were also onboard. Chris - who signed up in 2016 - claimed: 'I found out they used old scaffolding poles for the sub's ballast. 'And its controls were based on computer game-style controllers. If you're trying to build your own submarine you could probably use old scaffold poles. 'But this was a commercial craft. Eventually I emailed them and said "I'm no longer able to go on this thing". I asked for a refund after being less than convinced.' Robert Mester, a former marine and deepwater salvage expert based in Washington State, said none of the equipment he saw inside was up to the task of reaching the wreck of the Titanic - which was where Titan was headed when it vanished on Sunday. Titan imploded close to the Titanic's wreck After a desperate four-day search, it was announced Thursday that all five people aboard perished when the OceanGate craft suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' near the site of the iconic shipwreck, 12,500 feet below the surface. Mester said he was put off taking a trip on the vessel himself after seeing the equipment used by OceanGate and the company's CEO Stockton Rush, who is one of the five people killed in the disaster. 'They were using off-the-shelf hardware from Radio Shack to operate inside, and quite frankly we're talking about an environment that requires robust equipment that has certifications and qualifications that are established by different agencies for man-rated submersibles,' Mester told the Daily Beast last night. 'None of the equipment that I saw inside the [Antipodes] submersible was up to that [level], so I just chose not to go.' He told the publication that he later boarded the Titan on dry land, and as with its predecessor, decided against going on a voyage into the depths. 'Quite frankly, I found something else to take that time up, rather than take the trip,' he said. '[The Titan] has a carbon fiber hull, which, how do I put this it's not a material that's ever been successfully used at great depths.' Previous reports about the Titan found much of the equipment inside the cabin was store-bought. Rush has spoken about how the lights, for example, were purchased from a camping shop. Questions had also been raised about the strength of the hull made from a carbon-fiber composite, and the acrylic window mounted on the front. Jay Bloom has shared texts between himself and OceanGate chief executive Stockton Rush showing he and his son were offered a 'last minute price' of $150,000 a head (120,000) a discount on the usual $250,000 (195,000) fee. Mr Bloom, a Democrat supporter who has been photographed with Joe Biden, has described his sadness at Mr Rush's death and his grief that Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19, had taken their spots and perished with French Navy veteran Paul-Henri Nargeolet and British billionaire Hamish Harding. In a Facebook post he said: 'I expressed safety concerns and Stockton told me: While there's obviously risk it's way safer than flying in a helicopter or even scuba diving". 'He was absolutely convinced that it was safer than crossing the street. I am sure he really believed what he was saying. But he was very wrong'. Jay Bloom, pictured with Joe Biden, revealed he was first offered the seats on the Titan but had safety concerns Mr Rush speaks to Mr Bloom about taking part in one of his firm's trips to the Titanic wreck Mr Bloom's Facebook post showing his grief that Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19, had taken his and his own son's places Stockton Rush shows the controller used to steer the Titan which has been compared to something from a XBox or PS5 In February this year Stockton Rush asked Mr Bloom and his son Sean to go on the dive to Titanic in May. Both May dives were postponed due to weather and the dive got delayed until June 18, the date of the ill-fated trip. Mr Bloom said: 'I told him that due to scheduling we couldnt go until next year. Our seats went to Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood, two of the other three who lost their lives on this excursion, the fifth being Hamish Harding. 'RIP Stockton and crew. As for Sean and I... we are going to take a minute to stop and smell the roses. Tomorrow is never promised. Make the most of today'. Texts between Mr Rush had repeatedly tried to reassure Mr Bloom about the safety of the Titan and heading to the Titanic's wreck. He said his son was very worried about the risks after speaking with a friend. Mr Rush said: 'I'm happy to have a video call with him. Curious what the uninformed would say the danger is and whether it's real or imagined'. They discussed how the hull would deal with pressure, or even if it came into contact with a whale or squid. Mr Rush said: 'While there's obviously risk it's way safer than flying in a helicopter or even scuba diving, There hasn't even been an injury in 35 years in non-military subs'. David Concannon, was supposed to be on the dive but could not go due to another client matter. Concannon said in a statement shared by Titanic Book Club: 'As I posted last week I was supposed to be on this expedition and, indeed, on this dive, but I had to cancel to attend to another urgent client matter. A satellite image shows ships taking part in the search and rescue operations associated with the missing Titan submersible near the wreck of the Titanic OceanGate Expeditions were allegedly repeatedly warned about safety concerns Five people were onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19 French Navy veteran Paul-Henri Nargeolet (left) and Mr Rush (right), CEO of OceanGate Expeditions Titanic director and submersible expert James Cameron said he predicted Titan's implosion days before the debris from the missing submersible was found, calling the search a 'prolonged nightmarish charade'. Mr Cameron, who has visited the world's most famous seawreck 30 times, said the tragedy this week has parallels with the 1912 disaster, where the captain repeatedly ignored warnings about an incoming iceberg but carried on at top speed. The five on Titan were killed instantly when the submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' just 1,600ft from the bow of the wrecked ocean liner, the US Coast Guard announced yesterday. A remotely operated submarine from a Canadian ship found debris on the ocean floor. But officials say the men were likely to have died on Sunday before military planes using sonar buoys detected what they thought could have been SOS 'banging' sounds in the water. The US Navy said they heard a sound consistent with an implosion when communications were lost around two hours after they dived. The Navy passed on that information to the Coast Guard, an insider said. Mr Cameron told BBC News that the Coast Guard search 'felt like a prolonged and nightmarish charade where people are running around talking about banging noises and talking about oxygen and all this other stuff'. 'I knew that sub was sitting exactly underneath its last known depth and position. That's exactly where they found it,' he said. This is what the Voice is and what is will mean Referendum to change the Constitution will now happen Legislation for the Voice passed the Senate on Monday Australians will this year head to the polls to vote on whether to rewrite the constitution to include an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the first referendum in a generation. The legislation for the crucial vote passed the Senate on Monday, meaning the referendum must now take place within the next six months. So, what is the Indigenous Voice to Parliament? How does it work and what would it do? The legislation for a referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament passed the Senate on Monday, meaning the vote must take place in the next six months (pictured: Anthony Albanese at Garma Festival in northeast Arnhem Land, NT in 2022) What is The Indigenous Voice to Parliament? The Indigenous Voice to Parliament aims to provide a permanent representation and voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at each level of government. It would be a body that represents the interests of Australia's First Nations people. The Voice is part of an ongoing reconciliation process that has spanned decades. A key moment came at a historic meeting of First Nations people Australia-wide at the First Nations National Constitutional Convention in 2017. At the event around 250 Indigenous delegates met at Uluru and reached a consensus 440-word statement known as the Uluru Statement from the Heart on the next steps of reconciliation. The objectives of the statement were to have a voice in parliament, a treaty and truth-telling. The statement references the 1967 referendum, which altered the constitution to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in population counts. It also gave the federal government the power to make laws for Indigenous Australians. From the Uluru Statement from the Heart stemmed the Voice- a body that would provide input to the government about any policies and laws that would affect their lives. This included matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's social, economic and spiritual well-being. Simply put, the Voice would be an advisory body for all levels of government on how parliamentary decisions affect First Nations people. The Indigenous Voice to Parliament aims to provide a permanent representation and voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in all levels of government (pictured: the Gumatj clan performing bunggul, a traditional dance, at the Garma Festival) How would it work? The final format has yet to be decided and will be legislated by Parliament after the referendum, but the Voice is proposed to be made up of two parts, a National Voice and Local and Regional Voices. The Local and Regional voices would consist of 35 local Voices representing districts around the country, each one individually selected to be the voice for the communities they represent. This would help reflect that wide array of opinions of different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The elected Local Voices would engage with politicians at local, state and federal levels and provide their input. The National Voice would have 24 members which must have a gender balance amongst the board. Each individual would be elected to serve a four-year term and would only be allowed to serve two terms, similar to US Presidents. Two full-time co-chairs would be elected by members and the National Voice would be elected by the Local and Regional Voices. The Voice is proposed to be made up of two parts, a National Voice and Local and Regional Voices, providing advice about matters affecting First Nations social, economic and spiritual wellbeing What would The Voice do? The purpose of the Voice is to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Australia-wide a say in how the country is run. The Voice would provide independent advice to the government and each representative would be chosen by First Nations people to best voice the thoughts of each local community. It would represent both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. However, there would be limitations to what the Voice can do. The Voice is solely an advisory board to the Australian parliament and government and therefore it would only be there to provide advice on matters which specifically affect Indigenous people. Therefore, it would not have the power to overrule parliament or legislation - also known as 'veto' powers. The Voice would provide independent advice to the government and each representative would be chosen by First Nations people to best voice the thoughts of each local community (pictured: Anthony Albanese and Chair of the Northern Land Council Samuel Bush-Blanasi) When is the referendum? The first Australian referendum of the 21st century is coming soon - but the date is yet to be confirmed. The legislation setting up a referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament passed the Senate on Monday, which means the vote must be held before the year's end. While the government is yet to announce a specific date, it must be held at least two months after the legislation is passed. That means it cannot be held before late August and also cannot be held any later than six months from the time it passed. The Prime Minister has stated it will be in the last quarter of the year but that is as close to a date as we currently have. The last referendum in Australia was held on November 6, 1999, and was a two-question referendum. The first question was whether Australia should become a republic replacing the Queen and Governor-General with a President appointed by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Commonwealth Parliament. The second was about altering the Constitution to insert a preamble - a short piece of text designed to introduce the Constitution. In the end, the republic referendum was defeated. Since Australia's Federation in 1901, only eight of the 44 proposals for constitutional change have been approved. The most recent successful referendums were held in 1977, some 46 years ago. In that referendum Australians agreed that ACT and Northern Territory votes should be included in referendum tallies, political parties would decide who fills a casual Senate vacancy, and High Court judges should retire at 70. A fourth question surrounding House of Representatives and Senate elections being held simultaneously was however defeated. The referendum will be held in the last quarter of 2023 (pictured: Member of the First Nations Referendum Working Group Marcia Langton speaks to the media during a press conference) What is the question Australia will vote on? The wording of the Voice referendum has been long debated but in late March, the Referendum Working Group recommended its wording. The question is set to be: A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration? Voters will then either vote Yes in favour or No against the change to the Constitution. For the referendum to succeed it needs more than just 50 per cent of the vote. For the Constitution to be changed the vote must be a double majority, which is the majority of people in Australia and a majority in the states. Therefore, to pass, four of the six states must have a majority of yes votes as well as the majority of the country voting yes. Residents of the Northern Territory and the ACT will only have their votes count towards the nationwide majority. A 51-year-old man has faced court over a series of sexual assaults in Perth in the 1990s after police used investigative genetic genealogy to identify him. Michael Anthony Woodhall appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday charged with 34 offences, including sexually assaulting four women. Western Australian police used DNA samples coupled with the genealogy technique to identify more than 3500 people. Investigative genetic genealogy uses publicly accessible genealogy databases to match genetic data to ancestors. 'We were confident that in those [3500] ... was our offender,' Detective Acting Superintendent Darryl Cox told reporters. Detectives worked for two years to reduce the number of genetic matches to one suspect. 'This has been a painstaking investigation,' Det Supt Cox said. 'Special crime squad used cutting-edge forensic techniques.' A 51-year-old man has faced court over a series of sexual assaults in Perth in the 1990s after police used investigative genetic genealogy to identify him Police alleged the first incident happened about 8.30pm on March 19, 1995 when Woodhall allegedly approached a 49-year-old woman walking in a park. He was 23 years old at the time and is accused of threatening her with a knife before dragging her into bushland and sexually assaulting her. The second alleged attack happened about 3am a year later on March 19, 1996, when Woodhall is accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in her house. He allegedly woke the woman before threatening her with a knife and sexually assaulting her. The third incident occurred at student accommodation near the University of Western Australia about 2am on February 4, 1998. Woodhall is accused of threatening an 18-year-old woman with a knife before sexually assaulting her. Michael Anthony Woodhall appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday charged with 34 offences, including sexually assaulting four women A fourth woman was attacked at a home in Perth's east about 2.30am on June 14, 1998, when Woodhall allegedly sexually assaulted a 22-year-old woman. He has been charged with 14 counts of aggravated sexual penetration without consent, five counts of indecent assault, deprivation of liberty, burglary and a slew of other offences. He was refused bail and is scheduled to reappear on July 21. Rarely seen photos have revealed the vital role the Women's Land Army played in defeating Adolf Hitler in a new book. The patriotic women stepped into the breach to replace men fighting on the front line and keep the nation's agriculture going. This enabled food production to carry on so Britons did not starve when the country's shipping was blockaded by the Nazis during the Second World War. The previously untold stories of some of the 'land girls' are revealed by farming journalist Emily Ashworth in her new book, The Land Army's Lost Women. Her grandmother Vera Ashworth was part of the Land Army and she wants to make sure their important contribution to the war effort is not forgotten. Pictured, a Land Army member in woodland with an axe over her shoulder during the war Pictured: Audrey Prickett and Betty Long put bait in a trap in a haystack as part of their training at a Sussex farm Pictured: A lady moving cut timber in Welshpool. Women stepped in and performed the jobs previously done by men Land Girls placing chickens into cages at Charing Cross underground station in London in 1942 Women's Land Army Forestry Training, Culford, Suffolk, 1943, Land Girls use a double saw to cut down a tree as part of their training at the WLA camp in Culford Land Girls in Devon, from left to right: Grace Foster, 21, Penny Arberry, 19, Ellen Howe, 18, (driving) and Jackie Crane, 18 Pictured, Emily Ashworth and land girl Jean Bindoff. Ms Ashworth's new book sheds light on the remarkable efforts of the Land Army duing the war Pictured, Vera Ashworth who was the inspiration for the new book. Emily said she wanted to creat a different view of these women Emily, 32, from Clitheroe, Lancs, said she hopes her book will address the 'shocking lack of knowledge' about them. She said: 'I wanted to collate a book of personal memoirs; a collection of stories from Land Girls that simply showed these women for what they were - young and brave, funny and smart, selfless and caring. 'I found that their downfall was their image - farming does not call for glamour, yet I know my grandma was glamorous and I feel compelled to create a different view of these women. 'As welcoming as many were to the land girls, equally as many objected to women taking on what was considered male work. 'There are quotes in the land girl voluntary manual that record farmers' reactions to being landed with women on their farms, and their surprise at their ability. Recruitment posters for the Women's Land Army. The patriotic women stepped into the breach to replace men fighting on the front line and keep the nation's agriculture going A Land Girl collecting hay from the stack to feed cattle at the Women's Land Army training centre at Cannington in Somerset Audrey Willis in 1942 preparing rat poison as part of their training at a farm in Sussex A Land Army poem from 1942: Back to the land, we must all lend a hand To the farms and the fields we must go. There's a job to be done Though we can't fire a gun We can still do our bit with a hoe. When your muscles are strong You will soon get along And you'll think that the country life's grand; We're all needed now, We must speed with the plough, So come with us - back to the land Advertisement 'There is a shocking lack of knowledge about this branch of the women's forces during the war. 'There is obviously an endless list of females to champion throughout history, but still, for some obscure reason, the Women's Land Army are mostly left to champion their own efforts. 'These were women who rose to the challenge - women who conquered the task despite oppressed adversity. 'These were women who helped to win the war, yet they did not see themselves as doing anything special - they said they just wanted to do their bit for the cause. 'This book is in honour of my two grandmothers, Vera and Margaret, who I was extremely close to and who lived into their 90s. 'It is really about a generation who deserve to be remembered for what they did.' The Women's Land Army was originally formed during the First World War in 1917 and re-established in 1939 to prevent a national food shortage. Food rationing began in Britain in 1940 and in May 1941 the government said all women aged 19 to 40 must volunteer for war work. Conscription was introduced at the end of 1941 and women did farm tasks such as spreading manure and pulling sugar beet. Women picking brussel sprouts as part of their training at Cannington Farm, Somerset in 1940 Pictured: Land Girls Ivy Reid, Alice Crook, Joy Godsall and a colleague digging an old bog oak out of a piece of reclaimed fen land in Cambridgeshire in 1942 Iris Joyce taking the bull by the nose in 1942. The previously untold stories of some of the 'land girls' are revealed by farming journalist Emily Ashworth in her new book Pictured: Women voice their grievances in London demanding equal pay for equal work Pictured: Landy Army girls Harvesting flax on a farm in Huntingdonshire during 1942 Over 200,000 women were part of the Land Army while others built aircraft, worked in munitions factories or chopped down trees in the timber corps. The Women's Land Army carried on after the war finished as so many male farmers perished during it. The organisation was disbanded in 1950 but it was not until 2008 that they were officially recognised with a badge of honour by the government. The Land Army's Lost Women, by Emily Ashworth, is published by Pen & Sword and costs 20. An eight-year-old boy has suddenly died on a family holiday. Mohammad Anwari, from Caroline Springs in western Melbourne, was visiting Afghanistan with his family two weeks ago when his heart stopped. The 'beautiful' eight-year-old, who was in Year 4 at Creekside College, was born with a rare heart condition that caused heart failure. Mohammad Anwari, from Caroline Springs in western Melbourne, was visiting Afghanistan with his family two weeks ago when his heart stopped Mohammad had travelled to Afghanistan with his parents, sister and younger brother Yousef, the Herald Sun reported. School principal Gary Eckersall sent a letter to parents informing them of Mohammad's tragic passing. 'We are saddened to inform you that one of our students in year 4, Mohammad Anwari, has passed away whilst on holidays with his family,' he wrote. 'He was a student that was well liked by all of the children in his year level and will be missed by the Creekside school community. 'We ask that you find a suitable time and space to share this information with your child, as we are aware that such a sensitive matter is best relayed by loved ones.' The 'beautiful' eight-year-old, who was in Year 4 at Creekside College, was born with a rare heart condition that caused heart failure Family neighbour Tammy Callejan told the newspaper that Mohammad was 'the most vivacious, funny, typical little boy'. Mohammad had a 'beautiful smile' and enjoyed playing outside with his younger brother. His funeral took place in Afghanistan. This is the moment the co-founder of OceanGate learned that debris from the Titan submersible had been discovered by rescue crews during a TV interview. Guillermo Sohnlein, who founded OceanGate with Stockton Rush in 2009, was speaking to a BBC journalist when he was told that some pieces had been found on the ocean floor in the search for the missing submersible. 'I'm sorry, some what has been found?' a shocked Sohnlein quickly asked before the journalist said all he knew at this stage was that debris had been found. Sohnlein appeared breathless and taken aback by the news, which he most likely knew meant there had been an implosion onboard the vessel. He told the BBC: 'I'm not sure [what the debris is] because I'm hearing this for the first time but I know that the protocol for lost comms is for the pilot to surface the sub. From the beginning I always thought that's probably what Stockton would have done.' 'In which case it becomes very difficult to find the sub because the surface ship wouldn't have known it was coming up and wouldn't have known where to look. My biggest fear through this whole thing watching the operations unfold is that they're floating around on the surface and they're just very difficult to find.' But it later emerged that the debris that was found by a remotely operated vehicle deployed by the Canadian vessel Horizon Arctic were parts of the Titan submersible. Guillermo Sohnlein, who founded OceanGate with Stockton Rush in 2009, was speaking to a BBC journalist when he was told that some pieces had been found on the ocean floor in the search for the missing submersible Rear Admiral John Mauger, who led the search, said the parts that were found in the debris field pointed to the submersible suffering a 'catastrophic implosion' 1,600 ft from the bow of the Titanic, killing all five onboard. The somber announcement ended a multinational search-and-rescue operation that captivated the world since the tiny tourist craft went missing in the North Atlantic on Sunday. Mauger said parts of the Titan's tail cone and landing frame were found first. Authorities said they later learned that the pieces discovered also included the front and back ends of its pressure hull as well as the porthole window one of the doomed passengers would have been looking out of when the vessel imploded. All five onboard including British explorer Hamish Harding, British businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman would have died instantly without ever knowing there was a problem, naval experts say. It comes as former Royal Navy commander Ryan Ramsey, who served in the submarine service for 23 years, said the debris will allow experts to analyse the break structure and potentially 'piece together what actually happened in those last moments'. Comparing the current investigation to one involving a crashed plane, Ramsey told the BBC: 'There is no black box, so you are not going to be able to track the last movements of the vessel itself. 'But as many pieces of the vessel as they can do, to get those back up to the surface, and from them they should be able to analyse the break structure, any fractures that have happened and maybe piece together what actually happened in those last moments.' The debris will be examined under a microscope and experts will try to find any breaks in the carbon fibre structure, which could help them locate the exact spot the rupture took place. Professor Roderick Smith, from Imperial College London, said the sheer strength of the 'catastrophic implosion' means it could be difficult to create a timeline of what happened. 'Hence the need for retrieval and painstaking examination if possible,' he said. Bobby Chacon, a retired FBI special agent and a former leader of the FBI dive team, told CNN it would be impossible to know what happened 'unless you recover the majority of the vessel'. He said that a remotely operated vehicle could be able to bring up more parts of the submersible. 'The sooner they do that, the better, because the ocean changes things all the time. The tides and currents and ocean pressures moves things around,' he said. Search and rescue officials say the five men are likely to have died on Sunday before military planes using sonar buoys detected what they thought could have been SOS 'banging' sounds in the water. 'The implosion would have generated a significant, broadband sound that the sonar buoys would have picked up,' explained Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard at a press conference yesterday. It would have been an instant death for the men, some of whom had paid 195,000 ($250,000) each to see the famous shipwreck. Aileen Marty, a former naval officer and professor at Florida International University, said the implosion would have happened at 1,500 miles per hour. 'It takes more than that it takes about 0.25 more than that for the human brain to even realise it's happening. So the entire thing would have collapsed before the individuals inside would even realise there was a problem,' Mr Marty told CNN. 'They died in a way that they didn't even realise that they were about to die. Ultimately, among the many ways in which we pass, that's painless.' Sohnlein, who left OceanGate 10 years ago, said he would not have acted differently than Rush. He said: 'If anything, I think we need to go back and learn from what's happening, find out what's happened, take those lessons and carry them forward.' Graphic showing the parts of the Titan submersible that have been found following 'catastrophic implosion' University student Suleman (left), 19, and his father Shahzada Dawood (right) were two of the five victims who were killed instantly when the OceanGate submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' British explorer Hamish Harding was among those killed in the 'catastrophic implosion' French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) was in the sub along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition Sohnlein today said the regulations surrounding visits to the Titanic wreckage are 'tricky to navigate' after the deep-sea vessel imploded while attempting to visit the site. Sohnlein 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 only reported missing eight hours after communication was lost. Cameron, also a submersible expert who has visited the world's most famous seawreck 30 times, said the tragedy this week has parallels with the the 1912 disaster, where the captain repeatedly ignored warnings about an incoming iceberg but carried on at top speed. He told the BBC: 'We now have another wreck that is based on, unfortunately, the same principles of not heeding warnings.' But 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 that's one of the main reasons I agreed to go into business with him in 2009.' 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 they're designed for specific instances. 'So it's kind of tricky to navigate those regulatory schemes.' Mr Sohnlein added on BBC Radio 4's 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.' When asked about the safety of the Titan submersible, Ramsey said lessons need to be learned and questions need to be answered. He said: 'That's 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. 'What's apparent here is they didn't have to follow the same regulation, and therefore didn't follow the same regulation. I think that will be where a big focus is. 'That doesn't mean blame, that's not what we should be doing, what we should be doing is what's called adjust culture, where we work out lessons learned and implement them going forward.' OceanGate Expeditions were allegedly repeatedly warned about safety concerns Stockton Rush shows the controller used to steer the Titan which has been compared to something from an XBox or PS5 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. 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. A senior military official said the US 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 vessel's nose cone and the front end bell of the pressure hull. The tiny vessel carrying the crew was protected by a pressure chamber, a sealed pod that holds internal pressure significantly higher than ambient pressure, a gas system to control the internal pressure, and a supply of breathing gas for the occupants. Dr. Dale Mole, the former director of undersea medicine and radiation health for the US Navy, said: 'The pressure hull is the chamber where the occupants reside. It sounds as though they had reached the bottom when the pressure vessel imploded, and usually, when it gives way, it gives way all at once. 'It sounds like it was the carbon fiber cylinder that gave way and resulted in the implosion.' How the pressure chamber was breached remains unclear. But such an implosion could be due to a leak, power failure, or small fire from an electrical short circuit. What would have resulted would have been a violent and instantaneous implosion as the high pressure water outside flooded in, wrenching away the rear cover, landing frame, and ripping apart the sub's hull, crushing those inside. Dr Mole said: 'They would have been ripped to shreds. 'An implosion is when the wave of pressure is inward, whereas an explosion is when the pressure wave or the shock wave goes out from whatever the source of that is.' He explained it like blowing up a balloon too much the balloon will eventually pop when there is too much pressure. In an implosion, the opposite occurs, when there is more outward pressure than the container can understand, then the insides collapse. Dr Mole said: 'When somebody stands on an empty soda can, it would support your weight, but then if you press on the sides, the can would collapse immediately.' He added: 'It's simply where the debris and fragments and everything else goes inward because of a strong external force. In this case, it was the ocean. 'At least at the depth of the Titanic, which is 12,500 feet, the external pressure would be 6,000lb per square inch. It's that pressure that, if there were a weakness in the hull, would cause the hull to collapse and suddenly creates a shockwave. An implosion can certainly be every bit of destructive as an explosion.' OceanGate, which has been chronicling the Titanic's decay and the underwater ecosystem around it via annual voyages since 2021, released a statement calling all five men killed 'true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world's oceans'. It comes as the heartbroken family of 19-year-old Suleman and his father Shahzada Dawood today paid tribute to the beloved pair who 'cherished a shared passion for adventure'. Honouring the legacy of Shahzada and Suleman, the family spoke of how the pair were each other's 'greatest supporters' with an 'unwavering curiosity' which built the foundation for their close friendship and inspired those around them. 'In this unfathomable tragedy, we try to find solace in the enduring legacy of humility and humanity that they have left behind and find comfort in the belief that they passed on to the next leg of their spiritual journey hand-in-hand, father and son,' the tribute says. Sulaiman Dawood, 19, pictured with his mother Christine, a coach and psychologist Shahzada Dawood, 48, who died in the Titan submersible, is pictured here with his wife Christine Shahzada Dawood (pictured) and his son Sulaiman Dawood were on board the small underwater craft which takes paying tourists to view the famous wreck Pictured: File photo of inside the missing OceanGate Expeditions submarine which suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' The submersible, Titan, is seen moments before it descended on its current dive on Sunday It adds: 'Shahzada's and Suleman's absence will be felt deeply by all those who had the privilege of knowing this pair. It is difficult to articulate the grief of the immediate Dawood family.' The tribute spoke of their unbreakable family values, their passion for learning about the world around them and philanthropy. It told about the excitement Suleman had felt to join his father's business and how he 'was keenly aware of the past efforts of his family that enabled him to have the experiences he did, and he never took them for granted; he remained grounded and humble and emotionally wise beyond his years.' Suleman was described as a 'sociable companion, admired by his friends at university and loved dearly by his sister and young cousins, who often looked up to 'Suleman bhai' for friendship, advice, and laughter.' The tribute came after Suleman's heartbroken aunt said he was 'terrified' about the trip and only joined the crew to please his dad for Father's Day. His heartbroken aunt, Azmeh Dawood, told NBC News that Suleman informed a relative he 'wasn't very up for it' but felt compelled to please his father, who was very passionate about the 1912 shipwreck. The older sister of Shahzada Dawood, who was the vice-chairman of Engro Corporation, reportedly said through tears: 'I feel disbelief. It's an unreal situation.' Azmeh, who like the other anxious relatives was hoping for a miracle, continued: 'I feel like I've been caught in a really bad film, with a countdown, but you didn't know what you're counting down to.' She said she 'personally found it kind of difficult to breathe thinking of them', adding: 'It's been unlike any experience I've ever had'. The Dawood family are among the richest in Pakistan, but have strong links to the UK and Shahzada lived in a six-bedroom 3.3million house in Surbiton, Surrey, with wife Christine, who works as a life coach, son Sulaiman and daughter Alina. Shahzada is the Vice Chairman of Engro Corporation, which makes fertilisers, food and energy, as well as the Dawood Hercules Corporation, which makes chemicals. Shahzada's father Hussain, 79, is chairman of both companies. Shahzada is also a member of the Global Advisory Board for King Charles' Charity, Prince's Trust. He is also in the Founder's Circle of the British Asian Trust. The father-of-two is also on the board of trustees for the California-based SETI Institute that searches for extraterrestrial intelligence. He was born in Pakistan but moved to the UK to study law at the University of Buckingham. He went on to study for Master's in textile marketing in 2000 at Philadelphia University. Shahzada had decided to take his son Sulaiman on the 'Titan' - the name of the Titanic submersible - for the five-day trip with three others when disaster struck and they lost contact with the surface after appearing to close in on their destination. Suleman was a student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. The university confirmed on Thursday that the teenager was a business school student who had just completed his first year. Professor Sir Jim McDonald, principal & vice-chancellor of the University said: 'We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the death of Suleman Dawood and his father in this tragic incident. 'The entire Strathclyde community offers our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and all those affected by this terrible accident. 'Our student wellbeing team remains on hand to offer appropriate support to Suleman's classmates and the wider Strathclyde community at this difficult time.' A British celebrity chef has been hit by vegan trolls after he made the controversial decision to ban them from his restaurant. John Mountain owns the Fyre restaurant in Perth, Australia. But he has caused an international uproar after reacting to a negative review of his restaurant by saying: 'F*** vegans... they can f*** off.' The 55-year-old chef, who is originally from Preston, Lancashire, has since imposed a ban on all vegan customers, claiming to do so 'for mental health reasons'. Writing on Facebook, Mr Mountain said: 'Sadly all vegans are now banned from Fyre (for mental health reasons). We thank you for your understanding.' Pictured, John Mountain who has caused outrage in the vegan community after banning them from his restaurant The 55-year-old chef, is originally from Preston, Lancashire, but owns the Fyre restaurant in Perth, Australia The restaurant has been forced to take a booking fee after being hit by an army of online vegan trolls The post also included a caption saying, 'Yep. I'm done', as well as the hashtags: vegan, #not, #pleasegoelsewhere, #veganfreezone, and #nomorevegans. Since then, there has been a coordinated counterattack as vegan trolls bombarded the restaurant with fake bookings. The Fyre website reads: 'Due to the frequency of non-genuine vegan bookings, we have been forced to request a $30 per person booking fee. 'This fee is wholly deductible from your bill after dining at Fyre.' It comes only hours after the chef boasted that bookings had 'gone through the roof' since he announced his ban. Mr Mountain said: 'Sadly all vegans are now banned from Fyre (for mental health reasons). We thank you for your understanding' The celebrity chef initially boasted that bookings were 'through the roof' after he banned vegans at Fyre Speaking to Australian news site The Project, Mr Mountrain said: 'I usually do half a dozen people in this beautiful restaurant. 'I have 35 booked for dinner tonight. 'This has been the best marketing that's ever happened to me.' Controversial Perth vegan activist, Tash Peterson told 7News: 'One incident where this chef is clearly upset by a valid complaint, and then to discriminate an entire group of people, I don't see it as any different to banning Muslims or women, it's a blatant form of discrimination. 'I think he's triggered by veganism and I think it's a defence mechanism against his own guilt.' The original complaint happened on a night when Mr Mountain wasn't working and had forgotten to tell his Sous-chef about a special order. Pictured, vegan activist Tash Peterson who has since blasted the chef for 'discrimination' against plant-eaters A woman was given a $32 (16.88) bowl of vegetables and she made a complaint to the restaurant in a direct message. She said: 'My only option was the vegetable dish. It was okay but not that filling and I was shocked to see it was $32. '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. 'I hope to see some improvements in your menu as I have lived in Connolly for quite some time and have seen many restaurants come and go from that building and none of them last. 'If you don't get with the times, I don't hold out faith that your restaurant will be the one that does.' Mr Mountain said the custome who made the initial complaint 'made it personal' (pictured: Mr Mountain's restaurant Fyre) Mountain was a memorable contestant on the Great British Menu back in 2010 Mountain emigrated to Australia in 2016 with his wife and two children, working with some of the finest chefs Down Under before setting up in Fyre Mr Mountain hit back: 'Thanks for your negative review... please feel free to share your s**tty experience and I look forward to not seeing you again. 'How very childish. You and all your vegan mates can all go and enjoy your dishes in another venue. You are now banned.' Although the chef said her complaint was justified, he claimed the woman took it too far. He said: 'Look, I said I would accommodate her, and I didn't. 'But, she made the complaint personal.' According to Perth Now, another chef said she suffered her own 'devastating' online backlash in the past. According to head chef and owner of Two Dogs Laughing Cafe Elizabeth Peasley, vegan customers have the 'potential to destroy a business'. She added: 'When they get their friends to jump in and post negative reviews online and that hurts when you work 100-hour weeks as a chef and put your heart and soul into what you do.' The Mail Online has contacted Fyre for comment. The search to find the missing Titan submersible has now become a recovery effort after it was confirmed that the vessel suffered a 'catastrophic implosion'. Deep-sea robots will continue to search the sea floor for clues about what happened in the Atlantic Ocean and how the pilot and four passengers died. The US Coast Guard has confirmed that the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered around 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage. Undersea experts said five major pieces of debris helped to identify it as from the Titan, including the vessel's nose cone and the front end bell of the pressure hull. The victims have been named as Hamish Harding, 58, Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman Dawood, 19, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, and Stockton Rush, 61. Here, MailOnline answers some of the key questions being asked after the disaster: Exactly when did the implosion occur? The US Coast Guard has said it is currently too early to tell exactly when Titan suffered what it has described as a 'catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber'. Search teams had sonar buoys in the water for more than three days in the area after Sunday without detecting any loud, violent noise that would have been generated when the submersible imploded, Rear Admiral John Mauger has said. But the position of the debris field relatively close the Titanic shipwreck and the time frame of the last communication with the Titan seemed to suggest the failure occurred near the end of its descent on Sunday. The US Navy separately acknowledged that an analysis of its own acoustic data had detected 'an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion' near the submersible's location when its communications were lost. Where did the implosion occur? The US Coast Guard has said the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered around 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage in the Atlantic Ocean. The Tian lost contact with the tour operator an hour and 45 minutes into the two-hour descent to the wreckage, which is 2.5 miles below the water's surface. The vessel was reported overdue about 435 miles south of St John's, Newfoundland, according to Canada's Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The RMS Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank on its maiden voyage in 1912, lies about 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and 400 miles south of St John's. Will the victims' bodies ever be found? Officials in the US have said they are 'not sure' they can locate the bodies of five people in the Atlantic Ocean after they died in the Titan submersible disaster. In a press conference in Boston yesterday, Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger said he could not say what the prospects were of finding the bodies. He 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 we'll continue to work and continue to search the area down there, but I don't have an answer for prospects at this time.' Titan is prepared for its dive to view the wreck of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday What went wrong on board Titan? The Titan 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. A senior military official said yesterday that a US Navy acoustic system detected an 'anomaly' on Sunday that was likely the Titan's fatal implosion. If any part of the submersible's carbon-fibre and titanium hull had suffered a small crack or fault, under the weight of two-and-a-half miles of water the craft would have been squashed flat within a fraction of a second. US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger has said teams on the site will continue to investigate and try to give the families of the victims some answers. The cause of Titan's implosion has not been determined, but Titanic film director James Cameron said he presumes critics were correct in warning that a carbon fiber and titanium hull would enable delamination and microscopic water ingress, leading to progressive failure over time. A file photo of people on board the Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions Who was killed on Titan? The five victims included British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding, 58, UK-based businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman Dawood, 19. The other two men on board were French submersible pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, and OceanGate's chief executive and founder Stockton Rush, 61. Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood both died in the Titan tragedy this week (From left) Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Stockton Rush, and Hamish Harding also died in the disaster What was the 'banging' heard earlier this week? Sonar buoys dropped by aircraft had picked up some sounds on Tuesday and Wednesday that temporarily offered hope that the Titan was still intact and that its occupants were alive and trying to communicate by banging on the hull. But officials at the US Coast Guard said yesterday that analysis of the sound was inconclusive and that the noises probably emanated from something else. Experts claim the 'banging' could have been from search equipment in the area, marine life such as whales or even just sounds from the depths of the Atlantic. Dr Jamie Pringle, reader in forensic geosciences at Keele University, said: 'The ocean is a very noisy place with passing ships, submarines, fishing vessels, and indeed search vessels in this case. 'Noises can come from any source and sound waves don't always travel radially outwards from a source, as water bodies are most often layered and sound waves travel along these. 'Noise from the Titanic wreck at that water depth would also be unlikely to travel to the surface. The fact that it was every 30 minutes suggests a man-made cause and not vessel propellers which are continuous.' A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules plane flies over L'Atalante during the search on Wednesday Will they ever retrieve the submarine? A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) found debris fields on the Atlantic sea floor, and deep-sea robots will continue to search the area to investigate what happened. Five major pieces of debris helped to identify it as from the Titan submersible - including the vessel's nose cone and the front end bell of the pressure hull. Ryan Ramsey, a former submarine captain in the Royal Navy, said authorities will gather every piece of debris they can to try to establish how the disaster took place. He said: 'This is not going to be dissimilar to an aircraft crashing, there is no black box, so you are not going to be able to track the last movements of the vessel itself. 'But as many pieces of the vessel as they can do, to get those back up to the surface, and from them they should be able to analyse the break structure, any fractures that have happened and maybe piece together what actually happened in those last moments.' The US Coast Guard also said some of the vessels at the scene of the search yesterday would begin to be demobilised over the following 24 hours. A file photograph of Titan which has been used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic What has OceanGate said about the disaster? Here is yesterday's statement from OceanGate on the loss of the Titan in full: '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 an extremely sad time for our dedicated employees who are exhausted and grieving deeply over this loss. 'The entire OceanGate family is deeply grateful for the countless men and women from multiple organisations of the international community who expedited wide-ranging resources and have worked so very hard on this mission. 'We appreciate their commitment to finding these five explorers, and their days and nights of tireless work in support of our crew and their families. '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.' What will happen next? The Coast Guard will continue searching near the Titanic for more clues about what happened to the Titan, with no timeframe for when this will be called off. Asked what the next phase will be, Rear Admiral John Mauger said they will continue to investigate the site and try to give the families some answers. He added: 'Our thoughts are with the families and making sure that they have an understanding as best as we can provide of what happened and begin to find some closure. 'In terms of the large process, we're going to continue to investigate the site of the debris field and then I know that there's also a lot of questions about how, why and when did this happen, and so those are questions that we will collect as much information as we can on now, while the governments are meeting and discussing what an investigation of this nature of a casualty might look like. 'This is something that happened, I'll just remind everybody, this is something that happened in a remote portion of the ocean with people from, you know, several different countries around the world and so it is a complex case to work through but I'm confident that those questions will begin to get answered.' Did the passengers sign a liability waiver? Liability waivers are believed to have been signed by passengers before they boarded the Titan submersible on the trip costing $250,000 per person. A CBS reporter who made the trip with OceanGate in July 2022 said the waiver he signed mentioned the possibility of death three times on the first page alone. OceanGate has not confirmed whether any waivers were signed for the latest trip. Could OceanGate face a lawsuit? Legal experts have said liability waivers signed by passengers on Titan may not shield the vessel's owner from potential lawsuits by the victims' families. Waivers are not always ironclad, and judges can reject them if there is evidence of gross negligence or hazards that were not fully disclosed. Personal injury attorney and maritime law expert Matthew Shaffer, who is based in Texas, said: 'If there were aspects of the design or construction of this vessel that were kept from the passengers or it was knowingly operated despite information that it was not suitable for this dive, that would absolutely go against the validity of the waiver.' He said OceanGate could argue it was not grossly negligent and that the waivers apply because they fully described the dangers inherent. The degree of any potential negligence and how that might impact the applicability of the waivers will depend on the causes of the disaster. 'There are so many different examples of what families might still have claims for despite the waivers, but until we know the cause we can't determine whether the waivers apply,' said personal injury lawyer Joseph Low of California. Families could also seek damages from any outside parties that designed, helped build or made components for the Titan if they were found to be negligent and a cause of the implosion. Is there any way back for OceanGate? OceanGate is a small company based in Everett, Washington, and it is unclear whether it has the assets to pay significant damages, were any to be awarded, but families could collect from the company's insurance policy if it has one. OceanGate could seek to shield itself from damages by filing a so-called limitation of liability action under maritime law, which lets owners of vessels involved in an accident ask a federal court to limit any damages to the present value of the vessel. Since the Titan was destroyed, that would be zero. But OceanGate would need to prove it had no knowledge of potential defects with the submersible and would carry the burden of proof, which legal experts said is a difficult burden to meet. If OceanGate were to fail in such a case, families would be free to file negligence or wrongful death lawsuits. Another maritime law, the Death on the High Seas Act, allows people who were financially dependent on someone who died in a naval accident to seek only the portion of that person's future earnings that they would have otherwise received. Plaintiffs cannot recover losses for pain and suffering in those cases. What OceanGate knew about the vessel's safety and what the passengers were told about it would be the central questions during discovery, a process during which parties share information about a case. A dad of four young kids fought for his life after an ingrown hair on his neck turned into a deadly flesh-eating bug 'in a matter of hours'. Shawn Dell woke up feeling ill on Sunday and his wife Kat called an ambulance to rush him to Royal Brisbane Women's Hospital when she realised his condition was worsening. The 'fit, active and healthy' father from North Lakes, in Brisbane's north, was taken into intensive care unit where he was immediately sedated. It was discovered the military veteran, who served in Afghanistan, had contracted necrotising fasciitis - a condition that eats away at flesh under the skin. The rare condition can lead to sepsis, shock, organ failure and death, and only occurs in one in 100,000 people. Shawn Dell (pictured, with his wife Kat) woke up feeling ill on Sunday and his wife called an ambulance when she realised his condition was worsening Ms Dell said the whole experience has been 'so overwhelming' while she has been trying to stay strong for her family during this tough time (pictured, the couple with their four children) Ms Dell told Yahoo News Australia the whole experience has been 'overwhelming' while also trying to stay strong for her children. Friend of the family Anna Richards said Mr Dell also suffered a heart attack in the home without knowing it as well as having a blood clot that has since been cleared. She said the skin infection began when he started to pick at an ingrown hair on his neck which led to bacteria entering his body and releasing toxins into the bloodstream. This made him feel extremely sick 'in a matter of hours'. He has undergone surgery three times since Sunday to clear out the infection where an 'extreme amount of dead tissue' was removed. The rare condition (pictured, a stock image) can lead to sepsis, shock, organ failure and death and only occurs in one per 100,000 people 'Shawn has had his skin removed from his collarbone to his neck, under the jaw, to the opposite collarbone and to his chest plate, this also included a bit of muscle from his neck,' Ms Richards said on a GoFundMe page set up to support the couple. Mr Dell remains in hospital with his family and friends rallying around him. Ms Richards said money raised will go towards keeping the household running with their four children, Jagger, Jordi, Ella and Jackson - as Ms Dell focuses on her husband's recovery. The crowdfunding venture has so far garnered $19,445, smashing its $15,000 target. Ms Richards described Mr Dell as a 'gentle giant' who is selfless and would do 'absolutely anything for his family and friends'. New evidence suggests more victims were caught in alleged attacker's trap A chilling image has been released of a grandfather who allegedly spent ten years letting 83 men rape his wife while she was drugged unconscious after finding them on a depraved website. Smiling for the camera, Dominique P. looks like an ordinary white-haired grandfather as he poses for a family picture at his home in the village of Mazan, near Avignon. He shared the villa with his wife and they were highly respectable pensioners with family members who visited regularly. Neighbours spoke about them as lovely people who held regular parties around their swimming pool and well-kept garden. But 'Francoise' collapsed in horror when shown evidence of how she was brutally assaulted for nearly a decade, prosecution documents have revealed. A chilling picture has been released of Dominique P., who allegedly spent ten years letting 83 men rape his wife while she was drugged unconscious Dominique P. was indicted for the murder of a woman in 1991 which he denies and the attempted rape of another in 1999. Previously an E-FIT based on witness testimonies in the 1999 case was said to 'bear a strong resemblance' to Dominique P 'Francoise' told police how she would wake in the night feeling she had been raped, but assuming the chilling reality must have been a dream. Now, she has filed for divorce from her husband of 50 years, as evidence mounts in the case against him and 51 identified suspects accused of raping her as she lay unconscious at their home in the south of France between 2011 and 2020. Prosecution documents allege that husband Dominique P. urged his wife's rapists not to wear condoms. A doctor has also revealed the woman in her sixties had contracted four venereal diseases and suffered gynaecological problems. In fact, Dominique P. now 70 and identified only by his first name and the initial of his surname was allegedly a multiple rapist and murderer all along. After allegedly killing a young estate agent in 1991, he moved to the countryside property in Provence, and set up a sordid sex ring. It involved advertising on a site for partners on an online forum called Without Her Knowing. Participants would discuss performing acts on unwitting partners, and then film their depravity, before storing the videos on a USB drive dubbed Abuses. In Dominiques case, the data eventually fell into the hands of police, who confirmed it enabled them to identify 92 cases of rape of Dominiques wife, who is referred to by the legal authorities by the pseudonym of Francoise. Of the 83 men involved, 51 aged between 26 and 73 have been identified and arrested by the police. Now all of them including Dominique are on remand and awaiting a trial next year. Dominique is said to have sedated his wife by putting tablets of Temesta a powerful anxiolytic into her evening dinner. He then invited strangers from the online forum into the couple's bedroom, so that his wife could be raped while unconscious. Investigators only learned about the horror in 2020, when Dominique was arrested in a supermarket in Carpentras for filming up the skirts of other customers. When police searched his camera phone, and equipment kept at his home, they found all of the abuse images. The picturesque village of Mazan, near Avignon in the south of France Alleged rapists involved in the case include civil servants, ambulance workers, soldiers, prison guards, nurses, a journalist, a municipal councillor, and truck drivers. A fireman accused of raping Francoise wore his uniform during the attack, one video shows. The fireman's computer contained 728 images of children being sexually abused, say prosecutors. Some of his accomplices claimed they had no idea his wife was not consensual while one denied it was rape, saying: 'It's his wife, he does what he likes with her.' Dominique has also been charged with raping and murdering Sophie Narme, a 23-year-old estate agent who was found dead in Paris in 1991. A second estate agent, referred to only as E., said she had been attacked in Paris eight years later, and investigative sources say an e-fit of the suspect in both cases 'bears a strong resemblance' to Dominique. The suspect admits attacking E., but denies having anything to do with the murder of Ms Narme. He has yet to plea over the rape charges. As prosecutors also prepare to bring the case involving his wife to trial next year, evidence is said to show how the couple's eldest daughter was also filmed unconscious in her underwear, and alleged abuses against other family members. Grandchildren allege the suspect regularly 'played doctor' with them, and would buy them toys for undressing, and Dominique is said to have filmed his daughters-in-law in the bathroom using a hidden camera, sharing the images online. Sophie Narme, a 23-year-old who Dominique P. was suspected of raping and killing in 1991. He denies having anything to do with the case In the case involving his wife, he was ultimately caught in 2020 after he was found using a pen with a hidden camera to spy on women in changing rooms in Carpentras, leading police to search his house. Dominique faces trial next year, along with alleged accomplices he met on an online sex forum, for alleged offences against his wife. Police have used video and computer data evidence to identify 92 cases of rape of his wife by 83 men, and have to date identified 51 suspects aged between 26 and 73. In his videos, Dominique called his wife a 'slut' hundreds of times, but insisted he meant it affectionately. He also told investigating magistrates he loves his 'saint' wife. His lawyer added that Francoise was 'his first love, indeed the only love of his life'. The father-of-three, in his early 70s, is currently in prison in Avignon charged with 'aggravated rape' and the administration of drugs which were used to sedate his wife. When his wife was informed of the secret tapes, she broke down and became suicidal, saying: 'I was his thing,' before filing for divorce. A 51-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of trying to poison a festival-goer who collapsed after puffing on a 'spiked vape offered to her by an older man'. Chloe Hammerton, 26, who lives in Southampton, was attending the Isle of Wight festival on Saturday with her partner Natasha Ward and brother William when she was 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. Hampshire Constabulary said a man, from Rochester, Kent, has been arrested on suspicion of administering a poison or noxious substance with intent following the incident and he remains in police custody. Natasha, who was stood next to her queuing for food, claims within a minute of taking a puff Chloe (pictured) collapsed and began drifting in and out of consciousness Chloe Hammerton collapsed and started having bouts of fits after she was 'duped' into taking a puff on a stranger's vape, her partner Natasha Ward claims Chloe appeared on Good Morning Britain to speak about her ordeal A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson today said: 'Officers investigating the circumstances surrounding a woman becoming unwell at Isle of Wight Festival have made an arrest. 'It was reported to police that a 26 year old woman needed medical assistance after she used a vape that was offered to her by a man at the festival on Saturday 17 June. 'Following enquiries, a 51 year old man from Rochester, Kent, was arrested in Kent on suspicion of administering a poison or noxious substance with intent. 'He remains in custody at this time.' Natasha, who is a recruitment consultant, earlier this week posted on social media criticising the festival staff for their 'incompetence and lack of urgency' during the ordeal. 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, Sophie, who is also a student nurse. 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 Posting online about the incident, Natasha said: 'Saturday into Sunday was truly one of the worst 24 hours of my life due to someone spiking/drugging, and nearly killing, my girlfriend at the Isle of Wight festival on Saturday afternoon/evening. 'Chloe doesn't vape or smoke, and has never done drugs in her life, but was duped into taking a puff in this situation. 'Within a minute, she was in and out of consciousness, unable to speak or move any part of her body and fitting with her pupils constricting to pinpoints and then dilating to 7's. 'I want to highlight the death sentence the festival organisers, security, 'welfare team' and medic almost gave Chloe from the total incompetence and lack of urgency which led to us waiting over an hour for any 'medical response. 'The Isle of Wight Festival has been running since 1968. It sold 55,000 tickets for this weekend. A day ticket cost over 100 each for us four. 'Yet when we needed and pleaded for help in a life-threatening situation, the response was completely abhorrent. Negligent. Inhumane. Disgraceful. 'I wouldn't wish what we went through on Saturday on anybody. To be begging, screaming for help for the person you love* For hours! Whilst they're laying on the floor, terrified and unconscious, in front of you and thousands of people. 'We even had to shout at security to move fences to give some privacy because all any of the staff did was sit and stare and cause more problems, saying help was on its way when it wasn't.' The Isle of Wight Festival (pictured) took place this year from Thursday June 15 to Sunday June 18 in Newport on the Isle of Wight 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. An Isle of Wight spokesperson said after the incident on Saturday: '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.' Vape spiking is a worrying new trend and has seen warnings issued by the police. A British holidaymaker has died after plunging from the third floor of a hotel in the Ibizan party resort of San Antonio. The 22-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene at around 11am this morning. Well-placed sources said he fell from the balcony of a room he was in with a friend. The individual, whose nationality is not known, is being questioned by police. A police insider said: 'This incident is still under investigation. All lines of inquiry are being explored and it is still too early to say exactly what happened.' A Civil Guard spokesman said: 'A 22-year-old British man has died this morning after plunging from the third floor of a hotel in San Antonio. The incident is still being investigated.' A Civil Guard spokesman said: 'A 22-year-old British man has died this morning after plunging from the third floor of a hotel in San Antonio' (file image of San Antonio) The hotel where the incident occurred is a budget one-star hotel near San Antonio's bus station called the azuline Hotel Llevant (pictured). It is described on travel websites as the 'perfect place to enjoy the party resort's nightlife' The hotel where the incident occurred is a budget one-star hotel near San Antonio's bus station called the azuline Hotel Llevant. It is described on travel websites as the 'perfect place to enjoy the party resort's nightlife'. It is just 200 metres from San Antonio beach. Another travel website says: 'The resort's nightlife, bars, shops and restaurants surround this well-located hotel, and the picturesque harbour is just a few streets away. This accommodation is a perfect pick for a fun holiday in Ibiza with your partner or friends.' The website of the Azuline Hotels group, which Hotel Llevant is part of, says on its website: 'This is a hotel for young people who want to enjoy centrally-located and low-priced accommodation; a budget hotel with all the amenities you need for your holiday. 'The hotel is located in one of the most popular areas for nightlife on the island of Ibiza. 'Ideally situated just a few metres away from the bus station, it has large bright rooms and a fantastic terrace-pool with snack bar where you can continue to soak up the atmosphere.' A spokesman for a regional government-run emergency coordination centre said: 'We received the first call at 10.50am local time. 'The calls that came in said a man aged around 20 had plunged from a hotel in San Antonio. 'Police and paramedics were mobilised as part of the emergency response.' A health source said: 'The man had already gone into cardiac arrest by the time the first ambulance arrived. 'Health responders tried to save his life but were unable to do so.' Another travel website says: 'The resort's nightlife, bars, shops and restaurants surround this well-located hotel (pictured), and the picturesque harbour is just a few streets away. This accommodation is a perfect pick for a fun holiday in Ibiza with your partner or friends' A receptionist at the hotel where the incident occurred said: 'We've been told not to say anything by the police and in any case we don't really know what happened. 'It occurred a relatively short time ago and is still being investigated.' The dead man is believed to have landed in the road outside a tattoo parlour. Police officers covered the area with sheeting and cordoned it off. Initial reports said the British tourist had fallen from the fifth floor but well-placed sources said he had been on the third-floor balcony of a room where he is believed to have been staying. A 24-year-old British woman died in September last year after plunging from a balcony at the Rosamar Hotel in Cala de Bou a short drive from San Antonio. Her unnamed partner is understood to have been with her at the time. He reportedly told police she had fallen around 30 feet from a second-floor balcony. The military was called in after a mysterious object with a cryptic warning on its side was found at a beach in Perth. The unidentified object bearing the message, 'Stay away and contact the police' on its side was found by a swimmer in the water at North Beach at about 3.40pm. Police cordoned off the beach while the Australian Defence Force investigated before it was detonated in a controlled explosion. Locals reported hearing a loud bang at about 6.50pm. Two New York lawyers have been fined $5,000 in a legal first after they relied on fake research created by ChatGPT for a submission in an injury claim against Avianca airline. Judge Kevin Castel said attorneys Steven Schwartz and Peter LoDuca acted in bad faith by using the AI bot's submissions - some of which contained 'gibberish' - even after judicial orders questioned their authenticity. Schwartz and LoDuca had been representing Roberto Mata, who claimed his knee was injured when he was struck by a metal serving cart on an Avianca flight from El Salvador to Kennedy International Airport in New York in 2019. When the Colombian airline asked a Manhattan judge to throw out the case because the statute of limitations had expired, Schwartz submitted a 10-page legal brief featuring half a dozen relevant court decisions. But six cases cited in the filing - including Martinez v. Delta Air Lines, Zicherman v. Korean Air Lines and Varghese v. China Southern Airlines - did not exist. Steven Schwartz submitted a 10-page brief featuring half a dozen relevant court decisions that turned out to be made up by ChatGPT Colombian airline Avianca had asked the judge to throw out the claim against it because the statute of limitations had expired - which is when the lawyers intervened with what they thought were relevant submissions created by ChatGPT Judge Kevin Castel said there was nothing wrong with using ChatGPT to make a case, but lawyers are still responsible for ensuring the accuracy of their submissions Passing sanction on Thursday, Castel, of the Southern District of New York, said Schwartz and LoDuca were responsible for ensuring the 'accuracy' of any submissions, even those created using artificial intelligence. 'Technological advances are commonplace and there is nothing inherently improper about using a reliable artificial intelligence tool for assistance,' Castel wrote. 'But existing rules impose a gatekeeping role on attorneys to ensure the accuracy of their filings.' What is OpenAI's chatbot ChatGPT and what is it used for? OpenAI states that their ChatGPT model, trained using a machine learning technique called Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF), can simulate dialogue, answer follow-up questions, admit mistakes, challenge incorrect premises and reject inappropriate requests. Initial development involved human AI trainers providing the model with conversations in which they played both sides - the user and an AI assistant. The version of the bot available for public testing attempts to understand questions posed by users and responds with in-depth answers resembling human-written text in a conversational format. A tool like ChatGPT could be used in real-world applications such as digital marketing, online content creation, answering customer service queries or as some users have found, even to help debug code. The bot can respond to a large range of questions while imitating human speaking styles. As with many AI-driven innovations, ChatGPT does not come without misgivings. OpenAI has acknowledged the tools tendency to respond with "plausible-sounding but incorrect or nonsensical answers", an issue it considers challenging to fix. AI technology can also perpetuate societal biases like those around race, gender and culture. Tech giants including Alphabet Inc's Google and Amazon.com have previously acknowledged that some of their projects that experimented with AI were "ethically dicey" and had limitations. At several companies, humans had to step in and fix AI havoc. Despite these concerns, AI research remains attractive. Venture capital investment in AI development and operations companies rose last year to nearly $13 billion, and $6 billion had poured in through October this year, according to data from PitchBook, a Seattle company tracking financings. Advertisement He added that the lawyers 'abandoned their responsibilities when they submitted non-existent judicial opinions with fake quotes and citations created by the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT, then continued to stand by the fake opinions after judicial orders called their existence into question.' Castel said the attorneys acted in 'bad faith' because they failed to respond properly to the judge and their legal adversaries when they questioned the ChatGPT submissions. He cited 'shifting and contradictory explanations' offered by Schwartz, and LoDuca lying about being on vacation - but credited them for apologizing after the mistakes came to light. The senior district judge also warned that the lawyers and their firm, Levidow, Levidow & Oberman, could have faced harsher fines if it had not been for this apology, along with the remedial steps they took afterwards. The firm agreed to comply with Castel's order - but added that it is considering an appeal over the assertion the lawyers acted in 'bad faith'. 'We respectfully disagree with the finding that anyone at our firm acted in bad faith,' the firm said. 'We have already apologized to the Court and our client. 'We continue to believe that in the face of what even the Court acknowledged was an unprecedented situation, we made a good faith mistake in failing to believe that a piece of technology could be making up cases out of whole cloth.' ChatGPT was first unleashed in November, sparking excitement and alarm at its ability to generate convincingly human-like essays, poems, form letters and conversational answers to almost any question. Microsoft has invested some $1 billion in OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. In the case against Avianca, the chatbot suggested several cases involving aviation mishaps that Schwartz hadnt been able to find through usual methods used at his law firm. Several of those cases weren't real, misidentified judges or involved airlines that didnt exist. The judge previously said one of the fake decisions generated by the chatbot 'have some traits that are superficially consistent with actual judicial decisions' but he said other portions contained 'gibberish' and were 'nonsensical.' Lawyers for Schwartz and LoDuca did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the sanctions. Schwartz previously apologized in an affidavit after being called out by the case's judge, saying he used 'a source that has revealed itself to be unreliable.' Castel warned that Schwartz and LoDuca could have been fined more if they had not apologized and taken remedial steps following the ChatGPT legal blunder Last month, he also said he 'greatly regrets having utilized generative artificial intelligence to supplement the legal research performed herein and will never do so in the future without absolute verification of its authenticity.' The lawyer added that he had never used the technology for research purposes before, and 'was unaware of the possibility that its content could be false.' He said he had even asked ChatGTP to verify the cases were real, and that it had said they were. In a copy of the exchange submitted to the judge, Schwartz asked ChatGPT: 'Is varghese a real case' and 'Are the other cases you provided fake.' The bot replied: 'No, the other cases I provided are real and can be found in reputable legal databases.' Fellow attorney LoDuca said he had no role in the research but 'no reason to doubt the sincerity' of Schwartzs research. An obsessive murderer who suffocated a student with a face mask in a jealous rage then dumped her body in undergrowth inside a large suitcase has been jailed - as her heartbroken father said animals would treat his daughter better than her 'evil' killer did. Muhammad Arslan, 27, killed 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 with the face mask 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 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 found him guilty of the charges on Wednesday. Judge Richard Marks KC has sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder and five years running concurrent for perverting the course of justice. Bashir Khan, Ms Bashir's father, made a victim impact statement, read out in court, in which he spoke of the 'thick fog of grief' that enshrouds his family who are 'deeply devastated' and whose hearts have been 'broken beyond words'. Hina Bashir, 21, who was murdered after she visited her killer's flat in Ilford, east London Muhammad Arslan, 27, who was sentenced at the Old Bailey in London to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years 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. The judge told Arslan: 'I am satisfied...that your unrequited feelings for Hina boiled over and resulted in you taking hold of a facemask and forcing it into the back of her mouth which led to her collapse and ultimately to her death from asphyxiation.' He added that Arslan's 'prime motivation' was to save himself after killing Ms Bashir, embarking on a 'campaign of lies' to conceal what he had done 'lying to all and sundry' before disposing her body in a 'shocking and callous manner'. Judge Marks said it was apparent that Arslan had been 'madly in love' and 'obsessed' with Ms Bashir, feelings which he added were clearly 'not reciprocated'. The judge told Arslan he was 'extremely sceptical' of his claim that he had been sent naked photographs of Ms Bashir before he attacked her as 'no such photos were ever recovered'. Ms Bashir's father, Bashir Khan, made an impact statement which was read out in court in which he asserted that 'animals would treat my daughter better'. 'He treated her in a heinous and brutal way,' Mr Khan added. The father had attended the entire trial and wrote the impact statement on behalf of Ms Bashir's mother, her four sisters and one brother, all of whom were 'too traumatised' to make a statement. Ms Bashir was the eldest of six siblings who are between the ages of 12 and 18. Her father spoke of how Ms Bashir's death has traumatised his family and how they loved their 'beautiful, bubbly girl'. Ms Bashir was the eldest of six siblings who are between the ages of 12 and 18 Mr Khan said the 'nightmare' began before police found Ms Bashir's body, when she was reported as a missing person. The family were in Pakistan and 'felt helpless', which the court heard led to sleepless nights. 'She was only 21 when she was killed by Muhammad Arslan,' Mr Khan said. 'She had her whole life ahead of her. This has now been taken away from all of us.' The court heard Ms Bashir came to the UK to study and wanted to do a PhD before returning to Pakistan. Speaking of how proud he was, Mr Khan said: 'She was the only girl in the village to come to the UK.' He called her a 'beautiful, bubbly girl' who was 'happy', who made her family laugh and who looked after and cared for her younger siblings. 'I can't go out and face people,' the father continued. 'I know they will ask about Hina and I can't face telling people and reliving the nightmare again.' He spoke of how the loss has 'deeply affected' his wife, who has been hospitalised on numerous occasions and takes medication. Their children will not go out alone because they are scared, the court heard. 'I feel I can't emotionally support them at this time,' Mr Khan said. The court was told that Mr Khan owned a farm in Pakistan but came to the UK to assist with the murder investigation and is now 'financially crippled'. Turning to his experience of attending the trial, Mr Khan said he has had to listen to and see 'extremely distressing' evidence. 'Every day I go home I inform my wife what happened in court,' he went on. 'As my wife is not emotionally strong enough... I have had to keep some of the distressing details from her.' He said he has no one else to talk to. Mr Khan continued: 'Every day I have to sit in the same room as this man who took Hina away from us. 'I have no words to describe how I felt listening and seeing this vicious man talk about my daughter. 'I felt throughout court he showed no remorse for what he has done.' He said Arslan did not even show his daughter respect after he killed her. 'Animals would treat my daughter better,' Mr Khan said. 'He treated her in a heinous and brutal way.' Arslan showed no emotion during the hearing and his defence barrister told the court there was 'nothing to say' in mitigation. Six jurors returned to the Old Bailey to listen to the sentencing. These jurors heard during the trial 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. 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. 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. The prosecution said Arslan set off from his house the next morning dragging a suitcase containing Ms Bashir's body, travelling to an industrial estate by the M25 near Upminster where he hid the suitcase in some undergrowth to the side of a lane. 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. 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. Police found a large number of photographs of Ms Bashir, including collages of her image, on Arslan's phone. Love hearts had been added on some pictures. Following Arslan's conviction, detective chief inspector Dave Whellams, said: 'Arslan was obsessed with Hina to the point that he told people they were engaged and said they should have children together. This relationship was completely in his mind. 'Our investigation showed that Arslan was unable to live with the fact Hina did not want to be with him. It was this rejection that tragically led to her death. 'Once Arslan had murdered Hina he did everything he could to cover his tracks but the evidence gathered by our team left no doubt in our mind as to his guilt. 'We are pleased the jury felt the same way and our thoughts now continue to remain with Hina's family and friends who are dealing with an incomprehensible loss.' Police looking for a man who went missing almost two years ago and whose body has never been found have begun searching an area 100 miles away from his home. Frank McKeever, 63, was last seen on August 28, 2021 along Highbury Park, close to the junction of Highbury Grange, London. His body has never been found and two people - his stepdaughter and her partner - have been charged with his murder. Today the Metropolitan Police began searching two areas - Lutterworth Road in Leicestershire and Welford Truck Stop in Northamptonshire - in an attempt to find Mr McKeever's remains. Officers have also reiterated their appeal for anyone with information that may assist the search to contact them. Frank McKeever, 63, was last seen in August 28, 2021, near Highbury Grange, London Police are searching for his remains in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire 100 miles away Detective Inspector Laura Nelson, of the Metropolitan Police, said: 'Though two people have been charged with Frank's murder, our investigation is ongoing and efforts to establish what happened to him continue. 'Frank's family are distraught and their grief is compounded by the fact that his body has not yet been found. Our specially-trained officers are supporting them. 'My team have been poring over many hours of CCTV, forensic and ANPR work in what is a very complex investigation. 'Their diligence and hard work have led to us identifying the two sites in these areas that we believe could have great operational significance. Surie Suksiri (pictured), 31, from Islington, north London; and Juned Sheikh, 48, of Camberwell, south London, both denied murdering Mr McKeever Surie Suksiri and Juned Sheikh, pictured, also denied preventing the 'lawful decent burial of a body' 'Members of the public can expect to see a police presence in those areas and both local constabularies are assisting us with our inquiries. 'Local people could have information that may be extremely important in helping us to establish what happened to Frank. 'I am asking people to remember if they saw any suspicious activity in these areas in late August or early September 2021.' Surie Suksiri, 31, from Islington, north London; and Juned Sheikh, 48, of Camberwell, south London, both denied murdering Mr McKeever in a hearing at the Old Bailey in January this year. The pair also denied preventing the 'lawful decent burial of a body' and will face trial at the Central Criminal Court on October 2. A liability waiver drawn up by OceanGate asked customers to assume 'full responsibility' for the risk of death - even if the company was negligent, it has emerged. The 'release of liability' agreement, drawn up in April 2022, repeatedly mentions the risk of death by travelling in the company's submersibles. 'I hereby assume full responsibility for the risk of bodily injury, disability, death, and property damage due to the negligence of any Released Party while involved in the operation,' the document states. Released Parties include OceanGate, its staff and other members of the expedition. Legal experts have said it may be extremely difficult for the families of the five victims to sue the company because they signed a waiver which absolved the company of any responsibility in the event of a disaster. But some argue the waiver could be contested based on suggestions OceanGate ignored safety warnings. Shahzada Dawood, 48, a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, plus his son Suleman Dawood, 19, perished in the tragedy CEO of OceanGate Stockton Rush (left), billionaire Hamish Harding (center), and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet were also on board The victims are OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19. The copy of the waiver drawn up last year, obtained by TMZ, also states: 'The experimental submersible vessel has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body and may be constructed of materials that have not been widely used in human occupied submersibles. 'When diving below the ocean surface this vessel will be subject to extreme pressure, and any failure of the vessel while I am aboard could cause severe injury or death.' It is not clear whether it is the same document signed by the five victims of the Titan tragedy. But other people who have taken trips with OceanGate have said they signed waivers which included similar references to the extreme risks. The three-page document, obtained by TMZ, makes eight references to 'death' and also asks the signatory to take 'full responsibility' for the risk of death - even if the company was negligent OceanGate's passengers signed waivers before taking the trip in the Titan submersible The newly-unearthed document also states: 'If I choose to assist in the servicing or operation of the submersible vessel, I will be exposed to risks associated with high-pressure gases, pure oxygen servicing, high-voltage electrical systems and other dangers that could lead to property damage, injury, disability, and death. 'The operation will take place largely at a great distance from the nearest hospital or rescue personnel. If I am injured during the operation, I may not receive immediate medical attention. First aid available on the ship may not be equivalent to what is available on land. 'I acknowledge that all travel in or around the water on vessels of any type, including submersibles, entails both known and unanticipated risks that could result in physical injury, disability, emotional trauma, death, harm to myself or third parties, or damage to my property...' The document concludes that disputes over the waiver will be 'governed by the laws of The Bahamas', where OceanGate Expeditions Ltd is registered. Legal experts have said the families of the victims could struggle to sue because they signed a waiver. 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. 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' He said: 'OceanGate's liability waiver appears to make pretty clear the risks involved, and points out that the vehicle wasn't certified by anyone and included materials not previously used in submersibles that carry people, which likely refers to the carbon fiber. 'The Bahamas is a very popular place for vessels of all kinds to be registered in. In this case, it's a matter of forum shopping looking for a nation where the courts are considered more favorable to the businesses registered there. 'Companies know that distance itself also presents a hurdle to the average person who, say, gets injured on a cruise ship. How many people have the money to hire representation in the Bahamas? 'That's where this case could be different. The passengers were people of tremendous wealth: Two billionaires whose heirs have significantly more resources than OceanGate. A 'nd let's not overlook a man France considered a national intellectual treasure. So the families can fight hard, if they choose to. 'Even if they win a lawsuit against OceanGate, what could they really get? It's doubtful OceanGate had much liability insurance, because any high-risk insurer would have required certification and an independent review before signing off. 'The only solace these families may find is that this tragedy likely spells the end for OceanGate.' Ted Spaulding, an Atlanta-based personal injury lawyer who founded Spaulding Injury Law, told Newsweek that the waiver issue was 'nowhere close to an open-and-shut or rock-solid situation for the company'. 'Especially as more evidence is coming out daily about other safety concerns previously, including this vessel having been lost before for a few hours,' he said. 'Those types of things are typical facts that help negate a waiver clause or document.' 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. The wreckage of the Titanic sits 12,500ft underwater around 370 miles from Newfoundland, Canada 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.' '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.' This is the horrifying moment nurses discover a dead newborn that had been tossed in a hospital trash bag by a teen mom who claims she didn't know she was pregnant. Alexee Trevizo, 19, can be seen running to the bathroom inside Artesia General Hospital, New Mexico, in January of this year in new surveillance footage. Trevizo had attended the hospital with back pain but tests revealed she was pregnant and in labor. The new footage shows nearly twenty minutes pass before she makes her way back to her room on the ward and staff can be inspecting the toilet after she leaves. Investigators say that after using the bathroom she gave birth to the baby boy before placing him in the trash can. Trevizo was charged in May with first-degree murder plus a count of tampering with evidence and has been released without an ankle monitor until a trial date. Shortly after she exited the toilet, a cleaner made the shocking discovery and staff can be seen here after they made the discovery The cleaner who made the horrific discovery is seen being consoled in this picture by two other members of staff, before she was led away from the scene The footage shows the more than 20 minutes after she left the bathroom, a domestic can be seen cleaning the toilet after staff said they discovered blood inside. The cleaner can be seen calling another member of staff and the two peer into a black trash bag before both quickly step back. After realizing what they have found, more members of staff can be seen arriving on the scene to check the contents of the garbage can. Five minutes after the discovery, the cleaner who found the newborn can be seen being consoled by two members of staff before she is led away by another with an arm over her shoulder. Soon after police officers can be seen arriving on the scene and bodycam footage captured the moment a doctor explains to Trevizo and her mother: 'We discovered a dead baby in the bathroom.' Trevizo tells the doctor: 'I'm sorry, it came out of me and I didn't know what to do ... I was just scared, it was not crying or nothing.' Trevizo's distraught mother holds her head in her hands as she pleads with her daughter, saying: 'What did you do?' 'What did you do to it' the mother demands and holds her head in her hands in desperation, before the doctor tells her to 'stop right there'. Trevizo's mother appears not to have known her daughter was nine months pregnant 'It came out of me, I put it in the bag. In the trash bag. I'm sorry mom' the traumatized teen whispers 'The number one priority guys' the doctor goes on 'is she just had a baby, I don't know whether she has delivered the placenta. She's bleeding significantly' she says, before explaining that the teenager must be moved to the obstetrician. 'I'm sorry about this, but in terms of delivering a baby and it looked like you tried to hide it, we do have to have the police involved. 'The baby is going to have to be taken for autopsy and there will be an investigator and everything' the doctor continues in a calm voice. 'I'm so sorry, but we need to do this correctly and I want to be transparent with you about what our steps are going to be.' 'Nothing was crying, it came out with nothing' Trevizo repeats. A male medic in the room then asks the mother and daughter if they have any questions, to which Trevizo's mother asks how big the baby is. 'It's full term' the masked medic responds. 'What!' she exclaims, suggesting she did not know that her daughter was nine months pregnant prior to the birth. Alexee Trevizo, 19, has admitted to giving birth to a baby boy and placing him in a trashcan Newly released bodycam footage shows the heartbreaking admission 'Lexi, have you watched the news, about what the girls do to their babies and they go to jail' the mother asks in frustration. A traumatized Trevizo bursts into tears and is then told that there are detectives on the way to talk to her and that she is now detained in the hospital under police custody. At the beginning of the released body cam footage, a nurse told responding officers that Trevizo had a positive pregnancy test but denied having sex. Investigators say that by the time the baby was found it had died and an autopsy listed the cause of death as a homicide in March. On May 10 Police charged Trevizo with first-degree murder, 'or alternatively' intentional abuse of a child resulting in death, plus a count for tampering with evidence. Trevizo has since been released from jail and will be able to finish the school year without an ankle monitor or house arrest, while she waits to stand trial. Gary C. Mitchell, an attorney for Trevizo, previously told the Associated Press that his client has no criminal record and should not be facing a murder charge. He said there are 'major discrepancies about what happened' in the hospital and 'this isn't a classic child abuse case.' This is the second high-profile case of a mother and newborn baby in New Mexico in recent years. Jurors convicted Alexis Avila, 19, of throwing her newborn into an outdoor trash receptacle in January 2020 in Hobbs, New Mexico. Three men involved in the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 have been sanctioned by the Australian government. The government has been working with the Netherlands and European Union to co-ordinate sanctions on the trio convicted by the District Court of The Hague in November 2022 for their contribution to the downing of MH17 and the murder of all 298 people on board, including 38 Australian citizens or residents. The sanctions target Russian Sergey Dubinskiy and Ukrainian national Leonid Kharchenko, who were both found guilty in the court and sentenced to life in jail. Australia has also sanctioned Russian national Sergey Muchkaev, a colonel with the Russian Armed Forces. Muchkaev in July 2014 was the commander of the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, which supplied the Buk-TELAR missile system that downed MH17. Another convicted perpetrator, Igor Girkin, was sanctioned by Australia in 2014 for supporting separatist activity in eastern Ukraine. Three men involved in the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 (wreckage pictured) have been sanctioned by the Australian government The sanctions target Russian Sergey Dubinskiy and Ukrainian national Leonid Kharchenko, (pictured above) who were both found guilty in the court and sentenced to life in jail 'As either separatist leaders within the so-called 'People's Republic of Donetsk' at the time of the downing of Flight MH17, or a member of the Russian Armed Forces, the three people sanctioned actively supported actions and policies that threatened the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,' Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. 'These sanctions demonstrate the Australian government's ongoing commitment to hold to account those responsible for the downing of flight MH17.' She said Australia was committed to seeking 'truth, justice and accountability' for the victims and would pursue all available avenues. 'Our thoughts remain with those who lost their lives, their families and loved ones,' Senator Wong said. Australia has called on Russia to co-operate with the Netherlands to ensure the perpetrators serve their sentences in the Dutch legal system. A Massachusetts detective has been accused of having a years-long affair with the fiancee of an alleged heroin dealer he was pursuing as part of a massive drug trafficking probe. Carly Medeiros, 26, claims she and former New Bedford officer Jared Lucas, 33, had sex in the front seat of his cop car while he was on duty, and that he once even gave her seized weed. While prosecutors first dismissed Medeiros' story last year, the New Bedford Department has now admitted that the story, first reported by the Boston Globe, has merit. The department released an internal report earlier this month stating that it's 'more likely than not' that Lucas used his position to keep Medeiros out of legal trouble. This, as Lucas launched a heroin trafficking investigation against her fiance Steven Ortiz, who is currently awaiting trial on drug trafficking and conspiracy charges. Carly Medeiros, 26, claims she and New Bedford detective Jared Lucas, 33, were having a sexual relationship while he investigated her fiance for drug trafficking Lucas began the drug trafficking probe targeting Ortiz, Operation High Stakes, in the summer of 2016, when he cited an unidentified confidential informant as he flagged an alleged heroin ring run by Ortiz. Medeiros, who has Ortiz' name tattooed above her heart, said had been regularly meeting with Lucas since around 2014, staying at his home when he wasn't there and even meeting his mother and sister. She met Lucas when she was leaving the beach and his cruiser pulled up alongside her. Lucas reportedly asked: 'Youre Stevens girl, right?' The cop then began to aggressively pursue her, eventually telling her Ortiz had been unfaithful to her and handing her a printout of text messages between her fiance and another woman. Next time the cop asked her out to dinner, she accepted, and they had their first sexual encounter that night. Medeiros said she saw her relationship with Lucas at first as a way to keep tabs on Ortiz' whereabouts and activities but later realized the cop was also getting information from her. However, says she never agreed to be an official informant, which is commonly required by law enforcement agencies. She said that during the affair, Lucas and other currently active officers instructed her to plant drugs in the car of a man who was later arrested on drug charges. The Department said they found these allegations unfounded. She met Ortiz in 2013 and the pair were engaged on Valentines Day 2014 - less than six months after theyd met. Medeiros, a mother of four who first became pregnant at 13 and later became a heroin addict, said she found stability with Ortiz, who already had a lengthy criminal record and five children of his own. She was seeing both Lucas and Ortiz during the 12-month investigation, which included at least five local, state, and federal agencies. The probe led to 21 arrests and around 400 grams of heroin and fentanyl seized. Ortiz was arrested in June 2017 after a wiretap of his phone led police to a parking lot in Fall River. Authorities say they found nearly 250 grams of heroin and fentanyl in Ortiz' Honda Pilot. Medeiros, who was present at the arrest and also handcuffed, said at this point she did not know Lucas was investigating Ortiz and continued the relationship with the cop. She and Ortiz also continued seeing each other after his arrest until he found her high on a bathroom and went through her phone, eventually making the connection between her and Lucas. Medeiros came out with her allegations about an affair with Lucas last year, as Ortiz' case went though the courts system. In an affidavit prepared by Ortiz's lawyer, she said she believed she was the unnamed informant cited by Lucas, who she has accused of secretly using their conversations to prompt the investigation into Ortiz. The couple are now living together and working to get her story to help Ortiz in his criminal case. DailyMail.com has reached out to Ortiz' lawyer for comment on this story. '[Lucass] egregious behavior while in our employment is an anomaly and does not reflect the true caliber of the men and women of the New Bedford Police Department who serve honorably and selflessly each day,' said Chief Paul Oliveira. The report emphasized that the unethical behavior was exclusive to Lucas, and claimed no one else in the department was aware of the illicit affair. Medeiros has said other officers routinely witnessed her intimate interactions with Lucas. However, Lucas will not receive any disciplinary measures as he retired in 2021 on the basis of accidental disability. He collects a pension of around $60,000 a year. But the case against Ortiz - and any other case investigated by Lucas - could be jeopardized by the findings. The police department's report said Medeiros provided information to Lucas in at least three other cases. The president of the Titanic International Society has said it could be time to end trips to the Titanic following the Titan submersible tragedy as there is 'little' left to be explored of the wreck. The five people on board the deep-sea vessel Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henri Nargeolet and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush were killed after it imploded on its way to the wreckage. In a statement published online, Charles Haas, president of the Titanic International Society, set up in 1989 to preserve the history of the Titanic, questioned whether visits to the historic site should continue. Mr Haas himself has made dives to the wreck - which lies 12,500 feet below the surface - in 1993 and 1996, according to the society's website. He said: 'It is time to consider seriously whether human trips to Titanic's wreck should end in the name of safety, with relatively little remaining to be learned from or about the wreck. Charles Haas, president of the Titanic International Society, has questioned whether visits to the site should continue It was revealed yesterday that the five on board the Titan submersible had been killed when the vessel imploded 'Crewed submersibles' roles in surveying the wreck now can be assigned to autonomous underwater vehicles, like those that mapped the ship and its debris field in high-resolution, 3-D detail last summer. 'The world joins us in expressing our profound sadness and heartbreak about this tragic, avoidable event.' Mr Hass also paid tribute to Mr Nargeolet, saying his 'consummate knowledge of the wreck and wreck site was unique and unparalleled'. He added: 'Commander Paul-Henri Nargeolet brought to this expedition more than a quarter-century of expertise, making more dives to Titanic's wreck than anyone on earth. 'His willingness to share that information kept the world informed about Titanic's deteriorating condition and helped to rewrite significant parts of the ship's history. Sadly, that irreplaceable knowledge has been lost.' The Titan was on its third visit to the wreck, having previously made trips to the site in 2021 and 2022. Mr Haas said there needed to be an investigation into the voyage. He said: 'We believe that an extensive, detailed investigation by the US Coast Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board and/or their Canadian counterparts clearly is warranted. 'It should deeply inquire into the submersible's design, structure, communication and safety systems, owners' policies and emergency preparations and procedures, and the proximity, state of readiness and deployment of deep-sea rescue systems to the site. Mr Haas himself has made dives to the wreck - which lies 12,500 feet below the surface - in 1993 and 1996, according to the society's website 'Additionally, intensive pre-service inspection of deep-sea submersibles should be required by international regulation. Just as Titanic taught the world safety lessons, so, too, should Titan's loss.' More than 1,500 passengers and crew lost their lives in April 1912 after the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank. Until 2019, no one had visited the wreck for 14 years before five dives were made in eight days to take the first ever 4K images of the ship as it decayed. Mr Nargoleot is believed to have visited the wreckage more than 30 times. Charles Haas is an expert on the Titanic, having co-authored five books on the doomed ship. His special interests include exploring the wreck and its artifacts. OceanGate was offering wealthy tourists the chance to see the Titanic at a cost of $250,000 per person. The news that the vessel had imploded came after debris from Titan was found near the Titanic's wreck by a remote submarine, confirming that the five men had lost their lives. Film director James Cameron, who has visited the wreck a number of times and was a friend of the Frenchman, said there were warning signs ahead of the voyage to the wreck. Speaking to ABC News about submersible engineering, Cameron said: 'This is a mature art and many people in the community were very concerned about the sub. 'A number of the top players in the deep submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company, saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and they needed to be certified.' Five people were onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19 They bonded over discovering true premonition stories that linked to the wreck A French explorer who died meters from the bow of the Titanic's shipwreck had planned to create a Broadway musical and a new documentary on the boat, according to his friends. Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, was one of the five men who were killed when OceanGate's Titan submersible imploded during a trip to the Titanic 12,500ft below the Atlantic Ocean. He had completed dozens of trips to the wreck, and even told friends that it had a 'dark' energy' surrounding it and he would 'run batteries low' to try to get as much time as he could looking at the boat. Film Director Michel Pascal told DailyMail.com that he and Nargeolet had been planning to create a Broadway musical about the true stories and 'premonitions' surrounding the ship. He said: 'He is a very important friend of mine, for 25 years. I met him in Paris in 1997, and he was my supervisor. Michel Pascal (right) told DailyMail.com that he and Nargeolet (right) had been planning to create a Broadway musical about the true stories and 'premonitions' surrounding the ship French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet was killed during the 'catastrophic implosion' of the OceanGate sub on Sunday 'My work was dedicated to the premonitions around the Titanic, there are so many true premonition stories surrounding the ship. 'PH he is very spiritual as well as a scientist. We are very connected, and we work so well together. He invited me to go down with him, but I told him no, I was too scared. 'Directly, I did not talk with him before he went on the Titan, but he always said that diving was very dangerous and you had to be aware. 'I am sure he had a premonition that something bad would happen, and he didn't feel good to go on the sub. 'We wanted to create a new documentary about the true premonitions surrounding the ship, and a Broadway musical. 'He once took artifacts from the ship itself, and suddenly they had a problem in the sub and he had to find a way to restore the system. 'From that day he vowed to only take from the ocean floor, because it is a battlefield, and he wanted to show his respect for the souls on the ship. He said it had an amazing and special dark energy.' The director of the 1997 mega-hit movie based on the shipwreck tragedy Cameron said that the 'catastrophic implosion' of OceanGate's Titan sub reminds him of the 1912 disaster. Pascal added that his friend would spend hours looking at the wreck and always 'wanted to spend as much time as possible' near it Five people were onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19 OceanGate Expeditions were allegedly repeatedly warned about safety concerns Pascal, who worked on two documentaries with Nargeolet about the Titanic, investigated the Inuit village close to where the iceberg - which killed more than 1,500. He said that he does not 'blame' anyone for Nargeolet's death but compared the submersible tragedy to a 'second Titanic'. 'This is Titanic season two. It is the parable of our world,' Pascal said. 'It is the same vanity, the name is the same, they had the same warning from people. 'The vanity and the ego, it is very difficult that my friend has had to pay the bill with his life. For those passengers, the humility bill is very expensive.' Pascal added that his friend would spend hours looking at the wreck and always 'wanted to spend as much time as possible' near it. He said: 'He was fascinated by the TItanic, it attracted him, he was called by the story of it. 'PH told me that it is a spiritual experience for him, and he uses the battery of the sub until it's at the limit because he wants to stay as long as he could.' The director of the 1997 mega-hit movie based on the shipwreck tragedy, James Cameron also at the 'catastrophic implosion' of OceanGate's Titan sub reminds him of the 1912 disaster. Speaking to ABC News he said: 'I'm struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night and many people died as a result.' Pascal, who worked on two documentaries with Nargeolet about the Titanic, investigated the Inuit village close to where the iceberg - which killed more than 1,500 OceanGate's Titan submersible went missing when it departed for the Titanic wreckage on Sunday morning. It suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' shortly after It is the first time the director and self-confessed 'submersible enthusiast', has spoken publicly about the tragedy. His comments come after OceanGate confirmed that all five passengers on the sub died 'instantly' in the implosion, and it is unlikely their bodies will be found. Cameron also paid tribute to Nargolet, telling ABC News: The legendary submersible dive pilot, he is a friend of mine. Ive known him for 25 years. For him to have died tragically in this way is almost impossible for me to process. Cameron himself completed 33 dives to the Titanic wreckage and delved into the Mariana Trench - one of the deepest spots in the ocean. A remotely operated submarine from a Canadian ship found debris from the vessel on the ocean floor on Thursday morning. Search and rescue officials say the men likely died on Sunday - before military planes using sonar buoys detected what they thought could have been SOS 'banging' sounds in the water. 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 'The implosion would have generated a significant, broadband sound that the sonar buoys would have picked up,' explained Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard at a press conference today. It would have been an instant death for the men, some of whom had paid $250,000 each to see the famous shipwreck. In a gut-wrenching blow for their families, experts say there is little prospect of recovering any of their remains. 'This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there. The debris is consistent of a catastrophic implosion of the vessel.. we'll continue to work and search the area down there - but I don't have an answer for prospects at this time,' Paul Hankin, a deep sea expert involved in the search, said. A gang who ferried drugs in a 'Thank You NHS' van and funded their 1.5million heroin and cocaine empire with Government-backed Covid loans have been jailed. The ten crooks raked in the enormous sum by flooding the West Midlands with more than 100kg of cocaine and heroin at the height of the pandemic. One member of the gang even used a van with the message 'Thank You NHS' emblazoned on the side to avoid detection. Two of the gang also received a 'Covid Bounce Back' loan which they invested into their drugs empire. They were caught following a police investigation which saw their secret EnchroChat messages seized to reveal the drugs ring. A gang who ferried drugs in a 'Thank You NHS' van (pictured) and funded their 1.5million heroin and cocaine empire with Government-backed Covid loans have been jailed Kamaljit Singh Chahal, 52, (left) was jailed for 18 years while Bhipon Chahal, 25, (right) was sentenced to 14 years Matthias Tulloch, 43, (left) was jailed for 12 years and Sandeep Johal, 32, (right) was jailed for 11 years The men ran their operation from West Bromwich, West Midlands, admitting drugs offences including conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. They were jailed for a combined total of just less than 100 years at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday. Kamaljit Singh Chahal, 52, was jailed for 18 years while Bhipon Chahal, 25, was sentenced to 14 years and Matthias Tulloch, 43, for 12 years. Sandeep Johal, 32, and Miquel Lewin-Miller, 41, were both jailed for 11 years. Aaron Williams, 43, was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years and Robert Wesley, 39, was jailed for nine years. Alan Moore-Caswell, 42, was jailed for four years two months while Sandeep Singh, 25, Hitesh Salhotra, 26, were both sentenced to three years nine months. Gang leader Kamaljit Singh Chahal, of Sutton Coldfield, ran the operation with his nephew Bhipon Chahal, of Great Barr. They used a network of couriers, including Miller and Tulloch, by communicating using encrypted devices. The West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) stopped the gang in their tracks following a covert investigation into the group under the name Op Igneous. Miquel Lewin-Miller, 41, (left) was jailed for 11 years and Aaron Williams, 43, (right) was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years Alan Moore-Caswell, 42, (left) was jailed for four years and two months while Sandeep Singh, 25, (right) was jailed for three years and nine months Robert Wesley, 39, (pictured) was jailed for nine years EncroChat messages from the Chahal crime group were seized between March 26 and June 5, 2020. The messages revealed the Chahal crime group openly discussed the management and delivery of drugs across the UK. To avoid detection, Tulloch used the NHS van to avoid being suspicion while transporting the drugs during the pandemic. Investigators also identified that Kamaljit Chahal and Wesley were given Government backed 'Covid loans' which they used to fund their drugs ring. Chief Inspector Peter Cooke, from ROCU, said: 'This was a significant Class A drugs operation which was being operated during the Covid pandemic. 'This is part of our ongoing work to destroy drug networks across the West Midlands and this will carry on as part of Op Target. 'We're focused on those thought to be involved in the highest levels of organised crime across our region. 'These men will now be spending nearly 100 years behind bars in total. 'It sends out a clear warning to others intent on supplying Class A drugs - we simply won't tolerate it.' More than 150 Starbucks stores with 3,500 workers are set to go on strike next week after a union representing the baristas claimed the company ordered them to take down Pride decorations. The Starbucks Workers United union previously accused the coffee giant of caving into backlash and failing 'to materially support the LGBTQ+ community' earlier this month. It said executives had 'banned' stores from displaying rainbow flags and decorations halfway through Pride Month. Starbucks strongly denied the allegations and hit out at the 'false information that is being spread'. But the union, which represents over 41,000 workers across more than 325 stores, announced on Friday that workers across America will strike over the 'hypocritical treatment of LGBTQIA+ workers'. More than 150 Starbucks stores with 3,500 workers are set to go on strike next week after a union representing the baristas claimed the company ordered them to take down Pride decorations The Starbucks Workers United union announced on Friday that workers across America will strike over the 'hypocritical treatment of LGBTQIA+ workers' It previously accused the coffee giant of caving into backlash and failing 'to materially support the LGBTQ+ community' earlier this month The Starbucks Workers United union took to Twitter to announce the latest strike action which will begin at the company's Seattle Roastery - located just nine blocks from Starbucks' first ever store at the Pike Place Market. 'STRIKE WITH PRIDE! Seattle Roastery leads nationwide Starbucks strike over Starbucks hypocritical treatment of LGBTQIA+ workers,' it wrote. 'Over 150+ stores and 3,500 workers will be on strike over the course of the next week.' More stores are voting on whether to strike so this could rise to nearly 200 by the end of the week. In response to the strikes, a spokesman for Starbucks said: 'Workers United continues to spread false information about our benefits, policies and negotiation effortsa tactic used to seemingly divide our partners and deflect from their failure to respond to bargaining sessions for more than 200 stores.' The union has claimed that workers in at least 22 states have not been allowed to decorate for Pride Month and pointed to employee accounts on social media. It said it filed an unfair labor practice charge against Starbucks over what it alleged is a change in policy. The Starbucks Workers United union said executives had 'banned' stores from displaying rainbow flags and decorations halfway through Pride Month The latest strike action will begin at the company's Seattle Roastery - just nine blocks from Starbucks' first ever store at the Pike Place Market. Pictured: A rally outside a store in Buffalo, New York on November 17, 2022 More stores are voting on whether to strike so this could rise to nearly 200 by the end of the week But a Starbucks spokesman denied the allegations at the time and said: 'There has been no change to any policy on this matter and we continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for US Pride Month in June. 'Were deeply concerned by false information that is being spread especially as it relates to our inclusive store environments, our company culture and the benefits we offer our partners.' But Workers United doubled down on the claims and said: 'In stores across the country, Starbucks is refusing to let workers decorate for Pride and is also taking down Pride flags across the country. 'This is contrary to Starbucks in previous years, where union stores were allowed to put up pride decorations without incident. 'To us, this is clearly a continuation of Starbucks anti-union campaign against workers and yet another way to try to silence queer voices.' It accused the brand of bowing to pressure, claiming 'corporate and district management' ordered the removal of their 'annual tradition' decorations. 'In union stores, where Starbucks claims they are unable to make unilateral changes without bargaining, the company took down Pride decorations and flags anyway - ignoring their own anti-union talking point,' the union continued. 'If Starbucks was a true ally, they would stand up for us, especially during a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack. The union has claimed that workers in at least 22 states have not been allowed to decorate for Pride Month and pointed to employee accounts on social media 'A company that cares wouldnt turn their back on the LGBTQ+ community to protect their already astronomically high profits.' It comes after Starbucks has built up a woke reputation in recent years with a 'commitment to inclusion' which includes gender-neutral signage in restrooms and allowing customers to use facilities based on their gender identity. Not all of the Starbucks stores that are striking have had issues with Pride decorations. Parker Davis, a 21-year-old barista in San Antonio, Texas told CNBC: 'Theres a large percentage of partners at my store who are part of the LGBTQ community, and who feel that Starbucks continued actions with trying to limit or take down pride decorations just doesnt make sense with what the company has done in the past.' He is unsure whether the store will be able to open during the strikes. Starbucks shares company were down about two percent at $99.02 in premarket trading following the announcement of the strikes. The coffee giant, which runs about 9,000 U.S. company-owned locations, has seen employees at more than 300 stores vote to unionize since late 2021 demanding better pay and benefits. A drunken Royal Air Force officer who horrified staff at a boozy summer ball by 'putting his testicles on the bar' has been convicted of indecent exposure. Flight Lieutenant Richard Aldridge, 39, exposed himself at the event in MoD Boscombe Down after overhearing two women complain about servicemen who had previously flashed at them. The officer got one leg up on the bar and was 'holding the underneath of himself', one of the women told Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire. Aldridge was found guilty of a charge of exposure but was cleared of sexual assault having been accused of grabbing a female officer's bottom while she stood at the bar. During the three day trial he denied the first charge, claiming he is 'not flexible enough' to have done so and said his uniform was too tight. He also denied touching the female officer. Flight Lieutenant Richard Aldridge (pictured outside Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire), 39, has been convicted of indecent exposure The Flight Lieutenant exposed himself after overhearing two women complain about servicemen who had previously flashed at them The court heard the officers' mess event was held at MoD Boscombe Down, a military aircraft testing site, near Amesbury, in Wiltshire. Captain Rebecca Slee, prosecuting, told the court martial the function had kicked off and was in full swing when Flt Lt Aldridge 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.' Giving evidence, one of the women, who is a civilian worker, told the court: '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.' Her colleague said: 'We were having a conversation and Flt Lt Aldridge came to the bar. 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.' Referring to Flt Lt Aldridge, she added: 'I saw him up on the bar holding the underneath of himself. His genitals were out of his clothes. Aldridge was found guilty of a charge of exposure but was cleared of sexual assault having been accused of grabbing a female officer's bottom while she stood at the bar The court heard the officers' mess event, where the incident took place, was held at MoD Boscombe Down (pictured), near Amesbury, in Wiltshire 'He had one leg up on the floor and one up. He then got down and went off. '[Later on] he was very drunk and an officer took him to his room carrying him over his shoulder.' Flt Lt Aldridge was cleared of grabbing a female officer's bottom having denied even seeing her at the event, and said there were more than 200 people in attendance. 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.' When asked by defence barrister Stephanie Painter about the alleged incident, Flt Lt Aldridge said: 'That would never have happened in any way, shape or form, drunk or otherwise. I would never do anything like that.' Flt Lt Aldridge will be sentenced for exposure at a later date. A childcare centre has been swamped by a flock of ibis, with desperate staff demanding the local council come up with a solution. The protected species - known colloquially as 'bin chickens' - has posed a health and safety risk to children at the Cubbyhouse Pre-school in Menai in Sydney's south for the past three years. They gather around the grounds, leaving their poo 'everywhere' where children play and causing an 'horrendous' stench, say centre staff. Images from the centre's grounds show the birds flying about, picking through the grass and sitting in line upon line on top of the school's roof. Other photos revealed the extent of the damage their droppings have caused, staining footpaths and outdoor seats at the centre. The ibis gather around the pre-school grounds (pictured) leaving their poo 'everywhere' where children play and babies crawl around - and there is a 'horrendous' stench Katherine Frankland from the childcare centre said they have to pay for pressure washers every week to clean the filth (pictured) left over by the birds Ms Frankland said the Sutherland Shire Council have offered no workable solution (pictured, birds gathered at the centre) The birds are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 as they are native and cannot be removed from the area nor have their habitats destroyed, the Sutherland Shire Council has said. Katherine Frankland, the director at the pre-school said the problem has been going on for three years. 'They roost all in the trees above the service, so the next morning we come in and there's just poo everywhere,' Ms Frankland told Yahoo News Australia. 'We have to clean that before the kids can go outside because babies crawl around. 'We have to pay for pressure washers to come in two, three times a week but the birds come back at night.' She added: 'We just can't afford to keep doing that because we're a not-for-profit service.' 'Our funds should be going to supporting these vulnerable families we help support, but instead we're paying to clean the yard.' She said the centre has had to pay $300 each week to clean the mess, and said the council have offered no workable solution. It has suggested cutting back overhanging branches from trees that are not allowed to be removed, but Ms Frankland said it didn't do anything to help. It comes after another childcare facility next door was shut down due to the bird problem which made it unaffordable for its staff to keep running. Dying Ibis birds have also been an issue for staff who are then forced to transport them to the vet to be euthanised. Ms Frankland said her main priority is the safety of the children but the ibis problem is also draining the centre's staff resources. One employee has to be on hand to monitor the mess the birds create day after day, removing a valuable worker from the kids' education programme. The director asked 'what has to give' for the centre to provide a safe and clean environment for the kids. One employee has to be on hand to monitor the continuing mess the birds create (pictured) day after day The native ibis (pictured) are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 She added the centre has been forced to up its prices in part due to the birds. Shire Animal Rescue suggested the school use various methods to help control the bird population including using a green laser, spotlights or a faux hawk. But Ms Frankland said those techniques have not worked. She said she didn't want the birds to be exterminated but called on the council to provide support and alternative measures that work. The Sutherland Shire Council was contacted by Daily Mail Australia for comment. The loans, used to cover payroll during pandemic, were ultimately forgiven OceanGate, the company that owned and operated the submersible that imploded on a dive to the Titanic wreck, received $447,000 in government loans under the Paycheck Protection Program, records show. The government loan was issued in April 2020, during the first round of the emergency pandemic program, and was used to cover OceanGate's payroll costs during COVID-19 shutdowns, according to records published by ProPublica. The full amount of the loan was ultimately forgiven under the terms of the program, which required companies to use the funds for the stated purpose and abstain from layoffs. Records show OceanGate had 22 employees at the time. OceanGate founder and CEO Stockton Rush was killed aboard the company's Titan submersible last weekend, along with passengers Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, British adventurer Hamish Harding, and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. In October 2020, Rush said that the company had spent much of the business pause during the pandemic fabricating a new hull for the Titan, after deep-water tests raised concerns that it wasn't sturdy enough for repeated cycles of pressurization. OceanGate founder and CEO Stockton Rush was killed aboard the company's Titan submersible last weekend. His company received PPP loans during the pandemic In October 2020, Rush said that the company spent much of the business pause during the pandemic fabricating a new hull for the Titan, seen above Rush told GeekWire at the time that work on fabricating the Titan's new hull was being carried out at the firms Electroimpact and Janicki Industries in Washington state. Janicki Industries did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement to DailyMail.com, Electroimpact Chief Operating Officer Austin Clark said: 'Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives on the Titan. At this time, we have no further comments.' In July 2021, the carbon-fiber and titanium submersible completed its first 3,800-meter dive to the wreck site of the Titanic, according to an OceanGate press release. 'We had to overcome tremendous engineering, operational, business, and finally COVID-19 challenges to get here, and I am so proud of this team and grateful for the support of our many partners,' Rush said in a statement at the time. Rush was piloting the Titan on Sunday, when the submersible imploded during a dive to the wreck site of the Titanic, instantly killing all five men aboard. On Thursday, officials confirmed that there were no survivors, bringing a tragic end to a five-day saga that included an urgent but ultimately futile around-the-clock search for the sub. The investigation into what happened was already underway and would continue in the area around Titanic where debris from the submersible was found, said Rear Adm. John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District. 'I know there are also a lot of questions about how, why and when did this happen. Those are questions we will collect as much information as we can about now,' Mauger said. Mauger said that it was a 'complex case' that happened in a remote part of the ocean and involved people from several different countries. U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, center at microphone, talks to the media Thursday at Coast Guard Base Boston Titan is prepared for its dive to view the wreck of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday The first hint of a timeline came Thursday evening when a senior US Navy official said that after the Titan was reported missing Sunday, the Navy went back and analyzed its acoustic data and found an 'anomaly' that was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the vessel was operating when communications were lost. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive acoustic detection system normally used to hunt military submarines. The Titan launched at 6am Sunday, and was reported overdue Sunday afternoon about 435 miles south of St. John's, Newfoundland. Rescuers rushed ships, planes and other equipment to the site of the disappearance. Any sliver of hope that remained for finding the crew alive was wiped away early Thursday, when the submersibles 96-hour supply of air was expected to run out and the Coast Guard announced that debris had been found roughly 1,600 feet from the Titanic. 'The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber,' Mauger said. The Coast Guard said Thursday that the sounds detected during the search - that had given rescuers some hope that maybe the people were alive - were likely generated by something other than the Titan. The Navy official who spoke of the 'anomaly' heard Sunday said the Navy passed on the information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search because the data was not considered definitive. Tributes to those killed and praise for the searchers who tried to save them poured in from across the globe. Hardings family said in a statement: 'He was one of a kind and we adored him... What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved.' In a statement beginning with a Quranic verse, the Dawood family thanked rescuers: 'Their untiring efforts were a source of strength for us during this time, We are also indebted to our friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers from all over the world who stood by us during our need.' A longtime friend and colleague of Nargeolet told French media that when contact was lost Sunday, he quickly feared the worst. 'Unfortunately, I thought straight away of an implosion,' diver and retired underwater filmographer Christian Petron said Friday to broadcaster France-Info. At the depths in which the submersible was operating, the pressure is intense and unforgiving, he noted. 'Obviously, the slightest problem with the hull and its implosion is immediate,' Petron said. Director James Cameron, who has made multiple dives to the wreckage of the Titanic, told the BBC that he knew an 'extreme catastrophic event' had happened as soon as he heard the submersible had lost navigation and communications at the same time. 'For me, there was no doubt,' Cameron said. 'There was no search. When they finally got an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) down there that could make the depth, they found it within hours. Probably within minutes.' He said briefings about 96 hours of oxygen supply and banging noises were a 'prolonged and nightmarish charade' that gave the crew members families false hope. Rep. Lauren Boebert revealed Thursday that she had become a grandmother at age 36. Boebert was appearing on Sean Hannity's Fox News Channel program and was asked by the host what was going on between her and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. The two MAGA darlings got into a tiff on the House floor with Greene calling Boebert a 'little b***h,' according to The Daily Beast, reporting Greene confirmed. 'Sean, I did not put my life on pause and leave my four boys and my now grandson to come here and just get in spats with people,' Boebert told Hannity - disclosing her grandma status. 'I came here to legislate and to be effective for Coloradans, Coloradans who are suffering from the Democrats policy. Marjorie is not my enemy. Joe Bidens policy, the Democrats, that is my enemy that I am combating right now.' In March, Boebert revealed that her 17-year-old son Tyler had impregnated his girlfriend and they were expecting a son. Rep. Lauren Boebert (left) announced at a Moms for America event in March that her 17-year-old son Tyler (right) would be making the 36-year-old lawmaker a grandmother. She confirmed on Sean Hannity's show on Thursday that her grandson had been born 'So I'm going to tell you all for the first time in a public setting, that not only am I a mom of four boys, but come April I will be a gigi to a brand new grandson. And Jason and I are so excited to welcome this new life into our family,' Boebert said at a Moms for America event. Boebert told the crowd that there's 'something special about rural conservative communities' - because fewer pregnant teens abort their fetuses compared to those living in cities, studies show. 'Teen moms' rates are higher in rural conservative areas, because they understand the preciousness of a life that it's about to be born,' the anti-abortion Boebert said. A 2019 study from American Journal of Public Health suggested that teen birth rates are higher in rural areas because of 'local conditions that limit unintended pregnancy management options.' Since the Supreme Court's June Dobbs decision to overturn Roe v. Wade a number of red state legislatures have passed increasingly restrictive abortion laws. However, Boebert's home state of Colorado remains one of just six states where abortion is still legal at all stages of pregnancy. Additionally, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data indicates that teen mothers are far less likely to finish their high school educations than those who don't bear children. Boebert explained to Hannity that she didn't 'leave my four boys and my now grandson to come here and just get in spats with people' when asked about a tiff between the Colorado Republican and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Only about 50 percent of teen mothers receive their high school diplomas by age 22, versus 90 percent of women who don't give birth during their teen years. Boebert was herself a teen mom and dropped out of high school during her senior year in 2004 when she got pregnant with Tyler, her oldest. She had three more sons, including the 2009 birth of Kaydon, which occurred in the front seat of her husband's pickup truck, and made local news. She completed her GED before she was elected to Congress in 2020. The Colorado Republican joked about being a young mother in her speech to Moms for America. 'Now, any of you who have young children who are giving life there's some questions that pop up. There's some fear that arises,' she said. 'Now my son when I approached him and told him, "Tyler, I'm going to be a 36-year-old grandmother." He said, "well didn't you make granny a 36-year-old granny,"' Boebert told the crowd. 'I said, "Yes, I did." He said, "Well then it's hereditary."' 'Nice try, buddy,' she added. Boebert is anti-abortion and also rejects the teaching of sexual education in schools. During a March speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference she warned that some schools 'are teaching worse than just gender ideology.' 'They have comprehensive sex ed,' she said. 'They're teaching kids how to have and enjoy sex, and even same-sex sex, how to pleasure themselves.' 'This is not something elementarry students should learn, not any student in public school,' she went on. 'These are the things that we need to go after and cut their funding,' Boebert added. David Cameron togged up in top hat and tails today as he enjoyed the sunshine at Ascot. The former PM - renowned for his love of 'chillaxing' - was at the prestigious race meeting with wife Samantha. Mr Cameron was pictured having a flower added to a buttonhole, before the couple posed together - as he proudly sported his accreditation for the Royal enclosure. Sam looked elegant in a green floral pattern dress and black hat. It was a far cry from Mr Cameron's rather less relaxing experience at the Covid Inquiry earlier this week. First he arrived to shouts of 'scum'. Then after a grilling about failures in preparations for a pandemic when he was PM, Mr Cameron departed to a member of the public crying 'shame on you!' David Cameron was pictured having a flower added to a buttonhole as he arrived at Ascot The Camerons happily posed together - as the ex-PM proudly sported his accreditation for the Royal enclosure Mr Cameron was headed for the Royal Enclosure in the sunshine today Along with the Camerons, the Prince and Princess of Wales joined racegoers at Royal Ascot when they took part in the traditional carriage procession with the King and Queen. William and Kate made their first appearance of the week at the famous Berkshire meet, where high fashion rubs shoulders with the racing world. Kate wore a red dress by Alexander McQueen and a Philip Treacy hat while William, like the other royal men, looked smart in a morning suit, and top hat. The couple live close to the racecourse, having moved to their four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage in Windsors Home Park last year, to offer their children more freedom away from central London. Mr Cameron was shouted at when departing Dorland House on Monday after facing questions by the official probe into Whitehall's handling of the coronavirus crisis. He had earlier been greeted by calls of 'scum, scum!' as he arrived at the central London address. The former premier this morning became the first senior politician to give evidence as the Inquiry's public sessions got under way. King Charles and Queen Camilla were at Ascot again today for the famous race meeting Along with the Camerons, the Prince and Princess of Wales joined racegoers at Royal Ascot when they took part in the traditional carriage procession with the King and Queen Mr Cameron admitted it had been a 'mistake' for Britain not to ready itself for 'different types' of pandemic as the UK's past efforts were focused on combatting a severe flu outbreak. But he denied the austerity policies of his government - pursued in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis - along with a 2012 reorganisation of the NHS had left the health service depleted prior to the 2020 Covid outbreak. Medical unions have claimed austerity put the NHS in a 'parlous state' ahead of the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Cameron defended his government's record and claimed, if he'd allowed Britain to 'lose control' of its public finances after the credit crunch, it would have been less able to respond to a crisis. Acclaimed director James Cameron said after the tragedy involving the Titan submersible this week that he was 'struck' by the similarities with the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. And, as a historian who has written about and researched the Titanic disaster extensively, I can't help but agree with him. From the global interest after the story hit the headlines and the rumours that the passengers might be safe, to the demands for an inquiry, delayed distress calls and wealthy owners, the parallels are eerie. Below, I delve into those in more detail, showing just how close the links are. The Titanic (pictured embarking on its maiden voyage) in 1912 sank in the freezing waters of the Atlantic after hitting an iceberg This undated image courtesy of OceanGate Expeditions, shows their Titan submersible being towed to a dive location As a historian who has written about and researched the Titanic disaster extensively, I can't help but agree with James Cameron when he says there are eerie parallels with the sinking and this week's tragedy The global interest and hopes the passengers might be alive The fascination that led wealthy passengers including British billionaire Hamish Harding to pay more than $250,000 to see a decaying wreck in poor visibility stems from the fact that the Titanic, in my view, represents the ultimate tragedy. In the confusion after the Titanic's sinking, headlines such as the above in the Daily Mail proclaimed 'no lives lost' Because if the 'unsinkable' ship - which was a gleaming beacon of the pinnacle of technology when it was launched - and all her passengers and crew represent the whole of humanity, the iceberg which sank her represents the awesome power of nature. That, I believe, is the reason for the enduring interest in Titanic, and in this week's closely watched search and rescue operation. Within hours of the news breaking on Monday, it had become the world's biggest news story. The focus at first was of course on the possibility that the five could still be alive, with initial reports of knocking sounds boosting those hopes further. Similarly, when the Titanic sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912, the early news reports were positive. In the confusion, headlines proclaimed 'no lives lost', or 'all passengers being taken off', or 'Titanic being towed to Halifax'. These reports were of course not true, just as the hopes that the Titan passengers might be found alive and rescued were also, unfortunately, wide of the mark. The initial incorrect reports were based on the fact that, while the world knew from the radio distress calls that there had been a major problem, it was not until rescue ship the Carpathia made it to New York three days after the disaster that families had confirmation there had been huge loss of life. The initial incorrect reports were based on the fact that, while the world knew from the radio distress calls that there had been a major problem, it was not until rescue ship the Carpathia made it to New York three days after the disaster that families had confirmation there had been huge loss of life. Above: Titanic passengers on the Carpathia Demands for an inquiry US legal expert Joshua Ritter said this week that OceanGate, the firm which built Titan, could face a federal probe into any criminal liability. They added that a combination of governments are expected to investigate the tragedy, but the US - which was heavily involved in the search operation through the Coast Guard and Navy - is expected to lead it. After the sinking of the Titanic more than a century ago, there was not one but two inquiries - the first in New York and then a second in London. Both heard from survivors and recommended changes in safety at sea which are still in place to this day. Among them was the instruction that ships have to carry enough lifeboats to accommodate everyone on board a vessel, a regulation which was not in place when the Titanic sank. After the sinking of the Titanic more than a century ago, there was not one but two inquiries - the first in New York and then a second in London. Above: The Titanic inquiry in London Delayed distress calls The Titanic's crew did not send a distress call until 47 minutes after the collision with the iceberg. Similarly, it emerged this week that OceanGate did not alert the US Coast Guard until eight hours after it lost contact with Titan. This ultimately proved to be besides the point - because Titan's passengers are thought to have been killed instantly when the vessel's structure failed. But in the case of the Titanic, she only floated for two and a half hours after hitting the iceberg, and so a third of that time was spent without any nearby vessels being made aware. If the signal had been sent sooner, more lives may have been saved. Wealthy owners and passengers As well as Mr Harding, who was believed to be worth hundreds of millions of pounds, on board Titan was also Indian billionaire Shahzada Dawood with his 19-year-old son. The Dawood family are among the richest in Pakistan. But equally OceanGateCEO Stockton Rush had an estimated net worth of $12million, while French Navy veteran Paul-Henri Nargeolet was said to be worth $1.5billion. On the Titanic, there were dozens of extremely wealthy passengers. As well as Mr Harding (left), who was believed to be worth hundreds of millions of pounds, on board Titan was also Indian billionaire Shahzada Dawood on board with his 19-year-old son French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left was also in the sub along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition The richest on board was John Jacob Astor, whose net worth was the equivalent of more than $2.5billion in today's money. Astor died after being denied a space in lifeboats, which were largely reserved for women and children. Other multi-millionaires who died included industrialist Benjamin Guggenheim and streetcar magnate Dunton Widener, whilst many others survived. The Titanic's owners, the White Star Line, were hugely wealthy too after rapidly expanding in the early 20th century. The first bid to raise the Titanic began just months after the disaster, when the families of three of the wealthiest passengers who perished clubbed together. Above: John Jacob Astor (left) was one of the richest men in the world. Industrialist Benjamin Guggenheim (right) and streetcar magnate Dunton Widener also perished In both the recent case and that of the Titanic, finances were at the heart of the decision-making. The wealthy passengers on Titan were prepared to pay a quarter of a million dollars to risk their lives. And Titan itself was built to take paying passengers. Most other submersibles capable of operating in similar conditions are built for research, not for tourism. As for the Titanic, it was built to carry as many people as possible and to make the White Star Line as much money as possible. Equally, both sets of wealthy passengers were taking to the sea in what were the high-tech crafts of their day, putting aside the question marks raised by some experts about the safety of Titan's structure. Both tragedies were in the same place! This might seem too obvious to mention, but both disasters occurred at the same place. Cameron highlighted the oddness of this fact, saying this week: 'To take place at the same exact site with all the diving that's going on all around the world, I think it's just astonishing. 'It's really quite surreal.' The resting places of Hamilton and his comrades will now be very close to what remains of the original passengers and crew who went down with the ship. Some have even said that they are five more victims of the Titanic itself. This might seem too obvious to mention, but both disasters occurred in more or less the same place. Above: The ships that were crisscrossing the area during the search operation this week No means of escape The Titanic did of course have 20 lifeboats, but these were only enough for just over half of the people on board, a fact which immediately drew condemnation Equally, there was, tragically, no means of escape for those on board Titan. There was no back-up craft for them to climb into if something went wrong The Titanic did of course have 20 lifeboats, but these were only enough for just over half of the people on board, a fact which immediately drew condemnation. Besides these boats, there was no other way to escape from the ship without just plunging into the ocean and freezing to death - as many did. Equally, there was, tragically, no means of escape for those on board Titan. There was no back-up craft to rescue them if something went wrong. They could not even open it from the inside, meaning that, had they been bobbing undiscovered on the surface of the Atlantic, they could have suffocated once their oxygen supplies ran out. However, this point is slightly moot because, as investigators revealed this week, the submersible suffered a catastrophic implosion, killing everyone on board instantly. The passengers were related! It emerged this week that Stockton Rush's wife Wendy is the great-great-granddaughter of the wealthy New York couple Isidor and Ida Straus, who were immortalised in Cameron's 1997 film Titanic. They were shown in the film embracing on their bed as water rushed onto the ship. The couple both perished in the disaster. Isidor had been the co-founder of the Macy's department store. It emerged this week that Stockton Rush's wife Wendy is the great-great-granddaughter of the wealthy New York couple Isidor and Ida Straus, who were immortalised in Cameron's 1997 film Titanic They were shown in the film embracing on their bed as water rushed onto the ship Mrs Rush married her engineer and entrepreneur husband in 1986. She is descended from the Straus' daughter Minnie, who married Dr. Richard Weil in 1905. Their son, Richard Weil Jr., later served as president of Macy's New York. His son, Dr. Richard Weil III, is Mrs Rush's father, according to reports. So, the similarities really do echo through the ages. Tim Maltin is the author of 101 Things You Things You Thought You Knew About the Titanic - But Didn't! Police in France and Belgium said today they had smashed a criminal ring that used fake court summonses accusing people of watching child pornography to extort at least 3 million. The phishing scam involved false emails from police, judges or institutions such as Europol threatening victims with prosecution unless they paid a 'fine'. The sums extracted from the victims ranged from less than 4,285 to up to 1,715, Colonel Thomas Andreu, head of one of the special French police units, told AFP. Police said one of the victims - who had been stung twice by the crooks - committed suicide, and six others may have also potentially killed themselves. Police added that they arrested 18 people in France and one in Belgium in an operation on Monday, with all but three of the suspects ordered to appear in court on fraud charges. Police said they arrested 18 people in France and one in Belgium in an operation on Monday, with all but three of the suspects ordered to appear in court on fraud charges (Stock image) 'We thought that the fraud was being run by one central structure,' Andreu said. 'However, it turned out to be several little teams which were not linked.' The scam began at the start of 2021, leading the cybercrime section of the Paris prosecutor's office to open an investigation. By June 2022 some 400 complaints relating to the scam had been made to authorities. Commissioner Christophe Durand, of the French OCLCTIC anti-cybercrime unit, said the 'victims had suffered real distress'. Some of the money extorted from the men - who were aged on average around 60 - was spent in France, but most was sent to the Ivory Coast and other African countries. The man who was hit twice was first made to pay 5,123 before the criminals asked him for a further 6,411. 'Feeling powerless and trapped, he took his own life,' the police said. The suspects are aged between 20 and 50. An alleged 'people-smuggling kingpin' today admitted killing 39 men, women and children in a lorry trailer in Essex. The Vietnamese nationals suffocated in the container which had been transported by ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Purfleet early on October 23 2019. Marius Mihai Dragici, 48, was detained by Romanian police in the city of Bucharest in August. He appeared at the Old Bailey on Wednesday Marius Mihai Draghici, 49, was detained by Romanian police in the city of Bucharest in August. Today at the Old Bailey he admitted 39 counts of manslaughter. He has also been charged with conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. Lorry driver Maurice Robinson found the migrants, two aged just 15, dead when he collected the trailer from the docks early the next morning. Robinson, 28, of Craigavon, and his boss Ronan Hughes, 43, of Armagh, had admitted plotting to people smuggle and 39 counts of manslaughter. Hughes's partner in crime Gheorghe Nica, 46, of Basildon, Essex, and Eamonn Harrison, 26, of County Down, who had collected the victims on the continent, were found guilty of the offences. At a sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey, Robinson, who also admitted money laundering, was jailed for 13 years and four months in jail, Hughes was sentenced to 20 years in prison, Nica to 27 years and Harrison to 18 years. The alleged victims included 31 men and eight women, 10 of whom were teenagers with the youngest being 15-year-old twins Mr Justice Sweeney said: "I have no doubt that, as asserted by the prosecution, the conspiracy was a sophisticated, long-running, and profitable one to smuggle mainly Vietnamese migrants across the channel." The migrants had desperately tried to break out of the trailer and raise the alarm before they suffered an "excruciatingly slow death", the judge said. Other members of the gang were also jailed in the same hearing for their role in the organised criminal operation. Lorry driver Christopher Kennedy, 26, of County Armagh, was jailed for seven years; Valentin Calota, 40, from Birmingham, was handed four-and-a-half years; and Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga, 31, from Essex, was sentenced to three years in custody. The court had heard the operation was long-running and profitable, with the smugglers standing to make more than a million pounds in October 2019 alone. A total of seven smuggling trips were identified between May 2018 and October 23 2019, although the court heard that there were likely to have been more. Migrants would board lorries at a remote location on the continent to be transported to Britain where they would be picked up by a fleet of smaller vehicles organised by Nica for transfer to a safe house until payment was received. The migrants suffocated to death in the container on the back of this lorry in 38.5C temperatures as they crossed the Channel from Belgium to Essex The fee was between 10,000 and 13,000, for the "VIP route" in which the driver was aware of the presence of smuggled migrants inside the trailer attached to his lorry. Some of the trips were thwarted by border officials and residents in Orsett, Essex, who had repeatedly reported migrants being dropped off to the police. Yet the smuggling operation was not stopped until after the tragic journey. The families of the victims in Vietnam and Britain spoke at the sentencing hearing of their loss and hardship. Phan Thi Thanh, 41, had sold the family home and left her son with his godmother before setting off on the ill-fated journey. Her "heartbroken" son said: "I heard about the incident from mass media so I called dad in the UK in order to confirm if mum was a victim. "I was very shocked, very sad and I was crying a lot." Tran Hai Loc and his wife Nguyen Thi Van, both 35, who were found huddled together in death, left two children aged six and four. The children's grandfather Tran Dinh Thanh said: "Everyday, when they come home from school they always look at the photos of their parents on the altar. "The decease of both parents is a big loss to them." Fifteen-year-old Nguyen Huy Hung's UK-based father Nguyen Huy Tung learned about his death on social media. He said: "We were very shocked, trembled, we lost track and awareness of our surroundings. "My wife had fainted many times whenever our son's name was mentioned." - The 39 victims were: Dinh Dinh Binh, Nguyen Minh Quang, Nguyen Huy Phong, Le Van Ha, Nguyen Van Hiep, Bui Phan Thang, Nguyen Van Hung, Nguyen Huy Hung, Nguyen Tien Dung, Pham Thi Tra My, Tran Khanh Tho, Nguyen Van Nhan, Vo Ngoc Nam, Vo Van Linh, Nguyen Ba Vu Hung, Vo Nhan Du, Tran Hai Loc, Tran Manh Hung, Nguyen Thi Van, Bui Thi Nhung, Hoang Van Tiep, Tran Thi Ngoc, Phan Thi Thanh, Tran Thi Tho, Duong Minh Tuan, Pham Thi Ngoc Oanh, Tran Thi Mai Nhung, Le Trong Thanh, Nguyen Ngoc Ha, Hoang Van Hoi, Tran Ngoc Hieu, Cao Tien Dung, Dinh Dinh Thai Quyen, Dang Huu Tuyen, Nguyen Dinh Luong , Cao Huy Thanh, Nguyen Trong Thai, Nguyen Tho Tuan and Nguyen Dinh Tu. Brittany Higgins compares herself to a 'B-grade Grace Tame' and admits she and fiance David Sharaz 'war-gamed' her rape claims in an early draft of her prospective book. Ms Higgins signed a $325,000 book deal with Penguin Books in April 2021 which was brokered by Peter FitzSimons, husband of former The Project host Lisa Wilkinson who first aired her bombshell allegations on TV. But the book's publication has been on hold since the rape trial against Bruce Lehrmann was abandoned because of juror misconduct, and the charge against him later dropped over concerns for Ms Higgins' mental health. Mr Lehrmann denies the allegations. The future of the book remains uncertain, but parts of a rough draft, under the apparent working title of #NotJustADaughter, have now been leaked to The Australian. And it reportedly opens with Ms Higgins admitting: 'Honestly, I feel like a B-grade Grace Tame. Brittany Higgins (left) compares herself to a 'B-grade Grace Tame (right)' in an early draft of her prospective book Bittany Higgins admits she and fiance David Sharaz (pictured together) 'war-gamed' her rape claims for maximum political impact using their inside knowledge of Canberra and the media 'She exists outside and beyond the political bubble. Court case closed, awarded and revered,' she wrote, the newspaper reports. 'Here I am in the mud with the pigs fighting for control of the daily news cycle. Throwing mud: A WhatsApp here, a voicemail there, a drop to Sam [Maiden, political journalist].' The book is reportedly dedicated to Mr Sharaz and reveals how the pair meticulously planned the maximum political impact from her allegations using their inside knowledge of Canberra and the media. She outlines how the 'Liberal Party had spent the last three years training me how to play media games' and her vow that 'if I was going to do this, I was going to do it right'. She allegedly adds in the leaked draft: 'We had become quite a twosome when it came to game planning. 'My experience as a media adviser, Davids experience as a producer; together we understood how the gallery media sphere operated.' Ms Higgins signed a $325,000 book deal with Penguin Books in April 2021 which was brokered by Peter FitzSimons, husband of former The Project host Lisa Wilkinson (pictured together) who first aired her bombshell allegations on TV From the outset, she said she wanted to reveal her claims before a two-week sitting cycle in Parliament to ensure the government would have to face Canberra's media. She admitted she had thought about holding it back 'for another few months' - but was concerned the upcoming 2019 election would overshadow her story. 'If this was going to happen, it was now or never,' she writes in the draft. That particular section of the book closely mirrors Ms Higgins' and Mr Sharaz's leaked pre-interview chat with Wilkinson, in which they discuss how best to present the story to maximise impact. The book is reportedly dedicated to her fiance David Sharaz (pictured with Brittany Higgins) It reveals her plans to fly to Canberra to confront then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison and then face the Parliamentary press gallery. But she also reveals her frustration and anger that she was having to 'come up with the agenda and the solutions to these deeply complex problems as well'. She said she longed for the help of a 'political saviour' like Liberal figureheads Peta Credlin, Julie Bishop or Julia Banks to take charge and 'turn it into meaningful change'. But she said no-one was coming forward to help her - and she felt like Sisyphus from Greek mythology, condemned to roll a huge boulder uphill forever. 'It was still just me, facing what felt like an immovable force,' she wrote in the draft. 'And for what? To be abused online? To muddy the waters in a criminal case? To make enemies of former friends? To alienate myself from potential employees?' She admitted there was a long list of reasons not to go public with her allegations but she persisted because 'it was the right thing to do'. The book deal was announced in a blaze of publicity by Penguin who said Ms Higgins 'spoke truth to power and sparked a reckoning with systemic abuse that will be felt for years to come'. It was spruiked as the 'personal account of a young woman who took on the most formidable institution in the country'. The deal was announced by Penguin Books Australia in April 2021 but the book has yet to be published The abandoned rape prosecution against Bruce Lehrmann (pictured) has created complex legal problems for the book. He strenuously denied all allegations against him Ms Higgins added at the time: 'This book will shine a light on the culture inside the corridors of power and provide a firsthand account of what it was like surviving a media storm that turned into a movement.' But the project has been on ice ever since with no publication date released yet. The draft seen by The Australian is believed to be a very early one with an outline for a 90,000-word book of 35 chapters and some scant notes under chapter headings. The abandoned rape prosecution against Mr Lehrmann has created complex legal problems for the book. He strenuously denied all allegations against him. It's complicated further by his ongoing defamation actions against Ten and Wilkinson, and the ABC. It's unlikely the book can be published until those lawsuits are resolved. Ms Higgins' potential book came under fire during Mr Lehrmann's trial - with defence lawyer Steven Whybrow putting to Ms Higgins that she started outlining chapters before she finished making her formal statement to police. Mr Whybrow told the court there were '325,000 reasons why' the case was important to Ms Higgins. And so it ends, the way we knew it was going to end like the story of the Titanic herself. For days we tried to keep hope alive. We fed our imagination with the news of the banging on the hull; we were buoyed by the thought that fabled French submariner Paul-Henri Nargeolet had extracted himself from all sorts of previous underwater crises. In reality, in our hearts, we knew the denouement that all five brave souls on the OceanGate Titan were dead. It now seems that the U.S. navy acoustic detectors had heard the noise of the implosion as long ago as Sunday, and feared the worst. The mystery is over, and the moralising begins. What is the Titanic? What is the meaning of this disaster of April 15, 1912 that still so obsesses human beings that they are willing to risk their lives to go and see the wreck? The Titanic is one of the modern worlds most potent metaphors. It is the stand-out symbol of human ambition and pride, and how it can be destroyed by the elements. It is a fable of how an allegedly unsinkable piece of gleaming and luxurious new technology made of 50,000 tons of steel could be ruptured by nothing more complicated than a chunk of frozen water. Five people were on the Titan sub including British adventurer Hamish Harding (left) and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman (right) French Navy veteran Paul-Henri Nargeolet (left) and Stockton Rush (right), CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, also perished in the tragedy When we think of the Titanic, we are reminded of the eternal tragic verities: that hubris invites nemesis, that man proposes and God disposes, that the paths of glory lead but to the grave and that no amount of cash can help you cheat death. Astor, Straus, Guggenheim: they went down in their white ties and spats in the freezing waters along with everyone else. As a tale of divine retribution for human overconfidence, Titanic is the most gripping story since the Tower of Babel. Now the five submariners, including British entrepreneur Hamish Harding, have added a chapter of their own. We grieve for them all, and our hearts are especially wrung by the account of the 19-year-old Suleman Dawood, who was a bit nervous but wanted to make sure his dad had a great Fathers Day. We see the tragedy of it all and we see the ironies. They went to meditate on human mortality, and added to the Titanic toll themselves. They went to spectate at this desolate exhibit of the vanity of human wishes and tragically proved the point. We grieve for them all, and our hearts are especially wrung by the account of the 19-year-old Suleman, who was a bit nervous but wanted to make sure his dad had a great Fathers Day. Suleman (pictured) was studying at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow before his death The Titanic is one of the modern worlds most potent metaphors. It is the stand-out symbol of human ambition and pride, and how it can be destroyed by the elements. Pictured: A 3-D scan of the wreckage of the Titanic revealed by experts last month Since the Titanic slipped beneath the freezing waves of the Atlantic in April 1912, the stricken ship has been an object of fascination for millions. Pictured: The Titanic embarking on its maiden voyage from Southampton The expedition descended 2.4 miles into the black depths of the Atlantic, to brood on a great truth: that all our inventiveness and mechanical genius can be overwhelmed in an instant by a malignant mother nature and they became themselves victims of that truth. As James Cameron, the director of the movie, has pointed out himself, there are uncanny echoes between the voyage of the OceanGate Titan and the voyage of the Titanic herself. Like the captain who steered on into the moonless night, even though he had been told there was ice ahead, it is clear that they went on with a misplaced confidence in their carbon fibre and titanium structure like the misplaced confidence of those Titanic engineers who believed that with 16 watertight compartments the hull of the mighty liner would be incapable of flooding. I know there will be many who will say that Harding and his fellow adventurers were foolish, and that we need regulation against such experimental technology. Even before the news of the implosion, the Leftie Twittersphere was awash with criticism: that these people had more money than sense, and that we should not be wasting huge quantities of taxpayer cash trying to rescue them. We were told we should not be expending such emotional energy on a few members of the plutocratic elite when so many more have just lost their lives in the Mediterranean, where a boat full of migrants capsized. In the caustic words of commentator Ash Sarkar: If the super-rich can spend $250,000 on vanity jaunts 2.4 miles beneath the ocean floor, then they are not being taxed enough... We get well-funded public services, they get saved from their own hubris. Whats not to like? I know there will be many who will say that the adventurers were foolish, and that we need regulation against such experimental technology. But Harding and his fellows were trying to take a new step for humanity. Pictured: A file photograph of Titan Harding and his friends died in a cause pushing out the frontiers of human knowledge and experience that is typically British, and that fills me with pride Well, Ash, without in any way minimising the migrants tragedy, let me tell you how I feel about those on the Titanic expedition. I think they are heroes. I first went diving in 1988, down those great sheer coral cliffs off Sharm El Sheikh. I went down 33 metres, I looked up from the dark blue gloom and saw the distant sunlight playing on the surface, and I thought I really dont want this kit to fail now. I knew I would drown. So I can hardly imagine the guts it takes to go almost 4,000 metres down, in a craft so seemingly frail, where there is no light at all, and no way of even knowing where you are. The reason so few people have done it is because it takes such nerve; and it is precisely because the market is so small, and undeveloped, and populated only by risk-hungry billionaires, that the machines are still a bit experimental. Unless and until we master this form of navigation, humanity will continue to live in ignorance. Look at our globe, this beautiful ball criss-crossed every day by the contrails of planes, where virtually every inch of land has been explored from pole to pole. It is 70 per cent blue, covered by seas and oceans sometimes more than twice as deep as the resting-place of the Titanic. It is a staggering fact that of the world beneath the oceans, only around a fifth has been mapped. We are more ignorant of the subaquatic landscape of the Earth than we are of the surface of Mars. Some say that this undersea world is full of riches; like those rare metals we so urgently need for electric vehicle batteries, abundant nodules that could be harvested without damaging the marine environment. Others are not so sure. But how can we know if we dont look? And why should the chance to look at this world be reserved to an infinitesimal few? I can hardly imagine the guts it takes to go almost 4,000 metres down, in a craft so seemingly frail, where there is no light at all, and no way of even knowing where you are That is why this mission was so important, and should be valued by Left-wingers as well as everyone else. Yes, there were risks, and warnings. But every great advance must inevitably involve experiment, and equipment that can seem, in retrospect, dangerously inadequate. Look at the slide rules and graph paper with which the first astronauts calculated their position in space. Look at those first flying machines weird contraptions of leather and canvas and wood. They were lethal and yet no one tried to regulate them. The whole idea was new. Hamish Harding and his fellows were trying to take a new step for humanity, to popularise undersea travel, to democratise the ocean floor. They knew the dangers. In the immortal words of Captain Scott, just before he died from the Antarctic cold: We took risks, we knew we took them; things have come out against us, and therefore we have no cause for complaint... Harding and his friends died in a cause pushing out the frontiers of human knowledge and experience that is typically British, and that fills me with pride. Matt Ratana was shot dead in a custody block in Croydon in September 2020 The family of Matt Ratana have paid tribute to the 'gentle giant' as his killer was today convicted of murder after sneaking a revolver into a custody suite and shooting him. Louis De Zoysa, 25, said his 'hypermobility' allowed him to blast the 54-year-old even though his hands were cuffed behind his back. IOPC said two officers 'could have conducted a more thorough body search', during which ammunition was found but not the firearm. However, they concluded that 'neither their actions nor omissions breached the police standards of professional behaviour'. Sgt Ratana's partner Su Bushby paid an emotional tribute to her loved one, describing him as her 'gentle giant' and said 'he will never be forgotten'. 'Today is about justice for Matt. His life was taken too soon in the line of duty doing a job that he loved - a cruel end to a lifetime of service and dedication protecting others,' she said. Louis De Zoysa, 25, (pictured) said his 'hypermobility' allowed him to blast the 54-year-old even though his hands were cuffed behind his back Kiwi-born police officer Matt Ratana was shot dead by Louis De Zoysa in September 2020 The revolver used by Louis De Zoysa to shoot Metropolitan Police officer Matt Ratana IOPC said two officers 'could have conducted a more thorough body search', during which ammunition was found but not the firearm De Zoysa was arrested on the street and police officers found seven bullets on him and two bags of cannabis. But the search failed to detect the gun, which De Zoysa was still hiding in a holster under his armpit 'Whilst the court case has concluded, the constant feeling of grief and loss continues. 'My love for Matt, my gentle giant, will never end. He will never be forgotten.' Luke Ratana, Matt Ratana's son, who is a police officer in Australia, said: 'Today, my father's murderer has been convicted and I would like to acknowledge the suffering that has been caused to the people who knew my father. 'I would like to pay tribute to his colleagues who were with him on the night he died and showed extraordinary bravery. 'Although I do not know you, I hope this result can help you all to achieve a sense of closure and a small measure of peace. 'I am deeply grateful for the tireless and diligent work of the Detective Chief Superintendent Nick Blackburn and his team. This case has been unique in its challenges and complexity.' New Zealand-born Sgt Ratana was just two months away from retiring when he was killed in the early hours of 25 September 2020. He was the first cop ever killed inside a police station in the UK. De Zoysa was arrested on the street and police officers found seven bullets on him and two bags of cannabis. But the search failed to detect the gun, which De Zoysa was still hiding in a holster under his armpit when he went into the Windmill Custody Centre in Croydon. De Zoysa claimed he was having an 'autistic meltdown' and did not deliberately shoot Sgt Ratana, which the jury disputed. He had bought the gun at an online antiques auction in June 2020 and made the bullets himself on the farm where he lived. One bullet hit Sgt Ratana in the chest while the fourth shot hit De Zoysa in the neck and he suffered a stroke which left him with severe brain damage. During the investigation, there was no indication any police officer or staff member had behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or had committed a criminal offence. Jurors deliberated for just more than five hours over two days before unanimously convicting De Zoysa, who listened to the verdict sitting in a wheelchair in the secure glass-fronted dock. He gave some of his evidence by writing and drawing on a court whiteboard and the trial was conducted in simplified language because of his brain injury. Horrifying footage previously showed Sgt Ratana being shot by De Zoysa with a gun he smuggled into custody They had been worried De Zoysa would 'go bananas' in custody before he killed the officer who had served in the Met since 1991. De Zoysa denied murder but was convicted by a jury at Northampton Crown Court today. Mr Justice Johnson will sentence De Zoysa on 27 July. Defence barrister Imran Khan, KC, said he would request reports on whether De Zoysa should be detained in jail or hospital. De Zoysa, a former UCL student and cannabis addict, claimed the gun had gone off by accident but laboratory tests showed this was not possible. Jurors were given the chance to fire the revolver at the ceiling themselves in court to see how difficult it was the pull the trigger. Analysis of De Zoysa's devices revealed an interest in weaponry and violence including right wing extremism, Islamic extremism and homophobia. De Zoysa, who is now wheelchair bound, had been travelling from his flat on a farm in Banstead, Surrey, to his parent's house in Southwark in the middle of the night when he was stopped by police. When the cannabis and bullets were found he was taken to the custody centre in the back of a police van. De Zoysa claimed he was stuttering with fear and 'hyperventilating' as he was taken though a tunnel into the custody suite. He asked police officers if they were going to 'zap' him when he was taken into the police station. In CCTV footage jurors saw Sgt Ratana tell De Zoysa: 'Your detention's not been authorised yet, but I can authorise a search of you under section 54 of PACE. Stand up. As Sgt Ratana adds 'Mate, you were good enough to...' De Zoysa then jumps up and brings out the gun from around his right side. The first shot hit Sgt Ratana in his chest, the second in his leg and the third hit the cell wall as Sgt Ratana's colleges tried to restrain De Zoysa. The first three shots were all fired within three seconds. A fourth shot 16 seconds later hit De Zoysa in the neck before an officer kicked the gun away. De Zoysa shot the gun with his right hand even though he was left handed. The killer was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound to the left side of his face, from his neck to above his ear. Sgt Ratana died in hospital. A court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Louis De Zoysa at Northampton Crown Court previously Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: 'I first met Su Matt's partner - in my second week as Commissioner when I visited Croydon to pay my respects to Matt on the anniversary of his murder. I am inspired by the strength she showed then and even more so by the strength she has shown in recent weeks. 'I cannot begin to imagine how difficult this ordeal has been for her and for all of Matt's family and friends. We will continue to offer them every possible support into the future. 'Matt dedicated almost 30 years to policing and was nearing retirement when he was tragically murdered. He was an outstanding officer who brought joy to his work, treating everyone with respect, compassion and good humour. 'In the days after his death, tributes flowed in from Matt's colleagues, from communities he had served and from those who knew him in his life outside policing. They were a testament to the man he was.' Answering most questions with one word answers De Zoysa promised he would not 'fib' to jury as he began his evidence. He told them he was 'sad' when he found out Sgt Ratana had died. He said he was not guilty of murder but then said he did not know what guilty meant. De Zoysa claimed he didn't tell officers about the gun because he was feeling 'anxious'. 'Were you anxious because you had a gun on you?' Mr Khan, KC, asked. 'Always anxious. Anxious in the mind. It's a feeling,' De Zoysa said. He said he did not know if he had taken the gun out of the holster in the police van and hidden it under his coat as he entered the police station. Louis De Zoysa, 25, (pictured) was found by a jury to be guilty of murdering the officer De Zoysa had to take regular breaks during his evidence and often could not complete a whole day in court. Prosecutor Duncan Penny, KC, said: 'He deliberately shot Sergeant Ratana once to the chest, at very close range. 'He did not give a warning. 'The other officers present were not able to stop Louis de Zoysa. 'The shot caused a fatal injury to the left lung and heart of Sergeant Ratana. 'Three further shots were fired during the struggle with officers that followed. 'The prosecution say the second shot was another deliberate shot at Sergeant Ratana. 'The fourth shot caused severe and life-threatening injury to Louis de Zoysa.' Sgt Ratana had been planning to propose to Su Bushby, his partner of six years when he died. De Zoysa, of Banstead, Surrey, denied but was convicted of murder. The judge in the trial refused a defence request for jurors to visit and inspect the holding cell where he shot dead Sergeant Matt Ratana. Handheld metal detectors could now be introduced by forces across the country after the shooting of custody sergeant Matt Ratana inside a police station holding cell, a police watchdog said. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said its recommendation to use the search wands in all response vehicles and vehicles used to transport detainees had been accepted and the National Police Chiefs' Council is looking into the implementation. Director of operations, Amanda Rowe, said: 'My thoughts continue to be with the family, friends and colleagues of Matt Ratana and all of those affected by this shocking incident. 'Although the officers searching De Zoysa did not strictly follow MPS training, which requires that the torso is divided into quarters, and each quarter is searched from the top down, both back and front, we concluded that neither their actions nor omissions breached the police standards of professional behaviour.' Two paedophile hunters who humiliated an innocent father during a live stream 'sting' have become the first in the UK to receive prison sentences for their vigilante activities after they falsely accused him of being a convicted rapist. Sam Miller and James Moss's target was forced to the ground, had a light shone in his eyes, was accused of exchanging sexual messages with a child, and publicly 'berated and humiliated' during a 14-minute live stream video. Newcastle Crown Court heard Miller and Moss were part of the paedophile hunter group Child Online Safety Team, whose videos can attract over 1,000 viewers, and wrongly accused the man they confronted that day of being a convicted rapist. The judge told Miller: 'You have an inflated sense of your own importance and you overestimate your level or expertise in legal knowledge.' Prosecutor Gavin Doig said the live streaming of the 'sting' showed the groups' motivation was 'publicity and grandstanding, not the detection of offenders' as he jailed the ringleader for nine months. Sam Miller was jailed for nine months and told by the judge that he has an 'inflated sense of his own importance' James Moss (pictured) played a security role in the operation and was handed a suspended sentence and curfew He added: 'The live streaming and telling him it was being viewed by a large number of people increased the impact and the trauma suffered.' The court heard after the group called the police to the scene the man was questioned and held in custody for 17 hours before he was released without charge. He was left with suicidal thoughts and wore a scarf or mask in public out of fear he would be recognised. He told police: 'Fair enough if I was convicted and jailed but innocent until proven guilty, not in their eyes, you are guilty full stop.' Miller, 29, of Stanley, County Durham and Moss, 58, of Blyth, Northumberland, were convicted of false imprisonment after a trial, where they insisted their activities were to protect the public. At Newcastle Crown Court today Miller, who set up COST in 2018, was jailed for nine months. Moss, who had a 'security' role in the vigilante organisation, was given six months but his jail term was suspended for 18 months, with a three month curfew requirement. Judge Julie Clemitson told Miller: 'You took the law into your own hands and you exceeded any lawful authority you had to conduct a citizen's arrest. 'I am sure you don't recognise yourself as an ordinary member of the public, you have an inflated sense of your own importance and you overestimate your level or expertise in legal knowledge.' Judge Clemitson said Miller has been assessed as having an 'unhealthy obsession with sex offenders' and the desire to punish them. The judge told the men: 'Society as a whole demands everyone, however awful the crime they are suspected of committing, be treated fairly, otherwise where is the line to be drawn?' Judge Clemitson said the offending 'requires a sentence which will deter others from taking the law into their own hands and impose punishment on those they deem to be guilty of criminal offences'. The judge said the vigilantes were not motivated solely to help the police track down potential peadophiles and told them: 'You were motivated by desire to punish those you suspected of paedophilia. 'You determined who was guilty and set out to publicly expose them.' Judge Clemitson said public confrontation live streamed on the internet is a 'spectacle' which creates risk of public disorder and personal harm. The judge said rather than working in co-operation with the police, the group sought 'glory' of catching people themselves and added that the victim in this case was caused 'humiliation and distress'. Judge Clemitson added: 'I accept you both genuinely believed he was an online sex offender but having come to that view you were not prepared to give him fair hearing and set about your own form of punishment by way of this very humiliating and public spectacle.' Miller arriving at Newcastle Crown Court today where his sentencing was adjourned Mr Doig told the court during the trial the group was more concerned about 'Facebook likes' than upholding the law. He said they tracked down and detained internet users because they cared 'about notoriety, about bullying others and about acting as pretend policemen'. He said 'amateur groups' have sprung up across the country and started hunting for internet offenders, without the proper technology or training the police have. The groups pose as children online and set up sting operations to catch predators. Mr Doig said some groups are well intentioned, whereas others are less so and added: 'The prosecution case is the amateurs in this case cared as much, if not more, for self publicity, about notoriety, about bullying others, about acting as pretend policemen as they did about stopping online offending.' The court heard it was on February 6 2020 Miller approached the police and told them an internet user, who he wrongly claimed was a convicted rapist, had communicated with a decoy profile he was running. The court heard Miller told police the man had not committed an offence during the online conversation but went to his house that night regardless. Mr Doig said: 'At 9.15pm Mr Miller called the police and told them not only had he decided to detain the man, he had already done it. The defendant Moss was with Miller at that time. 'They didn't take time to call the police before they acted but made time to live stream the events on Facebook, so we can see some of what went on. 'The man said he was forced to the ground and held there and had a torch shone in his eyes while being questioned. Only after this process was Miller to call the police.' The court heard the man was interviewed by the police but it was determined he had not committed any crime. Miller has previous convictions for impersonating a police officer, violent disorder and witness intimidation. Moss has never been in trouble before. Mr Doig said Miller appeared to be the 'self-appointed leader' of the Child Online Safety team and received a letter from North Yorkshire Police in April 2020. This advised him to cease his activities as inviting potential paedophiles to public places created a risk, could hinder police investigations and result in him falling foul of the law himself, but he appeared to ignore the correspondence. Gordon Carse, defending Miller, who handed in character references, said: 'He believed what he did was right.' Mr Carse said Miller, who has family responsibilities, is no longer part of COST and added: 'He has stepped back from it and there are no plans to go back into it. 'Prison will punish him but is unlikely to address the underlying causes of his offending.' Peter Eguae, defending Moss, told the court: 'To act outside the protection of the law certainly was not his intention. 'He will not be a vigilante again. He has learned a sad, long and valuable lesson.' Mr Eguae said Moss is described in his character references as a 'gentle giant'. Former Vice President Mike Pence called on every 2024 Republican candidate to support a 15-week nationwide abortion ban, as former President Donald Trump has waffled on the issue. Pence appeared Friday morning at the Faith & Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority Conference in Washington, an annual gathering of Christian conservatives who should be the type of voter the ex-veep could attract - but only showed tepid support for his presidential bid. Pence pointed out that he was speaking on the eve of the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Dobbs ruling and argued that while 'some of the people blame the overturning of Roe v. Wade for election losses in 2022' the Republican Party should go futher. 'So I want to say from my heart, every Republican candidate for president should support a ban on abortion before 15 weeks as a minimum nationwide standard,' Pence said. Trump has reportedly privately blamed the abortion issue for the Republicans' subpar performance in the 2022 midterms and said last month on CNN he would 'negotiate so people are happy,' refusing to say if he'd support a federal ban. Former Vice President Mike Pence called on every 2024 Republican candidate to support a 15-week nationwide abortion ban, as former President Donald Trump has waffled on the issue On the other hand, Pence was happy to take credit for Roe's downfall. 'After a lifetime in the movement, you can probably imagine what a privilege it was for me to play some small role in the administration that appointed three of the justices, to join that majority returning the question of abortion to the states and the American people,' Pence said at the Washington Hilton. He cheered the 'momentous anniversary' but said there was more work to be done. 'The battle for life is far from over,' the former vice president said. 'We've not come to the end of our cause.' 'Now some you will hear from at this very podium will say that the Supreme Court returned the issue of abortion only to the states and nothing should be done at the federal level. Others will say that continuing the fight to life and producing state legislation is too harsh,' Pence said. He then noted how 'some' believe Roe's demise was responsible for the predicted Republican 'red wave' to turn into a small splash - as the party failed to retake the Senate, though flipped the House, but with a much smaller-than-expected majority. 'Well let me say from my heart, the cause of life is the calling of our time and we must not rest and must not relent until we restore the sanctity of life into the center of American law in every state in this country,' Pence said. Pence said President Joe Biden and the Democrats needed to be held accountable for their 'extreme position' on abortion. 'Democrats support abortion on-demand all the way up to the moment of birth and taxpayer funding of abortion and they need to be held to account,' Pence said. 'We need to support efforts in statehouses across the country to protect the unborn, support women facing crisis pregnancies with new and renewed resources.' Pence suggested the U.S. needed to get more in line with European nations - and not China and North Korea - in terms of abortion, though European nations that limit abortion after 12 weeks generally allow women to terminate pregnancies for a broad sets of reasons, including their mental wellbeing and socioeconomic circumstances. Most GOP-endorsed bans include exceptions only for the health of the mother, rape and incest - if even that. During his appearance, Pence touted his work alongside Trump, which earned applause. 'Thank you for the privilege of serving as your vice president, it was the greatest honor. And I'll always be grateful for what President Donald Trump did for this country. It was a privilege to serve at his side,' Pence said. 'The president and I have had our differences and we have them still but elections are about the future,' also noted. Pence and Trump had a falling out when the then-vice president wouldn't help in the ex-president's attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Pence went ahead and certified Biden's win on January 6, during the aftermath of the Capitol attack. Trump announced in mid-November that he would run for the White House again. Pence announced his own bid earlier this month. 'I believe different times call for different leadership,' Pence told the crowd Friday. The pronouncement was met with silence. At other times when he mentioned his presidential bid, the conservative audience responded with scattered applause. A former police officer who sexually assaulted three teenage victims he met through cadet training scheme has been jailed for five years. Adnan Ali, 36, sexually assaulted three victims, aged between 15 and 18, while working on the Greater Manchester Police cadet scheme and apprenticeship programme between 2015 and 2018, Liverpool Crown Court heard today. The court heard he sent sexual messages which were 'bordering on relentless' and 'deliberately ignored' guidelines for cadet schemes which included principles of respect and safeguarding. One of his victims was sexually assaulted while on a cadet camp, while other incidents took place in an office and in a car, the court was told. Ali, of Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, was supported by eight family members in court as he was sentenced. He was convicted of 15 counts of misconduct in a public office and five sexual assaults following an earlier trial. Adnan Ali (pictured), 36, who sexually assaulted three teenage victims he met through cadet training scheme has been jailed for five years Liverpool Crown Court heard he sexually assaulted three victims, aged between 15 and 18, while working on the Greater Manchester Police cadet scheme and apprenticeship programme between 2015 and 2018 Ali has been dismissed from the force and efforts are being made to ensure he is not eligible for his police pension, a spokesman for GMP said. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said that concerns about Ali were first brought to thier attention by GMP in October 2018. Judge Denis Watson KC said: 'Your vanity meant you decided you wanted to be seen as the star of Greater Manchester Police cadet programme. 'Your real interest was yourself rather than the cadets, the public at large or the police force you purported to serve.' The court heard he 'indulged in making sexual remarks' to the young people and sent messages about sexual activities, positions, preferences and partners as well as exchanging sexual photographs. The judge added: 'The reputational damage you have caused to Greater Manchester Police and the police service generally and to cadet and apprentice schemes is huge.' Anne Whyte KC, prosecuting, said Ali's incentive was sexual gratification. She said eight of the nine victims had provided statements about the impact on them. She told the court: 'The overwhelming common denominator from all of those is the scale of loss of trust in these young people for other people in authority.' Ali (pictured outside court today) was convicted of 15 counts of misconduct in a public office and five sexual assaults following an earlier trial Jane Osborne KC, defending, said a number of character references, including from parents of another cadet, had been submitted to the court. She said Ali, a father-of-one, was attacked while on duty in 2013 and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder. Head of GMP's Professional Standards Branch, Chief Superintendent Mike Allen said: 'Though Ali is now in prison thanks to the commendable bravery of the victims and integrity of those who worked with him, it is the view of Greater Manchester Police that he should never reap the benefits of having been an officer. 'He has already been added to the College of Policing's barred list - preventing him from serving for the rest of his life, and we are now following the process to try to ensure that he loses his valuable pension.' Greater Manchester deputy mayor Kate Green said: 'This is an appalling and sickening case and I want to commend the victims and witnesses for their bravery in coming forward so justice can be done. 'Police officers are there to keep the rest of us safe, but instead of being a role model, Ali abused his position to prey on vulnerable young cadets who simply wanted to learn so they themselves could one day protect the public. 'Allowing him to collect his pension after committing these offences would be an insult to his victims. 'I fully support GMP's proposals and will now make the case to the Home Office for Ali to be ordered to forfeit his pension.' He has been dismissed from the force and efforts are being made to ensure he is not eligible for his police pension, a spokesman for GMP said Regional director for the IOPC Catherine Bates said: 'Former Pc Ali has shown no remorse for his actions, which have had significant and lasting effects on many of the young people he was supposed to be looking after. 'His behaviour has absolutely no place in policing and I am pleased to see this sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes. 'His horrific actions were massive breach of the trust placed in him and an unforgivable abuse of his position. Instead of caring for these young people, he saw an opportunity to exploit them. 'Since concerns were first brought to our attention by GMP in October 2018, a huge amount of work has gone into ensuring Ali was held accountable for his actions. 'Just as importantly, this investigation has led to substantial changes being made to protect young people.' Texas Christian University is offering a new drag queen course where students perform lip syncs, develop an on-stage persona, and study songs like Cardi B's WAP. 'The Queer Art of Drag', which is offered through TCU's Women and Gender Studies Department, began in spring 2023 and is taught by Dr Nino Testa, whose drag persona is Maria von Clapp. Students will be introduced to 'critical drag', which is described on the module website as exploring 'drag performance as an outlet for social critique, pedagogy, and queer worldmaking'. 'Drag is an art form with a rich history of challenging dominant norms and systems of oppression; building queer community; and cultivating experiences of queer joy in a hostile world,' the website states. 'This class is especially interested in drag as part of a queer historical lineage and queer political project.' The 16-week course culminates with a one-to-two-minute solo performance by each student at T CUs Annual Night of Drag - which took place this year on April 21 Dr Nino Testa, whose drag persona is Maria von Clapp, teaches the new drag course at TCU, where he has been the Associate Director of Women and Gender Studies since 2017 Cardi B's 2020 hit WAP is on the new TCU course about critical drag theory which is offered through its Women and Gender Studies Department The course begins with a study called 'What Even is Gender?', where Testa introduces students to texts including The Gender Binary is a Tool of White Supremacy by bisexual blogger Kravitz Marshall. Week three involves studying Cardi B's 2020 hit WAP and creating a 'drag vision board', while week four takes pupils through 'A Short History of Drag'. 'Activist drag' is the topic for week five, while week seven offers a study called 'Como La Pinata: Quirky, Weird, Genderf*ck, and Alternative Drag' which focuses on essays about drag and sex work. Students are required to name their drag persona, describe them, create a drag greeting, strike a pose, write a reflective essay on the development of their act, and perform a one-minute lip sync. For the latter task, they are encouraged to focus on 'choreography, movement, gestures, poses, style, facial expressions, and accuracy of the sync'. The 16-week course culminates with a one-to-two-minute solo performance by each student at TCUs Annual Night of Drag - which took place this year on April 21. Their performance can take the form of a 'sketch or comedy routine', a 'drag story or children's programme', 'traditional lip sync', 'vocal performance' or 'dance'. Texas Christian University is a private research university in Fort Worth, Texas, which specializes in the liberal arts Those hoping to scoop the highest grades - above A- must also participate in a live group number as part of the Spectrum Drag Show on the same night. Videos posted by TCU Student Affairs social media accounts show pupils performing their drag acts in outfits ranging from long luminous cloaks and giant purple feather boas to bralettes and suspenders. Their acts and catwalks are met with raucous cheers from the crowd, while one student commented on the video describing the event as the 'best night of my life'. The critical drag course is however not all about the fun - as it warns students to be 'especially mindful' of how their performances could be 'interpreted and circulated' because 'drag can be controversial and provocative'. TUC's course intro states that drag is 'available to all people' and the class 'enthusiastically welcomes the participation of straight and cisgender students' - though no one is expected to label themselves unless they want to. It also comes with a 'name and pronoun policy' asking students to 'respectfully use whatever name and pronouns peers, authors and community members ask us to use'. Students' performances can take the form of a 'sketch or comedy routine', a 'drag story or children's programme', 'traditional lip sync', 'vocal performance' or 'dance' In a video of the TCU annual drag performance posted on TikTok, acts and catwalks are met with raucous cheers from the crowd. One student commented on the video describing the event as the 'best night of my life' Students are also given a 'content warning' for scenes of 'anti-queerness, racism, misogyny and other forms of violence' which could emerge in readings. 'Some of the performance we will read about or watch may actually perpetuate or circulate racist/sexist jokes, ideas, and norms,' the intro warns. 'We watch these texts in order to engage critically with them, but please take care of yourself while reading/watching difficult materials.' Its introduction comes amid culture wars over drag performances in childrens' spaces, while gender identity has been a controversial issue in Texas. Texas recently became America's largest state to ban gender-affirming care for minors, under a bill sent to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who has previously ordered child welfare officials to investigate such treatment as abuse. Despite objections from Democrats, the bill cleared the GOP-controlled Legislature after a final vote in the Senate. Opposing groups have also clashed outside drag queen story events for children across the Western world in recent months. Protesters came out to demonstrate against Drag Story Hour, an event where drag queens read to kids, at the Jackson Heights Library in Queens Three protesters against the drag events, which have been promoted by City Councilman Erick Bottcher (pictured sitting in on one of the events in NYC), were arrested in December Pictured: A counter-protestor waving signs that read 'Drag the bigotry away' In New York, activists from a group called Guardians of DIvinity, who describe themselves as 'God's Army', clashed with more than 100 pro-drag counter-protesters outside a reading event for children at Jackson Heights Library in December 2022. Similar scenes have also escalated outside London's Tate Britain and Sydney's Manly Library this year. Testa, who uses he/him pronouns, while his drag act Maria von Clapp uses she/her, became TCU's first ever Associate Director of Women and Gender Studies in 2017. He previously worked as the director of the LGBT Center at Tufts University, the staff assistant at the Womens Center and Asian American Center at Tufts University, and a Development Associate at the Feminist Press at CUNY. As Maria von Clapp, Testa appears at TCU classes and programs, as well as local community events. TCU is a private research university in Fort Worth, Texas, which specializes in the liberal arts. Demonstrators descended on Meta's London office Friday morning to protest at the alleged censorship of women's health issues on Facebook. She Oath, described as a female empowerment charity, joined representatives from period product firm Bodyform - which is running a campaign aimed at normalising the use of words such as vagina, clitoris and vulva online. Bodyform said that since launching its campaign it has been 'slapped with multiple violations of Facebook's ad policy, deeming their content as too sexual and labelling it with an 18+ warning'. The firm also says menstrual health 'shouldn't be censored' and doing so makes 'important subjects, that are already taboo, almost impossible to talk about', affecting lives and health. But Meta, which owns Facebook, said some adverts had been removed by mistake and had since been reinstated, and apologised for any confusion. Demonstrators descended on Meta's London office on June 23 to protest at the alleged censorship of women's health issues on Facebook Women held up signs reading 'Let us mind our lady business', 'Get Ovary it Meta' and 'Words Meta'. BBC Three presenter Cherry Healey, 43, joined the group and spoke about the potential for social media to teach her 13-year-old daughter about her health. Hundreds of women descended on the UK HQ in King's Cross to have their voices heard and normalise conversations about the female body. The protest started at 7.30am but it took just 10 minutes before security shutters lowered and they were confronted by security staff. Ms Healey said: 'Today was really powerful, it's so frustrating that we are censored and it's so unnecessary. 'With the technology we have and the algorithm, surely we can stop words such as endometriosis and vagina and vulva and period being censored? 'Surely there is a way to separate words that are offensive and those that are gynaecological.' She added: 'I have a 13-year-old daughter and I want her to live in a world where she goes on social media and she doesn't just see posts about what people have had for breakfast or what you're wearing. 'Although they're fun, and I love watching them, and I make them, I also want her to be educated about the signs of cancer, what are the five gynaecological cancers? 'I want her to know, okay, I'm a bit bloated and I have intermittent bleeding and I've lost my appetite. Oh, actually that might be a reason to go and see my GP. 'I'm really passionate about women's health, really passionate about honest conversations, and the fact Bodyform is supporting that with this much commitment makes me feel very happy to be part of their gang. 'It was so empowering seeing those people protesting today, we know there's a problem, we know it's based in misogyny, so how do we fight it? 'To see a group of people who have got together and want to change that makes me feel more confident about the world we live in.' She added: 'I thought it was quite interesting when Meta put the great big grey shutters down very slowly behind the protest. The protests follow Bodyform's 40th-anniversary campaign to end the stigma and normalise language around women's health BBC Three presenter Cherry Healey, 43, joined the group and spoke about the potential for social media to teach her 13-year-old daughter about her health Bodyform video showed members of the public being quizzed on the meaning of terms related to women's health 'I thought that was very symbolic - the shutters shutting out the noise, shutting out people telling them what they want.' Research of 2,000 women by Bodyform found there are around 40 words - including menopause, miscarriage, vulva and discharge - that are censored on social media. This is because algorithms can deprioritise posts with these phrases - known as 'shadow banning' - which prevents them from generating engagement. Social media influencer Brookmorgan Henry-Rennie, 24, who founded the non-profit female empowerment charity She Oath, said the practice is dangerous. She explained: 'When you shadow ban us and cast us out as something alien - as if we're something disgusting, as if we're something not natural - it's very, very harmful. 'When you censor women's interests then once again women become collateral damage, and once again women are failed. 'Thank God for Bodyform because if they didn't pick this up we effectively wouldn't know about it. 'I hope they change the algorithm - I think it's an algorithm of hate.' Young attendees Molly Griffin, 22, and Sumer Yasmin, 18, met at the protest. Holly said she went to the Bodyform website for information when she started her period. The musical theatre performer said: 'I think it's important to raise awareness of bodies rather than disregarding it, it's an important situation. 'Social media can really push things. We can utilise our platforms to make awareness. 'Bodyform is actually who I used when I first started my period. It was a comfort thing, a big part of women growing up is where we turn to. 'I feel they really normalise it, rather than make it into a big scary thing. 'It shouldn't be a taboo, it's a normal thing, I think it says more about the other person if it gets judged or disregarded.' Ms Yasmin said social media content often fills in the knowledge gap left by poor personal health teaching in schools. Meta, which owns Facebook, said some of the posts were removed fro the platform by mistake 'I think it's important that everyone in the world really understands what goes on inside our bodies every month,' she said. 'It can be painful and dangerous for some women, it's really important to understand the side effects. 'It's so big now, social media, everyone sees it, everyone's on it every day.' The protests follow Bodyform's 40th-anniversary campaign to end the stigma and normalise language around women's health. Ruth Gresty, spokesperson for the women's hygiene company said: 'It's unfortunate but not surprising that our latest campaign, which calls out the unnecessary censorship of words commonly used to talk about, describe and define women's bodies and their experiences, has been censored by some social media companies. 'In doing so, these companies have simply underlined the need for campaigns of this nature that seek to break down the barriers that prevent women from being able to speak openly and confidently about their bodies. 'We at Bodyform will not be deterred from our mission to make talking about the female body normal.' Facebook says it does not have a blanket ban on words such as 'menopause' or 'vagina' and that adverts are governed by stricter policies. A spokesperson for Meta said: 'We want Facebook to be a place where people can express themselves and we are proud of the way our community uses the platform to have important and open conversations about women's health. 'The adverts were removed by mistake by our automated review systems and have since been reinstated. We apologise for any confusion caused.' A savvy traveler has revealed an easy, free hack that could save you hundreds of dollars on hotel reservations this summer - and all you need is an email address. Talia Lakritz, a writer for Insider, revealed she discovered the trick in 2018 - and said she has continued to save money on nearly every hotel booking since then. Lakritz came across the hack when she was booking a room at a Holiday Inn for a wedding and wanted to see if late checkout was an option. She discovered 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. Not only did this membership mean that she could check out as late as 2pm, as opposed to the usual 11am or 12pm cut off time, but the account also gave her access to lower members-only exclusive rates if she booked directly through the Holiday Inn website. All she had to do was sign up for a free online account using her email address. A traveler has revealed an easy hack which could save you hundreds of dollars at hotels Talia Lakritz, a writer for Insider, revealed the trick which she discovered in 2018 Lakritz said that whenever she travels she now always checks to see if hotels have free membership programs offering lower room rates or other perks. On a visit to London earlier this year, she was able to cut 15 percent off her reservation by enrolling in a free membership with the Tavistock Hotel, a branch of the chain Imperial London hotels. Being a member meant she shaved $84.18 off her bill - bringing it down to $477 from $561.18 for a twin room. She said that most hotels advertise member-only rates directly on their booking pages, making it easy to tell if a promotion exists. If it is not mentioned there, she added, an online search for the hotel's name coupled with 'membership rewards program' usually tells you if there is a deal on offer. 'These days, I never book a hotel without first checking if I can make a free account for discounts or perks,' she wrote for Insider. '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.' Although Lakritz does admit that the hack is probably not suited to people who prefer to stay in smaller or independent hotels, since it is usually bigger chains who offer a membership program. Americans are increasingly being forced to fork out more for vacation costs - both in the US and abroad. Lakritz said she has not been spammed with emails or junk mail, and has not been charged any additional fees According to travel website Hopper, the average roundtrip from the US to Europe will set you back $1,032 this summer - which is an 35 percent increase on last year. Staying in a hotel will also cost more this year compared to 2022, according to the Boston Herald - with a room costing 7 percent extra. Discounted room rates are also more difficult to find, as staff shortages since the pandemic continue to be an issue, pushing up labor costs. The Supreme Court on Friday gave President Joe Biden's administration the green light to move ahead with guidelines shifting immigration enforcement toward countering public safety threats, handing him a victory on the politically contentious issue in a legal battle with Texas and Louisiana. The ruling allows the administration to move forward with its policy to prioritize the deportation of immigrants who are deemed to pose the greatest public safety risk. The justices rejected a challenge from Republican-led states to a policy that, the administration said, recognizes that there is not enough money or manpower to deport all 11 million or so people who are in the United States illegally. The states had argued that federal immigration law requires authorities to detain and deport even those who pose little or no risk. The Supreme Court gave President Biden a victory in immigration policy Friday's decision was 7-1, with Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. the lone dissenter. 'The States have brought an extraordinarily unusual lawsuit,' Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the majority. 'They want a federal court to order the Executive Branch to alter its arrest policies so as to make more arrests. Federal courts have not traditionally entertained that kind of lawsuit; indeed, the States cite no precedent for a lawsuit like this.' At the center of the case is a September 2021 directive from the Department of Homeland Security that paused deportations unless individuals had committed acts of terrorism, espionage or 'egregious threats to public safety.' The guidance, issued after Joe Biden became president, updated a Trump-era policy to remove people in the country illegally regardless of criminal history or community ties. Trump had sought to broaden the range of immigrants subject to arrest and removal. Biden's policy prioritized apprehending and deporting non-U.S. citizens who pose a threat to national security, public safety or border security, giving agents more discretion to consider individual circumstances. A group of migrants wait in line after arriving from Texas, outside Port Authority Bus Terminal to receive humanitarian assistance in New York Republicans have criticized Biden as weak on immigration policy, saying his policies including fewer detentions and deportations have encouraged more illegal border crossings. The issue of immigration could figure prominently in the 2024 presidential election, with Biden expected to seek a second term in office and Trump running for his party's nomination. U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton ruled in favor of Texas and Louisiana in June 2022, suspending the policy nationwide. Tipton was appointed by Trump. The Supreme Court the following month voted 5-4 not to block Tipton's ruling halting the guidelines. In announcing the new guidelines in 2021, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas cited the longstanding practice of government officials exercising discretion to decide who should be subject to deportation and said that most immigrants subject to deportation 'have been contributing members of our communities for years.' The administration has said that U.S. officials have long relied on setting enforcement priorities considering that there are estimated 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally. Texas and Louisiana argued that they would be harmed by having to spend more money on law enforcement and social services due to an increase in non-U.S. citizens present within their borders. Workers construct a new wall along the southernmost part of the US-Mexico border The Supreme Court ruled for President Biden 7-1, with Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. the lone dissenter Biden's administration argued that the two states lacked the proper legal standing to sustain the lawsuit because they have not suffered direct harm due to the policy. During Biden's first year in office, arrests and deportations of immigrants in the United States illegally declined compared to previous years. In the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, 2021, deportations dropped to 59,000 compared with 186,000 the prior year. In the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, 2022, such deportations reached 72,000. Citigroup has warned its 240,000 employees their performance ratings or pay packages could be impacted if they do not return to the office. Staff at the bank enjoy a hybrid-system where they go into the office at least three days per week and are allowed to work remotely for two days. But executives have now told managers to let workers know that those who do not comply with the policies for the mandatory attendance will face consequences, according to Bloomberg. The move is said to target those with persistent and unexplained absences, a source, who did not want to be identified, said. The bank joins a raft of other major firm battling to bring thousands of workers back into the office and boost productivity such as JPMorgan, Amazon, Google and Apple. Citigroup has warned its 240,000 employees their performance ratings or pay packages could be impacted if they do not return to the office Staff at the bank enjoy a hybrid-system where they go into the office at least three days per week and are allowed to work remotely for two days But executives at Citigroup, led by CEO Jane Fraser, have told managers to let workers know those who do not comply with policies for the mandatory attendance will face consequences Managers at Citigroup will now look at how a member of staff complies with the firm's hybrid working rules when rating performance and crafting pay packages, the source said. 'We are committed to our hybrid work model and proud of the flexibility it provides our colleagues to work at least three days per week in the office and up to two days remotely,' the bank said in a statement. 'We have firm expectations for office attendance and know that the majority of our employees are compliant with their requirements. As necessary, we hold colleagues accountable for adhering to their in-office days.' The new move comes as managers prepare for mid-year reviews and Citigroup has asked them to remind staff who have not been coming into the office regularly of the return-to-office policies. They are told to make sure they understand the consequences of continually not complying, a person with knowledge of the matter said. Citigroup is said to be considering tracking the building entry data of staff in the UK and has already been doing this across its major offices in the US. It is discussing a proposal with its UK employee-engagement forum where it would track individual attendance to the office monthly, according to a memo seen by Bloomberg. It would also allow the company to collect aggregated office data for its firms in London, Edinburgh and Belfast. 'One swipe per person, per day, per location will be captured,' the memo states. 'The number of hours spent in the office will not be captured in these reports. The focus of the reporting will be on employees with consistent office absence. Reports may then be shared with managers as appropriate to prompt further discussion.' Amazon enforced a return-to-work mandate and told its employees they had to work on site at least three days per week from May JPMorgan Chase & Co ordered its managers to return to the office full time in order to be present for 'impromptu meetings' and 'immediate feedback' The data in the US has only been shared with Citigroup's most senior executives although it is said to be looking at creating a dashboard where line managers would access it, a source said. Citigroup, which is led by chief executive Jane Fraser, is one of the financial firms which is receptive to employees working from home following the pandemic. The majority of its 240,000 workers are considered hybrid and it has used this policy to keep and and attract employees. Citigroup follows other multi-billion-dollar firms which have called employees to return to the office following two years of remote working. JPMorgan Chase & Co ordered its managers to return to the office full time in order to be present for 'impromptu meetings' and 'immediate feedback.' In April, executives asked those in charge to 'lead by example' and return to the office five days a week, even threatening that not meeting attendance guidelines could result in consequences. Senior leaders at Apple told its staff in August they had to return to the office at least three days a week with CEO Tim Cook saying it was meant to restore 'in-person collaboration'. Amazon enforced a return-to-work mandate and told its employees they had to work on site at least three days per week from May. Billionaire Elon Musk told Twitter employees in November that remote work was no longer allowed and employees were expected to be in the office at least 40 hours, shortly after he took over the company. Billionaire Elon Musk told Twitter employees in November remote work was no longer allowed and employees were expected to be in the office at least 40 hours, shortly after he took over Senior leaders at Apple told its staff in August they had to return to the office at least three days a week with CEO Tim Cook saying it was meant to restore 'in-person collaboration' Google informed its workers in the San Francisco Bay Area and 'several other US locations' to return to the office for at least three days a week starting in April 2022 Google informed its workers in the San Francisco Bay Area and 'several other US locations' to return to the office for at least three days a week starting in April 2022. Amazon enforced a return-to-work mandate and told its employees they had to work on site at its Seattle headquarters at least three days per week from May. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, a major New York law firm, told staffers that those who dont adhere to the firms three days in office per week policy could see their bonuses reduced. Remote working, which was accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic, has decimated the commercial real estate industry as buildings struggle with the loss of tenants. A study from researchers at Columbia University and New York University found that offices in New York City will lose 44 percent of its pre-pandemic value by 2029 due to the impact of working from home. Its vacancy rate of offices is expected to reach 22.7 percent this year and commercial real estate used to account for 20 per cent of the city's property tax revenue. Around $1.4 trillion of commercial real estate loans are due by the end of 2024, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. But owners who face extortionate payments while their buildings lay empty might prefer to default than borrow more money to pay it off. Return to office rates in America have been lower than in Europe and Asia. A Hillary Clinton campaigner has received backlash online after claiming that parents who support admission tests and gifted programs are part of the 'far right.' Amanda Litman made the comments last week while reacting to the results of a New York City parent council election that saw candidates endorsed by Parent Leaders for Accelerated Curriculum and Education (PLACE) win a majority of seats. PLACE supports academic screenings policies like the Specialized High School Admissions Test, or SHSAT, as well as expanding accelerated curriculum options and gifted and talented programs, which critics say leads to segregation. The group also opposes lottery-based admissions and Critical Race Theory. 'The far rights effort to take over schools is not limited to battlegrounds or red states - they just won 40 percent of the elected education roles in NYC,' Litman tweeted. Litman's tweet sparked wide criticism, with many taking issue with her labeling of the parent organization. Amanda Litman said parents who support admission tests and gifted programs are 'far-right' Litman worked as a digital strategist for Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and co-founded Run For Something, which recruits progressive candidates for office One comment read: 'far right" == people who dont want to teach math is racist, lower test standards.' Another added: 'Academic success is far-right? What a strange world you inhabit.' A third said: 'yeah youve diluted that label, no one cares anymore.' 'Im a cofounder,' said Yiatin Chu. 'PLACE is a group of parent volunteers who advocate for rigorous accelerated education, which should be nonpartisan. There nothing far right or left about our advocacy.' Litman, who worked as a digital strategist for Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, co-founded Run For Something, which recruits and supports progressives running for office. PLACE endorsed 147 candidates across New York's five boroughs and their candidates won a majority of seats in about half a dozen parent councils, as reported by Chalkbeat, with 115 of them winning their races. The election was seen as another battleground for a national debate about what should be taught in the classroom. As the country continues being divided on the issue, newly released math and reading scores of 13-year-olds fell dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic. 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. The election was seen as another battleground for a national debate about what should be taught in the classroom Responding to the backlash, Litman doubled down on her characterization of the group. 'Lottttta verified accounts in my mentions big mad at my characterization of these folks but when Moms for Liberty is cheering you on, I feel pretty confident about who you are & which kids you think are worth fighting for,' she tweeted. Litman's response included a Tweet by Moms for Liberty addressing her 'far-right' comments. 'American parents are coming together across party lines to reclaim and reform public education,' the organization wrote. 'People like Amanda are scared that the teachers union won't be able to control our schools anymore so she is trying to discredit parents and advocates.' Launched by a group of conservative Florida moms, the group has landed national media attention for its efforts to fight COVID safety measures in schools, ban certain books and limit discussion about race and LGBTQ identities. Moms for Liberty was named by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a 'hate group' alongside other parental rights organizations. The co-founders went on to say that 'name-calling' parents who want to be part of their children's education as 'hate groups' or 'bigoted' further exposes 'what the battle is all about.' 'Who fundamentally gets to decide what is taught to our kids in school - parents or government employees?' they said. 'We believe that parental rights do not stop at the classroom door and no amount of hate from groups like this is going to stop that.' A heat health warning has been issued for parts of the UK heading into the weekend as temperatures are expected to soar to 32C. The UK Health and Safety Agency and the Met Office have put the warning in place from 9am on Friday to 9am on Monday, covering most of England. The warning covers the South East, South West, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. London is expected to be the hottest part of the UK with potential highs of 31C or 32C, but temperatures will be in the high 20s for large parts of England. Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: 'Tomorrow we're looking at a North West/South East split across the UK, with Scotland and possibly Northern Ireland seeing some showering bits of rain, but particularly toward the north and west of Scotland by the looks of things.' A heat health warning has been issued for parts of the UK heading into the weekend as temperatures are expected to soar to 32C. Pictured: Two women relax at a London park on Friday The UK Health and Safety Agency and the Met Office have put the warning in place from 9am on Friday to 9am on Monday, covering most of England. Pictured: Holidaymakers at the resort of Lyme Regis, Dorset READ MORE: Here comes the sun! Glastonbury revellers enjoy 25C sunshine as they party at Worthy Farm festival to watch headliner Arctic Monkeys Advertisement He added: 'A little bit breezy in the north west there as well but despite that, even with the cloud there, it's going to be a warm day. 'Certainly, the warmest conditions will be developing across England and Wales, and especially towards the South East, with plenty of sunshine developing after a bit of a grey start. 'There's a possibility of a bit of drizzle across western hills, but much of the UK away from the west will be very warm if not hot sunshine during the day. 'As we head into the afternoon we're looking at highs in the north touching 24C or 25C, and in the South East many places getting into the high 20s. London could see 29C, maybe even 30C. 'Sunday is a bit more of an east/west split developing because we're going to see a band of showery rain moving in from the west during the day and could turn quite rainy and thundery, particularly across north western areas. 'Ahead of it, particularly across the east and South East of England another very hot day. Highs in the South East up to 31, possibly even 32C.' The warning covers the South East, South West, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. Pictured: A man walks his dog in Oxfordshire on Friday The hottest day of the year so far fell on June 10 when 32.2C was recorded in Surrey. Thousands who are descending on Somerset for Glastonbury will welcome the warm weather, although they could see some rain and thunder moving in from the west. Mr Petagna said: 'For those headed to the festival, tomorrow looks like another fine day, plenty of sunshine there. 'There will be an increased chance on Sunday, from that weather front I mentioned from the west, of a little bit of rain developing across Glastonbury. 'You need to keep an eye on that as it could be very sharp. 'Very warm throughout, temperatures in the mid 20s, 25C or 26C and the fresher air coming in for when things are finishing up on Monday.' Many festivalgoers were seen enjoying their breakfast outdoors basking in the warm morning weather, while others braved the cold water stripping down to their underwear to shower. In a statement, a spokesman for the national weather service said: 'The weather is set fair for much of the weekend at Glastonbury Festival with only a small chance of a shower. 'Friday and Saturday should see a good deal of dry, bright weather with some sunny spells, albeit hazy at times, with highs in the mid-20s, with some warm nights to follow once the sun goes down. 'Sunday will see some warm sunshine at first, though a few showers are possible through the afternoon, though these will be hit and miss in nature. 'Conditions look set to freshen up from Monday as temperatures fall closer to average.' Ahead of the Arctic Monkeys, Carley Rae Jepson, Maisie Peters and Sparks will perform with Hozier confirming he will be one of the surprise acts performing at the festival this Friday evening. Posting on social media this morning, he wrote: 'Thrilled to announce I'll be playing @glastofest again in a not-so-secret set this evening (Friday). See you at 7.30pm, WoodSIES stage.' Speaking on Zoe Ball's BBC Radio 2 programme this morning, Ms Eavis appeared to accidentally confirm rumours that Rick Astley and Blossoms will play a secret set this weekend. Fans wore novelty costume pieces such as heart-shaped glasses (pictured) and a wide array of decorative hats Revellers enjoyed the sunshine and dry weather in Somerset on Friday Festivalgoers build a human pyramid on day three of the Glastonbury festival Music fans danced along to their favourite bands throughout Friday afternoon, amid the build-up for the Arctic Monkeys later Revellers filled up their water as many crawled out of their heads on Friday at Worthy Farm Friends lounge outside their campsite as they await a jam-packed day full of performances from music stars Ten men accused of being part of the Rochdale grooming gang are set to stand trial charged with sexually abusing girls as young as 13 in the early 2000s. The men are accused of 74 offences, including rape, sexual activity with an underage girl and human trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation. The charges relate to alleged incidents involving two teenage girls between 2003 and 2008. Eight of the men appeared on Wednesday at a pre-trial hearing at Manchesters Minshull Street Crown Court. Two did not attend court due to medical issues. They spoke only to confirm their names and no pleas were entered for the multiple horrific crimes each is charged with. Irfan Qurban, 43, of Innings Way, Rochdale has been charged with two counts of penetrative sexual activity with a girl Neveed Anwar, 38, of Colley Street, Rochdale has been charged with three counts of penetrative sexual activity with an underage girl Sheraz Hussain, 39, of Cook Street, Rochdale, has been charged with 12 offences including six counts of raping a girl aged 13 to 15, and six counts of penetrative sexually activity with a child. Khalid Mahmood, 39, of Wardle Edge, Rochdale, has been charged with rape of a woman and rape of an underage girl. Shakeel Ahmed, 40, of Spinners Green, Rochdale has been charged with four offences including three counts of rape of an underage girl and penetrative sexual activity with an underage girl. Mohammed Zahed, 36, of Midhurst Street, Rochdale has been charged with six counts of penetrative sexual activity with an underage girl. Neveed Anwar, 38, of Colley Street, Rochdale has been charged with three counts of penetrative sexual activity with an underage girl. Gulnawaz Khan, 40, of North Street, Rochdale has been charged with five offences including inciting an underage girl to commit an act of gross Indecency, two counts of rape of a girl aged 13-15, two counts of penetrative sexual activity with an underage girl. Irfan Qurban, 43, of Innings Way, Rochdale has been charged with two counts of penetrative sexual activity with a girl. Gulnawaz Khan, 40, of North Street, Rochdale has been charged with five offences Shakeel Ahmed, 40, of Spinners Green, Rochdale has been charged with four offences Arshad Mohammed, 53, previously of the Milkstone and Deelish ward of Rochdale, has been charged with six offences, including meeting an underage girl following sexual grooming, two counts of rape of a girl aged 13-14, penetrative sexual activity with an underage girl, assault of an underage girl by penetration, and rape of a woman. The two men who did not appear were Amjid Mohmood, 50, and 39-year-old Mukhtar Hussain. Mohmood of Channing Street, Rochdale has been charged with 22 offences including seven counts of rape of underage girl, two counts of gross indecency with an underage girl, and two counts of indecent assault on an underage girl. He was also charged with two counts of trafficking persons within the United Kingdom for sexual exploitation, five counts of penetrative sexual activity with an underage girl, two counts of assault of an underage girl by penetration, and two counts of causing or inciting an underage girl to engage in sexual activity. Hussain of Royal Street, Rochdale has been charged with 12 offences, including two counts of gross indecency with an underage girl, five counts of rape of an underage girl, four counts of penetrative sexual activity with an underage girl and unlawful sexual intercourse with an underage girl. Judge Maurice Green bailed all of the men, except Mohammed, and fixed the trial date for April 28, 2025. He told them that an earlier trial date may be possible if another court was available. The men are expected to enter pleas to the charges at a hearing on March 18, 2024. An Indiana chapter of the conservative parents group 'Moms for Liberty,' apologized on Thursday for quoting Adolf Hitler in their June 2023 newsletter. The quote, believed to be from a 1935 Hitler rally as part of Nazi efforts to indoctrinate the youth, was placed on the front cover directly below the masthead, and read: 'He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future.' After The Indianapolis Star reported on the quote, the local Moms for Liberty chapter chairwoman Paige Miller updated the newsletter to add a 'context' section, explaining why they felt it was appropriate to share a Hitler quote as inspiration to their members. 'The quote from a horrific leader should put parents on alert,' the updated version read. 'If the government has control over our children today, they control our countrys future. We The People must be vigilant and protect children from an overreaching government.' But after being labeled as 'extremist' by an anti-hate watchdog organization, the group felt compelled to remove the quote and apologize. The Indiana chapter of the conservative parents group 'Moms for Liberty,' quoted Adolf Hitler in their June 2023 newsletter After The Indianapolis Star reported on the quote, the local Moms for Liberty chapter updated the newsletter to add a 'context' section, explaining why they felt it was appropriate to share a Hitler quote as inspiration to their members Moms for Liberty was founded in early 2021 by three conservative women in Florida, and has quickly expanded its presence with local chapters across the country. Members of the local Indiana chapter pose for a photo with chapter chairwoman Paige Miller (front, center) By Thursday morning, the chapter had revised its newly launched newsletter, 'The Parent Brigade,' replacing the Hitler quote with the chair's apology. 'We condemn Adolf Hitler's actions and his dark place in human history,' the statement from chapter chairwoman Paige Miller reads. 'We should not have quoted him in our newsletter and express our deepest apology.' The official National Moms For Liberty account also took to twitter and Instagram to call out the Star's reporting as 'intentional dishonesty,' claiming the news outlet took the quote out of context. 'Everyone knows Hitler is bad,' it began. 'This is intentional dishonesty in reporting, but we aren't surprised- all they want is clicks. Do better.' 'The chapter shouldn't have quoted Hitler without condemning him at the same time. They have issued a statement of apology to clear up any confusion. 'Parents are passionate about protecting future generations from tyranny, but Hitler did not need to be quoted to make that point,' the statement from co-founders Tina Descovich and Tiffany Justice read. This specific Hitler quote has often been used by conservative Christian groups as a warning of 'what they experience as liberal or left-wing attempts to indoctrinate children,' said Mark Pitcavage, senior research fellow at the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism to the Associated Press. In 2014, for example, a church group in Alabama removed a billboard after using the quote next to images of children. And last year, a Colorado school board member faced calls to resign after posting the quote on Facebook. 'They use it as a way to get people's attention,' Pitcavage said to AP. 'Regardless, you should never use Adolf Hitler quotes to get your point across.' But others who viewed the quote as a tacit endorsement of Hitler and his beliefs by Moms For Liberty. The national Moms for Liberty chapter also took to twitter and Instagram to call out the Star's reporting as 'intentional dishonesty.' claiming the news outlet took the quote out of context Moms For Liberty Indiana chapter chairwoman Paige Miller (pictured) revised its newly launched newsletter, 'The Parent Brigade,' on Thursday, replacing the Hitler quote with the chair's apology 'We condemn Adolf Hitler's actions and his dark place in human history. We should not have quoted him in our newsletter and express our deepest apology,' the statement from chapter chairwoman Paige Miller (pictured, center) reads Moms for Liberty was founded in early 2021 by three conservative women in Florida, Tina Descovich, Tiffany Justice and Bridget Ziegler - and quickly expanded its presence with local chapters across the country. The parent group has faced criticism and landed national media attention for its efforts to fight COVID safety measures in schools, ban books, limit discussion about race and LGBTQ identities and populate local school boards with conservatives. Just this month, the Florida-based Moms for Liberty were the latest to be added to a list of 'hate and anti-government groups.' A new report from the Southern Poverty Law Center has added it, among others, to their 'Hate Map' as part of the release of their 'Year In Hate and Extremism 2022' report. In previous years, groups to be included on the list were akin to neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan the addition of anti-government groups the list has increased from 733 'hate groups' in 2021 to 1225 'hate and anti-government extremist groups' for 2022. Moms for Liberty has also come under increasing national scrutiny as it has become a power player in Republican politics. 'Its disappointing, but not surprising, that the largest anti-student inclusion movement organization has allegedly used a quote from one of the appalling figureheads in history,' said Rachel Carroll Rivas, deputy director of research, reporting and analysis for the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center, to AP. DailyMail.com has reached out to co-founder Tina Descovich but she has not returned the phone call. The billionaire also tore into former CEO Jeff Zucker as 'a joke' - amid reports the media mogul is also looking for a way back into the company He vowed to bring two million viewers back to the network 'within 12 months' Billionaire grocery store mogul John Catsimatidis tore into ousted CNN boss Jeff Zucker for taking the network 'into the sewer' - as he insisted he is serious about his offer to run the network in return for a $1 salary. The 74-year-old revealed to DailyMail.com he is eager to turn the network around, and vowed to bring two million viewers back to the struggling channel 'within 12 months'. 'I don't even want to get paid,' he added. 'If they want to bet on me and share my success and make a ton of money, I'll do it now.' He revealed that he has begun talks with investors to explore a serious bid for the company, but declined to comment any further. John Catsimatidis, pictured in June 2013, has revealed he is exploring a bid for CNN Catsimatidis also slated former CEO Jeff Zucker's handling of the company as 'a joke', after reports indicated he may be readying a move to return to his old job. Despite a calamitous run culminating in two ousted CEOs in the space of a year, Catsimatidis said he is in a unique position to turn CNN's fortunes around. 'I bought WABC three years ago, and we brought it from number 28 in the marketplace to the top two or three in the city,' he said. 'So I said to CNN, you have 400,000 (viewers), if I run CNN within 12 months we're back at two million... My specialty is taking broken things and fixing them.' He said Zucker's running of the company was 'terrible' as he 'sunk it to the ground', with the network now flatlining after a series of blunders, including its heavily-criticized town hall with former President Donald Trump. While insisting that his offer to buy the company is concrete, Catsimatidis added that he wouldn't lose any sleep if the company rejects his pursuit. 'If I don't get it, I'll go on to another adventure, and you know who loses? Not me, because I'll always be successful - who loses is the current shareholders.' CNN has suffered a turbulent year that could culminate in a historic sale Ousted CEO Jeff Zucker is reportedly looking into a return to CNN and is 'likely to make a bid', an insider claimed. He is pictured in 2019 Chris Licht (pictured) was fired after just a year at the helm of CNN The billionaire's offer comes amid reports that CNN's parent company Warner Bros. Discovery could be looking to offload the network following the sacking of CEO Chris Licht. In a surprise turn of events, ousted CEO Zucker emerged as a potential buyer, insiders revealed to the New York Post. Over a year after he left the company following an undisclosed relationship with CNN executive Allison Gollust, Zucker is reportedly waiting in the wings ready to take the helm again. The 58-year-old is allegedly preparing to capitalize on the chaos at the company and return in time for the 2024 presidential election. Licht's sacking this month, after failed attempts to refocus CNN towards centrists, is reportedly the catalyst for the shift, with Zucker allegedly seeing a return to his old job as the 'ultimate revenge' for his own firing, insiders said. 'Jeff is likely going to make a bid this fall to purchase,' they claimed. Another friend of the embattled media chief, who is worth around $60 million, said the mogul is looking for a way to 'be back on top'. They added that he still 'holds a grudge' over his firing, which came as he admitted to having an affair with CNN's executive vice president Allison Gollust. The relationship was also made public in January 2022 during the network's investigation into Chris Cuomo, amid accusations Zucker was overly close to his brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The school at the centre of a cat gender row has denied it allows students to identify as animals. Rye College, East Sussex, said on Thursday 'no children' at the school 'identify as a cat or any other animal'. It comes as Women and Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch ordered a snap Ofsted inspection into the school after a teacher called a pupil 'despicable' for refusing to accept her classmate identified as a cat. But Rye College said it had already met with the Department for Education to share a 'comprehensive update' on what happened. Now Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, slammed Ms Badenoch's decision as 'unnecessary' and accused her of 'grandstanding' over the issue. Rye College (pictured), East Sussex, said on Thursday 'no children' at the school 'identify as a cat or any other animal' It comes as Women and Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch (pictured) ordered a snap Ofsted inspection into the school In her letter to school regulator Ofsted, Ms Badenoch said that the 'widely circulated recording of a teacher acting inappropriately regarding her pupil's beliefs about sex and gender' raised issues about 'safeguarding at the school'. She added the teacher in question was 'not acting in a way consistent' with the 2010 Equality Act's requirements, nor 'in accordance with Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework's requirements to promote respect for the different protected characteristics as defined in law.' Ms Badenoch also said by teaching 'contested political beliefs as fact' such as there being 'lots of genders', the school risked breaching political impartiality requirements set out under the 1996 Education Act. Earlier this week the House of Commons heard Education Secretary Gillian Keegan had 'launched an investigation' in response, with MPs also raising concerns in Parliament. And yesterday, the school confirmed it had met with the DfE's regional director for the South East and shared a 'comprehensive update on the events whoch took place before, during and after the recording' and that no pupil identifies as a 'cat' or 'any other animal'. It said it would 'as always, fully support and engage with the process' should an Ofsted inspection go ahead. Earlier this week the House of Commons heard Education Secretary Gillian Keegan (pictured) had 'launched an investigation' in response Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: 'There is a need for a sense of proportion here. 'This involves an incident at one school in which the trust has already met with the Department for Education to share an update on the events that took place, and the school has said that no pupils identify as a cat or any other animal. 'Now we have politicians, including the Minister for Women and Equalities, weighing in over this matter in a manner that is unnecessary, unhelpful and smacks of grandstanding.' And Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, warned against 'inappropriate interventions' from ministers. He said: 'Ms Badenoch has a duty of care to weigh her words carefully to ensure the wellbeing of pupils, teachers and school leaders. 'The very last thing that school leaders need is ministers from other departments interfering in the work of schools. Pictured: A 'furry' - the type of fantasy animal at the centre of the 'cat gender' dispute 'Due process and the principles of good government are the very least that the sector should expect - not inappropriate interventions fuelled by reports that have now been significantly discredited.' 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.' The PM's spokesman asked for headteachers to not be afraid to intervene in extreme cases. The spokesman said: 'In broad terms, teachers have a responsibility to encourage their students to engage respectfully with those they disagree with. '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 co-founder have OceanGate and friend of a crew member aboard the destroyed Titan vessel has spoken out following news of the 'catastrophic implosion'. After a week-long search five members aboard the OceanGate submersible - who co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein has stakes in - are confirmed dead. Mr Sohnhein has said it is too early to 'speculate' about what happened on the Titan submarine and says that people should 'mourn the loss of the crew members.' Those aboard the fateful mission were British billionaire Hamish Harding, OceanGate chief executive Stockton Rush, French navy veteran PH Nargeolet and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, a 19-year-old Strathclyde University student. But will OceanGate now go out of buiness? Here is everything you need to know. 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 Will OceanGate continue? The future of the OceanGate company is not clear, but Sohnlein is certain it will take time to process the tragedy and what might have caused it. Speaking from Barcelona, Sohnlein said: 'I think it's premature for anybody to speculate on what happened. 'It's going to take days, weeks, months to collect data and analyse the data and try to figure out what happened. 'Right now is more a time to mourn the loss of the crewmembers and preserve their legacies.' OceanGate cofounders Guillermo Sohnlein (left), Stockton Rush (center), and Explorers Club member Ross Von Burg OceanGate has not addressed queries from industry experts about its decision to forgo certification from industry third parties such as the American Bureau of Shipping or the European company DNV. He said: 'There's this tendency in the community to equate classification with safety. While that could be the case, it doesn't mean that you can't be safe without classification,' he said, adding that people should wait for an official report analyzing the incident rather than speculate. 'There's going to be a time for (making assessments), and I don't think right now is the right time to do that,' he said. Despite the catastrophic ending to the Titan vessel, Sohnlein said continuing deep-sea explorations was vital for humanity and is the best way to honour those who lost their lives. Who is Guillermo Sohnlein? Guillermo Sohnlein currently resides in Barcelona and has three children: Rebecca Lynn Sohnlein, Daniel Jacob Sohnlein and Caleb Miguel Sohnlein. Guillermo Sohnlein is an Argentine-born American social entrepreneur who has interests in outer space commercialization and exploration of oceans. Born in Buenos Aires, he emigrated to the US in 1972 with his family and lived in San Jose, California. He become a citizen in 1986 and attended the University of California Hasting College of Law in San Francisco. He co-founded OceanGate in 2009 with Stockton Rush, but left the company 10 years ago and retained a minority stake. He is an ocean explorer and has over 25 years' experience in space, oceans, sustainability and technology innovation. Sohnlein has founded various different companies which feature his interest of exploration such as the International Association of Space Entrepreneurs and the Space Angels Network, and Milo - a speech recognition technology company. From 1995 to 1999, he served in the United States Marine Corps and achieved the rank of Captain. He currently resides in Barcelona and has three children: Rebecca Lynn Sohnlein, Daniel Jacob Sohnlein and Caleb Miguel Sohnlein. Stockton Rush, full name Richard Stockton Rush III, is the CEO of OceanGate- he co-founded the company with his friend Guillermo Sohnlein in 2009 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 What did he say about the missing vessel? After the news of the missing Titan sub spread, Sohnlein spoke to BBC News and said he 'continue to hold out hope for my friend [Stockton Rush] and the rest of the crew.' In a later interview with the BBC, the broadcaster captured the moment Sonhlein found out about the found debris at the site. He said: 'I'm not sure [what the debris is] because I'm hearing this for the first time but I know that the protocol for lost comms is for the pilot to surface the sub. From the beginning I always thought that's probably what Stockton would have done.' He has also praised the capability of the vessel's captain, and told Reuters: 'Stockton was one of the most astute risk managers I'd ever met. He was very risk-averse. He was very keenly aware of the risks of operating in the deep ocean environment, and he was very committed to safety,' Sohnlein told Reuters. Yet, the entrepreneur also warned of the dangers the submarine may face when operating in deep waters, and foresaw the imminent death of his business partner. He said: 'When operating at great depth, the pressure is so great that if there were a failure there would be an instant implosion. If that's what happened, it would have happened four days ago When the vessel was found 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. Guillermo Sohnlein, who founded OceanGate with Stockton Rush in 2009, was speaking to a BBC journalist when he was told that some pieces had been found on the ocean floor in the search for the missing submersible Barack Obama has questioned why the Titan sub tragedy that killed five men has received wall-to-wall media coverage - while a boat sinking with 700 refugees on board has been ignored. The former president drew the comparisons while speaking at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation in Athens on Thursday, hours before the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the submersible imploded. He said it is 'untenable' that the doomed expedition got more attention than the hundreds killed when a fishing trawler capsized 50 miles off the coast of Greece. The overcrowded boat with hundreds of Pakistani, Syrian, Egyptian and Palestinian refugees went down on June 14 - two days before the $250,000-a-head OceanGate tour to the Titanic wreckage was reported missing. Eighty-two passengers have been found dead, 104 out of the more than 750 on board have been rescued, and the rest are still missing. More than 100 children are among the missing. Barack Obama has questioned why the Titan sub tragedy that killed five has received wall-to-wall media coverage - while a boat sinking with 700 refugees on board has been ignored 'There is a potential tragedy unfolding with the submarine that is getting minute-to-minute coverage all around the world,' he said. 'This is understandable because we all want and pray that these folks are rescued. 'But, the fact that this has got so much more attention than the fact that 700 people sank is an untenable situation,'. The International Organisation for Migration called it one of 'the worst sea tragedies in the last decade'. Obama also brought up the parallels in an interview with CNN earlier on Thursday. When talking about how democracies can't thrive with high levels of inequality, he used the sub tragedy as an example. 'In some ways, its indicative of the degree to which peoples life chances have grown so disparate.' On Thursday it was revealed the five inside OceanGate's Titan were killed instantly when the submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' just 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic The overcrowded boat with hundreds of Pakistani, Syrian, Egyptian and Palestinian refugees went down on June 14 - two days before the $250,000-a-head OceanGate tour to the Titanic wreckage went missing. It is pictured before capsizing Medical staffs carry a survivor of the fishing boat tragedy on a stretcher outside a warehouse at the port in Kalamata town Obama conducted the talk and interview while in Athens with wife Michelle and two daughters Malia and Sasha. On Wednesday they visited the Acropolis to enjoy some downtime. On Thursday it was revealed the five inside Titan were killed instantly when the submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' just 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic. The voyage took them 12,500ft underwater where few rescue vessels would be able to find it. The victims are OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19. A remotely operated submarine from a Canadian ship found debris on the ocean floor. Shahzada Dawood, 48, a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Suleman Dawood, 19, perished in the tragedy CEO of OceanGate Stockton Rush (left), billionaire Hamish Harding (center), and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet were also on board A satellite image shows ships taking part in the search and rescue operations associated with the missing Titan submersible near the wreck of the Titanic It's likely the men died Sunday, before military planes using sonar buoys detected what they thought could have been SOS 'banging' sounds in the water. The US Navy said they heard a sound consistent with an implosion when communications were lost around two hours after they dived. The Navy passed on that information to the Coast Guard, an insider said. The migrant boat sinking in one of the deepest areas of the Mediterranean Sea sparked a massive rescue operation that involved a 300ft megayacht. Coast guard, navy and merchant vessels fanned out for a vast search-and-rescue operation that also included a plane and a helicopter to rescue those who had been attempting to travel from Libya to Italy. Harrowing images showed medics rushing the survivors off the yacht onto stretchers, while others walked around barefoot and draped in blankets. Women and children were likely trapped in the hold as the vessel 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. Nine survivors 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. An 'axeman' who attacked colleagues in a violent rampage at a London hospital before turning the weapon on himself today appeared in court. Matteo Bottarelli, 43, is alleged to have chased colleagues with a mattock - a large pickaxe - around the grounds of Central Middlesex Hospital in north-west London. The maintenance man is accused of stabbing one of his colleagues in the neck from behind and inflicting 'multiple head injuries' on another. Botarelli was subsequently arrested by armed police outside the hospital where he was found to have non-life threatening injuries thought to have been self-inflicted. He was today charged with three counts of attempted murder following the incident on Wednesday, which saw the hospital evacuated. Matteo Bottarelli, 43, (pictured) is alleged to have chased colleagues with a mattock - a large pickaxe - around the grounds of Central Middlesex Hospital Matteo Bottarelli was charged with three counts of attempted murder following the incident at Central Middlesex Hospital (pictured) The violent rampage at Central Middlesex Hospital left one person with what are belied to be 'life changing injuries' The 43-year-old of Luma Apartments, Central Way, north-west London, today appeared at Willesden Magistrates' Court. In the dock, wearing a grey tracksuit and with a bandage around his neck, Bottarelli spoke to confirm his name and date of birth. He was charged with three counts of attempted murder and two of counts of threatening violence with a bladed article. He was subsequently remanded in custody until Tuesday June 27 when he will appear at the Old Bailey. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said, following the incident, one man had injuries that were thought to be 'life-changing'. Another of Botarelli's colleagues escaped the violent rampage with only minor injuries. The third victim did not sustain any injuries during the incident, which is not being treated as terror-related. The CEO of OceanGate's Titan submersible repeatedly shrugged off safety concerns over the doomed vessel, according to newly unearthed email exchanges. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush is said to have dismissed warnings from leading deep sea exploration specialist Rob McCallum that he was potentially putting his clients at risk. Mr McCallum urged Rush - who perished on the Titan along with four others - to stop using the sub until an independent body assessed it, The BBC reports. According to the emails, he told Rush he was 'mirroring that famous cry' of the Titanic's builders: 'She is unsinkable'. Rush, a self-proclaimed innovator, knocked back the concerns and explained he was 'tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation'. The email exchange reportedly only ended when Oceangate's lawyers threatened legal action. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush (pictured) is said to have ignored warnings from leading deep sea exploration specialist Rob McCallum that he was potentially putting his clients at risk The fitness of the Titan to go on deep sea missions was discussed in a fraught email exchange between Oceangate CEO Stockton Rush and maritime expert Rob McCallum , which only ended when Oceangate threatened legal action The CEO of OceanGate 's Titan submersible (pictured) repeatedly shrugged off safety concerns over the doomed vessel, according to newly unearthed email exchanges In March 2018, McCallum wrote to Rush: 'I think you are potentially placing yourself and your clients in a dangerous dynamic. 'In your race to [the] Titanic you are mirroring that famous catch cry: 'She is unsinkable''.' Rush responds to the criticism of Titan's safety measures with frustration, writing to Mr McCallum: 'We have heard the baseless cries of 'you are going to kill someone' way too often. I take this as a serious personal insult.' In a BBC interview, Mr McCallum described how he repeatedly urged Oceangate to seek classification for the sub before it was used commercially. The Titan was certified or classed. 'Until a sub is classed, tested and proven it should not be used for commercial deep dive operations,' he wrote in one email. 'I implore you to take every care in your testing and sea trials and to be very, very conservative. As much as I appreciate entrepreneurship and innovation, you are potentially putting an entire industry at risk.' Rush responded some days later: 'I am well qualified to understand the risks and issues associated with subsea exploration in a new vehicle.' Fatefully, Mr McCallum warned him: 'It will be sea trials that determine whether the vehicle can handle what you intend to do with it so again; take care and keep safe.' 'There is a lot more riding on this than Titan and the Titanic.' Shahzada Dawood, 48, (right) one of Pakistan's richest men, who along with his teenage son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, (left) died on the Titan Billionaire Hamish Harding, 58, was among the five people on board The OceanGate Titan 73-year-old French mariner Paul-Henri Nargeolet, who was on expert on the Titanic, also died in the Titan disaster Speaking to the BBC on Friday Mr McCullam, who runs his own ocean expedition company, said: 'The industry has been trying for several years to get Stockton Rush to halt his programme for two reasons. 'One is that carbon fibre is not an acceptable material. The other is that this was the only submersible in the world doing commercial work that was unclassed. It was not certified by an independent agency.' Mr McCullam was among more than three dozen leading submersible experts who signed a letter in 2018 to Rush warning that OceanGate's approach could end in 'disaster'. '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,' read the letter. Will Kohnen, chairman of the Marine Technology Society, who wrote the letter signed by fellow experts, said he later discussed the letter with Rush and again raised his concerns. 'There was a frank conversation. It was an adult conversation. And we agreed to disagree,' Kohnen told Reuters in an interview regarding a call with Rush. Kohnen said their issue was not any single design flaw, but that OceanGate chose not to pursue the industry's recognized certification process for the submersible's design, fabrication and testing. The letter itself was sent after many submersible experts voiced concerns over the Titan during a three-day annual symposium, Kohnen said. He said he asked the MTS board to send the letter on behalf of the entire society, but the board declined. Will Kohnen (pictured) penned a letter to Rush that was signed by fellow industry experts warning that they were concerned by OceanGate's experimental sub Industry experts repeatedly raised concerns over the years regarding OceanGate's sub development Companies that develop submersibles like OceanGate are not generally required to have their vessels certified or classed. However, many do have choose to have checks conducted by various marine organisations around the world. This means that they reach a particular standard of performance depending on their stability, safety, and strength. In a blog a 2019 post titled 'Why Isn't Titan Classed?', OceanGate suggested classification would take too long. 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'. 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 vessel went missing on a dive to the wreckage of the Titanic which sits 12,500ft underwater and around 370 miles from Newfoundland, Canada 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'. Earlier today, it was reported a Las Vegas financier turned down cut-price seats on the Titan's doomed trip after raising safety concerns but was told by the company boss that it 'was safer than crossing the street'. Jay Bloom has shared texts between himself and OceanGate chief executive Stockton Rush showing he and his son were offered a 'last minute price' of $150,000 a head (120,000) a discount on the usual $250,000 (195,000) fee. Mr Bloom, a Democrat supporter who has been photographed with Joe Biden, has described his sadness at Mr Rush's death and his grief that Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19, had taken their spots and perished as well as French Navy veteran Paul-Henri Nargeolet and British billionaire Hamish Harding. In a Facebook post he said: 'I expressed safety concerns and Stockton told me: 'While there's obviously risk it's way safer than flying in a helicopter or even scuba diving'. 'He was absolutely convinced that it was safer than crossing the street. I am sure he really believed what he was saying. But he was very wrong'. Jay Bloom and his son Sean (pictured together) were close to going on the doomed Titan voyage to the Titanic and were even offered a last-minute discount Jay Bloom, pictured with Joe Biden, revealed he was first offered the seats on the Titan but had safety concerns Mr Rush speaks to Mr Bloom about taking part in one of his firm's trips to the Titanic wreck Mr Bloom's Facebook post showing his grief that Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19, had taken his and his own son's places Stockton Rush shows the controller used to steer the Titan which has been compared to something from a XBox or PS5 In February this year Stockton Rush asked Mr Bloom and his son Sean to go on the dive to Titanic in May. Both May dives were postponed due to weather and the dive got delayed until June 18, the date of the ill-fated trip. Mr Bloom said: 'I told him that due to scheduling we couldn't go until next year. Our seats went to Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood, two of the other three who lost their lives on this excursion, the fifth being Hamish Harding. 'RIP Stockton and crew. As for Sean and I... we are going to take a minute to stop and smell the roses. Tomorrow is never promised. Make the most of today'. Texts between Mr Rush had repeatedly tried to reassure Mr Bloom about the safety of the Titan and heading to the Titanic's wreck. He said his son was very worried about the risks after speaking with a friend. Mr Rush said: 'I'm happy to have a video call with him. Curious what the uninformed would say the danger is and whether it's real or imagined'. They discussed how the hull would deal with pressure, or even if it came into contact with a whale or squid. Mr Rush said: 'While there's obviously risk it's way safer than flying in a helicopter or even scuba diving, There hasn't even been an injury in 35 years in non-military subs'. A satellite image shows ships taking part in the search and rescue operations associated with the missing Titan submersible near the wreck of the Titanic OceanGate Expeditions were allegedly repeatedly warned about safety concerns Five people were onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19 French Navy veteran Paul-Henri Nargeolet (left) and Mr Rush (right), CEO of OceanGate Expeditions Titanic director and submersible expert James Cameron said he predicted Titan's implosion days before the debris from the missing submersible was found, calling the search a 'prolonged nightmarish charade'. Mr Cameron, who has visited the world's most famous seawreck 30 times, said the tragedy this week has parallels with the 1912 disaster, where the captain repeatedly ignored warnings about an incoming iceberg but carried on at top speed. The five inside Titan were killed instantly when the submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' just 1,600ft from the bow of the wrecked ocean liner, the US Coast Guard announced yesterday. A remotely operated submarine from a Canadian ship found debris on the ocean floor. But officials say the men were likely to have died on Sunday before military planes using sonar buoys detected what they thought could have been SOS 'banging' sounds in the water. The US Navy said they heard a sound consistent with an implosion when communications were lost around two hours after they dived. The Navy passed on that information to the Coast Guard, an insider said. Mr Cameron told BBC News that the Coast Guard search 'felt like a prolonged and nightmarish charade where people are running around talking about banging noises and talking about oxygen and all this other stuff'. 'I knew that sub was sitting exactly underneath its last known depth and position. That's exactly where they found it,' he said. Titanic director and submersible expert James Cameron said he predicted Titan's implosion before the debris from the missing submersible was found, calling the search a 'prolonged nightmarish charade' Mr Cameron said last night: 'A number of the top players in the deep-submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and that needed to be certified and so on. 'I'm struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night, and many people died as a result. 'It's a very similar tragedy where warnings went unheeded to take place at the same exact site with all the diving that's going around all around the world. I think it's just astonishing, it's really quite surreal'. It comes after lawsuit alleged that a former OceanGate employee also raised concerns over the submersible before he was fired. 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. OceanGate Chief Executive Stockton Rush (pictured) defended his company's approach to not put Titan through an independent inspection process 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 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. A previous photo of inside the OceanGate Expeditions sub shows the interior of the doomed vessel. Those pictured are not the passengers who went missing OceanGate Expeditions' Titan is pictured launching from its platform, which is used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic The Titan submersible tourist vessel was on a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck 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. The stepson of the French explorer who died on the Titan submersible has revealed how the family were 'living a nightmare' while holding out hope they would be rescued. John Paschall, stepson of Paul-Henri Nargeolet, said the French sub pilot was 'fearless' and a 'warm burst of energy' and revealed the family's devastation when they eventually found out what happened to him. His comments came as relatives told MailOnline how they had been kept in the dark about what happened to Titan and its occupants. Speaking from his home in Minnesota, Mr Paschall told Sky News: 'As you can probably imagine, to me I feel like I've been living a nightmare. Just every day, every bit of info, you hang on to it - from noises to other info and we were just so hopeful. 'And I think that's what was carrying us through the early stages and even into Thursday morning. 'We were just so hopeful that with the right equipment [getting] there they'd be able to find the Titan intact with them in there and they'd still be here with us.' John Paschall, stepson of Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, said the French sub pilot was 'fearless' and a 'warm burst of energy' Mr Nargeolet was a skilled sub pilot and had ventured down to the wreck a number of time before. He served in the French Navy for 25 years and rose to the rank of Commander before he retired. Elsewhere, a woman who lost two family members on the Oceangate Titan disaster says she also endured an 'excruciating' wait for information. Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son Suleman were on board the doomed submersible Titan when it imploded. Wreckage found yesterday suggests the tragedy happened just hours after they went into the water on Sunday. 'It was very sad but a tremendous relief to hear that on Sunday it was just... the end. They didn't even know,' said Azmeh Dawood, Shahzada's sister. 'They were still just enjoying it. That is the best for them,' she told the Daily Mail while holding back tears at her home in Amsterdam today. 'If you are a parent and you think for Father's day, for something nice, I've brought my son here. At least he didn't have to suffer from the guilt.' 'My brother is prone to panic attacks. I couldn't stop thinking about that,' she added, saying she was 'glad that Suleman didn't have to live through seeing his father struggling or feeling guilt.' Azmeh Dawood, pictured outside her home in Amsterdam, said she was angry her brother Shahzada took her nephew Suleman on board the submersible titan Azmeh said her brother Shahzada (left) was prone to panic attacks and she was relieved the end came quickly for him and her nephew Suleman (right) She found out the men were missing on Monday evening. Ms Dawood said: 'The days waiting to discover their fate were excruciating. 'You have to hope but it's a very nasty hope, because if they are alive they weren't having a good time, they were suffering, they were in fear, they were terrified, waiting, gasping for every breath.' Ms Dawood is particularly upset about the fate of her 'sweet, precious' nephew Suleman, who was following his father's dream. 'Suleman didn't have $250,000 or an interest in the Titanic. An interest because his father loved it but his interests were different.' Ms Dawood was particularly close to Suleman as he was only five days younger than her own son. When they would go to a waterpark in Dubai, people thought the boys were twins. Estranged from most of her family over the past decade, Suleman was one of the few family members to stay in touch, sending messages saying, 'I miss you like crazy.' He last looked at his phone at 11am on Sunday morning, she says. Dawood said that the two men were 'heroes'. 'Shahazada was obsessed with the Titanic all his life, and he has become part of its history. He has aced that dream. I wish it was Suleman's choice if he wanted to be a legend,' she said bitterly. Commander Paul-Henry Nargeolet, an expert on the Titanic, also lost his life in the Titan tragedy 'If at 48 you want to do an adventure and risk your life, you can choose to that, but he was just a 19-year old,' she said of her nephew. 'Clearly he thought it was no big deal to take his son.' The disclaimer mentions the chance of death 3 times on the first page, she added. 'You do what you like but if talking about a child, you have to be really sure to ask your child.' Ms Dawood says she is shocked that the company would take a child so young. His age would have been on the paperwork. 'You need to be 21 to have a drink in America,' she said. 'He was 19, just starting university. He is a trusting child whose father said it was good. And his father trusted the company.' Shahzada, Azmeh and two more siblings grew up in Pakistan watching the 1958 film about the Titanic A Night to Remember. 'It was the only videotape we owned, we would watch it almost every afternoon,' she says. The film led to an obsession with Titanic for her brother Shahzada. Shahzada had an appetite for high risk travel and was planning to travel to space, Dawood said of her billionaire brother. 'He was a conservative, gentle, balanced, level-headed man but sometimes he would do things that were tremendously out there,' she says. He had taken his whole family on a trip to Antarctica. While there, father and son completed a deep dive. His parents were also supposed to go, but dropped out when they discovered how strenuous it would be. 'A lot of people had to suffer for Shahzada's adventurous spirit. The whole world paid a price.' Hamish Harding's cousin Kathleen Cosnett wrote: 'It's quite poignant that tomorrow would have been his birthday. His father died in June and my father died in June too' Oceangate CEO Stockton Rush led the expedition last Sunday, which is known to have resulted in the deaths of all five men on board A relative of another of the men who died onboard the OceanGate Titan told media how he would have been celebrating his birthday tomorrow. Billionaire Hamish Harding, who made his fortune buying and selling aircraft in the aviation industry, would have been turning 59 years old on Saturday. The tycoon hit the headlines this week as he was named as one of the five men who had paid huge sums each to board the submersible and visit the 'graveyard Titanic' 16,000ft below sea level. Mr Harding's cousin, Kathleen Cosnett, said at her home in Twyford, Berkshire: 'The emergency response was definitely not fast enough - at all. The hours that were lost before the alarm was raised, were at a great, great cost. 'It was handled so badly, there should have been a lot better communication than there was,' she observed. 'There is a big difference in your distress if you need help immediately. You wouldn't want all the hours that you have left of oxygen to tick by. 'Now we know that it likely imploded on the descent, it is really the best outcome. They would have not known it was coming. 'In a way, it is the best way to go, as he didn't know it was happening. It's really the best way to go isn't it, being killed and knowing nothing about it? 'It's quite poignant that tomorrow would have been his birthday. His father died in June and my father died in June too. 'It's going to be especially hard for his family. Hamish was a devoted father and his two sons, Giles and Roy, who are taking the most important exams of their lives at the moment his eldest is sitting A-Levels and the youngest is doing GCSEs.' Kathleen described Hamish growing up. 'As a boy, he had bright blond hair and sparkling blue eyes and has always had a keen sense of adventure.' She said: 'Adventure was very important to him. From a young age until about eight years old he was this blond-haired blue-eyed baby. He was the real apple of his mother's eye, well as an only child. 'I last saw him in about 2002, he took us on a private aeroplane and he was the pilot. We started at a small-ish airport, well small for a commercial plane, at Booker aerodrome near High Wycombe and flew over Silverstone and on to France. 'When my daughter was younger, she loved rollercoasters and adventure. Hamish flew her over to America and took her to Six Flags theme park.' Hamish, who studied chemical engineering at Cambridge University, was also one of the five people to go into space on the brand new suborbital Blue Origin NS-21 mission on June 4, 2022. Kathleen said: 'Adventure was really important to him. He was in the Guinness Book of Records for going into space I don't think he was doing the same record for this one. 'He was daring, he had a total fascination with this kind of thing. I wouldn't want to go to the Titanic, it's a graveyard, thousands of people were killed there. 'If you speak to his wife Linda, she will say he's a daredevil too. The family has flown out there to be in Canada in the same vicinity as him.' Ms Cosnett added that she had not been told anything about the tragic news and only learned about her cousin's fate after listening to the television news. She said: 'I'm not that close with my family any more. I saw everything happen on the news, I wasn't told anything by any officials - certainly not by OceanGate. They would have spoken more to his partner and children, I suppose. 'My daughter still talks to her cousin Robert who says they've gone to Canada now to be closer and in the same vicinity of the incident.' She explained that she did not mind finding out about what happened via news organisations, as the situation was an emergency and not everybody could be contacted. Although she was heartbroken that Hamish could not be saved, she added: 'He did die doing what he loved. That's what his family have said too and we all agree.' OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush spent more than a decade seeking to perfect Titanic tourism while battling multiple lawsuits and serious safety concerns. Rush was one of five men who died on the Titan submersible after the vessel suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' 1,600ft from the bow of Titanic. The frantic search and rescue attempt has since brought to light a host of flaws with the doomed vessel's design and construction with previous adventurers revealing how their own terrifying trips to the iconic wreck on the Titan went awry. It is unclear exactly how many journeys the Titan submersible successfully made to the Titanic wreck, but it is thought to have carried passengers on at least ten trips before tragedy struck. Rush, French Navy veteran Paul-Henri (PH) Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, 19, were instantly killed when the vessel malfunctioned on Sunday. Here, DailyMail.com breaks down the timeline of events leading up to the Titan's horrifying demise... Shahzada Dawood, 48, a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Suleman Dawood, 19, were on board Billionaire Hamish Harding (left), CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai and French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (right) both died in the submersible 2009: OceanGate is founded OceanGate was co-founded by Rush and Guillermo Sohnlein in 2009, starting operations on the West Coast. Rush launched the company after graduating from Princeton University with a BSE in aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering in 1984. He obtained an MBA at the University of California Berkeley's Haas School of Business in 1989, according to his biography on OceanGate's website. February 2012: OceanGate expands to Florida and the Caribbean The company registers as a corporation in Miami, with Sohnlein as president and Rush as secretary. Documents state the company incorporated in Washington State in December 2011, but still considered itself Bahamas based. OceanGate's Titan submersible went missing shortly after it departed for the Titanic wreckage on Sunday morning May 2013: Collaboration announced with the University of Washington OceanGate announced a collaboration with the University of Washington's Applied Physics Lab on Project Cyclops, a new 3000-meter five-person submersible. However the college has since denied working with the company on the Titan despite an initial press release. In a statement it said: 'The physics lab initially signed a $5 million research collaborative agreement with OceanGate, but only $650,000 worth of work was completed before the two organizations parted ways. 'That collaboration resulted in a steel-hulled vessel, named the Cyclops 1, that can travel to 500 meters depth, which is far shallower than the depths that OceanGate's Titan submersible traveled to. 'The Laboratory was not involved in the design, engineering or testing of the Titan submersible used in the RMS Titanic expedition,' August 2013: Submersible feasibility study into hull design The University of Washington completed a design feasibility study for hull design for Cyclops submersible in August 2013. OceanGate announced a collaboration with the University of Washington's Applied Physics Lab on Project Cyclops - something which the college has now denied June 2015: Report published on submersible Rush and science and technology director Erika Montague, published a report on Cyclops I with Peter Brodsky, an engineer at the University of Washington. November 2015: Customers start paying deposits for Titanic tours Marc and Sharon Hagle signed a contract and paid $10,000 deposits to OceanGate to participate in an expedition to the Titanic wreck. June 2016: OceanGate submersible dives to wreck in Nantucket One of the submersibles owned by OceanGate successfully completed a dive over the wreck of the Andrea Doria off Nantucket though it is unclear which vessel was involved in the mission. March 2017: Titanic dive announced OceanGate and Rush announced it would be launching the Titanic missions in the first manned submersibles to dive to the iconic wreck since 2005. They added that private citizens could join the expedition as mission specialists for $105,129 each. Leaders in the submersible industry sent a letter to OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush (pictured) who died on the vessel urging him to take caution August 2017: Core pressure vessel completed OceanGate completed assembly of core pressure vessel, bonding two titanium rings to the ends of a 56-inch wide, 100-inch-long carbon-fiber cylinder. January 2018: Successful launch and recovery The company confirmed that it successfully tested the launch and recovery platform of Cyclops 2. Engineers handed over the vessel to the operations team - who renamed it the Titan. March 2018: Trade group raises safety concerns Leaders of the Manned Underwater Vehicles committee of the Marine Technology Society, sent a letter to OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush urging him to take caution. The letter, obtained by the New York Times, warned that 'the current 'experimental' approach' of the company could result in problems 'from minor to catastrophic.' 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. 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 April 2018: Expedition canceled Marc and Sharon Hagle said OceanGate canceled their June 2-9 expedition and rescheduled it to July 2019. Rush reassured them the trip would take place. July 2018: Lawsuit lodged against former employee OceanGate sued former Director of Marine operations for the Titan project, David Lochridge and his wife, Carole Reid Lochridge in Washington state. They 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. August 2018: Lochridge files safety concern lawsuit The Lochridges filed a counterclaim in the lawsuit, alleging a series of safety concerns about the Titan submersible. Legal filings obtained by DailyMail.com show that he wrote a report in 2018 which was critical of the company's research and development process for the vessel. Lochridge also 'strongly encouraged that OceanGate utilize a classification agency, such as the American Bureau of Shipping, to inspect and certify the Titan.' The suit states that 'OceanGate refused both requests, and stated it was unwilling to pay for a classification agency to inspect its experimental design.' Lochridge 'disagreed with OceanGate's position to dive the submersible without any non-destructive testing to prove its integrity, and to subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible.' 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 November 2018: Case dismissed Parties settled in the OceanGate v. Lochridge case. April 2019: New Patent for object recovery U.S. Patent Office assigned OceanGate a patent for systems to recover objects in aquatic environments. June 2019: Expedition delay OceanGate delayed its 2019 Titanic expedition and said it would take place in June 2020. October 2019: Expedition in 2020 canceled The Hagles received an email saying OceanGate had canceled its 2020 expedition. January 2020: Raised $18million OceanGate announced it has raised $18 million in equity financing, which it planned to use to expand its fleet of deep-sea submersibles to set the stage for 2021 dives to the Titanic. February 2020: NASA to partner NASA announced it would partner with OceanGate to develop and manufacture new carbon fiber pressure vessels at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, Since the tragedy the agency has tried to distance itself from the company, saying it only carried out remote consultations with the company which built and deployed Titan, and 'did not provide any approvals for the project'. NASA told DailyMail.com it had a Space Act Agreement with OceanGate, which allows it to work with an outside organization, and 'consulted on materials and manufacturing processes for the submersible'. But a spokesman added: 'NASA did not conduct testing and manufacturing via its workforce or facilities, which were done elsewhere by OceanGate.' March 2021: NASA Astronaut joins expedition OceanGate and NASA astronaut and physician Dr. Scott Parazynski announced he would join the Titanic expedition. 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. He said: 'It's tougher to go to the bottom of the ocean than it is to the far side of the moon, we saw things that maybe human eyes have never seen before.' 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 According to the video, OceanGate Expeditions offers the once in a lifetime opportunity to be a specially trained crew member safely diving to the Titanic wreckage site Parazynski, who has crewed five Space Shuttle flights and seven spacewalks, joined the Titanic Survey Expedition in 2021 May 2021: Explorer Josh Gates and Brian Weed go on test dive Josh Gates and Brian Weed were invited to go on a test dive to the Titanic, ahead of Rush offering a 'huge opportunity' to film the wreckage. Gates, the host of Discovery's Expedition: Unknown, revealed that Titan did 'not perform well' during their dive. He said: 'Ultimately, I walked away from a huge opportunity to film Titanic due to my safety concerns with the OceanGate platform.' Weed added that the experience left him with 'a lot of misgivings' as 'there were several things about the sub' that made him 'feel very uneasy.' June 2021: Patent for 'launching and recovering objects' A U.S. patent was issued to OceanGate for systems and methods for launching and recovering objects in aquatic environments. Gates is pictured on the left aboard the Titan with Stockton Rush at the helm of the vessel as well as a cameraman Paul-Henry Nargeolet is considered the world's leading expert on the Titanic and also died on the sub 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 July 2021: First successful dive to the Titanic & communication issues A team consisting of Rush, Scott Griffith and PH Nargeolet successfully completed their first submersible dive to the Titanic. The company announced they would be launching a series of yearly expeditions to help record the Titanic's rate of decay and map the artifacts found on the site. Bill Price was one of the first paying passengers to get on the Titan, but struggled with 'communication issues' during one of their trips. They had to abort the mission three-quarters of the way down, but Price was first to sign up for a second go the following day. August 2021: German tourist brands Titan trip a 'suicide mission' Arthur Loibl, 60, called the voyage a 'suicide mission' after traveling down the ocean floor with the team in 2021. 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. During his excursion the Titan took two-and-a-half hours to reach the bottom and then 20 minutes to reach the stricken ocean liner. Speaking to AP 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. It was a suicide mission back then!' 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 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 both died on the Titan German explorer Arthur Loibl (right) is seen with French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet September 2021: A patent for monitoring integrity OceanGate received a patent for systems for curing, testing, validating, rating and monitoring the integrity of composite structures. November 2021: Tickets on sale for next expedition OceanGate announced a 2022 expedition to Titanic, with price to ride rising to $250,000. July 2022: Expedition encounters multiple difficulties CBS correspondent David Pogue said the submersible got 'lost on the seafloor' for about five hours when he was on an OceanGate expedition to the Titanic's resting place. He was not on the Titan, and had stayed on the ship in a control room, adding: 'They could still send short texts to the sub, but did not know where it was. It was quiet and very tense.' Colin Taylor went on the submersible with his 22-year-old son, and described the communication system as 'very difficult.' He told NBC news: 'There's a text-based communication system that's two-way, very slow,' he said. 'I mean, when you're sending signals through that amount of water, it's very, very difficult.' Simpsons producer and writer Mike Reiss told ABC News he went on four 10-hour dives with OceanGate, including to the Titanic. 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 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 added: 'The sonar, the computers, the lights all stopped working. We went back to the surface immediately.' The crews lost communication with the host ship each time. According to their summary of 2022 they completed seven dives to the wreck. 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. February 2023: Couple sue CEO Stockton Rush for fraud A Florida couple sued the CEO of 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, sued Rush in Orange County, Florida circuit court, alleging fraudulent inducement and violation of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. In 2016, while on a trip to the South Pole, they decided their next adventure would be underwater. 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 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. CBS correspondent David Pogue is seen inside the submersible, which he described as very basic Mr Pogue visited the Titanic on board a Titan sub last year 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 May 11 28, 2023: Missions 1 and 2 successfully completed by the Titan Titan successfully completed the first and second dive with commercial passengers on the Titan as OceanGate thanks Starlink for making them a success. Ocean Gate Expeditions tweeted a photo of 24 people on deck, saying: 'It's been an exciting week with our Mission 2 crew!' June 2023: Mission 3 and Mission 4 successful OceanGate tweeted: '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!' June 17, 2023: British billionaire posts about dive Hamish Harding, chairman of Action Aviation, posted on Facebook that he has joined OceanGate Expeditions for the Titan mission and will be on an attempted dive on June 18. He said: '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. '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.' 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 June 18, 2023: Titan loses communication with Polar Prince 8:00am: The Titan began a descent from the Canadian research vessel the Polar Prince to the Titanic wreck 12,500ft below the ocean surface. 9.45am: Communications ceased between the Titan and its mothership, about 90 minutes into the trip. They would communicate with the mothership via text messages. The US Navy found an 'anomaly' that was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the vessel was operating when communications were lost. 3pm: The Titan failed to appear at the expected time for resurfacing. 5.40pm: OceanGate reported the 21-foot submersible, with five people on board, as overdue. 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 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 June 19, 2023: Search and rescue mission got underway The Coast Guard said one of its C-130 Hercules aircraft and crew, as well as a Canadian P8 aircraft with underwater sonar capability, were searching for the submersible. A range of military and commercial vessels were also at the site, offering a mixture of search capabilities, including the Canadian P3. The Canadian P-3 was one of several models of aircraft which were also helping the search by scouring the ocean surface and using sonar equipment for signs of activity on the seabed. June 20, 2023: Hope flares after reports of 'banging' A Canadian P3 search aircraft detected sounds coming from underwater which were described as 'banging'. At a press conference on Wednesday, US Coast Guard First District response coordinator Jamie Frederick confirmed more of the sounds were heard. Since the discovery of the submersible, it's been confirmed that the noises heard were not SOS and not related to the submersible at all. The Titanic wreckage is 12,500ft underwater - some 11,000ft deeper than many US and British Navy subs can dive June 21, 2023: Search continues Coast Guard reported a third C-130 was en route, as well as a Magellan ROV. The Navy was sending experts and a Deep Ocean Salvage System designed to lift underwater objects. A team from France arrived to operate a remotely operated robot and a submarine deployed from the Atalante ship. The boat can hold up to 30 technicians and scientists for up to 45 days, and both the devices on board are able to reach 6,000m (around 20,000ft) below sea level. It has a manned submersible called Nautile and remote-operated vehicle Victor 6000 on board. Nautile can dive to a depth of 20,000ft with a crew of three and is one of the very few manned deep-sea submarines. It has three wide-angle viewports and LED searchlights provide a direct view of the seabed. A dive on board the sub can last up to eight hours, of which six can be spent working at the sea floor. The remote-operated Victor 600 is a deep-water ROV remotely operated by cable that can also go to depths of 20,000ft. 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 June 22, 2023: Debris field located in search for sub 11.48am: The Coast Guard announced a debris field has been discovered by an ROV from the Horizon Arctic, found near the Titanic's bow. 3pm: OceanGate announces that they believe the crew of the Titan has been lost. OceanGate said in a 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.' The company added: 'This is an extremely sad time for our dedicated employees who are exhausted and grieving deeply over this loss. 'The entire OceanGate family is deeply grateful for the countless men and women from multiple organizations of the international community who expedited wide-ranging resources and have worked so very hard on this mission. 'We appreciate their commitment to finding these five explorers, and their days and nights of tireless work in support of our crew and their families. 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 Titan's carbon fiber hull and its acrylic viewport were subject to several warnings and James Cameron singled them out as 'potential failure points' on the vessel '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.' 3.15pm: The CoastGuard confirmed that pieces of the submersible were found 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic. They added that those on board would have died instantly. June 23, 2023: Transportation Safety Board of Canada launch probe The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is launching an investigation into the fatal incident. A team of investigators is traveling to Newfoundland to gather information and conduct interviews. In a statement TSB said: 'In the coming days, we will coordinate our activities with other agencies involved.' It said its investigation would be into the 'fatal occurrence involving the Canadian-flagged vessel Polar Prince and the privately operated submersible Titan'. The TSB added it will 'conduct a safety investigation regarding the circumstances of this operation conducted by the Canadian-flagged vessel Polar Prince'. Chinese chemical manufacturing companies have been deeply involved in trafficking the precursor chemicals used to make the fentanyl that reaches the U.S., according to The Justice Department. The U.S. government charged four Chinese companies, including Hubei Amarvel Biotech and its executives Qingzhou Wang, 35, Yiyi Chen, 31, and Fnu Lnu with fentanyl trafficking, precursor chemical importation, and money laundering offenses. The indictments mark the first time the United States has sought to prosecute any of the Chinese companies responsible for manufacturing the precursor chemicals used to make the highly addictive painkiller that has fueled the opioid crisis in America. Wang and Chen were arrested by the federal agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on June 8 and ordered detained by a federal magistrate judge in Honolulu, Hawaii on June 9 until they can be transported to New York City to appear before the judge handling the case. Yang remains at large. The U.S. government charged four Chinese companies, including Hubei Amarvel Biotech. Attorney general Merrick Garland pictured above Rebecca Kiessling, a mother who lost two sons to fentanyl poisoning, wipes away tears during a House Homeland Security Committee about the U.S-Mexico border During a press conference on Friday, prosecutors said nearly all fentanyl precursors are manufactured and shipped from China today. Criminal organizations like the infamous Sinaloa cartel work with Chinese companies to get their ingredients for fentanyl. Prosecutors say the defendants 'provided customers with the blueprint for making fentanyl,' providing chemicals and advice on how to mix them. In one case, a defendant even allegedly told a customer to substitute one ingredient for another to make twice as much fentanyl. The companies reportedly mislabeled packages and falsified customs forms to get chemicals across borders. The chemicals, shipped as a powder, would be disguised as dog food or cosmetic materials, according to officials. The companies went as far as disguising the chemicals by adding a molecule and then taught their customers how to remove the molecule once they received the chemicals. 'By changing the chemical signature, an altered substance could evade testing protocols and relevant regulations by appearing to be a new substance,' explained the Justice Department. Officials said fentanyl precursors are easily bought online and advertised on social media sites like Facebook. Customers could use bitcoin reportedly and other cryptocurrencies to pay, prosecutors said. In one instance, a defendant allegedly sold 2kilograms of fentanyl for just $1,000. Prosecutors say Chinese companies show Mexican cartels how to make Fentanyl. Some of the 30,000 fentanyl pills seized by the DEA at the border pictured The Chinese companies allegedly work with Mexican cartels including the one inb Sinaloa. Burning vehicles are seen after drug lord Ovidio Guzman's capture in Sinaloa in January That amount can yield 1.75 million lethal doses of fentanyl, meaning the price for a lethal dose can be less than one cent, according to prosecutors. During these investigations, the DEA seized more than 200 kilograms of fentanyl-related precursor chemicals, a quantity that could contain enough deadly doses to kill 25 million Americans. Wang, Chen, and Yang allegedly agreed to continue supplying multi-ton shipments of fentanyl precursors in an undercover stung even after being told Americans had died after consuming fentanyl made from the chemicals that the defendants had sold. 'Todays announcement is a down payment on our pledge to use every tool in the governments arsenal, in every corner of the globe, to protect American communities,' said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. 'The Justice Department will not rest or relent in investigating and prosecuting every link of the fentanyl supply chain, including the PRC companies and executives who produce and export vast quantities of the precursor chemicals the drug cartels need to peddle their poison. There can be no safe haven.' DailyMail.com previously reported how Chinese triad gangs have teamed up with brutal Mexican cartels to help them launder millions in illicit drug money made by flooding the US with fentanyl. For at least the last seven years, Mexican mobsters including from El Chapo's notorious Sinaloa cartel have been paying Chinese middle-men to 'clean' money made selling drugs on America's streets in a complex scheme involving members of Beijing's elite. American lawmakers have called for an investigation into whether the Chinese Communist Party is complicit in the scheme amid warnings Xi Jinping is using America's opioid crisis as yet another weapon in his quest to establish a new world order. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. The drug has devastated communities nationally as an overdose pandemic rages on. Two Florida deputies held an exhausted manatee's head above water for two hours to prevent it from drowning during a red tide. The mammal was desperately trying to beach itself on the rocks of the Shell Key Preserve outside of St. Petersburg, Florida, so it wouldn't drown. After failing to make it on the rocks, the large animal had to resort to floating at the surface with labored breathing. One onlooker spotted the animal, and worried for its safety, called the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. After arriving on the scene, Deputy Jill Constant said she watched the animal which was refusing to go underwater and decided to jump in. The two officers quickly jumped to the aid of the manatee, who had been feeling the effects of red tide The manatee is said to have made a full recovery from being caught in the red tide according to biologists According to the Sheriff's Office the animal was suffering from the effects of the toxins produced by a red tide. Deputy Constant said: 'Were watching it, and it will not go underwater. It just stayed at the surface with labored breathing. 'We docked the boat, I took off my equipment, and got in. We stayed in the water for two hours holding its head up until it could be rescued.' Despite the efforts of the officers to save the animal, it wasn't best pleased and after regaining its strength began to thrash out at the deputies. The manatee is said to have made a full recovery from being caught in the red tide according to biologists at Florida Fish and Wildlife. Red Tide is a naturally occurring neurotoxin produced by blooming algae in warm waters, which leaves animals with domoic acid toxicity, which can be fatal. Red Tide is a naturally occurring neurotoxin produced by blooming algae in warm waters, which is leaving the animals with domoic acid toxicity, which can be fatal In the first few weeks of June alone, more than 60 dolphins and hundreds of sea lions are estimated to have died from the algae. Pictured: Sea lions on a Southern California beach The algae is not toxic to some fish and other animals low on the food chain but can create major issues for marine mammals that eat those small animals. There are only about 13,000 West Indian manatees left in the world, of which about 6-7,000 live in Florida. In 2022, some 1,000 of those died from boat strikes, red tide events, or starvation from habitat destruction. In California, dozens of sea lions and dolphins have been washing up on Southern beaches due to the red tide. Shocking photos and videos show the ocean mammals lying on the sand at beaches throughout Southern California, poisoned by the toxic bloom. Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute officials said they have been 'inundated' with calls reporting sick sea lions, dolphins, and seals throughout June. 'We are receiving 30-60 calls per hour and responding to over 30 animals per day,' CIMWI Executive Director Sam Dover said. A Texas mailman collapsed and died in the front yard of a home while he was out on a delivery during the excessive heatwave which continues to grip the state. United States Postal Service worker Eugene Gates Jr, 66, was on his usual route delivering post door to door in Lakewood, Dallas on Tuesday. But he suddenly collapsed in a front yard and the homeowner ran outside to perform CPR. His wife Carla received a call after 4pm which said he was rushed to hospital but he later died. It is not clear whether Gates died from the sweltering 115 degree Fahrenheit heat but the temperature could have been a factor in his death. A Texas mailman collapsed and died in the front yard of a home while he was out on a delivery during the excessive heatwave which continues to grip the state United States Postal Service worker Eugene Gates Jr, 66, pictured with his wife Carla, was on his usual route delivering post door to door in Lakewood, Dallas on Tuesday. Gates had worked for the USPS for nearly 40 years and left his home early for work at the Lakewood Postal Station in Dallas. He went down his usual route before he collapsed and died during one of the hottest afternoons of the year with temperatures at the highest since 1980 and near record humidity. The USPS has not confirmed if Gates died from a heat-related illness. 'The postal service is deeply saddened by the loss of life our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this time,' a spokesman said. He is survived by his wife Carla, two children and multiple grandchildren. They are still waiting for his cause of death to be released. Megan Lucas described Gates as 'just the sweetest man' and said he delivered her mail for over a year. 'He has been my mailman for over a year. I saw him yesterday,' she told local television station Fox 4. 'He was just the sweetest man. He really was.' Another neighbor shared footage of Gates recently dropping off mail at her address and said she would provide him with a cold towel and water whenever she saw him. 'He loved his job. He loved the neighbors,' Lucas said. 'Thats so sad that a wife is mourning her husband and children and grandchildren. This neighborhood will mourn him.' USPS moved the start time for mailmen to 8.30am from 7.30am before Gates' death. But the carrier's union had a meeting on Wednesday morning and the president said they are going to revert back. He collapsed in a front yard and the homeowner ran outside to perform CPR. His wife Carla received a call which said he was rushed to hospital but he later died Around 270 delivery drivers working for the USPS and UPS are estimated to have suffered serious heat exposure since 2015. It is estimated that 53 workers in Texas have died since 2010 due to the extreme heat, according to an investigation by Columbia Journalism Investigations, National Public Radio and The Texas Newsroom. Heat levels in Texas have reached such high levels they can cause cramps and exhaustion, especially for people without air conditioning, the National Weather Service said. There are fears that the heatwave will pose a greater threat to life the longer the heatwave lasts. 'Not only are the daytime temperatures and dew points abnormally high, producing some record heat index readings, but the overnight lows are also close to or at record levels,' Alex Lamers, a forecaster with the Weather Prediction Centre told The New York Times. Rush, who is married with adult children, idolized Star Trek's Captain Kirk and said he wanted 'to be remembered as an innovator' OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush had a maverick approach to undersea exploration that earned comparisons with visionaries like Elon Musk. He idolized Star Trek protagonist Captain Kirk and bragged about 'breaking rules' to build the Titan vessel which vanished with Rush and four others on board during a mission to the Titanic's wreckage, 12,500ft beneath the Atlantic. But his methods - which are feared to have contributed to the tragedy - were a major red flag for experts in the field of deep-sea exploration, including two who parted ways with OceanGate amid their concerns. Dozens of industry leaders and explorers also warned Rush in 2018 the company's 'experimental' approach could prove 'catastrophic'. That year, he fought back and said he was 'tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation'. He appeared resentful of the 'obscenely safe' regulations that he viewed as an obstacle to development. Tragically, it seem now seems that the failure to heed those concerns - including warnings about Titan's 'flawed' carbon fiber hull - proved fatal. Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, was one of the five men who died during Titan's ill-fated journey to the Titanic's wreckage. His maverick approach to innovation earned him comparisons with visionaries like Elon Musk but caused concern among peers in the industry Stockton Rush was compared with visionaries like Elon Musk, who is a pioneer of space travel with his company SpaceX. Rush also idolized Captain Kirk, the Star Trek character whose vision was to 'boldly go where no man has gone before' Further questions are also being asked about Rush and OceanGate's willingness to charge tourists $250,000 per ticket for a vessel that was not independently inspected, had malfunctioned previously and was subject to repeated warnings. Ofer Ketter, a submersible pilot and co-founder of Sub-Merge, told DailyMail.com: 'It's one thing to be a professional explorer and assume the risks of your exploration. And it's another thing to take non-professional people and say: trust me.' Rush, a father-of-two whose wife is a descendant of two Titanic victims, is the son of a wealthy businessman. His grandfather was an oil and gas magnate. Nobody doubted Rush's talent as an explorer and engineer, and he displayed his passion for both fields from an early age. As a child in San Francisco, he dreamt of becoming an astronaut, but that hope was dashed because imperfect eyesight meant he could not take the first step of becoming a military pilot. He still forged a successful career in aviation and at 19, he became the youngest jet transport rated pilot in the world. In 1984 he worked as a flight test engineer on the F-15 fighter jet program. Five people were onboard Titan, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19 French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) was also in the sub along with Rush (right), CEO of OceanGate Rush has repeated in several interviews that he 'wanted to be Captain Kirk', the Star Trek character whose vision was to 'boldly go where no man has gone before'. After accepting that he was not destined for space, Rush turned his attention to the oceans. 'I eventually realized I wasnt going to get to Jupiter or Mars,' he told Bloomberg in 2017. 'I realized that all the cool stuff I thought was out there is actually underwater.' The Bloomberg profile described Rush as a 'cheerful, charismatic man whose boyish enthusiasm for adventure makes for easy comparisons to adventure-chasing bon vivants such as Richard Branson and Elon Musk'. In the 2000s, Rush built a 12-foot long minisub with a small plexiglass window. The pilot was forced to lie stomach-down in the pokey vessel and used a series of levers to control it. OceanGate was founded in 2009 by Rush and his former business partner, Guillermo Sohnlein. Sohnlein, who left the company several years ago, has been one of Rush's staunchest defenders in the wake of the Titan incident. Before Titan was produced, the company developed Cyclops 1, a 20,000lb submersible which can dive to 1,640ft with a crew of five. It became a successful research and expedition vessel. It appears OceanGate's work - and Rush's drives toward innovation - became controversial when the company launched its Titan project, with the aim of taking tourists 12,500ft beneath the Atlantic to visit the Titanic's wreckage. Typically, journeys to such unforgiving depths - where the water pressure packs more force than a great white shark bite - are carried out in costly research vessels that are ill-equipped for tourist trips. Rush wanted to create a vessel that was cheaper and easier to launch. Titan was built with a first-of-its-kind carbon fiber hull - which raised eyebrows within the industry. It also used a porthole which was allegedly not approved for the depths Titan aimed to plunge. The designs included 'off-the-shelf' parts which can be bought from Amazon - including a modified $30 PlayStation-style controller to maneuver the vessel. Titan's carbon fiber hull and its acrylic viewport were subject to several warnings and Titanic director James Cameron singled them out as 'potential failure points' on the vessel In 2018, dozens of marine technology professionals wrote to OceanGate to express 'unanimous concern' about the development of Titan. They said the 'experimental approach' could result in catastrophic outcomes. That year, court filings also revealed a former OceanGate employee had left the company after his concerns about Titan were allegedly unheeded. David Lochridge, who was Director of Marine operations, demanded more rigorous safety checks on the submersible, including 'testing to prove its integrity'. Lochridge questioned the efficacy of Titan's 'Real Time Hull Health Monitoring' system, which was designed to detect flaws in the hull when it was subject to extreme high pressure. He said it would only kick in 'milliseconds before an implosion'. The former Royal Navy marine engineer also urged OceanGate to have the vessel 'classed', whereby an independent organization ensures it meets industry-wide technical standards. The company decided against it and suggested the process would take too long and was 'anathema to rapid innovation'. OceanGate has not commented on the concerns about Titan's safety since the vessel's disappearance on Sunday. Lochridge was not the only expert to leave OceanGate over its methods. Rob McCallum, who was a consultant for the company when it was founded, departed for reasons which included his 'concern over the way Rush was doing things', according to Bloomberg. 'I know Stockton well and think the world needs more Stocktons prepared to take a chance,' McCallum said. 'But hes 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.' 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, including 'testing to prove its integrity' Rob McCullum, a world-renowned expert on deep-sea submersibles, consulted for OceanGate when the company was founded but left amid concerns about Rush's methods Speculation that Titan's carbon fiber hull contributed to the disaster were repeated by Titanic director James Cameron after the discovery of the vessel's debris. Cameron, a respected explorer who has traveled to the ocean's deepest known point, said the design was 'fundamentally flawed'. He criticized the design for straying away from proven techniques in favor of experimental methods and added: 'If I had to put money down on what the finding will be, the Achilles heel of the sub was the composite cylinder that was the main hull that the people were inside.' Rush said in a video posted online in 2021 that he had 'broken some rules' to create the vessel and added: 'The carbon fiber and titanium, there's a rule you don't do that well I did.' He also said in 2020 that the hull had 'showed signs of cyclical fatigue'. Ofer Ketter, the submersible expert, said that rather than imposing changes on the industry following the disaster, the tragedy highlighted the need to stand by the strict regulations that have built up over years of research and development. 'To be innovative, is spectacular, it's amazing, and it is necessary,' he said. 'But there are ways to be innovative, the laws of physics don't change, even if you're innovating.' A Ford plant worker has accused six male managers in Illinois of rape and sexual assault in an explosive lawsuit filed this month. The woman has alleged that she was 'sexually harassed by several managers, supervisors and co-workers' throughout her tenure of several years with Ford, until she was dismissed for complaining. She is one of more than three dozen women who have come forward in recent years - adding to similar cases spanning back to 1995 - to complain of sexual abuse and toxic culture at the plant. Her attorneys Keith Hunt and Delaney Hunt have requested a jury trial to sue Ford Motor Company for an unspecified amount of damages, court papers show. Those accused in the court documents include supervisors Will Robinson, Jerardo Harris, Sean Brown and Ron Woods, along with her co-workers Torry Burrel and George Fields. Ford has been contacted for comment - and said in a previous statement that it is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities. A Ford plant worker has accused six male managers in Illinois of rape and sexual assault in an explosive lawsuit filed this month The woman has alleged that she was 'sexually harassed by several managers, supervisors and co-workers' throughout her tenure of several years with Ford, until she was dismissed for complaining The woman has accused Robinson of flashing her and forcing her to perform oral sex with the threat of sacking if she refused in December 2020. In the same month, Robinson also allegedly arrived at her home uninvited, forced her into her bedroom and raped her. Court documents say she was 'crying and visibly upset', at which point Robinson asked if she was 'okay' - but when she said she was not, he continued the assault. He allegedly told her he was returning from 'a little vacation' after another female employee 'tried reporting him for sexual harassment'. She phoned Robinson's girlfriend and told her what happened, and shortly afterwards Robinson confronted her in the workplace and 'punched her in the face', according to the court documents. He then allegedly called a co-worker asking them to 'pick me up before I get arrested'. In January 2021, Woods allegedly 'grabbed, groped and assaulted' the woman as she was leaving Labor Relations, where she had just filed a complaint against Robinson. She said she pushed him away and asked him his name, to which he replied: 'You will remember my name it's Ron Woods'. The woman has also said that Harris made 'unwanted sexual advances', and when she rejected him, he threatened to terminate her employment. Burrel 'forcibly kissed' and groped her, and when she complained, he got his wife, who is also a supervisor at the plant, to subject her to increased scrutiny over her job performance, according to court documents. Fields is named among those who she said exposed their genitals to her. The document adds that on one occasion when she was in the lunchroom, he turned off the lights and grabbed her from behind, pushing her onto a table, which put her 'in imminent fear of being raped or enduring other serious bodily injury'. She complained to Sean Brown, who ran the apprenticeship program she was on, but he later sexually harassed her between March and June 2019, the lawsuit says. Ford terminated her employment in recent years, allegedly 'in retaliation for her complaints', and accusing her of assaulting Robinson - which she has denied. The court document notes that 'sexual harassment, gender discrimination and retaliation have long been widely known problems for women' working within the Ford Illinois plant. The court document notes that 'sexual harassment, gender discrimination and retaliation have long been widely known problems for women' working within the Ford Illinois plant Ford has paid millions of dollars to settle claims brought by women. In 1995, nine people sued Ford for sexual harassment, sex discrimination, race discrimination, assault, battery intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent retention. Two years later, in 1997, 14 women filed a class action lawsuit against the company alleging sexual harassment. In response to these cases, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) launched investigations into Ford, and concluded that women at the plant in Illinois had been 'subjected to sexual harassment by managers and non-managers'. 'The women have been called sexually degrading names such as b****es, wh***s and offensive references to female genitalia,' the EEOC said at the time. 'They have been physically touched, grabbed and groped, and have had body parts massaged without their consent. 'They have had to endure sexual comments and innuendos including suggestive references to female body parts and their functions.' It added that 'pornographic materials' such as calendars and nude pictures of women at the plant also contributed to the 'hostile and sexually offensive environment'. More than 30 women also complained of sexual harassment at the Ford plant in 2014, and several more filed similar complaints in 2020. This time, the EEOC noted that managers had subjected African-American employees to 'racial harassment' as well as women experiencing sexual harassment, according to court documents. Ford has been contacted for comment - and said in a previous statement that it is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities. 'Ford is fully committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity and diversity in all of its facilities nationwide,' the company told The New York Post. 'Ford adheres to a comprehensive and zero-tolerance anti-harassment policy: harassment and discrimination are completely against our culture and cannot be tolerated. 'When complaints of harassment, discrimination, or other misconduct are raised, our policy is to promptly investigate and address those complaints as warranted. 'Ford cannot comment on specific litigation or personnel matters at this time.' The White House did its best to fend off questions about how much Joe Biden knew about his son's business affairs on Friday, amid fresh evidence that the two may have been in cahoots. Once again officials insisted that they stuck by their line that Biden was not involved in Hunter Biden's dealings. But as reporters repeatedly asked about a newly revealed WhatsApp message, in which Hunter said he was with his father as he pursued a Chinese contact to make good on a deal, officials stonewalled. First came National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. 'I am not going to address this issue from this podium. I'm just not going to do it,' he said, before concluding his portion of the briefing. 'All right. Thanks guys. Have a great weekend.' White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was bombarded with questions about what Joe Biden knew about his son's business dealings during a stormy briefing on Friday The president's son mingled with guests in black tie at the White House on Thursday evening when he attended a state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Next in the firing line was Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre who said White House counsel had already dealt with the matter. 'Nothing has changed and I will leave it there,' she said. 'Anything else I will refer you to the White House counsel.' Yet plenty has changed in the view of journalists lobbing questions in the briefing room. This week details emerged from an I.R.S. whistleblower of a WhatsApp message apparently sent by Hunter to his Chinese associate Henry Zhao in 2017. 'I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled,' he wrote. 'Tell the director that I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand, and now means tonight.' A photograph obtained by DailyMail.com shows that he was at his father's home on the day in question, July 30, 2017. The president's son was staying at the guest house of Biden's Delaware home when he wrote to Communist Party official Henry Zhao on July 30, 2017, threatening him to follow his 'orders' DailyMail.com has obtained a photo of Hunter Biden outside his dad Joe's Delaware home the day he sent damning texts to his Chinese business partner The whistleblower account released by the Ways and Means committee includes a message by Hunter Biden seeking to threaten a Chinese business partner by invoking his father The result was a rare show of unity among reporters in the briefing room, as one after the other found slightly different ways of asking the same question: Does the White House stand by its claims that Biden was not involved. 'I would refer you to my colleagues at the White House counsel,' she said. 'They have addressed this and I refer you to them.' Ian Sams, senior adviser to White House counsels office said: 'As we have said many times before, the president was not in business with his son.' In fact, the previous line was that the president had not discussed his son's business dealings with him. Instead he directed questions to a statement issued by Hunter's lawyer suggested the WhatsApp message was not what it appeared to be. 'Any verifiable words or actions of my client, in the midst of a horrible addiction, are solely his own and have no connection to anyone in his family,' said Chris Clark. Biased and politically-motivated, selective leaks have plagued this matter for years. They are not only irresponsible, they are illegal. The president's son attended the State Dinner for Indian PM Narendra Modi Thursday night 'A close examination of the document released publicly yesterday by a very biased individual raises serious questions over whether it is what he claims it to be.' This week it emerged that the president's son had avoided jail time after a years long investigation into his tax affairs and a gun permit. A court filing that the 53-year-old agreed to plead guilty to the misdemeanor tax charges and would enter a pretrial diversion program to avoid a more serious felony count of possessing a firearm while a drug addict. On Thursday, he mingled with guests in black tie at a state banquet for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jean-Pierre was asked whether it was common for people to be invited to the White House so soon after securing a plea deal. 'That's his son. He's a family member,' she said. 'It is not uncommon for family members to attend events at the White House. 'We could look at past presidents. I'm sure you have. 'So that is not uncommon ... as it relates to anything related to Hunter I'm just not going to respond to it from here.' British billionaire Hamish Harding was so desperate to see the Titanic wreck he pushed past his concerns over the safety of the Titan submersible and decided it was 'safe enough', a friend who warned him against the trip has revealed. Mr Harding and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet were among the passengers who tragically lost their lives when the sub 'imploded' this week, and now their friend has spoken out to reveal they had concerns over the OceanGate Expeditions vessel. Ocean explorer Victor Vescovo said the two passengers asked for his opinion on whether they should go, and that he told them 'I wouldn't get in that sub'. When asked whether he had spoken to them prior to the trip, Mr Vescovo told Sky News: 'Absolutely, there was a common point of discussion within the community about the design risks of the submersible that they were going on. 'We all in the community had concerns and unfortunately those turned out to be true,' he added. British billionaire Hamish Harding was so desperate to see the Titanic wreck he pushed past his concerns over the safety of the Titan submersible and decided it was 'safe enough', a friend has claimed French mariner PH Nargeolet, 77, was a highly-experienced diver and widely considered to be a 'leading authority' on the Titanic Mr Vescovo described the implosion of the vessel as being a tragic 'outlier' and described Titan as a 'different submersible and a different team' who 'pushed the boundaries of safety too far'. He added that the majority of operators 'adhered to extremely strict safety protocols and standards and testing and we religiously follow'. 'But this was a different submersible and a different team and I think they thought they were advancing the state of the art and doing some interesting things, but I think they pushed the boundaries of safety too far and that's been evidenced by what happened'. It comes after emails reportedly revealed that OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush dismissed warnings from a leading deep sea exploration specialist that he was potentially putting his clients at risk. The Titan sub submerged at 8am on Sunday morning around 400 miles southeast of St John's, Newfoundland. It lost contact at 9.45am but wasn't reported to the Coast Guard until 5.40pm Rob McCallum urged Rush - who perished on the Titan along with four others - to stop using the sub until an independent body assessed it, The BBC reports. According to the emails, he told Rush he was 'mirroring that famous cry' of the Titanic's builders: 'She is unsinkable'. Rush, a self-proclaimed innovator, knocked back the concerns and explained he was 'tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation'. The email exchange reportedly only ended when Oceangate's lawyers threatened legal action. Ocean explorer Victor Vescovo said the two passengers asked for his opinion on whether they should go, and that he told them 'I wouldn't get in that sub' Five passengers inside Titan were killed instantly when the submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' just 1,600ft from the bow of the wrecked ocean liner, the US Coast Guard announced yesterday. They included Harding, Nargeolet and Rush,as well as UK-based Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman. The group is believed to perished on Sunday morning, as the vessel losing contact with its mothership, MV Polar Prince, an hour and 45 minutes into its two hour descent. French mariner Nargeolet, 77, was a highly-experienced diver and widely considered to be a 'leading authority' on the Titanic. In chilling comments he made to the Irish Examiner in 2019, Nargeolet said: '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.' He led several expeditions to the wreckage of the cruiser off the coast of Newfoundland and was on at least 35 dives to the wreckage site. His step-son, John Paschall, today paid tribute to the French sub pilot, describing him as 'fearless' and a 'warm burst of energy'. French navy veteran PH Nargeolet was among those lost on the Titan submersible In a statement confirming the deaths of the five passengers, OceanGate said: '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.' The company added: 'This is an extremely sad time for our dedicated employees who are exhausted and grieving deeply over this loss. 'The entire OceanGate family is deeply grateful for the countless men and women from multiple organizations of the international community who expedited wide-ranging resources and have worked so very hard on this mission. 'We appreciate their commitment to finding these five explorers, and their days and nights of tireless work in support of our crew and their families. 'This is a very sad time for the entire explorer community, and for each of the family members of those lost at sea.' In a heartbreaking tribute, her husband Alek, 28, said: 'There are no words for the pain and loss I feel. She was, is, and will always be, the love of my life' The mother, who was eight months pregnant, was rushed to hospital but an emergency c-section couldn't save her or her unborn child Laura Ilg, 31, was shot dead when her toddler son began playing with a handgun while she was doing laundry A two-year-old boy shot his pregnant mother in the back with a pistol he found in her nightstand, killing her and her unborn child. Police in Norwalk, Ohio rushed to the scene on June 16 after receiving a frantic call from the mother, Laura Ilg, 31, moments after she was shot in the back. Her Marine husband Alek, 28, who was at work at the time, also called dispatchers, telling them he 'received a phone call from his wife "screaming something about my son and needing to call 911"', cops said. Ilg was rushed to nearby Fisher-Titus Medical Center, where surgeons performed an emergency cesarean section but they were unable to save the baby. Ilg was tragically declared dead around three hours later. In a heartbreaking tribute, Laura's husband Alek wrote on social media: 'There are no words for the pain and loss I feel. She was, is, and will always be, the love of my life.' Laura Ilg (right) was accidentally shot and killed by her 2-year-old son (center). They are pictured with her Marine husband Alek (left) Officers arrived at the house and made a forced entry through the locked front door, where they found Ilg and her son upstairs in the master bedroom. She said the room is typically locked and baby gates are set up throughout the home, but her son bypassed the gates and started playing with the gun while she was doing laundry. At the request of Ilg the 2-year-old was removed from the bedroom, and paramedics then performed desperate lifesaving procedures. She was said to be 'fully conscious' and provided a 'complete account of the events that occurred', explaining that she was 33 weeks pregnant An online obituary for the mom says she 'enjoyed attending her church and spending time with her family. She met her husband, Alek, while he was in the Marines, and married Nov. 23, 2018.' 'She always wanted to be a mother and wife... She was an avid reader and especially liked Harry Potter, crafting, and enjoyed board games and was a child at heart,' the tribute added. Laura (left) was said to be 'fully conscious' and called the police herself after she was shot in the back Cops were forced to break down the door of their Norwalk, Ohio home (pictured) A sweep of the house uncovered the weapon, along with a shell casing, while the handgun's magazine was filled with an additional 12 rounds, police said. Investigators also found two more firearms inside the home, a 12-guage shotgun in the master bedroom closet, and an airsoft rifle in the computer room closet. The Norwalk Police Departments detective bureau, which executed a search warrant on the home, says it found a number of child safety features in the home, including gates on almost all doorways and child locks on drawers. Investigations into the shooting are ongoing, and no charges have yet been filed. OceanGate founder and CEO Stockton Rush has been added to a Wikipedia list of maritime inventors killed by their own inventions - alongside the shipbuilder of the doomed Titanic. The 61-year-old died alongside British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding, French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet and Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman, in the disaster on the Titan submarine on June 18. Contact with the vessel was lost at 9.45am on Sunday one hour and 45 minutes into the 12,500 feet descent to see the Titanic wreck. But the men were confirmed to have died after the submarine imploded as a result of enormous water pressure. Rush created the submersible to run $250,000 tours of the Titanic and he was placed on the list of those killed by their own inventions with Thomas Andrews who built the famous wrecked ship. OceanGate founder and CEO Stockton Rush has been added to a Wikipedia list of maritime inventors killed by their own inventions- alongside the shipbuilder of the doomed Titanic Rush created the submersible to run $250,000 tours of the Titanic and he was placed on the list of those killed by their own inventions with Thomas Andrews who built the wrecked ship Thomas Andrews was in charge of the plans to build the Titanic in 1907 and it was completed in 1912. He was on board when it hit an iceberg and sank and died with more than 1,500 others The pilot, engineer and businessman, from San Francisco, sits next to Andrews on the list following his tragic death on board the vessel. Andrews was a British businessman who was the managing director and head of the drafting department at shipbuilding company Harland and Wolff in Belfast, Ireland. He was in charge of the plans to build the Titanic in 1907 and it was the largest ship ever built when it was completed in 1912. Andrews was on board the vessel when it hit an iceberg and sank. He died along with more than 1,500 others and his body was never recovered. The Titan submersible had been missing since 9.45am on Sunday morning after being launched into the Atlantic at 8am. A full scale rescue mission was launched to recover the missing sub and crew after it disappeared 400 miles southeast of Newfoundland, Canada, as oxygen supplies in the sub continued to dwindle. Yesterday it was announced that, despite the frantic search to find the sub and crew, they had all perished during the descent to the wreck of the Titanic. 'The implosion would have generated a significant, broadband sound that the sonar buoys would have picked up,' explained Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard at a press conference. It would have been an instant death for the men who each paid to see the famous shipwreck. In a gut-wrenching blow for their families, experts say there is little prospect of recovering any of their remains. 'This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there. The debris is consistent of a catastrophic implosion of the vessel.. we'll continue to work and search the area down there - but I don't have an answer for prospects at this time,' Paul Hankin, a deep sea expert involved in the search, said. Newly unearthed email exchanges on Friday revealed OceanGate CEO Rush repeatedly shrugged off safety concerns over the doomed vessel. He is said to have dismissed warnings from leading deep sea exploration specialist Rob McCallum that he was potentially putting his clients at risk. Mr McCallum urged Rush - who perished on the Titan along with four others - to stop using the sub until an independent body assessed it, The BBC reports. According to the emails, he told Rush he was 'mirroring that famous cry' of the Titanic's builders: 'She is unsinkable'. French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet died on the submarine which was heading to see the Titanic wreck Five people had been on board, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding (left) and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19 The five men had been aboard the OceanGate Titan, pictured here, trying to see the wreck of the Titanic when it imploded Industry experts repeatedly raised concerns over the years regarding OceanGate's sub development Rush, a self-proclaimed innovator, knocked back the concerns and explained he was 'tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation'. The email exchange reportedly only ended when Oceangate's lawyers threatened legal action. In March 2018, McCallum wrote to Rush: 'I think you are potentially placing yourself and your clients in a dangerous dynamic. 'In your race to [the] Titanic you are mirroring that famous catch cry: 'She is unsinkable''.' Rush responds to the criticism of Titan's safety measures with frustration, writing to Mr McCallum: 'We have heard the baseless cries of 'you are going to kill someone' way too often. I take this as a serious personal insult.' In a BBC interview, Mr McCallum described how he repeatedly urged Oceangate to seek classification for the sub before it was used commercially. The Titan was certified or classed. 'Until a sub is classed, tested and proven it should not be used for commercial deep dive operations,' he wrote in one email. 'I implore you to take every care in your testing and sea trials and to be very, very conservative. As much as I appreciate entrepreneurship and innovation, you are potentially putting an entire industry at risk.' Rush responded some days later: 'I am well qualified to understand the risks and issues associated with subsea exploration in a new vehicle.' Fatefully, Mr McCallum warned him: 'It will be sea trials that determine whether the vehicle can handle what you intend to do with it so again; take care and keep safe.' 'There is a lot more riding on this than Titan and the Titanic.' Speaking to the BBC on Friday Mr McCullam, who runs his own ocean expedition company, said: 'The industry has been trying for several years to get Stockton Rush to halt his programme for two reasons. 'One is that carbon fibre is not an acceptable material. The other is that this was the only submersible in the world doing commercial work that was unclassed. It was not certified by an independent agency.' The vessel went missing on a dive to the wreckage of the Titanic which sits 12,500ft underwater and around 370 miles from Newfoundland, Canada Will Kohnen (pictured) penned a letter to Rush that was signed by fellow industry experts warning that they were concerned by OceanGate's experimental sub The fitness of the Titan to go on deep sea missions was discussed in a fraught email exchange between Rush and maritime expert Rob McCallum , which only ended when Oceangate threatened legal action Mr McCullam was among more than three dozen leading submersible experts who signed a letter in 2018 to Rush warning that OceanGate's approach could end in 'disaster'. '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,' read the letter. Will Kohnen, chairman of the Marine Technology Society, who wrote the letter signed by fellow experts, said he later discussed the letter with Rush and again raised his concerns. 'There was a frank conversation. It was an adult conversation. And we agreed to disagree,' Kohnen told Reuters in an interview regarding a call with Rush. Kohnen said their issue was not any single design flaw, but that OceanGate chose not to pursue the industry's recognized certification process for the submersible's design, fabrication and testing. The letter itself was sent after many submersible experts voiced concerns over the Titan during a three-day annual symposium, Kohnen said. He said he asked the MTS board to send the letter on behalf of the entire society, but the board declined. Companies that develop submersibles like OceanGate are not generally required to have their vessels certified or classed. However, many do have choose to have checks conducted by various marine organisations around the world. This means that they reach a particular standard of performance depending on their stability, safety, and strength. In a blog a 2019 post titled 'Why Isn't Titan Classed?', OceanGate suggested classification would take too long. 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'. 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 Hunter Biden's lawyer has blasted the account of an IRS whistleblower who testified about a WhatsApp message where he appeared to threaten a Chinese businessman and claiming to be seated with his powerful father. Lawyer Chris Clark, who negotiated a plea agreement on Hunter's behalf with the Justice Department, called the whistleblower 'biased' and claimed the account covered 'a time of turmoil and addiction' for the president's son. He also disputed the veracity of Hunter's claim about now-President Biden in the WhatsApp message, saying his words have 'no connection to anyone in his family.' 'An extensive, five-year-long investigation conducted by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) concluded this week, which resulted in my client taking responsibility for two instances of misdemeanor failure to file tax payments, as well as a firearm charge, which will be subject to a pretrial diversion agreement,' wrote Clark, following House GOP charges that it amounted to a 'sweetheart deal.' Hunter Biden lawyer Chris Clark invoked his clients 'horrible addiction' during a time period when a whistleblower says his client threatened a Chinese businessman while saying his powerful father was 'sitting next to me' Then he took on the claim about the WhatsApp message itself, on a day when White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre was bombarded with questions about it. 'As his attorney through this entire matter, I can say that any suggestion the investigation was not thorough, or cut corners, or cut my client any slack, is preposterous and deeply irresponsible,' Clark said. 'The DOJ investigation covered a period of time which was full of turmoil and addiction for my client. Any verifiable words or actions of my client, in the midst of a horrible addiction, are solely his own and have no connection to anyone in his family.' Then he went after the whistleblower, supervisory IRS agent Gary Shapley, whose testimony was released by House Republicans this week, and who claims to have run up against resistance while trying to push the Hunter Biden tax probe during the 2020 election season. The statement accuses the whistleblower of bias, and says any of Hunters words and actions are 'solely his own' suggesting Joe Biden was unaware of the online threat The statement came a day after House Republicans released a whistleblower's testimony making the allegations 'As we have said many times before, the President was not in business with his son,' said spokesman Ian Sams 'Biased and politically-motivated, selective leaks have plagued this matter for years. They are not only irresponsible, they are illegal. A close examination of the document released publicly yesterday by a very biased individual raises serious questions over whether it is what he claims it to be. It is dangerously misleading to make any conclusions or inferences based on this document,' he said. Spokesman for the White House Counsel's office also hit back at the allegations. 'As we have said many times before, the President was not in business with his son,' said spokesman Ian Sams. 'As we have also said many times before, the Justice Department makes decisions in its criminal investigations independently. As the President has said, he loves his son and is proud of him accepting responsibility for his actions and is proud of what he is doing to rebuild his life.' The White House has previously said Biden 'never spoke' with his son about his overseas business dealings. The statement did not state whether or not Biden was or was not seated next to his son at the time of Hunter's message, although DailyMail.com has obtained a photo from the same day as the July 30, 2017 message to Chinese Communist Party official Henry Zhao showing Biden was outside his father's Wilmington home that day. Biden sent a WhatsApp message demanding payment from a Chinese businessman while he was 'sitting with his father' Joe, according to bombshell testimony from an IRS whistleblower. The president's son was staying at the guest house of Biden's Delaware home when he wrote to Communist Party official Henry Zhao on July 30, 2017, threatening him to follow his 'orders'. The allegations undercut consistent claims from the Biden family and administration that Joe was not involved in his son's foreign business dealings, although the accuracy of Hunter Biden's claims could not be determined. His lawyers reference to his 'horrible addiction' refer to a time period where he has acknowledged illegal drug use and described an addiction to crack cocaine. The IRS whistleblower stated that investigators were blocked from getting a search warrant, even after the Department of Justice learned about the message, amid policies on criminal investigations related to political figures around an election. Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee released the latest claims as part of testimony from two IRS whistleblowers alleging the president's son got preferential treatment in criminal investigations. Members of the committee also heard Hunter failed to pay taxes on $8.3 million in income and the Department of Justice denied attempts to bring charges in other states. 'I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled.' Hunter wrote in 2017 according to testimony released by the GOP. Hunter then said, according to the testimony: 'Tell the director that I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand, and now means tonight. Hunter Biden sent a WhatsApp message demanding payment from a Chinese businessman while he was 'sitting with his father' Joe, according to bombshell testimony from an IRS whistleblower The president's son was staying at the guest house of Biden's Delaware home when he wrote to Communist Party official Henry Zhao on July 30, 2017, threatening him to follow his 'orders' DailyMail.com has obtained a photo of Hunter Biden outside his dad Joe's Delaware home the day he sent damning texts to his Chinese business partner 'And, Z, if I get a call or text from anyone involved in this other than you, Zhang, or the chairman, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction. I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father,' he added. The unverified testimony came from two IRS whistleblowers as news broke this week that Hunter Biden had agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax offenses while dispensing with a gun charge against him, likely allowing him to avoid prison time. The testimony revealed that U.S. Attorney David Weiss - the Trump-era holdover who prosecuted the case against Hunter Biden - allegedly asked for special counsel status and was denied by the Department of Justice. Weiss also allegedly tried to bring charges against Hunter in Washington D.C. and California in the fall of 2022 and had that request denied in January 2023. But Weiss said in a letter to lawmakers earlier this month the DOJ granted him 'ultimate authority' on when and where to bring charges. Attorney General Merrick Garland just Wednesday vouched for Weiss, saying he had given him 'full authority' to decide how to handle the situation. 'And that's what he's done,' Garland said. Chair Jason Smith, R-Mo., revealed in a press conference that two IRS employees had claimed that the agency sought felony charges against Hunter Biden for attempting to evade taxes and making false statements. According to Smith the whistleblowers said Hunter failed to pay $2.2 million in taxes on $8.3 million in income from foreign entities in Ukraine, China, and Romania. Smith said the testimony also shows the DOJ sought to 'delay the investigation long enough to reach the statute of limitations' and 'divulged sensitive actions by the investigative team to Biden's attorneys.' In one example whistleblower testimony claimed that the IRS was going to search a storage unit in Virginia belonging to Hunter Biden but tipped off his lawyers before doing so. According to Smith, the whistleblowers claimed the DOJ dragged its feet in authenticating the message. They had obtained it in August 2020 after getting the results back from an iCloud search warrant. Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee released the latest claims as part of testimony from two IRS whistleblowers alleging the president's son got preferential treatment in criminal investigations The unverified testimony came from two IRS whistleblowers as news broke this week that Hunter Biden had agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax offenses while dispensing with a gun charge against him, likely allowing him to avoid prison time The testimony revealed that U.S. Attorney David Weiss - the Trump-era holdover who prosecuted the case against Hunter Biden - allegedly asked for special counsel status and was denied by the Department of Justice 'The messages included material we clearly needed to follow up on,' whistleblower testimony said. In the lead-up to the 2020 election, the IRS had 'prepared for when we could go overt' by obtaining further leads in the case. The testimony also revealed that the investigation into Hunter Biden, code name Sportsman, was first opened in November 2018 as an offshoot of an investigation the IRS was conducting into a foreign-based amateur online pornography platform. According to 'whistleblower 1,' believed to be former IRS agent Gary Shapley, one point it became clear to the IRS that they needed to search the guest house of Joe Biden where Hunter had been living for a time. 'Assistant United States Attorney, Lesley Wolf, told us there was more than enough probable cause for the physical search warrant there, but the question was whether the juice was worth the squeeze,' the whistleblower said. The terrifying moment an alligator lunged at a fisherman by a South Carolina pond before he runs to safety and away from the hungry beast have captured on camera. The video was captured by a tourist who was visiting the Shipyard on Hilton Head Island with his family on Tuesday night around 7pm. Micah Kimberlin said he was on a bike ride with his wife and three children when spotted the gator. Surveillance video shows the fisherman standing on the grassy edge of the pond with his fishing rod in hand when suddenly the gator emerges and lunges towards him. The man is seen running away from the lake in the other direction as a woman nearby who was holding a camera also bolts from the harried scene. Thankfully, he managed to escape without injury. The alligator is seen moments later re-entering the pond. Surveilllance video shows the man standing on the grassy edge of the pond patiently waiting to catch a fish when suddently the gator emerges. The alligator is seen charging at the man who had been fishing seconds earlier A woman who was nearby is also running away as the alligator lunges forward Kimberlin told WJCL News that he wished the fisherman in the video had reeled in his bait sooner than he did. Morgan Hart, alligator project coordinator for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, told the news outlet that it was 'probably an alligator that has been fed.' She said that likely, the alligator associated the humans that were near the pond with food. 'It has learned that people fishing there have given it food in the past. It is very hard to unteach an alligator that people mean food.' She also pointed out that when a gator approaches people for food it is considered dangerous and had to be removed. The wildlife expert urged that people should always keep their distance if they are fishing in a pond that is known to have alligators in it. 'If you're seeing alligators, they're approaching you, they're interested in your bait, your line, your bobber, you should pull all that gear out, step away, give them time to move on,' she said. Two days after the incident, Kimberlin's brother-in-law saw alligators being removed for the same pond where Tuesday's attack took place. Prigozhin made the move in fury at what he claimed was Moscow's attack on his men, and said he intends to march to Moscow to take on defense chiefs Video shared on social media appeared to show troops entering the Interior Ministry building, and tanks and troops on the streets: it is unclear on which side Moscow is in lockdown amid growing fears of a military coup as Yvegney Prigozhin and his feared 25,000-strong Wagner militia take control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, saying they are ready to die as they vow revenge for a military strike from Putins forces that the mercenary leader says killed some of his men. All public events have been cancelled in the Russian capital as Vladimir Putin prepares to take to TV in a bid to affirm his increasingly shaky grip on power. Prigozhin issued a new message at about 7:30am Saturday Moscow time saying his men have infiltrated the Southern Defense Command in Rostov-on-Don and that the city's airfield was under his control. Residents have been told to stay in their homes by government officials, but some were seen out observing what was happening, even live-streaming the action on their cell phones. Steve Fish, professor of political science at the University of California, Berkeley, told the BBC World Service early on Saturday that 'this has the look of a military coup'. Prigozhin, who was once a confidant of Vladimir Putin before declaring war on Moscow's military leadership, said in a video that the highest ranking officer at the command post had fled as soon as he learned that Wagner forces were approaching. 'We took it under control so that attack aircraft would not strike at us, but the Ukrainians. The main headquarters of the main control center is operating normally. There are no problems, not a single officer took away. So when they tell you that the Wagner PMC interfered, and something went wrong at the front [thats wrong],' Prigozhin said. Now the Moscow mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, has reportedly said all public events have been cancelled. Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a video released in the early hours of Saturday that his forces have reached the strategically important city of Rostov-on-Don A fighter of Wagner private mercenary group flashes a victory sign in a street near the headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don A group of Wagner fighters pictured on Rostov-on-Don street on Saturday morning A Wagner fighter on guard duty close to the Southern Military District HQ 'When we came here, we once again confirmed: a lot, a huge amount of territory was lost. Soldiers were killed three, four times more than reported to commanders. And what is reported is 10 times less than they say on TV. Losses per day amount to some days up to 1,000 people.' Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin, the man nicknamed 'Putin's chef' who is behind the Wagner Group ? Nicknamed 'Putin's chef' due to owning a number of restaurants and catering firms that supply the Kremlin, Yevgeny Prigozhin is the oligarch founder of the notorious Wagner Group. Prigozhin was born in the Soviet Union on June 1 1961, before spending a period of time in jail for numerous crimes including fraud and robbery, during his teens. After spending 9 years in prison, Prigozhin launched a number of businesses following the collapse of the Soviet Union, including grocery and gambling firms. In 2014, Prigozhin founded Wagner Group during Russia's first invasion of Ukraine. The mercenary group has since become notorious for doing the Russian military's dirty work, leaving behind trails of brutal violence, rape and war crimes. Prigozhin long denied any affiliation with the group until September 2022, when he admitted to founding the mercenary force. He is often seen on the frontlines of the conflict with Ukraine, criticising Russian military leadership and accusing them of starving Wagner troops of supplies. Advertisement 'These are the dead missing, the wounded and the so-called refuseniks, who refuse not because they are afraid, but because they have no way out, no ammunition, no control. The Chief of the General Staff fled from here as soon as he learned that we were approaching the building,' he concluded. New photos showed Wagner fighters walking through the streets of Rostov-on-Don on Saturday morning, one picture featured a member flashing the v for victory sign. Footage shared on social media showed troops outside the Southern Military Headquarters - which plays a crucial role in managing the Ukraine war - while more were seen less than half a mile encircling the Rostov office of the Interior Ministry. Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Philadelphia-based Foreign Policy Research Institute who specializes in Russian defense, said: 'The Telegram channel says there are soldiers in the building and there are up to 300 Wagner fighters in Rostov.' Alexander Vindman, a Ukraine expert and former member of the National Security Council, tweeted: 'Those are not Russian National Guard troops. That looks like Wagner troops entering the SMD HQ.' But some said it was not clear that the forces on the streets were Wagner, and they may have been forces loyal to the Kremlin. Vladimir Putin's spokesperson said the Russian president had been informed of Prigozhin's claims of a march on Moscow, and that 'necessary measures are being taken.' Putin has yet to be seen, or publicly comment on the uprising. Prigozhin claimed to have also shot down a Russian military helicopter in the city - home to the Kremlin's headquarters for the war in Ukraine - which 'opened fire on a civilian column'. But there was no proof of his claim. Prigozhin launched his extraordinary action after calling for the ousting of the Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and vowing to punish Russian military leaders - whom he accused of killing 'hundreds' of his mercenaries in an air strike. The private army boss also claimed the Russian military leaders are lying to Putin and hiding the bodies of a further 2,000 soldiers to conceal losses in Ukraine. As his Wagner forces closed in on Rostov on Friday night, 1,000 miles from Moscow, Prigozhin said they would take 'all necessary steps' to topple the country's military leadership. He declared: 'We will destroy anyone who stands in our way... we are moving forward and will go until the end'. Prigozhin c laimed to have also shot down a Russian military helicopter in the city - home to the Kremlin's headquarters for the war in Ukraine Armored cars blockade a street in the city of Rostov as the sun began to rise on Saturday Russia's defense military in Moscow is pictured as dawn breaks on Saturday. Anti-aircraft artillery are pictured on the roof Armored vehicles were seen on the streets of Moscow on Friday night outside the Cathedral of Christ the Savior amid fears of a coup An armored personnel carrier (APC) is seen on a street of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don on Friday night Armored vehicles trawl through the street of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don amid coup fears in Russia on Friday In response, Russian military vehicles were seen on the streets of Moscow. The FSB security services earlier said they had opened a criminal investigation into Prigozhin and called for his arrest, accusing him of inciting armed insurrection. While the realities on the ground remain unclear, the episode appears to be the biggest internal military crisis Putin has faced since he ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year. Mick Mulroy, a retired C.I.A. officer and a former Pentagon official, said that Prigozhin poses 'a serious challenge' to Putin. 'If Mr Prigozhin's threats materialize, the Russian military may have to refocus its efforts from countering the Ukrainian advance to the Russian government's 'self-preservation',' he said. 'Even if this attempted coup fails, it emphatically makes the point that those closest to this war know it was a terrible mistake.' As Prigozhin said his men were ready to 'go all the way' against Russian military leaders, the state news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying all of the country's security services were reporting to Putin 'round the clock'. Security was stepped up on Friday night at government buildings, transport facilities and other key locations in Moscow, Russia's TASS news agency reported, citing a source at a security service. As the standoff between Prigozhin and the defence ministry appeared to come to a head, the ministry issued a statement saying Prigozhin's accusations were 'not true and are an informational provocation'. Meanwhile, Russian state media had coverage across its front page dedicated to the 'armed rebellion' by the Wagner chief, while Google News was reportedly blocked in the country as the feud intensified. Prigozhin has said his actions do not amount to a military coup. But in a frenzied series of audio messages, in which the sound of his voice sometimes varied and could not be independently verified, he appeared to suggest that his 25,000-strong militia was en route to oust the leadership of the defense ministry in Moscow. Prigozhin said: 'Those who destroyed our lads, who destroyed the lives of many tens of thousands of Russian soldiers, will be punished. I ask that no one offer resistance... 'There are 25,000 of us and we are going to figure out why chaos is happening in the country,' he said, promising to tackle any checkpoints or air forces that got in Wagner's way. 'We will consider anyone who tries to resist a threat and quickly destroy them,' he said. Vladimir Putin (center) speaks with Chief of the General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov (left) and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (right) Military personnel and equipment in the center of Moscow and near the Russian MoD Earlier on Friday, Prigozhin had appeared to cross a new line in his increasingly vitriolic feud with the ministry, saying that the Kremlin's rationale for invading Ukraine was based on lies concocted by the army's top brass. Prigozhin has for months been openly accusing Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov, of rank incompetence and of denying Wagner ammunition and support. As his violent rhetoric appears to be escalating towards action, the FSB domestic security service said it had opened a criminal case against him for calling for an armed mutiny, a crime punishable with a jail term of up to 20 years. 'Prigozhin's statements are in fact calls for the start of an armed civil conflict on Russian territory and his actions are a 'stab in the back' of Russian servicemen fighting pro-fascist Ukrainian forces,' the FSB said. 'We urge the ... fighters not to make irreparable mistakes, to stop any forcible actions against the Russian people, not to carry out the criminal and traitorous orders of Prigozhin, to take measures to detain him.' The Kremlin said Putin had been informed and that 'necessary measures are being taken'. It is still unclear the full extent of the situation in Russia amid claims and counter claims from both the Russian military command and Wagner PMC. Prigozhin said that the Russian Armed Forces launched a missile attack on PMC Wagner forces Prigozhin (left) founded a catering company and was once known as 'Putin's chef' - now the Wagner boss appears to be waging war on the Kremlin An armoured personnel carrier (APC) is seen next to a shopping mall in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don on Friday night A military vehicle appeared to be on the streets of Moscow on Friday evening as Prigozhin called on the Russian National Guard to join his side Army Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alekseyev issued a video appeal in which he asked Prigozhin to reconsider his actions. 'Only the president has the right to appoint the top leadership of the armed forces, and you are trying to encroach on his authority,' he said. General Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of Russian forces in Ukraine whom Prigozhin has praised in the past, in a separate video urged Wagner to 'stop'. 'The enemy is just waiting for our internal political situation to deteriorate,' said Surovikin. 'Before it is too late, and it must be done, you must submit to the will and order of the people's president of the Russian Federation. 'Stop the columns and return them to their permanent bases,' he said. This screen grab from video provided by Ostorozhno Novosti, Saturday, June 24, 2023, reportedly shows a military vehicle driving through a street in Moscow Armoured vehicles are seen on a street of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia Prigozhin, a one-time Putin ally, in recent months has carried out an increasingly bitter feud with Moscow. Wagner led Russia's capture of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut last month, Russia's biggest victory in 10 months, and Prigozhin has used its battlefield success to criticize the leadership of the defense ministry with seeming impunity - until now. The defense ministry has - until now - largely ignored his criticism, at least in public. An unverified video posted on a Telegram channel close to Wagner showed the purported scene of an air strike against Wagner forces. It showed a forest where small fires were burning and trees appeared to have been broken by force. There appeared to be one body, but no more direct evidence of any attack. It carried the caption: 'A missile attack was launched on the camps of PMC (Private Military Company) Wagner. Many victims. According to eyewitnesses, the strike was delivered from the rear, that is, it was delivered by the military of the Russian Ministry of Defense.' Pictures shared by the Rostov emergencies telegram appear to show a Russian military presence on the streets Prigozhin claimed that Shoigu went to the Russian military headquarters in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don personally to direct the strike on Wagner and then 'cowardly' fled. Pictures from Rostov on Friday night On Friday he for the first time he dismissed Putin's core justifications for invading Ukraine on February 24 last year. 'The war was needed ... so that Shoigu could become a marshal ... so that he could get a second 'Hero' [of Russia] medal,' Prigozhin said in a video clip. 'The war wasn't needed to demilitarize or denazify Ukraine.' Marat Gabidullin, a former Wagner commander who moved to France when Russia invaded Ukraine, told Reuters that Wagner's fighters were likely to stand with Prigozhin. 'We have looked down on the army for a long time ... Of course they support him, he is their leader,' he said. 'They won't hesitate (to fight the army), if anyone gets in their way.' On the frontlines of Ukraine, the Kremlin that Kyiv was taking advantage of infighting between the Wagner mercenary group and the Russian military to ready an assault near the east Ukraine hotspot of Bakhmut. 'Taking advantage of (Yevgeny) Prigozhin's provocation to disorganize the situation, the Kyiv regime near the Bakhmut front is concentrating units... for offensive actions,' the Russian defense ministry said in a statement carried by news agencies. Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Ivan Dedov, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences at a meeting at the Kremlin earlier Friday The top Russian military commander in Ukraine, Gen. Sergei Surovikin (left) talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, December 2022 Prigozhin, 62, has ramped up verbal attacks on President Vladimir Putin in recent weeks, including questioning the very need for the bloody war in Ukraine, after months of Wagner PMC bolstering the Russian offensive there. Now tensions between Moscow and the private military company are dramatically coming to a head, with Prigozhin declaring: 'The council of commanders of PMC Wagner has made a decision - the evil that the military leadership of the country brings must be stopped.' The feared Wagner boss launched a scathing attack on Russia's military leadership on Friday, claiming that Putin is being fed lies about 'colossal' battlefield failures in Ukraine by 'mentally ill a**holes' in high command. The final straw for the furious Wagner leader came on Friday, as he shared a video of what he claimed was the devastation wrought by Russian bombs on the mercenary group's bases - despite them having fought on Putin's side in the war. He claimed Russia rained bombs down on its own mercenary fighters after he criticised during his expletive-laden rant aimed at the country's top military brass, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, on Telegram. Prigozhin claimed that Shoigu went to the Russian military headquarters in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don personally to direct the strike on Wagner and then 'cowardly' fled. 'This scum will be stopped,' he said, in a reference to Shoigu. 'The evil embodied by the country's military leadership must be stopped,' he shouted, urging the army not to offer any resistance to Wagner as it moves to 'restore justice.' We are watching. Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) June 23, 2023 Prigozhin, 62, made his money providing catering services and eared himself the nickname 'Putin's chef' 'We were ready to make concessions to the defense ministry, surrender our weapon's, Prigozhin claimed in the footage. 'Today, seeing that we have not been broken, they conducted missile strikes at our rear camps. A huge number of our fighters, our comrades died,' he said in a series of furious audio messages released by his spokespeople. Prigozhin said his actions did not amount to a military coup. Russia's FSB security services has now launched a criminal probe into calls to stage the 'armed mutiny'. 'In connection with these statements, Russia's FSB has opened a criminal case into calls to stage an armed mutiny,' the National Anti-Terror Committee said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies, which added: 'We demand that illegal actions be immediately halted'. Prigozhin warned Russians against resisting his forces and called on them to join him, adding 'there are 25,000 of us'. The deputy commander of Russia's Ukraine campaign, General Sergei Surovikin, on Friday urged the fighters of the Wagner private militia to give up their opposition to the military leadership and return to their bases. Earlier on Friday, the FSB security service had said comments by Prigozhin vowing to avenge Moscow's purported killing of thousands of his fighters amounted to a call to start an armed civil conflict, the Interfax news agency reported. It urged Wagner fighters to arrest him Wagner boss 'declares war on the Russian Ministry of Defence' 'PMC Wagner Commanders' Council made a decision: the evil brought by the military leadership of the country must be stopped. They neglect the lives of soldiers. They forgot the word 'justice', and we will bring it back. Those, who destroyed today our guys, who destroyed tens, tens of thousands of lives of Russian soldiers will be punished. I'm asking: no one resist. Everyone who will try to resist, we will consider them a danger and destroy them immediately, including any checkpoints on our way. And any aviation that we see above our heads. I'm asking everyone to remain calm, do not succumb to provocations, and remain in their houses. Ideally, those along our way, do not go outside. After we finished what we started, we will return to the frontline to protect our motherland. Presidential authority, Government, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Rosgvardia, and other departments will continue operating as before. We will deal with those who destroy Russian soldiers. And we will return to the frontline. Justice in the Army will be restored. And after this, justice for the whole of Russia.' Advertisement The Russian defense ministry denied the claims about the strikes, saying the statements 'do not correspond to reality', and calling them a 'provocation'. 'The Russian armed forces continue to carry out combat missions' in Ukraine, the ministry added. Ukraine appeared to poke fun at the predicament Putin is now facing - warning the Kremlin in a Tweet on Saturday night: 'We are watching.' Earlier in the day, Prigozhin said Moscow's forces were retreating in Ukraine's east and south following Kyiv's counteroffensive. That directly contradicted Putin's account that Ukraine was suffering 'catastrophic' losses and that there was a lull in fighting. 'We are washing ourselves in blood,' Prigozhin said. 'No one is bringing reserves. What they tell us is the deepest deception,' he added, referring to the Russian military and political leadership. After years of operating in the shadows, Prigozin has in recent months admitted to running the elusive mercenary group and even interfering in US elections. His forces, bolstered by tens of thousands of prison recruits, played a central role in Russia's capture of the Donetsk region town, Bakhmut, the longest and likely bloodiest battle of the conflict. However, this week he accused Moscow's top brass of deceiving Russians about the offensive in Ukraine. 'Why did the special military operation begin? ... the war was needed for the self-promotion of a bunch of bastards,' he said. Rarely has such a controversial figure shot to this degree of prominence on the Russian political stage under Putin. Prigozhin rose from a modest background to become part of the inner circle around Putin. He spent nine years in prison in the final period of the USSR after being convicted of fraud and theft. In the chaos of the 1990s, he began a moderately successful business selling hot dogs. From there he fell into the restaurant business and opened a luxury location in Saint Petersburg whose customers included Putin, then making the transition from working in the KGB to local politics. However, in recent months, Prigozhin has become embroiled in a bitter power struggle with the defense ministry. He has accused the Russian military of attempting to 'steal' victories in Ukraine from his forces, and slammed Moscow's 'monstrous bureaucracy' for slowing military gains. Wagner's presence has been reported in conflict zones including Syria, Libya, Mali, and the Central African Republic, where it has been accused of abuses and capturing state power. Much of the country will be in for a soggy start to the school holidays, with an incoming rain band moving across the east of the country projected to bring widespread rainfall. Winter holidays for most schools in Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory will begin on Monday, while NSW, the ACT and Western Australia won't start until the following week. Tasmania and South Australia's winter school holidays start on July 10. The damp outlook comes after temperature records were broken in the country's south, with emergency services making seven swift-water rescues in South Australia on Thursday night amid flooding in the region. Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines said Adelaide received 42mm of rain - its heaviest 24-hour total in a year. Most of the country will enjoy fine weather over the weekend, with a high pressure system bringing settled conditions to the north. 'Most of the rain over the weekend will be in the form of showers skirting the south coast,' Mr Hines said. 'It will wrap from Perth around the corner of the country and all along the coast.' Most of the country will enjoy fine weather over this weekend, with a high pressure system bringing settled conditions to the north While there may be thunderstorms in Adelaide over the weekend, their intensity won't be 'anything near' what they were earlier in the week. Hobart could start its week with some showers that might also reach Melbourne on Monday afternoon or evening. Much of NSW, including Sydney, and all of Queensland will enjoy a fine start to the school break over the weekend before an area of rain begins spreading across the country from the northwest. The rain band will develop on Monday but 'stick around' northern and central parts of the country into next week. The rain band will develop on Monday but 'stick around' northern and central parts of the country into next week 'We're still a little uncertain how much rainfall this will bring but it should be fairly widespread across northern parts of WA, southern parts of the NT and SA,' Mr Hines said. 'Towards the end of next week it could move into parts of Queensland and NSW. 'There could be a notable area of rainfall for parts of the country that are typically dry this time of year.' While there could be some snowfall in the alps across Victoria, southern NSW and Tasmania, it is likely to stay 'higher up' on the mountains. 'We're not expecting a whole lot of snow across the alps but there will be some showers which could bring snow showers to higher parts,' Mr Hines said. The senior meteorologist also urged Aussies travelling over the weekend and into next week to stay up to date with forecasts and weather warnings in their area. A person battles rainy weather in Melbourne, Victoria. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie 'Roads in regions where that rain band is moving are likely to be impacted,' he said. 'In the first half of the week that will be northern WA, parts of the NT and parts of SA, but in the second half of the week that could move into parts of Queensland and NSW. 'On Monday we should have a better picture of how that rain will play out next week.' This comes after multiple locations across the country's south recorded their lowest maximum temperature records this week. A pedestrian in Adelaide tries to keep dry. Within the 24-hour window from Thursday 9am to Friday 9am, Adelaide recorded 42mm of rain. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes On Thursday, Horsham in Victoria reached a high of 8.7C - its coldest June day in 26 years. In South Australia, Robe and Cape Jaffa both recorded their lowest maximum temperatures on record with 10.2C and 9.6C respectively. South of Adelaide, Marion recorded 52mm of rain on Thursday night, setting a June record. Within the 24-hour window from Thursday 9am to Friday 9am, Adelaide recorded 42mm. Woodhouse, about 20km southeast of Adelaide, recorded a whopping 96mm of rain. A loner addicted to cannabis was convicted of murder yesterday after smuggling a revolver nearly a foot long into a police station. Now it can be revealed that no police officer will face disciplinary action over the botched search of Louis De Zoysa before he shot dead Sergeant Matt Ratana in just 16 seconds, firing four times in a custody cell despite being handcuffed. Following De Zoysas conviction, New Zealand-born Sgt Ratanas brother James Young slammed police for failing to discover the antique firearm hidden in a holster under his coat when they arrested him for carrying bullets on the street. He said he couldnt believe police did not find the Colt M1892 Navy and Army revolver when they stopped De Zoysa by chance on September 25, 2020, mistakenly believing he was a burglar as he walked around South London late at night carrying a large duffel bag. What he had on him if he was here in New Zealand, they would have found that. Because Ive been through that situation. Ive been through police stations where they searched the suspect. It was not done right, he told Television New Zealand. Cannabis addicted loner Louis De Zoysa, 25, (pictured) was convicted of murder after smuggling an antique revolver into a police station and shooting Sergeant Matt Ratana New Zealand born Matt Ratana (pictured) was killed after being shot with an antique Colt M1892 Navy and Army revolver by Louis De Zoysa Body cam footage showed the moment Louis De Zoysa was stopped in the street in South London The killer, now 25, showed no emotion as he was convicted of murder at Northampton Crown Court. Dressed in black, the wheelchair-bound defendant, who was left brain-damaged after one of his shots hit him in the neck, merely nodded at the judge. His distraught mother Elizabeth cried out, God bless you, I love you, as her son was wheeled out of the courtroom. It can be revealed that police believe the coder, who was working for Her Majestys Revenue & Customs, may have been on his way to attack his father when he was stopped by police just moments from his family home. Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward had suggested at an earlier hearing at the Old Bailey that De Zoysas volatile relationship with his father was one factor in the murder. The drug addict, who spent around 200 a month on skunk cannabis, claimed he had bought the weapon during lockdown as he feared the pandemic could lead to food shortages and he may need to hunt wildlife to survive. Psychologist Dr Nigel Blackwood said: He had worked on weapons in his garage in Banstead for six months before the alleged offence. He was unsure why he had done this: he stated that he did not want to hurt anyone. He also told psychologists he had started carrying a pistol after he was robbed in 2021 following a drugs deal gone wrong. Louis De Zoysa (pictured) was left brain-damaged and in a wheelchair after one of his shots hit him in the neck Louis De Zoysa (centre top) shot Sergeant Matt Ratana (centre bottom) while still handcuffed in a custody cell The coder said he bought the antique revolver (pictured) during Covid s he feared the pandemic could lead to food shortages An examination of his digital devices uncovered material relating to Right-wing extremism, Islamic extremism and homophobia. PCs Richard Davey and Samantha Still stopped De Zoysa by chance and carried out a stop and search, discovering a bag containing bullets and 3g of cannabis. But they failed to reach up underneath his coat to spot the gun strapped in a holster. He kept it hidden until arriving at the Croydon police station, where he shot Sgt Ratana without any warning. Yesterday the Independent Office for Police Conduct said the two officers involved will not face any misconduct action and went so far as to describe their efforts to subdue the gunman as heroic. Following the murder, the Met Police have issued more than 4,000 hand-held metal detectors and piloted the use of full body scanners in custody suites. Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said officers never have a perfect picture of what awaits them and praised the professionalism and bravery of the officers involved. The victims partner Su Bushby fought back tears as he was convicted. She said: My love for Matt, my gentle giant, will never end. A black graduate who ripped the microphone out of a white administrator's hand after she claimed to have been cut off during her commencement speech has been slammed by the college she was graduating from. Kadia Iman was seen in a TikTok video wrestling a microphone out of white staff member's hand while graduates stood in line to receive their diplomas at La Guardia Community College in Queens, New York. 'I want the mic,' Iman can be heard yelling at the educator as she aggressively tugged the electronic from her. 'Let go. You didn't let me get my moment.' The school have now responded to what occurred at the ceremony describing her behavior as 'unacceptable'. 'We regret that the student's disruptive and inappropriate behavior impacted the celebration for graduates and guests. Her mistreatment of a staff volunteer was unacceptable,' the school said in a statement. Kadia Iman was seen in a TikTok video wrestling a microphone out of a white lecturer's hand while the graduates stood in line to receive their diplomas at an unidentified school 'I want the mic,' Iman can be heard yelling at the educator as she aggressively tugged the electronic from her in the now viral video. 'Let go. You didn't let me get my moment' 'We are currently reviewing the incident to gain a better understanding of what occurred and what we might do in the future to prevent something like this from happening again.' Iman had already received her diploma but then returned to walk back to where other students were lining up to grab the mic, just as the group from Interdisciplinary Studies was about to walk in. Each student was given the opportunity to say their name, major, and a few small things about themselves as they traveled toward the stage, the influencer and Only Fans star admitted in a separate TikTok video. But as she and other black students got the chance to speak, she said she noticed the woman 'pulling the mic down super fast for some black people.' Iman went to 'reclaim' her moment and told the crowd her full name. 'I don't like how you snatched the mic out of my hand and today is going to be all about me,' she told the administrator before throwing the microphone forcibly onto the ground and walking away. But school appears to have been rocked by the student's outlandish actions. Rach student was given the opportunity to say their name, major, and a few small things about themselves as they traveled toward the stage, the influencer and Only Fans star admitted in a separate TikTok As she and other black students got the chance to speak, she said she noticed the woman 'pulling the mic down super fast for some black people' The school have now responded to what occurred at the ceremony describing her behavior as 'unacceptable' The volunteer looked to be in absolute shock as the microphone was snatched from her Iman could be seen violently grabbing the microphone away from the women who was a volunteer 'Our June 21st Commencement was a culmination of a lot of hard work and collaboration from LaGuardia faculty and staff volunteers who created a welcoming space for graduates to be recognized and for them to celebrate with their loved ones. 'An incident occurred involving one graduate who demonstrated their frustration during the student procession for not being able to hold the microphone while they announced their name. 'As a process for keeping the ceremony running in an orderly manner, students are given the opportunity to say their name while a volunteer holds the microphone. None of the students are allowed to hold the microphone to avoid any delay of the student procession and the ceremony. 'At LaGuardia, we take pride in providing our students with the academic, emotional, and developmental support they need to be successful inside and outside of the classroom. We also encourage a safe and respectful learning and working environment for our students, faculty, and staff,' the statement by Manny Romero, Vice President of Communications and External Affairs explained. @kadiaimantv @tiktok you are racist stop removing mt video i am a black woman speaking from being silences why take my video down ( full story on my page ) original sound - kadiaimantv 'I don't want to be that person, but that was the tea. So, I just couldn't let her, I just couldn't let that happen because I worked so hard to graduate, went through so much s**t to graduate, that I just felt like I needed to reclaim my moment,' Iman said. The student appeared to received plentiful support from other online followers 'I don't want to be that person, but that was the tea. So, I just couldn't let her, I just couldn't let that happen because I worked so hard to graduate, went through so much s**t to graduate, that I just felt like I needed to reclaim my moment,' Iman said. 'I'm not a problematic person, I don't want to ruin no one's day. I don't want to violate anybody, but that's what she did.' Footage of the incident has sparked strong reaction online. She took to Instagram to add she is not 'embarrassed' by her actions and the internet will 'not gaslight me into thinking I'm the bad guy. I did it for girls that look like me, love you.' DailyMail.com has attempted to reach Iman for comment. Many took to the comments to congratulate Iman, with one writing: ''I had to reclaim my moment' AND DID.' 'I don't want to be that person, but that was the tea. So, I just couldn't let her, I just couldn't let that happen because I worked so hard to graduate, went through so much s**t to graduate, that I just felt like I needed to reclaim my moment,' she said She took to Instagram to add that she is not 'embarrassed' by her actions and the internet will 'not gaslight me into thinking I'm the bad guy. I did it for girls that look like me, love you' 'All the black girls stand up,' one wrote. A woman named Zaria wrote: I'm so glad you stood up for yourself & had your moment! I'm proud of you & congratulations!!' One user wrote: 'The fact that she stood there and tried to keep you from getting the mic proved she was trying to keep you down.. I am so glad you got your moment.' 'You was obviously right cos security behind you didn't even budge,' one wrote. Father Christopher John Cunningham, 60, allegedly assaulted boys between the ages of 10 and 12 in the 1990s and 2000s A former Catholic priest appeared in a Los Angeles court Friday for preliminary hearing on 12 counts of child molestation A former Catholic priest charged with 12 counts of child molestation, appeared in a Los Angeles court on Friday. Father Christopher John Cunningham, 60, was arrested in 2021 for allegedly molesting boys between the ages of 10 and 12 whilst a priest in the 1990s and early 2000s. Cunningham appeared before Judge Larry Paul Fidler at the Los Angeles Superior Court for a short hearing. Judge Larry Paul Fidler asked Father Cunningham, who wore a grey suit, if he understand the charges against him and if he understood the courts ruling for trial within 60 days. Father Cunningham confirmed he understood and promptly left the court with his lawyer. Father Christopher John Cunningham charged with 12 counts of child molestation, appeared in a Los Angeles court on Friday Cunningham, 60, was arrested in 2021 for allegedly molesting boys between the ages of 10 and 12 whilst a priest in the 1990s and early 2000s. Cunningham has been charged with multiple counts of lewd acts against four children while working as a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Authorities believe some of the victims were molested at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Palmdale, California in the late 1990's, including an 11-year-old boy that prosecutors allege Cunningham sexually assaulted on two occasions. Cunningham molested another boy at the childs home between 1996 and 1998, according to the district attorneys office. Other victims in the early 2000's were molested at Saint Lawrence Mary's Catholic Church in Redondo Beach, California, where Cunningham had been reassigned, the prosecution's case states. There, Cunningham allegedly repeatedly abused a 10-year-old boy and a 12-year-old boy between 1998 and 2001. 'The victims were innocent children who have spent most of their lives with the trauma caused by the abuse alleged in this case,' Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascon said in a statement in April. 'My office is committed to holding accountable anyone who abuses and takes advantage of our children, especially when they hold a position of trust' Gascon added. 'The victims were innocent children who have spent most of their lives with the trauma caused by the abuse alleged in this case,' LA County DA George Gascon said in a statement about the case Complaints about Cunningham's behavior first appeared in 1994 but he was not arrested until 2021 Judge Larry Paul Fidler asked Father Cunningham, who wore a grey suit, if he understand the charges against him and if he understood the courts ruling for trial within 60 days Father Cunningham confirmed he understood and promptly left the court with his lawyer A spokesman for the district attorneys office, said the criminal investigation into Cunningham began in 2017 after the Sheriffs Department received an allegation of sexual misconduct against the former priest. Allegations against Cunningham first surfaced in 1994, four years after he first joined the priesthood, according to a 2017 lawsuit filed by Pasadena attorney Anthony DeMarco, who has represented several people accusing Cunningham of abuse. 'At Saint Marys, Father Cunningham continued his practice of spending extraordinary amounts of time alone with teen boys. Taking them to the movies, often one-on-one, taking them to ice cream one-on-one' the suit alleges. 'Having them in his rectory bedroom, often one-on-one. Wrestling with them and hugging them. 'Father Cunningham would further regularly discuss sex with teens in his religious education classes.' In a statement at the time of Cunningham's arrest the archdiocese denied prior knowledge of the allegations. 'The Archdiocese was not aware of any information concerning these allegations prior to being advised of the civil lawsuit,' the statement read. 'Todays announcement of Fr. Cunninghams arrest is the first time that the Archdiocese was informed of these current criminal allegations. 'The Archdiocese has not been advised of the names of the alleged victims in the current criminal matter. The Archdiocese continues to cooperate fully with law enforcement regarding allegations made against Fr. Cunningham.' Cunningham was removed from the ministry in 2005 due to 'boundary violations, which are unrelated to the current criminal matter', the LA Times reported. One year prior to his removal, Cunningham allegedly molested another young boy at St. Louise de Marillac Catholic Church in Covina, according to a separate settled lawsuit, the terms of which have not been disclosed. A 26-year-old Belgian tourist has died after crashing a scooter into a street sign on Queensland's Magnetic Island. The woman was exploring the picturesque island near Townsville by motor scooter when she collided with the street sign about 3pm on Friday. Members of the public initially provided first aid before the woman was transferred to Townsville University Hospital. The woman underwent emergency surgery but died from her injuries about 9pm. Authorities are working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to notify her family in Belgium. A short ferry ride from Townsville, Magnetic Island attracts visitors from around the world to see white sand beaches and Australia's largest colony of koalas. The killer pleaded guilty on day one of murder trial Couple were high school sweethearts and had a son The estranged husband of a young mum took ghoulish photos of her crumpled, dead body after strangling her in the family home, a court has heard. Zoran Pandilovski, 47, throttled his childhood sweetheart Elaine Pandilovski, 44, in July 2020 in a fit of jealous rage. On Friday, the cowardly brute faced the Supreme Court of Victoria for a pre-sentence plea hearing where the devastated loved ones of his victim finally had their chance to front him. Ms Pandilovski's body was discovered underneath her Mill Park home, on the northern outskirts of Melbourne, after Pandilovski was involved in a serious car crash. Elaine Pandilovski was a doting mum and cared for kids with special needs. Her body was found under the home she shared with her young son Zoran Pandilovski (left), their son (centre), and Elaine Pandilovski The court heard Pandilovski had gone to his estranged wife's home under the guise of collecting their son's iPad. The couple had been separated for 20 months after previous allegations of domestic violence. Crown prosecutor Neill Hutton said police ascertained Pandilovski likely attacked Elaine in the lounge room, with detectives finding evidence of a struggle. Forensic experts would later determine she had fought for her life, with traces of Pandilovski's DNA found under her fingernails. When he was done squeezing the life out of the teacher's aid, who had dedicated her life to raising their son, he dragged her down a flight of stairs into the home's basement where he stuffed her in a storage cabinet. Before leaving, Pandilovski inexplicably took two photos of Elaine's dead body - images that were later discovered on her phone. Pandilovski's barrister David Hallowes, SC could provide no explanation as to why his client took the photos, but refuted suggestions they were 'trophy photos'. 'We say you shouldn't find that was somehow a trophy photo that has been taken. We say it gives him no credit whatsoever but we say that finding is not one that your honour should make against him,' he said. 'In a sense it doesn't really fit with the narrative of what then happens, and we say it's speculation at best in relation to that.' Pandilovski was arrested after slamming his car head-on into a random motorist in what detectives suspected at the time may have been a deliberate act to kill himself. Pandilovski immediately pleaded not guilty to his ex-wife's murder. Zoran Pandilovski has been charged with the murder of his estranged wife. Pictured: Elaine and Zoran Pandilovski Elaine Pandilovski and Zoran Pandilovski (pictured) were high school sweethearts. They had a son together Detectives (pictured in 2020) are seen leaving the Mill Park property after discovering the body of Pandilovski's estranged wife Elaine Pandilovski Elaine Pandilovski's (pictured) body was discovered after police conducted a welfare check at the home on at Mill Park A forensic psychiatrist had declared Pandilovski fit to stand trial in February last year. During a hearing last year, the court heard Pandilovski had been assessed by Dr Jacqueline Rakov, who reported she believed there was insufficient medical evidence to support a defence of mental impairment. Pandilovski then tried to get a different opinion from Dr Patrick Newton, who agreed with Dr Rakov's diagnosis. He finally pleaded guilty to Elaine's murder in April this year a day into his Supreme Court murder trial. Elaine had been a special needs school teacher, who also cared for her 10-year-old son with autism. She had lived alone with the couple's son when her life was cruelly taken. Family became concerned for her welfare after she failed to turn up to work at the Plenty Parkland Primary School in Mill Park. Elaine had been high school sweethearts with her killer and previously lived together for 15 years. Upon their separation, Pandilovski moved to the nearby suburb of Epping where he continued to hold hope that his estranged wife would take him back. Elaine Pandilovski appears deep in thought as her young son enjoys an arcade game. She would be dead less than two years after the photo was taken Ms Pandilovski's aunt shared a heartbreaking post about the loss of a 'beautiful, caring and compassionate' woman A police car is seen out the front of a residential property in Mill Park after the alleged murder But the court heard he had been living with false hope, with his long suffering ex telling friends she had no intention of taking the brute back. Local residents said Elaine was a devoted mother and had been living at the single-storey home with the couple's son. Her vicious death rocked Melbourne and saw an outpouring of grief from friends and family. One by one Elaine's friends and family fronted Pandilovski to tell him the beautiful soul he had destroyed and the devastation his actions had caused. Among them was Elaine's teenage niece, who broke down in tears before bravely reading out her gut wrenching victim impact statement. Mr Hallowes provided little insight into why his client felt the need to murder his ex-wife, who had continued to facilitate access to their son throughout their separation. The court heard Pandilovski simply 'lost control' upon visiting his ex-wife's home to collect their son's damaged iPad, with prosecutors accepting he had not planned the murder. Mr Hallowes said Pandilovski took no steps to conceal his crime, despite moving her body into the basement, which he claimed was only done to spare their son from finding his dead mum. Justice Christopher Beale will sentence Pandilovski on August 11. Today's trendy cocktail makers are known for their creativity, but ancient Egyptians really put them to shame. Scientists have uncovered the secret ingredients of an extraordinary liquid concoction used for rituals in Egypt more than 2,000 years ago. They analysed chemical traces inside a Bes-vase a ceramic vessel shaped like the head of the dwarf or cat-like Egyptian deity Bes. Traces of presence of a fermented alcoholic liquid derived from fruit were found, as well as psychoactive compounds from plants to induce 'dream-like visions'. For an extra kick, they added bodily fluids to the mix, such as human blood, breast milk and even vaginal and oral mucous, the experts claimed. The researchers studied residues inside a Bes-vase - a ceramic vessel decorated with the head of the Egyptian deity Bes. The dwarf like figure was believed to protect women and children, specifically during labour. Left is the vase the team studied, while right shows other very similar vessels READ MORE: Egyptian ring features engravings of deity Bes Three rings show skilled craftsmanship, with one bearing an image of Bes Advertisement It's thought the drinkers worshipped the strange deity Bes, believed to protect women and children, specifically during labour. It's unclear if this bizarre drinking ritual linked to the cult of Bes was widespread in Ancient Egypt but this could be the subject of future study. The research was conducted by an international team of academics led by Enrico Greco, an expert in environmental chemistry at the University of Trieste in Italy. 'We successfully identified the presence of various nutraceutical, psychotropic, medicinal, and biological substances, shedding light on the diverse components of a liquid concoction used for ritual practices in Ptolemaic Egypt,' Greco and colleagues say. 'As the Bes figure was revered as a protective genius, it might be assumed that the liquid drunk from these mugs was considered beneficent. 'These findings contribute to our understanding of ancient belief systems, cultural practices, and the utilization of natural resources, ultimately enhancing our knowledge of past societies and their connection to the natural world.' The Bes-vase analysed for this study originated in the second century BC and is part of the collection at the Tampa Museum of Art in Florida. It was said to be found in the Fayum district, a region south of Cairo known for its fertility and the abundance of plant and animal life in Ancient Egypt. Bes was a minor god in ancient Egyptian religion, depicted as a dwarf with a large head, goggle eyes, protruding tongue, bowlegs, bushy tail, and usually a crown of feathers (depicted here left with smaller feminine counterpart Beset right) The team used multiple analytical methods including spectroscopy, which involves studying the absorption and emission of light and other radiation by matter READ MORE: King Tutankhamun's face is seen for the first time in over 3,300 YEARS 'Detective work' was involved to create the incredible CGI depiction Advertisement The team used multiple analytical methods including spectroscopy, genetic techniques and sampling of proteins and molecules to reveal more about what was once contained in the vase. They identified 'key proteins and metabolites' enabling the identification of botanical sources, confirmed by genetic sequences. One of the plants used as a cocktail ingredient was Peganum harmala, more commonly known as Syrian rue, native to the Mediterranean basin. The seeds of the plant produce high quantities of the alkaloids harmine and harmaline, which induce 'dream-like visions', the team say. These visions tend to be 'oneirophrenic' where a person becomes confused about the distinction between reality and dream. Also in lower concentrations in the plant are the alkaloid vasicine, which has 'utero-tonic' properties at certain dosages, the team say. These can aid childbirth or induce abortion alluding to those concepts linked with Bes the deity. Traces were also found of the aquatic planet blue lotus flower (Nymphaea caerulea), which contains the psychoactive alkaloid aporphine. The analysis also revealed the presence of fermented fruit-based liquid and other ingredients such as honey or royal jelly. Pictured, Peganum harmala, more commonly known as Syrian rue. The seeds of the plant produce high quantities of the alkaloids harmine and harmaline, which induce dream-like visions There was even a compound found in the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra), suggesting the cultivation of licorice in ancient Egypt. But what was most surprising was the discovery of 'a high presence of human proteins within the residue', they say, which suggest 'a deliberate addition of human fluids to the drink prepared for ritual purposes'. 'This includes fluids like breast milk, mucous fluids (oral or vaginal), and blood.' Additionally, traces of common wheat and sesame seeds were found, along with yeasts from fermentation, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, still used today to make ale and bread. Pictured, optical images of the sample collected from vessel residues at varying magnifications. The sample is mostly small grains of different sizes and colour Researchers conclude that this Bes-vase was used for some sort of 'ritual of reenactment of what happened in a significant event in Egyptian myth'. 'Expanding the sampling chemical study to other examples of similar and contemporaneous Bes-vases becomes at this point critical,' they say. '[This will] ascertain if the evidence here discussed was a rare or single event, or a widespread practice.' The study has been published on the Research Square server and is yet to be peer reviewed. Police chiefs have warned that an Android feature is triggering a wave of accidental 999 calls. Control rooms have reported a surge in 'silent calls' since a new SOS emergency function was rolled out on Android. It allows users to call 999 by pressing the power button five times or more. But authorities claim the feature means that many users are unknowingly pocket-dialling, overwhelming call operators with no response on the line. 'Nationally, all emergency services are currently experiencing record high 999 call volumes,' the National Police Chief's Council (NPCC) said. Police chiefs claim an SOS Android feature is the cause of accidental silent calls 'There's a few reasons for this but one we think is having a significant impact is an update to Android smartphones. 'These "silent calls" as they are named, are directed to police control rooms and the result has been a significant increase in silent calls.' Police Scotland, Devon & Cornwall Police and the Metropolitan Police are among numerous forces which have reported an influx in these calls. Last Sunday, just under 170 silent calls were made to the Devon and Cornwall force alone - with the rate soaring by 25 per cent over the past month. Meanwhile, call-handlers at Northamptonshire Police also received more than 1,000 of these calls last month, ITVX reported. But this issue goes beyond the UK, as the European Emergency Number Association (EENA) raised the alarm just a few weeks ago. Executive Director, Gary Machado, wrote: 'Both Google and Samsung are aware of the matter and are releasing updates which are being rolled out now or very soon and until the end of June. 'EENA hopes to see a decrease in the number of automatic false calls shortly and strongly encourages our members to share their own experiences on the matter.' Police Scotland, Devon & Cornwall Police and the Metropolitan Police (pictured) are among the numerous forces which have reported an influx in these calls HOW TO SWITCH OFF ANDROID'S SOS FEATURE Head to 'Settings' on an Android phone Tap 'Safety and Emergency' Switch off the 'Emergency SOS' feature Advertisement If you continue to experience this issue, Google suggests that Android owners can switch off the SOS setting. To do so, users can head to their 'Settings' menu before tapping on 'Safety and Emergency'. Here, an 'Emergency SOS' feature should be visible, which can be switched off using the slide tool. However, the tech giant assured MailOnline the issue would be resolved shortly. 'Keeping Android users safe and public safety infrastructure available are top priorities,' a Google spokesman said. 'Android supports Emergency SOS because it can help users contact 911 more quickly in emergency situations. 'To help these manufacturers prevent unintentional emergency calls on their devices, Android is providing them with additional guidance and resources. 'We anticipate device manufacturers will roll out updates to their users that address this issue shortly. Users that continue to experience this issue should contact their devices manufacturer.' Even still, anyone who accidentally calls 999 is urged to speak to police anyway to make it clear they are not in trouble. The NPCC continued: 'Calls to 999 where the operator cannot hear anyone on the line (silent calls) are never just ignored. Call handlers will then need to spend valuable time trying to call you back to check whether you need help. 'If you do accidentally dial 999, please dont hang up. If possible, please stay on the line and let the operator know it was an accident and that you dont need any assistance.' Five men aboard the Titan submersible died after a 'catastrophic implosion' due to immense pressure in the ocean's depths, authorities say. The US Coast Guard last night announced the devastating news that robotic search devices had found a 'debris field' close to the Titanic wreck in the Atlantic. The Titan submersible, operated by US firm OceanGate, started its dive to Titanic on Sunday morning but all contact with its mothership was lost shortly after. During early search efforts, banging noises were detected in 30-minute intervals by underwater sonar devices called 'sonobuoys'. It had been speculated that the banging was SOS noises made by the men inside the sub, giving hope that they were still alive and waiting to be rescued. But experts say the men would have been crushed as soon as the sub encountered trouble so what were the banging noises? According to experts, the 'banging' could have been from search equipment in the area, marine life such as whales or even just sounds from the depths of the Atlantic The US Coast Guard announced the devastating news on Thursday that robotic search devices had found a 'debris field' close to the Titanic wreck READ MORE: The 'sonobuoys' being used to scour the Atlantic Sonobuoys are an important tool for underwater searches Advertisement According to experts, the 'banging' could have been from search equipment in the area, marine life such as whales or even just sounds from the depths of the Atlantic. Dr Jamie Pringle, Reader in Forensic Geosciences at Keele University, thinks the sound was 'manmade'. 'The ocean is a very noisy place with passing ships, submarines, fishing vessels, and indeed search vessels in this case,' he told MailOnline. 'Noises can come from any source and sound waves don't always travel radially outwards from a source, as water bodies are most often layered and sound waves travel along these. 'Noise from the Titanic wreck at that water depth would also be unlikely to travel to the surface. 'The fact that it was every 30 minutes suggests a manmade cause and not vessel propellers which are continuous.' US Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick had announced on Wednesday that the 'banging' had been detected by sonobuoys, fueling speculation that it was the five men hitting the sub's titanium hull. But even if they hadn't been killed by the implosion on Sunday, it's unlikely hitting Titan's titanium hull by hand would have been picked up, as it wouldn't have been very loud. 'Obviously sources need to be progressively larger to travel further distance and 3.8km [12,000 feet] of water is very deep to propagate to the surface and be able to be measured,' said Dr Pringle. 'Note this is speculation we don't have the raw data to analyse.' US Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick, right, said sounds and banging noises were heard from the search area for Titanic submersible One of the final pictures of the OceanGate Expeditions Titan sub before it started its fateful descent to the Titanic wreck During search efforts on Tuesday, banging noises were detected in 30-minute intervals by underwater sonar devices called 'sonobuoys' READ MORE: 'Alive one millisecond, dead the next': Navy doctor explains 'implosion' Photo of OceanGate's Titan submersible Advertisement Matthew Schanck, founder of maritime search and rescue organisation Marsar International, also suspects a manmade origin. 'Our understanding is the noise could have a number of sources,' he told MailOnline. 'The subsurface of the ocean is a noisy environment. 'But given the high density of vessels in the area operating their propulsion systems and heavy machinery/equipment in the area, this may have been picked up by sonobuoys.' Ships that deployed remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) in the search including the mothership Polar Prince also would have caused underwater noise, Schanck said. Schanck doesn't think the noise would have come from the Titan debris, although it may come from the Titanic 'if there is loose metal moving around' but surface vessels and ROVs deployed in the search were the most likely cause. Stefan B. Williams, a professor of marine robotics at the University of Sydney, told Business Insider marine wildlife 'like whales' could even have caused the noise. The North Atlantic is home to several whale species, including the North Atlantic right whale and the mighty blue whale. Jeff Karson, professor of earth and environmental sciences at Syracuse University, already said any interpretation that the banging was coming from the men was 'wishful thinking' and was likely 'junk', maybe from the Titanic debris. 'Is it really banging or just some unidentified sound? I think that is a more accurate description right now,' he said. 'There's no telling where the sound is coming from or how far away it is. 'Personally, I'm worried that sound may be coming from something that's far from where they need to be looking.' 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 Five people were onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19 French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) was in the sub along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition The banging was detected by sonobuoys, devices that 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. Researchers discovered this more than 100 years after the page was first dug up An eagle-eyed expert has stumbled upon a fragment of what is thought to be part of the world's oldest book. Conservator Theresa Zammi Lupi discovered a notebook page from ancient Egypt dating back to the third century while rummaging through an Austrian library. Despite originally forming part of a manuscript known as a codex, researchers think the same papyrus material was eventually used to wrap a mummy. It was excavated 120 years ago at the burial site of El Hiba a city located 300 miles away from Tutankhamun's tomb. But its true backstory was only realised this month amidst day-to-day examinations. Conservator Theresa Zammi Lupi came across this book page from Ancient Egypt READ MORE: Tutankhamun 'was killed by drink-driving chariot crash', claims researcher Tutankhamun was a 'typical teenager', the expert claimed Advertisement 'I was doing my routine work as a conservator in the laboratory,' Ms Zammi Lupi said. 'I was assessing our collection of papyrus because they need new storage and they need to be repaired if they're slightly damaged or put on new glass.' 'First I saw a piece of thread, only then did I notice the format of a book. I saw a central fold, the stitching holes and the written text within clearly defined margins on the papyrus.' Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, used 'papyrus' as a form of paper to write messages on. Researchers believe this 5.9 x 9.8 inch page was once part of a notebook recording tax accounts for beer and oil. It was then recycled to wrap up a mummy as 'cartonnage' alongside other materials such as linen between 305 to 330 BC. While it was dug up in Egypt, the writing is actually a form of Greek, being one of the most used languages alongside Egyptian at the time. The nicknamed 'Graz Mummy Book' has now beaten what researchers previously thought were the oldest books by 400 years. Two examples of this are stored at London's British Library and the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin. These are dated between 150 to 250 AD which pale in comparison to the Graz Mummy Book at 260BC. 'The Graz Mummy Book was created 400 years earlier, making it the oldest surviving form of a book we know of to date,' said Erich Renhart and Thomas Csanady, who both head the library's special collections. Mr Renhart then added: 'However, it is not unlikely that more such codex fragments exist in other collections that have just not been systematically searched for so far. Researchers believe this 15 x 25 cm papyrus was once part of a notebook used to record tax accounts for beer and oil at around 260BC Theresa Zammit Lupi (pictured centre-right) alongside Rector Peter Riedler (left), UB Director Pamela Stuckler (centre-left) and Erich Renhart (right) 'After all, papyrus was a relatively cheap writing material, and large quantities of fragments have survived.' The library claims this discovery has acted as a 'mandate' to conduct further research in the field. Later in the year, international specialists are invited to meet in Graz to discuss the fragment and what has been learned about it. Ms Zammit Lupi added: 'As a conservator, it feels very special to contribute to the history of the book. At the same time, you think it's surreal. It's like watching a movie!' Britain's first spaceport licence for a vertical rocket launch is just weeks away from being granted. SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland is on course to get its licence from the Civil Aviation Authority within eight weeks, according to its leadership team. Unlike the 'horizontal' rocket launch attempt by Virgin Orbit in Cornwall in January, where the rocket was released from underneath the wing of a jumbo jet, Shetland's crowd-pleasing rocket launch will be a 'vertical' launch from a launch pad, with a countdown, blast-off and trail of flames in its wake. The sub-orbital launch, of a rocket from German company HyImpulse, which will be the first non-military launch of a large rocket in Britain, is planned to go ahead in early October. Then, next April, the remote spaceport on the Shetland island of Unst is set to make history, hopefully beating Norway and Sweden to becoming the first country in Europe to launch a rocket into orbit. SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland is on course to get its licence from the Civil Aviation Authority within eight weeks, according to its leadership team The sub-orbital launch, of a rocket from German company HyImpulse, which will be the first non-military launch of a large rocket in Britain, is planned to go ahead in early October Frank Strang, chief executive of SaxVord Spaceport, said: 'This is a landmark event, knowing it is so close is an emotional moment. 'We have never contemplated failure but it is nice to prove that we can do this. 'The feedback we always had from rocket companies was, because of the location, and the maths and physics of it, if we built it, they would come.' The exact launch time of the first rocket will, inevitably on one of the UK's most blustery islands, depend on the weather. A meteorological balloon will be sent up first, to identify which way the wind is blowing. But the rocket launch tower will not be quite as able to adjust its position based on the wind direction as previously planned, as it is being made less adjustable to meet the rapid deadline set for the first rocket launch in a few months. The planned timeline of September or October, hoped to beat European competitors, has been possible in part, the company says, because it has been so 'fleet of foot'. Funded only by private investors, until public funding started to be offered last year, there were fewer hoops to jump through. Thousands of people are expected to want to attend Britain's first large vertical rocket launch, but it is not quite as simple as it was to go to Cornwall earlier in the year. The location, on the remote island of Unst, requires a plane journey or overnight ferry trip from the Scottish mainland, and then two separate ferries from mainland Shetland Unst, an island with just 635 residents, has only one hotel, with a second planned hotel on the SaxaVord site not yet constructed, although it has some B&Bs and a campsite The location, on the remote island of Unst, requires a plane journey or overnight ferry trip from the Scottish mainland, and then two separate ferries from mainland Shetland. Unst, an island with just 635 residents, has only one hotel, with a second planned hotel on the SaxaVord site not yet constructed, although it has some B&Bs and a campsite. The exact number of spectators allowed is yet to be decided, in communication with community groups, and depending on the exclusion zone required around the launch pad site. But people could also use innovative measures, like using fishing boats to grab the perfect vantage point from the sea, from outside the exclusion zone, which is planned to be enforced by boundary boats. The husband and wife team who spent their life-savings trying to make UK rocket launch dream happen Saxavord spaceport is the ultimate underdog project by a husband and wife team who spent their life savings and remortgaged their house trying to make it happen. It was put into action without any public funding, with bailiffs turning up at the family home at one point as Frank and Debbie Strang faced bankruptcy trying to send a rocket into space. Yet, when they started out, the couple, who run a gin distillery in Shetland, freely admit they knew nothing at all about space travel. When they bought SaxaVord, the former RAF radar station, from the Ministry of Defence in 2004, they intended it only as a place to stay for tourists hoping to see orcas, dolphins and otters. But then, in 2017, Shetland Council got in touch to ask if they had considered getting involved in space. And next they discovered a commercial report commissioned by the UK Space Agency stating that, for a type of orbit in high demand, when it comes to safety and the maximum payload, SaxaVord is the best location in Britain for a rocket launch. Saxavord spaceport is the ultimate underdog project by a husband and wife team who spent their life savings and remortgaged their house trying to make it happen. It was put into action without any public funding, with bailiffs turning up at the family home at one point as Frank and Debbie Strang faced bankruptcy trying to send a rocket into space Deciding all the signs were pushing them towards space, the couple recruited their best friend, Scott Hammond, a 60-year-old former flight instructor who worked at the Air Warfare Centre, as well as a finance director and one single engineer, to start working on their spaceport. Incredibly, they now have 82 staff, three launch pads and the beginnings of a hangar, and are working with seven rocket firms, including Lockheed Martin, while they are on course to make history by launching the first rocket into orbit from European soil. The couple now find, to their astonishment, that their project is now frequently referred to as 'Britain's Cape Canaveral'. Mr Strang, 65, a qualified PE teacher and later businessman who met his wife of 32 years, Debbie, when both were based at RAF Lossiemouth on the north-east coast of Scotland, said: 'When we started, we knew about aviation defence and airspace, but we knew nothing about the space industry and really had no clue about what we were getting into. 'People thought we were absolutely mad, you could see it in their eyes. Race to space: MailOnline looks at the spaceports due to become operational across Britain from this year and beyond, and how their launch capabilities differ 'When we first briefed Shetland Council on our plans, I started the presentation by saying 'this is not an April fool'.' He added: 'I keep calling it the forgotten spaceport because no one believed it would happen. 'It was difficult, because in the eyes of many, if you don't have public funding, you can't be a real project. 'But we rolled the dice, we charged on - we kissed a lot of frogs when it came to possible investors, and bit by bit we got there.' The first years of the project were tough, with bailiffs turning up at the door of the couple's home in Granttown-on-Spey after a loan was recalled. Mr Strang, a father of two who was in the RAF for 12 years, said: 'We've had deaths, divorces and near-bankruptcy, as well as Debbie opening the door to bailiffs. 'I get only about three hours a night of sleep because there is so much to do, and we are all very tired as we have had to fight continuously, but we have punched through.' SaxaVord is in many ways the perfect site, at the northernmost tip of Britain, where rockets launched will avoid populated areas and achieve the perfect orbit following the path of the sun. But in other ways it has been more tricky, with 9million of work required to the roads to make them fit for heavy cranes and transported rocket parts. As a wildlife haven, no work could be done on the launch pads between May and the end of June to avoid nesting birds, 12 partially soundproof underground chambers have had to be created for otters, and sheep owned by local crofters will need to be moved off the launch site before each rocket takes off. The Shetland spaceport team say the only public money they have received, which came late in the project, is 378,000 from the UK Space Agency for part of the rocket tower for its sub-orbital launch, and funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise towards the salaries of an education and sustainability officer. The Lamba Ness peninsular in Unst (pictured) will be home to the spaceport My 18-hour journey to the remote spaceport, by Science Editor VICTORIA ALLEN Science Editor Victoria Allen took a train to Aberdeen, an overnight ferry to mainland Shetland and two separate ferries to the island of Unst - a journey across the North Sea of more than 18 hours - to see the site expected to launch the first rocket into orbit from European soil. The trip, staying in the former military quarters of decommissioned radar station RAF SaxaVord, involved a first look at the spaceport site, on the most northerly inhabited part of the British Isles. The location still appears largely wild and barren, dominated by sheep and wheeling seabirds, but rearing up from it is the imposing 12m (39ft) stool, built with millimetre-level precision by German firm Ostseestahl, from which Britains first ever orbital rocket will take off next year. It is also possible to see the beginnings of the giant hangar which will become the Satellite Integration Facility. A full briefing on the six-year project was delivered by passionate husband and wife team Frank and Debbie Strang, whose company cars include an SUV which local schoolchildren have painted with aliens, planets and comets. Advertisement But Mr Strang, head of a business consortium which previously ran Prestwick Airport in Scotland, has painstakingly, over three years, raised 29million from around 400 investors - principally Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen, who is the biggest shareholder in online fashion firm ASOS. The space site may be on an island of just 635 people, with staff based in a building next to a field of Shetland ponies, but it is now being taken very seriously, with several politicians having taken the long trip north to visit. The story of a small community winning people over is a classic reminiscent of the famous Scotland-based film Local Hero. Mr Strang, who has fought for years to persuade people of his vision, said: 'It has been like Local Hero meets Rocky.' Mr Hammond, who has spent years improving his knowledge of the technicalities of space flight, said: 'At first I would go to space events and people would just ignore you - it was hard work because people didn't want to know. 'Now if we are not at a space consortium, people want to know why we weren't there. 'When that rocket blasts off, for me, there will be tears and I think I will be in bits.' But Shetland is keen to avoid the hype of the Virgin Orbit launch from Spaceport Cornwall, where the rocket launched from underneath the wing of a jumbo jet did not reach orbit, and the satellites it was supposed to deposit in space had to be jettisoned into the sea. The team are quick to tell people that up to 80 per cent of initial rocket launch attempts are a failure, and that theirs may not even make it off the launch pad without burning up. But if at first they don't succeed, having three separate launch pads, with two more planned, will make it simpler to quickly try again with rockets produced by separate companies. The spaceport expects to host the launch of Lockheed Martin's Pathfinder mission, which has 23.5million in funding from the UK Space Agency, next year. The spaceport in Shetland, an island well known for its Viking past, has the tagline on one of its promotional posters 'Space Invaders: from the longship to the spaceship.' The spaceport team say local people on Unst have been broadly supportive, although some bird-watchers and people who want peace and quiet on the island are unhappy. Mrs Strang said: 'We are building something that has never been built before in the UK. 'But because of the team we have, and their sheer determination to get through, we have punched through in a sector of which we had little knowledge.' Scientist uses coke can for an analogy of what happened to OceanGate's sub A video of a Coca-Cola being instantly crushed by water pressure gives an idea of what likely happened to the destroyed Titan submersible that claimed five lives. The pressure chamber on board OceanGate's 22-ft vessel suffered a 'catastrophic implosion', authorities revealed on Thursday, and the men aboard tragically perished. The implosion would have been caused by a sudden change from low to high pressure inside the sub, possibly triggered by a defect in the sub's walls. Experts have said the 'flawed' carbon fiber hull may have contributed to the disaster. Experts say the crew and passengers would have been crushed within a fraction of a millisecond, an event so fast it would have been over before they realized what was happening and so violent it's unlikely to leave anything but a mist of human remains. A video posted by James Hambley, a YouTuber who goes by the alias Bearded Science Guy, shows a similar implosion happening to a Coke can. A video posted by James Hambley, a YouTuber who goes by the alias Barded Science Guy, shows a similar process happening to a Coke can 'Filling the can with steam and then exposing that steam to cold water causes it to condense back into water leaving no gas particles on the inside of the can to exert pressure outward,' Hambley said. The high energy of heated water vapor, in other words, exerts a much higher pressure on its surroundings inside the can's steamy air than an equal amount of cool liquid water would. It's the same principle that has powered the pumps of steam locomotives since the 19th Century. Creating this change in pressure inside the Coke can, cooling the hot high-pressure steam back to cold water droplets, works as a scale model of the pressure changes that happened during the OceanGate sub's final brutal moments. Just like the air around the can, which remains unchanged, the powerful ocean pressures would have rushed in to fill the vacuum of the new lower pressure inside the submersible, crushing its wealthy occupants in an instant. In the depths of the deep ocean, the pressure increases to such an extent that only specially-adapted organisms can survive. The crew was more than 2 miles below the ocean surface, which would have generated more than 5,500 pounds per square inch (PSI) of pressure, more than that exerted by the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. Dave Corley, a former US nuclear submarine officer, told Sky News that the hull of an imploding sub moves inward at about 1,500mph (2,414km/h), meaning the time to complete collapse is just one-thousandth of a second, or one millisecond. Friction burn from the rush of compressed air, Corley said, would have been momentarily so intense that hydrocarbons and other flammable gasses, like oxygen, would have ignited inside Titan, mid-implosion. Corley also noted that, because the human brain's unconscious response time to external events is about 25 milliseconds, it's unlikely that Titan's passengers suffered or were even fully aware of their impending doom. As Aileen Maria Marty, a former Naval officer and professor at Florida International University, told CNN 'Ultimately, among the many ways in which we can pass, that's painless.' One of the final pictures of the OceanGate Expeditions Titan sub before it started its fateful descent to the Titanic wreck Although it sounds like hyperbole, authorities' description of the event as a 'catastrophic implosion' is a precise a term of art in forensic engineering used to describe this kind of structural failure. A 'catastrophic implosion' is a violent or dramatic implosion event involving a brittle structure as well as the opposite of an explosion due to pressure changes. In the case of Titan, the sudden change from relatively low pressure inside the sub to incredibly high pressure caused the sudden and catastrophic implosion and structural crush. Generally, if the pressure inside an object is lower than the pressure outside, the object will implode unless the area of lower pressure is sufficiently protected, by strong metal reinforcements for example. 'Carbon reinforced plastic,' according to engineering professor Stefano Brizzolara, the co-director of Virginia Tech's Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics, 'collapses 'catastrophically,' because the material is not as ductile as metal alloys.' Navy submarines use high strength steel or titanium alloys, Brizzolara told the DailyMail.com, which will bend and dent under intense pressure but are much less likely to crack or shatter unlike the material OceanGate used to build Titan's hull. This carbon reinforced plastic, Brizzolara said, ''catastrophically' implodes, literally breaking in pieces and small fragments.' Titanic director James Cameron, who's renowned for his own deep-sea exploration missions, has said Titan had 'three potential failure points' and indicated that its 'Achilles heel' was the carbon fiber hull. Titan's carbon fiber hull and its acrylic viewport were subject to several warnings and James Cameron singled them out as 'potential failure points' on the vessel It's thought Titan suddenly lost this protection, possibly due to a defect in the structure that was suddenly magnified, perhaps caused by a collision with another underwater object. 'It would likely have been faster and even more extreme than the can in the video,' Hambley said. 'The pressure outside the sub pushing inward was about 400 times that inside the sub pushing out. 'With the can in the video it is likely just about 5-10 times the pressure pushing inward than pushing outward.' The Titan submersible, operated by US firm OceanGate, started its dive to Titanic on Sunday morning but all contact with its mothership was lost shortly after. The US Coast Guard on Thursday announced the devastating news that robotic search devices had found a 'debris field' close to the Titanic wreck in the Atlantic. This debris which includes Titan's tail, nose cone and inner pressure hull was found approximately 1,600ft (500 metres) from the bow of the famous Titanic. French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) was in the sub along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition Five people were onboard, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19 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 On board the vessel was OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, 61; French Navy veteran Paul-Henri (PH) Nargeolet, 77; British billionaire Hamish Harding, 58; Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, 41; and his son Suleman, who was just 19. Tickets for the expedition cost up to $250,000 (195,000) per person. Authorities came to the conclusion that the implosion had occurred due to the small size of the fragments, detected by the underwater robotic equipment. 'The debris field of multiple small parts show the catastrophic and rapid failure of the sub which has imploded extremely quickly,' said Dr Jasper Graham-Jones, associate Professor in Mechanical & Marine Engineering at Plymouth University. At the moment, the cause of the catastrophic implosion is unclear, although it could have been triggered by a defect in the sub that built up over time. Underwater robots will remain on the scene of the debris field in an attempt to gather more information that could reveal the cause. 'This craft has lasted 25 runs down to Titanic and back to the surface,' said Dr Graham-Jones. 'Each return run would put cracks in the pressure bulkheads. 'This might be small and undetectable to start but soon become critical and produce rapid and uncontrollable growth. The US Coast Guard announced the devastating news on Thursday that robotic search devices had found a 'debris field' close to the Titanic wreck An aerial view from the US Coast Guard of the search for the missing Titan at the Titanic wreck site. The sub imploded killing all five of the crew members instantly, experts say As for what happens Dr Dale Mole, former director of undersea medicine and radiation health for the US Navy, said the deaths would have been quick and painless. The five men would have died almost instantly by the extraordinary forces exerted by the ocean at depth, which is subjected to enormous pressure. 'It would have been so sudden, that they wouldn't even have known that there was a problem, or what happened to them,' Mole said. 'It's like being here one minute, and then the switch is turned off. You're alive one millisecond, and the next millisecond you're dead.' Natalie Barr proved she was just like the rest of us on Thursday when she revealed the shocking state of her oven. The Sunrise star, 55, was making a few batches of sausage rolls and some 'parmesan potatoes' in a cooking tutorial. As she opened up the oven to show how they were cooking, viewers got a 'great shot' of the horrendous mess at the bottom of the oven. Large clumps of burnt food and drips of brown oil sat in a drip tray beneath three racks. During the clip the breakfast television co-host also revealed her very naughty sausage roll hack. Natalie Barr proved she was just like the rest of us on Thursday when she revealed the shocking state of her oven She said she uses fresh sausage mince in the savoury pastries but rather than get her hands dirty, she puts her local butcher to work. 'The butcher took the mince out of the sausages and gave me a kilo and I just put in a couple of spices, salt and pepper and white bread,' she said. 'Add a bit of sauce and then roll it in pastry and bob's your uncle.' She then took viewers through the preparation steps including coating the pastries with egg whites and pricking each with a fork before she put them into the oven. The Sunrise star, 55, was making a few batches of sausage rolls and some 'parmesan potatoes' in a cooking tutorial. As she opened up the oven to show how they were cooking, viewers got a 'great shot' of the horrendous mess at the bottom of the oven Large clumps of burnt food and drips of brown oil sat in a drip tray beneath three racks During the clip the breakfast television co-host also revealed her very naughty sausage roll hack The Western Australia native added the final stage was to initially cook the sausage rolls 'a little underdone' to ensure they were ready to be reheated later on. 'Then they will be perfect,' she cheerfully told her followers. Nat has gained a huge following since she began anchoring Sunrise in 2021, and in addition to food hacks she often shares her wardrobe and makeup secrets with fans. The Sunrise co-host, 55, posted a video to Instagram capturing her making trays of the Aussie delicacy for a party and revealed her surprising food trick She recently revealed her skincare regimen, including how she protects her face from the daily ravages of television makeup. 'I'm always asked about my skincare, especially how I take off all my TV makeup after work,' Natalie captioned a video shared to Instagram. 'Well for the past 5 years I've used a brand called @dermaviduals. (I've just become an official ambassador for them). She then took viewers through the preparation steps including coating the pastries with egg whites and pricking each with a fork before she put them into the oven 'With a combination of their DMS Cleansing Milk & Gel, the @dermaviduals cleansing range supports your skin and is powered with all these pure, active ingredients that gently nourish your skin. They mix it up to suit you,' she explained. Natalie previously told Yahoo! Lifestyle that she's the 'fittest [she's] ever been' after embracing a 'back to basics' approach to her health. 'I exercise regularly, eat well most of the time, cut out sugar and make sure I get enough sleep,' she said. The brunette beauty revealed her weekly fitness routine consisted of Pilates, Xtend Barre classes, walking and running. Just like her mother, Roxy Jacenko's daughter Pixie likes the finer things in life. The tween is about to celebrate her 12th birthday and has written an extensive wish list filled which includes designer clothes and shoes. PR queen Roxy shocked her followers when she posted a photo of her the birthday present list. It consisted of three pages - one dedicated to clothes and two for shoes. Pixie is asking for clothing items from luxury brands Off White, Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen. Just like her mother, Roxy Jacenko's daughter Pixie likes the finer things in life. The tween is about to celebrate her 12th birthday and has written an extensive wish list filled which includes designer clothes and shoes For shoes, the pre-teen is hoping for multiple pairs of Nike Air Jordan's, Dunks, or Yeezy's. Roxy, 43, shared the three lists to her Instagram story with the caption: '@pixiecurtis was quiet- it's clear why' followed by a face palm emoji. Earlier this year, Roxy revealed Pixie would be 'semi-retiring' from her online toy empire to focus on high school. Roxy, 43, shared the three lists to her Instagram story with the caption: '@pixiecurtis was quiet- it's clear why' followed by a face palm emoji Earlier this year, Roxy revealed Pixie would be 'semi-retiring' from her online toy empire to focus on high school She said that although her daughter's fidget toy brand was once raking in $200,000 a month, Pixie has decided it is time to 'refocus' her priorities. 'Pixie has decided to hang her online toy store shoes up to focus on her impending entry into high school,' she told News.com.au at the time. 'Over the past few months, we have been discussing the business plans going forward as a family and decided it was time to refocus with high school just around the corner.' The mother-of-two said her daughter's fidget spinner store and accessories label Pixie's Bows won't be shutting down, but will be scaling back operations so Pixie can focus on her education. She said that although her daughter's fidget toy brand was once raking in $200,000 a month, Pixie has decided it is time to 'refocus' her priorities However, it now appears that Pixie's Pix has shut down, as the website is no longer live. In recent weeks Roxy has shut down some of her businesses and also sold her family mansion in Sydney's Vaucluse. This propelled rumours that she split with her husband Oliver Curtis, who is moving to Singapore for work. However, Roxy has since confirmed that while divorce wasn't completely off the table she has decided to move to the South-east Asian country for the sake of her children, Pixie and Hunter, eight. Stassi Schroeder has revealed that her relationship with Jax Taylor and his wife Brittany Cartwright deteriorated due to wedding drama. The 34-year-old former star of Vanderpump Rules gave rare insight into her falling out with her ex-boyfriend and castmate Jax, 43, and Brittany, 34, on Tuesday while co-hosting The Toast podcast. 'I do miss them at times. They hurt me, they really did. It feels like I can't trust them anymore,' Stassi said, according to Us Weekly. 'I am over it but it doesn't mean I have to go be besties with these people again,' she added. Stassi and Beau Clark, 43, got married in May 2022 in Italy and she told podcast host Jackie Oshry that she's been stung by Jax and Brittany's comments about missing her wedding. Wedding drama: Stassi Schroeder, shown earlier on the Call Her Daddy podcast on Spotify, has revealed that her relationship with Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright deteriorated due to wedding drama 'I think what hurts the most is how Jax says, ''We already went to their first wedding.'' We didn't get to have one. ... We literally just signed papers in Katie Maloney's backyard [in October 2020] during my baby shower with less than 10 people. It wasn't a wedding,' Stassi said. Stassi, who has two-year-old daughter Hartford with Beau, hinted at a falling out with the Jax and Brittany shortly after her wedding. 'To our faces, they are telling us that they are coming, but behind our back, the dude is texting Beau's best friend that they're not,' she said on hter 'The Good the Bad The Baby' podcast in May 2022. 'Good friends don't do that. They don't talk s*** about your wedding behind your back or pretend that they're coming and give a list of reasons why they're not coming to other people. Friends don't do that to each other,' she added. Brittany previously explained on the Betches Moms podcast in June 2022 that there were myriad reasons they couldn't attend, including a death in the family and a passport issue for their son Cruz, two. She refuted claims that they waited until 'the last minute' to back out. 'That was not the case. It was that I was literally trying to be there, up until the very last minute,' she said. Stassi on Tuesday's podcast episode said the lack of communication was upsetting. Former castmates: Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright, shown earlier this month in New York City, starred with Stassi on Vanderpump Rules Dream wedding: Stassi and Beau got married in 2022 in Italy Growing family: Pregnant Stassi is shown with daughter Hartford and husband Beau Clark last month in Los Angeles Bravo show: Raquel Leviss, James Kennedy, Lala Kent, Katie Maloney, Stassi, Ariana Madix, Kristen Doute, Brittany Cartwright, Jax Taylor and Scheana Shay are shown at BravoCon in November 2019 in New York City 'I gave them the opportunity to back out and they didn't. Then as I was getting on the plane, I got a text from Brittany. That feels way more hurtful,' she said. 'I think that was a huge part of why it hurt even more. I had to cut family members and so many people I would have loved to have there. So, they took up two spaces,' Stassi concluded. Jax, born name Jason Michael Cauchi, was an original cast member of the spin-off series Vanderpump Rules when it premiered in 2013. He dated fellow cast member Stassi before getting into a relationship with Brittany. Stassi and co-star Kristen Doute, 40, were fired from Vanderpump Rules in June 2020 after making false police reports about co-star Faith Stowers, 34, accusing her of crimes that she did not commit. Faith recently started an online fundraising campaign for legal fees to sue Stassi over claims made about her in her 2022 book 'Off with My Head: The Definitive Basic B*tch Handbook to Surviving Rock Bottom'. Jackie 'O' Henderson has been enjoying a luxurious holiday in the South of France after gatecrashing her co-host Kyle Sandilands' honeymoon. And the single KIIS FM presenter, 48, has had no shortage of male attention while in Saint Tropez. On Friday's show, Kyle said Jackie has been getting hit on so much, men are even stopping in traffic to try and talk to her. The radio duo have been recording their hit breakfast show live from France, and while driving to the studio Kyle witnessed a man on a moped chatting up his longtime co-host. Kyle and Jackie were travelling in separate cars but ended up stopping beside each other at the traffic lights. Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured) has been enjoying a luxurious holiday in France as she gatecrashed her co-host Kyle Sandilands honeymoon 'This French bloke on a moped pulls up behind me,' he explained. 'He already has some French p**sy on the back of his moped but he's trying to crack on he's like 'bonjour'.' Thinking on his feet, the radio shock jock started recording on his phone when the man pulled up to Jackie. The KIIS FM presenter, 48, might also come back from Europe with a man, as she's been getting a lot of male attention in Saint Tropez On Friday's show, Kyle said Jackie has been getting hit on so much, that men are even stopping in traffic to try and talk to her The man on the moped is heard saying: 'Hello, how are you?' but when Jackie replies to him he says that he doesn't understand her. In the voice clip, the show's producer Brooklyn Ross is then heard saying: 'Some French yahoo on a scooter is going off after our Queen!' While Jackie said there have been many 'creeps' in France, she also appeared flattered by some of the attention. 'The most random things happen to me in this country, I feel like I need to stay here,' she said. Jackie told a very scary story that involved her 12-year-old daughter Kitty (pictured) who is in Saint Tropez with her However, she then told a very scary story that involved her 12-year-old daughter Kitty, who is in Saint Tropez with her. 'The other day I was stopped at a red light and this guy on a scooter, maybe 60, he peers into the window and looks at Kitty with this grin,' she said. 'And I said 'Are you alright?' they just don't care, it was so in your face. 'The men over here are very different to Australian men, very ballsy. They're not all creepy but they're very into women.' Sam and Lara Worthington looked every inch the loved-up couple on Thursday as they attended at Paris Fashion Week. The fashionable duo put on a rare PDA and could barely keep their hands off each other as they posed up in their designer ensembles. They couple attended the OTW By Vans Party at Point Alexandre III. Lara (nee Bingle) showed off her model figure in an oversized avant-garde suit jacket. The oversized grey jacket acted as a mini dress, which flaunted her slim pins. Sam, 46, (right) and Lara Worthington, 36, (left) looked every inch the loved up couple on Thursday as they stepped out at Paris Fashion Week She elevated the look with a pair of black stockings and black pumps which matched her designer clutch. Flaunting her natural beauty, Lara, 36, opted for minimal makeup with just a lick of lipstick as she pushed her newly dyed dark bob back behind her ear. Meanwhile, her husband, 46, looked cool in black Prada button-up shirt worth an eye watering $2,250. The Avatar star paired the expensive item with a simple pair of black slacks and sneakers before hiding his eyes behind incredibly dark shades. The fashionable duo could barely keep their hands off each other as they posed up a storm in their trendy ensembles Sam wrapped his arm protectively around his model wife as the happy couple leaned back against a wall. At one point, the Hollywood star cracked a rare smile as Lara burst into laughter. Lara and Sam share three sons - Rocket, seven, Racer, six, and River, two. The family spent most of 2021 in Australia after living in the US for several years, but they have since returned to America and are living in New York City. Robert Irwin is keeping up his friendly feud with Sam Mac after he almost took his job as Sunrise weatherman last year. The 19-year-old wildlife warrior appeared on Sunrise in July 2022 where he took over Sam's weather-presenting duties for a week while he was taking personal leave. But Sam seems to be concerned Robert will take his job for good, taking a cheeky swipe at the teen during a chat on The Morning Show on Friday. As Robert discussed his dangerously close encounter with a python in a recent video, he revealed Sam too has had 'some close calls' with the snakes at Australia Zoo. Sam didn't hold back when he replied: 'The only snake I've had an encounter with Robert was you, when you tried to take my job on Sunrise weather.' 'You were a snake in the grass that day.' Robert laughed off the jab, but kept the friendly feud running by saying he's still hoping to replace him on the Channel Seven breakfast show. 'Yeah, mate, I'm still gunning for that position,' he added. 'Watch your back. I haven't forgotten.' The rivalry began when Robert briefly took on the position as Sunrise's weather presenter last year and joked 'Sam Mac, I am coming for ya!' Robert Irwin is keeping up his friendly feud with Sam Mac after he almost took his job as Sunrise weatherman last year. Sam seems to be concerned Robert will take his job for good, taking a cheeky swipe at the teen during a chat on The Morning Show on Friday Sam didn't hold back when he said: 'The only snake I've had an encounter with Robert was you, when you tried to take my job on Sunrise weather' Days later, Sam ranted on TikTok about Channel Seven billing Robert as the show's 'new weather presenter', even though he was just filling in for a few days. He was furious over the fact Robert - an 'animal guy' - was able to effortlessly read the weather during live crosses from Australia Zoo in Queensland. Sam also didn't appreciate how the zookeeper joked about taking his job and got along so well with hosts David Koch and Natalie Barr. The 19-year-old wildlife warrior appeared on Sunrise in July 2022 where he took over Sam's weather-presenting duties for a week while he was taking personal leave Days later, Sam ranted on TikTok about Channel Seven billing Robert Irwin as the show's 'new weather presenter' even though he was just filling in for a few days But what really pushed him over the edge was getting a text from his mother Loretta, who gushed over how 'amazing' and 'handsome' Robert was. Sam, who is expecting his first child with partner Rebecca James in September, said in his video: 'People have started sending me articles saying "Watch out, Robert Irwin's going to take your job." 'I was like, "[News websites] do stuff like this all the time; I'm sure it's out of context... So I thought, to be safe, I'd check out what was said on the air.' Sam then aired footage of Robert, the son of late Australian conservationist Steve Irwin, saying on Sunrise: 'All I can say is, Sam Mac, I'm coming for you!' He was furious over the fact Robert - an 'animal guy' - was able to effortlessly read the weather during live crosses from Australia Zoo in Queensland He also dug out an official Sunrise promo of Robert describing himself as 'the new weatherman', adding once again: 'Watch out, Sam Mac!' Sam then watched back footage of one of Robert's live weather crosses and was crestfallen to discover he did a pretty good job. 'Alright! He's good,' he conceded. Sam admitted he felt 'insecure' by it all, and a text from his mum didn't help matters after she asked him if he'd 'been fired' yet. Robert, a regular guest on Sunrise since he was a child, filled in for two days while Sam was on leave. Katie Brown filled in for the remaining three days. Mia Fevola stepped out for the first time with her new hunky boyfriend this week after teasing her new relationship on social media. The model and daughter of footy great Brendan Fevola was seen leaving her new Runway Room store in Melbourne's Armadale with her high school sweetheart Bass Miller. The couple met in high school and have known each other for 10 years and recently reconnected. Mia, 23, looked cosy in a pair of blue wide-leg trousers and a black turtleneck top which she layered with a beige puffer jacket. Carrying a white handbag and a coral-coloured water bottle, her brunette hair was tied back in a ponytail to display her tortoiseshell glasses. Mia Fevola stepped out for the first time with her new hunky boyfriend this week after teasing her new relationship on social media The makeup artist and influencer kept her makeup natural and wore minimal accessories, completing her look with a pair of black heeled boots. Mia's surfer boyfriend rocked a casual look in a washed-out maroon hoodie and Nike sweatpants. His hair was loosely tousled as he walked to the car with Mia, and he opted for unique footwear in a pair of black socks and camo crocs. The loved-up couple appeared to be engaging in a deep conversation as they jumped into a Mercedes G Wagon that Mia's boyfriend was driving. The model and daughter of footy great Brendan Fevola was seen leaving her new Runway Room store in Melbourne's Armadale with her high school sweetheart Bass Miller The couple met in high school and have known each other for 10 years and recently reconnected Mia, 23, looked cosy in a pair of blue wide-leg trousers and a black turtleneck top which she layered with a beige puffer jacket, while her surfer boyfriend rocked a casual look in a washed-out maroon hoodie and Nike sweatpants Earlier this month, Mia announced she had a new love but decided to keep their relationship private. Speaking to the Herald Sun, she expressed how 'happy' she was but won't be publicising their love life as 'hes a private person'. 'We went to school together and Ive known him for 10 years,' she told the publication. The loved-up couple appeared to be engaging in a deep conversation as they exited the store They then jumped into a black Mercedes G Wagon Mia smiled as her beau, who also beamed, jumped into the driver's seat It comes after Mia 'soft launched' a mystery man in March, and has been posting snaps ever since. Last weekend, her father's company Everyday Australia Beer, had a party to celebrate its new product. The company's Instagram page shared a carousel of photos from the party, including a picture of Mia and her new beau. In the image, Mia has a wide smile on her face as she sat next to him in matching black outfits. Earlier this month, Mia announced she had a new love but decided to keep their relationship private Last weekend, her father's company Everyday Australia Beer had a party to celebrate its new product and company's Instagram page shared a carousel of photos from the party, including a picture of Mia and her new beau The model looked flawless as she tied her long locks back into a sleek ponytail and wore a dewy makeup look with pink lips. While the mystery man wasn't tagged in the photo, an Instagram account that appears to be his would suggest that he's not in the public eye. Mia has been teasing her new relationship on Instagram since March, which is a term coined by the internet where a person shares photos with a love interest, but doesn't show their face. 'Hard launching' is then posting a photo with a new partner where they are identifiable. She first hinted to new love while on holiday at the Mornington Peninsula. In one photo, a tan-skinned hand could be seen sitting opposite her at a restaurant while they dined on a pasta dish. Another snap then showed him on the grounds of five-star Jackalope Hotel. She first hinted to new love while on holiday at the Morning Peninsula. In one photo, a tan-skinned hand could be seen sitting opposite her at a restaurant while they dined on a pasta dish Mia's dating history in the AFL world has been well-documented over the past couple of years. She enjoyed a trip to Bali in July last year with Daniel Grant, who played for divisional club Sorrento Sharks. A photo was uploaded at the time which showed her seated next to Daniel and several other pals as they enjoyed drinks before their dinner. She had since denied their relationship was a romantic one, insisting they shared a close friendship. Mia previously dated Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. In another photo, he was snapped on the grounds of five-star Jackalope Hotel Their relationship dissolved in 2021 just after his team's defeat to Melbourne Demons at the Grand Final. Her high-profile relationship with Daniel Rioli of the Richmond Tigers in 2020 also didn't work out, but they've remained good friends. Mia became part of a footy family at a young age when her mother Alex married the-then Carlton forward Brendan Fevola in 2005. Brendan adopted Mia after marrying her mother. The Fevolas have three daughters of their own: Leni, Lulu, and Tobi. Alessandra Ambrosio got in some mother-daughter time when she headed out on a lunch date with one of her BFF"s. The longtime supermodel was spotted making her way to Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills alongside with her daughter Anja and her friend, who appears to be YouTuber Matheus Mazzafera. The former catwalk queen led the charge to the restaurant where the trio were set to indulge in some of the upscale Italian dishes served up by renowned chef Giacomino Drago. The Brazilian-born beauty appeared to be feeling a bit flirty by wearing dark blue slacks with the top unbuttoned and flipped down to reveal blue denim on the inside. Strutting her way with boatloads of confidence and charisma, Ambrosio give a hint of her amazingly toned midriff when she paired the pants with just a cropped white tank top. Lunch date: Alessandra Ambrosio, 42, went out to lunch with her daughter Anja and her friend, who appeared to be Matheus Mazzafera, to the Il Pastaio restaurant in Beverly Hills In keeping with her casual-cool ensemble, the Gal Floripa co-founder also wore a pair of white leather sneakers, while carrying a white sweater just in case the temperature took a tumble. Rounding out her overall look, the mother of two had her dark brown tresses styled long, straight and flowing well past her shoulders to about the middle of her back with a center part. Anja, 14, appears to be looking more like her famous mom as she gets into her teen years. Not quite as tall as mom just yet, the high schooler wore off-white pants that hung low with a black crop top and black sneakers. She also had her lightened locks flowing long, but with an added dose of volume and a part in the middle. Anja would also come prepared for a possible chill in the air by bringing along a light-colored sweatshirt with her to the establishment. Her pal went with a casual-cool look in white pants, with a hole in the knee, and a fitted and faded black t-shirt and white sneakers. Like his lady friend, he too sported dark sunglasses for the walk from their parked vehicle to the restaurant, considering the sun was glaring down at the time and temperatures had risen into the 70s Fahrenheit. Working it: Obviously feeling a bit flirty, the longtime supermodel left the top of her dark blue slacks unbuttoned to give a hint of her amazing toned midriff, to go along with her croped white tank top and white sneakers Glowing: Earlier on the day, the Brazilian-born beauty shared a photo of herself taken while on her 'morning workout' dressed in a plunging workout tank top Earlier in the day, Ambrosio took to her Instagram page and posted a photo of herself mugging for the camera during her 'morning workout'. In the picture, the statuesque beauty flashed a seductive stare while wearing a plunging workout tank top, and had her long hair pulled up into a messy bun. She would also post a couple of photos of herself showcasing her latest new hairstyle, which she attributed to stylist Dimitris Giannetos. Stylin': The mother of two also gave a shout out to hair stylist Dimitris Giannetos for her nre 'messy textured updo' in an Instagram post Thursday morning Both images showed the covergirl decked out in a skin-tight, sheer black top and her locks falling down the sides of her face ALE... Whos into a messy textured updo ?' she wrote in the caption, before giving her shout out for her hair: '@dimitrishair #dimitrishair #alessandraambrosio.' Both images showed the covergirl decked out in a skin-tight, sheer black top and her locks falling down the sides of her face. Along with Anja, Ambrosio is also the proud mother of son Noah, 10, whom she shares with her ex-fiancee Jamie Mazur. The former couple first got engaged in 2008, and went on to date for more than 10 years until they decided to call off the wedding and go their separate ways in 2018. The Beverly Hills, 90210 star uploaded a video clip on Instagram that showed her before going into surgery to have a tumor removed from her head Shannen Doherty flashed a brave smile while heading to a restaurant on Thursday in Malibu, California, amid her ongoing cancer battle. The 52-year-old actress wore a dark blue sweater and blue jeans while out for a meal with her mother Rosa after revealing earlier this month that her stage four breast cancer had spread to her brain. Shannen completed her casual outfit with white sneakers and accessorized with mirrored sunglasses. She also carried a black jacket and matching purse and had her short dark hair parted down the middle. The Beverly Hills 90210 revealed the diagnosis earlier this month on Instagram and uploaded a video clip that showed her speaking with a medical professional before going into surgery to have a tumor removed from her head. Cancer battle: Shannen Doherty flashed a smile while heading to a restaurant on Thursday in Malibu, California, amid her ongoing cancer battle 'January 16, 2023. Surgery. I had a tumor in my head they wanted to remove and also biopsy. I am clearly trying to be brave but I am petrified,' she wrote for her roughly 2 million followers. In the clip, Shannen lay down as doctors placed a blue mold over her face and head. They had her bite down to make sure it adhered to her mouth and chin. Shannen began to cry as they held the edges of the mask down and pinned them to a board behind her head before moving her into the machine. The actress continued: 'January 12, the first round of radiation took place. My fear is obvious.' Radiation treatment uses 'energy beams to destroy cancer cells' and it can 'target all or part of the brain, depending on a persons diagnosis,' according to NYU Langone Health. 'I am extremely claustrophobic and there was a lot going on in my life,' Shannen wrote. 'I am fortunate as I have great doctors like Dr Amin Mirahdi and the amazing techs at cedar sinai. 'But that fear. The turmoil.. the timing of it all. This is what cancer can look like,' she concluded. Shannen in April filed for divorce from her husband, Kurt Iswarienko, 48, after 11 years of marriage. With mom: The 52-year-old actress wore a dark blue sweater and blue jeans while out for a meal with her mother Rosa after revealing earlier this month that her stage four breast cancer had spread to her brain Cancer surgery: The Beverly Hills 90210 revealed the diagnosis earlier this month on Instagram and uploaded a video clip that showed her speaking with a medical professional before going into surgery to have a tumor removed from her head Divorce filing: Shannen in April filed for divorce from her husband, Kurt Iswarienko, 48, after 11 years of marriage, shown together in September 2016 in Los Angeles The official divorce paperwork obtained by TMZ revealed that the pair have been separated since January. Through her publicist, Leslie Sloane, Doherty cited the reason for divorce and had alleged that Iswarienko's agent was 'intimately involved' with their divorce. 'Divorce is the last thing Shannen wanted,' her representative told the publication at the time. 'Unfortunately, she felt she was left with no other option.' Doherty and Iswarienko exchanged vows and tied the knot in Malibu in October 2011. Previously, she was married to actor Ashley Hamilton from 1993 to 1994, and her second marriage was with poker player Rick Salomon from 2002 to 2003. Cancer cells that spread to the brain are unique in that they accrue so many genetic mutations that make it able to cross the bloodbrain barrier, which serves as an obstacle for many effective cancer treatments including chemo. Radiation therapy disrupts the blood-brain barrier, a network of blood vessels and tissue that serves as a protective layer lining the inside of the brain. It shields the brain from toxic substances. Radiation, unlike many cancer treatments, can cross that impermeable blood-brain barrier to treat recurring cancer and cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Cult classic:Winona Ryder, Lisanne Falk, Kim Walker and Shannen are shown in a promo still for the 1988 movie Heathers Hit show: Alyssa Milano, Shannen and Holly Marie Combs are shown in a 1998 promo still for Charmed Lead role: Shannen had a lead role in the 1995 movie Mallrats by director Kevin Smith that also featured Ben Affleck and Claire Forlani When treating breast cancer that has spread to the brain, oncologists are likely to use a type of radiation therapy called whole brain RT (WBRT) that consists of 10 to 15 treatments over a few weeks. While this is the gold standard for treating multiple brain metastases, it may only prolong life by about six months. Oncologists will size a thermoplastic mask over the patients face before starting the treatment in order to keep that area of the body still during the sessions. It starts as a warm, wet mesh on the skin that hardens and cools after about 15 minutes to hold the head in place. Shannen's credits also include Heathers, Mallrats and Charmed. American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini was supported by his lookalike sons and his father at the opening of his new Broadway show Thursday. Justin is playing Prince Charming in Once Upon A One More Time, a jukebox musical full of beloved hits by Britney Spears. Britney has given her enthusiastic seal of approval to the show, which is about fairytale princesses who read Betty Friedan's feminist classic The Feminine Mystique and have their worldview reshaped. As he prepared to go on opening night, Justin posed on the red carpet with his boys William, 12, and Asher, 10, whom he shares with his wife Reina Capodici. He was also proudly accompanied by his beaming father Edrin Bell, who used to be the police chief of Atlanta, Georgia. American Idol runner-up: Justin Guarini was supported by his sons his sons William, 12, and Asher, 10, and his father at the opening of his Broadway show Thursday Perfect casting: Justin is playing Prince Charming in Once Upon A One More Time, a jukebox musical full of beloved hits by Britney Spears Dynamic duo: Justin shot to fame in 2002 on season one of American Idol, ultimately losing out to Kelly Clarkson; the pair are pictured on the reality TV program Justin shot to fame in 2002 on season one of American Idol, ultimately losing out to Kelly Clarkson, with whom he subsequently had a fling. He cut a smolderingly dashing figure during his latest public appearance, hinting at his toned torso in a sheer black top worn under a glittering suit. He flashed his unmistakably rakish smile as he posed up a storm alongside his leading lady Briga Heelan, who plays Cinderella. Briga showcased her lithe dancer's body in a tantalizingly see-through white dress that clung to her taut leg and fell off the shoulder into a cowl. Letting her luxurious blonde hair tumble freely over her shoulders in a look reminiscent of Britney, she sharpened her features with makeup. Their red carpet appearance came after Britney, in the wake of her recent headline-grabbing family drama, fired up her Instagram to promote the show. 'Good luck to the hardworking cast and crew of "Once Upon a One More Time" on opening night tonight !!!' wrote the pop act. Britney, who signed her licensing agreement for the piece after being freed from her conservatorship, added: 'Ive seen the show and it is so funny, smart and brilliant !!!' Premise: Britney has given her enthusiastic seal of approval to the show, which is about fairytale princesses who read Betty Friedan's feminist classic The Feminine Mystique Onstage: Various Britney hits like Toxic, Oops I Did It Again, Lucky and Circus have been integrated into an original book by Jon Hartmere Looking fab: He flashed his unmistakably rakish smile as he posed up a storm alongside his leading lady Briga Heelan, who plays Cinderella Radiant: Briga showcased her lithe dancer's body in a tantalizingly see-through white dress that clung to her taut leg and fell off the shoulder into a cowl Names galore paraded across Thursday's red carpet, including former Real Housewife Kelly Killoren Bensimon and Kardashian satellite Jonathan Cheban. Laura Benanti, a longtime Broadway star and Tony winner, draped her knockout physique in a peekaboo silver dress. The event also played host to a mini-reunion for The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, whose cast members Jane Krakowski and Tituss Burgess embraced for the cameras. Broadway veteran Deborah Cox draped her hourglass frame in a glitzily designed gold and black dress that flashed under the light. The new musical is about a book club of iconic fairy princesses who wind up having their consciousness raised by reading The Feminine Mystique. When the 1963 book arrives via fairy godmother, it interrupts the ladies usual habit of rereading the Grimm stories that make up their whole library. Once Upon A One More Time's princesses include but are not limited to Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. Coincidentally, those characters were also sent up in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's hit 1987 Broadway musical Into The Woods. 'So funny, smart and brilliant': Their red carpet appearance came after Britney, in the wake of her recent headline-grabbing family drama, fired up her Instagram to promote the show Warm words: 'Good luck to the hardworking cast and crew of "Once Upon a One More Time" on opening night tonight !!!' wrote the pop act Swanking about: Names galore paraded across Thursday's red carpet, including former Real Housewife Kelly Killoren Bensimon (left) and Kardashian satellite Jonathan Cheban (right) Use it or lose it: Laura Benanti, a longtime Broadway star and Tony winner, draped her knockout physique in a peekaboo silver dress Such fun: The event also played host to a mini-reunion for The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, whose cast members Jane Krakowski and Tituss Burgess embraced for the cameras Broadway veteran: Deborah Cox draped her hourglass frame in a glitzily designed gold and black dress that flashed under the light Various Britney hits like Toxic, Oops I Did It Again, Lucky and Circus have been integrated into an original book by Jon Hartmere, who previously wrote the book and lyrics of the rock musical Bare about gay students at a Catholic school. Once Upon A One More Time was first announced in 2019, when Britney was still in the grip of her father's controversial conservatorship. Early in 2019 Jon Hartmere told the New York Times that Britney had been to a table read of the show, which was then scheduled for a run in Chicago. A string of her famous numbers and what Jon called 'a couple of deep album cuts' made up the Britney songs featured in the stage show. The Chicago opening was bumped to early 2020 and then canceled altogether when the coronavirus lockdowns swept the country. His latest Mission Impossible installment, Dead Reckoning Part One, has been met by rave early reviews as it premieres across the globe this week. And Tom Cruise and his co-stars celebrated in style on Thursday evening, as they arrived at a star-studded after party at Cafe Royal in London. The star, 60, looked dashing as ever in a grey three-piece suit and an open-neck white shirt as he led the arrivals at the bash. Tom, who flashed a Hollywood smile as he passsed cameras, completed his look with a pair of Top Gun-esque avaitor shades. Meanwhile, Hayley turned heads as she wore a very voluminous satin dress, which teased a hint of cleavage and puffed out at the hips. Party time! Tom Cruise and his co-stars celebrated in style on Thursday evening, as they arrived at a star-studded after party for Mission Impossible 7 at Cafe Royal in London So glam! Hayley turned heads as she wore a very voluminous satin dress, which teased a hint of cleavage and puffed out at the hips So chic! Rebecca Ferguson looked stylish in an elegant champagne dress The brunette beauty, who plays Grace in the film, added a boost to her height with heels and slicked half of her hair back. Pom Klementieff, meanwhile, wowed in a black backless minidress and silver Prada platforms with Simon Pegg and Ivan Ivashkin also in attendance. After lengthy delays due to the coronavirus pandemic and an unprecedented $290million outlay, the actors looked thrilled to be celebrating the film launch. The world premiere, which happened in Rome earlier this week, received rave reviews from early critics, who branded it 'dynamite' and tipped it to be a summer blockbuster. Tom first starred as Ethan Hunt in the first Mission: Impossible movie in 1996. The film follows Ethan Hunt and the IMF team, including Grace, as they track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity if it falls into the wrong hands. Following Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One's world premiere in Rome on Monday, critics and fans who got a chance to see the film early shared mostly fawning praise on social media. The latest Mission: Impossible entry premiered in the iconic Italian city as part of the Rome Film Festival, after a significant chunk of the movie was filmed in the capital. Stunning: Pom Klementieff, meanwhile, wowed in a black backless minidress and silver Prada platforms with Simon Pegg and Ivan Ivashkin also in attendance Arrivals: Pom arrived arm in arm with a smartly-dressed man Hello! Tom waved to fans as he made his way into the venue Spy: The film follows Ethan and the IMF team must track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity if it falls into the wrong hands (pictured with Hayley Atwell) Leading lady: The brunette beauty, who plays Grace in the film, added a boost to her height with heels and slicked half of her hair back Style: Hayley's dress featured a slit up the back of the leg On Twitter, early reactions to the 'impeccably made' film were almost unanimously positive. Dead Reckoning Part One is a long time coming as it had production halted a number of times due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It was shot back-to-back with its direct sequel, Dead Reckoning Part Two. The two films were initially reported to be the final chapters, as reported by several publications, including Screen Rant. Along with the hype surrounding a new addition to the Mission Impossible franchise, the fans and media were also intrigued by rumors that co-stars Tom and Hayley had secretly dated during filming. But Hayley efficiently silenced the rumblings as she spoke for the first time about her 'close' bond with Tom in an interview in the May-June issue of Country & Town House. 'I felt like if I ever was worried about it, I could talk to him [Tom],' the newly-engaged star said of the dating rumours. 'And I know that he would've said, "People say whatever they want to say, but you know who you are, I know who I am and I want you to feel safe in this environment."' Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One, which along with Cruise and Atwell also stars Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby and Henry Czerny, is slated to hits theaters in the U.S. on July 12. The sequel, Dead Reckoning Part Two, is scheduled to make its premiere in theaters on June 28, 2024. Mobbed: Fans rushed to see the actor leaving the venue Stars: Rebecca and Hayley looked incredible for the celebratory night Smart: Cary Elwes looked dashing in an all black look Here he is! The star, 60, looked dashing as ever in a grey three-piece suit and an open-neck white shirt as he led the arrivals at the bash Good spirits: Tom was sat in the back of the car Home time! Tom was joined by a dapper pal Party time! His latest Mission Impossible installment, Dead Reckoning Part One, has been met by rave early reviews as it premieres across the globe this week Over here! The curtious star stopped to sign autographs JoJo Siwa landed in New Zealand recently for a mystery project she is staying mum about. The Dance Mums star, 20, documented her trip Down Under with a series of Instagram posts which dropped a few hints about what she might be doing. It is possible the YouTube star is participating in some sort of physical challenge television series, The Edge has reported. The publication revealed JoJo has been training hard for several weeks in preparation for a 27-day-long trip to New Zealand. While the details of her project have been kept underwraps, JoJo began filming parts of her journey just before jetting out of the US. JoJo Siwa landed in New Zealand recently for a mystery project she is staying mum about Her first post about the mystery project was an Instagram story which showed her leaping with joy in her home gym. 'Today is my last day for a while in my garage training. I leave today to go work on something that I've been training so hard for,' she wrote in the caption. JoJo left for New Zealand not long after, leaving her parents behind as she landed in the South Island with her friends Rachel Ballinger and girlfriend Abbie Livella. The Dance Mums star, 20, documented her trip Down Under with a series of Instagram posts which dropped a few hints about what she might be doing. Her first post about the mystery project was an Instagram story which showed her leaping with joy in her home gym JoJo left for New Zealand not long after, leaving her parents behind as she landed in the South Island with her friends Rachel Ballinger and girlfriend Abbie Livella In a heartfelt video, she was seen hugging her parents in an emotional goodbye. 'Saying goodbye to these two was the hardest thing,' she wrote alongside it. 'Gonna see my dad in like 20 days and my mum in 23. Longest we've been apart ever.' JoJo later shared a snap from the international airport and noted the 'wild' queues which trailed through customs before her next post showed the picturesque Southern Alps emerging outside her plane's window. Her final posts about the trip showed JoJo landing in Queenstown and later training at an indoor skydiving centre. JoJo later shared a snap from the international airport and noted the 'wild' queues which trailed through customs before her next post showed the picturesque Southern Alps emerging outside her plane's window Selena Gomez is celebrating the end of a two-month shoot on the upcoming movie Emilia Perez, sharing a slew of snaps from Paris. The 30-year-old actress took to Instagram on Thursday, sharing 10 snaps from the set and other locales around the City of Lights, where she shot Emilia Perez. 'Thank you Paris for being a home to me for two months! I loved every moment,' Gomez began in her post, days after he was revealed she's collaborating with Jordan Peele on a new film. 'Working on this film has completely changed my life. I cant wait to share more soon! Love you all,' she concluded. The first snap showed Gomez in a white blouse, blue jeans and gold hoop earrings, about to bite into some French bread outside chef Philippe Conticini's pastry shop. Celebrate: Selena Gomez is celebrating the end of a two-month shoot on the upcoming movie Emilia Perez, sharing a slew of snaps from Paris Thanks: 'Thank you Paris for being a home to me for two months! I loved every moment,' Gomez began in her post, days after he was revealed she's collaborating with Jordan Peele on a new film Selfie: The actress also shared a selfie of her in a black sweater The actress also shared a selfie of her in a black sweater, and another of her in a recording studio, hugging a younger co-star with others behind the mixing board. Gomez also shared a snap of the Paris landmark the Arc de Triomphe that looms over the Champs Elysees in Paris. She also shared a snap with a number of other female friends from a Parisian rooftop, with the Eiffel Tower in the background. The actress also shared a black-and-white snap of her looking out into Paris from the balcony of her place. Gomez also shared a snap of her hugging a friend under the Eiffel Tower and another of her with more friends while wearing a white Dior top. She also shared a snap of her co-star Zoe Saldana handing out heart-shaped pizzas to others. The final snap was a view of her morning coffee on the patio and its view looking over Paris. Her film Emilia Perez from writer-director Jacques Audiard is described as a, 'musical crime comedy. Friends: She shared another of her in a recording studio, hugging a younger co-star with others behind the mixing board Arc: Gomez also shared a snap of the Paris landmark the Arc de Triomphe that looms over the Champs Elysees in Paris Friends: She also shared a snap with a number of other female friends from a Parisian rooftop, with the Eiffel Tower in the background Balcony: The actress also shared a black-and-white snap of her looking out into Paris from the balcony of her place Dior: Gomez also shared a snap of her hugging a friend under the Eiffel Tower and another of her with more friends while wearing a white Dior top Zoe: She also shared a snap of her co-star Zoe Saldana handing out heart-shaped pizzas to others Final: The final snap was a view of her morning coffee on the patio and its view looking over Paris The film follows a Mexican cartel leader, played by Brazilian trans actress Karla Sofia Gascon, who undergoes a sex change to become, 'woman he's always dreamed of being,' to go into hiding after retiring from the deadly business. There are no details on who Gomez will be playing, though she stars alongside Saldana, Edgar Ramirez, Eduardo Alaro and more. Gomez also has two films in pre-production, Spiral and In the Shadow of the Mountain, though it's unclear which will start production first. She will also return as Mabel Mora in the third season of Hulu's Only Murders in the Building, debuting August 8. She has one of the best walks in the business as a supermodel. Yet Stella Maxwell was looking unsteady on her feet as she teetered out of the GQ and Levi's Paris Fashion Week party in France on Thursday. The blonde bombshell looked close to tripping as she left the bash in towering platform heels, with fashion designer Riccardo Tisci by her side, Stella, 33, opted for an all-black ensemble, slipping into a pair of leather trousers that highlighted her long legs. She teamed the garment with a sexy bustier top that featured sheer panels along the bodice to tease her incredible figure. Careful! Stella Maxwell was looking unsteady on her feet as she teetered out of the GQ and Levi's Paris Fashion Week party in France on Thursday Stella completed her look with a pair of oversized shades and wearing her glossy golden locks loose and tousled. In January, Stella was the victim of a home invasion by a man who has been allegedly stalking her. The model filed a temporary restraining order and shared the frightening story of how her stalker entered her home. 'The Respondent entered my residence without permission on 1/1/2023. I was not present but a friend of mine was present and terrified,' Stella revealed in the legal filing obtained by The Blast. She continued: 'Respondent demanded to know my whereabouts and told my friend he had been in communication with me. Afraid, my friend provided my location.' Stella explained the extent of her alleged stalker's actions, saying: 'I was not physically harmed but I am emotionally terrified and in fear, for my life.' 'My security team has learned that Respondent sent me hundreds of unhinged messages and has been tracking my location and traveling to international locations where I work,' she added. 'Prior to 1/1/2023, Respondent started sending me several hundred messages through social media. 'He has also posted his location in foreign countries on social media which corresponds to the dates that I was working in those locations,' the request for the restraining order read. And she told the courts what she wanted to feel safe from the alleged stalker. 'I am requesting an order that the respondent is prohibited from contacting me through any electronic means, including direct messages, or other means.' Two's company: Fashion designer Riccardo Tisci was by her side as she strutted out of the party with the supermodel by her side Glamorous: Stella, 33, opted for an all-black ensemble, slipping into a pair of leather trousers that highlighted her long legs Jason Flemyng has shared his elation at finally locating the tree he used to ask his now wife Elly Fairman to marry him. The actor, 56, took to Instagram on Thursday to document the moment he found the oak with the help of a ranger in Richmond Park. Jason, who told his followers that he failed to find the tree on 'countless trips back' to the park, shared snaps of the couple's twin boys, Noah and Cassius posing next to the tree. The carved message on the tree read: 'Elly will you marry me?' The Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels actor also uploaded a video of himself thanking Jamie as he drove off on his tractor. Happy couple: Jason Flemyng has shared his elation at finally locating the tree he used to ask his now wife Elly Fairman to marry him (pictured together in 2022) Here it is! The actor, 56, took to Instagram on Thursday to document the moment he found the oak with the help of a ranger in Richmond Park He then turned the camera to his actress and producer wife Elly, 45, who beamed at the camera before looking at the tree. Captioning his post, the film star penned: 'SO! I LOST the tree where I asked Elly to marry me I found it when the twins were 5 ish but haven't found it on countless trips back to Richmond Park 'After another fruitless search today, I bumped into Jamie.. a ranger, I showed him the picture.. and he said... "although I can only see a thin slice of the background.. I recognise the topography .. and that is a Veteran Oak. I KNOW that tree." Jason and Elly started dating in 2001, the same year his nine-year relationship to Game Of Thrones star Lena Headey ended. It is not known when he actually proposed, but the pair tied the knot in a romantic ceremony in Tuscany, Italy in the summer of 2008. The couple then welcomed their twin boys in 2012. It comes after Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels stars Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng and Dexter Fletcher reunited in April - 25 years after the film's release. The trio, who starred as Bacon, Tom and Soap respectively in the Guy Richie-fronted film, enjoyed a mini reunion as they attended a screening of Dexter's new movie Ghosted at the Ham Yard Hotel in London. History: Jason, who told his followers that he failed to find the tree on 'countless trips back' to the park, shared snaps of the couple's twin boys, Noah and Cassius posing next to the tree Thank you! The Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels actor also uploaded a video of himself thanking Jamie as he drove off on his tractor Happy to be back: He then turned the camera to his actress and producer wife Elly, 45, who beamed at the camera before looking at the tree Message: Jason captioned his post documenting how he'd lost and found the tree over the years Longtime love: It is not known when he actually proposed, but the pair tied the knot in a romantic ceremony in Tuscany, Italy in the summer of 2008 (pictured in 2008) Family: The couple then welcomed their twin boys, Noah and Cassius, in 2012 (pictured in 2013) While Hollywood hardman Statham, 55, boasts many trademarks of his former look, Flemyng and Dexter, 57, were barely-recognisable from their appearance in the iconic gangster movie, in which they played the three leads. During their reunion, the trio were clad in contrasting ensembles, ranging from smart to trendy, as they posed together happily at the screening. Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels followed the story of a man and his friends who lose a poker game to a powerful gangster and have to hatch a play to pay back the debt and was a roaring hit upon its release in 1998. Laurence Fox has dramatically split from his fiancee Arabella Fleetwood Neagle just weeks before they had been expected to get married. The Lewis star turned outspoken political activist announced his engagement to Arabella, 29, in January 2022. However, the former couple, who began dating in 2021, have ended their relationship after accepting it had 'run out of steam,' according to friends. But who exactly is Arabella Fleetwood Neagle? Does she have any children? Read on below for everything you need to know about Laurence Fox's former fiancee following their dramatic split. Laurence Fox has dramatically split from his fiancee Arabella Fleetwood Neagle just weeks before they had been expected to get married. The former couple can be seen here during Fox's failed London mayoral campaign The former couple, who began dating in 2021, have ended their relationship after accepting it had 'run out of steam,' according to friends. It is understood that 'as time went on, their relationship just petered out.' The pair are pictured together Who is Arabella Fleetwood Neagle? Fleetwood Neagle is the daughter of multi-millionaire businessman Paul Neagle, an investment manager and entrepreneur who lives in a 1.6million home. The 29-year-old has a limited social media presence - unlike her former fiancee Fox - and works as a teacher at a prep school in north London. Arabella has a sister, Lucinda, who is also a teacher, as well as a brother, Olivier. Arabella was photographed next to her husband-to-be on his 'Free London' battle bus in 2021 when he was campaigning to oust Sadiq Khan as Labour's Mayor of London for his Reclaim Party. She also marched alongside him in the streets of the capital when he urged Londoners to 'Reclaim your Freedom' in the election where the 'anti-woke' candidate secured 47,634 votes to finish in sixth place. Her Oxford educated father Paul is listed as Bursar and Clerk to the Governors at Woodford Green Preparatory School in London, where the Neagle family are understood to be based. Paul also formerly ran a business selling dolls with Arabella's mother, Kathryn. Commenting on the pair's split, a friend said: 'Laurence and Arabella had an instant connection from the start, and had great fun together. 'She was also very understanding of Laurence's controversial nature and was ready to embrace being a stepmother, too. Pictured left to right: Arabella May Fleetwood Neagle, sister Lucinda Neagle, brother Oliver Neagle, dad Paul Neagle and mum Kathryn Neagle 'But as time went on, their relationship just petered out. 'They've tried to keep things private and under the radar.' The close associate added: 'Laurence says his priority is raising kids and keeping stability and peace within that setting.' Does Arabella Fleetwood Neagle have any children? Whilst Fox has two sons, Winston, 14, and Eugene, 10, from his previous marriage to actress Billie Piper, Arabella does not have any children of her own. The couple's engagement came as a shock to many after Fox previously stated that he would not go out with any women under the age of 35 because they were 'too woke' and most of them were 'absolutely bonkers'. Fox previously chose to propose to Neagle in unorthodox fashion, placing an advert in The Daily Telegraph newspaper, under the forthcoming marriages section, which read: 'The engagement is announced between Laurence Paul Fox and Arabella May Fleetwood Neagle.' Unexpected: The divisive actor confirmed his proposal in a Telegraph ad before sharing the news with his 305,000 followers Repeating the news on his social media channel to his 300,000 followers, Laurence added: 'She said "yes".' Laurence's transition to activist in recent years has hit his career hard, with the former Victoria star - who comes from a family of successful actors - losing out on a number of parts. In November 2020, he was dropped by talent agency Artists Rights Group after claiming on BBC1's Question Time that an audience member's description of him as a 'white privileged male' was 'racist'. He is now standing as an MP for his Reclaim Party in the upcoming by-election for Uxbridge and South Ruislip. The TOWIE girls were sure to turn up the heat on Thursday as they slipped into sizzling swimwear while continuing to film new scenes in Cyprus. Leading the way was Chloe Meadows, 31, who put on a busty display in a patterned bikini while posing for a series of snaps. Meanwhile, her co-stars Dani Imbert and Elma Pazar also turned heads as they too slipped into sizzling swimwear for day three of filming the latest series. Chloe oozed confidence as she showcased her incredible figure in the sizzling ensemble, which she wore with a matching, long-sleeved cropped top and gold body chains. The stunner accessorised her beach look with gold jewellery and trendy shades and smouldered into the camera as she posed. Hot stuff: The TOWIE girls were sure to turn up the heat on Thursday as they slipped into sizzling swimwear while continuing to film new scenes in Cyprus, with Chloe Meadows leading the way Here come the girls: Meanwhile, her co-stars Dani Imbert (L) and Elma Pazar also turned heads as they too slipped into sizzling swimwear for day three of filming the latest series Stunner: Chloe, 31, put on a busty display in a patterned bikini while posing for a series of snaps Dani, 25, meanwhile caught the eye in a black optical illusion swimsuit which served to highlight her trim physique. She teamed this with black sandals and simple gold jewellery, while her curly caramel locks cascaded over her shoulders. Elma, 29, also stunned in her swimwear, showing off her figure in a zigzag patterned bikini and matching sarong. She styled her bikini with white sliders and stored her day's essentials in a straw handbag. Meanwhile, not one to be outdone, Ella Rae Wise wowed in an orange lace cover-up worn over a matching bikini. The TV star styled her look with gold sandals and jewellery and looked in her element as she posed up a storm for the camera. Elsewhere, Courtney Green gave a nod to her surname as she slipped into a cropped green shirt and lace maxi skirt, which she wore over a white bikini. She boosted her height with chunky sandals and added a plethora of stylish accessories to her look. Wow: Chloe oozed confidence as she showcased her incredible figure in the sizzling ensemble, which she wore with a matching, long-sleeved cropped top and gold body chains Flawless: Dani, 25, meanwhile caught the eye in a black optical illusion swimsuit which served to highlight her trim physique Ooh I say: Dani showed off plenty of skin in her racy black swimsuit Gorgeous: She teamed this with black sandals and simple gold jewellery, while her curly caramel locks cascaded over her shoulders Fun in the sun: Dani showcased her physique as she larked about on the beach Fun: Dani and Junaid were having a great time together Lovely: Elma, 29, also stunned in her swimwear, showing off her figure in a zigzag patterned bikini and matching sarong Here he is: Not one to be outdone, Junaid Ahmed pulled out the stops in a sheer black cover-up and matching swimming trunks Good times: He appeared in great spirits as he was seen larking about with pal Dani on the beach Join me! Junaid was hilariously seen trying to drag Dani further into the water Catch up: Dani and Junaid were seen having a catch up on the beach Water day: The duo played with an inflatable armband in the water Not one to be outdone, Junaid Ahmed pulled out the stops in a sheer black cover-up and matching swimming trunks. He appeared in great spirits as he was seen larking about with pal Dani on the beach. Harry Derbidge was also in Cyprus as he joined his co-stars for further filming. Donning an orange and cream striped co-ord, Harry was seen sitting with Ella Wise as they filmed a scene together. Here she is: Meanwhile, not one to be outdone, Ella Rae Wise wowed in an orange lace cover-up worn over a matching bikini Orange you lovely: The TV star styled her look with gold sandals and jewellery and looked in her element as she posed up a storm for the camera Poser: Ella happily posed up a storm by the pool Green goddess: Elsewhere, Courtney Green gave a nod to her surname as she slipped into a cropped green shirt and lace maxi skirt, which she wore over a white bikini Summer look: She boosted her height with chunky sandals and added a plethora of stylish accessories to her look All black everything: Junaid posed away in his black beach outfit and matching leather sandals Kiss kiss: The TV star blew a kiss to the camera He's arrived: Harry Derbidge was also in Cyprus as he joined his co-stars for further filming Duo: Donning an orange and cream striped co-ord, Harry was seen sitting with Ella Wise as they filmed a scene together What's the news: Ella and Harry put on an animated display as they had a gossip together Gossip: The duo looked very excited as they seemingly discussed some dramatic news Drama incoming: Ella appeared to have plenty to say as she filmed her scenes Everything ok? The blonde beauty covered her face with her hand at one point Cheers: Ella and Harry sipped on a glass of bubbles while catching up in the sun She's back! Meanwhile, Amy Childs returned to filming the show, just weeks after welcoming her twins with boyfriend Billy Delbosq in April Newbies: The star's baby boy and girl are set to make their debut on TOWIE as they joined her on set, with her co-stars gushing over the tots Nice to see you: Her beau Billy was also involved in filming and was seen hugging Amy's cousin Harry on set Here come the boys: Jordan Brook (L) and Roman Hackett were also filming on the day Chat: The boys were seen in deep conversation at one point Meanwhile, Amy Childs returned to filming the show, just weeks after welcoming her twins with boyfriend Billy Delbosq in April. And the star's baby boy and girl are set to make their debut on TOWIE as they joined her on set, with her co-stars gushing over the tots. Her beau Billy was also involved in filming and was seen hugging Amy's cousin Harry on set. TOWIE season 32 is set to air on ITVBe later on this year with 'juicy gossip, major LOL's and serious drama' being teased. One of BBC's longest running show's have been pulled from schedules for months leaving viewers fuming. Soap opera Doctors will be off air until September the broadcaster announced on Thursday as it takes a summer break with some fans concerned it may lead to it being axed indefinitely. Taking to Twitter the statement read: 'Doctors will be off air and return to your screens on Monday 4th September. In the meantime, Catch up on BBC iPlayer'. Racing to the comments section one fan said: 'This is madness!! It's getting earlier each year? You always used to break in July when Wimbledon started. Why so early? I fear this may be headed for the chop'. Another commented: 'Can't believe there is now a break until September! Why? no other soap does this!'. Fuming: One of BBC's longest running show's have been pulled from schedules for months leaving viewers fuming Someone else said: 'That's so long away'. And a fourth commented: '10 weeks!!! Crazy length of break'. MailOnline have contacted the BBC for comment. The show first aired in 2000 and most recently won the Best On-Screen Partnership at the 2023 Soap Awards for actors Jan Pearson and Chris Walker. It comes after actress Kellie Shirley who used to appear in EastEnders, playing Shirley Carter's daughter Carly Wicks, joined the Doctors cast in April. Her character Jo McLennon struggles with agoraphobia and is housebound and Dr Al (Ian Midlane) is set to realise the issues she is facing when he visits her. The dramatic storyline will continue with her sons facing their own difficulties. Her son Freddie will not turn up at school and it will also be revealed that his brother Conor is battling his own demons, struggling with drugs. Kellie's appearance in Doctors comes after she last appeared in the show in 2016. Bye! Soap opera Doctors will be off air until September the broadcaster announced on Thursday as it takes it's summer break with some fans concerned it may lead to it being axed indefinitely Shock: Taking to Twitter the statement read: 'Doctors will be off air and return to your screens on Monday 4th September. In the meantime, Catch up on BBC iPlayer' Gutted: Viewers were left gutted by the news It comes after Kellie revealed her baby boy's adorable name after giving birth to her third child last month. The star announced that she and husband Phil Davies have called their bundle of joy, Ezra Cillian. The baby boy was born at King's College Hospital in London, the same place as her twins Pearl and Louis, seven. Speaking to OK! magazine, the actress revealed the birth was a lot easier than last time and now when she looks at Ezra she forgets all the stressful moments of being exhausted. She said: 'It's so all-consuming. You're so full of love and knackered! but you get those moments when Ezra does what looks like a smile and you forget that you've been up since 3am. It's just lovely. Comeback: Meanwhile actress Kellie Shirley who used to appear in EastEnders , playing Shirley Carter's daughter Carly Wicks, joined the Doctors cast in April (Kellie pictured in Eastenders) 'Last time I went to 9cm and caught an infection and it was just so nuts. It was a very different experiencing going in with my bag, knowing he would be born that day.' Kellie said she asked the nurses to 'put the radio on for the delivery' and her baby boy was 'born to Amy Winehouse's Back To Black' which she loves. The soap star took to Instagram last month to announce she and her husband Phil Davies had welcomed their bundle of joy. Sharing an adorable photo of her little one, the star let her following know the big news. He's been tirelessly blazing the promotional trail ahead of the seventh Mission Impossible film. And it appeared that Tom Cruise's busy schedule has begun to catch up with him, as he cut a weary figure after attending the after party for the UK premiere of Ethan Hunt's latest outing in Dead Reckoning. The actor, 60, who graced the red carpet for the film's premiere on Thursday evening, was seen heading home from London's famous Chiltern Firehouse at 3am. The film has already received rave early reviews ahead of its official release in cinemas next month. Tom and his co-stars celebrated in style on Thursday evening, as they arrived at a star-studded after party at Cafe Royal in London. Worn out? Tom Cruise cut a weary figure as he headed home from the Mission Impossible premiere after party at 3am after gracing the red carpet on Thursday Long night? The actor who graced the red carpet for the film's premiere on Thursday evening, was seen heading home from London's famous Chiltern Firehouse at 3am Suited and booted! The look (left) is a far cry from Tom's typically polished appearance (pictured right at the film's premiere) The star looked dashing as ever in a grey three-piece suit and an open-neck white shirt as he led the arrivals at the bash. Tom, who flashed a Hollywood smile as he passsed cameras, completed his look with a pair of Top Gun-esque avaitor shades. Meanwhile, Hayley turned heads as she wore a very voluminous satin dress, which teased a hint of cleavage and puffed out at the hips. The brunette beauty, who plays Grace in the film, added a boost to her height with heels and slicked half of her hair back. Pom Klementieff, meanwhile, wowed in a black backless minidress and silver Prada platforms with Simon Pegg and Ivan Ivashkin also in attendance. After lengthy delays due to the coronavirus pandemic and an unprecedented $290million outlay, the actors looked thrilled to be celebrating the film launch. The world premiere, which happened in Rome earlier this week, received rave reviews from early critics, who branded it 'dynamite' and tipped it to be a summer blockbuster. Tom first starred as Ethan Hunt in the first Mission: Impossible movie in 1996. Party time! As his new film received rave early reviews, Tom and his co-stars celebrated in style at a star-studded after party So glam! Hayley turned heads as she wore a very voluminous satin dress, which teased a hint of cleavage and puffed out at the hips So chic! Rebecca Ferguson looked stylish in an elegant champagne dress Stunning: Pom Klementieff, meanwhile, wowed in a black backless minidress and silver Prada platforms with Simon Pegg and Ivan Ivashkin also in attendance Arrivals: Pom arrived arm in arm with a smartly-dressed man Hello! Tom waved to fans as he made his way into the venue Spy: The film follows Ethan and the IMF team must track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity if it falls into the wrong hands (pictured with Hayley Atwell) Leading lady: The brunette beauty, who plays Grace in the film, added a boost to her height with heels and slicked half of her hair back Style: Hayley's dress featured a slit up the back of the leg The film follows Ethan Hunt and the IMF team, including Grace, as they track down a terrifying new weapon that threatens all of humanity if it falls into the wrong hands. Following Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One's world premiere in Rome on Monday, critics and fans who got a chance to see the film early shared mostly fawning praise on social media. The latest Mission: Impossible entry premiered in the iconic Italian city as part of the Rome Film Festival, after a significant chunk of the movie was filmed in the capital. On Twitter, early reactions to the 'impeccably made' film were almost unanimously positive. Dead Reckoning Part One is a long time coming as it had production halted a number of times due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It was shot back-to-back with its direct sequel, Dead Reckoning Part Two. The two films were initially reported to be the final chapters, as reported by several publications, including Screen Rant. Along with the hype surrounding a new addition to the Mission Impossible franchise, the fans and media were also intrigued by rumors that co-stars Tom and Hayley had secretly dated during filming. But Hayley efficiently silenced the rumblings as she spoke for the first time about her 'close' bond with Tom in an interview in the May-June issue of Country & Town House. 'I felt like if I ever was worried about it, I could talk to him [Tom],' the newly-engaged star said of the dating rumours. 'And I know that he would've said, "People say whatever they want to say, but you know who you are, I know who I am and I want you to feel safe in this environment."' Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One, which along with Cruise and Atwell also stars Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby and Henry Czerny, is slated to hits theaters in the U.S. on July 12. The sequel, Dead Reckoning Part Two, is scheduled to make its premiere in theaters on June 28, 2024. Mobbed: Fans rushed to see the actor leaving the venue Stars: Rebecca and Hayley looked incredible for the celebratory night Smart: Cary Elwes looked dashing in an all black look Here he is! The star, 60, looked dashing as ever in a grey three-piece suit and an open-neck white shirt as he led the arrivals at the bash Good spirits: Tom was sat in the back of the car Home time! Tom was joined by a dapper pal Party time! His latest Mission Impossible installment, Dead Reckoning Part One, has been met by rave early reviews as it premieres across the globe this week Over here! The curtious star stopped to sign autographs Sarah Jessica Parker has revealed why her former Sex and the City co-star Kim Cattrall agreed to return for a cameo on the spin off show And Just Like. Despite the headline-grabbing feud between the women, the actress says the pair wanted to pay tribute to Sex and the City's upcoming 25th anniversary. 'It was an idea that we had that was really about our 25 years, and celebrating that' the 58-year-old told Channel Seven's Sunrise. 'She had surfaced in he first season, but this simply taking those texts and it puts a face with it. A gorgeous face, that we love, and that the audience has loved.' Sarah Jessica went on: 'It's just a quick pop, it's just a phone call. And it's very much familiar. Sarah Jessica Parker (pictured) has revealed why her former Sex and the City co-star Kim Cattrall agreed to return for a cameo on the spin off show And Just Like 'It will be nice to see, as a nod to those 25 years and the relationship we have with the audience'. Earlier this week, Parker finally broke her silence on the return of her old enemy, branding the return of Cattrall, 66, 'really fun and exciting and certainly nostalgic' and adding: 'It's been a lot of joy.' The two women are seen talking to each other on the telephone in the series, which premiered this Thursday. Parker did not address their feud, and sources indicate that they didn't have to share studio space or even speak in order to film the scene. Co-star Evan Handler, who plays Harry Goldenblatt, said that Cattrall filmed her part 'in a garage' back in March and didn't interact with any of them. Despite the headline-grabbing feud between the women, the actress says the pair wanted to pay tribute to Sex and the City's upcoming 25th anniversary. Kim (second from left) is pictured with her Sex and the City co-stars Earlier this week, Parker finally broke her silence on the return of her old enemy, branding the return of Cattrall, 66, 'really fun and exciting and certainly nostalgic' and adding: 'It's been a lot of joy.' The co-stars are pictured in 1998 However, Cattrall agreeing to appear seems to indicate some thawing of relations and has already been greeted with delight by the many fans of the show. Viewers previously complained that the absence of maneater PR Samantha Jones changed the tone of the show. Parker said: 'We've been really thoughtful about the ways in which we've, you know, approached characters that hadn't been around, the ways we have invited actors back and it's been, you know, really fun and exciting and certainly nostalgic, but I think more than that, it's been a lot of joy.' But Kristen Davis, who plays fellow show lead Charlotte Goldenblatt, reflects that the four key cast members were always divided and that Cattrall's cameo doesn't mean that there is 'closure' or 'resolution' to the feud. Parker did not address their feud, and sources indicate that they didn't have to share studio space or even speak in order to film the scene Sarah Jessica is pictured with the other stars of the show, Cythia Nixon and Kristin Davis, who play Miranda and Charlotte respectively She said: 'I think that sometimes you really do have friends in life who are very different from you. And I think that's great. Right?... 'And I think that's what was was great about the four of us, because obviously, Charlotte had a really different perspective than Samantha, and Carrie and Miranda at times... 'All of us represented different points of view at different times, and sometimes argued, you know, and sometimes didn't just like friends do... 'I don't know that there's a closure or resolution necessarily, those are like, kind of big things that I don't know that we were going for... However, Cattrall agreeing to appear seems to indicate some thawing of relations and has already been greeted with delight by the many fans of the show It's back! And Just Like That... is returned for a second season this week SCRAPS AND THE CITY: HOW DID KIM AND SARAH'S FEUD BEGIN? May 2008: SJP defended Kim when she was asked whether she supported her decision to delay the filming of the first SATC movie due to salary disputes December 2009: Kim and Cynthia Nixon attend SJP's premier for Did You Hear About The Morgans? in a show of support and SJP tells Elle that she wouldn't have done the SATC film without Kim January 2010: In an interview with the Mail, Kim expressed her exasperation over the never-ending feud rumours saying 'People don't want to believe that we get on' May 2010: Kim admits that 'sometimes feelings get hurt' during grueling filming hours due to the amount of time the women spent together August 2016: SJP wishes Kim a happy 60th birthday and addresses her as her 'old friend' October 2016: Kim once again defends feud rumours but admits not every day working together is easy or perfect September 2017: SJP confirmed a third SATC movie... and then announced it was happening Willie Garson, who played Carrie's BFF Stan tweeted, 'Disappointed for all crew holding on for negotiations to conclude for their jobs, and of course, for the fans. Leave it at that. #Truth.' October 2017: Kim Tells Piers Morgan that SJP 'could have been nicer' about the SATC 3 demise February 2018: Kim blasts 'cruel' SJP and says she is not a friend nor family to her Advertisement 'We just thought that, you know, it would be fun for the fans to have a little bit of Samantha because we know that they miss her and she's a great character.' Kristen continued: 'I don't know that we're even trying for closure at this point, or resolution. I think we just thought you know, here is, you know, our character who's been gone. And we know people miss her and Carrie misses her... 'And wouldn't this be great to have a little bit of her, you know, that's what we wanted. And then I think maybe hopes have been lifted, possibly higher than that. And that was not our intention. So I hope people aren't disappointed.' In an interview with Vanity Fair magazine, published last week, actress Cynthia Nixon, who plays Miranda Hobbes said that the atmosphere on set had been very awkward when Cattrall was in the cast. She said: 'It makes an enormous difference that you're not walking around on eggshells with someone who's unhappy for reasons that are hard to even understand what they are.' Parker and Cattrall were never friends and reports suggest that a three to one split quickly arose between the four main female characters which left Cattrall feeling isolated. The arrival of Parker's friend Michael Patrick King as producer, and Parker's elevation to executive producer status, with increased money, is also thought to have been an issue. In 2004, when the series ended, it was notable that Cattrall sat apart from the others at the Emmy Awards. She said: 'Are we the best of friends? No. We're professional actresses. We have our own separate lives.' By the time of the first SATC film in 2009, Parker and Cattrall were said to no longer be on speaking terms, although both denied reports of friction. Then came tensions over a desire to a third film, which Cattrall wasn't interested in doing. Cattrall told Piers Morgan on Life Stories: 'I really think she could have been nicer.' After Cattrall's brother died in 2018, Parker shared condolences via Instagram. Cattrall hit back: 'continuous reaching out is a painful reminder of how cruel you really were then and now. Let me make this VERY clear. (If I haven't already). You are not my family. You are not my friend.' Chris Noth, who played Parker's screen husband in And Just Like That, said in 2021: 'I just wish that the whole thing had never happened because it was sad and uncomfortable... 'I just don't like to see anyone talking down about SJ because she's a target and people can be nasty. I feel very protective of her and I was not happy about that. She stunned fans by making another surprise return to EastEnders as Lauren Branning. And Jacqueline Jossa gave fans a fun behind-the-scenes glimpse of her unexpected soap cameo by posting a gallery of snaps with fellow returnees Adam Woodyatt and Thomas Law on Friday. The actress' one-off return had been kept completely under wraps ahead of its broadcast on Thursday, leaving viewers staggered when she appeared on screen. And Jacqueline shared a collection of fun images alongside her co-stars, sharing her excitement at appearing alongside Thomas, who previously played Peter Beale from 2006 to 2010 before the role was recast. She also shared an image of the moment Adam playfully photobombed her selfie with Thomas, along with a fun mirror image of her getting makeup done for the scenes. She's back! Jacqueline Jossa gave fans behind-the-scenes glimpse of her unexpected EastEnders return as she posted snaps with returnees Adam Woodyatt and Thomas Law Getting ready: The actress posted a fun mirror image while getting her makeup done, after surprise fans with another unexpected return Jacqueline captioned her post: Surprise! Photo bombed by the one and only @adamwoodyatt!! 'Glad to see you guys back where you belong @thomaslaw44 was my first Peter, I remember watching the show when I was younger and rooting for Lauren and Peter, before I even knew I would ever be her.' Jacqueline's appearance in Thursday's blockbuster episode left fans completely gobsmacked, as she appeared on screen in the opening moments of the episode to visit the Beale family at their European home. As well as Jacqueline's comeback, Thomas, 30, also returned as her former flame Peter. He was the fifth actor to star as the character before he left in 2010 and was replaced by Ben Hardy, but he has now reprised the role. And they were not the only familiar faces to appear on the soap opera this week as Michelle Collins returned to her role of Cindy Beale, while Adam Woodyatt also came back as her long-suffering husband Ian Beale. Jacqueline's grand entrance saw Lauren arriving at the Beale's family home in Europe to visit Peter and their son Louie, but little did she know that they were also living with Cindy and Ian. Fans were left gobsmacked by Jacqueline's surprise return, taking to Twitter to comment on the closely-guarded secret, while they also gushed over Thomas being recast as Peter. One person wrote: 'EastEnders bringing Thomas Law and Jacqueline Jossa back is the best decision theyve made!!' Happy: Jacqueline posted beaming selfies alongside Thomas Law, who is reprising the role of Peter Beale after over a decade He's back too! Thomas is returning to the soap alongside Adam Woodyatt, who plays Albert Square stalwart Ian Beale Surprise! Jacqueline's appearance in Thursday's blockbuster episode left fans completely gobsmacked Truth: Cindy Beale's 26-year backstory was finally revealed as Michelle Collins also returned to the soap opera this week She's back! She's back! The actress, 30, left fans completely gobsmacked as she appeared on screen in the opening moments of the episode to visit the Beale family at their European home Familiar: Thomas, 30, also returned as her former flame Peter. He was the fifth actor to star as the character before he left in 2010 and was replaced by Ben Hardy, but he has now reprised the role. Shock! Fans were left gobsmacked by Jacqueline's return, taking to Twitter to comment on the closely-guarded secret, while they also gushed over Thomas being recast as Peter Family: Jacqueline's entrance saw Lauren arriving at the Beale's family home in Europe to visit Peter and their son Louie, but little did she know that they were also living with Cindy and Ian Secret: Jacqueline's recently shut down rumours that she would be returning as Lauren, with her appearance coming as even more of a shock to fans Another said: 'Oh hello Jacqueline Jossa,' while a third commented: 'Jacqueline has not missed a beat.' A fifth added: 'Thrilled to see Thomas Law and Jacqueline Jossa back on screen.' Jacqueline's return came after her one-off reappearance on the BBC soap opera for Dot Cotton's funeral, and she recently shut down rumours that she would be returning as Lauren, with her appearance coming as even more of a shock to fans. In January, she insisted: 'Just been inundated with people being lovely, but thinking I'm coming back to Eastenders full time, I don't know if something has been taken out of an interview or been completely made up but either way I'm just shutting down any rumours or stories. 'I am not on the way back the the square full time, it's not in talks, I 100 have not confirmed a return. 'That's also not me saying I would never go back, when and if the time is right, I would love to. Thursday's episode also saw Cindy's complex backstory finally revealed, 26 years after she was said to have died in childbirth while in prison. Her death was off-screen at the time of her departure in 1998, and it was revealed that all was not as it seemed in Thursday's episode. Cindy made her epic return to the soap opera in the closing moments of Wednesday's episode, as she was finally revealed to be George Knight's mysterious ex-wife Rose. And in Thursday's episode, the huge twist of how she is still alive was finally revealed, as she was seen living with her husband Ian in Europe. The episode kicked off with Cindy and Ian playing with their grandson Louie, before her son Peter arrived on screen and announced that somebody had arrived. Panicked, he said: 'Mum! She's here, she's five minutes away.' An alarmed Cindy was then told by Ian to leave the property to hide, confirming that whoever was arriving had no idea Cindy was still alive and well. A car then pulled up to the property and Lauren got out, making her surprise return to EastEnders as she greeted Peter and said she had decided to come and visit their son Louie earlier than planned. Cindy and Ian were then seen strolling through the town and talking, with Ian asking her why she had a photograph of George Knight (Colin Salmon) in her handbag. In her 26-year absence, Cindy had a romance with George under the name 'Rose' in Marbella and they had two daughters - Anna (Molly Rainford) and Gina (Francesca Henry). The Knight family made their grand entrance to Walford earlier this month, after his new girlfriend Elaine Peacock invested money in her daughter Linda Carter's pub. And Ian appeared to be aware of Cindy's romance with George and their two daughters, as he asked her: 'Why are you carrying a photograph around of him in your bag?' Cindy then revealed that George had called her the night before - in a tense moment which aired in Wednesday's episode - but that she hadn't answered. She confessed she was devastated that she couldn't see their daughters, hinting at a return to Walford as she said: 'They're not the only children I'm always going to miss.' The couple were then visited by a woman called Mary, who provided further details into Cindy's backstory as she confirmed she had been in a witness protection scheme. Mary told a shocked Cindy that a mystery woman called Jackie Ford had died, meaning her witness protection scheme was now over. Cindy asked: 'There's no faces from the old days who might be holding a grudge?' With assurances that she would be safe to move somewhere new and restart her life as Cindy Beale, rather than her adopted identity of 'Rose', Cindy and Ian discussed their plans. Ian admitted he had been thinking about returning to Walford, with Cindy making it very clear she had no intention of returning to the Square. She said: 'I made a lot of other enemies there too. I've changed, I'm not the same person I was there.' The pair then became embroiled in a row, with Cindy storming off as she fumed that she wanted to stay where they were, rather than move somewhere new to restart. However, Cindy then got a shock when she stormed into the bedroom to tell Ian he 'better not be packing' to move, only to find him collapsed on the floor. Scenes then flashed to Lauren and Peter catching up after going their separate ways, with Peter asking her whether there was any way they could rekindle their romance. He assured her that he wasn't the same person he used to be and she appeared to be swayed by his promises, with the pair appearing to be leaning towards rekindling things. However, Peter then got a sudden phone call from Cindy, telling him that his father Ian was in the hospital, leading to him rushing over there. Despite his objections that Lauren shouldn't come, so she wouldn't find out that Cindy was still alive, she insisted on accompanying him to support him. Lauren then got quite the shock when she entered the hospital room and saw Cindy standing next to Ian's bed, with Peter then explaining the situation to her. He told how Ian had only found out Cindy was still alive around a year ago, and had only told him recently, with Peter jetting over with Louie from New Zealand to be with them. Cindy's backstory then became clear as Peter told how she had gone into a witness protection scheme to protect herself from her old cellmate Jackie Ford - with the Walford residents being told she had died in childbirth. Epic: Cindy made her return to the soap opera in the closing moments of Wednesday's episode, as she was finally revealed to be George Knight's mysterious ex-wife Rose Build up: In the tense moment, George Knight stood in the Queen Vic and called 'Rose', before the scene dramatically flashed to Spain, with his ex-wife revealed to be Cindy What happened? Cindy was thought to have died 26 years ago, but her backstory was revealed on Thursday as it was confirmed she had been living under witness protection in Europe Complex: In her 26-year absence, Cindy had a romance with George under the name 'Rose' in Marbella and they had two daughters - Anna (Molly Rainford) and Gina (Francesca Henry) History: Cindy first arrived in Albert Square in 1988, striking up a relationship with Ian (both pictured) after tiring of barman Simon Wicks, played by Nick Berr Cindy then went on to live under the new identity of 'Rose' for 26 years, which included her relationship with George Knight, before her complex history was finally unveiled. From his hospital bed, Ian was seen watching a video from Walford which featured George and his two daughters, as Ian realised that they were now living in the Square - rather than Marbella as he and Cindy had believed. Cindy then told him that she was coming around to the idea of returning to Walford, but Ian tried to bat her away, apparently not wanting her to reunite with George. But will the couple return to the Square and what drama will ensue if they do? EastEnders continues on BBC One on Monday at 7.30pm. BBC Breakfast star Matt Taylor took a cheeky swipe at Naga Munchetty on Friday after she appeared to be bored over his conversation on the show. The Weatherman, who was filling in for Carol Kirkwood, appeared in the studio alongside Naga, 47, and co-star Charlie Stayt, 60, to present the day's weather. Ahead of his report, he spoke to Charlie about sunrises, with Charlie referencing the 'glaze' you see when the early morning sun comes up. However, noticing Naga wasn't amused by the conversation, Matt quickly turned to the presenter and remarked: 'Talk about glaze. Someone's glazing over. Shall we get on with the forecast?' Naga did indeed look noticeably relaxed as she propped her arm up in the red sofa and looked away from the two men as they talked. Uh oh: BBC Breakfast star Matt Taylor took a cheeky swipe at Naga Munchetty on Friday after she appeared to be bored over his conversation on the show Awkward: The Weatherman, who was filling in for Carol Kirkwood, appeared in the studio alongside Naga, 47, and co-star Charlie Stayt, 60, to present the day's weather Seemingly not fazed by his dig, Naga turned back to him and quipped back: 'You're very observant, Matthew', as she playfully mocked his apparent 'boring' segment. The exchange was met in good humour however, with Matt then launching into his weather report. The fun banter continued as Matt later returned with an updated report, with Naga cheekily saying to him: 'We're going to talk to you aren't we.' It comes after Naga kicked her co-star Charlie Stayt following an on air blunder that left eagle-eyed viewers in hysterics. During last week's show, the duo were joined by barrister Victoria Butler-Cole via video link as they discussed funding for families with disabled children. While Naga lead the discussion with Victoria, the camera cut to a split screen with Charlie not in view. However, as the interview progressed sure enough Charlie unknowingly appeared in shot, with the camera panning to him reading the newspaper. Upon realising he was onscreen again, Naga gave her co-star a sly kick in the leg leaving viewers at home in fits of giggles when Charlie remained unflinched. Chat: Ahead of his report, he spoke to Charlie about sunrises, with Charlie referencing the 'glaze' you see when the early morning sun comes up Boring you? However, noticing Naga wasn't amused by the conversation, Matt quickly turned to the presenter and remarked: 'Talk about glaze. Someone's glazing over. Shall we get on with the forecast?' Cheeky: Seemingly not fazed by his dig, Naga turned back to him and quipped back: 'You're very observant, Matthew', as she playfully mocked his apparent 'boring' segment Sharing their thoughts on person penned: 'Embarrassingly caught out there Charlie and Naga.' 'Haha Naga kicking Charlie on #BBCBreakfast to distract him,' another added. Someone else wrote: 'Not so sneaky kick Naga,' while another laughed: 'Charlie getting booted by Naga for reading the paper.' Another fan joked: 'Charlie getting a kicking this morning.' 'Good stealth kick from Naga on Charlie here. BBC Breakfast having some camera issues today!,' someone else posted. He used to sing for girlfriend Gemma Collins during their seven year on/off romance. So James Argent was no doubt feeling nostalgic as he serenaded a dead ringer for his former flame at Olivia's La Cala in Marbella on Thursday. The former TOWIE star, 35, looked in high spirits as he performed at his pal's restaurant, entertaining a hen do at the venue. He was quick to pull the bride-to-be up for a song, pulling her in close as he sang and beaming broadly. Arg later pulled the hens up for a dance, spinning around with them on the dancefloor. Memories: James Argent was no doubt feeling nostalgic as he serenaded a dead ringer for his former flame Gemma Collins at Olivia's La Cala in Marbella on Thursday Case of the ex: James used to sing for girlfriend Gemma during their seven year on/off romance (pictured at Olivia's La Cala in 2019) Arg and Gemma briefly dated in 2012, before embarking on a tumultuous love story from December 2017. They split for good two years later. The reality star is now dating 19-year-old actress Stella Turian, who he wooed with Mafia movies in his home cinema. The reality star previously revealed they 'serenaded each other' when they first met by chance at a restaurant in Greece in June 2022, before pursuing a romantic relationship months later. Speaking to The Sun, he confessed: 'I feel very lucky, sometimes I have to pinch myself to remind myself this is all really happening.' As well as being genetically blessed, the beauty is fluent in four languages, while the TOWIE star has been working hard on improving his Italian. Despite meeting just once in Mykonos last summer, they then spent the summer messaging and FaceTiming. Arg recalled how he eventually plucked up the courage to fly to Italy in September 2022 to see her and see if there was a romance to be had. The TOWIE star confessed to being 'incredibly nervous' for fear that when they saw each other again, there might not be a romantic connection. But thankfully, the second their eyes met again, he gushed over how they felt 'an amazing link' which has continued to develop. Arg is spending his summer in Marbella, performing nightly at pal Elliott Wright's restaurant. Getting down and funky: Arg later pulled the hens up for a dance, spinning around with them on the dancefloor Causally cool: Arg showcased his incredible weight loss in a crisp white shirt and baby blue trousers as he posed outside the restaurant Cute: The TOWIE star spoke fondly of the aspiring actress while producers showed viewers a photograph of Arg with his girlfriend On Saturday he took a day off from singing and hit the beach, where he proudly displayed the scars from his recent tummy tuck, which involves removing excess fat and skin and restoring weakened muscles to create a smoother and firmer abdominal profile. After the results of his gastric sleeve surgery in 2021 saw him drop from 27 to 14 stone, Arg was left with excess skin around his stomach, causing further self-esteem issues that he needed to tackle. He admitted to still wearing triple XL swimming shorts pulled up to his belly button to disguise the loose skin despite losing 13 stone and being sober for over a year as he continues his recovery with drug and alcohol abuse. Yet after having a tummy tuck, Arg said he was looking forward to summer for the first time in years because of the results of his surgery, as well as his commitment to overhauling his life, have finally come to fruition. Speaking in February, the reality star said he finally felt confident in the bedroom after having surgery to remove the excess skin around his stomach following his 13-stone weight loss. He told MailOnline that his love life with Italian girlfriend Stella Turian, 19, has improved now he believes in himself again after spending years struggling with body confidence amid his battle against binge eating. James said: 'I am confident in the bedroom now regardless of whether it's romantically or by a beach or in clothes, across the board I am more confident now in all of those areas. 'Whether you're a man or woman or have a dream body from the outside, everyone has certain parts of their body they wish they could improve, or they don't like no matter who you are. 'I am body confident now. Don't get me wrong I still want to improve and get into the gym and tone up more, but I'll absolutely be confident when summer rolls around.' Holly Willoughby has put the drama of her recent fall-out with Phillip Schofield behind her, as she boarded a helicopter to fly to 'the wokest Glastonbury ever' on Friday. The This Morning presenter was joined by her husband Dan Baldwin as they headed up to a landing pad in Battersea after her former co-host stepped down from ITV, as he admitted to having an affair with a much younger male This Morning colleague. Holly was perfectly dressed for a day at the festival, donning a 1k striped fringed jacket, denim cut-off shorts and lace-up boots. She and Dan were joined by two pals as they boarded the helicopter for the festival, which will see headliners Arctic Monkeys take to the Pyramid Stage on its first night. Phillip, 61, resigned from the channel and was dropped by his agency YMU after admitting to an 'unwise, but not illegal' affair with a younger male colleague. Still smiling! Holly Willoughby has put the drama of her recent fall-out with Phillip Schofield behind her, as she boarded a helicopter from Battersea to fly to the Glastonbury Festival on Friday Beaming: The This Morning presenter was joined by her husband Dan Baldwin as they headed up to a landing pad Stylish: Holly was perfectly dressed for a day at the festival, donning a 1k striped fringed jacket, denim cut-off shorts and lace-up boots Since returning to This Morning on June 5, Holly has brushed off the drama surrounding Phillip's exit and has presented This Morning with a rotation of co-hosts. The star appeared to be in good spirits as she prepared to make her way to Worthy Farm, joining thousands descending on Somerset for the annual event. Also spotted at the annual event was Cruz Beckham, who enjoyed lunch at the VIP area of the festival with his girlfriend Tana Holding. Despite building excitement among fans for this year's festival, it has been deemed wokest ever, as Gen Zers shun the usual warm-up DJ sets and bands for political debates after a series of group workout sessions. Hundreds of people were seen taking part in organised runs or a 30-minute workout session, led live by Joe Wicks, instead of heading straight for the stages or alcohol tents. Health conscious Gen Zers were also seen shaking up the festivities with cold outdoor showers, stretches and even a group jog. The organised run, which saw around 200 people take part, stretched for around 5km as joggers pounded through the fields while others slept off their hangovers. And then rather than the customary 'baby wipe' bath, young people could be seen having showers near their tents, to ensure they feel and look fresh for the day. Relaxed: She and Dan were joined by two pals as they boarded the helicopter for the festival, which will see headliners Arctic Monkeys take to the Pyramid Stage on its first night Happy: Holly shielded her blonde bobbed tresses under a wide-brimmed hat as she made her way to the festival Off they go! The chopper was ready and waiting for the star to take her to the festival Couples' time away! Holly was accompanied by her TV producer husband Dan as they headed to the annual event No more woes! Since returning to This Morning on June 5, Holly has brushed off the drama surrounding Phillip's exit and has presented This Morning with a rotation of co-hosts Happy: The star appeared to be in good spirits as she prepared to make her way to Worthy Farm, joining thousands descending on Somerset for the annual event Not long now! Glastonbury- which takes place from June 21-25 at Somerset's Worthy Farm, will see the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age, Skepta and The Chemical Brothers perform Who else will be there? Glastonbury's other headliners are Guns and Roses on Saturday, and Elton John on Sunday, in what will be his final UK show So many acts! The Other Stage will be headlined by Wizkid, Lana Del Rey and Queens of the Stone Age over Friday, Saturday and Sunday Drama! Holly returned to This Morning on June 5 after the show was embroiled in the scandal of Phillip's affair confession Speaking out: Upon her return, the star issued a lengthy statement addressing her longtime presenter partners' exit Admission: In a bombshell statement to the Daily Mail, Phillip admitted that he and the man began a relationship that was more than a friendship Explosive: Phillip's extraordinary statement concluded weeks of increasingly fevered speculation in both the TV industry and the wider country about the future of his career Gen Z attendees - known for their health conscious lifestyles - didn't head straight for the beers either. The longest queues by far this morning were for artisan coffee. Crowds then also gathered for Joe Wicks' Glastonbury workout this morning - a 30 minute HIIT exercise class. Alternative health solutions are also being widely promoted: including a tent charging 15 for attendees to lie upside down in an attempt to help ease back problems. Glastonbury- which takes place from June 21-25 at Somerset's Worthy Farm, will see the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age, Skepta and The Chemical Brothers joining the already confirmed headline acts. Glastonbury's other headliners are Guns and Roses on Saturday, and Elton John on Sunday, in what will be his final UK show. The Other Stage will be headlined by Wizkid, Lana Del Rey and Queens of the Stone Age over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Elton John will perform on the Pyramid Stage on Worthy Farm, the stage was first set up in 1971 and has held some impressive acts. Glastonbury Festival described the stage as 'the most instantly recognised festival stage in the world'. The iconic stage has had quite the line-up featuring: The Rolling Stones, Radiohead, Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, Shirley Bassey and many more. Holly returned to This Morning on June 5 after the show was embroiled in the scandal of Phillip's affair confession. Upon her return, the star issued a lengthy statement addressing her longtime presenter partners' exit, She began: 'Right, deep breath. Firstly, are you OK? I hope so.' Holly stated it 'feels very strange indeed sitting here without Phil and I imagine that you might have been feeling a lot like I have. Shaken, troubled, let down, worried for the wellbeing of people on all sides of what's been going on and full of questions'. 'All of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth, who acted in a way that they themselves felt they had to resign from ITV and step down from a career that they loved. That is a lot to process'. She added: 'It's equally hard to see the toll it's taken on their own mental health. I think what unites us all now is a desire to heal for the health and wellbeing of everyone. 'I hope that as we start this new chapter and get back to a place of warmth and magic that the show holds for all of us, we can find strength in each other. 'And from the heart, can I just say thank you for all your kind messages and thank you for being here this morning. Myself, Josie, Dermot, Alison, Craig and every single person that works on this show will continue to work hard every day.' In a bombshell statement to the Daily Mail, Phillip admitted that he and the man began a relationship that was more than a friendship. The ex-TV presenter describes this as 'unwise but not illegal'. Feud: It also came in the wake of speculation that he and Holly were 'barely speaking' away from the This Morning cameras Demanding answers: The inappropriate relationship led to serious questions being asked about how much ITV bosses knew That's new! Glastonbury returned with a bang on Friday morning - but Gen Zers prioritised their health over a good time with Joe Wicks leading a group workout All politics! Representatives from Just Stop Oil, politicians and left-wing activists will all appear inside Left Field at Glastonbury Low-key: Also seen in the festival's VIP area was Cruz Beckham, who cut a laid-back figure Casual: The son of David and Victoria Beckham enjoyed a spot of downtime during the festival Friendly: Cruz was joined by his girlfriend Tana Holding as he relaxed in the sunshine Stellar: Glastonbury Festival described the stage as 'the most instantly recognised festival stage in the world' Low-key: Rick Astley cut a casual figure as he headed into the festival ahead of his performance Relaxed: The 80s legend was in good spirits as he donned a casual white shirt and brown culottes for the festival Phillip's extraordinary statement concluded weeks of increasingly fevered speculation in both the TV industry and the wider country about the future of his career, following his sudden departure from the This Morning sofa. It also came in the wake of speculation that he and Holly were 'barely speaking' away from the This Morning cameras, after he failed to tell her that his brother Timothy was going on trial for sex offences. On Thursday, Phillip broke cover for the first time in a month to celebrate his mother's birthday - having addressed his affair in two public interviews. The inappropriate relationship led to serious questions being asked about how much ITV bosses knew - and the network's chief Dame Carolyn McCall admitted last week that she failed to launch a formal investigation when rumours emerged of the affair. EastEnders have confirmed that Thomas Law is permanently reprising his role as Peter Beale following his shock return during Thursday's episode. The actor, 30, stunned fans as he reappeared as Peter in the BBC soap after 13 years away from the show, alongside co-star Jacqueline Jossa, who made a one-off appearance. The pair made a comeback amid Cindy Beale's explosive return from the dead, with Peter having been secretly living with his mum in France alongside dad Ian Beale - who also returned. And while Jacqueline has only made a cameo in the soap, EastEnders have verified that Thomas will be coming back to Walford alongside stalwarts Michelle Collins and Adam Woodyatt later this summer. In a post on Instagram, show bosses teased that Peter's return home will be 'far from smooth-sailing' after he fled Albert Square on bad terms with his grandmother Kathy and brother Bobby. He's back! EastEnders have confirmed that Thomas Law would be permanently reprising his role as Peter Beale following his shock return during Thursday's episode Way back when: Thomas played Peter between 2006 and 2010 Shock: The actor, 30, stunned fans as he reappeared as Peter in the BBC soap after 13 years alongside co-star Jacqueline Jossa, who made a one-off appearance Speaking about stepping back into Peter's shoes, Thomas shared: 'Over the years, I had hoped for a return to the Square although I never thought it would happen so its an absolute delight to be back in Walford as Peter Beale. 'Its been great to see familiar and new faces, and I cant wait to explore the character again in the wake of Cindys return its an exciting time to return!' While Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw added: 'Im thrilled to welcome Thomas back to the role of Peter Beale. Although his time away from the Square has been short-lived, the Beale family dynamics have changed immensely since he last left Walford. 'Viewers will soon learn the details relating to how he came to learn that his mum, Cindy, was in fact alive, and how he and dad, Ian, reconciled their differences. 'Were delighted to have him back permanently, but one thing is for certain, the Beales comeback will be nothing less than explosive for The Square.' The character of Peter last appeared in 2022, when the character (at the time played by Dale Hudson) did a runner after clearing Kathy Beale's bank account. Before this, Ben Hardy - who's since found Hollywood fame in X-Men and Bohemian Rhapsody - portrayed the character between 2013 to 2015. He had replaced Thomas who played Peter between 2006 and 2010. Drama: In a post on Instagram, show bosses teased that Peter's return home will be 'far from smooth-sailing' after he fled Albert Square on bad terms with his grandmother Kathy and brother Bobby Truth: The pair made a comeback amid Cindy Beale's explosive return from the dead, with Peter having been secretly living with his mum in France alongside dad Ian Beale - who also returned It comes after Jacqueline Jossa left fans completely gobsmacked as she appeared on screen in the opening moments of the episode to visit the Beale family at their European home. Her and Peter were not the only familiar faces to appear on the soap opera this week as Michelle Collins returned to her role of Cindy Beale, while Adam Woodyatt also came back as her long-suffering husband Ian Beale. Jacqueline's grand entrance saw Lauren arriving at the Beale's family home in Europe to visit Peter and their son Louie, but little did she know that they were also living with Cindy and Ian. Fans were floored by Jacqueline's surprise return, taking to Twitter to comment on the closely-guarded secret, while they also gushed over Thomas being recast as Peter. Jacqueline's return came after her one-off reappearance on the BBC soap opera for Dot Cotton's funeral, and she recently shut down rumours that she would be returning as Lauren, with her appearance coming as even more of a shock to fans. In January, she had insisted: 'Just been inundated with people being lovely, but thinking I'm coming back to Eastenders full time, I don't know if something has been taken out of an interview or been completely made up but either way I'm just shutting down any rumours or stories. She's back! Jacqueline left fans completely gobsmacked as she appeared on screen in the opening moments of the episode to visit the Beale family at their European home Family: Jacqueline's entrance saw Lauren arriving at the Beale's family home in Europe to visit Peter and their son Louie, but little did she know that they were also living with Cindy and Ian Secret: Jacqueline's recently shut down rumours that she would be returning as Lauren, with her appearance coming as even more of a shock to fans Arrivals: They were not the only familiar faces to appear as Michelle Collins returned as Cindy Beale, while Adam Woodyatt also came back as her long-suffering husband Ian Beale 'I am not on the way back the the square full time, it's not in talks, I 100 have not confirmed a return. 'That's also not me saying I would never go back, when and if the time is right, I would love to.' Thursday's episode also saw Cindy's complex backstory finally revealed, 26 years after she was said to have died in childbirth while in prison. Her death was off-screen at the time of her departure in 1998, and it was revealed that all was not as it seemed in Thursday's episode. Cindy made her epic return to the soap opera in the closing moments of Wednesday's episode, as she was finally revealed to be George Knight's mysterious ex-wife Rose. And in Thursday's episode, the huge twist of how she is still alive was finally revealed, as she was seen living with her husband Ian in Europe. Meanwhile, Jacqueline gave fans a fun behind-the-scenes glimpse of her unexpected soap cameo by posting a gallery of snaps with fellow returnees Adam Woodyatt and Thomas Law on Friday. She's back! Meanwhile, Jacqueline gave fans behind-the-scenes glimpse of her unexpected EastEnders return as she posted snaps with returnees Adam Woodyatt and Thomas Law Getting ready: The actress posted a fun mirror image while getting her makeup done, after surprise fans with another unexpected return Happy: Jacqueline posted beaming selfies alongside Thomas Law, who is reprising the role of Peter Beale after over a decade The actress' one-off return had been kept completely under wraps ahead of its broadcast on Thursday, leaving viewers staggered when she appeared on screen. And Jacqueline shared a collection of fun images alongside her co-stars, sharing her excitement at appearing alongside Thomas. She also shared an image of the moment Adam playfully photobombed her selfie with Thomas, along with a fun mirror image of her getting makeup done for the scenes. Jacqueline captioned her post: Surprise! Photo bombed by the one and only @adamwoodyatt!! 'Glad to see you guys back where you belong @thomaslaw44 was my first Peter, I remember watching the show when I was younger and rooting for Lauren and Peter, before I even knew I would ever be her.' Their engagement was first revealed by MailOnline back in April. And Hayley Atwell was proudly supported by her fiance Ned Wolfgang Kelly as she headed to the star-studded Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One premiere after party on Thursday. The actress, 41, slipped into an eye-catching black voluminous gown as she arrived for the glitzy premiere with her engagement ring on full display. As she headed into the party at London's Cafe Royal, Hayley's husband-to-be followed close behind, after she posed solo on the red carpet. The couple's engagement emerged back in April, with Ned announcing the news to his followers on Instagram. Loved up: Hayley Atwell was proudly supported by her fiance Ned Wolfgang Kelly as she headed to the star-studded Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One premiere after party on Thursday Dazzling: The actress, 41, slipped into an eye-catching black voluminous gown as she arrived for the glitzy premiere with her engagement ring on full display No rest for the wicked! The actress continue to show off her sparkling new engagement ring as she headed to Global Studios to promote the film on Friday Hayley continued to show off her eye-catching ring as she blazed the promotional circuit to promote her role in the latest Mission Impossible film. Despite a late night attending the premiere, Hayley looked as fresh-faced as ever as she headed to Global Studios to appear on the Capital FM show. The star opted for stylish navy blue flared trousers and a matching shirt, teamed with red platform wedges and a clutch bag as she arrived to appear on the radio show. Ned announced their engagement on Instagram, revealing he popped the question during a romantic getaway in Venice. He gushed: 'Lucky me. Arrived in Venice at 10am, around midday the love of my life and I got engaged in the kitchen of this strange apartment surrounded by ducks, with a bloke outside the window murdering "My Way" on the accordion. 'A perfect start to the rest of our lives together. I'd never had any interest in getting married... until I met this extraordinary woman. Happy as a clam.' Hayley and Ned keep their relationship lowkey and have rarely been pictured together. The London-based artist's Instagram bio reads that he 'doesn't eat animals' and that he has been 'alcohol & drug free for over a decade'. Gorgeous: As she headed into the party at London's Cafe Royal, Hayley's husband-to-be followed close behind, after she posed solo on the red carpet Looking good! Hayley continued to show off her eye-catching ring as she blazed the promotional circuit to promote her role in the latest Mission Impossible film Lovely! The star opted for stylish navy blue flared trousers and a matching shirt, teamed with red platform wedges and a clutch bag as she arrived to appear on the radio show Getting married! The couple's engagement emerged back in April, with Ned announcing the news to his followers on Instagram New ring! Hayley's stunning engagement ring was on full display Speaking to The Sun when the couple first got together, an insider claimed: 'Hayley's happiness is written on her face right now. 'They get on like a house on fire and make a very handsome couple.' Ned's website says he has produced commercial music for big brands such as Bud Light, Headspace and Samsung. He has also scored films, worked on the design side of projects, and penned articles. Last year, Hayley was said to have split from her Mission Impossible co-star Tom Cruise for the second time. A source said: 'Unfortunately it hasnt worked out for them. They have now decided they are better as friends.' The insider also revealed that the fanfare around the couple after going public was too much to handle. 'They get on really well, and have fantastic chemistry, which is why they decided to quietly give the relationship another try earlier this year. 'What was working behind closed doors didnt work out so well when it was made public, and the fanfare around them as a couple exploded again,' the source stated. The source also insisted that the couple's romance was 'genuine', stating 'In spite of some rumours to the contrary, it was never just for the cameras.' The pair began dating in 2020 after meeting on set of Mission: Impossible 7, and were first reported to be an item in December. Tom, who plays Ethan Hunt in the famous franchise, and Hayley, who portrays a character mononymously known as Grace, spent much of the last year shooting the movie across the UK, as well as in Rome, Venice, and Norway. Though the two had never expressly confirmed their romance, they were said to have become 'fairly inseparable' after they 'hit it off from day one' on the film. However, by September, the relationship was said to have 'run its course' for the pair. Nicki Minaj and her husband Kenneth Petty are reportedly at the center of a petition, which ask them to move out of Hidden Hills over 'safety concerns.' In addition to voicing fears that the 45-year-old registered sex offender's move to the area would lower appraisal value, the online request has collected more than 886 signatures, on Change.org, signifying the community is 'against sex offenders in [their] Hidden Hills neighborhood.' The petition goes on to urge locals to put 'residents safety first' and states that the 40-year-old rap superstar's spouse is a 'level 3 sex offender, convicted for the attempted rape of a 16-year-old-girl.' It also claims that Petty has a 'high likelihood to reoffend' and 'is currently under house arrest for failing to register as a sex offender in California as law demands it.' 'The Petty couple moving in would lead to appraisal value of our homes to go DOWN due to safety concerns. It would lead to children and women being a target,' the petition added. 'Dont wait to receive a letter from the government saying a predator has moved in near you.' Yikes: Nicki Minaj and her husband Kenneth Petty are reportedly at the center of a petition, started by their Hidden Hills neighbors, asking them to move over 'safety concerns' (seen in 2020) The petition was first started in December, 2022, after the couple purchased a $19.5 million home in the same gated community as as Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian. It has recently regained some traction, according to TMZ, after Petty 'recently filed new legal docs changing his address on the Megan's Law website.' The publication has also found 'proof' that the petition may be an elaborate 'troll-job,' orchestrated by Cardi B fans. The site unearthed a tweet by one, which read: 'We, as Nicki antis, can turn the residents of Hidden Hills AGAINST Nicki and her pedo husband moving in, hurting her assets in the process.' The person, who created the Change.org, seemingly went under the alias, Beverly Barden, which the site pointed out 'does seem like a play off the Bardi Gang, the name Cardi's fans use.' On Friday, the Hidden Hills Community Association confirmed to TMZ that 'they were unaware' of this 'petition, or of a Beverly Barden.' The site also pointed out that there is 'no public listing of a Beverly Barden in Hidden Hills.' This week, 529 people signed the petition as Petty wraps his home detention for failing to register as a sex offender when he moved to California with his wife. Neighborhood outrage: In addition to voicing fears that the 45-year-old registered sex offender's move to the area would lower appraisal value , one Calabasas inhabitant, named Beverly Bardan, has collected more than 886 signatures, on Change.org , to signify his community is 'against sex offenders in [their] Hidden Hills neighborhood' (seen in May 2022) Concerns: On the petition platform, he urges 'residents safety first' and states that the 40-year-old rap superstar's spouse is a 'level 3 sex offender, convicted for the attempted rape of a 16-year-old-girl' While he avoided a 10-year jail sentence, Petty was ordered to pay a $55,000 fine. Petty, who married Minaj, 39, in 2019, plead guilty back in September, 2022, on a federal count of failing to register as a sex offender. While he was looking at a maximum prison sentence of 10 years with a lifetime of supervised release, he was sentenced to just one year of in-home detention, and three years of probation, according to CBS Los Angeles. Petty was convicted of first-degree attempted rape of a 16-year-old girl in 1995, for which he was sentenced to four years in prison. Petty started dating Minaj in 2018 and they tied the knot a year later and moved to California. Collecting signatures: This week, 529 people signed Bardan's online petition as Petty wraps his home detention for failing to register as a sex offender when he moved to California with his wife Petty was pulled over by the Beverly Hills Police Department in November 2019, and discovered he was a registered sex offender in New York, though he had not registered in California when he moved, which he's required to do. Petty plead guilty, at the time, but his hearing has been delayed several times before the sentence was handed out. Prosecutors were recommending 15 months of prison time and five years of supervised release, and not a home detention, since he lives with Minaj in a gated community in Calabasas, which they contended was not much of a 'punishment.' The judge ultimately disagreed, sentencing petty to one year of in-home detention, plus three years of probation, and a $55,000 fine. Immediate backlash: The petition was first started in December, 2022, after the couple purchased a $19.5 million home in the same gated community as as Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian Family first: The couple share a little boy, nicknamed Papa Bear, who she welcomed on September 30, 2020 (pictured in 2019) Petty was also in legal trouble in August, when Jennifer Hough, Petty's alleged rape victim, filed a lawsuit against both him and Minaj. Hough claimed that both Minaj and Petty tried to coerce her into recanting her rape accusation, and they even offered her $500,000 to do so. She also accused them of inflicting emotional distress, though she voluntarily dropped the lawsuit against Minaj. 'The case against Nicki was voluntarily dismissed. The case against Kenneth Petty is still ongoing. Stay tuned!" Hough's lawyer, Tyrone Blackburn said. Phillip Schofield has been spotted again today in Cornwall looking 'very tired' but managed to raise a smile. The ex-This Morning presenter, 61, was photographed by a member of the public as he walked through a car park. Phillip - who was wearing his wedding ring - appeared to be holding a carrier bag in one hand with a duffle bag slung over his shoulder and was dressed casually in a grey top and blue jeans. MailOnline told this week how he was in the seaside spot to celebrate his mother Pat's 87th birthday, as he does every year. He was spotted again this morning by a member of the public who managed to quickly snap pictures of the fallen ITV presenter. They said: 'He was walking past my car. I waited for him to go past and he smiled and said thank you. Phillip, 61, was photographed by a member of the public as he walked through a car park Holly Willoughby and husband and friend seen catching a helicopter to Glastonbury Festival Holly looked jolly as she and her group boarded the chopper to fly to Glastonbury Festival 'He looked very tired and just gave me a dry smile and a thanks as I let him go past.' Meanwhile his former hosting partner Holly Willoughby looked like she did not have a care in the world as she took a helicopter to Glastonbury. The television beauty, 42, donned chic festival gear with husband Dan Baldwin as they made their way by chopper to the West Country. Phillip told last month how he had been too afraid to leave his home in case the public spat on him. Phillip Schofield broke cover for the first time in a month since his devastating This Morning scandal looking healthier as he celebrated his beloved mother's birthday The fallen star, 61, still appeared forlorn but seemed to have had a slight tan and haircut as he was seen in Cornwall where supportive parent Pat lives But in recent days famous names including Sir Elton John have questioned if some of the furore around the secret affair that destroyed the presenter's career had been homophobic. Phillip who called the relationship 'unwise, but not illegal' cheated on his wife Stephanie with the young male colleague. The tryst was kept secret for years until he admitted to The Mail on Sunday he had lied about it having been just rumours. He went on to confess he had misled his employer ITV, his colleagues, his friends and his then agents at the management firm YMU. Then in an extraordinary series of mea culpa interviews he apologised for all of the hurt he had caused. It sparked an extraordinary domino effect for the show and ITV, with Holly Willoughby having to issue a statement saying she knew nothing about it. But Phillip insisted he had not 'groomed' the man, despite first meeting him when he was 15. And he went on to declare: 'Attraction is attraction. It's no different in the gay world as it is in the heterosexual world or in the lesbian world. 'There shouldn't be a difference. This is where homophobia comes in. 'We did first meet when he was 15, I visited the drama school [he attended]. 'So yeah, there's a difference. It's accepted by Leonardo DiCaprio, it's not accepted if it's in the gay world.' Titanic actor DiCaprio, 48, has reportedly had several relationships with women who are younger than him. Phillip is understood to have been in Cornwall to celebrate his mother Pat's 87th birthday. The pair are pictured here in 2008 This Morning has been unable to shake off the controversy, despite Schofield resigning on May 20. Only this week Willoughby and Dermot O'Leary were left squirming on the show as the scandal was referenced by a guest. The duo were visibly uncomfortable as chef Gino D'Acampo asked if there was 'any news' he should know of, during his return to the daytime show on Tuesday, following his month-long trip to Italy. Awkward: The duo were visibly uncomfortable as chef Gino D'Acampo asked if there was 'any news' he should know of, during his return to the show, following a month-long Italy trip Phillip pictured with former co-host Holly Willoughby on This Morning on May 16 before his sudden resignation While doing a preview of his cooking segment, Gino said to Holly and Dermot: 'Everything is under control. I'm back. 'Any news from the last month that I should know of? Anything I should know?' to which Holly insisted: 'No. No news,' as the studio fell notably quiet. In a bombshell statement to the Daily Mail, the veteran TV presenter had admitted that he and the man began a relationship that was more than a friendship. The ex-TV presenter describes this as 'unwise but not illegal'. In his grovelling apology, Phillip said: 'I am making this statement via the Daily Mail, to whom I have already apologised personally for misleading, through my lawyer who I also misled, about a story [sic] which they wanted to write about me a few days ago. BBC journalist Amol Rajan interviewing Phillip during one of the extraordinary mea culpas The presenting pair pictured with the younger colleague with whom Phillip had an affair 'The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning. I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning. 'Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than a just a friendship. That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over... 'I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family. I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife... 'I am resigning from ITV with immediate effect, expressing my immense gratitude to them for all the amazing opportunities that they have given me. 'I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it.' The Daily Mail is aware of the younger man's identity, but has chosen not to name him. Phillip's extraordinary statement concludes weeks of increasingly fevered speculation in both the TV industry and the wider country about the future of his career, following his sudden departure. Grammy Award-winning Sheldon Harnick has died at the age of 99. He passed away in his sleep of natural causes at his home in New York City, according to his spokesperson Sean Katz, Deadline reported. The musical artist was best known as the Fiddler On The Roof lyricist. Fiddler On The Roof was a 1971 movie starring Topol and Norma Crane that centered on a Jewish peasant in Russia who has to marry off three of his daughters. The songs that came from Fiddler On The Roof include Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Sunrise, Sunset, Do You Love Me? and If I Were a Rich Man. Harnick had a rich history with Broadway musicals. The writer worked on 1959's Pulitzer-winning Fiorello! and 1963's She Loves Me. Sad loss: Sheldon Harnick has died at the age of 99. He passed away at his home in New York City, according to his spokesperson Sean Katz. Seen in 2016 His big hit film: The musical artist was best known as the Fiddler On The Roof lyricist. Fiddler On The Roof was a 1971 movie starring Topol and Norma Crane that centered on a Jewish peasant in Russia who has to marry off three of his daughters The writer was known for his wry, subtle humor and deft wordplay. Broadway artists paid their respects on social media. Schmigadoon! writer Cinco Paul calling him 'one of the all-time great musical theater lyricists' and actor Jackie Hoffman lovingly writing: 'Like all brilliant persnickety lyricists he was a pain in the tuchus.' Bock and Harnick first hit success for the music and lyrics to Fiorello!, which earned them each Tonys and a rare Pulitzer Prize in 1960. In addition, Harnick was nominated for Tonys in 1967 for The Apple Tree, in 1971 for The Rothschilds and in 1994 for Cyrano - The Musical. But their masterpiece was Fiddler on the Roof. Bock and Harnick were first introduced at a restaurant by actor Jack Cassidy after the opening-night performance of Shangri-La, a musical in which Harnick had helped with the lyrics. The first Harnick-Bock musical was The Body Beautiful in 1958. 'I think in all of the years that we worked together, I only remember one or two arguments - and those were at the beginning of the collaboration when we were still feeling each other out,' Harnick, who collaborated with Bock for 13 years, recalled in an interview with The Associated Press in 2010. 'Once we got past that, he was wonderful to work with.' Past look: Composer Richard Rodgers, left, appears with cast members of 'REX' Nicol Williamson, center, and Penny Fuller, as lyricist Harnick, right, looks on in New York in 1976 Fab three: The creators of Fiddler on the Roof, composer Jerry Bock, from left, writer Joseph Stein, and lyricist Sheldon, appear at the George Gershwin Theater in New York in 1990 They would form one of the most influential partnerships in Broadway history. Producers Robert E. Griffith and Hal Prince had liked the songs from 'The Body Beautiful,' and they contracted Bock and Harnick to write the score for their next production, 'Fiorello!,' a musical about the reformist mayor of New York City. Bock and Harnick then collaborated on 'Tenderloin' in 1960 and 'She Loves Me' three years later. Neither was a hit - although 'She Loves Me' won a Grammy for best score from a cast album - but their next one was a monster that continues to be performed worldwide: 'Fiddler on the Roof.' It earned two Tony Awards in 1965. Based on stories by Sholom Aleichem that were adapted into a libretto by Stein, 'Fiddler' dealt with the experience of Eastern European Orthodox Jews in the Russian village of Anatevka in the year 1905. It starred Zero Mostel as Teyve, had an almost eight year run and offered the world such stunning songs as 'Sunrise, Sunset,' 'If I Were a Rich Man' and 'Matchmaker, Matchmaker.' The most recent Broadway revival starred Danny Burstein as Tevye and earned a best revival Tony nomination. He raised the roof: Topol seen in his starring role in Fiddler On The Roof Good writing: In a masterpiece of laughter and tenderness, Harnick's lyrics were poignant and honest, as when the hero Tevye sings, 'Lord who made the lion and the lamb/You decreed I should be what I am/Would it spoil some vast eternal plan/If I were a wealthy man?' In a masterpiece of laughter and tenderness, Harnick's lyrics were poignant and honest, as when the hero Tevye sings, 'Lord who made the lion and the lamb/You decreed I should be what I am/Would it spoil some vast eternal plan/If I were a wealthy man?' Bock and Harnick next wrote the book as well as the score for 'The Apple Tree,' in 1966, and the score for 'The Rothschilds,' with a book by Sherman Yellen, in 1970. It was the last collaboration between the two: Bock decided that the time had come for him to be his own lyricist and he put out two experimental albums in the early 1970s. Harnick went on to collaborate with Michel Legrand on 'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' in 1979 and a musical of 'A Christmas Carol' in 1981; Mary Rodgers on a version of 'Pinocchio' in 1973; Arnold Black on a musical of 'The Phantom Tollbooth;' and Richard Rodgers on the score to 'Rex' in 1976, a Broadway musical about Henry VIII. He also wrote lyrics for the song 'William Wants a Doll' for Marlo Thomas TV special 'Free to Be... You and Me' and several original opera librettos, including 'Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines' and 'Love in Two Countries.' He won a Grammy for writing the libretto for 'The Merry Widow' featuring Beverly Sills. His work for television and film ranged from songs for the HBO animated film 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' in 1991 with music by Stephen Lawrence, to lyrics for the opening number of the 1988 Academy Awards telecast. He wrote the theme songs for two films, both with music by Cy Coleman: 'The Heartbreak Kid' in 1972 and 'Blame it On Rio' in 1984. His true love: Harnick and Margery Gray Harnick attend the Roundabout Theatre Company's 2019 Gala honoring John Lithgow at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in 2019 in New York City Always together: The couple at the KOI Book Launch at TAO Uptown in NYC in 2017 In 2014, off-Broadways The York Theatre Company revived some of Harnicks early works, including 'Malpractice Makes Perfect,' 'Dragons' and 'Tenderloin.' 'She Loves Me' was last revived on Broadway in 2016 in a Tony-nominated show starring Zachary Levi. Harnick was born and raised in Chicago and earned a bachelors degree in music from the Northwestern University School of Music after serving in the army during World War II. Trained in the violin, he decided to try his luck as a songwriter in New York. His early songs included 'The Ballad of the Shape of Things,' later recorded by the Kingston Trio, and the Cole Porter spoof, 'Boston Beguine,' from the revue 'New Faces of 1952.' He and his wife, artist Margery Gray Harnick, had two children, Beth and Matthew, and four grandchildren. Harnick had an earlier marriage to actress Elaine May. He was a longtime member of the Dramatists Guild and Songwriters Guild. Sheree Whitfield's fans are putting her appearance under the microscope. The 53-year-old beauty is used to having her looks examined as a cast member of the Real Housewives of Atlanta. But her fans are now speculating about whether she may have undergone a cosmetic procedure following her latest Instagram post. Followers think she may have had a nose job. The reality star shared a selfie of herself Thursday wearing a rose pink top and distressed denim jacket. Her dark locks were styled in a long pony tail. She wore natural looking makeup and accessorized with large gold framed sunglasses. 'Keep it simple, but cute,' the fashionista wrote next to the snap, wearing natural looking makeup with a pale pink lip. Speculation: Sheree Whitfield's fans are putting her appearance under the microscope, speculating she may have undergone a cosmetic procedure on her nose She also shared an affirmation which read, 'You are not the woman you were a year ago, babe. You are stronger, hotter, smarter, and ever more bada**.' However, some of her 1.1 million followers couldn't help but comment that something looked a little different to them. 'We are needing your new nose pics. This is no longer your beautiful nose Sheree. Lets see it ' wrote one curious fan. Another fan felt the opposite, commenting 'Thats the nose we all love!!!!!!' 'All I see is a lil cheek & undereye filler. Maybe a lil filler in the nose too,' speculated a third. 'Yessssssss hunty your doctor did a great job,' concluded another. Fans had a similar reaction when the influencer unveiled a video of herself on May 5 as she stood in the foyer of her palatial home wearing a rose pink floral dress with a plunging neckline and cutouts at the waist. 'She look like a whole different person!!!!' exclaimed fan followed by crying and nose emojis. Comments: After seeing the photos fans commented about subtle changes in her appearance writing, 'This is no longer your beautiful nose Sheree,' and 'All I see is a lil cheek & undereye filler. Maybe a lil filler in the nose too' Sheree posted this photo in September 2019 Unveiled: Fans had a similar reaction when the influencer unveiled a video of herself on May 5 ripping away a plastic bag to reveal a new look. 'She look like a whole different person!!!!' exclaimed fan followed by crying and nose emojis Stress-free: Sheree told Essence magazine, that being stress-free is one of her beauty secrets. 'Im like, "Im not about to get no gray hair. Im not about to get no wrinkles." If I cant handle it, I just cant handle it and stress kills. So its about living stress-free' she contended 'WHO IS THIS ??? Cause that face is waaay different,' stated another. The mother of three, who is mom to daughter Tiera Fuller 37, and who shares daughter Kaleigh, 24, and son Kairo, 27, with her ex-husband Bob Whitfield, 51, is now a grandmother, thanks to Kairo and his un-named partner. The new 'Glamma' hasn't made any comments regarding the online speculation about possible procedures, but told Essence magazine, that being stress-free is one of her beauty secrets. 'I do not stress.' she claimed. 'People may not believe it, but I work well under pressure. I do not stress. And Ive been like this my entire life. ' 'Im like, "Im not about to get no gray hair. Im not about to get no wrinkles." If I cant handle it, I just cant handle it and stress kills. So its about living stress-free' she contended. The She by Sheree founder said exercise and healthful eating are also key. When it comes to dealing with her often dramatic cast mates, Sheree said 'for the most part I can only do and be who I am.' Jennifer Lawrence looked chic and summery as she stepped out for dinner with a friend at Indochine in New York City on Thursday. The No Hard Feelings actress, 32, wore a long, strapless black dress with and a black leather, crossbody, hobo-style handbag. The Hunger Games star slipped her feet into a pair of flat black sandals and wore her long blonde hair down and straight. The mom of Cy, one, accessorized with a necklace featuring a red circle pendant. A black sweater was draped over the Winter's Bone actress' shoulders. Summery: Jennifer Lawrence looked chic and summery as she stepped out for dinner with a friend at Indochine in New York City on Thursday The Red Sparrow actress appeared on the YouTube series Hot Ones on June 22. The Silver Linings Playbook star revealed that there's one type of actor she's nervous to work with: Method actors. 'I would be scared to work with somebody who's Method because I would have no idea how to talk to them. Like, do I have to be in character?' Lawrence said. 'That would just make me nervous. But I haven't seen another process that I've been curious about, because you don't really know about them all the time.' The Passengers actress came face to face with the acting technique of Christian Bale, 49, while filming American Hustle. Bale has been lauded for his ability to inhabit the characters he plays, leading many to assume he's a Method actor. But he isn't. He practices a '10 seconds to ready' technique. 'I had always been very on/off, on/off until I did 'American Hustle' when I worked with Chrisitain Bale and I noticed when the camera started rolling and the crew kind of started preparing like it was going to be 10 seconds or whatever until action, he would start getting ready,' Lawrence recalled. 'And then I saw that and I was like, 'That seems like a really good idea.' And then I started to do that.' Before Jennifer sat down with Hot Ones host Sean Evans to feast on hot wings, she wasn't sure the show was actually real. Dinner time: The No Hard Feelings actress, 32, wore a long, strapless black dress with and a black leather, crossbody, hobo-style handbag Out on the town: The Hunger Games star slipped her feet into a pair of flat black sandals and wore her long blonde hair down and straight 'I was kind of in my head at the beginning, I was like, "Is this show real?" And I don't think that anymore," Lawrence told Evans as she took a sip of her milk to minimize the spiciness of the wings. As the spiciness progressed, Lawrence found herself faced with Da Bomb, the 'hottest, most disgusting hot sauce in the world.' 'Oh my god, I'm panicking,'Lawrence said as she finished taking the bite. 'Is my face okay?' she asked as she began to tear up. 'I feel like I'm gonna die,' she exclaimed before taking a bite of the next hot wing. Longtime TV host Maury Povich is planning to launch an at-home paternity testing company. Povich, 84, intends to name his new venture, The Results Are In, after one of the catchphrases made popular by his daytime talk show, Maury, TMZ reported. The now-retired TV host employed the phrase over the more than three decades his show aired. It was famous for featuring guests embroiled in paternity disputes, and Povich would use the signature words to preface the big reveal of whether a male guest was in fact the father of a mother's child. Maury Povich, 84, became a household name as the host of his eponymous daytime talk show The Maury Povich Show, later shortened to Maury, was famous for featuring guests embroiled in paternity disputes In a statement to TMZ, Povich addressed the need for the business. 'I've seen firsthand how DNA testing can change lives and bring families together,' he said. 'With The Results Are In, we're making it easier and more affordable than ever before for people to get the answers they need.' The Maury Povich Show, later shortened to Maury, debuted in 1991 as a daytime talk show that followed various domestic dramas as told through real people. Besides paternity disputes, the issues the series touched on spanned teen pregnancy, 'secret crushes,' general cheating, 'controlling/abusive men' and beyond, according to a now-archived page of the old Maury show's website. Povich's start-up reportedly will work in close partnership with DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC) - one of the world's largest private DNA-testing firms. DDC already independently offers confidential paternity testing, though putting Povich's name on one of its paternity-testing services is certain to draw in a much wider customer base. On its website, the company boasts having been the talk show's go-to DNA testing lab for settling paternity disputes over much of the series' 31-year run. A 2018 statement declared that Maury and DDC 'have been partners in paternity testing' since 1998 - adding that 'together we've provided accurate DNA answer[s] to hundreds and hundreds of people from all walks of life.' The show was known for settling paternity disputes on-air by revealing DNA testing results For his paternity-testing venture, Povich is partnering with DNA Diagnostics Center - a private DNA testing firm that had long been the go-to on his show (stock image) The series, which ended last year, boasts having been longest-airing daytime talk show to feature the same host throughout its run in broadcast TV history. Of finally stepping down in 2022, Povich said in a statement through parent company NBC: 'Six years ago when I was ready to retire, [my] NBCUniversal family asked me to continue the show. 'Even though I told them I was ready for assisted living, out of loyalty to NBCUniversal and my more than 100 staff and crew members I agreed to one more deal. 'I'm so proud of my relationship with NBCUniversal and all those who worked on the Maury show but as I occasionally tell my guests on Maury, "Enough, already!"' Demi Moore looked glowing in a baby blue dress as she and her pet chihuahua Pilaf attended the third day of the five-day Royal Ascot event at Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, Berkshire, England on Thursday. In an Instagram post that she uploaded that same day, Moore, 60 - who hit the Dior event on Friday - posted a series of photos of herself, Pilaf, and other attendees at Britain's most prominent horse races event. 'Pilaf and friends take Royal Ascot ,' the actress, who made sure to tag her dog Pilaf in the post, captioned her June 22 Instagram post. 'Congrats to Lady Bamford on Random Harvest and thank you for a glorious day at the races.' All of the photos from her Instagram post featured Moore wearing a baby blue Emilia Wickstead Dellah dress from the designer's Spring 2023 collection. The Dellah dress featured a unique geometric pattern. Demi and Pilaf take Royal Ascot: Demi Moore glowed in a baby blue dress as she and Pilaf attended the third day of the five-day Royal Ascot event in at Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, Berkshire, England on Thursday Group Picture: In an Instagram post that she uploaded on Thursday, Moore (in the front on the right) included a group photo of herself, British businesswoman Carole Bamford (in the front on the left), American florist Eric Buterbaugh (in the front in the center), and an unidentified man (in the back behind Buterbaugh at what appeared to be a VIP area at the Ascot Racetrack The actress, who wore her long dark hair down, completed her look with a white Fendi Peekaboo bag, a pair of pearl earrings, a white Apple watch, a pair of Oliver Peoples Riley sunglasses, and a white Philip Treacy UFO style hat. Moore was also seen wearing a white sling across her chest that served as a carrier for her tiny dog Pilaf. The first image from Moore's post was a solo shot of her and Pilaf posing outside on a green lawn with several buildings, a bush and, multi-colored flowers in the background. The second photo featured Moore and Pilaf posing with Carole Bamford, Eric Buterbaugh, and an unidentified gentleman in what appeared to be a VIP area at the Ascot Racetrack. The actress also tagged the British businesswoman and the renown American florist in her second picture. Meanwhile, the third image featured Moore and Buterbaugh posing with two other friends as they sat and stood by a tree outside with British flags in the background. The fourth image featured Moore and Pilaf with Treacy, the renown Irish haute couture milliner (or hat designer) who designed not only the hat that the 60-year-old actress wore at the third day of Royal Ascot, but the one that the recently crowned Queen Camilla wore for that day's events as well. The last image was a zoomed-in shot of the first picture from Moore's Royal Ascot photo dump. Racing Day: To complete her baby blue dress, Moore sported a white Philip Treacy UFO style hat, a white Apple watch, a pair of pearl earrings, a white Fendi Peekaboo bag, and a pair of Oliver Peoples Riley sunglasses British pride: Two British flags could bee seen in the background of this group picture of Moore (Right of the center), Buterbaugh (far left) and two of their other friends Renown haute couture milliner: In this photo, Moore (left) poses with Philip Treacy (right), the renown Irish hat designer who not only made the hat that the 60-year-old actress wore at the third day of Royal Ascot, but also the one that Queen Camilla wore for that day's events as well Another client: Treacy, the renown Irish haute couture milliner (or hat designer) who designed not only the hat that the 60-year-old actress wore at the third day of Royal Ascot, but the one that the recently crowned Queen Camilla wore for that day's events as well; Camilla with the designer's hat on Thursday as she posed with husband King Charles Royal Ascot was not the only notable event that Moore brought her pet chihuahua Pilaf as her plus-one to. On June 11, Moore brought Pilaf as her plus-one to the welcome dinner that took place ahead of the Max Mara fashion show at Stockholm City Hall in Sweden. In an Instagram post that she posted that same day, she uploaded two photos of herself and Pilar at the dinner party. Touched down in Stockholm for @maxmaras midsummer night dinner party, Moore captioned her Instagram post. Thanks for having me! In both of the photos, Moore looked chic and stylish in an all white outfit that consisted of a sleeveless jumpsuit and a cotton long sleeve jacket, high neck and beige jersey dress that had a long sleeve design. My plus one: Royal Ascot was not the only notable event that Moore brought her pet chihuahua Pilaf as her plus-one to as earlier this month, the actress brought Pilaf as her plus-one to the welcome dinner that took place ahead of the Max Mara fashion show at Stockholm City Hall in Sweden The first photo showed the actress sitting down on what appeared to be a brown wooden bench with Pilaf snuggled up and fast asleep on her lap. The second picture in Moores post showed the actress standing with the sea behind her as she donned a May Queen-style blue and white flower crown, with the sea behind her. While the Max Mara Fashion Show took place at the city hall of the Swedish capital, the events welcome dinner took place at nearby Fjaderholmarnas, the closest archipelago island to Stockholm. This meant that Moore and other attendees, which included various celebrities, had to take a ferry from the mainland to get to the island, where they dined at Fjaderholmarnas Krog. The Max Mara fashion show at Stockholm's city hall is where the Italian fashion brand displayed its 2024 resort collection. Michelle Keegan looked sensational as she attended a friend's wedding in a bronzed halterneck silk dress on Friday. The former Coronation Street star, 36, wowed in the figure-hugging full-length gown as it elegantly clung to her slender frame as she cosied up to her husband Mark Wright. The couple have jetted abroad to Spain after Mark hit back at trolls who claim he and wife his wife never see each other, saying they always spend 'quality time together' they just don't post about it. And Michelle and Mark looked smitten as they posed for a sweet photo at the celebrations, which was uploaded to Instagram on Friday. Michelle paired the dress with heels and scrapped back her brunette tresses into a flawless bun, allowing a few curled locks to fall about her face. Mesmerising: Michelle Keegan looked sensational figure-hugging full-length rosy-brown halter neck silk dress on Friday She wore a smattering of dark pink lipstick and a touch of cat eyeliner on her face. Mark, meanwhile, opted for a semi-unbuttoned shirt which showed-off the rest of radio presenter's muscular physique. He paired the top with a pair of white chinos and finished off outfit with brown loafers with a gold detail. Alongside the couple shot, Mark also shared with his 1.8 million followers a photo of the pair posing with the bride and groom. He captioned the post; 'Mr & Mrs Wright with the new Mr & Mrs Dodds, love you both xx'. Friends and fans of the couple were quick to show their love for the post. Celebration time!: The former Coronation Street star, 36, wore the figure-hugging full-length gown as she attended a friend's wedding with husband Mark Wright Marriage bliss: Her former TOWIE star husband paid tribute to his wife and the newly-weds in his caption Beauty guru Nilam Holmes wrote: You two are gorgeous...what a handsome couple the bride and groom are too x' A friend commented: 'Looking stunning as ever Michelle and Mark - handsome as ever, gorgeous couple'. It is a welcome break for the pair, who over the weekend were in Ibiza. Michelle has been busy filming her new Netflix thrilled Fool Me Once. Meanwhile, Mark has been filming away for a month shooting BBC One's A Wright Family Holiday and presenting The Challenge UK in Argentina. This week, the presenter told MailOnline that often the public overreact when there's a photo of him with Michelle - despite the fact they have been married for the past seven years and share their newly completed Essex home as a couple. Mark insists the pair make their lifestyles work but like to keep the intimate moments they share, including at home when they're relaxing, off social media. He said: 'Do you know what whenever there's a picture of us together people will say "rare picture of Mark and Michelle" or "Mark and Michelle reunite after time apart" we just don't tell everyone when we do spend quality time together. 'I could be in the house with Michelle for two weeks, but no one will know that because I'm not necessarily posting about it. We spend plenty of quality time together and we've had plenty of weekends away. We have got stuff booked up. 'We spend quality time together just like any other relationship and I'm not just saying that... we genuinely do.' Hollywood siren January Jones is ready for the hot months of summer. The 45-year-old Mad Men star, who recently cut her hair short, wowed fans with a revealing post on Friday where she wore a playful black string bikini by Marysia. The star showed her ample cleavage as she modeled the fun suit that had scalloped edges and string straps. The low-riding briefs tied on the sides. The looker added cat-eyed black sunglasses and a gold necklace with a big puffy gold heart pendant from Ivy Diamond Cole Jewelry. Her earrings were from DEMARSON New York. She smiled with confidence as a pal snapped away. All she had in her caption box was a black heart. Lisa Rinna of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills hit the like button. In top form: Hollywood siren January Jones is ready for the hot months of summer. The 45-year-old Mad Men star wowed fans with a revealing post on Friday where she wore a playful black string bikini Jazz hands: The star showed her ample cleavage as she modeled the fun suit that had scalloped edges and string straps. The low-riding briefs tied on the sides The South Dakota native also wore the same suit in late April but it was a pale cream color. When in the two piece, she danced around to Ed Sheeran. In 2022 she made headlines when she hit back at some 'toxic' comments from trolls. She wore a pale pink bikini in her post as she said she was having fun with her 'toxic femininity.' The comment was a reaction to a September 11, 2022 post where she was wearing cut off shorts, a trucker hat and holding a beer. Haters said she was 'toxic' for looking that way. But she was just having fun with a certain style. Details: The looker added cat-eyed black sunglasses and a gold necklace with a big puffy gold heart pendant. All she had in her caption box was a black heart. Lisa Rinna of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills hit the like button January often shared tongue-in-cheek posts. And they seemed to love her clapback. One fan applauded her for being such a 'captivating comedienne.' Other fans were so enamored by her photo that they gushed: 'You are so beautiful.' Meanwhile, other fans were keen to encourage January's quirky side and replied: 'Your NASCAR-esque adventures are the best part. A-typical with a lot of personality.' January shared an Instagram post in 2022 for a special tribute to her son, Xander, who just celebrated his birthday. Hot mama: In 2022, she shared a photo of herself looking fantastic as she posed in a bikini top with high-waisted bikini bottoms from Bay 2 Swimwear She went country: She was slammed for her September 11, 2022 post where she posed in cut-offs shorts while modeling a trucker hat and holding a beer in front of a tractor. Fans did not appear to appreciate her country look 'My son is 11 yrs. old today! Im coping just fine (obviously), with grace and reflection.' The actress has kept the identity of the biological father private, and raises her son on her own. During a past interview with Red Magazine, the talented beauty explained, 'I just dont feel I need a partner. Do I want one? Maybe. But I dont feel unhappy or lonely. It would have to be someone so amazing that I would want to make room.' 'Someone who would contribute to my happiness and not take away from it. I realize I have very high expectations and will probably have to compromise, but my life is so full,' she added. Khloe Kardashian opened her first Good American store in Santa Monica this week and her mom Kris Jenner showed up to support her. The momager, 67, looked pretty in a pale pink suit featuring an oversized blazer and baggy pants that draped beautifully on her slim frame. She wore a tan camisole under the suit, carried a tiny white handbag, and slpped her feet into a pair of bone-colored pumps. Khloe - who Kim Kardashian tried to set up a date for with Michele Morrone - dressed from head-to-toe in Good American items starting with a pair of destroyed, light-wash tapered jeans and a tiny bandeau top and cropped denim jacket in the same wash. Her long, platinum blonde hair was parted in the middle and flowed down her torso in loose waves. Both women wore sunglasses to protect their eyes from the bright summer sun. Grand opening: Khloe Kardashian opened her first Good American store in Santa Monica this week and her mom Kris Jenner showed up to support her Giggles: The two women looked in good spirits as they shared a laugh while walking out of the new store The two women looked in good spirits as they shared a laugh while walking out of the new store. Meanwhile, on this week's episode of The Kardashians, the mom of two joked about how un-PC she is and how that makes people - particularly dates - uncomfortable. 'It's too easy to make people uncomfortable. 'So how's your dad?' Which one? One's dead, and one turned into a girl,' she quipped. ''Why don't you get a divorce?'' Oh, found him in a brothel. I can go on and on ... You can't come up with better than what the truth is.' Khloe's comment came as she was talking to her glam team about being seated next to Italian actor and model Michele Morrone, 32, at the Dolce & Gabbana show during Milan Fashion Week. 'We're sitting at the show... and he's like, 'Do you like Dolce and Gabbana?' and I said, 'I do, do you like Dolce?'' Khloe recalled. 'And he's like, 'Yeah, it's always been a dream of mine, since I was a kid, to model for them and now I'm the face of Dolce.'' She told her glam team: 'He's a very handsome man but I had no idea who he was.' New store: The momager, 67, looked pretty in a pale pink suit featuring an oversized blazer and baggy pants that draped beautifully on her slim frame. She wore a tan camisole under the suit, carried a tiny white handbag, and slpped her feet into a pair of bone-colored pumps Business milestone: Khloe - who Kim Kardashian tried to set up a date for with Michele Morrone - dressed from head-to-toe in Good American items starting with a pair of destroyed, light-wash tapered jeans and a tiny bandeau top and cropped denim jacket in the same wash Khloe and Michele bonded over the fact that they both have two kids, but when he complimented her for 'looking great' so soon after Tatum Thompson's birth, she was quick to set him straight. 'I was like, "Oh, I didn't birth the baby. It's a surrogate." He's like, "Oh, how's that" I go, "It's so f---ing weird,"' Khloe explained. 'He was like, "Oh, my God, I love you because you're so not PC." I go, "Oh, no. Not at all."' She added: 'He thinks I'm nuts.' Emily Ratajkowski opted for a casual and comfortable look while walking her dog Colombo in New York City on Friday. The 32-year-old supermodel - who was also spotted with the dog and her son earlier this week - wore a zip-up black sweater. She left it partially unzipped, flashing a white, crew neck crop top underneath and exposing the lower area of her toned tummy. The iNAMORATA swimwear designer teamed the look with a pair of heather gray sweatpants and folded the waistband. The mother-of-one wore her brunette locks loose, styled in a center part with shaggy bangs framing her face. Out and about: Emily Ratajkowski opted for a casual and comfortable look while walking her dog Colombo in New York City on Friday Add-ons: The runway regular added a pair of well-worn white sneakers and covered her brown eyes with rectangular black sunglasses The runway regular added a pair of well-worn white sneakers and covered her brown eyes with rectangular black sunglasses. Emily, who hosts the podcast High/Low With Emrata, wore medium sized hoop earrings, rings, and a necklace. Emily has had Colombo since May 2019 and even brought him on The Tonight Show and introduced him to Jimmy Fallon when he was just a puppy. 'I've been loving it. It felt like a big step,' the beauty gushed about her pet at the time, which was before she became mom to son Sylvester Apollo in 2021. Before her divorce, the best-selling author was often seen walking the pup on the streets of NYC with then-husband Sebastian Bear-McClard. The brown and black dog even has its own Instagram where the runway regular occasionally posts updates. The star, who was born in Southern California, is regularly seen making a fashion statement as she walks Colombo around her neighborhood. On Wednesday she wore low-rise green pants along with the same zip-up black sweater to take the canine on their routine walk. Comfy: The iNAMORATA swimwear designer teamed the look with a pair of heather gray sweatpants and folded the waistband Doggy love: Emily appeared on Instagram Wednesday to share a cute selfie with her dog The My Body author recently welcomed Architectural Digest in the backyard of the NYC home she moved into last September. 'I wanted it to just feel really fresh,' she explained about the outdoor space. 'The back is surrounded by trees and a lot of plants, and I wanted it to feel comfortable but still chic and modern, without being too try hard, if that makes any sense,' she explained. 'I think we found a really good combination of pieces because it still feels modern, but it doesnt feel overly designed,' she added. Emily said Sly has a little area just for him that includes a baby pool and a sensory table. 'I have a 90-pound dog and a two-year-old. Being in New York City, its just so nice to sit out there, having morning coffee and letting my son play. 'Im very much enjoying that and looking forward to more of it,' she said. Birthday behavior: The multihyphenate wore a sexy black leather mini dress with thin straps and a lace-up detail going up the front to celebrate her June 7th birthday Ratajkowski celebrated turning 32 earlier this month, and she shared a slew of photos from her party on social media. In her Instagram caption she wrote, 'grateful doesnt even begin to describe it.' The multihyphenate wore a sexy black leather mini dress with thin straps and a lace-up detail going up the front. Sharing a slew of photos from her birthday celebration with a cake and her son, she wrote, 'grateful doesnt even begin to describe it.' Sir Elton John will reportedly 'bring a Hollywood star out as a special guest' during his performance at Glastonbury, The Sun reported. The pop legend, 75, is set to bring a crossover to life as it appears that Hollywood sensation Taron Egerton will join him on stage for his last UK performance, bringing an end to his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. The British actor, 33, - who played Elton in the big screen biopic Rocketman - will be one of the four special guest to join Elton on stage at the iconic annual festival. A source revealed: 'Elton is going to give the performance of a lifetime at Glastonbury and has lined up some surprises for his fans at Worthy Farm. Taron will be coming out to sing alongside Elton after befriending him while making the film. 'The final plans are being kept a closely guarded secret but rehearsals are taking place and Elton has planned an entirely new set, different from the one on his tour, for the show.' Teasing: Sir Elton John will reportedly 'bring a Hollywood star out as a special guest' during his performance at Glastonbury, The Sun reported Special guest: The pop legend, 75, is set to bring a crossover to life as it appears that Hollywood sensation Taron Egerton (pictured) will join him on stage for his last UK performance, bringing an end to his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour Elton John's husband David Furnish has revealed he is set to have four surprise guests performing in his Glastonbury headline show. Speaking to Sky News presenter Beth Rigby, David said he's 'sworn to secrecy' on the identity of the mystery acts, but described Elton's headline slot as 'very special.' It comes amid huge speculation that Harry Styles could be one of the mystery names taking to the stage, after fans noted that there was a perfect gap in his own tour to make room for a surprise appearance. Other rumoured names include Dua Lipa, Rina Sawayama and Lil Nas X, who is already booked to perform at the festival right before him. David said: 'Four collaborators of his choosing. People, he just thought, 'I'd really like to do something with these artists at Glastonbury'. And that's all I'm going to say'. Asked who they might be, Furnish added: 'Sorry. I am sworn to secrecy'. 'This one is very special. It is not just another day in office,' David told Beth. 'It's a different setlist - it's a huge outdoor live festival. 'He's got four different collaborators joining him on stage at different times, who I won't name, sorry. Surprise! The British actor, 33, - who played Elton in the famous biopic Rocketman - will be one of the four special guest to join the iconic annual festival (pictured with Elton at Cannes Film Festival in 2019) A telly source said: 'The final plans are being kept a closely guarded secret but rehearsals are taking place and Elton has planned an entirely new set, different from the one on his tour, for the show' 'So, he's done a lot of changes. A lot on his plate, so I think he's anxious. Yeah, but I think good, anxious, healthy anxious.' David added that despite the end of Elton's farewell tour, he has no plans to retire completely, and will be working on a new album in the autumn. He joked: 'I don't think he'll be sitting on the sofa with a remote control. 'He's going to go back into the studio in October and start his next album. Which will be great. He's not done a studio album in a long time.' The festival - which takes place from June 21-25 at Somerset's Worthy Farm, will see the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age, Skepta and The Chemical Brothers joining the already confirmed headline acts. Glastonbury's other headliners are Arctic Monkeys on Friday and Guns and Roses on Saturday. The other stage will be headlined by Wizkid, Lana Del Rey and Queens of the Stone Age over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Elton John will perform on the Pyramid Stage on Worthy Farm, the stage was first set up in 1971 and has held some impressive acts. Glastonbury Festival described the stage as 'the most instantly recognised festival stage in the world'. The iconic stage has had quite the line-up featuring: The Rolling Stones, Radiohead, Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, Shirley Bassey and many more. Guess: Other rumoured names that might be joining him on stage include Dua Lipa, Rina Sawayama and Lil Nas X, who is already booked to perform at the festival right before him David Bowie delivered one of the most memorable Glastonbury performances on the stage in 2000. In an interview with BBC London, Elton admitted that he was 'a little intimidated' by the prospect of performing on the stage. He said: 'I'm a little, not frightened, but I'm a little intimidated by it because I haven't played there, I haven't been there before.' Watch David Furnish on the Beth Rigby Interviews show, 9pm Thursday 22nd June on Sky News, or catch up with the Beth Rigby Interviews podcast. This Morning host Josie Gibson couldn't believe her luck as she scored a huge 1,700 Ascot win with an outside bet during a day at the races. The 38-year-old, who was reporting for the ITV show on Wednesday, apparently pocketed the winnings with a wager on 22/1 Jimi Hendrix to win the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot 2023, according to the Sun. The insider revealed Josie was the biggest winner of the day, and said: 'Everyone told her she was mad to do it but she fancied a flutter. She didn't put a lot on, just a throwaway amount and ended up winning 1,700.' If Josie placed the bet to win, she would have put on around 75 in order to bag her jackpot winnings. During the race, the TV favourite was captured fist pumping the air as she displayed her uncontainable glee for her huge win. Lucky one! Josie Gibson couldn't believe her luck as she scored a huge 1,700 Ascot win with an outside bet during a day at the races on Wednesday Winner: The This Morning host, 38, reportedly pocketed the winnings with a wager on 22/1 Jimi Hendrix to win the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot 2023, according to The Sun During the day out, Josie stunned in a hot pink frock as she appeared at the racecourse on behalf of the daytime television show. She smiled as she posed for snaps in her colourful ensemble, which featured chic cutout detailing at the side. Josie collected her hair back into a sleek style, showing off her dewy skin and peachy eyeshadow. The blonde beauty was later captured giggling and laughing as she beamed with Heart Breakfast host Amanda Holden. Amanda, 52, looked effortlessly elegant in a lilac gown with statement cutout sleeves. The presenter opted for a regal theme with plum and purple tones, choosing a maxi-dress with ruched waist detailing. She accessorised with a glamorous headpiece, adorned with a glitzy veil, and painted her nails black. The media personality styled her blonde tresses in a sleek straight style and went with a soft, summery make-up look. Happy: During the race, the TV favourite was captured fist pumping the air as she displayed her uncontainable glee for her huge win Cheer: The This Morning star stunned in a hot pink frock as she appeared at the racecourse on behalf of the daytime television show Glowing: The 38-year-old smiled as she posed for snaps in her colourful ensemble, which featured chic cutout detailing at the side Stunner: She collected her hair back into a sleek style, showing off her dewy skin and peachy eyeshadow Pals: Amanda, 52, looked effortlessly elegant in a lilac gown with statement cutout sleeves The opening of Royal Ascot 2023 saw plenty of royals descend on the racecourse to celebrate King Charles's first event as monarch. Included in the royal line-up was King Charles and Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Zara and Mike Tindall, and Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. 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, and bagged 24 wins over the years. 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 as her 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 selected 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. During day three of the event, Charles and Camilla broke down in tears this afternoon as they secured their first ever Ascot win before the King knocked over his trophy in an emotional moment at the winning podium. Celebrating: The opening of Royal Ascot 2023 saw plenty of royals descend on the racecourse to celebrate King Charles's first event as monarch Emotional: During day three of the event, Charles and Camilla broke down in tears this afternoon as they secured their first ever Ascot win before the King knocked over his trophy in an emotional moment at the winning podium Pictured: King Charles and Camilla were on the edge of their seats as their horse Desert Hero win the King George V race Butter fingers: King Charles accidentally knocked over the cup during the presentation ceremony this afternoon Emotional: The late Queen (pictured at Ascot in 2018) attended the annual racing event for almost 70 years in a row Haha! Charles and Camilla shared a giggle as they both smiled at their jockey Tom Marquand after their horse Desert Hero won The King George V Stakes Aw: Charles was overcome with emotion as he cheered on Desert Hero in the King George V Stakes today Adrenaline: The King and his wife were both on the edge of their seats as they enjoyed the Royal Ascot excitement today Horse lover: Charles fondly stroked Desert Hero - who won The King George V Stake - during Ladies Day at Ascot Kiss: Queen Camilla received a kiss from Frankie as she presented him with the winning Gold Cup today Wahey! Frankie Dettori celebrated with the trophy after riding Courage Mon Ami on the third day of Ascot Kiss of joy: The jockey gave his golden trophy a kiss, appearing emotional as he celebrated the victorious outcome King Charles appeared emotional as he handled the trophy with his wife Camilla at Ascot today Delighted: King Charles couldn't disguise his joy as he was presented with the trophy for the King George V Stakes Happy: Charles and Camilla were beaming as they were presented with the trophy at the Ascot racecourse today Congratulations: Tom Marquand riding Desert Hero poses with the trophy after winning The King George V Stakes during day three of Royal Ascot 2023 The royal couple were overcome with emotion as they watched their horse Desert Hero win the King George V race from the royal box. After two losses yesterday, Charles and Camilla were thrilled to scoop their first ever win at Royal Ascot. Over the course of her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth had over 24 Ascot wins - and Zara Tindall said the moment was 'bittersweet' for King Charles and Camilla. Speaking to ITV, Princess Anne's daughter said: 'It's bittersweet to think how proud and excited the Queen would have been. 'To have a winner for Charles and Camilla and to keep that dream alive. And besides all that, what a race!' The couple's trainer William Haggas added: 'They're absolutely thrilled. 'They've been looking forward to Ascot for a long time, it's very important for horse racing, important the King and Queen enjoy it.' During the presentation ceremony, King Charles accidentally knocked over the trophy to begin with and couldn't disguise his joy. The late Queen had a lifelong love of horses - having received a Shetland pony called Peggy from her grandfather George V when she was four years old. According to her racing adviser, the late monarch - who passed away at the age of 96 last September - was discussing 'her love for her horses right to the very end'. Mr Warren said he spent the weekend before the Queen died in Scotland, discussing her horses, as they had done so many times before. 'We sat there for hours over the weekend strategising and making plans going forward,' he said. Following her Coronation in 1953, the Queen travelled to the racecourses in Berkshire at least once a year to attend the event - and only missed it in 2020 due to Covid lockdowns. King Charles lead the procession for a third day today as he arrived at Royal Ascot with Queen Camilla. The monarch, 74, opted for a traditional charcoal morning suit and pink tie, which he paired with a black top hat. Queen Camilla, 75, looked suitably sophisticated in a pale green V-neck coat dress by UK designer Anna Valentine, which she also owns in pink. Smart: King Charles looked tearful as he made his way to the presentation ceremony to pick up his trophy Glam: Camilla appeared completely overwhelmed with emotion in the moment, with tears filling her eyes Loving it! The royal couple appeared delighted as they beamed at one another following the win from their horse The stylish royal paired it with a matching hat, complete with a feathered trim, by Phillip Treacy - who also designed her wedding headpieces. Camilla also wore a diamond brooch belonging to the late Queen, a five-strand pearl necklace, a Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet and a pair of pristine white gloves. The Earl of Snowdon, King Charles' cousin, and his horse trainer Mark Prescott also rode in the carriage with the royal couple. As their horse-drawn carriage drew into the Royal Enclosure, the group were met with huge cheers from the crowds. Princess Anne - dressed in a chic green lace gown and white hat -and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence followed in the second carriage. Meanwhile, the Princess Royal's daughter Zara Tindall and son-in-law Mike skipped the royal procession and headed straight to the races. Also in attendance was Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, a member of the Qatari royal family who is also a horse owner. David Armstrong-Jones, Viscount Linely, also known as Earl Snowdon, is the son of the late Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon. His sister, Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel Chatto joined the procession too, alongside Lord Nicolas Soames, a former Conservative MP and grandson of Winston Churchill. Camilla's friends, Colin Chisholm & Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen as well as horsetrainers Rachel and John Gosden, Lady Carolyn Warren and John Warren also joined the procession. Joyful: King Charles and Queen Camilla appeared in high spirits as they arrived at Royal Ascot this afternoon It was a busy day for King Charles - after he attended a Windrush service at St Georges Chapel marking 75 years since historic migration of Caribbean and Commonwealth citizens to Britain. The British royal family have been out in force at the event this week, with King Charles, Camilla, Princess Anne, 71, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice, 33, and Edoardo Mapelli-Mozzi, 38, all attending. Sabrina Elba, the actress wife of superstar Idris Elba, led the glamour in a Kate Middleton-inspired white Self Portrait dress suit and beret, which costs 710. Zara stunned in a French lace short sleeve dress from Scanlan Theodore, which she paired with an Emily London hat with pretty flower detail. Princess Anne's daughter - who was styled by Annie Miall - wore nude heels by Julia Mays and jewellery by Lauren Coste, Sif Jakobs and Astley Clarke. Many of the female dressers made the most of the relaxed new rules - which allows people to dress from male and female dress codes regardless of their gender - with women in trousers and three-piece suits. Arrivals: Princess Anne seen arriving at Ascot with husband Sir Timothy Laurence in a carriage behind Charles and Camilla Couple: Zara and Mike Tindall lead the royal family arrivals at Ladies Day as they arrived for day three of Royal Ascot Summer chic: Zara opted for a summery white lace dress for the occasion, while her rugby ace husband Mike matched her in neutral tones While others opted for plunging necklines and teetering heels which will no doubt be kicked off as the festivities continue. Yesterday the action hotted up as the champagne flowed and guests got very merry into the night. As the drinks kept coming and revellers began celebrating their wins, they began to loosen up and lark about with each other, in good spirits on a sunny day. 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. Stylish attendees made for a colourful and glamorous display as they arrived at the racecourse earlier for another day of nail-biting races and plenty of partying. Many opted for wild and wonderful outfits for the occasion, with some taking advantage of this year's updated dress-code which permits women to wear trousers. Pictured: The Queen appeared in high spirits as she arrived at Royal Ascot in June 2021, which would be her last time visiting the races Pictured: The exhibition of the Queen's racing highlights that has been put on display at this year's Ascot The glamorous scenes at the beginning of day two, where white seemed to be the colour of the moment among the earliest attendees, come after hilarious antics captured last night as the opening day of the festival came to a close. Before the Queen's Vase got underway, the Queen was seen nervously swaying in anticipation. Frankie Dettori was cheered as he won the Queen's Vase and performed his trademark celebration of jumping out of the saddle onto the ground. Despite their losses on the racecourse, the royal couple appeared in great spirits as they met with other members of their family. King Charles and Queen Camilla left Zara Tindall in stitches earlier in the afternoon. The opening of Royal Ascot 2023 saw plenty of royals descend on the racecourse to celebrate King Charles's first event as monarch. Included in the royal line-up was King Charles and Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Zara and Mike Tindall, and Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Sunny day: The two appeared to lap up the sunshine at the event as they arrived ahead of the Royal Procession Smiles: Sir Clive Alderton, and his wife Lady Alderton, Private Secretary to King Charles III and Queen Camilla, also joined in the races fun Attendees: Glamorous racegoers showed off their finery as they arrived for day three of Royal Ascot today - with many donning sky high fascinators and figure hugging dresses for the event Arrivals: Guests were snapped wearing stunning outfits boasting a rainbow of colours today, as they made the most of the sunshine during Ladies Day 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 her 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. In the pink! One woman opted for a stunning vibrant gown as she arrived for the Berkshire event ahead of Ladies Day Strike a pose! One pair of friends appeared in good spirits as they arrived this morning for the event in Berkshire ahead of the big day Feeling floral! One woman showed off an incredible hat which featured an enormous flower as she arrived for the event in Berkshire True blue: Yesterday the action hotted up on the second day of Royal Ascot 2023 as the winnings came in and the champagne is on ice 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. Farmers registered under the centrally-sponsored scheme PM-KISAN can now complete e-KYC by scanning their face without one-time password or fingerprint as the government on Thursday launched a face authentification feature on the mobile application. The new feature on the PM-Kisan mobile app was unveiled by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, who said the implementation of the scheme has become much easier by using technology, an official statement said. Through PM-Kisan mobile App, remote farmers can do e-KYC by scanning their face without OTP or fingerprint, it said. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), eligible farmers are provided with a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each every four months. The scheme was launched in February 2019 but is being implemented with effect from December 2018. The 13th installment of PM-KISAN was paid to more than 8.1 crore farmers. The new mobile app is very easy to use and easily available for download on the Google Play Store. The app will also provide very important information related to the scheme and PM-KISAN accounts to the farmers. Farmers can also know the status of landseeding, linking of Aadhaar with bank accounts and e-KYC using the No User Status Module. The Agriculture Ministry has also roped in India Post Payment Bank (IPPB) to open Aadhaar-linked bank accounts for beneficiaries at their doorstep and asked Common Services Centres to organize village-level e-KYC camps with the help of states/UTs, the statement added. Telecom regulator TRAI has floated a discussion paper on encouraging innovative technologies, services, use cases, and business models through a regulatory sandbox in the digital communication sector. The consultation paper proposes a draft sandbox framework and seeks inputs from stakeholders on its various aspects. This draft sandbox framework includes information on the goals and scope of the architecture, participant eligibility requirements, prerequisites for applicants, supporting materials needed with applications, and application evaluation criteria. Other elements include the application and approval process, waivers or modifications to the rules, validity period, revocation of permission, reporting, an oversight body, and funding of innovation for societal growth. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on Encouraging Innovative Technologies, Services, Use Cases, and Business Models through Regulatory Sandbox in Digital Communication Sector, TRAI said in a statement. Regulatory bodies in many countries have established sandbox frameworks for telecom tech innovation, TRAI said and explained that these frameworks allow testing new concepts in controlled environments, granting exemptions, allowances, or time-bound exceptions. These frameworks aim to promote regulators desire for innovation with economic resilience and consumer protection. It is in this backdrop, that the telecom department asked TRAI to provide recommendations on the framework for the regulatory sandbox. The authority approaches the issue with the aim to promote creativity and accelerate the uptake of cutting-edge technologies in the field of digital communications, TRAI said. Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, edge computing, and others are transforming and revolutionising the way in which people connect, interact, and access information. According to TRAI, there is a need for providing an enabling environment for the development and deployment of novel technologies, services, use cases, and business models to stay up with this dynamic environment. The regulatory sandbox strategy has gained traction throughout the world as a way to encourage innovation across various industries. A regulatory sandbox provides a regulated setting where companies and innovators can test their concepts, goods, and services while operating under fluid regulations. Regulatory Sandbox will help the startup ecosystem in the telecom industry by giving them access to the real-time network environment and other data so that they may test the reliability of new applications before releasing them on the market, TRAI said. To provide the starting company with a single window for obtaining all clearances, the regulatory sandbox also seeks to encourage cross-sectoral collaboration for carrying out such tests by enlisting the help of other ministries and departments. The consultation paper discusses some of the regulatory sandbox frameworks that are working in the digital communication sector globally and also details some of the frameworks working within the country in other sectors. The last date for written comments on the draft sandbox framework is July 17, 2023, and for counter comments August 1, 2023. PMs state visit takes India-US relations to the next It was nearly a decade and a half ago, when US President Barrack Obama, chose to have PM Manmohan Singh as the first state visit of his administration, thereby underlining a significant upgrade to the India-US bilateral relationship. Many officials at that time had described the invite to India, not as an accident but as a carefully thought gesture, to bring a friend closer to Asia. 2009 wasnt the time when the US-China relationship, or the India-China bilateral was unstable, yet, both countries realised the future threat and started deepening their bonds. This week the spectacle that unravelled before citizens of both countries with PM Modis state visit to the US, the address by the Indian PM to the joint Congress, the curated business meetings with top CEOs and the rock star level diaspora events, are a couple of decades of relationship reset, now, visible. It may be worth remembering that just two and half decades back India was under US sanctions and there was almost a diplomatic freeze in relations, haunted by memories from the cold war. There was resistance (perhaps there is still some resonance of the initial fears) nursed by some old-world think tanks, academicians and strategists on both sides. However, the relationship, one which is transformational and crafted for the 21st century has been expanded to include a vast spectrum of shared interests, which are difficult to be ignored in the next couple of decades. The political economy of both democracies has also accepted the new reality and there is bipartisan support for enhanced closer India-US partnership. If one of the key opposition leaders, Rahul Gandhi was in the US a fortnight before the PMs visit, engaging with think tanks, government officials and the diaspora on the state of Indian democracy, the US congressional leaders meanwhile, led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority leader Mr Charles Schumer, extended a rare invite for an Indian PM to address the joint sitting of congress, for the second time. The political message was loud, both countries acknowledge the relevance of each other in the new world order. This state visit underscored the shift in India-US bilateral from primarily being focussed on a strategic defence partnership to taking giant steps towards a meaningful technology partnership. As PM Modi in his remarks before flying to the US noted India-US ties are multifaceted, with deepening engagements across sectors. The USA is Indias 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. One of the most significant fillips to this new age partnership has been the creation of iCET ( initiative on critical and emerging technologies), a platform, supervised by the Indian Prime minister and US Presidents office directly. US National security advisor, said ICET is foundational, fundamental, critical because we believe that the future of our economies, societies security sectors will be determined by the extent to which we can effectively harness emerging technologies on behalf of our people and on behalf of our national interests. The markers have been set, the sprinters are in position, and perhaps the gunshot has been fired for the long haul US India cross country run for decades to come. (The writer is a policy analyst. The views expressed are personal) If any memorial is desired by the family or kin of a deceased leader, it should be built in tune with his or her character as well as achievements One fails to comprehend why there is so much hullabaloo over the Nehru Museum being renamed as the Prime Ministers Museum and Library. In any case, it was rather incongruous, to say the least, to house Jawaharlal Nehru, then newly crowned Indias Prime Minister after the British left in 1947, in the residence of the British Indian Army. Nehru of course, led with delight the taking over of the reins of power from the British Empire. However, he disliked the armed forces greatly. When General Sir MacDonald Lockhart, the British Commander-in-Chief of our army asked Prime Minister Nehru in the early days of Independence as to his broad intentions about the scope of the Indian armys missions, so that he (Lockhart) could begin planning the size and equipment of the force, Nehrus quick retort was that India believed in peace and therefore did not need any army. The police that were then available in the country were adequate to protect us. Prime Minister Nehru remained consistent in these views. He did not expand the armed forces nor did he acquire any new weaponry for them. The result was the disaster in Ladakh and N.E.F.A. (now Arunachal Pradesh). The Chinese Radio boasted that its troops look forward to celebrating the Christmas of 1962 in Calcutta. Their invasion began on 20 October and ended with a unilateral withdrawal on midnight of 20 and 21 November. During those unfortunate months, thousands of our army jawans laid down their lives in trying to resist the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). Many more were wounded by frostbite because those soldiers who were dispatched in a hurry after the invasion began were ill-equipped. They went up the high mountains with one thin pullover, a pair of thin woollen socks and no gloves. The footwear our soldiers had were no more than ordinary canvas shoes. Thus, many unfortunate soldiers suffered frostbite by the thousand. Prime Minister Nehru was so shaken at this national humiliation that he wept on the radio while addressing the nation. His heart went out to the people of Assam, he cried in English. Assam khatre mein hai, he wept in Hindi. It was a comprehensive route presided over by General B.M. Kaul, who had not seen action throughout his career, and whose only qualification for being appointed army chief was that he happened to be related to Nehru. Yet a captive establishment and fawning media shielded Indias first Prime Minister from any fallout; his loud-talking and irascible, though intelligent, defence minister V.K. Krishna Menon was made the scapegoat for the 1962 disaster and made to resign to pacify national anger. The mother of parliaments, namely Britains Westminster, does not provide apartments or houses to its Members of Parliament. House rent allowance is part of the basket of allowances given to the MPs. Quite contrary to what is often loudly claimed by his acolytes, democracy in our country is in no way a gift bequeathed by Nehru or his dynasty. It flourished in ancient India in myriad forms. For instance, Krishna, who is worshipped as an avatar of Lord Vishnu, was a Republican himself. He was the de facto president of the Vrishni league, one among the numerous Yadava clans that made up the Confederacy of Mathura. Krishnas struggle against the rampaging Magadhan titan Jarasandha, a ruthless imperialist, was a struggle to protect and preserve the republican way of life against the aggrandizement of a superpower. Democracy in India wasnt confined to Krishna and Mathura. Northwestern India had many republics that valiantly fought the invading Alexander, like the Mallas and Kshudrakas. Greek sources admit that Alexander could overcome them only after suffering considerable casualties. Vaishali, a neighbour of Magadha and at loggerheads with the latter was home to the renowned Vajji republic inhabited by the Licchavi people. If any memorial is desired by the family or kith and kin of a deceased leader, it should be built in tune with his or her character as well as achievements. In this context, the two bungalows at Safdarjung and Akbar Road in Indias capital, converted into a sort of memorial for the late Indira Gandhi is a shabby effort. One, because the bungalows were state property for ministers or officials of the state to live in; Secondly, the two neighbouring bungalows in no way reflect the life and work of the distinguished lady. A place at Janpath occupied by the descendants of Indias second Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri is another instance. One of Jawaharlal Nehrus admirers claims that the library situated in the palatial bungalow of the former British commander-in-chief of the Indian Army of the colonial era has contributed a great deal to the intellectual life of the country. Now, no matter where this library might have been situated, it would have served the same purpose. Architecturally, it detracts from the majesty of the commander-in-chiefs palace. It has no memorial value, unlike the 17th century Mughal prince Dara Shikohs library, which is a reminder that had he ruled India, there might have been no Partition. It has been an appropriate step taken to convert this library into a Partition Museum to enable Indias present and coming generations to know about what transpired in those years. (The writer is a well-known columnist, an author and a former member of the Rajya Sabha. The views expressed are personal) The Opposition habitually opposes any decision taken by the government. It does not come up with positive agenda for the progress of the nation Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi had gate crashed into an ongoing presser at the Press Club of India in the politically fragile months of 2013. He tore apart a copy of an Ordinance promulgated to get around the Supreme Court verdict on barring elected representatives convicted with a jail term of two or more years. At that time Manmohan Singh, the prime minister who headed the UPA-II, was visiting the US on an official visit. The political impulses of Rahul Gandhi sent him on a path to rob the credibility of the prime minister of the day. Manmohan Singh was rumoured to have seriously considered resigning from the office. But he was persuaded to stay in the office. It is an irony that Rahul Gandhi went on the US visit 10 days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis official tour of Washington. Not heeding the political consensus that domestic politics should not seek foreign shores for mudslinging, Rahul Gandhi launched personal attacks on PM Modi. The comparison of the two incidents is too relevant to ignore to read the prevailing mood of Indian politics. The opposition parties have decided to hold a meeting in Patna on June 23. Even before the meeting takes place, the leaders from the opposition camp have begun saying that their agenda is not to win the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The agenda of the opposition parties is clearly negative. It also is clear that the opposition parties seek to cause political instability in the country, as has been the habit of the Congress. India is projected by the United Nations to emerge as the most populous nation in the world. Demographic bias favours the youth. The young population of India is aspirational. This section looks upon the political class to fulfil their aspirations. The opposition parties could have considered positive agenda for the aspirational people. Yet, its not a surprise for the political observers in the country. The opposition parties are in a compulsive obsession with negative agenda. For them, its immaterial that India is holding the G20 presidency. For them, its also immaterial that India is emerging as an economic powerhouse. For the opposition parties, what matters most is the question, of how to stop Modi from becoming the prime minister of the country once more after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Former Prime Minister H D S Deve Gowda also faced the no-confidence motion. At that time, the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was the leader of the opposition, had asked the Congress to shed light on circumstances leading to the motion in the Lok Sabha, as several internationally significant events were taking place in the country. Late Vajpayee had wondered in his speech while taking part in the debate on the motion that the timing of the event was perplexing. It begs an answer and the opposition parties must answer that India is hosting the presidency of not only G20 but also of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and yet they invented reasons to boycott the inauguration of the new building of Parliament. Former Prime Minister H D S Deve Gowda did not join the boycott call and he very strongly rejected the move of the opposition parties. The opposition parties cannot just invent reasons to disrupt historical events such as the inauguration of the new Parliament building. This politics of boycott has ulterior motives. This was proved as the chief ministers of the states ruled by the opposition parties stayed away from the eighth meeting of the Governing Council of the NITI Aayog, which was held at the newly-built convention centre at the Pragati Maidan. India is now a $3.5 trillion economy. India will hit the $5 trillion economy milestone in the next few years going ahead of Germany to become the fourth-largest economy. By 2047, India is aspiring to become the second-largest economy. There are 25 years before us to achieve the goal. Modis agenda for the country is before the people. The onus is on the opposition parties to reveal their agenda. To state that their agenda is to just stop Modi from becoming the prime minister of the country once more will be disrespectful to the people, as they want positive agenda from the political parties, as well as a credible roadmap to bring definitive changes in their lives. The Opposition unity is not a new slogan. The people in Uttar Pradesh saw it in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, and they gave a verdict against the politics of negative agenda. The Gandhi Peace Award was bestowed upon the Geeta Press for years of selfless service. Yet, the Opposition faulted the decision of the government without any cogent reason. The message is clear that the Opposition will just oppose any decision taken by the government. At the same time, the Opposition falls short of bringing a positive agenda for the progress of the nation. This calls for introspection from the leaders of the constituents of the Opposition camp to ponder what agenda they have to offer to the people of the country who are aspirational. (Author is a political analyst. Views expressed are personal) The case of the Northeastern State is a classic example of how reckless judgements and insensitive Govts can play havoc with peoples lives The fire that started in Manipur a month and a half ago could engulf the entire northeast. It has already reached Assam and Meghalaya. The situation is anything but under control and yet the seriousness that must be given to deal with such a situation seems to be missing in the BJPs incumbent state government. In fact, they can be blamed for stoking the fire in the sensitive state of Manipur which has had a long history of violence and armed struggle. The situation remains grave in Manipur, the jewel of the Northeast, and human lives are at serious risk. The double engine has failed in the northeastern state. What is sadder is that everybody in the government maintains stoic silence. From the PM to the CM no one is talking about it and even the very vocal mainstream media is subdued in its limited reporting of Manipur. The Manipur diaspora in the US is, however, protesting in front of PM Modi who is on the US visit. This is not to suggest that Manipur has been a peaceful state. It is not. It has been at perennially at war with itself and the country. This northeastern state is home to 39 diverse ethnic communities, each with its own vibrant cultures and beliefs. However, beneath the surface, a simmering cauldron of inter-ethnic strife is always present. The identities of various ethnic communities have long been manipulated to serve the interests of ruling elites. The seeds of discontent were sown in Manipur during its merger with India in 1949. This unease continues even today. To quell this resistance, New Delhi introduced the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act in 1958. This act granted extensive powers to the military and paramilitary to maintain public order in "disturbed areas." Over the years army earned a bad reputation and led to further deuteriation of trust between Manpuris and New Delhi. But that is a story for another day. While the central government claims it is necessary to maintain order in insurgency-prone regions, human rights groups have decried its abuses. Today, the region is a melting pot of conflicting claims to ethnic and communal homelands, guarded by armed insurgent groups. In Manipur, at least four valley-based armed groups, several Naga groups and many Kuki armed insurgent organizations are vying for control. With an estimated total of around 60 armed groups in the region, Manipur has become a war zone of sorts. Those wielding political power have taken advantage of the situation and turned Manipur into a hub of gun-running, narco- and human trafficking. Armed groups often endorse candidates in state elections, further muddying the waters of democracy. Politicians in the Northeast face intimidation from rival armed groups. Civil society organisations lament the overshadowing of elections by "open intimidation" and violence at polling stations. Thus, democracy in this fragile region teeters under the threat of gun-wielding forces. The insensitivity of the administration with a dash of political expediency is a perfect recipe for a burning Manipur. The present-day crisis can be attributed to an irresponsible judgement that ignited the fire and the state government in all its wisdom or voracity or both started surveying the hill areas enraging the hill people, the Kukis. Since May 3, Manipur has become a battleground for two local ethnic communities: the Meitei and Kuki, you could also add Nagas albeit to a lesser extent. This action coupled with a trust deficit was enough to start bloody violent clashes in the state. Their clashes have unleashed a wave of violence, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Officially over 50 lives have been lost, while 1,700 buildings, including homes and places of worship, have been reduced to ashes. More than 50,000 people are living in refugee relief camps across the state. The catalyst of course was a court order declaring that the Meitei community, the majority population in Manipur, be granted Scheduled Tribe status. This status would provide constitutional protection and extend benefits, including reserved government seats, to the Meitei people. Protests erupted following the court's announcement, leading to a chain reaction of violence. The flames were first kindled on May 3, when reports emerged of the burning of the Anglo-Kuki War Memorial Gate. In response, the Kuki community retaliated by setting fire to several villages inhabited by the Meitei in Churachanpur. This sparked further reprisals from the Meitei, who reportedly torched Kuki localities in the Imphal Valley. Trapped in this cycle of violence, casualties mounted on both sides. While the protests may have served as the immediate trigger, tensions within the Indigenous communities had been building for years. The state government's handling of Indigenous land rights issues, particularly those affecting Kuki communities in the surrounding hill areas, stoked discontent. Efforts to survey reserved forests in these regions, ostensibly to curb poppy cultivation, resulted in forced evictions from Kuki villages. Meiteis are prohibited from buying land in the hill regions but have a political majority and so get more government support, while Kukis and other tribal communities have more land to them but remain aloof from government support and development. Such disparities fuel resentment and widen the divide. The influx of refugees from neighbouring Myanmar, following the 2021 military coup, added further fuel to the fire. The presence of refugees, particularly those from the Sagaing region with strong ties to the Kukis, exacerbated the insecurity felt by the Meiteis. Amidst the chaos orchestrated by those in control of guns, drugs, and politics, it is the women and children who bear the brunt of the conflict's impact. Essential commodities skyrocket in price, leaving vital supplies stranded on stranded trucks. The central government's silence in the face of violence has been criticised by the opposition parties, especially Congress, accusing the ruling BJP of playing politics over the lives at stake. After nearly a month of ongoing violence, Home Minister Amit Shah finally visited Manipur, aiming to restore normalcy during his four-day visit. Additionally, the chief of army staff assessed the situation on the ground. Shah announced a judicial probe into the violence, to be conducted by a retired High Court judge, along with the establishment of a peace committee comprising members from different communities. However, the efficacy of these measures hinges on the ongoing violence. Armed groups continue to exploit the chaos, and concerns of cross-border attacks loom large. The people of Manipur have endured unimaginable suffering as their rice fields transformed into battlegrounds, with peace ripped away by power-hungry individuals who thrive on division and violence. (The writer is a senior journalist) The very foundation on which democracies thrive is the rule of law, and that hinges on the simple premise that nobody is above the law Comparisons of where we stand in the rankings as a democracy, based on the likes of the Economists Democracy Index, are obviously subjective and possibly biased to an extent. The only test that truly counts in these matters is whether those elected can be held accountable for actions while in office. The very foundation on which democracies thrive is the rule of law, which is premised on the belief that actions have consequences and nobody is above the law. Former President Trump is finally learning this the hard way. Facing trial for allegedly stealing classified government documents, which if proved, may well see him behind bars. This is what accountability looks like in a working democracy, though Americans are not without their own set of challenges. Mr Trump remains extremely popular with the vast majority in the Republican Party, mainly white Anglo-Saxons, who, fearful that their power is rapidly slipping away as the country becomes more diverse, are willing to overlook his transgressions and forego their democratic values. On applying similar norms to ourselves, despite our claims of being the largest democracy, we are clearly on life-support. Blatant obfuscation of facts, police connivance and judicial apathy, to give the judiciary the benefit of the doubt, ensure that our leaders are never held accountable, however revolting, corrupt or self-serving their actions may have been. In fact, the rule of law remains a mirage for the vast majority of our citizens. Examples over the years are too numerous to quote, the latest being that of Mr Brij Bhushan, the Chairman Wrestling Federation of India, and his alleged misbehaviour with women wrestlers. Similarly, heads have not rolled over the tragic Orissa train accident. A foreign hand is suspected of sabotage, opening an escape avenue for those responsible. The fact that the Railway Board had pointed out shortcomings in the maintenance of signalling equipment that led to five similar incidents earlier, of varying degrees of seriousness, has been blithely ignored. As has been the CAGs report points out the misuse of funds, meant for maintenance and replacement of tracks, on items unconnected to maintenance. Despite this rather grim state of affairs, the Railways are busy promoting the Prime Ministers pet project, flagging off more Vande Bharat train sets, travel on which, to use Mr Tharoors obnoxious phrase, the Cattle Classes, can ill afford. Instead of accepting responsibility and resigning, the railway minister seems comfortable, shamelessly meddling in the CBI investigation. For that matter take the events unfolding in Manipur. Clearly, this is the Bhindranwale moment for Mr Modis government, as their man on the spot has gone rogue. Allegations that the Chief Minister, Mr Biren Singhs, tacit support of hard-line Meitei groups has turned an insurgency on its last legs into a full-fledged ethno-religious civil war, akin to events in Africa, are being bandied about. Manipurs economic progress has now hit a wall, and events here will spread like wildfire to the rest of the North East, adversely impacting security in this strategic region. The influence wielded by tribal loyalties and trans-border criminal enterprises, involved in drugs and arms smuggling and human trafficking, should not be underestimated. In military circles, civil war is seen as the culmination of any insurgency, with insurgents confident enough to forsake guerrilla tactics and take on government forces head-on, with secession being their ultimate goal. While the situation in Manipur may not yet be so dire, instances of militants, especially Meitei Groups, confronting Army/Assam Rifle contingents openly have been reported. Undoubtedly, the huge quantity of sophisticated arms looted from police armouries gives these militants confidence, as must the fact that the military has not been given a free hand to act. Yet, despite the ongoing violence, the significance of the government has made no serious efforts to salvage the situation, by either sacking the Chief Minister or declaring Presidents Rule, as well as the Prime Ministers unwillingness to engage or address the situation cannot be lost on anybody. Ironically enough, he has offered to mediate between Ukraine and Russia and his loquaciousness on his American sojourn is difficult to miss. Clearly, the government appears to be complicit in pushing through some misconceived ideological agenda, despite the cost to the Nation, a cost that our Security Forces and citizens will continue to pay in blood and shattered lives in the coming months and years. Let there also be no doubt that given the strategic importance of the region, it is only a matter of time before the Chinese commence pouring oil on troubled waters, if they have already not begun doing so. It seems that the Prime Minister is deliberately avoiding involving himself, in the vain hope that either the troubles will resolve themselves over time, or they can be left to his underlings to solve. Like many before him, he appears to have fallen into the Nehru trap of wanting to gain international recognition and respect by focusing on larger issues afflicting our world. Unsurprisingly, just like Nehru, he is likely to be overwhelmed by firestorms at home and find his legacy tarnished by his reluctance to confront China as it continues with its depredations on our sovereignty. (The author, a military veteran is a Visiting Fellow with the Observer Research Foundation and a Senior Visiting Fellow with Peninsula Foundation, Chennai) Underlining the shared priorities of the two nations, including education and workforce, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said in order to maintain the momentum of growth, a pipeline of talent is needed for India and the US. Modi made these comments at an event hosted by First Lady Jill Biden in Virgina late on Wednesday. Later, US President Joe Biden and Jill hosted Prime Minister Modi for a personal dinner at the White House, signalling the warm friendship between the two countries. Modi was received by the President and the First Lady. Before they entered the building, they posed for photos and were seen chatting. Modi also met the immediate family members of President Biden. Prime Ministers participation in this special engagement reaffirms the warm friendship between our two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a brief statement on the intimate dinner. Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Modi wrote, I thank @POTUS @JoeBiden and @FLOTUS @DrBiden for hosting me at the White House today. We had a great conversation on several subjects. The Ministry of External Affairs said the intimate dinner was an occasion for two leaders who share close bonds of friendship to cherish special moments together. When friends meet! PM @narendramodi arrives at the @WhiteHouse for a private engagement with @POTUS @JoeBiden, @FLOTUS @DrBiden and family. An occasion for two leaders who share close bonds of friendship to cherish special moments together, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted earlier. According to the White House, this evening, the president, the first lady and the prime minister also enjoyed a musical tribute to the regions of India. They were joined by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval, it said. Earlier in the day, Modi called for focused on talent while participating in the Skilling For Future Event organised by the National Science Foundation (NSF)late Wednesday and his visit to the Virginia-based agency was hosted by First Lady Jill Biden. The event focused on workforce redevelopment across higher education institutions to expand and enhance access to quality education across society. The Prime Minister highlighted numerous steps taken by India to promote education, skilling and innovation. He appreciated ongoing bilateral academic exchanges, and collaborations between Indian and US academic and research ecosystems. I am really happy to have got an opportunity to interact with young and creative minds here. India is working on several projects in collaboration with the NSF. I thank First Lady Jill Biden for planning and organising this event, Modi said. Explaining the skilling mission of his Government, Modi said for the bright future of youngsters, it is important to have education, skill and innovation, and India has worked in this direction. Setting aside their bitter differences and regional ambitions, 17 Opposition parties, including the presidents of major political entities like Congress, have resolved to join forces and present a united front for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, fissures emerged as the AAP skipped the meeting and slammed the Congress. The top Opposition leaders, along with Chief Ministers from six States, convened in Patna on Friday and laid the groundwork for a collaborative strategy to defeat the BJP. The meeting, hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, witnessed the participation of 32 leaders who expressed their commitment to working together and setting aside their differences to challenge the BJPs dominance. The joint effort aims to bring about a complete turnaround in the election landscape and restrict the BJP, currently enjoying a strong majority, to less than 200 seats. The Opposition leaders emphasised their determination to protect the countrys interests and safeguard their ideology while uniting against the BJP-led Government. However, the meeting didnt dicuss name of anyone to be projected as the joint Opposition candidate for the post of Prime Minsiter. No decision taken on PM candidate at Patna Opposition parties meet, said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. With their combined strength currently accounting for less than 200 out of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, the Opposition leaders anticipate a complete turnaround in the electoral landscape if they join forces, potentially limiting the ruling BJP to less than 200 seats. This united effort is aimed at dethroning the BJP, which currently enjoys a formidable majority with over 300 seats. The outcome of the meeting and the indication that the Oppostion would be able to come together to take on the BJP is a major development that could, make the next years Lok Sabha contest exciting. Addressing a joint Press conference after an extensive four-hour meeting during which leaders expressed their views, Nitish, We had a good meeting, and several leaders expressed their views during the meeting. Seventeen parties have decided to work together and contest the Lok Sabha elections unitedly. He was flanked by his alliance partner RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee, Hemant Soren, and M K Stalin, among others. The meeting is viewed as the beginning of Opposition unity ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha polls, with the aim of collectively challenging the BJP-led Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nitish emphasised that their efforts were driven by the national interest, accusing the BJP of working against the countrys welfare and attempting to rewrite Indias history. Very positive talks were held today and we have decided to contest (Lok Sabha polls) together. Another meeting of all the (Opposition) parties will be held to decide the next course of action. In that meeting, almost everything will be finalised. Kharge will chair that meeting early next month, on his part, Nitish told media. About the propsoed Shimla conclave, Kharge said, We have decided to prepare a common agenda and will take decisions in the next meeting on how to move forward. We will have to evolve separate plans for every State, and we will work together to dethrone the BJP at the Centre. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated, they may have some differences but they have decided to work together with flexibility and will work to protect the countrys ideology. It is a battle of ideologies. Indeed, there will be differences amongst us but we have decided to work together and protect the ideologies shared by us, he said. West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee said, The first meet was organised in Patna as whatever starts from Patna, takes the shape of the public movement. If this dictatorial Government (NDA) returns this time, there will be no elections in the future. She added, We all are united and will fight unitedly against BJP. The BJP wants to change history, but well ensure that history is saved. Mamata, whose stand is significant and crucial for the sake of Opposition unity, also asserted that they were not opposition parties but citizens of the country who are patriotic and love Bharat Mata. Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren said, Todays beginning will prove to be a milestone for the country, and all leaders will move together with a positive thinking. SP leader and former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav said, The message from the Patna meeting is clear for all of us that we need to work together to save the country. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar said, Just like JP movement, our united front will get blessings of public. PDP leader and former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti after the Opposition meet said, We cant let Gandhis India to become Godses country. 17 parties from Kashmir to Kanyakumari have come together not for power, but for principles. We have met to save the country from devastation and to bring democracy back. I and Mehbooba belong to that part of the country where democracy is murdered...Yesterday in America there were discussions about democracy in the White House...why this democracy doesnt reach Jammua nd Kashmir..., NC leader Omar Abdullah said after Opposition meet. As India and the US wrapped up several major defence deals on Thursday, taking the ties between the two countries to new heights, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to his critics in the USA by insisting that there is no discrimination on the basis of religion or caste in India. He stressed the country is run on the basis of the constitution and strong fundamentals of democracy, which is in its DNA. Modi made this categorical assertion in Washington when asked about the status of religious minorities, including Muslims, during a media interaction after the summit with President Joe Biden. He also said that relations with the US are at a stage where the sky is not the limit, as he mentioned in the joint press conference with Blinken. We are a democracy... India and America both have democracy in our DNA. Democracy is in our spirit, and we live it. Its written in our Constitution. So, no question of discrimination on the grounds of caste, creed, or religion arises. That is why India believes in sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas, sabka prayaas and walks ahead with it, Modi said when asked about steps the Government is willing to take to improve the rights of minorities in the country. Modi also said that the two countries discussed the entire spectrum of issues relating to their bilateral relations and the ongoing Ukraine crisis. He reiterated that India has always maintained that peace and dialogue are the way out to resolve the conflict and that the country is ready to do its part in restoring peace. Highlighting the growing defence ties between the two countries, Modi said the focus has shifted from a buyer-seller relationship to joint production and development of weapon systems. He also welcomed the move to manufacture GE-414 jet engines in India, describing it as a landmark agreement that will also provide jobs. Brushing aside apparent apprehensions of human rights violations in India, Modi stated that democracy in the country is based on respecting human values and human rights. The PM said that India and the US have overwhelming respect for each other because we are democracies, and it is in the US and Indias DNAs to expand democratic institutions. When asked about religious minorities and dissent by a US reporter, Modi said, Regardless of caste, creed, religion, gender, theres absolutely no space for discrimination. He also emphasised that resources and benefits are available to all, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or gender, adding that there is no discrimination. Biden said he discussed the issue of human rights in a straightforward manner with Prime Minister Modi, adding that democracy is in the DNA of both countries. He went on to add, So, I am really surprised when people say so (discrimination against minorities). India is a real democracy, he said, adding there is no space for discrimination in a democracy, and India believes in moving forward by taking everyone along. Answering a question on the effects of climate change, Modi said, We do not believe in the exploitation of nature. Of all the G20 countries, India is the only country that has fulfilled all the promises made during the G20 Summit. We are working to make India a green energy hub.... The environment is an article of faith for us. We do not believe in the exploitation of nature. Meanwhile, underlining some other issues discussed during the summit, the Prime Minister said that the two countries also agreed on the Artemis accord on space and remarked that the sky is not the limit in their relationship. Additionally, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have agreed to collaborate on a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024. The Artemis Accords, rooted in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, provide a framework of non-binding principles to guide space exploration and utilisation in the 21st century. Led by the US, the Artemis program aims to return humans to the moon by 2025, with the ultimate objective of expanding space exploration to Mars and beyond. The official said NASA and the ISRO are developing a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation this year. In addition, NASA and ISRO have agreed to a joint mission to the International Space Station in the year 2024, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity. On advanced computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum information science, India and the United States have first established a joint Indo-US quantum coordination mechanism that will facilitate more collaboration between our industries, academia, and government, said the official. They have also signed a new implementation arrangement on artificial intelligence, advanced wireless, and quantum technologies. The US on an Economic Development Consortium is now welcoming into its membership Indian Quantum universities and entities as well. On advanced telecommunications, the two countries are working together on 5G and 6G technologies, including Open Radio Access Network (RAN) systems. Here well be announcing partnerships on Open RAN, field trials, and rollouts, including scale deployments in both countries with operators and vendors of both markets. This will involve backing from the US International Development Finance for cooperation and to promote the deployments in India, the official said. In his joint statement with Biden, Modi said the deal signed between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force was a landmark agreement. Earlier, GE Aerospace announced that it had inked a pact with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to jointly produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Forces Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk-II, Tejas. The deal is worth three billion dollars. The agreement includes the potential joint production of GE Aerospaces F414 engines in India, and GE Aerospace continues to work with the US government to receive the necessary export authorization for this, the US firm said in a statement in Washington. It described the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the HAL as a key element in strengthening defense cooperation between India and the US. This is a historic agreement made possible by our longstanding partnership with India and HAL, said H. Lawrence Culp Jr., Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of GE and CEO of GE Aerospace. The two sides also decided to open more consulates of their respective countries in each others nations. Modi mentioned that the US will open its consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. The US President reiterated the overwhelming respect between the US and India when questioned about Democrats pressuring him to raise the issue of human rights in India with PM Modi. The AAP on Friday hit out at the Congress for not opposing the Centres black ordinance, saying the grand old partys silence raises suspicions about its real intentions. It is high time that Congress decided whether it stands with the people of Delhi or the Modi Gvernment, the AAP said in a statement. Unless the Congress publicly denounces the ordinance passed by the Centre, which was promulgated in Delhi to take control of governance away from the elected Government, it would be very difficult for the party to be part of any alliance that includes Congress, it said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a stern warning about the growing threat of coercion and confrontation in the Indo-Pacific region. In his address to the joint meeting of the US Congress, Modi expressed concerns over the tense border situation in Ladakh and Chinas aggressive posture in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. The PM emphasised that the stability of the region has become a central concern for the partnership between India and the United States. Modi underscored the importance of upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter, peaceful dispute resolution, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity in maintaining the global order. He urged for a region where all nations, regardless of size, can freely make choices without fear, where progress is not hindered by unsustainable debt burdens, and where connectivity is not misused for strategic purposes. The Prime Ministers remarks come against the backdrop of economic crises faced by countries like Sri Lanka and Pakistan, attributed to Chinas substantial but unviable infrastructure investments. Modi reaffirmed the shared vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, interconnected by secure seas and grounded in international law while preserving ASEAN centrality. The joint statement issued after talks between PM Modi and US President Joe Biden also stressed the importance of respecting the rules-based international order. Both leaders highlighted that the contemporary global order is built on the principles of the UN Charter, international law, and the respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. Continued on Page 2 Indo-Pacific stability central to India-US ties, asserts Modi As China continues its military maneuvers and territorial claims in the South China Sea, India, the US, and other global powers have been advocating for a free, open, and thriving Indo-Pacific region. Modi called attention to Chinas actions, including the construction of artificial islands and military installations, and expressed concern over disruptive developments, such as the Ukraine conflict, which has reintroduced war in Europe. The Prime Minister emphasized that the current era should be one of dialogue and diplomacy, not war. He called for collective efforts to prevent bloodshed and human suffering and highlighted the need to uphold the principles of the UN Charter, promote a peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations. Modis address underscores the gravity of the challenges faced by the Indo-Pacific region and the shared responsibility of nations to maintain a stable and cooperative global order. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with CEOs of prominent US companies in Washington on Thursday, where he extended an invitation to American chip maker Micron Technology to bolster semiconductor manufacturing in India. Modi highlighted Indias competitive advantages across various segments of the semiconductor supply chain. He also invited Applied Materials to invest in India for the development of process technology and advanced packaging capabilities. During his discussion with Gary E Dickerson, President and CEO of Applied Materials, Modi explored the potential of collaboration between the company and Indian academic institutions to cultivate a skilled workforce. In terms of semiconductor development, US companies are partnering with India to establish an ecosystem that promotes supply chain diversification. Micron Technology, with support from the Indian National Semiconductor Mission, announced an investment exceeding $800 million. With additional financial backing from Indian authorities, the total investment will amount to a $2.75 billion semiconductor assembly and test facility in India. In addition, Applied Materials unveiled plans for a new semiconductor center dedicated to commercialisation and innovation in India. Lam Research, another semiconductor manufacturing equipment company, is set to announce a training programme for 60,000 Indian engineers through its semi-verse solution, aimed at accelerating Indias semiconductor workforce development goals. On critical minerals and mineral security, the United States will announce its support for India becoming a member of the Mineral Security Partnership led by the US State Department. This partnership aims to strengthen the critical minerals supply chain and ensure an adequate supply of essential minerals for climate, economic, and strategic technology objectives, a senior administration official said. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the Prime Ministers invitation to Micron Technology, stating, The Prime Minister invited Micron Technology to boost semiconductor manufacturing in India. Following the meeting, Micron Technology CEO Sanjay Mehrotra expressed enthusiasm about the opportunities in India, highlighting the companys global leadership in memory and storage. Gary E Dickerson, after his meeting with the Prime Minister, emphasised the potential for incredible growth in India and expressed eagerness to work together for shared success. During his engagement with H Lawrence Culp, CEO of General Electric (GE), Modi invited the company to play a larger role in Indias aviation and renewable energy sectors. Officials noted the Prime Ministers appreciation for GEs long-term commitment to manufacturing in India and discussed the potential for enhanced technology collaboration to promote manufacturing within the country. India has been actively promoting semiconductor development and has introduced a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for this purpose. Global companies are exploring India as an attractive investment destination for semiconductor manufacturing, positioning the country as one of the most appealing locations in Asia for electronics and semiconductors. While the Indian semiconductor market was valued at USD 27.2 billion in 2021, it is projected to grow at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 19 percent, reaching USD 64 billion by 2026. However, domestic chip manufacturing is still in its nascent stages. Setting up semiconductor fabs (fabrication units) is a highly specialised, complex, and capital-intensive endeavor. Fabs require advanced technology, entail high risks, and have long gestation and payback periods. The Prime Ministers engagement with top US companies reflects Indias determination to bolster its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities and attract investments in this critical sector. These collaborations have the potential to enhance Indias position as a key player in the global semiconductor industry, driving economic growth and technological advancement. Flagging the challenge of terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said it is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs or buts in dealing with the scourge. He also sought action against its State sponsors, in an oblique attack on Pakistan. Making this assertion in his address to the joint meeting of the US Congress late Thursday, the Prime Minister said more than two decades after 9/11 and over a decade after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, radicalism and terrorism still remain a pressing danger for the whole world. These ideologies keep taking new identities and forms, but their intentions are the same. Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs or buts in dealing with it. We must overcome all such forces sponsoring and exporting terror, Modi said in his 60-minute address in English. In the India-US joint statement released after the talks between Prime Minister Modi and US President Joe Biden, the two countries also expressed their resolve to fight terrorism and extremism. The US and India stand together to counter global terrorism and unequivocally condemn terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, it said. Modi and Biden reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen, the statement said. They strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks. They called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice, it said. They noted with concern the increasing global use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones and information and communication technologies for terrorist purposes and reaffirmed the importance of working together to combat such misuse. In his address to the US Congress, Modi also made a veiled reference to China, saying the global order is based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Noting that the Ukraine conflict is causing great pain in the region, Modi said he has said directly and publicly, This is not an era of war. But, one of dialogue and diplomacy. Representing 1.4 billion Indians, Modi said it is always a great honour to address the US Congress and an exceptional privilege to do so twice. Modi became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice on Thursday. He first addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress in 2016. Now, when our era is at a crossroads, I am here to speak about our calling for this century, he said. Modi said as there have been many advances in AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the past few years, at the same time, there have been even more momentous developments in other AI-- America and India. We were strangers in the defence cooperation at the turn of the century. Now, the US has become one of our most important defence partners, said Modi, who is currently on his maiden State visit. His words received a standing ovation from US lawmakers. Prominent Opposition leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Bhagwant Mann, and Mehbooba Mufti, arrived in Patna on Thursday evening for a high-level meeting aimed at charting a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting is being touted as a brainstorming session to discuss strategies and build consensus among Opposition parties. Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Kejriwal has been advocating for a discussion on the Centres ordinance regarding control of administrative services in the national Capital. He expects the Congress to respond positively and support the AAPs stance. However, the Congress has not yet clarified its position on whether it will back the AAP when the ordinance is put to test in Parliament by the BJP-led Centre. The possibility of an immediate walkout from the Patna meeting has been hinted at by certain sections of the AAP leadership if the Congress did not support Kejriwals demand. Kejriwal and Mann visited the Patna Sahib Gurudwara during their visit. In response to the developments, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit stated that Kejriwal would not be missed at the meeting if he chooses to skip it. West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata first met with RJD chief Lalu Prasad, former Bihar CM Rabri Devi, and Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. Later in the evening, she had a meeting with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Mamata emphasised the need for unity among Opposition parties and stated that they will fight together like a family to take on the NDA. The Opposition meeting aims to build a common ground and avoid contentious issues of leadership for the time being. Leaders from 15 parties, including several Chief Ministers, are expected to attend the deliberations. The BJP has been capitalising on differences within the Opposition ranks and repeatedly questioning their leadership and prime ministerial face. The meeting takes place amid internal disagreements within the Opposition, with Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury staging a dharna in Bengals Murshidabad district, demanding action against Trinamool Congress activists who allegedly attacked Congress workers ahead of the States panchayat polls. Notable leaders expected to attend the meeting include Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, and NCP president Sharad Pawar. The meeting is hosted by Nitish and his deputy Tejashwi. Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin, CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, and CPI (ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya will also participate. However, the Telangana-based Bharat Rashtra Samithi, the Biju Janata Dal of Odisha, the BSP led by Mayawati, and the YSR Congress Party are expected to skip the meeting. The RLD, which is in alliance with the SP, also cited prior commitments for its absence. Mayawati criticised the participating parties, calling the meeting more about joining hands than hearts. It should be noted that she has not been invited to the Opposition meeting. We have invited parties that are willing to fight against the BJP in 2024 and want to be part of an anti-BJP front. Mayawati, Naveen Patnaik, K Chandrashekar Rao, and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy have not been invited, so there is no question of them skipping the meeting, clarified JD(U) leader K C Tyagi. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said the Delhi government will use special computer systems called SCADA to monitor the water supply more efficiently from July 1. This will help make sure water is distributed properly across the city, an official statement quoted Kejriwal as saying. To make this monitoring possible, flow meters will be installed on the water pipeline network by the end of this year. These meters are connected to the SCADA system, which allows the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) headquarters to keep an eye on how much water is flowing in each pipeline all over Delhi, the statement said. SCADA systems are like smart computers that help manage the water system. They allow the people in charge to watch over everything from one central location, it said. During a meeting with DJB officials, Kejriwal emphasised the government's commitment to preventing wastage of water in Delhi. The DJB, in a statement, said it has been found that there are no proper records of water availability in the city. Although water is being supplied to different areas, it is not being properly recorded. Over the years, the main water lines have been tapped and changed, causing some areas to receive low or no water pressure, it said. The government is thus installing flow meters to prevent leakage and wastage. The DJB has already installed 352 flow meters at the main level and plans to install about 108 more, it said. There is a need to install flow meters at 4,053 locations on the secondary water lines. Of these, 2,456 meters have already been installed, but 1,537 more need to be put in place, the statement said. Land clearance work for State or Central government sponsored projects must be done on priority basis in every block and district headquarter level and upload the clearance position on the website. The pending work of land mutation must be clear within 30 to 60 days. The revenue court of the Barhi sub division office must be more active and increase the revenue, said DC Nancy Sahay during a review meeting of the revenue department. She asked all circle officers to speed up the revenue collection by clearing pending cases. She further said that the Dadi Circle of the district is behind in collection of revenue. She warned the circle officer to work hard in the field of revenue collection. She said that if any circle officer is facing problems they must clear the solution with the discussion of the higher officer. The DC further said that through the PM Kisan portal KYC must be done by every farmer of the district. She said that court cases must be clear with proper coordination with revenue and law departments. She took stock of the details of NTPC coal projects. The DGM of NTPC said that in the year 2022-23 we have planned to shift the villagers in RR colony. We have completed the valuation of 200 houses. We are paying the compensation amount to 80 families and in 44 cases the process is going on. This will be completed very soon by the company. We have given the cheque of three lakhs rupees for the construction of the AIDS centre. We are also providing the basic needs of the villagers and schools also. In the review meeting the additional collector Rakesh Roshan, IAS trainees Shatabdi Majumdar, DM Vidya Bhushan Kumar, LRDC Binod Kumar, SDM Barhi Poonam Kujur and NTPC officers along with all circle officers were present. On the occasion of International Yoga Day, former state spokesperson BJP, Amarpreet Singh Kale said that Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It symbolizes the unity of mind and body thought and action, abstinence and fulfillment, harmony between man and nature. A holistic approach to health and wellness. It is not about practice but to find a sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help well. International Yoga Day was celebrated for the first time on June 21, 2015 on the initiative of Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Since then every year June 21 is celebrated as Yoga Day. This year International Yoga Day has been kept on the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, One World, One Health. So to keep yourself healthy and fit, you should also do yoga and stay healthy. Let us work towards adopting International Yoga Day. Ten people died in the Munsyari area of Pithoragarh district on Thursday morning after a vehicle they were travelling in fell into a 500-metre deep gorge. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed condolences on the death of people. The police circle officer of Pithoragarh Narendra Pant told The Pioneer that the police received information at about 10 AM that a vehicle carrying pilgrims from Sama village of Bageshwar district to go towards Kokila Devi temple in Hokra had fallen into a deep gorge. He said that rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) along with the police carried out the search and rescue operation that reportedly took over four hours as the gorge was quite deep. The CO said, "According to the information we have got so far, there were a total of 10 people travelling in the vehicle. Search teams recovered all bodies after hours of hard work. The bodies were sent for post mortem examination after Panchayatnama." On the question of what was the probable cause of the accident as per the preliminary investigation of the police, he said that nothing concrete can be said about the possible cause at present. "It does not appear that brake failure was the reason. The road where the accident happened is also quite wide as it was built under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). It is possible that the driver was at fault but nothing can be said with certainty at this point. We are looking into it," added Pant. He said that the deceased also included two army personnel- Shankar Singh (42) and Sundar (37). Besides this, other deceased have been identified as Dharam Singh (69), Kishan Singh (64), Khushal Singh (64), Kundan Singh (58), Daan Singh (52), Shankar Singh (42), Umesh Singh (28), Nisha Singh (24), and the driver Mahesh Singh (35). The CM also expressed his condolences on the death of pilgrims and said, I have received unfortunate news about the casualties of many people due to the accident of a vehicle coming from Shama in Bageshwar towards Nachni in Pithoragarh. I pray to God for peace to the departed souls. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti." As the AAP skipped the opposition parties Press conference held post the meeting in Patna, Delhi BJP slammed the Arvind Kejriwal saying the Delhi ordinance was neither discussed nor any support announced. After the Patna meeting, 16 of the 17 parties held a joint press conference with the Congress and only the AAP was left out of it, which shows that it has no importance in the Opposition alliance. AAP is like an unwanted intruder in the political corridor of the country, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said. The AAP convener and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has met several Opposition leaders to garner support against the ordinance. His campaigns are also aimed at halting any move by the Centre to turn its ordinance into a full-fledged law in Parliament, particularly in the Rajya Sabha. Sachdeva said that opposition parties have shown mirror to Kejriwal at the meeting. After the Patna meeting, 16 of the 17 parties held a joint press conference with the Congress and only the AAP was left out of it, which shows that it has no importance in the opposition alliance, he said. Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said Kejriwal and AAPians can not be trusted. Thats the reason, the opposition parties have distanced from Kejriwal and his party. Actually, Kejriwal was trying to project himself as Prime Minister face for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He was fooling opposition parties in the name of Ordinance. First of all ordinance is valid for six months and Central government can extend it three times so they don't need to bring it in Parliament, he said The BJP leader said that Kejriwal is talking about Ordinance and trying to get support from Opposition but the fact is he needs protection of Opposition parties to prevent him going to jail in the liquor scam sooner and later. The Delhi BJP Spokesperson Harish Khurana dared Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal to announce that he would go head-to-head against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. You think that you are more popular than Narendra Modi ji and Modi ji is afraid of you, so announce in Patna today that you will contest the Lok Sabha election once again in 2024 against Modi ji from Varanasi. Have courage, Khurana tweeted, adding that it was Kejriwal who was scared of Modi. A fresh tussle erupted between the Lieutenant Governor and the AAP Government over the appointment of former Allahabad High Court judge Umesh Kumar as the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) chairman as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had suggested another retired judge for the post. Terming the appointment as illegal and unconstitutional, Delhi Power Minister Atishi on Thursday said the AAP government will move the Supreme Court in the matter. Lambasting the Atishi statement, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said , it is shocking to see Power Minister Atishi trying to give political color and bad mouthing about the newly appointed DERC Chairman. He said the Centre is trying to break down power supply system of Delhi by appointing him. Addressing a press conference, Atishi has labelled this appointment as an absolutely unconstitutional and unlawful move of the Modi govrnment. Atishi further explained that Electricity is a transferred subject, and the Central Government is bound to act in accordance with the aid and advice of the elected state government on all matters falling under the Power Department. She highlighted that the BJP's deliberate ignorance of the elected state government's recommendation for Justice (Retd) Sangeet Lodha as DERC Chairperson is a clear violation of this principle. She said the government had recommended the name of Justice Lodha for the post on June 21. The power minister accused the BJP of conspiring to shut down the free and 24x7 electricity scheme in Delhi. However, it was sidelined and former Allahabad High Court judge Umesh Kumar was appointed as the chairman by the BJP-led Centre. This has been done to 'trouble' the elected government of Delhi. In the coming days, we will approach the Supreme Court against this 'illegal' appointment, she said. The post has been vacant since January 10, when (retd) justice Shabihul Husnain stepped down after reaching superannuation. According to Atishi, the BJP's discontent stems from the fact the AAP government, has successfully delivered the cheapest electricity rates in the country. Delhi currently boasts the lowest electricity tariffs compared to other states. In contrast, BJP-ruled states impose the highest power tariffs, with Assam charging Rs 8.2 per unit, Uttar Pradesh charging Rs 6.5 per unit, Madhya Pradesh charging Rs 6.74 per unit, and Maharashtra charging a staggering Rs 10.38 per unit for consumers. The Power Minister further highlighted the significant impact made by the Kejriwal government in reducing electricity costs for the citizens of Delhi. Reacting on her statement, Kapoor has said that it is regrettable that on every administrative issue the Kejriwal government behaves like a child who starts crying if his demanded toy is not given. It is regrettable that AAP government is repeating its childish behaviour on DERC Chairman's appointment too. He further stated that Delhi Government had recommended name of Retired Justice R.K. Shrivastav for DERC Chairman's post months ago but he expressed inability to work being in United States of America forcing the Centre to intervene. A statement issued by the lieutenant governor's office on Wednesday night said Justice Kumar has been appointed the DERC chairman by President Droupadi Murmu. The LG office statement, however, said the appointment of Kumar comes as Shrivastava expressed his inability to take charge due to family commitments and requirements through a communication on June 15. The National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur campus inaugurated its much awaited Alumni Centre on Tuesday. After the establishment of the institute (1960), the Centre was inaugurated with the efforts and leadership of the new director (Dr.) Goutam Sutradhar, a distinguished alumnus of the institute, 1967 batch cum R.S.B. Chairman RK Behra inaugurated the centre. On this occasion, many eminent alumni connected through virtual media from the country and abroad and registered their presence in the ceremony. In his address as an alumnus, R.K. Behera said that I am grateful to all the alumni students, due to their efforts the Alumni Centre is being built in the 63-year-old institution, I am very happy. I am grateful to Jitendra Kumar and Chittaranjan Sahay, the office bearers of the Alumni Student Organization (Neerja) who made me a life member. Today the institute is ranked 130th in the country. Alumni can play a role in improving this rank. I will cooperate fully in this. Whether it is a matter of infrastructure or other activities. There is a need to work on research here. Will have to do better in my PhD. In this, industrial sport is required for new technology. For this we all have to change our mind set. I agree that an incubation center should be established here. Director in his address said that alumni play a vital role in the development of the institute. They are our ambassadors, today many alumni are in good positions in the country and abroad, they are big entrepreneurs, they are running big organizations in the country and abroad, they can take the institute to heights by joining us. He said that he wishes that the institute develops into a corporate design in which alumni can collaborate. Adityapur industrial area is located close to NIT Jamshedpur, this is a plus point for this institute and students studying here are getting its benefits. B.N. Dixit (1966 batch) in his address said that today is a historic day. We have gone to Patna and BIT Sindri to do practicals. Today the former students are getting halls in the institute. I have been the president of the student union. On this occasion of the inauguration of the Alumni Centre, many alumni of the institute prominently Sanjeev Paul (former Vice President Tata Steel), RT Singh (former Plant Head Tata Motor), Shailesh Kumar Jha, Sharvesh Upadhyay, Bindu Srivastava, Prof. Shailendra Kumar (Professor NIT), and the first student of the first batch Mr. Kanhaiya Lal Agarwal (1960 batch) as well as many students from the country and abroad through virtual medium like Mr. R.K. V. Shahi (Former Energy Secretary, Government of India), Prof. Chittaranjan Sahay (University of Hertford, USA) and many other alumni enthusiastically participated in the event. The Army War College, Mhow celebrated International Yoga Day 2023. The event was organised at the College campus and was attended by 400 all ranks posted at Army War College along with their families. The event highlighted the benefits of yoga in routine life and special emphasis was given on improving immunity through yoga. In the past, Army War College had also conducted a Yoga Certification Course for Women, in collaboration with Bhimrao Ambedkar University of Social Sciences, Mhow. The Army War College has been continuing with Yoga Day celebrations since its inception in 2015 and has also created a Yoga Park in its campus. A two-member team set up by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the sudden spike in deaths in Ballia has found no conclusive evidence to establish a link between the rise in mortality and the ongoing heatwave. The team, led by Director (Communicable Diseases) Dr AK Singh, concluded that the heatwave in the region was not the direct cause of the fatalities. But the team discovered lapses in the micro-level management of patients during their inspection of the district hospital. The probe was initiated after 68 people reportedly succumbed to pre-existing diseases aggravated by heat. Dr Singh acknowledged that while the high temperature could have contributed to worsening the patients existing ailments, it could not be considered the sole conclusive factor. Dr Singh said: In our primary investigation we can conclude that the heatwave was one of the factors, but it is not conclusive. Considering 70 plus deaths in four or five days in a population of 50 lakh is natural, but the deaths being reported from two blocks of Bansdih and Girdih is a cause of concern. He further said: Not a single death due to heatstroke has been confirmed in the area. There was no panic, and no deaths of animals were reported in the villages. In Ballia, 10 deaths per day are normal. When asked why more than 60 people died in the course of four days, he said: Most of the patients who were at the hospital and died were already suffering from other diseases like tuberculosis. Among the deceased, there were people with kidney and heart diseases. The speed of infection may occasionally speed up as the temperature rises or falls. The official said; To verify the truth, we are doing the necessary testing. We have sent samples, including samples of water, for testing, and the results are awaited. During their visit to the hospital, the team investigating the deaths observed that the emergency ward was following a queue system instead of the mandated triage protocol. Senior health officials familiar with the matter say that the triage protocol prioritises the most critical patients for immediate attention, which seemed to be poorly implemented at the hospital. Furthermore, the team members raised concerns about frequent power cuts in Ballia. Dr Singh said: The power supply in rural pockets of the district was disrupted, and transformers were burnt out. The condition of the people worsened by the time they reached the hospital due to the non-availability of electricity, among other factors. The travel time required to reach another district hospital is also a factor that worsens the condition of patients. The team discovered that the total leukocyte count (TLC) in the blood samples of 18 patients was high, indicating the presence of illness. However, this was attributed to pre-existing conditions mentioned in their medical history rather than heatstroke. The blood samples tested negative for any viral load. Regarding the final report, a team member stated that it would be completed once the results of the water samples taken from the affected areas and the blood samples of the hospitalised patients were received. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ban the movie Adipurush, which he said has done a poor representation of some characters from the Ramayana. Shah reached Raipur in the afternoon and addressed a public rally in Durg city. Baghel tweeted: All devotees of Shri Ram and people of the state welcome Union Amit Shah in 'nanihaal' (maternal home) of Lord Ram. At the same time, I humbly request him to announce to ban the film #Adipurush, which is tarnishing the image of Ramayana and Gods. Bharatiya Janata Party (Bokaro) Chas Nagar North celebrated 9th International Yoga Day with all enthusiasm in Bhojpur Colony and Naveen Cooperative on June 21. MLA Bokaro Biranchi Narayan said yoga has emerged as one of the most trusted means to boost physical and mental well-being. This year, the theme for International Yoga Day is "Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," which beautifully encapsulates our collective aspiration for "One Earth, One Family, One Future." The Legislator specifically added that it is a proud moment of our Nation where our Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a unique yoga session at the U.N. Headquarters in a historic celebration to commemorate the 9th International Day and its only Prime minister eminent leadership which has given Yoga an International identity . Also at district level Yoga programme was organized under the leadership of Acharya Swami Raghavendra of Chinmaya Mission Chas. BJP District General Secretary Sanjay Tyagi. Tyagi said that Yoga has made an identity in the world when Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed this in the United Nations, and at same time 175 countries supported it. BJP legislator and chairman of the Backward Classes Commission, Gauri Shankar Bisen was allegedly spotted touching minor girls inappropriately at an event. The incident was caught on camera and was shared by MP Congress on Twitter. The clip is now going viral on social media. In the vital video, the MLA can be seen posing with the minor girls, apparently touching their chest and arms for a photograph. The Opposition party Congress claimed the alleged incident took place at a programme in Balaghat district. Madhya Pradesh Congress tweeted BJP MLA, former minister and chairman of the Backward Classes Commission Gauri Shankar Bisen is doing a shameful act with the girls. "Save daughter from BJP leaders". Commenting on the post, Mukesh Gupta, state coordinator of Mumbai Congress Sevadal said that These girls should be counselled by a female doctor, whose report should be made public. Such an act with girls is shameful, shame on BJP leaders, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, have some shame, see what your party leaders are doing? Sharing the video, AAP MLA Naresh Balyan also lashed out hard at the BJP, saying: "This is BJP MLA Gaurishankar Bisen. See how in front of thousands of people he is doing such vile acts with little girls. I had already said that if these people are voted like this, then these people will pick up daughters in broad daylight. They get so much courage from people like Brijbhushan." Strongly refuting the Congress allegation of inappropriate behaviour by the former minister, the BJP castigated the Opposition party for tweeting the video featuring minor girls and warned of legal action. "These girls are of his granddaughter's age and Bisen is publicly meeting them with affection," state BJP spokesman Narendra Singh Saluja said. Madhya Pradesh Home Minister and government spokesperson Narottam Mishra, too, hit out at the Congress for its "despicable mentality". "It reflects the despicable mentality of the Congress. Just because of dirty politics, they have released a video that actually reflects his (Bisen) affection towards girls. It is shameful the way Congress has shown the video. We are legally examining the issue, especially of disclosing the identity of girls," Mishra told media persons. Union Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Shri Giriraj Singh on Thursday underlined the need to build a model panchayat in every district of Chhattisgarh. He was holding a review meeting of the Land Resources and Panchayati Raj Department here. Underlining the concept, he said it should be in accordance with the guidelines of the United Nations. He laid emphasis on increasing public participation to make villages green with trees and plants under a Green Panchayat. There is a need to increase the income of the Panchayat. If the facility is available, the panchayat can levy tax, due to which the panchayat will get continuous income, he said. He said that 100 gram sabhas should be organized at the panchayat level. The villagers should be allowed to make decisions after discussing various topics, which would increase their participation in the development of the panchayat. He said the income of women should be increased through the Livelihood Mission. Chhattisgarh Women and Child Development Minister Anila Bhedia on Thursday said that work is being done in education, health, nutrition and security for the sake of children and women. She was addressing a workshop on the Right to Education Act, including challenges and solutions, at district headquarters of the Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh-Chowki district, an official communication said. The Minister honoured a Sarpanch, Anganwadi workers and supervisors of the Department for their exemplary work in child protection, nutrition and child education. She said after formation of the new district, development works were being undertaken at a rapid pace. The government is working in a planned manner for the welfare of women and children. She appealed to the society to also come forward and participate in the welfare and development of children. She said there was no dearth of skill among women, they only needed a platform and opportunity. With the aim to combat communicable diseases, both in urban and rural areas, the state government will launch the Communicable Diseases Control Campaign and Dastak Campaign in July. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently held a meeting with the top officials of the Health department to outline necessary guidelines for these campaigns. The Communicable Disease Control Campaign (CDCC) will be held from July 1 to July 31 and the Dastak campaign from July 17 to 31. Instructions have been given to make preparations for ensuring cleanliness in both urban and rural areas and tackling water-logging during this period. The officials have also been directed to monitor intensive vector and mosquito control activities in high risk areas with inter-departmental cooperation, a government spokesman said here on Thursday. The official said that during the campaign, a robust monitoring framework would be implemented to assess the effectiveness of the initiatives. As part of the campaign, detailed information on patient surveillance will be provided during the training of frontline workers. The training sessions, scheduled between July 10 and 15, will equip these workers with the knowledge required to identify and monitor potential cases. The directives say that supply of pure drinking water should be ensured. Cattle sheds and pig sheds should be set up away from the population and arrangements for cleanliness should be made. During the Dastak Campaign, the screening and treatment of individuals exhibiting symptoms identified by frontline workers will be a top priority. Cutting shrubs will help reduce potential breeding of disease carrying vectors. As part of the ongoing disease prevention campaigns, the Health department, in collaboration with Anganwadi workers, will undertake door-to-door publicity efforts to raise awareness about disease prevention among the residents of both urban and rural areas of the state. Chief Minister Hemant Soren today participated in the Opposition parties meeting called to form a combined strategy to defeat the National Democratic Alliance in the 2024 General Elections in Patna. The CM, on the occasion, reiterated the resolve of his party to fight against communal forces in the nation and work for the people of the country. Certain things are being attacked very fast in the democracy. Today there is anger inside common masses, farmers, labourers and unemployed youth. We all will move forward with an honest mind and win. This fight is to save the country and the constitution. This fight of ours is a fight to save the federal structure, he said talking to media persons after the meeting. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Executive president further said that this country has been an image of unity in diversity in the world. This fact is not accepted by the people not just today but for centuries. Regarding the meeting, he said that today people of different ideologies have met. Keeping many things in mind, today's present situation, things were established according to the convenience of the common people. We all have united here today because of the hard work of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Leaders of 17 political parties including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, its national president Mallikarjun Kharge came to Patna to attend the meeting on the invitation of Nitish Kumar. Chief Ministers of 6 states and 5 former Chief Ministers were present in the meeting. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann along with Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh had reached Patna on Thursday itself. Along with this, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and former Congress President Rahul Gandhi reached Patna on Friday morning. Along with this, Sharad Pawar from NCP, Uddhav Thackeray from Shiv Sena, Akhilesh Yadav from SP, MK Stalin from DMK, Hemant Soren from JMM, Sitaram Yechury from CPM, D Raja from CPI, Dipankar from CPI-ML also reached Patna on Friday. Notably, Soren is heading the JMM-Congress-RJD coalition government in the State and is vocal against the ruling NDA government at the Centre. The JMM has also been supporting the Oppositions cause time and again on various issues raised by it. A delegation of senior leaders of Uttarakhand Congress met the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at his office on Friday to express anguish over the recent incident in Belada village of Roorkee in Haridwar district. The delegation led by the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Karan Mahara discussed the incident in which a family belonging to the scheduled caste community was beaten up allegedly in presence of police. The Congress leaders demanded that justice should be delivered to the victims in the unfortunate incident. The delegation also demanded a judicial probe in the incident and sought action against the culprits. The leaders said that compensation should be provided to the victim's family and innocents should be immediately released from custody. The delegation included former chief minister Harish Rawat, leader of opposition (LoP) in State assembly Yashpal Arya, former PCC president Ganesh Godiyal and party MLAs from Haridwar district. The PCC president Mahara said that the party strongly deplores the incident which occured with a Dalit family. He said that the law and order situation in the State has deteriorated completely and claimed that jungle Raj prevails in the State. The Congress leaders said that the incident in which a Dalit family was severely beaten up and looted in presence of police shows that mafia rules the roost in the rural areas of the State. The delegation also questioned the role of Police in the case. Apart from senior leaders MLAs Furkan Ahmed, Mamta Rakesh, Anupma Rawat, Ravi Bahadur, Virendra Jati, vice president organisation Mathura Dutt Joshi, chief spokesperson Garima Dasauni, chairperson of SC cell Darshan Lal, social media in-charge Amarjeet Singh and other leaders were part of the delegation. Reacting to former chief minister Harish Rawats statement on the notice issued by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the sting operation case, the Bharatiya Janata Party said that it was the trust of the public on which the robbery was committed and now the accused are being investigated. Those who were served the notices should cooperate in the probe and judicial process. The BJP State president Mahendra Bhatt said in a statement that the case is being investigated without bias by the CBI and that the truth in the matter will come to fore under the judicial process. Bhatt said, All have seen those who were giving out license to rob the resources of the State on camera to save their government. The people also want the guilty to be brought to book. Rejecting the statement made by former cabinet minister Harak Singh Rawat seeking quashing of the case, Bhatt said that the talk of withdrawing the case is being done today when the accused and the accuser are both in the same party and contenders for fighting the election from the same seat. The people of the State will never forgive those who were offering the resources of the State to be robbed. This is why the people gave BJP the mandate to run a government with zero tolerance for corruption, said the partys State president. Taking a dig at Harish Rawat who called himself the victim in this case, Bhatt said that the attempt to rob was being made on the States resources and the people of Uttarakhand have seen it all in the sting operation. At times the Congress expresses distrust on the CBI while in other cases it demands a probe by the CBI and then again raises questions at the impartiality of the agency. Irrespective of whether the Congress trusts an investigation agency like the CBI, the public does not have an iota of trust in the Congress Instead of making statements in the media, they should cooperate in the investigation and judicial process, said Bhatt. A city court has acquitted the Patel Nagar MLA and now Delhi Minister Raaj Kumar Anand and an MCD councillor Ankush Narang in a case related to a protest held near the residence of former Delhi BJP president Adesh Kumar Gupta in March last year, saying there were innumerable lapses in the investigation. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vidhi Gupta Anand was hearing a case against Anand and Narang -- who were accused of participating in a protest near the residence of Delhi BJP chief Aadesh Gupta in West Patel Nagar without prior permission and without maintaining social distancing or wearing masks on February 26 last year. Anand is a minister for Social Welfare, Labour, Employment, SC & ST, Land & Building, Cooperative, Gurudwara Elections in Arvind Kejriwal led Delhi government. The AAP leaders were booked under Section 188 read with 34 of IPC for disobedience of order duly promulgated by a public servant. Delhi Police accused them of marching while shouting slogans without any prior permission from the Competent Authority and not maintaining social distancing and wearing masks. At the time of the alleged protest, an order issued by the assistant commissioner of police, Patel Nagar was in force. The order said though social restrictions were lifted on account of a declining number of Covid cases, wearing masks and maintaining social distancing, as mandated in the National Directives for COVID Management, would continue, the prosecution said. "There are innumerable lapses in the investigation conducted by the investigating officer (IO) -- not conducting inquiries from public witnesses, no preparation of site plan, not recording statements of the station house officer or the assistant commissioner of police and other eyewitnesses, to mention a few," the court said. It said the most glaring omission was not bringing the video of the incident on record, despite it being available with the IO."Mere statement of the IO that he has changed his mobile phone and therefore, does not remember receiving the video of the incident appears to be nothing more than a flimsy excuse and it is a separate question as to why the IO did not produce the most clinching piece of evidence in the court despite having received it," the court said. "There is no specific number of the persons who participated in the protest march. While one witness says it would be around 50-60 persons, the other says that it would be around 100-150 persons and despite that, only two persons have been made accused in this matter," the court said. It said the time of the protest remained unclear as the witnesses gave different answers and that no police witnesses were examined apart from a constable. "It is held that the prosecution has failed to discharge its burden of proving the guilt of the accused persons. Hence, both the accused persons are held not guilty and acquitted for the offence under IPC sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 34 (common intention)," the court said. The decision of the HNB Garhwal central university Srinagar to de-affiliate 10 aided colleges has created a situation of uncertainty in the academic world of Uttarakhand. The decision was taken in a recent meeting of the executive council of the university. The colleges which have been removed from the affiliation of the university include DAV PG college, DBS PG college, MKP PG college, SGRR PG college, DWT college ( all Dehradun), MKP College Mussoorie, Chinmay College Haridwar and Rath college Paithani, Pauri. The decision of the university means that these colleges would now have to get affiliation from some other university at a time when the process of admissions is going on. It is pertinent to mention here that these colleges were to take the score of the Combined University Entrance Test (CUET) for the admissions in the academic session 2023-24 and the students were waiting for the result of the entrance examination. The sudden decision of the university to de affiliate the college has come as a shock for both the students and the administration of these colleges. The Principal of the DAV PG college which is the biggest PG college of the State, K R Jain told The Pioneer that the decision is not in the interest of the students. He said that the process to get affiliation from a new university takes at least six months and the decision to de-affiliate was taken at a time when the college was preparing to take admission. Questioning the motive behind the decision, he said that there are 5320 seats in UG and PG courses in the DAV PG College and more than 25000 students apply for admission in the college. The national vice president of the All India unaided universities and colleges association Sunil Agarwal told this correspondent that the government should clear the uncertainty prevailing over the admissions in the aided colleges. The Doctors' Wives Association is set to organise DWA MELA 2023 on July 14 and 15 at IMA Bhawan, Karamtoli Chowk, Morabadi. Greatly enthused by the success of DWA MELA 2022, the proceeds of which were forwarded to the PM RELIEF FUND, via a cheque which was handed over to Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda, the doctors' wives hope to replicate a similar success in 2023 as well. DWA informed that the bookings of stalls are almost complete. Garments, fusion wear, ethnic wear, handicrafts, Madhubani paintings, accessories like bags, scarves and stoles, footwear, homeware, pickles and preservatives, beauty and bath products, indoor and outdoor plants and related accessories .. a myriad items will be showcased in the fair. NGOs, including EKAL, DEEPSHIKHA and KOSHISH will also put up their products like pure spices, mustard oil, diyas, cards & gift bags for sale. A food-court is being set-up where visitors can purchase refreshments. Boutique owners and vendors from Kolkata, Ramgarh and of course Ranchi are eagerly waiting for the fair. The Doctors' Wives Association is the brainchild of its visionary founder Jhooma Sarkar. It is a registered NGO founded in 2006. Ably guided and supported by the Chairperson Vinita Sharan, its growing body of members, which includes doctors' wives and also lady doctors, has been working steadily for the benefit of the underprivileged women and children. The current team of DWA 2023 including Seema Maheshwari (President), Madhu Gupta (Secretary) and Amrita Baidya (Treasurer), Rinkoo Choudhary, Anju Singh, Pallavi Sharan and the entire Organising Committee is working hard to successfully organize DWA MELA 2023. The proceeds of course will be used to aid the disadvantaged and the needy. The University of Delhi's School of Open Learning has cautioned students against subscribing to unauthorised YouTube channels and joining unofficial WhatsApp groups, claiming that they are spreading fake news. According to a statement from the Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS), on June 3, an event organised to distribute degrees to a limited number of students graduating from the varsity was called off by the SOL as scores of students gathered at the venue believing that all of them will be conferred with a degree. Payal Mago, Director of Campus of Open Learning, said an advisory has been issued after chaos erupted at the SOL centre as a number of students, including those of previous years, gathered to collect their degrees even though only a limited number of students were called. We had to distribute 75,000 degrees during the fair. The degrees were being distributed on an appointment basis for which students were asked to fill a google form days before the event. And we had decided to distribute the degrees in batches, said Mago. However, some Youtube channels and Whatsapp group spread false information that all, including the previous-year students, can turn up to collect their degrees. We somehow managed the situation, she added. SOL said, All concerned may please note that the distribution of degrees for passing out students of 2022 of SOL through the 'Degree Fair' scheduled on June 3 and 4 has been stopped with immediate effect due to unavoidable circumstances. The notification further said, The degrees will now be sent by post to the addresses of the students shortly. In a note addressed to its present and former students, SOL accused some YouTubers of gathering information from its official website, adding that after reframing that information, the social media influencers posted them on their channels and other groups in the wrong manner. The SOL has even posted a list of such Youtube channels with some of them being Ameen info, SOL updates, College Updates, Struggler Sachin, Prince Aggaru,ral- SOL Talks and Sarkari Results. Thousands of innocent students are being misguided from these YouTube channels and WhatsApp groups. Apart from that the Institute's image is also being tarnished by doing such illegal/criminal activities by them, the note read. The SOL also issued the names of some of the Telegram channels for spreading false information. These channels include SOL UPDATES and SOL Delhi University. The students have been advised to unsubscribe or leave these groups and not to depend on the information or study material provided by them as they may be misleading. The DDCE/SOL/COL has no authorised WhatsApp group. Lt provides information only through its official website and social media networks and telephonic SMS, the advisory mentioned. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) team today started interrogating Hazaribagh -based coal trader Izhar Ansari in a case of money laundering involving suspended senior IAS officer Pooja Singhal. The development took place after Ansari turned up before the central probe agency office in Hinoo. The ED interrogating Izhar Ansari assumes importance as on March 3, the ED recovered Rs 3 crore 58 lakh cash and many property documents after it raided Ansaris residence in Millat Colony at Pelawal in Hazaribagh. Sources said that Ansari's name is related to the Coal Linkage episode. Suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal is involved in this. The ED had raided 14 locations across the state in the matter. It is said that Ansari made illegal income from coal on a large scale when suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal was the mines secretary. It is being said that there are more than 12 shell companies in the name of Ansari. In the name of these shell companies, the money of coal smuggling was used to move here and there through hawala. The ED team got involved in the investigation after obtaining the documents of all the shell companies. Ansari has been associated with the coal business for the last 40 years. Sources said that Ansari is also said to be an aide of one of the accused in MNREGA scam. The ED had on February 23 arrested Virender Ram, the chief engineer working with Rural Development Department of Jharkhand Government in connection with the case. The ED team took him to Ranchi where his arrest was made. The ED had initiated money laundering investigation on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by Jharkhand Police and Vigilance Bureau Jharkhand. "Investigation revealed that the Proceeds of Crime (POC) generated from the MGNREGA scam in the form of commission was deposited in different bank accounts belonging to Pooja Singhal and her relatives. The said POC was mixed and layered with the other unaccounted money generated by Singhal, by misusing her official position," the ED claimed. The probe agency has said that initially the POC was generated from MGNREGA scam only, which was subsequently intermixed with other unaccounted funds generated from the corrupt practices of Pooja Singhal and these funds were layered as investment and further funds were generated from these funds, both as legitimate profit as well as by further infusion of POC. "By this modus-operandi, Singhal amassed huge wealth disproportionate to her known source of income, and source of funds invested in these immovable properties were primarily from the unaccounted cash profits generated from these POC and therefore termed as POC," the ED has alleged. The Supreme Court on January 3 had granted interim bail to Pooja Singhal, Jharkhand cadre IAS officer suspended in a money laundering case, to look after her ailing daughter. The former state mines department secretary in Jharkhand, had been in custody since May last year, after raids were conducted at properties connected with her. She has been accused of money laundering. While attending the mass marriage ceremony under the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that development of society was not possible without the empowerment of women. Extending his best wishes to over 1,500 couples who tied the knot during the event held in Gorakhpur, the chief minister said, Atrocities against women must be stopped in order to empower society. As a result, the double-engine government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is working on mission mode to uphold the dignity of women and empower them. The chief minister said that the mass marriage scheme was a successful initiative to combat the evil dowry practice that was still widely prevalent in society. Asserting that the state government has conducted more than two lakh marriages since 2017 under the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana, Yogi said, Prior to 2017, Rs 31,000 were spent on the marriage of each couple, later, it was increased to Rs 51,000. Reiterating that the double-engine government was committed to ensuring the safety, dignity and empowerment of women, the chief minister said, Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana is being run in the state for the education of girl child from birth to graduation, while Mission Shakti is being run in the entire state to ensure the safety of women. The chief minister also said that, in order to promote daughters, his government had made it mandatory to recruit 20 per cent of women in the police force. From 1947 to 2017, the number of female personnel in UP Police was 10,000, today this number has increased to 40,000. Giving impetus to such a campaign, the work of setting up a womens battalion of PAC in Gorakhpur is being carried forward rapidly, he said. BJD Legal Cells main advisor and Orissa High Court Bar Associations former president Gopal Krushna Mohanty joined the Congress in the presence of PCC president Sarat Patnaik on Friday. Mohanty said he was working with the Janata Dal from 1977 and later in the BJD in a disciplined manner. But now, he has realised that the BJD is no more a political party but has turned into a corporate body. To protect his self-esteem, he decided to quit the BJD. The Congress ideals, particularly Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra influenced him. Along with Mohanty, more than 30 lawyers also joined the Congress. The PCC president said Mohantys joining would strengthen the Congress organisation further. A former pharmacist was arrested for allegedly storing more than 36,000 bottles of banned codeine-based cough syrup in a warehouse at Azadpur, police said on Thursday. Cough syrups with an ingredient of codeine phosphate have an intoxicating effect on nerves and they are widely abused due to easy availability at pharmacies. The government has banned codeine-based syrups. The drug license of the accused was cancelled twice in the past due to irregularities, officials said, adding that the grey market value of the seized syrup is around Rs 1 crore. On June 16, information was received that a huge consignment of psychotropic substances was lying in a warehouse inside Aradhana Bhawan, Azadpur, police said. A raid was conducted and 36,238 bottles of 'Byerex' syrup, illegally procured and stored in the warehouse, were seized at the instance of warehouse occupant Vipin Chawla, Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) H G S Dhaliwal said. The bottles were kept in 302 cardboard boxes, he said. Chawla could not produce any document for valid possession of the syrup bottles which were procured and stored for illegal sale and drug abuse, police said. Chawla was involved in the wholesale business of medicines for the last 12 years. Initially, he used to purchase medicines from authorised/legal distributors and would supply to local pharmacies through proper billing, police said. However, while working in the sector, he realised that there was a huge demand for prohibited medicines. Hence, he started purchasing banned medicines from his sources and supplying them to his contacts in Delhi-NCR, Dhaliwal said. He got a drug license issued in the name of his wife Neha in May 2020 and owned a shop at Aggarwal Plaza, Mukherjee Nagar. In October 2021, 15 cartons containing 1,800 bottles of codeine syrup were seized from his shop by the drugs control department and the license was cancelled, he said. Thereafter, he got another license issued in his name in March 2022 and opened a shop at Derawal Nagar. However, in August 2022, his license was cancelled as 3,000 tablets of Alprax 0.5 mg were found illegally stored in his shop, Dhaliwal said. An investigation is in progress to apprehend his associates and to verify the source of the recovered syrup, police added. About a fortnight after the ATM cash company Cash Management Services (CMS) in Ludhiana was robbed of Rs 8.49 crore in the wee hours in the biggest heist ever, Punjab Police on Friday thoroughly checked ATMs and Petrol Pumps across the State from security point of view, especially, to ensure that the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTVs) cameras are functioning and security guards were deployed. The checking was conducted from 10 am to 2 pm simultaneously in all the 28 Police districts of the State on the directions of the state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. The Commissioners of Police and Senior Superintendents of Police were directed to personally monitor this operation and make sufficient number of Police teams to carry out the checking. Special DGP Arpit Shukla informed that the checking was conducted keeping in mind the vulnerability of petrol pumps and ATMs, which are prone and could be soft-target of anti-social elements. He said that one team per police station was deployed to conduct inspection and review security arrangements at all such establishments. Police teams were also asked to ensure that all the ATMs and Petrol Pumps have CCTV cameras installed at the premises and are guarded by the watchman or security guard, he added. At least 471 Police teams, involving over 3000 Police personnel, carried out checks at as many as 2758 ATMs and 1861 Petrol Pumps across the state. Meanwhile, Commissioners of Police and Senior Superintendents of Police have also been directed to intensify police patrolling around such vulnerable places to keep vigil on anti-social elements. Earlier, similar checking were also carried out by the Punjab police across the state at bus stands, religious institutes including temples, Gurdwaras, Churches, and mosques, among other places. The state-wide checking came a fortnight after 10 robbers made off with Rs 8.49-crore from CMS- a cash management companys office in Ludhianas New Rajguru Nagar. The police has claimed to have cracked the case with the arrest of six accused, including an employee of the firm. The robbery plan was spearheaded by Mandeep Kaur of Barnala and Manjinder Singh, alias Mani, 27, of Abuwal village, who has been driving their cash van for the past four years. While Manjinder has been arrested, Mandeep remains on the run. Police had issued a look-out circular (LOC) for Mandeep Kaur, suspecting that she may flee the country to evade arrest. Police commissioner Mandeep Singh Sidhu said the accused started planning the heist four months ago. On the day of robbery, they did not use mobile phones to avoid being traced. The robbers had struck at the companys office around 2 am on Saturday. After throwing chilli powder in the eyes of five employees, the robbers had held them captive in a server room, before decamping with Rs 8.49 crore in cash. The robbers had also taken away a cash van that was later found abandoned in Pandori village near Dakha. Three weapons were also recovered from the van. Following the incident, Ludhiana Commissioner of Police Mandeep Singh Sidhu had written to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state DGP to ban operations of the company in the state over poor security arrangements in their offices. In view of the state's deteriorating groundwater scenario, Punjab Soil and Water Conservation Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Thursday asked the Department to chalk out new programmes and intensify ongoing water conservation and management works. Hayer stressed on maximizing canal water and treated water for usage in agriculture and expanding the underground pipeline programme to every nook and corner of the state. The Minister, reviewing the working of Soil and Water Conservation Department, called for initiating a mass movement for water management and conservation in the state by involving all stakeholders and creating awareness at the grassroots level. Reviewing the Departments watershed scheme, Hayer stressed on providing optimum benefit to landless farmers and women communities by providing them financial assistance through the creation of self-help groups in the project areas. He also stressed upon ramping up work on the creation of rainwater harvesting structures and check dams in the context of the upcoming monsoon season. The Department officers made a presentation to the Minister highlighting that the major thrust area of the department is increasing irrigation water use efficiency and developing alternate irrigation water sources for irrigation because more than 90 per cent of the state's water resources are being utilized in the agriculture sector alone. The major works of the department include an underground pipeline system, treated water for use in agriculture, drip and sprinkler systems, rainwater harvesting, and watershed based programmes, among others. The Departments proposed restructuring was also discussed during the meeting. The Minister informed that a fresh recruitment drive will be undertaken upon finalization of this restructuring in the immediate future. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday reiterated the state governments firm commitment to ensure canal water at the tail end of the last field in the State. The State Government is duty bound for this noble cause. Already, due to strenuous efforts of the State Government, water has reached the far-flung areas of Fazilka districts. The State Government had delivered a promise made to cotton cultivators of the state that canal water will reach their fields from April 1, he said. Expressing deep concern over the gravity of the emerging situation due to the fast-depleting water table, the Chief Minister said that almost all the blocks in the state are in the dark zone as far as the groundwater is concerned. It has happened due to reckless pumping of water in fields, said Mann, adding that the trend needs to be checked immediately so that our future generations do not have to strive for water. Optimum utilization of canal water can reduce the burden on groundwater thereby checking its depletion, he added. The Chief Minister said that the State Government is taking massive steps for the optimum utilization of the canal water to save the groundwater. At present, Punjab is using only 33 to 34 per cent of its canal water which will be enhanced in the coming days, he said. Mann envisioned that if Punjab can enhance the canal water utilization to 60 per cent in the first phase, nearly four lakh tubewells out of total 14 lakh can be stopped thereby helping in saving water. Punjab Speaker, wife honour flying Officer Ivraj Kaur Chandigarh: Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and his wife Gurpreet Kaur Sandhwan on Thursday bestowed special honour upon Flying Officer Ivraj Kaur on her arrival in the State. Ivraj Kaur, the daughter of Hussainpur village in Rupnagar district, has been selected as a Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force. Meeting her at his official residence, the Speaker congratulated Ivraj Kaur, saying that her achievement would be a source of inspiration for other girls of the state. Sandhwan said that Ivrajs selection is a matter of great pride for Punjab as it will serve as a pathway for those youngsters who aspire to pursue their dreams by going abroad leaving Punjab behind. The Speaker urged the youth of the state to work hard and bring laurels to their families and Punjab alike Ivraj Kaur. Punjab VB nabs PSPCL lineman while accepting Rs 40k bribe Chandigarh: Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Thursday nabbed PSPCL lineman Mohinder Kumar, posted at Khui Khera in Fazilka district, for accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000. The accused lineman has been arrested on the complaint of Pardeep Kumar, resident of Bazidpur Kattianwali village, who is running Balaji Milk Centre at his village. Complainant alleged that lineman Mohinder Kumar had demanded bribe of Rs 40,000 for settling Balaji Milk Centres electricity bill amounting to Rs 73,790 for month of April 2023. He informed that for settling the electricity bill of Rs 52,360 in February this year, the Lineman had taken Rs 21,000. But when he received the bill of Rs 73,790 in April, he got to know that the amount of February bill was also included in Aprils bill, after which he approached the lineman again and he demanded additional Rs 40,000. Heavy rain lashes parts of Himachal, alert issued Shimla: As moderate to heavy rain lashed parts of Himachal Pradesh due to escalated pre-monsoon activity on Thursday, the weather office said more rains are likely over the weekend. Heavy rainfall, thunderstorm and lightning are likely over plains, low and mid hills at isolated places on Saturday, the MeT said. The local meteorological station issued an orange warning at isolated places on June 25 and 26. Heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorm and lightning is predicted over plains, low and mid hills on these two days, while the higher reaches of the state are likely to receive snowfall. The rain and thunderstorm in the next few days could cause traffic congestion, poor visibility, disruption in electric supply and damage to standing crops, fruit plants and young seedlings, the MeT said, advising the administration to take necessary precautions. Hry CM hands over appointment letters to 11 children under HARIHAR scheme Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday handed over appointment letters for jobs in government departments to 11 children under the Homeless, Abandoned and Surrendered Children Rehabilitation Initiative Haryana (HARIHAR) scheme. The scheme is implemented by the State Government for providing educational, financial and employment benefits to abandoned and surrendered children. These children have been appointed to Group-C and Group-D posts in the Departments of School Education, Health, Urban Local Bodies, Health, Women and Child Development and Office of Deputy Commissioner, Kaithal. A hearing was held in the High Court on a PIL filed against the allotment of rooms for offering Namaz in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly on Thursday. After the hearing, the court has fixed the date of August 3 for the next hearing of the matter. The court was informed by the State Government that the report of the committee of legislators constituted by the Speaker to investigate the matter has not yet come. This PIL was heard in the bench of High Court Chief Justice Sanjay Kumar Mishra. Ajay Kumar Modi has filed a PIL in this regard. Advocate Naveen Kumar appeared on his behalf. In the year 2021, a room was allotted for Muslims to offer Namaz in the Jharkhand Assembly building. Since then this matter is in controversy. There was a lot of politics on this issue from both the ruling party and the opposition. Meanwhile, the hearing on the petition filed by the Ratan Heights Building Society in the Jharkhand High Court took place on Thursday. After listening to all the parties, the High Court has reserved its decision. The court of High Court Judge Justice Rajesh Shankar has fixed the date of July 13 for pronouncing the verdict. On Thursday, after a debate that lasted for more than two hours, the court reserved its verdict. At the same time, the court has upheld the ban on the construction work being done by VKS. Advocate Indrajit Sinha of Jharkhand High Court presented the side on behalf of the applicants. The lives of hundreds of people were in danger due to the construction work being done by VKS Real Estate. Builder VKS Realty had dug a 35 feet pit adjacent to the land of Ratan Heights Apartment on Morhabadi-Bodeya Road. Due to which the entrance wall of Ratan Heights suddenly collapsed and a car parked there fell into a 35 feet pit. Bairagarh police nabbed four accused including a minor and hotel owner who kidnapped and raped minor girls, police rescued two minor girls from the accused who were trying to escape by train at Bhopal station platform number 1 and were nabbed by the team. Police said that on May 21 the victim's mother reached to the police station Bairagarh and reported that two of her minor girls had been abducted by two boys. Based on the complaint police registered a case against the accused and alerted police across the state capital. During the search, information was received that both the boys were standing towards the railway station platform no. 1 and girls were rescued. Police have registered a case under section 366, 376, 376(2)(n) and 120B of the IPC and section 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act against Sameer Khan and Shafan Khan. The two accused with the help of their friend Ayan Khan booked a hotel room in Laxman Palace located on 80 feet road and raped the victims there. In the crime a minor boy kept an eye when the accused were sexually assaulting the victims. The hotel operator Ramraj Patel has been arrested for helping in the incident. The hotel operator was running the hotel owned by Kailash Kushwaha on a rent of Rs 40,000 per month from January 2022. In this way, the hotel operator and the minor boy helped the accused by hatching a criminal conspiracy. In connection with which section 120B has been added in the case, all the three accused have been arrested, who are presented before the honorable court and the minor boy was presented in the Juvenile Court. IK Gujral Punjab Technical University Jalandhar-Kapurthala (IKGPTU) on Friday launched Centralized Online Counseling admission portal as the nodal university. The portal, launched by varsitys Vice-Chancellor Prof (Dr) Susheel Kumar Mittal, will support admissions for B Tech, B Pharmacy and B Architecture courses, including IKGPTU main campus Jalandhar-Kapurthala, its campuses at Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Mohali, MRSPTU Bathinda, its affiliated colleges and PAU Ludhiana. Through this portal, aspiring students will be able to apply for admission in these courses in their chosen colleges by paying a counseling fee of just Rs 2000. The state education department has been urged to take a final call on continuation of intermediate teaching in the constituent colleges across Jharkhand. Teachers and non teaching personnel on contract and in service since around two decades fear joblessness if the intermediate teaching is disengaged from the constituent colleges under the New Education Policy. An atmosphere of doubt and uncertainty prevails here on this front as there are 2 constituent colleges in Daltonganj and just one in Garhwa where intermediate teaching goes on for sessions after sessions. A delegation of teachers and staff of the intermediate section of the constituent colleges met the interim VC of the Nilamber Pitamber university Daltonganj Dr Tapan Kumar Shandilya on Thursday and sought his help. Dr Shandilya heard them with patience and assured to have a talk with the secretary higher education Rahul Kumar Purwar in this connection. The interim VC was discreet enough not to offer them any plethora of promises but he succeeded in winning their trust that this issue matters most to him. There has been no letter to this effect from the government except minutes of the meeting of RUSA wherein it was resolved to delink and where there is the problem to phase it out in three years. Several teachers' associations, including the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association (JNUTA), have condemned the "arbitrary" suspension of four faculty members of the South Asian University, saying the action is an attempt to "intimidate and silence" them. The SAU suspended the faculty members on Wednesday in connection with the 2022 student protests against the downward revision of monthly stipends for Master's students. Office orders placing the four faculty members under suspension over allegations of misconduct and violation of the varsity's code of conduct were passed on June 16. The university has accused the faculty members of instigating students to protest, failing to perform appropriate duties, and having association with a Marxist study circle, a faculty member claimed on the condition of anonymity. The teachers' groups from across the country demanded that the suspension orders be "immediately withdrawn". Apart from the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers' Association, other groups who have issued a statement in support of the suspended faculty members are the All India Forum for Right to Education, the State Platform for Common School System-Tamil Nadu (SPCSS-TN) and the University of Hyderabad Teachers' Association (UHTA). The teacher' bodies expressed solidarity with the suspended faculty and said the institution "should be run transparently and democratically keeping the interests and well-being of its different constituents in mind". In a statement, the JNUTA strongly condemned what it termed as "unprecedented harassment, coercion, and intimidation of the SAU faculty" by the administration. "The suspension order served to four faculty members by the SAU administration is an attempt to intimidate and silence the faculty and the students who raise their voice against the arbitrary and authoritarian actions of the administration," the JNUTA alleged. The JNUTA asserted that it stands in complete solidarity with the faculty of SAU in defending their rights to speak truth to power. "The JNUTA demands that the suspension orders of SAU faculty and rustication/expulsion order of SAU students be immediately revoked and the administration starts a dialogue to discuss the demands for an agreeable resolution at the earliest," the statement read. The SPCSS-TN, a body of educators and activists, said the administrative actions of the SAU, an institution facilitated by SAARC, are not in "consonance with the international understanding of human rights and democracy". "SPCSS-TN appeals to the member countries of the SAARC to uphold the freedom of thought and expression of every individual and come forward to advise the administration of SAU to give up the authoritarian attitude and to adopt a democratic process to resolve the issues raised by the students and provide all necessary help needed for the administration to fulfil the legitimate demands of the students," the SPCSS-TN said. "The administration should be advised to revoke the suspension of teachers and not to undertake any punitive action on students for choosing the form of struggle to highlight their demands," the body demanded. Meanwhile, the All India Forum for Right to Education (AIFRTE) contended that it is alarmed by the situation in SAU and strongly condemns how it is spiralling out of control. The body put forth three demands -- the institution be run transparently and democratically keeping the interests and well-being of its different constituents in mind, suspension notices issued against faculty members be immediately withdrawn, and disciplinary action against students be withdrawn and treated as ultra vires until they may be investigated through well-defined university procedures and norms demanded. Demanding revocation of the suspension, the UHTA said this kind of inquisition of teachers is highly objectionable. The Congress workers expressed their anger on what they call gold scam in the Kedarnath temple by burning the effigy of the State government on Thursday. They alleged that the sentiments of the Hindus have been offended by the scam in which brass was used instead of the gold in the name of covering the walls of the ancient temple with gold. The Congress workers led by the president of the Mahanagar unit of the party Jasvinder Singh Gogi assembled in the party office and burned the effigy of the government as a mark of their protest. Speaking on the occasion Gogi said that the work of covering the walls of the temple which is the centre of faith of crores of Hindus with what was claimed to be gold was opposed by many Teerth Purohits as it amounted to changing the ancient look of the temple. He said that some Purohits have now noticed that the shine of the plates has faded and some people were putting gold polish over them. He said that the Purohits are claiming that brass was used instead of Gold in Kedarnath. Gogi said that initially BJP leaders termed the allegations as baseless but now the cabinet minister is talking about investigating the case which suggests that the government is in quandary on the issue. Gogi demanded that the allegation of the Purohits should be investigated and it should be monitored by a sitting judge of the high court. The war of words between the ruling BJP and the Congress party on the alleged gold scam in Kedarnath temple is continuing to escalate. The Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Karan Mahara said on Thursday that the BJP uses religious sentiments of crores of Hindus only to grab power. He said that whenever any corruption is exposed in the BJP governments the party seeks shelter in the religious beliefs and tries to disrupt communal harmony. Responding to the accusation levelled by the chairman of the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Ajendra Ajay that the Congress is conspiring on the issue the PCC president said that it is actually BJP leaders who are engaged in conspiracy. He said that the BJP leaders are well versed with the Mantra of conspiracy from the period of British rule when they conspired against the heroes of the freedom struggle. These people have now made the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples as the centres of the conspiracy, he said. Mahara said that the chairperson of the BKTC had levelled false allegations on the former president of PCC in the past also. He claimed that the corruption has now been exposed in the biggest centre of belief of Hindus. BJP should answer how the quantity of gold received as donation got diminished substantially, he said. The PCC president demanded that a high level inquiry should be ordered in the episode so that those involved in corruption in the temple are exposed. The PCC president also attacked the BKTC chairperson on the photo shoot he did inside the sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath and the QR code scam. He claimed that the BJP has converted the BKTC into a centre of its corruption and misdeeds. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday dashed off a letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal flagging inordinately delayed hospital projects in the national Capital, alleging that the intention of the government has been only to create publicity-supported hype in public domain. Sharing a list of 19 projects related to hospitals, Saxena alleged that the AAP governments claims about a revolution in the health sector are false. Highlighting the importance of execution over announcements, Saxena in his letter said it is starkly evident in the present case that the intention of the government has been nothing but creation of publicity-supported hype in public domain. Rampant inaction on ground leads to the hype so created not getting fructified, he added.The LG further claimed that nothing big happened in the health sector despite big claims from the Delhi government. Saxena said not only the construction work of the new hospital at Siraspur was running a year behind schedule, addition of beds in existing hospitals like Lok Nayak, Guru Gobind Singh, Dr BS Ambedkar, Rao Tula Ram and Aruna Asaf Ali was also delayed by more than three years. In the case of ambitious Indira Gandhi Hospital, works for which started way back in 2012-13, full completion is yet to be achieved despite 10 years having elapsed. It is unfortunate that works at the existing Bhagwan Mahavir, Aruna Asaf Ali and Deep Chand Bandhu hospitals, which were started in 2019 and were slated to be completed by 2020, remain held up with no fixed dates of completion even after three years, the LG asserted in his letter. The LG also noted that the augmentation of beds in 17 hospitals and construction of one new hospital on time would have resulted in about 12,500 additional beds for the people of Delhi. The projects for many of these hospitals, announced with much fanfare way back in 2014 and 2019, with projected completion dates ranging from 2017 to 2020, if completed on time, would have come to the rescue of thousands of Delhi residents, who suffered on account of non-availability of beds during the COVID Pandemic, he said. The LG cited media reports on the inordinately delayed hospital projects that are running late and behind schedule by years against their stipulated time of completion. It is indeed a matter of grave concern for Delhi - also the National Capital of India - where even as population grows exponentially, something as basic as addition of beds and blocks to even existing hospitals is lagging behind for unfathomable reasons, the letter read.The Lt Governor noted that going by the media outreach undertaken by the GNCTD, the picture about public health infrastructure that emerges is one of robustness.I am constrained to say that the situation on ground is completely to the contrary. Not a single new hospital has come up and even in those, I would like to repeat, where incremental additions in terms of beds and buildings were announced, time and cost overruns running into years and hundreds of crores, (of rupees) seems to have become the norm of the day, he said. The performance of a Government or any entity is and should be determined by the actual work done by it on ground and not on the basis Text Box: 3of the Advertisements, Press Releases and Twitter posts that it issues. I am but, pained to say that Governments are run on well-established principles of governance and public delivery rather than propaganda posturings - something that seems to have become the norm as far as GNCTD is concerned. What is even more appalling, is the fact that the reasons for this almost criminal delay in execution of hospital projects, as reported by the Media has been lack of funds amounting to Rs 600 crore, Saxena said. I fall to understand as to how a government that spent Rs.1,867.44 Cr., in advertising at DAVP rates during the corresponding period of last 05 years i.e. between 2019 to 2023 (including 02 years of severe Pandemic distress) at an average of Rs. 31.12 Cr. / month or Rs. 1.12 Cr. / day, and one that pays Rs.30 Lakh per month (Rs.1 Lakh per day) to an agency for issuing press releases alone, can hide behind the fig leaf alibi of not completing health and hospital projects due to paucity of just Rs.600 cr, reads the letter. The Lt Governor further said that late Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was able to achieve much more in terms of creating hospital and other infrastructure during her tenure, even as their total ad spend during 05 years of 2009-10 to 2013-14, amounted to a meagre Rs. 87.5 Cr., an average at Rs.1.45 Cr. per month as against your expenditure of Rs. 1.12 Cr. / day on advertisements. A man driving a car was injured while his friend seated on the front passenger seat escaped unhurt after two bike-borne masked assailants fired a bullet at them on a street at Chittaranjan Park in south Delhi on Thursday night. The car driver was hit by a bullet in his finger after it pierced through the windowpane of his vehicle. The incident took place around 8 pm Thursday when Sachin Gupta and Waseem Ahmad were in a car in CR Park's C Block, they said. A police team that rushed to the spot discovered that a single-round of shots were fired at Sachin from the driver's side of the vehicle. According to the police, Gupta was driving the car and was talking on the phone. All of a sudden, a single round was fired from the driver side. The bullet pierced through the driver side window and scraped Gupta's finger. Ahmad who was seated on the front passenger seat was unhurt, police said. Preliminary investigation revealed that the shot was fired by one of the two people following Gupta on a bike. They had their faces hidden behind a muffler, a police officer said. Lashing out at the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his outrageous and shameless act of humiliating and ridiculing a Gursikhs beard in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Friday described it as a systematic attack on the unique identity of the Khalsa panth. This was done as a part of a devious and deep rooted wider conspiracy to defame and disgrace the separate and unique religious identity of the Sikh community. Its real motive is to deprive the Sikhs of pride in their unique identity, he said. Also taking the Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to task, Majithia said that it was shocking that Sandhwan, himself an Amritdhari Sikh, felt no hurt to his religious sentiments and kept smiling in his chair watching Bhagwant Mann gleefully tearing Sikh religious heritage to pieces in broad daylight. The Speaker neither intervened nor advised the CM to withdraw his remarks nor told him to tender an apology. On the contrary, Sandhwan made no secret of his own joy over this insult being heaped on the sacred symbol of his own religion at the highest platform of democracy in the state and in full global view, he said, adding that Speakers this act brought back memories of his grandfather Giani Zail Singh remaining a mute witness to the massacre of thousands of innocent Sikhs as well as to the army assault on Harmandar Sahib in 1984. Shockingly, the Speaker did not expunge the CMs shameful remarks from the Vidhan Sabha records. Instead, he allowed these remarks to become a part of recorded historyThis is what these so-called Sikhs in AAP are doing at the bidding of their anti-Sikh masters, he said. Majthia appealed to the Sikh legislators, even in AAP, as well as to the Sikh masses all over the world to wake up to the conspiracy against them before it is too late. You may think whatever you want about us. We are bhullanhaar (prone to mistakes). But for Gods sake, dont allow your hatred for us to facilitate this attack on our religion, said Majithia, making it clear that he would gladly sacrifice his political career and even his life to defend his religion against this attack. Social organisation Bahujan Bharat has expressed its strong opposition to the decision of Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati to remove the statues of Dalit messiah Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar and Bahujan leader and party founder Kanshi Ram from the party headquarters. The organisations president and former IAS officer Kunwar Fateh Bahadur expressed regret over this decision at a meeting of office-bearers at the organisations headquarters. He said that 85 per cent of the Bahujan community, which includes Dalits, backward classes and minorities, were disappointed with the removal of the statues of BSP icons from the party office. Bahadur said that Dr Ambedkar ensured the rights of these communities in the Constitution, while Kanshi Ram founded BSP to fight for their social and political rights. However, it is unfortunate that Mayawati, who claims to follow their ideals, has removed their statues from the party office. He said. He added that if Mayawati had to remove anything from the party office, it should have been her own statue. Bahadur also criticised Mayawatis reasoning for removing the statues, claiming that party workers visit her residence more often than the party office. He said that this claim was humorous as Mayawatis residence was inaccessible to most people, while the party office was closed to ordinary people as well as party workers. The organisations secretary, Chintamani, also criticised Mayawatis decision, saying that it reflects her anti-Dalit mentality. Other office-bearers present at the meeting included vice-president Nand Kishore, joint secretary Krishna Kanhaiya Pal (advocate), RR Jaiswal, Dhani Ram and Ram Sajivan. Noida Traffic Police have slapped a massive challan of Rs 34500 to a minor performing car stunts in a public place in Greater Noida, after a video of them doing dangerous driving in moving vehicle was shared on social media The police action came as purported videos of a Volkswagen Polo with tinted windows surfaced on social media, showing the car with modified parts performing stunts outside the India Expo Mart in the Knowledge Park area. Responding to complaints on Twitter, the traffic police said an e-challan of Rs 34,500 has been slapped on the car owner for violation of road safety norms. Police confirmed it was a minor who was driving the car. It was not known whether it was a boy or a girl. They also found that the car's pollution under control (PUC) certificate had expired in May this year. According to details of the e-challan issued by the police, the owner has been penalised under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act section 184 (dangerous driving), 179(1) (disobedience of orders), driving vehicle in contravention of section 3 (driving without valid licence) or section 4 (driving by minor). The car was also found being driven without written permission of state government racing and trials of speed in any public place, in violation of prescribed standards in relation to air pollution and with tinted glass, it read. The Bharatiya Janata Party is gearing up to create history as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to interact with over 10 crore people spread across 10 lakh booths in a virtual interaction on June 27 as part of the Mera Booth-Sabse Mazboot programme. BJP national general secretary Sunil Bansal announced that the programme will kick off on June 26, with party national president JP Nadda engaging with vistaraks in Bhopal. The first phase, scheduled for June 27, will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi address over 3,000 party office-bearers in Bhopal. Bansal said, The second phase will involve the telecast of Modis dialogue across all organisational bodies, ensuring the participation of public representatives, office-bearers and workers. This inclusive approach aims to engage a wide range of individuals within the party. Furthermore, Bansal revealed that the prime minister may also interact with workers from specific regions, aiming to enhance engagement and inclusivity. The third phase will follow a format similar to the popular Mann Ki Baat programme, fostering a more intimate and interactive session. The campaign emphasises the active involvement of party workers in strengthening their respective booths through their enthusiastic participation. Bansal also urged the submission of reports on the contacts made with 1,000 enlightened individuals in each Lok Sabha constituency. This is part of the ongoing house-to-house contact campaign running from June 23 to 30, seeking to establish direct communication with citizens. Expressing satisfaction with the success of all programmes organised under the Maha Jansampark Abhiyan in Uttar Pradesh, Bansal commended the efforts of party members involved in the campaign. Party state general secretary (organisation) Dharampal Singh emphasised the importance of a micro-planned approach during the door-to-door contact campaign, scheduled to run from June 23 to June 30. Singh stressed the significance of connecting with every individual and urged the active involvement of district in-charges within their respective districts during this period. As part of the Sampark se Samarthan campaign, officials have been assigned to meet 1,000 distinguished individuals in each Lok Sabha constituency. Following the interactions, photographs of these meetings will be uploaded on the app to showcase the engagement. The BJPs virtual dialogue on the digital platform will mark a historic milestone in Indian politics. No political party or organisation has ever conducted such a massive virtual interaction, potentially reaching an astounding 10 crore people simultaneously. The BJP is poised to establish a remarkable record, setting new standards for engagement and connectivity with the Indian population, said state BJP vice-president Vijay Bahadur Pathak. Agriculture Minister visits ICAR-IIAB Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Co-operative, Badal, visited ICAR-IIAB on Friday and interacted with the Scientists and staff. Director ICAR-IIAB, Dr Sujat Rakshit, briefed the Minister about the Institute's research, academic, and outreach activities. The Minister took a keen interest in the outreach activities of the Institute and appreciated the efforts the Institute had been making since its establishment. He expresses his desire to link the Institute with the various farmers-oriented government schemes for quick and sustainable growth of agriculture in the state. He reiterated that with the kind of dedication the Institute is working, it would become a Centre of Excellence for teaching and research in the times to come. He stressed that the Institute should primarily focus on the agricultural-related problems of the state. The minister planted a Kalptaru sapling at the Campus with a firm belief that as the tree grows, all the Institute's aspirations will be fulfilled New Principal takes charge at Bishop Westcott Boys The new principal of Bishop Westcott Boys' Namkum School, Joel Jonathan Admin, took charge. While meeting with the teachers, the principal said that we have to make the school better and indiscipline will not be tolerated. He said that Bishop Westcott Boys School is a prestigious school of this state. Its reputation has to be taken further. Prior to this, Joel Jonathan Admin was the Principal of the Bishop School, Pune. He is a well-known educationist of the country and is recognized as a very strict principal. On this occasion, the teachers and staff of the school welcomed them by giving them bouquets. Young Indians members get training Jamshedpur: A TOT (Training of the Trainers) session was organised for seven members under Masoom Project, run by the Jamshedpur branch of Young Indians. In this, seven members of Young Indians were trained to avoid child sexual abuse, safe and unsafe touch. Now these trained members will go to the schools and other institutions of the city and give information to the children about sexual harassment, safe and unsafe touch and also tell them the ways to avoid it. The training was given by Dr. Rachna Nair, Rashmi Kanvatia, and Preeti Jhunjhunwala of Young Indians. In the previous session, 15 members have been given this training. Aiming to make Uttar Pradesh a $1-trillion economy, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has envisioned UP for UP, UP for India, UP for Global for the state. The chief minister has said that now is the time of Uttar Pradesh and by utilising all of its potentials, Uttar Pradesh will establish itself as the most important base for the nations multidimensional growth. Fixing sector-wise short-term and long-term strategies according to UPs potential, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has set a timeframe for the next five years to achieve the ambitious goal. The chief minister has said that by the year 2027, Uttar Pradesh will become a state with an economy of $1 trillion. On Friday, the chief minister held a review meeting with officials of various departments related to the state's income-expenditure and one trillion dollar economy and issued necessary instructions. The chief minister said that according to the vision of the prime minister, it was the governments mission to make Uttar Pradesh a one-trillion-dollar economy. He said officers should concentrate on core sectors for this, and UPs core sectors were manufacturing, IT and ITES, religious tourism and agriculture. Apart from this, we also need to give a special focus on sectors like energy, health, urban development, education, food processing, and micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME), among others, he said. The officials informed the chief minister that there was a plan to develop the major metropolitan cities of the state as hubs for different sectors. In this sequence, preparations are on to make Lucknow the countrys first AI city. Along with this, the chief minister discussed with the officials on how to make the state a hub for green energy. Issuing instructions to the officers, the chief minister said that to make the state a $1-trillion economy, the government must move quickly. More technology will have to be used to bring transparency to the system. Any type of pendency will not be tolerated at all. UP has a base of 96 lakh units of MSMEs. To make the state a trillion-dollar economy, there is a need to plan on a large-scale regarding this, he said. While reviewing the construction sector, the chief minister said that 54 lakh houses had been constructed for the poor in the state. Directing the officers, he said that registration of all types of construction works must be done. Use technology for this. We should have a record of every construction work going on in the cities and villages. The safety of registered construction projects should be guaranteed by this system. Every construction project related to infrastructure should be registered. This will increase transparency. Along with this, it should be kept in mind that any construction work should be done only on barren and infertile land. Construction work should not be done on fertile agricultural land, he said. According to the prime ministers vision, Uttar Pradesh is the first state where the task of releasing the gross domestic product (GDP) of the districts has been done. However, this work was halted during the COVID-19 period and needs to be resumed. Publish the GDP of the districts along with the data of income-expenditure from various resources of the entire district. This data should also be sent to various universities for study, he said. The chief minister said that each department should make full use of its resources to generate income. Efforts should be made to further improve the ranking of Ease of Doing Business by giving traders a transparent system, he said. He suggested that the system be made so transparent that no businessmen or entrepreneurs doing business in the state or wishing to do business should have any fear. The chief minister pointed out that the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme has been empowered by removing all legal restrictions. The work that should have been done after independence started in 2017. Today, lakhs of people are associated with the tourism industry in the state. There has been a growth of more than 24 per cent in this sector. There is no such tourist place in the state where even a single hotel or guest house is empty. Prepare the entire mechanism for an accurate assessment of the tourists coming to the state and use AI technology if needed, he said. Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party president Om Prakash Rajbhar said the opposition unity was incomplete without including Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati. He said BSP chief Mayawati should be projected as the prime ministerial candidate of the opposition against the Bharatiya Janata Party. Rajbhar said Rashtriya Lok Dal should also be a part of the united opposition. We welcome this opposition unity initiative. But it is imperative to include BSP in the meeting, given its support base across the country, the SBSP chief said, referring to the opposition meeting in Patna on Friday. The BSP has not been invited to the Patna meeting organised by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Questioning the efforts of the opposition parties for unity, Rajbhar said, Uttar Pradesh is key to electoral success as the state sends the largest contingent of 80 Lok Sabha members. From the attitude of the opposition parties it appears that they are not serious and truly concerned about unity, He added: Without the right priorities, will the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections here really bring about the necessary change? BSP chief Mayawati, on Thursday, had criticised the Patna meeting. Taking a swipe at the opposition unity meeting in Patna, she dubbed it more of joining hands than hearts. She said before the meeting, these parties should have instilled confidence among the people by clarifying their intention. The issues that the opposition parties are raising together before the Lok Sabha elections and in such a situation the Patna meeting of the opposition leaders organised by Nitish Kumar on June 23 gives more meaning to the saying Dil mile na mile, haath milate rahiye, Mayawati said quoting poet Nida Fazli in a series of tweets. The Prestige Institute of Management and Research (PIMR), has embarked on a new venture to enhance students' skills in foreign languages, analytical thinking, and IT proficiency. In an effort to achieve this, PIMR has introduced a Summer Course on French Language for the year 2023, with an enrollment of 30 students. To ensure the best possible learning experience, the institute has enlisted the expertise of Sugandha Mishra, a reputable French Trainer, who will conduct on-campus classes. PIMR has also opened the doors to school and college students, allowing them to participate in the French language program alongside the newly enrolled students. Prof. (Dr) S Raman Iyer, Director-PIMR-UG, expressed his delight at the initiation of the Basic French (A1 Level) course as a value-added offering. He emphasized the significance of regular assessments, with learners being awarded a certification upon completion of the program. Proficiency in French will significantly broaden students' career prospects, enabling them to explore diverse professional opportunities, he added. Besides, Prof. Iyer revealed that PIMR has plans to introduce classes in German, Japanese, and other languages, following the success of the French language course. This strategic move will empower students to acquire language skills that are in high demand globally, thus expanding their horizons and international exposure. Prof. Nitin Girdharwal highlighted the immense advantages of learning the French language for students in Indore. French is one of the official working languages in prominent international institutions such as the UN, NATO, WHO, UNCTAD, Red Cross, UNICEF, and ILO. Acquiring proficiency in French will equip Indore students with a competitive edge in their future professional endeavors and enable them to engage effectively in the global arena. The summer school program is being coordinated by Dr. Vanshika, and Sugandha Mishra will serve as the resource person, ensuring students receive expert guidance throughout their learning journey. Before assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, poster politics has started. Such posters like Wanted Kamal nath have surfaced in Shahpura area of the State capital. This politics is not new in the State, in the past too such posters have been pasted in different parts of the State, but this is for the first time that these posters have mention a former chief minister and State party chief of ant party. Such posters were put up by unidentified persons in Bhopal on June 23, prompting a hate politics between the two major political camps. While the Congress alleged that the act was dirty politics by the BJP, the ruling party denied having anything to do with the posters and said it was a result of internal politics within the Congress. The posters that were spotted in Manisha Market, Shahpura and Shaitan Singh intersection areas of the State capital, label Nath as corrupt along with a QR code that leads to the message Who did the farmer loan waiver scam of 25,000 crores, CD scam of 350 crores, mobile scam of 1,963 crores, wheat bonus scam of 1,178 crores, fertilizer scam of 600 crores in Hindi. These alleged scams related to Naths tenure as Chief Minister between for 15 months from 2018 and 2020 and the BJP has often made these allegations in the past. Congress described the posters as an unsuccessful attempt by the BJP to humiliate him, also asserting that he had a clean record despite a long career in politics. Reacting over the postes, PCC Chief Nath said, The people are my witness and you journalists may also not have heard even one allegation of corruption in the 47 years that I have spent in public life. Today, they are putting up posters. They are not ashamed to stoop so low in politics. They are also witness to how corrupt are they [the BJP leaders] themselves are, said Nath. Attacking the BJP State government on corruption, he stated that each and every BJP leader was involved in corruption. No act of corruption is possible in the State if the Chief Minister is not a partner in it. From panchayat to secretariat, they have made a system in which one has to pay money to get work done, he alleged. Distancing the his party from the posters, BJPs State president VD Sharma said the tussle within the Congress had come to the fore and that it was a battle between sons, referring to the sons of Nath and another former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, both elected representatives. Punjab Cabinet sub-committee, comprising Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, on Thursday directed the Rural Development and Panchayat Department to conduct social audit of all panchayats across the state by December 2023, and also made its report public. Giving these directions during a meeting with Khet Mazdoor Union, the Cabinet Sub-Committee also asked the Department to make videography mandatory during the bidding of panchayat lands. Meanwhile, the Cabinet Sub-Committee ordered to form a three-member committee under the leadership of Joint Development, Commissioner, Amit Kumar to investigate the matters related to the bidding of panchayat land for Scheduled Castes (SCs). This committee will submit its report within 15 days after investigating the matters related to Patiala and other districts. On this occasion, the Cabinet Sub-Committee also issued instructions to the ADCs Development of all the districts to resolve the pending complaints related to the Scheduled Castes at the earliest. During the discussion on the issues related to MGNREGA, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema asked the Department to send a copy of the rules related to MGNREGA to all the Sarpanches and panchayat members. It should be ensured that no job card should be issued to a person below 18 years of age. In the villages where the women mates have not yet been appointed under MGNREGA, the appointments should be made on priority, he said. Commenting on the issue of increasing the daily wages of MGNREGA workers, Cheema said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already written a letter to the Government of India in this regard, and also assured that pressure will be further created on the Central Government in this regard. Regarding allotment of five-five marla plots to Scheduled Castes, the officials of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department apprised the Cabinet Sub-Committee that 35,303 applications were received from across Punjab till December 2021, out of which plots have been allotted to 24,787, and the remaining applications were under process. Punjab Police foil cross-border weapon smuggling bid through Indo-Pak border PNS/Chandigarh/Amritsar Punjab Police on Thursday claimed to have foiled a major cross-border weapons smuggling bid after recovering four .30 bore pistols from area of Kakkar village in Lopoke of Amritsar. Amritsar Counter Intelligences Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Sukhminder Singh Mann said that on the basis of secret information regarding cross-border smuggling of arms and ammunition, a team of Amritsar CI carried out a search operation in the area of Kakkar village and successfully recovered four pistols along with magazines from a field. He said that the consignment seems to be delivered via drone but could not be retrieved due to heightened activities of Border Security Force (BSF) and State Police. Police teams are conducting investigations to identify the sender and retriever of the consignment, he said. A case FIR, dated June 22, 2023, has been registered under sections 25/54/59 of the Arms Act at Police Station State Special Operation Cell, Amritsar. Third Weapon Smuggling Module Busted in Less Than a Week Pertinently, this is the third such cross-border weapon smuggling module busted by the Amritsar Counter Intelligence team in less than a week, taking the total recovery of weapons to 11 pistols along with ammunition. Earlier on June 16, CI Amritsar had arrested Rajinder Kumar alias Ghudi, Jagjit Singh, Inderjit Singh alias Malhi, and Jashandeep Singh alias Boora all residents of Amritsar after recovering four pistols from their possession. Similarly, on June 19, another person identified as Rajan Singh of Patti, Tarn Taran, was arrested with three .32-bore pistols along with ammunition. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Amazon Durgavati sacrificed her life for Dharma and Swaraj. The Gaurav Yatra of Veerangana Rani Durgavati, a symbol of Indias valour and self-respect, will be taken out from 5 places, which will reach Shahdol on June 26. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conclude the Gaurav Yatra on June 27 in Shahdol. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today started the Gaurav Yatra from Balaghat to take the story of bravery and sacrifice of Amazon Rani Durgavati to the masses. Union Minister of State for Steel and Rural Development Faggan Singh Kulaste left with the Gaurav Yatra from Balaghat. On this occasion, Home Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra, in-charge of Balaghat district and Minister for New and Renewable Energy Hardeep Singh Dang, Minister of State for AYUSH and Water Resources Ramkishore Nano Kavre, Backward Classes Commission Chairman Gaurishankar Bisen, MP Dhal Singh Bisen, Rajya Sabha members Kavita Patidar, Pankaja Munde were present. Rani Durgavati Gaurav Yatras started today from 4 other places including Chhindwara, Singrampur in Damoh, Dhowhani in Sidhi and Kalinjar Fort in UP. These yatras will pass through all the major places associated with the life of Rani Durgavati. Chouhan said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indias respect in the world is continuously increasing. A new powerful and glorious India is being built. Todays India is capable of giving a befitting reply to the rival nations. Prime Minister Modis policy is that we will not mess with anyone, but if someone messes with us, we will not spare them. The way India made the Covid vaccine available to the whole world in a very short time, it is a great service to humanity and Prime Minister Modi deserves thanks for this. The Chief Minister said that development in every nook and corner of country and state, a new chapter is being written. Earlier in the state, the roads were full of potholes, there were not enough means of irrigation. Today there is a network of quality roads and the area under irrigation is continuously increasing. The government is providing all kinds of facilities to the farmers. They are being given crop loans at 0% interest. Now we will also buy summer paddy on support price. The amount of Samman Nidhi given to the farmers has also been increased to Rs. 6000 in a year, the central government gives Rs. 6000 as well, in this way now the farmer brothers will get Rs. 12 thousand in a year. Balaghat area is developing pacingly. The bhumi-pujan of the medical college will be conducted here in September. Chouhan said that under Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana, an amount of one thousand rupees is being transferred to the accounts of sisters. In the coming time, this amount will be increased gradually to Rs 1250, 1500, 1750, 2000, 2250, 2500, 2750 and 3000 rupees. Employment opportunities are being made available in the state progressively. Recruitments on a large number of government posts are being done. The benefits of self-employment schemes are being given and now the Mukhyamantri Seekho-Kamao Yojana has been started for the youths. In this, apart from learning work, the educated youths will be given an honorarium of Rs. 8,000 to 10,000 per month. Chief Minister Chouhan said that the government is giving laptops to meritorious children of class 12th. Scooty is being given to the nieces who come first in the schools. Now the government has decided that scooties will also be given to nephews. A day after meeting its all-time highest demand of 14,960 megawatt (MW) on Wednesday (June 21) with an overall drawl from Northern Grid being 8716 MW, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) on Thursday set a new benchmark by meeting a record 15,151 MW demand. Under able guidance of Hble CM @BhagwantMann, New history in power sector of Punjab is written today at 2 PM, when PSPCL met highest demand of 15054 MW & crossed much-awaited milestone of 15000 MW. Congrats & Best Wishes to officials, employees of PSPCL, PSTCL & people of Punjab, tweeted the state Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO. With rising temperatures and humid weather, the states power demand is witnessing a rise with each passing day. A senior official said that Punjab was drawing 8,826 MW from the northern grid and the states own gross generation was 6,205 MW at the time of maximum demand. All the seven available thermal units in the State are running and all the private sector thermal units are also operating, said the official, adding that three out of four Ranjit Sagar units were running at the time of maximum demand. Power demand has been rising continuously and PSPCL has been able to meet the demand. Punjab power demand reached 14962 MW on Wednesday with a supply of 3331 lakh units. PSPCL purchased 214 lakh units to meet the power demand. Even during evening peak, the demand was 14377 MW, said the official. The coal stock at Lehra Mohabatt and Ropar thermal plants are for 25 and 43 days respectively. The coal stock in private sector thermal plants Rajpura has 35 days, Talwandi Sabo seven days, and GVK only 3.4 days. The water level in the hydro plants reservoir is in better position than the previous years level on the same day. The water level in Bhakra reservoir is 1577 feet which is 19.5 feet more than the previous years level of 1,567.5 feet on the corresponding day. At Ranjit Sagar, water level is 511.97 which is more than 6.7 meters higher from the previous years level of 505.2 meters. A day before, the Power Minister had said that the State Government is committed to ensure quality power supply in the State and no cuts are being imposed on any industrial, non-residential supply (NRS) or domestic category besides providing eight-hour daily uninterrupted power supply to agriculture feeders for sowing of paddy crop throughout the State. The Minister had maintained that during the last three-four days, PSPCL was successfully meeting maximum demand above 14000 MW. There is around 6500 MW generation within the State and 4800 MW share of State in central sector and BBMB plants. PSPCL has already made short-term arrangements in banking for 3000 MW and with utilization of total available transmission capacity of 9000 MW, PSPCL shall be able to meet 15500 MW demand during this paddy season, he had claimed on Wednesday. The Minister had added that due to non-allocation of additional 1000 MW from the central sector by the Union Ministry of Power, power is being purchased from Exchange to meet the power requirement. Days after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-dominated Punjab Vidhan Sabha passed the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aimed at providing free telecast rights of gurbani from the Golden Temple, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Thursday urged the Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit to nullify the said Bill. Leading a high-level delegation of SGPC also known as Sikhs mini parliament, its president Harjinder Singh Dhami submitted a memorandum to the Governor which said that the interference made by the Punjab government, headed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, and the provisions of the SGPC is unconstitutional, which should not be allowed. The Government is going beyond its jurisdiction and complicating the Sikh affairs. The Government has interfered in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, by making an issue of Gurbani broadcast in the Legislative Assembly, said SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami while talking to the media after meeting with the Governor. Dhami said that this step is a direct violation of the Constitution as any amendment in the Sikh Gurdwara Act can be done only by the Central Government with the recommendations of the SGPC. Punjab Government has no right to interfere in the management of the SGPC, he added. The matter of Gurbani broadcast is completely administrative, which AAP government is using for its political interests. The aim of AAP-led state government is to weaken the SGPC, but the Sikh community will not allow this to happen, said Dhami. At the same time, SGPC chief said that the Governor has been explained in detail about the unconstitutional act of the State Government and he has assured that he will examine this bill as per the Constitution and will not allow any injustice to take place. SGPC Chief Lashes Out at Mann over Beard Remarks Earlier in Amritsar, SGPC president HS Dhami lashed out at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his tying and untying beard remarks inside the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. At the same time, Dhami also came down heavily on AAP MLAs for not giving respect to the great gurus and saints while taking their names. AAP MLAs, who talk about taking gurbani to every house, cannot even take the names of saints and their disciples correctly. Their names are taken with respect in gurbani. But they speak as if they are reading a maths table, said Dhami. Also criticizing the Chief Minister for his comments in a clear reference to Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badals beard, Dhami urged Mann to at least respect the position he is holding while making such comments. Without taking Manns name, Dhami said that those who are talking about tying and untying of the beard are disrespecting the Sikh gurus. He himself is not a devout Sikh. His beard has been trimmed. Though wearing a turban, theres no hair under it, he said. Police on Thursday arrested six Nepalese men on charges of bootlegging on the Char Dham route in Rudraprayag district. The police have claimed to have arrested 47 accused in the past two months with a total of 1,029 bottles of liquor worth about Rs seven lakh since the Yatra to Kedarnath started in the district. The Rudraprayag superintendent of police Vishakha Ashok Bhadane said that thousands of pilgrims arrive in Kedarnath Temple on a daily basis and the police are alert about the smuggling of alcohol and drugs during this period, especially on the Yatra route. She said that regular intensive checking campaigns are also being conducted in the Bhiri, Kakdagad, Kund and Chopta areas located under the Ukhimath police station area of the district. During one such checking, the police team recovered a total of 78 bottles of liquor of various brands from the possession of six Nepalese men. They were reportedly carrying the bottles in their satchel bags. She said that the police arrested them and registered a case against them under relevant sections of the Excise Act at the Ukhimath police station. It was revealed in the preliminary questioning that all the six accused operated horses and mules besides working as labourers in the Sonprayag and Gaurikund areas of the district during the Char Dham Yatra period. State BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash on Thursday attacked fifteen parties' opposition unity meeting in Patna terming it as coming together of corrupt and dynastic parties. The BJP leader also snubbed State Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren for sitting on the lap of those who had opposed the creation of a separate state (Jharkhand) in the nineties. Prakash claimed that the participation of Congress scion Rahul Gandhi in the meeting of the opposition proves that Congress alone cannot compete with the aura and popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and worlds biggest political party--Bharatiya Janata Party. Taunting the Congress leadership, the State BJP said that how ironic it is that the oldest party of the country(Congress) has to bow down before the regional parties today. He said the opposition parties should tell who is their leader? Tell me under whose leadership they will contest the elections! Our leader is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said all opposition leaders have come on one platform. They want to give a message that they will challenge BJP and Modi. No matter how many hands you shake, you cannot come together. Even if he comes, it is certain that Modi will come with more than 300 seats in 2024. Prakash said. He said that all the opposition parties that have gathered in Patna today have only one objective to save corruption and the corrupt. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are on bail in corruption cases. Who does not know the scams of Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav. Lalu is a convicted criminal. In the Mamta Banerjee government, crime and corruption is at its peak. DMK is known for corruption. Many ministers of Kejriwal are behind the bars. Corruption is at its peak in Punjab as well. He said the party which had imposed emergency on the country, put the entire opposition in jail, violated the rights of the people, robbed the rights of the press, today those people who opposed the Congress in the JP movement are joining hands with the same party. The Bjp leader said that it is not for the first time that these parties have come together as on earlier occasions too they have joined hands. The BJp chief gave the example of SP Akhilesh, Congress fighting together against BJP in UP, Mamata and his nephew Abhishek Banerjee fighting against BJP in Bengal, DMP against BJP in Tamil Nadu, NCP against BJP in Maharashtra. They had fought together earlier also, they are fighting even now but Modi ji will get more than 300 seats. He said Kejriwal is asking Congress to leave Delhi and Punjab, Mamata Didi is saying to leave Bengal, Nitish-Lalu is saying. - Leave Bihar, Akhilesh is saying - Leave UP, Hemant Soren is saying - Leave Jharkhand, DMK is saying - Leave Tamil Nadu. He said they may fight the elections unitedly, but how will they challenge the people's mandate? In the 2019 elections, BJP got more than 50 percent votes in about 224 seats. Additionally, in 31 seats, the votes polled by the BJP were more than the total votes polled by the second and third place candidates. This means that out of 302 seats won by the BJP, there was no contest on 255 seats. Meaning, no matter how they fight, their victory is not possible. Around 54 children of 3rd batch of IToT Institute visited the Pragati Deergha gallery of BHEL, Bhopal. Avinash Chandra, General Manager (HR&LGX) was present as the Chief Guest in the program. B Venkateshwar, AGM (CRX), Swagata S. Saxena, Sr DGM (HRDC), Amol Choubey, Manager (HR), Saurabh Khurana, Deputy Manager (HTE), Arvind Tiwari, Deputy Manager (HRDC) were present as special guests in the program. A Z Khan and Mohan Kumar Sone Lecturers from ITOT Institute were also present on this occasion. After the program, certificates were distributed to the children by the guests on the stage. Addressing the gathering Chandra sought information from the student about the process related to admission in ITOT Institute and wished them a bright future. Shrimati Saxena was very excited about the learning received from the children from the factory visit. Amol Choubey threw light on the subject of children's learning. A lecture was delivered by Saurabh Khurana on a topic related to Mechanical Engineering. Brief information about BHEL models was given to the student by Arvind Tiwari. In a sensational incident reported from Maharajganj, two minor boys killed a 6-year-old girl while making rape attempt. The accused killed the victim as she raised an alarm. Both later also pour acid over the girls face to conceal her identity. Police registered a case and arrested the accused. Reports said that a 6-year-old girl had gone to buy noodles in a village under Sinduria police station of Maharajganj district on Thursday evening. When she was returning home, two local boys intercepted and lured her and took her to a deserted house. They both tried to rape the victim. After the girl screamed, one of the two boys strangled her while the other banged her head against the wall. The girl died on the spot. When the girl did not return home, the family launched a search for her and also informed police. Superintendent of Police Dr Kaustubh said that after the dead body of the missing girl was found, police reached the spot with sniffer dogs to investigate the matter. He claimed that the dogs repeatedly went to the house of two local boys -- one 15-year-old and other 17-year-old -- so the police picked them up and grilled them after which they both confessed to killing the girl. Meanwhile, an 11-year-old boy tried to rape a nine-month-old girl, injuring her critically. After she was injured, the accused left the injured girl in front of her house after which she was rushed to hospital where her condition is stated to be critical.. The incident took place in Rorawar police station area of Aligarh. Reports said that a student of madrasa took the girl from her house to play with her on Wednesday night. After an hour, he left the critically wounded girl in front of her house. The police shifted the girl to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hospital where the doctors confirmed rape attempt. The madrasa student was arrested and produced in the court which sent him to Agra child reform home on Friday. A woman jumped into a well along with her three innocent children, killing all of them, in Pratapgarh while in Saharanpur, a woman poisoned her three daughters and consumed poison, killing two of the kids and herself. According to reports from Pratapgarh, a woman wanted to go to Mumbai with her children but the husband refused to take her. Subsequently, the woman took the extreme step. The incident took place in Aurangabad Narharpur village under Kohandaur police station, where the woman, Pramila, jumped into a well along with her three children. All four, including the mother, drowned. A fire brigade team fished out all the four bodies on Thursday morning and sent them for post-mortem. Reports said that Sohanlal, a resident of Narharpur village, was about to go to Mumbai. His wife, Pramila Devi (35), insisted on going with him, but he expressed his inability to take her along citing money problems. Sohanlal told his wife that he would arrange money and later call her. But the two had a heated exchange of words over the issue after which Pramila Devi left home with her children Saloni (7), Priyansh (5) and younger son Divyansh to go to her parents house on Wednesday night. When she did not reach there, the family members launched a hunt and later learnt that she had jumped into the well after throwing her children in the well. In another incident, a woman killed her two daughters and ended her life by consuming poison following an altercation with her mother-in-law in the Gangoh area of Saharanpur district, police said on Thursday. Mamta (26) gave poison to her three daughters, Archi (5), Sona (3) and Arvi (2), and consumed it herself after a heated argument with her mother-in-law, Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Sagar Jain said. All four were rushed to the hospital where Mamta and her two daughters, Archi and Arvi, died during treatment, the official said. The condition of Sona is stated to be stable. A probe into the matter is underway. On International Yoga Day, a yoga camp was organized in the premises of Hazaribag Arogyam Hospital.The camp was formally inaugurated by doctors including Arogyam director Harsh Ajmera and administrator Jaya Singh.Yoga camp formally started with Yoga Mantra.Dr. Neeraj Singh Ujjain was involved as Yoga instructor.Many types of yoga practices were made through them.In which many yoga including alom vilom were done.Many members of the Arogyam family were present in the yoga camp.On the occasion, Harsh Ajmera, director of Arogyam Hospital, while congratulating International Yoga Day, said that yoga is the only practice that can cure many diseases.In today's era, yoga is an important part of our life, which is being used as a means to cure physical health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart related problems and mental health problems like depression, anxiety, stress. There is so much power in yoga that it is not possible to tell it. Yoga is a lifestyle and our cultural heritage.Yoga connects the soul and the divine, as well as relates to the body and mind.Incorporating yoga into the lifestyle is very important to keep our physical, emotional and psychological health healthy. The International Yoga Day celebration in the Capital took on a remarkable significance on Wednesday. . In a turn of events that seemed unimaginable just a few months ago, public yoga programs were organized at eight different locations along the Najafgarh Drain. This drain, once a 57 km-long health hazard filled with filth and stench, has been transformed into a venue for yoga exercises. Additionally, yoga programs also took place at the Supplementary Drain and the Yamuna River. The participation of hundreds of people at these venues is a testament to the tremendous progress made in cleaning and revitalizing these water bodies. Under the personal supervision of LG V.K. Saxena, sustained efforts have been made to clean the Najafgarh Drain and the Yamuna River. Various interventions, including innovative desilting methods, trapping sub-drains that flow into the main drain, removal of municipal solid waste (MSW) from the drain and the Yamuna, and the restoration of the Yamuna floodplain, have yielded significant and visible improvements. Top leaders of Opposition parties began deliberations here on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting is being hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav. Sources said the meeting was being seen as a starting point for the Opposition parties to come together to take on the Narendra Modi-led BJP. Therefore, a basic outline and roadmap for Opposition unity are likely to be deliberated upon with the contentious issue of seat sharing and leadership questions to be avoided for now, they said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab's Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu's M K Stalin, Jharkhand's Hemant Soren, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, and NCP president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders attending the first high-level Opposition meeting. A day before the crucial deliberations, fissures in the Opposition ranks came to the fore with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sources saying the party will walk out of the meeting if the Congress does not promise its support against the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi. All eyes are on the meeting's agenda and whether the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in the national capital would be a key part of the discussions as the AAP wants. Keeping cards close to its chest, the Congress has so far kept its stand ambiguous as to whether it would support the AAP or not when the ordinance is put to test in Parliament by the BJP-led Centre. Asked about the ordinance issue and AAP's ultimatum, Kharge, before leaving for Patna on Friday morning, said his party would take a decision on it before Parliament's Monsoon session and wondered why it was being talked about elsewhere when it was a matter that pertains to Parliament. "Opposing or proposing it does not happen outside, it happens in Parliament. Before Parliament begins, all parties decide what issues they have to work on together. They know it and even their leaders come to our all-party meetings. I don't know why is there so much publicity about it outside," Kharge said. Ahead of the meeting, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said all Opposition parties are going to defeat the BJP in the 2024 general elections unitedly. Accusing the BJP of working to "divide India and spread hate and violence", he asserted that a fight of ideologies is going on in India. On one hand, there is the Congress' 'Bharat Jodo' ideology and on the other the BJP and RSS' 'Bharat Todo' ideology, Gandhi said addressing party workers and leaders at the party office in Patna. "You know that hate cannot be countered with hate. It can be defeated only with love. The Congress is working for uniting the country and spreading love," he said, adding "That is why we have come to Bihar because the DNA of the Congress is in Bihar." "All Opposition parties have come here and together we are going to defeat the BJP. In Karnataka, the BJP leaders gave speeches and went everywhere but the result is there for you to see," the former Congress chief said. "As soon as the Congress stood united, the BJP disappeared in Karnataka. I am saying it from this stage that the BJP will be nowhere in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and the Congress will win," Gandhi claimed. At the same event, Kharge urged party workers to set aside their differences and fight the 2024 general elections unitedly, asserting that "if we win in Bihar, we will win the country". The Samajwadi Party is the only party from Uttar Pradesh attending the meeting with BSP supremo Mayawati not being invited and Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary skipping the conclave due to a family programme. CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI general secretary D Raja and CPI (ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya are among the other leaders attending the meeting. West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee, who arrived here in Thursday evening, met Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Yadav, former Bihar CM Rabri Devi and Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav earlier. Asked what will happen at the meeting, she told reporters outside Tejashwi Yadav's residence on Thursday, "I cannot say anything now. We have come here as we will fight together, one to one (against the BJP). We will fight together like a family." Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was peaceful now and the successful hosting of a G20 meeting in Srinagar proved it. Inaugurating or laying foundation stones of various development projects in Kashmir Valley, Shah said that development funds used to go into the pockets of a few earlier but now all those deserving are getting the fruits of development. He said that when it was decided to hold a meeting of the G20 in Srinagar, many people offered various comments and some, including former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, made various predictions. "But all these predictions were proved wrong as the G20 meeting in Srinagar was held successfully," he said and appreciated the Jammu and Kashmir administration headed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for it. He also said the successful hosting of the G20 meeting would give a big boost to the tourism industry in Kashmir. The meeting of the G20 tourism working group was held in Kashmir last month. The home minister claimed that during earlier regimes, funds meant for the poor and farmers used to go into the pockets of a few. "Many in Jammu and Kashmir have big houses in foreign lands and many used to go for 45-60 days' vacations in foreign countries. From where this money came? This was money meant for the poor," he said. Now development funds are reaching actual beneficiaries through direct benefit transfer (DBT), he said. In the last four years, the government built about 1.86 lakh houses for people in Jammu and Kashmir and Rs 23,000 crore was given to beneficiaries of various schemes through DBT. The home minister also appealed to people to come forward and join hands in the march for development and fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of a peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. Mayan Energy Ltd (LON:MYN Get Rating) shares traded up 16.7% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as GBX 0.15 ($0.00) and last traded at GBX 0.14 ($0.00). 16,096,226 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 16% from the average session volume of 13,897,712 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 0.12 ($0.00). Mayan Energy Price Performance The firms 50-day moving average is GBX 0.14 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 0.14. The company has a market cap of 5.28 million and a P/E ratio of -0.23. About Mayan Energy (Get Rating) Mayan Energy Limited engages in the development, production, and sale of hydrocarbons and related activities in the United States. The company holds interests in Forest Hills project situated in Wood County, Texas; Stockdale oil fields located in Wilson County, Texas; Zink Ranch and Mathis leases situated in Osage County, Oklahoma; and Shoats Creek field located in Louisiana. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Mayan Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mayan Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Berenberg Bank reissued their buy rating on shares of NatWest Group (LON:NWG Get Rating) in a report released on Monday, Marketbeat.com reports. Berenberg Bank currently has a GBX 360 ($4.61) target price on the stock. Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of NatWest Group in a research note on Monday, May 22nd. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of NatWest Group from GBX 400 ($5.12) to GBX 380 ($4.86) in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of NatWest Group in a report on Friday, March 10th. Credit Suisse Group decreased their target price on shares of NatWest Group from GBX 360 ($4.61) to GBX 350 ($4.48) in a report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of NatWest Group from GBX 310 ($3.97) to GBX 320 ($4.09) and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of GBX 341.43 ($4.37). Get NatWest Group alerts: NatWest Group Trading Down 1.7 % NatWest Group stock opened at GBX 231.50 ($2.96) on Monday. The companys 50-day moving average price is GBX 263.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 273.89. The stock has a market cap of 20.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 551.19, a PEG ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 1.29. NatWest Group has a 52 week low of GBX 210.20 ($2.69) and a 52 week high of GBX 313.10 ($4.01). Insider Activity NatWest Group Company Profile In other news, insider Frank Dangeard bought 1,014 shares of NatWest Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 30th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 267 ($3.42) per share, for a total transaction of 2,707.38 ($3,464.34). In related news, insider Frank Dangeard purchased 1,014 shares of NatWest Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 30th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 267 ($3.42) per share, for a total transaction of 2,707.38 ($3,464.34). Also, insider Alison Rose sold 52,863 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 260 ($3.33), for a total transaction of 137,443.80 ($175,871.79). 42.65% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. (Get Rating) NatWest Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services to personal, commercial, corporate, and institutional customers in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates through Retail Banking, Private Banking, and Commercial & Institutional segments. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for NatWest Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NatWest Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW Get Rating) had its target price boosted by investment analysts at Needham & Company LLC from $180.00 to $216.00 in a report issued on Wednesday, The Fly reports. Needham & Company LLCs price target would suggest a potential upside of 20.93% from the stocks previous close. Several other research firms also recently issued reports on SNOW. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on Snowflake from $196.00 to $190.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Barclays reduced their price target on Snowflake from $171.00 to $165.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. UBS Group reduced their price target on Snowflake from $170.00 to $155.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Raymond James reduced their price target on Snowflake from $180.00 to $170.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Snowflake in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and twenty-two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $184.17. Get Snowflake alerts: Snowflake Trading Up 3.0 % Shares of NYSE SNOW opened at $178.61 on Wednesday. Snowflake has a 12 month low of $119.27 and a 12 month high of $205.66. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $163.73 and a 200-day moving average of $151.84. The company has a market capitalization of $58.21 billion, a P/E ratio of -66.90 and a beta of 0.74. Insider Transactions at Snowflake Institutional Investors Weigh In On Snowflake In other news, CEO Frank Slootman sold 1,724 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.31, for a total transaction of $300,510.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 185,683 shares in the company, valued at $32,366,403.73. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . In related news, CEO Frank Slootman sold 1,724 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.31, for a total transaction of $300,510.44. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 185,683 shares of the companys stock, valued at $32,366,403.73. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, Director Mark D. Mclaughlin bought 1,831 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 31st. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $163.80 per share, with a total value of $299,917.80. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 8,657 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,418,016.60. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . Insiders sold 146,652 shares of company stock worth $22,265,987 over the last ninety days. 8.30% of the stock is owned by insiders. Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in Snowflake by 79.2% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 4,293 shares of the companys stock valued at $984,000 after acquiring an additional 1,897 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Snowflake in the first quarter valued at approximately $2,880,000. Panagora Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in Snowflake by 24.8% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,718 shares of the companys stock valued at $623,000 after acquiring an additional 540 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. acquired a new stake in Snowflake in the first quarter valued at approximately $362,000. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. grew its stake in Snowflake by 37.2% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 13,959 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,198,000 after acquiring an additional 3,783 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.55% of the companys stock. Snowflake Company Profile (Get Rating) Snowflake Inc provides a cloud-based data platform for various organizations in the United States and internationally. Its platform offers Data Cloud, which enables customers to consolidate data into a single source of truth to drive meaningful business insights, build data-driven applications, and share data and data products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Snowflake Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Snowflake and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of City Office REIT (NYSE:CIO Get Rating) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report released on Monday. Other analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of City Office REIT from $10.00 to $7.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 30th. B. Riley decreased their target price on shares of City Office REIT from $14.00 to $12.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 27th. Get City Office REIT alerts: City Office REIT Stock Performance CIO stock opened at $5.23 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 3.35, a current ratio of 3.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. The company has a market capitalization of $208.89 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -14.13, a P/E/G ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.62. City Office REIT has a 12 month low of $4.03 and a 12 month high of $14.24. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $5.24 and a two-hundred day moving average of $7.30. City Office REIT Cuts Dividend Institutional Trading of City Office REIT The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 21st. Investors of record on Friday, July 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 6th. City Office REITs dividend payout ratio is currently -216.21%. Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in City Office REIT during the 1st quarter valued at $39,000. State of Wyoming acquired a new position in shares of City Office REIT in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Point72 Middle East FZE acquired a new position in shares of City Office REIT in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd raised its stake in shares of City Office REIT by 1,557.5% in the 1st quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 3,779 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $67,000 after buying an additional 3,551 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its stake in shares of City Office REIT by 736.0% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 4,247 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 3,739 shares in the last quarter. 71.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About City Office REIT (Get Rating) City Office REIT, Inc is a real estate investment trust. It focuses on acquiring, owning and operating office properties located primarily in metropolitan areas in the Southern and Western United States. The company was founded on November 26, 2013 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for City Office REIT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for City Office REIT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sudzucker AG (ETR:SZU Get Rating) rose 0.4% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as 16.70 ($18.15) and last traded at 16.63 ($18.08). Approximately 95,685 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 77% from the average daily volume of 410,903 shares. The stock had previously closed at 16.56 ($18.00). Sudzucker Stock Up 0.4 % The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 54.37, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.94. The firm has a market cap of $3.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 0.42. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of 17.43 and a two-hundred day moving average price of 16.09. About Sudzucker (Get Rating) Sudzucker AG produces and sells sugar products in Germany and internationally. It operates through five segments: Sugar, Special Products, CropEnergies, Starch, and Fruit. The Sugar segment produces and sells sugar, sugar specialty products, glucose syrup, and animal feed to food industry, retailers, and agriculture markets, as well as offers by-products of sugar. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Sudzucker Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sudzucker and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canaccord Genuity Group set a C$8.00 target price on Wesdome Gold Mines (TSE:WDO Get Rating) in a research report released on Monday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has a hold rating on the stock. WDO has been the topic of a number of other research reports. TD Securities lowered their target price on shares of Wesdome Gold Mines from C$9.50 to C$9.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. National Bankshares boosted their price target on shares of Wesdome Gold Mines from C$8.75 to C$11.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$10.88. Get Wesdome Gold Mines alerts: Wesdome Gold Mines Stock Down 1.4 % WDO opened at C$6.56 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.74, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a current ratio of 0.84. Wesdome Gold Mines has a fifty-two week low of C$6.00 and a fifty-two week high of C$12.73. The firms fifty day moving average is C$8.10 and its 200 day moving average is C$7.50. The stock has a market cap of C$967.80 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -43.73 and a beta of 0.62. Wesdome Gold Mines Company Profile Wesdome Gold Mines ( TSE:WDO Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The company reported C$0.02 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$0.05 by C($0.03). Wesdome Gold Mines had a negative net margin of 8.02% and a negative return on equity of 5.35%. The firm had revenue of C$76.70 million for the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Wesdome Gold Mines will post 0.0396483 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. (Get Rating) Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. explores and develops of gold deposits in Canada. The company produces gold in the form of dore bars, as well as silver as a by-product. It holds interest in the Eagle River Mine and the Mishi Mine in Ontario; and the Kiena Mine in Quebec. The company was formerly known as River Gold Mines Ltd. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Wesdome Gold Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wesdome Gold Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westwood Holdings Group (NYSE:WHG Get Rating) and Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends and profitability. Institutional & Insider Ownership 55.1% of Westwood Holdings Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 57.3% of Brookfield Asset Management shares are held by institutional investors. 10.1% of Westwood Holdings Group shares are held by company insiders. 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. Get Westwood Holdings Group alerts: Profitability This table compares Westwood Holdings Group and Brookfield Asset Managements net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Westwood Holdings Group -5.34% -1.19% -0.98% Brookfield Asset Management N/A N/A N/A Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Westwood Holdings Group 0 0 0 0 N/A Brookfield Asset Management 1 2 4 1 2.63 This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Westwood Holdings Group and Brookfield Asset Management, as provided by MarketBeat. Brookfield Asset Management has a consensus price target of $43.57, suggesting a potential upside of 36.40%. Given Brookfield Asset Managements higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Brookfield Asset Management is more favorable than Westwood Holdings Group. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Westwood Holdings Group and Brookfield Asset Managements gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Westwood Holdings Group $68.68 million 1.64 -$4.63 million ($0.51) -24.12 Brookfield Asset Management $3.76 billion 3.50 N/A N/A N/A Brookfield Asset Management has higher revenue and earnings than Westwood Holdings Group. Dividends Westwood Holdings Group pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.9%. Brookfield Asset Management pays an annual dividend of $1.28 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.0%. Westwood Holdings Group pays out -117.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Brookfield Asset Management has increased its dividend for 12 consecutive years. Summary Brookfield Asset Management beats Westwood Holdings Group on 10 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About Westwood Holdings Group (Get Rating) Westwood Holdings Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, manages investment assets and provides services for its clients. The company operates in two segments, Advisory and Trust. The Advisory segment provides investment advisory services to corporate retirement plans, public retirement plans, endowments, foundations, individuals, and the Westwood Funds; and investment sub-advisory services to mutual funds, pooled investment vehicles, and its Trust segment. The Trust segment offers trust and custodial services; and participates in common trust funds that it sponsors to institutions and high net worth individuals. Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. was founded in 1983 and is based in Dallas, Texas. About Brookfield Asset Management (Get Rating) Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. provides alternative asset management services. Its renewable power and transition business includes the ownership, operation, and development of hydroelectric, wind, solar, and energy transition power generating assets. The company's infrastructure business engages in the ownership, operation, and development of utilities, transport, midstream, data and sustainable resource assets. In addition, its private equity business offers business, infrastructure, and industrials services; and real estate business, which includes core investments, and transitional and development investments. Further, the company engages in the residential development business including homebuilding, and condominium and land development. The company was incorporated in 2022 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Westwood Holdings Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Westwood Holdings Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Adtalem Global Education (NYSE:ATGE Get Rating) updated its FY 2023 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share guidance of $4.05-$4.20 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of $4.16. The company issued revenue guidance of $1.40 billion-$1.45 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $1.44 billion. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have commented on ATGE. TheStreet raised Adtalem Global Education from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Adtalem Global Education in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. Get Adtalem Global Education alerts: Adtalem Global Education Stock Performance ATGE stock opened at $36.16 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $1.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.02. Adtalem Global Education has a 1 year low of $32.68 and a 1 year high of $44.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 1.22. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $40.95 and its 200-day moving average price is $39.04. Insider Activity at Adtalem Global Education Adtalem Global Education ( NYSE:ATGE Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $1.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.92 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $369.10 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $354.47 million. Adtalem Global Education had a return on equity of 13.67% and a net margin of 5.54%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.87 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Adtalem Global Education will post 4.12 earnings per share for the current year. In related news, Director Lisa W. Wardell sold 7,940 shares of Adtalem Global Education stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.24, for a total transaction of $327,445.60. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 275,528 shares in the company, valued at $11,362,774.72. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Director Lisa W. Wardell sold 7,940 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.24, for a total value of $327,445.60. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 275,528 shares in the company, valued at $11,362,774.72. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Lisa W. Wardell sold 71,400 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.45, for a total value of $2,888,130.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 180,034 shares in the company, valued at $7,282,375.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Adtalem Global Education Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in shares of Adtalem Global Education by 65.2% in the third quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 727 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 287 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE increased its holdings in shares of Adtalem Global Education by 76.7% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 1,786 shares of the companys stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 775 shares during the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its holdings in shares of Adtalem Global Education by 210.5% in the first quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,881 shares of the companys stock worth $86,000 after purchasing an additional 1,953 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in shares of Adtalem Global Education in the first quarter worth about $101,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in shares of Adtalem Global Education by 133.1% in the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,823 shares of the companys stock worth $103,000 after purchasing an additional 1,612 shares during the last quarter. 99.85% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Adtalem Global Education (Get Rating) Adtalem Global Education Inc provides workforce solutions worldwide. It operates through three segments, Chamberlain, Walden, and Medical and Veterinary. The Chamberlain segment offers degree and non-degree programs in the nursing and health professions postsecondary education industry. This segment operates Chamberlain University. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Adtalem Global Education Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Adtalem Global Education and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New Found Gold (NYSE:NFGC Get Rating) and Athena Gold (OTCMKTS:AHNR Get Rating) are both small-cap basic materials companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, profitability, risk and valuation. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for New Found Gold and Athena Gold, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Get New Found Gold alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score New Found Gold 0 0 0 0 N/A Athena Gold 0 0 0 0 N/A Institutional & Insider Ownership Valuation and Earnings 3.5% of New Found Gold shares are held by institutional investors. 11.5% of Athena Gold shares are held by company 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. This table compares New Found Gold and Athena Golds revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio New Found Gold N/A N/A -$69.22 million ($0.38) -12.37 Athena Gold N/A N/A -$680,000.00 ($0.02) -3.20 New Found Gold is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Athena Gold, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Risk and Volatility New Found Gold has a beta of 1.41, meaning that its stock price is 41% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Athena Gold has a beta of 0.13, meaning that its stock price is 87% less volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares New Found Gold and Athena Golds net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets New Found Gold N/A -118.06% -91.50% Athena Gold N/A -13.88% -11.29% Summary Athena Gold beats New Found Gold on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About New Found Gold (Get Rating) New Found Gold Corp., a mineral exploration company, engages in the identification, acquisition, and exploration of mineral properties in the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario. The company primarily explores for gold deposit. It holds 100% interests in the Queensway project that includes 94 mineral licenses and 6,649 claims covering an area of 166,225 hectares of land located near Gander, Newfoundland; and the Lucky Strike project comprising 11,684 hectares located in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The company was formerly known as Palisade Resources Corp. and changed its name to New Found Gold Corp. in June 2017. New Found Gold Corp. was incorporated in 2016 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. About Athena Gold (Get Rating) Athena Gold Corp. engages in the acquisition and exploration of mineral resource properties. It holds interest in the Excelsior Springs project. The company was founded by John C. Power on December 23, 2003 and is headquartered in Vacaville, CA. Receive News & Ratings for New Found Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for New Found Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC lowered its position in shares of Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Get Rating) by 14.6% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 16,942 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after selling 2,895 shares during the period. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLCs holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $848,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Boston Scientific by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 116,886,236 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $4,527,004,000 after buying an additional 1,708,496 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Boston Scientific by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 24,855,241 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $1,147,605,000 after buying an additional 549,599 shares in the last quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main grew its position in Boston Scientific by 7.6% in the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 23,393,853 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $1,082,436,000 after buying an additional 1,659,431 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in Boston Scientific by 112,306.1% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 18,661,660 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $863,475,000 after buying an additional 18,645,058 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in Boston Scientific by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 15,093,551 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $584,572,000 after buying an additional 432,709 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.20% of the companys stock. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Insider Transactions at Boston Scientific In related news, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 11,671 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.96, for a total value of $606,425.16. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 83,373 shares in the company, valued at $4,332,061.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 11,671 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.96, for a total value of $606,425.16. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 83,373 shares in the company, valued at $4,332,061.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 63,339 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.60, for a total value of $3,394,970.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 213,859 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,462,842.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 190,682 shares of company stock valued at $10,057,888 over the last three months. 0.53% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Boston Scientific Price Performance A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on BSX shares. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $53.00 to $56.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Raymond James upped their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $56.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Boston Scientific in a report on Tuesday, May 30th. They issued an overweight rating and a $58.00 price target for the company. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $52.00 to $56.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $54.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, April 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $54.00. NYSE BSX opened at $54.64 on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $52.35 and a 200-day simple moving average of $49.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 1.40 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $76.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 92.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.80. Boston Scientific Co. has a 52-week low of $36.15 and a 52-week high of $54.69. Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.43 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $3.39 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.16 billion. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 6.91% and a return on equity of 14.57%. The firms revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.39 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Boston Scientific Co. will post 1.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Boston Scientific Profile (Get Rating) Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through MedSurg and Cardiovascular segments. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions; devices to treat various urological and pelvic conditions; implantable cardioverter and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators; pacemakers and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers; and remote patient management systems. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Boston Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boston Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO Get Rating) Director Bronislaw Edmund Masojada acquired 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 21st. The stock was purchased at an average price of $65.78 per share, for a total transaction of $263,120.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 4,000 shares in the company, valued at $263,120. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Brown & Brown Stock Down 0.6 % Shares of NYSE:BRO opened at $65.99 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.49, a quick ratio of 2.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $64.03 and a 200 day simple moving average of $59.80. The firm has a market cap of $18.72 billion, a PE ratio of 27.27 and a beta of 0.75. Brown & Brown, Inc. has a 12-month low of $52.82 and a 12-month high of $68.43. Get Brown & Brown alerts: Brown & Brown (NYSE:BRO Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $1.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.06 billion. Brown & Brown had a net margin of 18.15% and a return on equity of 14.80%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Brown & Brown, Inc. will post 2.52 EPS for the current fiscal year. Brown & Brown Announces Dividend Institutional Trading of Brown & Brown The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 17th. Investors of record on Monday, May 8th were paid a $0.115 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 5th. This represents a $0.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.70%. Brown & Browns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.01%. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in BRO. Kentucky Retirement Systems increased its stake in Brown & Brown by 0.8% during the first quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 18,585 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,067,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the last quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC increased its stake in Brown & Brown by 1.3% during the first quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC now owns 11,845 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $680,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. Stephens Inc. AR increased its stake in Brown & Brown by 0.7% during the first quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 25,801 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,481,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the last quarter. Tradition Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Brown & Brown by 8.9% during the first quarter. Tradition Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,134 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $123,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brookstone Capital Management increased its stake in Brown & Brown by 2.7% during the first quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 6,994 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $418,000 after purchasing an additional 184 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 69.90% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages recently weighed in on BRO. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on shares of Brown & Brown from $66.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Citigroup upgraded Brown & Brown from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $62.00 to $69.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of Brown & Brown from $69.00 to $68.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Brown & Brown from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $66.64. About Brown & Brown (Get Rating) Brown & Brown, Inc markets and sells insurance products and services in the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Retail, National Programs, Wholesale Brokerage, and Services. The Retail segment provides property and casualty, employee benefits insurance products, personal insurance products, specialties insurance products, risk management strategies, loss control survey and analysis, consultancy, and claims processing services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Brown & Brown Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brown & Brown and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM Get Rating) (NYSE:CM)s stock price crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$56.76 and traded as high as C$57.30. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce shares last traded at C$56.59, with a volume of 9,069,665 shares changing hands. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$69.00 to C$72.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, May 26th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$70.00 to C$69.00 in a research report on Monday, February 27th. TD Securities increased their target price on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$58.00 to C$59.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, May 26th. Barclays raised their target price on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$56.00 to C$58.00 in a research report on Friday, May 26th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group upped their price target on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$66.00 to C$66.50 in a research report on Monday, February 27th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has 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 C$64.80. Get Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce alerts: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Price Performance The company has a 50 day moving average of C$56.72 and a 200-day moving average of C$57.85. The company has a market cap of C$50.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 27.22 and a beta of 1.02. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Increases Dividend Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ( TSE:CM Get Rating ) (NYSE:CM) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 25th. The company reported C$1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$1.62 by C$0.08. The firm had revenue of C$5.70 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$5.58 billion. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a return on equity of 10.00% and a net margin of 23.32%. Research analysts anticipate that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 6.9642005 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 28th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.30%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 27th. This is a boost from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces previous quarterly dividend of $0.85. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces dividend payout ratio is currently 67.05%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Company Profile (Get Rating) Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC boosted its stake in NiSource Inc. (NYSE:NI Get Rating) by 19.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 15,293 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 2,527 shares during the quarter. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLCs holdings in NiSource were worth $428,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Achmea Investment Management B.V. bought a new position in NiSource during the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of NiSource by 67.7% in the 4th quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 1,075 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 434 shares in the last quarter. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH bought a new stake in NiSource during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Romano Brothers AND Company acquired a new stake in NiSource during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its position in NiSource by 586.0% in the 4th quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,228 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 1,049 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.18% of the companys stock. Get NiSource alerts: NiSource Trading Up 0.5 % Shares of NYSE:NI traded up $0.14 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $27.29. The company had a trading volume of 148,673 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,860,618. NiSource Inc. has a 12 month low of $23.78 and a 12 month high of $31.87. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $27.69 and a 200 day simple moving average of $27.58. The company has a current ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59. The stock has a market cap of $11.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.47, a PEG ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 0.48. NiSource Dividend Announcement NiSource ( NYSE:NI Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The utilities provider reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.77. The company had revenue of $1.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.94 billion. NiSource had a return on equity of 11.14% and a net margin of 11.72%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.75 EPS. On average, analysts predict that NiSource Inc. will post 1.57 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 28th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.66%. NiSources dividend payout ratio is presently 68.03%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades NI has been the topic of several research analyst reports. UBS Group upgraded NiSource from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $31.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, June 6th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of NiSource in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on shares of NiSource from $31.00 to $30.00 in a report on Wednesday. Bank of America reduced their price objective on NiSource from $32.00 to $31.00 in a report on Thursday. Finally, Evercore ISI lowered their target price on NiSource from $31.00 to $30.00 in a research note on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $29.88. Insider Activity In related news, SVP Kimberly S. Cuccia sold 11,157 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.54, for a total value of $318,420.78. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 20,329 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $580,189.66. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.24% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. NiSource Profile (Get Rating) NiSource Inc, an energy holding company, operates as a regulated natural gas and electric utility company in the United States. It operates through two segments, Gas Distribution Operations and Electric Operations. The company distributes natural gas to approximately 859,000 customers in northern Indiana, as well as approximately 2.4 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, and Maryland. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for NiSource Inc. (NYSE:NI Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for NiSource Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NiSource and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stora Enso Oyj (OTCMKTS:SEOAY Get Rating) and Cascades (OTCMKTS:CADNF Get Rating) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, risk, profitability and analyst recommendations. Profitability This table compares Stora Enso Oyj and Cascades net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Stora Enso Oyj alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Stora Enso Oyj 12.36% 9.59% 5.62% Cascades N/A N/A N/A Earnings and Valuation This table compares Stora Enso Oyj and Cascades 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 0.75 $1.63 billion $1.89 6.15 Cascades N/A N/A N/A ($1.00) -8.86 Analyst Recommendations 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. This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Stora Enso Oyj and Cascades, as reported 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 price target of $15.83, suggesting a potential upside of 36.14%. Cascades has a consensus price target of $13.10, suggesting a potential upside of 47.86%. Given Cascades stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Cascades is more favorable than Stora Enso Oyj. Dividends Stora Enso Oyj pays an annual dividend of $0.51 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.4%. 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. Insider and Institutional Ownership 0.0% of Stora Enso Oyj shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 21.8% of Cascades shares are held by institutional investors. 8.1% of Stora Enso Oyj shares are held by company insiders. 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 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. Receive News & Ratings for Stora Enso Oyj Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stora Enso Oyj and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Drive Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Get Rating) by 9.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,192 shares of the retailers stock after acquiring an additional 375 shares during the period. Drive Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Walmart were worth $621,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. AMI Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in Walmart by 1.6% in the first quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. now owns 8,269 shares of the retailers stock valued at $1,231,000 after buying an additional 132 shares in the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. raised its stake in Walmart by 36.8% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 4,820 shares of the retailers stock worth $718,000 after acquiring an additional 1,296 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Walmart by 31.7% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,162 shares of the retailers stock worth $173,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC grew its holdings in shares of Walmart by 123.9% during the 1st quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 10,566 shares of the retailers stock valued at $1,573,000 after purchasing an additional 5,847 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its position in Walmart by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 857,839 shares of the retailers stock worth $127,749,000 after purchasing an additional 13,985 shares in the last quarter. 31.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Walmart alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have weighed in on WMT. Stephens restated an overweight rating and issued a $170.00 target price on shares of Walmart in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. StockNews.com lowered Walmart from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, June 18th. Tigress Financial upped their target price on Walmart from $176.00 to $182.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 7th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on Walmart from $160.00 to $164.00 in a report on Friday, May 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Walmart from $155.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $166.91. Walmart Stock Performance NYSE WMT opened at $155.77 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $419.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.44, a PEG ratio of 4.55 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $151.16 and a 200 day simple moving average of $146.34. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. Walmart Inc. has a 12-month low of $119.89 and a 12-month high of $158.23. Walmart (NYSE:WMT Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 18th. The retailer reported $1.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.15. Walmart had a net margin of 1.82% and a return on equity of 21.30%. The firm had revenue of $152.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $147.91 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.30 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 6.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 600 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.02, for a total transaction of $90,012.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 245,255,856 shares of the companys stock, valued at $36,793,283,517.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Walmart news, SVP David Chojnowski sold 4,000 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.74, for a total transaction of $626,960.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 39,975 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,265,681.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.02, for a total value of $90,012.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 245,255,856 shares of the companys stock, valued at $36,793,283,517.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 9,723,942 shares of company stock valued at $1,433,001,783. Corporate insiders own 46.51% of the companys stock. About Walmart (Get Rating) Walmart, Inc engages in retail and wholesale business. The company offers an assortment of merchandise and services at everyday low prices. It operates through the following business segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sams Club. The Walmart U.S. segment operates as a merchandiser of consumer products, operating under the Walmart, Wal-Mart, and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands, as well as walmart.com and other eCommerce brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Walmart Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Walmart and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Drive Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 3.5% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 31,328 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,050 shares during the quarter. Drive Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $1,171,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of WFC. Defender Capital LLC. bought a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the 1st quarter valued at $246,000. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 1st quarter valued at about $124,000. Dakota Wealth Management bought a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the first quarter valued at about $222,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. raised its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 0.3% in the first quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 273,936 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,274,000 after purchasing an additional 770 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation N.A. lifted its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 24.5% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 9,630 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $467,000 after purchasing an additional 1,895 shares during the period. 72.11% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Odeon Capital Group lowered Wells Fargo & Company from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $44.60 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $47.00 to $46.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $64.00 to $54.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $52.00 to $50.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $45.00 to $42.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 24th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $48.71. Wells Fargo & Company Stock Down 1.4 % Shares of WFC opened at $41.06 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $40.50 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $41.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $154.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.77, a PEG ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 1.12. Wells Fargo & Company has a 52 week low of $35.25 and a 52 week high of $48.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.83. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.15 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $20.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.06 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 10.07% and a net margin of 15.93%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 16.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.88 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.73 earnings per share for the current year. Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 5th were paid a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 4th. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.38%. About Wells Fargo & Company (Get Rating) Wells Fargo & Company, a diversified financial services company, provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Get Rating) SVP Jeremy Cox sold 9,161 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.00, for a total transaction of $155,737.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 615 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,455. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Stock Performance HPE opened at $16.78 on Friday. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a 12-month low of $11.90 and a 12-month high of $17.74. The company has a market cap of $21.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.51, a PEG ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 1.23. 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 companys 50 day moving average is $15.07 and its 200 day moving average is $15.55. Get Hewlett Packard Enterprise alerts: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 30th. The technology company reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $6.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.30 billion. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a net margin of 3.46% and a return on equity of 5.05%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.19 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will post 1.36 EPS for the current year. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Dividend Announcement Analysts Set New Price Targets The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $0.12 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 2.86%. Hewlett Packard Enterprises payout ratio is currently 61.54%. HPE has been the subject of several analyst reports. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $13.00 to $14.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. Citigroup boosted their price target on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $13.00 to $14.00 in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. StockNews.com raised Hewlett Packard Enterprise from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. Barclays decreased their target price on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $18.00 to $16.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 31st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $16.00 to $15.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $16.50. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in HPE. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 10.8% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 74,736 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,249,000 after purchasing an additional 7,285 shares during the period. D.A. Davidson & CO. boosted its holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 12.6% in the 1st quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 16,151 shares of the technology companys stock worth $270,000 after buying an additional 1,809 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. increased its stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 46.4% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 16,080 shares of the technology companys stock worth $269,000 after buying an additional 5,095 shares in the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL raised its holdings in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 9.8% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 332,584 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $5,557,000 after acquiring an additional 29,819 shares during the period. Finally, Aviva PLC lifted its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 45.8% in the first quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 634,757 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $10,607,000 after acquiring an additional 199,382 shares in the last quarter. 81.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Hewlett Packard Enterprise (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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hewlett Packard Enterprise and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HMS Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA Get Rating) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 75,835 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $5,424,000. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF makes up 3.4% of HMS Capital Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 5th biggest position. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of EFA. VitalStone Financial LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Financial Freedom LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 172.9% during the 4th quarter. Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA now owns 464 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 294 shares in the last quarter. Milestone Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $37,000. 78.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get iShares MSCI EAFE ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Down 1.6 % Shares of EFA traded down $1.12 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $70.96. 1,785,407 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 18,526,748. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $72.81 and a 200-day simple moving average of $70.55. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has a 12-month low of $54.61 and a 12-month high of $74.05. About iShares MSCI EAFE ETF iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Funds investment objective is to seek investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, MSCI EAFE Index (the Index). The Index has been developed by MSCI Inc as an equity benchmark for its international stock performance. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Impact Healthcare REIT PLC (LON:IHR Get Rating) hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as GBX 88.20 ($1.13) and last traded at GBX 88.20 ($1.13), with a volume of 480449 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 90.30 ($1.16). Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a GBX 120 ($1.54) target price on shares of Impact Healthcare REIT in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 113 ($1.45) price target on shares of Impact Healthcare REIT in a research report on Tuesday, June 6th. Get Impact Healthcare REIT alerts: Impact Healthcare REIT Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 30.77, a current ratio of 1.01 and a quick ratio of 2.37. The stock has a market capitalization of 365.47 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2,261.18, a PEG ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.34. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is GBX 97.30 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 99.60. Impact Healthcare REIT Increases Dividend Insider Buying and Selling at Impact Healthcare REIT The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 19th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 4th were paid a GBX 1.69 ($0.02) dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 4th. This is a boost from Impact Healthcare REITs previous dividend of $1.64. This represents a yield of 1.76%. Impact Healthcare REITs payout ratio is 17,500.00%. In related news, insider Simon T. Laffin purchased 100,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 92 ($1.18) per share, for a total transaction of 92,000 ($117,722.33). Corporate insiders own 5.14% of the companys stock. About Impact Healthcare REIT (Get Rating) Impact Healthcare REIT Plc is a real estate investment trust externally managed by Carne Global AIFM Solutions. The firm invests in the real estate markets of United Kingdom. It primarily acquires, owns, leases, renovates, extends and redevelops high quality healthcare real estate assets. Impact Healthcare REIT Plc was formed on 7 November 2016 and is based in London, United Kingdom. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Impact Healthcare REIT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Impact Healthcare REIT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Interfor Co. (TSE:IFP Get Rating) passed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$21.95 and traded as high as C$23.48. Interfor shares last traded at C$23.21, with a volume of 213,535 shares trading hands. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms have recently weighed in on IFP. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Interfor from C$35.00 to C$32.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, May 8th. CIBC reduced their price target on shares of Interfor from C$31.00 to C$30.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Get Interfor alerts: Interfor Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.42, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 2.49. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of C$21.96 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$22.61. The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.55 and a beta of 2.50. Insider Transactions at Interfor Interfor ( TSE:IFP Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported C($0.68) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C($0.29) by C($0.39). The business had revenue of C$829.88 million for the quarter. Interfor had a return on equity of 8.41% and a net margin of 3.93%. Analysts forecast that Interfor Co. will post 0.1277985 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In related news, Senior Officer Richard Pozzebon acquired 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were purchased at an average price of C$23.10 per share, for a total transaction of C$69,285.90. In other Interfor news, Senior Officer Simon Bruce Luxmoore acquired 5,000 shares of Interfor stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$16.15 per share, for a total transaction of C$80,750.00. Also, Senior Officer Richard Pozzebon acquired 3,000 shares of Interfor stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were acquired at an average price of C$23.10 per share, with a total value of C$69,285.90. Insiders own 0.53% of the companys stock. Interfor Company Profile (Get Rating) Interfor Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells wood products in Canada, the United States, Japan, China, Taiwan, and internationally. It offers decking, fascia and board, framing, v-joint paneling, paneling, and siding products, as well as appearance, structural, studs, timbers, and machine stress related products. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Interfor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Interfor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hubbell Strickland Wealth Management LLC lowered its position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Get Rating) by 11.1% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 2,044 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 256 shares during the quarter. Hubbell Strickland Wealth Management LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF were worth $499,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 145,777.6% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 223,496,182 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $47,881,822,000 after acquiring an additional 223,342,974 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 9.1% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 38,134,434 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $8,169,921,000 after acquiring an additional 3,186,645 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley lifted its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 6.2% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 22,099,282 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $4,734,550,000 after acquiring an additional 1,283,522 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 16.9% during the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 5,718,604 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,225,154,000 after acquiring an additional 828,749 shares during the period. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 13.4% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 5,150,534 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,103,450,000 after purchasing an additional 608,288 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF alerts: iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Price Performance Shares of IWF opened at $271.76 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $254.69 and a 200-day simple moving average of $238.02. 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 market cap of $69.88 billion, a price-to-earnings 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (TSE:IVN Get Rating) passed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$11.58 and traded as high as C$12.51. Ivanhoe Mines shares last traded at C$12.37, with a volume of 2,321,213 shares changing hands. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts recently issued reports on IVN shares. TD Securities lifted their price objective on Ivanhoe Mines from C$15.00 to C$17.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Scotiabank boosted their price objective on shares of Ivanhoe Mines from C$14.50 to C$16.00 in a research note on Tuesday, March 14th. Raymond James increased their target price on Ivanhoe Mines from C$15.00 to C$18.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Ivanhoe Mines from C$15.00 to C$17.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, Eight Capital set a C$18.50 price target on Ivanhoe Mines and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Get Ivanhoe Mines alerts: Ivanhoe Mines Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.24, a current ratio of 10.37 and a quick ratio of 20.86. The company has a 50-day moving average price of C$11.58 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$11.66. The company has a market cap of C$15.07 billion, a PE ratio of 23.28 and a beta of 1.92. Ivanhoe Mines Company Profile Ivanhoe Mines ( TSE:IVN Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported C$0.09 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of C$0.09. Sell-side analysts expect that Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. will post 0.4912495 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. (Get Rating) Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. engages in the mining, development, and exploration of minerals and precious metals located primarily in Africa. It explores for platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, gold, rhodium, zinc, silver, germanium, and lead deposits. The company's projects include the Platreef project located in the Northern Limb of South Africa's Bushveld Complex; the Kipushi project located in Haut-Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo; and the Kamoa-Kakula project located within the Central African Copperbelt. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ivanhoe Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ivanhoe Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX Get Rating) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, June 23rd, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 3rd will be paid a dividend of 0.32 per share by the shipping company on Thursday, September 7th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 2nd. This is a boost from Matsons previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. Matson has increased its dividend by an average of 12.4% per year over the last three years and has raised its dividend annually for the last 10 consecutive years. Matson has a payout ratio of 26.2% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Matson to earn $4.72 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.24 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 26.3%. Get Matson alerts: Matson Price Performance Shares of Matson stock traded up $0.62 on Friday, hitting $74.04. The companys stock had a trading volume of 694,613 shares, compared to its average volume of 311,768. Matson has a 52-week low of $56.51 and a 52-week high of $92.10. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $69.20 and a 200-day moving average price of $65.46. The company has a market capitalization of $2.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.78 and a beta of 1.15. Analysts Set New Price Targets Matson ( NYSE:MATX Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The shipping company reported $0.94 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.89 by $0.05. Matson had a net margin of 19.54% and a return on equity of 33.72%. The business had revenue of $704.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $704.34 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $8.23 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 39.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Matson will post 4.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several research analysts recently weighed in on MATX shares. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of Matson from $73.00 to $70.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Matson in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Insider Activity In other news, SVP Vic S. Angoco, Jr. sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.18, for a total transaction of $545,440.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 45,193 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,081,258.74. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Peter T. Heilmann sold 4,917 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.98, for a total transaction of $373,593.66. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 50,311 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,822,629.78. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Vic S. Angoco, Jr. sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.18, for a total value of $545,440.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 45,193 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,081,258.74. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 40,804 shares of company stock valued at $2,780,773 in the last 90 days. 1.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Matson A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Evergreen Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Matson by 4.0% in the 1st quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 2,995 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $361,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its holdings in Matson by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 3,899 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $284,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its holdings in Matson by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 37,529 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $2,346,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. boosted its holdings in Matson by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 15,665 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $1,890,000 after acquiring an additional 178 shares during the period. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Matson by 4.0% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 4,745 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $572,000 after acquiring an additional 182 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.81% of the companys stock. 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Matson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Matson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IJJ Get Rating) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 25,536 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,604,000. iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF accounts for about 1.4% of McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in IJJ. Synovus Financial Corp boosted its position in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 8.1% during the 4th quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 6,523 shares of the companys stock worth $657,000 after acquiring an additional 487 shares during the period. Kalos Management Inc. boosted its position in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 28.4% during the 4th quarter. Kalos Management Inc. now owns 13,036 shares of the companys stock worth $1,314,000 after acquiring an additional 2,886 shares during the period. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV boosted its position in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 5.9% during the 3rd quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 84,169 shares of the companys stock worth $7,575,000 after acquiring an additional 4,674 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP boosted its position in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 28,221 shares of the companys stock worth $2,845,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares during the period. Finally, Houlihan Financial Resource Group Ltd. acquired a new position in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $770,000. Get iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF alerts: iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF Stock Down 0.7 % Shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF stock opened at $103.76 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $7.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.97 and a beta of 1.17. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $101.29 and a 200-day simple moving average of $103.78. iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF has a fifty-two week low of $89.62 and a fifty-two week high of $116.78. About iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF, formerly iShares S&P MidCap 400 Value Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Value Index (the Index). The Value Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market and consists of those stocks in the S&P MidCap 400 Index exhibiting the strongest value characteristics. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IJJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IJJ Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Milestone Resources Group Ltd reduced its position in shares of Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN Get Rating) by 0.1% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 418,506 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 242 shares during the quarter. Accenture accounts for approximately 6.7% of Milestone Resources Group Ltds investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest position. Milestone Resources Group Ltds holdings in Accenture were worth $119,613,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Accenture by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 58,473,666 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $15,045,274,000 after purchasing an additional 816,734 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in Accenture by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 46,363,742 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $11,929,391,000 after purchasing an additional 319,707 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its stake in Accenture by 14.9% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 16,642,841 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $4,440,976,000 after purchasing an additional 2,163,582 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Accenture by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 11,271,540 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $3,002,625,000 after purchasing an additional 223,509 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its stake in Accenture by 22.0% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 9,475,017 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $2,528,314,000 after purchasing an additional 1,710,992 shares in the last quarter. 73.00% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Accenture alerts: Accenture Stock Down 2.3 % NYSE ACN traded down $6.94 during trading on Friday, hitting $300.31. The companys stock had a trading volume of 789,938 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,527,461. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $291.06 and a 200 day moving average price of $280.22. The firm has a market cap of $189.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 1.24. Accenture plc has a 52 week low of $242.80 and a 52 week high of $327.93. Accenture Announces Dividend Accenture ( NYSE:ACN Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 22nd. The information technology services provider reported $3.19 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.96 by $0.23. The company had revenue of $16.56 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.49 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 30.73% and a net margin of 11.00%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.79 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Accenture plc will post 11.58 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 13th will be given a dividend of $1.12 per share. This represents a $4.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.49%. Accentures dividend payout ratio is presently 41.25%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages recently weighed in on ACN. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on Accenture from $310.00 to $343.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 15th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on Accenture from $322.00 to $316.00 in a research report on Friday. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Accenture from $335.00 to $340.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, March 24th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Accenture from $350.00 to $340.00 in a report on Friday. Finally, Edward Jones upgraded Accenture from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $326.55. Insider Activity In related news, insider Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, April 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $280.06, for a total value of $1,750,375.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 174,084 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $48,753,965.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, insider Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, April 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $280.06, for a total value of $1,750,375.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 174,084 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $48,753,965.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 2,954 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, April 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $280.05, for a total value of $827,267.70. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 24,459 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,849,742.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 15,010 shares of company stock worth $4,180,030. Company insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock. Accenture Profile (Get Rating) Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, interactive, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management, intelligent automation comprises robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents, and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprises turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ACN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Accenture Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Accenture and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSE:ONC Get Rating)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Friday . The stock traded as high as C$4.49 and last traded at C$3.92, with a volume of 921360 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$3.29. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a C$9.00 price objective on shares of Oncolytics Biotech in a research note on Monday, March 6th. HC Wainwright reissued a buy rating on shares of Oncolytics Biotech in a report on Tuesday, March 14th. Finally, Jonestrading set a C$9.00 price target on shares of Oncolytics Biotech and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$6.75. Get Oncolytics Biotech alerts: Oncolytics Biotech Price Performance The firm has a 50-day moving average of C$2.20 and a 200-day moving average of C$2.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.20, a current ratio of 13.88 and a quick ratio of 8.86. The stock has a market cap of C$249.95 million, a PE ratio of -7.27 and a beta of 1.79. Oncolytics Biotech Company Profile Oncolytics Biotech ( TSE:ONC Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The company reported C($0.10) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of C($0.10). Research analysts predict that Oncolytics Biotech Inc. will post -0.41 EPS for the current year. (Get Rating) Oncolytics Biotech Inc, a development-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery and development of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of cancer. The company is developing pelareorep, an intravenously delivered immunotherapeutic agent, which is in phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive / human epidermal growth factor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer and advanced/metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Oncolytics Biotech Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oncolytics Biotech and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Royal Bank of Canada restated their outperform rating on shares of PageGroup (LON:PAGE Get Rating) in a research note published on Monday, MarketBeat reports. Royal Bank of Canada currently has a GBX 610 ($7.81) price objective on the stock. Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on PAGE. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of PageGroup from GBX 400 ($5.12) to GBX 410 ($5.25) and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Tuesday, March 14th. Numis Securities reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 600 ($7.68) target price on shares of PageGroup in a report on Thursday, March 9th. Get PageGroup alerts: PageGroup Price Performance PAGE stock opened at GBX 402.20 ($5.15) on Monday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 439.56 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 451.14. PageGroup has a 52-week low of GBX 356.80 ($4.57) and a 52-week high of GBX 501.50 ($6.42). The firm has a market capitalization of 1.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 935.35, a PEG ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 31.18, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 1.72. About PageGroup PageGroup plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides recruitment consultancy and other ancillary services in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and the Americas. It offers executive search services, such as search, selection, and talent management solutions for organizations on a permanent and interim basis under the Page Executive brand; recruitment services for qualified professional on permanent, temporary, and contract or interim basis under the Michael Page brand; recruitment services to organizations requiring permanent employees and temporary or contract staff at technical and administrative support, professional clerical, and junior management levels under the Page Personnel brand; and flexible recruitment outsourcing services under the Page Outsourcing brand. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for PageGroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PageGroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. increased its holdings in Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG Get Rating) by 7.4% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 7,215 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the period. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc.s holdings in Conagra Brands were worth $271,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of CAG. Utah Retirement Systems lifted its stake in Conagra Brands by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Utah Retirement Systems now owns 83,870 shares of the companys stock worth $2,737,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Conagra Brands in the 4th quarter worth approximately $261,000. Picton Mahoney Asset Management purchased a new stake in Conagra Brands in the 4th quarter worth approximately $66,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Conagra Brands in the 4th quarter worth approximately $970,000. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Conagra Brands by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 9,682,171 shares of the companys stock worth $374,019,000 after purchasing an additional 217,370 shares in the last quarter. 88.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Conagra Brands alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Conagra Brands news, EVP Charisse Brock sold 7,036 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, April 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.04, for a total value of $260,613.44. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 94,802 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,511,466.08. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, COO Thomas M. Mcgough sold 45,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.66, for a total transaction of $1,739,700.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 104,859 shares in the company, valued at $4,053,848.94. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Charisse Brock sold 7,036 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.04, for a total transaction of $260,613.44. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 94,802 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,511,466.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.98% of the companys stock. Conagra Brands Trading Up 0.3 % NYSE:CAG traded up $0.11 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $34.50. The companys stock had a trading volume of 561,163 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,342,886. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.59, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.56. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $36.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of $36.97. Conagra Brands, Inc. has a 1 year low of $32.30 and a 1 year high of $41.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.97. Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 5th. The company reported $0.76 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $3.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.08 billion. Conagra Brands had a net margin of 6.59% and a return on equity of 15.34%. The firms revenue was up 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.58 EPS. Research analysts expect that Conagra Brands, Inc. will post 2.76 EPS for the current fiscal year. Conagra Brands Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 28th were issued a $0.33 dividend. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 27th. Conagra Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 79.04%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have issued reports on CAG shares. Credit Suisse Group increased their target price on shares of Conagra Brands from $36.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, March 31st. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Conagra Brands from $44.00 to $42.00 in a research report on Friday, June 2nd. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Conagra Brands from $40.00 to $42.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on shares of Conagra Brands in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. They set a hold rating and a $43.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Conagra Brands from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $41.08. Conagra Brands Company Profile (Get Rating) Conagra Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer packaged goods food company in North America. The company operates in four segments: Grocery & Snacks, Refrigerated & Frozen, International, and Foodservice. The Grocery & Snacks segment primarily offers shelf stable food products through various retail channels in the United States. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CAG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Conagra Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Conagra Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prosperity Planning Inc. reduced its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Get Rating) by 9.4% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 8,017 shares of the companys stock after selling 831 shares during the period. Prosperity Planning Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $389,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of EFV. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 92,577.7% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 228,843,548 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,499,342,000 after purchasing an additional 228,596,624 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 14.7% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 57,373,048 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,632,275,000 after buying an additional 7,374,338 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 891.4% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 8,049,878 shares of the companys stock valued at $369,327,000 after buying an additional 7,237,924 shares during the period. Auto Owners Insurance Co acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $181,822,000. Finally, LPL Financial LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 16.3% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 11,979,393 shares of the companys stock valued at $549,615,000 after buying an additional 1,680,250 shares during the period. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Price Performance EFV opened at $48.62 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $49.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of $48.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.51 and a beta of 0.84. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 12 month low of $49.15 and a 12 month high of $59.57. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Profile iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value 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 Value 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EFV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pure Storage, Inc. (NYSE:PSTG Get Rating) CFO P. Kevan Krysler sold 26,925 shares of Pure Storage stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.04, for a total transaction of $997,302.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 528,059 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,559,305.36. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Pure Storage Stock Up 1.5 % PSTG opened at $36.65 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $11.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,222.07, a PEG ratio of 8.72 and a beta of 1.21. Pure Storage, Inc. has a twelve month low of $22.14 and a twelve month high of $38.36. The companys 50-day moving average price is $27.99 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $27.44. Get Pure Storage alerts: Pure Storage (NYSE:PSTG Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 31st. The technology company reported ($0.17) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.21) by $0.04. Pure Storage had a net margin of 0.63% and a return on equity of 9.19%. The firm had revenue of $589.31 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $560.83 million. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Pure Storage, Inc. will post 0.29 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in PSTG. UBS Asset Management Americas Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Pure Storage by 46.7% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Asset Management Americas Inc. now owns 1,650,199 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $45,166,000 after buying an additional 525,165 shares in the last quarter. Penn Capital Management Company LLC boosted its stake in Pure Storage by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Penn Capital Management Company LLC now owns 428,310 shares of the technology companys stock worth $11,477,000 after purchasing an additional 1,417 shares during the period. Quantinno Capital Management LP boosted its stake in Pure Storage by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 65,138 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,743,000 after purchasing an additional 2,894 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its stake in Pure Storage by 13.2% in the 4th quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 52,112 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,393,000 after purchasing an additional 6,090 shares during the period. Finally, Pictet & Cie Europe SA bought a new position in Pure Storage in the 4th quarter worth about $257,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.77% of the companys stock. PSTG has been the subject of several research reports. 888 reissued a maintains rating on shares of Pure Storage in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Pure Storage from $37.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Friday, June 16th. StockNews.com downgraded Pure Storage from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 6th. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Pure Storage from $33.00 to $31.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 2nd. Finally, Credit Suisse Group increased their target price on shares of Pure Storage from $40.00 to $42.00 in a report on Friday, June 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pure Storage currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $39.89. About Pure Storage (Get Rating) Pure Storage, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides data storage technologies, products, and services in the United States and internationally. The company's Purity software is shared across its products and provides enterprise-class data services, such as data reduction, data protection, and encryption, as well as storage protocols, including block, file, and object. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Pure Storage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pure Storage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of RenaissanceRe (NYSE:RNR Get Rating) in a research note released on Tuesday, The Fly reports. The brokerage issued an equal weight rating and a $222.00 price target on the insurance providers stock. RNR has been the topic of a number of other research reports. StockNews.com assumed coverage on RenaissanceRe in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of RenaissanceRe from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $234.00 to $238.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 25th. TheStreet downgraded shares of RenaissanceRe from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of RenaissanceRe from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, March 31st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on RenaissanceRe from $245.00 to $256.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, RenaissanceRe has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $215.60. Get RenaissanceRe alerts: RenaissanceRe Stock Up 0.5 % RNR stock opened at $190.97 on Tuesday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $199.42 and its 200 day moving average price is $198.54. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -52.75 and a beta of 0.44. RenaissanceRe has a fifty-two week low of $124.18 and a fifty-two week high of $223.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 1.31. RenaissanceRe Announces Dividend RenaissanceRe ( NYSE:RNR Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The insurance provider reported $8.16 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $7.34 by $0.82. The company had revenue of $2.26 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.40 billion. RenaissanceRe had a negative net margin of 1.61% and a positive return on equity of 11.89%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.50 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that RenaissanceRe will post 22.99 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.38 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.80%. RenaissanceRes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -41.99%. Insider Activity at RenaissanceRe In related news, CEO Kevin Odonnell acquired 13,020 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, May 26th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $192.00 per share, with a total value of $2,499,840.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 296,025 shares of the companys stock, valued at $56,836,800. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 2.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in RenaissanceRe by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,518,448 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $634,345,000 after purchasing an additional 11,838 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in shares of RenaissanceRe by 0.9% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,063,107 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $814,003,000 after buying an additional 37,079 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in RenaissanceRe by 10.6% during the third quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 3,687,321 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $517,664,000 after acquiring an additional 352,164 shares during the period. Capital World Investors grew its holdings in RenaissanceRe by 5.4% during the first quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 2,550,441 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $404,270,000 after acquiring an additional 129,891 shares during the period. Finally, Boston Partners raised its position in RenaissanceRe by 4.0% in the first quarter. Boston Partners now owns 1,910,970 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $382,923,000 after acquiring an additional 73,882 shares in the last quarter. 93.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. RenaissanceRe Company Profile (Get Rating) RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Property, and Casualty and Specialty segments. The Property segment writes property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance and excess of loss reinsurance to insure insurance and reinsurance companies against natural and man-made catastrophes, including hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, as well as winter storms, freezes, floods, fires, windstorms, tornadoes, explosions, and acts of terrorism; and other property class of products, such as proportional reinsurance, property per risk, property reinsurance, binding facilities, and regional U.S. See Also Receive News & Ratings for RenaissanceRe Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RenaissanceRe and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Ryanair Holdings plc (LON:RYA Get Rating) passed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 14.41 ($0.18) and traded as low as GBX 13.80 ($0.18). Ryanair shares last traded at GBX 14.42 ($0.18), with a volume of 1,030,829 shares trading hands. Ryanair Price Performance The firms fifty day simple moving average is GBX 14.41 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 14.41. The firm has a market capitalization of 163.33 million and a PE ratio of -24.94. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 116.44. About Ryanair (Get Rating) Ryanair Holdings plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides scheduled-passenger airline services in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Other European countries. It is also involved in the provision of various ancillary services, such as non-flight scheduled services and internet-related services; in-flight sale of beverages, food, and merchandise; and marketing accommodation and hotel services, car hire, and travel insurance through its Website and mobile app. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Ryanair Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ryanair and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Spinnaker Investment Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Rating) by 4.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,710 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 183 shares during the period. Spinnaker Investment Group LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $326,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. KMG Fiduciary Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 4.5% in the 1st quarter. KMG Fiduciary Partners LLC now owns 32,805 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $2,274,000 after purchasing an additional 1,424 shares in the last quarter. Accurate Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 46.4% in the 1st quarter. Accurate Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,517 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $669,000 after purchasing an additional 3,017 shares in the last quarter. Drive Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 10.8% in the 1st quarter. Drive Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,313 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $576,000 after purchasing an additional 811 shares in the last quarter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 40.9% in the 1st quarter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC now owns 3,166 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $219,000 after acquiring an additional 919 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 15.0% in the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,785,543 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $123,756,000 after acquiring an additional 232,944 shares during the last quarter. 74.57% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Bristol-Myers Squibb Trading Down 0.3 % Shares of NYSE BMY opened at $65.29 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.42 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $137.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.44. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1-year low of $63.07 and a 1-year high of $81.43. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $66.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $69.92. Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 earnings per share (EPS) 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 company had revenue of $11.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.50 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.96 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect 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. Investors 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 yield of 3.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 6th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 66.47%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have issued reports on BMY. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday, March 6th. They issued a hold rating and a $62.00 price objective on the stock. 51job reissued a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Friday, April 28th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. Barclays cut their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $66.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Finally, Credit Suisse Group cut their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $78.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Bristol-Myers Squibb presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $78.62. Insider Activity at Bristol-Myers Squibb In related news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, 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 filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile (Get Rating) Bristol Myers Squibb Co engages in the discovery, development, licensing, manufacture, marketing, distribution, and sale of biopharmaceutical products. It offers chemically-synthesized drugs or small molecules and products produced from biological processes called biologics. The company was founded in August 1933 and is headquartered in New York, NY. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StonePine Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD Get Rating) by 733.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 94,664 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after purchasing an additional 83,307 shares during the period. Mettler-Toledo International accounts for 3.9% of StonePine Asset Management Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest holding. StonePine Asset Management Inc. owned 0.43% of Mettler-Toledo International worth $144,856,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. CVA Family Office LLC raised its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International by 53.3% during the third quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 23 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 8 shares during the period. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. bought a new stake in Mettler-Toledo International during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Allworth Financial LP lifted its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International by 43.8% in the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 23 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 7 shares in the last quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 84.6% in the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 24 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares during the period. Finally, Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new stake in Mettler-Toledo International during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.89% of the companys stock. Get Mettler-Toledo International alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have recently commented on MTD shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,675.00 to $1,660.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Robert W. Baird dropped their price objective on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,513.00 to $1,454.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,700.00 to $1,650.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Bank of America decreased their target price on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,650.00 to $1,525.00 in a research report on Sunday, May 7th. Finally, 51job restated a maintains rating on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a report on Monday, May 8th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Mettler-Toledo International has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $1,469.50. Insider Activity at Mettler-Toledo International Mettler-Toledo International Trading Up 0.8 % In other Mettler-Toledo International news, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 880 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 4,900 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,666,989. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . In other Mettler-Toledo International news, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 880 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,360.61, for a total value of $1,197,336.80. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 4,900 shares in the company, valued at $6,666,989. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, insider Christian Magloth sold 725 shares of Mettler-Toledo International stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,384.65, for a total value of $1,003,871.25. Following the sale, the insider now owns 730 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,010,794.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 3,417 shares of company stock worth $4,731,561. Insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock. MTD stock traded up $9.78 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $1,293.15. 18,299 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 101,163. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 1.18. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has a 52-week low of $1,065.55 and a 52-week high of $1,615.97. The business has a 50 day moving average of $1,396.93 and a 200-day moving average of $1,459.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 76.98, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 1.28. Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The medical instruments supplier reported $8.69 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.61 by $0.08. Mettler-Toledo International had a negative return on equity of 4,833.51% and a net margin of 22.45%. The company had revenue of $928.70 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $921.19 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $7.87 EPS. Mettler-Toledo Internationals quarterly revenue was up 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. will post 43.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Mettler-Toledo International 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Mettler-Toledo International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mettler-Toledo International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY Get Rating) by 1.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 603,772 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock after acquiring an additional 11,350 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned 1.28% of Teledyne Technologies worth $270,104,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Accurate Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. CVA Family Office LLC purchased a new position in Teledyne Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Belpointe Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Teledyne Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its stake in Teledyne Technologies by 100.0% during the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 104 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 52 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CI Investments Inc. grew its stake in Teledyne Technologies by 113.8% during the 4th quarter. CI Investments Inc. now owns 124 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.31% of the companys stock. Get Teledyne Technologies alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms recently issued reports on TDY. Needham & Company LLC dropped their price target on Teledyne Technologies from $498.00 to $470.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Bank of America raised their price target on Teledyne Technologies from $533.00 to $565.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. StockNews.com upgraded Teledyne Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group lowered their target price on Teledyne Technologies from $503.00 to $499.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Teledyne Technologies has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $505.50. Insider Activity at Teledyne Technologies Teledyne Technologies Trading Down 0.8 % In related news, VP Melanie Susan Cibik sold 2,000 shares of Teledyne Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $413.00, for a total value of $826,000.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 27,305 shares in the company, valued at $11,276,965. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Company insiders own 2.14% of the companys stock. Shares of TDY stock opened at $398.79 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $408.81 and its two-hundred day moving average is $416.54. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated has a twelve month low of $325.00 and a twelve month high of $448.71. The company has a market capitalization of $18.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a current ratio of 1.94, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. Teledyne Technologies (NYSE:TDY Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $4.53 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.43 by $0.10. Teledyne Technologies had a return on equity of 10.98% and a net margin of 13.67%. The company had revenue of $1.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.37 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $4.27 EPS. The companys revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Teledyne Technologies Incorporated will post 19.12 EPS for the current year. About Teledyne Technologies (Get Rating) Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, provides enabling technologies for industrial growth markets in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and internationally. The company's Instrumentation segment offers monitoring and control instruments for marine, environmental, industrial, and other applications, as well as electronic test and measurement equipment; and power and communications connectivity devices for distributed instrumentation systems and sensor networks. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Teledyne Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teledyne Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Texas Pacific Land Co. (NYSE:TPL Get Rating) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $1,274.85 and last traded at $1,274.85, with a volume of 1458 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,297.67. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Texas Pacific Land in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on Texas Pacific Land from $1,399.00 to $1,378.00 in a research note on Monday, May 22nd. Finally, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM reissued a maintains rating on shares of Texas Pacific Land in a report on Monday, May 22nd. Get Texas Pacific Land alerts: Texas Pacific Land Trading Down 1.2 % The firm has a fifty day moving average of $1,405.66 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1,792.95. The company has a market cap of $9.86 billion, a PE ratio of 22.62 and a beta of 1.85. Texas Pacific Land Dividend Announcement Texas Pacific Land ( NYSE:TPL Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The financial services provider reported $11.24 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $13.21 by ($1.97). Texas Pacific Land had a return on equity of 58.62% and a net margin of 65.28%. The firm had revenue of $146.36 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $154.54 million. Sell-side analysts expect that Texas Pacific Land Co. will post 48.7 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 8th were issued a dividend of $3.25 per share. This represents a $13.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.01%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 7th. Texas Pacific Lands payout ratio is presently 23.06%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Kalos Management Inc. purchased a new position in Texas Pacific Land during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. VitalStone Financial LLC purchased a new position in Texas Pacific Land during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Texas Pacific Land during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S grew its holdings in Texas Pacific Land by 250.0% during the 1st quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S now owns 21 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 15 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fred Alger Management LLC purchased a new position in Texas Pacific Land during the 3rd quarter valued at about $41,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.47% of the companys stock. About Texas Pacific Land (Get Rating) Texas Pacific Land Corporation engages in the land and resource management, and water services and operations businesses. The company's Land and Resource Management segment manages surface acres of land. This segment also holds own a 1/128th nonparticipating perpetual oil and gas royalty interest (NPRI) under approximately 85,000 acres of land; a 1/16th NPRI under approximately 371,000 acres of land; and approximately 4,000 additional net royalty acres located in the western part of Texas. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Texas Pacific Land Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Texas Pacific Land and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (NYSE:GAB Get Rating) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Friday . Approximately 497,596 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 18% from the previous sessions volume of 420,068 shares.The stock last traded at $5.72 and had previously closed at $5.68. The Gabelli Equity Trust Trading Up 1.6 % The companys 50-day moving average is $5.56 and its 200 day moving average is $5.66. Get The Gabelli Equity Trust alerts: The Gabelli Equity Trust Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 10.40%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows About The Gabelli Equity Trust A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of GAB. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of The Gabelli Equity Trust during the first quarter valued at approximately $167,000. Raymond James & Associates lifted its holdings in The Gabelli Equity Trust by 3.1% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 224,867 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,558,000 after purchasing an additional 6,793 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in The Gabelli Equity Trust by 8.5% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 243,624 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,688,000 after purchasing an additional 19,154 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE grew its holdings in shares of The Gabelli Equity Trust by 29.4% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 30,092 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $208,000 after buying an additional 6,828 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers raised its position in shares of The Gabelli Equity Trust by 14.1% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 106,420 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $737,000 after buying an additional 13,183 shares during the last quarter. 6.74% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. (Get Rating) The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched by GAMCO Investors, Inc The fund is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC. It invests in public equity markets of the United States. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. It invests in preferred stock, convertible or exchangeable securities, and warrants and rights. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for The Gabelli Equity Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Gabelli Equity Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. USAdvisors Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Get Rating) in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund bought 4,583 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $205,000. Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Kentucky Retirement Systems grew its stake in shares of Altria Group by 4.9% during the 3rd quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 140,965 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,692,000 after purchasing an additional 6,588 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Altria Group by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,630,570 shares of the companys stock valued at $120,243,000 after acquiring an additional 116,654 shares during the period. Bartlett & Co. LLC grew its stake in shares of Altria Group by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Bartlett & Co. LLC now owns 14,223 shares of the companys stock valued at $664,000 after acquiring an additional 715 shares during the period. Balentine LLC grew its stake in shares of Altria Group by 80.2% during the 4th quarter. Balentine LLC now owns 43,366 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,982,000 after acquiring an additional 19,305 shares during the period. Finally, Cascade Investment Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,156,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.38% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Citigroup lowered their price target on Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 17th. StockNews.com cut Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $52.00 price objective on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $44.67. Altria Group Trading Up 0.3 % MO opened at $43.90 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $40.35 and a 12-month high of $51.57. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $45.45 and its 200-day simple moving average is $45.78. The company has a market capitalization of $78.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.07, a PEG ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by ($0.01). Altria Group had a net margin of 22.44% and a negative return on equity of 245.43%. The company had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.89 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.12 EPS. Altria Groups revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.97 EPS for the current year. Altria Group Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 10th. Investors 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 8.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. Altria Groups payout ratio is currently 120.90%. About Altria Group (Get Rating) 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. Recommended Stories 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). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Water Intelligence plc (LON:WATR Get Rating)s share price passed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 510.24 ($6.53) and traded as low as GBX 410 ($5.25). Water Intelligence shares last traded at GBX 420 ($5.37), with a volume of 19,212 shares trading hands. Water Intelligence Trading Down 1.0 % The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 434.35 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 509.65. The firm has a market cap of 81.77 million, a P/E ratio of 2,866.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -1.23 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 38.35, a current ratio of 2.21 and a quick ratio of 2.17. About Water Intelligence (Get Rating) Water Intelligence plc provides leak detection and remediation services for potable and non-potable water in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and internationally. The company operates through Franchise Royalty Income, Franchise-Related Activities, US Corporate Operated Locations, and International Corporate Operated Locations segments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Water Intelligence Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Water Intelligence and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Weatherly Asset Management L. P. lowered its stake in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX Get Rating) by 2.3% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 36,620 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 855 shares during the quarter. Weatherly Asset Management L. P.s holdings in Quest Diagnostics were worth $5,181,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,156,902 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,736,910,000 after purchasing an additional 90,362 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,258,465 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $509,754,000 after buying an additional 34,947 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 50.4% during the 3rd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,692,947 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $207,783,000 after buying an additional 567,417 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,514,577 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $207,286,000 after buying an additional 8,406 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi raised its stake in Quest Diagnostics by 7.7% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,475,354 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $228,663,000 after buying an additional 105,471 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.39% of the companys stock. Get Quest Diagnostics alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts recently commented on the company. Mizuho reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $165.00 price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Friday, March 17th. Citigroup raised Quest Diagnostics from a sell rating to a neutral rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $125.00 to $142.00 in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on Quest Diagnostics from $170.00 to $160.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 17th. Finally, Bank of America downgraded Quest Diagnostics from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price target for the company from $166.00 to $148.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $151.20. Quest Diagnostics Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of NYSE DGX traded up $0.65 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $139.44. The company had a trading volume of 63,939 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,086,024. The company has a market capitalization of $15.62 billion, a PE ratio of 20.48 and a beta of 0.95. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $136.56 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $142.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated has a one year low of $120.40 and a one year high of $158.34. Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The medical research company reported $2.04 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.97 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $2.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.20 billion. Quest Diagnostics had a return on equity of 16.51% and a net margin of 8.26%. Quest Diagnosticss revenue for the quarter was down 10.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.22 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will post 8.73 EPS for the current year. Quest Diagnostics Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 11th will be issued a $0.71 dividend. This represents a $2.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.04%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 10th. Quest Diagnosticss payout ratio is 41.89%. Quest Diagnostics Company Profile (Get Rating) Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic testing, information, and services in the United States and internationally. The company develops and delivers diagnostic information services, such as routine testing, non-routine and advanced clinical testing, anatomic pathology testing, and other diagnostic information services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Quest Diagnostics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Quest Diagnostics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Welch Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Ford Motor (NYSE:F Get Rating) by 3.4% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 27,813 shares of the auto manufacturers stock after purchasing an additional 919 shares during the quarter. Welch Group LLCs holdings in Ford Motor were worth $350,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 332,380,925 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $3,722,666,000 after purchasing an additional 4,518,888 shares during the period. Snider Financial Group grew its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 100,345.2% during the 1st quarter. Snider Financial Group now owns 219,805,167 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $3,717,000 after purchasing an additional 219,586,336 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 69,911,885 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $811,452,000 after purchasing an additional 196,752 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Ford Motor by 6.0% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 47,659,333 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $554,278,000 after acquiring an additional 2,689,124 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new position in Ford Motor in the 4th quarter worth approximately $419,237,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 53.20% of the companys stock. Get Ford Motor alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have weighed in on F shares. Benchmark upped their price target on Ford Motor from $19.00 to $20.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded Ford Motor from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $12.00 price target for the company in a report on Thursday, May 25th. StockNews.com started coverage on Ford Motor in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. TheStreet upgraded Ford Motor from a c+ rating to a b rating in a report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Finally, Citigroup upgraded Ford Motor from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $12.80 to $16.00 in a report on Monday, June 5th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $14.78. Ford Motor Stock Performance F traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $14.15. 6,483,324 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 64,616,172. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $12.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $12.47. Ford Motor has a 12 month low of $10.61 and a 12 month high of $16.68. The stock has a market cap of $56.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.03. Ford Motor (NYSE:F Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The auto manufacturer reported $0.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.36 by $0.27. Ford Motor had a return on equity of 19.99% and a net margin of 1.75%. The firm had revenue of $39.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $37.42 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.38 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 21.4% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Ford Motor will post 1.74 earnings per share for the current year. Ford Motor Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 26th were paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.24%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 25th. Ford Motors dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 84.51%. Ford Motor Profile (Get Rating) Ford Motor Company develops, delivers, and services a range of Ford trucks, commercial cars and vans, sport utility vehicles, and Lincoln luxury vehicles worldwide. It operates through Ford Blue, Ford Model e, and Ford Pro; Ford Next; and Ford Credit segments. The company sells Ford and Lincoln vehicles, service parts, and accessories through distributors and dealers, as well as through dealerships to commercial fleet customers, daily rental car companies, and governments. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding F? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ford Motor (NYSE:F Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Ford Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ford Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers a toast during a State Dinner with President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington on Thursday. (Image:PTI) New Delhi: After talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden at the White House, India and the United States together "affirmed a vision of their being among the closest partners in the world a partnership of democracies looking into the 21st century with hope, ambition, and confidence" and their "Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership anchored in a new level of trust and mutual understanding" that "spans the seas to the stars", a joint statement issued in the early hours Friday (IST) said. With an obvious eye on China, the two nations mentioned the Quad as a mechanism "to contribute toward a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific", besides warning Pakistan and asking it to ensure that th territory under its control was not used by terrorists. Expressing their "deep concern over the conflict in Ukraine and mourning its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences", both leaders "pledged to render continuing humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine", while calling for respect for international law, the principles of the UN Charter, and territorial integrity and sovereignty. But there was no direct criticism of Russia due to Indias sensitivities. India and the US also announced a series of pacts and other measures to boost bilateral ties in defence, space, trade, technology and people-to-people ties. Both perhaps the most significant area was the defence sector, with the two leaders "welcoming the adoption of a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap (DICR), which will provide policy direction to defense industries and enable co-production of advanced defence systems and collaborative research, testing, and prototyping of projects". They also "welcomed Indias emergence as a hub for maintenance and repair for forward deployed US Navy assets and the conclusion of Master Ship Repair Agreements with Indian shipyards that will allow the US Navy to expedite the contracting process for mid-voyage and emergent repair". Under the DICR, both countries will "work together for the creation of logistics, repair, and maintenance infrastructure for aircrafts and vessels in India". On the "landmark signing of an MoU between General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the manufacture of GE F-414 jet engines in India" for the IAF Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk 2, the joint statement said "this trail-blazing initiative to manufacture F-414 engines in India will enable greater transfer of US jet engine technology than ever before". The two leaders also "welcomed Indias plans to procure General Atomics MQ-9B HALE UAVs (armed Predator drones), with the joint statement declaring that "the MQ-9Bs, which will be assembled in India, will enhance the ISR (surveillance and reconnaisance) capabilities of Indias armed forces across domains (and that) as part of this plan, General Atomics will also establish a Comprehensive Global MRO facility in India to support of Indias long-term goals to boost indigenous defence capabilities". Pointing out that the "India-US major defence partnership has emerged as a pillar of global peace and security", President Biden and Mr Modi "appreciated the strong military-to-military ties, mutual logistics support, and efforts to streamline implementation of foundational agreements", and "also reiterated their resolve to strengthen maritime security cooperation, including through enhanced underwater domain awareness". The two leaders also "welcomed the setting up and launch of the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)", a network of universities, startups, industry and think tanks that will "facilitate joint defense technology innovation, and co-production of advanced defense technology between the respective industries of the two countries". In a strong stand against cross-border terrorism that effectively warned Pakistan, the joint statement said: "The United States and India stand together to counter global terrorism. PM Modi and President Biden reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qaida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyaba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen. They strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks. They called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice. They noted with concern the increasing global use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones and information and communication technologies for terrorist purposes". On H1-B visas that will make mobility easier for Indians working in the US, the two leaders "welcomed an announcement by the US department of state that it would launch a pilot to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain petition-based temporary work visas later this year, including for Indian nationals, with the intent to implement this for an expanded pool of H1-B and L visa holders in 2024 and eventually broadening the programme to include other eligible categories". President Biden also "looked forward to the G-20 summit in September in New Delhi and applauded Indias leadership in its ongoing G-20 presidency", with Modi also "looking forward to the visit of President Biden" to the summit. The joint statement said that "Prime Minister Modi and President Biden are united in their determination to use the G-20 to deliver on shared priorities for the G-20 Leaders Summit, including improving the sovereign debt restructuring process; advancing the multilateral development bank evolution agenda, including mobilising new concessional financing at the World Bank to support all developing countries". Besides defence, other sectors also received equal focus. In space, they "welcomed the decision of Nasa and Isro to develop a strategic framework for human space flight cooperation by the end of 2023" and "hailed the announcement by Nasa to provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas, with a goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024". The leaders "celebrated the delivery of the Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite to Isros U.R. Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, India, and looked forward to NISARs 2024 launch from India", the joint statement declared, adding that "President Biden deeply appreciated Indias signing of the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all humankind". On trade ties, both leaders "welcomed the launch of the inter-agency-led Strategic Trade Dialogue (this month) and directed both sides to undertake regular efforts to address export controls, explore ways of enhancing high technology commerce, and facilitate technology transfer between the two countries". On technology, the two leaders hailed the inauguration of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in January this year "as a major milestone in India-US relations" and "launched two joint task forces on advanced telecommunications, focused on Open RAN and research and development in 5G/6G technologies", with "public-private cooperation between vendors and operators will be led by Indias Bharat 6G Alliance and the US Next G Alliance". With an eye on China, both leaders "expressed concern over coercive actions and rising tensions, and strongly oppose destabilizing or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force" and also mentioned "challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the East and South China Seas". On Afghanistan, the two leaders "called on the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women and girls, and to respect freedom of movement". They also decided to strengthen the I2U2 grouping in the Middle East -- of India, Israel, United Arab Emirates and the United States to enhance food and energy security. On freedom and democracy, the joint statement said: "The United States and India reaffirm and embrace their shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, inclusion, pluralism, and equal opportunities for all citizens. Both countries have a tradition of recognising the diversity represented in their nations and celebrating the contributions of all their citizens. They reasserted that democracy, freedom, and rule of law are the shared values that anchor global peace and sustainable development." KTR urged Singh to expedite the excision of civil areas in the Secunderabad Cantonment Board and its merger with the GHMC. Hyderabad: Minister K.T. Rama Rao on Friday met Union defence minister Rajnath Singh and sought defence land parcels in different areas for the construction of flyovers, skywalks, link roads and road widening in Hyderabad to ease traffic congestion. He submitted representations to the defence minister reiterating the demand for early transfer of defence land for road development projects in and around Hyderabad. He also urged Singh to expedite the excision of civil areas in the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) and its merger with the GHMC. The defence land parcels that the government is seeking are for a skywalk at Mehdipatnam, elevated corridor on Rajiv Rahadari, elevated corridor from Paradise junction to ORR junction near Kandlakoya on NH-44, link roads under Hyderabad Road Development Corporation Limited (HRDCL) project and certain road widening works. Rao said that HMDA undertook the construction of a skywalk at Rythu Bazaar in Mehdipatnam, as part of the city's road network and pedestrian movement improvement project. For this, the government needed 0.51 acre of defence land. He said the elevated corridor from Paradise junction (near Gymkhana Ground) to ORR junction on the Hyderabad-Karimnagar-Ramagundam highway passes through West Marredpally, Karkhana, Trimulgherry, Bolaram, Alwal, Hakimpet and Thumkunta, and ends at the junction with the ORR at Shamirpet. It covers a length of 18.40 kilometers while the exit and entry ramps are planned at Trimulgherry junction (two ramps) and Alwal. He also mentioned the governments proposal to build an elevated corridor from Paradise junction to ORR junction near Kandlakoya on National Highway-44. The proposed route passes through Secunderabad, Tadbund junction, Bowenpally junction, Suchitra, Kompally and Kandlakoya, and ends at the ORR junction near Medchal. The minister sought transfer of small portions of defence land for the creation of link roads and road widening. The road widening works were proposed at locations like Kanchanbagh, the junction of Road No.1 and 12 at Banjara Hills, from Zohra Bee dargah to Rakshapuram, from Mohammadi lane to Andhra flour mill road and from Andhra flour mill to Tippu Khan bridge. MPs Kotha Prabhakar Reddy and G. Ranjith Reddy, TS Planning Board vice-chairman B. Vinod Kumar and special chief secretary of MA&UD Arvind Kumar were also present in the meeting. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a State Visit Luncheon at the State Department, Friday, June 23, 2023, in Washington. (Photo: AP) New Delhi: Seeking to dispel any doubts about Indias position as the worlds largest democracy and the fifth-largest economy that will soon be the third-largest economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a joint sitting of the , on Thursday (Friday IST) that "India is the mother of democracy" and that "democracy is one of our sacred and shared values", adding that "we are home to all faiths in the world, and we celebrate all of them". Pointing out that "in India, diversity is a natural way of life", Modi -- in what is being seen as a message to Indias Opposition -- said while "there must be a contest of ideas at home, we must also come together as one when we speak for our nation". Addressing the US Congress for the second time as Prime Minister, which he described as a "great honour" and an "exceptional privilege", Modi reiterated his vision of "together, for everyones growth, with everyones trust and everyones efforts", and also highlighted the achievements of India under his leadership that included all. Launching a veiled but pointed attack on China at the US Congress, Mr Modi said that the "dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo Pacific", and "the stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our (Indo-US) partnership". Lavishing praise on the India-US partnership, Modi said it would make "the world a better place", while telling the US Congress: "The scope of our cooperation is endless, the potential of our synergies is limitless, and, the chemistry in our relations is effortless That is the mission of our partnership. That is our calling for this century. Even by the high standards of our partnership, this visit is one of a great positive transformation. Together, we shall demonstrate that democracies matter and democracies deliver. I count on your continued support to the India-US partnership." He added: "Now, the US is the oldest and India the largest democracy. Our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy. Together, we shall give a better future to the world, and a better world to the future. We come from different circumstances and history, but we are united by a common vision. And by a common destiny. When our partnership progresses, economic resilience increases, innovation grows, science flourishes, knowledge advances, humanity benefits, our seas and skies are safer, democracy will shine brighter". Seeking to address Americas concerns, Modi spoke on the Ukraine conflict by reiterating that "this is not an era of war but it is one of dialogue and diplomacy and (that) we all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering", while emphasising "respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity". He added: "With the Ukraine conflict, war has returned to Europe. It is causing great pain in the region. Since it involves major powers, the outcomes are severe. The countries of the Global South have been particularly affected." On the values of democracy, Mr Modi said: "Being a citizen of a vibrant democracy myself I can relate to the battles of passion, persuasion and policy. I can understand the debate of ideas and ideology The beauty of democracy is the constant connect with the people, to listen to them, and feel their pulse Democracy is one of our sacred and shared values Democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity. Democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse. Democracy is the culture that gives wings to thought and expression. India is blessed to have such values from times immemorial. In the evolution of the democratic spirit, India is the mother of democracy." Talking about Indias journey, he said: "Last year, India celebrated 75 years of its independence. Every milestone is important, but this one was special. We celebrated a remarkable journey of over 75 years of freedom, after a thousand years of foreign rule in one form or another. This was not just a celebration of democracy, but also of diversity. Not just of the Constitution, but also of its spirit of social empowerment. Not just of our competitive and cooperative federalism, but also of our essential unity and integrity." He continued: "We have over 2,500 political parties. Yes, you heard that right 2,500. About 20 different parties govern various states of India. We have 22 official languages and thousands of dialects, and yet, we speak in one voice. Every hundred miles, our cuisine changes. From dosa to aloo paratha and from srikhand to sandesh. We enjoy all of these." Talking about Indias economic prowess, Mr Modi said: "When I first visited the US as Prime Minister, India was the tenth largest economy in the world. Today, India is the fifth largest economy. And (it) will be the third largest economy soon. We are not only growing bigger but are also growing faster. When India grows, the whole world grows. After all, we are one-sixth of the worlds population! In the last century, when India won its freedom, it inspired many other countries to free themselves from colonial rule. In this century, when India sets benchmarks in growth, it will inspire many other countries to do the same." Praising the US and the Indian-American community, including US vice-president Kamala Harris, Mr Modi said: "The foundation of America was inspired by the vision of a nation of equal people. Throughout your history, you have embraced people from around the world. And, you have made them equal partners in the American dream. There are millions here, who have roots in India. Some of them sit proudly in this chamber. There is one behind me, who has made history! I am told that the Samosa Caucus is now the flavour of the House. I hope it grows and brings the full diversity of Indian cuisine here. Over two centuries, we have inspired each other through the lives of great Americans and Indians. We pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Junior." In a veiled dig at Chinese military and economic policies, Mr Modi told the US Congress: "We share a vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, connected by secure seas, defined by international law, free from domination, and anchored in Asean centrality. A region where all nations, small and large, are free and fearless in their choices, where progress is not suffocated by impossible burdens of debt, where connectivity is not leveraged for strategic purposes, where all nations are lifted by the high tide of shared prosperity. Our vision does not seek to contain or exclude, but to build a cooperative region of peace and prosperity. We work through regional institutions and with our partners from within the region and beyond. Of this, the Quad has emerged as a major force of good for the region." Mr Modi said: "India is an ancient nation with a youthful population. India is known for its traditions, but the younger generation is also making it a hub of technology. Be it creative reels on Insta or real-time payments, coding or quantum computing, machine learning or mobile apps, fintech or data science, the youth of India are a great example of how a society can embrace the latest technology. In India, technology is not only about innovation but also about inclusion. Today, digital platforms are empowering the rights and dignity of people, while protecting privacy." Attacking terrorism, he said: "More than two decades after 9/11 and more than a decade after 26/11 in Mumbai, radicalism and terrorism still remain a pressing danger for the whole world. These ideologies keep taking new identities and forms, but their intentions are the same. Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs or buts in dealing with it. We must overcome all such forces sponsoring and exporting terror." Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden in a meeting with American and Indian business leaders at the White House, Washington on Friday. (Image:AFP) Washington/New Delhi: In a major development, India and the US have agreed to end six trade disputes at the WTO through mutually agreed solutions, while New Delhi will remove retaliatory customs duties on certain American products such as almonds, walnuts, and apples. The decision to resolve the six trade disputes outside the dispute settlement mechanism of the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) was taken during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US. According to the joint statement issued after the meeting of Modi and US President Joe Biden, "the leaders welcomed the resolution of six outstanding WTO disputes between the two countries through mutually agreed solutions". The six disputes include three initiated by India and as many by the US. The six cases are countervailing measures on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India, certain measures relating to solar cells and modules, measures relating to the renewable energy sector, export-related measures, certain measures on steel and aluminium products, and additional duties on some products from the US. According to trade experts, both countries can resolve the disputes on mutually agreed terms and later inform the Geneva-based WTO about the same. Commenting on this, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said India and the US have actively engaged in discussions for the last two years to terminate these six outstanding disputes. These disputes have been filed by India and the US over a decade, representing certain key sectors of the economy such as steel, aluminium, renewable energy, solar products, and certain key export-related measures. This mutually agreed solution negotiated by both sides marks the culmination of protracted negotiations, and it is unprecedented in WTO history, the commerce ministry said. He also said that as a result of the agreement, exports of certain steel and aluminium products from India to the US would get an exemption from additional duties. "They (US) have assured us that all exclusion (from additional duties) requests that India makes or US importer makes...They have given an assurance that at least 70 per cent of all such requests for steel and 80 per cent of all such requests for aluminium for products originating from India will be excluded from the additional process of Section 252 (of a US law), Goyal said. These remarks assume significance as in 2018, the US imposed 25 per cent and 10 per cent import duties on certain steel and aluminium products, respectively, on grounds of national security. The US administration had imposed these duties using Section 232 of an act that permits the president to restrict imports. In retaliation, India in June 2019 imposed customs duties on 28 American products, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents. India had also filed a complaint against the US in WTO on imposing these duties. The United States Trade Representative (USTR) said that the two countries "have agreed to terminate six outstanding disputes" at the WTO. On India's decision to remove retaliatory customs duties on certain American products like chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents, USTR Katherine Tai said that these tariff cuts will restore and expand market opportunities for US agricultural producers and manufacturers. Trade experts stated that the move will help boost two-way commerce and strengthen economic ties. Welcoming the decision, think-tank GTRI co-founder Ajay Srivastava said it is expected that the agreement also includes a commitment from the US to eliminate additional tariffs on steel and aluminium imported from India. The US is the largest trading partner of India. In 2022-23, the bilateral goods trade increased to USD 128.8 billion as against USD 119.5 billion in 2021-22. According to WTO rules, a member country can file a case in the Geneva-based multilateral body if they feel that a particular trade measure is against the norms of the world body. Bilateral consultation is the first step to resolving a dispute. If both sides are not able to resolve the matter through consultation, either of them can approach the establishment of a dispute settlement panel. The panel's ruling or report can be challenged by WTO's appellate body. Interestingly, the appellate body is not functioning because of differences among member countries to appoint its members. Several disputes are already pending with this body. The US has been blocking the appointment of the members. Further, the joint statement also said that India has highlighted its interest in the restoration of its status under the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) programme, which could be considered in relation to eligibility criteria determined by the US Congress. Rosamma, who responded well and sat up after the CPR and some emergency medicine available on the plane, was shifted Medanta Medical Centre inside the Delhi Airport soon after landing. (Image Source: Twitter) New Delhi/Bengaluru: An elderly woman, who suffered a cardiac arrest onboard an IndiGo flight from Bengaluru to Delhi was saved by a doctor who happened to be her co-passenger. According a report on Times of India, Rosamma, the 60-year-old woman travelling to Delhi along with a relative, started feeling uneasy and experienced difficulty in breathing soon after the flight took off. Dr. Niranthara Ganesh, an orthopaedic surgeon who was onboard responded to the cabin crews call and administered CPR on the elderly woman, saving her life. Rosamma, who responded well and sat up after the CPR and some emergency medicine available on the plane, was shifted Medanta Medical Centre inside the Delhi Airport soon after landing. Her condition is said to be stable now. West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee interacts with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a joint press conference after the opposition parties meeting, in Patna on Friday. Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, Jharkhand CM and JMM leader Hemant Soren and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge are also seen. (Image: PTI) Patna: The 17 Opposition parties, which met in Patna on Friday to strategise a comprehensive plan to form an anti-BJP front ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, decided to hold the next meeting in Shimla on July 1012. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made the announcement during a joint press conference in Patna. He said that the common agenda will be prepared to work and contest the Lok Sabha elections in a collective manner. "The next meeting will be held in Shimla between July 10 and July 12. During the meeting, we will discuss and frame a common agenda to fight against the BJP while working in our states", Kharge said, adding that "the Congress ideology can never be separated from Bihar". Amid the Opposition meeting, Arvind Kejriwals AAP said on Friday that it will not be part of any future Opposition gatherings that include the Congress till it opposes the Centres ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi. Reports suggest that the Delhi chief minister, who arrived in Patna to attend the Opposition meeting along with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, left the venue early and returned to Delhi. At the press conference, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had convened the meeting, sought to downplay the AAP's absence. Kumar clarified, "Kejriwal left because he had to return to Delhi". Sources said that Kejriwal's insistence that the Congress clarify its stance on the Delhi ordinance issue caused unease among the Congress leaders here. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee asserted that the Opposition parties will fight against the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. While addressing the press meet Banerjee said, "We have united and we will fight collectively. We will raise our voice against the fascist government and oppose their (the BJPs) political agenda". "Dont call us the Opposition parties, we are also citizens of this country and chant Bharat Mata ki Jai. We also feel pain when Manipur burns. We will stand against the BJPs atrocities and dictatorship. They send the ED and CBI if people stand up and speak against them", Banerjee said. While regional leaders gave credit to Kumar for organising the meeting and bringing various parties, including the Congress, on one platform, Banerjee said, "It was her idea to hold a meeting in Patna because what starts from here turns out to be a mass movement". Ahead of the mega Opposition meeting, while addressing Congress workers, Rahul Gandhi asserted that the party will defeat the BJP in the upcoming Assembly elections in Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. "Aapka mood kaisa hai? Mood acha hai?" Gandhi asked party workers who had gathered to greet him at Sadaquat Ashram in Patna. "You saw what happened in Karnataka. The BJP made tall claims and big speeches there, but what happened? The BJP will be wiped out during elections in Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. The Congress is standing with the poor. We are here to spread love and they believe in hatred", Gandhi added. RJD chief Lalu Yadav was also present during the meeting. Later, while addressing that press conference, he said that the united Opposition will dislodge the BJP from power in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. "You will see what will happen to the BJP in the coming elections. They will be wiped out. You saw what happened to them in Karnataka. Lord Hanuman thrashed them with his mace. Lord Hanuman is now with us and they (the BJP) will be defeated", the RJD chief said. Yadav was the last to speak during the press conference. His presence at the Opposition meeting is also being seen as his return to active political life after a long gap. He had been ill since his release from prison. "You can see that I am fit and active now", Yadav said. He also used the occasion to crack a joke on Gandhi. He asked him to shave his beard and get married. "You should get married and we will be joining you as baratis. Your mom told me that you dont listen to her, I ask you to get married", Yadav said. Around 17 political parties attended the mega Opposition meeting in Patna, which was hosted by the Bihar CM. Among those who attended the event were Mr Kharge, Mr Gandhi and K.C. Venugopal from the Congress, the RJD supremo; Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav; Ms Banerjee; Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin; Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren; former Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena (UTB) chief Udhav Thackeray and NCPs Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule and Praful Patel. Top left leaders D. Raja, Sitaram Yechuri and Dipankar Bhattacharya, as well as former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mahbooba Mufti, were present at the meeting. Former UP CM and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was also present at the meeting. Google in collaboration with government-run Startup India has announced host Startup School 2023 mentorship programme next month in India. Last year, the Startup School 2022 edition, which was a virtual workshop, saw the participation of more than 14000 startups from over 600 towns and cities. Google's first edition of Startup School received encouraging feedback and interestingly, received more interest from tier-2 and tier-3 cities such as Indore, Madurai and Gorakhpur. "With insights from industry experts around building a scaled business for a niche audience, we made the investments in the right areas coupled with marketing & growth hacks and grew our user base by 10X," said Supriya Parashar, Skillster Employability Solutions This time, the Startup School 2023 will be conducted for a little over eight weeks. The mentorship programme will see participation of the more than 30 Google experts along with India's own industry experts, entrepreneurs and Venture Capitals. India is home to close to a lakh startups and this year, Google plans to reach out to 30,000 startups and offer instructor-led sessions on a series of topics such as AI, leadership, product and tech strategy, marketing, how to scale up global growth, and importantly help build networks with VCs for funding. Some of the prominent speakers who will be part of the Startup School 2023 programme include Bikram Bedi (MS, Google Cloud India), Nitin Kamath (founder & CEO, Zerodha), Sanjeev Barnwal (founder & CTO Meesho), Ashish Kashyap, Founder & CEO, Indmoney, Vani Kola (MD, Kalaari Capital), Aastha Grover (VP, Invest India Head, Startup India, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry), Shuvi Shrivastava (Partner, Lightspeed), Gayatri Yadav (CMO, Peak XV Partners), Ajey Gore (Operating Partner- Technology PeakXV India & SEA) and Afsar Ahmad (Co-founder, Gameberry Labs), among others. Interested startup founders can sign up for Google's Startup School 2023 official registration webpage (here). Here's Google Startup School 2023's welcome message: Get the latest news on new launches, gadget reviews, apps, cybersecurity, and more on personal technology only on DH Tech All five people aboard the submersible that went missing Sunday were believed to be dead, the US Coast Guard said Thursday, ending a dayslong rescue effort that gripped much of the world. On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families, Rear Adm John Mauger said in a news conference Thursday. Earlier in the day, a remote-controlled vehicle located debris from the Titan submersible, including its tail cone, on the ocean floor, about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic, he said. Read | Missing Titanic sub: Experts raised safety concerns about OceanGate Titan in 2018 The debris is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel, Mauger said. Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, was piloting the submersible. The four passengers were a British businessperson and explorer, Hamish Harding; a British-Pakistani businessperson, Shahzada Dawood, and his teenage son, Suleman; and a French maritime expert, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, who had been on over 35 dives to the Titanic wreck site. For rescuers, the search for the pilot and four passengers aboard the submersible, the Titan, was always a race against time. When the submersible, a 22-foot-long vessel owned by OceanGate, lost contact with a chartered ship on Sunday morning, it was more than halfway into its dive to the wreck of the Titanic, and it was believed to be equipped with only four days worth of oxygen. Even as the chances of survival seemed to grow slim, rescuers said they were holding out hope that the Titan could still be intact out there somewhere, with five people alive inside hopes that were dashed Thursday. Asked what the prospects were of recovering the bodies of the victims, Mauger said he did not have an answer. This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there on the sea floor, he said. A two-year-old toddler fatally shot his mother who was eight months pregnant in the US state of Ohio, police said. In a statement, the Norwalk Police Department received an emergency call from the 31-year-old victim, who said she was "shot in the back by her two-year-old son", CNN reported on Thursday evening. She also informed the dispatcher she was eight months pregnant, the statement said. Also read | At least one dead after school shooting in southern Brazil Moments later, her husband called 911 and stated "he received a phone call from his wife 'screaming something about my son and needing to call 911'". Officers arrived at the house and forced entry through a locked front door, according to the statement, adding that the mother and her son "were found in the upstairs master bedroom, along with" a pistol, CNN reported. The woman was "fully conscious" and gave officers a "complete account of the events that occurred", according to authorities. She was then transported to a medical centre where an emergency C-section was performed. But her unborn son was later pronounced dead, followed by the woman. The weapon, along with a spent shell casing, was seized from the home, CNN quoted the police as saying, adding that the pistol's magazine was loaded with an additional 12 rounds. During their search, detectives seized an additional 12-round magazine for the pistol that the two-year-old had gotten hold of in a nightstand in the master bedroom. They also discovered a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun with six rounds in the master bedroom closet and an airsoft rifle in the computer room closet. The investigation is ongoing, police said. Mocking Opposition unity efforts, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday termed the Patna meeting of 18 opposition parties as a photo session and asserted that the Modi government will return with more than 300 seats in the next general elections. Shahs statement came in the backdrop of leaders from Opposition parties across the country converging in Bihars capital Patna to draw up a plan to fight the BJP jointly in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. There is a photo session going on in Patna with all the Opposition leaders assembling at one platform to send a message that they will challenge Narendra Modi, he said while addressing a public rally at Jammus Bhagwati Nagar. The Union Home Minister, who arrived in the morning on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, said: Jitne bhi haath mila lo, apki ekta sambhav nahi (Join hands but your unity is impossible). Even if they unite, the Narendra Modi government is sure to return with more than 300 seats during the 2024 general elections. There is no comparison between Rahul Baba and Modji. We will win over 300 seats in the 2024 polls, he asserted. Read | Opposition Meet | Vision first, Leader later Taking a dig at Gandhis (Congress), Abdullah's (National Conference) and Muftis (PDP), Shah accused the three families of being responsible for the killing of 42000 people in J&K. Madam Mufti and Abdullah Saheb, I want to remind you that during the UPA governments 10-year rule, there had been 7,327 incidents of terror. In our nine-year period, the number has come down to 2,350 only, he said. Paying rich tributes to the BJP ideologue, Shayma Prasad Mukherji on his death anniversary, the Home Minister said he was illegally arrested in 1953 for entering into J&K without a permit. The Jammu rally was held on a day that held special significance for the BJP as Mukherji had died in a Srinagar jail on June 23, 1953, days after he was arrested at Lakhanpur border for entering the then J&K state without a permit. Why need a permit for entering ones own country? He (Mukherji) was jailed and later assassinated, Shah said, adding that today the soul of Dr Mukherji will be resting in peace as his mission and vision of Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan and Ek Pradhan (one constitution, one flag and one prime minister) stands fulfilled, Shah added. He said India is celebrating nine years of PM Modis rule. Modijis rule is an open book. It is not like UPA that did Rs 12 lakh crore scam. There is not even a single corruption allegation against Modiji during his nine-year rule, the Home Minister said. Later in the afternoon, the Home Minister reached Srinagar where he attended the Vitasta festival. His packed two-day schedule involves the inauguration and foundation stone-laying of several development projects worth crores in Jammu and Srinagar maintaining continuity vis-a-vis his earlier visits to J&K. On Friday evening, Shah will chair a high-level security meeting with J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha and senior officers of the police, intelligence, paramilitary forces and the army to review the security preparation for the upcoming annual Amaranth Yatra that begins on July 1. This is the second visit of the Home Minister to J&K this year. On January 13, he had visited Jammu following the Dhangri terror attack in Rajouri in which seven civilians were killed by the terrorists on New Year. The attackers remain at large despite a massive counter-terrorist operation by security forces. Prior to it, he had visited J&K in October 2022, when he had inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 263 development projects worth Rs 1960 Cr in Jammu. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday said various important issues plaguing the country, including the current situation in violence-hit Manipur, will be discussed in the meeting of Opposition parties in Patna. Top leaders of opposition parties will meet in the Bihar capital on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting is being hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (JDU) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav (RJD). Also Read: BJP trying to counter effects of Opposition meeting in Bihar Apart from Pawar, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (TMC), Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann (AAP), Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin (DMK), Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav and Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT) are scheduled to attend the first high-level opposition meeting. Talking to reporters in Pune before leaving for Patna, Pawar said, "We will be discussing some important issues that are being faced by the country, including the situation in Manipur." Incidents like people hitting the streets and creating law and order situation have been taking place, especially in non-BJP ruled states, the former Union minister said. "It is clear who is behind this, and it is not good for the country. The focus of the meeting is to deliberate on these issues and chalk out a future plan. Leaders from other states may put forth their concerns," he said. Altogether 15 parties opposed to the BJP took part in the meeting convened In Patna by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday to chalk out a joint strategy ahead of next year's Lok Sabha polls. In the current Lok Sabha, the combined strength of these parties accounts for less than 200 of the 543 seats, though their leaders are hopeful of together turning the tables on the saffron party which enjoys a brute majority with a 300 plus tally. The Congress, which is seen as the principal rival of BJP, had won just a little over 50 seats, which was a slight improvement over its performance in 2014 when it won only 44 - an all time low. Also read | Leaders jailed by Indira Gandhi welcoming Rahul: J P Nadda on opposition meet Now riding high on its successes in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka and the response to Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', the Congress is hopeful of a strong comeback. Two of the parties at the meeting - the RJD and CPI(ML) Liberation had failed to win a single seat in the last Lok Sabha polls, though both performed well in the Bihar assembly polls held a year later. With their alliance firmly intact, they hope to do well in the parliamentary elections too. Among the other parties, only Trinamool Congress, DMK and JD(U) had secured double digit tallies. The Shiv Sena had won 18 seats but it remains unclear how many of the MPs remain with the faction headed by Uddhav Thackeray, who has joined opposition unity chorus. Other parties represented at the meeting are SP, AAP, NCP, CPI and CPI(M), besides Jammu and Kashmir-based People's Democratic Party and National Conference. Key takeaways from the mega Opposition meet: 1. Altogether 15 Opposition parties agreed to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha polls together, as announced by the party leaders after the meet. 2. The next meeting of the Opposition parties will be held in Shimla in July. 3. AAP, which was a part of the meeting but not in the press briefing, issued a statement hailing 11 parties for supporting stand on Centre's ordinance. It specifically slammed Congress for not making its stand clear on the issue. 4. Mamata after the meeting said, "We have resolved on three things: We are united. We will fight unitedly. Don't call us opposition, we are also citizens of this country." 5. "If this (Modi) government wins again, then it will be the last general elections in India," West Bengal CM Mamata said. 6. "We may have some differences but have decided to work together with flexibility to protect our ideology," said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. 7. "We have come together in national interest; those in power at Centre are against national interest," said Bihar CM Kumar after opposition meet. 8. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge after the meet said that common agenda for fighting 2024 LS polls together to be finalised in next meeting. (With PTI inputs) Reacting to a social media post speculating if Assam police will go to arrest former US president Barack Obama over his remarks on the alleged vulnerability of minorities in India, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday claimed that there are many Hussain Obama in India and his priority will be in dealing with them. He said that Assam police will act according to its own priorities. "There are many Hussain Obama in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington. The Assam police will act according to our own priorities," the BJP leader wrote on Twitter, sharing a post by a prominent journalist. There are many Hussain Obama in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington. The Assam police will act according to our own priorities. https://t.co/flGy2VY1eC Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 23, 2023 The tweet had asked if the Assam police will go to the US to apprehend the former US president. "Has an FIR been filed in Guwahati yet against Obama for hurting sentiment? Is Assam police on its way to Washington to get Obama offloaded from some flight and arrest him?" the journalist wrote. The tweet was apparently referring to FIRs being lodged in Assam against Opposition leaders over their remarks in different parts of the country. Assam police had travelled to different locations and even made arrests, including deplaning and apprehending Congress leader Pawan Khera in February and arresting then-Independent Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani last year. Obama in an interview to CNN on Thursday had said that India may pull apart if the rights of the religious and ethnic minorities are not upheld. If the (US) President meets with Prime Minister Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a Hindu majority India is worth mentioning. If I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you dont protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, there is a strong possibility that India would at some point start pulling apart, Obama had said. A 16-year-old Dalit girl, an alleged rape victim who was to appear before a magistrate to record her statement, has been found hanging at her house in the Haidergarh area here, police said. The investigating officer of the case has been suspended for dereliction of duty following the incident on Thursday. Superintendent of Police Dinesh Kumar Singh said, "A rape case was lodged at Haidergarh police station on June 17. The accused was detained on Thursday and the girl was to appear before a magistrate to register her statement." Also read | Two cops among three accused of rape, murder of Dalit girl in Rajasthan "The victim allegedly committed suicide. We have sent the body for post-mortem and further investigation was underway," he said. Her family members have alleged that she ended her life as the police failed to arrest the accused who was threatening her to withdraw the case. "The allegations made by the family members regarding police action in the case are also being looked into. Investigating Officer Yogendra Pratap Singh has been suspended for dereliction of duty," the SP added. Army and Jammu and Kashmir police on Friday foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmirs frontier district Kupwara as four unidentified militants were killed in a pre-dawn operation. In a joint operation, Army and Police have killed four terrorists in Kala Jungle of Machhal sector in Kupwara who were trying to infiltrate to our side from POJK (Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir), Kashmir Zone Police tweeted. In a joint operation, Army and Police have killed four #terrorists in Kala Jungle of Machhal sector in #Kupwara who were trying to infiltrate to our side from POJK.@JmuKmrPolice Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) June 23, 2023 The identity and group affiliation of the slain militants wasnt known immediately. Army said nine AK series rifles, 14 magazines, four pistols, four hand grenades and 55 kilograms of narrcotics were recovered from the possession of the slain militants. The encounter comes a week after a major infiltration bid at Jumgund, Keran close to the LoC in the same district was foiled by the security forces, in which five foreign terrorists were killed. Earlier, on June 13, two more terrorists were killed in a joint operation by the Army and police in Kupwara district. After the Keran encounter, General Officer Commanding, Vajra Division, Major General Girish Kalia, in a presser, said that despite the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, they have been getting a large number of intelligence inputs of likely infiltration from across the LoC in the recent past. For more than the last three decades, infiltration attempts by militants from across the border have been on the rise due to the melting of snow in mountain passes. However, in the last few years, the infiltration attempts declined considerably due to strict vigil by security forces along the LoC. Earlier this month BSF Inspector General of Kashmir Ashok Yadav acknowledged that the melting of snow increases the chances of infiltration of militants along the LoC but security forces have upped their preparation to foil any such attempt. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet US and Indian business leaders in Washington on Friday, the final day of a state visit marked by pledges of deeper US-India cooperation on areas including space, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for Modi on Thursday, declaring after about 2 -1/2 hours of talks that their countries' economic relationship was "booming." Trade has more than doubled over the past decade. Modi will continue talks with top US officials during a lunch at the State Department with Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Asian American to hold the No. 2 position in the White House, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Indian leader, who has appealed to global companies to "Make in India," will then address business leaders at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. The CEOs of top American companies, including FedEx, MasterCard and Adobe, and representatives of Indian companies such as Tech Mahindra and Mastek are expected to be among the 1,200 participants. Read | US should not mistake Modi for India Modi, who touted "a new chapter" in the countries' "strategic partnership" at the White House on Thursday, is seeking to position India, the world's most populous country at 1.4 billion and its fifth-largest economy, as a manufacturing and diplomatic powerhouse. Washington wants Delhi to be a strategic counterweight to China, and deals announced this week included several investments from US-firms aimed at spurring semiconductor manufacturing in India and lowering its dependence on China for electronics. The White House also announced plans to cooperate on quantum computing, scientific research and technological innovation, alongside plans to manufacture weapons in India. Some political analysts question India's willingness to stand up to Beijing over Taiwan and other issues, however. Washington has also been frustrated by India's close ties with Russia while Moscow wages war in Ukraine. Addressing the US Congress on Thursday, Modi repeated his statement that "this is not an era of war" and called for "dialogue and diplomacy" to end the conflict. On Friday evening, Modi will address members of the Indian diaspora, many of whom have turned out at events during the visit to enthusiastically fete him, at times chanting "Modi! Modi! Modi!" despite protests from others. Activists have called for the Biden administration to publicly call out what they describe as a deteriorating human rights situation in India under Modi, citing allegations of abuse of Indian dissidents and minorities, especially Muslims. Biden said he had a "straightforward" discussion with Modi about issues including human rights, but US officials emphasize that it is vital for Washington's national security and economic prosperity to engage with a rising India. Asked during a rare press conference on Thursday what he would do to improve the rights of minorities including Muslims, Modi insisted "there is no scope for any discrimination" in his government. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president and Lok Sabha MP K Sudhakaran was arrested by the Kerala police's crime branch on Friday in the cheating case involving fake antique dealer Monson Mavunkal. Sudhakaran was given anticipatory bail by the Kerala High Court on Monday. Hence he was released after the arrest. Sudhakaran, who was quizzed by the crime branch for nearly six hours during the day, later told reporters that the crime branch had no evidence against him. He reiterated that the cheating allegation against him was baseless. Also Read | Kerala vlogger live-streams arrest Sudhakaran was arraigned as second accused in a cheating case against Mavunkal. Mavunkal allegedly took Rs. 25 lakh from some persons in Sudhakaran's presence in 2018 making them believe that Sudhakaran would help in clearing objections of the centre in releasing Rs. 2.62 lakh crore due to Mavunkal from abroad on account of antique trade. A complainant alleged that Mavunkal gave Rs. 10 lakh to Sudhakaran in his presence. A crime branch official said the other day that there was evidence against Sudhakaran. Congress workers staged demonstrations across the state to protest Sudhakaran's arrest. Roads, including highways, were blocked at some places. Congress also decided to observe Saturday as black day in the state. Congress alleged that the case against Sudhakaran was a political move by the ruling CPM in Kerala. Karnataka Food and Consumer Affairs Minister K H Muniyappa on Friday said that Union Commerce and Food Minister Piyush Goyal had rejected his plea to supply additional rice to the state at subsidised rates, dealing a blow to the implementation of the Anna Bhagya scheme. Muniyappa, who met Goyal in New Delhi, submitted a memorandum seeking 2.29 lakh tonnes of rice per month to the state. As Kharif procurement season is over in most parts of the country, our efforts to source rice from other states or from the open market are becoming challenging, he said in the memorandum. Also Read | I want to be Karnataka BJP president, says Somanna Discontinuation of OMSS (open market sale scheme) by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has brought difficulty to launch the new programme of giving additional 5 kg of rice per member per month, he further said in the memorandum. Criticising the Union minister, Muniyappa said despite the FCI having a sufficient stock of rice, it refused to supply Karnataka because of political reasons. Goyal had earlier suggested that the state government purchase rice from the open market and supply it to the poor. The state government is making all efforts to procure rice from all sources and is committed to implement the Anna Bhagya scheme, Muniyappa said. Barclays PLC is a long-storied financial institution with its roots dating back to two goldsmith bankers in the City of London in 1690. Founders John Freame and Thomas Gould were Quakers and instrumental in funding the exploration and colonization of the New World. James Barclay, at the request of the founders sons, became a partner in the company in 1736 and it took his name shortly after. The company grew until 1896 when 12 of Britains largest banks joined forces to form a joint stock company called Barclays & Co. That entity existed until 1971 when it changed its name to Barclays Bank International. The company took on its iconic coat of arms featuring an eagle and three crowns was adopted in 1937. Along the way, the company made many advances in modern banking including the worlds first cash dispensing machine. The machine was put in place in the Enfield Town branch and worked with a paper check system. Another was the adoption of personal bankers in the late 1970s, an innovation that has been copied across the financial industry, and the UK's first bank cards in the 1980s. Then, in 1985, Barclays began to merge some of its branches and the parent company became the holding company we know and trade today. Today, Barclays is headquartered in London but has operations in more than 40 countries. The company is listed on the London Stock exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. It is a constituent of the FTSE 100 and the 5th largest bank in Europe. Following the 2008 financial crisis, it was deemed systemically important. The company employs more than 80,000 people and has more than 1.38 billion in total assets. Barclays operates through two segments Barclays UK and Barclays International. The company is known as a Universal Bank and provides a full range of products and services for commercial and investment banking clients. Among the companys many benefits are deposit-oriented retail banking, lending products, and credit cards, investment banking, wealth and investment management. Barclays has made dozens of acquisitions over the decades of its existence. Among the most notable was the purchase of Lehman Brothers assets in 2008. The purchase was made in the wake of Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy and was seen as the only viable alternative. The move provided Barclays an in into the US market that it has since levered to great success. Barclays, in total, brought in more than $28 billion in fiscal 2022. Your Ultimate Investing Toolkit Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools: Portfolio Monitoring Top Stock Lists Premium Reports Stock Screeners Live News Feed Premium Support Free for your first month. To mark the 13th anniversary of the publication of the Saville Inquiry into Bloody Sunday, a new mural featuring Gerald Donaghey, one of those murdered, was unveiled at Lisfannon Park. Painted by artist Jonny McKerr, the mural, titled Innocent, included portraits of the 14 people shot dead by the British army in the Bogside on January 30, 1972. It was unveiled by Gerald Donagheys niece and nephew, Geraldine and Denis Doherty, John Kelly, whose brother Michael was also murdered, and the Bloody Sunday Trust. Geraldine and Denis Doherty at the launch of the 'Innocent' mural in memory of the 14 Bloody Sunday dead. Addressing those gathered at the mural on Thursday, Geraldine Doherty said: The Saville Report, in pronouncing the innocence of all the Bloody Sunday victims, gave comfort to many people. But its failure to fully exonerate Gerald, despite being declared innocent and posing no threat when he was killed, of the blatantly false charge of possessing nail-bombs, broke our hearts. "I am very proud to be here today to remember my uncle, Gerald Donaghey. I am here to continue my late Mothers battle for truth and justice. Mary, who fought tirelessly to clear her brothers name, was a broken woman on June 15, 2010 when Saville failed to address the issue of the nail bombs planted on Geralds body by the British army. Speaking to Derry News following what was clearly an emotional event, Geraldine, described her mother, Mary, as a strong powerful lady. It is important for me that people know what really happened inside the Guildhall the day the Saville Report was published and that Gerald is not properly cleared. I just hope in my lifetime that stain on Gerald will be removed, she said. Paying tribute to her late mother, Geraldine said Mary had fought and struggled over the years to get the British army to admit it had planted nail bombs on Gerald. But we never held out any hope this would happen, added Geraldine, in either the Widgery Tribunal or the Saville Tribunal. I remember being in London at the time and they were doing Gerards case. Raymond Rogan and Leo Young were driving a wounded Gerald to Altnagelvin when they were stopped at an army checkpoint. Raymond and Leo were arrested and Soldier 027 drove the car, with Gerald in it, to the barracks in Foyle Road. Our solicitors asked Soldier 027 on the stand if he had seen anything on Gerald when he was driving the car. He answered, There was nothing on that fellas body so there wasnt. I would not have put my own life at risk to drive a car with bombs in it. The Governments legal team could not get him off the stand after that. I was there because my mother was going through chemotherapy. She had cancer and was unable to make the journey. I remember walking out that day and all the solicitors saying, Brilliant Geraldine. Youve got them. Youve finally got them and I thought, Oh God. But I still had no faith, even though they all seemed so sure, said Geraldine. According to Geraldine, Mary was still going through cancer treatment the day the families went into Derrys Guildhall to read the final Saville Report, so Geralds friend, Donncha McFeely, accompanied and supported her. I remember, we were walking in and it was so sombre. We walked from the Museum [of Free Derry] over into the Guildhall Square. Everyone was clapping and I was just numb with worry and shock, said Geraldine. In the lead up to the day, the families were having meetings about how we were going to address the Saville Report. We asked what Plan B was going to be if Plan A did not work. I remember being told, We are not going to need Plan B and I remember me and my mother saying to me, Geraldine, we have no hope here if there is no back up for us here. Donncha and I went up the stairs and each family went to their own solicitors. My first words to the solicitor were, 'What about the nailbombs? and she shook her head and said, No, Geraldine, they wouldnt give us that but Gerald got his declaration of innocence. Donncha and I were completely broken at that moment and I remember thinking, How am I going to tell my mother? Geraldine said she then made her way to her familys allocated table. I was in tears. We were broken, poor Donncha too. Leo Young also took it badly. He said, They have made me out to be a liar. Leo had given evidence to the Saville Inquiry because he had been holding Gerard in the back of the car, on the way to Altnagelvin. Gerald was shot and they took him into Raymond Rogans house. Raymonds wife had gone through Geralds body to get identification, so they could tell my mother. But she had found nothing on him, only a holy medal. The doctor had then come in and told them to get Gerald to hospital as quickly as possible. As I said, the car was stopped at a checkpoint and they took it away. Leo was devastated and Raymond too. Geraldine firmly believed Gerald was scapegoated. They had to hang someone out to dry and unfortunately Gerald was the one that was handed over to them, she said. It was not just the Parachute regiment that was shooting that day. Other regiments and the RUC were also involved in the planting of the nail bombs on Gerald. I went into the police meetings and when I asked if the planting of the nail-bombs was going to be investigated, I was told it was irrelevant as the only thing under investigation were the shootings. Soldier G who shot Gerald was subsequently killed overseas anyway. We were abandoned. I felt personally, the families had the right to celebrate. We had fought for so long but I also felt they were afraid to come near us. Everyone was caught up in the moment of their own family member being declared innocent. We were bereft, thinking Thats it. I was standing at the lift in the Guildhall when Mammy came in and she looked at me and she knew it wasnt a good outcome. I said to her, Its good and bad. We have Geralds declaration of innocence but they would not give us the nail-bombs. Mammy was broken. I got a private room so we could break the news to her, then it was just her and me on our own, everyone else had gone. I asked her what she wanted me to do and she said, We are not going to ruin it for the rest of the families. Hold your head high and go out and well get it sorted and let people know Gerald was innocent afterwards, in own way. Geraldine remembered vividly going to the platform in the Guildhall Square and reading out the words: Gerald Donaghey posing no threat while being shot. Back inside it was a free for all. Mammy just said to me, Geraldine, would you take me home? She was heartbroken. On the way home, we got a phone call from Alan Healy from the Derry News. He had heard the statement and knew it was not a good outcome for Gerald and us. We did a wee interview with him that afternoon. Donncha and Conal McFeely came to our home that night, as did Bishop Daly, to comfort us. Everyone else was celebrating. My mother deteriorated from that. The shock and fight destroyed her. But, Saville is a stain on Geralds name that needs to be dealt with. We have appealed to everyone but, it seems, no-one is going to go up against Savilles findings. All we can do is hope they correct it some day and put it properly in the history books that the nail bombs were planted on Gerald because, the part of his body where Gerald was shot, he would have exploded if he had been carrying nail-bombs. I will keep going till I die. I promised my Mammy. Before she passed she said, You keep fighting for Gerald. It was tough unveiling the mural but I have very, very good support around me, said Geraldine. Offering solidarity to Geraldine Doherty and her family, Kate Nash from the Bloody Sunday March Committee said the unveiling of the new mural to Gerry Donaghey marked the latest stage in the long trek towards the full truth about Bloody Sunday. Kate added: The report of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry published in June 2010 left a shadow on the memory of the 17-year-old who was gunned down as he fled from the shooting in Glenfada Park. This smear that Gerald might have been carrying nail bombs must be removed. The fact that justice wasnt done to all the victims of Bloody Sunday is one of the reasons we continue the annual march. We also march to highlight the coverup of the involvement of senior British politicians and military chiefs in the murders. The top brass have been let off the hook. This is not good enough. Justice demands that the men who organised and supervised and then covered the killings are not allowed just to walk away. They were direct representatives of the British State. The State must be called to account. The Co-Op Foundation has allocated funding of 150,000 to the North West Migrants Forum to help develop youth services in the north west. Thirteen groups across the uk are set to receive a combined 1.4m over the next five years from the Co-Op Foundation. In Northern Ireland, the North West Migrants Forum is the only group to receive an allocation from the charity. The North West Migrants Forum was set up in 2012 to tackle racial inequality and prejudice and to support those seeking sanctuary in the north west. The 150,000 will allow the organisation to develop its youth services for diverse communities and help young people achieve their full potential. The Migrants Forum has already begun planning for a summer scheme for up to 40 young people. Welcoming the announcement of the five-year grant North West Migrants Forum Director of Programmes Lilian Seenoi Barr said: I am thrilled that we have received this funding from the Co-op Foundation. As an organisation founded on a shared commitment to values-based leadership and focused on building a strong community of support, we firmly believe that young people have the power to create positive change in our communities. Lilian Seenoi Barr outlining to young people what the funding will mean for them and asking them what services they would like to see developed in the months and years ahead. This five-year grant will allow us to create a project packed with opportunities for young people to develop their public speaking abilities, engage in community service and network with professionals in a variety of fields. Our long-term plan is to develop sustainable youth services in the north west for diverse communities and to fully embed youth provision in our organisation. This will enable our young people to develop holistically, facilitating their personal, social and educational growth. It will also allow them to develop their voice, influence and place in society and to reach their full potential as well as achieve positions of leadership. Our aim is to prioritise youth activism, shared power and transformation governance. We want to remove barriers for young people and support them into positions of power and leadership. We welcome young people interested in activism and those who wish to participate in making decisions that will shape their futures. Local Fianna Fail Senator, Erin McGreehan, has welcomed the introduction of additional reliefs for wheelchair accessible vehicles under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme by her party colleague and Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath. The new reliefs provide up to 48,000 for disabled drivers and 32,000 for disabled passengers. This will be applicable to those who have borne or paid VAT, VRT or residual VRT on or after 1st August 2022. After consultation with the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland, a small number of disabled drivers and disabled passengers with similar requirements for in-vehicle wheelchair accessibility was identified. On that basis and in line with international evidence, the Minister has introduced this fourth category of relief under the scheme. Welcoming this news, Senator McGreehan who has campaigned on this issue said: "These regulations will provide much needed assistance for people who have very significant and costly adaptation needs for wheelchair accessible vehicles. "While the changes today are to be welcomed, my party colleagues and I in Fianna Fail recognisie that we must do more to provide better transport and mobility support options for people with disabilities. "Mobility is something we all can take for granted but for people with disabilities they do not have this luxury. It is vital we provide the support for people with disabilities and enable them to live independent lives "I want to sincerely thank Leigh Gath, for highlighting this issue and for her tireless work advocating for people living with disability.'' Irish Wheelchair Association marched on Leinster House last Wednesday to present its pre-budget submission to Government. Members and employees from Louth and around the country gathered to plead with the government to hear our voice and not abandon people with disabilities in Budget 24. Among the large contingent was National Community Supports Director Mildred Carroll who is from Co Louth where IWA has three centres, located in Drogheda, Ardee and Dundalk. Speaking outside Leinster House she highlighted the difficulties being faced in retaining and recruiting staff due to the governments inaction around pay parity for Section 39 workers. It is widely known that IWA staff have been recruited by the HSE and other agencies in different areas because of better pay and conditions and this is really impacting negatively on those who use IWA services, Mildred said. She said: Staff who work for IWA for many years have no choice but to leave the service because they cant afford to stay working with us anymore. This is hard on the organisation but also very challenging for the people they have supported over the years. A number of Louth politicians came out to discuss the IWA's budget proposals with them, including Fergus O Dowd, Ged Nash, Imelda Munster, Ruairi OMurchu, Peter Fitzpatrick and Erin McGreehan. National Advocacy Manager Joan Carthy said: We are urging the government in this budget to provide full pay restoration for Section 39 organisations and a return to alignment with HSE pay scales. The cost of disability, housing, independent living and transport access are also key issues covered in the associations comprehensive submission which contains 33 recommendations across seven pivotal areas: Sectoral Funding, Personal Assistants, Housing, Transport, Day Services, Social Protection and Sport. These include: *Publish an action plan for the Disability Capacity Review and invest money to resource it. *Provide funding to section 39 organisations to achieve pay parity in line with HSE workers. *Amend Part M of the Building Regulations which currently only provide for wheelchair visitable housing and not wheelchair liveable resulting in homelessness for people with disabilities. *Immediately progress the review of the Disabled Drivers and Passengers scheme. *Change the allocation of funding from Community Employment Schemes to core funding. *Establish the principle of a cost of disability payment. Budget 24 should not be passed without implementing the findings of this report. *Provide additional funding to support the IWA-Sports performance programme which would enable our athletes to compete at the highest levels. Latest data from Census 2022 shows that 22% of our population (1,109,557 people) have a disability of some extent and that this generally increased with age from 4% of people aged 0-4 years to 76% among the over 85s. This reinforces more than ever the need for the government to deliver on its commitment towards the full implementation of UNCRPD (UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities). As a population, we are living longer and as a result, the likelihood of us acquiring a physical disability is higher, said Joan Carthy of Irish Wheelchair Association. Ireland needs to plan ahead to ensure that people with disabilities get the right services, in the right place at the right time. We want choice not charity. Supporting Ukraines energy security with new electricity, gas and hydro finance Energy security is one of five EBRD investment priorities for Ukraine Hydro lending will support Ukrhydroenergo in wake of Nova Kakhovka flooding At the Ukraine Recovery Conference, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the government of Ukraine have agreed to join forces to mobilise a major new financing package supporting the countrys energy security, with finance for electricity, gas and hydro companies totalling 600 million in the form of loans and grants from international donors. Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the EBRD which is Ukraines biggest institutional investor signed three Memoranda of Understanding today with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in London on mobilising 200 million for the electricity transmission company Ukrenergo, 200 million for the gas company Naftogaz and 200 million for Ukrhydroenergo, the hydropower entity. The hydropower financing package will come in the wake of recent flooding in Kherson region caused by damage to the Nova Kakhovka dam on the Dnipro river. 50 million will be liquidity funding to keep the company resilient, and the remaining 150 million is to rehabilitate two hydropower plants close to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, on the river cascade near Nova Kakhovka, as part of Ukrhydroenergos disaster response. The funding for Ukrenergo, for providing liquidity linked to market reforms, adds to a total of 520 million already provided by the EBRD since the Russian invasion last year. Ukrenergo, whose infrastructure has been heavily shelled all winter, is key to the further development of Ukraines renewables sector, which is vital to support the countrys energy independence. The finance for Naftogaz will support the gas company in replenishing its strategic reserves. It follows 300 million lent in the past year, part of a package of 500 million with donor support. Naftogaz has also been improving its governance and, after difficulties in the past, is finalising the restructuring of its bonds we stand ready to support them further, said the EBRDs Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, Matteo Patrone. The EBRD, which has a relationship with Ukraine dating back more than three decades, working both on projects and on support for the Ukrainian authorities reforms, has already significantly increased its support there since the Russian invasion last February, committing to invest 3 billion in 2022-23. IT is fair to say that a good few librarians are frustrated writers - but Angie Rowe wasnt among them. I never had a hankering to write a book, or any idea about writing anything, says Angie, from Tallaght, Dublin, who is mum to Graham and Darren. Two things changed that. First, she got a present of a voucher for a writing course, then she went on a visit to Cobh with her husband, Chris, which provided inspiration for a plot. The Seventh Passenger is the result - Angies debut novel, an intricate and excellently woven mystery, centred around the doomed Titanic; it keeps the reader guessing until the end. Six years ago, my son, Graham, gave me a voucher for a writing class as a Christmas present, explains Angie. I thought, well, Ill have a go at it. I had a choice to do the course online or in person. I chose to do the course in person every week, to meet other people who were interested in writing and try and learn from them. Angie was a late-comer to writing. "I was 60, and everybody on the course was a lot younger than me, she says. I stuck with it. My tutor, Paula McGrath, was really good, she didnt overwhelm me and gradually I learned how to tell a story and create characters. Angie Rowe, author of The Seventh Passenger (left) Before The Seventh Passenger was completed, Angie had an eBook published online. Eaten Bread was never in the shops, she says. But Poolbeg were interested, and they offered me a three-book deal. I was lucky I could manage the technology, being in the library at John of God Services Dublin. A visit to Cobh was the second thing that changed Angies mind about writing a book, when she and Chris visited the Titanic Experience in the summer of 2019. This unique visitor experience is located in the historic White Star building, the very place from where Titanics last passenger departed. We went to Cobh as a birthday treat for Chris the summer before Covid, says Angie. The family were to join us that August weekend. Chris loved anything to do with the Titanic and I was fairly interested. We stayed at the Commodore Hotel on the sea-front and it was amazing - the weather was fabulous. The historian, Vincent McMahon, was a great help. The level of detail he had on each passenger was fascinating, says Angie. We started the tour, and the guide told us all about the seven passengers that disembarked from the Titanic in Queenstown, as Cobh was known then. The guide named six. The first passenger was a member of the Odell family, and the sixth passenger was Fr Francis Browne. The last one was Emily Nichols, and not much was known about her. Angie was curious. I thought, thats odd. Somebody involved in the Titanic who was on the ship escaped attention; it was like she disappeared, and nothing was written about her. I decided to look into it. I discovered Emily, travelling with a family friend, got on board in Southampton and got off in Queenstown where she was to join her husband. But there was no record of him. I couldnt find any record of Emilys husband either in the Irish or British census, says Angie. The plot thickened. It seemed Emily had been widowed years before, says Angie. There was no husband to meet Emily and that set me off thinking. Why lie about that? The mystery set Angie on her journey to write The Seventh Passenger. I was taken with the idea, and I wondered about it. Given all the books and documentaries about the Titanic, how come Emily Nichols was never mentioned before? I decided to create a story. I changed Emily Nichols name to Amelia Nelson in the book. Angie got writing and she got researching. In my head, I wanted to write a murder/mystery, she says. Her next stop was along the Cork coast at Youghal. I bought a book by Peter OShea called Murder Most Local, says Angie. His stories are factual, and I wanted to know how the courts system worked back in the day. I was also looking for inspiration! Angie was well on her way to becoming a published author. I introduced Detective Inspector Lorcan ODowd from Youghal barracks, she says. He is on the case when a body is pulled up by fishing nets the day after the Titanic docked in Cobh. In his pocket is a bag with the Titanic written on it. By now the Titanic has sailed but not yet sunk. Inspector ODowd sets out to find out who this man, presumed murdered, was, and if he was aboard the Titanic. Like Angie, Inspector ODowd begins his research on the identity of the killer through the seven passengers that left the ship. The story unravels the life of the dead man through those who knew him in England and China. A woman is charged with his murder, but ODowd isnt convinced. He is determined to find the real killer. The first third of the book is set in Youghal and London, explains Angie. Then it moves to China where the Boxer Rebellion is raging - and tells how the missionaries in China manage to survive. The final third is the trial when everything comes together, says Angie. The Seventh Passenger, an enthralling whodunnit, took Angie three years to complete. I retired in 2001, she says. I worked on the book full-time. It went by in a flash! When I sent the first book, Eaten Bread, to lots of agents and publishers; I got the same letter; thanks, but no thanks. Nothing happened. I emailed Poolbeg and they liked Eaten Bread and said yes, but it would have to be an eBook. I said yes. Angie ended up agreeing to a three-book deal. I was shocked! she laughs. At this stage I was about to retire - so what was not to like about that? Nothing. Except youd have to come up with some novel ideas to appeal to readers! And I didnt have loads of ideas! says Angie, still laughing. I wasnt like other writers who have three or four books stashed away! But there was another book in her. The visit to Cobh kicked The Seventh Passenger off, says Angie. And the staff at the Titanic Experience were so helpful. Angie likes books that rattle along at a good pace. The Seventh Passenger, a work of historical fiction, doesnt disappoint. It would be a good choice to bring on holidays with you. Angie has been delighted with the reaction to the book. I told my husband that I was talking to you today and he said, Therell be no living with you! Theres a third book in Angie. Im looking at the sacking of Baltimore and the pirates, she says. Ill be back down in Cork to do my research. The Seventh Passenger is out in early July in all good bookshops. The Lord Mayor of Cork is calling for a public health approach to addiction in our city to free up the justice system and avoid unnecessary stigma and prison sentences. Lord Mayor Cllr Deirdre Fordes emotional plea comes on her final day in office as she prepares to hang up her chain for the last time. Cllr Forde made reference to the number of inmates she came across in Cork prison serving time for minor drug offences. She expressed concern that the sentences are only contributing to prison overcrowding and further trauma for those already suffering with debilitating addiction issues. Cllr Forde added that drug addiction should be treated as a public health emergency as opposed to a justice system issue. Her visits to Cork prison during her term as Lord Mayor have only strengthened her position on the matter. We need to tackle drug taking on our streets in a way thats useful, she told The Echo. The old Cork prison continues to lie idle. If the space was repurposed as a health facility it could serve as a real asset to the community. The Fine Gael politician is keen to see overcrowding issues in prisons solved. What people are telling me is that those with addictions should be handled through the health system. This would free up our prisons, yet they continue to be packed to the gills. She said that those rebuilding their lives following drug-related offences should be offered the opportunity to contribute to their communities in a meaningful way. They could do community service and that would free up the prisons, as well as allowing people to be productive and not fall by the wayside, she said. There is no such thing as a hopeless case. Anyone can redeem themselves if they are given the opportunity to do so. Cllr Forde said she made it a priority to visit Cork prison during her term. My aim was to see a representation of every society and every group, she said. I wanted to go because prisoners are also our citizens who are paying a high price for what they have done. I spoke to them to see what they thought about their situation. There was a lot of positive feedback because its clear that the prisons are rolling out a lot of lessons and education initiatives. She stressed that her intention is not to minimise the devastating effect of harsher crimes. There are victims out there who have had their lives ruined by somebody elses crime. These could be their children or other members of their families. Call for safer streets Crime and drug paraphernalia on the streets in Cork city are also among her concerns Nobody wants to be dealing with syringes and drugs. We want to enjoy our city. Clearly, the people want safe streets. With regard to crime, 50 years ago you might get a murder a year. Now, its a completely different ball game and Gardai have an awful lot to put up with. I spoke to the governor of Cork prison because I wanted to get a feel for what the situation is in our prisons. The old prison is lying idle. It needs to be repurposed either for accommodation or a health facility to help people struggling with addiction. As Mayor, I want us to be ambitious for our city. Cllr Forde said she was initially anxious about speaking out on certain issues: My biggest fear was that I might bring disrepute to the job and say something that would negatively impact on our city. Thats a challenge because you want to articulate what the people are telling you. You want to tell the truth. However, at the same time, you dont want the city to be downgraded. You are conscious all the time that you want to put the best face on the city and work to the betterment of its people. Becoming Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Forde reflected on the years leading up to her term as lord mayor. I had notions of being a human rights lawyer because I love solving problems and I dont like to see injustice. Growing up, I thought of careers like that but I never thought of being a politician because that wasnt in our sphere. When I was a child, politicians were men in suits and always old. You only ever approached a politician if you were a man. Women didnt feature on that horizon. Normally, they stayed at home and minded the children. I cant say that I was overly ambitious to be anything myself but I was highly competitive. She reflected on what she will miss most about the role. I will miss the variety. No two days are ever the same. In fact, no two hours are ever the same. Im going to miss solving problems because that was what I loved to do as Lord Mayor, but life goes on. It was an honour to be Lord Mayor and so life affirming to get the experience. My faith in humanity is not dented because Ive met selfless and wonderful people who belonged to our own community. I am invigorated by them and all that they do in their communities and our city. THE owner of a creche and pre-school has distributed 20,000 flyers around Cork city to source accommodation for his employees. John Bowman, who owns BEL Childcare, which has been in Douglas for 10 years, said the lack of housing in the city could have severe implications for his business, and he will have to scale down operations if he cant source accommodation for his staff. I put out 20,000 leaflets in Frankfield, Douglas, Rochestown, Donnybrook, and around town as well, he said. We have also put out a few calls to parents within our own network. If I can find landlords out there with properties to rent, I would take all responsibility for it. We have been driven to it by desperation. We have a creche and a pre-school in Douglas. We cater for children from the age of 12 months up to six years. We have 40 staff members. We are employing some international staff and some local staff, who cant get accommodation and they are leaving, he added. When international staff arrive in Cork, they struggle to find suitable or affordable accommodation, he said. We have fabulous Spanish teachers who are all qualified primary teachers, said Mr Bowman. John Bowman of BEL Childcare. We have a job for them, and they come over, but they cant find accommodation, or else the accommodation they find is just crazy expensive. BEL Childcare is thriving at present and is fully booked until 2025. Mr Bowman, however, warned that the shortage of accommodation is hindering his plans to expand, and said he may have to even close rooms unless the problem is solved. If I am not successful in finding accommodation for staff members, I will have to close rooms. I will have to tell parents I cant accommodate their children. I am out the door with demand. Fianna Fail councillor Terry Shannon said BEL Childcare provides a highly-regarded service. I hope people respond because they [BEL Childcare] provide a critical need in the community, he said. It is very professionally run, and it is highly regarded. We would hope that people would respond to the appeal if they were able to rent out rooms. They get 14,000 tax-free. Im sure there are people in the area who might have accommodation that they could use. If you are interested in renting a room or rooms, or would like some further information, contact John at 083-1012933. Driving too fast alerted gardai to a car being driven from Douglas to Carrigaline but as they followed the speeding vehicle they saw a package being thrown out a window. When retrieved it was found to contain over 9,000 worth of cannabis. Garda Paul Dromey gave evidence of the incident which occurred at around 10.30 p.m. on January 5 2022. Douglas gardai were operating a checkpoint for speeding in the area that night when they saw Marc Armengols Volvo going by at a speed greater than the limit. Gardai activated the blue light and siren on their car indicating for the defendant to stop which he did. However, as a member of An Garda Siochana walked towards the car it was driven off at speed in the direction of Carrigaline. Gardai followed at a safe distance and saw a package being thrown from the front passenger window, Garda Dromey said at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The 45-year-old was stopped and searched and he had 650 in cash. The package was retrieved and found to contain over 9,000 worth of cannabis. Alan ODwyer, defence barrister, said of the accused, When he first saw the guards he got spooked and took off he threw the package out the window. He is a man with no convictions in Ireland or elsewhere. His involvement in this was due to a drug debt rather than for any profit. Mr ODwyer said the Spanish national, who lives in Castletownbere, County Cork, was a heavy user of cannabis at the time but had since come off the drug. This was certainly and eye-opening experience for him, Mr ODwyer said. Judge Helen Boyle noted from background reports that the defendant was medicating anxiety with cannabis which only had the effect of causing more trouble for him, on top of which he accrued a drug debt. Judge Boyle imposed a fully suspended two-year sentence on the accused. The Montenotte Hotel in Cork has set out to further enhance its employee experience with an investment project of 700,000 to create an unparalleled workplace for staff. The hotel has officially opened its new Employee Facility in a bid to elevate its workplace experience for staff. Already recognised as a Silver Recipient of Failte Irelands Employer Excellence Programme and A Great Place to Work Certified, The Montenotte Hotel identified a further investment project of 700,000 to create an unparalleled workplace for staff featuring completely renovated changing facilities and an entirely new wing of the hotel to house the employee restaurant and relaxation area. The philosophy behind the overall Employee Facility Project has been that hotel employees are deserving of back-of-house spaces that are of the same calibre as those areas offered to hotel guests. The design brief for creating the welcoming employee environment was to keep it in aesthetic alignment with The Montenotte Hotels design-driven ethos, while also making it highly functional for the needs of team members. A dedicated relaxation area named The Library has been outfitted with loungers, comfortable sofas, and detailed wall panelling housing an ever-expanding employee library, chosen by the in-house Employee Book Club. The new employee restaurant boats an extensive kitchen featuring hot and cold pantries as well as furnishings personally curated by proprietor Josephine Whelehan. General Manager of The Montenotte Hotel, Frits Potgieter, said: We pride ourselves in setting the benchmark for the best employee experience. To attract, retain, develop, and nurture the very best talent, we are committed to developing and maintaining a truly employee-driven culture. In 2023, weve invested in multiple product enhancements for our guests including a renovation of The Residences, our luxury private apartments, but our most significant capital investment has been into this Employee Facility Project, underpinning an acknowledgement that our people are ultimately the most important driver of the guest experience and overall business success. People and Culture Manager at The Montenotte Hotel Emma Jacobs said the hotel recognises and appreciates the value of a welcoming environment and that the new employee spaces mean that the whole team can enjoy an environment that reflects how highly valued they are. By offering our employees the same level of hospitality and care we provide to guests, we create a culture that naturally carries into the impeccable guest experience The Montenotte Hotel is known for. Back-of-house is an important social and relaxation area for our staff and the new space is conducive to the socialisation and connections we want both our longstanding team members and those new to us to enjoy. We want an environment in which we can nurture people throughout their careers from entry level right through to Head of Department or even Hotel Manager. The Montenotte Hotel employs 170 employees representing 29 nationalities and cultures and prides itself on a commitment to staff wellbeing, as well as professional development. Fota Wildlife Parks 40th birthday party this weekend has coincided with the recent birth of a new baby giraffe to the excitement of all the staff at the centre. We are also announcing the birth of a baby giraffe, said a spokesperson for Fota Wildlife Park. She is very cute, and she can trace her lineage back to 1982 when her great great grandmother Frisky came to Fota from Southampton Zoo. The bundle of joy has arrived just as Fota Wildlife Park today marks the 40th anniversary of the Parks beginnings and celebrates 40 years of conservation, education, research, and breeding of endangered animals. On June 23 in 1983 Fota Wildlife Park opened its doors to the public. Since opening forty years ago, about 12 million people have visited Fota Wildlife Park and the number of animals in the park has grown from 172 animals and 33 species, up to 1,096 animals and 109 species. Fota Wildlife Park has given 4 million to Irish and international conservation programmes and has overseen the births of hundreds of endangered species including 240 cheetahs, 72 Rothschilds giraffes and 60 European bison. Over the last 40 years, 7,914 different animals have called Fota Wildlife Park their home some for a short term and some for their whole life. This does not include the 7,500 Natterjack toadlets that were released into the wild in Kerry. In 1983 the Rothschilds giraffe along with the zebra and cheetah were some of the first species of animals to come to Fota Wildlife Park and it is very poignant as Fota celebrates its 40th anniversary that the birth of a baby Rothschilds giraffe has been announced. It is classified as Giraffa Camelopardalis Rothschildi. The new female giraffe was born on April 30 to mother Clodagh and Father Ferdie. The new baby giraffe can trace her lineage in Cork back to 1982 when her great great grandmother Frisky came to Fota Wildlife Park from Southampton Zoo in England. The baby giraffes mother Clodagh, who is eight years old, is part of a long line of giraffes born in Fota Wildlife Park. Clodaghs mother Aoife was born in Fota Wildlife Park in 2010 and her grandmother Roisin was born there in 1992. Read More Fota Wildlife Park in Cork gears up to celebrate 40th anniversary this weekend The calfs great great grandmother, Frisky, was one of the founding herd members. The young calf is a pale colour, and she is already displaying similar personality characteristics to her great grandmother Roisin who was a strong fearless female giraffe, said the spokesperson. Cork Pride 2023 faces a possible funding shortfall of 140,000 this year due to the withdrawal of sponsors, according to a Cork TD. Socialist Party TD Mick Barry raised the issue of Cork Prides funding crisis in the Dail. The withdrawal of three corporate sponsors and signals from several others that they may follow suit has left Cork Pride with a potential shortfall of 140,000 this year, he said. There are fears that others may follow suit. A successful Pride is important in any year, but it is more important than ever this year, given the increase in physical attacks on LGBTQI+ people and given the campaign to ban LGBTQI+ books in our libraries. The stated reason for the funding withdrawals has been given as straight-forward economic pressures, but in the United States, corporations have been cutting back on LGBTQI+ friendly advertising, to pander to a right wing backlash, said Mr Barry. The question has not yet been asked as to whether that is going on this case, he said. I also think we should be told who are the corporate sponsors that have withdrawn the funding. "Cork County Council and Cork City Council are providing a pathetic combined sponsorship of 8,000 for Cork Pride this year. This is not acceptable. It contrasts sharply with the 160,000 being provided to Dublin Pride by Dublin City Council. Big business has shown that it will prioritise profit over the needs of our LGBTQI+ community. The public sector must show that it has other priorities, and that our society supports our LGBTQI+ community. Cork City Council, Cork County Council, and the State more generally, must step up to the plate here, do the right thing, and resolve this funding crisis now. In a statement, Mr Barry added: Cork Pride is a hugely important event in the life of the city. We have seen a backlash against the LGBTQ+ community this year with a rise in attacks and a campaign to censor books in our library. It is more important than ever that we have a strong and successful Pride this year. Big business clearly cant be relied upon - the public sector needs to step up to the mark and do the right thing here. Cork Pride takes place this year between July 30 and August 6. Cork City Council and Cork County Council have been contacted for comment. Councillor Frank O'Flynn has been appointed Mayor of the County of Cork in a unanimous vote by members of Cork County Council. Nominated by Councillor Seamus McGrath and seconded by Councillor Declan Hurley, Mayor O'Flynn will be the first Mayor of North Cork for this Council. Councillors in attendance at Cork County Hall described Mayor Frank OFlynn as a more than helpful person with a wealth of knowledge who so deserves this appointment. Mayor OFlynn is a Fianna Fail member of Cork County Council since June 1999 and represents the Fermoy Municipal District. In assuming the position, Mayor O'Flynn thanked his wife Mary and their son Francis John while expressing his profound pride in taking up the role of Mayor. Mayor OFlynn acknowledged the tremendous growth and achievements that County Cork has witnessed over the years, attributing them to the tireless efforts of Cork County Council. Looking to his year ahead, Mayor O'Flynn, said: My key priorities are addressing the pressing issue of housing and the urgent need to provide social and affordable housing. I also want to ensure we continue to work towards our ambitious aims in terms of climate change, economic development and securing adequate resourcing to fund a wide range of community projects. "The outgoing mayor, Councillor Danny Collins was acknowledged during the meeting for his commitment to his local community and county, leaving behind a legacy of presence. Councillor Collins was described as having a passion for his community and someone who cares deeply about his community and county at large and who did Cork County very proud. Speaking in the chamber at Cork County Hall on Friday afternoon, the former mayor said: Today marks the end of an epic and extraordinary chapter in my life. As Mayor of the County of Cork, it has been an honour and a privilege to serve this remarkable county and its people. He expressed his gratitude to the outgoing deputy mayor Councillor Deirdre OBrien for her extraordinary support throughout their journey in office. He also thanked Chief Executive Tim Lucey for his leadership throughout, all in corporate affairs and his wife Noreen. Taking up the role of the new Deputy Mayor of the County of Cork, Councillor John Healy said he was grateful and honoured to accept the position of Deputy Mayor of County Cork. He described outgoing Mayor Councillor Danny Collins and outgoing deputy mayor Councillor Deirdre OBrien as a credit to this chamber. I want to acknowledge the impact of being the successor to the late Noel Collins on this Council has had on my being elected to this office. "Noel would be very pleased to be part of this great honour. This is a special day in my life and one I never expected, he said. As we recall Noel, I would like on behalf of his friends and supporters to thank everybody here in the Council for honouring his memory with a plaque outside the chamber. It is a fitting and well-deserved tribute to a great and unique public servant. AN East Cork businessman who was in a deal that collapsed with an international company, opened a hand-delivered letter containing two bullets and a photograph of his young children. In the photograph, the children were getting out of their mothers car outside their primary school and the letter read: One soft warning. Only one for each knee. Lovely kids. 65-year-old Dubliner, Kevin Sheil, has been jailed for two years for the threat that was designed to enforce a payment in the context of the failed business enterprise. The victim said the shock and consequences were ongoing and the fact of being followed still shocks him and his wife. He has taken steps to close down the particular business in which he was involved at the time. Someone taking a picture of your kids going to school, having your wifes car followed, it is something that really disturbs me," he said. I thought my kids would come to harm. "Who would do that to someones kids the picture, the bullets no matter what beef you would have with them, its unbelievable. Judge Colin Daly imposed a sentence of three years and four months on Sheil of Dunstaffnage, Stillorgan, Dublin, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. CONFESSION Kevin Sheil confessed to making death threats against members of a family in East Cork, and he also confessed to being in possession of a semi-automatic pistol and ammunition at his home in Dublin. He had a semi-automatic pistol without a certificate. He also admitted possession of ammunition, namely 34 rounds of .25 calibre ammunition and five rounds of .22 calibre ammunition, at the same time and place. The most serious charge to which he admitted was one of making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to the children of a particular man in East Cork on December 16, 2020. Defence senior counsel, Ronan Monro, said it was out of character for the defendant who did a phenomenal amount of charitable work for sick and unfortunate people. Mr Munro said on behalf of the defendant: He has written an apology and he wanted to reassure (the family in East Cork) there was never any question of a threat being carried out or violence against their children. Hopefully, that will give them some piece of mind. It was never contemplated by him or anyone involved in the whole situation. Detective Garda Diarmuid ONeill testified that after 2pm on December 16, 2020 an envelope addressed to the victim was hand-delivered to his home in county Cork by Kevin Sheil. The envelope contained a photograph of the victims two young children getting out of their mothers car for school, indicating that someone had followed them there. Also inside the envelope was a letter which had two .22 calibre bullets sellotaped to it. The letter read: One soft warning. Only one for each knee. Lovely kids. "The victim made a report to An Garda Siochana that evening and an investigation was launched, Det Garda ONeill said. BUSINESS DEAL The victim had been in a business deal with an international company which effectively broke down. Gardai were able to identify where and when the photograph of the children had been printed, and they began to gather CCTV leading to identification of the accused and a vehicle leased in Dublin by Kevin Sheil. On March 13, 2021, An Garda Siochana searched the home of Kevin Sheil in Stillorgan and found an illegal handgun a Harrington & Richards pistol - 34 rounds of .25 calbre ammunition and seven rounds of .22 calibre ammunition, similar to the bullets taped to the threatening letter. He cooperated with the investigation," Det Garda O'Neill said. "He said he was approached by a Chinese male asking if he knew any debt collectors. Kevin Sheil suggested a well-known enforcer but said it could be expensive. Eventually, he undertook to do the job himself. They came up with a 10,000 figure of payment to collect on the debt. "He was paid 6,000 and already had a debt to the Chinese male for the balance. He admitted travelling to Cork before December 16, 2020 to locate the victims house and take the photograph of the victims children after following the car from the house to the school. His rational was that the victim would be intimidated to pay back the money. He said he got the handgun 40 years previously and said it was only fired about five times, Det Garda ONeill added. A CONTINUED focus on reducing homelessness, driving the sustainability agenda and ensuring citizens voices are heard are some of the key priorities for the newly elected Lord Mayor of Cork. Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy made the comments in his maiden speech as Lord Mayor after he was officially elected during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Cork City Council this evening. The Ballinlough native, who was first elected to Cork City Council in 2009, began his address with a quote from architect William Burges, who in 1863 remarked in his diary that he had got Cork after receiving news that he had successfully been appointed architect of a new St Fin Barre's Cathedral. And proudly I can write in my diary this evening I also got Cork, Mr McCarthy said. Whereas this evening, you are not entrusting me to build a Cathedral... I hope not, but I cannot confirm I have read all of the terms and conditions with the role! But we are, I feel, in our own political cathedral where got Cork takes on new meanings we are in a space of guardianship, representation and inheritance, he continued. Mr McCarthy, a prominent historian, aptly peppered his speech with quotes from political giants of times past, including former Lords Mayor of Cork, Tomas Mac Curtain and Terence MacSwiney and former president of Ireland, Eamon de Valera. So too, he mentioned his own past and fond memories of previous Lords Mayor visiting his school. Its not lost on me what this chain means. I was the child on the annual Lord Mayor school visits who felt a deep attachment to the essence of the chain and its connection to the sense of place and pride in Cork something that made me feel proud, made me connect to my city, driven by proud parents and teachers of Cork, he said. Ahead of the local elections next June, Mr McCarthy stressed the need for a continued focus on a range of issues including reducing homelessness, ensuring housing projects remain on track and putting Cork on a firm footing to be climate neutral as part of the EU led Horizon Mission. Without doubt, my Lord Mayoralty will champion these many priorities but, in particular, I would like to offer a voice to many of our citizens through my theme of Building our Communities Together and through a pet project I will be calling the Voices of Cork project. My interests in heritage, history and education will be at the heart of this project, he continued. Mr McCarthy, who represents the citys South-East Ward, was proposed by Fianna Fail councillor Terry Shannon for the position and seconded by Fine Gael councillor Des Cahill. He was elected with 23 votes. Two other councillors were nominated, Workers Party councillor Ted Tynan who was nominated by Socialist Party councillor Brian McCarthy and seconded by An Rabharta Glas councillor Lorna Bogue and Sinn Fein councillor Mick Nugent who was nominated and seconded by his party colleagues councillors Kenneth Collins and Fiona Kerins. Mr Tynan received three votes while Mr Nugent received four votes. At the AGM, tributes were paid to former Lord Mayor, Fine Gael councillor Deirdre Forde for her leadership over the past year. Her party colleague, councillor Shane OCallaghan said Ms Forde truly did our city proud and was exceptionally fair when chairing council meetings. Fianna Fail councillor Mary Rose Desmond said Ms Forde served in the role with great character, with great passion for the city and with great style, while Labour Party councillor John Maher lauded her as an incredible ambassador for the city. AN inquest was held at the North Infirmary into the death of Denis Cummins, 10, of Skyes Lane, Cork city, the Echo reported 100 years ago today, on Saturday, June 23, 1923. The previous evening, he and his cousin Edward Cummins, 13, were sitting at the corner of Wolfe Tone Street playing gobs (a game where you put five stones - or gobs - on the back of your hand, flicked them up, and tried to catch them). when a Guinness motor lorry reversed after finishing a delivery to Murphys. Edward said they did not think it was going to back up the new road, but it did. Evidence was heard that as the trucks was passing, one of the gobs rolled on to the road. the deceased put his hand out and it got caught in the spokes of the back wheel and the vehicle struck his head. Deceased did not move after that. A woman stood him up, but his head was falling from one side to the other. However, Jennie Smith, of 98 Wolfe Tone Street, was standing at her door and said she saw the boy get off the footpath and go to swing off the back of the lorry. As it was rounding the corner he let go and fell and it struck him. Witness shouted to the driver to stop and he did so. Other witnesses variously said the lorry was going slow; it was going at a fair pace - about as fast as a trotting horse and car; lot of children were about. One woman took other children out of the path of the lorry. The jury found death was caused by an accident and the driver, John Joseph Higgins, took reasonable precautions. Cosgrave for Cork Arrangements are progressing for President Cosgraves visit to Cork on July 8, during which he will make a public address. Accompanying the President will be Ernest Blythe, Minister of Commerce; Eoin MacNeill, Minister of Education, and the Speaker of the Dail, Dr Hayes. Cummain na Gaedhal branches throughout city and county will send representatives and, in view of the forthcoming elections, the Presidents speech should prove of great importance to the people of the south of Ireland. Ad in the Echo on June 23, 1923 Administering the Birch The text of the Public Safety (Emergency Powers) Bill was made available last night. It is a lengthy document containing 17 clauses relating to appeal courts, the death penalty, use of the birch, seizure of cattle, possession of stolen property and suspect bank balances. On Use of the Birch: Every male person convicted of robbery under arms shall, in addition to other prescribed punishments, be sentenced to be once privately whipped. For those under 16, the number of strokes shall not exceed 25; the instrument used shall be a birch rod. In other cases, strokes shall not exceed 50; the Court to specify the number in advance and the instrument to be used. No whipping shall take place after the expiration of six months from passing of sentence. Whippings to be inflicted prior to commencement of any period of penal servitude received. Irish Tobacco Industry Any hopes entertained for the Irish tobacco industry will not be strengthened by the latest gloomy report. Only part of the 1919 crop has thus far been disposed of and none of the 1920 or 1921 crop. More than 100,000 lbs are still in the hands of the experimenters as the continued preference of the public for the imperial crop has ruined the market for an Irish one. The experimenters are holding on to it in the hope some- thing may be done to relieve Irish growers from impossible competition with the cheap coloured labour of India and Africa. But the governments attitude increasingly appears to be that existing market conditions render it an unsound economic proposition to subsidise the industry. This is regrettable but many pressing problems and burdens weigh on the governments shoulders and it cannot be expected to plant money into an experimental undertaking in which hopes of success are extremely doubtful. Prohibition in the U.S. Beginning today, perplexed U.S. federal officials have to deal with liquor on board incoming vessels in accordance with Prohibition legislation. The captain of the Baltic is understood to have obtained a permit for medicinal liquor but customs officers this morning at New York are seizing the rest of what is on board. The Ohio leaves Southampton today for New York carrying a supply of wine, etc, for the return journey and it is expected the Aquitania, leaving tomorrow, will be similarly stocked. Passengers on the Berengaria lined the ships rails at midnight last night and, with bowed heads, lowered a bottle of champagne into the sea wrapped in crepe and inscribed To the Three Mile Limit. The Reliance arrived bone dry after throwing scant remaining stocks overboard, while passengers on the Lapland succeeded in emptying the bar before the three-mile limit was reached. CORK-based Deborah Oniah and Joanna Dukkipati are the proud creators of Good Day Corks Podcast Its Ok To Not Be Ok, a 30-minute audio documentary created by migrant women for migrant women. The podcast is a call for women to give up on the A-List Performance, as Deborah puts it, pretending to be on top of things, coping, always smiling. It is for women who are reluctant to acknowledge when they are not okay. It encourages them to talk about it, and to get the support they need. The podcast offers particular support to women coming from cultures where such topics are still stigmatised. Beginnings Deborah Oniah, a post graduate in trauma studies at UCC, chats with three guests on the show - Sibusisiwe Mhlope, Danielle McLaughlin and Sukhi Byrne. The podcast came about when Joanna Dukkipati, founder of Good Day Cork, was looking for a radio intern. Deborah quickly went from being an intern to a co-creator. A couple of years ago, Deborah sent me an essay via WhatsApp about her own mental health, recalls Joanna. It blew my mind because it was so raw and Debbie didnt hide anything. We just jammed from there. Deborah was very happy to share her own mental health experiences in the podcast, to counter the efforts people go to in order to cover up their struggles. It is exactly this openness that she hopes to encourage in others. Deborah Oniah and Joanna Dukkipati are the proud creators of Good Day Corks Podcast Picture: Clare Keogh There is certainly a culture of people, women in particular, doing everything they can to hide depression and anxiety. But we are all human beings and it is important we talk about mental health. In 2017, I got help through counselling. I also run with the Sanctuary Runners. Being part of a community helps us as humans are made to interact. I do meditation and yoga. Above all, I love learning. This is my bag of tools. I am out the other side and I want to share that. Migrant Women The two women believe the country you are brought up in, where mental health may not be discussed openly, impacts how you approach it, regardless of where you might end up. So, the likelihood of migrant women seeking help in Ireland is low, even when such help is readily available. Many migrant women are not allowed to say when they are not feeling OK; we are supposed to be strong all the time. You are expected to hide your feelings around your family. If you dare mention you are depressed, you are told to go and pray. I am a Christian but I can still discuss my mental health. Sometimes you just want to be heard. Deborah still believes there is a silence around mental health for migrant women in Ireland, even though the issue is tackled through services and in the media. I have been in counselling twice, first in 2017 and then in 2020. The first time I was ashamed to tell anyone, but I felt better after every session. Now I advocate that there is no shame in wanting to heal from pain, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. If you are ready, there is somewhere to go in Ireland. But many migrant women are held back by the stigmas within their own cultures. The majority of Deborahs guests are migrant women as the podcast is intended as a template for other migrant women. It comes with a trigger warning, explains Joanna. We discuss themes of loneliness and isolation and trauma. It is like listening to two friends talking to each other. At times, theyre laughing, even when theyre discussing something really dire. We wanted it to be close and personal. An Older Generation The two women are aware that the title of not being okay might seem a bit hackneyed, but they highlight the difference between their generation and the younger one, particularly in migrant communities. Young people in Ireland are amazing. They can not only discuss their mental health, but are also protesting to get better services. We have a very different knowledge base. If my mother visits from India for a month, for instance, she can see that I am stuck between two different worlds. Here there is no stigma in accessing services, but in India there is, says Joanna. Deborah believes that the healthier the older generation, the healthier the younger generation: When I arrived in Ireland, I was crying all the time. Sometimes my children would cry with me. I saw how it was affecting them. Then I started performing when they were around and crying my eyes out when they were in school, but my eldest son saw through it. I needed to end my A-List performance and get help. So I did. First for them, now for me. Deborahs counsellor highlighted how often she was apologising for crying. She taught me that it is okay to be vulnerable. She kept on telling me that this was a new beginning and I started using those lines to reshape everything. Both women explain that they see boundary setting as key in their process. Joanna says it is difficult to challenge aspects of your own culture, but it is important, nonetheless: How I establish boundaries now is very different. I get rid of what is unnecessarily toxic. I call out any manipulation. Of course, there is always pushback, and the old family dynamic will always cause you to regress. It can feel like you have undone all the healing. But then you just go and journal the hell out of it, she laughs. There are a lot of similarities between Ireland and India actually, she continues. Both cultures are very family orientated. We use similar language to express love and both cultures believe in honouring parents. Deborah finishes our chat by honouring the new family one can make. I believe I have two families now. I have a new family the women I chat with on the podcast. People like these, who you meet on your journey, never go away. I met these women in 2017 and they are still with me. The women hope to produce a second podcast and are currently seeking funding. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. Multinational chemical company 3M has reached a $10.3 billion settlement with multiple public water systems in the U.S. over water pollution claims tied to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) forever chemicals. According to the company, settlement funds will be distributed to affected cities and towns to test for contamination from PFAS and to treat their water systems over a period of 13 years, reported The Guardian. We have reached the largest drinking water settlement in American history, which will be used to help filter PFAS from drinking water that is served to the public, said Scott Summy, a lead attorney for the water systems suing 3M, as The Guardian reported. The company did not admit liability in the case, saying the funds would help to remedy the presence of PFAS at any level or may do so in the future, reported The New York Times. About 4,000 lawsuits have been brought against 3M for PFAS contamination by municipalities and states. Three other chemical companies DuPont, Chemours and Corteva reached a similar settlement on June 2, agreeing to pay $1.19 billion to be used to remove the harmful chemicals from U.S. public drinking water systems. PFAS have been termed forever chemicals because they are not easily broken down in the environment. The toxic chemicals are used in a wide variety of products, from rain gear and non-stick cookware to personal care products such as shampoo, cosmetics and sunscreen. They have been linked to cancer, liver damage, increased risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol levels and decreased vaccine response in children. PFAS can make their way from agricultural pesticides into soils and contaminate drinking water, as well as accumulate in fish, wildlife and the human bloodstream. In recent years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been strengthening regulations for PFAS and imposed the first national drinking water standards on six of the prevalent chemicals in March, The Guardian reported. In December of last year, 3M set a deadline of 2025 to stop its production of PFAS. Summy said the 13-year settlement could end up being as much as $12.5 billion, reported The Associated Press. The final number will depend on the number of public water systems that find PFAS during the EPA-required testing over the next three years. Im not sure anyone knows what that ultimate number will be, said Summy, as The Associated Press reported. But I do think this is going to make a huge dent in that cost and you dont have to litigate for the next decade or longer. The result is that millions of Americans will have healthier lives without PFAS in their drinking water, Summy added. Other lawsuits against 3M related to PFAS are still pending, reported The Guardian. The suits, filed by U.S. states and related to damages to lakes and rivers, as well as individuals claiming property and personal injury damages, were not part of the current settlement. Vietnam's pangasius exports to EU experience decline, but gradually recovering Vietnam's pangasius export turnover to the EU reached US$60 million by the end of April 2023, marking an 8% decline compared to the same period in 2022, but it still demonstrated significant growth of 70% compared to the corresponding period in 2021, accounting for 11% of Vietnam's pangasius exports, Fish Information & Services reported. In April 2023 alone, pangasius exports to the EU market amounted to US$15 million, reflecting a 21% decrease compared to the previous month and an 18% decrease compared to the same period last year. During the same period, Vietnam's pangasius exports to most EU markets experienced a decline, ranging from 13% to 30% compared to 2022. The Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain emerged as the top three markets that reduced imports of Vietnamese pangasius, with decreases of 22%, 13%, and 30%, respectively. The German market bucked the trend, recording positive growth of 78% in the first four months of 2023. The EU market has historically been Vietnam's largest pangasius import market, with sales peaking at US$511 million in 2010, accounting for 36% of Vietnam's pangasius exports. In subsequent years, pangasius exports to the EU experienced a significant decline. In 2022, Vietnam's pangasius exports to the EU made a remarkable comeback, driven by increased demand following the prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors such as incentives from the EVFTA (European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement), the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and sanctions imposed by other countries on Russia's economy and trade contributed to heightened EU demand for white fish imports from Vietnam. While pangasius exports to the EU in the first four months of 2023 showed a decline compared to the same period in 2022, it still demonstrated positive progress compared to previous years. Vietnamese seafood exporters, including pangasius producers, face challenges due to varying market regulations within the EU. It is imperative for businesses to diligently study and understand these regulations, enabling them to effectively utilize tariff preferences and adhere to rules of origin when exporting pangasius to the EU market. - Fish Information & Services San Donato Milanese (Milan), 23 June 2023 - Eni S.p.A. (Eni) is pleased to announce that along with Var Energi ASA (Var) it has reached an agreement to acquire Neptune Energy Group Limited (Neptune). Neptune is a leading independent exploration and production company with a world-class portfolio of gas-oriented assets and operations in Western Europe, North Africa, Indonesia and Australia. The portfolio is competitive in terms of cost and low in operational emissions. Neptune was founded in 2015 by Sam Laidlaw and is currently owned by China Investment Corporation, funds advised by Carlyle Group and CVC Capital Partners, and certain management owners. Eni will acquire assets comprising Neptunes entire portfolio other than its operations in Germany and Norway (the Neptune Global Business) (the Eni transaction). The German operations will be carved out prior to the Eni transaction and the Norwegian operations (the Neptune Norway Business), will be acquired by Var directly from Neptune under a separate share purchase agreement (the Var transaction) (the Eni transaction and the Var transaction together comprising the transaction). The Var transaction will close immediately prior to the Eni transaction with the proceeds from the Norway sale remaining with the Neptune Global Business purchased by Eni. Var is a company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and is 63% owned by Eni. Under the agreed terms, the Neptune Global Business will have an Enterprise Value of c.$2.6bn, while the Neptune Norway Business will have an Enterprise Value of c.$2.3bn. As of 31 December 2022, net debt of the Neptune Global Business, pro forma for the sale of the Neptune Norway Business, was c.$0.5bn. The final net consideration for both transactions will be subject to customary closing adjustments and will be paid in cash at completion. The Eni transaction will be funded through available liquidity. The transaction represents an exceptional fit for Eni. It complements Enis key areas of geographic focus and supports its objective of increasing the share of natural gas production to 60%, and reaching net zero emissions (Scope 1+2) from the Upstream business by 2030. The transaction aligns with Enis strategy of providing affordable, secure and low carbon energy to society, for which natural gas remains an important source. The transaction is also consistent with Enis operating and financial framework, as well as the targets set out in Enis 2023-2026 Plan, delivering earnings and cashflow accretion, additional shareholder value and remuneration upside. Specifically, the transaction has the following benefits: As of 31 December 2022, reported 2P reserves of c.484 million boe of which c.386 million boe are net to Enis portfolio[1], and of which c. 80% is natural gas. The transaction equates to a 2P acquisition cost of $10.1/boe. In addition, there is significant additional contingent resource upside. For the year ended 31 December 2022, Neptune reported revenues of c.$1.22bn and EBITDAX of c.$0.95bn for the Neptune Global Business. The transaction will add around 130 kboed[2] to the Eni and Var portfolios. From this, Eni estimates the transaction will add more than 100 kboed of low emission production1 over 2024-2026, of which more than 70% will be natural gas (compared to 53% for Eni in 2022), with almost all of that amount capable of supplying OECD markets via pipeline or LNG. Eni expects to generate G&A and industrial synergies to a value of over $0.5bn, with additional cost synergies, exploration and development including more CCS, financial and midstream value upside potential. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings and CFFO per share, as well as free cashflow positive. It is also consistent with the 2023-2026 Plan presented in February 2023, in particular the guidance of: - 1bn net positive contribution from portfolio activities over the period - 37bn of organic capex over the period - Leverage within a 10% to 20% range - Achieving 2023-26 production CAGR of 3-4% predominantly through organic investment plus the net impact of inorganic high-grading activities. This will see Eni integrate new assets that deliver additional value, while divesting others as it restructures and simplifies its portfolio. Commenting on the transaction, Enis CEO, Claudio Descalzi, said This transaction delivers to Eni a high-quality and low carbon intensity portfolio with exceptional strategic and operational complementarity. Eni sees gas as a critical bridge energy source in the global energy transition and is focused on increasing the share of its natural gas production to 60% by 2030. Neptune will contribute predominantly gas resources to Enis portfolio. Moreover, the geographic and operational overlap is striking, adding scale to Enis majority-owned Var Energi; bringing more gas production and CCUS opportunities to the remaining North Sea footprint; building on Enis leading position in Algeria a key supplier to European gas markets; and deepening Enis presence in offshore Indonesia, supplying the Bontang LNG plant and domestic markets. We also expect the added supply to provide further optimisation opportunities for Enis GGP operations. Indeed, we see the transaction adding around 4 Bcm of gas supply for European consumers. A critical element of the transaction is also the low-cost supply and accretive cashflow it provides to Eni. It therefore supports our commitment to an attractive and resilient dividend and adds to the potential for share buybacks that make up the balance of the 25-30% of CFFO we have committed to distribute. The nature and challenges of the energy transition require a focused response and in particular this transaction highlights two important aspects of Enis financial strategy the flexibility and optionality that our strong liquidity and low balance sheet leverage offer; and our innovative satellite model which helps to align and access dedicated capital. Overview of portfolio acquired The transaction has strong complementarity with Enis existing operations and strategy: Neptune Global Business - UK: In 2022 Neptune produced 15kboed, of which most relates to gas production from its operated and long-life Cygnus field, the UKs largest single gas producer. Additionally, Neptune is currently developing the operated Seagull field which is due to come onstream in 2H 2023. In 2022, Eni produced 44kboed in the UK mainly from the non-operated Elgin Franklin and J-Block. - Netherlands : In 2022 Neptune produced 18kboed, of which most relates to gas production. Neptune is the largest producer in the Dutch North Sea and operates several key offshore hubs which provide opportunity to efficiently add new reserves and production through infill drill and tiebacks. Eni does not have E&P operations in the Netherlands but the additional source of gas supply will improve the geographical and pipe versus LNG diversification of our well established and successful midstream gas GGP operations. - Algeria (and Egypt): Neptune operates the Touat field in Algeria. Touat production is currently suspended but will restart once upgrades to the processing facilities are complete with plateau production at 100% of over 400Mscfd (~70kboed). Neptune production from the Western Desert in Egypt in 2022 was 3kboed. In 2022, Eni produced 95kboed in Algeria and 346kboed in Egypt. In the context of the war in Ukraine, Algeria has become a key supplier of gas to Europe. Eni, as the leading IOC in the country, has taken a leading role in this initiative and expects 2023 production will average more than 120kboed in the country. - Indonesia : Neptune production in Indonesia of over 20kboed came from the Eni operated Jangkrik and Merakes fields which supply gas to the Bontang LNG facility and domestic customers. Eni production in 2022 was 62kboed. - Australia : Neptune maintains an interest in the Petrel project in the Bonaparte Basin, offshore Australia. Though development options for Petrel are currently being assessed, there could be optionality to leverage existing infrastructure including the Eni (100%) Blacktip field which produces and processes gas offshore for delivery to shore. In 2022 Neptune produced 15kboed, of which most relates to gas production from its operated and long-life Cygnus field, the UKs largest single gas producer. Additionally, Neptune is currently developing the operated Seagull field which is due to come onstream in 2H 2023. In 2022, Eni produced 44kboed in the UK mainly from the non-operated Elgin Franklin and J-Block. : In 2022 Neptune produced 18kboed, of which most relates to gas production. Neptune is the largest producer in the Dutch North Sea and operates several key offshore hubs which provide opportunity to efficiently add new reserves and production through infill drill and tiebacks. Eni does not have E&P operations in the Netherlands but the additional source of gas supply will improve the geographical and pipe versus LNG diversification of our well established and successful midstream gas GGP operations. Neptune operates the Touat field in Algeria. Touat production is currently suspended but will restart once upgrades to the processing facilities are complete with plateau production at 100% of over 400Mscfd (~70kboed). Neptune production from the Western Desert in Egypt in 2022 was 3kboed. In 2022, Eni produced 95kboed in Algeria and 346kboed in Egypt. In the context of the war in Ukraine, Algeria has become a key supplier of gas to Europe. Eni, as the leading IOC in the country, has taken a leading role in this initiative and expects 2023 production will average more than 120kboed in the country. : Neptune production in Indonesia of over 20kboed came from the Eni operated Jangkrik and Merakes fields which supply gas to the Bontang LNG facility and domestic customers. Eni production in 2022 was 62kboed. : Neptune maintains an interest in the Petrel project in the Bonaparte Basin, offshore Australia. Though development options for Petrel are currently being assessed, there could be optionality to leverage existing infrastructure including the Eni (100%) Blacktip field which produces and processes gas offshore for delivery to shore. Neptune Norway Business : In 2022 the Neptune Norway Business accounted for 58kboed of low cost and low emission production, of which 57% was gas or LNG. Neptunes principal assets in the country are Snhvit, Njord, Gudrun, Fenja, Duva, Gja and Fram of which Fenja, Duva and Gja are operated. In 2022, Neptune completed development activities on Njord and Fenja, with both expected to contribute to production growth this year. Future growth is expected to be driven by a number of short-cycle tie-back opportunities to existing infrastructure. In 2022, Var produced 220kboed. The combination in Norway brings together two high performing organisations with extensive experience in exploration and project development and significant opportunities to create additional value while reducing emissions. : In 2022 the Neptune Norway Business accounted for 58kboed of low cost and low emission production, of which 57% was gas or LNG. Neptunes principal assets in the country are Snhvit, Njord, Gudrun, Fenja, Duva, Gja and Fram of which Fenja, Duva and Gja are operated. In 2022, Neptune completed development activities on Njord and Fenja, with both expected to contribute to production growth this year. Future growth is expected to be driven by a number of short-cycle tie-back opportunities to existing infrastructure. In 2022, Var produced 220kboed. The combination in Norway brings together two high performing organisations with extensive experience in exploration and project development and significant opportunities to create additional value while reducing emissions. Low carbon: The Neptune portfolio production in 2022 was comprised of 77% gas[3]. The Scope 1 & 2 carbon intensity of operated production in 2022 was 5.9 kgCO 2 eq/boe3 The Neptune portfolio production in 2022 was comprised of 77% gas[3]. The Scope 1 & 2 carbon intensity of operated production in 2022 was 5.9 kgCO eq/boe3 CCUS opportunities: Neptune is advancing CCS projects in Norway, the Netherlands and the UK with FEED at the L10 project in the Netherlands expected to commence this year. Eni regards CCS as a key lever in its decarbonization strategy targeting a gross capacity of 30Mtpa by 2030. Ravenna CCS is expected to start up in 2024 and HyNet in the UK is advancing as one of two Track 1 projects. Eni is also working on the Bacton CCS project in the UK, Bahr Essalam in Libya and other projects in Egypt, Australia and the UAE. Regulatory conditions & timing of completion Closing of the Eni transaction is subject to a number of customary closing conditions, including (i) the carve out of Neptunes operations in Germany, (ii) completion of the Var transaction (which will occur immediately prior to closing of the Eni transaction; and (iii) the receipt of other customary governmental and contractual consents, FDI and anti-trust clearances. The transaction is currently expected to close in the first quarter of 2024. Advisors HSBC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Eni, White & Case LLP as legal advisor to Eni, and Ernst & Young as tax and financial due diligence advisor to Eni. Conference call Eni will hold a conference call and Q&A session today, 23 June 2023, at 1.00 pm CEST. The call will be hosted by Claudio Descalzi (CEO) and Eni top management. On eni.com a PDF version of the presentation will be available at 12.45 CEST. Please follow the live streaming on our website. Listening mode dial-in numbers will also be available at the following link: https://www.eni.com/en-IT/investors.html [1] Including Eni pro rata share in Var (63%) [2] Eni estimated 2023 production Scientists have identified and characterized a new inhibitor that prevents the malaria parasite to infect human red blood cells. It is non-toxic to human cells and targets a nanomotor of the parasite. Structural studies conducted at the ESRF beamlines, in collaboration with teams from the Curie Institute and Vermont University, elucidate the novel mode of inhibition that paves the way for new preventative medications against this disease. The results are published today in Nature Communications. Malaria infection in humans, caused by the Plasmodium parasites and transmitted via the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito, is a prominent global health issue. In 2020, malaria caused 627,000 deaths, the majority being children under the age of five according to the WHO. In 2021, nearly half of the worlds population was at risk of malaria. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control states that with global climate change, there is a risk that malaria appears in Europe in the coming decades. In recent years, there has been a remarkable progress in antimalarial therapeutics. However, the parasite is developing resistance to all existing treatments, including current first-line treatments containing artemisinin-based therapies. The first ever malaria vaccine is on the market since October 2021, however its efficacy is relatively modest. Therefore, the international community is still on the lookout for novel treatments. Six years ago, an international collaboration of scientists, including the Institut Curie in France (Julien Robert-Paganin & Anne Houdusse), the University of Vermont in the USA (Kathleen Trybus) and Imperial College in the United Kingdom (Jake Baum) investigated a large molecular complex called the glideosome that plays a crucial role in the movement of the Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) parasite. The scientists found that the motor within this glideosome complex, Pf myosin A (PfMyoA), is a key-protein essential for the parasite (Robert-Paganin et al., 2019; Moussaoui et al., 2020). Without it, the parasite cannot move in its host and cannot infect human cells. Myosins are a large class of molecular motors that produce force and movement using ATP, the energy currency in the living organisms. Interestingly, PfMyoA is specific to malaria parasites and sufficiently different from human myosins so that it can be used as a target for drug development. Following up on their findings, the team focused on a promising inhibitor, called KNX-002, which binds specifically to PfMyoA. They studied it on living malaria parasites and the results are very promising: in the presence of KNX-002, the parasites cannot invade human red blood cells. The inhibitor was subsequently crystallized in complex with PfMyoA. The structure could be solved using the structural biology beamline ID30B at the ESRF. The atomic structure demonstrates how KNX-002 docks close to the ATP binding pocket of Pf myosin A, thus blocking its ability to produce force. Dihia Moussaoui and Christoph Muller-Dieckmann on beamline ID30B. Credits: C. Argoud. "It is very exciting to be part of this new approach to a possible malaria drug candidate. A big challenge of this research was the crystallization part", says Dihia Moussaoui, co-first author of the paper and post-doctoral researcher at the ESRF. "I had to successfully crystallize the protein, which is inherently flexible all the time, with the inhibitor, which took more than six months", she explains. The experimental setup of ID30B was essential to optimize data collection from these challenging crystals, explains Christoph Muller-Dieckmann, scientist in charge of ID30B and co-author of the publication. The success of this research is due in part to the high brilliance, small size and stability of the beam we have now with EBS, and it opens new vistas to further research on this field at the ESRF, he adds. In parallel to the work done at the ESRF, the collaborators also used the techniques of transient kinetics and parasitology to gain insights into the inhibitor. The discovery of the new inhibitor KNX-002 paves the way for the development of a new generation of antimalarial prevention treatments. It is worth noting that no current treatment tackle PfMyoA. These results demonstrate that PfMyoA is a realistic antimalarial target and we will now focus on improving the action of the inhibitor, concludes Dihia Moussaoui. Reference: Moussaoui, D., Robblee, J.P., Robert-Paganin, J. et al. Mechanism of small molecule inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum myosin A informs antimalarial drug design. Nat Commun 14, 3463 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-38976-7 Text by Montserrat Capellas Espuny Gail Rubin will speak this Saturday to The Humanist Society of New Mexico chapter on the lively topic, "Discussing Death Won't Kill You." The event takes place on June 24, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the community room at the International District Library, 7601 Central Avenue, NE, Albuquerque, NM. The meeting is free and open to the public. Among the topics she'll discuss: Humanism and death Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) in New Mexico How to make a meaningful memorial service without religion. What is Humanism? (From the Society's website) Humanism is a rational philosophy informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion. Affirming the dignity of each human being, it supports the maximization of individual liberty and opportunity consonant with social and planetary responsibility. It advocates the extension of participatory democracy and the expansion of the open society, standing for human rights and social justice. Free of supernaturalism, it recognizes human beings as a part of nature and holds that values be they religious, ethical, social, or political have their source in human experience and culture. Humanism thus derives the goals of life from human need and interest rather than from theological or ideological dogmatism, and asserts that humanity must take responsibility for its own destiny. About Gail Rubin, CT Gail Rubin, CT, the Doyenne of Death, is a pioneering death educator who uses humor, film clips and outside-the-box activities to teach about end-of-life topics. An award-winning speaker, she "knocked 'em dead" at TEDxABQ in 2015 with her talk, A Good Goodbye. She's the author of four books on end-of-life issues: A GOOD GOODBYE: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die, HAIL AND FAREWELL: Cremation Ceremonies, Templates and Tips, KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die and The Before I Die Festival in a Box She also created Newly-Dead The Game for Couples and Singles. She's also a Certified Thanatologist, an informed advocate for planning ahead, a Certified Funeral Celebrant, president of Historic Fairview Cemetery in Albuquerque, and the coordinator of the Before I Die New Mexico Festival. # # # Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. June 22, 2023 By Vince Bielski , RealClearInvestigationsJune 22, 2023 A growing number of states are adopting a comprehensive new type of school choice program that would pose a threat to public schools if many students were to leave them for a private education. Eight states including Arizona, Florida, Indiana, and West Virginia have approved universal or near-universal school choice laws since 2021. They open the door completely to school choice by making all students, including those already in private schools and from wealthy families, eligible for about $7,000 to $10,000 in state funding each year for their education. Whats more, most of these states have also enacted education savings accounts, or ESAs. They give families much more freedom than traditional tuition vouchers, depositing state funds into private accounts to spend on virtually anything related to learning, from homeschooling and online classes to therapy and supplies. By making all students eligible, regardless of their ability to pay for a private education, universal programs in the eight states expand the pool of possible participants by about 4 million students, according to an estimate by EdChoice, an advocacy group. Thats a 40% increase in eligibility since 2021, bringing the total to 13.6 million students after the programs start in the next few years. School choice advocates led by grassroots conservative Christian groups, big money political lobbies like American Federation for Children, and education nonprofits like EdChoice call the universal programs a major milestone in their long and contentious battle for parental rights. They argue that parents, not the government, are best suited to direct the education of their children and should receive taxpayer support to do so as a competitive check on public schools they also pay for but consider failing or inadequate. But over the years, school choice has suffered from a low participation rate, with fewer than 1 million students partaking in state programs today, mostly to attend religous schools, in a nation with about 50 million public school students. The big question is whether universal laws, paired with the flexibility of ESAs to customized learning, will spur a major exodus to private schooling. Universal choice is really a significant move beyond the existing programs we have now, says Professor Patrick Wolf at the University of Arkansas, who has studied school choice for 25 years. In terms of regulating education providers, this is a much stronger move into the free-market provision of K-12. Why Now? This sudden success reflects both long-term trends and recent events. Americans satisfaction in public education has slowly eroded over the last two decades. And during the pandemic, student test scores in math and English plummeted as a result of ineffective remote learning, with satisfaction dropping sharply from a majority before COVID to a mere 42% last year, according to Gallup. Advocates in Republican-controlled states seized the opportunity created by COVID, when teachers unions blocked the reopening of schools, spurring parents to search for educational options, including homeschooling, to keep their kids from falling behind. Parents saw there were many ways to educate kids, says Robert Enlow, president of EdChoice. It opened up a world of possibilities for them. At the same time, the spread of a woke curriculum following the police murder of George Floyd in 2020 provided some parents with another reason to seek alternatives to public schools. In cities from Seattle to Buffalo, students have been taught a version of history casting white Americans as privileged oppressors and blacks and Latinos as powerless victims of structural racism. Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis made these two related educational crusades - curbing political correctness and passing universal choice - his own in the runup to his campaign for president. In 2022 he spearheaded a Florida ban on teaching that America is racist at its core, and also won restrictions on instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity prohibitions embraced by several other states as well. Then earlier this year, DeSantis won legislative approval of a universal law, making Florida the largest state to adopt school choice for all. But just as progressives have embraced a race- and transgender-conscious agenda that has spurred a backlash in many states, the universal choice program pushed by conservatives is stirring much controversy, too. In addition to solid opposition from Democrats, who fear a flight of students and funding from public schools, some Republicans, particularly in rural areas, also object to the costs of giving taxpayer dollars to wealthy families to pay for private schooling. Although Arkansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Utah have joined the four other red states in approving universal choice, Republicans in Texas have joined Democrats in blocking efforts to pass it, suggesting the program may have limited room to run nationwide. Universal choice is also untested. Parents looking to control their kids education could find themselves in the dark because theres little publicly available information about the quality of private and religious education. Homeschools and various types of private instruction are mostly unregulated and dont require teacher credentialing or student testing in many states, leaving parents without objective ways to evaluate them. At public schools, at least parents have an inkling, based on public test score data, of what to expect. Academic research can only hint at the value of universal choice programs, which have never been studied. The exhaustive research on restricted school choice has shown neutral to negative effects on test scores in statewide programs, which include middle-income students. But the programs have had clear positive benefits on scores for low-income students in particular and have improved high school graduation and college admission rates for some students. Universal choice is a great leap into the unknown, says Professor Wolf. Parents are experts on their child's needs, but parents are not experts on private educational providers. They need accurate and complete information about them. The Godfather of Universal Choice Milton Friedman, who won the Nobel Prize for economics, is considered the first prominent proponent of universal choice, bringing his theory of efficient competitive markets to education in a 1955 paper. He and his wife Rose later started a foundation for educational choice in their names that morphed in 2016 into EdChoice. Friedman said you can't create opportunity and access for people unless you give everyone choices in a marketplace, says Enlow of EdChoice. If you really had a competitive marketplace that included public, private, charter, and other school options, many new schools would spring up and it would have a positive impact on education. While true believers have always embraced Friedmans idea, it didnt gain traction in a nation where harried working parents have long accepted government-run public education and many have embraced it to promote equality. Critics said Friedmans belief that all student boats would rise in a free market of schools was naive. Students in families without enough information or experience to pick the best schools and those gullible enough to be deceived by unscrupulous operators would not fare well in an unregulated marketplace, says Chester Finn, a leading education scholar and president emeritus at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, which supports school choice. What first emerged in the 1990s were choice programs limited to students who needed special services or were trapped in poor performing schools, particularly in urban areas like Milwaukee, site of the first school choice voucher program. Slowly, the number has expanded to about 78 programs, which provide vouchers, tax credits and ESAs in 32 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, according to EdChoice. States have financial incentives to adopt these restricted programs: Under certain conditions, they generate savings for taxpayers, according to a study by Martin Lueken, director of EdChoices fiscal research and education center. When public school students enroll in choice programs to pay for a private education, they generally receive access to about 90% of what the state would have allotted to their district per pupil. But they dont get any of the local and federal funding for public schools. So, on average, state funding per pupil for choice programs is only 36% of the total per-pupil funding for public schools, saving states billions of dollars, according to Lueken. Limited Appeal But despite the availability of choice programs stretching from Maine to Florida to Nevada, participation hasnt taken off. On average less than 3% of eligible students actually sign up for school choice after 10 years, according to another study by Lueken. Why such low participation? Wolf says parents are cautious when it comes to their child's education and will only switch to a private option when they are convinced that it will produce a better academic or social outcome. And many families are simply unaware of the availability of choice programs, according to surveys. The upshot is that, despite the political acrimony around school choice, its not yet eroding public schools funding. Although teachers unions repeatedly make that claim in opposing school choice laws, a significant student exodus from public schools has yet to materialize. The notion that choice harms public schools by draining resources from them doesnt hold water, Lueken says. If choice harms students who remain in public schools, then we would expect to see outcomes diminish for those students after choice enters the picture. But thats not the case. Choice programs in some cases appear to benefit public schools. The competition for students that choice programs create has produced small improvements in public school achievement, according to a 2019 meta-analysis of 92 studies, perhaps by prompting administrators to make changes in instruction. Expanded Participation Takes Off Universal laws, which hold the potential to significantly expand the number of students who participate in choice programs, were the work of many advocacy groups. Christian conservatives, who have been at the forefront of the movement, rallied the grassroots in Arizona and other states. EdChoice, which collects data and produces policy research papers, informed local advocates on the fiscal and academic effects of universal programs. And the American Legislative Exchange Council, a free-market advocate, provided lawmakers with model legislation to customize for their states. Perhaps the most important role was played by the American Federation for Children (AFC), a conservative campaign finance and advocacy group founded by billionaire and former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. It provided the crucial legislative arm twisting. AFC didnt hesitate to target Republicans who opposed the universal programs. Rural Republicans in general remain committed to public education because there are few if any private schools in their districts. Some suburban Republicans in areas with good public schools also dont see the need for universal choice. The lobby group spent $9 million across its affiliates in elections in 2022, its biggest election year investment ever. AFC won 76% of more than 350 state legislative races in which it engaged, and took out 40 anti-school choice lawmakers in the process, Tommy Schultz, the head of AFC, said in an email. Every lawmaker across the country should know that they need to listen to the demands of families, or else they'll face the consequences in their next election, Schultz said. But AFCs hardball tactics backfired in Georgia, where voters received its mailers in 2022 associating their Republican lawmakers with the radical left if they didnt support a choice proposal, according to a local media report. The mailers incensed rural Republicans who defeated a choice measure the following year. In Arizona, a key early battleground state for universal choice, a proposal in the House last year needed the support of almost every Republican. With little room for defections, AFCs Arizona PAC poured $575,000 into the state, according to Transparency USA. Some moderate Republicans told me they were under extreme pressure to vote for universal ESAs, says Beth Lewis, a former public school teacher and director of Save Our Schools Arizona, an influential opposition group. They were hearing from AFC that the group would spend big against them in the upcoming primaries if they didnt vote for it. And they made good on the threats. However, to win the support of the final few GOP holdouts, the Republican-controlled legislature also had to significantly boost spending on public schools by $1 billion in a state with nearly the lowest per-pupil allocation to education in the country. Arizona Republicans kicked off a pattern of boosting public school funding in tandem with passing universal choice laws that has been repeated in almost all of the eight states. The Cost of Choice The bigger issue for Republicans who back universal choice is the cost of the program itself. Universal choice can be expensive because students already in private school at no cost to the state are allowed to sign up in large numbers. This is a new education expense for taxpayers that doesnt exist in the older choice programs restricted to public school students, in which the state essentially transfers funding from public to private schools. Enlow defends state funding for kids already in private school, even those from Americas richest families. He says since the state is willing to pay for the children of billionaires to go to public schools, it should also pay for them to go to private schools if thats what families want. But other school choice supporters disagree. Im not against helping middle class families with private school tuition, says Finn of the Fordham Institute. I am against asserting that everybody, including the grandchildren of Bill Gates and children of Mark Zuckerberg, should be given public dollars to educate their kids. That's not a good use of public dollars. Arizona, which has finished its first full year of universal choice, shows how the costs of the program can escalate. A legislative committee in Arizona initially said the universal program would increase general fund costs by about $33 million this year and $64 million in 2024. It added that this estimate was highly speculative since officials couldnt determine how many of the states 60,000 private schoolers would enroll in universal choice to pay their tuition. Those estimates were used to sell the program to lawmakers as affordable, but the numbers are now considered nonsense. The price tag quickly skyrocketed into the hundreds of millions of dollars. It turns out that half of the 58,000 students who enrolled were already in private school, thanks in part to advertising by the private schools and AFC encouraging them to take advantage of the funding. The Arizona Department of Education said in May it anticipates a total of 100,000 enrollees next year, or about 9% of all K-12 students. If half of those students are already in private school, it could cost the state about $450 million next year to pay their tuition, according to this reporters calculations. Thats seven times the initial government estimate. Arizona Republicans support the funding increase as the price of providing universal choice for all families. Democrats tried unsuccessfully to cap the number of participates, and in a bit of hyperbole, claim the rising costs will bankrupt the state. But universal choice could create pressure to cut other programs. Without a cap, the program is placing Arizona at a significant financial risk, says Democratic Senator Christine Marsh. To be giving away these tax dollars to families who can already afford private school when we have so many other needs, like our homeless situation, is irresponsible. With an eye on Arizona, Republicans in other universal choice states have sought to contain costs. While Indiana is budgeting $500 million for its program, Utah is capping costs at $42 million a year. Oklahoma set up funding tiers based on income, giving households making more than $250,000 a year a smaller tax credit than those making less than $75,000. All Eyes on Texas Will more states join the universal choice parade this year? Schultz of AFC thinks so. He said Texas is one of the additional states with the best chance of passing massive legislation in 2023. With more than 5 million K-12 students, Texas would be the biggest prize so far. But rural Republicans in the state have thwarted their own party leader, Gov. Greg Abbott, in his full-throttle push for universal choice. Abbott now appears to be making good on his threat to call a special session this year to muscle a program through the legislature. Shortly after The Sun Times went to press, the mural of Fairfield Times founder Fred Schoensigel was mounted on the front wall of the paper. Installing the mural were, from left to right, Lloyd Walker and artists Diane Hausmann and Shelly Walker. Lady of the Bench... 1981 From The Fairfield Times of July 23, 1981... Sella Oksness, reigning Lady of the Bench at Fairfields annual Swim Day celebration, is pictured with the committee for this years event. From left to right, Ethyle Hoodemaker, 1980 Lady; Gladys Lund, 1979 Lady; Dorothy Kinna, committee member; Margaret Olson, 1978 Lady; Jan Fulbright and Sue Kendall, booth designers. Sella was greeted at her booth in the park by old and new friends after leading the annual Swim Day Parade Saturday. Illinois most recent budget includes a $300,000 grant to Black Lives Matter Lake County, a group that critics say appears to be mainly inactive and is led by someone who has had alleged run-ins with police. An investigation from Breakthrough Ideas, a policy advocacy and education organization, discovered the $300,000 grant in the 2024 Illinois budget. This is not the first grant to go to BLM Lake County. The 2023 Illinois budget included $250,000 to BLM Lake County, and another $125,000. Funds for both came from the American Rescue Plan Act, a pandemic era program that sent large sums of money to states and municipalities with broad discretion on how to use it. Aside from concerns about government funding political activist groups, critics say that the BLM Lake County doesnt appear to be an active organization anymore. Breakthrough Ideas found little social media activity from them, and no physical presence in the community, despite opening an office in Lake County in 2020. The landlord of this property allegedly filed a commercial eviction notice against them in 2022. The status of that notice is unknown. Additionally, the head of the group, Clyde McLemore, has faced charges from law enforcement, according to press reports. In February 2021, McLemore was charged with a felony count of attempted battery of a police officer and misdemeanor disorderly conduct after allegedly kicking a door at the Kenosha Courthouse. McLemore was acquitted of the felony battery charge but convicted of the disorderly conduct charge. In another incident, after becoming disruptive at a Waukegan City Council meeting while out on bond for his 2021 charges, he was charged with criminal trespass in October 2022 after refusing to leave. This triggered a felony bail jumping charge for allegedly violating conditions of his bond. Its important to note that citizens are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. Illinois is facing a debt crisis thanks to exploding pension liabilities, and it could find plenty of better uses for its money than funding questionable organizations. The #WasteOfTheDay is brought to you by the forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com A supply chain project which aims to use blockchain technology to enable the frictionless movement of quality lamb products to export markets has commenced. The technology will replace manual in person veterinary checks with remote digital checks changing supply chain assurance and making the export process simpler. Welsh organic lamb producer Rhug Estate has partnered with an international consortium of tech, trade, and veterinary industry leaders, named 'TETA', on the project. The estate, which consists of 12,500 acres in Corwen, exports premium lamb from Wales to hospitality markets across Europe. But since Brexit, its exports have reduced by 50% due to increased administration burdens, complex custom regulations, veterinary checks and certifications. On top of this, delivery times have increased from one to six weeks. The blockchain solution aims to reimagine the end-to-end supply chain for Rhug by replacing the manual in check veterinary process with remote digital checks that are authenticated and more efficient. This data, along with all the other regulatory information and protocols, is stored on the blockchain, creating a green export lane for the business. By achieving trusted trader status, the estate's lamb exports are transported without checks and lengthy time delays. ubloquity the lead company in TETA - has secured 50,000 in funding from the Welsh governments to develop the blockchain-enabled application. Rob Chester, ubloquity CEO said: Post-Brexit, red meat exporters face additional regulatory checks and administrative burdens on goods going to the EU, making it more difficult and expensive for customers to source premium goods such as Welsh lamb. Blockchain technology can solve this problem and were partnering with Rhug and industry experts to deliver a solution that enables frictionless trade and unlocks Welsh lamb exports. "Our digital blockchain-enabled application will remove the requirement to deploy expensive and highly qualified vets to conduct manual checks and sign paperwork. "This will significantly lower the cost of trade to the exporter and free up vets to conduct more highly skilled and necessary work. Chris Esler, production manager at Rhug Estate, said the blockchain solution would ensure more organic lamb could get to the estate's EU customers. He said: "We welcome the support to help us take the project forward, and enable us to boost quality Welsh lamb exports. Farming businesses have been urged to build on the success of red meat and dairy exports with the global appetite for both set to grow further. AHDB has issued the rallying call, as global meat consumption is expected to grow by 1.8% and fresh dairy product consumption by over 2.5% from 2023 to 2024. UK red meat exports hit record levels in 2022 with a value of 1.7 billion and the dairy sector achieving a similar level. Speaking at the AHDB Export Conference at Butchers Hall in London, AHDB chair Nicholas Saphir said it was "imperative to maintain the momentum and build on this success". He said: "With the anticipated growth in global meat and dairy consumption, now is a pivotal moment for more UK exporters to seize on the export opportunities presented. The levy board welcomed the governments recent commitment to invest 2 million to boost its programme of global trade shows and missions. The government has also agreed to provide 1.6m for the GREAT food and drink campaign and a new 1m bespoke export support fund for the dairy sector. Mr Saphir said the governments pledge at its recent Farm to Fork summit was 'very encouraging'. "It will complement AHDBs 8m annual investment in exports to facilitate trade and grow our reputation as a producer of quality, safe and wholesome food. The conference also saw the unveiling of AHDB's Beyond Borders its new strategy aimed at delivering enhanced services to help more exporters maximise the global potential for high-quality UK produce. Beyond Borders sets out plans to encourage more businesses to develop their export potential with the help of AHDB's services, including training and advice and marketing support. This will include providing tools, information and advice and practical assistance on exporting, connecting UK businesses to overseas buyers and growing the reputation of British products. Mr Saphir said: A sustained collaborative effort between industry and government, underpinned with AHDBs support including market and consumer insight, is key to helping our exporters build on the successes already achieved. Our strategic approach set out in Beyond Borders is very much aimed at helping our levy payers succeed in this and to encourage more businesses to look at exporting. "Not only will it help levy payers improve overall returns, but it will also support the UK governments wider ambition to become a Great Trading Nation." The preferred route for the East West Rail development linking Cambridge to Bedford will 'devastate' nationally important farmland habitat, campaigners have warned. The route announced last month will slice through Countryside Regeneration Trusts (CRT) Lark Rise Farm in Comberton, Cambridgeshire. The environmental charity said it would "destroy" the habitat of ground-nesting skylark, grey partridge, and lapwing. It would 'reverse years of hard work' by the CRT and its tenant farmer Tim Scott to create an "exemplar of nature-friendly farming on the site". Mr Scott said: Its all very well off-setting habitat by planting a few trees elsewhere, as East West Rail propose to do, but for species that live in open farmland that simply isnt going to work. Farmland birds are some of the most threatened species in the country, a key driver for the formation of the CRT 30 years ago. The most recent government statistics show that species including yellowhammer, linnet, corn bunting and grey partridge have been on a downward slope since the 1970s. However, the CRTs monitoring has shown that Westfield is performing better than the national trend. The farm has recorded 20 percent of all British bird species and almost 50 percent of butterflies being recorded in the area, according to the charity. But CRT conservation officer, Dr Vince Lea said he was 'deeply concerned' about the environmental impact of the railways course. No amount of ecological compensation sites will make a difference to these kinds of species. They need farmland habitat, like we currently have at Westfield. "This route makes two of our four fields smaller, reducing their suitability for species that like the open expanse of farmland, and land the far side of the tracks will be cut off from the farm, making it unproductive. Large flocks of Red-listed birds use these fields in winter with many hundreds at times; some of these will certainly be impacted, literally, by the passing trains as well as disturbed during the construction works." Dr Lea warned: "Species like golden plover are very traditional in their site selection and once they are gone, they are gone for ever. NFU Scotland has called on the Scottish government to reconsider its 'hardening of the green agenda' if it wants to address food security concerns. The union said that under the Bute House agreement, the ability of government to strike a balanced approach with the farming industry on food security and tackling emissions had 'changed'. The Bute House agreement is a power-sharing deal between the SNP and the Scottish Greens, struck in August 2021. Specifically, on issues like species management, NFU Scotland warned that the government was losing the support of farmers and crofters. Scottish farmers were also denied emergency access on Thursday (22 June) to use bracken control herbicide Asulox, despite it given the go ahead for use in England. NFU Scotland, along with other industry groups, have called for the decision to be "urgently reviewed", amid fears bracken is rapidly spreading in the uplands. The union's president, Martin Kennedy said the Bute House agreement had enabled "a hardening of the green agenda". He said it was giving "cause for serious concern" not only for rural businesses, but for the Scottish economy as a whole. On the Asulox decision, Mr Kennedy said: In the absence of any other viable alternative, the consequences of the ban, which will consign some of Scotlands hillside to monocultures of tick-laden nature-depleted bracken has ramifications for farmers, rural communities, human health, and biodiversity. And commenting specifically on species management, he said that working with NatureScot for decades on management of the likes of beavers, White-tailed eagles and geese had seen progress. However, under the Bute House agreement, the "pendulum has now swung in the wrong direction". The translocation policy for beavers, introduced under the Bute House agreement, will see beaver numbers reach 10,000 by the end of the decade. "This not only threatens the viability of some rural businesses but, in some cases, has also put at risk some of the things we are trying to protect," Mr Kennedy said. "Under the previous SNP Government, the union had accepted natural expansion, but translocation now significantly increases the likelihood of farmers suffering severe agricultural damage at the hands of rapid species expansion." White-tailed eagle numbers also continue to grow annually, as do the number of farmers and crofters losing sheep to the species. Mr Kennedy said that without a dedicated funding stream backed by effective management or licencing, the impacts of some species that were growing rapidly in numbers. He explained: "A growing number of farmers and crofters are suffering from the damage that some of these species are doing, yet there is a limited budget available for meaningful mitigation to control this damage. We cannot continue to pass the costs of what is deemed to be in the public interest on to farming businesses." The concerns follow the Scottish government unveiling new conditions for support payments, to be introduced from 2025. Farmers and crofters will be required to adopt numerous environmental practices to qualify for the payment. There is 'more positivity' across the pig sector following two years of crippling losses, the National Pig Association (NPA) has said, although longer-term concerns remain. Farmers summed up the sector's mood during recent NPA meetings, as sustained higher pig prices, tight supplies and generally bearish trends in the feed ingredient markets bring relief after years of losses. The past two years have seen one crisis follow another, with pig production losses estimated at 750m. The NPA met online last week during the regional round-up, with one producer saying: In general, there is a lot more positivity within the independent producers left in in the area around here. Everyone is down in numbers from where they have been historically. We are still feeling the impacts of the terrible summer and autumn infertility we had last year. A lot of producers have had similar issues." Health wise, there have been some repercussions from the backlog, but I think that's started to improve over last three months. Farmers in the Midlands are also feeling the effects of the hot summer coming through on numbers, combined with the number of producers who have exited the industry. This means there are fewer pigs and therefore an increased price because processors still need to get hold of them, the Midlands NPA regional representative added. Another farmer, in the Eastern region, painted a similar picture: There is certainly a bit more positivity for the short term - at the moment, everyone can see a shortage of pigs and low feed costs and are therefore a bit happier. But there is maybe a little bit of less positivity for the medium to longer term with the future direction of the pig industry still unknown, he said, adding that there are some health issues still rumbling on associated with the backlog. The NPA's South-Central representative pointed out that many pig producers "have still got their balance sheets to repair from the last couple of years", while there was also uncertainty over how the review of the pork supply chain would pan out. The pig marketing representative said some farmers were still concerned about their security going forward and highlighted the lack of reinvestment within the sector due to cash flow issues. He also noted big concerns around staff. Most people seem to be still looking for staff, he explained. There was a lot of discussion around the feed price. The allied industry nutrition representative described the cereals market outlook as bearish, with feed wheat currently quoted at around 180/tonne for July, compared with a high of around 350/t just over a year ago. But she said the market was keeping a very close eye on the situation in Ukraine, which continues to cause price fluctuations. China continues to import soya in large volumes, although that market is also bearish, albeit currently at a historically higher level of around 420/t. The Eastern producer representative said: There is quite a wide range of feed prices going into people's cost of production at the moment, due to raw material prices coming down more quickly than people were expecting, with some people are still locked into higher wheat and barley prices, in particular. The Midlands representative added that there was some welcome relief on feed price. There seems to be a lot of last year's grain about unsold which is helping weigh down on the local prices of wheat. "With the weather that we've got now, crops look reasonable in the ground and we might even get into them early so again, another indication that there might be a bit more price to come out of wheat and barley. Representatives from other regions also pointed to a generally positive harvest outlook, albeit with a real need for more rain in most areas. Chris Noth reportedly feels left out in the cold by his former Sex and the City co-stars. Chris Noth reportedly feels left out in the cold by his former Sex and the City co-stars The 68-year-old actor probably best known for playing Mr Big on the HBO show and its reboot And Just Like That was hit by multiple sexual assault allegations in 2021, and a source claims he is still being frozen out by the cast of the show despite strongly denying any wrongdoing. An insider told Radar Online about him apparently being cut off by SATC stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis: Hes not invited to their parties. He doesnt get greeting cards or happy birthday texts. He wonders why SJP and her troupe continue to leave him out in the cold. The source added Chris, who has two sons with wife Tara Wilson, feels angry over his apparent alienation from the actresses as he was never charged with a crime and he maintains all sexual instances with his accusers were all consensual. He was accused of assault by multiple women days after AJLT debuted, but hit back in a statement issued in December 2021: The accusations against me made by individuals I met years, even decades, ago are categorically false. Chris went on: These stories couldve been from 30 years ago or 30 days ago no always means no that is a line I did not cross. The encounters were consensual. Its difficult not to question the timing of these stories coming out. I dont know for certain why they are surfacing now, but I do know this: I did not assault these women. Despite his denial, Chris was fired from his show The Equalizer and had his ad for Peloton scrapped. He was also dropped by agency A3 Artists in the wake of the scandal. His Mr Big character was killed off in the first episode of AJLT, and his scheduled cameo in the finale episode of the shows first season was axed. In a joint statement after Chris made headlines, his former co-stars Sarah, 58, Cynthia, 57, and Kristin, 58, said: We are deeply saddened to hear the allegations against Chris Noth. We support the women who have come forward and shared their painful experiences. We know it must be a very difficult thing to do and we commend them for it. Sarah admitted last May she had not talked to her on-screen husband Chris since the claims emerged. She told The Hollywood Reporter when asked about the claims against him: I dont even know if Im ready to talk about it. When asked if she had spoken to Chris since his scandal the actress admitted: No. Dario G has been diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer. Dario G has cancer (c) Twitter The 'Sunchyme' hitmaker - whose real name is Paul Spencer - broke the news to fans on Twitter but insisted he would be staying positive as he explained he is planning to see his medical team on Friday (23.06.23) to discuss his treatment options. He wrote: "Hard to write this. Ive just found out that Ive got stage 4 rectal cancer and a shadow on my liver. Thats damn hard to read too Im sure. Gonna give it my best shot though. Stay positive, cos I am. Always. Seeing the doctors on Friday to discuss the next steps. #f***cancer (sic)". The DJ was quickly offered messages of support from fans. 'Derry Girls' writer Lisa McGee wrote: "I am so so sorry. Sending all my love xx." And podcaster Rich Wilson commented: "Sending all the love and positive vibes your way man. Stay strong geezer." Fellow DJ Starkillers - whose real name is Nick Terranova - sent a heartfelt message of support and gratitude to the star. He wrote: "Hey Dario, Ive been a fan of yours since the Sunchyme days. It was a big song on South Beach. I think it was 96 or 97. It was at this time that I was inspired to become a dj myself. "Im sorry to hear of your diagnosis and to put it out there like that is even braver. I just want you to know youve influenced my life and Im sure many others. Respect and much love (sic)". Dario G originally began life as a trio, with their biggest hit 'Sunchyme' - taken from the album 'Sunmachine' - reaching number two int he UK in 1997. Band members Scott Rosser and Stephen Spencer eventually left the group to pursue solo projects, but Paul continued to release music under the Dario G moniker. Roberto Sanchez has got married. Roberto Sanchez has got married The '2 Fast 2 Furious' actor tied the knot with 48-year-old dancer Lenee Adkins in a private civil ceremony at a beach in Los Angeles on Wednesday (21.06.23), with just the bride's mother and one other guest in attendance. However, the 58-year-old actor - who has sons Jiovanni, 29, and Roberto, 27, from a previous relationship - told People magazine the bride's "entire huge family" watched them exchange vows via Zoom. Lenee added: "My family shared this special day with us." The couple donned all white and went barefoot as they stood on the sand in front of a tower built into the side of a rocky cliff, with the Isley Brothers' dancer donning a long veil and holding white roses as her now-husband presented her with a square halo diamond ring. The couple had got engaged on 5 March, the anniversary of their first date seven years earlier, and they couldn't be happier to have married. The 'Palm Royale' actor said: "I have truly found my life partner. She truly makes me want to be the best version of myself." "Lenee doesn't speak Spanish but if she did, I'm sure [she would say] ... 'Al fin!!' (Finally!)" His wife added: "[Marriage] means that you get to spend the rest of your life with your best friend. Through the good and the bad, the ups and downs. You get to teach and learn from one another. To try to be a better person for one another." And Lenee gushed her favourite things about her new husband are his "hidden goofiness and the way he makes me feel protected." The self-described "fitness enthusiasts" met at the gym in 2015, but things only turned romantic the following year, and as soon as they went on a date, Roberto knew he wanted to marry Lenee. He said: "The night I picked her up to go on our very first date, I knew I was going to marry her." Radiance Films continues its impressive run of must-have Limited Editions with Cosa Nostra: Franco Nero in Three Mafia Tales By Damiano Damiani a stunning new collection featuring three outstanding films in the ultimate collaboration between two Italian greats lauded Italian actor Franco Nero and respected director Damiano Damiani. Cosa Nostra This stunning Blu-ray Box set features three 1970s classics in 2K restored editions: The Day of the Owl, The Case is Closed: Forget It and How to Kill a Judge. Presented in a rigid box with a removable OBI strip it comes complete with a 120-page book, featuring new and archival writing on the films by experts on the genre. The set contains a slew of outstanding special features that see new interviews with Franco Nero, discussing each film, plus a new video essay on How to Kill a Judge and a visual essay on the career of Damiano Damiani. Theres a host of archive interviews, trailers and more, please see the full list below. It will be available on 19 June 2023 and available to pre-order now. The Day of the Owl stars Franco Nero as a police chief who, while investigating the death of a construction worker, comes up against corrupt officials and a ruthless mafia boss (Lee J. Cobb). Adapted from the celebrated novel by Leonardo Sciascia (Illustrious Corpses), it was the first book to openly deal with organised crime in Sicily. A prestigious production, the film was nominated for best film at the Berlin Film Festival and garnered awards at the David di Donatello Awards for Claudia Cardinale, Nero, Damiani as well as the Best Production accolade . The Case Is Closed: Forget It sees Nero portray a modest man who is thrown in jail for a misdemeanour. He must face the grim reality of life behind bars, where the mafia controls everything. Nero is on top form, alongside a strong cast including Riccardo Cucciolla (Rabid Dogs) and John Steiner (Tenebrae). With its intense, realistic take on life inside, Damianis film is up there with the finest prison dramas. Presented in Italian and for the first time with the original English dub. How to Kill a Judge sees life imitate art, when filmmaker Giacomo Solaris (Nero) makes a feature about a judge who has been corrupted by the mafia and is later found murdered... but when the real judge, that the character is based on, seizes the footage, he too is killed. Feeling a sense of responsibility, Solaris starts to investigate, but as the death toll rises, he must dig deep to uncover the conspiracy before its too late. Full of twists and turns, this fascinating meta-commentary on cinema sees Damiani point the camera at himself and the genre, as he investigates the social impact of mafia violence. A fitting end to this study of Damianis Cosa Nostra. Franco Nero is a legendary Italian actor, producer and director who has made a huge impact in film industry both in front of and behind the camera. Working alongside some of the most acclaimed directors in the world including Luis Bunuel and Rainer Werner Fassbinder, his acting has garnered many awards including Best Actor at David di Donatello Awards, 1967 and the Lifetime Achievement Award at Rome Film Festival, 2009. His directorial debut Jonathan degli orsi, won him critical acclaim and the Best Director Award at Montreal World Film Festival. Making his acting debut in the early 1960s, Neros breakthrough role was in Sergio Corbucci's Django (1966), that lead to further lauded films such as The Mercenary, Camelot and Tristana, and a successful Hollywood career that has seen him star Django Unchained, Die Hard 2, John Wick Chapter 2 to name a few and his acting work continues to this day. Renowned Italian director Damiano Damianis career in film spanned several decades, starting in the 1950s, he worked as a screenwriter before making his directorial debut with Il Rossetto, in 1962. Best known for his socially and politically aware productions that tackle controversial and taboo subjects, his first film focused on prostitution and was both praised and criticised. This set the tone for his future films that include A Bullet for the General and Confessions of a Police Captain, as well as his stark look at the Mafia that can be seen in the films included in this Box set. He was also an accomplished painter and had his work exhibited in prestigious galleries. See the dynamic pairing of two masters of Italian film in the Cosa Nostra Limited Edition a must-buy for any film fan or collector of world cinema. Cosa Nostra: Franco Nero in Three Mafia Tales By Damiano Damiani Pre-order here: bit.ly/3NCuY0u Check out Radiance Films' website for new release info and for consumers to buy direct at https://www.radiancefilms.co.uk/ Competition Prize Provider Aim Publicity To celebrate the release of Cosa Nostra we are giving one lucky winner the chance of wining a limited edition Bluray DVD. To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize all you have to do is answer the question below, then complete and submit the entry form. Question: In what era are these films set A. 1940's B. 1970's C. 1980's GOOD LUCK Tagged in Competition Closing Date : 4th July 2023 James Cameron, the director of the film Titanic, was asked about the Titan tourist submersible, which lost communication while attempting to reach the Titanic's wreckage. Cameron, a seasoned member of the diving community who has made 33 dives to the Titanic himself, offered his thoughts on the tragedy after submarine company OceanGate said on Thursday that the five persons who went down are presumed to be dead. People in the community were very concerned about this sub, said Cameron. A number of the top players in the deep submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company, saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and that it needed to be certified. Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship, and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night and many people died as a result. For us, its a very similar tragedy where warnings went unheeded. To take place at the same exact site with all the diving thats going on all around the world, I think its just astonishing. Its really quite surreal. Moreover, Cameron mentioned that he had known Titanic explorer Paul-Henri "PH" Nargeolet for 25 years and that he was saddened by the loss of his friend who perished while on Titan. PH, the French legendary submersible dive pilot, was a friend of mine, Cameron said. You know, its a very small community. Ive known PH for 25 years, and for him to have died tragically in this way is almost impossible for me to process. This week, international search teams from the U.S., Canada, France, and the U.K. teamed up to try to find and save the craft. On Tuesday, a Canadian aircraft detected "banging" sounds coming from the underwater search area, marking a significant development. But, the U.S. Coast Guard reported on Thursday that a remotely operated vehicle had found wreckage near the shipwreck. Within a few hours, it was announced that those onboard are thought to have perished in the ship's "catastrophic implosion." Those aboard included Nargeolet; British businessman Hamish Harding; British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman; and OceanGate CEO Rush, who was piloting Titan. Shane Nigam And Producers Conflict Resolved: AMMA, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, successfully mediated the conflict between actor Shane Nigam and disgruntled film producers. Additionally, a crucial decision regarding the membership of young actor Sreenath Bhasi in AMMA is scheduled for Saturday. Both actors had faced a ban from the Malayalam film industry in April due to an alleged "lack of discipline." Pearle Maaney Breaks Silence: Unveiling Her Emotive Response To The Income Tax Raid On Instagram Actor Sreenath Bhasi had applied for a fresh membership in AMMA amidst the ongoing controversy. The ban on these young actors was collectively imposed by the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), Kerala Film Producers Associations, and AMMA following numerous complaints about their misconduct on film sets. Sreenath Bhasi was criticised for neglecting phone calls and consistently arriving late to the sets, while Shane Nigam encountered trouble when he abruptly walked off the filming of Nahas Hidhayath's upcoming movie RDX due to creative differences with the director. Shane's unexpected departure brought the movie's production to a halt. Film Associations Discontinuation Of Cooperation With Actors During a joint press conference held on April 25, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), Kerala Film Producers Association, and the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) made a collective announcement stating their decision to discontinue cooperation with actors Sreenath Bhasi and Shane Nigam. Following this development, Sreenath Bhasi applied for membership in the AMMA organisation. It is customary for actors to sign contracts prior to their involvement in a film, which outline the dates and conditions on the set. This contractual agreement is typically established between the producer's association and AMMA. Kerala Crime Files Full Series Leaked Online For Free Download However, there were allegations that Sreenath Bhasi declined to sign the contract, citing his non-membership status within AMMA. On the other hand, Shane Nigam, who was also subjected to a ban, currently holds membership in the AMMA organisation. The conflict resolution between actor Shane Nigam and disgruntled film producers marked a significant achievement for AMMA. Meanwhile, a crucial decision regarding Sreenath Bhasi's inclusion in AMMA will be determined tomorrow. Blue Sattai Maran Questions Vijay: Blue Sattai Maran posted a Tweet that questions Vijay about his desire to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He mentioned High Court's order that Tamil Nadu government should stop defilement by pasting posters in public places. Blue Sattai Maran Trolls Rolex Lokesh Kanagaraj is currently directing Vijay's Leo and it is rumoured to be the prequel to Vikram. Lokesh introduced Suriya's Rolex character to surprise the fans at the climax of Vikram. While this rolex character was well received by the fans, it was trolled by Blue Sattai Maran. Lokesh Kanagaraj, who made Kollywood look back with the film Maanagaram, has become an important director in Indian film industry today. He has created a separate universe called LUC through the films Kaithi, Master and Vikram. Due to this, not only the films directed by Lokesh but also the characters created by him are attracting more attention. Accordingly, Suriya's rolex with the characters of Kaithi Dilli, Master JD Vaathi, Ghost and Amar in Vikram also reached the fans perfectly. Likewise, Suriya, who made a menacing debut in the role of Rolex in Vikram Climax, received a huge response from the fans. Thus, it is said that Suriya's Rolex character may also be in Vijay's film Leo. Likewise, Delhi VS Rolex clash is expected to be tough in Lokesh's Kaithi 2nd part as well. There were criticisms that Lokesh has shown Suriya's Rolex character in a cinematic way and it was absurd to cast him in such a terror look for the sake of collection. Blue Sattai Maran has recenlty trolled Suriya's Rolex character. Vijay's Desire To Become The Chief Minister In such a situation, after the release of Leo First single Naa Ready sung by Vijay, Blue Sattai Maran has posterd another tweet which is going viral on social media. He questioned Vijay in it. "Poster Adi.. Annan Ready - Commander. Tamil Nadu govt should stop defilement by pasting posters in public places - High Court. Just the desire to become the Chief Minister is not enough. What kind of social concern is releasing a cigarette smoking poster and chanting to paste the poster?" he asked. Mari Selvaraj Breaks Silence On The 'Thevar Magan' Issue: Director Mari Selvaraj has explained about this speech regarding Kamal Haasan's Thevar Magan movie at the audio launch of Mamannan. A few days ago, the audio launch event of the movie Mamannan was telecasted on a private television. Following this, director Mari Selvaraj's comments about the film Thevar Magan in the presence of actor Kamal Haasan, who attended the function as a special guest, sparked a debate on the internet. Many Kamal fans reacted to Mari Selvaraj's speech. In this situation, director Mari Selvaraj has explained his speech about the movie Thevar Magan in a recent interview to a leading media portal. Mari Selvaraj's Emotional Letter To Kamal Haasan He said, "It was a very emotional moment. Kamal Haasan watched my film Maamannan and he is going to talk about my film on stage. He knew how emotional I was then. The letter I wrote 13 years ago was written with the anger and language of that day. At that time I did not have the habit of reading. Kamal Haasan is the only person in Tamil cinema who has seen 'Mamannan'. Only he and I know how emotional I was watching that movie with him. The fact that he recognized me after seeing my film, held my hand and praised me was the biggest achievement in my life. When he is sitting in front of me, if I won't talk about the thing that has been inside me for so many days. I will talk to him about it later. I will have started somewhere and gone somewhere. Anger Between Father and Son While speaking on stage, Kamal Haasan said, 'This film is not only about Mari's politics, but also about all of us'. What more could you want? You can even say that is my success. I don't want to lose that love and warmth that I got from him. Who did I talk to? I spoke to a soul, a personality who was close to art, trusted and understood art. He also spoke in favor of me and patted my head and left. What more could you want? In other words, this is an anger between father and son. I see it as a moment when the boy who left home in anger spoke to his father after not understanding him properly." Mari Selvaraj has said this. Regina Full Movie Leaked Online: Within hours of the film's theatrical release, several illegal websites started circulating pirated links to Sunaina's Regina movie. These pirated links are all over the internet, being shared by social media sites and personal accounts. Will Government Take Strict Action? The links allow one to watch the content in them or to download the entire film for free. The cinematic experience is entirely different from watching the content through these links. However, no amount of measures taken by the cops and Producers Council could contain piracy. If this is the case for a Sunaina film, think about the situation of other films. Will government able to take strict action against these illegal websites? Crux Of the Story Joe (Anand Nag), who is working in a bank, is brutally murdered by some robbers. Regina (Sunaina), who has already experienced various losses and is hopelessly helpless in life, is completely paralyzed by the loss of her loving husband Joe. Regina goes to the police station to arrest the murderers and the police doors are closed. Deciding that she can no longer trust the law, she plans to take revenge on the murderers herself. Will Regina succeed in it? What are the mysteries behind the murder? is the rest of the story. Sunaina's Performance Is The Big Plus Sunaina's performance stands out in the scenes where she is reeling from the series of losses and shows her villainy after recovering from it. She puts in as much effort as possible as she pulls the entire film together as a single person. If the director also gave a shoulder, the character would have given elegance. Niwas Adithan's performance is gaining attention. Bava Chelladurai and Vivek Prasanna's character fails to impress. The songs are not as memorable as Satish Nair's background score. Pavi K Pawan's cinematography has contributed much to the story. DISCLAIMER- FILMIBEAT doesn't support or promote piracy as it is a criminal offense under the Copyright Act of 1957. We sincerely request you to not participate in any such practice or encourage piracy in any form. ( Thalainagaram 2 Full Movie Leaked Online: Within hours of the film's theatrical release, several illegal websites started circulating pirated links to Sundar C's Thalainagaram 2 movie. These pirated links are all over the internet, being shared by social media sites and personal accounts. Illegal Websites Carry Pirated Links The links allow one to watch the content in them or to download the entire film for free. The cinematic experience is entirely different from watching the content through these links. However, no amount of measures taken by the cops and Producers Council could contain piracy. If this is the case for the established actor Sundar C's film, think about the situation of other films. Will government able to take strict action against these illegal websites? Directed by VZ Durai, 'Thalainagaram 2' starring Sundar C, Palak Lalwani, Thambi Ramaiah, 'Baahubali' Prabhakar, Aira, Jais Jose, Vishal Rajan, Cheran Raj. Ghibran has composed music for the film. It is a sequel to Sundar C's 2006 debut film 'Thalainagaram' as a hero in Tamil film industry. Crux Of The Story In the film 'ThalaInagaram', Sundar C, who plays the role of Right as the biggest rowdy, is set to live a life after the death of his friend (Bose Venkat). In the 2nd part released as a sequel, Sundar C, is doing real estate work with Thambi Ramaiah. On the other hand, there is a competition for power between the rowdies occupying North Chennai (Jays Jose), Central Chennai (Vishal Rajan) and South Chennai (Prabhakar). In this, actress Palak Lalwani, who is in a relationship with central Chennai rowdy Vishal Rajan, is kidnapped and sexually assaulted. Sundar C again turns into 'Rowdy Right' over a random issue. What happened to him after this? Who seized the power of the capital? is the crux of the story. In the first part, two different characters will be shown as the police who want to eliminate the rowdies and the police who stop those who want to change. But there are no such scenes in this. Gibran's background music has helped the film. DISCLAIMER- FILMIBEAT doesn't support or promote piracy as it is a criminal offense under the Copyright Act of 1957. We sincerely request you to not participate in any such practice or encourage piracy in any form. SS Rajamouli To Re-unite With Jr NTR? Photo Credit: Twitter Jr NTR & SS Rajamouli To Come Together Again: Jr NTR, the Young Tiger of the Tollywood industry is currently filming for Devara, in which he is playing a dual role. After winning global acclaim and recognition for portraying the role of Komaram Bheem in SS Rajamouli's epic RRR, the actor joined hands with Koratala Siva. Devara marks the second collaboration between Jr NTR and Koratala Siva after Janatha Garage, which was a blockbuster success. Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor is making her south-Indian debut with this Telugu film. Going by the updates, the movie and its characterizations are sounding thrilling and fans are excited for the movie to finally unveil on the big screen. Will Jr NTR & SS Rajamouli Come Together Again? Meanwhile, another interesting piece of news is now doing the rounds on the internet. It says that Jr NTR will likely collaborate with his Jakkana, SS Rajamouli before Rajamouli commences his next with Mahesh Babu. The movie will be shot after NTR 31 and before SSMB 29, reportedly. This gossip has excited the fans of the actor and director who are now happy about the fact that the duo are joining forces for yet another remarkable film in their careers. However, there isn't any official confirmation about the same. Jr NTR's Work Front Jr NTR announced NTR 30 aka Devara first thing after he finished working on RRR. He then at the very same time collaborated with KGF fame Prashanth Neel for another dark action entertainer, which is referred to as NTR 31. Devara will hit the screens on April 5, 2024. The film's shooting is taking place at a brisk pace in specially erected sets near Shamshabad in Hyderabad. Meanwhile, Prashanth Neel is working day and night to wrap up Salaar with Prabhas. After both the actor and director finish their current films, they will begin working on NTR 31. The movie in question with SS Rajamouli will begin after Tarak finishes shooting for NTR 31. SS Rajamouli's Work Front The Oscar-Award-winning RRR director is known for setting combinations, making larger-than-life films, and putting Telugu cinema on the global platform time and again. He announced a globe-trotting adventure fiction with none other than superstar Mahesh Babu, referred to as SSMB 29. The pre-production works for the same are currently underway. LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 22, 2023 / Tough Mama, known for its powerful cannabis products and fun brand, has joined forces with B-Real, the frontman of legendary hip-hop/rap group Cypress Hill, to collaborate on a video for BREALTV. Tough Mama in The Smokebox Tough Mama joins E-Zone from BREALTV in The Smokebox. See what happens next when the video launches on July 2. Launching June 30 for BREALTV members and July 2 for the general public on the BREALTV YouTube channel, Tough Mama products will be featured in the first episode of the new season of The Smokebox with special guest T.J. Dillashaw. B-Real and his iconic "Smokebox" low rider will also be featured in a new video, debuting with the new season, as a playful reminder that getting high is anything but serious. B-Real, a cannabis industry icon and co-founder of Cypress Hill, has already been promoting Tough Mama during "Tough Mama Tuesdays" on The Dr. Greenthumb Show on BREALTV. This new video and The Smokebox episode will represent the culmination of that partnership with UFC fighter T.J. Dillashaw, who has shown he is tough enough to be a champion of the ring, proving that he's tough enough to hang with Tough Mama and the BREALTV crew. The goal of this collaboration is to bring cannabis back to its roots and show people that it's not just about getting high but having fun too. BREALTV, known for their love of all things green, will be using this platform to showcase the incredible products that Tough Mama has to offer. "We're stoked to be partnering with B-Real and introducing our brand to the fans on BREALTV," said Dan Einzig, Chief Fun Officer of Tough Mama. "This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to entertain Tough Mama fans with quality products and ludicrous activations." Music: Tough Mama's new video features the "Tough Mama Burns Slow" rap, performed by 'goodwill ambassador,' Contradiction Kid and Tough Mama's iconic seven-foot-tall gorilla mascot. This partnership between Tough Mama and BREALTV represents two icons joining forces to create entertaining content for all cannabis enthusiasts. It's a partnership that will benefit both companies and help bring quality products to cannabis consumers all over California. For more information about Tough Mama and BREALTV, visit their respective websites at www.toughmama.com and www.breal.tv. Contact Information: Jake Glimco Senior Digital Marketing Manager jglimco@cannabistry.com 630-596-7986 SOURCE: Cannabistry View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763324/BREALTV-Kicks-Off-Their-New-Season-of-the-Smokebox-With-Tough-Mama-and-TJ-Dillashaw Relief Therapeutics Holding SA / Key word(s): Financing/Private Equity RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA Announces Closing of CHF 5 Million Private Placement 23-Jun-2023 / 07:00 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA Announces Closing of CHF 5 Million Private Placement GENEVA (June 23, 2023) - RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA (SIX: RLF , OTCQB: RLFTF , RLFTY ) (Relief Therapeutics, or the Company), a biopharmaceutical company committed to delivering innovative treatment options with the potential for transformative outcomes to benefit those suffering from select specialty and rare diseases, today announced the closing of the previously announced private placement. The Company sold 1,200,000 shares at a purchase price of CHF 3.33 and 300,000 pre-funded warrants to a healthcare-focused institutional investor. Each pre-funded warrant has an exercise price of CHF 3.33, with CHF 3.329 prepaid upon issuance and CHF 0.001 payable upon exercise. The pre-funded warrants will expire upon exercise. As part of the transaction, Relief Therapeutics also issued to the investor 1,500,000 warrants. These warrants are immediately exercisable, will expire in five years and have an exercise price of CHF 3.40 per share. The aggregate gross proceeds from the offering were approximately CHF 5 million, before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The private placement shares and, upon exercise, the shares underlying the warrants, will be traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange and rank pari passu (carrying the same rights) with Relief Therapeutics' ordinary shares, and will be delivered from Relief Therapeutics' treasury shares previously issued out of its authorized share capital under exclusion of the existing shareholders' pre-emptive rights. H.C. Wainwright & Co. acted as the exclusive placement agent for the offering. 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 jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements. ABOUT RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Relief Therapeutics is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing treatment paradigms and delivering improvements in efficacy, safety and convenience to benefit the lives of patients living with select specialty and rare diseases. Relief Therapeutics' portfolio offers a balanced mix of marketed, revenue-generating products, our proprietary, globally patented Physiomimic and TEHCLO drug delivery platform technologies and a highly targeted clinical development pipeline consisting of risk-mitigated assets focused in three core therapeutic areas: rare metabolic disorders, rare skin diseases and rare respiratory diseases. In addition, Relief Therapeutics is commercializing several legacy products via licensing and distribution partners. Relief Therapeutics' mission is to provide therapeutic relief to those suffering from rare diseases and is being advanced by an international team of well-established, experienced biopharma industry leaders with extensive research, development and rare disease expertise. Relief Therapeutics is headquartered in Geneva, with additional offices in Balerna, Switzerland, Offenbach am Main, Germany and Monza, Italy. Relief Therapeutics is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the symbol RLF and quoted in the U.S. on OTCQB under the symbols RLFTF and RLFTY. For more information, please visit our website www.relieftherapeutics.com or follow Relief Therapeutics on LinkedIn and Twitter . CONTACT : RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA Catherine Day Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications contact@relieftherapeutics.com DISCLAIMERThis press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including market and other conditions, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Relief Therapeutics to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, the anticipated use of proceeds from the offering. A number of factors including those described in Relief Therapeutics' filings with the SIX Swiss Exchange and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could adversely affect Relief Therapeutics. Copies of Relief Therapeutics' filings with the SEC are available on the SEC EDGAR database at www.sec.gov . Relief Therapeutics does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of this date, except as required by law. Additional features: File: RLF Ad Hoc Press Release Private Placement Close June 26 2023 End of Inside Information Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Australian dollar weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Friday. The Australian dollar fell to a 3-day low of 95.74 against the yen, from a recent 3-day high of 96.84. Against the U.S., the Canada and the New Zealand dollars, the aussie dropped to more than a 2-week low of 0.6691, more than a 3-week low of 0.8826 and nearly a 3-week low of 1.0897 from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.6755, 0.8883 and 1.0929, respectively. The aussie slipped to a 3-week low of 1.6333 against the euro, from yesterday's closing value of 1.6214. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 92.00 against the yen, 0.65 against the greenback, 0.86 against the loonie, 1.07 against the kiwi and 1.65 against the euro. 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. CHISINAU, Moldova, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Moldova is a regional leader in digitalization, and currently 40% of public services intended for the general population, especially for entrepreneurs, are available online. Looking to maintain the digitalization trend, the Government of Moldova's aim is to double the number of public services intended for citizens in the next year. The most important pillar for Moldova to become a true digital and innovation hub in Central and Eastern Europe is creating a complex platform providing access to important technological resources, expertise, know-how, as well as collaboration and investment opportunities. The latest Moldova Digital Summit, organized by ATIC, was the largest event dedicated to Moldova's digital transformation and technological innovations, attended by 2,500 participants, including 68 speakers, experts and leaders of tech and business communities from 30 countries. The theme of the event "Evolve towards a Borderless Future" shows the direction in which Moldova is heading, shaped by global trends. The G2C borders was also challenged to disappear through the launch of Moldova Government super app "EVO", which will provide access to all public services at their fingertips. In addition. The e-Governance Agency of Moldova signed a Memorandum with Romania, for the development of a common digital space between the two countries. As of 2022 the ICT sector in Moldova has recorded the highest growth rate among all sectors of the economy of over 45%, employs 3% of the active population, and has a significant contribution of about 7.4% to the country's GDP accounting for 11% of country's exports valued at over USD 500 million. Moldova has access high-speed internet, which ranks it 6th for the lowest fixed broadband costs and enjoys 100% mobile network coverage. The legal framework for IT campaigns positions Moldova at a regional level as the country offering the most attractive business incentives, such as a single 7% tax turnover within the Moldova Innovation and Technology Park (MITP) - a virtual park that combines EU best practices and simplifies bureaucratic procedures. MITP residents' employees now have remote work opportunities, IT Visas facilitate foreign talent hiring, and new "contactless business" laws minimize the need for physical presence in Moldova. Moldova Digital Summit is organized by the Moldovan Association of ICT Companies under the auspices of the Prime Minister and financed by USAID, the Governments of Sweden, Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, and the EU Delegation. Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtdkHhrAIA0 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2108582/ATIC.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/moldova-digital-summit-2023-moldova-emerges-as-the-premier-tech-hub-in-central-and-eastern-europe-301857930.html 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. ROME (dpa-AFX) - Eni S.p.A. (E) announced that along with Var Energi ASA, it has reached an agreement to acquire Neptune Energy Group Limited. Neptune is an independent exploration and production company with a portfolio of gas-oriented assets and operations in Western Europe, North Africa, Indonesia and Australia. Eni will acquire assets comprising Neptune's entire portfolio other than its operations in Germany and Norway. The Neptune Global business will have an enterprise value of approximately $2.6 billion. The Norwegian operations will be acquired by Var directly from Neptune under a separate share purchase agreement. The Neptune Norway Business will have an enterprise value of approximately $2.3 billion. The German operations will be carved out. Var is 63% owned by Eni. Eni noted that, as of 31 December 2022, net debt of the Neptune Global Business, pro forma for the sale of the Neptune Norway Business, was approximately $0.5 billion. 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. Amsterdam, 22 June 2023Today, Climate Transition Capital Acquisition I B.V. in liquidation (in liquidatie) (the Company), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) listed on Euronext Amsterdam, announces the voting results of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held at the head office of the Company (Basisweg 10, 1043 AP Amsterdam, the Netherlands) on Thursday 22 June 2023 at 11:00 (CET) (the AGM). The shareholders adopted all proposed resolutions as tabled at today's AGM.As a result, the Company is dissolved (ontbonden), and the Executive Directors are charged with effecting the liquidation of the Company's affairs under the supervision of the Non-Executive Directors. The Company is still at the date hereof underway with the necessary actions to complete the final report (rekening en verantwoording) and the plan of distribution (plan van verdeling). The Executive Directors, in their capacity as liquidators, will complete this process in the coming weeks. Accordingly, the liquidation process will not commence on 23 June 2023, but rather only when the final report and plan of distribution have been completed and deposited with the Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce and at the head office of the Company (for inspection by anyone for a period of two months after such date), and when the liquidation has been announced in a national newspaper. Consequently, the indicative timetable included in the Company's press release, dated 10 May 2023, is no longer applicable; as soon as the liquidators have completed the final report and plan of distribution, the Company will announce updated dates for the commencement of the liquidation, the payment of liquidation distributions and the completion of the liquidation process.The amount per ordinary share that ordinary shareholders will receive as liquidation distributions is expected to be announced subsequent to the aforementioned two month-period, provided no objections are received from creditors.Further, the annual report and financial statements for the financial year 2022 were adopted, the remuneration report for the financial year 2022 was advised on positively, the Executive Directors and Non-Executive Directors were discharged from liability and Intertrust (Netherlands) B.V. was appointed as custodian of the books and records of the Company.Inside InformationThis press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation (Regulation 596/2014).NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.Further information+31 (0)20 262 02 30info@climatetransitioncapital.comDisclaimerThis announcement may include forward-looking statements, which are based on CTCA1's current expectations and projections about future events and speak only as of the date hereof. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future whether or not within or outside the control of CTCA1. Such factors may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements. CTCA1 operates in a rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor to assess the impact that these factors will have on CTCA1. Forward-looking statements speak only as at the date at which they are made and CTCA1 undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Max Ventures, a multi-faceted venture company based in Palma de Mallorca, has successfully identified, vetted, and invested in various startup companies, with activities ranging from hospitality to healthcare to yacht services. PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Max Ventures is a company offering a unique combination of seed capital, start-up mentorship, educational programs, and angel investor network. The VC started with 1M in capital, assessed dozens of startups since its launch in October 2022, and has now completed its first startup investments. Mallorca has long been a leading holiday destination and is now emerging as a digital nomad hotspot. With more people gravitating towards living a better quality of life, tech startups are beginning to emerge on this beautiful island. "Why not live your best life?" says founder Patrick Visser. "If the opportunity exists to follow your professional dreams whilst also enjoying an amazing lifestyle, world class beaches and sunny weather, why wouldn't you take it?" General Manager, Toni Grunwald, today confirmed Max Ventures' investment in the following startups: IKI Health. Instagram influencer and healthcare veteran Dr. Patricia Puiggros, has developed a healthcare app to help chronic pain patients. The app allows therapists to streamline their daily care tasks thereby gaining more freedom, generating greater confidence from patients, and increasing financial and clinical benefits. Columatsmart locker systems. Their cutting-edge technology enables customers to store products safely with temperature precision; frozen, chilled, ambient, or hot smart locker systems cater to the unique needs of each consumer and product with applications ranging from Pharma to retail. Columat presented their SmartLocker collection point at the PICK&PACK forum event in Madrid with great success and has already placed the systems in Carrefour in Andorra, the town market in Pamplona and has a contract to install the systems on train stations around Barcelona. Yachtdropis a service company offering eCommerce operations, fully managed warehouses, expert inventory management, and real-time delivery technology and service to yacht companies, from day charters to privately owned vessels. They recently secured an investment via Max Ventures Mallorca which allowed them to open a new office in the prestigious Puerto Portals, and refine their business processes. Iberiantax, a dynamic startup dedicated to simplifying tax filing for non-residents in Spain. With a deep understanding of Spanish tax laws, Iberiantax offers efficient and transparent services, helping clients navigate the foreign tax landscape with ease and confidence. Since its incorporation in 2021, Iberiantax has doubled the number of tax returns submitted through their website, each year, aiming for more than 4000 in 2023 alone. Finally, an investment was made into BeGekko. This hospitality tech startup provides "mystery guest" audit services to hotels and hospitality brands within the tourism sector. Their pool of high-profile industry experts conducts anonymous visits and assessments to evaluate and report the quality of services and customer experience offered by establishments. They are signing up hotels for their B2B SaaS offering and are using the received investment to expand on the functionalities and services they offer to their customers. After the successful start of Max Ventures, they are now ready to expand their fund to 10M and are looking for like-minded business angels and investors that want to join the fund as Limited Partners. For more information, please reach out to Toni Grunwald on +34 632 035 713, toni@maxventures.es or via www.maxventures.es. SINGAPORE, June 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verde AgriTech Ltd. (TSX: "NPK") ("Verde" or the "Company") held its Annual General Meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at 16 Collyer Quay, #17-00, Singapore, and is pleased to announce that its shareholders approved all items put before them. The results were as follows: Item Voted Upon Voting Result Approval and adoption of the audited consolidated financial statements (audited by PKF Littlejohn LLP) and the audited stand-alone financial statements (audited by PKF-CAP LLP) (together, the "Financial Statements") of the Company for the financial year ended December 31, 2022 *The resolution was approved by a show of hands, as follows: Votes For Votes Against 11,304,427 75,129 (99.34%) (0.66%) Re-election of Cristiano Botelho Veloso as Director *The resolution was approved by a show of hands, as follows: Votes For Votes Withheld 11,196,370 183, 186 -98.39% -1.61% Re-election of Renato Couto Gomes as Director *The resolution was approved by a show of hands, as follows: Votes For Votes Withheld 11,116,247 263,309 -97.69% -2.31% Re-election of Fernando Joao Prezzotto as Director *The resolution was approved by a show of hands, as follows: Votes For Votes Withheld 11,176,288 203,268 -98.21% -1.79% Re-election of Luciana De Oliveira Cezar Coelho as Director *The resolution was approved by a show of hands, as follows: Votes For Votes Withheld 11,036,258 343,298 -96.98% -3.02% Re-election of Madeleine Lee Suh Shin as Director *The resolution was approved by a show of hands, as follows: Votes For Votes Withheld 11,175,642 203,914 -98.21% -1.79% Directors' remuneration for the financial year ending 31 December 2023 *The resolution was approved by a show of hands, as follows: Votes For Votes Against 10,824,966 554,590 -95.13% -4.87% Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Auditors of the Company *The resolution was approved by a show of hands, as follows: Votes For Votes Withheld 12,739,835 44,163 -99.66% -0.34% Authority for directors to allot and issue shares in the capital of the Company *The resolution was approved by a show of hands, as follows: Votes For Votes Against 10,849,335 530,221 -95.34% -4.66% Prohibition of sales to 218 municipalities predominantly composed of Amazon rainforest, totaling 2.23 million km2, as listed in Schedule B of the Management Information Circular, except for projects that plant native trees for reforestation *The resolution was approved by a show of hands, as follows: Votes For Votes Against 11,266,251 113,305 -99.00% -1.00% At 86 years old, Mr. Alysson Paolinelli retired pursuant to the Company's Constitution and did not seek for re-election. Verde's Board expressed its appreciation to Mr. Alysson Paolinelli for his valuable contribution to the Board and the Company during his tenure, serving as a director of the Verde for over 09 years. About Verde AgriTech Verde is an agricultural technology Company that produces potash fertilizers. Our purpose is to improve the health of all people and the planet. Rooting our solutions in nature, we make agriculture healthier, more productive, and profitable. Verde is a fully integrated Company: it mines and processes its main feedstock from its 100% owned mineral properties, then sells and distributes the Product. Verde's focus on research and development has resulted in one patent and eight patents pending. Among its proprietary technologies are Cambridge Tech, 3D Alliance, MicroS Technology, N Keeper, and Bio Revolution.1 Currently, the Company is fully licensed to produce up to 2.8 million tonnes per year of its multinutrient potassium fertilizers K Forte and BAKS, sold internationally as Super Greensand. In 2022, it became Brazil's largest potash producer by capacity.2 Verde has a combined measured and indicated mineral resource of 1.47 billion tonnes at 9.28% K 2 O and an inferred mineral resource of 1.85 billion tonnes at 8.60% K 2 O (using a 7.5% K 2 O cut-off grade).3 This amounts to 295.70 million tonnes of potash in K 2 O. For context, in 2021 Brazil's total consumption of potash in K 2 O was 6.57 million4. Brazil ranks second in global potash demand and is its single largest importer, currently depending on external sources for over 97% of its potash needs. In 2022, potash accounted for approximately 3% of all Brazilian imports by dollar value.5 Corporate Presentation For further information on the Company, please view shareholders' deck: https://verde.docsend.com/view/gdw7qpcqzk3rdsb4 Investors Newsletter Subscribe to receive the Company's updates at: http://cloud.marketing.verde.ag/InvestorsSubscription The last edition of the newsletter can be accessed at: https://bit.ly/InvestorsNL-April2023 Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements All Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resources estimates reported by the Company were estimated in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards (May 10, 2014). These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. This document contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements" are made as of the date of this document. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: (i) the estimated amount and grade of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves; (ii) the PFS representing a viable development option for the Project; (iii) estimates of the capital costs of constructing mine facilities and bringing a mine into production, of sustaining capital and the duration of financing payback periods; (iv) the estimated amount of future production, both produced and sold; (v) timing of disclosure for the PFS and recommendations from the Special Committee; (vi) the Company's competitive position in Brazil and demand for potash; and, (vii) estimates of operating costs and total costs, net cash flow, net present value and economic returns from an operating mine. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "envisages", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "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) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on Verde's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. The most significant assumptions are set forth above, but generally these assumptions include, but are not limited to: (i) the presence of and continuity of resources and reserves at the Project at estimated grades; (ii) the geotechnical and metallurgical characteristics of rock conforming to sampled results; including the quantities of water and the quality of the water that must be diverted or treated during mining operations; (iii) the capacities and durability of various machinery and equipment; (iv) the availability of personnel, machinery and equipment at estimated prices and within the estimated delivery times; (v) currency exchange rates; (vi) Super Greensand and K Forte sales prices, market size and exchange rate assumed; (vii) appropriate discount rates applied to the cash flows in the economic analysis; (viii) tax rates and royalty rates applicable to the proposed mining operation; (ix) the availability of acceptable financing under assumed structure and costs; (x) anticipated mining losses and dilution; (xi) reasonable contingency requirements; (xii) success in realizing proposed operations; (xiii) receipt of permits and other regulatory approvals on acceptable terms; and (xiv) the fulfilment of environmental assessment commitments and arrangements with local communities. Although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. Many forward-looking statements are made assuming the correctness of other forward looking statements, such as statements of net present value and internal rates of return, which are based on most of the other forward-looking statements and assumptions herein. The cost information is also prepared using current values, but the time for incurring the costs will be in the future and it is assumed costs will remain stable over the relevant period. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions do not reflect future experience. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. These risk factors may be generally stated as the risk that the assumptions and estimates expressed above do not occur as forecast, but specifically include, without limitation: risks relating to variations in the mineral content within the material identified as Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves from that predicted; variations in rates of recovery and extraction; the geotechnical characteristics of the rock mined or through which infrastructure is built differing from that predicted, the quantity of water that will need to be diverted or treated during mining operations being different from what is expected to be encountered during mining operations or post closure, or the rate of flow of the water being different; developments in world metals markets; risks relating to fluctuations in the Brazilian Real relative to the Canadian dollar; increases in the estimated capital and operating costs or unanticipated costs; difficulties attracting the necessary work force; increases in financing costs or adverse changes to the terms of available financing, if any; tax rates or royalties being greater than assumed; changes in development or mining plans due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; risks relating to receipt of regulatory approvals; delays in stakeholder negotiations; changes in regulations applying to the development, operation, and closure of mining operations from what currently exists; the effects of competition in the markets in which Verde operates; operational and infrastructure risks and the additional risks described in Verde's Annual Information Form filed with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com) for the year ended December 31, 2021. Verde 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 Verde, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Verde does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by Verde or on our behalf, except as required by law. For additional information please contact: Cristiano Veloso, Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Tel: +55 (31) 3245 0205; Email: investor@verde.ag www.investor.verde.ag | www.supergreensand.com | www.verde.ag 1 Learn more about our technologies: https://verde.docsend.com/view/yvthnpuv8jx6g4r9 2 See the release at: https://investor.verde.ag/verde-starts-ramp-up-of-plant-2s-second-stage-to-reach-production-of-2-4mtpy/ 3 As per the National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects within Canada ("NI 43 -101"), filed on SEDAR in 2017. See the Pre-Feasibility Study at: https://investor.verde.ag/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/NI-43-101-Pre-Feasibility-Technical-Report-Cerrado-Verde-Project.pdf 4 Source: Brazilian Fertilizer Mixers Association (from "Associacao Misturadores de Adubo do Brasil", in Portuguese). 5 Source: Brazilian Comex Stat, available at: http://comexstat.mdic.gov.br/en/geral GUADALAJARA, Mexico, June 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V., (NYSE: PAC; BMV: GAP) (the "Company" or "GAP") informs that today it has made the Ps. 602.0 million maturity payment on "GAP 20-2" debt securities (equal to 6.02 million long-term debt securities). The payment was made with proceeds obtained from the issuance of long-term debt securities on March 27, 2023. COMPANY DESCRIPTION Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (GAP) operates 12 airports throughout Mexico's Pacific region, including the major cities of Guadalajara and Tijuana, the four tourist destinations of Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, La Paz and Manzanillo, and six other mid-sized cities: Hermosillo, Guanajuato, Morelia, Aguascalientes, Mexicali and Los Mochis. In February 2006, GAP's shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "PAC" and on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "GAP". In April 2015, GAP acquired 100% of Desarrollo de Concessioner Aeroportuarias, S.L., which owns a majority stake in MBJ Airports Limited, a company operating Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. In October 2018, GAP entered into a concession agreement for the operation of the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica, and took control of the operation in October 2019. This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts and are based on management's current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance, and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations, and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity, or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends, or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. In accordance with Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and article 42 of the "Ley del Mercado de Valores", GAP has implemented a "whistleblower" program, which allows complainants to anonymously and confidentially report suspected activities that June involve criminal conduct or violations. The telephone number in Mexico, facilitated by a third party that is in charge of collecting these complaints, is 01 800 563 00 47. The website is www.lineadedenuncia.com/gap . GAP's Audit Committee will be notified of all complaints for immediate investigation. FALCON OIL & GAS LTD. ("Falcon") Results of Annual General & Special Shareholders Meeting 23 June 2023 - Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. (TSXV: FO, AIM: FOG) held its Annual General & Special Shareholders meeting in Dublin, Ireland yesterday. All resolutions considered and voted upon by the shareholders were approved. The full text of each resolution was included in the Management Information Circular communicated in advance of the meeting to shareholders. For further information, please contact: CONTACT DETAILS: Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. +353 1 676 8702 Philip O'Quigley, CEO +353 87 814 7042 Anne Flynn, CFO +353 1 676 9162 Cenkos Securities plc (NOMAD & Broker) Neil McDonald / Derrick Lee +44 131 220 9771 About Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd is an international oil & gas company engaged in the exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas assets, with the current portfolio focused in Australia, South Africa and Hungary. Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd is incorporated in British Columbia, Canada and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland with a technical team based in Budapest, Hungary. For further information on Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. please visit www.falconoilandgas.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 information in this press release may constitute forward-looking information. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. Falcon assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to Falcon. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in Falcon's filings with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com. MARBELLA, Spain and MADRID, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Les Roches, ranked among the world's top four institutions for hospitality industry management, expands its educational offer with a bilingual version of its university degree (BBA) in global hotel management and tourism businesses. Les Roches is committed to integrating Spanish-speaking students into its hotel-industry program. Starting in September and exclusive to the Marbella campus, a new course of study will be offered to those who do not have the necessary level of English to access the original program. The program lasts three and a half years; during this time, students whose English is at the B1 level are trained in hotels and tourism businesses while learning the language that dominates the sector. In the first semester, 45% of the academic content is taught in Spanish. This percentage is progressively reduced each semester so that starting from the fourth semester, students have the possibility of being evaluated to obtain their official certificate of languages and obtain an internationally accredited university degree and a professional English certification. Each year, the Les Roches campus attracts nearly 300 of the world's leading companies seeking to recruit new talent for internships and first jobs. This degree opens doors to the most prestigious brands in the world such as Marriott International, Hyatt, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Soho House, Louis Vuitton, or Bentley, with which students can carry out two internship periods. During this first work experience in an English-speaking country, students can explore positions in which customer service and in-depth knowledge of the sector are indispensable. In the last year of the program, students can specialize in hospitality entrepreneurship, digital marketing strategies, resort development and management, hotel financial performance management, or sustainable development. Carlos Diez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches, states: "Spanish is the fourth most widely spoken language in the world and is the official language of 21 countries. With this new program, we want to offer the same opportunities to all those young Spanish-speaking people who feel attracted to the quality of learning and the prestige of Les Roches but who, until now, have not been able to access our degrees because of the language they are taught in. We are committed to continuing the promotion of tourism as the main economic source that it is, training, specializing, and launching into the labor market new and future talents from all the Spanish-speaking countries worldwide." Les Roches welcomes students from more than 100 different nationalities, who acquire the skills necessary to become leaders in the hotel industry and acquire language skills, soft skills, and leadership skills. When they graduate, students receive an average of five job offers and the employability rate stands at 94%. When they graduate, they join a network of more than 16,000 alumni who hold senior positions in 140 countries. About Les Roches Les Roches is a Swiss institution focused on forming the innovative and entrepreneurial minds of tomorrow. Founded in 1954, Les Roches offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in hospitality and tourism management following the Swiss educational model. With campuses in Switzerland and Spain, and a student body of more than 100 different nationalities, the institution offers its students a unique experience based on cultural diversity. Since 2021, Les Roches has also maintained an academic alliance with the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) with an associated campus in Gurugram (Delhi NCR). Les Roches is ranked among the world's top 4 institutions of higher learning for hospitality management (QS World University Rankings, 2023). Part of Sommet Education, a world leader in hospitality education, Les Roches is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). For more information, visit Les Roches. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2108178/Les_Roches.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1474135/4100603/LesRoches_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/les-roches-has-created-a-bilingual-version-of-its-degree-bba-in-hotel-and-tourism-management-for-spanish-speaking-students-301860891.html CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / CannaPharmaRx, Inc. (OTC PINK:CPMD), a future leader in ultramodern, highly efficient cannabis production facilities announced today that the company has appointed a new CEO. Dean Medwid succeeds Domenic Colvin, who will stay with the company providing leadership and vision. Mr. Medwid assumed CEO duties earlier this month and will guide the company through its rapid growth phase. Mr. Medwid is a dynamic senior operations executive with more than thirty years of experience in both public and private markets with a focus on scalable process engineering, brand development and strategic partnerships. He has been recognized with numerous business awards and accolades, including Profit 100's Top 100 in Canada, five years in a row while a partner in Seattle's Best Coffee, additionally was a awarded the recognition of being one of Vancouver's Top 40 Under 40. Mr. Medwid recently exited his prior company in the retail cannabis sector and looks forward to bringing that background to the company as they target new revenue opportunities this year. His strengths include driving growth through the expansion of market segments and geography resulting in multi-year growth. Mr. Medwid also has extensive experience creating internal processes for departmental budgets, technology standards and human resource policies resulting in an engaged workforce as well as developing corporate governance aligned to generally accepted accounting principles. Mr. Medwid has a demonstrated history of increasing corporate performance through the management of process design, customer relationships, strategic planning along with a focused initiative of data-driven change management and utilized these skills as President of other successful publicly traded companies with operations in multiple countries. "I feel privileged to lead the company as it begins large-scale production and distribution. I look forward to working with the team to accelerate the growth trajectory and expanding or footprint," said Medwid. About CannapharmaRx, Inc. CannapharmaRx is focused on the acquisition and development of state-of-the-art cannabis grow facilities in Canada. CPMD is in discussion with other companies regarding potential acquisitions. CannapharmaRx's business strategy is to become a leader in high quality and low-cost production of cannabis through the development, acquisition, and enhancement of existing facilities. CannapharmaRx is committed to operating high-quality facilities utilizing the latest technology in combined heat and power generation to ensure being a low-cost producer of cannabis. Safe Harbor Statement Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information or Statements This press release contains forward-looking information or statements. All statements that are or information which is not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations, or beliefs of future performance, are 'forward-looking information or statements.' Forward-looking information or statements 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 statements that certain actions, events or results 'may,' 'could,' 'would,' 'might' or 'will' be taken, occur or be achieved. With respect to forward-looking information and statements contained herein, Management of CannapharmaRx has made numerous assumptions, including, among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, events, or developments to be materially different from any future results, events, or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information or statements. 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 forward-looking information or statements. CannapharmaRx assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or statements, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information, or for any other reason except as required by law. Contact Information: Brokers and Analysts Chesapeake Group (410) 825-3930 SOURCE: Cannapharmarx, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763329/CannaPharmaRx-Appoints-Dean-Medwid-as-New-CEO The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore opportunities to work together to accelerate plans to supply the shipping industry with ammonia as a fuel. The collaboration will focus on exploring opportunities to supply clean ammonia as a marine fuel to First Movers in the shipping industry along key trade routes and bunkering ports in various geographical regions. Yara Clean Ammonia (YCA) and Bunker Holding Group signed an MOU establishing the intention to collaborate to accelerate the development of the market for clean ammonia as a shipping fuel. This agreement connects two key elements of the supply chain needed to achieve the use of clean ammonia as a shipping fuel, namely a global supplier of clean ammonia and the largest bunker supplier today in terms of end users. This commitment will cover multiple global geographies and focus on serving First Mover initiatives spanning different regions. Ammonia, a sustainable solution for maritime transport Clean ammonia is one of the most effective alternatives for decarbonizing maritime transport. As of 2026, shipping companies are expected to expand the use of this sustainable fuel to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 100% on a full life cycle basis. The development and use of sustainable fuels contributes to several of the 2030 Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), and SDG 13 (Climate action). Murali Srinivasan, SVP Commercial of Yara Clean Ammonia, said: "We look forward to collaborating with Bunker Holding to support the acceleration of the net-zero carbon energy transition for the Shipping Industry with clean ammonia. Our global assets and logistical footprint coupled with Bunker Holdings position as the world's largest bunker player will bring safety, reliability, and security of clean ammonia supply as shipping fuel and will add more resilience and robustness to developing this value chain in the future" Valerie Ahrens, Senior Director, New Fuels and Carbon Markets of Bunker Holding, said: "We are excited to work with Yara Clean Ammonia on developing a credible commercial offering for the supply of low- and zero-carbon ammonia to our global customer base. We at Bunker Holding are committed to playing a leading role in facilitating the decarbonization of the maritime sector and as such it is vital for us to collaborate with partners who can offer the market confidence around the scale and security of supply of low-carbon fuels." About Yara Clean Ammonia Yara grows knowledge to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet. Yara Clean Ammonia is uniquely positioned to enable the hydrogen economy in a market expected to grow substantially over the next decades. We aim at significantly strengthening our leading global position as the world's largest ammonia distributor, unlocking the green and blue value chains, and driving the development of clean ammonia globally. Building on Yara's leading experience within global ammonia production, logistics and trade, Yara Clean Ammonia works towards capturing growth opportunities in low-emission fuel for shipping and power, carbon-free food pro-duction and ammonia for industrial applications. Yara Clean Ammonia operates the largest global ammonia network with 15 ships and access to 18 ammonia terminals and multiple ammonia production and consumption sites across the world, through Yara. Revenues and EBITDA for the full year 2022 were USD 4,422 million and USD 249 million respectively. Yara Clean Ammonia is headquartered in Oslo, Norway www.yaracleanammonia.com About Bunker Holding Bunker Holding is a global leader in the purchasing, selling, and supplying of marine fuel and lube oil as well as providing risk management and other vital services for the shipping industry. The company has a rich history and today operates in more than 30 countries with 66 offices and more than 1,650 employees. Bunker Holding is committed to serving the shipping industry and is one of the world's leading bunker suppliers. The company fuels the shipping industry in every bunkering hub, every time zone, and on every continent. In addition to this, Bunker Holding identifies threats to clients' margins from volatile fuel prices and minimizes their exposure. Their expertise is internationally recognized and attracts many external clients including major airlines. The company has also established a foothold in the market for physical supplies. With a focus on niche areas, and supplies sourced from the world's main bunkering ports, Bunker Holding has achieved a strong competitive edge, attracted new customers, and will deliver psychical supplies to even more ports in the following years. https://www.bunker-holding.com/ Media contacts: Yara Clean Ammonia Hilde Steinfeld, Communications Director E-mail: hilde.steinfeld@yara.com Mobile.: +47 99 35 30 30 Gold Lion awarded in coveted Creative Strategy category for Me, My Autism & I campaign Fabrice Beaulieu recognized as Brand Advertiser of the Year by Act Responsible CANNES, France, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reckitt, the company behind some of the world's most recognizable and trusted consumer brands, was awarded six Cannes Lions - including its first-ever Gold Lion - at the 70th Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, the most prestigious international advertising and creativity showcase. Reckitt's winning work includes: GOLD in Creative Strategy: Vanish Me, My Autism & I (U.K.) in Creative Strategy: Vanish Me, My Autism & I (U.K.) SILVER in Film, Craft, Casting: Vanish Me, My Autism & I (U.K.) in Film, Craft, Casting: Vanish Me, My Autism & I (U.K.) BRONZE in Health & Wellness: Durex The Art of Sex (POL) in Health & Wellness: Durex The Art of Sex (POL) BRONZE in Media: Mortein Suraksha Ka-Teeka (IND) in Media: Mortein Suraksha Ka-Teeka (IND) BRONZE in Film Craft, Sound & Design: Vanish Me, My Autism & I (U.K.) in Film Craft, Sound & Design: Vanish Me, My Autism & I (U.K.) BRONZE in Brand Experience & Activation: Mortein (IND) Vanish, a Gold Winner in the Creative Strategy category, created a campaign, in partnership with Havas, that addressed unrecognized truths about autism - that for most autistic people, familiar and consistent clothing can help with sensory regulation and provide a source of comfort. The campaign set out to nurture a conversation that breaks down myths and broadens the public's understanding of autism - particularly in girls - through powerful stories. DE&I & SUSTAINABILITY Reckitt's presence at the Cannes Lions Festival focused on championing the value and transformative power of creative work to advance societal change, as well as move business goals forward. On Thursday, June 22, Fabrice Beaulieu, Global Chief Marketing, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer at Reckitt, was recognized as Brand Advertiser of the Year, by ACT Responsible (https://act-responsible.org/), a global association that promotes the best advertising campaigns concerning social and environmental issues from around the world. "Reckitt's recognition at Cannes is a very important milestone for our entire organization," Beaulieu said. "Our commitment to putting sustainability efforts at the core of each of our brands has unleashed creativity to solve the world's most critical challenges through behaviour change that creates value, drives effectiveness and leaves a positive impact on communities." Reckitt's commitment also helped to influence the wider Cannes community, with its Global Creativity and Diversity & Inclusion Director, Marketing, Efrain Ayala, serving on the Glass Lions jury, for the first time, where he brought the perspective of how brands should be creating authentic, systematic change. With his role as a WFA Global Diversity Ambassador, in tandem with his role at Reckitt, Ayala was able to bring his expertise to Cannes and impart its most valuable aspects to the industry at-large. The Glass Lions celebrates culture-shifting creativity and work that explicitly addresses issues of gender inequality or prejudice, through the conscious representation of gender in advertising. ONSITE ACTIVATIONS Reckitt's auto dishwashing brand Finish hosted a SkipTheRinse activation within the Palais de Festivals. This included a branded pop-up space featuring visuals of regions around the world that are at risk from water scarcity. Reckitt invited creatives to pitch ideas for how to further evolve the SkipTheRinse campaign through a competition to crowdsource creativity. The winner will receive a fully paid trip to Cannes Lions 2024 and may have their idea adopted by Reckitt. As part of Reckitt's speaker line-up, Afropop sensation Yemi Alade took to the Palais stage as Global Ambassador of the WiNFUND. Alade shared how she supports women entrepreneurs across Africa to improve access to healthcare through the WiNFUND, which provides investment, business support and mentoring for women-led start-ups and entrepreneurs working to improve community access to healthcare. "Reckitt and WiNFUND remain committed to empowering women-led health innovation with meaningful impacts in local communities," said Patty O'Hayer, Global Head of External Communications & Affairs, Reckitt and WiNFUND co-founder. Tickets are now on sale for a concert streaming event on 1 July with Yemi Alade. Tickets may be purchased online here: https://winfundnft.org/new-event/ (https://winfundnft.org/new-event/) http://www.reckitt.com/thisisreckitt (http://www.reckitt.com/thisisreckitt) NOTES TO EDITORS: About Reckitt: Reckitt* exists to protect, heal, and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We believe that access to the highest-quality hygiene, wellness and nourishment is a right, not a privilege. Reckitt is the company behind some of the world's most recognisable and trusted consumer brands in hygiene, health, and nutrition, including Air Wick, Calgon, Cillit Bang, Clearasil, Dettol, Durex, Enfamil, Finish, Gaviscon, Harpic, Lysol, Mortein, Mucinex, Nurofen, Nutramigen, Strepsils, Vanish, Veet, Woolite and more. Every day, more than 20 million Reckitt products are bought globally. We always put consumers and people first, seek out new opportunities, strive for excellence in all that we do and build shared success with all our partners. We aim to do the right thing, always. We are a diverse global team of c. 40,000 colleagues. We draw on our collective energy to meet our ambitions of purpose-led brands, a healthier planet, and a fairer society. Find out more, or contact us at www.reckitt.com (http://www.reckitt.com) * Reckitt is the trading name of the Reckitt Benckiser group of companies 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. HSBC Group has announced that it led a $125 million refinancing deal for IG Design Group plc (Design Group), one of the world's leading designers, innovators and manufacturers of gift packaging, celebrations, craft and creative play, stationery, gifting, and related product categories. The deal was spearheaded by HSBC USA, structured by HSBC USA's Asset Based Lending team, and supported by HSBC UK, with the bank providing a total of $75 million in funding. The remaining $50 million was provided by NatWest. The new asset-based revolving credit facility will allow Design Group to support its working capital requirements throughout the year and meet customer demand around peak seasonal gifting times. The facility also sees the business switch from a UK-based to a US-based funding line, where Design Group generates the majority of its revenue, with an innovative cash management structure that allows for funding of the Group's global operations. "Our aim is to not only provide financing and product solutions, but also world-class service, deep sector expertise, and cross-border collaboration that will help our clients achieve their growth targets and goals," said U.S. Head of International Subsidiary Banking James Gallagher. "Our ability to serve companies around the globe makes us one of the world's leading international banks." "NatWest is pleased to continue to support Design Group with its evolving financing needs, on this occasion with a new U.S.-based receivables facility," said NatWest Relationship Director Paul Mitchell. "This deal represents an important milestone in our journey to first restore our pre-Covid performance, and then grow beyond," said Design Group CEO Paul Bal."HSBC's international reach has enabled us to ensure global funding for the Group through our biggest market, helping us to leverage our scale and capabilities for future growth." Design Group is an international business with its global headquarters in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. Its US operations are headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia., and it operates a large factory in South Wales alongside other major facilities in the US, the Netherlands and China. Notes to editors: HSBC Bank USA, National Association (HSBC Bank USA, N.A.) serves customers through Wealth and Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, Private Banking, Global Banking, and Markets and Securities Services. It operates Wealth Centers in: California; Washington, D.C.; Florida; New Jersey; New York; Virginia; and Washington. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is the principal subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc. In the United States, deposit products are offered by HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Member FDIC. About HSBC UK HSBC UK serves over 14.75 million customers across the UK, supported by 24,000 colleagues. HSBC UK offers a complete range of retail banking and wealth management to personal and private banking customers, as well as commercial banking for small to medium businesses and large corporates. HSBC Holdings plc HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 62 countries and territories. With assets of $2,990bn at 31 March 2023, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. For further information, visit: https://www.us.hsbc.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623494048/en/ Contacts: Media enquiries to: Matt Kozar Vice President of External Communications, US Matt.Kozar@us.hsbc.com VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (TSXV:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF) (the "Company" or "Stillwater") announced today that it has executed a definitive agreement for a strategic equity investment by Glencore Canada Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glencore plc ("Glencore") in the form of a non-brokered private placement financing (the "Placement) for exploration and development activities at the Company's North American nickel projects, as well as for working capital and general and administrative expenses. Pursuant to the Placement, Glencore has agreed to purchase 19,758,861 units of Stillwater at a price of $0.25 per unit for gross proceeds of $4.94 million, with each unit comprising one common share and 0.70 of a common share purchase warrant. Each full warrant shall entitle Glencore to purchase one common share at an exercise price of $0.375, providing up to approximately $5.2 million additional funding, if exercised in full. The warrants shall be exercisable for three years from the date of issue and contain a customary acceleration provision, which shall be effective if the volume weighted average trading price of the common shares on the TSX-V is greater than $0.5625 for a period of 20 consecutive trading days. Following closing of the investment, Glencore will have ownership and control of 9.99% of the outstanding common shares of Stillwater on a non-diluted basis and, including the warrants, 15.87% of the outstanding common shares on a partially diluted basis. Glencore does not currently own or control any securities of the Company. Stillwater Critical Minerals President and CEO, Michael Rowley, stated, "We are very pleased to welcome Glencore, one of the top five largest mining companies in the world, as a major investor. This represents a major step forward for Stillwater as we advance our flagship Stillwater West project with the vision of becoming a large-scale source of battery and precious minerals that are now listed as critical in the US, and elsewhere. There are very few projects globally, and especially located within the United States, that offer the combination of grade and scale in a producing district that we see at Stillwater West. We are now booking drills and crews for our 2023 drill campaign with a focus on expansion of the high-grade nickel-copper sulphides identified in our past campaigns. We look forward to announcing further details in the coming weeks, along with the start of drilling." In connection with the Placement, Stillwater and Glencore have agreed to enter into an investor rights agreement, pursuant to which Glencore will be entitled to certain customary rights including participation in future equity issuances and a right to maintain its pro-rata position in Stillwater. In addition, a technical committee will be formed with representatives from each company. Net proceeds of the private placement are intended to be used for exploration and development activities at the Company's North American nickel projects, as well as for working capital and general and administrative expenses. The Placement is expected to close, subject to customary conditions, upon acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued pursuant to the Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. This press release is not an offer or a solicitation of an offer of securities for sale in the United States of America. The common shares of Stillwater Critical Minerals have not been and will not be 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 registration. About Glencore and its Holdings in the Company Glencore is one of the world's largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 commodities that advance everyday life. Through a network of assets, customers and suppliers that spans the globe, Glencore produces, processes, recycles, sources, markets and distributes the commodities that support decarbonisation while meeting the energy needs of today. With around 140,000 employees and contractors and a strong footprint in over 35 countries in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, Glencore's marketing and industrial activities are supported by a global network of more than 40 offices. Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation, battery manufacturing and oil sectors. Glencore also provides financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. Glencore is an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and is working to decarbonise its operational footprint. Certain information in this news release is provided by Glencore in satisfaction of the early warning requirements of National Instrument 62-104 - Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids. Glencore is acquiring the common shares and warrants for investment purposes and will continue to monitor the business, prospects, financial condition and potential capital requirements of the Company. Depending on its evaluation of these and other factors, Glencore may from time to time in the future decrease or increase its direct or indirect ownership, control or direction over securities of the Company through market transactions, private agreements, subscriptions from treasury or otherwise, or may in the future develop plans or intentions relating to any of the other actions listed in (a) through (k) of National Instrument 62-103F1- Required Disclosure Under the Early Warning Requirements. For the purposes of this press release and early warning disclosure, the number and percentages of outstanding common shares owned and controlled by Glencore following completion of the investment is based on 197,786,398 outstanding common shares following completion of the investment. Glencore's address is 100 King Street West, Suite 6900, P.O. Box 403, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5X 1E3. Glencore is incorporated under the laws of Ontario. An early warning report in respect of the investment will be filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. For a copy of the report or for further Glencore information, please contact Peter Fuchs at (416) 305-9273, peter.fuchs@glencore.ca. About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSX.V: PGE | OTCQB: PGEZF) is a mineral exploration company focused on its flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co + Au project in the iconic and famously productive Stillwater mining district in Montana, USA. With the addition of two renowned Bushveld and Platreef geologists to the team, the Company is well positioned to advance the next phase of large-scale critical mineral supply from this world-class American district, building on past production of nickel, copper, and chromium, and the on-going production of platinum group and other metals by neighboring Sibanye-Stillwater. An expanded NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate, released January 2023, delineates a compelling suite of critical minerals contained within five Platreef-style nickel and copper sulphide deposits at Stillwater West, which host a total of 1.6 billion pounds of nickel, copper and cobalt, and 3.8 million ounces of palladium, platinum, rhodium, and gold, and remains open for expansion along trend and at depth. Stillwater Critical Minerals also holds the high-grade Black Lake-Drayton Gold project adjacent to Treasury Metals' development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario, currently under an earn-in agreement with Heritage Mining, and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co critical minerals project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinum's Wellgreen deposit in Canada's Yukon Territory. The Company's address is 904, 409 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1T2. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Michael Rowley, President, CEO & Director - Stillwater Critical Minerals Email: info@criticalminerals.com Web: http://criticalminerals.com Phone: (604) 357 4790 Toll Free: (888) 432 0075 Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Stillwater believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Stillwater and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available 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. SOURCE: Stillwater Critical Minerals View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763305/Stillwater-Critical-Minerals-Announces-999-Strategic-Investment-by-Glencore VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Golden Spike Resources Corp. (CSE:GLDS) ("Golden Spike" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the exercise of its option and now owns a 100% interest in the Gregory River property (the "Property") located in Newfoundland, Canada. Further to its news releases issued on September 20, 2022 and July 21, 2022, as a result of its acquisition (the "Acquisition") of Golden Horizon Exploration Corp. ("Golden Horizon"), it has assumed Golden Horizon's interest in a mineral property option agreement dated October 14, 2021, as amended (the "Option Agreement") between Golden Horizon as optionee (the "Optionee") and certain optionors of the Property (collectively, the "Optionors"). Pursuant to the Option Agreement, the Optionors have granted the Optionee the option to acquire a 100% interest (the "Option") in the mineral property claims known as the Gregory River Property located in Newfoundland & Labrador (the "Property"), subject to a 2% net smelter royalty. Pursuant to the Option Agreement, the Company has paid the final cash payment of $45,000 and issued 1,500,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.20 per share, (the "Subsequent Consideration Shares") to the Optionors and has fully exercised its Option to acquire a 100% interest in and to the Property. The Subsequent Consideration Shares will be, subject to a 4-month statutory resale restriction in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Property is subject to a 2% net smelter returns royalty interest (the "NSR") of the Optionors calculated in accordance with the Option Agreement. At any time following the completion of the Option exercise, the Company will have the right to purchase one-half of the NSR from the Optionors for $1,500,000, leaving the Optionors with a 1% NSR. A copy of the Option Agreement is available on www.sedar.com under the Company's profile. "We are very pleased to have completed the Option exercise and acquire a 100% interest in its Gregory River Property located in a very prospective mineral belt in Newfoundland" stated Golden Spike CEO Keith Anderson. Gregory River Property The Property is comprised of 137 claims under 17 mineral licences, covering 3,425 hectares or approximately 8,463 acres and is located on the western portion of the island of Newfoundland, approximately 14 Kilometres ("km") south of the community of Trout River and 40 km northwest of Corner Brook. The Property is centered over an approximately 11-kilometer-long stretch of the Gregory River volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") belt, a north-northeast trending corridor of very prospective ground for precious and base metal mineralization. In addition, the Property hosts a cluster of high-grade copper-gold vein structures that occur just east of the VMS-belt. Intermittent exploration has taken place over the Property since the 1920's and has resulted in the discovery of numerous high-grade copper and gold prospects and occurrences. The Property has not seen any significant activity since 2008 and still remains largely underexplored. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved for disclosure by Mr. Robert Cinits, P.Geo, a director of the Company and a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Golden Spike Golden Spike Resources Corp. (CSE:GLDS) (OTCQB:GSPRF) (Frankfurt: L5Y) is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on identifying, acquiring and unlocking value in mineral opportunities in Canada and other low-risk jurisdictions. The Company currently holds the rights to acquire 100% interest in the 3,425-hectare Gregory River Property in Newfoundland, strategically centered over an approximate 11-kilometer-long stretch of the Gregory River VMS-belt, a north-northeast trending corridor of very prospective ground with potential to host Cyprus-type polymetallic VMS deposits. In addition, the Property hosts a cluster of historically explored, high-grade, copper gold vein structures. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Keith Anderson Golden Spike Resources Corp. 830 - 1100 Melville St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 4A6 +1 (604) 786-7774 info@goldenspikeresources.com www.goldenspikeresources.com "Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release." Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 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" occur. Additionally, forward-looking information involve a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: the volatility of global capital markets, political instability, unanticipated costs, risks relating to the extent and duration of the conflict in Eastern Europe and its impact on global markets, the lack of availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather conditions, failure to maintain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), increase in costs, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, and those risks, uncertainties and factors set forth in the Company's disclosure record under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information contained herein. 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 or forward-looking information disclosed herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. SOURCE: Golden Spike Resources Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763296/Golden-Spike-Completes-Gregory-River-Property-Option-Agreement Issuer: P2X-Europe GmbH & Co. KG / Key word(s): Alliance P2X-Europe GmbH & Co. KG: Another step forward on the European eSAF market: P2X-Europe and Nordic Electrofuel reach next milestone in collaboration for production of sustainable fuels in Scandinavia (news with additional features) 23.06.2023 / 14:05 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Nordic Electrofuel and P2X-Europe have today signed a term sheet for long-term supply of synthetic fuels, in particular targeting synthetic aviation fuel (eSAF). Nordic Electrofuel will produce synthetic crude in Norway, which P2X-Europe will take delivery of and upgrade into eSAF and other synthetic products. Initial production and supply volume is set at around 8,000 tonnes per annum, with specific plans for a further scale-up of production thereafter. RefuelEu Aviation requires initial blending quota of renewable fuels as of 2025 and a specific quota for eSAF from 2030: this legal framework is a clear call for action - for the aviation as well as for future PtL producers and fuel suppliers. 23/06/2023, Hamburg/Oslo. Following extensive negotiations and cooperation that started last year, Norwegian Nordic Electrofuel (NEF) and German P2X-Europe (P2X), a joint venture of Mabanaft GmbH & Co. KG (Mabanaft) and H&R Group, have today signed a term sheet that formally lays the foundation for the production and commercialisation of synthetic fuels, with a clear focus on eSAF (electricity generated Sustainable Aviation Fuel). The agreement between the two companies foresees the production and long-term offtake of sustainable fuels from green hydrogen and captured CO 2 , using the Power-to-Liquid pathway. In a joint approach, NEF plans to produce synthesis-based raw materials for the aviation and chemical industry at large scale from 2026 in Norway, while P2X will further upgrade those syncrudes into eFuels such as eSAF and other synthetic and sustainable products. The final synthetic products will then be marketed to end-users through parent companies Mabanaft Group with its expertise in liquid fuels and H&R Group as an expert in chemical specialty products. For the first time, the PtL project developer P2X is committed to also take on the offtaker role by purchasing PtL-derived syncrude, aiming at accelerating the ramp-up of low-carbon energy production. The initial stage of the project estimates a production capacity of 8,000 tonnes of synthetic hydrocarbons per year, ready to be refined into sustainable fuels, with a considerable production ramp-up planned in the following years. The production site will be located at Herya industrial park, Prosgrunn, about 150 kilometers southwest of the Norwegian capital Oslo. Nordic Electrofuel's CEO Gunnar Holen explains "the agreement reached with P2X marks a quantum leap for Nordic Electrofuel. It greatly improves the needed bankability for us with secured long-term offtake for our products and enables us to reach the markets for NEF's products in volumes. P2X is a perfect partner, since it will do the upgrading and brings the downstream part, which is complementing our business. NEF has over a long time enjoyed a strong relationship with P2X and its sponsors, which have made this process towards the agreement easier. We also expect to sign subsequent agreements between the parties for future plants." "P2X-Europe is expanding its business to most attractive regions in Europe, starting at the Iberian Peninsula now including Scandinavia" says Detlev Woesten, CEO of P2X-Europe and Chief Sustainability Officer at H&R. The project will further nourish the extensive know-how of P2X-Europe, a global pioneer in PtL project development and technology configuration, backed by its strongly representable reference projects of its parent companies. The strategic partnership positions P2X's parent company Mabanaft Group to increase market supplies of non-fossil, green jet fuel for the aviation industry. Volker Ebeling, Executive Director of P2X-Europe and Senior Vice President New Energy, Chemicals and Gas at Mabanaft, states "this marks another significant milestone as we constantly expand our sustainable product offering, in this case for our aviation customers. With Nordic Electrofuel we have an innovative partner for Power-to-Liquid solutions on our side, fostering another European strategic partnership for the production of green molecules at scale." According to the long-awaited ReFuelEU Aviation draft regulation presented by the EU Commission, an initial blending quota of renewable fuels as of 2025 and a specific quota for eSAF from 2030 is required: the quota finally establishes the legal framework for the eSaf market and is a clear call for action - for the aviation as well as for future PtL producers and fuel suppliers. Undoubtedly, this PtL project represents a crucial endeavour in advancing the decarbonisation of the global economy. Through carbon net-zero production of high-value synthetic fuels, it strives to replace the fossil fuels currently utilised in various industries, making a significant impact. *** Contact information: P2X-Europe GmbH & Co. KG Koreastrae 7, 20457 Hamburg - Germany Kirsten Grastorff, International Relations Manager E-Mail: Info@p2x-europe.com M: +49 40 3700 47631 www.p2x-europe.com About P2X-Europe: P2X-Europe GmbH & Co. KG is an independent Power-to-Liquid project development joint-venture, backed by two Hamburg-based German companies; Mabanaft Group, a leading independent and integrated energy company, and H&R Group, which develops and manufactures specialty chemical and pharmaceutical products. P2X-Europe develops, builds, and invests in vertically integrated end-to-end Power-to-Liquid technology solutions to enable the market introduction of synthetic carbon net-zero chemicals and fuels. Based in Hamburg, the company has set the ambition to become a global leader in renewable hydrogen and green synthetic hydrocarbons with a focus on sustainable aviation fuels, while the company is building a strong and diverse portfolio of large-scale Power-to-X projects across industries and geographies. www.p2x-europe.com About Nordic Electrofuel AS: Nordic Electrofuel AS (NEFAS) business idea is to produce carbon-neutral eFuel and wax, based on synthetic hydrocarbons using renewable energy, water and CO/CO2. The eFuel product will be sent to refining partners where the end product may include, among other things, eSAF (aviation fuel), eDiesel (maritime & heavy-duty road transport), naphtha, wax and lubricants. With aviation being the hardest sector to abate, this industry is of primary focus. Power-to-Liquid provides the most cost-effective solution for decarbonising the aviation industry. The company Bureau Veritas has carried out a life cycle analysis of our eFuel, which confirms a 99.9 % avoidance of emissions compared to fossil-based fuel. Following commencement of the first plant, Nordic Electrofuel has a portfolio of subsequent plants with a roadmap to reach a capacity of 800,000 tonnes within a decade from now. www.nordicelectrofuel.no About H&R GmbH & Co. KGaA: H&R KGaA is a specialty-chemicals company listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange's Prime Standard segment. It develops and manufactures crude-oil-based chemical and pharmaceutical specialty products and produces high-precision plastic parts. The product portfolio comprises white oils, petroleum jellies, paraffin waxes, lubricants, base oils, process oils, cable filling compounds, ozone protection waxes, plasticizers, cosmetic and pharmaceutical raw materials. www.hur.com About Mabanaft: Mabanaft GmbH & Co. KG is a leading independent and integrated energy company, providing its customers with innovative energy solutions for their transportation, heating, industrial and agricultural needs. The group is active in import, distribution and marketing of petroleum products, natural gas liquids, chemicals and biofuels, and supports its customers' transition to cleaner fuels by providing alternative long-term solutions. www.mabanaft.com Forward-looking statements and forecasts This press release contains forward-looking statements. The statements are based on the current estimates and forecasts by the Executive Board and the information available to the Board at this time. These forward-looking statements do not provide any warranty for the future developments and results contained therein. The future developments and results are dependent on a number of factors; they entail various risks and contingencies and are based on assumptions which could prove to be incorrect. We do not assume any responsibility for updating the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Additional features: File: Press Release P2X Europe Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / NationBuilder, the leading software provider for politics and advocacy, today announced the appointment of Gina Davis as the company's Chief Technology Officer. Davis most recently served as the company's Vice President of Engineering. The news of her promotion comes in time for worldwide celebrations of International Women in Engineering Day. As CTO, Davis will be responsible for overseeing the company's technical teams, with a focus on driving innovation and scaling technological infrastructure to support the company's growth. A long-time member of NationBuilder's majority-female leadership team, Davis has been instrumental in leading the company's efforts to improve the accessibility and user experience of its products, with a focus on developing solutions that meet the unique needs of a diverse customer base. "I am thrilled to announce that Gina Davis will be stepping into the role of Chief Technology Officer," said Lea Endres, CEO and co-founder of NationBuilder. "As our head of engineering, Gina helped us develop software and systems to equip leaders around the world. There is no one better to serve as our CTO, guiding the acceleration of our technological innovation to meet the needs of our customers as we enter a new phase of growth." NationBuilder is the world's most-used software for politics and advocacy, with customers in over 100 countries. Working to get the tools of democracy into the hands of millions of people around the world, the company has an enduring commitment to access, ensuring a low starting price for over a decade. "I am honored to take on the role of Chief Technology Officer at NationBuilder," said Davis. "NationBuilder's vision is rooted in freedom and opportunity. It transforms technology leadership and software innovation into a means of strengthening community and facilitating change. I am excited to help scale that impact globally." Prior to NationBuilder, Davis helped facilitate two major corporate acquisitions as a senior technical advisor, first at Sendia, making it the first-ever corporate acquisition by Salesforce, and later at CityGrid, in its successful acquisition of Felix. About NationBuilder A mission-driven software company, NationBuilder has served over 100,000 customers in 110 countries around the world since 2011. NationBuilder's human-centric, fully integrated software platform helps leaders of all kinds - from individuals stepping into leadership for the first time to the heads of political parties, international networks, Top 100 charities, and Fortune 500 companies - mobilize their supporters and advocate for change. NationBuilder's customers are building the future everywhere, from Nobel Peace Prize winner ICAN reaching 50 ratifications of a historic UN treaty banning nuclear weapons in Switzerland to National Bloc bringing Beirut citizens emergency aid and the tools for democracy in Lebanon. The software includes a dynamic people database, website hosting, email and text message communications, donations and fundraising. For more information, please visit https://nationbuilder.com/. Contact Information Sorcha Scully press@nationbuilder.com 857-234-7405 SOURCE: NationBuilder View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763344/Nationbuilder-Names-Gina-Davis-as-Chief-Technology-Officer-Ushering-in-Next-Phase-of-Technological-Innovation The positive CHMP opinion is based on the landmark EMPA-KIDNEY trial, the largest and broadest dedicated SGLT2 inhibitor trial in chronic kidney disease (CKD) to date 1,2,3 When approved, Jardiance (empagliflozin) could advance the standard of care for more than 47 million people in the EU living with CKD and other interconnected cardio-renal-metabolic conditions4 The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted a positive opinion recommending Jardiance (empagliflozin) for the treatment of adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD), Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today.1 Empagliflozin is currently indicated for the treatment of heart failure and type 2 diabetes in adults.5 When approved, empagliflozin's indications in the EU will include adults living with CKD, paving the way for an approach to managing the amplified risks of interconnected cardio-renal-metabolic conditions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623740785/en/ "EMPA-KIDNEY, the trial upon which the CHMP recommendation is based, demonstrated clear benefits on its primary outcome based on kidney disease progression and cardiovascular death in a broad range of adults with chronic kidney disease," said Professor William Herrington, Clinician Scientist at the Medical Research Council Population Health Research Unit at the University of Oxford, UK, and EMPA-KIDNEY trial Co-Principal Investigator. "The approval of empagliflozin should greatly help implementation of these important findings into clinical practice for people living with chronic kidney disease," added Co-Principal Investigator Professor Richard Haynes. The EMPA-KIDNEY Phase III trial included 6,609 adults across the spectrum of CKD severity with a wide range of underlying causes and co-morbidities, making EMPA-KIDNEY the largest and broadest dedicated SGLT2 inhibitor trial in CKD to date. Empagliflozin demonstrated a significant kidney and cardiovascular benefit in adults with CKD, reducing the relative risk of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death by 28 percent versus placebo.2,3 "Across the EU, more than 47 million people are living with chronic kidney disease and even more with cardio-renal-metabolic conditions," said Carinne Brouillon, Head of Human Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim. "We are very excited about the potential for empagliflozin to play a key role in the management of these interconnected cardio-renal-metabolic conditions." "Cardio-renal-metabolic conditions, like chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and heart failure, are a leading cause of death in Europe. We will continue working closely with regulators worldwide so that adults living with chronic kidney disease, and their health care providers, can benefit from empagliflozin as quickly as possible," continued Leonard Glass, M.D., F.A.C.E., senior vice president, Diabetes Obesity Global Medical Affairs, Lilly. # ENDS # About EMPA-KIDNEY: The study of heart and kidney protection with empagliflozin2,3,6 EMPA-KIDNEY (NCT03594110) is a multinational randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, designed to evaluate the effect of empagliflozin on kidney disease progression and cardiovascular mortality risk. The primary outcome is defined as time to a first event of either cardiovascular death or kidney disease progression, defined as end-stage kidney disease (the need for kidney replacement therapy such as dialysis or kidney transplantation), a sustained decline in eGFR to <10 mL/min/1.73 m2, kidney death, or a sustained decline of =40 percent in eGFR from randomization. Key secondary outcomes include cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure, all-cause hospitalization, and all-cause mortality. EMPA-KIDNEY includes 6,609 adults randomized from eight countries with established chronic kidney disease both with and without diabetes, as well as with and without albuminuria, receiving either empagliflozin 10 mg or placebo, on top of current standard of care. About chronic kidney disease Chronic kidney disease affects approximately 850 million people worldwide which is more than 10 percent of the population.7 The condition is caused by progressive damage to the kidneys that prevents them from working as well as they should. With it mostly being asymptomatic (no symptoms) until later stages of the condition, most people go undiagnosed and every year millions die prematurely from chronic kidney disease and related complications.6,8,9 The Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly Alliance are committed to transforming care for people with chronic kidney disease and other cardio-renal-metabolic conditions. About cardio-renal-metabolic conditions Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly are driven to transform care for people with cardio-renal-metabolic conditions, a group of interconnected disorders that affect more than 1.4 billion people worldwide and are a leading cause of death.10,11 The cardiovascular, renal and metabolic systems are interconnected, and share many of the same risk factors and pathological pathways along the disease continuum. Dysfunction in one system may accelerate the onset of others, resulting in progression of interconnected diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and kidney disease, which in turn leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular death. Conversely, improvements in one system can lead to positive effects throughout the others.12,13,14 Through our research and treatments, our goal is to support people's health, restoring the balance between the interconnected cardio-renal-metabolic systems and reducing their risk of serious complications. As part of our commitment to those whose health is jeopardized by cardio-renal-metabolic conditions, we will continue embracing a multidisciplinary approach towards care and focusing our resources on filling treatment gaps. About empagliflozin Empagliflozin (marketed as Jardiance) is an oral, once-daily, highly selective sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor and the first type 2 diabetes medicine to include cardiovascular death risk reduction data in its label in several countries.15,16 Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company The Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly Alliance leverages the strengths of two of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. By joining forces, the companies demonstrate their commitment, not only to the care of people with type 2 diabetes, but also to address areas of unmet medical need like heart failure and chronic kidney disease. About Boehringer Ingelheim Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that transform lives, today and for generations to come. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term, sustainable perspective. More than 53,000 employees serve over 130 markets in the two business units, Human Pharma and Animal Health. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com. About Lilly Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 51 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges, redefining diabetes care, treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects, advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease, providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders, and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visitlilly.com and lilly.com/newsroom or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. Intended audiences This press release is issued from Boehringer Ingelheim Corporate Headquarters in Ingelheim, Germany and is intended to provide information about our global business. Please be aware that information relating to the approval status and labels of approved products may vary from country to country, and a country-specific press release on this topic may have been issued in the countries where Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company do business. This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) about clinical trials to evaluate Jardiance as a treatment for adults with heart failure and reflects Lilly's current belief. However, as with any pharmaceutical product, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of development and commercialization. Among other things, there can be no guarantee that future study results will be consistent with the results to date or that Jardiance will receive additional regulatory approvals. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see Lilly's most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release. Please click here for further 'Notes to editors' and 'References' View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623740785/en/ Contacts: Harro ten Wolde Global Head of Media Relations Boehringer Ingelheim Email: harro.ten_wolde@boehringer-ingelheim.com Kristiane Bello Eli Lilly and Company Email: bello_kristiane@lilly.com Phone: (317) 315-9052 The Luxury Pergola helps homeowners invest in the highest quality pergolas, made in the USA, at an incredible price. NOBLESVILLE, IN / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / When someone spends all day cooped up indoors, under blinding fluorescent lights and stagnant air, a beautiful outdoor retreat is essential for health and happiness. On those warm summer days and cool evenings, everyone needs a place that can provide exactly what is needed, no matter the weather conditions. The Luxury Pergola helps homeowners build their dream retreat for any occasion. Whether it be the salty air and scalding heat of Florida, or the snowy winters in Montana, the Luxury Pergola is built to give every homeowner a beautiful, long-lasting retreat from the stress of everyday life. The Luxury Pergola Invest in the highest quality pergola. Made in the USA. The Luxury Pergola Price vs. Comparable Quality Pergolas The Luxury Pergola delivers superior quality for a fraction of the cost of the competition. The Luxury Pergola, a leading provider of premium outdoor living solutions, is proud that their flagship product is touted as the strongest, most versatile pergola kit currently available. With their dedication to superior quality, advanced features, and a commitment to customer satisfaction, The Luxury Pergola is now positioned as an industry leader. The Luxury pergola is a family-owned business, founded by industry experts, who possess an impressive experience in the outdoor living industry going back to the early 90's. Drawing on their vast knowledge and expertise, they created a pergola kit that perfectly harmonizes functionality, style, durability. Their unwavering commitment to providing customers with the best outdoor living solutions has set The Luxury Pergola apart from the competition. One of the distinguishing factors of The Luxury Pergola is its origin, proudly manufactured in the USA by trained craftsman. The company's commitment to domestic production enables them to maintain unparalleled quality standards. Their commitment to these standards allows them to provide a product with exceptional strength, durability, and longevity. By choosing The Luxury Pergola, customers can have peace of mind knowing they are supporting local businesses while investing in a product that exceeds industry standards. By producing their product in their own facility, The Luxury Pergola stands out among its competitors with its exceptional features and unparalleled performance. Designed and manufactured with precision engineering, this remote-controlled pergola kit is built to withstand the harshest conditions. It boasts an impressive capacity to handle winds up to 130 mph, making it the most reliable choice for challenging climates. Furthermore, its robust construction allows it to support a remarkable 8000 lbs. of snow, ensuring the structure remains sturdy all year round. Customers frequently rave about its outstanding build quality and The Luxury Pergola is consistently ranked as one of the top pergola providers due to the company's commitment to price, quality, and customer satisfaction. The Luxury Pergola also focuses on educating customers about how many brands will import "ready-made" pergola kits from overseas, mark them up, and then sell them as their own design for unconscionable markups. - Pricing According to The Luxury Pergola, a pergola of comparable build quality and engineering standards can be anywhere from $25k to $45k more expensive. The only way to get a pergola of this build quality is to go with a custom-made option with expensive markups. The Luxury Pergola is changing the industry by offering commercial grade pergola kits at a DIY price. By buying directly from the manufacturer, customers cut out a myriad of middlemen that all contribute to high prices. Additionally, the Luxury Pergola focuses on superior engineering and manufacturing rather than spending a fortune on advertising. Customers don't want to pay for a company's advertising expense in the product. They attract customers through word of mouth and by educating customers on their YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@theluxurypergola/videos. "When you buy a pergola, you can buy advertising or engineering. Our customers prefer to spend their money on a highly engineered product over a highly advertised one." - Quality The Luxury Pergola boasts an industry leading 10-year warranty that is truly unique in the industry. They are comfortable offering this, because the pergola is designed to last far longer and provide enjoyment for years to come. The Luxury Pergola offers the most options in size, color, and customization on the market and ensures each pergola is made specifically for the customer. This is only possible by a relentless focus on quality and engineering, in their own manufacturing facilities. While other brands will outsource their manufacturing and offer limited size options, The Luxury Pergola keeps everything in house to ensure the best possible fit and reduce costs to the customer. With The Luxury Pergola you get the strongest, highest quality, pergola in the world. They can achieve this by ensuring their product has 100% aluminum components and having a powder coat that is the highest standard in the industry. The Luxury Pergola is committed to ensuring that customers don't pay insane markups for imported pergolas that overpromise and underdeliver. Due to The Luxury Pergola's commitment to its customers, high quality manufacturing, and exceptional build quality it is quickly becoming a go-to destination for discerning homeowners and business alike. The Luxury Pergola is available for purchase through their official website, https://theluxurypergola.com. Customers can explore various sizes, colors, and additional accessories to create a truly unique outdoor oasis. "The Luxury Pergola is truly unparalleled in the pergola kit market. We don't just offer a place to relax, we help create a destination." For media inquiries, please contact: Company Name: The Luxury Pergola Contact Person: Brendan Email: info@theluxurypergola.com Website: https://theluxurypergola.com About The Luxury Pergola: The Luxury Pergola is a leading provider of premium outdoor living solutions. With a focus on exceptional quality, cutting-edge technology, and customer satisfaction, The Luxury Pergola offers the strongest and most versatile pergola kit on the market. Made in the USA and backed by a team of industry experts with over 30 years of experience, The Luxury Pergola provides customers with an unparalleled outdoor living experience. To learn more, visit www.theluxurypergola.com. Related Images The Luxury Pergola Price vs. Comparable Quality Pergolas The Luxury Pergola delivers superior quality for a fraction of the cost of the competition. The Luxury Pergola Invest in the highest quality pergola. Made in the USA. Related Video SOURCE: The Luxury Pergola View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763158/The-Luxury-Pergola-The-Best-Pergola-on-the-Market 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) - Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association or AMFA, announced Friday that they have reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) for the airline's Mechanics & Related Employees. If ratified by membership, AMFA said this agreement will elevate the Southwest Airlines Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) to industry-leading compensation. This agreement covers Southwest's more than 2,800 Mechanics & Related Employees, which includes the Company's Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, Aircraft Inspectors, Maintenance Controllers, and Training Instructors. AMFA said it will communicate the details about the agreement and the voting timeline directly to its members. 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. Millions of pilgrims eager to witness traditional Saudi welcoming culture PR Newswire MECCA, Saudi Arabia, June 23, 2023 MECCA, Saudi Arabia, June 23, 2023 The people of Saudi Arabia believe that hospitality is one of the main deep-rooted values in their culture which was passed on by many generations over hundreds of years, a fact that is not left unnoticed by millions of pilgrims who come to the Kingdom every year to perform Hajj rituals. The welcoming culture of Saudi Arabia reflects a unique value on every aspect of Hajj, as pilgrims coming from about 193 countries are dubbed "the guests of Allah" whose presence on Saudi lands is cherished by the authorities who launched a specific service program, in line with the Saudi 2030 Vision, to provide an opportunity for more Muslims to perform both Hajj and Umrah to the best of their abilities. Hajj Minister Tawfiq Al Rabiah stated that the program monitors the pilgrim's journey to the Grand Mosque of Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina from the very beginning until the very end to explore new ideas for facilitating the procedures of issuing visas, increasing the number of flights, and enhancing services at airports and entry points. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has prepared special welcoming programs via its cadres at 6 airports designated to receive the pilgrims, as well as other ports and land outlets, including Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, where the first vanguard of pilgrims were received on May 21, 2023 with flowers, Zamzam water, dates and Saudi coffee. A few months ago, the Saudi Ministry of Culture celebrated its 2022 Year of Saudi Coffee initiative, which features the famous drink as the official hospitality beverage according to customs and traditions, and comes as an important element of Saudi Arabia's rich culture for offering deep connotations of generosity, hospitality, and cultural diversity. Furthermore, the Kingdom's Tourism Authority announced that Saudi Arabia had received 62 million tourist visits in 2022, with 29.5 million visits coming from abroad, which only indicates how tourists enjoy a good experience when interacting with the hospitable Saudi society. Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2129371/Ministry_of_Hajj.mp4 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/millions-of-pilgrims-eager-to-witness-traditional-saudi-welcoming-culture-301861028.html New Office Allows Saluda Law, LLC to Better Serve the People of Saluda, SC, and Surrounding Communities SALUDA, SC / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Saluda Law, LLC is proud to announce the opening of its Saluda Office. Located at 109 West Church Street, Saluda, SC 29138, the new office will allow Saluda Law, LLC to better serve the people of Saluda and surrounding communities including Ward, Monetta, Batesburg-Leesville, Edgefield, and Johnston. Attorney Judah VanSyckel at Work Whistleblower (False Claims Act) Lawyer Judah VanSyckel Working Attorney Judah VanSyckel of Saluda Law states, "This is an exciting time for Saluda Law. With offices in McCormick, Lexington, and Saluda, I feel confident that we are in a position to not only better serve the people of this great area but to truly be part of the community." VanSyckel is a former prosecutor with extensive criminal defense experience. Admitted to practice in the state courts of South Carolina, VanSyckel is also admitted to the Federal District Court for the District of South Carolina, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. His firm's core practice areas include criminal defense and whistleblower matters. Other matters are considered on a case-by-case basis, including personal injury cases, such as car wrecks, truck wrecks, and catastrophic injury cases. VanSyckel has experience with both criminal and civil matters in federal and state courts. He has represented defendants charged with white-collar offenses like money laundering, unlicensed money transfer business, wire fraud, and theft of government property. He has filed multiple False Claims Act lawsuits in the Federal District Court for the District of South Carolina as part of his whistleblower practice. VanSyckel has also represented defendants charged with murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, breach of trust, obtaining goods under false pretenses, DUI, and other offenses. The phone number for the new office located in Saluda, South Carolina, is 864-803-5575. This location is currently open for video conference, telephone conference, and in-person meetings by appointment only. VanSyckel's primary office, located at 137 E. Main Street, Office 1, Lexington, SC 29072, remains open and can be reached by phone at 803-939-6927. The McCormick Office, 119a N. Main Street, McCormick, SC 29835, is also open by appointment and can be reached by telephone at 864-465-4092. Parking is available at all three locations. Contact Information Teresa Pierce Legal Assistant teresa@saludalaw.com 803-939-6927 Amie Douglass Legal Assistant amie@saludalaw.com 803-939-6927 SOURCE: Saluda Law, LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763357/Saluda-Law-LLC-Announces-Opening-of-Third-Office-Location-West-Church-Street-Saluda-South-Carolina EQS-News: Vodacom Tanzania Plc / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Vice President Mpango, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power Tour m-mama Dispatch Centre in Arusha, Tanzania 23.06.2023 / 15:40 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Vice President Mpango, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power Tour m-mama Dispatch Centre in Arusha, Tanzania Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango together with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ms. Samantha Power, embarked on a joint visit to the m-mama Arusha Dispatch Center located at the Mount Meru hospital, Arusha. The visit aimed to highlight the vital role played by m-mama in advancing maternal healthcare services and empowering communities across the region. During the visit, Vice President Mpango and Administrator Power had the opportunity to witness firsthand the impactful work being done by m-mama in improving maternal and child health outcomes in Tanzania. They were greeted by the dedicated team at the center, alongside Vodacom Tanzania's Managing Director and key Ministers who provided a comprehensive overview of the innovative solution and initiatives implemented by m-mama to tackle maternal healthcare challenges in remote areas. The high delegation also had the opportunity to speak with beneficiaries of the program including new mothers, nurses, and community drivers, who shared their stories and how the program has impacted their lives, since the launch in Arusha in March 2023. Vice President Mpango expressed his admiration for the remarkable achievements of m-mama, stating, "I take this opportunity to thank our development partners, Vodacom Tanzania Foundation and its partner Vodafone Foundation, USAID, as well as the implementers of this program Touch Foundation and Pathfinder International for your cooperation in implementing the country's priorities in various sectors including the health sector, as we see in this strategy to reduce maternal and infant mortality." The m-mama program began its journey in 2013, it was piloted in Sengerema and Buchosa districts in Mwanza region and later in Shinyanga region. The pilot revealed significant success, m-mama was able to reduce maternal mortality by 38% in Shinyanga region alone. Following a successful pilot, in 2022, USAID and Vodafone committed to scale the m-mama program within Tanzania. m-mama is available, via a toll-free number, in 16 regions in Tanzania Mainland and all regions of Zanzibar. To date, twenty-five thousand emergency transports have been completed therefore saving more than 700 lives that would have been lost if this program did not exist. "This program has proven to be very helpful in reducing maternal and infant mortality. It is our hope that, when fully implemented throughout the country, it will enable us to fulfill global and national goals on reducing maternal and infant mortality. In a special way, I invite all of you to join us in this victorious journey, ensuring that no mother and baby die from preventable causes" concluded the Vice President of Tanzania. Sharing her experience in various development programs across the world, the USAID Administrator, noted that m-mama is an exemplary program that ought to be replicated globally where similar challenges persist. "I have been to many places around the world but I can think of no program or project that I have visited anywhere in the world that is as exciting and cost-effective as m-mama. I would like to recognize the extraordinary work done by the government of Tanzania in implementing this impactful program that is going to get more impact with time, saving lives of mothers and newborns as more people know about it and more volunteers emerge to help drive vulnerable mothers and their children to medical care" said Ms. Power. The Administrator further shared that the success of m-mama is a story that is being talked about in Asia, Latin America and across sub-Saharan Africa including Kenya where m-mama was launched on June 21st 2023, borrowing from the tremendous success it has had in Tanzania, facilitating twenty-five thousand emergency transports and saving numerous lives. Vodacom Tanzania's Managing Director, Philip Besiimire, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of similar initiatives in promoting sustainable development. "m-mama exemplifies the potential of leveraging technology to make a tangible difference in people's lives. It serves as a model for empowering communities and strengthening healthcare systems, which aligns perfectly with the Government of Tanzania, Vodacom, and USAID's commitment to fostering inclusive growth and wellbeing," said Besiimire, speaking on behalf of Vodacom Tanzania and Vodafone Foundation. "m-mama, a groundbreaking mobile health initiative that ensures no mother is left isolated or uniformed, transforming her mobile device into a beacon of hope. This transformative journey would not have been possible without the commitment of the government and the unwavering generosity and support of our funding partners Vodafone and USAID. Their commitment to improving maternal health and empowering communities has paved the way for this remarkable success story. At Vodacom Tanzania, leveraging our infrastructure, wealth of knowledge and pioneering innovation to improve lives is at the core of what we do" concluded Mr. Besiimire. The m-mama Dispatch Center provides a range of services, including a toll-free number for expecting mothers to access healthcare information, emergency response coordination, and remote medical consultations. The innovative use of mobile technology and data analytics has significantly improved access to quality healthcare for expecting mothers and neonates, particularly in underserved areas, ultimately contributing to a reduction in maternal and infant mortality rates. The visit by Vice President Mpango and USAID Administrator Samantha Power reflects the strong partnership between the Government of Tanzania, the United States and private sector in addressing critical healthcare challenges. It highlights their shared commitment to working with private sector and leveraging innovative approaches and investing in sustainable solutions for the betterment of Tanzanian communities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vodacom Tanzania Plc. Download image: https://apo-opa.info/3XopAB9 For media inquiries, please contact: Zuweina Farah Director of External Affairs & Vodacom Tanzania Foundation Vodacom Tanzania +255754710264 zuweina.farah@vodacom.co.tz About Vice President Mpango: Vice President Mpango is a prominent political figure in Tanzania and a passionate advocate for social and economic development. His visionary leadership has been instrumental in driving positive change and advancing key initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Tanzanian citizens. About USAID Administrator Samantha Power: Samantha Power serves as the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She brings extensive experience in promoting human rights, development, and democratic governance to her role, leading USAID's efforts to address global challenges and foster sustainable development worldwide. 23.06.2023 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango together with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ms. Samantha Power, embarked on a joint visit to the m-mama Arusha Dispatch Center located at the Mount Meru hospital, Arusha. The visit aimed to highlight the vital role played by m-mama in advancing maternal healthcare services and empowering communities across the region. During the visit, Vice President Mpango and Administrator Power had the opportunity to witness firsthand the impactful work being done by m-mama in improving maternal and child health outcomes in Tanzania. They were greeted by the dedicated team at the center, alongside Vodacom Tanzania's Managing Director and key Ministers who provided a comprehensive overview of the innovative solution and initiatives implemented by m-mama to tackle maternal healthcare challenges in remote areas. The high delegation also had the opportunity to speak with beneficiaries of the program including new mothers, nurses, and community drivers, who shared their stories and how the program has impacted their lives, since the launch in Arusha in March 2023. Vice President Mpango expressed his admiration for the remarkable achievements of m-mama, stating, "I take this opportunity to thank our development partners, Vodacom Tanzania Foundation and its partner Vodafone Foundation, USAID, as well as the implementers of this program Touch Foundation and Pathfinder International for your cooperation in implementing the country's priorities in various sectors including the health sector, as we see in this strategy to reduce maternal and infant mortality." The m-mama program began its journey in 2013, it was piloted in Sengerema and Buchosa districts in Mwanza region and later in Shinyanga region. The pilot revealed significant success, m-mama was able to reduce maternal mortality by 38% in Shinyanga region alone. Following a successful pilot, in 2022, USAID and Vodafone committed to scale the m-mama program within Tanzania. m-mama is available, via a toll-free number, in 16 regions in Tanzania Mainland and all regions of Zanzibar. To date, twenty-five thousand emergency transports have been completed therefore saving more than 700 lives that would have been lost if this program did not exist. "This program has proven to be very helpful in reducing maternal and infant mortality. It is our hope that, when fully implemented throughout the country, it will enable us to fulfill global and national goals on reducing maternal and infant mortality. In a special way, I invite all of you to join us in this victorious journey, ensuring that no mother and baby die from preventable causes" concluded the Vice President of Tanzania. Sharing her experience in various development programs across the world, the USAID Administrator, noted that m-mama is an exemplary program that ought to be replicated globally where similar challenges persist. "I have been to many places around the world but I can think of no program or project that I have visited anywhere in the world that is as exciting and cost-effective as m-mama. I would like to recognize the extraordinary work done by the government of Tanzania in implementing this impactful program that is going to get more impact with time, saving lives of mothers and newborns as more people know about it and more volunteers emerge to help drive vulnerable mothers and their children to medical care" said Ms. Power. The Administrator further shared that the success of m-mama is a story that is being talked about in Asia, Latin America and across sub-Saharan Africa including Kenya where m-mama was launched on June 21st 2023, borrowing from the tremendous success it has had in Tanzania, facilitating twenty-five thousand emergency transports and saving numerous lives. Vodacom Tanzania's Managing Director, Philip Besiimire, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of similar initiatives in promoting sustainable development. "m-mama exemplifies the potential of leveraging technology to make a tangible difference in people's lives. It serves as a model for empowering communities and strengthening healthcare systems, which aligns perfectly with the Government of Tanzania, Vodacom, and USAID's commitment to fostering inclusive growth and wellbeing," said Besiimire, speaking on behalf of Vodacom Tanzania and Vodafone Foundation. "m-mama, a groundbreaking mobile health initiative that ensures no mother is left isolated or uniformed, transforming her mobile device into a beacon of hope. This transformative journey would not have been possible without the commitment of the government and the unwavering generosity and support of our funding partners Vodafone and USAID. Their commitment to improving maternal health and empowering communities has paved the way for this remarkable success story. At Vodacom Tanzania, leveraging our infrastructure, wealth of knowledge and pioneering innovation to improve lives is at the core of what we do" concluded Mr. Besiimire. The m-mama Dispatch Center provides a range of services, including a toll-free number for expecting mothers to access healthcare information, emergency response coordination, and remote medical consultations. The innovative use of mobile technology and data analytics has significantly improved access to quality healthcare for expecting mothers and neonates, particularly in underserved areas, ultimately contributing to a reduction in maternal and infant mortality rates. The visit by Vice President Mpango and USAID Administrator Samantha Power reflects the strong partnership between the Government of Tanzania, the United States and private sector in addressing critical healthcare challenges. It highlights their shared commitment to working with private sector and leveraging innovative approaches and investing in sustainable solutions for the betterment of Tanzanian communities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vodacom Tanzania Plc. Download image: https://apo-opa.info/3XopAB9 For media inquiries, please contact: Zuweina Farah Director of External Affairs & Vodacom Tanzania Foundation Vodacom Tanzania +255754710264 zuweina.farah@vodacom.co.tz About Vice President Mpango: Vice President Mpango is a prominent political figure in Tanzania and a passionate advocate for social and economic development. His visionary leadership has been instrumental in driving positive change and advancing key initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Tanzanian citizens. About USAID Administrator Samantha Power: Samantha Power serves as the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She brings extensive experience in promoting human rights, development, and democratic governance to her role, leading USAID's efforts to address global challenges and foster sustainable development worldwide. SOURCE: Vodacom Tanzania Plc View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763426/Vice-President-Mpango-United-States-Agency-for-International-Development-USAID-Administrator-Samantha-Power-Tour-m-mama-Dispatch-Centre-in-Arusha-Tanzania NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / International WELL Building Institute By Liz Peters Frederick Law Olmsted was an American landscape architect and social activist. Credited with the creation of Central Park in New York City and having served as an early supporter for the North of the U.S. Civil War, he had a deep desire to improve our world. Olmsted's footprint and tenacious spirit has influenced tens of thousands-including Hiroki Hiramatsu. With Olmsted being such a strong catalyst for Hiramatsu's career, it's no wonder that he set out to translate a bestselling biography of Olmsted into Japanese. The book, A Clearing in the Distance: Frederick Law Olmsted and America in the 19th Century by Witold Rybczynski, had a lasting influence on Hiramatsu, helping shape his vision on how to transform urban settings. "The man who created Central Park was an activist[the book] was inspiring in how to fight against disparity and inequality, and [the power of] sending out a message to the public. And for me that is running a sustainable consulting firm." Hiramatsu is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Woonerf, a firm that's centered on creating better spaces and places-with themes from Olmsted's philosophies woven in the fabric of the firm. Woonerf provides green building consulting and sustainable urban landscape principles to help clients improve environmental performance, people's well-being and public perception of environmental, social and corporate governance initiatives-while securing economic benefits. Woonerf is the first organization in the world to achieve the WELL Equity Rating for its office, a framework that helps organizations take action toward their diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility goals, while improving company culture and employee health and well-being. "Disability and inequality are hard to see," explained Hiramatsu, sharing that it can be difficult to determine how to take action on solving such issues-but it is critical to do so. And Woonerf has certainly taken action. In pursuing and achieving the WELL Equity Rating, the organization has overhauled its survey practices as well as recruitment tactics. Specific actions included implementing DEI support systems; providing restorative space; and supporting victims of domestic violence including creating a custom survey that will be implemented every year. The team also offers thermal and lighting control in the workplace, as well as acoustic work zone control, creating an enhanced sense of comfort and choice for all employees. "Equity is a very important message to people interested in joining our company, as well as our current employees," said Nobuaki Koyama, CFO of Woonerf. On its career page, Woonerf's values are on display, clearly articulating benefits that align with WELL. They also share employee statistics, from the rate of parental leave taken for those eligible (100%) to what percentage of employees like hiking (36%). Upon the rating's launch, Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI, said: "Many organizations have made commitments to DEI, but precious few have a roadmap for activation. The WELL Equity Rating is a transformative new offering that empowers organizations to make good on their promises." Not only has the Woonerf team made good on their promises, but they are striving for better. In support of pursuing WELL feature EB11, Support Victims of Domestic Violence, the team surveyed staff regarding their experiences. Koyama explained they wanted to create an environment where everyone could feel comfortable coming forward with struggles, issues or otherwise-that it's within the company's DNA to be open to their people. "We should not be satisfied with those results only. We want employees to feel safe, to feel happy. If there is any sort of trouble, we are ready to hear." View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from International WELL Building Institute on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: International WELL Building Institute Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/international-well-building-institute Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: International WELL Building Institute View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763421/The-Fight-for-Equality-One-Organizations-Commitment-To-Achieve-the-WELL-Equity-Rating PUNE, India, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent market study published by Growth Market Reports, titled, "Sodium Selenite Market by Grade (Food Grade, Pharmaceutical Grade, and Others), By Application (Feed Industry, Food Supplements, Pharmaceutical Industry, and Others), and Region: Size, Share, Trends and Opportunity Analysis, 2023-2031", the market size was USD 141.22 Mn in 2022 and is expected to surpass USD2211.11 Mn expanding at a CAGR of 10.5 % by the end of 2031. The market is attributed to the safety and efficacy of sodium selenite as a rich source of selenium for various animal species. Key Market Players Profiled in the Report Aurubis AG (RETORTE GmbH Selenium Chemicals & Metals) Coherent, Inc Orffa Sisco Research Laboratories Pvt. Ltd Quality Chemicals S.L Vital Materials Co., Limited Global Calcium PVT LTD MP BIOMEDICALS American Elements Otto Chemie Pvt. Ltd. Download PDF Sample here: https://growthmarketreports.com/request-sample/5284 The report covers comprehensive data on emerging trends, market drivers, growth opportunities, and restraints that can change the market dynamics. It provides an in-depth analysis of the market segments, which include grade, application, and competitor analysis. This report also includes a complete analysis of industry players and covers their latest developments, product portfolio, pricing, mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations. Moreover, it provides crucial strategies that are helping market players to expand their market share. For Any Questions on This Report: https://growthmarketreports.com/enquiry-before-buying/5284 Regional Highlights: On the basis of region, the global sodium selenite market is classified as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is projected to dominate the global market, due to the increasing government investments in medical technology and development. Asia Pacific is expected to be a rapidly growing region in the global market during the projected period, owing to the rising demand for high-content imaging in the region. To Buy the Complete Report: https://growthmarketreports.com/report/sodium-selenite-market-global-industry-analysis Key Takeaways from the Study: Sodium selenite is prepared by evaporating an aqueous solution of selenious acid and sodium hydroxide at 60 to 100 C temperature. Sodium selenite is mainly used in the manufacturing of colorless glass and is a water-soluble selenium. It is used in biological research as a rich source of selenium. Sodium selenite helps in restoring the capacity of antioxidant of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Selenium has biological functions that help in preventing cancer, infertility, and cardiovascular disorders, these health benefits are anticipated to fuel the market during the forecast period. Rising utilization of sodium selenite in cell proliferation studies and cancer research is likely to create lucrative opportunities for market players. The food grade segment is projected to expand at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period, as sodium selenite is used in the production of yeast-leavened bread. segment is projected to expand at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period, as sodium selenite is used in the production of yeast-leavened bread. The feed industry segment is anticipated to hold a major share of the market, as it is a crucial part of tracing element premixes for pets and livestock. Read 196 Pages Research Report with Detailed TOC on "Global Sodium Selenite Market Segments - by Grade (Food Grade, Pharmaceutical Grade, and Others), By Application (Feed Industry, Food Supplements, Pharmaceutical Industry, and Others), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast, 2023 - 2031" Get Full Access to this Report: https://growthmarketreports.com/checkout/5284 Key Segments Covered Grade Food Grade Pharmaceutical Grade Others Application Food Supplement Feed Industry Pharmaceutical Industry Others Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa Other Related Reports: Pharma Grade Sodium Hydroxide Market Segments - by Type (Liquid Sodium Hydroxide and Solid Sodium Hydroxide), Application (Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, and Scientific Research), and Region (North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 2023 - 2031 Sodium Selenite Powder Market by Type (Feed Grade, Industry Grade, Food Grade, Pharmaceutical Grade, Other), By Application (Food, Feed, Chemical Industry, Glass Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture, Other), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline), By End-User (Residential, Commercial, Industrial) And By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa), Forecast From 2023 To 2031 Pharmaceuticals Sodium Hydroxide Market by Type (Liquid Sodium Hydroxide, Solid Sodium Hydroxide, Granular Sodium Hydroxide), By Application (Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Scientific Research) and Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa), Forecast To 2028 Selenium Derivatives Market by Type (Sodium Selenite, Zinc Selenite, Other), By Application (Feed Additives, Food Industry, Glass Industry, Other) and Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa), Forecast From 2022 To 2030 About Growth Market Reports: Growth Market Reports provides global enterprises as well as small & medium businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Industry Intelligence Solutions". Growth Market Reports has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients in making strategic business decisions and achieving sustainable growth in their respective market domains. Our key analysis segments, though not restricted to the same, include market entry strategies, market size estimations, market trend analysis, market opportunity analysis, market threat analysis, market growth/fall forecasting, primary interviews, and secondary research & consumer surveys. Contact: Alex Mathews 7th Floor, Siddh Icon, Baner Road, Baner, Pune. Maharashtra - 411045. India. Phone: +1 909 414 1393 Email: sales@growthmarketreports.com Web: https://growthmarketreports.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1980656/Growth_Market_Reports_Logo1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/global-sodium-selenite-market-to-surpass-usd-2211-11-mn-by-2031-growth-market-reports-301860815.html PUNE, India, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent market study published by Growth Market Reports, titled, "Global Sweet Condensed Milk Market by Type (Flavored and Unflavored), by Packaging Form (Pouch, Tetra Pack, Bottle, Can, and Tube), by Packaging Size (Below 300 g, 301-400 g, 401-500 g, 501-1000 g, and More than 1000 g), by Application (Household, Restaurant & Cafes, Infant Food Producers, Bakery, and Confectionary), by Distribution Channel (Wholesalers/Distributors, Supermarket & Hypermarket, Departmental Stores, Convenience Stores, and Online Retailing) and Region: Size, Share, Trends and Opportunity Analysis, 2023-2031", the market size was USD 7.03 billion in 2022 and is expected to surpass USD 9.13 billion expanding at a CAGR of 3.2% by the end of 2031. The market is driven by its rising application as a major ingredient in most bakery and confectionary items. Recent Developments: In May 2021, Nestle launched a new condensed milk substitute that is completely plant-based and is composed of oat and rice flour. As per the manufacturer, it has been developed as a vegan confectionery and is ideal for preparing dishes such as brownies, dairy-free caramel slices, and chocolate chip cookies. Key Market Players Profiled in the Report Nestle Royal FrieslandCampina N.V GCMMF Vinamilk Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd Eagle Family Foods LLC Goya Foods, Inc Belgorod Dairy Products OJSC Santini Foods, Inc. DANA DAIRY GROUP Download PDF Sample here: https://growthmarketreports.com/request-sample/5234 The report covers comprehensive data on emerging trends, market drivers, growth opportunities, and restraints that can change the market dynamics. It provides an in-depth analysis of the market segments, which include type, packaging form, packaging size, application, distribution channel, and competitor analysis. This report also includes a complete analysis of industry players and covers their latest developments, product portfolio, pricing, mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations. Moreover, it provides crucial strategies that are helping market players to expand their market share. For Any Questions on This Report: https://growthmarketreports.com/enquiry-before-buying/5234 Regional Highlights: On the basis of region, the global sweet condensed milk market is classified as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is projected to dominate the global market, due to the increasing demand for sweet condensed milk products in desserts and confectioneries. In addition, several key players belong to this region, which further boosts the market. Europe is expected to be a rapidly growing region in the global market during the projected period as it is the world's top exporter of chocolate products. European countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom are the largest manufacturers of milk and milk products. To Buy the Complete Report: https://growthmarketreports.com/report/sweet-condensed-milk-market-global-industry-analysis Key Takeaways from the Study: Sweet condensed milk is the kind of milk from which approximately 60% of the water component has been removed. It is a good source of various nutrients such as calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin D, riboflavin, protein, and phosphorus. Sweet condensed milk can be used in making various products such as tea, coffee, caramel sauce, pudding, and fruit dressing, among others. It aids in maintaining strong bones & teeth and a strong immune system. The demand for new desserts and beverages, such as new types and flavors of ice creams, fudges, and cakes, is rising constantly, which is likely to drive the market. Sweet condensed milk is used not only for creating new flavors and sweets but also for traditional sweets such as pudding and truffles. The packaging of the product should be compatible with various processors. Making the packaging compatible with the technological requirements of production facilities has the potential for creating major growth opportunities for the market players. The flavored segment is anticipated to boost the market during the forecast period due to the growing competition among the players in the industry. Several manufacturers are focusing on creating innovative products by adding flavors to increase the demand for sweet condensed milk segment is anticipated to boost the market during the forecast period due to the growing competition among the players in the industry. Several manufacturers are focusing on creating innovative products by adding flavors to increase the demand for sweet condensed milk The can segment is projected to register a considerable CAGR during the forecast period as the metal cans are eco-friendly and prevent food spoilage. Cans provide sturdy packaging which not only lowers the damage cost but also keeps the product from getting contaminated or spoiled during transport. segment is projected to register a considerable CAGR during the forecast period as the metal cans are eco-friendly and prevent food spoilage. Cans provide sturdy packaging which not only lowers the damage cost but also keeps the product from getting contaminated or spoiled during transport. The online retailing segment is anticipated to expand at a significant pace in the market as it has considerably increased consumer reach and has become the main source of revenue for several companies. The online platforms offer products at relatively low prices by omitting the middle-man role of the retail stores. Read 350 Pages Research Report with Detailed TOC on "Global Sweet Condensed Milk Market by Type (Flavored, Unflavored), by Packaging Form (Pouch, Tetra Pack, Bottle, Can, Tube), by Packaging Size (Below 300 g, 301-400 g, 401-500 g, 501-1000 g, More than 1000 g), by Application (Household, Restaurant & Cafes, Infant Food Producers, Bakery, Confectionary), by Distribution Channel (Wholesalers/Distributors, Supermarket & Hypermarket, Departmental Stores, Convenience Stores, Online Retailing) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast, 2023 - 2031" Get Full Access to this Report: https://growthmarketreports.com/checkout/5234 Key Segments Covered By Type Flavored Unflavored By Packaging Form Pouch Tetra Pack Bottle Can Tube By Packaging Size Below 300 g 301-400 g 401-500 g, 501-1000 g More than 1000 g By Application Household Restaurant & Cafes Infant Food Producers Bakery Confectionary By Distribution Channel: Wholesalers/Distributors Supermarket & Hypermarket Departmental Stores Convenience Stores Online Retailing Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa Other Related Reports: Dairy Free Chocolate Market Segments - by Nature (Organic and Conventional), Type (Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, and White Chocolate), Distribution Channel (Online Stores and Offline Stores), Frequency (Premium, Seasonal, and Daily), Flavor (Caramel, Dark, Brown Butter, Coconut Milk, Lavender, and Others) and Region (Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 2023 - 2031 Global Baby Infant Formula Market by Type (Infant Milk, Follow-on-Milk, Specialty Baby Milk, Growing-up Milk), By Application (Hypermarkets, Supermarkets, Pharmacy/Medical Stores, Specialty Stores, Hard Discounter Stores, Others), And By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa), Forecast From 2022 To 2030 Global Milk Market by Type (Yogurt, Probiotic Milk, Pure Milk, Others), By Application (Online, Offline), and Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa), Forecast To 2028 Global Milk Powder Market by Type (Skim Milk Powder, Whole Milk Powder, ), By Application (Infant Formula Milk Powder, Adult Formula Milk Powder, Confectionery, Others, ) And By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa), Forecast From 2022 To 2030 About Growth Market Reports: Growth Market Reports provides global enterprises as well as small & medium businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Industry Intelligence Solutions". Growth Market Reports has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients in making strategic business decisions and achieving sustainable growth in their respective market domains. Our key analysis segments, though not restricted to the same, include market entry strategies, market size estimations, market trend analysis, market opportunity analysis, market threat analysis, market growth/fall forecasting, primary interviews, and secondary research & consumer surveys. Contact: Alex Mathews 7th Floor, Siddh Icon, Baner Road, Baner, Pune. Maharashtra - 411045. India. Phone: +1 909 414 1393 Email: sales@growthmarketreports.com Web: https://growthmarketreports.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1980656/Growth_Market_Reports_Logo1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/global-sweet-condensed-milk-market-to-surpass-usd-9-13-billion-by-2031-growth-market-reports-301860835.html BEIJING, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) President Jin Liqun and Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) Chief Executive Remy Rioux have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their collaboration. AIIB and AFD intend to strengthen an ambitious cooperative relationship to achieve impactful and common objectives in sustainable, resilient and inclusive development. Since AIIB and AFD signed a letter of intent in 2017, they have engaged in joint activities, including collaboratively financing projects in several countries and in the Finance in Common Movement. Following a joint portfolio review in June 2021, a more regular dialogue has been taking place. The shared goal of mobilizing resources for sustainable development provides the basis for AIIB and AFD to strengthen their institutional and operational relationships. "This MOU is a key milestone in our shared ambition to build an impactful partnership at the very moment where sustainable development is at a critical juncture. Our partnership with AFD will focus on jointly developing and scaling innovative initiatives related to climate and sustainable infrastructure," said AIIB President Jin. The agreement aims to facilitate the prospection of joint opportunities for parallel or joint cofinancing in geographic areas of mutual interest to AIIB and AFD. AIIB and AFD intend to collaborate in the following areas: (a) Green and resilient infrastructure: To pursue their exchange on energy, transport, integrated water resources management, urban development and digital infrastructure. (b) Climate change, nature and biodiversity: To work together on global and regional climate change issues (adaptation and mitigation) and on topics related to nature and biodiversity. (c) Social infrastructure: To explore collaboration on health, nutrition and education infrastructure. (d) Private sector investments: To enhance collaboration in private capital mobilization and private sector development. France is a founding member of AIIB. AFD is France's development finance institution and has worked for 80 years to alleviate poverty, support economic growth and foster climate and nature resilience in both developing and emerging countries. About AIIB The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank whose mission is financing the Infrastructure for Tomorrow-infrastructure with sustainability at its core. We began operations in Beijing in January 2016 and have since grown to 106 approved members worldwide. We are capitalized at USD100 billion and Triple-A-rated by the major international credit rating agencies. Working with partners, AIIB meets clients' needs by unlocking new capital and investing in infrastructure that is green, technology-enabled and promotes regional connectivity. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/aiib-afd-forging-impactful-partnership-for-sustainable-development-301861065.html PITTSBURGH, PA / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Liberated Syndication Inc. ("Libsyn"), the leading all-in-one podcasting platform for creators and advertisers, today announced that the Board of Directors has appointed John W. Gibbons as interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Gibbons, who has served as President and Chief Product Officer for Libsyn since January 2022, will assume the role of CEO and lead the Company through its next phase of market expansion and innovation. Gibbons has been an integral part of the Libsyn team and played a vital role in shaping the Company's product vision and strategy. He brings a track record of success in scaling businesses across the podcasting and digital media industries. He has been instrumental in expanding Libsyn's advertising capabilities, suite-of-services model, and international footprint. Commenting on his appointment, John W. Gibbons said, "I am honored to assume the role of interim CEO, furthering our mission of empowering our global community of diverse podcasters and advertisers. With a strong position and industry-leading solutions, our cohesive leadership group and capable teams are executing on our platform vision. Our products are working together to power that vision, and our successful business units exemplify its success. We have much to be proud of at Libsyn, and our focus on operational excellence remains paramount." Bradley Tirpak, who has served as Libsyn's CEO since November 2021, will remain an advisor to the Company. During his tenure, Tirpak played a pivotal role in developing Libsyn's current advertising strategy, assembling a talented team, and advancing its innovative platform and content creation capabilities. Libsyn is committed to delivering exceptional and simplified podcasting solutions to serve the next million podcasters by enriching its platform offerings and strengthening its global presence. Through strategic acquisitions, such as AdvertiseCast, PODGO, and PAR, Libsyn has bolstered its market-leading advertising capabilities. Furthermore, the Company has made significant investments in international expansion by acquiring Germany's leading podcast advertising platform, Julep, and extending Libsyn's footprint into Austria, Switzerland, and Spain. In addition to these achievements, Libsyn has expanded its content creation and service offerings through acquisitions like Pair, Auxbus, and Glow.fm. About Liberated Syndication Founded in 2004, Liberated Syndication Inc. ("Libsyn") is the leading all-in-one podcasting platform for creators and advertisers to host, distribute, monetize, amplify, and measure their audio content. In 2022, the Company hosted over 75,000 shows and delivered over 8 billion downloads to listeners globally. Libsyn's AdvertiseCast marketplace combines an industry-leading ad buying and management platform with full-service capabilities that make it easy for podcast advertisers to initiate and manage highly targeted and measurable campaigns on over 3,000 shows. Based in Munich, Germany, Libsyn's Julep Media platform is the leading podcasting hosting platform and advertising marketplace in Europe. Libsyn also powers podcast membership platform, Glow, and web hosting platform, Pair Networks. Visit libsyn.com or investor.libsyn.com for more Company information. # # # Media Contacts: Ray Yeung + Nancy Zakhary | ray@relev8.co+ nancy@relev8.co Investor Contact: investor@libsyn.com SOURCE: Liberated Syndication, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763156/Libsyn-Appoints-John-W-Gibbons-as-Interim-CEO 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. Vikram's new joint venture will build a 4 GW solar module production facility in Brighton, Colorado, followed by a wafer and ingot facility in a Southern State.From pv magazine USA Vikram Solar, an India-based solar module producer, has partnered with investors Phalanx Impact Partners and Das & Co. to create a U.S. joint venture, VSK Energy LLC. The new company plans to invest up to $1.5 billion to develop a vertically integrated solar manufacturing operation. The first phase of the investment consists of a $250 million investment to establish the Colorado module manufacturing facility in a recently ... Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Regulatory News: Latecoere (Paris:LAT) announces that its 2022 Universal Registration Document (constituting the Annual Financial Report) has been filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) today. This Universal Registration Document is available to the public in accordance with French law and may be viewed or downloaded from the Company's website, in its French version, at the following address: https://www.latecoere.aero/finance/rapports-annuels-et-semestriels/. The following documents are included in the Universal Registration Document in accordance with legal provisions: 2022 Annual Financial Report; - Board of Directors' Report on corporate governance; and - Description of the share repurchase program proposed to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting. ________________________________________________________ About Latecoere Tier 1 to the world's leading industry manufacturers (Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Thales), Latecoere serves aerospace with innovative solutions for a sustainable world. The Group operates in all segments of the aerospace industry (commercial, regional, business, defense and space) in two business areas: Aerostructures (55% of sales): doors, fuselage, wings and empennage, struts rods and customer services; Interconnection Systems (45% of sales): wiring, avionic racks, onboard equipment, electronic systems and customer services. As of December 31, 2022, the Group employed 5,918 people in 14 countries. Latecoere is listed on Euronext Paris Compartment B, ISIN Code: FR0000032278 Reuters: AEP.PA Bloomberg: AT.FP View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623736200/en/ Contacts: Thierry Mahe Media Relations +33 (0)6 60 69 63 85 LatecoereGroupCommunication@latecoere.aero LONDON, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fidlaw, a law firm specializing in international cases, successfully represented an 18-year-old British tourist who experienced a distressing incident in July 2022 on the Greek island of Crete. Two Pakistani men were found guilty of gang rape and physical harm. The trial took place at the Court House in Rethymno, Greece, and concluded on 21 June 2023, with the defendants receiving the maximum sentence of life imprisonment, as decided by the judges and juries. This conviction represents progress towards justice for the survivor and demonstrates Fidlaw's commitment to supporting victims of serious crimes. The legal team from the firm consisted of Solicitors Francesco Meduri and Elena Hadjikyriakou, along with Greece-based lawyers Anna Perdikaris and Emmanouil Xenikos. Apart from the charges of gang rape and physical harm, the defendants were accused of violating immigration laws and illegally entering Greece. The proceedings revealed the prior criminal history of one of the perpetrators, highlighting the importance of accountability and the potential application of civil liability to the state. Fidlaw, with its expertise in international law and a deep commitment to protecting the rights of the victim, has been at the forefront of this ground-breaking case. The firm's efforts have not only resulted in a just outcome for the survivor but have also sent a strong message that perpetrators will be held accountable, regardless of their nationality. The conviction sets a precedent, providing hope for survivors and working towards a safer, more just society. Website: https://www.fidlaw.co.uk Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2129503/Fidlaw_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fidlaw-a-law-firm-in-london-secure-landmark-conviction-in-crete-rape-case-301861122.html Regulatory News: Press Release Paris, 23 June 2023 Pernod Ricard (Paris:RI), through Chivas Brothers Limited, entered today into an agreement in principle with Stock Spirits Group in relation to the potential sale of the Clan Campbell Blended Scotch Whisky brand, after receiving a firm offer from the spirits and liqueur producer. This proposed transaction remains subject to consultation with the relevant employee representative bodies. Clan Campbell is one of the leading brands in the blend-12 yo Scotch whisky category in France, with presence also in other European markets such as Spain, Luxembourg, and Italy. Its range has increased in recent years with the addition of Clan Caribbean rum-based spirit drink. This transaction is part of Pernod Ricard's active portfolio management, aiming at adapting to the evolving needs of its consumers and providing greater opportunities for premiumization. In France, the Group's portfolio of Scotch whiskies includes the blended whiskies Ballantine's and Chivas Regal, as well as The Glenlivet and Aberlour single malts. Stock Spirits Group is a Central European based spirits company present in Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Italy. It owns more than 70 brands, including Zoladkowa Vodka, Stock 84 brandy, Limonce limoncello or Bozkov rum. The group has more than 1,200 employees. It exports to more than 50 countries worldwide. Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard, stated: Our dynamic and broad-based growth across categories and geographies is strengthened by our active portfolio management strategy. Following a successful series of targeted acquisitions, the disposal of Clan Campbell will enable our teams to focus on priority brands." About Pernod Ricard Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales amounting to 10,701 million in fiscal year FY22. The Group, which owns 17 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive portfolios in the industry with over 240 premium brands distributed across more than 160 markets. Pernod Ricard's portfolio includes Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine's, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur or Mumm and Perrier-Jouet champagnes. The Group's mission is to unlock the magic of human connections by bringing "Good Times from a Good Place", in line with its Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap. Pernod Ricard's decentralised organisation empowers its 19,480 employees to be on-the-ground ambassadors of its purposeful and inclusive culture of conviviality, bringing people together in meaningful, sustainable and responsible ways to create value over the long term. Executing its strategic plan, Transform Accelerate, Pernod Ricard now relies on its "Conviviality Platform", a new growth model based on data and artificial intelligence to meet the ever-changing demand of consumers. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code:FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices. About Stock Spirits Stock Spirits is one of the leading companies producing spirits and liqueurs. It has an established position in the category of flavored alcohols and pure vodkas in Poland and in the Czech Republic. Stock Spirits Group also develops its revenue management skills including, above all, the use of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence. The company is focusing primarily on developing a new range of products and services, entering new markets and developing a portfolio high-quality products. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623068258/en/ Contacts: Pernod Ricard Florence Tresarrieu Global Senior Vice President, Investors Relations Treasury +33 (0)1 70 93 17 31 Charly Montet Investor Relations Manager +33 (0) 1 70 93 17 13 Emmanuel Vouin Head of External Engagement +33 (0) 1 70 93 16 34 Stock Spirits Beata Ptaszynska-Jedynak Group Corporate Communications Director +48 22 602 411 680 JERSEY CITY, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / EQUATOR Beverage Company (OTC:MOJO) Common Share Repurchase: EQUATOR Beverage Company completed the acquisition of 176,200 shares of its common stock this week. The total number of shares repurchased and added to treasury for the first six months of 2023 has reached 380,019 shares. These repurchases equal 14 percent of the DTC shares prior to the commencement of the repurchases. The total DTC shares now stand at 2,376,254. Based on current projections, the Company intends to continue its share repurchase activities throughout the remainder of 2023. This strategic decision demonstrates the company's commitment to optimizing its capital structure and delivering long-term value to its shareholders. By repurchasing shares, EQUATOR Beverage Company aims to enhance shareholder returns and potentially increase earnings per share, reflecting confidence in the company's financial position and future prospects. For additional information contact Glenn Simpson CEO EQUATOR Beverage Company at 917 574 1690 Stock Symbol: MOJO Important Cautions Regarding Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the definition of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and such section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, amended. These forward-looking statements should not be used to make an investment decision. The words 'estimate,' 'possible' and 'seeking' and similar expressions identify forward- looking statements, which speak only as to the date the statement was made. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted, or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated or underlying the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties to which forward- looking statements are subject include, but are not limited to, the effect of government regulation, competition and other material risk. Related Links: https://equatorbeverage.com/ Contact: Glenn Simpson, Chairman & CEO Phone Number: 917 574 1690 SOURCE: EQUATOR Beverage Company View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763509/EQUATOR-Beverage-Company-Common-Share-Repurchase Turnkey technology and infrastructure to bring alternative investment opportunities to banks and wealth advisors LONDON, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FundFront, a leading provider of alternative investment technology and solutions, has announced the launch of its white label alternative investment platform tailored for the wealth management industry. This turnkey wealth tech solution enables advisors to seamlessly offer alternative investment opportunities to their clients, with minimal integration required. The platform has been developed to provide enhanced access, liquidity, and transparency to alternative investment products. By leveraging this platform, advisors and their clients can easily transact with alternative investments without the hassle of subscription processes or paperwork. Furthermore, the platform infrastructure makes alternative investments accessible across major banks and brokers, ensuring convenience and accessibility for investors. Commenting on the launch, Amin Naj, Founding Partner of FundFront said, "Recognizing the increasing demand for broader access to alternative investments, we see the need for wealth advisors to offer these opportunities to their clients within their existing advisory and custody framework. By leveraging our platform, banks, wealth advisors, brokers, and distributors can now expand their offerings beyond traditional asset classes. Key features of FundFront platform and solutions for wealth advisors include: Bankable: Products on the platform are accessible through banks and brokers with ease. Products on the platform are accessible through banks and brokers with ease. Fully managed: End-to-end product administration, including investment vehicle setup and lifecycle management. End-to-end product administration, including investment vehicle setup and lifecycle management. Digital: Streamlined investment processes-no paperwork, forms, or documents. Streamlined investment processes-no paperwork, forms, or documents. Real-time reporting : Instant investment updates directly to custody accounts-no integration needed. : Instant investment updates directly to custody accounts-no integration needed. Security and control : Complete client confidentiality and control by advisors without the hassle of investment subscriptions. : Complete client confidentiality and control by advisors without the hassle of investment subscriptions. White label: Dedicated infrastructure and technology tailored to meet clients' business needs. With its ground-breaking solutions, FundFront empowers advisors and their clients to navigate and embrace the alternative investment landscape with unparalleled efficiency. By embracing these innovative solutions, advisors can expand their service offerings, attract a broader client base, and unlock new sources of revenue and growth. About FundFront FundFront empowers financial institutions with alternative investment technology and solutions. Its platform serves as a vital link between asset managers and the wealth industry. By harnessing the power of technology, it brings access, liquidity, and transparency to the forefront, transforming the landscape of alternative investments for the benefit of all stakeholders. For more information about FundFront, please visit www.fundfront.com. FundFront Ltd., is an Appointed Representative of Brooklands Fund Management Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with the firm reference number 757575 and the Securities and Exchange Commission with the registered number 286221. This material is not intended to provide any financial advice and FundFront Ltd. recommends that investors seek specialist tax or financial advice before investing. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1850553/4123680/FundFront_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fundfront-unveils-white-label-platform-empowering-the-wealth-management-industry-with-alternative-investment-solutions-301861160.html NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / June is National Cancer Survivor Month. It's a time to honor those in various stages of their cancer journeys, celebrate those who help patients through their treatments, and raise awareness of the challenges cancer survivors could face after treatment and throughout their lives. In recognition of survivors and those who played a role in their cancer journeys, a group of Aflac employees gathered to handwrite cards and notes of encouragement to cancer survivors, parents and medical staff at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, home to one of the leading childhood cancer survivor programs in the country. "It's important to remember those who have defeated cancer and are living as survivors," said Alayne Gamache, program manager, Corporate Social Responsibility. "They face daily challenges that many people might be unaware of, and the cancer survivor program helps them as they work through these difficulties." According to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, 80% of children and young adults diagnosed with cancer will survive, and more than 85% of childhood cancer survivors will experience a significant chronic health condition after treatment that may include physical, psychological and social issues.1 Identifying and treating these problems early can help survivors lead full lives. "With the number of pediatric cancer survivors continuing to grow, the need for improving long-term health and quality of life becomes increasingly important," said Dr. Karen Effinger, pediatric oncologist and medical director of the cancer survivor program at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. "Getting patients into remission is an incredible milestone, but the care doesn't end there - the cancer survivor program gives them the tools they need to thrive and live full lives." That's why the center offers a multidisciplinary cancer survivor program to address the unique needs of childhood cancer survivors who are at least two years off therapy. Through the cancer survivor program, patients receive a personalized care plan and assistance with school, job or insurance concerns. Last year, more than 1,000 survivors visited the clinic, and 81% of children who completed treatment from 2017-2019 used the program from 2020-2022. Visit the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center website for more information on how to support important initiatives like the cancer survivor program. 1Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. https://www.choa.org/medical-services/cancer-and-blood-disorders/cancer/cancer-survivor-program. Accessed June 15, 2023. Aflac | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999 Z2300685 View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Aflac Incorporated on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Aflac Incorporated Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/aflac-incorporated Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Aflac Incorporated View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763524/Continuing-Care-Beyond-Treatment-for-Childhood-Cancers NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / The Summit for a New Global Financial Pact could have been a turning point on climate change and the future of our planet. We came to Paris hopeful for radical reform, ready to celebrate breakthroughs for equity and justice on behalf of vulnerable countries that are trying to tackle climate change. Instead, we are disappointed to see that most leaders of the world's richest nations and most powerful institutions have once again gathered and emerged with insufficient solutions and lightly-held promises. There are some positive outcomes from this campaign and summit - we are proud to have stood united with young activists whose lives are being disproportionately affected by climate change, Heads of state from the Global South, and advocacy groups calling for change. We welcome those leaders from the Global North who are taking action and don't just talk. But the absence of urgent and moral courage from those wielding the most power is a frustrating conclusion. Further, we are encouraged by the steps taken by World Bank President Ajay Banga to reform key policies, including incorporating suspension clauses into loan agreements for countries hit by natural disasters. We also celebrate the coalition of countries which agreed to cancel Zambia's $6.3 billion in debt. We also now have a coalition supporting the creation of a tax on the shipping sector. France has also stepped up by increasing its share of Special Drawing Rights allocated to climate-vulnerable countries to 40 percent. However, in spite of President Macron's best effort, the Summit for the New Global Financial Pact cannot be deemed a success. The rest of the G7 leaders simply didn't show up, ignoring the urgent needs of the most vulnerable people and countries. Worse, the US failed to explain how it will deliver on its 2009 promise to give money to help countries struggling to find resources to adapt to climate change. They still owe some of that money, and they haven't told anyone when or how they are going to deliver. The biggest economy in the world needs to do its part to help the most marginalized countries of the world, and deliver on the promise it made in 2009 to do so. We need to see courageous reforms from the world's biggest economies and worst polluters to dismantle the financial systems that are perpetuating the climate crisis holding populations in extreme poverty. The Power Our Planet campaign is just getting started. We will continue to stand for justice on behalf of the countries and populations being devastated by climate change, which have contributed the least to this crisis, and now turn our attention toward this year's G20 meetings, Global Citizen Festival on September 23, and COP28. It ain't over til it's over. Global Citizen Lenny Kravitz Billie Eilish FINNEAS Jon Batiste H.E.R. Connie Britton Danai Gurira Cyril Dion Norman Reedus Diane Kruger Padma Lakshmi Jerome Foster II Wanjira Maathai Xiye Bastida Dean Bhekumuzi Bhebhe Ineza Umuhoza Grace Wanjiku 'Wawa' Gatheru Brianna Fruean Camille Etienne Mitzi Jonelle Tan Helena Gualinga ONE Don't Gas Africa Loss and Damage Youth Coalition Support + Feed Glasgow Action Team View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Global Citizen on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Global Citizen Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/global-citizen Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Global Citizen View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763550/Joint-Statement-From-Global-Citizen-Lenny-Kravitz-Billie-Eilish-Power-Our-Planet-Live-in-Paris-Artists-Climate-Activists-and-Coalition-Partners-Re-Outcomes-of-the-Summit-for-a-New-Global-Financial-Pact DEARBORN (dpa-AFX) - Auto giant Ford has secured a conditional commitment for a $9.2 billion loan from the Department of Energy or DOE to construct three battery factories dedicated to electric vehicle or EV production. This significant loan, originating from the DOE's loan program office, mirrors previous funding initiatives for companies like Tesla and aligns with the Biden administration's objective of catalyzing an American EV manufacturing revolution. The loan has been offered to BlueOval SK LLC, a joint venture between Ford and Korean EV battery manufacturer SK On. The allocated funds will be utilized to establish two factories in Kentucky and one in Tennessee, all specifically designed for the production of batteries to power Ford and Lincoln-branded EVs. According to the DOE, the loan is expected to generate 5,000 construction jobs and 7,500 operating jobs. The investment will contribute to bolstering the domestic economy and expanding employment opportunities within the EV manufacturing sector. This substantial loan represents the latest development from the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, which has regained prominence under the Biden administration. Led by climate tech entrepreneur Jigar Shah, the office aims to leverage its financial resources, in conjunction with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to stimulate the growth of a thriving domestic EV industry, including the production of EV batteries and the development of a robust battery supply chain. The DOE loan to Ford underscores the government's commitment to advancing clean transportation and accelerating the adoption of EVs in the United States. By supporting the expansion of EV battery manufacturing facilities, the Biden administration seeks to bolster the nation's manufacturing capabilities, create employment opportunities, and drive sustainable innovation in the automotive industry. The loan represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of a greener transportation sector, aligned with the administration's broader climate and clean energy goals. As Ford takes this ambitious stride, the automotive industry as a whole stands to benefit from increased investments and collaborations aimed at propelling the transition to electric mobility. 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 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / GRI in North America GRI welcomes the launch of a four-week public consultation period to gather feedback on the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), which initiated on June 9th and will close on July 7th. The ESRS are an important step towards holding companies operating in the EU market accountable for their impacts. GRI was pleased to contribute to the creation of the ESRS under the EFRAG-GRI cooperation agreement, signed in July 2021. The adoption of the ESRS will have global implications, as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which outlines which companies are subject to disclosure requirements, extends its scope beyond the existing Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) to encompass certain non-EU companies and subsidiaries not listed on EU-regulated markets. Eelco van der Enden, CEO of GRI, said: "GRI provided wide-ranging technical input during the development phase of the ESRS. We will, of course, further engage through the public consultation to support efforts to create decision-useful EU standards that are interoperable with our global standards. Not only will this reduce the reporting burden, it will also support globally comparable disclosure that meets the needs of all stakeholders, including investors." At least 10,000 companies outside the EU will be reached by this new mandate, including 3,000 US companies and 1,300 Canadian companies, as indicated by a recent analysis by Refinitiv. Consequently, North American companies will need to enhance their sustainability reporting to align with ESRS due to the CSRD impacting them directly, or indirectly, through disclosure needs of entities in their value chain, as well as elevated stakeholder expectations. However, companies that already report using the GRI Standards are at an advantage. Carol Adams, Chair of GRI's Global Sustainability Standards Board, said: "For the past two years, GRI has worked with the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) to support the development of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Encouragingly, these efforts are paying off - with the impact disclosure requirements in the first set of ESRS confirmed as closely aligned with the corresponding GRI disclosures. This offers reassurance to the thousands of companies for which the ESRS will become mandatory that they can expect to utilize existing GRI reporting to meet EU requirements. We are optimistic this will apply to developing impact reporting requirements in other jurisdictions." The ESRS also explicitly states that if a topic is material and no ESRS is available, companies should consider the GRI Standards for disclosure on that topic. In addition, where the ESRS does not yet provide standards by sector, organizations can use the relevant GRI Sector Standard for reporting. The alignment between GRI and the ESRS showcases significant progress towards greater harmonization in the sustainability reporting landscape, playing a crucial role in achieving sustainable development by promoting transparency and accountability. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GRI in North America on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: GRI in North America Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/gri-north-america Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: GRI in North America View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763558/New-EU-Sustainability-Reporting-Standards-That-Will-Impact-North-America-Companies-Coming-Soon National Health System (NHS) of the UK lists InsuJet in its online tariff list Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 23, 2023) - NuGen Medical Devices Inc. (TSXV: NGMD) (the "Company" or "NuGen") is pleased to announce that it has received payment for the first shipment of InsuJet, our needle-free insulin delivery system, to its Mexican contractor, Science-Link Trading SAPI de CV. 500 InsuJet devices will ship to Mexico. This shipment represents the first bulk sale revenues from InsuJet for the Company. NuGen further announces that the National Health System (NHS) of the UK has now listed the InsuJet as a medical device on their website, making it available to all members free of charge.[1] "We are seeing more and more interest from different countries around the globe regarding the InsuJet," says Richard Buzbuzian, CEO of NuGen and he continues, "We firmly believe that with the InsuJet, we will have a very positive impact on the lives of all type 1 diabetics. We can and therefore expect that we will be able to announce further customers in a timely manner." Appointment of Chris Irwin as a Director NuGen is pleased to announce the election of Chris Irwin as a director of the Company following the Company's annual and special meeting of shareholders. Mr. Irwin is a graduate of Bishop's University (B.A., 1990), the University of New Brunswick (Bachelor of Laws, 1994) and Osgoode Hall Law School (Master of Laws, 2009). Mr. Irwin was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1996. He represents, is an officer and/or director, and has served on the audit committee of several public companies. The Company further announces that Mr. Michael Wright did not stand for re-election as a director at the Company's annual and special meeting of shareholders. The Company would like to thank Mr. Wright for his contributions to the Company and wishes him the best in his future endeavours. About NuGen Medical Devices NuGen is a specialty medical device Company that is marketing and selling its next-generation InsuJet needle-free injection system designed to improve the lives of millions of diabetics. InsuJet is approved for sale in 42 countries around the world. For further information, please visit: Websites: www.insujet.com and www.nugenmd.com Instagram: @NuGenMD Twitter: @NuGenMD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nugenmd/ For further information, please contact: Tony Di Benedetto Executive Chairman (416) 791-9399 tony@nugenmd.com Richard Buzbuzian President & CEO (647) 501-3290 richard@nugenmd.com To arrange a media interview with NuGen, please contact: Nelson Hudes Hudes Communications International (905) 660-9155 nelson@hudescommunications.com Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Neither TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 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. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. [1] https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pharmacies-gp-practices-and-appliance-contractors/drug-tariff. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171137 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Rock Edge Resources Ltd. (the "Company" or "Rock Edge") (CSE:REDG) announces that it has amended the non-brokered private placement announced on June 14, 2023, to support its exploration initiatives and bolster working capital. The amended private placements consist of two offerings: a non-brokered non-flow-through private placement ("NFT Units") and a non-brokered Critical Minerals flow through private placement ("FT Units"). The Company has amended the NFT Units up to 4.0 million NFT Units to a price of $0.05 per NFT Unit. This offering is expected to generate aggregate gross proceeds of up to $200,000. Each NFT Unit will comprise one common share ("Share") and one transferable share purchase warrant ("Warrant") of the Company. Holders of the Warrants will have the opportunity to acquire one common share ("Warrant Share") at a price of $0.075 per share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. The funds raised from the NFT Units will be primarily allocated towards exploration activities on the Company's lithium properties in Ontario. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds will be utilized for general working capital. In parallel, the Company announces a private placement of FT Units specifically designed for critical minerals. The FT Units will consist of up to 4.0 million FT Units at a price of $0.05 per FT Unit, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of up to $200,000. Each Critical Minerals FT Unit will include one flow-through share ("FT Share") that qualifies as a Critical Minerals flow-through share under the Income Tax Act (Canada), along with a transferable half non-flow-through share purchase warrant of the Company ("NFT Warrant"). Each whole NFT Warrant will enable the holder to acquire an additional Share at a price of $0.10 per Share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. The gross proceeds from the FT Units will be utilized for incurring "Canadian exploration expenses" and "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada). All Shares, Warrants, and NFT Warrants, as well as the Shares underlying the Warrants and NFT Warrants, will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. "We are pleased to announce these amended private placements, which provide the necessary funding to advance our exploration efforts on our lithium properties in Ontario," stated Charles Desjardins, CEO of Rock Edge Resources. "These investments will not only facilitate the exploration activities but also support our ongoing commitment to sustainable resource development. We are excited about the potential growth opportunities and value creation that lie ahead." This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Maun Lithium Property The Maun Lithium property consists of 51 mining claims totaling 1,454 hectares. The property straddles the terrane boundary between the East Wabigoon and English River subprovinces. These terrane boundaries are integrally related to the location of northwestern Ontario lithium deposits and occurrences, as they act as deep-seated sutures for parental granitic melts (Breaks et al., 20031). The Maun Lithium property is located approximately 2.3 km east of Superb Lake. Terrier Lithium Property The Terrier Lithium property consists of 19 mining claims totaling 2,636 hectares. The property lies 8 km north of the English River-East Wabigoon terrane boundary. The property is located along the edge of a muscovite-bearing granitic pluton, a peraluminous S-type fertile parental granite (Breaks et al., 20031) and in contact with metasediments. Metasediments make excellent exo-contact hosts for rare-element pegmatites fractionating from a fertile granitic parent (Breaks et al., 20031). An east-trending structural feature mapped by the OGS transects the property providing possible pathways for parental granitic melts. Reconnaissance mapping by the Ontario Department of Mines in 1931 along river and lake systems identified several pegmatites hosted within muscovite-bearing granites and metasediments. Some of these occurrences are located on the Terrier Lithium property. Diamond drilling by Anaconda Mining in 1956 investigating iron formations to the north of the property noted white pegmatites containing garnet, tourmaline, muscovite and some instances fluorite with downhole intervals up to 30 m (OGS assessment file 42L10NE0004). These minerals are good indicators of fractionation from a fertile parental granite (Breaks et al., 20031). Anaconda did not assay the pegmatites. Superb Lake Lithium Property The property consists of approximately 2,378 hectares land 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 work carried out since the 1950s with the discovery of lithium along the shores of Superb Lake. The Superb Lake pegmatite has a minimum outcrop exposure of a strike length of 16 m, and its width varies from 2.5 m at the shoreline to a maximum of 3.7 m, where an old blast pit was excavated. The results of four samples taken in 2020 from spodumene-rich part indicate lithium oxide (Li2O) values in the range of 1.77 % to 4.03%, and from December 14, 2022, a recorded surface channel #3 of 2.47% Li2O over 3.2 m, which includes 5.84% Li2O over 1.1 m. Val-d'Or East Lithium Property The property is located approximately 65km southeast from The NAL Lithium Processing Plant (A Piedmont/Sayona Joint Venture), which just announced it produced its first batch of spodumene concentrate (SC6) and 30km southwest of Val-d'Or, a logistics hub for mining service. Currently, three lithium refiners are in the works, with Sayona planning to commission a refinery that will output Lithium Hydroxide, located approximately 70km southeast of the property. Additionally, there is a third refinery planned by Nameska near Becancour, about 200km southeast of the Rock Edge's Val d'Or East Lithium Project. The property is contiguous to Sayona Mining Limited's (ASX: SYA) property and to Brunswick exploration property. The property lies chiefly on the metagraywackes of the Pontiac Geological Subprovince. The Reservoir Decelles Batholith is located 1-3km away from the property and consists of a heterogeneous granite which contains muscovite-pegmatites. The vicinity of the property was prospected for Cu-Ni (Lac Granet, Lac Louvicourt-South and Cere-Villebon), and the search for pegmatites was ignored until very recently. References Breaks, F.W., Selway, J.B. and Tindle, A.G. 2003. Fertile peraluminous granites and related rare-element mineralization in pegmatites, Superior Province, northwest and northeast Ontario: Operation Treasure Hunt; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 6099, 179p. 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. SOURCE: Rock Edge Resources Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763546/Rock-Edge-Resources-Announces-Amended-Private-Placements Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 23, 2023) - Foremost Lithium Resource & Technology Ltd. (CSE: FAT) (OTCQB: FRRSF) (FSE: F0R0) (WKN: A3DCC8) ("Foremost Lithium", "Foremost" or the "Company") Further to its news releases of June 29, 2022 and June 20, 2023, in respect of the Company's option ("the Option") to acquire a 100% interest in acquire the Peg North Claims located in the historic Snow Lake mining district in Manitoba, the Company confirms that it will proceed with making its second installment Option Payment on or before June 28, 2023. In accordance with the terms of the Option agreement, the second installment payment will consist of a cash payment of $100,000 and issuing an aggregate of 653,595 common shares (the "Shares") at a deemed price of $.153 per share. The Shares will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Jason Barnard, President and CEO Email: info@foremostlithium.com Phone: +1 (604) 330-8067 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. About Foremost Lithium Foremost Lithium is a hard-rock exploration company with over 43,000 acres located in Snow Lake, Manitoba, and hosts a property in a known active lithium camp in Quebec called Lac Simard South situated on over 11,400 acres. Its 5 Lithium Lane Projects, Zoro, Jean Lake, Grass River, Peg North and Jol, as well as Lac Simard South are strategically located to capitalize on the world's growing EV appetite and is perfectly positioned to become a premier supplier of North America's lithium feedstock. As the world transitions towards decarbonization, the Company's objective is the extraction of lithium oxide (Li2O), and to subsequently play a role in the production of high-quality lithium hydroxide (LiOH), to help power lithium-based batteries, critical in developing a clean-energy economy. Foremost Lithium also has the Winston Gold/Silver Property in New Mexico USA. Learn More at www.foremostlithium.com. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171218 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 23, 2023) - West Vault Mining Inc. (TSXV: WVM) (OTCQX: WVMDF) ("West Vault" or the "Company") is pleased to announce positive results from its Annual General Meeting (the "Annual Meeting") held on June 22, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Annual Meeting had a turnout of shareholders representing 77.35% of its issued shares eligible to vote at the meeting. Shareholders strongly supported the appointment of the Board and the resolutions proposed. On a show of hands the shareholders elected management's four nominees for directors. Details of the proxy voting are as follows: DIRECTOR NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENTAGE OF VOTES CAST FOR FOR WITHHELD Peter Palmedo 44,954,303 99.99% 0.01% Pierre Lebel 44,954,303 99.99% 0.01% Priscila Costa Lima 44,953,973 99.99% 0.01% Stephen Quin 44,948,103 99.98% 0.02% Significant shareholder support was received for the Approval of the new Share Compensation Plan for the Company with 97.31% of the shares voted in favour of this resolution. Shareholders also voted 100.00% in favour of re-appointing Deloitte LLP as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors. Following the Annual Meeting, the directors appointed Sandy McVey as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, and Frank Hallam as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company for the ensuing year. For more information on these matters, please refer to West Vault's information circular, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or visit our website at www.westvaultmining.com. About West Vault Mining Inc. West Vault is committed to maximizing shareholder value through its low-risk gold-in-ground strategy, which involves acquiring, advancing, holding, and selling high-quality development gold projects in the best jurisdictions. On behalf of the Board of West Vault Mining Inc. Frank Hallam Chief Financial Officer For further information please see the Company's website at www.westvaultmining.com or contact us by email at info@westvaultmining.com. Investor Relations: Sandy McVey (604) 685 8311 / info@westvaultmining.com Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This press release may contain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "postulate" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Although West Vault believes that such information as set out in this press release is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations and estimates will prove to be correct. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various factors. The reader is referred to the Company's public filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects which may be accessed through the Company's profile on SEDAR 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) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171135 NVision Imaging, a Ulm, Germany-based developer of MRI polarizers and hyperpolarized imaging agents, raised $30M in Series A funding, with an additional $19.5M in funding from the German Government. The round, which brought the total amount to $35M, not including the government funds, was led by Playground Global, with participation from return investors b-to-v and new participation from Pathena Investments, Entree Capital, Lauder Family, ES Kapital, and Sparkassenkapital Ulm. The company intends to use the funds to advance its development and deployment efforts. Led by CEO Dr. Sella Brosh, NVision is a developer of MRI polarizers and hyperpolarized imaging agents. Its hyperpolarization technology permits the assessment of human and animal metabolism by standard MRI, enabling advanced preclinical and clinical applications, including novel cancer diagnosis and monitoring of response to therapy. The company has a partnership already in place with Siemens Healthineers, a provider of MRI technology, plans to deploy systems at over 50 of the worlds top cancer centers by 2025, and a signed collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering. FinSMEs 23/06/2023 Open Foodie, a Web3 creative-based cartoon food manufacturing lab, raised $500K in Seed funding. The backers were not disclosed. The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts. Open Foodie aims 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. Its Web3 NFT project, which focuses on combining art, food, and technology, is set to bring community-driven art and culinary carnivals to ten global cities including Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Paris, Shanghai, Bangkok, Toronto, New York, and London. 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, the company 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. The Open Foodie family is a multinational collaborative team from Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, and Australia. FinSMEs 23/06/2023 Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Avneet Kaur, Vipin Sharma Director: Sai Kabir Language: Hindi Just like Jaan-E-Mann, the title Tiku Weds Sheru appears in extra bold font with bulbs and lights flashing on the letters, suggesting it could be a flashy, vibrant love story with all the idiosyncrasies about what Hindi cinema is all about. Nawazuddin Siddiquis character gets a nice, nostalgic introduction of how heroes were introduced back in the 70s. Hes a junior artist who likes to improvise even if the aftermath is a raging insult. Siddiqui carries flamboyance well, and it shows in the way he does; it could also stem from the tiredness of playing characters driven by guns and gore. And then we have the debut-making Avneet Kaur, another aspiring, starry-eyed, hot-headed actor who speaks incorrect English. This device still being used for comic relief doesnt work anymore, and looks puerile and pretentious. Kaur echoes the sentiments of Antra Mali from Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon with a far more dialed-up performance. Still, theres a certain charm in the way Siddiqui and Kaurs scenes are staged, especially their awkward, amusing suhaagraat that quickly brought the doomed Bobby Deol and the devilish Ameesha Patels Humraaz in mind. The film has the hero and the heroines thoughts and dreams pour out like dialogues about ambition and dreams. At one point, the hero says Mumbai is a city of dreams but all he has seen is them getting suffocated. But the tone of the story is kept light-hearted; just like Kangana Ranauts own Tanu Weds Manu, her first production also walks the path of some sort of similar treatment for the time being. But Sai Kabir takes the narrative through a lot of dark alleys that feel sudden and abrupt. The intent here might have been to expose the underbelly of the world of films and how shady it can be (in Sherus own words) but throwing in drugs, sex, scandals, scams, an unnecessary cameo nearly threatens to make this a bland potpourri. What keeps Tiku Weds Sheru afloat are Tiku and Sheru. Right when Tiku is introduced, her age gap with Sheru is quickly addressed that a majority of the movies shy away from. Sherus playfulness and Tikus stubbornness gel well and so do their humorous altercations. Siddiqui knows how to walk the tightrope of tragedy and comedy and he does well here too. And so does Kaur, her naivete and rage surprisingly make Tiku more cute than cacophonous. But the film should have been just as flashy and vibrant as the title appeared. Periods. Rating: 3 (out of 5 stars) Tiku Weds Sheru is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video India Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram This Saturday marks one year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade on 24 June, which gave states the ability to adopt their own abortion laws. The Dobbs v Jackson decision overturned the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling that protected the right to an abortion until fetal viability, which is generally considered to be around 23 or 24 weeks of pregnancy. Since the decision the abortion landscape in the United States has changed considerably, including where restrictions are in place, how many abortions are performed in states, and the amount of support for abortion. The reproductive health of women in America 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. Lawmakers, governors, courts and voters are all shaping policies and more changes are in the pipeline. Heres a state-by-state breakdown of where things stand: States where abortion is banned throughout pregnancy Alabama Law adopted in 2019 took effect after Dobbs. Exception: Womans life or health. Arkansas Law adopted in 2019 took effect after Dobbs. Exceptions: Womans life. Idaho Law adopted in 2020 took effect after Dobbs. Exceptions: Rape, incest and life of the woman. A judge has blocked enforcement in cases of medical emergencies. The state also has a law making it a felony to transport a minor for the purpose of obtaining an abortion without parental consent. Kentucky Law adopted in 2019 took effect after Dobbs. Exceptions: Health or life of the woman. Kentucky voters in 2022 defeated a ballot question for an amendment that would have declared there to be no right to abortion in the state constitution. Louisiana Law adopted in 2006 took effect after Dobbs. Exceptions: Life or heath of the woman. Mississippi Law adopted in 2007 took effect after Dobbs. Exceptions: Rape and the life of the woman. Missouri Law adopted in 2019 took effect after Dobbs. Exceptions: Life or heath of the woman. North Dakota A new law was adopted in 2023, replacing one that was blocked by a court. Exceptions: Rape, incest and health or life of the woman. Oklahoma Law adopted in 2022 took effect after Dobbs. Exceptions: Life of the woman. South Dakota Law adopted in 2005 took effect after Dobbs. Exceptions: Life of the woman. Tennessee Law adopted in 2020 took effect after Dobbs. Exceptions: Health or life of the woman. Texas Law adopted in 2021 took effect after Dobbs. Exceptions: Health or life of the woman. West Virginia Ban adopted in 2022 after the Dobbs ruling. Exceptions: Rape, incest and health or life of the woman. Wisconsin Ban is from an 1849 law. Theres litigation over whether it should be in effect. Exceptions: Womans life. States where abortion is banned after six to 15 weeks of pregnancy Arizona A ban on abortion after 15 weeks gestation was adopted in 2022 and took effect after the Dobbs ruling. Exceptions: Health or life of the woman. A state court has ruled that a ban on abortion at all stages of pregnancy does not apply to doctors; theres a legal dispute about whether it is in effect for helpers. Georgia Law adopted in 2019 bans abortion once cardiac activity can be detected, generally around six weeks into pregnancy and before women often know theyre pregnant. Exceptions: Rape, incest and health or life of the woman. Nebraska Law adopted in 2023 bans abortion at 12 weeks gestational age. Exceptions: Rape, incest and life of the woman. States where bans have been adopted but are not yet in effect Florida A ban on abortion after 15 weeks gestation was adopted in 2022 and took effect after the Dobbs ruling. Exceptions: Health or life of the woman. If a court finds the current ban to comply with the state constitution, it is to be replaced with a more stringent one adopted in 2023 that would ban abortion after six weeks and add exceptions for cases of rape and incest. North Carolina A ban on abortions after 20 weeks is in place until 1 July, when a ban after 12 weeks, with exceptions for the health and life of the woman, rape and incest takes effect. States where bans or restrictions have been put on hold by courts Indiana A ban on abortion after 22 weeks gestation is in place. A law to ban abortion at any point in pregnancy was adopted in 2022 after Dobbs, but the Indiana Supreme Court put it on hold. Montana Abortion is banned after viability. A Montana judge has put on hold enforcement of a ban on abortions after 20 weeks and one on the most commonly used procedure in the second trimester, dilation and evacuation, after 15 weeks. Ohio A ban on abortions after 22 weeks is in place. A county judge put on hold a ban on abortion after cardiac activity can be detected. The state Supreme Court is reviewing that decision. One year ago this Saturday, we witnessed the overturning of Roe v. Wade. However, in just two days, we will shine a light on the legislation & regulations that have been put in place to safeguard the rights of our servicemembers to make their own choices. #ReproductiveJustice Vets for American Ideals (@Vets4AmerIdeals) June 22, 2023 Abortion-rights groups are pursuing a measure for the November ballot that would enshrine in the state constitution a right to make one's own decisions about a variety of reproductive care issues. South Carolina A ban on abortions after 20 weeks is in place. A judge has put on hold enforcement of a ban after cardiac activity can be detected. Utah A ban on abortions after 18 weeks is in place. A state court has put on hold enforcement of a ban on abortions at all stages of pregnancy. A ban on abortion clinics is also on hold. Wyoming Abortion is banned after viability. Courts have put on hold enforcement of two different bans at all stages of pregnancy, and blocked a specific ban on abortion pills while a lawsuit proceeds. States that have moved to protect abortion access California Abortion is banned after viability. Since last year, the state has adopted an executive order, laws and a state constitutional amendment to protect abortion access. Colorado Abortion is not banned at any point in pregnancy. An executive order and laws to protect access to abortion and one to bar "deceptive practices" by anti-abortion centres have been adopted since last year. Connecticut Abortion is banned after viability. An executive order signed last year protects access to abortion. Delaware Abortion is banned after viability. A law has been adopted since last year to protect access. District of Columbia Abortion is not banned at any point in pregnancy. A law has been adopted since last year to protect access. Hawaii Abortion is banned after viability. An executive order and law have been adopted since last year to protect access. Illinois Abortion is banned after viability. A law has been adopted since last year protecting access. Maine Abortion is banned after viability. An executive order has been signed since last year protecting access. Maryland Abortion is banned after viability. A law has been adopted since last year protecting access. Massachusetts Abortion is banned after 24 weeks. A law has been adopted since last year protecting access. Michigan Abortion is banned after viability. A constitutional amendment was adopted in 2022 to protect abortion access. Minnesota Abortion is banned after viability. An executive order and law have been adopted since last year to protect access. Nevada Abortion is banned after 24 weeks. An executive order and law have been adopted since last year to protect access. New Jersey Abortion is not banned at any point in pregnancy. A law has been adopted since last year protecting access. New Mexico Abortion is not banned at any point in pregnancy. An executive order and law have been adopted since last year to protect access. New York Abortion is banned after viability. Laws have been adopted since last year to protect access. Pennsylvania Abortion is banned after 24 weeks. An executive order has been signed since last year protecting access. Rhode Island Abortion is banned after viability. An executive order has been signed since last year protecting access. A 2023 law expands coverage for abortion for state workers and Medicaid enrolees. Vermont Abortion is not banned at any point in pregnancy. A constitutional amendment and law protecting access have been enacted since last year. Washington Abortion is banned after viability. An executive order and law have been adopted since last year to protect access. States where key abortion policies are unchanged since Dobbs Alaska Abortion is not banned at any point in pregnancy. Iowa A ban on abortion after 22 weeks' gestation is in place. Kansas A ban on abortion after 22 weeks' gestation is in place. Voters in 2022 defeated a ballot question that would have found no right to abortion in the state constitution. New Hampshire Abortion is banned after 24 weeks. Oregon Abortion is not banned at any point in pregnancy. Virginia Abortion is banned after the second trimester, around 26 weeks. With inputs from AP Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Its sizzling hot in China So hot that authorities have issued a highest-level heat alert for northern parts of the country, including Beijing, as the mercury soared to 40 degrees Celsius and higher. According to an AFP news report, 185 red alerts were issued across swathes of northern and eastern China including Beijing, the nearby city of Tianjin and the bordering provinces of Hebei and Shandong. The red warning is the highest in a four-tier system. This is the first time in nine years that Beijing has been put on the highest-level heat alert and authorities also said that this was the first time that temperatures of more than 40 degrees were recorded over two consecutive days. Just how hot is the situation in China? Why is the Asian giant baking in such high temperatures? Hot, hotter, hottest in China On Thursday, Beijing logged its hottest June day since records began, with the mercury soaring to a new high of 41.1 degrees Celsius. The previous record was set in 1961 when temperatures had hit a high of 40.6 degrees Celsius. The weatherman of China said that temperatures at the Nanjiao weather station in southern Beijing, had exceeded the 41 degrees Celsius only three times since records began. Other weather stations around the capital chalked up even higher temperatures on Thursday, with Tanghekou in northern Beijing notching 41.8 degrees Celsius early in the afternoon, becoming the hottest place in the country, according to state media. In nearby Tianjin home to over 13 million people temperatures in the city centre also soared, with the western Xiqing district logging its hottest ever June day with 40.6 degrees Celsius. Nationwide, some 17 weather stations recorded record high temperature extremes on Thursday, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC). The heat also prompted people to comment, with one writing on Weibo social media platform: It never used to get this hot in June before, but now its so hot my hands are trembling. Another user wrote, Are there three suns blazing over Beijing right now? Its hot enough to cause a breakdown. Pedestrians in Beijing were seen on Friday morning wearing masks, hats and visors to protect themselves from the sun. Along the citys canals, some sought an escape from the heat by splashing around in the water. Also read: What a heatwave does to your body The soaring temperatures have also led authorities to warn people and businesses to curb their electricity usage. Last week, the National Energy Administration staged its first-ever emergency drill in Chinas eastern region, simulating a power surge and outage in the face of any large-scale power outages. Authorities have urged people to limit their time outdoors and warned of the heightened risk of heatstroke and other health complaints. Beijings weather authority issued a warning for extreme heat and urged people to avoid exercising outdoors for long periods and take effective measures to shield from the sun. In Tianjin, where an alert was also in place, officials said the general public (should) remain aware and take precautions against heat-induced strokes. And when will the people of China get relief from these deadly temperatures? Forecasters expected the high temperatures to last for at least three days. Cause for sizzling heat The rising temperatures in China can be attributed to global climate change. In fact, a study released last month found climate change had made heatwaves 30 times more likely in Asia. It had also raised temperatures by at least two degree Celsius in many parts of Asia during an April heatwave. Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh and India all saw record temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius in April. The extreme heat caused deaths and hospitalisations in some countries, melted roads and affected other infrastructure. Zheng Fei, a research fellow at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told Global Times that the heat in China is due to the abnormal persistence of an extensive subtropical anticyclone. The anticyclone system means sinking airflows prevail and cause a significant rise in the near-surface temperatures. The sinking airflows also lead to clear weather with less cloud cover, which increases solar radiation and causes higher temperatures on the ground, Zheng explained. With inputs from AFP Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. On Thursday, the US Coast Guard confirmed that the five passengers on board the Titanic tourist submersible died after their vessel suffered a catastrophic implosion. The announcement took people around the world, especially those on social media, who had been preoccupied with the fate of the five men and were holding out hope against hope, by shock. Many of those people during the rescue mission and in the aftermath of the announcement wondered why these men would risk their lives to view the wreckage of the Titanic. Lets take a closer look at why Titanic tourism continues despite its many dangers: The obsession The RMS Titanic sank in the early hours of 15 April, 1912. The ship some had deemed unsinkable rammed into an iceberg on its maiden voyage from England to New York. More than 1,500 people were killed. The wreckage was located in 1985 by National Geographic explorer Robert Ballard and French oceanographer Jean-Louis Michel. It lies on the floor of the North Atlantic 600 km south-southeast of Newfoundland at a depth of more than 3.2 kilometres. For some, this wreckage has become an obsession. As Oceangate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush who died in the incident previously told CBS, We have clients that are Titanic enthusiasts, which we refer to as Titaniacs, we have people who have mortgaged their home to come and do the trip and we have people who dont think twice about a trip of this cost. We had one gentleman who had won the lottery. Reporter David Pogue, who filed the CBS report, spoke to a banker and diving enthusiast who had been saving her money to see the wreck for the past three decades. Dreams dont have a price, Renata Rojas said. Some people want a Ferrari, some people want a house, I want to go to Titanic. Rojas in 2017 told Reuters she dreamed of visiting the wreckage since she was a little girl. Ive made a lot of sacrifices over time, she added. Among those obsessed with the Titanic is James Cameron the man who made the 1997 blockbuster about a fictional tragic love story that became one of the most nominated movies in Academy Award history. Cameron, who has made the trip to the wreckage dozens of times, told Playboy in 2009 that the Titanic was the Mount Everest of shipwrecks, and as a diver I wanted to do it right. I made Titanic because I wanted to dive to the shipwreck, not because I particularly wanted to make the movie, Cameron added. Don Lynch, historian of the Titanic Historical Society, explained the public fascination with the Titanic to Salon thus: It is the ultimate story: its unsinkable, supposedly, and youve got it full of all these key people, like the president of the company that owns it, and the president of the company that built it, and as well as all these famous people . . . and then on its maiden voyage, it hits an iceberg and then sinks so slowly. And then theres all this time for all this drama to be acted out, like the band playing that just doesnt get duplicated. Indeed, Rojas in 2017 told Reuters that part of what drew her to the wreckage is because it was a tragedy that wasnt supposed to happen. It disappeared for years, it was mystical, and that attracts a lot of people, she said. Thats what attracted me to it. The adrenaline Some, including the ultra-wealthy, do it for sheer adrenaline and to break the monotony of everyday life. The New York Times quoted some luxury travel agents as saying some travellers push the boundaries in order to chase thrills and claim bragging rights. Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer told Business Insider, Many of us are sealed in unlived lives and are mindless much of the time. Doing something dangerous requires that we become mindful, and mindful engagement is literally and figuratively enlivening. Marc and Sharon Hagle, a pair of avid adventurers from Winter Park, Florida, told Reuters in 2017, Its not a money thing. One of our personal goals in life is to not be sitting around in a rocking chair when we are 100-years-old saying, I wish I had done that. Others are just plain curious. As multimillionaire Victor Vescovo told Business Insider, I guess what drives me is this inherent sense of intense curiosity that was cultivated in me when I was a child. Ive always wanted to know more and to get to the other side of the hill to find out what lay beyond. It sounds a little grand, Mike Reiss, producer of The Simpsons, told CNN. But in every way, it felt like being a Mercury astronaut. This wasnt a vacation, it wasnt tourism. It was exploration. But Reiss added that he felt a sense of constant trepidation, constantly knowing this could be the end. Fewer people have seen the Titanic than there have been astronauts who visited the Moon. When people get used to a certain level of wealth or comfort or possessions and so on, they quickly get used to it and then they want the next level up, Suniya Luthar, professor emerita Columbia Universitys Teachers College, told Salon in 2021 about space travel. You have an individual whos basically bought all that money can buy, or has had all that money can buy, then, whats next? Nick DAnnunzio, the owner of TARA, Ink., a public relations firm specializing in special events, agreed. What Ive seen with the ultra-rich money is no object when it comes to experiences. They want something theyll never forget, DAnnunzio told CNN. But Langer, who specializes in social cognition and decision-making told Business Insider people often underestimate the risks involved. They probably identify with people who have been successful and presume they too will be successful, Langer told the outlet. It would be rare for someone to say, This really may kill me but what the hell.' Still, Cameron told CNN he doesnt expect this incident to stop people from exploring. Im not worried about exploration, because explorers will go. Im worried that it has a negative impact on, lets say, citizen explorers, tourists. These are serious people with serious curiosity willing to put serious money down to go to these interesting places and I dont want to discourage that. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Opposition is going to hold a mega meeting today in Patna. The meeting is the brainchild of Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar to get the Opposition on the same page against the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Nitish, as one might recall, dumped the BJP as an ally last year. But can the Opposition stay on the same page? Can they defeat PM Modi? Lets take a closer look: What do we know about the meet? The idea of hosting a meeting of Opposition leaders in Patna was first floated by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. The West Bengal chief minister who had invoked the memory of Jayaprakash Narayan upon meeting Kumar in Kolkata in April. Kumar, the JD(U) s supreme leader, has been pitching for Opposition unity ever since he snapped ties with the BJP in August. According to India Today, the gathering will take place at Kumars residence. According to Indian Express, CM House on 1 Anney Marg will host both lunch and dinner for the Opposition leaders. The menu is said to include Bihari cuisine. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, Banerjee, Delhi chief minister and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and NCP president Sharad Pawar, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin are among the leaders expected to attend the Opposition meeting. Banerjee will be accompanied by TMC national general secretary and her nephew Abhishek for the Opposition meeting. After the Congress massive victory in the Karnataka polls earlier this month, the TMC supremo had said her party would support the grand old party where it is strong in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but added that she would expect a seat-sharing formula to give priority to regional players in areas where they were strong. Whats the aim? To defeat the BJP, of course. As well as unite behind a joint candidate. As per NewsClick, Kumar has repeatedly claimed he is not in the race for the post of prime minister. But according to a piece in NDTV, Kumar is eyeing a role somewhat akin to Narayan for himself. The piece noted how Patna and the JP movement was critical in challenging Indira Gandhi in 1974. NDTV quoted sources as saying that no common minimum programme would be released and only plans would be debated. The release of a common statement also appears to be on the cards. There is a clear-cut agenda to strengthen united Opposition, chalk out our strategies and common minimum programme, and to put a joint Opposition candidate against BJP and its allies to defeat them in the next elections, a JDU leader told NewsClick. This meeting is a starting point, and nothing big is expected, but a united Opposition will be a reality after it, the leader added. A Congress leader told the website that several more meetings are to be expected. A Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader added, Our leader and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav rightly pointed out that issues are important, not a particular person or leader. The meeting is a sign that there will be a change. What do experts think? That the Opposition has an uphill task on its hands. A piece in NDTV, noting how the BJP won 303 seats in 2019 netting even more seats than in the 2014 election, said the Opposition needs to draw up a one seat one candidate formula for as many seats as possible. According to the piece, rallying around a common candidate might prove a difficult task for the Opposition given the sheer number of bigwigs in their camp. This, even though the non-BJP parties feel the need to throw their might behind one horse to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the BJP. Complicating matters is the Congress confidence boosted by its recent win in the Karnataka polls is that it ought to be the fulcrum of the Opposition, according to the piece. The Patna meet may not produce all the answers, but it could give us a hint of what to expect, the NDTV piece concluded. A piece in India Today said the meet could, at the very least, give a fillip to the Opposition of the morale and sow some doubts within the BJP. But the piece also posed the familiar question of whether the Congress could sync up its ambitions with the rest of the Opposition. Each regional satrap will be getting their own bunch of expectations to the table and all eyes will be on the Congress party, the piece noted. The piece noted the optics play of all the tallest leaders of the Opposition parties appearing together, but questioned whether it would last. A similar, if not as big, kind of opposition unity was seen during the swearing-in ceremony of HD Kumaraswamy as Karnataka Chief Minister in 2018. However, the optics turned into a damp squib as Prime Minister Modi was voted back to power. How long will the will last remains to be seen? the piece concluded.But the meet could, at the very least, give a fillip to the Opposition of the morale and sow some doubts within the BJP, the piece noted. A piece in the Indian Express similarly noted the optics of how in June 1974 in Patna a similar call was made against Indira. The article noted that the meeting, despite that near-perfect optic, also has a hint of desperation about it combined with the burden of expectation. But most leaders dont expect much forward movement in this first meeting, particularly over the seat-sharing formula. The most expected outcome is a joint statement accusing the Modi-led Centre of undermining democracy, trampling institutions and silencing dissent, and asserting an intent to fight unitedly against the BJP, the piece noted. Hope gathering is constructive Banerjee on Thursday said she hoped the gathering would be constructive and said that the BJP must be defeated in the next Lok Sabha polls to save the country from disaster. Banerjee, who has been critical of the BJPs mishandling of the situation in Manipur, said it is due to the policies of the saffron camp that the northeastern state is on the boil and the convening of the all-party meeting on 24 June was a late decision. Tomorrow is our Opposition meeting. We hope it will be good and collective decisions will be taken. I feel that to save the country from disaster, people will vote against the BJP, she told reporters. Asked about the all-party meeting on Manipur convened by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on 24 June, Banerjee said the Trinamool Congress would be represented by the partys leader in Rajya Sabha, Derek OBrien. It is too late now. I had requested the Centre to allow me to visit Manipur, but I received a letter yesterday informing me about the all-party meeting, she said. Banerjee said the Centre failed to restore peace in Manipur, where ethnic violence has claimed more than 100 lives. The TMC said it considers Fridays Opposition meeting in Bihars Patna as a good beginning ahead of the 2024 general elections and emphasised the significance of anti-BJP parties uniting against undemocratic and authoritarian policies. A good beginning even before reaching PatnaAll parties working to save the Constitution of the country are on the same page on many issues. For now, we have a date, a venue and an agreement 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, TMCs Rajya Sabha leader Derek OBrien said. The aim should be to ensure that the Opposition unity takes shape at the earliest as less than a year is left before the 2024 general elections, senior TMC leader Sukhendu Shekhar Roy told PTI. The BJP has destroyed the countrys democracy and is trying to subvert the Constitution. If the parties, which are opposed to the BJP and are fighting against it, fail to come together to put up a united fight, it would be unfortunate for the country, he said. Roy said the efforts to cobble up Opposition unity had begun last year during the selection of Opposition candidates for the presidential elections. When asked whether the issue of leadership of the Opposition front would throw a spanner into the efforts, Roy said, Only media and BJP are bothered about it. Neither the opposition parties nor the people of this country are bothered about such a leadership issue. Another TMC leader, who did not wish to be named, said the ongoing crisis in Manipur, where ethnic violence has claimed over 100 lives, would also feature in the discussions. Though Jayant Chaudhary is skipping the event due to a family programme, the Rashtriya Lok Dal chief said he hoped the meeting will be an important milestone in the path of Opposition unity. In a letter to Kumar that was shared on the official Twitter handle of the RLD on Thursday, Chaudhary said, The way authoritarian and communal forces are posing a threat to democracy and social harmony in the country, it is the need of the hour to unite the opposition parties of the same ideology. By discussing the important problems and challenges of the country, the entire opposition can present a far-reaching, practical plan in front of the public. This way, we can together bring a meaningful change in the country in line with the aspirations of the youth, women, farmers and the underprivileged sections of the society, he said. Extending his best wishes for the success of the meeting, the RLD chief said, I am sure that this meeting will prove to be an important milestone in the path of opposition unity. Top leaders of Opposition parties will brainstorm at a meeting in Patna on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. But already cracks have begun to appear in the Opposition. Meeting of hands, not hearts BSP supremo Mayawati, who has not been invited to the meet, said it does not seem from the attitude of the Opposition parties that they are serious about their objective in Uttar Pradesh. Eighty Lok Sabha seats in UP are said to be the key to electoral success, but it does not seem from the attitude of the opposition parties that they are serious and truly concerned about their objective here. Without the right priorities, will the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections here really bring about the necessary change? she said. Keeping in mind the preparations for the next Lok Sabha elections, it would have been better if these parties had tried to instil general confidence in the people with clear intentions, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said. How long will muh me Ram bagal me chhuri (speaking praise on face and stabbing in the back) last? she added. AAP threatens walk out AAP sources claimed that the party would walk out of Fridays meeting of Opposition leaders in Patna if the Congress does not promise its support against the Centres ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi. The AAP will stage a walkout of the meeting if the Congress does not promise its support against the ordinance, one of the sources said on Thursday. Delhi chief minister Kejriwal had expressed hope On Tuesday that the Congress would clear its stand on the Centres ordinance on the control of administrative services in the National Capital at the meeting of non-BJP parties in Patna. The BJP has dubbed the proposed Opposition meeting a futile exercise and said such an opportunistic alliance would not yield any result. These are futile exercises. We saw such efforts in 2014 and 2019, and the results are before us. The people of this country trust the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They would never vote for an unstable and opportunistic alliance, BJPs West Bengal unit president Sukanta Majumdar said. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and now Narendra Modi. The Indian prime minister was given the honour on Thursday to address the joint meeting of the US Congress for a second time and his speech was received with a thunderous applause and, according to some reports, with 15 standing ovations. In a blockbuster almost an hour-long speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi covered several topics from the Russia-Ukraine war, terrorism across the world, the security of the Indo-Pacific region, the economy and democratic spirit. Incidentally, Prime Minister Modi is the sixth Indian leader to have spoken at the US Congress, and it seemed that everyone, irrespective of politics, was a fan of him. Following his address, several American lawmakers, including Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy who rushed to take his autograph and click selfies with him. Modis Thursday address was longer than his 2016 speech during which he had spoken for 45 minutes. But what did we learn from Prime Minister Narendra Modis US Congress address? What is the significance of his speech? Democracy, Democracy, Democracy In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured that he spoke about the importance and vitality of democracy, a theme that he also spoke of during his joint press conference with US president Joe Biden earlier in the day. Paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. for their contribution towards liberty, equality and justice, Modi in the US Congress said, Democracy is one of their sacred and shared values. It has evolved over a long time, and taken various forms and systems. Throughout history, however, one thing has been clear. Democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity. Democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse, he said. Democracy is the culture that gives wings to thought and expression. India is blessed to have such values from times immemorial. In the evolution of the democratic spirit, India is the Mother of Democracy, he added. To a rapturous crowd, Modi also pointed out that US is the oldest and India is the largest democracy and that their partnership augured well for the future of democracy. Beauty of Indias diversity From times immemorial, it has been said that India is a perfect example of unity in diversity and Modi highlighted this aspect of the country in his blockbuster speech. Speaking of Indias 75 years of Independence, he said that it wasnt just a celebration of democracy, but also of diversity. He said that despite having 2,500 different political parties, 22 official languages, thousands of dialects and food changes, they all spoke in one voice. He added, India is the home to all faiths in the world in the world and we celebrate all of them. In India, diversity is a natural way of life, today the world wants to know more and more about India. The economies of it all Modis speech wouldnt be complete if he didnt emphasise the growth of Indias economy and he did just that at the US Congress. Addressing the audience, he said, When I first visited the US as prime minister, India was the 10th largest economy in the world. Today, India is the fifth largest economy and India will be the third largest economy soon. We are not only growing bigger but we are also growing faster. When India grows, the whole world grows. After all, we are one sixth of the worlds population! he said. Speaking of Indias economy and infrastructure, the prime minister added that his government has provided nearly 40 million homes to over 150 million, a national health insurance program, banking to the unbanked, and that his country today has more than 850 million smartphones and internet users more than the population of Europe. He said, amid applause and applaud, Last year, out of every 100 real time digital payments in the world, 46 happened in India. Nearly four hundred thousand miles of optical fibre cables, and cheap data have ushered in a revolution of opportunities. Farmers check weather updates, the elderly get social security payments, students access scholarships, doctors deliver tele-medicine, fishermen check fishing grounds and small businesses get loans, with just a tap on their phones. Catch our full coverage of PM Modis US visit Guard of Honour, 19-gun salute: How PM Modi was welcomed at White House Jets, Chips, and Space Mission: The mega deals announced and in the making as Modi meets Biden PM Modis US visit: Why Indian-Americans are so influential Modi in US: What is the mega agreement which will allow fighter jets to be made in India? Why PM Narendra Modi gifted Ten Principal Upanishads book to Joe Biden Women empowerment Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke of women and women empowerment in his nearly hour-long address. Today in modern India, women are leading us to a better future. Indias vision is not just of development that benefits women. It is of women-led development where women lead the journey of progress. A woman has risen from a humble tribal background to be our Head of State, he said. He pointed out that India has nearly 1.5 million elected women at various levels of local governance. The prime minister added that women serve in the Armed Forces and that it is India who has the highest percentage of women airline pilots in the world. He also gave a shout out to women scientists, who were involved in ISROs Mars mission and further added, I believe that investing in a girl child lifts up the entire family. Empowering women, transforms the nation. Not an era of war As the Russia-Ukraine war continues to kill thousands and destroy the worlds fabric, Modi reiterated Indias stance of this is not an era of war. But, it is one of dialogue and diplomacy. This is the same words he had uttered earlier to Russian president Vladimir Putin and Modi stuck to this stance, saying, We all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering. He added, With the Ukraine conflict, war has returned to Europe. It is causing great pain in the region. Since it involves major powers, the consequences are severe. Countries of the Global South have been particularly affected. The global order is based on the respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Terrorism a concern Prime Minister Narendra Modi also flagged terrorism as a major concern to not only India and the US, but to the world over. He said that more than two decades after 9/11 and more than a decade after 26/11 in Mumbai, radicalism and terrorism still remain a pressing danger for the whole world. The PM said, Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs or buts in dealing with it. We must overcome all such forces sponsoring and exporting terror. After these words, we cant help but wonder if Pakistan was listening to the PMs speech. The C word A lot has been said about the growing friendship of India and the US in face of Chinas aggression and that was highlighted by Prime Minister Modi in his speech to the Congress. Taking a veiled jab at China, Modi said, The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow on the Indo-Pacific region. The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership. He added, We share a vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific, connected by secure seas, defined by international law, free from domination, and anchored in ASEAN centrality. He further stated that a region where all nations, small and large, are free and fearless in their choices, where progress is not suffocated by an impossible burden of debt, where connectivity is not leveraged for strategic purposes, where all nations are lifted by the high tide of shared prosperity. On this matter, he further reiterated, Our vision does not seek to contain or exclude, but to build a cooperative region of peace and prosperity. We work through regional institutions and with our partners from within the region and beyond. Of this, QUAD has emerged as a major force of good for the region. Indo-US partnership PM Modi also mentioned and spoke of how India and US ties had progressed since the early 1990s. Speaking on bilateral ties, he said: In the past few years, there have been many advances in AI Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, there have been even more momentous developments in another AI America and India. The prime minister pointed out that even though the two nations had different circumstances and history, they were united by a common vision and by a common destiny. He said, When our partnership progresses, economic resilience increases, innovation grows, science flourishes, knowledge advances, humanity benefits, our seas and skies are safer, democracy will shine brighter, and the world will be a better place. He added, Even by the high standards of our partnership, this visit is one of the great positive transformations. together we shall demonstrate that democracy is better and democracies deliver. I count on your continuous support to the India US partnership. Climate Action In his nearly hour-long speech, PM Modi also made it a point to speak of care for the environment and about climate actions. Earth is our mother and we are her children. In Indian culture, I deeply respect the environment, he said, adding, By being mindful in making choices, every individual can make a positive impact. Making sustainability a mass movement will help the world reach the Net Zero target faster. Our vision is pro-planet progress. Qur vision is pro-planet prosperity. Our vision is to create pro-planet people. What do we think of Modis joint address to the US Congress a roaring success! With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The United States has announced it will introduce in-country renewable H-1B visas. The development comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modis first state visit to the United States. A senior administration official, speaking ahead of the bilateral meeting between Modi and President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday, said this is part of the people-to-people initiative. But how will the big change help Indian workers? Lets take a closer look: What is an H1-B visa? The much-sought-after H-1B Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations such as technology, finance, engineering, and architecture which require theoretical or technical expertise. According to Boundless.com, such workers usually have a bachelors degree or its equivalent. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. According to Business Insider, though the visa is usually issued for three years, it can be extended up to six years. What is the H1-B renewal process? Until 2004, certain categories of non-immigrant visas, particularly the H-1B, could be renewed or stamped inside the US. But since then, for the renewal of these visas, in particular, those with H-1B visas, the foreign tech workers have to go out of the country, mostly to their own country to get the H-1B extension stamped on their passport. For all the H-1B visa holders, when their visa is renewed, they need to get their passports stamped with renewal dates. This is required if they wish to travel outside of the US and re-enter the US. As of now, H-1B visa restamping is not allowed within the US. Restamping can only be done at any US consulate. This was a big inconvenience for foreign guest workers and also for their employees, particularly at a time when the visa wait time is more than 800 days or more than two years. How will this help? According to Reuters, under the pilot programme being planned by the US, some Indian and other foreign workers on H-1B visas will be able to renew those visas within the country, without having to travel abroad. The programme may be expanded later. This will thus help thousands of Indian professionals staying in the US continue their jobs without the hassle of travelling overseas for the renewal of their work visas. As Shwetha Parekh, who stays in the US on an H-1B Visa told Business Insider. The backlog was so much that when I tried to book an appointment in 2021, I was getting one only six months later. I wanted to come back home to meet my family but could not, as if I stepped out, I could not re-enter the US. Renewing these visas will thus become both easy and cost-effective, as per the outlet. Indian citizens are by far the most active users of the US H-1B program and made up 73 per cent of the nearly 442,000 H-1B workers in fiscal year 2022. Each year, the US government makes 65,000 H-1B visas available to companies seeking skilled foreign workers, along with an additional 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees. The companies using the most H-1B workers in recent years include the Indian-based Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services as well as Amazon, Alphabet and Meta in the US, according to US government data. the United States Department of State is going to launch a pilot to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain petition-based temporary work visas later this year, including for Indian nationals with the intent to implement this for an expanded pool of H-1 and L visa holders, a senior Biden administration official said. The pilot would begin with a small number of cases with the intention to scale the initiative over the following one to two years, the spokesperson told Reuters while declining to define small. Good for people in IndiaUS visas for Indians Over the past few months, the Biden administration has taken several steps to streamline the visa processing system and reduce inconveniences. The US last year issued 125,000 visas to Indian students, which is a record and they are on pace to become the largest foreign student community in the United States with a 20 per cent increase last year alone, the official explained. The programme would be eventually broadened to include other eligible categories. It is good for people in India, good for people in the United States, really good for our businesses, said the official. We all recognise that mobility of our people is a huge asset to us, said another US official. And so our goal is to approach that in a sort of multifaceted way. The State Department already has been working very hard to find creative ways to make changes to things. India has long had concerns with the difficulty its citizens face in receiving visas to live in the United States, including technology industry workers. More than 10 million jobs stood open in the United States at the end of April, according to the Labor Department. The pilot would begin with a small number of cases with the intention to scale the initiative over the following one to two years, the spokesperson said, while declining to define small. The pilot program would also include some workers with L-1 visas, which are available to people transferring within a company to a position in the US, one of the sources said. The ability for some of the temporary foreign workers to renew visas in the US would free up resources for visa interviews in consulates abroad, the spokesperson said. India has long had concerns with the difficulty its citizens face in receiving visas to live in the United States, including technology industry workers. More than 10 million jobs stood open in the United States at the end of April, according to the Labor Department. Some H-1B visa holders in the US have been among the thousands of tech workers laid off this year, sending them scrambling to find new employers within a 60-day grace period or return to their home country. The Biden administration has spent months working to improve visa access for Indians, trying to get around the lack of political will in Congress to comprehensively reform US immigration policy. President Joe Biden wants to knit together the worlds two largest democracies, partly in a bid to better compete with China. A separate initiative to clear a backlog of visa applications at US embassies in India is finally showing signs of progress, according to another one of those sources, and is expected to be figure into the discussions between the two countries delegations in Washington this week. US visa services are still attempting to clear a backlog after Washington halted almost all visa processing worldwide in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The visa backlog has led to some families being separated for extended periods of time, with some taking to social media to lament their situation. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Prime Minister Narendra Modis first state visit to the United States has been historic in more ways than one. The PM is getting a lot done and there has been landmark progress on technology cooperation and in the defence. On the space frontier, India has signed the Artemis Accords, an effort led by the US, to send humans to the moon again by 2025. India joins 26 other countries committed to peaceful, sustainable, and transparent cooperation that will enable exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. NASA will provide advanced training to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) astronauts with the goal of launching a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024, a White House statement said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India has taken a big leap forward in space cooperation after it joined the Artemis Accords. By taking the decision to join the Artemis Accords, we have taken a big leap forward in our space cooperation. In fact, in short, for India and America partnership, even the sky is not the limit, he told reporters at a news conference at the White House with President Joe Biden. We take a look at the arrangement between the US and other governments and its significance. What are the Artemis Accords? During his visit to the US, PM Modi signed the Artemis Accords. It is a non-binding multilateral arrangement between the American government and other world governments participating in the Artemis programme, a US-led effort to return humans to the moon by 2025. While the moon mission is a top priority, the ultimate goal is to expand space exploration to Mars and beyond. The Artemis Accords are a set of principles, guidelines, and best practices to guide the safe exploration of the moon and the red planet. According to NASA, these accords are intended to establish a set of principles to increase the safety of operations, reduce uncertainty, and promote the sustainable and beneficial use of space for all humankind. These principles were founded by NASA, in collaboration with the US Department of State, and seven other nations. According to NASA, the principles include conducting all activities in space peacefully and with full transparency; this includes sharing findings, registering space objects, and releasing scientific data. To advance this programme, international partnerships with numerous countries and private companies are vital to the success of the US space agency, says a report in Space.com. As the US does not seek to embark on the journey to the lunar surface and beyond alone, it introduced Artemis Accords in 2020. Artemis will be the broadest and most diverse international human space exploration programme in history, and the Artemis Accords are the vehicle that will establish this singular global coalition, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine had said at the time. Through these non-binding bilateral agreements called Artemis Accords, NASA wants to affirm the importance of the countries adhering to the United Nations 1967 Outer Space Treaty, as per Space.com report. Also read: Jets, Chips, and Space Mission: What deals have Modi and Biden signed? Which countries have signed the Accords? India is the latest country to sign the Accords. .@POTUS Biden and Prime Minister @narendramodi know that discovery deepens diplomacy. We look forward to all that we will accomplish here on Earth and in space, including our joint Earth science mission NISAR, and are especially grateful for Indias signing of the Artemis Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) June 22, 2023 There are 26 other signatories. These include the US, the United Kingdom, Japan, Italy, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Bahrain, Columbia, Czech Republic, France, Israel, Luxemburg, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Nigeria, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Of 22 European nations, only eight the UK, Italy, Romania, Poland, France, Czech Republic, Spain, and Luxembourg have signed the accords. The new partners include the African nations of Rwanda and Nigeria. How will India benefit from joining the Artemis Accords? The signing of the Accords comes at a time when India is planning to launch the Chandrayaan-3 mission to the moon. On lunar missions, the exchange has been limited to knowledge sharing but now research can also be shared. India is also training its first batch of astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission to space. Now the new cooperation it can have access to more resources. India has shown its commitment to global space cooperation and its interest in participating in lunar missions by signing the pact. Now that India is part of the group it can join hands with the US and other nations in future explorations to the moon. It can share knowledge and expertise while contributing to the broader goals of advancing scientific research, technological development, and expanding humanitys presence in space. Participation in the Accords also has economic benefits. Indian companies can now join the global space economy and access new markets. Collaborative space missions create opportunities for technology transfer, joint ventures, and commercial partnerships, enabling the growth of Indias space industry, says a report in Financial Express. More investment in the space sector will lead to job creation and provide an added boost to research and development. This pact also gives Indian scientists access to state-of-the-art technology and research conducted by NASA and the International Space Station. India can now reach for the moon. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Enforcement Directorate has conducted more than a dozen raids across Mumbai in connection with an alleged scam of Rs 38 crore linked to COVID-19 jumbo centres. According to reports, authorities have retrieved documents relating to properties worth over Rs 100 crore, fixed deposits, investments and jewellery. But what do we know about the jumbo scam? Lets take a closer look: What happened? The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday raided 15 places including the Mumbai civic bodys Central Purchase Department in Byculla,the residence of businessman Sujit Patkar said to be a close friend of Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and sites connected to Indian Administrative Service officer Sanjeev Jaiswal and Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Suraj Chavan. This raid, carried out in connection with a money laundering case against Patkar, comes after the Mumbai Police in August registered a forgery case against Lifeline Hospital Management Services firm, Patkar, and his three partners. As per The Hindu, that case was filed on the basis of a complaint by BJPs Kirit Somaiya. Somaiya in his complaint alleged that Lifeline Hospital Management Services, Patkar, and his three partners, received contracts from the BMC to manage COVID-19 centres during the pandemic which caused a Rs 38 crore loss to the BMC. Somaiya claimed LMHS was awarded the contract despite not having any experience in the field and that it had been blacklisted by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority which it hid from the BMC. The ED registered a case to investigate the money laundering angle based on the FIR at the Azad Maidan police station in south Mumbai. According to the FIR the hospital management firm partners in June 2020 submitted an alleged fake partnership deed to the BMC and obtained contracts of jumbo COVID-19 centres at NSEL, Worli, Mulund, Dahisar (in Mumbai) and Pune without having any experience in the medical field. After verification it was found that staffers and doctors at these COVID-19 centres did not have medical certificates and allegedly failed to provide proper treatment due to which people suffered, the FIR added. An official told PTI Jaiswal had been summoned for questioning at the ED office situated at Ballard Estate, but he did not appear. Chavan and a few others whose premises were raided have been summoned on Monday and the next few days for questioning, the official added. What did they find? News18 reported that documents relating to properties valued at Rs 150 crore across Maharashtra, fixed deposits and investments worth Rs 15 crore and jewellery estimated at Rs 2.5 crore were recovered along with mobile phones and laptops. Officials told News18 the first company was selling body bags to a second company for Rs 2,000 which in turn was giving the same body bags to the Central Procurement Department for Rs 6,800. A source told Indian Express that medicine including Remdesivir was bought at a 25 to 30 per cent premium over market price. The source added that the purchases continued to be made at the insistence of senior BMC officials despite such irregularities being pointed out. The investigation also showed around 60 to 65 per cent fewer doctors and medical staff worked at the Lifeline Jumbo Covid Centre than were bills made out to the BMC. The company allegedly falsely used the names of 200 doctors to misappropriate funds. The ED has spoken to these doctors via email and taken their statements, as per Indian Express. The doctors have told the ED they worked for the BMC for a few weeks, but their names were used for an entire years worth of bills. The ED has discovered transactions and records that indicate transactions worth Rs 20 crore. News18 reported that the contract was signed by then Mayor Kishori Pednekar who is likely to be summoned by the ED. According to Business Today, officials found an agreement between Patkar and the BMC during the raid on his home. Rs 38 crore was deposited into Patkars account as per the agreement, the report stated. According to Indian Express, Jaiswal has claimed he is being made a patsy. He has alleged that senior bureaucrats and civic officials were involved, but that he is being singled out. He also added that the properties under the scanner of the ED are ancestral properties. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had earlier this week announced the setting up of an SIT, headed by Mumbai police commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, to investigate the case. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has alleged that the scam is worth more than Rs 100 crore. The Mumbai Polices Economic Offences Wing (EOW), however, has pegged it at Rs 38 crore. In January, BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal appeared before the ED in connection with alleged irregularities in award of contracts for the health facilities during the pandemic. Allegations fly fast and furious According to Free Press Journal, Sena spokesperson Kiran Pawaskar accused the Shiv Sena (UBT) of looting the public while citizens of Mumbai were dying during the pandemic. For the last 24 years, they have only looted the BMC. Despite them being in power for such a long time, the citys infrastructure continued to deteriorate. Even during Covid when people were dying and struggling to get medicines, these people were shamelessly making money over dead bodies. And today, when an inquiry is being conducted they are saying this is being done out of political vendetta. So you want to continue looting the public and no one should question you? Pawaskar was quoted as saying by the outlet. Pawaskar took aim at Chavan and Patkar. Who is this Suraj Chavan, even when he was not eligible to pay Income Tax for so many years, how has he amassed so much wealth? Who was he collecting the money for? Pawaskar queried. Contracts were given to Sujit Patkar for setting up a Jumbo Covid Centre. What are his credentials? It is just that he is Sanjay Rauts friend? Why shouldnt such arbitrary decisions be questioned? alleged Pawaskar. According to The Hindu, Maharashtra deputy chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged the raids but said he was unaware about the specifics. He, however, did claim that there had been various scams at COVID-19 centres which had been turned over to companies who did not have the relevant experience and that peoples lives had been placed in peril. Sena UBT hits back at Shinde Raut on Friday accused Chief Minister Eknath Shindes family of being involved in scams at COVID-19 centres in Thane and Kalyan-Dombivali. Everybody knows who was controlling the Covid centres in Thane and Kalyan-Dombivli municipal corporations. Those sitting on Varsha (official residence of CM) were involved in it. Family members of CM Shinde were taking 40% commission on various purchases related to Covid centres. They had withdrawn crores of rupees by submitting fake bills from suppliers. They submitted the fake bills for oxygen purchase amounting to around 6 crore, Raut was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday claimed said the Eknath Shinde government in Maharashtra was scared and fighting like cowards. His party was fighting for democracy in the country which was leading to such retaliatory action by probe agencies of the Union and state governments, the former state minister told reporters. Action against his close aides was prompted by the morcha (protest march) announced for 1 July by the Shiv Sena (UBT) against alleged corruption in the BMC, Thackeray claimed. The government is very scared and they are fighting like cowards by using Central agencies. If you want to fight, we are ready to face the polls, but then they have to come to the battlefield. The country and the world are watching that democracy has been murdered in the state, Thackeray said. He also visited Suraj Chavan during the day. But Shinde group leader Deepak Kesarkar hit back at Raut. If Sanjay Raut has any proof of a scam, he should submit them with a complaint. TMC and KDMC set up Covid centres in record time and a company related to Raut was involved in corruption in every purchase, Kesarkar was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. As many as 32 leaders from myriad Opposition parties met in Patna today (23 June) to hammer out a strategy to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming 2024 general elections. After the nearly four-hour-long huddle, West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee announced that all the parties who attended the meeting will fight the Lok Sabha elections unitedly. In a joint press conference following the meet, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Opposition leaders will meet again sometime next month in Himachal Pradeshs Shimla to further discuss the formation of the anti-BJP front. We have decided to prepare a common agenda and will take decisions in the next meeting on how to move forward, he said, as per The Hindu. We will have to evolve separate plans for every state and we will work together to dethrone the BJP at the Centre. Which leaders were present at the Opposition meet and what did they say about the gathering? How did the BJP react? Lets take a closer look. 15 parties attend joint Opposition meet Around 15 Opposition parties, including the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), met at Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars residence in Patna for the meeting. As per Indian Express, besides Kharge, the TMC supremo and Janata Dal (United)s Nitish, the other leaders present at the conclave included: Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin and TR Baalu from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK); Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal; Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule and Praful Patel; Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, Raghav Chaddha and Sanjay Singh from the AAP; Rashtriya Janata Dals (RJD) Lalu Prasad Yadav, Sanjay Jha and Tejashwi Yadav; Jharkhand chief minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren; Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray); TMCs Abhishek Banerjee, Derek OBrien and Firhad Hakim; Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, CPIM leader Sitaram Yechury; Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) leader Omar Abdullah; Peoples Democratic Partys Mehbooba Mufti (PDP); D Raja from CPI; Dipankar Bhattacharya from the CPIML; and JDUs Lalan Singh. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary skipped the conclave saying he had a pre-decided family programme. What did Opposition leaders say? According to News18 sources, there were no discussions about seat sharing between the parties. However, Nitish Kumar told reporters at the joint press conference that the details regarding seat sharing and party-wise split will be finalised in the Shimla meeting, reported NDTV. Addressing the joint presser, Rahul Gandhi, who recently returned from the United States, said that despite the difference between the parties, they will work to protect our ideology. It is a fight of ideologies. We may have some differences but have decided to work together with flexibility to protect our ideology. This is a process, and we will keep it going, the former Congress MP added. Referring to the 1974 Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) movement in Bihar, the West Bengal chief minister said: What starts from Patna becomes a jan andolan (public movement). Three things have been resolved We are united, we will fight unitedly, and our fight shouldnt be branded as the Oppositions fight but rather a fight against BJPs dictatorship and their black laws and fight their political vendetta, NDTV quoted her as saying. Talking to the reporters, Banerjee warned: If this dictatorial government returns this time, there will be no elections in future. Hitting out at the BJP, she added, We are united, we will fight unitedly. Do not call us the Opposition, we are patriotic and we love Bharat Mata. We also feel pain when Manipur burns. The BJP is running a government dictatorially. Let our blood flow, if need be. But we will protect our peopleBJP wants history to be changed, but history will be saved from Bihar, the TMC chief was quoted as saying by NDTV. #WATCH | Patna, Bihar: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee during the joint opposition meeting said We are united, we will fight unitedlyThe history started from here, BJP wants that history should be changed. And we want history should be saved from Bihar. Our objective is to speak pic.twitter.com/BB2qLgbApP ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 PDPs Mufti said the things that happened in Jammu and Kashmir are now spreading to the rest of India. The way people are being treated, especially the minorities, we dont want Gandhis nation to turn into Godses, the former J&K chief minister said, as per NDTV. Calling BJPs nine-year rule at the Centre disastrous for the nation, CPIs D Raja said: We have to reclaim the Republic. We are of the strong view that BJP has to be defeated. Uddhav said that the Opposition parties have decided to defend India against anyone who tries to attack the democratic values, as per NDTV. AAPs condition The AAP has thrown a googly to the Congress and said it would be very difficult for it to be a part of an alliance until the Grand Old Party denounces the Centres services ordinance in Delhi. After the meeting, the AAP released a statement calling for Congress support against the Ordinance. Congress hesitation and refusal to act as a team player, especially on an issue as important as this one, would make it very difficult for the AAP to be a part of any alliance that includes Congress. Until the Congress publicly denounces the Black Ordinance and declares that all 31 of its RS MPs will oppose the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha, it will be difficult for AAP to participate in future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant, Indian Express cited the AAP statement as saying. Notably, Kejriwal was not present at the joint press conference of the Opposition leaders. Before the meeting, Kharge had told mediapersons that the Congress will take a call on supporting AAP against the Centres ordinance ahead of the next Parliament session. We all want to fight together against BJP and our agenda is to remove the BJP government. #WATCH | We all want to fight together against BJP and our agenda is to remove the BJP govt We will take a decision on this (on supporting AAP against the Centres ordinance) before the Parliament session, says Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as he leaves for the pic.twitter.com/ew2Qzs2Vfq ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 BJPs attack The BJP trained its guns at the Opposition meet, with Union home minister Amit Shah calling it a photo session. Today, a photo session is underway in Patna. All opposition leaders are gathering in one place. They want to send the message that they will challenge the NDA, BJP and PM (Narendra) Modi. I want to tell them that join as many hands as you want, your unity is never going to be a possibility, the BJP leader said at a public rally in Jammu, as per Indian Express. If you get united, come before the voters, it is already decided that Modi will become prime minister in 2024 by winning more than 300 seats, the home minister announced. BJP MP Sushil Modi called the Opposition gathering in Patna a gathbandhan (coalition) of thugs. Sitting together for tea does not mean that the opposition is united, Modi said. This is a Gathbandhan of Thugs. They are preparing to fool the country. They have no principle or policy and all are involved in corruption, he alleged. Taking a dig at the JDU and other Opposition parties, Union minister Smriti Irani said that it is ironic that some of the leaders who saw the murder of democracy during the Emergency are now coming together with the Congress in Patna. Power has moved from the palace to the people. Thats why people who take pride in their political legacy now have to go to those whom they had put behind bars during the Emergency, she said, as per Indian Express. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis alleged the Opposition huddle was not to overthrow the Narendra Modi government at the Centre but to save their own political dynasties. They have said the meeting is for Modi Hatao (remove Modi), but they are working to protect their dynasties. Uddhav Thackeray used to criticise us for joining hands with (PDP leader) Mehbooba Mufti in Kashmir. Now he is sitting next to Mehbooba Mufti and talking about forming an alliance, he was quoted as saying by PTI. Terming the Oppositions 2019 attempt to join forces against the BJP as futile, he claimed people will give a bigger mandate to the BJP in 2024. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Titanic submersible, which went on an expedition to the infamous shipwreck in the Atlantic Ocean, met a tragic end. The vessel called Titan vanished on Sunday and after days of frantic search operations, the United States Coast Guardi said that it suffered a catastrophic implosion killing all five people on board. As the clock ticked, the hope of finding the pilot and the passengers alive diminished. Early Thursday, the submersibles 96-hour supply of oxygen was expected to run out after the launch on Sunday. The Coast Guard announced that debris had been found roughly 1,600 feet (488 metres) from the Titanic in North Atlantic waters. This was a catastrophic implosion of the vessel, said Rear Adm John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District. What happened to the Titan? The Titanic-bound vessel imploded sometime this week but it is not clear when or where. This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there on the sea floor and the debris is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel, Mauger told reporters. After the watercraft was reported missing, the US Navy went back and analysed its acoustic data and found an anomaly that was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost, a senior navy official told The Associated Press on Thursday. A remote-operated vehicle found five different major pieces of debris from the Titan, according to Paul Hankins, the US Navys director of salvage operations and ocean engineering. The tail cone, one end of the pressure hull, and other debris were found about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic, deep in the North Atlantic and about 900 east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The discovered objects included five different major pieces of debris that identified the materials as consistent with the Titan, Hankin told the media. Also read: Was the Titanic submersible safe for diving expeditions? What could have caused the implosion? On Sunday, the Titan set off from its mothership Polar Prince and dived towards the remains of the Titanic. About an hour and 45 minutes into the expedition, all communication with the vessel broke down. At this time, the submersible was probably close to the bottom of its dive. The Titanic wreck lies some 3,800 metres below the surface of the sea. The Titan can travel up to 4000 metres below the sea leave, OceanGate, the company that hosts expedition, said on its website. At that depth, any object faces water pressure that is 300 times the atmospheric pressure on the Earths surface. The submersible was designed to survive this pressure with two strong titanium domes at either end of the hull linked by a five-inch-thick cylinder of carbon fibre, reports The Independent. The vessel underwent rigorous safety checks before the dive. The Titan had a real-time hull monitoring system that was equipped to detect any cracks, deformation or other faults quickly, giving the crew enough time to attempt an emergency descent. But at such depths in the ocean, there is very little room for error. If even one part of the hull fails and lets in water, the pressure would be so great, and the velocity of the incoming liquid so fast, that the sub and its occupants might be torn apart in mere milliseconds, monitoring system or not, The Independent report says. Although the Titans composite hull was built to withstand intense deep-sea pressures, any defect in its shape or build could lead to an implosion. A disaster could occur if any part of the submersibles carbon fibre and titanium hull has suffered a small crack or fault. Stefan Williams, a professor of marine robotics at the University of Sydney, wrote in The Conversation in a blog post on Tuesday, a fault or failure in the hull of the Titan could have led to an implosion, as the vessel gave way to the high pressure of the deep sea. Also read: True Explorers: The five men who died on the missing Titanic tourist submersible Oceanographer Bob Ballard told ABC News that the implosion of a submersible delivers immense force. I dont think people can appreciate the amazing energy involved in the destructive process of an implosion. It just takes out and literally shreds everything, he said. Its extremely powerful. According to Dr David Gallo, a senior adviser with RMS Titanic Inc, something happened mid-water. On Wednesday, he said that an implosion was likely. The worst-case scenario is probably a collapse, a catastrophic implosion of the sub itself which would be horrific. Theres no coming back from that. I would have to say that has got to be the number one option here which is unpleasant to think about. I dont know how else you can disappear that quickly, he told Sky News. What happens next? OceanGate issued a statement saying there were no survivors among the five men aboard the Titan, including the companys founder and chief executive officer, Stockton Rush, who was piloting the Titan. The four others were British billionaire and explorer Hamish Harding, 58; Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son, Suleman, both British citizens; and French oceanographer and renowned Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, who had visited the wreck dozens of times. These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans, the company said. Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time. The Coast Guard will continue searching near the Titanic for more clues about what happened to the Titan. Officials say there isnt a timeframe for when they will call off the massive international search. The investigation into what happened was already underway and would continue in the area around Titanic where debris from the submersible was found, said Mauger. I know there are also a lot of questions about how, why and when did this happen. Those are questions we will collect as much information as we can about now, Mauger said, adding that it was a complex case that happened in a remote part of the ocean and involved people from several different countries. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. On Sunday, an adventurous mission ended in disaster when the submersible vanished less than two hours after setting out on its journey, hauntingly reviving memories and accounts of the Titanic ship sinking. The RMS Titanic sank in 1912, killing over 1,500 people. The maritime accident was the deadliest ship sinking and continues to be the worst cruise ship sinking ever to occur during peacetime. After embarking on a 22-foot submersible trip to view the Titanic ruins in the North Atlantic Ocean, five menincluding one teenagerare currently presumed to have died. OceanGate, the company that organised the trip on the Titan submersible to the Titanic, announced on Thursday that all of the crew members including its founder and CEO who served as the missions pilot were lost at sea. Additionally, the US Coast Guard reported that wreckage from the ship had been discovered on the ocean floor, consistent with catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber, as per USA Today. The passengers were well known for their zeal for extreme adventure, desire for collecting Titanic artefacts, or extravagant wealth. Each passenger aboard the submersible paid $250,000 to ride. According to the Coast Guard, the mends families were informed of their deaths. 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, OceanGate said in a statement yesterday. In a press conference, US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger said he was unsure as to whether the agency will be able to recover the dead. This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there on the seafloor, he said. The following individuals boarded the submersible: Also read: Titanic tourist submersible goes missing: Why it is difficult to find the vanished vessel OceanGates CEO Stockton Rush Although his background was in aerospace and technology, Stockton Rush founded OceanGate Inc. in 2009 to provide crewed submersibles for undersea researchers and explorers, according to the companys website. He was also the co-founder of the non-profit organisation OceanGate Foundation, which aims to catalyse emerging marine technology to further discoveries in marine science, history, and archaeology, 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. Rush was the Titans pilot, according to the company spokesperson Andrew Von Kerens. The ocean is taking this thing, and we need to document it before it all disappears or becomes unrecognisable, Rush told The Associated Press in 2021. Last year at a conference in Seattle, he said, One of the reasons I started the business was because I didnt understand why we were spending 1,000 times as much money to explore space as we were to explore the oceans. There is no private access to the deep ocean, and yet theres all this life to be discovered. 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. Notably, 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 McDonnell Douglas Corp. in 1984 as a flight test engineer. Over the past 20 years, he oversaw the development of multiple successful IP ventures. Before graduating from Princeton University with a degree in aerospace engineering in 1984 and obtaining a masters degree in business administration from the University of California in 1989, Rush had obtained his captains rating at the United Airlines Jet Training Institute. He went on to oversee business ventures that included serving on the board of Seattles BlueView Technologies and as chairman of Remote Control Technology. There is a need for improvements in research submersibles, according to Greg Stone, a close friend of Rush and the former executive vice president and chief scientist for Conservation International. Thats the direction he was going in. And I liked where he was going, Stone said, adding that Rush had the problem that a lot of frontier people have. And that is he was ahead of the regulations. Furthermore, in 1986, he married Wendy Hollings Weil, a licensed pilot, substitute teacher and account manager for magazine publishing consultants. She became the director of communications for OceanGate. Wendys grandfather, Richard Weil Jr., was president of Macys New York, and she was the great-great-granddaughter of the retailing magnate Isidor Straus and his wife, Ida, two of the wealthiest people to die when the Titanic sank. Isidor Straus was a co-owner of Macys. Survivors of the Titanic recalled seeing Isidor Straus refuse a seat on a lifeboat when women and children were still waiting to flee the sinking liner. Ida Straus, his wife of four decades, declared that she would not leave her husband, and the two were seen standing arm in arm on the Titanics deck as the ship went down. Also read: Whats the Titanic sub, which charges Rs 2.02 cr for expedition, that has vanished? British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding With a residence in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Hamish Harding, 58, served as chairman of Action Aviation, an organisation that brokers aeroplanes. The billionaire adventurer held three Guinness World Records related to his explorations by plane and into the deep ocean. 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. In a Facebook post on Saturday, Harding said he was proud to be part of the mission. According to The New York Times, Harding wrote on Facebook a day before the Titan voyage, 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. We started steaming from St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada yesterday and are planning to start dive operations around 4 am tomorrow morning. Until then we have a lot of preparations and briefings to do. The Explorers Club president Richard Garriott de Cayoux wrote a letter to fellow explorers on Twitter on Thursday to express his sorrow over the passing of his pals Harding and Paul-Henry Nargeolet. They were both drawn to explore, like so many of us and did so in the name of meaningful science for the betterment of mankind. Their memories will be a blessing and will continue to inspire us in the name of exploration, he wrote. French maritime and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet Paul Henri-Nargeolet, 73, served as the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic, Inc. and E/M Group. According to the website of EMGroup, the former French navy officer successfully dove in a submersible into the Titanic debris 37 times and supervised the recovery of 5,000 artefacts. The website also claims that he is widely considered the leading authority on the wreck site. The company said in a statement on Thursday, The maritime world has lost an iconic and inspirational leader in deep-sea exploration, and we have lost a dear and treasured friend. P.H. was born in Chamonix, France, and after spending 13 years there with his family, returned to France at the age of 16 to finish his education in Paris. Later, he enlisted in the French Navy, where he served for 22 years and rose through the ranks to the position of Commander, according to the corporate website. Nargeolet was the expedition leader on the most technologically advanced dive to the Titanic in 2010, which used high-resolution sonar and 3D optical imaging on the Titanics 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. According to David Mearns, a dive expert, Harding is a terrific character, while Nargeolet is almost a legend really in the field of deep-sea exploration, BBC reported. Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood Shahzada Dawood was the vice chair of Engro Corp., a business conglomerate headquartered in Pakistan in the southern port city of Karachi that is involved in agriculture, energy and telecommunications. His family is known as one of the wealthiest business families in the country. Dawoods work focused on renewable energy and technology, according to a statement from his family. He was on the board of trustees for the Dawood Foundation, an education nonprofit, and on the board of the SETI Institute, a non-profit research organisation. The Dawoods lived in the UK, according to SETI. The British Pakistani businessman was also a member of the Global Advisory Board at the Princes Trust International, founded by Britains King Charles III to address youth unemployment. He studied law as an undergraduate student at Buckingham University in Britain and later received a masters in global textile marketing from Philadelphia University, which is now part of Thomas Jefferson University. In 2012, Dawood was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. He had more than 20 years of experience in corporate governance and the transformation of industries, including growth and innovation opportunities through mergers and acquisitions of diversified public-listed companies across textiles, fertilisers, foods, and energy, according to his profile on the website of the World Economic Forum. He aspires to a sustainable future and believes in inclusive business models involving low-income communities building value chains along business interests, the profile says. He is survived by his wife, Christine Dawood, and his daughter, Alia. Suleman Dawood Suleman Dawood, 19, was a business student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, and had just completed his first year, according to a spokesperson for the school. Like his father, he was a fan of science fiction books and also enjoyed solving Rubiks Cubes and playing volleyball, according to a statement from Engro. In his role at Engro, Dawood advocated a culture of learning, sustainability and diversity, according to the company statement. He was also involved in his familys charitable ventures, including the Engro Foundation, which supports small-scale farmers, and the Dawood Foundation, an education-focused nonprofit. The relationship between Shahzada and Suleman was a joy to behold; they were each others greatest supporters and cherished a shared passion for adventure and exploration of all the world had to offer them. This unwavering curiosity built the foundation for a close friendship between the two, according to a statement from the Dawood family. The elder sister of Shahzada Dawood, Azmeh Dawood told NBC News that she was absolutely heartbroken over the fatalities. 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, she said, She continued by saying that one of their relatives heard her nephew Suleman say he was terrified about the trip. Suleman went on the trip with his father, she told NBC News, since it was important to his Titanic-obsessed father. According to reports, Suleman expressed anxiety to his family members about the tour and said he wasnt very up for it. The CEO of the SETI Institute, Bill Diamond, shared the deaths of Dawood and his son in a message to the friends, followers, and community of the SETI Institute on Thursday. Shahzada was passionately curious and an enthusiastic supporter of the SETI Institute and our mission, being directly involved in philanthropic programs in education, research and public outreach. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, especially his fellow Trustees and the leadership of the SETI Institute, said Diamond. Condolences poured in from Pakistans Foreign Ministry, government officials, friends and ordinary Pakistanis. Pakistani TV stations halted their routine broadcasts and shared the news. Salman Sufi, an adviser to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, wrote on Twitter: Very sad and unfortunate news. Prayers for the families of deceased. Mr Dawood and family are in our prayers. With inputs from The New York Times and The Associated Press Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Aam Aadmi Party has announced that it will not join any future Opposition unity parties until Congress publicly opposes the Centres ordinance to control administrative services in Delhi. It further said that the grand old party needs to decide whether it backs the people of Delhi or the Modi government. Senior leaders of Opposition parties held discussions on Friday to chart out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting was hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD. As the host, Kumar presided over the meeting attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, among others. Following the meeting in Patna, which was attended by Arvind Kejriwal and Punjabs chief minister Bhagwat Mann, AAP said that barring Congress, all other 11 parties have clearly expressed their stand against the Centres ordinance on the control of services in Delhi. Notably, the AAP leaders left before the Opposition party leaders held a joint press conference. The party added that Congress, a national party that takes a stand on almost all issues, has yet to make its position on the Black Ordinance public and that the Congress Delhi and Punjab units have announced that the party should support the Modi government on this issue. It accused Congress of not acting as a team player. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that there is a war of ideology going on in India between the Congress party and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Addressing the party workers at the Bihar State Congress office, Gandhi said that on one hand, there is the Congress Bharat Jodo ideology and on the other the BJP and RSS Bharat Todo ideology. You know that hate cannot be countered with hate. It can be defeated only with love. The Congress is working for uniting the country and spreading love, he said. All Opposition parties have come here and together we are going to defeat the BJP, the former Congress chief said, adding, In Karnataka, the BJP leaders gave speeches and went everywhere but the result is there for you to see, he added. As soon as the Congress stood united, the BJP disappeared in Karnataka. I am saying it from this stage that the BJP will be nowhere in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and the Congress will win, Gandhi claimed. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress leader KC Venugopal were also present at the party office ahead of the Opposition leaders meeting. There is a war of ideology going on in India. On one side is the Congress partys Bharat Jodo ideology and on the other RSS and BJPs Bharat Todo ideology. Congress partys DNA is in Bihar, Rahul Gandhi said to party workers in Bihars Patna. BJP is working to spread hate, violence and break the country. We are working to spread love and unite, he added. Ahead of the Oppositions party meeting, Rahul said Opposition parties have come here today and together we will defeat BJP. Hitting out at BJP and he said we will win Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan and BJP will be nowhere to be seen. We will win because we stand with the poor. Earlier today, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge arrived in Bihars Patna to attend the Opposition leaders meeting hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, with an aim to arrive at a consensus to forge a united Opposition front to take on the BJP. While addressing the party workers Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that if the party wins in Bihar they can win across the country. If we win Bihar, then we can win across the country, Kharge said while addressing the party workers in Patna. He also appealed to the people to unite and work in favour of the country and its democracy. I appeal to you to come together despite differences and work in favour of the country and its democracy. We must take forward what Rahul Gandhi has started, he said. Leaders of Opposition parties from across the country are set to meet in Patna to chalk out a strategy to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. As leaders of several opposition parties arrived in Patna on Thursday, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary decided to skip the conclave due to a pre-decided family program. Chaudhary, however, hoped the meeting will be an important milestone in the path of opposition unity. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti were among the leaders who reached Patna ahead of the meeting. On her arrival in Patna, Mamata Banerjee called on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch and former Bihar CM Lalu Yadav and his son and state Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. The Opposition picked Patna as a venue for its meeting as it represents the 1974 call of total revolution by Jayaprakash Narayan that toppled Indira Gandhis majority government. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Deriding the opposition parties efforts to forge a front against the BJP, Senior party leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani said the Congress was seeking the support of other parties because it was incapable of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Top leaders of Opposition parties went into a huddle in Patna on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for next years general elections. The meeting was hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD. They have sent out a message that they are unable of taking on Modi on their own, she claimed. I want to especially express gratitude to the Congress for openly announcing that it is incapable of defeating Modi alone. It needs support. Power has moved from the palace to the people, she added. Thats why people who take pride in their political legacy now have to go to those whom they had put behind bars during Emergency, Irani said. In a veiled attack on Bihar Chief Minister Kumar, she referred to the recent bridge collapse over the Ganga in the states Bhagalpur district, and asked, What kind of democratic bridge will they make who cannot even build a bridge. People are becoming alert about those who could not come together on development issues but now adopting the blackmail route, Irani said Leaders of Opposition parties from across the country are set to meet in Patna to chalk out a strategy to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. As leaders of several opposition parties arrived in Patna on Thursday, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary decided to skip the conclave due to a pre-decided family program. Chaudhary, however, hoped the meeting will be an important milestone in the path of opposition unity. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti were among the leaders who reached Patna ahead of the meeting. On her arrival in Patna, Mamata Banerjee called on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch and former Bihar CM Lalu Yadav and his son and state Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. The Opposition picked Patna as a venue for its meeting as it represents the 1974 call of total revolution by Jayaprakash Narayan that toppled Indira Gandhis majority government. With inputs from PTI Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Opposition parties leaders have agreed to contest the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha elections together, but will hold one more meeting in July in Himachal Pradeshs Shimla to finalise the details, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, who was the host of Opposition meeting of 17 parties, said. After the four-hour-long meeting, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, We have to fight the elections together in 2024. We have decided to throw out the BJP and are confident of forming the next government. We will meet again in July in Shimla to prepare an agenda on how to move ahead together while working in our respective states to fight BJP in 2024, the Congress president added. Agenda of Opposition party July meeting Kharge said the next meeting of opposition would tentatively be held on July 10 or 12, which will deliberate the strategy for all states. Meanwhile, Kumar said details including seat sharing and party-wise split will be finalised in the Shimla meeting. During the meeting, the Bihar CM alleged, We [opposition leaders] have come together in national interest; those in power at Centre are against national interest, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said after opposition meet in Patna. Tussle between AAP and Congress Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) got into a tussle with Congress after the grand old party refused to oppose Centres black ordinance that effectively gives the lieutenant governor control over administrative services in Delhi. AAP said Congress silence raises suspicions about its real intentions. Its high time that Congress decides whether it stands with the people of Delhi or the Modi government. Today, during the like-minded party meeting in Patna, many parties urged the Congress to publicly denounce the Black Ordinance. However, the Congress refused to do so, AAP said in a statement. In personal discussions, senior Congress leaders have hinted that their party might informally or formally abstain from voting on it in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress abstention from voting on this issue will help the BJP immensely in furthering its attack on Indian democracy, it added. AAP further said a total of 15 parties attended the like-minded party meeting in Patna, out of which 12 have representation in the Rajya Sabha. Except for the Indian National Congress, all other 11 parties, which have representation in the Rajya Sabha, have clearly expressed their stand against the Black Ordinance and announced that they would oppose it in the Rajya Sabha, the Kejriwal-led party said. The Congress, a national party that takes a stand on almost all issues, has yet to make its position on the Black Ordinance public. Congress silence raises suspicions about its real intentions, AAP said. Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal was absent from the joint press conference held after the opposition parties meeting. Kumar claimed that Kejriwal and Tamil Nadu CM and DMK head MK Stalin claimed they left because they had to rush to their flights back. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Indias foundation was under attack. He said the Opposition would work together with flexibility and safeguard the common ideological values. Dont call us Opposition West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress head Mamata Banerjee, at the press conference after the meeting, said, What starts in Patna turns into a mass movement. She said, Dont call us Opposition. We are also the citizen of the country. She went on to say that if BJP won the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, there would be no election in the country. Banerjee further said, The opposition parties had three points of focus first we are untied, second, to fight together, third the Shimla meeting, adding that the opposition would counter BJPs agenda together. Patna meeting a good start Former chief minister of Maharashtra said, I dont consider myself as Opposition. However, well all oppose anyone who would attack the democratic values of the country and try to establish a dictatorship. He further said the Patna meeting was a good start, adding he believed that everything goes well when it begins well. Lord Hanuman was with the Opposition in Karnataka Addressing a press conference after the Opposition meeting, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav said, Lord Hanuman thrashed BJP with his mace in Karnataka, made Rahul win. He said lord Hanuman was with the Opposition. It is certain that BJP will face massive defeat in the upcoming polls. Not fight for power Former CM of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah said, From Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari, every like-minded party participated in the meeting. It is not the fight for power but for values and ideology. It was nice to hear the prime minister speaking about democracy in the White House. However, its regrettable that what could have been the reason that there was no democracy in Jammu and Kashmir? With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The story of a man from Nagpur, who looked pregnant due to his huge belly has shocked the nation. It turns out that the man actually had his twin sibling living inside him for 36 years, in a rare condition known as fetus in fetu. However, Sanju Bhagat, though a part of a rare condition, is not the only one. What is fetus in fetu? Fetus in fetu is a rare development abnormality in which a mass of tissue resembling a fetus forms inside the body of its twin. The first case of fetus in fetu was described as early as 1808 by George William Young. Sanju Bhagat is not the only one While Sanju Bhagats case in indeed shocking, with an almost full grown human being retrieved from his body, the pregnant man is not the only person to be afflicted by the condition. Back in 2020, as per a report in Science Direct Magazine, a girl from Bangladesh too was afflicted with the same condition. A nine-year-old girl came to doctors with abdominal pain and distension, which she had been suffering for about four years. There was a lump in her abdominal region, which apparently was increasing in size for the last 20 days before she was brought to the hospital. On inspection she was found to have a fetus in fetu condition and after incision, a large fetus was found inside her abdominal region with two lower limbs including toes and nails. Similarly, in 2021, two conditions were found in North Africa. The first case was for a 10-year-old girl that presented with anemia and abdominal mass, while the second case was for a 4-month-old boy that was diagnosed by ultrasound. In both cases, the patients had recognisable vertebrae, fetal organs and skin coverage. Another case in 2021 cropped up in which, as per a report in BMC Pediatrics, a year-old boy was hospitalised and was found to contain, within him a complete bony structure, replete with a hip bone and femur. In reality, fetus in fetu is an extremely rare condition in which malformed fetus is found most commonly inside a twin. It occurs in about 1 in 500,000 live births and less than 200 cases have been reported in medical literature. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. India has taken a big leap forward in space cooperation after joining the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all humankind, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Talking to reporters at the White House with President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Modi said By taking the decision to join the Artemis Accords, we have taken a big leap forward in our space cooperation. In fact, in short, for India and America partnership, even the sky is not the limit,. In a fact sheet, the White House said India has signed the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all humankind. Grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 (OST), the Artemis Accords are a non-binding set of principles designed to guide civil space exploration and use in the 21st century. It is an American-led effort to return humans to the moon by 2025, with the ultimate goal of expanding space exploration to Mars and beyond. According to a joint statement issued after the meetings at the White House, Biden and Modi set a course to reach new frontiers across all sectors of space cooperation. The leaders applauded our growing cooperation on earth and space science, and space technologies. They welcomed the decision of NASA and ISRO to develop a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation by the end of 2023, it said. The two leaders hailed the announcement by NASA to provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, with a goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024. The leaders celebrated the delivery of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite to ISROs U.R. Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru and looked forward to NISARs 2024 launch from India. Welcoming Indias Space Policy 2023, the leaders called for enhanced commercial collaboration between the US and Indian private sectors in the entire value chain of the space economy and to address export controls and facilitate technology transfer, it said. Biden deeply appreciated Indias signing of the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all humankind, it said. The White House said NASA will provide advanced training to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) astronauts with the goal of launching a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024. Additionally, NASA and the ISRO are developing a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation by the end of 2023, it said. India approved a USD 318 million investment to construct a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory in India that will work in tandem with similar facilities in the United States, Europe, and Japan to look for ripples in space-time, known as gravitational waves, that provide insights into the physical origins of the universe. Scientific payloads for the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) have been delivered to India and will be launched in 2024, and will measure Earths changing ecosystems like natural hazards and sea level rise. The US Geological Survey and ISRO are negotiating expanded bilateral data exchange that will enable greater insight about the earth, including for a range of applications, such as climate resiliency, sustainable development and management of natural resources, and disaster management support, it said. With inputs from PTI Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Four terrorists trying to infiltrate on Indian side from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were killed in Kala Jungle area of Machhal sector in Jammu and Kashmirs Kupwara district on Friday. The terrorists were gunned downed in a joint operation by the Indian Army and police. In a joint operation, Army and Police have killed four terrorists in Kala Jungle of Machhal sector in Kupwara who were trying to infiltrate to our side from POJK, Kashmir Zone police said. The encounter comes merely days after five terrorists were killed in an encounter with the security forces in the Kupwara region on 16. Around eight days ago, a major infiltration bid at Jumgund Keran close to the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kupwara was foiled by the security forces in a similar joint operation. On 13 June, a similar joint operation was carried in which two terrorists were killed near LoC in Dobanar area of Machil in Kupwara district. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Exchange of fire between armed miscreants and the Indian Army was reported in Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts in Manipur on Friday, sources said. Firing by armed miscreants in areas of Urangpat/Yaingangpokpi (YKPI) in Imphal East and Kangpokpi (in Manipur), informed by the Spear Corps (III Corps) of the Indian Army on Friday. / () & #Manipur Group of armed miscreants sneaked into the area from YKPI towards hill side today afternoon. pic.twitter.com/1E8WKZdGYj SpearCorps.IndianArmy (@Spearcorps) June 23, 2023 Group of armed miscreants sneaked into the area from YKPI towards the hillside, tweeted the Spear Corps. The armed miscreants opened fire from automatic weapons towards villages of Urangpat and Gwaltabi, it said. Security forces columns deployed in these vacant villages responding in a calibrated manner to avoid any collateral damage, it added. The Army further said that a large group of women, part of the mob in the YKPI and Seijang area prevented movement of additional columns into the area. A similar incident was also reported on Thursday as exchange unknown gunmen opened fire at North Boljang in Manipurs Imphal West district. The ethnic violence in Manipur broke out on May 3 after a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations. The Union home minister visited the state for four days last week as part of the confidence-building measures in the state and met all segments of society. The home minister has said peace and prosperity of Manipur are the governments top priority and instructed them to strictly deal with any activities that disturb the peace. With inputs from PTI Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Senior leaders of Opposition parties held discussions on Friday to chart out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting is being hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD. As the host, Kumar presided over the meeting flanked on either side by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad. Sources told PTI that more than 30 leaders of 15 Opposition parties participated in the meeting at the Bihar chief ministers 1, Aney Marg, residence here. The meeting was being seen as a starting point for the Opposition parties to come together to take on the Narendra Modi-led BJP, the sources said. Therefore, a basic outline and roadmap for Opposition unity are likely to be deliberated upon with the contentious issue of seat sharing and leadership questions to be avoided for now, they said. However, earlier today Union Minister Smriti Irani derided the opposition parties efforts to forge a front against the BJP, saying that the Congress was seeking the support of others because it was incapable of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (TMC), her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal and Punjabs Bhagwant Mann (AAP), Tamil Nadus M K Stalin (DMK), Jharkhands Hemant Soren (JMM), Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtras former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT), and NCP president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders attending the first high-level Opposition meeting. Leaders of the PDP, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) and the National Conference are also present at the meeting. Sharing visuals from the meeting, Kharge, in a tweet in Hindi, said, Protecting the Constitution and democracy is our sole responsibility. Our meeting to give a new direction to the country. A day before the crucial deliberations, fissures in the Opposition ranks came to the fore with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sources saying the party will walk out of the meeting if the Congress does not promise its support against the Centres ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi. Keeping cards close to its chest, the Congress has so far kept its stand ambiguous as to whether it would support the AAP or not when the ordinance is put to test in Parliament by the BJP-led Centre. Asked about the ordinance issue and AAPs ultimatum, Kharge, before leaving for Patna on Friday morning, said his party would take a decision on it before Parliaments Monsoon session and wondered why it was being talked about elsewhere when it was a matter that pertains to Parliament. Opposing or proposing it does not happen outside, it happens in Parliament. Before Parliament begins, all parties decide what issues they have to work on together. They know it and even their leaders come to our all-party meetings. I dont know why is there so much publicity about it outside, Kharge said. Ahead of the meeting, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while addressing party workers, said all Opposition parties are going to defeat the BJP in the 2024 general elections unitedly. Accusing the BJP of working to divide India and spread hate and violence, he asserted that a fight of ideologies is going on in India. On one hand, there is the Congress Bharat Jodo ideology and on the other, the BJP and RSS Bharat Todo thinking, Gandhi said addressing party workers and leaders at the party office in Patna. You know that hate cannot be countered with hate. It can be defeated only with love. The Congress is working for uniting the country and spreading love, he said, adding, That is why we have come to Bihar because the DNA of the Congress is in Bihar. All Opposition parties have come here and together we are going to defeat the BJP, Gandhi said. In Karnataka, the BJP leaders gave speeches and went everywhere but the result is there for all to see, the former Congress chief said. As soon as the Congress stood united, the BJP disappeared in Karnataka. I am saying it from this stage that the BJP will be nowhere in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and the Congress will win, Gandhi claimed. At the same event, Kharge urged party workers to set aside their differences and fight the 2024 general elections unitedly, asserting that if we win in Bihar, we will win the country. Before the meeting, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin dubbed the Opposition huddle a war cry against a fascist and autocratic regime. The Samajwadi Party is the only party from Uttar Pradesh attending the meeting with BSP supremo Mayawati not being invited and Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary skipping the conclave due to a family programme. Uttar Pradesh sends the maximum number of 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee, who arrived here on Thursday evening, met Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Yadav, former Bihar CM Rabri Devi and Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav earlier. Asked what will happen at the meeting, she told reporters outside Tejashwi Yadavs residence on Thursday, I cannot say anything now. We have come here as we will fight together, one-to-one (against the BJP). We will fight together like a family. With inputs from PTI Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Hours after Opposition leaders met in Patna to chart out plans to defeat BJP together in 2024, Union Minister Smriti Irani thanked Congress for making the meeting a reality by realising that it cannot defeat BJP alone. It is ridiculous that leaders who saw the murder of democracy during the Emergency are today coming together under the leadership of the Congress. It is also ridiculous that these people are coming together sending the message to the country that they cannot fight Modiji alone. I want to thank the Congress for making this public that the Congress cant defeat PM Modi alone and they need help, Irani said. She added, No one can stop Narendra Modi from becoming the Prime Minister in 2024. This alliance of selfishness is targeting India. Whenever these political parties came together, they brought along corruption and familyism. VIDEO | No one can stop Narendra Modi from becoming the Prime Minister in 2024. This alliance of selfishness is targeting India. Whenever these political parties came together, they brought along corruption and familyism, says Union Minister Smriti Irani on Patna opposition pic.twitter.com/VpIcfo9JXQ Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 23, 2023 Senior leaders of Opposition parties held discussions on Friday to chart out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting was hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD. As the host, Kumar presided over the meeting attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, among others. Photo session in Patna Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the Opposition meeting as a photo session on Friday. No matter how many parties come for the meeting, they can never unite, Shah said while addressing a public meeting in Jammu. Today a photo session is underway in Patna. They (the opposition) want to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NDA. I want to tell them that PM Modi will form his government in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls with more than 300 seats, he added. Bunch of unsatisfied people BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said, They dont have a common ideology, they are just a bunch of unsatisfied people who gathered here (Patna) today against PM Modi. VIDEO | They dont have a common ideology, they are just a bunch of unsatisfied people who gathered here (Patna) today against PM Modi, says BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain on Patna opposition meeting.#OppositionMeeting pic.twitter.com/AIJo9H20Y1 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 23, 2023 Meanwhile, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal referred to AAPs disappointment over Congress for not rejecting the centers ordinance. He said, AAP is insisting on Congress to clear its stand on Ordinance issue, they are not clearing their stand. I cannot see any unity in them (opposition parties). Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Slamming the Oppositions unity meeting in Patna as a photo session, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will return to power in 2024 by securing over 300 seats. No matter how many parties come for the meeting, they can never unite, Shah said while addressing a public meeting in Jammu on Friday. Today a photo session is underway in Patna. They (the opposition) want to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NDA. I want to tell them that PM Modi will form his government in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls with more than 300 seats, he added. Opposition leaders meeting Senior leaders of Opposition parties held discussions on Friday to chart out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting was hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD. As the host, Kumar presided over the meeting attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, among others. #WATCH | Opposition leaders meeting to chalk out a joint strategy to take on BJP in next years Lok Sabha elections, underway in Bihars Patna More than 15 opposition parties are attending the meeting. pic.twitter.com/d9qRfvOdVj ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 Sources told PTI that more than 30 leaders of 15 Opposition parties participated in the meeting at the Bihar chief ministers 1, Aney Marg, residence here. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (TMC), her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal and Punjabs Bhagwant Mann (AAP), Tamil Nadus M K Stalin (DMK), Jharkhands Hemant Soren (JMM), Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtras former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT), and NCP president Sharad Pawar were among the leaders attending the first high-level Opposition meeting. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined the significance of women in the body-politic of India, referring to the fact that the Head of State of India is a woman from a humble background. PM Modi, during his address to a joint session of the US Congress, lauded Murmu for rising through the ranks to become Indias 15th President despite hailing from a tribal background. today in modern India, women are leading us to a better future. Indias vision is not just of development that benefits women. It is of women-led development where women lead the journey of progress. A woman has risen from a humble tribal background to be our Head of State, PM Modi said during his address to a joint session of the US Congress. #WATCH | today in modern India, women are leading us to a better future. Indias vision is not just of development that benefits women. It is of women-led development where women lead the journey of progress. A woman has risen from a humble tribal background to be our Head of pic.twitter.com/VwvucEA6VX ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023 Modi became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice. He first addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress in 2016. Modi arrived in the House Chamber to a rousing reception as lawmakers stood up and applauded as he walked up to the podium to deliver his address. Members of the Indian-American community sat in the visitor galleries in the chamber and erupted into applause and chanted Modi, Modi as the Indian leader walked in. Modi waved to the diaspora in the galleries overhead before he began his address. Modis address received about 15 standing ovations from US lawmakers and multiple applauses. On several occasions, the diaspora broke into chants of Modi, Modi and Bharat Mata ki Jai during the address. Some of the members of the Indian-American community were dressed in traditional Indian attire. During his address, Modi said, There are millions here, who have roots in India. Some of them sit proudly in this chamber. There is one behind me, who has made history. Modi was referring to Kamala Harris, the first Black, South Asian, and woman to be elected to the post of Vice President. Harriss mother Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer scientist, hailed from Chennai. As Modi made this comment, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi smiled and looked over at Congressmen Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi sitting across the aisle from her and applauded and acknowledged them. Both are US lawmakers of Indian origin. Some aspects of Modis address also elicited light-hearted laughter from the lawmakers, with one saying, In all this, Indian Americans have played a big role. They are brilliant in every field, not just in Spelling Bee. It was a reference to the popular spelling competition in America that has been dominated by Indian-American children who emerge as champions year after year. This year too, 14-year-old Dev Shah, an eighth grader from Florida, won the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Modis address ended with a prolonged standing ovation and applause from the lawmakers and members of the Indian-American community. As Modi walked to exit the chamber, several lawmakers crowded around him, shaking his hand, congratulating him and getting his autograph on special copies of his speech that were circulated to the attendees. Members of the community shouted Modi, Modi and Bharat Mata Ki Jai (Victory for Mother India). With inputs from PTI Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the United States has garnered significant attention, highlighting the deepening partnership between Washington and New Delhi. The tour marks PM Modis first state visit with full diplomatic status since assuming office in 2014. Meanwhile, the Consulate General of India in New York took to Twitter to share a captivating photo of the NewYork Indian embassy building, beautifully adorned in the colours of the Indian flag. The post commemorated the historic State Visit 2023 and extended a warm welcome to PM Narendra Modi during his visit to the United States. The caption expressed joy and enthusiasm, emphasising the enduring friendship between India and the US. The caption stated, The building of @IndiainNewYork resplendent in tricolor, marking the #HistoricStateVisit2023 and welcoming Prime Minister @narendramodi to the United States. Long Live India-US Friendship! The Consulate General of Indias official Twitter account in New York also shared captivating images and videos of iconic landmarks, such as the majestic Niagara Falls, decorated in the colours of the Indian flag. These posts celebrated the historic state visit and emphasised the enduring friendship between the two nations. The tweet read, Welcoming Prime Minister @narendramodi on the #HistoricStateVisit2023 & celebrating #IndiaUSAFriendship Bathed in the colors of Indias flag, the breathtaking Niagara Falls look magnificent amidst fireworks. Thank you Council of Heritage and Arts of India (CHAI). #IndiaUSAPartnership Welcoming Prime Minister @narendramodi on the #HistoricStateVisit2023 & celebrating #IndiaUSAFriendship Bathed in the colors of India's flag, the breathtaking Niagara Falls look magnificent amidst fireworks. Thank you Council of Heritage and Arts of pic.twitter.com/nn8mHa4i54 India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) June 23, 2023 During PM Modis visit, the focus is on expanding cooperation in defence and high-tech sectors. This enables India to gain access to critical American technologies that are typically reserved for close allies. PM Modi has also been invited to address a joint meeting of Congress, which will be his second such address. Billboards and banners in various cities, including New York and Boston, showcased warm welcome for Prime Minister Modi, expressing excitement and gratitude for his historic state visit. The Consulate General of India in New York shared these displays on social media, reflecting the enthusiasm and support of the Indian-American community. Prime Minister Modi and US President Joe Biden held bilateral talks in the White Houses Oval Office, making their commitment to working together for global welfare, peace, stability, and prosperity evident. Towards a stronger - partnership! Glimpses from the ceremonial welcome for PM @narendramodi at the @WhiteHouse. pic.twitter.com/xBXn6gNdGo PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 22, 2023 The grand reception accorded to PM Modi upon his arrival at the White House further highlighted the significance of his maiden state visit. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Indian defence forces will deploy 31 Predator drones at three major hubs across the country to carry out surveillance of all areas, including the borders with China and Pakistan, and the vast maritime zone. During Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the US, the two countries announced the plans of Indian forces to procure 31 Predator drones. The plan is to deploy these drones at three major hubs, one of which would be in the North or Northwest region while another would be in the northeastern region from where they would be looking after the entire region, senior defence officials said. One of the hubs would be created at the INS Rajali from where the forces are already operating the two Predator drones taken on lease during the initial phase of a standoff with China in 2020-21. The three forces would also be operating these drones from bases which would enable the launching and landing of such unmanned aerial vehicles. The drones on lease are operated by the General Atomics representatives but now the Indian pilots from the three services would be trained for this role in India as well as in the US. The drones would be operated by the tri-services jointly. The proposal in this regard in the defence acquisition council was also sent by the tri-services headquarters. A detailed scientific analysis was carried out by officers from the tri-services to arrive at the number of unmanned aerial vehicles of this long endurance variety. All the future deals by the tri-services, including ones for helicopters, drones and air defence weapon systems, would be done in the same manner, the official added. India shares vast maritime and land boundaries with two major adversaries Pakistan and China and requires constant monitoring of their activities to safeguard its national security interests. The Predator drones, also called the MQ-9 Reaper, can fly up to 36 hours at a stretch and can be used for focused monitoring of any specific point or area of interest. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Taking potshots at Opposition meeting scheduled to take place in Patna today in an effort to forge a united front to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, BJP MP Sushil Modi said that the opposition leaders making a beeline to Patna is like a wedding procession in which everyone is a groom, but there are no guests. #WATCH | BJP MP Sushil Modi speaks on Opposition parties meeting scheduled to be held tomorrow in Patna; says, Jo baaraat lagi hai usmein sab dulha hai, baaraati koi nahi hai. Everyone is busy making others accept their conditionsAfter their victory in the Karnataka pic.twitter.com/odZoDK89d4 ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023 He pointed out that Nitish Kumar had organised an event where everyone seemed to be projecting themselves as contenders. Nitish ji ne aisi baraat lagaai hai, jisme sab dulhe hain, baaraati koi nahi hai. Everyone is busy making others accept their conditions After their victory in the Karnataka elections, Congress has started seeing regional parties as its palanquin carriers. But regional parties are not ready to do that for Congress. They are not ready to let Congress enter their states This is not the first time that they are holding a meeting, Modi said. Kejriwal has threatened that he would not attend the meeting until the Congress announced cooperation on the ordinance issue. It is possible that some consensus has also been reached, Modi added. The BJP leader also questioned whether Kejriwal would be willing to share seats with the Congress in Delhi and Punjab, despite attending the Opposition meeting. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal joining the Opposition meeting along with Congress, but will he forge a seat-sharing pact with the grand old party in Delhi and Punjab? asked Sushil Modi. Kejriwal may have gone to meet Nitish Kumar today, but will he leave seats for Congress in Punjab and Delhi? he asked. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who arrived in Patna for the meeting, expressed her belief that opposition parties would collectively fight the BJP at the national level in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, likening them to a united family. On her arrival in Patna, Mamata called on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch and former Bihar CM Lalu Yadav and his son and current Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. Speaking to reporters in the Bihar capital, Mamata said, It was wonderful to meet Lalu Prasad Yadav-ji. He is a senior leader. Unfortunately, he was in jail for so many days and then was hospitalised for a long time. It was good to see him. I cannot share the details of the meeting right now. All I can say is that we are here to fight collectively, like a family. The meeting will be attended by Congress, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti, Uddhav Thackeray and others. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said there are many leaders, who are much more experienced than Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take the countrys reins, and all Opposition leaders will put forth their views on a grand alliance at the meeting. Nobody can deny the fact that there are many leaders in the Opposition, who are much more experienced than PM Modi (in handling the countrys reins). All leaders will put forward their opinion at the meeting, Bihar Deputy CM said. Nitish Kumar has been spearheading efforts to bring all Opposition parties together against the BJP government at the Centre, ahead of next years Lok Sabha polls, and has already held one-on-one meetings with several top Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Mamata and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) patriarch Sharad Pawar, among others. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Indian strategic community is excited about Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking full G-20 membership for the African Union (AU), the single-largest near-homogenous inter-governmental organisation in the world. This has come at a time, when an African delegation with AUs current chair and Comoros President Azali Assoumani had travelled to Kyiv and Moscow to try to end the Ukraine War but in vain. With 55 members AU is the second largest intra-governmental group within the UN system, next only to the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which is not as homogenous and politically united as the other. Both are way off from the number of nations that had signed up for Chinas fading fad called Belt and Road Initiative (149 nations), but that is one grouping that is as diverse as the 193-member UN General Assembly, which cannot claim to speak in one voice on any issue at any time. The AU is at present among the Permanent Guest Invitees of the G-20, along with ASEAN, the UN and a host of UN affiliates. Among them is also the New Partnership for Africas Development (AUDA-NEPAD), in turn an AU affiliate, focussing more on economic development and cooperation among members and the outside world. Thus, after the UN and its affiliates, only the AU grouping has two permanent invitees in the G-20 list. Revisited perspective From a revisited Indian global perspective, PM Modi writing to the rest of G-20 members to accord a seat for the AU at the high table is a welcome initiative. How other member-nations, especially those from the West react is another matter altogether. Incidentally, Modis initiative is limited to the AU, not the ASEAN, among the most successful of intra-governmental regional groupings. The EU is already a permanent member of G-20. As Indias Covid-centric multiple initiatives showed, there is an even greater need for sustained global efforts to help out poor and developing nations than in the previous century, when alone such concepts evolved and were given some shape under the aegis of the UN and its affiliates in particular. Under the Non Alignment Movement initiative, India was among the leading voices of those nations, scattered across the country as the common colonial past of much of the developing and under-developed nations gave them a common political identity. All of it changed over time as individual nations drifted away to get identified even more with an economic sponsor from the developed world in return for political and strategic cooperation of the formers liking in the Cold War era especially. With the downturn of the socialist economic model commencing in the early nineties, India too was in no place to continue lending leadership and direction, both in political and economic spheres. Thus at the end of the Cold War and the sudden collapse of the Soviet Union, so to say, the much talked about North-South dialogue on the economic front collapsed. NAM as a parallel political initiative of the economic South also became increasingly irrelevant. While India under Modi has revived the North-South dialogue concept by pitching in for what is since termed as the Global South, PM Modi has carefully avoided getting directly engaged with NAM. Through the past years of his prime ministership since 2014, Modi has not attended a single NAM Summit, though India otherwise remains an active (?) member of the non-alignment movement. The message is clear. That India is all for G-South as an economic initiative but may not want to get involved with an unachievable common political approach on all matters. Amoral, not immoral There is a greater understanding both in New Delhi and other NAM capitals that in political and even economic terms, individual nations at times have individual priorities and preferences, which are not always personality-driven. That was always the case. But in the Nehruvian era, both admirers and critics of the nations first prime minister, argued on their known positions that were personality-centric, hence lacked substance and direction. But even under Nehru and then Indira Gandhi, the nation had always come first. That was also how and why in Indira Gandhis time, and even earlier, New Delhi was seen as being closer to Moscow than Washington in the Cold War times. It had nothing to do with misplaced perceptions about the Nehru-Gandhi clans perceived leftist tilt. Instead, it owed to a deep understanding that between the two super-powers, the Soviet Union was weak and would need India more than the US, which had already commenced its journey on the top of its socio-economic and politico-strategic achievements during the two World Wars. Distanced by time and space, there is greater clarity now in Indias approach, where politically, India is not far away from the US-led West but on the economic front, it made its decisions on procuring Russian oil at a cheaper rate at the commencement of the Ukraine War. If there are hassles just now, that owes to Russias inability to dispose of the huge pile of Indian rupee in its hands. Some reports put it at $ 140 billion which is a lot of money. But then, it is now Russias problem, not Indias though it might sound amoral, if not immoral in international relations. Rich mens club The question however is does the AU want a permanent seat on G-20. The reasons are not far to seek. First and foremost, G-20 is still seen as a rich mens club. Despite the presence of developing nations like India, Indonesia and Brazil, and also China and Russia, that image has refused to go away. It is seen only as an expanded version of the G-7, which is the real rich mens club, the self-eluding thoroughbred. In real terms, where there are contentious issues, like the Ukraine War, for instance, the G-20 has no solution to offer. Rather, as happened at the last summit at Bali, Indonesia, those contentious issues only have the potential to introduce divisions which otherwise might not have been there. This years G-20 summit, chaired and hosted by India, does not promise to be anything better, both in form and content. Does the AU, which has certain homogeneity on such matters, want to be part of it? Does the AU also want to delude itself that a G-20 seat could make the required difference to the political and economic status of individual member-states of the African Union and also Africa as a continent and all Africans? Or, will it drive divisions within that are now not there or have been papered over but not within a G-20 scheme? African road-map It is in this context the visit of an African leadership delegation to try and end the Ukraine War assumes greater relevance and significance. No one expected any wonders to come out of the visit, where leaders of some African countries met Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv and Vladimir Putin at St Petersburg. The seven African leaders the Presidents of Comoros, Senegal, South Africa and Zambia, as well as Egypts Prime Minister and top envoys from the Republic of Congo and Uganda represented the AU and also a cross-section of African opinion. For instance, South Africa, Senegal and Uganda have avoided censuring Moscow over the war while Egypt, Zambia and Comoros voted against Russia in the UNGA. But neither side held it against any AU delegation member-nation, and received them with an open hand as good hosts, but had nothing to offer to end the war. At the end of the two-nation visit,the AU made no headway. It was anyway an expression of the African anguish at the continuing war, as most nations are depended on food and fertiliser from Russia and Ukraine for long. Yet, Comoros Assoumani, as the AUs current chair, floated the idea of a road map to peace at the joint news conference at Kyiv, which prompted President Zelenskyy to clarify that he did not want any surprises at or from their meeting with Putin. After the three-hour AUs talks with Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the Africans peace plan consisted of 10 elements, but was not formulated on paper meaning that they were ideas but not necessarily functional and very difficult to implement, difficult to compare positions. However, Kremlin spokesman clarified that Putin has shown interest in considering it Not all provisions can be correlated with the main elements of our position, but this does not mean that we do not need to continue working. What matters the most in context is the desire and willingness of the AU to open up, and take up their pressing concerns directly with those involved without waiting any more for the UNSC and the UNGA, among others, to do it for them. It is a new Africa, a new African Union. The question is if they, at this stage of their career as a regional collective willing to stick their neck out for their cause and their cause alone, would want to be identified with G-20, in which Russia is a member alright but not on the same league with the US, the EU and its other western allies wherever you place India just now, after PM Modis current US visit and its multiple outcomes on the bilateral front. It is a question that Africa will be asking itself in the coming days and weeks and a lot will also depend on the response Modis proposal receives from other members. Some of it will also depend on who are the first ones to welcome the Indian idea, and how it is interpreted by the other side. The writer is a Chennai-based policy analyst and political commentator. Views are personal. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. As compared to the Naga and Mizo insurgencies, the insurgency in Manipur intensified only in the 1970s and 1980s as the grievances of the various tribes and ethnic groups morphed into organised violence. Historically, the Meiteis, who comprise over 50 per cent of the population, occupy only 10 per cent of the land, mainly in the Imphal Valley or Bowl comprising the towns of Imphal, Bishenpur and Thoubal. The Meities are a prosperous community and own much of the fertile land in the region. The erstwhile Maharaja of Manipur was a Meitei. The other 50 per cent of the population of Manipur comprises approximately 29 tribes, broadly made up of Naga, Kuki and Zomi (Paite) tribes. While the Tangkhul Nagas are spread across Southern Nagaland and the contiguous hilly areas of Ukhrul, Tamanglang, Senapati and Chandel in Manipur, the Kukis and Zomis who have a greater connect with the Chins of Myanmar, largely inhabit the hilly areas contiguous with Myanmar with some migration into Meitei and Naga dominated areas. As the Government of India introduced its various policies of positive discrimination, such as Reservations for tribes, the Nagas, Kukis and other hill tribes became landowners in the hills around the Imphal Bowl and stopped depending on the Meiteis for their livelihood and started pushing back on class distinction. As the two distinct communities drifted apart, the battle lines were drawn. This article seeks to offer a historical perspective to the conflict in Manipur through the prescient lens of Lt Gen Rostum Kaikhushru Nanavatty, an accomplished Indian Army Commander. Ironically, Nanavatty took over the Dimapur-based 3 Corps in August 1997 soon after the ceasefire in Nagaland and the concurrent violent clashes in Churachandpur in South Manipur where Kuki insurgents executed nine Paite villagers Fault lines Following the historic Naga Accord of August 1997 between the GOI and the NSCN (IM), the nascent Naga demands for a Greater Nagaland or Nagalim with parts of Manipur included in the proposed new geographical construct, seriously impeded the return of peace to Nagaland and exacerbated ethnic fault lines in Manipur. Reflecting on the Manipur insurgency in a paper written in 2004, a year after he retired from the Indian Army, Nanavatty zoomed in on the Meiteis and their deep sense of insecurity as the principal driver of the conflict. As the dominant ethno-religious sub-national group in Manipur, and despite their sophistication and eminence, Nanavatty attributed Meitei insecurity to four main reasons. First, a perceived sense of injustice because of the various historical developments in the region post-Independence. Second is a sense of physical isolation surrounded by hill tribes and exacerbated by tenuous and vulnerable surface communication. Third, a feeling of discrimination, having been denied various socio-economic concessions and privileges admissible to the hill tribes in the state like the Kukis and the Tangkhul Nagas. Fourth, a deep-rooted fear that the Central government may seek a resolution of the conflict in Nagaland at the expense of the territorial integrity of the state of Manipur by hiving-off a large portion of the hill districts that were contiguous to the state of Nagaland and inhabited by Naga tribes. Imphal and its surrounding hill areas are among the most beautiful parts of India, teeming with sporting and cultural activity like nowhere I have seen. Culture is preserved in Manipur and rituals such as funeral processions are spectacular with immaculately dressed mourners with sandalwood paste markings and graceful dance. It makes me sad to see the state torn by strife and vicious violence, observed Nanavatty in one of his diary entries. Pushback The pushback from the Meiteis over the years has been violent and gradually led to the formation of armed groups such as the United Liberation Front (UNLF), Peoples Liberation Army-East (PLA) and Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), termed by the Indian Army as Valley-based Insurgent Groups (VBIG). Inspired by the Naga groups, they have been a handful for the security forces even though the VBIG soon abandoned revolutionary ideologies and settled for profit-driven organised crime such as extortion, kidnappings for ransom and murder. On this count, there was much similarity between what was happening in Nagaland and Manipur as youth were exposed to a culture of drugs and guns and faced with the grim prospects of unemployment. Crime and terrorism has now represented a conscious lifestyle choice as the VBIG and armed Naga and Kuki gangs have emerged as well-organised and highly militarised groups of criminals masquerading as revolutionaries. Little progress Attributing the Churachandpur massacres of 1997-98 to the abject apathy of the state administration, Nanavatty wrote a firm letter to Chief Minister Rishad Keishing, a Tangkhul Naga, highlighting that militant groups were getting out of control of the moderate leadership of the communities. Recommending a three-pronged approach that was partly doable and practical and somewhat aspirational and idealistic, the strategy aimed to: Suppress and neutralise the VBIG and the other Naga and tribal groups to include the vast Over Ground Worker (OGW) network Empower and uplift the Meitei population Fulfil the genuine aspirations of the other minority sub-national groups in the state Naga, Kuki and Paite without prejudice to safeguarding Meitei interests. The problem then as now revolves around a heady cocktail of ethnic and tribal strife; a constant shift of power centres that has been dominated by political opportunism and expediency; and most importantly, the absence of a tall regional leader who could foster a shared vision of economic prosperity amongst the people of Nagaland and Manipur. The author is a retired Air Vice Marshal from the IAF and a military historian. He is currently writing the biography of Lt Gen Rostum Kaikhushru Nanavatty. Views expressed are personal. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Since the end of World War II, the scale and severity of environmental incidents have increased, highlighting the dire consequences of human actions on the environment. Here are the 10 worst environmental disasters since World War II. Minamata Disease (1956-1968) Minamata disease was caused by industrial mercury pollution in Minamata Bay, Japan. The discharge of mercury-contaminated wastewater led to severe neurological disorders and death among the local population, as well as devastating effects on aquatic life. Love Canal Disaster (1978) The Love Canal disaster involved the release of toxic chemicals from an abandoned landfill in Niagara Falls, New York. The chemicals contaminated the soil and water, leading to health issues and birth defects among residents. This incident triggered widespread awareness of hazardous waste disposal practices. Three Mile Island Accident (1979) A partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, USA, led to the release of radioactive gases. Although no deaths or injuries were reported, the incident resulted in increased concerns about the safety of nuclear power and its potential long-term effects. Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984) In the city of Bhopal, India, a gas leak from a Union Carbide pesticide plant exposed thousands of people to toxic gases, resulting in immediate and long-term health effects. The tragedy highlighted the need for better industrial safety regulations and the responsibility of corporations. Chernobyl Disaster (1986) The Chernobyl disaster stands as one of the most catastrophic nuclear accidents in history. The explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine released a massive amount of radioactive material into the atmosphere, killing 30 operators and firemen within three months and several further deaths later. It also caused long-term health and environmental consequences. Exxon Valdez Oil Spill (1989) Off the coast of Alaska, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker struck a reef, resulting in a massive oil spill that released over 10 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound. The spill devastated the local marine ecosystem and had long-lasting impacts on wildlife and coastal communities. Kuwait Oil Fires (1991) During the Gulf War, retreating Iraqi forces set fire to over 700 oil wells in Kuwait, resulting in a massive environmental catastrophe. The fires released huge amounts of pollutants into the air, causing air pollution, acid rain, and long-lasting damage to ecosystems. Baia Mare Cyanide Spill (2000) A breach in a dam at a gold mining facility in Baia Mare, Romania, caused a massive spill of cyanide-contaminated wastewater into the Tisza and Danube Rivers. The spill had severe ecological consequences, killing fish and other aquatic life and affecting water supplies across multiple countries. Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (2010) The Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in the largest marine oil spill in history. Approximately 4.9 million barrels of oil were released into the ocean, causing severe damage to marine ecosystems, wildlife, and coastal economies. Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear (2011) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster, which occurred on March 11, 2011, ranks as one of the most significant nuclear accidents in history. It was triggered by a powerful magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami off the northeastern coast of Japan. The disaster unfolded at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, operated by the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), and had far-reaching implications for the environment, public health, and the global perception of nuclear energy. The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster raised serious concerns about the safety of nuclear power plants and their vulnerability to natural disasters. It exposed flaws in emergency response protocols and regulatory oversight, sparking a global reevaluation of nuclear energy policies. The environmental consequences of the disaster were profound. The released radioactive materials contaminated nearby soil, water, and marine ecosystems, causing long-term impacts on biodiversity. The incident also had economic ramifications, with the fishing and agriculture industries suffering significant losses due to restrictions on the sale of contaminated products. This article has been generated using Artificial Intelligence. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. During his address to the Joint Sitting of the US Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi equated AI or Artificial Intelligence that we know with another AI that is driving the world America & India. During his speech, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the enduring and robust bipartisan backing from the US Congress in strengthening the relationship between India and the United States. The Prime Minister discussed the significant advancements achieved in bilateral relations between India and the United States, highlighting his aspirations for further enhancing the ties between the two nations. In his speech, the Prime Minister said, In the past few years, there have been many advances in AI Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, there have been even more momentous developments in another AI America and India. And indeed, US and Indias bilateral relations have shaped the world. India-US relations shaping semiconductors of the future As with most other matters of the world, when it comes to tech, the partnership between the United States and India have Saying that American companies are at the helm of the rapid progress that technology is making wouldnt be exactly that farfetched. However, it is important to note that most of Americas tech company has a person of Indian origin at the helm. Indian engineers have been vital in designing and fabricating semiconductors and silicon chips that power the world today. More importantly, now, the world in seeing India as a major manufacturing hub for semiconductors. Not only are Indian tech giants looking to set up our fabrication and manufacturing units, we are also attracting prominent manufacturers to set up shop in our backyard. Micron Technology, for example, announced this week that they will be investing more than $800 million. This, together with additional financial support from Indian authorities, will amount to a $2.75-billion semiconductor assembly and test facility in India. India-US relations shaping semiconductors of the future Even in the development of AI, the partnership between India-US has been vital. India is one of the biggest market for many AI-based tools. During his visit to India, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was pleasantly surprised by the manner in which Indian entrepreneurs and businesses were embracing AI and were generally excited by the technology. And it is not only as consumers of AI that American companies are interested in India. The AI development teams at Google, Meta and most other Big Tech companies are loaded with talent from India. According to Nasscom research, published in India has the second biggest pool of highly qualified AI, machine learning, and big data expertise behind the United States. It produces 16 per cent of the worlds AI talent pool, putting it in the top three talent marketplaces with the United States and China. Not just that but a number of American AI startups and even big tech firms like Google, Meta and Microsoft are turning to India for AI engineers. India has one of the highest numbers of data scientists and AI engineers, who are being hired for double the regular salaries. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Boeing has announced that it will invest $100 million in infrastructure and pilot training programs in India, according to a statement released by the White House on Thursday, This significant investment comes shortly after Air Indias recent firm orders for over 200 jets from Boeing. The orders include 20 state-of-the-art 787 Dreamliners, 10 cutting-edge 777Xs, and 190 advanced 737 MAX narrowbody aircraft, reported Reuters. The timing of this announcement coincides with a series of agreements signed by the US and Indian companies during Prime Minister Narendra Modis meeting with US President Joe Biden in Washington on Thursday. Boeings decision to invest in pilot training infrastructure further demonstrates its dedication to supporting Indias thriving aviation sector. The allocated funds will be utilised to enhance training facilities and programs, ensuring that future pilots in the country receive exceptional training and development opportunities. By strengthening pilot training capabilities, Boeing aims to contribute to Indias ambitious aviation goals and the cultivation of a skilled workforce within the industry. As Boeing continues to collaborate with Indias aviation sector, this investment not only fuels the industrys growth, but also strengthens the partnership between Boeing and India, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A celebrity chef has announced that his restaurant will no longer cater to vegans following a negative review regarding the lack of plant-based options. Chef John Mountain, the owner of Fyre restaurant in Perth, Australia, made the announcement on the restaurantss Facebook page, citing mental health reasons as the basis for the decision. The post on the restaurants Facebook read, Sadly all vegans are now banned from Fyre (for mental health reasons). We thank you for your understanding. Xx. The post also included the caption: Yep. Im done. and the hashtags #vegan, #not, #pleasegoelsewhere, #veganfreezone, and #nomorevegans. The ban stemmed from a customers complaint about the limited vegan choices on the menu and being charged $32 for a plate of vegetables. Mountain defended his stance by explaining that its impossible to satisfy everyones preferences at all times. While he acknowledged that his restaurant doesnt specifically focus on catering to vegans, he suggested that individuals seeking vegan options should consider dining elsewhere. The ban has sparked diverse reactions, with vegan activist Tash Peterson condemning the restaurant for discrimination. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tash Peterson (@vganbooty) However, this isnt the first time Chef Mountain has garnered attention. He gained fame more than a decade ago during his appearance on the BBCs Great British Menu, where he served King Charles then the Prince of Wales a rabbit stew pudding on a plastic plate, followed by an argument with chef Marcus Wareing, who rated one of his fish dishes poorly. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A South Korean woman has been accused of killing two of her newborn infants and storing their bodies in her freezer for years. According to reports, an arrest warrant has been sought by police in court in order to arrest and investigate the woman. A representative from the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police informed CNN that the woman, in her thirties, admitted to taking the lives of the babies, citing economic difficulties in raising her three other children aged 12, 10, and 8. The tragic events occurred when the newborns were merely a day old, as stated by the official. Allegedly, the womans fourth child, born in November 2018 at a hospital, became her initial victim. The police assert that she strangled the girl the day following her birth and concealed the body within her homes freezer. Similarly, her fifth child, a boy born in November 2019, met the same fate. According to the police, the womans husband was under the impression that the two children had been aborted and was unaware of the alleged murders. The case came to light in May when the Board of Audit and Inspection discovered that the births of the babies had never been officially registered, although the hospital maintained a record of the deliveries. Consequently, Suwon City Hall, the local government, was informed and proceeded to request a police investigation after the mother refused an on-site inspection. On June 21, law enforcement authorities conducted a search and seizure operation at the womans residence, during which she confessed to the killings. The woman is scheduled to appear at a hearing regarding the arrest warrant on Friday. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Nathaniel Fick, the ambassador at large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy, believes that the United States should form an alliance with other countries to prevent China from employing its tactics of stealing intellectual property to gain an advantage in artificial intelligence and other crucial technologies. Fick emphasized that China has been using cybertheft for years, allowing them to build advanced wireless networks while subsidizing domestic companies to the extent that they can now independently develop globally competitive products. Fick also claimed that several Chinese tech businesses are stealing IPs and schematics of AI-based applications, large language models, and several other advanced technologies. During a Hudson Institute forum, he stated that if China is allowed to continue, it will steal technologies around cloud computing, AI, and all other critical strategic technology areas, and not in a way that will be benevolent. Therefore, it is imperative for the US to form a large coalition to counter this. If we allow the Chinese to run it again, theyll run it in cloud computing, theyll run it in AI, theyll run it in every core strategic technology area. We have to build the biggest coalition we can, he said. China has consistently denied allegations made by the US regarding intellectual property theft. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not respond immediately to an email requesting comment on Ficks statements. Fick did not explicitly mention whether the US plans to establish an official consortium of governments. However, he stressed the importance of the US conveying its vision to consequential hedging states in the middle. He also noted that countries are beginning to recognize the national security and economic ramifications of relying on what he referred to as untrustworthy networks. He remarked that these countries are seeking a way out, and there appears to be a shift in the prevailing sentiment. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the United States has been highly significant. Alongside the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between General Electric (GE) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for jet engine production, the two countries have joined forces in various other areas. India and the United States are set to enhance their collaboration in technology development, cybersecurity, and the space sector. However, the most significant partnership between the two nations lies in the semiconductor industry. On Thursday, Micron Technology Inc, a US-based company, announced its plans to establish a semiconductor testing and assembly facility worth $2.75 billion in India. This marks the first approval under the Indian governments ambitious $10-billion Semicon incentive plan, which recently received the green light from the Union Cabinet. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for IT and Electronics, expressed his view on the historic nature of PM Modis US visit. He emphasized the policy decisions made over the past years to position India as a player in the global semiconductor supply chain. He highlighted the significant progress made in the semiconductor ecosystem since December 2021, with the emergence of numerous startups in the semiconductor design sector. In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, Chandrasekhar mentioned that the details regarding the investments from the Central and State governments would be decided later. He shared that the project is valued at $3 billion and is expected to create a minimum of 20,000 jobs. Over the past 18 months, efforts have been made to build a semiconductor ecosystem, covering areas such as design, talent, packaging, and research, with future plans for fabrication facilities (fabs). Chandrasekhar sees the investments by Micron, Lam Research, and Applied Materials as significant milestones in Indias semiconductor ecosystem. The Minister emphasized the governments clear focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and its intent to explore multiple avenues for collaboration with the United States. The government is currently working on establishing an AI ecosystem in India, although the technology is still in its early stages. Micron Technology has proposed an investment of $2.75 billion (Rs 22,516 crore) over the next five years. The proposed technology includes various products such as DORS, DOR 6, NAND 4 Die Stanu NAND 8 Die Stack, and 550. It also involves a wire bonding process for DDR4 and DORS, as well as Direct Chip Attach (DCA) and Post fab Wafer Finish (PW)-DDRG. As part of the Indian governments incentive, they have committed to providing 50 percent of the actual CAPEX, up to a limit of Rs 11,258 crores, on a pari-passu basis. The Minister is confident that the partnership between India and the United States will shape the future of artificial intelligence (AI). He mentioned that the Prime Minister has long expressed Indias commitment to the growth of AI, recognizing its potential as a powerful tool and enabler for the digital economy and governance. The Prime Minister sees various applications of AI in sectors such as healthcare and education. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech at the joint sitting of the US Congress referred to the China-Taiwan face-off, though without taking any names, outlining the vision of an Indo-Pacific free from domination. He also emphasised that the stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of India and US partnership. The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific. The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership, PM Modi said. He further said, We share a vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, connected by secure seas, defined by international law, free from domination, and anchored in ASEAN centrality. A region where all nations, small and large, are free and fearless in their choices, where progress is not suffocated by impossible burdens of debt, where connectivity is not leveraged for strategic purposes, where all nations are lifted by the high tide of shared prosperity. Our vision does not seek to contain or exclude, but to build a cooperative region of peace and prosperity. We work through regional institutions and with our partners from within the region and beyond. Of this, Quad has emerged as a major force of good for the region, PM Modi added. The Prime Minister further said Indo-Pacific region had featured prominently in the bilateral talks between him and Biden. Both the leaders mentioned the initiatives being taken in the zone, including the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, through which the Quad partners are providing maritime domain data across the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific region. PM Modis state visit to the US has been attributed in some quarters to the rise of China and its growing clout in the Indo-Pacific region, but the White House has rejected this as speculation. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched upon a host of themes in his almost hour-long address to American lawmakers at a joint session of the US Congress. He emphasised Indias commitment to climate goals, womens empowerment, the fight against terrorism and other key issues. Responding to a post by US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, PM Modi said that he is eager to enhance our bilateral cooperation, fostering an even stronger bond between our countries. McCarthy in a tweet said, It was a privilege to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US Capitol, one of the greatest symbols of democracy in the world. I look forward to increased economic and national security ties between our two great nations. 'Enthusiastic about elevating cooperation in futuristic sectors' PM Modi told US Vice President Kamala Harris that India-US partnership holds immense protentional for this century and "I am equally enthusiastic about elevating our cooperation in futuristic sectors." Welcoming the Indian Prime Minister, Harris said, "The partnership between the United States and India is one of the most important of the 21st century, and this visit will take our partnership to the next level from space, to defense, to emerging technology and supply chains." Thank you, @VP @KamalaHarris. Our partnership indeed holds immense potential for this century. I am equally enthusiastic about elevating our cooperation in futuristic sectors. https://t.co/BLcYI0Zh1c Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 23, 2023 'Challenges India-US face can be effectively addressed' US Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said that the meeting with the Indian Prime Minister came at a "consequential moment in our two countries relationship. We face common challenges, and share a commitment to keeping the Indo-Pacific free and open." Responding to McConnell's post, PM Modi said, "Indeed McConnell, our meeting comes at a crucial time. The challenges we face can be effectively addressed, guided by the values we share. Our nations will continue to work together to uphold these ideals for the prosperity of our nations and the planet." Indeed @LeaderMcConnell, our meeting comes at a crucial time. The challenges we face can be effectively addressed, guided by the values we share. Our nations will continue to work together to uphold these ideals for the prosperity of our nations and the planet. https://t.co/CosvruPZ5G Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 23, 2023 'Future is brighter when India-US stand together' In a reply to a post by Senator Chuck Schumer, PM Modi said, "Looking forward to strengthening our ties and continuing our work towards shared goals. The future is brighter when our nations stand together." Thank you for the warm welcome @SenSchumer. It's always an honor to address friends at the US Congress. Looking forward to strengthening our ties and continuing our work towards shared goals. The future is brighter when our nations stand together. https://t.co/LgWtTnWCcg Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 23, 2023 'India-US bond as world's largest democracies is fundamental' Responding to tweets of all the US lawmakers and replying to Congressman Seth Magaziner, Modi said: "Together, we can shape a world that is more peaceful, stable and inclusive." Magaziner said the US-India relationship is vital. "As the worlds two largest democracies, we must work together to advance democratic values and ensure our shared prosperity." Must Read: Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib spitting poison by not attending PM Modi's US Congress address Responding to this, PM Modi said, "Our bond as the world's largest democracies is fundamental. The shared democratic values that bind us will guide our collaboration towards a prosperous future." Indeed @Rep_Magaziner, our bond as the world's largest democracies is fundamental. The shared democratic values that bind us will guide our collaboration towards a prosperous future. Together, we can shape a world that is more peaceful, stable and inclusive. https://t.co/MjaDTEGjY3 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 23, 2023 'India-US shall keep working to further cement economic partnership' Praising Modi, Republican Representative of Arkansas French Hill said the Indian Prime Minister delivered a "passionate address about the importance of the relationship between the US and India during a joint meeting of Congress." PM Modi thanked Hill for his "gracious" words and said, "The thriving Indian community all across USA truly embodies the strong cultural ties between our nations. We shall keep working to further cement our economic and strategic partnership for global good." Thank you @RepFrenchHill for your gracious words. The thriving Indian community all across USA truly embodies the strong cultural ties between our nations. We shall keep working to further cement our economic and strategic partnership for global good. https://t.co/UqvZdrSvRJ Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 23, 2023 'Together India, US will continue to deepen ties for secure future' Congressman Mike Lawler thanked PM Modi and all of India for the friendship and alliance between both the countries. "I look forward to our ongoing partnership economically, military, and diplomatically," Lawler said. Responding to his tweet, PM Modi said, "Together, we will continue to deepen our economic, security and diplomatic ties for a secure and prosperous future." Together, we will continue to deepen our economic, security and diplomatic ties for a secure and prosperous future. Thank you Congressman @RepMikeLawler for joining todays US Congress session. https://t.co/fD0MshDuYo Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 23, 2023 'Eagerly anticipate growth of US-India strategic ties' Responding to a post by Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, PM Modi said, "I also eagerly anticipate the growth of our strategic ties, notably in tech, defence and finance." Glad to have met you @RepMalliotakis. I also eagerly anticipate the growth of our strategic ties, notably in tech, defence and finance. https://t.co/WA6h0AL8o8 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 23, 2023 'India-US friendship indeed stands robust' The friendship between India and US "indeed stands robust", said PM Modi as he responded to the post shared Representative Don Bacon. "I share your sentiment and look forward to further strengthening this important alliance," the Indian PM said. Earlier, Bacon tweet, "Today we welcome Narendra Modi for a historic visit between two of the worlds largest and oldest democracies. Our friendship with India is strong, and I have great appreciation for this critical ally." Gratitude for your kind words, @RepDonBacon. The friendship between our nations indeed stands robust. I share your sentiment and look forward to further strengthening this important alliance. https://t.co/XaKDGJOP51 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 23, 2023 Sharing pictures of his address to US Congress, PM Modi said, "Gratitude to all the members of Congress who attended today. Your presence signifies the strength of India-USA ties and our shared commitment to a better future. I look forward to continued partnership in fostering global peace and progress." Honoured to address the US Congress. Gratitude to all the members of Congress who attended today. Your presence signifies the strength of India-USA ties and our shared commitment to a better future. I look forward to continued partnership in fostering global peace and progress. pic.twitter.com/7VSVT3Hr05 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 23, 2023 Modi is the first Indian prime minister to address the joint session of the US Congress twice. He is also just the second international leader, after Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, to be granted the honour more than once. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. US politicians and industry leaders have hailed the announcement of an agreement with India to end retaliatory tariffs imposed on American apples and pulse crops, under which New Delhi will now provide access to the countrys huge market to American agricultural producers and manufacturers. The US had in 2018 imposed 25 per cent and 10 per cent import duties on certain steel and aluminium products respectively on grounds of national security. Following the move, India in June 2019 imposed customs duties on 28 American products in retaliation, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents. Today is a perfect day for Washingtons world-famous apples and a huge boost to Washington states agriculture economy, Senator Maria Cantwell said. India has announced it is lifting retaliatory tariffs that all but shut down the Indian market for Washingtons more than 1,400 apple growers and now our growers will once again have access to this USD 120 million market, Cantwell, the Democratic Party lawmaker, said in a statement. Cantwells statement came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with US President Joe Biden. India was Washingtons second export market for apples, bringing in USD 120 million in 2017. This season, Washington only exported about USD 1 million worth of Apple products to India, according to Cantwells office. The tariffs will end within 90 days just in time for the 2023 apple harvest. On Thursday, United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai announced that the US and India have agreed to terminate six outstanding disputes at the World Trade Organisation. India also agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs, which it had imposed in response to the US Section 232 national security measures on steel and aluminium, on certain US products, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents, USTR said in a statement on Thursday. These tariff cuts will restore and expand market opportunities for US agricultural producers and manufacturers. This announcement comes as President Biden welcomed Prime Minister Modi to the US for an Official State Visit, the statement said. Washington Apple Commission President Todd Fryhover said the agreement will again put Washingtons apple industry on equal footing with competitors in India, local media reported. The Washington apple industry has worked hard to develop the Indian market for our world-class apples, and this will help us try to regain our lost market position, he said in a statement. Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison said in a statement that regaining access to the Indian market is a big win. The lifting of retaliatory tariffs in India is great news for Washington agriculture, especially for Washington apple producers, Sandison said. The Northwest Horticultural Council, the Washington Apple Commission and local farmers praised the agreement. Northwest Horticultural Council President Mark Powers said farmers are eager to get back to business in India. This is a win for apples, NHC president Mark Powers said in a statement. The US is the largest trading partner of India. In 2022-23, the bilateral goods trade increased to USD 128.8 billion as against USD 119.5 billion in 2021-22. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, said Thursdays agreement is a major win for Washingtons apple growers because the tariffs severely restricted apples from being sold to India. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden have affirmed a vision of India and the United States as among the closest partners in the world with the two leaders noting that the bilateral cooperation will serve the global good. A joint statement during PM Modis official State visit to the United States said the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership is anchored in a new level of trust and mutual understanding and enriched by the warm bonds of family and friendship that inextricably link our countries together. Prime Minister Modi and President Joe Biden today affirmed a vision of India and the United States as among the closest partners in the world a partnership of democracies looking into the 21st century with hope, ambition, and confidence. No corner of human enterprise is untouched by the partnership between our two great countries, which spans the seas to the stars, it said. The two leaders said that together they will build an even stronger, diverse India-US partnership that will advance the aspirations of our people for a bright and prosperous future grounded in respect for human rights, and shared principles of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Our cooperation will serve the global good as we work through a range of multilateral and regional groupings particularly the Quad- to contribute toward a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific, the statement said. The joint statement said that the document, in its breadth and depth, represents the most expansive and comprehensive vision for progress in the history of our bilateral relationship. Still, our ambitions are to reach ever greater heights, and we commit both our governments and our peoples to this endeavour, now and into the future. PM Modi and President Biden affirmed that technology will play a defining role in deepening our partnership. The leaders hailed the inauguration of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in January 2023 as a major milestone in India-U.S relations. They called on our governments, businesses, and academic institutions to realize their shared vision for the strategic technology partnership. The leaders recommitted the United States and India to fostering an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem, based on mutual confidence and trust that reinforces our shared values and democratic institutions. The statement said that PM Modi and President Biden share a vision of creating secure and trusted telecommunications, resilient supply chains, and enabling global digital inclusion. To fulfill this vision, the leaders launched two Joint Task Forces on advanced telecommunications, focused on Open RAN and research and development in 5G/6G technologies. Public-private cooperation between vendors and operators will be led by Indias Bharat 6G Alliance and the U.S. Next G Alliance, the statement said. We are partnering on Open RAN field trials and rollouts, including scaled deployments, in both countries with operators and vendors of both markets, backed by US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) financing. The leaders welcomed the participation of Indian companies in the U.S. Rip and Replace Program. They endorsed an ambitious vision for 6G networks, including standards cooperation, facilitating access to chipsets for system development, and establishing joint research and development projects. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden also stressed the need to put in place a Trusted Network/Trusted Sources bilateral framework, it added. PM Modi and President Biden welcomed the establishment of a joint Indo-US Quantum Coordination Mechanism to facilitate collaboration among industry, academia, and government, and our work toward a comprehensive Quantum Information Science and Technology agreement. The United States welcomes Indias participation in the Quantum Entanglement Exchange and in the Quantum Economic Development Consortium to facilitate expert and commercial exchanges with leading, like-minded quantum nations. The United States and India will sustain and grow quantum training and exchange programs and work to reduce barriers to India-US research collaboration, the statement said. The leaders welcomed the launch of a USD 2 million grant programme under the India-US Science and Technology Endowment fund for the joint development and commercialization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies and encouraged public-private collaborations to develop high-performance computing (HPC) facilities in India. President Biden also reiterated his governments commitment to work with the US Congress to lower barriers to US exports to India of HPC technology and source code. The US side pledged to make its best efforts in support of Indias Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) joining the US Accelerated Data Analytics and Computing (ADAC) Institute. The leaders welcomed 35 innovative joint research collaborations in emerging technologies funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST). Under a new implementation arrangement between NSF and DST, both sides will fund joint research projects in computer and information science and engineering, cyber-physical systems, and secure and trustworthy cyberspace. The statement said NSF and Indias Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will bring fresh funding for joint projects in applied research areas such as semiconductors, next-generation communication, cyber security, sustainability and green technologies and intelligent transportation systems. PM Modi and President Biden acknowledged the profound opportunities and significant risks associated with AI. They committed to developing joint and international collaboration on trustworthy and responsible AI, including generative AI, to advance AI education and workforce initiatives, promote commercial opportunities, and mitigate against discrimination and bias, the statement said. The United States has also supported Indias leadership as Chair of the Global Partnership on AI. The leaders applauded Googles intent to continue investing through its USD 10 billion India Digitization Fund, including in early-stage Indian startups. Through its AI Research Center in India, Google is building models to support over 100 Indian languages. PM Modi and President Biden hailed deepening bilateral cooperation on cutting-edge scientific infrastructure, including a USD140 million in-kind contribution from the Indian Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to the US Department of Energys (DOEs) Fermi National Laboratory toward collaborative development of the Proton Improvement Plan-II Accelerator, for the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility the first and largest international research facility on US soil. They also welcomed the commencement of the construction of a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in India. The leaders called on their administrations to extend these partnerships to advanced biotechnology and biomanufacturing and enhance biosafety and biosecurity innovation, practices, and norms. As global partners, the United States and India affirmed that the rules-based international order must be respected. They emphasized that the contemporary global order has been built on principles of the UN Charter, international law, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. The United States and India reaffirmed their resolve to counter any attempts to unilaterally subvert the multilateral system. The leaders underscored the need to strengthen and reform the multilateral system so it may better reflect contemporary realities. In this context both sides remain committed to a comprehensive UN reform agenda, including through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the UN Security Council, the statement said. Sharing the view that global governance must be more inclusive and representative, President Biden reiterated U.S. support for Indias permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council(UNSC). President Biden welcomed Indias candidature as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2028-29 term, in view of Indias significant contributions to the UN system and commitment to multilateralism, as well as its active and constructive engagement in the Inter-Governmental Negotiations process on Security Council reforms, with an overall objective of making the UNSC more effective, representative, and credible. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden recommitted themselves to empowering the Quad as a partnership for global good. The Quad to be hosted in India in 2024 would be another opportunity to continue the dialogue and consolidate cooperation, the statement said. The leaders also welcomed the depth and pace of enhanced consultations between the two governments on regional issues including South Asia, the Indo-Pacific and East Asia and looked forward to governments holding an inaugural Indian Ocean Dialogue in 2023. The two leaders reiterated their enduring commitment to a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous India-Pacific region with respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, and international law. Both leaders expressed concern over coercive actions and rising tensions, and strongly oppose destabilizing or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force. Both sides emphasized the importance of adherence to international law, particularly as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the maintenance of freedom of navigation and overflight, in addressing challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the East and South China Seas. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called MoU signed by General Electric (GE) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to jointly make fighter jet engines for the IAFs LCA Mk2 Tejas a landmark agreement and said this will give India-US defence cooperation a new character. GE aerospace Thursday announced it has inked a pact with HAL to jointly produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Forces (IAF) Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk2 Tejas. The agreement Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed within hours after PM Modi met with GE chairman H Lawrence Culp Jr in Washington. The decision taken by General Electric to manufacture engines in India through transfer of technology is a landmark agreement, PM Modi told during a joint news conference with US President Joe Biden at the White House. New job opportunities PM Modi said the produce fighter jet engines in India will up new job opportunities in both countries and will give our defence cooperation a new character in the times to come. Also Read: PM Modi US Visit: GE, HAL partner up to produce fighter jet engines in India to power IAFs LCA Mk2 The defence industries and startups of both countries are important partners in this cooperation. Bringing them together is the key objective of our defence industrial roadmap, Modi said. Trailblazing initiative In a joint statement, PM Modi and US President Joe hailed the signing of MoU between GE and HAL. This trailblazing initiative to manufacture F-414 engines in India will enable greater transfer of US jet engine technology than ever before. The leaders committed their governments to working collaboratively and expeditiously to support the advancement of this unprecedented co-production and technology transfer proposal, the statement read. The Prime Minister said the close defence cooperation between India and the US symbolises the mutual trust and shared strategic priorities. Also Read: PM Modi invites General Electric CEO to play bigger role in Indias aviation, renewable energy sector Moving away from the old buyer seller relationship we had earlier, we have transitioned today to a relationship involving transfer of technology, co-development and co-production, he said. Both the leaders also expressed their desire to accelerate defence industrial cooperation and welcomed the adoption of a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap. This will provide policy direction to defence industries and enable co-production of advanced defence systems and collaborative research, testing, and prototyping of projects. Both sides are committed to addressing any regulatory barriers to defence industrial cooperation, according to the statement. With inputs from PTI Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Praising the growing co-operation between India and the United States (US), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that multi-nation alliances such as QUAD and I2U2 are testimony to the strong bond between the two nations. Speaking at an official luncheon in his honour by the US State Department, PM Modi raised a toast to the military, economic and diplomatic ties between India and the US which have strengthened by leaps and bounds in recent years. I would like to thank VP Kamala Harris & Secretary Blinken for this grand welcome. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for your warm words. Today, I am delighted to be before you once again at the State Department. In the last 3 days, I participated in numerous meetings. In all these meetings, one thing was common. Everyone agreed that friendship and cooperation should further deepen between the people of India & US, PM Modi said. India and US have added and expanded scope of mutual cooperation in defence and strategic areas, he added. During my first visit to the US in 2014, my good friend Joe Biden who was at the US State Department at the time had described the India-US relationship as a promise over the horizon. Now after a long and beautiful journey it is not limited to a promised nor to the horizon. Elaborating the growing co-operation between India and the US in different sectors, PM Modi said, In the last nine years, we have added more dimensions in our corporation in the defense and strategic sector and in emerging technologies and trade. We are progressing as we work in the frameworks of Quad and I2U2. India and US can be seen working together. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the importance of people to people contact in taking forward the growing ties between India and the United States (US). PM Modi highlighted the example of US vice-president Kamala Harris and her mother to elaborate the manner in which the Indian-American community have kept alive their bonds with India, made their native country proud with their achievements and helped develop bilateral bonds between Indian and the US. On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a joint committee of the US Congress on the second day of his historic state visit. PM Modi met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy before addressing the Congress. Congress members chanted Modi Modi as the Indian leader entered the Congress before his big address. Modi is the first Indian prime minister who has been accorded the honour of addressing the US Congress. Earlier, the Indian leader addressed the Congress in 2016. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also among the handful of leaders across the world to make a speech at the Congress. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Believing in the dignity of every citizen is in Indias DNA, said US President Joe Biden, hours after his predecessor Barack Obama claimed India risks pulling apart if the Muslim minority is not respected and called for the issued to be raised with PM Modi during his State Visit. Addressing a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Biden said: We believe in the dignity of every citizen, its in Americas DNA and I believe in Indias DNA that a whole world has a stake in our success. What did Obama say? In an interview to CNN, Obama said, If I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you do not protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, there is a strong possibility at some point that India starts pulling apart. If the President (Biden) meets with PM Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a majority-Hindu India, thats something worth mentioning, Obama said, adding that addressing human rights with allies was always complicated. We live in democracy, theres no question of discrimination Interacting with reporters at a joint press conference after bilateral talks with Biden, PM Modi, responding to a question from a US journalist, spoke at length about democracy in India. The journalist asked Modi what India will do to improve the rights of religious minorities, to which the Prime Minister said, I am surprised at what you said. We are a democracy. Democracy is part of our spirit, our blood. We live and breathe democracy. And it is in our constitution. If there are no human values and human rights, there is no democracy When we live democracy, there is no question of discrimination, he said. Also Read: Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib spitting poison by not attending PM Modis US Congress address The Prime Minister went on to say that his government can deliver and when we deliver there is no discrimination on caste, creed, religion. He also quoted the motto of Sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas (development for all and trust from all). PM Modi asserted that everyone has access to amenities irrespective of religion, caste, age or geography. The question from the US journalist came after US lawmakers Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez earlier announced that they would not attend PM Modis address to the joint session of the US Congress and claimed of repressed religious minorities in India. With inputs from agencies Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. More than 100,000 ChatGPT users are potentially exposed to fraudulent activities and cyberattacks. Group-IB, a cybersecurity company based in Singapore, has reported that hackers have successfully infiltrated 1,01,134 devices containing saved ChatGPT login details. Although the compromised ChatGPT accounts do not directly expose banking details, they put users important information, such as email addresses, passwords, and phone numbers, at risk. Consequently, these individuals become susceptible to phishing attacks. Additionally, Group-IB has identified instances of compromised credentials being traded on underground online marketplaces throughout the past year. Notably, India ranks highest in terms of the number of compromised ChatGPT accounts. In a blog post, Group-IBs research reveals that hackers employed info-stealing malware to pilfer users credentials. The post emphasizes that this type of malware gathers stored browser credentials, bank card details, cryptocurrency wallet information, cookies, browsing history, and other data from infected devices. Users may unwittingly download the malware by clicking on suspicious links or downloading software infected with malware. The cyber attack has primarily impacted users in the Asia-Pacific region. The research indicates that approximately 40.5 per cent of users in this region have been affected by the breach, with 12,632 compromised ChatGPT accounts traced back to India. Following closely is Pakistan, with 9,217 compromised ChatGPT accounts. The breach has also had a significant impact on ChatGPT users in Brazil, Vietnam, and Egypt on a global scale. While ChatGPT credentials do not directly expose banking or card information, Group-IB highlights that hackers can gain access to saved conversations with the AI chatbot. The report points out that ChatGPT stores the history of user queries and AI responses by default. Consequently, unauthorized access to ChatGPT accounts could lead to the exposure of confidential or sensitive information, which could then be exploited for targeted attacks against companies and their employees. According to Group-IBs research, the highest number of compromised ChatGPT accounts surfaced on the dark web in May 2023, with a total of 26,802 logs containing compromised accounts. The primary method of breaching ChatGPT accounts has been through the use of info-stealing malware known as Raccoon. The research firm advises ChatGPT users to update their account passwords as a precautionary measure. Additionally, for other platforms such as Gmail or Facebook, it is recommended to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to enhance security. It is important to exercise caution by refraining from downloading applications from untrusted developers and avoiding suspicious web links. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif landed in France on Thursday to attend the New Global Financial Pact Summit. A video posted by the Pakistani Prime Ministers Office shortly after his arrival has recently stirred a debate on social media. In the clip, Pakistans PM could be seen arriving at the Summit on a rainy day. Soon, he took an umbrella from a woman official escorting him and walked into the venue, abandoning the lady amid heavy rain. While the video went viral in no time, some social media users were quick to call it an embarrassment. The incident took place when Sharif arrived in Paris for a two-day summit on the New Global Financing Pact. A protocol officer was waiting for the PM with an umbrella as it was raining when he arrived at Palais Brogniart, as seen in the video. She was left soaking in the rain after Sharif spoke to her and left with the umbrella. And with this, the Pak PM came under heavy criticism. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrived at Palais Brogniart to attend the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact in Paris, France. #PMatIntFinanceMoot pic.twitter.com/DyV8kvXXqr Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) June 22, 2023 Online Debate After this, Twitter users began criticising the Pakistan PM for his behaviour. One of the users wrote, There is something called manners. Once a lady offers an umbrella u suppose walk along the lady in the umbrella the way she was walking along. https://twitter.com/SurpriseDay272/status/1671800550059397122 Some others called it an embarrassment for the nation. A few users apparently defended the action of the Pakistan PM and labelled it as a good gesture. PM of #Pakistan #ShehbazSharif insisted on holding the #umbrella himself when a #protocol officer received him at a summit hosted by the #French president on Thursday. But his good gesture left the woman officer walking in the #rain. pic.twitter.com/rhrqqrlz2k Fahama Chudary (@fahamachudary) June 22, 2023 To this, another user replied, We are proud of our Prime Minister. This gesture shows his respect for a woman. Protocol officer could easily have asked for another umbrella. He is such a great man. We are proud of our Prime Minister. This gesture shows his respect for a woman. Protocol officer could easily have asked for another umbrella. He is such a great man. MUHAMMAD ANWER KHAN (@MUHAMMADANWERKH) June 22, 2023 Some others, however, defended his action for carrying his own umbrella himself and said that he is known for his simple and modest nature. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is famous for his simplicity and modesty. He even committed to his simplicity by just holding his own umbrella in his hands by himself. Video goes viral. #PMatIntFinanceMoot pic.twitter.com/Pxd7N38Ttf Adv Usama (@U_s_a_m_a_8) June 22, 2023 Shehbaz Sharifs Visit to Paris On the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif travelled to Paris to take part in the two-day meeting. According to a report by Radio Pakistan, the Pakistani Prime Minister met with IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva earlier in an attempt to secure a loan to help his country overcome its financial difficulties. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US was not about China but about sending a message to the Indian people and American people about the importance of a bilateral relationship between the two nations, White House National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said on Friday. Responding to media queries during a press briefing, Kirby said, This State visit (of PM Modi) wasnt about China. India has challenges with China as well right on their doorstep. Quiet frankly, India has challenges with China on their own and they address these challenges largely on their own, Kirby said. The top White House Official further added, Clearly, the challenges presented by the PRC to both our nations were on the agenda yesterday. But this wasnt about leveraging India to be some counter-weight. India is a sovereign, independent state, he said. Speaking on the partnership between India and US, Kirby highlighted that over the course of this visit, US President Joe Biden and PM Modi reaffirmed that the partnership between the two nations is deeper and more expansive than its ever been. He said, And now, during this visit, President and PM Modi reaffirm that the partnership between India and the United States is deeper and more expansive than ever. And when we think about its future not only of the relationship but also of the critical and emerging technology countering climate change, global health, energy, security, and food security, there is just simply no partner thats going to be more consequential to helping solve all those problems than India and thats exactly what President Biden made clear during this visit. While giving a brief of the visit of PM Modis successful visit to the US, John Kirby also informed that President Biden and PM Modi had a meeting between senior officials and CEOs of American and Indian companies earlier today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi just concluded a very successful state visit to the White House today. PM Modi and President Biden had a meeting between senior officials and CEOs of American and Indian companies. PM Modi and President Biden reaffirmed that the relationship between India and the US is deeper and more expansive than ever, Kirby underlined during the White House press briefing. US President Joe Biden on Thursday said that India-US cooperation matters not just for the people of the two countries but the whole world as the partnership is about tackling climate change, preventing pandemics and giving citizens real opportunities. Kirby stated that Indias role in solving these problems is consequential and President Biden made this clear during the visit. Speaking at the Hi-tech Handshake event with top CEOs of the US and India at the White House, Biden said technology cooperation will define the partnership. Our cooperation matters, not just for our own people but quite frankly to the whole world as our partnership is about more than the next breakthrough or the next deal as big as they may be. It is about tackling climate change, about exploring the universe, about lifting people out of poverty, preventing pandemics and giving our citizens real opportunity, he said. In his remarks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the coming together of talent and technology guarantees a brighter future. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday welcomed Indias plans to procure Predator drones made by General Atomics, a mega pact that will allow American Navy ships to undertake major repairs at Indian shipyards. President Biden and Prime Minister Modi welcomed Indias plans to procure General Atomics MQ-9B HALE UAVs. The MQ-9Bs, assembled in India, will enhance the ISR capabilities of Indias armed forces across domains. As part of this plan, General Atomics will also establish a Comprehensive Global MRO facility in India, read US-India joint statement. The agreement would strengthen Indias national security and surveillance capabilities, extending beyond the Indian Ocean and encompassing the border region with China. General Atomics is a defence and diversified technologies company that produces a series of unmanned aircraft (drones) and provides electro-optical, radar, signals intelligence, and automated airborne surveillance systems. India shares vast maritime and land boundaries with two major adversaries Pakistan and China and requires constant monitoring of their activities to safeguard its national security interests. The Predators, also called the MQ-9 Reaper, can fly up to 36 hours at a stretch and can be used for focused monitoring of any specific point or area of interest. As many as 31 Predator drones, to be acquired by India from the US soon, would be operated by the tri-services jointly. Speaking to ANI, a senior defence official said, The decision to buy 31 (Predator or Reaper) drones for taking care of complete surveillance requirements was taken after a scientific assessment. The Predator drones would be operated by a joint tri-services command, which will include officers and men from all three services. The tri-services headquarters also sent the proposal in this regard to the defence acquisition council, the official said. Indian personnel would also, very soon, be provided training to deal with the ground-station equipment and the birds, both in both India and the US where it is manufactured. Both leaders welcomed the setting up and launch of the US-India Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X). As a network of universities, startups, industry and think tanks, INDUS-X will facilitate joint defence technology innovation and co-production of advanced defence technology between the respective industries of the two countries, added the statement. President Biden and Prime Minister Modi also hailed the landmark signing of an MoU between General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the manufacture of GE F-414 jet engines in India, for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Light Combat Aircraft Mk 2, added the statement. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. With the technology cooperation between India and the US gaining new heights, President Joe Biden on Friday gifted Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a special T-shirt which had PM Modis famous quote The future is AI-America and India. Addressing the joint session of the US Congress for a historic second time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that it is an exceptional privilege to do it twice, adding that, A lot has changed since I came here seven summers ago. But a lot has remained the same like our commitment to deepen the friendship between India and the United States. In the past few years, there have been many advances in AI Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, there have been even more momentous developments in another AI- America and India. PM Modi coined a new acronym to showcase the technological cooperation between US and India saying that there has been even more momentous development in another AI- America and India. PM Modi addressed the joint sitting of the US Congress on June 22, saying The US is the oldest and India the largest democracy, adding, Our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given this T-shirt by President Bide, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Chairman of Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra, Apple CEO Tim Cook and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar could be seen at the event, amongst many others. During his historic second address at the US Congress yesterday, PM Modi also said, Now, when our era is at crossroads, I am here to speak about our calling for this century. PM Modi said he can relate to the battles of patience, persuasion and policy. I can understand the debate of ideas and ideology. But I am delighted to see you come together to celebrate the bonds between two great democracies India and the United States, the prime minister said. Prime Minister Modi, on his first-ever state visit to the United States, received a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at the White House. His first visit to the US took place in 2014, during which he had a working visit and delivered his inaugural speech at the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly. In 2016, he returned to attend the Nuclear Security Summit and held a meeting with then-President Barack Obama at the White House. That same year, PM Modi made another trip to the US and addressed a range of topics, including terrorism, climate change, and the strong Indo-US partnership, in his first speech to the US Congress. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Oil spills are disasters that occur when oil leaks from pipelines, ships, rigs, or wells into the environment. Oil spills can harm marine life, birds, plants, and humans. They can also damage the economy and the environment for years. Here are 10 of the worst oil spills in history, based on the amount of oil spilled. 1. The Persian Gulf oil spill (1991) This was the largest oil spill in history. Iraq deliberately released about 380 million to 520 million gallons of oil from tankers and wells into the Persian Gulf to prevent US forces from landing during the Gulf War. The oil slick covered more than 4,000 square miles and killed thousands of birds, fish, and turtles. The spill also affected the fishing and tourism industries in the region. 2. BPs Deepwater Horizon oil spill (2010) This was the second-largest oil spill in history, caused by an explosion and fire on a drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico. The rig sank and the well leaked about 206 million gallons of oil into the ocean for 87 days. The oil reached the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, affecting wildlife, fisheries, beaches, and wetlands. The spill also triggered lawsuits, investigations, and protests against BP and its partners. 3. The Ixtoc I oil spill (1979) This was the third-largest oil spill in history, caused by a blowout on an exploratory well in the Bay of Campeche, Mexico. The well spewed about 140 million gallons of oil into the water for 10 months before it was capped. The oil spread over 1,100 square miles and reached the shores of Texas and Mexico, killing marine life and birds. The spill also harmed the fishing and tourism industries in both countries. 4. The Atlantic Empress oil spill (1979) This was the fourth-largest oil spill in history, caused by a collision between two tankers in the Caribbean Sea during a tropical storm. The Atlantic Empress and the Aegean Captain caught fire and spilled about 88.3 million gallons of oil into the sea. The oil burned for days and created a thick black smoke that affected air quality and visibility. The spill also killed fish and coral reefs in the area. 5. The Fergana Valley oil spill (1992) This was the largest land-based oil spill in history, and Asias worst oil spill, caused by a blowout at a well in Uzbekistan. The well spewed about 87.7 million gallons of oil into the valley near the city of Fergana. The oil caught fire and burned for two months before the well pressure subsided. The spill contaminated soil, water, crops, and livestock in the region. It also posed health risks to people living nearby. 6. The Nowruz oil field spill (1983) This was the sixth-largest oil spill in history, caused by an attack on an Iranian oil platform by Iraqi forces during the Iran-Iraq War. The platform leaked about 80 million gallons of oil into the Persian Gulf for seven months before it was repaired. The oil slick covered more than 700 square miles and killed marine life and birds. The spill also affected fishing and navigation in the gulf. 7. The ABT Summer oil spill (1991) This was the seventh-largest oil spill in history, caused by an explosion on a tanker off the coast of Angola. The tanker burned for three days and spilled about 51 million to 81 million gallons of oil into the Atlantic Ocean. The oil spread over 80 square miles and killed fish and dolphins. The spill also threatened coastal ecosystems and communities in Angola and Namibia. 8. The Castillo de Bellver oil spill (1983) This was the eighth-largest oil spill in history, caused by a fire on a tanker off the coast of South Africa. The tanker broke into two parts and spilled about 78.5 million gallons of oil into Saldanha Bay. The oil burned for a week and created a thick black smoke that affected air quality and visibility. The spill also killed fish and seabirds in the bay. 9. The Amoco Cadiz oil spill (1978) This was the ninth-largest oil spill in history, caused by a grounding of a tanker off the coast of Brittany, France. The tanker broke apart and spilled about 68.7 million gallons of oil into the English Channel. The oil reached more than 200 miles of French coast and killed millions of invertebrates, such as molluscs and crustaceans, and an estimated 20,000 birds. The spill also contaminated oyster beds and fishing grounds in the region. 10. The Odyssey oil spill (1988) This was the tenth-largest oil spill in history, caused by a sinking of a tanker in the North Atlantic off the coast of Canada. The tanker split in two and spilled about 43 million gallons of oil into the ocean. The oil spread over 100 square miles and killed fish and seabirds. The spill also affected shipping and fishing activities in the area. This article has been generated using Artificial Intelligence Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The heartfelt wish of a teenager to surprise his father on the International Fathers day turned into a heart-wrenching tragedy. It has been revealed that 19-year-old Suleman, the youngest passenger on the ill-fated Titan submersible embarked on the underwater journey in hopes to create special memories with his father. Azmeh Dawood, Sulemans older sister, revealed in an interview with NBC News that her brother was not enthusiastic about the adventure. Despite feeling terrified beforehand, Suleman Dawood went ahead with the trip as a special present for his father businessman Shahzada Dawood. Suleman had reservations about the trip and was uncomfortable with the idea, but his desire to please his father and share a bonding experience pushed him to participate. Azmeh described her brother as someone who would go to great lengths for the people he cared about, and fulfilling his fathers wish was a testament to his selflessness. Azmeh also shared her thoughts on the others who tragically lost their lives in what she described as a catastrophic implosion during the trip. She believed that unlike Suleman, these individuals had joined the expedition for their own personal interests. In contrast, Sulemans motivation solely stemmed from his desire to bond with his father on Fathers Day. While the circumstances were devastating, Azmeh found solace in the fact that her brother and the others on board likely did not experience any pain. They were blissfully enjoying the moment when tragedy struck. Azmeh spoke fondly of her father, referring to him as a precious angel and shared that his fascination with the Titanic began in his early years. For Shahzada, the journey was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Azmeh, who currently resides in Amsterdam, expressed her disbelief and described the situation as unreal. She compared it to being trapped in a suspenseful movie with an unknown countdown. The thought of her loved ones in such a distressing situation made it difficult for her to breathe. Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, both British citizens, came from one of Pakistans most prominent families. The Dawood Hercules Corporation, the familys renowned business empire, held investments in various sectors, including agriculture and healthcare. Shahzada, a billionaire, served as the vice chairman of the Karachi-based Engro Corporation and advised Princes Trust International, a charitable organization founded by King Charles. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Taking stern action against Moscow for allegedly violating childrens rights during the ongoing conflict with Kyiv, the United Nations put Russian forces on its annual blacklist of countries that violate the rights of children in conflict and attack schools and hospitals in Ukraine, according to a new report seen Thursday by The Associated Press. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in the report to the Security Council that he is appalled by the high number of grave violations against children in Ukraine in 2022, shocked at the number of attacks on schools and hospitals, concerned by the detention of children, and troubled that some Ukrainian children have been transferred to Russia. The U.N. chief did not put Israel on the blacklist for grave violations against 1,139 Palestinian children, including 54 killings last year as supporters had hoped. Instead, he welcomed Israels engagement with the U.N. special envoy for children in armed conflict, Virginia Gamba and its identification of practical measures including those proposed by the U.N. to protect children. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, told reporters Guterres made a big mistake in not listing the most extreme government in Israels history. It is very disappointing to the Palestinian people and to the Palestinian children, he said. In the wide-ranging report, the secretary-general said that last year children were disproportionately affected by conflict. He said the U.N. verified grave violations against 13,469 children, including 2,985 who were killed, in 24 countries and one region. Grave violations include the recruitment and use of youngsters by combatants, killings and injuries, sexual violence, abductions, and attacks on schools and hospitals. Guterres said the spread of conflicts to new areas contributed to a 140% increase in grave violations in Myanmar and a 135% increase in South Sudan. An upsurge in activity by armed groups, including al-Qaida and the Islamic State, also caused a severe deterioration of the situation in the central Sahel, particularly in Burkina Faso, leading to an 85% increase in grave violations. Violations also increased in Colombia, Israel, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, Sudan and Syria, the secretary-general said. While armed groups were responsible for 50% of the grave violations, Guterres said government forces were mainly responsible for the killing and maiming of children, for the attacks on schools and hospitals, and for the denial of humanitarian access. The countries with the most verified violations were Congo, Israel and the Palestinian territories, Somalia and Syria, he said. By contrast, Afghanistan, the Central African Republic and the Philippines saw a decrease in grave violations, and last years truce in Yemen contributed to a 40% drop in violations. The report also lists two new countries of concern for children: Haiti and Niger. Guterres said the Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups were listed for carrying out 480 attacks on schools and hospitals, and for killing children, in particular through their shelling and airstrikes on cities and towns. According to the report, 136 Ukrainian children were killed and 518 injured. The secretary-general urged Russian forces to abide by their obligations under international law and their own commitments to protect children, including by avoiding the military use of schools and hospitals, putting in place accountability and reparations measures, and exchanging information with the U.N. on all children in conflict-affected areas. Guterres also urged Russia to ensure that no changes are made to the personal status of Ukrainian children, including their nationality. Deportations of Ukrainian children have been a concern since Russias invasion, and the International Criminal Court increased pressure on Russia when it issued arrest warrants on March 17 for President Vladimir Putin and the Russian childrens rights commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, accusing them of abducting children from Ukraine. The U.N. chief said he is also concerned by the number of grave violations against children by Ukrainian forces and urged them to abide by protections for civilians under international law. According to the report, Ukrainian armed forces were responsible for the deaths of 80 children and injuries to 175 others, as well as 212 attacks on schools and hospitals. With inputs from AP Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Leading American newspapers highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modis first state visit to the US, with prominent coverage including reports on technology and defence agreements signed between the two countries. In a full-page coverage inside The Washington Post, the paper notes In Prime Ministers address before Congress, Modi puts his focus on growth. Lawmakers welcomed Modi to the House Chamber warmly, giving him a loud standing ovation. Some in the gallery chanted his name as lawmakers lined up to shake his hand as he made his way to the dais, the report said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in Washington on a state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden. On Thursday, both leaders held a historic summit during which the two countries signed an agreement to jointly produce jet engines in India to power military aircraft and a deal on the sale of armed drones to India. Another article US, India announce agreements on technology, defence said, Biden and Modi announced several agreements, including a deal to jointly produce a GE fighter jet engine in India and efforts to shore up supply chains for microchips and other key technologies. The style section of The Washington Post has a half-page photograph of Prime Minister Modi flanked by the Bidens in the White House for the lavish state dinner. The article accompanying the report says All the pomp but light on the glee. A photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, greeting US lawmakers with a Namaste during his address at the US Congress, is on the front page of The New York Times, with the caption At a joint session of Congress on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India avoided using the words Russia and China. A full page of coverage of the visit is splashed inside the paper, with a photograph of Biden, with his hand on Modis shoulder, with the Washington Monument in the foreground, the two leaders watching the ceremonial guard of honour and the thousands of Indian-Americans who had gathered at the South Lawns of the White House on a rainy Thursday morning. The detailed NYT report notes that to mark their ties, the two leaders rolled out a long list of joint initiatives on telecommunications, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and other areas. The Financial Times carried a photograph of the two leaders standing for the national anthems on the South Lawn of the White House during the ceremonial welcome, with the caption Stronger Ties Biden and Modi commit to a defining relationship between democracies. A detailed report on the technology and defence agreements signed between the two leaders is on the second page. Joe Biden welcomed Narendra Modi to the White House yesterday for a state visit during which the US and Indian leaders will announce defence and technology deals including a purchase of US spy drones. The accords, which include efforts to boost space cooperation, mark a big push by the US to draw New Delhi into its orbit as part of a plan to work with allies and partners to counter China, the FT report said. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The US Supreme Court has upheld a law that criminalises the encouragement of illegal immigration saying that it does not violate the constitutional free speech protections. The decade-old law has always been defended by the Biden administration. The 7-2 ruling overturned a lower courts decision to strike down the provision, part of a larger immigration statute, in a case involving a California man named Helaman Hansen who deceived immigrants through a phony adult adoption program. The lower court had ruled that the law was overly broad because it may criminalize speech protected by the US Constitutions First Amendment. The law bars inducing or encouraging noncitizens to come to, enter or reside in the United States illegally, including for financial gain. According to the persecution, Hansen had persuaded over 471 people to join his program and charged each one of them $10,000 even though he knew that the adult adoptions that he touted would not lead to US citizenship. Hansen and his program collected more than $1.8 million through the scheme, authorities said. The law was, however, struck down by the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals. It was also rejected by the Denver-based 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals in a separate case. The 9th US Circuit Court argued that the law criminalizes even commonplace speech such as telling immigrants who are in the country illegally, I encourage you to reside in the United States, or advising them about available social services. On the other hand, the Biden administration argues that the law does not cover certain hypothetical scenarios that were voiced by the 9th Circuit including simply encouraging immigrants in the country illegally to remain in the United States or advising them about available social services. The administration urged the justices to restore an important tool for combating activities that exacerbate unlawful immigration, particularly because of the high volume of immigration-related litigation and criminal prosecutions that occur in the states covered by the 9th Circuit. With inputs from Reuters Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. DuckDuckGo has announced the public beta release of its Windows browser, which is now available without invite codes or waiting lists. The browser prioritizes privacy, security, and user-friendly features. Developed by DuckDuckGos own engineers, it is not a derivative of any other browser code. It utilizes the underlying operating system rendering API for web page display. The default privacy protections offered by DuckDuckGo for Windows surpass those of Chrome and most other browsers. The company has addressed specific privacy concerns related to WebView2, ensuring that crash reports are not sent to Microsoft. The browser includes several built-in privacy features: Duck Player: A YouTube player that eliminates privacy-invading ads and prevents video views from affecting your recommendations. Tracker blocking: Goes beyond what Chrome and other browsers offer, blocking hidden trackers from companies like Google and Facebook on other websites. Smarter Encryption: Enhances encryption on the websites you visit and the links you click compared to other browsers. Cookie Pop-up Management: Automatically selects the most private options available and hides cookie consent pop-ups. Fire Button: Clears recent browsing data in one click, with a Fireproof option to stay logged into specific sites. Email Protection: Hides your email address with unique @duck.com addresses when signing up online. Currently, the browser does not support extensions, but the company plans to introduce this feature in the future. In the meantime, DuckDuckGo for Windows includes ad-blocking and secure password management functionalities similar to popular extensions. Secure password management: The browser features a secure and user-friendly password manager that remembers and fills in login credentials. It can also suggest secure passwords for new logins. Private syncing across devices, enabling bookmark and password synchronization between different platforms, is in development. Ad blocking: The browser blocks invasive trackers before they load, effectively eliminating ads reliant on intrusive tracking. It also removes the white space left behind by ads, providing a clean and distraction-free browsing experience without external ad blockers. DuckDuckGo for Windows has made significant progress and will continue to improve. The company is actively working on achieving full parity with the Mac browser, including enhancements such as faster startup performance, tab pinning, HTML bookmark import, expanded Fire Button options, and additional privacy features. Private password and bookmark syncing will also be introduced soon. Availability DuckDuckGo for Windows is now available for download at duckduckgo.com/windows. The company has made switching easy for new users by allowing them to import bookmarks and passwords from other browsers and password managers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his visit to the USA visited the White House to meet the US president Joseph Biden and the First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. After the conversations, the leaders highlighted the long-standing friendship and growing cooperation between the two countries, which spans areas like trade and investment, defence and security, energy, and more. They hailed the inauguration of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in January 2023 as a major milestone in U.S.-India relations. Micron Technology to invest $800 million in semiconductor facility in India Micron Technology, a leading global semiconductor company, plans to build a new assembly and test facility in Gujarat, India. The facility will manufacture DRAM and NAND products to meet the growing demand from both domestic and international markets. Microns new facility, the first of its kind in India, will gradually ramp up capacity in line with global demand trends. The phased construction is scheduled to begin in 2023, with Phase 1 becoming operational in late 2024. Phase 2, a facility of similar scale, is planned for the second half of the decade. The project will receive significant support from the Indian central government and the state of Gujarat. Microns investment of up to $825 million across two phases will be supplemented by 50% fiscal support from the central government and incentives representing 20% of the total project cost from the state. This collaboration is expected to generate up to 5,000 new direct jobs at Micron and an additional 15,000 jobs in the community. The total investment by Micron and two government entities will be up to $2.75 billion. Strategic Importance and Sustainability Microns choice of Gujarat is driven by the regions manufacturing infrastructure, business environment, and well-established talent pipeline. The new facility will focus on transforming wafers into integrated circuit packages, memory modules, and solid-state drives. It will be built and operated in accordance with Microns sustainability goals, targeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards and utilizing advanced water-saving technologies for Zero Liquid Discharge. Meeting Long-Term Demand Microns plans align with the expected long-term demand for memory and storage solutions worldwide. The establishment of the facility in Gujarat will complement the companys global assembly and test network, enabling it to cater to diverse markets efficiently. Joint Statement from the United States and India In a meeting between President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United States and India affirmed their vision of a strong partnership in the 21st century. Several areas of cooperation were highlighted: 1) Strengthening Semiconductor Supply Chains: Applied Materials will establish a Semiconductor Centre for Commercialization and Innovation in India, promoting diversification of semiconductor supply chains. Lam Research will train 60,000 Indian engineers in semiconductor education. Readiness assessments by the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association and India Electronics Semiconductor Association will facilitate strategic development in the semiconductor sector. 2) Advanced Telecommunications and 5G/6G Technologies: Joint Task Forces on advanced telecommunications will focus on Open RAN and research in 5G/6G technologies. Public-private cooperation will be led by Indias Bharat 6G Alliance and the U.S. Next G Alliance. Field trials, rollouts, and scaled deployments of Open RAN will take place in both countries with the support of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). A Trusted Network/Trusted Sources bilateral framework will be established. 3) Quantum Coordination and AI Collaboration: A joint Indo-U.S. Quantum Coordination Mechanism will enhance collaboration between industry, academia, and government in quantum research. Cooperation in quantum information science, technology, and AI will be fostered. Funding for joint projects in applied research areas, such as semiconductors, communication, cybersecurity, and green technologies, will be provided. 4) Scientific Infrastructure and Biotechnology: Cooperation will extend to scientific infrastructure, including contributions from Indias Department of Atomic Energy to the U.S. Department of Energys Fermi National Laboratory. The construction of a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in India will commence. Partnerships in advanced biotechnology and biomanufacturing, as well as biosafety and biosecurity innovation, will be enhanced. 5) Talent, Innovation, and Inclusive Growth: The U.S.-India Commercial Dialogue will focus on expanding cooperation in talent, innovation, and inclusive growth. Efforts to upskill employees, promote STEM learning, and support MSMEs will be undertaken. The Innovation Handshake initiative will connect start-up ecosystems and address regulatory hurdles to promote further innovation and job growth. 6) Fiber Optics Investments: Sterlite Technologies Limited has invested $100 million in an optical fiber cable manufacturing unit in South Carolina, facilitating significant annual exports of optical fiber from India. These collaborative efforts demonstrate the commitment of both nations to fostering technological advancements, economic growth, and inclusive partnerships. Commenting on the announcement, Micron President and CEO, Sanjay Mehrotra, said: Were thrilled about Indias efforts to grow its semiconductor ecosystem. Thanks to the Indian government and officials for making this investment possible. Our new assembly and test site in India will help us expand our global manufacturing and better serve customers worldwide. Prabu Raja, President of the Semiconductor Products Group at Applied Materials, said: JioPhone 5G Live Images, Specifications, Features Leak: Optimized For Reliance Jio True 5G Reveals Speed-Test News oi -Alap Naik Desai Reliance Jio is readying a smartphone optimized for the Jio True 5G networks in India. The device has now appeared in a few leaked images, revealing the real-life 5G speed tests at an undisclosed location. In the past, JioPhone 5G surfaced on the Geekbench website packing 4GB RAM and Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ SoC. However, the latest leak claims a different set of hardware and features. Let's look at the latest rumors and leaks about the JioPhone 5G. JioPhone 5G Surfaces In Live Images, Speed Test Included Too Rumors about the JioPhone 5G have been doing the rounds of the internet since last year. In fact, Reliance Jio announced that it would launch an affordable 5G smartphone in collaboration with Google at its Annual General Meeting in 2022. The latest leak about the JioPhone 5G from Twitter user @ArpitNahiMila offers the first look at the device. The leak also suggests several key specifications, design, display, camera specs, price bracket, and the upcoming JioPhone 5G release date. The JioPhone 5G appears to be a budget smartphone whose primary aim seems to be optimized and reliable connection to Jio True 5G networks. The leak reveals a device with a plastic back that has the Jio branding with the words "Ultimate Speed, Unlimited Experiences" printed at the bottom. Exclusive!!Here's a sneak-peek at the upcoming unreleased JioPhone 5G. The phone is expected to release between Diwali and New Year. The expected price is under 10k. Not much specs known but possibly a Unisoc 5G or a Dimensity 700 processor. 13+2MP Rear 5MP Front camera. pic.twitter.com/bzRRIH8Sdn Arpit 'Satya Prakash' Patel (@ArpitNahiMila) June 22, 2023 The JioPhone 5G has a dual-camera setup on the back, nestled inside a pill-shaped camera island. The leak confirms that the dual camera setup features a 13MP primary camera, paired with a secondary 2MP camera. The smartphone appears to have an LCD display on the front with a waterdrop notch on top. The leak claims there's a 5MP front-facing camera inside the notch. Earlier reports about the JioPhone 5G suggested the smartphone would be powered by a Snapdragon 480+ SoC, but the latest leak claims the upcoming smartphone will feature either a UNISOC 5G or a Dimensity 700 chipset. Needless to mention, all these chipsets are meant for budget smartphones. The leak also has an image that shows the download and upload speeds on Jio 5G, which are 470Mbps and 34.25Mbps, respectively. Jio has assured that its True 5G network is capable of delivering 1Gbps speeds. There are several testimonials from users that indicate Jio is capable of delivering promised speeds. Another leak has indicated that the JioPhone 5G would feature a 6.5-inch HD+ LCD display. This means the budget 5G smartphone would have a 720p screen. The JioPhone 5G could pack a 5,000mAh battery, with support for 18W wired fast charging. It would run an Android 12-based PragatiOS custom interface. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Micron Confirms $825 Million Investment for Chip Factory in Gujarat Tech Biz oi -Kabir Jain Micron Technology, a leading US memory chip company, recently revealed its plans to invest approximately $825 million (around Rs. 6,760 crores) in a state-of-the-art chip assembly and test facility in Gujarat, India. This significant investment marks Micron's entry into the Indian market, with the central government and the state of Gujarat providing substantial support. The total investment for the project is expected to reach $2.75 billion (roughly Rs. 22,159 crores), with the Indian government contributing 50 percent and Gujarat contributing 20 percent. Micron's Investment Announcement With a commitment of $825 million, Micron aims to build a state-of-the-art chip assembly and test facility in Gujarat, India. This strategic move underscores Micron's confidence in the Indian market and its potential for growth in the semiconductor sector. The company's decision to invest in India aligns with its broader expansion plans and the desire to establish a strong presence in key global markets. Project Timeline and Phases Micron plans to initiate construction of the new facility in Gujarat in 2023. The project will be executed in two distinct phases. The first phase is expected to be operational by late 2024, while the second phase will commence in the latter half of the decade. These two phases combined will create up to 5,000 direct job opportunities within Micron, contributing to local employment and economic development. Job Opportunities and Economic Impact Micron's investment in the chip assembly and test facility in Gujarat will not only drive technological advancements but also generate significant employment opportunities. The establishment of the facility is anticipated to create a considerable number of direct and indirect job roles, benefiting the local community and contributing to the region's economic growth. Approval from the Indian Government Prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the United States, the Indian Cabinet granted approval for Micron's investment project. Recognizing the project's potential for economic growth, the Indian central government extended its support by contributing 50 percent of the total investment, while the state of Gujarat pledged 20 percent. Via Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe The Hunt For A Russian Spy: How The FSB Used A Mexican Man To Target A Defector In Miami By Mike Eckel June 22, 2023 On February 13, 2020, a Russian-educated Mexican microbiologist who worked in Singapore arrived at the Miami, Florida, airport, and rented a car. The following day, the man and one of his two wives drove to a Miami condo complex and entered through the security gate by following closely behind a car in front of them. When security guards alarmed by the unusual actions found the vehicle and confronted the man, his wife snapped a photograph of a license plate of another nearby car. They were ordered to leave. The car whose license plate was photographed belonged to a "U.S. government confidential human source, who previously provided information regarding [Russian Intelligence Service] activities implicating national security interests of the United States," according to a 2020 FBI affidavit. Until now, the identity of the "U.S. government human source" had been a closely held secret. But a book scheduled for release later this month has pinpointed who it was -- a revelation that pointed to a complex, sophisticated, yearslong effort by Russian intelligence agencies to locate the man, and possibly assassinate him. The man was Aleksandr Poteyev, a former Russian Foreign Intelligence Service officer whose tip-off to the FBI a decade earlier ignited one the biggest spy scandals in modern U.S. history, leading to the arrest of 10 Russian "sleeper" agents living undercover in the United States under elaborate false identities. The Russians were swiftly deported from the United States. In exchange, four Russians jailed in their home country on charges of spying -- including a former military intelligence officer named Sergei Skripal -- were released and sent to the West in a Cold War-style swap. Putin's Fury In the aftermath of the Russians' expulsion, then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin made no effort to hide his fury at the person who, to his mind, betrayed his country. "Those people sacrificed their lives to serve the Motherland, and there happened to be an animal who betrayed them," Putin said during a televised call-in show in December 2010. "How will he live with it all his life? How will he look his children in the eye? Swine!" "As for the traitors, they will croak all by themselves. Whatever equivalent of 30 pieces of silver they get, it will get stuck in their throats," he said. In 2018, Skripal and his daughter nearly died in Salisbury, England, when they were exposed to a powerful Soviet-era nerve agent, and a British woman who also came in contact with the substance died. British authorities identified two Russian military intelligence agents as the culprits. Poteyev, meanwhile, is still believed to be alive. The Mexican man, who pleaded guilty to U.S. foreign agent charges in 2022 and is scheduled to be released from a U.S. prison next month, is Hector Alejandro Cabrera Fuentes, 38. His connection to the Poteyev case was first confirmed in the book Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West, which is being released later this month. RFE/RL obtained a copy in advance. The book's author, Calder Walton, a researcher at Harvard University's Kennedy School, told RFE/RL that he learned of Fuentes' connection to Poteyev from two U.S. intelligence officials. The findings were corroborated separately by The New York Times. 'We Can Help Each Other' Fuentes agreed to assist Russian intelligence agents, according to Justice Department filings, sometime around May 2019, when his second wife -- a Russian woman -- and their two daughters traveled to Russia from Germany to resolve some paperwork issues. Fuentes at the time was in Singapore, where he worked as an occupational researcher at the National Heart Center. Russian officials refused to let the woman and children leave at the conclusion of their trip. According to the FBI affidavit, Fuentes then traveled to Moscow, where he met with an unnamed Russian official whom he knew from earlier "professional meetings and exchanges." At a later meeting in Moscow, the Russian man gave Fuentes a "hardcopy printout" of a 2015 e-mail from Fuentes' Gmail account, noting that Fuentes had been searching for real estate in Miami. According to the affidavit, the man pointed out that Fuentes' wife and daughters were unable to leave Russia and told him, "We can help each other." Fuentes was then instructed by the Russian man to rent an apartment in Miami in the same complex where Poteyev was living, but to do it under someone else's name, the FBI said. Fuentes finalized the rental in December 2019. That month, he met again in Moscow with the Russian official, who then instructed Fuentes to locate Poteyev's car and make note of the license plate and its physical location in the complex's parking garage. The man, however, told Fuentes not to photograph the car, according to the affidavit. On February 16, two days after Fuentes and his first wife were confronted by security at the condo complex, they were stopped by U.S. border agents at the Miami airport, where they were scheduled to fly out to Mexico City. Agents searched Fuentes' wife's phone and found a photograph of the car license plate that she had taken in the complex parking garage, and one she had sent to Fuentes via WhatsApp. When Fuentes was questioned by FBI agents the following day, the affidavit said, he revealed the situation involving his other wife and their daughters, who had been prevented from leaving Russia. And he turned over his messages with the man he believed worked for the Federal Security Service, Russia's main domestic intelligence agency, known as the FSB. Fuentes was arrested on February 18, 2020, on charges of being an unregistered foreign agent. He pleaded guilty roughly two years later and was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison. "I have zero interest in getting involved in anything like that from now on," he told the court at his sentencing on June 22, 2022. U.S. authorities said they would deport Fuentes after he finishes his sentence. He is scheduled to be released next month, on July 16, from a minimum-security federal prison in South Carolina. Fuentes' Miami-based lawyer, Ronald Gainor, confirmed Fuentes' upcoming release and expected deportation, but had no further comment. 'We Know Who He Is And Where He Is' For years, Poteyev worked for Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, known as the SVR, which along with the FSB is the one of the main successor agencies to the KGB. After tipping off U.S. officials to the Russian "illegals" spy ring, he escaped Russia and resettled in the United States, reportedly under a witness protection program that's said to be overseen by the CIA. His name emerged publicly in leaks to Russian media in late 2010. In a November 2010 report on a high-ranking SVR defector, the Russian newspaper Kommersant quoted an unnamed Kremlin official invoking the name of the Ramon Mercader, the Soviet agent who assassinated Leon Trotsky with an ice pick in Mexico City in 1940. "We know who he is and where he is. He betrayed either for money, or he was simply caught on something. But you can be sure that Mercader has already been sent for him," the official was quoted as saying. Kommersant identified the defector as a different SVR officer, but days later named Poteyev publicly for the first time. In July 2011, about a year after he fled Russia and about seven months after Putin publicly suggested that agents who betray Russia be killed, Poteyev was sentenced in absentia to 25 years in prison by a Moscow court. The effort to target Poteyev using Fuentes was not the first. In late 2013 or early 2014, a Russian hit man reportedly traveled to Florida looking for a Russian intelligence agent who had defected, according to a 2018 report by the Times. The man was reportedly tracked by U.S. law enforcement. The man was later identified by the BBC as Poteyev. Two years after that alleged attempt, in July 2016, Russia's Interfax news agency, citing unnamed intelligence officials, published a cryptic item that suggested Poteyev had died. The news story circulated widely, in and out of Russia. In fact, the story in fact may have been planted as a way to "flush out" Poteyev, to prompt him to contact his relatives back in Russia and help Russian agents to locate him. Earlier that year, however, Poteyev used his real name to obtain a fishing license in Florida, BuzzFeed News reported. He also registered to vote using his real name, something that perplexed security experts. In April 2021, the United States announced it was expelling 10 Russian diplomats, accusing them of involvement in hacking U.S. government agencies and interference in the 2020 presidential election. Some of them were identified as intelligence officers working under diplomatic cover. One was the Washington station chief for the SVR, who was expelled, according to the Times, in response to the plot targeting Poteyev. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-spy-mexican-defector- miami/32471211.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hokanson: Bilateral Defense Relations with Serbia on Positive Trajectory By Sgt. 1st Class Zach Sheely, National Guard Bureau June 21, 2023 BELGRADE, Serbia -- In the wake of Russia's brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Serbia instituted a pause on military drills with other nations. This month, Serbian troops resumed bilateral training with Ohio National Guardsmen and multinational forces in exercise Platinum Wolf, marking the first time the Serbian Armed Forces have drilled with foreign militaries since the pause. Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, met with Serbian government and defense leaders June 6-8 as part of a visit to Western Balkan nations partnered with the National Guard to reaffirm the Guard's commitment to its partnerships in this region. "We stand ready to work together any way we can," Hokanson told Gen. Milan Mojsilovic, the Serbian Armed Forces chief of general staff. Serbia and the Ohio Guard are paired in the Defense Department National Guard State Partnership Program. That Serbia is participating in training events again with Ohio Guard counterparts is a welcome step in the right direction, the CNGB said. "We hope Platinum Wolf is an indication that Serbia will resume a full range of exercises with us and other like-minded partners as soon as possible," he said. Platinum Wolf is Serbia's premier multinational regional peacekeeping exercise at Serbia's South Base. Air Force Lt. Col. Jeffrey Mussman, the Ohio National Guard's State Partnership Program director, said 10 countries are participating: Bosnia and Herzegovina; Greece; Hungary; Italy; North Macedonia; Romania; Serbia; Slovenia; the United Kingdom and the United States. The Ohio Guard is the largest visiting force, with about 115 Guardsmen participating. "This pause [on exercising with foreign partners] is still in force," Mussman said. "However, the clear training value of Platinum Wolf in preparing to meet international peacekeeping missions led to this exception. "This exercise is a highlight of our partnership and is an exceptional joint training opportunity for Ohio National Guard military police and security forces members," he said. Serbia's affiliation with the Ohio Guard in the SPP began in 2006. Serbia is one of 25 European nations paired with National Guard elements. The SPP now features partnerships with the National Guard of every U.S. state and territory and foreign nations now at 100 and counting. Serbian troops and Ohio Guardsmen have conducted almost 100 engagements focused on cybersecurity, engineering, firefighting, medical best practices and NCO development since 2019. "Military-to-military [training] is the best part of our cooperation with the U.S.," Mojsilovic told Hokanson. Hokanson said the partnership runs deeper than people may realize or expect. "Our cooperation takes many different forms: experience exchanges, exercises, military education and technical training," the CNGB said. The SPP began in 1993 as a security cooperation program with three former Soviet states. It has since expanded to include partnerships with nations in every U.S. geographic combatant command area of responsibility. Through the SPP, the National Guard conducts military-to-military engagements in support of defense security goals. It also leverages whole-of-society relationships and capabilities to facilitate broader interagency and corollary engagements spanning military, government, economic and social spheres. Serbia maintains military neutrality and is not a NATO member, though it continues political dialogue with NATO on areas of common interest. Along with the State Partnership Program, Serbia joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 2006. Hokanson said Serbia's involvement in these programs enhances military cooperation and enables Serbia's participation in global peacekeeping missions. Serbia also cooperates in various civilian agency efforts like cybersecurity, counterterrorism, climate change and disaster response. Serbia's ties with the United States extend further, as the two fought together in both world wars. Yugoslav and American troops kept the peace on the Sinai Peninsula in the 1990s. Later this year, U.S. and Serbian troops will work together again in the Sinai as part of Multinational Force and Observers, or MFO a multinational peacekeeping mission. "We're thrilled that Serbian and American forces will soon be deployed side-by-side in the Sinai as part of the MFO mission," Hokanson said. "It's our joint exercises that make this possible. The same goes for Serbia's exercises with various NATO allies and other partners." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Albania, Hokanson Sees Committed Partner, Steadfast NATO Ally By Sgt. 1st Class Zach Sheely, National Guard Bureau June 21, 2023 TIRANA, Albania -- In a country that spent nearly 450 years under Ottoman Empire rule, suffered fascist occupation during World War II, and endured a dictatorship for much of the 20th century, democracy emerged and NATO accession ensued. The latter is due, in part, to the National Guard. "Thanks to the partnership, we became a NATO country," Albania's president, Bajram Begaj, told the National Guard's top officer during a recent visit here. That partnership is the link between Albania and the New Jersey National Guard in the Defense Department National Guard State Partnership Program. The SPP, established in 1993, is intended to form cooperative, mutually beneficial relationships between the National Guard of every U.S. state and territory and foreign nations based on common interests, respect and trust. Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, met with Albanian government and defense officials June 8-11 to reinforce and strengthen this partnership. Since their official SPP pairing in 2001, New Jersey Guardsmen have conducted more than 500 training exchanges with Albanian counterparts. Albania was accepted into NATO in 2009, and its troops have been part of peacekeeping operations in Bulgaria, Iraq, Kosovo and Latvia. Albania was recently selected to host a NATO airbase in Kucova, an area once known as "Stalin City." The CNGB recognized Albania's importance to NATO and as one of the 25 European SPP partner nations. "Albania is a vital security partner for the U.S. in the Western Balkans, and this is one of our most successful state partnerships in Europe," he said. "As we look to grow our 100-nation State Partnership Program, this partnership will be a model to emulate." Albania-New Jersey Guard collaboration predates the formal SPP union. The New Jersey Guard first sent adviser teams to train with members of the Albanian Armed Forces in 1995. As with other SPP associations, this partnership has evolved to include military-to-military, military-to-civilian, and civilian-to-civilian engagements. But it started with shoulder-to-shoulder military training. Over the past two decades, Albanian troops and New Jersey Guardsmen co-deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. They continue to train together to "make both organizations better," Hokanson said. New Jersey Guardsmen worked alongside Soldiers with the Army's 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade to help the AAF's light infantry battalion group achieve NATO combat readiness certification in September. Other training exchanges have focused on aviation operations, combat medical care, explosive ordnance disposal, infantry tactics, officer and enlisted development, and, more recently, cybersecurity. Last summer, Albania experienced cyberattacks attributed to Iran on its national infrastructure systems. New Jersey Guardsmen from the 140th Cyberspace Operations Squadron were in Albania immediately after the attacks conducting a subject matter expert exchange with their host-nation counterparts and helping Albania's Ministry of Defense respond. "We are committed to continue to train together to strengthen Albania's cyber defense capabilities," Hokanson said. He added that the New Jersey Guard will work with Albania's newly formed cyber unit to develop its standard operating procedures. Another transformation is happening within the Albanian Armed Forces Academy. Albania's primary military school for officer training will shift to a program based on the U.S. Military Academy at West Point's education model. Now, the AAF Academy holds a three-year degree and commissioning program. Soon, it will move to a four-year curriculum. Albania has worked with West Point faculty and New Jersey Guard Officer Candidate School cadre to redevelop how it trains and commissions officers. In April, five New York Army National Guard and 17 New Jersey Guard officer candidates spent two weeks training with Albanian counterparts in combat leadership and tactics as part of each nation's officer training requirements. The New Jersey Guard has been there, too, as the AAF continues to overhaul, professionalize and empower its NCO corps a testament to Albania's dedication to compatibility with NATO forces. Albania recently hosted Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness 2023, or DEFENDER 23. The U.S. European Command-directed, multinational, joint exercise builds readiness and interoperability between U.S. and NATO allies and partners. Hokanson said exercises like DEFENDER are necessary to form the foundations of cooperation and readiness. "I want to thank Albania for hosting DEFENDER Europe 23 and agreeing to host again in 2025," Hokanson said. "We are building upon the success of DEFENDER 21 that was hosted in Albania for the first time. "These types of exercises are critical to our ongoing partnership," he said. President Begaj said the State Partnership Program is the best solution for peace and security in this region. "The National Guard is our best friend," Begaj said. "Every Albanian knows the U.S. is here and we're happy ... more than happy." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel military kills 3 Palestinians in occupied West Bank drone strike Iran Press TV Wednesday, 21 June 2023 9:55 PM The Israeli military has killed three Palestinians in a drone strike targeting their vehicle in a village located in the north-central part of the occupied West Bank. The military carried out the attack in the village of Turmus Ayya on Wednesday, accusing the vehicle's occupants of belonging to a "terrorist cell." Describing the aftermath of the attack, Kamal Abu al-Roub, deputy governor of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, said there were "three dismembered bodies inside" the car, which he said had been hit by missiles. So far this week, more than a dozen Palestinians have been killed in violence staged either by the military or armed Israeli settlers. The fatalities include a Palestinian male, who was killed earlier on Wednesday when hundreds of the settlers went on a rampage across Turmus Ayya. Local residents put the number of the aggressors at between 200 and 300, who began setting Palestinian residential structures and other buildings on fire and staging brutal violence against the villagers. "Settlers shot at us and when the police and the Israeli army arrived they shot at us with rubber bullets and fired teargas," resident Awad Abu Samra told AFP. Lafi Adeeb, Turmus Ayya mayor, told the agency that 35 houses had been damaged, around 50 cars torched, and farmland set ablaze. A Palestinian health ministry statement said a deceased person had arrived "at the Palestine Medical Complex from Turmus Ayya after being shot in the chest." Just hours earlier, Palestinians in Jenin had laid to rest a female teenager, whose body had been carried by her schoolmates to her burial place. Fifteen-year-old Sadil Ghassan Turkman had succumbed to Israeli army gunshot wounds that she had sustained two days before. Including the fatalities, at least 174 Palestinians have been killed so far this year as a result of Israeli violence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kentucky Guard 'Mountain Warriors' Conduct Annual Training By Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Crane and Spc. Kaitlyn Day-Walton, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs and 1-149th Infantry Regiment June 22, 2023 ARTEMUS, Ky. -- After spending the past year in Kosovo, Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment, known as "Mountain Warriors," completed two weeks of annual training. During the training at the Harold L. Disney Training Center June 3-17, the infantry Soldiers went through refresher classes on combat lifesaving techniques, reacting to contact on the battlefield, observation and mapping, radio basics, concealment basics and weapon familiarization. The weapon portion required the Soldiers to break down and reassemble several weapon systems while timed. After a morning full of practice, they competed for the fastest times. "It was awesome to see the guys compete against each other," said Pfc. Christian Griebenow, a weapons trainer with the 1/149th. "As a trainer, I felt I needed to set the standard on the time for the M240. Once Sgt. James Bray broke his own personal record, I felt obligated to improve and beat his time. It's just been an ongoing competition and a good morale booster. Watching everyone enjoy it made me feel like I accomplished my role this year." One of the highlights of the training was when the medics taught the Soldiers how to care for injured Soldiers, starting from the moment of injury on the battlefield to making the 9-line medevac request. "The medical training is designed to test infantrymen on proper and effective medical treatment while under fire," said Spc. Logan Festervan, a medic with the 1/149th. "We break the training down to a 'crawl, walk, run' technique, making it a simple and effective way to prepare them for situations that they may encounter. All the training is necessary to keep everyone on the same page and ready if called into action." The training builds on the basic skills to compete for proficiency badges and foster camaraderie in the unit. "We have trained and evaluated Soldiers on the Expert Infantry Badge and Expert Soldier Badge tasks. This leads to Soldiers being more proficient in these tasks and to becoming a better Soldier as a whole," said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Ashley, acting first sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company and ropes course instructor. While most of the battalion trained for the EIB, 33 infantry Soldiers competed for the badge at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The seven who received the badge were Army Cpt. Brennan McGuire, C Co.; 1st Lt. Kyle Taylor, HHC; Sgt. 1st Class Casey Lindsey, I Co.; Staff Sgt. Jacob Wright, C Co.; Staff Sgt. Gregory Thiemann, B Co.; Sgt. Jerry Marksbury III, C Co., and Sgt. Baylor Napier, C. Co. "The fact that more than half of the Soldiers selected to wear the distinguished Expert Infantry Badge came from 1-149th shows the level of great character, commitment, and skill we have as infantry Soldiers," said Sgt. Maj. Anthony Hughes. "It also proves that with enough effort and proper training from the leaders in our battalion, we can achieve a high level of success in training, which also prepares us for the battlefield." Sgt. Jerry Marksbury won the coveted top-earning 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team "Iron Mike Award" for passing each stage of the competition as a first-time Go. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address West Virginia Guard Hosts Irregular Warfare Exercise By Edwin Wriston, West Virginia National Guard June 22, 2023 KINGWOOD, W.Va. -- The West Virginia National Guard and the Irregular Warfare Center hosted a two-week exercise for more than 420 members of the U.S. military, special operations community, allies and partners from 16 nations, and observers to provide validation for deploying special forces in an irregular warfare scenario. The Ridge Runner Irregular Warfare Exercise 23-01 was held throughout West Virginia and wrapped up June 16 at Camp Dawson. The Department of Defense's summary of the Irregular Warfare annex to the National Defense Strategy defines irregular warfare as the struggle among state and non-state actors to influence populations and affect legitimacy. Ridge Runner focused on building long-term interoperability between U.S. and foreign national special operations and conventional forces, enabling mission essential tasks, and assessing readiness while enhancing strategic and operational irregular warfare capabilities. Participants from Charlie Company, 5th Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne); 92nd Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne); Bravo Company, 6th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne); and the United States Marine Corps 193rd Special Operations Group, 4th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, 4th Civil Affairs Group, and 4th Marine Corps Advisor Company Alpha trained alongside forces from the United Kingdom, Latvia, Lithuania, Polish Territorial Defense Force, Polish GRYF, and Polish JKW. Observers from Canada, Georgia, Moldova, Qatar, Hungary, Germany, Finland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Australia, and the United Kingdom Special Air Service also attended. "The Ridge Runner Irregular Warfare exercise helps provide critical cross-training and preparation of both special operations and joint forces to conduct irregular warfare activities while deployed into potentially hostile or contested environments," said Maj. Gen. Bill Crane, adjutant general for the West Virginia National Guard. "Today's complex environment demands we look to this type of realistic training to prepare our forces to combat malign and malicious activities by adversaries and peer competitors." Crane said the IWC partnership enabled the expansion of the Ridge Runner program to a premier training venue for domestic and international forces. "In addition, we were able to work with other state adjutants generals through the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program to bring partner and allied forces to train in West Virginia on irregular warfare tasks," he said. Exercise participants assimilated into communities in two simulated nations in northern and southern West Virginia. Participants met with actual local government officials, law enforcement and emergency services personnel. They monitored simulated economic and political situations in each "nation" through simulated newscasts and media engagements, mirroring procedures and operations they would conduct during actual deployments. Information from these engagements drove additional training and missions, eventually countering a simulated invasion by hostile forces from neighboring nations. "These simulations are critical to ensuring America and our allies are prepared and ready to handle the destabilizing tactics we're seeing Russia and China employ through organizations like the Wagner Group," said Sen. Joe Manchin, a Senate Armed Services Committee member. Before the exercise, attendees participated in a three-day irregular warfare academics program through the Joint Special Operations University. "The benefit of what the IWC and Ridge Runner brings the knowledge of the non-kinetic skills and base knowledge to operate in an environment that is presenting the greatest non-kinetic threat to freedom around the world," said 2nd Lt. Marek Zaluski, Polish Territorial Defense Forces. "Freedom of not only the United States but also its partners and allies." In another component of the exercise, the Ridge Healer event, the 193rd Special Operations Medical Group, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, tested its ability to support irregular warfare medical tasks in an austere environment. Sen. Shelley Capito said the Ridge Runner exercise demonstrated "the strength and leadership of West Virginia authorities across all levels of government and allowed our Special Operators to train in unique settings across the entire state." U.S. Army Maj. Mikael Susick, Ridge Runner director, said lessons learned from the exercise would help improve future iterations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kosovo-Serbia: Press Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell after the crisis management meetings with Prime Minister Kurti and President Vucic European External Action Service (EEAS) 22.06.2023 Brussels, 22/06/2023 EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Thank you. You know very well that, for almost four weeks, we have been witnessing the situation in the north of Kosovo deteriorating unnecessarily with protests and violent clashes. The KFOR troops, journalists, law enforcement officers and normal citizens were injured, and we hear about incidents on a daily basis. This is unacceptable, unaffordable, this cannot continue. And that is why I asked President [of Serbia, Aleksandar] Vucic and Prime Minister [of Kosovo, Albin] Kurti to come to Brussels today for a crisis management meeting. Again, we are in crisis management mode. Yes, we are dealing with a crisis, and I thank both of them for coming to Brussels and trying to look for de-escalation. We have called on Kosovo and Serbia many times to de-escalate tensions and to return to the process of normalisation of relations - and the Member States of the European Union have been very clear in calling for resolute steps, and so the United States has done. Unfortunately, so far, all what we have been witnessing is just the opposite. Today, together with the European Union Special Representative, Mr [Miroslav] Lajcak, we spent the last four hours - more than four hours - first with Prime Minister [of Kosovo, Albin] Kurti, after with President [of Serbia, Aleksandar] Vucic in separate meetings - they were not joint meetings - to try to find a solution or at least a way forward. We presented to the Parties our clear expectations: To Kosovo, to immediately suspend police operations in the vicinity of the municipal buildings in the north of Kosovo and for the four mayors to temporarily perform their duties in premises out of the municipal buildings. For Serbia, to ensure that protestors will withdraw from the municipal building simultaneously with the withdrawal of the Kosovo police. To both, to announce early [local] elections, as soon as possible, in all four municipalities with the unconditional participation of the Kosovo Serbs. Here is the core of the problem, and the core of the solution; early elections. New elections, as soon as possible, with full participation. And after, once the situation on the ground becomes normal, to continue working on normalisation through the European Union facilitated Dialogue. Only a few months ago, we reached a landmark Agreement on the Path to Normalisation and it really looked like we were on a good track in order to advance on this normalisation of relations. We need to go back to the implementation of this agreement, and this includes starting without any further delay, or any kind of preconditions, negotiations for the drafting of the statute of the Association/ Community of Serb Majority Municipalities in the north of Kosovo. I think that we have been very clear also that there cannot be impunity for the perpetrators of violence, but this issue has to be left to the judiciary to be handled in a professional and impartial manner. Today's meeting did not focus on the what, but on the how and when: how to defuse the situation on the ground, how to defuse it in very concrete steps, how to organise new elections, and how to return to the Dialogue and implementation of all Dialogue obligations, in particular the recent Agreement on the Path to Normalisation. After four hours of meetings, I think the two leaders understand the severity of the situation, but obviously they are in different situations, different approaches, different interpretations of the causes and, also, effects, consequences and solutions. In order to try to go forward, I have been putting on the table concrete proposals, based on the mentioned conditions of the European Union. And at least, in this context, we agreed on the need for new elections and discussed in detail the modalities and the steps on how to get there. They are still not there, but at least we know how to proceed, and which are the different alternatives and procedures. We also discussed about arrests. I stressed that arbitrary or unrightful arrests or mistreatment of prisoners is completely unacceptable. Our [European Union] civilian mission - our EULEX mission in Kosovo - will play a more robust role in monitoring in this context. I also stressed to President Vucic that the three Kosovo policemen held in Serbia need to be released immediately and unconditionally. Summing up, I think that we have identified possible ways forward, but both parties urgently need to deliver on their commitments. In particular, I presented to [the Prime Minister of] Kosovo some allegations about the treatment of prisoners and the reason for some detentions, and I asked for a thorough investigation and evaluation of this situation, and to take the appropriate measures. The last [thing] I can say, is that the Special Representative Mr [Miroslav] Lajcak, and myself will be in close touch with both parties in the coming days. I will report to the Foreign Ministers on Monday [Foreign Affairs Council] where we stand and where we should go. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Tsahkna in Poland: we are looking for clear messages to Ukraine from the Vilnius summit Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 22.06.2023 Yesterday 21 June, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna was on a working visit to Poland, where he met with his Polish counterpart Zbigniew Rau. The main topic of the meeting was the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius in July. "We are expecting the Vilnius summit to give Ukraine clear messages on joining NATO," Tsahkna said. "Ukraine belongs in NATO and it is our duty to support them in their accession, as well as politically and militarily for as long as needed." Minister Tsahkna also raised the need to establish a special tribunal to hold Russia's leadership accountable for the crime of aggression. "No one should go unpunished and Russia's ruling elite must be punished for the crimes committed in Ukraine," Tsahkna emphasised. The meeting also covered the bilateral relations of Estonia and Poland. "The pressure of Russia's aggression on Ukraine has a great impact on Estonia and Poland as well. Now is the historic moment to reinforce European security," Tsahkna said. The minister thanked Poland for close defence cooperation and the country's contribution to collective defence. The ministers highlighted the potential for closer economic relations. The two countries also plan to work together closely in Ukraine's reconstruction. The minister also met with the representatives of the Scandinavian-Polish Chamber of Commerce and the German Marshall Fund, and in the evening, he welcomed guests at a Victory Day reception held at the Estonian embassy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence Minister Pevkur: The contribution of the United States Maryland National Guard to the development of Estonian national defence has been invaluable Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence 22. June 2023 During today's meeting with Major General Janeen L. Birckhead, the Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard of the United States, Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur expressed his gratitude for Maryland's 30 years of dedicated cooperation and support to Estonia. Since the restoration of Estonia's independence, the Estonian Defence Forces and the Defence League, together with the Maryland National Guard, have developed military cooperation. "The contribution of the Maryland National Guard to the development of our Defence Forces throughout these decades has been invaluable. We engage in close military cooperation in various areas. For example, the Maryland National Guard participated in this year's major exercise Spring Storm, led by the Estonian Division. The collaboration between the Defence League and the Maryland cyber defence units, as well as the Women's Voluntary Defence Organization (Naiskodukaitse), with the Americans in the field of civil defence and evacuation, has been excellent. Six A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft based at the Amari Air Base and participating in exercises in Estonia belong to the 175th Wing of the Maryland National Guard's Air Force," said Pevkur. Defence Minister Pevkur briefed Major General Birckhead on recent developments in the Estonian Defence Forces and Estonias investments in enhancing its defence capabilities. Additionally, they discussed defence cooperation between Estonia and the United States and the reinforcement of Estonia's military defence. Through the State Partnership Program (SPP), the Maryland National Guard became an official partner of the Estonian Defence Forces in 1993. Training was organized for the Defence League, Border Guard, Rescue Board, and the Defence Forces. In 1998, the collaboration between the state of Maryland and Estonia expanded beyond military cooperation to encompass a wider range of collaboration. Sister city connections were established between cities in Estonia and Maryland, fostering academic relationships between the universities of Tartu and Salisbury, and business partnership began. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vice Minister of National Defence underscores the necessity of air and missile defence for the Baltic states in Paris Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2023-06-22 International cooperation June 19 through 21, Vice Minister of National Defence Greta Monika Tuckute attended the European Air Defense Conference in Paris organized under the auspices of President of France Emanuel Macron. Vice Minister underscored in her address the importance of air and missile defence in the defence of the Baltic states. "NATO unity and solidarity are key for a steadfast collective defence of our region," said Vice Minister while noting the necessity to implement the NATO rotational air defence model to ensure a smooth transition from air policing to air defence in the event of a crisis. While in Paris, vice Minister had a meeting with Xavier Chatel, Strategic Affairs Advisor to President Macron, on Ukraine's NATO membership perspectives, challenges to strategic security in Europe and collective defence ahead of the NATO Summit in Vilnius. Priorities and options for cooperation with defence industry were also among the topics touched upon. Vice Minister's agenda also covered participation in Salon du Bourget 2023 held in Paris this week. The largest defence industry exhibition in the world is dedicated to air defence and aviation. Vice Minister's delegation and herself had a round of meetings with other countries' defence representatives. The meeting with Emmanuel Chiva, Chief Executive of the French Defense Procurement Agency (French: Direction generale de L'armement, DGA) of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, addressed the bilateral cooperation in innovation promotion, as well as bilateral acquisition projects (CAESAR, 155 mm ammunition, etc.). DGA Chief Executive also briefed on the recently established Defense Innovation Agency (DIA) at the meeting. Meetings with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army Patrick Mason and Assistant Secretary of the Army Doug Bush focussed on major U.S.-enabled procurement projects (HIMARS, Black Hawk, JLTV, Switchblades, etc.) and especially, the maximum acceleration of delivery of the equipment; also, increasing the assistance to Ukraine and a speedy transfer of the needed equipment and weapons. The meetings held with top executives of the European and U.S. defence industry companies, Thales, Nexter, Kongsberg, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, addressed implementation of the weaponry procurement projects Lithuania prioritized and inclusion of Lithuanian defence industry companies into supply chains, thus strengthening the cooperation and supply to the Lithuanian Armed Forces. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary General praises Montenegro's contributions to NATO, key role in Western Balkans NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 22 Jun. 2023 Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed President Jakov Milatovic to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (22 June 2023), thanking him for Montenegro's "many contributions to our shared security". He highlighted Montenegro's key role in promoting stability and peace in the Western Balkans, including by contributing troops to the KFOR peace-keeping mission in Kosovo. "NATO's commitment to KFOR and our United Nations mandate is unwavering," said Mr Stoltenberg, noting that KFOR has increased its presence in response to ongoing tensions. He further called "on all parties to de-escalate and return immediately to the EU-facilitated dialogue," calling this "key for lasting security in Kosovo and stability in the region." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fighting intensifies in Sudan as warring parties blame each other Iran Press TV Thursday, 22 June 2023 7:26 PM Explosions have jolted the Sudanese capital as fighting intensifies between the country's army and a paramilitary force. Both the Sudanese Army and Rapid Support Force (RSF) have been blaming each other for an attack on the civilian population. According to the witnesses, artillery fire was reported on Thursday in the east of Khartoum while the northern suburbs were caught under heavy shelling from the army. The three-day ceasefire brokered by the US- and Saudi ended on Wednesday morning with the fighting resuming within minutes. The army blamed the RSF for "taking advantage of the truce to mobilize its forces and commit several violations against civilians." The RSF on the other hand charged the army with fabricating a video of a rape attack, alleging "one of the actors appeared in the uniform" of the armed forces, "proving their guilt." Since April 15 fighting between the regular army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF headed by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo has claimed more than 2,000 lives. In the last two months, the two rival Sudanese generals have been mainly fighting in the capital and the western Darfur region, but on Wednesday, the army accused a key rebel group in South Kordofan state, southwest of Khartoum, of having "attacked" its troops. According to the residents, Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state witnessed the worst clashes with both sides using "all types of weapons", AFP reported on Wednesday. The United Nations has warned that the conflict has taken an ethnic turn in Darfur, home to ethnic minority groups including many Arab tribes. According to the figures given by the International Organization for Migration almost 600,000 people have fled Sudan for neighboring countries. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has reported that more than two million are displaced inside the country due to the conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli drone attack in West Bank 'will not go unpunished': Palestinian resistance groups Iran Press TV Thursday, 22 June 2023 7:45 AM Palestinian resistance groups have condemned a deadly Israeli drone strike in the northern occupied West Bank city of Jenin, saying the occupying regime should pay for the criminal act. Hazem Qasem, spokesman of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, denounced the strike, which left three people dead, as a "grave escalation" on Wednesday, saying the assassination of the Palestinian youths "will not go unpunished." Senior Hamas leader Ismail Radwan said the use of drones in operations against Palestinians in Jenin is a "dangerous development," calling on Palestinian resistance groups to intensify their resistance against the occupying regime in the area. Abdul-Jawad al-Attar, one of the leaders of the Islamic Jihad movement, also said the resistance front will not remain silent in the face of Israeli crimes and will continue to defend the Palestinian people. Additionally, the Jenin Battalion of Islamic Jihad's al-Quds Brigades announced in a statement that the Israeli regime must pay for its "foolish decision" to target a number of fighters using drones. "These assassinations will not weaken our resolve to confront the enemy, and the Zionist regime must pay for it," it added. On Wednesday, the Israeli military targeted a vehicle near the Al-Jalama checkpoint north of Jenin, accusing its occupants of belonging to a "terrorist cell." Describing the aftermath of the attack, Kamal Abu al-Roub, deputy governor of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, said there were "three dismembered bodies inside" the car, which he said had been hit by missiles. The Jenin Battalion identified the three victims as Suhaib Adnan al-Ghul, 27, Ashraf Murad al-Saadi, 17, and Mohammad Bashar Owais, 28, all members of the Islamic Jihad. Over the past months, Israel has ramped up attacks on Palestinian towns and cities throughout the occupied territories. As a result of these attacks, dozens of Palestinians have lost their lives and many others have been arrested. Most of the raids have been into the cities of Nablus and Jenin, where Israeli forces have been trying to stifle a growing Palestinian resistance against occupation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Marcos slammed for conciliatory remarks on Beijing's fishing ban in Manila's waters China cannot prohibit activities in Philippine waters, fishers' group and former Supreme Court justice say. By Jojo Rinoza for BenarNews 2023.06.22 -- A fishers' group and others have slammed the Philippine president for saying he would coordinate with Beijing on its annual fishing ban in the disputed South China Sea, including in waters within Manila's jurisdiction. China has no standing to prohibit any activities in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), critics said as they responded on Thursday to comments by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reporters about planning ahead of the May-August Chinese ban to give fishermen an alternative source of income. Beijing "has no right whatsoever to impose a fishing ban" in waters within the Philippines' EEZ, said Antonio Carpio, a former Philippine Supreme Court justice and South China Sea expert. That's because in 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines when it threw out China's expansive claims in the waterway, he said. This was particularly true of the West Philippine Sea, the waters of the South China Sea within Manila's EEZ. China has been unilaterally imposing a fishing moratorium from May to August every year, claiming this promotes sustainable fishing. But the Philippines has in past years protested against this, saying the practice violates its sovereignty. Some areas covered by the fishing ban are in Philippine waters. "We cannot recognize China's fishing ban in any part of our EEZ because that will ... recognize China's nine-dash line, which is the basis for China's fishing ban," Carpio told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated news outlet, in a message on Thursday. The nine-dash line is a boundary used by Beijing on its maps to demarcate its territorial claims in the sea. "The Arbitral Award states that China's nine-dash line cannot serve as a basis to claim waters or resources in the South China Sea," Carpio said. During his comments on Tuesday, Marcos made no reference to the validity of the ban or otherwise. "When there is a fishing ban, we coordinate with them so we do not get surprised that there's suddenly a fishing ban. So we can have some time to plan," Marcos said, according to transcripts released Thursday. "When they say there is going to be a fishing ban in two months' time, then let's plan: What will the fishers do? Let us give them another livelihood or another source of income." Marcos said he had raised the issue of Filipino fishers' rights during his meeting with President Xi Jinping when he visited China in January. "I really prioritized the issue of fisheries when we met. I said, let us not talk about the territory because we will not be able to decide now," Marcos said. "Let us prioritize the fisheries because these people are not at fault, why punish them? So we are making some progress in that regard." 'China has no moral ascendancy' The activist fisherfolk group Pamalakaya is completely unconvinced by this argument of the Marcos administration, which it believes "should ... reject Beijing's annual unilateral ban." "There should be no room for any compromise, not even a coordination in regards to fishing activities in our territorial waters," Pamalakaya said in a statement on Thursday. "No amount of alternative source of income could equate the fishing livelihood of Filipinos in the resource-rich West Philippine Sea, and its significant contribution to our local food security." Additionally, Pamalakaya trashed Beijing's claim about sustainable fishing. "We remind President Marcos Jr. that China has no moral ascendancy, not especially a legal right, to impose a fishing ban on the pretext of marine conservation," the group said. "Because it is the one destroying our marine biodiversity and ecosystem through massive reclamation, illegal poaching, and industrial fishing expeditions." Marine scientists meanwhile have expressed alarm over the destruction of coral reefs in the South China Sea that are critical for the environment and preventing a collapse in fish stocks, which sustain the livelihoods of tens of millions of people. Some of the South China Sea reefs are "gone forever" due to the creation of military bases atop them, John McManus, a professor of marine biology at the University of Miami in Florida, told Radio Free Asia in October 2020. The majority of such construction has been by China, which dredged up Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef, Mischief Reef, Woody Island, and some other islets between 2014 and 2017, to make way for artificial islands that now host its military. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news outlet. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Anti-graft training in Vientiane is latest effort to counter Laos corruption The UN session for municipal workers focused on money laundering and state enterprise finances. By RFA Lao 2023.06.22 -- The effort to fight widespread government corruption in Laos - for years a declared goal of the country's top leaders - got a boost from the United Nations this week. At a training conducted by the U.N.'s Office on Drugs and Crime, Vientiane municipal workers learned how to recognize money laundering, audit the finances of state enterprises and inspect government concession projects. Berlin-based Transparency International's 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index ranked Laos 126 of 180 countries it evaluated in fighting corruption. "Cooperation included officials from the state inspector general's office and others from related outside sectors," an official from the Office of Inspector General told Radio Free Asia. "This time we did the training in Vientiane. Later, we'll have one for government officials in Savannakhet province." The government has promised in the past to address corrupt practices that have put off potential foreign investors from pumping money into much-needed infrastructure and development. However, despite the enactment of an anti-corruption law that criminalizes the abuse of power, public sector fraud, embezzlement and bribery, Laos' judiciary is weak and inefficient, and officials are rarely prosecuted. One official who said he worked as an inspector in Vientiane for a decade told RFA last year that he and his colleagues review the finances of government offices and departments but not those of individual officials who are powerful members of the party and the government. "Nobody would dare inspect them," he said. 'They do it in a group' It could be very difficult to solve Laos' corruption problem, even with stricter laws, a Laotian who asked to remain anonymous said to RFA this week. So far, no government officials have been sent to prison for corruption, he said. "Laws are strict but enforcement is weak, and that's not strong enough to solve the problem," he said. Over the last two or three years, some officials have been fired or moved to other positions - but that's been the extent of the government crackdown, a former state employee told RFA. "There are many state employees who are corrupt," he said. "Police, tax collectors, even employees of mineral companies. They do it in a group, with the involvement of high-ranking officials." A report last year from the country's State Inspection Authority said the Lao government had lost US$767 million to corruption since 2016, with government development and investment projects - such as road and bridge construction - the leading source of the widespread graft. At the time, nearly 3,700 members of the communist Lao People's Revolutionary Party had been disciplined, with 2,019 expelled and 154 people charged, the report said. Another report from the Asian Development Bank found that almost 70 percent of businesses that applied for registrations, licenses and permits in Laos paid bribes to government officials to get approval. Translated by Sidney Khotpanya. Edited by Matt Reed. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rural School Closures Seen As Taliban Effort To Impose Full Control Over Afghan Education By Mohammad Sadiq Rishtinai, Abubakar Siddique June 22, 2023 Eight-year-old Halima was devastated to learn that after overcoming numerous obstacles to her education under Taliban rule, her path to learning had been blocked with the closure of her private school. "We all went home crying," she told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi of the day she and her fellow students learned that their classes in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar Province had been terminated. "Our schools were closed first by the coronavirus [pandemic], then there was fighting, and now they have been shut again," she said. "We just want to study." The rural classroom where she studied was a lifeline for learning basic mathematics, Afghan languages, science, and Islamic studies despite the ruling Taliban's efforts to restrict girls' and women's access to education. But on April 16, classes ended when the hardline Islamist authorities announced that the school, among Afghanistan's thousands of Community-Based Education (CBE) centers, would be closed following unspecified "complaints from locals." Unrest and poverty in Kandahar and neighboring Helmand Province made the two regions a focal point for the development of CBE centers over the past three decades, with funding coming primarily from Western donors via the United Nations and international nongovernmental organizations. Countrywide, more than 500,000 Afghan children currently attend CBE centers, which were established in cooperation with the communities in which they were based and are often held in private homes, mosques, or large tents. Aid groups pay teachers' salaries, provide educational materials, and offer the same curriculum taught in Afghan state schools. The centers, typically made up of a single classroom catering for up to 50 students, half of them girls, also filled an education void in remote areas where there were no state schools. But since mid-April, nearly 1,600 CBE centers in Kandahar Province have been closed, depriving 50,000 students of an education. Similar numbers have been recorded in neighboring Helmand Province in a nationwide trend. 'It's Heartbreaking' The termination of classes at Halima's school and others like it appears to show that the narrow window for learning in remote areas is being closed as the Taliban looks to impose full control over how children are educated. Munir Ahmad, who ran a literacy class inside his mudbrick home in Dand, a rural district in Kandahar Province, said he was forced to close his doors to students in April. "It is heartbreaking to lose these classes because they serve children in remote areas where there are no other education opportunities," he told Radio Azadi. The Taliban, approaching two years in power, has not commented on whether it has ordered the school closures. But aid workers, rights campaigners, and education experts suggest that the hardline group is trying to ensure that young students receive an Islamic education even though the CBE centers follow the state model. This, in turn, has led to concerns that the Taliban either intends to permanently shut down the schools or use them as venues to spread its extremist worldview and ideology. "It is alarming," said Heather Barr, associate director of the women's rights division at Human Rights Watch. "The Taliban will likely change these schools in a way that is harmful to students, particularly girls." Education has been a main target of the Taliban's extremist policies since it seized power in August 2021 and took steps to root out secular education. Teenage girls were promptly banned from attending school despite the Taliban's promises to the international community, which has listed the Taliban's stance on girls' and women's education as a key obstacle to officially recognizing its government. 'Jihadi Madrasahs' Since taking power, the Taliban has consistently enforced strict gender segregation and replaced professional educators with clerics. Last year, Taliban supreme leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada appointed key loyalists Mawlawi Habibullah Agha and Nida Mohmmad Nadim to lead the education and higher education ministries, respectively. The two have diligently worked to expand the ban on women's education and attempted to turn schools into a tool for indoctrination by tweaking the curriculum, critics say. In some cases, modern schools have been converted into madrasahs. In December, the Taliban upped the ante by prohibiting women from receiving a university education. And in the latest move, a Taliban official said this month that its government had established "jihadi madrasahs" in at least five provinces. Many Islamist militant groups, including the Taliban, emerged from such religious schools in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan in the 1980s. Wazhma Tokhi, an Afghan human rights activist with a particular focus on women's rights and education in Afghanistan, suggests that the recent school closures can be seen as another example of the group's determination to root out secular education. "They want to turn the schools into madrasahs," Tokhi said. The UN agency for children, UNICEF, which funds many CBE centers, says it is now holding discussions with the Taliban over "timelines and practicalities" for possibly handing them over to Afghan NGOs, many of which receive outside funding and have some protection from the Taliban. Tokhi sees disastrous consequences if the Taliban assumes direct control over CBE centers. "Our future is destroyed," she said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-rural- school-closures-taliban-education/32470897.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kurti, Vucic To Meet Separately With Borrell In Brussels By RFE/RL's Balkan Service June 22, 2023 Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic have confirmed their attendance, but won't meet face-to-face, at a crisis meeting in Brussels on June 22 called by the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. Borrell called the emergency meeting to try to calm rising tensions between the two neighbors over ethnically divisive mayoral appointments and the detention of three Kosovar police officers last week by Serbian authorities. "I have called the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo to Brussels for urgent meetings to find the way out of the current crisis. We need immediate de-escalation & new elections in the north with participation of Kosovo Serbs. This is paramount for the region & EU," Borrell wrote on Twitter. Violent clashes between NATO's KFOR peacekeepers and protesting Serbs in northern Kosovo injured dozens late last month after Pristina tried to forcibly seat ethnic Albanian mayors after elections in the north boycotted by the border region's ethnic Serb majority. On June 15, Kosovar Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla accused Serbia of "entering the territory of Kosovo and kidnapping" three Kosovar policemen who were on a patrol aimed at preventing smuggling. Belgrade, meanwhile, said the officers were arrested "deep inside" Serbian territory. The three were being investigated on charges of unauthorized production, possession, carrying, and trafficking of weapons and explosive substances, Serb authorities said. The United States and the European Union have urged Serbia to immediately release the three policemen. While confirming that he would go to Brussels, Vucic said on June 22 he will meet in person with Borrell, though not with Kurti. "Talking to him [Kurti] doesn't make sense. He gives us lectures on philosophy," said Vucic. Kurti confirmed his participation in the Brussels meeting on June 21, saying that during the talks with Borrell he would insist on "the immediate and unconditional release of the three policemen who are being held hostage by Serbia...and the normalization of relations." U.S. and EU officials have encouraged a quick return to implement a three-point plan outlined by the EU aimed at normalizing relations that have kept Kosovo out of international institutions and stoked ethnic resentments decades after bloody conflicts marked by ethnic cleansing. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade has refused to recognize it. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kurti-vucic-to-meet- separately-with-borrell-in-brussels/32470721.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Deploys B-52H Stratofortress Bombers to Indonesia for First Time Sputnik News 20230622 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States has deployed B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers to Indonesia for the first time as it seeks to take the bilateral military cooperation to a higher level, the Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs said in a statement. "B-52s assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron out of Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota arrived in Indonesia on 19 June to participate in exercise Cope West. The B-52s will participate through the remainder of Cope West which concludes on 23 June. This training enables our Airmen to become familiar with other theaters and airspace...," the statement said on Wednesday. According to media reports, a total of two strategic bombers landed at the Kualanamu International Airport located on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The landing of the B-52 bombers in Indonesia comes after a series of bomber-deployment missions around the world, including a deterrent flight over the Gulf of Finland and the deployment to South Korea in March. In May, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said Jakarta and Washington have agreed to maintain stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific region and increase cooperation, including joint drills and military personnel exchanges. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address State Department, U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and Norwegian Foreign Office Engage with Companies Operating in the South Sudanese Oil Market Regarding Sanctions and Due Diligence US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson June 22, 2023 Today, State Department Sanctions Coordinator Ambassador James O'Brien and Bureau of African Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Peter Lord convened a discussion with companies and associations operating in or providing services to companies in South Sudan's oil sector. They were joined by UK and Norwegian Special Envoys to Sudan and South Sudan, Robert Fairweather and Jon Anton Johnson. The meeting focused on the importance of adhering to South Sudanese law and the commitments South Sudan's leaders made in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan to manage the country's oil revenue transparently and for the benefit of the South Sudanese people. The United States remains committed to imposing economic consequences on those engaged in corruption and in perpetuating violence and human rights abuses in South Sudan. Participants also discussed broader due-diligence standards that can help ensure that companies' activities do not provide revenue to malign actors in South Sudan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK welcomes progress on political reforms and encourages international community support for Somalia: UK statement at UN Security Council Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Somalia. 22 June 2023 Thank you President, and I want to start too by welcoming President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to our meeting today and to thank him for his important briefing. Thanks also to SRSG Laing, SRCC Souef, and Executive Director McCain for your valuable briefings, thank you. Somalia, as we know, faces many interconnected challenges and we welcome and commend the progress that you have made. Let me make three points, President. First, on the humanitarian side we are relieved that the system-wide scale up averted famine. And that the arrival of rains has ended the protracted drought. But climate shock and continued conflict will leave millions displaced and facing crisis levels of food insecurity. So we cannot afford to be complacent about the scale of humanitarian need. As the SRSG said, it affects 50 percent of the population. Second, President Mohamud, we welcome your commitment to and progress in advancing political reforms, and if I may say education reforms as well. The UK supports state-building efforts in Somalia, including the process of democratisation and recent local elections in Puntland represent an important milestone on this journey. An inclusive, consultative process in line with the constitutional review is necessary for those reforms to succeed and we encourage all parties, including Puntland, to engage constructively to that end. Inclusive politics at all levels will also be important in the fight against al-Shabaab. That brings me to my third point, security and counterterrorism. The UK commends the momentum gained from Somalia's operations against al Shabaab. As you made clear President Mahmoud, enduring progress will be measured by the ability to hold and stabilise those liberated areas. So, I encourage Somalia to continue working with the UN and partners to coordinate stabilisation efforts and to prioritise investment in reconciliation as a foundation for long-term progress. Alongside hard-won security gains, Somalia continues to take critical steps to prepare for a security transition. We encourage the international community to continue to support Somalia to enable a sustainable, affordable and accountable security sector to take full responsibility for Somalia's security as ATMIS draws down by the end of 2024. This Council has an important role to play, supporting both ATMIS to deliver its critical functions and plan a strategic drawdown, and Somalia's needs as they assume responsibility. We welcome the Federal Government of Somalia's commitment to strengthen weapons and ammunition management. The benchmarks in resolution 2662 were recommended by technical experts to prevent weapons reaching Al-Shabaab. We urge all partners to join us in supporting Somalia to make further progress against these benchmarks, to facilitate lifting of arms controls on the Government. President Mohamud, you have our support for your efforts to degrade Al-Shabaab militarily, financially, and ideologically. Through this Council, and as a committed long-term partner and friend to Somalia, the UK will continue to stand with Somalia on its journey to peace and prosperity. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 22 June 2023 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General. Good afternoon, everyone. ** Secretary-General's Travel This morning, the Secretary-General addressed the opening session of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact. In his remarks, the Secretary-General said that the international financial architecture has failed in its mission to provide a global safety net for developing countries. It is outdated, dysfunctional, and unjust, he said. International financial institutions are now too small and limited to fulfil their mandate and serve everyone, especially the most vulnerable countries, he explained. Solutions to their problems are not impossible, Mr. Guterres said, and we can start now. He urged the participants to make this meeting a rallying cry for urgent action. On the sidelines of the summit, the Secretary-General had a number of bilateral meetings, including with Presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka; Macky Sall of Senegal; Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno of Chad; as well as Sigrid Kaag, Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands; and Dr. Sultan Al-Jaber, Minister of Industry and advanced technology of the United Arab Emirates and COP 28 (28th Conference of Parties) President Designate. The Secretary-General was then hosted at a working lunch by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, before speaking in the afternoon at the Institute of Political Sciences, or Sciences Po. That is happening right now. The Secretary-General will be back in the office tomorrow afternoon. ** Israel-Palestine We issued a statement last night which said that the Secretary-General is deeply troubled by the continued violence and loss of life in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Secretary-General condemns all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror. This includes the shooting on Tuesday by two armed Palestinians that killed four Israelis in the occupied West Bank and injured others and the ensuing acts of vandalism and torching of land and properties, including a school, by Israeli settlers in Palestinian villages around Nablus and Ramallah. The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the events in Jenin on 19 June, when an Israeli security forces operation and ensuing exchange of fire resulted in seven Palestinians killed, including two children, both students at UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) schools. 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. Israel must abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law, including the proportional use of force and the taking of all feasible precautions to spare civilians in the conduct of military operations. Ultimately, only a return to a meaningful political process and ending the occupation will bring an end to this devastating cycle of violence and senseless loss of life. ** Somalia This morning, addressing her first Security Council meeting, the Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia, Catriona Laing, said that during her travels around the country in her first two weeks on the ground she witnessed the tremendous progress that Somalia has made in state- and peace-building. She told Council members that Somalia has made significant progress in advancing key national priorities, including appointing an Independent Constitutional Review Commission, passing 11 laws, and holding "one person, one vote" elections in Puntland. Ms. Laing expressed grave concern regarding the ongoing conflict in Laascaanood and emphasized that the good offices of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia are at the disposal of all parties to help agree on a peaceful way forward. On the humanitarian situation, Ms. Laing said that the current operation against al-Shabaab has created opportunities for humanitarian access to people in need. However, insecurity has also contributed to an extremely challenging operating environment for humanitarian agencies. She noted that Somalia's overall humanitarian situation remains precarious, with 8.25 million people, almost half the population requiring humanitarian assistance. Cindy McCain, the World Food Programme's (WFP) Executive Director, also briefed Council members for the first time. She noted that Somalia was hauled back from the abyss of famine in 2022, because the international community saw the warning signs flashing red and raced to respond. But now, Ms. McCain said, we are in danger of losing the precious gains we have made since those dark days last year. She noted that over 6.6 million people one third of the population are expected to face crisis or worse levels of hunger. She called on all Member States to immediately contribute to the humanitarian response plan for Somalia, which is seriously underfunded. Both sets of remarks were shared with you. ** Sudan In Sudan, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and its partners continue to reach millions of people in need, despite insecurity, bureaucratic hurdles and looting of supplies. In the two months since the conflict began, some 85 humanitarian organizations have reached 2.8 million people across Sudan with vital assistance including food, water, nutrition, health, education, sanitation, hygiene and non-food supplies, as well as protection services. Partners are delivering medical supplies and providing support to health facilities that are still operating. Between 15 April and 15 June, 19 organizations reached more than 470,000 people. Since the start of the current hostilities, partners have also screened at least 726,000 children under the age of 5 for malnutrition and treated more than 31,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. We continue working to scale up aid deliveries, including cross-border. ** Ukraine The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme have launched a joint programme in collaboration with mine action partner Foundation Suisse de Deminage to support smallholder farmers and rural families most affected by the war [in Ukraine]. The programme has already started in Kharkivska oblast, and will later expand to Mykolaivska and Khersonska oblasts, focusing on farmers with land plots smaller than 300 hectares, as well as rural families growing food for their own consumption. The programme is designed to safely release land back to productive use, including by clearing it from mines and other explosive remnants of the war. The aim is to help restore agricultural livelihoods, contribute to Ukraine's economic recovery, and phase out the need for humanitarian assistance for thousands of rural families. According to the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, published in February 2023, Ukraine's production of grain and oilseeds decreased by 37 per cent in 2022. Almost 90 per cent of small-scale crop producers surveyed by FAO in Ukraine reported a decrease in revenue due to the war, and one in four reported having stopped or significantly reduced their agricultural activity. ** Climate And the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and its partners today warned that climate funding commitments are failing children who bear the brunt of the climate crisis. A new report from UNICEF, the Children's Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) coalition, Plan International and Save the Children says that just 2.4 per cent of key global climate funds can be classified as supporting child-responsive activities. According to UNICEF's Children's Climate Risk Index, more than a billion children are at extremely high risk of the impacts of the climate crisis, such as water and food scarcity, water-borne diseases and disruption to education and health care. You can find the full report online. ** Questions and Answers Deputy Spokesman : Are there any questions for me today? Yes, Yvonne? Question : Thank you, Farhan. Sorry if I missed this at the beginning of the briefing. Did you make a comment on the report that was released yesterday by the Special Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights, Fionnuala D. Ni Aolain? It is the global study documenting misuse of counter-terrorism practices to silence civil society. Sorry, was there any comment from the Secretary-General on that report? Does he welcome this report? Deputy Spokesman : Yes. And as you know, during counter-terrorism week, we've had different events and have been flagging remarks, including by the Secretary-General and by Vladimir Voronkov, our senior official on counter-terrorism. But, yes, we welcome this report, which is part of work on counter-terrorism that we're putting out this week. Yes, please. Question : President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the following: "The Russian Federation is considering a scenario of a terrorist attack at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and has prepared everything for this. But this time, it shouldn't be like Kakhovka. The world has been warned. So, the world can act and should act." In your opinion, how should the world act to prevent this terrorist attack? Deputy Spokesman : Well, I don't want to speculate what may happen in the future. Certainly, we are watching about conditions at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been issuing its own warnings. And as you know, they have tried to offer their own expertise to do what can be done to enhance the safety at that plant; and we certainly hope that all sides understand the need to maintain the security and stability of the nuclear power plant. Michelle? Question : Thank you, Farhan. And apologies if you've probably been asked this over the past couple of days. I've been out of pocket. The submersible that was lost near the Titanic, there's been a lot of discussion online among people comparing the search for that with the migrant disaster last week. Does the Secretary-General have any thoughts on the different responses to these tragedies? Deputy Spokesman : Well, all lives are precious. I think all efforts must be made to save the lives of the people on this submersible, but by the same token, and I did say something similar on this yesterday, all of those who are risking their lives at sea must be protected. Any measures to protect people's lives, whether they're on a ship being piloted by human smugglers or whether they're on a submersible device such as this one, all of them must be cared for. Yes, James? Question : The Secretary-General's Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict has been sent to members of the Security Council. This year, the Secretary-General has listed Russia but not listed Israel. Can you explain the reasons for both? Deputy Spokesman : I don't have any extensive comments to make on a report that has gone, I know, to the members of the Security Council, but is not a document yet. We believe it will be published on Tuesday. What we're trying to do is get the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, to speak to you Tuesday morning. And hopefully, she can offer insights about the report and how it's put together. Yes, please? Question : Thank you, Farhan. I just want to follow up according to this report. Secretary-General adding Russian forces to the list of offenders, but at the same time, Ukrainian forces are not on the list. So, what was the criteria? Deputy Spokesman : Again, these are issues, I can't really confirm or deny the contents of the report at this stage, but you'll be able to see the report for yourself and talk to Ms. Gamba, and she should be able to explain what the findings of the report entail. Dezhi? Question : Today, US Supreme Court ruled against the Navajo Nation on their requirement to access more water and citing that between Navajo Nation and US Government, the treaty was made in 1868, that it did not require the US Government to take active steps to secure water access rather than only lands. Do you think this rule is, just quick, discriminatory against Indigenous People? Deputy Spokesman : Well, I don't have any comment on legal rulings by national judicial authorities. What I want to say is that it's important to make sure that water resources are shared fairly to everyone who needs it, and that particularly includes Indigenous populations, who sometimes have real difficulties in having access to water. [cross talk] Question : I was... sorry, yeah. Because I was in Navajo Nation in 2021 and 2022. I saw the terrible situation there. It doesn't look like in the United States, as a matter of fact. Has the UN ever considered to give Indigenous People tribes some kind of form of observers or status to make their voice heard? Deputy Spokesman : There are... every year we have events where Indigenous groups are brought into the United Nations and are able to make presentations. And as you know, there are special rapporteurs who deal specifically with the topic of Indigenous rights. Yes, please, in the back. Question : Tony Naddaf, Alhurra TV. Thank you, Farhan. The UN has often been accused of focusing disproportionately on Israel and of antisemitism. What is the UN response of these accusations? Deputy Spokesman : Well, regarding the focus on Israel, as my colleague Stephane [Dujarric] said last week, Israel is a full Member State of the United Nations with the same rights and responsibilities as any other Member State, and we treat it that way. Regarding antisemitism, this is something we stand against. Secretary-General has made it very clear that he has no tolerance for any manifestation of antisemitism. And this is one of the many forms of bigotry we are actively trying to combat. Question : The context of my question is because the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the US Congress is holding, as we speak, an open hearing under the subject or the title "Responding to antisemitism and anti-Israel bias in the UN, Palestinian Authority and NGO Community". Any comment? Deputy Spokesman : I don't have a comment on an event being held in the United States. What I would say is that the United Nations has a very clear and consistent record in terms of its efforts to address and combat antisemitism. Pam? Question : The SG was in... the Secretary-General was in Paris this morning talking about the international financial order or disorder. And were there any other, can you flesh out any other meetings in France, in Paris, on Ukraine or anything else? Deputy Spokesman : Yeah. I read out at the start of the briefing, the various bilateral meetings he had. I'll share it with you, that list, afterward. [cross talk] Question : Right. I'm sorry. I was on my way down. But were there discussions about France's peace plan or Ukraine? Deputy Spokesman : There certainly have been discussions about Ukraine and other topics with the different leaders. Again, I'll give you a list of the various leaders with whom he met. I don't have any individual readouts of the meetings to share with you. We did share, by the way, a readout yesterday of his meeting with President [Emmanuel] Macron of France. Abdelhamid? [silence] Sorry. Can you give... we can't hear Abdelhamid's audio. Hold on, Abdelhamid. Abdelhamid, I think you might need to talk with the technicians at some point, because you're having daily problems with your audio. Try again now. [distant voice] Not really. Abdelhamid, can you email me your question? I can respond to you by email. I can't quite hear you today. Michelle? Question : So, apologies again if this has been asked. Mali: has there been any sort of follow-up from the UN with the Malian authorities following their request last week for the peacekeeping force to leave? Deputy Spokesman : Well, at this stage, regarding the mandate of the UN Mission (MINUSMA), that is a matter to be decided by the members of the Security Council. As you know, they have in their possession the Secretary-General's latest report on Mali, including questions about the future course of the Mission, and we'll first see what decisions the Security Council takes. The current mandate of the Mission lasts till the end of this month. So, before that, we hope to get some direction on where they want the Mission to go. Question : Have the Malian authorities reached out to the UN to try to initiate any kind of drawdown? Deputy Spokesman : We're in touch with the Malian authorities. But again, the next step really is one to be taken by the Security Council. Dezhi? Question : Sorry. I have to go back to the Navajo water rights issue. Here is a General Assembly resolution adopted in 2007, called "United Nations declaration on the rights of Indigenous People". Here on Article 27: "Indigenous People have the right to own, use, develop and control the land, territories, resources that they possess by reason of traditional ownership or other traditional occupation or use, as well as those which they have otherwise pre-acquired." Do you think that the rule by the US Supreme Court today is against this resolution in the General Assembly? Deputy Spokesman : Again... Question : Because we know that... Deputy Spokesman : Well, because we have a principle of respecting the independence of national judiciaries. I'm not going comment on the Supreme Court's decision. Question : Yeah. But there is this resolution, right? You always urge people to... Deputy Spokesman : Yes, and there is a resolution of the General Assembly, and we urge the United States, along with the other Member States, to abide by the terms of the resolution. That said, of course, I have no specific comment on this or any Supreme Court decision. Yvonne? Question : Thanks, Farhan. Just following up on what Michelle just asked, you said that the mandate will expire at the end of this month. Deputy Spokesman : Yeah. Question : So that's just one more week. So, we should have some information, some movement of the Security Council next week, potentially? Deputy Spokesman : One would certainly hope so. They never let us down before. And with that, I will turn the floor over to my colleague, Paulina Kubiak, the Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ASEAN Planning First Joint Military Drills With Eye on China By Devianti Faridz June 22, 2023 Amid regional tensions with China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is planning its first joint military drill, finalizing on Thursday the location in Indonesia's South Natuna Sea, according to the Indonesian military. At the 20th ASEAN Chief of Defense Forces Meeting in Bali on June 7, 10 ASEAN military chiefs agreed to conduct routine joint training and coordinated patrols in waters of the South China Sea involving their army, naval and special forces from Sept. 18-25, despite skepticism from member state Cambodia. The site was moved because several ASEAN member nations are in territorial disputes with China over the resource-rich South China Sea, according to Reuters. "This exercise is focused not on combat, so it is best suited for the south that is in direct contact with the people," said Indonesian military spokesperson Rear Admiral Julius Widjojono, adding that the drills will be held in and around Batam island at the mouth of the Malacca Strait, another strategic waterway for world trade. On Monday, the Indonesian military gathered with ASEAN military delegates in the Indonesian capital city of Jakarta to discuss preparations for the exercises, including scenarios, equipment to be used and the drill's location, according to a military press release. The ASEAN exercise, named Solidarity, will be held as China is asserting its claim to areas of the South China Sea that are also claimed by Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines, all ASEAN member states. This year, Indonesia holds the rotating chair of the regional bloc. "China believes that defense and security cooperation between countries needs to be conducive to regional peace and stability. They should not escalate tensions or undermine trust between countries, still less target any third party," the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, told VOA on June 12. ASEAN members Cambodia and Myanmar, which maintain close ties with China, did not participate in the planning conference on Monday, according to an Indonesian military spokesperson, Rudy Hernawan. Mohamad Rosyidin, an international relations analyst from Diponegoro University in Semarang, Central Java, said the original location for the military drill in the South China Sea could have deterred participation by some ASEAN countries. Cambodian General Vong Pisen, commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodia Armed Forces, released a statement earlier this month saying that Cambodia had formed a working group to study the proposal for a combined drill before seeking approval to participate from the Defense Ministry. Rosyidin said he doubts Cambodia will participate in the drill, citing the country's perceived closeness to China. China says most of the South China Sea, or approximately 90% of the 3 million-square-kilometer South China Sea, lies within the "nine-dash line" that it views as a maritime border. The U.S. has responded to China's claims on the South China Sea by vowing to protect and preserve the rules-based maritime order along with ASEAN and the East Asia Summit. "The People's Republic of China has failed to put forth a lawful, coherent maritime claim in the South China Sea (SCS), and the United States therefore rejects all PRC maritime claims within Indonesia's exclusive economic zone," said a U.S. State Department spokesperson in an email to VOA on Tuesday. "Freedom of the seas and adherence to international law in the South China Sea are vital interests for the entire international community, including international organizations like ASEAN," the spokesperson said. "Together we seek the protection and preservation of respect for international law, lawful unimpeded commerce, and freedoms of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea." In the past, ASEAN nations have participated in naval exercises with other countries, including the United States and China, but the September drills would be the first involving just the bloc. Although some may see the exercise as a signal to China, Indonesia's military chief implied the drills would not be a show of ASEAN's military might. "ASEAN is not a defense pact," said Admiral Yudo Margono at a news conference in Bali on June 6. "The drill will focus instead on disaster relief, search and rescue activities, followed by community service. The Indonesian military hopes to collaborate [with ASEAN countries] to create regional security. If we can achieve security and stability in the region, we can secure the air and sea trade routes which will then ensure people's welfare." Widjojono, the military spokesperson, said that the military drill was related to the "high risk of disaster in Asia, especially Southeast Asia." "The joint military drill will be a great opportunity for Southeast Asian military to better mitigate natural disasters and improve their disaster preparedness," he said. "So when a disaster occurs in one country, their neighboring country can offer their assistance quicker." Some information in this report came from Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban Unmoved by UN Call to Lift Bans on Afghan Women, Girls By Ayaz Gul June 22, 2023 Afghanistan's Taliban rejected a fresh call Thursday from the United Nations to remove what it says are "punishing restrictions" on the impoverished country's female population. The rebuke comes a day after a meeting of the U.N. Security Council was told the restrictions block Afghan women and girls from accessing education and work and participating in public life at large. Since regaining control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban has banned girls from universities and teenage girls from attending schools beyond the sixth grade. They have also ordered most public sector female employees to stay at home. Women have also been barred from visiting parks and gyms. Responding to the criticism from the U.N., the Taliban-led foreign ministry in Kabul called the remarks an interference in the country's internal affairs. "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan remains committed to international norms and obligations that do not contradict the principles of Islamic law, contravene Afghanistan's cultural norms or undermine our national interests," the statement said, using the official name of the Taliban government. "We, therefore, urge all actors to respect the peremptory norm of non-interference and cease all attempts at meddling in our internal affairs, including the modalities and composition of our governance and laws." The Taliban is not recognized by any foreign government or international organization and their curbs on women and girls are seen as a major obstacle in its efforts to be regarded as Afghanistan's legitimate government. While briefing the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, Roza Otunbayeva, a former head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, slammed Taliban edicts banning her organization and other agencies from employing local women. She urged the Taliban to "rescind" the ban to enable the United Nations to continue its full support to millions of Afghan families in need of urgent assistance. Otunbayeva also rejected Taliban suggestions to replace female national staff with male Afghans. Since the ban went into effect on April 5, the U.N. has instructed its female staff to work from home and for non-essential male staffers to also work remotely. "We have been given no explanations by the de facto authorities for this ban and no assurances that it will be lifted. We will not put our national female staff in danger and therefore we are asking them not to report to the office," she said. The U.N. envoy said she had told the Taliban that as long as restrictions on Afghan women "are in place, it is nearly impossible that their government will be recognized by members of the international community." In a meeting earlier this month, Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada directed government spokespersons to emphasize the enforcement of Islamic law in their statements. "The United Nations and the United States have held the entire world hostage and nothing moves without their dictation," he told the meeting in the southern city of Kandahar, which is known as the birthplace of the Taliban. "The Islamic Emirate [the Taliban] effectively controls all parts of Afghanistan, but non-Muslim and even Islamic countries refuse to recognize it," the reclusive Taliban leader, who rarely leaves Kandahar, was quoted as saying. The Taliban welcomed parts of Otunbayeva's speech on Wednesday, where she acknowledged that the group's ban on opium cultivation in Afghanistan had been "effectively enforced," and decreased the cultivation "significantly." New satellite images examined by geospatial analytics firm Alcis and longtime Afghanistan expert David Mansfield revealed this month that the scale of the reduction in opium production across the country is unprecedented, with cultivation in southern provinces down by at least 80% compared with last year when the Taliban banned the growing of poppies for opium. The U.N. envoy also praised the Taliban's efforts to improve the Afghan economy, reduce corruption and generate "sufficient" revenues to finance government operations, including paying civil-service salaries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SCO Members Lack Unity on Taliban Terrorism Concerns By Akmal Dawi June 22, 2023 Frustration with the rising threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan emerged at a meeting this week of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a defense and economic alliance platform consisting of China, Russia, India, Iran and five other Asian states. Russia and Tajikistan say Afghanistan, which holds an uncertain observer status in the SCO following the Taliban's return to power in 2021, has become a breeding ground for regional terrorist groups. "According to our information, terrorist groups such as al-Qaida, Hizb ut-Tahrir, the Islamic Movement of Eastern Turkistan, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, TTP, Jamaat Ansarullah are currently present in Afghanistan and pose serious threats to neighboring countries," said Amirbeg Begnazarov, a representative of Tajikistan, at an event Wednesday jointly hosted by the SCO and the United Nations. He said his nation was "very concerned about the concentration of different terrorist groups next to our borders that we've never had before [and it] is increasing day by day." Russia's defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, recently said that the Taliban's return to power had bolstered terrorist organizations operating in Afghanistan, a charge echoed by other highly placed Russians. Vladimir Voronkov, a former Russian diplomat who now heads the U.N. Office of Counter-Terrorism, said this week that Afghanistan had become "an epicenter for the dissemination of terrorism" under the Taliban. Unlike Russia, China has refrained from making such blistering allegations against the Taliban and has instead actively engaged the isolated Islamist regime. "Afghanistan is at a critical phase of transitioning from chaos to order," Zhang Jun, the Chinese permanent representative at the U.N., told a Security Council meeting on Afghanistan on Wednesday. Zhang said the international community should engage with de facto Taliban authorities and help the country achieve stability and economic prosperity. Domestic vs. regional concerns Russia cautiously welcomed the Taliban's return to power following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Shy of a formal recognition, Russia has handed over the Afghan Embassy in Moscow to the Taliban. It maintained its diplomatic mission in Kabul until September, when it was attacked. Ten people, including two Russian Embassy staff, were killed and several others injured in the suicide attack claimed by the Islamic State extremist group. The attack prompted Russia to shut its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan, warning about increased terrorism risks originating from the landlocked nation and threatening its Central Asian neighbors where Russian troops are stationed. Within SCO members, "differing threat perceptions of particular extremist or separatist groups, political sensitivities and sovereignty concerns, as well as lack of genuine trust among member states, make concrete counterterrorism cooperation very difficult besides some limited information sharing," Jiayi Zhou, an expert at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, told VOA. While Russia is more vocal about terrorism threats it perceives from the Islamic State group, some SCO members see threats from other militant groups allegedly based in Afghanistan, experts say. "The trust deficits and divergences within the SCO have resulted in most member countries using bilateral channels to establish ties with the Taliban for geostrategic, geoeconomics and individual security guarantees," said Ayjaz Ahmad Wani, a researcher at the Observer Research Foundation, an Indian policy institute. Pakistan has followed the Chinese lead even while officials say Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, a militant group seeking to overthrow the government in Islamabad, has intensified terrorist attacks from its purported havens inside Afghanistan. Last month, at the 5th China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Dialogue in Islamabad, the parties agreed to promote trilateral cooperation in security, development and political fronts. "The SCO as a regional security platform has largely been ineffective," said Zhou, adding that member states have pursued different security and political priorities since the inception of the organization more than two decades ago. Toppled from power in 2001 by a U.S.-led coalition for their alleged support for international terrorism, the Taliban, even after recapturing power in 2021, face terrorism sanctions from many countries. Taliban leaders maintain that they host no terrorist group and do not threaten the security of any nation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Militancy Resurfacing in Jammu Division on Indian Side of J&K By Muheet Ul Islam June 22, 2023 Militance by separatist insurgents in Jammu, part of India's Jammu and Kashmir territory, is resurfacing after a gap of 14 years, a former top military officer told VOA June 20. There have been at least six deadly attacks, resulting in the loss of 33 lives, including 10 civilians, since 2021. The first wave of militancy emerged in 1990. Deependra Singh Hooda, former general officer commanding-in-chief of the Indian army's Northern Command said two factors contribute to the resurgence - difficulties the militants face in the Kashmir Valley because of tough Indian government response and a shifting of troops from Jammu to deal with border issues with China. "The deployment of troops to address border tensions with China in Ladakh has resulted in a relatively lower presence of security forces in certain areas of Jammu," Hooda said. "The reduced security presence provided an opportunity for terrorists to establish a foothold and to carry out their activities in the region," he said. Militants attacked an army vehicle in the Bhimber Gali area on April 20, an attack in which five soldiers were killed while one suffered serious injuries. The militants escaped into the dense forests spanning the districts of Rajouri and Poonch, which share a 225-kilometer section of the Line of Control, a de facto border with Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In response to the attack, a combined team of army and local police initiated an extensive search operation within the forests to locate the militants. However, two weeks later, on May 5, 2023, the militants ambushed the search party, resulting in the casualties of five commandos. Munshi Khan, a 65-year-old resident of Totta Gali in the Poonch district, told VOA that the region was peacful from 2007 to 2021, after the initial phase of militancy ended. In October 2021, militants carried out two deadly attacks on Indian forces in the Bhatta Durian forests spanning Rajouri and Poonch districts. The attacks led to the death of five soldiers on October 11 and another four on October 15. Government forces conducted a search operation in the hilly terrain for over a month, utilizing helicopter and drone services, but were unable to locate the militants hiding within the forest. However, on August 11, 2022, militants executed a suicide attack on an army camp in Rajouri in which five soldiers and two militants were killed. "The resurgence of militancy has created an atmosphere of panic and fear among the locals," Khan said. "During the first phase militants were visible as they were often seen roaming the streets but during the current phase they remain invisible as locals have not spotted them yet," he added. Residents of Poonch and Rajouri, according to Khan, used to venture into the forests to collect firewood and graze their domestic animals. However, their regular activities have been disrupted since the attacks. "We risk becoming targets from both sides if we venture into the forest, so to avoid any trouble, we stay away," Khan said. "Our normal activities have diminished," he added. Neither Haseeb Mughal, deputy inspector general of Poonch-Rajouri Range of J&K Police, nor Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand, public relations Officer of Indian army in Jammu, would comment on the matter. A senior police officer, speaking anonymously, acknowledged the resurgence of militancy in the Jammu region emphasizing that the number of militants is significantly lower than in the 1990s. "Poonch and Rajouri districts are predominantly covered by dense forests, providing militants access to Kashmir, Jammu, and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir," he said. "We have not achieved success so far as militants have changed their strategies," he added. He claimed that militants avoid the use of electronic devices and prefer to remain disconnected from locals as they do not find the same level of support as they do in the Kashmir valley. "The police and army are actively engaged in eliminating all terrorists involved in destabilizing the peace in the region," he said. "We urge the people to remain patient and support us," he concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 22 June 2023 - Day 484 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that on 20 June 2023, Russia's Duma voted to create a parliamentary committee to investigate alleged crimes committed by the Ukrainian government against juveniles in the Donbas since 2014. The Duma is almost certainly responding to the international condemnation of Russia's deportation of children from occupied Ukraine since its full-scale invasion. The move is highly likely both a form of 'lawfare' and contributes to Russian information operations, weaponising legislation by attempting to muddy the narrative around its own egregious actions. Messaging around children's rights is likely an important communications theme for the Kremlin because alleged child deportations formed the basis of the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against President Putin issued in March 2023. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day June 21, the Russian occupiers launched a missile-air strike against Ukraine, using 3x Kh-47 "Kinzhal" aeroballistic missiles, 3x Kh-22 cruise missiles and 4x "Shahed-136/131" drones. 3x kamikaze drones were destroyed by Air Defense Force Ukraine. In addition, Russian forces carried out 44x airstrikes, launched about 30x MLRS attacks on Ukrainian settlements and Ukrainian Defense Forces. Unfortunately, not only some infrastructure was destroyed, but also civilians suffered. The threat of missile and air strikes across Ukraine remains high. Russia continues to focus its main efforts on the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Mar'inka axes, and heavy fighting continues. Over 20x combat clashes took place during the day. Volyn' and Polissya axes: no significant changes detected. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russian forces carried out airstrikes near Ohirtsevo and Pletenivka areas of the Kharkiv Oblast. They shelled with mortar and artillery attacks Novovasylivka, Stepne, Vorozhba, Kindrativka, Andriivka, Pisarivka, Nova Sich, Slavgorod of the Sumy Oblast, as well as Udy, Veterinarne, Graniv, Kozacha Lopan', Pletenivka, Tyche, Varvarivka, Budarky, Chugunivka, Ambarne in the Kharkiv Oblast. Kup'yans'k axis: the Russian occupiers carried out unsuccessful offensive operations in the vicinities of Synkivka and conducted an air strike near Kislivka of the Kharkiv Oblast. Odradne, Kolodyaz'ne, Krasne Pershe, Figolivka, Novomlyns'k, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Masyutivka, Kislivka, Berestov of the Kharkiv Oblast were shelled by artillery and mortars. Lyman axis: Russian forces carried out airstrikes at Nevs'ke, Luhansk Oblast, and Ivanivka, Torsky, Bilogorivka, Dibrova, and Spirnyi, Donetsk Oblast. Nevs'ke, Dibrova, Bilogorivka of the Luhansk Oblast and Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Verkhn'yokam'ians'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka of the Donetsk Oblast were under artillery shelling. Bakhmut axis: Russian forces carried out airstrikes in the areas of Bohdanivka, Bila Hora and North Donetsk Oblast. Areas of Rai-Olexandrivka, Vasyukivka, Orihovo-Vasylivka, Novomarkove, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivs'ke, Ozaryanivka, Pivdenne, New York of the Donetsk Oblast were affected by Russian artillery. Avdiivka axis: Russian forces carried out unsuccessful offensives near Severnoy and Avdiivka. They conducted airstrikes in the Avdiivka and Nevelsky areas. russians shelled Lastochkine, Avdiivka, Karlivka, Pervomayske and Nevelske of the Donetsk Oblast. Mar'inka axis: Russian forces carried out offensive actions in the vicinities of Mar'inka and Pobieda of the Donetsk Oblast, ableit without success. They conducted an airstrike at Krasnohorivka of the Donetsk Oblast. At the same time, the Russian adversary shelled Maksimilianivka, Mar'inka, Georgiivka and Pobyeda in the Donetsk Oblast. Shakhtars'k axis: the Russian occupiers carried out airstrikes near Zolotaya Niva, Velikay Novosilka, and Blagodatny. They shelled the settlements of Paraskoviivka, Novomykhailivka, and Blagodatne in the Donetsk Oblast. Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russian forces are on the defensive, and concentrate their main efforts on preventing the advance of ukrainian troops. russians tried to restore the lost position in the Makarivka area of the Donetsk Oblast. They carried out airstrikes in the areas of Storozhevo and Makarivka; shelled the settlements of Novoocheretuvate, Makarivka, Storozheve, Zelene Pole, Temyrivka of the Donetsk Oblast; Levadne, Chervone, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Novoandriivka, Stepove, Pyatikhatky, Zaporizhzhia Oblast; Zolota Balka, Mykhailivka, Dudchany, Ivanivka, Sadove, Molodizhne, Bilozerka, Antonivka, Kherson, Dniprovs'ke of the Kherson Oblast. As a result of the explosion of the Kakhovskaya HPP, the sanitary-epidemiological situation in a number of settlements in the temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson Oblast deteriorated sharply. In particular, due to the lack of access of the civilian population to proper medical care and quality water, there have been outbreaks of viral hepatitis A in households, and there is also a threat of the spread of other viral diseases. In turn, the Russian occupiers do not recognize the increase in the number of diseases and, on the contrary, try to hide it. Measures to stabilize the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the Oblast are not carried out. Ukrainian Air Force carried out 7x strikes on Russian manpower concentrations and 4 strikes on Russian anti-aircraft missile systems. Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit the command post, 2x on Russian manpower and military equipment concentrations, 2x ammunition depots, 1x depot of fuel and lubricants, 23x artillery units at firing positions, 2x means of radio-electronic warfare and 2x communication nodes. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that that night, Russian Aerospace Forces launched group long-range precision strikes at AFU foreigh-made hardware and weapons depot. Assigned target has been destroyed. The goal of the strike has been achieved. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have continued their unsuccessful attempts to launch offensive in South Donetsk, Zaporozhskoye, Donetsk, and Krasny Liman directions during the past 24 hours. Two attacks by AFU units of the 37th Marine Brigade have been repelled near Vremevka salient, Novodonetskoye and Makarovka in South Donetsk direction. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation have launched strikes at manpower and hardware clusters of 31st Mechanised Brigade, 110th and 128th Territorial Defence brigades close to Neskuchnoye, Novosyolki, and Novodarovka. As a result of the strikes, an infantry fighting vehicle, as well as three armoured fighting vehicles have been destroyed. In Zaporozhye direction, aviation and artillery of the Vostok Group of Forces inflicted a fire damage on the AFU units close to Novodanilovka, Preobrazhenka, Shcherbaki, and Lobkovoye. Total losses of the enemy over the past 24 hours in these directions have amounted to over 110 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, four infantry fighting vehicles, eight armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, and two D-20 howitzers. In Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces aviation, artillery have successfully repelled four enemy attacks close to Vesesoye, Severnoye, and Pervomayskoye. Over 185 Ukrainian servicemen, an infantry fighting vehicle, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles have been eliminated in this direction during the day. Apart from that, two ammunition depots of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been destroyed near Seversk and Avdeevka (Donetsk People's Republic). In Krasny Liman direction, committed and skillful actions of Russian units, Operational-Tactical Aviation, artillery and heavy flamethrower systems of the Tsentr Group of Forces allowed to repel five enemy attacks close to Kuzmino and Serebryansky forestry. Aviation inflicted fire damage on the 21th and 67 Mechanised Brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Terni and Serebryanka. In addition, actions of three sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been thwarted near Yampolovka, Chervonaya Dibrova, and Serebryansky forestry. The enemy has suffered losses of over 135 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, two armoured fighting vehicles, three pick-up trucks, one Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer, and one D-30 howitzer in this direction in the past 24 hours. In Kupyansk direction, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces have destroyed AFU manpower and hardware close to Novomlynsk, Petropavlovka, Kotlyarovka, and Stelmakhovka. In addition, two sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were neutralised near Sinkovka and Novosyolovskoye. The enemy's losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops, armoured personnel carrier, two motor vehicles, as well as an American-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system during the day. In Kherson direction, up to 45 Ukrainian servicemen, two motor vehicles, and a D-30 howitzer have been neutralised by fire. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged 105 AFU artillery units at their fire positions, manpower, and military hardware in 124 areas during the day. Moreover, a command and observation post of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was destroyed close to Veseloye. Air defence forces have intercepted five Storm Shadow cruise missiles and two HIMARS MLRS projectiles during the day. Air defence means have shot down 15 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near Dvurechnoye (Kharkov region), Kremennaya, Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), Razdolovka, Volnovakha, Kirillovka, Krasnopolye (Donetsk People's Republic), Lyubimovka, Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region), and Chervoniy Mayak (Kherson region). In total, 444 airplanes and 240 helicopters, 4,740 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 10,278 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,129 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,193 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 11,110 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Republic of Ecuador Signs the Artemis Accords US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson June 22, 2023 In a ceremony held at its embassy in Washington, D.C. on June 21, 2023, the Republic of Ecuador became the 26th nation to sign the Artemis Accords, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable and transparent space activity. Minister of Foreign Affairs Gustavo Manrique signed on behalf of Ecuador, which is the third South American nation to join. Valda Vikmanis-Keller, Director of the State Department's Office of Space Affairs, and Karen Feldstein, Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations at NASA, welcomed Ecuador to the Artemis Accords on behalf of the United States. Ambassador Ivonne A-Baki delivered remarks on behalf of Ecuador. The Artemis Accords, which are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, are a set of non-legally binding principles to guide sustainable civil space exploration. These principles, which include transparency, peaceful purposes, registering of space objects and release of scientific data, help make the space environment safer and more predictable, and allow all nations - even those without space programs - to benefit from the data obtained in space. From the original eight nations in 2020, Artemis Accords signatories now hail from every part of the globe and possess a variety of space capabilities and interests. By working together, we can advance the beneficial use of outer space for all humankind. The Artemis Accords signatories are: Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. For more information, please visit the Department's Artemis Accords website. For Media inquiries, please contact OES-PA-DG@state.gov. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Premier Li pledges to take China-France practical cooperation to a new level in meeting with French PM Global Times By GT staff reporters Published: Jun 22, 2023 04:43 PM Chinese Premier Li Qiang stressed on Thursday that China is ready to work with France to advance balanced development of bilateral trade, expand two-way market access, and optimize business environment in a bid to push "bilateral practical cooperation" to a new level while meeting with French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne during the last stop of his ongoing first overseas visit since taking office. Li also called on France to continue playing a positive role in facilitating Europe to form a more objective, rational perception and policy toward China, so as to make win-win cooperation between the two economies the main theme. Analysts said on Thursday that Li's visit to France will consolidate the good momentum of China and France relations built based on the consensus reached by the two heads of state following French President's visit to China in April, serve to dispel misunderstandings of China in Europe amid "de-risking" rhetoric and avoid the potential widening of conflicts between China and Europe veering into confrontation. The trip will also help promote deeper engagement and cooperation between China and France, and China and Europe in industries, sci-tech, aerospace, corporate and other practical sectors. Li pointed out that China is willing to work with France to promote the balanced development of bilateral trade, adhere to mutual benefit and reciprocity, expand market access, make the "pie of common interests" bigger, and promote practical cooperation to reach a new level, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday. "China always regards EU as an important pole in a multipolar world. Strengthening cooperation between China and Europe is a strategic choice based on each other's respective interests, and China-Europe relationship is not targeted at any third party, nor is it subjugated to or controlled by any third party," Li said. He noted that both China and France are adhering to independence and autonomy, and are committed to maintaining a balanced, stable international order, and promote the world peace and development. As next year marks the 60th anniversary of establishment of China-France diplomatic relations, the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, and the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, both sides will take the year as an opportunity to achieve a new peak in bilateral cultural and people-to-people exchange, according to Li. For Borne's part, she said that France welcomes Chinese investment, and vowed that the country would not take discriminative measures against Chinese companies. Meanwhile, the EU will adhere to strategic autonomy, and does not support "decoupling or severing supply chains" push. After the meeting, Li and Borne witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation agreements in aviation, space research and nuclear energy. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic planner, has signed a letter of intent with French aerospace corporation Airbus in Paris on deepening aviation cooperation on Thursday. The two sides will facilitate the construction of Airbus' new final assembly line in Tianjin as the next step, according to a post on the NDRC's official Wechat account. Li's visit to France comes after French President Emmanuel Macron's productive state visit to China in April. It is also the second leg of Li's first overseas trip since taking office, which observers said underscores a high level of mutual respect that is built on stable political trust between China and France, and each other's firm attachment to the positioning of bilateral relations that won't be derailed by geopolitical noise and "de-risking" calls floated by certain European politicians. How China-France relations forge ahead is also consequential for China-Europe relations, which are now at a crossroads amid Europe's hot debate over its China strategy - with Washington having been ramping up pressure to rope in Europe allies based on its "small clique" mindset to target China' rise. It is expected that France, leveraging its long-standing tradition of diplomatic autonomy, will "play a unique role" in driving China's relations with Europe as well as the West in a positive momentum, analysts said. Chinese Premier Li arrived in France on Wednesday afternoon to kick off an official visit. Upon his arrival in Paris, Li said China is ready to work with France to "turn the blueprint for the development of China-France relations drawn up by the two countries' heads of state into working plans and reality," the Xinhua News Agency reported. In April, the leaders of the China and France reached a series of strategic consensuses, outlining a beautiful blueprint for China-France comprehensive strategic partnership and pointing out the direction for China-France cooperation at bilateral, China-Europe and global levels, Li said. The premier said China is ready to work with France to expand two-way opening-up, build more resilient industrial and supply chains between China and France and between China and Europe, deepen people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning, and jointly address global challenges such as climate change and sustainable development, so as to inject new impetus into the sustained, sound and steady growth of China-France relations, and inject more confidence and strength into world peace, stability and development, according to the Xinhua report. During his stay in France, Li will meet with Macron, hold talks with French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, and meet with French Senate President Gerard Larcher. He is also scheduled to attend the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact and deliver a speech. Li arrived in Paris after concluding the seventh China-Germany inter-governmental consultation in tandem with an official visit to Germany. Multiple signals Observers said that there are multiple signals sent by Li's visit. Following Macron's visit to China, China-France relations are in a comprehensive upward trend amid fluctuating China-Europe relations. Premier Li's visit is aimed at further deepening and promoting the consensus reached by the two leaders, and taking advantage of the momentum to further advance bilateral relations to a higher level, Feng Zhongping director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday. Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday that the visit comes at a crucial junction with a number of European politicians have been calling for an adjustment in approach toward China under the US instigation. And the concept of "de-risking," originally laid out by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has been moving from obscurity to ubiquity in Europe's China strategy debate. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, unveiled a European Economic Security Strategy on Tuesday, which focuses on "minimizing risks" arising from certain economic flows in the context of rising geopolitical tensions. "It is important that the visit highlights that the fundamentals of France's relations with China, including its positioning of China as a comprehensive strategic partner, should not and never been altered by external noises. Pragmatic cooperation should be the mainstream," Cui said, noting that the visit aims to serve as a strong hit-back to "de-risking" hype. Feng noted that the current trend in Europe of "de-risking from China" is likely to cause varying degrees of damage to the core interests of both China and Europe. The "de-risking" discourse in Europe is largely based on a misjudgment of China and unrealistic imagination about China, and Premier Li's visit is also conducive to dispelling those misunderstandings in Europe. During meeting with Li on Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed that Germany opposes any form of de-coupling, and explained that "de-risking" is not "de-sinicization." During his trip , Li also attended a dinner with the Chinese and French business communities on Wednesday night. At a speech at the dinner, Li put forward a three-point proposal on deepening China-France cooperation. The first is to call for the Chinese and French entrepreneurs to jointly maintain the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains. The other two points include strengthening China-France innovation cooperation, especially in potential sectors such as high-end manufacturing, modern service, green transformation and digital economy, as well as creating sound business environment for each other. China will unswervingly push for deepening reforms and expanding opening-up, while it is hoped that the France will maintain market openness, and provide fair, justice, and non-discriminative business environment for Chinese enterprises, Li said. Two-way opening-up is also a focal point, after some European countries showed a certain degree of backtracking from their opening-up commitments, with several policy frameworks being launched to block Chinese investment in the name of "economic security," analysts said. "The continuous opening-up of China and Europe is equally important, as only in this way could both economies safeguard their joint interests," Cui said. Premier Li's visit not only attaches importance to economic cooperation, but also to global and regional security issues, which is in line with France's policy of seeking strategic autonomy, providing ample room for cooperation between the two sides, Feng said. "France has a tradition of maintaining diplomatic autonomy, and is also a responsible global major power. So it is in the interests of China, France and other European politicians to avoid the potential widening of conflicts between China and Europe veering into confrontation," Cui stressed. The two countries will also serve as important forces in global governance as they could bridge the communication with developing and developed world, preventing the international system from falling into a unipolar order that is dominated by a single country's hegemony, observers noted. French President Emmanuel Macron could consider attending the BRICS summit if he is invited, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said, following talks with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, the TASS reported. She noted that France already interacts with some BRICS countries, including China, in various areas, and "it is logical that such cooperation could happen in various forms and forums," the report added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Key messages from Xi's meeting with Blinken People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:09, June 22, 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese premier puts forward three-point proposal on deepening China-France cooperation People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:54, June 22, 2023 PARIS, June 21 (Xinhua) -- China and France should jointly maintain the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains, strengthen cooperation on innovation, and foster a sound business environment, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here on Wednesday. Li made the three-point proposal on China-France cooperation when delivering a speech at a dinner with the Chinese and French business communities in Paris. French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and more than 100 representatives from the business communities of the two countries attended the event. Li said interdependence is an inevitable result of economic globalization, and the sound political mutual trust between China and France enables the two countries to see stability, certainty, and common development opportunities in their interdependence, rather than risks. On jointly maintaining the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains, Li expressed admiration for the French government's opposition to bloc confrontations, decoupling as well as severing industrial and supply chains. It is hoped that Chinese and French entrepreneurs will firmly support economic globalization, take action for open and win-win cooperation, and jointly maintain the stability and resilience of the industrial and supply chains between China and France and between China and Europe, Li added. On strengthening China-France cooperation on innovation, Li said in recent years, China-France technological exchanges in medicine, new energy batteries, semiconductors and other fields have produced many innovative achievements, adding that looking ahead, the two sides still boast great potential for cooperation in areas including high-end manufacturing, modern services, green transformation and digital economy. The two sides should strengthen innovation and technological cooperation between their enterprises to provide new driving forces and foster new growth points for China-France cooperation, said the Chinese premier. On fostering a sound business environment. Li said China will unswervingly deepen reform, expand opening up, and further ease market access in the modern service sector and others. China will steadily promote institutional opening up that covers rules, regulations, management and standards, said Li, adding that China will step up intellectual property rights protection, foster a market-oriented, world-class business environment governed by a sound legal framework, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of foreign companies in China in accordance with the law. Li hopes that the French side will keep its market open, and build a fair, equitable and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies. Li welcomed French enterprises to actively participate in the China International Import Expo to further explore the Chinese market. In his speech, Li said that his visit to France is a journey of friendship and cooperation, adding that in almost 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, the relationship between the two countries has always maintained positive development and achieved remarkable cooperation results. China-France relations are characterized by being stable, contemporary and global. Both countries stand for unity instead of division and cooperation instead of confrontation. Both countries are committed to upholding multilateralism, promoting the improvement of global governance, and working together to meet the common challenges of mankind, he said, calling on both sides to cherish and take good care of it. He encouraged entrepreneurs from both countries to strengthen confidence, seize opportunities and make joint efforts to achieve greater development and promote steady and long-term cooperation between China and France and between China and Europe. Speaking highly of the sound momentum and fruitful results of the development of bilateral ties and cooperation, Le Maire said that French companies remain attracted by China, and stand ready to deepen cooperation in such fields as aviation, food and renewable energy, so as to build high-quality partnerships and achieve win-win results. China's State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Wu Zhenglong was also present at the event. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Singapore newspaper article on Biden's 'dictator' comment blocked in Hong Kong The Lianhe Zaobao also appears to be limiting access to mentions of the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre. By Gigi Lee for RFA Cantonese 2023.06.22 -- Internet users in Hong Kong have been unable to access an online newspaper article describing how U.S. President Joe Biden called Chinese president Xi Jinping a "dictator," sparking a fresh war of words between the two superpowers in the wake of a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that was supposed to have eased tensions. An article published by the pro-China Singapore newspaper Lianhe Zaobao about the diplomatic row was unavailable to Hong Kong readers on Wednesday, sparking concerns that the authorities are starting to impose China's Great Firewall of internet censorship in the city, amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent. Clicking on a link to the June 21 article on the paper's website displayed in Google search results from Hong Kong yielded an error message that read: "Sorry, but that page doesn't exist." However, other stories on the same website were accessible around the same time. Further investigations from Hong Kong revealed that articles mentioning the anniversary of the June 4, 1989 Tiananmen massacre and the recent arrests of Hong Kongers commemorating it in public were also unavailable on the paper's website. The same articles were easily accessible from outside Hong Kong, however. Network engineer and citizen journalist Zhou Shuguang, who currently lives in democratic Taiwan and uses the online handle "Zuola," said the block had likely occurred within Hong Kong-based servers hosting the paper's content, rather than being imposed by the paper in Singapore. "There are host servers in many different places around the world ... including in Hong Kong, Osaka, Japan, and the United States," Zhou said after investigating the page and its domain name, server and other technical information available on the paper's website. "The purpose is to allow readers faster access to content." But the servers in Hong Kong will come under the control of the authorities there, who would likely apply provisions from a draconian national security law banning public criticism of the authorities. "Servers in Hong Kong are governed by the Hong Kong National Security Law, or the Hong Kong government," Zhou said. But he said it wasn't out of the question that the Lianhe Zaobao had also engaged in some form of self-censorship to gain access to readers in China. Expansive national security law Hong Kong data scientist and pro-democracy activist Wong Ho-wa agreed, saying that the paper appears to have made a decision to deny Hong Kong users access to certain content. He said if the authorities had imposed an external block, then the entire website would be unavailable, as was the case in 2021 when they blocked access to the Hong Kong Chronicles website. "If you can get onto the website, but some content is visible and other content isn't, most of that is controlled by the media organization or the official website," Wong told Radio Free Asia. "Naturally there are certain factors they consider." "It's not about the server - it's a programming or regional issue," he said, citing regional variations in availability of content on streaming site Netflix as an example. An employee of the Lianhe Zaobao who responded to a query about the issue from RFA on Wednesday said: "We are looking into it." However, no further response had been received by the time of writing. An official who responded from the Hong Kong government's Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau said the issue didn't fall within its remit. Hong Kong's national security legislation applies - in theory, at least - anywhere in the world. The British government in February hit out at authorities in China and Hong Kong after they put pressure on the London-based rights group Hong Kong Watch to take down its entire website, citing the law. "You and Hong Kong Watch are obliged to remove the website ... without delay, and immediately cease engaging in any acts and activities in contravention of the national security law or any other laws of Hong Kong," the city's national security police wrote to the group's CEO Benedict Rogers. "Should you fail to do so, further action will be instituted against you and Hong Kong Watch without further notice." 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's facial recognition technology hinders North Korean escapees With cameras at every train station, avoiding detection is almost impossible, experts say. By Cheon Soram for RFA Korean 2023.06.22 -- Facial recognition technology in China is increasing the risk that North Korean escapees in China will be caught, and raising the prices charged by smugglers who assist them, sources who work closely with escapees told Radio Free Asia. Most North Koreans who escape do so by crossing the northern border into China. But facial recognition systems there are spreading - with cameras installed on street corners and train stations - and used by Chinese police to keep track of the population on the streets. While face of nearly every Chinese resident is registered in a government database, North Koreans escapees are not, and turn up nothing when scanned, Seo Jae-pyoung, head of the Association of the North Korean Defectors, a support group based in South Korea, told RFA's Korean Service. When the face does not match a profile, the police are quick to check on the person to determine why, he said. While it's difficult to know for sure if the software has led to North Korean refugees getting captured in China, it has clearly raised the risks and costs for those trying to escape, those familiar with the situation say. In March, the surveillance software appeared to be a key factor in the capture of five or six North Korean refugees and a local broker helping them move within China, Seo said. They were caught by Chinese police near the northeastern city of Dalian. "It seems that those North Korean escapees were already tracked down," he said. "It is highly likely that they were caught because they were unaware of the dangers of facial recognition technology and tracking." Seo said that artificial intelligence-based facial recognition technology has increased the risks facing North Koreans who want to escape. Typically, they travel discreetly through China all the way to Southeast Asia, where they take a flight to Seoul. Sharp decrease This may be one reason that the number of North Koreans who successfully reach the South are down, experts say. Between 2001 and 2019 more than 1,000 North Koreans arrived in the South each year, reaching a peak of 2,914 in 2009. But this dropped to 229 in 2020 and then to the double digits in 2021 and 2022, data from the South Korean Ministry of Unification showed. Much of the rapid decline is due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which North Korea and China closed the entirety of the 1,350-kilometer (840-mile) Sino-Korean border, but experts say that facial recognition tech is also responsible. The issue was raised before a U.S. Congressional hearing this month. "The AI-based facial recognition program has made the North Korean refugees' internal movement by public transportation within China almost impossible while the authorities have been using surveillance technology to monitor and intercept the escapees attempting to flee China," Ethan Hee-Seok Shin, a legal analyst at the South Korea-based Transitional Justice Working Group, told the Congressional-Executive Commission on China on June 13. The technology is spreading fear among escapees in China, Hanna Song, director of international cooperation at the South Korea-based Database Center for North Korean Human Rights, told the same hearing. "China's increasing use of emerging technology is being used as a tool of repression that affects the most vulnerable groups including North Korean refugees," she said. "Many North Koreans spoke about how the advanced surveillance capabilities, such as facial recognition and biometric systems, are used to monitor and track the movements of those in China." There are no statistics on North Korean refugees caught or arrested as a result of facial recognition technology in China. Experts have explained that it is not easy to identify North Koreans because there are many foreigners who are not registered in China's surveillance system. But sources told RFA that facial recognition likely has a role in the arrests of such refugees in China. "Most of the North Korean escapees being arrested now [in China] can be attributed to facial recognition cameras," Chun Ki-won, a reverend with the Durihana Mission, an organization that carries out rescue operations for escapees, told RFA. Kim Sung-eun of the Caleb Mission, another group that assists escapees in China, said personnel from his organization were arrested with a group of escapees because of facial recognition technology. "Some of our people got caught too, before COVID-19," said Kim. "There is a facial recognition machine in front of the train station. They passed it and sat on the train and they were caught right away." All the escapees were forcibly repatriated to North Korea, he said. Several officials of South Korea-based organizations told RFA that they believe facial recognition technology is having a great impact on escaped North Koreans. "Cameras installed throughout China and artificial intelligence facial recognition technology have made it difficult for North Korean refugees to move, and awareness of fleeing North Koreans [in China] is growing," said Ko Yonghwan, a former North Korean diplomat who is currently a non-resident senior researcher at Korean Institute for Military Affairs. Because the technology is so advanced, China would even be able to surveil escapees at North Korea's request, said Choo Jaewoo, a professor at the department of Chinese language and literature at Seoul's Kyung Hee University. "If North Korea requests tracking of a specific person and China accepts it, the risk of being caught by facial recognition technology could be much greater," said Choo. Higher costs The surveillance software has increased the risk facing brokers, prompting them to raise their prices. Before facial recognition technology was so prevalent, it cost about US$2,000 per refugee to get through China with the help of a broker, but now it costs $10,000 to $15,000, said Kim from the Caleb Mission. "It wasn't easy before, but the reality is that using the train station or bus stop has become more difficult," said Ji Chul-ho, head of the Emergency Rescue team at Now Action & Unity for Human rights, a South Korean organization that helps North Korean escapees. "It is a reality that it is difficult to use most [public transportation] these days," he said. "As a result, the cost of rescue is higher than in the past, as it is necessary to move using the broker's vehicle and to more carefully arrange [escape] plans." Prior to the advent of facial recognition technology, escapees could at least see police coming and try to avoid them, or hide when they hear sirens, Ji said. "Now we are exposed to more invisible and unaware fears," he said. "It is a serious problem." Translated by Leejin J. Chung. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content June not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address June 22, 2023 By Jim Garamone , DOD News Defense Part of Deepening Overall U.S.-India Relationship The United States and India have made tremendous progress toward promoting peace and security not only in the Indo-Pacific region, but globally, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a news conference today. Ryder spoke after President Joe Biden welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House for a state visit. During that White House meeting Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III shared perspectives on the tremendous strides both countries' militaries have made to promote peace and security, Ryder said. The relationship between the two largest democracies in the world has been a work in progress and includes all aspects including political, economic, defense, diplomatic and people-to-people ties. "We've made critical and emerging technologies the pillar of our next-generation partnership to ensure that these technologies promote and protect our values, remain open, accessible and trusted, and secure," Biden said during his speech welcoming the Indian leader to the White House. "All this matters for America, for India and for the world." The relationship between the two countries will be important to peace and stability in the world. "We face an inflection point, one of those moments that only come around every several generations, when so much is changing ... technologically, politically, socially, and environmentally that the decisions we make today are going to determine our future for decades to come," he said. "And as democracies, we can better tap into the full talent of all of our people and attract investments as true and trusted partners, as leading nations, with our ... greatest export being the power of our example." The Defense Department will play its part in drawing the two nations closer together Ryder said. "Secretary Austin is scheduled to attend the state dinner to celebrate over 75 years of deepening partnership between the United States and India and the bonds that link our peoples together," he said. "The secretary has been looking forward to these engagements especially following his recent trip to India, where the United States and India established an ambitious new roadmap for defense industrial cooperation." The U.S.-India partnership is a cornerstone of a free and open Indo-Pacific, Ryder said, "and our deepening bonds show how technological innovation and growing military cooperation between two great powers can be a force for global good." Part of this effort is the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem - shortened to INDUS-X. The Defense Department and the Indian Ministry of Defense will work together to expand the strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation among government, businesses and academic institutions. INDUS-X grew out of the desire for an "Innovation Bridge" between the two countries that will encourage innovation in research and ultimately each nations' defense industrial bases. "Through INDUS-X, we will strengthen ties between our defense industrial ecosystems to make them more innovative, accessible and resilient," DOD officials said. "In light of the ... Prime Minister's visit today, and Secretary Austin's recent visit, and all of the engagements that we've had with India, this is really part of a wide-ranging strategic partnership, in which we see defense and security cooperation, really becoming central to our strategic relationship," Ryder said. "And the focus here is really on a continued commitment to defense cooperation to promote regional security and stability, not only an Indo-Pacific region, but globally." Part of that is the United States intends to support India in the creation of logistics, repair and maintenance infrastructure for aircraft and ships. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) launched in Washington DC, U.S. India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence INDUS X factsheet released for operationalising the 'Defence Innovation Bridge' under Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) Posted On: 22 JUN 2023 9:09AM by PIB Delhi India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) was launched at an event in Washington DC, USA on 21 June 2023. The INDUS X event was co-organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), Ministry of Defence, and US Department of Defence (DoD) and hosted by US-India Business Council (USIBC). Shri Anurag Bajpai, Joint Secretary (Defence Industries Promotion), MoD, led the Indian delegation in the two-day INDUS-X event on 20-21 June 2023. A reception for Indian and US Government representatives, defence start-ups, think tanks, incubators, investors, industries and other stakeholders was orgainsed on 20 June 2023. Amb. Eric Garcetti, the US Ambassador to India, gave the keynote address. Mr. Frank Kendall, US Secretary of the Air Force, gave the opening keynote address on 21 June at the INDUS-X event. He stated that the India-US relationship is growing exponentially. He emphasised that there is enormous potential for startups of both nations to collaborate in deeptech innovations, especially in Space and Artificial Intelligence (AI) domain. Shri Anurag Bajpai, in his welcome remarks on "Investing in the Future of US-Indian Defence relations", hailed the launch of iCET as a landmark event in India-US relationship. He said this was an opportune moment for this event, as the leaders of the two largest and oldest democracies of the world meet in Washington. The Joint Secretary stressed on the co-development and co-production of advanced technologies by Indian and US start-ups. He further asked the participants to develop mechanisms for future collaboration across industries, academia, and investors. The Joint Secretary also gave an overview of the Make in India initiative, focussing on Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the philosophy of "Make in India, for the world". The event also saw a first-of-its-kind joint showcasing of innovative technologies by Indian and US start-ups. 15 Indian start-ups and 10 US start-ups, from multiple domains of maritime, AI, autonomous systems, and space, showcased their technologies to Indian and US stakeholders. The exhibition was visited by senior US officials, including Congressman Ro Khanna, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee as ranking member of the Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies and Information Systems (CITI) and as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, and by Radha Iyengar Plumb, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, US DoD. Two panel discussions and two roundtables were held, focussing on deepening collaborations across various domains, including government, academia, and industry especially startups. Discussion on export control regulations were also held. An INDUS X factsheet was released at the event. ****** ABB/Anand (Release ID: 1934311) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Modi Tells US Lawmakers US-India Partnership Is Strong By Katherine Gypson June 22, 2023 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told U.S. lawmakers Thursday the United States-India partnership is bound by the shared values of respecting debate and equality in a democracy. "The U.S. is the oldest and India the largest democracy," Modi said, addressing a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress. "Our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy." U.S. lawmakers hailed Modi's address as a key opportunity to forge closer ties between the United States and India, even as concerns remain about Modi's human rights record. "Our partnership a which spans trade, innovation, technology and security a has never been closer, stronger or more important. From this solid foundation, anything is possible. I look forward to increased economic and national security ties between our two great nations," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said in a statement following the address. Modi told U.S. lawmakers that India's rapidly growing economy was driven by women-led development and the technological innovations of the younger generation. He also said bloodshed and suffering in Ukraine must be put to an end and emphasized the importance of "a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, connected by secure seas." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said a in statement after meeting with Modi, "India and the United States share more than robust trade and basic values. We share an interest in keeping the Indo-Pacific free and open, and we face common challenges. India understands China's belligerent behavior firsthand." Pauses in Modi's speech were greeted by enthusiastic chants of "Modi, Modi, Modi," from visitors filling the upper galleries of the House of Representatives chamber. The most sustained applause from members of Congress followed Modi's acknowledgment of Vice President Kamala Harris' Indian heritage. Modi is the only Indian prime minister to address a joint meeting of Congress twice. His last speech to Congress was in 2016. He was denied a visa to visit the United States on the basis of human rights concerns in 2005 under the administration of President George W. Bush. Earlier this week, 70 members of Congress signed on to a letter urging Biden to raise key human rights concerns in his meetings with Modi, citing 2022 U.S. State Department reports on a rise in religious intolerance and a tightening of controls on political expression. "We want a close and warm relationship between the people of the United States and the people of India. We want that friendship to be built not only on our many shared interests but also on shared values," said the letter, led by Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen and Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal. "We do not endorse any particular Indian leader or political party a that is the decision of the people of India a but we do stand in support of the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign policy," the letter read in part. Before Modi's speech, Democratic Representative Jim Costa told VOA that while the U.S. and India have strong bilateral relations, human rights remain a source of concern. "Many of us have been concerned by what we would call backsliding on the part of India as they become more ultranational and in their adherence to democratic principles to talk about freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the important ability to demonstrate, and to make your views known without being punished," Costa said. Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar announced in a tweet on June 20 that she would not attend the speech. "Prime Minister Modi's government has repressed religious minorities, emboldened violent Hindu nationalist groups, and targeted journalists/human rights advocates with impunity," she said. Omar said she would instead hold a briefing "to discuss Modi's record of repression and violence." Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib also announced she would not attend the speech. Both women are Muslims. Democratic Senator Mark Warner and Republican Senator John Cornyn, co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus, introduced legislation earlier this week that if passed would add India to the list of favored nations for U.S. arms sales. "It's also more important than ever a in the face of rising global authoritarianism a that we respect and reaffirm the shared values that form the foundations of our respective nations, such as democracy, universal human rights, tolerance and pluralism, and equal opportunity for all citizens," Warner said in a statement following the speech. Tabinda Naeem contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi of the Republic of India at Arrival Ceremony June 22, 2023 South Lawn 10:16 A.M. EDT PRESIDENT BIDEN: Welcome, Mr. Prime Minister. Welcome back to the White House. I've long believed that the relationship between the United States and India is one of the a will be one of the defining relationships of the 21st century. Two proud nations a two proud nations whose love of freedom secured our independence, bound by the same words in our Constitution a the first three words: "We the People." (Cheers.) The enduring ties and shared values between our people and the shared responsibility as global leaders to tackle the great issues of our time together. I'm honored to be the first to have you here in 15 years. The United States is honoring and hosting an official visit for the Republic of India. Prime Minister Modi, welcome back to the White House. (Applause.) AUDIENCE: Modi! Modi! Modi! PRESIDENT BIDEN: We've spent a lot of time a we've spent a lot of time together, going back to when I was vice president and you had just become prime minister. And since a and since I've become president, we've continued a relationship built on mutual trust, candor, and respect. The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require that India and the United States work and lead together. And we are. With your partnership, we've invigorated and elevated the Quad between the United States, India, Australia, and Japan to advance our vision of a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Decades from now a decades from now, people will look back and say the Quad bent the arc of history toward "global good," as the Prime Minister describes it. Together, India and the United States are working closely on everything from ending poverty and expanding access to healthcare to addressing climate change to tackling food and energy insecurity stoked by Russia's unprovoked war on Ukraine. We've made critical and emerging technologies the pillar of our next-generation partnership to ensure that these technologies promote and protect our values, remain open, accessible, and trusted, and secure. All this matters for America, for India, and for the world. We face an inflection point, one of those moments that only come around every several generations, when so much is changing technolo- a technologically, politically, socially, and environmentally that the decisions we make today are going to determine our future for decades to come. And as democracies, we can better tap into the full talent of all of our people and attract investments as true and trusted partners, as leading nations, with our great- a greatest export being the power of our example. Equity under the law, freedom of expression, religious pluralism, and diversity of our people a these core principles have endured and evolved, even as they have faced challenges throughout each of our nations' histories, and will fuel our strength, depth, and future. And they form a special bond among our nations, forged by the special bond among our people, based on values that are universal: a duty to family and elders; treating all people with respect and dignity; a premium on education and creativity; self-discipline, hard work, entrepreneurship; faith and service to community; courage and resilience; and tolerance and opportunity for all. I've seen this dynamism in my visits to India. I see it in Indian-American diaspora that reflects every part of American life and remains a bridge between our nations and only grows stronger with each generation. We see it with record numbers of Indian Americans serving in the United States Congress. We see it here at the White House, where proud Americans with Indian heritage serve our country every day, including our Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris. (Applause.) The granddaughter a the proud granddaughter of an Indian civil servant, daughter of an Indian student turned American scientist who came to the United States when she was only 19 years old to pursue her dream of curing cancer. A family like so many of ours in our nation that speaks to the thousand stories of determination, courage, and hope. Stories that define the relationship and the limitless possibilities between the United States and India: two great nations, two great friends, two great powers that can define the course of the 21st century. Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your partnership. And I'll turn it over to you. (Applause.) AUDIENCE: Modi! Modi! Modi! PRIME MINISTER MODI: (Speaks Hindi.) (Applause.) Thank you, President Biden, for your friendship. (As interpreted.) President Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, distinguished guests, friends from the Indian American community filled with energy and excitement: A very good morning to all of you. First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to President Biden for his warm welcome and his farsighted speech. Thank you, President Biden, for your friendship. Friends, this grand welcome ceremony at the White House today is an honor and pride for 1.4 billion people of India. This is also an honor for more than 4 million people of Indian origin living in the U.S. For this honor, I express my heartfelt gratitude to President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden. Friends, about three decades ago, I came on a visit to America as a common man. At that time, I had seen the White House from outside. After becoming the Prime Minister, I have come here many times. But today, for the first time, the doors of the White House have been opened for the Indian American community in such large numbers. (Applause.) The people of the Indian community are enhancing India's glory in the U.S. through their talent, hard work, and dedication. You are the real strength of our relationship. I thank President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden for the honor you've been given today. I think I can't thank him enough for this. The societies and institutions of both India and the U.S. are based on democratic values. The constitutions of both countries begin with the following three words: "We the People," as President Biden just mentioned. Both of our countries take pride in their diversity. Both of us believe in the fundamental principle of: "in the interest of all, for the welfare of all." In the post-COVID era, the world order is taking a new shape. In this time period, the friendship between India and the U.S. will be instrumental in enhancing the strength of the whole world. The two countries are committed to work together for the global good and for global peace, stability, and prosperity. Our strong strategic partnership is a clear proof of the power of democracy. Friends, in a short while from now, President Biden and I will discuss India-U.S. relations and various regional and global issues. I'm sure that, as always, our conversation today will be very positive and useful. This afternoon, I will also have an opportunity to address the U.S. Congress for a second time. I am deeply grateful for this honor. I wish for, and the 1.4 billion people of India wish with me, for India's tricolour and America's stars and stripes to always keep flying higher and higher. President Biden, Dr. Jill Biden, once again, I thank you for your kind invitation, for your warm welcome and hospitality, also on behalf of 1.4 billion people of India. Jai hind. God bless America. Thank you very much. 10:37 A.M. EDT NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi of the Republic of India Before Bilateral Meeting June 22, 2023 Oval Office 10:53 A.M. EDT PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, Mr. President a Mr. President a Mr. Prime Minister, (inaudible) Modi. Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for being here, and welcome back to the White House. Almost exactly 10 years ago, when I visited Mumbai as vice president, I emphasized how important it was for India and the United States to continue building a partnership small steps a small steps at a time. Over that past 10 years, those small steps have transformed into large progress. And today, the partnership between our countries is stronger than it has ever been. We see it in our Major Defense Partnership, now a pillar in the Indo-Pacific peace and security structure. We see it in our economic ties and efforts to promote inclusive economic growth for our people and, quite frankly, people all around the world. And we see it in our growing coop- a cooperation on a whole range of issues: in space, emerging technologies, clean energy, global infrastructure. And I want to thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for your decision to a and hosting the G20 this year and focusing the world on the challenges that matter not just to you and I and our countries, but to all of us. And I look forward to discussing how we can strengthen our partnership and build a future together worthy of both our peoples, one grounded on democracy, human rights, freedom, and the rule of law. So welcome again, Mr. Prime Minister. We have a big agenda, I think, to continue to build our progress, again, step by step, but continue to build. Thank you for being here. PRIME MINISTER MODI: (As interpreted.) Your Excellency, President Biden, I once again express my heartfelt gratitude to you and to Dr. Jill Biden for the hospitality and the respect that you have shown to me and my delegation, and, more importantly, because you opened the doors of the White House today for the Indian American people, and they were there in thousands to witness the future of our strategic partnership. Your Excellency, you've always been India's friend and a well-wisher for a very long time. And whenever you have gotten an opportunity, you have always given force and strength to our bilateral relations. Excellency, eight years ago, while addressing the U.S.-India Business Council, you had said, "Our goal is to become India's best friend." And it is this personal commitment of yours towards India that is inspiring us to take many bold and ambitious initiatives. Today, India and the U.S. are walking shoulder to shoulder in every field, from the depths of the oceans to the heights of the skies, from ancient culture to artificial intelligence. Excellency, whenever there is talk of relations between any two countries from a diplomatic point of view, people often talk about some formal joint statements, working groups, MOUs. All of these definitely have their own importance, but the real engine of the India-U.S. relationship is our strong people-to-people ties. And we just heard a spirited roar of that engine out on the White House lawns. Your Excellency, as you said a and I would like to reiterate that a in today's rapidly changing global situation, all eyes are on the two largest democracies of the world: India and America. I believe that our strategic partnership is important for welfare of the humankind, global peace and stability, and for all countries believing in democratic values. And this is important than ever before. I'm confident that, working together, we will be successful in enhancing the strength of the whole world. We will talk about many such issues today, and we will add new dimensions to our strategic partnership. I once again express my heartfelt gratitude to you for your friendship. Thank you, Mr. President. (In English.) Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, press. (Laughs.) Q Mr. President, was it a mistake to call Xi a "dictator"? Q Mr. Prime Minister, can you speak to the treatment of Muslims in India right now? Q Do you regret calling Xi a "dictator"? Q Mr. President, how's Hunter feeling? PRESIDENT BIDEN: (Gives thumbs up.) Q Still? Hunter's feeling good? PRESIDENT BIDEN: (Nods.) 11:03 A.M. EDT NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran has mastered all complex defense technologies: IRGC commander IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jun 22, 2023 Sari, IRNA -- Commander of IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh has said that the range of Iranian hypersonic missiles can increase to 2,000 kilometers, adding that Iran has mastered all advanced technologies in the field of defense industries. General Hajizadeh made the remarks on Thursday at a gathering of professors and students of the University of Mazandaran, in Mazadnaran province, in northern Iran. Making a reference to Fattah, a domestically-produced hypersonic ballistic missile unveiled earlier this month by the IRGC Aerospace Force, General Hajizadeh said that the range of the Fattah hypersonic missile can be increased to 2,000 km from its current range of 1,400 km. He said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has mastered all complicated technologies in the field of the defense industry, adding that it should be much easier for the country to solve problems in other fields such as manufacturing and agriculture as they are much simpler. 3266**9417**4261 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's FM wraps up Persian Gulf tour with 'very good news' Iran Press TV Thursday, 22 June 2023 2:12 PM Iran's foreign minister has concluded a three-day tour of Persian Gulf Arab neighbors, saying the visit will bear "very good news" for the countries and the region. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Thursday visited the UAE, where he discussed "bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation" in a meeting with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. Amir-Abdollahian extended an invitation from President Ebrahim Raeisi for Sheikh Mohammed to visit, Iran's foreign ministry said. He later met with his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, who emphasized "the significance of establishing an international approach to multilateral action based on cooperation and partnership." The two top diplomats placed a premium on the need for the promotion of cooperation between the two neighbors as they discussed issues of mutual interest, regional developments, and expansion of bilateral relations. The areas of cooperation between Iran and the UAE in various political, economic, commercial, consular, cultural and scientific fields were among the matters of discussion. The trip followed stops in Qatar, Kuwait and Oman -- the latest in a flurry of diplomatic moves by Tehran to improve relations with neighbors and secure the region. "In the framework of economic and commercial cooperation, we will have very good news for our beloved nation and the nations of these four countries in the future," Iran's Tasnim news agency quoted him as saying. "The cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the countries on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf has entered a new chapter. In each of these countries, we have seriously put bilateral issues on our agenda," he added. An agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March to restore ties after a years-long rupture has led to a dramatic shift in regional cooperation and a drive for fence-mending. Amir-Abdollahian said in his visit, "we discussed with each of these countries about removing obstacles and facilitating economic, commercial, tourism, scientific and technological cooperation and other areas of interest." "Regarding the regional cooperation between the northern and southern littoral states of the Persian Gulf, the idea of aaforming a dialogue and regional cooperation forum was proposed and it was welcomed by each of the four countries we visited." The minister said the first meeting of the foreign ministers of the neighboring eight countries, namely those on the southern shores of the Persian Gulf plus Iran and Iraq, will be held in September at the initiative of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. "We take this initiative of the Secretary General as a good omen," Amir-Abdollahian said. During the visit, Iran and the UAE also signed an agreement to expand air transport services between the two countries and increase trade and tourism opportunities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran may increase range of first hypersonic missile to 2,000km: IRGC general Iran Press TV Thursday, 22 June 2023 9:59 AM A top commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran may increase the range of its first hypersonic missile, named Fattah, to 2,000 kilometers in the future. Speaking during a ceremony at University of Mazandaran on Wednesday, Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Division, said the next version of the missile may have a range of 2000 kilometers, compared to its current range of 1,400 kilometers. Fattah was put on display earlier this month as a historic achievement for the Iranian Armed Forces in strengthening the country's defense might. The missile can travel at a speed of up to Mach 15, which is 15 times the speed of sound. It is also able to penetrate all air defense systems and detonate them due to its high maneuverability and speed. Also in his remarks, Hajizadeh hailed Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi's attendance at Fattah's unveiling ceremony. He further said that despite sanctions and pressures, Iran has managed to achieve "all sophisticated technologies in the field of defense industry" by relying on domestic capabilities and the revolutionary youth. "We should not look toward abroad for progress within the country. Power grows in the IRGC on a daily basis. We must follow up Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei's call for becoming stronger day by day," the IRGC commander asserted. "For this reason, we will definitely have good news for our beloved people in the field of missiles, and we will promptly announce our achievements." Iranian military experts and engineers have in recent years made remarkable breakthroughs in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient. Iranian officials have made clear that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, including its missile power, which are entirely meant for defense. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian Official Tells Mosque In Zahedan To Prove Allegations Of Attempt On Imam's Life By RFE/RL's Radio Farda June 22, 2023 The head of the judiciary in Iran's eastern Sistan-Baluchistan Province has told a local mosque it must provide proof to back up claims of an assassination attempt on the Sunni imam of Zahedan, Molavi Abdolhamid, or face legal consequences. Local news reports quoted sources recently as saying an intelligence operation by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) had attempted the "biological assassination" of the imam, which was thwarted by the identification and arrest of an individual assigned to carry out the killing. Ali Mostafavi-Nia, the head of the judiciary in Sistan-Baluchistan, disputed the reports on June 22 and said the individual in question had lodged a complaint saying he was illegally detained by personnel of the Grand Makki Mosque of Zahedan, the largest Sunni mosque in Iran. Mostafavi-Nia emphasized that the mosque must substantiate claims that the individual intended to poison students and Molavi Abdolhamid and that "failure to provide such proof would result in legal consequences." The office of the Sunni imam of Zahedan confirmed the detention of a suspicious individual at the mosque and suggested that the person could be affiliated with certain government institutions. It gave no evidence to back up the claim. The Fars news agency, which is affiliated with the IRGC, claimed individuals associated with Molavi Abdolhamid arrested a Sunni seminary student on the pretext of theft and subsequently detained him illegally. In December, a leaked document from the hard-line Fars agency said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told security and military officials to try and disgrace Molavi Abdolhamid, a spiritual leader of Iran's Sunni Muslims who is a vocal critic of the government, instead of arresting him. The government has unleashed a brutal crackdown on the months of unrest -- one of the deepest challenges to the Islamic regime since the revolution in 1979 -- that erupted following the September 2022 death of Mahsa Amini. Molavi Abdolhamid has said senior officials, including Khamenei, were "responsible" for the killing of protesters during the November 30 massacre in Zahedan. Sunni Muslims are in the majority in Sistan-Baluchistan Province in southeastern Iran, where Abdolhamid is based, but make up only about 10 percent of the population in Shi'a-dominated Iran overall. Since Amini's death, more than 500 people have been killed in the police crackdown, according to rights groups. Several thousand more have been arrested, including many protesters, as well as journalists, lawyers, activists, digital rights defenders, and others. Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-sunni- imamallegations/32471139.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani Vladimir Putin had a meeting with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the Kremlin. June 22, 2023 14:50 The Kremlin, Moscow Taking part in the meeting from the Russian side were Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister and co-chair of the Russian-Qatari Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation Alexander Novak, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov and Rosneft CEO and Chairman of the Management Board Igor Sechin. * * * President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, colleagues, friends, I would like to warmly welcome you to Moscow. Before we begin our meeting, I would like to ask you to convey our best regards and wishes to His Highness the Emir of Qatar [Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani]. I have a warm recollection of all our meetings with him, which were always held at the top level, which pointed to our special relations and our resolve to continue to develop them in very many areas. Several days ago, we held the annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum, which was attended, as usual, by a very high-level Qatari delegation. I would like to thank you for that, since you are the head of government and, therefore, control and guide your country's business initiatives one way or another. At present, our mutual trade is relatively modest in absolute terms, but we can see that it has a considerable untapped growth potential. We hope that our intergovernmental commission will formulate effective proposals to unleash it. Its Russian co-chair is Deputy Prime Minister Novak, who is attending this meeting. He is familiar with all our plans and endeavours, and I hope that all of them will be implemented. The Russian Direct Investment Fund is cooperating productively with Qatar, or more precisely, with the Qatar Investment Authority. We can see substantial progress in that area, which is gratifying. It is also gratifying that you have come to Russia. Welcome. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (retranslated): Mr President, First of all, I would like to thank you for your hospitality and warm welcome. His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has asked me to convey his best regards and to assure you of our resolve to maintain our friendly ties. Today, I have brought you a message from His Highness the Emir of Qatar. It has to do with our further efforts to build up bilateral cooperation and coordination. Our countries are linked by friendly ties, long-standing friendly ties. We have common interests on a broad range of issues, especially in energy, energy markets and food security. We are also implementing joint economic projects. I had an opportunity to hold substantive talks with my colleague, the Foreign Minister [Sergei Lavrov], and to discuss political issues and several regional issues. Thank you very much for taking the time to hold this meeting. Thank you very much. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian diplomat says Macron would be BRICS inappropriate gust, citing France's hostile policy Iran Press TV Thursday, 22 June 2023 9:50 AM A Russian Foreign Ministry diplomat says French President Emmanuel Macron would be an inappropriate guest at a summit of the BRICS group of countries, which is due in Johannesburg in August, citing France's "hostile and unacceptable policy" towards his country. Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna said Tuesday that Macron could take part in the BRICS summit in South Africa, adding that the decision to invite the president "must be taken, not by France, but by the BRICS and first and foremost by South Africa, which is the host of the summit." The BRICS group of emerging economies comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Thursday criticized countries that a hostile and unacceptable policy towards us, saying that "leaders of states that pursue such a hostile and unacceptable policy towards us" should not be welcomed at the summit in Johannesburg. He said leaders who are "discussing with such emphasis and conviction that Russia should be isolated on the international stage, and share the common NATO line on inflicting a so-called strategic defeat on us - such a leader is an inappropriate BRICS guest." "And we are not hiding this approach of ours, we have told our colleagues from South Africa. We expect that our point of view will be fully accepted," Ryabkov added. Leaders of France, Germany and Poland gathered in Paris last month for talks focusing on military support for Ukraine against Russia. Ukraine has been involved in a military conflict with Russia since February last year. Ever since, the West has been providing Kiev with military equipment worth tens of billions of dollars. Macron has pledged that his government's s support for Kiev will "last as long as it is needed." He has also said, "We must ensure that Russia will not only not win this unfortunate campaign but also can never repeat it." Moscow has warned time and again that providing Kiev with Western weapons and military equipment will only prolong the conflict. It also argues that the West's anti-Russian moves, including its eagerness to include Ukraine in the NATO military alliance and the alliance's expansion right up to the Russian borders, forced it to start the war in February last year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU approves new sanctions against Russia; Chinese companies targeted over circumventing existing bans Iran Press TV Thursday, 22 June 2023 9:04 AM European Union governments have agreed to the 11th package of sanctions on Russia, which enables the bloc to punish third countries and companies for circumventing existing measures. Sweden, which holds the bloc's rotating presidency, said on Wednesday that the new measures were approved at a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels. The package forbids transit via Russia of an expanded list of goods and technology which might aid Russia's military or security sector. According to this new mechanism, if third countries, for example in Central Asia, fail to comply with Western sanctions or can't explain a sudden rise in trade in banned goods, they could face EU punishment. Details of the measures will be unveiled later this week when the sanctions are officially adopted by written procedure. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the decision, saying the package will deal another blow to Russia "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. The new sanctions list includes three China-based companies and Hong Kong-based firms, several diplomats have told media, speaking on condition of anonymity because the final document is not yet public. "China is a permanent member of the UN, 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," Leyen said in an interview with CNBC channel. European diplomats claimed China vowed to put pressure on these companies to stop their activities, after the names were leaked in early May and following high-level contacts between the European Commission and Beijing. Five companies were reportedly taken off the list while the three remaining, registered in Hong Kong and little known, were suspected of being Russian-owned, officials added. The new EU package extends the suspension of EU broadcasting licenses of five Russian state-controlled media. It also adds a further 71 persons and 33 entities to those banned from the EU and with EU assets frozen. The deal, proposed more than a month ago, had been held up as Hungary and Greece opposed it to protest the designation of their domestic companies. Ukraine had listed five Greek shipping companies in the list of "international sponsors of war," because they did business with Russia or in other ways contributed to Moscow's military operation. Ukraine removed the five Greek shipping firms from its list, securing the backing of Athens for the package and hours later the new sanction package was announced. The package bans access to EU ports for ships engaging in ship-to-ship transfers if the cargo is suspected to be of Russian origin. Although Hungary's largest commercial bank, OTP, stayed on the Ukrainian list, the country backed the new sanctions. Meanwhile, several countries, including Germany, were not sure about naming other countries, for fear of hurting diplomatic relations, and even pushing other countries to move closer to Russia or China. The EU had previously imposed 10 rounds of sanctions on Russia since the beginning of the Ukrainian war on February 24, 2022, with banks, companies and markets being hit, as well as parts of the sensitive energy sector, along with more than 1,000 officials subjected to asset freezes and travel bans. The 27-nation bloc has already committed 30 billion Euros from its budget to support Ukraine and, this week the European Union announced it will inject 50 billion Euros ($54.58 billion) in aid over the next four years to support Ukraine against Russia. Since the onset of the conflict, the United States and its European allies have unleashed an array of unprecedented sanctions against Russia and poured a huge number of advanced weapons into Ukraine to help its military fend off Russian troops, despite repeated warnings by the Kremlin that such measures will only prolong the war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Court Denies U.S. Reporter Gershkovich's Appeal Against Pretrial Detention By RFE/RL's Russian Service June 22, 2023 The Moscow City Court has rejected U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich's appeal against his pretrial detention on charges of espionage, which he, his newspaper The Wall Street Journal, and the U.S. government have strongly denied. Although the June 22 hearing was held behind closed doors, U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy and representatives of several other diplomatic missions in Moscow were allowed to attend. The first American journalist detained in Russia on espionage charges since the end of the Cold War, the 31-year-old faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. "Despite Russian officials' public assertions about Evan's activities, let me reiterate the U.S. government's firm position: the charges against Evan are baseless. He is an innocent journalist who was carrying out journalistic activities and has been wrongfully detained," Tracey said in a statement. "Such hostage diplomacy is unacceptable, and we call on the Russian Federation to release him, as well as Paul Whelan, another U.S. citizen who has been wrongfully detained. We call for that release to occur immediately." Whelan, a former U.S. Marine, was arrested in December 2018, held for 18 months in Lefortovo prison in Moscow, and then jailed for 16 years on spying charges, which he and the U.S. government deny. The Wall Street Journal said in a statement that although the court's June 22 decision was expected, "it is no less an outrage" that Gershkovich's "detention continues to be upheld." "Evan has been wrongfully detained for more than 12 weeks for nothing more than doing his job as a journalist. We continue to demand his immediate release," the newspaper's statement said. Gershkovich was arrested in March and accused by the FSB security service of collecting military secrets in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg. In late May, the Lefortovo district court in Moscow extended Gershkovich's pretrial detention until at least August 30. Washington has declared Gershkovich to be wrongfully detained and demanded his immediate release. The reporter's detention comes at a time when relations between Moscow and Washington are at their lowest point since the end of the Cold War over the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said at the time of the journalist's arrest in March that it had opened an espionage case against Gershkovich for collecting what it said were state secrets about the military-industrial complex. Gershkovich was then placed in pretrial detention in Moscow's Lefortovo prison, a notorious institution dating back to tsarist times. Seen as a symbol of Soviet repression, Lefortovo is where Russia holds most suspects in espionage cases. The Kremlin has said Gershkovich was carrying out espionage "under the cover" of journalism. Hired by The Wall Street Journal shortly before Moscow's invasion of Ukraine last year, Gershkovich had been reporting on Russia for more than five years at the time of his arrest. The 31-year-old is a fluent Russian-speaker, the son of emigres who left the Soviet Union for the United States during the Cold War. With reporting by SOTA Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-court-rejects- reporter-gershkovich-appeal/32470738.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address All New Russian Navy Frigates, Corvettes Set to Deploy Zircon Missiles in 2023 Sputnik News 20230622 The Zircon is a scramjet-powered maneuvering hypersonic cruise missile designed specifically to engage enemy ships at Mach 9 that is also capable of engaging ground targets. All under-construction and new frigates and corvettes will be armed with Zircon hypersonic missiles, Admiral Nikolay Yevmenov, the commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, said at the International Maritime Defense Show in Kronstadt. "The frigates currently under construction, as well as those planned for future construction, will be armed with Zircon missiles. The corvettes will also be equipped with this advanced weaponry," he told Sputnik. Admiral Yevmenov emphasized that this decision does not mean that the Russian Navy will abandon the use of the reliable "Onyx" and "Kalibr" cruise missiles. These missile systems have proven their high reliability in various scenarios. In an announcement in early February, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed plans to begin mass deliveries of Zircon hypersonic anti-ship missiles to the Armed Forces in 2023, underscoring the country's commitment to advancing its military capabilities. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia says US reinforcing military presence in Syria Iran Press TV Thursday, 22 June 2023 6:39 PM Russia says the United States is reinforcing its military presence in Syria, despite calls by the Damascus government for the withdrawal of US troops. "There is such information... that the US is strengthening its military contingent in northeastern Syria, as well as in al-Tanf, which has been illegally occupied by them for quite a long time," Alexander Lavrentiev, the Russian president's special envoy for Syria, was cited by RIA news agency as saying on Thursday. He said Washington sought to "destabilize" Syria. According to his remarks, the US forces continue to collaborate with terrorist groups in Syria with the aim of carrying out acts of terror in the Syrian territory. Since 2014, the US has deployed forces and military equipment in Syria without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate under the pretext of fighting Daesh. The Takfiri terrorist group had emerged as Washington was running out of excuses to extend its regional meddling or enlarge it in scale. American forces sustain their illegal presence on the Syrian soil, although Damascus and its allies defeated Daesh in late 2019. The US military claims its presence in Syria is aimed at preventing the oilfields in the area from falling into the hands of Daesh. Damascus, however, maintains the deployment is meant to plunder the country's natural resources. Former President Donald Trump of the United States admitted on several occasions that American forces were in the Arab country for its oil wealth. Russia has assisted Syrian forces in battles across the conflict-plagued country, mainly by providing aerial support to ground operations against foreign-backed terrorists. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. coast guard ship sails through Taiwan Strait: Defense ministry ROC Central News Agency 06/22/2023 01:36 PM Taipei, June 22 (CNA) A United States Coast Guard ship transited through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said. The ship was carrying out a freedom of navigation mission and was sailing through the strait in a northerly direction, coming from the south, the MND said. The Republic of China (Taiwan) military was closely monitoring the surrounding waters and airspace during the ship's transit and detected no abnormal activities, the ministry said. The American Coast Guard vessel made the transit one day after a Chinese naval fleet, led by the Shandong aircraft carrier, sailed through the waterway, which prompted the MND to deploy an "appropriate amount" of military assets in response. (By Sean Lin) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Peace in Taiwan Strait a matter of international concern: AIT chair ROC Central News Agency 06/22/2023 07:39 PM Washington, June 21 (CNA) Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is "a matter of international concern," American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chair Laura Rosenberger said Wednesday, as she reiterated Washington's commitment to helping Taiwan defend itself. Speaking at a virtual discussion hosted by Foreign Policy magazine, Rosenberger talked about Taiwan's role in the transatlantic conversation and explained the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. "The Taiwan Relations Act itself actually says that peace and stability in the area are in the political, security, [and] economic interests of the United States, and are matters of international concern that has been a fundamental premise of U.S. policy and U.S. approach," said Rosenberger. Furthermore, ensuring peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait has become a shared goal not only across the Atlantic but also globally, she added. Rosenberger said leaders in Europe and other democracies were recognizing Taiwan's crucial role as a beacon of democracy both in the Indo-Pacific region and globally. European leaders had also come to acknowledge the global role Taiwan's large and thriving economy plays in the global economic system, particularly semiconductors, and the importance of waters around Taiwan to global maritime traffic. However, despite increased recognition of the importance of peace and stability, "there is no change in the basic positions of the G7 members on Taiwan, including stated 'one China' policies and a call for a peaceful resolution" to cross-strait tensions. Rosenberger said the United States had long been committed to supporting Taiwan's self-defense capability under the Taiwan Relations Act. This is a commitment that "has been upheld by each [White House] administration since that law was enacted in 1979." She added that Beijing must know that undermining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait was not just a concern for the United States, but also for "key partners Beijing is reaching out." (By Stacy Hsu and Bernadette Hsiao) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Transit of US coast guard ship through Taiwan Straits is purely a publicity stunt, exposing US' diplomatic duplicity: experts Global Times By Guo Yuandan Published: Jun 23, 2023 01:12 AM Chinese coast guard ships followed a US Coast Guard ship that sailed through the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday and monitored the whole process, the Chinese Coast Guard said on Thursday, calling the US latest move a public hype. It vowed to resolutely safeguard China's national sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests. Experts said that the passage of the US Coast Guard cutter Stratton through the Taiwan Straits was purely a show of presence and a publicity stunt, and would not pose any substantial threat to the Chinese mainland. If the US continues to play with fire on the Taiwan question, it will undoubtedly lead to a further deterioration of China-US relations, for which the US will bear responsibility. "Stratton's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows," the US Navy's 7th Fleet said in a statement on Thursday. It is worth noting that this is less than a month since the US destroyer USS Chung-Hoon and the Royal Canadian Navy's HMCS Montreal passed through Taiwan Straits on June 3. Normally, US warships typically sail through the Taiwan Straits about once a month. On only two days earlier on June 19, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had just wrapped up a two-day widely watched visit to Beijing. He is the first US secretary of State to visit China since 2018. The passage of the US Coast Guard cutter through the Taiwan Straits came just after Blinken's departure. It clearly indicated that the US will continue to stubbornly pursue its position of containing China with the Taiwan question, which is a very dangerous action that does not respect China's sovereignty and security interests, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Thursday. "This incident once again exposes the duplicity of US diplomacy toward China. On the one hand, it claims to stabilize US-China relations, but on the other hand, it creates tension in the relations, which is a direct manifestation of its inconsistent words and deeds," Li said. The expert believes that if the US continues to play with fire on the Taiwan question, it will lead to a further setback in China-US relations, and the responsibility for its instability and deterioration is undoubtedly on the US side. Compared with the passage of previous US vessels, the US did not send warships this time, but only sent Coast Guard vessels. In response, China's comment was given by China's Coast Guard rather than the PLA Eastern Theater Command. Stronger Chinese opposition has occurred before when the US sent a missile destroyer and a coast guard vessel to cross the Taiwan Straits on March 24, 2019, and the US Navy's Kidd-class destroyer and the US Coast Guard Cutter Munro sailed through the Taiwan Straits on August 27, 2021. Zhang Xuefeng, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Thursday that the passage of US Coast Guard vessels through the Taiwan Strait does not pose any substantial threat to China's mainland. He advised the US Coast Guard to stop such actions as soon as possible. "If any unexpected incidents occur due to the passage of US Coast Guard vessels through the Taiwan Straits, the failed ones will be the US ships equipped only with guns and with a relatively small displacement." Experts previously speculated that the strengthened deployment of the US Coast Guard in the Asia-Pacific region can, on one hand, make up for the insufficient military strength of the US 7th Fleet in the area, and on the other hand, compared to naval vessels, the Coast Guard has higher flexibility and is less sensitive than a warship. Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, pointed out that although the US Coast Guard vessels are less sensitive, they are the second force of the US Navy. In recent years, the US Coast Guard has deployed more forces to the Asia-Pacific region, especially in the Western Pacific region, and has established cooperation with countries such as Japan and the Philippines. "The US intention is obvious: to help these countries maintain so-called maritime security, ensure that other countries do not excessively develop the ocean through joint law enforcement at sea, and essentially aim to contain China," Song said. Song stated that "the function of the US Coast Guard is to maintain the security of the US coastline, and its strength exists on the east and west coasts of the US and should not run to the other side of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to maintain the security of its national coastline. This is a clear paradox." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address June 22, 2023 By David Vergun , DOD News Official Says Ukraine Well Prepared to Liberate Russian-Occupied Territory The Defense Department's objective regarding Ukraine is to ensure the existence of a free, prosperous and democratic Ukraine that can defend itself and deter further Russian aggression, said Laura K. Cooper, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, who testified today at a House Foreign Affairs Committee subcommittee hearing on assessing U.S. policy towards Europe and NATO. "Ukraine is attempting to liberate its territory from Russian occupation or control, including in the latest counter-offensive. Ukraine is well prepared and equipped. Although the course of war is dynamic and unpredictable, we do have great confidence in the training capabilities and preparedness of the Ukrainian armed forces," she said. The security assistance that the United States, allies and partners have provided is substantial. Those resources reflect the shared interests and values that are at stake, she said. "Russia's war of aggression is a clear and present danger not only to Ukraine, but to the security of Europe, and to the basic principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that uphold global stability," Cooper said. The group of some 50 nations in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group have collectively addressed Ukraine's priority requirements and requests, both for the immediate fight and for the longer term, she said. Over $28 billion in security assistance commitments from allies and partners has been provided, including in top priority areas of air defense armor and artillery. Nine European countries have contributed more than $1 billion each, she said. Security assistance to Ukraine as a percentage of gross domestic product puts the U.S. as 12th ranked globally. Over half of all the tanks, armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, 155 mm artillery systems and counter-unmanned aerial systems and about half the stinger and javelin missiles provided to Ukraine are from allies and partners not from the United States, Cooper said. Allies have trained more than three times the number of Ukrainian soldiers that the United States has trained, she added. Germany and Poland are collaborating to provide Ukraine with Leopard tanks, as well as the training, maintenance and sustainment for those tanks. The Netherlands and Denmark are collaborating to set up training for Ukrainian pilots to fly fourth-generation aircraft, she said. Also, allies are starting to make longer term commitments. Germany has authorized about $13 billion in support to Ukraine over the next 9 to 10 years, Norway has committed over $7 billion, and Denmark recently announced $3.2 billion, she said. There's growing collaboration between the United States and partners on industrial production, both to support Ukraine and to replenish DOD stocks, she said. The department recognizes the importance of prioritizing the accountability of Ukraine security assistance, she said. "To date, we have not seen credible evidence of the illicit diversion of U.S.-provided advanced conventional weapons, although Russia continues to spread disinformation to the contrary." DOD continues to use monitoring measures in Ukraine to track sensitive U.S. weapon systems and to proactively prevent arms proliferation, she added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Estonia's new aid package to Ukraine includes a field hospital and demining equipment Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence 22. June 2023 On Thursday, the Estonian government supported Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur's proposal to send another field hospital to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, this time in collaboration with Iceland. Additionally, the Estonian aid package includes equipment for paramedics, deminers, and counter-drone capabilities. "Assisting Ukraine during the counteroffensive is now more important than ever, especially in terms of medical aid. We are sending the fourth field hospital to Ukraine, this time in cooperation with Iceland," said Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur. The field hospital will be donated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the Estonian Defence Forces' stock, and its replenishment will be fully funded by Iceland at a cost of 7.8 million euros. "In addition to the hospital, this fresh aid package to the Armed Forces of Ukraine includes medical equipment for paramedics, demining, and counter-drone equipment," added the Estonian defence minister. To date, Estonia has provided Ukraine with military aid totaling around 400 million euros, which is more than 1% of Estonia's GDP. Donations have included missiles for the Javelin anti-tank missile system, howitzers, anti-tank mines, anti-tank grenade launchers, vehicles, communication equipment, medical supplies, personal protective equipment (helmets, etc.), and dry food packages. In April, Estonia decided to send Ukraine artillery ammunition it urgently needs as part of the European Union agreement to provide Ukraine with one million rounds of artillery ammunition. In cooperation with Germany, Estonia has provided Ukraine with two field hospitals and medical supplies worth 15 million euros. Estonia has also provided a third field hospital to Ukraine in cooperation with the Netherlands and Norway, who supported the project with 7.8 million euros. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway announces NOK 300 million for war risk insurance to support reconstruction of Ukraine Government of Norway Press release | Date: 22/06/2023 Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt is taking part in the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2023) in London on 21-22 June. The purpose of the conference is to mobilise international support for Ukraine's economic and social stabilisation and reconstruction, including through financing private sector participation. Norway announced at the conference that it will provide NOK 300 million to fund war risk insurance and guarantee schemes for the private sector. 'Mobilisation of the private sector will be vital to the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. The international community must take steps to introduce de-risking measures in order to promote foreign investment in Ukraine, and Norway will do its part. In the active war phase, war risk insurance - or guarantees against political risk - will be essential to succeed in attracting international investors to Ukraine. We have not yet decided which schemes are most relevant for Norway to support, but both the World Bank Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are appropriate channels,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt. At the conference, Norway gave its support to the UK's joint statement regarding collaboration on strengthening the commercial insurance markets to support Ukraine's fight for freedom and the reconstruction of the country. 'Ukraine has now been at war for 16 months, and even though many of the critical government services are functioning remarkably well despite the very difficult circumstances, the country needs support maintain essential services, repair damaged infrastructure and embark on reconstruction. This conference has provided us with a unique opportunity to discuss the best way for authorities and businesses across national borders to contribute most effectively. The Norwegian authorities and the Norwegian business sector stand united in supporting Ukraine,' said Ms Huitfeldt. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Twelfth support package to Ukraine Government Offices of Sweden Press release from Ministry of Defence 22 June 2023 The Government has adopted a new support package for Ukraine, which was presented at the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels on 15 June 2023. The package includes contributions to funds totalling SEK 230 million and instructions to the Swedish Armed Forces concerning JAS 39 Gripen and supply solutions for donated military equipment. The total value of this twelfth support package amounts to approximately SEK 250 million. The Government announced a new support package to Ukraine amounting to SEK 140 million through the British International Fund for Ukraine, which provides financial support for the procurement of defence equipment to Ukraine. The Fund's plans include the purchase of long-range missile systems to donate to Ukraine. The Government has also announced that it will provide SEK 90 million to the NATO Ukraine Comprehensive Assistance Package Trust Fund. The aim of this Fund is to procure defence equipment, fuel, medical equipment, military training equipment and support to strengthen and modernise Ukraine's defence and security institutions. Training on JAS 39 Gripen The Swedish Armed Forces will be instructed to provide orientation training for Ukrainian pilots and associated aeronautical personnel on JAS 39 Gripen. This is because the Ukrainian Armed Forces has expressed their wish to be able to operationally evaluate JAS 39 Gripen, as one of the most urgent measures is to strengthen the Ukrainian air defence with a modern combat aircraft system. Supply solution for military equipment The Government has decided that the Swedish Armed Forces is to establish a supply solution for military equipment systems to Ukraine. As part of the supply solution, the Armed Forces will be able to conduct activities with up to 60 people on site in Poland, Romania and Slovakia. Since 2022, Sweden has delivered a large number of different types of equipment systems, where Swedish maintenance support is limited to the preparation of the equipment followed by transport to Ukraine. However, more advanced weapon and sensor systems require a longer-term supply solution, including technical systems support, spare parts and replacement units, as well as ammunition to maintain the operational impact over time. The Armed Forces therefore intends to set up a long-term supply solution for advanced equipment systems, such as Robot System 70, Combat Vehicle 90, Battle Tank 122 and the Archer Artillery System, which have been donated to Ukraine. The supply system will be created by means of collaboration between the Swedish Armed Forces, the Defence Materiel Administration and relevant Swedish industries. This assignment will continue through 31 December 2025. Continued support through EUMAM The EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) is led by the Brussels-based Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC), which acts as a strategic and operational headquarters for the mission. Since autumn 2022, Sweden has provided reinforcement personnel to the MPCC. The Government has instructed the Swedish Armed Forces to continue to station officers at the MPCC until 8 November 2024. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nearly 60 countries assist Ukraine's reconstruction: PM People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:58, June 22, 2023 KIEV, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Wednesday that nearly 60 countries are supporting the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities, towns and villages, the government press service reported. Speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, Shmyhal said that 30 countries have already signed a declaration supporting the initiative to provide coordinated assistance to rebuild Ukrainian communities and regions. Ukraine is implementing or has implemented about 214 reconstruction projects with partner countries or international organizations, he noted. As of Feb. 24, Ukraine's financial reconstruction needs were estimated at 411 billion U.S. dollars, Shmyhal said, adding that the country's rapid recovery requires 14.1 billion dollars this year. Foreign partners have already pledged to provide Ukraine with 4.3 billion dollars for the rapid recovery, he said. The two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference kicked off in London, the capital of the United Kingdom, earlier in the day. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine strikes 'gate to Crimea' linking mainland to peninsula: Kherson governor Iran Press TV Thursday, 22 June 2023 11:06 AM Ukrainian forces have struck the Chonhar road bridge connecting Crimea with Russian-held parts of the southern Kherson region, with long-range British missiles, the Russia-appointed Kherson governor says. Kherson Region Acting Governor Vladimir Saldo said on Thursday morning that the two parallel Chonhar bridges, also called "gate to Crimea" by Russians, were both damaged by Ukrainian troops, but did not reveal any serious damage and said they will be restored quickly. According to Russian investigators, four missiles had been fired by Ukrainian forces at the bridge, the RIA news agency reported. The news agency quoted a spokesman for military investigators as saying that markings found on the remains of one of the missiles suggested it had been made in France. However, Saldo said that according to preliminary information, Ukrainian forces have used UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles for the strike. The missile damage was "another completely senseless action carried out by the Kiev regime on orders from London," he said on Telegram. "The Kiev terrorists want to intimidate Kherson residents and sow panic among the population, but they will not succeed. We know how to repair bridges quickly: vehicle passage will be restored in the very near future," he said, adding that there are other land routes to Crimea. Britain's Storm Shadow missile has a range "in excess of 250km," according to its manufacturer, the European arms group MBDA. Yuriy Sobolevsky, a Ukrainian official on the governing body for the Kherson region, said the strike was "a blow to the military logistics of the occupiers." "There is no place on the territory of Kherson region where they can feel safe," he said via Telegram. The bridge is one of several important routes into Ukraine from the Crimean peninsula and is used by the Russian military to move personnel and supplies. It is also an important link to the city of Melitopol, which lies on the coastal route from the Russian border across southern Ukraine to Crimea. "Due to damage to the roadbed on the Chongar Bridge, traffic flows have been temporarily redirected to the Armyansk and Perekop checkpoints. These checkpoints are operating normally," Crimea's transport ministry announced. Earlier on Tuesday, Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had warned of Ukraine's plans to attack Crimea with long-range American and British 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," Shoigu emphasized. Crimea rejoined Russia in 2014 following a referendum. Moscow considers the peninsula outside the scope of its 'special military operation'- which is centered in eastern and southern Ukraine. Since the onset of the conflict, the United States and its European allies have unleashed an array of unprecedented sanctions against Russia and poured a huge number of advanced weapons into Ukraine to help its military fend off Russian troops, despite repeated warnings by the Kremlin that such measures will only prolong the war. The EU has already committed 30 billion Euros from its budget to support Ukraine and this week the block announced it will inject 50 billion Euros ($54.58 billion) in aid over the next four years to support Ukraine against Russia. In a recent act, the 27-nation bloc approved the 11th sanction package on Russia which enables the bloc to punish third countries and companies for circumventing existing measures. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK backs Ukraine's fast-track accession to NATO but US and Germany concerned over early membership Iran Press TV Thursday, 22 June 2023 7:08 AM British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly says London is in favor of offering Ukraine a shorter route to join the NATO military alliance, as the issue has caused divisions among the member states ahead of a summit next month. Speaking on the sidelines of the two-day Ukraine Recovery conference in London, Cleverly said the UK government would support proposals to allow Kiev to skip a so-called Membership Action Plan (MAP) in order to join the US-led alliance. Under the MAP, a program which was launched by the alliance in 1999, aspiring countries need to meet NATO standards and prepare for future membership. "We have seen Ukraine evolve and evolve quickly," Cleverly said, adding that Kiev has "demonstrated their commitment to military reform required for NATO membership through their actions on the battlefield, and I think all NATO allies recognize that." Cleverly also referred to remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who said that Kiev already meets "many of the requirements" of the membership action plan. Ukraine was last offered NATO membership back in 2008 on the condition it met the terms set out in an action plan. The country has been involved in a military conflict with Russia since February last year. Ever since, the West has been providing Kiev with military equipment worth tens of billions of dollars. The issue of the terms of the action plan has been dividing allies before a NATO summit next month in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius. There have been concerns in the US and Germany that early NATO membership for Ukraine might provoke Russia, and change the alliance's structure. US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that his administration would not "make it easy" for Ukraine to join the military bloc. France, however, appears to favor the idea to advance Ukraine's membership. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on Wednesday that she "see[s] a possibility that the MAP is not any longer a stage of that route, that roadmap to accession." "We are a long way from 2008. Time has passed, the situation is quite different," she added. Natalia Halibarenko, the ambassador of Ukraine to NATO, said Wednesday that the upcoming NATO summit must offer a certain commitment or guarantee of future membership for Kiev. The NATO chief, however, noted that the formal invitation of Ukraine to NATO will not be discussed at the summit in Vilnius. Russia has been repeatedly warning US-led NATO forces against the alliance's eastward expansion. Moscow launched the military campaign in Ukraine in February last year, with NATO's eastward expansion blamed for it. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also repeatedly railed against the West for driving NATO's eastward expansion, especially its courting of ex-Soviet republics such as Ukraine and Georgia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Prisoners Of War Complicating Ukraine-Hungary Relations By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, RFE/RL's Russian Service, Andy Heil June 22, 2023 Ukrainian officials blindsided by Russia's surprise handover to Hungary of 11 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) two weeks ago have voiced ongoing frustration at Budapest's "covert" tactics in a case they say contravened international law and furthered Kremlin war aims. The European Union has added to the chorus of confusion and urged the Hungarian side to explain to Ukrainian officials what happened, how it happened, and who orchestrated the June 8 transfer. All of the POWs are said to be ethnic Hungarians, a minority of around 100,000 people in western Ukraine that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban frequently invoked to criticize Ukrainian policies well before his dogged criticism of anti-Russian sanctions further strained relations with Kyiv. They were captured by Russia along with other Ukrainian defense forces in the 15-month-old invasion. A representative of Ukraine's military intelligence directorate suggested to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service on June 20 that Hungary -- an EU and NATO member which has maintained close relations with Russia despite sanctions -- had politicized what has become "a very strange case, to say the least." "The fact that we are discussing this situation at all is very unfortunate," said Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR). "Because the event, which could be absolutely positive, turns into some kind of dramatic detective story with a very tangible political undertone." At that point, Yusov said, Kyiv had no confirmation of the handover from the Russian side and a "preliminary list" of "probably 11 defenders" had been obtained unofficially, including through "operational channels." Later that day, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and a coordination center for POWs in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war announced that three of the men had been returned to Ukraine with the help of the Ukrainian Embassy in Budapest. Ukrainian officials had accused Hungary of denying access to the transferred men, something Budapest denies. And the fate of the eight remaining individuals was still unclear on June 22. By then, the Ukrainian parliament's commissioner for human rights, ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, had confirmed the return of three men and accused the Hungarian side of acting "covertly." He said Hungary's actions in accepting Ukrainian POWs "unequivocally" constituted "a violation of international humanitarian law." The European Commission expressed its own frustration on behalf of nonmember Ukraine the same day. "It is very important that the relevant Hungarian authorities involved in this case, and active in this case, explain to their Ukrainian counterparts what happened, how it happened, what was the role of Hungary, who was involved, who was not involved, how this was managed," commission spokesman Peter Stano told journalists. Russian news agency TASS reported on June 8 that the Russian Orthodox Church had "facilitated the handover of Ukrainian POWs to Hungary...within the framework of inter-church cooperation at the request of the Hungarian side." Few Clear Answers With few clear answers and speculation about their whereabouts still swirling a week later, multiple sources, including in the Hungarian government and diplomatic corps, suggested that there was anger among senior officials because neither Orban's office nor the Foreign Ministry had been aware of the POW initiative. Later, the Ukrainian HUR's Yusov said the Hungarian side appeared to have initiated discussions with the Russians about the exchange. That appears to contradict claims by multiple sources to RFE/RL's Hungarian Service that Metropolitan Hilarion Alfejev, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Hungary and a confidant of Russian Patriarch Kirill, first informed Orban's secretary for church affairs, Miklos Soltesz, about a possible handover. By June 15, Deputy Prime Minister and Hungarian Christian Democratic Party leader Zsolt Semjen was being credited with a major -- but ostensibly rogue -- role in securing the handover. Orban's chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, suggested that the 11 men had been handed over to a Hungarian charity service in Russia and therefore were not considered prisoners of war by the time they were moved to Hungary. Some have Hungarian citizenship and others were granted refugee status, Gulyas added. An Orban spokesman's repeated references to the freed individuals as "Transcarpathian prisoners of war" has further fueled speculation over the Hungarian side's motives in keeping Kyiv out of the loop. "I see this as playing along with Russian propaganda, that allegedly Ukraine does not want to take its prisoners of war, which is absolutely false," Ukrainian ombudsman Lubinets said. "The Hungarian authorities therefore allow Russia to show that if there is an initiative, the Russians are ready to hand over prisoners of war." Ukraine has a Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War that has negotiated dozens of prisoner swaps and releases since the conflict with Russia and its proxy separatists in eastern Ukraine began in 2014 then escalated with the all-out invasion early last year. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and other Hungarian officials have insisted that their priority since February 2022 is peace and saving lives, although their calls for an immediate cease-fire have been criticized as risking locking in Russian territorial gains in Ukraine. 'Transcarpathian Hungarians' The populist Orban has spent much of the past decade offering citizenship and otherwise rallying ethnic Hungarians in neighboring states behind real or manufactured grievances, including around 100,000 in western Ukraine that Budapest refers to as "Transcarpathian Hungarians." Orban's Kremlin-friendly positions in the current war have reportedly complicated the situation for many of those communities, whose numbers were already declining before the current war. With Russia occupying Crimea and backing separatists waging war in eastern Ukraine, the Orban government particularly assailed the passage in Ukraine in 2016 of laws to ensure the universal teaching of Ukrainian in schools at the expense of minority languages including Hungarian and Russian. More recently, Orban's government has waged a public campaign against EU and other Western sanctions against Russia since the war began 15 months ago, and it has been outspoken in its opposition to possible NATO membership for Ukraine. Orban, Szijjarto, and other senior officials have visited Russia multiple times since the war began, and Budapest has extended and deepened energy cooperation with new gas and oil deals with its Russian counterparts. Budapest also blocked an EU plan to impose sanctions on Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill, a longtime ally of President Vladimir Putin, who has used his pulpit to rally Russian support for the war. The Russian church's role in the POW handover this month would almost certainly have required Kirill's approval. Even as senior Hungarians traveled to Russia for meetings with Putin and other officials shunned by the West since the invasion, Orban reportedly laid out "prerequisites" for a potential trip to Kyiv. The most senior visit by a Hungarian official to Ukraine came when President Katalin Novak met with her counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in Kyiv in November 2022, in what was widely seen as an effort to soften Brussels' stance on withholding billions in EU funding from Hungary. Novak, an Orban protege, described the trip as a mission to support Transcarpathian Hungarians there, possibly to deflect dismay among Fidesz party supporters that she was lending support to Ukraine. More recently, Zelenskiy's appointment of Fedir Sandor, an ethnic Hungarian professor hailed as a hero for continuing lectures to students from the front lines, as Kyiv's new ambassador to Hungary has reportedly been held up for months by Novak. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-hungary-prisoners- war-relations-complicated/32471147.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian Counteroffensive Falling Short of Expectations, Western Officials Say Sputnik News 20230622 The Ukrainian counteroffensive, in its early stages, is yielding results below initial expectations, with Russian forces demonstrating greater competence than initially assessed, two Western officials and a senior US military official said in an interview with Western media. Western assessments have found that Russia's defensive lines are well fortified, posing a challenge to Ukrainian forces attempting to penetrate them. In addition, Russian forces have effectively used air power, missile strikes, and mines to hinder Ukrainian armor, and have demonstrated a strong defensive strategy. One Western official noted that Ukrainian forces are vulnerable to minefields, while Russian forces have shown competence in their defensive tactics. However, the officials noted that the counteroffensive is still in its early phases. The counteroffensive is "not meeting expectations on any front," one of the officials said. The US and its allies are desperately trying to remain optimistic that Ukrainian forces will gradually make territorial gains, as they expect a comprehensive assessment of the counteroffensive's progress by July, as they deem it crucial in determining the ultimate outcome of the war. The officials also note that although Ukrainian forces have been trying to adapt to Russian tactics and defenses, the counteroffensive is proving to be a challenging endeavor for Ukraine, which has sustained heavy losses in both troops and NATO military equipment over the past two weeks. In a recent interview with Western media, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also acknowledged that progress had been slower than desired. Western officials had previously cautioned that defending forces typically maintain significant advantages, particularly due to the time Russian forces had to fortify their defensive lines. Reports indicate that the Russian defenses, known as the "Surovikin Defensive Line," consist of an intricate network of trenches, minefields, anti-tank obstacles, and earthen berms spanning approximately 2,000 km. The sheer length and complexity of the fortified front line pose significant obstacles. Additionally, adverse weather conditions have also posed challenges for Ukrainian forces, hampering their offensive operations. "The weather has been playing havoc with the offensive schedule as vehicles have struggled with trafficability," one of the officials said. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense has reported that Ukrainian forces have suffered thousands of casualties and the destruction of nearly 200 tanks and over 400 armored vehicles over the past two weeks. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Aerospace Forces Strike Warehouse of Foreign Arms, Equipment in Ukraine Sputnik News 20230622 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine launched its long-advertised counteroffensive in early June after multiple postponements. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukrainian troops try but fail to advance along three directions: South Donetsk, Artemovsk (Bakhmut) and Zaporozhye, the latter being of primary focus. The Russian Aerospace Forces have launched a missile attack on a warehouse of foreign-made weapons and military equipment in Ukraine overnight, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. "[On Wednesday night], the Russian Aerospace Forces launched a group strike with long-range precision weapons on a warehouse of foreign-made weapons and military equipment delivered to Ukraine. The designated object is hit. The target has been reached," the ministry said in a statement. The long-advertised and repeatedly delayed Ukrainian "counteroffensive" started on June 4 along the South Donetsk, Artemovsk (Bakhmut) and Zaporozhye directions, the latter being primary. Russian President Vladimir Putin told military journalists on June 13 that neither of campaigns was successful and all three inflicted heavy damages on Ukrainian troops. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address What is 'Surovikin Defensive Line' Which Ukrainian Forces Can't Crack? Sputnik News 20230622 Ilya Tsukanov Ukraine's president has acknowledged that Kiev's counteroffensive is going "slower than desired," claiming it's because of his concern about "people's lives." Moscow says otherwise, citing the loss of thousands of Ukrainian troops and hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles for miniscule gains. What's stopping Kiev's offensive? Sputnik explains. A hawkish Estonian ex-top spy revealed this week that Russia's "long defensive lines" have stopped Ukraine's counteroffensive dead in its tracks, becoming the latest observer of the NATO-Russia proxy war in Ukraine to admit that the Ukrainian military's Western alliance-trained, equipped, and armed units have failed to reach any strategic objectives ahead of NATO's summit in Vilnius next month. What were these objectives? Kiev has not said publicly, but US media and DC think tanks agree that the main goals seem to be centered around severing the so-called "land bridge" between Crimea and the Russian mainland in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, blockading the peninsula, and proceeding with attacks deeper inside Russia. For the moment, the offensive seems to have sputtered, with Ukrainian forces losing hundreds of troops and dozens of armored vehicles daily, and President Vladimir Putin reporting last week that losses of armor had reached 186 heavy tanks and 418 armored vehicles. What blunted the offensive? Aside from the bravery and determination of Russian forces, the so-called "Surovikin Line," a term first used derisively by British tabloid media in late 2022, in reference to the construction of defensive positions under the guidance of Sergey Surovikin, the Russian general who served as commander of the Joint Group of Forces in the Special Military Operation Zone between October 2022 and January 2023, has been credited with preventing a Ukrainian advance. Who is Surovikin? The 56-year-old career soldier has racked up nearly 40 years of service with the Soviet and Russian militaries, and has served as the commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces since 2017. A veteran of the Soviet War in Afghanistan, where he served as a special forces commando, he also served as a commander during the Second Chechen War in the 2000s, and in Syria in the 2010s, where his command of Russian forces was credited with helping to turn the tide against a cacophony of Western-backed jihadist militias. Surovikin's efficiency and successes on the battlefield have led Western media to smear him with the cartoonish nickname "General Armageddon," purportedly over his "brutal tactics" and "hardline and unorthodox approach to waging war." What Makes Up the Surovikin Defensive Line? For reasons that should be clear, the Russian military hasn't exactly rushed to provide details about the exact makeup of its defensive positions. However, media reports and analyses indicate that the defensive lines consists of a complex, multilayered network of infantry trenches, anti-personnel and anti-tank minefields, anti-tank dragon's teeth (meter-tall concrete structures designed to slow the advance of enemy armor), as well as elevated earthen berms to shield military equipment. The defensive lines, which run nearly 2,000 km through Kherson and Zaporozhye, as well as Crimea, Donetsk, Lugansk, and Russian regions bordering Ukraine to the north, are partially visible to military planners in Kiev thanks to the armada of NATO satellites tracking the situation on the battlefield. But Kiev's ability to destroy this infrastructure is limited by several factors: 1. total Russian air superiority 2. limited ability to target Russian fortifications using artillery and missiles due to the constant threat of counterattacks by Russian airpower and artillery 3. effective Russian use of maskirovka (lit. "masking," "camouflage," or "disguise") tactics, involving the use of dummy equipment, decoys, disinformation, and deception operations to misdirect and confuse the enemy 4. the sheer length of the fortified front line, which runs from Kherson in the south to Russia's southern border with Belarus in the north. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Witnesses Possible Discord in West, Growing Pressure on Ukraine - Kremlin Sputnik News 20230622 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Earlier in the day, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Ukrainian troops slowed down their activity after 16 days of hostilities and are regrouping after 16 days of active hostilities. Russia is witnessing possible discord among Western countries and growing pressure on Kiev in light of failures of Ukraine's counteroffensive, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday. "As for ... a possible discord in the collective West and the ongoing extraordinary pressure on Kiev so that they [Ukrainians] continue to fight to the last soldier, well this is obvious," Peskov told reporters when asked whether the failures of the Ukrainian army at the front bring countries closer to the negotiating table. The statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky alleging that preparations are underway for a provocation at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (NPP) is another lie, Peskov stressed. "This is most likely another lie. This is another lie," Peskov told reporters. In an interview with the American broadcaster, Zelensky said that Russia seeks to blow up the ZNPP because it is not interested in Ukraine's security. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has commended Russia's efforts to ensure security at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant,Peskov said. "Contacts have just been made with the IAEA there on site. [We received] a very high assessment by the IAEA. They saw everything, everything they wanted to see," Peskov told reporters. There will be contacts between Russian state nuclear agency Rosatom head Alexey Likhachev and International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi in the near future, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday. "We have planned contacts between Grossi and Likhachev in the very near future. Our dialogue and cooperation with the IAEA continues. We are interested in continuing these contacts. And the IAEA is interested," Peskov told reporters. Earlier in the day, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that Grossi will visit Russia on June 23. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin Says Western Countries Seem to Be Ready to Fight to Last Ukrainian Sputnik News 20230622 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukrainian troops launched a large-scale offensive in five sectors of the South Donetsk direction on June 4 but failed to achieve their goals, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. It looks like Western countries are ready to fight until the last Ukrainian, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. "[Military] equipment, of course, can be supplied additionally. But the mobilization reserve is not unlimited. And it seems that Ukraine's Western allies really decided to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian," Putin said at a meeting of the Security Council. Kiev has already lost over 13,000 people during its counteroffensive, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said. "As for the personnel ... it [Kiev's loss] is more than 13,000 [persons]," Patrushev said at a meeting with members of the Russian Security Council held by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Moreover, Russian forces have already destroyed 246 Ukrainian tanks, including 13 of the Western type, as well as 42 multiple launch rocket systems, two anti-aircraft missile systems, 10 tactical fighters, four helicopters, 264 unmanned aerial vehicles and 424 units of motor vehicles, which Kiev has used during its counteroffensive, Patrushev added. The figures are based on the generalized data for the period from June 4-21, provided by various departments, the Russian official noted. Ukrainian troops have slowed down their activity after 16 days of hostilities and are regrouping, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said. "After 16 days of active hostilities, having suffered significant losses, [the enemy] is regrouping and re-equipping, gathering parts of battalions at the moment," Shoigu said during a meeting of the Russian Security Council. The Russian armed forces will complete the creation of a reserve army by the end of June and of an army corps in the near future, with the formations scheduled to receive over 3,700 pieces of equipment, Sergei Shoigu added. "We are forming reserves as part of the army corps, the army, plus five regiments of the 20th tank army. Everything is going according to plan. In fact, we will complete the formation of the reserve army by the end of June and finalize the formation of the army corps there soon," Shoigu said at a meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council. As for now, these five regiments, both in terms of personnel and equipment, are already formed by 60%, the Russian defense chief added. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's Military Strikes Bridges on Border With Crimea - Acting Kherson Governor Sputnik News 20230622 SIMFEROPOL Russia (Sputnik) - Crimean head Sergey Aksenov said on Telegram that bomb disposal technicians were examining the sites of the Ukrainian strike on the Chongar bridge. He confirmed that there were no casualties, adding that the information about the possibility of traffic across the bridge would be available within an hour. The Ukrainian armed forces have attacked bridges on the administrative border between the Kherson Region and the Crimea near the village of Chongar, Acting Kherson Governor Vladimir Saldo said early on Thursday. "The criminal Kiev regime committed barbaric shelling of civilian objects - bridges on the administrative border between the Kherson Region and the Crimea near Chongar," Saldo said on Telegram. He added that Kiev wants to intimidate residents of the Kherson Region and sow panic among the population, but they will not succeed. "We know how to repair bridges quickly: the passage of vehicles will be restored very soon," he added. Saldo said that the United Kingdom's Storm Shadow missiles were used in the attack, according to the preliminary assessment. "The roadway on the bridges was damaged. There are no human casualties," he said. "The roadway on the bridges was damaged. There are no human casualties," he said. The traffic between the Kherson Region and the Crimea continues on reserve routes, Saldo added. A Sputnik correspondent reports that markings on the wreckage of the missile that hit the bridge in Chonhar confirm that the strike was carried out using Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Crimean head Sergey Aksenov said on Telegram that bomb disposal technicians were examining the sites of the Ukrainian strike on the Chongar bridge. He confirmed that there were no casualties, adding that the information about the possibility of traffic across the bridge would be available within an hour. Oleg Kryuchkov, Aksenov's adviser on information policy, said the shelling of the bridge would not be able to seriously disrupt the logistics of the land transport corridor between the Kherson Region and Crimea. "Three checkpoints connect Crimea with the Kherson Region: two near Armiansk and one near Dzhankoi. The failure of one of them cannot drastically disrupt the transport logistics of the land transport corridor," he posted on Telegram. The Crimean Transport Ministry said that traffic flows between Crimea and the Kherson Region were redirected to other remaining checkpoints. The head of the department, Nikolai Lukashenko, said that traffic across the Crimean bridge was carried out as usual and the ferry service was operating without any issues. Last week, Aksenov said that nine drones were detected over Crimea. Six of them were shot down and three were grounded by electronic warfare. On Tuesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Ukraine was planning to strike Crimea and other territories with HIMARS and Storm Shadow cruise missiles. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Envoy: US Should Pay for Ukraine's Recovery Since It's Prolonging Hostilities Sputnik News 20230622 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the European Commission will present a proposal on using immobilized Russian assets for supporting Ukraine before the summer break. The United States, prolonging the Ukraine conflict, should themselves pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine, Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said Wednesday. "The [US] administration is fully responsible for what is happening in Ukraine. Therefore, it is the United States that has to rebuild the country," Antonov said in a distributed commentary. The diplomat added that "the Ukraine conflict is a consequence of years-long and purposeful efforts of the United States to create a hotbed of tension near Russia's borders, to turn Ukraine into an 'anti-Russia'. He further stressed the US is now fomenting confrontation, "pumping the republic with powerful weapons and nipping any peace initiatives in the bud." "While they can pay for the homes destroyed by American weapons, how will Washington value the lives of innocent people? How is the US going to repay the Ukrainians whom they are driving into reckless head-on assaults in today's so-called counteroffensive?" Antonov said. "The particularly striking thing is the ease with which the Americans are spending money on Ukrainian wards. The Pentagon can afford to 'overestimate' the cost of military products supplied to Kiev and make a mistake in calculations by several billion dollars." Earlier reports revealed that the Pentagon overestimated the value of weapons dispatched to Ukraine by $6.2 billion over the last two years, a discovery that defense officials indicated would be reorganized to for new aid packages. The poorest states in Africa, Latin America and Asia have been left without attention against the background of the unprecedented funds sent to purchase weapons for Kiev, the ambassador noted. "There are places on the planet where people are dying of hunger. At the same time, the United States considers it more urgent to prolong bloodshed and provoke World War III because of the West's de facto involvement in the conflict," Antonov said. Antonov's latest remarks come as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken detailed that the US would be providing another military aid package to the tune of $1.3 billion, of which large portions are set to be designated for infrastructure and an overhaul of Ukraine's energy grid. To date, the US has provided upwards of $20 billion in economic and development aid to the Kiev regime. On Monday, European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand announced that EU representatives, commissioners and legislators would begin discussions on a legal framework in July that would allow confiscation of assets of the Russian citizens and entities accused of violating EU sanctions. 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. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's Vostok Battlegroup Wipes Out Ukrainian Tanks, Manpower Sputnik News 20230622 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Vostok Battlegroup has defeated Ukrainian servicemen preparing for an offensive, during the operation tanks, armored vehicles and manpower were destroyed, spokesman Oleg Chekhov told Sputnik. "In the southern Donetsk sector, leading units of the Vostok Battlegroup inflicted fire damage on equipment and manpower of the enemy, preparing for an offensive in the area of Makarovka. Tanks, armored combat vehicles and manpower of the nationalists were destroyed," Chekhov said. He said army aircraft also destroyed a tank, infantry fighting vehicles, armored vehicles and manpower in other areas. Ukraine launched its long-touted counteroffensive in early June after multiple postponements. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukrainian troops have been trying but are failing to advance along three directions: South Donetsk, Artemovsk (Bakhmut) and Zaporozhye, the latter being of primary focus. Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022 in response to calls by the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics for protection from Ukrainian troops. The Russian Defense Ministry said the operation, which targets Ukrainian military infrastructure, aims to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine, and to completely liberate Donbass. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine will defy Russian aggression and prosper: UK statement to the OSCE Ambassador Neil Holland says that the recent Ukraine Recovery Conference in London shows that Ukraine will emerge stronger and more prosperous with international support. 22 June 2023 Thank you, Mr Chair, and thank you to Minister Strilets for addressing us today and giving more detail on the terrible effects of the collapse of Kakhovka dam. The UK stands ready to assist Ukraine in recovering from this catastrophe. This week, alongside our Ukrainian friends, we have been honoured to co-host the 2023 Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. We welcomed the Secretary General's participation. It is worth reflecting on the context of this conference. Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine has devastated lives and livelihoods throughout the country. Schools, hospitals, and homes have all been destroyed; entire cities reduced to rubble; energy infrastructure mercilessly targeted; millions of innocent lives shattered. Yet despite this unimaginable hardship, the resilience of the Ukrainian people, and their determination to defend and rebuild their homeland, is undimmed. The scale of the destruction Russia has wrought is truly shocking. The World Bank assessment estimated the cost of rebuilding Ukraine at $411 billion. A number growing by the day. This challenge requires innovative thinking, as well as unprecedented collaboration between governments, the private sector, international institutions and civil society. We cannot afford to wait until Ukraine has won this war to begin the process of rebuilding the country. While we will continue to provide Ukraine with immediate support, we must also think about the long term to ensure Ukraine can emerge stronger and more prosperous. That is why more than 1000 public and private sector leaders, representing 61 states, 31 international organisations, over 400 businesses and 132 civil society organisations gathered in London yesterday and today to underline our joint commitment to Ukraine's recovery. Such a broad coalition demonstrates our united belief in Ukraine's future. As announced by my Prime Minister, the UK stands ready to unlock $3bn through World Bank guarantees over the next four years, as well as providing A240m of UK bilateral assistance for Ukraine's immediate recovery and reconstruction needs for this year. The Conference showcased the strength and potential of the private sector in supporting Ukraine to "build back better", working alongside governments, international organisations and civil society. A new Business Compact, announced at the Conference, signals the intention of global business to support Ukraine's recovery. Ukraine's security and its economic prosperity are mutually reinforcing. As my Prime Minister said when he opened the conference alongside President Zelenskyy, "What Russia cannot take; it will seek to destroy. Russia wants to do the same to Ukraine's economy. And the scale of the challenge is real". Mr Chair, the UK and international partners will remain unwavering in our support for Ukraine. The Ukrainian people have already shown they can win the war. Ukraine's recovery will show President Putin that his attempts to destroy Ukraine will only produce a stronger, more prosperous and more united European nation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address London conference unites international community on Ukraine's future and global security The Ukraine Recovery Conference, co-hosted by the UK and Ukraine, was held in London this week. 22 June 2023 international commitments to helping Ukraine recover following Russian invasion top $60 billion at the close of the London-hosted Ukraine Recovery Conference - one of the biggest reconstruction conference outcomes since the Second World War new UK announcements bring total UK non-military assistance to Ukraine to more than A4.7 billion funding and commitments will provide vital support for Ukraine's immediate recovery needs, enable private sector investment and use technology to drive innovative recovery, as well as benefitting global security, prosperity and the international rule of law The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC), held in London this week, has galvanised international backing for the country in the face of Putin's ongoing attacks and raised over $60 billion towards Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction. This includes the UK's new updated commitments of a further $3 billion of guarantees to unlock World Bank lending to Ukraine and A240 million of bilateral assistance. The World Bank estimates Ukraine's total recovery and reconstruction needs stand at $411 billion, with $14 billion required for priority reconstruction and recovery investments in 2023. The URC, co-hosted by the UK and Ukraine, brought together a coalition of thousands of representatives from businesses, civil society and governments from 59 countries to commit support to Ukraine's recovery as a modern, sustainable and resilient economy. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who co-chaired the event, said: The Ukraine Recovery Conference has sent a clear message that we not only stand with Ukraine through Putin's attacks, but we will stand with Ukraine in peace. As Ukraine recovers and rebuilds, we support its ambitions to emerge with a stronger, more resilient, sustainable and innovative economy. Commitments made at this event will go a long way to meeting Ukraine's most urgent early recovery needs, but as Putin's illegal war continues, the bill is only increasing. We, as an international community and a coalition of business, governments and civil society, must continue to focus our efforts to support Ukraine not just to defend its freedom, but in its recovery and reconstruction too. Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said: We express our gratitude to the Government of the United Kingdom for organising the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. We have felt an incredible level of support and readiness from Ukraine's allies to assist us in commencing the rebuilding process this year. The rapid recovery programme has 5 priorities, which are vital projects for the survival of our country and our citizens. At the conference, we also extensively discussed the involvement of private capital and investments, which will be at the core of our reconstruction endeavours. We sincerely thank all our partners for their support. We stand united in defence and united in recovery of Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Full de-occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP is a must, and anyone who turned a blind eye to its occupation by Russia is actually contributing to terror - address by the President of Ukraine President of Ukraine 22 June 2023 - 22:30 Dear Ukrainians! Today was a very busy day. First, we held a briefing for our partner countries on the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. There were representatives of the G7 and G20 countries, as well as representatives of international organizations. Here, in the Office. The MID, the Office's team, our diplomats provided the available information. Our principle is simple: the world must know what the occupier is preparing. Everyone who knows must act. Of course, after the Russian act of terrorism at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant and deliberate terrorist attacks on other dams and energy facilities, no one in the world should have any illusions about Russia anymore. It is Russia that is now the global center of cynicism, and any order for any evil that they hope to disguise as a disaster can come from there. The world has enough power to prevent any radiation incidents, let alone a radiation catastrophe. Everyone understands that the intelligence services of different countries can give appropriate signals and exert pressure. This is necessary. We will continue to inform our partners. We will also provide information to those countries that are pretending to be neutral even now. Obviously, radiation does not ask who is neutral and can reach anyone in the world. Accordingly, anyone in the world can help now, and it is quite clear what to do. Full de-occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP is a must. And anyone who turns a blind eye to Russia's occupation of such a facility, to Russia's mining of the territory and facilities of the nuclear power plant, is actually contributing not only to this Russian evil, but also to terror in general. And today I have instructed Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko to take all the necessary measures, to conduct all the necessary explanatory work with our people about all the existing risks. And this will be done in the near future. Today, we discussed relevant security issues with the intelligence service, the Security Service of Ukraine and the Ministry of Internal Affairs - both those related to the Zaporizhzhia plant and those related to the consequences of the Russian terrorist attack at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. We are doing our best to engage as many forces and means as possible to put pressure and influence on the terrorist state. There was also a separate report by the Minister of Internal Affairs on support for people and life in Kherson region and other areas of our South that suffered from the destruction of the Kakhovka reservoir. Of course, we also have information about what is happening in the occupied part of Kherson region. For this, even the word "catastrophe" is not enough. The Russian evil has formed special groups there to remove and, obviously, hide the bodies of the dead. This is not the first time Russia has done this - it is trying to destroy evidence and traces of its crimes in the occupied territory. They did this in Mariupol and other places. But this is a truth that cannot be hidden. And I thank everyone who helps our intelligence, our special services to get the necessary information! I also held a meeting on the spiritual independence of Ukraine - we continue to work on this, and we will take new steps. Obviously, there can be no true spiritual ties with a terrorist state and those who justify the murder of Ukrainians and cover up evil. Every day and every night of Russian terror proves this. And we will reach the point where all dependencies on Russia, which someone somewhere is trying to manipulate, will be destroyed. One more thing. Today I would like to express my special gratitude to all those who, even in such times and circumstances, are investing their efforts to ensure that our people and our country have their own cultural strength. Today, another Book Arsenal has begun its work in Kyiv. "Arsenal" is the word that best characterizes the meaning of culture. It is what makes people human, what makes humanity stronger. It is what protects and spreads our experience through time - of each and every one of us, of our entire nation, of our entire Ukraine, of our entire Europe, of our entire humanity. Please, if you have the opportunity, visit the Book Arsenal these days and always support the cultural power. I thank everyone who is fighting and working for Ukraine! I thank everyone who is now in combat - in the South, in the East, in Zaporizhzhia, in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Thank you! Thank you to everyone who helps Ukraine and defends life and humanity with us! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine had a phone call with Jake Sullivan President of Ukraine 22 June 2023 - 20:20 As part of the ongoing dialogue with allies, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a phone call with National Security Advisor to the President of the United States Jake Sullivan. Andriy Yermak informed the interlocutor about the current situation at the front, defensive and offensive actions of the Ukrainian army, as well as the current needs of our units for various types of weapons. Separately, the Head of the President's Office passed on information from Ukrainian intelligence on the plans of the Russian invaders. Andriy Yermak expressed gratitude to the United States for providing a new package of assistance to Ukraine's infrastructure and energy sector. He thanked President Joseph Biden, his team, both houses of Congress and the American people for providing continued strong support to our country in the fight against the aggressor that threatens everyone in the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine must win, "not losing" is not an option for us - Andriy Yermak during his participation in the Atlantic Council's open discussion on the eve of the NATO Summit in Vilnius President of Ukraine 22 June 2023 - 13:32 Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak took part in an open discussion at the Atlantic Council. The event was attended by more than 800 people, including military officers, diplomats, economists, representatives of the media and academic community. The Head of the President's Office and Co-Chair of the International Working Group on Security Guarantees for Ukraine, former NATO Secretary General and Prime Minister of Denmark in 2001-2009 Anders Fogh Rasmussen expressed their opinion on the prospects of Ukraine's membership in the Alliance, expected results of the NATO Summit in Vilnius and security guarantees for our country. During the meeting, Andriy Yermak expressed his belief that Ukraine should not only defeat Russia, but also integrate into the North Atlantic community and receive reliable security guarantees for the transition period. "The people of Ukraine have proven to the world the right to remain free. They have paid with blood, sweat and tears for their place in the ranks of the global community of democracies. To deny them now is not only to deprive Ukraine of hope. To deny them now is to betray everything that Ukraine has paid for with tens of thousands of lives and destruction that Europe has not seen since World War II. It would be a defeat for the democratic community. It will be a triumph for dictatorship. This must be prevented. Not only for the sake of Ukraine, but for the sake of all democracies on the planet," the Head of the Presidential Office emphasized. He said that Ukraine should receive all the help it needs, because the Russian dictatorship's desire to restore the empire not only threatens the existence of the Ukrainian state, but also poses threats - from military to environmental - to Western civilization and humanity as a whole. "Ukraine must win. "Not losing" is not an option for us. Simply restoring the status quo is not an option. Any uncertainty about the outcome of this war, any ambiguity in NATO's reaction to our aspirations will be equivalent to Russian victory," he emphasized. Andriy Yermak reminded that during the full-scale war, the international community was able to see that Russia was taking advantage of the world's uncertainty and hesitation, so Russia needs to be deprived of this "gray" zone, where it has an advantage. "The words that Russia has no veto in the Alliance must finally be backed up by deeds. The 15-year shadow ban for Ukraine must end. Otherwise, Putin will receive a huge bonus for his next presidential term - the laurels of not only a land gatherer, but also a winner of the West. This will only strengthen support for his regime and create the illusion of legitimacy of aggression not only for the Russian public, but also for the countries of the Global South through the inevitable falsification of elections in the occupied territories. Therefore, we must act proactively. We need to dot the i's and cross the t's once and for all," the Head of the Presidential Office said. Therefore, in his opinion, Ukraine should receive a clear prospect of NATO membership when circumstances allow, and reliable security guarantees for the transition period. Andriy Yermak reminded that the possible outlines of these guarantees were developed jointly with Anders Fogh Rasmussen and presented in the draft Kyiv Security Compact. The document provides for extensive possibilities for modifications to balance the interests of Ukraine and the guarantor states for the common good. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, for his part, also expressed the opinion that the Vilnius Summit should adopt a decision in support of Ukraine's membership in the Alliance and provide our country with security guarantees on its way to NATO, as the neutral status of our country will not provide any guarantees, but will only contribute to the Russian President's attempts to continue aggression. In conclusion, the Head of the President's Office noted that Ukrainians believe in their victory, but our courageous and resilient soldiers need the necessary weapons and ammunition. He expressed hope that the partners would make a decision to provide long-range missiles in the near future. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President of Ukraine: Russia is considering a scenario of a terrorist attack at the Zaporizhzhia NPP with radiation leakage, the world must act President of Ukraine 22 June 2023 - 11:53 Dear Ukrainians! And all the people of the world. All of them - I emphasize this. We have just had a report from our intelligence and the Security Service of Ukraine. Two points. The Russian terrorist attack at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant that took place. And another terrorist attack, which, unfortunately, is being prepared by the Russian occupiers, at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Regarding Kakhovka. Ukrainian intelligence and the Security Service of Ukraine have gathered new evidence of how Russian terrorists blew up the dam and other structures of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. It was an absolutely deliberate, premeditated crime. In the occupied territory, at a plant that was under the full control of the occupiers. And, importantly, last year we warned the world that Russia was preparing such a terrorist attack. We warned them when we received the first confirmed information about the mining of the hydroelectric power plant. Now concerning the Zaporizhzhia NPP. I remind those who have forgotten: this is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Everyone in the world - the IAEA, all countries, all leaders - knows exactly what is happening there. Russia uses the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as an element in its aggression. It occupies the plant. It uses it to cover the shelling of neighboring cities. It keeps weapons and troops there. Now our intelligence has received information that Russia is considering a scenario of a terrorist attack at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. A terrorist attack with radiation leakage. They have prepared everything for this. Unfortunately, I have repeatedly had to remind that radiation has no state borders. And who it will hit is determined only by the wind direction... We share all available information with our partners - everyone in the world. All the evidence. Europe, America, China, Brazil, India, the Arab world, Africa - all countries, absolutely everyone should know this. International organizations. Absolutely everyone. There should never be any terrorist attacks on nuclear power plants anywhere. This time it should not be like with Kakhovka - the world has been warned, so the world can and must act. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We must become a global community, so that peace for every nation is fully guaranteed - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Organization of American States President of Ukraine 22 June 2023 - 09:36 Dear Mr. Secretary-General! Dear members of the General Assembly! Thank you for the opportunity to address you. And the main thing I would like to talk about today is collectivity. Eight months ago, I addressed your Organization for the first time, and I am grateful for all the support that you, both as an Organization and as countries, have given to our people, to our right to live freely. The vast majority of you support UN General Assembly resolutions that defend a rules-based international order. And your personal position, Mr. Almagro, serves precisely to protect the key foundations of international relations - the equality of all nations and guarantees for every nation that its destiny will not be broken by other states through military or political violence. Our common goal, of all leaders and states that truly value human life, is a world in which violence does not dominate... A world in which the UN Charter is truly respected by everyone, from the smallest to the largest countries. A world in which not only no new frozen conflicts arise, but in which the majority of nations realize that any war is a common global challenge - a threat to the world, and not the suffering of only those against whom this aggression is committed. And have we become closer to such a world since my first address to you? I am sure we have. Although Russian aggression still goes on, although Russia does not stop even in the face of catastrophic crimes of ecocide... Probably, you all heard that this month Russian occupiers blew up the dam and other structures of the Kakhovka hydroelectric plant and destroyed one of the largest reservoirs in Europe, deliberately flooding a huge area... Dozens of cities and villages were under water. The one in Russia who gave the order to destroy the dam and the Kakhovka reservoir understood what he was doing... Understood that it would leave entire regions of our country without drinking water... Understood that thousands and thousands of hectares of fertile soil would become a desert... God forbid that anyone in the world faces such a crime. But despite this and all other Russian terrorist attacks, we are still pushing the aggressor to defeat - both by force of arms and by force of diplomacy. Ladies and Gentlemen! Last year, I presented the Ukrainian Peace Formula, and since then, we have already involved dozens of nations in working on its implementation. We are also preparing the Global Peace Summit, which will specifically determine which state will help in which point of the Peace Formula. There is no alternative to it! Russia has brought war to the territory of our country, Russian missiles and artillery are burning our cities and villages, Russian ecocides are destroying the nature of our country... So, it is Ukrainians who best understand what exactly needs to be done to restore peace. But to indeed restore peace, we need collective efforts. And of course - in particular, your support, your leadership. I invite you to work with us and all the free nations of the world on implementation of the Peace Formula. And I invite you to join the preparation of the Global Peace Summit. We must become a global community in the full sense of this word, so that peace for every nation is fully guaranteed. One cannot protect peace on his own, but war cannot overcome the collective desire for peace. May your power become the power of peace, too! Thank you for your attention! Long live freedom! NNN! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Office of the President of Ukraine hosts a briefing for ambassadors of the Group of Seven and a number of countries on further steps to implement the Peace Formula President of Ukraine 22 June 2023 - 08:57 On the instructions of the President of Ukraine, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak met with ambassadors of the Group of Seven (G7) countries, the European Union, as well as Brazil, Denmark, India, China, South Africa, and TArkiye. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss further steps in the context of implementing Ukraine's initiatives to restore sustainable and just peace based on respect for the UN Charter and international law. Andriy Yermak informed the diplomats about the results of our country's interaction with a wide range of foreign partners on the implementation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Peace Formula. The important role of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima (May 19-21, 2023) was noted, on the sidelines of which the Head of State met with leaders of countries and regional organizations representing the interests of the Global South. The Head of the President's Office emphasized that the Ukrainian Peace Formula is currently the only peace plan supported by the United Nations. "Each point of the Peace Formula is based on the UN Charter and international law," said Andriy Yermak. He also emphasized that it is the Ukrainian peace plan that should be taken as a basis, as the war takes place on our territory. The Head of the President's Office noted that the Ukrainian Peace Formula is universal in nature and can be used not only to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, but also to overcome existing or prevent new crises in the world. "The key goal for Ukraine is to end the war, restore sovereignty and territorial integrity. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would like to do this in a completely new, transparent way with the involvement of the widest possible range of responsible countries," emphasized Andriy Yermak. In this context, he emphasized Ukraine's openness to continuing the dialogue with its partners. During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on further practical steps to implement the Ukrainian Peace Formula and ways to consolidate international support for Ukraine's efforts to restore peace. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Latest in Ukraine: Russia Says Ukraine Hit Bridge Linking to Crimea By VOA News June 22, 2023 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. Russian officials said Thursday that overnight airstrikes by Ukrainian forces damaged a bridge linking the Crimean Peninsula to the Kherson region of southern Ukraine. The Chongar bridge is one of the few routes Russian forces use to move between Crimea and other parts of Ukraine under Russian control. Russia has occupied Crimea since annexing it in 2014 in a move rejected by most of the international community. The Russian state news agency RIA-Novosti reported that investigators said four missiles were fired at the bridge and that the remains of one of them showed markings of being French-made. Vladimir Konstantinov, chairman of Crimea's parliament, said damage to the bridge was not severe and likely could be repaired within several days. As is often the case, Ukraine did not confirm responsibility for the attack, with a defense spokesman saying only, "If the stars are lit, it means it was done for a reason, right? We can only say that there will be a continuation." Russia and Ukraine control different parts of Kherson province, a focus of fighting during Kyiv's counteroffensive aimed at recapturing Russia-held territory. Overall, the counteroffensive appears to be slow-moving. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine's army had advanced seven kilometers and had retaken territory that included eight villages during the last two weeks. "As the president of Ukraine [Volodymyr Zelenskyy] said yesterday, the counteroffensive is not a Hollywood movie. It's not easy walk," Shmyhal told reporters at a Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. "The counteroffensive is a number of military operations," he said. "Sometimes it's offensive, sometimes it's defensive. Sometimes it could be tactical pauses. Unfortunately, during our preparation for this counteroffensive, Russians were preparing too. So, there is so much minefields, which really make it slower." "We [do] not bring our people into the fire of this war as Russians (are) doing. ... We will do very smart offensive operations and because of this it will take time," the prime minister said. "We all should have patience and we will see results." EU sanctions The European Union 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 Putin's 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 Sweden's 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 Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Finland officially joined in April, but Sweden's accession has been held up by Turkey's 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 Turkey's parliament should begin the process of ratifying Sweden's 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Chief Names Russia for Violations Against Children in Ukraine By Margaret Besheer June 22, 2023 The United Nations' secretary-general has named Russia in a report that lists perpetrators of grave violations against children for Moscow's actions in Ukraine, including the killing and maiming of children. "I am particularly shocked by the high number of attacks on schools and hospitals and protected personnel, and by the high number of children killed and maimed attributed to the Russian forces and affiliated armed groups," U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a report sent Thursday to the U.N. Security Council. The Children and Armed Conflict report, which has not yet been published, names and shames perpetrators who recruit, kill, maim or abduct children, commit sexual violence against them, deny them humanitarian assistance, or attack schools and hospitals. Guterres' special representative, Virginia Gamba, is mandated by the Security Council to work to prevent and end these grave violations. In the report, seen by VOA, the U.N. verified the killing of 136 children and the maiming of 518 in Ukraine, attributed to Russian forces and groups affiliated with them. It covers the period of January to December 2022. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, but denies that it is targeting civilians. The report says most of the casualties were caused by "the use of explosives with a wide-impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery, multiple-launch rocket systems, missiles and air strikes in populated areas." Russia was also cited for 480 attacks on hospitals and schools in Ukraine. In May, Gamba made a two-day visit to Moscow, where she met with senior officials to develop an action plan for preventing grave violations against children, her office said at the time in a press release. In the annual report, Russia is listed in Annex II, Section B, which is designated for parties to conflicts who have put in place measures during the reporting period aimed at improving the protection of children. Annex I of the report is for parties who are doing nothing to stop violations. Gamba also visited Ukraine in May, where she discussed ways to better protect children. While Ukraine is not listed as a grave violator, the U.N. did verify at least 80 deaths and the maiming of 175 children attributed to Ukrainian parties. "I urge Ukrainian armed forces to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law," Guterres wrote in the report. The 2022 report verified at least 27,180 grave violations against nearly 19,000 children in a number of countries experiencing conflict a an increase over the number of violations in 2021. There were 2,985 confirmed killings of children. Grave violations were reported in countries including Burkina Faso, Israel and the Palestinian territories, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Myanmar. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address English French TORONTO, June 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MS Canada applauds the passage of the Canada Disability Benefit Act framework legislation to create a federal income benefit for Canadians who live with a disability. The Canada Disability Benefit Act, Bill C-22, passed through the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada and today received Royal Assent, officially passing the bill into law. The bill will now begin its regulatory phase to develop a system to make direct payments to Canadians who live with a disability. We are thrilled with Bill C-22's passage and the support from Members of Parliament and Senators about the need to provide income support for Canadians with disabilities, including those with episodic disabilities, like MS, said Benjamin Davis, Senior Vice-President, Mission at MS Canada. The passage of this bill shows the strength of advocacy work and will be life-changing for many members of our community. Income security is a top priority for the MS community and MS Canada has advocated to bring this benefit to fruition. In 2022, an MS Canada digital petition in support of the Canada Disability Benefit received close to 10,000 signatures within 24 hours of launch, signaling widespread support for the benefit. In the fall of 2022, MS Canada launched a letter-writing email campaign where Canadians could write directly to their Member of Parliament to underline the importance of this benefit; more than 6,000 emails to all 338 MPs were sent over the course of the campaign. A representative from MS Canada also testified during a Parliamentary committee study on the bill, securing a key change to include episodic disability under the definition of disability in the criteria that will be used to determine eligibility for the Canada Disability Benefit. MS Canada representatives also remained engaged during the Senate process, submitting to the Senate committee studying the bill and meeting with key Senators to advocate for the bills quick passage. Income security was also the focus of more than 60 meetings with Members of Parliament and Senators in early May during MS Canadas Day on the Hill activities, part of MS Awareness Month. Though the bill has passed its legislative phase, it is expected to take at least a year before benefits are available to Canadians living with a disability. The government will now begin the regulatory phase, wherein the details of the benefit, including the payment amount, will be determined. If you would like to be kept updated during the Canada Disability Benefits regulatory phase, please click here to sign up for our advocacy emails. About MS Canada MS Canada fosters meaningful connections both within the MS community, and between the MS community and research, programs, resources, and services. As of 2023, MS Canada amalgamates two previously known entities, the MS Society of Canada and the MS Scientific Research Foundation, continuing its work toward the same vision of a world free of multiple sclerosis. The MS community is at the centre of MS Canada. For 75 years we have been relentless in our fight, continuously funding research to expand the current MS knowledge base. We also advocate for people living with MS, asking the government to remove barriers and improve policies that impact their everyday lives. For more information visit mscanada.ca About multiple sclerosis (MS) Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the world. On average, 12 Canadians are diagnosed every day. MS is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord). Most people are diagnosed with MS between the ages of 20 and 49. It is considered an episodic disability meaning that the severity and duration of episodes of illness and disability can vary, often followed by periods of wellness. It can also be progressive. Media Contact: Laila Namur Manager, Corporate Communications Laila.Namur@mscanada.ca VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZEFIRO METHANE CORP. (the Company, Zefiro, or ZEFI) is pleased to announce that an op-ed article authored by Zefiro Chief Executive Officer Curt Hopkins has been published by Buffalo News, which operates the largest newsroom in all of Western New York1. The op-ed, titled Plugging Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells is Essential, was published on June 18, 2023 under Buffalo News issues-oriented column Another Voice. Although Zefiro has already received media coverage from industry-oriented outlets (e.g., World Oil2), this publication is the first instance of mainstream media coverage since the Companys formation in 2022. Buffalo News has an average daily distribution of over 56,000, and has more than 2.8 million unique visitors each month to its web edition with nearly 15 million total page views per month3. The op-ed describes how private sector organizations such as Zefiro are collaborating with the public sector to plug orphaned oil and gas wells to prevent gases such as methane from being emitted, which can pollute water and air, damage farmland, and potentially harm nearby residents. Additionally, the op-ed highlights the relevance of this issue in the state of New York, where there are approximately 23,000 unplugged wells primarily located in Erie, Steuben, Chemung, and Wyoming Counties4. New York is one of the four states in which Zefiro now has well-plugging operations through its subsidiary Plants & Goodwin, Inc. (P&G), which it recently acquired as announced in a press release dated May 19, 2023 . Mr. Hopkins Buffalo News op-ed can be accessed through the following link: https://buffalonews.com/opinion/another-voice-plugging-orphaned-oil-and-gas-wells-is-essential/article_67d2d66e-0bb2-11ee-81b4-1fc313bce0cf.html On June 18, 2023, Buffalo News published the op-ed shown above authored by Zefiro CEO Curt Hopkins on the topic of plugging orphaned oil and gas wells in the state of New York. The op-ed can be accessed by clicking here . Readers using news aggregation services may be unable to view the media above. Please access the Investors section of the Companys website for a version of this press release containing all published media. Zefiro Chief Executive Officer Curt Hopkins commented, Although plugging orphaned oil and gas wells may appear to be highly technical and commercial in nature, it is an undertaking that has implications for everyone who lives near such wells, as emissions of methane can affect the water supply, the air that residents breathe, and several other aspects of their quality of life. In 2022, the United States Department of the Interior awarded New York State USD $25 million under its Initial Grant Program to go towards plugging orphaned oil and gas wells5. We look forward to taking the next steps towards decommissioning these wells in markets to include New York State, and are thankful to be receiving media coverage as we move forward. Sources 1 - The Buffalo News , Twitter 2 - Zefiro Methane acquires U.S.-based oil, gas well plugging company, expands decommissioning services , World Oil (May 19, 2023) 3 - Lee Enterprises, Incorporated Form 10-K For the Fiscal Year Ended September 25, 2022 4 - Finding and Identifying Oil and Gas Wells , New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 5 - Governor Hochul Announces $25 Million Awarded to New York State Under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law To Plug Orphan Oil and Gas Wells , Governor Kathy Hochul (August 29, 2022) On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, ZEFIRO METHANE CORP. Curt Hopkins Curt Hopkins, CEO For further information, please contact: Zefiro Investor Relations 1-800-274-ZEFI (1-800-274-9334) investor@zefiromethane.com About Zefiro Methane Corp. Zefiro develops methodologies to reduce methane emissions by plugging orphaned and abandoned oil/gas wells, while originating carbon credits. Under executive leadership to include the former carbon market team at J.P. Morgan, Zefiro actively deploys crews to decommission wells throughout the United States. With unprecedented global demand for carbon offsets as corporations and institutions work towards net-zero targets, Zefiro is strategically aligning with industry leaders for a greener future. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as seeks, believes, plans, expects, intends, estimates, anticipates and statements that an event or result may, will, should, could or might occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information in this press release includes statements regarding the Company, the Companys business, the industry in which the Company operates, the Companys opportunities, strategies, competition, expected activities and expenditures as the Company pursues its business plan, the adequacy of the Companys available cash resources and other statements about future events or results. The forward-looking information reflects managements current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include: (i) adverse general market and economic conditions; (ii) changes to and price and volume volatility in the carbon market; (iii) changes to the regulatory landscape and global policies applicable to the Company's business; and (iv) other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment where technologies are in the early stage of adoption. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Companys management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions, including assumptions regarding general market conditions, the availability of financing for proposed transactions and programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of outside service providers to deliver services in a satisfactory and timely manner. The forward-looking information included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e1d0d13a-678a-42bb-8be7-e4e68f54497e TORONTO, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TerrAscend Corp. ("TerrAscend" or the "Company") (CSE: TER) (OTCQX: TRSSF), a leading North American cannabis operator, today announced the results of its annual meeting of shareholders held on June 22, 2023 (the "Meeting"). Common shareholders at the Meeting affirmatively approved the following resolutions: the re-appointment of Mr. Craig Collard, Ms. Ira Duarte, Mr. Ed Schutter, Ms. Kara DioGuardi and Mr. Jason Wild as directors of the Company; the re-appointment of MNP LLP as the auditor of the Company and the authorization of the Company's board of directors to fix the auditor's remuneration; amendments to the Companys stock option plan to conform with the provisions of the TSX Company Manual; amendments to the Companys share unit plan to conform with the provisions of the TSX Company Manual; and the reorganization necessary to achieve a listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange. We are thrilled to have the overwhelming support of our shareholders, commented Jason Wild, Executive Chairman of TerrAscend. We have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks as we approach our anticipated listing on the TSX in early July. 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. About TerrAscend 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 several synergistic businesses and brands including Gage Cannabis, The Apothecarium, 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 US 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 TerrAscend's operations and financial performance. Forward Looking Information This news 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. 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, the risk factors set out in Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2023. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. The Company 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. For more information regarding TerrAscend: Keith Stauffer Chief Financial Officer 717-343-5386 IR@terrascend.com LOS ANGELES, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP (GPM) reminds investors of the upcoming July 5, 2023 deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the class action filed on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (Spirit or the Company) (NYSE: SPR) securities between April 8, 2020 and April 13, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period). If you suffered a loss on your Spirit investments or would like to inquire about potentially pursuing claims to recover your loss under the federal securities laws, you can submit your contact information at www.glancylaw.com/cases/Spirit-AeroSystems-Holdings-Inc-1/. You can also contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, or via email at shareholders@glancylaw.com to learn more about your rights. On April 13, 2023, after the market closed, Boeing announced that it would halt deliveries of its 737 MAX aircraft due to a supplier quality problem. According to an article by Barrons, Boeing issued a statement stating that the issue will likely affect a significant number of undelivered 737 MAX airplanes. The same day, Bloomberg identified Spirit as the supplier of the faulty part. Several media outlets reported the details of the quality problem. An article by Reuters reported that [t]he problem involves the installation of two fittings that join the aft fuselage made by Spirit to the vertical tail, which were not attached correctly to the structure of the fuselage before it was sent to Boeing. Reuters also reported that Spirit said it is working to develop an inspection and repair for the affected fuselages and that the problem is believed to date back to 2019. On this news, Spirits stock price fell $7.38, or 20.7%, to close at $28.22 per share on April 14, 2023. The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that Spirit lacked effective production quality controls; (2) that, as a result, Spirit incorrectly installed fittings designed to join the aft fuselage to the vertical tail for some Boeing 737 Max airplanes that Spirit sent to Boeing; (3) that, as a result, Spirit would have to develop an inspection and repair procedure for the affected fuselages; (4) that the foregoing would negatively impact Spirits financial results; and (5) that as a result of the foregoing, Defendants positive statements about the Companys business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. If you purchased or otherwise acquired Spirit securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than July 5, 2023 to request appointment as lead plaintiff in this putative class action lawsuit. To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Charles Linehan, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to shareholders@glancylaw.com, or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Contacts Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, Los Angeles Charles Linehan, 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224 shareholders@glancylaw.com www.glancylaw.com VANCOUVER, June 22, 2023 - TSX VENTURE COMPANIES URBANFUND CORP. ("UFC") BULLETIN TYPE: Declaration of Dividend BULLETIN DATE: June 22, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company The Issuer has declared the following dividend: Dividend per common share: $0.0125 Payable Date: July 17, 2023 Record Date: June 30, 2023 Ex-dividend Date: June 29, 2023 ___________________________________________ 23/06/22 - TSX Venture Exchange Bulletins TSX VENTURE COMPANIES Atacama Copper Corp. ("ACOP") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: June 22, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on May 5, 2023: Number of Shares: 1,567,332 shares Purchase Price: $0.18 per share Number of Placees: 7 Placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: 1 117,000 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: N/A N/A Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Finder's Warrants Finder's Fee: $5,249.99 N/A 29,167 Finder's Warrants Finder's Warrants Terms: Each finder's warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at the price of $0.30 for period of two years from the closing date of the offering. The Company issued a news release on June 16, 2023 confirming closing of the private placement. ________________________________________ BARU GOLD CORP. ("BARU") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: June 22, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on February 21, 2023: Number of Shares: 13,136,799 shares Purchase Price: $0.03 per share Warrants: 13,136,799 share purchase warrants to purchase 13,136,799 shares Warrant Exercise Price: $0.05 for a one-year period $0.10 in the second year Number of Placees: 9 Placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: N/A N/A Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: N/A N/A Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Finder's Fee: N/A N/A N/A The Company issued a news release on March 20, 2023, confirming closing of the private placement. [Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.] ________________________________________ CE BRANDS INC. ("CEBI") BULLETIN TYPE: Halt BULLETIN DATE: June 22, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Effective at 5:38 a.m. PST, June 22, 2023, trading in the shares of the Company was halted, pending news; this regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules. ________________________________________ Churchill Resources Inc. ("CRI") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: June 22, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced June 2, 2023: Number of Shares: 10,604,546 flow-through common shares Purchase Price: $0.11 per common share Number of Placees: 16 Placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: Name Insider=Y / Pro Group=P Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate Insider Involvement [1 Placee] Y 90,910 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement [2 Placees] P 950,000 Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Finder's Fee: $49,000 N/A N/A Pursuant to Corporate Finance Policy 4.1, Section 1.9 (e), the Company has issued a new release announcing the closing of the private placement and setting out the expiry dates of the hold period(s). ________________________________________ Emerita Resources Corp. ("EMO") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: June 22, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on June 5, 2023. Number of Shares: 7,500,000 shares Purchase Price: $0.40 per share Warrants: 3,750,000 share purchase warrants to purchase 3,750,000 shares Warrant Exercise Price: $0.60 for a three-year period Number of Placees: 25 Placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: 8 2,650,000 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: N/A N/A Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Finder's Fee: $24,600 N/A N/A The Company issued a news release on June 16, 2023 confirming closing of the private placement. (Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.) ________________________________________ GRAPHITE ONE INC. ("GPH") BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Purchase Agreement BULLETIN DATE: June 22, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to the acquisition of a 1% net smelter return royalty ("NSR") from an arm-length vendor ("Vendor"). Pursuant to a net smelter return royalty purchase agreement ("Agreement") dated June 1, 2023, Graphite One (Alaska) Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, will acquire a 1% NSR on certain State of Alaska mining claims from the Vendor in return for an aggregate consideration consisting of 456,500 common shares in the capital of the Company at a deemed price of $1.48 per common share. For further details, please refer to the Company's news releases dated May 30, 2023 and June 21, 2023. ________________________________________ NORTHSTAR CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES INC. ("ROOF.WT") BULLETIN TYPE: Halt BULLETIN DATE: June 22, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Effective at 9:00 a.m. PST, June 22, 2023, trading in the shares of the Company was halted, pending delisting; this regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules. ________________________________________ OPHIR GOLD CORP. ("OPHR") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: June 22, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on May 10, 2023: Number of Shares: 8,571,428 Charity Flow-through shares Purchase Price: $0.35 per share Warrants: 8,571,428 share purchase warrants to purchase 8,571,428 shares Warrant Exercise Price: $0.40 for a three year period Number of Placees: 13 Placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: N/A N/A Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: N/A N/A Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Finder's Fee: N/A 428,571 units 857,149 Finder's Warrants Terms: Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at the price of $0.35 for period of 3 years from the date of issuance. The Company issued a news release on June 8, 2023, confirming closing of the private placement. [Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term.] ________________________________________ Tempus Resources Ltd. ("TMRR") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: June 22, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange acknowledges for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on May 15, 2023: Number of Shares: 62,500,000 shares Purchase Price: AUD $0.04 per share Warrants: 31,250,000 share purchase warrants to purchase 31,250,000 shares Warrant Exercise Price: AUD $0.075 until September 5, 2025 Number of Placees: 47 Placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: N/A Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Finder's Fee: AUD $150,000 N/A 15,000,000 Warrants Finder's Warrants Terms: Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at the price of AUD $0.04 until September 5, 2025. The Company issued a news release on June 8, 2023 confirming closing of the private placement on May 19, 2023. Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term. ________________________________________ THERMA BRIGHT INC. ("THRM") BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Purchase Agreement BULLETIN DATE: June 22, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation pertaining to a Software License Agreement dated February 1, 2023, as amended on March 7 and June 16, 2023, (the "Agreement") between the Company and an arm's length party (the "Vendor"), whereby the Company purchased an exclusive license to digital cough technology for COVID-19 and its potential further R&D based expansion in future for all potential respiratory diseases, and includes all maintenance releases and licensee modifications made thereto (the "Licensed Software"). Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company agreed to purchase the Licensed Software in exchange for paying up to US$1,740,000 in cash and issuing up to 5,000,000 common shares and 2,000,000 common share purchase warrants, each exercisable at $0.17 per share for a period of three (3) years, to the Vendor. Up to US$420,000 of cash consideration can be satisfied via issuance of up to additional 5,689,320 common shares. The Exchange has also accepted issuance of 500,000 common shares and 500,000 common share purchase warrants, each exercisable into one common share at $0.17 per share for a period of three (3) years, to an arm's length party for finder services in connection with the Licensed Software acquisition. For further details, please refer to the Company's news release dated November 17, 2022, December 21, 2022, February 16, 2023, March 8, 2023 and June 22, 2023. ________________________________________ SOURCE TSX Venture Exchange Jervois has been awarded a conditional 12 million grant from the Finnish government under the State business development body - Australia - Jervois Global Ltd. ("Jervois" or the "Company") (ASX:JRV) (TSXV:JRV) (OTC:JRVMF) is pleased to announce its 100%-owned subsidiary, Jervois Finland Oy ("Jervois Finland"), has been awarded 12 million in reimbursable cash funding for its potential expansion of cobalt refining capacity at the Kokkola Industrial Park ("KIP") from Business Finland, a Finnish State development body, subject to meeting certain conditions. Jervois expects this Business Finland grant will allow Jervois to evaluate restarting work on the Bankable Feasibility Study ("BFS") for a cobalt refinery expansion at KIP, as described in an announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX") on 16 May 2022 (titled "Jervois Commencing BFS Refinery Expansion at Kokkola"). That work was paused in April 2023 in favor of a BFS for a new cobalt refinery located in the United States ("U.S.") to be fully funded by the U.S. Department of Defense ("DoD"). Jervois expects its BFS for a U.S. cobalt refinery will share a flow sheet and other elements with the BFS for a Finland cobalt refinery expansion, creating synergies and timeline benefits to the U.S. project. Jervois expects its DoD-funded BFS for a U.S. cobalt refinery will continue independently of any future work on a BFS for a Finland cobalt refinery expansion. This Business Finland grant is expected to reimburse part of its BFS costs and costs of any future construction of a Finland cobalt refinery expansion. The award relates to Jervois' environmental, social and governance ("ESG") strategies for the facility, namely for an intention to exceed the European Union's ("EU's") environmental protection standards and to reinforce Jervois Finland's existing position of ESG leadership in the cobalt industry. The Business Finland grant will be released subject to satisfaction of a number of conditions, including Jervois Board approval (or final investment decision) to construct the facility; securing financing and receipt of certain environmental permits. The grant does not expire until the end of October 2024. Jervois continues to evaluate cobalt refinery investments in both the U.S. and Finland. The Company only expects to progress these projects in circumstances where project economics are demonstrated to be robust, and where third-party financing is available for advancement of studies and construction. Jervois continues to engage with potential partners in industry with regards to such financing, including governments, automakers and other battery and or critical mineral value chain participants. On behalf of Jervois Bryce Crocker, CEO For further information, please contact: Investors and analysts: James May Chief Financial Officer Jervois Global james.may@jervoisglobal.com Media: Nathan Ryan NWR Communications nathan.ryan@nwrcommunications.com.au Mob: +61 420 582 887 Forward-Looking Statements 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 used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule", "expected" and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the timing of feasibility studies at Jervois Finland, future final investment decision to proceed, future project funding, permits required to construct and operate the new refinery, the amount of funding provided to Jervois Finland from Business Finland and certain other factors or information. Such statements represent Jervois' current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Jervois, 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. Jervois 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 affections such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. 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. Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. All You Need To Know On Micron's Chip Investment Plans & Govt's Massive Semiconductor Plans News oi-Ajeeta Bhatia Micron Technology, one of the world's leading semiconductor companies, has revealed its plans to invest up to $825 million in a chip assembly plant in Gujarat, India. This large investment serves as further proof of Micron's commitment to boosting its production capabilities and market share in India. The large investment is expected to increase employment chances for the local populace by producing a sizable number of job opportunities, both directly and indirectly, across a range of skill levels. What will be the total investment? According to Micron, the factory will get a total investment of $2.75 billion with help from the government of Gujarat and the Centre What will be the Date of completion of the project? The first phase of the project will be operational in late 2024, and construction on the new plant in Gujarat is anticipated to start in 2023. The project's second phase is anticipated to begin in the second half of this decade.. Who is investing? Micron's investment of $825 million will be supported by a 50 percent contribution from the Central government and a 20 percent contribution from the Gujarat government. Government's semiconductor plans- The Union government has received three proposals for consideration. These proposals include a joint venture between Vedanta and Foxconn, an international consortium known as ISMC which includes Tower Semiconductor based in Israel, and a proposal from IGSS Ventures, a Singapore-based company. "In the last 18 months, after the announcement of the semiconductor vision by PM Narendra Modi and the planned investment of Rs 76,000 cr to catalyse and build India's semiconductor ecosystem, much progress has been made... This is just a beginning as there is more to come as India rapidly grows as a significant and trusted partner to global electronics and semiconductor value and supply chains," Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and IT, said in a statement. Vedanta-Foxconn had initially submitted an application for a 28-nanometre semiconductor manufacturing plant in January 2022, but it has yet to inform the government whether it has acquired the necessary technology. Both Vedanta and Foxconn will need to licence this technology from another business in order to produce these chips as neither company has it. The mining and metals group Vedanta is working hard to pay down its debt. Due to an impending merger between Intel and Tower Semiconductor, ISMC, which is supported by Abu Dhabi-based Next Orbit and Israel's Tower Semiconductor, has requested that the Centre not take its application under consideration. Over a year after its initial announcement, the merger is still not complete. The government's advisory council did not find the plan from Singapore-based IGSS Venture to be up to par. About Micron- Micron Technology, Inc. is an American company specialising in computer memory and computer data storage solutions, which include dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), flash memory, and USB flash drives. The company was established in 1978 as a semiconductor design firm consisting of only four individuals operating out of a dental office basement in Boise, Idaho. By 1980, Micron had initiated the construction of its first fabrication plant, and within a few years, it made waves in the industry by introducing the world's smallest 256K DRAM. As the years progressed, Micron's growth trajectory remained steady, earning the company a coveted place on the Fortune 500 list in 1994. Through a combination of technological advancements, strategic partnerships, and targeted acquisitions across the globe, Micron solidified its position as a leading player in the industry. For investment related articles, business news and mutual fund advise Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 10:53 [IST] Less than seven miles from the White House, where President Trump has popularized the term "fake news," residents in a suburban Maryland library gathered recently to learn how to not be duped themselves.Social media is a common theme here because you see things being shared over and over again, Ryan OGrady, media producer and director of the Maryland State Library Resource Center, told the audience. Just because something is popular doesnt make it true.The program, which OGrady is running at several libraries in Marylands Montgomery County, is in response to the recent explosion of unverified, unsourced and sometimes untrue information that purports itself as news. The program aims to educate residents about how to spot fake news.While it's not a recent phenomenon -- the Bigfoot myth goes back centuries, and fabricated stories abounded when emailing was new, for example -- fake news played a prominent role in the 2016 presidential election and continues to do so in the new administration. Sites like Facebook and Twitter give fake news outlets a platform to reach more people than they would otherwise be able to. Once the misinformation is out there, it can spread quickly, often before users even read or verify a story.The president himself has shared fake news on social media and accused credible, mainstream media outlets, such as CNN and, as being fake news.All this has led to a discussion among public libraries -- charged with promoting education, literacy and culture in their communities -- about what their role should be in helping citizens navigate this overwhelming information landscape.Were not in the business of disrespecting anyone, says Julie Todaro, president of the American Library Association. The authority of the president of the strongest country in the world needs to be protected. But we have to think about facts and information now more critically than ever.Across the country, libraries are tackling the subject in various ways.Like Montgomery County, Derry Public Library in New Hampshire hosted an educational program for residents this month. Todaro, who is also the Austin Community College Dean of Library Services, says her staff has been updating an information literacy webinar to address emerging phrases like alternative facts. Meanwhile, most libraries have issued fact sheets on how to spot fake news or have worked one-on-one with residents who have sought help.Mary Ellen Icaza, Montgomery County Libraries community services administrator, says the library system decided to host OGradys talk at several branches because theyd had numerous requests on the topic.The concept of fake news has exploded with the digital age, she says, and its more difficult for people to discern whether what theyre seeing is coming from a reputable source.To verify news, O'Grady told residents to start by Googling the articles author, referring to primary sources the article uses and checking to see if other outlets have also reported the story.If there is only one place youre finding that information, OGrady says, I can almost guarantee its not true.Fake news, of course, isn't the only thing people need to watch out for. Libraries also want readers to be skeptical of satire websites, such as, and state news sites controlled by oppressive governments, like BENEFIT PUBLIC (%) PRIVATE (%) On-site professional development 83 64 Graduate educational assistance 62 45 Employee assistance program 92 74 On-site stress management program 25 9 Smoking cessation program 61 37 On-site medical clinic 21 5 On-site fitness center 41 21 Credit counseling 17 8 Financial advice 41 25 BENEFIT PUBLIC (%) PRIVATE (%) Employee referral bonus 13 62 Incentive bonus plan for nonexecutives 13 47 Donations for charity participation 10 30 Paid minibar snacks 3 15 Casual dress code 32 56 Telecommuting, full-time 10 26 Telecommuting, part-time 24 38 Free snacks 8 39 Free coffee 46 87 Public-sector workers know that they can generally count on more generous pensions and health coverage than if they worked for the private sector. But at a time of low unemployment, both kinds of employers are beefing up other benefits to recruit and retain workers. How do the two sectors compare on those?Using reports from the Society for Human Resource Management compared 300 benefits offered by companies and governments (including state, local and federal employers).In terms of professional development, general wellness and financial help, governments are the place to be. For instance, public employers are twice as likely to offer on-site gyms, credit counseling and on-site medical care. Theyre also a third more likely to offer professional development or tuition assistance.Heres a sampling of benefits more often offered by governments:But if youre looking for perks like bonuses, free food or the ability to telecommute, youre more likely to find it in the private sector. There, employers are three to four times more likely to offer bonuses, twice as likely to allow full-time telework, and four times more likely to offer free snacks in the office.Heres a sampling of benefits more often offered by private-sector companies:Some good news for governments is that 87 percent of millennials labeled "professional or career growth and development opportunities" as important in a job, according to a 2016 Gallup poll.Still, governments struggle in getting the word out on what they offer.Governments dont do a great job of talking about all of the attractive features that we have particularly vis-a-vis the private sector, says Robert Lavigna, director of the Institute for Public Sector Employee Engagement at CPS HR Consulting. These are benefits that are more common in the public sector that could be a huge benefit to attracting talented young people to government.Nancy Buonanno Grennan, the human resources director for Kitsap County in Washington, agrees. The county, which has to compete with nearby Seattle for employees, is currently marketing its tuition assistance and tuition advancement programs that can help people advance their education and careers while working. But until recently, we were terrible at letting people know the benefits the county had to offer, she says. We just figured that people would want to work for us. Now weve recognized we have to go find people who arent looking for us and convince them to make a leap into the public sector.Governments are increasingly using benefits to attract workers, says Neville Kenning, a consultant focused on the public sector. Perhaps no other city has expanded its offerings -- and publicized them -- as much as Memphis, Tenn.Starting in 2016, the city began assembling a package of new benefits based on a series of employee town hall meetings, which sent clear signals of what employees, and particularly young ones, wanted.After the Great Recession, the city reduced traditional retiree benefits, eliminating most retiree health subsidies and moving to a retirement plan that was less financially risky for the city. Employees werent happy, and turnover escalated, particularly in the police department, which lost 180 police officers in 2015, the year after the reductions.We needed to enhance our benefits to recruit public safety employees and other new talent to the city of Memphis, says Alex Smith, the citys chief human resource officer.Since the town hall meetings, the city now offers two on-site medical clinics, $50 a month in student loan debt assistance, a $2,000 referral bonus for police who move to Memphis from other cities, health reimbursement accounts for retirees younger than 65, tuition reimbursement and the opportunity to do paid volunteer work, to name a few.Some of the Memphis benefits are rare in government and more common in companies, including the referral and relocation bonuses and paid volunteer time. Smith is making sure that employees and potential employees know all about the "total rewards" of working for the city by promoting them in brochures, radio spots and a new video. FIA looking into top F1 teams budget cap loopholes Mercedes claims it may be just a single upgrade package away from victory in 2023. Lewis Hamilton, Canadian GP 2023 Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd. Mercedes claims it may be just a single upgrade package away from victory in 2023. Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher said after the Canadian GP that he thinks Aston Martin is currently "a tad ahead of Mercedes with these improvements". Indeed, Aston Martin unveiled a major upgrade recently, prompting Schumacher to predict that Fernando Alonso "will be Max Verstappen's toughest competitor at the Red Bull Ring" next weekend. Mercedes, though, insists it is also closing in on Red Bull's dominance, with boss Toto Wolff claiming Montreal was a tough test for the 'B' car package. "I am no longer afraid of the next circuits that are coming up," he told Auto Motor und Sport. And an unnamed Mercedes engineer also told the German magazine: "We're only one upgrade away from victory." Wolff announced that those upgrades are now in the pipeline. "A big one in Silverstone," he said, "and a smaller one after that. "We've learned a lot since we changed the concept of the car," the Austrian added. "The correlation between simulation and the race track has improved a lot so we're now implementing step by step." However, some are wondering how Mercedes and others are managing to so significantly upgrade their cars mid-season within the confines of the budget cap. La Gazzetta dello Sport claims the FIA is currently taking a close look at whether the top teams' non-F1 activities - including the design of boats, bikes and road cars - have created loopholes in the strict budget cap rules. "There was a request for clarification for Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull and Aston Martin," reported correspondent Louis Perna. Wolff says he isn't worried about Mercedes breaching the cap - as Red Bull was found to have done in 2021. "We have 46 people controlling all of our expenses, down to the last screw," insisted Wolff. (GMM) No interference as Sauber, Audi prepare for 2026 Audi is already focused on preparing for its works Formula 1 foray for 2026, according to Sauber team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi. Valtteri Bottas, Canadian GP 2023 Alfa Romeo Audi is already focused on preparing for its works Formula 1 foray for 2026, according to Sauber team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi. The Volkswagen-owned German marque, which will team up with the Swiss outfit currently known as Alfa Romeo for the new 2026 engine rules, has this week signed its first F1 driver. He is Swiss 39-year-old Neel Jani, a former Red Bull-backed junior and F1 test driver who was most recently aligned with another VW-owned carmaker - Porsche. Jani will help Audi test its 2026 F1 engine in the simulator. Sauber's team representative Bravi says Audi is already working hard on the power unit the works Audi entry will use in 2026. "We are working thinking about the present and the future," he told El Mundo Deportivo. "The future is built now." He says Sauber is also making plans for 2026 whilst also racing as Alfa Romeo in 2023. "We cannot think of being competitive in 2026 if we are not capable of doing an optimal job and improving as a team during these years," said the Italian. "At the same time Audi is concentrating on the engine project," Bravi added. "There is no interference and we are both working on our main focus - us on the car and Audi on the engine." (GMM) Photo: Pixabay The Okanagan Valley is a beautiful place to go hiking. Hiking is a great way to get outside, get some exercise and improve your health. Science is beginning to validate the healing power of nature. Today, I will focus on the mental and emotional impact of nature on human health. In 2016, National Geographic published a story about the positive effects of nature on human health. It showed that being in a natural environment decreased brain theta wave activity. That was associated with decreased heart rate, decreased stress hormones and decreased protein biomarkers of stress. A researcher at Stanford University evaluated brain activity and scores on a questionnaire with 38 volunteers. Nineteen participants walked 90 minutes in a natural lush green setting around Stanford University and 19 other participants walked for the same amount of time through an urban setting with heavy traffic. MRIs showed those who walked in the urban setting had markedly increased levels of stress, anxiety and rumination of thoughts. Those who walked in the natural setting showed decreased activity in this area of the brain. The participants also reported less rumination, anxiety and showed more attentiveness and were happier than those who walked in the urban setting. Swedish researchers showed that scenes of nature decreased heart rate variability quicker and allowed the heart rate to return to normal after a complex math test. Japanese researchers showed subjects who strolled in forests versus urban city centres had 16% lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and showed slight decreases in heart rate and blood pressure. Korean researchers used functional MRIs to evaluate blood flow in different parts of the brain after viewing different pictures. Pictures of urban scenes increased blood flow to part of the brain which is typically associated with fear and anxiety. Twenty-four Norwegian families with children were interviewed after their experiences of hiking together in a natural environment. The researchers concluded incorporation of nature-based activities helped to improve family bonding and cohesion of the family unit. A 2005 study showed that walking 35 minutes per day, five times per week, or 60 minutes three times per week, significantly improved symptoms of depression. Walking 15 minutes per day did not have such an effect on mood. Other reported symptoms included lower blood pressure, protection against heart disease and boosting self-esteem. In another study, 20 British participants compared hiking outdoors in a natural setting to walking in an indoor urban shopping mall. Seventy-one percent of those who hiked outside reported a decrease in depressive symptoms, while 22% reported increased depression when walking indoors. Ninety percent reported an increase in self-esteem while in nature, and 44% said self-esteem decreased when walking indoors. Many observational studies show regular exercise reduces symptoms of depression. In one study, 156 people with depression were divided into three groupsthose who did aerobic exercise, those who took the ssri medicine Zoloft and those who exercised and took Zoloft. After 16 weeks, all three groups showed an equal response with a 70% improvement in symptoms. In one study, green outdoor activities reduced symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and had more positive effects on symptoms than other indoor activities; 96 parents of children with confirmed ADHD reported fresh air and the ability to be outside in light and open spaces was better at reducing ADHD symptoms. A meeting of the American Heart Association in New Orleans discussed the results of an Austrian study of 45 volunteers who went hiking three to five hours per week over a two-month period. Blood sugar significantly decreased, and glucose tolerance measurably improved while total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides also significantly decreased. In a 2011 study, 12 female breast cancer patients and six male prostate cancer patients measured oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity before and after a long hiking trip. Oxidative stress decreased, especially in the male prostate cancer patients, and antioxidant capacity significantly increased in both groups after the hike Clearly, there is a vast and largely untapped healing power to nature. The positive impact on human health, particularly the mental and emotional aspects, are incredible. For me, hiking has been the conduit to access this immense source of energy. Doctors should routinely prescribe a dose of nature for many common ailments that are currently treated by pharmaceuticals. The cost is low, and the health benefits are vast. John Muir once said, "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of autumn. The mountains are calling and I must go." This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet. Afreximbank confers biggest award on First Bank of Nigeria Limited Daily Graphic Business News Jun - 23 - 2023 , 07:09 FBNBank Ghanas parent company, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, has received the Financial Institution of the Year Award at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Pan African Business and Development Awards. The awards ceremony marked the 30th anniversary of Afreximbank. The Pan-African lender hosted its 30th Annul Afreximbank Meetings in Accra where the Pan-African Business and Development Awards was inaugurated, in association with the Business Council for Africa (BCA). The award bestowed on First Bank is in recognition of the banks immense role in promoting trade and investment across the continent that has strengthened the economic and multilateral business relationship across nations. With its subsidiaries across the First Bank Group, First Bank has continued to play a leading role in boosting cross-border businesses, including trade and investment opportunities, essential to enhancing trade relations among countries. Cross-border transfer As part of its role in facilitating transactions across borders, in 2021, First Bank launched its First Global Transfer (FGT) initiative, specifically designed to ensure safe, timely and improved efficiency in the transfer of funds across the network of First Bank subsidiaries in Africa. The FGT is not restricted to First Bank Groups customers but also open to every individual resident in the country the funds transfer is originating from. Commenting on the awards, the Chief Executive Officer of the First Bank Group CEO, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, said: We thank the organisers of the event (Afreximbank, BCA) for the recognition as it reinforces our commitment to promoting trade, finance and investment opportunities across borders. He said the service had been instrumental to the continued growth and development of the continent and the world. Mr Adeduntan dedicated the award to employees at the First Bank Group for their diligence and hard work as well as to the customers for their loyalty and patronage in the over 129 years of its existence. The FBNBank Ghana Managing Director/CEO, Victor Yaw Asante, who received the award on behalf of the group, said: It is no coincidence that the award was handed over in Ghana where we are focused on making our subsidiary a giant of a financial institution just like our parent in Nigeria. Also commenting on the awards, the President and Chairman of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah, said: Tonight we are recognising outstanding leaders and institutions. Having joined the bank in 1994, I have been fortunate to have worked with many of them. At Afreximbank, contributing to Africas development is a lifetime vocation, as I know it is for all those that we have recognised tonight, Prof. Oramah said. The chairperson of the BCA, Arnold Ekpe, who is also a former Group CEO of Ecobank, said recognising such leaders and institutions was because often, business leaders did not get the praise they deserved. Succeeding in business on the continent is not always easy, but it is rewarding, and more importantly, it is possible to build strong, profitable businesses that are globally competitive. Our winners tonight have demonstrated this, Mr Ekpe added. Track record FirstBank has consistently been recognised by reputable global organisations for its steady outstanding performance. The streak of recent wins are the award for Best Financial Inclusion Service Provider Nigeria 2023 by Digital Banker Africa as well as Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa by Global Finance. The Pan-African Business and Development Awards is aimed at celebrating and recognising the excellence of outstanding organisations and those within the African business and finance sectors. Two other banks, National Bank of Egypt and Coris Bank, were recognised as Financial Institutions of the Year. Eight recognition awards were also handed to some staff members of Afreximbank to acknowledge their long service at the bank. They included Prof. Oramah, who has been at the Afreximbank for over 29 years. Is there any hope for the hopeless? Evans M. Tsikata Opinion Jun - 23 - 2023 , 12:48 After the right to life, education is the most important right of a child. It becomes crucial when adequate actions are taken to ensure that the right to education is universal, accessible, and affordable. Every parent wishes for their child to be enrolled in the best schools, with all of the necessary amenities. However, in most African countries, including Ghana, this is not always the case. A child is defined as a person under the age of eighteen (18) under the majority of International Human Rights Instruments, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Section 1 of the Children's Act of 1998 and the 1992 Republican Constitution of Ghana define a child as a human being under the age of eighteen (18), bringing Ghana into compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Children, regardless of their origin, need to be protected and treated equally. This does not appear to be the situation in Ghana. Duty-bearers believed they may favour students attending public basic schools over those attending private basic schools. For students in public schools, the government pays 100% of the BECE registration fees, whereas students in private basic schools must pay 100% of those fees. The government does not provide instructional materials to private schools or students. Parents of kids at both public and private schools pay taxes, yet youngsters in private schools appear to be left out of the country's prosperity. Presidential honors, which previously covered all Ghanaian basic schools, now expressly exclude all private schools. A child with nine ones from a private school, for example, will be overlooked in comparison to his public school counterpart with a considerably lower grade. Aren't these kids Ghanaians as well? This practice is against Article 25 of the 1992 Constitution which states that: A person shall not be discriminated against on grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed or social or economic status. Despite the expanding number of children enrolling in low-cost private schools across the country, the government continues to underfund and underserve such educational institutions. According to GNACOPS, numerous of its members are being forced to sell their schools due to a lack of funding. Private schools are being treated unfairly in the allocation of funds for businesses affected by the COVID 19 pandemic, which they wanted. Parents whose children attend private schools do not receive a tax rebate since they do not send their children to public schools, thus they are actually assisting the government. They also save the government billions of money by diverting the expenditures of thousands of children's education away from the state in the first place. Due to limited resources and facilities, private schools, particularly those in rural locations, frequently struggle to provide a diverse choice of extracurricular activities. This can deprive youngsters of the opportunity to pursue their passions, develop their talents, and grow holistically. As a result, if the government makes an effort to treat their colleagues in public schools fairly, it will be considered government discrimination. If the government continues to act in this manner, growth in private schools may be hampered, as all pupils should be treated equally. As provided in Article 38 (1) of the 1992 which states that: The State shall provide educational facilities at all levels and in all the Regions of Ghana, and shall, to the greatest extent feasible, make those facilities available to all citizens. If the government is unable to support private basic schools due to financial constraints, she should not give their public counterparts preferential treatment by placing them in Senior High Schools. For example, a child with an aggregate of 24 from a public school will be placed in a first preference, however a child with an aggregate of 11 from a private school may not be placed in the same school with the same program choice. What offense have these innocent children committed to be treated so unfairly? Who will speak up for these children? Is there any hope for the despondent? Mr. Kofi Asare, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, has advocated that the government omit private JHS pupils from the Free SHS program in order to reduce the current costs incurred as a result of the policy. That was an extremely discriminatory idea that completely discriminated against children from private basic schools. Such behavior is prohibited by Section 8 of the Children's Act of 1998. The bulk of Ghana's private basic schools have such low tuition. Nonetheless, parents are fighting tooth and nail to keep their children in these facilities. Many parents send their children to private schools not only for academic reasons but also because private schools are safer than public schools. If your local public school is overcrowded and/or has a high number of children with behavioural issues, and you can at least sacrifice to keep your child out of that setting, it's well worth it. Non-state or private schools enrol nearly one in every three students in Ghana, with non-state schools enrolling more than 40% of school-age students. In summary, treating children equally is critical for promoting a just and inclusive society; it benefits children, and society as a whole, and lays the groundwork for a brighter future. It teaches children important values such as empathy, kindness, and respect for others; it fosters a sense of societal responsibility; and it encourages children to speak out against discrimination and injustice. The Titanic claims lives of five more victims after 111 years International News Jun - 22 - 2023 , 21:47 The Titanic Five were killed instantly when the submersible suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' just 1,600ft from the bow of the wrecked ocean liner, the US Coast Guard announced on Thursday. The nail-biting search for the men on the Titan, a 21ft submersible operated by OceanGate Expeditions, drew to a devastating close when a remote operated submarine from a Canadian ship found debris on the ocean floor. Search and rescue officials say the men likely died on Sunday - before military planes using sonar buoys detected what they thought could have been SOS 'banging' sounds in the water. The victims are OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French Navy veteran Paul-Henri (PH) Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19. 'The implosion would have generated a significant, broadband sound that the sonar buoys would have picked up,' explained Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard at a press conference today. It would have been an instant death for the men, some of whom had paid $250,000 each to see the famous shipwreck. In a gut-wrenching blow for their families, experts say there is little prospect of recovering any of their remains. 'This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there. The debris is consistent of a catastrophic implosion of the vessel.. we'll continue to work and search the area down there - but I don't have an answer for prospects at this time,' Paul Hankin, a deep sea expert involved in the search, said. The RMS Titanic sank in 1912 and more than 1,500 people lost their lives in the tragic incident, which is still remembered today. The maritime disaster was the deadliest sinking of a single ship up to that time, and remains the worst peacetime sinking of a cruise ship of all time. Avoid wading through flood waters during rainfall - NADMO GraphicOnline Jun - 23 - 2023 , 11:03 The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has issued a vital advisory, urging individuals to refrain from traversing floodwaters in their quest to reach their destinations. This cautionary message from NADMO follows the unfortunate recovery of four bodies from floodwaters in different towns within the Ashanti Region. These distressing incidents occurred subsequent to heavy rainfall on Wednesday. The Ashanti Regional Director of NADMO, Frank Duodu stressed the importance of prioritizing personal safety during such torrential downpours. He implored the public to heed the warnings issued by the Ghana Meteorological Agency, particularly during the rainy season, and to act accordingly. In an interview with Citi FM, he stated, "It is crucial that we adhere to the forecasts provided by the Meteo Agency. If it is unnecessary to venture into flood-prone areas, it is strongly advised to avoid doing so." Furthermore, Mr. Duodu advised individuals to seek refuge in elevated locations when rainfall occurs. He emphasized the need to exercise caution and not to wade through floodwaters. Reflecting on the recent tragic events, he remarked, "While it is advisable to find higher ground when rain is imminent, it is essential that we do not overlook the severity of the situation as witnessed on Wednesday. Opting to traverse floodwaters, despite the area being submerged, only exacerbates the risks involved." On Wednesday, June 21, four individuals lost their lives in Atafoa, Sepaase, and Tafo, all located in the Ashanti Region, due to drowning. In a tragic turn of events, the brother of one of the victims in the Atafoa incident tragically perished on Thursday, June 22, while attempting to retrieve the deceased from the river. Ghana needs $43 billion annually NDPC Haruna Yussif Wunpini Jun - 23 - 2023 , 07:57 Ghana needs $43 billion annually to be able to achieve her Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Though the countrys development partners provided 40 per cent of that amount internally, revenue mobilisation had been a challenge to add up to help her achieve the set SDGs. The SDGs are the blueprint agreed on by the United Nations member countries to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. Acting Director of the Development Coordination Division of National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr Winfred Nelson, said in view of the situation, achieving the SDGs by the year 2030 would not be easy, if the government did not consider other areas of mobilising revenue. Dr Nelson was addressing the 12th International Applied Research and Innovation Conference/Fair at the Koforidua Technical University (KTU) in the Eastern Region yesterday. The gathering brought together students from the Koforidua, Accra, Sunyani technical universities as well as students from some South African and Kenyan universities. The event, held on the theme: "Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Post COVID-19 Era: The Role of Research Innovation and Technology Transfer, witnessed an exhibition of research works of some students of the KTU. SDGs The SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030, all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 17 SDGs are integratedthey recognise that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability. Countries have committed to prioritise progress for those who are furthest behind. The SDGs are designed to end poverty, hunger, AIDS and discrimination against women and girls. They recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand in hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality and spur economic growth while tackling climate change and working to preserve the world's oceans and forests. Every year, the UN Secretary General presents an annual SDG progress report, which is developed in cooperation with the UN System, and based on the global indicator framework and data produced by national statistical systems. Ghanas progress report Per Ghana's 2022 Voluntary National Review (VNR) report on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for SDGs as submitted to the UN, the progress of implementation has been mixed. Gender parity and high completion rates have been sustained at the KG, primary and junior high levels despite the pandemic, while the participation of the population in formal and informal education, and training has gone up. There have also been improved outcomes in tackling maternal mortality; obesity among children; womens participation in parliament and local government; access to improved drinking water services and electricity; illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and financial inclusion. However, there are challenges of high unemployment rate among the youth, high plastic debris density, declining fish stock, degradation of forest area and low proficiency in English and Mathematics. In addition, tax revenue as a proportion of GDP remains low. To improve revenue mobilisation, Dr Nelson said it was important for the government to encourage innovative financing from the private sector which included the traditional authorities. He explained that the traditional authorities could convert lands into physical cash to add up to the revenue in meeting the timelines for the SDGs which was just seven years away. Climate change The NDPCs Ag. Director of the Development Coordination Division further said since the SDGs were interrelated and climate change had a ripple effect on them, it must also be considered in achieving the goals. For example, he mentioned that the production of some crops such as rice, sorghum, cassava, yam, as well as fish had been adversely impacted by climate change. The Vice-Chancellor of the KTU, Professor David Kofi Essumang, said KTU was developing a research strategy that would enable students to practically put into practice such research works after graduation. That, he indicated, would enable students to be on their own or in establishments they might find themselves. In view of that, Prof. Essumang stated that some of the students who were interested in agriculture had been researching into the cultivation of various crops to enable Ghana to become sufficient in food production. The Director of Research and Innovation at KTU, Dr Samuel Kwofie, said the main aim of KTU was to make students actualise their project works for which the university would look for sources of funding to help the students to commercialise their works after school. Hearing impairment screening for newborns begins at Korle Bu Augustina Tawiah Jun - 23 - 2023 , 08:05 Newborn babies delivered at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra will now be screened for hearing impairment right from the labour ward before being discharged. The screening will be done as part of the hospitals regular services for newborns. However, where there are additional interventions that need to be done, they will attract a fee. The Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Opoku Ware Ampomah, made this known in Accra yesterday at the launch of a newborn hearing screening project the hospital is undertaking in collaboration with Med El, a leading Austria provider of hearing implant systems and Path Medical of Germany. Describing the project as very important, Dr Ampomah said as part of the project they were looking at developing a teamwide approach involving obstetricians, paediatricians and midwives so that each of those people who were the first persons to come into contact with any newborn child would be sensitised enough to provide the initial screening on hearing impairment for the child. He said they were also looking at deepening training as part of the project in order to increase their numbers to make accessibility and availability easier for patients. He said it was the aim of the hospital to get to a point that newborn screenings would be done not only for the hearing impairment but for all other childhood abnormalities that occurred so that cases could be picked up early and treatment given in order that the condition did not deteriorate. He said the project was not being undertaken only in Korle Bu but they were collaborating with many of their sister health institutions so that in the course of time it could be rolled out across the country. Early diagnosis Dr Ampomah pointed out that a significant number of children were born with hearing problems, and when picked up early could be diagnosed, treated or given the necessary support so that they could develop normally. He said when children were born with hearing problems and they were not picked up early, the children went through life struggling, with some people even perceiving them to be stupid just because they were unable to respond to them when they talked. The Head of Department for the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Kenneth Baidoo, said hitherto the hospital was doing the screening of newborns for hearing impairment in bits and pieces, especially among children who went to NICU. However, this project will be a comprehensive one where parents of every child born at the hospital will get to know the quality of their hearing by the time they came for their first postnatal review. He explained that when hearing impairment in children was diagnosed late and treated late, the hearing quality would not be the same as that of those whose cases were diagnosed early and given early treatment. Impairment He mentioned the causes of hearing impairment in children to be genetic factors; infections developed during pregnancies, severe jaundice in children at birth , some medications given to newborns when they have severe infections and lack of oxygen during delivery. Dr Baidoo said depending on the level of impairment of the child, they could provide the child with hearing aids to help them to hear while for severe hearing loss, cochlear implants were available for such children. The Business Development and Regional Manager for Africa of Med El, Stephanie Unterrieder MA, and Peter Bottcher of Path Medical, advised health workers at the programme to inform parents of the availability of the screening programme at the hospital. As part of the collaboration, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital was presented with four screening devices and one diagnostic device for hearing. Court throws out Quaysons motion seeking to halt hearing on daily basis Justice Agbenorsi Jun - 23 - 2023 , 14:44 The High Court in Accra has dismissed James Gyakye Quaysons motion seeking to halt the trial from continuing on daily basis until the Assin-North by-election has been conducted on Tuesday June 27, 2023. In a ruling Friday [June 23], the Court presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh said its decision to continue the case on June 20, 21, and 23 on day-to-day basis was within the law. The presiding judge added that lawyers for the accused failed to prove that the orders made contravened the law to warrant a review. The only new information is the alleged prejudicial comments made by the Attorney-General. These assertions are not relevant for me to review my decision, Justice Yanzuh added stressing that adjournments were at the discretion of the court. The trial has been adjourned to June 29, 2023 for Quaysons lawyers to continue the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness. The Court selected June 29, 2023 because of the unavailability of the specific court room on Mondays, the by-election to be held on June 27, 2023 and the upcoming public holiday on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 reports Graphic Onlines Justice Agbenorsi. Lawyers for Quayson, have since the filing of the review motion, always indicated that they were not against the day-to-day hearing of the case but needed the trial to be heard on daily basis only after the by-elections in Assin-North to enable Quayson, who is contesting on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to participate fully in the activities of the elections. Trial Quayson, who is facing charges of forgery and perjury concerning certain alleged offences in the run-up to the 2020 Assin North parliamentary election, is contesting the by-election in the constituency on the ticket of NDC. On June 16, 2023, the court ruled that it would hear the case on day-to-day basis . That was after the court had turned down a prayer by Quaysons lawyer, which sought to have the trial continued after the Assin North by-election slated for June 27, 2023 to enable Quayson to concentrate on activities leading to the by-election. The prayer followed an oral application made by the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame to hear the case on daily basis. Motion But lawyers for Quayson filed the motion for the court to review its decision to hear the case on day-to-day basis until the by-election has been conducted. Details of the motion, indicate that on the day the A-G orally applied for the Court to hear the case on day-to-day basis, he made certain comments which they described as insulting and prejudicial. In their affidavit in support of the motion, the Quaysons lawyers said they were working on a further process in a bid to file a review application of the Supreme Courts decision which barred Quayson from holding himself as an MP. In addition, the lawyers argued that the dates set by the High Court for hearing the trial would clash with the dates set by the Supreme Court dates in respect of the review processes. The lawyers added that on the day the High Court ruled in favour of the Attorney-General to hear the case on daily basis, they were not given the opportunity to draw attention of the dates set by the Supreme Court. The lawyers further argued in the motion that the case at the Supreme Court required more attention, hence the needed to vary the order. Lets ramp up climate action Jinapor Timothy Ngnenbe Jun - 23 - 2023 , 07:22 The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has called on all actors in the fight against climate crisis to collectively ramp up action at all levels to address the menace. Mr Jinapor, who is the Co-Chair of the Forests and Climate Leaders Partnership (FCLP) alongside the United States' Special Envoy on Climate Change, John Kerry, said finding a solution to the climate crisis was non-negotiable as it had dire consequences for humanity and the planet. "The climate crisis is reaching a tipping point. The Earth is now 1.1 degrees Celsius warmer than it used to be decades ago. The effect of this is being experienced by every individual wherever they find themselves, whether in Accra, Bogota, Bonn, Libreville, London, Oslo, San Jose or Washington. The desire for limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, is therefore essential in maintaining a livable climate," he said. He was speaking at the maiden Forests and Climate Leaders Partnership (FCLP) Sherpas international meeting of the 26-member countries in Accra yesterday (June 20). The two-day meeting delved deeper into what the outcomes of the various initiatives should be and what could be accomplished by the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) of the United Nations, particularly, in respect of reductions in forest loss. The meeting would also explore practical measures needed to halt and reverse forest loss. Again, the participants will look at how to provide "genuine space" for tropical forest countries to be heard in matters related to forests and climate action. Adhering to commitments Prior to the meeting, the steering committee of FCLP held its maiden virtual meeting on June 6, underscoring the need for collective efforts towards a 1.5 degrees Celsius world as required under the Paris Agreement. Mr Jinapor explained that as part of the commitment towards a 1.5 degrees Celsius world, the maiden steering committee meeting discussed issues on carbon markets, sustainable trade, promotion of a sustainable bio-economy for wood, inclusion of the needs and concerns of indigenous people and the design of integrated country packages. He said such issues were highlighted as high ambition areas of work that could make significant announcements at COP28 in Dubai and beyond. The Land and Natural Resources Minister stressed that collective effort was needed to keep our planet cooler, which was why over 140 countries signed onto the Glasgow Leaders Declaration on halting and reversing forest loss by 2030 and to promote a just rural transformation. "The fight against climate change requires conscious and collective effort by all of us, citizens of the world. Let us roll up our sleeves and get to work. He said as co-chairs of the FCLP, they would go every length to achieve the partnerships core objective of facilitating and enhancing cooperation on the delivery of pledges made in Glasgow. Action areas The FCLP Co-chair said in the quest to strengthen the fight against climate change, the partnership remained focused on its action areas. These action areas are to strengthen international collaboration on the sustainable land-use economy and supply chains; mobilising public and donor finance to support implementation; shifting the private finance system and powering forest guardians. The others are strengthening and scaling up carbon markets for forests and building international partnerships and incentives to preserve high-integrity forests. Mr Jinapor observed that since the world had signed on to an ambitious target of reversing forest loss by 2030, it was his belief that having the voices of tropical forest countries heard audibly and feeding into the initiatives being designed would be key for the success of nature and climate discussions. Ghanas effort Touching on efforts being made in the countrys forest sector to address the climate crisis, he said over 40 million trees had been planted over the past three years under the Green Ghana Day project. He said the initiative would be sustained to ensure that all degraded forests and landscape were restored. The minister also said the government would strengthen measures it had put in place to tackle the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation such as illegal mining, illegal logging, bush burning and expansionist agricultural activities. Police give chase to killers Emelia Ennin Abbey Jun - 23 - 2023 , 07:30 The Police Administration has mounted a manhunt for four suspected robbers behind the killing of a policeman at Ablekuma in the Ga West Municipality in the Greater Accra Region. The alleged robbers killed the policeman yesterday in broad daylight. The policeman, who a source at the Ghana Police Service named as Lance Corporal Calystus Amoah, is said to have been shot multiple times in a suspected robbery attempt on occupants of a vehicle at a fuel service station at Ablekuma. The suspected robbers are said to have followed the bullion van, which went to refill at the fuel station, where the shootout occurred. The policeman was seated in the passenger seat in front of the vehicle on security duties when he was shot at close range. The incident attracted some residents of the community, drivers of both commercial and private vehicles, and traders after the four robbers bolted and news of the incident went round. Statement The police in a statement issued a warning to the robbers behind the killing of the policeman to turn themselves in. The police are on a manhunt to arrest a gang of four robbers who attacked a bullion van at Ablekuma Fanmilk, a suburb of Accra, and shot the police escort who has unfortunately passed on, a statement from the police said. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family of our deceased colleague in particular and all personnel of the Police Service in general, the statement added. The police also assured the public that they would surely get the robbers arrested to face justice. Brief profile Lance Corporal Amoah, the source disclosed to the Daily Graphic, was stationed at the National Protection Unit (NPU) headquarters of the Ghana Police Service. He passed out from the Pwalugu Police Training School in 2017. The source disclosed further that L/Cpl Amoah got married last year and is survived by a baby. SMOGANS celebrate 2023 Mothers Day Graphic.com.gh Jun - 23 - 2023 , 10:26 The St. Marys Old Girls' Association (SMOGA) marked this year's Mothers' Day with a maiden edition of SMOGA Heritage on June 17. The SMOGA Heritage was on the theme, Celebrating mothers while projecting our culture and our Heritage. Old students from all year groups adorned in colourful traditional cloth attended the event. Global President, SMOGAN Lynda Dede Graham (on podium) flanked by MCs and some Year Group President The Speaker and mother figure on the day was SMOGAN Alice Chinebuah (nee Koranteng) of the 1982/'84 year group. She touched on tireless and endless motherhood responsibilities that had no limits, how cultural incorporation competes with present-day training in terms of local language, indigenous Ghanaian dishes and fashion. She admonished members to embrace their heritage and uphold their homes, teaching their children and the upcoming generation the essence of Ghanaian heritage. Present at the ceremony was the Chief and Queenmother of Korle-Gonno, where St Marys is situated, a former Assistant Headmistress, Mrs. Beatrice Sykes, former teachers, staff and students of the St. Marys, Accra Academy Old Boys and SMOGAN Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission. On display were lots of finger-licking Ghanaian delicacies to savour and local drinks, provided by the various year groups. The evergreen Wulomei Cultural Troupe dazzled members with timeless Ghanaian music. The highlight of the ceremony was presentation of awards by the Speaker to the National Executives and Year group presidents. Year group presidents also awarded members who assist them in the advancement of the group's causes. Ahead of Assin North by-election: Dr Akoto campaigns for NPP candidate Daily Graphic Politics Jun - 23 - 2023 , 06:42 The immediate past Minister of Food and Agriculture and a flag bearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, last Wednesday defied the torrential rains that hit Assin North and other parts of the country to campaign for Charles Opoku, the NPP parliamentary candidate for the Assin North by-election. Notable among the areas he visited to solicit votes for the partys parliamentary candidate included Assin Bereku (District Capital), Assin Praso, Assin Asempaneye, Akenkanse, Akonfudi, Dansami, Assin Mempasem, Assin Kushia, Assin Senkyem, Assin Brofoyedu, Assin Juaso, Assin Breman and Bediadua. In all the areas he visited, Dr Akoto interacted with the people and urged them to vote massively for Charles Opoku to enable him to lobby for more development projects for the communities. Team Dr Akoto was accompanied by the NPP candidate, Mr Opoku, National Chairman of the party, Stephen Ayesu Ntim, General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B), Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo- Markin, and the Minister of State at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Osei Bonsu Amoah. The rest were the Campaign Chairman for the Afriyie Campaign Team and former Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the party, Alfred Boye, and National Coordinator for the campaign, Peter Oteng Darko, among other party officers in the Assin North Constituency. Local rice farmers When the news hit the Assin North District that Dr Akoto was in town, and had started campaigning for Charles Opoku, some rice farmers in the district, numbering about 400, gathered themselves to ambush him at the district capital, Assin Bereku, where they lauded him for positively impacting their lives when he was the minister of food and agriculture. At this point, Dr Akoto had no choice but to address the rice farmers at a nearby Catholic Church before continuing his campaign tour. He expressed his appreciation to the rice farmers for honouring him, and assured them of President Akufo-Addos commitment to supporting their activities. Background The relationship between the rice farmers and Dr Akoto dates back to when he was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwadaso and Ranking Member of the Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee of Parliament. It was during one of their meetings that the then government led by John Dramani Mahama sent a proposal from the Korean Ambassador to Ghana to Parliament about a programme they have designed to study the economic potential of the Central Region. The said sponsorship programme by the Korean Government did not materialise due to little or no interest from the then government. However, when the NPP under the leadership of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo took over the political administration of the country from January 7, 2017, Dr Akoto immediately reactivated the Korean Governments sponsorship deal. Addressing the rice farmers, he said that when the Korean experts presented their report, they were of the view that the Central Region had the potential to produce enough rice to feed Ghana and West Africa in general. Constituency watch : New Juaben South development on course Haruna Yussif Wunpini Politics Jun - 23 - 2023 , 07:21 Lying at the foothills of the scenic Obuotabiri Mountain, which draws a lot of local and foreign tourists all year round, is the New Juaben South Constituency. The constituency, with the southern part of Koforidua as its capital, is also home to four senior high schools (SHSs) - Oti Boateng SHS, New Juaben SHS, Koforidua Senior High Technical School and Pentecost SHS. It is also home to two tertiary institutions, Koforidua Technical University and the All Nations University, making it the educational hub of the Eastern Region. Apart from that, it is a vibrant business centre where traders from neighbouring towns and communities converge to engage in all kinds of merchandise such as textile products and foodstuffs, particularly on Mondays and Thursdays, which are the main market days. Traditionally, it is the headquarters of the New Juaben Paramountcy where the paramount chief resides in the Yiadom Hwedie Palace, an architectural masterpiece as compared to the palaces of all the traditional areas in the region. The constituency, with a total land area of 43 square kilometres, is composed of 34 electoral areas whose accredited representatives (assembly members) usually jostle for development projects for their communities from the assemblys limited resources. Political history It was carved out from the parent New Juaben Constituency in 2004 due to an increase in population to enable the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area to cater for the needs of the people in the various electoral areas in the constituency. The constituency has been the stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) since 2000, with Michael Okyere Baafi being the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) while Isaac Appaw-Gyasi holds sway as the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for years. The only period the National Democratic Congress (NDC) occupied the seat in the Fourth Republic was between 1992 and 1996. For instance, in 1992 when the NPP boycotted the general election, the late David Sarpong Boateng, popularly known as D.S. Boateng, virtually had no challenger as he occupied the seat for four years. Since then, the NPP has been winning the seat with ease, dislodging not only the NDC but the other political parties as well. Yaw Barimah was the first NPP MP for the constituency and occupied the seat for three terms (1996-2004). He was followed by Beatrice Bernice Boateng (2008-2012), and Dr Mark Assibey Yeboah (2012-2020) while the current MP, Michael Okyere Baafi (2020) is lacing his boots to contest for a second term. Michael Okyere Baafi, the MP for New Juaben South, has distributed bicycles to some constituents At the 2020 NPP parliamentary primaries, Mr Baafi secured 372 votes to beat Dr Assibey Yeboah, who had 200 votes. Mr Baafi followed up with a resounding victory at the 2020 general election when he garnered 47,862 votes, representing 69.90 per cent, to beat Martin Otu Offei, who had 20,164 votes (29.45 per cent), while Adwoa Petra Penianah, who represented Ghana United Movement (GUM), had 447 votes (0.65 per cent). While Mr Baafi is ready for the 2024 general election, it is not certain whether Dr Assibey Yeboah will come into the fray again. In the meantime, no other person has come out openly to contest the incumbent. Should Mr Baafi come out victorious, he might face a stiff challenge from the NDC candidate, Dr Martin Otu Offei. But the obvious choice of the electorate will depend on the development agenda of the MP and the popularity of Dr Offei, who also contested the 2020 polls. Unlike other constituencies which have the MP and the MCE from different political parties as a result of which they have seen some development, the New Juaben South Constituency has the two top politicians coming from the same political party, the NPP. This has made it easy for the assembly to formulate and implement development programmes or projects, as well as poverty alleviation schemes for the people, especially the needy. Demographics/Dynamics Out of a population of 125,256, made up of 60,567 males and 64,689 females, 94,000 were eligible voters in respect of the 2020 general election. Almost the same number might again determine the person to represent them in Parliament when the country goes to the polls in December 2024. Although the constituency can be described as a safe seat for the NPP, the party is not leaving any stone unturned in its activities, especially the provision of social amenities, which some communities have benefited from. Some of the amenities are a market for the Zango community, which has also witnessed an improvement in its drainage system, the construction of a three-unit Kindergarten (KG) classroom block also in the same area, a six-unit classroom block for Ellen White Primary & JHS at Srodae, a two-unit classroom block for Nana Kwaku Boateng Basic School at Atekyem, and a two-unit KG classroom block for Trinity Presby School at Adweso. The rest are the rehabilitation centre and dormitory for the homeless, especially children at Nyamekrom, the warehouse, the Assembly complex, and footbridges across the constituency, all of which will be advantageous to the NPP, especially Mr Baafi. Mr Baafi has also boosted his chances with a presentation of 500 bicycles to pupils and students, as well as a scholarship package for 2,000 students in tertiary institutions. The MP, who recently visited some of the project sites, was optimistic about carrying the day come December 7, 2024. Similarly, the NDC is also making frantic efforts to make history by snatching the constituency seat from the NPP at the polls. In that respect, the NDC has been propagating its development programmes in all the communities to help achieve its goals. Development projects A new astro turf at Betom Methodist Basic School Generally, the constituency has since its creation in 2004 witnessed a lot of development projects in all the electoral areas. While some have been completed and handed over to the communities such as two AstroTurf pitches at Betom Methodist Basic School and the Sarkodie Basic School, others are at various stages of completion. There is also an asphalting overlay of some roads such as the Hospital Road, the B. Foster-Effiduase road, Old Estate main road, Marshal Lodge Road, Minyila Road, High Court Road, Zion School Road, Central Mosque Road, Kantudu Road, Zango selected roads and Ghana Commercial Road (GCR), among others. On education, the MP said he had done a lot to improve that sector with many initiatives in a special programme launched in 2022. He said through the programme, he donated 150 tablets and other Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment to some basic schools within the constituency. Apart from that, he has been organising special classes for third-year pupils of junior high schools (JHSs) to equip them to do well at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and be admitted into SHS. Michael Okyere Baafl MP, New Juaben South Mr Baafi also plans to assist 50 SHS science students who would come out with flying colours to pursue engineering programmes at the university. That, the MP explained, would make it possible for such high-calibre professionals to help in the development of the area. With regard to health, Mr Baafi said he had organised a series of blood donation exercises to encourage the people in the constituency to donate blood to reduce the shortage of blood at the Eastern Regional Hospital Blood Bank. That, he pointed out, would make the availability of blood at all times for patients who needed it to save their lives. Work on the asphalting overlay of roads in the constituency progressing steadily MCE speaks Isaac Appaw-Gyasi MCE for New Juaben South The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, Isaac Appaw-Gyasi, told the Daily Graphic that a lot of development projects had been accomplished and mentioned the Nsukwao Drainage Project, which had drastically reduced flooding in the constituency. Other projects which had also been completed were the assembly's new Administrative Block, the district court complex, the Zango Market, classroom blocks at Simpoamiensa, Nana Kwaku Boateng Basic Schools and Nyamekrom, among others. Mr Appaw-Gyasi said the assembly had constructed a new building to house the area's district court, as well as the Jackson Park Redevelopment Project to give the constituency a facelift. The MCE indicated that since the Koforidua Central Market was dear to his heart, being the busiest trading outpost in the constituency, his outfit, together with the MP, would reconstruct it to become a modern facility. However, residents in the constituency had divergent views about the rate of development in the area. Residents Jones Asare, who sells provisions near the Koforidua Polyclinic, was full of praise for the MP who, according to him, had generally done well within a relatively short period of less than three years. A trader at the Koforidua Central Market, Beatrice Opoku, said the market constructed many years ago did not have access lanes for fire engines during fire outbreaks. She, however, praised the MP for organising special classes for JHS final-year students to enable them to perform creditably. Mohammed Nuhu, a resident at Koforidua Zango, told the Daily Graphic that he was worried about the bad roads in the area, whose rehabilitation he said were long overdue. Taxes on sanitary pads unfair - Speaker of Parliament asserts Nana Konadu Agyeman Politics Jun - 23 - 2023 , 08:14 The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has expressed strong abhorrence at the imposition of taxes on sanitary pads in the country. He described the passage of laws by Parliament to impose the tax on sanitary pads as unconscionable and a cardinal sin. This House should not have allowed it at all; you know the impact of that law on human resource development and the development of this country is immeasurable, he observed. Some of the taxes on sanitary pads are the 12.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) and 20 per cent import duty. Questionable legislature Addressing Parliament yesterday, Mr Bagbin said: Why should we pass a law imposing tax on sanitary pads? We have to take immediate action to prevent whoever is the minister and is proposing it to take it off, he said. Petition The Speaker expressed those sentiments to members of the House when he informed the House of a petition he had received from civil society and non-profit organisations who called themselves the Socialist Movement of Ghana who had picketed the premises of Parliament yesterday. He subsequently suspended sitting for 10 minutes to go and receive the petition from the group whose members, clad in red attire and armbands, carried placards emphasising the need to suspend taxes on sanitary pads. Some of the placards read: You cannot tax my period, We are already bleeding. Dont tax our period, Dont consider sanitary pads as luxury products and It is unfair and discriminatory to tax bleeding young girls. Self-imposed restrictions Prior to going to meeting the protesters, the Speaker said since the impact of tax on sanitary pads had immeasurable impact, the next budget statement must not contain any tax on sanitary pads. Sounding very emotional, Mr Bagbin said: Please, I take a very serious view of this matter. He particularly expressed the worry over the manner in which Parliament had imposed what he called some restrictions on itself. The Speaker said per the concept of Ghanas democracy, the option that Ghanaians had chosen, which was captured in the 1992 Constitution, the Executive was not more powerful than Parliament. "But this is self-imposed; we have just handed over all our powers to exactly what the Supreme Court said recently. We gave our authority to the Executive to be imposing restrictions during the COVID-19 era. I said it on the floor that it was wrong for Parliament to legislate and give its responsibility and hand it over on a silver platter to the Executive. The Supreme Court has ruled, saying that was unconstitutional, Mr Bagbin averred. Scrap taxes The spokesperson for the movement, Ama Pratt, said the imposition of the two taxes had caused a significant increase in prices. She said that had made sanitary pads expensive for many women and girls who made up 51 per cent of Ghanas population, adding that we are responsible for recreation and our period is first of recreation. Taxing sanitary pads at birth is unconscionable and this is something that should not happen, Ms Pratt said. Look at the girl-child who is struggling with food, water and trying to get a schoolbag and uniforms, and on top of that what she used to buy for GH5, you put an impediment in the way of the girl-child, is unacceptable, she stressed. Ms Pratt, therefore, urged the government to scrap the taxes on sanitary pads to make life more comfortable for women and girls. Dont remove taxes While women groups and other CSOs push for the removal of taxes on sanitary pads, private sector bodies such as the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has cautioned the government against implementing a policy that would remove taxes on imported sanitary pads, while disregarding local manufacturers. The association said such a measure would have severe negative consequences for the economy. It is the case of the AGI that it would inevitably lead to the demise of the remaining local sanitary pad factories. In a statement signed by the Chief Executive Office of the AGI, Seth Twum-Akwaboah, the association said the call for the removal of duties on imported sanitary pads was misplaced. Manufacturers petition In another petition to the government, local manufacturers of hygienic sanitary pads rather requested the exemption of imported raw materials from VAT and import duty. They argued that such tax reliefs would result in more affordable sanitary pads for approximately 70 per cent of young women in impoverished communities. Mahama urges Nigerians to support anti-corruption crusade Kweku Zurek Politics Jun - 23 - 2023 , 07:35 Former President John Dramani Mahama has urged Nigerians to lend their support to the government's efforts in promoting transparency and combating corruption across all sectors of the economy. Mr. Mahama made this appeal during his address at the 53rd Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers held in Ilorin, Nigeria on Thursday. Emphasizing the importance of addressing corruption, Mr. Mahama asserted that it must be confronted whether it permeates the public or private sector, as it directly affects the nation's welfare. He highlighted that corruption thrives when the institutions responsible for combating it fail to function effectively. Furthermore, Mr. Mahama expressed his belief that individuals who endorse contracts leading to substandard infrastructure contribute to the economic deterioration. He urged stakeholders in Nigeria and Africa as a whole to unite and defeat corruption in all its forms. Additionally, he advocated for the implementation of asset declaration mechanisms as a means to combat corruption. Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Governor of Kwara, Mr. Kayode Alabi, acknowledged corruption as a pervasive issue that hampers growth and development. Mr. Alabi encouraged estate surveyors to collaborate with government entities at all levels to bolster their operations and contribute to the fight against corruption. Earlier, President JohnBull Amayevbo of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers underscored the serious impact of corruption on economic progress and national development. He pledged the institution's commitment to collaborating with government agencies in order to minimize corruption. The conference, themed "Asset Valuation As A Global Anti-Corruption Tool: The Nigeria Experience," is aimed at exploring methods by which asset valuation can serve as an effective tool in combating corruption both in Nigeria and on a global scale. Supreme Court grants Quayson 7 extra days to file review Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Politics Jun - 23 - 2023 , 06:52 The Supreme Court has given James Gyakye Quayson seven extra days to file a review against the courts decision to declare as unconstitutional his election as Member of Parliament (MP) of Assin North. The court, presided over by a single justice, Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, granted the additional days following a motion of extension of time filed by Mr Quayson. At todays hearing, even before counsel for Mr Quayson, Tsatsu Tsikata, moved the motion, Justice Gaewu indicated that he intended to grant the motion for extension of time, having already read the motion, its affidavit in support and the affidavit in opposition. As a result, Mr Tsikata just moved the motion without reiterating the submissions in the affidavit in support The presiding judge, therefore, asked counsel for the respondent, Frank Davies, if he had any new submission, other than the one canvassed in the affidavit in opposition that could convince him not to grant the motion. Mr Davies answered in the negative and stated that since Justice Gaewu had already made up his mind it would be very difficult to convince him again. Consequently, Justice Gaewu granted an extension of seven days for Mr Quayson to file the review. Immediately Justice Gaewu granted the extension, Mr Tsikata submitted that his client had requested for an extension of one month in the motion but Justice Gaewu insisted that the extension was for seven days. Motion Per the Supreme Court Rules, 1996 (C.I 16), a party is entitled to file a review of the apex courts decision within one month after the date of that decision. A party can however file a motion for extension of time and if the court finds merit in the application, grant extra days for the filing of the review. The judgment declaring the election of Mr Quayson as unconstitutional was delivered by the Supreme Court on May 17 this year, but the full reasoning was made available by the court on June 5, 2023. In his application for extension of time filed on June 2, 2023, Mr Quayson submitted that he prayed that he intended to file a review challenging the judgment but he could only do so with the full reasoning behind the decision. He therefore prayed the court to grant him a one-month extension calculated from the time the full reasoning of the judgment would be made available. That in the interest of justice, I pray that this court would extend the time for the filing of an application for review to one month from when the full judgment is made available to the applicant or his lawyers, the motion averred. In his affidavit in opposition, the respondent, Michael Ankomah-Nimfah, who filed the case leading to the decision by the court, urged the apex court not to grant the extension of time. It was his contention that even after the release of the full reasoning on June 5, 2023, the applicant had enough time to have filed the review before the deadline of June 17. Unconstitutional act On May 17, 2023 a seven-member of the court held that the whole process leading to the election of Mr Quayson - filling of nomination forms, election itself and swearing-in, were all in violation of Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution, which bars a person with dual citizenship from contesting as an MP. It was the considered view of the court, as at the time Mr Quayson filed his nomination forms in October 2020 to contest for the Assin -North seat, he had not renounced his Canadian citizenship and therefore was not qualified per Article 94(2)(a) of the Constitution. In view of that the court further held that the Electoral Commission (EC) also violated Article 94(2) (a) of the Constitution when it permitted Mr Quayson to contest the election. Upon the true and proper interpretation of Article 94(2) (a) the decision of the second defendant [Electoral Commission] to permit the first defendant [James Gyakye Quayson] to contest the parliamentary election of Assin North when the first defendant had not shown evidence of the cancellation of his citizenship of Canada is an act which is inconsistent with and violates Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution , the court held. Hyundai Motor Company is testing the performance capabilities of its IONIQ 5 NN brands first high-performance, all-electric modelat the Nurburgring racing circuit in Germany in preparation for the vehicles world premiere in July. For IONIQ 5 N, Hyundai Motor has fused its Electrified-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) with Ns motorsport-bred technologies and expertise to maximize the EVs high performance capabilities and ensure it meets Ns three pillars of N performance: Corner Rascal, Racetrack Capability and Everyday Sportscar. To achieve this, Hyundai Motor combined the strengths of Namyang R&D Center located in South Korea and its European Test Center at the Nurburgring, which is an extension of Hyundais European R&D center in Russelsheim, Germany, where the brands European design and engineering teams have been based since 2003. By having a full-time presence at the track, Hyundais N team of engineers are able to evaluate and develop the durability and driving dynamics of its vehicles more effectively and more often. IONIQ 5 N just completed its 10,000 km durability test on the Nordschleife, which is an important milestone that proves the vehicles high endurance and racetrack capability. And yet, we just began our second 10,000 km test to push IONIQ 5 N's limits. Till Wartenberg, Vice President and Head of N Brand & Motorsport at Hyundai Motor Company Hyundai N brand has long used the Nurburgring Nordschleife (North Loop) track to validate motorsport-bred technologies on N brand vehicles and IONIQ 5 N is no exception despite the technical challenges unique for EVs. Extracting maximum performance from an EV requires strict discipline on heat management compared to cars with internal combustion engines (ICE) and that requires advanced software implementation. This means each hardware upgrade is further reinforced by advanced software-based performance enhancements. IONIQ 5 Ns heat management through cooling is given particular care as EVs are more challenging to cool than their ICE predecessors. An enlarged cooling area with N-specific efficient radiator packaging, enhanced motor oil cooler and battery chiller complete the hardware enhancements similar to ICE vehicles. These hardware cooling techniques are further reinforced by new heat management solutions, such as N Battery Preconditioning and N Race. N Battery Preconditioning pre-sets the temperature of the battery cells to their most power efficient temperature. The battery preconditioning function is split into two modes: Drag mode and Track mode to accompany different performance driving scenarios. In Drag mode, the optimum temperature is set for immediate use of maximum power, while in Track mode, the lowest possible battery temperature is optimized for increased number of laps. N Race gives drivers more direct control on the cars energy usage, prioritizing Sprint or Endurance driving. Sprint is the default state of IONIQ 5 N prioritizing full power on demand for the driver. Endurance is a setting that maximizes IONIQ 5 Ns range on the racetrack. This is achieved by limiting sudden power spikes that slows temperature build-up and increases endurance. N Battery Preconditioning and N Race are a direct result of N brands motorsport-derived approach. This helps drivers to strategize energy consumption in order to maximize performance or longevity. While this type of setting change would normally require a team of mechanics and equipment, IONIQ 5 N offers it at the convenience of a few button presses. Regenerative braking. Regenerative braking from the motors provide primary braking force with hydraulic brakes providing additional braking force if necessary. Hyundai N engineers designed this regenerative braking system especially for IONIQ 5 N, offering up to a maximum of 0.6 G decelerative force through regenerative braking alone. Regenerative braking remains engaged even under ABS activation with a maximum of 0.2 G decelerative force. IONIQ 5 Ns hydraulic brakes are enhanced with larger 400-mm diameter discs, featuring new lightweight material and optimized airflow for cooling. They reduced dependency on disc brakes increases the longevity compared to ICE vehicles. The seamless blending between the regenerative and hydraulic brakes creates an imperceptible transition to the driver. IONIQ 5 N will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, marking Hyundai Ns first participation at this iconic event. A dedicated Hyundai N stand will host IONIQ 5 Ns world premiere announcement on 13 July as well as other activities designed to engage the public. In addition, multiple N vehicles, including the hydrogen-powered N Vision 74 will participate on the iconic hill climb. New vehicles are becoming more problematic, evidenced by the number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) rising a record 30 PP100 during the past two years. According to the newly released J.D. Power 2023 US Initial Quality Study (IQS), the rise in problems is 12 PP100 greater than in 2022, which follows an increase of 18 PP100 in 2022 from 2021. In 2023, the industry average is 192 PP100. A lower score reflects higher vehicle quality. The continuing decline in quality can be attributed to multiple factors such as greater usage and penetration of technology; continued integration of known problematic audio systems into other new models; poor sounding horns; cupholders that dont serve their purpose; and new models with 11 PP100 more than carryover models. The automotive industry is facing a wide range of quality problems, a phenomenon not seen in the 37-year history of the IQS The industry is at a major crossroad and the path each manufacturer chooses is paramount for its future. From persistent problems carrying over from years past to an increase in new types of problems, todays new vehicles are more complexoffering new and exciting technologybut not always satisfying owners. Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power The US Initial Quality Study, now in its 37th year, is based this year on responses from 93,380 purchasers and lessees of new 2023 model-year vehicles who were surveyed early in the ownership period. The study is based on a 223-question battery organized into nine vehicle categories: infotainment; features, controls and displays; exterior; driving assistance; interior; powertrain; seats; driving experience; and climate. The study is designed to provide manufacturers with information to facilitate the identification of problems and to drive product improvement. The study was fielded from February through May 2023. While problems with driving experience are flat year over year, quality declines in all other categories. The largest year-over-year increase in the number of problems is in the features, controls and displays category (+3.2 PP100), followed by infotainment (+2.3 PP100). Following are key findings of the 2023 study: Basic door handles are increasingly problematic: Opening a door was once a non-discussion pointan aspect of a vehicle that had been examined, engineered and mastered. The basic touch point of door handles is now a percolating problem area as manufacturers attempt to redesign them. Owners are having issues with high-tech approaches to this basic function; seven of the 10 most problematic models in this area are battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Safety systems causing problems: More than three-fourths (80%) of owners say their new vehicle includes all four of the primary driver assistance features: forward collision warning; lane keeping assistance; lane departure warning; and blind spot warning. However, problems owners encounter in the driver assistance category have increased 1.8 PP100 year over year. The most problematic areas are lane departure warning/lane keeping assistance (7.2 PP100) and forward collision warning/automatic emergency braking (5.0 PP100) for those that have these features. Owners increasingly happier with apps: Manufacturer smartphone apps improve 0.4 PP100 this year as the market penetration rate grows to 76%. BEV owners in particular use their app at least 68% of the time, primarily to monitor the charging process and to view their vehicles available range. The higher usage and unique BEV use cases translate to more problems experienced using the app in comparison to those with an internal combustion engine vehicle. Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS) issues: A 21.5 PP100 gap exists between vehicles that have an Android Automotive OS without Google Automotive Services (51.1 PP100) and those vehicles that dont have this system (29.6 PP100). This is only for the operating system for in-vehicle infotainment, not for the smartphone mirroring systems of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Smartphone charging becomes most deteriorated problem: Across all 223 problems measured in the study, wireless charging pad not working properly has increased by a sizable 1.1 PP100 and is driven by both increased penetration and more usability issues with the technology. Users are experiencing several problems, including poor location; phone overheating; and intermittent charging, if at all. Biggest movers and shakers: Brands that show the largest year-over-year improvement are Maserati (73 PP100 improvement), Alfa Romeo (68 PP100 improvement) and Ram (45 PP100 improvement). Unofficially ranked automakers fill bottom spots: Tesla Motors, with 257 PP100, increases 31 PP100 year over year, while Polestar (313 PP100) improves 15 PP100 year over year. Lucid Motors (340 PP100) and Rivian Motors (282 PP100) are included in the industry calculations for the first time but have too small a sample size to be award eligible. These automakers are not officially ranked amongst other brands in the study as they do not meet ranking criteria. Unlike other manufacturers, they do not grant J.D. Power permission to survey its owners in states where authorization is required. Nonetheless, a score was calculated based on a sample of surveys from owners in the other states. Highest-Ranking Brands and Models. Dodge is the highest-ranking brand overall in initial quality with a score of 140 PP100. Among mass market brands, Ram (141 PP100) ranks second and Buick (162 PP100) ranks third. Among premium brands, Alfa Romeo ranks highest with a score of 143 PP100. Porsche (167 PP100) ranks second and Cadillac (170 PP100) ranks third. The parent corporation receiving the most model-level awards is General Motors Company (seven awards), followed by Hyundai Motor Group (five) and Toyota Motor Corporation (four). Among brands, Chevrolet and Kia receive the most segment awards (four). General Motors Company models that rank highest in their respective segments are Buick Encore GX, Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Tahoe. Hyundai Motor Group models that rank highest in their respective segments are Genesis G80, Kia Carnival, Kia Forte, Kia Rio and Kia Stinger. Toyota Motor Corporation models that rank highest in their respective segments are Lexus GX, Lexus IS, Toyota Camry and Toyota 4Runner. Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has the highest-ranking model overall, the Nissan Maxima with 106 PP100, and the Nissan Murano ranks highest in its respective segment. Plant Quality Awards. Toyota Motor Corporations Tahara Lexus, Japan, plant, which manufactures the Lexus IS, Lexus LS and Lexus NX, receives the Platinum Plant Quality Award. Plant quality awards are based solely on defects and malfunctions and exclude design-related problems. General Motors Companys plant in San Luis, Potosi, Mexico, which produces the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, receives the Gold Plant Quality Award for North/South America. BMW AGs plant in Born, Netherlands, which produces the MINI Cooper and MINI Countryman, receives the Gold Plant Quality Award for Europe and Africa. Green River Police Department reports for June 13 At 8:51 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Hitching Post Drive and Shoshone Avenue and issued the driver a verbal warning for an alleged registration violation. At 8:52 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop and issued the driver written warnings for alleged speeding and taillights/license plate light required violation. At 11:31 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Hitching Post Drive and Shoshone Avenue and issued the driver a verbal warning for an alleged tail light violation. At 11:51 a.m., officers responded to the area of Pennsylvania Boulevard and Rhode Island Place for a report of a juvenile riding a dirtbike on the street. Officers made contact with the driver and issued a verbal warning. At 12:46 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and issued a verbal warning for an alleged stop sign violation. At 1:50 p.m., officers responded to the cemetery for a report of property damage. Officers observed a bench that appeared to have been struck by a vehicle. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. At 3 p.m., officers responded to a report of domestic violence. Officers met with the individuals involved in an altercation and subsequently placed Anthony Greene, of Green River, under arrest for alleged domestic battery. Officers transported Greene to the Sweetwater County Detention Center and completed a report of the incident. At 3:03 p.m., officers responded to a report of found property. Officers met with an individual who reported an abandoned bicycle in the alleyway behind 24 E Flaming Gorge Way. Officers collected the black and pink Schwinn bicycle for safekeeping and completed a report of the incident. At 6:06 p.m., officers responded to an agency assist with EMS. The individual was transported and officers completed a report of the incident. At 10:44 p.m., officers responded to Smiths at 905 Bridger Drive for a report of a larceny. Officers met with staff who reported that an individual took items without paying for them. Officers gathered information and responded to the suspected individuals residence, but no contact could be made. Officers completed a report of the incident, which is still under investigation. June 14 At 8:53 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of E 2nd Street and issued a verbal warning for an alleged brake light violation. At 10:28 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of E Flaming Gorge Way and issued a verbal warning for an alleged tail light violation. At 2:20 p.m., officers responded to a residence on Wind River Drive for a nuisance complaint. Officers met with an individual who reported a nuisance smell. Officers gathered information and completed an incident report. At 5:55 p.m., officers responded to Keith Street for a report of a nuisance trailer. Officers observed a motorhome that was in violation, contacted the owner, issued a notice to abate, and completed an incident report. At 10:34 p.m., officers responded to the area of E Teton Boulevard for a report of a suspicious individual. Officers met with individuals that were involved in a dispute, gathered information, and completed a report of the incident. At 11:09 p.m., officers responded to a residence on Adams Street for a report of loud music causing a disturbance. Officers made contact at the residence, issued a verbal warning, and completed a report of the incident. June 15 At 5:08 p.m., officers responded to the Embassy Tavern at 77 E Railroad Avenue for a report of a subject removal request. Officers met with the subject who had already left the bar, gathered information, and completed a report of the incident. June 16 At 2:38 p.m., officers responded to a residence on Log Cabin Lane for a report of vandalism. Officers met with an individual who reported their vehicle had been egged. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. At 2:48 p.m., officers responded to a residence on Log Cabin Lane for a report of theft. Officers met with an individual who reported their vehicle registration stickers had been taken off of their vehicle. Officers gathered information and completed a report of the incident. At 4:01 p.m., officers while on patrol observed an individual known to officers to have an outstanding warrant. Officers made contact with the individual; confirmed the warrant; placed Matthew Mazurkiewicz, of Green River, under arrest; and transported Mazurkiewicz to the Sweetwater County Detention Center. At 6:06 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of W Teton Boulevard and issued the driver a written warning for alleged stop and turn signals violation. At 8:49 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of W Teton Boulevard and issued the driver a verbal warning for an alleged stop lamp violation and expired registration. At 9:03 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Commerce Drive and issued the driver a verbal warning for alleged improper registration. June 17 At 9:57 a.m., officers responded to the area of W 3 N Street for a report of a two-vehicle collision. It was reported one vehicle reversed across the parking lot in an easterly direction and backed into a second vehicle, which was parked in a parking spot facing southeast. At 12:36 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Astle Avenue and issued a verbal warning for a registration violation. At 4:20 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of E Teton Boulevard and issued the driver, Devon Canfield, of Green River, citations for alleged expired temporary license permit/improper registration and compulsory auto insurance, and a written warning for speed. At 5:43 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and issued the driver a written warning for alleged speed. At 10:37 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Uinta Drive and issued the driver a verbal warning for an alleged tail light violation. June 18 At 2:22 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Upland Way and issued the driver a written warning for an alleged brake lights violation. At 11:55 a.m., officers responded to a report of theft. Officers met with an individual who reported that cash was missing from a purse and a wallet after a gathering in their residence. Officers met with several individuals, gathered information, and completed an incident report. At 5:39 p.m., officers responded to a report of theft. Officers met with an individual who reported that cash was missing from a dresser after a gathering in their residence. Officers gathered information and completed an incident report. At 6:17 p.m., officers responded to a report of a deer being shot at with a BB gun. Officers met with the reporting party and the suspect, gathered information, advised Game and Fish, and completed an incident report. At 9:45 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of E Flaming Gorge Way and issued a juvenile, age 16, of Green River, a citation for alleged speed. At 9:53 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Shoshone Avenue and issued the driver a warning for an alleged headlight violation. At 10:14 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of Monroe Avenue and issued a written warning for alleged speed. Riverside Nursery will have a bouncy house available during the "Party in the Park" event, like this bouncy house the nursery used during a past event. When it was announced that this year's Flaming Gorge Days was canceled, many people's first reaction was disappointment. But for some, the disappointment was quickly replaced by determination. Local business owners got together, reached out, and found ways to quickly organize multiple events for June 23 and 24 to give the community options of fun things to do in place of Flaming Gorge Days. The biggest events are taking place in Ever's Park and Downtown Green River with the "Party in the Park" and the "Not so FGDs Block Party" and "Summer Slam." Party in the Park The "Party in the Park" was organized by Alishae Blazich and Tori Thompson. Blazich, the owner of A.B. Designs Custom Signs and Decor, had already been planning to do an event in the parking lot of her store during the weekend, so when she and Thompson heard about the cancelation, they just decided to expand. "As soon as they canceled Flaming Gorge Days, we thought 'well, heck, the park's open, let's go see if we can get a permit for it,'" Blazich said. The permit was approved quickly, so the two started reaching out to vendors who had originally planned to be part of Flaming Gorge Days, figuring it would be a good way for them to not lose out on the money they'd hoped to make over the weekend. She figured they might get up to 20 vendors who wanted to join, but underestimated the way the vendors would keep reaching out to each other. "We just kind of put it out there that anybody who wants to join us could let us know and we could make arrangements," Blazich explained. "Then it just kind of snowballed after that, and we're up to 70 vendors." While she never expected so many people to join the event, Blazich is excited to give small businesses and vendors a chance to promote themselves and to give the community a chance for some family-friendly fun. The event will feature multiple food vendors as well as things like face painting, permanent jewelry, semi-permanent tattoos, tarot card readers, woodworking, homemade crafts, and more. There will be live music as well as a DJ. Riverside Nursery will also be helping out and will have bouncy houses available at the nursery. Blazich is also organizing even more family-friendly games and activities, including a bike parade that families and kids are encouraged to participate in by decorating their bikes or wearing costumes. Downtown Block Party and Summer Slam Another business that already had plans for Flaming Gorge Days weekend and didn't want to miss out was the Embassy Tavern. "Usually we are the afterparty," Mehgan Thomas, a bartender at the Embassy, explained. "I already had the bands booked, so we didn't want the bands to go to waste, and we still wanted people to come down here and still enjoy." As soon as they heard Flaming Gorge Days had been canceled, the Embassy and other businesses along "Bar Row," including the Town Bar and the Ponderosa, came together and started brainstorming what else they could do. The "Not so FGDs Block Party" will offer kid activities including bouncy houses and sumo wrestling with inflatable body suits, as well as food and treat vendors. There will be a cornhole tournament and music bingo starting a 5 p.m. on Friday, and ZamTrip will start playing at 9 p.m. On Saturday there will be a horseshoe tournament with sign up starting at 9 a.m., and Saturday evening Tyler Wilkinson will be DJing at 5 p.m. with Atlas Falls performing at 9 p.m. In conjunction with the Block Party, other downtown businesses will be hosting a "Summer Slam" at the same time. Red White Buffalo, the Tomahawk Tavern, Stellar Coffee and Twisted Timber Apparel are working together to offer even more options downtown on Saturday, including a whiskey tasting event and even more food, drinks, vendors and bouncy houses. Coming together When it came to pulling together and getting events planned in a matter of weeks, everyone behind the weekend's celebrations had the same motivation. "We want some fun things to do," Thomas said. "Everybody does." Thomas pointed out that it's not just Green River residents, but also people who come from Rock Springs, Lyman, and other places to enjoy Flaming Gorge Days every year. And when events don't happen, she hears about how disappointed people are. Blazich also heard many people, including vendors, expressing their disappointment and frustration when Flaming Gorge Days was canceled. "I've witnessed the emotionality over it," she said. She added that while there has been negativity, there has also been people pulling together, defending each other, and helping out, which has been inspiring. "The mutual respect between all of us has been a big deal," Blazich said. When it comes to the way people work to make things happen even in the face of setbacks, Thomas believes it shows a lot about Green River. "It shows our community's strong and we will all come together," she said. The "Party in the Park," "Not so FGDs Block Party," and "Summer Slam" events will all start at 10 a.m. both Friday and Saturday. Diva and Coco were wild mustangs adopted after being on display at the Visitors Center in 2021. Two new wild horses will be on display this summer. The Green River Visitors Center has a couple representatives from Wyoming's wild horse herds living on site this summer. The two horses are part of an annual summer tradition at the center, which houses wild horses during peak tourism months to give visitors a chance to glimpse the animals as they pass through the city. The center has two geldings on display from the Wyoming Honor Farm. The two are from herds found in central Wyoming. Both were captured with their mothers as part of a population control program in the herd management areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management. They were captured in the autumn of 2020 and, after they were weaned from their mothers, were taken to the honor farm for training. According to Janet Hartford, the volunteer who works with the chamber and BLM, the bay gelding is the friendliest of the two, often approaching people to have its head petted and neck scratched. "He's a really nice little horse," she said. The second horse, a brown gelding, is also very gentle, Hartford said. She hopes the two will be adopted by the end of the summer through the BLM's wild horse adoption program. With the training they've received at the honor farm and given their temperament, Hartford believes they will make excellent horses for someone. If they're adopted before Sept. 1, Hartford has requested they stay at the visitors center until then so they can be viewed. While the horses are gentle, they can get "mouthy" as Hartford describes it and may bite. There isn't signage on the fencing around their corral, but people are asked to keep their hands away from the horses' mouths and to stay outside of the corral. They're also asked not to feed the horses anything. Hartford said people often want to pick up clumps of grass to feed the horses, but fail to realize the grasses near the visitors center are treated with pesticides or fertilizer and may harm the animals. Also, feeding the horses may result in a person's fingers getting bitten as the horses eat what they're offered. Starting in July, Hartford will be at the visitors center working with the horses each Wednesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. During those times, Hartford plans to demonstrate how trainable the horses are and hand out prizes to visitors. She's also seeking suggestions about how to reach more people. Finally, there is a naming contest for the two horses. People can submit their suggestions to the visitors center or through Hartford's Facebook page. The horses' names will be chosen in early August. Commissioners approve conditional use permit for extra sewage storage tanks Since the original septic system failed and the county commissioners didn't approve a proposed system that would put treated effluent into the river, Love's Travel Stop has been finding solutions to handle their sewage until they can be part of the new Jamestown sewer system. During Tuesday's meeting, the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners approved a conditional use permit for Love's Travel Center and Truck Stop to add two additional sewage holding tanks to the tanks that are currently in use. Land Use Director Eric Bingham presented the new conditional use permit to the commissioners, explaining that it was not the same as the conditional use permit that failed to be approved last November. That permit proposed using an activated sludge wastewater treatment system and putting the treated effluent sludge into the Green River. Residents expressed concerns over this plan, and the permit failed for lack of a motion. Bingham explained that the new conditional use permit is "substantially different," which is why it was presented to the commissioners. "The purpose of today's hearing," Bingham explained, "is to bring them in compliance with the Department of Environmental Quality." Since the first septic system failed, Love's has been handling their sewage by hauling it to the Green River sewage treatment facility. The travel stop currently has two large tanks on site that are used to store sewage before it can be hauled, according to Bingham, but the conditional use permit would add two additional tanks. The application summary for the conditional use permit explained: "The sanitary sewage will be routed to four 21,000 gallon holding frac tanks, sized to hold the seven day rolling average volume. These holding tanks will be pumped out on a daily basis and hauled to the Green River Public Works Facility for proper disposal until Love's is connected to a sanitary sewer trunk line connected to the City." The conditional use permit was designed by working with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to bring the Love's system into compliance with the department's regulations. The two additional tanks will essentially be used as back up, but will allow for the requirement of being able to hold up to seven days of sewage. The conditional use permit will also make improvements to the site according to DEQ requirements. Bingham also pointed out that this is a temporary solution. One of the conditions Planning and Zoning recommended for the permit stipulates that Love's will connect to a public sewer line when it is available, at which point the hauling of sewage will cease. "The sixth cent penny was approved. This is the public sewer line that's going out to Jamestown that was a part of that, and that's what Love's is waiting for," Bingham said. "They would prefer to be on public sewer." Until the sewer line is ready to go, Love's will continue using the tanks to store sewage before hauling it away. Bingham noted that the storage tanks are emptied daily and are not the same as sewage holding ponds after a public comment expressed concern about allowing Love's to have sewage holding ponds. "I just want to reiterate that they are hauling it to Green River's Wastewater Treatment Facility," Chairman Keaton West added. "There was concern that they were dumping it in the river and that's certainly not the case." CHEYENNE (WNE) On Thursday, Gov. Mark Gordon provided testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources regarding the Bureau of Land Managements Conservation and Landscape Health proposed rule and in favor of a bill to withdraw that rule. According to the BLM, the proposed Public Lands Rule, announced in late March, would provide tools for it to: . Restore critical wildlife habitat and clean water . Protect healthy public lands in the face of increasing drought, wildfire and climate impacts . Ensure responsible development backed by science and data. Making Wyomings case that the proposed rule oversteps the federal agencys authority while undermining the important role that states play in developing management plans for public lands, Gordon testified: Let me say, my administration values the relationships we have with Wyoming BLM staff, which is why it seems so boneheaded to spurn valuable, on-the-ground stakeholder knowledge and the ability to work with local partners to craft a useful way forward. Wildlife management is the responsibility and squarely within the authority and purview of the states not the federal government. Following the testimony of Gordon and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, BLM Principal Deputy Director Nada Wolff Culver testified that the BLM is extending public comment for an additional 15 days. Ken Keifer's photograph of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River is on a new stamp issued June 13, 2023. CANYON VILLAGE - Photographer Kenneth Keifer nearly missed both shots. But persistence paid off and serendipity kissed the Mooresville, Indiana resident, enabling him to get stunning photographs of two landmark waterfalls. His pictures of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park and Harrison Wright Falls in Ricketts Glen State Park, Pennsylvania, appear on two new U.S. Postal Service stamps. Sixteen years ago, Keifer visited Yellowstone bent on capturing the Lower Falls from Artist's Point only to be stymied. Maintenance work had closed the classic vantage on the south rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Keifer could only shoot from the north side. Nevertheless, he went out one morning and found a rainbow in the fall's mist. Despite the controls landscape photographers use in constructing an image - shutter speed, depth of field, composition - "someone else is in charge of the lighting," Keifer said at a Tuesday ceremony in Yellowstone marking his stamps' first day of issue. Keifer almost never got to Harrison Wright Falls to make his long-exposure photograph that renders the drop as a gossamer veil in the other stamp. On a trail to a series of cascades in the Pennsylvania park and wary of the waning daylight, he considered skipping the side-trip to Harrison Wright. "Just one more," he told himself, and turned off the main trail. The clean dozen Keifer's images are among 12 that grace the waterfalls stamp collection. There are about a dozen different types of waterfalls, Michael Elston, secretary of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service, said at the ceremony. Those include the plunge, cascade, fan and cataract. Each also creates one of nature's symphonies, Elston said. The Lower Falls, a cataract, drops 308 feet - farther than Niagara Falls. Sixty-three thousand gallons of water pour over its brink of erosion-resistant welded tuff every second. The spectacle inspired landscape artist Thomas Moran, who painted his 7-foot by 12-foot oil-on-canvas drama "Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone." The painting was instrumental in convincing Congress to establish Yellowstone as a national park in 1872. The Lower Falls is part of the course of the longest undammed river in the U.S. said Carol Quinn, a park ranger. There are close to 300 falls in Yellowstone, according to one count. All are part of 2,500 miles of running water in the park, a liquid ecosystem that includes some 600 water bodies, Quinn said. The puddles, pools and ponds slake the thirst of every species in the park and provide water downstream to the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean. Last summer Yellowstone's water got out of hand, flooding northern sections of the park, ripping out roads and forcing authorities to evacuate the reserve. Park crews and their partners ushered 12,000 visitors safely out of Yellowstone a year ago, Park Superintendent Cam Sholly said. Within eight days, the southern part of Yellowstone reopened. Most of the rest became accessible again in 20 days. Even though the usual routes were cut off, "we still needed to get mail to people," Sholly said as he awarded the Superintendent's Medallion for exemplary service and support to Yellowstone Postmaster Floyd Wagoner in recognition of last year's work. Whether you get your letters delivered by a Newman or a Clifford C. Clavin, Jr., there's something reassuring about seeing a letter carrier making the appointed rounds. Following a disaster, it's "the first sign of normalcy," Secretary Elston said. Lower Falls "Who hasn't felt vertigo when mesmerized at the brink of a waterfall?" asked Len Carlman, a self-described river rat and conservationist who led the first-day-of-issue ceremonies at Canyon Village on Tuesday. He called the brink of the Lower Falls "one of the great spots on the face of the Earth." Yet at the bottom of the cataract there's a fairy-scape of mist - "frothy water and champagne bubbles," he said. He quoted Yellowstone's first civilian superintendent Nathaniel P. Langford, who was awed at the sight of the Lower Falls. "I realized my own littleness," Langford wrote, "my helplessness, my dread exposure to destruction, my inability to cope with or even comprehend the mighty architecture of nature." "These stamps and these waterfalls make our lives better," Carlman said. Philatelists can find photos and descriptions of the other stamps in a news release at the USPS website. WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy. Peggy Jo Peterson Burns, 87, passed away Thursday, June 15, 2023 at her home in Rock Springs, Wyoming. She was a resident of Rock Springs for 45 years and former resident of Salt Lake City, Utah. She was born March 26. 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah; the daughter of Andrew S. Peterson and Margaret B. Bennington. Mrs. Burns attended schools in Salt Lake City, Utah. She married Samuel E. Burns Jr. June 12, 1953 in Salt Lake City, Utah and they later divorced. They remained friends throughout their lives. She worked for Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County for 20 plus years as a Food Service Worker until her retirement in 2001. She also worked at Broadway Bargains. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends; sewing; camping; arts and crafts; thrift shopping and yard sales. Survivors include her son, Matthew E. Burns of Salt Lake City, Utah; one bonus son, Steve Barerra and wife Janice of Green River, Wyoming and several nieces and nephews; She is preceded in death by her parents; ex husband, Samuel E. Burns Jr .; one son Robert A. Burns; companion, Jess Barrera; four brothers, Ned Baker; Wilfred Baker; Peter Peterson and Harry A. "Bud" Peterson. Cremation will take place; A Celebration of Life will be conducted at a later date. Condolences may be left at http://www.vasefuenralhomes.com. Apple has been looking to launch its payment feature called Apple Pay in India for some time now but it hasn't successfully negotiated the terms with local authorities. Well, according to people familiar with the matter, the company is again in talks with the local regulatory bodies, specifically, the NPCI - a special division of India's central bank Reserve Bank of India. Currently, all payment methods in the country work atop of the UPI, which is a popular payment method in South Asian markets. Walmart's PhonePe, Google's GPay and Paytm are all compliant with UPI and work in India. Reportedly, Tim Cook met with Indian authorities to negotiate a localized version of Apple Pay - customers to be able to scan QR codes and initiate UPI transactions without using third-party apps. Apple also wants users to confirm UPI transactions using the Face ID feature. But don't hold your breath. From what we could gather, Apple hasn't entered negotiations with local partners (banks) and the Indian market is pretty low on the priority list for the company. About 90% of the mobile devices run Android, so the country is a tiny market for Apple Pay. Via Sony will keep making smartphones for multiple years to come, Qualcomm reveals Sony has been making some incredibly intriguing smartphones lately, but it hasn't been selling very many of them. Naturally, that may make you wonder whether the Japanese electronics giant would just, at some point, decide to cut its losses and exit the smartphone business altogether, following in the footsteps of the likes of LG and HTC. The answer is no. Sony will keep making Android smartphones for multiple years to come. The revelation comes from a rather unlikely source - Qualcomm. Sony Xperia 1 V The chip maker has announced in a new press release today that it has extended its collaboration with Sony for Snapdragon platforms powering the Japanese company's future smartphones. This is a "multi-year" deal, and it covers premium, high-end, and mid-tier devices. So it looks very likely that Sony will continue its existing ranges just as they are, since there's no mention of "low-end" we assume it isn't going to be expanding into that highly competitive market. Sony and Qualcomm's "joint efforts will focus on the integration of Qualcomm Technologies advanced Snapdragon mobile platforms into Sonys future smartphone lines, providing users with enhanced functionality, higher performance, and more immersive user experiences", the press release states. Tsutomu Hamaguchi, the head of Sony's mobile communications business unit, said: Xperia 1 V which is Sonys latest flagship smartphone powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform has been very well received by customers. We look forward to continuing our work with Qualcomm Technologies to deliver premium and compelling experiences on future smartphones powered by Snapdragon processors. We are always listening to our customers in order to develop cutting-edge technology that meets and exceeds their expectations, and we trust that Qualcomm Technologies will help us continue to drive the industry forward. Source The destructive nature of Typhoon Mawar has damaged many facilities and houses across Guam. However, amidst the chaos and devastation, a group of determined individuals emerged, showcasing resilience and unwavering commitment to their health care education and careers. The University of Guams Certified Nursing Assistant Program, consisting of 19 students, found itself in a difficult situation as the typhoon struck. With only five lecture sessions remaining, UOG lost power and water, halting the students ability to complete their program. However, according to a press release from the University of Guam, Marissa Anderson, Clinical Nurse Practitioner and Educator heading the CNA program at UOG, reached out to Christine Tuquero, Guam Memorial Hospital nursing administrator, to explore possible solutions for the students. According to the press release, GMH agreed to provide one of its meeting rooms for the CNA programs remaining class sessions. This collaboration gave the 19 students the ability to finish the remaining five lecture sessions. Once the students complete their lectures, they will receive hands-on training at the skilled nursing unit facility in Barrigada Heights. Even though storm recovery was placed as a priority for many Guam residents, Dr. Kathryn Wood, interim Dean of the School of Health at UOG, did not expect all 19 students to continue their classes. According to the press releases, out of the 19 students, two of them had lost their homes from the typhoon. Among the two, Arniela Dimabuyus story stands out as an example of unwavering determination. Despite losing her home in the typhoon, Dimabuyu remained determined to complete the CNA program and gain valuable health care experience. My family is going through a lot, but I didnt want that to stop me finishing the CNA program especially since I started off strong, said Dimabuyu in a press release. Dimabuyus ultimate goal is to become a registered nurse. In another collaborative effort between UOG and GMH, according to the press release, five recent nursing program graduates have secured employment through the Graduate Nurse working Permit. This permit enables graduates to begin working immediately while awaiting licensure exams and the credentialing process through the Guam board of Nurse Examiners. However according to the press release, this process usually takes months. But GMH can utilize the working permit in the event of staff shortages. It usually takes a few months, so that is a very quick turnaround. I sent the memo one day, and GMH Hospital Administrator Lillian Posadas and Nursing Services Administrator Christine Tuquero sent a memo forward and boom. Its done! said Wood in the press release. With the commencement of the academic school year 2023-2024 approaching, the Guam Department of Education is actively seeking qualified individuals to fill several vacancies by hosting a job fair. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, GDOE hosted a job fair at John F. Kennedy High School in the hopes of acquiring individuals to fill teacher, counselor, and school librarian positions for academic school year 2023-2024. We have all the principals from all the different schools around the island, together with our HR team and the various departments, to interview teachers, said Katherine Ada, Personnel Services Administrator for GDOE. According to Ada, many have already sent in their applications before coming to the job fair, but it is still open to anyone who wants to apply on the spot. During the fair, the GDOEs Human Resources Division, along with school administrators and teams, conducted interviews to assess potential candidates for the various openings. This interactive process allows the applicants to showcase their skills, qualifications, and passion for education. I think its great to come to the event because you can meet directly with the different principals and administrators of each school and you can ask them questions, said Ada. The job fair presents an excellent opportunity for aspiring educators and professionals in the field to join GDOE and contribute to the islands educational landscape. Vyela Cervera, from Dededo, attended the job fair and was being interviewed for an elementary teacher position in one of the many schools on island that have vacancies. Cervera had applied before the day of the job fair and shared how the application process was for her. Its been really tough because of the typhoon but so far everyone has been so accommodating with the process, and its been really easy, said Cervera. Jobert Petree, from Yigo, was another applicant waiting to be interviewed at the job fair. Petree just graduated from the University of Guam back in May and decided to begin his journey as a teacher. Believe it or not but I wanted to be a chef first or a cook, but I realized that it would take away time from my family and stuff and I thought teaching was a nice middle ground, said Petree. Petree graduated with a secondary education degree in social studies and is hoping to fill in a position at Simon Sanchez high school. Job seekers interested in exploring employment opportunities within GDOE are encouraged to visit the human resources page, where job announcements for the available positions can be found. These announcements provide essential information regarding job requirements, qualifications and application procedures. For further information or inquiries, interested individuals are advised to contact GDOEs Human Resources Division or visit the official website for updates and additional information. As issues continue to be addressed in the recovery from Typhoon Mawar, the Guam Legislature is now holding its first regular session since May 1. Speaker Therese Terlaje sent out her Second Notice of a Call to Session. The session will take place June 27 at 9 a.m. in the Speaker Antonio R. Unpingco Legislative Session Hall in the Guam Congress Building. The delay was due to the recovery from Typhoon Mawar. Regular session was initially scheduled for May 23. Four emergency sessions have been called and held since then. The published session agenda includes legislative concurrence for the following: Nomination of Honorable Elizabeth Barrett-Anderson to serve as a Member of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Commission Nomination of Jason W. Baza to serve as a Member of the Guam Banking and Insurance Board Nomination of Steven R. Hollister to serve as a Member of the Guam Environmental Protection Agency Board of Directors Nomination of David J. John to serve as a Member of the Guam Economic Development Authority Board of Directors Nomination of Yolanda M. Padrones to serve as a Member of the Guam Community College Board of Trustees Nomination of Donald I. Weakley, Sr. to serve as a Member of the A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority Board of Directors Nomination of Alexandria Sandy Gould Yow to serve as a Member of the Guam Real Estate Commission Board of Directors All committees who will be reporting for the nominations have recommended to confirm each of their prospects. The second reading file consists of the following bills: Bill No. 20-37 (COR), which intends to lift the federal ban under PRWORA as a collateral sanction against Guam residents Bill No. 36-37 (COR), which intends to create Critical Procurement Contracts Bill No. 42-37 (COR), which will require that every public school or charter school has at least one automated external defibrillator Bill No. 44-37 (COR), which will enhance the Safe Schools Facilities Act of 2023 Bill No. 62-37 (COR), which could allow private, religious schools to be eligible to convert to an Academy Charter School Bill No. 73-37 (LS), which intends to expand access to opioid antagonists Bill No. 82-37 (LS), which intends to amend the definition of a US veteran and update verification documents Bill No. 94-37 (COR), which indicates new information for the financing and leaseback for the renovation of Simon Sanchez High School Bill No. 101-37 (COR), which provides specific standards on the burning of fossil fuel Additional information about each bill can be found at https://guamlegislature.com/index/bills/. The placement of bills, resolutions and appointments on the session agenda will be pursuant to the 37th Guam Legislatures standing rules. Haiti - FLASH : Justice orders the arrest and imprisonment of former Senate Presidents, Youri Latortue and Joseph Lambert The investigating judge Marthel Jean-Claude in his closing order, in the context of the investigation file of the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) concerning the postion of coordinator of the departmental office of Senator Youri Latortue, attributed to his 81-year-old mother Carmen Immacula Cantave (with a monthly salary of 350,000 Gourdes) in a contract approved by him (in 2017) while he was President of the Upper House compromising his impartiality and objectivity; retained in its order the indictment of the former Senator for "embezzlement of public property and illegal taking of interest" and his referral to a criminal court. Regarding the former President of the Senate Joseph Lambert, he is charged with obstruction of justice, for having notably refused to hand over (when he was President of the Senate) documents to the investigators of the ULCC, including the contract in which 9 checks were were issued to Latortue's mother, of which 8 (more than 2.5 million Gourdes) were cashed into the account of his colleague Youri. For this, Me Marthel Jean-Claude orders his referral to a criminal court. Another order of Judge Marthel Jean-Claude concerning the 2 ex-Senators, enjoins the competent authorities "[...] We order that they be taken from the body and imprisoned in the Civil Prison of Port-au-Prince for acts of embezzlement of public property, unlawful taking of interests and obstruction of justice [...]" Reacting to this news, former Senator Yoruri Latortue said "Judge Marthels Order has not yet been served on us to date; although some sectors already seem to have an intimate knowledge of it... We are therefore waiting to read it before commenting. Remember that the relentlessness against us no longer surprises anyone." SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - France : The PM met with the President of Brazil Lula Thursday, June 22, 2023, as part of the summit "For a new global financial pact" which is being held on June 22 and 23, in Paris (France), Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry (73 years old) met with the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (77) who was accompanied by several members of his Government, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira and his adviser Celso Amorim. The discussions took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Prime Minister Henry gave an update on the current situation and asked for Brazil's support in terms of security and sustainable development. President Lula has promised to speak about the case of Haiti in all the international meetings in which he will participate in order to sensitize the international community to the urgency of helping Haiti. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39826-haiti-france-pm-henry-invited-by-president-emmanuel-macron.html HL/ HaitiLibre Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up New Ad-free Subscriber Login Email Password Password Username Subscribe to our daily NewsLetter Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password or receive our NewsLetter. Stay logged in Lost password Contact Published on 2023/06/23 There are millions of K-pop fans across the world. And most of them are college students. This genre became popular in the United States because of its unique integration with pop music which is different from American pop. The music speaks volumes about the change of generational culture in Korea, and music composition and reflects other genres such as hip-hop, dance, R&B, classical, jazz, disco, and rock. I am going to share with you a brief history of K-pop and why it's so popular among college students in different parts of the world. Defining K-pop Advertisement Korean popular music also known as K-pop is one of the leading genres of music in our modern world. It originated from South Korea. And it contains a wide range of musical influences such as jazz, hip-hop, rock, and electronic dance. It is usually performed by groups or bands having four to twenty-one members. To become a K-pop star, you have to train together with your team for many hours and develop skills such as dance choreography until you are ready to entertain your fans live. As a college student, you should read K-pop essays by WritingBros to know more about this genre. There are a lot of free essay examples for students that will help them understand the essay writing process and achieve their academic goals. The History of K-pop Musical experts report that kpop was born in 1987. This was the year that South Korea had many political changes that led to its democratization. As a response to the rapid rise of cultural influences from the West in the early '90s, musicians started merging key elements of rock, rap, and jazz with Korean music. Here's how this popular music genre has evolved over the years: A track released by Seo Taiji and the Boys - Seo Taiji and the Boys released a track that led to the emergence of K-pop back in the early 90s. It topped the music charts in Korea for nearly seventeen weeks. The sound of the band blended with contemporary pop. The group had a huge following and inspired other musical groups to create similar sounds. and the Boys - and the Boys released a track that led to the emergence of K-pop back in the early 90s. It topped the music charts in Korea for nearly seventeen weeks. The sound of the band blended with contemporary pop. The group had a huge following and inspired other musical groups to create similar sounds. K-pop boom in the late 90s - Due to the success of Seo Taiji and the Boys, a lot of music agencies started recruiting a lot of young performers with the potential for training to meet the demand for this amazing talent. The model used to train these young performers was similar to that of Japanese pop. And this led to the creation of famous bands such as Baby Vox, H.O.T., SECHSKIES, and Fin.K.L to name a few. and the Boys, a lot of music agencies started recruiting a lot of young performers with the potential for training to meet the demand for this amazing talent. The model used to train these young performers was similar to that of Japanese pop. And this led to the creation of famous bands such as Baby Vox, H.O.T., SECHSKIES, and Fin.K.L to name a few. K-pop becomes an international genre - K-pop continued growing rapidly in the 2000s thanks to popular bands such as BIGBANG. In the last decade, the genre has become quite popular in Western nations due to the success of Bangtan Boys - a boy band that started performing in 2010. The group performed at the American Music Awards for the first time and managed to recruit millions of viewers from the West. Since then, the band has been charting internationally, selling out tours, breaking records, and releasing English singles that have topped the Billboard charts. Why is K-pop popular among college students? K-pop fans have millions of fans from different parts of the world. Thanks to technological advancements, it's easier for fans to access their favorite tracks like never before. Here are some of the reasons why K-pop is popular among college students: Good-looking costumes - Some of the elements that attract college students to this popular genre include good-looking costumes, energetic concerts, and expensive production. They artistically present their music, interact with a wide range of set elements and dance unapologetically. Narration - In most instances, K-pop artists narrate interesting stories in their music videos. These stories are easy to understand and resonate with listeners. And this usually encourages fans to keep listening to the tracks. Narration is quite appealing to a wide range of audience because it is humorous. Amazing dance moves - One of the key elements of Korean music is epic dance moves. The performers usually spend a lot of time and energy training to achieve the desired results before releasing a video to their audience. Training usually involves singing, dancing, and presenting. Conclusion K-pop is a popular genre from Korea that utilizes lots of influences and sounds. It has catchy hooks, beats, and dancing instrumentals and involves lots of rapping. As a college student, it's always important to set some time aside for relaxing and listening to your favorite tracks. There are a lot of great K-pop tracks that you can find in the digital space. If you are interested in pursuing a musical career, don't procrastinate. Now is the time to start to achieve your goals quickly. Don't hesitate to get help from the professionals whenever you need it. Author's Bio: Jana Mitchell is a talented content creator, academic editor, and writer. She reads educational materials during the week and shares key information with college students to help them understand difficult concepts. She is passionate about traveling and listening to music. __ Photo by Josh Sorenson (HedgeCo.Net) The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged William K. Ichioka, of New York, New York, with fraudulently raising $25 million from individual investors primarily in California and Oregon by making false claims about his investing success and promising large anticipated returns but instead using investor funds for gambling and to enrich himself. Ichioka has agreed to resolve the charges against him. According to the SECs complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, from at least June 2019 to October 2021, Ichioka solicited investments for his unregistered investment fund, Ichioka Ventures, by claiming he was an accomplished investor, promising oversized returns, and guaranteeing investors principal. In reality though, as the complaint alleges, Ichioka was unable to pay investors the promised returns and used money from new investors to repay other investors. Also, as alleged in the complaint, Ichioka falsified a bank statement and other documents to create an appearance of success. Finally, according to the complaint, Ichioka also misappropriated millions of investors funds for personal use, such as on luxury watches, cars, gambling, and a penthouse apartment. As we allege in our complaint, Ichioka lured investors by falsely stating that he was a self-made multimillionaire investor able to generate significant investment returns, but the real story was that Ichioka stole investor funds to enrich himself, said Monique C. Winkler, Director of the SECs San Francisco Regional Office. This case highlights the SECs commitment to holding bad actors accountable and protecting the integrity of our markets. The SECs complaint charges Ichioka with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws. Ichioka has agreed to the entry of a partial final judgment, subject to court approval, imposing requested permanent and conduct-based injunctions as well as an officer and director bar, and reserving issues of disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and a civil penalty for further determination by the court. In parallel actions, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California (USAO) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today also announced charges against Ichioka Invasive species, such as giant hogweed and giant knotweed, can grow to significant sizes and quickly dominate their surrounding environment. Funding has been allocated to 16 projects aimed at combating invasive species in Finland. The total amount of funding available is approximately 60,000 euros. The grant application was specifically targeted towards efforts to control invasive species and cover associated costs. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry aims to enhance the control of harmful invasive species by directing financial support towards initiatives tackling this issue. A total of 17 applications were received for the nationwide grant opportunity focused on invasive species control. The application process and funding decisions were overseen by the Kainuu Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre), which coordinates invasive species management tasks across the country. Applications for funding were submitted by municipalities, cities, associations, and organizations. Grants were awarded specifically to cover the costs associated with control efforts, without requiring any co-financing from the recipients. Supported projects for invasive species control will be launched throughout Finland. The initiatives will take place in various locations, including Sotkamo, Sastamala, Janakkala, Keuruu, Helsinki, Nokia, Ilomantsi, Oulu, Ahtari, Loppi, Hattula, Lohja, Raasepori, Kirkkonummi, Vihti, and Laukaa. The target species for control measures include lupin, Himalayan balsam, American mink, raccoon dog, dog rose, giant hogweed, and Spanish slug. The funded projects will focus on combating species that have been designated as harmful, either on the national or EU list of invasive species. Additionally, these projects are required to implement a management plan specifically designed for the targeted invasive species. The emphasis of the funded projects lies on practical work, particularly on conservation areas, recreational areas, their immediate surroundings, as well as coastal and archipelago environments. In the majority of supported projects, young people will also be actively involved in the efforts to control invasive species. Controlling invasive species benefits the entire community by facilitating the restoration of native species in the treated areas. Environments where native plants thrive contribute to biodiversity, provide enjoyment for residents, and make the area more attractive overall. Efforts to combat invasive species are crucial for preserving the ecological balance and the natural beauty of Finland's landscapes. By investing in these projects, the government is taking a proactive approach to protect the country's unique flora and fauna for future generations. HT Minister of Economic Affairs Vilhelm Junnila (PS) on Thursday issued an apology over his remarks in the run-up to last springs parliamentary elections and a speech he delivered at a nationalist event in Turku in 2019, report YLE and Helsingin Sanomat . TWO DAYS is all it took for a cabinet member to come under criticism for suspected fascist sympathies following the swearing-in of the government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) on Tuesday. Firstly, congratulations for a great candidate number. I know its a winning ticket. This of course refers to two letter Hs, but we wont discuss that any further, he reportedly said last spring to a party comrade who had been assigned the candidate number 88 at a Finns Party event in Raisio, Southwest Finland. Junnila had the same number in the 2019 parliamentary elections. Over the years, Ive made fun in a way that in hindsight feels silly and childish. Ive acted wrongly, and I regret my actions, he wrote on Facebook on Thursday. He has also come under criticism for a speech he delivered at an event called 188 Kukkavirta, which was organised by an alliance of nationalist organisations in Turku, Southwest Finland, in 2019. The event, often described as a protest march, is organised annually on the anniversary of the terror attack that took place in the city on 18 August 2017. Hundreds of people were in attendance. I gave a speech at the event. It was an event honouring the memory of the attacks victims, not a protest or a political event, he recounted yesterday, adding that he would no longer take part in such an event. Members of the Nordic Resistance Movement (NRM) were involved around the event according to media reports. NRM has since been banned, and its a good thing that it was. He also underscored that he is not a member of any nationalist organisations. NRM and other similar organisations, he stated, must not be allowed to gain a foothold in Finland. Societal debate is necessary. Sometimes mistakes happen. Thats precisely what happened to me. I regret it, and Ill learn from it, assured Junnila. The Supreme Court of Finland ordered NRM to dissolve in the second half of 2020, after determining that some of its actions directly violated the criminal code and that its objectives threatened the foundations of democratic society as defined in the constitution. Junnila stated on YLE Ykkosaamu only a couple of days earlier that he did not see a problem in elected lawmakers participating in an event that is linked to a far-right organisation. I dont see any problems in this regard. I could just as well go to a centrist agricultural fair to give a speech if I was invited, he commented in an interview with YLE Ykkosaamu. Aleksi Teivainen HT The European Union has taken a firm stance against Russia by introducing its 11th package of sanctions, which includes a prohibition on trailers and semi-trailers with Russian license plates operating within EU territory. This latest move aims to further disrupt commercial road traffic transport and prevent circumvention of existing sanctions. In addition to the trailer ban, the EU has expanded the restrictions on transit through Russia for certain goods, reinforcing its commitment to enforce sanctions effectively. Effective from midnight on June 24, 2023, the new sanctions package strictly forbids trailers and semi-trailers bearing Russian license plates from operating within the EU. This prohibition extends to trailers towed by trucks registered outside of Russia. It is important to note that the entry of trucks with Russian license plates was already banned a year ago in April, and this latest measure intensifies the restrictions imposed on Russian transport vehicles. Finnish Customs, tasked with implementing the ban, will take immediate action upon its enforcement. Any trailers or semi-trailers found with Russian license plates within the EU territory will be promptly turned back to Russia. Finnish Customs estimates that currently around 40% of trailers and semi-trailers involved in commercial road transports across the eastern border are registered in Russia. This move is expected to significantly disrupt transport operations and demonstrate the EU's determination to curtail Russian influence. In addition to the trailer ban, the EU has also broadened the scope of sanctions to prevent circumvention by imposing stricter restrictions on transit through Russia to third countries. The aim is to hinder the transportation of goods subject to sanctions, whether they are destined for Russia directly or via intermediary countries. The expansion of the transit ban encompasses high-technology products, aviation and space industry items, aviation fuels, dual-use products, firearms, and ammunition. The European Union, through its customs authorities, including Finnish Customs, has intensified efforts to identify and combat attempts at sanctions circumvention. Collaboration with customs authorities in other outer border states of the EU has been established to ensure a more efficient and comprehensive sanctions control system. By including new product groups in the transit ban, the EU hopes to enhance the effectiveness of its sanctions regime and close potential loopholes. The EU's latest sanctions package not only focuses on road transport but also extends to other sectors. The export of passenger cars, camper vans, and off-road vehicles with engines over 1.9 liters is now strictly prohibited without any value limit. Hybrid and electric cars are also included in the export ban. Furthermore, the sanctions encompass a broader range of products, such as various machinery, equipment for measurement and observation, cameras, optical equipment, and heavy traffic tires. Finnish Customs estimates that these new sanctions will impact exports to Russia, which currently amount to an average of 1.5 million euros per month. Moreover, the EU has expanded sanctions concerning sea traffic, particularly regarding loading and port arrivals and exits. These measures aim to reinforce control over goods entering and leaving EU ports, ensuring compliance with sanctions regulations and preventing unauthorized trade activities. With the implementation of its 11th package of sanctions, the European Union has tightened the screws on Russia, intensifying restrictions on trailers with Russian license plates operating within the EU territory. By taking this step, the EU aims to disrupt commercial road transport and prevent sanctions circumvention. These measures, combined with expanded restrictions on transit and the broader scope of export sanctions, demonstrate the EU's unwavering commitment to enforcing sanctions and maintaining pressure on Russia. The strengthened control over sea traffic further reinforces the EU's determination to curb unauthorized trade activities. HT Laurel Park embarks on six-year road improvement program Laurel Park Town Council member George Banta addresses residents concerns about the towns 2023-2024 budget ahead of Tuesdays vote. Laurel Parks Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approved a $7.38 million budget that will fund a large paving project in town that council members said was long overdue. We should be ahead of the curve by 2029, Mayor Carey OCain told a room full of Laurel Park residents who came to Town Hall for the morning meeting. Our roads will be back in acceptable shape by 2029. Immediately after the vote to approve the budget, the council again voted unanimously to award Tarheel Paving $1,160,738.95 to pave the roads in Laurel Park. Although the budget lowers the tax rate to 39.5 cents per $100 of property valuation 4 cents lower than the current rate the new levy is 8.5 cents above the revenue neutral rate of 31. This years countywide reappraisal of property values raised real property values countywide by an average of 48 percent. The 2023-2024 budget is 22 percent higher than the towns current budget of $6 million and reflects the towns commitment to improving the roads it maintains. The budget the council approved Tuesday carries forward the towns streets project from 2023. The budget includes $1,672,720 for roadwork in Laurel Park and will be funded through previous appropriations, 6 cents of the property tax rate and $200,000 from the towns reserves, according to Town Manager Alex Carmichael. Carmichael said after the meeting that after the initial amount awarded to Tarheel Paving on Tuesday for the paving project, more of the $1,672,720 set aside for roads will go toward other roads the town identifies as needing to be repaved. The spending plan also appropriates $742,565 in American Rescue Plan money that the town has not yet used, funding culvert and stormwater infrastructure repair. Fire protection in Laurel Park will also cost more in the coming year even though Valley Hill Fire and Rescue is to be funded at a lower rate of 9 cents of the proposed 39.5 cents tax rate. Under the current budget, 10 cents of the tax rate fund the towns fire protection contract with Valley Hill. Tuesdays vote came after a few of the about 15 Laurel Park residents who attended the meeting asked the council to reconsider the budget and cut how much the town is setting aside for roads. Council members said the 2023-2024 budget amounts to three years of budgeting for roads combined into one years budget. Our $1.6 million is three years of paving rolled into one, council member George Banta said. We get the biggest bang for our buck for doing it. Council members also noted that the they began working on the budget in January and February but only began hearing concerns from residents about the plan shortly before Tuesdays vote. Please come earlier, council member Paul Hansen said. Auten named director of student services Shannon Auten, the current principal of Innovative High School, will serve as the school system's director of student services, filling Auten the position vacated by Matthew Gruebmeyer, who he is retiring after 26 years with the public schools. Auten's promotion to the central office role was approved by the School Board last week. We are excited to have Mrs. Auten join our Instructional Services team and enhance our efforts to provide comprehensive support to all HCPS students, said Dr. Shannon Marlowe, HCPS Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services. The last few years have been challenging for our schools, and Mr. Gruebmeyer has worked diligently to build the Student Services Department to meet student and school needs. He is handing over to Mrs. Auten a robust program that I am confident she will continue to grow and refine. In her role, Auten will oversee attendance support activities, dropout prevention, foster student support, McKinney-Vento/homeless education, safety assessment and support, school counseling, school social work, and more. HCPS values the partnerships among students, families, educators, administrators, school counselors, school nurses, social workers, and many community partners. To that end, the Henderson County Student Services Program supports and helps students to do and be their best in school. I am honored to have been selected for this important role, said Auten. I believe that every student deserves to have the opportunity to reach their full potential, and I look forward to collaborating closely with our staff, students, and families to work toward that goal. Auten joined HCPS as a school counselor in 2006 at West Henderson High School. In 2011, she was named Assistant Principal. From 2016 to 2020, she served as Principal. Since 2020, Auten has served as Principal of both the Henderson County Early College and Henderson County Career Academy in the Innovative High Schools building on the campus of Blue Ridge Community College. She was named the 2022-2023 HCPS Principal of the Year. Shannon Auten personifies what it means to be a student centered educator, said Mark R. Garrett, HCPS Superintendent. As a school leader, she has prioritized positive relationships and a personalized approach as the means to student and school success. Her counseling background and experience as a highly successful principal makes her the ideal person to grow an already successful program. We are excited about the future of Student Services knowing that Ms. Auten is leading the charge. Auten obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications, with minors in chinese and business from Villanova University. She holds a masters degrees in school counseling and in school administration from Western Carolina University. Brevard wins $24.6 million grant to fund Ecusta Trail The city of Brevard received a $24.6 million grant to pay for construction of the Ecusta Trail, one of seven RAISE grants U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis announced Thursday. The grant to Brevard was by far the largest of the seven grants for the state totaling $65 million, more than double the next highest award, $12 million to the city of Charlotte. The RAISE program it stands for Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity is a discretionary grant program that was part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that Tillis helped negotiate and pass into law. Im proud to have worked on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that is delivering billions of dollars to build and fix North Carolinas roads, highways and bridges, the senator said in a statement. These RAISE grants are a big win for North Carolina, as the transportation projects will enhance the safety and connectivity of transportation systems in communities across the state. The Brevard grant will support construction of the 19-mile Hendersonville-to-Brevard greenway and fund the repair or replacement of around 11 former railroad trestles for bicycle and pedestrian use. Mills River adopts budget Donald Renshaw, who sells wood products at the Mills River Farm Market, speaks in favor moving the market to a shed on property the town is buying. Mills Rivers Town Council on Thursday adopted a 2023-2024 budget that lowers its tax rate by two cents whle eliminating hiring plans and cutting other expenses. Council voted 3-2 to adopt the $9,145,905 budget after Mayor pro tem Randy Austin made a motion to set the towns take rate at 17 cents per $100 of property valuation. Austins motion also specified that the budget would not include money for a fulltime deputy tax collector. Councilmembers Sandra Goode and James Cantrell joined Austin in voting in favor of the motion. Mayor Shanon Gonce and councilman Jeff Young voted against the motion. Goode said she supported lowering the tax rate from the current rate of 19 cents to 17 cents because the town council should do all it can to keep taxes low for residents. But Gonce and Young said the tax rate needed to be higher to fund investments the town is making in buying property and funding important needs in the town. Im with Jeff, Gonce said of his opposition to the 17-cent tax rate. I would be at 19 cents just so in two or three years I dont have to jack it back up. Property values in Mills River increased by almost 34 percent after the 2023 reappraisal that saw values increase by an average of 48 percent countywide. Earlier this month, the council voted to instruct Town Manager Daniel Cobb to lower the towns tax rate by beginning with the revenue neutral rate of 15.2 cents per $100 of property valuation and then increasing the rate only enough to include money to make payments on land Mills River recently bought and to pay for salary increases for town employees. The budget Cobb presented to council in May reduced the tax rate from 19 cents per $100 of property valuation to 18 cents. The recommended one cent decrease was the result of the part of the rate going to Mills River Fire and Rescue going from 11 cents to 10 cents. The portion of the tax rate going to fund town operations remained at the current rate of 8 cents. Cobb on Thursday presented council with the option to decrease the tax rate to 16.94 cents or to 17 cents. The reduced tax rate means the town will not hire a fulltime deputy tax collector or fill positions in its parks department. The budget adopted Thursday will also likely delay plans to move the Mills River Farm Market to a shed on property the town is buying. A group of people supporting the market filled the councils meeting room Thursday and several spoke in favor of the town making enough improvements on the shed to allow the market to operate in it by May 2024. Donald Renshaw, who sells wood products at the market, said he would be willing to volunteer his time to working on the shed as soon as the current market season is finished. Im more than willing to offer my time and it wont cost you a dime, he said. Karen Rose, who sells eggs at the market, said town should work to move the market to the shed in the coming year. Be a forward-thinking town council and get the community involved, she said. Get people and families involved in cleanup and painting, get kids involved in community service. Dont just let it sit. We need it. Overall, the budget Cobb recommended in May was $3.7 million higher than the towns current adjusted budget of $5.74 million. It should be noted that while year-over-year this budget represents over an 80 percent increase in total expenditures, the operating budget is a mere 7 percent over the amended FY23 budget, Cobb said in his budget message to the council. The majority of the increase is due to one-time capital expenditures. The budget, he added, reflects three major milestones the largest land purchase the town has ever made, appropriation of the last of the towns American Rescue Plan grant and the 2023 countywide revaluation, which has provided for a significant increase in revenue for the town. These additional funds cover the cost of land acquisition and help offset the operational needs of the organization. The budget proposed in May included $3.36 for capital projects $2 million of which is covered by American Rescue Plan money and $6.2 million for operations. Of the $2 million in ARP funds, $1.5 million would go toward the $2 million the town is spending to buy 68 acres adjacent to the town hall, currently a dairy owned by Bradley Johnston. The remaining $500,000 will come from the towns reserves. The budget the town approved Thursday includes $3.15 million for capital investments-including the $2 million in ARP funds- and sets the operating budget at $5.99 million Gurugram (Haryana) [India], June 22: Indias leading Krishi-drone manufacturer, IoTechWorld Avigation Pvt. Ltd., has set an ambitious sales target of more than 3,000 drones in the current financial year 202324, which is 6-fold growth as against last fiscal year's 500 sales numbers. To achieve this ambitious target, IoTechWorld Avigation plans to expand its presence in current and newer geographies and is looking to further strengthen its network of dealers. IoTech is currently present in states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan and Bihar among others. Company is looking for strong Dealers in all states of India. We are eyeing 6-fold growth this year, which we believe is very achievable considering the impetus and response the Krishi-drone is eliciting from various stakeholders. In-fact, several people have evinced interest to tap this agri-tech space and we are evaluating their profiles. We are also inviting more dealers and will soon sign formal agreements with dealers who will be aligned with our vision, said Mr Deepak Bhardwaj & Mr Anoop Upadhyay, Co-founder & Director. We have received overwhelming response for our Krishi -drones from farmers and people and organizations working in the agriculture space and we are more than confident of registering our target growth in the current financial year. We are excited about our plans and believe that they will strengthen IoTechWorld's position in the Krishi-drone market in India. The company remains committed to providing high-quality krishi-drones and excellent customer service to its valued customers as well as job opportunities for rural youths, said Mr. Anoop Upadhyay. On pricing of the aerial bots (drones), Mr. Deepak Bhardwaj said that IoTechWorld's Krishi-drones are already competitively priced, and rates are expected to reduce further with increase in sales volume and usage of more local components in the Krishi-drones. Soon, IoTechWorld's drones will have more than 70 percent local components. He also said that the Government of India and companies like IFFCO has introduced Nano fertilizers in the country. IoTechWorld wants to play a major role in implementation of these fertilizers in India as combination of Nano fertilizers and Krishi-Drones will save Time, cost, soil quality and will give better results and Yield to farmers. In addition to it, the company is doing associations across India with educational institutions to provide remote pilot training to young entrepreneurs and students. At present, the company has collaboration with several universities and other institutions for Remote Pilot Training Organizations (RPTOs). The newly opened RPTOs have been operationalized in Haryana, Rajasthan and Bihar, while 2 more RPTOs are likely to get functional next month. RPTOs have an annual capacity to train 360 budding drone pilots per location annually, whereas the company has helped train 400+ pilots to date. After sales service being one of the crucial parts of the company's vision, IoTechWorld is working parallel to expand the service centre network. By having more service centres, the company can respond to customers' needs faster and reduce downtime for repairs or maintenance. IoTechWorld has recently opened a new service centre for Krishi -drone in Pune, Maharashtra. AGRIBOT is Indias 1st drone to obtain DGCA Type Certificate (TC). Last month the company had unveiled plans to expand its product line with the launch of a new type of Krishi-drone. The company has already showcased the new model in many forums. 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. Following the footsteps of CBSE, CISCE has also just uploaded their Class 10 Specimen Papers for 2023-24 session, with some pattern changes as per NEP-2020. The new specimen papers for each subject are uploaded just a few days after Gerry Arathoon announced the introduction of critical thinking and application of concepts type questions. Below are the main subject papers for direct download: CISCE has interestingly not provided a circular for this yet but their specimen papers section now has the above papers for 2024 uploaded on their official website. Also, a resource book has been provided in accordance with these latest specimen papers of CISCE by Educart for each subject for students and teachers to get going with these new pattern practice and be ready for the higher difficulty level assessment. Major changes are seen in Science subjects where Case-based, Statement combination and Indirect questions are introduced that were normally never asked before. In Maths, assertion reason is introduced for the first time. New type of Questions added in Specimen Papers 2024 One teacher at a prominent ICSE school in Ghaziabad says, these specimen papers have come at the right time as we are just picking up pace. Such questions will encourage us to focus more on conceptual teaching in classrooms. The provided ICSE resource material books of Educart have also come at a very opportune time for students and us to have access to more of such new pattern questions. Detailed solutions given as well in this Educart resource book is a big plus for students. Total number of questions, choices and sections have remained the same though. The goal with these changes is to enable students to move a bit from rote-learning & memorisation of facts towards development of conceptual understanding. Link to the resource book on the new pattern 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. US authorities are looking into what representations Adani Group made to its American investors following a scathing short sellers report that accused the company of using offshore companies to secretly manipulate its share prices. Adani Groups troubles began when Hindenburg on Jan. 24 released a report accusing the conglomerate of using a network of offshore companies in tax havens to embellish share prices and financial results(REUTERS) The US Attorneys Office in Brooklyn, New York, has sent inquiries in recent months to institutional investors with large holdings in the India conglomerate, one person familiar with the inquiries said. The requests for information were focused on what Adani Group told those investors, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the probe isnt public. The Securities and Exchange Commission also has a similar probe underway, two other people said. ALSO READ: Bloomberg Opinion: Why doesnt Adani disclose potential conflicts? Requests for information from US prosecutors dont necessarily mean that criminal or civil proceedings will be filed as law enforcement agencies often open inquiries that dont lead to action. The interest from US authorities adds to the intense scrutiny of Adani Group, one of Indias biggest conglomerates, following short seller Hindenburg Researchs report accusing it of long-running stock manipulation and accounting fraud. The group, led by billionaire Gautam Adani, already faces regulatory probes in its home country. News of the inquiries emerged as President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House. Both Adani and Modi hail from the western Indian state of Gujarat, and the tycoons meteoric growth mirrors Modis own political journey to Indias top elected office. All 10 Adani Group stocks dropped in early Mumbai trading on Friday, with flagship Adani Enterprises Ltd. sliding as much as 5%. A spokesperson for Adani Group said it was not aware of any subpoenas to investors. Our various issuers groups remain confident that the disclosures are full and complete as disclosed in the relevant issuer offering circulars, the spokesperson said. The group has denied the short sellers accusations. Spokespeople for the Eastern District of New York US Attorneys Office and SEC declined to comment. Hindenburg Report Adani Groups troubles began when Hindenburg on Jan. 24 released a report accusing the conglomerate of using a network of offshore companies in tax havens to embellish share prices and financial results. The report also alleged that the group had flouted disclosure and shareholding laws. Adani Group rejected the accusations and said in a lengthy rebuttal that Hindenburgs report was nothing short of a calculated securities fraud. Still, a steep share price decline followed that at one point wiped as much as $153 billion off the combined market value of Adani Groups 10 publicly traded businesses. Some investors divested quickly. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut Adani Group stocks from its ESG funds in the weeks following the report. Other institutional money managers, like BlackRock Inc. and and the fund management unit of Deutsche Bank AG, stayed put. In the months following the report, GQG Partners LLC had spent about $2.5 billion in five Adani Group stocks. In a bid to reassure investors, Adani Group in March met with Pacific Investment Management Company, BlackRock and Blackstone Inc. as part of a plan to market privately placed bonds for some of its companies, Bloomberg previously reported. Spokespeople for PIMCO, BlackRock, Blackstone declined to comment. New York-based Hindenburg, led by Nate Anderson, first attracted Wall Streets attention in 2020 after raising red flags about electric-vehicle maker Nikola Corp. Prosecutors in Manhattan pursued that lead, which culminated in the conviction of Nikola founder Trevor Milton for fraud in 2022. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Technology giant Apple is gearing up to launch its own credit card in India. The iPhone maker's chief executive officer (CEO) Tim Cook recently met HDFC Bank CEO and managing director Sashidhar Jagdishan during his recent trip to India in April, Moneycontrol reported. As per report, Apple is having talks with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to launch Apple Pay in the country. It is unclear whether the discussions pertained to the credit car being powered by the Rupay platform or for the unified payments interface (UPI). Rupay credit card can be linked to UPI too. In India, only banks can launch credit cards while UPI is for customers to make seamless and fast payments by scanning QR codes through mobile phones. According to the Moneycontrol report, Apple has held talks with the Reserve Bank of India over the modalities of the card. The RBI reportedly asked the company to follow regular procedure for co-branded credit cards. As per reports, Apple is set to launch its co-branded credit card with HDFC Bank in India. The discussions are in the early stages. At present, the tech behemoth currently operates a premium credit card in the United States, made of titanium and launched in partnership with Mastercard and Goldman Sachs. Apple is having talks with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to launch Apple Pay in the country Why is Apple betting on India? For the past couple of years, Apple has been focusing on India. According to report, the iPhone maker's sales in India touched around 50,000 crore in the financial year 2022-23. Recently, Tim Cook during his visit to India had launched two exclusive stores in Mumbai and Delhi. Apple has been shifting a significant portion of iPhone production to India. It has a four per cent share of overall smartphone market in India, which amounts to two crore users. Ready to take backseat? As mentioned earlier, only banks can issue credit cards to the customers. In India, Apple cannot introduce a card with its logo and customer's name on the front. In the US, the brand names of Goldman Sachs and Mastercard appear on the Apple card. But the tech giant cannot take these liberties in India. Last year, the RBI said bank's partner cannot store customer or transaction data. Apple platforms cannot store the card details. Benefits of Apple Card Talking about rewards, the Apple card is integrated with Apple Pay and the reward will be deposited into the Apple wallet. This card does not have any annual fees. In the United States, the company let its card users buy the products in installment without interest. Besides the 3-5 per cent cashback on buying Apple products and services, the tech firm could partner with other premium brands for 2-3 per cent cashback or reward points. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Italian supercar maker Lamborghini has now become one of the most sought-after brands in this category in India. The company's most successful model is the Urus Super SUV, while the second most successful car is Huracan, Hindustan Times' sister website HT Auto reported. Recently, the carmaker delivered its 150th supercar. Lamborghini's Huracan had made its debut in India in 2014. After Huracan coupe, Spyder had arrived in the country. Two years later, rear-wheel drive Huracan Performante made its foray into the Indian market. On the other hand, Performance came to India in 2018, the report stated. In 2019, the Huracan EVO Coupe and Spyder arrived in 2019 arrived with cosmetic and power upgrades over the predecessor. Two years later, Lamborghini introduced Huracan Super Trofeo Omologata (STO) which was a road-legal homologated version of the racecar. In 2022, Tecnica and Sterrato were introduced into the Indian market. The latter was a first all-terrain supercar version with raised ground clearance and all-wheel drive. Lamborghini India head Sharad Agarwal said that every iteration of the Huracan stayed true to the company's philosophy and delivered an evolution of design, technical know how, driving adventures, track and sales records since the launch. Huracan's striking appearance and driving experience contributed to it becoming a popular choice among car enthusiasts in India, the HT Auto report added. Currently, the final units of Lamborghini Huracan are being delivered globally to customers till the model's replacement, a new supercar with a downside internal combustion engine with an electric motor in favour of a plug-in hybrid power train, arrives next year. According to report, the replacement of Huracan is being exclusively developed by Lamborghini and without partnering with Audi. Lamborghini's Huracan Tecnica arrived in India last year.(HT Auto) Veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa on Thursday warned the Congress government in Karnataka that his party will stage 'Satyagraha' (protests) both inside and outside the Assembly, if it fails to implement the five poll guarantees before the Legislature session, and asked it to quit, if not able to fulfill the promises. Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa (Credit: ANI) The former Chief Minister said he too will stage demonstrations in front of Vidhana Soudha, the seats of state Legislature and Secretariat in Bengaluru. He hit out at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his government for "unnecessarily blaming" the Centre regarding the supply of rice for the State's "Anna Bhagya" scheme, calling it an "unpardonable offence" and "betrayal to the people". "Purposefully, attempts are being made by Siddaramaiah (CM) and Shivakumar (DCM) to point fingers at the Centre with regards to rice. Central government is already giving 5 kgs of rice for free. If they want to give additional quantities of rice, the state government should purchase rice to make arrangements for its supply; instead they are making false promises," Yediyurappa said. READ | Karnataka: Bommai condemns Congress ministers remark on anti-cow slaughter law Speaking to reporters here, he said, the Congress had given five poll promises, among them only the free bus service scheme for women has been launched and it is operational, amid a lot of hindrances. "If the other four guarantees are not implemented before the Assembly session begins, it will be inevitable for us to stage 'Satyagraha' inside and outside the House (Assembly). I'm also ready to stage a 'dharna' (demonstration) in front of Vidhans Soudha. So immediately they (Congress) should fulfill their poll guarantees," he added. The Legislature Session is scheduled from July 3 to 14, which will also see the new government tabling a fresh budget. Noting that the Congress government unnecessarily pointing fingers at the Centre is an unpardonable offence, the BJP veteran said, "the Centre had nowhere said it will provide rice to the state, so it is betrayal to the people on part of the state government, I condemn it." Urging Siddaramaiah to fulfill the guarantees, without pointing fingers at the Centre, he said, if not the BJP will be forced to stage 'satyagraha' both inside and outside the Legislative Assembly and Council. "We will do it". READ | Karnataka: BSYs son takes dig at Cong for not offering top posts to Lingayats The Congress won with such a huge majority by betraying people, as they gave guarantee cards to every household. "This Congress government which came to power through false promises, should fulfill the promises. If they don't have the ability, they should quit from power." The BJP agitations will be planned by the party legislators and leaders, and every one of them will be participating in it, he added. Yediyurappa, who has held the Finance portfolio in the past, said the Congress should have thought about the financial consequences before giving guarantees. "Implementing guarantees will lead to shortage of funds for developmental activities. There are already protests against the raise in power tariff. Congress is in a way enjoying power by troubling the people. I condemn it. People will respond to it." SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Karnataka Food Minister KH Muniyappa on Friday said in Delhi that the state requested 1.35 lakh metric tonnes of rice for the 'Anna Bhagya' scheme but the Centre has refused to provide it. K H Muniyappa. Also Read - Karnataka FCI row: Congress launches fresh attack on PM Modi, BJP Speaking to the media, Minister Muniyappa said, "We met Union Textiles, Sugar and Agriculture Minister Piyush Goyal today and requested to provide rice to the State Government's 'Anna Bhagya' scheme. We requested the Minister that the stock is there and we are not asking for free. But the Union Minister has informed that 300 lakh tonnes have been earmarked for various other projects so the state cannot be provided rice." Minister Muniyappa further said that though the Central Government refused to provide rice, the state government will implement the 'Anna Bhagya' scheme. "I think it's politically motivated and we will find our way", he added. Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged Union Home Minister not to do politics of hate or any other politics regarding the 'Anna Bhagya' scheme, which provides an additional 5 kg of rice for each member of BPL families in the State. Siddaramaiah who met with Shah late on Wednesday in New Delhi and discussed the issue of rice supply to the State told him that the Centre's policy was causing obstacles in food supply for the poor, according to the Chief Minister's office. Karnataka Chief Minister had earlier alleged that the Union Government was not allowing the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to sell rice to the State to roll out its "Anna Bhagya" scheme. The 'Anna Bhagya' scheme which provides an additional five kilograms of rice for each member of BPL families in the state is one among five poll promises made by the grand old party in Karnataka. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The drone cameras are placed to monitor the infamous Bengaluru traffic at several bottleneck junctions in the IT capital, announced city police commissioner B Dayananda. The bird eye views of Bengaluru roads are expected to help the traffic police to identify the cause of congestion and act on it quickly. Drone cameras monitor traffic congestions in Bengaluru. (Screengrab from a video)(Twitter) Also Read - Drones to be deployed at 8 junctions for monitoring Bengaluru traffic: Report The drones which are already handed over to all traffic deputy police commissioners (DCPs) in the city are deployed at different junctions. B Dayananada, Bengalurus commissioner of police tweeted, Drone cameras are found beneficial in managing traffic as they provide aerial view of the entire road grid. All four DCPs of traffic have been provided with drone cameras to be deployed in regulating traffic especially during peak hours. He also shared a drone visual from one of the busy junctions in Karnatakas capital. According to a report in Money Control, the drones will be deployed at Hebbal, Central Silk Board, Ibballur, Marathahalli, KR Puram, Guruguntapalya, Sarakki and Banshankari bus stand. These areas are known for severe traffic congestion, especially during the peak hours. Last week, Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara directed the top officials of Bengaluru traffic police to be present on the ground for at least three hours every day and monitor the traffic situation in the city. He had also set a three-month deadline to the police department for better management of traffic in Bengaluru and ordered the department to take it as a top priority. In a lucky save, an elderly woman was rescued by a Bengaluru doctor - who happened to be a fellow passenger on the plane she was traveling in - after suffering a cardiac arrest mid-air. The two passengers were headed to national capital Delhi from Bengaluru on an IndiGo plane on Wednesday, The Times of India reported. The elderly women, aged 60 years, was traveling with a relative and reported feeling uneasy and experiencing difficulty in breathing soon after the flight took off. (HT) The elderly woman, aged 60 years, has been identified as Rosamma. She was traveling with a relative and reported feeling uneasy and experiencing difficulty in breathing soon after the flight took off. The cabin crew of the flight then made an announcement enquiring if there is a doctor onboard. Thankfully, Dr Niranthara Ganesh, who works as an orthopaedic surgeon with CANS Multi-speciality Hospital in Bengaluru's Jalahalli, responded to the call and came to the woman's rescue. I was travelling to Delhi on some personal work and I heard the announcement on the plane. I quickly checked on the elderly woman passenger who had collapsed on the airplane floor. Her pulse was feeble and I suspected she was having a cardiac arrest, the doctor said, as quoted by the publication. The doctor performed CPR on the woman and revived her, later giving her some medication available in the flight's first aid kit, after which Dr Ganesh said she responded well and sat up. Fortunately, she responded well and I made her sit up. I secured the emergency medical kit onboard which was in good condition with all the essential medicines, and gave her the necessary medication. She started getting better. She needed to be admitted to a hospital soon for further treatment, which I informed the IndiGo crew, Dr Ganesh further told the publication. As soon as the flight landed in Delhi at around 2:35pm, the elderly woman passenger was taken to the Medanta Medical Centre inside the Delhi Airport for further treatment. Her condition is said to be stable. While denying the allegations of any relation between the tariff hike and the state governments Gruha Jyoti scheme, chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said there is a wrong notion that the burden of Gruha Jyoti-- a scheme that offers up to 200 units of free power for residential use every month, has been passed on to others. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said there is a wrong notion that the burden of Gruha Jyoti-- a scheme that offers up to 200 units of free power for residential use every month -- has been passed on to others. (PTI) It is wrong to think that the burden of Gruha Jyoti Yojana has been put on others, Siddaramaiah told a delegation of Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI). The delegation led by its president BV Gopal Reddy met the CM at his home office Krishna. Siddaramaiah, however, assured that he would look into the demands put forth by the FKCCI, which apprised him of the hardships being faced by traders and industries due to the exorbitant hike in power tariff. The CM clarified that the hike was not done by his government but the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), and added that the decision on tariff increase was taken by the KERC even before his party came to power. He assured the delegation that an appropriate decision would be taken after holding separate meetings with the finance and energy departments, Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) and FKCCI. The FKCCI members appealed to the CM to reduce the hike in power tariff for small and medium industries from 9% to 3%. They also requested Siddaramaiah to provide concession on Fuel Escalation Charges (FEC) and suggested that a policy for the Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSME), as has been formulated in some other states, be drawn up in Karnataka. Earlier KCCI had called for a Karnataka bandh on June 22 to protest against the abnormal price hike in electricity charges by the ESCOMs. The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has called off the bandh that was called today and asked all affiliated bodies not to protest or call a bandh after talks with the government. Only Hubli KCCI has called for a bandh and protest today, said an FKCCI official. KCCI, along with all other District chambers of commerce, had for the last eight days tried to draw the attention of the government towards the high electricity charges. However, no solution was found. So to draw the attention of the government towards their problem, they planned a Karnataka bandh. 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, said FKCCI in a notification. 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, it stated. Meanwhile, Karnataka food minister KH Muniyappa on Friday said in Delhi that the state requested 135,000 metric tonnes of rice for the Anna Bhagya scheme but the Centre has refused to provide it. Speaking to the media, minister Muniyappa said, We met Union textiles, sugar and agriculture minister Piyush Goyal today and requested to provide rice to the state governments Anna Bhagya scheme. We requested the Minister that the stock is there and we are not asking for free. But the Union minister has informed that 30 million tonnes have been earmarked for various other projects so the state cannot be provided rice. (With inputs from agencies) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday blamed the previous BJP government for 'financial indiscipline' that has caused problems for government contractors, and said it would take some time to fix the state's economy. He assured the contractors that the 'commission racket' will be busted during his tenure. Financial indiscipline and commission menace of the previous government has created problems for contractors. It will take some time to fix the economy, which was derailed by BJP, Siddaramaiah told contractors during a meeting here. Congress leader Siddaramaiah. Also Read - Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to be felicitated by Maharashtra Congress, NCP on Sunday The contractors led by the Karnataka State Contractors Association president D Kempanna requested him to release the pending bills of contractors worth 20,000 crore and issue the letter of credit. A review meeting of BBMP and Finance Department Secretaries will be called after the budget session, the CM assured them. He requested that the withheld amount be released and a no objection certificate be issued. Later speaking to reporters, Kempanna said he asked the CM to clear the pending bills, which was the big issue before the contractors. Contractors are in trouble. Other than pending bills we have not discussed anything. He has promised to solve this problem, the contractor association president said. Asked whether he raised the issue of harassment by the previous government, he said, No. That is a different issue. Most important is the pending bills. Regarding the BJP's charge that he was not producing evidence to substantiate the 40 per cent commission allegation, Kempanna said he has discussed the issue with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah but refused to share the details. I will not discuss it here. I will submit details when the time comes, he added. To a query whether there was zero corruption in the current government, Kempanna said the present government is just one-month-old. So far no one has come to us with a complaint on demand of bribe. If someone makes such a demand, then we will expose it. There is no need for us to get scared. If someone asks money, then we are ready to expose. I will be the first person to expose it, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Traders and small business owners held protest rallies in several parts of Karnataka and observed a one day strike on Thursday opposing the recent power tariff hike, even as the state's Medium and Large Scale Industries Minister M B Patil appealed to them to cooperate with the state government. He asserted that the power tariff was increased by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) and not the state government. Karnataka Minister M B Patil asserted that the power tariff was increased by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) and not the state government. (REUTERS) Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Rice Millers' Association (KSRMA) has hinted that the rice prices may be increased in the state by about three to four per kg. It is not us who are increasing the price. The power tariff and paddy prices have gone up. The hike will be by three to four per kg across the fine rice varieties, KSRMA General Secretary S Shiva Kumar said. READ | Karnataka power tariff hike: KCC&I calls for state wide strike on June 22 Following a call for a 'bandh' given by Hubballi-based Karnatak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), industrialists and small traders participated in a protest march in big numbers. Their protests came at a time when the state government started the registration process earlier this week for the 'Gruha Jyoti' scheme offering up to 200 units of free electricity for residential connections. Carrying banners, posters and placards, the traders and industrialists held marches in the district headquarters of Hubballi-Dharwad, Shivamogga, Belagavi, Ballari, Vijayanagar, Davangere and Koppal, among others. They shouted slogans demanding that the government roll back the hike. In Belagavi, a large number of traders and small-and-micro industry owners marched up to the office of the Deputy Commissioner with their banners and placards. KCCI acting president Sandeep Bidasaria claimed that the hike in power tariff has gone up between 50 and 70 per cent, which has deeply impacted small businesses. A protester in Belagavi, a city bordering Maharashtra, alleged that many industries were planning to move out to the neighbouring state due to the drastic increase in tariff. READ | BJP govt didnt approve hike in power tariff: Bommai Many shops were shut and production was stopped in small industries in several parts of the state in response to the bandh call. In the district headquarters town of Bidar, several shops were shut and the main market wore a deserted look following the Bandh. In an attempt to make the protestors see reason, Minister Patil said, First of all, the power tariff has not been hiked by us. Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission, an autonomous body, has increased the power tariff before our government came to power. So we have no connection with the power tariff hike". According to him, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too has given a statement that the power tariff hike cannot be rolled back. However, Patil told reporters that he would discuss the matter with Siddaramaiah and Energy Minister K J George. I appeal to everyone, the industries and others, to please cooperate. KERC keeps revising prices from time to time. It follows a procedure. It is not done by the government. They revised the tariff now and will do it in future as well, the minister said. Amid speculations that the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board was also planning to revise the water supply charges, an official said a BWSSB team apprised Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, on the issues. We told the DCM that we have not revised the water supply charges for the past 10 years and it's about time to increase the rate given the increase in input costs. The decision has not been taken yet. The matter is under consideration, the official said. After a senior White House officials announcement to open a new consulate of the United States in Bengaluru on Thursday, Tejasvi Surya, Bengaluru South MP on Friday asked the chief minister Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government to provide support and land for the consulate while claiming that three BJP MPs continuously demanded a consulate in the city. The MP further said that the consulate in the city could help at least four to five lakh people of Karnataka annually in getting US visa-related work done. *BJP MP Tejasvi Surya asks the Karnataka government to provide support and land for the new US consulate in Bengaluru. (PTI) Speaking to the reporters on Friday, Tejasvi said: The people of Bengaluru had to go to Chennai, Hyderabad or New Delhi to get any US visa-related works. It used to cost them anywhere between 25, 000 to 30, 000. Even after having the largest number of students and techies who commute to the United States, Bengaluru did not have a consulate, he said. We are delighted about the Whitehouse announcement and I thank PM Narendra Modi for making it possible. The US consulate in Bengaluru will help four to five lakh people in Karnataka every year to get their visa stampings done, without having to travel outside the state, he added. He also appealed to the current government to cooperate with US officials in acquiring land for the US consulate in Bengaluru. During the previous BJP government, then CM Yediyurappa was fully committed to acquiring land for the consulate. Since it is now announced, the request of the current Congress government to fully cooperate with US government in all consulate-related works, he added. Surya said that in 2000, he had met Union minister S Jaishankar and stated the demand. He had said that for a consulate to open in India, we had to open one in US. He promised that since there was a plan to open a consulate in Seattle and a consulate would be opened in Bengaluru, Surya claimed. A senior Congress leader however rubbished the claim saying that the BJP is taking credit for the development that the city saw due to the hard work of its people. The reason the consulate is opened here is that there is an increasing demand for visas from Bengaluru and this has been a demand for several years considering the boom in the IT industry in the city. The US has recognised this demand. We are happy about this decision but the BJP should refrain from this credit politics, said the leader who didnt want to be named. A senior White House official on Thursday said The US will open two new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad while India will establish a mission in Seattle to boost people-to-people relationships The official said the US issued a record 125,000 visas to Indian students last year. Indian students are set to become the largest foreign student community in the United States with a 20 per cent increase last year alone, the senior administration official said. The United States intends to open new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. India is likewise welcoming the 2023 opening of its consulate in Seattle and look forward to also announcing a new consulate in the United States, the official said. The US Department of State is going to launch a pilot to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain petition-based temporary work visas later this year, including for Indian nationals with the intent to implement this for an expanded pool, the official said. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya said that the consulate of United States in the city could help at least four to five lakh people of Karnataka annually in getting the visa related works done. A Whitehouse official in the United States has officially confirmed the establishment of US consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya. Also Read - US intends to open consulates in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad: White House Speaking to the reporters on Friday, Tejasvi said, The people of Bengaluru had to go to Chennai, Hyderabad or New Delhi to get any US visa related works. It used to cost them anywhere between Rs. 25, 000 to Rs. 30, 000. Even after having the largest number of students and techies who commute to the United States, Bengaluru did not have a consulate. We are fully happy about the Whitehouse announcement and I thank PM Narendra Modi for making it possible. The US consulate in Bengaluru will help four to five lakh people in Karnataka every year to get their visa stampings done, without having to travel outside the state. He also appealed the current government to cooperate with the US officials in acquiring land for the US consulate in Bengaluru. During the previous BJP government, then CM Yediyurappa was fully committed to acquire land for the consulate. Since it is now announced, the request of the current Congress government to fully cooperate with US government in all consulate related works, he added. Last month, Australian Prime Minister Albanese announced an Australian consulate in Bengaluru. He then said the opening of the new diplomatic mission in Bengaluru will help in connecting the country's businesses to India's booming digital and innovation ecosystem. Several posters reading Wanted corruption Nath featuring Congress leader Kamal Nath surfaced in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal on Friday - just days after he attacked the BJP government in the state over corruption charges. In pictures shared by news agency ANI, the posters can be seen having a QR code, which after scanning, shows information about the alleged scams of the Congress government. Another poster reads Kamal Nath has done scams during his rule. Wanted corruption Nath posters in Bhopal (ANI) Reacting to this, Kamal Nath said that no one can humiliate him. There is no case of corruption against me, everyone knows this. Today they don't have anything to say against me so they are doing this. I don't need any certificate from BJP because the people are witnesses, he told the media. Meanwhile, Congress party's media advisor Piyush Babele also hit out at the BJP and said, By putting up objectionable posters of Nath, the BJP has shown that it can go to any low level in the politics. The attempt to tarnish the image of the person, who has served Madhya Pradesh for the last 44 years, is an attack on the pride of Madhya Pradesh. I demand from Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to take action, arrest those who put up such posters and punish them. If they fail to do so, then it will be clear to the people of Madhya Pradesh that all this work is being done at their (BJP) behest, he tweeted. Kamal Nath's allegation against BJP On June 19, the Congress leader claimed that the huge scam in the construction of the Mahakal Lok corridor in Madhya Pradesh shows the ruling BJP has not even spared God when it comes to corruption, adding that the scam is so big that it has not only sullied the image of Ujjain but that of Madhya Pradesh in the entire country. Addressing a public meeting in MP's Mahidpur town, Nath claimed that the BJP has been using religion as a means of corruption and turned Madhya Pradesh into a corruption state. (With inputs from ANI) Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, a US-based entrepreneur and a philanthropist awarded with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in January, was among the non-resident Indians (NRIs) who interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the State Dinner hosted by President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Punjab-origin businessman Darshan Singh Dhaliwal and his wife Derba at the State Dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday. (HT Photo) Also read: Modi in US: Behind breakthrough pacts, weeks of parleys Interacting with the media following the dinner, Dhaliwal termed Modis visit an outstanding success. Close ties between the United States and India are beneficial for both democracies. This visit will bolster the economies of both nations as it has resulted in the formulation of path-breaking agreements, such as technology and innovation exchanges, increased US consulates in India, special visas for Indians, as well as advancements in semiconductor, jet engine, and space deals, he said. Dhaliwal, who belongs to Rakhra village in Patiala and moved to the US to study mechanical engineering in 1972, lauded Modis accomplishments for the nation at large and Sikh community in particular. He reaffirmed his unwavering support for the Prime Minister and announced that he, along with members of the Indian diaspora, will be hosting Modi on Friday, where the Prime Minister will deliver a speech underscoring Indo-US ties and the Indian governments ground-breaking decisions. During the dinner meeting, Modi exchanged pleasantries with Dhaliwal and his wife Derba. The Prime Minister urged Derba to encourage Dhaliwal to play a more proactive role in strengthening Indo-US relations. Dhaliwals younger brother, Surjit Rakhra, is a former Punjab cabinet minister, while another brother Charanjit Rakhra and he run businesses in the gasoline and real estate sectors in the US. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Vishal Rambani A special correspondent, Vishal Rambani is the bureau chief at Patiala. He covers politics, crime, power sector, environment and socio-economic issues, with several investigative stories to his credit. ...view detail An advisory has been issued by the health department due to the frequent rainfall experienced in June, resulting in the accumulation and stagnation of water in both artificial and natural sources in residential areas. The situation increases the risk of mosquito breeding, which can lead to the spread of vector-borne diseases, particularly dengue. HT Image In case of fever, report to the nearest health facility. Remember dengue ELISA test (Ns1/IgM) is the recommended confirmatory test for dengue as per the government of India. Free dengue testing facilities are available at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Research (PGIMER) department of virology, GMCH-32 department of microbiology, GMSH-16 department of microbiology, CH Manimajra, CH 22 and CH 45. Precautionary measures to prevent dengue. (HT) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Photo: Parliament of Canada Kelowna-Lake Country MP Tracy Gray How Canadians see news online could be forever changed by the federal governments Bill C-18. The Online News Act has worked its way through Parliament and would impose a regime on digital platforms that Canadians use every day to get their news. Under the terms of the bill, small, independent media organizationsknown as intermediarieswill have to negotiate with the likes of Meta and Google to pay for sharing links to news seen online in Canada. If they do not, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will force them into arbitration within six months to do so. First, the government passed Bill C-11, which will change what people see when searching online and now, Bill C-18 will change what news articles people will see. This potentially has significant implications for journalistic independence and public access to independent news. The biggest winners will be legacy media. The non-partisan Parliamentary Budget Officers analysis on the bill reported more than 75% of the funds generated will go to the three largest legacy media organizations the CBC, Rogers and and Bellleaving less than 25% for all other smaller, independent media. Many have expressed concern the CBC, which is already funded by taxpayers, will receive payments through this legislation. Conservative MPs and Sen. Claude Carignan presented an amendment to Bill C-18 to exclude the CBC so more of the focus would go to local, ethnic and independent news sources, but it was voted down by the Liberals, NDP and the Bloc Quebecois. Conservatives believe in having a strong independent media ecosystem. Committee testimony was received as well on the emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and its effects on the news industry, where warnings were issued about links to news articles online. One witness, from the Globe and Mail newspaper, said peoples online news viewership could be disrupted in the next six to 12 months quite significantly by the difference that ChatGPT and generative AI is already making (after) only six months. Michael Geist, the Canada Research Chair in Internet and e-commerce law at the University of Ottawas faculty of law has made similar comments on the AI issue. On the bill itself, he said, Smaller independent media outlets, who often depend on social media to build their audiences, will bear a disproportionately larger brunt of the harm. Bill C-18 was amended by the Senate, but the final bill is still unable to address the commercial, legal and policy challenges posed by generative AI. Therefore, none of those businesses are required to engage in negotiations with Canadian news organizations. These critical AI policy questions will not be decided by Bill C-18, and some say the bill is out of date before being implemented. Many questions remain regarding the definition of the legislation and how it will be applied. The government's prescription of new and continuing roles to the CRTC has stretched its mandate beyond all recognition and capability. The CRTC is now tasked with the massive undertaking of implementing Bill C-11 and potentially overseeing the process of online news link sharing with the entire Canadian online news and digital industry with Bill C-18. In summary, Bill C-18 will make the problem the government is supposedly trying to fix, worse. The losers will be small independent publishers and online innovators. If the government wants to ensure small, regional, ethnic and rural media get their fair share of ad revenue, they must stop pouring money into traditional legacy media, allowing it to lower advertising rates unfairly. If you need assistance with programs or have any thoughts to share, feel free to reach out, at 250-470-5075 or at [email protected]. Tracy Gray is the Conservative MP for Kelowna-Lake Country. This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet. The labour department has decided to now allow workers who are beneficiaries of Punjab governments Ashirwad scheme to seek financial assistance without providing a marriage registration certificate. It was earlier mandatory for the eligible workers to produce a marriage certificate, as a proof for availing 50,000 assistance under this government initiative. (Representational Photo (Getty Images/iStockphoto) ) It was earlier mandatory for the eligible workers to produce a marriage certificate, as a proof for availing 50,000 assistance under this government initiative, also known as Shagun scheme. However, activists working for the welfare of unprivileged workers, said doing away with the proof of marriage registration may pave way for bogus claims. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, principal secretary, Department of Labour said in view of the difficulties faced by beneficiaries to get marriages of their children registered, it has been decided to allow them get the benefits without an official marriage certificate. The workers have to run from pillar to post at tehsil offices to get marriage of their children registered. In view of this, the department has decided to provide a relaxation so that workers can apply for this scheme even without furnishing a marriage certificate, Sidhu said. The Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) welfare board in a recent meeting approved the proposal of availing the benefit without furnishing marriage registration certificate, an official said. Beneficiaries can now get assistance by furnishing the certificate issued by a religious organisation, and a self-declaration letter issued by parents of the couple, he said. The scheme offers help for the marriage of women, whose parents are registered with the BOCW welfare board, girls belonging to the scheduled castes, backward classes, Below Poverty Line category, and daughters of widows. While financial assistance to daughters of registered workers is being offered by the labour department from the welfare funds of BOCW board, the other beneficiaries avail the benefit from the Department of Social Security and Development of Women and Children. Vijay Walia, organisation director of Centre for Social Change and Equity, an organisation working for the rights of unprivileged workers and persons with disabilities, said that in 2007, the Supreme Court made it mandatory for everyone to register their marriage. He claimed that with the decision to not make marriage certificate mandatory for availing the Ashirwad scheme, Punjabs labour department is encouraging workers not to get their marriages registered which leads to violation of the apex courts order. The persons with the nefarious agenda had been trying to get this proposal passed and have now succeeded. It will become easy for the touts to provide benefits of the scheme to ineligible beneficiaries, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mayor Anup Gupta launched into a tirade against the UT administration, terming its policies on three key issues -- electric vehicle (EV) policy, floor-wise sale of properties, and penalty on building violations as anti-citizen, and gave it a months ultimatum to make amends. He said he will sit on protest, along with the citizens, otherwise. Mayor Anup Gupta launched into a tirade against the UT administration, terming its policies on three key issues -- electric vehicle (EV) policy, floor-wise sale of properties, and penalty on building violations as anti-citizen, and gave it a months ultimatum to make amends. He said he will sit on protest, along with the citizens, otherwise. (HT File) Gupta said this while speaking at an event organised by a joint forum of 18 associations, including the CRAWFED and Beopar Mandal, at the PhD Chamber of Commerce, Sector 31, Chandigarh. The forum has been formed to take on the administrations alleged anti-citizens and anti-traders policies. Criticising the EV policy, the mayor said, The UT administration is restricting the registration of non-electric vehicles, under the Chandigarh Smart City scheme, to make the city carbon neutral but it does not have proper infrastructure in place to implement the policy. Further, petrol and diesel vehicles from other states will continue to enter the city, with no restrictions, so how can the city be made carbon neutral. When the Delhi government implemented the odd-even policy on vehicles, it applied even to vehicles entering the city. If the Chandigarh administration wants to limit non-EVs in the city, it should restrict vehicles from other states too. Floor-wise sale of properties Commenting on the issue of a ban imposed by the administration on floor-wise registry across city, the mayor said, Every citizen of the city is affected by this. The administration should start the registry of share-wise property in all sectors of the city, except Sector 1 to 30, where the matter is under legal preview. For perspective, the Supreme Court had ruled that the first 30 sectors of Chandigarh carry the heritage status of Le Corbusier zone and, therefore, conversion of residential houses into floor-wise apartments cannot be permitted in these sectors. But the administration imposed the ban across the city. Charges on misuse violations The mayor also opposed the UT administrations decision of revising the penalty charges on violators of building bylaws, as per Capital of Punjab (Development and Regulation) Act, 1952. The administration had revised and fixed the penalty chargers under a notification in 2017 but the revised charges have been sent to the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) for final approval only now. If the approval from the Union ministry was not taken earlier, how can the UT amend the 1952 Act and charge more money from city residents, the mayor said, adding that the 2017 notification should be declared null and void at the earliest. Will sit on borders to protest The mayor said that if the administration does not take citizen-friendly decisions on the three issues, he will sit on protest, along with city residents. I, along with city residents, will sit on Chandigarh borders and stop entry for every non-EV vehicle from other states. With UTs decision of EV policy, only city residents are facing the burden. People can easily register vehicles from Mohali and Panchkula and ply on Chandigarh roads. Officers cant run Chandigarh The mayor further said, While Mohali and Panchkula are developing rapidly, the development in Chandigarh has taken a backseat due to officers decisions. Chandigarh cant be run by officers. Citizens have the right to suggest changes in policies. I am a citizen first, then a mayor, and I will support citizens on each policy. Mayor Vs Administration Earlier too, mayor Anup Gupta had objected to the UT administrations alleged meddling in MC affairs after it issued instructions to the civic body on the smart parking project before it could be tabled in the House. Mayor had, at the time, said that officers cannot run the city and elected representatives must take decisions on public-centric issues. Before this, the mayor had stopped the administration from sealing illegal structures at Bharat Vikas Parishad. In May, city councillors had protested against the administration for not giving due importance to the city mayor for he was not invited at a photo-op during the Indian Air Force (IAF) Heritage Centres inauguration on May 8 and for not including the mayor in the high-powered committee to frame the project proposal of new integrated waste management plant. When contacted, UT advisor Dharampal said the electric vehicle policy will be reviewed shortly whereas the floor-wise registry of properties in Chandigarh is regulated by the Supreme Court. He said that if anyone has issues on the Supreme Court judgement, he or she can approach the Supreme Court. We have no other option but to comply with the Supreme Court judgements, said Dharampal. Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday made an appeal to the youth of Valley to be with change as stone-pelting and weapons cant be our future. He asked the youth to pick up laptops to write the script of development for Jammu and Kashmir and the country, as the whole world market is open for them to excel. Union home minister Amit Shah at Tirupati Balaji Temple in Jammu on Friday. (PTI) On a two-day visit to J&K, Shah landed at Srinagar Airport in a special aircraft in the afternoon after his Jammu visit. Accompanied by lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha, the Union minister straight drove to Raj Bhawan in the lap of the picturesque Zabarwan Mountains where he inaugurated and dedicated development projects worth 500 crore to the people of the Valley. Shah said change and transformation are happening in J&K. The appeal comes after around four years after the BJP-led central government brought some drastic changes in J&K by revoking its special status and bifurcation the region into two union territories. The changes had triggered anger and disbelief in the Valley with the Centre detaining all major political leadership of J&K for months. The whole world and country is waiting for you. The youth of J&K particularly should come forward and be representatives and leaders of change and take J&K to new heights. I want to tell the youth of Kashmir, those who handed over stones and weapons in your hands, they dont want your good, he said. Advocating for the policies of the administration, Shah said the government intends to make their future. The government providing laptops in your hands, they want to improve your future. The government is providing electricity, improving roads, or developing tourism; they want to improve your future. Change is the need of the hour and the youth of the valley should connect with it. I have told earlier as well to Kashmir valley to lead the change/transformation, he said. He said that when he had come earlier to provide youth clubs to the valley youth, he had received 2,100 mails from the youth. I again want to say that change is waiting for youth. The whole country is waiting to take you forward. The whole world market is open for the youth of Kashmir. Come forward and commit to PM Modis resolve of forming new Kashmir, he said. He said the 500 crore works are going to be a reason for a change in the lives of 22 lakh people. Shah said the stone pelting, bombs and bullets were under control in J&K. We have seen the incidents of stone pelting, the bandh calls from Pakistan devastating our development here. Day in day out bombs, bullets- all these things are now under control. Today schools and colleges are open, industry is coming. Over 1.88 crore visitors have visited J&K in 2022 which is the biggest number after independence, he said. He said they want to make Dal Lake countrys attractive tourist spot. Primarily, a 85 crore scheme has been devised but Dal Lake and Tattoo Ground; in the coming days, the whole country would like to come here, he said. Shah lashed out at three families -Abdullahs, Muftis and Gandhis - saying they had grabbed democracy for their own benefits. They would not allow panchayat elections or election of panches and sarpanches. Democracy has now arrived in J&K. Over 35,000 elected people are deciding the future of their village, tehsil and district, he added. Modi government has percolated the democracy in J&K by bringing Panchayat Raj, he said. He lauded the efforts of the LG government for a successful G20 meet. Recently there was a G20 meet here. Many people commented on it from Mehbooba Mufti to Omar Abdullah, all welcomed it differently. And some predictions were also made. But I will congratulate Manoj Sinha ji that all predictions were proved wrong and the message that there is peace in J&K was sent to the whole world by the G20 meet. It is a big achievement, he said. Shah later attended a cultural function of Vitasta at Sheri Kashmir International Convention Centre(SKICC) and is expected to chair a review meeting at Raj Bhawan on security and Amarnath yatra arrangements. On Saturday, he is expected to inaugurate a memorial in a park at city center Lal Chowk. A day after the row over gold plating in Kedarnath Dham temple intensified, with Congress staging a protest and demanding an independent inquiry by a sitting high court judge, state tourism minister Satpal Maharaj on Friday ordered the setting up of a high-level inquiry committee under the chairmanship of Garhwal commissioner. Along with technical experts, a goldsmith will also be included in the inquiry committee. (ANI image) Along with technical experts, a goldsmith will also be included in the inquiry committee, said the minister. Maharaj said that the Opposition parties should not try to disturb the Char Dham Yatra by giving unnecessary weightage to this sensitive matter which is related to faith. Also Read: Kedarnath gold plating row: Congress stages protests; seeks probe by HC judge Instructions have for the constitution of an inquiry committee and action will be taken against whoever is found guilty after the committee gives its findings, he said. The tourism minister said that the state government is extremely sensitive about this matter. It is my humble request that such matters should not be made part of any controversies. As per the provisions laid down in the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Act-1939, donations have been accepted from the donors and permission has been taken from the state government to make the sanctum sanctorum of Shri Kedarnath temple gold-plated, he said Maharaj said that the gold plating work was done under the supervision of the experts of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Permission was granted by Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) for plating the walls of the sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath temple with gold in accordance with the spirit of the donor. It has also been clarified earlier that the work of making the sanctum sanctorum golden has been done by the donor himself. Copper plates were prepared by the donor from the jewellers at his own level and then gold layers were put on them. The donor got these plates installed in the temple through his jewellers, he said. He added that the entire work from buying gold to installing it on the walls of the temple was done by the donor. The temple committee had no direct role in this. Official bills and vouchers for gold and copper plates were also handed over to BKTC after the completion of the work. However, whatever may be the truth, it will be ascertained, and further action will be ensured only after the investigation by the inquiry committee, he said. The development follows a controversy that erupted after some priests associated with Kedarnath Dham alleged financial irregularities in gold decoration carried out inside the sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath Temple last year to which the BKTC denied such allegations terming them baseless and part of a conspiracy to malign the image of BKTC and the state government. According to Ajendra Ajay, president BKTC, which manages Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines, Some priests have deliberately mixed up things and made baseless allegations. Gold is always put on copper plates. It is never only gold. And gold has worn out at just one place in the sanctum sanctorum. Craftsmen had come on June 17 to repair the worn-out spot. Around 23kg gold worth 14 crore and 1001kg copper worth 9 lakh was used in gold plating inside the temple. The allegations of financial irregularity to the tune of 115 crores are totally baseless, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A man driving a car was injured while his friend seated on the front passenger seat escaped unhurt after two bike-borne masked assailants fired a bullet at them on a street at Chittaranjan Park in south Delhi on Thursday night, police said. The car driver was hit by a bullet in his finger after it pierced through the windowpane of his vehicle. (Representative file image) The car driver was hit by a bullet in his finger after it pierced through the windowpane of his vehicle. A case of firing and attempt to murder was registered at the CR Park police station against unknown persons, police said. Also Read: Bihar: Man killed, another injured after bike-borne assailants open fire Deputy commissioner of police (south) Chandan Chowdhary said that on Thursday at 8:14pm, the police control room received a call regarding a firing incident at C-block in CR Park in which one person was injured. A police team went there and learnt that two people named Sachin Gupta and Waseem Ahmed were travelling in a car. Gupta was driving the car and talking on the phone. All of a sudden there was a single round shot from the drivers side. The bullet pierced through the drivers side window and injured Guptas finger. Further enquiry revealed that two people with their faces covered were following the car on a bike. We are probing the case further, added DCP Chowdhary. Police are investigating the case and trying to ascertain if the case stemmed from personal enmity or business rivalry angles. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Karn Pratap Singh Karn Pratap Singh has been writing on crime, policing, and issues of safety in Delhi for almost a decade. He covers high-intensity spot news, including terror strikes, serial blasts and security threats in the national capital. ...view detail The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday alleged that Rahul Gandhi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had an agreement, otherwise, why would there be such a delay over clearing its stand on the obnoxious ordinance on Delhi's administration? Talking to news agency ANI, AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar claimed that they have received information on the agreement from reliable sources. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi(PTI) We got information from reliable sources that there has been an agreement between Rahul Gandhi and BJPThe Congress should clear its stand against this unconstitutional Ordinance, why they are taking so long in doing so? the AAP spokesperson asked. Earlier, before leaving for Patna to attend the Opposition meeting, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said his party will decide on the matter related to supporting the AAP against the ordinance before the next Parliament session. "Opposing it or proposing it does not happen outside, it happens in Parliament. Before Parliament begins, all parties decide what issues they have to work on together. They (AAP) know it and even their leaders come to our all-party meetings. I don't know why there is so much publicity about it outside," he said. AAP had earlier gave an ultimatum that it will stage a walkout from the Opposition leaders' meeting if the Congress does not promise its support over the issue. Kakkar said it is a matter of one more day (amid the meeting) and everything will be clarified by tomorrow. Last month, the President promulgated the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 which nullified the May 11 Supreme Court order that shifted the authority of controlling bureaucrats in all but three domains land, police, and public order to the Delhi government. The ordinance gave the LG an official appointed by the central government the final say on transfers and postings of bureaucrats in Delhi. (With agency inputs) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Gurugram: Faridabad police busted a gang of fraudsters by arresting four suspects who allegedly duped people on the pretext of giving dealerships for CNG pumps, police said on Friday. Four held for duping people on pretext of giving CNG dealerships According to police, the suspects were identified as Abhishek Kumar, Bunty, Kumar and Vivek Thakur alias Vikas all hailing from Bihar. They were arrested from Patna in Bihar and Ahmedabad in Gujarat, police added. Police recovered 3.5 lakh cash, three mobile phones, four sim cards, seven fake identity cards, a laptop and a computer from their possession. Amit Yashvardhan, deputy commissioner of police (cyber crime), Ballabhgarh, said they had arrested Abhishek Kumar on June 11 and he revealed the details of his associates who were involved in duping people from all over India, including Faridabad. We had received a complaint from Vishal Singh, a resident of Ballabhgarh. He had alleged that he was duped of 13.62 lakh on the pretext of getting a CNG pump dealership, DCP Yashvardhan said. The DCP said Singh had visited a website and filled in a form after which he received a call. The suspects had created fake websites for investors. They had attached forms on the site and used to ask interested customers to fill in the application form which required their personal details, including their Aadhaar card numbers, he said. Police said after getting hold of the mobile numbers and email ids of their victims, the suspects used to send letters and text messages to confirm that they had been shortlisted for the dealerships. The suspects used to send confirmation emails to the victims by posing as officials of fuel companies and asked them to submit processing fees. They also used to call the victims and ask them to transfer moneys, said DCP Yashvardhan. Faridabad police spokesperson Sube Singh said Abhishek Kumar was earlier involved in a loan fraud case in Hisar and was arrested. The suspects were produced before a court on Thursday and were sent to 14-day judicial custody, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday called the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a non-serious party and welcomed the opposition parties meeting in Patna. Addressing media persons in Bharatpur, Gehlot lashed out at the BJP over the countrys situation. (PTI photo) He said that it is a good start and giving positive indications. The public wants the opposition to unite. Addressing media persons in Bharatpur, Gehlot lashed out at the BJP over the countrys situation. The situation in the country is deteriorating. Around 100 persons were killed in Manipur, but the (BJP) was busy campaigning in Karnataka. Unfortunately, they cared only about winning elections, he said. Also Read: Gehlots weak leadership denied development to people in Rajasthan: Piyush Goyal Confident of winning the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, Gehlot said, After Karnatakas win, the message is the public mood has changed. The people have understood that they (BJP) are only doing politics in the name of religion. In his speech, he also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make good on his promise to grant national project status to the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP). Reacting to Gehlots statements, BJP MLA and former minister Vasudev Devnani said Gehlot is frustrated and making baseless allegations. He said that it is the Congress which creates communal tensions and BJP settles it. He said the law-and-order situation is deteriorating in Rajasthan due to Congress policies. Now that they can see their defeat, they are making such allegations, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader was allegedly shot dead at Adra in Purulia district on Thursday night taking the total death toll to nine since the state election commission (SEC) announced the dates of the panchayat polls earlier this month. The voting for the panchayat polls is scheduled to be held on July 8 in one phase. (Representative file image) Police said that Dhananjay Choubey, the partys town president at Adra, was sitting outside the party office when three men came on a motorcycle and opened fire. He sustained five bullet injuries and was declared dead when he arrived at the hospital. His security guard also sustained injuries. Also Read: West Bengal rural polls: Supreme Court approves of deployment of central forces We have identified three persons. Two persons have been arrested. Investigation is going on, said a senior police officer. According to police, the accused have been identified, one of which is a Congress candidate in the rural polls. There should be an unbiased investigation. Congress doesnt support any violence. This is condemnable. If necessary, the CBI should be brought in to find the actual killers, said Nepal Mahato, a Congress leader. Meanwhile, a senior official of the state poll panel said that the union home ministry on Friday sanctioned 315 companies of central armed police forces, state armed police and Indian reserve battalions to be deployed across the state in the run up to the rural polls. The Centre had earlier sanctioned 22 companies for deployment. The state poll panel, after being slammed by the Calcutta high court, sought 800 additional companies of paramilitary forces. Earlier, they had sent requisition for 22 companies. The state BJP leaders should now approach union home minister Amit Shah and seek more central forces. The state poll panel has already sent requisition for 800 companies. They werent happy when the state said that it would bring in forces from other states, Santanu Sen, TMC MP, told media persons. A senior official said that the SEC has already sent a letter to the MHA for the balance forces. It is not possible to send 800 companies in one go. The SEC should approach the court and inform it that panchayat polls cant be held in one phase. If the number of phases is increased, it may be possible to hold a free and fair poll with this force. In 2013, panchayat polls were held in five phases with around 800 companies, Sukanta Majumdar, BJP state president, said. BJP MLA and leader of the opposition in the legislative assembly Suvendu Adhikari urged the Calcutta high court to increase the number of phases of the panchayat polls. The high court will hear the matter again next week. The voting for the panchayat polls is scheduled to be held on July 8 in one phase. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chief minister Yogi Adityanath will be putting up overnight in Mathura on Saturday, when he is expected to inaugurate a light and sound show at the Shri Krishna Janmasthan, according to an official of the trust that manages the temple comlex. Chief minister offering prayers at Bhagwat Bhavan, Sri Krishna Janmbhoomi in Mathura. (File) Adityanath is expected to offer prayers at the Shri Bankey Bihari Temple in the neighbouring Vrindavan the next morning before leaving for Noida. As such, the district administration and police were busy reviewing the final preparations at the BN Poddar College, where he is expected to address a public meeting. The CM is also scheduled to inaugurate the newly-constructed office of Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad before presiding the sixth board meeting at the building. Preparations are underway at Sri Krishna Janmbhoomi in Mathura where chief minister is going to inaugurate and watch the newly introduced Laser cum Light and Sound Show. At Krishna Janmasthan, the chief minister will inaugurate Leela Manch and the light and sound show that will showcase Lord Krishnas life, Kapil Sharma, the secretary of the Sri Krishna Janmbhoomi Seva Sansthan, a body that looks after the day-to-day affairs of the complex. The laser show will now be a regular feature organised after the darshan hours in the late evening hours, added Sharma. Caption ::: Chief minister offering prayers at Bhagwat Bhavan, Sri Krishna Janmbhoomi in Mathura. HT File SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON MUMBAI: A 55-year-old pillion rider was crushed to death under the rear wheel of a truck when the driver hit them from behind while overtaking their two-wheeler on the Western Express Highway in Dahisar on Thursday. The truck hit the motorcycle from behind and the father and son were thrown off the bike. (Stock Pic) The incident took place around 9.30pm when the victim was on his way home along with his son on their motorcycle. The victim identified as Rajkumar Soni was declared dead when he was rushed to Shatabdi Hospital by his son, Saurabh, 27, who was riding the bike. When they reached the Western Express Highway near Ovaripada Metro station, he saw that a truck was trying to overtake their motorcycle. The truck hit the motorcycle from behind and Saurabh and Soni were thrown off the bike. Saurabh fell on the right side of the road and his father on the left, said a police officer. Saurabh said that he saw his father being run over by the truck and immediately called his mother and uncle to inform them of the accident. With the help of passersby, the truck driver was asked to get off the truck. The Dahisar police have registered a case against Abdul Qadir Khan for causing death due to negligence under section 304A of the Indian Penal Code. We have arrested the driver of the truck and are investigating to find out whether the truck was speeding, said a police officer SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has widened the scope of its money-laundering investigation into the Jumbo Covid Centres scam and brought the BMCs entire 4,000-crore expenditure on pandemic-related contracts under its scanner. The step was taken after the ED found alleged irregularities across the board, from the award of contracts to the purchase of medicines and body bags at inflated rates to arranging for accommodation for personnel at locations close to their workplace. HT Image The agency had, during its searchesincluding those at 15 locations on Wednesday and Thursday when its team visited to gather details from the BMCs Central Purchase Department ( CPD)recovered several incriminating documents and records that necessitated the widening of the probes scanner to include all Covid-related contracts, said an ED official. The agency has found records that allegedly revealed that the civic body had purchased a medication, Remdesivir, at a significantly higher rate than what the state government through the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) was paying for it. The supplier offered the medication to the DMER for 3,200 but charged the BMC 4,100 for it, said an ED officer. The ED probe found that when the disparity in the rates and the need to renegotiate the contract was raised by some civic officials, a senior BMC official turned down the suggestion on the ground that there was no provision in the contract to re-negotiate. The BMC could have sourced Remdesivir from DMER instead of spending more unnecessarily, said an official. There was a huge demand for the medication during the early stages of the pandemic. The agency is also examining allegations that several crore rupees were spent by the BMC to facilitate the stay of emergency personnel, including doctors and other health staff, around their places of work to deal effectively with the pandemic. However, it appears that the expenses on the accommodation continued even when there was no need, when travel restrictions had been lifted, an ED source said. The probe revealed that the civic body had allegedly purchased body bags from a private firm for 6,800 per piece, inclusive of taxesaround 10 times more than what it had paid for bags to another private supplier. ED sources also claimed that Covid medicines provided to the BMC were 25 to 30 per cent costlier than in the open market. ED sources on Friday said that the searches had also yielded a diary that contained entries, suggesting payments made to civic officials by suppliers/middlemen in lieu of favours related to the award of contracts. The entries in the diary are coded and it will take time to crack all of them, said an ED source. The agency is also examining the role of up to five middlemen, some of whom had claimed to have political contacts, who allegedly liaised between Covid suppliers and the BMC. It appears that these middlemen influenced some contract conditions to suit their favourite suppliers, an ED official said. The agency has sealed the flat of one such person, and is verifying the antecedents, including the source of funding, of four flats in the name of another person who is suspected of having influenced the award of contracts. The ED probe is related to an FIR lodged in August 2022 against the partners of Lifeline Hospital Management Services, contracted by the BMC to set up two jumbo Covid centres. According to the FIR, the company got the contract using allegedly forged documents and had no previous experience of providing manpower for any medical facility. The premises of Sujit Patkar, a partner in the firm, were searched on Wednesday. According to the FIR, Lifeline was jointly probed by the Pune Municipal Corporation and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) after a TV journalist died of Covid in the city in 2020. The PMRDA seized the firms security deposit of 25 lakh and issued a direction to blacklist it. Despite this, the BMC awarded the same company a contract worth 38 crore to provide services at two jumbo centres. The agency has called in a few persons for questioning on Monday, including the then BMC additional municipal commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal and Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Suraj Chavan. MUMBAI: A 23-year-old man on board a Mumbai-Delhi flight was arrested on Thursday night after he was heard discussing hijacking a plane over the phone. HT Image The incident took place at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport when Vistaras Delhi-bound flight was scheduled to take off around 7 pm. When the passengers were boarding the plane, the accused, identified as Ritesh Juneja of Haryana was heard talking loudly over the phone that the hijacking plan was underway. He was telling the person on the other side of the phone that someone else was about to board a flight from Ahmedabad. He also assured the other person of all help before saying that hijacking ka sara planning hai (All planning for hijacking is done), a cabin crew told the police. The crew member also said that the words created panic among other passengers and some of whom started expressing their wish to deboard immediately. The captain then got in touch with the airport security personnel, who deplaned Juneja before the flight took off. Juneja was handed over to the Sahar police. Confirming the arrest, deputy commissioner of police, Zone 8, Dixit Kumar Gedam, said, The accused has been booked under sections 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 505(2) (making statement with intent to cause fear or alarm among people) of the Indian Penal Code. The accused was granted bail after he was produced before a metropolitan magistrate court on Friday. A Vistara spokesperson said, There was an unruly passenger on Vistara flight UK 996 scheduled to operate from Mumbai to Delhi on 22 June 2023 at 18:30 hours. In line with the guidelines and our standard operating procedure (SOP), relevant authorities were immediately informed, and the said customer was handed over to them. A thorough check was conducted, and the flight took off with the rest of the customers after clearance, he said. He added that the airline is fully cooperating with the security agencies in the investigation. Vistara stands firm with its zero-tolerance policy against unruly behaviour that endangers the safety and security of its customers and staff, he added. The flight was delayed by around four hours as all the passengers had to be de-boarded for a detailed check of the aircraft and handbags of the passenger, an airport official said. A Sahar police officer said, The accused did not intend to cause an alarm. He was just updating his friend about the flight, which was about to take-off soon as it had been delayed by half an hour. Juneja and his friend were flying from Mumbai and Ahmedabad, respectively, and were to meet in New Delhi, he added. The officer said that the accused meant to reassure the friend that since he was inside the plane already, if there were any more delays, he would just hijack the plane to reach New Delhi on time. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON LUCKNOW Indian Air Force fighter jets will touch the airstrip of Purvanchal Expressway again after a gap of 19 months on Saturday (June 24). This time, the Indian Air Force fighter jets are set to perform daredevil landing feats. (Representational photo) While the airstrip on the expressway has been under repair since June 11, Air Force officers have inspected the work being done on the airstrip and checked the arrangements for the programme to be held on Saturday. Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner (IIDC) and Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), Manoj Kumar Singh, said, Yes, the emergency exercise of the Air Force will begin at 9 am, some of the fighter jets of Air Force are expected to touch the airstrip of Purvanchal Expressway. He said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the expressway on 16 November, 2021. Back then, the Air Force had demonstrated its strength here. A 5-km long airstrip has been constructed near Arwal Kiri Karwat village on Purvanchal Expressway. Traffic has been diverted on a five-km stretch on Purvanchal Expressway from June 11 to June 25 in view of the maintenance work of the airstrip. The traffic movement was stopped between chainage km 124+700 to km 129+700 on Purvanchal Expressway from 07:00 am on June 11 till midnight on June 25. DM Sultanpur Jasjeet Singh said, The preparations for the Emergency exercise of Indian Airforce are completed, all the dividers on the 5-km stretch have been removed, all the wear and tear which had occurred during the 19 months has been repaired, along with officials of UPEIDA. I have inspected the airstrip for the exercise. However, details of fighter jets supposed to land on the airstrip on Saturday have been kept a secret by the Airforce, said DM Sultanpur Jasjeet Singh. Adding, Last time, fighter jets like Sukhoi, Jaguar, and Miraj performed stunts in the sky. This time, the Indian Air Force fighter jets are set to perform daredevil landing feats after 19 months here. For this, Air Force officials had directed UPEDA to repair and clean the airstrip. The ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad), the students' wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, has called a state-wide educational strike in Kerala today protesting the police lathicharge on an ABVP march last week. The ABVP organised the march demanding the arrest of former SFI leader K Vidya for allegedly making a fake experience certificate. The march on June 16 turned violent after some ABVP activists tried to remove the police barricade in front of the north gate of the Secretariat. Police resorted to lathicharge and used water canons. Kerala educational strike today: ABVP's strike today is a call against the police violence on June 16 march. Only schools, colleges and educational institutions are likely to be impacted as it is an educational strike. ABVP alleged that the leftist government in Kerala is intentionally transforming the state's universities into CPM party offices. Kerala Students Federation on Tuesday announced a statewide education bandh on the same issue accusing the SFI (the CPM's students' wing) of destroying the higher education sector -- in the wake of the fake certificate row of the SFI leaders. Kerala education strike today: What is the fake certificate row in Kerala? Former SFI leader K Vidya and SFI's Alappuzha district committee member Nikil Thomas have been accused of obtaining fake certificates. S Vidya is accused of securing a job at Kalady University using her fake certificate. Nikhil, on the other hand, is accused of obtaining a fake B.Com certificate to pursue M.Com. Both Vidya and Nikhil denied the charges. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail LUCKNOW Despite tall claims, the bull of lawlessness still seems to be raging in the state. In the past five weeks, U.P. Police has failed to help five victims of injustice, resulting in their tragic deaths. In all five cases, senior police officials swung into action only after the aggrieved ended his/her life. In all five cases, senior police officials swung into action only after the aggrieved ended his/her life. (Representational photo) The five cases include that of the Pilibhit-based man who killed himself after police failed to act on time in his daughters rape case. Similarly, the father of another rape victim in Jalaun also committed suicide allegedly due to police inaction. In the third case, a rape victim killed herself in Sitapur and in another case, a woman who faced a rape bid killed herself. In the fifth case, a civil service aspirant hanged himself after allegedly facing harassment. He was allegedly being asked for a bribe by local cops in Lucknow. In this context, Madhu Garg, the state president of All India Democratic Women Association, has said that police have followed the same work pattern for the last several decades in Uttar Pradesh. Firstly, the cops try to not take any action at all, then they deploy delay tactics. They act only where there is pressure from the public, senior officers, and politicians, or after fulfilment of their demands to grease their palms, she added. Garg further said that cops always harass common people with no links to higher authorities. Their tactic is to delay action and it has not changed under this state government. All these five recent incidents reflect the common mans apathy. They had to end their lives fighting for justice. Meanwhile, senior police officers wake from their slumber only after grave steps by the victim or their family members, she said. Echoing her opinion, Lucknow-based lawyer Rohit Kant Srivastava said that cops do not work on common mans complaint until they approach them through any higher authority. He added that lower-rung cops will never improve and therefore, supervisory officers must keep a check on things at their end to ensure that a common mans complaint is also heard properly at the police station and the outpost. When asked about the cases, special director general of police (DGP), Law and Order, Prashant Kumar, said that action has been taken against erring cops in all these cases and stern directives have already been issued for proper redressal of common mans complaints. The Special DG said that officers at the district level have already been asked to ensure that the complaints of rape and crimes related to women and children are registered as per the guidelines issued in the past, and swift action is taken. Suicide cases exposing police sluggishness May 17: The father of a 14-year-old rape survivor hanged himself to death in his village under Amaria police station of Pilibhit district. Earlier, three youths kidnapped his daughter and one of them raped her after taking her to his relative place on May 10. The relative, however, handed over the girl to the local police, after which her family members were allegedly pressurised to compromise instead of lodging an FIR and arresting the three accused. Senior police officers took cognisance of the incident only after the suicide of the victims father and suspended the police station in-charge and arrested all three accused. June 5: A 40-year-old rape victims father hanged himself in a village under Eit police station of Jalaun. He took the extreme step allegedly over the delay in police action. The father of the 15-year-old gangrape victim was allegedly chased away from the police station on May 31. Local cops even threatened to frame him in some case as per reports. The FIR was lodged against the three accused, including a couple, on June 4 only when it came to the knowledge of Jalaun SP Iraj Raja after the girls father uploaded his complaint to Chief Ministers JanSunwai portal on June 3. The girls father, however, ended his life in the wee hours of June 5. After the suicide, Eit police station in-charge Nagendra Pratap Gautam and sub-inspector Ashok Kumar were suspended for the delay in the action. The accused couple was arrested immediately while the key accused was not arrested as he was already in jail in another case. The police further sought his custody in this case to initiate further action against him. June 9: A rape victim hanged herself from the ceiling of a room at her house in a village under Tambour police station of Sitapur district. She was kidnapped by three of her Muslim friends on the night of June 4 and gang-raped. Local police started mounting pressure to compromise when the girls family approached the police to register FIR the next day. The police arrested the three accused only when some Hindu outfits started a protest over the inaction and only after the suicide of the victim. June 12: A 22-year-old civil service aspirant Ashish Verma from Gahod village under the Rahimabad police station allegedly committed suicide. Previously, he had accused cops of the Rahimabad police station of forcing him to take the extreme step. He said the cops were regularly harassing him and demanding money from his family while threatening to frame him and his brother Manish Verma in the case of attacking a person with whom they had a monetary dispute over 2,000. The cops were demanding 50,000 to settle the issue. After the suicide, three personnel of the police station were removed and sent to the police lines and an inquiry was set up against them in the matter. June 21: Five days after complaining about a rape attempt, a 16-year-old minor Dalit girl was found hanging at her house in a village under Haidergarh police station of Barabanki district. Her family members alleged that the girl committed suicide due to the delay in the arrest of the accused even though the FIR was lodged on June 17 itself. They said she was depressed since the incident. The Barabaki police unit held the key accused Sonu in a police encounter in which he suffered an injury in one of his legs. In this case, sub-inspector Yogendra Pratap Singh has been suspended reportedly for negligence in the case investigation and a departmental inquiry has been initiated against him. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rohit Kumar Singh Rohit K Singh is a Principal Correspondent. He writes on crime, police and social issues ...view detail Manipur Police on Friday said the situation is limping back to normalcy in most districts except for some sporadic incidents at some places, adding that a total of 1,095 arms,13,702 ammunition and 250 bombs of different kinds have been recovered till date from several places across the violence-hit northeastern state. Thousands of security and police force have been deployed in Manipur since May 3 violence (File Photo) Situation is normal in most districts except for some sporadic incidents at some places, said a press note of the Manipur police department. It said that amid the unrest, security coordination committee meetings are being held regularly, along with patrolling, flag marches and cordon & search operations in vulnerable areas. Also Read: Firing incident reported at two Manipur villages, armed forces respond Informing that the search operation was conducted by the combined team of state police and central forces at vulnerable areas particularly in fringe areas both in hill and valley districts, it said, Today a combined team of 37 Assam Rifles and Kakching district police conducted search operation at Sokom, Nazareth, Lonpi Khunou and another combined team of 37 Assam Rifles,163 BSF (Border Security Froce) and Imphal West district police also conducted a search operation and patrolling at Serou part 2 and Serou Makha Leikai of Kakching district. A search operation was also conducted at Karong village in the Imphal West district adjoining Kangpokpi district by a combined team of Imphal West district police, a company each of 170 BSF, 71 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) along with the districts executive magistrate, the Manipur police department said. On Thursday, a combined team of Bishnupur district police and 10 BSF conducted a search operation at Torbung Mamang Leikai, Bishnupur district. Further, a combined team of 37 Assam Rifles and Kakching district police conducted a search operation at Zo Veng, T Munaomjang, Sugnu tribal and Serou part 3 villages of Kakching district, it said. The department also informed that the state police and security forces will ensure the movement of essential items along National Highway 37. For the movement of loaded trucks from Jiribam to Imphal and empty trucks from Imphal to Jiribam under strict security measures are taken up and escorts are provided in the vulnerable sectors, it stated. Also Read: Two soldiers injured as fresh violence erupts in Manipur Moreover, the curfew which was imposed since the beginning of the unrest was relaxed for 12 hours to 15 hours in five valley districts, including Pherzawl and Jiribam districts and for 8 to 10 hours in Tengnoupal, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts while there is no curfew in the remaining six hill districts, it added. The state police also appealed to the general public to extend all possible help in bringing normalcy in the violence-hit state and also return and deposit arms, ammunition and explosives to the police and security forces immediately (if any). Manipur had been witnessing ethnic violence in the first week of May, in which more than 100 people have been killed and nearly 50,000 people displaced. The lone National Institute of Technology (NIT) of Uttar Pradesh, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT)-Allahabad, will now offer two new BTech courses. MNNIT campus in Prayagraj. (File Photo) Recently, the union ministry of education has given permission to MNNIT to start two BTech courses. These are BTech in engineering and computational mechanics as well as material science engineering, said institute officials. For the new courses, admission will be taken in BTech in engineering and computational mechanics from the session 2023-24 while admission in material science engineering will be done by the institute from the next academic session (2024-25), they added. Admission in engineering and computational mechanics has been approved to follow the admission process through the Centralised Seat Allotment Process (CSAP). A total of 30 seats have been earmarked for this course of eight semesters. Business ethics and social values will also be taught in this course as an extra academic activity. This course has been prepared on the basis of the new National Education Policy (NEP), the officials said. Dean (academics) of MNNIT Prof LK Mishra said that at present there is a great need for computational work. After a device is built, testing it is very important and the process is very expensive. Therefore, the use of computer simulation is increasing. This course is designed to understand the new technology of mechanics and equipment design. The new session will witness BTech courses being offered at the institute in nine branches, electronics, mechanical, civil, electrical, computer science, biotechnology, chemical, production engineering, engineering and computational mechanics. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Pratapgarh police arrested three persons from Delhi and busted a gang of cyber fraudsters targeting customers of Bank of Baroda branches in Pratapgarh. For representation only (HT File Photo) Satpal Antil, superintendent of police, Pratapgarh, said that the three arrested members of the gang have been identified as Ashiq aka Aryan Sharma of Sangam Vihar, New Delhi, Surendra Singh aka Balram Singh of East of Kailash, South Delhi and Arun Kumar aka Abhinav Gupta alias Arun Bharadwaj hailing from Haridwar, Uttarakhand but currently residing at Nand Nagri, East Delhi. Police claimed that these fraudsters, with the help of some bank personnel of the Bank of Baroda, used to get a list of bank accounts whose phone numbers were not linked to bank accounts and from that list select some bank accounts in which a large amount of money was deposited. Then using fake cheque books prepared in the name of these accounts, the fraudsters used to transfer the money. They even obtained the signatures against these cheques used by the holders of such accounts as well as other details, so that they could now present the fake cheques on behalf of the genuine account holders, police officials shared. The SP Pratapgarh said that following the busting of the gang and their modus operandi by the police team led by ASP Amrit Jain, the Bank of Baroda has removed the shortcomings in the banking system and has made a major change in the rules of transactions from cheques to secure large amounts of money deposited in the accounts of account holders. A number of complaints had been received recently at police stations of Pratapgarh from victims that led to the police focusing their attention on busting this gang, officials said. Records show that an FIR was registered on May 27, on the complaint of fake transfer of 11,74,100 from the account of one account holder of Bank of Barodas Derwa branch, located under the Jethwara police station area. Another FIR was lodged on June 9, on the basis of a complaint received in the case of fraudulent transfer of 17,65,600 by cloning cheques of the account holder of Bank of Barodas Derwa branch. Similarly, an FIR was registered on June 10, regarding fraudulent transfer of 34,07,500 while on June 11 too an FIR was registered in the case of fraudulently transferring of 35 lakh on May 1, by cloning a cheque of an account holder of Bank of Barodas Belha branch, located under the jurisdiction of police station Kotwali Nagar. On June 18, too, an FIR was registered over the fake transfer of 25 lakh from the account of one account holder of Bank of Barodas Belha branch. The investigation and arrest by the Pratapgarh police team has been appreciated by the director general of police, UP. Additional director general of police, Prayagraj Zone, Bhanu Bhaskar, has declared a citation and a prize of 25,000 for the commendable work done by the team. Top leaders of 15 parties, among them six chief ministers, attended the keenly awaited Opposition unity meet called by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar in Patna on Friday and all of them, with the exception of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), later announced that they will stay united and collectively challenge the Narendra Modi government in the 2024 parliamentary elections. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, RJD chief Lalu Prasad and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee during a joint press conference in Patna on Friday. (Santosh Kumar/HT Photo) The two AAP leaders who attended the three-hour-long meeting Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann skipped the press briefing held later. In a statement, AAP said that until the Congress publicly denounces the black ordinance and declares that all 31 of its RS MPs will oppose the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha, it will be difficult for AAP to participate in future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant. Opening the press conference, Nitish Kumar described the meeting as very good. We have arrived at a consensus on going forward together and on fighting elections together. In the next meeting, we will decide how the parties will fight from their strongholds, he said. The next meeting has been decided to be held in Shimla, tentatively on July 10 or 12. Speaking after CM Kumar, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, All the Opposition leaders want to fight together on a common agenda. We will meet in Shimla on July 10 or 12 and prepare further. We will be fighting the 2024 elections together to defeat the BJP and we are hopeful we will be successful. The unity meeting made a promising start but bickering between AAP and Congress on the Delhi ordinance could not be avoided, according to a leader privy to what transpired at the meeting. While AAP leaders didnt walk out of the meeting held at Nitish Kumars residence, it skipped the press conference where all other leaders spoke of unity on issues and elections. A draft joint statement, titled Collective Resolve, could not be approved in the meeting though. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was also present at the presser, said, There is an assault on the foundation of India and on its institutions. This is an ideological war. We may have some differences among ourselves, but we will work together. The opposition unity is a process. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who was first to suggest Patna as the venue for the big huddle, said, We had many meetings in Delhi, but none yielded any fruitful result. So, we decided to meet in Patna. She hit out at BJP over a number of issues, including alleged misuse of Raj Bhavans as alternative governments and how dissenters face raids by central agencies. If BJP wins again, India will be destroyed, she said. Former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad, who returned to a political event after a long gap, said the key problem of the Opposition is that it remains divided and the votes are split. Even as the Congress remain non-committal on the support to AAP on the Delhi ordinance, which seeks to limit the state governments role in governance, Banerjee declared, We will fight together against BJPs laws. NCP chief Sharad Pawar said the meeting has shown us the way. PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti said the alleged attack on the democracy and the Constitution started from J&K where the is no elected government for four years. Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah said the Opposition is not fighting for power but to save the idea of India. Our Prime Minister speaks of democracy in the White House, but why doesnt this democracy reach J&K? CPMs Sitaram Yechury said BJP is trying to change the secular democratic character of India and added that the united Opposition will undertake many joint programmes. CPI leader D Raja described the current regime as disastrous and detrimental to interest of India which has led to rise of communal and corporate nexus. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday has requested all Opposition parties to come together and defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 general elections. Gandhi was accompanied by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and general secretary KC Venugopal in the gathering. (HT Photo | Santosh Kumar) Gandhi called on the party workers in Bihar to help the Congress defeat the BJPs ideology of hate. Gandhi was addressing party workers at the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) headquarters ahead of the crucial meeting of the opposition parties, convened by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday. All India Congress Committee (AICC) chief Mallikarjun Kharge, general secretary KC Venugopal and other senior party leaders were present in the function organised to celebrate the completion of the 4000-km long Bharat Jodo Yatra. Also Read: Mallikarjun Kharge gives win Bihar, win country mantra ahead of opposition leaders meet in Patna In his address to party workers, Gandhi asserted that hate can only be defeated with love. You know that hate cannot be countered with hate. It can be defeated only with love. The Congress is working to unite the country and spread love. That is why we have come to Bihar because the DNA of the Congress is in Bihar, Gandhi said. On one hand, there is the Congress Bharat Jodo ideology and on the other the BJP and RSS Bharat Todo ideology, Gandhi said. Gandhi heaped praises on the contributions of Bihar party workers during the historic yatra adding that they have come here to unite the opposition and defeat the BJP. All the opposition parties have come here, and we are to defeat the BJP. You have seen it during the Karnataka assembly results. BJP leaders were saying that they will register a huge victory in Karnataka, said Gandhi. The former Congress president said that the party will win the assembly elections in Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. They (people) now understand the Narendra Modis BJP is striving to help only two-three persons (in the country), said Gandhi. Gandhi called on the leaders to defend the party workers as they were fighting for the ideology of the country. Congress is striving for the ideology of Bharat Jodo, while the BJP-RSS is spearheading the ideology of Bharat Todo and spreading hatred. This is why he came to Bihar, said the Congress leader. Echoing similar sentiments, Congress chief Kharge said the opposition parties should form a united force. We will win the whole country if we win Bihar. This is why its important that all leaders sink their differences and put up a united fight to protect the Constitution, democracy and the true spirit of the nation, said the AICC president. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Lonavla city police have registered a case of fraud and cheating against the proprietor of a Pune-based travel company for duping at least 37 people to the tune of 10.36 lakh under the pretence of Char Dham pilgrimage. The incident took place in May this year. Pradeepkumar Dattatray Mode, 55, a resident of Lonavla has lodged a complaint against Sankeh Ramchandra Bhadale, the proprietor of a Pune-based travel company. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO) Pradeepkumar Dattatray Mode, 55, a resident of Lonavla has lodged a complaint against Sankeh Ramchandra Bhadale, the proprietor of a Pune-based travel company. Mode claimed that Bhadales company had organised a Kedarnath, Char Dham Yatra for 37 residents of Lonavla. To facilitate the trip, cheques of 28,000 each, amounting to a total of 10.36 lakh, were collected from the victims. However, the pilgrimage was subsequently cancelled, with the promise of rescheduling it in June. On May 18, Bhadale handed over cheques to the victims. When the cheques were deposited in the bank, they were dishonoured due to insufficient funds in the account. Since then, Bhadales phone has been switched off, leaving the victims in despair. Realising they had fallen victim to the fraudulent scheme, the victims alerted the police and filed a complaint. Sitaram Dubal, Lonavla city police station, said, A special team has been formed to arrest the suspect. Some victims borrowed money from relatives to pay for the pilgrimage. Pune: What do government circulars, legal notices and contracts have in common? Jargon, complex language beyond the understanding of common people. With evolving generative AI (artificial intelligence) and its ability to understand and respond in human language, the problem of processing such complex documents will soon be a matter of past. Anant Bhardwaj, founder and CEO of Instabase has a masters degree in computer science at Stanford University. (HT PHOTO) Instabase, an applied AI tech-startup founded in 2015 by Anant Bhardwaj, is bridging the market gap through its AI Hub ecosystem, an innovative repository of AI applications focused on content understanding and a suite of generative AI-based tools. Instabase has recently announced a 370 crore Series C funding round at 17,000 crore valuation. The Pune connection Anant Bhardwaj is an Indian Army kid, a computer scientist, software engineer, and internet entrepreneur. Born in Nalanda, Bihar and currently settled in Pune, Bhardwaj completed his undergraduate degree in computer engineering at the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and later pursued a masters in computer science at Stanford University. He joined the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for doctorate, where he was co-advised by American computer scientist Sam Madden and professor David Karger. In 2015, Bhardwaj dropped out of his PhD programme to embark on his journey to found Instabase. Anant said, My family moved to Pune in 1999 and I did my schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya. I wanted to join the Indian Army, but was rejected due to colour blindness. Later I did a job at BMC Software for about two years and moved to the US. I had interned at Oracle and Google, but later realised the cultural difference between universities and education in India and the US. I was focussed more on classes while my friends explored new ideas and started their own companies. I did not know if I really wanted to do a job and so applied for a PhD programme. I told my advisors that I do not know what I want to do, but one of the key goals is to start my company. My advisors supported me and said just go and have fun, but do not do anything stupid. In three years, I did six different projects. One of the projects was a system architecture called DataHub that argued for a Windows/Mac like operating system design which will provide an interface for end-user data applications, by abstracting infrastructure and other complexities underneath. A lot of people started using it at MIT. I thought this looked good enough to start a company. I did not really know who or why anyone would use it. I moved to California to discuss with some investors to check if they would be interested in funding my idea. In March 2015, I decided to drop out and moved to Bay area. I was lucky enough to secure an initial funding of 30 crore at 164 crore valuation in August 2015 from NEA and Greylock Partners. Investor experience Anant was on student visa and hence ineligible to work or start a company in the US, but he had received the funding in his bank account. This created a legal hurdle for him. Recalling the events, Anant said, I was introduced to the investors by an entrepreneur friend. I had borrowed a bike from another friend on the day of investors meeting, but I reached 45 minutes late due to flat tyre. The investors still took me seriously since I was referred by a credible startup founder. I had no team, no history and still they took a bet on me. I think this is what differentiates the startup ecosystem and investors from India and the US. I had money in my bank, but my visa got rejected. I could not establish an employee-employer relationship with the company since I was my own employer. This turned into a serious issue, but then MIT came to my rescue as they admitted me back for the PhD programme. We hired lawyers and found a solution and later I got my green card. Proof-of-concept Anant said, We had started with two random apps Notebook for universities, and Refiner for data scientists to help structure text data coming from sensors and other machine generated sources. We had also built a couple of visualisation apps Lens, and Viz, primarily eye candy for demos. The first 12-18 months were primarily focused on building the foundations of the operating system a general purpose abstraction for files [file service], a general-purpose abstraction for tabular data [table service], and a general-purpose abstraction for processing tasks [distributed task processing]. None of these had any real value or practical application from the usefulness perspective. It was late 2016, we were a three-person company, in a random demo, a data scientist from a HR and benefits company asked us I want to do some analysis over health insurance plans, would not it be great if we could use Refiner over the insurance plan docs which we get as PDF from different insurance provider websites. We did not have anything to handle PDF, but we knew how to do extraction from text. We got our first customer, however, the CEO of the company got fired and the deal never happened. We got few other customers who were paying us 25,000 to process their PDFs. Later Standard Chartered came in as our customer and we proposed charging them around 12 crore for their document processing. Since we could not differentiate between customers regarding pricing, we had to let go the smaller customers. Meanwhile, a16z approached us for the Series A round of 188 crore at a valuation of 1,230 crore. So, during this round we had zero-dollar revenue and no product. Later, we sealed our deal with Standard Chartered and another insurance company, Anant said. Unicorn status Instabase grew quickly from 2018 to 2019 where it got five customers and a revenue of about 49 crore. At this stage, Index Ventures and other investors put in 861 crore at a valuation of about 16,000 crore in 2019. Anant said, We were a team of 25 people then and we had found a use case where people were willing to pay us money. Thereafter, we struggled a lot to build a sales team and our revenues plateaued. We went from 49 crore to 57 crore between 2019 and 2020. The coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdowns gave us time to build our teams and grow. Meanwhile, the market and technology were also evolving. Things turned better as we were getting new customers. Artificial Intelligence (AI) was evolving, and I had a friend who was in the team which developed conversational AI. Until then we were selling to only large enterprises and our customers were all top banks and insurance companies globally, including four out of five banks of the US. Our revenues grew 6x. OpenAI partnership Elaborating on the agreement with OpenAI, Anant said, Our customers care about their information privacy and secrecy. While OpenAI stores and learns from data, we entered an arrangement where we will build models on top of their language model, but they will have no right to retain data and no right to learn anything from it. We signed this agreement in February 2023. In 2020, Instabase heavily invested in transformer-based layout-aware language models and made several base foundation models available for customers to fine-tune according to their specific requirements. Anant said, A key aspect of AI is the ability to learn language. Language understanding was the holy grail of the AI problem. Googles transformer fundamentally changed the research in AI in 2017-18. The architecture was about can machine learn how to fill any blank or keep adding one blank and keep generating. Earlier, AI models were of few gigabytes and later those became hundreds of gigabytes. Training one model costs around 275 crore and iterations costs were additional. OpenAI was working on this idea and released a conversational engine on top of the language model they had and which later surprised us all. Earlier, we had to hire coders to make machine understand human language and only way to communicate with the machine was through an application which provided a user interface to do something. That fundamentally changed and it was fine for spoken language. For documents it was written language. A document is nothing but artifact of two-dimensional representation of language and we thought what if we figure out a model to represent the two dimensions of the language. By leveraging large language models like GPT-4 and incorporating layout understanding, Instabases platform allowed users to create custom solutions for document understanding in a matter of minutes. Instabase AI Hub democratised AI by making it accessible and user-friendly for individuals with both technical and non-technical backgrounds. When ChatGPT was launched we approached them for partnership. In January 2023, we started building document understanding engine on top of GPT and launch this product in February, Anant said. Anant and his team launched their AI hub product a fortnight ago. He said, Earlier our platform was mainly designed for large enterprises and our focus was global market. With AI Hub, India could be a huge market for us. We believe anyone can build an application on top of our AI platform. We support all languages, including regional languages in India. We have offices in New York, Bay area in US, London; and Bengaluru in India. Eyeing IPO Predicting future developments, Anant claims, AI will change a lot of fundamental things. AI can now help individuals and professionals like lawyers, politicians, teachers, students, etc. We will see a lot of exciting stuff in AI in coming months. Possibly we can build AI agents for commoners who can book restaurants, flight tickers and file taxes. AI is in a nascent stage and we are making sure that lot of people can understand, build, and use a lot of third-party application ecosystem. Eventually our goal is to become a publicly listed company in the next three to four years. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The contours of the national Opposition strategy will slowly become clearer over the next few months. But there are three principal hurdles on the way. The first has little to do with plans of Opposition unity, and more to do with the BJPs enduring strength at the voting booths. In 2019, the BJP won 224 seats with a vote share percentage greater than 50%. In 2014, this number was 136. Only in 48 constituencies was the combined vote share of the number two- and three-ranked candidates higher than the BJP nominee. This means that mere arithmetic will not work, and the Opposition will need to find a way to wean large numbers of people away from the BJP. This is exactly what the Congress did in Karnataka, where entire communities moved away from the BJP after a generation, but replicating this at the national level especially in the northern states that are the BJPs stronghold will be far more challenging. The second hurdle is ideological. To dent the BJP in the 224 seats where it comprehensively won will need a strong narrative that is both ideologically coherent, pragmatic and popular. The Oppositions experience with Uttar Pradesh (UP) in 2019 when the two Mandal giants, the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) came together in an unprecedented alliance, only to be undone by grassroots contradictions in their core demographic bases will be instructive. Until now, Opposition parties have tinkered with their messaging around welfare, caste census, upliftment of marginalised communities, allegations of democratic backsliding, and economic distress, but are yet to zero in on a winning narrative. This will be pivotal. The third hurdle is political, and directly tied to the geographical spread of regional and national parties. At least 124 of the BJPs 303 seats in 2019 came from states where Opposition parties are often in contest with each other, and where Opposition unity will be difficult to achieve. Take, for example, West Bengal, where the Trinamool Congress is in contest not only with the BJP but also the Congress and the Left. Or UP, where four major parties the BJP, SP, BSP and Congress are in the fray. It is in these regions that internal contradictions in the Opposition camp (how do the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress come together while fighting for control over Delhi and Punjab, or how do the Left and the Congress manage an arrangement nationally while being the principal contenders for power in Kerala?) will need to be deftly managed. And finally, while Opposition unity can have its benefits and drawbacks, it may end up meaning little if there is no change in the political fortunes in 160-odd seats where the BJP and the Congress were in direct contest and where the former trounced the latter comprehensively. Unless the Congress can put up a stronger fight, the BJP will have the edge going into 2024. Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan will tell us whether it remains the case this winter. Priyanka Chopra took a short break from the shooting of her next Hollywood film, Heads of State. She has now shared pictures from her summer fun with BFF Tamanna Dutt and her family. One of the group pictures shows Priyanka and Tamanna with their husbands and kids posing together before taking leave. Priyanka also shared a candid moment with her daughter Malti. Also read: Priyanka Chopra shares adorable pic of Nick Jonas reading to Malti, fan says he's prepping her for IIT JEE Priyanka Chopra had some fun with friends during her small break from Heads of State shoot. Priyanka shares pics with Malti, Nick and friends Sharing the group picture on Instagram Stories, Priyanka wrote on Thursday, Will miss you so much. Summer fun was had (heart eyes emojis, heart emoticons and kiss emojis @tam2cul @sudeepdutt #Thiaan. She shared another picture in which she was seen in a white suit, making Malti try on her first fascinator (cap). Nick Jonas was seen putting on the fascinator on Malti's head as Priyanka held her in her arms. She captioned the picture, First fascinator. Ready for Ascot? MM (heart eyes and laughing emojis). Priyanka Chopra shared two pics from her summer fun. Rohini Iyer, founder of a media management company that represents Priyanka, recently visited her on the sets of Heads of State. She penned a note on how the actor has not taken her success to her head or heart. She said the actor has remained true to herself and the people around her even after earning worldwide fame. Glimpse of Heads of State sets Sharing pictures from the sets of Heads of State, Rohini wrote, "Hanging out on location in London. Cant wait for this one. Its gonna be epic! #headsofstate. Thank you @priyankachopra for this week and for everything. You make us proud .. every.single.day." The film also stars John Cena and Idris Elba. Rohini pens note for Priyanka Sharing a note for Priyanka, Rohini wrote, Ive reached that point in life where I want to only spend time with people who value me and who I value back. I want to work with people who I like and respect and who Im happy for and happy with. I want to be surrounded by good energy , good vibes, be around people who are ambitious, have an insane work ethic, dream impossible dreams like me and make them all come true. This girl @priyankachopra is all that and more. She further added, All these years Ive known and worked with her, one thing about her is constant. Shes evolved and grown beyond everyones expectations, shes pivoting all the time but her core hasnt changed. She still remains the same solid girl with grace, grit, generosity of soul and integrity. She hasnt let success or failure go to her head or heart. I love that about her. Ive seen people with half her talent and quarter of her success become unbearable but she remains consistent. Ive always been proud of her success but what Im more proud of is that shes remained true to herself and the people around her. And that is honestly everything! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Tom Cruise will be next seen in Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, the seventh instalment in the iconic Mission: Impossible franchise. He had a global blockbuster in Top Gun: Maverick last year, which is the sequel to his 1986 breakthrough Top Gun. On doing a better MI, Top Gun film Tom Cruise said that after every screening of his film directed by Christopher, he whispers in the director's ears, We could do better. Not just Mission: Impossible movies, every movie we make, I tell him we can do better. Including Maverick. Oh I think I can (make a better Maverick), Tom Cruise said in an interview to Fandango. Tom on moviegoing experience My goal as a child was to make movies and travel the world. And not just be a tourist, but to work and live there, and understand their culture. You look at my movies, and I've had that, because of everyone who's enabled me and allowed me to entertain them. It's a privilege that I've never taken for granted. It's my passion to make movies. It's my passion to entertain you. And I'll always fight for big theatres and that kind of experience for everyone, Tom said at the premiere in Rome. About Dead Reckoning Part One Dead Reckoning is the sequel to Mission: Impossible - Fallout, that released in 2018. Dead Reckoning is being made in two parts. The first will release on July 12 in cinemas and the second is slated to release on June 28, 2024. The action thriller will see Tom Cruise reprise his iconic role of Ethan Hunt, Simon Pegg return as Benji Dunn, Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Fraust, and Vanessa Kirby as Alanna Mitsopolis. Hayley joins the ensemble as Grace. I've been a huge fan of the Mission: Impossible franchise, of Christopher McQuarrie, of Tom Cruise. So when I was handcuffed with Tom in a scene, I said, 'Wow, I'm in a Tom Cruise movie!' And he responded with, 'No no, I'm in a Hailey Atwell movie!' That's just how Tom is. He's so generous, always bolsters people to do better," Hailey said on joining the Mission: Impossible franchise. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Ram Charan and wife Upasana Konidela made their first public appearance with their baby on Friday as they posed outside the hospital on their way home. Ram Charan walked out of the hospital with his baby girl in his arms and was received with loud cheers by his fans. They were showered with rose petals at the gate. Upasana took the baby from Ram and they all posed together for the paparazzi, who were waiting for the couple at the gate. Also read: Niharika Konidela calls Ram Charan's baby girl cutest little bundle of joy Ram Charan, Upasana Konidela outside a Hyderabad hospital on Friday. Ram addresses the media Ram was in a white shirt and blue denims and wore shades. Upasana was in a floral maxi dress while the baby was wrapped in a white swaddle. Ram addressed the waiting media and thanked his fans and well wishers for their blessings. He also thanked the doctors from the hospital for their efforts. "We are so lucky. Upasana and the baby, there are no complications. They are doing very, very well," he said. Upasana Konidela and Ram Charan pose outside the hospital. Chiranjeevi on birth of his granddaughter Earlier, Chiranjeevi had visited his granddaughter at the hospital. Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad on June 20, Chiranjeevi said, Today at 1.49 AM, Ram Charan and Upasana gave birth to a baby girl. Our family is extremely happy. We have been seeking for many years now that they should become parents and put a baby in our hands. By the grace of god and the blessings of all, it has come true. We consider it very special that the baby is born on Tuesday, which is auspicious day for praying to Lord Anjaneya (Hanuman)." Sharing the good news on Twitter, he had said, "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!!." More about Ram and Upasana Ram, 38, and Upasana, 33, announced the pregnancy in December. The couple tied the knot in 2012 after dating for years. Ram had said at the Oscars this year that his unborn baby has brought RRR team 'so much luck'. The film won an Oscar for Best Original Song, Naatu Naatu. ott:10 SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT Entertainment Desk Dedicated professionals who write about cinema and television in all their vibrancy. Expect views, reviews and news. ...view detail Looks like Jad Hadid will break Manisha Rani's heart soon. In a promo from the upcoming episode of Bigg Boss OTT 2, the Dubai model was seen chatting up Akanksha Puri, who is locked up in the Bigg Boss jail. He seemed to be flirting with her, telling her how she has made things easier for him inside the house. Akanksha Puri listened patiently to what Jad Hadid had to say. Jad talks to the camera about Akanksha, who is locked up in the jail, She's a copy of me but in a girl version. Thank you for making this journey enjoyable. Akanksha said, Really? Jad replied, Thank you so much, really. I don't know how it would have looked like if there was no you here, like this moment of peace, you get sometimes when you are like in the chaos, in the mess, the noises and everything and you feel like you just want to run away and isolate yourself and have a glass of martini or champagne." Their flirting is sure to hurt Manisha Rani, who has been trying her best to win over Jad. She teases him, sits in his laps, gives him kisses and he has been reciprocating her advances too. On Thursday's episode, Manisha called Jad pagla (mad) casually during a task. Others told him that Manisha was calling him mad even as she said it was all in good fun. She got others such as Pooja Bhatt and Cyrus Broacha to let Jad know in English what she actually meant. As Jad came to her later, she broke down in his arms and said she would never do anything to hurt him. He forgave her with a smile. Manisha's friend Bebika also got angry at her for cuddling with Jad even after he called Bebika fake during a task. Bigg Boss OTT 2, hosted by Salman Khan, witnessed its first nomination for eviction which included contestants like Bebika Dhurve, Jiya Shankar, Palak Purswani, and Avinash Sachdev. Bigg Boss OTT 2 streams on JioCinema. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Four terrorists trying to infiltrate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were killed in the Machhal sector on Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara, police said on Friday. The terrorists were neutralised in a joint operation by police and the Indian Army. Security personnel deployed near an encounter site in Jammu and Kashmir. (File / PTI) Kashmir Zone Police tweeted, In a joint operation, Army and Police have killed four #terrorists in Kala Jungle of Machhal sector in #Kupwara who were trying to infiltrate to our side from POJK. In a tweet, Indian Army's Chinar Corps said: In a Jt op launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice, an infiltration bid was foiled today by alert troops along LOC in Macchal Sector, Kupwara. 04 x Terrorists eliminated & war-like stores have been recovered. Ops in progress. The encounter comes around a week after a major infiltration bid at Jumgund Keran close to the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kupwara district was foiled by the security forces in a similar joint operation. The General Officer Commanding, Vajra Division, Maj Gen Girish Kalia, in a press conference post-operation, said that there is a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. However, in the recent past, they (forces) have been getting a large number of intelligence inputs of likely infiltration from across the LoC. (This is a developing story. Please check back for updates) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON As the opposition leaders met in Patna to project unity, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday hit out at the Congress for not opposing the Centre's black ordinance, saying that the grand old party's silence raises suspicions about its real intentions. In a statement, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party said that it is high time that Congress decides whether it stands with the people of Delhi or the Modi government. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann attend the Opposition leaders' meeting regarding a joint strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, in Patna on Friday.(ANI) The party also said that until Congress publicly denounces the Black Ordinance, it will be difficult for AAP to participate in future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant. The Congress, a national party that takes a stand on almost all issues, has yet to make its position on the Black Ordinance public. However, the Congress Delhi and Punjab units have announced that the party should support the Modi government on this issue, the party statement read. It added, Today, during the like-minded party meeting in Patna, many parties urged the Congress to publicly denounce the Black Ordinance. However, the Congress refused to do so. In personal discussions, senior Congress leaders have hinted that their party might informally or formally abstain from voting on it in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress abstention from voting on this issue will help the BJP immensely in furthering its attack on Indian democracy. On the Centre's black Ordinance, AAP in its statement said that it not only aims to snatch the democratic rights of an elected government in Delhi, but also poses a significant threat to India's democracy and Constitutional principles. If left unchallenged, this dangerous trend could spread to all other states, resulting in the usurpation of power from democratically elected state governments. It is crucial to defeat this Black Ordinance. The Black Ordinance is anti-constitutional, antifederalism, and outright undemocratic, it said. The AAP also skipped the opposition parties press conference held post the meeting in Patna. While it was speculated that Kejriwal skipped it over tensions with Congress, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar - who convened the meet - explained that the AAP supremo was not present as he had to go back to the national capital. What is the ordinance? The Ordinance issued by the Centre sets up the National Capital Civil Services Authority and gives it the power to transfer bureaucrats in the national capital. Promulgated by President Droupadi Murmu last month, it negated a Supreme Court order granting Delhi's elected government to make laws and control 'services' in the city. Kejriwal has been actively seeking non-BJP parties' backing to defeat the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha. After the Opposition parties meeting in Bihar, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday said it will be difficult for the party to attend future meetings of opposition parties where Congress is present as it slammed the latter for not denouncing the Delhi Ordinance. Over the past month, Kejriwal has met several Opposition leaders to garner support against the ordinance. (PTI photo) The ordinance promulgated by the central government on May 19 effectively nullified a May 11 Supreme Court constitutional bench judgement that the control of bureaucrats working with the Delhi government (except those related to land, police and public order) will be with the elected government of Delhi. Over the past month, Kejriwal has met several Opposition leaders to garner support against the ordinance. His campaigns are also aimed at halting any move by the Centre to turn its ordinance into a full-fledged law in Parliament, particularly in the Rajya Sabha. Calling the ordinance, a Black Ordinance, the AAP said, Congress silence raises suspicions about its real intentions. Also Read:Witty Lalu Prasads get married advice to Rahul Gandhi at Opposition meet: Deri nahi hua Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann attended the meeting but were not present in the joint press conference called later. In a statement released after the Opposition meeting, AAP said, The black ordinance is anti-constitutional, anti-federalism, and outright undemocratic. Furthermore, it seeks to reverse the Supreme Courts judgment on the issue and is an affront to the judiciary. Congress hesitation and refusal to act as a team player, especially on an issue as important as this one, would make it very difficult for the AAP to be a part of any alliance that includes Congress. Until the Congress publicly denounces the Black Ordinance and declares that all 31 of its RS MPs will oppose the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha, it will be difficult for AAP to participate in future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant. AAP said that in the Patna meeting, several political parties urged the Congress to publicly denounce the ordinance. However, the Congress refused to do so, AAP said. In personal discussions, senior Congress leaders have hinted that their party might informally or formally abstain from voting on it in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress abstention from voting on this issue will help the BJP immensely in furthering its attack on Indian democracy. It is high time that Congress decides whether it stands with the people of Delhi or the Modi government, AAP said. A total of 15 parties are attending the like-minded party meeting in Patna, out of which 12 have representation in the Rajya Sabha. Except for the Indian National Congress, all other 11 parties, which have representation in the Rajya Sabha, have clearly expressed their stand against the Black Ordinance and announced that they would oppose it in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress, a national party that takes a stand on almost all issues, has yet to make its position on the Black Ordinance public. However, the Congress Delhi and Punjab units have announced that the party should support the Modi government on this issue, AAP said in a statement. Several opposition parties including Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Trinamool Congress, CPI(M), and Bharat Rashtra Samiti have lent support to AAP in their pushback against the ordinance. The ordinance cast a bundle of new provisions in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act, 1991 and handed back control of Delhis administrative machinery to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. The Supreme Courts May 11 judgement found no justification in a 2015 notification of the Centre putting services as found in Entry 41 of List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India beyond the ambit of the legislative and executive power of the elected government in the national Capital. The Black Ordinance not only aims to snatch the democratic rights of an elected government in Delhi, but also poses a significant threat to Indias democracy and Constitutional principles. If left unchallenged, this dangerous trend could spread to all other states, resulting in the usurpation of power from democratically elected state governments. It is crucial to defeat this Black Ordinance, AAP said. The Congress is yet to take a stand on the ordinance, and the partys state-level leaders, especially in Delhi and Punjab, have urged the senior leadership against supporting the AAP. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday said that it will find it difficult to attend future meetings of opposition parties where the Congress is present if the latter does not publicly denounce a controversial ordinance granting the Centre control over Delhis bureaucracy, highlighting fissures within the opposition camp. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann attend the Opposition leaders' meeting regarding a joint strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, in Patna on Friday. (ANI) Four leaders from the AAP Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann, and parliamentarians Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh attended the meeting at Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars residence, but hours later, the party released a statement strongly criticising the Congress. Read: Before opposition's meet, 'Rahul Gandhi, BJP have an agreement', alleges AAP The statement said that in the meeting, many political parties urged the Congress to publicly denounce the ordinance. However, the Congress refused to do so, added the statement that was issued even as other opposition leaders were speaking in a joint press conference in Patna, which the AAP leaders skipped. In personal discussions, senior Congress leaders have hinted that their party might informally or formally abstain from voting on it in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress abstention from voting on this issue will help the BJP immensely in furthering its attack on Indian democracy. It is high time that Congress decides whether it stands with the people of Delhi or the Modi government, the statement said. In the meeting, people aware of developments said that Kejriwal insisted that the Congress must clarify its stand on the ordinance in this meeting. But Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge maintained that any such decision could only be taken after the Congress discussed the issue in its parliamentary party meeting. We have a system in place, Kharge said, according to the people cited above. While the issue of the ordinance is important given that it has wider ramifications and is not limited to one state, the meeting was also a moment where opposition parties rose above their differences to forge a national political strategy and narrative. Read: Nitish Kumar explains why AAP was not part of Opposition presser in Patna Last month, the Centre promulgated an ordinance restoring to itself the power over services in Delhi by making a raft of major amendments in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act, 1991. The ordinance effectively rolled back a Constitution bench judgment of the Supreme Court that handed over control of the bureaucracy in the Capital to the elected government, excluding those connected to police, public order and land. The ordinance is likely to be brought before Parliament in the upcoming monsoon session for approval, presenting a key challenge for Opposition unity. While several parties such as the Trinamool Congress, Left parties and Bharat Rashtra samithi have assured the AAP of support, the Congress is yet to make a public declaration. The black ordinance is anti-constitutional, anti-federalism, and outright undemocraticCongresss hesitation and refusal to act as a team player, especially on an issue as important as this one, would make it very difficult for the AAP to be a part of any alliance that includes Congress. Until the Congress publicly denounces the Black Ordinance and declares that all 31 of its RS MPs will oppose the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha, it will be difficult for AAP to participate in future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant, the AAP statement said. Two Opposition leaders said that Kejriwal didnt threaten to walk out of the meeting but insisted that the ordinance issue is important. Mamata Banerjee played the referee and suggested that Congress leaders and Kejriwal sit over a cup of tea and discuss the issue. She also suggested that instead of focusing on the ordinance, the meeting must focus on positive issues, said one of the leaders quoted above. People aware of developments said AAP leaders were keen that an announcement of the s resolve to oppose the ordinance should be announced at the press conference but it didnt find much support from the Congress. The AAP was keen that an announcement be made that the Opposition would oppose the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha. But there was a view among leaders that when the time comes, the ordinance would be opposed in the Rajya Sabha, said a senior leader of Bihars ruling grand alliance, requesting anonymity. Over the past month, Kejriwal has met several Opposition leaders to garner support against the ordinance. ANY ON RECORD CONG RESPONSE SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressing the party workers in Patna ahead of the mega meet of the opposition leaders said Congress will win in Telangana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh by defeating the BJP. You saw what happened in Karnataka. The BJP leaders toured everywhere, made long speeches and claimed that they will have a sweep. But did you see what happened? I am saying this from this stage that you won't see the BJP in Telangana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Madhya Pradesh. Why? Because the Congress is standing with the poor, Rahul Gandhi said. The entire country now understands that BJP means the progress of two-three people. On the other hand, Congress means the development of the poor people, Rahul Gandhi said. 'Aap ka mood kaisa hai: Rahul Gandhi addressing party workers in Patna. 'Mamata didi ne kaha..': Rahul Gandhi as 'Devdas' in poster ahead of Opposition's meet "Aap ka mood kaisa hai? Mood achha hai?" Rahul Gandhi said as he began his speech. This is the first public address of Rahul Gandhi after his US visit. "You all know there is a battle of ideologies going on in India. On one hand, there is Congress's Bharat Jodo ideology, on the other hand, there is RSS, BJP's Bharat Todo ideology. We have come here because the Congress's DNA is in Bihar. People from Bihar contributed a lot to our Bharat Jodo Yatra. Everywhere I used to ask people where they came from. The answer was Bihar. You joined the yatra because you believe in the ideology," Rahul Gandhi said. "You know hatred can't end hatred. Only love can. All opposition party leaders are here today," Rahul Gandhi said. Before Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said if the party wins Bihar, they can win across the country. Leaders of around 20 parties, including chief ministers of opposition-ruled states are in Patna to attend the meeting convened by Nitish Kumar. The meeting aims to chart out a road for the opposition unity in 2024 Lok Sabha election. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail Lucknow: The views expressed by the Supreme Court pertaining to live-in relationships cannot be considered to promote such relationships, the Allahabad high court observed as it rejected a petition filed by an interfaith live-in couple seeking protection against alleged harassment by the police, Live Law has reported. It also said that observations made by the Supreme Court pertaining to live-in relationships should be read in the context of the facts of each case (Representational image) The court also stressed upon the need to create awareness regarding the emotional and societal pressures and legal hassles that may be created by live-in relations, as it recently observed that traditionally, law has been biased in favour of marriage. The observations were made by a division bench of justices Sangeeta Chandra and Narendra Kumar Johari, which was hearing a writ petition filed by a Muslim man (30) and a Hindu woman (29) claiming they were facing harassment from the police and sought courts protection citing apex courts ruling in the 2006 Lata Singh case. The bench, however, dismissed the petition noting that the interfaith couple approached the court with mere unsubstantiated allegations. They have also not stated anywhere in the writ petition any specific instance of the police coming and knocking their doors or taking them to the police station the bench was quoted as saying by Live Law. It also said that observations made by the Supreme Court pertaining to live-in relationships should be read in the context of the facts of each case. The Observations of the Supreme Court as aforesaid however cannot be considered to promote such relationships. Law traditionally has been biased in favour of marriage. It reserves many rights and privileges to married persons to preserve and encourage the institution of marriage the bench added. The high court also noted that the apex court has refused to extend the meaning of the word wife as denoted in Section 125 of the CrPC to include such live-in partners for maintenance claims. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday - a day after former US president Barack Obama commented on the protection of Muslims in India - stirred a controversy by claiming that there are many "Hussain Obamas" in the country and the state police will act according to its priorities. The Opposition was quick to hit back at the Assam chief minister. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and former US President Barack Obama Sarmas tweet was in response to a journalist's post on Obamas interview to CNN on Thursday, in which he said that if US President Joe Biden met Prime Minister Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a majority Hindu India is something worth mentioning. Has an FIR been filed in Guwahati yet against Obama for hurting sentiment? Is Assam police on its way to Washington to get Obama offloaded from some flight and arrest him? the journalist tweeted. The tweet was apparently referring to FIRs being lodged in Assam against opposition leaders over their remarks in different parts of the country. The Assam Police had travelled to different locations and even made arrests, including deplaning and apprehending Congress leader Pawan Khera in February and arresting then-Independent Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani last year. In response, Sarma wrote, There are many Hussain Obama in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington. The Assam police will act according to our own priorities. The Assam chief minister's comment comes hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a joint White House press conference with President Biden, claimed that there is no discrimination in India on the grounds of caste or religion because his government follows the Constitution, which is formed on the basic values of democracy. Opposition slams Himanta Sarma Congress spokesperson and social media head Supriya Shrinate tweeted, My friend Barack is now Hussain Obama! Actually Himanta has answered what PM Modi was asked at White House. His insinuation - about President Obama being a muslim and Indian Muslims need to be taught a lesson - was the questions premise. What is the PM, MEA and Govt of Indias stand on this? Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also reacted to Sarma's tweet. From Barack to Hussain. A sitting BJP CM proving Barack Obamas comments were not misplaced, she tweeted. Trinamool Congress spokesperson Saket Gokhale referred to Modi's statement in the White and said, Less than 24 hours after PM Modi said theres no discrimination in India, a Chief Minister from his party refers to Obama as 'Hussain Obama' (in quotes) issues a veiled threat about using his state police force to take care of them in India. This clearly exposes the hypocrisy & lies of PM Modi on the international stage. What did Barack Obama say? Obama in an interview to CNN on Thursday had said that India may pull apart if the rights of the religious and ethnic minorities are not upheld. If the (US) President meets with Prime Minister Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a Hindu majority India is worth mentioning. If I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you dont protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, there is a strong possibility that India would at some point start pulling apart, Obama had said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Jammu/New Delhi Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and others attend the Opposition leaders' meeting regarding a joint strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, in Patna on Friday. (ANI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday dismissed a mega meeting of 32 Opposition leaders in Patna as a mere photo session and added that it was a public declaration that the Congresss capabilities were insufficient to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The remarks came on the day major opposition parties resolved to come together to fight the next general elections in a four-hour-long meeting in Patna. The next meeting will be held in Shimla to chart the future course of action, the Opposition leaders announced in a joint press conference. At a public rally in Jammu, Union home minister Amit Shah said Modi will become the PM for a third time in the elections next year, and that the BJP will get over 300 of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha. Today, a photo session is going on in Patna...leaders of the opposition [parties] have assembled. They want to convey the message that they would challenge the BJP, NDA [National Democratic Alliance], and Modi...despite their attempts, unity among them is not possible. And even if they forge unity and go to the people, Modi with over 300 seats will again become the PM, he said Shah criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He is opposed to everything, be it [nullification of Constitutions] Article 370 [that stripped Jammu & Kashmir of semi-autonomous status in 2019], Ram Temple [in Ayodhya], [criminalisation of] triple talaq [for instant divorce among a section of Muslims]...By doing so, he [Gandhi] has developed a tendency to oppose everything, the minister said. Shah listed the achievements of the BJP-led government over the last nine years, and drew parallels with that of the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) administration.On one hand, there were scams of 12 lakh crore during the UPA rule...not a single allegation of corruption against the Modi government over nine years. Modi initiated a campaign against corruption. He ensured facilities for 600 million poor for which they waited for 70 years. Union minister Smriti Irani also took a swipe at the Opposition meeting, saying, I thank Congress for publicly announcing that they cannot alone defeat PM Modi and that they need the support of others to do so. It is hilarious that those people are getting together who want to signal to the nation that their own capabilities are insufficient in front of Modiji, she added. Hitting out at the parties that attended the meeting, BJP national president JP Nadda said that leaders jailed by former PM Indira Gandhi during the Emergency were now welcoming her grandson Rahul Gandhi. Nadda said both Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, who hosted the meeting, and his ally, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, were jailed during the Emergency as student leaders. Strange things are happening in politics today. Leaders jailed by former PM Indira Gandhi have now joined hands with her grandson Rahul Gandhi, Nadda said at a public meeting in Odishas Kalahandi district. Taking a shot at former BJP ally Uddhav Thackeray, Nadda said: I saw Uddhav Thackeray reaching Patna to attend the opposition meeting. His father, Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray was opposed to the Congress all along. Balasaheb had once said he will shut the dukaan (referring to his political party Shiv Sena) rather than joining the Congress. Now, his son is closing the dukaan. Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and Telangana minister for industries and Information Technology KT Rama Rao is on a two-day visit to New Delhi where he will meet union home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh. KTR will be meeting Shah for the first time. (Facebook | Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao) This development comes on a day when 18 non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parties are meeting in Patna as part of efforts to unite ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. BRS chief and Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who has been one of the key interlocutors for the unity, also decided against attending the meeting. Also Read:BRS unlikely to attend June 23 opposition party meeting KTR will be meeting Shah for the first time. The last time he had visited the national Capital was in June 2022, when he met union minister for petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri. A BRS leader familiar with the development said KTRs Delhi visit is essentially meant for taking up various pending projects pertaining to Telangana. According to the BRS leader quoted above, KTR will not discuss politics during his meeting with the central ministers. The BRS working president will only take up with Centre issues like allotment of defence land at Secunderabad cantonment for construction of flyovers and skyways, allocation of land belonging to home ministry for expansion of road at Rasoolpura, development of airport at Mamnoor in Warangal, central assistance for expansion of metro rail network, among others he said. Telangana BJP president Bandi Sanjay said there was a conspiracy behind KTRs Delhi visit to meet the union ministers, particularly Amit Shah in the name of pursuing developmental works pertaining to Telangana, ahead of the forthcoming assembly elections in Telangana. It appears KTR wants to blame the BJP government at the Centre, if it did not respond to the proposals put forth by him during the meetings with central ministers just before the elections. He wants to create an issue by saying the Centre is not cooperating with the state in developmental programmes, Sanjay alleged. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress leaders were expected to pitch key themes of the partys Kashmir to Kanyakumari Bharat Jodo Yatra as possible common causes for a unified opposition at the meeting of non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parties in Patna on Friday. Other parties were likely to identify potential poll planks. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar at the Patna airport. (PTI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and general secretary KC Venugopal are in Patna to attend the first meeting of at least 18 parties as part of efforts to unite them ahead of the 2024 national polls. The plan is to forge a national level unity and try to put up common candidates for 400-450 seats to fight against the BJP, which returned to power for a second time with a bigger majority on its own in 2019. Congress leaders said Kharge was set to emphasise the damage to the social fabric, the sense of fear, prejudice, and bigotry the BJP promotes and the economic scenario with a focus on the loss of employment and livelihood as well as growing inequality. The Congress is also expected to maintain that the opposition must remain focussed on peoples issues such as price rise, the increase in fuel prices, and on those with resonance on the ground. The party is expected to cite its strategy of sticking to a local narrative and raising issues of the common people in Karnataka, where it returned to power in May. Party leaders maintained that going local helped them build a stronger narrative against the BJPs poll pitch centred around the Prime Minister and the Union government. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee was also expected to focus on emphasising common peoples issues and highlighting the Union governments alleged interference in her states affairs. A leader of Banerjees Trinamool Congress said she was expected to highlight the non-payment of 7500 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme as an example of the Union governments alleged high-handedness. Price rise, employment, interference in states, federal issues, people issues are expected to dominate the narrative, said another leader. The Left parties are expected to cite issues such as the need to defeat the BJP as well as secure the character of secular democratic India and retain the supremacy of the Constitution. Some leaders may take up the issue of better coordination during parliaments monsoon session. The meeting of 15 parties is among the biggest of the kind in recent years and comes around nine months before the next general elections. HT on Friday reported the conversation is unlikely to be dominated by the contour or regional arrangements and alignments or a so-called common minimum programme. The Union governments ordinance on the control of bureaucrats in Delhi was likely to cast a long shadow over proceedings. HT reported Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who wants unity against the ordinance, may object if the Congress remains non-committal and could short-circuit the prospect of unity even before it emerges. Many parties have supported Kejriwal. But Congress, Aam Aadmi Partys arch rival in Delhi and Punjab, has remained non-committal. Kejriwal asked for an appointment but Kharge and Gandhi have not met him. The Congress is unlikely to support Kejriwal. The meeting was earlier scheduled for June 12 but it was cancelled to ensure that the parties involved sorted out their differences and were willing to make sacrifices and adjustments. No breakthrough was likely at the meeting. Jitan Ram Manjhis Hindustani Awam Morcha quit Bihars ruling alliance days before the meeting. Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who has been one of the key interlocutors for the unity, also decided against attending the meeting. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Saubhadra Chatterji Saubhadra Chatterji is Deputy Political Editor at the Hindustan Times. He writes on both politics and policies. ...view detail The opposition parties, which met at Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's residence in Patna with the aim of forging a united Opposition front to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, decided on Friday to meet again in Shimla on July 10-12. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge during a programme to address the party workers ahead of the Opposition leaders' meeting in Patna on Friday.(ANI ) "We will meet again in July in Shimla to prepare an agenda on how to move ahead together while working in our respective states to fight the BJP in 2024," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at a joint press conference after Opposition's meeting. Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar said the opposition parties had a "good meeting" in Patna and it has been decided to fight the elections together. "It was a good meeting where it has been decided to fight the elections together. Another meeting will be held soon," Kumar said at the press conference. Leaders who attended Opposition meet West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, MP Sanjay Raut, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah attended the meeting. Kumar also slammed the performance of the BJP-led central government. Earlier, Kharge responded to the AAP's demand for support on the Centre ordinance in Delhi and said there are issues that can be discussed when Parliament meets for the monsoon session. Why should we discuss here? he said. HT also learnt that the Opposition expressed satisfaction after the meeting. Mamata Banerjee slams BJP In a fiery address, Mamata Banerjee hit out at the BJP. "We are united, we will fight unitedly...The history started from here, the BJP wants that history is changed. And we want history should be saved from Bihar. Our objective is to speak against this fascist government...," the Trinamool Congress supremo said. Many CMs, ex-CMs are present at the meeting. It was well organised. All senior leaders are present here. I had suggested a meeting to be held in Patna We are united. We will fight unitedly. Don't call us Opposition. We are also patriotic, if Manipur burns, we feel pain, the Bengal CM said. The BJP's atrocity, making Raj Bhavan as an alternative government. Anyone who dissents faces the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation, she added. Banerjee also claimed that if the BJP wins again, India will be destroyed. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Himanta Sarma's Hussain Obamas tweet sparks row, Oppn cites PM Modi's White House statement Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday - a day after former US president Barack Obama commented on the protection of Muslims in India - stirred a controversy by claiming that there are many "Hussain Obamas" in the country and the state police will act according to its priorities. The Opposition was quick to hit back at the Assam chief minister. Read more Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. (PTI file) At review meeting, UP CM Yogi Adityanath overlooks preparations to make Lucknow countrys first AI city At a meeting held to review the states roadmap to reach its goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy, chief minister Yogi Adityanath took stock of the preparations underway to make Lucknow the countrys first AI city. During the meeting, the CM also discussed the preparations to make U.P. a hub of green energy with the officers concerned. Read more Absolute shortsighted fools: Ajinkya Rahane's reappointment as India Test vice-captain divides internet BCCI on Friday announced the squad for the upcoming Test and ODI series against West Indies, which gets underway from July 12. The series starts with the red-ball format in Windsor Park, Dominica, and the second Test will be played at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad. The action then moves to the limited-over format with the first encounter set to be played at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Read more Twitter finds chilling resemblance between Titan tragedy and this movie showing an imploding submersible The news of the five people aboard a submersible who went missing near the wreck of the Titanic has caused widespread speculation and grabbed media headlines over the world. On Thursday, OceanGate, the company responsible for the ill-fated expedition, announced that the five individuals on board the missing submersible had died. Read more Eid ul Adha 2023 gift guide: Meaningful presents for loved ones Eid ul Adha 2023: The special time of the year is here. Every year, the Muslim community all over the world celebrate Eid ul Adha with a whole lot of pomp and grandeur. Also referred to as the Feast of the sacrifice, Eid ul Adha is also known as Eid Ul Zuha, Bakra Eid or Bakrid. This year, Eid ul Adha will be celebrated on June 28. Read more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Even as there had been advances in artificial intelligence (AI) in the last seven years since he addressed the US Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared there had been even more momentous developments in another AI America-India ties terming his visit a moment of great positive transformation and the deepening of the India-US partnership, the calling of this century. (Follow PM Modi in US LIVE Updates) Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a joint meeting of Congress at the Capitol in Washington. (PTI) We are united by a common vision. And, by a common destiny. When our partnership progresses, economic resilience increases, innovation grows, science flourishes, knowledge advances, humanity benefits, our seas and skies are safer, democracy will shine brighter, and the world will be a better place Together, we shall demonstrate that democracies matter and democracies deliver, Modi told a joint meeting of Senate and the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill on Thursday evening eastern time. In a speech marked by humour (including good-natured digs at the partisan battles that mark the operation of the US Congress) and a spirit of positivity, Modi showcased Indias recent economic dynamism, social welfare, technological embrace and global contributions, including on climate, using the platform to present New Delhis achievements to a powerful audience that wields enormous influence in determining American foreign policy. Also Read | Biden's gift to PM Modi: 'Future is AI' t-shirt. It's not what you think it is He owned democracy and diversity as Indias innate values in a setting where there have been concerns about Indias recent record on both. He laid out a persuasive case for the mutual synergies that had already propelled the India-US relationship forward. He raised new frontiers of progress in the chamber where there is bipartisan support for ties. And he hailed the role of the diaspora, acknowledging in particular the person sitting behind him, vice president Kamala Harris and the samosa caucus, as the five Indian-American members of the House informally call themselves. Modi spoke about the challenges of the moment, including the war in Ukraine, reaffirming Indias commitment to principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity and reminding the audience that he had directly and publicly said this was not an era of war, in a bid to allay any apprehensions or where India stood on the war in Ukraine. But he also spoke about the importance of diplomacy, the impact of the war on the Global South, and the need to end the suffering, which drew applause. ALSO READ: US expects India to follow G7 price cap for Russian oil, says White House He also offered a stark warning about the challenges in the Indo-Pacific, shorthand for Chinas behaviour and actions, to the American legislature united across party lines in its antipathy towards Beijing. The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific. The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership, Modi said. He added that both India and the US dreamt of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, connected by secure seas, defined by international law, free from domination. A region where all nations, small and large, are free and fearless in their choices, where progress is not suffocated by impossible burdens of debt, where connectivity is not leveraged for strategic purposes, where all nations are lifted by the high tide of shared prosperity, Modi said. Each reference can be read as a critique of China, which is seen as coercing smaller nations, trapping them with debt, and using the Belt and Road Initiative for geopolitical purposes. In another context, Modi also said India created capabilities, not dependencies, another dig at Beijing. From the press gallery of the House, HT saw members clapping over 50 times and offering a standing ovation over half a dozen times during Modis hour-long speech. The mood was rather electric, in no small measure due to members of the diaspora who crowded the visitor gallery and regularly chanted Modi, Modi through the speech, which may well have taken by surprise legislators not used to political sloganeering from the gallery as they sit on the floor. With critical pacts sealed across sectors such as technology, defence and space, the US trip of PM Modi has marked the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral ties. The developments assume significance against the backdrop of Chinas aggressive strategy along the Line of Actual Control and the Indo-Pacific. The key will be to operationise these landmark deals quickly. (ALSO READ: How US newspapers are reporting PM Modi's State visit) Raisina Hill meets Capitol Hill As he rushed to the Congress after prolonged meetings and a joint press conference with President Joe Biden at White House, Modi first met the US Congressional leadership House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer and minority leader Mitch McConnell. After his address, he also attended a reception in his honour and spoke about how Capitol Hill and Raisina Hill were connected by a bridge of shared values. But the core of Modis speech was the construction of a positive vision, one where India was making great strides and also one where New Delhi and Washington DC together were shaping the world for the better. In a bid to show the value that India brought to the US, he told Senators and representatives acutely conscious of the interest of their districts and constituents, When defence and aerospace in India grow, industries in the states of Washington, Arizona, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania thrive. When American companies grow, their research and development centres in India thrive. When Indians fly more, a single order for aircraft creates more than a million jobs in forty four states in America, the last being a reference to Air Indias order of Boeing aircraft. He then shifted track to highlight the mutual advantages. In a chamber worried about the concentration of supply chains in China, Modi said that when India and the US worked together in semiconductors and minerals, it helped supply chains become more diverse, resilient and reliable, adding, a little later, that diversifying, decentralising and democratising supply chains was a shared interest. In possibly a reference to Apples manufacturing operations in India, he said, When an American phone maker invests in India, it creates an entire ecosystem of jobs and opportunities, in both countries. To a standing ovation, with many legislators sharing close ties with the military-industrial complex, he said, We were strangers in defence cooperation at the turn of the century. Now, the United States has become one of our most important defence partners. Modi acknowledged that every Indian and American leader had worked to improve the relationship, but this was a moment to take it to new heights and agreed, for the first time in public, with President Joe Bidens characterisation of the relationship as the defining one of the century. When I was here in 2016, I had said that our relationship is primed for a momentous future. That future is today. With 75 Senators and Representatives having written to Biden to raise concerns about democracy with Modi, the PM also spent time emphasising Indias democratic credentials, pointing to the diversity in the political spectrum (we have over 2500 parties in India, yes you heard that right..about 20 different parties govern various states governments), the diversity in languages and faiths (we are home to all faiths in the world and celebrate all of them) and claimed India was the mother of democracy. While celebrating the fact that India marked 75 years of Independence last year, Modi, however, also said this was after after a thousand years of foreign rule in one form or another a controversial statement back home given the debates about the history of the medieval period. Given the rare honour of addressing the US Congress more than once, Modi ticked all the boxes in a speech with the central message of Indias rise, and a deeper India-America partnership, music to the ears of the institution that, despite occasional censures of India, has been an institutional ally. The scope of our cooperation is endless. The potential of our synergies is limitless, And, the chemistry in our relations is effortless. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Once jailed by Indira Gandhi, now Nitish and Lalu welcome Rahul Gandhi: JP Nadda's jibe at opposition meet Bharatiya Janata Party national president JP Nadda on Friday took a jibe at the Opposition meeting in Patna and said that leaders who were jailed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during emergency were now being welcomed by her grandson Rahul Gandhi. Read more BJP national president JP Nadda (PTI) KT Rama Rao to meet Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh during 2-day visit to Delhi Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and Telangana minister for industries and Information Technology KT Rama Rao is on a two-day visit to New Delhi where he will meet union home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh. Read more Family pokes fun at father one last time in viral obituary James Loveless, a 60-year-old man, who died earlier this month is receiving lots of love online due to an obituary written by his family. Calling him a gluttonous eater of fried foods and snack cakes, as well as the occasional chili cheese dog, who will be moderately missed, the hilarious and honest write up by his family has left people impressed. Read more India Test, ODI squads for WI tour announced: Pujara dropped; Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar earn maiden call ups BCCI on Friday announced India's Test and ODI squads for the West Indies tour. The selection committee's patience with veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Umesh Yadav finally ran out as the duo were dropped from the Test side after a disappointing WTC final. Read more Mindful motherhood: Essential self-care ideas for modern mothers to prioritise mental health Welcome to a journey that celebrates the vital role of self-care in the lives of modern mothers and its profound impact on their mental health. Motherhood is a beautiful and fulfilling journey, but it can also be demanding and overwhelming. Read more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail A firing exchange between armed miscreants and security forces was reported on Friday in two Manipur villages, officials aware of the matter said. At least 115 have died in the violence so far that started on May 3. (AFP picture) Confirming the firing incident, the official Twitter account of Indian Armys Spear Corps division said there was a firing incident by armed miscreants in Urangpat and Kangpokpi villages. Group of armed miscreants sneaked into the area from YKPI towards hill side today afternoon. Miscreants firing automatic weapons towards villages of Urangpat & Gwaltabi. Security Forces Columns deployed in these vacant villages responding in calibrated manner to avoid any collateral damage. Large group of women part of mob in YKPI & Seijang area preventing movement of additional columns into the area, the tweet said. Also Read: Manipur: Firing exchange between armed miscreants & Assam Rifles; 2 soldiers injured Officials aware of the development in Manipur said that on Thursday too, women protesters in another part of the state had blocked a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) team from entering the Manipur Police Training College in Pangei, Imphal East. CBI team is in the state to probe the case of mobs looting weapons and ammunition from the armoury of different police stations and units. While the state police have registered over 4,000 FIRs out of which six are being probed by the CBI through a special investigation team (SIT). At least 115 have died in the violence so far that started on May 3. Even as the Centre has sent army, Assam Rifles, CRPF and BSF to restore normalcy in the state, that has been affected by ethnic clashes, incidents of violence is being reported almost every day. On Thursday, two Assam Rifles soldiers were injured when they went to a village in N Boljaing, Imphal West after reports of miscreants firing at the villages. There was an IED blast too on Wednesday evening in Bishnupurs Kwakta area, in which three people were injured. Clashes first broke out in Manipur 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. The authorities clamped a curfew and suspended internet, pumping in additional security forces to force a break in the spiraling clashes. Union home minister Amit Shah has called an all-party meeting on Saturday to discuss the situation in the violence-hit state. 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. New Delhi The deal between the worlds leading aircraft engine maker GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce fighter jet engines in the country for the Tejas light combat aircraft Mk2 will involve 80% transfer of technology (ToT) from the US to India, is estimated to be worth around $ 1 billion, and will result in the new fighter jet having an indigenous content of around 75%, top defence ministry officials tracking the development said on Friday. GE Aerospaces F414 engines will be co-produced in India to power HALs Tejas light combat aircraft Mk2 (Representational image/PTI) GE Aerospace and HAL signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Washington on Thursday to produce the F414 engines in the country during Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to the US. The deal with GE Aerospace to produce 99 F414 engines under licence is likely to be signed during the current financial year, and the first lot of engines will be made in India three years thereafter, the officials said. Read: GE Aerospace, HAL to co-produce F414 engines for fighter jets. 5 things to know The ToT will cover 11 critical areas many of which were entirely off-limits more than a decade ago, when GE Aerospace and Indias Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) began talks on the possible production of the engines in the country, said one of the officials cited above who asked not to be named. Back then, the US agreed to only 58% technology transfer, keeping several key engine technologies out of Indias reach, HT has learnt. Jet engine technology was something that India had been unable to crack for decades, said a second official, who also asked not to be named. The top factors for lagging in the critical domain were paucity of funds and lack of encouragement to scientists from the Gas Turbine Research Establishment, he added. But now India will be among the few countries to possess aero engine technologies. India has come a long way since 2012 when discussions with the US engine maker began. This level and scale of technology transfer has never happened before, he said. The production of jet engines in the country will help increase the indigenous content in the LCA Mk2, which will form an important element of the Indian Air Forces future combat capabilities as India is planning to build around 130 such fighter jets. Defence minister Rajnath Singh has been a leading proponent of bringing advanced technologies to India, including jet engines. The F414 has evolved from the F404 engine that powers the existing LCA variants -- Mk1 and Mk1A. The LCA Mk2 will be a further development of the Mk1A. The LCA Mk1A has local content of 54%, which will be steadily increased to 62%. The LCA Mk2 will be around 75% indigenous as the engines will be manufactured in India through ToT, said a third official, who also asked not to be named. Read: Tejas LCA Mk2 fighters get advanced GE-F414 engine. Which other jets have this? The complex engine technologies that will be transferred to India include machining and coating for single crystal turbine blades, fabrication of powder metallurgy discs, inertia friction welding for fan and afterburner, laser drilling technology for combustor, special coatings for corrosion and erosion, machining and coating of ceramic matrix composites for nozzle guide vanes. flaps and other parts, machining of thin-walled titanium casing, polymer matrix composites for bypass duct and bottle boring of shafts, the officials said. The US had restricted the scope of ToT in many of these critical areas when engine production modalities were agreed to in 2012. With the scope of ToT going up from 58% to 80%, these technologies will now come to India, said the first official. The single-engine fighter jet will be the most advanced LCA variant. The government has sanctioned around 10,000 crore for the LCA Mk2 programme. The Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Modi, in August 2022 cleared the much-awaited LCA Mk2 project. The new fighter jet will cater to the future requirements of IAF, which has already inducted several of the 40 earlier variants of the LCA and ordered 83 newer Mk1A variants. The LCA Mk2 will have improved range, higher weapons payload capacity, superior radar capability, better avionics, advanced electronics, enhanced survivability, better situational awareness for pilots, network centric capabilities, and the ability to quickly switch from one role to another, the officials said. The 17.5-tonne fighter will have a maximum speed of 1.8 Mach, compared to the 13.5-tonne LCA Mk1A that has a top speed of 1.6 Mach. The new aircraft will come with a payload capacity of 6.5 tonne (compared to 3.5 tonne for the Mk1A) and it will carry a mix of weapons including beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, heavy precision guided weapons and conventional bombs, the officials said. As US politicians including former US president Barack Obama raised questions about Muslims in India during PM Modi's historic state visit to the United States, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla issued a statement as both an Indian Muslim and a national spokesperson of the party in which he said in India Mary, Mathew, Mohammad, Madhav, Shilpa and Sultana get the same benefit. Read | Modi in US: Behind breakthrough pacts, weeks of parleys PM Modi in US said there is no space for any discrimination in his government. "Im the national spokesperson of the worlds largest Democratic Party -@BJP4India led by PM Modi. Im an Indian Muslim & I speak for my country & party on all important platforms- nationally and globally," Poonawalla wrote. PM Modi in US: Follow LIVE updates "When we ensure 80cr or 800 million people get free rations, 11 cr or 110 million get toilets, 11cr or 110 million households get tapped water connections, 35 million poor get concrete houses - it goes to Mary, Mathew, Mohammad, Madhav, Shilpa & Sultana," the BJP spokesperson added. Two Muslim Democrats --Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib -- and Alexandria Ocasion-Cortex boycotted PM Modi's address to the joint session of US Senate and House accusing the Modi government of 'repressing religious minorities'. "Dont need lectures about minority rights from someone who has made anti semitic comments , patronises Islamist radicals & has no track record to speak of on the said subject," Shehzad wrote in a strong jibe at Ilhan Omar. Muslim activist Subuhi Khan said Muslims in India are not a minority but the second largest majority. "We are not tolerated but celebrated in our country. Stop spreading lies for your political gains. let Indian Muslims decide for themselves," Subuhi slammed Ilhan Omar. Read | 'I live freely in PM Modi's India': Muslim leader's reply to US lawmaker Ilhan Omar 'Muslims in India' issue during PM Modi's US visit: Ilhan Omar, Barack Obama The minorities issue reared its head several times since PM Modi embarked on his three-day state visit to the US. 75 lawmakers wrote US President Biden asking him to raise the issue of political intolerance, press freedom with PM Modi. Former US president Barack Obama, in an interview, said if he had a conversation with PM Modi, he would have referred to the issue of the "rights of ethnic minorities in India". "By the way, if I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you do not protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, then there is a strong possibility that India, at some point, starts pulling apart. And we have seen what happens when you start getting those kinds of large internal conflicts. So that would be contrary to the interests not just of Muslim Indians but also Hindu Indians. I think it is important to be able to talk about these things honestly. Things are not going to be as clean as you like, because the world is complicated," Obama told CNN. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail India is looking to boost the economic potential of its large number of cooperatives spread across the country with reforms that can quicken the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expansion to reach a targeted $5 trillion by 2025, according to recent government announcements, reflecting the broad goal of the cooperative sector reforms as articulated by the various ministers in the course of the past several months. PREMIUM At the heart of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expansion lies a little-known network of nearly 60,000 rural grassroots financial centres, of which only 36,000 currently run profitable businesses. At the heart of this push lies a little-known network of nearly 60,000 rural grassroots financial centres, of which only 36,000 currently run profitable businesses. They have been in existence for decades, some since the time of India's Independence. The Modi government wants to transform these entities, known as primary-level cooperative societies or PACS, to overcome the challenges of unemployment and spur business opportunities. In one of its latest moves on May 31, the Union cabinet approved a new grain-storage programme worth 1 lakh crore. The programme will be driven by farm cooperatives, such as PACS, which are village or district-level last-mile institutions that deliver agricultural credit to millions of farmers. Anurag Thakur, the information and broadcasting minister called it the worlds largest grain storage plan. But this is just one among a raft of reforms. Cooperatives are collectives jointly owned by participating members who share profits and losses, such as rural businesses or banks. The popular milk brand Amul, for instance, is a cooperative and so is Indias largest fertilizer maker, Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative or IFFCO. Governments initiatives to boost growth of cooperatives In July 2021, the Centre created a ministry for cooperation, helmed by Union home minister Amit Shah, carving it out of the farm ministry. The Centre has since rolled out several changes to digitise and expand a sector that plays a key role in the rural economy. At the time, Shah had said the cooperative sector was "going to make the largest contribution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of making India a $5 trillion economy". Under the Constitution's Seventh Schedule, which divides responsibilities between the Centre and states, state governments have jurisdiction over cooperatives. However, the Centre has control over policy-making for cooperatives that operate in more than one state, known as multi-state cooperatives. In September 2022, Shah had written to states, urging them for their views on a set of federally drafted model byelaws governing the sector. Separately, the Centre has formed a 47-member panel headed by former Union minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu to formulate a national policy on cooperatives. Shah has, on several occasions, said the Centre would not interfere or dilute states jurisdiction over cooperatives as it is prohibited under the countrys constitutional scheme. However, he said that the cooperative sector needed to be in lockstep with a national goal. In a recent Centre-state meeting cooperation and Shah said the Centre will come out with a national policy that can guide states to align their policies on cooperatives with a broader all-India blueprint. Origins of Indian cooperatives The origins of Indias cooperatives lie in the Cooperative Credit Societies Act enacted by the colonial British government in 1904. The countrys first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru brought cooperatives under the purview of five-year plans. Nehru sought policies to see an India convulsing with the cooperative movement. This bore fruit, such as the white revolution in milk output. Some cooperative businesses became household names, such as Lijjat Papad, a maker of crisp flatbreads. India also has 1,531 urban cooperative banks and 97,006 rural ones. Overall, now, the country has nearly 800,000 cooperatives with a total membership base of about 290 million individuals, including banks, sugar mills and businesses. Cooperative banks in hot water Yet, the full business potential still remains untapped. For instance, a large number of PACS became unviable over the years. Cooperative banks have repeatedly run into trouble with their balance sheets, prompting the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to clamp down on them. Many were found to cook their books and are often controlled by influential local politicians. On March 23, for instance, the RBI imposed a 5,000 cap on withdrawals by customers of the Tamil Nadu-based Musiri Urban Co-operative Bank, restrictions imposed on the lender after its financial situation became precarious. The last national policy on cooperatives was framed during (former prime minister) Vajpayees time. A new policy was imperative because the economy has changed greatly, said Sakshi Abrol, a policy manager at the Nation First Policy Research Centre. The mandate given to the Suresh Prabhu committee to form a new national policy revolves around widening the scope of businesses for cooperatives, such as lending for consumption and medical loans, against collateral such as bonds and commodities, as well as a range of financial services. A key issue is that farmers' shares in cooperatives are often too small, which results in poor payouts. According to a research note accompanying a January 2023 study by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), small farmers sell a major chunk of their produce to private traders, which prevents them from reaping the profits of their produce even during a bumper harvest. Their small quantity transactions translate into meagre cooperative shares and weak bargaining power in the market. The Modi governments push for a new cooperative policy, which hinges on states aligning their goals with national objectives, could face a pushback from Opposition-ruled states, since cooperatives, other than multi-state ones, fall squarely in their domain. Since the administration of cooperatives has traditionally fallen under the purview of the respective state governments, the establishment of a central ministry to oversee their functioning may also have certain political repercussions and revive the national debate on collaborative federalism, wrote Saurabh Bandyopadhyay, fellow; and Anupma Mehta, an editor at NCAER in a policy note. Theres a lot of scepticism around cooperatives, especially in Maharashtra, which is associated with politics and power. The advantages of a revamp would be that we should learn from earlier mistakes and bring transparency. That is the key, said policy analyst Sakshi Abrol. West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre after she attended the Opposition's meeting hosted by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar in Patna on Friday. She said, If the BJP wins in the next election, India will exist no more, and there will be no more elections. West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee during the press conference followed the opposition meeting in Patna on Friday.(ANI) Banerjee emphasised unity among the opposition, saying, We are united and will fight together... The history started from here, and BJP wants to change that history. Our objective is to speak against this fascist government. During the press conference following the four-hour-long meeting, Banerjee affirmed that the opposition stands united in their fight against the BJP. Criticising the central government's rule and laws, she said, The BJP has turned the Centre into a dictatorship government... Despite having elected state governments, Raj Bhawan has become an alternative government. She further added, If someone questions BJP's atrocities, CBI or ED will intervene, and the entire media is also controlled by them. Banerjee asserted that any kala kaanoon (black laws) introduced by the BJP will face resistance, and all the parties present in the meeting will fight against them. She also emphasised that all these parties collectively cannot be labelled as the opposition, stating, We are citizens of this country too. We are disciplined, patriotic, and we also say 'Bharat Mata'. Banerjee further attacked BJP saying it has disregard for unemployed youth, the welfare of the people, the deteriorating economy and said they lack respecting women, and neglect Dalits. Upon her arrival in Patna on Thursday, Banerjee received a warm welcome from former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi. Who all attended the opposition meeting in Patna In addition to Mamata Banerjee, several other opposition leaders attended the meeting, including Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, Bhagwant Mann, the Chief Minister of Punjab, MK Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mehbooba Mufti, the leader of the PDP, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge from the Congress party, Uddhav Thackeray, the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sanjay Raut, Member of Parliament, Sharad Pawar, the Chief of NCP, and Omar Abdullah, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal-United leader, Nitish Kumar, expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, stating that the opposition parties have decided to contest the elections together. He added that another meeting will be scheduled in the near future. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lingamgunta Nirmitha Rao Trainee Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital Stream. India's regional languages attract me. ...view detail Three months, over a dozen drafts, sleepless nights, extensive internal consultations, virtual and in person negotiations, a bilateral process marked by remarkable cordiality and warmth, a mutual germination of ideas, and finally, a problem of plenty. PREMIUM Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on Thursday. (REUTERS) This was the experience of negotiators from India and the US, as they drafted the most ambitious joint statement to have emerged in the history of the 75-year diplomatic relationship. While the text of the statement was not out, conversations with multiple people on both sides who were either directly or indirectly involved in the talks, on deep background, gave HT a sense of the process behind the outcome which they said was path-breaking. The context When they began negotiating, there was already a lot to work that had been done and provided a framework. Over the past few years, Delhi and Washington DC have intensified their exchanges in a wide range of areas. If the growing China challenge, and both visible and behind-the-scenes security cooperation, had made both systems recognise they can do more in the field of security, the pandemic, particularly vaccine collaboration, made both realise how mutual collaboration in health care can help. Climate has been both a shared concern, but also a source of divergence over historic responsibility and financing, while trade has witnessed a paradox, of growing volumes with deep and recurring disputes. The American need for talent and Indian hopes of elevating already existing educational ties into a genuine knowledge partnership had already moved the conversation in the domain. But both systems acknowledge that it was truly the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) this year that provided a new framework. It caused palpable excitement on both sides about the potential collaboration in several new sectors. Defence industrial cooperation was suddenly a real possibility; semiconductor collaboration was on the table; both could work together on artificial intelligence and quantum research; and the telecom infrastructure needed a counter to China. Both countries knew they could work together, not just with each other but also in third countries and wider regions, as the Quad experience had shown. Washington felt India was needed in the room in every domain; Delhi recognised how much Washington could help enable its ambitions of being a global player. The process Which is why when negotiators on both sides began talking, they knew that there was no shortage of issues. They were also clear from the outset that the visit provided an opportunity to focus on concrete outcomes, not just feel-good language. This relentless focus on results, tangible results, drove the whole process. Informal discussions prepared the ground of where the two could take discussions forward, particularly through iCET which had already provided a road map of collaboration. As the host country, the US side gave a first draft to Indian counterparts. Indian officials from the ministry of external affairs went into a huddle, carefully looking at what was on the table. They then engaged their counterparts particularly with the ministries of defence, commerce, electronics and information technology and the National Security Council (which is the lead institution for iCET) and got a careful assessment of their needs and proposals. This process then eventually translated, over a few exchanges with the US side, into proposals and modifications from the Indian side into subsequent drafts. The US side had its own inter-agency processes, which, in some ways, were far more complicated given the leap Washington was hoping to make in defence and tech ties. Acutely aware that there remained scepticism in the Indian defence and intelligence set-ups over the relationship with the US, the White Houses National Security Council, which had taken complete ownership of the India account and this visit, knew this was a moment to overcome the baggage of the past and truly show that US was a partner that could be relied upon. President Joe Biden had already set the stage by telling his team it was not business-as-usual, and cementing the partnership with India was a top priority. It helped overcome entrenched bureaucracies. With the Pentagon, commerce and state departments, NSC worked closely to see what was possible in domains such as transfer of jet engine technology and came back to the Indian side with new proposals. It nudged private companies to invest in India, particularly in areas such as semiconductor manufacturing that the Indian side had told the US was a top priority for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In subsequent conversations, virtual and in person, mornings and nights, battling the tyranny of time zones, saddled with a hard deadline of June 22, the US and India talked to each other and talked to their own systems. Often, talking to each other was easier than talking to their own systems because, as Delhi and Washington found, they shared common goals, and they didnt really have wide, unbridgeable differences. The issues revolved around how much the rest of their bureaucracies could move, how much they could firm up as concrete deliverables, and the policy tweaks that were needed to deliver. There were a range of modifications think Indias semiconductor policy or USs foreign military sales mechanisms in the past month with an eye on what it may mean for the relationship. And certain decisions had to be moved up the ladder, directly to the PM and the President for political direction. There were moments of frustration indeed, but not at any point did negotiators feel defeated or lose enthusiasm about the task they were undertaking. Problem of plenty By the end of it, there was a problem of plenty. More and more agencies and departments suddenly wanted to hop on to the bandwagon, hoping to use the moment to get more deliverables in their domain. Good ideas kept brewing in interactions, often blurring lines between what was an Indian proposal and what was an American proposal. And at one point earlier this week, even as drafts had kept getting exchanged, negotiators put a hard stop and decided to finalise the text, pending the final talks between leaders on the day of the summit. As an aside, one remarkable fact stood out. Several key negotiators from the Indian side were women, all distinguished professionals in their own right, who were engaging with the best and brightest in the American national security system to push forward Indias interests. There was a time when Indian and American negotiators found it hard to agree on any substantial theme, discussions were marked by innate distrust, and both left with a deep sense of unhappiness. Today, both sides have walked away thrilled they are a part of history, that they delivered for their leaders, and have forged an agenda that will potentially lock both countries together for decades. Now, insiders quipped, what they need is a good nights sleep, before they take on the next chapter of implementing ties and getting ready for the next big visit when Biden heads to India in September. Around half-a-dozen chief ministers and top leaders of multiple parties have gathered in Patna for the meeting of non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parties on Friday as part of efforts to unite them ahead of the 2024 national polls. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin with RJD leader Lalu Prasad and Bihar deputy chief Tejashwi Yadav in Patna. (PTI) The meeting was expected to start around 11.30am at the official residence of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who has spearheaded the unity efforts. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, her Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Punjab counterparts M K Stalin, Arvind Kejriwal, and Bhagwant Maan, as well as Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti, arrived in Patna on Thursday for the meeting. Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, Shiv Senas Uddhav Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar were scheduled to be in Patna on Friday morning. Vijay Kumar Choudhary, a leader of Kumars Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) and Bihar minister, said the meeting will go down in history. ...so many opposition leaders on one platform...reflects how there is an understanding among anti-BJP forces that a combined opposition front would be key to oust [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi from power and defeat the BJP in next general polls. People aware of the matter said the agenda of the meeting will be centered around discussing the modalities of forging the anti-BJP front and giving the proposed coalition of over 15 parties some shape for talks on seat sharing. Frictions between regional parties with Congress in some states and leadership could also be discussed. Choudhary said there will be pre-lunch and post-lunch sessions and broad issues as to why the front is essential and how it would function would be discussed. There is speculation that Kumar may be the convenor of the new front, which would an extension of Bihars ruling coalition or mahagatbandhan of six parties including JD(U), Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Left parties. JD(U) chief spokesperson K C Tyagi said the mahagatbandhan experiment in Bihar has been working smoothly for nine months. He called it a ready template for the national front to emulate. We have put forth the one against one formula of putting single opposition candidates against BJP nominees. This is a formula Kumar has pitched and it has the potential of giving big results, said Tyagi. The meeting of 18 parties is among the biggest of the kind in recent years and comes around nine months before the next general elections. HT on Friday reported the conversation is unlikely to be dominated by the contour or regional arrangements and alignments or a so-called common minimum programme. The Union governments ordinance on the control of bureaucrats in Delhi was likely to cast a long shadow over proceedings. HT reported Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who wants unity against the ordinance, may object if the Congress remains non-committal and could short-circuit the prospect of unity even before it emerges. Many parties have supported Kejriwal. But Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)s arch rival in Delhi and Punjab, has remained non-committal. Kejriwal asked for an appointment but Kharge and Gandhi have not met him. The Congress is unlikely to support Kejriwal under pressure. Ahead of the meeting, issues of prime ministerial face, the frictions between AAP and Congress, and the reservations of Trinamool Congress over the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-Congress pact in Bengal have come to the fore. Congress leader Tariq Anwar said they have led coalition governments and hence know the way to deal with such minor irritants JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh said a prime ministerial face will be decided only after the results of the 2024 polls come. Kumar is not a face, said Singh. BJP leader Ravi Shankar dismissed the meeting as a futile exercise saying there is no vacancy for the countrys top elected post as Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister for a third time. How will the opposition achieve unity when they have no prime ministerial face and there are so many claimants for the top post. The meeting was earlier scheduled for June 12 but it was cancelled to ensure that the parties involved sorted out their differences and were willing to make sacrifices and adjustments. No breakthrough was likely at the meeting. Jitan Ram Manjhis Hindustani Awam Morcha quit Bihars ruling alliance days before the meeting. Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who has been one of the key interlocutors for the unity, has also decided against attending the meeting. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Former US President Barack Obama's remarks on the rights of Muslim minorities in India have triggered a controversy, with Congress MP Manish Tewari not seeing it as a mere coincidence when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a state visit to the United States at the invitation of President Joe Biden. Tewari, a member of the Lok Sabha from Anandpur Sahib, highlighted the strong bond between Biden and Obama, suggesting that the former president made the remarks on Biden's behalf. Former US president Barack Obama.(AP) Obama said Thursday that India risks "pulling apart" if the Muslim minority is not respected, calling for the issue to be raised with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In an interview with CNN, Obama said that addressing human rights with allies was always "complicated." "I think it is true that if the president meets with Prime Minister Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a majority-Hindu India, that's something worth mentioning," Obama said in an interview with CNN International anchor Christiane Amanpour. "If I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you do not protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, that there is a strong possibility at some point that India starts pulling apart," the first African-American president said. "We've seen what happens when you start getting those kinds of large internal conflicts. So that would be contrary to the interests not just of Muslim India but also of Hindu India," he said. Reacting to Obama's comments, Tewari tweeted, I would be surprised if Former President Barack Obamas comments were just coincidental. Joe Biden was Barack Obamas Vice President for eight long years. Barack Obama continues to be his biggest supporter. It is Tweedlum & Tweedlee. Get someone equally influential to say it. Biden, meanwhile, called religious freedom a "core principle" for India and the United States as he welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Equity under the law, freedom of expression, religious pluralism and diversity of our people -- these core principles have endured and evolve," Biden said at a ceremonial welcome to Modi at the White House. "Even as they have faced challenges throughout each of our nations' histories, and will fuel our strength, depth and future." SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said a decision on whether to oppose the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi would be taken before the Parliament session. New Delhi, May 30 (ANI): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge speaks to the media as he leaves after meeting with President Droupadi Murmu over Manipur violence, in New Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)(Amit Sharma) His remarks come a day after the AAP's ultimatum that it will walk out of the Opposition meeting in Patna if the Congress does not promise its support over the issue. Asked about the ordinance issue and AAP's ultimatum, Kharge, before leaving for Patna this morning, said his party would take a decision on it before Parliament's Monsoon session and wondered why it was being talked about elsewhere when it was a matter that pertains to Parliament. "Opposing it or proposing it does not happen outside, it happens in Parliament. Before Parliament begins, all parties decide what issues they have to work on together. They (AAP) know it and even their leaders come to our all-party meetings. I don't know why there is so much publicity about it outside," Kharge said. "About 18-20 parties decide together on what to oppose and what to accept. So instead of saying anything now, we will take a decision before Parliament begins," he said. The meeting of opposition parties has been called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar to chalk out a joint strategy to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. "The AAP will stage a walkout of the meeting if the Congress does not promise its support against the ordinance," one of the party sources had said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had expressed hope on Tuesday that the Congress would clear its stand on the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in the national capital at the meeting of non-BJP parties in Patna. Keeping cards close to its chest, the Congress has so far kept its stand ambiguous as to whether it would support the AAP or not when the ordinance is put to test in Parliament by the BJP-led Centre. Congress leaders Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Delhi counterpart Kejriwal, Punjab's Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu's M K Stalin, Jharkhand's Hemant Soren, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, and NCP president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders expected to attend it. Leaders of the PDP, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) and the National Conference will also attend the first high-level opposition meeting. Patna Thirty-two leaders from 15 Opposition parties came together at a mega meeting in Patna on Friday and all but one outfit vowed to jointly take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and forge a common agenda, marking a significant political development ahead of the 2024 general elections. Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad and Mamata Banerjee with other opposition leaders on Friday. (PTI) The chief ministers of Delhi and Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, attended the event with the former saying nation first, party later, but the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) struck a discordant note later, and said it will be difficult for the party to attend future meetings if the Congress didnt make its stance clear on a controversial ordinance that gave the Centre control over Delhis bureaucracy. Leaders from parties who control 210 seats in Parliament and control 11 states attended the three-hour-long meeting at Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars residence. At a joint press conference later, Kumar said that the meeting was fruitful. We have arrived at a consensus on going forward together and on fighting elections together. In the next meeting, we will decide how the parties will fight from their strongholds, the Bihar chief minister added. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge echoed his sentiment. All the Opposition leaders want to fight together on a common agenda. We will meet in Shimla on July 10 or 12 and prepare it. We will be fighting the 2024 election together to defeat the BJP and we are hopeful that we will be successful, he said. Kejriwal and Mann skipped the press conference. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, who tweeted, the war cry of a united opposition is from here, the land of social justice, to end this fascist, autocratic regime and allow the rebirth of a secular, democratic India, also didnt attend the presser. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who suggested Patna as the venue for a meeting, said the parties had decided to remain united, fight the BJP together and meet again in Shimla. The BJP wants to change history, but we will ensure history is saved, she said. Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of weakening the countrys democratic institutions and curbing freedom of speech. We all stand united. We may have small differences, but we have decided to work together with flexibility and we will protect the ideology we share, he said at the press conference. Even as the press conference was on, the AAP released a statement criticising the Congress for not making its stance clear on the ordinance promulgated by the Centre last month which effectively rolled back a Supreme Court judgment. The Congress, a national party that takes a stand on almost all issues, is yet to make public its position on the black ordinance In the meeting, many parties urged the Congress to publicly denounce the ordinance but the Congress refused to do so, said the statement. It is high time that Congress decides whether it stands with the people of Delhi or the Modi government, the AAP added. The BJP dismissed the meeting. All I want to say to these opposition leaders is that your unity is nearly impossible and even if it gets real, please come in front of the people as in 2024, Modis return with 300 plus seats is confirmed, Union home minister Amit Shah said in Jammu. The meeting marked the formal beginning of Opposition efforts to take on the BJP ahead of the 2024 general elections. Leaders aware of developments said that the parties had largely agreed to field a joint candidate against the BJP in as many seats as possible and create a common ideological platform. If this happens, this will be the first time in decades that parties have come together at the national level to take on the ruling party. The meeting that was attended by six chief ministers began at 12 noon and also saw sparks fly between the AAP and Congress. Kejriwal insisted that the Congress clarify its stand on the Delhi ordinance but Kharge maintained that any such decision couldnt be taken immediately as the Congress was yet to discuss it in its parliamentary party meeting. We have a system in place, Kharge said, according to the leaders quoted above. At least two Opposition leaders said that Kejriwal did not threaten to walk out of the meeting but insisted that the ordinance issue was important for the AAP. Mamata Banerjee played the referee and suggested that Congress leaders and Kejriwal sit over a cup of tea and discuss the issue she also suggested that instead of focusing on the ordinance, the meeting must focus on positive issues, said a senior Opposition leader, requesting anonymity. The meeting is important as it is the most significant effort by Opposition parties in several years to forge a common platform at the national level. But to take on the BJP effectively in 2024, it will have to build an ideological counter, stitch together a seat-sharing framework that minimises intra-opposition contests, and reconcile the competing ambitions of party leaders. The meeting also saw the return of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch Lalu Prasad to the national political scene. PM Modi is distributing sandalwood in the US when the country is facing problems. Im fit now, I can take him on, he said, referring to the PMs ongoing US visit. Banerjee hit out at the BJP over a number of issues, accusing the Centre of misusing Raj Bhavans and weaponising federal agencies to attack dissenters. They (the BJP) also send lawyers and file cases leading to CBI, ED action. But they dont talk about unemployment, the disastrous situation of the economy, lack of money for central schemes. If BJP wins again, India will be destroyed. Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said the meeting showed the way forward. Just like JP movement, our united front will get blessings of public, Pawar said. Among the Left leaders, Sitaram Yechury said the BJP was trying to change the secular democratic character of India and added that the united Opposition will undertake many joint programmes. Litti-chokha, gulab jamun, jalebis, different sharbats, and other traditional dishes of Bihar were served to the leaders during lunch. All traditional food items from Bihar were served in the lunch hosted by Nitish ji I thank him, said Rahul Gandhi. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Saubhadra Chatterji Saubhadra Chatterji is Deputy Political Editor at the Hindustan Times. He writes on both politics and policies. ...view detail Opposition leaders from across the country gathered in Patna today to explore the possibility of a united front to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in next year's general election. The meeting - hosted by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar - began at 11.30 am with 32 political leaders in attendance. The meeting of opposition parties called by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar in Patna on June 23 is being seen as a precursor to similar gatherings ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. (ANI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar are among those attending, as are Tamil Nadu chief minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader MK Stalin and Bengal chief minister and Trinamool boss Mamata Banerjee. READ | Key Oppn meet for roadmap for LS polls: Check who all are attending National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and the People's Democratic Party's Mehbooba Mufti, both ex-chief ministers of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, are also present. Members of several Left parties are also in Patna. LIVE COVERAGE | Opposition's grand unity meet in Patna for 2024 LS polls In total 15 opposition parties are in the Bihar capital today; this does not include Telangana's ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi, which faces an election this year, Andhra Pradesh's ruling YSR Congress and Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal, as well as Karnataka's Janata Dal (Secular). Why is this meeting important? This is the first time a number of parties that have been at loggerheads with the Congress in the past will huddle together. It will look to set the tone for (a hopefully) united opposition's gameplan for the 2024 election. Among the many points that will be discussed is a seat-sharing formula based on the performance of each party over the past three elections. READ | JD(U), RJD propose seat-sharing based on last three poll results AAP the lynchpin? Ahead of the meeting, though, all eyes were on the Aam Aadmi Party of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, which reportedly threatened to walk out if the Congress does not support its fight against an ordinance granting the centre control over posting of bureaucrats in the national capital. Sources had told Hindustan Times Kejriwal may object if the Congress remains non-committal - as it has so far - and that this could derail the prospect of opposition unity. Will AAP actually walk out? Priyanka Kakkar, the party's chief spokesperson, said Thursday she had no information on this topic and that 'our top leadership will attend... it (the walkout) will be their decision'. The AAP leader also accused the Congress of a deal with the BJP - that it will walkout when the ordinance is tabled in the Rajya Sabha, lowering the threshold needed to pass it. What is the ordinance? Promulgated by president Droupadi Murmu last month, the ordinance was introduced by the BJP government to negate a Supreme Court order granting Delhi's elected government to make laws and control 'services' in the city. The ordinance set up an administrative authority of the chief minister and two bureaucrats and said all decisions had to be by majority votes. READ | Delhi services ordinance renders elected govt redundant: Kejriwal Kejriwal has actively sought non-BJP parties' backing to defeat the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha - the only possible option given the BJP's strength in the Lok Sabha. He has been promised support by several, including the Trinamool and the NCP, but not by the Congress. What will the Congress do? The Congress will not take kindly to being pressured into supporting Kejriwal. Senior leaders indicated to Hindustan Times the party has no obligation to back the AAP and that the Patna meeting had bigger fish to fry - defeating the BJP. "We all want to fight together against the BJP... our agenda is to remove the BJP government," Congress boss Kharge said earlier today, "We will take a decision on this (supporting AAP) before the (monsoon) session of Parliament." What is the BJP saying? A less-than-impressed BJP has claimed it sees no threat in this meeting. Rajya Sabh MP and ex Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Modi - once seen as Nitish Kumar's right hand man - declared the meet to be a 'wedding procession in which everyone is a groom...' "Nitish ji ne aisi baraat lagaai hai, jisme sab dulhe hain (Nitish ji has made such a baraat in which everyone is a groom... there are no guests)," Modi said and pointed to AAP's 'threat'. READ | Opposition unlikely to ink common minimum programme in Patna "Everyone is busy making others accept their conditions... Kejriwal has threatened he will not attend the meeting until the Congress announces cooperation on the ordinance issue..." Sushil Modi also cast doubts over seat-sharing plans for next year's Lok Sabha election and said he did not see the AAP and the Congress as viable allies. Former union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also hit out with a 'dulhan' jibe, telling reporters, "Nitish Kumar is decorating the wedding procession for the 2024 election in Patna but who is the groom (prime ministerial face)?" What do other opposition leaders say? Not all opposition leaders will be in Patna; ex Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati will not and offered sarcastic digs, declaring the meeting 'was more like joining hands, not hearts'. READ | 'Muh mein Ram, bagal mein': Mayawati on opposition's Patna meet "Before any such meeting... it would have been better if these parties had come clean on their intentions. How long will 'moonh mein Ram, bagal mein chhuri' last?" she said, referring to a Hindi proverb about fake praise. With input from agencies SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday downplayed the high-level Opposition meeting held in Patna, Bihar and labelled it as a "selfish" alliance, for which the target was not Prime Minister Narendra Modi but the future of India. Union minister Smriti Irani slammed the union of the non-BJP parties, which she termed unholy. She also cited the differences between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress, which were indicative of the alliance's short-lived nature. (Opposition party meet in Patna LIVE updates) Union Minister Smriti Irani addresses a press conference in Delhi.(PTI) At a press conference in New Delhi, after the conclusion of the Opposition party meeting in Patna, Irani said, Today, those parties which couldnt stand each other in the past, came together, taking a pledge that will hinder Indias development...wolves hunt in packsa political pack met in Patna today. Irani alleged that whenever these political parties have been together in the past, they have only brought corruption, nepotism and constrained Indias economic development. She raked up the friction between the AAP and the Congress over Delhi ordinance issue and said AAPs blackmailing at the beginning itself shows what the future holds for this alliance. Irani also reminded the parties of their past differences and slammed them for compromising their ideologies. She said the Tamil Nadu people would never have imagined that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party, which was accused by the top Congress leadership in the 1990s of helping in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, one day would mend ties with the Gandhi family. "It is ironic that today, the Trinamool Congress Party members witnessed bonhomie between Mamata Bandyopadhyay and that Communist Party, the leadership of which was particularly known for dragging the Bengal chief minister by her hair, when she tried to speak for the people of the state, Irani further said, referring to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. She also targeted the Congress for joining hands with Mamata Bandyopadhyay, whose hands are stained with the blood of Congress workers, killed in Bengal. Earlier, Union home minister Amit Shah also mocked the meeting, dubbing it as a photo session. The Opposition meeting, hosted by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, witnessed 15 parties across the country setting aside their differences to join hands to bring down the BJP in the 2024 general elections. The next meeting will be held in Shimla from July 10-12, where a decision on seat sharing will be taken. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bharatiya Janata Party national president JP Nadda on Friday took a jibe at the Opposition meeting in Patna and said that leaders who were jailed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during emergency were now being welcomed by her grandson Rahul Gandhi. The meeting was spearheaded by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, which was attended by RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav among 15 other opposition party leaders. Both Kumar and Yadav had served jail time as student leaders while participating in a movement organised by political activist Jai Prakash Narayan in opposition to Indira Gandhi government. BJP National President J.P. Nadda.(PTI) Rahul Gandhi's grandmother Indira Gandhi had put Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar in jail but today they are welcoming Rahul Gandhi in Patna. I wonder as to what has happened in politics, Nadda said while addressing a public meeting in Odisha's Kalahandi. Nadda said that Kumar was jailed for 20 months and Yadav was behind bars for 22 months. He also took note of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray attending the opposition meeting, and said that his father Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray had opposed the Congress all along. Balasaheb had once said he will shut the dukaan (referring to his political party) rather than joining the Congress. Now, his son is closing the dukaan, Nadda added. The BJP president further said the meeting of opposition leaders shows their desperation to defeat the BJP. The leaders who once fought tooth and nail with the Congress are now welcoming them to their doorsteps in an attempt to gain power, he added. Opposition meeting in Patna: The stage is set for the opposition leaders to get into a huddle in Patna to chalk out the strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is hosting the crucial meeting in which most of the non-BJP parties, regional and national, are taking part as they plan to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party in the next year's general election. The meeting is currently underway at the chief minister's official residence in Bihar's capital. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Lalu Prasad Yadav of The Rashtriya Janata Dal during mega opposition parties meeting at Patna on Friday(HT Photo) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi CM and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and NCP president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders expected to attend the first high-level opposition meeting. Odisha chief minister Navin Patnaik, his Telangana counterpart K Chandrashekhar Rao, and BSP supremo Mayawati will be conspicuous by their absence during the meeting. While Patnaik and KCR decided to give it a miss, Mayawati wasn't invited to the meeting. JD(U) chief spokesperson K C Tyagi said We have invited those parties that are willing to fight against the BJP in 2024. If we register a victory in Bihar, then we can win across the country, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said while addressing party workers in Patna ahead of the mega meeting of Opposition leaders. He made an appeal to the party workers to work towards winning in the state to save the Constitution and democracy, leaving all the differences aside. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge(ANI) Bihar cannot be separated from the Congress ideology and principles. If we win Bihar, then we will win the across the country, he said. Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with other Opposition leaders reached Patna to attend the meeting convened by chief minister Nitish Kumar. The meeting aims to chart out a road for the opposition unity in 2024 Lok Sabha election. After Kharge, Rahul Gandhi took the centre stage and said his party will win in Telangana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh by defeating the BJP. "You saw what happened in Karnataka. The BJP leaders toured everywhere, made long speeches and claimed that they will have a sweep. But did you see what happened? I am saying this from this stage that you won't see the BJP in Telangana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Madhya Pradesh. Why? Because the Congress is standing with the poor, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday launched a scathing attack on the opposition meeting in Patna and said that a drama troupe is gathering right before the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 adding that these efforts will go waste as Narendra Modi will take oath for the third time. (Opposition meeting in Patna LIVE updates) Union Minister Anurag Thakur addresses a meeting in Mumbai, Tuesday.(PTI) In this regard, Anurag Thakur took to Twitter and said, "Before the 2024 elections, once again the stage is being set, the drama troupe is gathering, the characters are being decided, there will be a play, there will be promises of cooperation, people will laugh, and once again Modi ji with a huge majority will take oath as the Prime Minister of the country for the third time." Anurag Thakur said it is clear that Nitish Kumar is not acceptable as convenor for such meetings and added that the marriage proposal of Rahul Gandhi was passed in this meeting. "Nitish Kumar as Convenor is not acceptable, Rahul Gandhi's marriage proposal passed, the mother is very angry, will hold press conference will not take questions, They don't get hearts, they don't even hope to get seats," he tweeted. He further stated that Arvind Kejriwal slipped away as soon as the meeting was over. "Kejriwal, who boasted of opening Delhi door, slipped away as soon as the meeting was over. Peace is not tolerated in Jammu and Kashmir, by bringing back 370, we will again deepen the roots of terrorism. New doors of political tourism opened, after eating Litti-Chokha Rasgulla in Bihar, will now meet at Dham in Shimla," he said. Earlier today the opposition meeting was called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar which was attended by leaders of parties opposed to the BJP. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, MP Sanjay Raut, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah attended the meeting. Also, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge said that the next meeting of like-minded parties will be held in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla next month. Kharge further said that the opposition parties will meet in Shimla to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Several leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, her Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar, and Uddhav Thackeray among others, trained guns at the BJP for their atrocious methods of using probe agencies such Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate against those "expressing dissent. Patna meeting marked the first high-level meeting of the 15 non-BJP parties, in which it was also announced that the next meeting will be held in Shimla in Himachal Pradesh from July 10-12 to decide the seat sharing strategy. Here is who said what in the post-meeting press conference: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar- Next meeting in Shimla will be held to decide seat sharing strategyit was a good meeting where it has been decided to fight the elections together. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge- All the leaders want to fight together on a common agendaWe will meet in Shimla on 10-12 July where we form our agendaWe will fight together in 2024 to defeat the BJP and are hopeful that we will succeed in the 2024 electionWe will have to evolve separate plans for every state and we will work together to dethrone the BJP at the Centre." Congress leader Rahul Gandhi- There is an assault happening on the foundation of India.attack on institutionsThis is an ideological war and we will work together even as some of us have differencesWe will work together with flexibilitythe opposition unity is a process and it will move deeper. Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee-"Many CMs, ex-CMs were presentthe meeting was well organisedWe had held many meetings in Delhi but didn't get any fruitful results. So, I suggested that we should meet in PatnaWe are unitedbut don't call us Opposition.we are also patriotic, if Manipur burns, we feel painBJP is doing atrocity on Opposition governments in the non-BJP states by making the Raj Bhavan(governor) as an alternative government.Anyone who dissents, faces ED, CBI raidsthey file cases but don't talk about unemployment, or economy, or speak about the fund crunch for central schemes.If BJP wins again, Indian will be destroyed.BJP wants the history to be changed but we want the history to be saved" NCP chief Sharad Pawar- The meeting has shown us the way"Just like the JP movement, which started here (Patna), our united front will get the blessings of the people" Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti- The way our democracy, our constitution is attacked, it started in Jammu and KashmirWe will not allow Gandhi's country to turn into Godse's country. Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray: We will stand against tyrantsWe have different ideologies, but we have come together to save the diversity and integrity of the country Communist Party of India's D Raja- We discussed current political situation of the country.BJP's rule is disastrous and detrimental to the interests of Indiaa communal corporate nexus has emerged Former J-K CM Omar Abdullah- This is not a fight for power but to save the idea of IndiaMehbooba Mufti and I belong to that part of the country, where democracy is murdered.PM speaks of democracy in the White House but why doesn't democracy reach J&K17 parties from Kashmir to Kanyakumari have come together not for power, but for principleseveryone agreed in the meeting that J&K must have election. Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury-"The BJP wants to change the secular democratic character of our country.The opposition will also undertake many joint programmes" Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren- This is the first glimpse of what is going to comeall the leaders will move together with a positive thinking." Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav- The message from Patna meeting is clear for all of us that we need to work together to save the country. RJD president Lalu Prasad- After many days, I am meeting you.we will discuss the future road map in Shimla meetingThe people used to say that the opposition remains divided and votes get divided.People of our country want us to fight unitedly against BJP and RSSPM Modi is distributing sandalwood in the US when the country facing problems; I'm fit now, can take on himThe BJP used to fight in the name of Hanuman. Now Hanuman ji is with usRahul Gandhi did very good job in Bharat Jodo Yatra and spoke well in Lok Sabha on Adani. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda on Friday took a dig at Opposition leaders for their grand meeting to forge unity, reminding them of their differences in the past. (Follow Oppn meeting in Patna LIVE updates) Among his targets was also former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, present at the meeting in Patna. Taking a dig at the ex-CM, Nadda reminded him of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackerays stand against joining hands with Congress. Soon after, Uddhav camps spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi hit back at the BJP president. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda.(ANI) At a rally in Odisha, Nadda said I saw Uddhav Thackeray reach PatnaHis father, 'Hindu Hriday Samrat' Balasaheb Thackeray opposed the Congress all along. He had once said he will shut his 'dukaan' (referring to his political party Shiv Sena) rather than joining the Congress. Now, his son is closing the 'dukaan'. Also Read: Nitish Kumar explains why AAP was not part of Opposition meet in Patna Soon after Naddas remark, Uddhav camp leader Priyanka Chaturvedi hit back at Nadda for attacking Thackeray, instead of focusing on his visit. The BJP President is speaking in Odisha and instead of speaking about the state he is busy attacking Uddhav Saheb Thackeray, she said in a tweet.They clearly cant stop thinking of the massive loss facing them in Maharashtra", Chaturvedi added. Ye darr acha hai (This fear is good), Chaturvedis tweet further read. Nadda, in his address at the rally, trained guns at the Congress and claimed the party was unable to digest Prime Minister Narendra Modi's praise by the world leaders amid his ongoing state visit to the United States. He also taunted Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav for joining hands with Rahul Gandhi, the man whose grandmother had put them in jail referring to Indira Gandhis crackdown on Opposition leaders during the Emergency period. The Oppositions meeting comes as they chalk out the strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The meeting hosted by Bihar CM was attended by 15 non-BJP parties. The Patna meeting marked the first high-level opposition meeting of such scale, as more in the series are expected to be announced. The next meeting is likely to happen in Shimla, as the parties come up with a plan to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party in the next general election. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, addressing a joint press conference of the Opposition, on Friday advised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to get married soon. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.(File) Rahul Gandhi did a very good job in the Bharat Jodo Yatra and spoke well in the Lok Sabha on the Adani group row In dino Rahul ji ne accha kaam kiya aur dari bhi bada liya Abhi bhi deri nahi hua hain, shaadi kar lijiye, Lalu Prasad advised Rahul Gandhi as other opposition leaders laughed. The RJD also leader said the Bharatiya Janata Party used to fight in the name of Hanuman. But now, Hanuman ji is with us, he said. After many days, I am meeting you. We will discuss the future road map in Shimla. The people used to say, the Opposition remains divided and votes get divided. We are united now, Lalu Prasad said. As many as 17 Opposition parties on Friday resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the BJP and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences. Addressing a joint press conference after an almost four-hour-long meeting, during which leaders of 17 parties expressed their views, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said the leaders will meet in the next few days to give final shape to their plan of fighting together. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the meeting will be held in Shimla on July 10-12. Kumar, who hosted the first such meeting, said they were working in the national interest and accused the BJP of acting against the national interest as it was trying to change the country's history. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced that the next meeting of opposition leaders would be held in Shimla in Himachal Pradesh next month. Rahul Gandhi said, We may have some differences but have decided to work together with flexibility and will work to protect our ideology. West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said the first meet was organised in Patna as "Whatever starts from Patna, takes the shape of the public movement". "We all are united and will fight unitedly against BJP," she said and added that "the BJP wants to change history but we'll ensure that history is saved". She also asserted that they were not opposition parties but were also citizens of the country who had patriotism and loved 'Bharat Mata'. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Mumbai-Delhi Vistara flight was delayed for four hours Thursday after a male passenger had to be deplaned and arrested for shouting 'hijack' just before take-off, prompting a search of the plane as per standard operating procedure (SOP) before fresh clearance for departure. Vistara will also be renting 37 new A320neo family aircraft from leasing companies, according to a statement from the carrier Wednesday. The airline currently has a fleet of 21 single-aisle Airbus planes.(HT Photo) A Vistara spokesperson cited the SOP and said authorities had been informed immediately and that the passenger - Ritesh Sanjaykumar Juneja - was handed over to them. "A thorough check was conducted and the flight took off with the rest of the customers after clearance." Police said Juneja was arrested after a complaint from the crew of the flight, which was scheduled to take off from Mumbai at 6.30 pm. The flight left only at 10.30 pm. "The passenger shouted 'hijack' while the flight was preparing for departure. This led to suspicion and all the passengers had to be de-boarded for a detailed check of the aircraft and the passenger," an official said. The airline spokesperson said, "We confirm there was an incident concerning an unruly passenger on Vistara flight UK 996 scheduled to operate from Mumbai to Delhi..." Police said Juneja claimed to be mentally ill. "He claims to be unstable, due to which he had such a conversation on the flight," a police officer who did not want to be named said. ALSO READ | Bomb threat delays Delhi-Mumbai Vistara flight by two hours The officer also said authorities had registered a case under sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others). "We are probing the matter." The airline said the flight had to be delayed as all passengers had to go through additional checks. Passengers and their handbags were scanned again. Vistara said it stands firm with its zero-tolerance policy against unruly behaviour that endangers the safety and security of its customers and staff. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Neha LM Tripathi I am a principal correspondent with the national political bureau of the Hindustan Times. I track the aviation and railways ministry. I also write on travel trends. I cover the beats at the national level for the newspaper. Before being in Delhi, I have worked as a journalist in Mumbai as well. My hobbies include trekking and travelling. ...view detail Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti has asked chief minister Nitish Kumar to preserve in Nalanda, his home district, the tomb of Kashmirs last indigenous king Yousuf Shah Chak, who died in Bihar after Mughal emperor Akbar exiled him after invading his kingdom in the 16th century. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. (ANI) She expressed concern over its poor condition and said the last resting place of Chak symbolises the ties between Kashmir and Bihar. But unfortunately, the site is in absolute disrepair and ruins, said Mufti, the last chief minister of J&K before the region was stripped of its statehood in 2019. Mufti, who is in Patna for the meeting of non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parties on Friday as part of efforts to unite them ahead of the 2024 national polls, visited Nalanda to pay her respects to Chak. The Mughals annexed Kashmir in 1586 after unsuccessful attempts to do so over the previous six decades of the establishment of the Mughal Empire under Emperor Babur in 1528. Chak remains part of Kashmirs collective memory not just as its last indigenous king but also through the poetry of his queen Habba Khatun, who is one of the regions greatest cultural icons. He is believed to have fallen in love at first sight with her while he was on a hunting trip and heard Khatun singing under a Chinar tree as she was wandering after walking out of an unhappy marriage. Born Zoon, she was renamed Habba Khatun as she became Chaks queen. The Mughals soon invaded Kashmir and exiled Chak. Chak lived in exile in Nalandas Beswak village, which has since been renamed Kashmiri Chak. He died in 1592. Mufti cited the historic significance of the tomb and said it has to be preserved. The area around the grave is open and without boundary walls. The place should have been developed as a tourist spot with facilities. Many people from Kashmir are eager to visit this place. The development of the site would boost tourism. She said the burial ground has enough land where a park could also be developed for the convenience of the visitors....Nitish Kumar would definitely respond in a positive manner. Nalanda district magistrate Shashank Shubhankar, who accompanied Mufti to the site, said there has been a plan to develop boundary walls over the land around the grave. I would also discuss the tourism potential of the site with the tourism department, he said. Yasir Rashid Khan, the custodian of the graveyard, said he has been requesting the government for the upkeep for years. In 2019, Omar Abdullah, another former chief minister of J&K, requested the government to protect the part of Kashmirs history in Bihar, but nothing happened, he said. There is a boundary wall around the graveyard but the gravestones are in bad shape. The five-acre land area around the graves is open from all sides and faced encroachment. A big part of this land has been encroached on. Locals have occupied it for farming, said Khan. He added the place had been drawing people from Kashmir and other parts of the country. But there is neither any basic amenity nor any tourism facility here. People who turn up, leave the site within a few hours. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington, Google chief executive Sundar Pichai praised Modi's vision for Digital India, stating that it was ahead of its time and other countries are following it. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a meeting with President Joe Biden and American and Indian business leaders in the East Room of the White House.(AP) Google to open fintech operation centre in Gujarat Indian-origin Sundar Pichai met PM Modi on the fourth and last day of his State visit to the US. He said, It was an honour to meet PM Modi during the historic visit to the US. We shared with the Prime Minister that Google is investing $10 billion in India's digitisation fund. We are announcing the opening of our global fintech operation centre in GIFT City, Gujarat. PMs vision for Digital India was way ahead of his time; I now see it as a blueprint that other countries are looking to follow. PM Modi with top business leaders On the last leg of the official tour, PM Modi met several top business leaders, including Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy, Mahindra and Mahindra Chairman Anand Mahindra, and Boeing CEO David Calhoun. "Plenty of things have changed now. There is a kind of common need which I didn't see existing before. America has recognised that India is key for its own long-term prospects," said Mahindra and Mahindra Chairman Anand Mahindra after the meeting. Amazon CEO Jassy mentioned that the company is considering investing $15 billion in India. I had a very good and productive interaction with Prime Minister Modi. We have already invested $11 billion in India, with an intention to invest another $15 billion, bringing the total to $26 billion. Also Read | Biden's gift to PM Modi: 'Future is AI' t-shirt. It's not what you think it is PM Modi at India-US Hi-Tech Handshake event Earlier in the day, the Indian PM, along with US President Joe Biden, took part in the India-US Hi-Tech Handshake event. The leaders were joined by top technocrats, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and OpenAI's Chief Sam Altman. PM Modi is scheduled to address the Indian diaspora later in the day at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington. (Follow PM Modi in US LIVE Updates) Leading American newspapers highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modis first state visit to the US, with prominent coverage including reports on technology and defence agreements signed between the two countries. (PM Modi in US LIVE Updates) US newspapers on PM Modi's State visit. In a full-page coverage inside The Washington Post, the paper notes In Prime Ministers address before Congress, Modi puts his focus on growth. (ALSO READ | Watch: PM Modi holds meeting with top CEOs in Washington) Lawmakers welcomed Modi to the House Chamber warmly, giving him a loud standing ovation. Some in the gallery chanted his name as lawmakers lined up to shake his hand as he made his way to the dais, the report said. Prime Minister Modi is currently in Washington on a state visit at the invitation of President Joe Biden. On Thursday, both leaders held a historic summit during which the two countries signed an agreement to jointly produce jet engines in India to power military aircraft and a deal on the sale of armed drones to India. Another article US, India announce agreements on technology, defence said, Biden and Modi announced several agreements, including a deal to jointly produce a GE fighter jet engine in India and efforts to shore up supply chains for microchips and other key technologies. The style section of The Washington Post has a half-page photograph of Prime Minister Modi flanked by the Bidens in the White House for the lavish state dinner. The article accompanying the report says All the pomp but light on the glee. A photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, greeting US lawmakers with a Namaste during his address at the US Congress, is on the front page of The New York Times, with the caption At a joint session of Congress on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India avoided using the words Russia and China. A full page of coverage of the visit is splashed inside the paper, with a photograph of Biden, with his hand on Modis shoulder, with the Washington Monument in the foreground, the two leaders watching the ceremonial guard of honour and the thousands of Indian-Americans who had gathered at the South Lawns of the White House on a rainy Thursday morning. The detailed NYT report notes that to mark their ties, the two leaders rolled out a long list of joint initiatives on telecommunications, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and other areas. ALSO READ: Kamala Harris thanks PM Modi for global leadership. History teaching of India has The Financial Times carried a photograph of the two leaders standing for the national anthems on the South Lawn of the White House during the ceremonial welcome, with the caption Stronger Ties Biden and Modi commit to a defining relationship between democracies. A detailed report on the technology and defence agreements signed between the two leaders is on the second page. Joe Biden welcomed Narendra Modi to the White House yesterday for a state visit during which the US and Indian leaders will announce defence and technology deals including a purchase of US spy drones. The accords, which include efforts to boost space cooperation, mark a big push by the US to draw New Delhi into its orbit as part of a plan to work with allies and partners to counter China, the FT report said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his last day of the maiden State visit addressed the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) in Washington DC. Modi began his speech by stating that the India-US ties have the potential to change the destiny of the 21st century. Calling Indian-Americans pillars in the development of America, he said, All of you have made America reach great heights with your hard work. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).(Twitter/MEAIndia) The USISPF is being held at the John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. He further said that the India-US partnership is not based on convenience, but that of conviction and compassion. Modi also attributed India's tremendous success to aspirations of people of the country. Encouraging American entrepreneurs to invest in India, he said, Ease of doing business is a promise of our government. Whenever India has grown stronger, the whole world has benefitted." The PM continued, Technology handshake held at the White House today is a direct message to the companies, businesses, manufacturers and innovators of both the countries - This is the moment. India and US Governments have done the groundwork for you. But now, the responsibility to grow on this ground is yours. He also noted that American companies had invested over 16 billion dollars in India in the past two years. Explaining that India has the biggest solution to a problem of the future - ageing, Modi said, India is world's youngest nation. We have the youngest talent pool in the world. Hence, countries collaborating with India are bound to benefit. This event is to be be followed by an invitation-only gathering of diaspora leaders from across the country at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center which will focus on their role in Indias growth story. "More than 600 people will be sitting here to attend the program and around 350 people will witness PM Modi's speech on the big screen," said Dr Bharat Barai, Chairman US-India Community Foundation. We didn't send a single email or even make a flyer. And the registration was complete within three to four daysthrough word-of-mouth alone," said Barai. "We found the Ronald Regan Building, which we thought was beautiful, but we have to make all the arrangements with the approval of the US Secret Service as well as the Prime Minister SPG group," said Barai. "At the end there will be a dinner for everybody," he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ritu Maria Johny Multimedia journalist with Hindustan Times. Covers India, world, business and tech news with a keen eye for human-interest stories rooted in gender and culture. ...view detail Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Egypt during June 24-25 is being seen as a game changer for bilateral ties, with the two sides expected to put in place arrangements to ramp up cooperation in areas ranging from security to trade and investment, Egyptian ambassador Wael Mohamed Awad Hamed has said. Egyptian ambassador Wael Mohamed Awad Hamed (File Photo) Besides the co-production of military equipment, the two sides will discuss Egypts offer of a dedicated slot for India within the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Indian investments in green hydrogen and tourism are other areas with great potential, Hamed said in an exclusive interview. Here are edited excerpts: Q. Between Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisis visit in January and Prime Minister Modis visit to Egypt, how has the bilateral relationship progressed? A. I think these two visits are game-changers. The last bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to Egypt was in 1997. At that time, there was a different leadership in Egypt and in India, and the world was different. The whole world, the international context and the polarisation was different. It was very disappointing for me, as an ambassador, to see Egypt-India relations, which have traditionally been very strong, did not continue with the same momentum that we had in the 1950s and 1960s. Unfortunately, we had the period of the 1990s and the first two decades of this century that were very quiet in the bilateral context, except for two visits that our president made to India, in 2015 to participate in the India-Africa Forum and in 2016 as a bilateral visit. Since 2016, we were hoping the prime minister will have a chance to make a return visit to Egypt. Of course, many things came in between the positive intents. There was the Covid-19 pandemic and the attack on Ukraine that kept the whole world busy, trying to navigate the changes in international circumstances. In 2022, our president received a very gracious invitation from the prime minister to be the chief guest for Republic Day, and I see it as a game-changer. Both Prime Minister Modi and our president came to their positions in 2015. Both leaders have the same priorities in mind the modernisation of their countries, industrialisation, job creation, development and environmental awareness. All these issues are related to problems currently being faced by the developing world. Finally, they will sit together after many years, they can tackle things together and put it bilaterally, and also in the perspective of the G20 because Egypt has been invited as a guest country under Indias G20 presidency. The choice of Egypt did not come out of anything there were very strong reasons behind this. The first one is that both Egypt and India are developing countries. Both see eye to eye on many things. We can reinforce each others position on the international front. The second is Egypt held the COP27 Summit in Sharm-el-Sheikh in November last year and India is now the G20 president. COP27 is all about coming forward to the international community with environmentally sound projects that will help the planet survive environmental challenges. If we come to the G20, finance and how to finance development is one of the most important issues. It was an apparent coming together of two countries that are working for the same thing and advocating their positions on finance from one side and the environment on the other side. These are topics that are very important and relevant not only to the two countries but personally to the two leaders. Q. This visit comes at a time of change in West Asia. We have seen Saudi Arabia and Iran coming together after a long time. Can India and Egypt work more closely together, with Egypt serving as a gateway not just to the Arab world but also to Africa? A. This is very true. This is one of the things that was a little disappointing to me. It seemed to me when I arrived here, that Indias interests in the region were limited to primarily focusing on the Gulf countries and rarely going beyond. From the Egyptian side as well, the area of interest was the Arab world and then up to the Gulf region. But we are living in an ever-integrating world. Despite the problems created by the Ukraine crisis, or even maybe because of the problems that happened due to the Ukraine crisis, we are starting to realise that any problems that take place in the world are transboundary, they simply do not stay in that particular location or region and they spread outside. The connection between Egypt and India is very obvious. For India, the security of the Indian Ocean is very much related to the security of the Red Sea. For Egypt, the security of the Suez Canal, a primary artery of international trade, is part of the security of the Red Sea and therefore is affected by security in the Indian Ocean. Both of them are closely interlinked. From an economic perspective, I always say this is one of the areas that has been neglected for so long. If you look at the map, youll find Egypt is exactly halfway between ports in western India and Europe. This means that by relocating to Egypt or having a presence in Egypt, economic actors or investors will be cutting down on the cost of freight, fuel and insurance. You will also be cutting down on time, which is very important. We have seen over the past two years that the supply chains internationally have become very challenging and very time sensitive. By being located in Egypt, you can be responsive to changes in supply chains and therefore, we are offering India a very promising opportunity of taking Egypt as a springboard to three regions Europe, the Middle East and the whole of Africa. India is the most populous country and it is a huge market of 1.4 billion people, but I also have to draw your attention to the fact that Egypt itself has 110 million people, which is the largest population in the area, one of the largest in Africa as well, but relatively small compared to India. But if you look at Egypt in terms of market access, you will find that we have access to all these three areas because we have free trade agreements with all of them. This means Egypt has access to a market of approximately 1.4 billion people as well. Its not fair or realistic to look at Egypt as a relatively small domestic market, which is the case, but in terms of outreach, its as big as India. Q. Is this the thinking behind Egypt offering a dedicated zone within the Suez Canal Economic Zone? A. This is exactly the reason and it is not that we are only offering a location, but we are offering facilities that are already on the ground in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. We already have six ports in place. One of them is East Port Said, which is one of the biggest container terminals in the eastern Mediterranean. We are offering an area that is already established, with the infrastructure and facilities needed by the industry, and we are providing a lot of incentives. Exactly for these reasons, other countries have been very interested in having an industrial zone in the Suez Canal. One of them is Russia, another is China. We are working with them on establishing industrial zones and I believe India is in a position to have an industrial zone like this and its going to be very beneficial for both parties. Q. Have you had progress in the talks on this? A. Yes, this is something that was proposed by President Sisi when he was here. The [Indian] prime minister was very responsive to this and we are currently discussing how things are going to proceed. Shortly before the prime ministers visit, we expect a visit [to India] by the Chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone. He will be in Delhi and Mumbai and hes going to discuss this. The idea obviously was very attractive to the Indian side, but we need to elaborate. Q. What agreements will be signed during this visit? A. There are four or five agreements, on agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises, information technology, trade promotion, and culture, which is a very important aspect of our relationship. We are also working to have the strategic partnership agreement ready and hopefully, it will be signed during the visit. Q. The Indian side has offered to meet Egypts need for fighter jets, and there are reports Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has offered to set up a manufacturing line in Egypt. What is the latest on this? A. I think defence cooperation is very important in our relationship and its based on the degree of comfort that we have between each other. You have to establish this comfort in order for defence cooperation to [move forward]. It is obvious from the number of joint exercises that we have, the kind of exchanges of expertise that we have, and the visits by Indian naval vessels to Egypt. There is this feeling of comfort and its very indicative as well that during the participation of our president as chief guest on the Republic Day, there was an Egyptian contingent marching side by side with Indian counterparts. This was the third time in history that this happened. This is a sign of the degree of comfort that we have in dealing with defence issues with the Indian side. When it comes to military equipment, it is important to note that Egypt has a good base of military industries. Therefore, cooperation between both sides should not be limited to simply purchasing [equipment]. The idea is rather, how both sides can learn from each others experiences, and co-produce military equipment together using the experience of both sides. We had this project in the 1960s [to develop a jet engine for Indias first home-grown fighter]. Unfortunately, it did not come to fruition and unfortunately, we drifted apart a little bit in this area. But I think the time is very right. With the kind of comfort that we have between us, we can start talking about co-production. I think this is one of the issues that are being discussed. Q. Green hydrogen is an area where three agreements have been signed by Indian firms with Egypt. Have these projects taken off? A. Not yet, but they are on the way. We started by signing three memoranda of understanding between the companies and the Egyptian government. Then we took these MoUs and transformed them into framework agreements. It has become legally binding on both sides, and there is a commitment on both sides that there are going to be investments from these three companies in Egypt, and this is something I think will take our bilateral relationship to an unprecedented height. Because if we look now at the level of Indian investments in Egypt, well find that its approximately $3.5 billion. This is a good number, something that we appreciate, something that we think provides us with a good base, but these three agreements will add $20 billion. So [it will increase] seven-fold, it will take us to a completely new level of cooperation. Green hydrogen is the fuel of the future. I think we are building a very strong partnership in the energy sector and its going to bring better opportunities for our economic relationship. Q. How do you plan to strengthen long-standing cultural links between the two sides, such as the influence of Bollywood in Egypt, and is there any talk of having a migration and mobility partnership agreement? A. You mentioned Bollywood and the effect of Indian movies in Egypt and here I have to mention that to this very day, the most popular foreign actors in Egypt are not Robert De Niro and Brad Pitt rather, it is Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. This shows the extent of the cultural relationship and affinity. You talk to the average Egyptian in the street, who has never been to India, and you mention India and the first thing that will come to his mind is Bollywood and Amitabh Bachchan. We are trying to reinvigorate this cultural connect and we hope more and more Indian movies are going to be shot in Egypt. Not only that we screen Indian movies, but we also shoot Indian movies in Egypt because this is one of the things that Egypt is unique for, its culture and monuments. This brings me to tourism, which is very important for both countries. Unfortunately, until now, tourism between Egypt and India was constrained by the fact that we only have one direct flight between both countries Mumbai to Cairo. This was very surprising, given that both capitals are two of the largest capitals of the world, the two countries are very friendly to each other, and Egyptian and Indian tourists are very culturally aware. When Indian tourists go to Egypt, they dont simply go to beaches and resorts and Egyptians, when they come here, theyre primarily interested in seeing all the historical and cultural sites. Im glad to tell you that hopefully, before the end of July, we are going to have a direct flight between Cairo and New Delhi, and tourism is going to be a more important component of our bilateral relationship. When this happens, I think the possibility of speaking about mobility will become easier, because now if we speak about mobility and we look at the numbers, you will find that there is no reason for that. Unfortunately, the number of Indian tourists in Egypt, at its highest level back in 2019, didnt exceed 150,000. I think the number of Egyptian tourists in India has been very small, compared to the potential of the Egyptian market. I have noticed over the past year and a half, Egyptian tourists have become more interested in exploring new destinations, especially in Asia. After all, Egyptian tourists going abroad dont seek resorts or beaches because we have some of the best in the world. What they are looking for is culture, history, something that resonates with our experiences. Tourism is going to open new horizons for us. I have always believed that people-to-people contacts is the true foundation of any kind of bilateral relationship. When tourists come and go, they look with open eyes and they can identify business and trade opportunities and cultural aspects of cooperation. The more people-to-people contacts we have, the better the bilateral relationship will be. Therefore, after the visit of my president to India in January and with the visit of the prime minister to Cairo this month, with the launch of the direct connection between Cairo and New Delhi, along with the possibility of having an industrial zone for India in Egypt these are all things that will really solidify our relations and take them to new horizons. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rezaul H Laskar Rezaul H Laskar is the Foreign Affairs Editor at Hindustan Times. His interests include movies and music. ...view detail Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet chief executives of Indian and American firms today at the White House to discuss innovation, investment, and manufacturing in a variety of technology sectors, including Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, and space. The top business leaders, including CEOs of Boeing, Amazon and Google, will gather in the East Room at 9:05 pm IST for the meeting with the Indian prime minister. After the meeting, Vice President Kamala Harris and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will host Modi for a luncheon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) with Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun. Modi's meeting with Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun comes a day after the aircraft manufacturing company announced a $100 million investment in infrastructure and programs to train pilots in India. The announcement comes on the heels of Air India signing orders of over 200 jets earlier this week from Boeing, which include 20 787 Dreamliners, 10 777Xs, and 190 737 MAX narrowbody aircraft. On Thursday, the prime minister held bilateral discussions in which technology cooperation featured prominently. "Technology featured in talks, not in a limited way but technology cooperation across the ecosystem. This included technology transfer, services and working together in research among other domains," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said. The bilateral talks were followed by PM Modi's address to the joint session of the US Congress, becoming the first Indian leader to do so twice. He first addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress in 2016. More than 400 guests were invited to the dinner hosted by President Biden and First Lady Jill at a specially decorated pavilion on the South Lawn of the White House. At the state dinner too, tech honchos like Apple's Tim Cook, Google's Sundar Pichai and Microsoft's Satya Nadella rubbed shoulders with high-profile guests from various fields. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shishir Gupta Author of Indian Mujahideen: The Enemy Within (2011, Hachette) and Himalayan Face-off: Chinese Assertion and Indian Riposte (2014, Hachette). Awarded K Subrahmanyam Prize for Strategic Studies in 2015 by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) and the 2011 Ben Gurion Prize by Israel. ...view detail PM Modi in US Highlights: PM Narendra Modi was hosted at a lunch by US vice president Kamala Harris and secretary of state Antony Blinken. PM Modi interacted with CEOs and professionals. He concluded his inaugural US state visit with an address to the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Center in Washington DC. PM departs for Egypt (ANI) Yesterday, PM Modi attended State dinner hosted by US president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the White House after which he addressed a joint sitting of the US Congress. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the luncheon hosted by US Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department on Friday, said that both countries had embarked on a beautiful journey of collaboration in the fields of defence and emerging technologies. He added that both countries had expanded cooperation by being part of the Quad and I2U2 grouping. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris toast during a lunch held in Modi's honor at the State Department in Washington, U.S., June 23, 2023. (REUTERS) India and the US are working with renewed trust in areas of new and emerging technologies, the PM said as he thanked the Biden government for giving him a warm welcome. "The sweet melody of the India-US relationship is composed of our people-to-people relations," Modi added. In 2014 during my visit to the US, President Biden who was at the US State Department at the time defined India-US friendship as a promise over the horizon." In this period of nine years since then, we have been on a very long and beautiful journey in areas of defence, emerging technologies and trade. We are progressing as we work in the frameworks of Quad and I2U2. India and the US can be seen working together, he said. I2U2 stands for India, Israel, the UAE, and the US, and aims to discuss common areas of mutual interest, to strengthen the economic partnership in trade and investment in the respective regions and beyond. The leaders of the Quad India, Australia, Japan and the United States focuses on key challenges of the Indo-Pacific region such as climate change, infrastructure and connectivity. Modi also lauded Harris and her parents, saying Your contribution to strengthening our strategic partnership has been incredible. Harris' office had tweeted on Thursday, Together, our nations will shape the futureThe partnership between the United States and India is one of the most important of the 21st century, and this visit will take our partnership to the next level from space to defence, to emerging technology and supply chains. Modi responded on Twitter and wrote, "Our partnership indeed holds immense potential for this century. I am equally enthusiastic about elevating our cooperation in futuristic sectors." The PM, currently in Washington on his maiden State visit, also became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice on Thursday. President Biden held a state dinner in honour of Modi on Thursday. Billionaire Mukesh Ambani, Google CEO Sunder Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook were among the attendees at the White House dinner. (With inputs from PTI) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommended him to visit Little India in Harris Park, his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Friday tried out Indian street food there. Australian Prime Minister counterpart Anthony Albanese tried out Indian street food at Harris Park. "Great Friday night in Little India, Harris Park with @Charlton_AB. We tried out Prime Minister @narendramodi's recommendations of chaat at Chatkazz and jalebi at Jaipur Sweets - a winner!," the Australian prime minister tweeted. Albanese also shared a video of himself enjoying Indian food. Modi was quick to respond to Albanese's tweet. Sounds like a memorable Friday night, imbibing the best of Indian culture and culinary diversity. A winner indeed, like the India-Australia friendship, Modi tweeted. Modi, during his Australia visit last month, said, I have heard that Chatkazz 'Chaat' and 'Jalebi' from Jaipur Sweets at Harris Park is very delicious. I want you all to take my friend Australian PM Albanese to that place. Modi recently reacted to a video of Japan ambassador to India Hiroshi Suzuki enjoying Indian food along with his wife on the streets of Pune. The ambassador and his wife tried out vada pav and misal pav at a Pune restaurant. The Japanese ambassador said his wife beat him in their contest to eat Indian food. In response, Modi tweeted, "This is one contest you may not mind losing, Mr Ambassador. Good to see you enjoying India's culinary diversity and also presenting it in such an innovative manner. Keep the videos coming!" A video of Japanese envoy Suzuki trying Maharashtrian-style street food in Pune went viral on social media. Apparently, the envoy, who was in Pune for an event, tried Vada Pav and Misal Pav. However, he had a minor complaint, that it was too spicy for him. Taking to Twitter, he posted the video of him eating the street food with a caption that read, "I love street food of India ...but thoda teekha kam please!" The Japanese envoy also tried Pune's famous Misal Pav, on the recommendation of his Twitter followers, and also posted a video of tucking into the delicacy. (With inputs from agencies) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The coming together of talent and technology guarantees a brighter future, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hi-Tech Handshake event with top CEOs of the US and India at the White House on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden in a meeting with American and Indian business leaders at the White House, Washington, Friday,(PTI) Modi's meeting comes on the final day of his state visit marked by pledges of deeper US-India cooperation on areas including space, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for Modi on Thursday, declaring after about 2 -1/2 hours of talks that their countries' economic relationship was "booming." Trade has more than doubled over the past decade. Modi continued talks with top US officials during a lunch at the State Department with Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Asian American to hold the No 2 position in the White House, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The CEOs of top American companies, including FedEx, MasterCard and Adobe, and representatives of Indian companies such as Tech Mahindra and Mastek were among the participants. Modi, who touted "a new chapter" in the countries' "strategic partnership" at the White House on Thursday, is seeking to position India, the world's most populous country at 1.4 billion and its fifth-largest economy, as a manufacturing and diplomatic powerhouse. Washington wants Delhi to be a strategic counterweight to China, and deals announced this week included several investments from U.S.-firms aimed at spurring semiconductor manufacturing in India and lowering its dependence on China for electronics. The White House also announced plans to cooperate on quantum computing, scientific research and technological innovation, alongside plans to manufacture weapons in India. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US and Indian business leaders in Washington on Friday, the final day of a state visit marked by pledges of deeper US-India cooperation on areas including space, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Alphabet CEO Sunder Pichai along with his wife Anjali Pichai arrives to attend the State Dinner at the White House in Washington DC, on Thursday. (ANI Photo) The top business leaders, including CEOs of Boeing, Amazon and Google, gathered in the East Room of the White for the meeting with the Indian prime minister. President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for Modi on Thursday, declaring after about 2 -1/2 hours of talks that their countries' economic relationship was "booming." Trade has more than doubled over the past decade. Modi will continue talks with top US officials during a lunch at the State Department with Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Asian American to hold the No. 2 position in the White House, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Modi, who has appealed to global companies to "Make in India," will then address business leaders at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Following have confirmed their participation: Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce Jeff Zients, Chief of Staff, US Lael Brainard, Director, National Economic Council, US Eric Garcetti, Ambassador of the United States to India Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Foreign Secretary Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Ambassador of India to the United States Rajesh Singh, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director of the National Science Foundation Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google Sam Altman, CEO, OpenAI Tim Cook, CEO, Apple Revathi Advaithi, CEO, Flex Lisa Su, CEO, AMD Thomas Tull, Founder, Tulco LLC Hemant Taneja, CEO and Managing Director, General Catalyst Mark Douglas, President and CEO, FMC Corporation Will Marshall, CEO, Planet Labs CAPT Sunita Williams, U.S. Navy (Ret.), NASA Astronaut Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group Mukesh Ambani, Chairman & MD, Reliance Industries Nikhil Kamath, Co-Founder, Zerodha & True Beacon Vrinda Kapoor, Co-Founder, 3rdiTech US Delegation Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Kurt Campbell, Coordinator for Asia, NSC Tarun Chhabra, Senior Director for Technology, NSC Eileen Laubacher, Senior Director for South Asia, NSC Helena Fu, Director for Technology Alliances, NSC Anthony Renzulli, Director for India, NSC Edward Ted Dean, Counselor to the Secretary, Department of Commerce Jenny Kaplan, Senior Advisor Elizabeth Kelly, Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, NEC Jana Plat, Senior Advisor for Public Engagement India Delegation Vani Sarraju Rao, Additional Secretary (Americas) Sripriya Ranganathan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India Arindam Bagchi, Additional Secretary and Official Spokesperson Deepak Mittal, Joint Secretary to the Prime Minister Hiren Joshi, Officer on Special Duty Vivek Kumar, Private Secretary to the Prime Minister Vipin Kumar, Deputy Secretary Nidhi Tewari, Deputy Secretary SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON PM Modi addressing a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden in white House said he is surprised that there are allegations of discrimination against his government and reiterated that there is no discrimination in India 'neither on basis of caste, creed, or age, or any kind of geographic location'. As it is unusual for PM Modi to take questions from the media, the episode led to a stand-off between the BJP and the Congress back home as the Congress called the response 'weak and lacklustre'. BJP's Amit Malviya said PM Modi 'destroyed' the 'motivted' question in a blow to the 'toolkit gang'. US President Joe Biden and PM Modi addressed a joint press conference in White House. What was PM Modi asked? Mr Prime Minister, India has long prided itself as the worlds largest democracy, but there are many human rights groups who say that your government has discriminated against religious minorities and sought to silence its critics. As you stand here in the East Room of the White House, where so many world leaders have made commitments to protecting democracy, what steps are you and your government willing to take to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in your country and to uphold free speech? What was PM Modi's reply? Im actually really surprised that people say so. And so, people dont say it. Indeed, India is a democracy. And as President Biden also mentioned, India and America both countries, democracy is in our DNA. Democracy is our spirit. Democracy runs in our veins. We live democracy. And our ancestors have actually put words to this concept, and that is in the form of our constitution. Our government has taken the basic principles of democracy. And on that basis, our constitution is made and the entire country runs on that our constitution and government. We have always proved that democracy can deliver. And when I say deliver, this is regardless of caste, creed, religion, gender. Theres absolutely no space for discrimination. And when you talk of democracy, if there are no human values and there is no humanity, there are no human rights, then its not a democracy. And that is why, when you say democracy and you accept democracy and when we live democracy, then there is absolutely no space for discrimination. And that is why India believes in moving ahead with everybody with trust and with everybodys efforts. These are our foundation principles, which are the basis of how we operate, how we live our lives. In India, the benefits that are provided by the government is accessible to all. Whoever deserves those benefits is available to everybody. And that is why, in Indias democratic values, theres absolutely no discrimination neither on basis of caste, creed, or age, or any kind of geographic location. What was Biden asked on 'targeting of religious minorities' in India As you raise these broader issues of human rights and democracy, what is your message to those, including some members of your own party, who say that your administration is overlooking the targeting of religious minorities and crackdown on dissent in Prime Minister Modis country? What did Biden say? Well, look, the Prime Minister and I had a good discussion about democratic values. And and there is a there is the thats the nature of our relationship: Were straightforward with each other, and and we respect each other. One of the fundamental reasons that I believe the U.S.-China relationship is not in the space it is with the U.S.- Indian relationship is that theres an overwhelming respect for each other because were both democracies. And its a common democratic candida- character of both our countries that and our people our diversity; our culture; our open, tolerant, robust debate. And I believe that we believe in the dignity of every citizen. And it is in Americas DNA and, I believe, in Indias DNA that the whole world the whole world has a stake in our success, both of us, in maintaining our democracies. It makes us appealing partners and enables us to expand democratic institutions across around the world. And I believe this, and I still believe this. Rahul Gandhi's US trip wasted: Malviya Malviya said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's US trip just before PM Modi's three-day state visit was wated as America did not lecture India on human rights. Congress can 'weep copious tears' as Biden responded coldly to a 'rather loaded question' and ranked India-US relation over US-China. PM Modi's reply weak, where is the 'roar': Supriya Shrinate Calling PM Modi's reply to the question of minorities in India, Congress leader Surpriya Shrinate said PM Modi's 'roar' would have been heard on the global stage had he followed Gandhi's 'satyagraha' and 'rajdharma'. "He would have responded by thumping his chest shouting on the protection of the minority community of his country," the Congress spokesperson said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail Weighing the childs interest over that of her biological parents, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed an order passed by the Orissa high court directing the transfer of custody of a 12-year-old girl from her adoptive parents to her biological parents. Supreme Court of India (File Photo) The Orissa high court order was passed on April 3 on a habeas corpus petition filed by the girls biological father Nesar Ahmed Khan who accused his elder sister of kidnapping his daughter in 2015 from Rourkela, where he currently resides. In its order, the high court had directed Ahmed Khans elder sister Shahnaz Khanam and her husband (the adoptive parents of the child) to hand over the custody by June 30 failing which a formal order will be passed to hand over the custody of the child to her biological parents. Also Read: No SC relief for ED in TN minister Senthil Balajis arrest case A vacation bench of justices BV Nagarathna and Manoj Misra of the Supreme Court passed an interim order staying the high court direction and issued notice on the appeal filed by Shahnaz Khanam which has now been posted for hearing on July 28. There shall be an interim stay of the direction of the Orissa high court directing the petitioner herein to hand over the custody of the child Dania Aman Khan alias Sumaiya Khanam to respondent 2 (biological father) until further orders, the top court said. While passing the interim order, the Supreme Court noted the peculiar facts of the case as the girl grew up with her aunts family thinking it to be her home and never recognised her biological parents to be her real parents. Sumaiya was born in Ranchi in February 2010 and had a twin sister. The petition filed before the top court stated that as the biological parents had limited financial means to raise the two daughters, the childs father had informally consented to the child being brought up by his sister. Noting the effect of the high court order being too harsh on the child, the Supreme Court bench said, You have to see this case from the childs point of view. She will be displaced from a familiar environment, familiar school and taken away to strangers. The high court order noted that the child does not recognise her biological parents and even her school records mentioned her aunt and her husband to be her parents. Advocate Shahrukh Alam who appeared for Shahnaz said that the Orissa high court order will create an emotional rupture as the child has stayed with her aunt throughout and received proper care and education in Patna. The advocate further stated that a petition under the Guardian and Wards Act, 1890, was instituted before a Patna family court in 2016 but the case has not progressed for all these years. The childs biological father represented by advocate Sagarika Sahoo told the top court that adoption is not recognised under the Mohammedan law of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937. Even for claiming guardianship, the principles of Mohammedan law allow the father to be the guardian of an unmarried daughter who has attained puberty, she argued. Also Read: HC orders deployment of 82k central force personnel for Bengal rural poll Even for claiming guardianship under the Guardian and Wards Act, Sahoo said that Section 19 of the 1890 Act provides that a family court cannot appoint a guardian of a minor whose father or mother is alive and is not unfit to be the guardian of the minor. In 2015, the father of the child registered a criminal case alleging that her daughter was kidnapped by his sister. On this complaint, the Odisha police went to Patna to inspect and found the adoptive parents house locked. Later, the case was closed as the police concluded that the father of the child had consented to the adoption of the girl by the sisters family. Parents are the best persons to look after the best interests of the child, Ahmed Khans lawyer argued in the Supreme Court. However, the bench insisted, Do not treat this case from your point of view. Rather consider from the childs point of view. Those who look after the child are de-facto guardians. The top court further allowed the father of the child to file a response to the appeal by the next date. Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday dismissed the meeting of non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parties in Patna for unity ahead of the 2024 national polls as a photo session and said Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister for a third time despite their best efforts. He said the BJP will get over 300 of 543 seats in Lok Sabha while laughing off attempts for unity to defeat BJP. Union home minister Amit Shah said the BJP will get over 300 of 543 seats in Lok Sabha (HT File) Today, a photo session is going on in Patna...leaders of the Opposition [parties] have assembled. They want to convey the message that they would challenge the BJP, NDA [National Democratic Alliance], and Modi. ...despite their attempts, unity among them is not possible. And even if they forge unity and go to the people, Modi with over 300 seats will again become the Prime Minister, he said at a rally in Jammu. Also read: Before opposition's Patna meet, 'Rahul Gandhi, BJP have an agreement', alleges AAP The rally coincided with the gathering of around half-a-dozen chief ministers and leaders of 18 parties in Patna for unity efforts ahead of the 2024 polls. Shah said Modi has been in the United States for three days and Washington has given him the state guest honour. This has never happened and would never happen again. So many agreements are taking place in the fields of space, defence, and semiconductors. Many companies are keen to invest in India. From the 11th largest economy in the world a decade ago to the fifth in nine years is all due to Modis efforts. Shah slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is in Patna for the Opposition parties meeting, saying he is opposed to everything. ...be it [nullification of Constitutions] Article 370 [that stripped Jammu & Kashmir of semi-autonomous status in 2019], Ram Temple [in Ayodhya], [criminalisation of] triple talaq [for instant divorce among a section of Muslims]...By doing so, he [Gandhi] has developed a tendency to oppose everything, said Shah. Shah paid tributes to Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of BJPs precursor Bharatiya Jana Sangh who led a campaign against Article 370 and died under detention in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in 1953. He said Mookerjee resigned as Union minister when Article 370 was introduced and rushed to J&K to protest and was arrested and murdered. Today is his martyrdom day, and his soul will be in peace because, on August 5, 2019, Modi revoked Article 370, said Shah. Shah listed the achievements of the BJP-led government over the last nine years drawing parallels with that of the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) administration. Also read: We are going to defeat BJP together: Rahul Gandhi ahead of Opposition meeting On one hand, there were scams of 12 lakh crore during the UPA rule...not a single allegation of corruption against the Modi government over nine years. Modi initiated a campaign against corruption. He ensured facilities for 600 million poor for which they waited for 70 years. Shah slammed the Abdullah, Mufti, and Gandhi families for J&Ks problems. Under Modi, a new J&K has emerged. The same J&K was ruled by three families and Article 370 hindered development... 42,000 people were killed in terrorism...they said Article 370 should be kept intact, he said. I want to ask Abdullahs and Muftis who is responsible for the killings. Under Modi, terrorism has now been contained. He said former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, who is among those attending the Patna meeting, says terrorism has not been contained every time a terror incident takes place. I want to tell Mufti and the Abdullahs that in 10 years of UPA rule, 7327 terror incidents took place compared to 2350 over nine years of the BJP rule...down by 70%. He added 2056 people were killed when UPA was in power. ...only 377 have been killed in nine years of the BJP, which also is not acceptable to us. Following the revocation of Article 370, there were only 32 bandh calls in 47 months ...incidents of stone-throwing are down by 90%. These figures tell that the situation has improved. Shah said a record 18.8 million tourists visited J&K last year. ... 28,400 crore industrial package, G20 summit in Kashmir, nine new medical colleges, 15 nursing colleges, the addition of 600 more medical seats, IIT [Indian Institute of Technology] and IIM [Indian Institute of Management]...speaks about BJP governments resolve to put J&K on the path of progress. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hyderabad :Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), that manages the famous temple of Lord Venkateshwara at Tirumala on Friday refuted the allegations levelled by few opposition political parties over the alleged siphoning of money donated by devotees to Sri Venkateshwara Alaya Nirmana Trust (Srivani Trust). TTD trust board chairman Y V Subba Reddy, along with executive officer A V Dharma Reddy, on Friday released a white paper on the donations received by the trust and the amount spent by it. (HT Photo) TTD trust board chairman Y V Subba Reddy, along with executive officer A V Dharma Reddy, on Friday released a white paper on the donations received by the trust and the amount spent by it on restoration of various old temples and construction of new temples. Speaking to reporters at Annamayya Bhavan in Tirumala, Reddy warned of a stringent legal action against those who indulge in malicious propaganda. On last Monday, Telugu Desam Party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the TTD had been collecting donations from pilgrims in the name of Srivani Trust without giving them any receipts. The TTD should disclose where the funds of Srivani Trust are being diverted to. Those who loot the gods money will go to dogs, he said. Earlier, Jana Sena Party president and actor Pawan Kalyan, too, made a similar allegation. At a public rally held at Pithapuram in Kakinada district, Pawan said no receipts were being given for the donations made to Srivani trust in Tirumala. Those who misuse the funds of Lord Venkateshwara will have to be punished, he said. Srivani Trust funds was established on August 28, 2018 with the objective to support the restoration of old temples and the construction of new temples as part of propagating Hindu dharma. As per the resolution taken by the trust board on September 23, 2019, the TTD decided to extend the privilege of one-time VIP break darshan of Lord Venkateshwara to those who donate 10,000 each to Srivani Trust, besides another 500 towards break darshan ticket. Since the introduction of break darshan for Srivani Trust donors, the TTD received 860 crore till May 31 this year. More than 8.25 lakh devotees have availed of the privilege of VIP break darshan, the TTD chairman said. He claimed that out of the donations received by Srivani Trust, the TTD had spent 93 crore for restoration of 176 endowment and private temples. We have also resolved to take the construction of 2,273 temples in backward areas allotting 10 lakh for each temple, out of which 1953 are taken up by the state endowments department and 320 by the Samarasata Seva Foundation, he said. He said the TTD was ready to clear all the doubts regarding the usage of Srivani Trust funds. I appeal to devotees not to get carried away by the false propaganda by some vested interests regarding the misuse of Srivani Trust funds. Every single paisa donated by the devotee for the trust is being utilized in the most transparent manner, Reddy added. The TTD chairman said seers of various mutts and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders also had gone through the accounts of Srivani Trust and all the other documents and expressed satisfaction over the utilisation of funds. Before making baseless allegations, one should verify the facts as the sentiments of millions of devotees are involved in this. We will proceed legally against those in the larger interests of devotees and the reputation of the institution, Reddy added. Meanwhile, TDP politburo member Bonda Umamaheshwar Rao described the white paper on Srivani Trust donations as a bundle of lies. He wondered why the TTD was selling 10,000 tickets of Srivani Trust only offline, while all the other darshan tickets were online. The Srivani Trust donor tickets are sold at the airport and railway stations, destroying the sanctity of Lords darshan, he said. The TDP leader said as per the statement of the TTD trust board chairman himself, 1,000 tickets were being sold for Srivani Trust donors. Thus, the TTD has to get 365 crore every year and in the last four years, it would have got nearly 1,500 crore. How can the TTD say it has received only 860 crore? What happened to the remaining amount? he asked. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON PM Modi in US: During the India-US Hi-Tech Handshake event at the White House on Friday, United States president Joe Biden presented a special t-shirt to prime minister Narendra Modi. The t-shirt bore the quote "The Future is AI" with the second line "America & India," symbolising the strong partnership between the two biggest democracies in the age of artificial intelligence. (ALSO READ: How US newspapers are reporting PM Modi's State visit) PM Narendra Modi and US president Joe Biden Hi-Tech Handshake event at White House This follows PM Modi's address to US Congress on Tursday where he said, In the past few years, there have been many advances in AI- Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, there has been even more momentous development in another AI- America and India. Technocrats join PM Modi - US prez Biden During the meet, the leaders were joined by top business leaders and technocrats including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Apple CEO Tim Cook, OpenAI's chief Sam Altman, AMD CEO Lisa Su, Planet Labs CEO Will Marshall, CEO, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams. ALSO READ: US expects India to follow G7 price cap for Russian oil, says White House Top leaders hail Indo-US partnership in the technology sector Addressing the Hi-Tech Handshake event, PM Modi said that the coming together of talent and technology guarantees a brighter future. President Biden said that the cooperation between India and US matters, not just for people of the both countries but for the whole world. "Our partnership is about more than the next breakthrough or the next deal as big as they may be. It is about tackling climate change, about exploring the universe, about lifting people out of poverty, preventing pandemics and giving our citizens real opportunity," he said. While AI is the future, how to secure it? Amidst an era of unprecedented growth in the artificial intelligence sector, global attention is focused on the potential applications and concerns surrounding AI technology. Notably, the recent G7 Summit held in Hiroshima, Japan, introduced the Hiroshima AI Process (HAP), a significant initiative aimed at regulating AI. The process, set to conclude by December 2023, highlights the need for the international community to address the responsible and ethical development of artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden on Friday met top US and Indian business leaders in Washington at the White House as his official state visit to the US marked its final day. Top businessmen including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, Reliance Industries Chairman and MD Mukesh Ambani, Zerodha and True Beacon Co-Founder Nikhil Kamath attended the event. PM Modi holds meeting with CEOs(Bloomberg) Addressing the Hi-Tech Handshake event, PM Modi said that the coming together of talent and technology guarantees a brighter future. Observing that there were a variety of tech companies at the meeting from startups to well-established firms, he added, Both of them are working together to create a new world. PM Modi, who touted "a new chapter" in the countries' "strategic partnership" at the White House on Thursday, is seeking to position India as a manufacturing and diplomatic powerhouse. Post the meeting, PM Modi continued talks with top US officials during a lunch at the State Department with Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Former South Carolina governor and Republican leader Nikki Haley on Friday blasted the progressive Democrats who skipped Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at US Congress over rights issues, saying they boycott India's democratically elected leader but side with Palestinian terrorists and socialist dictators. Democrats Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib,(AP) Progressive Reps. Cori Bush, Jamaal Bowman, and Summer Lee (D-Pa.) joined fellow Democrats Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez in boycotting the prime minister's speech in US Congress citing allegations of abuse of Indian dissidents and minorities, especially Muslims. US Senator Bernie Sanders said Modi's "aggressive Hindu nationalism" has left little space for India's religious minorities. AOC and the Squad boycotting Indias democratically elected leader while they side with Palestinian terrorists and socialist dictators is exactly on brand. What an embarrassment, Nikki Haley said in a tweet. Earlier this year, Haley became the first major Republican challenger to Trump when she kicked off her campaign on February 15 in Charleston. She is the only woman in the GOP field. At a joint press conference on Thursday, PM Modi denied that discrimination against minorities existed under his government. When asked about steps he was willing to take to "improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in your country and to uphold free speech," Modi suggested they did not need to be improved. "Our Constitution and our government, and we have proved democracy can deliver. When I say deliver - caste, creed, religion, gender, there is no space for any discrimination (in my government)," Modi told reporters. The UN human rights office described a 2019 citizenship law as "fundamentally discriminatory" for excluding Muslim migrants. Critics have pointed to anti-conversion legislation that challenged the constitutionally protected right to freedom of belief and the revoking of Jammu and Kashmir's special status in 2019 as well. There has also been the 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. "The protection of the Muslim minority in a majority Hindu India, that is something worth mentioning," former US President Barack Obama told CNN in an interview aired on Thursday. "If you do not protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, then there is a strong possibility that India at some point starts pulling apart," Obama said of what he would have told Modi now. (With Reuters inputs) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chances are that you are reading this at the fag end of your summer vacation. That long-awaited trip to the beach or the mountains is nearly over. Or perhaps you are on the last leg of your European break. Or maybe you have just arrived at the penultimate stop on your tour of South-East Asia. A relaxing vacation (as in The Holiday, 2006) can often make coming back home harder. If you loved the food you had on holiday, like Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love (2010), try recreating it at home. Dont make the rookie mistake of coming back the night before you have to rejoin work (and your kids have to get back to school or college). Instead, schedule things so that you have a clear two days at home before normal work resumes. You need this buffer to decompress from the stress of unpacking and getting the house back into order. And you need that time to transition from holiday mode to your workday persona. Actors Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor flew to Dubai to enjoy a summer holiday with their daughter, Raha Kapoor. The couple got clicked by the paparazzi at the airport on Thursday, dressed in casual monochrome fits. Today, a new photo of the couple enjoying their date night in Dubai is going viral on social media. It shows the duo posing with a fan for a picture. While Alia wore a stunning black dress for the outing, Ranbir complemented her in an all-black shirt and pants. Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor during their outing in Dubai. (Instagram) Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor on a date in Dubai A fan page of Ranbir Kapoor took to Instagram to share a photo of the actor and his wife, Alia Bhatt, during an outing in Dubai. Captioned, "Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in Dubai," the picture shows Alia and Ranbir posing with a fan inside an eatery joint in Dubai. Fans loved the post and dropped love-filled comments under it. One fan wrote, "She looks pretty." Another commented, "They look good together. Hope they have a good time." A user wrote, "Gorgeous." Check out the picture below. Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor's date look decoded Alia slipped into a black dress featuring noodle straps, a scalloped square neckline, a fitted bust, cinched waistline, a free-flowing skirt, and a maxi-length hem. She styled the ensemble with an over-the-body black chain bag, a sleek bracelet, rings, and gold hoop earrings. Lastly, side-parted open locks, a no-makeup look, feathered brows, and blushed skin completed the glam picks. Meanwhile, Ranbir complemented Alia in a classic black shirt featuring an unbuttoned front, collared neckline, full-length sleeves, and a relaxed silhouette. He styled it with skinny-fit black pants, matching lace-up dress shoes, a clean-shaven look, and a side-parted backswept hairdo. On the work front Meanwhile, Alia has several projects lined up in the future. She will be next seen in Heart of Stone and Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. She also has Jee Le Zaraa in the pipeline. Ranbir, on the other hand, has Animal next. He and Alia have also been confirmed for Nitesh Tiwari's film on Ramayana. Actor Kiara Advani has been on a tight schedule with the promotions of her upcoming film with Kartik Aaryan, Satyaprem Ki Katha. However, it hasn't stopped Kiara from serving one incredible sartorial moment after another. The latest is the star dressed in an off-white bodysuit and a statement-making mini skirt from the French luxury brand Jacquemus for one promotional event. Kiara Advani wears a Jacquemus mini skirt for promoting Satyaprem Ki Katha. (Instagram) Kiara Advani shares pictures of her head-to-toe Jacquemus look Kiara Advani took to Instagram to share pictures of her promotional look for Satyaprem Ki Katha with Kartik Aaryan. The paparazzi also clicked Kiara at the promotions schedule with Kartik and shared photos and videos of the two stars. A page shared Kiara's video on Instagram and captioned it, "Oh my gawdd!! [wink emoji] Is she the new Barbie? Kiara Advani looks super cute and beautiful in her look today." Check out the posts below. Price of Kiara Advani's Jacquemus mini skirt Kiara's Jacquemus look features an off-white-coloured bodysuit and a mini skirt. The statement-making bottoms are called La mini jupe Artichaut and come with an asymmetrically draped waist, topstitched ruffled with frayed design, an adjustable tie featuring a large pearl, a fitted silhouette, and a super cropped asymmetric hem. It is worth 98,055 (USD 1,195). The price of Kiara Advani's Jacquemus skirt. (Jacquemus.com) Kiara wore the skirt with a bodysuit featuring a collared design, a plunging V neckline, half-length sleeves, a ribbed design, contrast buttons on the torso, and a bodycon fitting highlighting her svelte frame. Kiara accessorised the ensemble with beige embellished strap high heels and silver and gold jewellery, including patterned hoop earrings and rings. Lastly, she chose centre-parted open tresses, nude pink lips, rouged cheekbones, a dewy base, feathered brows, mascara on the lashes, and a subtle eye shadow for the glam picks. About Satyaprem Ki Katha Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani's Satyaprem Ki Katha is all set to hit the theatres on June 29. The film also stars Supriya Pathak Kapur, Gajraj Rao, Siddharth Randheria, Anooradha Patel, Rajpal Yadav, Nirrmite Saawaant, and Shikha Talsania. Embarking on a journey beyond the ordinary, a growing breed of travellers seeks experiences that defy conventions and ignite the thrill of adventure. These daring individuals find solace in the realm of extreme tourism, where adrenaline rushes and heart-pounding moments replace traditional sightseeing tours and tranquil vacations. The recent disappearance of a $250,000-per-person expedition en route to explore the deep-sea wreckage of the Titanic serves as a prominent example of the risks and allure associated with this extraordinary form of travel. This incident, while unfortunate, highlights the increasing popularity of extreme tourism among those who can afford its high costs. From death-defying cliff dives in Acapulco to scaling the world's highest peak on Mount Everest, the world presents an array of pulse-pounding experiences for thrill-seekers. According to Grand View Research, the global adventure tourism industry, which was valued at $322 billion in 2022, is projected to expand exponentially, surpassing $1 trillion in 2023. As more companies endeavour to cater to thrill-seeking tourists, the allure of thrilling destinations continues to captivate and entice an ever-growing number of travellers. (Also read: Titan: Earth's tallest peaks to suborbital space, extreme tourism exploits that tempt ultra-wealthy ) From exploring the depths of the ocean to scaling the highest peaks, extreme tourism unveils a world where boundaries are pushed, and limits are shattered. Let's step into a world of excitement as we delve into some of the most extreme tourism experiences that captivate the imagination and leave travellers breathless. Brace yourself for a wild ride through the extraordinary as we uncover the hidden gems of adrenaline-fueled exploration. World's Most Extreme Tourism Experiences 1. Death-defying cliff diving in Acapulco, Mexico Plunging from towering cliffs, Acapulco's death-defying cliff diving offers an adrenaline rush like no other.(Severin Demchuk on Unsplash) Acapulco, known for its stunning beaches, offers more than just sun-soaked relaxation. Brave souls flock to La Quebrada, a towering cliff, to witness and participate in the heart-stopping tradition of cliff diving. Plunging 136 feet into a narrow ocean inlet, daredevil divers showcase their incredible skill and bravery as they narrowly avoid the rocks below. 2. Scaling the vertical limits: Mount Everest, Nepal Scaling the vertical limits, Mount Everest in Nepal beckons as the ultimate challenge for thrill-seeking mountaineers.(Michael Clarke on Unsplash) Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, lures climbers from around the globe seeking the ultimate mountaineering challenge. Tackling this formidable summit requires months of preparation, physical endurance, and mental fortitude. With treacherous weather conditions and oxygen-deprived altitudes, conquering Everest is the pinnacle of extreme tourism. 3. Titanic Tour: Reliving history's greatest maritime tragedy Embark on a Titanic Tour, immersing yourself in the tragic history of the greatest maritime disaster as you explore the remnants of the sunken ship.(File photo) For history enthusiasts and adventurers, the Titanic tour offers an exclusive eight-day journey to explore the depths of the North Atlantic where the Titanic sank. With a cost of $250,000 and open to passengers aged 17 and older, this immersive experience includes visits to the actual wreck site. It is a poignant reminder of the human tragedy, requiring utmost sensitivity and respect. 4. Cave diving in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico Embark on a thrilling underwater adventure through the mesmerizing cave systems of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula(Neom on Unsplash) For those who find traditional scuba diving mundane, cave diving in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula presents a spine-tingling alternative. Exploring the cenotes (natural sinkholes) and intricate underwater cave systems, divers navigate through narrow passages and crystal-clear waters, marvelling at awe-inspiring rock formations. It's a mesmerizing adventure that demands expert training and nerves of steel. 5. Chasing tornadoes in Tornado Alley, United States Venture into the heart of Tornado Alley in the United States, chasing thrilling tornadoes and witnessing the raw power of nature up close.(Pinterest) For storm-chasing enthusiasts, Tornado Alley, a region spanning from Texas to Nebraska in the United States, is a mecca of extreme weather experiences. Armed with meteorological knowledge and high-tech equipment, adventurers join guided tours to witness the awe-inspiring power of tornadoes. As they navigate the tumultuous landscapes and chase funnel clouds, they capture unparalleled footage and gain an unparalleled appreciation for nature's fury. 6. Ice climbing in the Canadian Rockies Conquer the frozen heights of the Canadian Rockies through exhilarating ice climbing, pushing your limits amidst stunning icy landscapes.(Greg Rakozy on Unsplash) Ice climbing takes mountaineering to another level. In the majestic Canadian Rockies, adventurers brave sub-zero temperatures and vertical ice formations to ascend frozen waterfalls and towering ice walls. With ice axes and crampons in hand, climbers push their physical limits while surrounded by stunning icy landscapes, offering a surreal and challenging experience like no other. 7. Space tourism on the horizon As technology advances and boundaries are pushed further, space tourism emerges as the ultimate frontier in extreme travel. (File photo) Space tourism is the next frontier in extreme travel. Companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are opening doors for civilians to experience suborbital flights, witnessing the Earth's curvature and weightlessness. While still exclusive and expensive, space travel holds immense potential for adventurous souls seeking the ultimate thrill beyond Earth's atmosphere. The future promises longer journeys and orbital trips, pushing the boundaries of extreme tourism to new heights. Follow more stories on Facebook & Twitter Even at the best of times, a visit to the Indian capital is never easy for Nepals Prime Minister. If the national mood was on an upswing after a breakthrough on power trade, there has been a series of controversies since his return home. PREMIUM Kathmandu mayor Balen Shah (left) first banned the film, Adipurush, from the city's theatres, and then extended it to all Hindi films. The Patan high court, however, upturned the ban. On June 1, at a joint conference with his Indian counterpart, PM Narendra Modi, Nepals PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda read out a 30-point statement, in a bid to highlight the achievements of his visit, many of them at best works in progress. The most widely reported and anticipated was an agreement on the long-term power trade in which India will import 10,000 MW of power from Nepal in the next 10 years. The excitement over the development in power trade agreement a longstanding demand however, was short-lived. Only a few days before Prachandas arrival in Delhi, PM Modi had inaugurated the new Parliament building, which has a mural showing parts of the current-day Nepal (and Bangladesh and Pakistan) within Akhanda Bharat, a depiction that has riled populations and political parties in all these countries. India maintains that the wall painting of undivided India represents the reign of Ashoka, the third Mauryan Emperor whose empire covered a large part of the subcontinent. Almost all of Nepals prominent leaders, including some former prime ministers, have asked Prachandas government to take a stronger position against BJPs active endorsement of the cultural map. But its Kathmandus young mayor Balen Shah, who has aced the nationalist game. Shah has grandly splashed the map of Greater Nepal in his office, which shows parts of the current-day India to the east, southeast, and west of Nepal within Greater Nepal, a depiction of Gorkha empire at its height. Unsurprisingly, Shah, 32, has been lauded by many. The Nepal government has asked (twice already since PM Prachandas visit) its embassy in Delhi to seek an explanation on what has become a political hot potato in the Himalayan nation. Shah took things up a notch. He stopped the screening of the newly-released Hindi movie Adipurush in all theatres in Kathmandu, objecting to a line in the film which is an adaptation of Ramayana. In one scene, Rama says, "Janaki is a Bharatputri [the daughter of India]." A few other cities in Nepal have followed the Balen Shah playbook and banned the movie too. No one, either in India or Nepal, is contesting the Hindu mythology that depicts Janaki (popularly known as Sita in Nepal) as the daughter of Raja Janak from Janakpur, a town in Nepals Terai. This is where the shared history and cultures comes into play. Janakpur is part of Mithila, a geographical and cultural region comprising parts of present-day Bihar and Jharkhand, stretching to Nepals eastern and central Terai. Janakpur is also the capital of Madhesh province where Maithali is the mother tongue of close to 60 percent of the population; Maithali is also the second most widely spoken language in Bihar after Hindi. But these nuances are lost in the nationalist narrative that undergirds Adipurush. A similar backlash from viewers in India, upset over the depiction of the characters based on mythological figures of Ram and Hanuman, has also resulted in the makers of the film to re-release it with changed sentences. Some of Nepals leaders (most notably Shah) have decided they would not be left behind with their own nationalist reading of history. Though Bharatputri was beeped out by Nepals censor board before Adipurush was allowed to screen in Nepal, Shah is still not happy. He wants it removed from the movie altogether, wherever it is screened. He also banned the screening of all Hindi movies in Kathmandu. Aggrieved theatre owners, the Nepal Motion Picture Association, decided to challenge the move in the court, arguing that the objectionable word had already been blipped out by the censor board and due clearance was given for screening. However, on June 22, Shah went on an all-out war, declaring that he would defy a high court order, which temporarily stayed the implementation of the city's decision to ban Adipurush. The court and the government, he wrote on his Facebook, are understood to be the slaves of India. I am ready to suffer any punishment for this, but the film will not run and will not be allowed to run. This followed a Patan High Court interlocutory order asking the city not to ban any movie passed by the censor board. Nepals media has broadly portrayed Shahs move as ultra-nationalistic, irrational, and even illegal. But lets also not forget Balen Shah has a legion of followers, who see the media as status quoist. Heres the bigger picture. Interestingly, the backlash against Adipurush and the Ashoka empire mural comes from the country Indias current government and moviemakers perhaps least expected. While both these controversies may die down for now, they have delivered two clear messages: one, the nationalist card can be a tricky tool and, two, the age-old shared history and cultures makes Nepal-India relationship intimate and complex at the same time. That should make us all humble in approaching our deeply multifaceted relationship. Akhilesh Upadhyay is a Senior Fellow at IIDS, a Kathmandu-based think tank. Views expressed are personal. Has the Anti-China factor prevailed over other issues in the India-US relationship? I would argue yes. At least, for the time being. PREMIUM PM Modi raised a toast to good health, prosperity and the pursuit of happiness, liberty, and equality and to the ever-lasting bonds of friendship between India and the United States. (PTI) That, and the sheer size of the Indian market. Tracking Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modis big visit to the US can leave with you the sense of two parallel conversations taking place in two different universes. On the one hand, are the standing ovations in the US Congress, the chants of Modi Modi from the diaspora in the gallery and the toasts to India at the State dinner where the PM is only the third such guest to be hosted by the Biden administration. From Richard Gere to Ralph Lauren, everyone showed up to fete the Indian PM. On the other hand, editorials in some of Americas newspapers urged the US President to embrace India, but also prevail on the PM on issues of free speech, dissent and the rights of religious minorities. Around 70 lawmakers, most of them Bidens party colleagues, urged the President to dial up the pressure. How do we understand this seeming dissonance? What are the messages for all sides of the ideological trenches? Theres no question that the PMs visit to Washington has been an extremely successful one. Once denied a visa and blocked from entering the country for nearly a decade, Modi has every reason to smile at the irony of this moment, when the Biden administration just cannot get enough of him. Whether it is the purchase of Boeing aircraft and armed drones or the mega deal with General Electric to make fighter jet engines in India, the age of New Delhi being what Biden called Americas defining relationship is well and truly here. Shared security concerns in the Indo-Pacific and the convergence of containing Chinas aggressive encirclement will remain the energy epicentre of the strategic cooperation in the near future. And then there is the enormous success of the nearly five-million-strong Indian-American community. From Sundar Pichai to Mindy Kaling, the desi immigrant is an industrious, ambitious, high-achieving segment of America. But Indias democracy debate especially as seen through the eyes of the West followed Modi and Biden into the White House press briefing. And there are lessons for both sides of the debate in what happened next. The Modi government has snarled at any public commentary from the Biden administration on Indias internal debates, be they political or cultural. An official in the Biden administration told me that whatever has to be raised, will be done, privately, quietly. But officials did meet, on background, with prominent members of the diaspora, several of them known critics of the Modi government, to be briefed on the democracy debate. And then Obama, who once wrote a profile of Modi as a reformer-in-chief for Time Magazine, waded into the debate with his remarks on how at some point, India may pull apart if the rights of religious minorities are not protected. You can argue, as several have, that Obama undercut Biden, and the President would not have been pleased. Or you could argue, as others have, that Obama was saying what others could not publicly. Either way, his remarks and the question at the press meet, should tell the government that this debate is not going away. Whether the BJP and its supporters see it as hypocritical, or the work of a so-called anti-India lobby; the government is better served at taking these questions head-on, than pushing them away. For American critics of the Modi government, it is important to understand two things. Many Indians in fact, I would say most would close ranks at judgement by the government of another country. Indians, even those who vote differently, might argue that 70 lawmakers in Indias Parliament are unlikely to write a letter to Modi asking him to raise gun violence or the absence of abortion rights in his meetings with Biden. Political scientist Ashutosh Varshney recently made an interesting observation on the democracy debate in both countries. In India, he said, how elections are fought, won and lost remains a healthy process; the debate is around what happens between elections. In the US, on the other hand, ever since the Capitol Hill insurrection, election results themselves have been challenged and weaponised. The point is that democracies are often imperfect and a work in progress, everywhere in the world. The conversation on values can definitely not be avoided in a globalised world. But it can only be had as a dialogue between equals. Not by one country appointing itself to the role of global arbiter of those values. For the government and its American critics both, that might be something to consider. Barkha Dutt is an award-winning journalist and writer The views expressed are personal. Instagram is filled with videos that show people using unusual elements to create incredible artworks. One such artist is Justin Bateman who creates stunning portraits using nothing but various types of pebbles. And a creation of his has left people stunned. A video shows how he makes a portrait of a cat using several small and smooth stones. The image shows an artist creating a portrait of a cat using pebbles. (Instagram/@pebblepicassos) He shared the video along with a descriptive caption. 'Stray #2' 2023. Impermanent artwork using found stones. 'Time spent with cats is never wasted' Sigmund Freud, he wrote. In Chiang Mai cats are adored in loving homes all over the city... People even walk their cats at the local lake where they enjoy social integration. There are also a large number of strays who's daily battle to survive can be daunting. I met this stray in a car park briefly, his scars told stories of heroic feats, furnishing his face with a rugged edge. However, once I gained his trust he became less taciturn and we formed a deep yet momentary companionship. I am forever in admiration of these extraordinary, independent and mystical animals... The Egyptians were right to deify them, he added. He concluded his post by urging people to donate to various cat organisations. Take a look at the mesmerising pebble portrait of the cat: The video was posted some seven days ago. Since being shared, it has gone viral. Till now, it has accumulated close to six million views and the numbers are quickly increasing. The share has prompted people to post various comments. Heres how Instagram users reacted to the video of a cat portrait created using pebbles: My cat just died and she looked exactly like this, exactly. Thank you for this, it's comforting, shared an Instagram user. Its unreasonable how incredible this is. This is so incredible my brain didnt understand what was happening for a VERY long time, posted another. Watching that come together was so cool. I'm glad you recorded the process!!! added a third. This is so cool! Looks very much like my beautiful cat who sadly passed away last year, wrote a fourth. Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal recently took to Twitter to share his experience of addressing students at Cambridge University and how they left him inspired. His post has left people amazed and also prompted a flurry of responses. Vendantas Anil Agarwal shared this image on Twitter. (Twitter/@AnilAgarwal_Ved) As someone who never went to college, being invited to Cambridge University and speaking with the students was nothing short of a dream I was surrounded by bright 20 year olds who firmly shook my hands and introduced themselves with a big smile I remember when I was their age, I was a little awkward and shy never felt presentable enough and spoke tooti footi english. Looking at their confidence made me very inspired, he tweeted. In the next few lines, he spoke about his conversation with the students about his business ventures. The only message I passed to them was to never give up. You dont need a degree, family background or good English to be successful. Sure these things help but what will truly make you different from others is your stubbornness towards your dreamsbe ziddi, be fearless, he added and concluded his post. Take a look at the share by Anil Agarwal: The post was shared a few hours ago. Since being tweeted, it has received close to 1.9 lakh views and the numbers are still increasing. Additionally, the tweet has accumulated more than 2,500 likes. It has also gathered several comments. Heres how Twitter users reacted to Anil Agarwals post on addressing students at Cambridge: Your journey is inspiring for me & the younger generation. Keep inspiring sir, posted a Twitter user. New generations must take inspiration from you, joined another. You inspire every day, added a third. Well said. Your life is itself a lesson for youths. Sincere appreciations and many many congratulations, wrote a fourth. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The state dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22nd June 2023, was attended by an impressive gathering. Several high-profile individuals attended the state dinner, including business tycoon, CEOs of global corporations, and other notable figures. Among the attendees was Anand Mahindra, Chairperson of Mahindra and Mahindra group, was also present. Post the event, he took to Twitter to share some incredible moments it. US President Joe Biden and PM Modi addressed a joint press conference in White House. "I promised to share some images from the State Dinner in Washington in honour of @PMOIndia at the White House. It was a pleasant surprise to see how the dominant theme of the eveningapart from the cuisinewas music. From the very start to the finish," wrote Anand Mahindra as he shared videos and pictures from the event. In subsequent tweets, Mahindra also shared about the orchestra that was present at the event. A video shows US Marine band playing Ae mere watan ke logon. Here is a video of Virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell. In the last tweet, he shared a clip of an A Capella group from U Penn, Penn Masala. These tweets were shared just a few hours ago. Since being posted, they have been liked several times. Many have also reacted to these moments. Check out what are people saying about President Joe Biden's state dinner with PM Narendra Modi: An individual commented, "Thanks for sharing the beautiful moments of affirmation of Bharat on the global stage." A second posted, "Goosebumps scenes. Proud moment for India. " "That's awesome." As the 38th anniversary of the deadliest incident of terrorism in Canadian history - the bombing of Air India flight 182, or 'Kanishka' on June 23, 1985 - arrives, most citizens of that country remain largely ignorant about it. Air India (REUTERS)(HT_PRINT) A survey released on Thursday by the non-profit, public polling agency Angus Reid Institute, or ARI, noted their study found that 'nine-in-ten Canadians say they have little (61%) or no (28%) knowledge of the worst single instance of the mass killing of their fellow citizens, with three-in-five (58%) of those younger than 35 saying they have never even heard of it'. The bombing of the Kanishka by Khalistani terrorists was also the deadliest aviation-related terrorist incident till 9/11. The terror attack claimed the lives of 329 people, including 280 Canadian citizens. The doomed aircraft was flying from Montreal to London via Toronto when it was blown up by Khalistani terrorists. Some of its remnants were strewn over the coast of Ireland's Cork region, the rest sank into the North Sea. All 307 passengers and 22 crew members on board were killed. It is recognized as its National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism. "Just one-in-ten (11%) Canadians say they 'know a lot' about the incident. A majority (61%) say they know just the main details while three-in-ten (28%) have not heard about the Air India Bombings at all," the ARI survey stated. The anniversary on Friday comes at a particularly fraught time as it follows the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani activist and president of a gurdwara in British Columbia, on Sunday evening. Nijjar faced multiple terrorism charges in India but none of those were established in a Canadian court. His killing, in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey, which he headed, has led secessionist outfit Sikhs for Justice, which he was associated with, of accusing India of being behind the killing. Police are looking for two masked men in connection with the murder. On Wednesday, Sgt. Timothy Pierotti of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, or IHIT 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." Meanwhile, there are plans for a car rally to the memorial in Toronto, being organised in the name of Talwinder Singh Parmar, considered the leader of the conspiracy behind the bombing, a development which has outraged family members of the victims of the tragedy. Posters for the rally have cropped up across the town of Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area or GTA, including near a temple. However, other posters of the episode, marking the 'Deadliest Terror Attack in Canadian History' with '329 killed by Khalistani terrorists' have also appeared this year. But overall, as the ARI pointed out, "38 years later, few Canadians remember this, the deadliest terrorist incident in Canadas history." SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After an extensive four-day search for OceanGates Titan submersible, the devastating conclusion has been reached. The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions to explore the wreckage of the sunken Titanic off the coast of Newfoundland dives in an undated photograph.(via REUTERS/file) The US Coast Guard has confirmed the unfortunate demise of all five passengers aboard OceanGate's ill-fated submersible. The vessel suffered a catastrophic implosion during its journey toward the iconic Titanic shipwreck. The debris of the submersible has been discovered on the sea floor, approximately 500 meters away from the bow of the historic Titanic wreckage. In this comprehensive article, Hindustan Times delves into the unfolding of this major disaster and ushers on what lies ahead in the aftermath. The submersible Titan met its demise due to a catastrophic event The Titan submersible was subjected to a devastating "catastrophic implosion" of immense force and speed, attributed to the overwhelming pressure experienced in the ocean's depths. Although the exact depth at which the implosion occurred is uncertain, the Titanic's remains lie on the North Atlantic seabed approximately 3,800 meters (12,400 feet) below the surface, where water pressure reaches a staggering 6,000 pounds per square inch (psi). To put this into perspective, the average sea-level pressure stands at 14.7 psi, while the bite of a large great white shark exerts around 4,000 psi. Within milliseconds, the Titan would have collapsed upon itself, crushed by the unfathomable water pressure characteristic of the deep sea environment, triggered by a potential flaw in the hull or design. The submersible lost The ill-fated submersible, Titan manufactured by OceanGate, had undertaken previous expeditions to the famous Titanic wreck. But, during its recent dive to explore the site, the vessel, which had limited oxygen reserves, went missing, triggering a frantic search and rescue mission orchestrated by the US, Canadian, and French authorities. Tragically, the operation concluded on Thursday evening as the US Coast Guard officially confirmed the discovery of Titan's wreckage in the vicinity of the Titanic wreck site. Titan submersible debris. (Image Credit: OceanGate) Officials noted that the recovered debris fragments from the submerged vehicle were "consistent with catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber," shedding light on the grim fate that befell the missing submersible. What expert has to say According to Roderick Smith, an engineering professor at Imperial College London, the probable cause of the accident can be attributed to a "failure of the pressure hull." But, a comprehensive investigation would require the recovery of debris to ascertain the exact circumstances. Smith further explained the challenges in determining the sequence of events, stating, "The violence of the implosion means that it may be very difficult to determine the sequence of events," in a statement to the AFP news agency. Just minutes before the confirmation of the tragic deep-sea expedition by the US Coast Guard, OceanGate expressed profound sorrow in a heartfelt statement honoring the five individuals on board. OceanGate's statement conveyed, "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." ALSO READ| Titan submersible likely imploded so fast, passengers never knew it happened: Experts The statement continued, capturing the spirit of these adventurous explorers, "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." In a major step forward, the World Bank has agreed for introduce new Climate Resilient Debt Clause that pauses debt repayment for climate disasters. The UK also said it would apply similar arrangements to its loans to 12 countries in Africa and the Caribbean. (Representative file image) The decision was announced at the end of a New Global Finance Pact summit in Paris for easing poor countries debt and unlocking more climate financing. The summit also agreed for a roadmap to achieve new global climate financing deals that can help the poor and vulnerable countries to deal with the climate induced disasters. It was also decided that the new climate finance roadmap will be discussed at the meeting of global leaders at forthcoming G20 and Conference of Parties (CoP) 28 summits. Also Read: On Earths own terms: Why we need new words for life in the climate crisis India is hosting the G20 summit in New Delhi in September and CoP 28 is being held in Dubai. At the conclusion of the summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, countries and institutions pledged raft of measures to raise finance and assist poor countries. Several major economies including Japan and France will provide money to the poor nations through International Monetary Fund (IMF) to be called special drawing rights allowing the vulnerable nations to take the money to fight climate change induced disasters. The World Bank also announced that it will allow repayment pause clause for loans given to the poor and climate vulnerable nations. However, this will apply only to the new loans. World Bank president Ajay Banga said the clauses would allow countries hit by climate disasters to focus on what matters to their leaders when a crisis hits and stop worrying about the bill thats going to come. The UK also said it would apply similar arrangements to its loans to 12 countries in Africa and the Caribbean. Several island nations such as Barbados welcome the commitment to new clauses saying nobody was talking about them nine months ago. The summit for New Finance Pact also issued a statement that in all likelihood the rich countries will reach its target of annual US $100 billion climate finance this year. In the past climate experts from the developing countries have questioned the claims of rich countries of having met the pledge of US $ 100 billion every year saying the pledge was for public funding and not private investments. Harjeet Singh, head of global political strategy at Climate Action Network International, said the roadmap from the Paris Summit acknowledges the urgency for substantial financial resources to bolster climate action but it leans too heavily on private investments and ascribes an outsized role to multilateral development banks. In doing so, it overlooks the pivotal role that public finance must play in driving policy transformation, stimulating research and development, and investing in green infrastructure to mobilize trillions of dollars. Private investments often neglect adaptation efforts in developing countries and are inadequate to address climate-induced loss and damage, he said. However, some international experts said the breakthrough at the Paris summit helps to mobilise increased levels of climate finance. Saleemul Huq, the director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development, in Bangladesh said a step forward has been taken on climate finance, a key to meet 2015 Paris climate agreement goalposts. The key to me is for every leader to deliver what he or she promises, he said. Eminent Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron has shared his reaction to the tragic presumed deaths of the five passengers aboard the submersible Titan. James Cameron at the AFI Awards Luncheon at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on January 13, 2023. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) On Thursday, speaking to ABC News. Cameron revealed that the diving community was deeply concerned about the safety of the submersible even before the ill-fated expedition took place. He mentioned, A number of the top players in the deep submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company, saying that what they were doing was to experimental to carry passengers and that it needed to be certified. The discovery of Titan debris, strongly indicating the loss of the crew members, prompted Cameron to draw a parallel to the historic tragedy of the Titanic. The Canadian filmmaker drew attention to the fact that, much like the Titanic's captain who disregarded warnings about ice ahead and steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night. Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice field on a moonless night and many people dies as a result. Cameron expressed, For us, its a very similar tragedy where warnings went unheeded To take place at the same exact site with all the diving thats going on all around the world, I think its just astonishing. Its really quite surreal. ALSO READ| Titanic director James Cameron reacts to Titan sub incident that killed five persons Beyond his role as a filmmaker, the 68-year-old is also an experienced diver, having completed 33 trips to the wreckage site of the Titanic throughout his life. His extensive knowledge of the underwater world adds weight to his concerns and underscores the gravity of the situation. On Thursday afternoon, OceanGate, the company responsible for the ill-fated expedition, sadly announced that the five individuals on board the missing submersible had perished. 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, the expedition company expressed in a statement. (PEOPLE) OceanGate extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, acknowledging the loss of life and the joy these individuals brought to everyone they knew. 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 the tragic time. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew. During a press conference, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that debris, consistent with the catastrophic loss of pressure in the Titan chamber, had been discovered approximately 1,600 feet from the bough of the Titanic wreckage on the sea floor. The Coast Guard expressed deep sadness for the dedicated employees of OceanGate, who were exhausted and grieving profoundly over this loss. The company's statement conveyed gratitude for the tireless efforts of numerous individuals from various organizations within the international community, who provided extensive resources and worked diligently to support the mission. ALSO READ| James Cameron is full of remorse over Titanic tragedy, I wish I'd spoken up We respectfully ask that the privacy of these families be respected during this most painful time, the statement requested. The loss of the five explorers has cast a somber shadow over the entire explorer community, leaving a profound impact on the hearts and minds of those involved in oceanic exploration. Malaysia said on Friday it will take legal action against Facebook parent company Meta Platforms for failing to remove "undesirable" posts, the strongest measure the country has taken to date over such content. Globally, big social media firms that include Meta, Google's YouTube and TikTok are often under regulatory scrutiny over content posted on their platforms..(AP) Last year's closely fought national election has led to a rise in ethnic tensions and since coming to power in November, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration has vowed to curb what it calls provocative posts that touch on race and religion. Facebook has recently been "plagued by" a significant volume of undesirable content relating to race, royalty, religion, defamation, impersonation, online gambling and scam advertisements, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said in a statement. It also said Meta had failed to take sufficient action despite its repeated requests and that legal action was necessary to promote accountability for cybersecurity and to protect consumers. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The commission also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on what legal action might be taken. Race and religion are thorny issues in Malaysia, which has a majority of Muslim ethnic Malays alongside significant ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities. Commentary on the country's revered royals is also a sensitive issue and negative remarks towards them can be tried under sedition laws. The action against Facebook comes just weeks ahead of regional elections in six states that are expected to pit Anwar's multi-ethnic coalition against a conservative Malay Muslim alliance. Facebook is Malaysia's biggest social media platform with an estimated 60% of its population of 33 million having a registered account. Globally, big social media firms that include Meta, Google's YouTube and TikTok are often under regulatory scrutiny over content posted on their platforms. Some Southeast Asian governments have frequently requested that content be taken down. In 2020, Vietnam threatened to shut down Facebook in the country if it did not bow to government pressure to censor more local political content on its platform. It said last year that social media platforms operating in Vietnam removed more than 3,200 posts and videos in the first quarter that contained false information and violated the country's law. In Indonesia, Facebook in 2019 took down hundreds of local accounts, pages and groups linked to a fake news syndicate SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The desperate search to find the missing Titan submersible turned into a recovery effort Thursday after officials announced that the vessel imploded sometime this week, killing all five aboard, near the Titanic shipwreck. The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions to explore the wreckage of the sunken Titanic off the coast of Newfoundland, dives in an undated photograph(via REUTERS) Deep-sea robots will continue to search the sea floor for clues about what happened deep in the North Atlantic. The pilot and four passengers died in the catastrophic implosion. The Titan, owned by undersea exploration company OceanGate Expeditions, had been chronicling the Titanic's decay and the underwater ecosystem around the sunken ocean liner in yearly voyages since 2021. Many questions about what occurred underwater remain: Exactly when and why did the implosion occur? Will the victims' bodies ever be found? How could this tragedy have been prevented? Here's what we do know so far: 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 (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. WHAT HAPPENED ABOARD THE TITAN? The vessel suffered a catastrophic implosion, killing all five aboard, sometime this week after it submerged Sunday morning. It's not clear exactly when or where the implosion occurred. But a senior military official said Thursday that a U.S. Navy acoustic system detected an anomaly Sunday that was likely the Titans fatal implosion. The Coast Guard announced that debris from the submersible had been found and the end of rescue efforts Thursday, bringing a tragic close to a saga that included an urgent around-the-clock search and a worldwide vigil for the missing vessel. The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber, Rear Adm. John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District, said in a news conference Thursday. A deep-sea robot discovered the debris, near the Titanic shipwreck, that authorities say came from the submersible. The senior military official said that the Navy went back and analyzed its acoustic data after the Titan was reported missing. That anomaly was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost, the official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive acoustic detection system. The Navy passed on the information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search because the Navy did not consider the data to be definitive. The Wall Street Journal on Thursday first reported the Navys involvement. WHAT'S NEXT AND WHO WAS KILLED? The Coast Guard will continue searching near the Titanic for more clues about what happened to the Titan. Officials say there isnt a timeframe for when they will call off the massive international search. Rear Adm. John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District, said that the prospect of finding or recovering remains was unknown. The victims are: Oceangate chief executive and Titan pilot Stockton Rush; two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans, OceanGate said in a statement. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Pakistan on Friday criticized the United States and India after President Joe Biden met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House and both leaders called on Pakistan to ensure its territory was not used as a base for militant attacks. Pakistan's foreign ministry said a joint U.S.-Indian statement was "unwarranted, one-sided, and misleading". (In picture: Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif (L), PM Modi and Biden) Pakistan's foreign ministry said a joint U.S.-Indian statement was "unwarranted, one-sided, and misleading". The reference to Islamabad in it was "contrary to diplomatic norms," it said. The ministry added that it was surprised by the joint statement and said it had "close counterterrorism cooperation" with the United States. Relations between India and Pakistan have been fraught for years. Since independence from Britain in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two of them over the Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. The joint U.S.-Indian statement said: "They (Biden and Modi) strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks." Pakistan's foreign ministry said India was using the allegations of extremism against Islamabad to deflect from the situation in Kashmir and the treatment of minorities in India. New Delhi has for years accused Pakistan of launching militant attacks in India, including the one in 2008 in Mumbai that killed over 165 people. India also says Pakistan has helped Islamist militants who have battled Indian security forces in its part of Kashmir since the late 1980s. Pakistan denies the accusation and says it only provides diplomatic and moral support for Kashmiris seeking self-determination. The special status given to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked in 2019 when New Delhi split it into two federally controlled territories. Pakistan calls the moves illegal and wants them rolled back. Biden rolled out the red carpet for Modi on Thursday, with both leaders touting deals their countries reached on defense and commerce aimed at countering China's global influence. Pakistan also said it was "deeply concerned" over the planned transfer of advanced military technologies to India, saying such steps would not prove helpful in achieving peace in South Asia. Prince Harry reportedly pitched a podcast to Spotify that would have seen him interviewing Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump about their childhood trauma. The Duke of Sussex spoke to a number of producers and production houses to come up with a potential podcast series for Spotify, Bloomberg reported. This comes after Spotify and Archewell Audio, Harry and Meghan Markles production company, announced that they had mutually agreed to part ways. Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex steps out of a car.(Reuters) The royal couple had signed a three-year deal with Spotify in 2020 worth US$20m. Under the partnership, they produced one 12-part series, Archetypes, hosted by Meghan Markle. According to Bloombergs Soundbite newsletter, Prince Harry came up with the concept of interviewing controversial guests, including Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and Mark Zuckerberg about their early formative years and how those experiences resulted in the adults they are today. Another idea that he floated was a show about fatherhood in which he hoped to interview Pope Francis. As no podcast hosted by Prince Harry has been released, it appears his ideas were vetoed. Additionally, it was claimed this week that Meghan Markle did not conduct her own interviews on Archetypes. Her podcast is conversations with people. How would she not have [conducted her interviews], of course she did, Andy Cohen told Us Weekly, describing the duchess podcast as quite well-researched, well-informed and thoughtful. According to the Wall Street Journal, Prince Harry and Meghan Markles deal came to an end because they did not [meet] the productivity benchmarks required to receive the full payout from the deal. The couple were also criticised by leading Spotify executive Bill Simmons after it was reported that their partnership had been axed. Bill Simmons called Harry and Meghan f***ing grifters, saying, Thats the podcast we shoulda launched with them. I gotta get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea. Its one of my best stories. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON "My whole life was in this house. Now I have nothing," said Tetiana Pivneva, after returning to her flooded home in the Ukraine city of Kherson following the catastrophic destruction of a dam. Ukrainian servicemen arrive by boat with civilians during evacuation from the flooded Kardashynka village. (AP) Read here: 3 killed, 10 injured in Ukraine after Russia shelled rescue boat in flood-stricken Kherson region The June 6 breach of the Russia-controlled Kakhovka dam inundated huge swathes of the Kherson region, forcing thousands to flee and sparking fears of an environmental disaster. Kyiv has accused Moscow of blowing up the dam on the Dnipro River, while Russia has blamed Ukraine. When the dam was destroyed, Pivneva was in Odesa, 200 kilometres (125 miles) away, with her two children. She returned home this week and still cannot process what she was met with. "Words cannot describe it. I wept for several days," said the 41-year-old widow. "Even if I were here, I wouldn't have been able to do anything. The water was unstoppable," the businesswoman added. The nearby Dnipro river has risen several metres due to the destruction of the dam. Aided by friends, Pivneva is emptying her home, wading through the mud that covers the floors. "Here are two suitcases with things left in Odesa, two children, a cat and a dog. All I have," she sighed. 'Nothing left' Inside, a shirtless young man checks to see if there's any more furniture to be thrown out while a woman picks up some wallpaper that has fallen to the floor before throwing it onto a growing pile of rubbish in the street. In the courtyard, rolled-up mattresses lie next to a washing machine. Read here: Russia, Ukraine trade blame for shelling in flood-hit Kherson A friend, Olena Pshenychna, is among those helping out. "Furniture, sofas, floors, doors, appliances -- everything is thrown away, there's nothing left. We can only save the walls... Maybe in the future, it will be possible to either sell the house or make repairs. There is nothing left," she said. Situated in a Russian-occupied area of south Ukraine, the destruction of the Kakhovka dam left dozens dead and forced thousands of residents to leave their homes in both Kyiv-controlled and Russian-occupied areas. Ignoring warnings that it would be dangerous to return home, retired couple Igor and Natalia are also back in Kherson "to try and save what can be saved". But even the plaster has come off the walls and ceilings. "We don't have the strength to rebuild, no money. I don't know what we will do," said Natalia. "This was our son and daughter-in-law's bedroom," said Igor, pointing to a devastated room with mud-covered cupboards strewn across the floor. The couple are in contact with the authorities to register as flood victims and receive state aid. Russian bombings continue In front of a residential building elsewhere in Kherson, shocked residents have piled up their belongings to dry or be thrown away. Armchairs, cots, drawers, vacuum cleaners -- nothing was spared. Clothes hang from tree branches. "This is now a typical Kherson courtyard," said Sergiy Sergeyev, a local resident and press officer for a local military brigade. Read here: Ukraine accuses Russia of blowing up major dam on Dnipro River near Kherson "People are in the process of cleaning their homes, drying the walls and their belongings, 90 percent which will be sent to landfill," explained the 26-year-old in camouflage fatigues. Although the water level has finally begun to fall, Russian bombardments have continued unabated since the town was recaptured by the Ukrainian army in November. On Thursday, four people were injured in yet another strike. "It's the Russians and their bombings that are the most serious problem for Kherson", said Sergeyev. Ukraine said Friday it had downed an entire barrage of 13 cruise missiles fired by Russian forces overnight targeting an airfield in the west of the country. A storehouse is damaged after a nightly Russian rocket attack in Odesa, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 14, 2023. Officials say Russian forces have fired cruise missiles at the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa overnight and shelling has destroyed homes in the eastern Donetsk region, killing at least six people and injuring more than a dozen others. (AP Photo/Nina Lyashonok)(AP) "Thirteen of the occupiers' cruise missiles were destroyed on June 23.... This time the attack was aimed at a military airfield in the Khmelnytskyi region," the Ukrainian air force said on social media. Russia launched waves of aerial attacks with crusie missiles and attack drones over the winter, prompting Kyiv to appeal to its Western allies to bolster its air defence systems. "The launches were carried out around midnight from the Caspian Sea from four Tu-95MS bombers," the air force statement said. The mayor of Khmelnytskyi Oleksandr Symchyshyn reported explosions in the town with a pre-war population of around 275,000 and praised Ukrainian air defence systems. Ukraine also said that it had shot down a Russian reconnaissance drone overnight. Photo: The Canadian Press Bell Canada signage is pictured in Ottawa on Wednesday Sept. 7, 2022. BCE Inc.'s media arm is asking the federal telecommunications regulator to waive local news requirements for its television stations, saying its obligations are based on outdated market realities.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick BCE Inc.'s media arm is asking the federal telecommunications regulator to waive local news requirements for its television stations, saying its obligations are based on outdated market realities. In an application to the CRTC, Bell Media requests it drop requirements for spending on local news and on the number of hours per week that stations are required to broadcast locally reflective news in major and smaller markets. The application filed June 14 came the same day Bell announced it is cutting 1,300 positions, shutting or selling nine radio stations and closing two foreign bureaus amid plans to "significantly adapt" how it delivers the news in the face of rising financial pressure. The filing notes Bell Media's average annual news operating loss totalled $28.4 million between 2016 and 2019, a figure which jumped to $40 million last year as web giants scoop up the Canadian advertising market. Bell says the CRTC's implementation of the Online Streaming Act, has the potential to provide relief to media companies through compensation from online streaming giants, but it cannot afford to wait for outcome of the regulator's consultations on the legislation. Last week's layoffs included a six per cent cut at Bell Media. Titan submersible highlights: The submersible that set out on an expedition to the Titanic shipwreck site, almost 13,000 feet below the sea level, has imploded near the site where the British passenger liner sank in 1912. All five members onboard the ill-fated vessel have been declared dead in the catastrophic implosion, ending the a multinational five-day search. The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions to explore the wreckage of the sunken Titanic off the coast of Newfoundland, dives in an undated photograph.(via REUTERS) The submersible, owned by US-based firm OceanGate, lost its contact with the support ship on the surface after an hour and 45 minutes into what should have been a two-hour dive to the world's most famous shipwreck. Five major fragments of the 22-foot vessel, including including the vessel's tail cone and two sections of the pressure hull, were located in the debris, according to the US Coast Guard. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Renowned film director James Cameron, who immortalised the 1912 Titanic tragedy in the form of mainstream cinema, has expressed his regret for not flagging the Titanic shipwreck exploration mission, which he thought was a horrible idea, earlier. In an interview to the New York Times, Cameron pointed out several flaws in the submersible which may have resulted in its implosion. James Cameron talks about Titan submersible.(AP) From the design of the vessel to the material used, the filmmaker, who has dived several times including plunging in a self-designed craft to the bottom of the planet's deepest recess, has highlighted a couple of anomalies in the vessel which he thought would have been figured out by someone. He pointed out that among other fatalities in the past at this kind of depth, implosion was not among one of them. Implosion of a vessel which is big enough to carry five people is synonymous to 10 cases of dynamite going off. While talking to Reuters, he said he was skeptical with the use of composite carbon fiber used to make the submersible along with a titanium hull. He added the technology used in its making sounded bad on its face. "I thought it was a horrible idea. I wish I'd spoken up, but I assumed somebody was smarter than me, you know, because I never experimented with that technology, but it just sounded bad on its face," he said. Carbon-fiber composites are widely used in aerospace industries because of its light-weight characteristic, although stronger than steel and aluminium. However, the same material cannot prove useful in making an undersea vehicle which would experience extreme strength of compression as it dives deeper into the abyss due to the surge in water pressure. Cameron also criticised the owner and CEO of OceanGate Stocton Rush, also the pilot of the vessel, for certifying the submersible as safe when youre putting paying customers in it who trust you and your statements. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A day after the United States Coast Guard confirmed of the implosion of the disappeared Titan submersible, in which five passengers have been presumed dead, officials are grappling with the further challenges that lie ahead in the complex investigation of the international disaster. The submersible, operated by private US firm OceanGate Expeditions, had gone to explore 1912 Titanic wreckage but lost contact with the surface after one hour and 45 minutes of its dive off the Canada coast on Sunday. OceanGate Expeditions' Titan submersible in an undated photograph.(AP) Search for clues about what caused the implosion After five days of frantic search operation, carried with the help of resources shared by four nations, rescue teams discovered a debris field near the Titanic wreckage on Thursday evening. The debris found on the seafloor, 1,600 feet (500 meters) from the bow of the Titanic, indicated that the craft would have suffered a catastrophic implosion" a rapid breakup of the submersible, which would have happened within milliseconds, as per experts. The US Coast Guard said Friday that an official inquiry is yet to be launched into the incident as the agencies are looking for clues as to what caused the vessel to fall apart, which will pave the way for the further investigation. Who has jurisdiction over the case The second challenge in the inquiry over the disappearance and implosion of the Titan submersible lies in determining who has the appropriate jurisdiction to lead the investigation as the Titan operated in international waters, the US Coast Guard said. The possibilities include the US Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard, a joint effort or involvement of other federal or international agencies. Deep-sea voyages are poorly regulated The Titan case involves dealing with murky regulations for deep-sea voyages. The Titan was not registered as a US vessel or with international agencies that regulate safety. It was neither classified by maritime industry groups that set standards on design or construction. Operating company CEO Stockton Rush, who is among the five dead passengers, didnt want to be bogged down by such standards, news agency AP cited his past stance on the issue. Additionally, the death waiver signed by the onboard passengers, who paid over 2 crore for the trip, is another hurdle in lawsuits. Experts said wrongful death and negligence lawsuits make a case in this incident but legal actions include challenges, including the waivers that warned the passengers of the ways they could die. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The implosion of Titan submersible, an adventure vessel to explore "Titanic" wreck has shocked the world. All five persons onboard the sub are reportedly killed after the sub went missing on Sunday. James Cameron, Titan submersible(File) In an interaction with the BBC, Hollywood film director James Cameron who created the 1997 movie "Titanic" talked about how he reacted to the news of disappearance of Titan submersible. Cameron highlighted what instant thoughts were on the matter on learning that the sub's electronics and communication systems had failed during its trip. ALSO READ| Titan submersible mishap: All you need to know about the 'Titanic' explorer that imploded, killing five onboard "I felt in my bones what had happened. For the sub's electronics to fail and its communication system to fail, and its tracking transponder to fail simultaneously - sub's gone," said Cameron. The world famous Hollywood film director also shared how he used his own contacts to know the whereabouts of the sub. "I immediately got on the phone to some of my contacts in the deep submersible community. Within about an hour I had the following facts. They were on descent. They were at 3500 metres, heading for the bottom at 3800 metres," said Cameron. "Their comms were lost, and navigation was lost - and I said instantly, you can't lose comms and navigation together without an extreme catastrophic event or high, highly energetic catastrophic event. And the first thing that popped to mind was an implosion," added Cameron. Sharing his emotions on what he went through while reading info about the submersible incident for the past few days, Cameron told BBC News the past week "felt like a prolonged and nightmarish charade where people are running around talking about banging noises and talking about oxygen and all this other stuff". "I knew that sub was sitting exactly underneath its last known depth and position. That's exactly where they found it," added Cameron. Meanwhile, on Thursday, searchers have found five major parts of the Titan submersible, approximately 1,600ft (480m) from the bow of the Titanic wreck. Some reports suggest that the vessel might have imploded long before rescue operations started. Investigators will use the wreckage of the submersible to determine the causes of the implosion and why the incident happened. British billionaire businessman Hamish Harding, British father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood who had roots in Pakistan as one of its richest families, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and former French navy diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet are the five persons who lost their lives as crew of the Titan submersible. The Titan submersible, that went missing within a couple hours of its dive off the Canada coast on Sunday, probably imploded so fast that all five victims onboard would have been unaware of the event taking place, submersible experts said. (LIVE updates on Missing Titan search op) The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions to explore the wreckage of the sunken Titanic off the coast of Newfoundland dives in an undated photograph.(via REUTERS/file) Marine scientist and oceanographer David Mearns was quoted by news agency AFP as saying that "The debris discovery indicated a rapid breakup of the submersibleit would have been immediate, literally in milliseconds, and the men would have had no idea what was happening," Mearns said. The United States Coast Guard confirmed Thursday that the submersible imploded in the Atlantic Ocean sometime this week, after the break through in five days of frantic search operation that led to a discovery of a debris field near the Titanic wreckage. They said the debris found on the seafloor, 1,600 feet (500 meters) from the bow of the Titanic, indicated that the craft would have suffered a catastrophic implosion". Stefan Williams, an underwater robotics expert, speaking to AFP explained, "Every 10 metres you descend into the water, you increase the pressure by effectively one atmosphere." The enormous water pressure at the level means any tiny weakness, crack could cause the submersible to instantly implode. All five people aboard, including a pilot and four passengers, perished in the incident. "The investigation into what happened was underway and would continue around the debris field," Rear Adm. John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District told AP. Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet were the passengers who died onboard the ill-fated Titan. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nisha Anand Trainee Content Producer for Hindustan Times Digital Streams. I read about feminism, late modern history, and globalisation of Korean music. ...view detail JULY 19: Blacks two-way deal with the Hornets is now official, the team announced. JUNE 23: The Hornets will use one of their two-way slots in 2023/24 on rookie free agent Leaky Black, reports Adam Smith of Inside Carolina. The two sides have agreed to a two-way deal. A 68 swingman, Black went undrafted out of North Carolina on Thursday. He spent five seasons with the Tar Heels, averaging 7.3 PPG and 6.5 RPG on .411/.326/.702 shooting in 33 games (32.1 MPG) during his super-senior year in 2022/23. While Blacks offensive contributions are modest, hes considered an asset on the other end of the floor, having made the ACCs All-Defensive team in both 2022 and 2023. Prior to attending UNC, Black was born and raised in Concord, North Carolina, so its a local signing for the Hornets. Xavier Sneed, one of the players who finished the 2022/23 season on a two-way contract with the Hornets, has a deal that covers 23/24 as well. Assuming Charlotte hangs onto him, the team will be able to carry one more two-way player in addition to Sneed and Black. Driftwood Capital, a vertically integrated commercial real estate firm providing attractive returns in hospitality, announces the acquisition of the Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park. The 299-key hotel is centrally located within the 90-acre master-planned, mixed-use community of Granite Park in the north Dallas suburb of Plano. This marks the companys third hotel acquisition in the Dallas-Fort Worth market; it also owns the 231-key Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront and the 248-key Hilton Dallas Southlake Town Square. Driftwood Capital plans to renovate the hotels guestrooms and meeting space, and Driftwood Hospitality Management (DHM), an affiliate of Driftwood Capital, has assumed management responsibilities. Accredited investors may have the opportunity to invest in the hotel through Driftwood Capitals DealDirect investment platform beginning in July. In a climate where few properties are trading, we were fortunate to identify and acquire a high-quality, cash-flowing hotel asset in an exceptional location underpinned by strong corporate and leisure demand within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which is one of the five fastest growing economies in the U.S., said Carlos Rodriguez Sr., CEO of Driftwood Capital. Located at 5805 Granite Pkwy, the Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park features 299 spacious guestrooms, including king and double queen configurations, as well as well-appointed suites. Guests can enjoy a range of amenities, including an outdoor pool, two on-site dining options, Carso Market for ready-made meals and coffee, a fitness center, and a business center. The hotel also boasts an impressive 33,833 square feet of versatile meeting and event space, accommodating up to 1,300 guests. The property is centrally situated within the highly sought-after Granite Park, a master planned, mixed-use community with 2.3 million square feet of existing office and retail space, including renowned tenants such as Fannie Mae, Coca-Cola North America, Ford Motor Credit, and Vine Oil and Gas. The master planned community is adjacent to Legacy Central Business Park at the confluence of Dallas North Tollway and State Highway 121 with direct access to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, just 20 minutes away. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, known for its robust economy and strong corporate presence, is a burgeoning technology hub and a preferred business location. As one of the fastest-growing economies in the United States, the region offers exceptional airlift connectivity, attracting over 89 million passengers annually through Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport. About Driftwood Capital Driftwood Capital is one of the country's leading hospitality sponsors. A vertically integrated commercial real estate firm with investment, development, lending and management platforms, Driftwood's unique business model provides accredited investors access to institutional-quality hotel assets or capital solutions on a direct deal basis following deal closing. Since 2015, Driftwood Capital and its principals have transacted on more than $5 billion in hospitality assets, including new ground-up hotel development projects, cash-flowing hotels and hotel-backed loans. Driftwood's in-house team oversees deal sourcing, underwriting, financing, asset management, operations, development and legal issues. For more information, visit www.driftwoodcapital.com. New data from SiteMinder , the worlds leading open hotel commerce platform, suggests Spains hotel sector could be facing a historic summer of bookings. Hotel booking volumes in Spain are currently 17 percent higher than at the beginning of summer 2019, when the country experienced its biggest year of tourism to date. SiteMinders data, which compares current booking volumes to those in previous years, places Spain as a European favourite, ahead of the likes of France, Germany, Italy and the UK. The trend is partially explained by the grown demand seen among international travellers, who account for 55 percent of all reservations made to Spanish properties this month-to-date, compared to 53.6 percent this same time last year. British, French, German, Italian and Dutch travellers, in that order, are visiting Spain in the highest numbers. The growth in Spains hotel booking volumes has come in spite of rising accommodation prices in the country, which SiteMinder data shows have increased by an average of 12 percent over the past four years. In the last year, travellers have gone from booking their accommodation an average of 18 days in advance, to 33 days in advance, prompting experts to predict that it will be difficult to find last-minute deals in the coming months as the overall gap between booking and check-in edges longer. Confidence among travellers is the highest its been in years, with the majority booking their travels further in advance to find the best deal. After enduring the challenges of recent years, Spains accommodation industry is the most ready it has ever been to accept these reservations. SiteMinder is seeing more businesses adopting technology that allow them to price their rooms strategically, create a great booking experience for travellers, and deliver timely opportunities to upsell those who make a booking. Sara Padrosa, SiteMinders regional manager for Spain About SiteMinder SiteMinder (ASX:SDR) is the world's leading open hotel commerce platform, empowering hotels and accommodation providers to sell, market, manage and grow their business. SiteMinder's innovative online platform offers hotels and accommodation providers a comprehensive range of products and solutions to manage and streamline the distribution of their rooms across a wide selection of direct and indirect channels, take bookings from guests and communicate with guests. The global company, headquartered in Sydney with offices in Bangalore, Bangkok, Barcelona, Berlin, Dallas, Galway, London and Manila, generates more than 100 million reservations worth over US$35 billion in revenue for hotels each year. For more information, visit siteminder.com. Luke McCabe Communications Manager View source New data suggests that American tourists are increasingly exploring international destinations in 2023, contributing to a significant reshaping of the global travel map. Intriguing shifts in travel preferences are unfolding, with a marked increase in the desire for both traditional and fresh, unconventional destinations. Curious about these evolving trends and their potential impact on tourism? Dive into our latest Lybra Destination report for an insightful analysis. Source: Lybra That the American market has become one of the most active of 2023 is now clear to the entire tourism world: in these post-pandemic years, where everything is still in a phase of troubled evolution, one of the few certainties is that Americans have a great desire to travel. Perhaps tourism sociologists will be able to better explain where this sense of revival that pushes Americans to desire to travel so much comes from, but in the meantime, we know that the first months of 2023 have been characterized by this strong push for tourism from the US market. We talk about strong push because the numbers speak for us: think that from April 1st to June 20th, 2023, Americans have made an impressive number of searches for air flights, i.e. more than 62.8 million. This is a really significant number in tourism terms because it shows how strong the desire to travel is among US tourists. In addition, it is a very encouraging figure that makes us move away from the shadows of the Covid period and gives us hope for a new era of tourism. Indeed, US demand has grown quite a lot compared to last year, when during the same period the searches made were 52.7 million, about 19% less. The data come from international flight metasearch engines, which allow us to have a complete perspective on the international market, on the travel characteristics of users, and an accurate prediction of future demand. And so, where do Americans want to travel? American tourists have made their choices, unaware of the fact that they have contributed to redesign the worlds tourist map: yes because even if each of us thinks we have not changed that much, the events of recent years have changed our perception as travelers. This is why today the choices of a population can have such a big impact on the map of the Top destinations in the world; especially when we talk about a population of a certain volume. First (predictable) change: Americans travel much more abroad. But by how much? Last year, considering the same analysis period, more than 56% of searches made by Americans were for domestic trips, i.e. within the United States itself. Americans, also due to geographical distance reasons, are very prone to travel within their country by plane. Thats why its significant that this year, the share of domestic travel has dropped to 44%; while the share of travel outside the US soil has increased. Source: Lybra Top Destinations: Certainties and New Entries Increasingly more Americans are going abroad and to more exotic destinations: the years of the pandemic and the evolution of the tourist offer have indeed conditioned the perception of traveling abroad. The range of options on where to go has widened, some destinations have climbed the rankings and travelers preferences have significantly changed. on where to go has widened, some destinations have climbed the rankings and travelers preferences have significantly changed. In this great change, however, traditional holiday destinations remain strong: Mexico remains firmly in first place as the most desired destination by foreign tourists, one of the geographically most convenient destinations to reach and that fully meets the type of US demand. Completing the podium are the United Kingdom, India; two countries that have always tended to stay at the top of American travelers hearts. holiday destinations remain strong: Mexico remains firmly in first place as the most desired destination by foreign tourists, one of the geographically most convenient destinations to reach and that fully meets the type of US demand. Completing the podium are the United Kingdom, India; two countries that have always tended to stay at the top of American travelers hearts. However, it is very interesting to note the so-called new entries , i.e., destinations that compared to last year have improved their ranking. For example, this year Americans made a good 1.6 million searches for Canada, which moved from ninth place last year to fifth place. Improvement is also noted for countries like Brazil, Greece, and Portugal, although in this case, the protagonists are Eastern destinations. Japan and China , in fact, have registered the best performance and have climbed the rankings in travelers wishes. In 2022, Japan was only 21st in the ranking of the most desired destinations; in 2023 it even rises to the Top 10, placing ninth. A great growth that, if confirmed, would open the doors to a large tourism market. An even greater growth is recorded for China: if in 2022 Americans marked China as the 38th place among the destinations to visit, this year it has risen to the 12th place. , i.e., destinations that compared to last year have improved their ranking. For example, this year Americans made a good 1.6 million searches for Canada, which moved from ninth place last year to fifth place. Improvement is also noted for countries like Brazil, Greece, and Portugal, although in this case, the protagonists are Eastern destinations. , in fact, have registered the best performance and have climbed the rankings in travelers wishes. In 2022, Japan was only 21st in the ranking of the most desired destinations; in 2023 it even rises to the Top 10, placing ninth. A great growth that, if confirmed, would open the doors to a large tourism market. An even greater growth is recorded for China: if in 2022 Americans marked China as the 38th place among the destinations to visit, this year it has risen to the 12th place. These are not only positive but precious information for tourism operators: the American tourist market is significantly recovering in 2023, certainly with a strong push towards international travel; but above all, for American tourists, new markets are opening up and the way to experience tourism is changing. For more information about this report email us at [email protected] About Lybra (Formerly Lybra.Tech) Lybra is a leading global hospitality technology company, offering an innovative, machine learning revenue management system (RMS) for the global hospitality industry. Lybra's Assistant RMS was designed to improve the quality of hoteliers' lives, by simplifying and automating daily operations to skyrocket their property's bookings and revenue - even in times of decreased demand, like the current COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, Lybra was acquired by The Zucchetti Group, a leading international technology company offering software, hardware and ITC services to many global sectors, including hospitality, education, transport and logistics, manufacturing, among others. As part of The Zucchetti Group, Lybra is even more well-positioned to offer hotel clients the most accurate pricing suggestions because of the wealth of international market and demand data - compiled by the global hospitality technology companies that are owned by The Zucchetti Group - that is now integrated into the company's Assistant RMS. To learn more about Lybra, visit lybra.tech. Hotels in Spain Are Facing the Best Summer on Record: SiteMinder New data from SiteMinder, the worlds leading open hotel commerce platform, suggests Spains hotel sector could be facing a historic summer of bookings. Hotel booking volumes in Spain are currently 17 percent higher than at the beginning of summer 2019, when the country experienced its biggest year of tourism to date. SiteMinders data, which compares current booking volumes to those in previous years, places Spain as a European favourite, ahead of the likes of France, Germany, Italy and the UK. The trend is partially explained by the grown demand seen among international travellers, who account for 55 percent of all reservations made to Spanish properties this month-to-date, compared to 53.6 percent this same time last year. British, French, German, Italian and Dutch travellers, in that order, are visiting Spain in the highest numbers. The growth in Spains hotel booking volumes has come in spite of rising accommodation prices in the country, which SiteMinder data shows have increased by an average of 12 percent over the past four years. In the last year, travellers have gone from booking their accommodation an average of 18 days in advance, to 33 days in advance, prompting experts to predict that it will be difficult to find last-minute deals in the coming months as the overall gap between booking and check-in edges longer. Confidence among travellers is the highest its been in years, with the majority booking their travels further in advance to find the best deal, says Sara Padrosa, SiteMinders regional manager for Spain. After enduring the challenges of recent years, Spains accommodation industry is the most ready it has ever been to accept these reservations. SiteMinder is seeing more businesses adopting technology that allow them to price their rooms strategically, create a great booking experience for travellers, and deliver timely opportunities to upsell those who make a booking. Media enquiries Maria Cricchiola +61 2 8031 1287 media@siteminder.ccom Investor information Paul Wong +61 411 889 876 investor.relations@siteminder.com About SiteMinder SiteMinder (ASX:SDR) is the worlds leading open hotel commerce platform, empowering hotels and accommodation providers to sell, market, manage and grow their business. SiteMinders innovative online platform offers hotels and accommodation providers a comprehensive range of products and solutions to manage and streamline the distribution of their rooms across a wide selection of direct and indirect channels, take bookings from guests and communicate with guests. The global company, headquartered in Sydney with offices in Bangalore, Bangkok, Barcelona, Berlin, Dallas, Galway, London and Manila, generates more than 100 million reservations worth over US$35 billion in revenue for hotels each year. Rendering of the Holiday Inn Resort Pattaya IHG Hotels & Resorts today announces the signing of Holiday Inn Resort Pattaya in partnership with Destination Group, a leading hospitality and restaurant company in Thailand. Together with the recently signed Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Surin Beach and Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Karon Beach, the agreement is the third collaboration for a conversion property in the country between the two partners. Located just 10 minutes from central Pattaya and 200 metres from Pratumnak beach, Holiday Inn Resort Pattaya will open in late 2024 following its transformation from the former Mountain Beach Resort. It will offer 318 rooms and suites, seamlessly blending ergonomic design with modern layouts, three restaurants with contemporary culinary concepts and the brands signature hallmarks KidSuite and Kids Stay & Eat Free programme, making it the ideal destination for families, meetings, groups and bleisure travellers. The signing is the latest milestone in IHGs strategic growth in Thailand, where it has 34 open hotels and a 37-strong pipeline and aims to double the size of its estate within the next five years. Saowarin Chanprakaisi, Senior Director, Development, South East Asia and Korea, IHG said: We are continuing to expand the well-loved Holiday Inn brand, especially in resort locations across Thailand. Weve recently opened two wonderful Holiday Inn Resort properties in Koh Samui and Krabi and this signing brings us to more than 20 opened and pipeline Holiday Inn properties in the country. Pattaya is a fantastic destination where IHG is already a market leader thanks to wonderful properties including InterContinental Pattaya, Holiday Inn Pattaya, Holiday Inn Express Pattaya Central and the upcoming Kimpton Pattaya. Its a pleasure to collaborate with Destination Group, a leading hotel group in Thailand, on this project, through which were continuing our growth across the country. Gary Murray, Founder & CEO of Destination Group said: Holiday Inn Resort Pattaya is going to be a wonderful stay destination for all visitors. Its location on Pratumnak Beach makes it perfect for families and groups, while bleisure and business travellers will be able to take advantage of its close proximity to Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Centre, one of the largest MICE venue in the city. The resort will offer exceptional venues for successful events with its expansive 1,450 square metres of meeting spaces filled with natural daylight, setting the stage for productive and inspiring gatherings. Designed with families in mind, Holiday Inn Resort Pattaya will feature a Kids Club concept Siam Adventure Club, that promises endless fun and excitement for young explorers. This exceptional facility ensures that children have an unforgettable vacation filled with joy, discovery, and cherished memories for their families. This agreement for a third franchised Holiday Inn property reinforces our great commitment to the world-famous brand and takes our relationship with IHG to a new level, through which were offering guests outstanding stay experiences in Thailand. Holiday Inn Resort Pattaya will be located an hours drive from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and 30 minutes from U-Taopao International Airport. Desolation Hotel Hope Valley Opens in Hope Valley, CA Following the successful 2022 opening of its first luxury micro-resort (located in South Lake Tahoe), Desolation Hotel announces its expansion to a second Sierra Nevada location: Desolation Hotel Hope Valley (located in Hope Valley, CA). The family-owned, eco-conscious hotel brand now offers two ways to explore this singular Northern California regionand will be running a shuttle between the properties, providing guests convenient access to both experiences. Guests staying at either location may freely access amenities at either property. Formerly known as Sorensen's Resort, and now Desolation Hotel Hope Valley, this mountain retreat has been a beloved getaway for outdoor and adventure enthusiasts since 1926. Under Desolation Hotel's ownership, Co-Founder Chet Pipkin and team are bringing their commitment to sustainability, increased access to the outdoors, and support for the local community to this storied property. Their philanthropic efforts include supporting the Sugar Pine Foundation, resulting in the planting of one tree per every room night booked in the Tahoe Basin area, as well as recent donations exceeding $250,000 to local organizations such as Keep Tahoe Blue (League to Save Lake Tahoe) and the Tamarack and Caldor Fire Victims Fund. Desolation Hotel Hope Valley features a variety of accommodations, all of which blend seamlessly with the area's natural surroundings. These include: 27 Cabins Lovingly restored over the past century, these include custom-made furniture by regional craftsmen utilizing natural oak, pine, and redwood. Modern and luxe touches elevate each cabin (e.g., state-of-the-art kitchen appliances, brass fixtures, freestanding bathtubs, and Belkin technology throughout). Multiple layouts, including studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom options are available. 7 Luxury Yurts Yurts feature oak floors, gas fireplaces, king beds, windows providing abundant natural light, and modern bathrooms with oversized soaking tubs. A Restored 1951 Spartan Trailer - This trailer-turned-glamping suite sits along the West Fork Carson River and offers a blend of nostalgia and modern design. It features cherrywood finishes, outdoor patio seating, a queen-size bed with a full-size pullout sofa. Campgrounds - available for RV and tent camping, there are 13 sites across 15 acres completely surrounded by trees and wilderness; each come equipped fire rings, bear-proof food storage boxes, and communal bathrooms with showers. Advertisement In addition to the above accommodations, Desolation Hotel Hope Valley offers amenities specifically designed to enhance one's wilderness experience; these include a wood-fired sauna, telescopes for stargazing, outdoor firepits, summer lawn games, and complimentary seasonal gear for outdoor adventurers (e.g., snowshoes, sleds, cross-country skis, clear bottom kayaks, and paddle boards). There is a general store on-site (complete with grab-and-go picnic items, bait & tackle, groceries, coffee, and more) and the all-day dining destination, Sorensen's Cafe, turning out seasonal, mountain-inspired favorites like Alpine Artichoke Fondue and Bavarian-Style Pretzels, alongside fresh cocktails, craft beer, and regional wine. Like Desolation Hotel South Lake Tahoe, the new Hope Valley location is dog-friendly and provides guests with access to several EV charging stations on property. Nestled in the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, the property is just 25 minutes from South Lake Tahoe and one hour from the Reno-Nevada International Airport, yet feels worlds away from city life with its secluded forest location. The hotel provides easy access to outdoor excursions including dozens of alpine lakes, views of the West Fork Carson River (which runs through the Desolation Hotel Hope Valley campgrounds), Kirkwood Ski Resort, and abundant hiking trails (many of which begin right at guests' front doors). "We are proud to be the owners of this storied landmark," says Chet Pipkin, Co-Founder of Desolation Hotel. "Surrounded by rugged beauty and untamed wilderness, this destination further brings to life our commitment to provide access to unforgettable experiences in nature. Although the immersion in remote nature differs from the town of South Lake Tahoe, both our properties offer guests an unparalleled opportunity to explore and appreciate this region. And we make every effort to give our guests an authentic and immersive local experience, from suggesting off-the-beaten-path swimming holes to sharing our favorite hikes or ski runs." Chicago, IL (60637) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low near 65F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Click here for a Print Subscription with Online Digital included. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. Below you will see test that reads Print Subscribe Access. Click this to then Get Started attaching your account number and zip code to you online user account. Click on the banner above if you would like to become a print subscriber with digital access. If you simply want online access without print click get started below. Subscribers to Register-Star or The Daily Mail are eligible to receive full access to HudsonValley360. If you have an existing print subscription, please make sure your email address on file matches your HudsonValley360 account email. The town of Adams has spent years trying to take the former paper mill on Howland Avenue for back taxes. It could control all three parcels by the end of summer. Adams Preparing to Finally Take Possession of Curtis Fine Paper Mill Curtis filed for bankruptcy nearly two decades ago; a trucking company that bought the property -- and its debt -- fell nearly half-million behind in taxes by 2016. ADAMS, Mass. The years of legal frustration over the former Curtis Fine Paper property may finally be coming to a close. At least within the next 60 to 90 days. Maybe. Town Counsel Edmund St. John III updated the Board of Selectmen on Wednesday on the status of the tax taking of 115 Howland Ave. and some of the exasperation he's had to deal with. The town filed a tax taking against the property, owned by MJD Real Estate LLC, back in 2016 for nearly a half-million in delinquent taxes and filed with Land Court to close on the liens in 2019. But the slow pace of Land Court became glacial with the onset of the pandemic. "I don't want to bore you with this, but I want you to know what it's like to deal with the Massachusetts Land Court. There is a light at the end of this tunnel," St. John told the Selectmen, and proceeded to detail the back and forth in numerous emails and calls he'd had with Land Court employees since his last update in February. "COVID caused a catastrophic backlog with Massachusetts Land Court," he said. "All the other courts that I've dealt with in the commonwealth were quick to deal as best they could ... There were people who were doing Zoom hearings and all this stuff. In the Massachusetts Land Court, everything stopped." St. John said one court employee told him they were only one of two people in the state working on these cases. "But we're getting close to the end and we can kind of smile about it now," he said. The town now has control of the smallest of the three parcels that make up the former paper mill, just under a quarter of an acre. The two larger parcels one at 11.8 acres and the other of four acres contain the buildings in the sprawling complex. One of the last steps is to publish legal notifications of the town's intent on foreclosing on the liens on those two parcels. "During the week of June 14, the Land Court contacted me for funds to publish notices in the remaining two cases," St. John reported. "I mailed those to court yesterday, and newspaper notices will be sent out fairly soon. And I cautiously say, careful, we might expect a final judgment within 60 to 90 days. And I'm very cautious about this since it's been over four years." MJD Real Estate purchased the property from the obsolete Curtis Fine Papers in 2009 for $15,000 for its trucking business, but also took on the bankrupt company's tax debts . The town faced an uphill battle for years in hounding MJD to pay its taxes. In 2016, MJD's unpaid taxes accounted for 40 to 45 percent of the total delinquent taxes owed to the town. The property has not been maintained and many of the buildings are crumbling and their windows broken. A large smokestack in the rear has collapsed. The complex was valued at $1.85 million at the turn of the century and was most recently assessed at $446,600. The town will be using a $50,000 Community Compact grant to do a "best use" study for the property. The board also addressed an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Patrick Higgins that the board did not approve its March 21 meeting in a timely manner and did not list the documents and exhibits used by the public body in the May 3 minutes. Chair Christine Hoyt said the March minutes apparently were tabled at the meeting but then not take up again. As to the documents, St. John said when he "looked at the meeting minutes, I could see where documents were presented to the board and they were identified and we knew what they were but we had to scour through the minutes to find them." St. John these technical violations will be acknowledged to Higgins and to the Attorney General's Office. As a response, St. John said he will conduct training with employees to impress the need to follow the law. Hoyt suggested that committee chairs also attend. Town Administrator Jay Green said attending the meetings will be a requirement. "We have a lot of new staff. Open Meeting Law has become very technical, as this board has discussed before ... As Ed said, these are not transparency ... these are simply technical violations," he said. "[The trainings] are a way for us to sharpen our procedures and a good way to refresh people, particularly when you bring people in from the private sector, who don't have these obligations in the private sector. They have a whole different set of obligations in the public sector." In other business: The board, acting as the licensing authority, approved one-day licenses for AJ's Trailside Pub [outside] for Thursday's (June 22) Northern Berkshire United Way fundraiser from 5 to 9 and for the Berkshire Cider Project on July 1 and 2 from 6:30 to 10 and July 6 from 7 to 10, all three at the Adams Theater. Sherrie Leon was appointed administrative assistant for the Department of Inspection Services and the Assessor's office. She experience in the real estate market including with the state Land Records office mapping Berkshire County and working with contractors. She will start at Grade 6, Step 2 at $20.22 an hour. "We've never been so happy to have somebody that's really qualified for this position," said Building Commissioner Gerry Garner. The board approved the Events Committee's request to set the townwide tag sale for Aug. 12 and to reduce the $7 tag sale fee to $1 for the sale. Maps will be available in early August. Selectmen Joseph Nowak and Howard Rosenberg questioned reducing the cost and the signs that linger for weeks later. Green said the $7 fee doesn't really cover the paperwork and the time it takes to take down the signs. There was also concern about signs being posted on utility poles or town signs or trees in violation of the bylaws. As smart buyers, it always pays to purchase anything sulit, especially when it comes to the things well use every day, like smartphones. These gadgets are critical to our everyday lives in the always-on world, where people must stay connected with friends, family, and even colleagues, whenever and wherever they are. But, nowadays, having a smartphone is more than just about staying connected. Its more than just having the power to connect, and most certainly, there are more things that we need to consider in order for these trusty devices to be called a sulit buy. For iPhone users, one particular model is worthy of being called a sulit phonethe iPhone 11. From its camera specs, and reliable performance, to high-res display and sleek design, this model has become a staple and proves to be a sulit buy as it enables users to experience all that they need and deserve from an iPhone. Heres why: High-res camera for high-quality photos, videos When looking for a mobile phone, the camera is one of the vital features you need to check. This is to make sure you can capture your every moment and experience in high-quality, especially now in the age of social media. From snapping a selfie, taking photos of scenic views, to even recording dance crazes, never let your camera hold you down when documenting your memories and parts of your life. Luckily, the iPhone 11 features a dual-camera system built with 12MP Ultra-Wide and Wide cameras to allow you to capture social-media-worthy photos and videos every day. Reliable performance for everyday use Running low on power is one of your main problems when you are outside. It is a hassle to search for an energy source just to recharge your phone if you forget your power bank. Having a battery that can store enough power to fuel your device so it can last the whole day is a lifesaver. The good thing is that the iPhone 11 boasts a 3110mAh battery capacity that can provide the power you need all day. With a capacity that can deliver up to 65 hours of music experience or up to 17 hours of watching videos, there is no need for you to worry about your battery life all the time. Aside from the battery, ensuring its performance features can give you a smooth user experience when going through your day-to-day tasks or enjoying downtime on your mobile phone. Lags can interrupt your gameplay or interfere with your productivity as you work around your emails, online meetings, messages, and so on. Thanks to the iPhone 11s A13 Bionic processor and iOS 13 operating system, you can enjoy smooth performance when using the device, allowing you to play or multitask without the fear of slow response time. High-definition display for a better viewing experience A mobile phones display affects your overall user experience. As much as possible, you want a screen that can meet your visual preferences so you can appreciate your time on the phone. If you are searching for a higher-resolution display that shows accurate colors for immersive visuals, the iPhone 11 has a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina screen with a 1792x828 resolution, making every photo or frame you encounter come alive. Water-resistant design for long-lasting use Buying a mobile phone is an investment. That is why you must ensure that you are only getting a quality device that can last long and is well protected if exposed to harmful factors that may damage its hardware. Worry no more because the iPhone 11 got you covered. As it is rated IP68, the device is water-resistant and can withstand common liquid spills and even two-meter-deep water for 30 minutes. With its enduring quality, you can guarantee you can use the device for a long time. Snatch that sulit deal Before finalizing your decision to buy the phone after checking its features, do not forget to consider its price and payment options. This will allow you to evaluate if the device is within or out of your budget while also giving you a chance to choose how to pay for it so you will not spend all your savings in one go. If you are curious about the iPhone 11s price, it retails at PHP29,990 and PHP25,990 for its 128GB and 64GB variants, respectively. It is available in six colors: Black, Green, Yellow, Purple, Red, and White. But how can this be a sulit deal? Home Credit hears you! Avail now the iPhone 11 via Home Credit and enjoy its 0% interest offer with 6-, 9-, and 12-month installment options. Depending on your chosen duration, you can only be PHP52 away from using the so lit iPhone 11 for a sulit investment. What are you waiting for? Get the iPhone 11 now before it is too late! Home Credits offer is ongoing and will last until September 30, 2023. To know more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website , www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers are also encouraged to download the My Home Credit App on Google Play to learn more about the latest promos and see whats new in the Marketplace. Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Learning is dynamic and changes landscape as the world evolves. As it happens, the sector faces a new generation of learners: Generation Z or Gen Zs. Inspired by the current mindset of new generation learners, Quipper list reasons why schools must take learning to the next level by adapting to them Born between 1997 to 2013, this generation grew up in the digital era, surrounded by the latest innovations and instant access to information. They are deemed digital natives and have unique learning preferences. As they grew, they witnessed firsthand how technology changed education in many ways and now look beyond the four walls of a classroom, championing technology-driven learning. That is why it is a must nowadays for schools to offer dynamic and adaptive learning methods for them. And to help schools apply tech-based education to their curriculum, Quipper, one of the best LMS in the Philippines, provides a list of how to meet the educational demands of Gen Z learners. Promote collaboration and interactivity. Gen Z learners thrive in collaborative environments that encourage active participation. They are all for human interaction and connection, either virtual or offline. By implementing measures that foster collaboration and interactivity, educators will encourage learners to value teamwork which they will need in their future endeavors. Educators should integrate group projects, discussions, and hands-on activities into the curriculum to promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Create a personalized learning environment. Gen Z learners value customized experiences tailored to their individual needs and interests. Schools should employ adaptive learning technologies and strategies that allow students to learn at their own pace and explore topics of interest. This can be achieved through personalized learning platforms like Quipper, which provides adaptive assessments and individualized feedback. Quipper has automated checking of students activities and an item analysis feature to monitor class performance. Foster a student-centered approach through active communication. Schools must adopt a student-centered approach to education that places students as the top priority in the learning process. This means considering their opinions, interests, and feedback. Educators can achieve this by prioritizing open and active communication with the students, hearing their concerns, and encouraging their voice and choice. Quipper has a built in Messaging feature which teachers can use to communicate with their students to remind them of their assignments and provide private feedback to improve their output and performance. Cultivate their digital literacy skills. While there is an abundance of information that students can get for free, and it is technically accessible at all times, educators should still monitor and control all online activities. Schools should conduct free digital literacy training to help them navigate and evaluate information effectively. Schools should incorporate digital literacy education into their curriculum, teaching students to critically assess sources, distinguish between reliable and unreliable information, and engage in responsible digital citizenship. By equipping Gen Z learners with these skills, schools empower them to become discerning digital content consumers and creators. The methodologies in teaching are bound to be changed, and it is high time for schools to adapt to these and embrace the digital age. Through technology, schools can empower learners by fostering collaboration, personalizing learning experiences, creating a student-centered environment, and cultivating digital literacy skills. And Quipper, with its innovative teaching and learning technology, can help schools cater to the needs of new generation learners. Their technology-driven platform prioritizes the growth of studentsone that adapts to the changing landscape of education. With Quipper, Gen Z learners will eventually thrive beyond four walls and be equipped to become lifelong learners. To learn more about Quipper Philippines and its other programs and initiatives, visit www.quipper.com/ph. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Priscilla Presley is a lot more excited about her upcoming biopic movie than the estate of her ex-husband, Elvis. Euphoria star Jacob Elordi and Mare of Easttowns Cailee Spaeny play the King and his wife in Sofia Coppolas forthcoming A24 movie, Priscilla. The film, which released its first trailer on Wednesday (21 June) is based on Priscillas 1985 memoir Elvis and Me. Sharing the movies poster on Instagram Thursday, Priscilla said she was excited about the interpretation of her book by the masterful Sofia Coppola. She has such an extraordinary perspective and I have always been such an admirer of her work, added Priscilla, 78. Im certain this movie will take everyone on an emotional journey. Elvis estate had a different take, though. Estate officials told TMZ that Priscilla was produced without the Estate's knowledge or consent. It feels like a college movie. The set designs are just horrific, its not what Graceland looks like, one official reportedly told the publication. The Independent has contacted A24 for comment. Director Coppola, daughter of The Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola, is perhaps best known for her Oscar-nominated, 2003 comedy-drama Lost in Translation, which starred Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as unlikely lovers whose paths cross in Tokyo. 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 vulnerable best friend, A24s synopsis for Priscilla reads. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 6.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 6.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free 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. Lisa Marie, the only daughter of Priscilla and Elvis, died in January aged 54 after suffering cardiac arrest. Weeks after her death, Priscilla made a challenge to the authenticity and validity of Lisa Maries will, which she was removed from several years ago, citing an unusual signature and other allegedly inconsistent details. Elviss entire estate was due to go to Lisa Maries daughter, Daisy Jones and The Six star Riley Keough, 34. In May, it was reported that Riley and Priscilla had reached an agreement in court. Elvis and Priscilla married in 1967 before divorcing six years later in 1973. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sally Hawkins is stepping away from the role of Mrs Brown for the third instalment in the live-action Paddington franchise: Paddington in Peru. The 47-year-old British actor played the foster mother of Paddington, the wife of Henry Brown (Hugh Bonneville), and the mother of Judy Brown (Madeleine Harris) and Jonathan Brown (Samuel Joslin) across the first and second films released in 2014 and 2017. Hawkins is set to be replaced by Shutter Island star Emily Mortimer, 51. In a statement via Variety, Hawkins said: For me it has felt the right time to hand the reins over to another, and one cant get much better than the truly wonderful Emily Mortimer, she is extraordinarily special. She will embody the essence of Mary Brown and yet make it utterly her own. However, I am, and will always be in love with Paddingtons world. I already greatly miss my on and off-screen family the experience of making the first two films has truly been some of the best and most creative times I have had in the world of film. They both gave me so much joy. I will forever hold them so very close to my heart indeed. Hawkins has been nominated for two Academy Awards in her career first in the best supporting actress category for Woody Allens Blue Jasmine (2013) and more recently in the best actress category for her lead role in Guillermo Del Toros 2017 film, The Shape of Water. Her exit is far from the only casting news in the world of Paddington. (From left) Sally Hawkins, Paddington Bear and Emily Mortimer (Getty Images/Warner Bros) Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas and Rachel Zegler are all reportedly in talks to join the South America-set feature. Bonneville, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Harris and Joslin are set to reprise their roles while Ben Whishaw returns as the voice of Michael Bonds fictional bear as does Imelda Staunton as his Aunt Lucy. The Hollywood Reporters sources suggest that Oscar-winner Colman, 49, will play the host of a retirement home for bears in Peru. The third instalment in the saga will see Paddington travel from the Browns home in London to darkest Peru to visit his aunt. Variety reports that Zorrostar Banderas will play Hunter Cabot, an intrepid riverboat captain who aids Paddington on his adventure and Zegler (West Side Story) will play his daughter, Gina. I am absolutely delighted to be working with such a wonderful cast on the next instalment of the Paddington story. I was already an enormous fan of our returning actors, but for them to be joined by Olivia, Antonio, Emily and Rachel is beyond thrilling, said director Dougal Wilson. Paddington in Peru is yet to receive a release date. A large Hongshan settlement site has been discovered in Shangchaoyanggou village, only four miles from the Niuheliang archaeological site in Chaoyang city, north-east Chinas Liaoning province, according to the latest research by the Liaoning Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. It marks the first time a large residential site of Hongshan Culture has been found near the Niuheliang sacred burial site. After archaeological excavation of an area of about 30 acres, 27 dwelling sites have been discovered. In the 1930s, a brilliant Neolithic culture renowned for its exquisite jade was discovered during the excavation of a site by a hill named Hongshan (meaning the red mountain due to the colour of its rocks) in Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. In 1954, it was formally named Hongshan Culture. Other Hongshan Culture sites have been discovered in parts of todays Inner Mongolia, as well as Liaoning and Hebei provinces. The discovery of the Niuheliang burial site in 1983 was a milestone in the study of Hongshan Culture. After a life-size head sculpture of a goddess was excavated at the site, which dates back 5,000 to 5,500 years, a large centre of religious belief and ceremony has gradually been revealed by the shovels of archaeologists. An aerial view of the Niuheliang site, a representative of Hongshan Culture in Liaoning province (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY) Hongshan Culture, represented by the Niuheliang site, relates to the critical period 5,000 years ago in Chinas prehistory, says Bai Baoyu, director of the Liaoning institute. It is also a key to trace the origin of Chinese culture and civilisation. Liaoning is the core area of Hongshan Culture and the key area of related research. It is also the first province in China where Hongshan Culture sites were discovered. In June 1921, Johan Gunnar Andersson, an archaeologist from Sweden, and his Chinese colleagues first discovered the remains of Hongshan Culture when he cleaned the site of Shaguotun Cave in Jinxi county (now Huludao city in Liaoning). In the following years, archaeologists carried out continuous work on sites and cemeteries, such as Dongshanzui, Hutougou, Niuheliang and Banlashan. In 2017, archaeologists launched an investigation of Hongshan Culture. Data from the Liaoning Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology show that, as of last year, the number of Hongshan sites and cemeteries in the province had increased from the initial 90 to more than 500. Maanqiaoshan archaeological site, located in Jianping county of Chaoyang, is an example. After years of scientific and systematic excavation and research, archaeologists have been able to piece together a picture of how people lived in those days. The site is located on a hillside near the Laoha River in Shitaigou village and includes living, sacrificial and burial areas. Hongshan sites are often located alongside rivers and tend to be situated on open and flat-topped hills or towards the top of long slopes on the leeward side facing the sun. Furthermore, after examination of human bones discovered at the site, archaeologists found that they mainly ate grains. Combined with the unearthed sets of agricultural tools, it shows that the Hongshan people started to settle down and rely on agriculture 6,400 years ago, breaking the previous belief that they were predominantly hunter-gatherers. Hongshan Culture has been included as a national archaeological project, says Bai. The next step of our work is to investigate and excavate key sites both inside and outside the Niuheliang site to seek more evidence of the connection between the sites and confirm the construction layout of the Niuheliang site. Moreover, we plan to establish a database of the natural environment and economic life at that time to accumulate more information for the research of Hongshan Culture, he says. An archaeological plan focusing on the Niuheliang site has been formulated to achieve breakthrough results in the short term and contribute to the project of exploring the origin of Chinese civilisation. Like their peers in many other parts of North China, generations of farmers in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region once used a simple method to dispose of straw stalks they simply set them on fire on the farmland. However, since the turn of the new millennium, when the central authorities imposed a ban as part of efforts to improve the control of air pollution, local authorities supervision of straw burning has evolved into a game of cat-and-mouse between law enforcement officers and farmers. As soon as the local government relaxed its supervision a little, farmers went to set fires, no matter whether it was day or night, said Gao Yinhai, a farmer from the regions Hinggan League. With his home area shrouded in heavy smoke, visibility on the local highway was sometimes no more than 100 yards, said Gao, who runs Kunpeng, a dairy cattle co-operative. Now, instead of polluting the air, the straw stalks in many of Inner Mongolias major grain-producing areas are contributing to efforts to promote rural vitalisation and help the country reach Chinas climate targets: peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and becoming carbon neutral before 2060. A lot of agricultural waste and animal dung is transformed into biomass fuel, a clean, renewable energy source. While the smoke that blocked out the sky has gone, an industry chain has come into being, with many farmers making stable incomes by collecting straw stalks. As a major grain-producing area, Inner Mongolia boasts about 28.4 million acres of farmland. According to a survey of pollution sources in the region published in 2020, more than 36.7 million metric tons of straw stalks are generated every year. While promoting traditional approaches to the disposal of straw stalks, such as digging them into the soil as organic fertiliser or compressing them to produce animal fodder, places such as Bayannuur have tapped into the potential of waste material as a source of biomass fuel. In 2017, the city introduced a biomass power-generation project with a total investment of 277 million yuan (30.4 million). Since becoming operational on May 8, 2019, the project has not only helped improve the environment and mitigate climate change, but also provided financial benefits for local farmers. Li Huaiqing, general manager of Hanglong Biomass Power Generation, the company that runs the project, said that in addition to generating about 210 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, the project supplies 250,000 metric tons of industrial steam and provides heating for more than 16 million square feet of housing. This results in the use of standard coal being reduced by 95,000 metric tons and lowers carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 210,000 metric tons every year, he added. According to the department of industry and information technology in Bayannuurs Hanggin Rear Banner district, since the project went into operation it has consumed more than 1.2 million metric tons of straw stalks. In addition to employing 120 local people, the project has benefited more than 3,000 people, as the company has paid 320 million yuan (35.12 million) to local farmers to buy their straw stalks, it added. One of the beneficiaries is Zhu Xiaomei, who lives in Bayannuurs Menghai township. The 43-year-old used to take whatever odd jobs she could find such as working at a local coal washing plant when she could spare time from her approximately 17.3 acres of farmland. Now, she can make a more stable, higher income as an agent collecting straw stalks for the biomass plant. All she needed to do to start her straw-collection business was to buy a strapping machine, she said. Thanks to the project, many local farmers no longer burn straw. The air quality has improved, while the biomass power plant has brought considerable financial benefits to local people, she added. Xu Guorong, 65, has lived all his life in an area of Shenzhen, Guangdong province, known for its long coastline, beautiful beaches and rolling mountains, which attract travellers from many countries. A resident of the Xichong Community in the citys Dapeng New Area, Xu likes to lie on the beach when night falls and look up at the stars while listening to waves crashing along the shore. It feels as though the entire Milky Way is right in front of your eyes, he said. Xu, who runs a seafood restaurant in the community, earning up to 300,000 yuan (33,381) a year, said: Local villagers such as myself live on the natural resources of the sea, and thanks to the development of tourism, we have been able to escape poverty and lead better lives. He became more optimistic about the future in April, when the community was certified by the International Dark Sky Association, or IDA, as an International Dark Sky Community, or IDSC the first of its kind in China and only the second in Asia after that in Bisei Town, an administrative district of Ibara, Japan. The association said an IDSC refers to a town, city, municipality or other legally recognised community that has shown exceptional dedication to preserving the night sky by implementing and enforcing quality outdoor lighting, dark sky education and public support for such skies. For a long time, people came to my community for the sea. Now, they have more reasons to visit, including watching the stars. This international certification means the area will be known to a wider audience overseas, and this will attract more tourists and benefit the local economy, Xu said. Covering an area of about 4.2 square miles, Xichong Community is approximately 37 miles from downtown Shenzhen. It boasts mountains on three sides, with the other side facing the sea. The area is home to eight natural villages, Xichong Beach the citys largest and Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory. Some 1.6 million tourists visit the community each year. The night sky is observed in Xichong Community in Shenzhen. Xichong has been certified as an International Dark Sky community (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY) Attending the certification ceremony in Xichong in April, Ruskin Hartley, CEO and executive director of the IDA, said, Over the past two years, the Xichong pilot project has built a dark sky community model for other cities across China and around the world. He said the community differentiates itself from others, as it has a good mix of astronomical and ecological features. The certification will be good for the communitys economy. It demonstrates that dark sky protection can go hand in hand with dark sky principles in green urban development as well as harmonious coexistence among humans, nature and the city, Hartley said. Construction of a dark-sky community in Xichong started in 2021. As part of the project, the local government renovated lighting and advertising boards in the community. The measures taken included changing to more eco-friendly lighting equipment, reducing luminance, and limiting the time that lighting is switched on. Research suggests that artificial light at night could negatively affect human health, increasing the risk of obesity, depression, sleep disorders, diabetes, breast cancer and other ailments. Such light also has a devastating effect on plants and creatures, including amphibians, birds, mammals and insects. Light pollution also wastes energy. The IDA said excess outdoor lighting produces global energy waste equivalent to the output of 2.6 million metric tons of coal and 13.6 million barrels of oil a year. There are currently 40 certified IDSCs in the world, with more than half of them in the US. In China, more local governments are working to combat light pollution. The nations first local regulation to protect a dark sky reserve was approved in October, 2022, by the authorities in Lenghu, Qinghai province. The regulation, which took effect at the start of this year, states that the type and intensity of lighting must be strictly controlled. Many large cities, including Nanjing, Jiangsu province, Chengdu, Sichuan province, and Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, have begun to set up dark-sky zones. Every Thursday and Sunday morning, a group of runners with impaired vision or hearing sets off from a rest area near the south gate of Beijing Olympic Forest Park. The area, one of several established at the park last year, sits beside the running and walking track, and serves as a warm-up base for the runners, who are accompanied by volunteers as they aim to improve their fitness levels. Running not only benefits these athletes by enhancing their physical well-being, it also has a beneficial effect on the volunteers, who are inspired by their charges perseverance, determination and optimistic outlook. At 8am on a sunny morning in May, Yao Taotao, 38, who has retinitis pigmentosa a chronic hereditary eye disease and has been legally blind since he was one year old, did some stretches before taking to the track. He followed the movements of two volunteers, who act as regular trainers. Yao Taotao (front left) is accompanied by two volunteers at the park (WEI XIAOHAO / CHINA DAILY) The three runners set an impressive pace, completing the 3.1-mile lap of the southern part of the park within 40 minutes. Yao and one of the volunteers were connected by a hemp rope as they ran at the same pace. They rarely spoke the only sounds being the slight summer breeze and the runners breathing and footsteps. As I can no longer see, I place all my trust in the volunteers when I run, Yao said. Yao was one of 15 people with impaired vision or hearing who ran at Olympic Forest Park on the day, who were accompanied by more than 30 volunteers. This activity, which has been staged for the past five years, is organised by the Beijing branch of Running in the Dark, a charity running group formed in October 2019. The founder and organiser of the groups branch in the Chinese capital is He Xiaoyun, 52, a Beijing native. She and about five regular volunteers hold charity runs at Olympic Forest Park on Thursdays and Sundays at 7am and 8am. About 1,600 volunteers have joined the Beijing branch, ranging in age from 5 to 74, and assisting more than 400 visually impaired and hearing-impaired runners. Volunteers accompanying the athletes walk or run varying distances, either walking for 1.86 miles, or running for 3.1 miles, 6.2 miles or 9.3 miles. One or two days before a run, the volunteers post registration links on the branchs WeChat group, specifying their preferred distance and starting time. Volunteers from the logistics team, which usually comprises about 10 people, accompany visually impaired runners from the subway station and assist them during the run. After registration, the volunteers meet up with the runners and gather at the rest area. One of the volunteers then leads a warm-up routine, which includes exercises such as turning, high-knee steps, and walking on the spot. Experienced volunteers offer additional support by holding visually impaired participants hands or arms. Ding Hua, 47, the mother of a 16-year-old daughter, has worked as a volunteer for the charity group for about two and a half years. She learned about Running in the Dark when she met with a visually impaired runner from the group on the Beijing subway last year. She said she enjoys being part of the charity group and running with visually impaired people because everyone is willing to communicate and connect with each other. Many of the runners she accompanied reached the finishing line without making any stops. This gives me a sense of achievement, which is hard to find elsewhere in my daily life, as I am usually busy looking after my child and doing housework, she said. Running can be enjoyable, but it is difficult to share enthusiasm for the sport with others, Ding said. Thats where companionship comes in. By sharing the positive energy, excitement and upbeat attitude that comes from running and other forms of exercise, you help those who are visually impaired, or who are experiencing negative emotions, she said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Indias minister of home affairs will hold a rare all-party meeting on Saturday to discuss the spiralling ethnic violence in the northeast state of Manipur with opposition political parties. Signalling an acknowledgement of the situation turning out of control in the state, the home affairs minister said the meeting will be held at 3pm local time in capital Delhi. Under the grip of unprecedented violence for nearly two months, Manipur has seen more than 100 deaths and 40,000 people have been displaced in clashes between the majority Meitei and Kuki communities. Houses, churches, temples, shops and businesses have been torched amid widespread violence in the state raging over the demand of Meiteis to seek tribal status for access to economic benefits and quotas in government jobs and education. The opposition Congress party has called out prime minister Narendra Modi for his absence from the scheduled high-level meeting as he wrapped up his state visit to the US from where he will embark on his maiden state visit to Egypt. Rahul Gandhi, opposition leader of Congress, said: Manipur has been burning since 50 days, but the prime minister remained silent. An all-party meeting was called when the prime minister himself is not in the country! Clearly, this meeting is not important for the prime minister, he said. A member of the Kuki tribe cries during a sit in protest against the killing of tribals in their northeastern home state of Manipur (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The announcement by the home ministry came hours after Congress Parliamentary Party chair Sonia Gandhi released a video message raising concerns over unprecedented violence in Manipur. From nearly 50 days we have witnessed a great human tragedy in Manipur, she said. The unprecedented violence that has devastated the lives of people in your state (Manipur) and uprooted thousands has left a deep wound in the conscience of our nation. Chief of opposition party All India Trinamool Congress, Mamata Banerjee, said it is too late now but she will be sending her representative to the meeting. I had also written a letter that I want to visit Manipur for peace purposes. I got a reply yesterday, after the all-party meeting was called. I will be sending Derek OBrien in that meeting," she told ANI. Indian Army personnel patrol during a combing operation at Kanto Sabal village near Imphal (AFP via Getty Images) It is rare for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to consult the opposition on governing matters. It was the governments first outreach across the political spectrum in the remote hilly state of Manipur. It comes amid the governments efforts to break the deadlock in the negotiation between two warring groups. Mr Shah, who is responsible for matters of internal security and domestic police, visited the state for four days last month to meet a cross-section of people. But his visit yielded no breakthrough. Following the initial wave of extensive clashes between 3 to 5 May, Manipur has been gripped by a second wave of violence involving arson and shootings, primarily occurring in the regions situated between the Kuki-dominated hills and the Meitei-dominated valley. The most severe incident during this recent surge was on the night of 13 June in Aigejang village, located in Manipurs Kangpokpi district, where nine individuals were killed in gunfire and arson. Mr Modi, who has promised his efforts to restore peace in Ukraine during his visit to meet Joe Biden, has remained silent on unabating violence in the state with opposition raising questions on his stoic silence. Ten leaders of oppositions parties in Manipur submitted a letter three-page memorandum to Prime Ministers Office to request a meeting with him before his state visit to the US. In Manipur, people raised posters showing Mr Modis face with the words: Still missing. Have you seen this man? Status: blind and deaf. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} India and the US strongly condemned cross-border terrorism and called on Pakistan to disallow the use of its soil for terrorist attacks in a joint statement that declared the two countries among the closest partners in the world. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and US president Joe Biden held more than three hours of bilateral, closed-door talks, followed by a 400-person soiree and a joint statement. Apart from announcements of some landmark deals, the statement included a warning over rising tensions in the East and South China Sea, Ukraine, North Korea and the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and Myanmar. The US and India stand together to counter global terrorism and unequivocally condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the joint statement on Pakistan said. Mr Modi and Mr Biden strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks, it said. India has long accused Pakistan of helping Islamist militants wage a proxy war in its part of Kashmir since the late 1980s. Pakistan denies the accusation and says it only provides diplomatic and moral support for Kashmiris seeking self-determination. The two neighbours have fought three wars, including two over the Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir, which they both claim in full, but rule in part. President Biden and Prime Minister Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups, including Al-Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen, the joint statement said. The two leaders announced a flurry of deals to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties and highlight new private sector investments. Major announcements were made for US visa relaxations for Indians, US chipmaker firm Microns investment in Gujarat and an agreement to make fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force among others, according to the joint statement. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi delivers remarks to a joint meeting of Congress at the US Capitol (Getty Images) India signed a deal to buy 31 drones made by General Atomics worth slightly over $3bn and joined the US-led Artemis Accords on space exploration to work with Nasa on a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024. Frustrated over Indias close ties with Russia amid its war in Ukraine, Washington wants India to be a strategic counterweight to China and sees India as a critical partner. Locked in its own territorial dispute in the Himalayan mountains with China, Mr Modi refrained from mentioning Beijing directly in his speeches. The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo Pacific, Mr Modi said addressing a joint meeting of Congress. The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership. Lawmakers warmly welcomed Mr Modi to the House chamber with a loud standing ovation. As he approached the dais, they lined up to shake his hand, with some in the gallery even chanting his name. A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, senate minority leader Mitch McConnell and others escorted the prime minister into the room. The joint statement also alluded to Beijing as Mr Biden and Modi expressed concern over unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force. They also called for the maintenance of freedom of navigation and overflight, in addressing challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the East and South China Seas. Without mentioning Russia, the two leaders expressed their deep concern over the conflict in Ukraine and mourned its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. In more light-hearted moments, Mr Biden joked over their sobriety, saying neither of us drinks as the two raised a toast with glasses of ginger ale. Mr Biden drank to the health of two great nations, two great friends, and two great powers. Mr Modi also joked about being able to sing. I know your hospitality has moved your guests to sing. I wish, I too, had the singing talent, Mr Modi said in reference to South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeols rendition of American Pie in the White House. I could have also sang before you all. He brought up his 2014 visit and said he will make up for not eating then as he was on a fast. Mr Modi said Mr Biden had kept asking him what he could eat. But it was not possible for me to eat anything and you were quite concerned about it, he said. Well today, Im making up for it. All that you desired at that time with so much affection is being fulfilled today. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police in India are searching for a man who allegedly stayed at a five-star hotel in capital Delhi for nearly two years without paying the bill. Suspect Ankush Dutta booked a room at the Roseate House hotel near the international airport in Delhi for a single night on 30 May 2019. But he extended his stay for 603 nights until 22 January 2021, the hotel claimed in their police complaint. He allegedly owed the hotel Rs 5.8m (55,650). The hotel alleged that the man colluded with the staff, who helped him hide his mounting bills. A complaint has been filed against several hotel employees, including head of the hotels front office department Prem Prakash, for conspiracy, forgery and cheating. Hotel authorities alleged that Mr Prakash was responsible for maintaining accounts and bills of outstanding dues information which was withheld from the management. The hotel rules stated that if a guest owed more than Rs 50,000 (479), the staff was obligated to inform the senior management in order to push them for the payment. However, the rule was believed to have been violated by the staff. "We believe Prakash forged the records. He even removed Duttas names from daily reports where his hotel bills were stated," a senior police officer told the Indian Express newspaper. Authorities suspected that Mr Prakash used his credentials to log into the system and change records to charge Rs0 for at least 52 nights. Hotel records showed that Mr Dutta was shifted from one room to another but his hotel stay was reduced by 308 nights to show a lesser bill amount. Police also found that the suspect provided fake receipts and three cheques that couldn't be cashed. The guest and the staffers resorted to several ways to avoid paying bills. They owe more than Rs 58 lakh to the hotel. They deleted entries, forged reports, gave forged cheques and documents, and cheated the hotel by misusing its electronic system, the police officer added. Earlier this year, a man was arrested for allegedly posing as an employee of Abu Dhabis royal family and fleeing a luxury hotel where he was staying for months without paying the hefty bill. The man, identified as Mohammed Sharif, fled the Leela Palace hotel in Delhi after living there for four months and raking up a bill of Rs 23,00,000 (23,022). He was arrested from the southern city of Bengaluru on 19 January. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Aung San Suu Kyis son has lashed out at Myanmars junta and claimed the countrys military rulers have not given him any information on her imprisonment. I cant let my mother languish in prison, Kim Aris, the youngest son of the ousted leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, told the BBC in an interview. Mr Aris, a British national, urged the world to do more to help Ms Suu Kyi. It was better that I stayed out of politics. My mother never wanted me to be involved. But now that she has been sentenced, and the military are clearly not being reasonable, I think I can say what I want, he said. Ms Suu Kyis democratically elected government was toppled by the military junta on 1 February 2021 and she has since been given a 33-year prison sentence in a series of trials. Ms Suu Kyis son said he has tried to contact the Burmese embassy in the UK, the British Foreign Office and the International Red Cross, but nothing has happened. He also told the British broadcaster that he does not have any information about his mother or her health condition. The international community must start doing something, including putting a proper arms embargo on the military, and even supporting those who are trying to fight the military, Mr Aris said. He said they must also start lobbying more strongly for the release of his mother. He added that the world should provide proper aid for the people of Burma who are going through such hard times ... and have nobody supporting them, other than the people of Burma. Ms Suu Kyi returned to Myanmar in 1988 from the UK, and her two sons have mostly been separated from their mother since. The military will never win this war. Its just a matter of how much longer it goes on, he told BBC Burmese in an exclusive interview. The sooner they hand back power to my mother, and the democratically elected government, the sooner things can start to progress in their country, he said. Mr Aris, however, did not answer questions about criticism that has been levelled against her mother when she ruled the country. Ms Suu Kyi has been accused of ignoring crimes of humanity against the countrys Muslim minorities. She had appeared at The Hague in 2019 to deny claims her nations armed forces raped, killed and terrorised hundreds of thousands of Muslim Rohingya people during a campaign of ethnic cleansing in Rakhine state. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A prominent Chinese dissident who was accused of rape by a woman apologised to her but claimed her rape allegations were baseless. Exiled Chinese human rights activist Teng Biao, 49, apologised to the woman journalist who accused him of rape during a work-related trip in 2016. He, however, said the encounter was not an attack but rather a extremely awkward act of courtship. He has been living in the US since 2014, having been exiled from China in 2012. It was an extremely awkward act of courtship. But her feelings were different, and I respect her feelings, said Mr Tengs statement. No matter what, what I did was unacceptable and unforgivable. I am sorry. I was wrong. Ive apologised to her many times in private, and now I need to apologise publicly. I am sorry. I hurt you, he added. The Taiwanese journalist, who has not been identified and prefers to stay anonymous, claimed Mr Teng lunged at her in a hotel in Indias Dharamshala in 2016. He lunged at me multiple times, I pushed him away. He then came at me again while I walked to the door so I withdrew to the corner, the BBC quoted her as saying. I said dont you come, or Ill scream. He didnt want others to hear so he had to let me go. In response, Mr Teng claimed he has strong evidence that [shows] a rape attempt accusation is baseless. After Taiwans MeToo reckoning, the journalist reached out to Mr Teng and asked him to apologise publicly. That is when the exiled Chinese activist issued the public statement. Mr Teng posted the statement on his social media Twitter and Facebook, in which he also said he was extremely guilty for the damage the woman suffered. He, however, said he didnt lunge at her or stop her from leaving the room. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Hail is not the most common form of weather in the United States, but it can be one of the more dangerous especially when hailstones increase in size. On Wednesday night at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre outside of Denver, Colorado, nearly 100 attendees at a Louis Tomlinson concert were left injured after being caught in a hailstorm. At least seven of those people needed attention at a hospital. Unfortunately, with climate change intensifying, scientists believe there is a chance that the number of major hailstorms could increase in certain parts in the world in the coming years. What is hail? According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hail is a form of precipitation consisting of solid ice that forms inside thunderstorm updrafts. It can severely damage property and be deadly to people. Recommended Hail storm injures nearly 100 people at Louis Tomlinson concert at Red Rocks What causes giant hail? The general scientific consensus is that climate change is making the appearance of giant hail more common. There are several reasons why. Julian Brimelow, a physical sciences specialist at Environment and Climate Change Canada, told the BBC that the formation of giant hail requires a sufficient amount of moisture, powerful updraughts, and a weather front. As climate change intensifies, the Earths atmosphere is getting warmer. That means the height at which ice melts in the atmosphere is increasing, meaning that smaller hailstones are more likely to melt before hitting the Earth. Large hailstones, meanwhile, will not. Nearly 100 attendees at the One Directon stars concert were left injured (AP) The hail will be more severe when it does occur, because there will be more instability in the atmosphere which can lead to the formation of much larger hailstones, Tim Raupach, a researcher at the UNSW Sydneys Climate Change Research Centre, said. So when the hail does survive this extra melting, it will be larger and more severe when it does actually hit the surface. Which areas of the world will be affected? There is still a significant amount scientists dont know about how climate change will affect the frequency and intensity of hailstorms, but at least one study suggests that different parts of the world will be impacted differently in the coming decades. Concertgoers dive for cover at Red Rocks (TMX ) The study led by Mr Raupach in Sydney found that hailstorm frequency is expected to decrease in North America and East Asia while increasing in Europe and Australia but that the intensity of the storms is expected to increase everywhere. According to NOAA, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming typically have the most hailstorms in the US each year. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Jennifer Lawrence had tears and snot running down her face after she bravely endured the wings of death on the popular YouTube series Hot Ones, much to the delight of her fans. The actor, 32, appeared on the show to promote her new film No Hard Feelings. The show sees host Sean Evans interviewing celebrity guests while they eat progressively spicier chicken wings. Lawrence began sobbing, with tears and snot running down her face, after eating the spiciest hot sauce in the line-up: Da Bomb Beyond Insanity hot sauce, which has a rating of 135,600 Scoville Heat Units. After taking a bite of the chicken wing covered in Da Bomb, Lawrences eyes widened and she exclaimed: Oh my god! She waved her hands at her face as the spiciness kicked in and grimaced before she started to sob. Evans warned her to be careful around the eyes as Lawrence took sips of water and declared: Im panicking! As she tried to grapple with the heat, she took sips from other glasses in front of her while crying: I dont know what to do, nothing helps! Is my face OK? Lawrence accepted a question about a meeting she had with Adam McKay and what her favourite Will Ferrell film was, even though she visibly struggled to answer due to the extreme levels of heat in her mouth. She then took a bite of the next chicken wing, before wailing: I feel like Im gonna die! At some point, she also worried about her makeup and asked her team: Is my mascara waterproof? I bet you everyone is laughing my whole team. The episode was branded the best of the current season of Hot Ones so far by fans. One person wrote: Watching Jennifer Lawrence give the most realistic and relatable reaction dying to hot wings is one of the most precious things I will ever see. Another said: Jennifer Lawrence is hysterical. I wish this was an hour longer. The clip of Lawrence reacting to Da Bomb was also shared on Twitter, where users described it as a work of art. I cried laughing the rest of the interview starting with this moment! a Twitter user said. Another added: Jennifer Lawrence having a full breakdown on Hot Ones, oh I love her. By the end of the show, Lawrence had recovered from her ultra-spicy experience, but told Evans: Thank you for warning me, but I guess f*** you for having [Da Bomb] here. Numerous celebrities have appeared on Hot Ones since the series began in 2015. Some notable guests with particularly memorable reactions included Lorde, Gordon Ramsay, Shaquille ONeal, Margot Robbie and Tom Holland. Lawrences new comedy No Hard Feelings is now showing in the UK. The Independent gave it three out of five stars and you can read the review here. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Katherine Schwarzenegger has spoken candidly about what it was like growing up with her famous father Arnold Schwarzenegger, and why she was mortified every timeThe Terminator star used to drop her off at school. Katherine, 33, opened up about her childhood as the eldest child of the actor and Maria Shriver during an appearance on SiriusXMs The Nikki and Brie Show, where she was asked by host Nikki Garcia about growing up with the most bada** dad ever. How was it for you growing up and, like, you had the most bada** dad ever, to have someone so buff and strong and then, like, literally the Terminator! Did that faze you at all as a kid? Garcia asked. In response to the question, Katherine revealed that there was really only one thing that made her think: Okay, this is different, and it took place when her father would drop her off at school. I remember the only time really realising like: Okay, this is different, because my dad would drop us off at school in a Hummer that had no windows, no doors and no roof, and I was mortified, the self-help author revealed. According to Katherine, each time her father pulled up to the carpool shed ask him to instead drop her off down the street, as she recalled being so embarrassed by the ostentatious car. He would pull up to carpool and I was: Can you please drop me off down the street? Please, Im so embarrassed. Can we please just take the minivan? Like, this is not my vibe. I just dont like this at all, she continued. That was really like the only time that I felt like: Okay, something here is different. Although Katherine said her fathers fame didnt impact her life much when she was younger, she revealed that things changed as she got older and her male classmates became much more interested in the former professional bodybuilder. As I got older, the boys in my grade became much more interested in my dad. That was the time where I was like: Okay, this is different for me, she said. In addition to Katherine, Arnold and Shriver are also parents to daughter Christina and sons Patrick and Christopher. The former politician also has a 25-year-old son, Joseph Baena, with his former housekeeper, Mildred Baena. Katherine, who shares two daughters, Eloise, one, and Lyla, two, with husband Chris Pratt, recently celebrated her father on Fathers Day, when she shared a photo of the former governor of California and the Guardians of the Galaxy star smoking cigars together. Happy Fathers Day to these guys! We love you a big one! Katherine captioned the photo. The sweet tribute came after Arnold recently opened up about the pride he feels watching his eldest child parent her own children. Its nice to see your kids having kids themselves and to watch this new dimension, the Predator star told People of Katherine. You see them growing up and you see them going to school and getting smart and getting their degrees, getting their jobs and all this, but now seeing them be a parent? Its fantastic. Its really great. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The search for the missing Titan submersible fully captured the worlds attention, from reports of mysterious banging noises to estimates of how much oxygen may have been left in the underwater vessel. On 18 June, the OceanGate Expeditions submersible Titan was beginning its trip to visit the Titanic wreckage at a depth of 12,500ft. About one hour and 45 minutes into its deep dive, the submersible lost communications with its surface ship, the Polar Prince, and was believed to have suffered a catastrophic implosion. Aboard the Titan were 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. Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here On 22 June, it was announced that debris was discovered near the site of the Titanic shipwreck the first possible sign of the Titan submersible since it vanished. Later, OceanGate said it believed the passengers of the Titanic-bound submersible have sadly been lost. The US Coast Guard said officials were still working through a timeline of the submersibles failure. The search for the submersible captured the attention of millions, as phrases such as Titan and hashtags like #OceanGate dominated Twitters top trending and TikTok For You Pages. According to Dr Justin DArienzo a clinical psychologist in Jacksonville, Florida and former US Navy psychologist the reason the public has been so invested is down to our desire to relate to others that sustains our obsession. We all can relate to that feeling of being trapped somewhere or being in the water or experiencing that level of uncertainty, he tells The Independent. What makes it so relatable is that we all could imagine being helpless with other humans and not know what to do. Of course, many people would argue the opposite. OceanGate Inc, the company that owns and operates OceanGate Expeditions, offers people the chance to join a crew in a five-person submersible for the price of $250,000 a number that very few people have just lying around. On the RMS Titanic, which famously sank in 1912 after it struck an iceberg, some passengers paid up to 870 pounds for a first-class cabin, which is 105,000 or over $130,000 today. Much like the Titan submersible, access to the RMS Titanic was in many cases granted to those for a hefty price. People paying $250,000 to go into a tube thats going to go underwater, there is some obsession with rich and famous people. Were sensitized to voyeurism in that regard, says DArienzo. We quickly follow people who we see are powerful; we give them more leeway. Theres a reason that we follow the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Its the rich and famous whove recently ventured into uncharted territory too, such as space. In 2021, Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos flew into space with a rocket his company Blue Origin built. Sir Richard Bransons space tourism company Virgin Galactic will launch its first commercial flight this summer, with seats starting at $450,000 (352,000) per person. Ellen Langer, a Harvard psychologist who specializes in social cognition and decision-making, told Insider that one reason theyre willing to spend so much money, just to be put in great danger, is to break free from the mundanity of their everyday lives. And the reason why some people sign on to high-risk travel, Dr DArienzo says, is because they believe the venture is almost too big to fail. We would not be on the moon, we would have not explored the ocean, wed probably still be in Africa if there was no element of overconfidence and courage. I think thats part of our nature to push, he says. But then we hear stories of people that have an extreme element of that trait, where they are very courageous, overly confident. I think what happened here was a fallacy of overconfidence, or the confidence bias, where humans feel like things that are complex and run by rich and smart people are too big to fail. When it launched in April 1912, the Titanic was deemed the largest ship in the world at 882 feet long and 92 feet wide, perhaps also considered too big to fail. Many people have since pointed to the undeniable mystery and force of the sea amid the Titan disaster. Scientific research has helped us better understand the elaborate nature of the ocean, but still much of it is unknown. Now, the search for the Titan submersible has delivered catastrophic results. And while relatability may have aided our fixation on the Titan submersible, its hard to ignore that both wealth and the unfathomable power of the ocean are the same two factors that led to the defeat of both vessels. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Pope Francis praised artists on Friday as true visionaries who can see, dream and invent as he welcomed 200 artists, filmmakers and writers into the Sistine Chapel to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vatican Museums contemporary art collection. Francis acknowledged that some in the crowd there was Andres Serrano, of Piss Christ fame sometimes use confrontation to make people think. But he said their aim was to find harmony and beauty. You want to reveal reality also in its contradictions and in those things that it is more comfortable and convenient to keep hidden, Francis said. "Like the biblical prophets, you confront things that at times are uncomfortable; you criticize todays false myths and new idols, its empty talk, the ploys of consumerism, the schemes of power. Pope Paul VI first invited artists into the Sistine Chapel in 1964 in hopes of renewing the friendship between the Catholic Church and artists that, in past centuries, had resulted in such masterpieces as Michelangelo's frescoed chapel itself. That audience helped give birth, in 1973 with a concert conducted by Leonard Bernstein, to the inauguration of the Vatican Museums' Modern and Contemporary Art collection. The collection, the youngest in the museum, is marking its 50th anniversary this year with an exhibit of some of its most recent acquisitions, including by artists invited to Friday's audience. In recent years, the Vatican has sought to relaunch the Holy Sees engagement with contemporary culture, participating in the Venice art and architecture biennales and, in the future, literary festivals. In the audience Friday were such figures as author Jhumpa Lahiri, director Abel Ferrara, whose recent film Padre Pio pays homage to the Italian saint, contemporary artist Anselm Kiefer and Italian actor Silvio Orlando, whose portrayal of a fictional Vatican secretary of state in The Young Pope and The New Pope, made him seem perfectly at home in the Apostolic Palace. Serrano, for his part, said he was surprised to have even been invited and thrilled when he went up to greet Francis at the end of the audience. He said he introduced himself in Spanish, asked Francis for a blessing, and the Argentine pope playfully slapped his wrist and gave him a thumbs up. Serranos 1987 photograph Piss Christ has caused controversy ever since it was first exhibited, given the image depicts a crucifix submerged in urine. Speaking to reporters after the audience, Serrano said he understood his invitation was evidence that the church understands that I am a Christian artist and I am not a blasphemous artist. I am just an artist. If Piss Christ disturbs you, maybe you should think about what it symbolizes. And what it symbolizes is a very horrific and painful and tragic and inhuman way for a human being to die. And thats how they crucified Christ, he said. Bishop Paul Tighe, the No. 2 in the Vaticans culture and education ministry, said the inclusion of even provocative artists was evidence of the Vaticans desire to enter into dialogue with contemporary culture. Were ready for a conversation, Tighe said. We want to hear and talk with, meet with, dialog with artists, because we think artists have perspectives and ways of seeing the world that we need to take account of. Asked in particular about Serrano, Tighe added: I think we all just have to work on the presumption of good faith of the artist who is trying to say something, challenge something, and may sometimes have to resort to strong measures to waken us up. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Saudi officials say close to 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in the country so far for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the vast majority by air. This year's pilgrimage will be the first without the restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic, starting in 2020. More pilgrims are expected to arrive before the start of the Hajj on Monday. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to undertake it at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able. It is one of the world's largest religious gatherings. The Saudi media ministry Thursday that more than 1.49 million foreign pilgrims had arrived through its international ports up to Wednesday, with 1.43 million travelling by air. Saudi officials have said they expect the number of pilgrims in 2023 to reach pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, more than 2.4 million Muslims made the pilgrimage. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The King has paid tribute to the selfless service and sacrifice of British troops in a letter to mark Armed Forces Day. In a signed address, Charles thanked military personnel for their immense and dedicated contribution. He wrote: The Queen and I join many around the United Kingdom in celebrating Armed Forces Day, recognising the immense and dedicated contribution of our military both at home and overseas. Today provides a particularly valuable opportunity to acknowledge publicly the selfless service and sacrifice made each day by our Armed Forces personnel to keep this nation safe. Drawing on his own time in the military, Charles recognised the deep pride service personnel take in their duty, as demonstrated during the Coronation. He wrote: Having trained, and served, in both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, and having had such close affiliations over the course of the last 47 years as Colonel or Colonel-in-Chief of multiple regiments within the British Army, I know only too well of the deep pride our service personnel take in their duty, so superbly shown during our recent Coronation. As your Commander-in-Chief, I send my warmest good wishes to you all, your families, and the entire Armed Forces community on this special day. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer visited an RAF base to mark the occasion. He and shadow defence secretary John Healey visited RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, where they met with military personnel including those involved in the ongoing UK operation to provide assistance to Ukraine. Sir Keir said: Those who serve in our Armed Forces represent the best of Britain courage, duty and professionalism. As we mark Armed Forces Day, we thank our Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families for all they sacrifice to keep Britain safe. My uncle served aboard HMS Antelope in the Falklands War, and pride in his service echoes through our family. Its a privilege to mark Armed Forces Day by meeting with serving personnel. Their comments come as new research shows one million fewer Britons are donating to military charities compared to five years ago. The study, carried out by YouGov on behalf of military charity Help for Heroes, found a 1.1 million drop in the number of people donating to military charities within the last half decade. In 2017, an estimated 3.2 million Britons donated to such causes. That figure fell to 2.1 million in 2022. The researchers quizzed more than 175,942 people in two separate polls carried out over the course of 2017 and 2022 respectively. The decline in support has been described as a worrying trend by Help for Heroes, which has seen its own income fall by 56% since British forces ended combat operations in Afghanistan in 2014. The charitys chief executive, James Needham, said: Demand for our services is growing, yet the donations we rely on to provide life-changing support to veterans and their family members are falling. It is a worrying trend because the daily struggles of our Armed Forces community are no less challenging, nor have they gone away they have just stopped making the headlines. This Armed Forces Day we celebrate the men and women who have served our country, past and present, but also remember that there are many veterans out there who still need our support and will do so long into the future. Armed Forces Day is an annual event taking place on the last Saturday of June that offers people a chance to show their support for the Armed Forces community including serving troops, their families, veterans and cadets. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The judge in the trial of Croydon police station killer Louis De Zoysa refused a defence request for jurors to visit and inspect the holding cell where he shot dead Sergeant Matt Ratana. Lawyers acting for the former HMRC data analyst made an eve-of-trial plea for jurors to travel more than 80 miles to south London to view the custody block where the 25-year-old claimed to have had an autistic meltdown. The trial judge turned down the defences request, which was covered by reporting restrictions until the end of the trial, after hearing that extensive photographic evidence would be shown to the jury, explaining the dimensions and lay-out of the custody area. During legal arguments at Northampton Crown Court, defence KC Imran Khan said he had visited the scene of the killing holding room two at the Windmill Road custody block and his view was that it appeared smaller in real life than in wide-angle photographs. Mr Khan told High Court judge Mr Justice Johnson: We are dealing with a murder case with a potential life sentence. The issue of whether De Zoysa had experienced an autistic meltdown while in police custody was at the heart of the defence case, Mr Khan said. The killers KC added: Mr De Zoysa appears to have acted instantly and impulsively. We have the ability for the jury to see the locus (crime scene). Inviting the judge to direct that four jurors at a time visit the first corridor De Zoysa was taken into, Mr Khan described it being very dark and very threatening and dimly illuminated. We would suggest the door is closed behind them (jurors) and they experience it as the defendant did on the day, he said. After suggesting that having his temperature tested by being zapped may have impacted De Zoysas mental state, Mr Khan added: We would invite the jurors to go into the cell four at a time and sit on the bench. There is a sense of claustrophobia. I want to address the jury on that. This is how the defendant felt on that day. But despite Mr Khans submissions that a jury site visit would be incredibly helpful and absolutely essential for fairness, Mr Justice Johnson ruled that it was not necessary. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An obsessive man has been jailed for 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. A jury at the Old Bailey found him guilty of the charges on Wednesday. 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. Judge Richard Marks KC sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder and five years running concurrent for perverting the course of justice. The judge told Arslan: I am satisfiedthat your unrequited feelings for Hina boiled over and resulted in you taking hold of a facemask and forcing it into the back of her mouth which led to her collapse and ultimately to her death from asphyxiation. He treated her in a heinous and brutal way Bashir Khan, Hina Bashir's father He added that Arslans prime motivation was to save himself after killing Ms Bashir, embarking on a campaign of lies to conceal what he had done lying to all and sundry before disposing her body in a shocking and callous manner. Judge Marks said it was apparent that Arslan had been madly in love and obsessed with Ms Bashir, feelings which he added were clearly not reciprocated. The judge told Arslan he was extremely sceptical of his claim that he had been sent naked photographs of Ms Bashir before he attacked her as no such photos were ever recovered. Ms Bashirs father, Bashir Khan, made an impact statement which was read out in court in which he asserted that animals would treat my daughter better. He treated her in a heinous and brutal way, Mr Khan added. The father spoke of how Ms Bashirs death has traumatised his family and how they loved their beautiful, bubbly girl. Arslan showed no emotion during the hearing and his defence barrister told the court there was nothing to say in mitigation. Six jurors returned to the Old Bailey to listen to the sentencing. These jurors heard during the trial 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. The prosecution said Arslan set off from his house the next morning dragging a suitcase containing Ms Bashirs body, travelling to an industrial estate by the M25 near Upminster where he hid the suitcase in some undergrowth to the side of a lane. 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. 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. Our investigation showed that Arslan was unable to live with the fact Hina did not want to be with him Dave Whellams, Metropolitan Police Police found a large number of photographs of Ms Bashir, including collages of her image, on Arslans phone. Love hearts had been added on some pictures. Following Arslans conviction, detective chief inspector Dave Whellams, said: Arslan was obsessed with Hina to the point that he told people they were engaged and said they should have children together. This relationship was completely in his mind. Our investigation showed that Arslan was unable to live with the fact Hina did not want to be with him. It was this rejection that tragically led to her death. Once Arslan had murdered Hina he did everything he could to cover his tracks but the evidence gathered by our team left no doubt in our mind as to his guilt. We are pleased the jury felt the same way and our thoughts now continue to remain with Hinas family and friends who are dealing with an incomprehensible loss. I want a cult, I want fanatics, people who are willing to die for this cause, Kristopher Kearney told his 1,600 followers in a voice message. That's the level of commitment I want and expect, we want a hardcore group of people who know exactly what they want. What they wanted was to fight for a white Britain, and Kearney was the go-to man across UK fascist movements for physical training. Better known online as Charlie Big Potatoes, or sometimes General Zod, the 38-year-old father was a member of the neo-Nazi terrorist group National Action before it was banned by the government in 2016. Photo: The Canadian Press Community members exit the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib temple, in Surrey, B.C., Monday, June 19, 2023. Surrey-Newton MP Sukh Dhaliwal says the shooting death of a religious leader at a British Columbia temple parking lot has prompted a meeting with Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and members of the Sikh Liberal caucus. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jennifer Gauthier Member of Parliament Sukh Dhaliwal says the shooting death of a religious leader in the parking lot of a British Columbia temple has prompted a meeting with Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and members of the Sikh Liberal caucus. Dhaliwal, who represents the Metro Vancouver riding of Surrey-Newton where the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar took place, posted a statement on Twitter, saying Sikh members of the Liberal caucus met with the minister "regarding the tragic incident at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara." Dhaliwal says the caucus members were assured the federal government is working closely with law enforcement to solve the crime and protect the Sikh community and Canadians. Surrey homicide investigators say 45-year-old Nijjar was gunned down in his vehicle as he was leaving the temple parking lot on Sunday night and police are looking for two male suspects. Mendicino said on Twitter he is "disturbed" by the violence at the Surrey temple, saying all Canadians should be able to practice their faith safely and free from violence. He says an RCMP investigation is ongoing and police will be there to support the community. Neither Mendicino nor Dhaliwal were immediately available for further comment. Nijjar, who was the temple's president, was a vocal advocate for an independent Sikh state of Khalistan in India, where he was accused of terrorism and conspiring to murder a Hindu priest. Nijjar's lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has said Nijjar's safety had been threatened after a reward was offered by the Indian government for his arrest last year. Pannun denied that Nijjar was involved in any criminal or violent activity. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An alleged ringleader of a people-smuggling gang has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 39 men, women and children in a lorry trailer in Essex. The Vietnamese nationals were found dead in the container which had been transported by ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Purfleet early on October 23 2019. The victims had hoped for a better life in Britain when they agreed to pay up to 13,000 a head for a VIP smuggling service. I have no doubt that, as asserted by the prosecution, the conspiracy was a sophisticated, long running, and profitable one to smuggle mainly Vietnamese migrants across the channel Mr Justice Sweeney On October 22 2019, they were crammed into the lorry container to be shipped in pitch black and sweltering conditions and the Old Bailey has heard how they desperately tried to raise the alarm as they ran out of air before reaching British shores. Marius Mihai Draghici, 50, who was detained by police in Romania last August, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey on Friday to the manslaughter charges as well as conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. Following Draghicis guilty pleas, prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC noted the defendants basis of plea. Mr Emlyn Jones said he was disinclined to accept there was no financial reward for Draghicis involvement even though he could not point to any money being handed over. Judge Richard Marks KC remanded the defendant into custody to be sentenced at a date to be fixed. Defence barrister Gillian Jones KC said her client would prefer to be sentenced sooner rather than later. Four others were jailed in 2021 for between 13 and 27 years for the manslaughter of the 39 migrants. Lorry driver Maurice Robinson found the migrants, two aged just 15, dead when he collected the trailer from the docks early the next morning. Robinson, 28, of Craigavon, and his boss Ronan Hughes, 43, of Armagh, had admitted plotting to people smuggle and 39 counts of manslaughter. Hughess partner in crime Gheorghe Nica, 46, of Basildon, Essex, and Eamonn Harrison, 26, of County Down, who had collected the victims on the continent, were found guilty of the offences. At a sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey, Robinson, who also admitted money laundering, was jailed for 13 years and four months in jail, Hughes was sentenced to 20 years in prison, Nica to 27 years and Harrison to 18 years. Mr Justice Sweeney said: I have no doubt that, as asserted by the prosecution, the conspiracy was a sophisticated, long-running, and profitable one to smuggle mainly Vietnamese migrants across the channel. The migrants had desperately tried to break out of the trailer and raise the alarm before they suffered an excruciatingly slow death, the judge said. Other members of the gang were also jailed in the same hearing for their role in the organised criminal operation. Lorry driver Christopher Kennedy, 26, of County Armagh, was jailed for seven years; Valentin Calota, 40, from Birmingham, was handed four-and-a-half years; and Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga, 31, from Essex, was sentenced to three years in custody. The court had heard the operation was long-running and profitable, with the smugglers standing to make more than a million pounds in October 2019 alone. A total of seven smuggling trips were identified between May 2018 and October 23 2019, although the court heard that there were likely to have been more. Migrants would board lorries at a remote location on the continent to be transported to Britain where they would be picked up by a fleet of smaller vehicles organised by Nica for transfer to a safe house until payment was received. We were very shocked, trembled, we lost track and awareness of our surroundings Nguyen Huy Tung, father of 15-year-old Nguyen Huy Hung The fee was between 10,000 and 13,000, for the VIP route in which the driver was aware of the presence of smuggled migrants inside the trailer attached to his lorry. Some of the trips were thwarted by border officials and residents in Orsett, Essex, who had repeatedly reported migrants being dropped off to the police. Yet the smuggling operation was not stopped until after the tragic journey. The families of the victims in Vietnam and Britain spoke at the sentencing hearing of their loss and hardship. Phan Thi Thanh, 41, had sold the family home and left her son with his godmother before setting off on the ill-fated journey. Her heartbroken son said: I heard about the incident from mass media so I called dad in the UK in order to confirm if mum was a victim. I was very shocked, very sad and I was crying a lot. Tran Hai Loc and his wife Nguyen Thi Van, both 35, who were found huddled together in death, left two children aged six and four. The childrens grandfather Tran Dinh Thanh said: Everyday, when they come home from school they always look at the photos of their parents on the altar. The decease of both parents is a big loss to them. Fifteen-year-old Nguyen Huy Hungs UK-based father Nguyen Huy Tung learned about his death on social media. He said: We were very shocked, trembled, we lost track and awareness of our surroundings. My wife had fainted many times whenever our sons name was mentioned. The 39 victims were:Dinh Dinh Binh, Nguyen Minh Quang, Nguyen Huy Phong, Le Van Ha, Nguyen Van Hiep, Bui Phan Thang, Nguyen Van Hung, Nguyen Huy Hung, Nguyen Tien Dung, Pham Thi Tra My, Tran Khanh Tho, Nguyen Van Nhan, Vo Ngoc Nam, Vo Van Linh, Nguyen Ba Vu Hung, Vo Nhan Du, Tran Hai Loc, Tran Manh Hung, Nguyen Thi Van, Bui Thi Nhung, Hoang Van Tiep, Tran Thi Ngoc, Phan Thi Thanh, Tran Thi Tho, Duong Minh Tuan, Pham Thi Ngoc Oanh, Tran Thi Mai Nhung, Le Trong Thanh, Nguyen Ngoc Ha, Hoang Van Hoi, Tran Ngoc Hieu, Cao Tien Dung, Dinh Dinh Thai Quyen, Dang Huu Tuyen, Nguyen Dinh Luong , Cao Huy Thanh, Nguyen Trong Thai, Nguyen Tho Tuan and Nguyen Dinh Tu. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} HSBC UK plans to boost savings rates and will give further details next week. Referring to the banks savings offering, an HSBC spokesman told the PA news agency: Following a review, we will be increasing rates shortly and making other changes, and we will be in a position to share the specifics early next week. But we fully support the Government calls for customers to contact their bank or building society at the earliest opportunity if they have money worries, as it will not affect their credit score. Ian Stuart, CEO of HSBC UK, was among the bosses of major banks who attended a meeting with Jeremy Hunt on Friday. Lenders have agreed to a new mortgage charter to throw added lifelines to struggling borrowers. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A rare book believed to have been used to convert an English king to Catholicism has gone on public display. The copy of the Missale Romanum, or the Roman Missal, was owned by Father John Huddleston, who helped save the life of King Charles II and had the book with him when the monarch converted to the Catholic faith on his deathbed. A missal is a book containing prayers offered by the priest at the altar as well as everything that is read or sung in connection with the Mass throughout the ecclesiastical year. The book, published in 1623, was purchased by the National Trust at auction and will be put on display at Moseley Old Hall near Wolverhampton, 363 years after it was first there. It contains Fr Huddlestons signature and even drops of candle wax on some pages. It is also crucial for our understanding of how Roman Catholic books were used and circulated at a time when it was dangerous to be anything other than Anglican. Tim Pye, National Trust Tim Pye, national curator at the conservation charity, said: The Huddleston Missal is a wonderful acquisition for Moseley Old Hall. Not only is the 1623 edition of the Missale Romanum a rare book just one other complete copy is recorded in UK libraries. It is also crucial for our understanding of how Roman Catholic books were used and circulated at a time when it was dangerous to be anything other than Anglican. The way in which Huddleston has inscribed and annotated his missal highlights just how precious and personal this book would have been to him. Fr Huddleston was a Benedictine priest who lived at Moseley, dressed as a servant and protected by the Whitgreave family, who were Catholics and remained loyal to the Royalists cause following the execution of Charles I at the end of the English Civil War. During the Anglo-Scottish War, also known as the Third English Civil War, from 1650-52, Charles IIs royalist forces were defeated by Oliver Cromwells Parliamentarians, eventually forcing the monarch into exile. Following the Battle of Worcester in 1651, Charles famously hid from Parliamentarian troops in an oak tree on the grounds of Boscobel House in Shropshire before fleeing to Moseley the following night. He was given shelter by Fr Huddleston there and shown to a priest hole beneath a cupboard floor when armed troops arrived at the house looking for the king. The bed on which Charles slept remains at Moseley today, and he consulted several books including the missal in trips to Huddlestons library. Displaying and interpreting the missal will provide a compelling focus and renewed impetus for telling the story of Charles IIs remarkable escape. Sarah Kay, National Trust Following Charles restoration, Huddleston was made chaplain to the Kings mother, Queen Henrietta Maria, and later his wife, Catherine of Braganza. As Charles lay dying in 1685, Huddleston heard the Kings confession, administered the Eucharist and received him into the Catholic Church. The missal was previously owned by Joseph J Procter, who paid a Liverpool bookshop just sixpence for it, in the late 1950s, before being purchased by the National Trust. Sarah Kay, cultural heritage curator, said: Were delighted to have secured this important book which is central to the story of Moseley. If we hadnt acquired it, it is likely to have gone into private hands and not been accessible by the public. Displaying and interpreting the missal will provide a compelling focus and renewed impetus for telling the story of Charles IIs remarkable escape. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A drug gang has been jailed for almost 100 years after using a government Covid loan to fund more than 100kg of heroin and cocaine. The gang even used a Thank You NHS van to transport the Class A drugs without being detected during the pandemic lockdown. The group of 10 men who have been jailed supplied more than 100kg of mainly heroin and cocaine across the West Midlands. Working during the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020, the West Bromwich crime group made over 1.5m. Two of the men in the group were granted government-backed Covid loans which they then reinvested into their drugs empire. All 10 of the men involved appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday and pleaded guilty to drugs offences, including conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Kamaljit Singh Chahal, 52, was handed 18 years in prison while 25-year-old Bhipon Chahal was given 14 years and 43-year-old Matthias Tulloch 12 years. Sandeep Johal, 32, was told to serve 11 years behind bars as was 41-year-old Miquel Lewin-Miller. Aaron Williams, 43, was handed a 10-and-a-half year jail sentence and Robert Wesley, 39, was jailed for nine years. The gang used a van with Thank You NHS on it to transport drugs and avoid being detected during the pandemic (West Midlands Police) Alan Moore-Caswell, 42, was handed a jail term of four years two months while 25-year-old Sandeep Singh will serve three years nine months as will 26-year-old Hitesh Salhotra. In a statement, West Midlands police said: The gang was led by Kamaljit Chahal, from Sutton Coldfield, and his nephew Bhipon Chahal, from Great Barr. They used a network of couriers and facilitators including Miguel Lewin Miller and Matthias Tulloch and communicated using encrypted devices. These devices were used to distribute cocaine on a commercial scale by the group who were eventually brought down by police following a complex investigation. To avoid detection it was Tulloch who used an NHS emblazoned van to carry out his criminal activities and taking advantage of the Covid pandemic. Investigators also identified that both Kamaljit Chahal and Wesley applied for and were given Government backed COVID loans which they shockingly reinvested into the drugs trade. They mainly supplied heroine and cocaine - and used a government Covid loan to fund the operation (West Midlands Police) Detectives caught the gang after running a covert investigation into the group which was named Op Igneous. They seized chat messages from the Chahal crime group between 26 March and 5 June, 2020. The encrypted devices were used by the Chahal crime group to openly discuss the management and delivery of multi kilogram quantities of Class A drugs across the UK. Chief inspector Peter Cooke, from the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit, said This was a significant Class A drugs operation which was being operated during the Covid pandemic. This is part of our ongoing work to destroy drug networks across the West Midlands and this will carry on as part of Op Target. Were focused on those thought to be involved in the highest levels of organised crime across our region. These men will now be spending nearly 100 years behind bars in total. It sends out a clear warning to others intent on supplying Class A drugs we simply wont tolerate it. Jamaica is calling for visa restrictions for its citizens travelling to the UK to be dropped, a state minister has confirmed, on a trip to London to mark Windrush 75 celebrations. The Caribbean island is the only country with the British monarch as head of state that requires visas to enter the UK. Its new state foreign minister Alando Terrelonge said Jamaicans should be allowed to travel freely to the UK and said the easing of restrictions would send a right signal of a united Commonwealth. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The government is sitting on a prisons time bomb as officers say they are unsafe, understaffed and underpaid, it has been warned. A survey by parliaments Justice Committee suggested staff are preparing to leave in droves amid record overcrowding in Britains jails. Half of officers said they do not feel safe at work, with three-quarters having suffered recent abuse or assaults, and 43 per cent are planning to leave within five years. Meanwhile, more than 80 per cent of the prison officers surveyed reported low morale and nine in 10 said their wages were too low for the responsibilities of their job. Sir Bob Neill, chair of the Justice Committee, called the results shocking, adding: This is a shocking survey. Weve known as a committee for some time that there are severe staff shortages in prisons and that many prison officers are unhappy with their lot. They dont feel they can carry out vital rehabilitation work with prisoners. But when I learn from this survey that fully half of our prison staff do not feel safe at work, that is still deeply concerning. The Conservative MP said the position was not acceptable, warning: The government risks failing in its duty of care to prison staff and prisoners alike. We are sitting on a potential time bomb. It must be defused. The research was conducted as part of a wider inquiry into the staffing of prisons, which has faced long-standing problems with recruitment and retention. Almost 85 per cent of officers said there were not enough staff in the jail where they worked to engage in purposeful activity with inmates, such as rehabilitation programmes and education. Many reported abuse by prisoners, as well as bullying from colleagues, amid widespread low morale. Steve Gillan, general secretary of the Prison Officers Association, said the survey should be a wake-up call. He said that with prison officers being barred from striking, they deserve to be treated better in the workplace, adding: We are calling for a root and branch review of the prison service along with the criminal justice system. Prisoners could be held in police cells to tackle overcrowding, justice minister says Almost three-quarters of prison officers said they had been verbally abused by inmates in the previous three months, while over a third reported mental abuse and around a quarter said they had been physically attacked. A smaller number of prison officers reported harassment, bullying and sexual abuse by inmates, while almost 40 per cent said they had been bullied, abused or harassed by colleagues. Pia Sinha, chief executive of the Prison Reform Trust, said jails remain unsafe for too many staff and prisoners. If staff do not feel safe and secure, prisoners are unlikely to either, she added. Current high levels of staff turnover exacerbate the problem. Part of the solution lies in ensuring staff are properly supported by capable and committed prison leaders. The Howard League for Penal Reform said the survey should compel the government to reverse plans to build more prisons, following years of increasing inmate numbers because of court backlogs, sentence increases and parole changes. Director of campaigns Andrew Neilson added: Prisons are unhealthy places, and the grim conditions affect not only people who live in them, but also people who work in them. As overcrowded and under-resourced prisons are asked to do more with less, poorly-paid and demoralised staff are being forced to work under intolerable strain. Positive relationships between people living and working in prison are crucial for achieving safer conditions behind bars and creating a respectful and purposeful environment that leads to less crime. The Justice Committee received responses from 6,582 prison staff between 10 February and 6 March for the survey, which was advertised internally by the Ministry of Justice and by the prison officers trade union, the Prison Officers Association. A Prison Service spokesperson said: Our hardworking frontline staff work day-in, day-out, to rehabilitate offenders and protect the public - and it is vital they have the right tools and equipment to keep them safe. Thats why were further improving safety in our jails by investing in incapacitant spray and body-worn cameras, as well as x-ray body scanners to keep out the dangerous contraband that fuels violence behind bars. Were also boosting training on the job and prison officer pay to help us hire and retain the best people. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Humza Yousaf has called on the food industry to work together as he launched a 10-year stability strategy for the sector. The First Minister launched the strategy at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh on Friday with an initial 5 million investment from the Scottish Government, while industry will contribute a further 1 million. It aims to provide a 25% increase in turnover for the food and drink sector by 2028. Mr Yousaf said the strategy is so necessary as the launch marked seven years since the UK voted to leave the EU. A Scottish Government report indicates Brexit is the main cause of the industrys troubles, causing trading oversea difficulties for 44% of businesses. But the strategy also comes amid criticism of the Scottish Greens role in Government from the National Farmers (NFU) Scotland, which said Mr Yousaf should control the hardening of the Green agenda it claims is destroying the industry. Mr Yousaf appealed for the industry to come together to thrive despite the disagreements. He said: There are going to be times when the Government and the NFU dont agree on everything. But what I have said in my discussion with the NFU Scotland today is that we value them as partners, so lets make sure that together we are working to make sure the industry thrives, but also make sure weve got a sustainable planet which is of course crucial to all us regardless of which sector we come from. On the launch of the long-term food and drink strategy, Mr Yousaf said: Brexit has caused very significant problems for our farmers and food and drink industry for everyone from seafood suppliers to seed potato producers. Despite this, the food and drink sector remains a Scottish success story. As an employer including in rural areas and an exporter, it is a major contributor to the Scottish Governments missions of opportunity, equality and community. We are determined to work with the sector to help it succeed, and thats why were supporting the food and drink strategy with 5 million this year. Government and industry need to collaborate if we are going to attract a skilled workforce, improve productivity, reduce our carbon emissions and market ourselves globally all of these aims, and many others, require co-ordinated action. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Conservative deputy chairman Lee Anderson launched his GB News show by spoon-feeding a fellow MP baked beans, naming a wokey of the week, and featuring as a token lefty an ex-Labour MP suspended after reports he sent lewd texts to a teenage girl. The controversial MP for Ashfield in Nottinghamshire is being paid 100,000 a year for presenting the show. The first episode of Lee Andersons Real World, which aired on Friday night, began with Mr Anderson declaring: Im so proud to be a British person, even prouder to be an Englishman. Open your mouth, here comes the train Lee Anderson MP Everything thats good in this world started on this great island of ours. He has become the latest in a string of Tory MPs to host a GB News programme, joining his colleagues Jacob Rees-Mogg, Esther McVey and Philip Davies. In one segment, Mr Anderson interviewed Brendan Clarke-Smith, the Tory MP for Bassetlaw, about claims a teacher at an East Sussex school pushed back against a pupil for refusing to accept her classmate identified as a cat. Despite Rye College saying none of its pupils identify as a cat or any other animal, Mr Anderson quizzed Mr Clarke-Smith about the story and told him that although we used to play cowboys and Indians, it just seems that were going a step too far. As they spoke over pints of beer, former teacher Mr Clarke-Smith bemoaned that teachers used to be able to do this at lunchtime once upon a time. Mr Anderson proceeded to conduct a blind taste test of baked beans with his interviewee, after Mr Clarke-Smith recently told people struggling with soaring supermarket prices to buy value brands. The Conservative Party deputy chairman ladled baked beans into his colleagues mouth, saying: Open your mouth, here comes the train. In another part of the show, Mr Anderson spoke to former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, again over pints. Mr Farage said the Tory Government had sabotaged Brexit, without his remarks being challenged by Mr Anderson. To give the view of a Remain voter in the EU referendum, Mr Anderson then introduced token lefty in the corner Simon Danczuk. Mr Danczuk is a former Labour MP who was suspended by the party in 2015 over allegedly exchanging explicit messages with a 17-year-old girl. Another segment consisted of Mr Danczuk nominating a wokey of the week, having been given the choice of Glastonbury-goers paying to glamp, the Rye College teacher at the centre of the self-identity claims, and LBC presenter James OBrien. He chose the latter. A former Labour councillor before joining the Tories, Mr Anderson has been no stranger to controversy since being elected to Westminster in 2019, having called for the return of the death penalty and claiming people on universal credit were not in poverty. He has been dubbed 30p Lee for claiming that meals could be prepared for that sum and suggesting people using food banks could not budget. The former miners 100,000 fee for presenting the show makes him the highest earning among serving Tory MPs with programmes on GB News, although Mr Rees-Mogg is yet to disclose how much he is being paid by the channel. Mr Anderson has been accused of hypocrisy after previously hitting out at MPs taking second jobs, saying in 2021: We are paid handsomely for the job we do and if you need extra then you should really be looking for another job. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police looking for a man who went missing almost two years ago and whose body has never been found have begun searching two areas in the East Midlands. Frank McKeever was last seen on August 28 2021 along Highbury Park, close to the junction of Highbury Grange, London. While the 63-year-olds body has never been found, two people have been charged with his murder. On Friday, the Metropolitan Police began searching two areas Lutterworth Road near Swinford and Walcote in Leicestershire and Welford Truck Stop in Northamptonshire in an attempt to find Mr McKeevers remains. Officers have also reiterated their appeal for anyone with information that may assist the search to contact them. Franks family are distraught and their grief is compounded by the fact that his body has not yet been found Detective Inspector Laura Nelson Detective Inspector Laura Nelson, of the Metropolitan Police, said: Though two people have been charged with Franks murder, our investigation is ongoing and efforts to establish what happened to him continue. Franks family are distraught and their grief is compounded by the fact that his body has not yet been found. Our specially-trained officers are supporting them. My team have been poring over many hours of CCTV, forensic and ANPR work in what is a very complex investigation. Their diligence and hard work have led to us identifying the two sites in these areas that we believe could have great operational significance. Members of the public can expect to see a police presence in those areas and both local constabularies are assisting us with our inquiries. Local people could have information that may be extremely important in helping us to establish what happened to Frank. I am asking people to remember if they saw any suspicious activity in these areas in late August or early September 2021. Surie Suksiri, 31, from Islington, north London; and Juned Sheikh, 48, of Camberwell, south London, both denied murdering Mr McKeever in a hearing at the Old Bailey in January this year. The pair also denied preventing the lawful decent burial of a body and will face trial at the Central Criminal Court on October 2. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A maintenance worker has appeared in court accused of attacking colleagues at a hospital and stabbing one of them in the neck with a mattock. Matteo Bottarelli, 43, is alleged to have chased colleagues with a mattock a large pickaxe around the grounds of Central Middlesex Hospital in north-west London before stabbing one of them in the neck from behind. A second man was later found collapsed with multiple head injuries shortly after the incident on Wednesday, which saw the hospital evacuated. The suspect was arrested by armed police outside the hospital where he was found to have non-life threatening injuries thought to have been self-inflicted. Bottarelli, of Luma Apartments, Central Way, north-west London, appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court on Friday charged with three counts of attempted murder and two of counts of threatening violence with a bladed article. Appearing in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit and with a bandage around his neck, Bottarelli spoke to confirm his name and date of birth. He was remanded in custody until Tuesday June 27 when he will appear at the Old Bailey. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said following the incident, one man had injuries that were thought to be life-changing while another escaped with minor injuries. The third victim did not sustain any injuries during the incident, which is not being treated as terror-related. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} If you asked the British public to vote today, theyd want to be inside the EU thats the pollsters verdict. So whats stopping us? Despite public opinion settling ever more strongly against Brexit, no major political party is now offering a second referendum. But lets imagine the political class caught up with the feelings of most Britons in 2023. How could Brexit be reversed? Remainer Gina Miller, who rose to prominence in 2017 when her court challenge successfully prevented the government from leaving the EU without a parliamentary vote, has a plan. Its doable, she says but it wont be simple. Lawyer Gina Miller took the government to court over Brexit (Getty Images) Whatever the polls show and peoples regret and sentiment, the UK cannot simply rejoin the EU, without understanding the legal process, she told The Independent. Under EU law, the UK is now a third country so would have to reapply and undergo the whole accession procedure from scratch, under Article 49 of the Treaty of European Union. What conditions would Britain have to meet? Article 49 the somewhat less famous sister of Article 50 (the formal process of leaving the EU) is the article of the EU treaty that governs joining the bloc. It states that any European State which respects the common EU values and is committed to promoting them may apply to become a member of the union. These values include human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law. In other words, Britain would have to ensure its house was in order. Britain would have to meet the so-called Copenhagen Criteria a functioning market economy, institutional capacity to deal with EU law, and above all, political stability guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law. It would also need the green light from the European Commission and European Council to start talks. As a recent member, the UK should have no problems with this stage, Ms Miller believes. We cannot foresee that the UK would not satisfy the treaty and Copenhagen criteria, so it is very unlikely the UK would encounter difficulties, she said. What happens then? Once talks have started, they might not be quick. On average it has taken approximately nine years for a current member from submitting a membership application to signing an accession treaty, Miller said, citing examples including Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, and Lithuania. But Britain would have an advantage over these countries its recent membership. As the UK has not diverged significantly from EU regulations and maintains a stable economy and well-functioning political institutions, accession should be faster, she argued, quoting Professor Jacob Oberg in an article for East Anglia Bylines. This is true for now, anyway. If the Tories won the general election in 2024 and continue their low regulation, divergence, anti-human rights, anti-international law agenda this would become much more difficult, Ms Miller said. As it took Sweden and Finland only three years from application to the signing of an accession treaty, we see no reason why this time frame is not feasible for the UK. What about Britains opt-outs? When the UK was a member of the EU, it enjoyed a number of opt-outs: adopting the Euro as currency, for example, and accepting certain parts of home affairs policy. It also enjoyed a special budget rebate. While bespoke terms of membership, these arent unique, Miller explains. Denmark has an opt-out from the Euro and Ireland has an opt-out from Schengen (the agreement on relaxed border controls), she said. Croatia, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria have yet to join the Schengen area but are legally obliged to. Seven countries Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden are EU members but do not use the Euro. We may have to accept that the budget rebate and special justice and home affairs arrangements may be more problematic but as the UK being an EU member benefits both the UK and EU, the UK should be resolute in any negotiations, Miller argued. So thats it? Britain would need the approval of all member states and of the European Parliament before it could formally rejoin. Article 49 TEU specifies that member states must agree unanimously before a new member is admitted, and the Parliament must also agree by an absolute majority of its members, Miller said. If all negotiations are concluded successfully, ratification and implementation would follow. The hurdles are not insurmountable where there is a will, there is a way! Miller said the key hurdles for the UK in rejoining the EU are mainly political and not legal. I accept that the bad faith of the last seven years will make the EU cautious, but having the UK back is to the benefit of all EU member states, she added. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sadiq Khans City Hall office was told it could be prosecuted for flying the EU flag on the anniversary of the Brexit referendum as a goodwill gesture. The London mayors office wanted to display the flag in solidarity with the capitals European residents seven years after the referendum decision to quit the bloc. But officials dropped the plan after being told they would have been liable to criminal prosecution without special permission from Newham council because the government has changed regulations. With over a million people calling London their home from other European countries its extraordinary that the government has effectively banned the European flag being flown without going through a long and bureaucratic planning process, said a City Hall source. Europeans contribute hugely to our social and economic life, and all we wanted to do was show our gratitude with a small gesture for one day of the year. The City Hall building in Southwark will now use blue and yellow lights to mark the Brexit anniversary on Friday. The EU flag did not require any special permission until changes were made to town and country planning (control of advertisements) regulations in England after Brexit. In a letter to Londoners from EU countries, Mr Khan said the Brexit vote had been a heart-breaking day for me, and I know it was for many of you too. He added: There is no doubt that in the years since, Brexit has caused huge damage to our city and created a great deal of uncertainty for many of you. But you stayed with us. The Labour mayor who put himself odds with his party after calling for Britain to rejoin Brussels single marker said he backed Keir Starmers call for EU citizens to get the right to vote in general elections. Sadiq Khan wants EU citizens to vote in general elections (PA) Ahead of the Brexit vote anniversary, Labours foreign secretary David Lammy hinted that the partys policy could inch forward to even closer ties with Brussels. Although Labour insists it will not re-join the single market or customs union, Mr Lammy told LBC the approach of seeking a veterinary deal to ease food trade is a floor not a ceiling and said he wants to hear what business has got to say over the coming months. It comes as former Brussels negotiator Michel Barnier told The Independent that the EU would be willing to thrash out new treaties with the UK in areas like security, defence or development where Boris Johnson refused to negotiate. Writing for The Independent, Mr Barnier also dismissed suggestions that blockages to trade could be resolved without membership of the single market or customs union dashing hopes of some British businesses that have struggled under the new arrangements. Former EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier wants closer ties (PA Wire) Gina Miller, one of the leaders of the Remain campaign, set out a three-year blueprint for how Britain could rejoin the bloc in The Independent, while Tony Blairs think tank has spelled out 10 areas where a closer economic relationship could take shape. More than 50 per cent of people believe that the UK was wrong to leave the EU seven years on from the referendum, according to a new Deltapoll survey for the Tony Blair Institute. Meanwhile, at least 20 per cent of Brexit supporters would vote differently if they were asked now, a poll of hundreds of people on BBC Question Time has found. One audience member, who admitted he would vote differently now, said: I dont see any benefit from it all, while another blamed the efforts of politicians to frustrate the process and said: We havent started Brexit yet, whens it going to start? Former No 10 press secretary Alastair Campbell received a round of applause from the audience for his opening comments in which he said the British public were lied to and called for Boris Johnson to be held accountable. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} UK meat and fish exports to the EU have slumped by almost half since Brexit, new analysis of trade figures has revealed. The worrying plunge in food trade comes as Britain marks the seventh anniversary of the referendum result amid growing negativity about Brexits impact on the economy. Meat exports to EU countries as measured by weight declined by 42 per cent from December 2020 to March 2023, according to Labour analysis of government trade data. The shock figures also show a 45 per cent slide in the net mass of fish, crustacean and mollusc exported to Europe over the same period. Keir Starmers party is demanding a new veterinary deal with Brussels to ease the mountain of red tape faced by British businesses trading with Britains nearest neighbours. Labour ministers have written to environment secretary Therese Coffey, urging the government to take up the practical fix to ease the burden of costly checks which have also caused huge congestion at Dover. Jim McMahon, the shadow environment secretary, blamed the Tory government for a perfect storm of negligence which has hurt jobs, rocketed prices and damaged our food security. He added: The Tories have failed at every turn; food producers are saddled with endless red tape and crippling production costs and households are being squeezed on their weekly food shop beyond any limits. The weight of meat exports to EU countries fell from just over 56 million kilograms in December 2020, the month prior to the introduction of the checks, to 34.5 million kilograms. Fish, crustacean and mollusc exports fell from just over 27 million kilograms down to 14.7 million kilograms in the same period. Dover has seen congestion impacting travel and food sector (PA Wire) But the government argued that comparing December 2020 export figures, the month before Brexit, with March 2023 the last available figures was misleading. A government spokesperson said: These figures are misleading as export figures are always very high in December due to Christmas demand compared with other months but growing the economy and supporting businesses to export more of their world class meat and seafood products is a priority for this government. They added: We are continuing to work with businesses to ease any administrative burdens for exports, including towards the digitisation of health certificates, while also backing our fishing communities with 100m to boost growth. Food sector chiefs have joined Labour in calling for a UK-EU veterinary agreement to ease trade barriers, since it would remove the need for extra sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks on goods. Business leaders have warned of further pain ahead for Britains food retailers, with a costly new set of checks on EU imports kicking in from October including a fee of up to 43 per consignment of food from the bloc. The new charge outlined in a consultation issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) comes alongside separate fees for customs agents and SPS inspections. Despite ruling out rejoining the single market or customs union, Labours foreign secretary David Lammy has hinted that the partys policy could inch forward to forge closer ties with Brussels. David Lammy says veterinary deal could be floor not ceiling (PA) Mr Lammy told LBC that the idea of a veterinary deal to ease some food trade issues is a floor not a ceiling and said he wants to hear what business has got to say over the coming months. Echoing calls for a SPS agreement, British Poultry Council boss Richard Griffiths warned: The longer the issues with EU trade go on, the harder it will be to address them. It comes as former Brussels negotiator Michel Barnier told The Independent that the EU would be willing to thrash out new treaties with the UK in areas like security, defence or development where Boris Johnson refused to negotiate. But Mr Barnier also dismissed suggestions that trade barriers could be resolved without membership of the single market or customs union dashing the hopes of British businesses that have struggled under the new arrangements. More than 50 per cent believe that the UK was wrong to leave the EU, according to the latest Deltapoll survey. And only 18 per cent of Leave voters believe its been a success, polling for UK in a Changing Europe has found. On Friday Downing Street rejected the view shared by former Bank of England governor Mark Carney that Brexit has helped fuel Britains inflation crisis. Rishi Sunaks official spokesman said: Brexit has created a huge number of opportunities for the UK and indeed for businesses that are beneficial for the public, adding that inflation was similar across other European countries. The government has said its proposed charges of 20 to 43 per food import consignment was needed under the new regime for post-Brexit checks on imports. We are currently consulting with the sector and businesses to ensure we take the fairest approach that works for them, while also facilitating the movement of goods into the country and protecting our biosecurity, said a spokesperson. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The prison service is a potential time bomb, a senior MP has said as a survey finds half of operational staff do not feel safe at work. Discontentment with pay, working conditions, and senior management is high among the 6,582 prison officers working in England and Wales who were surveyed by the House of Commons Justice Committee. The survey, which was carried out between February 10 and March 6 2023, was conducted as part of a wider inquiry into the staffing of prisons by the Justice Committee, with a full report due later this year. Nearly two thirds of Band Two staff, who support prison officers with administrative tasks, said they do not feel valued for the work they do, while three quarters of staff in bands three to five, who deal directly with prisoners, agreed with this statement. Concerns around harassment and safety were highlighted by the survey, with 50% of staff in bands three to five agreeing they do not feel safe at the prison they work in, and less than a quarter of bands two to five staff agreeing that physical working conditions at their prison are adequate. More than 70% of staff in band two and more than 80% of personnel in bands three to five said that staff morale is not good at the prison they work in. Nearly three quarters of staff in bands three to five and 40% of band two staff experienced verbal abuse from prisoners in the last three months, with around one in five staff in bands two to five saying they had experienced bullying and/or verbal abuse from a colleague in that period. These findings correlated with officers reported stress levels at work, with seven in ten staff in band three to five and 50 % of band two staff saying they are stressed a few times a week or more at work. Responding to the results of the survey, chairman of the Justice Committee and Conservative MP for Bromley and Chislehurst Sir Bob Neill said: This is a shocking survey. Weve known as a committee for some time that there are severe staff shortages in prisons and that many prison officers are unhappy with their lot. They dont feel they can carry out vital rehabilitation work with prisoners. But when I learn from this survey that fully half of our prison staff do not feel safe at work, that is still deeply concerning. This position is not acceptable. The Government risks failing in its duty of care to prison staff and prisoners alike. We are sitting on a potential time bomb. It must be defused. Financial resources and management were also considered inadequate, with around two in three staff across bands two to five agreeing they do not have the tools and resources to do their job effectively. Attitudes towards salary and benefits received were largely negative, with the large majority of staff in bands two to five saying their salary does not accurately reflect the roles and responsibilities of their job. Similarly, around eight in 10 staff in bands three to five and six in 10 staff in band two said they were not satisfied with the benefits package they receive. The surveys findings also showed a lack of confidence in senior management, with nearly two thirds of staff in bands three to five saying they do not trust senior managers concerning decisions about the prison they work in. Asked whether they planned on leaving the prison service, around one in three band two staff, and over two in five staff in bands three to five said they intended to quit in the next five years. These reported intentions highlight an ongoing staffing issue in the service, following a loss of 600 staff in prison officer and custodial manager roles between November 2021 to November 2022, according to the Justice Committee. A Prison Service spokesperson said: Our hardworking frontline staff work day-in, day-out, to rehabilitate offenders and protect the public and it is vital they have the right tools and equipment to keep them safe. Thats why were further improving safety in our jails by investing in PAVA spray and body worn cameras, as well as x-ray body scanners to keep out the dangerous contraband that fuels violence behind bars. Were also boosting training on the job and prison officer pay to help us hire and retain the best people. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Tributes have been paid to the five people lost onboard the Titan submersible by the president of the Explorers Club. Richard Garriott de Cayeux said club members Hamish Harding and Paul-Henri Nargeolet were both drawn to explore. He added that OceanGate Expeditions chief executive Stockton Rush was a friend of The Explorers Club and conducted lectures at its headquarters, and that Shahzada Dawood and his son Sulemans desire to explore as a family would have led them to our doorstep at some point in their futures. Mark Hannaford, a fellow member of the Explorers Club, also paid tribute to Mr Harding, saying he was a good father and someone who pushed boundaries. Mr Hannaford also shared a text which Mr Harding sent to him before the dive began, it said: Diving to Titanic later today! If weather holds. In a statement posted on Twitter, Mr Garriott de Cayeux said: Dear fellow explorers, our hearts are broken. I am so sorry to have to share this tragic news. Our friends and fellow Explorers Club members Hamish Harding and Paul-Henri Nargeolet are lost, along with Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, while trying to reach the RMS Titanic. After deploying all the military and commercial resources available to search for the submersible, the US Coast Guard announced that remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) has announced the catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible within the water column above the Titanic. We are thankful for the leadership from the US Coast Guard, US Navy, US Air Force, The White House, Members of Congress, Magellan Deep Water Specialists, partners, and collaborators who deployed as part of the search and rescue mission. We are also grateful for all our members and the scientific and exploration community around the world who have mobilised personnel and resources to support the search and rescue. Hamish Harding is a dear friend to me personally and to The Explorers Club. He holds several world records and has continued to push dragons off maps both in person and through supporting expeditions and worthy causes. Paul-Henri was elected to the club in 2001 and was one of the foremost experts on submersible expeditions to the Titanic. They were both drawn to explore, like so many of us, and did so in the name of meaningful science for the betterment of mankind. They pushed themselves in their entrepreneurial pursuits as they did in exploration. Stockton Rush was a friend of The Explorers Club and conducted lectures at our headquarters. While we did not know Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman personally, their desire to explore as a family would have led them to our doorstep at some point in their futures, where we would have welcomed them. Were heartbroken for the families, friends and colleagues of those who were lost. Their memories will be a blessing and will continue to inspire us in the name of science and exploration. With our deepest condolences, Richard Garriott de Cayeux, president, The Explorers Club. Mr Hannaford, 58, who is also CEO of World Extreme Medicine, said: As Explorers we are typically an optimistic bunch and whilst there was a slim hope of survival we strove to recover and save Hamish and his fellow travellers. But fate has not allowed that. Somebody asked me how I feel that Hamish would want to be remembered. One thing I noticed very clearly was that he had a close relationship with his boys, and to be remembered as a good father, closely followed by somebody who pushed boundaries and encourage others to do the same. The families will be devastated as will the rescue teams. Originally from Devon, Mr Hannaford now resides in Dubai, saying it is not far from where Hamish lived. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The family of a British billionaire adventurer who died after the Titan submersible suffered a catastrophic implosion have paid tribute to their dedicated father. Hamish Harding was described as a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a living legend following the news of his death on Thursday. The US Coast Guard confirmed the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered around 1,600 ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage during a press conference in Boston. Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was also found, in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, that was consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. OceanGate Expeditions said its pilot and chief executive Stockton Rush along with Mr Harding and fellow UK citizens Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood, and French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet, have sadly been lost. In a short statement, Mr Hardings family said: He was one of a kind and we adored him. He was a passionate explorer whatever the terrain who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved. 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. Shahzada Dawoods company paid tribute to him and his son after their deaths. In a statement, Engro Corporation, the Pakistani conglomerate that Mr Dawood was vice chairman of, said: With heavy hearts and great sadness, we grieve the loss of our vice chairman, Shahzada Dawood, and his beloved son, Suleman Dawood. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dawood family at this tragic time. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, friends and all those around the world who grieve this unthinkable loss. Rear Admiral Mauger 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. 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. According to court documents, safety concerns had previously been raised about the Titan submersible by a former employee of OceanGate. The filings said David Lochridge, OceanGates former director of marine operations, claimed wrongful dismissal after flagging worries about the companys alleged refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design. Court papers suggest 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. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly described the update as tragic news and said the UK Government is closely supporting the British families affected. The White House said the families of those who died had been through a harrowing ordeal over the past few days, and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A safety investigation is set to take place following the fatal implosion of the Titan submersible. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) said a team of investigators had been deployed to St Johns in Canada to gather information, conduct interviews and assess the occurrence. British adventurer Hamish Harding and father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood were killed on board the Titan submersible when it catastrophically imploded, alongside the chief executive of the company responsible for the vessel, Stockton Rush, and French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet. In a short statement confirming the investigation, the TSB said: The TSB is launching an investigation into the fatal occurrence involving the Canadian-flagged vessel Polar Prince and the privately operated submersible Titan. In accordance with the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and international agreements, the TSB will conduct a safety investigation regarding the circumstances of this operation conducted by the Canadian-flagged vessel Polar Prince. A team of TSB investigators is travelling to St Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador to gather information, conduct interviews and assess the occurrence. In the coming days, we will co-ordinate our activities with other agencies involved. The TSB will not determine civil or criminal liability and conducts investigations for the advancement of transportation safety. The investigation comes after emails emerged from Mr Rush which dismissed safety concerns over the deep-sea vessel. The BBC reported that Mr Rush had previously written that he had heard baseless cries of you are going to kill someone which he believed were a serious personal insult. His words could be seen in emails between Mr Rush and deep-sea exploration specialist Rob McCallum in which he also said he was tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation. The exchanges, seen by the BBC, show Mr McCallum told OceanGates chief executive that he was mirroring that famous cry of the Titanics builders: She is unsinkable. The broadcaster reported that the email exchange ended when the companys lawyers threatened legal action. After the catastrophic implosion of the vessel, the other co-founder of OceanGate, Guillermo Sohnlein, defended the firm describing regulations surrounding visits to the Titanic wreckage as tricky to navigate. On Friday, five red roses were left in St Johns harbour in memory of the pilot and four passengers, with each displaying a message saying RIP followed by their name. After the emails were released, Mr McCallum told the BBC he repeatedly urged OceanGate to seek certification for the Titan before using it for commercial tours. One of his emails read: I implore you to take every care in your testing and sea trials and to be very, very conservative. As much as I appreciate entrepreneurship and innovation, you are potentially putting an entire industry at risk. 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. In the days that followed the report that Titan had gone missing, the US Coast Guard said the vessel had a depleting oxygen supply that was expected to run out on Thursday. A report from The Wall Street Journal said 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 that the navy passed on the information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search because the data was not considered by the navy to be definitive. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} More than 50% of people believe that the UK was wrong to leave the EU seven years on from the referendum, according to a new poll. Based on a survey of 1,525 adults and carried out at the start of June, the poll found that 34% still believe that Brexit was the correct decision. The findings, published by the Tony Blair Institute and carried out by Deltapoll, also suggest that 18% of Leave voters now believe that the decision was wrong. Nearly 80% believe that the UK should have a closer relationship with the EU in the future, with 43% wanting the UK to rejoin the EU and 13% preferring a return to the single market only. The poll found just over a fifth of people support a closer relationship with the EU, although not as a member or as part of the single market. Our polling shows that there is a large majority of the British public who recognise that Brexit in its current form isnt working Anton Spisak The data forms part of a new report, which considers how the UK can improve its post-Brexit relationship with the EU. Authors Anton Spisak and Christos Tsoulakis also caution that the views of those who voted in the 2016 referendum do not appear to have changed dramatically. Instead, a key factor in this change is the attitudes of those respondents aged between 18 and 24 who did not vote in 2016 but largely consider the decision to leave as wrong. Most of the shift appears attributable to younger people entering the electorate rather than a significant portion of those who voted Leave changing their minds, the report says. Among the proposals set out by the institute include encouraging the Government to commit to a voluntary alignment with EU regulations on goods, including product rules and food safety standards. The Sir Tony Blair-backed think tank suggests this could be a precursor to negotiations with the bloc on closer regulatory alignment on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures. The report also suggests linking the UK and the EUs emissions trading systems, as well as agreeing an reciprocal exchange scheme for young people while also improving mobility for business people. It also calls for a so-called strategic pillar within the current trade agreement that would act as the basis for a joint framework on foreign policy and defence. Mr Spisak, head of political leadership at the institute, said: Our polling shows that there is a large majority of the British public who recognise that Brexit in its current form isnt working and would like to see the UK moving closer to the EU. This creates a substantial political space to move the debate forward from refighting the old battles about whether Brexit was right or wrong, to discussing what an improved future relationship with the EU should look like. The EU will always remain a key strategic ally, and it is absurd that the bloc has deeper trading arrangements with Israel and Georgia, better regulatory recognition on food-safety standards with Canada and New Zealand, and deeper mechanisms for political co-operation with nations including Australia and Japan. Any future British government that wants to improve the relationship with the EU will need a carefully considered strategic plan and make a clear-eyed offer to the other side. Asking the EU nicely cannot succeed as a negotiating strategy. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Five major pieces of debris from the Titan submersible have been recovered, the US Coast Guard said. They include part of the pressure chamber, the nose cone, the front-end bell and the aft-end bell, a press conference held in Boston on Thursday was told. A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) found debris fields on the North Atlantic Ocean sea floor around 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic on Thursday morning. Rear admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard said the debris is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel. Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here. This is an incredibly complex operating environment on the sea floor over two miles beneath the surface, he said. Undersea expert Paul Hankin said: We found five different major pieces of debris that told us that it was the remains of the Titan. The initial thing we found was the nose cone which was outside of the pressure hull. We then found a large debris field. Within that large debris field we found the front-end bell of the pressure hull. That was the first indication that there was a catastrophic event. Shortly thereafter we found a second smaller debris field. Within that debris field we found the other end of the pressure hull the aft end bell which basically comprises the totality of that pressure vessel. We continue to map out the debris field, and as the admiral said, we will do the best we can to fully map out whats down there. The coastguard said the ROV that made the discovery was from the Canadian Horizon Arctic ship. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Barack Obama has called out the current obsession with the doomed Titanic tourist sub at a time when people are turning a blind eye to the deaths of hundreds of migrants when a fishing boat sank off the coast of Greece. Speaking at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation conference in Athens on Thursday, the former US president pointed out the overwhelming difference in attention the two cases have gotten this week. Think about the circumstances which lead desperate people to come here. And we cant ignore it, he said. Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here You think about whats happening this week. There is a potential tragedy unfolding with the submarine that is getting, you know, minute-to-minute, coverage, all around the world. And you know its understandable, because we all want and pray that those folks are rescued, he said, prior to the announcement that the five submarine passengers were killed. But the fact that thats got so much more attention than 700 people who sank. Mr Obama was met with loud applause as he pointed out this disparity. He added: Thats an untenable situation. The former president later doubled down on his argument in an interview with CNN, pointing out how the news of the day shows the obscene levels of inequality today. Right here, just off the coast of Greece, we had 700 people that 700 migrants who were apparently being smuggled into here and weve made news, but its not dominating in the same way, he said. And in some ways, its indicative of the degree to which peoples life chances have grown so disparate. Last week, a fishing boat packed with about 750 men, women and children capsized off the coast of Messenia, Greece. Barack Obama calls out obsession with Titanic sub as people turn blind eye to migrant boat tragedies (The Stavros Niarchos Foundation) Around 300 of those on board came from Pakistan, while others travelled from Syria and Egypt. Hundreds are believed to have died, marking one of the deadliest tragedies in the Mediterranean Sea and shining a light on Europes refugee crisis as thousands desperately seek better lives away from the perils of war and poverty. Since then, questions have mounted about the efforts to rescue those on board as there appeared to be a delay in response from Greece despite shipping data revealing that the boat was in trouble. By contrast, the five men on board the OceanGate ExpeditionsTitan vessel chose to pay up to $250,000 per person to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the visit the wreckage of the Titanic in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. 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 embarked on the doomed venture on Sunday morning. The Titan vessel lost contact with its mother ship the Polar Prince just one hour and 45 minutes into its journey, sparking a multinational, multi-agency search and rescue operation to find the missing sub and rescue those on board. On Thursday, hopes vanished as the US Coast Guard confirmed that debris from the Titan had been discovered on the sea floor and that the five men had already died as a result of a catastrophic implosion. The Coast Guard has since revealed that the Navy picked up the sound of the implosion not long after the sub lost contact minutes into its journey. Media coverage and attention from the public has also largely favoured the Titan disaster, with round-the-clock reporting and social media obsession about the case. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} US President Joe Biden and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi held a joint press conference on Thursday, 23 June. Mr Biden welcomed Modi, Indias prime minister since 2014, to the White House with a ceremony on the South Lawn earlier on Thursday. Prime minister Modi arrived in the US on Wednesday, 21 June, for his first official state visit. The global leaders will discuss defence, technology and climate change as they attempt to strengthen US-India relations. Modi also addressed a joint session of Congress during his visit. Human rights advocates and demonstrators descended near the White House gates to protest the visit. Modi has faced criticism over the rise of violence associated with Hindu nationalism and discrimination against Muslims living in India. US lawmakers have urged president Biden in a letter to raise human rights concerns with Modi in their private meeting. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A quadriplegic woman from Ontario said it would be faster for her to pursue a medically assisted death than it would for her to wait for the state to provide disability support services. The mother, Rose Finlay, shared a video on social media explaining her decision and accusing Canada of balking on its responsibility to its people. I am a 33-year-old quadriplegic single mom raising two kids with disabilities, she said in the video. Every Ontarian that is paying taxes and paying into social programs thinking that one day should they ever need the supports they would be available to them, Im here to let you know thats not actually the case. She says in the video that she can access Canada's medical assistance in dying (MAID) program after a 90-day eligibility assessment, but that accessing disability services could take up to eight months, according to the National Post. My life as it is, without support as a quadriplegic is far more deadly than me even exploring the MAID process, Ms Finlay told the Global News. Ms Finaly's spinal cord was injured when she was 17. She ran her own disability advocacy business, Inclusive Solutions, which allowed her to support herself and her family, but increasingly frequent illnesses have left her unable to work. With few options available and a limited pool of potential personal care workers in her area she lives approximately 80km east of Toronto she decided to apply for the Ontario Disability Support Program. Ms Finaly said thats when she realised she would have to wait for at least half a year before she would even have her application approved. In March she decided she would explore MAID, even though she does not want to die. Rachel Finlay, 33, of Ontario, is quadriplegic and is considering medically assisted death because she cannot access disability services in Canada (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ctrtx-KpoIH/?img_index=1 Its not what I want, she told CBC. But if I dont receive the support that I need, the outcome is the same. If I get to a point where I am really sick and basically terminally ill anyways, I would like to have other options. She noted that she has received some backlash from individuals pointing out that she has children but is choosing to die anyway; to them, she said her constant illnesses mean she's "not being very useful" to them. Ms Finlay said even with ODSP support money, she would be living in a "forced poverty" as the most the program pays out is $1,228 a month for all living expenses. Canada's Emergency Response Benefit program has previously determined that Canadians need a minimum of $2,000 per month to afford their basic necessities. She is currently the subject of a fundraiser, which she hopes will raise enough money that she can avoid pursuing MAID. Ms Finlay makes clear her feelings on the government's current treatment of people with disabilities, saying the government has "created the perfect storm for disabled people here in Ontario." Starve them, cut them off from participating in society, and then offer them death, she wrote. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron said he received the information within 24 hours of the disappearance of the submersible Titan that it had imploded when it lost communication with its mothership. "We got confirmation within an hour that there had been a loud bang at the same time that the sub comms were lost," Mr Cameron, who directed the 1997 movie Titanic, said. "A loud bang on the hydrophone. Loss of transponder. Loss of comms. I knew what happened. The sub imploded," he said, adding that he told colleagues in an email on Monday, "We've lost some friends," and, "It's on the bottom in pieces right now. Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here The submersible carrying five people to the Titanic imploded near the site of the shipwreck and killed everyone on board, authorities said on Thursday. The Titan launched on Sunday around 8am EST and was reported overdue that afternoon about 435 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland. But after one hour and 45 minutes, the craft lost contact with its mothership, the Polar Prince. Those on board were British billionaire Hamish Harding, Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistan-born businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, and OceanGate Expedition's chief executive Stockton Rush. This was a catastrophic implosion of the vessel, said rear admiral John Mauger of the First Coast Guard District, adding that the bodies of the victims may never be recovered from the Atlantic. The decorated directors statement comes amid reports that secret US Navy underwater microphones detected the Titan subs implosion several days ago, but the information was released on Thursday. The Navy used a top secret acoustic detection system to search for any sign of the OceanGate Expeditions submersible soon after it was reported missing on Sunday, a US defence official told The Wall Street Journal. The Titan submersible (PA Media) An implosion was heard near the site where debris was located on Thursday, about 500m from the Titanic shipwreck, soon after the sub disappeared, according to the report. Mr Cameron, who has made over 30 dives to the Titanic wreckage, said he wishes he had sounded the alarm earlier about the submersible. He became a deep-sea explorer in the 1990s while researching for his Oscar-winning film Titanic and is part owner of Triton Submarines, which makes submersibles for research and tourism. When he heard that OceanGate was making a deep-sea submersible with a composite carbon fiber and titanium hull, Mr Cameron said he was skeptical. From left, Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Stockton Rush, and Hamish Harding I thought it was a horrible idea. I wish Id spoken up, but I assumed somebody was smarter than me, you know, because I never experimented with that technology, but it just sounded bad on its face, Cameron told Reuters. Although the cause of the implosion has not been determined, Mr Cameron presumes the critics were correct in warning that a carbon fiber and titanium hull would enable delamination and microscopic water ingress, leading to progressive failure over time. OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the submersible, said in a statement that all five people in the vessel, including the CEO, 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 worlds oceans, OceanGate said in a statement. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew. The White House thanked the US Coast Guard, along with Canadian, British and French partners who helped in the search and rescue efforts.Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives on the Titan. They have been through a harrowing ordeal over the past few days, and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers, it said in a statement. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} James Cameron believes the Titan crew knew that the submersibles hull had started to crack and were trying to resurface when a catastrophic implosion occurred. The Titanic director and deep sea adventurer told ABC News that the OceanGates Expeditions vessel had on board warning systems that would likely have activated before the fatal blast. Cameron has revealed that he knew top secret US Navy listening devices had detected an implosion near the search site on Monday, days before it was confirmed by defence officials. He added that he had heard from the community that the Titan had dropped its ascent weights and was trying to manage an emergency when the implosion occurred. They probably had a warning that their hull was starting to delaminating and the hull was starting to crack, Cameron told ABC News in an interview on Thursday. We understand from inside the community that they had dropped their ascent weights and they were coming up, trying to manage an emergency, the filmmaker said. I think if thats your idea of safety, then youre doing it wrong. James Cameron has revealed he knew about the Titans implosion on Monday (BBC) On Thursday, the US Coast Guard revealed that the five Titan crew members died in a catastrophic implosion soon after it lost contact with its support ship on a 4,000m dive to the Titanic shipwreck on Sunday morning. OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, British billionaire Hamish Harding, and French adventurer Paul-Henri Nargeolet died in the tragedy. Its unclear whether their remains will ever be recovered. A US Navy confirmed on Thursday that acoustic detectors used to track enemy submarines had picked up the fatal blast on Monday. The U.S. Navy conducted an analysis of acoustic data and detected an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost, a senior official told The Wall Street Journal in a statement. James Cameron explains why crew members were probably conscious of a crack in the submarine and tried to get back on surface moments before the implosion: #titan #titanic #Submersible pic.twitter.com/IIP1xgZXmM Alessandra (@chi_seminavento) June 23, 2023 While not definitive, this information was immediately shared with the Incident Commander to assist with the ongoing search and rescue mission. The US Coast Guard had emphasised that the mission was 100 per cent a search and rescue mission throughout the week. On Thursday morning, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) located pieces of debris from the Titan on the seabed 1,600ft (about 500m) from the bow of the Titanic wreck, Rear Admiral John Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander, said. Officials have not released any information about whether the Titan was trying to head back to the surface when it imploded. The five crew members confirmed to have died are, clockwise from top left, Hamish Harding, Stockton Rush, Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet (Dirty Dozen Productions/OceanGate/AFP/Getty) In a separate interview with the BBC, Cameron described media focus on the submersible having 96 hours of oxygen supply, and that banging noises had been detected, as a prolonged and nightmarish charade. That was just a cruel, slow turn of the screw for four days as far as Im concerned, he said. Because I knew the truth on Monday morning. Cameron, who became the first person to solo pilot a sub to the worlds deepest point, Challenger Deep, in 2012, has also raised safety concerns about the construction of the 22-foot Titan submersible. In a 2021 interview, Mr Rush, the CEO and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, boasted about breaking some rules in order to build the sub. I think it was General MacArthur who said Youre remembered for the rules you break, he told Mexican travel blogger Alan Estrada in the interview. You know Ive broken some rules to make this (the Titan). I think Ive broken them with logic and good engineering behind me. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} In a series of stunning interviews on Thursday, James Cameron revealed he knew highly sensitive details about the Titan submersible search and rescue mission days before it was released publicly. Cameron was aware that top secret US Navy listening devices had detected an implosion near the Titanic wreckage within an hour of it occurring on Monday, and has since described the search for the five crew members as a nightmarish charade. He has also claimed that the Titan crew would have known that the submersibles hull had started to crack and were trying to resurface when the catastrophic implosion occurred. The 68-year-old told ABC News that his contacts within the community had shared details of the mission with him, a reference to the small and close-knit submersible Manned Underwater Vehicle (MUV) industry. Follow the latest updates on the Titanic sub here While best known for his filmmaking exploits, from Titanic to The Terminator and the Avatar franchise, Cameron has said his true love is deep-ocean exploration. Some people think of me as a Hollywood guy (but) I make Avatar to make money to do explorations, Cameron told The Daily Telegraph in 2018. A life-long obsession One of Camerons earliest films, The Abyss, is described as a claustrophobic survival thriller about the search for a submarine that sinks in the Caribbean. In a 1989 interview with the New York Times to promote the film, he said that scuba diving had allowed him to discover the keys to another world. In 2012, Cameron became the first person to solo pilot a sub to the worlds deepest point, Challenger Deep, in the Mariana Trench, 11km beneath the oceans surface. It was just the second time anyone had been to the most remote, isolated place on the planet after trailblazing oceanographers Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard first reached Challenger Deep 52 years earlier in 1960. I really feel like in one day Ive been to another planet and come back, he told the BBC after completing the dive. The Titan suffered a catastrophic implosion near the wreckage of the Titanic on Monday. Cameron says he had long held fears about the safety of the submersible vessel (PA Media) He described how the trip was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to travel to the worlds deepest spot in the 2014 documentary Deepsea Challenge, which took viewers on a journey to the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean through his camera lens. The documentary showed Camerons obsession with the science and technical aspects behind deep-sea exploration, where the extreme water pressure and shifting ocean currents can turn fatal in an instant. He personally oversaw the design and construction of the $10m Deepsea Challenger submarine, which had over 180 interconnected onboard systems, including batteries, thrusters, life support, 3D cameras, and LED light. The stark difference between Camerons sub and OceanGates Titan was displayed in a side-by-side comparison of the vessels interiors. On the left: the interior of James Camerons submersible, the Deep Sea Challenger. It cost $10 million. On the right: the interior of the Titan. pic.twitter.com/9WyMjbdATm Dr. Crystal Fleming (@alwaystheself) June 22, 2023 The inner walls of the Deepsea Challengers steel pilot sphere are stacked with advanced safety systems. In the Titan, OceanGate CEO and founder Stockton Rush is seen in the Titans sparse hull holding a PlayStation controller, with just a screen behind him. Cameron is part-owner of Triton Submarines which makes high-tech submersibles for research and tourism, and whose vessels have made several descents to Challenger Deep. This week, he described the Titans construction out of carbon fibre composite as a major safety red flag. He explained that the lightweight composite, popular in aeronautics and sailing, was not designed to withstand the compression which occurs when subs descend to extreme depths. Pressure hulls are typically made out of contiguous materials such as steel, titanium, ceramic or acrylic, which are better for conducting tests, Cameron told told Reuters in an interview. We celebrate innovation, right? But you shouldn't be using an experimental vehicle for paying passengers that aren't themselves deep ocean engineers, he told Reuters. He said the wider submersible engineering community had raised concerns about the OceanGate Expeditions vehicle, and that he regretted not going public with his own fears earlier. The sub imploded The US Navy revealed on Thursday that top secret acoustic detectors used to track enemy submarines had picked up the fatal blast on Sunday. While not definitive, this information was immediately shared with the Incident Commander to assist with the ongoing search and rescue mission, a senior Navy official told the Wall Street Journal, who first reported the news. Four days later, the US Coast Guard revealed that a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) had located pieces of debris from the Titan on the seabed 1,600ft (about 500m) from the bow of the Titanic wreck. The five crew members confirmed to have died are, clockwise from top left, Hamish Harding, Stockton Rush, Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Cameron called the death of his close friend Nargeolet impossible to fathom (Dirty Dozen Productions/OceanGate/AFP/Getty) The five crew members died in a catastrophic implosion soon after it lost contact with its support ship an hour and 45 minutes into the dive, officials said. In interviews with CNN and Reuters, Cameron told how he had learned of the implosion soon after it occurred. We got confirmation within an hour that there had been a loud bang at the same time that the sub comms were lost. A loud bang on the hydrophone. Loss of transponder. Loss of comms. I knew what happened. The sub imploded, he told Reuters. Cameron emailed colleagues in the MUV industry on Monday that the Titan was without doubt on the bottom in pieces right now. The system that detected the implosion is used to monitor enemy submarines, and the Navy considered it so crucial to national security that it asked that asked media not to identify it by name, the Journal reported. Its unclear whether information about implosion was shared with the families of those onboard, who continued to express hope of finding survivors. The deaths of the OceanGate CEO, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, British billionaire Hamish Harding, and French adventurer Paul-Henri Nargeolet were the first deep-sea fatalities ever recorded in the industry. Cameron said the death of his close friend Nargeolet, a 77-year-old experienced adventurer known as Mr Titanic, was impossible for me to process. He added that he had heard through the community that the Titan had dropped its ascent weights and was trying to manage an emergency when the implosion occurred. They probably had a warning that their hull was starting to delaminating and the hull was starting to crack, Cameron told ABC News in an interview. We understand from inside the community that they had dropped their ascent weights and they were coming up, trying to manage an emergency, the filmmaker said. Chilling parallels Cameron has likened the tragic fate of the Titan to the ocean liner its crew were trying to reach. Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night, Cameron told ABC News. About 1,500 people were killed when the Titanic sank in April 1912. The site of the wreck remained a mystery until 1985, when explorer Robert Ballard located its remains about 640kms off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at a depth of 4,000m. The filmmaker has visited the Titanic wreckage 33 times, making his his first trip in 1995 to shoot footage for his blockbuster film, which became the first to gross over $1bn worldwide within 74 days of its release in 1997. Cameron was inside a submersible exploring the shipwreck on 11 September 2001, when terrorists flew two passenger jets into the World Trade Centre. He would tell Spiegel International in 2012 that he was presumably the last man in the Western Hemisphere to learn about what had happened. On another dive, he described becoming trapped in the wreck for 16 hours, as the oceans strong undercurrents held his submarine at the bottom of the ocean. In Avatar: The Way of Water, Cameron said he had worked with digital visual effects company Weta FX to render water seamlessly (20th Century Studios) He later mused that he had probably spent more time on the Titanic than the captain did back in the day. Between making Titanic, and Avatar, released in 2009, Cameron took a hiatus from making Hollywood megahits to film several documentaries about his deep-sea adventures. In 2003s Ghosts of the Abyss, Cameron documented his extensive exploration of the Titanic wreck. For 2005s Aliens of the Deep, Cameron and fellow cameraman Steve Quayle teamed up with NASA scientists to explore to explore the Mid-Ocean Ridge, a submerged chain of mountains that band the Earth. The film showed for the first time ten hydrothermal vents in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans that support some of the most unique organisms anywhere on the planet, including giant tube worms and swarms of blind white crabs. The latest installment of Camerons Avatar series, The Way of Water, is set on the aquatic ecosystems of a world 25 trillion miles from Earth. Cameron has said he regards all of his underwater explorations as research for The Way of Water. In an interview with Indie Wire last year, Cameron said he had worked with digital visual effects company Weta FX to render water seamlessly. What we found was that there wasnt a magic wand technical solution. It turned out to be very artist-sensitive, meaning the individual artists working with the tools had to learn the way of water, it became this Zen archery thing, he told the film industry site. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The US Coast Guard has admitted an explosion was heard in the vicinity of where the Titan submersible was when it lost contact with its support vessel. The US Navy detected an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion after the tourist submarine lost contact one hour and 45 minutes into the descent to the Titanic wreckage on Sunday, the Coast Guard confirmed to The Independent. The sound was "consistent" with the catastrophic implosion, which killed five men on board the Titan sub, including OceanGate Expeditions chief executive Stockton Rush. No more similar sounds were heard throughout the four-day search and rescue mission, a Coast Guard spokesperson said. The four-day search and rescue mission that followed left the loved ones of those on board in a torturous yet hopeful wait for news, said a friend of one of the stranded five (Dirty Dozen Productions/OceanGate/AFP/Getty) Despite the explosion heard, the Coast Guard said it considered all of its acoustic data and decided to continue with its mission as a search and rescue because the sound was "not definitive at that point. British billionaire Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, UK-based Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman were all aboard the Titan along with Mr Rush. The rescue mission that followed left the loved ones of those on board in a torturous yet hopeful wait for news, said a friend of one of the crew, as the estimated 96-hour emergency supply of oxygen was thought to be running out as tapping sounds were detected by sonar. The Unified Command - the Coast Guard, US Navy, and Canadian Coast Guard - decided to not disclose the unconfirmed audio because they did not want to disrupt the search when the priority was making every effort to save the lives of all on board. The Titan submerged at 8am EDT (1pm UK time) on Sunday and lost contact with the Polar Prince one hour and 45 minutes later. After it did not surface as expected two hours later, the Coast Guard said it received a report of the missing vessel at 5.40pm EDT (10.40pm UK time). The Coast Guard said it is unable to confirm the exact time of the acoustic anomaly but said it was sometime after communications were lost between Sunday and Monday when additional equipment, including from the US Navy, which could analyse and receive acoustic data, was deployed to the search site. The noise was consistent with an explosion but not conclusive, so we cannot definitively say if the explosion sound was or was not the incident that killed those on board, said the spokesperson. All five men on board the missing Titan submersible were declared dead after it was found that the craft imploded near the site of the shipwreck, authorities announced Thursday. This comes after Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron revealed that he received the information within 24 hours of the disappearance of the submersible that it had imploded when it lost communication with its mothership. The director of the 1997 Oscar-winning film Titanic, said he received confirmation of a loud bang within an hour and that the last week had felt like a prolonged and nightmarish charade. Lord West said the search and rescue mission would have been very, very expensive as nothing is cheap at those depths. He said the equipment alone would have cost hundreds of millions of pounds. But the former First Sea Lord said that one always goes flat out in missions where there is a hope of saving lives. Paying tribute to the five men, he said, Its desperately sad this has happened - a horrible loss of these people. Commenting on the acoustic anomaly, he said: With underwater sounds, you can never be completely certain. It was probably right to keep looking - while there was still the possibility they could be alive, you would keep searching. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} NewsNation has defended its coverage of the Titanic sub disaster after being branded insensitive for displaying a ticking countdown clock to the moment the vessel could have run out of oxygen. OceanGate Expeditions Titan sub was equipped with enough oxygen to last the five men on board for four days 96 hours from the moment it set off on an expedition to view the Titanic shipwreck on Sunday morning. This meant that if the five explorers were still alive rescue teams had until around 8am ET (1pm UK time) on Thursday to find the sub before their chances of survival ran out. Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here Hours after the clock struck zero, hopes vanished altogether as the US Coast Guard confirmed that debris from the Titan had been discovered on the sea floor and that the five men had already died as a result of a catastrophic implosion. US defence sources and Titanic film director James Cameron have since revealed that the Navy picked up the sound of the implosion not long after the sub lost contact 105 minutes into its journey. NewsNation featured an oxygen countdown clock in the righthand corner of its Titanic sub coverage (NewsNation) Before this tragic discovery was made, the five-day search and rescue operation honed in on the narrowing 96-hour window of time and whether the passengers could be reached in time. In its coverage, NewsNation displayed a counter on screen ticking down the seconds to the 96-hour oxygen cut-off deadline prompting a backlash from social media users. Is this new years eve? whats with the countdown? one person tweeted. Nice classy countdown to death, you ghouls, tweeted someone else. @NewsNation this morning I was #disgusted to see a #Countdown on the screen of when the #titanic #submersible runs out of air.. this is not a game! Those are peoples lives! Loved ones! You are counting down until peoples possible deaths! Absolutely #sick! #titanicsubmarine, wrote another person. You did a great thing bringing significant coverage to the situation to raise awareness about the immediate need for resources. That said, the death clock does not respect the gravity of the situation. Remember, this is about human lives, not a countdown. Be better, another person chimed in. One person simply tweeted: They think its a superbowl event. The Titan submersible vanished on Sunday morning and was later found to have imploded (PA Media) Despite the pushback, NewsNation stood by its decision to showcase an oxygen countdown clock on its show. The oxygen levels on the Titan submersible have always been an essential and important part of this story, a NewsNation spokesperson told HuffPost. Multiple media outlets have published or aired stories tracking the remaining oxygen on the Titan as the search continued. In fact, it would be irresponsible not to include this information in the story of the rescue effort. Ultimately, the race to reach the passengers within the 96-hour window appears to have been futile as it emerged that secret US Navy underwater microphones detected the subs implosion not long after it lost contact with its mother ship the Polar Prince. Multiple reports revealed that the acoustic detection system typically used to monitor enemy submarines heard an implosion on Sunday close to the site where the debris was located on Thursday, roughly 500m from the Titanic shipwreck. The U.S. Navy conducted an analysis of acoustic data and detected an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost, a senior official told The Wall Street Journal in a statement. US Coast Guard confirms the deaths of five passengers (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) While not definitive, this information was immediately shared with the Incident Commander to assist with the ongoing search and rescue mission. While the Navy passed the information to the US Coast Guard which was leading the search the information was not released to the public during the operation and only came to light after the grim discovery was made. Titanic director Mr Cameron said on Thursday that he too had known the fate of the five inside the sub just hours into the rescue efforts. We got confirmation within an hour that there had been a loud bang at the same time that the sub comms were lost, he said. A loud bang on the hydrophone. Loss of transponder. Loss of comms. I knew what happened. The sub imploded. On Thursday, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) found five major pieces of debris from the Titan on the sea bed around 500m from the bow of the Titanic shipwreck. Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger confirmed at a press conference that the discovery was consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the sub. In consultation with experts in the unified command, the debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber, he said. Upon this determination, we immediately notified the families. The five victims of the sub disaster (AP) 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 died on the doomed venture. OceanGate paid tribute to the five victims in a statement. 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, the company said. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew. Now, as the ROVs continue to search the debris field, questions are mounting about what went wrong and whether the tragedy could have been avoided. Since the submersible first went missing, it has emerged that whistleblowers and explorers raised concerns about the safety of the sub prior to the disastrous voyage. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The search for what remains of the Titan submersible and its passengers concluded this week, 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. The resting place of the Titanic lies about 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at a depth of around 12,500ft below the surface, with trips to visit it typically involving a two-hour descent. Particular details about the Titan, a cramped metal cylinder accommodating four passengers and a pilot, emerged soon after it first went missing. Measuring 22ft long by 9.2ft across and 8.3ft high, the sub consists of an aerospace-grade carbon fibre hull with titanium hemispheres at each end, as well as a fibreglass hull insert to shield the passengers and electronics from condensation. The Titan making its descent (PA) A real-time monitoring system provides a running analysis of the impact changing pressure is having on the hull as the craft descends deeper and deeper into the ocean in the interests of safety. The vessel weighs 10,432kg in total and can travel at a maximum speed of three knots, made possible by Four Innerspace 1002 electric thrusters. The tourists and scientists who typically ride in it are able to look out via a large viewport window, their perspective enhanced by Sub C Imaging 4k Rayfin exterior cameras that capture the surrounding marine environment in a live feed that is displayed on a large digital display. The Titan vessel has gone missing with five people on board (PA) There is little by way of comfort inside but there is a toilet, although privacy is limited because it is situated right next to the viewing window. Most astonishingly, the craft is 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 communicates with a tracking team aboard a surface ship, in this case the Polar Prince, via text messages. A clip of a CBS Sunday Morning featurette about the sub from November 2022 that has gone viral in light of this weeks disaster shows OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who was aboard the vessel that imploded after vanishing on Sunday, cheerily pointing out handles affixed to the ceiling of the craft that he says he bought from Camper World but denying that the vessel has been MacGyvered or jerry-rigged. Theres no switches and things to bump into, we have one button to turn it on, Mr Rush explained to reporter David Pogue. An interior view of the submersible used to tour the wreck of HMS Titanic (PA) Everything else is done with touch screens and computers, and so you really become part of the vehicle and everybody gets to know everyone pretty well. The Titan was reportedly built with the help of a team of engineering consultants from Nasas Marshall Space Flight Center, who offered guidance during the development stage. Speaking to GB News, David Scott-Beddard, chair of the British Titanic Society, outlined how unique the proposition offered by the company is, explaining: The OceanGate Titan, this particular submersible, is the only one currently capable in commercial use that can take passengers down to the wreck... Its one of only five submersibles that can reach this depth. Titan prepares to launch from its submersion platform on a test run (OceanGate/YouTube) Similarly, G Michael Harris, a specialist Titanic expedition leader who said he has previously worked with the pilot of the stricken Titan, told Jesse Waters on Fox News: More people have been to outer space than to this depth of the ocean and when youre diving in these situations you have to cross your Ts, dot your Is, you have to have everything absolutely perfect and by the book... Throw in a bunch of tourists and a new sub that was created over the last several years its not looking good. As to the experience of being a passenger on the Titan, New Yorker Mike Reiss, who said he had made three dives in it, told BBC Breakfast that the sub is a beautifully designed craft, I cant disparage it, but its meant to go down further than any other vessels can go... If its down at the bottom, I dont know how anyones going to be able to access it, much less bring it back up. He continued: The phrase we keep hearing is theyve lost communication and Ive gotta say I did three separate dives, I did one dive to the Titanic and two more off the coast of New York and every time they lost communication. The Titan on dry land (PA) And, again, this is not to say this is a shoddy ship or anything. Its just, this is all new technology and theyre learning it as they go along. You have to 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. 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 died in the implosion. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The co-founder of Oceangate, the company at the centre of the submersible tragedy, had hopes to contract deals with oil and gas companies after developing a reputation from its dives to see the Titanic wreckage. Stockton Rush, who was killed aboard the Titan sub after it suffered a catastrophic implosion, had spent years developing submarine technology to advance deep sea exploration. He was one of five passengers on board the 21ft-long vessel which embarked on Sunday for the 2.4mile descent to the ocean-bed. A four-day international search and rescue mission was launched after it lost communications and failed to return to its mother ship, the Polar Prince. Stockton Rush was piloting the Titan vessel when it imploded and killed all five passengers (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The US Coastguard confirmed on Thursday afternoon that a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) had discovered a debris field with missing portions of the Titan. All five passengers, including Mr Rush and British billionaire Hamish Harding, were confirmed dead. OceanGate launched its Titanic tours in 2021, with customers expected to pay $250,000 to see the infamous wreck, which lies nearly 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. However, the self-described daredevil inventor had more plans for the Titan vessel once it had proven its ability to explore depths of 13,000ft. During a 2017 interview with business magazine FastCompany, Rush said that after the demand for high-paying adventurers to visit the Titanic had dwindled, he hoped his submarine technology would prove an enticing investment for oil and gas companies. The biggest resource is oil and gas, and they spend about $16 billion a year on robots to service oil and gas platforms, he said. But oil and gas [companies] dont take new technology. They want it proven, they want it out there. Titan began taking paying customers down to the Titanic wreckage in 2021 (American Photo Archive/Alamy/PA) (PA Media) "Theres all these resources to be explored, and I couldnt understand why there arent any manned subs," he told the outlet. He added that OceanGate would not be involved in oil production, but in the inspection, repair and maintenance of potential mining sites. "Turns out one of the reasons was that people had not looked at the business aspect of operating a manned sub, because operations were funded by governments through universities for research. Nobody thought about cost, nobody thought about revenue." His plans came despite repeated warnings about the safety of the submersible, with 38 experts in the submersible craft industry writing to Mr Rush to express unanimous concern about the way Titan had been developed. A former lawsuit filed in 2018 by OceanGates former director of operations, David Lockridge, also said that the vessel could subject passengers to potential extreme dangers. The company however responded to say that Lochridge was not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} OceanGate, the company behind the ill-fated Titanic sub, received more than $450,000 in aid during the Covid pandemic, says a report. The Washington-based company received $447,000 in loans and the government forgave it $450,074, with interest, reported The Daily Beast. The Payment Protection Program loans were made through Washington Trust Bank and approved on 10 April 2020 when the company had 22 employees, according to a ProPublica database. Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here Debris belonging to OceanGates Titan submersible was found by an ROV 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic, the US Coastguard announced on Thursday. Officials say that they believe the craft suffered a catastrophic implosion during its journey to the seabed. All five aboard the craft, including OceanGate CEO and founder Stockton Rush, are presumed dead and their bodies have not yet been found. Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood were killed along with British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding and renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Each of them had paid around $250,000 to dive down to the wreck of the famed liner in the companys submersible. Titan began its journey to the wreck site, which sits at a depth of 12,500ft in the Atlantic Ocean, on Sunday morning. About an hour and 45 minutes later, the Titan lost contact with its surface ship, the Polar Prince. Officials say that a Canadian aircraft involved in the search detected intermittent banging noises from the vicinity of its last known location. Search and rescue teams then deployed remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to the site of the wreck where they found a debris field that included parts of the subs pressure chamber. Mr Dawood and his son, who are both British citizens, are part of one of a prominent Pakistani family, with investments in the countrys agriculture and industry sectors. In a statement, OceanGate Inc said: 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. These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An outbreak of dengue fever in Peru has killed 248 people and forced the health minister to resign in what is currently Latin Americas worst dengue outbreak. The outbreak has reportedly infected some 150,000 people so far this year, with the death toll now standing at 248. The centre of the outbreak is reportedly Piura, a town of roughly 600,000 people in the countrys northwest relatively close to the border with Ecuador. The seriousness of the situation and the governments apparent inability to contain it resulted in the resignation of health minister Rosa Gutierrez on June 16. Ms Gutierrez lost the confidence of much of the Peruvian public after she announced in May, despite ample evidence to the contrary, that the outbreak would be resolved in two weeks. But some observers believe Ms Gutierrez is not solely responsible for the governments inadequate response to the crisis. Dr Leslie Soto, a spokesperson for the Medical Association of Peru, told NPR that the government should have taken preventative steps to stop a mass outbreak given the threat posed by El Nino weather. Dengue fever is spread by mosquitos, which breed more rapidly in warmer temperatures and rain like the Peruvian coast has experienced this spring. Its not just the health ministry, Dr Soto told NPR. Its also the education ministry, the housing ministry, infrastructure and regional governments. Dr Soto noted that a lack of drinkable water and sanitation services at schools in badly-hit areas have created dengue hotspots. NPR reported that nearly one in ten Peruvians lack access to running water and one in four lack access to sewage, storing water in containers that can serve as mosquito breeding grounds. Peru similarly struggled to deal with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, suffering the worlds highest Covid mortality rate. The countrys democracy also experienced a crisis late last year when the former President Pedro Castillo was ousted from power after he attempted to dissolve Congress under the threat of an impeachment proceeding and has been replaced in the Government Palace by Dina Boluarte. Now, Perus experience with dengue fever may serve as a warning to the rest of the region as the effects of El Nino are expected to intensify through the rest of the year and a warning as well about what might lie in store as climate change continues to intensify. As the earth warms and El Nino weather patterns become stronger, dengue fever will likely become more common in countries in the Global South as well as the Global North. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} On 24 June, 2022, for the first time in half a century, abortion access in America was no longer a constitutional guarantee. A decision from the US Supreme Courts conservative majority in a case involving a Mississippi clinic, the states anti-abortion policymakers, and a right-wing legal campaign that has spent years working towards its goal to end legal abortion in America overturned a ruling in Roe v Wade, the 1973 case that defined the battle for abortion rights in the decades that followed. The decision in Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization revoked a constitutional right to abortion care that was affirmed 50 years earlier, sparking a wave of anti-abortion laws in more than a dozen states impacting millions of Americans, and exposing the dangerous legal and medical minefields that health providers and their patients must navigate. It has also opened new legal challenges, ones that could once again reshape the future of abortion access in America, while anti-abortion lawmakers and Republican candidates face a public that is overwhelmingly against their vision for political control of its bodies and healthcare. In interviews with The Independent over the last year, abortion rights advocates, legal experts and providers have warned how abortion bans imperil pregnant patients thrust into new legally confusing critical medical decisions, while championing the battles for abortion rights to come. Thousands of abortion rights advocates and their elected officials are mobilising across the country to mark the anniversary of the decision and to renew support for abortion rights nationwide. The politics around abortion have been animating American politics for 50 years, and I dont see that stopping in 2023, Womens March executive director Rachel OLeary Carmona told The Independent. I dont want to sugarcoat and say that its going to be easy, because its not, and I know theres more troubled waters ahead, she said. We live in treacherous times, and I think that what we do in the next four to five years, this new era of American politics, and for the next 50 years weve seen a number of these kinds of turning moments in American history, and I think were in one. The state of abortion access one year later Despite historically low support for abortion restrictions, and a string of victories for abortion rights in elections in the months after the Dobbs decision, Republican lawmakers once championing the end of Roe v Wade as a victory for states rights have pushed through dozens of new restrictions, including plans for a national abortion ban, and have swatted down measures that would allow voters to weigh directly on the future of their right to an abortion. More than 60 per cent of Americans disagree with the decision in Dobbs, according to polling from NBC News. That figure includes nearly 80 per cent of women between ages 18 and 49, two-thirds of women who live in US suburbs, 60 per cent of independent voters, and one-third of all Republican voters. A record-high 69 per cent of Americans believe abortion should be legal within the first three months of pregnancy, marking an increase of at least two per cent over the last year in the wake of the leak of a draft of the Dobbs opinion, according to a recent Gallup poll. More than half of Americans believe abortion is morally acceptable a 10 per cent increase from 2001. A separate poll from USA Today/Suffolk University found that one in four Americans say state efforts to restrict abortion access have made them more supportive of abortion rights. One year after the end of Roe, 14 states mostly across the entire US South effectively outlawed most or all abortions. Eleven states make no exceptions for pregnancies from rape or incest. Six states ban abortions after a specific gestational period, from roughly six weeks of pregnancy to 20 weeks. South Carolina remains the only state south of Virginia without severe restrictions or outright bans on abortion care past the 12th week of pregnancy. Most of those states have moved to ban abortion in nearly all cases with limited or no exceptions, making abortion care out of reach entirely for millions of Americans who are forced to travel hundreds or thousands of miles for access to legal care. In May, abortion rights demonstrators protested inside South Carolinas capitol as lawmakers passed a six-week abortion ban later struck down in court. (Getty Images) Penalties for seeking or performing an abortion in those states could include severe fines, the suspension of medical licenses, or prison. South Carolinas law, which is currently blocked by the courts, could impose a two-year prison sentence and up to $10,000 in fines against abortion patients. Texas law could sentence providers with life in prison and a $10,000 fine for circumstances in which an unborn child dies as a result of the offense. Advocates have repeatedly warned that anti-abortion laws will not stop people from seeking abortions; they stop safe ones. Since the Dobbs ruling, there have been more than 25,000 fewer abortions under restrictions in the South and Midwest, according to the Society of Family Planning. From July through December 2022, in the months after the Dobbs decision, at least 66,510 people were unable to receive a legal abortion in their home state, according to reporting from FiveThirtyEight. More than 35,330 people traveled to a different state for abortion care. Roughly 40 per cent of providers who practice in states where abortion is banned faced dangerous constraints providing care for patients experiencing miscarriages and other complications, according to reporting from KFF. A first-of-its-kind report from the University of California in San Francisco reveals how doctors have been unable to provide standard medical care in states where abortion is effectively outlawed, leading to potentially life-threatening delays and worsening and dangerous health outcomes for patients. Within the 20 years before constitutional protections for abortion care were overturned, there were at least 61 cases in which people were criminalised for self-managed abortion, and hundreds of people were arrested for their pregnancy outcomes, according to If/When/How. The consequences from a growing lack of legal access to abortion compounded by inadequate maternal healthcare across the country are starkly disproportionate. Black women are five more times likely to have an abortion than white women, in large part because of worsening maternal health outcomes during and after pregnancies, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pregnant Black people are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, compared to white patients, though 80 per cent of maternal deaths are preventable, according to the CDCs Maternal Mortality Review Committee. The impacts of the Dobbs ruling run from forcing pregnant people to travel out-of-state to get care, to carrying pregnancies to term that threaten their health and well-being, to denying life-saving abortion care in obstetric emergencies until patients are at deaths door, said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, which has been at the centre of national litigation to overturn abortion restrictions. These realities make one thing clear: It is dangerous today to be pregnant in any state that has banned abortion, she added. After Dobbs, Republicans are like the dog who caught the car Republicans have repeatedly stated that the Supreme Courts decision merely left abortion restrictions up to the states. But anti-abortion lawmakers continue to push for a national abortion ban that would also strike down state laws that protect and expand abortion access. Congressional Republicans have already passed several anti-abortion measures with national implications, and third-ranking House Republican Elise Stefanik has signalled that her party is preparing to introduce a ban on abortion at 15 weeks of pregnancy. That persistent threat to abortion rights, and Republicans ongoing attempts to block access to legal abortion care, will be clearer than ever in 2024 and is likely to cost House Republicans their current majority, according to US Rep Suzan DelBene, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. President Joe Biden and Democratic candidates are expected to make abortion rights a central part of 2024 campaigns, in contrast with Republican plans to restrict access. (AP) Abortion rights have been a dominant force in American politics for decades. But leading candidates vying for the Republican nomination for president in 2024 appear to be struggling to say exactly what their anti-abortion vision looks like. In 1999, Donald Trump called himself very pro-choice. In his 2016 presidential campaign, he suggested that people who have abortions should face some sort of punishment. Today, he repeatedly takes credit for the Supreme Court decision to end Roe v Wade, thanks to his appointment of three conservative justices who were primed to do so after their vetting by right-wing special interest groups, completing a decades-long plan to strip abortion rights. Now, Mr Trump suggests that his rival Ron DeSantis has gone too far by implementing a six-week abortion ban in Florida, where the governors latest abortion ban came just one year after he signed a 15-week ban into law. Mr Trump also blamed Republicans poor outcomes in the 2022 midterm elections because of their anti-abortion platforms. Republicans are like the dog who caught the car, Ms OLeary Carmona told The Independent. This is not an electoral winner for them. So I think that theyre gonna have a real problem. They are not in lockstep with their base. And they have already paid electoral consequences for this, and I think that that will certainly continue in 2024 and forward. Democratic members of Congress have reintroduced a series of doomed-to-fail abortion rights measures to underscore the crisis for abortion access and highlight Republicans ongoing objections to measures that most Americans support. Democratic lawmakers have floated proposals to codify Roe protections into law, enshrine access to contraception into federal law, and shield patients and providers in states where abortion is legal from prosecution elsewhere. If you take even a larger step back, what were talking about here is a country that is increasingly not in lockstep and moving in the opposite direction from where the rest of the world is going, Ms OLeary Carmona said. It is out of step with the opinion of Americans themselves. The issue of abortion rights is likely going to return to the Supreme Court in the coming months and years, as anti-abortion activists challenge the governments approval of a widely used abortion drug. Attorneys from President Joe Bidens administration are defending the drug in court, while the White House repeatedly urges Congress to codify a right to abortion to stem the tide of anti-abortion laws consuming state capitols across the country. Mr Biden and Democratic candidates are expected to make abortion rights a centerpiece of their 2024 agendas, as Republicans fail to coalesce around an issue that defined their platforms for decades. Democratic senators mark the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision with a slate of abortion rights proposals. (Getty Images) Meanwhile, abortion rights advocates have seen political victories for reproductive healthcare and bodily autonomy in several states. In Kansas, voters rejected a Republican-drafted amendment that would strip abortion rights from the states constitution. During a historic sweep of abortion rights referendums across the US in midterm elections, voters in Michigan approved a hard-fought state constitutional amendment the right to abortion access. And in a closely watched election with abortion rights on the line in Wisconsin, voters flipped the states conservative majority Supreme Court by electing a liberal justice. An anti-abortion activist groups legal challenge to the widely used abortion drug mifepristone could send another high-profile case to the Supreme Court. (AP) It was the Supreme Courts conservative majority opinion in the Dobbs case that revoked a constitutional right to abortion. But it was the concurring opinion from Justice Clarence Thomas that confirmed the worst fears among abortion rights advocates and civil rights groups that have closely watched the federal judiciary and anti-abortion officials chip away at Americans fundamental right to privacy and constitutional rights to due process and equal protection under the law. Justice Thomas suggested that the court should revisit landmark cases involving the right to contraception, same-sex relationships and marriage equality. More than a dozen states and Washington DC have protected rights to contraception, but attempts to bolster that right in Congress and other states have faced resistance from anti-abortion officials, including a recent decision from the Republican governor of Nevada to veto a bill that would guarantee contraceptive access for Nevada residents. The overlapping fights for abortion rights and trans rights Advocates also argue that the right for abortion rights, and broadly a right to privacy at the centre of abortion rights litigation, is inextricably tied to a broader threat to democracy, as far-right activists galvanise a base around Republican candidates who will advance their agenda. After the 2020 presidential election, Republican candidates turned to threatening voting rights and pushing conspiracy theory-fuelled attempts to change how Americas elections are run, relying on voter outrage with Mr Trumps loss that resulted in a violent attack on the US Capitol to overturn the results. In 2021, Republican state lawmakers passed at least 32 new laws in 17 states to change the rules of election administration and strip oversight from election officials to put it into the hands of GOP-controlled legislatures. The following year, so-called election deniers who pushed those laws overwhelmingly failed to win their elections. After the Dobbs decision, emboldened by their decades-in-the-making Supreme Court victory, Republicans introduced a wave of bills to outlaw abortion. Polling radically shifted in the other direction. And over the last year, Republicans and their allies in far-right media have relentlessly turned against LGBT+ people, particularly transgender children, with an avalanche of legislation to restrict access to their healthcare and rights in public. The connection between these far-right extremist groups who are driving anti-abortion, anti-democracy, anti-trans and also white supremacist ideologies are our near perfect overlaps, Ms OLeary Carmona told The Independent. The attacks on trans people are the same as the attack on women, rooted in sexism and misogyny and craven attempts to throw red meat to the base so that they can whip up to get their votes, she added. We are very clear that both of those attacks are a part of a larger attack on democracy Attacks on abortion, attacks on trans people and people of colour also make it harder for us to go and vote and participate fully in the civic sphere. It is also part of a broader tactic to whip up an extremist sentiment against a vague, shadowy they who is coming for you. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The hunt for the missing OceanGate Expeditions submersible the Titan ended in tragedy on Thursday when, hours after the craft exhausted its 96-hour oxygen supply, the US Coast Guard revealed that parts of the vessel had been found on the seabed. That indicated a catastrophic implosion had likely occurred at some point since the subs disappearance on Sunday afternoon, which would have killed all five people on board. At least three of the crew were fee-paying tourists being taken to tour the disintegrating wreck of the doomed ocean liner the Titanic, which sank in 1912 at the cost of 1,500 lives and whose final resting place was only discovered in 1985. The passenger list consisted of pilot and company founder Stockton Rush, renowned French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, the businessmen Hamish Harding and Shahzada Dawood and the latters 19-year-old son, Suleman, whose sister has since said he was terrified of the trip and only agreed to take part as a Fathers Day gift. Dr Dale Mole, the former US Navy director for undersea medicine and radiation health, offered the slim consolation that the five men would have died instantly and painlessly because of the sheer force of pressure at that depth of the sea once their vessel was compromised. Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here. It would have been so sudden, that they wouldnt even have known that there was a problem, or what happened to them, Dr Mole said. Its like being here one minute, and then the switch is turned off. Youre alive one millisecond, and the next millisecond youre dead. Where is the debris field? The Titan had launched early on Sunday morning and was reported to have lost contact with its mothership, the chartered Canadian icebreaker the Polar Prince, that afternoon about 435 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland. Its disappearance sparked a week-long rescue effort led by Canadian and Boston coast guard ships and planes. Officials were hoping underwater sounds detected on Tuesday and Wednesday might help narrow their search, whose coverage area had been expanded to cover 10,000 square miles twice the size of the state of Connecticut and in waters 2 1/2 miles deep. But all hope was lost on Thursday when a deep sea remotely-operated vehicle (ROV), equipped with cameras and sonar and deployed from the Canadian vessel Horizon Arctic, discovered debris from the vessel roughly 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic. Rear admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard confirms the worst (AP) Speaking at a press conference, Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard said: The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. What debris was found? On precisely what was found, undersea expert Paul Hankin said: We found five different major pieces of debris that told us that it was the remains of the Titan. The initial thing we found was the nose cone, which was outside of the pressure hull. We then found a large debris field. Within that large debris field we found the front-end bell of the pressure hull. That was the first indication that there was a catastrophic event. Shortly thereafter we found a second smaller debris field. Within that debris field we found the other end of the pressure hull the aft end bell which basically comprises the totality of that pressure vessel. A senior US Navy official has since revealed that, after the Titan was first reported missing on Sunday, its analysts went back and checked their audio data from a top-secret acoustic detection system and found an anomaly. That was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the vessel was operating when communications were lost. The five victims of the Titan tragedy (Dirty Dozen Productions/OceanGate/AFP/Getty) As to what happens now, Rear Admiral Mauger said: I know there are also a lot of questions about how, why and when did this happen. Those are questions we will collect as much information as we can about now. He added that the quest for answers was likely to prove a complex case because the disaster happened in a remote part of the ocean and involved people from several different countries. ROVs will continue to search the Atlantic floor for clues about what exactly happened and when and will map out the debris field, with no timeframe in place at present to dictate how long their search efforts should continue. Rear Admiral Mauger said it was uncertain whether any remains of the five men would ever be found. Hollywood movie director James Cameron, an experienced deep-sea submariner since directing The Abyss (1989) and, even more pertinently, Titanic (1997), has since hit out at the inevitability of the tragedy and said the events of the week felt like a prolonged and nightmarish charade. Close Titan submersible wreckage brought ashore after fatal implosion Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} OceanGate Expeditions, the company that launched the doomed Titan submersible trip to the wreckage of the Titanic, has ceased operations. A small message in the top-left corner of OceanGates website reads: OceanGate has suspended all exploration and commercial operations. The announcement comes a full two weeks after the submersible imploded while carrying five people, sparking an international search, rescue and recovery operation. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his teenage son Suleman Dawood all died in the implosion. The company has come under scrutiny in the weeks following the tragic accident as former employees, former passengers and experts in the industry have criticised OceanGate for embarking on a potentially dangerous trip in the questionably designed submersible. OceanGates decision to cease operations comes just after the companys former finance director claimed she quit after CEO Stockton Rush asked her to captain the Titan once he fired the crafts original chief pilot David Lochridge. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush said he was personally insulted after an industry expert raised concerns about safety flaws in the Titan submersible, which imploded killing five crew members on Sunday. Former OceanGate consultant Rob McCallum warned Rush that he was endangering passengers lives and urged him to stop using the vessel until it had been independently certified, emails reviewed by the BBC showed. Rush dismissed Mr McCallums concerns as baseless cries and accused him of trying to stop innovation in the deep-water submersible industry, the BBC stated. Follow the latest updates on the Titanic sub here On Thursday, Rush was confirmed to have died in a catastrophic implosion of the Titans carbon fibre hull that killed all five crew on board. Mr McCallum, the founder of the deep-sea research and tour company EYOS Expeditions, consulted for OceanGate in 2009 before leaving in part over concerns that Rush was rushing development of the vessel. In a 2018 email, he told Rush that he was potentially placing yourself and your clients in a dangerous dynamic. I implore you to take every care in your testing and sea trials and to be very, very conservative, he wrote. As much as I appreciate entrepreneurship and innovation, you are potentially putting an entire industry at risk. In an eerie warning, Mr McCallum added: In your race to [the] Titanic you are mirroring that famous catch cry: She is unsinkable. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush boasted of bending rules to build the Titan (OceanGate) Rush defended the companys credentials and denied there were any safety issues with the Titan in a heated response a few days later, according to the BBC. OceanGates approach to maritime engineering flies in the face of the submersible orthodoxy, but that is the nature of innovation, he wrote. We have heard the baseless cries of 'you are going to kill someone' way too often. I take this as a serious personal insult, he added. The tense exchange ended when OceanGate threatened legal action against Mr McCallum, he told the BBC. Since the Titan vanished 105 minutes into a dive to the Titanic on Sunday, its emerged that whistleblowers, industry leaders and notable experts like James Cameron held longstanding fears about the vessels design. The Titans carbon fibre hull was incapable of withstanding the pressure of seep-sea expeditions, experts say (PA Media) In March 2018, the chair of the Marine Technology Societys Submarine Committee Will Kohnen wrote to Rush expressing unanimous concern on behalf of the group about the development of 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," he wrote, according to a copy obtained by the New York Times. Cameron, an expert in submarine design, described the Titans construction out of carbon fibre composite as a major flaw in an interview with Reuters. He said the lightweight composite was not designed to withstand the compression which occurs when subs descend to extreme depths. We celebrate innovation, right? But you shouldn't be using an experimental vehicle for paying passengers that aren't themselves deep ocean engineers, Cameron told Reuters. In a resurfaced 2021 interview, Rush appeared to boast of bending rules in order to build the Titan. I have broken some rules to make this. The carbon fibre and titanium... there is a rule that you dont do that. Well, I did, he said. An operation to map out and recover the debris from the Titan using remotely operated vehicles is continuing in the North Atlantic Ocean. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An expert has revealed why a submersible may have suffered a catastrophic implosion under the wreckage of the Titanic last week after five people died. An undersea robot found debris from OceanGates Titan submersible vessel around 487 metres from the Titanics bow at the wreckages depth of 3.8 km after it went missing on Sunday. The submersible had set off with five divers inside looking to explore the wreckage of the Titanic but it had lost contact with the US coastguard one hour and 45 minutes into the dive. It had travelled to the depths of the North Atlantic with five men on board - but the US coastguard concluded it had suffered a catastrophic implosion at such depths, eliminating any hope of rescuing the people inside. Officials investigating what happened have said its too early to work out exactly when and how the implosion happened. But conditions on the ocean floor can give some clues as to how such a tragic event occurred. Why is there so much pressure in deep water? Everyone is exposed to atmospheric pressure, and this changes depending on how high up you are and whether youre at ground level or under water. This pressure has been described by the American Museum of Natural History as a long column of air above your head thats reaching to the top of the atmosphere and pressing down on you. If you go higher, for example, if you climb a mountain, less of that column is pushing down on you, hence the air pressure is lower. The US coastguard concluded that the missing Titan was subject to a catastrophic implosion under the sea (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) When you get to sea level, the pressure is described as one atmosphere, which is about equivalent to one kilogram of weight pushing down on every square centimetre. Once you get under the sea, the column pressing down on you increases significantly because you also have to contend with water, which is far heavier than air. The pressure increases by one atmosphere for every 10 metres of ocean depth. What may have caused the catastrophic implosion? By the time it reached the Titanic wreckage, the Titan submersible would have been facing a pressure of between 375 and 400 atmospheres. Thats equivalent to 4,000 tonnes pushing on an area of one square metre, according to associate professor Eric Fusil, director of the Shipbuilding Hub at Adelaide University. The Titan submersible vessel went down to the wreckage of the Titanic carrying five men (OceanGate Expeditions/PA) (PA Media) Professor Fusil described this pressure as like crushing a can of soda to the size of a very small marble in your hand. The professor told the Sunday Morning Herald that the implosion which destroyed the Titan submersible was a phenomenon where, basically, you are crushing a pressure vessel from the outside. Professor Fusil continued: It results in the instantaneous implosion of that vessel, killing everyone within 20 milliseconds. The human brain, as Professor Fusil describes, isnt able to process information that quickly, and so no one on board would have realised or known what was happening. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The search for Titan, the submersible that went missing last week on an expedition to the Titanic shipwreck, involved rescue teams from the US Navy, the Canadian and US Coast Guard, who brought a retinue of search planes, remotely operated vehicles (ROV), a submarine, a deep sea winch, and classified undersea listening equipment. Also joining the effort was a French ROV team, a British Royal Navy submarine expert, and specialists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Together, they searched an area 900 miles off the US, scouring an area twice the size of Connecticut and two miles deep for the missing sub, until the US Coast Guard confirmed on Thursday that the five-person crew died in a catastrophic implosion. Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here All told, the rescue probably cost taxpayers millions of dollars, according to Chris Boyer, the executive director of the National Association for Search and Rescue, a nonprofit. Its unlikely that OceanGate, the company which built the Titan, will pay for the efforts, Mr Boyer told USA Today, arguing no one should be deterred from seeking emergency aid because of worries about the cost. Experts and rescue teams from the US, Canada, France, and Britain all aided in search for missing submarine (PA Media) Thats their job, he told the paper, though he noted that as private exploration continues to go to new heights and new depths, from the Titanic wreck to space, its worth discussing how public resources are spent. I think its going to become a larger issue for us. Because its not just under the water, he added. We now have private spaceships flying private astronauts into spaceWhat happens when that private spaceship cant come back home? Different jurisdictions handle such questions differently. Some US states like New Hampshire charge for rescue costs when the people at risk are deemed to have engaged in reckless behaviour, while others, like the National Parks Service, dont charge for rescues on their territory. The Coast Guard spent $42,000 rescuing ocean kayaker Cyril Derremaux on a voyage from California to Hawaii, an effort that involved a helicopter and a rescue diver. Rescuers used planes, ROVs, and a submarine to search for expedition (AP) He told The New York Times he was grateful he could call the Coast Guard and that the crew of the missing submarine were worth saving. I would not have called the Coast Guard if it werent a life-threatening situation, he said, adding, I think its part of the human spirit of trying to do things that are really hard for what it teaches us about human resilience, determination and to do things that maybe dont make sense. Paul Zukunft, who previously led the US Coast Guard, told The Washington Post it would be unusual for a private individual or company to pay for their own rescue. Its no different, he said, than if a private citizen goes out and his boat sinks. We go out and recover him. We dont stick them with the bill after the fact. However, he added that the Titan disaster may inspire new rules, as the history of maritime regulations is often written in blood, from lifeboat requirements after the Titanic sank, to regulating steam boilers after a series of onboard explosions. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former President Barack Obama has said that the indictment of his successor Donald Trump shows that nobody is above the law. The 44th president urged people to fight for the institution of democracy. Speaking in an hour-long interview with Christiane Amanpour of CNN entitled Obama & Amanpour: Will Democracy Win?, the ex-commander-in-chief was asked about Mr Trumps legal woes. Its less than ideal, Mr Obama, 61, said. But the fact that we have a former president who is having to answer to charges brought by prosecutors does uphold the basic notion that nobodys above the law, and the allegations will now be sorted out through a court process. Having been president of the United States, you need a president who takes the oath of office seriously, he added. You need a president who believes not just in the letter but in the spirit of democracy. Mr Trump has been indicted on 37 counts related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents, including those pertaining to national security. At least one document concerns US nuclear weaponry, while another involves the nuclear capabilities of a foreign government. Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges and insists he is an innocent man. He has also claimed that he had every right to have these documents. Mr Obama also discussed the extent to which democracy is working in the US, suggesting that the existing institutions needed to be reformed. I do believe that democracy will win if we fight for it, Mr Obama told Ms Amanpour. Our existing democratic institutions are creaky, and were going to have to reform them. The former president said that the attempts to silence critics through changes in the legislative process or intimidate the press were more concerning than the individual actions of Mr Trump. He added that those efforts are right now most prominent in the Republican Party, but I dont think its something that is unique to one party. Close Donald Trump reveals plan after claiming he would end Ukraine war in 24 hours Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump could be indicted by a grand jury investigating his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol riot as early as today. The Independent learned that a possible indictment could be handed down as soon as Thursday or Friday, charging the former president in his third criminal case. Mr Trump announced on Tuesday that he had been sent a letter by special prosecutor Jack Smith informing him that he is the target of a grand jury investigation. The target letter cites three statutes under which he could be charged including conspiracy to commit offence or to defraud the United States, deprivation of rights under colour of law and tampering with a witness, victim or informant, multiple outlets reported. This comes as Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced criminal charges against 16 people who signed certificates falsely declaring Mr Trump won the 2020 election, part of a scheme to upend results in states Joe Biden won. In further legal blows for Mr Trump, a judge shot down his attempt to move his Manhattan criminal charges to federal court, sending the hush money case back to state court in New York City. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Media personality and convicted felon Joe Exotic, also known as the Tiger King, has hit out at Texas Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw after he appeared to attempt to blame the Titan sub-disaster on President Joe Biden. Shortly before 2am ET on Thursday, Mr Crenshaw tweeted that he was hearing reports that the US government unnecessarily delayed the deployment of proper search and recovery equipment from reaching the Titanic, and now time is running out. I also hear that, contrary to [United States Coast Guard] reports, the subs location is actually not a mystery and a small search area is being refined. I would like to know: Have all impediments to deploying the best search teams and equipment been removed? What is the status of the search & recovery mission now? How soon can we safely bring these people home? On Thursday night, after it was revealed that all five people on the Titan are assumed dead after wreckage parts were found, Joe Exotic tweeted at Mr Crenshaw: Quit looking for someone to blame. They built it, got in it and took that risk, launched it and if it imploded no one could have done anything. Hats off to the @USCG and everyone who searched for it. Maybe God just dont want us at the bottom of the ocean to screw with things. This comes after Mr Crenshaws Tuesday afternoon tweet, saying that The United States Coast Guard has access to a highly capable rescue submersible called the Magellan, which is ready to deploy to rescue this lost submarine near the Titanic. But Im hearing disturbing reports that US Coast Guard officials are blocking or delaying the Magellan from being deployed. If true, this is deeply concerning. We should be doing everything in our power to help in this rescue effort and Ive sent an official request for the Magellan to be deployed ASAP. On Tuesday night, he added: There is still no progress on this. Our government is failing massively. All Coast Guard has to do is LET MAGELLAN SAVE THESE PEOPLE and help them get their equipment there. Mr President, you can solve this problem right now and save lives. Please do it. Twitter users were quick to share their surprise at the reality TV star appearing as the voice of reason. Finally the voice of reason weighs in to say stop the madness! lawyer Ron Filipkowski tweeted. Joe Exotic is right. Stop politicizing everything. The Titan tragedy and deaths are not Joe Bidens fault. The Titan tragedy and deaths are not Elon Musk or Starlinks fault. The Titan tragedy and deaths are not the United States Navys fault. The Titan tragedy and deaths are not The United States Coast Guards fault. Accidents happen and sometimes its actually the fault of those responsible. Those who politicize everything usually understand NOTHING, Brian Krassenstein said. When Joe Exotic is the voice of reason in the GOP. You dont have a party, one account holder said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Congresswoman Lauren Boebert has announced she has become a grandmother at the age of 36. Ms Boebert, who has insisted in the past that raising a child is cheaper than paying for birth control, made the announcement while dodging a question about her spat with congressional colleague Marjorie Taylor Greene. Ms Greene called Ms Boebert a "little b****" on the House floor during a spat. Ms Boebert sat down for an interview with Sean Hannity the next day during which he asked about the feud. That's when Ms Boebert revealed she became a grandmother. "Sean, I did not put my life on pause and leave my four boys and my now grandson to come here and just get in spats with people," she told the host. "I came here to legislate and to be effective for Coloradans, Coloradans who are suffering from the Democrats policy. Marjorie is not my enemy. Joe Bidens policy, the Democrats, that is my enemy that I am combating right now." The new grandchild belongs to her 17-year-old son Tyler. Ms Boebert first announced that her child was having a child in April. So Im going to tell you all for the first time in a public setting, that not only am I a mom of four boys, but come April I will be a gigi to a brand new grandson. And Jason and I are so excited to welcome this new life into our family, she told the crowd at a Moms for America event. She told the same crowd that there was something special about rural communities because their teen moms did not abort pregnancies as often as urban teenagers did. Data from the US Centres for Diease Control and Prevention shows that teenage mothers are less likely to finish high school than their childless counterparts. Ms Boebert is a living example of that statistic; she dropped out of high school in 2004 when she became pregnant. She only finished her GED in 2020 a month before her first primary contest during her congressional race. Now my son when I approached him and told him, Tyler, Im going to be a 36-year-old grandmother. He said, well didnt you make granny a 36-year-old granny, Ms Boebert said during the Moms for America event. I said, Yes, I did. He said, Well then its hereditary. She told the audience that she was proud of her sons partner for not seeking an abortion. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former Vice President Mike Pence called for a national 15-week abortion ban, on the day before the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade, during his speech at a gathering of evangelical Christians. Mr Pence spoke at the Faith & Freedom Coalitions Road to Majority Conference and criticised Republicans who have said that abortion has become politically toxic. But let me say from my heart, the cause of life is the calling of our time and we must not rest and must not relent until we restore the sanctity of life to the centre of American law in every state in this country, he said. Many Republicans have feared that the courts overturning of the enshrined right to an abortion led to Republicans losing many winnable races in the 2022 midterm elections. But Mr Pence claimed that Democrats like President Joe Biden were actually the extremists on abortion. Democrats support abortion on demand, all the way up to the moment of birth and taxpayer funding of abortion and they need to be held to account, he said, despite there not being evidence to that effect. We must support efforts in statehouses across the country to protect the unborn, support women facing Crisis pregnancies with new and renewed resources and literally with nearly every nation in Europe, limiting abortion to 12 to 15 weeks. Mr Pence added that Democrats are out of line with other countries. The fact is today abortion law in the United States is more aligned with China and North Korea than with Western nations in Europe, he said. So I want to say from my heart, every Republican candidate for president should support a ban on abortion before 15 weeks as a minimum nationwide standard. Mr Pence is one of many Republican presidents who will attend the Road to Majority conference where conservative evangelical voters are gathering. Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and former president Donald Trump are among the other candidates speaking. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Indiana chapter of extremist group Moms for Liberty has been forced to explain why the first page of its newsletter carries a quote from Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. He alone who owns the youth, gains the future, the quote reads on the front of its June issue. The quote was correctly attributed to Hitler, who was responsible for the murders of six million Jewish people and five million other victims including Romany people, gay people and Soviet prisoners of war. The group later took to its Facebook page to make some sort of an attempt to explain the shocking decision to reference to a murderous Nazi. The quote from a horrific leader should put parents on alert, it read. If the government has control over our children today, they control our countrys future. We The People must be vigilant and protect children from an overreaching government. The move to showcase a Hitler quote comes as the group secured Democratic presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a speaker at its event, The Joyful Warriors National Summit, next week. Other speakers at the event include GOP candidates Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis. Ron DeSantis at the Moms for Liberty 2022 summit (AP) Moms for Liberty was recently classified as an anti-government extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which found in a recent report that it was among a handful of groups pushing to undermine public education and restrict access to books, classroom materials and honest discussions of race, racism, LGBT+ people and gender and sexuality. Hate and anti-government extremist groups are intent on staging public spectacles of hatred to threaten LGBT+ people and other vulnerable communities and minority groups, said Susan Corke, director of the SPLCs Intelligence Project. Moms for Liberty co-founders Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich pushed back on the label in a statement shared with The Independent where they said the group is devoted to empowering parents to be a part of their childs public school education. Name-calling parents who want to be a part of their childs education as hate groups or bigoted just further exposes what this battle is all about: Who fundamentally gets to decide what is taught to our kids in school parents or government employees? they added. We believe that parental rights do not stop at the classroom door and no amount of hate from groups like this is going to stop that. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Presidential primary candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr said that he believes Russia acted in "good faith" when it invaded Ukraine, and claimed the US was largely responsible for the war. Mr Kennedy is running as a Democrat in the 2024 presidential primaries. He made the comments during an interview on SiriusXM's "The Briefing with Steve Scully," according to the HuffPost. Scully asked Mr Kennedy about Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion, which prompted Mr Kennedy to say that "baby steps" towards negotiations were the appropriate path forward. The interviewer then pointed out that Mr Putin has largely dismissed calls for negotiations unless they allow Russia to keep the land it has already occupied in Ukraine. No, no. Putin has repeatedly said yes, Mr Kennedy said. In fact, he negotiated two times he agreed to agreements. He agreed to the Minsk Accord, and then he agreed in 2022 to an agreement that wouldve left Ukraine completely intact. He then blamed the US for forcing "[Ukrainian President Volodomyr] Zelensky to sabotage that agreement." "It was already signed. So you know, the Russians were acting in good faith," he said. "So, no, I think we're the ones who have not been acting in good faith." The US has repeatedly demanded Mr Putin end his invasion, noting that he could end the war at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine. It's not the first time Mr Kennedy has shared pro-Russian opinions; he said earlier this week that the war in Ukraine was a "creation of a relentless mentality of foreign domination" in the US. He has also referred to the conflict as a "proxy war." I abhor Russias brutal and bloody invasion of that nation, Mr Kennedy told an audience in New Hampshire on Tuesday. But we must understand that our government has also contributed to its circumstances through repeated deliberate provocations of Russia going back to the 1990s. Mr Kennedy has been in the news recently after a controversial appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast during which he made anti-vaccine claims. After Dr Peter Hotez, a vaccine scientist and pediatrician who helps develop low-cost vaccines for countries that can't afford more expensive inoculations, criticised the appearance, Mr Kennedy and Rogan demanded the doctor debate them on the podcast. Since then right-wing followers of Rogan and Mr Kennedy have hounded and even reportedly stalked Dr Hotez, who refused the debate offer. Mr Kennedy has chalked up the criticism he has gained for his generally right-wing views as a media conspiracy against him. He was banned on Instagram for sharing vaccine misinformation but was later re-instated after announcing his candidacy. There is not a charitable view toward me in the mainstream media. And, you know, the only thing I would say is that I would urge people not to believe the things that theyre reading about me in the mainstream media, but, you know, listen to my own words and not accept the characterizations as necessarily true," he said. "There seems to be an almost frantic need to discredit me, to marginalize me, to vilify me. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Two of Donald Trumps staunchest allies in Congress have introduced legislation aimed at expunging the former presidents two impeachments. Elise Stefanik, the fourth highest-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives Republican, and rightwing hardliner Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced a pair of resolutions that if enacted would aim to change the record as if such articles had never been passed. While Republicans control the House 222-212, any such vote faces stumbling blocks. First, it would be largely symbolic as both impeachments were televised. Second, Speaker McCarthy would have to agree to bring the vote to the floor of the House. And third, many moderate and swing-district Republicans have distanced themselves from the former president thereby endangering the bill passing. Mr Trump, who is running for re-election in 2024, was twice impeached by the then-Democratic-controlled House, in December 2019 over Ukraine and again in January 2021 for his actions ahead of and during the deadly January 6 attack on the US Capitol by his supporters. Both times he was acquitted by Senate Republicans. In the second impeachment, a bipartisan majority voted to convict the then-president but enough Republicans opposed the move to prevent it reaching the two-thirds majority needed. Mr Trump was just the third president to be impeached by the House and is the only one in US history to have been impeached twice. The effort to expunge his impeachment is without historical precedent. George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley, whose expert advice Republicans sometimes seek, noted that the US Constitution contains no provision for expunging impeachments. It is not like a constitutional DUI. Once you are impeached, you are impeached, Mr Turley told Reuters. He added that expungement could still be historically significant by declaring the earlier impeachments an error, though notes that it is the view of a different Congress at a different time. Georgia congresswoman Ms Greenes resolution would cover the 2019 impeachment, saying Mr Trump was wrongfully accused of misconduct, while New Yorks Ms Stefanik would overturn his 2021 impeachment on grounds that his opponents failed to prove that he committed high crimes and misdemeanors. Speaker Kevin McCarthy, when asked by reporters about the idea, said he supported moving forward the expungement resolutions, but also said they needed to go through committee first, making it unclear when or if it would ever come to the floor for a vote. Democrats called the move questionable, saying it demonstrated Republican fealty to the former president. The legality of doing it is highly questionable. That wont stop the Republicans from doing it, and its just further placating Donald Trump, said Representative Dan Goldman, who was lead Democratic counsel in the 2019 impeachment. With reporting by Reuters Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that Professor Jonathan Turley taught at Georgetown Law. He teaches at George Washington University. This has been corrected. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A police department in Georgia has come under fire after posting pictures of a firearm class in which life-sized photos of a Black man were used as the target. The Villa Rica Police Department has announced that an investigation is underway following the incident, NBC News reports. The department posted the since-removed photos of target practice class on 17 June, sparking backlash within the community and discussions about the potential racial bias behind the choice of target. Some residents rushed to the comment section to note that pictures of real criminals, or even a variety of staged pictures including people from different genders and ethnicities, would have been more sensitive and professional. The department has since issued an apology, noting that it was never [their] intention to be insensitive, inflammatory, or offensive to anyone. The targets utilized in our recent firearms class depict realistic human images and were part of a package which included target images of people from various ethnic groups, the statement read. However, we respect the honest opinions of our fellow citizens and apologize for any offense we may have caused. We invite everyone to attend one of our next citizen firearms classes and share in a positive experience alongside us. In an interview with The Telegraph, Villa Rica Mayor Gil McDougal said he was embarrassed by the pictures. His office is now investigating the incident. I am personally embarrassed by it, and as soon as it was brought to my attention last night I and other city staff began to address this situation, McDougal said. This incident does not reflect the values of this community. The Villa Rica Police Department posted the since-removed photos of target practice class on 17 June (Villa Rica PD) Villa Rica resident Jackie Boyd, who is raising her biracial family in the town 30 miles west of Atlanta, said in a Facebook post that the choice of pictures was a disservice to the community and could potentially be dangerous. Using an image of a Black man over and over and over as a target for a gun safety class encourages and trains people to be biased, encourages stereotypes, and further divides our city, she wrote. Police chief Michael Mansour claimed the officer tasked with posting the pictures mistakenly only chose those who featured a Black individual (Villa Rica PD) Police chief Michael Mansour told NBC that other departments in the state have used the pictures for training and that other life-sized targets featured pictures of Asian and white men. Chief Mansour claimed the officer tasked with posting the pictures mistakenly only chose those who featured a Black individual. Its just an innocent mistake, but it was a mistake, Chief Mansour told the network. And Im very transparent in saying that we messed up. But at no time will I accept people telling me Im a racist, or our department is a racist because we made a mistake. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Five crew members are confirmed to have died after the Titanic tourist submarine they were travelling in to see the site of the wreckage suffered a catastrophic explosion, officials said. The OceanGate Expeditions sub went missing on Sunday after losing contact with its mothership an hour and 45 minutes into the journey. Four days later, the US Coast Guard confirmed the vessel had imploded and the people on board were believed dead. The US Coast Guard offered its deepest condolences to the families after the tail cone of the submersible was found around 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage. 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 all aboard the Titan. The operator of the submersible, OceanGate Expeditions, takes paying tourists to visit the site of the infamous ocean liner. Where is the Titanic wreckage? The RMS Titanic's final resting spot is approximately 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada in the North Atlantic Ocean. It sank in 1912, killing approximately 1,500 people on board. Its coordinates are 414332N, 495649W. The wreckage was discovered in 1985 and named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012. Since its discovery and thanks in part to James Cameron's iconic film about the ship's final hours the ship and its fate have captured the public's imagination. Why did the Titanic sink and how many people died? The ship famously began to sink after it struck an iceberg just before midnight during its maiden voyage. The collision caused a dent in the ships submerged hull, which then caused its seams to buckle. Five of its interior compartments flooded, dooming the ship. The ship sank for hours, but it only carried enough lifeboats to evacuate approximately half of the passengers. Shortly after 2am, the ships sinking accelerated as its deck dipped below the waterline. The ships stern rose out of the water, exposing the propeller, and then snapped in half. Its stern remained nearly vertical for several minutes before it crashed back to the waves and sunk. Many of the passengers and crew who fell into the icy waters died within minutes due to cardiac arrest due to cold exposure or drowning. A total of 1,500 passengers died. The list of weathy and notable passengers who died on the ship helped to secure the Titanics place in history. Among the dead was John Jacob Astor IV, who was believed to be among the richest men in the world at the time he died. His net worth was estimated to be $87m, which would be the equivalent of $2.4bn in 2022. The ships wreckage eventually settled on the ocean floor approximately 12,500 feet or 3,800 m below the surface. How long did it take to find the Titanic? The Titanic wreckage was discovered 73 years after it sank, in 1985, when the first underwater images were transmitted back to researchers. The ship was found after eight days of searching, and was located by a joint FrenchAmerican expedition led by Jean-Louis Michel and Robert Ballard. In 2012, the wreckage became a UNESCO World Heritage site. Despite the offerings of a chance to see the wreckage, very few people have actually taken the journey to the ships remains. Only 250 people have ever visited, as an eight-day diving tour costs approximately $250,000 per guest, according to the OceanGate website. Researchers and tourists may be in a rush to visit the site, as experts believe that the quickly eroding remains may be fully lost by the year 2030. Current research at the site is barred from removing or disturbing the remains at the site. OceanGate Expeditions Titan submersible was thought to be capable of extremely deep dive expeditions, including those to visit the Titanic wreckage and carry enough life support equipment to keep a crew of five alive for up to 96 hours, according to its website. It is unclear when or where the Titan imploded though the Coast Guard said sonar buoys would have likely picked up the sound if they had been in place. This map shows the approximate position of the wreck of the RMS Titanic (Google Maps) In a statement, OceanGate Inc said: 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. These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} In the days after OceanGate chief executive Stockton Rush and his four-paying crew members went missing on their dive to the wreck of the Titanic, experts had several theories as to their fate. Perhaps the group had managed to surface and were awaiting rescue amid the Atlantic waves. Perhaps they were trapped underwater within the hull of their broken-down submersible, running out of air. Or perhaps they had suffered the worst-case scenario: a sudden, catastrophic hull breach, causing their sub to rapidly buckle under the crushing pressure of the water above them. Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic sub On 26 June, those worst fears were confirmed when the US Coast Guard announced that it had found pieces of the Titan submersible scattered across the ocean floor about 1,600 feet from the bow of the ill-fated ocean liner. But what exactly caused the Titan to implode? While we dont yet know the truth of what happened, we do know enough to have some idea of what might have sealed the subs fate. An unusual design for a deadly environment The Titan set off from its mothership, the Polar Prince, on Sunday 18 June, heading for the remains of the Titanic some 3,800 metres below the surface of the ocean. Communications ceased about an hour and 45 minutes later when the sub was probably close to the bottom of its dive. At that depth, any object including a human body is subject to water pressure more than 300 times stronger than the pressure Earths atmosphere exerts on us every day. On the surface, we only need to withstand 14.7 lbs per square inch (Psi) of pressure, whereas the Titan had to withstand 5,500 Psi. The Titan was designed to survive this level of pressure, with two strong titanium domes at either end of the hull linked by a five-inch-thick cylinder of carbon fibre. According to reports, it was subjected to rigorous safety checks before every dive to make sure there were no defects or faults in the hull. Carbon fibre is an unusual material for a deep-sea submersible because it is weaker than the solid steel or titanium of which such vessels are usually made. While widely-used in aircraft, it was largely untested in deep-sea diving. OceanGates Titan sub (PA Media) That was a calculated choice by OceanGate founder Stockton Rush, who believed that the material was more viable for such dives than commonly credited. Unlike metal, carbon fibre is naturally buoyant beyond 2,000 metres, meaning the Titan could be far lighter and cheaper than previous subs. Youre remembered for the rules you break, Rush told YouTuber Alan Estrada in 2021. Ive broken some rules to make this. I think Ive broken them with logic and good engineering behind me. To offset this weaker material, the Titan was equipped with a real-time hull health monitoring system that could, in theory, detect any deformations, cracks, or other faults rapidly enough for the crew to attempt an emergency ascent. Yet such depths offer little margin for error. If even one part of the hull fails and lets in water, the pressure would be so great, and the velocity of the incoming liquid so fast, that the sub and its occupants might be torn apart in mere milliseconds, monitoring system or not. Indeed, a report in The Wall Street Journal suggests that whatever happened to the Titan, happened very fast. Despite claims that rescuers had picked up tapping sounds every 30 minutes, suggesting the crew might still be alive and signalling for help, military insiders told WSJ that a top-secret US Navy system for detecting enemy submarines had heard an implosion soon after the Titan lost communications. So what might have caused the hull to fail? The answers may lie within a lawsuit filed against OceanGate by one of its most senior former employees. Critical safety concerns about the Titans hull and porthole Now is the time to properly address items that may pose a safety risk to personnel. Verbal communication of [these problems] has been dismissed on several occasions, so I feel now I must make this report so there is an official record in place. So wrote OceanGates then director of marine operations David Lochridge on 18 January 2018, according to a complaint filed by his lawyers as part of a court battle against the underseas tourism company. Lochridge had begun working with OceanGate in 2015 and was allegedly tasked with conducting a final safety review of the Titan. His lawsuit, later settled out of court, claimed that he raised critical safety concerns about the subs experimental and untested design only to be fired for his troubles. Issues of quality control with the new submersible were raised, as there were evident flaws throughout the build process, the lawsuit alleged, noting that no carbon fibre submersible had ever achieved its target depth of 4,000 metres. The OceanGate Expeditions submersible vessel named Titan (PA Media) It argued that the carbon fibre hull was vulnerable to small defects being widened into large tears by the constant changes of pressure, and claimed that visible flaws were found in samples of the material produced for the Titan. Indeed, Mr Rush would later admit to GeekWire after test dives in the Bahamas that the Titans hull showed signs of cyclic fatigue, meaning it had been stressed by repeated pressure changes. Trips to theTitanic were delayed while these problems were addressed. Lochridge was also sceptical about the real-time monitoring system, which he believed would only show when a component was very close to failure perhaps only milliseconds before an implosion. The lawsuit alleges that he pressed for the hull to be tested more rigorously but was denied. Worse, the lawsuit claims that the Titans single porthole was only certified to withstand the pressure at 1,300 metres and that OceanGate refused to pay for a porthole certified to 4,000 metres. Paying passengers would not be aware, and would not be informed, of this experimental design, the lack of non-destructive testing of the hull, or that hazardous flammable materials were being used within the submersible, the lawyers said. In its response, OceanGate said that Lochridge is not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan. It said he was fired not for raising safety concerns but for refusing to accept assurances from the companys lead engineer that its chosen testing methods were better suited to the situation than he believed. OceanGate told The Associated Press that the missing Titan vessel was finished in 2020-21 - so not the same as the vessel described in Mr Lochridges lawsuit. A rule-breaking CEO who refused outside regulation Mr Lochridge was not the only person concerned about OceanGates methods. In 2018, 38 members of the Marine Technology Societys Manned Underwater Vehicles committee wrote to Stockton Rush expressing unanimous concern about the way Titan had been developed. According to The New York Times, the committee was alarmed that OceanGate had not subjected Titan to a standard risk assessment by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), an international maritime classification body that writes and maintains technical standards for undersea vehicles. While this may demand additional time and expense, 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, the letter said. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) OceanGate defended its decision in a 2019 blog post. When OceanGate was founded the goal was to pursue the highest reasonable level of innovation in the design and operation of manned submersibles. By definition, innovation is outside of an already accepted system... the company wrote. Bringing an outside entity up to speed on every innovation before it is put into real-world testing is anathema to rapid innovation. And, because the Polar Prince and the Titan operated in international waters, they were not subject to regulation by any country including a US law requiring passenger submersibles to be registered with the Coast Guard. In the early days of the Toyota Motor Company, engineers were trained to diagnose a problem by repeating the question Why? five times. If a car wont start, the first why might establish that there is a problem with the engine, but the fifth why might reveal that the engine was poorly constructed because its builders were badly trained and underpaid. Therefore asking why the Titan imploded must eventually lead us to examine Stockton Rush, his attitude to safety, and the nature of OceanGate and its goals. 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 told Smithsonian Magazine in 2019. But it also hasnt innovated or grown because they have all these regulations. Privately, in response to a letter from an OceanGate consultant imploring him to be more cautious, Rush reportedly said he was tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation. He declared: We have heard the baseless cries of you are going to kill someone way too often. I take this as a serious personal insult. The Titan was not a pure research vessel from a government agency or coalition of universities. It was a commercial vehicle, designed to help OceanGate turn regular Titanic voyages and, eventually, the exploitation of undersea resources into a profitable business, and its design followed from that reality. Already many observers are asking the next set of whys, questioning the nature of the adventure industry, the wisdom of the super-rich, and the morality of ferrying paying tourists to perhaps the worlds most famous underwater mass grave. Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night, said James Cameron, the director of the 1999 hit film about the ocean liner, who is also an experienced undersea explorer. Those questions, however, are harder to answer, and may be debated for just as long as the meaning of the Titanic itself. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Abortion pills will remain legal in Wyoming for now, after a judge ruled Thursday that the states first-in-the-nation law to ban them wont take effect on 1 July as planned while a lawsuit proceeds. Attorneys for Wyoming failed to show that the ban wouldnt harm the plaintiffs before their lawsuit is resolved, Teton County Judge Melissa Owens ruled after hearing arguments from both sides. Meanwhile, those plaintiffs have clearly showed probable success on the merits, Judge Owens said. While other states have instituted de facto bans on the medication by broadly prohibiting abortion, only Wyoming has specifically banned abortion pills. The US Supreme Court ruled in April that access to one of the two pills, mifepristone, may continue while litigants seek to overturn the Food and Drug Administrations approval of it. Wyomings pill ban is being challenged by four women, including two obstetricians, and two nonprofit organizations. One of the groups, Wellspring Health Access, opened as the states first full-service abortion clinic in years in April following an arson attack in 2022. Theyre are also suing to stop a near-total ban on abortion enacted in Wyoming in March. Judge Owens has suspended that law, too, and combined the two lawsuits. Because abortion remains legal in Wyoming, banning abortion pills would require women to get more invasive surgical abortions instead, Marci Bramlet, an attorney for the ban opponents told Owens in Thursdays hearing. It effectively tells people you must have open-heart surgery when a stent would do, Ms Bramlet said. A state constitutional amendment enacted in 2012 also came into play in court arguments. The amendment passed in response to the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obamas health care law, says Wyoming residents have the right to make their own health care decisions. Wyomings new abortion laws allow exceptions to save life and for cases of rape or incest that are reported to police. But abortion for other reasons isnt health care under the amendment, Jay Jerde, an attorney for the state, argued. Its not restoring a womans body from pain, injury or physical sickness, he said. Medical services are involved, but getting an abortion for reasons other than health care, it cant be a medical decision. A patient prepares to take the first of two combination pills, mifepristone (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Pregnancy involves pain and sickness, Judge Owens pointed out. But women dont get abortions for that reason, countered Mr Jerde. Attorneys for the plaintiffs later questioned how the state could know the motives of women getting abortions. Wyomings new laws were enacted after the US Supreme Court struck down Roe v Wade last year. Since then, some 25 million women and teenagers have been subjected to either stricter controls on ending their pregnancies or almost total bans on the procedure. In central Wyoming, services at Wellspring Health Access include pill abortions a method for ending pregnancy that is used in more than half of all US abortions, said Julie Burkhart, Wellsprings president, in a statement. Medication abortion is safe, effective, and has been approved by the FDA for more than two decades, Ms Burkhart said. Previously only one other clinic in Wyoming a womens health center in Jackson, some 250 miles (400 kilometers) away offered pill abortions. Wyoming officials didnt immediately return a request for comment but previously have promised to vigorously defend the legality of the new laws. In recent years, abortions using two kinds of pills, usually taken days apart, have become the preferred method for ending pregnancy in the US, in part because the process offers a less invasive alternative to surgical abortions. Until Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed the legislation outlawing medication abortions, no state had passed a law specifically prohibiting abortion pills, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. However, 13 states enacted blanket abortion bans that included medical abortions and 15 states already had limited access to the pills. Starting with an abortion ban that was set to take effect last summer, Owens has now blocked three abortion bans signed into law by Gordon, the Republican governor who appointed her. She serves GOP-dominated Sublette and Fremont counties as well as Teton County, an ultra-wealthy and not-so-Republican area many Wyomingites dont see as representative of their state. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Vladimir Putins security chiefs say they have launched a criminal case against the head of the countrys mercenary forces for allegedly calling for armed mutiny. In an explosive rant on Telegram, Yevgeny Prigozhin vowed to stop the evil of the Kremlins top brass, whom he accused of destroying his fighters and concocting lies to justify invading Ukraine - saying Vladimir Putin had been deceived by the defence ministry. The Russian president had been briefed and necessary measures are being taken, Moscows Interfax news agency said in response, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. The millionaire head of private military contractor Wagner on Friday accused his countrys defence ministry of trying to deceive society and Mr Putin with fabricated claims of Ukrainian aggression for their own personal gain. The defence ministry quickly issued a denial of the accusations, calling them an informational provocation. And the Tass news agency reported the Federal Security Service (FSB) had opened criminal action against him, citing the National Antiterrorism Committee. The committee called on Mr Prigozhin to stop illegal actions, Tass said. Mr Prigozhin has for months been openly feuding with defence minister Sergei Shoigu and Russias top general, Valery Gerasimov, accusing them of rank incompetence. But on Friday, he for the first time dismissed Russias core justification for invading Ukraine on 24 February last year. In a video on his Telegram channel, he said: There was nothing out of the ordinary happening on February 24 ... the defence ministry is trying to deceive society and the president and tell us a story about how there was crazy aggression from Ukraine and that they were planning to attack us with the whole of Nato. The official version was a beautiful story, he claimed. The war was needed ... so that Shoigu could become a marshal ... so that he could get a second Hero [of Russia] medal. The war wasnt needed to demilitarise or denazify Ukraine. Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin (AP) An unverified video posted on the Razgruzka Wagner (Wagners Combat Vest) Telegram channel suggested that on Mr Shoigus orders, the Russian military launched a missile attack on Wagner camps, causing many victims. Mr Prigozhin vowed to avenge the alleged attack, saying: There are 25,000 of us and we are going to figure out why chaos is happening in the country. But he added: This is not a military coup. He said details of what had occurred were just emerging, but added: The minister of defence arrived specially in Rostov to carry out an operation to destroy the Wagner PMC [private military company]. The Wagner chief claimed the war had also been needed to enrich the ruling elite who, he said, were not satisfied with the commercial potential of part of Ukraines Donbas region that Moscow seized control of in 2014 via a proxy separatist force. The task was to divide material assets [in Ukraine], he said. There was massive theft in the Donbas, but they wanted more. He went on: Those who destroyed our lads, who destroyed the lives of many tens of thousands of Russian soldiers, will be punished. I ask that no one offer resistance. Last month Mr Prigozhin stood in front of the bloodied bodies of some of his dead troops in Ukraine and yelled expletive-riddled insults at Russian military leaders, blaming them for the carnage. They came here as volunteers and they died to let you lounge in your red wood offices, he shouted. Those who dont give us ammunition will be eaten alive in hell! Close Crimean Bridge badly damaged after multiple blasts in early hours For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Russia is imposing restrictions on British diplomats, demanding they give five days notice before travelling further than 75 miles in retaliation against hostile actions. Moscow summoned senior diplomat Tom Dodd to its foreign ministry to tell him of the move on Thursday. He was also given a dressing down for Britains support of what the Kremlin deems Ukraines terrorist actions and for allegedly obstructing Russian diplomacy in the UK. British diplomats, apart from the ambassador and three other top officials, will have to give at least five days notice of travel outside the 75-mile free movement zone. The move came after MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore urged Russians angry at president Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine to spy for Britain. He told them our door is always open and we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end Elsewhere, Chinas consulate building in Odesa has been damaged in a Russian missile and drone attack, a Ukrainian official said. Regional governor Oleh Kiper posted a photograph showing the building with broken windows. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ukraine has signalled that the main push in its counteroffensive against Russias troops is still to come with key forces not yet deployed and the current operation intended to set up the battlefield. Ukraine says it has retaken eight villages in the early stages of its most ambitious assault since Russias full-scale invasion 16 months ago, but President Volodymyr Zelensky said this week that gains had been slower than desired. Addressing the pace of the Ukrainian advances, three senior officials sent the clearest signal yet that the main part of the counteroffensive has not yet begun. Offensive operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue in a number of areas. Formation operations are under way to set up the battlefield, presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter. The counteroffensive is not a new season of a Netflix show. There is no need to expect action and buy popcorn. The deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar said the main events of the counteroffensive were ahead of us. And the main blow is still to come. Indeed, some of the reserves these are staged things will be activated later, Ms Maliar told Ukrainian television. Although the advances Ukraine has reported this month are its first substantial gains on the battlefield for seven months, Ukrainian forces have yet to push to the main defensive lines that Russia has had months to prepare. I want to say that our main force has not been engaged in fighting yet, and we are now searching, probing for weak places in the enemy defences. Everything is still ahead, Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraines ground forces, told The Guardian. Moscow has sought to portray the Ukrainian counteroffensive as a failure. It says Kyivs forces have suffered heavy losses, while Ukraine says Russia has lost many soldiers in heavy fighting since the counterattack began. Ukraine has prepared new military units for its long-awaited counteroffensive, including 12 new brigades, but only three of them have been seen in combat so far. It has also received an array of weapons from its Western allies to help it take back swathes of territory occupied by Russia. Mr Podolyak said that the time Ukraine had needed to convince its Western partners to provide the necessary weapons had given the Russian military the opportunity to dig in and strengthen their defence lines. Breaking the Russian front today requires a reasonable and balanced approach. The life of a soldier is the most important value for Ukraine today, he said. Elsewhere, the UKs Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in its daily intelligence update that Russia is increasing the number of trained marine mammals at the Black Sea fleets main base at Sevastopol, including dolphins meant to detect and counter enemy divers. It added that the Russian navy is investing in major enhancements to the base, which is on the Russian-annexed peninsula of Crimea. Kyiv says one of the aims of its counteroffensive is to return all Russian-occupied land to its control. The MoD said the changes includes at least four layers of nets and booms across the harbour entrance. It added: In recent weeks, these defences have highly likely also been augmented by an increased number of trained marine mammals. Imagery shows a near doubling of floating mammal pens in the harbour which highly likely contain bottle-nosed dolphins. In Arctic waters, the navy also uses Beluga whales and seals. Russia has trained animals for a range of missions, but the ones housed in Sevastopol harbour are highly likely intended to counter enemy divers. In Kyiv, Mr Zelensky said there would be personnel changes following an inquest into the state of Ukraines bomb shelters after three people were locked out on the street and killed during an air raid. Their deaths in Kyiv on 1 June caused public outrage. Mr Zelensky said he had chaired a meeting of the National Security and Defence Council and discussed the security of the Ukrainian people, judicial reforms and Ukraines accession to the European Union. In general, today we have reviewed the situation with shelters in the regions, districts, and cities which are terrorised by the enemy most intensely, Mr Zelensky said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app. The conclusions are disappointing. Almost all over the country. The situation is especially cynical and shameful in those cities that have significant financial resources, but, unfortunately, have other priorities. Personnel decisions will be made. The president also said Ukraines top security chiefs and top government officials discussed how to advance with judicial and anti-corruption reforms, seen as crucial by Ukraines Western partners, international financial institutions and investors. Mr Zelensky said the council wanted to strengthen criminal liability for corruption offences in the judiciary. Reuters A bloke standing in the cold on a bit of grass in Canberra is not a threat to our national security, said Australias prime minister, Anthony Albanese, on Friday responding to reports that a suspected Russian diplomat is squatting on the land of a proposed embassy. Earlier this month, Australia passed a law to prevent Moscow from moving its embassy from a Canberra suburb to a site close to the Australian parliament and Chinas embassy. Moscow says it has spent AU$5.5m (2.9m) on the site since it was granted the lease in 2008 and has accused Australia of Russophobic hysteria for cancelling the lease. Completed works include fencing and a single perimeter building that was to be part of a planned complex of several buildings. The Australian newspaper reported on Thursday that a Russian diplomat was squatting on the land under the watch of police, who were apparently unable to arrest him as he has diplomatic immunity. There was no official response from the Russian embassy in Canberra by Friday afternoon, but Russias state RIA news agency quoted the mission as saying that it had taken the matter to Australias High Court and various people were involved For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Workers at more than 150 Starbucks locations are set to go on strike over allegations that they were banned from putting up Pride decorations. The union Starbucks Workers United said that 3,000 workers will strike at the more than 150 stores over the course of the next week. The union is demanding that all Starbucks locations be allowed to display Pride decorations to support the LGBT+ community. Starbucks has rejected the allegations, saying that the company hasnt issued any policies or guidance telling stores to remove Pride decorations. The union alleges that the company didnt allow some stores to decorate their coffee shops for Pride Month or that they ordered that decorations be taken down after they had already been put up. In a statement shared with The Independent, the union said that this is the latest in Starbuckss retaliation against workers, which includes threatening workers access to existing benefits, denying new benefits to union stores, firing worker leaders like Lexi Rizzo, and other illegal attempts to dissuade partners from organizing. Moe Mills, a shift supervisor in Richmond Heights, west of St Louis, Missouri said that Starbucks is scared of the power that their queer partners hold, and they should be. Their choice to align themselves with other corporations that have withdrawn their support of the queer community in the time we need it most shows that they are not the inclusive company they promote themselves to be. The strike action comes amid a rightwing backlash against Target and Bud Light over their Pride Month activities. Were striking with pride to show the public who Starbucks really is, and to let them know were not going anywhere, Mr Mills added. In its statement, the union called Starbucks one of the worst violators of labor law in modern US history. Starbucks United pointed to several instances of Pride decorations being taken down. One viral video shared on TikTok allegedly shows managers taking down Pride decorations. State Street Starbucks in Madison, Wisconsin tweeted from an unofficial account on 11 June: Happy Pride month from State Street, today Starbucks made our store take down all of our Pride decorations! But theyll make money off of the Pride cups and celebrate Pride wherever it looks good for them. In a video shared on TikTok, a worker in Atlanta, Georgia spoke out about not being allowed to decorate for Pride Month. Staff in Columbus, Ohio filmed a customer getting rid of her drink after seeing the district manager take down Pride flags. In a letter, a Starbucks manager said the decision was made to create consistency across stores. A manager in the Mid-Atlantic region texted a similar message to staff, telling them not to buy Pride decorations. The union also shared a number of instances where Starbucks staff posted on Reddit about the taking down of Pride decorations. In its statement to The Independent, Starbucks said, We unwaveringly support the LGBTQIA2+ community. There has been no change to any policy on this matter and we continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for US Pride Month in June. Were deeply concerned by false information that is being spread especially as it relates to our inclusive store environments, our company culture, and the benefits we offer our partners, the company said. Starbucks has a history that includes more than four decades of recognizing and celebrating our diverse partners and customersincluding year-round support for the LGBTQIA2+ community. As a company, we will always use our voice to advocate for greater understanding on the importance of inclusion and diversity across the communities we serve around the world. We are investigating isolated issues to ensure all stores are aligned to our longstanding guidance, which allow partners and local leaders to display their support for a variety of heritage months. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police in the UK have blamed an Android smartphone update on a record increase in accidental 999 calls. The National Police Chiefs Council said the Emergency SOS function was resulting in emergency switchboards being overwhelmed by silent calls. The emergency feature is activated when a side button on a device is repeatedly pressed, which triggers a countdown that allows the action to be cancelled by dragging a slider across the screen. However, many users appear to inadvertently initiate emergency calls when their device is in a bag or pocket. Nationally, all emergency services are currently experiencing record high 999 call volumes, the National Police Chiefs Council said. Theres a few reasons for this, but one we think is having a significant impact is an update to Android smartphones. Recommended Facebook and Instagram to block news in Canada Met Police chief superintendent Dan Ivey said people should disable the emergency feature, claiming that an unprecedented number of calls to emergency lines in June were a result of people accidentally activating it. The majority of smartphone owners in the UK use Android, with Samsung, Huawei and Google Pixel phones all using the mobile operating system. Google, which first began rolling out the Emergency SOS update with the release of Android 12 in 2021, said that it was working with these smartphone manufacturers in order to resolve the issue. To help these manufacturers prevent unintentional emergency calls on their devices, Android is providing them with additional guidance and resources, a spokesperson for Google said. We anticipate device manufacturers will roll out updates to their users that address this issue shortly. Users that continue to experience this issue should switch Emergency SOS off for the next couple of days. The feature can be deactivated within the Safety and Emergency section of Androids settings. Android researcher Mishaal Rahman noted on Twitter that the issue also appeared to impact other law enforcement agencies around the world, including police in Canada and Europe. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Googles AI division DeepMind has unveiled a self-improving robot agent capable of teaching itself new tasks without human supervision. DeepMind claims that its RoboCat AI model is the first in the world to be able to learn and solve a variety of problems using various real-world robots like robotic arms. Data generated from the robots actions allows the AI to improve its technique, which can then be transferred to other robotic systems. The London-based company, which Google acquired in 2014, said the technology marks significant progress towards building general-purpose robots that can perform everyday tasks. RoboCat learns much faster than other state-of-the-art models, DeepMind researchers wrote in a blog post detailing its latest artificial intelligence. It can pick up a new task with as few as 100 demonstrations because it draws from a large and diverse dataset. This capability will help accelerate robotics research, as it reduces the need for human-supervised training, and is an important step towards creating a general-purpose robot. Recommended Robots can now learn new skills by watching videos RoboCat was inspired by DeepMinds AI model Gato, which learns by analysing text, images and events. Researchers trained RoboCat by showing demonstrations of a human-controlled robot arm performing tasks, such as fitting shapes through holes and picking up pieces of fruit. RoboCat was then left to train by itself, steadily improving as it performed the task an average of 10,000 times without supervision. The AI-powered robot trained itself to perform 253 tasks during DeepMinds experiments, across four different types of robots. It was also able to adapt its self-improvement training to transition from a two-fingered to a three-fingered robot arm. Further development could see the AI learn previously unseen tasks, the researchers claimed. RoboCat has a virtuous cycle of training: the more new tasks it learns, the better it gets at learning additional new tasks, the blog post stated. These improvements were due to RoboCats growing breadth of experience, similar to how people develop a more diverse range of skills as they deepen their learning in a given domain. The research follows a growing trend of self-teaching robotic systems, which hold the promise of realising the long-envisioned sci-fi trope of domesticated robots. Engineers from Carnegie Mellon University announced this month that they had built a robot capable of learning new skills by watching videos of humans performing them. The team demonstrated a robot that was able to open drawers and pick up knives in order to chop fruit, with each household task taking just 25 minutes to learn. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Harvard University plans to use an AI chatbot similar to ChatGPT as an instructor on its flagship coding course. Students enrolled on the Computer Science 50: Introduction to Computer Science (CS50) programme will be encouraged to use the artificial intelligence tool when classes begin in September. The AI teacher will likely be based on OpenAIs GPT 3.5 or GPT 4 models, according to course instructors. Our own hope is that, through AI, we can eventually approximate a 1:1 teacher:student ratio for every student in CS50, as by providing them with software-based tools that, 24/7, can support their learning at a pace and in a style that works best for them individually, CS50 professor David Malan told The Harvard Crimson. Providing support thats tailored to students specific questions has long been a challenge at scale via edX and OpenCourseWare more generally, with so many students online, so these features will benefit students both on campus and off. The AI teaching bot will offer feedback to students, helping to find bugs in their code or give feedback on their work, Professor Malan said. Its arrival comes amid a huge surge in popularity of AI tools, with OpenAIs ChatGPT becoming the fastest growing app of all time since its launch in November 2022. The chatbot reached 100 million active users within two months of being unveiled, with users enticed by its ability to perform a range of tasks from writing poetry and essays, to generating computer code. Artificial Intelligence The Courts (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press) Other AI tools that have since launched to compete with ChatGPT include Googles Bard, which features similar capabilities to its rival. A recent update for Bard has allowed it to not just write code but also execute it by itself, which Google claims allows it to figure out problems on a far deeper level than current generative AI systems. Accuracy and AI hallucinations remain a significant issue with such technology, with Google warning that Bard wont always be right despite the upgrade. Professor Malan said students would be warned of the pitfalls of the AI, saying they should always think critically when presented with information. But the tools will only get better through feedback from students and teachers alike, he said. So they, too, will be very much part of the process. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Meta has announced plans to remove all news content from Facebook and Instagram in Canada ahead of a new law coming into effect that would force the platforms to share revenue with publishers. The Online News Act, known as Bill C-18, will force big technology companies to compensate news publishers for content that appears on their platforms, with Google also impacted by the legislation. Today, we are confirming that news availability will be ended on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada prior to the Online News Act (Bill C-18) taking effect, Facebook said in a blog post. We have repeatedly shared that in order to comply with Bill C-18, passed today in Parliament, content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to people accessing our platforms in Canada. Ottawa has said the law creates a level playing field between online advertising giants and the shrinking news industry. Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez has promised to push back on what he describes as threats from Facebook and Google to remove journalism from their platforms. Recommended Elon Musk confirms cage fight with Mark Zuckerberg Metas plan to comply with the new law by blocking all news will also likely be harmful for news organisations, who derive web traffic from stories posted to Facebook and Instagram. The tech giant did not offer details about the timeline for the move, with the bill set to come into force six months after it receives royal assent. Meta, which is based in Menlo Park, California, has taken similar steps in the past. In 2021, it briefly blocked news from its platform in Australia after the country passed legislation that would compel tech companies to pay publishers for using their news stories. It later struck deals with Australian publishers. Laura Scaffidi, a spokesperson for the minister, said Mr Rodriguez was set to have a meeting Thursday afternoon with Google, which has hinted that removing news links from its popular search engine is a possibility. The company didnt provide comment on the matter. Meta is already undergoing a test that blocks news for up to five percent of its Canadian users, and Google ran a similar test earlier this year. The Online News Act requires both companies to enter into agreements with news publishers to pay them for news content that appears on their sites if it helps the tech giants generate money. Ms Scaffidi said: The tech giants do not have obligations under the act immediately after Bill C-18 passes. As part of this process, all details will be made public before any tech giant is designated under the act. Additional reporting from agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Twitter trolls who suggested a ship carrying the first wave of the Windrush generation should have sunk have been taken down following public criticism. On June 22, 1948, HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury in Essex with around 500 workers aboard from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. They were among the first of the Windrush generation people who had travelled to the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries as part of a scheme to help fill post-war labour shortages. On 75th anniversary of Windrush, Sunder Katwala, director of independent think tank British Future, told the PA news agency about a series of offensive tweets. One anonymous user with a profile image of a St Georges flag had suggested that the then-prime minister Clement Attlee should have told the Royal Navy to sink it in the middle of the Atlantic. The user had also argued that black and Jewish people could not be British. Initially, complaints about the account were rejected despite MPs receiving assurances in the past that such comments probably violated Twitter rules. Mr Katwala was tagged in a further tweet by another user, which stated: Should have sunk it just as we should be sinking the illegals coming to our shores. He had reported that offensive post too, but on Thursday had yet to receive a response from moderators. PA had attempted to contact Twitter on Thursday for a comment. By Friday afternoon, both accounts appeared to have been removed or suspended from the micro-blogging site. Mr Katwala said: It is good that the right decision has been made in this case after the indefensible decision to declare this incessant racism within the rules was challenged publicly. My concern is that the Twitter moderation system is invariably getting the most clear cut cases wrong so users are not getting the protection they need most of the time. Previously, the author and prominent social commentator had said that public figures including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, ministers and MPs face daily racism because of the failures of social media platforms. So you cant participate in public space on equal terms without experiencing racism, even though in every other sphere of life, if youre on the train, on the bus, or in the playground, or in business, people cant do that anymore, because we have social norms and we uphold them. Theres no enforcement at all of the most basic social norms even when put in the most vitriolic terms, he said. Allowing the views of a tiny minority to be amplified on social media skewed how the younger generation saw progress in the real world, leaving an impression society was going backwards, no forwards, he suggested. Mr Katwala had said social media does have the ability to step up to tackle online hate, as happened after the Christchurch terror attack in New Zealand and after Euro 2020 racist abuse. But he added on Thursday: It is very clear to me that Twitter is now taking the most extreme content considerably less seriously than two years ago. How far that is a policy decision under new ownership and how far a reduction in staff capacity is less clear. The type of very extreme content they would take down when challenged is much more likely to stay up for much longer now. If the platform is not going to act, the case for external regulation gets stronger. Mr Katwala has recently published a new book, How To Be A Patriot, which is a personal account of what it is to be British. He joined a celebration of the 75th anniversary at the National Windrush Monument in Waterloo, south London, and at a special service at Southwark Cathedral. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Frontier Airlines gate agent was accused of being rude after shouting at passengers who approached the bridge while boarding a flight from Denver, Colorado to Norfolk, Virginia. The woman was caught on camera snapping at passengers and telling them to: Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up! Weve gotta go. She also warned those at the gate: Weve got to close the doors, Im already two minutes late! The footage was posted to Instagram by Bonnie Rushing with the caption: Frontier airlines always doing the most to provide top notch customer service. Seriously, what is this? People just trying to board the plane without getting PTSD. The video itself had the words Frontier Airlines seriously written across it, along with a disappointed-face emoji. The viral clip received mixed responses from viewers, with many shocked at the lack of customer service. One user replied: She does need to be trained to smile a little, using the words please. Never say hurry up hurry up hurry up. HORRENDOUS CUSTOMER SERVICE! As a customer service agent with the airlines, this is so UNACCEPTABLE. It doesnt matter how behind schedule you are (and YES thats stressful), you never ever talk to your customers in this manner, wrote another. Other users were amused by the hostile gate interaction and sympathised with the clearly stressed gate agent. Im not mad at her. Shes doing her job and getting it done, commented one. She will be in trouble for the late door closure. Questions will be asked by supervisors. I feel sorry for some of these agents. Some passengers leisurely saunter up to the gate at departure time with a bag of McDonalds when the door should be shut at least five minutes prior, another user added. Since it was initially posted on Sunday 4 June, the Instagram reel has been viewed more than two million times. The Independent has contacted Frontier Airlines for comment. Its not the first time the budget airline has faced customer service complaints. In March, the airline admitted that airport gate agents are paid a bonus for charging passengers for oversized baggage during boarding. Footage shows the moment a French woman was attacked by a dingo at a beach in Australia. The tourist was sunbathing on Kgari Island - also known as Fraser Island - a number of months ago when she was bitten on the bum by the animal. According to the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, there was another incident involving a dingo and a 10-year-old boy earlier in June. The child was grabbed on the shoulder and dragged underwater in front of a camping area on the west coast of the island. He suffered puncture wounds to his shoulder and arms and scratches and bruises on his collarbone and arm, according to a press release. The five crew members on board the missing Titan submersible died in a catastrophic implosion, the US Coast Guard has confirmed. Oceangate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, British billionaire Hamish Harding, and French adventurer Paul-Henri Nargeolet were on a dive to the Titanic shipwreck when the vessel lost communication with its support ship on Sunday 18 June. A frantic search for the missing submersible unfolded over the course of four days, before news of the catastrophic implosion was confirmed on Thursday. With the tragedy dominating the headlines, The Independent takes a look at what happened to OceanGates Titan submersible. Aoibheann OBrien, FoodCloud co-founder and partnerships director, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity Pippa Hackett and Tom Burke, corporate affairs and sustainability director, Coca- Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland FoodCloud was founded to connect businesses which have surplus food with charities and community groups. The new partnership will see both companies take a strategic approach to reducing food waste across the island of Ireland over a three year period. Coca-Cola HBC is a consumer packaged goods business, as well as a bottling partner of the Coca-Cola company. Through this initiative, it will support FoodCloud in Ireland, as well as food distribution group FareShare in Northern Ireland to analyse and review the existing approaches to food sourcing, as well as identify challenges and opportunities for growth. The strategy will then look to engage large food manufacturers, as well as producers and suppliers across the supply chain, to participate in the redistribution of surplus food. It will also work with companies in the sector to identify new ways to prevent food waste and reduce carbon emissions within the sector. The existing work between FoodCloud and Coca-Cola HBC includes the redistribution of 586 tonnes of food in the first quarter of this year. This is the equivalent of around 1,875 tonnes of carbon dioxide avoided, with 1.4 million meals distributed. Since 2013, FoodCloud has redistributed over 201.3 million meals in Ireland, as well as in other countries. It has rescued more than 84,555 tonnes of food from going to waste, avoiding over 270,576 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. "While FoodCloud has made great progress in rescuing and redistributing surplus food, this figure represents only a very small percentage of the 770,300 tonnes of food that is wasted every year in Ireland, co-founder Aoibheann OBrien said. "We are still only scratching the surface of surplus potential in Ireland and more needs to be done to achieve the ambitious target of halving food waste by 2023. She added that the strategy will play an important role in reviewing the processes in place and providing tangible learnings to help us double the volume of food redistributed to 5,100 tonnes per year by 2025. We are excited to work together to develop this vital Food Sourcing Strategy which will evolve how the food and drink industry approaches food redistribution and as a result reduce associated carbon emissions, added Coca-Cola HBC corporate affairs and sustainability director Tom Burke. The competition watchdog has decided to carry out a full investigation into Dawn Meats bid for beef and lamb processor Kildare Chilling. The deal was originally announced in February of this year. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) will launch a full Phase 2 investigation into the proposed acquisition in order to establish if the deal would lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the State. This follows an extended Phase 1 review period which commenced in February when the CCPC was first notified of the proposed acquisition. During this phase, the commission asked third parties to provide submissions, with the CCPC typically having 30 working days to make a determination. However, the CCPC requested further information on the review into the takeover on March 20, with information received for Phase 1 on May 12. A final decision on the deal could take up to 135 days, according to the CCPC. Third parties are being asked to make submissions before July 14. The CCPC is set to publish its Phase 1 determination within 60 working days after allowing the parties the opportunity to request that confidential information be removed from the published version. Waterford-based Dawn Meats, whose CEO is Niall Browne, was founded in 1980 and has around 2.5bn in annual revenues. It employs over 8,000 people in 12 countries. The companys activities include slaughtering, deboning and further processing of meat products. It operates seven sites across Ireland, with a particular focus on beef processing. Kildare Chilling operates a single site in Kildare town, slaughtering and deboning cattle and sheep. It markets its meat products under the Kildara and Heritage Town brands. Noinin review: Of all the places Ive eaten in this year, this no-notions spot run by two sisters is one of my favourites Netflix; Cert 15 Tyler Rake lives thats what will have been clear when it was revealed stuntman-turned-director Sam Hargrave, writer Joe Russo, and star Chris Hemsworth were reuniting for another round of trigger-happy black-ops carnage. Left for dead in the first outing, Rake (Hemsworth) awakes in a Dubai hospital the worse for wear. The teak-tough mercenary has earned his retirement, and after recovery, is settled into a remote Austrian cabin by handler Nik (Golshifteh Farahani). As is the way with such things, retirement is cut short by a visit from a mysterious stranger (Idris Elba). He has a job offer infiltrate a prison and free the wife and children of a deadly Georgian mob boss who is also being held there. Rake does a few push-ups and before we know it, hes back blasting holes in walls and racking up a considerable bad-guy body count, the action bounding from location to location. The single-take motif from the first film is wisely kept, bringing scenes of sustained adrenaline that will please lovers of breakneck action in the John Wick mould. While it lacks the central fascination of that films hero, this is otherwise fit-for-purpose. Four stars People enjoy their time at the Glastonbury Festival site in Somerset. Reuters Gatecrashers have been finding unique ways to enter the Glastonbury Festival without tickets. While some people have been digging Great Escape-style tunnels, others have been using grappling hooks to enter the festival without paying. According to The Times, some people pitched tents against barriers on the ground to hide tunnels they dug underneath to get their friends in. One security worker told the outlet that non-ticket holders try to come under the wall, its like The Great Escape but in reverse. Another member of the security added: Its wild. Weve had to chase people down who bolted through the gates with their bags on, and some use grappling hooks to pull panels off the wall and climb over, like Batman. This years Glastonbury Festival is surrounded by a fence built by Sunbelt Rentals. According to the companys website, the fence is standing 4.12m high and 7.8km long, the fence has unique high-security features including an attached external roadway to prevent tunnelling, 45-degree overhangs to prevent climbing and zero nuts and bolts to stop the fence being tampered with. However, it hasnt stopped music fans from trying to get in through inventive means. The official gates to Glastonbury Festival opened on Wednesday. This years festival in Pilton, Somerset, will see Arctic Monkeys, US rockers Guns N Roses, and Elton John headlining on the Pyramid Stage. On Sunday, revellers will see Elton perform at the Glastonbury Festival for the first and the last time. Despite his career spanning seven decades, this year marks Johns first time attending let alone headlining Glastonbury. The 76-year-old, who was touring the world on the final leg of his much-delayed Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, will headline the Pyramid Stage on Worthy Farm along with four collaborators of his choosing during his two-hour set. The weather for this years festival is predicted to be a mixture of sun and rain, after a months worth of rain fell in the UK last weekend. Im an exception: how this young, Irish, working class artist rose to the top of the elite London art world Theres nothing typical about Richard Malone or his work. Here, the Wexford man and star of the international art scene, talks about being Irish and working class in the contemporary art and fashion scene Richard Malone. Photo: Courtesy of Woolmark Damian Kerlin Fri 23 Jun 2023 at 03:30 Fota Wildlife Park is celebrating 40 years in business with the announcement of a female baby Rothschilds giraffe. Photo: Darragh Kane Fota Wildlife Park marks its 40th anniversary with the announcement of a female baby Rothschilds giraffe, whose direct lineage, her great great grandmother Frisky, was a member of the founding herd at Fota. Photo: Darragh Kane FOTA Wildlife Park today celebrated its 40th anniversary and its status as the world's best breeding site for endangered species in fitting fashion - by welcoming a new baby giraffe. The facility opened in 1983 on the old Smith-Barry estate in east Cork with under 50 species and it is now the top visitor attraction in the south. Fota today boasts 109 species (1,096 animals), many critically endangered in the wild Having started with cheetahs, Fota now includes all the 'big cats' such as the lion and tiger in its animal attractions. Director Sean McKeown said it was "a very proud day" for the park and its accomplishments in helping save numerous species over the years from extinction. Fota's breeding work with cheetahs, the European bison and giraffe has resulted in many being reintroduced to protected areas of the wild. Since 1983 a total of 12 million people have visited Fota. Fota Wildlife Park is celebrating 40 years in business with the announcement of a female baby Rothschilds giraffe. Photo: Darragh Kane Over those four decades, Fota has served as a virtual maternity centre for endangered species and its births include 240 cheetahs, 72 Rothschilds giraffes and 60 European bison. Over the last 40 years, 7,914 different animals have called Fota Wildlife Park their home, some for a short term and some for their whole life - and this does not include the 7,500 Natterjack toadlets that were released back into the wild in Kerry. In 1983 the Rothschilds giraffe along with the zebra and cheetah were some of the first species of animals to come to Fota Wildlife Park. Fota said it was poignant that its 40th anniversary celebrations were marked by the announcement of the arrival of a new baby giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis Rothschildi). The new female giraffe was born on April 30 to mother Clodagh and father Ferdie. A competition will now be held to allow the public to decide her name. Fota Wildlife Park Turns 40 today She proudly traces her lineage in Cork back to 1982 when her great great grandmother Frisky came to Fota Wildlife Park from Southampton Zoo in England. The baby giraffes mother Clodagh, who is eight years old, is part of a long line of giraffes born in Fota Wildlife Park. Clodaghs mother Aoife was born in Fota Wildlife Park in 2010 and her grandmother Roisin was born there in 1992. The calfs great great grandmother, Frisky, was one of the founding herd members. Fota's latest arrival is a pale colour and she is already displaying similar personality characteristics to her great grandmother Roisin who was a strong fearless female giraffe! The park also boasts an impressive new Tropical House, an award-winning 6m Asian Sanctuary and an exciting new 5.5m research, education and conference complex which will open next November. Adding Sumatran Tigers to their animal offering delivered a 15pc jump in visitor numbers for the park. Mr McKeown said the new education complex will allow Fota to better cater for students, researchers and tourists - being capable of seating 500 people. With other parts of Fota capable of seating a further 300 people, the aim is to allow Fota to become a major day-trip destination for cruise liner passengers from nearby Cobh as well as schools and even universities. Spanning more than 100 acres, Fota is a not-for-profit charity and critically depends on its gate receipts which deliver around 95pc of the annual park income. Fota has an annual turnover of around 6m with more than 150 staff at peak summer operations. That proved a major issue during the Covid-19 pandemic when Fota, just like Dublin Zoo, faced a financial nightmare with no gate receipt income and a monthly feed bill for its animals of 15,000-plus. Some 50pc of Fota's visitors are tourists and the park delivers a 200m boost to the local economy each season. But for Mr McKeown and his team the true definition of a successful year is the birth record for their critically endangered species. "That's what we are here for - to ensure that these magnificent animals are around for generations to come." It is a commitment shared each year by almost half a million Fota visitors. While tigers and lions are hugely popular and act as a major visitor draw, the park's favourite animals have remained consistent since its opening 40 years ago - giraffes, cheetahs, spider monkeys and lemurs. Fota's ranking as one of the world's premier breeding sites for endangered species is best illustrated by the Black and White Lemur. The east Cork park has a healthy and successful breeding population of 12 - precisely the same number as is left in an entire 1,000 square mile reserve in their native Madagascar. Fota's success is best exemplified by the European bison which once faced extinction. Fota has bred the bison successfully for 40 years - and its numbers are now so healthy that populations have been reintroduced all over Eastern Europe and other parts of the continent. Having done its job, Fota will wind down its breeding operations with the bison just to maintain a small population in east Cork. A DEVELOPER has been found not guilty after being arrested for a public order offence in a highly charged land-access dispute outside one of his Dublin properties Proposal is being described as undemocratic and a threat to academic freedom A major row has broken out at Maynooth University (MU) over changes in the way staff members are chosen for the governing authority. Traditionally, staff members were elected. However, arrangements in place for the new governing authority to be appointed in September will mean staff are selected for the role. Staff would still put themselves forward but instead of being elected by peers, they would be selected on the basis of skills, experience and competency criteria set out for membership of the authority. Staff were not consulted on the change which, they say, will put MU out of step with other universities. Of universities where Independent.ie has knowledge of the new arrangements, at least one is retaining elections while others are opting for a hybrid model, with a combination of elected and selected staff members. The proposed change at MU is seen as undemocratic and a threat to academic freedom. It has provoked a strong reaction from within the universitys academic council and from lecturers. Members of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) held an emergency meeting of branch at the university today. IFUT members at the well-attended meeting decided unanimously to not engage with the decision to select staff members of the governing authority in the manner proposed, which involves using the services of a recruitment company. In another development today, IFUT general secretary Frank Jones wrote to Further and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris asking him to intervene and go back to those who made the decision and ask them to revisit it. He also advised the minister that IFUT would be supporting any action that its members took pursuant to getting a reversal of the move from democratic means of determining how staff become members of the authority. Mr Jones told independent.ie that while the word select was in the new legislation, we never suspected in all consultations on the legislation that we were going to be moving away from democracy. It is such a fundamental change. The issue was also discussed at an informal meeting this week between some members of the academic council and some members of the governing authority. Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 23rd Following on from that meeting, more than 20 members of the academic council have written to MU president, Professor Eeva Leinonen, seeking a special meeting of the council in early September. They have asked for this meeting to explore how to maximise the engagement of Academic Council with academic developments in Maynooth University. The departure from traditional practice around electing staff members to the governing authority follows the enactment of legislation requiring universities to change the composition of their governing authorities, including a reduction in numbers. Previously, the MU authority had more than 30 members, eight of whom were directly elected by staff. That is now reduced to 19 members, five of whom will be from staff. The legislation allows staff, officially known as internal members, to be elected or selected for appointment and each governing authority can decide its own approach In February/March, the MU governing authority decided that selection, rather than election, was the appropriate means of choosing internal members. Staff say the first they knew about it was last month. An email inviting IFUT members to todays meeting claims it will put Maynooth out of line with practice across the sector. It describes it as a significant change in staff involvement and participation in Maynooth University was not discussed with staff or with staff representative bodies. It adds: While on a strict legal interpretation, (the) governing authority may feel that they were not required to discuss their decision with staff in advance, it is highly unusual that input/advice into such a significant change would not have been sought... It is a matter of concern for us that the university officers responsible for these matters would have proposed a selection, rather than election methodology to the governing authority in the first place without any prior consultation, and that the governing authority, based on this advice, might resolutely refuse to reconsider this decision at this stage. An MU spokesperson said the selection process would encourage a broad range of MU staff to put themselves forward for membership of the authority. The spokesperson said the elections had traditionally resulted in a small number of candidates standing, and in some categories of staff, elections had not been held at all because only one candidate has put their name forward. Selecting the internal members would allow for a consistent approach in terms of how the five internal and six external members, as well as the chair, will be appointed, the spokesperson added. It would mean that each internal and external candidate would follow the same application process and be assessed in the same manner against the skills, experience and competency framework developed and approved by the governing authority. This selection process is consistent with the approach adopted across the public sector when members are being appointed to the boards of public sector bodies, the spokesperson added. The spokesperson said that governing authorities had decided on different approaches to this issue and there was no uniformity of approach across the sector. Some like MU have opted for selection, others for election, while some have opted for a hybrid model that combines both, they stated. The Government has been asked to change the law which prevents new mothers from deferring their maternity leave while they are being treated and recovering from cancer. Around 60 mothers a year are impacted, according to the Irish Cancer Society. Emma McGuinness from Oranmore, County Galway said she was in the early stages of pregnancy when she was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma. Her son Ruairi was born at 36 weeks and he spent two weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit in Galway before he came home. One week later Emma started chemotherapy which she had every two weeks for six months. Her maternity leave ended two days before her final treatment in November 2021 and she then went onto sick leave. Irish Cancer Society - #LeaveOurLeave Your maternity leave is important and it should be protected, it should be spent with your baby. I know from my first maternity leave that its not easy and its probably the hardest youll ever work but it is such a precious time and its time you cant get back. Unfortunately, for Ruairis first six months I was in and out of hospital or just too unwell to look after him on my own and we missed out on that. "If I knew at the time that once my active treatment was over I would have six months of maternity leave it would have saved me so much heartbreak, guilt and trauma. To feel like you were being protected as you went through this and that there was light at the end of the tunnel would be a real mental and emotional support. As anyone who has experienced cancer knows, when your active treatment finishes you still have a lot of healing to do. The Irish Cancer Society has now launched a video campaign that highlighting the plight of women in this situation. The Leave our Leave video campaign launched in Leinster House today points out that legislation that covers this issue is the Maternity Protection Act 2004 and it stipulates that anyone who is diagnosed with cancer or any other serious illness during pregnancy must use their maternity leave to cover their treatment. The only way maternity leave can be postponed is in the case of a child being hospitalised. It said that this unfair legislative anomaly affects approximately 60 women each year and only emerges once they try to pause their maternity leave while they are being treated for cancer. The campaign video features mothers Emma McGuinness,Mary Canavan and Erica Tierney telling their stories of what it's like to be diagnosed with cancer when pregnant or on maternity leave. They describe what it feels like for a new mum to be taken away from her baby for life saving treatment while her family have to care for both of them. Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said: We have met with Minister Roderic OGorman, whose department this issue comes under, and have had some positive discussions around making the necessary legislative amendments to ensure maternity leave doesnt expire while a woman is undergoing life-saving treatment yet nothing has happened to move this on. "Mothers shouldnt be forced to use up their maternity leave while going through harrowing cancer treatment. The women affected are vulnerable and traumatised by such happy and sad life events coinciding. "Being able to keep their maternity leave until the end of their treatment would go some way to being able to claw back special bonding time from cancer. "This is a straight-forward and common-sense issue, and we hope that swift action is taken by Government now this issue has been brought to their attention. We need to repair the injustice that prevents women deferring their maternity leave following cancer treatment and recovery. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin took time out of the busy schedule of the Governments neutrality forum to recall his time at college. He stood on the grounds of University College Cork (UCC) and said: In my day, we had excited debates, angry debates on the campus. But they were debates. In the modern era, theres a tendency that in order to avoid any potential trouble or disruption, lets not have any debate. The mother of a teenager who tragically died by suicide has secured High Court orders restraining Gemma O'Doherty from harassing her. The orders were granted on Friday by Mr Justice Conor Dignam in favour of Edel Campbell, who claims she has been the subject of a campaign of harassment by O'Doherty for suing her over the alleged unauthorised publication of her late son's image on media associated with the defendant. It is alleged O'Doherty wrongly and unlawfully used the image of plaintiff's son Diego Gilsenan in an article linking unexplained deaths to the Covid-19 vaccination. Mr Justice Dignam made orders including ones restraining O'Doherty from harassing the plaintiff, or from publishing Ms Campbells or her late son's images or any personal confidential material about them. Ms ODoherty is also restrained from encouraging or inciting others to intimidate the plaintiff. The court made orders requiring ODoherty to take down and remove any image of the plaintiff and her late son from any form of media that she owns or operates. The orders are to remain in place pending the final outcome of Ms Campbell's action against O'Doherty, trading as 'The Irish Light'. The judge said while he was not making any final determination of the claim, he was satisfied to grant the injunction because Ms Campbell had made a strong case that the defendant's actions towards her "amount to harassment". The judge noted evidence put before the court where the defendant had made comments in online talks and videos about Ms Campbell, including that she is "a bad mother" as well as allegedly untrue comments about her son, and the circumstances of his death. He also that O'Doherty had made comments in her online lectures where she spoke about Ms Campbell that were antisemitic and had engaged in holocaust denial. The judge said the case raised a number of novel and complex legal issues, including arguments on the freedom of speech. These were matters that can be argued at the full hearing of the action, he said. The injunctions are to remain in place pending the full hearing of the claim. O'Doherty was not present in court during Friday's hearing, nor were any representations made on her behalf. In emails to the plaintiff's lawyers given to the court O'Doherty denied the defendants allegations and rejected all claims that she has done anything wrong. She said that she was not able to come to court as she is currently on holidays, and that she had only been given two days advance notice of the application. In his ruling Mr Justice Dignam, acknowledged the contents of her emails. The Judge said he was satisfied to proceed to hear and determine the application in her absence as no objections had been made before the court to the matter going ahead. Last May Ms Campbell, represented by David Kennedy SC, with Paul Comiskey O'Keeffe Bl instructed by solicitor Ciaran Mulholland, launched a High Court action aimed at restraining O'Doherty, trading as 'The Irish Light', from using or publishing the image of Ms Campbell's late son for any purpose without the plaintiff's consent. The plaintiff claims that O'Doherty is a journalist and the publisher of The Irish Light, a free periodical newspaper, and the publisher/editor of the irishlightpaper.com website. Following Mr Gilsenan's death in August 2021 it is claimed that O'Doherty used her son's image in an article which it is claimed wrongly stated that he died as a result of the administration of the Covid-19 vaccination. Ms Campbell, from Kingscourt, Co Cavan, claims that despite making several pleas to O'Doherty to cease using her son's image, the defendant has allegedly refused to do so, and has denied that the use of the image is unethical. Ms Campbell claims that the unauthorised and repeated use of her son's image amounts to a harassment and breach of her constitutional rights, and has caused her emotional pain, suffering and harm. Seeking the injunctions on Friday her counsel Mr Kennedy said that the defendant's conduct towards Ms Campbell in social posts became "exponentially worse" after the action was launched. She also claims that as a result of an alleged direct call for action by O'Doherty anonymous attack accounts have been set up on social media in an attempt to target Ms Campbell. The action will return before the court at a later date. RTE chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh will meet Minister Catherine Martin on Saturday afternoon Catherine Martin says it is up to Ryan Tubridy decide if he will hand back extra payment It would be helpful for the RTE executive board to address the Ryan Tubridy hidden payments scandal, according to Media Minister Catherine Martin. Ms Martin was speaking as it emerged that outgoing RTE director general Dee Forbes was suspended on Wednesday over payments totalling 345,000 to the broadcaster over a number of years, which had not been made public by RTE. Asked whether Mr Tubridy should hand back the money, Ms Martin said this was a matter for the presenter. The Minister said the funding model for the State broadcaster, which is currently being reviewed by the Government, cannot be examined if there is not public trust of RTE. RTE bosses are being summoned before politicians next Wednesday to answer questions over 345,000 paid to Tubridy. Ms Forbes and RTE Board Chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh will be invited to answer questions from TDs and Senators. Some members of the RTE executive board will be invited, including: the Head of Commercial Geraldine OLeary; Director of Strategy Rory Coveney, Channels and Marketing boss Adrian Lynch; and Chief Financial Officer Richard Collins. The invite from the Committee is set to be issued shortly, who signed off on the invite in a private meeting earlier this afternoon. Meanwhile, there have been calls for Ryan Tubridy himself to come in and be grilled by politicians. Aontu TD Peadar Toibin has written to the chair of the Finance Committee, John McGuinness, to ask that Ms Forbes, Mr Tubridy and the Ms Ni Raghallaigh come before the Committee to answer questions. Earlier, Minister Martin said she was first told of director general Dee Forbess suspension yesterday and said the RTE board had to take legal advice before they could divulge this information. I think for the sake of transparency, its good that announcement has been made, clarity has been given that suspension has taken place, she said. I actually think what would be helpful now maybe would be for the executive board to speak to this issue too. I think the board who made the statement yesterday acted swiftly and they are doing what needs to be done. Minister Martin said she was told through civil servants in her department in March of an issue that had arisen during a routine audit. She was told in the last few days that it involved a presenter and was only told it was Mr Tubridy yesterday. What I was told in March was that there was an issue had arisen, given the routine annual audit and that they needed to do a fact-finding review to establish the actual facts around this, she said. That is all I knew in March. I waited then for the report. She said it is a matter for the individual when asked if Mr Tubridy should hand back the additional money he was paid. Meanwhile, RTE chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh will now meet Minister Martin on Saturday afternoon instead of Monday. The Minister had initially organised the meeting for Monday, but it has now been brought forward. The meeting will take place in the Department of Media, a spokesperson for Minister Martin confirmed. At a press conference earlier on Friday, Minister Martin said she was willing to hold the meeting before Monday but a scheduling conflict meant it couldn't take place on Friday. Minister Catherine Martin responds to potential issues in RTE I think it deserves time and it deserves to be face to face and as you can see it is unfolding. I am quite happy to bring the meeting forward if needs be, thats not an issue, she said. Unfortunately today I dont think it would get the time it deserves due to a scheduling issue but I am happy to meet the Chair over the weekend. Minister Martin said the RTE funding model and the TV licence, which is currently being reviewed by Government, cannot be examined until trust is re-built. The priority now is re-establishing the trust, getting to the end of this process that the board has taken, she said. Id like to see the executive board make a comment on this too. The funding model I believe cannot be examined when we do not have trust. If the public have lost the trust, if the staff have lost the trust, we need to look at the wider transparency, the wider governance, the culture that is there in that organisation. The chair of the Oireachtas Media Committee, Fianna Fail TD Niamh Smyth, has called a special online private meeting of the committee for 3.30pm to discuss the controversy. Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said the misreporting by RTE of Mr Tubridy's salary is a serious "breach of trust". Speaking to reporters in Galway, Mr Martin said: "First of all, there's huge shock and surprise at what has transpired in terms of the manner of this. "I think we need more clarification. I think the minister (Culture and media minister Catherine Martin) is meeting with the chair of the board (RTE board chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh) early next week and I do think we need comprehensive clarity around this, and an explanation as to what transpired. "I think, particularly in the area of transparency, this is a breach of trust in terms of the public presentation of the figures as opposed to the reality of the figures. "That is serious, particularly because I think it relates to governance within RTE and given its unique role as a public service broadcaster clarity is required in all aspects of this - the role of commercial sponsors in such a flagship programme, (it is) understandable sponsorship is there, but nonetheless there are questions." Minister Catherine Martin responds to potential issues in RTE Meanwhile, Fine Gael TD Ciaran Cannon has suggested there should be resignations at RTE due to the controversy surrounding Mr Tubridys pay. If this serious breach of oversight had been uncovered in Government and it was established that the taxpayer had been deliberately misled for six years, we would have had a resignation by now with further repercussions to follow, Mr Cannon said. The TD, who sits on the Oireachtas media committee, said: RTE must come clean immediately adding that the future integrity of the national broadcaster is at stake here. The fallout is serious for all involved, primarily for those who knew about these extra payments and actioned the secret pay deal to Ryan Tubridy. Further answers are needed from all involved, he said. Only when we fully know what happened here can it be decided what should happen next, he added. Mr Cannon also asked what other secret deals exist? What else are the taxpayer unaware of? Hiding behind confidential deals and market sensitive information is no longer acceptable, it never was, he said. Only one outcome matters here to the taxpayer and all those hard working employees of RTE who knew nothing of this and have been repeatedly asked to incur pay cuts over the last decade the truth. Micheal Martin spoke about the devastating cyber attack on the HSE Tanaiste Micheal Martin also stated 'we are not a military power in any shape or form'. Photo: Gareth Chaney/File photo IRELAND'S major challenge over future decades as an island nation will be ensuring the security of the seas off its coast as the country increasingly depends on sea-born traffic, offshore energy generation and underwater communications connectivity. The warning came as Tanaiste Micheal Martin addressed the second of four consultative forums on Ireland's international security policy. The second forum, staged in Galway, focused on Irish neutrality and the so-called triple lock mechanism in which various approvals are required before more than 12 Defence Forces personnel can be deployed abroad. Cork hosted the first forum which featured disruptions by left-wing protestors who opposed Ireland developing closer links with NATO or its member states. Mr Martin said the changing nature of the world posed challenges for neutral countries like Ireland ranging from cybersecurity to defending the domestic economy from a variety of threats. "We will be depending on the sea much more in terms of connectivity, economic development and in terms of energy," he said. "As we move into the offshore renewable space, and as that becomes the dominant form of energy into the future, there will be a need to secure it. Some 97pc of all Internet traffic is going under the seabed and that will have to be secured "As we develop interconnections we have an interconnector with the UK and we are building an interconnector with France those will have to be secured. "We will have to work with the UK, we will have to work with France and other countries to ensure security of our energy infrastructure at sea." Mr Martin also said there were major security issues surrounding cybersecurity and communications cables. "Some 97pc of all Internet traffic is going under the seabed and that will have to be secured as well and that is very complex, he added. "[Forum] speakers also made the point that the future will be online it merits serious reflection on these issues." The Tanaiste said it was clear from the forum debates so far that Ireland cannot address issues such as maritime security and cybersecurity on its own. He said the cyber attack on the Health Service Executive (HSE) was "devastating. "In many respects, the full enormity of that was not revealed at the time because no one wanted to give succour to those who wanted to hold the country to ransom." "It was a very severe attack." Mr Martin also stressed that Ireland boasts a proud record of international engagement ranging from its work on the UN Security Council through to the legacy of Irish deployments with UN peacekeeping missions. "We are a small country, we are generous but we are also active. Irish diplomacy is very active on the international stage we earn credit for our set of values. Our capabilities are not high we need to be realistic about that "Peacekeeping is a vital manifestation [of that] I think it is the most noble thing you can do in the world. Ireland has a strong record in that respect." Forum chairperson, Prof Louise Richardson, said she took a strong sense from the opening sessions that many Irish people felt the country should not be part of, or in any way allied with, NATO. RTE pay controversy is a 'breach of trust' says Micheal Martin Mr Martin said that Ireland's international focus was on peacekeeping. He stated that the country had not only been part of UN-led peacekeeping missions but had participated in both EU and NATO-led peacekeeping missions. "These have saved lives and have been very effective," he said. "The issue of the future is how does Ireland participate in these missions into the future. We are not a military power. Our capabilities are not high we need to be realistic about that. "All sorts of assertions have been made that we are going militaristic and all that. We are not a military power in any shape or form. "But we do have a lot of strength in peacekeeping and knowledge built up over the years which we can bring to situations." RTE has decided not to let Tubridy back on air next weekSuspended DG Dee Forbes issues statement defending her recordStaff meeting hears of huge anger and upset over secret pay dealPresenter posed for photographers outside his home today Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is very concerned at the information set out in RTEs statement and the announcement that Director General Dee Forbes has been suspended. In a statement issued this evening, Mr Varadkar said he will be keeping in touch with Arts and Media Minister Catherine Martin, who will brief the Cabinet on Tuesday following a meeting with the chair of RTE Siun Ni Raghallaigh tomorrow. It comes after Ryan Tubridy apologised wholeheartedly to his colleagues in RTE for what he has today described as my error of judgment. Ms Forbes issued her own statement earlier today saying she found yesterday an extremely difficult day and defending her record. RTE director general Dee Forbes suspended amid furore over Ryan Tubridy salary Mr Varadkar said the public are right to expect high standards of transparency and accountability from RTE. On the face of it, there has been a serious breach of trust and truth between RTE and the Government, the Oireachtas and the people, he said. At tomorrows meeting, the Minister will be asking the Chairperson to set out in detail the issues involved and the steps the RTE Board is taking. The Government considers it essential that we have the highest standards of governance, accountability and transparency from RTE and will consider what further action may be required. All of the matters involved will have to be examined and, perhaps, remedial steps taken to restore trust and confidence. It will be equally important for the Board to demonstrate that it is putting in place appropriate structures and processes to prevent a recurrence. It is extremely important that we can all have trust in our public service broadcasting. EXPLAINER: What's the problem with Ryan Tubridy's RTE paycheque? Having originally said he couldnt shed any light on the controversy, Tubridy has now issued a second statement in which he seeks to explain his position. He admits knowing the pay figures released by RTE were inaccurate but says he never questioned the broadcaster over this or sought to correct the record. While I have no responsibility for the corporate governance in RTE or how or what they publish in their accounts, when my earnings were published I should have asked questions at the time and sought answers as to the circumstances which resulted in incorrect figures being published. I didnt, and I bear responsibility for my failure to do so. For this, I apologise unreservedly, he said. In the new statement, he expressed regret that RTE has decided not to let him present his radio show next week. "I am disappointed that RTE has decided that for editorial reasons I should not broadcast my radio show next week. I look forward to returning to the radio show, a job I love, as soon as possible and I hope my listeners and my colleagues appreciate my sincerity on this, he said. The statement added: At the centre of all of this is trust. The trust of colleagues in RTE and the trust of a great many people who listen to my show. To them: I wholeheartedly apologise for my error of judgment. Mr Tubridy goes on to defend his pay and his willingness to take reductions while RTE was facing wider cutbacks. Separately, it has been reported that I did not take a pay cut over the last number of years. This is simply not true. Over the period of my contract with RTE, I have been asked to take several reductions in salary and I did. Indeed, between 2012 and today, my pay from RTE was cut by approximately 40pc. I also wish to respond to suggestions that this issue had some bearing on my decision to step down from hosting the Late Late Show. It did not. RTE Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch said this issue has caused significant reputational damage to RTE. Speaking on the Six One News programme this evening, Mr Lynch said he was unaware that Ryan Tubridys earnings had been understated. Mr Lynch said he was shocked by this revelation and that RTE staff are outraged. I found this out last Monday, we were contacted by the chair of the board and called to an emergency meeting, and we were given the details of what had occurred, he said. I just want to say, that I was deeply shocked. Its a massive breach of trust with the public, its also a massive breach of trust with our staff. This is a corporate governance issue of significant proportions. RTE staff are outraged by this, they have the public interest at the centre of their job every day, so Im deeply saddened by that. The two key issues are how is this money paid and how is it declared. I knew nothing about either of those. These are the issues that need to be resolved. There is a process ongoing in relation to that. We need to be mindful obviously of individual rights, due process and that it should be fair, but the chair was very clear that there needs to be accountability. I have been provided with the report that was done by Grant Thornton and basically that investigation went on for 12 weeks. I found out about this last Monday, I received the report on Wednesday, it is a report on the facts of what has happened. The chair has been very clear and were going to work together to make sure that as information becomes available, we will share it with the public. Mr Lynch said the decision for Mr Tubridy not to host his radio show next week was an editorial move in order to remain objective. Its for editorial reasons, RTE as the public service media organisation cannot have an individual on air who is at the centre of public controversy, he said. We have obligations to be independent and objective so you cant do a show where it opens up with what it says in the papers where youre the centre of that story. I was out of the country this week; I got the report and was trying to understand myself what has actually happened here. I was flying last night otherwise I would have been on the Six One. I think we need to rebuild trust here, we need to provide answers. This has done significant reputational damage to RTE. This is a corporate governance issue, this is not an issue of RTE staff in terms of the quality of output that is produced by the national broadcaster every day of the week. Earlier, it emerged RTEs Director General Dee Forbes had been suspended from her job on Wednesday. Having said on Monday that she had just gone on annual leave, the broadcaster has now revealed she was suspended from her employment two days ago. Ms Forbes has responded by saying she fully engaged with the board since the issue first arose. She participated in the review into payments of 75,000 made to the presenter in 2021 and 2022. "Yesterday was an extremely difficult day for all of us who care deeply about the organisation and the impact of these issues is a matter of profound regret, she said. "I am proud of my contribution to RTE over the past seven years. Throughout my tenure as Director General, I have always prioritised what I believe are the best interests of the organisations, in order to best serve the public. This includes pursuing a difficult cost-cutting agenda as part of implementing a wider strategic agenda, all while navigating the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, Ms Forbes said. When RTE chairperson Siun Ni Raghallaigh appeared on RTEs Six One news bulletin yesterday, she did not reveal Ms Forbes had been suspended the previous day. Forbes is due to end her seven-year tenure in early July but the Irish Independent understands she held a leaving party last week. This morning the former chair of the RTE board Moya Doherty said neither she nor other members of the broadcasters board knew anything about hundreds of thousands of euro in additional payments to Tubridy. At no time during my tenure as chair of the RTE board did I, or other members of the board, have knowledge of any issue relating to certain payments and the profoundly serious lack of transparency involved. The matters which have come to light go to the heart of a failure of good corporate governance, she said. She said the board should have been comprehensively briefed on all aspects of the payments and the manner in which they were dealt with in the accounts. "The reputation of RTE has sadly been damaged and this most serious situation is deeply upsetting and unsettling for the many staff, in all aspects of the work of RTE who give their best to the national broadcaster with their talent and their commitment, Ms Doherty said. Also today, the chairperson of the Dails Public Accounts Committee heavily criticised RTE for the money secretly paid to Tubridy. Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley said Ms Forbes and other top executives spoke to the committee across the last years and gave firm commitments that pay across the top 10 presenters was being reduced. Mr Stanley said the additional payments were made at a time when RTE came to the Public Accounts Committee pleading that the finances were in such bad shape. When you deliberately seek to hide money, when you deliberately seek to misrepresent the accounts, be it for whatever sum of money 345,000 in this case thats actually fraudulent accountancy, he told RTEs Morning Ireland. This isnt happening in any kind of a dodgy back-street operation, this isnt Del Boy and Rodney, this was happening in the national broadcaster and Im personally very, very disappointed. Mr Stanley said until yesterday only a very small few people knew about the payment arrangement and questions needed to be answered with complete transparency. We need to know who set this up, and who signed off on it and who knew about it, who gave it the green light and why were we misled? Not once, but a number of times by the senior people in RTE, including Dee Forbes, and are there other cases out there at the moment, he said. However, Mr Stanley said Ms Forbes was still in the pay of RTE and she was the very first person from whom the committee would need to hear. He said the scandal meant any possibility of increasing the licence fee was completely off the radar, and he did not believe anyone would countenance such a move at this time. What we need to see here now, we need to 100pc upfront disclosure. Not bits and pieces, not news management, he said. Were told the board did not know about this. This is absolutely shocking stuff whats gone on here. Its complete concealment. Its completely fraudulent accountancy. I've never seen anything like it, in my days looking at accounts of different organisations. If it's only the local residents association, you wouldn't run it like this, he added. In a statement issued in response to Mr Stanleys comments, RTE said while it misrepresented information, there is no fraud. RTE and 345,000 of hidden payments to Ryan Tubridy Speaking on the same programme, RTE Trade Union Group secretary Cearbhall O Siochain said officers and officials of the trade union group had been invited to a briefing yesterday at 2.30pm on "short notice". He said they spent roughly 30 minutes going through the report, after which a statement was released by the broadcaster. Mr O Siochain said trade union members at RTE have reacted with shock, dismay, disbelief, anger since the news broke. It was largely one of fury, disappointment, yet another own goal and an avoidable real catastrophe almost, he said. Mr O Siochain said his members were also looking for full engagement with the board of management, so they could find out why and how did this happened and why and how was this not spotted over six years. Comedian Oliver Callan sat in for Ryan Tubridy on his usual radio spot at 9am today. At the top of the programme, Callan said RTE had served up a scandal with a "sprinkle of shambles for the newspapers. Once upon a time, RTE didnt just make programmes its broadcasts programmed the nation. As the national broadcaster, it carried the trust and confidence of the country. Such authority comes with a covenant to your audiences that you will be candid and open. So revelations that hundreds of thousands of euro in hidden payments were made to the stations highest earner and best-known face Ryan Tubridy have not only rocked RTE to its foundations, they will be seen as a breach of trust with the public. That Tubridy received amounts totalling 345,000 above his enormous annual published remuneration raises grave questions about integrity, transparency and accountability in an institution that is funded by taxpayers. The pay of stars at the station is a subject that has been under the spotlight for decades, due to the huge amounts involved. That there could be any understatement will be a matter of grave concern. There is already unease among many licence fee payers about the sums paid when the broadcaster is struggling financially. In its apology, the RTE board said: It is clear that RTE has fallen short of the high standards that it sets for itself and are expected of it. Its chair, Siun Ni Raghallaigh, acknowledged the matter was a serious breach of trust with the public. The contracts of the broadcasters top 10 highest-paid presenters will now be checked to make sure there are no further issues. Media Minister Catherine Martin said she was extremely concerned about the matter. She said that the public is entitled to accountability from RTE. It is incumbent on her to now ascertain that there are no wider governance issues and that total clarity on pay is assured. It was the American television host Larry King who said: I got a royal pass into life in the broadcasting business. The right to that pass comes with a responsibility to be completely open with those who are placing their faith in you. As a public service broadcaster, perceptions matter even more. Rightly or not, the personality of a broadcaster is seen to be reflected in the personalities of those who represent it. RTE carries a heightened sense of duty when it comes to preserving the integrity of its relationship with the public. PAYE workers shell out for their licence fee and subvent the broadcaster through the taxes they pay. They have a right to believe RTE protects their interests, acts fairly and is a place of work where no one is treated differently. Even the pay of stars has to be rooted in a sense of reality. When it comes to the public purse, there can be no exceptions. There are already concerns over hotel prices shooting up when Taylor Swift plays in Dublin next summer. Photo: Getty Statistics show Ireland is the most expensive country in the EU. It is expensive to put your head on a pillow in Dublin. What can we do about this? The Taylor Swift concert takes place next June in Dublin, and hotels are being warned already about charging ridiculous prices. Its always the same for matches and gigs in the capital, with hotels taking full advantage of crowds. We need to get a grip on this. Value is important. When we see that one in seven parents struggle to feed there families, given the cost of food, we should sit up and pay attention. But what is being done about it? Claire Mulrooney, Birr, Co Offaly Neutrality is moral maturity, and it must be preserved We all know young children can slap, kick and even pinch when they are angry, frustrated, confused or afraid. However, as they develop their language skills, we teach them how to express their needs, wants and fears in language, rather than resorting to these more aggressive acts. By the time they begin school, we hope our children have the skills to communicate with their teachers and classmates without resorting to violence. As children grow, parents and teachers make great efforts to teach them about bullying and exclusion. If these are our aspirations and, indeed, our expectations for our children why then is it acceptable for adults to resort to violence when we are angry, frustrated, confused or afraid? Dont we have the language and communications skills to resolve our own conflicts without violence not to mention the moral maturity? As our esteemed President, Michael D Higgins, has warned us, I believe we are sliding into militarism. Indeed, it would appear that our army is already moving away from its traditional and renowned role as peacekeepers into battle groups. Militarism is about misguided attempts to resolve conflict through fear, aggression and violence at best and about bullying and annihilation at worst. This seems to me to be a very poor example to give our children and young people and should come with the caveat: Do as I say, not as I do. If we give up our neutrality and our role as peacekeepers and peace-brokers and align ourselves with aggressive military organisations like Nato, we are making our children and young people legitimate targets in wars not of their making and of people who might otherwise have been their friends. Marian Naughton, Gleann na Greine, Naas, Co Kildare There is no reason to object to gardai wearing body cams Sadly, we all know of places that have a sectarian police force or a police force that is part of an oppressive regime. If we had such a police force here, then I could see why people might object to police having body cameras. Fortunately, in An Garda Siochana we have a community police force and, therefore, would not object to them having body cameras. Brendan Casserly, Bishopstown, Cork Rape case is another shame on our system of state care Anyone with a relative or friend in a nursing home will be enraged and saddened by the media reports about rape and sexual assault on nursing home residents by a staff member. This rocks the very foundation of older-person care in Ireland. I pay tribute to brave Emily, now sadly deceased, whose testimony convicted the perpetrator. It is particularly disturbing to read that some other female residents also made allegations, but were not believed or listened to. These women were dismissed on clinical care grounds as staff believed they were suffering from confusion, delusion or hallucinations. The fact that this happened in a HSE-managed home adds to the horror. These families entrusted their loved ones, who are old and vulnerable, to the care of the State. The fact that a state-run residential centre did not follow safeguarding procedures beggars belief and follows the infamous Brandon case, where people with intellectual disabilities were sexually abused over a period of 13 years, again in a HSE-run residential centre. How and why has this happened again? It is long past time that our nursing homes, both private and public, adopted a person-centred model of care rooted in human rights and the needs and wishes of the individual resident. Joe Boyle, Shankill, Co Dublin 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 Vasiles 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 Vasiles 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 Vasiles plea and co-operation with Gardai. All funds in the bank account involved were seized. As part of Operation Tara, gardai stopped and searched a male teenager, aged in his late teens, in the Corkagh Park estate, Clondalkin, yesterday evening. Investigators said the teenager was found to be in possession of approximately 600 worth of suspected cannabis. He was arrested and taken to a Garda station in Dublin. He has since been released pending further investigations. However, in a follow-up search of the area, 120,000 was found hidden in undergrowth. As a result of investigations into the sale and supply of drugs in the area, Gardai from the Clondalkin District Drug Unit assisted by Gardai from the Ballyfermot Detective Unit conducted an operation at Corkagh Park on Thursday 22nd June 2023, a garda spokesperson said. At approximately 6pm, Gardai searched a male in his late teens who was found to be in possession of approximately 600 worth of suspected cannabis. This male was arrested and taken to a Garda station in Dublin. He has since been released pending further investigations. During a follow-up search of the immediate area, Gardai seized a package hidden in undergrowth which contained approximately 120,000 of suspected ketamine. Gardai said all of the drugs seized will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis and investigations are ongoing. Primary school children in Dublin will be offered free counselling services for the first time under a pilot scheme. From September, children in 78 primary schools in Dublin, Cork and Carlow will have the opportunity to avail of counselling services. Specialist roles are being created in primary education to support the welfare of four- to 12-year-olds. An approved counsellor by the Department of Education provided one-to-one counselling sessions for primary schools across counties Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Tipperary as part of the first strand of the programme. Wellbeing practitioners will be introduced under strand two of the scheme and they will work under the supervision of National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) psychologists. The second strand is seen as an essential element of responsive supports needed by schools to focus on well-being and mental health, particularly in the post-Covid period, to address the increased needs. Minister for Education Norma Foley TD announced the extension of the 5 million pilot scheme of counselling and wellbeing/mental health supports. Fianna Fail TD John Lahart has welcomed that counselling services will be offered to children in Dublin primary schools under a pilot scheme. He said: I am very pleased my Fianna Fail colleague Minister for Education Norma Foley has extended this significant pilot programme. It is the first time that primary school children in Dublin will be offered free counselling services. Minister Foley has recognised the impact of Covid-19 on primary school-aged children and this service is designed to help those young students who may be suffering from mental health challenges stemming from the pandemic. It will further complement existing resources to support childrens mental health and wellbeing already being provided in our schools.'' Irish National Teachers Organisation general secretary John Boyle said recently that Covid had a profound impact on the mental well-being of children, leading to an increased number of pupils seeking behavioural and emotional interventions. There is also growing concern about the impact of the digital world on children, whose widespread access to smartphones exposes them to risks such as cyberbullying. The new practitioners will be graduates, ideally to come from courses in psychology, education or social science, who will work under the supervision of NEPS psychologists. They will require additional training, which will be provided by NEPS psychologists and their ongoing work in schools will be under the close supervision of NEPS. The new teams will focus on building the capacity of schools to develop preventative approaches, including the provision of psycho-education support for parents and teachers. They will also engage in early intervention to groups of children or individual children with mild or emerging needs, using low-level therapeutically informed approaches. Dublin Southwest TD Mr Lahart said Fianna Fail will continue to explore ways to improve support for young people. This will include creating increased awareness and promoting help-seeking behaviour to the wide range of available services. Developing and promoting wellbeing across our education system is a key priority for Fianna Fail in Government as it is essential to allowing children to learn and grow to the very best of their abilities, he added. The number of animals being left with shelters has soared since the end of Covid restrictions So why are Dublins pet animals currently going through a housing crisis of their own? Because many owners are coming to the sad conclusion that theres no longer room for a furry friend in their lives. Ever since Covid restrictions were lifted last year, animal shelters around Ireland have reported a dramatic increase in the number of pets being surrendered to them. This week, the Dublin Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) told a similar story. The oldest animal charity in Ireland, its waiting list currently has more than 900 people looking to hand over their pets. We have never seen it as bad, the DSPCAs corporate relations manager Suzanne McGovern warned on Newstalk radio last Monday. Our intake has increased by about 40pc. We can take [pets] in when we have space, but at the moment were completely filled to capacity. Why has the end of the pandemic been such bad news for pets? Because being locked down with loved ones was their idea of heaven. During the Covid years, many people stuck at home bought a dog, cat or other domestic animal for company. Now workplaces have reopened, those pets are often left alone all day and developing behavioural issues as a result. Theyve gotten used to their owners being around a lot, Dogs Trust Irelands (DTIs) communications manager Corina Fitzsimons told the Irish Daily Mail last August. Any kind of change like that for a dog might cause them to act out in ways that are undesirable from tearing the furniture to obsessive barking. What are the other reasons for this spike in pet surrenders? Basically, they all come down to the cost-of-living crisis. Many people underestimate the price of keeping a pet, which is usually at least 500 per year and can be many multiples of that depending on vets bills. With household budgets being squeezed, some decide the family pet is a luxury they can no longer afford. Another major factor is the shortage of rental properties. DTI says it has seen an 80pc jump over the last three years in people giving up canines because they are being evicted or their new landlords wont allow pets. It recently published Renting with Rover, a set of guidelines that all parties can follow to improve this situation. The market needs to adapt landlords need to be more open-minded, says Owen Reilly, a Dublin-based estate agent. For tenants, he suggests that offering to pay an extra deposit will be a sign to landlords that you are responsible about your dogs behaviour. What happens when pet owners are too embarrassed to admit they cant take care of them? Some try to surrender them anonymously. Last April, CCTV footage captured a man in a silver car pulling up at the DSPCAs Rathfarnham shelter, leaving a cardboard box outside the gates and driving away. Inside were two guinea pigs (later named Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin), who could easily have become food for foxes if DSPCA staff hadnt got to them first. Other cases reflect even less well on pet owners. A giant 7kg Flemish rabbit called Queen Maeve was found wandering around Mulhuddart by a member of the public last March (she has since been rehomed by the DSPCA). The previous month, eight-week-old terriers Pan and Crumb were rescued from a pile of rubbish in Finglas. According to the DSPCA, they were purposely placed there and left to die how anyone could do that is beyond belief. So animal charities have to foot the bill for some peoples cruelty as well? Yes. Earlier this month the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) launched Stop the Pain, an emergency appeal for private kennel owners to lend out their facilities. According to the ISPCAs chief executive Dr Cyril Sullivan, there has been a staggering 80pc increase this year in the number of abandoned, abused or neglected pets that need to be housed. Ireland has been dubbed the puppy farm capital of Europe and one ISPCA inspector recently found 116 dogs locked up in cages with no light, exercise or food. Anyone found abusing an animal can face fines of up to 250,000 and/or five years in prison. We have the laws, said former Eurovision Song Contest winner Linda Martin when she launched her new dog sanctuary in Meakstown, north Dublin last March. We just dont have the resources and the staff to put those laws into operation. What should I do if Im struggling to look after my pet? Reach out for help. Animal charities will always have sympathy for people with genuine problems. The DSPCA, for example, offers services such as free behavioural checks, online training classes and a mobile vet clinic providing affordable treatment for people on social welfare. If you really have no alternative, however, then surrender your pet sooner rather than later charities warn older animals are much more difficult to rehome. How can I help the situation? Obviously, cash donations are always welcome. The DSPCAs new fundraiser is specifically to buy a new 29,000 X-ray machine, since its current one has started malfunctioning. The charity also runs a free will service for anyone who wants to leave it a legacy. Above all, animal welfare groups urgently need kind volunteers who are willing to foster pets for a few weeks. This frees up valuable space for sick or injured creatures. People who foster are often asked if its hard to say goodbye to the dog they have cared for, Maciej Trojanowicz, the rehoming centre manager at DTI told Independent.ie last October. As a fosterer myself, I can tell you first-hand that the feeling of knowing a dog is going to a family who will love them far outweighs the temporary sadness. Finally, does all this cast doubt on Irelands image as a nation of animal lovers? Its important to stress that most pets here lead perfectly happy lives. A 2016 survey found that 61pc of Irish households have a dog or cat. Of those, 91pc regard them as members of the family, 67pc have never had any major health problems with them and 40pc give them gifts on special occasions. The grim reality, however, is that more and more human-animal relationships are not working out resulting in an awful lot of broken hearts. You owe it to your pets to do everything in your power to keep them with you, Suzanne McGovern from the DSPCA said. Its hard for us to describe how traumatic it can be for an animal that has just been surrendered we hear their crying and its terribly upsetting to see them so scared, confused and wondering if their owner will come back for them. Angela Graham, Kathleen Lovett and Elizabeth Graham, who were the only townies in the Presentation Convent Leaving Cert Class of 1973, at a class reunion held in Benner's Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Declan Malone The women from Lios Poil - and all points to the east - who gathered for a reunion of the Presentation Convent Leaving Cert Class of 1973 reunion in Benner's Hotel on Saturday night. Seated: Maura Moriarty, Eileen Devane, Sylvia McKenna, Brid Kelliher, Elizabeth Farrell. Standing: Joan OSullivan, Teresina Higgins, Mary Galvin, and Mary Kennedy. Photo by Declan Malone The women from the west who came from all points of the compass for a reunion of the Presentation Convent Leaving Cert Class of 1973 reunion in Benner's Hotel on Saturday night. Front: Peggy Russell, Joanne Johnson and Rita Ni Laoithe; centre: Mary Sayers and Anna De h-Ora; back: Maire Breathnach, Mary Ellen Galvin, Eibhlin De Londra, Aine Ni Mhurchu, and Marian Ni Chiobhain. Fifty years ago West Kerry was a place of farmers and fishermen, tourists were few and far between, cars were rare and phones were rarer. It seems like a different age, but its as real as yesterday to a group of women who gathered in Benners Hotel at the weekend. They were the Presentation Convent Leaving Cert class of 1973, almost all of whom left their home place to pursue careers in a wider world that was far removed from anything they knew. On Saturday night most of the class of 23 gathered for a reunion in Benners Hotel; it was 30 years since their last reunion and many hadnt met since then, but the years fell away easily. The girls, mostly from farming and fishing families, took their Leaving Cert seriously because it offered a path to a career and independence. About a quarter of them became nurses, a similar number went into teaching, there was a small mix of other options, and for all but four of the girls having a career meant leaving West Kerry. There were only three townies in the class - Elizabeth Graham and Kathleen Lovett from Station Row, both of whom became nurses and now live in Tipperary and Galway respectively, and Angela Graham from Avondale whose working life as a teacher brought her to Skerries. All three were from fishing families at a time when Dingle was still a fishing village, there were very few tourists, Greaneys was the towns only restaurant and the highlights of their year were the Races, the Wren and the Regatta in that order. They said the career options available to them when they did the Leaving Cert were pretty much confined to nursing, teaching, the civil service, the bank, and secretarial work, but they didnt see the limitations at the time. We just got on with it and we were glad to have the opportunities. Mary Walsh from Coimin was among five from the class who did nurse training in Lewisham Hospital, London, after successfully completing a recruitment interview, conducted in Benners Hotel by Lewishams Nurse Tutor Mary McKenna from West Kerry. Mary recalled arriving in Heathrow in January 1974, where a taxi driver couldnt understand a word I was saying and I finished up somewhere on the wrong side of London. In Lewisham Hospital there were 42 trainee nurses of whom 34 were Irish. Our pay as trainee nurses was 35 per month, and our accommodation was provided. We were delighted to be nursing. We enjoyed the work and we had our own money, we didnt have to be depending on anybody, Mary said. Another of the nurses from the class of 73 was Joanne Johnson, who travelled to the reunion from Kent where she has lived and worked for the past 40 years. Like Mary Walsh, she too had language problems, but in Joannes case this happened after her family moved back home to Baile an Chnocain from America where she was born. Five-year-old Joanne didnt have a word of Irish when she went into primary school in Sean Scoil a Chuasa and her fellow pupils couldnt talk to her because they didnt have enough English. The schoolchildren were fascinated by her accent and the fact she could speak English and used to get her to say things just to listen to the sound of her American accent. After a year in Sean Scoil a Chuasa she was totally fluent in Irish. Then one day my father spoke to me in English and I answered him in Irish without thinking about it. After that it was all Irish, said Joanne. Having grown up in West Kerry at a time when Irish was the first language of many people in An Ghaeltacht and every parish its own accent, Joanne isnt entirely enamoured with the way young people speak today. Kids sound like la breas. Theyre trying too hard to say things correctly and theyre losing the thing that makes us what we are ourselves, she said. It affects the way they speak both Irish and English and I cant stand it. You hear young people saying words like gluaisteain. We never used that word, we always said motair or cairt; thats the way we spoke Irish around here. Its not that there was much need for a word for car during Joannes childhood: A lot of farmers were still using horse drawn carts and there was maybe one car in every village. We went to Mass on the tractor and there would be a line of tractors outside Carrig Church, she said. Rural life was similarly simple for the girls from east of Dingle. In Lios Poil no house had a telephone and there was one public phone in the village. When you went to Dublin you wrote home and if there was something wrong you said nothing about it because you didnt want people to be worrying. Whether the simple life of West Kerry in the 60s and early 70s amounted to something that could be called poverty was a moot point. One class member felt that we were all poor but we didnt know it because everybody was the same. But this didnt quite hit the mark and after some debate the reasoned conclusion was that we didnt have material goods but we were rich in community spirit. That spirit was still alive and well among the class 50 years after they sat their Leaving Cert exams together and for reunion co-organiser Anna de hOra (Ui Chathasaigh the night was a great success. A lot of us havent met since a class reunion 30 years ago and it was lovely that so many people traveled to be here and they all really enjoyed it, she said. Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 23rd ??| Compartimos el discurso de la Canciller Ana Cecilia Gervasi en el 53 Periodo Ordinario de Sesiones de #AsambleaOEA ?? https://t.co/wNw89nA9N3https://t.co/zBGQBYftKG People served by the Barleymount and Caragh Lake reservoirs have been asked to conserve water overnight. This, Uisce Eireann (Irish Water) said, is because high demand has not allowed for reservoirs to fully replenish, despite recent heavy rainfall. Night-time water restrictions will begin at 11pm and will continue until at least 7am. Uisce Eireann will review the situation each morning, with updates provided to the community accordingly. Among the areas impacted are Caragh Lake, Dooks, Aghadoe, Crohane, Barleymount, Ballyhar, and Rockfield, as well as part of Firies, Milltown, and Listry. The restrictions are necessary due to continued high demand for water in the area, Regional Operations Lead Oliver Harney said in a statement released today. The restrictions allow reservoir levels to recover overnight and maintain a consistent supply of drinking water for customers during the day. I would ask that everyone in Kerry continues to play their part in ensuring there is enough water for everyone as we go through the summer. It is important that we all consider our water usage and look at simple yet impactful ways to conserve water. It can sometimes be difficult to know where to start, but even small changes can make a significant difference, for example, turning off the hose, avoiding power washing and checking for leaks on outdoor taps. Tips on water conservation are available at www.water.ie, and the public can report leaks through the same channel or by phoning 1800 278 278. Pictured from left to right: Joan ORegan (Team Bramble) and Martha Farrell (Tralee Tidy Towns) and back left to right: Jean Foley and Colm Nagle (Kerry County Council, Tralee MD) as they celebrated Tralee being named among the best kept towns on the island of Ireland at the awards event in Farmleigh House last Tuesday, June 20. Its certainly been a week to remember and to enjoy for all involved in the Tralee Tidy Towns effort after they were last week named among the best kept towns on the island of Ireland when they attended the awards event in Farmleigh House last Tuesday, June 20. It was no mean feat to accomplish this either with the county capital up against stiff competition in the form of Antrim, Derry City and Limerick City; the Best Large Urban Centre category award went on to be won by Antrim town while Carrick on Shannon won the Irelands Best Small Town category and also took the overall Irelands Best Kept Town award. Set up in 1995 by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Northern Ireland Amenity Council, the Irelands Best Kept Towns is one which aims to raise the profile of both the SuperValu TidyTowns and Northern Ireland's Best Kept competitions, and therefore help to improve the standard of towns and villages across the island of Ireland. We were delighted to be part of the team representing Tralee at the all-Ireland competition Ireland's Best Kept Town event at Farmleigh House. Tralee was one of four Large Urban Centres shortlisted and we were one of only 14 teams from the island of Ireland at the event today, said Chair of Tralee Tidy Towns, Brendan OBrien last week. It was a great occasion and a great acknowledgement of the work going on to make Tralee a better place to work in, live in and visit by the Kerry County Council Tralee MD, Friends of Able CE Scheme, Team Bramble, Tralee Chamber, our schools, businesses, MTU, our local media and the County Museum and our own great volunteers, he continued. Going on, he said that work will continue as always to improve the towns performance in the main Supervalu Tidy Towns competition, for which adjudicators are currently out assessing each town and village in the 26 counties. Brendan said that anyone and everyone who would like to would like help in Tralees effort to join them any Wednesday night from 7-8pm at Garveys Supervalu Car Park Tralee or Sunday mornings at 9am meeting at Lidl Car Park on the Castlemaine Road. Collette OConnor, the Chief Executive of Tralee Chamber had this to say last week about the big news for the town: "On behalf of Tralee Chamber, Id like to pay tribute to Tralee Tidy Towns for the incredible work they do week in, week out. The time given by volunteers is often taken for granted but when you see Tralees name up there in this category, its fantastic recognition for those who give their time. Combining modern folk stylings with an indie rock heart that weaves between the tender and the uplifting, Pearse McGloughlin has been honing his singular songwriting craft since before his debut record Busy Whisper appeared in 2009. The latest work from the Sligo native is his sixth studio album - Keg - which is an upbeat affair with moments of quiet. It is a melting pot of personal nostalgia, drum machines, spectral tape hiss, grief, glossolalia, media overwhelm, quiet country roads and giddy highs. Pearse played Fureys on June 16th with his band Nocturnes (Billy Donohue, Enda Roche, Yvonne Ryan) to a packed house. The performance also featured guest appearances from Fia Rua and Patrick Curley. Support on the night came from Yawning Chasm, Sligo based act, Aaron Coyne. It was a great night for Sligo music and showed how Fureys is providing a wonderful platform to indie artists. Pearse has provided soundtracks and music for film (Shine [the short film about Sligo Rovers] and Around Here), myriad art projects . His music has also featured in the Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo (collaborating with his brothers, directors, Kevin and Paraic) and in commercial advertising. The music has been described as captivating, elegant and nuanced and has appeared in The Irish Times, on the BBC and RTE as well as at festivals such as Electric Picnic and on Irish television TG4. Keg was recorded to tape by producer Julie McLarnon (Jeffrey Lewis, The Vaselines) at Analogue Catalogue in Newry, Northern Ireland. We recorded Keg over a series of studio sessions in 2022. The process (of recording direct to tape) is more exacting than working digitally as you only get a few tries at it. You have to literally rewind the tape (and in so doing, write over your previous takes) to do another shot. So in a way, this album is actually a multi- layered collection, the final recordings most prominent among the ghosts of previous takes running through it. Pearses new album, Keg, was released last week. You can listen to the latest work from the Sligo native on all digital platforms. You can also get more information about Pearse and his music on his website, which can be found at http://www.pearsemcgloughlin.com/ Sinn Fein TD for Sligo Leitrim Martin Kenny has said that the government must address what he calls the spiralling cost of schooling to support parents and families. Deputy Kenny was speaking ahead of a Sinn Fein motion on the issue brought forward by party spokesperson on Education, Sorca Clarke TD, and spokesperson on Higher Education, Mairead Farrell TD. Teachta Kenny said: I believe education must be genuinely free and accessible to all, at as things stand currently, that is not the case. Education costs are an even bigger worry for many this year as the cost of living crisis continues. There are things that the government can and must do to ease the pressure on parents and students. They need to act now. Fees continue to be a barrier to education, hold back students, prevent them from entering third level and in many cases are a large financial burden for parents too. "Primary and post-primary education in this state is intended to be free, under constitution and legislation, but the reality is profoundly different. According to the most recent Irish League of Credit Unions back to school costs survey funding back to school continues to be a challenge for parents, with 66% saying that covering the cost of back to school is a financial burden. School books remain one of the most expensive items for parents of secondary school children across Sligo and Leitrim, with an average associated cost per pupil of approximately 210 per year. It is vital that we see an expansion of the Free Book Scheme to secondary schools to ease the financial burden on parents who are worried about back to school costs. People are already pinned to their collar with the cost of living crisis." Dozens of adults and kids participated in the event expressing their love for Yoga. Mayor of the Borough District of Sligo, Cllr Tom MacSharry welcomed everyone at the beginning of the event. As a mayor I am always delighted to be here and support the fantastic Indian Association we have in Sligo. I am happy to join so many people here in this beautiful park to celebrate Yoga which is so much supported by the Indian government and as a result of that its supported by all the governments around the world. He said: Today we celebrate International Yoga Day. This is the second time I have come here, and the numbers have doubled. That is very positive and encouraging. The event was hosted by the Associations President Dr. Vimla Sharma, Media Officer Saritha Unnikrishnan, along with committee member Ninan Thomas. Dr. Vimla Sharma, a Gynecologist at University Hospital, Sligo participated in the session. She said: It was a fantastic event and it kind of motivates people to include Yoga in their daily lives. She said, It is gaining more and more popularity since it was first started in 2015. Its an opportunity for every individual to mark and celebrate the day and let others know that Yoga is a beautiful thing for both our mind and body. International Yoga Day was first celebrated in the year 2015 after the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, proposed it in the United Nations general Assembly in 2014. June 21st was chosen to mark the day as it is the longest day of the year and different cultures have different importance of the day. The day is a theme-based celebration and has had many beautiful themes over the years. This years theme was Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means Yoga for One Earth, One Family. Tara McEvoy, who is a Yoga teacher at the Sligo Yoga Centre was invited as instructor for the session. She has been learning and teaching Yoga for 22 years. She said: Yoga Day celebration has definitely made a difference and now it is more available to people than earlier. My classes are mostly full especially after Covid when things are getting back to normal. Seonag MacPherson who attended the event for the first time, said: It is fabulous to be here out in the sunshine. I have been with Tara for a few years now, but its my first time at this event. Its very refreshing for mind and body. Chair of the European Parliament Regional Development Committee, Younous Omarjee MEP, recently visited Ireland at the invitation of Chris MacManus, Sinn Fein MEP for the Midlands Northwest. Omarjee was visiting on a fact-finding mission to examine how the EU can play a positive role in addressing regional imbalance in Ireland. MacManus and Omarjee met with Northern and Western Regional Assembly Director Denis Kelly and Senior Planner Conall McGettigan in Stranorlar. Regional assemblies make decisions about strategic planning, EU funding and they help co-ordinate the work of local authorities. The MEP also paid a visit to Sligo. Speaking afterwards, MEP Omarjee said: I am pleased to be in Ireland this week at the invitation of my colleague, Chris MacManus, in my capacity as Chair of the European Parliaments Regional Development Committee. I am here to meet with regional stakeholders such as the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, examine the positive role EU funding has played in the Northern and Western region, and to discuss how the EU can contribute towards addressing the decline of the west and northwest of Ireland. It was very informative to meet with the regional assembly and discuss some of the challenges affecting the west and north west of Ireland. I was aware of some of the challenges facing this region, as a recent report from my committee found that this region is caught in a development trap, but nonetheless the statistics presented on the decline of this region were very stark. It is clear that urgent action is required. Addressing infrastructural deficits in particular will be key to the future development of this region. I will be continuing to work closely with Chris MacManus at European level to ensure that the EU play a positive role in addressing regional imbalance in Ireland. MEP MacManus said: I am pleased to welcome Younous Omarjee to Ireland this week. He chairs a very powerful Committee in the European Parliament, which is especially important for us here in the west of Ireland given the need for European funding to address infrastructural deficits in our region. The Northern and Western Regional Assembly play a crucial role in the administration of EU funding and planning development in our region. They have consistently outlined the challenges that our region faces and the need for positive discrimination from our Government to address the decline of the West and North West. Our region has been downgraded by the EU to being one in transition. We have also been described as lagging and caught in a development trap. The Regional Competitiveness Index, which was published in recent weeks, found that the Northern and Western region is ranked 218th out of 234 European regions in terms of infrastructure. This places the region in the bottom 7 percent, alongside some of the poorest regions in the EU such as Romania, Latvia and Bulgaria. These are extremely worrying indicators and should be setting off alarm bells in Dublin. Unfortunately the Irish Government appears to be indifferent to the decline of our region, with Leo Varadkar dismissing the challenges the region faces in the Dail this week. Investing in infrastructure such as the Western Rail Corridor is absolutely critical to the future of our region and will play a key role in attracting investment and high quality jobs. I have been calling for Cohesion funding, State Aid flexibility, the billion euro allocation of the RRF and the Brexit Fund to be used to offer a ready-made investment package to provide for this. People in the West and North West should not be treated as second class citizens. The current approach to regional development needs to change urgently in order to ensure that this part of the country has a sustainable future. Ballindaggan Pipe Band Playing the national anthem at the Vinegar Hill Commemoration to mark the 225th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion. Enniscorthy Re-enactmeny Society at the Vinegar Hill Commemoration to mark the 225th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion. Enniscorthy Re-enactmeny Society members Joe Mernagh, Ray Murphy and Emily Murphy at the Vinegar Hill Commemoration to mark the 225th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion. Cllr. Barbara Ann Murphy speaking at the Vinegar Hill Commemoration to mark the 225th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion. Jacqui Hynes speaking at the Vinegar Hill Commemoration to mark the 225th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion. Emily Murphy laying a wreath at the Vinegar Hill Commemoration to mark the 225th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion. Brian and Lucy Maher at the Vinegar Hill Commemorationto mark the 225th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion. Joe Mernagh leading the Enniscorthy Re-enactmeny Society at the Vinegar Hill Commemoration to mark the 225th. anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion. A poignant, moving and very inspirational commemoration ceremony took place on Vinegar Hill in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, to mark the 225th anniversary of what was arguably the most famous battle that took place during the 1798 Rebellion. The ceremony drew a large crowd of spectators to the hill where members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society were on hand to enhance the ambience of the evening and from a visual perspective give an insight into what the scene may have looked like as the rebels at the time went up against the might of the crown forces. Councillor Barbara-Anne Murphy acted as MC on the day for what was a very fitting and solemn ceremony remembering those who fought bravely and gave their lives for the cause of Irish freedom. Cllr Murphy highlighted the significance of the occasion and also the significance of the location in terms of its overall impact on the course of Irish history. A synopsis of the battle was presented by author and folklorist, Jacqui Hynes, who along with Ronan OFlaherty, published a book recently titled Vinegar Hill: The Last Stand of the Wexford Rebels of 1798. In that book the two authors outlined the story of what happened that fateful day 225 years ago in a battle that lasted just a few hours but left around 1,500 people dead. Those in attendance at the commemoration ceremony were given a thoughtful insight into the battle by Ms Hynes who transported those present back in time so they could visualise for themselves, through her words, what the scene was like in 1798. In a very poignant and sombre moment the attendees are reminded that they werent just standing on a battlefield site overlooking Enniscorthy they were also standing on what is essentially a graveyard for the brave men, women and children who died that day. They were told how the rebels at the time faced off against crown forces that were 15,000 strong. The British troops included four generals and 16 officers among their ranks. Ms Hynes, who is a former manager of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre, is also a member of the Longest Day Research Project, along with her co-author, Dr OFlaherty. The commemoration ceremony on the hill also included a reading of Anthony Cronins poem, Lest We Forget, which was composed for the 1998 commemoration event. The poem was read by local man, Sean Doyle, who himself is an avid history buff and extremely knowledgeable on the events of 1798. Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District, Cllr Aidan Browne, also spoke at the event and outlined what it meant not just for the people of County Wexford but also for the Irish in general. He said the events of that day, all those years ago, were instrumental in shaping the course of Irish history and it was the bravery of those who rose up at the time that led to the Ireland of today. Members of the Ballindaggin Pipe Band performed at the ceremony. The ceremony was extremely well received by those in attendance and was the principal event in a series of initiatives under the banner of Rebellion 225, which were organised throughout the county to mark the milestone anniversary of one of the most important events in Irish history. The new playground in Oylegate will provide children of all abilities with a place to play in a safe environment, forge new friendships, while ensuring they remain healthy and active. Officially opened by the outgoing cathaoirleach of the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District (GKMD), Councillor Donal Kenny, the playground is fully accessible and includes a number of sensory pieces of play equipment including a disability access carousel. In addition the new amenity contains a play tower, swings including a basket swing, sensory play panels, wheelchair carousel and horse springers. The project was funded by the Department of Healths Slaintecare Healthy Communities Programme which is managed locally by Ann Marie Laffan in Wexford County Council. The GKMD funded the seating, which includes age friendly seating, and provided the technical expertise through Elisa Woods. After Cllr Kenny had welcomed the completion of this project, Cllr Willie Kavanagh thanked all those involved in bringing this project to fruition, highlighted the importance of play for children and young people, and expressed a hope that the playground would act as a focal point for the entire community. Minister James Browne thanked Minister Hildegarde Naughton and the Department of Health for the financial support of this project. Thanks were also expressed to Ger Mackey from Wexford County Council who initiated this project. While the pandemics impact on pets and their owners has been well-documented, there has been little mention of how the war in Ukraine has had a knock-on effect on not just pet-owners but also those tasked with providing care for abandoned animals across Ireland. Here in Wexford, the NWSPCA (North Wexford Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has stepped into the breach to help those who fled the war with their pets in tow and those who remain in Ukraine. At the organisations AGM in the Loch Garman Arms, chairperson Joe Murray explained how the conflict had impacted their organisation. We ran many successful campaigns to get pet food and pet carriers to refugees both in Poland and at home. As the war dragged on the cost of living and supply chain issues started to take its toll on our budgets. Large jumps in the cost of pet food and medicines increased our running costs and forced us to find additional suppliers and funding. Many rescues had to close their doors, and this created additional pressure on the rescues that remained, he said. In addition, with many owners returning to the workplace full time following Covid-19, the NWSPCA reported an increase of 20 per cent in the number of cats and dogs looking for new homes in 2022. Young animals that had not experienced living without constant human company could not cope with being left alone for long periods. They started to suffer from separation anxiety and began to appear at our doors, Joe said. We started to see more pedigree dogs being offered for adoption. Dogs that would have cost a lot of money when purchased, as pups, during Covid. "Following the dreadful dog attack on the young boy in Enniscorthy last year councils and landlords are insisting that restricted breeds are not allowed on their premises. This is resulting in a large numbers of these breeds being offered for adoption. Finding homes for these breeds is very challenging. Proving that it is affected by all changes in society, Joe then recounted how the housing crisis had also led to more animals arriving at the NWSPCA last year. Most landlords refused to allow any type of pet when the lease came up for renewal, he said. This resulted in a large increase in surrendered animals and gave us fewer homes in which to give animals a fresh start. However, thanks predominately to the time and effort of the organisations volunteers, Joe said the NWSPCA managed to find homes for almost 500 animals last year. Joe also reserved special praise for the care, kindness and attention of the vets, veterinary nurses and other staff in Gorey Vet Hospital who look after the veterinary needs for the cats and kittens in their care. Fine Gael 2024 Local Election candidate Cllr Bridin Murphy has made housing the central platform of her campaign. Cllr Murphy was proposed by Gemma Delaney from Adamstown at the New Ross District Fine Gael selection convention on Friday, June 16, in The Horse and Hound hotel. Ms Delaney said: Bridin is a sitting councillor who has demonstrated unwavering commitment to public service, an ability to listen and act in the voters interest. Denis Kennedy of Clonroche seconded Cllr Murphy. Ballycullane man Harry Twomey was also put forward as a candidate at the convention. Guest Chairman Senator John Cummins from Waterford was welcomed by Aaron Reville Chairperson of New Ross Fine Gael. Also present were Deputy Paul Kehoe TD and Sean Kelly MEP . Opening the meeting Senator Cummins stressed how important the county council elections of 2024 would be for the country and for Fine Gael. Having these selection meetings 12 months out gives candidates a chance to lay out their policies and priorities for the voters, he said. Cllr Murphy explained how busy the past four years have been. Council work is interesting and time consuming. But some where along the way I have also found time to get married and have a baby daughter and hold the office of chairperson. I have spent the past four years engaging with the communities I represent, listening to their concerns, and working collaboratively to find meaningful solutions, said Cllr Murphy. Some of the achievements she listed as being proud of included the Community Bus, happy to chat benches and meet your neighbour events. There is also the Summer Music Sessions and New Ross Guitar Festival. I can now use the experience I have gained to push issues such as housing refurbishment grants and getting vacant houses back in use. I look forward to meeting the community over the next year and planning for the next five years. Photo: @igorsushko / Twitter Yeveny Prigozhin UPDATE 10:55 p.m. The owner of the Wagner private military contractor who called for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russias defense minister, confirmed Saturday morning that he and his troops have reached a key Russian city after crossing the border from Ukraine. Yeveny Prigozhin posted a video of himself in Rostov-on-Don at the Russian military headquarters that oversees the fighting in Ukraine. He claimed that his forces had military facilities in the city under their control, including the air field. Other videos posted on social media showed military vehicles, including tanks, on the streets outside. Russia's security services had responded to Prigozhin's declaration of an armed rebellion by calling for his arrest. In a sign of how seriously the Kremlin took the threat, security was heightened in Moscow and in Rostov-on-Don. It was not immediately clear how he was able to enter the southern Russian city or how many troops he had with him. While the outcome of the confrontation was still unclear, it appeared likely to further hinder Moscows war effort as Kyivs forces were probing Russian defenses in the initial stages of a counteroffensive. The dispute, especially if Prigozhin were to prevail, also could have repercussions for President Vladimir Putin and his ability to maintain a united front. The Wagner forces have played a crucial role in Russias war in Ukraine, succeeding in taking the city where the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place, Bakhmut. But Prigozhin has increasingly criticized Russias military brass, accusing it of incompetence and of starving his troops of weapons and ammunition. ? Prigozhin issued his first public address from the headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov-on-Don, a city with a population of 1.1 million, which Wagner PMC now fully control. English subtitles. pic.twitter.com/SDg4astcaY Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) June 24, 2023 ORIGINAL 4 p.m. The owner of the Wagner private military contractor escalated his direct challenge to the Kremlin on Friday, calling for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russias defense minister. The security services reacted immediately by opening a criminal investigation into Yevgeny Prigozhin. Prigozhin posted a series of angry video and audio recordings in which he accused Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of ordering a rocket strike Friday on Wagner's field camps in Ukraine, where his troops are fighting on behalf of Russia. Prigozhin said his troops would now punish Shoigu in an armed rebellion and urged the army not to offer resistance. This is not a military coup, but a march of justice, Prigozhin declared. The Defense Ministry denied carrying out the rocket attack. The National Anti-Terrorism Committee, which is part of the Federal Security Services, or FSB, said he would be investigated on charges of calling for an armed rebellion. The state news agency Tass said President Vladimir Putin was kept informed. The FSB urged Wagner's contract soldiers to arrest Prigozhin and refuse to follow his criminal and treacherous orders. It called his statements a stab in the back to Russian troops and said they amounted to fomenting an armed conflict in Russia. In a sign of how seriously the Kremlin was taking the threat, riot police and the National Guard have been scrambled to tighten security at key facilities in Moscow, including government agencies and transport infrastructure, Tass reported. Russias chief prosecutor said the criminal investigation was justified and that an armed rebellion charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment. Wagner's forces have played a crucial role in Russia's war in Ukraine, succeeding in taking the city where the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place, Bakhmut. Prigozhin has frequently criticized Russia's military brass, accusing it of incompetence and of starving his troops of weapons and ammunition, but his accusations and calls for armed rebellion Friday were more direct challenge. The Russian Defense Ministry required all military contractors to sign contracts with it before July 1, but Prigozhin, whose feud with the Defense Ministry dates back years, refused to comply. In a statement issued late Friday, he said he was ready to find a compromise with the Defense Ministry, but they have treacherously cheated us. Today they carried out a rocket strike on our rear camps, and a huge number of our comrades got killed, he said. Prigozhin claimed that Shoigu went to the Russian military headquarters in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don personally to direct the strike on Wagner and then cowardly fled. This scum will be stopped, he said, in a reference to Shoigu. The evil embodied by the countrys military leadership must be stopped, he shouted, urging the army not to offer any resistance to Wagner as it moves to restore justice. Security also was heightened in Rostov-on-Don, Tass reported. Its correspondent said military and law enforcement personnel were seen on the streets, with at least one armored personnel carrier and aerial patrols. In other developments in the Ukraine, war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on other countries to heed warnings that Russia may be planning to attack an occupied nuclear power plant to cause a radiation disaster. Members of his government briefed international representatives on the possible threat to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, whose six reactors have been shut down for months. Zelenskyy said he expected other nations to give appropriate signals and exert pressure on Moscow. The Kremlins spokesman has denied the threat to the plant is coming from Russian forces. The potential for a life-threatening release of radiation has been a concern since Russian troops invaded Ukraine last year and seized the plant, Europes largest nuclear power station. The head of the U.N.s atomic energy agency spent months trying to negotiate the establishment of a safety perimeter to protect the facility as nearby areas came under repeated shelling, but he has been unsuccessful. The International Atomic Energy Agency noted Thursday that the military situation has become increasingly tense while a Ukrainian counteroffensive that got underway this month unfolds in Zaporizhzhia province, where the namesake plant is located, and in an adjacent part of Donetsk province. Although the last of the plants six reactors was shut down last fall to reduce the risk of a meltdown, experts have warned that a radiation release could still happen if the system that keeps the reactors cores and spent nuclear fuel cool loses power or water. During months of fighting, Russia and Ukraine have traded blame over which side was increasing the threat to the plant. On Friday, IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi met with the head of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom in the Kaliningrad exclave of Russia to discuss the conditions at the plant. Rosatom director Alexey Likachev and other officials emphasized that they now expect specific steps from the U.N. agency to prevent Ukrainian attacks on the plant and its adjacent territory, said a statement from the Russian corporation, whose divisions build and operate nuclear power plants. Earlier this week, Ukrainian officials accused Russia of mining the plants cooling system, already under threat from a dam collapse earlier this week that drew down water in a reservoir that the power station uses. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Friday that Russia has beefed up its defense forces in southern Ukraine in response to the early counteroffensive and intensified its efforts to take more ground in the east. Asked if the Ukrainian militarys initial attacks set the stage for a larger assault, Maliar told Ukrainian television: We are yet to see the main events, and the main blow. And indeed, a part of reserves will be used later. Ukrainian forces so far have made only incremental gains in Zaporizhzhia province, one of four regions that Putin illegally annexed last year. Putin has pledged to defend the regions as Russian territory. Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine is fighting to force Russian troops out of those regions, as well as the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow illegally annexed in 2014 and is using as a staging and supply route in the 16-month-old war. If the counteroffensive breaks the Russian defenses in the south, Ukrainian forces could attempt to reach a pair of occupied port cities on the Sea of Azov and break Russias land bridge to Crimea. Canciller Gervasi destaco ante empresarios de EE.UU. @ASCOA, que el Peru esta de regreso y continua su camino de crecimiento, basado en una politica exterior estructurada, disciplina macroeconomica, politicas de Estado claras, estabilidad juridica y vision a largo plazo. pic.twitter.com/D5o1y9ABPy 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. Digital marketing students from SETU in Wexford work with non-profit organisations around the world to implement digital marketing campaigns with the aid of Google funding. A team of students at South East Technological University (SETU) in Wexford has been making an impact in the world of digital marketing. Students at SETUs Wexford Campus were awarded a grant of over 100,000 from Google that is being used to promote a variety of non-profit organisations online. This funding is part of Googles Nonprofit Marketing Immersion project that matches digital marketing students and volunteers around the world with non-profit organisations who need support with digital advertising. A team of SETU students was formed to collaborate with the organisations to understand their promotional goals, for example, brand awareness or event promotion. After establishing these goals, the students designed and implemented pay-per-click digital marketing campaigns, custom-made to meet the organisations needs. For example, in some cases, the aim was to drive more traffic to the organisations' websites and boost awareness. An example of this was described by one of the project partners, Cliona Maher, Artistic Director at Clonmel Junction Art Festival. Cliona said: "Our multidisciplinary arts festival includes theatre, music, film, visual arts, and participatory activities, as well as family-friendly events. The marketing challenge is to present the festival in a way that represents our diverse offering in a digestible and accessible way. After working with the students at SETUs campus in Wexford, we saw great online engagement and a definite impact on website traffic. It's been very, very positive." The student teams came together from diverse subject areas, including business, visual communications and design, and tourism and event management degree courses. SETU lecturer and project co-ordinator, Owen Brady, said: "Having a mix of different specialisms on real-world projects like these gives better outcomes for the partners. The diverse thinking behind creative problem-solving also gives breadth to student learning." Over the four-month project, SETU students are placing over half a million ads in web searches, generating over 50,000 visits to the websites of its partner organisations. The campaign infrastructure created will serve the partners indefinitely, with ongoing funding from Google ensuring a lasting impact. The students are partnering with eight organisations, including USA-based Living Voices in Seattle; Bartholomew County Libraries in Indiana; Charlotte Lit Festival in North Carolina; Major College and Career Prep in Florida; and Pet Vet Relief in Dallas. In Ireland, the team works with Clonmel Junction Arts Festival and South Tipperary Arts Centre on their online advertising. Further afield in Kenya, the students support Happy Me, Happy You, a community-based organisation fighting poverty and hunger. These social enterprises operate in a wide range of fields, from cultural festivals to animal welfare. Commenting on this legacy, Rachel Atkins, director of Living Voices said: "We're so thankful to have the SETU student team in charge of this, and for Google's funding. As a small company without anyone skilled in this area in-house, having the students jump-start us into the world of advertising in search engines has been huge for us. We couldn't have done this without the support of SETU. Living Voices is a Seattle-based charity that brings to life social history through the mediums of live performance with audio and video, visual aids, and discussion, preserving how the world looked, sounded, and felt during a significant time in history. Fr Billy Swan celebrated his Silver Jubilee on Wednesday evening, with mass in the Immaculate Conception Church Rowe St, celebrated by Bishop Ger Nash who was assisted by Bishop Denis Brennan and Fr Billy, the mas was attended with Fr Billy's family , friends , priests and parishioners. A concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving led by Bishop of Ferns Ger Nash, was held in a packed Rowe Street Church to mark the silver jubilee of the ordination 25 years ago of Fr Billy Swan. Glynn-born Fr Swan who is currently administrator of Wexford parish, was the last priest ordained in the church at St Peters College where he studied for the priesthood. He spent his first four years as a priest in New Ross before moving to Rome where he lived for 10 years while studying Theology and teaching seminarians, and returned to Ireland to work in Enniscorthy where he was based for eight and a half very happy years before being assigned to Wexford over two years ago. In a homily delivered at the jubilee Mass attended by family members, friends and parishioners as well as Bishop Emeritus Denis Brennan and 50 priests of the diocese, Fr Swan reflected on his life as a priest ."There have been many memories and feelings in my heart these last few days but the one that is strongest right now is that of gratitude. I am so thankful to be here, to be alive, and to look back with awe and wonder over the past quarter of a century and to witness how Gods grace has made this possible, he said. Fr Swan thanked his family including his mother Eileen, sister Roisin and brother Brendan, as the first domestic church where he learned about God and the basics of faith. He remembered with affection and gratitude, his late father Billy and friends and relatives who have died since 1998, whose loss has been compensated by the gift of new life and new family members. "To Philip, Kay and my seven nieces and nephews, please know how much a blessing you are and how important your love and support is to me. To the people of my native parish of Glynn where I grew up and where I love to return, a sincere word of gratitude. "I give thanks to God for my first appointment to the parish of New Ross and I thank many of the people of New Ross for coming here this evening. With the support and example of people like you, the late Fr Jack McCabe, Sr Aidan Cummins and Billy Woods, I was truly blessed with a great start in the priesthood. To my fellow students, friends and colleagues of the Irish College in Rome where I spent ten of those 25 years, a word of thanks for the memories and the times spent away from home. To the people of God in St Aidans Cathedral in Enniscorthy, for your closeness, friendship and for sharing the journey together for eight and a half very happy years. To the people of God in Wexford, my current appointment the parish staff, parishioners, students and staff members of CBS Primary School, Our Lady of Fatima and St Peters College - I thank you for your support as we work work together for the youth, looking forward in hope. " I would like to thank in a special way Ger Lawlor, Donagh Wylde, Roisin Dempsey and the members of Bride St and Rowe St choirs for their preparation for this Mass and beautiful music for this evenings liturgy. I would like to thank my brother priests for their friendship and support over the years,both from Ferns and other dioceses. To all the priests and seminarians I have studied with, lived with, worked with and ministered to, I have been blessed by you and have learned from you. A special word of appreciation to Fr Pat Stafford, my parish priest of Glynn for 24 years. I would like to thank the bishops with whom I have served in those 25 years for their guidance and care to Bishop Brendan Comiskey, Bishop Eamonn Walsh, Bishop Denis Brennan and Bishop Ger Nash." Pointing to the first reading of the Mass in which Jeremiah is called by God and despite his fears, says yes Fr Swan said that 25 years ago he felt the same fear of saying yes and of what it meant and where it would take him. " Even today, there is always some amount of anxiety for us all in trusting and letting go. But looking back over the past 25 years, I thank God for the courage to trust him. "That God is loving, merciful and the source of all life and truth is not just something I learned from a book, nor is it just the party line of the church. I stand before you tonight as a witness that it is true. I never would have survived if that were not true or if I didnt believe it. " Reaching this milestone makes you realise that in that time, God has sustained you. You have not made it alone. You come to know that it isnt all about giving but about receiving too. After the Mass, the Wexford parish administrator was joined by a large gathering of well-wishers at a reception in Clayton Whites Hotel. DEPUTY Jennifer Whitmore has again expressed her frustration Blessington Community College still does not have any certainty as to whether their temporary student accommodation, needed for September 23, will be in place in time. Blessington Community College has applied for four existing prefab buildings to be replaced which were in poor condition, and also for two further general classrooms in order to accommodate all the students enrolled from September 2023. Deputy Whitmore raised the issue of the accommodation application made by the school in the Dail with the Junior Minister for Education during a topical issue debate. Deputy Whitmore said: The response from the Minster today, on behalf of Minster Foley, was woefully inadequate. I submitted this Topical issue in order to get a meaningful update for the school, and the response from the Minister was totally inadequate. Minister Byrne told me that it is a matter for schools to progress these projects. Blessington Community College has been going through the process for this project for months now, following all the required steps as laid out by the department, and yet still they have not been given clarity if they have gotten the classrooms they need. I pressed the Minister and asked if he would commit to making sure this school would have the rooms it needs for its student population by September. He could give no such commitment and now the school is heading into the summer period in a state of limbo. Deputy Whitmore has been informed by parents and teachers of the urgent need for additional classrooms since February. Deputy Whitmore added: We are now nine weeks away from the start of the new school year and there is still uncertainty about whether there will be enough classrooms to accommodate all of this years students. Classrooms are the most basic of accommodation needs for a school and the fact that the Minister thinks it is acceptable to leave schools with uncertainty about their class sizes for next year is just galling. I raised this issue for Blessington Community College alongside a similar query for Temple Carrig, which was also not addressed fully by the Minister. I will continue to pursue the department to support these schools in their applications for additional classroom accommodation which they need for their students. Deirdre McCormack, Social Democrat Local Area Representative for west Wicklow, feels the lack of communications from the Department is placing undue pressure on the school community at Blessington Community College. She said: The lack of clarity about when these additional classrooms will arrive is causing a huge amount of stress for parents, students, teachers and school staff and is hanging over their summer break like a dark cloud. Our community has been really let down by this situation and it is very frustrating to yet again hear from the Department that there is no set date for the delivery and completion of these much needed classrooms. This solo exhibition of new sculpture and mixed media works by artist Margaret Fitzgibbon, entitled You Begin, is currently on show at the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray and visitors can view it at their leisure for free, in this space that lends itself so well to an exhibition of this nature. Margaret is Glencrees artist in residence and says she has been inspired by the peaceful location. "Youd imagine its not convenient, said Margaret, who moved into the studio in 2019, but living in Rathmines and going up the Military Road, up through the mountains, only takes me 30 minutes. So I consider myself Wicklow-based. And I would be very much engraced by the landscape up there, and inspired by that quietness that Glencree offers. Its an amazing place to have a studio. In terms of being able to operate as an artist in such an exclusive location, Margaret said it is a very particular set-up. The centre has been very generously supporting a few artists following the fire at Outpost studios, in Bray, in February 2018. The studios were established by an artists collective, including Joanne Boyle and Raine Hozier Byrne, mother of musician Hozier, but the premises and years of work were destroyed in the blaze. Joanne approached Glencree, where there was space available, and studios were offered for a nominal rent and there are currently five artists leasing them. A visual artist who employs a many techniques and materials, including such large-scale installations, sculpture, collage and textiles, Margaret is originally from Cork, where she studied for her BA in in the 1980s at Crawford and later attended NCAD as a mature student, where she completed her Masters in 2008, and while her plans were to go back to Cork, she said she "had such a good time and found the arts scene really stimulating in Dublin, that she stayed on and completed her PhD in sculpture, in 2014. Artist Margaret Fitzgibbon, during the installation at Mermaid Arts Centre. I have been practising all the time since I did my early degree, Margaret said, I had a studio in Cork, I was always exhibiting, in Europe, Holland and France, so I have been busy. "But I felt Id like to get my MA under my belt and to be a little bit more informed. The practice had changed in the noughties, she said, towards more conceptual and installation art and I wanted to be part of that. I wanted to get up to speed. Margaret has been living in Rathmines, Dublin, since she began her studies and the path that brought her to Wicklow was shown to her by Wicklow artist Joanne Boyle, who informed her of a vacant studio in the beautiful surroundings of Glencree, where the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation is based. Margaret said her work is available for sale at the exhibition, in fact she would be delighted as I dont want all my babies coming back home to me again but as an artist, she has always been a teacher as that provides a steady income, giving her a good balance between time in the studio about 25 hours a week and time in the classroom. She also lectures in NCAD. Margaret uses social media to push her work out in between exhibitions, and said she gets invites to group shows to display her work she has a piece in the Boyle Arts Festival next month and is opening a show in Denmark, which features six large collages. "But at the end of the day, when you walk into a gallery and see the work, theres nothing like it. And the Mermaid is an amazing space and I cant say enough about the support, especially from curator Anne Mullee. They could not have done enough for me with the installation, and it was complicated to install. I wanted walls painted. I wanted things suspended. I wanted the room at the back painted black. Nothing was too much trouble. But it was a big solo show for me and I had been working on it for three years. You Begin will include the publication of the first in a recurring series of free micro books conceived and designed for Mermaid by Pure Designs, featuring a newly commissioned text by writer and researcher Ingrid Lyons. The exhibition runs till Saturday, July 1. Margaret recently received an Irish Arts Council grant to create a new hand-drawn animation piece, while Culture Ireland funding supports her solo exhibition, which opened on June 22 in Godsbanen Cultural Centre, Aarhus, Denmark. Prince Harry reportedly pitched a podcast to Spotify that would have seen him interviewing figures such as Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump about their childhood trauma. Harry spoke to a number of producers and production houses to come up with a potential podcast series for the audio streaming platform, according to Bloomberg. It comes after Spotify and Archewell Audio, Harry and Meghan Markles production company, announced they had mutually agreed to part ways. The royal couple had signed a three-year deal with Spotify in 2020, worth US$20m. Under the partnership, they produced one 12-part series, Archetypes, hosted by Meghan. However, the couple were expected to produce and host podcasts, with a first complete series to debut in 2021. Archetypes debuted in 2022 and neither Harry nor Meghan have hosted another podcast series since then. According to Bloombergs Soundbite newsletter, penned by journalist Ashley Carman, Harry came up with the concept of interviewing controversial guests, including Putin, Trump and Mark Zuckerberg about their early formative years and how those experiences resulted in the adults they are today. Former US president Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters Another idea that the duke floated was a show about fatherhood, which he hoped to interview Pope Francis who does not have any children for. Given no podcast hosted by Harry has been released, it appears his ideas were vetoed. Both Spotify and Archewell Audio declined to comment. Additionally, it was claimed this week that Meghan did not conduct her own interviews on Archetypes. Meghan was defended against the rumours by Andy Cohen, who called them insane. Her podcast is conversations with people. How would she not have [conducted her interviews], of course she did, he told Us Weekly. Cohen described the duchess podcast as quite well-researched, well-informed and thoughtful. Prince Harry and Meghan celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary According to the Wall Street Journal, Harry and Meghans deal came to an end because they did not [meet] the productivity benchmarks required to receive the full payout from the deal. The pair were also criticised by leading Spotify executive Bill Simmons after it was reported that their partnership had been axed. On his own podcast, The Ringer, Simmons branded Harry and Meghan f***ing grifters, adding: Thats the podcast we shoulda launched with them. I gotta get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea. Its one of my best stories. It has also been reported that Spotify executives were horrified by Harry after he told Oprah Winfrey in 2021 that he signed multi-million-pound deals with the platform and Netflix so that he could afford to pay for security for his family. He told Winfrey at the time that signing such deals was never part of the plan, adding: That was suggested by somebody else by the point of where my family literally cut me off financially and I had to afford security for us. The Daily Mails diary editor Richard Eden claimed that Harrys admission left Spotify bosses reeling, adding: It takes an awful lot of work. Its serious work, its planning. You cant just turn up and, Oh, what shall we do today? Harry and Meghan stepped down from the royal family in 2021 and currently live in Montecito, California, with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Since then, they have released a Netflix docuseries titled Harry and Meghan, as well as Harrys memoir Spare. Harrys last involvement in a royal event was attending his father King Charles IIIs coronation on 6 May, which he left immediately after it ended and returned to the US. Missy Keating has been pictured downing champagne with former Boyzone star dad Ronan as they took a private chopper to the horse racing at Royal Ascot. The influencer had been living in Australia and travelling around Indonesia and Mexico but has just returned to her fathers base in the UK to be reunited with her family, And it seems she made it just in time for one of the biggest events on the English horse racing calendar. A very royal welcome home, Missy captioned the photo. The Keating family Missy posted further images of her brother, Jack, as well as Ronans wife, Storm, as they prepared to board the helicopter. On Fathers Day last week, Missy wrote: Travelling the last nine months has been absolutely incredible and I am very grateful for all my adventures. However I was missing my family my rock. I feel whole again today. Thank you for everything dad. Brother Jack became a first-time dad this year, and Missy was able to meet her niece Maya Ann, who was born in March. Ronan, Storm, Missy and Jack Keating Royal Ascot is attended by some of the UK's most well known personalities, as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla, who made the journey to the Ascot Racecourse for the opening day. Fans were enamoured by the Keating gang, with one writing; 'Gorgeous family x love both dresses.' Royal Ascot You all look fabulous; enjoy; hope you bet on the right horses, another added. Omg what a dream way to go the races, looks amazing xx, a third wrote, with many in awe of both Missy and Storm's clobber. Veteran jockey Frankie Dettori grabbed the winner at his final Royal Ascot when he landed the Queens Vase on Gregory on Wednesday and the Gold Cup this afternoon on Courage Mon Ami. A suspected lone Russian diplomat is apparently squatting on the site of Moscow's proposed embassy after the Australian government vetoed the plan on security grounds. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed the Russian act of defiance, saying some bloke standing in the cold on a bit of grass in Canberra is not a threat to our national security. Keith Murphy, a Republican from Manchester, New Hampshire, turned himself in to face assault charges. A US state senator has been arrested after allegedly slapping and spitting on an employee during an altercation at an Irish pub. YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan held a meeting on June 23 with Governor of Kansas Laura Kelly and Adjutant General for the U.S. State of Kansas Brigadier General Michael Venerdi. U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien also participated in the meeting. The current course of cooperation between the Armenian Ministry of Defense and the Kansas National Guard was discussed. The U.S. officials are visiting Armenia on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Kansas-Armenia State Partnership Program. The course of implementation of the agreements on new cooperation directions which were reached during Papikyans September 2022 visit to Kansas were also discussed during the meeting. Both sides noted the progress in the planned cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as professional sergeant system, peacekeeping, military medicine, cyber-security, exchange of experience in social protection for servicemembers and their families and other areas. The parties agreed to continue cooperation and initiate new directions of partnership. Meet the firm behind our content. Visit their website to see how their services can help your business succeed. Image Credit: Pixabay Kolkata: Canara Robeco Mutual Fund, the second oldest fund house in India, has seen its assets under management zooming by 400% in the last five years, reaching Rs 62,544 crore as on 31st March, 2023 from Rs 12,532 crore on 31st March, 2018 as per the data published by AMFI. The fund house has seen a predominance of equity fund inflows as investors line up to benefit from its performing equity funds, the company said in a press release. In FY 22-23 alone, Canara Robecos assets under management (AUM) rose by more than triple the rate of the 7% growth rate recorded by the industry as per the data published by AMFI. The increased retail participation seen by the fund house has been reflected in a growth of close to 300% in SIPs over the last two years. The overall SIP count has crossed 23 lakhs as of 31st March, 2023, as per the fund houses data. "The steady investment performance, strong distribution network, significant penetration of retail investors across India and a multi-fold increase in SIP share have contributed to the strong growth of the fund house," said the press release. In fact, Canara Robeco Equity Hybrid Fund (inception date 1st February, 1993) and Canara Robeco Equity Tax Saver Fund (inception date 31st March, 1993) both celebrate a milestone of 30 years in 2023. The overall AUM of the fund house stands at Rs 69,133 as on 31st May, 2023. Image Credit : Twitter/BJP4India Washington DC/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday addressed the historic joint session of the US Congress where he reiterated that the Indo-Pacific region is a "shard concern" and shared a vision that the region should be "free from domination", a comment that was seen by many as a reference to China. Without naming China, he said, "Dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo-pacific. The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership." PM Shri @narendramodi addresses Joint Session of the US Congress. https://t.co/JETzi87ahz BJP (@BJP4India) June 22, 2023 "We share a vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, connected by secure seas, defined by international law, free from domination and anchored in ASEAN centrality... A region where all nations small and large, are free and fearless and in their choices, where progress is not suffocated by an impossible burden of debt, where connectivity is not leveraged for strategic purposes..." he said in his address to the joint session of the US Congress. Remembering his past visits to the US, PM Modi said: "Through the long and widening road that we have travelled, we have made the test of friendship. A lot has changed since I came here 7 summers ago. However, a lot has remained the same, like our commitment to deepen the friendship between India and the US." He said that in the past few years, there have been many advances in Artificial Intelligence. "At the same time, there has been even more momentous development in other AI, America and India," the Indian PM added. Lauding America for embracing people from the world, PM Modi said: "Throughout your history, you have embraced people from around the world, and you have made them equal partners in the American dream. There are millions here who have roots in India. Some of them sit here proudly in this chamber." Speaking about the India-US ties, he said: "Now the US is the oldest and India is the largest democracy. Our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy. Together, we shall give a better future to the world and a better world to the future." "Last year, India celebrated 75 years of its independence. Every milestone is important, but this one was special. We celebrated a remarkable journey of our 75 years of freedom after 1000 years of foreign rule in one form or another. This was not just a celebration of democracy, but also of diversity... "We have over 2500 political parties...About 20 different parties govern various states of India. We have 22 official languages and thousands of dialects, yet we speak in one voice. Every 100 miles our cuisine changes, from dosa to aloo paratha.... An address for the history books. In an address to the Joint Session of the US Congress, PM @narendramodi laid out his vision for the future of the most consequential - bilateral partnership. PM appreciated the bipartisan support extended by the US Congress for the strong pic.twitter.com/9f9z7A7IRN Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) June 22, 2023 "Today, the world wants to know more and more about India. I see that curiosity in this house, too. We were honoured to receive around 100 members of the US Congress over the last decade. Everyone wants to understand India's development, democracy and diversity," PM Modi said proudly. Modi said when he first visited the US as the PM, India was the 10th largest economy in the world. "Today, India is the 5th largest economy. And India will be the third-largest economy soon....When India grows the whole world grows," he added. "In India, technology is not just about innovation, it's about inclusion. Today, digital performance is empowering the rights and dignity of people while protecting privacy. In the last 9 years, over a billion got a unique digital biometric identity connected to their bank accounts and mobile phones." Speaking about India-US relations, PM Modi said: "Our relations are of great importance to all of you...When defence and aerospace in India grow, industries in the many states of the US thrive. When American companies grow the research and development centres in India thrive. When Indians fly more, a single order for aircraft creates more than a million jobs in 44 states in the US." PM Modi said the scope of cooperation between both countries is endless, "the potential of our synergies is limitless and the chemistry in our relations is effortless." Talking about terrorism, the Indian PM said: "More than two decades after 9/11 and more than a decade after 26/11 in Mumbai, radicalism and terrorism still remain a pressing danger for the whole world." "These ideologies keep taking new forms and identities but their intentions are the same. Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs and buts in dealing with it." Reiterating the need for dialogue to end the Ukraine war, PM Modi said: "I have said publicly, this is not an era of war. But it's one of dialogue and diplomacy. We must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering." "Terrorism is an enemy of humanity, and there can be no ifs and buts in dealing with it," he added. "Even by the highest standards of our partnership, this visit is one of the great positive transformations. Together we shall demonstrate that democracies matter and democracies deliver," the PM said. Modi gets mobbed! US Congressmen surround PM Modi to take autographs and selfies with him after his address to the joint sitting of the US Congress. pic.twitter.com/TZVE5TMtLs BJP (@BJP4India) June 22, 2023 His speech not only earned him a standing ovation but PM Modi was seen surrounded by US Congressmen to take autographs and selfies with him after his address to the joint sitting of the US Congress. This second historic joint address by PM Modi is a first for an Indian leader and a rarity for the rest of the world as well. Narendra Modi Twitter page Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on an Official State Visit to the USA, met President Joe Biden and discussed issues ranging from trade, investment, defence and security on Thursday. Modi described his interaction with Biden as 'productive'. Todays talks with @POTUS @JoeBiden were extensive and productive. India will keep working with USA across sectors to make our planet better. pic.twitter.com/Yi2GEST1YX Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 22, 2023 He visited the White House on Thursday, where he was accorded a ceremonial welcome by Joseph Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. Thousands of Indian-Americans were also present at the occasion to welcome the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister, thereafter, had productive conversations with President Biden, in restricted and delegation-level formats. The leaders highlighted the long-standing friendship and growing cooperation between the two countries, which spans areas like trade and investment, defence and security, energy, climate change, and people-to-people ties. Both leaders underscored the mutual trust and understanding, as well as the shared values between the two countries, which provide a strong foundation to take the relationship to new levels. They appreciated the rapid progress made through initiatives such as the Critical and Emerging Technologies(iCET) and the keen desire to elevate strategic technology collaborations to build resilient supply chains. They welcomed the deepening cooperation in critical minerals and space sectors. "Both leaders reiterated their commitment to combating climate change and achieving a sustainable future," read the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. They discussed ways to promote clean and renewable energy and collaborate on climate initiatives. Both leaders expressed their determination to further deepen the multifaceted Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between India and USA for the benefit of their peoples and the global community. Discussions also covered regional and global issues of mutual interest. The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome extended by President Biden and the First Lady. He looked forward to welcoming President Biden in New Delhi for the G20 Leaders Summit in September 2023. Image Credit: UNI Srinagar/UNI: Security forces foiled an infiltration bid and shot dead four unidentified militants close to the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir 's Kupwara district, police said on Friday. The infiltration bid was foiled on a day when Union Home Minister Amit Shah was on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Police said the fresh infiltration bid was foiled in Kala jungle of Machil sector. "In a joint operation, Army and Police have killed four terrorists in Kala Jungle of Machhal sector in Kupwara who were trying to infiltrate to our side from POJK," a police tweet said. The identity and the group affiliation of the slain could not be established immediately. There has been a sudden spurt in the infiltration attempts from across in the last two weeks. At least 11 militants have been killed while trying to infiltrate Kashmir. On June 13, police claimed to have killed two suspected militants in the Machil sector near LoC. Three days later, security forces shot dead five suspected foreign infiltrators of "JK Ghaznavi Force" in an encounter at Jumagund in the Keran sector of Kupwara. After the "biggest" infiltration bid was foiled this year on June 16, senior Army officers said in the recent past they were getting a large number of intelligence inputs of likely infiltration from across the Line of Control. Image Credit: Screenshot grab Patna/IBNS: Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar is hosting here a mega meeting of opposition leaders, who are often at the loggerheads with each other in respective states, in a bid to strategise for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek a third straight term. Congress top leader Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party head Arvind Kejriwal, leaders from the Communist parties and others are participating the meeting, which has been called by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) "photo session". Mamata, an arch-rival of BJP but also maintains frequent distance from Congress, will interestingly share the platform with Rahul, the politician son of Congress veteran Sonia Gandhi with whom the West Bengal Chief Minister maintains a warm relationship. Meanwhile, AAP, which opposes Congress in Delhi, has threatened to boycott the meeting if the grand old party does not support the Kejriwal government against the Centre's ordinance over powershare in the national capital. However, AAP's presence in the meeting where Congress is playing a vital role is as interesting as Mamata sharing the platform with the Communists. Mamata on Thursday flew down to Patna, met Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar but spared less words over the meeting. Discussion would be held in the meeting to find ways on how to achieve the goal of fighting one to one against BJP in Lok Sabha elections, Mamata said but refused to share details saying she would talk to the media after the meeting on Friday. The re-energisation of the Opposition camp started particularly after Congress stunned mighty BJP in the recently concluded Karnataka assembly elections, which was comprehensively won by the grand old party. The opposition camp, which aimed to function under an umbrella even in the past, faced questions from BJP, which is spearheaded by supremely popular Prime Minister Modi, on who would lead it. But for the day, perhaps the biggest challenge for the opposition parties will be to strategise on how to avoid friction between the outfits in respective states. For instance, Mamata, who is in power in West Bengal, often accuses the Left, Congress and BJP of working in tandem to defeat her TMC. The allegations of Mamata comforting BJP and Prime Minister Modi are often levelled by Left and Congress. Leaving the AAP-Congress friction in Delhi, Left and Congress are rivals camps in Kerala among many such scenarios in various states. Moreover, the discussions are likely to take place on how to place a common candidate in each state against Modi's BJP, which have excelled even after a massive Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance in 2019 General elections but was hammered by the grand alliance in 2015 Bihar polls. Apparently not giving much importance to the opposition meeting, Union Home Minister BJP top leader Amit Shah said, "Today a photo session is underway in Patna. All opposition leaders are uniting on a dais but they want to challenge PM Modi and NDA. Image Credit: UNI Jammu/UNI: Taking a jibe at the Patna meet of the opposition parties, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said they (opposition) cannot defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Bharatiya Janata Party will win 300 plus seats in 2024 Lok Sabha poll to form the government. "A photo session is going on today in Patna," Shah took a jibe addressing a public rally organised on the occasion of 'Balidan Diwas' of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee here. Shah is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. "All opposition parties are joining hands to defeat Modi but, I want to tell them that you will not stay united and even if they do, cannot defeat Modi," said Shah. Lashing out at the Gandhis, Abdullahs and Muftis, Shah accused the three families of being responsible for the killing of 42000 people in Jammu and Kashmir from 1947 to 2014. He also congratulated the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and security forces besides the administration for the successful conduct of G-20 in Srinagar stating that the participants have gone back to their respective countries with a message of peace and harmony. "Gone are the days, when three families would rule and ruin J&K. From 1947 to 2014, 42000 people were killed in J&K, who was ruling during this period," he said. Paying tributes to Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his death anniversary, Shah said, "Dr Mookerjee was illegally arrested in 1953 for entering J&K without a permit." Why need a permit for entering ones own country? He was jailed and later assassinated, Shah said, adding the soul of Dr Mookerjee will be resting in peace as his mission and vision of Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan and Ek Pradhan stands fulfilled. Dr Mookerjee was the first to oppose the inclusion of Article 370 into the Indian constitution on the pretext that one nation cant have two flags, two constitutions and two heads. On August 5, 2019, Prime Minister Narendera Modi revoked the Article 370 forever and fulfilled the vision of Dr Mookerjee, Shah said, adding, ' If West Bengal is with India today, it was due to the vision of Dr Mookerjee. " Shah further said that India is celebrating nine years of PM Modis rule, adding, Modi's rule is an open book. It is not like UPA that did a scam worth lakh crores. There is not even a single corruption allegation against Modi during his nine year rule." He further said, "Jammu is touching new heights of development and today multi-crore projects were inaugurated in the city." Shah said the BJP tightened its noose on terrorism and today terrorism is on the death bed," adding, "in UPAs ten year rule, there were, 60,327 terrorism incidents but in Modi's nine year rule, terrorism touched its lowest ebb." In 47 months after abrogation of Article 370, there were only 32 calls of strikes while stone pelting declined by 90 percent, he said adding, Youth of J&K have replaced stones with laptops and books. Shah said that in 2022, for the first time, 1.88 Crore tourists visited J&K. Shah while seeking support for Modi from the people of Jammu for 2024 parliamentary polls, said there is no comparison between Rahul Baba and Modi. "Rahul Baba always opposes. Either it was Art 370, Ram Mandir or Triple Talaq, Rahul Baba has become an opposing personality," Shah said. We will win over 300 seats in the 2024 polls, he said. Shah, before leaving for Kashmir, later will pay obeisance at Tirupati Mandi in Jammu. Image Credit: Twitter/Congress Patna/UNI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said BJP was spreading hatred across the country and his party would foil the hatred agenda of the saffron party by giving a message of love and fraternity among the people. Gandhi, after his arrival here to attend a meeting of opposition parties across the country, addressed Congress workers at party headquarters. In his address, Gandhi alleged that BJP was spreading hatred among the people across the country. Congress leader said that his party was determined to defeat the sinister design of the BJP of spreading hatred. It could be done only by giving a message of love and fraternity among the people, he noted and called upon party workers to fight unitedly to defeat BJP. In Karnataka, BJP faced crushing defeat when Congress unitedly fought in Assembly elections there, he pointed out. Gandhi said Congress would also emerge victorious in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana assembly elections. He dubbed Congress workers as the inspiring force of the party. Gandhi along with top opposition leaders will attend the meeting convened at the initiative of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, CPI leader D Raja, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, CPI(ML) leader Deepankar Bhattacharya and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray are among top opposition leaders attending the meeting. The meeting will discuss ways for national level unity among opposition parties to take on BJP in next Lok Sabha elections. PIB New Delhi/Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received bipartisan praise and support after his speech at the US Congress, which saw a full house and applause, with many members from both sides coming to congratulate the PM and take pictures with him. The PM in a tweet said: Honoured to address the US Congress. Gratitude to all the members of Congress who attended today. Your presence signifies the strength of India-USA ties and our shared commitment to a better future. I look forward to continued partnership in fostering global peace and progress. The PM issued a string of tweets, thanking each Congress member for their felicitations. Thanking Speaker Kevin McCarthy, he said: Your warm welcome is highly appreciated @SpeakerMcCarthy. Eager to enhance our bilateral cooperation, fostering an even stronger bond between our countries. McCarthy, Speaker of the House and Representatives, in a tweet said: It was a privilege to welcome Prime Minister @narendramodi to the U.S. Capitol, one of the greatest symbols of democracy in the world. I look forward to increased economic and national security ties between our two great nations. The PM replied to U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who said the meeting with the PM comes at a consequential moment in our two countries relationship. We face common challenges, and share a commitment to keeping the Indo-Pacific free and open. Indeed @LeaderMcConnell, our meeting comes at a crucial time. The challenges we face can be effectively addressed, guided by the values we share. Our nations will continue to work together to uphold these ideals for the prosperity of our nations and the planet. In a statement McConnell said: "I was glad to meet today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India before he addressed a joint session of Congress. The Prime Ministers visit comes at a consequential moment in our two countries relationship. Indias population, location, and resources make it a cornerstone of the global economy, and its adherence to democratic values can help tie our nations closer together." But India and the United States share more than robust trade and basic values. We share an interest in keeping the Indo-Pacific free and open, and we face common challenges. India understands Chinas belligerent behavior firsthand. Like our other Quad partners, Australia and Japan, India continues to invest in a growing defense industrial base. There are opportunities for even deeper cooperation if our countries remove regulatory and bureaucratic obstacles. I am hopeful that Prime Minister Modis visit will focus our efforts on seizing these opportunities. The PM also thanked Senator Chuck Schumer, New Yorks Senator and the Senate Majority Leader, for his welcome. Thank you for the warm welcome @SenSchumer. It's always an honor to address friends at the US Congress. Looking forward to strengthening our ties and continuing our work towards shared goals. The future is brighter when our nations stand together. He also thanked Mark Warner, Senator from Virginia, and Chairman, Senate Intel Committee, who tweeted: Great to be here for PM Modis address to Congress! The continued cooperation of our nations the worlds two largest democracies is more critical now than ever. PM said: Thank you for your presence at the address, Senator @MarkWarner and for your commitment to our partnership. Indeed, the cooperation between our great nations is vital for addressing today's global challenges. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter future. The PM also thanked Congresswoman Nikema Williams, who said The United States and India are the worlds oldest and largest democracies. We welcomed Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi for a special address to a joint session of Congress. Grateful to you @RepNikema and all esteemed members of Congress for the special welcome, the PM tweeted. The PM also thanked Congressman Brad Sherman and Greg Stanton, besides several other leaders who tweeted photos with the PM. Colin Allred in a tweet said: Democracies of the world must work together to solve our global challenges, and today the U.S. Congress welcomed @narendramodi of India to a joint session. I look forward to continuing to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between our two nations. The PM replied: Cooperation between our nations has grown over the years and it will benefit our nations and the entire planet as well. Congressman John Duarte tweeted: Delighted to welcome @narendramodi to DC for a historic joint address to Congress. As staunch allies, our nations share common values of freedom, democracy, and economic prosperity. Looking forward to deepening our bilateral relationship and fostering stronger ties. The PM replied, thanking him, I concur that our shared values are the bedrock of our strong alliance. Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks said:It was my great honor to welcome Prime Minister @narendramodi to Congress today & have @uiowa graduate Pareen Mhatre in attendance as my guest. The U.S. has a special relationship with India & I look forward to continuing to build this important relationship! The PM said: I too am eager to continue building the bilateral relationship between our nations across diverse sectors. On June 22, at 7:25 p.m., Zori Arakelyan (born in 1983), a resident of Cchankatagh village of Martakert region, called the duty unit of the regional department and reported that an irregular round of fire was fired from the Azerbaijani position in the direction of their house. June 23, 2023, 09:08 Shots fired from the Azerbaijani position in the direction of a residential house in Chankatagh village STEPANAKERT, JUNE 23, ARTSAKHPRESS: The senior investigator who went to the scene found out that at around 13:30, Z. The roof of Arakelyans house. The extent of the damage is being ascertained. The message was passed on to the Russian peacekeeping troops. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS Kolkata/IBNS: National award winning singer Rupankar Bagchi recorded a song, which he says "feels like my own" for upcoming Bengali film 'Onno Rupkatha'. "The song will remind you of the good old days and take you back to your youth," said Rupankar as he recorded a song for Ratan Mitras upcoming film. Speaking to IBNS, Rupankar said, "At first I did not like the track as it felt very monotonous but ultimately when I started singing, I got extremely involved and there was a sort of peace in the song which conjured up memories of my younger days making me want to return to those times." Set in rural Bengal, the film, a social drama, follows the story of Dr Anirban Roy played by Actor Raj De who returns to his village after 26 years. He is met with the realisation that the village he once knew has changed drastically and so has his childhood sweetheart Rupkatha. On one hand, he tries to help his grandfather protect the values of the village against corrupt political powers while at the same time, mending his broken relationship with Rupkatha.The film revolves around the conflicts he faces as he navigates the changes. 'Onno Rupkatha' is set to be released in August. (Reporting by Radhika Sen, Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS) Pixabay A French man has been accused of drugging his wife and then recording her being raped by at least 51 men for 10 years, media reports said. Dominique P, a pensioner who had been married for more than 50 years, allegedly mixed the anti-anxiety drug Lorazepam into his wifes evening meal, La Monde reported as quoted by The Independent. He then allegedly 'invited' his guests to rape his sleeping wife. A total of 51 men between the ages of 26 and 73 have been identified, arrested and charged with rape following an inquiry launched in 2020 in the southern city of Avignon, reported the newspaper. The suspect, from nearby Mazan, reportedly found the men on a son insu a French internet forum where members discuss performing sexual acts on women without their consent and often when they are drugged. The exchanges on the web forum were erased after being linked to a criminal investigation into paedophile, racist or anti-Semitic content and the sale of illicit substances, the newspaper reported. Law enforcement officials learned about the videos during a preliminary investigation three years ago when the suspect was caught trying to film woman in a changing room with a hidden camera. The videos were found on the mans computer, where they were meticulously archived in a file called Abuses. The titles of the hundreds of videos indicate a date, a first name and the nature of the actions, according to the French newspaper as quoted by The Independent. The woman has reportedly filed for divorce. The UN has worked to extend critical humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine since day one of the invasion, the Organizations development chief told the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on Wednesday. Achim Steiner, head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Vice-Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group told delegates he had just returned from the war-torn country, noting civilians extraordinary determination to adapt, to recover and to rebuild. The UN had developed a clear picture to inform a targeted recovery through a Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment developed with our partners, he said. He added that the UN continues efforts to provide assistance to all of those in need, including in areas currently under Russian control where humanitarian access is extremely limited. Farming and environment Tweet URL To chart a way forward, Mr. Steiner said the UN and partners were developing a damage assessment with a focus on agriculture and the environment. He said that in 2023, the UN scaled up its recovery efforts, implementing $1 billion of recovery and development programming in line with the Governments priorities, driven by 24 different UN offices and around 3,000 personnel. Mr. Steiner highlighted that the UNs pledge to stay and deliver in Ukraine is characterized by community-level recovery - jointly planning, sequencing, and layering our humanitarian, development, and support for social cohesion. Rescue workers killed and injured The World Food Programmes (WFP) senior humanitarian official on the ground, Matthew Hollingworth, has condemned an attack on Kherson on Tuesday that killed and injured rescue workers from Ukraines emergency services. He said the incident was yet another example of the human impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, reminding the country of its obligations to protect civilians, including rescue workers, under international humanitarian law. UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York on Wednesday that agencies were continuing to work non-stop to help those impacted by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, assisting the remarkable work of volunteers and government responders. Two weeks since the disaster, UN agencies and humanitarian partners organized 12 inter-agency convoys, including two by boat and amphibious trucks, delivering 50 truckloads of vital supplies to help people in the Kherson Region and those living in the Dnipro Region, aid Mr. Dujarric. Access to drinking water continues to be extremely limited due to the disaster. Overall, and across all affected areas, the UN - along with our partners - delivered more than two million litres of water, 130,000 ready-to-eat food rations, hygiene items, medical supplies, shelter kits, sleeping bags, blankets and other essential items. Marshall plan approach needed to stop landmines wrecking economy Another by-product of Russias invasion is the scourge of landmines planted by invaders during their occupation of the country since February last year. Tens of thousands will need to be cleared to put the countrys economy back on track and enable food to be grown for the rest of the world, said UNDP on Wednesday. The UN agency has been mandated by Ukraines Government to address the economic impact of mine contamination in years, not decades, UNDPs Paul Heslop, who leads mine action in the country, told reporters in Geneva. He told reporters in Geneva that a Marshall Plan-type approach to mine clearance was needed, so that agricultural land can be returned to use as quickly as possible. The plan devised by the Truman Administration in 1947 helped restore the economic infrastructure of post-World War Two Europe. I think it is very realistic for us to say to the international community, make the commitment over the next five years, and we will see Ukraine retake its place as an agricultural powerhouse, and that will affect the world, said Mr. Heslop. It will bring down food prices for everybody. UNDP believes that with the right resources and the right commitment, the world can help Ukraine remove 75 per cent of the economic impact of mine contamination by 2028, Mr. Heslop said. He stressed this will require harnessing innovation like satellite imagery and drones alongside traditional demining techniques. More investment in training and equipment will also be needed and new lending arrangements so farmers can clear land. New York: Zeinabou Maata, a Muslim from Mauritania, is one of 50 women serving on the frontlines of preventing the spread of violent extremism in her country, with UN support. Our religion is a true, honest religion that treats women with justice and fairness, she said, leaning forward for emphasis. She knows of what she speaks. She is the daughter of Baba Ould Maata, a highly respected Mauritanian scholar. Inspired by her father, Ms. Maata has embarked on her own journey of studying the Quran and other traditional texts from a young age, graduating from Mauritanias largest Islamic institution and studying Islamic law at the post-graduate level. Brought up in an Islamic household, Ms. Maata believes it is her responsibility and duty to give back to her community. Community outreach Known as the Mourchidates, religiously trained women like Ms. Maata are educating their communities on the risks of violent extremism. Established in 2021 with the support of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Mauritanian Ministry of Islamic Affairs, and the Association of Women Heads of Household, the Mourchidates network works to combat violent extremism in various settings, including prisons, in Mauritania. Mauritania belongs to the Sahel region in Africa, an area which has faced an expansion of terrorism and extremist movements, Ms. Maata said. Starting in 2005, Islamic terrorists have carried out several attacks across the country, much to the dismay of devout Muslims and proud Mauritanians, she said. Countering messages of hate We Mauritanians are tolerant and understanding of others, and we accept and welcome people from other religions, she said. These attacks were contrary to both Mauritanian culture and Islamic sharia. When asked how best to fight back against rhetoric that uses and distorts Islam, she said the answer is simple: the Quran. Chosen specifically for their expertise on Islam, the women focus on using Islamic arguments to counter messages of hate and violence. We clarify verses from the Quran and explain the hadith [a collection of sayings from the Prophet Muhammad], both of which urge peace and civil and community security, she said. We point out the seven concepts that are used in extremist discourse, such as jihad, and use Islamic arguments that show the correct intention of these verses, which combats extremist ideologies. The Mourchidates determine where and which groups are at risk of falling prey to extremist arguments. They then use their network to facilitate dialogues at prisons, mosques, schools, markets, or even homes. Extreme prison sentences birth extremist ideas Once, we Mourchidates visited a prison, the first time something like this had been allowed in Mauritania, she said. Inside, they discovered that one of the female prisoners had been a powerful leader within the Salafist Group, a conservative Islamic movement that follows the practices of early generations of Muslims. Extreme sentences often generate extremist ideas in prisons, she relates. We are proud that we were able to persuade her with religious arguments that Islam is a righteous and tolerant religion. Eventually, the prisoner announced her withdrawal from these extremist ideas and promised to get involved in activities that serve Mauritanias security and civil peace, Ms. Maata said, adding that the woman had agreed to participate in a dialogue between religious scholars and former Salafists, sponsored by the Mauritanian Government. Early warning systems In 2022, Mourchidate assistance reached more than 10,000 people. In Nouakchott, the Mourchidates supported the wives, sisters, and mothers of detainees, helping them to abandon violent, extremist ideas. In Ould Yenge, near the borders with Mali and Senegal, the Mourchidates have contributed to an early warning system by alerting law enforcement forces of suspicious cases. Meanwhile, in Adel Bagrou, a city bordering Mali, the Mourchidates network provided support to young victims of terrorism who had found refuge in Mauritania, facilitating their integration into everyday life in their new country. Mauritania has not experienced a single terrorist attack since 2011, thanks in part to the efforts of people like Zeinabou and the network, according to UNODC. Women are capable of achieving anything they set their mind to, Ms. Maata said. They have the gift of being persuasive, tipping the scales in their favour, and they should use this ability to help serve their countries. Representational image by Tom Carnegie on Unsplash Ottawa: The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has warned Canadians are being unwittingly recruited online by Chinese intelligence officers to spy for Beijing. The CSIS posted a statement on Twitter to alert people. The latest allegations by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) come as the country continues to grapple with numerous reports of Chinese interference in its domestic affairs claims that Beijing has repeatedly and forcefully denied, South China Morning Post reported. Canadians beware The Peoples Republic of Chinas Intelligence Services (PRCIS) are targeting Canadian citizens inside & outside of China. This threadexplains how targets are approached and cultivated pic.twitter.com/z8shkzYONN CSIS Canada (@csiscanada) June 20, 2023 Chinas foreign affairs ministry has not responded to an inquiry by the South China Morning Post. " The Peoples Republic of Chinas Intelligence Services (PRCIS) are targeting Canadian citizens inside & outside of China," CSIS Canada tweeted. " The PRCIS then approaches their target under cover via LinkedIn, posing as anything from an HR recruiter to a security consultants," tweeted the body. "They then move the communication to secondary platforms at the earliest opportunity, such as WeChat, WhatsApp or email," read the tweet. CSIS tweeted: " Dont become a target of PRCIS recruitment. Be careful who you connect with on LinkedIn, and all other online platforms." Be it a wedding, party, or nightclub, Punjabi music never fails to bring people on the dance floor. A recent example of this is Riar Saab's Obsessed. Vicky Kaushal causally posted a reel dancing on this track, and one day later, everyone was obsessed with it. And then there are some evergreen Punjabi songs that are played at almost every function and we never seem to get over them. They uplift our mood instantly. One of them is Mundian To Bach Ke Rahi, the Bhangra song produced by British musician Panjabi MC that has vocals and lyrics by Labh Janjua. The song is popular across the world. Twitter American Rapper Jay-Z Sings Mundian To Bach Ke Rahi At the Louis Vuitton show in Paris, American rapper Jay-Z performed a remix version of Punjabi song Mundian To Bach Ke Rahi and the crowd went berserk. As the video went viral, the internet is also going bonkers over it. Also Read: Ranveer Singh To Perform Alongside Coldplay And Jay Z At The Global Citizen Festival. Wait, What? A Twitter user wrote, "Can we take a moment to appreciate #JayZ opening with his Punjabi MC nightrider remix for his performance at @Pharrell's debut collection for #LVMenSS24 at Pont Neuf. Noice #lvmh". Jay Z performs mundian to bach ke at the @LouisVuitton show in Paris. This is Panjabi culture pic.twitter.com/5qJMPFboXN imjustbesti (@imjustbesti) June 20, 2023 For the unversed, Jay-Z collaborated with Panjabi MC in 2002, and released the remix version of the song. He has originally sung the rap in this version - which he performed at the Louis Vuitton show. Also Read: Warren Buffett's 13-year-old Interview With Jay-Z Goes Viral After Rappers Net Worth Hits $2.5 Billion Jay-Z had himself approached Panjabi MC after he heard the song at a club. Linkedin/Panjabi MC "All I knew was it was something totally fresh. It felt like world music in the best sense, like a bunch of sounds from different parts of the globe joined up like an all-star team. People in the club heard it and went crazy. I did, too." "I tracked down the artist (Panjabi MC) and called the next day to see if I could do a remix of the song," he had once said. At the LV Show, rapper and fashion designer Pharrell Williams showcased his debut collection. The event was attended by eminent personalities like Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Beyonce, Zendaya, Law Roach and Kim Kardashian among others. While Rihanna flaunted her baby bump in a checkered denim bra top and jumpsuit, her longtime partner A$AP Rocky matched in a denim jacket and baggy jean shorts covered with the brands logo. The couple is currently expecting their second child together after welcoming son RZA, now 13 months, in May 2022. For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. The Mumbai Police Department has issued a public warning about the growing potential of a Pink WhatsApp scam. Hackers are increasingly adopting this scam to prey on unwary users, and police are advising people to be cautious and take the required safeguards. The Mumbai Police Department issued a warning on Monday about a new hoax involving the popular instant messaging service WhatsApp. The warning comes after a national government caution stated that a 'New Pink Look WhatsApp with more features' is circulating on the popular messaging app, which could lead to smartphone hacking via malicious software. "Fraudsters devise new tricks and methods to entice gullible users into falling into their trap and committing cyber fraud." It is up to users to be "Aware, Alert, and Attentive to these types of frauds to stay safe and secure in the digital world," according to the advice. The Pink WhatsApp Scam Is On The Rise: Do Not Click The Link If You Don't Want To Lose Money Instagram/gujaratcybercrimecell The Pink WhatsApp scam is a fraudulent technique in which users are sent a message with a link that promises to change the colour of their WhatsApp interface to pink. Clicking on the link, on the other hand, takes them to a fraudulent website or asks them to download a malicious application. This scam aims to either steal critical personal information, such as passwords or financial information, from the victim's device or install malware on the victim's device. The scam uses WhatsApp's ubiquity and users' interest to lure them into compromising their privacy and security. To avoid being a victim of this scam, it is critical to exercise vigilance and refrain from clicking on strange links or downloading unknown programs. Here's What Happens If You Click The Pink WhatsApp Link If such an app has already been downloaded, the Mumbai Police have encouraged users to uninstall it immediately. The police have warned people not to click on odd links or download anything from sources other than authorised play shops. Meanwhile, fake WhatsApp calls and texts are on the rise. Many people have complained on Twitter about receiving unknown calls from overseas numbers beginning with +84, +62, +60, and others. Users should exercise caution when answering or responding to calls and texts from unfamiliar numbers. Keeping Yourself Safe From Pink WhatsApp Scams The police also explained how WhatsApp users should avoid falling victim to the popular Pink WhatsApp scam. First and foremost, if you have downloaded the bogus program, remove it immediately. Uninstall WhatsApp by going to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp (pink logo) and uninstalling it. Always be cautious and only click on links from unfamiliar sources if you have verified their legitimacy. Apps should only be installed or updated via the official Google Play Store, iOS App Store, or trustworthy sources. Only forward links or messages to others with proper identification or verification. Avoid exchanging your personal or financial information, such as login credentials, passwords, credit or debit card numbers, and similar information, with anybody online, as this information might be exploited. Stay educated and cautious about cybercriminals' actions by staying up-to date with the latest news and updates to defend yourself from their attempts at fraud. What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. Today in History: June 23rd is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are days 191 remaining until the end of the year. There are several notable events that happened on June 23 throughout history, and that's why it's an important day in Indian and world history. What Happened this Day in India History Events If you're wondering to know about what happened today in History? Then you're in the right place. On this day, there are several notable events that have occurred throughout Indian and world history. In this article, we have compiled a list of the important things that happened all around the world on June 23. Take a look: Today in History: What Happened This Day in India History Events International Olympic Day - June 23 International Olympic Day is celebrated on June 23rd every year. It is a global celebration of the Olympic Movement and aims to promote the values of sport, such as excellence, friendship, and respect, as well as the Olympic ideals of fair play, solidarity, and peace. International Widows Day - June 23 International Widows' Day is observed on June 23rd each year to raise awareness about the challenges faced by widows worldwide and to advocate for their rights and well-being. It was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2010. United Nations Public Service Day - June 23 United Nations Public Service Day is celebrated on June 23rd each year to recognize the value and virtue of public service to the community and highlight the contributions of public servants in improving people's lives. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003. 1985 - Air India Boeing 747 Kanishka Crashes into the Atlantic Ocean On June 23rd, 1985, an Air India Boeing 747 'Kanishka' on its way from Montreal to London and then onwards to Mumbai, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. This happened after a bomb exploded on board while the aircraft was at an altitude of 31,000 feet. All 329 on board the flight, including passengers and crew members, perished in this deadly air disaster. What Happened On This Day In History What happened in World History on June 23 1894 - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is founded The IOC is responsible for organizing the Olympic Games and similar events. The committee was established at the initiative of French educator, Pierre de Coubertin. 1961 - The Antarctic Treaty comes into force The treaty was the first arms control agreement signed during the Cold War. It sets Antarctica aside as a scientific preserve and prohibits military activities on the continent. 2016 - The UK votes to leave the European Union Just over half of the electorate voted for Brexit, Britain's exit from the EU. The UK had been part of the union since 1973. Todays Highlight in History: - In 1860, a congressional resolution authorized the creation of the United States Government Printing Office, which opened the following year. - In 1888, abolitionist Frederick Douglass received one vote from the Kentucky delegation at the Republican convention in Chicago, effectively making him the first Black candidate to have his name placed in the nomination for U.S. president. (The nomination went to Benjamin Harrison.) - In 1931, aviators Wiley Post and Harold Gatty took off from New York on a round-the-world flight that lasted eight days and 15 hours. - In 1947, the Senate joined the House in overriding President Harry S. Trumans veto of the Taft-Hartley Act, designed to limit the power of organized labor. - In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson, Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin (ah-LEK-say koh-SEE-gihn) opened a three-day summit at Glassboro State College in New Jersey. - In 1969, Warren E. Burger was sworn in as chief justice of the United States by the man he was succeeding, Earl Warren. - In 1985, all 329 people aboard an Air India Boeing 747 were killed when the plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Ireland because of a bomb authorities believe was planted by Sikh separatists. - In 1995, Dr. Jonas Salk, the medical pioneer who developed the first vaccine to halt the crippling rampage of polio, died in La Jolla (HOY-ah), California, at age 80. - In 2016, Britain voted to leave the European Union after a bitterly divisive referendum campaign, toppling Prime Minister David Cameron, who had led the campaign to keep Britain in the EU. What Happened this Day in India History Events Also on this day: In addition to these historical events on June 23 events, there is also the birthday and death of several notable individuals that you must know about. Famous People's Birthday on June 23 1616 - Shah Shuja Shah Shuja was born on 23 June 1616, in Ajmer. He was the second son and fourth child of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his queen Mumtaz Mahal. 1952 - Raj Babbar Birthday Raj Babbar is an Indian actor and politician. He was born on June 23, 1952, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. Babbar initially pursued a career in theater and made his acting debut in the Punjabi film "Aasra Pyar Da" in 1983. He gained recognition in Bollywood with films like "Insaaf Ka Tarazu," "Nikaah," and "Aaj Ki Aawaz." 1887 - Tanmay Bhat's Birthday Tanmay Bhat is an Indian comedian, writer, and YouTuber. He was born on June 23, 1987, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Tanmay Bhat co-founded the popular comedy collective known as All India Bakchod (AIB) in 2012, along with Gursimran Khamba, Rohan Joshi, and Ashish Shakya. Famous People's Death Anniversary on June 23 1761 - Death of Maratha ruler Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao Balaji Baji Rao passed away on June 23, 1761. Despite the challenges faced during his reign, he is remembered as a skilled administrator and a key figure in Maratha history. His contributions to the Maratha Empire, particularly in the areas of military expansion and administrative reforms, have left a lasting impact on Indian history. 1980 - Sanjay Gandhi's Death Anniversary Sanjay Gandhi was an Indian politician and the son of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He was born on December 14, 1946, in Mumbai, India. Sanjay Gandhi was a prominent figure in Indian politics during the 1970s. Tragically, Sanjay Gandhi's life was cut short in a plane crash on June 23, 1980. The crash occurred near Safdarjung Airport in New Delhi, India. His untimely death marked the end of his political career and left a significant impact on Indian politics. Important Days in June 2023 India June 2023 Important Days: Complete List June 2023 Important Days Important Events In May 1 June World Milk Day 1 June Global Day of Parents 2 June Telangana Formation Day 2 June International Sex Workers Day 3 June World Bicycle Day 4 June International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression 5 June World Environment Day 7 June World Food Safety Day 8 June World Brain Tumor Day 8 June World Oceans Day 12 June World Day Against Child Labor 13 June International Albinism Awareness Day 14 June World Blood Donor Day 15 June World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 15 June World Wind Day 16 June Guru Arjan Dev Martyrdom Day 17 June World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 18 June International Picnic Day 18 June Autistic Pride Day 18 June Fathers Day (Third Sunday of June) 19 June World Sickle Cell Awareness Day 19 June World Sauntering Day 20 June World Refugee Day 21 June World Music Day 21 June International Yoga Day 23 June International Olympic Day 23 June International Widows Day 23 June United Nations Public Service Day 26 June International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 29 June National Statistics Day 30 June World Asteroid Day Month-wise Important Days List 2023 Important Days and Dates List 2023 January February March April May June July August September October November December This was all about the interesting and intriguing events that occurred on June 23! For more such informative content, keep following Indiatimes. Eid ul-Adha, also known as the "Festival of Sacrifice," also known as "Bakrid" is one of the major Islamic holidays around the corner, celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It is considered the second most important festival in the Islamic calendar after Eid al-Fitr. Eid ul-Adha also known as Bakrid commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. According to Islamic tradition, as Ibraher prepared to carry out the sacrifice, God intervened and provided a ram as a substitute. This event symbolizes faith, obedience, and submission to God. The festival begins on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and lasts anywhere between two and four days. The Islamic lunar calendar is approximately 10 to 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, so the dates of Eid ul-Adha vary each year. Eid-Al-Adha 2023 image | Photo: Freepik During Eid ul-Adha, Muslims around the world perform special prayers, gather for communal prayers at mosques or open spaces, and listen to sermons delivered by religious leaders. The day is characterised by acts of charity, giving to the poor and needy, and visiting friends and family. Muslims also commemorate the sacrifice of Ibraher by sacrificing an animal, typically a sheep, goat, or camel, in a ritual known as Qurbani. The meat from the sacrificed animal is divided into three parts: one part for the family, one part for relatives and friends, and one part for the less fortunate. Eid ul-Adha is a time of celebration, reflection, and gratitude. It emphasises the importance of sacrifice, faith, and helping those in need. It is also an occasion for Muslims to come together, strengthen community bonds, and share joy and blessings. Eid-Ul-Adha (Eid al-Adha) in 2023 is expected to take place on the evening of Thursday, June 29, 2023, and end on the evening of Friday, June 30, 2023. However, please note that the exact dates of Islamic holidays may vary slightly based on the sighting of the moon. Send warm and heartfelt wishes, and text messages to your loving wife, wishing her Eid Mubarak. Surprise her by sending a beautiful wish as a warm Eid greeting to her and making this day all the more special to her. Here we have provided a wonderful list of Eid Mubarak wishes, messages, and quotes for wife on the festival of Eid-Ul-Adha. Lets read on and pick your favorite one. Eid Ul-Adha 2023 best wishes to wife: 1. May this Eid-ul-Adha bring abundant blessings and happiness to the most special woman in my life. Happy Eid, my love! 2. Wishing my loving woman a joyous Eid filled with love, peace, and prosperity. May our bond grow stronger with each passing day. Eid Mubarak! 3. On this auspicious occasion, I pray that our love continues to deepen and our life is filled with countless moments of joy and togetherness. Eid Mubarak, my darling wife! 4. As we celebrate Eid-ul-Adha together, I want you to know how grateful I am to have you by my side. Your love and support mean the world to me. Eid Mubarak, my beautiful wife! 5. May the divine blessings of Allah bring harmony, happiness, and success to our married life. Sending you warm wishes on Eid-ul-Adha, my loving wife! 6. Eid Mubarak to the woman who completes me in every way. Your presence in my life is a blessing, and I'm forever grateful for your love and companionship. Enjoy this special day, my dear wife! 7. As we offer our sacrifices and prayers, I pray that our marriage remains strong and filled with love. May this Eid bring us closer and reinforce our bond. Eid Mubarak, my wonderful wife! 8. On this holy occasion, I pray that Allah showers His choicest blessings upon you and fulfills all your dreams and aspirations. Eid Mubarak, my dear wife! 9. My dear wife, you are the epitome of love, sacrifice, and compassion. May your heart be filled with immense joy and may all your wishes come true this Eid-ul-Adha. Eid Mubarak! 10. Eid-ul-Adha is a reminder of the importance of sacrifice and selflessness. You have always put our family first, and I am grateful for your unwavering dedication. Wishing you a blessed Eid, my amazing wife! 11. My love for you grows stronger with each passing day. On this joyous occasion, I want to express my love and appreciation for everything you do. Eid Mubarak, my beautiful wife! 12. Your presence in my life is a source of immense happiness and strength. May this Eid bring you peace, prosperity, and fulfillment. Eid Mubarak, my loving wife! 13. Your love and support are the pillars that hold our family together. On this special day, I want to thank you for being an incredible wife and mother. Eid Mubarak, my darling wife! 14. May the blessings of Eid-ul-Adha fill our home with love, laughter, and prosperity. You are the reason behind my smiles, and I'm grateful to have you as my wife. Eid Mubarak, my dear! 15. On this sacred day, I pray that our love continues to blossom and our bond grows stronger. May we always be there for each other, through thick and thin. Eid Mubarak, my wonderful wife! 16. As we celebrate this festive occasion, I want you to know that you are the queen of my heart. May Allah bless you with happiness, good health, and success. Eid Mubarak, my beloved wife! 17. Your presence brings joy and tranquility into my life. On this Eid, I wish you endless moments of happiness and peace. Eid Mubarak, my dear wife! 18. May the divine light of Eid-ul-Adha fill our lives with hope, positivity, and prosperity. Sending you heartfelt wishes on this auspicious day. Eid Mubarak, my loving wife! 19. Your love is the source of my strength and happiness. On this holy occasion, I pray for your well 20. May the bond of love between us grow stronger with each passing day. Wishing you a happy Eid filled with love and happiness. Eid Ul-Adha 2023 best messages to wife: 1. Dear wife, on this auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, I am grateful to have you by my side. May our love and bond grow stronger with each passing day. Eid Mubarak! 2. Wishing my loving wife a joyous Eid-ul-Adha filled with happiness, peace, and prosperity. May Allah bless you and fulfill all your wishes. Eid Mubarak! 3. On this blessed day, I want to express my love and gratitude to the most wonderful wife in the world. May this Eid bring you immense joy and countless blessings. Eid Mubarak! 4. Dearest wife, your love and support make every day beautiful. On this holy occasion, I pray for your health, happiness, and success. May you have a blessed Eid-ul-Adha. Eid Mubarak! 5. My love, as we celebrate Eid-ul-Adha together, I want you to know that you are the greatest blessing in my life. May Allah's love and mercy always be with you. Eid Mubarak! 6. To my amazing wife, may this Eid bring you peace, contentment, and prosperity. Thank you for being my rock and sharing this beautiful journey of life with me. Eid Mubarak! 7. On this sacred day, I offer my heartfelt prayers for you, my dear wife. May Allah's blessings and guidance be with you, and may all your dreams come true. Eid Mubarak! 8. My dear wife, your presence fills my life with joy and happiness. As we celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, I pray that our love continues to strengthen and our bond grows deeper. Eid Mubarak! 9. Sending warm wishes to the woman who completes my life. May this Eid bring you immense joy, good health, and prosperity. Eid Mubarak, my loving wife! 10. On this holy occasion, I thank Allah for blessing me with a wife as wonderful as you. May our love be eternal, and may our lives be filled with happiness and peace. Eid Mubarak! 11. My dearest wife, your love and devotion are the greatest blessings in my life. As we celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, I pray for your well-being and happiness. Eid Mubarak! 12. To my beloved wife, your love and support make every day special. On this auspicious day, I pray that our bond of love grows stronger and our lives are filled with joy. Eid Mubarak! 13. My love, as we celebrate this holy festival, I want you to know that you are the light of my life. May Allah bless you with endless happiness and success. Eid Mubarak! 14. On this blessed occasion, I am grateful for the love and companionship we share, my dear wife. May our life be filled with harmony, love, and prosperity. Eid Mubarak! 15. To my loving wife, your presence in my life is a source of strength and happiness. As we celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, I pray that our bond grows deeper and our love grows stronger. Eid Mubarak! 16. My dear wife, your love and care make every day feel like Eid. On this joyous occasion, I wish you a blessed Eid-ul-Adha filled with laughter and unforgettable moments. Eid Mubarak! 17. As we come together to celebrate Eid, I want to express my gratitude for your love, support, and understanding. May Allah shower His blessings on you, my beloved wife. Eid Mubarak! 18. On this special day, I thank Allah for blessing me with a wife as wonderful as you. May our love and happiness multiply with each passing day. Eid Mubarak, my dear wife! 19. My darling wife, as we celebrate this joyous occasion, I want you to know that you are the center of my world. May this Eid bring you endless moments of happiness and love. Eid Mubarak! 20. To my loving partner, may this Eid bring us closer together and strengthen our bond. Thank you for being the anchor in my life. Wishing you a beautiful and blessed Eid-ul-Adha. Eid Mubarak! Eid Ul-Adha 2023 best greetings to wife: 1. May the blessings of Eid fill your heart with joy and bring prosperity to our lives. Eid Mubarak, my dear wife! 2. On this auspicious occasion of Eid, I thank Allah for blessing me with such a loving and caring wife like you. Eid Mubarak, my beautiful soul! 3. As we celebrate Eid-ul-Adha together, I am grateful for the love and happiness you bring to our family. Wishing you a joyous Eid, my beloved wife! 4. On this blessed day, I pray that our love grows stronger, and our bond deepens with each passing moment. Eid Mubarak to the most amazing wife in the world! 5. Your presence in my life is a blessing beyond measure. May Allah shower His choicest blessings on you this Eid and always. Eid Mubarak, my dear wife! 6. Wishing my wonderful wife a blissful Eid filled with love, happiness, and endless moments of togetherness. Eid Mubarak, my love! 7. On this sacred occasion, I am grateful for the sacrifices you make every day to keep our family happy and united. Eid Mubarak to the pillar of our home, my darling wife! 8. May the spirit of Eid fill our home with peace, prosperity, and the sweet aroma of love. Eid Mubarak to the queen of my heart, my wife! 9. Your love is the reason I find solace in every moment. Sending you my warmest wishes on Eid-ul-Adha. Eid Mubarak, my loving wife! 10. As we offer our prayers and share the joy of Eid, I am reminded of how blessed I am to have you as my wife. Eid Mubarak, my dearest! 11. Let this Eid be a celebration of our togetherness and a reminder of the beautiful journey we share. Eid Mubarak to my soulmate, my wife! 12. On this holy occasion, I pray that our love continues to flourish, and our hearts remain connected forever. Eid Mubarak, my beloved wife! 13. Your love and support have always been my source of strength. May Allah grant you happiness and fulfill all your dreams. Eid Mubarak, my wonderful wife! 14. May the divine blessings of Allah bring peace, happiness, and prosperity into your life. Eid Mubarak to the love of my life, my dear wife! 15. On this Eid, I thank Allah for blessing me with a wife who fills my life with love, laughter, and endless joy. Eid Mubarak, my precious wife! Azerbaijani armed forces opened gunfire at a farmer in Artsakh on June 22, the Artsakh Republic Ministry of Defense said in a statement. June 23, 2023, 09:42 Azerbaijani military again fires at farmer in Artsakh STEPANAKERT, JUNE 23, ARTSAKHPRESS: The shooting happened after Azerbaijan generated yet another disinformation falsely claiming that it disrupted alleged engineering works by the Artsakh Defense Army. The Azerbaijani forces opened fire in between 13:40 14:20, June 22, at a farmer working in his tractor in agricultural fields of Tchartar. OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein defends late CEO Stockton Rush, one of the victims in the Titan implosion, against criticism from director James Cameron and others who raised concerns about the safety of the sub's carbon-fiber hull. On Friday, Sohnlein spoke to U.K.'s Times Radio and said, Twitter "In this kind of community, there are completely different opinions and views about how to do thingshow to design submersibles, how to engineer them, how to build them, how to operate in the dives." "But one thing thats true of me and the other experts is that none of us were involved in the subs' design, engineering, building, testing, or even diving. So its impossible for anyone to really speculate from the outside." Guillermo Sohnlein, who co-founded OceanGate alongside Stockton Rush in 2009, actively participated in numerous dives during the company's initial stages. However, Sohnlein departed from OceanGate in 2013 when Rush assumed the position of CEO. Despite this, Sohnlein maintained a close friendship with Rush over the years and revealed on Facebook that they had spoken just weeks before the ill-fated expedition took place. James Cameron, renowned for directing the Academy Award-winning film "Titanic" and his extensive ocean exploration, criticized using a carbon-fiber hull to construct the Titan. james Cameron asserted that it was merely a matter of time before the hull would succumb to cracks due to the repetitive dives. In contrast, in previous instances, Stockton Rush defended the choice of a carbon-fiber hull, citing its superior strength-to-buoyancy ratio compared to titanium. "I was involved in the early phases of the overall development program during our predecessor subs to Titan, and I know from firsthand experience that we were extremely committed to safety and that risk mitigation was a key part of the company culture," Sohnlein told Times Radio Friday. After an extensive and frantic multi-day search, it is sadly presumed that all passengers have been lost following the disappearance of a submersible carrying five individuals during a tour of the Titanic wreckage off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Reuters OceanGate Expeditions was responsible for operating the 21-foot deep-sea vessel. It had lost contact approximately one hour and forty-five minutes after submerging on Sunday morning. The United States Coast Guard stated that the breathable air had been depleted by Thursday morning despite having a 96-hour oxygen supply. The Coast Guard had been coordinating global search and rescue operations. Following an extensive and frantic multi-day search, it is tragically presumed that all passengers were lost after the submersible, carrying five individuals, vanished during a tour of the Titanic wreckage off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Alexis Tsipras met with visiting former US president Barack Obama on Thursday , with whom he discussed political developments. Why is U.S. Media Blind to American War Atrocities? By Norman Solomon On the first day of March 2022, visitors to the New York Times homepage saw a headline across the top of their screens in huge capital letters: ROCKET BARRAGE KILLS CIVILIANS June 23, 2023: Information Clearing House --It was the kind of breaking-news banner headline that could have referred to countless U.S. missile attacks and other military assaults during the previous two decades, telling of civilian deaths in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere. But those war on terror killings did not qualify for huge banner headlines. What stirred the Times to quickly publish one about civilian deaths wasas reported on the front page of its print edition a deadly Russian rocket assault on Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, that raised new alarms about how far the Kremlin was willing to go to subjugate its smaller neighbor. During the months that followed, the New York Times was among thousands of American outlets devoting the kind of news coverage to Russias war in Ukraine that would have been unthinkable while reporting on U.S. warfare. Early in April, 40 days after the Russian invasion began, a jarring headline in all capitals HORROR GROWS OVER SLAUGHTER IN UKRAINE spanned the top of the front page of the Times print edition. During April, 14 stories on the newspapers front page were primarily about civilian deaths as a result of the Russian invasion, all of which appeared at the top of the page, researchers at Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting found . During a comparable periodafter the U.S. invaded Iraqthe Times published only one story about civilian deaths at the hands of the U.S. military on the front page. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter By any consistent standard, the horrors that the U.S. military had brought to so many civilians since the autumn of 2001 were no less terrible for the victims than what Russia is doing in Ukraine. But the U.S. media coverage has been vastly more immediate, graphic, extensive, and outraged about Russias slaughter than Americas slaughter. On the rare occasions when a major U.S. news outlet provided in-depth reporting of civilian deaths caused by American forces, the pieces were usually retrospective, appearing long after the factpostmortems with little political impact and scant follow-uphardly making a peep in media echo chambers. No matter how sophisticated its high-tech weaponry, the large-scale Russian warfare in Ukraine is barbaric. That the same could also be said about American warfare in Afghanistan and Iraq was a truth nearly taboo to utter in U.S. mass media. Both the United States and Russia had brazenly flouted international law, crossing borders and persisting with massive lethal force. Coherent principles would condemn and illuminate each instance. But, despite press freedoms in the United States, very few big-name journalists and their imitators in the profession have been willing to break ranks with the gist of Washingtons official war narratives, which are, at bottom, not much more nuanced than assuming that Americas exemplary national character has been mobilized to defeat the unmitigated evil of the foe. Nationalism masquerading as journalism covers war in darkness and light, telling us for whom the bell tolls. And so, when Russia invaded Ukraine and proceeded to terrorize, kill, and maim, the U.S. media were all-hands-on-deck with empathetic, poignant reporting via TV, radio, print, and online outlets. But when American missiles and gravity bombs hit population centers over the previous two decades, the human tragedies rarely got anything more than short shrift in the U.S. media. The extreme differences in the quantity and tone of coverage reflectedand reinforcedthe agendas of war-makers based in Washington. An Ondo State High Court has sentenced a 78-year-old community leader, Ojo Komolafe, to death by hanging, over the murder of a School Proprietor, Taofik Babalola. Komolafe, who pleaded not guilty, reportedly killed his victim with a gun in the year 2021. He was said to have committed the offence on August 7, 2021, at the Kajola area of Odigbo council area. The deceased was reportedly sleeping when he was shot at close range. READ ALSO: Victor Osimhen Mobbed As He Visits His Primary School In Lagos Police prosecutor, H.M. Falowo, called four witnesses, which included the deceaseds wife; a neighbour; a police officer and a pathologist. Giving evidence, the wife of the deceased, Mrs Babalola, said she heard a gunshot and immediately ran out and saw the convict holding a gun. According to her I saw the defendant coming out of my husbands room and then I took to my heels with the fear that he could also shoot me. Thereafter, I rushed to my husbands room and met him on his bed in the pool of his blood, shouting with his last breath that Mr Komolafe shot him. I rushed out and called people to come to my aid, but my husband died in the process, she narrated. However, the convict denied the allegation saying the deceaseds wife was asked to implicate him. Komolafe said some suspected cult members he reported a case of arson against conspired with the deceaseds wife to lie against him. He said he was in his house with his wife when he also heard the gunshot that killed the victim. However, in his ruling, Justice Yemi Fasanmi, said there were contradictions in the defendants statement. Fasanmi described that the claim that some people conspired against the convict was mere assumption. He said the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and that there was direct evidence that linked the convict to the scene of the crime as well as being responsible for the death of the deceased. The Judge said that, It is my finding that the defendant caused the death of the deceased by shooting him with a gun at a close rage, which subsequently led to his death. The deceased was also seen fleeing the place of the crime. On the whole, I find the defendant guilty of the two counts as charged. Justice Fasanmi added that You (the defendant) are hereby sentenced to be hanged on the neck, until you die in the first count and seven years imprisonment for the second count. Ministry of Education, Kano State, Thursday declared a week break for schools (all Day and Boarding Public/Private Primary and Post Primary Schools) in the State to mark Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. Ahmad Tijjani Abdullahi, the Ministrys Permanent Secretary, made the disclosure in a statement issued to newsmen through the Ministrys Director, Public Enlightenment, Aliyu Yusuf. The break, he said, is to commence from Friday, June 23 to Saturday July 1 2023 noting that all Pupils/ students of boarding schools are to resume on Sunday, July 2, while those in day schools are to resume on Monday, July 3. Kano state Ministry of Education has approved Friday 23rd June 2023 as the date for the commencement of Eid-el Kabir Sallah Break for all Day and Boarding Public/Private Primary and Post Primary Schools in the state. Therefore, Parents/ Guardians of Pupils and Students in the Boarding schools are to convey their wards home by the early hours of the said Day (Friday). READ ALSO: Eid-el-Kabir: Nigerias Security Challenge Worrisome, Says Sultan The sallah Break which is going to last for one week is supposed to end on Saturday 1st July 2023, therefore, all Pupils/ students of the Boarding Schools are to resume on Sunday 2nd July while those in Day Schools are to resume on Monday 3rd July 2023 respectively. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Malam Ahmad Tijjani Abdullahi urged Parents /Guardians of Pupils and Students of the schools to ensure compliance with the approved resumption dates. While wishing them Happy Sallah festivities in advance, he appeal to them to be useful to their parents and avoid roaming about unnecessarily during the Sallah break. The Permanent Secretary, also warned that appropriate Disciplinary Action would be taken against defaulting students, the statement read. Former presidential candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) in the countrys general election in February 2019, Kingsley Moghalu has reacted to the arrest and suspension of Governor of the Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. Moghalu, in an interview with Arise News on Thursday, stated that Emefiele crossed the line when he bought the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and contested for the presidency. The former CBN Deputy Governor revealed that contesting for the presidency made Emefiele unfit to continue as the governor of the apex bank. Moghalu, however, said he has the highest minimal regard for Emefieles performance as the CBN governor. He added that the banks performance on its core mandates has not been impressive under Emefiele. READ MORE: Emefiele Got Me Detained For Over 100 Days Because I Exposed Forex Scam Whistleblower He said: We have seen the consequence of not being careful in appointing people for such a sensitive role. They make decisions and are just trying to achieve some self-interest at the particular time but are not weighing the consequence on the masses of an economy. There are lessons to be learned from what we have seen over the last several years. You cannot substitute political mandates for statuary mandates of the Central bank. I think it has been sidetracked. What we are seeing today is not a surprise at all. I have the highest minimal regard for Godwin Emefieles performance as the governor of CBN. The banks performance on its core mandates has not been impressive. Especially, going to contest for the presidency while sitting on the governorship seat of the bank. I think that just crossed the line and made him unfit to continue. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has approved the conduct of year 2023 compulsory confirmation/promotion examinations for newly employed doctors, engineers, police men/para-military officers, teachers, administrative officers and Foreign Affairs officers and other professionals in the Federal Public Service. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the Permanent Secretary, Management Career Service, in the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, stated this in a circular issued on Thursday. Ogunbiyi said any officer who fails to pass the examination after three consecutive attempts shall be required to resign or withdraw from the Service in accordance with Public Service Rules. The circular reads: The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has approved the conduct/management of the year 2023 Compulsory Confirmation/Promotion Examination for newly appointed Administrative Officers, Foreign Affairs Officers, Executive Officers, Police Officers, Para Military and other Professionals in the Federal Public Service. The Examination which is conducted by the Career Management Office of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, is a statutory requirement for the career progression of all staff in the Public Service. The Examination has been scheduled to take place throughout the Federation from Tuesday 19 Friday 22 September 2023. B. Any officer who fails to pass the examinations after three consecutive attempts shall be required to resign or withdraw from the Service in accordance with Public Service Rules 060203 and 060204 as stated below: (i) 060203. The Permanent Secretary/Head of Extra-Ministerial Office shall ensure strict compliance and enforcement. (i) 060204 An officer who fails to take the Confirmation Examination after 3 years of his/her first appointment shall be required to resign from Service. 4. The categories of officers eligible to sit for the examinations are: (a) Administrative Officers/Professionals (Doctors, Engineers, Teachers, Nurses etc) appointed directly into the Federal Public Service on first appointment; (b) Administrative ~ Officers/Professionals (Doctors, Engineers, Teachers, Nurses etc) promoted from junior posts, who are yet to be confirmed; (c) Administrative Officers/Professionals transferred from other Scheduled Services who at the date of transfer are under the age of 40 years and have not satisfied conditions for confirmation; (d) All unconfirmed Professionals e.g Doctors, Engineers, Architects, Surveyors that are in Government employment; (e) Officers appointed on first appointment as Executive Officers; (f) Executive Officers transferred from other Scheduled Services who at the date of transfer are under the age of 40 years and have not satisfied conditions for confirmation; and (8) Unconfirmed Assistant Executive Officers promoted from junior posts. 5. The registration will be done online via the COMPRO Portal on woww.ohcsf.gov.ng while the examination will be done by Computer Based Test (CBT). The candidate(s) Head of Department must countersign their printed slip generated from the portal. Slips that are not endorsed by the Director of Human Resources/Administration will not be acceptable during accreditation at the Examination Centre. The letter of First Appointment supporting the candidates application should be uploaded while filling out the online Form. A Police Inspector with the Niger State Police Command, Gbenga Fajuyi, 47, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison by a Minna Senior Magistrate Court for impregnating his 13-year-old biological daughter and k!lling the newborn baby after delivery. The Police First Information Report, marked SMC/MN, CR/06/2023 stated that Gbenga Fajuyi, age 47, sometime in 2019, in the Ungwan Nasarawa area of Tafa LG, lured his biological daughter, an SS1 student of Government Day Secondary School Sabon-Wuse, into his room and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her. As a result, she was put into a family way and delivered a baby girl, and you warned her that if she told anybody, you would kill her, During the police investigation, you, Gbenga Fajuyi, confessed to the commission of the offense. After delivery, you took the new-born baby to a nearby river and strangled the baby to death. READ ALSO: Pregnant Woman Shot Dead By Two-Year-Old Son In U.S The police prosecutor, Inspector Lawrence Owette, told the court that the three-count charge contravened Section 18 (2) of the Niger State Child Right Law 2010, Section 390 25 (3), and 397 B of the penal code. When the charges were read to him by the Presiding Senior magistrate, Christy Barau, the suspect pleaded guilty to the charge. The court asked the police prosecutor to prove his case and bring along his witnesses and evidence to enable the court give the suspect the maximum punishment in accordance with the offenses he committed. Hence, the prosecutor called the investigating police officer, who invited both the mother of the girl, and the girl, and they claimed the father had canal knowledge of his daughter at age 12 until she got pregnant at the age of 13. Delivering judgement, the courts presiding senior magistrate, Senior Magistrate Christy Barau, described the convict as a monster who, as a law enforcement officer that was supposed to protect the little girl, ended up putting her into adulthood. She then pronounced that he was to spend the next 22 years in prison without the option of a fine, and the sentence was to run concurrently. Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State, has approved the immediate payment of June salary to the State and Local Government staff, teachers as well as pensioners across the State. A statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Sokoto State Governor, Abubakar Bawa revealed the approval, which is aimed at ensuring that civil servants across the State celebrate the forthcoming Eid-el- Kabir festivities with ease. Aliyu further reassured the workers in the State of his administration his unequivocal commitment to revive the lost glory of civil service by ensuring the welfare of the workers at all times. READ ALSO: Bandits Attack Sokoto Villages, Kill 37 For Refusing To Pay Levies Information Nigeria reports that the Governor had during his campaign promised ensuring prompt payment of salaries. The Governor, therefore, called on the civil servants in the State to reciprocate the uncommon gesture by being punctual, sincere and dedicated to their work. Aliyu also appealed to the people of the State to continue to pray for the present administration to succeed in meeting their yearnings and aspirations. Popular skit maker and comic actor, Abdulgafar Ahmad better known as Cute Abiola has welcomed his first child with his wife Mosunmola. He announced the good news via his verified Instagram account. Sharing photos of him and his then-pregnant wife in Mecca, Cute Abiola revealed that he now has a son and his name is Alhaji. READ ALSO: Cute Abiola Shares First Salary With Widows, Elderly Women In Kwara He wrote, Never is a man more of a man than when he is the father of a newborn. I have a son now and he is Alhaji. Thank you, my love See post below: The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) of the United States Congress held a landmark hearing spotlighting Azerbaijans escalating aggression against the indigenous Armenian Christians of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), calling for sanctions against the Azerbaijani government in the face of a second Armenian Genocide taking place in the region, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). June 23, 2023, 11:51 U.S. congressional commission hearing warns of second Armenian Genocide against Artsakh STEPANAKERT, JUNE 23, ARTSAKHPRESS: Todays hearing both reflected and reinforced the growing pro-Artsakh Congressional consensus in support of an urgent reset in U.S. policy starting with an end to all U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan, stated ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. The ANCA will continue to work with the broad coalition of faith-based, ethnic, and human rights organizations and Congressional leaders to defend Artsakhs right to security and self-determination. The two-hour Capitol Hill hearing was hosted by TLHRC Co-Chairs Chris Smith (R-NJ) and James McGovern (D-MA) and included remarks by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ). Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) also submitted a written statement for the record. Titled Safeguarding the people of Nagorno Karabakh, the hearing included testimony by former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Michael Rubin, and Columbia University Director of the Peace-Building and Human Rights Program, Institute for the Study of Human Rights, David Phillips. Youve got 120,000 Christians that are being strangled, blockaded by Azerbaijan, explained Amb. Brownback, who recently returned from a Philos Project-led fact-finding mission to Armenia. Its against the peace agreement, its against what the International Court of Justice found, and yet its taking place. Its being backed by Erdogan, who is probably the leading Islamist person in the world thats pushing militant Islam. Amb. Brownback recommended the introduction of a Nagorno-Karabakh Human Rights Act, which would clearly identify the minimum standards to safeguard the security of Artsakhs Armenian population. Amb. Brownback also called for a Congressional delegation visit to Artsakh, noting that he and his delegation were blocked from entering Artsakh last week. On U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan, Amb. Brownback was adamant: Unless Azerbaijan lifts that blockade, those Section 907 sanctions should be put in place by the President, by the Administration, and they ought to take place now if they will not lift this blockade. Michael Rubin, who also participated in the Philos Project Armenia fact-finding mission, was adamant about the implementation of U.S. laws to sanction Azerbaijan including Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, and Magnitsky Act. President Aliyev has changed, and grown more erratic over the last decade. Id say his trajectory is almost analogous to what we saw with Saddam Hussein, explained Rubin. Phillips was direct in his assessment of Azerbaijans genocidal intent against Artsakhs Armenian population. It is clear from Aliyevs actions and his hate speech that a second Armenian Genocide is underway. The Erdogan regime is a full partner. It has equipped Azerbaijan with the tools to implement its Armenophobia, stated Phillips. He went on to discuss the documentation project he had launched on Azerbaijani and Turkish atrocities against Artsakh, geared to preserve evidence to deter future crimes and hold perpetrators accountable. I think our task today is simply to consider how to preserve the lives of the Armenians in Karabakh, in the face of a potentially genocidal threat, explained Amb. Evans. I certainly agree with the idea that the waiver of Section 907 ought to be rescinded. Amb. Evans went on to urge US diplomats to put the brakes on Turkish and Israeli arms sales to Baku. All the other members of the Minsk Group, and Turkey is technically a member of that group, but all the others had basically agreed to preserve the military balance in the Caucasus. Now Russia, of course, played the biggest role as a supplier to both sides, but when Israeli and Turkish high-tech drones and other equipment got in there, not to mention the F-16s, this really upset the situation and has brought us to where we are. Rep. Chris Smith, during dialogue with TLHRC hearing witnesses about U.S. efforts to address escalating Azerbaijani aggression, announced that he will soon be holding a second hearing this time through the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights & International Organizations, which he chairs where U.S. Administration officials would be invited to outline their efforts to address the Artsakh crisis. In opening remarks in todays hearing, Rep. Smith noted, Since 2020, Azerbaijan has been tightening a noose on Nagorno-Karabakh. Its forces have occupied much of the former territory and even territory of Armenia proper. [] As our government is leading discussions with Azerbaijan and Armenia leaders, we in Congress have a responsibility to ask where is all of this headed. [] Our country simply cannot accept a risk of genocide or of ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh. TLHRC Co-Chair Rep. McGovern offered an overview of the Artsakh crisis and Azerbaijans aggression, asserting, the bottom line is that the Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh understandably feels vulnerable and at risk. So, what do we do about this? What is the pro-human rights response here? It is to ensure civilian protection, which means taking any and all actions we can to prevent further escalation of tensions that could lead to more war and new atrocities. Rep. McGovern noted his co-sponsorship of the Anti-Blockade Resolution (H.Res.108), spearheaded by Rep. Pallone and Rep. Bilirakis, which condemns Azerbaijans Artsakh blockade, calls for the cutting all military aid to Azerbaijan and expanding U.S. aid to Artsakh. The bi-partisan measure currently has over 90 co-sponsors. Rep. McGoverns opening remarks are available here. Rep. Bilirakis, who was among those chairing the commission hearing, stressed the importance of enforcing Section 907 restrictions on U.S. aid to Azerbaijan. I appreciate the testimony from this esteemed panel and the calls for an end to the Section 907 waiver of the FREEDOM Support Act, which would prohibit the sale of military equipment to Azerbaijan. Youre selling it to Azerbaijan, its just like selling it to Turkey. Theres no justifiable reason to continue this waiver when Azerbaijan has clearly used this equipment to wage an aggressive war against Armenia, commit war crimes against innocent Armenians and enforce the current blockade. Rep. Bilirakis pledged to continue working with the Congressional Armenian Caucus to stop the Section 907 waiver until the United States can guarantee that no American-bought resources will be used to perpetuate humanitarian crises, genocidal campaigns, or target the innocent. Rep. Pallone, who submitted testimony for the record and offered remarks during the commission hearing, emphasized Azerbaijans genocidal intent in its ongoing aggression and blockade against Artsakh. Aliyev has not been subtle about alluding to the Armenian Genocide when discussing Artsakh and removing people from there, nor has he attempted to hide his ongoing deadly incursions into Armenian territory, stated Rep. Pallone. He is clearly taking premeditated steps to remove the indigenous Armenian population from Artsakh and deprive them of the opportunity to live freely, democratically, and with dignity in the land of their ancestors a clear sign of ethnic cleansing that we must not ignore. Rep. Pallone noted that its past time that the United States start better leveraging the diplomatic tools at our disposal, including sanctions, to finally bring this purposeful crisis to an end. Citing reports of the continuation of Azerbaijan-Armenia talks in Washington DC next week, Rep. Pallone stressed, I call on the Administration to take every action necessary to prevent Azerbaijans militaristic behavior from dictating the terms of a final agreement, as that will not lead to an equitable, lasting peace in the region. In written testimony submitted to the TLHRC hearing, Rep. Schiff (D-CA) expressed deep concern that Artsakh has been used as a bargaining chip in the peace talks, without any representation. He stressed that it is the right of the people of Artsakh to live free of political, cultural, and economic oppression, and as a protector of democracy, the United States must continue to support and stand with the people of Artsakh to achieve the recognition it deserves among all nations. Rep. Schiff outlined a series of steps the US must take to safeguard human rights in Artsakh, including imposing sanctions on Azerbaijan and ensuring the protection and right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh. Rep. Schiffs full statement is available here. A faction of the apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has applauded the decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reopen the Seme border for the importation of vehicles into the country. Information Nigeria had earlier reported that the Federal Government has ordered the reopening of the border for vehicular importation. Ibrahim Musa, the Director of Road Transport in the Ministry of Transportation, disclosed this while speaking at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) meeting, organized between officials of Nigeria and the Benin Republic. Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the secretary-general of the body, who said the reopening of the border signifies an end to the suffocation of Igbo-owned businesses in the country, added that the decision would boost the economic development of the country. READ ALSO: FG Approves Re-Opening Of Seme Border For Vehicle Importation Ndigbo appreciates such promising policies that will boost economic development, create revenue for the government, and has favorable impacts on the lives of Nigerians than political appointments that will not translate into any economic benefits for Ndigbo. The realities on the ground imply that Igbos need promising policies and infrastructural developments in the southeast from the Federal Government than political appointments. The federal governments directives on the reopening of Seme Border was received and it signifies the end of an era of political and economic strangulation of Igbo businesses in Nigeria, he said. Having used up allotted days to argue case against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on Friday, closed his case before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) in Abuja. Recall that Atiku and the PDP are challenging the declaration of Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the February 25 presidential election. Atiku, who called a total of 27 witnesses and provided the court with a number of documentary documents, disclosed this through his lead counsel, Chris Uche. My lords, at this point in time, may we humbly inform your lordships that this will be our last witness. Having exhausted the days allocated to us, pursuant to the pre-hearing report and Paragraph 46(5) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2022, we most humbly apply the formally close the case for the petitioners. READ ALSO: Tribunal : Court Admits Chicago University, NYSC Certificates Against Tinubu Meanwhile, Kemi Pinhero, the Independent National Electoral Commissions lawyer, told the court that all the parties earlier met and agreed to defer the opening of defence by the respondents till after the impending Sallah celebration. Head of President Tinubus legal team, Wole Olanipekun, confirming the development, begged the court to allow the respondents, starting with the electoral body, to open their defence to Atikus petition, from July 3. My lords, all of us took into consideration some salient factors, especially the fact that some of us will love to travel to celebrate with our families and loved ones. Moreover, there is likely to be a two days public holidays next week. We will therefore plead your lordships to adjourn the case till after the Sallah celebration. We also want to assure your lordships that on our part, we will not exceed the days allotted to us. We will start and close out case the same week, Olanipekun added. The Presidential Election Petitions Court has admitted some certified copies of the academic and work records of President Bola Tinubu tendered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The documents were provided by the opposition party and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The documents include a B.Sc. certificate from Chicago State University, an NYSC Discharge Certificate, and a Mobil Nigeria Oil Plc certificate of service. It was gathered that PDP, through their witness Mike Enahoro Ebah Esq, introduced these documents, noting that they were supposedly acquired by Tinubu under the name Bola Adekunle Tinubu. The witness led by the lead Counsel to the PDP, Chris Uche, also presented EC13 and EC9 nomination forms and corresponding letters sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). INECs lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), as well as the lawyers for Tinubu, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), and the All Progressive Congress (APC), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), all raised objections to the documents admissibility. READ MORE: Tribunal: INEC Uploaded Picture Of A Book Instead Of Results Witness Tells Court The witness referenced the following documents: (1) certified true copies of form EC9(Nomination letter of Tinubu). (2) receipt of payment for certification. (3) witness application letter, requesting for the documents. (4) INECs Letter of response. (5) Certificate from Chicago university belonging to the 2nd respondent(Tinubu). (6)NYSC discharge certificate belonging to the 2nd respondent, with the name Tinubu Bola Adekunle. (7) Certificate of service from Mobile Oil Nigeria PLC. (8)Party Membership card. When the lead counsel to PDP applied to tender this documents, all the respondents objected to their admissibility. The witness also tendered, academic records from Chicago University, a copy of the subpoena served on the Chicago university, the original academic records and degree certificate, original admission letter, original transcript from South west college to the school Tinubu attended, given to Chicago university with the gender referred to as Female. He also tendered a notarized judgement of USA for criminal forfeiture of assets of Tinubu and the cover note authorizing it. Furthermore, extracts of a Guinea passport and the certificate of compliance for Tinubu were also presented. The PDP also presented: (1) Certified true copies of forms EC8As of 25 LGAs in Delta state. (2) Certified true copies of forms EC8As of 13 LGAs in Ebonyi state. (3) Certified true copies of forms EC8As of 18 LGAs in Edo state. (4) Certified true copies of forms EC8As of 17 LGAs in Enugu state. (5) Certified true copies of forms EC8As of 27 LGAs in Imo state. (6) Certified true copies of forms EC8As of 21 LGAs in Kogi state Under cross-examination by Counsel to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud, the witness said he has not spent too much money even as he tries to bring the truth to Nigerians. When asked if he was displeased that his candidate lost, the witness answered in the affirmative. The court then after, rose to reconvene later for further cross examination. As we have set out in our letters to the committee, we wish to be open and transparent with the inquiry, he said. But we need to raise objections to requests for evidence where it is necessary to do so to protect the rule of law and ASICs future effectiveness as a law enforcement agency. David Wilcox Follow David Wilcox Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The masses in medieval costumes. The songs and stories shared aloud. The turkey legs and cinnamon nuts. Author S.H. Livernois hopes anyone who's visited the Sterling Renaissance Festival will recognize the sights, sounds and smells of the setting of her next mystery, "Black at Night." Releasing in July, the book is the fifth in the "Frontenac Sisters: Supernatural Sleuths & Monster Hunters" series by Livernois, real name Shelley Hazen, who lives in Franklin County. After four investigations by its titular sisters, Lizeth and Hyla, Hazen wanted to set their next one in what's been a cherished destination for her and her husband, Jourdan, every summer for the last decade. The COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting cancellation of the 2020 festival, made Hazen realize just how cherished that destination had become to her, she told The Citizen. "We drove by the grounds and I cried because we couldn't go," she said. "I didn't really appreciate the festival until I couldn't go. So the book is nostalgia and feeling very grateful for that place." "Black at Night," which is dedicated to the festival, begins when the Frontenac sisters are contacted by a young girl, Nelly, they befriended in the first book, "Wicked Innocents." The girl, a favorite character of Hazen's readers, has "a very strange experience" with a storyteller who visits her school. Lizeth and Hyla track him to the Sterling Renaissance Festival, where he's a performer. The storyteller is one of the few characters in the book who isn't based on an actual person at the festival. Though Hazen doesn't identify them by name, juggler Harmless Danger, poet Arthur Greenleaf Holmes and escape artists Judas and Magnolia are some of the inspirations for the people on her pages. The Grotto Stage occupied by Holmes, her favorite act, makes an appearance as well. Hazen packed other sensory details from the festival into the book, like the dust in the hayfield parking lot, the feeling of exhaustion at the end of day and what she called "the worst benches ever." "If someone has been to the festival a lot, they're going to be like, 'Oh my god, I know what she's talking about,'" she said. The book features several locations from the village of Fair Haven as well, such as the Pleasant Beach Hotel, Bayside Grocery, the Hardware Cafe and, while not identified by name, the Fly By Night Cookie Co. Hazen frequents those businesses when in town for the festival, and felt the cookie company in particular would be perfect for one of her books when she first went there a few years ago. Beginning with "Wicked Innocents" in 2019, each book in the "Frontenac Sisters" series has been chosen as an Indie Author Project Select title, which is curated by Library Journal and librarians from across the country as the best in independent books. Hazen said she plans to write three more "Supernatural Sleuths & Monster Hunters" books to complete the series at eight. Lizeth and Hyla themselves were inspired by Hazen and her younger sister, Tricia, and previous books in the series visited the Adirondacks, Maine, the Great Smoky Mountains and other places that have been part of the author's life. But with "Black at Night," the setting wasn't just important to her personally. The Sterling Renaissance Festival also fit the book thematically, she said. "Stories are very important to help us cope with life," she said. "That's why I wanted something about stories and fantasies and dreams to be set in a place where that's basically what we're doing." To learn more For more information about S.H. Livernois (Shelley Hazen), visit shlivernoisauthor.com. To order her books, visit payhip.com/SHLivernois. This includes those who might be struggling to resolve an especially difficult challenge, or who wish to take advantage of an imminent opportunity, or who find themselves responsible for a strategy, project, or team in need of reinvigoration and reimagination, he said. I am delighted to be joining Lockton at such an exciting time for the business, having watched it progress from afar for several years, Drummond-Brady said. Lockton has even more ambitious growth plans, which are credibly grounded in its impressive performance in recent years. Lockton remains proudly independent and has retained its values, which sets it apart from many peers in the market and provides a solid foundation as the business continues to scale. I look forward to working closely with the executive team to maintain this momentum. On one of the coldest nights, almost 1,500 CEOs around Australia, including insurance industry leaders, took part in the annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout. The Thursday night vigil on a cardboard mattress with a sleeping bag raised more than $8 million. The money will fund St Vincent de Paul Societys efforts to care for tens of thousands of homeless and prevent others experiencing the same misfortune. Our commitment to protecting families, businesses, and communities underpins our purpose always with you, building a more confident future and allows us to make a greater difference, said MetLife president and CEO Michel Khalaf. We deliver on our long-term sustainability commitments through the commitment of our colleagues and the strength of our products, services, and investments. The assessment categorised one supplier into our New Zealand operations as high-risk, the supplier having engaged with the assessment but not indicating sufficient controls in place across their business to mitigate modern slavery risk, Bupa said in its recently released 2022 Modern Slavery Statement. In the time since this was identified, the services provided by the supplier were put to market as part of Bupas program to streamline procurement operations. Carriers and technology partners need to make sure that bias doesnt creep into the data and the models we're using for looking at rate, appropriation of coverage, and everything else, Schwabrow said. Because once it's in there, and you're not auditing and refining the AI, it's going to get worse and worse. You cant set it and forget it. New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has opened a Senate investigation into Amazons warehouse safety practices, the latest in a series of probes hes initiated against big corporations in his role as chairman of a committee that oversees health and labor issues. Sanders, who has run for president twice and spent a political lifetime fighting corporations and monied interests over policies that he believes hurt the working class, sent a letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy on Tuesday accusing the e- commerce giant of egregious health and safety violations. 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, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, wrote in the letter. The 81-year-old progressive senator also accused the company, which operates a vast network of warehouses across the country, of failing to adopt adequate worker protections because of a corporate culture that treats workers as disposable. Amazon spokesperson Steve Kelly said Tuesday morning the company had received Sanders letter and was in the early stages of reviewing it. Later in the day, Kelly said the company strongly disagreed with the senators assertions. New York Law Protecting Warehouse Workers From Unreasonable Quotas Goes Into Effect We take the safety and health of our employees very seriously, 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. Kelly also noted the company has invested more than $1 billion into safety initiatives in the last four years and will continue investing in this area. Injuries at Amazon have typically been higher compared with its peers in the industry, which critics and labor safety experts blame on the companys fast- paced warehouses that track productivity and allow customers to get their packages quickly. Labor groups have seized on the issue in an effort to organize workers, some of which has borne fruit but hasnt led to a massive wave of unionization. In his letter, Sanders pointed to citations Amazon has received from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for workplace safety violations, which the company says it has appealed. He also pointed out another investigation by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York into what that office called possible fraudulent conduct by Amazon designed to hide injuries from OSHA and others. According to the company, injuries across its U.S. operations which include lower back injuries, strains and sprains took a slight dip last year, clocking in at 6.7% per 200,000 working hours. But those figures were still higher compared to 2020. In his letter, Sanders also cited a report from a coalition of three labor unions, which said serious injuries at Amazon were more than double the rest of the warehouse sector last year. Amazon disputes some of the findings. There will always be ways for our critics to splice data to suit their narrative, but the fact is, weve made progress and our numbers clearly show it, Kelly said. The investigation into Amazon follows a similar probe from the Senate committee into Starbucks and pharmaceutical giant Moderna. As part of the Amazon investigation, the committee is asking Amazon workers to submit stories about their time at the company through a website. The committee says the submissions will remain confidential. Photo: Amazon warehouse worker. (Photo supplied by Amazon) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Politics Amazon Russia-aligned hackers could seek to disrupt Canadas powerful oil and natural gas sector, especially since Ottawa is a strong backer of Ukraine, a Canadian spy agency said on Wednesday. The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) signals intelligence agency said Russia had repeatedly deployed destructive cyber attacks against its adversaries as geopolitical crises escalate. We assess there is an even chance of a disruptive incident in the oil and gas sector in Canada caused by Russia-aligned actors, due to their higher tolerance for risk, the increase in their numbers and activity, as well as the number of vulnerable targets in the sector overall, it said in a threat assessment. Canada is the worlds fourth-largest oil producer. CSE said the oil and gas sector employed about 600,000 people and accounted for 5% of gross domestic product. CSE said the most likely target for cyber attacks by pro-Russian hackers was operational technology networks that monitor and control large industrial assets. It is difficult to overstate the importance of the oil and gas sector to national security because much of our critical infrastructure depends on oil and gas products, it said. CSE said Russian-aligned actors were trying to compromise the networks of Canadian critical infrastructure providers, organizations in the oil and gas sector. We assess that the intent of this activity is very likely to disrupt critical services for psychological impact, ultimately to weaken Canadian support for Ukraine, it said. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; editing by Cynthia Osterman) Topics Cyber Russia Canada Firefighters across Europe are calling for more resources as climate change increases the threat of wildfires across the region. While the European Union announced a doubling of its aerial firefighting fleet for this season to 24 airplanes and four helicopters, thats not enough, according to unions from 15 countries affiliated to the European Public Service Unions. More personnel, training and protective equipment are needed to meet the challenge posed by higher temperatures, especially after cuts to services over the past 10 years. The risk to economies from wildfires has grown in recent years, with US ratings agencies even downgrading utilities exposed to such natural disasters. Last summer was Europes hottest on record, with major fires in France and Greece raising concerns that emergency services arent prepared for the extreme weather brought by climate change. If Europe is serious about climate adaptation and mitigation, it has to stop with cuts in public services, Jan Willem Goudriaan, EPSU general secretary, said in an emailed statement. Firefighters are a good example of investment in public services adapting to climate crises. Photograph: A helicopter dumps water over a wildfire in Greece in 2021. Photo credit: Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP/Getty Images Copyright 2023 Bloomberg. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Europe Wildfire Climate Change At least 31 people were killed and seven injured when cooking gas exploded at a restaurant in Yinchuan in northwestern China. It was the latest in Chinas long history of deadly industrial accidents, which occur regularly despite government pledges to clamp down on lax standards, poor oversight and corruption frequently blamed for the collapse of buildings, mine cave-ins, explosions and other disasters. Here is a look at some of the worst in recent years. 2023: Open-pit mine collapses in February in Chinas northern Inner Mongolia region, burying dozens under rubble and killing 53. The company running the mine was fined the previous year for multiple safety violations. A massive explosion at a chemical plant in northeastern China killed at least 13 people in January. Some 35 other people were injured in the blast in the outskirts of the city of Panjin east of the capital, Beijing. 2022: A fire caused by welding sparks that ignited cotton cloth stored at a trading company in the central province of Henan in November killed 38 people. In the same province, 54 people were killed when a building collapsed on the outskirts of the capital in April. A restaurant fire in the northeastern city of Changchun blamed on a gas leak killed 17 people in September. In July, a partial building collapse in Tianjin triggered a gas explosion that left four people dead and 13 injured. The same northern port city was the site of one of Chinas worst industrial accidents in recent years, when 173 people, most of them firefighters and police officers, died in an explosion at a chemical warehouse in 2015. Local officials were accused of taking bribes to ignore safety violations. Insurance Claims from Chinas Tianjin Port Blasts Rise to $3.5B: Swiss Res sigma 2021: Four people were killed when a six-story workers dormitory partially collapsed in November in the southern province of Jiangxi. At least three people were killed and 30 injured in an October gas explosion at a hotel in Shenyang in northern China. Fourteen workers constructing a tunnel for a new expressway in southern China were killed in July when it collapsed on them. A toxic chemical leaked in June at a plant in the southwestern city of Guiyang, killing eight and injuring three. In the central province of Hubei, a severely corroded gas line ruptured and exploded in June, killing 26 and injuring 138 others at a bazaar. Nine workers tasked with destroying expired mining explosives in Hebei province were killed in April when the materials exploded. Ten workers were killed in a gold mine in eastern China in January when explosives blew up in an accident blamed on improper storage and use of the materials. 2020: Twenty-nine people celebrating a villagers 80th birthday in northern China were killed in August when the two-story restaurant they were in collapsed. A bus plunged into a sinkhole on a city street in northwestern China in January, killing at least nine and injuring 17. 2019: Nine people were killed when a wastewater tank in a dyeing and printing mill collapsed in eastern China in December. A highway tunnel under construction in southwestern China collapsed in November, killing 12 workers. An explosion at a chemical plant in southern China in October killed at least four people and injured six. Nine people were killed in October in a restaurant gas explosion in the eastern province of Jiangsu, the same province where a massive chemical blast in March left nearly 80 people dead. A truck carrying nearly three times the allowed weight for a bridge caused the span to collapse in eastern Jiangsu province in October, killing three people in cars below. A fire of unknown origin at a factory in eastern China killed 19 people in September. An explosion at a gas plant in central China in July killed 15 and injured 15 others. Five workers were killed in June when a subway tunnel under construction collapsed in the northeastern city of Qingdao. Ten people died in downtown Shanghai in May when a building they were renovating collapsed. A 2010 fire in an apartment building being renovated, blamed on sparks from a welders torch, killed 58 people in the same city. Eleven workers were killed in April when an elevator cable snapped at a construction site in northern China. In March, 78 people were killed in a blast at a chemical plant in the eastern city of Yancheng that had numerous safety violations. Photograph: Smoke billows from the site of an explosion that reduced a parking lot filled with new cars to charred remains at a warehouse in northeastern Chinas Tianjin municipality on Aug. 13, 2015. China has a long history of deadly industrial accidents, which occur regularly despite government pledges to clamp down on lax standards, poor oversight and corruption frequently blamed for the collapse of buildings, mine cave-ins, explosions and other disasters. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File) Related: Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics China Twin Birch Dairy in Skaneateles is featured in a new digital series, "Chef Meets Farm," where award-winning chef Anthony Contrino visits dairy farmers in the Northeast and cooks with them. The farm is owned and operated by partners Dirk Young, Todd Evans and Jeremy Brown, and employs 26. Along with cows it has 3,600 acres of alfalfa, corn, wheat and soybeans. Brown is featured in the episode making summer potato salad with Contrino. Twin Birch is one of three farms he's visited so far, the American Dairy Association North East said in a news release. Brown grew up on his family's dairy farm in Pennsylvania and studied dairy management at Cornell University. Twin Birch, which produces 45 million pounds a milk a year, won a U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award. Its milk is made into yogurt by FAGE Total Greek Yogurt and processed into dry protein powder and distributed to more than 20 countries by Cayuga Milk Ingredients. "(Brown) takes pride in the fact that he, along with others at Twin Birch Dairy choose to farm in a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable way," the association said. "Twin Birch Dairy, which is situated in a sensitive area between two watersheds, works with local environmental organizations to implement on-farm practices that protect the surrounding water for drinking and recreation." For more information, or to watch "Chef Meets Farm," visit twinbirchdairy.com or chefmeetsfarm.com. New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Aspen Appoints Tartaglia SVP, COO, Insurance Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited has appointed Robert Tartaglia to the newly created position of SVP, chief operations officer, insurance, starting July 3. Tartaglia will be based in Aspens Jersey City, New Jersey offices. Tartaglia has over 20 years of complex global operations, IT, and transformation experience in insurance and reinsurance, including global COO at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, chief broking COO at Aon, and various senior operations and technology roles at AIG. He was most recently Operational Strategy and growth leader at AIG. Alliant Insurance Services Makes Real Estate & Hospitality Senior-Level Hires Alliant Insurance Services has named several new leaders in its real estate and hospitality vertical. New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! A hurricane watch was issued for St. Lucia as Tropical Storm Bret barreled toward the eastern Caribbean on Thursday at near-hurricane strength. And another tropical storm, Cindy, formed in the Atlantic with a probable track aimed at the eastern United States. Bret, gaining strength, was located about 170 miles (265 kilometers) east of Barbados on Thursday morning and was moving west at 15 mph (24 kph). It had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph), just below the 74 mph (119 kph) winds of a Category 1 hurricane. A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration map had the probable path pointing toward Central America. Airports, businesses, schools and offices were closing in St. Lucia and Dominica as forecasters warned of torrential downpours, landslides and flooding. Protect your lives, property and livelihoods, urged St. Lucia Prime Minister Philip Pierre. Residents across the island filled up their cars with gasoline and stocked up on water and canned food, hoping the storm wouldnt cause too much damage. You always have to be ready, Ben Marcellin, who manages a guesthouse, said in a phone interview. You never know. It can become serious. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Dominica, St. Lucia and Martinique, while a tropical storm watch was issued for Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The storm was expected to start affecting islands in the eastern Caribbean late Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Andre Joyeux, director of St. Lucias Meteorological Services, said Bret is expected to cut directly through the island. So we are hoping that persons take heed, he said. Up to 10 inches of rain forecast for the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe south to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including Barbados, the hurricane center said. Waves of up to 13 feet also were forecast for Guadeloupe, according to local meteorologists. Bret is expected to lose strength once it enters the eastern Caribbean Sea and is forecast to dissipate by Saturday. The Caribbean is also closely watching a tropical depression that is trailing Bret and has a 90% chance of formation. Early forecasts expect it to become Tropical Storm Cindy on Thursday and take a path northeast of the Caribbean through open waters. If the depression strengthens into a storm, it would be the first time since record keeping began that two storms form in the tropical Atlantic in June, according to meteorologist Philip Klotzbach at Colorado State University. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecast 12 to 17 named storms for this years hurricane season. It said between five and nine of those storms could become hurricanes, including up to four major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! Piedmont Airlines failed to follow safety procedures before a worker was sucked into a jet engine and killed in December, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in a $15,000 citation against the American Airlines subsidiary. Proper training and enforcement of safety procedures could have prevented this tragedy, OSHA Area Director Jose Gonzalez said in bulletin. This incident is a tragic reminder that safety measures must be in place even for a routine assignment. An investigation into the incident found that 34-year-old Courtney Edwards was placing cones around the Embraer E75 airplane when the engine pulled her in. OSHA cited the company for a serious violation for exposing workers to ingestion hazards. The airline has 15 days to comply or contest the allegations. American Airlines and Piedmont said in statements that officials there were devastated by the accident, and that safety remains top priority. A preliminary National Transportation and Safety Board report in January said the ground crews had been briefed on the safety procedures, and Edwards may not have kept a safe distance from the jet intake, according to news reports. Topics Aviation Alabama A North Las Vegas neighborhood is marking passage of a state law committing $37 million to help homeowners move from the once- segregated neighborhood where geologic features have made homes crack, sink and sometimes become unsafe. Democratic state Sen. Dina Neal planned a gathering with Windsor Park residents on Wednesday to celebrate Republican Gov. Joe Lombardos signature of the measure last Friday. Lombardos office did not immediately respond to messages about the law. Neal said $25 million will come from COVID-19 relief dollars and $12 million from a state housing fund that North Las Vegas will be expected to repay over four years. The bill got bipartisan support in the Senate and passed the Assembly on party lines, with Republicans opposed. Neal said it aims to help the last 90 residents move from the crumbling middle- class tract that had 241 homes accommodating Black families during an era of housing segregation. Neal has raised questions about how North Las Vegas spent millions of dollars in state, federal and government-sponsored Fannie Mae mortgage funds that she said had been allocated over the years to help residents move. Neal said geologic surveys werent done or did not show geologic faults and an underground water table that has since been depleted beneath the sandy hillside with a view of downtown Las Vegas and the skyline of the casino-lined Strip. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Homeowners Nevada Fast-fashion giant Shein will strengthen its presence in Europe and Mexico, including selling more locally made products, in a bid to diversify its China-centric supply chain. The company will launch an online marketplace in Mexico this month, where products from third-party sellers can be bought alongside Sheins own brand of 10 dresses and 12 jeans. Thatll be followed by roll outs in Germany, Spain, France and Italy, in the third quarter. Just last month, the retailer chose Ireland as its location for its new European headquarters, with the Dublin office operating as the "heart of SHEIN's operations in the region." The move builds on existing offerings in Brazil and the US and reinforces the entire localization strategy worldwide, Leonard Lin, global head of public affairs, said in an interview at the companys headquarters in Singapore. Well be prepared to grow the diversification and work with manufacturing suppliers in other countries as well. However, the brand has been accused of contributing to the climate crisis due to its use of cheap synthetic fossil fuel fibres, toxic dyes, plastics and microplastics to make clothes, resulting in the product's famously low prices. Sheins pivot to selling products other than its own, including Skechers shoes and Lansinoh mother-care items, brings it closer to what rival Temu offers. The bargain shopping app backed by China e-commerce heavyweight PDD Holdings Inc. has surged in popularity in the US and saw sales top Sheins in May, with its wide array of items from clothing to socket wrenches. Lin said Sheins expansion isnt a reflection of what competitors are doing and the firm will continue to focus on what it can offer to the young female shoppers that are its core clientele. Theres been a huge increase in demand from customers for more product variety, he said. China Reliance Despite its diversification push, the company remains heavily reliant on a vast network of contract manufacturers in China that churn out new designs in about 10 days to meet the fast-changing whims of Western consumers. While the system has underpinned Sheins rapid ascent it far surpasses Zara and H&M in the US fast-fashion market its also left the company mired in the middle of US-China tensions that are rippling across a raft of sectors. The doors of SHEIN the online shopping brand opened its pop-up shop on Opera Lane, Cork with the first people queueing from four in the morning. Picture Dan Linehan The firm has also long faced criticisms that run the entire gamut of its operations from accusations about stealing designs, to links to forced labor and its contribution to overconsumption thats harming the environment. The company has spent millions to address those concerns, including upgrading factories and launching a program that showcases independent designers work and gives artists a cut of the profits. Lin said Shein takes copyright infringement seriously and uses automated and manual checks to review products from suppliers and third-party sellers before offering them for sale. The company also monitors geopolitical developments and is committed to complying with local laws and regulations, he said. We take visibility across our entire supply chain seriously and were committed to respecting human rights and adhering to local laws in each market we operate in, Lin said. We have zero tolerance toward forced labor. Supply Shifts Efforts to shift further away from China are also likely to remove one of its biggest disadvantages: long delivery times. The company already has distribution centers in the US Midwest and California to get items to customers quicker, has opened a warehouse in Toronto and has a facility in Poland. Local production is being considered in India under a partnership with Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Industries Ltd. and there are about 1,000 manufacturers of Shein-branded items across Turkey and Brazil. The company wants the South American country, the first to get a Shein marketplace, to have 85% of sales from local producers and merchants by 2026, Lin said. Shein is already rolling out the red carpet to entice businesses. It will offer training and incentives, like waiving commission for certain periods of time, to potential top vendors. It wants 100,000 sellers across all marketplaces to achieve annual sales of $100,000, with another 10,000 hitting $1m in three years, according to Lin. Some of the companys current sellers have managed monthly sales that top $1m within three months of joining the platform. Corporation tax receipts have left State revenue subject to the profitability and decision-making of a handful of companies in the pharmaceutical and technology sector, Central Bank Governor, Gabriel Makhlouf has warned the Government. In a pre-budget letter to the Minister of Finance, Mr Makhlouf warned that excess receipts should not be used to fund permanent increases in spending, with this year's budget expected to produce a deficit despite a record 22bn in corporation tax receipts last year. "These tax receipts leave the revenue base of what is now the State's second largest tax head highly exposed to the decisions and profitability of a very small number of companies." Domestically-driven inflation "Headline inflation in Ireland has passed its peak, however, broad inflationary pressures remain pronounced," said Mr Makhlouf. Excluding food and energy, the Governor said inflation will continue to rise throughout 2023, warning that if domestically-driven inflation exceeds that of the Euro area, the relative cost of living and doing business here could become a 'more severe constraint' on achieving sustainable growth. Fiscal policy has a role to play in ensuring that excessively high inflation does not become embedded in the Irish economy, said Mr Maklouf, urging the Government to stick to a 5% spending rule when funding additional tax cuts or expenditure in this year's budget. To avoid overheating, Mr Makhlouf urged the government to adopt a "neutral" stance on monetary policy in the short term, recommending a "readiness to move to a tighter stance that currently envisages" by the middle of the decade. The Governor added that constraints arising from record-low unemployment and the wider economy could put it at risk of overheating, urging the Government not to use fiscal policy to further stimulate demand. As job vacancies outstrip labour supply, wage growth is expected to pick up in 2023, with the Central Bank estimating wages to rise by more than 6% this year as the Governor urges the Government to not stimulate demand any further. Interest rates In his letter, Mr Makhlouf warned that inflation has remained too high for too long, adding that the ECB's policy rates will need to be brought to levels "sufficiently restrictive," to return to price growth of 2%. Rising by 400 basis points in less than a year, ECB policymakers are already considering a ninth interest rate hike as part of its aggressive campaign to combat high inflation. Mr Makhlouf said that future decisions will continue to depend on their assessments, the results of which "are still likely ahead of us." The Governor did however note the positive transmission effects, pointing to falling lending volumes and rising rates for businesses and households. "The economy and the public finances have weathered significant challenges in recent years," said the Central Bank Governor. To support near-term stability and medium-to-long-term resilience, Mr Makhlouf said that choices needed to be made to protect against overheating, promote sustainable growth in living standards and ensure inflation does not become embedded to the detriment of households and businesses. "Both near and long-term objectives point to the potential benefits of considering measures to increase government revenue as a share of national income by the middle of the decade." "This could help contain inflationary pressures, allow the State to support those most vulnerable, address infrastructure gaps and enable a more positive adjustment of the economy as a whole the emerging realities of climate change, aging and digitalisation." IT IS set to be a difficult couple of days for staff at British retailers Argos and Iceland as one closes its doors in the Republic of Ireland for the last time and the other faces ongoing uncertainty over whether the business can continue to operate. These two are just the latest, and some of the most high-profile examples, of some of the issues that British retailers have been facing in the last few years, but they are not alone. The abrupt exit of Debenhams from the Irish market during the start of the pandemic left staff reeling and fighting with the company for years over their redundancy. Argos will close its stores in Ireland this weekend. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie A UK retailer expanding into Ireland always made sense due to the countries proximity to each other, the shared language, similar culture, spending habits, and Irelands business-friendly environment, all of which made for a relatively easy transition. The elephant in the room However, in recent years, it hasnt been all plain sailing, as strong competition from domestic firms as well as the additional headaches Brexit has caused has left UK retailers with a choice whether to invest more into the market or not. Melissa Moore, retail industry expert and host of The Retail Tea Break podcast, said the elephant in the room is Brexit which hasnt helped UK retailers operating in Ireland with all the different legislation and paperwork that has come with it. We were finding before that, for an awful lot of the British brands around the country, it was easy," she said. "They literally just had to ship stock over, they would employ people here, it was very straightforward. It has just become so much more difficult for them, she said, adding there are many more barriers now to trading, along with the cost of doing business here going up as a result. A retail industry source, who has experience working with UK firms here in Ireland, said Brexit has forced British companies to consider whether they should invest more into Ireland or not, because operations here can no longer function as simply an extension of their UK operations. The source said that prior to Brexit, while there were some differences between the jurisdictions, UK businesses could essentially run the Irish side of the business as an almost regional operation. Now it becomes a bit more of a choice, they said. Either they invest in the Irish market or maybe they dont. "A lot of companies have decided 'yes, the Irish market is good. The demographics are really good, the population is increasing, it is a wealthy economy'. Argos is one of the companies that had to make a decision whether to invest more into the Irish market or pull out altogether. When store closures were announced in January, the company said the money it would cost to develop and modernise the Irish arm of the business would be better spent elsewhere. At the time of the announcement, the company had 34 stores in the Republic of Ireland and employed 580 staff. The remaining stores are all due to close on Saturday at 5pm. The company has been operating in Ireland since 1996. Argos was acquired by UK supermarket chain Sainsburys in 2016 who decided to shutter many of the standalone stores and replace them with outlets inside their stores. The lack of a Sainsburys presence in the Republic of Ireland was one of the deciding factors when it came to this decision, along with the cost of doing business here. Food imports Iceland has different issues, but nonetheless it is hampered by Brexit. Last week, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) issued an order for Iceland operated in the Republic of Ireland by Metron Stores Limited to withdraw and recall all imported frozen foods of animal origin from all its stores brought into Ireland from March 3. An empty product fridge unit in an Iceland store due to the product recall. Pic: Larry Cummins The order came as a result of the food not having an EU veterinary certificate, only a UK one, which would not have been an issue if the UK was still in the EU. According to the FSAI, any food coming from Britain into the Republic of Ireland must go through documentary, identity, and physical checks in order to make sure they comply with EU food law. Additional checks need to be performed on food that could pose a risk to public health. Just to import food into the Republic from Britain now requires someone to have an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number, the products classification code, the various requirements for each food type, register with the European Commissions TRACES NT system, and ensure that these foods are easily accessible so checks can be performed without much hassle. While Iceland stores in Ireland had been in difficulty for months culminating in staff striking over payroll issues and working conditions in May this order from the FSAI seemed to snowball quickly, and by Tuesday the High Court appointed an interim examiner to oversee the company. The company claimed it was insolvent and unable to pay an estimated 36m in debt it owed. The company operates 26 stores across the country and employs more than 344 people. On Wednesday, staff in the Coolock location staged a sit-in protest during the week after they arrived at the store to find it shuttered, leaving them potentially out of a job. Not all Iceland stores were closed. Challenge for UK companies While not all UK-based companies with Irish operations are facing the same difficulties, there have been some high-profile examples. In recent weeks, it was revealed that British lingerie retailer Ann Summers has discontinued its direct-selling business in Ireland due to high operating costs associated with Brexit which made it unfeasible. The decision was made in September last year. However, the company continues to operate its stores in Dublin and Cork, despite the closure of its direct selling arm. British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has experienced some difficulties as a result of Brexit. Profits at its Irish operations were down 7.8% despite sales increasing by 15.1%, largely being driven by clothing and homeware. In its recently published annual results, M&S cited a 3.5% decline in food sales. Due to new import rules and additional paperwork as a result of Brexit, the company said it had to cut 800 product lines in its stores in the Republic of Ireland. Profits at Marks & Spencer's Irish operations were down 7.8% despite sales increasing by 15.1%. Picture: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg Despite the issues faced by the company, Ms Moore cited M&S as a good example of British companies doing what needs to be done to keep a foothold in the Irish market, pointing to their revamped store in Liffey Valley in Dublin. Their food offering looks superb, theyve been very savvy about doing what they need to do to still have the correct offering for the Irish public, she said. One of the earliest casualties of the pandemic was Debenhams which closed its Irish operations in April 2020 and never reopened, prompting former workers to protest over redundancy payments. It employed 2,000 people here at the time of closing. However, Debenhams difficulties were not confined to the Irish market, as UK operations also went into administration. In June that year, Mothercare Ireland announced it was entering its Irish franchise into liquidation, resulting in the closure of its 14 stores and the loss of 197 jobs. The company said the business in Ireland was no longer sustainable following the impact of the pandemic coupled with issues they had in their supply chain. The business was expected to sustain significant losses for years to come before it closed. Changing landscape The retail industry source added that the UK retail landscape is going through a lot of changes such as ownership changes, new market entrants, and companies getting into difficulties and needing to be rescued all of which were going to have an impact on Irish operations anyway. The sector is in a constant state of transition anyway because of digitalisation and because of changing consumer habits, they said. What that ends up meaning is that companies that have a presence in Ireland are affected by that. What happens in the Irish market mightnt necessarily be particularly relevant at all. It might be just some big corporate decisions being made in the UK. Ms Moore said it is an exciting time for Irish retailers as things here havent really changed and now they are treating the UK market as part of a global strategy. They are now seeing the UK market as part of this global market, whether it is the UK or the Middle East," she said. "I think it is a really exciting time for Irish brands really pushing outside our immediate neighbours, which can only be good for Irish retail and Irish brands. Irish retail will be fine out of this, but as for British retail, it has just become so difficult for them. It is not just trading here in Ireland, its trading across Europe. While some UK retailers have seen a few difficult years in Ireland, some are doing very well. Tesco routinely has the second-highest market share of supermarket spending in Ireland, just behind Dunnes Stores. The Fraser Group has announced an expansion of its Flannels store into the Irish market, with three stores opening this year. In addition, last month, British music retailer HMV announced a return to the Irish market seven years after shuttering its last remaining stores here. Project managers who adopt an entrepreneurial approach are more likely to inspire their teams, achieve more for their business and gain greater work satisfaction for themselves, says Gillian Whelan, managing director of Aspira. An IT consulting company, Aspira works on optimising IT solutions with clients across sectors both public and private, from utilities and energy to banking and pharma. In an era of widespread adoption of automation and AI, it is important to have skilled managers to effectively integrate these evolutions into a business. Aspira has developed a bespoke Entrepreneurial Project Management training programme that can be customised based on each clients project methodology and processes, and teaches experienced project managers how to deliver true business value to their organisation by delivering projects with an entrepreneurial mindset. Entrepreneurial Project Management means delivering true project business value outcomes, said Gillian Whelan. AI and automation are rapidly changing how we all work. The genie is out of the bottle, so we are all rapidly learning how to adapt. There are many positives in this era of change. For instance, AI allows us to analyse data quicker, improving fraud detection by picking up on any anomalies in data, any unusual spending. From a risk management perspective, these changes are very positive. Whelan says that pharma companies are also using enhanced data analytics to identify any anomalies in production. Aspira works with companies to use new tech such as AI and robotics to enhance outcomes in production and across their business. The adoption of automation technologies, including Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML), has been increasing steadily. Aspira is now introducing RPA to provide a range of offerings to its clients. Businesses are working to engage with the positives that automation brings, and vying to remain competitive. Having people with the right skills is a growing challenge for businesses. For instance, the Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI) sector is dealing with the demand to increase efficiency in processes whilst struggling with a shortage of skilled professionals. Key to adopting any innovation in new technology is having skilled managers to drive this change. This is the reason why Aspira has developed its new Entrepreneurial Project Management training programme. Tech research firm Gartner notes: Project managers who demonstrate entrepreneurial skills are 1.7 times more effective at achieving business outcomes than those who dont. Gillian Whelan said: Project management is a dynamic field that requires a diverse set of skills to be successful. One of the most important skills for project managers is entrepreneurship. While it may seem like an odd skill to associate with project management, there are many reasons why it is essential for project managers to possess entrepreneurial skills. Entrepreneurial skills help project managers to be more proactive and innovative, she said. Entrepreneurs take risks and create new opportunities. Entrepreneurial skills also help project managers to be more adaptable and flexible. Project managers need to be able to pivot quickly and make adjustments on the fly. Ms Whelan said that entrepreneurs are accustomed to working in a constantly changing environment, and they are better equipped to handle unexpected challenges. Entrepreneurial skills help project managers to be more collaborative and team-oriented. Ms Whelan said that, in her experience, entrepreneurial project managers are laser-focused on achieving their goals and are always looking for ways to improve their performance. They are more likely to set ambitious goals and work tirelessly to achieve them. Entrepreneurs understand that while they start out on their own, their success depends on their ability to collaborate. They know that they need to be able to build a strong team around them. A good project manager is also focused on achieving the best outcomes, and not just focused on the processes. Pharma companies are keenly aware of the key role that an entrepreneurial project manager can play in driving better outcomes. Thats what our training programme is focused upon. It helps project managers develop the skill sets they need to be more effective in their role. In Aug 2022, Aspira joined forces with emagine, a European high-end business and IT consultancy. This merger has created significant and scalable opportunities for both emagine and Aspira. Aspira has a strong reputation for its professional services and solutions in the European market, especially in Ireland and the Netherlands. In addition to shared learning, this will allow us to offer an integrated suite of IT consultancy services to a broader customer base, said Gillian Whelan. This partnership marks emagines entry into the Irish market, and is an exciting new phase for all involved. emagines long-standing expertise in professional services and in particular nearshoring services will complement and create new opportunities for our clients, consultants, employees, and partners. With huge crowds in attendance at the Cork Summer Show across the two-day event, there wasnt a dull, or a quiet, moment. Yet nestled amongst the dozens of trade stalls that dominated the Cork Showgrounds in Curraheen was a Co Clare-based artist whose attention to detail never wavered, as she could be found working intently on her commissions. Jackie ODonoghue, a pet portrait and wildlife artist whose drawings include those of beloved pet dogs and horses to farm animals, spent the weekend drawing inspiration from what was happening around her, and she told the Irish Examiner that combining art and animals has always been her passion. I grew on a farm in Ballinadee in West Cork. My dad was a tillage farmer with suckler cows and my mother had a riding school, so animals were always part of our lives our world revolved around the animals, she said. My earliest memories of the art came from my mother drawing us pictures, I used to be captivated by these drawings she used to do for us of our ponies and thats what instilled the love of that. Putting the two of them together was my passion. Down a different path While her "copybooks would be scribbled over, and it's started to bear fruit now", after school, Ms O'Donoghue "went down a different path; I really wanted to pursue my art but the whole thing at the time when I left school was that there was no money in art". "I used to hear the phrase starving artist all the time and I was just pushed against it," she said. "I went into a completely different line of work production and quality control so it was a totally different environment but I was always doing art as a hobby, it was my outlet, I had to keep creating in my own time. "It was always there in the background, I would always be dreaming about it, and if I could build up the confidence to do this full time." She was doing portraits "and word got out then, and it just started growing". Home-bird Ms O'Donoghue is a "home-bird", and feels attached to the land, animals, and way of life in her beloved West Cork. "Then I met my husband and hes a Co Clare man, and I made the move I thought Id never leave home," she said. "But hes from a farming background as well, he loves horses, so I just said look, follow my heart." She hit a crossroads, "I had to give up my job because I just couldn't do the commute, I had two little girls theyre two and three years old now and I was at the end of my maternity leave and I either had to go back into what I was doing, the industrial life, or give art full-time a go, finally". Picture: Vitaliy Makhnanov / All About Us Video "The stars aligned, and I said Id do it. I became professional and its brilliant, its been a dream since," she said. "Its been hard with my two little girls, I can only do it when theyre asleep which means an early start, and after they go to bed Ill keep going until 11, it has to be done if I want this to work, and it is starting to see the benefits now. Its been great." Best days out Ms O'Donoghue "grew up going to agricultural shows, the shows are the highlight of my life", and it's the same for her children now, who are "obsessed" with attending, and all have a love for animals. "Theyre the best days out for young and old and its great training for kids as well in responsibility and just to see the ponies turned out so nicely in their shiny coats, the care, the love that goes into it all," she said. Picture: Jackie O'Donoghue "Weve all had those special animals growing up, you remember your childhood dogs and you remember your first ponies and the connections you have with them and the imaginations youd have with them as a child was something I really wanted to reproduce in my art. "Everyone has such a bond with their animals and it means so much to people. "The reaction you get from people when you hand over a portrait, it makes people cry, its just incredible." Inspiration Ms O'Donoghue started out doing oil paintings before switching to pencils that are of the highest quality, and don't fade over time. "I just knew this was it, this was my medium, it really suits my style; you can get that tenderness and delicateness in the portraits and when you look at an animal, I just feel they look into your soul, and I love to portray that, to really accentuate the eyes and get that expression that youd see. "Its that tenderness you feel from them; thats what I love to express in my portraits." Cork Summer Show was only her second time exhibiting at an agricultural show - having attended Clonakilty the weekend before. "There was so much inspiration, and it was just so encouraging." I rather hate the arrival of the Summer Solstice on June 21 every year as it means the days will be getting shorter from now on, but on the plus side it shakes me out of my complacency and encourages me to spend more time outside for the rest of June and July. Selections this week are all wines I tasted in recent weeks and suited to summer drinking outside. Most are appearing here for the first time except the La Celia Malbec which Im including for its suitability for barbecue food - the smoky dark fruits are perfect with a char-grilled steak. If red wine in Summer sounds too heavy simply do what I do and serve it a little chilled. Im featuring Chateau Minuty Rose from Provence for the first time as it finally has some decent distribution in Ireland. The estate is on the Saint-Tropez peninsula in Provence and was founded in the reign of Louis Napoleon III in the mid-19th century. It has been in the Matton-Farnet family since 1936 who built its reputation and will continue to run it despite LVMH taking a majority stake in February this year. LVMH have been investing a lot in Rose in recent years having also taken a majority steak in Chateau dEsclans of Whispering Angel fame and Chateau du Galoupet in 2019. Both Galoupet and Minuty are ranked as Provence Cru Classe wines. In other news Dunnes Stores have an organic sale on until July 6 with some great prices. I feature the Huber Rose from Austria below, their Gruner Veltliner is also in the sale (for 19) and their Pinot Noir (14.40) - both are well worth trying. There are organic wines from Sicily, Australia (Yalumba) and some good European regions that tend not to feature in organic lists such as Chateauneuf du Pape and Rioja. La Celia wines from Argentina are not new to this page - always fairly priced thanks to Spar, Mace and Londis low margins. La Celia have teamed up with the Curragh and are sponsoring two races at the Irish Oaks Weekend on July 22nd and 23rd - if you do make it to the Curragh do make sure to visit the La Celia Suite which is offering tastings and canapes. Wine Under 15 Un Jour un Rose, Vin de France - 10.00 Un Jour un Rose, Vin de France - 10.00 Stockist: Centra This was added to the Wines We Love range in Centra in time for summer (also watch for the Ocho Y Medio Malbec), and is a bit of a bargain. Strikingly pale pink, almost onion skin in colour, with citrus, red apple and a touch of floral raspberry on the nose - tangy citrus and zingy lemon acidity on the palate - crisp and dry. La Celia Pioneer Malbec 2020, Uco Valley, Argentina - 14.99 La Celia Pioneer Malbec 2020, Uco Valley, Argentina - 14.99 Stockists: Spar; EuroSpar; Mace; Londis nationwide La Celia are the oldest producer in the Uco Valley and one of the stars of the Spar/Mace/Londis range, punching well above their price point. Watch for La Celia at the Irish Oaks in The Curragh in July. Smoky black fruit aromas, ripe and fruity with some structure and layered complexity and lingering chocolate and black cherry. Huber Moments Organic Rose, Austria - 12.49 Huber Moments Organic Rose, Austria - 12.49 Stockist: Dunnes Stores From a blend of red grapes including Pinot Noir and Zweigelt grown at 380m above sea level. This does have a touch of residual sugar but has an equal amount of acidity for balance and tastes pleasingly dry. Light salmon pink colour, floral strawberry aromas with more strawberry fruits mixed with citrus freshness on the palate and a crisp apple skin finish. Wines Over 15 Minuty Prestige Rose, Cotes de Provence, France - 27.99 Minuty Prestige Rose, Cotes de Provence, France - 27.99 Stockists: Wine Centre; D6 Wines; Gibneys; On The Grapevine; Redmonds; Martins; 64 Wines; WhelehansWines.ie; WineOnline.ie From one of 18 Provence estates ranked as Cru Classe. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Rolle this pours a pretty pale pink with orange peel, citrus and red berry aromas - juicy and crisp with a mouth-watering salty tang, lively and expressive. Also watch for Minuty M (24). Chateau Moncontour Vouvray Brut - 32.99 Chateau Moncontour Vouvray Brut - 32.99 Stockists: The Corkscrew; Mitchell & Son; Alain and Christine Wine and Card Shop Kenmare; Red Island Wine; Baggot Street Wines; World Wide Wines; Wineonline.ie Sparkling Vouvray is not as widely available as it should be - a pity as it is the perfect summer fizz with more texture and fruit than most French Cremant. Made from 100% Chenin Blanc this has floral creamy croissant aromas, citrus and ripe apple with pristine acidity and lingering tart apple notes. Salentein Cabernet Franc, Valle de Uco, Argentina - 19.99 Salentein Cabernet Franc, Valle de Uco, Argentina - 19.99 Stockists: McHughs; Jus de Vine; Baggot St Wines; Independents. From a vineyard located at 1100m above sea level high in the Andes. Dark cherry aromas with a touch of red bell-pepper and mint, lively red and black fruits on the palate, pleasing freshness and a bit of crunch and character - serve cool for best results. Salentein Chardonnay is also excellent. Beer of The Week Rye River Hop Drops Citra Extra Pale, 4.5% ABV, 330ml - 3.49 Rye River Hop Drops Citra Extra Pale, 4.5% ABV, 330ml - 3.49 Stockists: SuperValu; Centra; Castle Tralee; McHughs; Independents and some Multiples I was given a sample of this beer at bloom in a four-pack along with Big Bangin IPA, Coastal IPA and Lil Twist Grapefruit IPA - the 4-pack sells for 10 which is excellent value. All four are pleasing summer beers and three are sessionable. Big Bangin is 7.1% so perhaps better with food, Lil Twist is 3.8% and has a pleasing grapefruit tang while Coastal is a 5.2% and is tropical and fresh. Hop Drops pours a very pale straw colour and has bright lemon (and citra hop) aromas, lively and fresh on the palate with underlying citrus and a touch of hop bitterness on the finish. AUBURN Auburn City Council members approved bringing in a new billing company for the municipality's ambulance service to replace the current provider. At its meeting at Memorial City Hall Thursday, the council authorized a resolution to award a contract to MedEx Billing, based out of the Genesee County town of LeRoy. The resolution, available through Auburn's website, noted that in April, the city advertised a request for proposals for ambulance billing services. On May 12, the resolution said, the city received responses from six different entities. MedEx is currently slated to begin providing billing services for the city "on or about" Aug. 1, the resolution continued. In late September 2021, council chose the Pittsburgh-based company Quick Med Claims as the medical billing company for Auburn City Ambulance, a city-run service approved by council in June 2021 that began operations later that fall. City Manager Jeff Dygert said at Thursday's meeting that MedEx would be replacing Quick Med Claims. The city had decided to "move on to a company that's a little more responsive to our concerns and provides a little more accurate data and follow-up for us," Dygert said. Both emergency medical services staff and financial staff for the city have looked over "the information as we find problems, right, we find issues," Dygert continued. "The company has been good about correcting those issues but we shouldn't be finding as many issues as we find, and about a month or two ago, we put the company on notice that we would be seeking another company to take over and cease their contract on July 31st," he said. Mayor Mike Quill asked if the city would be ending its contract with Quick Med Claims prematurely. Dygert said that through the provisions in the city's contract with the company, Auburn will be "ending the contract prior to the end of the contract." Councilor Jimmy Giannettino asked if there any penalties to ending the contract with Quick Med Claims early and Dygert said no. "Based on the verbiage in the contract and the agreement, we had a certain time period we had to give them for notice and then they are obligated to us to provide 90 days of service beyond that to work with us through the transition," Dygert said. The city manager later said Quick Med Claims has been good about working with the city as the parties wrap up their contract "and making corrections and making adjustments." Auburn Fire Chief Mark Fritz, who was one of four city employees on the review committee for the request for proposals process related to a new billing agency, later told council MedEx provided three references within New York state. The city called each of them, Fritz said, adding that MedEx "got a favorable review from all of them," including the city of Ithaca, which has a municipal-run ambulance run ambulance service MedEx provides billing for. Dygert later clarified the resolution the city would be voting on Thursday night was related to picking a new billing provider and not on a specific contract with MedEx. He said the city hopes to get a contract out for the council to vote on "the first part of July." After the meeting, Dygert said the city was not pleased with Quick Med Claims' "responsiveness to issues that came up and answering questions, working through problems." He added that there were responsiveness issues with the city and "also members of the community, when they would have a billing issue." The city previously said in February 2023 it would be looking for a payment collections agency for the ambulance service. Dygert said Thursday the city hopes to have a collections company in the next couple of months. The process of writing his fourth book was far from tortuous for Paul Murray. So much so that he just kept on writing to the point where it eventually clocked in at a good bit over 600 pages. Murray acknowledges that with our shrinking attention spans, investing in such a doorstopper is a big leap of faith on the part of readers. Every time I sit down to write a book, I think to myself, Im gonna make this short. And every time, it just gets bigger and bigger. I was really happy writing this book. Theres a lot of sadness in it, but it was very rewarding to write. The only time I felt depressed by it was when I got to the end, and I hit the word count, because I deliberately didnt know how long it was. I was like, Oh my God, this is just so long. And its harder to sell long books. I guess all you can do is give the reader something that will keep them turning the pages. He has no need to worry The Bee Sting holds the reader in its grip from the start as we follow the trials and tribulations of a family living in a small Midlands town a number of years after the economic crash of 2008. The Barnes dad Dickie, mum Imelda, children Cass and PJ are a family whose troubles and secrets just get bigger as each of their lives teeters on the edge of disaster. It is a rollercoaster of a read, suffused with tension and dread, but also humour. Murray tells the story from the various viewpoints, showing the masterful command of characterisation and plot that he displayed to such acclaim in his 2010 novel Skippy Dies, set in an Irish boarding school. The characters are all trying to find a way out of the situation that theyre in. The family dynamic is just not working and they dont see any other option other than to escape. Each escape route that they want to take is fraught with peril and is actually worse than the situation that theyre in. That is what I was trying to get at. On a purely narrative level, I wanted to make it exciting to read. Murray expertly captures the milieu of a small town, from the big notions of glamorous Imelda, a member of the Tidy Towns committee, to the teenage Cass, who writes poetry and longs to escape to college, a future now in dire jeopardy. As a Dubliner who attended Blackrock College and Trinity, Murray acknowledges that its far from where he was raised. Im from the Dublin suburbs, its not my world, but I wanted to have a sense that the town was like this character in the story, a place where there is always someone watching and judging. Theres good things and bad things. Its a community where people take care of each other to a degree, but its also a community that doesnt like people doing certain things. Can you be yourself in the same way you can be in a city? I dont think you can. Some inspiration came from Murrays mother, who grew up in a village in Monaghan near where the author Patrick McCabe is from. Like McCabe, Murray sensed the often sinister undercurrents of small-town life. We used to go up there on our childhood holidays, and that sense of darkness that can lie under that small picturesque place was really important to me. Ive also got a lot of friends from small towns and theyve just told me a lot of stories. I had a friend who went back to her home in Laois and she was working out in one of those outdoor gyms that was adjacent to the playground. The cars that were passing would slow down just to see whos that now? Its friendly and well-meant but it is also territorial. While initially the readers sympathies may lie with Cass and PJ, whose parents are neglectful of their emotional needs to say the least, later we discover the underlying generational trauma that has brought them to that point. That relationship with our parents and how we know so little about their real selves was something that was brought home to Murray when he became a father himself. When my son was born, it gave me a new perspective on my own parents, and maybe its just getting older as well, you start to realise that everybody is sort of improvising their way through this, nobodys got the answers. Youre just trying to do your best. You cant say to your child, I dont really know what to do. You have to create this persona where youre the authority. Its not real, but at the same time, you have to inhabit it. The Bee Sting by Paul Murray As someone who is approaching a significant milestone birthday, Murray was also conscious of the gap between our expectations of life and the reality. Im going to be 50 in a couple of years, which is just insane. How could such a thing happen? I guess you sort of entertain illusions or delusions up to a certain point that you can still turn your life around and do something else. But 50 is a point where there is this whole kind of narrowing in an alarming way. A lot of being a grown-up is accepting your lot and being thankful for what you have. This is something he particularly appreciates given the fact that he has been able to carve out a career in writing, something that is definitely not a given for all aspiring authors. I feel like Im lucky to be able to write full-time. Its not a thing that everybody gets to do. I spent four months in Boston College last autumn, which was great. But meeting the writers who are teaching there, theres no way you can afford to write a book and not have a job unless youre independently wealthy. Were lucky with the Arts Council, who really helped a lot with this book. When in Boston, Murray worked on a piece for New York magazine about the Metaverse, which generated a great deal of discussion when it was published last March. Just by reporting his experience, he delivered a stinging takedown of Mark Zuckerbergs passion project, capturing the sadness and bleakness of the alternate universe. In a similar vein, Murray is trenchant when it comes to the advent of artificial intelligence and its impact on humanity, and art. I find it really depressing and scary. Maybe I shouldnt go as far as to say the people who run those businesses dont understand what it is to be human, but I think theyre very close to that. The assault on art is only a sliver of it, but I think its representative, because to them it is all just like a product, it doesnt matter if someone has spent 10 years working on it or if its a machine thats done it in 30 seconds. It is just something that people consume and the origins of it dont matter. When in fact, art is important to us. You create art to make sense of life, this baffling experience. Nothing can do that for me. I cant just get a printout saying heres what you need to understand your life. Murray has more, much more, to say on the subject, but he is worried about appearing to rant. However, his passionate defence of human creativity reflects a commitment to his own art that is necessary when writing a 600-page novel. Early reviews of The Bee Sting have been glowing, but its not something Murray wants to engage with. What matters to him is that people enjoy reading it as much as enjoyed writing it. I really try and avoid feedback if I can; its not always good for your mental health. The book is finished, theres nothing I can do regardless. Its great if people connect with it, its really heartening that in a world where its just harder to find the time and the mental bandwidth to engage with something, people still do that and enjoy it. From leisurely walks in the park to giddy conversations over rapidly melting 99s, summer has a way of setting the stage for romantic encounters. It is a time when many singletons are to be found daydreaming about overseas adventures and new connections, a time when even the most reclusive can be lured out of their solo nests to flirt and mingle. In this bustling season of networking and schmoozing, its remarkable how the theory of a certain British psychologist from the late 1950s has become a noteworthy landmark in the dating world. When it comes to making modern dating calculations, his attachment theory appears to sit right up there with relationship quizzes and horoscopes (well, almost). The theory was first proposed by John Bowlby, and co-developed by his contemporaries, most notably, Harry Harlow and Mary Ainsworth. Harlow is known for his series of controversial rhesus monkey experiments in the late 1950s and early 1960s, in which infant monkeys were separated from their mothers and raised in a laboratory under conditions of social isolation. In the early 1970s, Ainsworth designed the famous strange situation experiment, in which she observed the behaviours of toddlers who were left very briefly in the company of a stranger, before being reunited with their caregivers. The work of both researchers lent support to the theorys core premise, which Dublin-based psychotherapist Iseult White captures so succinctly: Were meant to be connected. Were not lone animals. And our attachment relationships are a vital part of that. Out of the strange situation emerged four attachment styles, which psychologists later condensed into the three most prevalent in the general population: secure, avoidant, and anxious. Longitudinal studies have shown that these styles tend to reflect our early caregiving experiences. Or as Co Wicklow-based counselling psychologist Niamh Delmar says: Coping mechanisms and interactions acquired as a child [often] transfer onto [adult] relationships. The way attachment scientists see it, our attachment styles are akin to working models or templates that can be mapped onto all our significant relationships in life. Bill Chopik, associate professor of psychology at Michigan State University and relationship expert, says: You have a little theory in your head not that you can always control for every kind of really close person in your life. So, [you have it for] your best friend growing up, your parents, your mom, your dad, your aunts, your uncles, your childhood friends, your romantic partners, your ex-partner from two years agotheyre all in your head. And [we believe] that theyre all correlated a little bit. So, if youre anxious with your romantic partner, its likely that youre anxious in your other relationships, too. While we have multiple relationships, an attachment hierarchy is undoubtedly at play, according to Amir Levine, associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University and co-author of Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You FindAnd Keep Love. Levine says that, just like our faithful pets, each of us has that one person to whom we would turn almost reflexively in a crisis. And if the vast amount of research on romantic attachments is anything to go by, our partners tend to occupy a much-revered seat at the top of our personal hierarchies. Our adult romantic relationships provide the equivalent of the secure base we had as a child with our parent, says White. There is something about these relationships that really triggers our attachment stuff in a way that close friendships [often] dont. So, people have this sense of, Oh my God, I never behave like this with my close friends. Why am I going crazy about this person I just met last night? For those who have asked themselves this very question, it would seem that you are not losing it, you are simply hardwired for attachment. Pic: iStock Avoiding intimacy While about 50% of us may be categorised as secure, what does insecure attachment look like for the rest of usthe 20% who are anxious and the 25% who are avoidant? White describes the anxiously attached partner as someone who spends much of their time in a state of hyperarousal, constantly on high alert for any signs of emotional unavailability or disconnection from their partner. The anxiously attached person is constantly fearing abandonment and reads into every action the other person takes, she says. They tend to be hypervigilant, scanning for signals of love from their partner. When they send a text, for example, and see that it has been delivered but they still get no response, they might spiral and send a string of texts at 2am. According to White, those of us who are anxiously attached can find ourselves mired in a self-reinforcing cycle of drama and chaos, as we mistake intensity of feelings for emotional connection. The avoidant partner, by contrast, is someone who tends to value self-reliance and fears the closeness of intimacy. According to White, connection for the avoidantly attached not only feels dangerous but is hindered by fantasies of idyllic past relationships to which current or future partners fail to measure up. Levine, who observes that avoidant partners tend to go to great lengths to create distance, equates avoidance tendencies with those of a stray cat: You have to leave some milk out for them and they can come on their own terms and in their own time for it. You cant force it. If you try to force it, theyll just run away. White explains that for many of us, our attachment systems may be activated during the early stages of a new romantic relationship or when an existing relationship encounters challenges or uncertainties. Attachment styles, when applied loosely, can help us to make sense of resulting self-sabotaging behaviours. Chopik says, These broad descriptive categories are appealing because they describe things that we have trouble articulating. They explain why someone might be so nervous about a partner abandoning them in the middle of the night someone theyve been married to for five years already. Fixed destinies Chopik cautions against an overreliance on popular psychology categorisation, which can lead to a certain fatalism. Far from being fixed destinies, research shows that our adult attachment styles are surprisingly amenable to change. The attachment style that we have as a child doesnt really very well translate to adulthood. And many people that have a secure attachment style in childhood have insecure attachment styles in adulthood and vice versa, Levine explains. In light of this plasticity, Chopik believes that the identification of our anxious or avoidant tendencies should not serve to excuse us from the work of fostering deeper connections. He says: Attachment styles explain a little bit about what you do, but theyre not permanent. Anxious and avoidant people can have successful relationships. The question is how? According to White, people can earn secure attachment by experiencing a stable relationship. While people can grow more secure through their experiences of individual therapy, White says that she also helps couples looking for greater security. This often requires navigating the challenges and frequent stalemates that arise when one member of the couple displays anxious behaviours and the other tends towards avoidance. For anxious partners, White emphasises the value of learning to self-soothe: A lot of it is developing that adult observer of your emotions, learning ways to calm the dysregulation, and avoiding the temptation to act out of it. Thats because when you act out of it, youre acting out to a projection of the other person. Youre not really relating to the person; youre just relating to your own projection of the person. For avoidant partners, whom research demonstrates are particularly receptive to therapy, White advises pausing to examine the recurrent impulse to withdraw from closeness: You need to start noticing that desire to run for the hills. Maybe you can stop, breathe, and consider whether that desire is being driven by your habitual [attachment] response or whether it really is warranted under the circumstances. Levine, who is also a neuroscientist, says the development of these new, more secure attachment behaviours is accompanied by deep-seated structural changes in the brain. He explains that our attachment styles, which are comprised of sets of beliefs and expectations, can be reshaped through the incorporation of new experiences. Basically, what were doing with these [new attachment behaviours] is that were disrupting deep-seated memories and expectations and rewriting them, says Levine. With summer now in full swing, attachment scientists and therapists alike remind us that old insecure attachment styles can be transformed, and new chapters of secure love can be written. Politicians have hit out at RTE's secret payments made to Ryan Tubridy at a time when the broadcaster was pleading for more money while seeking pay cuts for staff. There have also been calls for outgoing RTE director general Dee Forbes to make a statement on the controversy. Media Minister Catherine Martin has said she was made aware that an issue had come to light in the course of an audit of RTEs 2022 accounts back in March this year. Ms Martin said she and officials from her department will hold a meeting with the Chair of the RTE board, Siun Ni Raghallaigh, on Monday. I have asked the Chair to set out in that meeting, in detail, the issues involved, the steps the Board is taking to deal with the matter, the follow-on action that will be required, and the timeline for these actions, she said in a statement. A spokesperson said the minister was not aware that the issue related to payments to a presenter. In March, Ms Martin was advised that a fact-finding exercise had been commissioned in response to a payment queried by the auditors and that the board would consider the findings of the review when complete. The review was considered by the board on Monday and todays statement by RTE sets out the boards response. Then RTE director general Dee Forbes and Ryan Tubridy at a 2022 photocall. Senator Malcolm Byrne has called on Ms Forbes to make a statement on the controversy. File picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Tanaiste Micheal Martin said the revelations relating to the hidden payments to Tubridy are very serious and very concerning. He said: Transparency is essential in matters of this kind particularly in terms of RTEs corporate government and presenting its accounts to the Oireachtas and to the public." Top RTE bosses are also facing calls to come before two Oireachtas committees to address the controversy surrounding payments made to the former Late Late Show host. TDs sitting on the public accounts committee (PAC) and the communications committee want to question the national broadcaster over the controversy. Its understood an invitation to Grant Thorton will also be issued. Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy, who is vice chair of the PAC, said the covert nature of the payments to Mr Tubridy raises serious questions that demand urgent answers. [The] bombshell revelations involve a breach of trust from an organisation that has repeatedly put on the poor mouth about its dire financial situation when seeking an increase in the television licence fee. It should also be noted that these secret payments to one of its stars were made at a time when ordinary workers at RTE were being subjected to pay cuts, pay freezes, and redundancies. Fianna Fail Senator Malcolm Byrne has called on the outgoing director general of RTE to make a statement on the controversy. He said that if Ms Forbes was not aware of the matter, it raises serious questions for how RTE is managed." RTE board chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh. File picture: Bryan Brophy/1Image Chair of PAC and Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley said: Just last year, RTE was forced to make a settlement of 1.2m to Revenue for unpaid employee PRSI and the broadcaster is now under investigation by the Department of Social Protection for the misclassification and bogus-self employment of over 100 employees. Todays revelations of hidden and undisclosed payments are just yet another example of the poor levels of transparency and questionable culture that has dominated RTE for too long, and this needs to change." Labour media spokesperson Senator Marie Sherlock said the details are beggar belief". The apparent mis-accounting of certain payments for service appears to have taken place at a time when RTE management were seeking significant pay cuts to salaries and allowances from RTE employees. These are very serious breaches of trust with the employees of the national broadcaster. Furthermore, there are many questions about how this issue has only come to light now. Each year RTE publishes the pay of its highest-paid presenters and indeed has made a virtue of pay reductions of its highest-paid. "Why the discrepancies were not apparent to RTE management then reflect shockingly poor internal systems. Two journalists from the Irish Examiner received merit certificates at Law Society of Ireland's 2023 Justice Media Awards on Thursday afternoon. Sean Murray received a merit certificate for his court reporting work on the Regency Murder Trial in which Gerard The Monk Hutch was found not guilty of the murder of Kinahan gang member David Byrne. The judges said Mr Murray's reports "provided an interesting angle to the Hutch trial at the Special Criminal Court". They called the articles "very readable reporting." Irish Examiner columnist Clodagh Finn also received a merit certificate for her special report titled: The State destroyed a womans family; her son pieced it back together again. For the piece, Ms Finn spoke with a prominent academic who overcame secrecy, bureaucracy, falsified documents, and 'bare-faced lies' to discover his lost aunts and uncles, in Ireland and abroad. The judges said the report was "a beautifully written and well-researched piece about an attempt to find family members 'lost' within the context of one of the States most challenging historical issues." Ellen ORegan of the Echo was also awarded a merit certificate for her piece titled: Disability activist Evelyne Cynk hoping to move to Ireland after accepting place on UCC course. The judges called the work a "thoughtful special report which provided a first-hand look into the rights of disabled people" and a piece of "impressive and important journalism." Overall, a record-breaking 340 entries were received for this year's awards, with prizes recognising writing on access to justice, public interest investigative journalism, and climate justice. President of the Law Society of Ireland, Maura Derivan, said, The Law Society is inspired and encouraged to see such a strong standard in Irish legal journalism. The talent and skill among Irish journalists are strong and thriving from seasoned national reporters, local journalists to podcasters, broadcasters, and newcomers. Journalism that promotes a greater public understanding of the law and our peoples rights, access to justice, legal literacy and the legal system is of immense value to society." The son of President Michael D Higgins has criticised the Governments security policy forum for its conspicuous and glaring omission of discussions on peace. Michael Higgins Jr, who worked in Irelands mission to the UN, also hit out at the alarmist tone of material at the forum, which followed its first session in Cork on Thursday with a second day in Galway on Friday. He was speaking from the audience as part of a discussion on Ireland's record in the UN Security Council, where it was elected to during 2021 and 2022. He said Ireland's neutrality was essential to getting elected, as it was perceived as not having vested interests and taking an independent line on issues. It is great we have public debates, but it is much better when they don't take place in a fractious or distrustful environment," he said. Because of that, I think the conspicuous and glaring omission of peace from this forum and the kind of alarmist tone of the material has been unhelpful. He said Ireland was still one of the least threatened countries in the world and questioned the hypothetical threats being raised. He said security is "much better served by phone calls rather than fighter jets". Tanaiste Micheal Martin speaking with Michael Higgins at University of Galway. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire His comments followed a controversial intervention by his father days before the forum began its work. The day was delayed briefly by a permitted address by Margaretta D'Arcy, an 89-year-old artist, who called for security policy to be discussed through a citizens' assembly instead. "Let's have it first, not the stitch-up, which is what's going to happen at the forum, she said. Peace campaigner Margaretta D'Arcy speaks at the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy at University of Galway. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Renata Dwan, originally from Athlone, who worked in the UN for a long time before joining Chatham House think tank, said there was huge respect among nations for Ireland. But she said it was not neutrality that got Ireland the UN Security Council seat, but its perceived independence and being viewed as honest brokers. Shane Ryan, first secretary of Irelands UN mission, said neutrality was part of the campaign to be elected to the security council. In a later session, Marie Gleeson, a former lieutenant commander of the Irish Naval Service now working with ocean energy developer Simply Blue Group, said the security of offshore wind infrastructure would be a key issue in Ireland's planned growth of wind energy. She said, despite that, the Department of Defence was not on the cross-departmental Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce. The family of a young mother who went to University Hospital Limerick with abdominal pain but who did not get a CT scan in time and she later died has settled for 660,000 a High Court action over her death. Susan Doherty, 45, who had persistent abdominal pain, was at one stage taken for the CT scan but was returned to the ward without it having been carried out due to a difficulty with IV access, Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told. The Doherty family counsel, Bruce Antoniotti SC instructed by Rachael Liston solicitor, told the court when the mother did get the scan at 5am on July 4, 2020, it showed her spleen had completely shattered and there was blood in the abdominal cavity. Emergency surgery was carried out and Ms Doherty, from Kiltannan Croagh, Co Limerick, had transfusions of nine units of blood and eight units of plasma, but she later died at 12.20pm on July 4. Counsel said experts on their side would say if a CT scan was done earlier, surgery would have been carried out in good time to save Ms Doherty. Counsel said their experts would also say a treatment dose of the blood thinner heparin was contraindicated and led to shock and haemorrhage. Breach of duty admitted The HSE, counsel said, accepted that between July 2 and July 4 the care of Ms Doherty was below the standard of care and a breach of duty was admitted. Counsel said Charlotte Rose Doherty, who was just short of her third birthday when her mother died, is now cared for by her dad Roland, who he said devotes all his time to her as well as running a family business. Roland Doherty had sued the HSE over the death of his wife. A separate nervous shock action taken by Mr Doherty was also settled. Picture: Collins Courts Roland Doherty had sued the HSE over the death of his wife. A separate nervous shock action taken by Mr Doherty was also settled. In a statement outside court, Mr Doherty said he hoped lessons had been learned from the tragic case. I hope all the recommendations after the internal review after Susans death have been implemented so what had happened to us does not happen to any other family, he said. He added: I hope no other family has to go through what we've had to go through for the last three years. Inquest An inquest into the death of Ms Doherty recorded a verdict of medical misadventure. Coroner John McNamara also recommended that the HSE and the UL Hospitals Group consider increased use of handheld scanning devices. Mr McNamara said it appeared that without a CT scan, doctors were fighting with one hand tied behind their backs. He said an autopsy concluded the cause of death was due to shock intra-abdominal haemorrhage, due to splenic rupture. At the inquest, a letter from the UL Hospitals Group was read out which expressed deepest sympathies to Susans family and unreservedly apologised to Ms Dohertys family for the sorrow and distress caused over her untimely death. In the High Court proceedings, it was claimed there was a failure to ensure a CT scan was undertaken on July 2, 2020 which would have led to surgery being performed on that date and a failure to recognise or consider that accurate clinical assessment of Ms Doherty was no longer possible in circumstances where she was receiving opiate painkillers and a CT scan was mandated. There was also, it was claimed, a failure to consider Ms Doherty was suffering from acute intra-abdominal haemorrhage. It was further claimed Ms Doherty was prescribed the heparin on July 3, 2020, leading to massive haemorrhage, shock and death. Approving the settlement Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was a very tragic case and he said the offer was fair and reasonable. He also conveyed his sympathy to Mr. Doherty and his daughter and all the extended family. The mother of a teenager who died by suicide has secured High Court orders restraining Gemma O'Doherty from harassing her. The orders were granted on Friday evening by Mr Justice Conor Dignam in favour of Edel Campbell, who claims she has been the subject of a campaign of harassment by Ms O'Doherty. It is alleged that Ms O'Doherty has wrongly and unlawfully used the image of Ms Campbell's son Diego Gilsenan in an article linking unexplained deaths to the covid-19 vaccination. Mr Justice Dignam made orders including ones restraining Ms O'Doherty from harassing Ms Campbell or from publishing her or her late son's images or any personal confidential material about them. Ms ODoherty is also restrained from encouraging or inciting others to intimidate her. The court also made orders requiring Ms ODoherty to take down and remove any image of Ms Campbell and her late son from any form of media that she owns or operates. The orders are to remain in place pending the final outcome of Ms Campbell's action against Ms O'Doherty, trading as 'The Irish Light'. Harassment The judge said that while he was not making any final determination of the claim, he was satisfied to grant the injunction because Ms Campbell had made a strong case that the defendant's actions towards her "amount to harassment". The judge noted evidence put before the court where the defendant had made comments in online talks and videos about Ms Campbell including that she is "a bad mother" as well as allegedly untrue comments about her son, and the circumstances of his death. The judge also noted that Ms O'Doherty had made comments in her online lectures where she spoke about Ms Campbell that were anti-semitic and had engaged in Holocaust denial. The judge said that the case raised a number of novel and complex legal issues, including arguments on the freedom of speech. These were matters that can be argued at the full hearing of the action, he said. The injunctions are to remain in place pending the full hearing of the claim. Allegations denied Ms O'Doherty was not present in court during Friday's hearing, nor were any representations made on her behalf. In emails to the Campbell legal side given to the court, Ms O'Doherty denied the allegations and rejected all claims that she has done anything wrong. She said that she was not able to come to court as she is currently on holiday, and that she had only been given two days advance notice of the application. In his ruling Mr Justice Dignam acknowledged the contents of her emails. The judge said he was satisfied to proceed to hear and determine the application in her absence as no objections had been made before the court to the matter going ahead. Plaintiff's claims Last May, Ms Campbell, represented by David Kennedy SC, with Paul Comiskey O'Keeffe Bl instructed by solicitor Ciaran Mulholland, launched a High Court action aimed at restraining Ms O'Doherty, trading as 'The Irish Light', from using or publishing the image of Ms Campbell's late son for any purpose without the plaintiff's consent. The plaintiff claims that Ms O'Doherty is a journalist and the publisher of The Irish Light, a free periodical newspaper, and the publisher/editor of the irishlightpaper.com website. Following Mr Gilsenan's death in August 2021, it is claimed that Ms O'Doherty used his image in an article in which it is claimed wrongly stated that he died as a result of the administration of the covid-19 vaccination. Ms Campbell, from Kingscourt, Co Cavan, claims that despite making several pleas to Ms O'Doherty to cease using her son's image, the defendant has allegedly refused to do so, and has denied that the use of the image is unethical. Pain and suffering Ms Campbell claims that the unauthorised and repeated use of her son's image amounts to harassment and breach of her constitutional rights, and has caused her emotional pain, suffering, and harm. Seeking the injunctions on Friday her counsel Mr Kennedy said that the defendant's conduct towards Ms Campbell in social posts became "exponentially worse" after the action was launched. She also claims that as a result of an alleged direct call for action by Ms O'Doherty anonymous attack accounts have been set up on social media in an attempt to target Ms Campbell. Counsel said that a lot of the material posted by the defendant in online lectures and talks about his client, a grieving mother, was "horrendous" and went "beyond the beyond" and outside the limits of what can be considered the right to freedom of speech. Counsel said his client had asked Ms O'Doherty to stop using the photo of her son, which it is claimed was taken from RIP.ie and used without consent, but the defendant had refused to do so. Ms Campbell had only come to court as "a last resort," counsel added. The action will return before the court at a later date. Imagine this. Imagine that the head of the parks department in a local authority was being paid, directly, not through the normal payroll, 75,000 per year by lets say a company supplying tractors to the local authority. It couldnt happen. Maybe in the bad old days but not today. And, in the unlikely event that it did happen, RTEs Prime Time Investigates would get wind of it and expose it as a failure in public service governance. Except that the public service body whose governance stands questioned today is RTE, a major part of whose mission is to hold politicians and the public service accountable. And the individual who received more than 300,000 over five years, outside of RTEs officially published books, is Ryan Tubridy, whose official compensation had been radically reduced in deference to RTEs financial problems. Read More Tubridy off air as controversy rages over 345,000 payment In the context of the drop in money Tubridy took, 75,000, while not paltry, isnt enormous. The reputational damage to the national broadcaster and to Tubridy himself, on the other hand, is enormous. The Late Late Show is sufficiently influential to attract the Tanaiste on to one of the last Tubridy episodes, to answer questions about his life, career, and future. It still matters. It still must be, like Caesars wife, above reproach. Ditto Tubridy, the paternal, always trustworthy personality who shepherded his audience through the pandemic. Yet, while RTE and Tubridy were getting credit for him taking a pay cut, a convoluted deal had been done behind the scenes to reduce his pain by 75,000. Which didnt appear in the published accounts. Ryan Tubridy interviewing President Michael D Higgins ahead of The Late Late Show series finale. Picture: Michelle Daly In terms of corporate governance, its somewhere between ropey and shocking. We know the chairwoman of RTE Siun Ni Raghallaigh, pulled in Grant Thornton to look at the books, but we dont know what provoked her to do so. Her actions generate a rake of relevant and urgent questions. One of those questions is who authorised this unorthodox payment method and why. Although 75,000 isnt a huge sum in terms of the national broadcasters overall budget, it is nonetheless a significant figure to pull out of that budget and hand, secretly, to a presenter. To the question of who authorised it must be added the question of who else knew. Did the governing bodys compensation or risk committees know? Did the chair and director general know? And if they didnt, how was it concealed from them over five years? Also, what was the rationale behind the payments? Ryan Tubridy is a competent and popular presenter in Ireland. Hes done the occasional substitute radio presenter gig in the UK. But there has never been a suggestion that overseas demand for his services was so threatening to his retention by RTE that it needed to be fended off. Plus, if he was likely to walk, 75,000 was neither here nor there. The revelations had a new broom ring about them. It seemed that a new administration had spotted something precisely what and who did the spotting isnt clear and called in accountants and, once the nature of the transactions was established, went public with it. Ryan Tubridy's statement Ryan Tubridys own statement suggests neither the new administration nor Grant Thornton consulted him about it. Like many people, Im surprised by the announcements made in RTEs statement today regarding the errors in the reporting of its accounts, his statement said. It is unfortunate that these errors are in relation to how RTE have reported payments made to me but I just want to be clear: This is a matter for RTE and I have no involvement in RTEs internal accounting treatment or RTEs public declarations in connection with such payments. Obviously, Im disappointed to be at the centre of this story but unfortunately, I cant shed any light on why RTE treated these payments in the way that they did nor can I answer for their mistakes in this regard. Crisp. Indignant. Speedy. Too speedy. And way too smart. The secondary part of this astonishing story is what he calls RTEs errors in the reporting of its accounts. But the primary part, the shocking part, is that he may have entered into a secret arrangement with RTE which vitiated his public stance as an uncomplaining loyal servant willing to take one for the team. He and RTE may have misled the public which pays for RTE to exist and Tubridy to get behind a microphone. Tubridys own statement begs another question. He may not have had involvement in RTEs unfortunate accounting errors. But he knew that an organisation required to exemplify the highest standards was creating those errors. Year after year. Yet he didnt act on that knowledge. 75,000 a year over five years may have seemed to those involved like a small gesture of appreciation, an OK sneaky tip. But as Albert Reynolds memorably observed, its the small things that bring you down. Andrew Tate is in the headlines again as he appears before court in Romania after months of house arrest. But who is Andrew Tate and how did he become the face of the misogynistic online movement? Here, we take a look at the social media personality who is facing a number of criminal charges. Who is Andrew Tate? Tate, 36, is a dual British-US citizen and was raised in the US until his parents divorced and his mother moved him and his younger brother Tristan to the UK. His father, Emory Tate, was a chess grandmaster and according to Andrew was largely absent during his childhood. Tate initially had a career as a professional kickboxer, earning two world titles. At one point, he was ranked the second-best light-heavyweight kickboxer in the world. He gained further recognition during a short stint on the 17th series of Big Brother UK in 2016. Tate was removed from the house in less than a week after homophobic and racist tweets of his were brought to light. Andrew Tate wipes his face as he leaves the Bucharest Tribunal after the first hearing in their trial, meant to establish if they will remain under house arrest, in Bucharest, Romania. Picture: AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda Producers of the show cited a video of him hitting a woman with a belt, although both Tate and the woman have said the incident was consensual. In the years that followed, Tate amassed a large following of mostly young males as he positioned himself as a person who could help them gain money and status. Through his website, he offered to teach those who forked out $49.99 per month how to make money and to live his lifestyle. There are 41 tenets on Mr Tates website, the first of which is: I believe that men have the divine imperative to become as capable, powerful, and competent as possible in this life. Social media influence Paid subscribers on his website were encouraged to flood social media with his videos in an effort to spread his message. Through social media and podcast appearances, Tate quickly made a name for himself with right-wing commentators. The self-proclaimed misogynist became known for his sexist views, including that women who have been sexually assaulted or raped share some of the blame, that women belong in the kitchen and belong to men. His wildly controversial statements, his displays of apparent wealth, and claims he can "get" beautiful women saw Tate grow in popularity, among young men especially. An investigation by the in 2022 revealed how the TikTok algorithm promoted Tate's videos to male users. In 2022, Tate was de-platformed by Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok after his content was deemed to be in violation of guidelines. Following Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, Tate had his profile reinstated and he currently has 6.9 million followers. Charities and organisations around the world that are involved in helping victims of domestic and sexual violence have been vocal about the dangers of Tate's 'teachings' and the influence it is having on young boys. Charges Romanias anti-organised crime agency alleged seven female victims were misled and transported to Romania, where they were sexually exploited and subjected to physical violence by the gang. File picture: AP/Andreea Alexandru On December 29, 2022, Tate was arrested in Romania where he has been living since 2017. His brother and two Romanian women were also arrested. The Tate brothers have since been charged with rape, human trafficking, and forming a criminal gang to exploit women. Romanias anti-organised crime agency alleged seven female victims were misled and transported to Romania, where they were sexually exploited and subjected to physical violence. It said the alleged victims were later taken to buildings in Ilfov County in Romania where they were intimidated, placed under constant surveillance and control, and forced into debt, the statement said. It is said the defendants then forced them to take part in pornography which was later shared on social media. One defendant is accused of raping a woman twice in March 2022, according to the statement. The men were detained in a Bucharest prison for three months until they were moved to house arrest. What happens next? On Wednesday, June 21, Tate appeared in a Romanian court where he was formally charged with rape, human trafficking, and forming a criminal gang to exploit women. Tate has denied all allegations of abuse and trafficking. With the indictment submitted to the court, the trial process will begin but not immediately. The judge has 60 days to assess the file. On Friday, June 23, the court extended Tate's house arrest by 30 days. The Bucharest Tribunals decision came days after prosecutors from Romanias anti-organised crime agency, DIICOT, formally indicted Mr Tate after filing their criminal investigation in a Bucharest court. All four defendants, Tate, his brother and two Romanian women, will remain under house arrest for 30 days, the court ruled, but the decision can be subject to an appeal within 48 hours. Authorities have also requested the confiscation of the two men's assets, which they said included cryptocurrencies valued at about $380,000, 15 luxury cars and designer watches as well as land and property in Romania. - If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services. TikToks chief operating officer, V Pappas, is leaving the popular social media platform after nearly five years in the role. In a note sent to employees on Thursday and later shared on Twitter, Pappas, who uses plural pronouns, said now that the company has achieved a lot of success, they felt it was the right time to move on and focus on entrepreneurial passions. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said in a note sent to employees that Pappas, one of the companys most public faces, will continue to serve as a strategic adviser. I want to take this opportunity to thank V for their many contributions over the years, Mr Chew wrote. They have had a significant and lasting impact and we are truly grateful for their tireless efforts Throughout their time at TikTok, they have been instrumental in growing the business, advocating for the company, elevating our product offerings and marketing campaigns, and fostering a positive community of creators and users. They have had a significant and lasting impact and we are truly grateful for their tireless efforts. Pappas joined TikTok in 2018 as general manager and was promoted to interim head in 2020 when then-CEO Kevin Mayer left the company after just three months in the role. The former YouTube official assumed the COO role the following year, and has testified on Capitol Hill and appeared in media interviews offering a full-throated defence of the company, which has been under scrutiny by politicians concerned about its Chinese origins. For years, TikTok has been fending off claims that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, would share user data from its popular video-sharing app with the Chinese government, or push propaganda and misinformation on its behalf. The company is currently negotiating its data privacy plans with the Biden administration which, earlier this year, threatened to ban it nationwide if its Chinese owners do not sell their stakes. TikTok maintains it has never been asked by the Chinese government to share US user data, and it would not do so if asked. In his email to employees, Mr Chew also announced an organisational shake-up at the company. Zenia Mucha, who served nearly two decades as a communications executive at Disney, will join TikTok as the chief brand and communications officer, overseeing the companys marketing and public relations arm. Mr Chew said TikToks chief of staff, Adam Presser, will become the companys head of operations. A new license plate representing the central New York region celebrates an historic Syracuse theater. The Landmark Theatre's marquee is featured on the new license plate, part of a series of regional plates unveiled by the state Department of Motor Vehicles. The theater opened in 1928 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. New York DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder visited the Landmark Theatre on Thursday to unveil the new central New York-focused license plate. "Every region of our state has something unique and interesting about it, and we are happy to celebrate that uniqueness by making these new license plates available for New York drivers," Schroeder said. "These also allow drivers to put their own unique touch on their vehicles and show pride for the place they live." The other regional license plates feature the state Capitol (Capital Region) and One World Trade Center (New York City). Some of the regional plates have not yet been released, but will be available by the end of the month. The custom plates can be ordered at dmv.ny.gov or by calling (518) 402-4838. More information about the regional plates can be found at dmv.ny.gov/plates/how-order-picture-and-professional-plates. Canadas Senate has passed a Bill that will require Google and Meta to pay media outlets for news content that they share or otherwise repurpose on their platforms. The Bill, which is set to become law, was passed amid a stand-off between Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government and Silicon Valley tech giants. Ottawa has said the law creates a level playing field between online advertising giants and the shrinking news industry. And Canadian heritage minister Pablo Rodriguez has promised to push back on what he describes as threats from Facebook and Google to remove journalism from their platforms. Meta confirmed on Thursday that it plans to comply with the Bill by ending news availability on Facebook and Instagram for its Canadian users, as it had previously suggested. Meta would not offer details about the timeline for that move, but said it will pull local news from its site before the Online News Act takes effect. The Bill will come into force six months after it receives royal assent. Google hinted that removing news links from its popular search engine is a possibility (AP) We have repeatedly shared that in order to comply with Bill C-18, which was passed today in Parliament, content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to people accessing our platforms in Canada, said Meta spokesman Scott Reid. Legacy media and broadcasters have praised the Bill, which promises to enhance fairness in the digital news marketplace and help bring in more money for shrinking newsrooms. Tech giants including Meta and Google have been blamed in the past for disrupting and dominating the advertising industry, eclipsing smaller, traditional players. Meta, which is based in California, has taken similar steps in the past. In 2021, it briefly blocked news from its platform in Australia after the country passed legislation that would compel tech companies to pay publishers for using their news stories. It later struck deals with Australian publishers. Laura Scaffidi, a spokesperson for the minister, said Mr Rodriguez was set to have a meeting on Thursday with Google, which has hinted that removing news links from its popular search engine is a possibility. Meta is already undergoing a test that blocks news for up to 5% of its Canadian users, and Google ran a similar test earlier this year. The Online News Act requires both companies to enter into agreements with news publishers to pay them for news content that appears on their sites if it helps the tech giants generate money. The tech giants do not have obligations under the act immediately after Bill C-18 passes. As part of this process, all details will be made public before any tech giant is designated under the act, said Ms Scaffidi. A suspected lone Russian diplomat is apparently squatting on the site of Moscows proposed embassy in Canberra after the Australian government vetoed the plan on security grounds. Prime minister Anthony Albanese dismissed the Russian act of defiance in occupying the site in the capital, saying a bloke standing in the cold on a bit of grass in Canberra is not a threat to our national security. Mr Albanese said he was confident that the eviction would stand up to any Russian legal challenge. A suspected lone Russian diplomat was apparently squatting on the site of the proposed embassy that the Australian government has vetoed (Rod McGuirk, AP) Parliament passed emergency legislation last week blocking on security grounds Russias lease on the largely empty block because the new embassy would have been too close to Parliament House. A man has been living in a portable building on the site since Sunday, when passers-by first saw Australian Federal Police outside the fenced block in the Yarralumla diplomatic precinct. The Russian Embassy refused to comment on media reports that the man seen smoking cigarettes outside his accommodation was a Russian diplomat. The embassy also declined to explain why the man was on the site, saying in an email: The Embassy does not comment (on) this. Mr Albanese said the issue would be resolved but did not say how. Australia will stand up for our values and we will stand up for our national security and a bloke standing in the cold on a bit of grass in Canberra is not a threat to our national security, he told reporters in a courtyard outside his Parliament House office. The proposed new embassy is near the Australian Parliament in Canberra (Rod McGuirk/AP) Russia later informed Canberra it intended to challenge the scrapping of the lease in the High Court on constitutional grounds, an Australian government statement said. Russias challenge to the validity of the law is not unexpected, the statement said. This is part of the Russian playbook. An injunction hearing has been listed for Monday, government officials said. Australian National University international law expert Don Rothwell said occupying the site gave Russia no advantage in any legal challenge to their eviction. What theyre doing is diplomatic civil disobedience in terms of indicating their displeasure with the action of the Australian government, he said. Russias only potential for a successful legal challenge was over the amount of compensation Australia offers for money already spent on construction and earthworks, Mr Rothwell said. Moscow says it has spent 5.5 million Australian dollars (3.4m) on the site since it was granted the lease in 2008. Completed works include fencing and a single perimeter building that was to be part of a planned complex of several buildings. Australian Federal Police monitor the site (Rod McGuirk/AP) If the man is a diplomat, he could claim diplomatic immunity if detained by police, who would then have to set him free. The government could declare him persona non grata, which would mean his diplomatic immunity was revoked. Such people are usually given 48 hours to leave Australia or face arrest. Russia could then send another diplomat to take his place, said Mr Rothwell. Mr Albanese said: We actually support the law. Russia has not been real good at the law lately. Police advised reporters at the site on Thursday not to cross the perimeter fence or gate which was chained and padlocked from the inside. A hand occasionally shifting blinds was the only evidence anyone was inside the small cabin. Russia last week accused Australia of Russophobic hysteria for cancelling the lease, after a deterioration in relations since the Ukraine war began last year. The five people who died after Titan, the submersible vessel exploring the Titanic shipwreck imploded, have been remembered by family and friends. British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman died on the vessel alongside French submersible pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet, chief executive of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush, and British billionaire and pilot Hamish Harding. Shahzada and Suleman Dawood The father and son were a part of Pakistans most prominent families. Shahzada Dawood, 48, was the vice-chairman of Pakistani conglomerate Engro Corporation, and a long-time adviser to the Kings charity, Princes Trust International, with a focus on its work in Pakistan. He lived in Surbiton, southwest London, with his son, wife Christine and daughter Alina, according to the Telegraph. The Dawood family released a statement on Thursday night, mourning the loss of the father and son. Please continue to keep the departed souls of our family in your prayers during this difficult period of mourning. Suleman Dawood took a Rubiks cube aboard Titan (Engro Corporation Limited via AP) The family statement said they are truly grateful to those involved in the rescue operations and their untiring efforts brought strength to the family. The statement said: We are also indebted to our friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers from all over the world who have stood by us during our hour of need. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers onboard the Titan submersible. A separate family statement reported by the BBC said Shahzada was interested in exploring different natural habitats, and had previously spoken at both the United Nations and Oxford Union. Suleman was described as a big fan of science fiction literature and learning new things, with an interest in Rubiks Cubes and playing volleyball. Shahzada Dawood, one of five people who was on board Titan (Engro Corporation/ PA) Mr Dawood became a director of the Dawood Hercules Corporation in 1996, and served as vice chairman between 2018 to 2021, according to his LinkedIn profile. The company is an investment holding platform, of which Engro Corporation is a subsidiary. Alongside his work in business, he was a supporter of the British Asian Trust, an organisation and a trustee of the Seti Institute. Shahzadas father, Hussain Dawood, was a founding patron of Princes Trust International, according to the charity. Stockton Rush Stockton Rush, pictured left (Wilfredo Lee/ AP) The chief executive and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, Stockton Rush originally trained as a pilot, becoming the youngest jet transport-rated pilot in the world aged 19 in 1981, according to his profile on the OceanGate website. He graduated from Princeton with a degree in aerospace engineering in 1984, the profile says. Mr Rush was described as highly professional alongside pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet by a businessman who Mr Rush led on a previous visit to the Titanic wreck. OceanGate said in a statement that the men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion of exploring and protecting the worlds oceans. Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time. Mike Reiss, a writer and producer of The Simpsons, described him as a magnetic man who is the last of the great American dreamers, the New York Times reported. Mr Reiss, who went on a Titanic dive in a different OceanGate submersible with Mr Rush, also compared him to business magnates Henry Ford and the Wright brothers. In a 2017 interview with the alumni magazine for Princeton University, where he studied mechanical aerospace engineering, Mr Rush 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. Stockton Rush is the chief executive and founder of OceanGate Expeditions (Greg Gilbert/The Seattle Times via AP) Having co-founded OceanGate in 2009, Mr Rush has led crewed expeditions to remote ocean locations including the Titanic. He was also the founder and member of the board of trustees of the linked charity organisation OceanGate Foundation, which uses marine technology to develop understanding of marine science, history and archaeology. Paul-Henri Nargeolet A former commander who served in the French navy for 25 years, Mr Nargeolet, 77, was in the first human expedition to visit the ship in 1987, according to the Telegraph. His family released a statement after his death, saying he will be remembered as one of the greatest deep-sea explorers in modern history. When you think of the Titanic and all we know about the ship today, you will think of Paul-Henri Nargeolet and his legendary work. But what we will remember him most for is his big heart, his incredible sense of humour and how much he loved his family. We will miss him today and every day for the rest of our lives. After his career in the French navy, where he was captain of the deep submergence group, he held a number of roles in deep diving and piloting submersibles, including acting as director of DESM, noted on his LinkedIn profile as a French deep-diving equipment company. Paul-Henri Nargeolet, left, previously served in the French navy (Jim Rogash/AP) As director of the Underwater Research Programme with RMS Titanic Inc, which owns the rights to the Titanic wreck, he has led the retrieval of items from the ship across many expeditions. Born in Chamonix, France, he spent his childhood in Africa with his parents, according to the Daily Mail. Mr Nargeolet was married to American newsreader Michelle Marsh until her death in 2017 aged 63, according to the New York Times. Last year, Mr Nargeolet published a book in France about his experiences with the Titanic titled Dans Les Profondeurs Du Titanic (In The Depths Of The Titanic). Hamish Harding The billionaire pilot and chair of Action Aviation, a sales and operations company which manages private jet sales, shared on his Instagram account that he had joined the OceanGate expedition as a mission specialist. Mr Harding, 58, was based in the UAE where the Action Aviation HQ is located, and presents himself in personal social media biographies as a world explorer. Hamish Harding has spoken previously about wanting to venture into uncharted territories (Dirty Dozen Productions/PA) In a short statement, his family said: He was one of a kind and we adored him. He was a passionate explorer whatever the terrain who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved. Mr Harding was remembered by friend Richard Garriot de Cayeux, who is the president of the Explorers Club, which Mr Harding helped found. In a statement, Mr Garriot de Cayeux said: Hamish Harding is a dear friend to me personally and to The Explorers Club. He holds several world records and has continued to push dragons off maps both in person and through supporting expeditions and worthy causes. Hamish Harding looks out to sea before boarding the submersible Titan for a dive into the Atlantic Ocean on an expedition to the Titanic (Action Aviation via AP) He has two sons, named Rory and Giles, a stepdaughter named Lauren and a stepson, Brian Szasz, and his wife is called Linda. On the Action Aviation website profile, Mr Harding writes that the company is the professional representative of choice for large aircraft transactions between heads of state, VIPs, Fortune 100 companies and international corporations. Mr Harding holds several Guinness world records, including the fastest circumnavigation of the Earth via the North and South Poles by an aircraft, in 46 hours, 40 minutes and 22 seconds. In March 2021, he was awarded the record for the longest time traversing the deepest part of the ocean on a single dive, alongside Victor Vescovo, at four hours and 15 minutes along the sea floor of Challenger Deep in the western Pacific Ocean. He said he often took his son Giles with him on these trips, including another world-record beating journey to the South Pole when Giles, aged 12, became the youngest person to have visited. Last year, he took part in the fifth human space flight by Jeff Bezoss aerospace company Blue Origin, according to Sky News. Scientists say they have created synthetic human embryos without the need for eggs or sperm in a potentially major advance. It is currently unclear whether the model embryos have the potential to continue maturing beyond the earliest stages of development, but experts believe they may help in the study of illnesses, genetic disorders or recurrent miscarriage. The work falls outside current UK legislation and raises ethical and legal issues. Prof Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, of the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology, described the work on Wednesday at the International Society for Stem Cell Researchs annual meeting in Boston, the Guardian reported. We can create human embryo-like models by the reprogramming of (embryonic stem) cells, she told the meeting. Professor Robin Lovell-Badge, head of the laboratory of stem cell biology and developmental genetics at the Francis Crick Institute, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Thursday that the aim of the research was to try and model early human development. If you want to understand really what is going on as embryos develop normally, or when things go wrong earlier leading to miscarriage or some congenital disorders for example, then currently people are having to use embryos that are donated for research, which are left over after in vitro fertilisation (IVF), he said. These are quite rare and hard to get, so if you could use the stem cells to model those early stages of human development, then maybe you could get a lot of information without having to resort to using embryos that have been created by fertilisation. He said it was unclear yet whether the models could identify reasons for miscarriage and spoke about the ethical and regulatory considerations. What youre trying to do is model early human development, he said. So these structures that have been made so far are clearly not perfect models of human development, because they dont go that far. However, the whole intention is to devise ways of making them more and more perfect models. And of course, then the closer you get to a human embryo, then you have to start (thinking) well, whats the difference between a normal human embryo and one of these models? And so should they be governed by the same rules that are used to govern research with human embryos or not? So thats the big sort of regulatory issue at the moment and a sort of ethical issue. Dr Ildem Akerman, associate professor in functional genomics at the University of Birmingham, said that in theory, these cells also have the potential to develop into an embryo. She added: This report suggests that there is now proof that human embryonic stem cells can potentially become embryos We understand from the report that the scientists generated optimal conditions for the embryo to pass through the first 14 days of development and, in fact, become an embryo. Recently scientists developed methods to keep IVF embryos alive in a dish for 14 days, and these findings confirm that the technology is now available to mimic the first 14 days of development outside the womb. She said the work has significant implications and will provide scientists with a model to investigate the events that occur during the initial 14 days of life. She added: Up until now, we have only been able to observe such processes in animal models like zebrafish and mice. Having this knowledge can be immensely valuable for regenerative medicine, where scientists aim to generate different cell types from stem cells (such as pancreatic beta cells for people living with type 1 diabetes). It can give us valuable insights into genetic disorders. Additionally, it can contribute to the advancement of IVF technologies. She said that although the scientists had referred to synthetic embryos, these cell clusters are not truly synthetic in the sense that they are created from scratch. She said: Instead, they are derived from living stem cells that originate from an embryo. Essentially, what scientists do is cultivate a single stem cell and encourage its growth into an organised group of cells that, in theory, possess the potential to develop into an implantable embryo. Professor Roger Sturmey, a senior research fellow in maternal and foetal health at the University of Manchester, said there is still much work to do to determine the similarities and differences between synthetic embryos and embryos that form from the union of an egg and a sperm. He said the new work has not yet been fully appraised by the scientific community, but it does offer exciting prospects to answer these questions and may provide an important tool to study early development while reducing the reliance on human embryos for such research. The research has not yet been published in a scientific journal or peer-reviewed. It is time to consider whether trips to the wreckage of the Titanic should end following the death of five people on board the Titan submersible, the president of the Titanic International Society has said. The five people on board the deep-sea vessel Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henri Nargeolet and the chief executive and founder of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush were killed after it imploded on its way to the wreckage. In a statement published online, Charles Haas, president of the Titanic International Society, an organisation set up in 1989 to preserve the history of the Titanic, questioned whether visits to the historic site 3,800m below the surface should continue. Five people died while on board the submersible (OceanGate/PA) He said: It is time to consider seriously whether human trips to Titanics wreck should end in the name of safety, with relatively little remaining to be learned from or about the wreck. Crewed submersibles roles in surveying the wreck now can be assigned to autonomous underwater vehicles, like those that mapped the ship and its debris field in high-resolution, 3-D detail last summer. The world joins us in expressing our profound sadness and heartbreak about this tragic, avoidable event. Mr Hass also paid tribute to Mr Nargeolet, saying his consummate knowledge of the wreck and wreck site was unique and unparalleled. He added: Commander Paul-Henri Nargeolet brought to this expedition more than a quarter-century of expertise, making more dives to Titanics wreck than anyone on earth. His willingness to share that information kept the world informed about Titanics deteriorating condition and helped to rewrite significant parts of the ships history. Sadly, that irreplaceable knowledge has been lost. The Titan was on its third visit to the wreck, having previously made trips to the site in 2021 and 2022. Mr Haas said there needed to be an investigation into the voyage. He said: We believe that an extensive, detailed investigation by the US Coast Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board and/or their Canadian counterparts clearly is warranted. It should deeply inquire into the submersibles design, structure, communication and safety systems, owners policies and emergency preparations and procedures, and the proximity, state of readiness and deployment of deep-sea rescue systems to the site. Hamish Harding was one of five people on board Titan (Dirty Dozen Productions/PA) Additionally, intensive pre-service inspection of deep-sea submersibles should be required by international regulation. Just as Titanic taught the world safety lessons, so, too, should Titans loss. Until 2019, no one had visited the wreck for 14 years before five dives were made in eight days to take the first ever 4K images of the ship as it decayed. Mr Nargoleot is believed to have visited the wreckage more than 30 times. Film director James Cameron, who has visited the wreck a number of times and was a friend of the Frenchman, said there were warning signs ahead of the voyage to the wreck. Speaking to ABC News about submersible engineering, Cameron said: This is a mature art and many people in the community were very concerned about the sub. A number of the top players in the deep submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company, saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and they needed to be certified. A fire extinguisher has exploded and killed a student during a fire drill held outdoors in sweltering heat at a high school in Thailands capital, police said. Five other students were injured. Serbia has reiterated a threat to intervene militarily in its former province of Kosovo if Nato-led peacekeepers there fail to protect minority Serbs from what Belgrade called the terrorist threat of Kosovos ethnic Albanian authorities. In a brief televised address, the Serbian army chief-of-staff, General Milan Mojsilovic, said Kosovo Serbs can no longer tolerate the terror of the Kosovo government, and that Serbias military stands ready to fulfil its tasks in accordance with the Serbian constitution and any orders from President Aleksandar Vucic. Serbia has put its troops on the border with Kosovo on the highest state of alert amid a series of recent clashes between Kosovo Serbs on one side and Kosovo police and Nato-led peacekeepers, known as KFOR, on the other. In recent weeks, Nato has sent in reinforcements amid fears of an open clash between ethnic Albanians and Serbs. Very alarmed by situation in north of Kosovo: extrajudicial arrests of K-Serbs & Kosovo Security Forces marching in South Mitrovica; followed by heavy rhetoric from Serbia. Despite yesterday's crisis meeting, escalation continues & is becoming dangerous. We will not tolerate it. Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) June 23, 2023 Serbias armed intervention in Kosovo would mean a direct clash with some 4,000 Nato troops currently stationed there. Serbia and its former province of Kosovo have been at odds for decades. Their 1998-99 war left more than 10,000 people dead, mostly Kosovo Albanians. Belgrade has refused to recognise Kosovos 2008 declaration of independence. Tensions flared anew last month after Kosovo police seized local municipality buildings in northern Kosovo, where Serbs represent a majority, to install ethnic Albanian mayors who were elected in a local election that Serbs overwhelmingly boycotted. The latest flare-up focused on Kosovo police arresting at least eight Serbs who are suspected of taking part in last months violent clashes with the Nato troops and Kosovo police, leaving dozens of injured on all sides. In his brief address to the nation on Friday, the Serbian army chief-of-staff said that Kosovo Serbs can no longer tolerate the terror of the regime of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Serbian soldiers rest during a military exercise (AP) According to the facts, I informed the commander of KFOR that we demand urgent measures to protect the Serbian people, Gen Mojsilovic said. This is our request to KFOR and other international organisations. In their meeting in Brussels on Thursday, the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo made no breakthrough in EU-hosted emergency talks amid fears of a return to open conflict. The EUs foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, described the soaring ethnic tensions in northern Kosovo as alarming. Despite yesterdays crisis meeting, escalation continues (and) is becoming dangerous, he tweeted on Friday. We will not tolerate it. Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday vowed that the alliances peacekeepers will continue to act impartially and increase its presence to ensure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo. Both Serbia and Kosovo are seeking EU membership, and need to normalise their relations to do so. There are fears that Serbias ally Russia could inflame another armed conflict in central Europe to divert at least part of the international focus from Moscows aggression in Ukraine. The Wagner mercenary chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has claimed that a Russian rocket attack killed scores of his fighters, vowing to take revenge in an unprecedented escalation of infighting among Russias elite. In a series of extraordinary audio messages released late on Friday, Prigozhin appeared to declare war on the Russian military leadership. Wagner Commanders Council made a decision: the evil brought by the military leadership of the country must be stopped, he said. Those, who destroyed today our guys, who destroyed tens, tens of thousands of lives of Russian soldiers will be punished. Im asking: no one resist, Prigozhin said. Everyone who will try to resist, we will consider them a danger and destroy them immediately, including any checkpoints on our way. And any aviation that we see above our heads, he added. Im asking everyone to remain calm, do not succumb to provocations, and remain in their houses. Ideally, those along our way, do not go outside. After we finished what we started, we will return to the frontline to protect our motherland. Prigozhin also published a video which he claims shows the aftermath of a rocket attack by the Russian ministry of defence on a Wagner camp. We are 25,000 [fighters], and we are going to figure out why the chaos is happening in the country, Prigozhin added, urging others to join his fight. Anyone who wants should join. We need to end this mess, he said. It was not immediately clear what Prigozhins objectives were and whether his threats were directed at the Kremlin. This is not a military coup, this is a march of justice. Our actions do not hinder the armed forces in any way, the Wagner chief said. The warlord has been arguing with top military officials for months, singling out the minister of defence, Sergei Shoigu, for battlefield failures. Russias defence ministry quickly issued a statement dismissing Prigozhins audio messages as a provocation. All the messages and video footage distributed on social networks on behalf of E Prigozhin about the alleged strike by the RF Ministry of Defense on the rear camps of PMC Wagner do not correspond to reality and are an informational provocation, the defence ministry said. Earlier in the day, Prigozhin accused Moscows leadership of lying to the public about the justifications for invading Ukraine, denying Moscows claims that Kyiv was planning to launch an offensive on the Russian-controlled territories in eastern Ukraine in February 2022. - The Guardian Myanmar junta troops have seized a section of the Pathein-Monywa road, prompting thousands of villagers in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region, to leave their homes. A Yay Baung villager said: We left our village on Friday morning after troops closed the road. They could attack our village at any time. Around 100 troops raided Nyaungpingyi village on June 17, burning houses and killing two villagers, according to residents. Monywa Peoples Defence Force (PDF) attacked a junta police station in Nyaungpingyi on June 9, prompting the regimes deployment. Troops have been raiding villages in the area and burning houses since the attack. A member of Monywa PDF said: The troops are carrying out many brutal attacks and villagers are afraid. We are trying to protect our people if they make a move. He said the troops are expected to move to the Chinese-owned Letpadaung copper mine in the township. The road closure hampers the delivery of aid to displaced people in Salingyi with the demand for food and medicine rising, according to rescue teams. Daw Aye Mars youngest daughter begins trembling in terror as soon as the nighttime explosions shatter the silence of their household. The shells are fired by heavy weapons at the regimes military base in Depyin Town, a couple of kilometers from her village of Let Yat Kone on the border of Depyin and Ye-U townships in Sagaing Region. Daw Aye Mar rushes to soothe her three children, pushing aside the feeling of panic rising in her chest. The boom of artillery has become a regular part of village life since last year, but they never get used to it. Residents of Let Yat Kone and nearby villages were rocked by five explosions on Monday night, the 78th birthday of detained civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. We never sleep peacefully at night because they [the military] often fire heavy weapons, Daw Aye Mar told The Irrawaddy. Last September, regime forces killed 13 people, including seven children, in an aerial attack on Let Yat Kone. Since then, junta troops based in Depyin and Ye-U townships have been shelling surrounding villages frequently, despite the absence of clashes with local resistance forces. Im always worried about what will happen when a shell lands on my house, she said. Junta military bases in both townships have been shelling the villages every other day for the last month, according to Depyin residents. This year, regime infantry have suffered heavy casualties during raids on villages, so they no longer dare to conduct ground assaults. Instead, they are pounding both civilians and PDFs with heavy weapons from their base camps, a resistance fighter from Depyin Township told The Irrawaddy. Daw Aye Mar confirmed that regime artillery is targeting thousands of residents of around 50 villages in Depyin and Ye-U. People living in resistance strongholds and ethnic territories have been suffering regime airstrikes, arson campaigns, infantry raids and shelling since 2021, when the military seized power from the civilian National League for Democracy (NLD) Government. Residents of Kayah, Karen and Mon states and Bago and Sagaing regions are bearing the brunt of regime artillery assaults. Regime troops have killed 753 people around the country so far this year, with Sagaing suffering the highest death toll (433), according to the civilian National Unity Governments Ministry of Human Rights. In Kayah State, more than 300 civilians had been killed in artillery strikes and other regime attacks as of May, according to the Progressive Karenni Peoples Force. In Moebye, a town on the border of southern Shan State and Kayah, 43 people have been killed and 44 injured in regime assaults that began last year, according to the Moebye Peoples Defense Force (PDF). The attacks have also destroyed 680 houses and buildings in the state, including churches and temples. Much of the civilian population has fled, but the Myanmar military is now targeting refugee camps in Kayah State, Moebye PDF said. In the first week of June, two civilians were killed and two were injured by junta artillery strikes on Moebye. Maw Ni Ka, who fled her home in Moebye amid fierce fighting in 2021, said regime artillery bombardments have followed them to their IDP camp. The 38-year-olds two daughters were killed by shelling in late September as they sheltered in Mway Taw Monastery in Moebye Town. She relives the trauma of her childrens death every time she hears the boom of artillery. The heavy weapons are being fired frequently at Moebye and surrounding refugee camps by Light Infantry Battalion 422. No matter where we run, we cant escape. They shell the IDP camps both day and night, Maw Ni Ka told The Irrawaddy. Im constantly hearing news of internally displaced people being hurt and killed by the regimes weapons. So, I live in a state of fear and insecurity, she added. The regime troops are relying on heavy weapons and firing at the people indiscriminately, said Salai Yaw Man, spokesperson of the Mindat peoples administration in Chin State. Light Infantry Battalion 274 is targeting not just Mindat civilians but also the town hospital and clinics, he said. After drinking at night, they [junta forces] start firing at civilian villages, Salai Yaw Man told The Irrawaddy. Mindat is a gateway to Chin State on the border with Magwe Region, a resistance stronghold. The Chin Defense Force (Mindat) and PDF in Magwe Region are currently involved in heavy clashes with regime troops. We heard that the Myanmar military has sent ammunition to Mindat from Magwes Kyauthut Town. So, the regime strikes could escalate, Salia Yaw Man said. Residents said they are facing almost daily junta bombardments and are desperate to get out of the situation. I want to live peacefully. I really want to go back home, Maw Ni Ka told The Irrawaddy. In Sagaing, Depyin resident Daw Aye Mar said the people would live in fear and trouble for as long as idiots ruled the country. Now we are scared about ground troops, warplanes and artillery every day. ALBANY On Wednesday, Gov. Kathy Hochuls office made a last-ditch effort to persuade the Assembly to pass a bill allowing Hochul to enter a new gaming compact with the Seneca Nation. Unlike an agreement Hochuls office secretly struck two weeks ago, the emerging agreement did not allow the Senecas to operate a new casino in Rochester, the Hochul administration told state lawmakers. As Seneca deal unravels, union poll shows opposition to Rochester casino amid questions about process A lucrative gaming agreement between the Seneca Nation and Gov. Kathy Hochuls administration has unraveled in recent days, capped by a statement from the Nations president accusing Hochul of utter disregard for the process. In addition, according to one person told of the negotiations, a final agreement would likely not have allowed a new Seneca casino anywhere in New York. But certain members of the Assembly, especially those from Rochester, still opposed passing a bill allowing Hochul to enter into a new compact. Those concerns were shared with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. The Assembly adjourned for the summer after 8 p.m. without voting on the bill. With the Assembly declining to take action, an agreement between the Nation and Hochuls office was not finalized Wednesday, according to Hochuls office. How the secretive Seneca gaming deal stalled in Albany Top Hochul officials did not deny that a Rochester casino was part of a deal with the Seneca Nation, and on Saturday, the Assembly refused to pass the bill authorizing Hochul to enter a new compact. Hochuls office confirmed that deal terms discussed with the Seneca Nation were contingent on the Assembly passing the authorizing bill on Wednesday. While we have engaged in productive discussions with the Seneca Nation recently, we were unable to reach a final agreement, and the Assembly did not pass the authorizing legislation, said Hochuls communications director, Julie Wood. We look forward to continuing to work toward an agreement that works for all parties. Both the Nation and Hochuls office agreed that negotiations will need to begin again, according to Hochuls office. It is unclear whether adding another Seneca casino somewhere in New York could still be part of the negotiations. If the Assembly was willing to take up the legislation, the Nation was willing to make significant concessions from our previous agreement in principle, Seneca President Rickey Armstrong Sr. said in a statement Thursday. Unfortunately, we were not able to arrive at a revised agreement that met the needs of the Seneca people while also addressing the concerns of the Assembly and the Executive Office. Agreement struck 'in principle' on new Seneca Nation gaming compact Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong Sr. announced an Wednesday that an agreement had been reached "in principle" with Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration on a new, 20-year gaming compact. Less than two weeks ago, Rochester lawmakers were stunned to learn that Hochuls office had secretively agreed to a deal allowing a new, Seneca-owned casino in the Rochester market. On June 10, after word of the Rochester casino had leaked, the Assembly refused to pass the bill authorizing Hochul to enter the agreement. Last week, Heastie tweeted that as the Assembly returned to Albany this week to tackle unfinished business from the 2023 legislative session, the authorizing bill would not be on the Assemblys agenda. As the two-day Assembly session neared an end, Hochuls office sought to be more transparent with lawmakers. But the distrust sewed in the past two weeks remained. Some Assembly members now want ironclad guarantees that the final agreement signed by Hochul will not include a new, Seneca-owned casino. Given what has happened in the past week-and-a-half, and how much we were kept out of the process initially not having that level of trust we didnt feel comfortable with a verbal statement that (the agreement) doesnt include a Rochester casino, Assemblywoman Sarah Clark of Rochester said Thursday. Clark believes that Wednesday night, Hochuls office would have been willing to finalize a deal with the Senecas, then share a memorandum of understanding or a term sheet outlining the agreement with the Assembly. But finalizing the deal, then sharing that information, was contingent on the Assembly agreeing to hold a vote on the bill authorizing Hochul to enter an agreement. And there was another roadblock. The authorization bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, did not include language guaranteeing that a final agreement signed by Hochul would reflect the terms of an agreement reached by the parties Wednesday. When the Legislature authorized the original Seneca Nation Compact in 2001, there was already a memorandum of understanding in place between the Nation and Gov. George Patakis administration outlining the terms. For this years authorizing legislation in the Assembly, Clark wants a requirement that any final deal signed by Hochul mirror a memorandum of understanding previously released by the parties. Before the Legislature passes the authorization bill, Clark wants that memorandum publicly available. Assemblyman Harry Bronson, a senior member of the Rochester delegation, also confirmed that there were discussions Wednesday between the Hochul administration and members of the Assembly. He said that, Discussions were had, and we didnt have time to get anything completed. The Assembly will now have to return to Albany, at some point, to pass an authorizing bill. If there are amendments to the current Assembly bill, as expected, the Senate would also need to return to pass a mirroring bill. A further complication: Before the Seneca Nation can enter a final, signed agreement with Hochul, its own citizens must pass a referendum approving the terms. The original compact between New York State and the Nation struck in 2002 expires Dec. 9. The Seneca Nation currently operates three casinos in Western New York, pays 25% of revenue on slot machines to the state and, in exchange, has the exclusive right to operate those devices west of State Route 14. Two weeks ago, the Seneca Nation had agreed to pay 19.5% of gaming revenue to New York State for most of a new 20-year agreement. But that deal had included language allowing the Nation to open a casino in the Rochester market. A deal that does not allow the Nation to open a fourth casino would almost certainly come with significantly lower payments of Nation gaming revenue to the state. While the Nation could agree to extend the current compact beyond its Dec. 9 expiration and until the next Albany legislative session begins in January 2024 Armstrong opposes that idea. Armstrong said Assembly leadership has indicated a willingness to return to Albany sooner, once the Nation and the State are able to finalize a new compact, and Armstrong said that is the Nations goal. Continuing under the terms of our outdated current compact beyond its expiration on December 9 is neither a reasonable nor acceptable solution, Armstrong said. An arms company listed on the National Stock Exchange of India is continuing to support Myanmars military junta, exporting more than US$5 million in equipment between November 2022 and April of this year, according to Justice for Myanmar (JFM). In a report released on Wednesday, the activist group said that the Indian arms manufacturing company Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) exported US$5.1 million in military-end use materials and technology including sonar, radio components and radar equipment to be used in military warships or submarines and on the battlefields during the six-month period. BEL transferred the equipment knowing that the Myanmar military is the end user, and that it is committing ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity with total impunity, JFM said in the report. BEL sent seven shipments during the six-month period with three being sent to the Myanmar military directly, three sent to arms broker Mega Hill General Trading, and one sent to Alliance Engineering Services. BEL, controlled by its majority shareholder the Indian government, has been supplying the Myanmar military with numerous prior transfers of weapon systems and a coastal surveillance system since the February 1, 2021 coup. JFM called on investors to divest from companies, like BEL, that have repeatedly failed to comply with their human rights responsibilities. The Indian government controls the company, owning slightly more than 51% of BEL, according to the companys website. JFM said BELs other shareholders include: Nippon Life India Asset Management, Goldman Sachs, Vanguard, BlackRock, Fidelity, Canadian Pension Plan, California Public Employees Retirement System, California State Teachers Retirement System, Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec, and Swedish pension funds AP-fonden (AP1), Andra AP-fonden (AP2) and Sjunde AP-fonden (AP7). These new and significant exports to Myanmar from BEL make India further complicit in the juntas ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity, JFM spokesperson Yadanar Maung said. By selling arms and equipment to the junta, India is choosing to ignore the voices of the Myanmar people, the legitimate National Unity Government, civil society, UN resolutions and its responsibilities under international law, she said. JFM called on Indias Quad partners and other allies to use their leverage to pressure India, which has long-standing defense cooperation with the Myanmar junta, to stop the supply of arms and dual-use goods and technology to the Myanmar regime. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis made a state visit to France this year and is currently on a state visit to the United States. The Biden administration is this week honoring Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a state visit to the White House. We urge President Biden and his government to push Prime Minister Modi to immediately stop all shipments of arms and dual-use goods and technology to the Myanmar junta, the spokesperson said. Besides, JFM also called on the US, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia to impose targeted sanctions on arms brokers Mega Hill General Trading and Alliance Engineering Services, as well as their networks, directors and shareholders. Alliance Engineering Services was established by Ivan Htet, the son of the juntas former air force chief Maung Maung Kyaw. Mega Hill General Trading is a private Myanmar military contractor that has a history of procuring technology and providing services to the armys Directorate of Procurement, including a remote-controlled weapon station supplied by BEL in 2021, JFM said. Since the coup, Myanmar military junta has killed at least 3,688 people, arrested more than 23,000 more, and displaced 1.5 million people. 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. Photo: The Canadian Press In this satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies, from top to bottom, the vessels Horizon Arctic, Deep Energy and Skandi Vinland search for the missing submersible Titan, Thursday, June 22, 2023 in the Atlantic Ocean. (Satellite image 2023 Maxar Technologies via AP) A day after revelations that the Titan submersible imploded, officials searched the ocean floor for evidence and grappled Friday with vexing questions about who is responsible for investigating the international disaster. A formal inquiry has not yet been launched because maritime agencies are still busy searching the area where the vessel fell apart, the U.S. Coast Guard said Friday. Debris was located about 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) underwater, several hundred feet away from the Titanic wreckage it was on its way to explore. The U.S. Coast Guard led the initial search and rescue mission. I know there are also a lot of questions about how, why and when did this happen. Those are questions we will collect as much information as we can about now, Rear Adm. John Mauger of the First Coast Guard District said Thursday. It was not entirely clear Friday who would have the authority to lead what is sure to be a complex investigation involving several countries. OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the Titan, is based in the U.S. but the submersible was registered in the Bahamas. OceanGate is based in Everett, Washington, but closed when the Titan was found. Meanwhile, the Titans mother ship, the Polar Prince, was from Canada, and the people on board the submersible were from England, Pakistan, France, and the U.S. The National Transportation Safety Board said Friday that the U.S. Coast Guard has declared the loss of the Titan submersible to be a major marine casualty and the Coast Guard will lead the investigation. NTSB spokesperson Peter Knudson said that information was provided to the agencys senior management by Coast Guard officials, and the NTSB has joined the investigation. The Coast Guard has not confirmed that it will lead the investigation. Coast Guard headquarters said the Coast Guard First District in Boston will discuss future operations and plans, but did not say when. The First District did not respond to phone and email messages seeking comment Friday. Meanwhile, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said Friday that it is launching an investigation into the Polar Prince, the Titan's mother ship and support vessel. Seventeen crew members and 24 others were on board the ship during the Titan's journey. How the overall investigation of the tragedy will proceed is complicated by the fact that the world of deep-sea exploration is not well-regulated. Deep-sea expeditions like those offered by OceanGate are scrutinized less than the companies that launch people into space, noted Salvatore Mercogliano, a history professor at Campbell University in North Carolina who focuses on maritime history and policy. The Titan was not registered as a U.S. vessel or with international agencies that regulate safety. And it wasn't classified by a maritime industry group that sets standards on matters such as hull construction. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who was piloting the Titan when it imploded, complained that regulations can stifle progress. Bringing an outside entity up to speed on every innovation before it is put into real-world testing is anathema to rapid innovation, Rush wrote in a blog post on his companys website. Bob Ballard, a member of the research team that found the Titanic wreck in 1985, called the lack of certification by outside experts the smoking gun in the Titan implosion. Weve made thousands and thousands and thousands of dives ... to these depths and have never had an incident, Ballard said on ABCs Good Morning America. ... The smoking gun is that this is the first time by a submarine that wasnt classed, he said. One question that seems at least partially resolved is when the implosion likely happened. After the Titan was reported missing Sunday, the Navy went back and analyzed its acoustic data and found an anomaly that was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the vessel was operating when communications were lost, said a senior U.S. Navy official. The Navy passed on the information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search because the data was not considered definitive, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive acoustic detection system. Condolences for and tributes to those who died flowed in from around the world. Killed in the implosion were Rush, two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. The Titan launched at 8 a.m. Sunday, and was reported overdue Sunday afternoon about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. Johns, Newfoundland. Rescuers rushed ships, planes and other equipment to the site of the disappearance. Any sliver of hope that remained for finding the crew alive was wiped away early Thursday, when the submersibles 96-hour supply of air was expected to run out and the Coast Guard announced that debris had been found roughly 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the Titanic. A flurry of lawsuits is expected, but filing them will be complex and it's unclear how successful they will be. Plaintiffs will run into the problem of establishing jurisdiction, which could be tricky, just as it will be for the investigation, said Steve Flynn, a retired Coast Guard officer and director of Northeastern Universitys Global Resilience Institute. The implosion happened basically in a regulatory no mans land, Flynn said. There was essentially no oversight, Flynn said. To some extent, they leveraged the murkiness of jurisdiction to not have oversight. James Cameron, who directed the blockbuster movie Titanic and has made multiple dives to the iconic ship's wreckage, told the BBC that he knew an extreme catastrophic event had happened as soon as he heard the submersible had lost navigation and communications at the same time. For me, there was no doubt," Cameron said. "There was no search. When they finally got an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) down there that could make the depth, they found it within hours. Probably within minutes. The cost of the search will easily stretch into the millions of dollars for the U.S. Coast Guard alone. The Canadian coast guard, U.S. Navy and other agencies and private entities also rushed to provide resources and expertise. Theres no other comparable ocean search, especially with so many countries and even commercial enterprises being involved, said Norman Polmar, a naval historian, analyst and author based in Virginia. Some agencies can seek reimbursements. But the U.S. Coast Guard is generally prohibited by federal law from collecting reimbursement pertaining to any search or rescue service, said Stephen Koerting, a U.S. attorney in Maine who specializes in maritime law. 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 questions about the submersible's safety were raised by both by a former company employee and former passengers. WASHINTONIt has been nearly three years since the U.S. Federal Communication Commission (FCC) had a full commission. Republican-leaning former commissioner Ajit Pai was the chair of the FCC during the Trump administration and left the position in 2021, leaving an even partisan split on the commission. Unfortunately, the Biden administration has been unable to confirm a fifth member to break the impasse in favor of a Democratic majority. As of late, this has led to a variety of shortcomings in being able to adopt sweeping changes in favor of open internet rules. Anna Gomez, a well-regarded telecommunications lawyer with experience in the private sector and government, is the Democratic nominee for the FCC. The White House announced Gomezs nomination on May 22, indicating that Biden announced his intent to nominate ... individuals to serve as key leaders in the administration. Gomez was named with the Trump appointees on the commission already looking for renewal for their terms. Gomez currently serves as senior advisor for international information and communications policy in the U.S. State Departments Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy. She served as a deputy administrator at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. She has also served as counsel for the now-defunct firm Sprint Nextel and as a staffer at the FCC. I am humbled and grateful, said Gomez in a post to her social media. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Chairwoman Rosenworcel and my fellow commissioners to bring the benefits of modern communications to all. Gomez is referring to other members of the FCC, including the Democratic-leaning Jessica Rosenworcel. Rosenworcel was named to the FCC during the administration of President Barack Obama and was instrumental in adopting the landmark net neutrality rules that drastically changed the internet for the better. In 2015, the Obama-era FCC adopted strong net neutrality rules. Industry groups sued to block the rules but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the regulations fully, indicating that the FCC was well within its rights as a regulator to prevent inequity in broadband speeds. Net neutrality embodies the principle that internet service providers ought to uphold impartial treatment towards all internet data and users, regardless of location and affiliation. This change requires internet service providers from engaging in practices such as accelerating, decelerating or obstructing any content, applications or sites. Protecting broadband speeds is an important issue for industries that are traditionally digitally native, such as adult, video streaming, online news media, e-commerce and general content creation. Unfortunately, during the tenure of Ajit Pais chairpersonshipat the behest of the telecoms internet service providersPresident Trump and the Republican Party chose to completely rescind the net neutrality rules in favor of a free market approach. With Bidens ascension, hope was high that he could fast-track the nomination process for a new commissioner and eventually end the split commission of two to two. The nomination of Gomez comes at a tumultuous time. Before Gomez was nominated by President Biden, Gigi Sohn of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) was nominated twice. Sohn was a popular choice among the Democrats and several civil liberties groups for her work in advocating for open internet rules, or net neutrality, and free speech on web platforms. Sohn was also a devout advocate for Section 230 and keeping the hallmark law that protects freedom of expression on the internet intact. Being that she held these positions and worked on a variety of issues that major telecommunications companies and internet service providers oppose, Sohn was victimized by a coordinated campaign from the far-right media, the telecoms lobby, and the Republicans for three reasons: Sohns queer identity, her viewpoints on net neutrality, and being accused of countering human trafficking efforts online through her work at the EFF. They were alluding to Sohn advocating against SESTA-FOSTAthe Trump-era law that sought to gut Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to prevent so-called trafficking online. SESTA-FOSTA did nothing more but freeze otherwise legal forms of speech on the web. The FCC has been without a full Commission for ... years as President Bidens initial nomination of attorney and consumer advocate Gigi Sohn stalled in the U.S. Senate over groundless attacks on Sohns record, said Alan Butler, executive director of Electronic Privacy Information Center. Butler additionally lauded Gomez as a viable nominee for the open fifth seat on the FCC. In a recent hearing of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Gomez appeared to have support from the majority of Democrats in the Senate. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-WA, the chair of the committee, named Gomez as one of the most qualified nominees for the FCC commissioner ever vetted by that committee. The likelihood of Gomez becoming the next FCC commissioner is hard to predict at this time. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX, expressed concern for procedural fairness and whether Gomez will be able to deliver on behalf of the taxpayers. Note, Sen. Cruzamong other conservative members and moderate Democratswas one of the primary instigators of the homophobic and overtly slanderous attacks on attorney Sohn. The Southwest meets the celestial and the stage in Wes Andersons latest ditty Asteroid City, in which the auteur brings his singular blend of melancholy charm to a story about the stars, of all kinds. Set in September 1955 in a tiny desert town known as Asteroid City (where the Arid Plains Asteroid touched down), the main plot takes place over the course of a week in which a motley crew who has descended on the town for the Asteroid Day and Junior Stargazer celebrations finds themselves unexpectedly stranded. But the film itself is much more than that. Much like his previous outing, The French Dispatch, Anderson deploys a somewhat fussy, and slightly distancing framing device. The action that unfolds in Asteroid City is a play written by Conrad Earp (Edward Norton), directed by Schubert Green (Adrien Brody), and this is a televised staging (the TV broadcast is shot in black and white). The host (Bryan Cranston) walks the double audience through the behind-the-scenes action: Conrads writing process, the unconventional casting of Jones Hall (Jason Schwartzman) as the lead, Augie Steenbeck. We see the company performing improv exercises in a famed acting studio, the process of convincing a movie star to show up, and the dramatic demise of the directors marriage. Though were often pulled out of the colorful Southwest Space Age world of Asteroid City to visit this artsy, bohemian New York City theater world, the dreamlike, surreal quality to the theatrical framing is a necessary foil to the arch perfection of this shiny hamlet perched upon the desert landscape. If the actors are ruled by the subconscious, their characters are ruled by science. The town is run with precise order by the motels manager (Steve Carell), and rigidly governed by military protocol, enforced by General Grif Gibson (Jeffrey Wright). Dr. Hickenlooper (Tilda Swinton) encourages the visitors to share in her enthusiasm for astronomical events and their underlying mathematics. But after a shocking alien encounter, the town is placed under a government quarantine, extending the weekend trip to a weeklong odyssey of the mind, as all is exposed under the clean desert sun. At the heart of this story is a terrific Schwartzman as Hall-as-Augie, a widower war photographer with his four children in tow, and Midge (equally great Scarlett Johansson) the movie star mom of a Junior Stargazer. Two catastrophically wounded people, while everyone else watches the sky, Augie and Midge only have eyes for each other, gazing from their respective bathroom windows. Theyre both obsessed with the practice of their art and they make a fine pair, the discerning photographers eye observing the star who has become comfortable with her own visibility. Their brainiac kids, Woodrow (Jake Ryan) and Dinah (Grace Edwards) strike up a budding romance of their own behind the lens of a telescope, observing stars of a different kind. Naturally, the film is dense with wordy witticisms, referential names and visual jokes, but Anderson allows us to linger, a little, in his carefully crafted design, which is not so much a jewel box but more like a diorama this time around. Though were told this is a play, its not filmed or presented as a contained theatrical experience, but rather as an intensely cinematic work, with a sentient, even humorous camera that reveals the space and characters in leisurely pans and textured Kodak film. Theres a sense of wonder, and possibility, suffused throughout Asteroid City that comes from the melding of the scientific and the subconscious, as the group contends with the life-altering questions that arise from their encounter and subsequent confinement: a young religious school teacher (Maya Hawke) fumbles her lessons about the planets until she realizes that the folksy wisdom of a cowboy (Rupert Friend) and a sense of play can keep her tethered to the Earth. A stern, grieving father (Tom Hanks) finds comfort in the otherworldly rituals of his strange triplet granddaughters. Government officials abandon protocol in deference to forces beyond their control. The funny and profound Asteroid City feels like the movie of the summer, eerily tapping into the current news about UFOs, while synthesizing the retro pop styling of Barbie with the atomic age anxiety of Oppenheimer. It all leads back to deeply existential queries and conversations. Questioning, curiosity and yearning for something more are all deeply humane and timeless pursuits, driven by love or a desire for it. At one point, Matt Dillons mechanic says its all connected but its not working, a tossed off but startlingly incisive line that somehow captures the exact feeling of what life feels like in this moment. Indeed, Anderson hasnt just delivered his best film in years, hes also managed to capture the zeitgeist in his own unique way. The plans for a new Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) on Tuesday were again brought to Flagstaff City Council, which approved the preliminary plat for the project as well as a call for a special election that could include a referendum on its recent rezoning approval. Preliminary plat approval As city attorney Sterling Solomon noted in the Tuesday meeting, plats differ from rezoning (which has been the focus of the majority of city meetings on the campus so far) in that Council has discretion with rezoning considerations, but not with plats. In this case, the plat allows Northern Arizona Healthcare, which is seeking to move FMC, to divide its 172.6-acre property next to Fort Tuthill into five blocks of land (labeled A-E), with another two tracts set aside for future development. Like the campus itself, the plat will be developed in two phases. The development that youve seen currently includes Block E and Block C, said Tiffany Antol, the city planning manager. Block E is the location of the hospital. Block C is the wellness retreat. Block A and Block B are open-space tracts. There are two tracts for future development; those will happen in a future phase when infrastructure is constructed to support those tracts. At its June 14 meeting, Planning and Zoning had found that the plats met the requirements outlined in the city zoning code. In its approval at the June 14 meeting, city council had the same finding. The minimum required improvements, Antol explained in her presentation, are based on the subdivision code, which requires complete analysis of public systems as well as designs for the lot street block and easement. She briefly outlined these requirements, based on the traffic, stormwater, water and sewer, and other impact analyses -- each of which she said the FMC development plans would meet. Referendum Referendums are infrequent in Flagstaff, said city clerk Stacy Saltzburg, with the most recent occurring in 2010. Should this referendum make it to the ballot, voters will be asked whether to approve the ordinance in question, deciding whether to rezone that property. A vote against the ordinance would mean the rezone will not be granted. As far as what that means for the campus plans, that is something NAH would have to answer, she said. Saltzburg added: The zoning code provision to wait a year with a rezone rejection does not apply to a referendum. It is unknown at this time how a referendum might affect a reapplication and is something that would need to be determined, should the referendum be successful and if there is a desire for a reapplication from the hospital. For the referendum to make it onto the ballot, Flagstaff Community First, the political action committee leading the effort, must gather at least 2,607 signatures by July 6. Those will then be processed by the city to determine whether the referendum has qualified. The qualification process, which is outlined in Title 19 of state statute, is very prescriptive and extensive, Saltzburg said. It includes a city clerk review of petitions and related information to see whether petition sheets or signatures need to be disqualified. If there are still enough signatures after this, a random sample of 5% will go through a similar verification process, this time performed by the county recorder. "Following the county review, the clerk will remove the signatures identified for disqualification by the recorder and also determine the percentage of all signatures found to be invalid in the random sample," she explained. "That percentage is then subtracted from the signatures remaining. This will then determine the final calculation of valid signatures. She also noted these steps come with prescribed time frames, with the final deadline being determined by the date the petitions are submitted to the clerk. If that submission happens July 6, the determination deadline would be Aug. 29. When asked whether the referendum could be challenged, she said the city's role was only to process the signatures and make the qualification determination. "Whether NAH believes they have a right to challenge the referendum or will attempt to do so is unknown by the city," she said. Special election The referendum effort was also briefly mentioned in the meeting, with item 12N calling for a special election. The ballot for the mail-only election will include 19 changes to the city charter -- as well as the referendum, should it receive enough signatures by July 6. Vice Mayor Austin Aslan noted a likely increased turnout from a different set of voters than those who usually participate in these special elections if the referendum is on that ballot, and asked what it might mean for approval of other items. Saltzburg said she did not have a clear answer. She noted that vote-by-mail elections tend to have a lower turnout and that the referendum may bring more voters out -- which is always fantastic. It could be a different subset, she said, but thats too far beyond what I would be able to predict. I think the only consideration I would bring to the table here is the number of questions that we're looking at placing on this ballot, she added. We've had conversations before with this process about voter fatigue and what that might do for the outcome of our elections, but that's something for, I think, [Council] to wrestle with. It is a consideration, but I don't have a good answer as to what that may or may not do. I think it's really speculative. Aslan said the question was meant to be speculative. I'm not involved in the referendum process in any way, but I do recognize that it could potentially change the formula for who votes in this particular special election," he said. "I know that we place these items on the ballot because we're looking for highly informed voters to help us pass these things that we want to see. If we have a highly motivated voting bloc that is clearly in opposition to some of the citys stated goals, it could have an impact on things. ...Just something to consider and something to keep an eye on and something to remember during the phase in which were making our case for why these 19 items need to move forward. A recording of the meeting can be found online, with the plat presentation beginning at around 2 hours and 35 minutes. India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, was greeted by the US president, Joe Biden, for a state visit on Thursday. Crowds gathered on the White House south lawn before the formal welcoming ceremony as Biden said the relationship with India would be vital in coming decades. As Modi gets set to address Congress for a second time, it might look as if India is pivoting to the United States. But will India toe the US line? Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves as he arrives at the Lotte Hotel in New York on Tuesday. MIKE SEGAR/REUTERS 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) Reddit 96 Email 228 Shares Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) David Shepardson at Reuters reports that Ford Motor Co. and its partner SK of South Korea have received a $9.2 billion loan for 3 battery plants in Kentucky and Tennessee from the Department of Energy under the loan program called Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM). It is the biggest single low-interest loan ever awarded by the government Loan Program. The US government last gave out the big bucks to Ford in 2009 when the economy locked up and then crashed, under an initiative by President Barack Obama. Ford paid off the $5.9 billion loan, which helped keep it liquid, last year. This loan is different, since it isnt aimed at keeping the US automobile manufacturing sector from going under. Rather it is a form of industrial policy focused on shaping the character of the US auto industry over the next decade. That shape is green. The loan will help Ford in its transition to electric vehicles, for which batteries are essential. A group of war hawks in the late 1990s formed the Project for a New American Century. They thought US warmongering in places like Iraq was key to maintaining the US position as the worlds most powerful country in the new century. It was a mind-numbingly stupid idea and it crashed and burned. In contrast, Joe Bidens vision of a new American industrial policy is the sort of thing that could in fact keep the US competitive on the world stage in the coming decades. Article continues after bonus IC video Yahoo Finance: Ford gets $9.2B loan from Department of Energy for EV battery plants At the moment, China produces 75% of all lithium-ion batteries of the sort used in electric vehicles. While governmental industrial policy is sometimes criticized inasmuch as it involves the government picking winners and losers in the business world, two considerations have made such a policy imperative for President Joe Biden. First, Biden accepts the science of climate change and knows that 27.2 percent of US carbon dioxide emissions come from the transportation sector. Capitalism is not going to cease using gasoline all by itself, and certainly not in time to forestall the worst effects of the climate emergency. An industrial policy is absolutely central to this transition. Second, Biden knows that most of the batteries for electric vehicles are made in China, so there are only two choices: Transition to EVs and become dependent on China for their juice, or create a large scale American battery industry. These two considerations, of the climate emergency and the undesirability of dependence on a Chinese supply train for security reasons have driven much of Bidens landmark legislation. The US is dependent on Taiwan for 90 percent of its computer chips, and even the other 10% are imported. The US has simply stopped manufacturing microchips. The supply chain problems that emerged with the tailing off of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how vulnerable a whole range of US industries, including automobiles, were to such disruptions. For national security, Biden convinced Congress to pass the CHIPS and Science act, which aimed to jump start a domestic microchips industry, and $24 billion in tax credits are newly available to companies for this purpose. A Taiwanese microchip manufacturer has already set up shop in Arizona, seeing the writing on the wall. Having an electric car industry is just as important as having domestic microchips factories. China had stolen a march on the US in the EV industry and is responsible for some 56% of EV purchases worldwide. There was a danger under the buffoon Trump that the US would lose its auto manufacturing sector just as it had lost its microchip sector. Biden knows the importance of manufacturing to the US economy and watched it decline to only 12% of GDP in terms of direct contributions. He is determined to reverse that decline, and with his raft of new pieces of legislation has set the stage for a big comeback. In this case, there is no danger of the government industrial policy picking a winner artificially, because we know we have to get down to zero carbon emissions to save ourselves from dire challenges, and we have to goose the industries key to zero carbon with government subsidies. The climate crisis and the rise of a more assertive and sometimes aggressive China have worked together to create a new American Industrial Policy. How well it succeeds will determine the place of the United States in the world during the twenty-first century. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 23, 2023) - CopAur Minerals Inc. (TSXV: CPAU) (OTCQX: COPAF) ("CopAur" or the "Company") is thrilled to announce that the first diamond drill hole (KMD23-01) is nearing completion. This marks the first milestone in the 3,500 metre (m) combined reverse circulation (RC) and diamond core drilling program presently in progress at the Company's flagship Kinsley Mountain Gold Project (the "Kinsley Mountain Project" or "Kinsley Mountain") in Elko County, Nevada. The Western Flank Zone ("WFZ") resource infill diamond drill hole KMD23-01 has reached a depth of approximately 315 metres of a planned 350 metres hole depth. From a depth of 250 metres KMD23-01 exhibited elevated arsenic values as determined by semi-quantitative portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis in association with intervals of oxidation, decalcification, silicification, increased pyrite mineralization within shale beds, faults and breccias, all well-known gold hosts at the Western Flank Zone (see Image 1 and 2). The Kinsley Mountain drill program will include up to 2,300 metres of RC and 1,200 m of diamond drilling (see CopAur Minerals news release dated May 15, 2023, and Figure 1). Objectives of the 2023 Kinsley Mountain Drill Program: Western Flank Zone resource infill core drilling proximal to historical core drill holes yielding 21.3 grams-per-tonne (g/t) gold (Au) over 29 metres within hole PK137C2. Test Kinsley Ridge induced polarization (IP) geophysical target to Secret Canyon Shale depth within an undrilled area between WFZ and the past producing Ridge Pit. The Kinsley Ridge target was based on 100 line-km of IP/resistivity surveys completed by the Company during 2021 and 2022 that generated numerous untested changeability anomalies. Main Pit North RC drilling to test the Company's 2020 shallow oxide gold intercept of 9.83 g/t gold over 7.6 metres in KMR20-0302. High-grade oxide gold mineralization intersected to date at Main Pit North occurs within 120 metre depth from surface and 75 metres outside the current resource pit shell representing a unique resource expansion opportunity. Secret Spot RC drilling designed to further delineate new 2020 surface oxide gold discovery that yielded 1.77 g/t gold over 25.3 metres in KMD20-007B2 in the centre of a broader 400 x 300 metre northwest trending gold in soil anomaly within mapped Dunderberg Shale a well demonstrated Kinsley Mountain gold host. Image 1: Mineralized Secret Canyon Shale Western Flank Zone KMD23-01 (272 m) Image 2: Diamond Core Drill Setup on Western Flank Zone Hole KMD23-01 Kinsley Project hosts mineral resources comprising the high-grade sulphide Western Flank Zone and near surface oxide of 418,000 indicated ounces gold at 2.63 g/t gold, and 117,000 inferred ounces gold at 1.51 g/t gold1. Indicated resources are inclusive of 302,000 ounces averaging 6.11 g/t gold hosted within the Secret Canyon Shale at the Western Flank Zone. The Kinsley Project was an historical past producer that yielded 138,000 ounces of near surface open pit oxide gold between 1995-1999. Drilling started with resource infill at the Western Flank Zone (2 core holes for 700 m) where historical core drilling yielded 21.3 g/t Au over 29 metres within hole PK137C2 (see CopAur Minerals news release dated March 22, 2023). Western Flank Zone core drilling will be followed closely by RC drilling of priority near surface oxide-gold targets at Main Pit North Oxide and Secret Spot (19 RC holes for 2,300 m), in addition to testing of new IP/chargeability anomaly located between the WFZ and Upper Ridge Pit area (1 core hole for 500 m, Figure 1). CEO Jeremy Yaseniuk expressed, "We are very excited to finally start drilling at Kinsley. The drill program in 2020 led to remarkable findings, including new surface oxide gold drill intercepts and, notably, some of the richest near-surface oxide gold ever documented on this project. Our goal this year is not only the expansion of near-surface oxide gold resources, but also the potential expansion of new near-mine discoveries. We are confident in our ongoing commitment to infill drilling in the extraordinarily high-grade sulfide gold deposit within the Western Flank Zone. What particularly excites me is the prospect of drilling the Kinsley Ridge exploratory hole. The large geophysics program completed in 2021 highlighted targets not previously recognized near many of the known zones of mineralization. We look forward to the prospect of new discoveries as a result of the application of enhanced geophysical targeting at Kinsley." (See Figures 1 and 2) Figure 1. Kinsley Mountain 2023 Planned RC and Diamond Drilling Figure 2: Kinsley Ridge Target IP Cross Section Looking West The 2023 drilling will follow up on the highly successful 49 hole, 18,000 metre 2020 drill campaign the results of which underscored the resource expansion potential that remains at Western Flank Zone, Main Pit North Oxide, and the Secret Spot targets with highlights including2: Western Flank resource expansion drilling 10.22 g/t gold over 6.1 metres within a broader zone grading 2.63 g/t gold (sulphide) over 38.10 metres in KMR20-017 15.1 g/t gold (sulphide) over 7.6 metres, including 24.1 g/t gold (sulphide) over 4.6 metres lower zone, 9.08 g/t gold (sulphide) over 6.1 metres upper zone in KMR20-026 Main Pit North Oxide Target yields high-grade intercepts 75 m outside the current pit shell 9.83 g/t gold over 7.6 metres high-grade shallow oxide New surface oxide Discovery at the Secret Spot, including 1.77 g/t gold over 25.3 metres in new surface oxide discovery in KMD20-007B About CopAur Minerals Inc. CPAU is an exploration company focused on developing projects within the emerging, mineral-rich mining regions of Nevada and British Columbia. The Company is backed by a dynamic and experienced team of resource professionals advancing multiple holdings across both regions; the Kinsley Mountain Gold Property, the Bolo property and Troy Canyon property all located in Nevada and the Williams gold-copper property located in British Columbia. The Company holds a 79.99% ownership interest in the Kinsley property, a 50.01% ownership interest in the Bolo property, a 100% interest in the Troy Canyon property and a 100% ownership interest in the Williams property. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo. (BC), Principal and Consultant, and Christopher W. Livingstone, P.Geo. (BC), Senior Geologist, both of APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, and "Qualified Persons" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Raffle and Mr. Livingstone have verified the data disclosed which includes a review of the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information and opinions contained herein. For more information, please contact: CopAur Minerals Inc. Jeremy Yaseniuk, Chief Executive Officer & Director Tel: +1 (604) 773-1467 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Max Sali, Director Tel: +1 (604) 367-8117 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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. Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain statements that constitute "forward-looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities law, including without limitation, conducting exploration work on its projects, receipt of assays, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company and its properties, and other matters. This news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or Company's future performance. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revised any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations. 1 Technical Report on the Kinsley Project, Elko County, Nevada, U.S.A., dated June 21, 2021, with an effective date of May 5, 2021, and prepared by Michael M. Gustin and Gary L. Simmons, and filed under New Placer Dome Gold Corp.'s issuer profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). 2 True widths of the mineralized intervals are interpreted to be between 60-90% of the reported lengths. Highlights: Jervois has been awarded a conditional 12 million grant from the Finnish government under the State business development body, Business Finland, to partially fund a potential expansion of Jervois cobalt refining capacity in Kokkola, Finland The conditional grant recognises Jervois Finlands innovations that improve environmental protection and its ESG leadership in the cobalt industry 23 June 2023 TheNewswire Australia - Jervois Global Limited (Jervois or the Company) (ASX:JRV) (TSXV:JRV) (OTC:JRVMF) is pleased to announce its 100%-owned subsidiary, Jervois Finland Oy (Jervois Finland), has been awarded 12 million in reimbursable cash funding for its potential expansion of cobalt refining capacity at the Kokkola Industrial Park (KIP) from Business Finland, a Finnish State development body, subject to meeting certain conditions. Jervois expects this Business Finland grant will allow Jervois to evaluate restarting work on the Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) for a cobalt refinery expansion at KIP, as described in an announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on 16 May 2022 (titled Jervois Commencing BFS Refinery Expansion at Kokkola). That work was paused in April 2023 in favor of a BFS for a new cobalt refinery located in the United States (U.S.) to be fully funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Jervois expects its BFS for a U.S. cobalt refinery will share a flow sheet and other elements with the BFS for a Finland cobalt refinery expansion, creating synergies and timeline benefits to the U.S. project. Jervois expects its DoD-funded BFS for a U.S. cobalt refinery will continue independently of any future work on a BFS for a Finland cobalt refinery expansion. This Business Finland grant is expected to reimburse part of its BFS costs and costs of any future construction of a Finland cobalt refinery expansion. The award relates to Jervois environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies for the facility, namely for an intention to exceed the European Unions (EUs) environmental protection standards and to reinforce Jervois Finlands existing position of ESG leadership in the cobalt industry. The Business Finland grant will be released subject to satisfaction of a number of conditions, including Jervois Board approval (or final investment decision) to construct the facility; securing financing and receipt of certain environmental permits. The grant does not expire until the end of October 2024. Jervois continues to evaluate cobalt refinery investments in both the U.S. and Finland. The Company only expects to progress these projects in circumstances where project economics are demonstrated to be robust, and where third-party financing is available for advancement of studies and construction. Jervois continues to engage with potential partners in industry with regards to such financing, including governments, automakers and other battery and or critical mineral value chain participants. On behalf of Jervois Bryce Crocker, CEO For further information, please contact: Investors and analysts: James May Chief Financial Officer Jervois Global This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Media: Nathan Ryan NWR Communications This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mob: +61 420 582 887 Forward-Looking Statements 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 used in this news release, the words anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, target, plan, forecast, may, schedule, expected and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the timing of feasibility studies at Jervois Finland, future final investment decision to proceed, future project funding, permits required to construct and operate the new refinery, the amount of funding provided to Jervois Finland from Business Finland and certain other factors or information. Such statements represent Jervois current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Jervois, 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. Jervois 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 affections such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. 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. Vancouver, BC - TheNewswire - June 23, 2023 - Recharge Resources Ltd. ("Recharge" or the "Company") (RR:CSE) (RECHF:OTC) (SL5:Frankfurt) is pleased to report that the previously announced Ekosolve Lithium Solvent Exchange Extraction process has been able to extract 94.9% of the lithium (Li) from the brines provided from the companys 2022 DDH3 drill program at the Pocitos 1 lithium brine project located in Salta, Argentina. The highlights are: EkosolveTM DLE Extraction technology pilot plant tested at the University of Melbourne achieved 94.9% extraction efficiency with brines at average lithium concentration of 86 ppm LI Lithium recovered from 85.08 ppm Li in brine was 80.76 ppm LI The result is slightly better than previous brines tested and second highest recovery recorded Lithium chloride salt production is the next stage of processing, as potential offtake partners of Richlink has indicated their preference for Lithium Chloride. Brines sampled by the packet test at 363m recorded 169ppm LI. The company will start a new drill/production well program when the permits are issued by Salta Mines Department. Associate Professor Dr. Kathryn Mumford from the University of Melbourne commented This result is consistent with other brines tested from the Pozuelos salar. It demonstrates that the extraction organic solvents have good extractability for the lithium in the salt lake brines from Pocitos salar. The average of brines tested during packer tests were 161ppm Li at 363m depth and the maximum value was 169ppm Li (refer to press release dated January 5, 2023). Testing of efficiency for separating and purifying lithium and the removal of cations was conducted, with boron, calcium, potassium and magnesium extracted to the solvents and sodium stripped into the brine. Learn more about the Ekosolve process on Recharges website here https://recharge-resources.com/technology/ CEO David Greenway commented: We are delighted with the Ekosolve pilot plant test work results that demonstrates the potential viability of this project with 94.9% recovery of the brine, that implies it will be economic at higher lithium concentrations and we will not lose lithium due to sequences of low concentrations in the brine. The technical team will continue to advance the project with the MT geophysics compiled report when received in the next few weeks, and a drilling program where we can deliver an indicated and measured resource. WSP are currently examining the porosity results from the 2018 campaign with the view to including them in our NI 43-101resource estimate. The results of the Magnetotelleric (MT) survey were excellent and our technical team is working on the next round of drill targets to the western side of the Pocitos 1 concession. Figure 1. Dr April Li conducting tests at Ekosolve Pilot Plant at University of Melbourne Melbourne, Australia Ekosolve pre-engineering studies have previously shown that providing brine flow is in excess of 35,000 megalitres per year, with 110ppm LI content and above have been deemed economic. Recharge successfully completed a 2022 drill campaign at Pocitos 1 assaying 169 PPM Li and over a two-week period averaging 161 PPM Li All three drill holes at Pocitos to date have had exceptional brine flow rates. The Ekosolve Lithium Solvent Exchange Extraction process can efficiently manage the processing of the brines to produce lithium carbonate with a grade higher than 99.5% and a recovery of 96%, far exceeding any ion exchange or adsorption process available to date. Ekosolve is licensed by the University of Melbourne, Australia to Ekosolve Limited, an unlisted public company. Phil Thomas, who is the companys qualified person, BSc Geol, FAusIMM MAIG, has spent the past 22 years exploring for lithium brines, including building, and operating a pilot plant for production at Rincon Salar (sold to Rio Tinto plc for US$825 Million) as well as he and his team explored the Pozuelos salar, producing an indicated and inferred resource, from four exploration wells (recently sold to Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd. for US$962 million). CEO, David Greenway, summarised, "We are excited to see things continue to develop positively for the Pocitos Lithium Brine Project. Recharge is pushing forward on all fronts with an inaugural NI 43-101, a completed MT geophysics survey, a pending drill program, and a planned upcoming NI 43-101 resource estimate. The recently completed MT survey shows us exactly where the conductive brines containing lithium have been concentrating. These developments should make for an exciting next period for Recharge and its stakeholders at the Pocitos lithium brine project. About Pocitos Lithium Brine Project The Pocitos Project is located approximately 10 km from the township of Pocitos where there is gas, electricity, and internet services. Pocitos (1 & 2) is approximately 1,352 hectares and is accessible by road. Collective exploration totaling over USD $2.0 million developing the project, including surface sampling, trenching, TEM and MT geophysics and three DDH holes that resulted in outstanding brine flow results. Locations for immediate follow up drilling have already been designed and permits are in place pending submission of final details. Lithium values of up to 169 ppm Li from laboratory analysis conducted by Alex Stewart were recorded during the projects drill campaigns as recent as December 2022. A double packer sampling system in HQ Diamond drill holes were drilled to a depth of 409 metres. The flow of brine was observed to continue for more than five hours. All holes had exceptional brine flow rates. Figure 5. Pocitos Lithium Claim Map Qualified Person Phillip Thomas, BSc Geol, MBusM, FAusIMM, MAIG, MAIMVA, (CMV), a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 regulations, has reviewed the technical information that forms the basis for portions of this news release, and has approved the disclosure herein. Panopus Pte Ltd owns 50% of Ekosolve Limited and Phillip Thomas owns 100% of Panopus Pte Ltd. Mr. Thomas is independent of the Company and is NOT a shareholder of Recharge Resources. Thomas visited the property to view the core and drilling between January 15th-22nd, 2023 and 8-10 May 2023 to determine if additional flow tests could be arranged. Market Awareness Program As part of Recharges ongoing strategy to raise the profile of Recharges projects to investors, the Company has further extended its engagement with TD Media LLC, also known as Lifewater Media Digital Agency ("Lifewater Media"), based in Sugarland, Tex., United States. Lifewater Media specializes in delivering omnichannel programmatic advertising, artificial intelligence implementations and predictive KPI modelling through its use of detailed, real-time measurements for brand campaigns. The extended engagement with Lifewater Media will be for an additional 30 day term expiring on October 21, 2023 for an additional fee of US$100,000 to the Company. The engagement of Lifewater Media was previously extended for a period of six months expiring on September 21, 2023 as announced in the Company's news release dated March 14, 2023. LifeWater Media and Recharge are not related parties and operate at arms length. Neither LifeWater Media nor its principals have any interest in the Companys securities, directly or indirectly, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest. Lifewater can be reached via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. About Recharge Resources Recharge Resources is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on exploring and developing the production of high-value battery metals to create green, renewable energy to meet the demands of the advancing electric vehicle and fuel cell vehicle market. All Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on its social media profiles on , , and Instagram. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, David Greenway David Greenway, CEO For further information, please contact: Recharge Resources Ltd. Joel Warawa Phone: 778-588-5473 E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: recharge-resources.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange 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. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding Recharges intention to continue to identify potential transactions and make certain corporate changes and applications. Forward looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits Recharge will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect managements current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including Recharges results of exploration or review of properties that Recharge does acquire. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and Recharge assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Six girls competed in the 2023 Junior Miss Homestead Talent show on Wednesday evening at Community Players. The event is sponsored by CASA of Gage County each year. (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Several area businesses also contributed to the event. The competition is open to girls, 6-12 years of age. Director Amber Lovitt organizes the show each year. Every year there is a lot of planning to prepare for this day, she said. When the girls show up, nothing really matters, we just have fun. Beatrice Police Department Sergeant Ethan Jordan and 2022 Mr. Homesteader served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. This talent show is about hard work, passion, dedication and determination, he said. Tonight is more than the final result. It is about celebrating the joy of expressing oneself through talent and artistry. The judges for the talent show were Jenny Folkers, Laura McElravy, and Jorjia Boller. The girls participated in activities throughout the afternoon. Katlyn Vater choreographed a TikTok dance and helped the girls learn it and perform it as a group. They made memory bracelets and had snacks. Each of the girls performed an individually chosen talent. A few sang for the audience, one played a guitar, one danced and two played the piano. Each of the six girls answered random questions read by the judges. The 2022 Junior Miss Homestead Chloe Oltmans sang Amazing Grace. The Best Performance Award for the evening went to Loryn Antons for her dance routine. Miss Congeniality is an award that the contestants vote on at the end of the day. The title was awarded to Harrison Harris. The 2023 Junior Miss Homestead crown was awarded to ClaraAnn Kirkendall. Im so surprised, she said. Kirkendall said she had been practicing her talent for the competition. Her mother said she had been performing her whole life. ClaraAnn is the daughter of Jeremy and Amber Kirkendall. Philippe Hategekimana will no longer be speaking. On June 20, the former Rwandan gendarme, who has been on trial in Paris since May 10 for genocide and crimes against humanity, asked to make a brief statement as a precursor to his examination on the merits, the last stage of the trial before the closing arguments. These words will be his last, he promises. "I've been locked up in this box since May 10, and day after day I hear strangers accusing me of every conceivable crime," declared the accused, reading a paper from his pocket. "Most of these people I don't know. [...] It is obvious that these accounts are not plausible and, moreover, contradict each other." Hategekimana repeats that he's tired. "I can't take it anymore," he says repeatedly. "For more than five years, I've been subjected to unjust accusations and harsh detention. My family has been destroyed, my life ruined." Hategekimana, a Hutu, recalls that his wife is Tutsi. His wife was due to testify on his behalf, but ended up cancelling at the last minute, citing serious health problems. None of his three children agreed to testify, much to the dismay of court president Jean-Marc Lavergne, who regretted the family's absence. Then, in his desire to emphasize his links with the Tutsis, the accused made a revelation. At the time of the genocide, he claimed to have lived with another woman, with whom he had a daughter, Yvette. She was a Tutsi woman whom he "did everything to save". She is still alive, as is her daughter, he asserts. No one in the courtroom knew anything about this mistress and child, and Hategekimana would not say another word, justifying his silence for "reasons of discretion", since Rwandan society is "very traditional". "Acknowledging my innocence doesnt mean denying the genocide" The accused would like to sum up his position: he says he sincerely sympathizes with the suffering of the victims and is clear about the history of Rwanda in 1994 - "the genocide against the Tutsis is a reality and I witnessed it" - but he "has nothing to reproach [himself with]". On the contrary, he did what he could and "risked [his] life to save people in danger". He goes on to list the names of three families he helped to escape, under the orders of his superior in Kigali, Colonel Rutayisire. "I was not in Nyanza at the end of April 1994, nor during the month of May 1994," he reiterates. "Acknowledging my innocence does not mean denying the genocide, nor the suffering of the victims." The former gendarme says he is confident that "the truth of my innocence will soon come to light". But for the time being, to say more is "beyond my strength", says the 66-year-old. And for all these reasons, Hategekimana has decided to stop speaking. "Everything I had to say, I told the examining magistrate and I told you by telling my story," he concludes. The former soldier, who spoke readily on the first day of his trial, responding with verve to the president's questions about what he had done before and after the genocide, will now keep quiet. In the courtroom, comments were rife. Some of the civil parties' lawyers were annoyed by a decision that cut short any substantive questions, while others wondered whether he would really be able to keep silent. In fact, Hategekimana did not answer any of the questions patiently put by the president over the next two hours, nor did he comment on the numerous extracts from his hearings with the examining magistrate over the past five years. "No comment Late the next afternoon, after the last witnesses had been heard, the same dance began again, with questions from the civil parties and the prosecution. Yesterday, several of your contradictory statements were read out at the hearing. Could you finally tell us when you left for Kigali?" asks Andre Martin Karongozi. I have no comment to make, Mr. Lawyer," replies the accused. You mentioned another companion and a daughter, Yvette," notes lawyer Francois Epoma. I have no comment. Other lawyers try to get him to talk about more general things, about the gendarmerie's hierarchy, its supply of weapons. But they all received the same response, to such an extent that the civil parties became irritated. "Have you ever cried in your life?" says one. "Have you ever lied?" tries another. No comment. Public prosecutor Louisa Ait Hamou chose to ask all her questions, whether the accused would answer or not. The result was a barrage of precise quotations from Hategekimana's previous interrogations, generally highlighting the contradictions and variations in his account over the years. But it was more like hitting a ball against a wall than a showdown. Question, "no comment"; question, "no comment", and so on. Sixty-four unanswered questions later, the president explained to the accused that "if he does not wish to express himself, he can simply remain silent". Defence lawyer Alexis Guedj railed against the "pressure" the prosecutor had exerted on his client, denouncing Louisa Ait Hamou's admittedly particularly sharp tone. "It's obvious that these aren't questions! Madame is pleading her case," he stormed. "I'm not Biguma Judge Lavergne merely pointed out that if his client wished to remain silent, it is his right - "a right he has no difficulty in exercising, it seems" - but that the parties were just as entitled to ask questions as they wished. The match resumed, but Louisa Ait Hamou's questions, followed by those of her colleague Celine Viguier, met with silence. Hategekimana no longer looked at them, his gaze turned towards the ground, as if waiting for the storm to pass. "How can you dispute the testimony of the civil parties on the dates and at the same time say that you have forgotten the precise day you left for Kigali?" asks prosecutor Viguier. Silence. Only a question from Louisa Ait Hamou, half an hour earlier, finally brought Hategekimana out of his silence. "Am I to understand [from your silence] that you don't deny being 'Biguma'?" she asked, recalling that this was how most of the victims referred to the gendarme who they allege took part in, or even directed, several massacres in the Nyanza region that spring of 1994. "I am not Biguma," replied the accused. Montana law may have banned drag queen story hours in publicly-funded libraries and schools, but there was no question that a story hour would still come to Billings Pride, Rev. Lisa Harmon said. Thats why the church where she works, the First Congregational United Church of Christ, collaborated with non profit 406 Pride to host a drag queen story hour on Thursday. It was never a consideration, Harmon said. This show was always going to go on. Around 70 people came, some too young to walk and others with silver in their hair. A rainbow carpet was spread in front of a stage, decorated with large cushions where children could lounge or play. On the stage were two woven seats where four drag performers took turns reading children's books to the crowd. The stories, such as a book about a dinosaur who learned how to ballet dance, carried messages about accepting others and being confident in oneself. But despite the private location and the family friendly content, Harmon said the events planners had to be careful. HB 359, enacted on May 22, specifically bans drag queen story hours from happening in publicly funded schools and libraries. It also bans sexually oriented shows on public property where children are present. The churchs story hour doesnt match that criteria, Harmon said, but they didnt want to take any risks. Last year, ZooMontana hosted a story hour and faced harsh backlash from politicians and community members, including a protest held outside the zoos gates. This, combined with a neo-Nazi presence at Bozeman Pride in May, meant planners were worried about protesters, Harmon said. Two officers were present at the churchs story hour. There has been an absolutely horrific attack on LGBTQ people this year People had to think about security, location, even the performers outfits, to make sure no one could accuse the event of anything, Harmon said. This is no different than Disney or Mr. Green Jeans. Its bull..., said 12-year-old attendee Kimberly Eggert-Drew. She and her friend, Isabella Hernandez, attended from Lockwood because the event sounded fun. They said it never occurred to them that drag events could be called offensive until the recent legislative session. Its just a cultural event, Hernadez said. I don't see why its such a big deal. I knew I was queer when I was a little kid, way before I ever saw a drag queen, Eggert-Drew agreed. Theyre not dangerous. Other than some stray emails and phone calls, Harmon said she hadnt seen any serious opposition to the story hour. No protesters were present. She said shes grateful it went smoothly. The LGBTQ community doesnt deserve this assault, Harmon said. They should be allowed to have fun and not worry about it being ruined Were proud to stand by our people. Jung So Min mesmerizes the public with her Instagram updates from recent trips abroad. Want to see more of her captivating pictures? Then read on! Jung So Min Visits Vietnam & Austria on Her Vacation It was a much-needed vacation for K-drama actress Jung So Min, after concluding various projects in 2022 and the beginning of 2023. The female star spoiled her fans with some of her picturesque photos as she traveled to Europe and Asia. The "Alchemy of Souls" star shared snippets of her vacation which garnered the public's attention. Finally taking a break from the spotlight, the "Playful Kiss" lead actress boasted her innocent visual and bright charm in the breeze from the sea touching her hair. Jung So Min's uploaded images showcased that she is enjoying her quick retreat in Vietnam. She captured the tropical vibe of the place and exhibited a local vibe in the said country. Apart from her visit to Southeast Asia, the drama star also made her route to Europe. In particular, Jung So Min had spent some of her days off in Austria, where she also shared some of her breathtaking pictures, immersing herself in the country's culture. Jung So Min Made Her Theater Debut With 'Shakespeare in Love' Meanwhile, the 34-year-old celebrity has done different projects in 2022. First was the high-rated fantasy-romance series "Alchemy of Souls," where she played the character of Mu Deok. Apart from the small-screen, Jung So Min also returned to the silver screen with "Project Wolf Hunting," which became her reunion project with "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" co-star Seo In Guk. The movie was also invited to the 47th Toronto International Film Festival last September, which gained recognition from the international audience. In January 2023, Jung So Min made her theater debut in the stage play "Shakespeare in Love." She portrayed the ambitious Viola de Lesseps, who is known as Shakespeare's love and a daughter of a rich merchant who works to achieve her dream of becoming a theater actress. Is Jung So Min Preparing for New Project? Following her back-to-back projects, Jung So Min is still preparing to see her fans soon. The actress is booked to headline the romantic-comedy movie "30 Days," where she will reunite with "Twenty" co-star Kang Ha Neul. The two were spotted at the table reading of the film, and rumored to have begun production. Fans and viewers are now anticipating the release of their reunion project. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Jung So Min To Begin Filming THIS Romantic Movie With Kang Ha Neul What can you say about Jung So Min's travel photos? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars. Kdramastars owns this article. Shai Collins wrote this. Sprinklers water grapevines in the Okanagan Valley's wine country near Oliver, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. Wine growers in British Columbia say this year's grape crop and wine production face deep cuts and losses resulting from a massive cold snap that gripped the province last winter. A Billings man was sentenced Thursday to 100 years in prison for grooming and raping a teenage girl. Eric Joe Jaynes, 41, was silent through Yellowstone County District Judge Jessica T. Fehrs rejection of prosecutors argument for 80 years and the defenses argument for 60 years in prison. Behind the bar sat the girl, who survived Jayness abuse and testified at his sentencing. She will move forward, Fehr said, and you (Jaynes) will remain at Montana State Prison. In 2021, Jaynes sent a then 14-year-old girl more than 700 messages via social media. The messages were sexually charged, with Jaynes eventually coercing the girl into sex at his Billings home. In one of those messages, he asked her not to tell anyone what he did to her. I dont want to go to prison, he wrote. The girl did report the abuse to her foster parents, which spurred an investigation on the part of the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office. Criminal charges were filed against Jaynes in February 2022. Prior to his trial in January 2023, Jaynes faced two counts of child sex abuse and one count of sexual assault. County attorneys Sarah Hyde and John Ryan prosecuted the trial. Along with testimony from Yellowstone County investigators, jurors heard firsthand from the survivor, and her family, about the physical and psychological effects of his abuse. The jury convicted Jaynes on all three counts. If I had to, Id tell the truth about Eric Jaynes a million times, if it means that no one else has to go through what I went through, the now 16-year-old survivor said in court Thursday. Ryan argued at the sentencing for 80 years in prison, with a parole restriction of 20 years. Jaynes found a vulnerable girl, Ryan said, used her as a sexual object and discarded her. The trauma inflicted by Jaynes extended beyond the survivor, he said, and into her family. When Tyler Dugger, Jaynes defense attorney, argued for a 60-year sentence with 20 years suspended, Ryan said it was obscene that Jaynes could be out of custody in 10 years. The survivor, he said, will live with what he did to her for the rest of her life. Judge Fehr imposed the maximum penalty on Jaynes for all three counts. Although his psycho-sexual evaluation determined Jaynes a moderate risk to re-offend, Fehr said even a moderate chance of Jaynes abusing another child was enough to warrant a 100-year sentence. Per Montana law, Jaynes will not be eligible for parole until he has been in prison for at least 25 years. He will also have to undergo sex offender treatment before he is eligible for release. Thursdays sentencing came a day after a Billings restauranteur was found guilty in district court of rape, prostitution and multiple counts of sexual assault. Chien Howard Hwa Shen, who assisted in managing Wild Ginger and Carne Brazilian Grill, was convicted of preying on at least six women employed at those restaurants. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which can connect survivors to confidential support and referrals, with dozens of programs for survivors available in Montana. The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at (800) 656 4673. Clayton Babcock, right, stands next to his wife Linda as he reads a prepared statement outside court in Toronto on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. The Ontario families of victims of a multiple murderer want answers after the killer was moved to a medium-security prison. Mark Smich and Dellen Millard killed Toronto's Laura Babcock, 23 -- Millard's former flame -- in July 2012. The pair then went on to kill a stranger, Hamilton's Tim Bosma, 32, after taking him and his truck for a test drive 10 months later in May 2013.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young Kennesaw State student finds direction in chemistry with Double-Owl program KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 23, 2023 If shes not in the lab, you can find Kennesaw State senior Ariane Charland-Martin on one of her favorite hiking trails around the area. This is where she decompresses from life as a dual bachelors and masters student studying chemistry. Ariane Charland-Martin In combining her love of the environment and her love for chemistry, she helps create conjugated polymers from which organic electronics can be made, and that can be degraded when their usefulness has passed. That excites Charland-Martin, who said she feels she is doing something to reduce pollution and help the environment. The idea that our polymers can be processed into thin films for flexible screens, that's incredible. But I think the part that I enjoy the most is the sustainability aspect, she said. Plastic pollution is a big issue, and I'm actively trying to make it so that they can be degradable. Thats exciting to me. Through KSUs Double-Owl program, Charland-Martin is now on a fast track to both bachelors and masters degrees in chemistry, and to continue this impactful research. Its a bit of extra work, but I love what Im doing, Charland-Martin said. The Double-Owl will put me in a good spot for a career in chemistry, which is a program I wasnt aware of before I came to KSU. The Double-Owl program affords undergraduates the opportunity to take up to nine credit hours toward a masters degree while still an undergraduate, which saves money and time for a student. Charland-Martin carries a full load of undergraduate courses and has started on her masters studies with a couple of graduate classes, including polymer chemistry and research skills and ethics, in Fall 2022. Instead of four years for a bachelors plus two years of graduate school for a masters, shell finish both in five years. Her journey started in Spring 2022 with research in the polymer chemistry laboratory of assistant professor Graham Collier, who suggested she apply for the Birla Carbon Scholars program that offers a stipend for 10 weeks of research in the summer. One of 11 scholars, she won the top prize at the annual symposium in August 2022. As she gained experience in the lab and a love for the science, she learned about the prospects for a scientist with a masters in chemistry. Dr. Collier suggested that I look into the Double-Owl program and build my research project into a masters thesis, said Charland-Martin, also a KSU Journey Honors College student. Knowing how a masters degree in chemistry can help me in my career, I decided to go for it. Charland-Martin arrived at Kennesaw State in Fall 2020 and said that she chose KSU for its proximity to home and her part-time job, as well as its affordability. After her Birla Carbon Scholars project in Summer 2022, Collier hired her as a paid research assistant through his grant from the National Science Foundation. He said Charland-Martins love of chemistry and passion for research come through in her presence as a leader in the lab. Ariane brings an infectious enthusiasm to her project and the lab culture, he said. Since she joined the research group, she quickly ascended to a leadership position and has really helped grow the groups expertise in a new direction. Overall, she is an exemplary student and a great ambassador for the Double-Owl program. By Dave Shelles This article was originally published in the Spring 2023 issue of Kennesaw State University Magazine. Related Stories A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 43,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The universitys vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu. Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! Join us for an insightful podcast episode featuring Dennis Hursh, a veteran attorney with over 40 years of experience in health law. Discover the importance of letters of intent in physician contracts, their purpose, and the legal implications involved. Gain valuable advice on negotiating agreements and when to involve an attorney. Dont miss this essential episode for physicians navigating employment contracts. Dennis Hursh is a veteran attorney with over 40 years of experience in health law. He is founder, Physician Agreements Health Law, which offers a fixed fee review of physician employment agreements to protect physicians in one of the biggest transactions of their careers. He can also be reached on Facebook and LinkedIn. He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, The dos and donts of physician employment contracts: Understanding the role of letters of intent in negotiations. The Podcast by KevinMD is brought to you by the Nuance Dragon Ambient eXperience. Ambient intelligence augments human capabilities to make our lives easier. The applications are many, especially in health care. Ambient clinical intelligence is offsetting the most pressing challenges in health care today, such as burnout, physician shortages, physician and patient dissatisfaction, and underperforming financial outcomes, by applying the technology to clinical documentation. The Nuance Dragon Ambient eXperience, or DAX for short, utilizes artificial intelligence and natural language processing to automatically document care. It securely listens to and captures the natural, clinician-patient encounter conversation unobtrusively, and turns that conversation into a clinical note for the clinicians review and signature directly in the electronic health record. You just talk naturally, and DAX does the rest. DAX is being used by thousands of physicians across 30 different specialties nationwide. It has already won the Silver Stevie award in the health care technology category and was ranked #1 for improving clinician experience in KLASs top 20 emerging solutions. VISIT SPONSOR https://nuance.com/daxinaction SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended GET CME FOR THIS EPISODE https://earnc.me/VpbnaQ Powered by CMEfy. Local featured Monroe County Commission postpones road abandonment Approves TDC change for special projects The Monroe County Commission postponed voting on a proposal to abandon a small waterfront beach in Key Largo to a homeowners association until the next commission meeting in Key Largo in September. Both Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates and Commissioner David Rice were not in attendance at the Wednesday, June 21, meeting. Several Key Largo residents voiced opposition to the proposal, arguing the county needs to protect the publics ability to recreate a public beaches and lands. While the proposal could impact the entire county, the commission is considering an exemption from its land-use rules that would allow the waterfront, county-owned land to be abandoned to the Sunset Point Community Association, as a way to end potential user conflicts between the residents there and people coming into the neighborhood to use the beach on Bay Drive in area commonly known as Sunset Park. Several Upper Keys residents, including two who bike to the small beach, urged the county to keep it open as not all residents have the money to live right on the ocean, the bay or a canal. This community has historically used it as a park, where people go after work or to watch the sunset Matthew Matteliano said. We are a community of the water, and not all of us our lucky enough or wealthy enough to live in an HOA right on the water. .... This sets a dangerous precdent. ... There are limited places where citizens can go to enjoy the resources that make it special. Allison Mahaffy and Babara Overton, who both live near and bike to the park, said they understood the neighbors concerns about traffic and crowds, but the park should be kept open to all local residents. For the past several years, Sunset Point residents have complained about people from outside the neighborhood parking on the street, speeding on residential streets and creating problems for that community, which in some cases has led to confrontations, neighbors have told county officials. While not a formal county park, the Board has adopted rules of conduct for use of the right-of-way in a way that it functions as a quasi-park. Those rules have proven ineffective to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of those living near the property. At the neighborhoods urging, the Board adopted a limited closure order, reducing the hours of access to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only. Those limitations have curbed the overuse and abuses of the parcel but limited the ability of local residents to access the water through this property as they have historically done. In the past, surrounding property owners suggested that the county abandon Bay Drive as one method to limit the access and use to the property. Two attorneys for the Sunset Point Community Association drafted the exemption commissioners postponed voting on. One of the attorneys, Ty Harris, spoke Wednesday in favor of putting protections in place for the park and said the intent was not stopping access to the water. The ordinance change would create an exception to the prohibition against the abandonment of platted public roads that terminate in water in the limited circumstance where ownership would ultimately reside in a homeowners association that would assume access control and maintenance obligations, the proposal stated. TDC CHANGE The Board of County Commissioners approved amending the Tourist Development Plan of the Monroe County Code to possibly allow for $25 million Tourist Development Council funding to go to other capital projects and possibly funds in the future to go toward the creation of affordable housing. On Wednesday, the commissioners voted in favor of an approval to amend the TDC Operations Manual to include a policy for special public facilities projects. Mayor Cates recently addressed the TDC board on how to spend the unused or unencumbered funds, which mostly were a result of an unusually large windfall of transient rental bed taxes generated during the past two scale years, a sum TDC representatives doubted the county would see in the future. Such projects would have to be recommended by the TDC board, not the smaller individual District Advisory Committee. In Monroe County, hotel bed taxes are split between advertising/marketing campaigns and capital improvement projects for tourism-related attractions. Late last year, Cates proposed expanding the use of those bed tax funds, including using it for affordable housing. The TDC board agreed to go along with a plan to place the revenue, generated county-wide, into a capital fund for special public facilities projects, which Cates is proposing be used for workforce housing and different projects with a community benefit, he recently told The Keys Citizen. However, current state law does not allow the funds to be used for affordable housing projects. The county could use the money for infrastructures needs such as waterlines, roads and sidewalks, according to County Attorney Bob Shillinger. Elected officials in Florida have begun to discuss trying to modify state law to allow for affordable housing, Shillinger said. There are other people starting to have those conversations, and we may have that conversation, Shillinger said. I have told Mayor Cates that (affordable housing) currently is not a permissible use. tohara@keysnews.com The World Health Organisation has warned that by 2030, the world will have a shortage of 10 million health workers due to unfair pay and poor working conditions. The health body notes that countries are losing health workers at an alarming rate due to poor welfare. In a tweet, the WHO says that as countries mark the 12th Africa Public Service Day today, attention should be drawn to the plight of health workers in the public sector. It says now is the time to support the people who keep the global population alive and safe before it is too late. In Uganda, the health workers continue to complain over poor pay, which has seen them resort to industrial action on several occasions. The WHO thus calls for improved pay and general working conditions for health workers if African countries are to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3). SDG 3 aspires to ensure health and well-being for all, including a bold commitment to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other communicable diseases by 2030. It also aims to achieve universal health coverage and provide access to safe and effective medicines and vaccines for all. National commemorations for the Africa Public Service Day are being held at Kololo ceremonial grounds in Kampala. A former Billings restauranteur has been convicted of multiple counts of sexual abuse following a more than week-long trial on charges that he raped, molested and solicited sexual favors from six women while managing several Billings restaurants. Chien "Howard" Hwa Shen, who assisted in operating Wild Ginger and Carne Brazilian Grill, was placed into custody after jurors deliberated throughout the day and into the evening Wednesday. In total, the 51-year-old Shen was found guilty of one count of rape, three counts of sexual assault and two counts of prostitution, offering cash to women he supervised, one of whom was underage, in exchange for sex. Yellowstone County District Judge Jessica Fehr immediately placed Shen into custody following the guilty verdict. This case is about power and control, Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Arielle Dean said Wednesday in her closing argument to the jury, about this man, a man of power, exercising control over his vulnerable, young female employees. The abuse spanned between 2015 to 2020, according to court documents, with Shen targeting women who ages ranged from their mid-to-late teens to their mid 30s. All six victims testified in court. Along with Shen sexually harassing each survivor, he also frequently offered them from either before or after physically abusing them. Some reported feeling uncomfortable around Shen to management, only to be ignored. One woman testified in court that while she was an employee at one of his restaurants, Shen made sexually charged comments toward her, asking to see or touch her breasts and insisting she take money he offered her. In April 2020, when the two were alone in the restaurant, Shen followed her into the bathroom, where sexually abused her. Less than a month later, Shen grabbed another employees breast after giving her cash from his wallet. Criminal charges against Shen were initially filed in 2020. When news of the criminal filings went viral, several more women contacted police with their own stories of abuse. Two women, one of whom was 16 years old when she started working with Shen, testified that he offered them money in exchange for sex several times, with a dollar amount as high as $2,000. While one woman was checking a soap dispenser in the bathroom of one of his restaurants, Shen slid a hand into her bra, leaving cash inside. After groping another woman in the dish pit area of a restaurant, Shen, who did not testify during the trial, shoved $80 into her bra. All of the employees were girls and women who needed money, whether for their education or to support their families, prosecutor Arielle Dean said, and that made them vulnerable. Dean told the jury Shen's actions were about control and grooming, normalizing sexual touch and harassment to make it less likely for a victim to report him. "This case is about these women," she said, "Women who are finally strong enough, and able to come forward and say what the defendant had done to them." Defense attorneys argued that prosecutors were far from presenting enough evidence to pass the burden of proof. Along with no physical evidence in the form of DNA, they argued about gaps in the timeline of events and inconsistencies in the survivors statements. The jury deliberated for about eight and-a-half hours before reaching their verdict. The charges against Shen coincided with a lawsuit filed against him in which two survivors claimed he made inappropriate sexual comments and sexually assaulted them. That lawsuit soon expanded to include five survivors claiming damages against Shen and his wife Ting Ting Tina Wu, who was the sole shareholder for Wild Ginger and the majority shareholder for Carne Brazilian Grill. The lawsuit was settled in December 2022, according to court records. For each count of rape and sexual assault, Shen could be sentenced up to life in prison. Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) soldiers deployed in DRC under Operation Shujaa have killed an Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) middle commander who they identified as Jebulire and two others in Mwalika Valley in Congo. According to the UPDF deputy spokesperson Col Deo Akiiki, guns have also been recovered from the terrorists. He adds that a woman from Rwashamire in Ntungamo district and three of her children have also been rescued. Our troops in Operation Shujaa yesterday put out of action ADF middle commander only known as Jebulire and two others in Mwalika Valley. A young woman from Rwashamire Ntungamo and three children were rescued and 4 guns recovered We commend our troops in the effort to decimate ADF terrorists, Akiiki said in a brief statement. The development comes a week after the ADF rebels allegedly attacked a school in Mpondwe, Kasese district killing 42 people including 37 students. While presenting a statement on the attack on Lhubiriha Mpondwe secondary school yesterday, the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Vicent Ssempijja said the ADF rebels are a weak force that they have managed to decimate. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Kilkenny students visited the European Parliament this week as guests of Sean Kelly MEP (Ireland South). They were the winners of his annual Transition Year essay competition. The 19 students hailed from Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois, Waterford, Wexford, Limerick and Tipperary. The students submitted essays titled 'What has 50 years of EU membership meant for Ireland?'. The winning essays focused on the profound social and economic developments that EU membership has brought about for Ireland. Students also presented their ideas on how certain policy areas, such as agriculture, the environment and gender equality have progressed thanks to Irelands EU membership. The Transition Year students spent two nights and three days in Brussels, Belgium, meeting with Irish MEPs and Parliament officials. The students had the chance to learn more about the workings of the EU institutions and the role of MEPs. Their visit also included information sessions on emerging EU policy areas such as disinformation and digital policies, and a guided tour at the European House of History. In their free time, the students had the opportunity to visit the sites in Brussels and sample the local cuisine. The visit was a wonderful opportunity for the transition year students to learn about working life in the European Institutions, and to consider how policies made at a European level affect citizens and business in Ireland, Sean Kelly MEP explained. For me, the highlight of the students visit was listening to each student present their essays. During a meeting with Mr Kelly in the Parliament, each of the students presented their essays individually to the MEP. I want to congratulate the group on their presentation skills and their passion for the subject, it is always wonderful to see young people engaging with the EU and politics more broadly. I was very impressed with the group overall, and would encourage each and every one of these students to think about a career in Europe in the future," he said. The RISE Community Fund supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and Granahan McCourt has issued its last call for entries in its programme to deliver grants to small businesses, farms, community groups and social enterprises in Kilkenny. Established by Granahan McCourt and NBI Chairman, David McCourt, RISE is providing monthly grants across the country to give an immediate cash injection into local communities seeking to boost their digital ecosystems. Applications for the cash grants are currently open in Kilkenny with the deadline closing on June 30, 2023. Up to five grants of 1000 will be available to successful applicants across the county. The application process is incredibly quick and easy, and successful applicants will be notified by early July, with money following in quick succession. We cant wait to see the entrepreneurial ideas from Kilkenny, said Orla OMalley, Programme Director at RISE. The RISE Community Fund launched last year to empower peoples plans to use technology and has already distributed over 80 grants. David McCourt, founder of RISE and Chairman of Granahan McCourt and NBI, commented: We know there are some amazing people doing extraordinary things to bring value to their local communities throughout Kilkenny, and were hoping to accelerate and scale their ambitions with the support of these grants. Small businesses, farms, community groups and social enterprises with plans to use technology to scale their operations and bring tangible benefits to their local communities are encouraged to visit www. riseglobalfoundation.com for entry forms and guidelines. Peter Hendrick, CEO of NBI, added: Whilst connectivity is a vital utility and a critical first step, it alone cant solve all of the challenges for businesses, farms, community groups and social enterprises trying to expand the positive impact theyre able to have - both to the local community, and to the wider economy. Thats why were incredibly excited to engage local communities with the RISE Community Fund and celebrate innovative uses of technology across Kilkenny. NBI is reminding Kilkenny residents to also visit their website at www.nbi.ie to check whether their home, farm or business is included in the National Broadband Plan and to sign up for Eircode specific updates on the rollout. A cyber-security expert has warned the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy that future threats include the risk of quantum computing breaking through traditional data encryption. Chris Johnson, pro-vice chancellor at the Engineering Faculty of Queens University Belfast, characterised Ireland as being in good shape in terms of risk assessment. However during the session on new and emerging threat of cyber security, he pointed out several other potential attacks which may pose threats to Ireland. These included attacks on machine-learning algorithms and variations of ransomware which involves tampering with data. He also said he was extremely sensitive of the security of renewable-energy companies, which will be increasingly relied upon. In a further warning, Mr Johnson said the future will involve machine-learning within weapons systems. Within this context, you have to ask yourself: Does neutrality provide you with sufficient defence against adversaries that are equipped with those sort of weapons? If not, what are you going to ask your 18 and 19-year-old men and women to do. He said there was a need for militaries to rethink the future of warfare. Mr Johnson said if he lived in the Republic of Ireland, he would not be confident given what I see around me today. Elsewhere in the session, the director of cyber defence for the EUs military staff was asked what cyber-security lessons were learned from Russias invasion of Ukraine. Brigadier General Sean White said one major lesson arose out of the fact that cyber-attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure has been a feature throughout the conflict. Key critical military functions, particularly of the Ukrainian military but also of militaries throughout Europe, are increasingly dependent on ensured and assured access to networks. So information assurance becomes a key factor in this area: Do you trust the information youre receiving for all your networks? Because at the end of the day, you must be able to trust your information in order to plan and conduct your operations which in turn leads to force protection for your troops on the ground. Brig Gen White said the military is increasingly dependent on civilian infrastructure and services. He said the military is consistently assessing the threat of growing and developing in the types of networks being used, including Internet of Things (IoT) device networks. He said they assess whether smart watches or fridges may be giving off geolocation data which could compromise troops on the ground. Brig Gen White said there has been rapid software development over the last number of months in Ukraine with new threats and vulnerabilities arising practically on a daily basis. One other key feature we have observed is a particular emphasis on the storage and classification of nation state data. Where is it going to be located? Do we look at a cloud model? Do we look at off site? Do we look at another country? It is something to think about. We can assess that in this conflict and future conflicts cyber attacks will become a ubiquitous and routine feature that could potentially lead to further unintended consequences such as the KA-SAT attack, ostensibly against the Ukrainian military but did have certain downstream effects against wind power turbines in Germany and certain other areas. In this context he said a key lesson was that the segregation of military and civilian infrastructure could intentionally afford more protection to such networks. However, having said that the inter-dependency between physical and digital infrastructure and the potential for significant cyber-security incidents to disrupt or damage critical infrastructure is high. He said this illustrated that the EU needs closer civilian and military cooperation in cyberspace to become a stronger security provider for its citizens. However, Mr Johnson was critical of the idea of separating military and civilian infrastructure and cited the need for cooperation in Irelands air traffic management system. The integration of technology, means increasingly the infrastructure we rely on is dual-use. He said effects on water and energy systems impact the military as well as civilians. Mr Johnson, a software specialist on the SESAR scientific board advising the European Commission on the future of Air Traffic Management, said cyber-security has to be an all-island problem across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. He said the cyber-security of Irelands infrastructure needs to be looked after now to protect it for future generations. Brig Gen White said there were still situations where there needs to be segregation from civilian infrastructure like military communications. Chairing the panel, National Cyber Security Centre director Richard Browne said the agency is acutely conscious of the need to protect east-west and north-south infrastructure, including the all-island electricity grid. When Tom and May Treacy began their married life together in rural Kilkenny in the early 1940s little could they have expected to one day be receiving air-mail letters from destinations as far flung as Zambia, Los Angeles and the legendary Timbuktu! But the Treacy family of Ballyduff includes three sisters who would become world travellers, dedicated, hard-working religious sisters whose calling led them to lives of adventure they couldnt have imagined on an Irish farm! In a family of six boys and six girls, at one stage all six sisters were in different countries around the world! (While the boys all stayed in Ireland!) Not only have they been to exotic sounding places, but the three sisters - Margaret, Maeve and Joan, will this weekend be back in Kilkenny to celebrate their religious jubilees. It is 60 years since they entered religious life. A grand, family gathering will be held in Thomastown and the city this weekend. One after the other, Margaret, Maeve and Joan left Kilkenny to join the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary. In the mid 1950s they were encouraged into religious life by a visit from Mother Stanislaus, herself a Sister of the Institute of the Sacred Heart of Mary, who had been tasked with finding girls from Irish families who might want to become a nun. The order was well known in South Kilkenny, known as the Ferrybank nuns because of the day and boarding school for girls they ran there. Mother Stanislaus met Margaret, Maeve and Joan on her visit. As the Treacy family history says: Margaret was ready, Maeve was nearly ready, and Joan was still a bit young, and could wait and see. Young as they were they heard the call and were eager to respond. Pat and May were not so sure, but guidance from Fr Rice, and knowledge that a Kilkenny woman had been the head of the order until 1940, reassured them. That is how it all began. God chose Mother Stanislaus who chose our family, and we girls chose to answer the call, little by little, one after the other, they say in the family history. Margaret left home first, when her youngest sibling Pat, was just five years old. One of Pats earlier memories is Joan leaving for the boat in Cobh, as she set off to enter religious life in America. When they first left the family thought they were saying goodbye, possibly, forever. Thankfully for all families with people in foreign, religious orders, that changed after Vatican II and each sister was to visit home every two years. Click 'NEXT' to read on and see photographs from the sisters' lives. RiverStone Health will host 21 Montana high school students from June 25-29 in Billings to learn about health careers during the annual MedStart Camp organized by the Eastern Montana Area Health Education Center. The camp runs from Sunday till Thursday morning. Campers will have demonstrations and hands-on labs to learn about cardiac care, medical imaging, suturing, overdose prevention and paramedic training. Students will visit with educators at Montana State University Billings, Rocky Mountain College, St. Vincent Intermountain Healthcare, Billings Clinic, Rocky Vista University Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine and RiverStone Health. MedStart Camps are offered in several Montana cities every summer to encourage high school students who will be juniors or seniors in the fall to explore healthcare careers. Students apply for limited summer camp slots. Scholarships are available and participation by rural and first-generation college students is encouraged. The students at the 2023 Billings MedStart Camp come from Billings, Winifred, Molt, Park City, Helena, Garrison, Glasgow, Laurel, St. Xavier, Stevensville, East Glacier and Hardin. Policy makers from all over Europe, gathered at the Parade Tower in Kilkenny recently to participate in an engaging workshop hosted by South East Energy Agency. The 2023 FEDARENE General Assembly was an engaging workshop organised by the Covenant of Mayors Europe, a key European initiative with over 9,000 signatories, including many Irish local authorities, entitled Multi-level Governance Dialogue in Times of Crisis. The workshop aimed to foster a productive exchange of perspectives and learnings regarding recent developments in the field of energy, with a specific focus on improving policy feedback loops to expedite the energy transition, empowering local and regional authorities to accelerate the energy transition. The event featured insightful discussions and practical examples that highlighted the crucial role of multilevel governance in effectively addressing the energy crisis. Participants explored ways in which regions and their energy agencies can enhance this approach as a powerful driver for the accelerated deployment of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures. By bringing together key stakeholders from across Europe, the conference offered an environment conducive to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the development of innovative strategies to address the pressing energy challenges of our time. speakers Esteemed speakers included newly elected Mayor of Kilkenny Joe Malone, Julije Domac, President of FEDARENE, Councillor Andrew McGuinness, member of Kilkenny County Council, John Carley, Chair of South East Energy Agency, Sandra Bencic, member of Croatian Parliament, Vlasta Krmelj Director of regional Energy and Climate Agency of Podravje in Slovenia and Piergabriele Andreoli, Director of Modena Energy and Sustainable Development Agency. South East Energy Agency, a not for profit organisation, is the Energy Agency for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford, working support regional actors to plan the much needed low carbon energy infrastructure development and to deliver energy saving projects at the local level for the local authorities, communities, businesses and individuals in the South-East. Be the first to know when a new trade signal is out! Click here to sign up for e-mail notifications. The recent investor confidence boost in the ability of the Federal Reserve and other central banks to manage their economies and avoid a 2023 recession has resulted in further reductions in investor demand and gold and silver prices. CPM Groups Jeffrey Christian discusses CPM Groups outlook for the precious metals, and why prices may continue to decline this summer. Jeff also discusses the benefits of producer hedging, and how it should create extra value for the companies and their shareholders, disputing the unsupportable opinion that hedging price exposure should solely be undertaken at the shareholder level and that financial management of commodities price risks by mining company executives should be avoided. LONDON, June 23 (Reuters) - Newmont has declared force majeure on deliveries of some metal products from its Penasquito mine in Mexico, the U.S.-listed miner told Reuters, citing strike action as a constraint on output. Penasquito is a major producer of zinc and lead, as well as gold. In a February outlook, Newmont said Penasquito was expected to produce between 190,510 and 208,654420 metric tons of zinc this year and 77,111 and 86,183 tons of lead. Companies declare force majeure when unexpected circumstances prevent them from meeting contract obligations. "Due to interruptions in production caused by the union strike at Newmont's Penasquito mine in Mexico, force majeure has been declared with certain customers for some of the mine's products," Newmont said in an emailed statement. On June 7, the National Union of Mine and Metal Workers of the Mexican Republic notified Newmont of strike action demanding an increase in the profit-sharing benefit provided for in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) from 10% to 20%, the company said. "We remain in a constructive dialogue with the union and the authorities participating in the mediation process," it said. Penasquito is a major employer in the area, with a direct workforce of over 5,000. Governments and workers have become more vocal in demanding a share of mining company profits as commodity prices increase. Worries about zinc supplies and the potential for tightness due to production cuts have boosted zinc prices on the London Metal Exchange, which at around $2,420 have gained more than 7% since the end of May. Swedish miner Boliden last week said it will suspend production at Europe's largest zinc mine in Ireland within the next month because of "unsustainable financial losses". It was also forced to halt output at its largest production unit, the Ronnskar smelter in Sweden, after a fire broke out overnight. (Reporting by Pratima Desai and Clara Denina; editing by Kirsten Donovan and Jane Merriman) 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. BENGALURU, June 23 (Reuters) - An Indian regulator has approved HDFC Ltd's (HDFC.NS) move to transfer its near 49% stake in its life insurance unit to HDFC Bank (HDBK.NS), clearing a key step ahead of their merger. HDFC announced a $40 billion deal last year to merge with the top private lender. As part of the transaction, which is set to close next month, HDFC Ltd was required to transfer its units to HDFC Bank. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has also allowed HDFC Ltd to raise its stake in HDFC Life to more than 50%. Post-merger, HDFC Bank will have a majority stake in the insurer, allowing the bank to show it as a subsidiary and consolidate its earnings. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - Battery metals firm Jervois Global (TSX-V: JRV) said today it has been awarded a conditional 12 million grant from the Finnish government under the State business development body, Business Finland, to partially fund a potential expansion of Jervois cobalt refining capacity in Kokkola, Finland. Jervois added it expects this grant will allow the company to evaluate restarting work on the bankable feasibility study (BFS) for a cobalt refinery expansion in Kokkola, reimburse part of its BFS costs and costs of any future construction of a Finland cobalt refinery expansion. According to a company press release, that work was paused in April 2023 in favor of a BFS for a new cobalt refinery located in the United States to be fully funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Jervois noted it expects its BFS for a U.S. cobalt refinery will share a flow sheet and other elements with the BFS for a Finland cobalt refinery expansion, creating synergies and timeline benefits to the U.S. project. The company expects its DoD-funded BFS for a U.S. cobalt refinery will continue independently of any future work on a BFS for a Finland cobalt refinery expansion. Importantly, the company said that the Business Finland grant will be released subject to satisfaction of a number of conditions, including Jervois Board approval (or final investment decision) to construct the facility; securing financing and receipt of certain environmental permits. The grant does not expire until the end of October 2024. Jervois is a vertically integrated cobalt development company developing a fully-integrated cobalt value chain, with significant nickel and copper exposure. The company has development stage assets, growth opportunities and exploration projects. LONDON, June 23 (Reuters) - Exchanges are in an uncomfortable wait for the outcome of a lawsuit by two financial firms against the London Metal Exchange for voiding nickel contracts, worried about possible curbs on their ability to react in crisis situations if the LME loses. Whichever side wins, in the case that wrapped up three days of hearings on Thursday in the wake of a chaotic spike in nickel prices in March last year, the stakes are huge for London's status as a major global financial centre. Below are some of the major developments in the crisis: 2022 March 8 - LME halts nickel trading and cancels trades after prices double to more than $100,000 per tonne in a matter of hours. On March 16 it resumes nickel contract trading with a fixed price-range limit. April 4 - British financial regulators launch probe into how the LME handled the halt in nickel trading. LME says it will commission an independent review into the events. June 23 - LME appoints management consultants Oliver Wyman to carry out an independent review. 2023 March 3 - Financial Conduct Authority says it has launched an "enforcement investigation" of the LME, while the Bank of England says it will name an independent monitor for the LME's clearing house. March 22 - Nickel delivered by warehouse firm Access World to commodity traders Trafigura and Stratton Metals turned out to be stone, sources say. March 27 - LME nickel trading resumes during Asian hours after the exchange found no further "irregularities" after an inspection of all bagged nickel warrants in LME-licensed warehouses. March 30 - LME launches measures to revive its nickel contract, including plans to cut waiting times and scrap fees for new brands of nickel that can be delivered against its contract. May 31 - LME launches two consultations on its planned nickel market reforms. GENEVA, June 23 (Reuters) - The United Nations human rights said on Friday the situation in the Israeli-occupied West Bank was deteriorating sharply and he called on Israel to reset its policies and comply with international law. Violence has surged in the West Bank, where the Israeli military has for over a year been conducting regular sweeps leading to repeated clashes with Palestinian fighters. Israeli settlers have also been involved in clashes. "This week's violence in the occupied West Bank risks spiralling out of control, fuelled by strident political rhetoric, and an escalation in the use of advanced military weaponry by Israel," Volker Turk said via a spokesperson at a U.N. briefing in Geneva. He referred to air strikes with helicopter gunships on Jenin refugee camp on Monday, calling them a "major intensification of the use of weaponry more generally associated with the conduct of armed hostilities, rather than a law enforcement situation". The helicopters were called in as troops were engaged in a long gunbattle that killed seven Palestinians, including two minors. "Israel must urgently reset its policies and actions in the West Bank in line with international human rights standards, including protecting and respecting the right to life," he said. Israel occupied the West Bank, which Palestinians envisage as the core of an independent state, in the 1967 Middle East war. U.S.-sponsored statehood talks have been frozen since 2014, while Israel has maintained military rule over millions of Palestinians and continued to expand Jewish settlements. Israel's mission in Geneva said Israel is "well aware of its responsibility under international law and acts in accordance with its international obligations at all times". 'DEEPER INTO ABYSS' The day after the Jenin raid, Palestinian gunmen shot dead four Israelis near a Jewish settlement in retaliation. Turk called it "appalling" that such killings were celebrated by some Palestinians. So far this year, the U.N. rights office has recorded killings of 126 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including east Jerusalem. That follows a toll of 155 Palestinians last year which was a 17-year high. The U.N. rights office has raised the latest surge in violence with both governments, the spokesperson added. Since January, 24 Israelis and one foreigner have been killed in attacks by Palestinians, Israeli authorities say. "These latest killings and the violence along with the inflammatory rhetoric serve only to drive Israelis and Palestinians deeper into an abyss," Turk said. Photo: The Canadian Press Sen. Victor Oh, left, sits with Sen. Yuen Pau Woo during the National Remembrance Ceremony for the 100th Anniversary of the Introduction of the Chinese Exclusion Act, in the Senate Chamber in Ottawa, on Friday, June 23, 2023. Oh said he wants Chinese Canadians to set up a national foundation that would focus on raising money to fund lawsuits against "messy reporters" and politicians who "try to smear" the community. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang A Canadian senator said he wants Chinese Canadians to set up a national foundation that would focus on raising money to fund lawsuits against "messy reporters" and politicians who "try to smear" the community. A video of Conservative Sen. Victor Oh making the remarks was uploaded to the social media platform WeChat on June 5, showing him addressing a group at what was described as the Montreal Chinese Community United Centre. The Canadian Press obtained the video, which showed Oh saying in Mandarin that "we need to raise money to cover costs for (people affected) by all of these unreasonable reporters who try to smear Chinese and discredit Chinese." The senator said "we need to take legal action to deal with the messy reporters, newspapers and politicians" and that a national foundation would also help support young people to get involved in politics, including through scholarships. The comments were first reported in English by Found In Translation on Substack. Oh was not made available to answer questions at an event he attended in Ottawa on Friday that marked the 100th Anniversary of the introduction of the Chinese Exclusion Act. A spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. "I hope, I wish we can set up a nationwide Chinese Canadians foundation. We will draft it to see how can build a national foundation. Why do we need a national foundation? We must have donations, we must have (a) certain amount of energy and financial resources," Oh said in Mandarin in the video. "Because you all know these journalists, these newspapers suppress us every day. One wave after another. They will smear you by reporting a little bit of the facts about you, right?" In the video, Oh said journalists have not accepted the findings in an initial report from former governor general David Johnston, whom Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed to investigate allegations of foreign interference in the past two federal elections. Johnston's report found that some media reporting around allegations that China meddled in the 2019 and 2021 elections lacked context. It also acknowledged that some intelligence confirmed attempts by Chinese officials to gather information about Canadian parliamentarians. But Johnston said the intelligence he reviewed cannot not be shared publicly. He announced earlier this month he would resign as special rapporteur, citing a politically charged atmosphere around his work. Johnston is set to release his final report this month. "Long story short, they don't believe governor (general)'s finding (about foreign interference) is transparent, (that) there are no Chinese spies in Canada in this case. They just dont believe that," Oh said in the video. He suggested that "if a judge rules someone is not guilty," then reporters would think: "It's impossible and he must be guilty!" He said the foundation would be "very important." "If it will be set up in the near future, first we will train young people to discuss and get involved in politics, give scholarships to the young generation and encourage them to study." He said such a foundation would also need to raise money to cover the costs affected by "unreasonable reporters" who try to smear Chinese people. "If we don't stand up this time, they will always suppress us just like what they did to the Black people. Now the Black people stand up and voice their opinions, now the Black people's lives matter. Right? So, we must show solidarity and work together to protect our own interests and our next generation," Oh said in the video. "We are already here. We can't be uprooted. We can't return back to home anymore, not to mention our children." Oh, who emigrated from Singapore 45 years ago, was appointed to the Senate in 2013 by former prime minister Stephen Harper. The Environmental Protection Agencys official mission is to protect human health and the environment. But as Buttes Superfund era approaches its fifth decade, with many years of cleanup work left to be performed, the question of human health and whether the agency has acted appropriately to protect it here looms large. From a study of EPA records and multiple interviews, The Montana Standard has found a disturbing pattern of agency involvement in repeated efforts over the past two decades to discredit and pressure scientists studying how metals exposure may have affected Buttes health and mortality. The stakes are huge. Just how extensive and expensive the cleanup will ultimately be depends on how such research is interpreted. In at least two cases, independent studies have pointed to heightened mortality rates in Butte, with deaths from many causes including cancers, autoimmune diseases, heart attacks, strokes and organ failures well above state and national averages. In both of those cases, EPA has driven efforts to discount the research and criticize the scientists. The EPA, often working in concert with Atlantic Richfield, which must pay for much of the Superfund cleanup, has pressured scientists and discredited their work without following up with a thorough, ongoing federal health study, despite repeated promises to consider doing so. Earlier this month, the EPAs regional office in Denver reported that it had referred allegations to the Office of the Inspector General that agency employees had colluded with Atlantic Richfield, Montana Resources and others to discredit scientists and research about mining-and-smelting related health impacts in Butte. EPA takes the allegations seriously and is dedicated to maintaining public trust and confidence, said Taylor Gillespie, public affairs director for the EPAs Region 8. Citing personnel privacy constraints, the EPA declined to disclose more. It said it first began investigating the allegations after an article in High Country News in February described a troubling coziness between the regulator and the regulated. When, in late 2019 and early 2020, EPA officials were openly critical of scientists Suzanne McDermott and Katie Hailer after health studies by the two scientists, it was like deja vu for Stacie Barry or, more precisely, like a PTSD flashback. Heres a look at how the Barry, Hailer and McDermott cases played out. EPA threatens consequences In 2011, Stacie Barry was feeling plenty of stress. She was putting the final touches on a doctorate in multidisciplinary studies from the University of Montana, the culmination of nearly a decade of undergraduate and graduate work, most of it at Montana Tech, where she had earned bachelors and masters degrees in environmental engineering with a specialty in mine waste. As a part of her doctoral process, Barry was doing research for the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department. At the same time, her father, Creighton Barry, was suffering the final stages of Parkinsons disease. With the completion of her dissertation, Barry, whose fifth-generation Butte Irish lineage is reflected in her red hair and blue eyes, had achieved something amazing. Many who have read it, including her dissertation chairman, professor Pat Munday of Montana Tech, believe it is one of the best things ever written about the Mining City. Coming to the Surface: The Environment, Health and Culture in Butte, Montana 1950-2010 is a celebration of Buttes beauty, strength and resilience, written by one of its own, and at the same time a scientific analysis of the great price the city has paid in its heroic effort to provide the metals that electrified the nation and armed its soldiers in two world wars. Interdisciplinary, it surely is. Barry, who has always considered herself a writer, an environmentalist and a scientist, brought all of her intellectual pursuits to bear. The dissertation examines the literature and poetics of Butte, the sociology and psychology of the mining town and the health impacts of the mining landscape. Barrys multidisciplinary approach actually reflects the many facets of Butte itself. Her summary section begins, Butte is a small city in southwest Montana profoundly shaped by over a century of mining and smelting activities. These activities resulted in widespread environmental contamination and elevated health threats, as well as economic prosperity and cultural vitality. Today, Butte is a post-industrial city that is the focal point of Americas largest Superfund site as well as the nations largest National Historic District. But the compelling writing and cultural observations were not the most remarked-upon parts of Barrys dissertation. Also included was a longitudinal meaning covering a period of time a health study, in which Barry researched and analyzed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mortality statistics from 1978-98 and 1999-2007. While breaking the study period into two parts was largely a function of the way CDC statistics are organized, it did provide an opportunity to judge whether the initial remediation efforts under Superfund made a difference in mortality rates. Barrys study showed that mortality in a wide range of disease categories throughout the study period was markedly elevated in Butte compared with the rest of Montana and compared with the nation as a whole. The categories included cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurological diseases, cancer and other diseases of the internal organs. And indeed the 1999-2007 results showed some improvements in mortality for mental and behavioral disorders, which could potentially indicate some improvement because of the Residential Metals Abatement Program lead remediation endeavor, and also in neurological disease mortality rates, which, Barry wrote, could potentially correlate to capping of waste and remediation of metals, including neurotoxins arsenic, aluminum, lead, manganese and mercury, and in some cardiovascular diseases. But the data for the later years also reflected an increase in mortality for diseases of the digestive system, diabetes and renal failure. The 1999-2007 numbers also showed increases in mortality for most kinds of cancer, indicating that remediation had not yet had an impact on cancer mortality. This study showed that the majority of the mortality rates in Butte are greater than those in the state of Montana and United States rates, and that mortality rates fluctuate over time, Barry wrote. It also showed that mortality rates correlate with the target organs of concern, but it did not show a clear reduction in mortality rates after remediation. Before being incorporated into Barrys dissertation, the painstakingly researched and presented health study results were shared in quarterly reports to the Butte-Silver Bow County Board of Health, which had funded some of her research with money it had received from Atlantic Richfield. When her report of the results was read by local officials, Barry said, one official Sara Sparks, then the EPAs remedial project manager for the Butte Priority Soils Superfund operable unit became extremely agitated. Dan Powers (then-associate health director) called me in to the Health Department. I went into a meeting room with him, Sara Sparks and another gentleman from Butte-Silver Bow. She said, This cannot come out in any way until its been reviewed by EPA and ATSDR (the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry). Barry told her the study had already been reviewed by her professors and that it would be part of her dissertation. She told me that she would stop my dissertation from being published, she would stop me from graduating. Ill go to the university, she said. Barry says Sparks also told her that she would make sure that Barry never worked in the state of Montana in environmental engineering, and that her work for the Health Department would be halted immediately. And indeed, Barry said, Powers told her that day to finish up a final report and send it to him. 'We cant do this anymore, he told me. Shaken, Barry went to her dissertation committee members, including Munday, and asked whether the EPA could prevent her publication or stop her from getting her doctorate. They all told her absolutely not. She had impeccable grades, shed passed her cumulative exams, and the doctorate topic was approved. Asked in March 2023 about the incident, Sparks denied threatening Barry. I would never have said such a thing, she said. Thats a long time ago, but I would never do that. She added, I dont even remember that study. Asked recently about his recollection of the meeting, Powers would only say, It got pretty contentious. At the time, despite Sparks reaction, Powers defended Barrys research. In an email sent Aug. 15, 2011, to two Board of Health members, Dan Harrington and Julie Hart, Powers wrote: As you know, EPA (Sara Sparks) has been saying she is going to do everything in her power to stop Stacies health study since she thinks it is court-ordered protected information regarding Consent Decree negotiations. She has stated this in a couple of meetings. BSB totally disagrees with her stance on this. He went on, I have talked with Dan Dennehy, Rick Larson and Jon Sesso. It is our understanding that the health study was funded, separately, under the Allocation Agreement with AR (Atlantic Richfield). There was never any mention of oversight by EPA or AR. It is, in fact, a health study funded by AR, and contracted privately with Stacie Barry through the BSB Health Department in conjunction with her doctoral thesis at Montana Tech. All of the information she has used is publicly available and her analysis is based on CDC and ATSDR protocols. Powers also told the Board of Health members that he was trying to contact Joe Vranka with EPA to discuss the matter without Sara Sparks influence. I feel it is necessary for the Board of Health to reiterate the study as an important tool in trying to provide a statistically relevant public health study that may provide information to direct future efforts in protecting public health. If you agree, I will draft a letter to the EPA and AR for your review and comment. In fact, a detailed letter under the signature of Harrington, then chair of the Butte-Silver Bow Board of Health, was sent the next day to Julie DalSoglio, then director of the EPAs Montana office, with copies to numerous federal and local officials. In it, Harrington wrote, The Butte-Silver Bow Board of Health strongly endorses the health study currently being done. It is the charge of public health agencies to investigate, study, interpret and analyze results from these approved types of studies to further the goal of protecting public health. Any deviation from this is unacceptable. Ten days later, EPA Superfund Branch Chief Vranka officially backed down from Sparks position that publication of the study should be blocked because of the confidentiality agreement that covered consent-decree negotiations. In a letter to Harrington, Vranka wrote that after further discussion internally, the agency agreed that the study and its underlying data are not confidential and added, I apologize for any confusion that we may have caused as a result of our misunderstanding. After that white flag on Sparks effort to suppress the study, the agencys fallback position was to criticize and attempt to discredit Barry. In this effort, the EPA was aided by ATSDR and by the responsible party for the Butte pollution, Atlantic Richfield. An article in The Montana Standard in April 2012 titled Feds question Butte mortality study summarized Barrys findings in a couple of sentences, but then spent several paragraphs allowing ATSDR, EPA and Atlantic Richfield to discount the results and praise each others work in the Butte cleanup. According to the article, Dr. Michelle Watters of ATSDR said Barrys report is not conclusive and only a starting point to conduct further public health studies," adding that the data used by Barry has several limitations." There is always a question of looking at your data and appreciating what the shortcomings of your data are, Watters told a public meeting at the Butte-Silver Bow Health Department. Its really a mortality ratio that shes presenting its a crude rate. Barry said recently that Watters criticized her study for failing to look at the death statistics by race, age, sex, etc. Barry said that would have divided the data into categories with smaller numbers that could have engendered even more criticism. Watters did allow that Barrys study had value, adding that it showed the need to conduct a more thorough environmental health analysis in Butte. Battling bullies This pattern of criticizing private studies but saying they show the need for more extensive study has been used repeatedly in Butte but the larger study has never occurred. An Atlantic Richfield representative at the Health Department meeting was far less subtle, calling Barrys study inherently flawed without saying exactly how it was flawed. The company issued a statement saying it would support future health studies in Butte that are science-based. The studies that come under criticism from Atlantic Richfield and EPA in Butte have certainly been science-based, but the paper trail suggests its not been the sort of science the agency and the company wish to embrace. They (EPA and Atlantic Richfield) were both bullies, a person who was a Butte-Silver Bow county official at the time of the Barry study said recently. The former official asked for anonymity because I dont want their lawyers on me. Play along with what they wanted, and youre fine, the former official added. Deviate from the company line, and they would immediately start talking about withholding funding. Barrys study spurred the EPA and Atlantic Richfield to circle the wagons. We believe the current remedies are protective of human health and the environment and we have confidence in EPAs work, Atlantic Richfields statement said. John Ray, Ph.D., a Montana Tech professor who was frequently a gadfly in cleanup matters, took exception to the EPA-Atlantic Richfield love fest. Now we have the regulated praising the regulators, Ray said. I never recall (Atlantic Richfield) being as outspoken in praising EPA as they are now. Ray would later write, Dr. Stacie Barry provided a compelling answer to the question of Superfunds effectiveness: Superfund has not reduced the cancer rates in Butte. The EPA went ballistic! Instead of reevaluating the efficacy of their cleanup efforts, EPA marshaled its full resources to discredit Dr. Barrys report, even resorting to personal attacks on her professionalism and competency. For Barry, the public criticism was devastating. I felt like a pariah, she says now. I couldnt walk down the street in my hometown. Barrys dissertation was published with the study intact. She received her doctorate. But, she says, she has indeed been shut out of work in her specialty, environmental engineering. She has worked at the National Center for Appropriate Technology for nearly two decades. I have a great job, she said, one that I enjoy and am very grateful for. But Ive never been able to work here in the specialized field Im trained in. Creating a stir A few years after Barrys research, Suzanne McDermott, Ph.D., visited Butte for a reason that had absolutely nothing to do with her professional role as an environmental epidemiologist at the University of South Carolina: Her son, daughter-in-law and grandson lived here. As she learned about Buttes Superfund status and the active mining in the city, though, she could not help but wonder about health effects from metals exposure. She read the work of Stacie Barry, and thought more research should be done. In September 2018, McDermott published a study of death records in Butte-Silver Bow and Anaconda-Deer Lodge counties from 2000-2015. According to her research, adults in the two counties died from cancer and several other diseases at significantly higher rates than residents of all other counties in Montana. Her research team, based at the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina-Columbia, studied death certificates in an online database kept by the Centers for Disease Control as had Barry in earlier years. According to their research, deaths in the two counties from strokes, heart disease, cancers and organ failures were elevated. Overall, adult deaths from strokes and heart disease were 36 percent higher than elsewhere in Montana, deaths due to kidney and liver failures were 24 percent higher, and cancer deaths were 19 percent higher. Within those broad numbers were some startling numbers in particular age or gender groups. For instance, when comparing deaths from stroke and heart disease: Deaths among men ages 35 to 54 were 71 percent higher. Deaths among men ages 55 to 74 were 46 percent higher. Deaths among women ages 35 to 54 were 62 percent higher. And deaths among women ages 55 to 74 were 67 percent higher. Looking at cancer, deaths among men ages 55 to 74 were 29 percent higher, and among women in the same age group, deaths were 31 percent higher. McDermotts study did find that the disparities in death rates had trended modestly downward during the 15-year study period, indicating that remediation was having some positive effect. Charlie Partridge, Ph.D., an EPA toxicologist in the agencys Region 8, which includes Butte, was quick to latch onto that finding. Weve hit a turning point, he said. While still in the midst of a cleanup, you would expect to see a downward trend. Its modest, but as we get close to the finish, wed expect the trend to significantly decrease. But McDermott didnt stop with the general mortality study. She led researchers in two more studies and one of them would bring great criticism and rancor. A study published in November 2019 showed levels of copper, manganese, zinc and arsenic in the meconium, or first excrement, of 15 newborns in Butte that far exceeded levels in a control group of 17 babies in South Carolina. The study was originally intended as a proof of concept or pilot study, not intended for publication. But because of the difference in levels from the samples from the two groups, McDermott and her co-researchers, Katie Hailer, Ph.D., of Butte and Jamie R. Lead, Ph.D., of the University of South Carolina, decided it should be published. As Hailer said, We felt the results were too striking not to talk about." We believe that there is an urgent need for further research to understand the mechanisms and the human consequences of this potential public health emergency, the study concluded. McDermott said she was surprised by the results. Two of the metals really scared us at those levels, she said. Manganese and zinc are both neurotoxic metals with great potential to harm human health. She added, When babies are exposed in utero, some of the metals are absorbed in bone and muscle. What we measured is the excess what was passed out. This is not measuring what was absorbed internally. The potential health emergency language spurred a strong response from the cleanup establishment. Internal EPA emails show that the initial response to the study was not a discussion of whether a larger, more comprehensive study should be performed but rather how to push back against the study to question its credibility and validity. Within days, this approach would be coordinated and expanded with ATSDR, Atlantic Richfield, Atlantic Richfields environmental engineering consultants, EPAs environmental consultants, Montana Resources and their consultants, and local officials a veritable blitzkrieg of opposition. While some of the multi-pronged pushback was public, much of it played out behind the scenes. Almost all of it mirrored the attacks on Stacie Barry. Hailer, a chemistry professor and chemistry department head at Montana Tech, has done extensive research on metals and the environment in Butte. In 2017, she did a study showing elevated arsenic and other metals in hair samples from Butte residents as compared with samples from Bozeman residents a study largely ignored by the EPA. She expected pushback from the meconium study. But the intensity of it surprised even her. Attempts to reach Hailer for this article were unsuccessful. In 2011, Barry said Sparks threatened to go to the university to stop publication of her dissertation and keep her from getting her doctorate. Hailer was not as vulnerable, being a department head. But that didnt stop the EPAs Partridge from trying. He called the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education to seek a conversation with Hailers superiors at Montana Tech. When OCHE called Montana Tech, the matter was referred to Beverly Hartline, Ph.D., then Techs vice chancellor for research. Hartline took a call with Partridge in the office of Amanda Badovinac, Techs director of communications. In a recent interview with The Montana Standard, Hartline, now retired, remembered, He was putting a lot of pressure on us to put pressure on Katie. I kept telling him shes a good researcher, she does good research. If shes made errors, Im sure she would communicate about them. Hartline said she firmly rebuffed Partridge. I told him I wasnt going to interfere with any research at Montana Tech. I communicated with the provost about that. They were harassing Katie, she said bluntly. Hailer cooperated with the EPA, giving the agency splits of her samples, sharing the data from her research. At no time did the EPA or anyone else identify any error or inaccuracy in any of Hailers work. Instead, the agency zeroed in on the comparison samples taken in South Carolina, saying they were so low in comparison with the Butte samples that a mathematical error must have been made. I understand that the EPA doesnt like our findings, Hailer said. But the numbers are expressed correctly. The EPA also claimed that the Butte numbers were within the range of results in other studies. Hailer and McDermott responded that many of those studies were examining communities that have, like Butte, been exposed to toxic metals. They stressed that we wont know any more about Buttes values until a larger, much more comprehensive study is undertaken. This suggestion was made repeatedly by the scientists, who pointed out that their study was designed as a pilot to show the need for a larger study. It was equally rejected by the agencies and public officials, who showed no interest in such a study. Karen Sullivan, then Butte-Silver Bows Health Department director, often advocated for more study, but pushed back in this instance, saying she was tired of her community being leveraged for scientists seeking money for more studies. Hailer also pointed out that she shared the studys results with Partridge in March 2019 and the EPA toxicologist ignored the information, actively attacking the study only after it was published in November. Partridge initially dismissed this, but he was later forced to apologize to Hailer for his characterization of that early disclosure, saying that at the time he had not been aware of the use or significance of meconium in other scientific studies. The EPA repeatedly pointed out that zinc, copper and manganese are micronutrients, needed in small doses for infants health. The scientists acknowledged this but pointed out that, like many things, the substances are beneficial in small amounts and toxic in larger amounts. Largely ignored in the dialogue was the fact that arsenic was present in all of the Butte samples. Arsenic is not a nutrient at any level. It is toxic to humans. The EPA opened another front in the fight against the meconium study. It commissioned Lynn Woodbury of consultant CDM Smith to write a letter to the editor to the scientific journal that published the study, demanding it be retracted. Woodbury did so, and the letter was submitted by Nikia Greene, a remedial project manager for EPA, to the journal, Science of the Total Environment. Woodbury followed up with one of the journals editors, Jay Gan, a professor at the University of California-Riverside, seeking to confirm that he received the letter. I am not sure if one EPA scientist can really represent EPA to issue criticisms on a publication, Gan responded. Statements such as in the header 'U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concerns regarding the validity of recently published meconium study' and at multiple places in the letter seem inappropriate to me and may have unintended complications and consequences. Earlier, another letter drafted by a consultant, Rosalind Schoof, Ph.D., a toxicologist who is a principal of Ramboll, a consulting company retained by Atlantic Richfield, became controversial when it was signed by members of the Butte Citizens Technical Environmental Committee. The lengthy letter to the editor of the publishing journal, taking issue with some methodology and context of McDermotts initial Butte mortality study, was ultimately signed by Josh Bryson of Atlantic Richfield; EPAs Partridge and Greene; and Bill Macgregor and Joe Griffin of CTEC. David Hutchins, then a CTEC board member, objected to the letter and CTECs involvement. He said that for the letter to have been drafted by Atlantic Richfields environmental consultant was a conflict of interest and should be disclosed. He wrote, I assume BP-Arco money paid for her time writing this, am I wrong? He also enumerated several issues with the substance of the letter. I would ask that CTEC and CTECs representatives not sign this letter until we have had a chance to have a thorough discussion. I do not think this is appropriate for the board to endorse, Hutchins wrote. The issue eventually led to Hutchins resignation from the CTEC board. The McDermott mortality studies, like Barrys work, seem to cry out for a detailed health assessment by ATSDR or its equivalent, with the EPAs involvement and active support. As both Hailer and Barry have noted, if the EPA had spent the energy and money on a health study that was instead spent on attempting to discredit their work, the community would at least have more answers and perhaps those answers would indicate the need for a more stringent cleanup. Montana Resources has joined the call for more comprehensive study of the health effects of active mining and has sought out Hailer to work on such a study. EPA has repeatedly promised to consider doing a deeper look at Superfund-related health concerns, beyond the blood-lead monitoring and five-year reviews that are currently called for in the Butte Hill consent decree. Region 8 Administrator KC Becker repeated that promise as recently as her visit to Butte in March. But that deeper look has not materialized. More recently, in mid-June, Gillespie, the regions public affairs director for EPA, spoke to the prospect of health studies. EPA recently requested ATSDR to do a urinary arsenic study for the Butte community, she said. EPA is also conducting an inventory of all the Butte health assessment research and speaking with community members to determine if there are any data gaps that need to be addressed. Gillespie added that the EPA has encouraged Hailer, Barry and other Montana Tech scientists to apply for national grant funding through EPA. Dig deeper I care about the people of Butte, Suzanne McDermott says. Not about me vs. the EPA. Still, the epidemiologist says, the regulatory capture of the EPA in Buttes Superfund situation is outrageous. (The phrase regulatory capture refers to the phenomenon of a regulatory agency coming under the influence of the company it is supposed to be regulating.) Beyond discrediting the scientists, they are not funding the right kind of science, McDermott says. What hurts my feelings is that this hasnt sparked what it should have real, solid, important, well-funded research by credible scientists. I want to see it done by the best experts. I never do anything without having a pilot study first, McDermott said. I always pay for pilots, the payback being getting a big study going. These pilots all showed something, all scratched the surface. They were met by antagonism and silence. McDermott suggested that Montana Tech, while capable of doing excellent scientific research, should be joined by larger universities with medical schools and schools of public health in the West. Its a remote location, but there are excellent universities in places like Denver and Seattle that could take this on. Something is going on. Dig deeper, McDermott said. This ended where it shouldnt have. For Stacie Barry, the lack of a solid follow-up study stings for a different reason. Butte is her home. Despite the public criticism, despite being blacklisted from working or teaching locally in her chosen field, she is happy today happy with her work as energy program director at NCAT, happy with her life. They didnt ruin me, she said. Im very stubborn. But she wants more for the Mining City. Clean it up, do it right, she said. BPSOU has the worst concentration but the aerial deposition from the Anaconda smelter spread throughout the entire Summit Valley. The residents want the entire town cleaned up, so we can go forward as a viable, livable city. Jacob Varghese writes: So you can understand my shock when I read last week that learned members of the Independent Electoral Review Panel have decided to recommend that migrants be stripped of their right to vote. Journalists haven't focused on this part of the recommendations. If Kiwis remain unaware of this implication, we will permit a covert raid on the rights of many in our community. The panel recommended extending the time that permanent residents must spend in Aotearoa new zealand before gaining the right to vote to one electoral cycle. In essence, this means that permanent residents will be required to wait three to four years before they are permitted to vote. In my view the panel doesn't go far enough. New Zealand is almost unique in the developed world in giving the same electoral voting rights to residents as citizens. I believe we should follow Australia, and restrict the right to vote to citizens. Not to have fewer people voting, but to encourage people who have permanent residency, to become citizens. Shared citizenship is important for a country. It is when a country becomes your home, not just the place you live. Any change should of course not be retrospective. Once someone is qualified to vote, they should keep it if their circumstances don't change. So all existing migrants should be grandfathered onto the electoral roll. But we should tell future migrants (and I want more migrants, not less) that we're glad you're here, but we want you to become a citizen. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr The state of Montana has paid $825,000 to power plant owners wrongfully targeted by a 2021 law intended to keep Colstrip Power Plant operating. The payment is to cover the legal fees of Colstrip Power Plant owners Puget Sound Energy, Avista Corp., Portland General Electric and PacifiCorp, who collectively have a 70% interest in southeast Montana generator. The two laws are among several bills created by the Legislature, but later thrown out for violating the state or U.S. constitutions. The state has since started budgeting money for legal fees related to bad bill lawsuits. In 2021, the Legislatures Republican majority passed laws nullifying portions of the private business agreement governing plant decisions. Lawmakers also put Montanas attorney general in charge of power plant maintenance, empowering the AG to impose $100,000-a-day fines on any owner who didnt comply. U.S. District Magistrate Judge Kathleen DeSoto ruled last October that the laws, which nullify key portions of the private business contract governing the power plant, violated the Commerce Clause and Contract Clause of the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Federal Arbitration Act, laws established to keep states from meddling in private agreements and business. One month after DeSotos ruling, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen agreed the state should pay the power plant owners legal fees. The Colstrip laws were passed to aid the power plants minority owners, Talen Energy and NorthWestern Energy, who feared being on the losing end of decisions by the power plants majority owners. Talen and NorthWestern each have a 15% stake in Colstrip, but share one vote on power plant decisions, which had become more disagreeable as owners from Oregon and Washington prepared to exit the plant. Climate change law in Washington requires utilities there to stop billing customers for coal power by 2026. Oregon requires the same of its utilities in 2030. In 2020, the short-timers at the power plant began questioning expenses that kept the power plant alive longer than they intended to stay. NorthWestern Energy and Talen responded by recruiting Republican Legislators to force Colstrips majority owners to pay for maintenance. Lawmakers also mandated that arbitration take place in Montana under terms the Legislature dictated, rather than terms in the business contract that has governed Colstrip for four decades. In committee hearings, state Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick accused the majority of Colstrip owners of deceptive practices. He said the owners were behaving like spouses in an ugly divorce, keying the family car on the way out the door. Signing the bills into law in 2021, Gov. Greg Gianforte blasted Washington states climate law. Affordable power generated in Colstrip helped build Seattles big tech economy, but now woke, overzealous regulators in Washington state are punishing the people of Colstrip with their anti-coal agenda, Gianforte said. The laws proved short lived. U.S. District Court Judge Susan Watters blocked the state from overriding Colstrips business contract five months after Gianforte signed the legislation. Since the court ruled the Montana laws unconstitutional, Puget Sound Energy and Avista Corp have agreed to give their power plant shares to Talen and NorthWestern at the end of 2025. Situated in a 30-foot-deep pool, the 10-megawatt core of the MU Research Reactor (MURR) is used to expose samples and produce isotopes for medical radiopharmaceuticals and research. MURR began operations in 1966 and is currently the only research reactor in the world that operates six and half days per week, year-round. US President Joe Biden delivers remarks during a political rally hosted by union members, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 17, 2023. Another boat arrived at a port in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, on June 22, after being rescued at sea. Supporters of eliminating property taxes in North Dakota are making another effort to bring the matter to voters. A 25-member sponsoring committee led by Rick Becker, a Bismarck plastic surgeon and former Republican state representative, on Monday submitted a proposed constitutional initiative to Secretary of State Michael Howe for review. Becker maintains that perpetually rising property taxes are the No. 1 concern for North Dakotans. The proposal is for prohibiting all political subdivisions from levying any tax on real or personal property except for bonded indebtedness until paid. State revenues would replace local property taxes. Its the latest of several attempts this century, all of which have failed amid opposition that views the idea as a threat to local control. We have seen this kind of attempt before to eliminate property taxes, North Dakota Association of Counties Executive Director Aaron Birst said. We are not convinced there is a workable solution that is equitable for funding the services the counties in North Dakota provide to serve the people who live and work in the county. The proposed measures wording is the same as a proposal that Becker spearheaded in 2020. That effort was derailed mainly by the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March of that year, he said. When we are making grassroots efforts to get signatures and then were looking at not being able to things were closing down that seemed to make the task that much less likely to succeed, Becker said. Its hard enough to get that amount of signatures when youre not paying an organization to get them for you. Becker in 2020 also cited low oil prices, which have since rebounded. West Texas Intermediate crude, the U.S. oil pricing benchmark, was at about $70 per barrel on Tuesday, compared with about $35 at this time three years ago. The states economy is heavily dependent on the energy sector. If anything at this point that situation in 2020 only makes our argument stronger in 2023, Becker said. The newly proposed measure would change the state constitution if it goes to voters and is approved. Howe has until June 28 to draft a petition title and get it approved by Attorney General Drew Wrigley. The petition title is a short statement to be included on the petition that sums up the proposed measure. Once the measure is approved for circulation, supporters will have a year to gather 31,164 valid signatures to get it on either the June 2024 primary ballot or the November 2024 general election ballot. To get the measure on the primary ballot they would need to submit the signatures by Feb. 12. Some recent petition drives in the state have been marred by alleged irregularities or fraud. Becker said he hopes to avoid the use of paid signature-gatherers to head off such problems. At this time Im planning on only doing grassroots, volunteer signature-gathering, he said. Past history North Dakotans in 2012 defeated a similar measure, with more than 76% of voters rejecting it. Critics said it would take power away from local political subdivisions, questioned how the revenue would be replaced, and cited concerns about potential increases in sales and income taxes. They also said it could prompt the need for a full-time Legislature to handle budget requests from thousands of political subdivisions. Becker argues times have changed, and that voters were given a promise that the Legislature would do something, and even though they tried, they failed. Becker served a decade in the state House, where he founded and led the ultraconservative Bastiat Caucus. He did not seek reelection in 2022, and instead mounted an unsuccessful campaign as an independent to unseat Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. John Hoeven. Becker during the 2021 Legislature sponsored a property tax elimination constitutional measure, but the resolution died in the House on a 27-63 vote. Last October he proposed a similar resolution for the 2023 Legislature even though he would not be serving; it was introduced by other lawmakers earlier this year and failed in the House on an 18-75 vote. The North Dakota Association of Counties opposed both of those resolutions. The association has repeatedly testified against proposals to abolish property taxes, as our members feel this will threaten local control in responding and addressing local needs at the levels citizens desire, Birst said Tuesday. Lawmakers instead this year overwhelmingly approved and Gov. Doug Burgum signed a $515 million tax cut package addressing both income and property taxes. It effectively eliminates state income tax for lower earners and reduces income tax rates for higher brackets. It makes homeowners eligible for $500-a-year property tax credits beginning next year and expands eligibility for a property tax credit for older homeowners. House Bill 1158 passed the House 84-6 and the Senate 45-2, and was lauded by Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Burgum called the bills passage a historic achievement for the state. Becker believes the property tax relief the Legislature passed amounts to a buydown that doesnt address the root causes of rising property taxes, and that lawmakers approved the package to placate people. He believes property tax revenue can be replaced with state revenue through means such as using budget surpluses; reducing corporate welfare; dipping into earnings of the Legacy Fund, the states oil tax savings accounts; or through future state revenue arising from as-of-yet undeveloped or unforeseen industries such as rare earth minerals. Raceway workers standing by to help at the scene of the I-95 collapse in Philadelphia. Angola, IN (46703) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning. Thunderstorms likely during the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 82F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 59F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 82F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Mostly clear. Low 59F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 82F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Mainly clear skies. Low 59F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Mandan and AARP of North Dakota will host a Art on a Box project with a ribbon cutting ceremony from noon-1 p.m. Monday at the Mandan Bandshell in Dyshoorn Park. The community-driven public art project in downtown Mandan features ten local artists work made into wraps to fit utility boxes. Mondays event is open to the public and in case of inclement weather, the Library Community Room will be used. We are happy to partner with AARP to bring this public art project to Mandan, said Mayor Tim Helbling. Art on a Box is a wonderful way to showcase the talent of our local artists while adding to the beauty of Mandan. Selected artwork represent a range of styles and themes including landscapes, wildlife, abstract designs and cultural motifs. AARP is proud to support this project, which promotes community engagement and enhances the livability of our communities, said Janelle Moos Advocacy Director for AARP North Dakota. Art connects people and creates a sense of place which help make Mandan a more vibrant place to visit, live and work. For questions, call city planner Andrew Stromme at 701-667-3225. Chaeyoung, known for her versatile style and fearless fashion sense, wears a jaw-dropping backless ensemble. The black-colored shirt accentuated her graceful figure while revealing her back and spider tattoo again. ONCEs in Chaos As soon as photos of Chaeyoung in the alluring attire circulated online, Knetz flooded social media platforms with praises and admiration for the young idol. Netizens couldn't contain their excitement and expressed their awe, with comments such as "She's freaking hot!" and "her tattoos " The daring backless outfit perfectly complemented Chaeyoung's natural beauty, drawing attention to her complexion, slender physique, and of course, her tattoos again. nayeon in see through top and chaeyoung in a backless top flexing her back and arm tattoos??!?! GOOD AFTERNOON TO NACHAENG HARMONY IS SEEING TWICE ON SEPT. 30 (@sunsets_n_hyo) June 20, 2023 IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS: Knetz Defend TWICE Chaeyoung After Back Tattoo Revelation, 'She is ruined and have multiple trauma ngl' Chaeyoung + Pride Flag Netizens did not let the pride flag pass in their compliments. They applauded how the flag and Chaeyoung fit perfectly. chaeyoung with the backless shirt and the rainbow flags right under... pic.twitter.com/1r5SLUJ35q caz (@cazmigglee) June 21, 2023 That back is breathing Happy Pride https://t.co/LS5MjWWkPV Han (@wallflower_han) June 20, 2023 As a member of the globally acclaimed girl group TWICE, Chaeyoung's influence extends beyond just her music.Her fashion sense has captivated fans worldwide and has become a source of inspiration for many. YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS: Upcoming K-pop Concerts, Tours, Music Festivals in Asia: BTS Suga, Taeyeon, IVE, more KpopStarz own this article. Written by Madison Cullen 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. The Supreme Court has rejected a Republican-led challenge to a Biden administration policy that prioritizes the deportation of immigrants who are deemed to pose the greatest risk to public safety or were picked up at the border 25 Years Ago 1998 Postmaster Shirley Wild has retired after serving 15 years in Mandan, managing 27 employees and five postal departments. Her postal career began at Grand Forks in 1965; she succeeded Donald Hertz as postmaster in 1983. Mandans new postmaster is Douglas Merkel, customer service supervisor at the Bismarck post office. Funeral services were held for James E. Noonan, 77, former president of the First National Bank in Mandan. The son of Irish immigrants was born and raised in Noonan, North Dakota. He attended college before serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II and marrying Marion Amundson of Fargo in 1943. After the war, he worked for the ND State University Extension Service at Bowman before transferring to Morton County as the countys ag extension agent. In 1960 he worked at the First National Bank in Mandan, becoming its president in 1972. Survivors include his wife, two sons, one daughter and their families. Burial was at the ND Veterans Cemetery. Temps recorded Tuesday, June 23: a high of 75 degrees; 60 degrees for the low. 50 Years Ago 1973 Mandan Presbyterians held a John Gould Day to honor a remarkable man with a beautiful bass voice who has been a member of the church and its choir for nearly 50 years. Music has played an important role in Goulds life since arriving in 1924 with ongoing active memberships in the Plainsmen and the Nordic Choirs. On behalf of church members, a cash gift was presented to Gould by choir director, William F. McClelland. Mandans Knights of Columbus Council 2760 held this years annual recognition banquet jointly with KC Council 6186 to honor members contributing outstanding service for their respective councils and churches. Joseph Stegmiller was named Knight of the Year by KC Council 2760; Henry Schlosser was named Knight of the Year and Mrs. George Eckroth was honored as Mother of the Year, both by Council 6186. Ronald Heinz, Grand Knight, presented certificates and plaques to the honorees. Students living at the Bismarck Half-Way House are helping the Mandan Jaycees rush the completion of repairs to the old rodeo grounds grandstand in southside Mandan, for the upcoming three-day Fourth of July celebration, beginning July 2. William Engelter Jr. is general chairman of the repairs work. In addition to the reconstruction of the major portion of the grandstand, bleachers are being installed between the grandstand and the fence where a portion of the original structure was removed. Temps recorded Saturday, June 23: a high of 88 degrees; 44 degrees for the low. 75 Years Ago 1948 The first work on the repairing and widening of Mandans Main Street began last week with the removal of the old light poles. Weather permitting, Main Street should be open for regular traffic within 60 days. Mandan clocks were moved to daylight saving time this past week as the result of a city-wide election at which 818 yes votes were registered against 653 nos. Daylight saving will now be adopted each summer from May 15 to Sept. 15. The time change campaign was sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. A resolution passed by the city commission in 1946 had switched Mandan from Mountain to Central Standard Time. However, a petition sign by 500 residents, along with objections received by the Burlington Northern Railroad, whose Mountain time schedule begins at Mandan, resulted in the city commission retracting its resolution and ordering a city-wide election to let voters settle the controversy. Mary Kathryn George, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest George, Mandan, has been elected lieutenant governor of Girls State during its second annual North Dakota Girls State convention at Jamestown. Last year, Mandans Patricia West, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence West, became the first governor of Girls State. Five Morton County students graduated from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, on June 11. Four of the graduates are from Mandan: Yvonne Madsen, Mary Jane Pierce, Wilma McDonald and Clarence J. Knoll. The fifth graduate was Ronald Fett, Judson. Births announced this week: Daughters, born to Mr. and Mrs. George Hoffman, St. Anthony; to Mr. and Mrs. George Ferderer and to Mr. and Mrs. Roy B. Koch, all of Mandan. Sons, born to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nagel, New Salem; to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Peters, Glen Ullin; and to Mr. and Mrs. Bevan Shaw, Mandan. Temps recorded Wednesday, June 23: a high of 75 degrees; 55 degrees for the low. 100 Years Ago 1923 After several months of advertising a Ford Day celebration in Mandan, businessmen were astonished to see the record number of people and Fords arriving in the city to compete for the numerous prizes offered by merchants. By noon Thursday, more than 500 out of town Fords had crammed into the city, keeping the three registration clerks at Western Auto swamped with work. The afternoon parade featured 142 Fords; there wasnt a parking spot to be found on Main Street. The following is a partial list of the prizes awarded to Ford drivers. The Ford coming the longest distancea sedan of L.H. Bear, former principal of Mandan High School. He and his wife, the former Katherine Key of Mandan, left their home at Twin Falls, Idaho, traveling night and day for nine days, to reach Mandan by Ford Day. They received a $25 certificate from Western Auto. The largest load of people arriving in a FordFrank Shemek who drove 22 miles with eight people packed into his car; he received a $14 clock donated by Alfred Johnson Jewelry. The driver of the oldest FordCharles McGeon of Mott; his 1910 Ford resulted in a case of fruit from the Missouri Valley Grocery Co. The tallest man in a Ford at 6 foot 4 inchesR. Teppo, Mandan; received a $7 shaving kit at Taylor Drug. The shortest man in a Ford at 5 foot, 2 inchesAnton Zenn of Schmidt; he received $5 for an insurance policy offered by G.K. Olson. The most dilapidated, noisiest FordJake Siegel, Harmon; received a $10 meal at the New Palace Cafe. Bringing a load of wheat in a Ford truckJoe Weber, St. Anthony; received a sack of flour from the Russell Miller Milling Company. By nightfall, several hundred couples attended one of two big danceson the Main Street pavement or at the new Heart River pavilion at Chautauqua Park. The large cake from the Perfection Baking Company, also a Ford Day prize, was awarded to the oldest couple in a waltz contest, City Commissioner and Mrs. Nels H. Romer. Temps recorded Saturday, June 23: a high of 79 degrees; 57 degrees for the low. 125 Years Ago 1898 On Thursday, June 23, the mercury climbed to a high of 94 degrees, with 67 degrees as the days low. A Great Victory! The Mandan Hose Co. No. 2, accompanied by others who attended the state firemens tournament, returned by train this morning from Casselton where the Mandan firemen were once again victorious in every contest except one. And the boys brought home the great trophy of the tournament the brand new hose cart. It is a Waterous hose cart of handsome make and finish and an elegant piece of mechanical construction. The Mandan company has been the racing winner for the past 2 consecutive years, and the contest this time was watched with great interest because if Mandan won this year, the trophy was hers! And she did WIN! And, hence, there is great rejoicing among the firemen and the citizens in Mandan. The cart is now the permanent property of Hose Company No. 2. The company returned to Mandan a little after 6 oclock, this morning. Even at that hour, quite a number were at the depot to congratulate the boys on their victory. The band was also present and played See the Conquering Hero Comes, leading the company as they marched down Main Street, drawing their prized cart. The champion boys also displayed special badges on the front of their uniforms which were widely admired by the crowd. Each badge read: Dewey got Manilla; We got the Cart! It certainly was a red letter day for Mandan. A judge has dismissed a citizen group's appeal of two state permits that cleared the way for BNSF Railway to begin replacing the Bismarck-Mandan Rail Bridge over the Missouri River. South Central District Judge Jackson Lofgren cited technical reasons in his Friday order and did not rule on any of the appeal's claims. The Friends of the Rail Bridge preservation nonprofit, which filed the appeal, did not immediately comment. Attorney Bill Delmore said he first wanted to discuss the matter with the FORB board next week. The group has previously indicated its considering a lawsuit to try to save the existing bridge but that it needed to first exhaust its potential administrative remedies, including seeking rejection of the state permits it appealed. North Dakotas Department of Water Resources in April granted BNSF two sovereign lands permits -- one for construction of a new bridge, and one for removal of the old. Sovereign lands of North Dakota are defined as areas lying within the ordinary high-water marks of navigable lakes and streams. FORB in May appealed the decision to state district court, citing several reasons, including its allegation that the department didn't adequately consider the possible impacts of the bridge project. The group has long touted the 140-year-old bridges historical, cultural and aesthetic attributes and listed what it believes are legal reasons for keeping the structure, including its contention that the state -- not the railroad -- owns the bridge. The state Attorney Generals Office has declined to issue a formal opinion on bridge ownership. But Attorney General Drew Wrigley during a State Historical Board meeting in March said the state owns the riverbed but "it is a private entity that owns the bridge." The railroad maintains it hold clears title to the bridge. Water Resources and BNSF sought dismissal of FORB's appeal to the district court, arguing in part that the group had not exhausted its administrative remedies. Lofgren on Friday noted that under state law someone "aggrieved by an action or decision" of Water Resources must request a hearing before the department within 30 days. The law says that only after a hearing is held or denied can the matter be appealed to district court. FORB maintained that a December 2022 letter it sent the department requesting a hearing on the then-proposed permits, along with public hearings that were held in February and March, fulfilled that requirement. Lofgren disagreed, noting that the letter and hearings occurred before the department's decision to grant the permits -- not after the alleged aggrieving action or decision. "As such, no adjudicative hearing was ever held in this matter," the judge said, adding later that "this court lacks subject matter jurisdiction to entertain an appeal." Water Resources and BNSF also had argued that FORB did not properly serve the state with the appeal. Lofgren did not formally address the matter, citing his lack of jurisdiction, though his ruling indicated the preservation group likely did not meet the legal requirements. BNSF said in a statement to the Tribune that "Were pleased with the decision and look forward to continuing work to build our new bridge so we can serve our customers in North Dakota and beyond." The Downtown Business Association of Bismarck joined FORB in appealing the permits. The group referred a Tribune request for comment on the ruling to Delmore. The railroad maintains that the aging bridge needs to be replaced with a modern structure for safety and efficiency reasons. The U.S. Coast Guard after a nearly three-year environmental review of the BNSF plan concluded the bridge is approaching the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. Federal officials determined the best alternative is to build a new bridge about 20 feet upstream and remove the existing bridge. FORB has said it does not oppose a new bridge -- it just wants to keep the existing one and turn it into a pedestrian bridge tourist attraction. A 2019 feasibility study conducted by North Dakota State University estimated the cost to do that at just under $7 million. BNSF this month began work on an access road to support construction of the new bridge. The railroad expects the bridge project to take 2-3 years. The existing bridge will be left in service until the new one is operational. More information is at www.bnsfbismarckbridge.com. PNN New Delhi [India], June 23: In the fast-paced world of decentralized finance and foreign exchange, BuddyX is making waves with its groundbreaking community building platform. Combining the power of blockchain technology and the potential of the crypto market, BuddyX is revolutionizing the way communities interact, learn, and prosper in the decentralized crypto and forex space. BuddyX, a pioneering community building platform, is revolutionizing the way people achieve financial independence. By fostering a strong and supportive community, BuddyX provides individuals with the tools, resources, and connections they need to take control of their financial future. Also Read | Kerala Crime Files Review: Aju Varghese and Lals Malayalam Web-Series Impresses Critics. With the rise of cryptocurrencies and the ever-expanding global forex market and an era marked by economic uncertainty and changing work dynamics, traditional financial systems have struggled to keep up. BuddyX recognized the need for a comprehensive platform that not only enables seamless trading and investment opportunities but also fosters an inclusive and supportive community. At the core of BuddyX platform is its decentralized nature, utilizing blockchain technology to ensure transparency, security, and trust. By leveraging the power of smart contracts, BuddyX eliminates the need for intermediaries, providing users with direct control over their funds and investments. The platform offers a wide array of features designed to empower community members. Traders and investors can access real-time market data, execute trades, and manage their portfolios all from a single intuitive interface. Additionally, BuddyX provides educational resources, market analysis, and expert insights to help users make informed decisions and enhance their trading skills. Also Read | US To Help Indian astronauts to get trained to fly at International Space Station 2024 ahead of Indias Gaganyaan Mission. What sets BuddyX apart is its commitment to community building. BuddyX discussion forums, social groups, and interactive events foster a sense of belonging, creating an ecosystem where users can support each other and thrive together. The vision of BuddyX is to democratize access to decentralized finance and forex trading while building a vibrant and supportive community. BuddyX believe that by empowering individuals and fostering collaboration, it can unlock the true potential of the crypto and forex markets. With its innovative platform and unwavering commitment to community building, BuddyX is poised to become a frontrunner in the decentralized crypto and forex industry. As more individuals recognize the value of a strong community, BuddyX platform stands as a beacon of trust, transparency, and growth. For more information about BuddyX and its community building platform, visit www.buddyx.world or contact support@buddyx.world (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jun 23 (PTI) A 55-year-old man was arrested for allegedly impersonating an army personnel and duping a wire manufacturer on the pretext of doubling his investment in a scheme, police said on Friday. Ali Mohammad, a resident of Nuh district in Haryana, has been found involved in 15 instances of online cheating across several states, they said, adding, money trail of more than Rs 22 lakh has been found. Also Read | Fake Bomb Threat to SpiceJet: Anonymous Call Threatening Bomb Triggers Panic at Airlines Office in Gurugram, Turns Out Hoax. According to police, the matter came to light when a wire manufacturer from Shahdara filed a police complaint. In his complaint, he alleged that on June 8 he got a call from a man who said he was calling from an Army officer School and wanted wires for the school, police said. Also Read | Punjab Government Imposes Rs 200 Monthly Development Tax on Pensioners After Increasing VAT on Petrol and Diesel. After discussion, a deal was struck for Rs 47,790 for a certain length of wire. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Rohit Meena said Mohammad with his other associates searched for traders online to dupe. Members of his gang called these traders posing as army officers of different ranks, but would later convince them to invest in some scheme promising them double the amount of investment, he said. Once the target would transfer the money to them, they would withdraw and distribute among themselves, the officer added. The DCP said Mohammad was identified on the basis of call records and was arrested from Nuh. Police have seized two mobile phones used in the crime from his possession. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jamnagar, Jun 23: A three-storeyed residential building in Jamnagar city in Gujarat collapsed on Friday evening, officials said. While four persons have been rescued in an operation mounted by the fire brigade, local residents claimed eight to ten people may be trapped in the debris. Balcony Collapse in Gujarat Video: Major Accident During Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad as Gallery of Building Collapses on Procession, 11 Injured. Residential Building Collapses in Jamnagar VIDEO | Several feared trapped under the debris of a building that collapsed in Sadhna Colony of Gujarat's Jamnagar earlier today. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/5DVSCW5qml Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 23, 2023 "A three-storeyed residential building in Sadhana Colony area collapsed in the evening. Four persons have been rescued in the operation underway. The building was constructed by the Gujarat Housing Board nearly three decades back," an official said. Jamnagar municipal commissioner DN Modi, senior civic officials and local MLA Divyesh Akbari rushed to the spot and are overseeing the rescue operation, he said. Local residents said the building was in a dilapidated condition and it collapsed at around 6:00 pm when residents were still inside. Gujarat Building Collapse: Three-Storey Building Collapses in Ahmedabad's Vejalpur Area, No Casualty Reported (Watch Video). While three to four persons were pulled out alive from the rubble and hospitalised, eight to ten persons are feared to be trapped inside, residents said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], June 23 (ANI): Even though India is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention and the Protocol, and also does not have a national refugee protection framework, it hosts over 250,000 refugees and asylum-seekers including 40,000 Rohingyas, a Muslim minority from Myanmar after ethnic violence in Myanmar led to their mass exodus a few years ago. India has a rich historical background of welcoming refugees and asylum-seekers who were displaced due to a variety of reasons and keeping with tradition, India continues to provide protection and shelter to vulnerable individuals from foreign countries even today including Tibetan minorities from China, Hindus and Sikhs from Pakistan and Muslims from Myanmar. Also Read | Monsoon 2023 in India: Conditions Favourable for Monsoon's Further Advance, Very Heavy Rainfall in East, Northwest Soon, Says IMD. At present, India hosts over 250,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, and it spent USD 13 million to ensure the basic needs of vulnerable individuals in 2022. There has been an increase in asylum-seekers that has led the United Nations to call India a "generous" host. Proving ill-intentioned propaganda wrong, the government of India has ensured health, sanitation, medical and educational facilities for Rohingya refugees. It also has built permanent houses for them. India has over 100,000 refugees from neighbouring Sri Lanka, who have been given shelter in different camps. A mass exodus occurred due to the ethnic violence in the island country. Thousands of Sri Lankans are fleeing to India nowadays to escape the heat of the economic crisis. Also Read | Rajasthan Shocker: Woman's Body Found Floating Inside Pond in Dholpur. India's mission to allow refugees did not stop during the Covid-19 pandemic as well. The number of individual refugees increased by 9 per cent in 2021. India has recorded a steady flow of refugees from its neighbours - Pakistan, China, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Myanmar, where religious and ethnic minority communities or women or civil rights activists are targeted. India had opened its border for over 10 million Bangladeshi people to evade brutality by Pakistani military forces in the early 1970s. India was not a signatory to any international convention, yet the New Delhi government helped these refugees settle in the country and provided financial assistance. Tibetan minorities, who faced brutal China's oppression, made their way to India at intervals. They have been coming to India since the late 1950s as refugees. There are many townships across India, which have been set to give shelter and protection to the persecuted Tibetan people. Dalai Lama resides in India's Dharamshala town, which acts as the capital of the Tibetan government in exile. Even Tibetans who practice Islam have been given a place to live in India- administered Kashmir, which is a Muslim-majority region. One such Tibetan Muslim refugee Ahmad Zareif said the community has been living peacefully in India. "No one was even touched. In over 50 years, we have never faced any harassment," he said. Kashmiris are fond of the food the refugee, Tibetan Muslims from China cook, and intercommunity marriages are taking place. These refugees are not optimistic about being able to return to Tibet, as they fear brutal repercussions. Abdullah Jami, a 73-year-old Tibetan Muslim refugee, said he cannot contact or trace his relatives, who had come to meet him from Tibet in the mid-80s. "Even though I know I have my brother's family and relatives there, [it's as though] they simply don't exist," he said. They are getting adopted into the local Indian culture and even have been given Indian citizenship. Pakistan and Afghanistan have been witnessing the persecution of non-Islamic communities by the extremists, which forced minority communities to flee these countries and seek asylum elsewhere. India has been the top destination. After coming to power in 2014, the Modi government came up with schemes to provide shelter to them, which received a huge response. In 2015, 4,300 Hindu and Sikh refugees from Pakistan and Afghanistan were not just given asylum but offered Indian nationality as well. Erstwhile Pakistani citizen Sunil Maheshwari fled Pakistan due to religious persecution. He was granted Indian citizenship. "Since we got Indian citizenship, we are no longer outsiders and nobody can call us 'Pakistani'. We are very much Indian and proud of it," he said. With the aim of providing citizenship to 200,000 refugees from neighbouring countries, the government of India has come up with necessary laws. There has been a constant flow of refugees. The government processed 16,121 citizenship applications in just 15 months in 2019-20. Dharamveer Solanki, who got Indian citizenship and could build a house after fleeing Pakistan, said "It felt as though I had been reborn." (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, June 23: Mumbai police on Friday said that an unidentified person called up a police control room claiming that there would be a bomb blast in the Andheri and Kurla areas of Mumbai at 6:30 p.m. on June 24. "The caller called the police control room at 10 am yesterday, claiming that there would be a bomb blast in the Andheri and Kurla areas of Mumbai at 6:30 pm on June 24," said Mumbai Police. Bomb Threat Call: Mumbai Joint Police Commissioner Gets Call Threatening Blast in Mira-Bhayander. Not only this, but the caller further claimed that there was going to be a bomb blast in Pune as well. He further added that he needed two lakh rupees, and after getting this amount, he could stop the blasts, said the police. Bomb Threat on Aeroflot Flight Turns Out a Hoax, Delhi Police Launch Probe. "The caller said that there is going to be a bomb blast in Pune as well, and he himself is getting this blast done, for which he has got Rs 2 crore, and if he gets another Rs 2 lakh, then he will leave for Malaysia with his men," said the police. On investigation, it was revealed that the caller was from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh, stated the official. A case has been registered under various sections of the IPC, and further investigation is underway. "Mumbai Police has registered a case under sections 505(1)(B), 505(2), and 185 of the IPC in this matter and is investigating the matter," said the Police official. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 23 (ANI): A nurse working at a private medical college in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut was allegedly gang-raped by some staff of the hospital, the police said on Friday, while adding that two persons have been detained in connection to the case. The case has been registered after the victim came to Meerut Senior Superintendent of Police's office and complained about the incident. Also Read | Air India Flight 182 Terrorist Attack Anniversary: 38 Years On, 9-in-10 Canadians Know Little or Nothing About Air India Bombing, Finds Survey. The nurse complained that the accused persons not only gang-raped her several times but also recorded videos of her. The accused raped her on various occasions by threatening to make the video viral, the nurse said in her complaint. Also Read | An Ante-Timed FIR: Supreme Court Acquits Man and His Son Sentenced to Life Imprisonment 25 Years Ago for Murder Citing Irregularities in Case. The victim appealed to the SSP for justice. On the basis of her complaint, a case under relevant sections of IPC was registered. According to officials, the victim has been working as a staff nurse in the medical college since 2019. "The nurse working in the medical college had complained that some medical college staff gang raped her. A case has been registered on the basis of her complaint, and two persons have been detained," Meerut SP (rural) Kamlesh Bahadur said. "Efforts are on to nab other accused," he added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Copenhagen (Denmark), June 22 (AP) Denmark will host a meeting this weekend of national security advisers from Western countries backing Ukraine and countries that have refused to condemn the Russian invasion, officials said Thursday. The U.S. will send national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland to the meeting in Copenhagen, which will focus on how to achieve a just peace in Ukraine, a Western official said on condition of anonymity because the trip hasn't been formally announced. Also Read | Titanic Submersible Missing Update: US Coast Guard Says Debris Field Found Near Titanic During Search for Submarine. India, Brazil and South Africa, which have refused to condemn the invasion and join Western sanctions on Moscow, have also been invited to the talks, the official said, but couldn't say which countries would attend. South Africa foreign ministry spokesman Clayson Monyela confirmed the country would send National Security Prof. Syndey Mufamadi and Foreign Ministry Director-General Zane Dangor to the meeting in the Danish capital. Also Read | Modi-Biden Bilateral Talks in US: PM Narendra Modi Talks of 'Bold' Steps; President Joe Biden Lauds 'One of Most Defining Relationships of This Century' (Watch Video). Danish officials didn't respond to requests for comment on Thursday, but Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen has previously said that Denmark would be willing to host talks on how to end the war with a variety of countries, including those that haven't offered their support to Ukraine. Brazil, India, China and South Africa, which along with Russia make up the BRICS group of developing economies, have adopted neutral stances in the conflict and called for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Locust Grove, Jun 23 (AP) A South Korean company will open a factory in suburban Atlanta to make parts for electric batteries. NVH Korea said Thursday that it would invest $72 million in a plant in Locust Grove, south of Atlanta, hiring 140 workers. The plant will make sensors, connections and protectors for electric vehicle batteries, beginning operations in 2024. Also Read | Titanic Submersible Missing Update: US Coast Guard Says Debris Field Found Near Titanic During Search for Submarine. Chairman and CEO Ja Kyum Koo said in a statement that it's NVH Korea's first venture into making components for electric batteries. Based in Ulsan, NVH Korea is the 10th supplier to locate in the region after Hyundai said in 2022 that it would build a $5.5 billion plant to assemble electric vehicles and batteries in Ellabell, Georgia, near Savannah. The site could grow to 8,100 employees and is slated to begin producing vehicles in 2025. Also Read | Modi-Biden Bilateral Talks in US: PM Narendra Modi Talks of 'Bold' Steps; President Joe Biden Lauds 'One of Most Defining Relationships of This Century' (Watch Video). Suppliers have pledged to invest nearly $2.1 billion and to hire nearly 4,900 people. It's NVH Korea's second plant in Georgia. Subsidiary AFS America in Columbus makes floor mats and cargo trays for the Hyundai plant in Montgomery, Alabama, the sister Kia plant in West Point, Georgia, and for General Motors. NVH Korea has 19 plants worldwide in South Korea, North America, China, India, Europe and Russia. It makes sound-dampening parts and materials, floor mats, headliners, insulators, as well as parts to help manage engine and cooling system temperatures. The state of Georgia will pay to train NVH Korea's workers. The company could qualify for $1.2 million in state income tax credits, at $1,750 per job over five years, as long as workers make at least $31,300 a year. The company could qualify for other incentives, including property tax breaks from Locust Grove and Henry County. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Texas, Jun 23 (AP) A line of severe storms produced what a meteorologist calls a rare combination of multiple tornadoes, hurricane-force winds and softball-sized hail in west Texas, killing at least four people, injuring nine and causing significant damage around the town of Matador, a meteorologist said Thursday. The storms produced strong winds that swept across Texas, from the Panhandle to Houston, causing damage north of the city, weather officials said. Also Read | Titanic Submersible Missing Update: US Coast Guard Says Debris Field Found Near Titanic During Search for Submarine. Gov. Greg Abbott added six counties in the region to a disaster declaration on Thursday. The declaration was first issued June 16 and amended three times in response to severe weather. His statement said the declaration will help state authorities respond swiftly to devastated communities. Storms were forming again Thursday afternoon, and National Weather Service meteorologist Alex Ferguson in Amarillo said they were possible into the night, with a chance of more large hail up to 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter and winds up to 70 mph (113 kph). Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued Thursday afternoon in parts of Oklahoma and Texas while tornado warnings were issued in parts of Texas and Colorado. Also Read | Modi-Biden Bilateral Talks in US: PM Narendra Modi Talks of 'Bold' Steps; President Joe Biden Lauds 'One of Most Defining Relationships of This Century' (Watch Video). About 8 p.m. Wednesday, a supercell developed near Amarillo before striking the small town of Matador, said senior forecaster Matt Ziebell with the National Weather Service in Lubbock. He called it certainly rare to see all at the same time killer tornadoes, hurricane-force winds and softball-sized hail. The damage was concentrated on a 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) stretch with businesses and homes demolished along the west side of Matador, a town where everybody knows everybody, said Brandon Moore, Matador's water superintendent who is also a volunteer firefighter. It was supposed to move east of us, and within a five-minute timespan, it all changed and switched directions and came straight through Matador, Moore said. We probably had about two minutes of warning to get everybody together and get to safety. There's a few people that didn't make it out of the house, but we did rescue several people and they made it out all right. The city is receiving lots of help from people arriving from outside the community, he said. Everybody in the world is offering to come help, which is good, Moore said. We're trying to clean up the mess now and go from there. The storm produced 109 mph (175 kph) winds in Jayton, as well as hail more than 4 inches (10.2 centimeters) wide, Ziebell said. The weather service reported a 97 mph (156 kph) wind gust the strongest recorded at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston since data collection began there in 1969. The previous record there was 82 mph (132 kph) during Hurricane Ike in 2008. Much of the wind damage near Houston downed trees and knocked down power lines and fences happened north of the city. The weather service sent crews to survey the damage in west Texas on Thursday and determine the strength of the tornadoes, but the team had not reported its findings as of early Thursday afternoon, according to meteorologist Robert Barritt in Lubbock. Wednesday was definitely a rare combination of high-end wind shear and storms of extreme instability, Ziebell said. The worst damage appeared to be in Matador a town of about 570 people about 70 miles (112 kilometers) northeast of Lubbock in Motley County. Homes were damaged, buildings were flattened and power lines were snapped in half. A restaurant's walls were all knocked down, but the booths remained standing in what was called a jaw-dropping scene by Derek Delgado, a spokesperson for Lubbock Fire Rescue. You would look on one side where we had a general merchandise store completely flattened to the ground, but across the street there's a house that's still standing and the vehicles haven't even moved from the driveway, Delgado said by telephone. Power outages were widespread across the sparsely populated west Texas region, with over 900 customers losing power in the Matador and Jayton areas, according to PowerOutage.us. Those areas have fewer than 2,000 people combined. A cooling center was opened in Matador with highs expected near 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). In Harris County, which includes Houston, almost two dozen cooling centers were opened as nearly 90,000 customers remained without power. Thursday's advisory warned the heat index could reach 109 degrees Fahrenheit (42.8 degrees Celsius). Wednesday's tornado outbreak came six days after a tornado left three people dead and more than 100 injured in Perryton in the northern Texas Panhandle. Nearly 75,000 customers in Oklahoma and Louisiana remained without electricity Thursday as work crews continued to repair power lines damaged by weekend storms. Another hailstorm pummeled concertgoers at Red Rocks Amphitheater Wednesday night in Morrison, Colorado, near Denver. Seven people were hospitalized, according to KMGH-TV. None of those taken to hospitals had life-threatening injuries, and up to 90 people were treated for injuries at the amphitheater, according to West Metro Fire Rescue. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) London, Jun 23 (PTI) A British Pakistani teenager who died with his billionaire father in a submersible missing since it dived down into the wreckage of the Titanic last weekend was a student from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland, which stated support for his classmates on Friday. Suleman Dawood, 19, was on board the vessel with Shahzada Dawood as a Father's Day bonding trip when their small submarine is believed to have imploded, killing all five on board, including British billionaire-explorer Hamish Hamilton. Also Read | Indonesia: Boat Carrying Construction Materials Goes Missing With Eight Crew Members, Search Operation Underway. Members of the Dawood family, one of Pakistan's wealthiest, have also been paying tributes to the father and son. We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the death of Suleman Dawood and his father in this tragic incident, said Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Strathclyde University. Also Read | Australia Floods: Heavy Rain in South Australia Cause Flooding, Blackouts. Our student wellbeing team remains on hand to offer appropriate support to Suleman's classmates and the wider Strathclyde community at this difficult time, he said. Suleman Dawood was enrolled at the Strathclyde Business School and had recently completed his first year at the university in Glasgow. The British Asian Trust is deeply saddened by the tragic news that our supporter Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman have passed away. They were on board the missing submarine that set off to see the wreck of the Titanic, the British Asian Trust, a charity founded by King Charles when he was the Prince of Wales, said in a statement. Shahzada was a wonderful and generous man who supported our work in South Asia for many years, while his son was just emerging into adulthood with a promising future ahead. Our hearts and prayers are with family and friends at this unimaginable time of grief and loss. Our deepest condolences to them and everyone else who lost loved ones in this terrible incident, the statement added. Suleman's Amsterdam-based aunt, Azmeh Dawood, told Sky News' that her nephew was very, very not into doing it but went ahead with the trip as a Father's Day bonding experience. "Our thoughts are with the victims of this tragedy, one which has been followed around the world. The family remains overwhelmed with the love and support that it has received and is grateful to those who showcased the best in humanity," the Dawood family said in a statement. The family were spending a month in Canada before the dive. Contact was lost with the OceanGate submersible on Sunday which happened to be Father's Day, about an hour-and-a-half into its dive in the mid-Atlantic. A massive search operation was attempted to locate the vessel and those on board. The wreck of the Titanic, the infamous ship that sank in April 1912, lies around 700 kilometres south of St. John's, Newfoundland, in Canada. British adventurer Harding, former French Navy diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet, and Stockton Rush, the chief executive of OceanGate, which runs the Titanic voyages were the others aboard the vessel. OceanGate charges USD 250,000 per person for the deep-sea excursion on the Titan' to the Titanic shipwreck, which sits 12,500 feet beneath the surface of the Atlantic. A large Royal Air Force (RAF) plane also left Scotland for Canada to join the global search operation. A second British plane was scheduled to leave later, transporting specialist loaders and crew after the UK Ministry of Defence received a request for assistance and had been moving assets to help with the operation. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) A third defendant has been sentenced in what authorities say was a conspiracy by four men to steal more than $2.4 million worth of crude in the western North Dakota oil patch. Mark McGregor, of Watford City, pleaded guilty earlier this month to theft conspiracy and dealing in stolen goods. Northwest District Judge Robin Schmidt sentenced him to serve four years in prison, and ordered him to pay $200,000 in restitution as well as $1,025 in fines and court fees. Authorities in June 2022 alleged that McGregor; fellow Watford City residents Michael Garcia and Darrell Merrell; and Joseph Vandewalker, of Arnegard, were part of a three-year oil-stealing plan. Merrell and Vandewalker as truck drivers were accused of skimming oil they were to offload at a Crestwood Midstream facility by manipulating equipment during their deliveries. McGregor allegedly arranged pickup dates and details, while Garcia was the money link for selling the oil and paying drivers, authorities said. Garcia last December pleaded guilty to theft conspiracy and leading a criminal association, and was sentenced to serve seven years in prison. Vandewalker in May pleaded guilty to theft conspiracy and dealing in stolen goods, and was sentenced to serve three years in prison. Both men also were ordered to pay restitution, fines and fees. Merrell earlier pleaded not guilty to theft conspiracy and dealing in stolen goods. He's scheduled for a change-of-plea hearing on Aug. 2. One year since tens of migrants and refugees died in a crush at the border between Spain and Morocco, Amnesty International has accused the two countries of a "cover-up."Amnesty International has accused Spain and Morocco of failing to properly investigate the events that led to the deaths of over 20 migrants and refugees at the border of the Spanish enclave of Melilla in 2022, on the eve of the first anniversary of the tragedy. Also Read | Suicide on Facebook Live: Hyderabad Woman Ends Life on Social Networking Site After Being Harassed by Husband and In-Laws. "One year on from the carnage at Melilla, Spanish and Moroccan authorities not only continue to deny any responsibility but are preventing attempts to find the truth. Bodies are still lying in a morgue and in graves and efforts to identify the dead and inform their relatives have been blocked," Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard said in a statement on Friday. Also Read | AP SSC Supplementary Result 2023 Out at bse.ap.gov.in, results.bse.ap.gov.in: Andhra Pradesh Board Declares Class 10 Supply Exam Results, Get Direct Link and Know Steps To Download Marksheets. On June 24, 2022, a stampede broke out during a clash with Moroccan and Spanish security forces as nearly 2,000 migrants and asylum-seekers from sub-Saharan Africa attempted to cross from Morocco to Spain by climbing over a fence. Some 37 people were killed and 76 others continue to be missing, Amnesty International said. Morocco said 23 people died in the incident, while Spain has said no deaths occurred on its soil. Families in 'limbo' The human rights group said that relatives of the dead and missing are "are trapped in limbo" as their attempts to find out what happened to their loved ones and efforts to ensure "justice, truth and reparation" are being "impeded in an apparent cover up by Spanish and Moroccan authorities." "Barriers to truth and justice are also a reflection of the continuing harmful treatment based on race and migration status. Yet as hopes of finding the missing 76 alive recede, the demand on the authorities to provide truth and ensure justice for the victims and their families is growing ever louder," Callamard said. Requests for information from Spain, Morocco unanswered The human rights NGO said authorities in Spain and Morocco have failed to provide a complete list of victims' names and their causes of death or CCTV footage that could aid an investigation. Spanish authorities refused to open an independent investigation, Amnesty International added. In December, Spanish prosecutors dropped their probe into the deaths, saying that they did not find any proof of criminal misconduct by Spanish security forces. "It cannot be concluded that the conduct of the [Spanish] security officers involved increased the threat to the life and well-being of the immigrants, so no charge of reckless homicide can be brought," the public prosecutor said at the time. The prosecutor's statement added that the migrants were "hostile and violent," and that Spanish security forces had "no reason to believe that there were people at risk who required help.'' Meanwhile, Amnesty International also said Moroccan authorities have not begun any investigation into the use of force by its border officials. It added that Morocco has made it "impossible" for families and NGOs to commence searches for the missing and dead. "Amnesty International's written requests to the Moroccan and Spanish governments asking them to share information, have so far gone unanswered." the group said. dvv/sms (Reuters, Amnesty International) (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 23, 2023 02:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Lucknow, June 23: The students of Classes 9 to 12 in UP Board will study the biography of Veer Savarkar. Apart from Savarkar, the chapters on the life of 50 other great men have been included in the syllabus. They include Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Mahavir Jain, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, Arvind Ghosh, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Sarojini Naidu, Nana Saheb, Chandra Shekhar, Ramkrishna Paramhans among others. UP Board Result 2023 Toppers List of Class 10, 12: Priyansi Soni Bags First Rank in 10th Class, Shubh Chapra Tops Intermediate Exam. UP education minister Gulab Devi said that the inclusion of these chapters was aimed at strengthening the moral and cultural values of children who will grow up and take part in nation building. She said that the opposition parties were getting frustrated and were criticising the move. UP Board Exams 2023: 1.7 Lakh Students Skip Class 10 Maths Exam Amid Strict Anti-Copying Measures in Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has asked the UP government to reconsider its decision to include the chapter on Veer Savarkar. SP spokesman Sunil Sajan said that the state government should apologise to millions of freedom fighters for eulogizing Veer Savarkar who had betrayed their sentiments by apologizing to the British rulers. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 23, 2023 03:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). The CBI on Friday said that they carried out search operations at office of IL&FS Energy Development Company Ltd (IEDCL) and residential premises of its directors in New Delhi, Dehradun, and Mumbai in connection with a loan fraud case and recovered incriminating documents and other articles. The FBI has launched a probe into an incident of Republican lawmakers in the US state of Tennessee receiving threatening letters containing a suspicious substance, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the most popular leaders in the world, and this is proved when lawmakers in the US wait patiently for his autograph. PM Modi addressed the joint session of the US Congress on Thursday, June 22. following his speech, US Congressmen and people of the Indian community surrounded Modi and queued up to take his autograph and click selfies. One photo shows Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy taking PM Modi's autograph in his joint session address booklet. Indian Diaspora Gathers To Welcome PM Modi in US: Members of Indian Community Arrive in Large Numbers to Greet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at White House (Watch Videos). US Congressmen Queue Up for Selfies and Autographs of PM Modi: US Congressmen lined up to take autographs and selfies with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his address to the joint sitting of the US Congress. pic.twitter.com/KnIRIJVlV1 ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2023 Kevin McCarthy Taking PM Modis Autograph Prime Minister Narendra Modi autographing Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy's joint session address booklet. pic.twitter.com/KJDj4si6YU ANI (@ANI) June 22, 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.) San Francisco, June 23 : A US judge has sanctioned the lawyer who submitted a legal brief written by the AI chatbot ChatGPT, which included citations of non-existent court opinions and fake quotes. Lawyer Steven A Schwartz, who sued Colombian airline Avianca after believing that citations given by ChatGPT are real while they were, in fact, bogus, has been fined $5,000 by US District Judge in Manhattan, P. Kevin Castel, reports CNBC. Along with Schwartz, the court also sanctioned and fined lawyer Peter LoDuca in the same incident. AI safety necessity: Four Ways how Criminals Could Use Artificial Intelligence to Target More Victims. Castel said that the attorneys, LoDuca and Schwartz, "abandoned their responsibilities" when they submitted the AI-written brief in their client's lawsuit against the Avianca airline in March, and "then continued to stand by the fake opinions after judicial orders called their existence into question", the report stated. He also ordered them to notify each judge falsely identified as the author of the bogus case rulings about the sanction. "The court will not require an apology from respondents because a compelled apology is not a sincere apology. Any decision to apologise is left to Respondents," Castel wrote in his order. Vivo X90S New Leaked Information Emerges Just Ahead of Official China Launch. The judge also granted Avianca's motion to dismiss the lawsuit in a separate order, filed on behalf of Roberto Mata, who claimed a metal service tray hit his knee during an August 2019 flight from El Salvador to New York, injuring him severely, according to the report. In April, ChatGPT, as part of a research study, falsely named an innocent and highly-respected law professor in the US on the list of legal scholars who had sexually harassed students in the past. Jonathan Turley, Shapiro Chair of Public Interest Law at George Washington University, was left shocked when he realised ChatGPT named him as part of a research project on legal scholars who sexually harassed someone. "ChatGPT recently issued a false story accusing me of sexually assaulting students," Turkey posted in a tweet. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 23, 2023 05:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Chennai, June 23: After Russia in 1984, it is now the US to fly Indian astronauts to space. But this time the US will fly Indian astronauts to the International Space Station next year -- much ahead of India's own human space mission -- Gaganyaan. According to the joint statement issued by the US White House, the US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi set a course to reach new frontiers across all sectors of space cooperation. The leaders applauded our growing cooperation on earth and space science, and space technologies. "They welcomed the decision of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) to develop a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation by the end of 2023," the statement said. 'India's Space Mission Biggest Recognition of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,' PM Narendra Modi. "The leaders hailed the announcement by NASA to provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, with a goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024," the statement notes. It may be recalled that it was Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma who had travelled to space in a Russian rocket in 1984. It will be interesting to know who from India will be travelling to the International Space Station on an American rocket. Already four Indian Air Force (IAF) officials have undergone astronaut training in Russia as a part of India's Gaganyaan programme. Whether the same four will be considered for the US-Indo space programme or a different set of people is not known. Gaganyaan: Astronauts Set To Finish Training in Russia This Month, Says Union Minister Jitendra Singh. Be that as it may, the other Indo-US joint space programme NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) -- an earth observation satellite -- will be orbited by an Indian rocket next year from the Sriharikota rocket port in Andhra Pradesh. The NISAR is an earth observation satellite jointly built by NASA and ISRO. The satellite has already reached India from the US. Modi and Biden called for enhanced commercial collaboration between the US and Indian private sectors in the entire value chain of the space economy and to address export controls and facilitate technology transfer. "President Biden deeply appreciated India's signing of the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all humankind," the White House statement said. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 23, 2023 04:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Washington DC, June 23: US and India on Thursday strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, and the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks, according to US-India joint statement. US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qaida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen. Both countries stood together to counter global terrorism and unequivocally condemn terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations They called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice, read the statement. US Congressmen Queue Up for Selfies and Autographs of PM Narendra Modi After His Address to Joint Session of Congress (See Photos). Pakistan's Terror Factory Called Out PM @narendramodi & @POTUS @JoeBiden held bilateral discussions in expanded format. Agenda covered a broad range of areas of bilateral cooperation including, trade and investment, defence and security, science & technology, energy, climate action, education, health and pic.twitter.com/iVFu6JkVrB Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) June 22, 2023 Earlier, PM Modi had highlighted the need to fight terrorism and extremism that constitutes a real threat to democracy, the rule of law and the enjoyment of human rights. Speaking during a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden, PM Modi said, India and America are walking shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism and extremism. We agree that concerted action is necessary to end cross-border terrorism. Notably, his comments come days after China blocked proposals at the United Nations to designate Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyibas Sajid Mir as a global terrorist. Even 15 years after the Mumbai terrorist attacks, its masterminds have not yet been brought to justice. PM Modi Gets Rousing Welcome at White House Video: US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden Receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi at South Lawns. Both leaders also raised concern over the increasing global use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones and information and communication technologies for terrorist purposes and reaffirmed the importance of working together to combat such misuse, added the joint statement. They welcomed the cooperation between the two governments on counterterrorism designations and homeland security cooperation, including intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation. Both leaders called upon the Financial Action Task Force to undertake further work identifying how to improve global implementation of its standards to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism, added the statement. President Biden and PM Modi reiterated their strong support for a peaceful, secure, and stable Afghanistan. They discussed the current humanitarian situation and concurred on the need to continue to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. The leaders urged the Taliban to abide by UNSC Resolution 2593 which demands that Afghan territory should never be used to threaten or attack any country, shelter or train terrorists, or plan or finance terrorist attacks, added the statement. Committing to continue close consultations on the situation in Afghanistan, the leaders emphasized the importance of the formation of an inclusive political structure and called on the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women and girls, and to respect freedom of movement. On 22 June, Mexicos supreme court (SCJN) invalidated the second part of PresidentPlan B electoral reform, annulling the reform in its entirety. End of preview - This article contains approximately 395 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 22 June Colombias military announced that 30 soldiers had been temporarily taken hostage during an operation against illegal mining in Colombias southwestern department of Valle del Cauca. End of preview - This article contains approximately 377 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum in his run for the White House has enlisted an array of political strategists who have worked on campaigns for well-known Republicans, including presidential bids of George W. Bush and John McCain. Burgums press secretary, Lance Trover, shared with The Forum a list of political consultants and strategists who will work on the governors presidential campaign. The list includes a medical technology executive, a political ad titan and other campaign experts. Gov. Burgum knows how important it is to build great teams, and this presidential campaign has the knowledge and experience to help him win, Trover said. Burgum launched his campaign this month in Fargo, joining a growing field of Republican candidates. He will seek to unseat President Joe Biden, a Democrat from Pennsylvania. But first, he has to get past GOP front-runners such as former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Presidential ad creator Fred Davis III of Strategic Perception will work on Burgums media campaign, Trover said. The political consultant has worked for several presidential candidates, including George W. Bush, McCain and John Kasich. Fred is one of the most respected and creative ad makers in Republican campaigns, and we are thrilled to have him as part of the team to help tell the governors personal story and focus on the economy, energy and national security, Trover said. Davis has produced ads that focused on candidates values. For example, a 2004 Bush presidential ad focused on strengthening the U.S. and rebuilding the economy after the 9/11 attacks and in the face of the war on terror. It is a time for unwavering strength, leaders we know in times that challenge the world, the ad said. Davis also is known for controversial ads that attack opponents. McCains 2008 presidential ads called then-Democratic candidate Barack Obama a celebrity who wasnt ready to lead and wanted to raise taxes. Some ads featured glimpses of then-U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan, a Democrat from North Dakota. Old ideas masquerading as change, a woman said as the ad showed Dorgan. The ads called Dorgan and other Democrats Obamas liberal allies. Another ad Davis became known for promoted Carly Fiorina when she ran for a California U.S. Senate race in 2010. Before her 2016 presidential bid, Fiorina challenged Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer for Boxers seat, but first she faced former Rep. Tom Campbell in the GOP primary. The ad called Campbell a fiscal conservative in name only (FCINO) who raised and created taxes. Tom Campbell: Is he what he tells us, or is he what hes become over the years an FCINO a wolf in sheep's clothing? the ad asks as it shows a man dressed as a sheep with glowing red eyes. As a result, the ad became known as the demon sheep ad. Fiorina beat Campbell but ultimately lost to Boxer. Other notable Republican campaigns Davis firm is known for include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sonny Perdue, Chuck Grassley, Ryan Zine and Steve King. Campaign leaders Burgum has tapped Miles White, who was the CEO of the Chicago-based Abbott Laboratories for 38 years, as his campaign chairman, Trover said. White retired in 2021 from the global health care company known for producing medical devices, pharmaceuticals and nutrition products. Some of those products include Pedialyte, Ensure and FreeStyle, which is used by those diagnosed with diabetes to measure glucose levels. Mike Zolnierowicz, who was chief of staff for former Republican Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, has been hired as Burgums campaign manager, Trover said. Zolnierowicz also was a deputy chief of staff for former U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Illinois, and senior adviser to U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia, R-California, Trover said. Zolnierowicz has worked on campaigns for Rauner and Kirk. Dawson Schefter will be the campaigns deputy campaign manager, Trover said. Schefter has worked as Gov. Burgums senior advisor, as well as for the North Dakota GOP. Twin communications chiefs Chris and Mike Schrimpf have been named Burgums communications directors. The twin brothers filled similar positions for the Republican Governors Association. They worked on Ohio Gov. John Kasichs presidential campaign before launching their own Illinois-based firm, Red Tack Strategy. Chris Schrimpf worked for former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, and his brother was a chief communicator for Rauner, according to news reports. Both have been working with Burgum on his political campaigns since 2016, Trover said. Trover previously worked as Kirks and Rauners communications directors in Illinois. He also was employed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, he said. Additionally, Trover has worked on elections in California, including for Garcia and Michelle Steel, one of the first Korean-American women to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Other staffers Chip Englander will serve as Burgums pollster. The political consultant has done polling for the Republican Governors Association, the National Republican Congressional Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Englander also served as Rand Pauls presidential campaign manager and a senior advisor for Marco Rubios presidential bid. Hes been Dougs longtime pollster since 2016, Trover said of Englander. Burgum has hired Eric Woolson as his Iowa state director, Trover said. Woolson managed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabees presidential campaign and was a communications director for former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, as well as the Iowa communications director for George W. Bush. Woolson is president and CEO of campaign company Concept Works, which has advertised for presidential contenders Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann and Walker, according to its website. Paul Kilgore of Athens, Georgia, has been listed in Federal Election Commission reports as the treasurer for Doug Burgum for America, which is raising money for Burgums campaign. The fate of the missing Titanic submarine, the Titan, may have ended in tragedy as the five people aboard are now presumed dead. As search and rescue crews desperately tried to find the missing Titanic submersible, the vessel may have imploded near the Titanic itself, killing all five people aboard. According to Yahoo! News, the US Coast Guard has now informed all the families of the five Titan crew members. Hope to find the missing vessel started to run out on Thursday as the Titan's oxygen supply was already running low. It reportedly had an emergency supply of four days' worth of breathable air, though that was expected to run out on Thursday morning. The US Navy reportedly went back and listened to the acoustic data from when the Titanic submersible first went missing. After analysis, they found an anomaly that was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan first went missing. The five people aboard the missing Titanic submarine include pilot and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, as well as Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood. Also presumed dead are British adventurer Hamish Harding and French Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Just a few days after rescuers announced that the five were presumed dead, a Canadian aircraft detected banging noises in the vicinity, reigniting hope that they were still alive. However, the submarine was never found within the time limit of when their oxygen would run out. OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned the Titanic submersible, confirmed that its CEO Stockton Rush and the four others "have sadly been lost." In a statement, OceanGate said, "These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world's oceans." before sending condolences to the families of the five people aboard. READ MORE: Titanic Tourist Submarine Missing: Who Are the People Onboard? Debris From Missing Titanic Submarine Found After 'Catastrophic Implosion' During a press conference, the Coast Guard announced that they found debris roughly 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the Titanic before announcing that the Titan may have imploded. The Coast Guard also confirmed that there seems to be noises heard on Tuesday and Wednesday and the location of the debris. According to The Independent, the Titanic submersible did not require any engine power to surface. This means that it may have been caught up in something or taken in water for it not to surface. If that were to indeed happen, the crew would have to sit around inside the submarine and wait to be rescued. White House Thanks Coast Guard and International Partners for Missing Titanic Submarine Rescue Efforts As the five people aboard are now presumed dead, the White House released a statement regarding the effort, saying, "This has been a testament to the skill and professionalism that the men and women who serve our nation continue to demonstrate every single day." An international contingent, including the Canadian Coast Guard and Navy, as well as a French contingent, helped out in the search and rescue efforts. The White House then sent its condolences to the families of those aboard the Titan. READ NEXT: Donald Trump Fact-Checked to His Face During Fox News Interview This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: We now know what happened to the missing Titanic submarine - FOX 32 Chicago Fake news regarding the missing Titanic submarine, the Titan, have been circulating around the internet. However, fact-checkers say that the sub is still lost. An image featuring a CNN news story has surfaced, and it says that the missing OceanGate submersible had been found and it was empty. However, the Associated Press's AP News Verification stated that this was false as CNN had never published such a story. The missing Titanic submarine has still not yet been found at the time of writing, though debris from what rescuers believe came from the sub was found near the Titanic wreck. The US Coast Guard now believes that the submarine may have imploded and all five aboard are now dead. The fake "CNN" headline stated that "Missing OceanGate Submarine Found Empty." The false report reportedly stated that it was Wendy Rush, wife of the now-presumed dead OceanGate CEO and the sub's pilot, Stockton Rush, who confirmed that the Titan was found but there was nobody inside. However, the report had many factual errors, such as reporting her to be a co-founder of OceanGate. She serves as the company's director of communications. The false claim had been circulated on Facebook and Instagram. CNN has confirmed that the outlet had never released such an article, with a spokesperson stating that the news report does not match CNN's design or font. The image featured in the article is also false, as it shows the Cyclops 1 Submersible, not the missing Titan submersible. This was not the first time a false image using CNN was circulated online. Facebook Confirms Image Regarding Missing Titanic Submarine Is Fake According to USA Today, the fake news post regarding the missing Titanic submarine went viral and was shared over 6,000 times in less than a day. However, many fact-checkers, including CNN itself, have started pointing out that the image was false. READ MORE: Titanic Tourist Submarine Missing: Who Are the People Onboard? In light of this, one of the first posters of the image, Timothy Junior, admitted that the post he found on the internet might have been false. Facebook then flagged the post as fake news before the one who posted it did an edit saying that the image that he shared was indeed fake. OceanGate Warned About Titan Years Ahead of Titanic Submarine Catastrophe What is true was that OceanGate was warned that their submarine, the Titan, did gave several safety issues which the company reportedly did not address prior to the tragedy. The company reportedly charged $250,000 per person for a trip to the Titanic wreck and claimed that they had "innovative use of materials and state-of-the-art technology" in developing small subs. However, back in 2018, a professional trade group warned the company that their experimental approach may potentially lead to something "catastrophic." CBS News also pointed out that in that same year, an OceanGate employee also raised safety concerns regarding Titan's design, as well as the company protocol for testing the hull's reliability. That employee, David Lochridge, was fired after pointing these out to government regulators. Lochridge stated that passengers could be subjected to "potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible." However, the company mostly ignored this. READ NEXT: Donald Trump Fact-Checked to His Face During Fox News Interview This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Missing Titanic sub occupants dead, pieces of vessel found, Coast Guard announces - CBS News Mario Marcelo Santoro, an engineer from Brazil, has been sentenced to 27 years in prison by a federal court for the murder of his former girlfriend, Cecilia Haddad, in Australia in 2018, AP reports. The Brazil man, currently in his mid-40s, confessed to the crime and was found guilty of aggravated homicide, asphyxiation, femicide, and concealing a corpse. The verdict was delivered by a seven-person jury in Rio de Janeiro, consisting of six women and one man, on Thursday morning. Santoro's defense attorney has stated that they plan to appeal the decision. In April 2018, Cecilia Haddad's body was discovered in the Lane Cove River near her apartment in Sydney, Australia. By then, Santoro had already left the country and returned to Brazil. Australian law enforcement authorities examined thousands of messages and gathered testimonies from friends and family members during their investigation. It was revealed that Haddad had ended her relationship with Santoro, but he refused to accept her decision, leading to this tragic outcome. READ NEXT: Brazil Criminal Gang Plans to Attack Public Servants Brazil Man Confesses to Ex-Girlfriend's Murder Approximately ten days before Cecilia Haddad's death, she issued an ultimatum to Mario Marcelo Santoro, asking him to leave her apartment or else she would involve the police, according to reports from O Globo newspaper and other media outlets present at the trial. Australian detective John Edwards shared this information during the trial. At one point, Haddad even temporarily stayed with some friends, according to The Guardian. Cellphone tracking data placed the Brazil man at Haddad's apartment near the river, where her body was later discovered. O Globo also reported that sand and vegetation from that area were found in the victim's car, which Mario Marcelo Santoro was observed driving in the security camera footage. During his testimony on Wednesday, Santoro admitted to visiting Haddad's residence to retrieve his passport for his return trip to Brazil. He acknowledged that a heated argument ensued, and he confessed to "grabbing her neck" and applying force until she became motionless in his arms. While Santoro maintained a relatively calm demeanor throughout the lengthy and detailed testimonies of the trial, he displayed emotion and shed tears when confessing to Haddad's murder. Cecilia Haddad's Family Expresses Relief Following Brazil Man's Sentencing Following the conclusion of the trial, Joao Miller Haddad, the brother of Cecilia Haddad, expressed that their long-standing "five-year battle" for justice had finally come to fruition, which was a significant step forward for the family, per ABC News. Cecilia Haddad's mother, Maria Lucia Muller, acknowledged that the outcome represented the extent of justice within Brazil's legal system. She openly expressed her desire for harsher penalties, such as death or life imprisonment, but acknowledged that such options are not available in Brazil. Despite this, she found some relief that the trial had taken place and justice had been served to the maximum extent possible within the country's legal framework. Maria Lucia also shared that the verdict and subsequent closure brought peace, gradually alleviating the burden of missing her daughter and the need for justice to be served. While the pain of losing Cecilia remains, there is a growing sense of solace in knowing that justice has been pursued and achieved to the best of their abilities. The Brazil man's lawyer said they will appeal the sentence. READ MORE: Honduras Prison Riot This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Jury retires to consider evidence that Mario Santoro killed Cecilia Haddad in Sydney - From 7NEWS Pope Francis recently met with Brazil President Lula in the Vatican on Thursday, with the leftist president offering to help with the Vatican's ongoing problem with Nicaragua. In particular, Lula offered to help mediate the release of the jailed Bishop Rolando Alvarez of Matagpala. He was one of the biggest critics of authoritarian president Daniel Ortega and was imprisoned and stripped of his citizenship. The Vatican had been at odds with the Nicaraguan government for quite some time, as it was the Catholic Church that sheltered anti-government protesters back in 2018, with Bishop Alvarez coming out as one of the autocrat's biggest and most vocal critics. The Catholic Church was included in the Nicaraguan government's crackdowns, which also included all forms of political opposition, independent media, and those just speaking out against Ortega. Nicaragua has since expelled the top Vatican diplomat from the country, as well as expelled Mother Teresa's order of nuns. The Ortega government also expelled dozens of foreign priests and imprisoned several Nicaraguan priests. In addition, Catholic events are not allowed in Nicaragua anymore, even ones usually held during Christmas and Holy Week. "I want to talk to Daniel Ortega about freeing the bishop," said Lula. "I am going to try to help if I can help." The president of Brazil added, "The only thing the church wants is for Nicaragua to free the bishop so he can go to Italy." Alvarez has remained defiant of Ortega, refusing exile to the United States and choosing to remain in Nicaragua where prison conditions are considered inhumane. He was convicted of undermining the government, spreading false information, obstruction of functions, and disobedience. Brazil President Lula's Meeting With Pope Francis Was Cordial As for Pope Francis's audience with Lula, Vatican News reported that they had a 45-minute closed-door discussion at a small meeting hall in the Vatican. An exchange of gifts took place, with the two discussing the matter of peace. READ NEXT: Pope Francis Is Planning to Visit His Native Argentina Next Year Lula met with the pope after meeting with Italy's President, Sergio Mattarella. The leader of Brazil also met with Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra. According to the Holy See Press Office, Lula's meetings with various Catholic leaders were "cordial." It was noted that there was a "positive exchange of views on the socio-political situation in the region," with Pope Francis still being vested in Latin America given that he is the first pontiff to hail from the Americas. They reportedly discussed "the promotion of peace and reconciliation, the fight against poverty and inequality, respect for indigenous peoples, as well as protection of the environment." Nicaragua Freezes Bank Accounts of Priests Meanwhile, back in Nicaragua, the government is still going after priests. This time, the National Catholic Register has reported that the Ortega administration has frozen the bank accounts of several priests. This came after the Nicaraguan National Police published a statement that accused the Roman Catholic Church of various crimes. The priests are from several dioceses in Nicaragua, including Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Matagalpa, and Esteli. The government was reportedly investigating the priests for various crimes, though they have not been charged yet. Human rights defenders have said that the accusations have no basis. In addition, the Ortega administration has also ordered the Archdiocese of Managua's back account to be frozen as well. READ MORE: Nicaragua Orders Red Cross to Cease Operations This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Pope Francis meets with Brazil's President Lula Da Silva at the Vatican | Highlights - EWTN Fire officials have provided further details regarding the construction project that was engulfed by a massive fire in the southwest Las Vegas Valley on Tuesday, according to 8 News Now. According to Clark County officials, the Las Vegas apartment complex under construction that caught fire was approximately 75% complete. The $90M Las Vegas apartment, known as KAKTUSlife, was intended to be an apartment complex consisting of 614 residential units and over 2,500 square feet of retail space, said the developer, TRU Development. Investigation teams are currently working to determine the cause of the fire. A task force comprising officials from Clark County Fire Investigations, Las Vegas Fire and Rescue Investigations, Henderson Fire Investigations, Nevada State Fire Marshal Investigators, and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms National Response Team, has been formed. A canine and handler team equipped to detect a wide range of flammable substances has been deployed to aid the investigation. Although the team's involvement does not imply a suspected cause, fire officials have indicated they are nearing discovering the blaze's origin. Structural engineers have been assessing the stability of the concrete both at ground level and using drones. Fire crews remain on-site 24/7 to monitor the smoldering debris at the burned-down Las Vegas apartment, rotating every four hours to prevent flare-ups in case of high winds. Smoke from the wreckage is expected to persist as the debris burns. As of now, no specific timeframe has been provided for how long the crews will remain at the site, according to officials. READ NEXT: Las Vegas Man Missing Since 1998 Found The $90M Las Vegas Apartment Fire Emergency dispatchers received several calls reporting a fire at a building under construction located at 8030 W. Maule Ave at approximately 4:29 pm on Tuesday, per News 3. Upon their arrival at the Las Vegas apartment, the Battalion Chief on the scene determined that the fire had escalated significantly and called for a 2nd alarm due to the intensity of the flames. Firefighters are currently combating the fire while taking measures to protect surrounding properties from exposure. The fire rapidly spread due to unfinished wood framing in the $90M Las Vegas apartment, according to Brian O'Neal, assistant chief with the Clark County Fire Department. Fortunately, no individuals were reported to be inside the structure at the time of the incident, and no injuries have been reported thus far. Although the fire was reported to have originated on the roof, the exact cause of the blaze remains unknown as of Tuesday. Las Vegas Apartment Fire Ignites 2 Days After Initial Flames During the incident, wind gusts ranging from 20 to 25 mph were reported near the fire, originating from the southwest direction. A significant response was mobilized, with at least 75 fire personnel on-site, tirelessly battling the blaze that continued well into Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, one firefighter required treatment for smoke inhalation. Fire crews have anticipated that the fire will continue to produce smoke and smolder for the following days. Even after over 12 hours, the fire was still actively burning on Wednesday morning. Clark County Fire authorities decided to allow the buildings to burn in a controlled manner, as reported by 8 News Now on Wednesday night. On Thursday morning, approximately 37 hours after the initial outbreak, the fire ignites again. The $90M Las Vegas apartment was intended to provide housing for over 600 local families through its apartment units. While initial reports suggested that the fire originated from the roof, the specific cause of the fire remains undetermined at this time. Investigations into the incident are ongoing. READ MORE: Man Arrested for Killing an Idaho Family This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Fire breaks out at under construction apartment complex in southwest Las Vegas - From FOX5 Las Vegas Another vendor has announced its departure from the Downtown Allentown Market, now leaving two empty spaces at the popular city dining destination. Honmono Sushi, which opened two years ago amid the coronavirus pandemic, is set to close on June 30. Owners Jacky Chen and Xiao Ying Zhao have plans to move to Florida, said Megan Colon, the leasing specialist for City Center Allentown, which owns the market. The eatery was known for its classic and signature sushi rolls, as well as poke bowls and bubble tea. Prior, the space occupied Shinsen, another sushi concept. Honmonos closure will leave another empty stand at the market, on the ArtsWalk between Sixth and Seventh streets. Tavola, an original tenant when the market launched in September 2019, closed for good on May 26. The Italian eatery was mostly known for its artisan pizza and signature pasta dishes. It also served up a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, as well as salads. Tavolas married owners, Anthony and Melissa Diem, last month took to the business Facebook page to make the announcement. They told loyal patrons in that posting they continued to explore their next steps. Today marks the end of a season. We are filled with gratitude for the people we got to meet and serve. Thank you ... and stay tuned for whats next, the Diems posted on their final day at the market. Its unclear which new tenants will fill those vacancies. However, Colon did confirm to lehighvalleylive.com Friday that City Center is currently finalizing a deal with a tenant to replace Tavola. She expected an announcement to be made in coming weeks. That new tenant will join La Kang Thai Eatery, which is set to open in early July in space that previously occupied The Loaded Plantain. The Loaded Plantain abruptly closed its doors in April after being in business for about seven months at the market. La Kang Thai Eatery will become the third venture for a Thai and French cuisine concept already well-known in the Lehigh Valley. The concept already has two other locations: La Kang Thai-French Cuisine, which opened just prior to the start of the pandemic in March 2020 along South Greenwood Avenue in Palmer Township; and La Kang Thai Noodles Bar, which opened about a year ago along Main Street in Hellertown. La Kang Thai Eatery and La Kang Thai Noodles Bar both are owned by Anthony Valdez, a Bronx native now living in Hanover Township, Northampton County, and business partners, Nakkarawoot Noah Krueawong of Nazareth and Ratchaphol Paul Rojratana of Bethlehem. Krueawong and Rojratana additionally are the sole owners of La Kang Thai-French Cuisine. Krueawong and Rojratana, brothers-in-law and Thailand natives, bring their culinary roots a blend of French and Thai styles of cooking to all the ventures. Tavolas vacancy leaves the sole original tenant of Downtown Allentown Market remaining Middle Eastern/Mediterranean eatery, Zahra. The market last month welcomed Casa Criolla, a Latin-American fusion eatery, to the mix. It moved into space previously occupied by Zacharys BBQ & Soul and prior to that, Fresh Kitchen by Robert Irvine. Casa Criolla is the third business venture for married owners Michael and Mayra Collado of the Bethlehem area. The couple also owns Latin American restaurant, Casa del Mofongo, along Main Street; and Casa del San-Gwich, along Broad Street; both in Downtown Bethlehem. Casa del Mofongos Bethlehem site initially was an expansion of their Allentown eatery of the same name in 2019. The Allentown eatery, however, shuttered after more than a decade in business due to hurdles in the pandemic and demolition of the Hamilton Street building by City Center Investment Corp., Michael Collado had said. Casa Criolla opened in May 2023 at the bustling market on the citys ArtsWalk at 27 N. 7th Street. It moved into space that previously occupied Zacharys BBQ & Soul and prior to that, Fresh Kitchen by Robert Irvine. Casa Criolla is the third business venture for Michael Collado and his wife, Mayra Collado of the Bethlehem area. For Casa Criolla, the Collados are teaming up with two additional business partners, Juan Cepeda and Noelle Fernandez, both of the Allentown area. Additionally, the Downtown Allentown Market continues to have at least four other vendors: Johnnys Artwalk Diner; Bar 1838; and Ciao Sandwich Shoppe. Khanisas The Pudding Bar in October 2022 moved to the market from Easton. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. The company leading the Titan submersible trip to the wreckage of the Titanic says the five missing men on board are believed to be dead. OceanGate Expeditions on Thursday says its pilot and chief executive Stockton Rush and four passengers have sadly been lost. OceanGate did not provide details Thursday when the company announced the loss of life in a statement or how officials knew the crew members perished. The U.S. Coast Guard said it believes the missing submersible imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic. A debris field was found near the Titanic wreck at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean Thursday during the search for the sub. Coast Guard officials later said the search had uncovered parts of the Titan consistent with an implosion. The Coast Guard said the pieces were discovered within the search area by a remotely operated underwater robot. The Titan, with five aboard, went missing Sunday. The vessels 96-hour oxygen supply likely ended early Thursday morning. Besides Rush, those on board are British adventurer Hamish Harding; Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman; and French explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet. The Titan was reported overdue Sunday afternoon about 435 miles south of St. Johns, Newfoundland, as it was on its way to where the iconic ocean liner sank more than a century ago. OceanGate has been chronicling the Titanics decay and the underwater ecosystem around it via yearly voyages since 2021. This is a breaking news story and has been updated with more details. Recent IDC data shows that in North America, only 14.4% of content services workloads are hosted in on-premises datacenters. Over 40% of these workloads are hosted in cloud-based platforms, including SaaS/multitenant cloud-based applications or public cloud deployments. This IDC study represents a vendor assessment of SaaS and cloud-enabled enterprise content application software vendors through, focusing specifically on Box and their position as a market leader. Download the report now to explore further. The discussion surrounding school funding in Pennsylvania has long revolved around the need for increased financial resources. An analysis based state data suggests that implementing House Bill 13 during the 2015-16 school year could have provided as much as an additional $5.1 billion for schools, surpassing all revenue increase proposals. While this analysis was not conducted by the state, data used in this good faith estimate is readily available. Additional analyses are welcome and highly encouraged for verification, particularly by a savvy legislator who grasps the potential impact. Private citizens cannot request analysis by the Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office. There are a couple key takeaways from this estimate. The analysis shows the staggering potential financial impact of House Bill 13, which eliminates funding through property taxes. By redirecting funds that would have been collected as property tax revenue, this legislation could have significantly bolstered school budgets. The proposed increase surpasses all current revenue plans, providing an opportunity to address the persistent underfunding plaguing Pennsylvanias education system. Existing funding proposals only perpetuate the shortcomings of the current system. Incremental changes and short-term fixes have proven insufficient. In contrast, House Bill 13 offers a bold and comprehensive solution that tackles the problem head-on. By advocating for the elimination of the current funding structure, the bill breaks free from the limitations imposed by the status quo. It recognizes the urgent need for change and seizes the opportunity to transform Pennsylvanias educational landscape. This legislation represents a departure from myopic thinking and a commitment to long-term, sustainable improvement. Robert Kistler Lehighton A jubilant governor and a crowd of workers and officials celebrated Friday morning as they prepared to reopen Interstate 95 in Philadelphia after a fiery, deadly crash led to a bridge collapse and closed the key highway 12 days ago. I-95 reopened early this afternoon, ahead of schedule, Gov. Josh Shapiro said. About 2,000 tons of lightweight recycled glass nuggets filled in the collapsed area and paved over to create three temporary lanes in each direction that will allow crucial traffic back on I-95. On average the highway carries more than 150,000 vehicles a day, including 14,000 trucks. Its a great road - I just drove over it! Shapiro said at a news conference Friday morning at the construction site. Every step of the way, our unions not only built this road, they built it ahead of schedule every single day. Over the past 12 days, the eyes of the nation have been on Pennsylvania. We showed them what our grit and our determination are all about. We showed them good government in action. And this is what we can do when all levels of government come together to get the job done. SEPTA added more services, Wawa and restaurants donated food, and Pocono Raceway loaned a jet dryer to help dry a section of I-95 in the rain. Let this serve as an example of how Pennsylvania can do big things, Shapiro said. We showed that when we work together, we can get s**t done here in Pennsylvania. We sure can. An engine from the Philadelphia Fire Department, one of the first responders at the crash, christened the new highway by leading a group of vehicles across the I-95 North. MORE: I-95 construction live stream (PennDOT) The morning of June 11 a tractor-trailer hauling gasoline lost control on a curve and flipped over on an off-ramp, catching fire. The driver, identified as Nathan Moody, 53, died in the crash. The Flyers, Eagles, Phillies, 76ers, and Union organizations made a $50,000 donation to build a trust for Moodys daughter. The northbound lanes collapsed during the fire and the southbound lanes were so damaged they needed to be demolished, officials said. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll said the new temporary lanes are a little tight and urged drivers to please take your time going through this zone. The lanes are 11-feet wide and there are no shoulders on the temporary road. Speeds in the area will be 45 miles per hour. Its a day to celebrate, but the work continues, Carroll said. Shapiro noted Carroll has not left the construction site, working out of a truck there. Engineers have begun designing and ordering materials for a new permanent bridge over Cottman Avenue. PennDOT will lead that work and will keep the public informed as it progresses, officials said. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey called the reopening a triumph of all levels of government. This was a true team effort, with everyone from the White House to the construction workers on the ground working around the clock to ensure the swiftest possible reconstruction process. From the Building Trades crews to the folks at Aero Aggregates in Delco supplying materials, this rebuild was only possible because of the hard work and ingenuity of Pennsylvanians, Casey said in a prepared statement. I want to thank each and every worker who put their life on hold to make this process as fast as possible, and look forward to visiting the rebuilt bridge soon to see the results of their hard work. Shapiro previously said the repair work would be between $25 million to $30 million, and the federal government committed to cover the full cost. The man dubbed the Mayfair Mayor, Peter McLaughlin, was at the news conference, getting a shoutout from Shapiro. I saw you on the Internet, the governor said. A neighbor in NE Philly describes what it was like to wake up to the confusion just outside his door after a portion of I-95 collapsed just a few blocks from him. pic.twitter.com/PVh3VwjtEs Marcus Espinoza (@MarcusFOX29) June 11, 2023 Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. More than 50 people who have made Laois their home were among thousands to become citizens of Ireland at a special event in Kerry. Some 4,000 people became new Irish citizens at ceremonies held over two days in Killarney. A total of 53 new Irish citizens have addresses in Laois. The ceremonies were held in the INEC Killarney on June 19 and 20 and applicants from 139 countries around the world will be conferred as Irish citizens. Citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in 2011 in order to mark the occasion of the granting of citizenship in a dignified and solemn manner. Since then, there has been a total of 164 ceremonies with people from over 180 countries receiving their certificates of naturalisation. To date, including minors, approximately 161,000 people have received Irish citizenship since 2011. County and numbers of applications: Dublin 450 Cork 261 Dublin 15 202 Meath 151 Kildare 152 Galway 121 Dublin 24 118 Louth 112 Cork City 108 Wicklow 107 Dublin 8 102 Dublin 18 93 Kerry 85 Westmeath 77 Dublin 7 76 Dublin 1 72 Wexford 72 Tipperary 70 Limerick City 67 Dublin 13 60 Limerick 60 Clare 59 Mayo 58 Donegal 57 Kilkenny 56 Waterford City 56 Dublin 4 55 Laois 53 Dublin 11 51 Waterford 50 Galway City 49 Dublin 6 49 Cavan 48 Dublin 9 46 Dublin 16 42 Carlow 41 Monaghan 40 Dublin 22 40 Dublin 12 40 Roscommon 39 Sligo 37 Dublin 14 37 Antrim 36 Dublin 5 36 Dublin 3 31 Longford 30 Offaly 29 Down 23 Dublin 6W 23 Dublin 2 21 Dublin 17 16 Dublin 20 13 Leitrim 13 Derry 7 Tyrone 7 Dublin 10 7 Armagh 5 Fermanagh 2 Total 3918 Minister for Justice McEntee said: I congratulate and welcome our newest citizens on this milestone day in your lives. This marks the end of a journey and the beginning of a new one. Becoming an Irish citizen will guarantee certain fundamental rights under our Constitution. These rights are many and varied, but they will protect you, your family and your freedom. I encourage each new citizen to embrace your civic duty. It is an essential aspect of life in Ireland. It will empower you to become more engaged in civil society, whether it be in your local community or at a national level, some of you may choose to run for office in the coming years. Active involvement in the community will ensure everyone has a voice and will help strengthen our democracy. Many Laois parents are grateful for the shift to an automatic payment system for schools supports according to Laois Offaly Minister Sean Fleming. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs made the point in a speech on behalf of the Government in the Dail on Tuesday, June 20, on educational help for families and younger people. He spoke of the Government being acutely aware that many Irish families feel additional financial pressure each year when they are preparing to send their members of their family back to school or college. He it is important that the Government continues to support families with the cost of education. The Fianna Fail TD said it is crucially important that all children and young people are supported to access education to its fullest forms. The education system must value every child and young person and support and nurture them to reach their full potential. He highlighted the response he has recieved in Laois for new automatic payments. "Last week, I was very pleased as a Deputy in Laois to meet many parents throughout Co Laois and in Portlaoise who came up to me on the street and said they were very grateful to have already directly received the funding without even having to apply for it because the system worked on a renewal basis from last year," he said. The TD highlighted a number of benefits in his speech. He said Government is funding over 52 million to support the implementation of free schoolbooks scheme. He added that all children in our primary and special schools will now arrive into school on 1 September having the required schoolbooks. He said the Government recently expanded the Delivering Equality of Opportunity In Schools Programme (DEIS) programme which provided for the inclusion of 322 additional schools in the programme from September 2022. He added that this means the DEIS programme now supports 240,000 students in over 1,200 schools. The Government will spend in the region of 180 million in 2023 to provide supports to DEIS schools. These schools receive an additional grant each year to support the implementation of their DEIS action plan for improvements. The TD said the Government recently approved an additional 14.5 million for all remaining DEIS schools and special schools to be included in the School Meals Programme from September 2023, benefiting an additional 60,000 children to access the programme. He added that the Government intends to commence the roll-out to all remaining primary schools on a phased basis commencing in 2024. He said capitation payments of approximately 90 million were issued to schools to cover the day-to-day running costs, such as electricity and heat. Further increase the capitation rates paid to schools in future years are also on the cards. On school transport he said the Government has decided the annual school transport charge for a primary school child will be 50 and for a post-primary student will be 75, with a maximum cap per family of 125. He said this this is a substantial reduction on the previous annual charges and shows again the Government's commitment to reducing the cost of accessing education for families. Addressing the Back to School Clothing and Footwear payment he said they have increased by 100 per child to 260 for children aged 4 to 11, and 385 for children aged 12 years and over who are in post-primary education. He added that the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance will be paid automatically to more than 120,000 families in respect of approximately 210,000 children during the week beginning on 10 July. At Third Level, he said there will be a reduction of 1,000 in the student contribution for free fees for eligible undergraduate students for the academic year 2023-24. He said students in receipt of the postgraduate fee contribution received a once-off payment of 1,000, increasing their support from 3,500 to 4,500. He also higlighted the new student support contribution grant of 500 for incomes of between 62,000 and 100,000 in the SUSI grant scheme will come into place for the new academic year. He added that the income threshold for the 50% student contribution grant has been increased from 55,240 to 62,000. Minister Sean Fleming TD addresses Dail Eireann on Government Education Supports 20th June 2023 On behalf of the Government, I welcome the opportunity to respond to what has been a very insightful and informative debate on the important issue of the cost of education. The Government is acutely aware that many Irish families feel additional financial pressure each year when they are preparing to send their children back to school or college. It is important that the Government continues to support families with the cost of education. As my Government colleagues said, it is crucially important that all children and young people are supported to access education to its fullest forms. The education system must value every child and young person and support and nurture them to reach their full potential. My colleague, the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, highlighted the importance of the groundbreaking free schoolbooks scheme for primary and special schools which will be in place from the start of the new school year. Over 52 million in Government funding to support the implementation of the scheme has issued to schools already. All children and young people in our primary and special schools will now arrive into school on 1 September having the required schoolbooks, workbooks and copy books. The scheme has removed the requirement for families to purchase these items or make a financial contribution to a school towards the book rental scheme. The DEIS programme, first introduced in 2005, is the main policy initiative of the Government to address educational disadvantage at school level. In March 2022, an expansion of the DEIS programme was announced which provided for the inclusion of 322 additional schools in the programme from September 2022. This means the DEIS programme now supports 240,000 students in over 1,200 schools, 967 which are primary schools and 235 of which are post primary. The Department of Education will spend in the region of 180 million in 2023 to provide supports to DEIS schools. These schools receive an additional grant each year to support the implementation of their DEIS action plan for improvement. The school meals programme administered by the Department of Social Protection is vital, particularly in DEIS schools. The programme currently provides funding towards the provision of food services for some 1,600 schools and organisations and benefits 260,000 children. It enables the provision of regular, nutritious food to children and young people to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. It greatly assists many families by eliminating the financial pressures they may face to provide a breakfast or a lunch each day and it is very important that when children come to school, they have a good nutritious meal to help them with their education during the course of the day. The Government provided 94.4 million for this programme in budget 2023. In addition, the Government recently approved an additional 14.5 million to allow access to the hot school meals scheme for all remaining DEIS schools and special schools from September 2023, benefiting more than 60,000 children and young people. As part of the significant plans to extend the hot school meals scheme to all children in the coming years, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, intends commencing the roll-out to all remaining primary schools on a phased basis commencing in 2024. This has been raised by a number of Deputies and I am sure they will acknowledge that this is breaking ground. There is a tremendous plan in place to achieve this. The Minister referenced significant additional capitation payments of approximately 90 million that were issued to schools at the end of 2022. Capitation payments to schools are important in order that the schools have the necessary funding in place to cover the day-to-day running costs, such as electricity and heat. Within the available funding envelope, the Government will seek to further increase the capitation rates paid to schools in future years. Transport costs to and from school are an important issue for many families, especially those living in rural areas who may have to make travel arrangements and travel significant distances in the course of the school week. For the coming school year, the Government has decided the annual charge for a primary school child will be 50 and for a post-primary student will be 75, with a maximum cap per family of 125. This is a substantial reduction on the previous annual charges and shows again the Government's commitment to reducing the cost of accessing education for families. Eligible children holding valid medical cards and children with special educational needs remain exempt from the school transport charges. It is also important to mention the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance provided by the Government through the Department of Social Protection. The back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance provides a once-off payment to eligible families towards the cost of school clothing and footwear. The rates of payment for the academic year 2023-24 have been increased by 100 per child to 260 for children aged four to 11, and 385 for children aged 12 years and over who are in post-primary education. The majority of payments will be made automatically with no application form required. The back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance will be paid automatically to more than 120,000 families in respect of approximately 210,000 children during the week beginning on 10 July. Last week, I was very pleased as a Deputy in Laois to meet so many parents throughout County Laois and in Portlaoise who came up to me on the street and said they were very grateful to have already directly received the funding without even having to apply for it because the system worked on a renewal basis from last year. That funding was received by thousands of families in recent days and I will say to people who have not yet received it or applied for it, especially for new students, that the closing date for applications is 30 September 2023 and they should apply as soon as possible if they have not done so. At third level, the Minister, Deputy Harris, has taken a number of steps to reduce the cost of third level education. Budget 2023 saw a significant reduction in the cost of college for third level students and their families and this included supports for the cost of living such as the reduction by 1,000 in the student contribution for free fees for eligible undergraduate students for the academic year 2023-24. In addition, all student maintenance grant recipients received an extra payment in December last year. Moreover, students in receipt of the postgraduate fee contribution received a once-off payment of 1,000, increasing their support from 3,500 to 4,500. In addition, more than 20 million has been provided to the student assistance fund for the 2022-23 academic year and a once-off payment of 500 was provided in 2022 for PhD students who receive Irish Research Council, IRC, or Science Foundation Ireland, SFI, awards. Moreover, 30 million was provided in funding to increase capacity for apprenticeships in 2023 and additional funding for social inclusion measures in apprenticeships such as bursaries for apprentices from underrepresented groups. In addition, approximately 48,000 students benefited from grant increases of between 10% and 14% effective from January 2023. A further range of improvements to the student grant, as announced in budget 2023, will take effect for the coming academic year 2023-24 and this includes the creation of a new student support contribution grant of 500 for incomes of between 62,000 and 100,000 in the SUSI grant scheme. The issue of the grant scheme was mentioned by a lot of people in the debate and it is good that families who were finding it difficult to meet those costs will be able to have some support, especially where more than one member of the family is at third level. The income threshold for the 50% student contribution grant has been increased from 55,240 to 62,000. Again this will facilitate many families, rather than have their family members being unable to go forward to third level education. There was a 500 increase in the stipend baseline for 2023 for PhD students who receive an IRC or SFI award and a change in the eligibility criteria for second-chance mature students, as defined in the student grant scheme, that reduced the period for a full break in studies from five to three years, which was a very significant issue as well. Increasing the deduction allowable for student earnings outside term time from 4,500 to 6,552 is very important. Most of us, as Deputies, have run into that issue where students who were earning money felt they were being penalised for working to get to college and then their grant was being reduced. That is a significant increase, allowing them to earn an extra amount of more than 2,000 without their grant being affected. Exclusion from the rental income of up to 14,000 being declared to the Revenue Commissioners under the Government's rent-a-room relief scheme is also important. There is a greater degree of flexibility for students who may have long-term social welfare payments but who are falling outside the special rate. On 25 May, the Minister, Deputy Harris was delighted to open the first stakeholder event to inform development of the Department's options paper. In general, this is the first Government, and I do not think there is another Government in the world, where out of 14 Government Ministers plus the Taoiseach, that two of the Ministries, which is one in seven of the Government Ministers, are solely and totally dedicated to education. To have two Government Ministers solely dedicated to education is a sign of the commitment the Government has to the education of our young people for decades to come. Local parents are paying huge sums to get children to school, a Laois Offaly TD has claimed. Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley said measures are needed to address this and other problems in the coming weeks to reduce the high annual costs of preparing children for the next school year. Speaking in the Dail, the Sinn Fein called for action. At primary and secondary level, not only do parents face the expensive cost of schoolbooks, with an average cost of 200 plus, they are also expected to make voluntary contributions, which can be in the region of more than 200, in some cases. They have to pay transition year fees, find money for extracurricular activities and, of course, there is the annual cost of uniforms. On top of that, there is a charge for school transport in rural areas. It is a reduced charge, but it is still there. Some have to arrange transport through private bus companies. I know of several cases in counties Laois and Offaly where people are getting their children to school via private bus hire, which runs into huge figures every year. Year on year, we are seeing requests for voluntary contributions of well over 100 and, in some cases, 200 plus per child. There is significant pressure on families to contribute, with real stigma attached to pupils if their contribution is not made, he said. He said more children must have access to books a no coast. We call on the Government to expand the free books scheme to secondary schools to ease that financial burden on parents during that difficult period. At third level, student fees now pose a potential barrier to education. It is totally unacceptable that this can happen because the right to third level education should be there regardless of what strata children come from. The Government should not consider increasing student fees this September. That must be stopped, he said. Dep Stanley says his party calls on the Government to cancel that planned increase and increase the school capitation grant in the next budget. For our part, we are committed to ending voluntary contributions by increasing the capitation grants. Parents with children who are going back to school in September are facing huge financial pressures. The Government must act now and not in three months' time to ease that burden, said the TD. There is happy news in a Laois town as a young girl announces her recovery from cancer. Four years ago at the age of 11, Olivia Loj from Mountmellick began chemotherapy treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Now a student at Mountmellick Community School, she attends Mountmellick Family Resource Centre in the MDA in Irishtown, where two of the staff decided to start a fundraiser for her in 2022 that raised over 10,000. It included donations from other children in the MYFRC, proceeds from a big community raffle of prizes donated by local businesses, a bingo held by Nuala Kelly, and 2,000 raised by World of Sparkles boutique. This week, Olivia gave the good news via the MYFRC Facebook page. "Thank you so much to everyone who helped me with my GoFundMe! Your generosity and support means the world to me, and I'm so grateful for each and every one of you. I am finally finished all my treatments and im cancer free and couldn't have done it without you. You all helped me so much on my journey and I really appreciate it and everything you done for me thank you everyone," she said. Below: Olivia (centre right) with her friends. The staff in the family resource centre have thanked everyone for their support, including Olivia and her family for allowing them to help her in such a public way. "In 2019 one of our young people was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Olivia Loj who was 11 at the time. With the support of her family, Olivia began her fight against cancer. The Loj family are a very private family and never asked for support, but with a lot of persuasion from Amy and Niamhie, the Youth Workers in Mountmellick Youth & Family Resource Centre, they agreed to allow them to coordinate a fundraiser. "The outpouring of donations and well wishes from our local Mountmellick Community, all ends of Ireland, across the sea to England and all the way to Australia was phenomal with a massive 10 ,527.40 euro being raised through various fund raising events organised by Amy and Niamhie, MYFRC Friday TEENS and our MYFRC SHAPES and FUN clubs. The Young People in MYFRC were phenomenal. "Olivia and her family are fully aware that unfortunately not every families cancer journey has the same outcome as theirs. "Olivia and her family want to pass on their sincere gratitude to everyone who helped them through their journey. Every well wish, Every prayer, Every Euro made such a difference in helping Olivia and her family through this tough time. "After a tough battle so bravely fought Olivia is now 14 and thankfully in remission. Olivia would would like to send out this message to everyone who helped her on this journey," the MYFRC team said. They gave their own inspirational message too. "It might be stormy now, but it can't rain forever". National Broadband Ireland, the company delivering the new future-proofed, high-speed Fibre-to-the-Home network under the National Broadband Plan on behalf of the Government, has said that the first 800 properties in rural areas near Athy can now pre-order a high-speed fibre broadband connection. 16,000 premises in County Kildare are included in the States Intervention Area, which will see NBI deliver minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second to homes, businesses, farms, and schools. As the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification, County Kildare will receive 53m of Government investment under the National Broadband Plan. The first 825 homes, businesses and farms in rural areas surrounding Athy are now able to place a pre-order for a high-speed connection on the National Broadband Ireland network. These are all included as part of the 1,507 Kildare premises in NBIs Ballylinan Deployment Area and build works in this area are set to be completed this summer. Works have already been completed in other parts of Kildare and there are a total of 3,375 premises that are available to pre-order or order high-speed, reliable broadband across the county. National Broadband Ireland is calling on people to visit nbi.ie/map/ and enter their Eircode to see if they are ready to connect. Peter Hendrick, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland, said: We are delighted to announce that Kildare premises in rural areas near Athy can now pre-order high-speed broadband services through the National Broadband Ireland network. This will enable users to experience the life-changing benefits that high-speed broadband provides. As a wholesale network operator, NBI does not sell fibre broadband directly to end users, rather it enables services from a range of broadband providers or Retail Service Providers (RSPs). As a wholesale provider, NBI will make the new Fibre-to-the-Home network available to all RSPs operating in the Intervention Area. Some 62 RSPs have already signed up to sell services on the National Broadband Ireland network and 51 are certified as ready to start providing connections as of today. To see the retail broadband providers that are currently licensed to sell on the National Broadband Ireland network, visit NBI.ie/buy. National Broadband Ireland contractors have been on the ground across the country and over 166,626 premises nationwide can order or pre-order broadband on the NBI network so far. The National Broadband Ireland website is regularly updated to show estimated connection dates. Signing up to the NBI email notifications at https://nbi.ie/eoi/ is the easiest way to get the most up to date status of premises during the rollout and when premises will be ready for order. Keep up to Speed! NBI is encouraging people to check their eligibility and register for updates at www.nbi.ie to receive regular notifications related to their own premises as works progresses in their area. Broadband Connection Points In advance of the Fibre-to-the-Home rollout, the NBP provides for the delivery of Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) nationwide. 602 of these sites, including Public BCPs, are now live. Public BCPs which include sports clubs, community centres and tourist sites will provide free public access to high-speed internet in the rollout area. Other BCP categories include schools and marts. BCPs will pave the way for rural communities to receive the benefits of broadband, from mobile working, e-learning and mobile banking, to digital tourism. You can view BCPs at www.nbi.ie/bcp-map/. An example of some of the locations of Broadband Connection Points in Kildare include Lullymore Heritage Park, Cookstown Further Education, Training and Community Centre, and Bigstone Community Hall. Primary schools in the Intervention Area are also being connected for educational access as part of the NBP. ABOVE: Guests, Bernard Durkan TD; Chris Fogarty, Hub Manager; James Lawless TD; Cllr Rob Power; Senator Fiona OLoughlin; Jacqui McNabb, Head of Local Enterprise; guest of honour, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD; Martin Heydon TD; Kildare Mayor Fintan Brett; Sonya Kavanagh Kildare CO. Co. CE; Alan Dunney, Director of Services KCC; Leo Clancy, Head of Enterprise Ireland; and Cllr Mark Stafford; at the official opening of the Mid-East Regional Innovation Thinkspace (MERITS) building at Devoy Quarter, Naas East, Naas, Friday, June 23. PHOTO: TONY KEANE Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD was guest of honour today for the official opening of the Mid-East Regional Innovation Thinkspace (MERITS), hosted by Kildare County Council. MERITS is an innovation thinkspace hub created to support digital and technology innovation in the Mid-East region (Kildare, Meath & Wicklow). The state-of-the-art 1200sqm incubation space for start-up and scaling technology businesses, comprises the latest tools and technologies along with office space, meeting rooms and conference suites in an immersive experience. The innovative hub is co-funded by Kildare County Council and Enterprise Ireland under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REFD) and is already home to 20 client companies, employing over 40 people. As well as access to state-of-the-art facilities, the expert team in MERITS provide access to high quality training, funding opportunities and extensive supports for entrepreneurs and tech businesses in the region, including access to the Local Enterprise Office and Enterprise Ireland. The Governance structure of MERITS is through an independent Board, which includes representation from Kildare County Council, Kildare Local Enterprise Office, Kildare Chamber, Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board and a number of public representatives and experienced non-executive directors. Mentors include the founders of Pigsback.com, AQMetrics and the Entrepreneurs Academy, as well as investment managers from leading venture capital firms. Other key stakeholders and advisors are drawn from Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and Meath and Wicklow Local Enterprise Offices. Addressing the guests at the launch, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD said; With MERITS opening today, Kildare and the Mid-East region will benefit from a cluster of new Irish and international new-technology companies. With the supports of my own Department along with Kildare County Council, the Local Enterprise Office and Enterprise Ireland, MERITS, which is an integral part of the Mid-East Regional Enterprise Plan, will give much-needed infrastructure, mentorship and support to attract high technology investment and industries. This investment by Kildare County Council and 2.4 million under my Departments Regional Enterprise Development Fund is a transformational investment for Kildares knowledge economy. Kildares ability to adapt to a digital future depends on developing the next generation of skills, closing the gap between talent supply and demand. I commend the local authorities key focus to strengthen relationships and transfer of knowledge between entrepreneurs, employers, education and training providers, to ensure it is best placed within a vibrant region armed with relevant knowledge, entrepreneurial agility and analytical skills to attract and retain the best and brightest Technology companies. Speaking at the launch, Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Cllr Fintan Brett said; Having been part of this project since its inception, today is a very proud moment for both myself and my fellow Kildare County Council elected members. Entrepreneurship, particularly tech-enabled, high-growth entrepreneurship as delivered by the clients in MERITS, is key to economic growth and development in County Kildare and the greater Mid East Region. Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council said; The investment by Kildare County Council and Enterprise Ireland into the development of MERITS is fundamental to the development of Kildares Entrepreneurial Eco-system. Nurturing creativity and building an entrepreneurial tech community in the region is at the core of this new building. It provides a space where technology enthusiasts, innovators and entrepreneurs are supported by a collaborative multi-agency approach. Providing critical financial, educational, and business support services to small and growing Tech businesses is at its core, with a view to creating jobs and stimulating long-term economic growth. Leo Clancy, Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Ireland, said: Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting Irish-owned companies to achieve greater scale and expand their global footprint. Pivotal to this is a strong ecosystem which fosters the development of start-ups and early-stage businesses in communities around the country. MERITS, which has been supported by the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, will play a key role in that important work in the Mid-East region, as they work to foster the development of innovative digital and technology focused enterprises. I would like to congratulate all the team involved in the delivery of this impressive facility, and we look forward to continuing to work with you to support the growth and development of early-stage and scaling enterprises in the region. A Sligo-Leitrim TD hopes the challenges facing retained firefighters will be resolved in order to save the service. Deputy Martin Kenny commented following news that all-out strikes will be halted pending the result of a Labour Court hearing due to take place next week, June 26. SIPTU members began a campaign of rolling industrial action on June 6 due to a worsening recruitment and retention crisis in the service, which holds a roster of almost 2,000 retained fire service members across 200 stations. Retained firefighters are currently paid an annual retainer, with a significant portion of pay coming from attending emergency calls, training and special duties. The cost of running retained fire services is on a pay-as-used principle. Commenting on the latest news, Deputy Kenny said, Its a vital service, particularly in rural Ireland and especially in Leitrim. They do excellent work, most of them - all of them, I think - have other jobs and other lives to lead and yet theyre on call 24/7 if theres an incident. Ive had incidents myself where the firemen had to come, they came from Mohill and most recently from Ballinamore, very people are experiencing. Theyve saved lives. I think of all sectors they need to be looked after properly. The TDs comments come ahead of the Labour Court hearing, which will conduct a full hearing concerning the dispute. This follows on from exploratory discussions attended by the SIPTU retained firefighter negotiating committee as well as representatives of the Local Government Management Association (LGMA). SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Organiser, Karan O Loughlin, said, Our members appreciate the intervention of the Court in this matter and have suspended their quick and efficient. They were really really excellent in their approach and how they do their work. He continued: People just wont do [the job] for the kind of money offered at the moment in the context of the cost of living crisis that industrial action at its request. However, the resolution to this dispute will be complex and difficult. Our members will not settle for anything other than an agreement which safeguards the functioning of this vital emergency service into the future. Deputy Kenny said, I hope the Labour Court will look at it in the round and recognise the commitment [retained firefighters] make and that they deserve to get I think a special consideration to increase that retainer. The big problem is if theyre not remunerated properly, we wont get other people to go into that service. The deputy previously advocated for appropriate remuneration at a recent Dail discussion on the dispute. Gathered retained firefighters reportedly walked out of the public gallery following comments made by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OBrien, who reiterated that rates of pay for public sector employees are set by collective agreements without selectivity. He said, All Deputies will be familiar with public service agreements and how they work, and they all know rates of pay for public sector employees are set by collective agreements. They are put in place to ensure public service pay will be managed sustainably and in a climate of industrial peace. It is not within our gift to make an exception. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, announced that two primary schools in Leitrim will be awarded the 2023 Curious Minds Award. It celebrates primary schools across Ireland that have adopted innovative approaches to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) learning and engagement. Announcing the 2023 Curious Mind Awards, Minister Simon Harris, TD, said: I am delighted to announce the two winners of this years SFI Curious Minds Awards from Leitrim. I want to congratulate all involved for their hard work and enthusiasm. Through programmes such as the Curious Minds Awards, we see first-hand teachers and schools empowering curiosity through a hands-on, inquiry-based approach to STEM learning. The two Leitrim schools (Newtowngore National School & Scoil Naisiunta Mhic Diarmada) received the Gold Award for their efforts. Commenting on the awards, Professor Philip Nolan, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland said: At Science Foundation Ireland, we are committed to making science accessible to all. It is extremely positive to see so many primary schools in Leitrim taking part, and I congratulate all for their commitment to STEM. The Khazar sea = Caspian Sea Caspian Sea The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body of water, often described as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea.[2][3][4] An endorheic basin, it lies between Europe and Asia; east of the Caucasus, west of the broad steppe of Central Asia, south of the fertile plains of Southern Russia in Eastern Europe, and north of the mountainous Iranian Plateau of Western Asia. It covers a surface area of 371,000 km2 (143,000 sq mi) (excluding the highly saline lagoon of Garabogazkol to its east), an area approximately equal to that of Japan, with a volume of 78,200 km3 (19,000 cu mi).[5] It has a salinity of approximately 1.2% (12 g/L), about a third of the salinity of average seawater. It is bounded by Kazakhstan to the northeast, Russia to the northwest, Azerbaijan to the southwest, Iran to the south, and Turkmenistan to the southeast. The sea stretches 1,200 km (750 mi) from north to south, with an average width of 320 km (200 mi). Its gross coverage is 386,400 km2 (149,200 sq mi) and the surface is about 27 m (89 ft) below sea level. Its main freshwater inflow, Europe's longest river, the Volga, enters at the shallow north end. Two deep basins form its central and southern zones. These lead to horizontal differences in temperature, salinity, and ecology. The seabed in the south reaches 1,023 m (3,356 ft) below sea level, which is the second-lowest natural non-oceanic depression on Earth after Lake Baikal (1,180 m or 3,870 ft). Written accounts from the ancient inhabitants of its coast perceived the Caspian Sea as an ocean, probably because of its salinity and large size. With a surface area of 371,000 square kilometres (143,000 sq mi), the Caspian Sea is nearly five times as big as Lake Superior (82,000 square kilometres (32,000 sq mi)).[6] The Caspian Sea is home to a wide range of species and is famous for its caviar and oil industries. Pollution from the oil industry and dams on rivers draining into it have harmed its ecology. A drainage basin is an area of land where all flowing surface water converges to a single point, such as a river mouth, or flows into another body of water, such as a lake or ocean. A basin is separated from adjacent basins by a perimeter, the drainage divide, made up of a succession of elevated fe Caspian Sea Latin: Caspium mare, Azerbaijani: X?z?r d?nizi, Turkmen: Hazar denizi, Kazakh: ???, Russian: , Persian: ????? ???, Kumyk: Location Eastern Europe, Western Asia and Central Asia Coordinates 42.0N 50.5E Type Ancient lake, Endorheic, saline, permanent, natural Primary inflows Volga River, Ural River, Kura River, Terek River Primary outflows Evaporation, Kara-Bogaz-Gol Catchment area 3,626,000 km2 (1,400,000 sq mi)[1] Basin countries Iran Azerbaijan Kazakhstan Turkmenistan Russia Max. length 1,030 km (640 mi) Max. width 435 km (270 mi) Surface area 371,000 km2 (143,200 sq mi) Average depth 211 m (690 ft) Max. depth 1,025 m (3,360 ft) Water volume 78,200 km3 (18,800 cu mi) Residence time 250 years Shore length1 7,000 km (4,300 mi) Surface elevation 28 m (92 ft) Islands 26+ Settlements Baku (Azerbaijan), Nowshahr Rasht (Iran), Aqtau (Kazakhstan), Makhachkala (Russia), Turkmenba?y (Turkmenistan) (see article) Basin countries[edit] Border countries[edit] Kazakhstan Iran Azerbaijan Russia Turkmenistan Non-border countries[edit] Armenia (all) Georgia (its east part) Turkey (extreme north-eastern parts) Uzbekistan (extreme western parts) Physical characteristics[edit] Formation[edit] The Caspian Sea is at its South Caspian Basin, like the Black Sea, a remnant of the ancient Paratethys Sea. Its seafloor is, therefore, a standard oceanic basalt and not a continental granite body.[16] It became landlocked in the Late Miocene, about 5.5 million years ago, due to tectonic uplift and a fall in sea level. The Caspian Sea was a comparatively small endorheic lake during the Pliocene, but its surface area increased fivefold around the time of the Pliocene-Pleistocene transition.[17] During warm and dry climatic periods, the landlocked sea almost dried up, depositing evaporitic sediments like halite that were covered by wind-blown deposits and were sealed off as an evaporite sink when cool, wet climates refilled the basin. (Comparable evaporite beds underlie the Mediterranean.) Due to the current inflow of fresh water in the north, the Caspian Sea water is almost fresh in its northern portions, getting more brackish toward the south. It is most saline on the Iranian shore, where the catchment basin contributes little flow.[18] Currently, the mean salinity of the Caspian is one third that of Earth's oceans. The Garabogazkol embayment, which dried up when water flow from the main body of the Caspian was blocked in the 1980s but has since been restored, routinely exceeds oceanic salinity by a factor of 10.[19] Geography[edit] Area around the Caspian Sea. Yellow area indicates the (approximate) drainage area. The Caspian Sea is the largest inland body of water in the world by area and accounts for 4044% of the total lake waters of the world,[20] and covers an area larger than Germany. The coastlines of the Caspian are shared by Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan. The Caspian is divided into three distinct physical regions: the Northern, Middle, and Southern Caspian.[21] The NorthernMiddle boundary is the Mangyshlak Threshold, which runs through Chechen Island and Cape Tiub-Karagan. The MiddleSouthern boundary is the Apsheron Threshold, a sill of tectonic origin between the Eurasian continent and an oceanic remnant,[22] that runs through Zhiloi Island and Cape Kuuli.[23] The Garabogazkol Bay is the saline eastern inlet of the Caspian, which is part of Turkmenistan and at times has been a lake in its own right due to the isthmus that cuts it off from the Caspian. Differences between the three regions are dramatic. The Northern Caspian only includes the Caspian shelf,[24] and is very shallow; it accounts for less than 1% of the total water volume with an average depth of only 56 m (1620 ft). The sea noticeably drops off towards the Middle Caspian, where the average depth is 190 m (620 ft).[23] The Southern Caspian is the deepest, with oceanic depths of over 1,000 m (3,300 ft), greatly exceeding the depth of other regional seas, such as the Persian Gulf. The Middle and Southern Caspian account for 33% and 66% of the total water volume, respectively.[21] The northern portion of the Caspian Sea typically freezes in the winter, and in the coldest winters ice forms in the south as well.[25] Over 130 rivers provide inflow to the Caspian, the Volga River being the largest. A second affluent, the Ural River, flows in from the north, and the Kura River from the west. In the past, the Amu Darya (Oxus) of Central Asia in the east often changed course to empty into the Caspian through a now-desiccated riverbed called the Uzboy River, as did the Syr Darya farther north. The Caspian has several small islands, primarily located in the north with a collective land area of roughly 2,000 km2 (770 sq mi). Adjacent to the North Caspian is the Caspian Depression, a low-lying region 27 m (89 ft) below sea level. The Central Asian steppes stretch across the northeast coast, while the Caucasus mountains hug the western shore. The biomes to both the north and east are characterized by cold, continental deserts. Conversely, the climate to the southwest and south are generally warm with uneven elevation due to a mix of highlands and mountain ranges; the drastic changes in climate alongside the Caspian have led to a great deal of biodiversity in the region.[19] The Caspian Sea has numerous islands near the coasts, but none in the deeper parts of the sea. Ogurja Ada is the largest island. The island is 37 km (23 mi) long, with gazelles roaming freely on it. In the North Caspian, the majority of the islands are small and uninhabited, like the Tyuleniy Archipelago, an Important Bird Area (IBA). Climate[edit] The climate of the Caspian Sea is variable, with the cold desert climate (BWk), cold semi-arid climate (BSk), and humid continental climate (Dsa, Dfa) being present in the northern portions of the Caspian Sea, while the Mediterranean climate (Csa) and humid subtropical climate (Cfa) are present in the southern portions of the Caspian Sea. Hydrology[edit] Caspian Sea near Aktau, Mangystau Region, Kazakhstan The Caspian has characteristics common to both seas and lakes. It is often listed as the world's largest lake, although it is not freshwater: the 1.2% salinity classes it with brackish water bodies. It contains about 3.5 times as much water, by volume, as all five of North America's Great Lakes combined. The Volga River (about 80% of the inflow) and the Ural River discharge into the Caspian Sea, but it has no natural outflow other than by evaporation. Thus the Caspian ecosystem is a closed basin, with its own sea level history that is independent of the eustatic level of the world's oceans. The sea level of the Caspian has fallen and risen, often rapidly, many times over the centuries. Some Russian historians[who?] claim that a medieval rising of the Caspian, perhaps caused by the Amu Darya changing its inflow to the Caspian from the 13th century to the 16th century, caused the coastal towns of Khazaria, such as Atil, to flood. In 2004, the water level was 28 m (92 ft) below sea level. Over the centuries, Caspian Sea levels have changed in synchrony with the estimated discharge of the Volga, which in turn depends on rainfall levels in its vast catchment basin. Precipitation is related to variations in the amount of North Atlantic depressions that reach the interior, and they in turn are affected by cycles of the North Atlantic oscillation. Thus levels in the Caspian Sea relate to atmospheric conditions in the North Atlantic, thousands of kilometres to the northwest.[26] The last short-term sea-level cycle started with a sea-level fall of 3 m (10 ft) from 1929 to 1977, followed by a rise of 3 m (10 ft) from 1977 until 1995. Since then smaller oscillations have taken place.[27] A study by the Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences estimated that the level of the sea was dropping by more than six centimetres per year due to increased evaporation due to rising temperatures caused by climate change.[28] Environmental degradation[edit] The Volga River, the longest river in Europe, drains 20% of the European land area and is the source of 80% of the Caspian's inflow. Heavy development in its lower reaches has caused numerous unregulated releases of chemical and biological pollutants. The UN Environment Programme warns that the Caspian "suffers from an enormous burden of pollution from oil extraction and refining, offshore oil fields, radioactive wastes from nuclear power plants and huge volumes of untreated sewage and industrial waste introduced mainly by the Volga River".[28] The magnitude of fossil fuel extraction and transport activity in the Caspian also poses a risk to the environment. The island of Vulf off Baku, for example, has suffered ecological damage as a result of the petrochemical industry; this has significantly decreased the number of species of marine birds in the area. Existing and planned oil and gas pipelines under the sea further increase the potential threat to the environment.[29] The high concentration of mud volcanoes under the Caspian Sea were thought to be the cause of a fire that broke out 75 kilometers from Baku on July 5, 2021. The State oil company of Azerbaijan SOCAR said preliminary information indicated it was a mud volcano which spewed both mud and flammable gas.[30] It is calculated that during the 21st century, the water level of the Caspian Sea will decrease by 918 m (3060 ft) due to the acceleration of evaporation due to global warming and the process of desertification.[31] On October 23, 2021, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the Protocol for the Protection of the Caspian Sea against Pollution from Land-based Sources in order to ensure better protection for the biodiversity of the Caspian Sea.[32] 3M's global headquarters in Maplewood, Minnesota, on March 4, 2020. NICHOLAS PFOSI / REUTERS US industrial conglomerate 3M announced on Thursday, June 22 it will pay $10.3 billion to settle numerous claims from US public water systems that accused the company of tainting their supplies. Under the proposed settlement, which must now be approved by a federal court, 3M would pay to remediate public water systems that have tested positive for so-called "forever chemicals," poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), according to a 3M securities filing. In exchange for payments of $10.3 billion, plaintiffs in the class action litigation would agree to release 3M from claims over PFAS and any punitive damage awards, 3M said. The pact also lets 3M terminate the agreement if many eligible class members opt out of the agreement, 3M said. 3M announced in December it would cease by the end of 2025 production of PFAS, which has been linked to increased risk of some cancers and are believed to impede vaccine response in children. The $10.3 billion agreement is by far the largest settlement 3M has made over its PFAS chemicals and one of the largest mass tort settlements in recent US history. Known for the lengthy amount of time required before they break down and their usage in Teflon and other popular goods, PFAS are man-made chemicals produced since the 1940s that are now widely present in soil and water as well as in humans, fish, and other wildlife. 3M Chief Executive Mike Roman called the agreement "an important step forward for 3M" following the December announcement and recent investments in water filtration technology and other advances. The settlement "sends a clear message that corporations like 3M must bear the responsibility for the aftermath of the chemicals they produce," said Paul Napoli, a lead counsel in the case for plaintiffs. "This historic settlement is the largest amount ever paid by a single company to resolve claims involving contaminated drinking water and provides compensation critical to protecting our nation's drinking water supplies and upgrading our water treatment infrastructure to deal with this new threat." Previously, the largest 3M settlement was an $850 million agreement in 2018 to settle PFAS water pollution claims in Minnesota. Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes 'Forever chemicals': Industrialists lobby to avoid ban on toxic substances LIMERICK parents Una and John Joe Quish are working hard to raise funds to send their child to receive treatment in the United States. The Quish family are hoping to raise 20,000 to send their six-year-old son, Noah, to a three-week feeding and speech therapy at the NAPA Centre in Austin, Texas. This treatment is unavailable in Ireland. The family are hosting a breakfast party for families with young kids this Saturday, June 24 at the French Connection cafe in Annacotty. All proceeds will go to funding Noahs trip to Texas scheduled for October. Noah, who is nonverbal, tube fed, and suffers from severe scoliosis needs speech and eating therapy to understand why he is unable to swallow. Una has been trying for three years to get a place on the treatment list. Luckily, a cancellation in May opened a spot for the family later this year, now theyre rushing to get the funds needed. The family is racing against the clock to get the funds for the trip as Noah is due recurring spinal surgery at the end of this year and may be fit for plane travel until his teens. Time is flying now, and its been hard organizing everything. Una told Limerick Leader. Una hasnt been able get an answer from Irish doctors about why Noah is unable to talk or swallow. Nobody knows if hell ever talk. said Una. Noah is due for brain surgery in two weeks to remedy a Chiari malformation that is preventing access to his spine for surgery needed to aid his scoliosis. More information on the fundraiser can be found here. CLOSED circuit television (CCTV) cameras along a riverside path which has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour are not live-monitored, it's emerged. At this month's metropolitan district meeting, concerns were raised around the problems being experienced by people using a popular walkway connecting University of Limerick (UL) with the city centre. Calls were made for plain-clothes garda officers to be deployed after councillors detailed a series of incidents which have taken place by people using the Canal Bank, with youngsters using scrambler bikes coming in for particular criticism. Labour councillor Conor Sheehan asked which CCTV cameras were turned on in the Canal Bank area from Lelia Street to UL and Shannon Fields. In a written response from the local authority's head of digital Alan Dooley, he was told the 20 operational cameras are not monitored minute-by-minute. "The Canal and River Bank CCTV scheme operated by Limerick City and County Council consists of 11 poles with two cameras each giving a total of 22 cameras. At present, 20 cameras are recording back to our monitoring centre located at Moyross Community Enterprise Centre," he explained. He confirmed: "These cameras are not live monitored, they are recording only. The one pole which is currently not connected to the scheme is expected to be online in the coming weeks." UNIVERSITY Hospital Limerick has once again come under scrutiny as a report from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) highlights persistent overcrowding issues in the hospital's emergency department, which is persisting to impact patient privacy and dignity. The report, published this Friday, reveals that despite some improvements since last year's inspection, the emergency department remains severely overcrowded, with 72 patients waiting for inpatient beds on trolleys and chairs. HIQA conducted an unannounced inspection at University Hospital Limerick on February 21 and February 22 2023, focusing on the quality and safety of services in the emergency department and the wider hospital. The inspection aimed to assess the effectiveness of improvements made following HIQA's previous inspection in March 2022. In the emergency department, the hospital was found to be partially compliant with three out of four national standards assessed during the inspection. This indicates some progress compared to the previous year's findings, where only one standard was partially compliant. UHL was found to be 'non-compliant' in one area - relating to the privacy, dignity and autonomy of service users. "There were limited isolation facilities in the hospital and the shortfall in these facilities will not be addressed under current plans until such time as the new bed block is built and operational in late 2024. Adequate physical distancing between beds in nightingale wards was difficult to maintain," states the report. "Doors of rooms were left open where patients requiring transmission-based precautions were cohorted, which is not consistent with effective infection prevention and control practices. Inadequate storage facilities was an issue in all clinical areas visited. Collectively, these issues presented a potential risk to patient safety on the day of inspection," it adds. Read the full report here. Positive changes included improved management arrangements, increased nurse staffing levels, and better organisation and management of services, resulting in shorter treatment times and lengths of stay for patients. However, despite these improvements, the overcrowding issue remains. The 72 patients waiting for inpatient beds continue to experience a lack of privacy and dignity, despite the dedicated efforts of the hospital staff. Although some of the risk issues identified in the 2022 inspection have been addressed, the hospital must find sustainable solutions to tackle the ongoing problem. The inspection findings for areas other than the emergency department were more positive, with eight out of 11 national standards assessed found to be compliant or substantially compliant. Care provided in these areas demonstrated better privacy and dignity for patients. Nevertheless, the report highlighted the need for improvements in hospital infrastructure, staffing levels, and the use of audits to drive further enhancements. To address the persistent overcrowding, the hospital has outlined several planned measures. These include the development of two additional 96-bed blocks to increase inpatient bed capacity, the first of these blocks is intended to be opened in late 2024 or early 2025, with the second intended to open in 2027. Also included are efforts made to enhance work organisation and efficiency, initiatives to provide alternate care pathways for older patients, and improved workforce planning and vacancy filling. Following the inspection, HIQA engaged with senior management within the Health Service Executive (HSE) to support the hospital and confirm the report's findings. HIQA emphasised the need for comprehensive support at a regional level, including acute, community, and general practice services, to address the overcrowding situation in University Hospital Limerick. The hospital has submitted a compliance plan in response to the inspection findings, outlining short, medium, and long-term actions to address the identified issues. THE GENERAL election may still be almost two years away, but the Limerick City constituency has its first declared candidate. Independent councillor Frankie Daly has launched his bid for Dail Eireann at an event in the Strand Hotel in the city centre. He will run under the banner of the rural Independent TDs, which will change its name shortly to reflect the fact urban candidates will join the group. Current rural Independent TDs Richard O'Donoghue, Michael Collins and Mattie McGrath were in Limerick for the launch of Cllr Dalys second Oireachtas attempt. The Irish Estates man confirmed he is to run, and plans to have a formal launch in the coming months and is aligned with the Independent grouping, which is to become known as the Rural and Community grouping. It's about providing something fresh, having a united voice and being accountable to the people. We are providing an alternative, added Cllr Daly. Mr ODonoghue, who won a seat in the rural Limerick constituency at the 2020 general election, said a number of candidates will be declaring around the country for the Rural Independent group. We have a grouping put together of people who want to run with our group so we are looking a name change which will bring in urban and rural, he confirmed. Councillor Daly also ran in the 2020 general election, where he was something of a surprise package, securing 3,200 first preference votes. He was the last candidate to fail to be returned to the four-seater City constituency, after Green TD Brian Leddin pipped him. Mr ODonoghue believes Cllr Daly stands to benefit from any drop-off in the Green Party vote this time. People have seen what the Greens are doing, putting in change without infrastructure. We all have a Green agenda, but you have to be practical in putting infrastructure in to achieve it, he said. The summer before his first Oireachtas bid, Cllr Daly stormed to the top of the poll on the northside at the local council elections, returned with almost 400 votes to spare. It was his second time being elected as a councillor, having first stood under the Labour banner in 2014, before becoming an Independent in 2017. Mr O'Donoghue added: I worked with Frankie within the local authority. He is very passionate about Limerick, the people of Limerick and the youth of Limerick as he works within the youth service. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Richard O' Donoghue TD (@richardodonoghuetd) The Independent TD has high aims for his grouping, hoping they have a say in the formation of the next government, and make decisions for the whole of the country. PUPILS in a county Limerick school ended their school year with an exciting visit from some of Limericks hurling heroes. The pupils of Croom National School were visited by Limerick senior hurlers Cathal ONeill, Adam English and Colin Coughlan on Thursday morning. The trio took part in the morning assembly and presented students with the weekly awards for Star of the Week, Gaeilgeoir na Seachtaine and Active Person of the Week. Vice-principal Patrick Wallace led the 4th, 5th and 6th class pupils in a rendition of Dreams by the Cranberries, the unofficial anthem of the Limerick senior hurling team, to wrap up the assembly. The players then visited each classroom individually, signing jerseys and spending time with the pupils. Delighted to have Limerick senior hurlers Cathal ONeill, Adam English and Colin Coughlan visit the school this morning and take part in the prize giving for Stars of the week! Huge excitement and a lovely way to sign off the year with a rendition of Dreams! pic.twitter.com/FBZHHx2Zgm Croom National School (@CroomSchool) June 22, 2023 The visit came about through a connection with a parent, Robert Twomey, at the school. According to school principal Emmett Murphy: the kids were absolutely mesmerised that their heroes were giving them their award for Star of the Week, Gaeilgeoir na Seachtaine and Active Person of the Week, etc. They were all delighted. Cathal ONeill then said a few words, he wished the kids all the best for the summer, he was great, Mr Murphy continued. The kids went back to classes and the lads, Adam and Colin and Cathal, gave us great time. They split up and they went to each class to sign jerseys and hurleys and sliotars. So a great morning, the guts of about two or three hours they were here in the school, it was fantastic. FRENCH pastry chef Olivier Stievenard has joined the Adare Manor team in Limerick after accepting the role of Executive Pastry Chef. Olivier began his career at 18 working in the renowned Michelin-star restaurant, Brasserie Lutetia in Paris and attributes these early years as the formative time where he learned his craft. I believe it was these years at Lutetia where I learnt everything I know today about the art of being a pastry chef. Olivier went on to open his own chocolate shop Patisserie Chocolaterie Stievenard in the north of France at the age of 27 where he successfully ran the shop for six years and served his own baked goods, pastries, chocolate and ice cream. To further develop his career and improve his English, Olivier moved to England in 2014 where he helped to open two French patisseries in Manchester. While in Manchester he made many Irish friends in the industry and was persuaded to spend a year working around Ireland and during this time he decided he would like to move here. Before settling down in Ireland, Olivier took a role in the Caribbean for three years where he worked on a private island in Antigua as Executive Pastry Chef at Jumby Bay Island luxury resort. In January 2022, Olivier moved to Ireland to take over as Executive Pastry Chef for the newly launched Cashel Palace in Tipperary, from which he joined Adare Manor as Executive Pastry Chef. Olivier has now moved to Adare with his wife and children. A NEW STRATEGY is being developed which it's hoped will lead to a world class waterfront in Limerick. Limerick City and County Council has teamed up with urban design company Metropolitan Workshop, which will develop a new vision for the Arthur's Quay area of the city centre. As part of this, the public have been having their say on how theyd like the area to appear in the future. Attendees at a special open day in the University of Limerick's city centre campus in the former Dunnes Stores building at Sarsfield Street were given the opportunity to contribute to an 'engagement map. Looking at a current overhead map of the area, people were asked to identify using colour-coded stickers what they'd like to see introduced, with improved retail, water access, housinh, culture and improved green spaces all options. Denise Murray, who leads Metropolitan Workshop's Irish studio said: What we are doing is looking at how the buildings interact with each other. Council want to develop the park as part of its world class waterfront project. So we are working with them to gather everyones points of views. She said that city centre housing in the area was one of the things raised, including notably from An Taisce Limerick. People also want to see the old tourist office brought back into use as a cafe or for community use as soon as possible. It would activate the park as a reason to go there, she said. If traffic needs to come through Arthur's Quay, what we're hearing is that it could be civilised a bit, and maybe the emphasis should switch to the pedestrian. Cars could pass through at a more gentle speed and have better connections to buildings, Ms Murray added. While UL hosted the consultation event this Friday, staff from Metropolitan Workshop will go on location to Arthur's Quay Park this Saturday to get the views of its regular users. Based on all the feedback, its staff will return in either September or October with proposals for Arthur's Quay, which will be used as a guide to development. Ms Murray said it's then hoped a full framework document will be ready before Christmas. The son of Irish president Michael D Higgins has criticised the Governments Consultative Forum on International Security Policy during its meeting at University of Galway. Michael Higgins Jr, who worked at Irelands mission to the UN in New York, described the forum as having an alarmist tone and said the idea of peace had been omitted from discussions. He told the forum that Irelands future security is much better served by phone calls rather than fighter jets. Speaking from the audience during a period of questions for the first panel, Mr Higgins said: It is great that we have these public debates but it is much better when they dont take place in a kind of fractious or distrustful environment. Because of that, I think the conspicuous and glaring omission of peace from this forum and the kind of alarmist tone of the material tone associated with it has been unhelpful. Would it not have been better to strike a tone of reassurance, of calm? The reality is, Ireland is still one of the least threatened countries in the world. We are held in high regard internationally. His father, President Higgins, had been critical of the forum and warned that Ireland is playing with fire in a drift towards Nato. President Higgins also criticised the make-up of those invited to speak at the security forum, stating the speakers were comprised of the admirals, the generals, the air force, the rest of it. During Fridays panel, Mr Higgins Jr told the forum that Irelands diplomatic achievements with the African Council in Ethiopia would not have happened if we were members of Nato. He said neutrality was essential to Irelands election to the UN Security Council. Much more than that, it was intrinsic to how potent, how influential we were, at the United Nations. Small countries have to be able to appeal at a cross-regional level to have impact at the UN. He added that it was hard to overestimate how disliked Nato was among African nations. In contrast, Ireland has a great record in Africa. In this episode of Chasing Sleep, hosts Katie Lowes and Adam Shapiro dive into the connection between sleep and creativity, exploring the value of quality sleep to the creative process. Dr. Sara C. Mednick, author of 'The Power of the Downstate' and 'Take a Nap! Change Your Life,' explains how specific sleep phases like REM sleep influence physiological processes and brain waves to enhance creativity. We're also joined by musical composer Andrew 'Drew' Edwards, renowned for his work in film and TV scoring. Drew shares his personal story of how getting on a sleep schedule that aligned with his sleep cycles allows for maximum creativity. In this episode of Chasing Sleep, hosts Katie Lowes and Adam Shapiro dive into the connection between sleep and creativity, exploring the value of quality sleep to the creative process. Dr. Sara C. Mednick, author of "The Power of the Downstate" and "Take a Nap! Change Your Life," explains how specific sleep phases like REM sleep influence physiological processes and brain waves to enhance creativity. We're also joined by musical composer Andrew "Drew" Edwards, renowned for his work in film and TV scoring. Drew shares his personal story of how getting on a sleep schedule that aligned with his sleep cycles allows for maximum creativity. #2: the perception of moral decline is an illusion Participants in the foregoing studies believed that morality has declined, and they believed this in every decade and in every nation we studied. They believed the decline began somewhere around the time they were born, regardless of when that was, and they believed it continues to this day. They believed the decline was a result both of individuals becoming less moral as they move through time and of the replacement of more moral people by less moral people. And they believed that the people they personally know and the people who lived before they did are exceptions to this rule. About all these things, they were almost certainly mistaken. One reason they may have held these mistaken beliefs is that they may typically have encountered more negative than positive information about the morality of contemporaries whom they did not personally know, and the negative information may have faded more quickly from memory or lost its emotional impact more quickly than the positive information did, leading them to believe that people today are not as kind, nice, honest or good as once upon a time they were. Like all studies, ours have limitations. For example, studies 1 and 4 made use of archival data that were not collected for the purposes to which we put them and that were therefore less than ideal. For example, some of the items we analysed asked participants for their perceptions of changes in moral values without specifying what those values were, some failed to specify the time in the past to which the present was to be compared, and some contained ambiguous wording that was not optimal for extracting accurate measures of peoples perceptions of moral decline. Moreover, all the items asked participants about the presence or absence of moral decline rather than asking them to rate the level of morality of people in both the present and the past. These limitations were addressed by studies 2ac, but these studies had limitations of their own (for example, all participants were from the United States). And although studies 5ab demonstrated the viability of the BEAM mechanism, they do not tell us whether it was the cause of the illusion of moral decline that our other studies documented. With that said, the illusion of moral decline seems to be a robust phenomenon that may have troubling consequences. For example, in 2015, 76% of US Americans agreed that addressing the moral breakdown of the country should be a high priority for their government27. The United States faces many well-documented problems, from climate change and terrorism to racial injustice and economic inequalityand yet, most US Americans believe their government should devote scarce resources to reversing an imaginary trend. The belief that everyday morality is on the wane may also affect peoples interpersonal behaviour. For example, research shows that people are reluctant to seek the aid and comfort of those whom they do not know because they underestimate how willingly those people would provide it4,28,29. The illusion of moral decline may be one of the reasons people do not depend as much as they might on the kindness of strangersan act that might well ameliorate the illusion itself. The illusion of moral decline may also leave people dangerously susceptible to manipulation by bad actors. Research shows that people are especially influenced by dynamic norms, which are perceived changes in customary ways of behaving5. If low morality is a cause for concern, then declining morality may be a veritable call to arms, and leaders who promise to halt that illusory slideto make America great again, as it weremay have outsized appeal. Our studies indicate that the perception of moral decline is pervasive, perdurable, unfounded and easily produced. Achieving a better understanding of this phenomenon would seem a timely task. US authorities, including the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Attorneys Office in Brooklyn, New York, are enquiring about the representations made by Adani Group to its American investors in the wake of the Hindenburg Researchs report that accused the company of using offshore companies to manipulate its share prices, Bloomberg reported. The institutional investors with large holdings in the Indian conglomerate have received inquiries from the Attorneys Office in Brooklyn and SEC asking for the information on what Adani group told those investors, the report added quoting sources. Adani Group spokesperson told the news agency that it was not aware of any subpoenas to investors. Our various issuers groups remain confident that the disclosures are full and complete as disclosed in the relevant issuer offering circulars," the spokesperson told Bloomberg. The Gautam Adani-led group is already regulatory probes in India following the short seller's report accusing it of long-running stock manipulation and accounting fraud. However, law enforcement agencies in the US often open inquiries that dont lead to action and these requests for information dont necessarily mean that criminal or civil proceedings will be filed. In January 2023, Hindenburg released a report accusing the conglomerate of using a network of offshore companies in tax havens to embellish share prices and financial results. The report also alleged that the group had flouted disclosure and shareholding laws. Adani Group has already rejected the accusations saying that Hindenburgs report was nothing short of a calculated securities fraud." The market value of Adani Group's 10 listed companies witnessed a steep fall that wiped as much as $153 billion at one point. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut Adani Group stocks from its ESG funds in the weeks following the report. Other institutional money managers, like BlackRock Inc. and and the fund management unit of Deutsche Bank AG, stayed put. In the months following the report, GQG Partners LLC had spent about $2.5 billion in five Adani Group stocks, the Bloomberg report said. In a bid to reassure investors, Adani Group in March met with Pacific Investment Management Company, BlackRock and Blackstone Inc. as part of a plan to market privately placed bonds for some of its companies, Bloomberg previously reported. Vice Media has finalised its sale to a group of buyers including Fortress Investment Group after a deal of paying out $ 222 million to the bankrupt company, reported Reuters based on a legal filing. Company's auction on Thursday was cancelled and its officials are set to appear for a hearing related to the selling of the company. The hearing to approve the sale of Vice Media was scheduled to be held on Friday, according to a filing with the U.S. bankruptcy court in Manhattan on Thursday. Vice Media filed for bankruptcy last month Vice Media enjoys a vast young audience across the globe through its websites Vice and Motherboard. The company filed for bankruptcy protection last month in a move that capped years of financial difficulties and top-executive departures. Vice disclosed that lenders led by Fortress offered about $225 million in the form of a credit bid. The amount was offered for almost all of the company's assets and some of its liabilities. GoDigital made a higher bid, but Vice sellers turned down the offer GoDigital Media had offered a higher bid for Vice, but their offer was turned down by the sellers, Reuters found. "We think Fortress's decision is the wrong choice, and the company, employees, partners, and consumers will suffer," GoDigital said in an emailed statement to Reuters. The Vice value reached its peak in 2017 when the company's valuation rose to $5.7 billion at its peak in 2017. The company received a major chunk of investment from James Murdoch's Lupa Systems, TPG, Technology Crossover Ventures, and Antenna Group. Possible reasons for the downfall of Vice Media One of the prime reasons that led to the downfall of Vice Media is the skewed ad-revenue system which sees the dominance of big tech platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Alphabet's Google. Internet media publications have suffered majorly to grow their ad-dependent revenue. On the other hand, big firms like Facebook and Insta have become an attractive option for digital advertisers. The ad market was also hit hard due to the COVID pandemic, which posed a challenge for the publishers. The Adani Group on Friday said that it was not aware of of any subpoena being issued to investors by authorities in the United States. It said that its various issuers' groups remain confident that the disclosures issued by the company are full and complete. Adani operates a robust corporate governance framework and is strongly committed to following all laws and regulations in all of its different markets. We strongly reject any suggestion that Adani Group and its businesses have not acted as per the regulations and accounting standards of the jurisdictions in which they operate," said Adani Group in its statement We are not aware of any such subpoena to investors. Our various issuers groups remain confident that the disclosures are full and complete as disclosed in the relevant issuer offering circulars. We request the media to avoid needless speculation at this time and wait for SEBI and the Hon'ble Supreme Court to complete their work and submit their findings," it added. Adani Group stocks are in red territory after the US Attorney's Office in Brooklyn, New York, has sent inquiries in recent months to investors with large holdings in Adani Group, focused on what the ports-to-power giant told them, reported Bloomberg News on Thursday. The US Securities and Exchange Commission also has a similar probe underway, Bloomberg reported. The authorities are looking into the representations that Adani made to its American investors following short-seller Hindenburg's report, it added. The interest from US authorities adds to the intense scrutiny of billionaire Gautam Adani led group following short seller Hindenburg Researchs report accusing it of stock manipulation and accounting fraud. Supreme Court had asked market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to probe into the allegations and submit its finding to a six-member expert panel. The panel reviewed the explanations given by the regulator that there was no evident pattern of manipulative contribution to price rise. All 10 Adani Group stocks dropped in early Mumbai trading on Friday, with flagship Adani Enterprises shares fell 6.88% to 2,231 on BSE. Shares of Adani Ports ended 4.38% down, Adani Power declined by 5.49%, and Adani Transmission declined more than 5%, while Adani Total Gas was down by 3%, Adani Green Energy was down by 2.06%, and Adani Wilmar plunged over 3%, and Adani Wilmar plunged over 2% ADANI POWER More Information ADANI GREEN ENERGY More Information ADANI TOTAL GAS More Information ADANI TRANSMISSION More Information ADANI WILMAR More Information ADANI PORTS & SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE More Information The United Kingdom government has said that Indian clearing houses overseen by the nations central bank meet its regulatory requirements, a move that may help resolve the ongoing impasse over allowing overseas regulators oversight over local counterparties. The legal framework of India, as implemented by the Reserve Bank of India, provides for an effective equivalent system for the recognition of central counterparties authorized under other regimes of other countries," according to the UK Treasury documents. This change is a prerequisite for Bank of England to recognize overseas counterparties. The move now paves the way for British banks like Barclays Plc and Standard Chartered Plc, with a significant presence in India, to continue trading in the South Asian nation using the Clearing Corp. of India platform. Hundreds of billions of rupees of trading in government bonds and interest-rate derivatives was threatened to be disrupted with European and British banks required to move away from the platform as the European Securities and Markets Authority, or ESMA, withdrew recognition to six Indian central counterparties from May 2023. The British ruling would have kicked in from July. For non-British banks, the standoff continues with ESMAs withdrawal of recognition to counterparties. German and French regulators in February extended by 18 months the time their banks have to transfer trading positions from Indian clearing houses. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Instagram and Facebook users in Canada will not be able to view news as Meta has decided to impose restrictions on news feeds in the country because of a bill. Canada has passed a bill requiring internet giants to pay news publishers. Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram said it will block access to news for all users in Canada once a parliament-approved legislation. What does Canada's media bill say? The legislation, known as the Online News Act was proposed after complaints from Canada's media industry which wants tighter regulation of tech companies to prevent them from elbowing news businesses out of the online advertising market. The legislation aims to support a struggling Canadian news sector that has seen hundreds of publications closed in the last decade. The federal government introduced Bill C-18 in April 2022 intending to force digital giants, such as Meta and Google, to compensate news publishers for the use of their content. The bill was pitched as a way to support an industry that has seen a steady decline since the emergence of the Internet. According to the government, more than 470 media outlets in Canada have closed since 2008. Moreover, one-third of journalism jobs disappeared over that same time. Bill C-18 is modelled on Australia's stringent rules against tech companies. Australia became the first country that forced digital companies to pay for the use of news content. Australia's New Media Bargaining Code aimed at making Google and Meta pay for news content on their platforms. The country had accused the two companies, who dominate online advertising, of draining cash away from traditional news organizations while using their content for free. The Canadian government had asked tech companies that the compensation amount to the news publishers would be used to fund the creation of more news content. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Meta and Google were using "bullying tactics" as they campaign against the legislation. What are Meta and Google saying? Big tech firms had fiercely opposed the Canadian legislation. Meta said, "Today, we are confirming that news availability will be ended on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada before the Online News Act takes effect". Earlier Facebook categorically said news has no economic value to the company and that its users do not use the platform for news. Google and Facebook had also threatened to curtail their services in Australia when similar rules were passed into law. Both eventually struck deals with Australian media companies after amendments to the legislation were offered. Infosys share price declined over a per cent in morning trade on BSE on Friday (June 23) and looked on course to extend its losing run into the third consecutive session amid weak market sentiment on concerns over rate hikes. Shares of Infosys have been under pressure for the last one year amid concerns over a slowdown in key markets in the US and Europe. Shares of Infosys are down 12 per cent in the last one year against a three per cent gain in the BSE IT index and a 21 per cent gain in the equity benchmark Sensex. The stock hit its 52-week high of 1,672.45 on December 1, 2022. As of June 22, 2023 close, the stock is down 23 per cent from its one-year high. Brokerage firm Motilal Oswal Financial Services remains positive about Infosys for the medium to long term as the company's structural growth prospects remain intact. Moreover, the stock looks attractive on the valuation front as it has corrected significantly (more than 30 per cent from the peak) and is trading at an attractive valuation of 18 times FY25E EPS (earnings per share). Motilal Oswal Financial Services has a 'buy' call on the stock with a target price of 1,520, implying a 19 per cent upside as the brokerage firm expects Infosys to be a key beneficiary of the acceleration in IT spending in the medium term. The brokerage firm said even though the near-term demand remains weak, long-term demand for IT services remains intact and the companies in this space should see a good bounce-back once the macro environment stabilises. Motilal, however, pointed out that the recent "reports about the exit of two senior executives of Infosys - Narsimha Mannepalli and Vishal Salvi (both with responsibilities including delivery), may bring back investor concerns about leadership attrition increasing post the exit of copresidents, Ravi Kumar and Mohit Joshi over the last three quarters." "Investors need to be watchful of further exits, especially in delivery leadership, as our channel checks earlier this month indicated high demand for delivery-related roles in the tech industry," Motilal said. However, the brokerage firm believes this is an addressable risk even though any supply-demand gap in project management could potentially hurt project timelines in the short term. Infosys' Q4FY23 numbers missed Street estimates. Its profit after tax (PAT) came in at 6,128 crore down by nearly 16 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) while revenue also dipped by 2.2 per cent QoQ to 37,441 crore. In constant currency, the company's revenue growth came in at 3.2 per cent QoQ and 8.8 per cent YoY. The operating margin stood at 21 per cent in Q4. The company also declared a final dividend of 17 per share for FY23. Technical analysts think this is not a suitable time for fresh buying in the stock. Jigar S. Patel, Senior Manager of Equity Research at Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers pointed out that at the current juncture, Infosys is trading below all key exponential moving averages along with daily RSI reversing from 55 levels which is hinting towards downside to 1,220-1,230 levels which would be ideal buy price. He advises avoiding fresh longs at the current juncture. View Full Image Infosys technical chart Gaurav Bissa, VP of InCred Equities observed Infosys witnessed a strong correction after its last quarterly numbers. Though it has managed to bounce back smartly from the lows made in April, it has failed to capitalize on the strong rally seen in the markets and also dragged the Nifty IT index lower. "The stock is forming a bearish continuation in the short term with a clear breakout seen in daily charts resulting in a correction followed by a consolidation and fresh breakdown. The current upside in Infosys from 1,150 levels halted around 1,350 levels which was the breakdown retest on the daily charts. The stock has slipped strongly since then and is trading in a consolidation phase. The stock is expected to trade in the 1,150-1,350 range for the next few weeks unless a break of either of the levels is confirmed," said Bissa. INFOSYS More Information 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. MOTILAL OSWAL FINANCIAL SERVICES More Information BSE More Information Centre on 23 June has amended Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 with two changes to the prevailing power tariff system. The two changes that has been amended are introduction of Time of Day (ToD) Tariff, and rationalization of smart metering provisions. Under the Time of Day (ToD) Tariff, the official notification states that the price for electricity will vary according to the time of day, rather than being charged for electricity at the same rate at all times of the day. The tariff during solar hours which is about eight hours in a day as specified by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission of the day shall be 10-20 percent less than the normal tariff, while that during the peak hours will be 10 to 20 percent higher. As per the official release, ToD tariff would be applicable for Commercial and Industrial consumers having maximum demand of 10 KW and above, from 1st April, 2024 and for all other consumers except agricultural consumers, latest from 1st April, 2025. Time of Day tariff shall be made effective immediately after installation of smart meters, for the consumers with smart meters, it states. In another change, the Centre has also simplified rules for smart metering. To avoid inconvenience and harassment of the consumers, the existing penalties for increase in consumers demand beyond the maximum sanctioned load / demand have been reduced," it said. As per the amendment in metering provision, post the installation of a smart meter, no penal charges will be imposed on a consumer based on maximum demand recorded by the smart meter for the period before installation date. Smart meters shall be read remotely at least once in a day and the data shall be shared with Consumers in order to enable them to take informed decision about consumption of electricity, it said. Former US President Barack Obama during a media interview made statements on protection of the rights of ethnic minorities in India. He added that if rights of minorities in India are not protected, there is a strong possibility of the country "at some point starts pulling apart". His remarks came during an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour. He added that if a US president meets with PM Modi, "then protection of the Muslim minority in a majority-Hindu India, that is something worth mentioning." During the interview he said, "By the way, if I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you do not protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, then there is a strong possibility that India, at some point, starts pulling apart. And we have seen what happens when you start getting those kinds of large internal conflicts. So that would be contrary to the interests not just of Muslim Indians but also Hindu Indians. I think it is important to be able to talk about these things honestly. Things are not going to be as clean as you like, because the world is complicated," Obama told CNN. The president of the United States has a lot of equities. And when I was president, I would deal with figures in some cases who were allies, who, you know, if you pressed me in private, do they run their governments and their political parties in ways that I would say are ideally democratic? Id have to say no," he said as quotes by CNN. During the interview, Obama also said that when he was the President he had worked with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Paris accords to deal with climate change. He also added that it is important for the US president to say that if China is sending Ughurs to mass camps and they are being "re-educated, that's a problem and a challenge to all of us" and there is a need to pay attention to it. During the joint sitting of the US Congress, PM Modi highlighted 'India's unity in diversity.' "India is the home to all faiths in the world and we celebrate all of them. In India, diversity is a natural way of life, today the world wants to know more and more about India," PM Modi said. He also stoutly defended his government's record on democracy and human rights, asserting democracy is "in our spirit...and flows in our veins" and that there was no discrimination against minorities. Meanwhile, reacting to Obama's comments, Bharatiya Janata Party Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda slammed him and said it is preposterous to see the former US President "pander to the anti-India crowd, lecturing India in the same breath as China for its atrocities in Xinjiang". Panda in a tweet noted that Obama's remarks came when PM Modi is in Washington and two sides are lavishing attention to bilateral ties. "While @pewresearch finds 98 per cent of India's Muslims say they're free to practice their religion without hindrance, it is preposterous to see @BarackObama pander to the anti-India crowd, lecturing India in the same breath as China for its atrocities in Xinjiang. This, when President @JoeBiden is hosting PM @narendramodi & lavishing attention on the US-India relationship. And by a former President on whose watch race relations exploded in his country. Tsk, tsk, talk about hypocrisy and false narratives," he wrote. One of the largest gatherings of its kind in recent years, the meeting in Patna brings together 18 opposition parties , carrying particular significance as the next general elections are only nine months away. However, the focus of the discussion is unlikely to revolve around regional arrangements, alignments, or the concept of a common minimum program. Instead, the recent ordinance by the Union government concerning the control of bureaucrats in Delhi is expected to heavily influence the proceedings. Leaders participating in the meeting anticipate a potential clash between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party due to this matter. Here are top ten key updates. 1. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who advocates for opposition unity against the ordinance, may raise objections if the Congress party maintains a non-committal stance, as reported by The Hindustan Times citing sources. This potential disagreement could undermine the prospects of opposition unity even before it materializes. 2. The ordinance, issued by President Droupadi Murmu on May 20, was introduced to counteract the Supreme Court's ruling, which granted the elected Delhi government under Kejriwal the authority to legislate and oversee "services" in the national capital. The ordinance established an administrative body consisting of the Chief Minister and two bureaucrats, stating that all decisions would be made through majority voting. 3. Although several opposition parties have expressed their support for Kejriwal, the Congress, which is the arch-rival of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, Punjab, and other states, has remained silent on the matter. Despite Kejriwal's request for a meeting, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi, both of whom are participating in the opposition meeting, have not yet held discussions with him. However, it may prove challenging for them to avoid such a meeting on Friday. 4. Under pressure, the Congress party is unlikely to lend support to Kejriwal's stance. According to senior leaders, the principal opposition party does not feel obligated to take a position on the Delhi ordinance during the Patna meeting. One Congress strategist stated, The monsoon session is a month away. How can AAP force us to take a stand." 5. According to a leader from another party, who is actively involved in organizing the highly anticipated meeting, their understanding differs. One of the main areas of discussion would be the federal structure and the Narendra Modi governments unnecessary interference in the Opposition-ruled states. The Delhi ordinance issue can be discussed in this larger context." 6. Certain participating parties are anticipated to put forth the idea of fielding common candidates in approximately 400-450 seats to maximize the non-BJP votes. However, there is skepticism among others regarding whether seat sharing, which is arguably the most contentious issue in the coalition formation, can be effectively discussed and resolved during the initial meeting of these parties. 7. Parties with 30+ MPs (Congress, TMC, DMK) will obviously have a greater say. We will emphasize on the points on agreement and not to go with points of disagreement. Price rise, employment, interference with states, federal issues, people issues will be discussed and will form the binding glue for opposition unity," said a senior TMC leader. 8. Vijay Chowdhary, a leader of Nitish Kumar's party and a minister in Bihar, described the upcoming Patna conclave as a significant and unprecedented event. He emphasized that it would be a historic meeting since no similar gathering had taken place previously. Chowdhary expressed his belief that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could be defeated, stating that although opposition parties may have differences at the state level, this meeting would enable them to come together and make a collective decision to fight together. 9. The expected participants of the 2023 Opposition meet includes Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren, West Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Punjab Chief Minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann, and Jammu and Kashmir's Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti. 10. Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary will skip the opposition leaders' huddle in Patna on Friday due to a family programme but expressed hope the meeting will be an "important milestone in the path of opposition unity", reported ANI. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, and Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao refused to join the opposition party meet. (With inputs from agencies) In a bid to tap the growing opportunities in India's financial sector, Apple Inc is planning to launch its credit card in India, also known as Apple Card. The iPhone maker is planning to tie up with HDFC bank to bring its credit card to its Indian customers, reported Moneycontrol citing sources. Also Read: Google takes a dig at Apple in new ad campaign, says iPhones have plateaued During the launch of Apple stores in India, CEO Tim Cook met with HDFC Bank CEO and MD Sashidhar Jagdishan in April, anonymous sources told the business website. However, Mint couldn't independently verify the news. Also Read: Want to buy Apple iPhone 14 under 40,000? You should not miss THIS deal on Flipkart The discussion about the Apple Card is in its primitive stage and there has been no concrete decision taken till now. Other than holding discussions with the HDFC Bank CEO, Apple Inc executives have also held discussions with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) related to the legalities of the card, found Monecontrol. Apple was asked by the RBI to follow the regular procedure laid out for other co-branded credit cards. India's central bank made it clear that there will be no special concessions made for the iPhone maker to bring its credit card to India. Also Read: Apple iPhone export from India surges to 10,000 crore in May: Report As of now, there have been no official statements by both Apple and HDFC Bank on the deal. There has been no official confirmation by the RBI as well. Countries where Apple Card is available As of now, Apple operates its premium credit card in the USA. The card was launched in joint collaboration with Goldman Sachs and Mastercard. It is made of titanium metal and is positioned as a high-end offering. Features of Apple Card -Customers using the Apple Card for making regular purchases with the physical card can earn upto 1% of cashback, which increases to 2% if payment is done with Apple Pay. For those who are using the card for making payment at Apple stores and selected partners, cashback percentage reaches to 3%. - There is no late fees charged by Apple to its Apple card holders. The company does not charge on foreign transaction, returned payment, or annual credit card fees. However, users have to pay interest fees generated for carrying balance. -Savings: Apple card owners can open 4.15% savings account (No minimum balance limit) to deposit their daily cash. -Every customer will get a unique card number for each device. The number is stored ina secure element which is used by Apple Pay to handle transactions and on-device cryptographic functions. The Threat of Nuclear War: We Are Close to the Ultimate Nightmare - Douglas Macgregor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhNQnqi0gMQ&ab_channel=LondonReal London Real 17,725 2023526 In this exclusive interview, we sit down with retired Colonel Douglas Macgregor to discuss the controversial truth behind the US government's involvement in the Ukraine War. A decorated military strategist and trusted expert, Colonel Macgregor shares his insights on the hidden agendas, political motives, and shocking revelations that have been kept from the public. Join us as we dive deep into this explosive topic, uncovering the lies and deceit that have shaped the narrative of the Ukraine War. which could mean World War III nuclear missiles being deployed; do you think about some of those downsides I mean; I always think of that documentary fog of War' where McNamara talks about how close we were; and I think he had had a conversation 20 30 years later with Castro himself and he said would you have really deployed you know nuclear missiles even knowing that the death and destruction; and they said yes I would have and I think that was his final warning in that movie; that this is this is the biggest existential threat to humankind that no one pays attention to well I think you're right; and I do think people are paying attention the Chinese announced a long time ago no first use; I think Mr Putin has made it very clear that he will not use or employ a nuclear weapon unless there is evidence for our use of it or someone else's use of it against them or the imminent Readiness on Airport to use nuclear weapons. Now we had effectively what was a no first use Doctrine and in March of last year President Biden announced that he was changing it and said that we now reserve the use you know the right to use nuclear weapons at will again someone who uses chemical weapons biological weapons or even uh very large and Powerful Conventional Weapons in other words he's opened Pandora's Box which I think is sheer unadulterated lunacy again this is a manufactured War a manufactured crisis a manufactured conflict this is not something that Russia set out to execute if that had been the case which you would have seen on 22 February of last year would have been a massive offensive by a million Russian troops that would have rolled right through Ukraine without regard to the loss of human life or the loss of property or anything else it ended up immediately on the Polish border that didn't happen because it was never the intention it's sort of interesting the same people who insist well Putin wants to rebuild the Soviet Empire are the same people saying well the Russians are incompetent stupid and unprepared to fight so which is it which position are you going to take now I don't think the Russians are stupid incompetent but I do think they had no intention of fighting a major war and they only maintain the military power they needed for defense and that turned out to be inadequate so now we really are going to see re-emerge it's already begun a powerful Russian military establishment on the European continent in Eurasia far more powerful and far more capable than the Chinese forces we could talk about China but the Chinese militarily are midgets compared to the Russians and the Chinese will admit that that's one of the reasons the Chinese are there hadn't end to try and buy the technology and the capabilities that Russians produce so we're we've created the very thing we said we didn't want and there's the danger do we have some fool who thinks well we can use just a tactical nuclear weapon I always love that what's a tactical nuclear weapon well it's five kilotons or less what does this suggest well it suggests that you know we just want to use a small weapon to make a point this is insane because your opponent is going to say Well they're using a nuclear weapon that means we better use our Arsenal quick or we risk losing it the use of any nuclear weapon under any circumstances it will produce Armageddon we need to understand that and I don't see any evidence for that on Mr Putin's agenda at all but I hear people in Washington say stupid things about it regularly there are still foolish deranged people here who believe you can fight and win a nuclear war impossible it's not going to happen so Jim Rickards has just recorded a video that's not available to anyone in the public and he's going to be talking about how this upcoming recession is going to be fast it's going to be bloody it's going to be nasty but at the same time he's going to show you how you can position yourself to profit from all of this chaos now we've made this video only available to our viewers go to londonreville.tv forward slash gym watch that immediately I can't say enough good things about Jim Rickards he understands the global economic system better than any guest I've ever had on London reel his predictions are almost untannily true and you can learn how to profit from his vision from his expertise and his understanding of Economics so go to londonville.tv forward slash gym or click the link below it's an excellent excellent look on what's going to happen in the future and how you can position yourself to profit from that Jim is one of the best in the business one of my favorite guests on London reel and he's very very good at predicting the future and showing us all the profit from it so click the link and I hope you enjoy hey do you want a profit from crypto then join my defy Academy the crypto defy Academy will help you create generational wealth but don't take my word for it listen to my students when I first got into crypto I remember thinking to myself I need to learn more Brian Rose learning crypto learning defy gotta do it I am so grateful that I jumped in and did this I had to break through some limiting beliefs that I can do this that I can afford this that I can be in this it challenges um the things that are deeply rooted within us joining D5 Academy has been one of the best decisions I have made on my blockchain journey this course was a life changer a game changer a huge eye-opener coming from knowing practically nothing at the speed of the learning over the over four weeks was just fantastic the information you provided in this class was invaluable I feel far more confident in my next steps we took complex Concepts and made them easier to understand what's different than so many other ones is it just doesn't tell you what to do it actually makes you do it this is for people who are serious about becoming traitors this is the way it should be done I realized from this learning experience again that it is not about what you learn but about who you learn it from the energy was insane I've never experienced such incredible energy on a life called Brian Rose you're a legend my friend it's the only thing in the market where you can get all information and learn everything what you need to know everything is so clear and so well done and I'm um just forever grateful for this program it made me feel so much more confident about crypto than I did before I did not anticipate how passionate I was going to become about it it's supposed to be like a big learning experience for me not just in the crypto space but just an overall the values of Life what I've learned is you know how to take ownership you know of my life in a way that I really I really hadn't before yeah you can't put a price on that really I would recommend it to anybody talking [Music] you gotta pay for it but it's so worth it pull the trigger that's what this course is about you're not going to regret it really it's amazing thank you Brian and team so what are you waiting for crypto is happening now click the link below submit your application and let me Mentor you on how to create generational wealth and build the decentralized financial infrastructure of [Music] In a recent announcement, Boeing has revealed plans to invest $100 million in infrastructure and pilot training programs in India. The announcement was made in a White House statement released on Thursday. This investment by Boeing comes after Air India signed firm orders for over 200 jets from Boeing earlier in the week. The orders include 20 787 Dreamliners, 10 777Xs, and 190 737 MAX narrowbody aircraft. Also read: Akasa Air adds four aircraft to its original order book of 72 Boeing 737 Max, targets international expansion On June 20, Tata Group-owned Air India made a significant purchase agreement with Airbus and Boeing, signing deals to acquire a total of 470 aircraft. The agreement was finalised during the ongoing Paris Air Show, marking a major milestone for the airline company. According to Air India's official statement, the purchase includes 250 Airbus aircraft and 220 new Boeing jets, with a combined value of $70 billion at list prices. The Air India deal came a day after Indian civil airline company IndiGo, India's largest airline, which placed a historic order for 500 narrow-body aircraft with French aerospace giant Airbus. With IndiGo's order primarily focused on narrow-body planes, the opportunity for wide-body aircraft has opened up, attracting the attention of Boeing, the American aircraft manufacturer, in the long-haul segment. In addition to Air India and IndiGo, Akasa Air, the country's newest airline and a budget carrier, recently ordered four Boeing 737 Max jets, joining the growing list of airlines in India expanding their fleets. The investment by Boeing is seen as a positive development for the aviation sector in India, as it will contribute to the growth and development of pilot training programs and infrastructure in the country. It also highlights the strong ties between Boeing and India's aviation industry. This development also comes along with a series of deals signed by both US and Indian companies during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with President Joe Biden in Washington. Also read: Boeing can fuel IndiGos aspirations (With inputs from Reuters) In a shocking incident in south Delhi's Chittaranjan Park, two masked men on bikes shot at a car, narrowly missing the front passenger seated next to the driver, police informed The bullet pierced through the car's window, injuring the driver's finger. The incident took place on Thursday night. Police have registered a case of firing and attempted murder against the unidentified assailants. Further investigation is underway. One man travelling in the car is suspected of running a betting operation in Sangam Vihar, but the police have not confirmed it. They are investigating personal enmity and business rivalry angles. Deputy commissioner of police (south) Chandan Chowdhary told Hindustan Times that on Thursday evening at 8.14 pm, the police control room received a call regarding firing at C-block in CR Park in which one person was injured. A police team went there and learnt that two people named Sachin Gupta and Waseem Ahmed were travelling in a car. "Gupta was driving the car and talking on the phone. All of a sudden there was a single round shot from the driver's side. The bullet pierced through the driver's side window and injured Gupta's finger. Further enquiry revealed that two persons with their faces covered were following the car on a bike. We are probing the case further," added DCP Chowdhary. (Details awaited) NEW DELHI : The first semiconductor chip from US-based Micron Technology Inc.s plant in India will roll out by December 2024, said Ashwini Vaishnaw, minister for railways, electronics, IT and telecom. The first semiconductor unit of India will be set up by Micron Technologies... Were hopeful that within the next six quarters, we should have the first made-in-India semiconductor chip rolling out of this factory," Vaishnaw said in an interview. Micron leads the memory chip manufacturing used by laptops, mobiles, servers, electric vehicles and telecom equipment and is the fifth largest semiconductor company in the world. So, its a very big endorsement of our semiconductor program," he added. Meanwhile, companies that submitted their applications last year under the $10 billion financial incentive scheme have been asked to reapply. Microns investment will come ahead of those proposed by Vedanta-Foxconn JV, International Semiconductor Consortium (ISMC) and Singapores IGSS Ventures, which submitted their proposals last year. The government subsequently modified the incentive scheme to attract more chipmakers in October and in June 2023. Vaishnaw said that the government requested existing applicants to reapply in light of the modifications made to the $10 billion semiconductor financial incentive scheme, after which the government will evaluate their proposals. All these modifications have to be accounted for by the applicants, so we have asked them that basis the modifications, please resubmit your applications or modify them," Vaishnaw said, noting that the proposals will be processed after thorough checks. He added that some of the companies were also changing their technology partners. Mint had reported earlier that Vedanta-Foxconn was likely to be approved ahead of the other two proposals. Microns plant in Sanand, Gujarat, will see investments of $825 million, with the government contributing the rest on an ongoing basis, totalling $2.75 billion over the next five years. The plant will employ 5,000 and create 15,000 additional indirect jobs. Applied Materials will invest $400 million over the next four years to set up a collaborative engineering centre in Bengaluru, and Lam Research will train 60,000 workforce for semiconductors jobs over 10 years with the virtual simulation programme beginning in August this year. Vaishnaw expects 2-6 new proposals with similar investments as Micron or Applied Materials to emerge in the next 12 months following the modification of the incentive scheme. From our understanding, anywhere from 2-6 good proposals is what we are expecting in the coming 12 months. The investment range were expecting is around equal or more, some slightly less, depending upon the technology and what they would like to focus on," he added. Micron Technology, Applied Materials, and Lam Researchs entry into India will allow foreign companies to diversify their supply chains and mitigate concerns regarding their dependence on China. Theres a natural driving incentive for them. So, the China-plus-one strategy is actually getting started. And that (PLI scheme) is feeding into our electronics manufacturing ecosystem, which is $106 billion," Vaishnaw said, in response to a question on India becoming an alternative to China. The minister added that the government was also in talks with Stanford University, among six global universities, to build talent requirements for the semiconductor ecosystem, besides having tied up with 104 universities in India. He said that about 1 million talent will be required by 2030. Vaishnaw said that Microns semiconductor plant would encourage other prominent names in the semiconductor industry to move to India. The land has been allocated to Micron Technologies in Sanand, and the construction design of the plant has been done. Theyre in the final stages of selecting their construction partners, the minister said. A team of people who have set it up have been identified, and theyve also decided on the products that will be made in India. The cost structure of India is very favourable. When the first unit comes, the associated companies will come; all other suppliers will set their base. I can assure you that some of the big names in the semiconductor industry are already evaluating India," he said, adding that more announcements are expected in the coming months. India is focusing on developing an ecosystem for semiconductor manufacturing, with the government actively engaging with several companies, including those supplying acrylic resins, aluminium nitride, chemicals, and gases required for chipmaking. Each and every company has been contacted by us. Very clearly, our focus has been on getting the ecosystem in place," he said. New Delhi: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has amended its rules in order to implement changes, announced in the FY24 budget, to the new personal income tax regime and to set out the modalities for tax payers who wish to switch between the old and new regimes. The tax authority also capped at 40% the depreciation rate applicable for assets of individuals with business income, showed the Income-tax (Tenth Amendment) Rules, 2023. Under the new personal income tax regime, no additional depreciation will be available and although different rates are available for different classes of assets, the maximum rate applicable is capped at 40%, explained Deepesh Chheda, partner at Dhruva Advisors, a tax advisory firm. In the current years tax return filing, that is, for income earned in FY23, the old tax regime is the default regime and in case individuals or Hindu Undivided Families with business or professional income want to choose the new regime, they must submit a declaration to the income tax department, explained Archit Gupta, founder and CEO of Clear, a business-to-business fintech software as a service (SaaS) company. By submitting the declaration, they can inform the income tax department of their choice. However, as per the change in rules, for FY24 income, (next years tax filing) the new tax regime is the default regime. Tax payers with business or professional income who want to opt for the old regime, must submit a declaration in form 10IEA, said Gupta. Experts also said that since the new tax regime has been made the default tax regime for FY24 income, persons with income from business or profession have to file this form every year to continue in the old personal income tax regime. Sandeep Sehgal, partner - tax at AKM Global, a tax and consulting firm said this may increase the compliance burden. Even for withdrawing from the regime, this form is required to be filed. However, persons having no income from business or profession are required to opt for new or old regime only while filing the return of income, which is a welcome move since they do not have to fulfil the extra compliance of furnishing a separate form," said Sehgal. Those having income from business or profession can use the provision to opt out of and subsequently opt back into the new regime, but only once. The option once exercised will apply to all subsequent assessment years unless the person ceases to have any income from business or profession, explained Sneha Pai, senior director, direct tax at Nexdigm, a business and professional services firm. The new personal income tax regime, introduced in 2020, was modified in this years Finance Act to make it more attractive so that more individuals sign up for it. The rule changes give effect to the changes in law. The Union Budget for FY24 had sought to make the new personal income tax scheme sweeter. It offered a tax rebate for income up to 7 lakh to individuals, up from 5 lakh earlier. Also, the government lowered the number of slabs from six to five and raised the tax exemption from 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh. Besides the tax slab rejig and higher exemption limit, the government also allowed in the new personal income tax regime a standard deduction of 50,000 to salaried individuals. Also, the surcharge on income above 5 crore was lowered. Titanium submarine updates: A four-day-long search for OceanGate's Titan submersible has come to a tragic end. The US Coastal Guard has confirmed that all five passengers onboard Titan have died as the vessel was subject to "catastrophic implosion" at some point during its voyage towards the Titanic shipwreck. The debris of the submersible has been found on the sea floor, around 500 metres away from the bow of the Titanic. Here's an explainer how the major disaster unfolded and what lies ahead? 1. What is the OceanGate Titan submersible and how does it work The Titan submersible, which is different from a submarine was designed by OceanGate. The submersible was designed to carry five people into a depth of 13,120 feet. The submersible had a life-support system that can keep five people alive for up to 96 hours. OceanGate designed the Titan using 13-cm thick carbon-fiber walls and capped the ends with titanium domes. The Titan submersible comprised one toilet but zero windows and seats. The passengers sat on the floor of the vessel. 2. What happened on 18 June? On 18 June OceanGate's Titan submersible's third voyage to the Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank in 1912, began. However, after a few hours the submersible lost communication with the mother ship. Since there are no networks underwater, the Titan hinged on Starlink's connection for communication. But that network got also lost after an hour. Subsequently, a team of US Coastal Guard, Canadian aircraft, and France remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) began the search operations. Those aboard Titan for a tourist expedition 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. The US coastal guard ramped up the search process for four days as the oxygen level of the submersible was thought to have reached critical levels. Besides, the sonar picked up banging sounds from the ocean in 30-minute intervals. 3. A catastrophic implosion On Thursday night at around 9:30 pm (as per Indian timings), Canada's ROV discovered debris in the search area and it was found that it was an external body of the Titan sub. A former US Navy official said he heard an implosion after half an hour when Titan descended to the sea on 18 June. The US Navy Coastal Guard on Thursday declared all five passengers dead but their bodies are yet to be found. So far, only the debris of the Titan submersible has been found which is at 1,600 feet from the wreck of the Titanic ship. 4. Who was killed? Oceangate chief executive and Titan pilot Stockton Rush; two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. 5. Will OceanGate face criminal charges? Experts say wrongful death and negligence lawsuits are likely against OceanGate. But legal actions will face various challenges, including waivers signed by the Titan passengers that warned of the danger of going on this mission. Thomas Schoenbaum, a University of Washington law professor told Associated Press, OceanGate could still face repercussions under the Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993. He said 2021, OceanGate was an American company in 2021, according to the late CEO Stockton Rush. However, OceanGate Expeditions, which led dives to the Titanic, was based in the Bahamas. Bahamas subsidiary has the potential to circumvent U.S. law, but courts have at times pierced the corporate veil" and OceanGate could be found liable, the lawyer said. The International Maritime Organization, which regulates commercial shipping, could take some kind of action and US Congress might also pass legislation. The federal government could block ships engaging in such expeditions from docking in their port. IT services company Infosys said on Friday that it was cooperating with an Australian government investigation into tainted contracts. The software major has also reportedly cut off ties with lobbying firm Synergy 360 - which was reportedly paid $16 million over 5 years to help Infosys grow its business in Australia. An investigation was launched last year amid claims that former MP Stuart Robert had helped the lobbying firm and its client win government contracts. In November last year, a report by Nine Newspapers claimed that the then MP had been "secretly providing advice" to the Canberra-based firm. The lobbying and consulting organisation, it alleged, was in turn helping large companies win lucrative government contracts and obtain access to senior Coalition politicians". Publications also cited a cache of leaked emails outlining the way Robert had used his status as a federal lawmaker to help Synergy 360 in 2017 and 2018. Days later, the Albanese government had ordered an investigation into the contracts awarded in the government services portfolio. Robert however has denied any wrongdoing, declaring he had zero involvement" and insisting that departmental procurement was conducted with the highest levels of probity". According to a report by The Guardian earlier this week, Infosys paid a whopping $16 million to Synergy over the past few years. The parliamentary committee probing the matter was reportedly told that Synergy 360 in turn sent the profits to the trust of a company part-owned by Robert. According to Infosys Regional Head for the Asia Pacific region Andrew Groth, most of the money was for core work, while 15% was for sales support and 15% was for success fees". Infosys had been selected after a 14-month procurement process, and Groth said that he met with Robert 11 times while the latter served as the government services minister. However this was because the MP had wished to be apprised of progress made on a specific project to upgrade the information technology systems at Services Australia. We are cooperating with the Australian parliamentary inquiry in good faith," Infosys told Business Standard in a statement. US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a series of defense and commercial deals designed to improve military and economic ties between their nations during Thursdays state visit at the White House. General Electric Co. plans to jointly manufacture F414 engines with state-owned Indian firm Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. for the Tejas light-combat aircraft, as part of an effort to improve defense- and technology-sharing as China becomes more assertive in the Indo-Pacific. Biden and Modi also announced new defense collaborations, including progress on an order for MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones made by General Atomics, and an agreement that will allow American Navy ships to undertake major repairs at Indian shipyards. And the two leaders debuted a series of semiconductor deals designed to take advantage of Indian subsidies intended to bring advanced technology manufacturing to the South Asian nation. We are doubling down on our cooperation to secure our semiconductors, our semiconductor supply chains, advancing open RAN telecommunications networks, and growing our major defense partnership with more joint exercises, more cooperation between our defense industries, and more consultation and coordination across all domains," Biden told reporters following the talks. Micron Technology Inc. is investing more than $800 million toward a $2.75 billion semiconductor assembly and testing facility in India, while Applied Materials Inc. will announce a new semiconductor center for commercialization and innovation. Chip manufacturer Lam Research is announcing a training program in India for up to 60,000 engineers. We have transitioned today to a relationship involving transfer of technology, co-development and co-production," Modi said, heralding the GE deal as a landmark agreement." Read More: Modi Looks to Solidify Indias Tech Ambition With US Visit Indian companies also plan more than $2 billion in projects in the United States, including a solar manufacturing facility in Colorado, steel plant in Ohio, and optic fiber facility in South Carolina. The accords unfold as India has sought to increase its engagement on the global stage both diplomatically and economically, senior US officials, who detailed the plans before their official announcement on the condition of anonymity, said in a call with reporters. The announcements which also include closer cooperation between the countries space programs as well as efforts by the US to make visas easier for Indian workers to obtain occur on a day of elaborate pageantry for Modi, who is attending his first ever official state visit at the White House. Upon his arrival Wednesday evening, the Bidens presented Modi with a vintage American camera, a book of American wildlife photography, and a signed first edition of the collected poems of Robert Frost. When the prime minister arrived to address a joint session of Congress on Thursday afternoon, he entered the chamber to chants of Modi! Modi! Modi!" from visitors in the galleries. He received standing ovations as he praised the US-India relationship, reiterated Indian positions including on reform of the United Nations, and hailed the contributions of Indian-Americans as well as his own governments successes. On Thursday evening, hundreds of celebrity guests and business executives including Alphabet Inc. Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai and Microsoft Corp. CEO Satya Nadella are to gather under a tent on the South Lawn of the White House for a vegetarian-forward meal prepared by guest chef Nina Curtis that includes grilled corn salad, stuffed portobello mushrooms, and rose and cardamom-infused strawberry shortcake. Musical performers are include Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell and Penn Masala, a South Asian a capella group founded by University of Pennsylvania students. Yet the hope in both New Delhi and Washington is that the gathering portends deeper and lasting relations particularly because the two nations have a long history of announcing cooperation agreements that fail to come off. Additional announcements include Indian plans to sign the Artemis Accords, a framework signed by two-dozen nations but not Russia or China governing joint missions and civilian space exploration. Modi met with SpaceX chief Elon Musk in New York on Tuesday. NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization have also agreed to a joint mission next year to visit the International Space Station. The pacts showed that even the sky is not the limit," Modi said. Senior administration officials speaking on the condition of anonymity to preview the announcement said Indian officials were pleased with their efforts to cut through red tape that had inhibited past deals, and said they were determined to make sure the agreements announced Thursday actually came to fruition. Still, there were also expected to be moments of tension in the meetings between the two leaders. India has been reluctant to impose sanctions on Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, and has aggressively purchased Russian oil. The South Asian nation received 1.96 million barrels a day from Russia last month, 15% more than the previous high in April, according to data from Vortexa Ltd. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters earlier this week that the US hoped India would continue to abide by the price cap on Russian oil that Washington helped to negotiate. Modi said Thursday his country was completely ready to contribute in any way we can to restore peace" in Ukraine. Biden also repeatedly raised the issue of democratic values as the leaders met, amid pressure from human rights activists to raise concerns over the crackdown by Modis government on reporters and opposition leaders. The whole world has a stake in our success, both of us, and maintaining our democracies makes us appealing partners and enables us to expand democratic institutions across around the world," Biden said. Modi bristled at the suggestion that there was discrimination by his government, saying he was surprised" by the criticism. Regardless of caste, creed, religion, gender, theres absolutely no space for discrimination," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked US President Joe Biden for accepting the proposal to add 'Africa' as a permanent member of the G20. PM Modi said, Under our G20 presidency, we are giving strength to 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' and giving voice to the Global South. I thank President Biden for granting support to my proposal of making Africa a permanent G20 member. I firmly believe that the world's two largest democracies - India and the US will be able to fulfil the aspirations of expectations and aspirations of the whole world." Recently, PM Modi communicated with fellow G20 leaders, urging them to grant the African Union complete membership within the organization. This request aligns with the Union's own appeal, which aims to amplify Africa's influence globally and contribute to shaping our collective future. Prime Minister Modi demonstrates unwavering support and advocacy for the African cause, taking a proactive stance on the matter. Recognizing the significance of amplifying the voice of Global South nations, especially those in Africa, he actively champions their representation on international platforms. During India's G20 Presidency, Prime Minister Modi places considerable emphasis on integrating the priorities of African countries into the G20 agenda, emphasizing their importance and ensuring their concerns are duly addressed. The G20, established in 1999 following the Asian financial crisis, consists of the world's 20 largest economies. Its member nations include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. In September, New Delhi is scheduled to host the G20 Summit, showcasing India's role as the summit's host nation. (With inputs from ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with journalists during a joint press briefing alongside US President Joe Biden at the White House. Responding to a query from the American media regarding the measures implemented by the Indian government to safeguard the rights of Muslims and other minority groups while upholding freedom of speech, Modi stated that democracy is deeply ingrained in the Indian ethos. Democracy is in our spirit, and we live it. It's in our Constitution. There is no question of discrimination on the grounds of caste or religion. India believes in sabka saath, sabka vishwas, and sabka prayaas." Modi's engagement with the media by taking questions is a departure from his usual practice, as he has rarely held press conferences since assuming office as prime minister in 2014. While he did attend a press conference in May 2019, he refrained from fielding any questions. The decision for a joint press briefing with President Biden at the White House was regarded as significant by White House national security spokesperson John Kirby, acknowledging the event's importance. The press conference format allowed for one question from the US press and another from an Indian journalist, as outlined by Kirby. White House press conferences involving world leaders have been characterized by strict control, with US officials pre-selecting reporters from both American and international media for President Biden and his guest to address. The number of questions asked during these conferences has been notably limited. Amid mounting pressure from fellow Democrats, President Biden faced calls to address alleged human rights concerns with Prime Minister Modi. In a letter signed by 75 US Senators and Congressional lawmakers, specific areas of concern were outlined. Following a private dinner with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a significant one-on-one bilateral discussion. Prominent US lawmakers, including Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Jamie Raskin, made the decision not to attend Prime Minister Modi's joint congressional address. They cited concerns that the Indian government under Modi's leadership has suppressed religious minorities as the basis for their decision. Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned terrorism as a threat to humanity, asserting that there should be no room for ambiguity or hesitation when addressing this issue. "Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs and buts in dealing with it. We must overcome all such forces sponsoring and exporting terror," the Prime Minister said, as he addressed the joint sitting of the US Congress on Thursday at the US Capitol Hill. Modi emphasized the need for resolute action in dealing with terrorism. "More than 2 decades after 9/11 and more than a decade after 26/11 in Mumbai, radicalism and terrorism still remain a danger for the whole world. These ideologies keep taking new identities and forms but their intentions are same," PM Modi said. Prime Minister Modi emphasized India's economic growth, noting the nation's remarkable rise from being the 10th largest economy in the world during his initial visit to the US as Prime Minister to currently occupying the fifth position globally. "When I first visited the US as a PM, India was the 10th largest economy in the world. Today, India is the 5th largest economy. India will be the 3rd largest economy soon. We are not only growing bigger but we are also growing faster. When India grows the whole world grows," PM Modi said at the joint sitting of the US Congress. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, PM highighted the need for the international community to recognize that the people who sponsor terrorism, support terrorism, they continue to pose a serious challenge to the safety and security of our societies." Prime Minister Modi underscored that India's global engagement is rooted in the principles of democracy, inclusivity, and sustainability. He stressed the country's profound regard for the environment and its commitment to responsible and sustainable growth. The Prime Minister emphasized that these principles form the basis of India's approach to international relations and its efforts to contribute positively to the global community. "A spirit of democracy, inclusion and sustainability defines us. India grows while being responsible for our planet. The earth is our mother and we are her children. Indian culture deeply respects the environment and our planet. We live by the motto of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'-the world is one family. Our engagement with the world is for everyone's benefit. The same spirit is also seen in the theme when we chair the G20 Summit, One Earth, One Family, One Future," PM Modi said. Speaking on Climate action, Modi added, We became the only G20 country to meet its Paris commitment. We made renewables account for over 40 per cent of our energy sources 9 years ahead of the target of 2030. But we did not stop there. At the Glasgow Summit, I proposed mission LiFE...Our mission is pro-planet progress, pro-planet prosperity, pro-planet people." During his second address to the joint session of the US Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep appreciation for the exceptional privilege of speaking before them for a second time. He acknowledged that significant developments have taken place in the relationship between India and the United States, which he described as a momentous bond between "Al - America" and India. After a Florida man's escapade of reckless driving, crashing into cars, fleeing from said crashes and police at a high speed, driving across a school running track, and finally getting his car stuck in a forested area near a landfill, police asked the gentleman to step out of his vehicle. But he said he couldn't. And his reason was a legitimate one: "I am butt naked." But the angry cops saw no humor in the matter, forcing the driver who was only wearing socks out of the car, along with his clothed passenger, who also resisted but without the good excuse. Fortunately, there was a bright floral scarf lying around to save the moment or at least his midsection. From Daytona Beach News Journal: [Stephen] Peterson was charged with fleeing and eluding, leaving the scene of a crash with damage to vehicle or property, resisting an officer without violence, trespassing on school grounds, possession of marijuana under 20 grams, and possession of drug paraphernalia/equipment. He was being held Thursday at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on $19,500 bail. Peterson and Averill were given multiple orders to get out of the vehicle but they refused. "I am butt naked," Peterson tells a deputy who told him to get out of the car. "I don't care. Get out of the car now," the deputy responded. "Just when you think you've seen and heard everything a naked driver causes multiple hit-and-run crashes, flees from law enforcement, resists arrest, and then has to be dragged out naked from his car to be arrested," said Sheriff Rick Staly. Just another day in the Sunshine State. The Biden administration has released policy guidance through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to ease norms for those waiting for green cards in the US. The guidance focuses on the eligibility criteria for initial and renewal applications for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in compelling circumstances. This change is expected to benefit numerous Indian technology professionals who are currently facing lengthy waiting periods for Green Cards or permanent residency in the country. Here is what the new US Green Card rule states: The USCIS guidance outlines specific requirements that applicants must meet to be eligible for an initial EAD based on compelling circumstances. These include being the principal beneficiary of an approved Form I-140, being in valid non-immigrant status or authorised grace period, not having filed an adjustment of status application, and meeting certain biometrics and criminal background requirements. Further, USCIS will exercise discretion to determine whether an applicant demonstrates compelling circumstances justifying the issuance of employment authorisation. What experts say on the new US Green Card rule? Speaking on the changes, Nicholas A. Mastroianni, President and CMO, U.S Immigration Fund (USIF) If someone has an approved I-140 and their employment is terminated, this new initiative gives them the possibility to stay in the USA with a work permit." Its a new program and USCIS is typically rather stingy with findings of compelling" circumstances. It is not clear that the mere fact of being out of work is sufficient to warrant approval of the work permit." He further suggested that currently, for those seeking a more certain path to sustained US residency, the EB-5 Visa remains an exceedingly dependable and permanent solution. However, it's advisable to carefully consider these options and consult with immigration experts to navigate this complex landscape effectively. A Green Card, known officially as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued to immigrants to the US as evidence that the bearer has been granted the privilege of residing permanently. Immigration law provides for approximately 140,000 employment-based green cards to be issued each year. However, only seven per cent of those green cards can go to individuals from a single country annually. Ahead of the Opposition meeting in Patna today, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the fight is against BJP and all parties will unanimously decide on the strategy. Kharge, who left for Patna earlier in the morning, said, We all want to fight together against BJP and our agenda is to remove the BJP govt... We will take a decision on this (on supporting AAP against the Centre's ordinance) before the Parliament session." Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has also left for the meet, he said, We are meeting to discuss some important issues of the country and decide the future course of action. Manipur issue will also be discussed." Top leaders of Opposition parties will meet here on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. It is being hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of JD(U) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of RJD at the former's Aney Marg residence. Meanwhile, taking a jibe at the meet, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "Nitish Kumar 2024 ke liye baaraat saja rahe hai Patna mai, baaraat me to dulha bhi hota hai, pr is baaraat ka dulha kon hai? (Nitish Kumar is decorating the wedding procession for the 2024 elections in Patna, but who is the groom (PM contender). Everyone is calling themself a PM contender. Who are attending the opposition meet? Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab's Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu's M K Stalin, Jharkhand's Hemant Soren, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, and NCP president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders expected to attend it. Leaders of the PDP, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) and the National Conference will also attend the first high-level opposition meeting. A day before the crucial deliberations, fissures in the Opposition ranks came to the fore with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sources saying the party will walk out of the meeting if the Congress does not promise its support against the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi. A day before the crucial deliberations, fissures in the Opposition ranks came to the fore with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sources saying the party will walk out of the meeting if the Congress does not promise its support against the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi. (With agency inputs) MARG More Information Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is in Patna to attend the opposition meet said that they are working together to defeat BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in 2024. Addressing the meet, Gandhi said, BJP is working to spread hate, violence and break the country. We are working to spread love and unite. Opposition parties have come here today and together we will defeat BJP." Gandhi on Friday received a warm welcome from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar upon arrival in the state capital for a crucial opposition meeting. Gandhi, who is in Bihar for the first time after the state assembly polls of 2020, was accompanied by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and general secretary in charge of organisation, K C Venugopal. Kumar, accompanied by JD(U) national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan, drove to the Jayprakash Narayan airport, half-a-kilometer from his residence, to receive the visitors. The airport premises has been, since morning, chock-a-block with Congress workers and supporters, eager to catch a glimpse of Gandhi, the response of whose 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' has infused the cadre with fresh vigour. Upon landing in the city, Gandhi drove to Sadaqat Ashram, the Bihar Congress headquarters, to address party workers before attending the opposition meet. The nearly three kilometers long route was dotted with banners inscribed with the slogan 'muhabbat ki dukaan' which became popular during 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' in which Gandhi had asserted that the Congress stood for inclusive politics, in contrast with alleged divisiveness of BJP. The city has been teeming with political bigwigs, pouring in from all parts of the country, who are expected to chalk out a joint strategy for taking on the formidable BJP in next Lok Sabha elections. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah arrived early in the morning. Many other leaders like Mehbooba Mufti, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann and MK Stalin have been camping in the city since Thursday. (With agency inputs) Union Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that in 2024 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will become PM by winning more than 300 seats. Shah arrived at Jammu airport and was received by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister Jitendra Singh where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various projects. Addressing the gathering, Shah said, Today a photo session is underway in Patna. They (opposition) want to challenge PM Modi and NDA. I want to tell them that in 2024 PM Modi will become PM by winning more than 300 seats." In Patna, top leaders from various Opposition parties have initiated discussions on Friday with the aim of outlining a strategy for the establishment of an anti-BJP alliance ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The meeting is being hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav. The gathering serves as a platform for leaders to come together and deliberate on forming a united front against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming elections. Therefore, a basic outline and roadmap for Opposition unity are likely to be deliberated upon with the contentious issue of seat sharing and leadership questions to be avoided for now, they said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab's Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu's M K Stalin, Jharkhand's Hemant Soren, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, and NCP president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders attending the first high-level Opposition meeting. A day before the crucial deliberations, fissures in the Opposition ranks came to the fore with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sources saying the party will walk out of the meeting if the Congress does not promise its support against the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi. All eyes are on the meeting's agenda and whether the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in the national capital would be a key part of the discussions as the AAP wants. Keeping cards close to its chest, the Congress has so far kept its stand ambiguous as to whether it would support the AAP or not when the ordinance is put to test in Parliament by the BJP-led Centre. Asked about the ordinance issue and AAP's ultimatum, Kharge, before leaving for Patna on Friday morning, said his party would take a decision on it before Parliament's Monsoon session and wondered why it was being talked about elsewhere when it was a matter that pertains to Parliament. "Opposing or proposing it does not happen outside, it happens in Parliament. Before Parliament begins, all parties decide what issues they have to work on together. They know it and even their leaders come to our all-party meetings. I don't know why is there so much publicity about it outside," Kharge said. Ahead of the meeting, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said all Opposition parties are going to defeat the BJP in the 2024 general elections unitedly. Accusing the BJP of working to "divide India and spread hate and violence", he asserted that a fight of ideologies is going on in India. On one hand, there is the Congress' 'Bharat Jodo' ideology and on the other the BJP and RSS' 'Bharat Todo' ideology, Gandhi said addressing party workers and leaders at the party office in Patna. "You know that hate cannot be countered with hate. It can be defeated only with love. The Congress is working for uniting the country and spreading love," he said, adding "That is why we have come to Bihar because the DNA of the Congress is in Bihar." "All Opposition parties have come here and together we are going to defeat the BJP. In Karnataka, the BJP leaders gave speeches and went everywhere but the result is there for you to see," the former Congress chief said. "As soon as the Congress stood united, the BJP disappeared in Karnataka. I am saying it from this stage that the BJP will be nowhere in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and the Congress will win," Gandhi claimed. At the same event, Kharge urged party workers to set aside their differences and fight the 2024 general elections unitedly, asserting that "if we win in Bihar, we will win the country". (With inputs from agencies) Google is currently inviting early testers to try out MusicLM, an innovative tool that transforms written prompts into music. This experimental technology is being offered through AI Test Kitchen, which serves as Google's testing platform for AI advancements. Paul Couvert, an AI educator, recently shared a comprehensive Twitter guide on how to enroll for MusicLM and experience the AI tool firsthand. Couvert explained that MusicLM is currently in its experimental stage and is being offered by Google as a beta demo. If you're interested in trying it out, here are the step-by-step instructions he provided: How to access Join Google Labs by visiting the website: https://labs.withgoogle.com. If the website is not accessible in your country, you can use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to access it. On the page, locate the last blue button labeled "MUSICLM" and click on it. How to produce your first song Once you have clicked on the "MUSICLM" button, you will be directed to a text field. In this field, you can describe what kind of music you want the AI to generate. Provide a clear and concise description of your desired music, such as the genre, mood, tempo, or any specific elements you would like to include. After entering your description, the AI takes over and processes your input. It will generate two different tracks based on the information you provided. The AI utilizes its algorithms and machine learning capabilities to compose unique music tailored to your description. Once the tracks are generated, you can proceed to download them. Look for three dots or an ellipsis symbol near the tracks, typically indicating a menu or options. Click on the three dots, and a download option should be available. Select the download option, and your music files will be saved to your device, allowing you to listen and enjoy the created tracks. James Cameron makes it pretty clear, there is a super-rich explorer dude's backchannel where he learned, very early on, that the Titan submarine was no more. It is a small community of guys who design super deep submersible vehicles, and he is in the club. Their likely discord, slack channel, or Facebook group shared the news that communications were lost, and the Titan's independently powered and housed positioning beacon failed simultaneously. There was very little chance the sub was intact at that point. Cameron can imagine no situation where communications and the separate beacon would fail simultaneously and the boat would be intact. This guy imagined blue people on pterodactyls fighting with human space marines. From the beginning, it was very clear to Cameron that there was no reason to be searching as we were, as there was no one left to rescue. ABC News: "And I think if that's your idea of safety, then you're doing it wrong. They probably had warning that their hull was starting to delaminate, starting to crack. [W]e understand from inside the community that they had dropped their ascent weights and they were coming up, trying to manage an emergency." The disparity in media response to these lost 5 people vs. the 700 lost souls of the Adriana, which sank off the coast of Greece, is upsetting. Still, during the barrage of media coverage, I couldn't help wondering why we put so much effort into 5 likely dead people and won't bother looking for indigenous women who go missing in the United States. This was a very expensive show. Featured Image: YouTube The Baltimore Banner reports on a recent ruling from the Supreme Court of the state of Maryland, which states that it is no longer admissible in court for so-called expert witnesses to testify that a specific bullet was fired from a specific gun. From the article: Firearm identification asserts guns leave unique patterns and marks on bullets, the opinion said, and that experts can use them to link casings from a crime scene to a specific gun. Chief Judge Matthew Fader, who wrote the ruling, noted that the majority doesn't question that firearms identification is generally reliable. He wrote that it can be helpful to a jury in identifying whether patterns and markings on "unknown" bullets or cartridges "are consistent or inconsistent with those on bullets or cartridges known to have been fired from a particular firearm." [] Based on the record here, and particularly the lack of evidence that study results are reflective of actual casework, firearms identification has not been shown to reach reliable results linking a particular unknown bullet to a particular known firearm," Fader wrote. Several justices dissented, arguing that such firearm identification has been the "backbone of countless prosecutions," an historically reliable legal device for sending people to jail. And there's the rub: these kind of ballistic testimonies have indeed been used in many prosecutions, and have helped to send many people to jail. But that's not necessarily a good thing. While this particular ruling might sound like an olive branch to violent gun enthusiasts, the truth is that a lot of what we call "forensic evidence" is essentially a Zodiac reading for the criminal justice set. As Scientific American reported in 2022: Firearms examiners suffer from what might be called "Sherlock Holmes Syndrome." They claim they can "match" a cartridge case or bullet to a specific gun, and thus solve a case. Science is not on their side, however. Few studies of firearms exist and those that do indicate that examiners cannot reliably determine whether bullets or cartridges were fired by a particular gun. Firearms identification, like all purportedly scientific proof, must adhere to consistent and evidence-based standards. Fundamental justice requires no less. Absent such standards, the likelihood of convicting the innocentand thus letting the guilty go freeis too great. It is perhaps this realization that has led courts to slowly start taking notice and restrict firearms testimony. [] 2009 National Research Council (NRC) report criticized the firearms identification field as lacking "a precisely defined process." Guidelines from the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE) allow examiners to declare a match between a bullet or cartridge case and a particular firearm "when the unique surface contours of two toolmarks are in 'sufficient agreement.'" According to the guidelines, sufficient agreement is the condition in which the comparison "exceeds the best agreement demonstrated between tool marks known to have been produced by different tools and is consistent with the agreement demonstrated by tool marks known to have been produced by the same tool." In other words, the criterion for a life-shaping decision is based not on quantitative standards but on the examiner's subjective experience. (That same Scientific American article presents what I think is an interesting metaphor, comparing Firearm Examiners to hospital nurses: "If you need a COVID vaccine, the nurse has the right form of expertise. By contrast, if you want to know whether the vaccine is effective, you don't ask the nurse; you ask research scientists who understand how it was created and tested.") PBS' Frontline reported on the same issue 10 years earlier, while also offering similar criticisms of both fingerprinting and bite mark evidence: One fundamental problem with rearms analysis is the lack of a precisely dened process, the National Academies of Sciences found. An examiner may offer an opinion that a specic tool or rearm was the source of a specic mark when "sufcient agreement" exists in the pattern of two sets of marks, but there is no precise definition for that statement. The NAS also found there have been no scientific studies to answer questions regarding variability, reliability, repeatability, or the number of correlations needed to achieve a given degree of condence. This 2015 article from ThinkProgress also offers some specific anecdotes of real-life incidents where forensic evidence, including fingerprinting and ballistic testimonies, led to wrongful convictions. As much as this sounds like a state Supreme Court further loosening gun laws in America, it may ultimately prove to be a progressive move for criminal justice reform. Supreme Court of Maryland rules firearm experts can no longer testify a bullet came from a specific gun [Cadence Quaranta / Baltimore Banner] The Field of Firearms Forensics Is Flawed [David L. Faigman, Nicholas Scurich, Thomas D. Albright / Scientific American] Here is where you can see the skies light up this Independence Day, including various dates set aside to celebrate. Lawyers for some of the Memphis officers named in a federal lawsuit over the death of Tyre Nichols are asking that the civil case be put on hold until the criminal case is finished 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. James Robert Elliot, then a Proud Boy, attacked cops with a flagpole at the Jan. 6 sacking of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump. After pleading guilty in November to the assault, a Federal judge yesterday sentenced him to more than three years in prison and fined him $2000. In recommending a sentence of 41 months in prison for Elliott, federal prosecutors had said he "seemed to view himself as the star of a war movie" during the riot at the Capitol." Elliott did not just instigate he joined the battle himself," they wrote in their sentencing memo.Prosecutors said he urged others in the crowd to cross over barricades outside the Capitol, leading chants of "Whose House? Our house!" before he swung a flagpole at officers, and then thrust it into a police line, making contact with an officer, while repeatedly mimicking a war cry from the movie "300," yelling, "Patriots, what is our occupation? AAH-OOH, AAH-OOH, AAH-OOH." Prosecutors said Elliot later bragged about his role in the riot, sending a text message stating, "We took the f***ing capital lol," and "I bonked two cops. Never thought I'd say that." His attorneys said he was just there to see outgoing president Trump speak, but the footageand text messages boasting of his participation in the violenceled him to the plea. Obligatory reminder that there are black folks in jail on longer sentences for voting with provisional ballots. The eagerly awaited Streete Vintage Show and Family Day which takes place on Sunday, June 25 has something going on for everyone. The show starts from 11am and continues right up until 6pm. Voted as the Midlands leading vintage show, the event was officially launched at the Crossroads Inn, Lisryan. Streete Vintage Show and Family Day is one of the days in the Midlands social calendar not to be missed. The show, now in its twenty-first year will see many great attractions, including Country Music legend Johnny Brady and Longford country singing sensation Brid Shaughnessy. The show launch was held in glorious sunshine with everyone enjoying a delicious barbecue burger sponsored by Powell Meats, Ardagh. Kevin Brady, event organiser said, We were delighted with the turnout. Our vintage show is now in its 21st year and although the weather was not kind to us in 2022 we hope the sun will shine and everyone will enjoy next Sundays show. The launch was a chance to get a sneak preview of the replica automobile invented by the world-famous Leonardo di Vinci in 1478. Eamon Creamer, of Creamer Engineering, works, Granard has painstakingly studied sketches from one of Leonardos most interesting works to reconstruct a wonderful piece of automotive history which will make its debut at the Streete Show on June 25. Sunday's show will also feature something never seen before on Irish roads; a real American fire engine that saw on-call duty during 9/11. The man behind the beautiful ruby red fire truck finding its way to Streete is retired mechanic and grandfather-of-12, Liam Moore from Crumlin, Dublin. Well-known vintage tractor enthusiast Andy Clancy also brought along his late uncle's Massey Ferguson, 135 which was bought from the Longford Arms Motor Works in 1973. This beautifully restored tractor will celebrate its 50th birthday around the same date as the Streete Show. You will also get the opportunity to see Tommy Stell's fully restored Zetor tractor which rose from the grave and will take pride of place at the show. The launch in Lisryan was almost like a vintage day with all the beautiful cars and tractors along with their owners and family who came out to support the occasion. Kevin Brady said it was truly fantastic to see the community coming together for the launch and he expressed the hope that the fine weather will continue. He thanked everyone who turned out to lend their support and offer help. Kevin concluded, Our show has become a hugely popular annual event. For many it offers a warm and friendly place to meet up and for others its a great day out for kids and parents alike. Streete Vintage show is on Sunday, June 25 a day not to be missed. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: June 23 2023 South Fork Wind Achieves the State's First Offshore Wind "Steel in the Water" with Installation of Foundation for U.S.-Built Offshore Substation. Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that South Fork Wind, New York's first offshore wind farm, has achieved its "steel in the water" milestone with the installation of the project's first monopile foundation. In the coming days, South Fork Wind will install the project's U.S.-built offshore substation. The project remains on-track to become America's first utility-scale offshore wind farm to be completed in federal waters when it begins operations by the end of this year and supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035. "New York is leading offshore wind development and building a green economy that will support hundreds of good-paying jobs and benefit generations to come," Governor Hochul said. "This progress on building the first utility-scale offshore wind project in the country cements New York as a national hub for the offshore wind industry." Once completed, the wind farm will generate enough renewable energy to power roughly 70,000 homes helping New York meet its ambitious Climate Act goals, while eliminating up to six million tons of carbon emissions, or the equivalent of taking 60,000 cars off the road annually over a 25-year period. Hundreds of U.S. workers and three Northeast ports will support South Fork Wind's construction through late fall helping to stand up a new domestic supply chain that's creating hundreds of local union jobs across the Northeast. First approved by the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) in 2017, South Fork Wind was selected under a 2015 request for proposals to address growing energy needs on the east end of Long Island. Long Island Power Authority CEO Tom Falcone said, "Today marks a significant step in New York's clean energy journey and for LIPA's commitment to ensure a sustainable and resilient future for our customers. Years in the making, this project milestone signifies that our efforts are transforming from vision into reality. We are proud to be a part of this landmark project and will continue to lead and innovate in our pursuit of a sustainable future for Long Island and in the Rockaways." NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "Putting steel in the water for New York's first offshore wind farm project is a major milestone in the development of this new, once in a generation industry in the United States, and represents the significant progress New York is making under Governor Hochul's leadership to transition our electricity system to clean, reliable renewable energy. The South Fork Wind project models how community engagement, strong private-public partnerships, and labor can ensure projects move forward in a way that results in significant economic benefits to our state while helping pave the way for a healthier, more resilient future." Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "New York is advancing offshore wind under Governor Hochul's leadership to help meet our state's energy needs and help transition the state to a cleaner, greener future as part of our nation-leading climate agenda. The South Fork Wind project is a historic and transformative project that will help meet our aggressive greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements while ramping up renewable energy sources and combatting climate change." Chair of the Public Service Commission Rory M. Christian said, "I applaud Governor Hochul's steadfast commitment to developing the clean energy supplies that New York State needs. This wind farm will play a key role in supplying much needed clean-energy on Long Island and helping New York achieve its nation-leading renewable energy goals." Group EVP and CEO Americas at rsted David Hardy said, "South Fork Wind is now one giant step closer to meeting our mission to deliver renewable offshore wind energy to Long Island's East End. As we reach a milestone nearly a decade in the making, we're reflective of all those who have long championed this project in the East Hampton community, and beyond. The bold leadership of the Biden-Harris and Hochul administrations is putting New York and the nation on a path to a cleaner future. Thanks to American ingenuity, South Fork Wind is jumpstarting a new U.S. jobs engine and tackling climate change head-on." Eversource Energy's President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Joe Nolan said, "Today marks a major milestone for South Fork Wind, and for the U.S. offshore wind industry as a whole, as we enter the project's final phases. South Fork Wind is on-track to become the nation's first completed utility-scale offshore wind farm in federal waters and will soon deliver enough clean, renewable energy to power nearly 70,000 homes. We are thankful to the Biden-Harris and Hochul administrations as well as the countless state and local supporters, without whom this critical project would not have been possible." With today's milestone, South Fork Wind officially enters its wind turbine installation phase, the final construction period on the 12-turbine, 130-megawatt project. South Fork Wind launched in February 2022, beginning with the onshore export cable system. The project is one of five offshore wind projects New York State has in active development, the largest portfolio in the nation. This current portfolio totals more than 4,300 megawatts and will power more than 2.4 million New York homes, and it is expected to bring a combined economic impact of $12.1 billion to the state. The projects are also expected to create more than 6,800 jobs in project development, component manufacturing, installation, and operations and maintenance. Achieving the State's 9,000 megawatts by 2035 goal will generate enough offshore wind energy to power approximately 30 percent of New York State's electricity needs, equivalent to nearly 6 million New York State homes, and spur approximately 10,000 jobs. New York local union members, including ironworkers, pile drivers, divers, operating engineers, electricians, laborers, and other members of the region's building trades are supporting the work offshore. rsted and Eversource in 2022 signed the National Offshore Wind Agreement with North America's Building Trades Unions, the labor organization representing more than three million skilled craft professionals. The partnership includes 15 International Union Presidents and their local affiliates and sets the bar for working conditions and equity, injects hundreds of millions of dollars in middle-class wages into the American economy, creates apprenticeship and career opportunities for communities most impacted by environmental injustice, and ensures projects will be built with the safest and best-trained workers in America. A first-of-its-kind in the United States, the National Offshore Wind Agreement (NOWA) covers all of rsted's contractors and subcontractors that will perform offshore wind farm construction. During South Fork Wind's construction period this summer and fall at the project site roughly 35 miles east of Montauk, N.Y., construction and transport barges, tugboats, crew vessels, and protected special observer monitoring vessels will be active at the offshore construction site. Vessel and crane operators, boat captains and crew, engineers, welders, scientists, protected species observers and dozens of others are involved in this operation. Click here to learn more about how offshore wind farms are constructed. An offshore installation vessel, Boskalis's Bokalift 2, is transporting and installing the foundations. South Fork Wind includes the first U.S.-built offshore wind substation. More than 350 U.S. workers across three states supported construction of this South Fork Wind substation, a topside structure that will collect the power produced by wind turbines and connecting it to the grid. New York union workers supported its installation offshore. Advanced foundation components, built by union workers, will be transported to the site for installation. Finally, the wind farm's Siemens-Gamesa 11-megawatt wind turbine generators will be installed. Once in operation, South Fork Wind will be supported by America's first offshore wind Service Operations Vessel, as well as U.S.-built crew transfer vessels. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said, "It is clear that offshore wind is an integral part of our nation's clean energy future, and I am proud that Suffolk County is firmly at the forefront of this industry. The installation of this first turbine foundation and offshore wind substation is a major milestone in helping to build a cleaner future for New York. I would like to thank Governor Hochul for continuing to pave the way for a greener world for future generations." Supervisor of Town of East Hampton Peter Van Scoyoc said, "This year the Town of East Hampton is celebrating its 375th anniversary. We are proud of our past history and proud of the part we're playing in making history by being the host community for New York's first offshore wind farm. This latest construction milestone brings this important project another step closer to providing up to 70,000 homes with clean, renewable energy and helping us to further reduce the causes of climate change." Director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance Fred Zalcman said, "The installation of the first offshore wind components to serve New York State is the culmination of years of effort from civic leaders, state and federal officials, laborers, and private industry. The South Fork Wind Farm stands as a proof of concept to the significant environmental, economic and social benefits of this resource, and future generations will look back on this monumental event and thank those responsible for the South Fork Wind Farm for their perseverance, creativity, and vision in bringing this seminal project to fruition." President of the New York League of Conservation Voters Julie Tighe said, "It is thrilling to witness plans turning into action as the South Fork Wind Project lays its first steel in the water, marking an exciting milestone on New York's path to greening the grid. The New York League of Conservation Voters commends Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to fighting climate change and for taking bold action to ensure New York is a leader in offshore wind energy production. We congratulate South Fork Wind on this important progress and for hastening the arrival of New York's clean energy future." Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment Adrienne Esposito said, "Today, we celebrate a decisive victory in New York's battle for a clean energy future. After nearly two decades of working to make offshore wind a reality, this is cause for celebration. This is the moment we begin to break our addiction to fossil fuels and transition to renewables. This offshore wind farm is the first of many that will allow us to reach carbon-neutral electricity by 2040 and a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. It's been a long fight, but one we will continue so that we can have cleaner air, fight climate change and support healthier communities. New York's offshore wind future truly starts now!" President of the Long Island Federation of Labor John R. Durso said, "Initiating construction of the South Fork offshore wind project is a historic achievement for New York State and Long Island. Our union movement knows all too well the demands placed on working people in the wake of natural disasters, which are occurring with increased frequency due to the climate crisis we are all forced to endure. After years of planning and advocacy, this region is building New York's first offshore wind farm addressing the crisis head on. The development of unionized, green jobs in the process will strengthen our communities and offer long-lasting careers to a new generation of workers." President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties Matthew Aracich said, "I'm tremendously excited and proud to see the first steel structure being constructed offshore. This is truly a momentous achievement that will help reduce emissions for Long Island. These turbines represent the first large scale wind farm we're building offshore, and they represent a huge leap forward in workforce development. Additionally, I would like to thank the hardworking skilled tradeswomen and tradesmen who are building these turbines each and every day." Local News By Chris Boyle Published: June 23 2023 Fund Helps Students Stay on Track With Proven, Cost-Effective Supports; Addresses Housing and Food Insecurity; and Increases Economic Mobility. Governor Kathy Hochul has announced guidance to advance the $75 million SUNY Transformation Fund to improve student success, support innovation, and help meet the state's future workforce needs. Part of the Governor's historic investment in SUNY and higher education within the 2024 enacted budget, the Transformation Fund is designed to help students stay on track toward a college degree or credential with proven, cost-effective supports, while addressing housing and food insecurity, and increasing economic mobility. "Quality public higher education is an engine of social mobility that has the power to change lives, like it did for my own family," Governor Hochul said. "My administration is committed to creating the best public education institution in the country so that more students can build a bright future for themselves and be equipped to take on the jobs of the future." As approved by the SUNY Board of Trustees, all SUNY campuses will receive funding during the 2023-2024 academic year. The Transformation Fund will also be used to enhance student support services, improve academic programs, increase enrollment, and modernize campus operations. SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, "Thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, SUNY saw an unprecedented investment to bolster systemwide and campus initiatives, opening the doors to a college education for all New Yorkers. Through the Transformation Fund, SUNY and our 64 campuses will fund evidence-based strategies that prepare more students for careers in high-demand jobs and that overcome obstacles preventing students from completing their education in a timely manner." New York State Senator and Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee Toby Ann Stavisky said, "As Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee I have worked closely with the Assembly and the Governor's office to secure historic investments in our SUNY system. We know that New York's future depends on educating the next generation of healthcare workers, technological innovators, and other critical, high demand professionals. This funding will help reverse declining enrollment by removing obstacles many of our students face in reaching their educational goals. It is essential that we educate a new generation of students today for the workplace and the jobs of tomorrow." Assembly Higher Education Chair Patricia Fahy said, "We know that in order for New York students to succeed academically and beyond on our college campuses and universities, they must have a robust and holistic support system. This includes support for students when it comes to housing, food insecurity, and more, while ensuring they are prepared to enter the workforce, career-ready, and filling the high-need and skilled jobs of tomorrow's economy. I'm proud that New York's FY2024 budget invests the resources necessary to address these fundamental needs that will ultimately ensure more students are able to achieve their dream of attaining a higher education and strengthen our economy. I commend Governor Hochul, Chancellor King, and Senate Higher Education Chair Toby Ann Stavisky for their work, collaboration, and vision in making the SUNY Transformation Fund a reality." President of the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association Rob Anderson said, "SUNY is leading the way in transformational programs to support students through higher education and into the workforce. We applaud this significant investment by New York to improve student success and look forward to seeing the impacts of putting student needs at the forefront." President of The Institute for College Access & Success Sameer Gadkaree said, "We are excited to see New York investing statewide in comprehensive approaches to student success that have been proven, in New York and across the country, to help more students finish their degrees and move into successful careers. New York's investment can serve as a replicable model for other states." Campuses will submit plans in line with the following categories: At least half of each campus's allocation must be used for: Enhancing Economic Mobility Through Expansion of Education and Workforce Training Opportunities : Expand education and workforce training opportunities in partnership with employers in high-demand fields such as semiconductor-related professions, artificial intelligence, cyber-security, and renewable energy; increase workforce development program spots for students and adult learners aligned with regional needs. Increasing Retention and Completion of Degree-seeking Students : Replicate the highly successful evidence-based completion program models Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) and Accelerate. Complete, and Engage (ACE), which have been shown in randomized controlled trials to significantly improve associate and bachelor's degree completion rates and help close opportunity gaps. Support includes tuition waivers, funding to help with commuting expenses and textbooks, academic assistance, comprehensive personalized advisement, and career development activities. Arts & Culture By Ls Cohen Published: June 23 2023 After a month of hard work the results are outstanding. Andaluz The Artist hit it big in 2016 when his Pokemon mural on the side of a Huntington building went viral. Since then, hes been pretty busy making large murals and art for walls and galleries coast to coast. He spent time in California and Atlanta recently producing artwork and is planning to travel to Chicago soon for a new project. But the Queens-born artist who works out of a Long Island studio says his heart is still right here at home. Recently, Andaluz - who says he was heavily influenced by hip-hop, graffiti, Saturday morning cartoons and superheroes growing up - finished a technically challenging work for Lindenhurst Librarys new courtyard. It took a month, Andaluz said in a recent phone interview with LongIsland.com. It was one of my more time consuming jobs. The challenge, according to Andaluz, was getting access to the wall behind the stairwell in the courtyard, which forced him and his team to get creative. The usual process just wouldnt work for the layout. We had to build a crazy scaffold, he said. The juice was worth the squeeze in this case and Andaluz was happy with the outcome. The concept went through some design changes as it came to fruition. At first, the artist says they considered a more realistic approach but then he had an epiphany. I started thinking about it like it was a big shelf, he said. The result is a bookshelf with a mix of real and made up titles interspersed with Nintendo characters. The librarians gave him a list of book titles to use. I picked about 15 of them, he said. Some of the book titles I made up on the spot. As for the characters, Andaluz seems to have an affinity for Pokemon since thats what hes best known for around the area. Initially, the library thought that if they stuck with a Nintendo theme it would eventually become outdated but Andaluz made his case. Everyone knows Super Mario from the kids to their parents, he said. The Lindenhurst lettering was inspired by postcard designs. Andaluz doesnt do many libraries but he expects he will be getting more calls to paint them after this. I have a feeling Ill have a lot more schools and libraries contacting me, he said. This job for the Lindenhurst Library came through word of mouth. One of the library workers knew of his work in Huntington and asked if hed submit a bid. It took over a year, but eventually Andaluz won the job. He said the main idea was to make it fun. Its like youre a little person in a big room, Andaluz said. While he is busy traveling the country doing jobs, Andaluz says hes interested in working closer to home as well. Id like to do more on Long Island, he said. Photo of Andaluz the Artist and his work at Lindenhurst Library taken by @propixone The Ukrainian military on Thursday struck a key bridge connecting the Crimean Peninsula to the Russian-occupied part of Kherson Oblast. The strike aims to degrade Russias ability to resist the counteroffensive Kyiv launched earlier this month. On Thursday morning, Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed head of Kherson Oblast, shared footage showing a large hole in the Chonhar road bridge. An older, parallel road bridge thats not in operation also sustained damage. Theres no indication that a nearby rail bridge, located a few miles to the southwest, was damaged. The strike appears to have occurred around 5 AM that morning. Russian investigators said Ukraine fired four missiles at the bridge. Russian state media shared a video of fragments that apparently came from a UK-supplied Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missile. The Chonhar road bridge lies around 120 kilometers from the front line, well within the Storm Shadows 250-kilometer range. Saldo claimed the bridge would be fixed in a few days, although Crimeas Russian-installed transportation minister said repairs could take up to three weeks. In the meantime, the minister said Russia would work on re-opening traffic in the bridges undamaged lane. Satellite imagery published this morning indicates Russia has already erected a pontoon crossing next to the bridge. The Chonhar road and rail bridges arent the only links from Crimea to the mainland. Road and rail bridges near the town of Armiansk provide the main alternative. There are also two road bridges connecting the Arabat Spit to Henichesk in Kherson Oblast, plus several causeways across the Syvash, or Rotten Sea. However, the Chonhar bridges provide the quickest route from the Dzhankoi rail junction in Crimea to the occupied city of Melitopol, the Russian militarys key hub in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. In addition to the various routes from Crimea, Russia could also resupply its forces in Zaporizhzhia from the east via the Taganrog-Mariupol highway. But thats almost twice as far. There is a rail line connecting Donetsk to Zaporizhzhia Oblast via Volnovakha, but it runs too close to the front line to be reliable. Given that Russias logistics system depends heavily on railway infrastructure, its unclear why Ukraine chose to strike the Chonhar road bridge rather than the rail one. Perhaps Kyiv wanted to disrupt the road bridge because it believes Russian forces in southern Ukraine will move back their rail-fed supply depots to Crimea due to the Storm Shadow threat. On Sunday, Ukraine destroyed a large ammunition depot at the rail station in Rykove, Kherson Oblast, around 105 kilometers from the front line. Russia had probably been transporting ammunition to Rykove (and other nearby towns) via the Chonhar rail bridge, then trucking it to Melitopol. But if Storm Shadow forces Russia to move those rail-fed depots to Crimea, the Chonhar road bridge would become a more important chokepoint than the rail one. Moving back the depots would stretch Russias already limited supply of trucks, which would have to drive farther to deliver the same cargo. That strain would get even worse if the trucks had to use a longer route. By attacking Russias logistics network, Ukraine is taking a page from last years successful counteroffensive in Kherson Oblast. There, Russian forces depended on several bridges to transport troops and supplies across the Dnipro River. Ukraine used Western-provided GMLRS rockets to strike those bridges, forcing Russia to resort to inefficient pontoon ferries. This undercut Russias quantitative advantage in artillery and eventually led Moscow to withdraw its forces across the river to avoid the risk of encirclement. In its current counteroffensive, Kyiv wont be able to isolate the battlefield entirely. But Ukraine hopes that striking Russias logistics and command-and-control nodes will weaken its defenses. Prior to this weeks strikes, the Ukrainians had already sabotaged railway infrastructure in Crimea and Zaporizhzhia Oblast on June 11. The next day, a missile strike killed the chief of staff of Russias 35th Combined Arms Army, elements of which are fighting in Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine struck again today, hitting a base deep in Kherson Oblast reportedly used by Rosgvardia, Russias National Guard. Kyivs success in this deep-strike campaign will depend in large part on its supply of long-range missiles. Ukraine will need to disable more bridges this time around and will have to strike them repeatedly to ensure they remain unusable. In Kherson, continual repairs allowed Russian forces to continue using the Antonivsky and Kakhovka bridges (albeit at reduced capacity) for months despite frequent Ukrainian strikes. Kyiv will also need to hit the pontoon crossings Russia establishes to replace or supplement the bridges. Fortunately for Ukraine, the Storm Shadow carries a much more powerful warhead than the GMLRS. But itll probably also be in shorter supply given its high price tag, around $1 million per missile. It remains unclear how many London has already provided or plans to send. France has also said it will deliver its own version of the Storm Shadow, the SCALP-EG. But Paris hasnt specified how many missiles it will provide or when it plans to transfer them. Were Kyiv to receive ATACMS missiles from the United States, it would gain further capacity as well as about 50 kilometers of additional range. That would enable Ukrainian forces to strike the Kerch Bridge, on which Russia relies to transport supplies to Crimea. Because that target lies at the ragged edge of the Storm Shadows effective range, Ukrainian pilots would need to fly right up to the front line to hit it, putting themselves at immense risk from Russias potent air defenses. Tellingly, Ukraine has yet to strike the Kerch Bridge using the Storm Shadow. Taking out that bridge would make disabling the Crimea-Kherson bridges less important. However, the Biden administration so far remains unwilling to provide ATACMS to Ukraine. John Hardie is the deputy director of FDDs Russia Program and a contributor to FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Congressperson Jim Jordan is gerrymandered into his position. Jordan raises money by being an enormous clown for Donald Trump, and everyone expects him to step up to Trump's defense. You don't anticipate Jordan being so stupid as to make the other side's point for them. He's much better acting as an angry yapping chihuahua than trying to pontificate. On the other hand, Representative Jerry Nadler is a quick-witted lawyer with an eye for pointing out the truth. Here Nadler responded to Jordan's baffling attempt to defend Trump by pointing out the FBI is doing its job, with a pretty resounding yes! https://twitter.com/RepJerryNadler/status/1671604261371666435 If it were possible to feel bad for Jordan, I still wouldn't. (Alliance News) - RC365 Holding PLC on Friday said its subsidiary Regal Crown Technology Ltd has signed a collaboration deal with APEC Business Services Ltd. RC365 is a London-based company focusing on payment gateway solutions and IT support services. APEC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hatcher Group Ltd. The firm said the deal is to develop and upgrade the RC2.0 wealth management solutions app into an advanced version, RC3.0. On June 1, RC365's subsidiary Regal Crown Technology Ltd said it signed a non-legally binding memorandum of understanding with Hatcher for artificial intelligence development. It said the deal will be valid for two years. On Monday, RC365 said that Regal Crown was working to finalise a legally binding contract with Hatcher. The company said APEC will pay Regal Crown HKD15 million, or GBP1.5 million for the development of the application, with the figure payable on the signing of the agreement. RC365 added that the two companies will each receive 50% of revenue generated from the use of the RC3.0 app. RC365 Chief Executive Chi Kit Law said: "We are delighted to have entered into this agreement with APEC which will allow Regal Crown to upgrade its existing RC2.0 platform to RC3.0. This will be a multi-platform app available to businesses and individuals, existing and prospective customers, providing them with better online payment and banking services and support." RC365 shares rose 8.8% to 87.00 pence each in London on Friday morning. By Harvey Dorset, Alliance News reporter Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved. The Department of Trade and Industry expects a better export performance over the next six years following the signing of Memorandum Circular 23 by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin approving the 2023 to 2028 Philippine Export Development Plan. We are one with our exporters in raising the alarm bells on the need to have a whole-of-nation approach to dramatically change the growth trajectory of Philippine exports and develop the Philippines as an agile export powerhouse. As we move forward, its essential to use the momentum to reach the goals and ensure that the Plan is carried out well, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in a statement. Bersamin signed the MC on June 20, 2023 on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The PEDP is the result of strong collaboration between the government and stakeholders, as the Philippines commits to pursuing export development as a national agenda. The program is an export development plan that recognizes the challenges of exporters and outlines pragmatic approach to address the challenges and propel the countrys export sector. Through the implementation of the PEDP, the export sector aims to be vital engine of economic growth and contribute to the generation of over 1 million high-quality, better-paying and sustainable jobs for all Filipinos. Industry development interventions will be followed through with firm-level support based on the varying levels of export readiness of exporters. The PEDP will equip exporters with the tools, resources and enabling environment to quickly adapt and thrive in a fiercely competitive international market. By 2028, we aim for the Philippines to be a leading exporter of high-value products and services by leveraging our superior knowledge and talent to cater to the diverse needs of global markets and consumers. Through the efficient and effective implementation of the PEDP 2023-2028, exports will play a pivotal role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and elevating the countrys position in the global marketplace, Pascual said. The approved PEDP seeks to double countrys exports to $240.5 billion by 2028, while the aggregated sectoral export earnings for 2022 are expected to reach $112.7 billion. Exports are estimated to reach $126.8 billion in 2023; $143.4 billion in 2024; P173.6 billion in 2025; $186.7 billion in 2026; $212.1 billion in 2027; and $240.5 billion in 2028. The Philippine Exporters Confederation expressed confidence Philippine exports would reach the target. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert Houngbo is set to visit the Philippines next week. In a statement Friday, the ILO said Houngbo will embark on his first official visit to the Philippines from June 25 to 28. ILO Director-General Houngbo will make his first official visit in the country to promote the Global Coalition for Social Justice, which aims to address growing inequalities and persistent poverty, as well as ensure decent work, the statement said. His first official visit coincides with the countrys 75th anniversary of ILO membership, the ILO added. The Philippines joined the ILO in 1948. The ILO official is expected to meet President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople. Part of Houngbos schedule is the holding of dialogues with representatives of workers and employers organizations. Aside from interacting with Filipino key officials, he is set to meet with Asian Development Bank President Masatsugu Asakawa, heads of agencies and members of the United Nations (UN) Country Team, and UN Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez. Houngbo will also deliver the keynote address at the global seafarers summit Seafarer 2050, as well as at the National Employers Conference of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines. He will be visiting the Migrant Worker Resource Center in Quezon City, and engage with overseas Filipino workers and their families regarding rights-based migration, fair recruitment, and decent work. Houngbo was elected to the ILO post in March 2022. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. TRAGEDY. This combination of pictures shows Titan submersible passengers (from left to right, top to bottom) British billionaire Hamish Harding; Ocean Gate Expeditions CEO and founder Stockton Rush; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, director of a deep ocean research project dedicated to the Titanic; Suleman Dawood and his father Shahzada Dawood, vice-chairman of Karachi-headquartered conglomerate Engro. Inset photo shows the Titan submersible launching from a platform. AFP / OCEANGATE EXPEDITIONS All five people aboard a submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic diedlikely in an instantwhen their vessel suffered what the US Coast Guard said Thursday was a catastrophic implosion in the ocean depths. The somber announcement ended a multinational search-and-rescue operation that captivated the world since the tiny tourist craft disappeared in the North Atlantic four days ago. Rear Admiral John Mauger told reporters in Boston that analysis showed debris found on the seafloor, 1,600 feet (500 meters) from the bow of the Titanic, was consistent with an implosion of the subs pressure chamber. On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families, Mauger said. On board were British explorer Hamish Harding, French submarine expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani-British tycoon Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, and Stockton Rush, CEO of the subs operator OceanGate Expeditions. OceanGate said its hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time. These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans, it said in a statement. The Coast Guard announced earlier Thursday that an underwater robot had discovered a debris field in the search area. Authorities said they later learned the pieces included the subs tail cone and front and back ends of its pressure hull. Mauger said the Coast Guard could not be sure when or why the vessel imploded and declined to be drawn on whether remains of the men would be retrieved. This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there on the seafloor, he said. The process of demobilizing personnel and vessels from the scene would soon begin, but unmanned robots would continue operations on the seabed for now, Mauger added. Well collect as much information as we can, he said. 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 The US military originally detected the likely implosion of the craft on secret underwater sound monitoring devices shortly after it went missing on Sunday, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. The US Navy conducted an analysis of acoustic data and detected an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost, an unnamed senior Navy official told the Journal. The small sub named Titan disappeared on Sunday as it descended to the Titanic, which sits more than two miles (nearly four kilometers) below the oceans surface and 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. OceanGate Expeditions charged $250,000 for a seat on the sub. In a 2018 lawsuit, its former director of marine operations raised concerns about the experimental and untested design of Titan. The Titanic International Society said it could be time to replace manned missions to the wreck with autonomous machines. It is time to consider seriously whether human trips to Titanics wreck should end in the name of safety, with relatively little remaining to be learned from or about the wreck, it said in a Facebook post. Crewed submersibles roles in surveying the wreck now can be assigned to autonomous underwater vehicles. Harding was a billionaire and keen explorer with three Guinness Records to his name, while the Dawoods belonged to one of Pakistans richest families. Nargeolet was nicknamed Mr. Titanic for his frequent dives at the site. Hardings family paid tribute to the aviation tycoon in a statement, saying he was a passionate explorer as well as a loving husband and a dedicated father to his two sons. What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved, the family said. The Dawoods loved ones also expressed their profound grief at their loss in a brief statement. We are truly grateful to all those involved in the rescue operations. Their untiring efforts were a source of strength for us during this time, read the statement. The British and Pakistani governments expressed their deepest condolences to all the mens families. The 21-foot (6.5-meter) Titan had been due to resurface seven hours after beginning its descent at 8:00 am on Sunday. But the craft lost communication with its mothership less than two hours in. Ships and planes from the US and Canadian coast guards, as well as a robot sent from France, scoured 10,000 square miles (around 20,000 square kilometers) of surface water roughly the size of the US state of Massachusetts for the vessel. AFP The search honed in on areas where underwater banging noises were detected late Tuesday and Wednesday. But Mauger said that ultimately the sounds did not appear to have any relation to the site of the debris. 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. Marine scientist and oceanographer David Mearns, who specializes in deep water search and recovery operations, said earlier the debris discovery indicated a rapid breakup of the submersible. The only saving grace about that is that it would have been immediate, literally in milliseconds, and the men would have had no idea what was happening, Mearns, who was friends with two of those on board, told Sky News. AFP Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has officially introduced its first 7-seater Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) the All-New Toyota Zenix. Positioned to bring the electrified mobility experience to modern Filipino families, the All-New Zenix is a versatile vehicle with a self-charging hybrid system, combining the comfort, spaciousness, and reliability of a Toyota family carrier with the benefits of an advanced energy efficient ride, with a quiet drive and lesser emissions. The All-New Zenix is the newest addition to TMPs wide HEV lineup, expanding its existing range of the Corolla Altis, Corolla Cross, Camry and RAV4. Designed for those who value versatility, reliability, style, comfort, and convenience, the All-New Zenix provides an enhanced driving experience, assuring families of the spaciousness of an MPV ideal for various kinds of new family experiences. It comes in two variants the 2.0 Q Hybrid CVT and 2.0 V CVT. Equipped with the latest Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), the All-New Zenix HEV provides peace of mind in every drive with safety features such as Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. It also has active safety features such as Anti-Lock Brake System and Vehicle Stability Control. Features such as Panoramic View Monitor (PVM), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) are also available in the HEV variant to assist the driver during parking and other driving demands. The inside displays premium interiors that match the exterior. The HEV variant has captain seats with a power ottoman and power recline for a luxurious riding experience, complete with a side table for easy access of handheld items. The dark chestnut color of the seats and ambient lighting add to the exceptional look and feel of the MPV. The third-row seats of both variants can also be folded flat to provide more storage. The All-New Zenix is now available in all 72 Toyota dealerships nationwide at a starting price of PHP 1,953,000 for the 2.0 Q Hybrid CVT and PHP 1,670,000 for the 2.0 V CVT. The HEV variant comes in Platinum White Pearl Mica, Blackish Brown Mica, and Dark Steel Mica, while the gas variant is available in Platinum White Pearl Mica, Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, and Attitude Black Mica. As the pioneer in electrified mobility in the country, TMP continues to expand its HEV lineup as one of the concrete steps in its multiple pathway approach to help achieve carbon neutrality. With the introduction of the All-New Zenix, TMP aims to elevate the thrill and joy of moving together into a shared experience among families. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. According to CNN, Succession star Sarah Snook is going to play 26 different characters in a stage show version of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Versatility is the mark of any good actor. Although a handful of superstar actors can use their charisma and good looks to distract audiences from their lack of range, we usually tend to celebrate the actors that can completely transform into a new character with every role. Moreover, the actors who solely depend on their stunning countenances to remain aloft on the turbulent gales of celebrity have a shelf life equivalent to bodega bread. As a result, it isn't uncommon to see actors select a role designed to highlight their ability to cycle through personas within a single film or production. Sometimes, we get a masterful performance that becomes the benchmark for future actors. And occasionally, we get an awful performance that rivals Tommy Wiesau's acting chops. There's no middle ground. Hopefully, Succession star Sarah Snook can give us a performance that fits in the former category with her new role(s) in The Picture of Dorian Gray's stage show. BOSTON By all accounts, the Celtics were headed toward a three-team deal with the Wizards and Clippers. The centerpiece of the trade was naturally Kristaps Porzingis as the Cs were looking to upgrade their front court. Malcolm Brogdon was expected to be headed to Los Angeles in the deal as the Celtics moved one of their four guards. But drama ensued late Wednesday. The Clippers had reservations about Brogdons injury status after he hurt his forearm during the East Finals. So the Celtics pivoted, instead roping in the Grizzlies for the three-team deal, though that also meant Marcus Smart was the guard shipped out in a stunning move. DraftKings Massachusetts $200 Bonus Bets! CLAIM OFFER 21+. Physically present in MA. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. First-time depositors only who have not already redeemed $200 in bonus bets via OH or MA prelaunch offer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 bet. $200 issued as bonus bets that expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded. See terms at http://draftkings.com/ma. There have now been plenty of questions regarding Brogdons injury status. But Boston president Brad Stevens, in his first public comments about the trade early Friday morning, addressed how the guard felt with his injury. Our doctors and him have been really consistent with hes felt better and better and better and hes going to continue to do so and its going to monitored, Stevens said. If they need to go in and do that (surgery), then he can choose to. But he can also choose not to in the way hes feeling. Were very confident that hell be on the court and be good. There were also some questions that popped up about Brogdons injury status. While the guard wasnt included in the Clippers deal, the Celtics could still look to ship him elsewhere. However, ESPNs Brian Windhorst reported Thursday that Brogdons injury was so significant that theres probably no Malcolm Brogdon trade they can do in the short-term. Based off Stevens answer, it doesnt appear that Brogdons injury is serious enough that it will have long-term consequences. If thats the case, thats a positive for the Celtics as they can still use his contract and other assets to bring in another rotation player or difference-maker this offseason. Regardless, itll be interesting to see how the Cs operate moving forward with Brogdons contract. Two years before a Pakistani 19-year-old, his father and three other explorers were killed onboard the Titan submersible that officials now believe imploded underwater, a 19-year-old college student from Agawam also had the rare opportunity to be inside the small metal vessel himself. Evan Lyne, now 21, said he was a sophomore studying engineering at the University of Rhode Island when he went inside the Titan for a tour of the vessel in the fall of 2021, the year OceanGate Expeditions made its first successful expedition down to the Titanic wreckage. During a 3 p.m. press conference on Thursday, Rear Adm. John Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander, said an ROV called Horizon Arctic had found five pieces of debris from the Titan about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic. The destruction suggested catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber, or an implosion on the vessel, officials said, after it lost contact just under two hours into its dive on Sunday and did not resurface at the planned 6:10 p.m. time. This photo combo shows from left, Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Stockton Rush, and Hamish Harding who are believed to be dead after they were aboard a small submersible that went missing in the Atlantic Ocean. (AP Photo/File)AP Photo/File OceanGate had brought the Titan vessel on a trailer to the quad of URIs campus, providing students at the school known for its oceanic engineering program with the chance to learn about the vessel, the diving experience and to get a tour inside, Lyne said. The expedition was not presented as a tourism opportunity to the students, Lyne recalled; rather, it was discussed in terms of using the Titan for research. Evan Lyne, left, and his father Andrew Lyne. Photo courtesy Evan Lyne As a 19-year-old himself when he toured, Lyne said he could understand the fear 19-year-old Suleman Dawood may have felt during what was to be a 10 to 11 hours-long expedition, 12,000 feet down to the ocean floor. It has to be, I would have to imagine, absolutely terrifying, Lyne said. Knowing that they were in there... its very, very tight, very small. What stuck with Lyne since that day was the feeling of claustrophobia when he sat against the industrial-looking, cold metal walls with two of his friends, unable to extend his legs and close enough to touch both sides of the interior at once. It was so tiny and it was only three of us in there. I couldnt even imagine having more people in there because its freaky; you felt very trapped, Lyne remembered. When we all got in there, we were sitting shoulder to shoulder ... It was pretty shocking [to me] that they take this down, under the water like that, Lyne said. Now a senior engineering student at the university, Lyne said his studies dont have a connection to oceanography or that type of submersible vessel, and he plans to keep himself away from the whole concept in the future. I was only in it for like three, four minutes and I was already getting claustrophobic just sitting in there, above water, so I would not ever want to take that down myself, he said, adding that an especially unnerving aspect was the bolted exit hatchway passengers are unable to open themselves from the inside. From the inside, Lyne described how the single window for viewing was a porthole about the size of a dinner plate, and said there were two or three screens connected to cameras to display image from the outside. He said the bathroom area had no privacy, as it had to be used with a small privacy screen at one end of the vessel. The five people who were onboard are believed by officials to be dead. Their names are Hamish Harding, the owner and chairman of Action Aviation, ex-Navy officer and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Pakistani billionaire businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, Stockton Rush. As of now, the U.S. Coast Guard said the remote search for the submersible believed to be imploded will continue with no definitive timeline. The Boston division of the FBI arrested a New Hampshire woman on Friday morning, charging her with role in the Jan. 6 insurrection, according to court records. Cindy Young, of Bristol, New Hampshire, was arrested on four felony charges, one of which includes entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, according to court records. Six buses organized by Super Happy Fun America, a right-of-center civil rights organization, left Massachusetts on Jan. 5, 2021, to take Trump supporters to his rally and other protests, court records state. Young, one of the bus attendees, was at the pick-up location, holding a pro-Trump flag that read NO MORE BULLSH*T. Prior to getting on the bus, Young was interviewed by NTD News, a far-right news channel known for spreading misinformation, court records show. During her interview, Young stated the country was at a crossroad. Shortly after attending former President Trumps Stomp the Seal rally, Young joined a large group entering the Capitol building, court records say. While she was inside the building, Young scaled a staircase on the Northwest lawn as riots commenced outside. Young made her way into the Capitol building through the Senate Wing doors at approximately 2:22 p.m., according to court records. She proceeded to navigate through different sections of the building, all the while clutching a Trump 2020 flag and an American flag. Young was contacted by authorities on Jan. 13, 2021, about a man who was arrested on Jan. 6, 2021, court records stated. She not only admitted to traveling with the man who was arrested but that she also paid $75 for the bus trip to attend the rally. Young likened the scene on Capitol grounds to a war zone, court records stated. Young admitted entering the Capitol and stated her goal was to get to the hearing room so that her voice might be heard. She was later interviewed on Feb. 11, 2022, where she admitted to going inside the Capitol building where things got crazy, court records said. Young later admitted to going inside the building once she was presented with a photo of herself in the Capitol stating, That is me standing near the hearing doors! The FBI Boston Division has made 26 arrests related to the U.S. Capitol breach, the division said. CHICOPEE Chicopee will start the next school year with 30 added teaching posts, as well as adding parent engagement counselors for the first time. Those jobs are included in the $122,693,363 budget the School Committee passed this week. The budget includes an increase of $9.7 million thanks to the states Student Opportunity Act, which boosts funding for schools with children who have the most needs. Along with new teachers, the spending plan will add more than 20 teaching assistants to 15 schools, along with improving safety. The committee passed the budget in three ballots Wednesday night. Several members abstained when voting on different portions of the budget due to conflicts of interest. No one voted or spoke against the plan. We have 78 new hires. Some are positions we did not fill last year, Interim Superintendent Alvin W. Morton said. The new positions range from two elementary reading teachers and a high school science teacher to 10 safety officers and an additional districtwide substance abuse and intervention teacher. The budget includes a number of new special education teachers, he said. The plan will allow a cosmetology elective to begin at Chicopee Academy, expand music education at Anna Barry School, add French classes at Comprehensive High School and hire a criminal justice teacher, a business teacher and a college and career readiness instructor at Chicopee High, Morton said. Faced with some positions that are already vacant, and amid concerns about a shortage of teachers and teaching assistants, Assistant Superintendent Matthew Francis said the school department started advertising in April for jobs they knew they would need to fill. The department saw the large increase in the budget in part because of the rising number of children who live in low-income families. In October, the student poverty rate was tallied at 67% and the number of students who are considered high needs was 72%. By June, the poverty rate in the district had increased to 73%, Morton said. Massachusetts law sets the minimum amount each school district must spend on its students. This year state aid, which funds two-thirds of Chicopees school budget, increased by about $8 million. The city is required to boost its share of funding for schools by $1.7 million, he said. Additional federal and state grants will help pay for teacher salaries and other expenses, Morton said. One day earlier, the City Council voted to create a school savings account with about $10 million left from unspent funds this school year. The account was necessary because the School Department cannot legally hold unused money. There was a motion to transfer some of our prior year funds, as they are called technically unencumbered, unspent school funds into a special stabilization account for school purposes, School Committee member Timothy Wagner said. All that money will still be there for us to use. The City Council will have to agree to transfer the money at the School Committees request. The money can only be used for education, he said. Mayor John Vieau, who serves as School Committee chairman, said creating the stabilization account was the best way to handle the savings, since the money will be available at any time. A Dorchester man was sentenced to life in prison Friday after he was found guilty of murder for the role he played in the killing of a 29-year-old New Jersey woman whose dead body was found burned 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. Friday, days after the guilty conviction, Plymouth Superior Court Judge Elaine Buckley sentenced Owens to life in prison, officials said. Prosecutors claim Owens conspired with New Hampshire couple Julian and Shannon Squires to kidnap and kill 29-year-old New Jersey woman Ashley Bortner. Owens and the couple believed 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 was 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 more than 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. 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. A Southwick resident who has a 35-year career in international politics is planning to run for vice president of her native Honduras in the hopes of reducing poverty and corruption and quashing communism in the Central American country. Sofia Bobak-Carias, who has lived in Southwick since 2017, said she officially agreed to run for vice president of Honduras in May, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Tiburcio Carias Andino, who served as the countrys president from 1933 to 1949. The presidential election isnt until November 2025 and Bobak-Carias said her team does not expect to formally begin their campaign until March 2024. They are now working to develop election strategies and a long-term leadership plan if they are successful. Im doing my homework and creating alliances and seeking support and awareness to what it could mean if the communists win again, she said. Bobak-Carias is a member of the National Party, which she described as centrist-conservative, with roots in Christian humanism. The party supports values such as ensuring people have basic dignity and individual freedoms. The current president is Xiomara Castro Sarmiento Zelaya, a member of the Liberal Party, who became the first woman to be elected as president in 2021. The Republican and MassLive were able to confirm Bobak-Carias candidacy by translating a to whom it may concern letter written May 19 by Mario Facusse Handal, the National Partys candidate for president in the November 2025 election. In the letter, Handal certifies that Bobak-Carias is the partys vice presidential candidate. Handal says his ticket-mate has shown true commitment and dedication during preparations for the next presidential elections ... [and] has our full confidence to represent us in anything necessary. This candidacy has the great support and commitment of the honorable people of this country, Handal writes. A life spent preparing So how does a woman who lives in rural Southwick end up as a candidate for vice president in Honduras? Its almost like Bobak-Carias spent her life preparing for this. While she was growing up, her father, who was named after her grandfather, served as an ambassador and diplomat for Honduras. She spent her youth in her native country and then left to study political science in Paris. She spent the last 35 years in Brussels working as a lobbyist and in international business and politics, most recently with the European Commission. She holds three masters degrees, including one in business administration and another in government policies, protocol and etiquette. She speaks five languages. She is married to Keven Meder, who works in the pharmaceutical industry and grew up in the Springfield area. When he was transferred to Massachusetts, she moved as well, after spending decades in Europe for her career and now able to work remotely. The couple has an adult daughter. But Bobak-Carias has always kept close contacts in Honduras, where multiple family members live, including two sisters who are both lawyers. While visiting about three months ago, she was approached by Nationalist Party leaders who asked if she would consider running. You come from an honorable family who has not been tainted by corruption, she said, quoting leaders who asked her to run for office. You have the name and the education and the experience. The country has two vice presidents, along with the president. Bobak-Carias agreed to run for vice president of external politics and foreign affairs with Handal. She said she knows it will be a huge task to run for office and to serve as vice president, but wants to rebuild the party of her father and grandfather, which is in disarray after the last National Party president, Juan Orlando Hernandez, was implicated in a drug trafficking case in federal court in the United States. We have to do a cleanup of the party, she said. We need to plan what our government would be like and talk to people who would help. Humanitarian needs But even more pressing, she said, is a need to help residents. In her youth, Honduras was a relatively prosperous country. Now, more than 50% of people are living in poverty, gangs and drug trafficking are rampant and businesses face constant shakedowns from gangs, which often demand half their daily profits, Bobak-Carias said. People are dying of hunger and I never thought I would see that, she said. Schools are also in disarray, creating a low literacy rate and leaving an entire generation behind educationally, she said. Those problems are impacting the United States because it is causing part of the influx of illegal immigration, as Hondurans flee the poverty, the crime and the lack of jobs in their country, Bobak-Carias said. She says her next step will be to meet with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., about the need to improve the countrys relationship with Honduras. She shares a concern that has been brought up by U.S. leaders. Honduran officials are discussing dropping diplomatic support for Taiwan to build better relations with China. Bobak-Carias said she feels that change could have a chilling effect on all of Central America, especially in countries such as Guatemala. People hear about Ukraine because of the noise. But this is the silent enemy, she said. AMHERST Switching to renewable energy might not be as costly as it once seemed ... for 90% of us. New research, co-authored by Gregor Semieniuk of the University of Massachusetts Amhersts Political Economy Research Institute, has found that a transition to renewable energy would not have a major financial effect on the general population. The research assistant professor at UMass, alongside Lucas Chancel, associate professor of economics at Sciences Po in Paris, and four other co-authors, notes that two-thirds of the financial losses from fossil fuel assets would affect the top 10% of wealth holders, with half of that affecting the top 1%. Only 3.5% of financial losses would affect the bottom 50% of Americans, which could be covered with $12 billion in the United States (for scale, the total of U.S. spending in 2022 was $6.5 trillion). Semieniuk and Chancel believe the government could raise this money through a modest carbon emissions tax, a modest tax on the 1% and renegotiating current liabilities to energy companies. Theres this idea that its the general populace that should be opposed to climate policy that creates stranded assets because their pensions are at risk or their retirement savings or just their savings. Its not untrue that some wealth is at risk, but in affluent countries its not a reason for government inaction because it would be so cheap for governments to compensate that, Semieniuk said in a statement. See the research at cell.com/joule/fulltext/S2542-4351(23)00220-9. It was supported by the U.K. Natural Environment Research Council, U.N. Development Programme, an EU Horizon grant, the Leverhulme Research Centre and the Leverhulme Trust. James Foster In an interview with ABC News, Titanic filmmaker James Cameron has expressed his shock over the recent tragedy of the Titan submersible that was lost while exploring the historic shipwreck. And he commented on the "similarity" of the Titanic wreck and the Titan implosion. "Many people in the [deep-submergence engineering] community were very concerned about this sub I'm struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night. And many people died as a result." He paralleled this with the Titan's plight, noting how the warnings for both went unheeded and resulted in a tragedy at the same site. Cameron, who has a profound interest in ocean-diving and has made several dives to the Titanic wreckage himself, stressed the importance of safety protocols in submersible engineering. "As a submersible designer myself, I designed and built us up to go to the deepest place in the ocean, three times deeper than Titanic. So I understand the engineering problems associated with building this type of vehicle and all the safety protocols that you have to go through deep submergence diving is a mature art. From the early '60s, where there were a few accidents, nobody was killed in the deep submergence until now." He also said that his interest in the Titanic went far beyond just filmmaking, and claimed to have spent more time on the ship than its original captain did. "I made Titanic because I wanted to dive to the shipwreck, not because I particularly wanted to make the movie The Titanic was the Mount Everest of shipwrecks, and as a diver I wanted to do it right." (Deadline) A Brockton man accused of shooting a Boston police officer multiple times during an attempted robbery earlier in June is set to appear in court Friday. John Lazare, 23, was charged with armed robbery, assault and battery with a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon (firearm), carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, possession of a large capacity firearm, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and receiving stolen property, according to the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office. Lazare is scheduled to be in Roxbury court for a dangerousness hearing Friday morning. Hes been held without bail after he was charged on June 12. On Friday, June 9, a Boston police officer patrolling Roxbury spotted Lazare, who police say was attempting to rob a delivery driver near 44 Cedric St. He recognized Lazare as a suspect from a previous similar delivery driver robbery that occurred days prior. Moments after the officer closed in on Lazare, he shot the officer several times, wounding him in the leg and back, according to the district attorneys office. Massachusetts state police later responded to the area to assist the injured officer, officials stated. First responders took the officer to Boston Medical Center to treat non-life-threatening injuries. He has since been released from the hospital. A Boston Police Department spokesperson said the agency will not release the identity of the injured officer. Responding officers later found Lazare on a rooftop. Officials said he jumped off the roof and landed in an alleyway injuring his leg. Police placed Lazare under arrest and he was later charged in connection with the shooting and attempted robbery. Boston police and the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office are investigating the shooting. The January 2022 fatal police shooting of a 42-year-old man in Burlington was deemed reasonable after a review by a Middlesex County Judge. Middlesex Judge Shelby Smith released her decision on the officer-involved fatal shooting on Friday after reviewing the incident for more than a year, according to the Middlesex District Attorneys Office. On Jan. 23, 2022, Paul Courtemanche, 42, called Burlington police and told dispatchers he had a knife and didnt know how he was feeling, according to the district attorneys office. Courtemanche also stated he didnt know how hell respond when police arrived at his home and he would not put his knife down, officials added. Burlington police officers Robert Reyes and Aurise Miedico drove over to Courtemanches residence at the Lord Baron Apartments on Baron Park Lane and waited for backup to arrive. Shortly after the two cops arrived at the apartment complex and stood outside their cruisers, Courtemanche walked outside holding an 8-10 inch knife, according to the district attorneys office. Officials said Courtemanche held the knife over his head as he charged toward Reyes and Miedico. Both police officers yelled for Courtemanche to put the knife down but he ignored them, according to the district attorneys office. Reyes shot at Courtemanche using a less-than-lethal shotgun. However, officials said the man was unaffected and continued to walk toward police. As Courtemanche crept toward the officers, Miedico tripped and fell attempting to walk back to distance herself from the man. Courtemanche continued to walk toward Miedico, who was on the ground, prompting her to fire two shots into Courtemanche using a standard firearm. Courtemanche was killed by those gunshots, officials stated. Smith wrote the following statement in her findings: Applying the credible evidence to the applicable case law pertaining to the use of deadly force in defense of oneself or others, the court finds that the decision of Officer Reyes to engage with the less-than-lethal shotgun was objectively reasonable upon Mr. Courtemanches initial approach, within the meaning of Graham v. Connor, the judge wrote. Officer Miedico fired her weapon after Mr. Courtemanche was not subdued by the less lethal shot and continued toward her at a quick pace, armed with a knife. Any reasonable law enforcement officer in the same position would reasonably believe that she was in imminent danger of being seriously injured or killed. At that moment no reasonable alternative existed, except for the use of deadly force. A Lawrence man was accused of speeding off from New Hampshire State Police at 130 mph during a police chase Thursday night. Gabriel Lima, 24, of Lawrence, was charged and arrested in connection with the Thursday night police pursuit, according to a New Hampshire State Police report. At around 10:23 p.m. Thursday, a New Hampshire state trooper clocked a driver driving erratically at 109 mph on Interstate 93 in Bow. The state trooper turned on their lights and tried to pull the driver over. However, police said the operator drove faster at speeds of 130 mph. The state trooper did not pursue the car and lost sight of the vehicle as it headed into Concord. A short while after, another trooper found the car with its lights shut off on the side of the road near a state trooper barrack, the report stated. The driver spotted the state trooper and drove off toward the parking lot of the state trooper barracks. However, police said he turned around away from the barracks after seeing the state police sign, the report read. Officials said the man drove erratically at varying speeds in Concord as state police pursued him. The driver crossed a median twice, police added. The car eventually hit a concrete curb on Manchester Street in Concord and crashed on the Merrimack River Bridge, police said. Police said they took the driver, later identified as Lima, into custody following the crash. He also was taken to a hospital for treatment. New Hampshire police charged Lima with three counts of aggravated driving under the influence, two counts of reckless conduct, disobeying an officer, operating without a license and two counts of crossing a median, according to officials. Lima is set to be arraigned in Merrimack County Superior Court on July 20. New Hampshire State Police are investigating the crash. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Trooper John Zavala at 603-223-8785 or John.A.Zavala@dos.nh.gov. HOLYOKE Sen. Elizabeth Warren will be speaking with constituents in a town hall style forum at 1 p.m., Sunday at Holyoke Community College. The event, which is one of several she is holding across the state, will be held outside in the colleges courtyard at 303 Homestead Ave. In the case of rain, it will be moved to the Campus Center. Doors will open at noon and the general public is welcome to attend. Warren, a Democrat who is running for reelection in November, is expected to talk about the June 24 anniversary of the Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade and her efforts to protect womens health care and reproductive freedom. She will also talk about other issues she is fighting for in Washington, including pressing issues facing Massachusetts. Warren also wants to hear about peoples concerns and issues and will answer questions from the audience. Tickets are not needed but people who want to attend are encouraged to respond at hcc.edu/warren-townhall. Two Springfield men were arrested by federal authorities Thursday following a lengthy investigation into trafficking of large qualities of heroin and fentanyl. Agents attached to the FBIs Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force made the arrest Thursday evening after investigators said two suspects were seen receiving a large shipment of drugs at a downtown hotel. Abraham Heredia, 23, and Jose Heredia Jr., 34, were arraigned in U.S. District Court in Springfield Thursday on a charge of conspiracy to distribute. They were ordered held pending a detention hearing next week. According to court documents, the Heredias are suspected of supplying large quantities of heroin and fentanyl to various sellers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. At the pairs arraignment Thursday, federal agents told the court that Jose Heredia Jr. met with outside drug suppliers and received a large shipment of a heroin and fentanyl mixture prepackaged for sale. Agents were aware of the sale in advance after the Heredias cell phones were tapped and GPS monitors were attached to their vehicle as approved by the court. After Heredia Jr. received a shipment on Congress Street in downtown Springfield, authorities followed his vehicle and made a traffic stop at the interception of Maple and Avon streets. In Heredia Jr.s pickup truck, they found approximately 1.6 kilograms of heroin/fentanyl. The charge of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with the intent to distribute carries a prison term of up to 20 years, lifetime supervised release and up to $1 million in fines. NORTHAMPTON Two city businesses, Assemble and Many Graces, recently became recipients of funds through the Massachusetts Vacant Storefront Program. Through the city of Northampton, each business received $10,000 in general financial assistance and another $10,000 in refundable tax credits. The program looks to revamp the downtowns and commercial areas of Massachusetts cities and towns. Northampton, like all other beneficiaries, applied for certification as a Certified Vacant Storefront District to the Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council. The council also approved nine projects for the Economic Development Incentive Program. The statewide program seeks to create new jobs and help businesses grow by offering credits to lower taxes in exchange for job creation. Assemble is an independent furniture and gift store, and Many Graces is a specialty-cut flower farm and floral design studio. Both stores will look to add vibrancy to the citys commercial life. Two other stores, Salted Soul Cave in Acton and Perry Pool Supply in Gardner, also will be benefiting from the Vacant Storefront Program. James Foster Dear Annie: Last year, a friend of 50 years and I were talking about flying to Canada to meet for a trip. Prior to making any plans, I researched and found that the mask requirements were still in place for Canada. Although I have always adhered to the requirements and am fully vaccinated, I didnt feel comfortable having to wear a mask for such a long trip. I am already a nervous flyer due to inner ear issues, and I felt this would cause a lot of anxiety. I said I would pass but she and the other friend involved should proceed without me. She then told me she felt our friendship did not matter to me as much as not wearing a mask and she could no longer be around me! I gave her a heartfelt apology, saying it had nothing to do with my affection for her and that I was devastated she felt that way. It did not make a difference, and now I am left feeling so abandoned and sad. This is a friend with whom I have never exchanged harsh words and would never in a million years expect anything less than compassion and understanding. I am obsessing about it and doubting myself, although anyone I have asked says they think she is the unreasonable one. How do I get beyond this hurt? Broken Up Over Covid Dear Broken Up: A 50-year friendship shouldnt go down this easily. There might be something else going on in her personal life that is making her act so irrationally. I would reach out to her and reiterate how much you care about the friendship and how much you miss her. Tell her that you want to plan another trip with her now that the mask mandates are a thing of the past. If all of that still doesnt work, then there isnt much you can do. She knows how you feel, and the ball is in her court. Dear Annie: This is a reply to Catfished, the 70-year-old woman who was deceived by a pen pal as a teen and is considering whether or not to reach out now. I would seriously taper your expectations from the pen pal. Youll likely get a more vocal response if you sound more curious than upset. For example, I thought we had made a genuine connection. Why didnt you tell me instead of hiding? It felt like we had a real friendship. Something along those lines would open the door. Asking from a place of curiosity, not a place of anger, is likely a better route to go if you want them to respond so you can find some amount of closure. -- Similarly Swindled Dear Swindled: Youve made an excellent suggestion. Catfished is undoubtedly still hurt by this womans actions no matter how long its been, but I agree shes more likely to get a better outcome if she approaches it calmly and rationally -- and, as you say, as a matter of curiosity. Other readers reached out with similar sentiments and words of gentle caution, as well as echoed the therapy suggestion to finally overcome this unresolved pain. How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner? is out now! Annie Lanes second anthology featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM Gov. Maura Healey, just five months into office, put a lot of money on the line this week for people of Hampden County. She announced her administration has budgeted $106 million for initial work to design an entirely new Springfield courts complex and find a place to build it. It will be years before any new doors open, but they will be new and thats good news for court employees long forced to work in a building linked to more than 60 cancer diagnoses and the deaths of five employees. Work continues to survey and monitor adverse health effects among courthouse workers. It is too early for anyone to be recommending locations. In May, the state released a ranking of possible sites. The table is set and the debate over location will be vigorous. Healey said her team will talk with all stakeholders. In the meantime, its worth noting that wherever a new court complex goes up, it will be different. Healey promised this project, which could cost Massachusetts half a billion dollars, will be the courthouse of the future. Paperwork that emerged in May about possible sites provides a sense of what the governor means by that. When it was built in the 1970s, the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse no doubt used best construction practices. Half a century later, engineering advances prefer buildings that sip energy and provide safe environments. A sense of futurism goes beyond that. Evaluations of the current buildings in use both the Ireland structure at 50 State St. and the nearby Springfield Housing and Juvenile Court, at 80 State St. found functional inadequacies from top to bottom. For instance, architects these days believe courtrooms should be of different sizes, to suit different needs. The current courtrooms are fairly similar in size. The new complex will feature spaces meant to accommodate both large and standard trials, as well as bench trials (those without a jury) and proceedings focused on juveniles and family matters. The current Hampden Superior Court has three large courtrooms and five ones for standard trials but none for bench trials or hearings. The new plan calls for two spaces for bench trials and a hearing room. In the district court, the future may include one added space, trading one arraignment room for an additional venue for small trials. A lot happens outside of courtrooms. The next complex will likely include dedicated areas where people can wait to enter a specific courtroom other than bide their time on benches out in the general flow of foot traffic. Those halls, now, often find attorneys and clients huddled up, trying to prepare for court appearances. Those conversations should not be happening in public spaces, the states designers say. The new complex may include both small and large attorney-client conference rooms for every two courtrooms. Overall, the new building could have as many as 33 courtrooms and hearing rooms, compared to 26 today. Some of the courthouse of the future elements will be seen by only a few. Those include more and larger holding and detention areas. Today, those spaces are, in the words of state evaluators, poorly located, undersized, and in poor condition. Lawyers and clients will also get new spaces to confer. As for juries, early concepts call for larger deliberation rooms along with a host of smaller spaces related to that piece of the judicial process, including vestibules, quarters for court officers, rooms for alternative jurors and accessible restrooms. Not surprisingly, you need more space to get all that in a building. In its early calculations, the state says that courtrooms in the two buildings today the Hall of Justice and the nearby housing and juvenile courts building take up 52,329 square feet of space. As of mid-May, the state said that future courtrooms in total could measure 73,100 square feet or even 99,800 square feet. Its hard to picture what those numbers mean. In its early designs for the ranked locations, the state has a prospective design for 50 State St (the current site) rising to seven or nine stories and encompassing up to 322,100 square feet. A building at 255 Liberty St. could hit six stories and include 244,800 square feet of space. The current complex measures 294,741 square feet. Dont put on your hardhat quite yet. The timelines are tentative, but they call for construction to start in January 2027 and take up to three years. Unfortunately, the wait is long and many long-suffering current workers will never clock in at the courthouse of the future. Rafael Devers is tied for first in MLB with 58 RBI going into the Red Soxs series opener against the Chicago White Sox on Friday. But hes unhappy with his overall production. Im not feeling good at the plate, Devers told The Boston Globes Alex Speier through translator Carlos Villoria Benitez. To be honest, Im not who Im supposed to be at the plate. BetMGM Massachusetts BET $10, GET $200 BONUS BETS CLAIM OFFER Promo code: MASSLIVE 21+ and present in Massachusetts. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler. The third baseman is batting .238 with 17 home runs for Boston. And while the homers are among the top-10 in the league, Devers knows how hes performed this year isnt up to his expectations and knows there is more to give. Im not happy with the way that Im performing this year. I know that I can give way more than what Im doing right now, Devers told Speier. Thats one of the things that kind of stings, that Im not producing the way I know I can produce. I dont know what it is right now, he added. Im working on stuff in the cage. Sometimes Im trying to look for a pitch and they dont throw it to me, and then when they throw it, Im already late. Speier notes that while Devers is swinging and missing at a lower clip than last year, his timing has been off. The 26-year-old no longer has Xander Bogaerts or J.D. Martinez to lend him advice in real time, something Speier notes has forced Devers to adjust to different lineup dynamics. Devers has struggled to find consistency at the plate, going just 3-for-19 in his last five games, but hes confident hell turn it around and get out of the slump. I think Im going to end up having a great year and this time will just pass, Devers told Speier. ... When I start hitting the way that I know I can hit, this team is going to be way better. So, Im happy that the team that we have, the way that were producing. Its just a matter of time until I get my timing back and well be even better. Devers has a prime opportunity to get back on track and showcase the power he has against a struggling White Sox team (3-7 in their last 10 games) when the Red Sox start their three-game series Friday at 8:10 p.m. ET. The mother of a 4-year-old girl is due to appear in court on Friday, one day after she was arrested when police said she took her daughter from a party without authority, prompting an Amber alert. Brandee Arnold, 32 of Springfield, was found with her 4-year-old daughter at a trailer park on Fifth Avenue in Chesire not long after the alert went out at around 11:20 a.m. Thursday, according to Massachusetts State Police. Read more: East Longmeadow man missing at Hampton Ponds not found in Thursday search The mom took the 4-year-old and then immediately our officers began looking for her utilizing different cell phones, utilizing the state police and different agencies, and were able to catch her on the (Massachusetts Turnpike) camera, as well as some other locations via her phone, ultimately leading to where she was located in Cheshire, Springfield police spokesperson Ryan Walsh told WWLP. Police said Arnold took her daughter during a family party. Taking her daughter was a violation of her custody agreement, police added, and Arnold was said to have previously made both suicidal and homicidal statements. The Springfield Police Department will decide what charges Arnold will face in connection with the incident. Have Questions? Please visit our Help Center for answers to frequently asked questions and contact information. Purchasing Multiple Copies? Email us at BookSales@wau.org if you are interested in purchasing 5+ copies of the same title to receive a bulk discount. Two days after his canoe capsized at Hampton Ponds State Park in Westfield, Massachusetts State Police said they and local agencies are continuing their search on Friday for an East Longmeadow man who slipped beneath the waves. State police said the search team will deploy marine assets, divers and a Remotely Operated Vehicle into Pequot Pond, which is the specific body of water being searched. Read more: East Longmeadow man missing at Hampton Ponds not found in Thursday search Officials said the missing canoer was from East Longmeadow but did not release his name. The Westfield Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call Wednesday night that said a man went underwater and did not come back up. The search on Thursday wrapped up at around 5:30 p.m. The missing man was with two other men in the canoe when it capsized, state police said. Both of the other men made it to the pond shore, with one man taken by Westfield firefighters to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Attempts by Good Samaritans to find the East Longmeadow man were not successful, state police said. Search teams looked for the man until 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Westfield police said on Facebook that anyone with video footage looking out onto the ponds should call 413-562-5411. Police are looking specifically for footage in the areas of Long Pond Road, Old Apremont Way and the boat ramp. WESTFIELD On the agenda of the School Committee meeting on June 21 was a discussion of the Westfield Police Station location being proposed on a field behind Westfield Middle School owned by the School Department. Although Mayor Michael McCabe said he was hoping for a vote in favor of the proposal at the meeting, board members said they would prefer to wait for a more detailed presentation later this summer. The question was first addressed during public participation by Police Commission Chair Richard Sypek, who said the slow and painful process to look for a location for a new station had been going on since he was appointed almost three years ago. Sypek said the commission hired consultants and put out bid requests to find a site that would allow for a 35,000 square foot station on 4-5 acres. He said most of the bids did not meet the Police Departments needs. McCabe suggested the land behind Westfield Middle School about nine months ago. The board of Worcesters Affordable Housing Trust Fund unanimously denied a request from the owners of 2 Gage St., the site of a deadly 2022 fire, for financial support to rebuild the property after impassioned pleas from former tenants against the funding. Board members questioned the connection between Jamie Vargas, who claimed to be the buildings new owner, and previous owners Huanchen Li and Wendy Wang before choosing to remove the application from the review process Wednesday. Vargas and Nicole Fraga presented to the board asking for $471,770 to build a seven-unit apartment building, with three apartments restricted to households earning 30% or less of the area median income. Due to the extent of the damage caused by the fire, the building had to be bulldozed in the month following the fire. While a former resident, Yvonne Ngoiri, is facing second-degree murder and arson charges in connection with the May 14, 2022 fire, former tenants shared stories of poor conditions in the building that they suggested contributed to the severity of the fire and the difficulty getting people out. Four people died in the fire: Joseph Garchali, 47; Christopher Lozeau, 53; Vincent Page, 41; and Marcel Fontaine, 29. Another resident, Aaliyah Hazard, was seriously injured after jumping from a window to escape the fire. Hazard spoke at the board meeting, sharing her story of how the tenants who died worked to get her out of the third-floor window, but could not escape themselves. She also spoke of the steps the landlords could have taken to prevent the fire or decrease its severity, including taking a restraining order out against Ngoiri, replacing broken windows on the back porch or replacing structural supports in the building after it experienced flooding. The landlords could have done their best with the building, according to Hazard, but they did not. Rachel King, a former tenant, begged the board not to let the LLC that is now in charge of the property to rebuild on the land of 2 Gage St., saying she cant see more bloodshed at the hands of Li and Wang. At Wednesdays meeting, Vargas claimed Li was no longer connected to the property or the project to rebuild. He said he is the project director and a property manager will oversee the building. When questioned if he owned the property, Vargas first said he paid $300,000 to purchase it, then, when questioned further, said he paid $150,000 to purchase the building, along with a relative of Lis, Lisa Li, who paid out $150,000 herself. Board member Jason Pincomb questioned both claims because the deed for the property shows Li and Wang, listed as managers of 2 Gage Street LLC, being paid less than $100 for the property by 2 Gage Worcester LLC. The $300,000 sum Vargas said was paid for the property is not mentioned on the deed, according to documents in the Registry of Deeds. Vargas is listed as a manager for 2 Gage Worcester LLC, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealths Corporations Database, but 2 Gage Street LLC is also listed as a manager. Both 2 Gage Worcester LLC and 2 Gage Worcester list Huanchen Li as the resident agent. Lisa Li is listed as the manager of 2 Gage Street LLC and Henry Li is listed as the signatory, according to the database. Pincomb pressed Vargas on why the deed didnt say $300,000 and if he actually meant that he bought equity in the LLC, but Vargas did not explain that and said he purchased the building and not equity. Worcester City Council vote Tuesday to go on the record in opposition to the project receiving funding from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. A letter from the council was read out at the board meeting Wednesday, and said to even consider giving funding to the applicant is disgraceful and they could not condone the dangerous conditions at the properties owned by Wang and Li by rewarding the negligent property owners with money. The council found there were 574 code violations including 88 fire violations across the four Worcester properties Li and Wang owned as of 2022. Fraga told the board that the violations are in the past and what theyre trying to do, with new management and a new construction company in charge, is build affordable housing for families. Attorney Daryl Abbas, an attorney for the LLC, said the project is going to move forward with or without the funding. What the board was determining was whether it would include affordable housing. Abbas said something was going to be built on the property, it would just have more benefit to the community if it were low-income housing. 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, even without the funding, Fraga said. Vargas said Wednesday the project is expected to cost nearly $1.6 million. A Worcester woman is suing a crisis pregnancy center in the city, claiming a missed diagnosis there led to a life-threatening situation that required her to have invasive emergency surgery, according to court records. The woman, who is only identified as Jane Doe, filed the class action suit against Clearway Clinic seeking relief in Worcester Superior Court on Thursday. We cannot speak as to any individuals medical claims or history due to HIPAA regulations, Clearway Clinic CEO Jill Jorgensen said in a statement. Clearway Clinic has served more than 10,000 women and their families in the Worcester area for the past 22 years at no cost and have never had a complaint like this in the past. We hope to continue to provide needed services to women and their families in Massachusetts for many more years. Read more: Worcester board denies funding request from owners of 2 Gage St., site of deadly fire In the suit, the woman claims she made an appointment at Clearway Clinic on Shrewsbury Street after looking up ultrasound services online. During her appointment in October 2022, she claims she was told she had a viable pregnancy, according to a press statement from Reproductive Equity Now, an organization that advocates for protection and expansion of abortion access and reproductive equity for everyone, according to its website. However, a month later, the woman says she experienced a sharp and shooting pain and had to be rushed to the emergency room. The woman was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy, which ruptured and caused internal hemorrhaging. She had to undergo emergency surgery to stop the bleeding that resulted in the removal of one of her fallopian tubes, according to the statement from Reproductive Equity Now. The lawsuit alleges that the nurse who performed the ultrasound at Clearway Clinic a month prior to the rupture did not undertake sufficient medical measures to assure (her) that her pregnancy was in utero and thus viable. If she had the standard level of care, the suit claims, her ectopic pregnancy would have been identified and she could have gotten the treatment she needed to terminate the pregnancy and avoided a life-threatening situation. Clearway misleads patients, through its advertising, medical documentation, and informational materials, that it will perform ultrasounds to determine the viability of intrauterine pregnancy, the suit claims. These statements are false, as ultrasounds performed do not meet standard levels of medical care which cause misdiagnosis, including in Plaintiffs case failing to identify a life threatening ectopic pregnancy. Clearway Clinic has been dubbed a crisis pregnancy center and is on Reproductive Equity Nows list of fake womens health centers. In its guide to abortion care, the advocacy organization advises people to beware of these centers its deemed fake. Crisis pregnancy centers often set themselves up near abortion clinics and are sometimes funded by organizations that oppose abortion in any and all circumstances, Reproductive Equity Now says on its website. This case is further proof that anti-abortion centers like Clearway not only harm the health and safety of people seeking abortion, but also patients in need of basic pregnancy care, Rebecca Hart Holder, president of Reproductive Equity Now, said in a statement Thursday. Anti-abortion centers engage in deceptive advertising practices to lure pregnant people into their clinics before providing patients with disinformation to dissuade them from accessing abortion. By failing to offer safe or legitimate health services, Hart Holder said, facilities like Clearway Clinic are putting patients at serious risk. In the suit, it claims that the nurses providing care at the clinic are not licensed to diagnose pregnancies or practice medicine, despite the clinic providing promotional materials stating the diagnoses are done by a doctor and the plaintiff receiving paperwork from her visit listing an Erin Kate Dooley, MD. The suit states that Clearway Clinics goal is to dissuade women from terminating their pregnancies rather than providing them with the range of medically appropriate options. While working as Massachusetts attorney general, now-Gov. Maura Healey warned Bay Staters to be wary of crisis pregnancy centers, issuing a consumer advisory last year that they do NOT provide comprehensive reproductive healthcare and many are NOT licensed medical facilities. Two weeks after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a 50-year-old ruling that legalized abortion nationwide, Clearway Clinic was one of two crisis pregnancy centers vandalized in Worcester. The clinic had all of its windows smashed and the words Janes Revenge spray-painted outside the clinic. We are deeply saddened that misunderstandings about what we do have led to pro-abortion extremists targeting our center, the clinic said in a statement released after the vandalism. However, we are committed to continuing our mission of serving women in our community. The suit brought against Clearway Clinic is a class action suit, meaning people who have sought medical care there who feel they have been similarly mistreated or misled can join onto the suit and/or potentially benefit from any restitution ordered by the judge. Clearways actions are not only illegal, but abhorrent, attorney for the plaintiff Shannon Liss-Riordan said in a statement. Our client was forced to undergo a traumatic, dangerous, and completely avoidable emergency surgery to save her life because she was deceived into going to an anti-abortion clinic instead of an appropriate healthcare provider. On Tuesday, three massive cargo planes departed Buffalo Niagara International Airport with a remote-operated, deep-sea vehicle developed by a company with ties to Western New York. On Thursday, that company, Pelagic Research Services, said that its vehicle was the one that discovered the debris field in the frantic Titan rescue effort that grabbed worldwide attention. The debris found in the search area for the missing submersible was consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel, the U.S. Coast Guard said. All five people on board are believed to be dead, officials said. The Titan submersible imploded, killing all 5 on board, the US Coast Guard says The U.S. Coast Guard says a missing submersible imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, killing all five people on board. Coast Guard officials said during a news conference Thursday that theyve notified the families of the crew of the Titan, which had been missing for several days. OceanGate Expeditions is the company that owned and operated the vessel. The company issued a statement expressing its sorrow and lauding the passengers as adventurers with a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans. A senior U.S. military official says a Navy acoustic system detected an anomaly Sunday that was likely the Titans fatal implosion. Pelagic, the company behind the vehicle that found the debris, is an ocean services company based near Cape Cod, Mass., that has its primary equipment and personnel based in East Aurora. Pelagic said in a statement this week that it was contacted by OceanGate Expeditions on Monday, a day after OceanGates submersible went missing and kicked off a massive search. From there, Pelagic was able to assemble its nine-person remote operated vehicle team as well as its Pelagic Research Services ROV Odysseus 6K the official name of the remote-operated vehicle within 23 hours. The team and Odysseus were transported by three C-17 aircraft provided by the U.S. Air Force, which departed the Buffalo airport Tuesday and landed later that day in St. Johns, Newfoundland. Within six hours, the Pelagic team and Odysseus were mobilized onto the Horizon Artic ship for the search-and-rescue mission. The effort of the Horizon Arctic team has been nothing less than extraordinary, Pelagic CEO Edward Cassano said in a statement Wednesday. Our PRS team has merged with the ships team to integrate the Odysseus 6K system to commence search and rescue. The emphasis for our support will be the unique depth and operational capabilities of the ROV system and the expertise of our team in deep sea operations. According to Pelagic, the Odysseus 6K is one of the few remotely operated vehicles capable of effectively operating at depths of up to 6,000 meters, or more than 19,000 feet. In an update Thursday, Pelagic said that the Odysseus 6K was deployed from the Horizon Artic within the rescue window early Thursday morning and was scanning the sea floor in the rescue area. The company announced Thursday afternoon that the Odysseus 6K found the the debris field, which reportedly consisted of five major pieces of debris from the missing Titan submersible. PRS wants to express our full gratitude for the incredible, coordinated response of everyone involved in this search and rescue mission, the company said on Twitter just after 4 p.m. Thursday. Our focus right now is on the families of those from the Titan and for their tragic loss. Pelagic has attracted little notice in Western New York. One of the few news articles about the company in recent years came in the East Aurora Advertiser in March 2021, in which company officials explained to a columnist that the remote-operated vehicle was used for underwater projects and weighed about 5,000 pounds when out of the water. Cassano explained to the East Aurora paper that the company he founded helped scientists gather samples of the gelatinous animals of the area as well as the detritus of the ocean bed for study. More than two years after that interview, Cassano was assuming the role of overall incident command for Horizon Artic assets as they worked with OceanGate in the search-and-rescue effort. Market Overview According to the DataM market research report, the Global Angiographic Catheters Market size reached US$ 1.3 Billion in 2022 and is projected to witness lucrative growth by reaching up to US$ 2.2 billion by 2030. The global angiographic catheters market is expected to witness a 7.6% CAGR over the forecast period. Angiographic catheters help in the diagnosis of various issues related to blood vessels. Major drivers for the angiographic catheters market include the rising demand for minimally invasive procedures and an increase in the geriatric population. The demand for angiographic catheters is expected to increase over the forecast period with the development of new multi-specialty hospitals. Market Drivers Rapid technical advancements in medical equipment, as well as rising government expenditures for the construction of healthcare infrastructure, are important factors driving the market. Because of expanding disposable income, higher purchasing capacity and advantageous reimbursement policies, consumers are more convinced to employ innovative healthcare devices. Market Restraints The biggest element impeding market expansion is government restrictions on controlling product approval. The availability of alternative therapy, as well as issues with angiographic catheters, are further impeding market expansion. Market Opportunities The integration of AI and machine learning algorithms in angiographic catheters and imaging systems can enable real-time analysis of angiographic images, improve procedural accuracy and enhance patient safety. AI-powered catheters can assist healthcare professionals in making precise diagnoses and treatment decisions, leading to improved patient care. For more details on this report Request For Sample: https://www.datamintelligence.com/download-sample/angiographic-catheters-market COVID-19 Impact Analysis The demand for medical supplies has increased due to the needs of the affected population. In primary clinical treatment, equipment like oxygen generators, life-support machines, monitors and atomizers are commonly used for respiratory support. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a surge in demand for medical goods such as masks, gloves and protective eyewear. As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise globally, healthcare professionals and the public require more medical supplies for prevention. Manufacturers of these items have an opportunity to meet the rising demand for medical supplies and ensure a consistent supply of personal protective equipment. The Angiographic Catheters market is likely to be significantly impacted by COVID-19 due to these factors. Recent Developments in the Industry In February 2023, Abbott received fresh FDA approval for one catheter and CE mark approval for a second catheter. Abbott has announced two significant regulatory approvals, one in the United States and one in Europe. First, the companys Flex Ability Sensor Enabled Ablation Catheter was approved for a new indication by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The device is currently authorized as a therapy option for non-ischemic cardiomyopathy patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT). In May 2023, Shockwave Medical (SWAV) Introduced a New IVL Catheter in the United States SWAV has announced that the Shockwave L6 Peripheral Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) Catheter is now fully commercially available in the United States. This comes after receiving FDA approval for the same. The Shockwave L6 catheter will most likely add to the companys peripheral IVL portfolio, expanding the size options of the Shockwave M5+ and Shockwave S4 catheters. In May 2022, Medtronic Announced FDA Approval for IN. PACT 018 PTA Balloon Catheter Medtronic announced today that the IN. PACT 018 Paclitaxel-Coated Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) Balloon Catheter, a drug-coated balloon (DCB), has received FDA approval for the interventional treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries. PAD, a build-up of plaque in the walls of arteries that slows or stops the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the limbs, affects 12 million people in the United States alone; one and half of these patients go untreated, increasing the risk of amputation. Market Segmentation As per the research analysis, the global angiographic catheters market is segmented by product type into scoring balloon catheters, conventional catheters, cutting balloon catheters and drug-eluting balloon catheters; by application into endovascular, coronary, neurology, oncology and others; and by end-user into hospitals, specialty clinics, ambulatory surgical centers and others. Based on the end-user, the hospital segment is estimated to account for 42.3% of total market revenue. The hospital segment is expected to dominate the overall angiographic catheter market. The factors attributing to the dominance of this segment are enhanced healthcare infrastructure, availability of skilled labor and affordability. The number of patients is increasing due to a significant rise in the elderly population with conditions like atherosclerosis and heart failure. This is expected to increase the hospitals revenue. View Full Report: https://www.datamintelligence.com/research-report/angiographic-catheters-market Geographical Classification The global angiographic catheters market is segmented into North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa. North America Angiographic Catheters Market North America is the Dominating Region, Accounting for 41.7% During the Forecast Period. North America has a huge market because of the increased acceptance of sophisticated technologies and the presence of large market participants in this area; North America dominates the angiographic catheter market. Furthermore, increased occurrences of cardiovascular disease and an aging population will boost the markets growth pace. In North America, angiographic catheters are routinely utilized for diagnostic and interventional treatments in cardiology and radiology. Competitive Landscape The major global players include Medtronic, Boston Scientific Corporation, Terumo Medical Corporation, Cardinal Health, Merit Medical Systems, Inc, Abbott, Aachen Resonance Entwicklungsgesellschaft Mbh, Zoll Medical Corporation, Contego Medical, Inc, Asahi Intec Co. Ltd and Cardio novum Gmbh. Suggestions for Related Report For more Medical Device related reports, Please Click Here Additional Benefits Post Purchase: 1) Unlimited Analyst support for a period of 1 year. 2) Any query concerning the scope offered will be addressed within 24- 48 hours. 3) An Excel sheet with market numbers will be provided separately. The Full Report has the below insights: The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market in terms of market value (US$) and Y-o-Y Growth Rates (%). It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data 2021-2022 and verifiable projections about market size during the forecast period 2023-2030. Visualize the composition of the global angiographic catheters market segmentation by product type, application, end-user and region, highlighting the key commercial assets and players. Product Type: Scoring Balloon Catheters, Conventional Catheters, Cutting balloon catheters, Drug Eluting Balloon Catheters By Application : Endovascular, Coronary, Neurology, Oncology, Others By End-user: Hospitals, Specialty clinics, Ambulatory surgical centers, Others. By Region : North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa Identify commercial opportunities in the global angiographic catheters market by analyzing trends and co-development deals. The report also covers data insights on various industry forces such as Porters five force analysis, supply chain analysis, pricing analysis and regulatory analysis. Excel data sheet with thousands of data points of global angiographic catheters market-level 4/5 segmentation. PDF report with the most relevant analysis cogently put together after exhaustive qualitative interviews and in-depth market study. Product mapping in Excel for the key product of all major market players The report will provide access to approximately 61 market data tables, 64 figures and close to 180 pages. About Us: DataM Intelligence 4Market Research is a Market Research firm that provides end-to-end business solutions to organizations from Research to Consulting. We, at DataM Intelligence, leverage our top trademark trends, insights and developments to emancipate swift and astute solutions to clients like you. We encompass a multitude of Syndicate Reports & Customized Reports with a robust methodology. Our research database features countless statistics and in-depth analyses across a wide range of 6300+ reports in 40+ domains creating business solutions for more than 200+ companies across 50+ countries; catering to the key business research needs that influence the growth trajectory of our vast clientele. Market Overview According to the DataM market research report, the global cervical cancer diagnostics market reached USD 8,042.9 million in 2022 and is projected to witness lucrative growth by reaching up to USD 13,022.1 million by 2030. The cervical cancer diagnostics market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period (2023-2030). Increasing product approvals, changes in lifestyle, rising incidences of cardiovascular diseases, favorable reimbursement policies, and government funding initiatives will propel the global cervical cancer diagnostics market over the forecast period. Cervical cancer affects the cells in the cervix and can be diagnosed through tests such as a Pap smear, colposcopy, and ECC. The market for cervical cancer diagnosis is expected to grow due to rising awareness and increasing prevalence in emerging economies. The global cervical cancer diagnostics market is segmented based on test type, age group, distribution channel, and region. North America is anticipated to hold approximately 38.9% of the global cervical cancer diagnostics market due to the regions increasing market developments and expanding awareness. The major global players in the market include Abbott Laboratories, Becton, Dickinson and Company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Guided Therapeutics, Olympus, Cardinal Health, Siemens Healthcare, Hologic, Inc., Quest Diagnostics, QIAGEN, OncoHealth Corp., Arbor Vita, Zilico Ltd., and among others. Market Drivers The rising incidence of cervical cancer worldwide is propelling the growth of the cervical cancer diagnostics market over the forecast period. In the United States in 2023, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be over 13,960 new cases of invasive cervical cancer and approximately 4,310 deaths due to cervical cancer. The increasing number of product approvals for cervical cancer diagnostics by distinct regulatory bodies is driving the global cervical cancer diagnostics market growth during the forecast period. Market Restraints False-positive tests are screening tests that return a positive result but are not subsequently validated with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Increasing false positive results are impeding the growth of the global market for cervical cancer diagnostics over the forecast period. In one study, the lifetime probability of a false positive for annual, 3-year, and 5-year triage testing (either LBC with HPV reflex or vice versa) was 35.1%, 13.4%, and 8.2%, respectively. Market Opportunities There is a growing emphasis on cervical cancer prevention through awareness campaigns and screening programs. Opportunities exist for businesses to develop and market innovative diagnostic solutions that can improve screening accuracy, accessibility, and convenience. This includes developing point-of-care testing devices, self-sampling kits, and telemedicine-based screening solutions. For more details on this report Request for Sample: https://www.datamintelligence.com/download-sample/cervical-cancer-diagnostics-market Russia-Ukraine Conflict Analysis The Russia-Ukraine conflict has significantly impacted the global market for cervical cancer diagnostics. Since the conflict in Ukraine has evolved into a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe. Continued hostilities endanger the lives of civilians and cause severe damage to housing, water and electrical reserves, heating, and public institutions such as schools and hospitals. Millions of individuals lack access to basic necessities. Thus, the EU has mobilized all possible aid to assist the Ukrainian crisis service. Due to the urgent need for crisis equipment in Ukraine, the EU has deployed services from its medical rescue reserves, including generators, medical equipment, temporary shelter units, and technical tools for threats to public health, such as biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear hazards. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Impact Analysis In the future, the expanding use of artificial intelligence in product development will positively affect the global cervical cancer diagnostics market. In August of 2022, Microsoft and SRL Diagnostics created an instrument based on artificial intelligence to aid in quicker cervical cancer diagnosis. Recent Developments in the Industry In February 2023, BD and Company (Becton, Dickinson, and Company), an American multinational medical technology corporation, received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its product, the BD onclarity HPV Assay to be utilized with the ThinPrep Pap Test. In January 2022, SANSURE BIOTECH INC., an in-vitro diagnostic developments supplier, declared that its HPV DNA Diagnostic Kit (HPV 13+2) was authorized by the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). In November 2021, Hologic, Inc., a medical technology corporation primarily concentrating on womens health, revealed its new Genius Digital Diagnostics System, commercially obtainable in Europe. Market Segmentation As per the research analysis, the global cervical cancer diagnostics market is segmented by test type into pap smear test, HPV DNA test, coloscopy, ECC test, and others; by age group into below 21, 21-29, 30-65, 65 and above; and by distribution channel into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and e-commerce. Based on the test type, the HPV DNA Test type segment is estimated to hold about 27.6% of the global cervical cancer diagnostics market owing to the increasing product developments. For instance, in March 2022, the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn Universitys research team in Thailand, have developed a urine HPV paper-based DNA sensor testing kit for cervical cancer that would permit an easy and pain-free approach that can be performed repeatedly. View Full Report: https://www.datamintelligence.com/research-report/cervical-cancer-diagnostics-market Geographical Analysis The global cervical cancer diagnostics market is segmented into North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America Cervical Cancer Diagnostics Market: North America is anticipated to hold approximately 38.9% of the global cervical cancer diagnostics market due to the regions increasing market developments and expanding awareness. For instance, January has been established as Cervical Health Awareness Month by the United States Congress. The National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) and its multiple local chapters all over the nation increase awareness regarding cervical cancer, HPV disease, and the significance of earlier diagnosis during the month of January. While NCCC branches host occasions throughout the year, Cervical Health Awareness Month is observed in January, and branches perform to increase community awareness. Competitive Landscape The major global players in the market include Abbott Laboratories, Becton, Dickinson and Company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Guided Therapeutics, Olympus, Cardinal Health, Siemens Healthcare, Hologic, Inc., Quest Diagnostics, QIAGEN, OncoHealth Corp., Arbor Vita, Zilico Ltd., and among others. Related Reports Multiplexed Diagnostics Market Chlamydia Infection Diagnostics Market Allergy Diagnostics Market Additional Benefits Post Purchase: 1) Unlimited Analyst support for a period of 1 year. 2) Any query with regard to the scope offered will be addressed within 24- 48 hours. 3) An Excel sheet with market numbers will be provided separately. The Full Report has the below insights: The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market in terms of market value (US$) and Y-o-Y Growth Rates (%). It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data (2021-2022), and verifiable projections about market size during the forecast period (2023-2030). Visualize the composition of the global cervical cancer diagnostics market segmentation by test type, age group, distribution channel, and region, highlighting the key commercial assets and players. By Test Type: Pap Smear Test, HPV DNA Test, Coloscopy, ECC Test, Others By Age Group: Below 21, 21-29, 30-65, 65 and above By Distribution Channel: Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, and E-Commerce. By Region : North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa Identify commercial opportunities in the global cervical cancer diagnostics market by analyzing trends and co-development deals. The report also covers data insights on various industry forces such as Porters five forces analysis, supply chain analysis, pricing analysis, regulatory analysis. Excel data sheet with thousands of data points of global cervical cancer diagnostics market -level 4/5 segmentation. PDF report with the most relevant analysis cogently put together after exhaustive qualitative interviews and in-depth market study. Product mapping in Excel for the key product of all major market players The report will provide access to approximately 61 market data tables, 64 figures and close to 180 pages. About Us: DataM Intelligence 4Market Research is a Market Research firm that provides end-to-end business solutions to organizations from Research to Consulting. We, at DataM Intelligence, leverage our top trademark trends, insights, and developments to emancipate swift and astute solutions to clients like you. We encompass a multitude of Syndicate Reports & Customized Reports with a robust methodology. Our research database features countless statistics and in-depth analyses across a wide range of 6300+ reports in 40+ domains creating business solutions for more than 200+ companies across 50+ countries, catering to the key business research needs that influence the growth trajectory of our vast clientele. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, June 23, 2023 Back in March, Pearson Farm had to accept a grim reality. Winter weather extremes -- too warm when the trees needed to chill, then too cold when the tiny fruit needed grow -- had killed off about 93% of its crop. So Pearson, a family business selling its Georgia peaches since 1885, made a radical choice, giving up wholesale clients and moving to a direct-to-consumer effort. Peaches are finicky, says Lanier Pearson of the fifth-generation, family-owned farm. We always lose part of our crop. That is just the nature of peach farming. But we realized we were facing something that we had never seen in our lifetime. It decided to focus solely on the affluent farmers-market crowd of Atlanta, less than two hours to the north, using a single billboard. We already have a huge presence in Atlanta, and we felt like that was something we wanted to maintain, she tells Marketing Daily. advertisement advertisement FerebeeLane, its Greenville, South Carolina-based agency, created a novel out-of-home push called The Pearson Peach Shortage Countdown Clock Billboard. The digital billboard is located on (where else?) Peachtree Road, at a busy intersection in an affluent area. As the countdown clock depicts the rapidly-dwindling cascade of peaches, it ends at a single fruit: Theres only one Pearson Peach. The campaign hinges on the idea that scarcity will translate to loyalty. And FerebeeLane saw it as a moment to turn a commodity product to a valued brand, a path typically costly for farmers. In addition to the billboard, the farm is also supporting the campaign on social media. Pearson says it wanted to seize an opportunity of historic devastation to build awareness and loyalty. Peach farmers havent faced such losses since 1955. Pearson says the farm anticipates returning to its wholesale business model next season. Its not just about this one campaign, she says. We know well sell all of this years peaches, she says. We do marketing to tell a story. And while this certainly isnt the story we thought wed be telling this year, its still a story to tell. Most people dont know much about what goes into a crop each year, and were hoping theyll remember and, next year, say, 'Thank Goodness. They have peaches. by Todd Wasserman , June 22, 2023 It has been almost two years since Facebook renamed itself Meta and refashioned itself as a metaverse company. At the time, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg presented an image of himself fencing with a hologram, a taste of what was to come in the metaverses future. In mid-2023, Zuckerbergs vision of the netaverse hasnt come to pass. In a statement last November, Zuckerberg described the metaverse as a high-priority growth area, but this March he noted that advancing AI was the companys single largest investment. Rather than shifting his focus, Zuckerberg defended his concentration on AI and the metaverse. A narrative has developed that were somehow moving away from focusing on the metaverse vision, so I just want to say upfront that thats not accurate. Weve been focusing on AI and the metaverse for years now, and we will continue to focus on both Building the metaverse is a long-term project, but the rationale for it remains the same and we remain committed to it. advertisement advertisement While Meta maintains its dual focus, some are counting on Apple to revive the metaverse talk. Apple, however, has wavered in its support of its mixed-reality headset, the $3,500 Vision Pro. A March New York Times story noted that leaders at Apple have questioned the products prospects. With the Vision Pros release date now set for early 2024, Zuckerbergs vision, outlined in a 2022 Super Bowl ad, appears to be taking some time to come to fruition, with images of dancing holograms held off in a holding pattern for the next year or so at least. by Colin Kirkland , June 22, 2023 On Thursday morning at Cannes Lions, Meta and measurement partner DoubleVerify announced an expansion of the software platforms third-party advertising-fraud protection technology to Facebook and Instagram Reels, while also ensuring that ads on the short-video feature are seen by real people. For advertising to perform, it must be seen by a human being, not fraudulent accounts and invalid traffic (IVT), ranging from hijacked devices to bot manipulation. Using its verification technology, DoubleVerify aims to enforce human ad viewability. Meta wants advertisers that are leveraging campaigns on Reels to also expect comprehensive viewability measurement. DoubleVerify says it will offer clarity around an ads impact, or whether it has had the opportunity to be seen. The companies say mutual clients will be able to access measurement data and insights through DoubleVerify's unified service and analytics reporting platform DV Pinnacle. There, they will be able to monitor and optimize the quality of their Reels ad campaigns. advertisement advertisement In addition, reporting will cover viewability and fraud across Reels' video advertising format also known as post-loop ads. The explosion in short-form, user-generated content is offering advertisers a high-engagement environment to connect with passionate online communities, says DoubleVerify CEO Mark Zagorski, adding that this expansion with Meta allows the company to help maximize campaign impact and performance. DoubleVerify first became a participant in Meta's measurement partnership program in 2017, offering fraud and viewability measurement on Facebook and Instagram. In 2019, the company launched brand safety and suitability on Facebooks in-stream video inventory, Instant Articles and Audience Network. In 2020, DoubleVerify received the Media Rating Council (MRC) accreditation for third-party viewability measurement and reporting for display and video ads on Facebook and Instagram and the next year, it announced an expanded brand safety and suitability integration with Facebook, extending verification to In-Stream Reserve, while providing new tools to help boost control and efficiency. by Todd Wasserman , June 22, 2023 A 14-year-old Google Pixel phone discusses old times with a new Google Pixel 7 Pro in a new ad. In the spot, created in-house, the new phone is accommodating to the old one, offering to unblur the elder's photos and not tell anyone. The old phone then rattles off the new ones features: Astrophotography mode, Call Assist, 30x Zoom. You can do so many things I may never be able to. The older phone also confesses its jealous of the newer ones AI. As the older phone talks about its credentials, its battery gives out, prompting the new one to say, Somebody get a lightening charger! The message is clear: Googles phones not only sport the latest technology, but also last a long time. by Ray Schultz , June 22, 2023 Vice Media has a path out of bankruptcya purchase by a group led by Fortress Investment Group, the companys biggest secured creditor. The bid, initially $225 million, was recently raised to $350 million, according to The New York Times. The sale is expected to close in July. The Fortress bidding group also includes Soros Fund Management and Monroe Capital . Vice Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May, at which time the creditors led by Fortress initially made their bid. Vice has continued operating. Fortress was not the only company bidding on Vice. Another bid was made by GoDigitalMedia Group. After exhaustive negotiations and diligence, GoDigital Media Group developed a plan not just for the survival of Vice and its brands, but for their rejuvenation, growth, and expansion, the company says. We put in a bid that properly reflects a future where everyone has a stake, and also reflects new economic and financial realities that came to light in the final weeks and days. advertisement advertisement That offer was significantly more than the stalking horse bid by the sellers, GoMedia continues. Our approach included a concrete plan with real, renewed leadership, expertise, and investment that would have led to a profitable Vice in under 12 months. Terms of that bid were not disclosed, but one source said it was $75 million higher than the initial Fortress bid. However, Vice Medias co-chief executives, Hozefa Lokhandwala and Bruce Dixon, said in an email to Vice employees that, While we received multiple bids for the company, none of the other bids rose to the level of being deemed a superior bid, according to the Times. There is speculation that Fortress Group would sell off some individual units. In April, Vice Media said it was pulling the plug on Vice News Tonight newscast amid layoffs reportedly totaling 250. To be incredibly clear, Vice News is core to Vice Media Group and fundamental to our business, Dizon and Lokhandwala said in a memo, according to reports. We are NOT exiting the news business, but we are changing the shape of Vice News to position the whole Company for long-term opportunities and improve how we deliver important, ground-breaking journalism well into the future. by Tanya Gazdik , June 22, 2023 Infiniti is introducing a new logo, the fourth iteration in its 33-year history, which places a greater focus on the infinite road. The luxury division of Nissan Motor Co. is also evolving the appearance of its retail locations. A clean, minimalist exterior with an open, light-filled interior aims to present a physical space that allow customers the opportunity to connect and interact. The new look and feel pay homage to the brands heritage, according to the automaker. Since its inception in 1989, the logo has drawn inspiration from the infinite road to the horizon, reflecting the forward-facing direction of a brand born to challenge convention, as well as drivers. A new three-dimensional emblem will adorn future production vehicles. The evolved logo is complemented by revised Infiniti wordmark spacing that visually accentuates the horizo advertisement advertisement The aim is to subtly evolve the logo in support of the new chapter that lies ahead, said Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president of global design. Adding greater emphasis to the point where the infinite road intersects with the horizon, we are showcasing our steadfast commitment to always look forward to the future and to new horizons, Albaisa says in a release. In addition to the refreshed visual identity, the brand is launching a multisensory experience, including scent and sound, to create another dimension of connection with customers. The brands new signature scent, which customers will experience at retail locations, aims to be both invigorating and calming, reflecting opposites working in harmony. The scent evokes a forest, with hints of hinoki wood (Japanese cypress), sugi (Japanese cedar) and yuzu (Japanese citrus), according to the automaker. The brand master track Moment of Tranquility serves as the foundation for a new sound (or sonic) logo, as well as for use at future consumer activations, in commercials and other promotional materials, within company videos, and as optional hold music at retailers. The sound logo marries powerful musical elements with more serene sounds to deliver a harmonious balance, according to the automaker. A taiko drum contrasts with a Japanese wind chime and is anchored around a voice humming. Visitors to Infinitis digital channels can see the brands evolved visual identity now, and guests at select retail locations within the U.S., Mexico and Middle East can experience the new retail design from this month onward. Customers in Los Angeles, Doha, Qatar; Monterrey, Mexico and Georgetown, Texas will be among the first to experience the new showroom layout and aesthetic. Additional sites within the Americas and Middle East are scheduled to be refreshed later this year, with locations across the globe to be updated over time. by Ray Schultz , June 22, 2023 Billboard, the American music brand, is partnering with SRMG, an integrated media group from the Middle East/North Africa region (MENA) to launch Billboard Arabia, they announced at Cannes. The new platform will celebrate artists with Arab roots. "The music scene in the MENA region is rapidly transforming, says Jomana R. Al-Rashid, CEO of SRMG. However, there is currently no dedicated platform to spotlight and tell the stories of the Arab artists leading innovation in the global music industry. Billboard and SRMG seek to help fill that void in the market. They will introduce several charts over the next year, utilizing data from digital streaming platforms such as Spotify, and will host Billboard Arabia Music Awards and live concerts. Billboard Arabia is more than just a digital platform, Al-Rashid adds. 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. We are excited to join forces with SRMG to launch Billboard Arabia, said Mike Van, President of Billboard. Van adds,SRMGs reach and access in the region coupled with our experience will ensure artists with Arab roots are heard around the world. Tops closes store in Erie, Pa., raising fears about food desert Tops Markets is closing a store in Erie, Pa., Friday; raising concerns about where residents will do their grocery shopping. That particular neighborhood becomes something of a grocery desert, Bishop Dwane Brock, a local pastor and community activist told the Erie Times-News. This is not good for the city. That is not good for the community at all. Residents told the paper they would have to walk farther to reach a grocery store or shop at more expensive corner stores to get their food once the store is gone. Closing a store is always a difficult decision, Ron Ferri, Tops executive vice president of operations and distribution, said in a statement. The expiration of the lease combined with the proximity of other Tops locations as well as the new amenities well now be able to add at those locations all factored into the decision. We are offering all affected associates positions at nearby stores. Tops has revamped two stores less than five miles from the closing location. A food desert is a community where at least 33% of the population lives more than a mile from a supermarket, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. With Tops reinvesting in two stores in the immediate community, less than five miles away (and one store less than 2 miles), access to public transportation in front of this location, a Family Dollar in the same lot, and another major grocery chain within 8 minutes [drive], access to fresh food and groceries are available in this community, said Kathleen Sautter, a Tops spokesperson. Samantha Christmann by Karlene Lukovitz @KLmarketdaily, June 23, 2023 On Thursday, Meta announced that it will make good on its threat to stop sharing news content on Facebook and Instagram in Canada, after the Canadian Senate passed the Online News Act, clearing the way for its implementation. The law meant to help news outlets survive in the face of huge losses of advertising revenue to the giant platforms by correcting the competitive imbalance will require platforms including Meta and Google to compensate news outlets for linking to their content. It will allow publishers and platforms to make fair commercial deals without requiring government involvement. There is no preset formula for compensation. Payment terms will be determined by deal negotiations. A mandatory arbitration process will kick in if companies cannot reach a deal on their own. advertisement advertisement "Today, we are confirming that news availability will be ended on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada prior to the Online News Act (Bill C-18) taking effect," Meta posted on its corporate blog. "We have repeatedly shared that in order to comply with Bill C-18, passed today in Parliament, content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to people accessing our platforms in Canada." Earlier this month, we announced that we were conducting product tests to help us build an effective product solution to end news availability as a result of C-18. These tests are ongoing and currently impact a small percentage of users in Canada. The changes affecting news content will not otherwise impact Metas products and services in Canada. We want to assure the millions of Canadians on our platforms that they will always be able to connect with friends and family, grow their businesses and support their local communities. Following its Senate passage, the law also received required royal assent. The Department of Canadian Heritage will now draft regulations for application of the act and provide guidance on implementing it. The law will take about six months to go into effect, according to CBC. Google has been testing ways to shut down news access in Canada since February, but has not as yet announced an intention to block that content countrywide. As of Thursday afternoon, Google was still in talks with the government. "We're doing everything we can to avoid an outcome that no one wants, Google spokesperson Jenn Crider said in a statement issued following the laws passage. Every step of the way, weve proposed thoughtful and pragmatic solutions that would have improved the Bill and cleared the path for us to increase our already significant investments in the Canadian news ecosystem. So far, none of our concerns have been addressed. Bill C-18 is about to become law and remains unworkable. We are continuing to urgently seek to work with the government on a path forward." A spokesperson for Pablo Rodriguez, the Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez told CBC that his office had meetings with Facebook and Google this week. "If the government can't stand up for Canadians against tech giants, who will?" Rodriguez said in a statement following the laws passage. "The fact that these internet giants would rather cut off Canadians' access to local news than pay their fair share is a real problem, and now they're resorting to bullying tactics to try and get their way, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said earlier this month. It's not going to work. Last year, after Australia pioneered implementation of a law requiring platforms to compensate news organizations, Meta did block news access via its platforms in the country for a time, but lifted the ban after the company and the government struck a deal. Google threatened to shut down access to its search engine, but instead reached deals with various news organizations through a binding arbitration process. Australian media companies have been paid more than $190 million since the law went into effect last year, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, reports CBC. by Joe Sullivan , Op-Ed Contributor, June 23, 2023 As someone who spends time in Washington, D.C. visiting with government leaders and discussing the situation on the ground in Ukraine, I can honestly say that media coverage painting a political rift over support for Ukraine misses the mark completely. Contrary to those efforts to portray it as yet another partisan conflict, our leaders are united in providing support for the people trapped in this humanitarian crisis. Yes, they will always argue about where and how to spend money, but in my view, politicians on both sides of the aisle understand how important it is that Ukraine be supported politically, militarily and, most of all, with a steady stream of humanitarian aid, and any media narrative to the contrary is false. As evidence, I point to the recent announcement that the United States with bipartisan support will send another $300 million in military aid to the country. advertisement advertisement Almost everyone Ive met with on Capitol Hill has expressed a desire not only for Ukraine to successfully defend itself, but for the people of Ukraine to know and feel the full support of the United States in every facet of their lives from basic human needs and physical and mental health to education, technology and infrastructure. According to a Pew Research survey released in May, most Americans seem to agree as well. The poll found a majority of U.S. adults have positive opinions about Ukraine and its leader, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and negative views of Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin. The truth is that the Ukrainian people are living under siege, and they need all the help they can get from the United States and its allies. We are not the kind of people who sit by and watch a humanitarian crisis unfold without doing something to help. But, while they desperately need bullets, rockets, bombs and warplanes, they also need to feed, house and educate tens of millions of displaced families and individuals. There are organizations like the Red Cross and others that do a great job of basic life support offering food, water and housing to those who have been displaced or stayed in the de-occupied regions which have experienced significant structural damage. But that cannot be all there is to offer to the people of Ukraine. For example, shelling and bombing have destroyed at least 441 schools and education centers in Ukraine and damaged nearly 2,700 others. As a result, about 800,000 children changed their form of education from in-person to distance education, and only half of the students had a computer or a laptop to study remotely. In response, we at Ukraine Friends are collecting donations of used laptops and other supplies from companies across America. As a non-government organization, we have witnessed full bipartisan support on all fronts concerning Ukraine, and I am confident that despite what you might read in the papers, most politicians and most Americans want the war to end and want Ukraine to maintain its freedom. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, June 23, 2023 A federal appellate court has revived a lawsuit by users who claim Meta's former ad-targeting options violated laws against discrimination. In a ruling issued Friday, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Meta's argument that it was protected from liability by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which broadly immunizes web companies from content created by third parties. Instead, the panel essentially said the allegations in the lawsuit, if proven true, could show that Facebook was a co-developer of the ads, not simply their host. Taking the allegations in the complaint as true, plaintiffs claims challenge Facebooks conduct as a co-developer of content and not merely as a publisher of information provided by another, a majority of the judges wrote in an unsigned decision. advertisement advertisement The ruling comes in a class-action complaint brought in 2019 by Facebook by New York resident Rosemarie Vargas and other Facebook users. They alleged that company's ad-targeting platform violated civil rights laws by allowing advertisers to block housing ads from users based on factors such as race, sex or age. The case was one of several lawsuits against Facebook over allegedly discriminatory ads. By the time Vargas and the others sued, Facebook had already agreed to revise its targeting options to prohibit advertisers of housing, employment or credit offers from targeting ads based on age, gender, ZIP code and ethnic affinity. U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick in the Northern District of California dismissed the complaint in 2021. He ruled that the Facebook users' allegations, even if true, wouldn't show how they were affected by Facebook's former ad-targeting options. Orrick described the complaint as the sort of generalized grievance that doesn't give people the right to sue in federal court. In sum, what the plaintiffs have alleged is that they each used Facebook to search for housing based on identified criteria and that no results were returned that met their criteria, Orrick wrote. They assume (but plead no facts to support) that no results were returned because unidentified advertisers theoretically used Facebooks targeting ad tools to exclude them. The judge also ruled that Facebook was also protected by Section 230 for any illegal ads posted by outside parties, noting that the company's former ad-targeting tools were neutral. Use of the tools was neither mandated nor inherently discriminatory given the design of the tools for use by a wide variety of advertisers, he wrote. Vargas and the others then appealed to the 9th Circuit, which sided with them on Friday. The panel majority said both that Vargas's allegations were specific enough to warrant further proceedings, and that Facebook wasn't entitled to rely on Section 230. The judges based the portion of their ruling dealing with Section 230 on a 2008 decision that revived a discrimination lawsuit against housing matching service Roommates.com, which also was sued over roommate ads posted by users. In that case, the appellate court said Section 230 didn't protect companies that actively developed unlawful material, and found that Roommates.com developed the ads because it offered filtering tools that enabled discrimination. (Roommates.com later prevailed in that dispute, because anti-discrimination laws don't apply to people who live in the same home.) The appellate court said Friday that Facebook was comparable to Roommates.cm because Facebook's ad platform allowed advertisers to target specific audiences, both by including categories of persons and by excluding categories of persons, through the use of drop-down menus and toggle buttons." The judges added: Facebook created the categories, used its own methodologies to assign users to the categories, and provided simple drop-down menus and toggle buttons to allow housing advertisers to exclude protected categories of persons. by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, June 23, 2023 The island nation of Tuvalu is located about halfway between Hawaii and Australia in the South Pacific Ocean. It comprises nine islands with a population of approximately 11,000. In two decades, the physical nation will no longer exist according to forecastersit will be completely submerged due to climate change. And according to the United Nations Charter a country needs to have a physical land presence in order to be recognized as a sovereign state. What the country hopes will happen is that it will be the first nation to be recognized by most of the world as the first digital nation state, with a continuing presence on the world stage and the voting rights and other privileges conferred on physical nations. And an advertising campaign pushing for that recognition won the Dan Wieden Titanium Grand Prix at the final awards presentation at the Cannes Ad Festival Friday evening. Sydney-based agency The Monkeys, part of Accenture Song is the creative agency behind the campaign. Production house Collider, post-production house Massive Music and Thrive PR + Communications were also credited with working on the campaign. The campaign was launched at last Novembers COP27 UN Climate Change conference in Egypt, where Tuvalu leaders made their case for formal recognition as the first digital sovereign state. Records of the countrys history, culture and more are being placed in the Metaverse. The launch of the campaign made headlines around the world, reaching 2.1 billion people, without any paid media. So far, nine nations have said they will recognize Tuvalu as a sovereign digital state. And its likely, forecasters say, that while Tuvalu may become the first digital nation, it wont be the last. Advertisement Yoga For Expectant Mothers Practice Yoga to Get Rid of Skin Conditions Pranayama Techniques for Glowing Skin Yoga Helps in Controlling Hair Fall 9 Benefits of Yoga - (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-benefits-of-yoga) Asanas, pranayama, and meditation are a few of the various variations of yoga. Research has shown that people with infertility can benefit greatly from practising yoga. For example, practising yoga will not only make you feel less stressed, but it will also help to boost your immunity, which is typically weakened throughout the process and even during treatment. It will also encourage better sleep and more physical activity, among other things."Try practicing yoga to unwind, realign your pelvis, and improve blood circulation. all elements that can encourage conception more quickly. According to studies, yoga can assist in reducing stress, which can have an impact on fertility. Certain poses can also help promote childbirth by increasing blood flow to your pelvis, stimulating hormone-producing glands, and easing muscle tension." said Dr. Shobha Gupta Medical Director and IVF specialist from Mother's Lap IVF Centre, New Delhi and Vrindavan.Dr. Shobha Gupta further adds "Yoga, meditation, and breath-control techniques all help to relax the mind and lessen worry. You can strengthen the muscles and reproductive organs that are required throughout pregnancy and childbirth by doing fertility yoga. Their deep breathing approach encourages better blood circulation, lessens stress, and makes it simpler to unwind".A holistic approach to health and wellbeing is offered through yoga. For those who are dealing with infertility, life is filled with significance; when one learns they are unable to have children, their entire outlook on life is affected. The age-old science of yoga offers practical methods for dealing with the diagnosis and therapies as well as for promoting maximum health during the healing process.According to Dr. Shobha Gupta, prenatal yoga is another great exercise for expectant mothers since it "encourages relaxation, flexibility, focus, and deep breathing." Indoor cycling is a great method to work up a sweat without straining your ankle and knee joints because you can bike at your own pace without falling.Yoga therapy not only aids in conquering infertility, but it also relieves stress, which aids in the treatment of many serious illnesses, including cancer. It can aid with pain management, sleep improvement, energy boosts, fatigue reduction, stress and anxiety reduction, and psychological wellness, including depression . Those who have been diagnosed with cancer and are receiving cancer treatment can benefit greatly from yoga therapy."We have frequently observed that infertile couples need a lot of patience when undergoing IVF therapy because this is their only remaining hope. Therefore, by claiming both the body and the mind, deep relaxation helps to relieve tension and anxiety while promoting a condition of balance. Since stress and worry weaken the immune system, this calming effect normally helps to support and promote the immune system", added Dr. Shobha Gupta.Dr. Sandeep Babbar, Medical Director and Dermatologist from Revyve Skin, Hair and Nail Clinic Faridabad explains that the main causes of skin issues are our unhealthy lifestyles and food habits. What we eat is what we display on our faces. The skin won't appear radiant and healthy if our bodies are not in good health. When digestion is improper and the stomach is upset, skin issues including acne, pimples, dry skin, eczema, leucoderma, psoriasis, and others are directly correlated. Skin injury can also be caused by renal issues and weak digestive function. Yoga asanas and pranayamas are crucial for preventing this.Dr. Sandeep Babbar suggests start the day with Surya Namaskar as it helps to maintain the body healthy and free from disease. It also aids in keeping the mind clear of stress and worry. Additionally, performing the asanas bhujangasana, vakrasana, shashakasana, and uttan padasana is quite good at enhancing skin texture and warding against infections.Everyone should perform five pranayamas each day to achieve beautiful, healthy skin. Dr. Sandeep Babbar advises performing kapalbhati for 30 minutes and anulom vilom for an hour.There are various yoga asanas that can truly aid in hair development if you're tired of your short bob and want your locks to be longer. Yoga for hair growth and better health has gained some appeal around the world. Dr. Karuna Malhotra, Cosmetologist and Aesthetic Physician from Cosmetic Skin Clinic New Delhi, said because of the great effects it appears to produce. Yoga and pranayama help to increase blood flow to the head and scalp, which in turn helps to revitalise dry, lifeless hair. In turn, this prevents hair loss and encourages hair growth. Thus, frequent yoga practice could be quite beneficial if you are balding or experiencing hair loss".Source: IANS The Town of Tonawanda has tried and failed for years to bring development to a prime if problematic parcel of waterfront property. That may be about to change. A state court has ruled that the town has the right to use eminent domain to take over the former Huntley power station site, a decision cheered by town officials as a key step forward in their efforts. NRG Energy, the owner of the plant that was the towns largest taxpayer before it closed in 2016, had gone to court to try to retain control of the sprawling industrial property along the Niagara River. But the state Appellate Division, Fourth Department, in a ruling on June 9 found the town has a valid public purpose in seeking ownership of the site. There is community interest, the opinion stated, in revitalizing and redeveloping the former industrial property, which was a blight on the town, and maintaining the critical raw water supply to significant industrial employers in the town. The town eyes residences, commercial space and waterfront parkland in the future at the Huntley site but has grown frustrated with delays in finding a developer. Its something weve been waiting a long time for. And were excited that were at this point, Tonawanda Supervisor Joseph Emminger said last week. But were also patient. We know were not there yet and we know we have some work to do. NRG said it was disappointed in the order. NRG is a private landowner in good standing in the community and remains concerned about the effect the towns actions are having on the ability to return the site to productive use, the company said in a statement Friday. Tonawanda again pursues eminent domain takeover of Huntley Generating Station site The Town of Tonawanda can acquire the private Huntley property for public use as long as it pays fair compensation to NRG Energy, which has been accused of repeated delays in selling the property. The electric-generating coal plant on River Road opened in 1916 and closed 100 years later. At the time, the station produced $6 million in local property tax revenue and had nearly 80 employees, but it also ranked as one of Erie Countys worst polluters. The main Huntley site covers 84 acres, with two off-site parcels adding another 124 acres, near the Niagara Thruway, railroad lines and a water treatment plant. NRG didnt list the plant for sale until 2018. Later that year, concerned at the lagging sale process, town officials launched an eminent domain effort. That process gives the government the right to acquire private property, for a public use, as long as it pays fair compensation to the former owner. NRG successfully persuaded the town that a drawn-out legal process would delay a planned sale to a buyer. The town ended its first eminent domain campaign in September 2019. Then, in June 2020, NRG, without explanation, announced the sale agreement was off. NRG later hired a national consulting firm, Vita Nuova, to help guide the restarted Huntley sale process. Its not clear where those sales efforts stand because NRG has declined to publicly reveal any details or update. Tonawanda presses NRG over failure to sell Huntley site The town vows to revive its efforts to take over the site through eminent domain and to build its own water intake station along the Niagara River Emminger and others are convinced NRG isnt in a rush to sell off the Huntley property because it generates revenue by selling raw water pumped from the Niagara River to neighboring industrial customers, the officials said. NRG has denied it has a financial motivation to keep the property indefinitely. The town considered pressuring NRG by updating its water treatment plant and investing in the infrastructure needed to sell inexpensive, untreated water directly to some of those manufacturers, at a cost now estimated at $30 million. The town hasnt made a final decision but is attempting to take control of the Huntley raw water infrastructure through its eminent domain filing and will move forward with the most cost-effective option, Emminger said. One reason the town felt the need to prod NRG is because a state fund that offsets some of its lost property tax revenue is set to expire this year, Emminger said, though town officials are working with state representatives to extend the payments. The towns acquisition of the Huntley property wont affect who is required to pay for the cost to remediate the brownfield site, Emminger said. Cleanup is and always will be NRGs responsibility, whether the town owns the site or not, he said. The town last July restarted eminent domain proceedings and NRG in September filed its appeal with the Appellate Division in Rochester. In its decision, the court dismissed a procedural objection raised by NRG and, further, rejected NRGs contention that this effort was excessive. The town did not abuse its discretion in determining what land to acquire, the court ruled, and the town followed state environmental law. Finally, NRG had argued the town was attempting to engage in prohibited private enterprise because it planned to sell the land to another company for redevelopment. But the court dismissed this claim as well. One judge on the court joined the majority in letting the town acquire the 65 acres where the power plant stood. But he wrote that NRG, and not the town, should control the fate of the raw water intake infrastructure. He was overruled by his fellow justices. Emminger said if NRG doesnt appeal the town could, potentially, get the property into a developers hands by the end of the year. The town would have to pay full market value to NRG, a figure that would have to take into account the cost of cleaning up the site, Emminger said. He declined to reveal an estimated value for the parcel. The town now will seek expressions of interest from potential buyers, Emminger said, even as wrangling over the ownership of the site could stretch into 2024 if NRG files an appeal. NRG said it hasnt decided yet whether to appeal the ruling to the State Court of Appeals. The Erie County District Attorneys Office dismissed charges against a veteran accused of harassing the Hamburg town supervisor over the towns POW/MIA flag. Supervisor Randy Hoak said the veteran, Gerald Welsted, 72, expressed concerns that the POW/MIA flag was missing from the flagpole with great profanity and later slapped his arm. Hoak called police, who charged Welsted, a former commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1417, with second-degree harassment. Hoak said in a statement on his Facebook page Monday that he asked the district attorney to drop the charge. That happened Thursday. Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn said his office does not usually prosecute violations outside of Buffalo City Court, but was appointed in this case after the Hamburg town prosecutor recused himself. Our investigation determined that the alleged actions of the veteran did not rise to the level of a harassment violation and the case against him could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, Flynn said Friday in a press release. While I maintain that his actions are unacceptable, my hope is that Mr. Welsted has learned that there are more effective ways to approach government and that violence, whether it is physical or verbal of any intensity, has no place in our community especially when approaching public servants and in front of the youth of our community, Hoak said in his Facebook post. Welsteds friend, Russ Deveso, said he could not imagine Welsted hitting anyone. He said Welsted did not apologize to the supervisor. The incident occurred June 2, shortly after the town had raised the Pride flag in observance of Pride Month. Hoak said the POW/MIA flag was taken down because it was frayed. The incident caused a furor with veterans, who criticized the town for removing the flag. A demonstration in support of the POW/MIA flag was held June 10 outside Hamburg Town Hall. All veterans take an oath to defend the flag, Deveso said. That POW/MIA flag is just as important as the American flag. The POW/MIA flag was replaced June 5, with the Pride flag flying below it. It would be simpler to just forecast showers with little attempt at specificity for a weekend such as this. After all, trying to be overly specific about timing and spacing for showers when only weak systems are creating them can be a fools errand. But even Friday morning, multiplying light showers were already showing up on radar and were strictly scattered, rather than truly widespread. Weather balloons and other data-gathering have detected a great deal of water vapor in the atmosphere over our region, described as precipitable water. The numbers in the contours are the amounts in inches of rainfall that could be wrung out of the air if atmospheric triggers become better organized. Ask Don Paul: Is heat the biggest weather killer? In most years, heat is the biggest killer on the planet, and its role is growing. If we had a strong cold front crossing the Great Lakes (we dont), this water vapor would be one of the ingredients in creating intense thunderstorms in a squall line. A squall line would contain concentrated, widespread storms, easier to time for arrival and departure, as well as intensity. Alas, for forecasters and the public, that will not be the nature of the weather into early next week. The broader, synoptic scale forecast map drawn up by the meteorologists at the Weather Prediction Center/WPC for 7 p.m. Friday paints a very wet picture. It is simply not possible for the folks at the national forecast desk to get into small scale detail, which falls victim to the necessary broad brush. But actual model output is far less wet and sparse in coverage because those low pressure systems to our near south are so weak. Ask Don Paul: Have wildfire impacts in Western New York been underestimated? "I didnt make the connection between more frequent upper air blocking patterns probably linked to more rapid warming in the northern latitudes," Paul writes. If we were to get more afternoon heating from sunny breaks, that would create more lift in the atmosphere and make for heavier showers and thunderstorms. However, the abundant cloud cover may hold the heating down, lessening the chance for intensification. If any heavy cells form, they will be capable of producing isolated downpours because of slow motion with very weak winds aloft to move them along. Isolated would be the key descriptor for any downpours in my forecast. Even so, the above depicted model may be somewhat underdoing the coverage for early Friday evening. Friday night will be more humid than recent nights, and what showers are around will diminish during the overnight period. Saturday will feel stickier than Friday, with dew points in the mid 60s, raising humidity levels. Actual high temperatures will approach 75. Ride for Roswell riders will not be dealing with any real headwind. A westerly breeze will waft mostly under 10 mph. Shower activity will again be scattered and occasional, rather than widespread and more frequent. Timing the showers will be difficult, but several models do project scattered showers to be around close to the varying route morning startup times. Ask Don Paul: Is there a link between smoky skies and climate change? "It is most likely that we are seeing a blend of extreme weather events being multiplied and exacerbated by the human activity-caused warming climate," writes Don Paul. The days modeled rainfall totals detail the uneven coverage. Isolated slow-moving downpours are indicated in purple. It will be far from an ideal boating day. Those who venture out may encounter isolated thunderstorms with wave heights of 1-2 feet on both lakes. Muggification applies to both Sunday and Monday, with some sunshine bringing temperatures up to the low 80s, along with rather uncomfortable humidity and very little breeze on Sunday. Sunday wave heights will be 1 foot or less on both lakes. The heating will fuel the development of a few thinly scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms, with most of the morning rain free. By muggy Monday, a better organized area of low pressure over Michigan may begin to tap the abundant water vapor and produce more numerous, but still scattered showers and thunderstorms, as seen in the European model. On Tuesday, well move into the slightly cooler flow behind the low, lessening the thunderstorm possibilities, but keeping occasional showers in the forecast. Drying high pressure will struggle to push into the eastern Great Lakes Wednesday, and there still may be a few showers. The high temperature will be about 8 degrees below average. Whatever nuisances may be spawned by these scattered, occasional showers, there can be no denying we need measurable rainfall. Through Thursday, Buffalo rainfall for the month is at only .75 inch, 1.8 inches below average, following a 3.37 inch deficit in May. Nearly all Western New York remains in a moderate drought. The WPC forecasted 5 day rainfall totals for our region are optimistic. It must be kept in mind that it would be impossible to detail amounts in high resolution, so the broad brush approach is likely going to be overdone for many locations. Potentially deadly heat in Texas will expand What has already been an especially brutal heat wave over much of Texas will be taking a greater toll in the days to come. Unbearable heat indices in the 110-120 degree range have already been prevalent much of this week, including in the large cities of Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Friday and Saturday wont be quite as hot, but the same extreme heat indices will be back by Sunday. Reading the highlights in this WPC link bring some perspective to this unfolding slow-motion weather disaster. The often overused news phrase no relief is in sight truly applies in this expanding pattern for the South Central U.S. No doubt some of you will notice the probabilities for somewhat below average temperatures in our region during this extended period. This is why my number is unlisted, friends. A sonar image of the Akagi, sunk at Midway in 1942. Photos: Vulcan, Inc. They were thought to have been lost in the watery depths of the vast Pacific Ocean. But now, explorers have found two Japanese aircraft carriers sunk in battle during World War Two. The carriers were among seven ships that went down during the Battle of Midway in June 1942, a decisive victory for the United States against Japan in the Pacific Theatre. On 16 October 2019, one ship, the Kaga, was discovered after an intensive search. Just a couple of days later, the wreckage of the Akagi was also found. The Kaga is the first sunken Japanese aircraft carrier ever to be discovered. Up until now, only one other ship sunk in the Battle of Midway, the American USS Yorktown, had been located. It was found in 1998. An image of the gun mount on the Kaga. Photo: Vulcan, Inc. The astonishing discoveries were made by the research vessel Petrel, owned and operated by Vulcan Inc, a company established by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Using an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) fitted with sonar, the wrecks were located deep below the surface. The Kaga rests at 5,400 metres underwater, while the Akagi rests at 1,600 metres. Both are in the Central Pacific in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, of which Vulcan documented more than 500 square miles over several weeks. In the Battle of Midway, six months after Japans December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese Navy hoped to inflict a final defeat on the US fleet by luring them into an ambush. Yet thanks to code breaking, the plan was uncovered, and the US prepared its own ambush. Surprising the enemy as they approached Midway, the US inflicted devastating damage on the Japanese and changed the course of the war. The Akagi two months before the Battle of Midway. The battle involved four Japanese and three American aircraft carriers. All four of the Japanese carriers Kaga, Akagi, Soryu, and Hiryu also involved in Pearl Harbor, were sunk. The US lost carrier Yorktown and destroyer Hammann. Commenting on the discovery, Robert Kraft, director of sub-sea operations for Vulcan Inc, said: This project is significantly different from previous missions as it required a level of investigation, analysis, and survey of a carrier-based engagement initially separated by over 150 nautical miles. He added: It was a major carrier-to-carrier battle that left its eerie evidence strewn for a total area covering thousands of square nautical miles across the ocean floor. With each piece of debris and each ship we discover and identify, our intent is to honour history and those who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice for their countries. Petrel is a 250-foot research vessel which, due to its advanced underwater equipment, is one of the few ships on the planet capable of exploring depths of up to 1,800 metres. Its crew has discovered over 30 sunken warships, including USS Hornet, USS Wasp, and, most famously, USS Indianapolis. Additional expeditions have resulted in the discovery of the Japanese battleship Musashi and the Italian WWII destroyer Artigliere. Prosecutors have charged a 26-year-old member of the U.S. Army with killing two women and injuring three other people during an electronic dance music festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre. James M. Kelly faces two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and one count of first-degree domestic violence assault in the shooting at the Beyond Wonderland festival, according to Grant County Superior Court documents. He's being held without bail at the county jail. Kelly told detectives he took a dose of psychedelic mushrooms that caused him to hallucinate, and his girlfriend recalled him saying he thought the world was ending, according to probable cause documents. He then went to his truck to retrieve a gun and ultimately shot an engaged Seattle couple, Brandy Escamilla and Josilyn Ruiz, and seriously injured his girlfriend, another festival attendee and an employee, the documents allege. Kelly, an active member of the U.S. Army at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, alleges his hallucinations might have led to the shooting, according to court documents. One study suggests psilocybin use is associated with low odds of violent and aggressive behavior, and a forensic psychiatrist notes the effects of psychedelics are "dose dependent and difficult to predict," with recent research bolstering the claim that psychedelics are generally not linked to violent crime. States such as Oregon and Colorado have legalized the use of psilocybin with some restrictions, though it remains illegal at the federal level. Washington has stalled efforts to legalize the medical use of psychedelic compounds found in mushrooms. In the past 15 years, several clinical studies approved by the Food and Drug Administration indicate psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy's value in treating depression, anxiety and addiction. However, extensive research has been limited because of the stigma and criminalization. Kelly told investigators he took a dose of mushrooms before he and his girlfriend walked to the concert venue Saturday, according to probable cause documents. Once there, he began to feel the effects and believed the world was "ending," documents say. He then grabbed a handgun from his truck, loaded a magazine and chambered a cartridge, court documents state. The Gorge prohibits weapons of any kind at its venue and campground. It's unclear what level of security enforces that policy at the campgrounds, but police said they are investigating. Shortly before 8:30 p.m., Kelly shot Escamilla and Ruiz, who were walking through the campground, according to court documents. He also shot a 31-year-old man from Eugene, Ore., who headed to the area when he heard the gunshots, documents allege. Kelly's girlfriend called 911 but was only able to tell a dispatcher Kelly had a gun before he discarded her phone, court documents state. Kelly then shot an employee responding to the reports of gunfire, according to the documents, and made his way to an adjacent field, where a Sheriff's Office drone spotted him. Kelly shot his girlfriend twice and also fired at the drone, hitting it once, documents allege. Police then found them and a detective shot him, striking him once, documents say. He was taken to a hospital and later to jail. Kelly's arraignment is scheduled for July 5. During an arraignment, a defendant is apprised of their rights and has charges presented. The defendant is then required to enter a plea. Superior Court Judge Anna L. Gigliotti signed an order Wednesday appointing Kelly counsel. He could face a sentence of up to life in prison, according to court documents. ___ (c)2023 The Seattle Times Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Army Col. Jonathan Chung, commander of the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade, or SFAB, was relieved this week, a service spokesman confirmed to Military.com. Chung's termination comes after a Military.com investigation was first to detail systemic issues with the brigade, including numerous leaders facing investigations into their conduct and disciplinary and performance concerns across the brigade's midlevel brass and noncommissioned officers. Chung was relieved after a sprawling investigation into his conduct. Military.com interviewed two dozen soldiers who served with Chung over the last decade. The publication also reviewed the Army's unredacted investigation on Chung, along with more than 30 sworn statements; dozens of audio recordings, emails, text messages and videos; an unredacted 2021 command climate survey; and other internal data from the brigade. Read Next: Army National Guard Can't Retain Enough Soldiers, Even as Active Duty Meets Goals Most soldiers interviewed say Chung frequently belittled staff, was a micromanager, and routinely scolded troops for minor errors. Some soldiers interviewed by Military.com conceded that Chung was very knowledgeable but was direct in speaking to people, often to a fault, and that he inherited poor-performing soldiers. When the SFABs were initially stood up, there was little scrutiny among applicants during the selection process into what the Army hoped would be prestigious units. The dysfunction surrounding Chung comes as the SFABs seek relevance in the Army but remain a concept still in its infancy after being established in 2017. They are supposed to be the tip of the spear of the service's training efforts with allied armies, each having its own region of responsibility. The mission has been blurry, resembling Special Forces -- although Green Berets focus on ragtag armies while SFABs broadly work with more conventional forces. The Pentagon's effort to train Ukrainians for their war against Russia has SFABs in a minor role, while multiple formations at the helm are made up of typical rank-and-file soldiers. The 5th SFAB oversees partnerships in the Pacific and solidifies doctrine with Japan, Australia, Mongolia and other key allies amid an increasingly tense competition with China for influence in the region. Even with that important role, the 5th SFAB may face deeper problems among its leadership. Following Chung's dismissal, Col. Tony Braxton is serving as acting commander. However, he was recommended for disciplinary action after an internal Army investigation found that he violated temporary duty, or TDY, rules on at least 23 occasions, keeping soldiers under him away from home longer than 180 days. Soldiers who are on TDY longer than 180 days are entitled to extra pay. Meanwhile, some officers and senior non-commissioned officers interviewed by Military.com said that the 5th SFAB is stretched too thin and that the mission demands are too much for the brigade as it struggles to keep soldiers in. It is authorized to have about 800 troops in its ranks, but has lost more than 116 in the past two years -- a staggering metric that has raised concerns over the quality of leadership and intense mission tempo. Military.com was also first to report that another top officer in the brigade was suspended in May amid an ongoing sexual assault investigation. Col. Meghann Sullivan, commander of the 5th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 5th SFAB, faces allegations of forcefully kissing one subordinate male officer and groping another below the belt without his consent. She also allegedly sexually harassed another male, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the investigation. Sullivan did not immediately return a request for comment. -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. Related: Inside One of the Army's Most Chaotic Brigades The video was shocking not just for what it showed but also for what was said. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the outspoken millionaire head of the private military contractor Wagner, stood in front of the bloodied bodies of his slain troops in Ukraine and yelled expletive-riddled insults at Russian military leaders, blaming them for the carnage. They came here as volunteers and they died to let you lounge in your red wood offices, Prigozhin shouted. You are sitting in your expensive clubs, your children are enjoying good living and filming videos on YouTube. Those who dont give us ammunition will be eaten alive in hell! It was a disquieting display for Russians used to more than two decades of rigidly controlled rule by President Vladimir Putin years with little sign of infighting among his top lieutenants. Prigozhin's video in May and his other rants against the military leadership have been met with silence from Putin, as well as the brass. Some see Putin's failure to squelch the infighting as a sign of potential shifts in Russias political scene that set the stage for more internal battles. Prigozhin's rift with the military has been ignored by state-controlled TV, where most Russians get their news, although it is followed closely by the politically active, ultrapatriotic readers and viewers on social media networks, which share his contempt for military leaders. While there are no indications that Putin is losing influence, there are growing signs of deep dysfunction, anxiety, worry about the war and real problems in marshaling the resources necessary to fight it effectively, said Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the editor of its Strategic Survey. Prigozhins feud with military leaders goes back years, and it spilled into the open amid the fighting for the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut that was spearheaded by his mercenaries. It has pushed the 62-year-old Wagner owner, dubbed Putin's chef for his lucrative Kremlin catering contracts, to the forefront of Russian politics and signaled his growing ambitions. He scathingly criticized Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov, as weak and incompetent in mocking statements full of vulgar language. At one point, he even alleged the army planted mines on the route his fighters planned to use and opened fire at them. With his crude remarks, Prigozhin ventured into territory where only Putin had gone before: Over the years, the Russian leader occasionally broke decorum with an earthy remark or off-color joke, while top officials used carefully worded language. In a later video, Prigozhin made a statement that some have interpreted as a thinly veiled attack on Putin himself. He declared that while his men were dying due to the Defense Ministrys failure to supply ammunition, a happy granddad is thinking hes doing well, and then referred to that granddad with an obscenity. The blunt comment caused a social media uproar, where it was broadly seen as a reference to Putin. Prigozhin later said he was talking about Gerasimov. Prigozhin is now sailing much closer to the wind than he ever has, Gould-Davies told The Associated Press. Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political commentator, described Prigozhin as the second-most popular man after Putin and a symbol of Russias military victory for millions of people. Putin needs Prigozhin's mercenaries at a time when the regular military is still recovering from setbacks earlier in the invasion. The Wagner chief's position was bolstered after the private army captured Bakhmut last month in the wars longest and bloodiest battle, relying on tens of thousands of convicts who were promised pardons if they survived six months of fighting. Putin dominates the system, but he still sort of depends upon a small number of big people to implement his will, to provide him with resources to carry out his orders, including fighting the war, Gould-Davies told AP. While Putin may adhere to keeping various factions divided and then intervening to decide who wins and who loses, and whos up and whos down, the process erodes the government's authority in wartime, Gould-Davies said. That may be a way of keeping the political system going, but its certainly not the way to fight the war, because if your military forces are divided and if theyre not fighting together effectively, then your military operations will suffer accordingly and thats exactly whats happening here, he said. Mark Galeotti, a London-based expert on Russian politics and security, noted the infighting was continuing even as Ukraine is in the early stages of its long-expected counteroffensive "a point when really everyone should have one single common goal. In a recent podcast, he speculated that Putins failure to resolve political disputes could be rooted in a lack of interest, a focus on other issues or, more likely, a reluctance to take sides. It also raises questions about his overall capacity to do his job, Galeotti said. This is the one thing, the one job he cant really outsource, and hes not even trying. The lack of response from military leaders to Prigozhins insults appeared to indicate they werent sure if Putin was on their side. St. Petersburg regional Gov. Alexander Beglov was another recent Prigozhin target, following their long-standing conflict rooted in Beglovs reluctance to award lucrative contracts to Prigozhins companies. Just like the military leaders, Beglov has not responded. Prigozhin has allied with other hawkish officials, reportedly including Tula Gov. Alexei Dyumin, a former Putin bodyguard seen by many as a potential successor. The Wagner head also gravitated for some time toward Ramzan Kadyrov, the Moscow-backed regional leader of Chechnya. While denouncing most senior military leaders, Prigozhin spoke approvingly about Gen. Sergei Surovikin, who led Russian forces in Ukraine for several months before Putin appointed Gerasimov to oversee the operations. But some of those alliances have been shaky. While Kadyrov initially praised Prigozhin and backed some of his criticism of the military leaders, he later shifted course and criticized him for sounding defeatist. Kadyrovs lieutenants went further, blasting Wagner's efforts in Bakhmut after Prigozhin made dismissive comments about Chechen fighters in Ukraine. Kadyrovs right-hand man, Magomed Daudov, bluntly said Prigozhin would have been executed for such statements during World War II. Prigozhin quickly backed off, saying he was only expressing concern about Russian operations. Prigozhin has dodged questions about his ambitions, but in a move that reflected his desire to gain political clout, he recently toured Russia, continuing a barrage of blustery comments. There are signs that he seeks some sort of political future, Gould-Davies observed. Even though Prigozhin owes his position and wealth to Putin, he's playing the role of outsider with his criticism of some leaders and by trying to appeal to the masses amid setbacks in Ukraine, said Andrei Kolesnikov of the Carnegie Endowment. He is posturing as an enemy of the elites, even though he is a product of Putins system, the embodiment of his regime and state contracts, Kolesnikov said. Prigozhin is playing an independent politician, raising the stakes and testing the systems limits. But its only technically and physically possible for as long as Putin finds him useful and is amused by his escapades. In a show of support for the military, Putin backed the Defense Ministrys demand for all private companies to sign contracts with it something Prigozhin has refused to do. And in another sign Putin's administration may finally be cutting Prigozhin down to size, messaging app channels connected to the Kremlin carried photos of his partying children, including a daughter in Dubai, in apparent retaliation for Prigozhins attacks on the defense ministers daughter. Prigozhin has urged all-out war with Ukraine, including a total nationwide mobilization and the introduction of martial law in Russia calls welcomed by some hawks. But Kolesnikov notes that the vast majority of Russians who are mostly apathetic or unwilling to make larger sacrifices could be frightened and appalled by that message. He cautions against overestimating Prigozhins clout and political prospects, and underestimating Putin's authority. "Its enough for the commander-in-chief to move his finger to make the Wagner chief disappear, Kolesnikov said. ___ Associated Press writer Danica Kirka in London contributed. A late endorsement by controversial developer Carl Paladino has added turmoil to the red-hot race for the Erie County Legislatures 10th District seat. The former GOP gubernatorial candidate has endorsed Lindsay Bratek-Lorigo over her opponent James Malczewski, causing the political consultant who was running Bratek-Lorigos campaign to suddenly resign, just days before the Republican and Conservative primaries on Tuesday. The strangest primary race in the Erie County Legislature heats up Jim Malczewski and Lindsay Bratek-Lorigo are vying for the 10th District seat, which includes the towns of West Seneca, Elma, Aurora, Wales, Colden, Sardinia and Concord. Lindsay Lorigo is a phenomenal candidate and a future conservative star in our party, campaign consultant Christopher M. Grant said in a written statement. While we unfortunately can no longer be a part of her team, we know shell have a terrific night on Primary Night and look forward to her success. Grant declined to comment beyond the written statement, but a source close to the campaign said Grant argued against Paladinos involvement because of the developers history of racist and inflammatory remarks and his string of losses in recent elections, which Grant argued could cost Bratek-Lorigo votes. Bratek-Lorigo in a written statement said she was honored to receive the endorsement of my friend and fellow conservative fighter, Carl Paladino. Contentious Erie County Legislature primary escalates over immigration issue A primary for an Erie County Legislature seat escalated with the Republican and Conservative candidates as well as County Executive Mark Poloncarz, a Democrat sparring over the issue of migrants coming to New York from the southern U.S. border. As for Grants departure, she wrote, While Big Dog Strategies can no longer be a part of my team right now, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Chris Grant and his team for their incomparable work and incredible dedication to my campaign. The departure of Grant, a Western New York native who runs the Florida-based Big Dog Strategies consulting firm, is significant because much of Bratek-Lorigos campaign was based on a series of negative mailers the firm designed about Malczewski. Ive known her for quite some time, and Im happy shes running because shes a very bright young lady and I think she could fill the position very responsibly, Paladino told The Buffalo News about Bratek-Lorigo. Bryan Fiume, who is running Malczewskis campaign, noted that Paladino has also donated to Malczewskis campaign. Carl is a friend and supporter of Jim, as well, Fiume said. This is the awkward part of primaries. Paladino seeks information about votes in primary in apparent effort to challenge his loss Carl P. Paladino's congressional campaign wasn't kidding when it said it would go looking for "irregularities" in the Aug. 23 Republican primary. Since Malczewski and Bratek-Lorigo are locked in both a Republican and Conservative primary for the legislature seat, the race may extend beyond Primary Day on Tuesday into the general election in November. Grant is close with Rep. Nick Langworthy, who defeated Paladino last year for the congressional seat, and sources say bad blood lingers between Langworthy and Paladino over that contest. After Grant expressed his opposition, the Bratek-Lorigo campaign found a different mailing house to print the ads, which landed in the mailboxes of voters in West Seneca, Elma and other towns in the district Friday. CARL PALADINO ENDORSES LINDSAY LORIGO, the ad stated in bold letters, with a picture of a smiling Bratek-Lorigo standing next to the 76-year-old developer. Lindsay Lorigo is a PROVEN CONSERVATIVE WARRIOR who will fight for Erie County taxpayers. The Marine Corps is on track to be led by an acting commandant for the first time in 164 years as senators leave town for two weeks with no end in sight to a standoff over military confirmations. The term for the current Marine commandant, Gen. David Berger, expires July 10, "at which time he must vacate the office, regardless of whether a successor has been appointed," service spokesperson Maj. Jim Stenger told Military.com in an email last week. Berger's deputy and nominated successor, Gen. Eric Smith, will fill the position in an acting role. The failure to confirm Smith to be the next Marine Corps chief is due to a single-handed hold on confirmations by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., over Pentagon abortion leave policies. The position is the highest in the military so far to feel the pinch of Tuberville's hold, but the Defense Department has warned that hundreds of officer promotions could be disrupted this year. Read Next: 5th SFAB Commander Fired as Other Officers Face Misconduct Investigations "Until a new commandant is confirmed by the Senate and appointed to the position, Gen. Smith will be the acting commandant, retaining the title and position of assistant commandant," Stenger said. The Senate left for its Fourth of July recess Thursday evening and is not scheduled to be back in session until the same day Berger retires, making it impossible for Smith to be confirmed before Berger leaves. On Thursday, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted to advance Smith's nomination, but the panel's move will have little effect in moving it along. Aside from the Senate's summer absence, Smith now hits the blockade that Tuberville has maintained since February on all general and flag officers. While the Senate would typically confirm uncontroversial nominees such as Smith quickly after the Armed Services Committee advances them, Tuberville's objection to fast-tracking general and flag officer confirmations means the Marines will be without a Senate-confirmed leader for the first time since Archibald Henderson died in office in 1859, committee staffers told reporters Friday. Tuberville is using a procedural tactic known as a hold to stonewall all nominees for O-7 and above over his opposition to a Pentagon abortion policy unveiled earlier this year. The policy allows service members to take nonchargeable leave and have their travel expenses paid for if they need to go far from their base to receive an abortion or other reproductive health care not offered by the department, such as in vitro fertilization. While a hold cannot prevent the Senate from confirming nominees, it requires the chamber to take individual roll call votes on each nominee rather than quickly confirming them in batches with a voice vote as it usually does for military officers. With more than 250 nominees trapped in Tuberville's hold now, and about 650 expected to be caught by the end of the year, confirming them individually would be a months-long, impractical process. Meanwhile, senators are using their annual defense policy bill to prod the Pentagon to explain the legality of the abortion policy at the center of the confirmation fight. The version of the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, advanced by the committee this week would direct the Pentagon to provide a report to Congress on the "legality, oversight functions and processes" related to the abortion leave policy, according to a summary released Friday. The Justice Department has already conducted a legal analysis of the Pentagon policy. While Republicans who oppose the policy argue it violates legal restrictions on the use of Pentagon funding for abortions, the Justice Department maintains those restrictions apply only to actually performing abortions and that the Defense Department policy is consistent with other government agencies, such as the Peace Corps, which cover costs incidental to abortion. Senators are asking for the report to be done by July 24 so they receive it before the full Senate votes on the NDAA, committee staffers said Friday. The information in the report could be used for action on the policy when the bill comes to the Senate floor or is being reconciled with the House version of the bill, committee staffers and senators said. The language on the abortion policy is in the report accompanying the bill, which means it is not legally binding but also that lawmakers can request the Pentagon come back with answers before the bill becomes law. Calling for a report on the abortion policy was a compromise offered by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., after senators debated and rejected a measure from Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, that would have reversed the Pentagon policy entirely, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., told reporters Friday. "It was a spirited discussion, and it took a long time," Kaine said about the committee's closed-door debate on the abortion policy. "But pretty much everybody around the table, we all knew where each other was on the discussion, and so it was not uncivil or argumentative." Committee staffers said they have no indication that including the report in the NDAA will get Tuberville to back off his hold. Tuberville has previously said a committee vote on the policy is not enough to get him to change course. That means the number of acting chiefs could grow beyond Smith and the Marines, a potential committee staffers alluded to as they stressed that they have several major confirmation hearings on tap after the recess. Gen. Charles "C.Q." Brown, the current chief of staff of the Air Force, has been named to take over for Gen. Mark Milley as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, leaving the leadership of the Air Force unfilled. Milley's term expires at the end of September. Gen. James McConville, the Army's top officer, and Adm. Mike Gilday, the Navy's military boss, are also both set to retire soon. Only McConville's replacement has been publicly named. -- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel. -- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin. Related: Tuberville Offered Vote in Senate But Still Won't Drop Hold on Military Promotions A Marine Corps NCO named Reckless carried nearly five tons of ammunition and equipment through the mountains of Korea to his fellow Marines on the front lines. He was wounded twice while carrying other wounded Marines to safety. His efforts earned him a promotion to sergeant and two Purple Hearts. Sgt. Reckless also received a commendation with the rest of his unit, along with a Presidential Unit Citation. As many reading this might know, Sgt. Reckless was a horse, originally purchased by U.S. Marines to carry a Recoilless Rifle and its ammunition. It eventually became a beloved member of the squad and even participated in an amphibious landing. Animals have served alongside their people throughout history, with some (like Sgt. Reckless) becoming more well-known than others. A new children's book, "We Also Served: True Stories of Brave Animals in the Military and Other Heroic Tales," recounts the tales of history's most beloved animal combat veterans for the youngest of audiences. Sgt. Reckless in Korea, as illustrated by author Erin McGill. (Sourcebooks) Author and illustrator Erin McGill compiled the stories of 13 courageous war heroes that also happened to be animals, and wrote them in a way children ages 4-8 can appreciate. Along with Sgt. Reckless, she tells the stories of World War II search and rescue dogs Rip and Beauty, who helped search the rubble of war-torn London, and Smoky, who might have been the world's first therapy dog. Read: The World's First Therapy Dog Was a World War II Pacific Veteran There's also the story of Old Abe, the bald eagle mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry during and after the Civil War. Originally captured by the leader of an Ojibwe native tribe, the eagle was sold to a civilian who gave it to the 8th Wisconsin, which soon joined the Union Army of the Mississippi. After the war, Old Abe became a national celebrity and helped raise money and awareness for the plight of wounded war veterans and orphaned children. He even raised the alarm when the Wisconsin State Capitol building caught fire. Stories like those of Old Abe, Smoky and Sgt. Reckless are timeless and heartwarming for children and adults alike. They are beautifully summarized and captured in McGill's 40-page children's book. "We Also Served: True Stories of Brave Animals in the Military and Other Heroic Tales" is available for pre-order now, and ships on July 4, 2023. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on LinkedIn. Keep Up With the Best in Military Entertainment Whether you're looking for news and entertainment, thinking of joining the military or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to the Military.com newsletter to have military news, updates and resources delivered straight to your inbox. When we last saw Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) in "The Equalizer 2," he had just taken down members of his own CIA paramilitary group and moved to his old family house next to the ocean. He had already beaten up some Wall Street punks, tracked down artwork stolen by the Nazis and rescued children taken hostage. In the newest installment of The Equalizer series, McCall has moved to Southern Italy to escape his own past once again. He's finally settled down in a place he loves, only to find that it's terrorized by the Sicilian Mafia. In true McCall fashion, he gives the mafia one last chance to do the right thing. You can pretty much guess what happens next. We don't know a lot about McCall or his past. We know he was a gunnery sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps before he was recruited into the Defense Intelligence Agency. He worked as a DIA operative for seven years before faking his death to live with his future wife. When she died, he stayed in retirement. In 2014's "The Equalizer," he came out of retirement to help a teenage friend escape her ties to a Russian mobster, destroying the entire gang in the process. He even went to Russia to ensure the mob couldn't restart its American operations. "The Equalizer 2" was Washington's first-ever sequel. McCall made it his life's work to help those who couldn't help themselves until his friends from the DIA were hunted by members of his former unit. In this third movie, what producers call the last in the series, McCall was really trying to stay retired. Director Antoine Fuqua's film series is based on the 1985-1989 CBS television series of the same name. Starring Edward Woodward as McCall, people in need found the Equalizer through a newspaper ad in New York City that read: "Got a problem? Odds against you?" Denzel Washington's McCall used the same ad in the second film, only his ad was posted to Craigslist. The new movie reunites Washington with Fuqua. Aside from "The Equalizer" series, the two have also collaborated in 2001's "Training Day" and the 2016 remake of "The Magnificent Seven." It also reunites Washington and actress Dakota Fanning, who starred in the 2004 action thriller "Man on Fire." "The Equalizer 3" will be released in theaters in September 2023. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on LinkedIn. Keep Up With the Best in Military Entertainment Whether you're looking for news and entertainment, thinking of joining the military or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to the Military.com newsletter to have military news, updates and resources delivered straight to your inbox. In the rural Town of Evans, anywhere from a half-dozen to 15 people a year typically register as a Conservative when signing up to vote or switching their political party affiliation. So when more than 90 voters enrolled as Conservatives earlier this year, one might have deduced that Conservative Party leaders would be delighted. Instead, they panicked. Two of the partys leaders spelled out their fears at a recent hearing before State Supreme Court Justice Dennis Ward, asking him to take the rare step of disenrolling 68 of those voters from the Conservative Party and blocking them from voting in Tuesdays Conservative primary. Its an organized effort to invade our party, Charles Castiglia, chairman of the Evans Conservative Committee, told the judge. The Republican and Democratic parties have made efforts before to undermine and take over the Conservative Party in Evans, Castiglia said. The latest invasion of both Republicans and Democrats who switched to the Conservative Party, he said, was coordinated by Mike Masullo, a retired Evans police lieutenant running for town supervisor and who was passed over for the Conservative endorsement in the race. Castiglia said Masullos friends and family switched their registrations before the Feb. 14 deadline so they could vote in the Conservative primary. Castiglia said he and other party officials identified others with connections to Masullo whom they believe switched parties simply so they can vote for him in the primary not because they are in sympathy with the principles of the party. Conservative leaders went to court, citing a section of state election law that allows those not in sympathy with the party to be disenrolled from the party. Castiglia and other town party leaders targeted voters who changed their party enrollment after Jan. 1 and before Feb. 15. The stakes are apparent in Evans: With 581 town voters registered as Conservative, the number of newly enrolled Conservative voters ostensibly supporting Masullo could be enough to propel Masullo to a primary victory. To an outsider, this sounds like a spat in a small town, Castiglia told the judge. But to Conservative leaders, the threat also lies beyond Evans. Conservative Party officials worry that if efforts like this go unchecked, the major parties can gain control of Conservative parties in other small towns in Erie County and gain a foothold within the Erie County Conservative Committee. And that has implications for which candidates across the county gain coveted Conservative endorsements that could make a difference in an election. Masullo, among those who party leaders want to disenroll, said the targeted voters feel like their right to vote is being suppressed. They never thought that this was a thing in the United States of America, that somebody can go after who they want to vote for, how they want to vote or what party they want to be affiliated with, Masullo said. Theyre being told that you dont have a God-given right to pick your party, he said, warning of the monumental precedent that would be set if Ward rules against the challenged voters. Theyre not doing it to protect the values of the Conservative Party, he said of the Conservative leaders. The reason theyre doing this is because they were losing the battle. They went, Oh, he signed up more people than we did. Hes probably going to win this primary. So the partys leaders decided to try and beat him in court, Masullo said. Erie County Conservative Party Chairman Ralph Lorigo, siding with Castiglia, called what is happening in Evans fairly new territory. With party endorsements made before the Feb. 15 deadline to change party enrollment for a June primary election, anyone who did not gain the partys endorsement had a window to get supporters to switch parties and vote in the primary to try to win the line for the general election. Lorigo predicted enrollment challenges like the one in Evans could become more common elsewhere. I think there will be more of these actions, Lorigo said. Trying to exercise iron grip The county Board of Elections is fighting the action in Evans. Erie County Attorney Jeremy Toth, representing Republican county elections Commissioner Ralph Mohr and Democratic Commissioner Jeremy Zellner, called the disenrollment effort an end-run to keep Masullo from gaining the Conservative Party line and to disqualify voters who apparently have the gall to support him. Toth has asked Ward to dismiss the petition to disenroll the voters filed by Lorigo, Castiglia and the Erie County Conservative Party saying they were aware of the shift in party enrollments in Evans since Feb. 15 but waited too long to bring the action. Granting the petition also would bring uncertainty into the primary race for voters and disrupt the primary election preparations already well underway, he said. The board seeks to enfranchise not disenfranchise qualified voters, Toth wrote in a court filing. The allegations in the disenrollment request amount to nothing more than a chairman of a minor party trying to exercise an iron grip on what is supposed to be a democratic process, Toth said. If successful on these facts, Toth said, party chairs will be able to expel voters en masse, days before a primary, based on nothing more than a desire to ensure desired electoral outcomes. Last week, a day before early voting started, Ward ended the court hearing without ruling on the request. So the primary votes will count from any of the challenged Evans voters who cast absentee ballots or who vote early, Mohr and Toth told The Buffalo News. Theres nothing that can be done, Toth said. You cant uncount a vote. Sympathy with the party The Conservative Party leaders base their case on a section of state election law. That law allows the chair of a county party committee to determine if a voter is not in sympathy with the principles of the party. After meeting several conditions, including holding a hearing with notice to the voter, if the party chair rules the voter is not in sympathy with the partys principles, an enrolled party member can seek a court proceeding to ask a Supreme Court justice to cancel the voters party enrollment. The judges role is to determine if the party chairs determination is just and whether the procedure was properly followed. The judge decides whether the voter is disenrolled or not. Castiglia started the process in Evans with a letter to Lorigo. After receiving his complaint, Lorigo convened a hearing of the county Conservative Partys grievance committee. A hearing notice was sent to each of the voters whose registrations were challenged by Castiglia. The hearing was scheduled for May 27 at Lorigos law office. The notices were sent by first-class mail delivered to the post office on May 20. On the date of the hearing, no enrolled voters showed up. But two attorneys appeared and provided affidavits on behalf of 55 enrolled voters whom they represented. Each affidavit was identical to the others, said attorney James Ostrowski, who represents the Conservative officials. The attorneys were permitted to speak at the hearing. When it ended, the grievance committee voted 5-0 to recommend disenrolling the 55 voters who failed to appear but who submitted affidavits and also to disenroll 13 other voters who failed to appear and failed to provide an affidavit. Lorigo adopted and ratified the recommendation of the grievance committee and determined that the voters be disenrolled from the Conservative Party. The group felt there was a concerted effort by the candidate to bring his friends and family into the party for the sole purpose to affect the primary, Lorigo said. Conservative values Masullo, 48, is making his first run for public office and he will be on the Republican line this fall. He served on the towns police force from 2000 to 2021, and he acknowledges he registered as a Democrat during those years believing it would enhance his chances for promotions. This is a Democratic town, he said. The minute I retired, I switched back to the Republican Party. He sought the Conservative endorsement for the town supervisor race to secure a second line, but the Democratic candidate got it. He then registered as a Conservative so he could run in the Conservative primary and, if victorious, also secure the Conservative ballot line for the general election. Im pro-life. Im a firearms instructor. I have tons of guns, he said, and he also advocates for less government. So my values are conservative, he said. And those he helped sign up share those values, he said. Its a small community, and when you go around knocking on doors, trying to solicit votes, you know, I know 80% of these people, he said. So they start asking questions and I start talking to them, and the next thing out of their mouth was how do I switch, Id like to switch, those are my beliefs. The Giants have acquired outfielder Dalton Guthrie from the Phillies for cash, according to announcements from both teams. San Francisco optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento. In order to create space on the 40-man roster, they transferred Mitch Haniger from the 10-day to the 60-day injured list. Philadelphia had designated Guthrie for assignment earlier in the week, clearing a roster spot for Darick Hall to return from the injured list. That spurred the first organization change of his career. Guthrie had been with the Phils since they nabbed him in the sixth round of the 2017 draft coming out of Florida. Guthrie first reached the majors last September. He played in 14 regular season games and made a single appearance in the Division Series during Philadelphias run to the NL pennant. Guthrie has gotten into 23 more games this year, starting eight times. Between the two seasons, the right-handed hitter has a .244/.393/.333 line in his first 56 trips to the plate. He has quite a bit more Triple-A experience, tallying 607 plate appearances in parts of three seasons. Guthrie is a .296/.359/.467 hitter at the top minor league level. He can play all three outfield spots and had some infield experience earlier in his pro career. Guthrie has never been regarded as a high-upside prospect. The 27-year-old has some positional flexibility and a solid minor league track record, though. Theres little downside for the Giants in jumping the waiver order to add him as a depth player. Hes in his first of three option years, meaning the club can keep him in Triple-A for the next few seasons if he earns a lasting 40-man roster spot. Hanigers injury meant the Giants were operating with a de facto opening on the 40-man. He underwent surgery to repair a fractured right ulna last week. Hell be out into September. The Reds announced that outfielder Wil Myers, who was designated for assignment earlier this week, has now been released. Its hardly a shock to see Myers released, given the combination of his contract and results this year. The club signed him to a one-year deal in the offseason with a $7.5MM guarantee. That came in the form of a $6MM salary this year and a $1.5MM buyout on a mutual option. The rebuilding Reds were surely hoping for Myers to serve as a reliable veteran presence who became a trade candidate by midseason. Unfortunately, Myers hit just .189/.257/.283 through 141 plate appearances before landing on the injured list in May due to kidney stones. By the time he was ready to come off the IL, various Cincinnati prospects had hit the ground running in the big leagues and vaulted the team into first place. With the rebuild suddenly appearing to be over, there was little room left for Myers to get the necessary playing time to get into a groove, so he was designated for assignment instead. Myers will now head to the open market in search of his next opportunity. Despite his poor results this year, clubs may be intrigued by his career output. Hes hit .252/.326/.437 for a wRC+ of 107 in 1100 career games dating back to 2013. He can be slotted into an outfield corner or first base, and can even play third in a pinch. He also hit .261/.315/.398 for a wRC+ of 106 as recently as last year. Any club willing to take a chance on Myers would do so with no financial risk. The Reds will remain on the hook for whats left of that contract, leaving any other club free to sign him and pay him the prorated league minimum for any time spent on the roster. That amount would be subtracted from what the Reds pay. The Tigers announced that right-hander Seth Elledge has cleared waivers and elected free agency. He was designated for assignment earlier in the week when the club claimed left-hander Anthony Misiewicz off waivers from the Diamondbacks. Elledge, 27, has filled up the transaction logs in the past few months. Atlanta added him to their roster in November but then designated him for assignment in April. He then went to the Mets and Tigers on subsequent waivers claims before getting the DFA treatment again a few days ago. Amid all those transactions, hes managed to throw 28 2/3 Triple-A innings this year with a 5.34 ERA, striking out 21.9% of hitters but walking 13.3%. The righty has a bit of major league experience, getting into 23 games for the Cardinals over 2020 and 2021. He had a 4.63 ERA in 23 1/3 innings in that time with a strong 24% strikeout rate but 14.4% walk rate. He was outrighted off the Cards roster after the 2021 season and signed a minor league deal with Atlanta for 2022. He tossed 46 1/3 Triple-A innings that year with a 3.88 ERA, 33.7% strikeout rate and 8.6% walk rate. That dip in walk rate is perhaps what got him a roster spot from Atlanta less than a year ago but the control problems seem to have returned here in 2023. Since Elledge had that previous career outright in 2021, he had the right to reject another such assignment. He has now exercised that right and is free to sign with any club. Despite the problems with the free passes, hes continued to rack up strikeouts and could market that to potential employers. With so many clubs around the league dealing with injuries, hell likely be able to find offers for minor league deals. Corner infielder Yoshi Tsutsugo opted out of a minor league contract with the Rangers, tweets Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Texas allowed him to hit free agency rather than add him to the MLB roster. The Rangers took a non-roster flier on Tsutsugo over the offseason. He didnt get a big league look, instead spending the entire season with Triple-A Round Rock. He hit .249/.380/.432 over 280 trips to the plate. The left-handed hitter drew free passes at a huge 17.3% clip but went down on strikes over 28% of the time. He connected on six home runs, nine doubles and a pair of triples fine but unexceptional power production for a bat-first player in the Pacific Coast League. Tsutsugo will now look elsewhere in search of an MLB opportunity for whatd be the fourth consecutive season. He struggled early upon signing with the Rays and fared even worse in a cup of coffee with the Dodgers. Tsutsugo caught fire late in the 2021 season with the Pirates, though, popping eight homers in only 43 games. Pittsburgh re-signed him in hopes hed approximate that production over a full schedule. That didnt happen, as he hit .171/.249/.229 in 50 contests last year before the Bucs released him. A late-season Triple-A run with the Blue Jays didnt result in another MLB look. Tsutsugo heads back to the market with a career .197/.291/.339 line over 182 big league contests. Tsutsugo has primarily played first base and designated hitter at the major league level. The Rays gave him a few looks at third base back in 2020. He didnt see any time at the hot corner from 2021-22 but started 13 games there with Round Rock (in addition to 22 starts at first base and 16 outings as the DH). It doesnt get any more Michigan than this. Two local staples, Armada-based Achatz and Detroit-based Faygo, have teamed up to create a dessert which is available beginning today for a very limited time. You can now indulge in the new Achatz Faygo Rock and Rye Pie. This special seasonal pie features a traditional crust packed with rich silk Rock and Rye soda pop filling. Rachel Achatz tells MLive this new creation came about after they tried five different Faygo flavors and Rock and Rye worked the best. They also say the folks at Faygo had a lot of say in how the final product turned out. We were baking pie and sending over to them to try and they would give us notes and wed take that back to our kitchen and make more pie. It went through a lot of back and forth. Faygo had a lot of say in what they wanted the pie to taste like and we wanted them to approve it. Its not just the filling which is made with Rock and Rye. The whipped topping is also infused with the pop. We tried the pie and it has the texture of a French silk pie with the taste of Rock and Rye, but its not overwhelmingly sweet as one might expect with pop being used for the pie. The Achatz Faygo Rock and Rye Pie is available through the 4th of July, or, until Achatz sells out. Rachel Achatz recommends ordering ahead of time online here for a scheduled pick up at one of its eight Metro Detroit locations. There is no limit to how many pies you can order. Achatz Faygo Rock and Rye pie is available for a limited time beginning on Friday, June 23, 2023. (Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive) Each five-inch pie is $8.99. Rachel Achatz says once they are gone, they wont be coming back until probably next year. We want a chance for everybody to try it, but we like to rotate our seasonal flavors. Anything seasonal we have for a week, maybe two weeks. MORE FROM MLIVE: Pawn Stars is coming to Ann Arbor and Detroit and you could be on the show Dave Coulier to host Full House tell all, behind-the-scenes podcast 12-year old magician ventriloquist from Michigan shocks with AGT audition How Nickelbacks Mike Kroeger became a die-hard Detroit Red Wings fan UPDATE: Victims identified after 1 killed, 1 injured in Lake Michigan plane crash An aircraft carrying two people crashed into the water near Beaver Island in Northern Michigan. First-responders were dispatched to the scene Friday morning, June 23, according to the U.S. Coast Guard 9th District. A woman was unresponsive when she was pulled from the wreckage, while a man was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a head laceration. The Coast Guard couldnt provide further update to MLive on the womans condition, but a report from 9&10 News indicated she had died, citing the Charlevoix County Sheriffs Department. Members of the Coast Guard were in the area for a training exercise when they received a call indicating an aircraft was overdue to have returned. Using GPS they were able to locate the plane, which had gone into the water. Once on scene, the Coast Guard rescue team located a man in the water and hoisted him up using a helicopter. They were alerted that a second person was trapped in the submerged wreck. A diver from the Charlevoix County Sheriffs Department was able to locate the woman and bring her to the surface, though she was unresponsive. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, according to the Coast Guard. Read more on MLive: Owner of derelict barge criminally charged in Great Lakes saga 1 Michigan beach closed for contamination as Great Lakes warm up Speeding cameras in Michigan construction zones could soon monitor motorists Section 8 renters in Michigan could see more protections against housing discrimination Two drivers died when their vehicles collided this week in Montcalm County. Police said a 69-year-old Stanton man and a 58-year-old Sumner woman were killed in the head-on crash that closed Vickeryville Road in Evergreen Township for about four hours Thursday, June 22. Investigators said the Stanton man was traveling north in a black Ford F150 when he crossed the center line and struck an oncoming silver Toyota Rav4 driven by the Sumner woman. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. First responders were dispatched around 2:30 p.m. The crash, which occurred south of Colby Road, closed Vickeryville Road until around 6:30 p.m. Police said the male driver was not wearing a seatbelt. The female was wearing a seatbelt, and all airbags were deployed. The crash remains under investigation. Montcalm County Sheriffs deputies were assisted by Michigan State Police, Montcalm County EMS, Montcalm County Central Dispatch, the Montcalm County Road Commission, and the Crystal Fire Department. Read more on MLive: 2 pulled from plane crash in Lake Michigan Speeding cameras in Michigan construction zones could soon monitor motorists Owner of derelict barge criminally charged in Great Lakes saga 1 Michigan beach closed for contamination as Great Lakes warm up DETROIT -- A Detroit man has been charged numerous felonies including first-degree arson and assault with intent to murder in connection with a fire at a Detroit gas station earlier this week. Julian Miller, 35, was arraigned in 36th District Court Friday and is accused of pouring gasoline on the floor of a Sunoco gas station Tuesday morning and setting it on fire while the clerk was inside the store. The 27-year-old clerk who was working at the gas station -- located in the19330 block of West Seven Mile Road -- was injured in the fire, but survived. Police were able to track Miller down the same day the fire occurred. This seems to be developing into another dangerous trend at Detroit area gas stations. It is a massive understatement to say that arson at a gas station is not a good idea, said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. We will vigorously prosecute anyone that is found responsible for this absurd behavior and will also explore necessary legislative changes to the law regarding arsons specifically at gas stations. Bond was set at $100,000 cash/surety and Miller will be required to wear a GPS tether if released. A bond re-determination hearing is scheduled for June 26, 2023 and a probable cause conference is set for July 7. READ MORE: I got roofied and kidnapped. Womans story highlights safety issues at Michigan music festivals Flushing Township homicide suspect arrested near Alpena, police say Teens arrested with guns at Lake Michigan beach after citizen report GRAND RAPIDS, MI Theres enough evidence to move forward with charges against a 19-year-old Michigan man accused of planning a mass shooting at a synagogue in East Lansing, a judge decided Thursday, WOOD TV reports. Seann Pietila, 19, of Pickford, was arrested by the FBI on Friday, June 16. He is charged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan with transmitting a communication containing a threat to injure another. RELATED: FBI arrests Michigan man suspected of planning mass shooting at synagogue Investigators say Pietila expressed Neo-Nazi ideology, antisemitism and glorified mass shooters including a New Zealand mosque shooter Brenton Tarrant who killed 51 people and injured 40 more on March 15, 2019. Pietila was allegedly plotting a mass killing at Shaarey Zedek Congregation on the five-year anniversary of that attack. Pietila had racially motivated and violent extremist conversations with a 16-year-old in New Zealand via Instagram direct messages, FBI agent Ryan Roskey testified in court Thursday, WOOD TV reports. The FBI began investigating the case on June 13 after receiving a report of threatening communication from Instagram. Federal Public Defender Sean Tilton said during the hearing that the Instagram messages did not indicate a specific true threat, the report said. Tilton also said that Pietila shows signs of mental instability. The prosecution asked that Pietila remain behind bars as the case moves forward, the report said. The judge did not reach a decision Thursday. We believe given the gravity of the threats here that there is sufficient reason to detain him, that thats important to protect the public, said Mark Totten, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan. The 43-page criminal complaint related to this case shows that Instagram provided investigators with a 210-page document of user information for Pietilas account finnishv64. In Instagram messages from early June, Pietila told user _this_aint_me_88, the 16-year-old from New Zealand, about his plan to live stream a mass shooting and mimic Tarrant, according to the criminal complaint. Tarrant was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to 92 charges in 2020. Remember Heil Hitler! boom red mist gotta make it unique I guess. Maybe. I just need a camera for streaming and some more magazines. Dont wanna run out of mags and have to reload one, Pietila wrote, ending the message with a skull emoji. Pietila described having 11ish guns across multiple properties including an AR-15. He told the teen he would be strapped with mags so I dont have ammo problems and thought about using the social platform Discord to livestream the attack, according to the complaint. Yea thats right you do wanna be different people need to know and fear your name, said _this_aint_me_88 in a June 1 message. Pietila responded by saying they would inspire others to take arms against the Jewish controlled state. Investigators also found Pietilas Pinterest account which included posts of Nazi imagery, Tarrant and Anders Behring Breivik, a Norwegian far-right extremist who massacred 77 people in 2011, the complaint alleges. On June 16, the FBI served a search warrant and found Pietila inside a Pickford house in Chippewa County. He had moved to the Upper Peninsula a week prior and was most likely living in East Lansing when he sent the alleged threats, investigators said. Officials say he attended Lansing Eastern High School during the 2020-2021 school year. The criminal complaint says Pietila did not have any known firearms registered in his name. But his mother Brittany Stob had two registered handguns at the house that were not secured in a safe or a locked storage box. Ammunition, a shotgun, a rifle, a pistol, scopes and firearms accessories, knives, tactical vests, black skull masks, a Nazi flag, a ghillie camouflage suit, gas masks and military survival manuals were discovered with the search warrant. A note found on Pietilas iPhone named Shaarey Zedek Congregation, March 15, 2024. It also listed equipment for the attack: pipe bombs, Molotov cocktails and other weapons. Pietila told investigators he did not intend on following through with the mass killings. READ MORE: 14-year-old dead after shooting himself while making social media video Parents of Saginaw County woman found dead in home offer $100,000 reward for info on killer Police investigate Ann Arbor shooting that ended in car crash ANN ARBOR, MI -- A Washtenaw County judge granted a request for a suspect lineup for an accused bank robber whose defense attorney says he was misidentified. Virgil James Ross, 49, is accused of attempting to rob Chase Bank, 100 S. Main St., shortly before 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 11. When the robbery was initially reported, police said a man handed a note to a teller before fleeing on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. No weapon was seen and there were no injuries. Ross was arrested a short time later and arraigned in the 15th District Court on Friday, May 12, on charges of bank robbery. Now, Ross attorney is claiming eyewitnesses, when asked to identify Ross, told police Ross was not the man who robbed the bank. There was no suspect present in the bank when police arrived, Lorne Brown, deputy chief public defender, argued before Judge Cedric Simpson on Thursday, June 22. Approximately nine persons were present, none of whom could provide the direction in which the suspect was alleged to have fled. The teller who was robbed described the suspect as having black hair, Brown continued. When police brought her to the vehicle in which Ross was being held, she told police Ross was not the same man who had robbed her, he said. Ross had a shaved head and a large beard at the time of the incident, Brown said. Theres a reasonable likelihood of mistaken identification because (the teller) told police that Mr. Ross was not the suspect, Brown said. Prosecution argued Ross was found with a little more than $2,600, including 16 $100 bills matching the denominations taken from the bank and was wearing similar clothing to the suspect description. Ross also had clear, rubber gloves, a mask and a notebook with notes referencing money and dye packs, according to the prosecuting attorney. Mr. Ross isnt charged with having items which may have been involved in a robbery, Brown said. Hes charged with actually committing a bank robbery. Simpson asked why police had not brought down all the witnesses to identify Ross. The prosecuting attorney said he was not sure. I think that had that occurred, Im probably not here hearing this motion, Simpson said. Simpson approved the request for a live lineup, saying he agreed it was justified. Ross will next appear in court on Thursday, July 6. 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: Ann Arbor police identify man killed in Ann Arbor Family members of 2 students killed in MSU shooting, 1 victim file intent to sue Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea celebrates 30 years in Ann Arbor ANN ARBOR, MI - Construction crews across Washtenaw County are checking items off their to-do lists (hello, Scio Church Road) and adding new ones (see below). Heres a list of road work that could affect commute times and travel across Ann Arbor and the county for the weekend beginning Friday, June 23 and the week ahead. ANN ARBOR Newport Road: The road between Sunset Road and Down Up Circle, near the Bird Hills Nature Area, will see flagging and temporary signals as crews install new sidewalk beginning Monday, June 26 and running through Friday, Aug. 25. Dhu Varren Road: The road will close beginning June 26 in the eastbound direction between Pontiac Trail and Nixon Road for a DTE Energy contractor to repair a collapsed manhole cover and frame. The project is expected to conclude by Friday, June 30. South State Street: The street is closed between Granger and Dewey avenues, as well as between Hill Street and South University Avenue, as a two-year redesign of State and Hill streets gets underway. State is also shut down in the southbound direction between Hill and Packard Street, and the Packard intersection is closed to through traffic at State. The Granger, Dewey, Hill and South U intersections remain open though the blocks in between are fully closed to traffic. This wave of closures will continue until the next phase of the project beginning Wednesday, July 12, bringing modified restrictions. Downtown, the street is also closed to vehicle traffic between North University Avenue and Huron Street until Friday, Sept. 1, for the second phase of a major overhaul extending curb-less design in the area near the University of Michigan Diag and bringing water and sewer upgrades. The intersections on either side of the work zone will remain open. Regular updates can be found online from the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. Brooks Street and Mixtwood Road: A five-month streets project in the Water Hill neighborhood has shuttered Brooks Street to all through traffic between Miller Avenue and Sunset Road, as well as Mixtwood Road between Brooks and Red Oak Road. The construction bringing a mini roundabout, new sidewalk and replacement water mains is scheduled for completion by Saturday, Nov. 4. East and South University avenues: Both streets have traffic restrictions for construction on a 12-story high-rise project. East University Avenue is closed in both directions between South U and Willard Street. Eastbound South U is closed between Tappan Avenue and Church Street. The closures are set to last until Friday, July 14. Glen Avenue: The street is closed to all traffic through Friday, July 21 for a utility project. Geddes Avenue: The street will be closed to through traffic between Observatory and Hill streets for a resurfacing and utility project. The road is expected to run through Wednesday, July 19, with the road re-opened in the westbound direction only as of early June. South Main Street: The street is closed between Liberty and Huron streets for the second phase of a major resurfacing project. The Washington and Main intersection is also closed. Pedestrians can still access the businesses in the Main Street commercial district. Crews will replace a water main, make crosswalk improvements and put new pavement on the crumbling downtown street. The project is slated to run until July 12 with a third phase in the cards within the Main/Huron intersection, beginning after the Ann Arbor Art Fair, July 20 to 22. Broadway Street: The street is closed through Monday, Aug. 21 between the Traver Creek pedestrian crossing island, just south of Jones Drive, and Plymouth Road for a project bringing water main upgrades, sidewalk improvements and pavement resurfacing. Platt Road: The road on the citys east side is reduced from four lanes to two between Packard Road and Huron Parkway until Friday, Aug. 1. The restrictions will allow for crews to replace an existing water main, as well as replace curb, sidewalk and ramps while resurfacing Platt Road. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. East Washington Street The street will close between Fletcher and Thayer streets for Top of the Park events from the Ann Arbor Summer Festival between June 4 and Wednesday, June 28. Liberty Street: The street will close between South Fifth Avenue and Division Street for the Sonic Lunch concert between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday, June 29. East Huron River Drive: The street will close between Riverside Drive and Chalmers Drive from June 28 to June 30 for maintenance. Long-term projects: North Fifth Avenue from Detroit to Catherine streets will have a lane shift through June 2024 for a new development. Eastbound South University Avenue traffic between East University Avenue and Church Street is closed long-term for high-rise construction. The Liberty Road bridge over I-94 is reduced to single-lane traffic, with temporary traffic signals, until further notice after being damaged by a truck on March 13. The Michigan Department of Transportation plans to design and contract for a bridge replacement, officials say, though no timeline has been released for the project. OTHER WASHTENAW COUNTY PROJECTS: Pittsfield Township - U.S. 23/Michigan Avenue: A major project widening Michigan Avenue in Pittsfield Township and upgrading the U.S. 23 interchange will cause shoulder closures and lane closures on U.S. 23 south of Ann Arbor. On Michigan Avenue between Carpenter and Textile roads, a single-lane closure is in place. The construction is scheduled to run through November. Pittsfield Township is posting regular updates. Ypsilanti - Hamilton Street: A single lane in the southbound direction is closed between Pearl and Ferris streets through Thursday, Aug. 31. Ypsilanti - Michigan Avenue: The downtown avenue will also see total closures in the eastbound direction between Hamilton and Harriet streets for water main installation. Other downtown Ypsilanti street closures are possible as a major utility and street overhaul project continues. See the citys webpage on the project for updates. Read more: Construction coming to downtown Ypsilanti as utility, street renovation projects resume Ypsilanti - Washtenaw Avenue: Single lane closures will be in place in both directions from Cross Street to Hamilton Street for construction through June 30. Ypsilanti - Huron River Drive: The road is closed to all westbound traffic between Lowell and Cornell streets as of June 20 for a major city reconstruction project. Officials are posting updates on the city website. Ypsilanti Township - Michigan Avenue/I-94 ramp: A road reconstruction project has closed Michigan Avenue between I-94 and a point just east of Hewitt Road through late June. A detour map is available online, and north/south traffic on Hewitt will be maintained with lane restrictions. The westbound I-94 off-ramp at Michigan Avenue is also closed during the project. York Township - U.S. 23/Willis Road interchange: Willis Road at U.S. 23 is closed in both directions through mid-July as bridge and ramp construction takes place. The eastbound Willis Road ramp to northbound U.S. 23 also is closed during the project. The northbound U.S. 23 off-ramp to Willis Road will also close through June 30. Ann Arbor Township - U.S. 23 lanes and ramps: A single lane of the northbound U.S. 23 ramp to northbound U.S. 23 at the M-14 eastbound junction will close from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays through Sundays until Sunday, June 25. A single lane of northbound U.S. 23 at Warren Road will see a single lane closure from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays until June 23. Augusta/Ypsilanti townships - Intersection of Bemis and Whittaker roads: The intersection will close completely for the construction of a new roundabout through Sept. 1. Read more: New roundabout coming to intersection south of Ypsilanti Northfield Township - U.S. 23: Southbound U.S. 23 will see two lanes closed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through June 28. Ann Arbor Township - Dhu Varren Road: The road will see intermittent lane restrictions between Whitmore Lake Road and Dhu Varren Court on June 26 for forestry work. Ann Arbor/Northfield townships - Joy Road: The road will see intermittent lane restrictions between Earhart and Dixboro roads until June 29 for drainage and forestry work. This project has been extended. Augusta Township - Rawsonville Road: The road is closed between Talladay and Willis roads until Aug. 21 for drainage improvements. Dexter/Webster townships - North Territorial Road: The road will see lane restrictions between Hankerd and Mast roads on June 26 for a chip seal. Lima Township - Dancer Road: The road will see intermittent lane restrictions between the railroad tracks and township line from June 26 to June 29 for gravel resurfacing. Lima/Scio townships - Parker Road: The road will close between Shield Road and Dexter-Chelsea Road from June 15 through August for a culvert replacement. A detour map is available online. Lodi Township - Brassow Road: The road will see intermittent lane closures between Ann Arbor-Saline Road and Maple Road through June 29 for a chip seal. This project has been extended. Lodi Township - Textile Road: The road will close between Alber and Dell roads through Tuesday, June 27 for limestone resurfacing. Lyndon/Sylvan townships - Various roads: Several roads in the townships will see intermittent lane restrictions through July for a Consumers Energy natural gas pipeline replacement project. Read more: From turtle rescues to trenches: How Consumers Energy is constructing a $550M pipeline in Michigan Sylvan Township - Sibley Road: The road will be closed between Conway and Bush roads from April 17 to Saturday, July 1 for the Consumers pipeline project. A detour map is available online. Pittsfield Township - Morgan Road: The road between Carpenter Road and Michigan Avenue is closed for water main and road work until June 30. A detour map is available online. Pittsfield Township - Platt Road: The road will see intermittent lane closures between Bemis Road and Michigan Avenue through September for construction of a non-motorized pathway. Pittsfield Township - Crane Road: The road is closed between Textile Road and Michigan Avenue through June 30 for sanitary sewer installation. A detour map is available online. This project has been extended. Pittsfield Township - Textile Road: The road is closed between Carpenter and Crane roads for sanitary sewer installation. The project runs through September. A detour map is available online. Salem Township - Joy Road: The road will close between Gotfredson Road and a half-mile east of the intersection from through Monday, Aug. 14 for sanitary main work. A detour map is available online. Scio Township - Huron River Drive: The road will see intermittent lane closures between Zeeb and Delhi roads for Border-to-Border Trail construction through Nov. 15. Scio Township - Huron River Drive bridge: The bridge over the Huron River between Tubbs Road and Wagner Road will see intermittent lane closures through June 26 for rehabilitation. This project has been extended. Scio Township - East Delhi Road: The road will see intermittent lane restrictions between the railroad tracks and Huron River Drive through June 29 for crack sealing. Scio Township - Park Road: the road will see intermittent lane restrictions between Zeeb Road and the end of pavement headed west through June 29 for crack sealing and a chip seal. Scio Township - Pratt Road: The road will see intermittent lane restrictions between Dexter-Ann Arbor Road and the end of the pavement through June 29 for crack sealing. Scio Township - Rose Drive: The road will see intermittent lane restrictions between Wagner Road and the end of the road from through June 29 for crack sealing. Sharon Township - Meyers Road: The road will see intermittent lane restrictions from Bethel Church Road to Pleasant Lake Road through June 29 for drainage and forestry work. This project has been extended. Ypsilanti Township - Jay Avenue: The road will see daytime lane closures between Grove Road and Jeffery Street between June and November for DTE Energy gas line replacement. Ypsilanti Township - Levona Street: The street will see daytime lane closures between Janet Avenue and Service Drive through November for a DTE gas line replacement project. Ypsilanti Township - Grove Road: The road will see daytime lane closures through November between Arthur and Emerick streets for a DTE gas line replacement project. Ypsilanti Township - Holmes Road: The road will see lane restrictions between Prospect Road and Ford Boulevard through June 30 for road resurfacing. An updated list of Ann Arbor city street closures, the weekly Washtenaw County Road Commission schedule and the MDOT road closure map are all available online. 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. More from The Ann Arbor News: Officials deny Washtenaw County farmers request to permit tiny homes Couple finds hidden camera at Ann Arbor hot tub spa Ann Arbors Havana Cigar and Cocktail Lounge to become Detroit Pizza Pub Former Saline mayor, Michigan state representative appointed to Dexter Township board CORUNNA, MI Area police agencies are hosting a memorial benefit for the family of a longtime local police officer who recently died. Arch Ravert, a longtime police officer with the Linden, Argentine Township and Corunna police departments, as well as the Shiawassee County Sheriffs Office, died on May 31. He was 64. He had a heart of gold, said Shiawassee County Sheriff Doug Chapman, who is helping put on the event. To me, he was not only a coworker but a personal friend. Arch Ravert had a heart of gold thats the best way to describe him, Chapman continued. He loved helping people. He was very caring and compassionate, and were trying to help his family. The memorial benefit will take place from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at McCurdy Park in Corunna. There will be food and a silent auction, among other things, Chapman said. The cost of admission is $10 per person, with all proceeds going to Raverts family. Ravert died after going to an area hospital for open heart surgery. While he survived the surgery, he died unexpectedly shortly after. The memorial benefit was organized to help Raverts family, because he died without having life insurance, Chapman said. He was a graduate of Lapeer West High School, according to his obituary. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. Ravert is survived by his wife of 35 years, Shari, five children, seven grandchildren and seven siblings. Read more at The Flint Journal: Burton city council wants outside agency to take over investigation into police chief Flushing Township homicide suspect arrested near Alpena, police say Lapeer County crash leaves man with life-threatening injuries Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. FLUSHING TWP., MI A Flushing Township homicide suspect has been taken into custody without incident, police said late Thursday. The man, who MLive-The Flint Journal is not currently naming because he has not yet been charged with a crime, was taken into custody on June 22 without incident near Alpena in northeast Michigan, according to Flushing Township Police Chief Dennie VanAlstine. His vehicle was also recovered at the scene, police said. Related: Suspect at large in Flushing Township homicide could be armed and dangerous, police say The suspect was returned to Genesee County and is lodged in the Genesee County Jail. Police have not provided any information regarding the homicide the man is accused of, other than that it took place in Flushing Township earlier this week. Read more at The Flint Journal: Lapeer County crash leaves man with life-threatening injuries Heres how MSP developed second suspect in Andrea Eilbers 2011 murder 2 teens die in Shiawassee County crash Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. EATON COUNTY, MI Two Caledonia women are dead and four others injured after a pickup truck collided with a semi-truck Wednesday morning near Eaton Rapids. Eaton County Sheriffs deputies identified the two women as 42-year-old Elisa Bailey and 21-year-old Delisa Bennett. Deputies say the crash happened around 7:40 a.m. Wednesday, June 21, on E. Clinton Trail and S. Stewart Road in Eaton Township about six miles northwest of Eaton Rapids. Around that time, a Ford F-150 pickup truck was traveling southbound on Stewart Road when it collided with a semi-truck traveling westbound on Clinton Trail, deputies said. Bailey and Bennett were in the pickup and killed in the crash. Three others in the pickup and the driver of the semi-truck were all transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. The crash remains under investigation. The Eaton Rapids Police Department, Michigan State Police, the Michigan Department of Transportation, Eaton Area EMS and Benton Township EMS assisted the sheriffs office. Read more on MLive: Grand Rapids police, FBI investigating downtown bank robbery Could debt domino effect topple Michigans marijuana businesses? One injured in police shooting in Ionia County, Michigan State Police investigate GRAND RAPIDS, MI A hangar at Gerald R. Ford International Airport was filled with barks after 98 dogs rescued from a puppy mill landed in Grand Rapids Friday, June 23. The BISSELL Pet Foundation partnered with National Mill Dog Rescue to save more than 225 dogs, officials said. The dogs that came to Grand Rapids were transported by the Race for Life Rescue plane to the Bissell hangar, while the others went to Connecticut, Missouri, Wisconsin and New York. Commercial dog breeding facilities in which the health of the dogs are disregarded in order to maximize profits are considered puppy mills. These dogs were said to have neglected and living in overcrowded conditions. Brittany Schlacter, marketing and public relations specialist for BISSELL Pet Foundation, said the founation was told that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) shutdown the commercial breeder operating the puppy mill and seized the dogs. Schlacter said she couldnt provide any other details such as the name of the operation or location, only that it was in the Midwest. She said their biggest mission is to get the dogs to local shelters with capacity for a large number and hopefully find them home. As the plane coming from Springfield, Missouri pulled up to the hangar, there was a lot of excitement from the representatives of seven West Michigan shelters waiting to take them to a safe environment. I think some people would think its sad, but its the opposite, said Heather Leszczynsk, executive director of the Cascades Humane Society. Youre literally looking at them getting a second chance, and it feels wonderful and fulfilling because you also know that we can do this for them, were going to make this happen, were going to turn their situation around, theyre gonna learn how to be dogs and theyre gonna get happy homes. As the dogs came off the plane, up to three small-breed dogs to a kennel, the BISSELL Pet Foundation staff yelled out which dogs would go to which place, the shelter volunteers working hard to unload the plane as efficiently as possible. The dogs were a mix of chihuahuas, poodle mixes and dachshunds. Miss Bianca was the first dog to come off the plane, shaking and nervous as she stepped into her new life. The Bissell Pet Foundation partnering with the National Mill Dog Rescue saved over 225 dogs, 98 of which arrived at the Bissell hangar at the Gerald R. Ford Airport on Friday, June 23, 2023. Miss Bianca was the first dog off the plane. (Drew Travis | MLive.com)Drew Travis | atravis@mlive.com Leszczynski started a partnership with the BISSELL Pet Foundation when founder Cathy Bissell started the Empty the Shelters project, which reduces adoption rates to help those looking into adoption to bring home their forever friends. The other shelters that partnered with BISSELL and worked to bring the dogs back to their facilities included Big Lake Humane Society, SPCA Southwest Michigan, Greater Hillsdale Humane Society, the Humane Society of Midland, AuSable Valley Animal Shelter and Harbor Humane Society. Twenty-two dogs are heading to the Cascade Humane Society. Were sweating a little, but were really excited to be helping and to be making a really big impact, Leszczynski said. She said the next steps for the dogs include giving the dogs quick physicals to medically evaluate them, with many of them having dental issues when they come out of puppy mills, as well as spaying and neutering them if needed. The next step after that is to just give the dogs time to rest and readjust to life outside of the puppy mill, including providing them love and care, while they wait to hopefully be adopted. Schlacter said the partnership with the National Mill Dog Rescue began early this year with the foundations Animal Incident Management Team. She said this situation required all hands on deck and she was excited to see the amount of support in the community to load the dogs up and take them across the region. She is hoping that the dogs will be able to fully acclimate sooner rather than later with their quick response to the call for help. Schlacter said the foundation facilitates one transport almost every week, constantly working to bring dogs to safer and loving situations. As all the dogs were loaded up into their shelter vans, the crowd cheered, ready for them to start the next phase of their life. After most of the dogs were on the way to their shelters, Bissell took one of the five-year-old males outside to walk around in the grass. She said he was headed to Harbor Humane Society in Holland. This dog is going to live the rest of his life in a beautiful area, Bissell said. Schlacter said that there is no better feeling than seeing a successful transport of pets, and she will be excited to hear the adoption stories later on from the group. The BISSELL Pet Foundation does work throughout the country, but seeing it here in Grand Rapids and being able to be on the ground with our partner shelters and doing this work in our hometown feels incredible, she said. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. More on MLive: Grand Valley State grows Grand Rapids campus with $16.5M land purchase Kent County Detention Center offering youth technology training for future jobs Best places to see a spectacular lakeshore sunset near Holland Push to bring 12,000-capacity riverfront amphitheater to Grand Rapids approved by city board HOLLAND, MI Theres no debate that Michigan has some of the best sunsets around, with Lake Michigan creating a stunning backdrop as the sun sinks into the horizon. If youre looking for a spot to watch a spectacular fiery sunset on the lakeshore, Holland has tons of hidden gems where you can sit back and enjoy the show. Here are our top spots for watching the sunset in Holland, plus everything you need to know before you go there. Holland State Park Take a walk out on the pier, or plant your feet in the sand along the shoreline. Both spots come with great sunset views and a bonus view of the iconic Big Red Lighthouse. Want the best view? Plunk yourself in an innertube at the deep edge of the swim area and float as the sun sets right into the water. The state park is located at 2215 Ottawa Beach Road. The park offers fishing, a boat launch, a concession stand with modern restrooms and changing area, a playground and two camp sites, according to the citys website. Michigan residents can park for free at the beach with a recreational passport. Out-of-state residents can pay $10 for daily admission or get a $36 annual pass. If you want to see whether the beach is busy before you go, the city runs a 24/7 Beach cam at the Holland State Park. Mt. Pisgah This boardwalk platform gives you a birds-eye-view of Holland State Park and is a great sunset spot. Its sandwiched between the state park and its wooded campground area. Towering 157 feet above Lake Michigan, the boardwalk culminates with panoramic views of Lake Macatawa, marinas, Lake Michigan and Hollands historic Big Red Lighthouse. The boardwalk is located at 2238 3rd Ave. and can be accessed off Ottawa Beach Road near Third Avenue in Park Township. Its owned by Ottawa County Parks. Public parking is available at an Ottawa County parking lot near Black Lake Avenue and Ottawa Beach Road, according to the citys website. Parkgoers are advised to look for signage that says Black Lake Boardwalk East, which will be on your left as you travel west on Ottawa Beach Road. Park there and walk 800 feet east and cross the road for the trailhead. Tunnel Park This county park is known for its famous tunnel through the dune that leads you to a perfect beach for sunset lovers. Its also smaller and quieter than the state park, if youre looking for a more private spot. The 22-acre park features extensive Lake Michigan beachfront views, and during the day offers swimming, sunbathing and picnicking. The park is located at 66 Lakeshore Dr. in Holland. To get to the beachfront, you can either walk through the tunnel cutting through the dune, or if youre feeling more adventurous you can hike the dune. In addition to scenic views of Lake Michigan, the beach offers picnic areas, sand volleyball courts, playgrounds and restrooms. Ottawa County requires visitors to purchase a parking pass for this park. The daily motor vehicle fee is $8 per vehicle and can be purchased online or at the park. Kouw Park, Port Sheldon Township This park just north of Holland looks tiny from the road, but its beach trail leads you to a beautiful view. Kouw Park is a hidden gem. This is another park with a boardwalk providing panoramic views of Lake Michigan. The giant staircase leads you down to 200 feet of beachfront access, without having to climb down any dunes to get there. Located at 5591 Lakeshore Ave., the 3.7-acre park features improved facilities including picnic areas, play equipment, restrooms and parking. The park is in Port Sheldon Township but Ottawa County has been contracted to take over maintenance starting this year, which means the countys parking rates apply for all visitors except for township residents. More on MLive: Food truck, live music now paired with SkyBridge for new summer fun spot Up North weekend weather will see a hot start, finish with a chance for rain Freighter lovers: 3 ways to know which ships will be headed through the Soo Locks This boardwalk trail skims the water at Hollands Lake Macatawa GRAND RAPIDS, MI Atomic Object, a Grand Rapids-based custom software development company, continues to grow its employee ownership program, with co-CEOs Shawn Crowley and Mike Marsiglia selling 10% of their equity to 16 employees. The sale, which took place in April, comes after now-retired company founder Carl Erickson sold his remaining 35% shares in the company to employees in January. Employee ownership has been part of Atomic Objects mission for 14 years, and that the approach is beneficial because it strengthens employees ties to the company, promotes financial transparency, and brings financial benefits to workers, Marsiglia said. It also helps retain employees in an industry known for a high turnover rate, he said. Theres this emotional component to it as well, Marsiglia said. Theres an emotional feeling that, I have real ownership in this company, and theres a certain pride that comes along with that. I see it in people as they choose to opt-in. Atomic Object was opened in 2001 by Erickson, a former instructor at Grand Valley State University. The company was launched in Grand Rapids, but it now has offices in Ann Arbor, Chicago and Raleigh-Durham. Its Grand Rapids office is located at 1034 Wealthy St. SE in the Baxter Neighborhood. Related: Grand Rapids tech company opens Raleigh, North Carolina office Today, the company has 95 employees, and it works with companies from across the U.S. Clients include NeuroMetrix, a medical device company based outside of Boston in Waltham, Massachusetts, as well as Pixelberry Studios, a game company located in Mountain View, California. Its also worked with Michigan-based companies such as Steelcase and Ford, and smaller, local businesses including Masterpiece Flower Company in Byron Township. Atomic Object annually generates more than $20 million in revenue. Marsiglia declined to say the value of his and Crowleys 10% equity stake in the company that was sold to the 16 employees. Looking forward, he said Atomic Objects goal is to be a 100-year-old company, and continuing the employee ownership program is one piece of the strategy to reach that goal. A company that loses control of its ownership to outsiders loses its ability to prioritize the long term, said Erickson, who transitioned from CEO of Atomic Object to executive board chair in 2019. He officially retired from the company late last year with the sale of his remaining 35% share in the company in early January. He added, If wed chosen the wrong people to take over from me, this story could be ending differently. Mike and Shawn making shares available for sale to other employees shows our long-term succession plan is working. If wed chosen the wrong people to take over from me, this story could be ending differently. Mike and Shawn making shares available for sale to other employees shows our long-term succession plan is working. More on MLive: Grand Rapids police, FBI investigating downtown bank robbery Best places to see a spectacular lakeshore sunset near Holland Push to bring 12,000-capacity riverfront amphitheater to Grand Rapids approved by city board ALBION, MI East and westbound I-94 near Albion is closed due to a crash and vehicle fire. Eastbound I-94 at 28 Mile Road in Calhoun County was closed at 2:02 p.m. Friday, June. 23, due to a vehicle fire while westbound I-94 at after M-99 was closed due to a crash, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Crews are on scene and it is unknown when the freeway will be reopened. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. More from The Jackson Citizen Patriot: Jackson College sells closed Maher Campus to growing Jackson-based business Family mourns slain son, vandals damage public golf course: Jackson headlines June 17-22 Arguments over superintendents contract could open JPS up to harassment complaint, board member says A proposed roundabout and other road improvements for Orchard Park Road in West Seneca will be the focus of a public hearing Thursday with state Department of Transportation officials. DOT engineers have proposed adding a roundabout at the intersection of State Route 240, also known as Orchard Park Road, and Fisher Road, to improve flow of traffic and safety for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Construction is scheduled for summer 2024. Other planned improvements include upgraded pedestrian signals; curb ramps that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act; and widening of Orchard Park Road, between Fisher and East and West roads, to include a center lane for left turns in both directions. The public hearing is scheduled from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the West Seneca Community Center and Library, 1300 Union Road. People may use open forum time to discuss specific aspects of the project with transportation department staff. A formal presentation will be held at 5 p.m. Members of the public may also submit written statements on the project by July 20. Selection of a preferred design alternative will happen after comments from the public have been fully evaluated. - Harold McNeil JACKSON, MI Jackson College has closed its Maher Campus and its foundation has sold the 25-acre property to a Jackson-based business. The W.J. Maher campus at 3000 Blake Road, south of I-94, was sold to Automated Logistics Systems as of Saturday, June 3. The Jackson College Foundation purchased the building in 2012 and the college leased space there for classrooms, hoping to draw students. Related: Jackson Community College hopes to retain students, attract new ones with north campus In-person classes were halted at the Maher campus during the COVID-19 pandemic and have not resumed since, Jackson College COO Cindy Allen wrote in an email. Enrollment at the college remains very strong but more students are hybrid or remote since COVID and classroom space wasnt needed there, Allen said. The foundation board decided it was time to sell the property. The foundation purchased the building from Photo Marketing Association and invested around $1.4 million to renovate the building to keep up with growing enrollment. Related: Enrollment, satisfaction continue to grow at Jackson Colleges new W.J. Maher Campus Classes that took place in this building prior to COVID-19 have moved to the colleges central campus, 2111 Emmons Road, or online, depending on student demand, Allen said. The foundations offices have moved to the second floor of the Potter Center, she said. The campus was named after William J. Maher, a supporter of education, after a large financial gift came to the college from a Maher family trust to solely support the Maher Campus. Discussions are ongoing between the college, the foundation and the Maher family regarding naming a building on central campus after him, Allen said. Related: Jackson College North Campus to be named after Bill Maher, longtime aviator, community activist A nondisclosure agreement prevents the foundation from releasing the price of the sale. However, the money will go into the Jackson College Foundation endowment,, Allen said. Representatives from the Jackson College Foundation did not respond to requests for comment for this story. The property, including the building, is now owned by Jackson-based Automated Logistics Systems, a transportation broker business. The family-run business was established in 1992 and moved into its current headquarters at 3517 Scheele Drive in 2010. The business has outgrown that 12,000-square-foot building, prompting the move to the 42,000-square-foot former Maher Campus. We made about a $600,000 expansion there four years ago and have quickly outgrown that expansion, Vice President of Operations and Sales Nick Schaefer said. (We) dont really have as much space there that we can grow into. The Maher Campus building caught the eye of President Joe Parker in 2010 when Photo Marketing Association listed it for sale, he said. When the property was up for sale again, he said it was meant to be. We drove by it multiple times, saw what the college did, Parker said. It was such a great location in terms of (being) a landmark in Jackson, when you drive through there. The first floor is ready for Automated Logistics Systems employees to move into by the end of July, Parker said. but the second floor needs renovations to turn it into the ideal office space. This is expected to cost around $1.6 million and is targeted for fall, he said. With this move, Automated Logistics Systems is looking to add around 40 new jobs to the Jackson area, Schaefer said. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. More from the Jackson Citizen Patriot: Jackson man sentenced 50 to 80 years in prison for murder near party store From mushrooms to mulberries, learn how to eat in the woods with this Michigan forager Jackson Public Schools approves lease for new virtual space Become part of the sky on a 65-foot-high canopy walk in Michigans Irish Hills Pride Month is nearing an end, but there are still Jackson events to help you celebrate JACKSON COUNTY, MI The Jackson County Courthouse is set to see an influx of funds to help aid in the automatic expungement of thousands of criminal records. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners approved a motion to accept a $64,000 grant from the State Court Administrators Office to aid in expunging a backlog of misdemeanor and minor felony criminal records which being expunged through the Automatic Clean Slate law of 2020. Only District 1 Commissioner Tony Bair, R-District 1, voted against accepting the grant. Its a moral issue for me. I cant support it, Bair said. I dont see how it is safe at all to turn people with multiple felony and misdemeanor convictions back into society. That is not my definition of safety. The law, which went into effect April 11, automatically granted the expungement of criminal records for upwards of one million Michigan residents for various prior convictions. Formerly incarcerated Michiganders and criminal justice reform advocates have said automatic expungement would remove barriers preventing the formerly incarcerated from receiving job opportunities, education and housing. Related: 5 things to know about new automatic expungement in Michigan This was a law that was passed by Michigan state legislation whether we agree with or not. I personally disagree with it, however the grant funding is a separate issue and to let the money go just to make a political statement I dont feel is a good decision, Commissioner Corey Kennedy, R-District 3. said. Convictions for assault; a crime of dishonesty, such as fraud or forgery; any violation related to human trafficking or any offense punishable by 10 or more years imprisonment are not eligible for automatic expungement under the law. In addition, crimes involving a minor, vulnerable adult, injury or death also are not eligible. Also excluded are serious misdemeanor crimes, such as domestic violence, stalking, indecent exposure, fourth-degree child abuse or breaking and entering. A backlog has been created by so many court cases becoming eligible for expungement and requiring additional time from Jackson County courthouse staff to work overtime to meet the demand, according to a letter from Court Administrator Geremy Burns When the law went into effect, the courts saw more than 11,500 state misdemeanor and felony convictions to be set aside and more than 85,000 92-day or less convictions needing to be set aside, Burns wrote. The court must verify all the cases to ensure they are eligible for the expungement and have been properly closed out, he wrote. The grant gives the court $11,546 in additional funds to pay for overtime hours working on processing District Court expungements and $53,247 for Circuit Court expungement. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter. More from The Jackson Citizen Patriot: Jackson College sells closed Maher Campus to growing Jackson-based business Family mourns slain son, vandals damage public golf course: Jackson headlines June 17-22 Arguments over superintendents contract could open JPS up to harassment complaint, board member says ST. JOSEPH, MI -- An autopsy is complete on a man who died in jail while facing charges of open murder in the death of a woman shot in her backyard. David Lee Mabry, 60, was found unresponsive in his jail cell around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, the Berrien County Sheriffs Office said. Jail staff and an ambulance crew attempted lifesaving measures that were unsuccessful. An autopsy was done Thursday, June 22. Preliminary findings indicate no signs of suspicious activity around Mabrys death, Michigan State Police Public Information Officer Lt. DuWayne Robinson said. There were no visible indications of self-inflicted fatal wounds, he said. The death investigation remains open pending lab analysis results and prosecutors review. Robinson said he would work to provide updates as frequently as possible, and asked everyone to exercise patience as police work to find definitive answers. Mabry had previous medical conditions, deputies said previously, though officials did not say whether those are believed to have contributed to his death. Michigan State Police was requested to conduct a death investigation. Mabry was lodged at the Berrien County Jail on Sunday, June 18, on charges of open murder in connection to a fatal shooting earlier that day in Berrien Countys Baroda Township. About 2:10 p.m. Sunday, a woman was sitting with her husband on the patio at their home in the 2100 block of Russell Road when Mabry allegedly walked up, pulled a gun from his pocket and shot the victim without provocation, state police said. The husband disarmed Mabry during a struggle, police said. Mabry then drove away but was later arrested without incident. Mabry was known to the couple, police said. State police did not identify the woman killed. Want more Kalamazoo news? Our 3@3 newsletter rounds up Kalamazoos top stories every weekday at 3 p.m. Enter your email to get our free newsletter: Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. Also on MLive: Old church now serving cocktails at live performances in Kalamazoo Lawmakers reintroduce bill sparked by Kalamazoo River sediment crisis Teens arrested with guns at Lake Michigan beach after citizen report 2 lanes for bikes, 1 for cars: Street proposal would force oncoming cars to share lane Cigarette butts caused fire at $95M courthouse being built, Kalamazoo County official says Targeting homeless, Kalamazoo bans sleeping bags, bedding in city parks Mounting debt and folding businesses are shaking the foundation of Michigan cannabis financial future. Michigans marijuana market has two growers for every retailer, fueling a price plummet in flower and distillate, found in edibles, vapes and concentrates. Add in a stubborn black market and out-of-state products illegally seeping into the supply, and profit margins are sinking with every buy one, get one deal. The multi-billion-dollar industry is reckoning with how to stabilize a supply chain leaning on credit by introducing new rules. On the heels of court filings exposing millions in debt from major names in the industry, the Cannabis Regulatory Agency has proposed denying a license or license renewal based on civil judgments or court orders resulting from unpaid debt. The debt rule is popular among processors and growers, said Scott Roberts, a Detroit-based cannabis attorney and broker. For them, this is a godsend, he said. To go through the district court process takes a lot of time, and to have this kind of extra bite to the collections process, its great for them. If youre a dispensary owner thats robbing Peter to pay Paul. Not so great for you. Price volatility on flower has slowly leveled in May the recreational price per ounce was $90.64, inching up month-over-month but far from the $221.21 price point just two years ago. Even so, its the growers and processors who consistently get caught in the red as they sell their product on a line of credit to retailers who are slow to fulfill their end of the deal. Roberts has seen clients tallying up seven figures of debt as unpaid invoices ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 pile on top of each other from multiple retailers not paying within a 30-day period. Brian Hanna, executive director of the regulatory agency, has been hearing complaints of businesses shorting each other since he took the helm in fall 2022. The 13 pages of proposed rules are the agencys way of having a dialogue with stakeholders. There is no deadline for receiving feedback. As it pertains to the debt rule, Hanna said hes open to attaching a dollar amount threshold or other criteria to rein in petty squabbles. Were creating the playbook and running the playbook at the same exact time, he said. I dont want to get our agency in a position where were calling balls and strikes per se, but there should be some form of judgment. Relying on credit has created a house of cards within an industry that already had a weak financial backbone. Without federal recognition, cannabis businesses are often backed into a corner of high-interest lenders and small credit unions because national banks see the industry as a financial risk. This is the root argument for those in favor of the Safe Banking Act. The eighth iteration of the bill is currently being considered in Congress. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel voiced her support after a string of more than 20 dispensary break-ins across the state targeting safes. Nessel said the cannabis business is left as a ripe target for criminals without access to traditional banking institutions. Operating in an industry that remains federally illegal also puts the cannabis industry in a precarious position when it comes to debt. Cannabis businesses cannot claim bankruptcy and receive relief from the courts. In the eyes of the federal government, a cannabis business is operating as a criminal enterprise, a charge mainly associated with drug trafficking. In turn, these businesses fall into receivership with their lenders, meaning the creditors gains management of the companies finances to recoup debt. Since 2019, eight licensees have fallen into receivership, according to the Cannabis Regulatory Agency. The most high-profile among them is Green Peak Industries, parent company to Skymint. Skymints $127 million debt was aired out in March in court. Despite being one of Michigans largest cannabis brands with 24 retail locations and more than 600 employees, there were financial concerns dating back to March 2022, court documents state. During MLive interviews, cannabis insiders in all sectors named Skymint as the example that spooked them about the financial fragility of the industry. When asked to comment on the regulatory agencys proposed rule tying debt to licenses Skymint offered the following statement: It would be inappropriate for us to comment on or speculate about the CRAs rulemaking process. Our focus is on continuing to provide high-quality products and service to our customers throughout Michigan. Narmin Jarrous, chief development officer at Exclusive Brands, was relieved to see the CRA stepping in on financial regulation. Exclusive Brands serves as a grower, processor and retailer statewide. We do have a lot of people who owe us money and unpaid bills, and it gets frustrating because then we cant pay our bills on time if were not being paid, she said. It turns into this domino effect thats very dangerous for the industry, because we dont want one person going down to affect dozens of companies across the state. Watching businesses fold has shifted her perspective in the last six months, Jarrous said. Because of the interconnected nature of the cannabis ecosystem it has made her team rethink how you do business, Jarrous said. Reputations and relationships are on the line, said Jevin Weyenberg, owner of Lake Effect and Doja dispensaries in Southwest Michigan. Weyenbergs businesses are primarily retail. Word gets around quick on who isnt paying their bills, Weyenberg said. However, as larger companies buy out smaller operations, it is harder to cut off business with bad actors. We cant have people monopolizing the industry, and we cant have people not paying their bills, he said. Its always the smaller companies that get hurt the most. As those start disappearing, it gives the larger companies more and more pricing power. Weyenberg is most concerned the independent, racial minority-owned and veteran-owned shops will become collateral damage. Those arent the companies that have big private equity firms behind [them] thatll write checks whenever they go in the negative, he said. Those are companies that if they go into negative, their doors are getting closed. Looking at the long view, Roberts, the attorney and broker, thinks tying debt to a license will accelerate the fall of businesses on the brink or push more mergers. But overall it could clean house for the industry to progress. To have any shot of some of these Michigan companies doing well enough here in Michigan to expand and actually having national cannabis companies that started in Michigan, we got to find a way to strengthen the industry financially, he said. I think this does that long term. But in the short term, its going to cause a lot of pain. More on MLive: Michigan judge reverses media ban on remaining marijuana testing lab hearings See which Michigan counties got $1M or more in marijuana tax Black market battles, plummeting prices: a look at Michigan marijuana in 2022 NORTHPORT, MI A Michigan man faces criminal charges connected to the repeated sinking of a derelict barge in Great Lakes waters. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel this week announced the charges made by her offices environmental crimes unit, including a felony for spilling oil into Lake Michigan, and misdemeanors for trespass, marine safety violations, and placing the barge on Great Lakes bottomlands. Donald Lewis Balcom of Traverse City is accused of abandoning his industrial barge in Lake Michigan. Its the latest chapter in the chronicle of the up-north barge known in recent years for repeatedly sinking in Lake Michigans Grand Traverse Bay, first in Greilickville and then near Northport. The barge and attached crane are owned by Balcom Marine Contractors in Traverse City. The vessel has remained either anchored or grounded for nearly two years in the same nearshore area off the Leelanau County coast; it struck bottom in January 2022, and did not float again until late April this year. It previously sat on the bottom of Lake Michigan in Greilickville from November 2020 until May 2021; that time the barge was partially submerged and leaked petrochemicals into the waters of Grand Traverse Bay. The Great Lakes are treasured natural resources that are central to our way of life in Michigan, Nessel said in a released statement. They are not a dumping ground or a junkyard for abandoned vessels. I will always take action to protect the Great Lakes from the threat of pollution, and to preserve them for future generations. The barge was re-floated in May 2021 in Greilickville and moved to a boat ramp owned by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa in Peshawbestown. It stayed there about a week before being floated to a job near Northport but by July 2021, the barge was anchored offshore near a gated resort community in Leelanau County where it remains. A local excavating company was on site in late April to help dig out the barge and pull it into deeper waters, but it hasnt moved since. In fact, it teetered in the water a matter of days after being refloated. Balcom declined to comment and abruptly ended a call this week with an MLive reporter. Youre not going to get anything from me so youre wasting your time. Thank you, Balcom said before hanging up. He told MLive in December last year he couldnt move the barge until water levels rose in Lake Michigan, which never happened the entirety of 2022. He said thats why the barge stayed in Northport Bay, a smaller embayment on the larger Grand Traverse Bay. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources in November 2022 sent Balcom notice state officials considered the barge abandoned and warned they may seize it. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sent a letter in September that said the federal government also considered the barge an abandoned navigational hazard and the agency was prepared to issue a permit for any salvage operation willing to remove it. U.S. Coast Guard officials previously said they are no longer involved in the case after an inspection in December 2022. Yet, they remain ready to act should circumstances change. State environmental regulators said they were working with Balcom and other enforcement agencies in hopes of removing the barge from Lake Michigan and addressing any other issues, but the process broke down and the case went to the attorney general for review. What happens now including related to moving the barge will be up to the court, said Jeff Johnston, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy spokesperson. Sign up to receive MLive's free new environment and climate newsletter, "Lake Effect." Enter your email below: Related articles: Strong storms, lacking Lake Michigan ice worsen sand shoaling, erosion Oh, deer! Road agencies, DNR spar over carcass dumping Lake Effect: Drought and wildfires make their presence known Yesterday saw temperatures reach the mid to high 80s across the state of Michigan. The exception being southeast Michigan, where spotty showers keep temperatures in the high 70s. Today looks to be a repeat of yesterday, as an area of low pressure in Ohio meanders northeast over the course of the day. Fridays temperatures will be noticeably cooler, with winds coming out of the northeast. Temperatures for 6/23 Highs around the 70s will be common near the Detroit/Saginaw area, while areas north and west will be closer to the mid 80s. The Upper Peninsula, primarily near the Wisconsin border, could see temperatures in the 90s.. The rain for Southeast Michigan will materialize this morning, leave the area wet and dreary. Radar loop for 6/23 Showers are likely, and a rumble of thunder is possible, but this will all clear up by the evening hours. Despite this rain, burn bans continue to be in effect for Northern and Central Michigan until further notice. Open Debris burning is strictly prohibited, and you can view your countys burn restrictions here. In addition, we are currently monitoring a drought that has only worsened with time. You can view more information on this situation here. Ghanaian rapper Medikal has said he plans to write a book on his personal life in future. This follows the recently released book, I Am Not Yvonne Nelson, by Ghanaian actress and filmmaker Yvonne Nelson. According to Medikal, although he has not read Yvonne Nelsons book, he has no doubt it will be great. I actually havent read the book yet, I am yet to read it. I know there is going to be greatness in there but I will like to do that one day. I will like to put some things together. Shouts to Yvonne Nelson, she is my sister, I am very proud she did something like this, Medikal shared in an interview with Joy Prime. He noted that personalities like Yvonne Nelson should be celebrated as role models. I think its something dope, something good to do. People like Yvonne Nelson are superheroes so a lot of people look up to such people, she is a very nice person, the rapper indicated. Meanwhile, the rapper has given a hint of getting into the movie industry. I mean I dont mind, I am an entertainer, anything I will do to put a smile on the face of my fans I dont mind. We are all creatives we can take it anywhere, we can take it to the movie side, we can take it to the music and other staffs. You can see me in a lot of movies, I was in Fella Makafuis movie, Medikal disclosed. Popular Ghanaian musician and social commentator, Kwame Asare Obeng, known as A Plus, has advised grassroots members of the two leading political parties, NPP and NDC, to stop fighting themselves. In a Facebook post on Thursday, June 22, A Plus wrote, Have you heard or seen Dr Bawumia campaigning against the NDC member of Parliament for Adentan constituency, Hon Adamu Ramadan before? No! Why? Because that is his wife, Samira's brother. He cited friendships across the political divide, questioning why supporters continue to fight among themselves. I no know how afore explain this thing make boys understand, he lamented. A Plus pointed out that leaders of the parties are friend behind the scenes. If you can't find Sammy Gyemfi ask Sammy Awuku. He will tell you where he is. If you can't find Sam George and Suhuyini, ask Hon Kennedy Agyapong. If you can't find me ask Kevin Taylor or Abraham Ferguson. They know where I'm at any given time. So don't you guys get it? Ah!!! Am I not married to an NDC guy? he quizzed. Hinting at future political ambitions, the controversial critic asserted that the two parties would find it difficult to campaign against him. When I pick forms to contest as an independent candidate in my constituency NDC and NPP will find it very difficult to campaign for their candidates there. Who will come? Kodua or Nana B? Or Pablo? Or Chairman Asiedu Nketia himself? Like how? he posed. A Plus urged supporters of the two dominant parties to avoid enmity, noting, Don't make enemies ooo. Ka w'dwene an tutu so. Yooooh! When NDC comes to power we will arrest Gaby. Wagyimi ooo." 23.06.2023 LISTEN Ghanaian filmmaker and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Farmhouse Productions, Ivan Quashigah has expressed keen interest in directing a movie or a play using Yvonne Nelsons recently released memoir. According to the CEO of Farmhouse Productions, his admiration for the actress started at a meeting for the production of his television series, Fortune Island. He stated in an interview on Hitz FM that Yvonne Nelson is a multifaceted talent who has grown exponentially over the years. I am not surprised because when I first met Yvonne, right after she did the Miss Ghana competition, and I was looking for stars for Fortune Island, my self-produced Television series, I saw something in her, she actually rapped during the casting and she did a lot of things that made me see that she has several facets to herself and I knew that she was not only going to become a great actress, but she will do so many other things and this is one of those things and Im very proud about what Im seeing today, Ivan Quashigah said. He continued Already, I was speaking with George Quaye when he said that he would like to put it on stage and I think that its something that we have to consider putting unto the screens as well and I will be honored to direct it. In her recently released book, I Am Not Yvonne Nelson, Ghanaian actress and filmmaker Yvonne Nelson opened up about various significant events in her life. Notable among the revealing details include a past relationship with renowned rapper Sarkodie. Chapter 8 of the book sheds light on the past relationship which resulted in her aborting a baby in 2010 after the award-winning rapper impregnated her. Presidential hopeful and flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party, Hon. Joe Ghartey, has called on NPP delegates to reject politics of ethnicity and tribalism. He made this call when he met with the Upper West Regional Executive Committee on Wednesday, June 24, 2023 at Wa. Hon. Ghartey said the founding fathers of the tradition including R. S. Dombo would never be forgotten. He however stated that they should never be seen as the basis for tribal or ethnic politics. He said "in 1957 we became a nation. The then Gold Coast, Ashanti, the North and parts of Trans Volta Togoland joined together to form Ghana. Since then we have remained a nation; one nation. If we introduced ethnicity into our politics we would be sowing a dangerous and poisonous seed and the fruits we would reap would definitely be bitter." He stated that the delegates should vote for the best person based on competence and not a tribe. Joe Ghartey said, for him a very important criterion if not the most important was what the person has done for the NPP over the years. He said his service to NPP stemmed from its inception in 1992 - recounting among other things the role in the writing of the Stolen Verdict in 1993. Those present confirmed that he had served the Party diligently and recalled his role in 2009, during the Jirapa bye-election which arose over the death of Hon Edward Salia. Joe Ghartey said he had gathered experience in the executive, where he served as Attorney-General and Minister for Justice as well as Railways Development Minister. Joe Ghartey also said he was a five-term Member of Parliament who had also served as Deputy Speaker of Parliament. As a President, he said he would work with both sides of Parliament to carry the agenda of the nation forward. The Regional Executives thanked Joe Ghartey and wished him well assuring him that unlike when he stood against President Nana Akufo-Addo before the 2012 elections the Upper West would not disappoint him. They said he, Joe Ghartey was a good man with a good heart. News / Local by Staff reporter THE Nomination Courts that sat across the country on Wednesday have exposed sharp contrasts in the organisational capacities between the ruling ZANU-PF party and one of its opponents CCC ahead of elections in August.A week before the Nomination Court, Zanu-PF rallied its candidates to submit nomination papers to the courts, giving them time to make sure that all their paperwork was in order.While ZANU-PF started its process a week before, CCC waited until minutes before the court was due to close. And, even then, their papers were not in order.The result was predictable; some candidates failed to file papers on time, while in some cases the party had more than one candidate in the same wards or constituencies.So glaring was the chaos that several aspiring candidates only got to know that they were not on the party list at the 11th hour.The confusion that characterised the CCC's submission of nomination papers contrasts sharply with their ZANU-PF opponents who managed to file papers for their candidates without any glitches.Nyanga South MP and ZANU-PF Secretary for Local Government in the Politburo, Supa Mandiwanzira, said the Nomination Court filing exercise was smooth because candidates had submitted their papers a week before the actual nomination day, as allowed by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)."We had nearly a week of putting together all our papers, getting them verified by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. That process helped in that we didn't have to queue for a long time in the courts today," said Mandiwanzira.It was a different story for the party that tells its supporters that it has a secret, strategic plan. As late as 1800hrs on nomination day, two hours after closing time, the CCC party was at sixes and sevens.Candidates that had prevailed in the internal party candidate selection processes found that they had been excluded from the list, with no explanation.A case in point was one involving Chitungwiza St Mary's Freddy Masarirevhu.He had garnered the most votes in the CCC candidate selection process, but found himself replaced by Brighton Mazhindu on the list of candidates. Still, he received a call from a party official to submit his papers at the nomination court. In the end, CCC ended up with two candidates. Yet, they blamed shadows for this.In Bulawayo, the CCC party almost failed to submit their party lists.Candidates arrived early, but their papers only arrived after 3pm from party offices. This meant that some of them could not present their papers in time. Some of the papers had errors on them, with missing signatures and other issues.The Presiding Election Officer (PEO) said he could not accept new nominations as the cut-off time for submissions had lapsed.The CCC had to plead their case saying they were still making corrections on their forms. The PEO accused the CCC of being disorderly and expressed dissatisfaction with their conduct. Still, he was patient with them, giving them up to midnight to sort themselves out.Political analyst, Dr Alexander Rusero, says the chaos that characterised the CCC filing of papers was bound to happen given the "nature of what they call strategic ambiguity.""The strategic ambiguity of the CCC was overdone to the extent of becoming strategic confusion. However, we have to realise that CCC is pretty new in terms of itself as a bona fide entity contesting this election on this magnitude," Dr Rusero said.He further said the "so-called insulation and averting infiltration are just flimsy excuse" as Nelson Chamisa (CCC leader) used the nomination process to consolidate power and foolproof the possibility of some palace coup or dramatic ouster as was the case during the Mwonzora debacle.The director of Harare-based Mass Public Opinion (MPOI), Dr Eldred Masunungure, was less charitable in his assessment of the CCC.He said it was evident even before the candidate nomination process that ZANU-PF and CCC were polar opposites, with one using tried and tested organisational methods and processes while the other resorted to an experimental exercise."It appears the CCC's experiment exploded on the leadership's face. It is a long established axiom that power needs and grows from organisation and the CCC's novel organisational amorphousness proved the validity of this maxim beyond reasonable doubt," said Dr Masunungure.Other analysts said the anarchy in the CCC camp showed that an organisational structure with appointed or elected officials who can execute their duties as mandated by the party's constitution was a fundamental requisite for political organisations. Ethiopia is preparing to launch the fourth filling of its mega-dam reservoir on the Blue Nile, the country's deputy prime minister announced Thursday, despite opposition from its downstream neighbour Egypt. The massive $4.2 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been at the centre of a regional dispute ever since Ethiopia broke ground on the project in 2011. Egypt and at times Sudan have repeatedly asked Addis Ababa to stop filling the reservoir. "The GERD is now approaching its fourth filling. The last three fillings have not affected lower riparian states. Likewise, the rest of the fillings will not be any different," said Demeke Mekonnen, who also serves as foreign minister. "The project is near completion, withstanding the rhetoric of some actors that seek to monopolise the use of the shared African river," he said, opening a conference on the Nile in Addis Ababa. The meeting includes a "high-level ministerial round table", with Demeke and his foreign minister counterparts from some Nile Basin nations such as Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Tanzania participating. But neither Sudan nor Egypt, the two countries located downstream of the Ethiopian dam, are represented. Khartoum and Cairo have previously cited it as a threat because of their dependence on Nile waters, while Ethiopia deems it essential for its electrification and development. While Egypt, which depends on the Nile for around 97 percent of its irrigation needs, insists that the dam poses an "existential" threat, Khartoum's position has fluctuated. Sudan's leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said in January that Khartoum and Addis Ababa are "aligned and in agreement" over the dam. Sudan has been ravaged since mid-April by deadly fighting between forces loyal to Burhan and his rival and former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, with more than 2,000 people killed and over two million displaced. Renowned Kumawood actor, Agya Koo has pledged his support to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming Assin North Constituency by-elections in the Central Region of Ghana. The by-election is set to take place on June 27, 2023, following the Supreme Court's ruling that declared the election of former Member of Parliament, James Gyakye Quayson null and void. Agya Koo, known for his strong affiliation with the NPP, expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the by-election. According to him, the constituents of Assin North are eager to show their gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the NPP for the development projects initiated in the constituency. Ambassador, Come to Assin North and witness asphalt roads, markets, schools and ongoing developmental projects by NPP and Nana Addo. The people of Assin North are ready to say thank you to NPP and Nana Addo with their votes, Agya Koo told Osei Kwadwo of Ambassador TV. Agya Koo also addressed the allegations made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding the NPP's stance on the LGBTQ+ bill. NDC propaganda against President Akufo-Addo and NPP over LGBTQ will never give them victory in Assin North. Ghanaians are aware that President Akufo-Addo and the NPP will never accept LGBTQ so NDC members are just spreading propaganda to win sympathy votes in Assin North but they will never succeed, he said. Agya Koo concluded by highlighting the potential for more development if the NPP emerged victorious in the by-election. "If NPP wins the Assin North seat, the constituency will witness more developmental projects because the Parliamentary candidate for NPP in Assin North will team up with the government to ensure more developmental projects in the constituency, he stated. Chinese vessels, far superior in size and capability than local fishermen, are accused of bleeding the ocean dry CREDIT: Simon Townsley/The Telegraph As China's global fishing net widens, artisanal fishermen off the coast of Ghana see their catches plummet and go to bed hungry The wooden canoe is painted with scriptures. They're meant to bring good fortune to the craft's fishermen and protect against the dangers of the Atlantic sky-high ocean waves, creatures of the deep and, increasingly, industrial Chinese trawlers. Colleagues have drowned when their canoes have capsized in the wake of trawlers. But the Chinese don't care, says Samuel Otoo, one of the canoe's two crewmen. In the early hours of the morning, before the heat begins to press, the fishermen set off from Jamestown, a small port outside Ghana's capital, Accra. They return at 3pm in one piece, having encountered several trawlers, but the fishermen fear their days in the business are numbered. This is because the Chinese vessels, far superior in size and capability than the artisanal fishermen of Ghana, are not only causing capsizes and deliberately destroying the nets of rival boats they're also bleeding the ocean dry of its fish. Otoo and his fishing partner Alfred Ofore Kae say they no longer land any major catches when they go out to sea. The trawlers are a contributing factor to that, according to reports from British NGO Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). Indeed, a single high-tech trawler can catch five times as much fish in a day as one small village fleet can in a year. Ghana's fishermen fear their days in the business are numbered CREDIT: NATALIJA GORMALOVA/AFP/Getty Images This trend of overfishing and ever-diminishing returns is being repeated up and down the entire West African coast , where hundreds of thousands of people rely on the sea to stave off hunger and make a living. As early as the 1880s, people began to worry that the ocean's fish could run out in the future if large quantities continued to be landed. British cod fishermen testified how they had to travel further and further in search of fish, only to return with ever smaller catches. They turned to the UK Royal Commission on the Sea Fisheries, whose most influential member was Thomas Henry Huxley, a zoologist and Darwinist with a dogmatic belief in the power of nature and the survival of the strongest. Huxley snorted at the codfishers. To think that the fish might run out was unscientific, he said. Only the weak cod allowed themselves to be caught. The strong always escaped and thus the cod stock would evolve evolutionarily, according to Huxley. It is inconceivable that the great sea fisheries [] could ever be exhausted, he argued at a seminary in 1883, a prevailing view in science at the time. Hundreds of thousands of people rely on the sea to stave off hunger and make a living CREDIT: Simon Townsley/The Telegraph But it would turn out that he was wrong. What the British fishermen experienced in the 1880s was only a vague premonition of what their West African colleagues now experience today. When Otoo and Ofore Kae reach the beach after their day at sea, a dozen colleagues help them pull up the canoe. They sing West African work songs. Drops of sweat run down their foreheads while the canoe makes it further and further up the beach, foot by foot. It's a group effort, but the profit seems paltry for so many. A box of sea bream and a small bucket of sardinella. Nothing more. Twenty years ago, we could catch four or five times as much, says Ofore Kae, 42, who has been fishing since he was a young boy. In the early 2000s, the small-scale fishermen of Jamestown usually didn't have motor powered canoes and no GPS equipment like they have today. Still, we don't get nearly as big catches now. So it is obvious that stocks are drastically declining, says Ofore Kae. 'We Are Getting Poorer' The stories of the fishermen are supported by research. A study led by the Ghana Fisheries Commission shows that catches of sardinella, mackerel and anchovies in 2019 were only 40 percent of what they were in 1993. It was worse for sardinella, with catch size just 10 percent of the 1993 volume. This in a country where up to 3 million people are directly or indirectly dependent on fishing. The trend of overfishing and ever-diminishing returns is being repeated up and down the entire West African coast CREDIT: Simon Townsley/The Telegraph It shows in the family's finances, says Ofore Kae. We are getting poorer. After the canoe is pulled ashore, Otoo and his wife Nelly Sampson open the door to the small beach shed where they and their seven-year-old child sleep. Not much more than the bed can fit in there. Sampson laughs when asked how the family is affected by the dwindling fish stocks. Do they ever go to bed hungry? If Samuel doesn't get a catch, it happens, yes. In the middle of the shanty town on the beach, there is a small pub. Some children are sitting in front of a television watching Chinese action movies. Fishermen play board games and smoke. A certain bitterness spreads when the issue of dwindling catches is raised. Everyone has the same opinion on who's to blame. They are stealing what should be ours, says one man, pointing out to sea. They are not visible to the naked eye. But according to the app Marinetraffic, which uses tracking technology to monitor ship movements in real time, a handful of Chinese vessels are out at sea, prowling the deep blue for its precious commodities. More may well have joined them, but chosen to be invisible. According to a study published in Science Advances at the end of 2022, it is not uncommon for trawlers off the coast of West Africa to turn off their tracking locators when they could be suspected of performing shady operations. Catches are plummeting and Ghanaians often go to bed hungry CREDIT: Simon Townsley/The Telegraph The Chinese have been fishing West Africa's waters for decades. As early as the mid-1980s, the nation's own territorial seas showed signs of overfishing, and a dedicated fleet was therefore established in order to maintain jobs and fish supplies. Especially over the last two decades, it has grown rapidly. No other country comes close to the fishing capacity of China. Today, the fleet consists of thousands of ships estimates ranging from just under 3,000 to close to 17,000 of which a large proportion are bottom trawlers, a type of vessel known to cause great ecological damage. Many of the ships can be out for years in international waters thanks to huge motherships with large storage capacity. Smaller ships can dock with these larger vessels out at sea, unload catches, replenish supplies and change crews. There is no official catch data for the Chinese long-distance fishery. But according to many reports, the effects are now being felt more and more clearly in the world's oceans. It has also led to diplomatic protests from several countries, including Ecuador, after Chinese ships landed thousands of tons of octopus off the Galapagos Islands. Bitterness emerges among the locals when the issue of dwindling catches is raised CREDIT: Simon Townsley/The Telegraph Although much of the Chinese fishery does not violate current regulations, there are many examples of illegal fishing, human rights violations and corruption. This has become particularly evident in Ghanaian waters, where the Chinese fishing industry has been forced to adopt a different approach. Ghanaian law does not allow fishing licenses for foreign vessels, but among the 74 bottom trawlers licensed in the West African nation, over 90 percent are actually Chinese owned but via Ghanaian fronted companies. This was revealed in 2018 by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), which has heavily scrutinised the Chinese fishing fleet. Yet the Chinese companies have not even bothered to hide the traces. The trawlers all listed on the website of the Ghanaian Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development have Chinese names such as Meng Xin or Jin Hai. No other country comes close to the fishing capacity of China CREDIT: Simon Townsley/The Telegraph A Google search for one of the trawlers, Zhong Lu Yu 1003, leads to Zhonglu Oceanic Fisheries . Its website lists the trawler as part of the Chinese company's fleet, yet, according to Ghanaian fishing authorities, the vessel is owned by a firm in Ghana. The number of trawler licenses are far from sustainable, say researchers , And they are also known to engage in illegal fishing beyond their regular quotas. Yet the exploitation of Ghana's waters would not be taking place without corruption in the nation's fishing industry, which, according to the EJF, is rampant. A study based on 36 interviews with Ghanaian crewmen who worked on trawlers found that 86 percent witnessed corruption among fisheries inspectors and port authorities. This often took the form of payments of valuable export fish, which were delivered to government officials in return for keeping hush over illegal fishing activities. So how far are Chinese captains prepared to go to stop those who dare challenge their sea-faring hegemony? Very far, some believe. Among them are hairdresser Bernard Essien and his brother, chauffeur James Essien, who both live in Accra's Nima district, four miles from Jamestown. The Chinese have been fishing West Africa's waters for decades CREDIT: Simon Townsley/The Telegraph On July 5, 2019, James Essien received a phone call. Emmanuel, their third brother, was missing. He was employed as a fishery observer on a Chinese trawler, as part of a World Bank-funded project. The crew had had dinner together and Emmanuel had gone back to his cabin. The next day he wasn't there anymore. The police found his mobile phone and passport in the cabin, says James. Just two weeks earlier, Emmanuel had done something unusual among observers. He had provided a report and video footage to the police about illegal fishing activities on board another of the trawlers, says James. Bernard shows the handwritten report on his mobile phone. In it, Emmanuel describes how the Chinese captain ordered large quantities of fish to be dumped overboard, an illegal practice. The fish, which are unintentionally mopped up by the trawlers' vast nets, aren't considered that valuable by the Chinese so are discarded back into the ocean to make room onboard for higher-priced catches. Already dead, these fish then go to waste, left to rot away in the ocean. Emmanuel's report could have led to a fine of millions for the trawler. The family therefore suspects that Emmanuel was murdered allegations the Chinese captain has refuted. You don't just fall overboard on those trawlers, the railing is high. They must have done something to him. He was alone there as an observer, says James. Fishery observer is a dangerous job and there are many cases around the world of observers who have disappeared without a trace. The reasons can only be speculated upon. For the family, the incident is a source of deep trauma. After almost four years, they have not yet been able to bury Emmanuel and are still waiting for the police investigation to be completed. We are very proud of what he did, but we want justice, they say. While Chinese trawlers continue their activities, the Ghana Fisheries Commission believes that the collapse of stocks cannot be primarily blamed on them. They claim the small scale fishermen are the main problem and have accused them of using illegal fishing tools, such as dynamite and agricultural insecticides. Among local fishermen, however, it is a common perception that they have been forced to resort to illegal methods in order to compete with the Chinese trawlers. Ofore Kae says he knows many people who use dynamite to kill fish. The authorities should put a stop to this kind of thing, otherwise we will soon have no fish left, he says. Instead of switching to illegal methods to increase revenue, Ofore Kae wants to buy his own boat. Today he only works on other people's boats, but with one of his own he hopes to make more money. I need to make sure that my children can go to school. Otherwise, they won't be able to support me when I'm old. It is not easy when fishing is deteriorating. But God has a plan for us. By Torbjorn Wester In a significant blow to freedom of speech in Tunisia, notable journalist Zied el-Heni was arrested on charges of insulting President Kais Saied. On Tuesday, 20th June, plainclothes security officers took el-Heni into custody, and he now faces the prospect of a five-year prison sentence if found guilty. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the arrest and called for el-Heni's immediate and unconditional release. el-Heni, a well-known columnist and political commentator, was targeted in relation to his work on the independent radio station IFM, where he conducts the online daily radio show, 'Emission Impossible.' According to local sources and news reports, a judge ordered el-Heni to be held in custody pending trial, and as of Wednesday evening, he remained in the Bouchoucha detention center in Tunis. Tunisian authorities have been unyielding in their approach. el-Heni's legal representation was not allowed to attend his detention questioning, and he was also denied necessary medication for his heart condition and high blood pressure, as reported by an anonymous local journalist to CPJ. CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator, Sherif Mansour, expressed grave concerns over the recent developments. Mansour stated, "The arrest of journalist Zied el-Heni on criminal insult charges is another clear example of President Kais Saieds intolerance of the free press in Tunisia." Mansour urged for el-Heni's immediate release and the protection of press freedom, stating that journalists should be able to "discuss newsworthy topics without fear of spending years behind bars." el-Henis arrest is allegedly connected to a broadcast on 'Emission Impossible' where he critically discussed Article 67 of the Algerian penal code. The said law imposes criminal penalties for committing an "evil act" against the president. This event takes place against the backdrop of increased pressure on journalists in Tunisia. Just last month, the prison sentence for journalist Khalifa Guesmi was escalated from one to five years on charges of disclosing national security information. Despite attempts to reach out, the Tunisian Ministry of Interior has not provided a comment on el-Heni's case. One of the Graduates 23.06.2023 LISTEN The National Ambulance Service held a colorful graduation ceremony today 22nd June 2023 for Senior Officers of the Advanced Batch Four at Nkenkaasu in the Ashanti Region of Ghana at the premises of the Paramedic and Emergency Care Training School (PECTS). The 157 graduands consisting of 44 females and 113 males exuded so much confidence and readiness for the responsibilities that await them in their line of duty knowing that the uniforms on their backs are to inspire hope,ensure commitment and sacrifice in emergency and pre-hospital care of Ghanaians. In attendance were the MP for Offinso North (Deputy Minister of Local Government),Hon.Augustine Collins Ntim, the C.E.O. of National Ambulance Service, Prof. Ahmed Nuhu Zakaria, the Board Chairman of National Ambulance Service (NAS), Nana Wiafe Ababio, Deputy NADMO Boss (NAS Board Member) Abu Ramadan,Chief Director of Ministry of Health, Alhaji Hafiz Adam,the District Chief Executive Officer, Offinso North,Hon. Albert Sefa Boampong, The Commander of 37 Military Hospital, Brigadier General Azumah Bugri, Commanding Officer of 37 Military Hospital,Colonel Seth Attoh the Acting President, Offinso Traditional Council, Nana Opoku Duah ll, other service heads and community leaders. The event which began at 9:30 was also thronged by well wishers, family members and natives of the township. Complementary parts of the event such as the simulation exercise and musical interludes ensured that the program was educative and entertaining.It was indeed a well planned event as it was orderly and swift.The icing on the cake for me was when four outstanding graduands were awarded. Even though the institution has made a lot of effort in changing the misconception that the ambulance is a hearse, an occasion like this was not spared in educating and informing the public. I admit I was also unaware of this,however now I know the National Ambulance Service provides critical pre-hospital and emergency care for the sick, injured,young and old in the country. The 157 graduates who took an oath to serve Mother Ghana were encouraged by Hon. Augustine Collins Ntim to employ continuous learning to sharpen their skills in order to remain relevant and competitive. We should be proud of them. Long live Mother Ghana. Dumenu Charles Selorm In a poignant demonstration of solidarity, a group of British Jesuits and their supporters gathered outside the Indian High Commission in London to demand justice for Father Stan Swamy, a Jesuit priest who tragically lost his life while in Indian custody. Despite their peaceful intentions, the High Commission staff declined to accept the petition containing thousands of signatures, prompting reflection on the significance of the protest. Father Damian Howard, the British Jesuit provincial, delivered a heartfelt speech at the vigil, expressing his initial hesitations about protesting outside the Indian High Commission due to his love and respect for India, a nation renowned for its rich heritage and the legacy of figures like Mahatma Gandhi, who led nonviolent resistance against colonial rule. However, the injustice inflicted upon Father Stan Swamy, which continues to affect his friends and colleagues, compelled the demonstrators to stand in solidarity. Father Damian acknowledged that there were numerous embassies and global issues that could warrant protest, such as pollution, climate change, and the erosion of ethical standards in public life. Yet, the gathering served as a modest commemoration of Father Stan Swamy's life, work, and tragic demisea man who had initially been unknown to many before his arrest. The Jesuit provincial emphasized that the motivation behind their collective support was rooted in the bond of brotherhood. Father Stan stood unwaveringly with indigenous communities in India, breaking through societal discomfort and extending love and solidarity to those in need. The demonstration aimed to honor not only Father Stan himself but also the principles he championed and the marginalized groups he fought for. The unifying force behind the gathering was the transformative power of love, an embodiment of Jesus Christ's teachings that transcended boundaries. The demonstrators sought to embody this love through their actions, walking through the streets, remembering Father Stan and the individuals he cared for, and treating everyone they encountered, including police officers, with respect and dignity. Father Damian concluded with a prayer, asking for Father Stan's peaceful transition into the kingdom of love and justice. He urged support for all those oppressed, especially those wrongfully imprisoned by the Indian government, and expressed hope that their peaceful resistance and defiance against violence and injustice would contribute to building a more loving world. The gathering outside the Indian High Commission was a solemn call for justice, as the international community rallied to ensure that Father Stan Swamy's legacy and the cause he valiantly championed would not be forgotten. A Dutch court has ruled that Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of Angola's late former president, illegally diverted 52 million euros from the southwestern African nation's state oil company. Dos Santos funnelled the cash into a firm she owned with her husband, said the finding by the Amsterdam-based Enterprise Chamber, which was dated June 15 but made public on Thursday. It is the latest in a series of judgements against dos Santos, once Africa's richest woman. Dos Santos is accused of syphoning billions of dollars from state companies during her father Jose Eduardo dos Santos' nearly 40-year rule. Dos Santos senior died last year in July. "Numerous (legal) persons have cooperated in this disgraceful state of affairs, which led to... (dos Santos) fraudulently obtaining 52.6 million euros in resources," a court-appointed investigator said in the complex judgement. Dos Santos diverted the money through a dividend payment, said the Enterprise Chamber, a special part of Amsterdam's appeals court that deals with corporate matters. "The dividend payment forms part of a pattern of action," by Exem Energy BV, a company which the justices ruled was owned by dos Santos and her late husband and which they said aimed at having dos Santos benefit "on a large scale at the expense of Sonangol." Dos Santos, 50, had consistently denied any wrongdoing and denounced all accusations as a politically motivated witch hunt. Last year she said a move by Angolan public prosecutor Helder Pitta Gros to file an international arrest warrant against her amounted to "political persecution" directed at her by Angola's incumbent President Joao Lourenco. 'Deliberately backdated' The latest case against Angola's embattled ex-first daughter springs from an investigation ordered by the Dutch court in 2020 into the dealings of the Netherlands-based offshore company Esperaza Holdings BV. In 2006, Exem allegedly illegally obtained a 40 percent share in Esperaza, while Sonangol, Angola's oil company, retained a 60 percent majority stake. Dos Santos however gave no explanation for the uncommercial terms of this deal, other than being the daughter of the former president, the court said. Justices said dos Santos then used an agreement in the 2006 deal to justify a 52.6-million-euro dividend payout from Esperaza to Exem in mid-November 2017 -- when dos Santos got wind that she may be axed as chairwoman of Sonangol's board. The payout needed Sonangol's shareholder approval, taken at a general meeting, but dos Santos herself in turn signed the Sonangol shareholders' resolution. Dutch justices however said dos Santos and her associates on the Sonangol board had already been axed hours before by president Lourenco, who has promised a hard-line stance against graft. Dos Santos and her associates then illegally backdated the Sonangol resolutions to make it appear that it was signed while they were still on the board, the justices said. "The decisions have been deliberately backdated to conceal the fact" that they were taken while dos Santos and another board director were not authorised to act for Sonangol, they said. Corruption crackdown Lourenco has vowed to crack down on corruption since dos Santos retired in 2017, removing his predecessor's cronies from key positions and probing the former regime for alleged graft. He has targeted several members of the dos Santos family, including Isabel and her younger brother Jose Filomeno dos Santos, sentenced to five years in prison for diverting oil revenues last year. Isabel is the eldest daughter of Angola's ex-president, accused of ruling the country with an iron fist, leaving a legacy of poverty and nepotism. The British-educated billionaire businesswoman has faced several allegations of plundering the public purse and funnelling the money abroad. British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke 22.06.2023 LISTEN The British High Commission in Dhaka joyously commemorated the Official Birthday of King Charles III and the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen on 21 June 2023. Esteemed dignitaries from various sectors, including Md. Tazul Islam, MP, the Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, Government of Bangladesh, graced the reception as the guest of honour. The event witnessed a gathering of dignitaries from the Government of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Parliament, the Diplomatic Corps, and representatives from fields such as business, trade, social development, academia, arts, culture, media, and sports. Under the banner of "youth, community, diversity, and sustainability," the event aimed to honor His Majesty The King. Notably, a significant portion of the sponsorship funds raised will be dedicated to supporting the empowerment of women in leadership roles and promoting youth engagement in climate advocacy throughout Bangladesh. These initiatives will be carried out through YouthNet for Climate Justice and the WAVE Foundation for Women in Leadership. Expressing her delight, Sarah Cooke, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, stated, "I am delighted to host this reception to celebrate the Official Birthday of His Majesty King Charles III and the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen. The UK and Bangladesh enjoy a strong partnership, based on our long shared history, deep people-to-people ties, and as members of the Commonwealth. His Majesty The King is Head of the Commonwealth family of nations. With thanks to our partners, we are also making a donation today to support womens empowerment and climate justice through youth engagement in Bangladesh. His Majesty is a strong supporter of youth, community, sustainability, and diversity, and with this contribution, we pay tribute to him." In related information, the King's Birthday Party is a significant celebration observed by British Embassies and High Commissions worldwide. This year, The King, who turns 75 on 14 November, holds the esteemed position of being the Head of the Commonwealtha collaborative association of 56 countries striving for prosperity, democracy, and peace. The British High Commission Dhaka's King's Birthday Party 2023 garnered support from esteemed partners, including HSBC (Platinum Partner), Le Meridien Dhaka (Hospitality Partner), Unilever and Standard Chartered Bank (Diamond Partners), Airbus, Duncan Brothers, Haileybury Bhaluka, and Next Sourcing (Gold Partners), as well as G4S, MG Bangladesh, PCS, and Tysers (Silver Partners). 23.06.2023 LISTEN It is sad that some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and indeed some Ghanaians cannot appreciate the direction our current Vice President and Presidential hopeful is taking Ghana to. Perhaps, the strong men who are being displaced by the strong institutions Bawumia is building are leading the instigations. His Excellency Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia is strengthening the institutions through his digitalization campaign. Ghanaians in the diaspora are living Bawumias vision, and that is why we endorse the Vice President massively. The paradigm shift ongoing in Ghana now would only be intensified under Bawumia-led NPP government. The global technological drive and development is currently the direction and way to go if any country or community wants to develop in all aspects of its businesses and lives of its citizens. The developmental growth gap between Sub-Saharan African and the Western countries is technology and industrialization. The Vice President Dr. Bawumia has visioned this technology and industrialization and only hopeful way in changing the lives of Ghanaians. For this is the reason he is leading the charge towards digitalization of all sectors of our nation building in Ghana. From the National identification of citizens and non-citizens to the digitization of the Agricultural sector, Bawumias vision is to make life as modern and convenient as members of Diaspora4DMB and many Ghanaians in the diaspora enjoy in the advanced countries. Ghanaians in the diaspora live the vision of the Vice President. Yes, we, the diaspora4DMB do, because as Ghanaians in the diaspora, who live in Europe, North America, and in the developed economies of Asia, we can testify that these developed countries capitalized on Industrialization and technology (digitalization) as developmental tool. We commend and praise these developed countries, because the systems and the institutions are working effectively and efficiently. The genesis of these systems we applaud is the introduction of digitalization of their economies. From basic services such as the bus services timing to the complex system such as operating spaceship, and a paradigm shift from mismanagement of resources to effective management of revenue collection are all profitable operations that can be credited to digitalization. In Ghana today, Dr. Bawumia has introduced this system to make life better and institutions run effectively and efficiently. In a true patriotic spirit, no life-changing policy discussion cannot be complete without mentioning Dr. Bawumias leadership in a campaign to digitize the economy. He has his own vision for Ghana, and it is human-centered. Living that dream as Ghanaians in the diaspora, we, the diaspora4DMB cannot wish anything different for our fellow citizens living back home in Ghana than wish them a visionary leader like Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia. It is possible to build a country where the system works uninterrupted. Ghanaians and NPP party delegates should think about the youth and the next generation and vote for Dr. Bawumia as the NPP presidential candidate and then as the President of Ghana. He must be given the opportunity to lead the country into the high technological and competitive market, where artificial intelligence would have fertile grounds to breed. It is indeed possible to grow the economy through digitalization and artificial intelligence. It is possible to grow Ghana led by Dr. Bawumia. It is possible It is possible Siitah Abdul-KHAALIQ (Germany Country Rep, Diaspora4DMB) Kwasi Owusu-Afriyie( Comm. & Research Director, Diaspora4DMB) UKs landmark Developing Countries Trading Scheme enters into force on 19 June. Scheme cuts tariffs on products entering the UK from 65 developing countries. It will help reduce import costs by over 770m per year, benefiting UK consumers and businesses. The UK on [Tuesday 19 June] radically simplify trading rules and cut tariffs on products from developing countries, saving UK businesses and consumers millions of pounds a year. The UKs new post-Brexit Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) scheme entering into force today covers 65 countries that are home to over 3.3 billion people, and over half are in Africa. It removes or reduces tariffs and simplifies trading rules so that more products qualify for the scheme, making it more generous than the EU scheme the UK was previously a member of. It will benefit developing countries looking to diversify and increase exports, driving their prosperity and reducing their need for aid. The scheme saves UK businesses over 770 million per year by removing or cutting tariffs on over 9 billion of imports - increasing choice for UK consumers and potentially reducing prices on a wide variety of items such as clothes, food and childrens toys, as well as creating opportunities for UK businesses to trade internationally and grow the UK economy. Over time, were developing countries to increase trade with the UK under the scheme, businesses could save millions more on import costs. Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston launched the scheme while on a visit to Ethiopias largest industrial business park, Bole Lemi. Ethiopia, which already has a trading relationship with the UK worth 838 million, pays zero tariffs on 100% of goods exported to the UK. Under the new scheme, Ethiopia and 46 other countries will be able produce goods using components from many more countries, growing their opportunities to trade with the UK. Speaking at the park, Minister Huddleston said: This scheme is a brilliant example of the UK taking advantage of its status as an independent trading nation and I am excited to see it implemented today. It will create opportunities for businesses around the world, supporting livelihoods, creating jobs and diversifying local and international supply chains. It will also benefit UK businesses and consumers by lowering import costs on a whole range of products. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Offices Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, said: The UKs new trading scheme for 65 developing countries, DCTS, shows how we can use trade to deliver development. It will benefit traders around the world, including women-owned businesses, which we are supporting through the UK Trade Partnership programme. While in Addis Ababa, Ethiopias capital city and home to many international corporations, Minister Huddleston will meet with UK and Ethiopian companies to discuss how they will benefit from the DCTS and new ways they can work with local businesses and other governments to grow trade. The scheme benefits businesses all over the world and British companies that trade with these countries in everyday products such as bicycles and camping gear. Executive Vice President at Specialized Bicycle Components Inc, Robert Margevicius, said: The DCTS enables us to maintain our supply chains in countries like Cambodia and continue to incorporate components from around the region, including from Vietnam. We are committed to supporting our workforce and maintaining quality. We manufacture high-value frames in Cambodia and Specialized uses preference scheme benefits to invest in this higher level of production. Head of International Logistics and Trade Compliance at Halfords, Ben Price, said: The revised rules of origin under the Developing Country Trading Scheme will be hugely beneficial for Least Developed Countries and companies who are sourcing products from them. Under the previous regime many articles were precluded from benefitting from 0% duties due to the complexity of the rules of origin. The further liberalisation and rule options that have been introduced under the DCTS are incredibly helpful and will support business and economic growth in some of the poorest countries. A great example of this is camping equipment, such as tents, from developing countries in Southeast Asia. News / Local by Staff reporter Eleven candidates will contest Zimbabwe's presidential election on August 23, the commission running the elections announced on Thursday.The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said 21 candidates submitted their nomination papers on Wednesday, but 10 were not accepted for various reasons including failing to pay the US$20,000 fee or not having enough nominations from registered voters. Each candidate was required to have 10 nominations from each of the country's 10 provinces.ZEC's deputy chairman Rodney Kiwa told the state-run Zimpapers Television News that President Emmerson Mnangagwa, leader of Zanu-PF, and his main rival Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) both had their papers accepted.Ex-cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere will also be on the ballot as an independent, joined by MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora; Lovemore Madhuku of NCA; Joseph Busha of Free Zim Congress; Trust Chikohora of ZCPD; Blessing Kasiyamhuru of ZIPP; Wilbert Archbald Mubaiwa of NPC, Gwinyai Muzorewa of UANC and Harry Peter Wilson of DOP.Kiwa said other lists of successful candidates for the National Assembly and local authority elections would be released by June 30 to give room for aggrieved candidates to mount court appeals.Kiwa said a number of double candidates for one unnamed party believed to be the CCCC were recorded in Harare, Bulawayo and Masvingo. The CCC says unapproved candidates forged signatures and has vowed to take legal action. An unprecedented influx of refugees, fleeing armed conflict in Sudan, has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in South Sudan. Over 127,000 people, primarily women and children, have taken refuge in the country since April, Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) reported. The organisation has cautioned that the lack of basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter could soon escalate into a disaster of catastrophic proportions. The border town of Renk in the Upper Nile state has become a major point of entry for the displaced. MSF officials there warn of a worsening health situation. Dawai Apayi, an MSF emergency nurse, described treating numerous cases of malaria, respiratory tract and eye infections, and acute diarrhoea. The onset of the rainy season may exacerbate the situation, increasing the risk of cholera and other diseases. As daily arrivals continue, transit camps and temporary settlement areas are pushed beyond their limits. The main transit centre in Renk, intended to house 12,000, is overflowing with displaced people, while others have sought shelter in makeshift camps on its outskirts. The displaced people are already traumatised, having very limited access to essentials, commented Jocelyn Yapi, MSF head of mission in South Sudan. Yapi called for an acceleration of efforts by the authorities and humanitarian bodies to relocate these individuals to other parts of the country. To alleviate the growing crisis, MSF has initiated emergency responses in the Upper Nile and Northern Bahr El Ghazal states, including mobile clinics, water treatment programs, and mental health support services. Despite these efforts, however, the situation remains precarious. The refugees' desperation is vividly illustrated by Awel Shoul's story. Forced to flee his treatment in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, Shoul recounts a harrowing 15-day journey filled with robberies and threats. The city of Renk, once a refuge for many, has become another point of conflict. About a month ago, intercommunal clashes erupted at the transit centre, further complicating the relief efforts. Though aid is provided within the transit centre, there is no functional response mechanism for those living outside its boundaries. Authorities in Renk planned to relocate refugees to a secondary transit centre in Malakal town, but an outbreak of violence there earlier in June put a temporary halt to the plan. Similarly, in Aweil, Northern Bahr El Ghazal state, returning South Sudanese citizens are facing the lack of basic resources and health services. The arrival of returnees and refugees is going to have a significant impact on the humanitarian situation in Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Margot Grelet, MSF project coordinator in Aweil, stated. MSF is urging the global humanitarian community to join forces in responding to this mounting crisis. If urgent action is not taken, they warn of an imminent health disaster that could jeopardise the lives of thousands of displaced Sudanese people. A coalition of 31 Syrian and international NGOs has called upon the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to extend its cross-border resolution in Syria for at least 12 more months. This mandate, set to expire on July 10, enables the UN to provide vital assistance to millions of Syrians in need in the country's northwest region. Over 4 million people in northwest Syria depend on the outcome of next month's UNSC vote, which will determine the continuation of critical relief efforts, including food, medical care, and shelter. The UN's cross-border response, made possible by the UNSC, has been a crucial lifeline for Syrian families struggling to survive after more than a decade of conflict, compounded recently by a devastating earthquake. The NGOs warn that failure to renew this mechanism could result in preventable suffering and loss of life. Even before the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which caused over 5,700 fatalities, injured more than 10,000, and left 53,000 families needing shelter, needs across Syria were at an all-time high. The earthquake, coupled with Syria's first cholera outbreak in over a decade, has further exacerbated the critical situation. Presently, over 15.3 million Syrians rely on humanitarian aid to survive, including 4.1 million in the northwest who are largely dependent on cross-border assistance. The NGOs warned that the end of the cross-border mechanism in July would cause a massive disruption in aid flows, worsening conditions for those already on the brink. In 2022, the UN-led cross-border response allowed humanitarian actors to assist over 2.4 million people per month in the northwest. This included providing food, education, gender-based violence services, medical supplies, and early recovery assistance. However, the earthquake disrupted the only remaining UNSC-authorized crossing point, Bab al Hawa, stalling the delivery of aid. An emergency agreement between the Government of Syria and the UN opened two additional crossing points, but these temporary measures do not provide long-term stability for humanitarian planning and funding. Bab al Hawa remains a critical supply line for the northwest response. More than just a goods conduit, the UN Security Council mechanism ensures that Syrian and international NGOs have access to funding through the Syria Cross-Border Humanitarian Fund, securing sustained community access. The ongoing uncertainty around the renewal of the cross-border mechanism, paired with the unpredictability of bilateral agreements beyond August 2023, leaves families and NGO staff in a state of high anxiety, unable to plan beyond a few weeks. The coalition of NGOs appeals to the UNSC to ensure more, not less, humanitarian access for Syrians and to sustain that access for at least a year. Such a move, they argue, would not only guarantee stability for international donors to support humanitarian and early recovery efforts more generously, but would also show Syrians that they are not forgotten and have a right to live in dignity and with hope. In the lead up to the Assin North by-election, tragedy struck the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as three of its members crashed in a motor accident. The incident which occurred at Kushea involved Bright Dugan, the Constituency Youth Organiser for New Edubiase and two polling station executives in the Assin North constituency. All the three persons sustained injuries and were rushed for medical attention. In response to the incident, the Chairman of the NPP in the Ashanti Region, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (also known as Chairman Wontumi), paid a visit to the injured members. He took care of their medical bills on behalf of the party and the parliamentary candidate, Charles Opoku. The news was shared by General Buhari, one of the communicators of the NPP, in a tweet that was sighted by ModernGhana News on Thursday, June 22. The accident comes just days before the by-election, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 27. The Assin North by-election has been a closely contested race between the NPP's Charles Opoku and the deposed National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP, James Gyakye Quayson. The by-election was necessitated by a petition filed by the some members of the constituency, challenging the eligibility of the NDC MP to hold public office for holding dual citizenship. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the petitioners and ordered the lawmakers name to be expunged from the records of Parliament, leading to the by-election. The ruling New Patriotic Party currently holds a slim majority, and a win for Charles Opoku would solidify its parliamentary majority. However, a victory for James Gyakye Quayson would give the NDC a much-needed boost. Her nephew shared the harrowing tale of how she died. The 45-year-old mother of five had not eaten in days and begged for a sip of water as she lay dying in a hospital in Ethiopia's war-scarred Tigray region. She struggled to swallow, her muscles weakened from prolonged starvation, as droplets dribbled down her chin, he said. She died four days later -- the victim of a hunger crisis expected to worsen after the World Food Programme and USAID suspended food aid to Ethiopia this month, citing the diversion of supplies from those in need. The exact circumstances of her death cannot be independently verified because journalists are not permitted to visit Tigray. Her children -- the youngest just five years old -- are now orphans, and dependent on relatives who are themselves unable to make ends meet. "We don't have the capacity to look after her children," said her nephew Desta Hailu, not his real name, speaking to AFP by phone. Ethiopia, locating Tigray and its capital Mekele. By Aude GENET (AFP) A university lecturer in Adigrat, a town bordering Eritrea, Hailu said he had consumed his last meal -- a slice of bread with tea -- 48 hours earlier. He and his wife often skip meals, he said, prioritising the needs of their young children. But it is never enough. "My son is always complaining of hunger and wants to eat his little sister's portion too," the 40-year-old said. Begging on the streets A region of six million people, Tigray has been in the grip of food shortages for over two years. During the war, UN investigators accused Ethiopia's government of deliberately starving civilians by imposing a de facto blockade on the northern region. Aid deliveries slowed to a trickle and humanitarian organisations warned of famine-like conditions. The government denied the allegations, accusing Tigray's rebel authorities of commandeering food aid for their war effort. A peace agreement signed in November sparked cautious optimism as fighting ceased and electricity, banking and communications slowly returned to Tigray. But "the number of people coming to the feeding centres has gone up", said Nigisti Solomon, a volunteer at one food bank funded by US-based non-profit and lobbying group Tigray Action Committee. Supplies are so limited that many are turned away, back to the streets where malnourished people begging for food are a common sight, she said. 'People are desperate' Prior to the countrywide halt, USAID and WFP froze food aid to Tigray last month after discovering that shipments were being diverted to local markets. Neither WFP nor USAID have identified those responsible for taking and selling the aid. Solomon and Hailu said they had previously seen donated supplies such as blankets being sold, with sellers saying they needed cash to buy food, medicines or soap. "People are desperate, they want to survive... they want to fill their stomachs," said Hailu. WFP declined AFP requests for an interview, while spokespersons for USAID and Ethiopia's government did not respond to messages. Doctors say malnourished patients have succumbed to treatable conditions, their bodies too weak to recover from surgery. Gaym Gebreselassie, a surgeon in Adigrat, said one of his patients died a month ago during a routine operation because of sepsis exacerbated by his starved state. "You cannot operate with confidence under such conditions," he told AFP. "We tell patients to eat better but they say there is no food." 'Death sentence' With no salaries paid for months on end, Gebreselassie himself relies on aid to feed his family. Yet the trickle of supplies meant that his sons, aged six and two, both contracted fungal infections exacerbated by poor nutrition. Under such circumstances, the decision to suspend food aid -- even partially, as WFP has done -- "is a death sentence" for many, he said. "When mothers are malnourished, this has a devastating impact on the community," he added. "We are seeing infants who are significantly underweight, who cannot breathe well... there is a risk of many complications, because underweight children do not develop properly." For Hailu, each day brings more stress. Before the war erupted in November 2020, his life was comfortable, he said. During the conflict, his mother's cousin died of malnutrition, followed by his aunt in January. Both women were in their forties. Today, he is constantly on the hunt for food, he said, to ensure his children eat at least once a day. "If this situation continues, I am afraid I will lose my children to hunger -- that they will die before my eyes." The European Union and Ukraine's Western allies have promised to make Russia pay for its invasion, as governments and private investors met in London this week look at funding the country's reconstruction from the ravages of war. European Commission's President Ursula von der Leyen outlined investment plans for Ukraine, underlining that the European Union has a "special responsibility" towards the country in the long term. Addressing the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, Von der Leyen said: "This is for Ukraine's immediate needs. But let's talk about the future. I believe the European Union has a special responsibility. "Ukrainians tell us that when they imagine their future, they see Europe's flag flying over their cities. And I have no doubt that Ukraine will be part of our union," she added. This comes as the World Bank has put an estimate of almost 13 billion on Ukraine's immediate needs to repair the damage caused by the fighting. However, 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 an estimated 374 billion. Delegates from Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmygal to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Kremlin would ultimately foot the bill. Blinken told delegates "Let's be clear: Russia is causing Ukraine's destruction. And Russia will eventually bear the cost of Ukraine's reconstruction." Meanwhile, Sunak promised to keep tough sanctions in place "until Russia pays up", and to use seized assets to get Ukraine back on its feet something the European Union said it would also look at. In an indication of the sheer scale of the reconstruction needed, Shmygal said the destruction of the Russian-held Kakhovka dam earlier this month caused an estimated 1.2 billion in environmental damage. But, that did not include losses in agriculture, infrastructure and housing, let alone how much it would cost to rebuild the plant. Support for Kyiv Speaking to delegates via videolink, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said "Every day of Russian aggression brings new ruins, thousands and thousands of destroyed houses, devastated industries, burnt lives." Zelensky is overseeing a military fight-back using Western-supplied heavy weaponry to regain territory lost to Russian forces since last year. The Ukrainian president set out his stall for future investment, saying that despite the devastation, Ukraine was ripe for development in sectors from technology and green agriculture to clean energy. 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, which took place in the Swiss town of Lugano last July, saw allies commit to supporting Ukraine through what is expected to be a hugely expensive and decades-long recovery. However, African countries have voiced concern that by pumping aid to Ukraine, the West is backing off from pledges to help the continent with development and fight climate change. Investment from the private sector Von der Leyen recapped the EU executive's support package for Ukraine of 50 billion euros over the next four years. Germany will provide 381 million in humanitarian assistance this year and France 40 million. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development announced it is joining forces with the Ukrainian government to mobilise 600 million euros in loans and grants from international donors to ensure the country's energy security. A third of that money will go to Ukrhydroenergo, the hydropower entity which has been hit by the destruction of the huge Kakhovka dam on 6 June. Meanwhile, Sunak has announced UK backing for Ukraine to the tune of 2.75 billion over the next three years, while the United States will provide more than $1.3 billion in additional aid. As well as government and institutional support, it is hoped more private-sector firms will join 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, that encourages trade, investment and expertise-sharing to Ukraine on the back of promises from Zelensky to tackle barriers such as corruption and financial and legal transparency. Criteria for accession to EU Ahead of the London conference, Brussels said Ukraine had completed two of seven reform benchmarks set before formal negotiations on joining the European Union can start. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, issued the update in a meeting with the ambassadors from the bloc's 27 countries. The EU granted Ukraine candidate status for membership in a hugely symbolic move last June in the wake of Russia's all-out invasion. The commission laid out seven benchmarks for Kyiv seen as conditions to start accession talks, including bolstering the fight against widespread corruption and judicial reforms. EU diplomats said that the two conditions completed related to cutting political influence in the media and reforms to its judiciary. Ukraine was considered as having made "some progress" on the other five criteria, diplomats said. The EU executive is set to issue a fuller assessment of Ukraine's progress in October when it will give its opinion on whether to start membership negotiations. EU nations such as Poland and the Baltic states are strongly backing Kyiv's push for membership, while countries such as Germany and the Netherlands do not want to rush the process. Ukraine's former Soviet neighbour Moldova was also granted candidate status at the same time as Ukraine. 23.06.2023 LISTEN Member of Parliaments Defense and Interior Committee, Peter Lanchene Toobu, believes that a thorough investigation into the bullion van robbery at Ablekuma Fanmilk in the Greater Accra Region, which led to the killing of a police officer, will reveal important details about the incident. He believes that the CCTV footage if properly examined, will provide more information about the robbery. On Thursday, a policeman was killed in a daylight robbery attack on a bullion van at Ablekuma Fanmilk in Accra. The police officer was only identified as Amoah, according to his name tag. Speaking to Citi News, the Wa West MP, Mr. Toobu, said that there is more to the investigation than meets the eye. The fact that the vehicle reversed and then met the arrival of the robbers means that they had been following them for some time. If you look at the way the robber shot the officer dead, he looks like a properly trained person. The driver in the van was not hurt, which suggests that it may have been an inside job, and I am confident that the investigation will unravel this daylight robbery. Under normal circumstances, when a bullion van stops, the police officer is supposed to get out of the van before anyone who is supposed to bring the cash to the truck gets close to the van. The cash has to be escorted from the security room to the truck. But in this scenario, you will realize that the cash was already out. So after shooting the police officer, they had the opportunity to pick up the cash from wherever it was, he added. citinewsroom Former President, John Dramani Mahama on Thursday, June 22, delivered the keynote address on Asset Valuation As A Global Anti-Corruption Tool at the 53rd Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors & Valuers. In his address, the leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) described corruption as an instrument of murder because its effects can lead to the loss of citizens' lives due to the deprivation of critical public infrastructure and services. He argued that Surveyors, Architects, and Engineers who sign off on poorly constructed or shoddy infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, buildings, and railways can lead to loss of lives due to fatal accidents. John Dramani Mahama insists that whether corruption takes place in the public or private sector, it must be tackled. Corruption is an economic malady. It means different things in different contexts, but, my brothers and sisters, whichever form it takes and no matter the context, corruption is a feature of poor governance and ethics in both public and private sectors. And we all know why. Graft thrives due to the layered irresponsibility of institutions and state actors that must fight it. The World Bank explains corruption as the abuse of public office for private gain in the public sector. On the other hand, Transparency International (TI) says corruption within the private sector is the misuse of entrusted power for personal gain. Whichever way you visualise it, corruption must be fought whether it occurs in the public or private sector, John Dramani Mahama stressed. The World Economic Forum estimates suggest that the global cost of corruption is at least US$2.6 trillion. This equals 5 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP). Unfortunately, Ghana also loses billions to corruption annually as is reported in the Auditor-Generals Report. As part of his campaign promise for the 2024 General Election, John Dramani Mahama has made a pledge to the Ghanaian people that the next NDC government will curb corruption. The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces an escalating humanitarian crisis, warns the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), as surging attacks against civilians by armed actors - particularly displaced persons in temporary sites - exacerbate an already dire situation. Recent months have seen an alarming surge in these attacks resulting in significant loss of life, repeated displacements, and an intensifying humanitarian crisis. A distressing example occurred on June 11th, with an attack on a displacement site in Ituri claiming over 45 lives, half of them children. The United Nations characterises the levels of brutality and humanitarian need as "unparalleled". "Attacks against civilians have resulted in an aggravated humanitarian crisis," Wendy MacClinchy, Interim Senior Director of Advocacy at CIVIC, said. "We urge a robust response and preventive actions by peacekeepers, including enhancing early warning mechanisms around displacement sites to allow civilians to seek refuge." The humanitarian agency is also calling for the Congolese Government to double down on their primary responsibility - to protect these vulnerable civilians. Nearly 1 million people have been displaced since the start of 2023, many repeatedly. This crisis comes at a precarious time as the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) begins to withdraw. The CIVIC has voiced strong concerns that the withdrawal of UN Peacekeepers may not be adequately compensated by new measures to protect civilians. MacClinchy underscores that "the international humanitarian response must be proportionate to the horror suffered by civilians". The protection of civilians, she says, must be at the heart of all national, regional, and international efforts in the eastern DRC. In the face of these escalating challenges, CIVIC continues to advocate for a comprehensive approach to the MONUSCO transition that emphasizes the protection of civilians. It emphasizes the crucial role of communities and civil society organizations in shaping the peacekeeping transition and promoting local protection solutions. Data paints a somber picture: an astounding 6.3 million people are displaced within the country - the highest number in any African country. Aid organizations are in need of US$2.25 billion to assist 10 million people in eastern DRC this year, but as of June 19, the humanitarian response plan is only 28 percent funded. Last year, the DRC was the world's second most neglected displacement crises, as per the annual ranking of the Norwegian Refugee Council. As the situation continues to deteriorate, it's becoming increasingly clear that the world cannot afford to ignore the deepening crisis in the DRC. A year after the alarming violence and death toll at the Melilla border, justice remains elusive for victims and their families, says Human Rights Watch. This border, located between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla, was the scene of a devastating event in June 2022, leaving many asylum seekers and migrants dead or missing. Despite numerous allegations and evidence of brutal force and human rights violations, Spain and Morocco have exonerated their security forces following flawed or insufficient investigations, noted Alice Autin, a researcher at Human Rights Watch. Moreover, the fate of numerous individuals who attempted to cross that day remains uncertain. The borders surrounding Ceuta and Melilla, Spains two enclaves in North Africa, are heavily fortified. As a result, African migrants and asylum seekers often try to scale the fences surrounding the enclaves en masse, largely due to the absence of safe and legal migration channels and barriers to reaching official border posts. The Moroccan government reported 23 deaths when a group of around 1,300 to 2,000 men, mostly from Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad, attempted to scale the fences around Melilla on June 24, 2022. However, UN experts estimate the death toll to be at least 37, while the Moroccan Association for Human Rights in Nador (AMDH Nador) states 77 people are still missing. The events were marred by documented excessive force by Spanish and Moroccan police and border guards, including the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and even throwing rocks. Injured people were left without medical assistance for hours. Families of missing individuals have described their agony due to lack of access to official information and support. They face a particularly harrowing struggle to identify and claim bodies, as those who are able to travel to Morocco are not permitted to enter the morgue. While Morocco and Spain deny any responsibility for the deaths and disappearances, Human Rights Watch calls for an independent, impartial, and comprehensive investigation into the June 2022 event at the Melilla border. This would be to ensure those responsible for serious human rights violations are brought to justice and that such violations do not recur. Spain, Morocco, and the EU can no longer ignore the suffering caused by harmful migration policies, Autin said. As Spain assumes the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, it now has a crucial role in guiding negotiations for an EU-wide reform of its migration and asylum system. Autin suggests Spain should take the lead in endorsing a rights-respecting approach, including the establishment of safe and legal routes and holding those responsible for border abuses accountable. The President of the Association of Bullion Operators Ghana (ABOG), Alhaji Iddi Sumaila has disclosed that it has 150 bullion vans in the country. These vans according to Alhaji Iddi will be used by banks effective Saturday, July 1. By 1st of July we will see banks using armored vehicles/bullion vans. However, other banks have not finalized the agreement with us. We have about 150 bullion vans in the country. Most banks have signed contracts with us to deploy to them. It goes through a process for the banks to get it and that takes time, Alhaji Iddi Sumaila said in an interview with 3FM on Friday, June 23. The President of ABOG was speaking during a conversation on Thursday's armed robbery attack on a bullion van at Ablekuma Fan Milk. The attack staged by four armed men on a motorbike resulted in the killing of a police officer who was escorting the bullion van. In a Police statement, it said investigations have commenced to arrest the robbers. The Police are on a manhunt to arrest a gang of four robbers who attacked a bullion van at Ablekuma Fanmilk, a suburb of Accra, and shot the Police escort who has unfortunately passed on. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family of our deceased colleague in particular and all personnel of the Police Service in general, parts of the Police statement said. It continued, We wish to assure the public that we will surely get the robbers arrested to face justice. News / Local by Staff reporter Wicknell Chivayo's spending spree shows no signs of abetting after the controversial businessman donated US$100,000 cash, a home solar system and a US$40,000 Toyota Hilux D4D to the Roman Catholic Church's St Gerard's Parish in Greystone Park, Harare.The 40-year-old, who shot to fame after his company was awarded a US$173 million tender to build a solar power plant in Gwanda, said his donation was "thank you" to the church for standing with him when his mother died.Chivayo attends the Johanne Masowe eChishanu apostolic sect."This is my small way of saying thank you to the church for all the endless support they gave us as a family during and after my mother's funeral," Chivayo told The Herald. "Losing a parent is the most painful thing on this planet and they made the burden lighter for us. When the head priest drives around using the vehicle for God's work and duties, may he remember us in his prayers as we are nothing without the Lord's blessings."St Gerard's Parish Priest, Father Mark Chikuni, said they would use the donated money to construct a prayer and meeting room for members of his late mother's Sacred Heart Guild in her honour."Also being contemplated is the completion of projects at the church's International Shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Charlotte Brooke, Harare, using part of the funds. We pray that one day you will visit this sacred shrine and see how your mother has been immortalised," Fr Chikuni wrote to Chivayo.Chivayo said he grew up in the church and was at one time an altar server. He joined Johanne Masowe eChishanu when he turned 30.In April, Chivayo bought his church leader, Lawrence Lavious Katsiru and his wife, Violet, two new off-road Toyota vehicles, a 2023 Hilux GR Sport and 2023 Fortuner VX, respectively, worth US$162,000. He said they were "Easter gifts."Chivayo followed that up by splashing on six luxury cars reportedly worth US$3.5 million, all imported in just over a month. The fleet includes four Rolls Royce vehicles bought in London and a 2023 Mercedes Benz Maybach and a 2023 Range Rover imported from South Africa.The businessman's spending habits, all posted on social media, have set tongues wagging and reportedly triggered enquiries from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the Reserve Bank's Financial Intelligence Unit.Chivayo refuses to disclose the source of his newfound wealth after years of costly litigation battling allegations of fraud over the Gwanda solar project which stalled after power utility, ZESA, had already paid him US$5.6 million. He was acquitted after two trials and ordered by a court to complete the project. ZESA refuses to pay and has appealed to the Supreme Court.Speculation that he has won a new government tender is rife, with internet claims linking him to a recent government order of 32 helicopters from Russia at a cost of US$320 million.His associates also claim new success in winning tenders in regional countries after allegedly introducing the Chinese company, CHiNT Electric. CHiNT was one of the companies backing Chivayo's solar project in Gwanda.Chivayo told ZimLive: "You sound bothered that I have money. Do you know anyone who is missing money? Of course you don't. So don't bother me." The Women, Peace and Security Institute (WPSI) of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has officially launched a campaign to inspire young women to aspire to enroll in military combat and combat-support arms of the Ghana Armed Forces. The media launch of the important campaign was held at KAIPTC on Wednesday, June 21. The campaign forms part of the Increasing Women Recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces for increased participation in UN Peace Operations project, funded by The Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations. Under the programme, KAIPTC and the Ghana Armed Forces with funding from the Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF) will embark on a national campaign to sensitise and encourage young girls to choose combat and combat support arms when they have the opportunity to join the Armed Forces. Delivering an address as a Guest of Honour before declaring the campaign launched, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr. Kofi Amankwah-Manu commended KAIPTC, the Ghana Armed Forces, and the Elsie Initiative Fund for joining forces for the campaign. I will like to use the opportunity to thank the Elsie Initiative Fund and all the contributors to the Fund for giving the Ghana Armed Forces the opportunity to promote meaningful deployment of women in Peacekeeping. I believe that the KAIPTC and the GAF team will do a good job to achieve the objectives of the campaign, Mr. Kofi Amankwah-Manu said while delivering the address on behalf of the Minister of Defense, Hon. Dominic Nitiwul. Hon. Kofi Amankwa Manu Dep. Minister for Defence, Ghana He said he is confident that through the campaign, gender barriers would be broken to encourage women to take up roles in the Armed Forces in departments that are male-dominated. Mr. Kofi Amankwah-Manu in the address noted that the campaign and all other projects being conducted through funding from the Elsie Initiative Fund and bilateral partnerships between Ghana Armed Forces and Canada demonstrate Ghanas commitment to UN resolutions 1325 and 224 as well as the Maputo Protocol of the African Union. In his remarks at the launch event, Mr. Andrew Maharaj from the Canadian High Commission said Canada, as designers of the Elsie Initiative Fund, is proud of the partnership with Ghana. He said the country deeply values its partnership with KAIPTC and the Ghana Armed Forces, adding that they are keen on deepening the collaboration for the greater good. It is Canadas honour to be present today to celebrate the launch and implementation of multiple exciting projects that will not only provide support for Ghanaian women in peacekeeping, but also contribute to our shared goals of creating better UN peace operations through the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations, Mr. Andrew Maharaj said. Mr. Andrew Maharaj, Canadian High Commission to Ghana He added that he has no doubt that the many projects implemented together with KAIPTC and GAF will strengthen GAFs institutional capacity to holistically address barriers to womens meaningful participation within GAF itself and in UN peace operations. In his address, KAIPTC Commandant Maj Gen Richard Addo Gyane said his outfit deems it an honour to host the media launch of the campaign which aims at encouraging women not only to remain a part of nation-building, but to share in the rewarding experience of national defence. While underscoring the importance of the national campaign to encourage women to enroll in combat units of the Ghana Armed Forces, Maj Gen Richard Addo Gyane urged parents to have a positive attitude towards encouraging the female members of their families to take up positions beside their male counterparts for the defence of the country The Commandant in his concluding remarks stressed that the KAIPTC is grateful to the Ghana Armed Forces for the trust and continued partnership towards promoting the development of uniformed women in the Ghana Armed Forces and in peace operations. KAIPTC Commandant Maj Gen Richard Addo Gyane Maj Gen Richard Addo Gyane further expressed appreciation to the Elsie Initiative Fund for its support and collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces to promote participation of Uniformed Women in peace operations. More about campaign: The WPSI and GAF will conduct the communication and awareness-raising campaign, both in-person and on social media with key messaging that will focus on breaking down gender stereotypes, encouraging women to join the GAF, and choose combat and combat support arms. The campaign will also highlight the full benefits of a military career, including equal opportunities, training, and career advancement and promotion. The national campaign will cover visits to secondary and tertiary institutions in the 16 regions of Ghana to educate and expose female potential recruits to all the opportunities offered by GAF. The visits to the secondary and tertiary institutions is not only to ignite the interest of young women to take up military careers, but to also furnish them with essential information to guide their decisions on which career path to choose in the Armed Forces. The campaign will be complemented by the construction of womens accommodation and facilities at the Army Recruit Training School (ARTS) at Shai Hills and the Daboya Training Camp. This will ensure that the GAF has adequate accommodation for the planned increase in the number of women recruits. France's Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) has given the go-ahead for a preliminary assessment for the construction of a centre for radioactive waste disposal near the French town of Bure, in the department of Crease. Final approval for the project, which is highly controversial, may still be years away. In a statement on Thursday, the ASN gave the green light for a technical assement of the nuclear waste disposal project Cigeo. The project is designed to to store a minimum of 83,000 cubic metres of highly radioactive waste from French nuclear power plants at a depth of 500 metres by the year 2040. Pierre Bois, deputy director-general of the ASN, said it marked the beginning of ASN's technical examination of the project, supported by the Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety. The process involves compliance with safety requirements and will take some three years to complete. Major conflict Since the 1990s, the Cigeo project has been at the center of a major conflict since the end of the 1990s. Since 2016, several violent confronations between protesters and police led authorities to vacate the zone in February 2018. While local opposition remained limited, anti-nuclear and alter-globalization activists managed to set up camp near the site. They worry about possible dangers caused by radioactive pollution and complain about the opaque way the public company in charge of the project (ANDRA) and the State dealt with the case. However the hopes of anti-nuclear activists were dashed with the growing fight against climate change and Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which made many EU countries highly dependent on gas, and oil rich Russia. Since 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron's "nuclear renaissance" and the promise to build 14 more nuclear reactors in the coming decades has put nuclear back as the prime motor for energy production. The Cigeo project wil cost some 25 billion euros over a span of 150 years. 23.06.2023 LISTEN The story is told, that in their desperate attempts to lustrate the country of the so-called unbridled sleazes and corruption, the founders of the NDC ravenously elbowed their way through Ghanas political scene via a series of vicious coup detats , ruled despotically for eleven years and then formed the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Despot Rawlings and his disciples unblushingly proselytised and brainwashed many unsuspecting Ghanaians into believing that the people they deposed emptied the national coffers with an unabashed disgust and the only way forward was to purge the country of the perceived injustices. Consequently, Rawlings and his cohorts carried out what they termed house cleaning exercise. Rawlings and his conspiratorial plotters however went ahead and dealt with the perceived offenders arbitrarily. Rawlings and his cabal regrettably tortured and killed innocent people, many of whom were accused of legitimately borrowing meagre sums of money from banks to support their businesses. As a matter of fact, Rawlings and his NDC apologists kept trumpeting their perceived ethos-probity, transparency and accountability to the annoyance of their political opponents. Dearest reader, isnt it therefore ironic that the same people, who somehow claim to appal sleazes and corruption and have therefore made probity, transparency and accountability their prime mantra, would later cause the collapse of Ghanas economy through wanton sleazes and gargantuan corruption? There is no gainsaying the fact that Rawlings and his rabble rousers supplanted power at the time when Ghanas economy was blossoming steadily in 1981. Indeed, Dr Hilla Limann and his PNP government were hitting the ground running and therefore there was no need for anybody to disturb the ambiance. The Limann government assumed office at a time when the economy was in deep crisis. The credit lines to the country had almost dried up and were blocked due to brutalities and confiscations at the harbours and other points of entry into Ghana by the coup making founders of the NDC. However, the story is told, somewhat poignantly, that through careful negotiations, preparations and the implementation of pragmatic policies and programmes, the Limann government managed to arrest the economic challenges. More importantly, commendable efforts were made to repay Ghanas short-term debts, and, the Limann government demonstrated the ability to meet Ghanas debt obligations. Consequently, Dr Limanns government managed within 18 months and restored virtually all traditional credit lines (Source: PNC). But despite all the dint of efforts, Rawlings and his cohorts did not give Dr Liman and his PNP government the breathing space to govern the country, as they relentlessly breathed down the neck of President Limann. Rawlings and his coup making minions unfairly kept castigating Dr Limanns administration for what the conspiratorial plotters perceived as economic mismanagement, until Rawlings and his jailbreaking geezers decided to depose Dr Limann. Subsequently, Rawlings and the other mutinous jailbreakers took arms and succeeded in usurping the democratically elected government of Dr Hilla Limann on 31st December 1981. We cannot deny or ignore the fact that all over the world, prudent and pragmatic administrations, more often than not, manage to improve upon the economic fortunes of their respective countries if they are allowed to stay in power a bit longer. Take, for example, in Rwanda, the officeholder is elected by popular vote every seven years, who in turn, appoints the Prime Minister and all other members of Cabinet. Suffice it to emphasise that Rwandan current president, Paul Kagame, has been in power since 2000 and has managed to transform the countrys economy. In fact, Rwanda has undergone rapid industrialisation largely due to the implementation of pragmatic policies and programmes over a sustained period of time. In Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, who returned in 2018 as the head of the opposition coalition, and the oldest Prime Minister at 93 years old, stabilised the Malaysian economy from 1981 to 2003. Tun M, as Mahathir is called by his supporters, oversaw a period of rapid economic growth and development in Malaysia during his first long stint in office. In the United Kingdom for example, the Labour Party assumed power from 1997 to 2010 under two separate Prime Ministers, Tony Blair from 1997 to 2007 and James Gordon Brown from 2007 to 2010. Suffice it to stress that Blair and Brown did their utmost best and managed to stabilise the UKs economy until the Labour Party lost power to the Conservative Party in 2010. That being said, to every rule, there is an exception, and this is no different in the case of Ghana. Regrettably, in Ghana, since the attainment of independence from the British on 6th March 1957, the NDC tradition (PNDC and NDC) had governed the country more than any other government one can think of. In fact, that tradition had governed Ghana for approximately 27 years out of Ghanas 66 years with a little to show for. If we go down memory lane, when the late President J. J. Rawlings completed his 96 months democratic rule on 7th January 2001, he packed up as directed by the Ghanas 1992 Constitution. Thus, the stage was set for other qualified people to take over the presidency. Even though quite an impressive number of political parties presented their formidable candidates to compete for the important position, the race for the next president was keenly contested between the NDC candidate, the late John Evans Atta Mills and the NPP candidate, John Agyekum Kufuor. It must, however, be mentioned that the 2000 election travelled into the second round and John Agyekum Kufuor emerged victorious on 28 December 2000. The ebullient President John Agyekum Kufuor then took over the presidency from the late President J. J. Rawlings on 7th January 2001. President Kufuor regrettably had a tough time in office initially as there was not much funds left in the national purse to plan anything meaningful. Disappointingly, the late President J. J. Rawlingss total rule of 228 months (military, 132 months and democratic, 96 months) administrations only managed to destabilise Ghanas macroeconomic indicators. The late Rawlingss administration indeed adopted a seemingly calamitous Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), which was introduced under the auspices of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The vast majority of tangible national assets, including the state owned enterprises were allegedly sold to friends and families for pittance. The apparent unfavourable Economic Recovery Programme culminated in a catalogue of hardships. And, on top of the harsh programmes and policies which threatened the economic fundamentals, the population had to brace itself for food shortages, a situation which was comparable to the concurrent Ethiopian famine that resulted in millions of deaths. Perhaps more than anything else, the initiation of the Programme of Action to Mitigate the Social Costs of Adjustment (PAMSCAD) did not improve the unfortunate situation as untold hardships permeated many households. Starvation, so to speak, visited the vast majority of Ghanaians, and as a result developed hideous collar bones which the humorous Ghanaians renamed as Rawlings Chain. That was indeed the pernicious extent of the hunger. Ghana was then declared as Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC). The fact of the matter is that the newly elected President Kufuor had a tough decision to make, by either embracing or rejecting the HIPC status. However, the forward thinking President Kufuor chose to swallow a bitter pill with a view to getting over the malaise. He thus pragmatically embraced the HIPC status in 2001. As a matter of fact and observation, the benefits of the HIPC were unprecedented during former President Kufuors administration, from (2001-2008). The fact of the matter is that macroeconomic indicators begun to stabilize and Ghanas debt stock was significantly reduced by about $4 billion within that period (BOG 2009). In addition, as a result of the HIPC initiative and prudent borrowing, Ghanas external debt stock actually declined from $6.1 billion in 2000 to$3.8 billion by 2008 (BOG 2009). It was unprecedented achievement, so to speak. It is also worth pointing out that the average GDP growth of the NDC from 1993-2000 was 3.8% while that of the NPP from 2001-2008 was5.2% with economic growth reaching 6.3% in 2007 (GSS 2008). As it was expected, former President Kufuor successfully completed his first term in office (four years), having managed studiously to stabilise the macroeconomic indicators. Subsequently, the good people of Ghana handed him the mandate for another four year term following a keenly contested presidential election on 7th December 2004. K. Badu, UK. [email protected] President Kufuor exerted dint of critical thinking, worked strenuously for eight solid years, laid an auspicious economic foundation and retired honourably. He then passed on the baton to the late President Mills on 7th January 2009, following his victory in the second round election on 28 December 2008. 23.06.2023 LISTEN When blacks travel a whole universe of blessings, well wishes, grace, and mercy as much as jealousy and envy, family witchcraft, and fights between Evil and Good surround him. His soul gets torn apart his spirit confused. Peace for a new beginning is never there. African spirits and the fight against them hold his future in constant bondage. In the Millions, it holds a nation in mental bondage for state independence to be seen as fake news. When the white man travels wishes for a safe return and "have fun" follow him. My Father-in-law staying with us in Hamburg, Germany for a few weeks. Daily does he receive calls from Ghana. Family and friends praise him for his achievement. Pastors instruct him what to do to please God and not the enemies in his family background. Jealousy is all around him they say. Family members who thought never good of him call to apologize. One pastor he had years back but now no more saw him on FB. Now he proclaimed in his church it was him and his prayers that opened the doors for him to have made it to Germany which is never true. His present pastor in Kumasi is now fighting over the copyright of who helped Father Mensah really. My wife instructs me daily what I should and should not post about his stay in Germany for his enemies not to harm him. Especially his older brother a drunkener I never met in person but who fought me in Ghana over the internet must be carefully monitored. In my white society, such madness does not exist. Mining giant, AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Obuasi Mine has since 2019 invested a whopping amount of $4.6 million in communities within the mine's catchment area. This according to the Senior Manager of Sustainability Emmanuel Baidoo is aside the $ 973,612 contributions the company has made to the Obuasi community trust fund. Speaking at a media learning tour in Obuasi as part of the company's 10-year SEDP Engagement and communication strategy, Mr Baidoo said the company has so far rolled out two development programs geared towards building resilient and socio-economically self-sustaining communities. This he said included the 3-year Social Management Plan which was successfully implemented between 2019 to 2021 and the comprehensive 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan launched in July, 2022. Giving a breakdown of the company's investment and initiatives, he said 22% of their investment goes into local economic development, 21% goes into community health whiles 38% goes into social infrastructure with 20% investment going into education and training. COMMUNITY YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM The Senior Manager of Sustainability in an interview with the media disclosed that AngloGold Ashanti's youth apprenticeship program has so far trained 230 youth. The training program which the company has rolled out in collaboration with Macpartners Mining and construction limited he added seeks to equip beneficiaries with practical skills lacking in society, while increasing their chances of getting decent jobs, especially in the mining industry. Mr. Baidoo said AngloGold Ashanti has committed to training about 100 youth from their operational area under the program. "We have a community-based engagement system where the youth from the communities are selected, taken through a competitive selection system and then admitted to undergoing the training at no cost to them," he stressed. He said some of the graduates will be absorbed by AngloGold Ashanti after the training whiles others will be well placed to find opportunities in other mining companies or open their own businesses. 82% OF STUDENT ENROLMENT AT AGA SCHOOL FROM HOST COMMUNITIES The Senior Manager of Sustainability seized the opportunity to debunk some "erraneous" assertions by a section of the media regarding the AGA school being the reserve of workers of the Mine. Mr. Baidoo said the majority of the student population are children whose parents do not work with the mine. "Currently, 82% of the 3,354 student population at the AngloGold Ashanti school are from the host communities whiles the school has given employment to 220 people. Clearly, the school is not the preserve of AGA workers," he emphasised. Dr Stephen Takyi 23.06.2023 LISTEN Policy and Planning lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Dr Stephen Takyi has warned that more floods will be recorded during the rainy season. He also predicted more deaths which often come with floods. Dr. Takyi blames the situation on the failure of the authorities in the various cities to develop strategic urban plans. As a planning expert, Dr Takyi noted that indiscriminatory sales of land, especially the wetlands, by land overseers, have contributed to the floods during the rainy seasons. Dr Stephen Takyi was contributing to a panel discussion on Otec FMs morning show Nyansapo hosted by Captain Koda on Thursday, June 22, 2023. If you look at how Ghana's development process has been planned, flooding during the rainy season will account for more deaths, and this will bring residents uprising against the politicians. Lands are sold indiscriminately by city authorities and chiefs without hesitation, wetlands are been sold, lands earmarked for social infrastructures are also sold, making it impossible for free flow of rainwater during rainfalls, he added. To prevent floods and its related casualties, Dr Takyi advised residents to resist any attempts by city authorities and chiefs to sell lands in flood-prone and reserved areas, to save their lives. Mrs Charlotte Ashiakie Asante, National President of the Ghana School Feeding Programme has announced that the nationwide strike by caterers has been called off. We entreat all our caterers to go back to work when school re-opens next week. We apologise to all our beneficiary school children, teachers and parents for any inconveniences caused by our long strike, which was beyond our control. Mrs Asante was addressing the media to update them on the progress of their issues. She said: however, we as Caterers of Ghana School Feeding Programme we still stand by our earlier demand for three Ghana cedis increment. It is our demand that the Government would facilitate the necessary processes to still increase the amount from the proposed GHS.1.20 to GHS 3.00, considering the prevailing cost of items on the market. Mrs Asante reminded caterers in all the 16 regions that the Ghana School Feeding Prgramme had only one Caterers' Association recognized by the sector Ministry and the National Secretariat. Therefore, we must have one voice and one common goal of making Ghana School Feeding Programme better and more attractive for all of us. The National Executive would like to strongly admonish all caterers to henceforth desist from spreading falsehood and using the Media for wrong purposes or as a tool to denigrate the Programme, instead of using dialogue and the acceptable rules of engagement, she added. The President of the School Feeding Caterers' Association appealed to the Gender Minister to implement her planned nationwide engagement with the caterers in the various regions so that the challenges could be addressed on time. Caterers in the 260 districts of Ghana went on a nationwide strike in which they laid down their cooking pots to drum home our demand for early payment of their arrears and increment in the amount voted per each child per day. The strike aimed at demanding for better conditions of service as caterers, who are feeding over 3.8 million children from deprived public basic schools in Ghana. Mrs Asante said the Minister of Gender, Ms Lariba Zuweira Abudu had assured that the caterers third term of 2022 payment would be paid within a week, and monies had been paid since last two week. In all, 11,052 Caterers were assessed and processed for payment for the third term of 2022 academic year. The payment covered 67 cooking days and 76 caterers still have their payment pending due to some challenges with their e-zwich cards. GNA New York, June 22, 2023Senegalese authorities should release journalist Ndeye Maty Niang, also known as Maty Sarr Niang, halt the prosecutions against Pape Ndiaye and Serigne Saliou Gueye, and drop the restrictions placed on the two journalists following their release, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Authorities arrested Gueye, publication director of the privately owned newspaper Yoor Yoor, on May 23 and released him on Tuesday, June 20, according to the news website Dakaractu and the journalists lawyer Moussa Sarr, who communicated with CPJ via messaging app. Ndiaye, a reporter with the privately owned broadcaster Walf TV, was held since March and also granted release on Tuesday; he left prison on Wednesday. Under the conditions of their provisional release, Ndiaye and Gueye are required to report to the prosecutors office on the first Friday of each month, inform the judge of any change of address, and are prohibited from leaving the country without permission or communicating about their case, Sarr said. As of Thursday, June 22, Niang, who reports on local politics for the privately owned website Kewoulo, remained in detention without a scheduled court date. Authorities in Senegal must release journalist Maty Sarr Niang and drop their prosecution of recently released journalists Pape Ndiaye and Serigne Saliou Gueye, as well as the onerous restrictions placed on them, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator. Unfortunately, Senegal is trampling on its reputation as a stable democracy committed to press freedom. Journalists should be safe to report on matters of public interest without fearing arrest or harassment. On May 16, officers with Urban Security, a unit dedicated to judicial investigations, arrested Niang at her home in the capital city of Dakar, according to news reports and Sarr. An investigating judge charged Niang on May 24 with acts and maneuvers likely to undermine public security, [and] usurping the function of a journalist connected to her work for Kewoulo, according to Sarr. Kewoulo director Babacar Toure told CPJ by phone that the journalists arrest was connected to her reporting, as well as criticism of Senegalese authorities in personal Facebook posts. Every journalist who is not in their camp, they try everything to arrest you, Toure said. The thing is to put fear on us. Under section 80 of Senegals penal code, which CPJ reviewed, maneuvers and acts of a nature to compromise public security or to cause serious political unrest is punishable with up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of 1.5 million West African francs (US$ 2,500). Ndiaye was jailed on six charges, including spreading false news in March 2023. He was held in Sebikotane prison until the day after his release was granted because the prison received the release decision late, Sarr told CPJ. Urban Security officers arrested Gueye on May 23 after he responded to a summons, according to another of Gueyes lawyers, Cheikh Ndiaye, and Yoor Yoor accounting assistant Marietou Beye, whom both communicated with CPJ via messaging app. A prosecutor accused Gueye of usurping the function of a journalist because he did not have a national press card and of contempt of court over a May 15 article. The May 15 article was published by Yoor Yoor under an anonymous byline with the title Dear fellow magistrates, lets pull ourselves together! and critiqued the prosecution of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. On June 1, a Senegalese court sentenced Sonko to two years in prison for corrupting youth; he is appealing the decision, but the sentencing may prevent him from running in Senegals 2024 presidential election. Gueye was released from Rebeuss prison in Dakar on Tuesday, June 20, Sarr told CPJ. CPJs calls to Senegalese Minister of Interior Antoine Diome and Minister of Justice Ismaila Madior Fall went unanswered. In the midst of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, questions about the rights of Indian Muslims have started to be raised in the US. Many US leaders have raised this question. The former president of the country, Barack Obama, also made a statement in this regard. With Modi's visit, the debate about Muslims and minorities in India started. Several US lawmakers, including Ilhan Omar, boycotted Modi's speech, accusing him of oppressing minorities. A report of Indian Express has given these facts: Barack Obama has spoken about India's 'religious intolerance' and said that if the human rights of religious minorities and other races are not protected, then India may be divided in the future. Commenting that Biden should discuss this issue with Modi, he also said, "If I had the opportunity to discuss with Prime Minister Modi, I would have raised the issue of the protection of Muslims in India." In the middle of this controversy, when Modi appeared at a joint press conference, a journalist asked him, "The leaders of the whole world have taken a decision to protect democracy." So what are you and your government doing to protect the rights and freedom of speech of Muslims and other minorities'? In response to this question, Modi said, democracy is in our veins. There is no question of discriminating against anyone on the basis of caste and religion. Our government runs on the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Bikash, Sabka Beshav, Sabka Prayas' There is no question of discrimination in India's democratic values.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has denied the existence of religious discrimination in India. He claimed that there was no discrimination against minorities in India under his government. However, detailed allegations of persecution of religious minorities, dissidents and journalists in India have been brought forward by many human rights groups and the US State Department. In this case , Modi's claim is totally false as Modi is a lier. He told many lies in this regard. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a state visit to the US at the invitation of US President Joe Biden. He has visited the country several times since he first became India's prime minister in 2014, but Modi's visit to the US is being considered his first state visit due to the invitation of the president. However, at the beginning of this important visit, Modi has faced questions about human rights. 75 US lawmakers have even written a letter to President Joe Biden about Modi's human rights violations. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a joint press conference after the meeting on Thursday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi answered questions from reporters for the first time at a joint press conference. Modi has never attended such a press conference during his nine-year rule. An Indian and an American journalist questioned him at the press conference. Both these questions were predetermined. There, Prime Minister Modi said when asked, 'Are you willing to take steps to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in your country and maintain freedom of speech', they do not need to improve. "Our constitution and our government and we have proved that democracy can function properly," Modi told reporters. Discrimination on caste, creed, creed, gender issues has no place in India (in my government).' In a report on human rights and religious freedom, the US State Department raised concerns about the treatment of Muslims, Hindu Dalits, Christians and other religious minorities in India and highlighted the country's torture of journalists, Reuters reported in a separate report. In this case, Modi told lies because the rights of Muslims in India are being violated . Muslims in India are oppressed. According to Indian media Hindustan Times, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in the United States on a state visit like Protham after nine years of becoming the Prime Minister. US President Joe Biden hosted a state dinner in his honor at the White House last night. And in the meantime, former US President Barack Obama made explosive comments about India on CNN. According to the media, India started getting closer to the United States from the time of President Obama. His vice president at the time was Joe Biden. Today, Biden is the president of the United States. On his invitation, Modi visited the country on a state visit. And in the meantime, Obama started talking about religious intolerance in India. It may be noted that Narendra Modi addressed a joint session of the US Congress for the second time, where he was warmly welcomed. "Modi-Modi slogan" was heard on the stage of the session. However, many US lawmakers have already questioned the rights of minorities and especially Muslims in India. Muslims were persecuted by polytheists in Mecca and Jews in Medina. At that time the hot desert was cooled by the blood of Muslims. Muslims still did not submit to injustice. Still not accepting the steamroller of their injustice. Always standing against them. Resistance is developed by straightening the spine. Bullets have come, lives have gone. The mother made her other child stand in front of Srutru. not afraid The word fear is not in the Muslim dictionary. Either he was martyred, or he became Ghazi. No one can claim a nation that does not fear death. These two nations were enemies of Muslims from the beginning. This is also the commentary of the Qur'an. Today is no exception. The result of the persecution was that the flag of Islam first flew in Mecca and Medina. The polytheists and the Jews were ultimately defeated. Where there is torture, there is the victory of Islam. This is the path of Muslim victory. Blood will flow. He will be a martyr. Sadness is temporary. Happiness is forever. The future world is Islam. They are waking up the sleeping Muslims. They are allowing Muslims to fly the flag of India again. As the tyranny and oppression increases, it will open the way for the arrival of Mohammad bin Qasem. They burned the Quran, gave judgment against the mosque, set fire to the mosque, hung the flag of Hanuman on the minaret of the mosque, beat and killed the Muslims, Muslims will definitely try to take revenge. Muslims are peaceful, but know how to protest injustice as injustice. If the Muslims shout, their heart temple will be destroyed. Kashmir or Hyderabad, Gujarat or Uttar Pradesh or Delhi is red with the blood of Muslims, those lands will be saved by Muslims. It is normal to have such an attitude. Cows are valuable to them, but Muslims are not. Man first or life first, whoever does not have this knowledge, irrespective of his religion, he is not human. He does not understand religion. He is a radical terrorist. One can become a tyrant by being rigid, one cannot become righteous. On 18 February 2015, Anandabazar Patrika published the opinion of renowned American intellectual and linguist Professor Sheldon Pollock. There he said, "If the Muslim rulers had forcibly converted, there would not have been a single Hindu in present-day India." It shows that Muslims were never oppressors. Always gave respect and privileges to other communities. The union was motivated by a non-communal spirit. But what are they getting in return today? Jai Sri Ram says that those who indulge in killing can never show aggression towards other nations. These culprits have no right to suppress others. Even Muslims can not perform their religious rights. They can not give Qurbani peacefully due to this oppression policy. These dirty behaviours of these extremist Hindus must be changed. There is a difference between spreading the message of religion and establishing religion by killing. The Constitution of India is non-communal in spirit. It has been said that all nations should be treated equally. So the India led by Modi is not the same India as before. Indian intellectuals and representatives of civil society should take a vocal role against it. The US must pressure India's Modi regarding the rights of Muslims in India as the US is always vocal on the rights of Ughur Muslims in China. Muslims in Jinjiang and Muslimas in India are both oppressed in China and India. The US must pressure Modi otherwise it would be double standard of USA in the case of dealing USA China and India. Mohammad Abdullah is a researcher, columnist in Islamic research. Bangladesh has shown its true colors by being a shining star in the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations. They have gone above and beyond the call of duty to maintain international peace and security. Bangladesh has repeatedly proved its commitment to world peace and stability over the past thirty-four years. Bangladesh has established a strong reputation and distinct identity in the global arena, specifically as a significant contributor of personnel to various United Nations peacekeeping missions. The Bangladeshi military demonstrates exceptional dedication by overcoming difficult circumstances, including challenging terrain and unpredictable weather conditions. The individual's persistence remains steadfast, as they persist in exhibiting resolute commitment, allegiance, and exceptional aptitude. Moreover, the leadership role of Bangladesh in peacekeeping missions enhances its importance, both for the nation and the United Nations in its entirety. The active engagement and proficient direction of the nation are crucial elements in molding the landscape of peacekeeping. Bangladesh's significant role in promoting collaboration and ensuring the effective implementation of peacekeeping operations goes beyond its troop contributions. Bangladeshs leadership in the peacekeeping mission: why is it indispensable? Historical Context: From Struggle to Peacekeeping Bangladesh, a country that went through its fair share of wars and breaches of human right violation during the 1971 independence fight, has emerged as a significant actor in international efforts to maintain peace and maintain peacekeeping operations. Bangladesh's leading position in peacekeeping represents its unique viewpoint as a country that understands the pain of victims and the necessity of sustaining stability in conflict-ridden areas. Bangladesh's participation in peacekeeping is rooted in the principles of peace and empathy, and it reflects the nation's distinctive perspective. The Bangladeshi armed forces, which are well-known for their optimistic and humanistic approach to conflict resolution, play an important part in the global effort to maintain peace and security. Peacekeeping Contributions: A Remarkable Track Record It is clear that Bangladesh is committed to maintaining peace as a result of the important role it plays in various peacekeeping operations across the globe. Since 1988, Bangladesh has sent almost 175,000 troops to 54 different peacekeeping missions in 40 different countries across five continents. This number includes more than 1,800 female soldiers. At this time, about 7,000 members of the military and police force are actively engaged in 10 different responsibilities associated with peacekeeping. These figures demonstrate Bangladesh's unwavering dedication to the cause of preserving international peace and security. The Bangladeshi Peacekeepers: A Model of Modesty and Sensitivity to Culture One of the distinguishing qualities of Bangladeshi peacekeepers is their humility, as well as their respect for the norms, beliefs, and ethics of the nation in which they are stationed. They develop a culture of togetherness and collaboration among the areas they are tasked with serving by embracing those communities. The Bangladeshi peacekeepers assist to the efforts of community development by spreading the cooperative Bangladeshi standards from their home country, which resound with the populace of the area. As an example, the Bengali language has advanced to the position of second language in Sierra Leone, and many highways in the country have been given names that refer to Bangladesh. This is an indication of the profound cultural influence that their presence has had. The Choice of African Nations In Regards To The Amount of Trust When it comes to maintaining peace, many African countries, many of whom had first-hand experience with the exploitation of colonial powers, often perceive Bangladesh as a more trustworthy partner. Bangladesh is considered as a country that can sympathize with and comprehend the issues encountered by other nations because of their common history of struggling against foreign influences. This history gives Bangladesh this ability. Because of this common adversary, there is already a foundation of trust between the two countries, which makes Bangladesh an attractive candidate for participation in peacekeeping operations. Bangladesh is taking the lead in empowering women to serve as peacekeepers Bangladesh is very proud of its dedication to ensuring that peacekeeping operations are inclusive of people of all genders. This is a huge step toward achieving a more diverse and inclusive United Nations peacekeeping force, and the nation in question has been in the forefront of promoting the inclusion of women peacekeepers. Countries that host peacekeeping operations and the United Nations itself have acknowledged and praised Bangladesh for its leadership in this field. They have also recognized the significant role that female peacekeeper from Bangladesh plays in maintaining both peace and security. Recognition and Achievements The achievements that Bangladesh has made to maintaining peace have not gone unappreciated. In recognition of the Bangladesh Police's persistent commitment to UN peacekeeping deployments, the Best Police Unit Award was presented to the Bangladesh Police in November of 2019. In particular, the Bangladesh Formed Police Unit (FPU) 11, which was praised for its remarkable efforts in increasing the skills of the police force, was credited for securing the Nyala Super Camp in South Darfur, Sudan. Additionally, the United Nations has acknowledged the contributions made by the military forces of Bangladesh. About 861 personnel of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, including 19 women, who were serving with the United Nations peacekeeping operation in South Sudan (UNMISS) in 2020 were given medals for their unwavering dedication to protecting the well-being of people in the region. In addition, in 2021, the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal was given to one hundred and ten members of the Bangladesh Navy who had taken part in the operation to maintain stability in Beirut, which was located in Lebanon. It has been 11 years since the Navy's excellent contributions to the peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, and throughout that time, those efforts have been recognized for their honesty, dedication, and efficiency. Human rights and peace keeping mission: Does it necessary to have human right The current issue pertains to the human rights report of a country involved in a peacekeeping mission, and the extent to which the country is actively participating in the mission. The peacekeeping mission often involves Bangladesh and other major contributors, with an important factor consistently playing a significant role. Southeast Asian countries tend to have a strong presence in various sectors. The human rights concerns of peacekeeping nations have been brought into question in recent times. The assertion lacks logical coherence because the Human Rights Watch report's ranking or position cannot be considered as a definitive criterion for selecting countries to serve in peacekeeping missions. Besides, countries such as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal have a complex and varied approach to human rights. On the other hand, the history of UN peace keeping mission doesnt face any human rights violation report against Bangladesh in its last three decades history. Rather it has always portrayed as a protector of human rights. On the other hand, there have been instances of exploitation carried out by soldiers from other nations involved in peacekeeping efforts. Moreover, South Asian countries send a sizable contingent of soldiers to peacekeeping operations. Peacekeeping operations are one area of international activity where the regions united efforts have had a positive effect. Therefore, in the basis of a countries human right watch report it cant be reflected in the domain like peace keeping where a country already had a significant history. To summarise, Bangladesh is considered a shining star when it comes to being a global peacemaker and champion. Bangladeshi peacekeepers have been holding the fort in Africa's parched lands and are still going strong. They have made major contributions in a range of disciplines as security workers, medical experts, engineers, trainers, and consultants while coping with many security risks, obstacles, and challenges. All over the globe, things are getting dicey and it seems like the peace we know might be up in smoke. The UN might shake things up and shift gears to keep up with the times, considering the ever-changing nature of the conflict and the evolving role of peacekeeping operations. It's high time for the UN to pull out all the stops and really connect with Bangladesh to pave the way for a harmonious world for generations to come. News / Local by Staff reporter Presidential candidate Saviour Kasukuwere on Thursday hinted at seeking SADC protection from vengeful Zimbabwean authorities as he announced a slew of promises to the electorate while launching his ambitious bid for the top job.The 52-year-old, who has been holed up in South Africa since 2018, was addressing journalists a day after he filed his nomination papers through a representative in Harare.He said he plans to return to Zimbabwe soon to campaign ahead of general elections on August 23.He admitted booking a flight to Harare from Johannesburg on June 21 as a decoy to test the response of authorities. A flight manifest with his name leaked online."We have to take security issues into consideration. We don't board the plane and just rock up without doing some preparatory work," he said."We did exactly that to see the reaction and very interesting results came our way."Kasukuwere, who served as youth minister and later local government minister, was forced into exile following Robert Mugabe's November 2017 ouster as president by the military.He is demanding to be allowed to campaign freely."We trust now that we are in the election period, you can't weaponise institutions against your opponents," he said about President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who succeeded Mugabe. "I am sure this is an election that everybody wants to proceed smoothly so that the outcome is uncontested so that we allow our country to be back on the international stage and we the participants and contestants are all able to say this was a good election; we had a good fight but at the end of the day, we are still brothers and sisters."The former Zanu-PF political commissar said he was going to take the necessary precaution to ensure his own safety when he eventually returns to Zimbabwe."So yes, we are concerned, we are still very concerned and we will be raising these issues with relevant authorities. We have our Southern African Development Committee (SADC) body, we have the monitoring teams that will be coming to our country, it's important that every contestant is protected and secure," he said.The once powerful politician said he was going to hire buses for Zimbabweans based in South Africa to travel home and cast their ballots."We are going to be arranging about 500 buses or so to transport Zimbabweans to come and vote in the next elections. Secondly, Dr (Walter) Mzembi has a very able team which he is working with to create a database of Zimbabweans from various stations in life to bring forward their ideas and hopefully to be part and parcel of those who will be able to come in and jump-start our economy," he said.As part of his plans, Kasukuwere said he intends to address the Gukurahundi atrocities which have been parked by the Zanu-PF-led government for nearly 40 years."Post-independence violence in the Matebeleland region, we need to be sincere, engage and bury our differences. We can't adopt an ostrich mentality; you hide your head and you think people can't see you," he said."You have to be genuine so that people come forward and we all work in one direction."To entice voters, Kasukuwere also promised if voted into power to create employment opportunities, reform state institutions, grow the economy, fight corruption, among other things.He promised to harness Zimbabwe's mineral wealth to drive new investments in infrastructure development, including building new roads, power stations and revamping the rail network.The politician was in the company of former tourism and foreign minister Walter Mzembi, another of the exiled former Mugabe allies who is now assisting him with his campaign for the country's top job. He described Mzembi as his "running mate." 23.06.2023 LISTEN According to the Executive Director of the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory, Mr. Paul Frimpong, Chinas history with Africa has shown a track record of true friendship, and this has contributed to the continuous rise in Africa-China engagements. He made these revelations during the one-day training on Africa/Ghana-China relations hosted by his outfit in Accra for select media professionals. The Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory is a Sino-African research and policy think tank and advisory firm headquartered in Accra, Ghana. The training forms part of a series of Africa-China Media Capacity-Building Program of the ACCPA. This training featured over 40 select journalists in Ghana (from TV, radio, newspapers, online blogs, etc.). Mr. Frimpongs presentation focused on Why China is now Africas perfect partner and, if so, challenged participants to inquire if indeed, China is the right partner for Ghana. According to him, "The significance of when China showed up in Africa to provide the needed support has often been overlooked. More often than not, its lost completely in the Africa-China debate, and that is very intriguing." "Dating back to the 1990s through the early 2000s, the African continent experienced a plethora of crises that crippled the continents potential for growth and left millions in abject poverty." "In May 2000, the entire continent of Africa was labeled "the hopeless continent" by the Economist magazine. This, in many ways, was the broader sentiment shared by Europe and the West, led by the US." "Africa was seen as nothing less than a death zone and certainly not a place to do business or invest. The continent was used as a do-good-aid dumping ground." "What is significant is that it was at this point that the continent needed tangible investment and needed partners ready to help rebuild these economies." "This is when China showed up, stepped up, and provided a platform for engagement with Africa that has yielded tangible infrastructure developments across the continent, including Ghana." This is a classic case of a friend in need is a friend indeed. Star Oil, a petroleum company, has expressed sadness over an armed robbery attack that took place at its Ablekuma Fanmilk station on Thursday, June 22. The company confirmed that the robbers targeted a bullion van shortly after its arrival for cash collection at the station. Star Oil has reassured its customers and the public that they have implemented adequate security systems at their stations to assist in police investigations. The company stated that it would provide further details regarding the incident once consultations with the Ghana Police are completed. They also extended their sincere sympathies to the family of the police officer who tragically lost their life during the robbery and to the Ghana Police Service. The Ghana Police said it will continue its investigations to apprehend those responsible for the crime and bring them to justice. -Classfmonline Binduri District was thrown into a state of shock last night around 7pm when armed men attacked a youth base near Binduri market killing one person. Reports say the unknown gunmen appear nowhere on three motorbikes and shot at a youth base, killing one instantly. Another person who sustained gunshot wounds was rushed to Bolgatanga regional hospital where he is responding to treatment. Personnel of the Ghana Police Service are tight-lipped on the matter but our sources say, a serious manhunt has been launched to arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act. The military and police have visited the crime scene to pick leads. The residents have been encouraged to volunteer information that may lead to the arrest of the criminals. The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has admonished Ghanaian youth to resist the mouthwatering propaganda of violent extremists to destabilise the peace and security of the country. Let us not allow ourselves to be misguided by the propaganda of extremists' groups, who seek to divide us along ethnic, religious and ideological lines. We must work together to prevent the spread of extremists' ideologies and to contain any outbreak of violence that may arise, the Commission said. Ms Dorcas Atia, the Talensi District Director of the NCCE gave the admonishment at Tongo in the Talensi District, Upper East Region, when the Commission with funding support from the European Union engaged about 50 young people in the district to raise awareness on violent extremism. It was part of the Commission's awareness creation and sensitisation efforts dubbed, Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE). It was aimed at preventing and containing violent extremism through the promotion of social cohesion, peace and tolerance in Northern Ghana and other hotspots. Ms Atia said although neighbouring Mali, Togo, Niger and Burkina Faso had experienced extremists' attacks, it was relieving that Ghana was still safe but warned that if the internal conflicts were not managed properly, it could give an opportunity for the extremists to explore. She said due to unemployment and other economic difficulties, the youth were vulnerable to recruitment into extremists' groups and underscored the need to be vigilant to address potential threats to security. As we all know, violent extremism poses a significant threat to peace, security and stability which has the potential to tear apart the fabric of our society as it can lead to loss of life, destruction of properties and displacement of people. As young people, you are the future leaders of our nation and as such, you have a crucial role to play in preventing and containing violent extremism in this country. You are the ones who can make a difference by promoting peace, unity and tolerance in our communities, she said. Mr Felix Frederick Amenga-Etego, a Member of the Mediation Network, Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organisation (NABOCADO), said land and chieftaincy disputes were key drivers of internal conflicts in the Upper East Region that needed to be addressed urgently. He said young people were mostly involved in such conflicts, including political activities, to cause destruction, adding that it was about time the youth understood that they needed peace more than the elderly because they still had life ahead of them. He urged the youth to use dialogue, mediation and negotiation instead of violence to address their difference, to sustain peace in their communities, to promote sustainable development. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Edward Yaw Asante, the Bolgatanga Municipal Crime Officer who also supervises the Talensi District Police Station, urged the youth to report crimes to the Police instead of taking the law into their own hands. He also urged the youth to be on the lookout and report any suspicious movements in their communities to the police to help flush out potential extremists to preserve the prevailing peace. The youth in a communique, read by Mr Rockson Bukari, President of the Talensi Rock Youth Association, resolved to pursue peace and stability in their respective communities through the use of non-violence means to resolve their differences and eschew partisanship and activities that had the potential to breed conflicts. GNA Rev. Nyeenyami Etsey Wovenu, the High Priest and Chairman of the governing council of the Apostles Revelation Society (ARS) Church has called for the enactment of laws to regulate and sanitize the countys airwaves. His call comes at the back of the rising radio and television programming which allowed open advertising of money rituals and other spiritual issues. Rev. Nyeenyami was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at the Churchs headquarters at New Tadzewu, in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta region. The Man of God observed that many of the youth of today, in an insatiable desire to get rich quick were being lured by the unregulated programming on the airwaves and were resorting to unorthodox means just to acquire wealth at the expense of acquiring skills to gain meaningful employment. He said the disturbing trend, if not nipped in the bud, had the potential of destroying the younger generation. The youth are the future leaders of our nation. What is happening on most of our radio and television channels is teaching the younger generation to become lazy and not to pursue education to acquire meaningful employment what the youth are interested in is just to acquire wealth without a consideration of the consequences if the authorities do not stand up against these happenings, we stand the risk of losing all of our youthful human resource in the near future, the clergyman observed. Rev. Wovenu therefore called on the National Media Commission and other relevant institutions to promulgate stringent legislation and apply the appropriate sanctions to media houses that failed to comply. He recommended a possible ban of such programmes to stem the tide. GNA President of the Institute for Security, Disaster and Emergency Studies (ISDES), Dr. Ishmael Norman has opined that the robbery attack of the bullion van at Ablekuma Fanmilk on Thursday afternoon appears to be a planned job. This appears to be, circumstantially, a planned job, he said in an interview with Asaase Radio on Friday. A gang of four armed robbers on Thursday attacked a bullion van at the Star Oil filling station at Ablekuma and killed the Police escort in broad daylight. The entire incident was captured on the CCTV Camera installed on the premises of the filing station. Having watched the footage, security expert Dr. Ishmael Norman has slammed the people who were around but did nothing, insisting that they are cowards. Apart from the carelessness of the driver, the police officer himself, and the whole idea of escort because this was not an escort for a bullion van. I also believe the people around are full of cowards, the security expert said. The President of ISDES further argued, The security of the nation is not only the duty of government. Its also the duty of citizens. There was a guy in a blue kind of vehicle and when one of the robbers was moving towards him, you have a vehicle, a vehicle is a weapon, he is coming at you and you couldnt run him with your vehicle? "They were on motorcycles you couldnt run them with your vehicle? If we leave everything to the care of the police, the countrys security will never be strengthened. So I was very angry when I saw that the citizens at the station made no effort. They just took off. Cowards! So these are some of the mistakes I saw in the video. Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has assured the public that it is on a manhunt to bring the armed robbers to book to face justice. 23.06.2023 LISTEN The lack of fortified bullion vans for the banking sector has drawn strong criticism from Emmanuel Kotin, the Executive Director of the African Centre for Security and Counter Terrorism. Mr Kotin expressed his disappointment with the government's failure to prioritize the safety of lives. This criticism follows a tragic incident at Star oil fuel station at the Ablekuma Fan Milk where an armed robbery operation took place, resulting in the murder of a police officer. The African Centre for Security and Counter Terrorism believes that the absence of approved bullion vans in the banking sector also contributed to the vulnerability that led to the officer's untimely death. In an interview with Citi TV monitored by ModernGhana News, Mr. Kotin expressed deep concern about the security gap and urged the Ghana Police Service to take immediate action to protect its officers. Mr Kotin called on the Ghana Police Service to consider withdrawing their services from banks that continue to use unapproved vehicles as bullion vans. I dont think anybody in his rightful thinking will have the idea of attacking them. That is why I am calling on police personnel to desist from sitting in such bullion vans. I know that the operators of such bullion vans are able to get around the rules and the Bank of Ghana because of political connections and political expediency. "It is about time we do the right thing," Kotin stated, urging the government, banking institutions, and the Ghana Police Service to address the issue promptly and ensure the safety of all involved in the charting of money. Abraham Amaliba, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Director of legal affairs has criticized the government for its inability to settle debts owed Independent Power Producers, Distributors, and Bulk Consumers (CIPDiB). Mr Amaliba during an engagement on TV3 on Friday, June 23, was incensed by a remark made by the CEO of the Chamber of Independent Power Producers, Distributors, and Bulk Consumers, Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor. This was when the CIPDiB CEO said the chamber has given the government an ultimatum to settle its debt or they will withdraw their services effective July 1. Abraham Amaliba in his submission on the looming power sector crisis argued that since the NPP government took over, it has not only been useless but a pain in the neck. ..the NDC administration, some of the contracts we signed they are complaining about, they extended them. Those who are complaining that we signed take or pay deal, they extended those transactions. You are worried about take or pay but you have extended it and so if the government speaks this way, when the government is supposed to come and solve problems, for seven years we have been trumpeting this thing, you are not just a useless government but you are a pain in the neck, Mr. Amaliba said. He continued that the government is insensitive to the plight of Ghanaians. A government is supposed to ensure the welfare needs of the people, they are useless because they have not been able to fix the problem, he added. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is meeting the Chamber of Independent Power Producers today to avert the situation. The Executive Director of the African Centre for Security and Counter Terrorism, Emmanuel Kotin has bemoaned the attack by armed robbers on the bullion van on Thursday, June 22. In the incident that happened at the StarOil filling station at Ablekuma Fanmilk, the police officer attached to the bullion van as its escort was shot and killed. Speaking to Citi News in an interview, security expert Emmanuel Kotin expressed worry, adding that it is about time officers refused to escort bullion vans that are unsafe. I dont think anybody in his rightful thinking will have the idea of attacking them that is why I am calling on police personnel to desist from sitting in such bullion vans, the security expert said. He continued, I know that the operators of such bullion vans are able to get around the rules and the Bank of Ghana because of political connections and political expediency. How long are we going to use political connections to bypass good policies and laws we create? What society are we creating? It is about time we do the right thing. Following the daylight attack on Thursday, the Ghana Police Service has issued a press release. In its release, it commiserated with the family of the deceased officer and assured the public that the robbers will be arrested and made to face justice. 23.06.2023 LISTEN Men-Up Organisation teamed up with Hotel 247 on the 17th of June this year in hosting the The Black Tie Fathers Day Celebrations in White River, Mpumalanga, South Africa Fathers Day celebrations are an annual event recognised in many countries across the world, including South Africa. Its main purpose is to recognise and appreciate the role played by fathers in their respective communities. The successful Black Tie Fathers Day event where Mr Selby Mhlongo dazzled attendees with a scintillating live performance was a family event attended by men, women and children. Dr Apostle MI Nzotho and author of the book, Buried in Silence, Linkie Mohlala who is also the Head of Office of the MEC under the Department of Human Settlements in Mpumalanga were among the key note speakers at the fun-filled family event. Apostle Nzotho stressed the importance of appreciating fathers/husbands at home and emphasized that it is important for men to align with the times in appreciating that the empowerment of women does not diminish the roles of a man in society. While speaking at the same event, Ms Linkie Mohlala reminded men that they are kings who should conduct themselves in a royal manner and encouraged them to do the right things keeping in mind that they occupy an important position in the family setup. The celebrations were generously supported by corporate partners such as The Language of Flowers for the deco as well as Dazzle Creations who provided the Red Carpet. Yemvelo Juice chipped in with some beverages (juices and water) to cool down the heat of excitement from the attendees while Banabaka Spa gave out some vouchers for massage treatment which were won by Mr Kalisto Sfunza and Pastor Bongani Madonsela. The Men-Up Organisation which strives to develop programs aimed at influencing perceptions about men and masculinity through teaching men and boys about the long lasting impact of gender based violence and drug abuse believes that developing responsible fathers creates a better society for everyone. Men-Up says, We have realised that Men in our society are not well appreciated hence the raise of gender base violence, fermicide, alcohol abuse and irresponsible gambling etc. which this eventually leads to the rise of suicidal thoughts. According to Mr Lucky Mxolisi (Mr Gates) from Men-Up, their approach towards the personal development of boys and men helps to create a society where men account for their actions. Some of Men-Up services to the boys and men in various communities include: Mens Dialogue and Seminars, Men and Boys Camps, Build a Man in A Boy Program as well as Gender Based Violence (GBV) awareness. (Bloomberg) -- Turkey wants Sweden to begin extraditing or expelling suspected Kurdish separatists before next months summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to help win its support to join the security alliance, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg Sweden, along with neighboring Finland, sought to become NATO members after Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Finland joined in April but Turkey blocked Swedens accession, accusing it of offering refuge to political activists wanted on terrorism charges. Read More: Turkey Digs In on Swedens NATO Bid as Allies Mount Pressure Sweden lifted a ban on arms sales to Turkey and amended its anti-terrorism laws as part of a deal clinched last year to break the impasse. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signaled last week, however, that those steps may not be enough to win Turkish support for the bid at the next NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius. As far as Ankara is concerned, there is more room for progress in Swedens curtailing activities of groups deemed terrorist by Turkey, according to Alper Coskun, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Turkey has an interest in ensuring that Sweden joins the alliance, but it has continuing expectations from Sweden, Coskun, a former Turkish diplomat, told an Atlantic Council conference on Thursday. Because of the fact that Turkey has an interest in Sweden joining NATO, I think that the path is open for a positive expectation. Turkey wants Sweden to begin extraditing or expelling suspects to prove its serious about implementing the new rules, said the people, speaking on condition of anonymity to share sensitive information. Turkey has demanded the extradition of more than 130 individuals, most of them Kurdish separatists. They include alleged supporters of Kurdish militant group the PKK, which is labeled a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union, as well as of affiliated Kurdish YPG forces in Syria and followers of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen. Erdogan alleges Gulen masterminded a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey. Turkeys government didnt respond to a request for comment. The Swedish foreign ministers office declined to comment. Extradition requests to Sweden are handled by the countrys judiciary. The government cant overrule decisions by its Supreme Court, which has rejected appeals from Turkey on various grounds, including risk of persecution. NATO allies have repeatedly urged Turkey to approve Swedens bid in time for the Vilnius summit, saying the country meets all qualifications. The latest call came from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday. I firmly believe that Sweden should join Finland at the summit table as a new ally, Scholz told the parliament in Berlin. And I appeal to Turkeys re-elected President Erdogan to now clear the way for this - as we all decided together in Madrid last year. Swedens accession would clinch NATOs control of the Baltic Sea and give the alliance the upper hand in the Arctic region both strategic gateways for Russia even as Moscow is bogged down in its invasion of Ukraine. Finland completed the process to join the alliance in April, leaving Sweden in limbo over its prospects, with both Turkey and Hungarys ratifications outstanding. --With assistance from Michael Nienaber and Niclas Rolander. (Updates with analyst comments starting in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The Syria Recovery Trust Fund (SRTF), a leading institution providing support to the Syrian people, marked its tenth anniversary with a commemorative event yesterday in Frankfurt, Germany. Hosted by the Trustee, KfW Development Bank, and attended by representatives from donor countries, the event showcased a decade of the SRTF's significant efforts to alleviate suffering and promote recovery and stabilisation in Syria. Opening the event, Ms. Tatjana Bruns, the SRTF Management Committee Chairwoman, delivered a message on behalf of Mr. Marc Engelhardt, Director of Middle East at KfW Development Bank, expressing a sentiment of both grief for the past decade of conflict and pride for the remarkable achievements of the SRTF. A presentation followed, illuminating the Fund's decade-long journey through a video feature. The event also facilitated a panel discussion among original donor country representatives, the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), and the SRTF Management Unit, which offered the opportunity to reflect on past experiences, discuss lessons learned and plot the future trajectory of the Fund. Over the last decade, the SRTF has been instrumental in the rehabilitation and stabilisation of Syria, approving approximately 110 Recovery and Stabilisation projects across eight governorates, impacting an estimated 14 million individuals. The initiatives, spanning sectors such as Food Security, Health, Agriculture, Education, Water, and Waste Management, have served over 375 communities in Syria, offering stability, resilience, and hope amid conflict. Reflecting on the Fund's success, H.E Mr. Rashid Al Humeiri, representing the UAE, commended the progress and impact of the SRTF, expressing optimism for utilising the SRTF's experience in future recovery efforts in Syria. Representing Germany, Ms. Katrin Buchholz emphasised their commitment to achieving a political resolution in Syria and reiterated the unwillingness to normalise relations with the Assad regime amidst ongoing human rights violations. She also applauded the SRTF's agility in responding to evolving ground realities and pledged to continue supporting its endeavours. Mrs. Gayle Schwartz, representing the USA, considered her support to the SRTF as one of the most rewarding aspects of her career. She applauded the Fund's resilience in overcoming challenges and improving the lives of more than 10 million Syrians. Mr. Hadi Al Bahra, representing the SOC, and the SRTF COO, Lakis Papstavrou, both highlighted the SRTF's impact on Syrian communities and its commitment to fostering resilience, empowerment, and lasting change. Eng. Hani Khabbaz, Director General of the SRTF, closed the event with heartfelt thanks to the donor countries and a firm commitment to continue the Fund's mission. He emphasised the unique nature of the SRTF as a multilateral mechanism operating in an active conflict environment and its evolution into one of the largest recovery trust funds. With the commitment of its donors, who have contributed EUR 332.15 million to date, the SRTF continues to strive towards its mission of providing innovative and sustainable solutions to the Syrian people, transforming lives and rebuilding futures. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) turned out in large numbers to join the family of the party member who died in last week's tragic accident at Dansame in the Assin North constituency for her one week observation. A delegation made up of former NDC Chairman Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia, James Gyakye Quayson, former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu and other top officials joined sympathizers at the event. According to a release shared by the party on Friday, June 23, they presented several items to the bereaved family including cartons of drinking water, assorted drinks and a cash donation of GH 10,000 to support funeral preparations. MP candidate James Gyakye Quayson also pledged to financially support the deceased's four children until they turn 18. He announced a monthly stipend of GH500 per child totaling GH2,000 and made an initial deposit of GH 24,000 for one year. The family was reassured of the NDC's commitment to giving their beloved member a befitting burial in honor of her years of dedication to the party. The strong show of solidarity from the NDC leadership and members gained admiration from the grieving family who promised to always support the party. Read a copy of the partys release below: For Immediate Release 23rd June, 2023 HIGH-POWERED NDC DELEGATION ATTENDS ONE WEEK FUNERAL RITES OF LATE ASSIN DANSAME ACCIDENT VICTIM. A high-powered delegation led by the National Chairman of the NDC, Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary Fiifi Fiave Kwetey, the NDC's Parliamentary Candidate for the Assin North by-election, James Gyakye Quayson, Minority Leader, Hon. Ato Forson, other Members of Parliament, Regional and National Executives and the rank and file of the NDC, today joined the family of the deceased in last week's accident at Dansame in the Assin North Constituency to observe her one week funeral rites. *The party presented to the family of the deceased several cartons of drinking water and assorted drinks as well as an amount of GH10,000.00 to support preparations towards the final funeral rites.* In addition to the above donation, the NDC's Parliamentary Candidate for next week's by-election in Assin North, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson made a personal pledge to take care of each of the children of the deceased until they turn 18 years. *The National Communications Officer of the NDC for and on behalf of the Hon. James Gyakye Quayson announced a welfare endowment package of GH500.00 every month towards the upbringing of each of the four surviving children. This brings their monthly upkeep to an amount of GH2,000.00. As a demonstration of his personal commitment to this cause, Hon. James Gyakye made a one-year deposit of GH24,000.00 into the Children's Welfare Endowment fund, with a further pledge to bear the full cost of medical treatment for one of the kids with glaucoma at the Interbeton hospital.* The family was further assured of the partys continuous support towards a befitting burial and funeral in honour of our fallen Comrade and her children. Signed SAMMY GYMAFI ESQ. (National Communication Officer) The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) as part of its mandate to mobilize citizens of Ghana to actively participate in the electoral process and to complement the efforts of Ghanas Electoral Commission in ensuring transparent, free, fair and peaceful elections will be observing the Assin North constituency by-elections. Recruitment and Training of Observers As part of the activities planned for the observation of the by-election in the Assin North Constituency, a training workshop for 15 election-day observers ahead of June 27, 2023. CODEO observers will be taken through the legal framework for elections, the code of conduct for observers, and what to observe at the polling stations. Simulation exercises will also be conducted to enable observers to go through the observation process ahead of election day and to complete the observers checklist and critical incident report forms. CODEO has established an effective system to ensure that its observers are properly recruited to undertake its observation activities. Observers were recruited from member organizations, and strict and cautious steps are taken to ensure that recruited members are non-partisan and professional. Accordingly, each CODEO observer will sign a pledge of neutrality and non-partisanship form. Deployment CODEO appreciates the support and collaboration it has received from the Electoral Commission in granting accreditation for the observation of the by-election. On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, CODEO will deploy 13 Stationed Observers (SOs) to 13 polling stations within 12 electoral areas that were purposefully selected. There will be two Roaming Observers on election day, of which one of them will observe the proceedings at the Collation Center. They will observe the polling station set-up, voting and counting procedures, and also file reports on any incidents they observe throughout the day. All CODEO observers will wear CODEO-branded jackets and have their accreditation tags. They will report at the polling stations at 6:00 am and stay until the end of the official declaration of the ballot count either at the polling station or at the constituency collation center, as the case may be. Reporting The observers will provide information to the CODEO Secretariat, at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) in Accra. A system of reporting has been devised by CODEO to enable observers to rapidly transmit their observation reports at designated time periods to the CODEO Secretariat. This system of reporting will enable CODEO to quickly and thoroughly analyze the conduct of voting in the constituency. As part of our reporting strategy, a critical incident desk will be mounted at the Secretariat where reports about irregularities, disruptions, and other incidents in the voting process received from observers will be quickly processed and, if verified as valid, relayed to the Ghana Police Service, the Electoral Commission and other relevant state institutions for prompt redress. On the basis of observation findings and incidents filed by our Observers, CODEO will issue a press release after the close of polls on voting day. The Coalition will issue a preliminary statement on the conduct of the elections on June 30, 2023. A final detailed report containing an analysis of the election-day observations, lessons learned and recommendations will be prepared and made available to stakeholders and the public at a later date. Appeal It is true that the EC and Ghanaians have a good record of conducting credible and peaceful multi-party elections. But we all know that the Ghanaian electoral process remains fraught with challenges, particularly during the conduct of bye-elections. On this note, CODEO makes a special appeal to all contesting political leaders and their supporters to do all in their power to help maintain the peace in our country. CODEO appeals to the EC, polling officials, returning and presiding officers to be firm and apply the electoral rules in an impartial and objective manner. We ask all the polling agents to respect the EC code of conduct and act responsibly on the polling day by assisting the EC officials to execute their duties effectively and efficiently. We also urge the constituents of Assin North and voters to conduct themselves properly on Election Day. To the security services, we expect all officers of the law to approach their duties with maximum professionalism and utmost respect for Ghanas Constitution. We enjoin you to be non-partisan and focus on the security of the ballot process and of all constituents in a lawful manner. We further appeal to the media to be circumspect in its coverage and reportage on the by-election. The media platform, particularly the radio and social media, should not be used to mobilize and instigate violence during the by-election period. The role of the media is to provide accurate information and education to Ghanaians; we expect them to discharge this function objectively and professionally. Acknowledgement CODEOs Assin North Constituency by-election observation program is made possible with the generous support of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD- Ghana) currently serves as the Coalitions secretariat. On behalf of the Advisory Board of CODEO, I wish to express gratitude and appreciation for the enthusiasm and dedication of the people who volunteered for the CODEO observation of the by- election. About CODEO CODEO is an independent and non-partisan network of civil society groups, faith-based organizations and professional bodies which observe Ghanaian elections. It was established in 2000 under the auspices of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) to mobilize citizens of Ghana to actively participate in the electoral process and to complement the efforts of Ghanas Electoral Commission in ensuring transparent, free, fair and peaceful elections. The Coalition of 42-member organizations has grown to become the largest and most credible domestic election observer body in Ghana which mobilizes citizens and groups to participate in Ghanas electoral processes. Signed: Albert Arhin, National Coordinator, CODEO Date: Friday, June 23, 2023 Ahead of 7 April, the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Ms. Alice Wairimu Nderitu, spoke to Africa Renewals Zipporah Musau on progress made in protecting communities and some of the red flags to look out for as a precursor to genocide. Here are the excerpts: Words can be weapons and hate speech can lead to the most atrocious violence. Hate speech is always present during genocide, but also before and after Twenty-nine years since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, where is the country now? What were the success & challenges along the way? Rwanda has made enormous progress since the genocide, both in terms of accountability and reconciliation initiatives. The Rwandan society has made advances towards healing the traumas left by the genocide. For Rwanda and the United Nations, one of the main successes has been the important work of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in ensuring justice and accountability to rebuild trust. Most recently, in 2022, we saw the opening of the trial of Felicien Kabuga, who had spent 27 years on the run, before the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in The Hague. Felicien Kabuga is a founder of the radio station, Radio Television Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), and according to his indictment, his operation of this radio furthered hatred and violence against the Tutsi and other groups. Felicien Kabuga is charged with genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, persecution on political grounds, extermination, and murder as crimes against humanity, committed in Rwanda in 1994. So, holding the perpetrators accountable for their action is an essential step towards progress in a post-genocidal context. It is a step that unfortunately we dont see in all contexts where such violence takes place and is therefore definitely a success. Any challenges? Rwanda, of course, has faced and continues to face many challenges along the way. Delivering justice for genocide is a very difficult endeavor. The scale of the violence, with a million people killed, made the task overwhelming. Many people who would otherwise have been involved in ensuring the rule of law and holding people accountable, including judges, lawyers, and other judicial staff, were targeted for killing during the genocide, and much of the countrys infrastructure was destroyed. This meant that it was difficult to hold many local level perpetrators to account. A challenge that my Office also contends with is the knowledge that contexts where a genocide took place are more vulnerable for violence to reoccur. Despite efforts, a challenge that remains for all post-genocidal societies is to foster continuing and meaningful reconciliation. It is a task that cannot rest and remains relevant even for the future. Genocide doesnt just happen overnight; it takes a while to brew and execute. What are some of the red flags and warning signs to look out for as precursor to genocide or crimes against humanity? Genocide is the result of a process that requires time, planning and resources with triggering factors that can enable their commission. There are multiple red flags and warning signs ahead of atrocity crimes. We call them risk factors and they are explained in detail in the UN Framework of Analysis on Atrocity Crimes, our main methodological tool. I will mention a few. One of the main risk factors that fuels cycles of violence is endemic impunity for serious human rights violations and atrocity crimes. We continuously see the danger of lack of accountability processes which plays a significant role in fueling risks for further crimes. Accountability for atrocity crimes can serve not only as a deterrent; but is also key to successful reconciliation processes and the consolidation of peace in post-conflict societies. Impunity, on the other hand, destroys the social fabric of societies and perpetuates mistrust among communities or towards the State, undermining prospects of a lasting peace. Thus, accountability contributes to cycles of violent discriminatory patterns that can lead to the occurrence or reoccurrence of atrocity crimes. History also teaches us that hate speech can be a precursor to the commission of atrocity crimes as happened in the Holocaust, and in the genocides against the Tutsi in Rwanda and in Srebrenica, Bosnia Herzegovina. In all these cases hate speech and the dehumanization of the other was present during, after and long before violence broke out. It is therefore crucial that the international, regional, national, and community levels engage on these matters and work hand in hand to address these challenges. We can all learn from one another. Gender-based discrimination and inequality are also a significant risk factors for the widespread or systematic violence that constitutes the essence of atrocity crimes. Discrimination, hate speech and xenophobia are on the rise across the world, often affecting women in a disproportionate way. It is important therefore to include gender-sensitive analysis in early warning. It is further crucial to include women in efforts to prevent atrocity crimes. There are countless examples of womens, including young womens, contributions to early warning, conflict resolution, peace operations, peacebuilding, justice, and accountability. Involving women leaders and decision-makers in these efforts leads to more lasting and sustainable peace. I call on all of us to redouble our efforts to tackle hate speech trends both online and offline How can we counter this? The process of genocide provides a number of entry points for prevention before a situation escalates. There is a range of structural policy options to address risk factors, including the development or strengthening of national and regional mechanisms to enhance good governance, human rights, rule of law and security sector reform. These may include initiatives to develop and implement national action plans for atrocity prevention, support national independent human rights institutions, and ensure accountability for perpetrators of past atrocity crimes. There is also need to broaden participation in decision-making processes, foster confidence building between communities and advance conflict resolution efforts, respond to incitement to violence, advance initiatives that re-affirm the role of women in atrocity prevention or prevent the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. All of this can be spearheaded by appointing of national genocide prevention focal points, whose role is to coordinate national action to identify and address existing risks. Operational policy options for prevention should also include the developing of early warning, assessment and response mechanisms. Yet despite these obvious opportunities for prevention, we must be humble in recognizing that, when it comes to learning the lessons of the past, humanity is very slow to put in place effective prevention policies. It is clear, however, that we are collectively taking steps in the right direction. The prevention of genocide is a responsibility that falls upon all of us, and not just on any one actor alone. It cannot be successful without active contributions from everyone: Member States, regional and sub-regional organizations, international organizations, civil society, individuals. We all have a role to play, and each and every individual can make a difference. If we hold that to be true, we must subject our institutions to the same degree of scrutiny that we subject ourselves to as individuals. What is your office doing to protect populations around the world from genocide? What strategies are there, specifically, to protect societies that have gone through genocide to ensure it does not happen again? My office is tasked with raising awareness to the causes and dynamics of genocide, to alert relevant actors where there is a risk of genocide, and to galvanize appropriate action. Concretely, we collect information on systematic and grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law related to ethnic and racial origin that, if not prevented or halted, might lead to genocide. Considering a wide array of sources from within and outside of the UN system, including information collected on field missions, the Office I lead assesses the situation based on the UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes. The Framework is a methodological tool which my office [UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect], developed to assist with integrated and consistent analysis of the risk of atrocity crimes globally. When we assess and find that there is a risk of genocide, we act as a mechanism of early warning to the UN Secretary-General, and through him to the UN Security Council. I also provide recommendations to the UN Secretary-General on possible actions to prevent, or halt atrocity crimes. Further, my Office works to enhance the capacity of the UN to analyse and manage information relevant to atrocity crimes. We work to enable all stakeholders, the UN, regional organizations, Member States, and civil society to work together to collectively prevent genocide. We also share information on the dynamics and root causes of genocide, including through high-level conferences, case studies, and expert papers on thematic issues. Importantly, however, the Office I lead does not possess judicial or quasi-judicial powers. Its focus is on the prevention of atrocity crimes. The legal determination as to the occurrence of genocide and other atrocity crimes is in the hands of courts of law only. There is a strong link between justice and peace. If properly pursued, accountability for atrocity crimes can serve not only as a strong deterrent, but it is also key to successful reconciliation processes and the consolidation of peace in post-conflict societies and therefore a cornerstone of preventing atrocity crimes in the future. Accountability is the main mechanism to protect societies that have gone through genocide to ensure it does not happen again. Other strategies include investing in building a culture of respect for human rights. When we respect each other, and embrace each others differences, there is no space for the commission of international crimes. In general, we must invest more in prevention by building the resilience of societies to these crimes, through adequate norms and structures that comply with international standards of human rights and good governance, as well as by educating people towards a culture of respect. In addition, we must also be ready to take appropriate measures when we see the first signs of concern in particular situations. We often fail to act in time or fail to act at all. While there is a very broad agreement on the need to prevent atrocity crimes, many times risk factors are not all addressed. Many perpetrators continue to be left untouched. They get away with it. The main reason for this is lack of political will by countries. The commitment of the global community to prevent the occurrence of genocide and other international crimes needs to be reinvigorated to prompt more effective action. It is important that we understand that the commission of these crimes constitutes a threat to international peace and security. Therefore, States cannot hide behind the claim that these relate to internal affairs to prevent what they call interferences. We must all be ready to act in the face of the risk of commission of atrocity crimes. Atrocity crimes do not occur spontaneously but are the result of a long process of preparation. For this reason, it is crucial that new generations be educated with the knowledge, including on how to address hate speech, to recognize the indicators of risk and equipped with critical skills to address these risks before they escalate into genocidal violence. And to foster peace and inclusivity You have been very vocal against hate speech. What is the correlation between hate speech and genocide, and how can we counter it? Let me share a most relevant example in this day of commemoration. Before the actual killings started in Rwanda, the Tutsi were widely and common referred to as inyenze, which means a cockroach and also as snakes. They were reduced from being normal human beings to insects or dangerous animal. This was propagated on both radio and in print media. Many people in Rwanda, especially the perpetrators, came to believe through hate speech that, the Tutsi were less human than the rest of the populations. Through the media, the government and interahanmwe militia called for the cleansing of the society. When the perpetrators launched their mission to eliminate the Tutsi, the ordinary people who joined the killings had psychologically been prepared to destroy the Tutsi believing they were doing the right thing. This is the worst form of hate speech that translated to incitement to commit genocide and eventually to the commission of the genocide itself against the Tutsi. If we have to prevent such calamities, we must be watchful of this form hate speech. Words can be weapons and hate speech can lead to the most atrocious violence. Hate speech is always present during genocide, but also before and after. We also need to pay particular attention to genocide denial, a very noxious form of hate speech that still hampers accountability, reconciliation, trauma healing and long-term peace in many parts of the world. Despite conclusive conclusions in international courts of law that a genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda happened, genocide denial continues to contribute to exacerbate mistrust between communities. Hate speech, as it previously did in Rwanda, can lead to incitement to violence and even genocide. Genocide denial of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is also widely propagated in diaspora communities, particularly in societies where genocide perpetrators have not been arrested and are living free. Hate speech trends along ethnic and identity lines are a rising phenomenon, especially with the advent of social media. Hence, we must counter hate speech firmly and robustly if we want to prevent future genocides. But not at the expenses of freedom of opinion and expression. My office leads the implementation of the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, launched by the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in 2019. This strategy sets out guidance for UN entities and other societal actors to address hate speech at the national and global level, enhance efforts to tackle the root causes and drivers of hate speech, including racism and racial discrimination. The strategy is in line with international human rights standards, and with the right to freedom of opinion and expression. I take this opportunity to call on all of us to redouble our efforts to tackle hate speech trends both online and offline. Let me also reiterate, once again, that atrocity crimes do not occur spontaneously, but are the result of a long process of preparation. For this reason, it is crucial that new generations be educated with the knowledge, including on how to address hate speech, to recognize the indicators of risk and equipped with critical skills to address these risks before they escalate into genocidal violence. And to foster peace and inclusivity. What is your message to the world on this day? To be effective in promoting peaceful, just and inclusive societies on the continent, there must be a collective political and moral commitment to protect populations, a commitment to prevent the suffering of our peoples that is given precedent over narrow political and economic ambitions of individual countries and those who lead them. If we look at recent conflicts in many parts of the world, we see that the drivers of conflict include, almost without exception, economic deprivation, and disparities in access to resources, weaknesses in state institutions and structures, shrinking democratic space, state and non-state sponsored violence, and violations of human rights that in some cases may amount to atrocity crimes. Therefore, preventing conflict and restoring peace means identifying and addressing those drivers, many of which are related directly to the absence of rule of law and respect for human rights as well as poor governance. This can be done through the institutional and legal framework to prevent atrocities and build sustainable peace. For more information on COVID-19, visit www.un.org/coronavirus Africa Renewal Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri and Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh is upbeat about victory for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming Assin North by-election. He noted that the ruling party, in its zeal to regain the seat it lost in the 2020 elections, has come out with a well-guided strategy. Based on the strategies, the lawmaker addressing journalists in Parliament in Accra said the NPP will come out victorious. We have our strategy, and they have theirs and lets see at the end of the day what happens. They even said they were going to win Kumawu, but we all know what happened. We have read all the polls, we are guided, we are mindful, and we are moving in a direction that will put our strategy spot on, so I am very happy they are feeling they will win, he stated. Meanwhile, the Assin North by-election will come off on Tuesday, June 27. The poll has been a closely contested race between the NPP's Charles Opoku and the deposed National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP, James Gyakye Quayson. The ruling New Patriotic Party currently holds a slim majority, and a win for Charles Opoku would solidify its parliamentary majority. However, a victory for James Gyakye Quayson would give the NDC a much-needed boost. 23.06.2023 LISTEN Treaty obligates States to adopt ocean conservation measures with fair and equitable sharing of benefits On 4 March 2023, after 36 hours of final robust negotiations, Singapores Ambassador Rena Lee and the President of the Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally binding instrument under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), declared that the ship has reached the shore. Ambassador Lees announcement signaled an agreement was reached on the text of a historic BBNJ marine biodiversity treaty, also known as the High Seas Treaty. It was a significant triumph of multilateralism, and concluded a 20-year process, including a decade of negotiations. The BBNJ treaty includes rules for managing ocean life, conducting environmental impact assessments, and establishing marine protected areas in the high seas. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres set the right tone at the outset of the conference in New York. Our ocean has been under pressure for decades... [and we] can no longer ignore the ocean emergency, Mr. Guterres said. He advised delegates to take an important step forward in countering these destructive trends and advancing ocean health for generations to come This treaty can ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of over two-thirds of our life-sustaining ocean space. The African Groups role Given that African States hardly access the high seas and with no direct activities related to marine genetic resources (MGRs), why does the BBNJ Agreement matter for Africa? The African Group of negotiators played a significant role in the BBNJ Agreement, influencing some of its substantive provisions, particularly on MGRs, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits. Throughout the negotiations, the African Group emphasized the importance of a global and holistic framework for adopting conservation measures and ensuring equity in the sustainable use of ocean resources. The group rooted its position in the international law principle of the Common Heritage of Humankind (CHH), which establishes that resources in certain localities belong to all humanity, including developing countries. While the focus was on fair and equitable sharing of benefits from marine biological resources of areas beyond national jurisdiction, it was equally important to secure ocean sustainability for present and future generations, consistent with Goal 14 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Hope for a healthy ocean For a young African scientist, the BBNJ Agreement means an opportunity to get involved in research projects, and access samples, databases, repositories, and digital sequence information. The BBNJ Agreement rekindles hope for a healthy ocean, planet, and human life. Access to ocean resources will help African States fight hunger and poverty and foster socioeconomic development. There had been concerns that African States were foreclosed from accessing ocean resources, and a treaty obligating States to adopt conservation measures without fair and equitable sharing of benefits would have been unfair. Fortunately, the BBNJ addressed those concerns. On MGRs, the African Group achieved its intended pathway, ensuring that MGRs activities will benefit all, particularly in advancing scientific knowledge. The Agreement includes a provision for setting up a notification system to make information available through a clearing house mechanism at every stage of accessing MGRs. There is an obligation to fairly and equitably share monetary and non-monetary benefits, and for developed countries to make upfront payments to finance capacity building for implementing the Agreement upon entry into force. This will reduce the financial constraints on African States. To promote scientific knowledge, BBNJ Agreement provisions extend to MGRs and digital sequence information (DSI) collected or generated before its entry into force, except if a State declares otherwise. Nevertheless, the Agreement allows African scientists access to old samples from marine scientific research and samples collected under the BBNJ. For a young African scientist, the BBNJ Agreement means an opportunity to get involved in research projects, and access samples, databases, repositories, and digital sequence information. Another step forward is the provision for the establishment of a comprehensive system of Area-based Management Tools (ABMTs), with ecologically representative and well-connected networks of marine protected areas. Adopting conservation and management measures will protect, preserve, restore and maintain biodiversity and ecosystems that will support Africas food security and other socioeconomic objectives. It is no secret that fishing companies in developed States overfish in high seas areas adjacent to exclusive economic zones of coastal African States. The BBNJ Agreements focus on marine ecological connectivity and other measures will limit such unsustainable and unregulated illegal fishing. This will immensely benefit the coastal African States, of which we have 38 It is no secret that fishing companies in developed States overfish in high seas areas adjacent to exclusive economic zones of coastal African States. The BBNJ Agreements focus on marine ecological connectivity and other measures will limit such unsustainable and unregulated illegal fishing. This will immensely benefit the coastal African States, of which we have 38. Assistance to developing countries The Agreement calls for assistance to developing countries to strengthen their capacity to prepare, conduct and evaluate environmental impact assessments (EIAs). It will ensure that activities on the high seas are assessed to prevent, mitigate, and manage adverse environmental impacts and protect and preserve the marine environment. Previous Coordinators Advocate Thembile Joyini (South Africa), and Mr. Mehdi Ramaoun (Algeria) Leads - ABMTs Ms. Marie-May Jeremie (Seychelles), Ms. Tamara Thomas (Seychelles), Dr. Mamadou Diallo (Senegal) Leads- EIAs Ms. Vreeshini Raojee (Mauritius), Ms. Tamara Thomas (Seychelles) Leads - CBTMT Ms. Aahde Lahmiri (Morocco), Ambassador James Waweru (Kenya) Lead - Cross-cutting Advocate Thembile Joyini (South Africa) Advisors Prof. Babjide Alo (Nigeria) Dr. Jean Kenfack (Cameroon) Ms. Sheena Talma (Seychelles) Significantly for African States, the Agreement addresses critical issues of transboundary harm and cumulative impacts. With the unified voice of developing States, concrete commitments were made on Capacity Building and Transfer of Marine Technology (CBTMT) to support the effective implementation of the Agreement. Also, CBTMT will rely on, and respond to, the needs and priorities of developing States, identified through needs assessments, on a case-by-case, subregional, or regional basis. Following the Agreement, what remains includes the formality of adoption by UN member states, ratifications at national levels, and implementation of critical provisions by Parties. These tasks must be carried out in a way that progress achieved so far is not undermined or reversed. Sixty Member States must ratify the treaty for it to enter into force, that is, to come into legal effect. In financing and implementing the Agreement, it is vital to recognize the unique needs of developing States, including Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and coastal African states. In conclusion, The BBNJ Agreement is in Africas interest, but effective implementation will determine its real impact on oceans, people, and the planet. Dr. Michael Imran Kanu is an Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations. He is the Coordinator of the African Group on BBNJ and the Lead on MGRs. For more information on COVID-19, visit www.un.org/coronavirus Africa Renewal The Graduate Students' Association of Ghana (GRASAG National) and Absa Bank partnered to organize the maiden Impact Conference 2023, which brought together over 1,500 participants from tertiary institutions and senior high schools in Ghana with the aim of empowering youth for positive change. The conference which was recently held at the University of Education, Winneba was a huge success, inspiring and empowering participants to drive positive change in their communities and beyond. The event was chaired by Prof. Samuel Asiedu-Addo, who represented Prof. Mawutor Awoke, Vice Chancellor of the University of Education. Prof. Asiedu-Addo spoke on the theme of "Empowering Change-Makers to Create a Better World", emphasizing the importance of collaboration, resilience, and innovative thinking in driving sustainable impact in Ghana, Africa, and the world. In a short remark by the GRASAG National President, Mr. Thomas Elorm Tagbotor emphasized that the Impact Conference will set the foundation for grooming generational impactful leaders. Other speakers at the Impact Conference included Charles Addo, Director of Retail at Absa Bank, Prof. Charles Assuah, Dean of International Programmes at UEW, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Economist and Lecturer at UPSA, Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, Registrar of Ghana Scholarships Secretariat, and Mrs. Elsie Appau-Klus Esq., Managing Director of Acreaty Ghana Limited addressed a wide range of topics that were all geared towards empowering and inspiring the participants to drive positive change in their communities and beyond. The Impact Conference provided a platform for meaningful connections and collaborations among participants, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, resilience, innovative thinking, financial literacy, international education, youth leadership, and mentorship. The conference also provided valuable insights into study-abroad opportunities, financial management, and job placements. Absa Bank, the conference's sponsor, introduced its Absa Ignition account, which makes banking seamless for students, while also offering internship opportunities to participants. Acreaty Ghana Limited also provided job opportunities to selected participants. The Impact Conference was a resounding success, showcasing the unwavering commitment of GRASAG, Absa Bank, Acreaty Ghana Limited, and NABS to empower Ghanaian youth through study-abroad opportunities and job placements. The conference sets a positive example for future initiatives and is expected to have a long-lasting impact beyond the event itself. 23.06.2023 LISTEN Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has recounted how the erstwhile Mahama administration was criticized by members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) when it wanted to provide free sanitary pads for vulnerable school girls in the country. Speaking in an engagement on Metro TV, the lawmaker said it is sad the NPP bastardized and politicized the policy. Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa bemoaned some inappropriate remarks made by NPP members when discussing the recent petition by a Civil Society Organization demanding the abolition of taxes on sanitary pads. It sad when the policy was introduced our colleagues in parliament bastardised the policy. The outrageous things that they said, I dont want to repeat. Our good friend Sammi Awuku said if you remember he said it was demonic. Its online so the policy was bastardized, he stated. He continued by emphasizing that the matter should be treated with a sense of urgency. So, this is a matter we should not take lightly at all, he noted. On the issue of the high cost of sanitary pads in the country, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin has taken a strong interest. According to him, the imposition of tax on sanitary pads is a cardinal sin. Meanwhile, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has kicked against any move by the government to remove the taxes on imported sanitary pads. The Association proposes that instead, the government should provide support for local manufacturers, adding that it will bring down the cost of sanitary pads to make them affordable for all, especially young girls. Ms Charlotte Owusu, Founder of the Sickle Cell Condition Advocates (SICCA), has advised people to know their sickle status before selecting partners for marriage. It is important to know if you have sickle cell traits because it means you and your partner may require genetic counselling prior to having a child together. Different aspects of the disease make dating more complicated. However, people with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) are not inferior partners, and most dating problems are caused by the partners lack of readiness and understanding. Healthy relationships can be a source of comfort and emotional support for people with SCD, Ms Owusu said when Ghana joined the global community to mark the 2023 Sickle Cell Awareness Day. She explained that about 85 percent of children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in the world were from Africa, and it raises a call for Africans to fight for its prevention. The theme for World Sickle Cell Awareness Day 2023 was, Building and Strengthening Global Sickle Cell Communities, Formalizing Newborn Screening, and Knowing Your Sickle Cell Disease Status. Ms Owusu explained that World Sickle Cell Awareness Day was observed on June 19 every year to raise awareness about SCD and its impact on individuals, families, and communities worldwide. She said sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder in which abnormal red blood cells take on a crescent or sickle shape, and these irregularly shaped cells cause blockages in blood vessels, resulting in various health problems. Ms Owusu emphasized that the aim of the celebration was to raise awareness about the challenges faced by sickle cell disease patients and how efforts could be made to make the diagnosis and treatment for the disease more accessible. She explained that sickle cell disorder could cause anaemia, severe bone, joint, chest, and abdominal pain, jaundice, repeated infection, ulcer, delay in growth, damage to some organs, and stroke, amongst others, Sickle cell is a lifelong disease without cure, which is why we are bent on advocating for prevention through pre-conception screening since prevention is cure, she said. Ms Owusu said there were already, some barriers to quality health care services in Ghana, which make it imperative for people to prevent getting the disease. The lack of SCD clinics and health care workers like Genetic Counsellors, Doctors, Laboratory technologists, and Health Educators with treatment protocols and training modules for holistic management in most hospitals to provide specialist care for sickle cell disease are some barricades to quality health care services, she noted. Mr Kweku Kwarteng Yeboah, a sickle cell patient, said the average health cost of patients with sickle cell could pose physical, social, and emotional stress that could affect their families. He reiterated the need for the next generation of youth to know their sickle status before selecting partners for marriage. He also called on the Government to consider the cost of caring for people with sickle cell disease, as it would reduce a huge burden on the general healthcare system that could be reinvested into other areas of importance. GNA Activists on Friday criticised Madrid and Rabat for failing to act faster to help migrants trying to reach Spain by boat, after at least two people died this week. Spanish campaign group Caminando Fronteras, which takes calls from migrants or their loved ones about boats in distress, says 37 people are missing after their vessel sank on Wednesday. Spanish rescue services say that two people, a man and a child, died and 24 people were rescued in the disaster which took place about 160 kilometres (100 miles) off the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Neither the Spanish rescue team nor Morocco, which took charge of the survivors, have confirmed the presence of any other passengers. But there was growing criticism Friday of both countries for what campaigners say are longstanding flaws in their approach to saving migrants in distress. 'Around 50 on board' Helena Maleno, of Caminando Fronteras, said it took 17 hours after the vessel sent out its distress call for a Spanish rescue aircraft and a Moroccan navy vessel to arrive. She told Spanish broadcaster Canal Sur that the Spanish plane located the vessel -- an inflatable raft -- at around 8pm on Tuesday evening. They decided that it was for Morocco to intervene, but it was hours before they actually contacted the authorities there -- and Morocco took hours more before acting, she added. And all this "as people were panicking on an inflatable raft, without having eaten, exhausted", said Maleno. Radio Cadena Ser broadcast a recording of the pilot who first spotted the vessel and who spoke of "around 50 people on board". At that point, said the broadcaster, the Spanish rescue ship was an hour away from the vessel in distress. Spain's rescue service issued a statement denying any responsibility for the migrant deaths, saying that their vessel had to head back to port as it had just rescued 63 people from another vessel, some of whom needed medical attention. Insisting that the service had acted in line with international procedure, they said the inflatable raft was in waters under the joint responsibility of Morocco and Spain. Morocco's navy had said it would take over coordination of the rescue, it added, given the vessel was much closer to the African coast than to the Canary Islands. Authorities in Morocco failed to respond to several AFP requests for comment. 'How many more?' Questioned by a journalist, Spanish government spokeswoman Isabel Rodriguez said she had no detailed information about the incident. Spain's Defensor del Pueblo -- Defender of the People -- a commission elected by parliament to defend citizens' fundamental rights -- on Friday announced that it had opened an investigation into the affair. Spain is a major gateway for migrants seeking a better life in Europe. The number of boats heading for the Canaries from northwestern African -- often from the disputed territory of Western Sahara -- has increased in recent days due to favourable weather conditions. Spain said Thursday evening that it had rescued at least 350 migrants from five vessels over a 24-hour period. Save the Children drew parallels with the disaster a week earlier, when at least 78 migrants drowned in the Ionian Sea off Greece. Officials fear the final toll could run into the hundreds. "How many more children will need to die on deadly sea routes before the EU finally takes action?" it said. Since patrols have been stepped up in the Mediterranean off Spain, more migrants have tried the route west off the African coast towards the Canary Islands. But because of the strong currents and poor state of the vessels, many of them have foundered during the crossing. Caminando Fronteras, in a report published at the end of 2022, estimated that since 2018 more than 11,200 had died or were missing after having tried to reach Spain -- an average of six a day. Massive creature makes rare appearance in Ireland. Magic moment may be the new norm James Garvey was recently in Donegal Bay, Ireland, when he had a breathtaking experience: a humpback whale that put on a 30-minute show. I dont know the odds of winning the lottery but this was the same thing for a whale lover a nature lovers lottery win, Garvey, who works with Rossnowlagh Surf School, told BBC. It was magic, Rossnowlagh Surf School wrote in a June 21 Facebook post. Somebody wake me, Im dreaming, the school said in another Facebook post about the whale. When the boat spotted the whale, known as HBIRL24, it was with about 10 to 14 Minke whales and hundreds of dolphins during a feeding frenzy, according to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. It was spotted a second time later that day. Witnesses reported that the whale was breaching, fluke slapping and bubble netting a feeding strategy that whales use, according to the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Every time you meet a whale its just an incredible experience, Garvey told BBC. Its breathtaking every time, given their size, but its just breathtaking anyway, and how curious they are about people. Range expansion: a new trend For the past 25 years, humpback whales in Ireland have kept almost exclusively to southwest waters, especially two hot spots in West Cork and Kerry. Now, experts have noticed a complete shift as humpbacks are moving north. Since June 1, there have been 11 validated sightings of humpbacks, and they have all been in Northwest Ireland, according to a June 17 news release from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. Most of the sightings have been in Donegal Bay and Broadhaven Bay. HBIRL24 has been documented in Ireland by experts for the past 11 years, with at least 45 sightings or captures since 2013, the group said. In Broadhaven Bay, the group said its experts have verified sightings of a second humpback, known as HBIRL67, or Queen Medb. She has been documented in Ireland more than 45 times since 2016. Between May 21 and June 13, there were eight confirmed sightings of Queen Medb in the area, the group said. The group believes the trend north could be growing evidence of range expansion among the Irish cohort of humpbacks. This is a wonderful opportunity for whale watch enthusiasts living on the west and northwest to observe these magnificent mammals from both land vantage points or boats on your own local patch, the group said in its news release. That long trip down to West Cork or Kerry to see them, may soon become a thing of the past. Sailors see group of orcas approaching them then things got dangerous, video shows Tourist spots something strange lurking in ocean below plane it was a rare creature Watch rare sighting of impressive beast swimming near Scottish coastline Madam Amanda Amoah, the wife of Callistus Amoah, the young police officer who was killed during an attack on the crew of a bullion van at Ablekuma Fan Milk in Accra on Thursday, June 22, says she learned of her husbands death on television before the police administration could officially inform the family. Narrating the incident in an exclusive interview with Citi News, the wife indicated that she had been on the phone with her husband a few hours before he was fatally shot. She disclosed that her father called her to inform her of the killing while she had gone to pick up her son at her mothers place at Pig Farm. My dad just called and said that he had seen a message on his phone that a police officer had been shot dead at Ablekuma and that is his route because they always go to Anyaa and Ablekuma, and so we went and switched on the TV and the news was all over. I went to a programme and when I closed, I called him, but the number wasnt going through but at 12 pm, I called him again to tell him that I was unable to complete what I was doing, but they were demanding I pay GH150, and he told me okay and shortly called back to tell me that the network was not good, so he will send it to me later. Within 10 minutes, he called me to tell me that he had sent it, and so I went and withdrew the money. At 1:40 pm I was done, and so I called to check up on him, and he didnt pick up, so I was thinking maybe they were doing the counting, and so he will call back when he is done. -citinewsroom Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central has expressed sadness over the death of a police officer who was killed in a robbery attack on a bullion van at Ablekuma Fanmilk in Accra. Mr. Agyapong, who is also an aspiring flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), commiserated with the family of the slain officer and extended his heartfelt condolences to them. In a social media post on Friday, June 23, Mr. Agyapong stated, It is heartbreaking that a police officer will leave his family and friends to defend and serve our country, only to die under such tragic circumstances. He continued, My thoughts go out to the police department, his family, and friends, and I hope that his untimely loss will serve to educate our country of some of the perils associated in working in any of the security services, as well as make us appreciate their efforts on a daily basis. He died while serving the police force and his nation, for which both will be eternally thankful. Rest In Peace, the post concludes. Kennedy Agyapong said the officer's death while serving the nation "will be eternally thankful. The incident occurred on Thursday, June 22 when armed men attacked a bullion van that had stopped at a fuel station in Ablekuma Fanmilk. The police officer who was escorting the van was shot multiple times during the attack. Videos circulating on social media show members of the public rushing to rescue the officer from the back of a pick-up truck. However, he reportedly died at the scene from the gunshot wounds. The driver of the bullion van escaped unhurt during the incident. Aareal Bank (OTCMKTS:AAALF Get Rating) is one of 251 public companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it compare to its rivals? We will compare Aareal Bank to related businesses based on the strength of its earnings, dividends, profitability, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Aareal Bank and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Get Aareal Bank alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Aareal Bank 0 0 0 0 N/A Aareal Bank Competitors 1102 3546 3432 53 2.30 As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 495.09%. Given Aareal Banks rivals higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Aareal Bank has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals. Dividends Profitability 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 10.5% and pay out 16.8% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. 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 31.88% 10.47% 0.93% Valuation and Earnings This table compares Aareal Bank and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Aareal Bank N/A N/A 6.22 Aareal Bank Competitors $3.46 billion $816.45 million 277.63 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. Insider & Institutional Ownership 40.3% of Aareal Bank shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 34.7% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by institutional investors. 13.9% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. 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. Receive News & Ratings for Aareal Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aareal Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Rating) by 1.1% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 26,454 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after buying an additional 283 shares during the period. Abbott Laboratories accounts for approximately 1.4% of McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest holding. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $2,679,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. JDM Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. FWL Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.08% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Price Performance Shares of ABT opened at $108.24 on Friday. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $93.25 and a twelve month high of $115.69. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $106.85 and its 200-day simple moving average is $106.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $188.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.90, a PEG ratio of 4.76 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 19th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.05. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.98% and a return on equity of 22.36%. The business had revenue of $9.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.64 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.73 EPS. The companys revenue was down 18.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.39 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, July 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.88%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is currently 62.01%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Raymond James increased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $123.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $132.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $118.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $121.26. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total transaction of $909,466.56. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 70,427 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,786,409.12. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total transaction of $5,551,000.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 6,825,316 shares in the company, valued at approximately $757,746,582.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total transaction of $909,466.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 70,427 shares in the company, valued at $7,786,409.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Abbott Laboratories Profile (Get Rating) Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc bought a new position in shares of Valmont Industries, Inc. (NYSE:VMI Get Rating) during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm bought 55,479 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $17,706,000. Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Valmont Industries by 3.6% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,067,641 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $555,409,000 after buying an additional 71,967 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in Valmont Industries by 3.0% during the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,820,799 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $489,104,000 after acquiring an additional 52,554 shares during the period. Neuberger Berman Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Valmont Industries by 0.7% in the third quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 1,111,599 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $298,608,000 after purchasing an additional 7,519 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its stake in Valmont Industries by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 619,358 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $166,715,000 after purchasing an additional 12,230 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in Valmont Industries by 66.9% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 533,278 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $176,339,000 after buying an additional 213,702 shares during the last quarter. 85.39% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Valmont Industries alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth VMI has been the subject of several research reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Valmont Industries in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Valmont Industries from $389.00 to $352.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Finally, DA Davidson reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Valmont Industries in a research report on Friday, February 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Valmont Industries presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $320.67. Insider Transactions at Valmont Industries Valmont Industries Price Performance In other news, Director Theodor Werner Freye sold 549 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $293.00, for a total transaction of $160,857.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 5,749 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,684,457. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Company insiders own 2.00% of the companys stock. Shares of Valmont Industries stock traded up $0.40 during trading on Friday, hitting $294.97. 20,967 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 136,874. The company has a market cap of $6.21 billion, a PE ratio of 24.15, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 2.32 and a quick ratio of 1.40. Valmont Industries, Inc. has a twelve month low of $213.27 and a twelve month high of $353.36. The firms fifty day moving average price is $285.98 and its 200 day moving average price is $308.25. Valmont Industries (NYSE:VMI Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 20th. The industrial products company reported $3.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.23 by $0.31. Valmont Industries had a return on equity of 19.08% and a net margin of 5.94%. The company had revenue of $1.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.02 billion. Analysts forecast that Valmont Industries, Inc. will post 15.37 earnings per share for the current year. Valmont Industries Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.81%. Valmont Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.67%. Valmont Industries Company Profile (Get Rating) Valmont Industries, Inc produces and sells metal products in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Denmark, and internationally. The company operates through two segments: Infrastructure and Agriculture. It manufactures and distributes steel, pre-stressed concrete, composite, and hybrid structures for lighting, transportation, and telecommunications equipment, as well as electrical transmission, distribution, substations, and renewable energy generation equipment; and provides coatings services to preserve metal products. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VMI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Valmont Industries, Inc. (NYSE:VMI Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Valmont Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valmont Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Blue Star Foods Corp. (OTCMKTS:BSFC Get Rating)s stock price dropped 3.6% on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $1.16 and last traded at $1.33. Approximately 2,032,714 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 1,102% from the average daily volume of 169,162 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.38. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, EF Hutton Acquisition Co. I decreased their price objective on Blue Star Foods from $2.50 to $1.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Get Blue Star Foods alerts: Blue Star Foods Trading Down 3.0 % The company has a market capitalization of $61.52 million, a PE ratio of -2.39 and a beta of 1.97. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $0.15 and a two-hundred day moving average of $0.25. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Blue Star Foods Blue Star Foods ( OTCMKTS:BSFC Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 22nd. The company reported ($0.06) EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $1.90 million during the quarter. Blue Star Foods had a negative return on equity of 235.46% and a negative net margin of 150.86%. Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BSFC. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in Blue Star Foods during the first quarter valued at $38,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Blue Star Foods during the first quarter valued at $39,000. State Street Corp purchased a new position in Blue Star Foods during the first quarter valued at $45,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. purchased a new position in Blue Star Foods during the first quarter valued at $118,000. 1.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Blue Star Foods (Get Rating) Blue Star Foods Corp., through its subsidiaries, operates as a marine protein company in the United States and Canada. The company imports, packages, and sells refrigerated pasteurized various crab meats sourced primarily from Southeast Asia; and other premium seafood products. It sells its products primarily to food service distributors, as well as wholesalers, retail establishments, and seafood distributors under the Blue Star, Pacifika, Oceanica, Crab & Go Premium Seafood, Lubkin, First Choice, Good Stuff, Coastal Pride Fresh, and Little Cedar Falls brands. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Blue Star Foods Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Blue Star Foods and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bowman & Co S.C. increased its stake in shares of Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:KEYS Get Rating) by 9.3% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 4,692 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock after acquiring an additional 401 shares during the period. Bowman & Co S.C.s holdings in Keysight Technologies were worth $758,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in KEYS. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its stake in Keysight Technologies by 16.3% during the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 181,790 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $29,355,000 after purchasing an additional 25,478 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its stake in Keysight Technologies by 111.5% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 12,959 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $2,093,000 after purchasing an additional 6,832 shares during the period. Vontobel Holding Ltd. boosted its stake in Keysight Technologies by 79.6% during the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 1,034,549 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $167,059,000 after purchasing an additional 458,449 shares during the period. Elk River Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Keysight Technologies by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Elk River Wealth Management LLC now owns 30,150 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $4,869,000 after purchasing an additional 493 shares during the period. Finally, Chesley Taft & Associates LLC boosted its stake in Keysight Technologies by 7.1% during the 1st quarter. Chesley Taft & Associates LLC now owns 5,996 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $968,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.08% of the companys stock. Get Keysight Technologies alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts recently weighed in on KEYS shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Keysight Technologies in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Keysight Technologies from $218.00 to $205.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Keysight Technologies from $205.00 to $185.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Keysight Technologies from $184.00 to $180.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on Keysight Technologies from $178.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten 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 an average target price of $195.75. Insider Buying and Selling Keysight Technologies Stock Down 0.8 % In related news, Director Kevin A. Stephens acquired 420 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 19th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $157.45 per share, with a total value of $66,129.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 5,589 shares in the company, valued at $879,988.05. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . In other Keysight Technologies news, SVP Kailash Narayanan sold 500 shares of Keysight Technologies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $165.00, for a total transaction of $82,500.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 26,169 shares in the company, valued at $4,317,885. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, Director Kevin A. Stephens bought 420 shares of Keysight Technologies stock in a transaction on Friday, May 19th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $157.45 per share, for a total transaction of $66,129.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 5,589 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $879,988.05. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . 0.51% of the stock is owned by insiders. NYSE KEYS opened at $159.89 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 2.68 and a current ratio of 3.35. Keysight Technologies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $133.34 and a 52 week high of $189.45. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $154.22 and a 200-day moving average of $164.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 1.07. Keysight Technologies (NYSE:KEYS Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 16th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $2.12 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.95 by $0.17. Keysight Technologies had a return on equity of 31.75% and a net margin of 21.11%. The business had revenue of $1.39 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.38 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.68 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Keysight Technologies, Inc. will post 7.46 EPS for the current year. About Keysight Technologies (Get Rating) Keysight Technologies, Inc engages in the provision of electronic design and test solutions that are used in the design, development, manufacture, installation, deployment, validation, optimization and secure operation of electronics systems to communications, networking and electronics industries. It operates through the following segments: Communications Solutions Group, and Electronic Industrial Solutions Group. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KEYS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:KEYS Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Keysight Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Keysight Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fastly, Inc. (NYSE:FSLY Get Rating) EVP Brett Shirk sold 7,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.68, for a total value of $116,760.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 295,267 shares in the company, valued at $4,925,053.56. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Brett Shirk also recently made the following trade(s): Get Fastly alerts: On Friday, June 16th, Brett Shirk sold 4,698 shares of Fastly stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.81, for a total value of $83,671.38. On Wednesday, May 31st, Brett Shirk sold 585 shares of Fastly stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.67, for a total transaction of $9,166.95. On Monday, May 22nd, Brett Shirk sold 7,000 shares of Fastly stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.42, for a total transaction of $93,940.00. On Tuesday, May 16th, Brett Shirk sold 8,783 shares of Fastly stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.17, for a total value of $115,672.11. On Thursday, April 20th, Brett Shirk sold 4,351 shares of Fastly stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.52, for a total value of $71,878.52. Fastly Trading Up 0.3 % Shares of NYSE:FSLY opened at $16.10 on Friday. Fastly, Inc. has a 1 year low of $7.15 and a 1 year high of $18.28. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $15.18 and a 200 day moving average price of $13.21. The company has a current ratio of 5.28, a quick ratio of 5.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.04 billion, a PE ratio of -11.50 and a beta of 1.31. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Fastly ( NYSE:FSLY Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported ($0.31) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.40) by $0.09. Fastly had a negative return on equity of 20.22% and a negative net margin of 38.22%. The firm had revenue of $117.56 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $116.17 million. Analysts expect that Fastly, Inc. will post -1.28 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on FSLY shares. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of Fastly from $9.00 to $11.00 in a research report on Friday. William Blair reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Fastly in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Morgan Stanley raised Fastly from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and raised their target price for the company from $12.00 to $18.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. 92 Resources reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Fastly in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Fastly from $16.00 to $26.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Fastly presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $16.65. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of FSLY. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Fastly during the 1st quarter worth about $37,000. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its position in Fastly by 886.5% in the 1st quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 2,200 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 1,977 shares during the period. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. acquired a new position in shares of Fastly during the first quarter worth approximately $41,000. Hollencrest Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of Fastly in the first quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Finally, Penserra Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Fastly by 50.0% in the first quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 3,072 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after acquiring an additional 1,024 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.76% of the companys stock. About Fastly (Get Rating) Fastly, Inc provides real-time content delivery network services. It offers edge compute, edge delivery, edge security, edge applications like load balancing and image optimization, video on demand, and managed edge delivery. The company was founded by Artur Bergman, Tyler McMullen, Simon Wistow, and Gil Penchina in March 2011 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Fastly Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fastly and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. British American Tobacco p.l.c. (LON:BATS Get Rating) insider Veronique Laury purchased 1,650 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, June 19th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 2,593 ($33.18) per share, with a total value of 42,784.50 ($54,746.64). British American Tobacco Stock Down 0.3 % Shares of BATS stock opened at GBX 2,589.50 ($33.13) on Friday. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 12 month low of GBX 2,543 ($32.54) and a 12 month high of GBX 3,645 ($46.64). The stock has a market cap of 58.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 883.79, a P/E/G ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 56.98. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 2,723.86 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 2,981.87. Get British American Tobacco alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have recently issued reports on BATS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of British American Tobacco to a neutral rating and dropped 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. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and set a GBX 4,100 ($52.46) price objective on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, March 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 3,788 ($48.47). British American Tobacco Company Profile 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for British American Tobacco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for British American Tobacco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE:CEIX Get Rating) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 9,229 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $538,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of CEIX. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of CONSOL Energy by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,478,527 shares of the companys stock valued at $122,390,000 after purchasing an additional 99,534 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of CONSOL Energy by 11.2% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,226,516 shares of the companys stock valued at $143,209,000 after purchasing an additional 223,987 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of CONSOL Energy by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,032,624 shares of the companys stock valued at $132,119,000 after purchasing an additional 17,081 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of CONSOL Energy by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 666,210 shares of the companys stock valued at $43,303,000 after purchasing an additional 11,644 shares during the period. Finally, Capital Growth Management LP lifted its stake in shares of CONSOL Energy by 5.6% in the 3rd quarter. Capital Growth Management LP now owns 660,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,451,000 after purchasing an additional 35,000 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 82.29% of the companys stock. Get CONSOL Energy alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Benchmark reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $80.00 price objective on shares of CONSOL Energy in a research report on Monday, March 27th. CONSOL Energy Stock Down 3.0 % CEIX stock traded down $2.04 on Friday, reaching $66.00. 191,055 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 796,307. CONSOL Energy Inc. has a one year low of $40.20 and a one year high of $79.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 1.17. The company has a market cap of $2.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 1.82. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $60.65 and a 200-day simple moving average of $60.34. CONSOL Energy (NYSE:CEIX Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $6.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.34 by $1.21. CONSOL Energy had a return on equity of 56.19% and a net margin of 28.86%. The company had revenue of $688.61 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $594.30 million. Research analysts anticipate that CONSOL Energy Inc. will post 20.71 earnings per share for the current year. CONSOL Energy Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 23rd. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th were given a dividend of $1.10 per share. This represents a $4.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.67%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 12th. CONSOL Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.30%. CONSOL Energy Company Profile (Get Rating) CONSOL Energy, Inc engages in the production of bituminous coal which focuses on the extraction and preparation of coal in the Appalachian Basin. It operates under the Pennsylvania Mining Complex (PAMC) and CONSOL Marine Terminal. The PAMC segment includes mining, preparation, and marketing of bituminous coal sold to power generators, and industrial and metallurgical end-users. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CEIX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE:CEIX Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for CONSOL Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CONSOL Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC lessened its position in Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR Get Rating) by 4.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,453 shares of the companys stock after selling 172 shares during the period. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Nutrien were worth $255,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in NTR. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Nutrien by 79.6% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,490,036 shares of the companys stock valued at $362,929,000 after purchasing an additional 1,547,030 shares in the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Nutrien in the 1st quarter valued at $1,370,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Nutrien in the 1st quarter valued at $323,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. boosted its stake in shares of Nutrien by 5.7% in the 1st quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 11,675 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,208,000 after purchasing an additional 629 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation N.A. boosted its stake in shares of Nutrien by 55.2% in the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 301 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.56% of the companys stock. Get Nutrien alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have recently commented on NTR shares. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Nutrien from $100.00 to $95.00 in a research note on Friday, May 12th. Credit Suisse Group reduced their price target on shares of Nutrien from $70.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 11th. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of Nutrien from $94.00 to $85.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. Berenberg Bank downgraded shares of Nutrien from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $92.00 to $49.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 17th. Finally, Scotiabank upgraded shares of Nutrien from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $95.00 to $90.00 in a research report on Monday, April 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $79.50. Nutrien Trading Down 1.1 % Nutrien stock traded down $0.63 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $59.07. 321,710 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,504,651. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 1.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.68, a PEG ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.88. The firms 50 day moving average is $62.62 and its 200-day moving average is $71.41. Nutrien Ltd. has a fifty-two week low of $52.23 and a fifty-two week high of $102.73. Nutrien (NYSE:NTR Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The company reported $1.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.54 by ($0.43). Nutrien had a return on equity of 23.85% and a net margin of 18.86%. The business had revenue of $6.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.67 billion. On average, analysts predict that Nutrien Ltd. will post 7.11 earnings per share for the current year. Nutrien Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.53 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.59%. Nutriens dividend payout ratio is currently 16.64%. Nutrien Profile (Get Rating) Nutrien Ltd. is a crop nutrient company, which engages in the production and distribution of products for agricultural, industrial, and feed customer. It operates through the following segments: Retail, Potash, Nitrogen, and Phosphate. The Retail segment distributes crop nutrients, crop protection products, seed, and merchandise. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NTR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Nutrien Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nutrien and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CAVA Group, Inc. (NYSE:CAVA Get Rating) Director Theodoros Xenohristos bought 4,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $22.00 per share, for a total transaction of $99,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 4,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $99,000. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. CAVA Group Stock Performance CAVA Group stock opened at $39.16 on Friday. CAVA Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $36.45 and a fifty-two week high of $47.89. Get CAVA Group alerts: About CAVA Group (Get Rating) Featured Stories CAVA Group, Inc owns and operates a chain of Mediterranean restaurants. The company offers salads, dips, spreads, toppings, and dressings. It sells its products through whole food markets and grocery stores. The company also provides online food ordering services. Cava Group, Inc was founded in 2006 and is based in Washington, District of Columbia. Receive News & Ratings for CAVA Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CAVA Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC decreased its holdings in ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE Get Rating) by 7.3% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,134 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 483 shares during the period. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLCs holdings in ONEOK were worth $390,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in ONEOK during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of ONEOK during the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of ONEOK during the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. First Command Bank grew its stake in ONEOK by 401.0% in the 2nd quarter. First Command Bank now owns 491 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 393 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lakewood Asset Management LLC bought a new position in ONEOK in the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. 68.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get ONEOK alerts: ONEOK Trading Down 0.4 % Shares of OKE traded down $0.24 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $57.95. 142,792 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,834,145. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 1.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.92. ONEOK, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $50.50 and a fifty-two week high of $71.57. The business has a 50-day moving average of $61.34 and a 200-day moving average of $64.45. ONEOK Announces Dividend ONEOK ( NYSE:OKE Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The utilities provider reported $2.34 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.81 by $0.53. ONEOK had a return on equity of 36.54% and a net margin of 11.09%. The firm had revenue of $4.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.13 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.87 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that ONEOK, Inc. will post 5.48 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 1st were given a dividend of $0.955 per share. This represents a $3.82 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, April 28th. ONEOKs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 72.08%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have recently commented on OKE shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on ONEOK from $75.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, March 9th. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of ONEOK from $71.00 to $66.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of ONEOK from $71.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Scotiabank assumed coverage on ONEOK in a research note on Thursday, March 2nd. They issued a sector perform rating and a $74.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on ONEOK from $75.00 to $66.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $73.45. About ONEOK (Get Rating) ONEOK, Inc engages in gathering, processing, fractionating, transporting, storing and marketing of natural gas. It operates through the following segments: Natural Gas Gathering and Processing, Natural Gas Liquids and Natural Gas Pipelines. The Natural Gas Gathering and Processing segment offers midstream services to producers in North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OKE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for ONEOK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ONEOK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Phocas Financial Corp. cut its position in shares of Centerspace (NYSE:CSR Get Rating) by 1.3% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 83,903 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,063 shares during the quarter. Phocas Financial Corp.s holdings in Centerspace were worth $4,584,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Centerspace in the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new position in shares of Centerspace in the 2nd quarter worth $46,000. Quadrant Capital Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Centerspace by 395.3% in the 3rd quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 629 shares of the companys stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 502 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in shares of Centerspace by 151.1% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,303 shares of the companys stock worth $88,000 after acquiring an additional 784 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp grew its holdings in shares of Centerspace by 76.5% in the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 1,562 shares of the companys stock worth $92,000 after acquiring an additional 677 shares during the last quarter. 80.27% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Centerspace alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on CSR shares. Raymond James upgraded Centerspace from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Friday, May 26th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on Centerspace from $66.00 to $63.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Colliers Securities upgraded Centerspace from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $70.00 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Finally, Piper Sandler lowered their price target on Centerspace from $66.00 to $62.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $70.00. Insider Activity at Centerspace Centerspace Stock Performance In other news, Director Mark Okey Decker, Jr. acquired 1,000 shares of Centerspace stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $58.85 per share, with a total value of $58,850.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 54,252 shares in the company, valued at $3,192,730.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Insiders own 0.96% of the companys stock. Shares of CSR stock opened at $59.74 on Friday. Centerspace has a 1-year low of $51.26 and a 1-year high of $90.00. The company has a current ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a market capitalization of $893.71 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.72, a P/E/G ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.93. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $59.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $60.41. Centerspace Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 10th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $0.73 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $2.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.89%. Centerspaces payout ratio is 140.39%. Centerspace Profile (Get Rating) Centerspace operates as real estate investment trust, which engages in the ownership, management, acquisition, redevelopment, and development of apartment communities. It focuses on making operational enhancements to improve residents experience, redeveloping existing apartment communities to meet market demands and acquiring new apartment communities in the Minneapolis/St. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CSR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Centerspace (NYSE:CSR Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Centerspace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Centerspace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A. Eletrobras (NYSE:EBR Get Rating) shot up 2.7% during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $8.40 and last traded at $8.37. 325,216 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 78% from the average session volume of 1,496,479 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.15. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A. Eletrobras from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday. Get Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A. - Eletrobras alerts: Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A. Eletrobras Price Performance The stock has a market cap of $19.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.06, a PEG ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 2.05 and a quick ratio of 2.03. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $7.22 and its 200 day moving average price is $7.24. Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A. Eletrobras Cuts Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The firm also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 5th. Investors of record on Friday, January 1st were issued a $0.0443 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 5th. This represents a yield of 0.7%. Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A. Eletrobrass dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.80%. A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A. Eletrobras by 49.0% in the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 4,898 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 1,611 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A. Eletrobras by 13.9% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 13,966 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $110,000 after buying an additional 1,699 shares during the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its position in Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A. Eletrobras by 6.2% during the 1st quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 29,770 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $235,000 after purchasing an additional 1,737 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. increased its position in Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A. Eletrobras by 33.0% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 7,961 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 1,976 shares during the period. Finally, Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. increased its position in Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A. Eletrobras by 40.0% during the 4th quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. now owns 14,000 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $111,000 after purchasing an additional 4,000 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 5.39% of the companys stock. About Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A. Eletrobras (Get Rating) Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA engages in the production and dissemination of electricity. It operates through the Generation and Transmission segments. The Generation segment refers to the electric power generation including hydroelectric, thermal, and nuclear power plants. The Transmission segment focuses on the transmission of electric power in Brazil. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A. - Eletrobras Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras S.A. - Eletrobras and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (OTCMKTS:CJEWY Get Rating) was down 2.3% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $18.65 and last traded at $18.65. Approximately 216 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 79% from the average daily volume of 1,009 shares. The stock had previously closed at $19.09. Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Trading Down 2.3 % The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $19.16 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $19.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.51, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. About Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group (Get Rating) Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited, an investment holding company, manufactures and sells jewelry products in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Cambodia, Canada, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam. The company offers gem-set, platinum and k-gold jewelry, and gold jewelry and products under the CHOW TAI FOOK, HEARTS ON FIRE, ENZO, MONOLOGUE, and SOINLOVE brands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia COPEL (NYSE:ELP Get Rating) shot up 2.9% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $8.20 and last traded at $8.20. 63,901 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 83% from the average session volume of 370,479 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.97. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Citigroup began coverage on shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia COPEL in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. They set a buy rating for the company. Get Companhia Paranaense de Energia - COPEL alerts: Companhia Paranaense de Energia COPEL Stock Performance The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $7.62 and its 200-day simple moving average is $7.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.50 and a beta of 0.76. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Companhia Paranaense de Energia COPEL Companhia Paranaense de Energia COPEL ( NYSE:ELP Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The utilities provider reported $0.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $1.06 billion during the quarter. On average, analysts expect that Companhia Paranaense de Energia COPEL will post 0.67 EPS for the current year. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ELP. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. acquired a new position in Companhia Paranaense de Energia COPEL in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,097,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its stake in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia COPEL by 1,268.1% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,216,635 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $9,514,000 after purchasing an additional 1,127,704 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia COPEL by 34.3% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,319,737 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $15,781,000 after purchasing an additional 592,841 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its stake in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia COPEL by 1,462.8% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 571,980 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,638,000 after purchasing an additional 535,380 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia COPEL by 87.9% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 878,198 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $5,585,000 after purchasing an additional 410,740 shares during the last quarter. 4.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Companhia Paranaense de Energia COPEL (Get Rating) Companhia Paranaense de Energia COPEL engages in the generation, transformation, distribution, and sale of electricity to industrial, residential, commercial, rural, and other customers in Brazil. The company operates through Power Generation and Transmission, Power Distribution, Power Sale, and Gas segments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Companhia Paranaense de Energia - COPEL Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Companhia Paranaense de Energia - COPEL and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Admiral Group (OTCMKTS:AMIGY Get Rating) and Sompo (OTCMKTS:SMPNY Get Rating) are both financial services companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, dividends, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership. Profitability This table compares Admiral Group and Sompos net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Admiral Group alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Admiral Group N/A N/A N/A Sompo 1.90% 3.87% 0.57% Insider and Institutional Ownership 0.0% of Admiral Group shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Earnings & Valuation Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Admiral Group N/A N/A N/A $1.07 24.90 Sompo $37.12 billion 0.43 $2.00 billion $1.00 23.02 This table compares Admiral Group and Sompos top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Sompo has higher revenue and earnings than Admiral Group. Sompo is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Admiral Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Dividends Admiral Group pays an annual dividend of $0.69 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. Sompo pays an annual dividend of $0.35 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. Admiral Group pays out 64.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Sompo pays out 35.0% 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. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Admiral Group and Sompo, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Admiral Group 3 3 1 0 1.71 Sompo 0 0 0 0 N/A Admiral Group presently has a consensus target price of $2,265.20, suggesting a potential upside of 8,398.54%. Given Admiral Groups higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Admiral Group is more favorable than Sompo. Summary Admiral Group beats Sompo on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks. About Admiral Group (Get Rating) Admiral Group plc, a financial services company, provides motor, household, travel, and pet insurance, as well as personal lending products worldwide. It operates through UK Insurance, International Insurance, Admiral Money, and Other segments. The company provides underwriting services, which includes motor, household, pet, and travel insurance, as well as car and home insurance; and provides unsecured personal loans and car finance products primarily in the United Kingdom. It offers its insurance product and services under the Admiral, Admiral Money, Apparent, Balumba, Bell, Compare.com, ConTe.it, Diamond, Elephant, Elephant Auto, Gladiator, L'Olivier, Qualitas Auto, and Veygo brands. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Cardiff, the United Kingdom. About Sompo (Get Rating) Sompo Holdings, Inc. provides property and casualty (P&C) insurance services in Japan and internationally. The company operates through Domestic P&C Insurance Business, Overseas Insurance Business, Domestic Life Insurance Business, and Nursing Care & Seniors Business segments. It offers various P&C insurance products, including automobile, fire, personal accident, and marine, as well as security, risk management, assistance, and warranty services; and life insurance products. The company also provides nursing care and seniors services; and customer security, health, and wellbeing support services. In addition, it offers asset management services; home remodeling services; and health support services comprising health guidance and employee assistance programs. The company was formerly known as Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Sompo Holdings, Inc. in October 2016. Sompo Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 2010 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Receive News & Ratings for Admiral Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Admiral Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Consilium Wealth Advisory LLC lowered its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Rating) by 17.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,821 shares of the companys stock after selling 827 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company makes up approximately 1.1% of Consilium Wealth Advisory LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest position. Consilium Wealth Advisory LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,312,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 72,588,317 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,471,432,000 after acquiring an additional 996,990 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 33,582,472 shares of the companys stock worth $10,858,892,000 after purchasing an additional 168,444 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 21.6% during the 3rd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 24,839,322 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,048,338,000 after buying an additional 4,412,664 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 44.1% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 12,059,204 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,411,740,000 after buying an additional 3,691,436 shares during the period. Finally, Jennison Associates LLC boosted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 10,429,081 shares of the companys stock worth $3,815,375,000 after buying an additional 364,339 shares during the last quarter. 87.25% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have weighed in on LLY. Barclays increased their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $400.00 to $420.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $478.00 to $507.00 in a research report on Monday, May 15th. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Guggenheim reduced their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $395.00 to $392.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $430.00 to $475.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and thirteen 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 an average price target of $431.00. Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 210,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $350.49, for a total value of $73,602,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 102,333,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $35,866,977,066.90. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 210,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, April 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $350.49, for a total value of $73,602,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 102,333,810 shares in the company, valued at $35,866,977,066.90. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Also, EVP Patrik Jonsson sold 6,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $429.46, for a total transaction of $2,576,760.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 36,941 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,864,681.86. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold 1,172,761 shares of company stock worth $461,396,900 over the last 90 days. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders. LLY stock traded down $1.84 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $455.84. The company had a trading volume of 182,059 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,072,811. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $423.90 and a 200 day moving average price of $373.21. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $296.32 and a 12-month high of $462.26. The company has a market capitalization of $432.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 72.76, a P/E/G ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by ($0.11). The firm had revenue of $6.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.87 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 61.42% and a net margin of 20.54%. Eli Lilly and Companys quarterly revenue was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.62 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.79 earnings per share for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th were paid a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.99%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 12th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 71.86%. 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ Get Rating) Analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q1 2024 EPS estimates for Constellation Brands in a report released on Wednesday, June 21st. Zacks Research analyst R. Lohia now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $2.82 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $2.80. The consensus estimate for Constellation Brands current full-year earnings is $11.65 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Constellation Brands Q2 2024 earnings at $3.38 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $3.16 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $2.34 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $3.26 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $3.40 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $2.87 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $13.26 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $3.66 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $15.12 EPS. Get Constellation Brands alerts: Other research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Constellation Brands from $265.00 to $280.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Wedbush reissued an outperform rating and issued a $255.00 price target on shares of Constellation Brands in a research note on Friday, March 31st. Truist Financial upped their price objective on Constellation Brands from $215.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Monday, April 10th. Roth Mkm upgraded shares of Constellation Brands from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $216.00 to $270.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 30th. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Constellation Brands from $279.00 to $277.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $259.14. Constellation Brands Trading Down 0.4 % NYSE:STZ opened at $245.28 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. The firms 50 day moving average is $234.40 and its 200 day moving average is $228.97. Constellation Brands has a 12 month low of $208.12 and a 12 month high of $261.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $44.95 billion, a PE ratio of -480.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 1.75. Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 6th. The company reported $1.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.86 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $2 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.02 billion. Constellation Brands had a positive return on equity of 20.48% and a negative net margin of 0.70%. The businesss revenue was down 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.37 EPS. Constellation Brands Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 18th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 4th were issued a dividend of $0.89 per share. This is a boost from Constellation Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.80. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 3rd. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.45%. Constellation Brandss dividend payout ratio is presently -698.04%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Director Richard Sands sold 3,858,476 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.53, for a total value of $862,485,140.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 20,488,818 shares in the company, valued at $4,579,865,487.54. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, major shareholder Business Holdings Lp Ajb sold 650,000 shares of Constellation Brands stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.53, for a total value of $145,294,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 3,365,715 shares of the companys stock, valued at $752,338,273.95. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Richard Sands sold 3,858,476 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.53, for a total transaction of $862,485,140.28. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 20,488,818 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,579,865,487.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 16.19% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Constellation Brands Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Prudential PLC bought a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands during the 1st quarter valued at $705,000. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in Constellation Brands by 1.0% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 17,026 shares of the companys stock worth $3,921,000 after buying an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 17.6% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,149 shares of the companys stock worth $725,000 after buying an additional 471 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Constellation Brands by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 12,601,280 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,902,327,000 after buying an additional 313,344 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ergoteles LLC bought a new position in shares of Constellation Brands during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $257,000. 86.49% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Constellation Brands (Get Rating) Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Premier, Corona Familiar, Corona Light, Corona Refresca, Corona Hard Seltzer, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra, Modelo Chelada, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Constellation Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Constellation Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Country Trust Bank boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Rating) by 3.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 194,352 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 6,865 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company comprises 1.9% of Country Trust Banks holdings, making the stock its 12th largest position. Country Trust Banks holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $66,744,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Y.D. More Investments Ltd bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Tanglewood Legacy Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Freedom Wealth Alliance LLC acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at about $37,000. Institutional investors own 87.25% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In LLY has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald raised their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $432.00 to $485.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 12th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $447.00 to $498.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $421.00 to $430.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group raised their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $420.00 to $490.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $431.00. Insider Transactions at Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 200,000 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $335.82, for a total value of $67,164,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 102,748,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $34,505,105,374.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . In related news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $435.29, for a total value of $261,174.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 5,978 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,602,163.62. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 200,000 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $335.82, for a total transaction of $67,164,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 102,748,810 shares in the company, valued at $34,505,105,374.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 1,372,761 shares of company stock valued at $528,560,900. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Shares of LLY traded up $7.99 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $460.99. 493,221 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,075,589. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52 week low of $296.32 and a 52 week high of $461.00. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $422.25 and its 200-day simple moving average is $372.62. The firm has a market cap of $437.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 72.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.11). Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 61.42% and a net margin of 20.54%. The business had revenue of $6.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.87 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.62 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.79 EPS for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 15th were issued a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 12th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.98%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 71.86%. Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile (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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CP ALL Public (OTCMKTS:CVPUF Get Rating) and Sendas Distribuidora (NYSE:ASAI Get Rating) are both consumer defensive companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, valuation, risk and dividends. Profitability This table compares CP ALL Public and Sendas Distribuidoras net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get CP ALL Public alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CP ALL Public N/A N/A N/A Sendas Distribuidora 1.86% 29.13% 2.88% Insider and Institutional Ownership 1.4% of CP ALL Public shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 4.5% of Sendas Distribuidora shares are held by institutional investors. 0.4% of Sendas Distribuidora shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CP ALL Public 0 0 0 0 N/A Sendas Distribuidora 0 1 0 0 2.00 This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for CP ALL Public and Sendas Distribuidora, as reported by MarketBeat. Valuation & Earnings This table compares CP ALL Public and Sendas Distribuidoras revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio CP ALL Public N/A N/A N/A $1.09 1.94 Sendas Distribuidora $10.56 billion 0.38 $236.31 million $0.78 19.17 Sendas Distribuidora has higher revenue and earnings than CP ALL Public. CP ALL Public is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Sendas Distribuidora, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Dividends CP ALL Public pays an annual dividend of $0.81 per share and has a dividend yield of 38.4%. Sendas Distribuidora pays an annual dividend of $0.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.5%. CP ALL Public pays out 74.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Sendas Distribuidora pays out 10.3% 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. Summary Sendas Distribuidora beats CP ALL Public on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About CP ALL Public (Get Rating) CP ALL Public Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates and franchises convenience stores under the 7-Eleven name to other retailers primarily in Thailand. It operates through three segments: Wholesale Business, Retail Business, and Management of Rental Spaces in Shopping Centers. The Wholesale Business segment engages in import, export, and distribution of frozen and chilled food with delivery services and focuses on selling consumer products, including fresh food, dry food, and consumer products under Makro brand. Its Retail Business segment is involved in domestic supply chain, distribution system, logistics network, and brand equity businesses. This segment also sells its products under various domestic, international, and small and medium enterprises brands. The company's Management of Rental Spaces in Shopping Centers segment manages buildings and retail spaces in shopping malls. In addition, the company is involved in sale and maintenance of retail equipment; cash and carry, catalog, and e-commerce businesses; marketing and advertising activities; provision of information technology and research and development services, as well as engaged in bill payment collection, life insurance, and non-life insurance broker business. Further, the company offers educational institution, training, business seminar services, as well as healthcare and medical specialist's consultation services. The company was formerly known as C.P. Seven Eleven Public Company Limited. CP ALL Public Company Limited was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand. About Sendas Distribuidora (Get Rating) Sendas Distribuidora S.A. engages in the retail and wholesale sale of food products, bazaar items, and other products in Brazil. The company serves restaurants, pizzerias, snack bars, schools, small businesses, religious institutions, hospitals, hotels, grocery stores, neighborhood supermarkets, and individuals. It sells its products through brick-and-mortar stores, as well as through telesales. The company was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Receive News & Ratings for CP ALL Public Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CP ALL Public and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Whirlpool (NYSE:WHR Get Rating) and Westwing Group (OTCMKTS:WTWGF Get Rating) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings and profitability. Profitability This table compares Whirlpool and Westwing Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Whirlpool alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Whirlpool -10.34% 28.28% 5.38% Westwing Group N/A N/A N/A Institutional and Insider Ownership 89.0% of Whirlpool shares are held by institutional investors. 1.9% of Whirlpool shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Analyst Ratings Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Whirlpool 2 2 1 0 1.80 Westwing Group 0 0 1 0 3.00 This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Whirlpool and Westwing Group, as provided by MarketBeat. Whirlpool currently has a consensus price target of $136.80, indicating a potential downside of 4.09%. Westwing Group has a consensus price target of C$10.30, indicating a potential upside of 59.20%. Given Westwing Groups stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Westwing Group is more favorable than Whirlpool. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Whirlpool and Westwing Groups revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Whirlpool $19.45 billion 0.40 -$1.52 billion ($36.64) -3.89 Westwing Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Westwing Group has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Whirlpool. Summary Whirlpool beats Westwing Group on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Whirlpool (Get Rating) Whirlpool Corporation manufactures and markets home appliances and related products and services in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The company's principal products include refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and refrigerator water filters; laundry appliances, and commercial laundry products and related laundry accessories; cooking and other small domestic appliances; and dishwasher appliances and related accessories, as well as mixers. It markets and distributes its products primarily under the Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, Hotpoint, Indesit, InSinkErator, Yummly, Affresh, Gladiator, Swash, everydrop, Speed Queen, Ignis, Privileg, Eslabon de Lujo, Acros, and Ariston brands. The company sells its products to retailers, distributors, dealers, builders, and other manufacturers, as well as directly to consumers. Whirlpool Corporation was founded in 1911 and is headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan. About Westwing Group (Get Rating) Westwing Group SE, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the home and living eCommerce business. The company operates through two segments, DACH and International. It offers textiles, furniture, kitchen accessories, rugs, and home decor and accessories, as well as lighting, dining, and other products. The company provides its products under own and private label, and third-party brands. It has operations in 11 European countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Italy. Westwing Group SE was incorporated in 2011 and is headquartered in Munich, Germany. Receive News & Ratings for Whirlpool Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Whirlpool and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Dingdong (Cayman) Limited (NYSE:DDL Get Rating) dropped 4.7% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $2.98 and last traded at $3.03. Approximately 112,709 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 87% from the average daily volume of 893,520 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.18. Dingdong (Cayman) Stock Down 4.7 % The firm has a market cap of $715.78 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -11.54 and a beta of -0.23. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $3.29 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $4.19. Get Dingdong (Cayman) alerts: Institutional Trading of Dingdong (Cayman) A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new stake in Dingdong (Cayman) in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Citadel Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Dingdong (Cayman) during the third quarter worth about $37,000. Credit Suisse AG acquired a new position in shares of Dingdong (Cayman) during the 4th quarter worth about $45,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP purchased a new position in Dingdong (Cayman) in the 1st quarter valued at about $60,000. Finally, Bayesian Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Dingdong (Cayman) in the 1st quarter worth about $64,000. 24.41% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Dingdong (Cayman) Dingdong (Cayman) Limited operates an e-commerce company in China. The company offers fresh groceries, including vegetables, meat and eggs, fruits, and seafood; prepared food, and other food products, such as dairy and bakery products, snacks, oil, seasonings, and beverages. It also operates as a self-operated online retail business primarily through Dingdong Fresh app. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Dingdong (Cayman) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dingdong (Cayman) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Employers Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:EIG Get Rating) by 0.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 79,747 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 511 shares during the quarter. Employers accounts for about 1.9% of Carolina Wealth Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest holding. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC owned about 0.29% of Employers worth $3,325,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Pathstone Family Office LLC boosted its stake in shares of Employers by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 17,091 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $737,000 after buying an additional 617 shares during the last quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Employers during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Advisor Partners II LLC boosted its stake in shares of Employers by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC now owns 17,135 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $739,000 after buying an additional 784 shares during the last quarter. Eaton Vance Management boosted its stake in shares of Employers by 4.7% during the 1st quarter. Eaton Vance Management now owns 17,818 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $731,000 after buying an additional 798 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Hong Kong Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Employers by 510.1% during the 1st quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 970 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 811 shares during the last quarter. 79.80% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Employers alerts: Insider Activity In other news, CEO Katherine H. Antonello purchased 6,880 shares of Employers stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The stock was bought at an average price of $36.46 per share, with a total value of $250,844.80. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 77,177 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,813,873.42. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock. Employers Price Performance EIG traded up $0.07 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $37.26. 15,252 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 140,822. The stock has a market cap of $1.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.69 and a beta of 0.24. Employers Holdings, Inc. has a 12 month low of $32.58 and a 12 month high of $46.73. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $38.84 and a 200-day simple moving average of $41.44. Employers (NYSE:EIG Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The financial services provider reported $0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.03. Employers had a net margin of 9.67% and a return on equity of 9.26%. The company had revenue of $206.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $206.81 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.33 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 35.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Employers Holdings, Inc. will post 3.13 EPS for the current year. Employers Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 24th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 10th were issued a dividend of $0.28 per share. This is an increase from Employerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 9th. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.01%. Employerss payout ratio is 41.18%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have recently commented on EIG. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Employers in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Janney Montgomery Scott assumed coverage on Employers in a research note on Friday, February 24th. They set a buy rating and a $50.00 price objective on the stock. Employers Company Profile (Get Rating) Employers Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates in the commercial property and casualty insurance industry primarily in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Employers and Cerity. It offers workers' compensation insurance to small businesses in low to medium hazard industries under the Employers and Cerity brands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Employers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Employers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE:FMS Get Rating) was upgraded by research analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report issued on Thursday. FMS has been the subject of several other research reports. 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. HSBC downgraded shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a hold rating to a reduce rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 7th. Sanford C. Bernstein initiated coverage on shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in a research report on Tuesday, March 7th. They issued a market perform rating for the company. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $28.45. Get Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA alerts: Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:FMS traded up $0.20 on Thursday, hitting $23.85. 668,512 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 789,638. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA has a 1-year low of $12.78 and a 1-year high of $25.59. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $22.97 and its 200 day moving average price is $20.18. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.50 and a beta of 1.02. Institutional Trading of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA ( NYSE:FMS Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 firm had revenue of $5.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.98 billion. Sell-side analysts predict that Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA will post 1.17 EPS for the current year. Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Pzena Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 85.4% during the 4th quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 24,332,192 shares of the companys stock worth $397,588,000 after purchasing an additional 11,209,015 shares during the period. Dodge & Cox boosted its position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 20.5% during the 1st quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 4,223,110 shares of the companys stock worth $89,783,000 after purchasing an additional 718,910 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 77.1% during the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,570,817 shares of the companys stock worth $25,667,000 after purchasing an additional 683,851 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $16,738,000. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. boosted its position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 69.5% during the 1st quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 750,610 shares of the companys stock worth $15,958,000 after purchasing an additional 307,801 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 6.66% of the companys stock. 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Global Business Travel Group, Inc. (NYSE:GBTG Get Rating) saw unusually-high trading volume on Friday . Approximately 314,044 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 214% from the previous sessions volume of 100,154 shares.The stock last traded at $8.01 and had previously closed at $7.91. Analyst Ratings Changes GBTG has been the subject of several analyst reports. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Global Business Travel Group from $9.00 to $8.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Global Business Travel Group from $6.50 to $7.50 in a research note on Sunday, March 12th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $9.00 price target on shares of Global Business Travel Group in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $7.92. Get Global Business Travel Group alerts: Global Business Travel Group Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.64. The companys 50-day moving average price is $6.78 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $6.69. The company has a market capitalization of $3.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -12.76 and a beta of 0.27. Insiders Place Their Bets Global Business Travel Group ( NYSE:GBTG Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported ($0.06) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.03) by ($0.03). Global Business Travel Group had a negative return on equity of 2.09% and a negative net margin of 1.30%. The firm had revenue of $578.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $555.50 million. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Global Business Travel Group, Inc. will post -0.18 EPS for the current fiscal year. In other Global Business Travel Group news, CEO Paul G. Abbott acquired 8,147 shares of Global Business Travel Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 16th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $6.25 per share, for a total transaction of $50,918.75. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 2,537,225 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,857,656.25. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 5.00% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in GBTG. Apollo Management Holdings L.P. bought a new stake in Global Business Travel Group in the first quarter worth about $170,437,000. Dendur Capital LP grew its stake in Global Business Travel Group by 42.7% in the 4th quarter. Dendur Capital LP now owns 1,734,773 shares of the companys stock worth $11,710,000 after buying an additional 518,900 shares in the last quarter. ETF Managers Group LLC purchased a new position in Global Business Travel Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $7,656,000. Hudson Bay Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Global Business Travel Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $6,173,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Global Business Travel Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,127,000. 12.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Global Business Travel Group Company Profile (Get Rating) Global Business Travel Group, Inc provides business-to-business (B2B) travel platform in the United States and internationally. The company's platform offers a suite of technology-enabled solutions to business travelers and clients; travel content suppliers including airlines, hotels, ground transportation, and aggregators; and third-party travel agencies. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Global Business Travel Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Global Business Travel Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HB Wealth Management LLC lessened its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Rating) by 1.5% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 16,328 shares of the companys stock after selling 255 shares during the period. HB Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $5,607,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in LLY. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter worth about $107,000. Roundview Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 2,056 shares of the companys stock worth $589,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter worth about $210,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 9.9% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 53,052 shares of the companys stock worth $15,193,000 after purchasing an additional 4,774 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter worth about $561,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.25% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance Shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $457.68 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 1.02. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $423.90 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $373.21. The stock has a market capitalization of $434.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 72.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.36. Eli Lilly and Company has a one year low of $296.32 and a one year high of $462.26. Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by ($0.11). The company had revenue of $6.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.87 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 61.42% and a net margin of 20.54%. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue for the quarter was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.62 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.79 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th were paid a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 12th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.99%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 71.86%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 205,000 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $342.01, for a total value of $70,112,050.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 102,543,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $35,071,008,458.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 205,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $342.01, for a total transaction of $70,112,050.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 102,543,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $35,071,008,458.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Johna Norton sold 1,647 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $444.29, for a total value of $731,745.63. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 31,761 shares in the company, valued at $14,111,094.69. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 1,172,761 shares of company stock valued at $461,396,900 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages recently issued reports on LLY. StockNews.com cut Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, June 12th. Guggenheim dropped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $395.00 to $392.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $430.00 to $505.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $432.00 to $485.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $370.00 to $360.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $431.00. Eli Lilly and Company Profile (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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi (OTCMKTS:TKYVY Get Rating) is one of 246 publicly-traded companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi to related businesses based on the strength of its risk, dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation and profitability. Profitability This table compares Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi N/A N/A N/A Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi Competitors 32.08% 10.46% 0.92% Earnings & Valuation This table compares Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi N/A N/A 0.76 Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi Competitors $3.52 billion $831.32 million 280.69 Insider and Institutional Ownership Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligis competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi. Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi 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. 0.0% of Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 34.8% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by institutional investors. 13.7% 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. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi 3 0 0 0 1.00 Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi Competitors 1095 3538 3428 53 2.30 As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 496.82%. Given Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligis competitors stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. Dividends Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi pays an annual dividend of $0.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.6%. Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi pays out 5.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 10.5% and pay out 16.8% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Summary Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi competitors beat Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi on 12 of the 13 factors compared. About Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi (Get Rating) Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi, together with its subsidiaries, provides corporate, commercial, small business, retail, and investment banking services in Turkey and internationally. It offers time and demand deposits, accumulating accounts, repos, spot loans, foreign currency indexed loans, consumer loans, automobile and housing loans, working capital loans, discounted bills, overdraft facilities, gold loans, foreign currency loans, Eximbank loans, pre-export loans, ECA covered financing, letters of guarantee, letters of credit, export factoring, acceptance credits, and draft facilities. The company also provides forfeiting, leasing, forwards, futures, salary payments, investment accounts, cheques, safety boxes, tax collections, bill payment, and payment order services, as well as insurance products. In addition, it offers foreign trade transactions, cash management, factoring, credit cards, investment products, leasing, and other banking products to its corporate, commercial, and retail customers. Further, the company provides small business banking services, including overdraft accounts, POS machines, credit cards, cheque books, TL and foreign currency deposits, Internet banking and call-center, debit card, and bill payment to enterprises in retail and service sectors. Additionally, it offers capital market transactions; issues capital market tools; purchases and sells marketable securities; and provides investment consultancy and portfolio management services, as well as invests in marketable debt and equity securities, and gold and other precious metals. The company was founded in 1954 and is based in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi is a subsidiary of Ministry of Treasury and Finance. Receive News & Ratings for Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (OTCMKTS:HTZZ Get Rating) shares traded down 0.8% on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $17.49 and last traded at $17.64. 1,863,692 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 223% from the average session volume of 577,139 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.79. Hertz Global Stock Performance The companys fifty day simple moving average is $16.31 and its 200 day simple moving average is $16.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.07, a current ratio of 2.91 and a quick ratio of 2.91. About Hertz Global (Get Rating) Hertz Global Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides airport and off airport vehicle rental and leasing services. It operates through three segments: U.S. RAC, International RAC, and All Other Operations. The company provides its vehicle rental services under the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, Firefly, and Flexicar brands from approximately 12,000 corporate and franchisee locations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and New Zealand. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Hertz Global Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hertz Global and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HMS Capital Management LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Get Rating) by 6.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,141 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 83 shares during the period. Chipotle Mexican Grill makes up 1.2% of HMS Capital Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 14th largest position. HMS Capital Management LLCs holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $1,949,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 1st quarter worth $26,000. FourThought Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 350.0% during the 3rd quarter. FourThought Financial LLC now owns 18 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares in the last quarter. Elequin Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Heritage Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC now owns 20 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Global Wealth Strategies & Associates acquired a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Institutional investors own 91.91% of the companys stock. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Down 0.1 % NYSE:CMG traded down $1.92 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $2,048.60. The company had a trading volume of 27,650 shares, compared to its average volume of 288,114. The firm has a market cap of $56.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.43, a P/E/G ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.34. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $2,011.65 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $1,716.48. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a twelve month low of $1,233.61 and a twelve month high of $2,139.88. Analyst Ratings Changes Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The restaurant operator reported $10.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $8.89 by $1.61. The firm had revenue of $2.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.34 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 11.49% and a return on equity of 45.01%. The businesss revenue was up 18.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $5.70 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 43.87 earnings per share for the current year. A number of research analysts have issued reports on CMG shares. Stephens increased their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,970.00 to $2,000.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,750.00 to $2,000.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,000.00 to $2,200.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $1,800.00 to $1,950.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Argus raised their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $2,200.00 to $2,400.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Chipotle Mexican Grill has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $2,066.93. Insider Activity In related news, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,023 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,695.00, for a total transaction of $1,733,985.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 23,347 shares in the company, valued at $39,573,165. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, Director Robin S. Hickenlooper sold 74 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $2,056.73, for a total value of $152,198.02. Following the sale, the director now owns 853 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,754,390.69. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Brian R. Niccol sold 1,023 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,695.00, for a total transaction of $1,733,985.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 23,347 shares in the company, valued at approximately $39,573,165. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 12,346 shares of company stock worth $24,704,401 over the last three months. 0.96% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. About Chipotle Mexican Grill (Get Rating) Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It offers burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Newport Beach, California. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR Get Rating) have received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the nine brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and six have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $61.40. A number of research firms recently issued reports on IR. StockNews.com upgraded Ingersoll Rand from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, June 2nd. Evercore ISI raised shares of Ingersoll Rand from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and set a $71.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $62.00 to $66.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, April 10th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Get Ingersoll Rand alerts: Insider Transactions at Ingersoll Rand In related news, insider Gary E. Gillespie sold 27,487 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.73, for a total transaction of $1,669,285.51. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 42,234 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,564,870.82. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Ingersoll Rand news, insider Vicente Reynal sold 27,169 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.00, for a total value of $1,765,985.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 73,877 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,802,005. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Gary E. Gillespie sold 27,487 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.73, for a total transaction of $1,669,285.51. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 42,234 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,564,870.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 58,659 shares of company stock valued at $3,685,458. Company insiders own 0.83% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Ingersoll Rand Ingersoll Rand Trading Down 1.0 % Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of IR. Quintet Private Bank Europe S.A. bought a new stake in Ingersoll Rand in the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. Compass Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ingersoll Rand in the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Field & Main Bank raised its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 42.3% in the 1st quarter. Field & Main Bank now owns 673 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. raised its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 127.1% in the 1st quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. now owns 679 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 380 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CoreCap Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ingersoll Rand in the 4th quarter valued at $41,000. 94.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. IR opened at $63.52 on Friday. Ingersoll Rand has a 52 week low of $39.28 and a 52 week high of $65.24. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $59.18 and a 200-day simple moving average of $56.79. The firm has a market cap of $25.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.21 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a quick ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 2.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The industrial products company reported $0.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $1.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.48 billion. Ingersoll Rand had a return on equity of 10.69% and a net margin of 10.66%. On average, equities analysts expect that Ingersoll Rand will post 2.57 earnings per share for the current year. Ingersoll Rand Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 22nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 24th were paid a $0.02 dividend. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 23rd. Ingersoll Rands dividend payout ratio is currently 4.94%. Ingersoll Rand Company Profile (Get Rating Ingersoll Rand, Inc provides a broad range of mission critical air, fluid, energy, specialty vehicle and medical technologies, providing services and solutions to increase industrial productivity and efficiency. It operates through the following segments: Industrial Technologies and Services, Precision and Science Technologies, High Pressure Solutions, and Specialty Vehicle Technologies. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Ingersoll Rand Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ingersoll Rand and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc. (NYSE:IVR Get Rating) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, June 21st, Zacks reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 3rd will be given a dividend of 0.40 per share by the real estate investment trust on Thursday, July 27th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 14.16%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 30th. Invesco Mortgage Capital has decreased its dividend by an average of 44.9% annually over the last three years. Invesco Mortgage Capital has a dividend payout ratio of 35.0% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Invesco Mortgage Capital to earn $4.01 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.60 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 39.9%. Get Invesco Mortgage Capital alerts: Invesco Mortgage Capital Stock Down 0.6 % NYSE:IVR opened at $11.30 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.59 and a 200 day simple moving average of $11.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $470.61 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.24 and a beta of 1.64. Invesco Mortgage Capital has a 1-year low of $9.48 and a 1-year high of $18.00. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several analysts have issued reports on IVR shares. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Invesco Mortgage Capital from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, May 11th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Invesco Mortgage Capital from $12.00 to $11.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd increased its stake in Invesco Mortgage Capital by 55.1% during the first quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd now owns 48,578 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $111,000 after acquiring an additional 17,257 shares during the period. Guggenheim Capital LLC increased its holdings in Invesco Mortgage Capital by 50.9% in the 1st quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 43,389 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $99,000 after buying an additional 14,638 shares during the period. Quarry LP raised its stake in shares of Invesco Mortgage Capital by 1,101.3% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 8,073 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $90,000 after buying an additional 7,401 shares in the last quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Invesco Mortgage Capital by 196.4% during the 1st quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 33,536 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $76,000 after acquiring an additional 22,222 shares during the period. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky bought a new stake in Invesco Mortgage Capital in the third quarter valued at about $60,000. Institutional investors own 48.87% of the companys stock. About Invesco Mortgage Capital (Get Rating) Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that primarily focuses on investing in, financing, and managing mortgage-backed securities and other mortgage-related assets. It invests in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) that are guaranteed by a U.S. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Mortgage Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Mortgage Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HMS Capital Management LLC lessened its position in Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J Get Rating) by 30.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,314 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,321 shares during the quarter. HMS Capital Management LLCs holdings in Jacobs Solutions were worth $624,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Jacobs Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its position in shares of Jacobs Solutions by 7.8% in the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 3,426,952 shares of the companys stock valued at $402,701,000 after acquiring an additional 247,212 shares in the last quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Jacobs Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $996,000. Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Jacobs Solutions by 89.4% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 48,966 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,754,000 after acquiring an additional 23,106 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Country Club Bank GFN increased its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 74.6% in the 1st quarter. Country Club Bank GFN now owns 35,339 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,105,000 after buying an additional 15,103 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.11% of the companys stock. Get Jacobs Solutions alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have weighed in on J. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their price objective on shares of Jacobs Solutions from $165.00 to $150.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $149.00. Insider Activity at Jacobs Solutions Jacobs Solutions Stock Performance In other Jacobs Solutions news, insider Steven J. Demetriou sold 6,666 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, April 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.24, for a total value of $768,189.84. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 607,956 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $70,060,849.44. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . In other news, CFO Kevin C. Berryman sold 1,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.25, for a total transaction of $171,375.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 252,132 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $28,806,081. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, insider Steven J. Demetriou sold 6,666 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.24, for a total transaction of $768,189.84. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 607,956 shares of the companys stock, valued at $70,060,849.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last three months, insiders have sold 21,498 shares of company stock worth $2,474,745. 1.00% of the stock is owned by insiders. NYSE:J traded down $1.60 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $114.78. The stock had a trading volume of 31,845 shares, compared to its average volume of 656,978. Jacobs Solutions Inc. has a 1-year low of $106.78 and a 1-year high of $138.05. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $115.27 and its 200-day simple moving average is $118.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 1.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.30, a PEG ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 0.84. Jacobs Solutions (NYSE:J Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported $1.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.78 by $0.03. Jacobs Solutions had a net margin of 4.96% and a return on equity of 14.78%. The business had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.72 EPS. Jacobs Solutionss revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Jacobs Solutions Inc. will post 7.35 EPS for the current fiscal year. Jacobs Solutions Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, May 26th will be paid a $0.26 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 25th. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.91%. Jacobs Solutionss payout ratio is presently 17.25%. Jacobs Solutions Profile (Get Rating) Jacobs Solutions Inc provides consulting, technical, scientific, and project delivery services for the government and private sectors in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Mexico, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through three segments: Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, and PA Consulting. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding J? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Jacobs Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jacobs Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC raised its holdings in KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY Get Rating) by 9.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,865 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,500 shares during the quarter. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLCs holdings in KeyCorp were worth $224,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in KEY. Continental Investors Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of KeyCorp in the third quarter valued at approximately $221,000. Boothbay Fund Management LLC acquired a new stake in KeyCorp in the third quarter valued at $271,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its position in shares of KeyCorp by 19.7% during the 4th quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 256,989 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,477,000 after purchasing an additional 42,243 shares in the last quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC grew its stake in shares of KeyCorp by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 97,440 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,568,000 after purchasing an additional 1,260 shares during the period. Finally, Quadrant Capital Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of KeyCorp by 24.5% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 8,836 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $154,000 after purchasing an additional 1,739 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.69% of the companys stock. Get KeyCorp alerts: KeyCorp Trading Down 0.5 % Shares of KEY stock traded down $0.05 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $9.51. 1,066,385 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 21,655,650. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $10.29 and a 200 day moving average of $14.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.92. KeyCorp has a 1 year low of $8.53 and a 1 year high of $20.30. The firm has a market cap of $8.89 billion, a PE ratio of 5.40, a PEG ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.25. KeyCorp Announces Dividend KeyCorp ( NYSE:KEY Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The financial services provider reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.44. KeyCorp had a net margin of 19.09% and a return on equity of 15.63%. The company had revenue of $1.71 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.80 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.45 earnings per share. KeyCorps revenue was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that KeyCorp will post 1.65 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 30th were issued a dividend of $0.205 per share. This represents a $0.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.62%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 26th. KeyCorps payout ratio is currently 46.33%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider Amy G. Brady sold 12,388 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.11, for a total value of $125,242.68. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 106,733 shares in the company, valued at $1,079,070.63. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, insider Andrew J. Paine III bought 75,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was acquired at an average price of $9.78 per share, for a total transaction of $733,500.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now owns 335,414 shares in the company, valued at $3,280,348.92. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Amy G. Brady sold 12,388 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.11, for a total value of $125,242.68. Following the sale, the insider now owns 106,733 shares in the company, valued at $1,079,070.63. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders acquired 85,700 shares of company stock valued at $857,507. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on shares of KeyCorp from $13.50 to $11.50 in a report on Thursday, June 15th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on KeyCorp from $20.00 to $17.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 21st. 888 reissued a maintains rating on shares of KeyCorp in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. Citigroup cut their price target on KeyCorp from $16.00 to $15.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of KeyCorp in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $15.17. About KeyCorp (Get Rating) KeyCorp operates as the holding company for KeyBank National Association that provides various retail and commercial banking products and services in the United States. It operates in two segments, Consumer Bank and Commercial Bank. The company offers various deposits, investment products and services; and personal finance and financial wellness, student loan refinancing, mortgage and home equity, lending, credit card, treasury, business advisory, wealth management, asset management, investment, cash management, portfolio management, and trust and related services to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KEY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for KeyCorp (NYSE:KEY Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for KeyCorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KeyCorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LW Get Rating) saw unusually large options trading on Friday. Stock traders bought 10,085 call options on the company. This is an increase of approximately 729% compared to the average volume of 1,217 call options. Lamb Weston Stock Performance NYSE:LW traded up $0.55 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $115.55. 429,863 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,350,024. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 0.54. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $112.03 and its 200 day simple moving average is $102.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.43, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 2.59. Lamb Weston has a fifty-two week low of $69.70 and a fifty-two week high of $115.56. Get Lamb Weston alerts: Lamb Weston (NYSE:LW Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 6th. The specialty retailer reported $1.43 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.45. The business had revenue of $1.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.16 billion. Lamb Weston had a return on equity of 110.40% and a net margin of 11.27%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 26.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.73 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Lamb Weston will post 4.51 EPS for the current fiscal year. Analysts Set New Price Targets Insider Transactions at Lamb Weston A number of research analysts have weighed in on LW shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Lamb Weston in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Lamb Weston from $112.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on Lamb Weston in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. They set a hold rating and a $115.00 target price for the company. Barclays lifted their target price on Lamb Weston from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their target price on Lamb Weston from $115.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Lamb Weston currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $118.40. In other news, SVP Sharon L. Miller sold 4,350 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.00, for a total transaction of $500,250.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 49,859 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,733,785. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.80% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lamb Weston Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bank of Hawaii raised its holdings in Lamb Weston by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Hawaii now owns 5,200 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $544,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System raised its holdings in shares of Lamb Weston by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 9,400 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $982,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Huntington National Bank raised its holdings in shares of Lamb Weston by 4.2% during the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 2,531 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $226,000 after buying an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Greenleaf Trust raised its holdings in shares of Lamb Weston by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 3,235 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $338,000 after buying an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Czech National Bank raised its holdings in shares of Lamb Weston by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 16,947 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $1,771,000 after buying an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. 86.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Lamb Weston (Get Rating) Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc produces, distributes, and markets value-added frozen potato products worldwide. It operates through four segments: Global, Foodservice, Retail, and Other. The company offers frozen potatoes, commercial ingredients, and appetizers under the Lamb Weston brand, as well as under various customer labels. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Lamb Weston Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lamb Weston and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Luts & Greenleigh Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D Get Rating) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 4,539 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $254,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Retirement Financial Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Dominion Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. AXS Investments LLC acquired a new position in Dominion Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH acquired a new position in Dominion Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in Dominion Energy by 49.8% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 394 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new position in Dominion Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.58% of the companys stock. Get Dominion Energy alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Dominion Energy In other Dominion Energy news, COO Diane Leopold sold 6,250 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.16, for a total value of $307,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 100,115 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,921,653.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.15% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Dominion Energy Stock Down 0.5 % Shares of NYSE:D opened at $53.00 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. Dominion Energy, Inc. has a 52-week low of $48.47 and a 52-week high of $86.28. The company has a 50 day moving average of $54.03 and a two-hundred day moving average of $57.13. The company has a market capitalization of $44.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 0.44. Dominion Energy (NYSE:D Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The utilities provider reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.01. Dominion Energy had a net margin of 7.05% and a return on equity of 12.67%. The company had revenue of $5.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.46 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.18 earnings per share. Dominion Energys revenue for the quarter was up 22.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Dominion Energy, Inc. will post 3.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Dominion Energy Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 2nd were given a $0.6675 dividend. This represents a $2.67 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.04%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 1st. Dominion Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 186.71%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. 51job reissued a maintains rating on shares of Dominion Energy in a research note on Friday, June 9th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Dominion Energy from $58.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Bank of America dropped their price objective on shares of Dominion Energy from $54.00 to $52.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Dominion Energy in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. They set a neutral rating for the company. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on shares of Dominion Energy from $66.00 to $61.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $62.55. Dominion Energy Company Profile (Get Rating) Dominion Energy, Inc engages in the production and distribution of energy. It operates through following business segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Gas Distribution, Dominion Energy South Carolina, Contracted Assets, and Corporate and Other. The Corporate and Other segment focuses on corporate, service company, non-controlling interest in Dominion privatization, and non-regulated retail energy marketing operations. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Dominion Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dominion Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC lessened its holdings in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:JNK Get Rating) by 6.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,969 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 277 shares during the period. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLCs holdings in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF were worth $368,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Sage Advisory Services Ltd.Co. lifted its position in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Sage Advisory Services Ltd.Co. now owns 27,350 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,462,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Appleton Partners Inc. MA lifted its position in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Appleton Partners Inc. MA now owns 24,230 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,249,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Security National Bank of Sioux City Iowa IA lifted its position in SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. Security National Bank of Sioux City Iowa IA now owns 5,003 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $450,000 after acquiring an additional 130 shares during the last quarter. Austin Private Wealth LLC increased its holdings in shares of SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF by 2.4% during the 1st quarter. Austin Private Wealth LLC now owns 6,337 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $588,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the period. Finally, 4Thought Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF by 5.5% during the 4th quarter. 4Thought Financial Group Inc. now owns 2,964 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $267,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.04% of the companys stock. Get SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF alerts: SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF Stock Performance NYSEARCA:JNK opened at $91.18 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $91.48 and its 200-day moving average is $91.64. SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF has a 52-week low of $86.28 and a 52-week high of $98.00. SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF Profile SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly SPDR Barclays Capital High Yield Bond ETF, seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of the Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid Index (the Index). The Index includes publicly issued United States dollar denominated, non-investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bonds that have a remaining maturity of at least one year, regardless of optionality, are rated high-yield using the middle rating of Moodys, S&P, and Fitch, respectively, and have $600 million or more of outstanding face value. See Also Receive News & Ratings for SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH Get Rating) had its target price cut by Truist Financial from $380.00 to $365.00 in a report issued on Tuesday, The Fly reports. Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on MOH. UBS Group began coverage on Molina Healthcare in a report on Tuesday. They issued a neutral rating and a $310.00 target price for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on Molina Healthcare from $365.00 to $335.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. StockNews.com cut Molina Healthcare from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, June 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Molina Healthcare from $360.00 to $348.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 23rd. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on Molina Healthcare in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. They issued an overweight rating and a $354.00 price target on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $353.50. Get Molina Healthcare alerts: Molina Healthcare Stock Up 1.6 % Shares of MOH opened at $287.57 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 1.47 and a current ratio of 1.47. Molina Healthcare has a one year low of $256.19 and a one year high of $374.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.59, a PEG ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 0.68. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $286.44 and a 200 day moving average price of $294.42. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Molina Healthcare Molina Healthcare ( NYSE:MOH Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported $5.81 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.13 by $0.68. The firm had revenue of $8.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.31 billion. Molina Healthcare had a return on equity of 36.20% and a net margin of 2.64%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $4.90 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Molina Healthcare will post 20.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its position in Molina Healthcare by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 6,315 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,766,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC grew its position in Molina Healthcare by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 8,454 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,261,000 after buying an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. grew its position in Molina Healthcare by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 921 shares of the companys stock valued at $304,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Utah Retirement Systems lifted its holdings in Molina Healthcare by 0.4% in the third quarter. Utah Retirement Systems now owns 10,299 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,397,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares during the period. Finally, Czech National Bank lifted its holdings in Molina Healthcare by 0.6% in the first quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 6,879 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,840,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.09% of the companys stock. About Molina Healthcare (Get Rating) Molina Healthcare, Inc provides managed healthcare services to low-income families and individuals under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. It operates in four segments, Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace, and Other. The company served in across 19 states. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Long Beach, California. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Molina Healthcare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molina Healthcare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Osirium Technologies PLC (LON:OSI Get Rating) shares dropped 5.3% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as GBX 1.72 ($0.02) and last traded at GBX 1.80 ($0.02). Approximately 170,841 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 86% from the average daily volume of 1,186,850 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1.90 ($0.02). Osirium Technologies Price Performance The company has a market cap of 2.21 million, a PE ratio of -25.71 and a beta of -0.09. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1,173.52. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 1.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 2.34. Osirium Technologies Company Profile (Get Rating) Osirium Technologies PLC develops and sells cyber security software products in the United Kingdom. The company's products include Privileged Access Security, a solution that controls and protects access to customers' shared applications, services, and devices; and Privileged Access Management, a solution to minimize the risk of security breaches by controlling, securing, and auditing the vital assets in privileged accounts. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Osirium Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Osirium Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CLEAR LAKE More residences and business in northern Dunn County will have access to high-speed broadband next year after a grant application from Nextgen Broadband was approved by the state Public Service Commission. According to a press release, Nextgen Broadband will receive $1.33 million to bring fiber access to 557 residences and seven businesses in the towns of New Haven and Tiffany. To complete the project, Nextgen Broadband will have to match that amount. Dunn County, New Haven and Tiffany are contributing $20,000, $3,000 and $2,000, respectively, to the project. Nextgen Broadband, a subsidiary of Clear Lake Telephone Co., has completed fiber-to-home construction in Boyceville and Downing, according to the release. Tim Kusilek, Nextgen Broadband general manager, said the PSC grant will help to fill a gap between Clear Lake and Boyceville and Downing and allow us to provide fiber redundancy to all our communities that we serve. In May, the PSC awarded funding of $16.6 million for 24 projects statewide to expand broadband internet to 6,042 residential and 276 business locations that are underserved. The projects receiving awards will impact 19 counties. The PSC received 74 applications. The investments weve made in Wisconsins Broadband Expansion Program since 2019 have helped to deliver affordable, high-speed internet to communities across our state, said Gov. Tony Evers in announcing the grants. The longer it takes to expand access, the more costly it will be for our state to catch up. This latest round will help even more folks connect with one another. Construction on the Dunn County project will begin in spring 2024, according to the release, with customers being able to sign up for service in fall 2024. Some 107 miles of fiber optic lines will be installed to the 557 households and seven businesses that currently have much slower DSL service. Expanding broadband service to these locations, the company said in its PSC application, will provide subscribers with a high quality and reliable broadband infrastructure to expand their educational, economic and health care opportunities. Kusilek said he was grateful for the support of Dunn County and the towns of Tiffany and New Haven in partnering with Nextgen Broadband for this project. Dan Dunbar, chair of the Dunn County Broadband Task Force, said the county is working hard to bring broadband access to underserved areas of the county, and this project will be a boon for people living in these two northern towns. Our goal is to bring broadband access to all Dunn County residents and businesses who want it, Dunbar said. This project is an important step toward accomplishing that goal. Other western Wisconsin projects approved for funding include $107,244 for Eau Claire County to provide service to one business and 24 homes in the town of Fairchild; $131,000 for Bloomer Telephone Co. to reach 25 homes in the town of Tilden in Chippewa County; $635,966 for Ntera to reach two businesses and 207 homes in the towns of Ruby, Goetz, Eagle Point and Cleveland in Chippewa County; $193,003 for Citizens Connected to reach 67 homes in the towns of Chetek and Rusk in Barron and Rusk counties; $110,000 for Tri-County Communications Cooperative to reach two businesses and 16 homes in the town of Clear Creek in Eau Claire County; and $118,150 for Bruce Telephone Co. to reach 53 homes in the town of Rusk in Rusk County. Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR Get Rating)s stock had its downgrade rating reaffirmed by equities researchers at 58.com in a report released on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. POR has been the topic of a number of other reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of Portland General Electric in a report on Monday, May 8th. They issued an overweight rating and a $56.00 price objective on the stock. Guggenheim cut Portland General Electric from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday. Credit Suisse Group raised their target price on Portland General Electric from $48.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 21st. StockNews.com upgraded Portland General Electric from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, June 10th. Finally, Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of Portland General Electric from $56.00 to $52.00 in a report on Thursday. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Portland General Electric has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $50.57. Get Portland General Electric alerts: Portland General Electric Stock Down 0.5 % Shares of NYSE POR traded down $0.23 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $47.11. The companys stock had a trading volume of 201,413 shares, compared to its average volume of 789,776. Portland General Electric has a 1 year low of $41.58 and a 1 year high of $56.37. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $49.70 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $48.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 0.89. Insider Buying and Selling at Portland General Electric Portland General Electric ( NYSE:POR Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The utilities provider reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $622.50 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.67 EPS. Portland General Electrics revenue for the quarter was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Portland General Electric will post 2.68 EPS for the current year. In other news, VP John Teeruk Kochavatr sold 3,000 shares of Portland General Electric stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.12, for a total value of $153,360.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 15,489 shares of the companys stock, valued at $791,797.68. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.51% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Portland General Electric during the 1st quarter worth $36,000. Ridgewood Investments LLC purchased a new position in Portland General Electric in the first quarter valued at about $39,000. Benjamin Edwards Inc. lifted its position in shares of Portland General Electric by 150.9% during the 1st quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 946 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 569 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Portland General Electric by 475.1% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 995 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 822 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CI Investments Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Portland General Electric by 54.6% in the 4th quarter. CI Investments Inc. now owns 1,435 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $70,000 after acquiring an additional 507 shares during the period. Portland General Electric Company Profile (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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Portland General Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Portland General Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG Get Rating) had its target price increased by Raymond James from $240.00 to $245.00 in a research note released on Tuesday, The Fly reports. A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $225.00 to $230.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $212.00 to $220.00 in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Citigroup lifted their price target on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $228.00 to $232.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, VNET Group reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $224.57. Get Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. alerts: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Price Performance Shares of AJG stock opened at $212.86 on Tuesday. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a 52-week low of $157.18 and a 52-week high of $219.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a current ratio of 1.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $45.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.49, a P/E/G ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 0.70. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $209.38 and a 200 day moving average price of $197.12. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Announces Dividend Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. ( NYSE:AJG Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The financial services provider reported $3.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.00 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $2.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.67 billion. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a return on equity of 18.86% and a net margin of 13.22%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 8.71 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 16th. Investors of record on Friday, June 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 1st. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.03%. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 40.82%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. news, VP Joel D. Cavaness sold 2,750 shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $204.23, for a total transaction of $561,632.50. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 2,023 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $413,157.29. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, CAO Richard C. Cary sold 3,204 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.62, for a total value of $697,254.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 37,285 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,113,961.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Joel D. Cavaness sold 2,750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $204.23, for a total value of $561,632.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 2,023 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $413,157.29. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 101,503 shares of company stock worth $21,433,355 in the last ninety days. 1.60% of the stock is owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in the 4th quarter worth about $1,431,788,000. Boston Partners acquired a new position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in the 1st quarter worth about $418,715,000. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 40.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,143,144 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $404,069,000 after purchasing an additional 619,008 shares during the period. Axiom Investors LLC DE acquired a new position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in the 4th quarter worth about $116,254,000. Finally, Bain Capital Public Equity Management II LLC raised its holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 502.3% in the 3rd quarter. Bain Capital Public Equity Management II LLC now owns 499,542 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $85,532,000 after purchasing an additional 416,605 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.55% of the companys stock. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Company Profile (Get Rating) Arthur J. Gallagher & Co engages in the provision of insurance brokerage, consulting, and third-party claims settlement and administration services. It operates through the following business segments: Brokerage, Risk Management, and Corporate. The Brokerage segment consists of retail and wholesale insurance brokerage operations. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Retirement Solution Inc. purchased a new stake in Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Get Rating) during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 866 shares of the communications equipment providers stock, valued at approximately $248,000. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Accurate Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Motorola Solutions by 2,344.8% during the 1st quarter. Accurate Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,090 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $2,011,000 after buying an additional 6,800 shares during the period. HB Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Motorola Solutions by 8.9% during the 1st quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,995 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $857,000 after purchasing an additional 245 shares during the last quarter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 542.7% in the 1st quarter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC now owns 3,644 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $1,043,000 after acquiring an additional 3,077 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 8.5% in the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 435,297 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $124,552,000 after acquiring an additional 34,002 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Leavell Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 7.4% in the 1st quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. now owns 854 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $245,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. 82.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Motorola Solutions Trading Up 0.9 % Shares of MSI opened at $283.68 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $286.61 and its 200-day moving average price is $272.68. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a twelve month low of $204.55 and a twelve month high of $299.43. The stock has a market cap of $47.57 billion, a PE ratio of 35.46, a P/E/G ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.15. Motorola Solutions Dividend Announcement Motorola Solutions ( NYSE:MSI Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The communications equipment provider reported $2.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.05 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $2.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.12 billion. Motorola Solutions had a net margin of 14.63% and a negative return on equity of 1,549.95%. Motorola Solutionss revenue for the quarter was up 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.53 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 10.06 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $0.88 per share. This represents a $3.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.24%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is currently 44.00%. Insider Buying and Selling at Motorola Solutions In other Motorola Solutions news, CAO Katherine A. Maher sold 1,933 shares of the 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 transaction, 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 can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Gregory Q. Brown sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at $26,738,252.59. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CAO Katherine A. Maher sold 1,933 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $289.01, for a total transaction of $558,656.33. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 1,611 shares in the company, valued at approximately $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 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have recently weighed in on MSI. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Motorola Solutions from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $300.00 to $305.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Motorola Solutions from $310.00 to $335.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Motorola Solutions from $303.00 to $329.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Finally, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM restated a maintains rating on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $301.67. Motorola Solutions Company Profile (Get Rating) 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Motorola Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Motorola Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Revolution Bars Group plc (LON:RBG Get Rating)s stock price passed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 6.94 ($0.09) and traded as low as GBX 6.82 ($0.09). Revolution Bars Group shares last traded at GBX 6.90 ($0.09), with a volume of 162,150 shares trading hands. Revolution Bars Group Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of 15.53 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -700.00 and a beta of 2.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 81.70. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 6.95 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 7.11. About Revolution Bars Group (Get Rating) Revolution Bars Group plc operates premium bars located in towns or city center high streets across the United Kingdom. Its bars offer food and drinks. The company operates bars under the Revolution and the Revolucion de Cuba brand names. Revolution Bars Group plc was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Ashton-Under-Lyne, the United Kingdom. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Revolution Bars Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Revolution Bars Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Romano Brothers AND Company cut its holdings in Eaton Co. plc (NYSE:ETN Get Rating) by 1.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 16,768 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 285 shares during the quarter. Romano Brothers AND Companys holdings in Eaton were worth $2,873,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Horan Securities Inc. boosted its position in Eaton by 228.6% during the 4th quarter. Horan Securities Inc. now owns 161 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management acquired a new position in Eaton during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. RFP Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Eaton during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new position in Eaton during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in Eaton during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.31% of the companys stock. Get Eaton alerts: Eaton Stock Up 0.4 % ETN stock opened at $195.60 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 1.50 and a quick ratio of 0.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $77.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.51, a PEG ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.12. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $176.18 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $168.22. Eaton Co. plc has a fifty-two week low of $122.50 and a fifty-two week high of $197.49. Eaton Dividend Announcement Eaton ( NYSE:ETN Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $1.88 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $5.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.23 billion. Eaton had a return on equity of 18.70% and a net margin of 12.00%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 13.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.62 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Eaton Co. plc will post 8.45 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 8th were given a dividend of $0.86 per share. This represents a $3.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.76%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 5th. Eatons payout ratio is 53.67%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider Taras G. Jr. Szmagala sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.93, for a total value of $367,860.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 7,300 shares in the company, valued at $1,342,689. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.53% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have recently commented on ETN shares. UBS Group increased their price objective on Eaton from $205.00 to $210.00 in a report on Thursday, May 11th. Mizuho increased their price objective on Eaton from $180.00 to $210.00 in a report on Friday, June 16th. Bank of America increased their price objective on Eaton from $180.00 to $200.00 in a report on Wednesday, March 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on Eaton from $188.00 to $189.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Eaton from $185.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, March 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Eaton currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $180.86. Eaton Company Profile (Get Rating) Eaton Corporation plc operates as a power management company worldwide. The company's Electrical Americas and Electrical Global segment provides electrical components, industrial components, power distribution and assemblies, residential products, single and three phase power quality and connectivity products, wiring devices, circuit protection products, utility power distribution products, power reliability equipment, and services, as well as hazardous duty electrical equipment, emergency lighting, fire detection, explosion-proof instrumentation, and structural support systems. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ETN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eaton Co. plc (NYSE:ETN Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Eaton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eaton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL Get Rating) had its price target increased by investment analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $100.00 to $120.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, The Fly reports. Stifel Nicolaus price objective would indicate a potential upside of 23.19% from the companys current price. Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on RCL. William Blair reissued an outperform rating on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in a report on Thursday, May 4th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Royal Caribbean Cruises in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Truist Financial raised their target price on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $72.00 to $85.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 30th. UBS Group boosted their price target on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $82.00 to $91.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $65.00 to $71.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $89.93. Get Royal Caribbean Cruises alerts: Royal Caribbean Cruises Stock Performance Shares of RCL opened at $97.41 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.41, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.26. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $78.59 and a two-hundred day moving average of $68.27. The stock has a market cap of $24.91 billion, a P/E ratio of -23.93 and a beta of 2.43. Royal Caribbean Cruises has a one year low of $31.09 and a one year high of $97.70. Insiders Place Their Bets Royal Caribbean Cruises ( NYSE:RCL Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported ($0.23) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.71) by $0.48. Royal Caribbean Cruises had a negative return on equity of 25.86% and a negative net margin of 9.72%. The firm had revenue of $2.89 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.82 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted ($4.57) earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 172.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Royal Caribbean Cruises will post 4.69 EPS for the current year. In other news, Director Arne Alexander Wilhelmsen sold 375,000 shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.74, for a total value of $30,277,500.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 20,689,632 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,670,480,887.68. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Arne Alexander Wilhelmsen sold 375,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.74, for a total value of $30,277,500.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 20,689,632 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,670,480,887.68. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Jason T. Liberty sold 36,536 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total transaction of $2,922,880.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 147,078 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,766,240. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 729,861 shares of company stock worth $58,020,180. Corporate insiders own 8.70% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Royal Caribbean Cruises Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in RCL. Prelude Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 96.7% during the 1st quarter. Prelude Capital Management LLC now owns 14,524 shares of the companys stock valued at $948,000 after acquiring an additional 7,139 shares during the last quarter. Toroso Investments LLC purchased a new position in Royal Caribbean Cruises during the first quarter worth about $976,000. Front Row Advisors LLC raised its stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 134.3% during the first quarter. Front Row Advisors LLC now owns 410 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 235 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 25.8% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 268,919 shares of the companys stock valued at $17,560,000 after purchasing an additional 55,147 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC increased its holdings in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 121.4% during the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 4,577 shares of the companys stock worth $299,000 after buying an additional 2,510 shares during the last quarter. 71.08% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Royal Caribbean Cruises (Get Rating) Royal Caribbean Group is a cruise company, which engages in the ownership and operation of the following global cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. The firm also holds interest in TUI Cruises GmbH, which operates the German brands TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Royal Caribbean Cruises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Royal Caribbean Cruises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rye Patch Gold Corp. (CVE:RPM Get Rating)s share price passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of C$1.06 and traded as high as C$1.10. Rye Patch Gold shares last traded at C$1.06, with a volume of 58,513 shares changing hands. Rye Patch Gold Stock Down 0.9 % The firms 50-day simple moving average is C$1.06 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$1.06. About Rye Patch Gold (Get Rating) Rye Patch Gold Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Nevada, the United States. The company primarily explores for gold and silver deposits. It owns a 100% interest in the Florida Canyon Mine covering an area of approximately 71.4 square kilometers located in Nevda. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Rye Patch Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rye Patch Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canaccord Genuity Group set a C$14.00 target price on Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) (CVE:SKE Get Rating) in a research report released on Monday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has a speculative buy rating on the stock. SKE has been the subject of a number of other research reports. CIBC reduced their price objective on Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) from C$17.00 to C$16.50 in a research report on Tuesday, June 6th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) from C$15.00 to C$16.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their price target on Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) from C$16.00 to C$16.50 in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of C$15.75. Get Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) alerts: Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) Price Performance SKE opened at C$2.62 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of C$431.26 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.63. Skeena Resources Limited has a 1 year low of C$0.38 and a 1 year high of C$3.12. The company has a current ratio of 2.28, a quick ratio of 1.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.52. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of C$2.62 and a 200 day moving average price of C$2.62. Insider Buying and Selling Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) Company Profile In related news, Director Walter Coles Jr. sold 8,900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$10.21, for a total transaction of C$90,877.90. (Get Rating) Skeena Resources Limited, a junior mining exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of base and precious metal properties in Canada. The company holds 100% interests in the Snip gold mine covering an area of approximately 1,932 hectares; the Spectrum-GJ copper-gold properties covering an area of 43,500 hectares; and the Porter Idaho silver property that consists of 46 crown-granted mineral claims; and Blackdome gold mine property. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Skeena Resources Limited (SKE.V) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tenaga Nasional Berhad (OTCMKTS:TNABY Get Rating)s stock price dropped 10.5% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $7.37 and last traded at $7.37. Approximately 2,326 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 170% from the average daily volume of 861 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.24. Tenaga Nasional Berhad Stock Performance The companys fifty day moving average is $8.33 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.37. The company has a market cap of $10.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.40 and a beta of -0.05. Tenaga Nasional Berhad Company Profile (Get Rating) Tenaga Nasional Berhad engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in Malaysia and internationally. The company operates and maintains thermal generation facilities and hydroelectric power generating schemes; and manages and operates the National Grid that is connected to Thailand's transmission system, as well as Singapore's transmission system at Senoko. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Tenaga Nasional Berhad Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tenaga Nasional Berhad and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Character Group plc (LON:CCT Get Rating) crossed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 333.31 ($4.27) and traded as low as GBX 302 ($3.86). The Character Group shares last traded at GBX 302 ($3.86), with a volume of 790 shares trading hands. The Character Group Stock Up 0.4 % The stock has a market cap of 58.60 million, a PE ratio of 1,510.00 and a beta of 0.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.33, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 2.27. The companys 50-day moving average price is GBX 331.75 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 369.08. Get The Character Group alerts: The Character Group Cuts Dividend The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, July 13th will be issued a GBX 8 ($0.10) dividend. This represents a yield of 2.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. The Character Groups dividend payout ratio is 9,000.00%. Insider Buying and Selling The Character Group Company Profile In related news, insider Kirankumar Premshand Shah sold 14,605 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 331 ($4.24), for a total value of 48,342.55 ($61,858.67). In other news, insider Carmel Warren bought 1,453 shares of The Character Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 344 ($4.40) per share, with a total value of 4,998.32 ($6,395.80). Also, insider Kirankumar Premshand Shah sold 14,605 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 331 ($4.24), for a total transaction of 48,342.55 ($61,858.67). 49.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. (Get Rating) The Character Group plc designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes toys, games, and gifts in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, the Far East, and internationally. The company sells its products under the Goo Jit Zu, Jiggly Pets, Chill Factor, Peppa Pig, Shimmer n Sparkle, Mouse in the House, Weebles, and Stretch Armstrong brands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for The Character Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Character Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The 12-turn, 2.2 mile NASCAR Chicago Street Race is a 12-turn, 2.2-mile street course which is expected to draw 100,000 attendees on July 1-2. (John J. Kim and Peter Tsai/Chicago Tribune) Welcome to the new rush hour in Chicago. The city will transform the Grant Park environs into the first NASCAR Chicago Street Race on July 2, with separate events on July 1 as well. The televised Cup Series event will have NASCAR drivers weaving through the park on closed-off streets lined with temporary fences, grandstands and what promoters hope will be thousands of fans. Advertisement Heres everything you need to know about the race including the course map, road closures and how to watch (or avoid) it all. Has Chicago hosted a NASCAR race before? Yes, Soldier Field hosted a NASCAR Cup Series race in July 1956. Advertisement A quarter-century later, an ambitious plan by then-Mayor Jane Byrne to hold a Formula One race on Lake Shore Drive in summer 1981 never made it to the starting line. This time, the course will stay north of Soldier Field and south of the infamous S-curve on DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Why is the city hosting this race now? Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 139 Fans cheer along Columbus Drive during the NASCAR Cup Series in Chicago on July 2, 2023. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) The event is expected to draw 100,000 attendees, and NASCAR estimates it could generate more than $3 million in tax revenue for the city. This is actually going to be our first race on a street course in our 75-year history, said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing development and strategy. Its going to be a very unique course. [ [Don't miss] After nearly a year of planning, the NASCAR Chicago Street Race is here. Will it rev up the citys economy as promised? ] NASCAR is building the track and will pay rental fees to the Chicago Park District for the use of Grant Park, but terms of the three-year agreement with the city were not disclosed. Its going to be one of the most iconic racecourses maybe ever and introduce a whole new fan base to what NASCAR is about in the city of Chicago, then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot said on July 19, 2022. The opportunity to really ignite our tourism with a new, iconic event on the calendar was a no-miss opportunity. A worker resurfaces Columbus Drive along Grant Park in advance of the NASCAR race on May 3, 2023. (Eileen T. Meslar / Chicago Tribune) But not everyone is happy with the disruption. Advertisement The races that are coming up in the next few weeks in Chicago certainly have a lot of our constituents excited, said 1st Ward Ald. Daniel La Spata, the chair of the City Councils Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee. They also have a lot of our constituents confused, frustrated, angry. Another concern for constituents and businesses is the noise level, which can be 96.5 to 104 decibels at 150 feet from the track according to NASCARchronicle.com. According to the NASCAR Chicago Street Race website, special mufflers will be used on the cars that successfully lowered sound levels by as much as 10 decibels earlier this year at the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. What other events are happening around the race? In addition to 40 race cars driving 200 mph, the two-day event will feature full-length concerts ranging from country to electronic dance, headlined by Miranda Lambert, The Chainsmokers and The Black Crowes. There also will be an Xfinity Series race, the second tier of NASCAR competition, on July 1. Whats the route? NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace drives through Grant Park on July 19, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) The 12-turn, 2.2-mile course is the first street race in NASCAR history. Drivers will make 100 laps for 220 miles total. We want to put drivers through some of the toughest challenges we can, and this track will do that, Hall of Fame driver-turned-NASCAR analyst Dale Earnhardt Jr. said after a test drive of the course. Therell be some guys that really like it. There will be some guys that find it really challenging and miserable. Advertisement The pop-up course will start on Columbus Drive in front of Buckingham Fountain, taking in stretches of DuSable Lake Shore Drive and South Michigan Avenue in a lap filled with sharp turns, bottlenecks and an urban backdrop. [ [Don't miss] NASCAR Chicago Street Race Q&A: Local racing expert Racer Kaczor sizes up Sundays historic event for new fans ] Earnhardt said drivers should top 140 mph on straightaways such as DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Some turns will force the cars to slow to about 40 mph, he said, while others will accommodate much higher speeds. The fastest turn will likely be No. 2, from Balbo Drive onto DuSable Lake Shore Drive, with drivers hitting 90-100 mph, he said. One of the most challenging spots will be Turn 7 from Balbo onto South Michigan Avenue. Much like regular rush-hour traffic, Earnhardt expects something of a traffic jam. Whats the timeline for road closures before and after the race? Well, from now until July 13. The southbound lanes of the major lakefront thoroughfare will close from Randolph Street to the Museum Campus beginning Wednesday. Lane reductions will extend farther: Traffic will be reduced to two lanes at North Avenue, then to one lane at Chicago Avenue. Downtown traffic will be directed to exit at Michigan Avenue, and through traffic will be directed to exit at Grand Avenue. Between Grand and Randolph, only local traffic will be allowed. Advertisement Northbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be closed along the same downtown stretch beginning July 1. Traffic will be reduced to two lanes at 47th Street, then one lane near 31st Street. Northbound traffic will be required to exit at I-55. The northbound lanes are expected to reopen July 2, and the southbound lanes are anticipated to reopen by July 4. All other roads are expected to reopen between July 2 and July 13. And dont forget: Theres construction on the Kennedy Expressway to complicate your commute too. Workers construct viewing platforms for the NASCAR Street Race Weekend in the 500 block of South Columbus Dr. on June 7, 2023. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) City officials are encouraging drivers to take alternate routes, walk, bike or take public transportation to reach downtown, and they said Metra and CTA would provide additional service during the NASCAR race. CTA CTA buses around Grant Park will be rerouted for the race. Beginning Monday and lasting through the event, more than a dozen lines will be adjusted, including: #1, #2, #3, #4, #x4, #6, #7, #10, #J14 Jeffery Jump, #26, #28, #126, #143, #147 and some evening #148 buses Advertisement The weekend of the event, 18 bus routes will detour around downtown, including: #3, #4, #6, #10, #12, #J14, #18, #20, #22, #36, #56, #60, #62, #126, #130, #146, #147, and #151. Buses serving the north end of the Loop will generally let passengers off near the State/Lake Red Line L station, buses serving the west end of the Loop will drop passengers off near the LaSalle L stations, and buses serving the south end of the Loop will take passengers near the Roosevelt train station. The #151 will travel through downtown, but will be detoured off Michigan Avenue to avoid the closed road. From Thursday through July 5, regular service on #146 Inner Lake Shore/Michigan Express will be replaced by a shuttle bus between the Roosevelt L station and the Museum Campus because of road closures along Roosevelt. The shuttle will run every 15 minutes. Metra and Pace On July 1 and 2, Metra will run extra trains on the BNSF line to Aurora and the Rock Island line to Joliet. Pace cautioned riders to expect longer travel times and delayed pickups and said the designated ADA Paratransit drop-off area for Pace is at Columbus and Monroe. Lollapalooza will shut down portions of the Grant Park area over the course of roughly 25 days, whereas NASCAR will close various downtown areas for about 35 days, according to Lollapalooza and the city. Can I still go to Museum Campus during all of this? Yes, but some of the museums have adjusted their hours. Access will remain open to Navy Pier and the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium and other attractions. Advertisement To access the museums, drivers must reach either DuSable Lake Shore Drive south of downtown or arrive via I-55. From DuSable Lake Shore Drive, they can exit the northbound lanes at 31st Street, then take Fort Dearborn Drive along the lakefront to 18th Street. Those heading to the museums from I-55 can take DuSable Lake Shore Drive north and exit at 18th Street. Wait, isnt the Taste of Chicago this weekend? Usually, but that has been moved to September to accommodate the race. The Taste, a summer tradition established in 1980 and typically held in early July, welcomes tens of thousands of visitors to Grant Park for food, beverages, live music, dancing, karaoke and kids activities. It will now be held on Sept. 8-10. OK, Im going. Where can I park and whats the schedule? Logos are pained on the ground at the start/finish line in the 500 block of South Columbus Drive for NASCAR Chicago Street Race onJune 30, 2023. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Theres two-day event parking starting at $65 at the Grant Park North Garage (25 N. Michigan Ave.) and Millennium Park Garage (6 S. Columbus Dr.). Get more details here. Taking Uber or Lyft to the festival? Then dropoff and pickup are west of State Street from Randolph Street south to Roosevelt Road. Gates for all things NASCAR open at 9 a.m. both days. Heres the full event schedule. Advertisement Saturday, July 1 10 a.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Cup Series Practice and Qualifying NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Cup Series Practice and Qualifying 12-12:30 p.m.: Prerace concert featuring the JC Brooks Band Prerace concert featuring the JC Brooks Band 2:30-3:30 p.m.: Prerace concert featuring The Black Crowes Prerace concert featuring The Black Crowes 4 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series race (suspended) NASCAR Xfinity Series race (suspended) 7-8:30 p.m.: Postrace concert featuring The Chainsmokers (canceled) Sunday, July 2 10 a.m.: Resumption of suspended Xfinity Series race Resumption of suspended Xfinity Series race 12-1 p.m.: Prerace concert featuring Charley Crockett Prerace concert featuring Charley Crockett 1:30-3 p.m.: Prerace concert featuring Miranda Lambert Prerace concert featuring Miranda Lambert 4:05 p.m.: NASCAR Cup Series race As with most events, attendees are limited to one clear bag no larger than 12-by-12-by-6 or a small clutch or fanny pack that are 6-by-6 with one pocket. Backpacks and bags with multiple pockets are prohibited. More details here. Who are the drivers to watch? NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace is seen at Soldier Field in Chicago during a break in a tour in his race car of downtown Chicago on July 19, 2022. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) Its no surprise Bubba Wallace, the second Black driver to win in the Cup Series, is soon to become a Chicago favorite he drives the No. 23 Toyota Camry for Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing. Hes also hosting a prerace party Wednesday at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center at which Lupe Fiasco will perform. For those thinking local, the White Sox are sponsoring Ty Dillons No. 77 Chevrolet complete with team branding, colors and logos on the car and fire suit. Beggars Pizza will be on the rear quarter panel and TV panel of the car. Jenson Button, a British Formula One driver, is making his stock-car debut this season. He will drive the No. 15 Ford Mustang. Advertisement Security Health Plan and Marshfield Clinic Health Systems Marshfield Medical Center in Eau Claire have provided financial support to the Legacy Community Center in recognition of its focus on wellness, according to a press release. The release did not state how much support the Legacy Community Center would receive but noted that the funds will help pay for operational expenses as well as an audit. The Legacy Community Center, located in Chippewa Falls, seeks to meet the nutritional needs of and provide a safe space for low-income individuals through listening, advocating and facilitating connection with community partners. Contributions allow us to continue our journey to provide warm, nutritious meals and groceries from our food pantry to people experiencing food insecurity, said Faye Peterson, administrative assistant at Legacy Community Center. Legacy Community Center offers individuals and families a safe space to share their stories and obtain helpful information regarding various agencies and organizations within the Chippewa Valley and surrounding areas. Were a no-questions-asked facility, and anyone who walks through our doors is welcome to learn about helpful resources, eat and socialize with us in a safe and warm environment, Peterson said. We believe in every person's right to dignity. If people feel comfortable they will benefit in many ways, not only physically but emotionally as well. Welch Group LLC grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Get Rating) by 3.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 12,272 shares of the investment management companys stock after buying an additional 460 shares during the quarter. Welch Group LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $4,014,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Transamerica Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 727.3% during the 3rd quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 91 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Tower View Investment Management & Research LLC bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 224.0% during the 4th quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 81 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC lifted its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 109.3% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 90 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Accurate Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Institutional investors own 76.90% of the companys stock. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at The Goldman Sachs Group In other news, insider Kathryn H. Ruemmler sold 7,277 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $332.67, for a total value of $2,420,839.59. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 4,334 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,441,791.78. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Treasurer Philip R. Berlinski sold 3,750 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $338.10, for a total transaction of $1,267,875.00. Following the transaction, the treasurer now directly owns 21,366 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,223,844.60. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Kathryn H. Ruemmler sold 7,277 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $332.67, for a total value of $2,420,839.59. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 4,334 shares in the company, valued at $1,441,791.78. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 33,833,500 shares of company stock worth $646,620,506 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance GS has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $390.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $430.00 to $415.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $329.00 to $337.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Oppenheimer lowered their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $440.00 to $437.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $360.00 to $370.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $389.17. Shares of NYSE:GS traded down $2.87 during trading on Friday, reaching $316.71. The company had a trading volume of 329,209 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,596,419. The company has a fifty day moving average of $330.91 and a two-hundred day moving average of $341.59. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $105.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 1.41. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $277.84 and a 12 month high of $389.58. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The investment management company reported $8.79 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $8.14 by $0.65. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 9.84% and a net margin of 13.23%. The business had revenue of $12.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.66 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $10.76 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 31.57 earnings per share for the current year. The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 1st will be paid a $2.50 dividend. This represents a $10.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.16%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 31st. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 35.60%. The Goldman Sachs Group Profile (Get Rating) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in resale agreements. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wilmar International Limited (OTCMKTS:WLMIY Get Rating) passed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $29.58 and traded as low as $29.05. Wilmar International shares last traded at $29.55, with a volume of 890 shares. Wilmar International Trading Down 0.3 % The stocks fifty day moving average price is $29.53 and its 200 day moving average price is $30.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. Get Wilmar International alerts: Wilmar International Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 27th were paid a $0.7719 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 26th. This is a positive change from Wilmar Internationals previous dividend of $0.39. This represents a yield of 3.74%. About Wilmar International Wilmar International Ltd. is an investment holding company, which engages in the processing, merchandising, and distribution of agricultural products. It operates through the following segments: Tropical Oils; Oilseeds and Grains; Sugar; and Others. The Tropical Oils segments processes, merchandise, brands and distributes palm oil and laurics related products including oleo chemical and biodiesel. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Wilmar International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wilmar International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:ZHUZY Get Rating) announced a dividend on Wednesday, June 21st, investing.com reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 29th will be paid a dividend of 0.3081 per share on Wednesday, August 23rd. This represents a dividend yield of 1.31%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 28th. Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS ZHUZY opened at C$23.44 on Friday. Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric has a twelve month low of C$23.44 and a twelve month high of C$23.44. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of C$23.44 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$22.90. Get Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric alerts: Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Company Profile (Get Rating) Read More Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, design, manufacture, and sale of railway transportation equipment products, and provision of relevant services primarily in Mainland China and internationally. The company's products include traction converter systems of rail transit vehicles, railway engineering machinery, and communication signal systems. Receive News & Ratings for Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE:ZTO Get Rating) by 38.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 396,021 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 110,358 shares during the period. ZTO Express (Cayman) makes up approximately 6.3% of E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd.s portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest position. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. owned 0.06% of ZTO Express (Cayman) worth $11,350,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in ZTO Express (Cayman) by 420.1% in the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,165 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 941 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) during the 2nd quarter worth $36,000. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) during the 4th quarter worth $43,000. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. lifted its position in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) by 26.2% during the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 2,248 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 466 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CI Investments Inc. lifted its position in shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) by 529.2% during the 4th quarter. CI Investments Inc. now owns 3,278 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $88,000 after purchasing an additional 2,757 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 42.86% of the companys stock. Get ZTO Express (Cayman) alerts: ZTO Express (Cayman) Stock Performance NYSE ZTO traded down $0.43 during trading on Friday, reaching $25.22. The companys stock had a trading volume of 428,951 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,755,249. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 1.32. The firm has a market cap of $15.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.14, a P/E/G ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.02. ZTO Express has a twelve month low of $16.27 and a twelve month high of $30.05. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $27.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $27.34. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In ZTO Express (Cayman) ( NYSE:ZTO Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 17th. The transportation company reported $0.30 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.23 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $1.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.38 billion. ZTO Express (Cayman) had a net margin of 20.76% and a return on equity of 14.25%. As a group, analysts anticipate that ZTO Express will post 1.43 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on ZTO shares. HSBC lifted their price objective on shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) from $33.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $37.00 to $42.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) from $36.00 to $39.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of ZTO Express (Cayman) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Five analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $36.96. About ZTO Express (Cayman) (Get Rating) ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc provides express delivery and other value-added logistics services in the People's Republic of China. It offers freight forwarding services; and delivery services for e-commerce and traditional merchants, and other express service users. The company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ZTO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE:ZTO Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for ZTO Express (Cayman) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ZTO Express (Cayman) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aurobindo Pharma on Friday said its wholly-owned arm, Eugia Pharma Specialities Ltd has entered into a voluntary sub-licensing agreement with Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) to develop and market an anti-cancer drug. The sub-licensing agreement for Nilotinib capsules, originally developed by Novartis, will be in 44 low and middle-income countries (LMIC), including the seven countries where patents on the product are pending or in force, Aurobindo Pharma said in a regulatory filing. Nilotinib capsules are used for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. "These are the first sub-licence agreements that MPP has signed for a cancer treatment that will be made available in the LMIC, through this licence. This product will be a good addition to Aurobindo's Oncology portfolio and will further strengthen our leadership in the generic Oncology medicine space," Aurobindo Pharma Vice Chairman & Managing Director K Nithyananda Reddy said. He further said,"We are looking forward to start supplying the product at the earliest and to help reduce the risk of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in certain patients." The product will be produced at the Eugia Pharma Specialities Ltd. Unit-I, Medchal, in Telangana, the company said adding it has adequate capacities to meet the global demand for the product across the licensed territory. Eugia along with two other Indian drug firms Hetero and Dr Reddy's Laboratories, and Indonesian company BrightGene had signed sub-licence agreements with MPP to manufacture generic versions of Novartis' Nilotinib. These are the first sub-licence agreements that MPP has signed for a cancer treatment and are the result of a licence agreement between MPP and Novartis Pharma AG in October 2022 for their patented cancer medicine, MPP had said in a statement. MPP Executive Director Charles Gore said, "We are delighted to be working with these four generic manufacturers to develop generic Nilotinib and bring an affordable treatment option to people diagnosed with CML in these countries." "At MPP, we are determined to show that voluntary licensing is a truly impactful way of delivering affordable treatments to tackle the ever-rising burden of cancer in LMICs." The seven middle-income countries where patents on the product are pending or in force are Egypt, Guatemala, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines and Tunisia. Mohandas Pai, an early investor in Indian edtech giant Byju's, said on Friday the company has not paid enough attention to governance, a day after its auditor and three prominent board members resigned. Byju's and its CEO Byju Raveendran did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Deloitte disclosed on Thursday that it was resigning as auditor because Byju's had delayed providing financial statements for 2021-22. The same day, board members representing Peak XV Partners, earlier known as Sequoia Capital India, Prosus and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative also stepped down without giving reasons. Pai, chairman and co-founder of Aarin Capital and one of India's most prominent business figures who once worked at IT giant Infosys, was Byju's early investor. Byju's website says Pai was among those who "have backed us and guided us" and "always believed in our vision." "Byju has not paid enough attention to governance and releasing financial figures in time. If you take money from any investor, you are accountable," Pai told Reuters. Byju's offers online tutorials for school students. It was once a darling of investors that valued it at $22 billion last year, but it has been embroiled in legal spats with lenders and sacked many employees amid a broader slowdown. This week's resignation of Deloitte and the three board members has put a spotlight on its financial management. "Even if you are a private company, you are still accountable," Pai added. Byju's global investors include General Atlantic, BlackRock and Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, but none of them have so far commented on the recent developments. Demand for Byju's tutorials boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept In an interview with CNBC TV-18 on June 23, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that the government has requested the Vedanta-Foxconn joint venture to resubmit their semiconductor manufacturing proposal under the new window. The decision aims to enable a fresh evaluation of their proposal. "The new window allows for a reevaluation of the proposal, requiring them to resubmit it," said the minister. When discussing the rationale behind this request, the Electronics and IT minister highlighted that the qualification criteria, originally established when the program was first initiated around one and a half years ago, have undergone significant changes. Also Read | From defence deals to H-1B visa, 10 key takeaways from PM Modi-President Biden meet He further explained that the composition of the industry has also witnessed notable transformations. "There is a clear understanding within the semiconductor industry that the entire range of nanometers, from 8 to 19 nanometers, will play a crucial role in the future due to the growth of the telecom and power electronics sectors," the minister said. "The modifications made in the semiconductor progress reflect these changes. As a result, we have requested all earlier applicants to revise and resubmit their proposals accordingly." USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Emily Heermann is the latest artist with local ties to have an exhibit up in the gallery space next to the Bone Creek Museum of Agrarian Art. Heermann is a 2015 graduate of Aquinas Catholic High School. After graduating, she said she attended Wayne State College, originally going to study art education. After taking some education classes, she realized that wasnt the right path for her and she majored in studio art. She currently resides in Holdrege, where she works as a paraeducator. Heermann works on her art in her free time and does commission pieces. Heermann said shes always enjoyed creating art. We'd go to restaurants like Northside, and my grandma would just be like, Are you bored? And I'm like, yeah. She goes, Here, draw something on the napkin, Heermann said. The whole time, they would have grown-up talk and I'd be just doodling on the napkins. Her favorite subject to paint, she noted, is anything that involves animals. She said she will also paint people, but animals are her No. 1 choice. Growing up in an agricultural area has been (an) influence in my life, Heermann said. My brother, hes older than me so whatever he got to watch, I had to watch. That really impacted me, he loves animals. Heermanns exhibit is on display in the gallery, 569 E St., which will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through the end of July. For the most part, I would describe my art as being very aware of the environment, Heermann said. This whole half (of the exhibit) has to do with people influencing or impacting animals. One example of this is a series of paintings that show aquatic species in plastic bags. Heermann explained the idea came from a trend in China where live fish, turtles and salamanders were put into keychains. They'll survive for a couple of days and then they're dead, she said. It's kind of just like a commodity there and it's really sad. As of her opening reception on June 14, there were fish and turtle paintings in this series displayed and Heermann was planning on adding a salamander painting. Heerman said she was approached by Butler County Arts Council Volunteer Administrator Anna Nolan about holding an art show in David City. Nolan said she volunteer teaches at Aquinas and is familiar with the students in the art department. In April, she added, the arts council put up a display of art donated by the three high schools in Butler County and a few of Emilys pieces had been there. Heermann was one of three artists with local ties that the arts council hosted an exhibit of in the past year. Sarah Juranek, a University of Nebraska at Kearney graduate, had an exhibit last summer containing mixed mediums that had a connection to her Czech heritage. Jim Bathens exhibit, that was up in January and February, featured his landscape paintings. The sponsorship from the Butler County Arts Council, Nolan said, allows local artists the opportunity to have solo shows without having to give a portion of their proceeds to an art gallery. Small communities such as David City do not always have those opportunities, she added. If they are given one or if they're getting their art out there, they're putting it in galleries where the gallery will take 40-50% in many cases on the (artworks) price, Nolan said. This way, it's a way to just let her have the space and use it because the Butler County Arts Council sponsored it. Nothing is asked for in return, she said, except the artist needs to make sure that the gallerys shifts are covered. It's been a really good experience for me to be able to come and do this, Heermann said. It's the perfect size space for just one person to get to be able to show off their work. I feel like it's been a fun ride, getting this prepared. Bathen said his exhibit had gone well as he sold several paintings to people in the area, such as Brainard, Columbus and Omaha. He added he also saw visitors from out of state, including Michigan and Iowa. I could keep the price down for the locals and it worked out pretty well, Bathen said. Bathen, who is retired from the education field, said he enjoys creating the elements in landscape pieces, such as foliage, trees and water. Lately I've been getting into a little more local stuff. I've got a painting here that I did recently of the Ulysses Oxbow, the dam, he said. The picture was from me sitting in the truck waiting for the sun to come up before I hunted. Bathen minored in art in college but didnt really pick up painting until a few years ago. Notably, his parents were also artistic, with his mother having been a painter and his dad a woodcarver. I think it must have been in my blood, Bathen said. My wife told me one time, I was coloring a picture and she said, Jim, you're wasting your talent, you should be painting. I started out with watercolor and I ended up with acrylic. [content][quote]Market Buzz[/quote][title]French Banking Behemoth CACEIS Earns Regulatory Nod for Crypto Custody Services[/title][body]In a significant development, CACEIS, a key asset servicing division of banking titans Credit Agricole and Santander, has received the green light from French regulators to offer cryptocurrency custody services. > As per France's Financial Markets Authority (AMF), CACEIS Bank has been officially registered for this purpose as of Tuesday, June 20, which is confirmed on the regulator's official website. > CACEIS Bank, a well-established entity serving asset managers including insurers, pension funds, and private equity firms, now stands alongside other major traditional finance players such as Societe Generale's Forge and AXA Investment Managers, who have already been acknowledged under Europes progressive crypto regulatory structure. [/body][/content] [content][quote]Cross-Border Services[/quote][title]Ripple Gains Crucial Regulatory Approval for XRP Cross-Border Services In Singapore[/title][body] In an encouraging development for the cryptocurrency sector, blockchain enterprise Ripple announced on Thursday that it has been provisionally granted regulatory approval to operate in Singapore. > This achievement stands in stark contrast to the increasing restrictions being placed on the cryptocurrency industry in the United States. > Ripple revealed that the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the nation's central bank, has bestowed upon it an in-principle approval for a Major Payment Institution Licence. > This license paves the way for Ripple to offer regulated products and services concerning digital payment tokens. It also bolsters the cross-border transactions of XRP, the cryptocurrency with which Ripple is intimately linked. > Notably, Ripples clientele chiefly comprises banks and financial establishments. [/body][/content] [content][quote]Binance Hits Back[/quote][title]Legal Motion Claims SEC Misled Public in Crypto Exchange Lawsuit[/title][body] Attorneys for Binance.US, Binance Holdings Limited, and Changpeng "CZ" Zhao, the CEO of Binance, have accused the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of deceiving the public through statements made about a securities lawsuit currently in progress. > The motion, filed on June 21 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges that the SEC has publicized misleading information in a press release on June 17. > The lawyers are demanding that the SEC adhere to the applicable rules of conduct. > The attorneys are taking issue with a statement made by Gurbir Grewal, the SEC Enforcement Director, in which he insinuated that CZ and Binance are at liberty to "commingle customer assets or divert customer assets as they please."[/body][/content] [content][quote]Bitcoins Turning Tide[/quote][title] Expert Insights on ETF Filings and Accumulation Strategies[/title][body] As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, industry experts are witnessing a significant shift in Bitcoin accumulation patterns. > The race to secure Bitcoin before the introduction of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) is heating up. > Cameron Winklevoss, the co-founder of the Gemini cryptocurrency exchange, highlighted the urgency in a recent tweet. > Winklevoss stated, The Great Accumulation of bitcoin has begun. Anyone watching the flurry of ETF filings understands the window to purchase pre-IPO bitcoin before ETFs go live and open the floodgates is closing fast. If bitcoin was the most obvious and best investment of the previous decade, this will likely be the most obvious and best trade of this decade. [/body][/content] [content][quote]Bitcoin[/quote][title]Bitcoin Takes the Throne: How Dominance Surged Amid Market Uncertainties[/title][body] Bitcoin has solidified its position as the king of cryptocurrencies, with its dominance in the total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies surpassing 51%. > This indicates that Bitcoin's market value constitutes over half of the entire $1.1 trillion cryptocurrency market. As per Coingecko's data, Bitcoins market capitalization stands robustly at $586.7 billion. > In a span of six months, Bitcoin has seen its value surge by an impressive 74%. > The BTC dominance index portrays a positive outlook, suggesting the possibility of further increments. > The short-term outlook of Bitcoin also appears to be upbeat. > Since November 27, 2022, Bitcoin's market dominance has escalated by over 10.5%.[/body][/content] [content][quote]Operational Challenges[/quote][title]BitGo Calls Off Prime Trust Acquisition Amid Operational Challenges for the Latter[/title][body] Cryptocurrency custody firm BitGo has announced the termination of its intended acquisition of Prime Trust. > The announcement was made via a tweet from BitGo, indicating that the decision was reached after thorough evaluation and efforts to establish a feasible partnership. > The tweet read, After considerable effort and work to find a path forward with Prime Trust, BitGo has made the hard decision to terminate its acquisition of Prime Trust. > This decision was not made lightly and BitGo remains committed to our mission to deliver trust in digital assets. > A mere fortnight ago, BitGo publicized its non-binding letter of intent to acquire Prime Trust.[/body][/content] [content][quote]Blockchain[/quote][title]V Pappas Exits TikTok: Aiming to Spearhead Blockchain and AI Innovations[/title][body] The Chief Operating Officer of TikTok, V Pappas, has made public their decision to resign from the position. > This development was initially conveyed to TikTok's staff through an internal communication, which subsequently made its way to Twitter. > Pappas expressed a desire to pivot towards ventures that have an entrepreneurial aspect post their departure from TikTok. > In the adieu message, Pappas highlighted the swift pace of innovation in various technological fields, including blockchain. > Pappas stated, TikTok has achieved remarkable successes, and I believe its the opportune moment for me to redirect my focus towards the entrepreneurial sphere.[/body][/content] [content][quote]Impressive Gains[/quote][title]Bitcoin's Stellar Comeback Fuels Memecoin Surge: A Look at Pepe, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu's Impressive Gains[/title][body] > On Wednesday, Bitcoin skyrocketed to its loftiest levels since April and brought along memecoins in its exhilarating ascent. > In the past 24 hours, with Bitcoin flirting with the $30,200 mark, Pepe coin witnessed a meteoric rise of over 50%. > In the same time span, Dogecoin and Shiba Inu also joined the upward trend with gains of 4.3% and 9.6%, respectively, as per data from CoinMarketCap. > Furthermore, when examining the weeks performance, the trio - Pepe coin, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu, displayed remarkable gains of 90%, 8%, and 21% respectively. > Concurrently, Ether is also experiencing a positive trend, albeit at a more modest pace, trading 0.5% higher, hovering around the 1890 levels. > Bitcoin, which experienced a slump last week, plummeting below the $25,000 mark for the first time since March, has made a robust comeback this week. > The flagship cryptocurrency has reasserted its dominance, now constituting over 50% of the total cryptocurrency market.[/body][/content] The market regulator had issued a show-cause notice in May to Rajib Kumar Mishra, who heads PTC India (PTC) and is non-executive chairman of subsidiary PTC India Financial Services (PFS), for failing in his prime responsibility of letting the board function effectively and in discharging his duties. The Securities and Exchange Board of India issued the notice in the matter of alleged corporate governance issues at PFS including bypassing the board in certain decisions and changing the terms and conditions of loans. Moneycontrol has a copy of the 70-page SEBI show-cause notice to Mishra and PFS MD & CEO Pawan Singh dated May 8. Under scanner Mishras appointment as chairman and managing director of PTC comes up for shareholder approval on June 28 even as SEBI found that he consistently thwarted the efforts of IDs (independent directors) to function in an independent and responsible manner. PFS, the non-banking financial services arm of PTC, has been under the scanner since January 19, 2022, when three independent directors (IDs) resigned, citing concerns over corporate governance and compliance. Subsequently, other directors also resigned. Frequent resignations of IDs from PFS and PTC alleging IDs being treated as impediments speaks a lot on the way the chairman has been conducting the board meetings He did not question the management on not implementing the board decisions in spite of the same being brought to his notice, SEBI said in the show-cause notice. Six IDs resigned from the board of PFS in 2022 under the management of Mishra and Singh. Mr Rajib Kumar Mishra thus did not work in the interest of the shareholders, not followed (sic) the best corporate governance practices and did not discharge his duties as a board of director effectively, SEBI said. SEBI said it found Mishra and Singh, given their roles in the board and management, at the steering wheel in PFS and therefore, responsible for corporate governance failure. The regulator had asked Mishra and Singh to submit their responses within 21 days, which both have done, according to people aware of the developments. This could not be separately confirmed with them. Detailed queries sent to Mishra, PTC and SEBI remained unanswered at the time of publishing this article. Mishra did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment. Earlier this week, Singh went on leave, in line with a directive from the Reserve Bank of India. Recently appointed director (finance) and chief financial officer Mahendra Lodha is overseeing the companys affairs as it looks for a replacement for the top job. PTC, which was set up in 1999 as a government initiated public-private partnership, is partially owned by state run-power companies NTPC, Power Grid Corporation of India, Power Finance Corporation of India, and NHPC each owns a 4.05 percent stake. Life Insurance Corporation owns 5.96 percent and Damodar Valley Corporation owns 3.38 percent in PTC. Appointment amid corporate governance lapses Proxy advisory firm Institutional Investor Advisory Services (IiAS) has advised shareholders to vote against the resolution to redesignate and appoint Mishra as the CMD from March 29, 2023, to February 28, 2025, and fix his remuneration. Mishra, who was director of marketing and business development at PTC, took over as acting chairman in November 2021 after Deepak Amitabh quit. He was made CMD in March this year, despite facing regulatory issues. The notice for the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of PTC was issued after SEBI sent the show-cause notice to Mishra. Yet, the EGM agenda shared with investors does not disclose this. However, it includes a clause that will allow Mishra to be on the board as a director even if the resolution for his appointment as CMD is rejected. Note that in case of non-approval of this proposal, he (Mishra) shall continue to act as whole-time Director of the Company on such per terms and conditions including tenure as already approved by the members of the Company at their Annual General Meeting held on 22nd September, 2020, the company said in the notice to shareholders. "We have anyway advised shareholders to vote against Mr Mishra's appointment. But it's wrong that the company has hidden this line about him retaining a seat on board even if the resolution confirming CMD's position is not approved in the brief profile and not mentioned in the resolution. In any case he cannot do that if he has taken a new position, he cannot hold the old position," said JN Gupta, who is the Founder and Managing Director of Stakeholders Empowerment Services (SES). Questions have also been raised about the validity of the board approval for Mishras reappointment. PTC requires six independent directors, but at the time of voting for the CMDs appointment, four positions were vacant, a person aware of the matter said. How it started On January 19, 2022, Kamlesh Shivji Vikamsey, Thomas Mathew T and Santosh B Nayar resigned as IDs of PFS, expressing concerns over governance and compliance lapses. They submitted similarly-worded resignation letters and other supporting documents. Following this, former bureaucrat Rakesh Kacker resigned as an independent director at parent company PTC. Kacker was also an independent director at PFS until the end of December 2022. Mishra and Singh denied the allegations at that time, a stand they have maintained. The PFS management filed an Action Taken Report on February 8, 2022. But SEBI was not satisfied with the actions taken and barred PFS from holding board meetings until it addressed the corporate governance issues. In March 2022, PFS appointed four independent directors on the basis of suggestions made by PTC to fill slots that had been lying vacant for more than two months and ensure the smooth functioning of the board. In April 2022, PFS appointed CNK & Associates to conduct a forensic audit of the company. The CNK report highlighted issues with practices at PFS and raised concerns over the possible evergreening of certain accounts. The report said the company did not give it crucial information needed for the investigation. After the report was submitted, PFS sent a detailed disclosure to the stock exchanges on November 9, 2022, refuting most of the observations. A second round of resignations followed soon after CNK submitted the report in November-December 2022. Three independent directors Jayant Purushottam Gokhale, Devendra Swaroop Saksena and Sushma Nath stepped down. How its going PFS falls under the purview of the RBI and SEBI and both, along with the Registrar of Companies, are looking more closely into matters of corporate governance at PFS. In January, Moneycontrol exclusively reported that the RBI tightened its grip on the PFS management and its parent company. The central bank sent a show-cause notice to Singh on January 6, seeking his removal from the post of MD and CEO. Reserve Bank is of the considered view that it has become necessary to remove you from office as a director of PFS and consequently from the office of MD & CEO of the company for securing its proper management, the banking regulator said in the notice, a copy of which is with Moneycontrol. Incidentally, Singh was reappointed as MD and CEO of PFS in January amid these allegations and after IiAS advised shareholders to vote against the appointment. In an interview to Moneycontrol in January after his appointment, Singh said the corporate governance controversy was behind it and the company was looking to scale up business in FY24 after it was unable to hold board meetings on time and take decisions in FY23. Separately, SEBI issued the show-cause notice to Singh and Mishra in May. The allegations The IDs had expressed deep displeasure about the board being denied appropriate information and due processes not being followed. They said that Singh unilaterally did not allow Mr Ratnesh, who was appointed by the board as director finance and chief financial officer in July 2021, to take over the position and function. As a result, Ratnesh went back to his parent organisation NTPC in December 2021. The directors alleged that the company did not disclose the forensic report of a loan account related to NSL Nagapatnam Power and Infratech. They said the audit committees request for the report and subsequent closure of the matter was thwarted by the non-cooperative and rather evasive management. There were also instances when loan conditions were changed without prior approvals from the board. It was alleged that the communication of IDs was ignored and there was no action taken on corporate governance issues highlighted by former chairman Deepak Amitabh. PFS sanctioned loans worth Rs 3,854 crore and disbursed Rs 2,253 crore in FY23, according to its presentation to investors. The companys outstanding credit was at Rs 7,339 at the end of FY23 as against Rs 8,686 crore a year ago. (The story has been updated with the comment from JN Gupta, the Founder and Managing Director of Stakeholders Empowerment Services (SES). The decision of India and the US to end their six trade disputes at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will help boost two-way commerce and strengthen economic ties, experts said. They also said that both the countries should put in place a proper and strong mechanism to resolve trade related issues bilaterally so that they do not have to file complaints in the WTO. India and the US have agreed to end six trade disputes at the World Trade Organisation while New Delhi will also remove retaliatory customs duties on 28 American products such as almonds, walnuts, and apples. This comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. International trade expert Biswajit Dhar said that this is a positive announcement and it would help in promoting bilateral trade between the two countries. "We now have to see what trade-offs happen between the countries to finally end these trade disputes. The announcement overall looks positive. A strong mechanism needs to be put in place so that such disputes do not occur and be resolved bilaterally through mutually agreed solutions," Dhar said. Welcoming the announcement, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Director General Ajay Sahai said it will help boost India's exports to the US, which is the largest trading partner of New Delhi. "It is positive development. We were eagerly waiting for this decision. This will give a fillip to India's exports to the US," Sahai said. Another expert said that this decision would help strengthen 2+2 dialogue between India and the US. Indian Institute of Plantation Management Bengaluru (IIPMB) Director Rakesh Mohan Joshi too said that such decisions would help in further promoting trade. The six disputes include three initiated by India and as many by the US. These include countervailing measures on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India, certain measures relating to solar cells and modules, measures relating to the renewable energy sector, export-related measures, certain measures on steel and aluminium products, and additional duties on some products from the US. According to trade experts, both countries can resolve the disputes on mutually agreed terms and later inform the Geneva-based WTO about the same. In 2018, the US imposed 25 per cent and 10 per cent import duties on certain steel and aluminium products, respectively, on grounds of national security. In retaliation, India in June 2019 imposed customs duties on 28 American products, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents. India had also filed a complaint against the US in the WTO on imposing these duties. On 12 April 2012, India requested consultations with the United States with regard to the imposition of countervailing duties by the US on certain hot rolled carbon steel flat products from India. New Delhi had claimed that the countervailing duty investigation and related measures are inconsistent with WTO trade norms. On 6 February 2013, the US requested consultations with India concerning certain measures of India relating to domestic content requirements under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission for solar cells and solar modules. America claimed that the measures appear to be inconsistent with global trade provisions. Similarly, on 9 September 2016, India requested consultations under the aegis of the WTO with the US regarding certain measures of the US relating to domestic content requirements and subsidies instituted by the governments of the states of Washington, California, Montana, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Michigan, Delaware and Minnesota, in the energy sector. On 14 March 2018, the US asked for consultations with India concerning certain alleged export subsidy measures of New Delhi under Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS), Export Oriented Units (EOU), Electronics Hardware Technology Parks (EHTP), Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG). The WTO dispute panel ruled against India and New Delhi in 2019 appealed against the ruling at the appellate body. On 18 May 2018, India requested consultations with the US concerning certain measures imposed by America to allegedly adjust imports of steel and aluminium into the US. India had claimed that these measures appear to be inconsistent with the WTO rules. Similarly on 3 July 2019, the US asked for consultations under the WTO dispute settlement mechanism with India regarding India's imposition of additional duties with respect to certain products originating in the US. The US is the largest trading partner of India. In 2022-23, the bilateral goods trade increased to USD 128.8 billion as against USD 119.5 billion in 2021-22. According to WTO rules, a member country can file a case in the Geneva-based multilateral body if they feel that a particular trade measure is against the norms of the world body. Bilateral consultation is the first step to resolving a dispute. If both sides are not able to resolve the matter through consultation, either of them can approach the establishment of a dispute settlement panel. The panel's ruling or report can be challenged by WTO's appellate body. The appellate body is not functioning because of differences among member countries to appoint its members. Several disputes are already pending with this body. The US has been blocking the appointment of the members. Ties between India and the United States soared to new heights on the second day of Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to Washington, DC, with the announcement of landmark defence deals, semiconductors, cooperation in critical and emerging technology, critical minerals, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and space cooperation on June 22. Even sky is not the limit (for India-US ties), PM Modi said at the joint meeting with President Biden after their bilateral discussions went beyond the scheduled hour. President Biden said American ties with India are stronger, closer, and more dynamic than at any time in history. Here are the 10 key takeaways from PM Modi-President Biden meet (1) Defence Deals PM Modis state visit has injected new impetus into defence cooperation between India and the US. New Delhi and Washington announced a deal for coproduction in India of engines for fighter jets, a $3 billion purchase of about 30 American Reaper drones by India, and a road map to enhance cooperation between the two countries defence industries. For India, the US's latest efforts to boost defence ties is in sync with its attempt to grow its domestic manufacturing and cut its reliance on foreign partners. Also Read: Flurry of US-India deals on AI, defence as Joe Biden, PM Modi meet (2) Space Technology India and the US also inked pacts on intelligence sharing and on space-based, quantum and other strategic technologies. NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have also agreed to a joint mission next year to visit the International Space Station. (3) US Work Visas (H-1B) The US will make it easier for Indians to live and work in the country, using the ongoing visit by PM Modi to help some skilled workers enter or remain in the US. The State Department has announced that a small number of Indians and other foreign workers on H-1B visas will be able to renew those visas in the US, without having to travel abroad. More importantly, the US will open a consulate in Bengaluru and another in Ahmedabad to further enhance people-to-people contacts between the two countries. (4) Jobs and New Vistas President Biden said that 1 million American jobs across 44 states would be supported by the purchase of more than 200 American-made Boeing aircraft by Air India. With this visit, Indian firms are announcing more than $2 billion in new investment in manufacturing and solar in Colorado, steel in Ohio, optic fibre in South Carolina and much more, proving that manufacturing in America is back, Biden emphasised. Also Read: Democracy is in our veins, no discrimination against minorities: PM Modi (5) Full stop on Thorny Trade Issues PM Modi said India had decided to end all pending trade issues with the US and termed the transfer of technology to manufacture fighter jet engines in India a landmark agreement, adding Indias decision to join the Artemis Accord proved that even the sky is not the limit for India-US ties. India plans to sign the Artemis Accords, a framework signed by 24 nations but not Russia or China governing joint missions and civilian space exploration. The PM met with SpaceX chief Elon Musk in New York on June 21. (6) Counterweight to China President Biden described the India-US relationship as one of the most defining relationships in the 21st century. With your cooperation, we have strengthened the Quad for a free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Decades from now, people will look back and say that the Quad bent the arc of history for the global good, the American President added. Also Read: US, India agree to terminate six disputes at WTO: US statement PM Modi said that a new world order was taking shape post-Covid, and the strong India-US strategic partnership was committed to the global good, peace, stability and prosperity. (7) $2.7 billion Micron Plant to Come up in Gujarat India-US ties in the semiconductor manufacturing sector got a boost with Micron announcing its plan to invest more than$2. 7 billion in an assembly and test plant in Gujarat. The overall cost of the upcoming plant comprises $825 million (around Rs 6,760 crore) from Micron and the rest from the government in two phases. We are excited about the steps India is taking to develop the local semiconductor ecosystem, Mehrotra said. (8) PM Modi-Joe Biden Joint Press Conference PM Modi strongly defended Indian democracy when pressed on religious intolerance and freedom of speech in a rare instance of taking questions from reporters. The PM said he was really surprised to hear Indias commitment to democratic values questioned by Americans. In both countries, democracy is in our DNA, Modi said, highlighting, We live democracy and our ancestors have actually put words to this concept, and that is in the form of our Constitution. (9) Fight Against Terrorism PM Modi said asserted that India and the US are together in the fight against terrorism and radicalism, and pointed out that during his talks with President Biden, the two sides have agreed that concerted action is necessary to end cross border terrorism. (10) Ukraine Peace Efforts PM Modi said India was "completely ready" to help Ukraine's peace efforts. From the very beginning of the events in Ukraine, India has laid emphasis on the resolution of the dispute through dialogue and diplomacy India is completely ready to help Ukraine's peace efforts," the PM added. India signing the Artemis Accord with the US has evoked mixed reactions. While the positives include possible easing up of export control from the part of the US and facilitating technology transfer between the two countries, it has also piqued the interest of stakeholders in the ecosystem, especially in the context of the larger geopolitical ramifications. Experts Moneycontrol spoke to pointed out that signing the Artemis Accords could be seen as India subscribing to the US' views on space, especially the American interpretation of the Outer Space Treaty from 1967. Before we go into what this means, it is necessary to understand what the Artemis Accords are, what it says and what India being a signatory to this signifies. What are Artemis Accords? Grounded in the Outer Space Treaty (OST), the Artemis Accords, established in 2020, are a non-binding set of principles designed to guide civil space exploration and use in the 21st century. The accords are closely associated with the USs National Aeronautics and Space Administrations (NASA) Artemis programme, which is NASA's initiative to return humans to the Moon. What is the Outer Space Treaty? The OST from 1967 is an international treaty that serves as the cornerstone of space law. It promotes peaceful exploration and use of outer space for the benefit of all humankind. It establishes a legal framework for the activities of states in outer space and prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in space. It also prohibits the establishment of military bases, testing of any weapons and conducting military manoeuvres on celestial bodies, including the Moon. What led to the Artemis Accords? The formation of the Artemis Accords is deeply related to the concept of space mining and extraction of resources. When the OST was signed in 1967, there were no explicit clauses on how to deal with space mining or space resources, because there were doubts on whether it would ever become viable. At that time, it was laid out that outer space or other celestial bodies cannot be subject to appropriation by claim of national sovereignty. For the US, this was, by and large, acceptable, because even the US thinking at that time was that extracting resources from the Moon or asteroids is very complex, Pranav Satyanath, a research associate at New Delhi-based Council for Strategic and Defense Research (CSDR) working on space policy, told Moneycontrol. However, there was a change observed in the US narrative of dealing with space resources when in 1978 the Moon Treaty was brought in. The Moon Treaty had all-encompassing language like, 'The Moon and its natural resources are the common heritage of mankind. There was a lot of lobbying from the United States, which essentially said that they did not accept the language of the Moon Treaty, that it was very socialist in nature. Ultimately, the Americans rejected the Moon Treaty, Satyanath said. Over the years, Satyanath said, that since the OST did not have any explicit clauses on how to deal with space mining or extraction, the US started building up an interpretation which said one cannot claim the land on which the resources are there but can extract those resources and own them. Satyanath recalls that those lobbying against the Moon Treaty in the 1970s became very prominent officials in the US administration later. Scott Pace, who was in the Trump administration as the executive secretary of the National Space Council, was of the opinion that Americans needed something that was different from the Moon Treaty but was grounded in the (American interpretation of the) OST. This eventually led to the formation of the Artemis Accords. What do the Artemis Accords say? Grounded in the tenets of the OST, the Artemis Accords outline a framework for international collaboration in space exploration, focusing on areas such as peaceful purposes, transparency, interoperability, emergency assistance, sustainable resource utilisation, and the preservation of heritage sites. Especially in the context of utilising space resources, the Artemis Accords says, The ability to extract and utilise resources on the Moon, Mars, and asteroids will be critical to support safe and sustainable space exploration and development. The Artemis Accords reinforce that space resource extraction and utilisation can and will be conducted under the auspices of the Outer Space Treaty, with specific emphasis on Articles II, VI, and XI, it adds. Apart from India, who are its signatories? Those who have signed on to the Artemis Accords include Australia, the Czech Republic, Italy, Nigeria, Rwanda, Ukraine, Bahrain, Ecuador, Japan, Poland, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, France, Luxembourg, South Korea, Singapore, the UK, Canada, Mexico, Romania, Spain, Colombia, Israel and New Zealand, apart from, of course, the US. Why is Indias signing significant? Though Artemis represents a certain interpretation of the OST, it is not a binding treaty in itself. However, signing it would mean that India can now be seen as subscribing to the American interpretation of the OST, Ashok GV of Factum Law said. Ashok said, This can be taken both positively and negatively. People who want India to take a slightly pragmatic view on things like mining on the Moon may see this as a positive spin on things because, for the first time, India is not being very normative and is moving towards a realpolitik kind of approach. On the other side of the spectrum, this could be seen as India abandoning the idealistic principles that we've always believed in when it comes to space. The idealistic principles that space should not be for profit, colonisation of space should be avoided, etc, Ashok explained. It is important to remember that India's recently-released space policy has taken a similar stand in favour of the American interpretation of the OST. The Indian Space Policy says that private players can engage in the commercial recovery of an asteroid or a space resource. Any NGE (non-governmental entity) engaged in such a process shall be entitled to possess, own, transport, use and sell any such asteroid resource or space resource obtained in accordance with applicable law, including the international obligations of India, the policy stated. What could be the benefits of this signing for India? Space and defence expert Omkar Nikam said, Now India will be much more open to international collaborations and open to exploring uncharted territories. There have been several restrictions in the past with Indian companies unable to do business in the European region. But now, this will be much more open and collaborations will be much more accessible. Ashok of Factum Law said, I think the signing of the accord does represent certain advantages. For example, US export control is always a huge concern. So whenever technology has to come from the US to India, export control can play a big spoilsport. So I think the signing of the Artemis Accords could possibly liberalise some of those technology transfer hurdles that are there between the US and India. It also opens up markets for Indian companies with all the other signatories of the Artemis Accords. So you might start to see some traction in terms of joint ventures between Indian companies and American companies trying to do business in space, he added. Pawan Kumar Chandana, CEO and co-founder of Hyderabad-based space tech start-up Skyroot Aerospace said, "Artemis Accord is all about committing to a common understanding and vision for peaceful exploration of outer space. India signing the accords would benefit our space exploration ambitions under the new space policy mainly through international collaboration as all signatories to the accords commit to the open sharing of scientific data and assist each other in the efforts. This also would extend these benefits of collaboration to Indian startups who are an active part of our space ecosystem." What could be its pitfalls? The France-based space and defence expert Nikam also sees Indias signing the Artemis Accords in the larger geopolitical context of the US' political equation with China and Russia. The discussion of Artemis started from the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue). And the Quad has started gaining prominence to counter China in the Pacific region, said Nikam. The Quad is a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan and the US. So Artemis will definitely be a way for the United States to utilise India as a regional security navigator, he said. This may prove to be restrictive, because when it comes to developments in space, India has never had an agreement or alliance with any country, Nikam opined. We had a close relationship with Russia, but we never had a formal alliance with the country, Nikam elaborated. The non-alliance stance of India drove it to have a self-reliant space programme, whose success is reflected in the high success rate of its launches, he said. Now with Artemis, there will definitely be some restrictions. Because it is not just a collaboration with the United States, but also with several other countries. So before we take any kind of decisions on matters, our diplomatic instruments need to make sure that it doesn't affect our domestic market, he explained. Software major Infosys said it has ended ties with Australian lobbying firm Synergy 360, which is in the middle of a scandal pertaining to a former member of Parliament Stuart Robert. Further, a top Infosys executive stated in a parliamentary committee hearing that the company has taken steps to strengthen governance in the country and denied that it used the firm for lobbying. In a parliamentary hearing, Infosys Regional Head for the Asia Pacific region Andrew Groth said that it had paid Synergy360 AU$16 million over a five-year period to help it grow the companys government business in Australia since it had only worked in commercial contracts up until that point. In a response to questions by the committee, Groth said that of the $16 million, 70 percent of the amount pertained to the resources required to deliver on the programs it was on, 15 percent for work in terms of sales support, and 15 percent was in success fees. A success fee is a type of agreement where the fee is paid when a particular outcome is positive. Synergy 360 was appointed in 2018, and was subjected to our onboarding processes and adherence to our supplier code of conduct. I have been advised that Infosys asked Synergy 360 if they were required to be on the Lobbyist Register and they advised, they did not, Groth said. He added that Infosys was working with Synergy360 to help advise in growing its government business in the country, and to help design, build, and deliver IT solutions. We worked to pursue opportunities across state and federal government. I would like to inform the Committee that the relationship with this company has ended, he added. That year, Infosys won a contract through open tender to transform a system that the Australian government uses to calculate and pay entitlements to those on welfare the Entitlement Calculation Engine at Services Australia. Groth also told the committee that he has met the MP in question 11 times over three-and-a-half years to update him on the progress of the project. He later added that the amount earned on projects done with Services Australia and other government agencies was approximately $190 million. In a statement, Infosys said that it is cooperating with the Australian parliamentary inquiry in good faith. "It is important to note that the ECE contract being referenced resulted from a 14-month long stringent government procurement process as per the Australian Government procurement framework. This included government appointed pricing and probity consultants and government legal counsel to ensure an unbiased selection process," the statement said. It added that the company is committed to its code of conduct for the work it does with the government of Australia and otherwise. Intel Indias head Nivruti Rai, who has quit the tech company, has been picked to lead the investment promotion body Invest India, sources told Moneycontrol on June 23. This comes months after the investment promotion bodys managing director and chief executive officer Deepak Bagla stepped down after an audit by the commerce ministry questioned the work accomplished by Invest India. Invest India was set up as a non-profit venture under the ministrys department of industrial policy & promotion. Rai joins Invest India from Intel where she was the country head of India as well as the VP of Intel Foundry Services. She spent 29 years at the company. Intel confirmed her exit in a statement. Today, Intel India is our largest engineering site outside the US and a critical talent base for the company. We will have more to share soon about Intel India leadership plans and we wish Nivruti all the best in her next chapter, it said. According to her LinkedIn profile, Rai joined Intel as a design engineer in 1994 and worked with the company in the US till 2005 before moving to India. She was the country head for India since 2016. She was also conferred the Nari Shakti award in 2022 by President Ramnath Kovind. After Bagla stepped down, Manmeet Nanda, the joint secretary in the department for the promotion of industry and internal trade, was given the additional charge as Invest India MD and CEO. Baglas departure was contentious, as reported by Moneycontrol there were allegations of impropriety and little to show for Invest Indias performance. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Gold prices registered a near one per cent decline overnight, marking the fourth consecutive day of downward movement. The precious metal traded at three-month lows, and looked set for its biggest weekly fall since early February. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's indication of a 50 basis points rate hike this year contributed to the downward pressure on gold prices. Adding to the surprise, the Bank of England implemented a 50 basis points rate hike, which unsettled the precious metals market. Additionally, rate hikes from countries such as Switzerland, Norway and Turkey further weighed on gold prices. Chartists, who analyze price patterns, anticipate potential support for gold at the $1880 level following the break of the $1920 support level. This indicates a bearish sentiment and suggests that the downward trend may continue. Back in India, gold prices fell to Rs 58,000 per 10 grams and according to the reference rates provided by the Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), gold prices stood at Rs 58,654 for 24kt gold, and Rs 53,727 for 22kt gold (without Goods and Services Tax). USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Shares of HBL Power Systems traded 3 percent lower on June 23 in a knee-jerk reaction to the company's announcement to that its board of directors would consider a slump sale proposal at its June 28 meeting. The proposal of slump sale is for two product lines - Power Electronics and Integrated Power Supplies for the railways - to Moebius Power Electronics, Hyderabad, in which HBL Power System will remain as a shareholder, the company said in an exchange filing. At 9:34am, the stock was trading 2.7 percent down at Rs 145.65 on the BSE. The stock has gained over 40 percent in a month, while it was up 75 percent in the year. In the past three years, the stock has spiralled close to 800 percent. From Rs 7 in 2013, it has climbed to Rs 150 as of today. Catch up on all LIVE stock updates here The company clarified early on June 23 morning that the products being considered for slump sale have nothing to do with the 'Kavach' Train Collision Avoidance System, or any other signalling product of HBL Power Systems. There will be no impact of the proposed slump sale on HBL's 'Kavach' business; on the other hand, it will allow the HBL management to allocate more time to businesses like Kavach, the company said in an exchange filing. The company was in headlines after the Odisha train accident as HBL Power Systems along with Medha Servo Drives and Kernex Microsystems have developed the Kavach system jointly with Research Design and Standards Organization of the Indian Railways. HBL Power Systems Ltd is one of the leading manufacturers of batteries, electronics and engineering products based on in-house developed technologies. 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. Shares of Infosys traded in the red in early hours on June 23 after disappointing revenue guidance from US tech major Accenture raised concerns over earnings of the Indian software giant. Accenture reported a 5 percent on-year growth in revenue on a constant currency basis for the quarter ended May, yet the company still cut its full-year growth guidance, reducing the upper end by 100 basis points. This revision in guidance may be attributed to a notable decrease in bookings growth, particularly in the outsourcing sector, indicating an environment of increased scrutiny regarding IT expenditure. Accenture's earnings has fuelled concerns of a moderation in deal bookings, reflecting a weak demand environment which dented sentiment for domestic IT players, including Infosys. In addition, the recent exit of two senior executives, Narsimha Mannepalli and Vishal Salvi, from Infosys, with responsibilities, including delivery, has also concerned investors. "This development has the potential to revive investor concerns regarding an uptick in leadership attrition following the exits of co-presidents Ravi Kumar and Mohit Joshi over the past three quarters," brokerage firm Motilal Oswal Financial Services highlighted in its report. Even though MOFSL sees this as an addressable risk, it believes any supply-demand gap in project management could potentially hurt project timelines for Infosys in the short term. Follow our live blog for all the market action At 9.21am, the shares of Infosys were trading at Rs 1,270.15 on the National Stock Exchange, down around 1 percent from the previous close. Despite near-term weakness in demand, MOFSL remains positive on the long-term prospects of the company and IT services companies could see a strong bounce-back as the macro environment stabilises. The brokerage firm also sees Infosys as an attractive 'buy' at its current valuation, after the stock corrected around 30 percent from its peak following weak earnings in the recent quarters. 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. Bitcoin Mining Operation for Pool Heating Sparks Debate at NYC Spa Image Source: Bathhouse A Brooklyn-based bathhouse and spa has sparked debate after it revealed it was operating a small-scale Bitcoin (BTC) mining operation that heats its swimming pools. In a Wednesday Instagram post, Bathhouse revealed that its pools are heated with byproduct energy from Bitcoin mining. The bathhouse uses the heat generated from Bitcoin mining rigs, hardware systems that execute the Bitcoin networks computational process, to warm its pools, with the water returning later in the process to cool the hardware. The company claimed to operate as a Bitcoin-mining-heated bathhouse proves to themselves Bitcoin mining is a viable option and can be implemented into other heating solutions. Bathhouse, which also accepts Bitcoin payments, has been implementing the unique heating process since March 2022. Located in Williamsburg and opened in 2021, Bathhouse has several amenities and treatments, including multiple steam/sauna rooms, facials, massages, and even a restaurant. The spa also has three pools on-site, two of which are set to over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The company's Instagram post suggests that the bathhouse takes the energy from Bitcoin mining, sends it through heat exchangers, and then uses that to warm up the pools. In addition to this innovative heat utilization, the company is also committed to offsetting its carbon footprint, thereby achieving carbon neutrality. Through such practices, not only are they helping to secure the Bitcoin network but they're also generating revenue sustainably. Despite this, Bathhouse's mining operation was not very well-received by some, leading to criticism due to concerns over the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining. According to a recent report by The Guardian, Bitcoin mining releases carbon dioxide in amounts comparable to the entire country of Greece. Furthermore, data accumulated by Earthjustice.org shows that from mid-2021 to mid-2022, Bitcoin consumed as much electricity as Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island put together. In the year of our lord 2023 thinking Bitcoin mining gives you cache? praying this is a poorly-conceived joke, replied user @bjjacobs. Another user expressed concern over who was mining the cryptocurrency and who was profiting from it, while others asked for more transparency. Despite criticism, the post did receive support from Bitcoin enthusiasts. Bradley Rettler, one of the Bitcoin philosophers from the group Resistance Money, wrote on Instagram: Thank you for securing the network, helping resist authoritarianism, and bringing financial freedom to people while you heat your pools! Crypto Mining Industry Faces Another Hurdle in Venezuela Back in March, Venezuelas regulators ordered a halt on mining cryptocurrencies after an investigation into a corruption scheme in which crypto wallets redirected payments owed to the state-run oil company Petroleos de Venezuela. However, as the states halt on crypto mining approaches its third month, more miners could be forced to sell their rigs and shut down permanently. Aside from Venezuela, crypto miners from other parts of the globe also continue to struggle with the plunge in Bitcoin prices on top of higher electricity costs. In December last year, Core Scientific, the largest public Bitcoin miner by computing power, filed for bankruptcy. Argo Blockchain, Iris Energy, and Greenidge Generation are among the more notable Bitcoin mining companies that are facing financial issues. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the United States, he presented a gift to First Lady Jill Biden - an "eco-friendly" lab-grown diamond with a Surat connection. The 7.5-carat diamond, produced, cut, and polished at a firm in Surat, exemplifies India's prowess in the lab-grown diamond industry. The lab-grown diamond, also called green diamond, took over 1.5 months to create using the Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) technology. Notably, the diamond was produced utilizing wind power and solar energy, making it environmentally friendly. This has re-ignited buzz around the lab-grown diamond market, of which Goldiam International is a listed player. The company manufactures its own diamonds, cutting and polishing them, creating jewellery using in-house design capabilities, and exporting the finished products to retailers in the United States. Last fiscal, it clocked a revenue of Rs 554.29 crore and net profit of Rs 85.18 crore. In the most recent quarter though, net sales stood at Rs 134.95 crore, reflecting an 11.44 percent decline from the same period last year. The quarterly net profit also decreased by 28.61 percent to Rs 16.11 crore, compared to Rs 22.57 crore in March 2022. Despite the recent slippage in growth, it is unsurprising that several marquee investors have already put their money in the stock. Some of the notable investors in the company are Ramesh Damani (1.58 percent), Ashish Kacholia (1.1 percent), and Mukul Agrawal (2.29 percent). On June 23, the stock closed at Rs 128.85 on NSE, and commanded a market capitalisation in excess of Rs 1,400 crore. The growth story around lab-grown diamonds appears to be strong. In 2022, India's lab-grown diamond exports surged by 51 percent to $1.78 billion (approximately Rs 14,500 crore) compared to $1.18 billion in 2021 and $0.445 billion in 2019. The government's support of the industry through Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) benefits further enhances its prospects. Earlier this week, brokerage firm ICICI direct noted that PM Modi's gift will draw attention to India's artificial/lab-grown diamond industry. According to Goldiam management's earnings call, the realisation and margins for lab-grown diamonds are almost twice that of natural diamonds. Anmol Bhansali, Director of Goldiam, highlighted that the average realisation per product sold in the lab-grown segment is close to $900 to $1000, compared to $400 to $450 for natural diamonds. Bhansali expects the lab-grown jewellery business to yield margins between 30 and 35 percent, surpassing the 18 to 20 percent margins achieved by the natural diamond jewellery business. Goldiam International's stock currently trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 16x and may be worth keeping an eye on. Shares of Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy jumped 6 percent on June 23 after a huge block deal took place on the bourses. Around 35 lakh shares or 1.8 percent equity stake, worth Rs 103 crore exchanged hands at Rs 295.25 per share, as per reports. However, the stock could not sustain initial gains and came off its day's high. At 9:22 am, the stock was up 1.4 percent at Rs 302.4 on the BSE. The stock started treading lower after CNBC-TV18 reported citing sources that Promoter Shapoorji Pallonji and Company is likely a seller in Sterling & Wilson block deal. Shapoorji Pallonji And Company held 20.93 percent stake in the company as of March end of 2023. The Promoter and Promoter Group hold 72.7 percent stake in the company as of March end of 2023. And a total pledge stood at 39.52 percent of promoter holdings. Catch up on all LIVE stock market updates here The company is looking to infuse capital even as it aims to turn EBITDA positive this fiscal. The board is exploring various options to recapitalise the balance sheet, Financial Express reported. Global CEO of Sterling & Wilson Renewable Energy Amit Jain told the newspaper that the improved order booking, particularly from the fast expanding Indian market, should help the company double its revenue in 2023. 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. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Shares of Vedanta Ltd dropped nearly 0.50 percent in early trade on June 23, post the dismissal of news reports by the company related to the selling of Sterlite copper plant in Thoothukudi. At 9:24 am the Vedanta Ltd stock was trading 0.37 percent lower at Rs 279.03 on NSE. Details about the denial According to a filing with BSE on June 22, Vedanta Ltd has refuted claims made by several media articles of selling Vedantas Sterlite copper plant as baseless. The notification further stated that, In connection with the captioned matter, it has come to our notice that certain sections of the media has carried out the news article that Vedanta Limited is selling the Sterlite Copper Plant, Thoothukudi. The said media articles are wrong, baseless and incorrect and the same is refuted by the Company. Also Read: Wrong, baseless and incorrect: Vedanta on reports about selling its Sterlite Copper Plant in Thoothukudi Follow our live blog for all market action Sterlite copper is a national asset and had contributed to 40 percent of India's copper. As the country has become a net importer of copper, which has adversely impacted interalia the downstream and ancillary industries and hence, there has been a growing demand for VedantaSterlite Copper to restart its operations. Recent Developments in Vedanta Ltd 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. Brokerage Views Brokerage firm JP Morgan has downgraded Vedanta Ltd to neutral from overweight and cut its target price to Rs 280 a share from Rs 350 a share. The brokerage firm said that the fiscal 2024 will be a challenging year for Vedanta if LME Zinc and Aluminum prices do not recover. It expects dividend pay-out to remain elevated. Also Read: Motilal Oswal bullish on Tube Investments as verticals bounce back, sees 11% upside Stock Performance Vedanta Ltd stock has lost 1.47 percent of its value over the last six months. Thus, underperforming the benchmark Nifty50 index which has given a return of 5.42 percent over the same duration. 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. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) says there is no impact of Cyclone Biparjoy as the oil giant moved 36 rigs in the western offshore, much ahead of the cyclone. ONGC shifted 36 rigs in what it calls the pre-monsoon rig move period from the last week of March till end of May 2023 -- in the western offshore, the company told Moneycontrol on June 22. No more rig moves are planned till the end of the monsoon season this year as all rigs have been deployed at their monsoon locations. This move was carried out on the western coast, which was hit by Cyclone Bipayjoy in Gujarat, in mid-June. The state-owned oil PSU said that after Cyclone Tauktae in 2021, it has updated its cyclone ERP (Emergency Response Plan) to ensure the safety of its rigs. Emergency Response Plan After Cyclone Tauktae, ONGC has updated the cyclone ERP to make the action points simple, clear, unambiguous and actionable to ensure the safety of our personnel, assets, operations and environment, the company said. In 2021, 86 ONGC workers had lost their lives when Barge P-305, an ONGC vessel, sank after the western offshore was hit by Cyclone Tauktae. Several high-level ONGC officials had come under the scanner after an inquiry into the incident. At the time of the cyclone in 2021, the oil giant did not have a chairman and managing director. The company did not have a full-time head since March 2021. However, Arun Kumar Singh was appointed as chairman in December 2022. He was later declared as CEO of the company. ONGC said it also monitors cyclone forecasts from various sources, including IMD (India Meteorological Department), StormGeo and Windy.com. ONGC has formulated a robust cyclone ERP for Offshore Drilling rigs through a team of in-house domain experts, having vast experience in offshore Drilling, Maintenance, Safety & Marine Operations, the company said. In case of an imminent cyclone, ONGC activates an in-house cyclone control room to monitor it, disseminate information, issue advisories to rigs and coordinate with all officials. All rigs covered under insurance ONGC said that all the rigs owned by the company are covered under insurance. All ONGC-owned rigs are covered under ONGCs Energy Insurance Package Policy with United India Insurance Company Limited, which addresses cyclones as well. Charter-hired rigs have their own insurance coverage, the company said. Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal were more frequent and there was enough data available to understand them. On the other hand, Arabian Sea has seen fewer cyclones historically but now is heating up more than average and more cyclones are expected. Byju's recently-appointed group CFO (Chief Financial Officer) Ajay Goel was entrusted with the task of finding a new auditor for the world's most-valued edtech startup, which has faced intense scrutiny over the past 15 months or so. The move meant that Ajay Goel, who joined Byjus in April this year from Anil Agarwals Vedanta Group, would find a replacement for Deloitte, which was appointed as Byjus statutory auditor in FY16 for a period of five years. On June 22, 2023, Deloitte, one of the biggest globally, tendered its resignation, citing a long delay by the company in furnishing its FY22 (2021-22) financials. Moreover, Deloitte also said that it did not receive any communication on the resolution of the audit report modifications in respect of the year ended March 31, 2021. While an auditor stepping down is a red flag for a company, Deloittes resignation was in the works after relations broke down between the big four audit giant and Byjus. At least three people familiar with the development said that both the company and some of its investors felt Deloitte did not play fair with the company. They (Deloitte) were auditors for five years, signed off on their accounts every year. But they changed the revenue recognition practice overnight for the firm last year, one of the sources cited above said. A second person said Deloitte billed the company 20 percent more man hours last year. According to sources, the Byjus auditor had to put in around 3,000-3,500 extra hours of work to make the revisions in its revenue recognition for FY21. Deloitte charged Byjus Rs 4.5 crore as statutory audit fees in FY21, up from Rs 73 lakh in FY20, as per regulatory filings. An audit expert said the extra hours, and the jump in audit fees, was only because Byjus changed its business model during the pandemic years, when it made several acquisitions. Deloitte had also delayed signing off on Byjus financials after it stressed on weak internal controls and had found other discrepancies at the edtech startup. A third person said there was no love lost between the two. Byju (the founder) wanted to wrap up the TLB (term loan B) negotiation process first before commencing the audit. Sources say Byjus is expected to commence the audit process next week, for its FY22 (2021-22) earnings. Byjus and Deloitte did not immediately reply to Moneycontrols emails seeking details. The story will be updated if they do. Casting a wide net Goel had engaged with most of the top six audit firms in the world over the past months, sources told Moneycontrol. Goels task was to get Byjus next auditor. That meant either reappointing Deloitte or even finding a new firm. He had engaged with not just the big four, but spoke with the top six audit firms, one of the people cited above said. Given Byjus time restrictions, it was leaning towards BDO, the person added. In an official announcement on June 22, Byjus confirmed that it had appointed BDO (MSKA & Associates) for a period of five years. BDO will audit the accounts of all three--Think & Learn (consolidated and standalone), which operates Byjus, WhiteHat Jr, one of the many acquisitions the company made and Aakash Educational Services, which is preparing for a $1 billion IPO. We have chosen BDO as our auditors with great confidence following a well-structured selection process. Their exceptional capabilities and expertise in providing audit services to globally diversified large-scale companies make them the perfect fit for our organization. We are excited to collaborate with BDO to uphold the highest standards of financial scrutiny and accountability," Ajay Goel said in an official statement. BDO is among the top six audit firms in the world, along with Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, EY and Grant Thornton. Now that BDO has come onboard, the company is likely to begin audit work for FY22 as early as next week, the person quoted above told Moneycontrol. Those remarks come despite Deloitte saying that it received no communication from Byjus. ...We have also not received any communication on the resolution of the audit report modifications in respect of the year ended March 31, 2021, and the status of audit readiness of the financial statements and the underlying books and records for the year ended March 31, 2022 and we have not been able to commence the audit as on date," Deloittes resignation letter read. "As a result, there will be a significant impact on our ability to plan, design, perform and complete the audit in accordance with the applicable auditing standards. In view of the aforesaid, we are tendering our resignation as statutory auditors of the Company with immediate effect," the letter added. But according to media reports, Byjus, in the ongoing court proceedings, had said that the companys FY22 audit is underway. Deloitte's resignation comes at a time when three board members of Byju's GV Ravishankar of Sequoia Capital (now Peak XV Partners), Russel Dreisenstock of Prosus and Vivian Wu of Chan Zuckerberg, also tendered their resignations from the company's board due to differences with founder Byju Raveendran on key operational issues. The resignations, of the three board members and Deloitte, has become the latest setback for Indias most-valued startup, which is currently in a tiff with its lenders over a $1.2 billion term loan B it had raised in November 2021. Both, lenders and Byjus, have sued each other in the US as tensions continue to escalate between the two parties. The three board members who resigned were not happy with the way founder Byju Raveendran was handling the lender issue, Moneycontrol reported on June 22. Byjus is also yet to close a much-needed financing round that will help the company tide over an immediate liquidity crunch. Meanwhile CNBC-TV18 reported that the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has opened a probe into the company. Adani group stocks tumbled on June 23 on reports of the ports-to-power conglomerate facing further scrutiny by the US attorney's office and market regulator the Securities and Exchange Commission. The authorities are looking into the representations that Adani made to its American investors following short-seller Hindenburg's report, a Bloomberg report said. At noon, flagship Adani Enterprises was down 6 percent at Rs 2,254 on NSE and Adani Ports was quoting at Rs 715, 4 percent lower from the previous close. Adani Wilmar, Adani Power and Adani Transmission were down 3-5 percent. Follow our live blog for all the market action Following this shave off, the total market capitalisation of the group, which also includes ACC, Ambuja Cements and NDTV, is now below Rs 10 lakh crore. According to reports, the group is also looking to raise about $3.5 billion through an equity share sale to institutional investors. This is why the company met investors in the US. The fundraise, which will go towards meeting the capital expenditure needs of the group, is likely to be completed within the second quarter (July-September) of the current fiscal. GQG Partners, which invested $1.87 billion in four Adani group companies in the first week of March, too may join, reports said. US short-seller Hindenburg Research in a January 24 report accused the Gautam Adani-led group of fraud and stock manipulation, a charge denied by the Indian conglomerate. Following this, the group's market capitalization had eroded down to Rs 7.5 lakh crore. A Supreme Court-appointed panel found no evidence of stock price manipulation in the group companies. The court has also set August 14 as the deadline for the Securities and Exchange Board of India to submit its report into the Adani group investigation following the Hindenberg report. Shares of Aether Industries closed more than 3 percent down on June 23, a day after the pharmaceuticals company closed its Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) issue. Market participants attributed the decline to investors booking profits as the stock rallied around 25 percent over the last month. The Surat-based company raised around Rs 750 crore through the QIP by allotting a little over 8 million shares at Rs 936 apiece. The QIP price was at a discount of around 19 percent to the previous days closing price. QIP allows a company to raise funds from the market but only qualified institutional buyers can participate, unlike an initial public offering where retail investors also join in. SBI Mutual Fund acquired 40 percent of the total issue size and bought around 32 lakh shares. Axis Mutual Fund bought around 8 lakh shares and acquired 13 percent of the issue. Apart from these two domestic mutual funds, Edelweiss Mutual Fund, Goldman Sachs Fund and Bandhan Mutual Fund also bought into the issue. The specialty chemical company issued shares to 38 institutional investors. Aether Industries has also signed an agreement with Saudi Aramco Tech for "converge polyols technology" in early June. The agreement initiates Aethers activities towards the manufacturing and commercialisation of converge polyols technology and product series. The company focuses on producing advanced intermediates and speciality chemicals involving complex and differentiated chemistry and technology core competencies. The stock closed at Rs 1,127 on the National Stock Exchange, down 3.34 percent from the previous close. 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. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept While analysing market opportunity for soundboxes, Bank of America Securities has raised the target price for One97 Communication, which operates Paytm, in view of the first-mover advantage the payment aggregator enjoys. Buoyed by the vast opportunities offered by this high-margin segment, BofA has raised its target price for One97 Communication by around 19 percent to Rs 1,050. The revision reflects a bullish upside potential of over 21 percent from Thursday's closing price. It is also worth noting that BoFA had previously upgraded Paytm to 'buy' after baking in the opportunities offered by Soundbox. "Paytm was the first company in India which started deploying soundboxes at scale and in process created a new market," BoFA highlighted in its report. Estimating a decent business size of 4-4.5 lakh merchants for soundbox in India, BoFA sees the segment as an opportunity to change the revenue mix and aid profitability for Paytm. "We estimate Paytm could add another 1.5 lakh devices in the next 2-3 years," the global broking firm said. "As Paytm charges Rs 100 per month for Soundbox, the visibility on subscription revenue is high. We expect EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) margins to be around 40 percent in steady state and expect payback on these boxes in 12-14 months (expense per box is Rs 1,250)." Also Read: Paytm leads $6 billion rally as startups seek redemption The brokerage foresees strong growth for the soundbox segment in the next 2-3 years due to limited competition. In addition, the firm also believes that there is a room for surprise on the consolidated EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, and amortisation) margin front for Paytm as its Soundbox business gains more traction. "Given the rising contribution from high-margin businesses and cost-control initiatives, we expect Paytm's margin improvement to happen at faster clip than expected earlier," the firm stated. BoFA also sees a favourable risk-reward scenario for Paytm at its current valuations. Riding on the positive sentiment for new-age tech stocks, Paytm shares rebounded over 60 percent year-to-date, though it still remains well below its IPO price of Rs 2,150. The evolving sentiment for the company can also been seen in the changing brokerage calls for the payments aggregator. Almost half of all brokerages covering the company now expect the stock to cross the Rs 1,000 mark within the next 12 months. On top of that, even 11 of the 13 brokerages that cover Paytm, now have a 'buy' call for the scrip. At 12.57pm, shares of Paytm were trading 1.74 percent lower at Rs 850.40 on the National Stock Exchange. 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. Prabhudas Lilladher's research report on Fortis Healthcare Fortis Healthcare (FORH) has signed a definitive agreement for sale of its hospital business operations at Vadapalani, Chennai to Sri Kauvery Medical Care Limited on slump sale basis for Rs1.52bn. While transaction will be margin accretive by ~70bps, divestment of Arcot Road unit is in-line with the stated intent of optimizing hospital assets. We remain positive on margin improvement in hospital segment aided by 1) improving case and payor mix 2) cost rationalization initiatives and 3) divestment of non-profitable assets. Our FY24E and FY25E EBIDTA stands increased by ~2% as we factor in the divestment. We expect 18% Pre IND AS EBIDTA CAGR over FY23-25E. Outlook At CMP, stock is trading at 17.5x EV/EBIDTA on FY25E, adjusted for SRL stake which is at 20-25% discount to its peers. Maintain Buy rating with revised TP of Rs.365 (earlier Rs. 330) valuing hospital segment at 20x (18x earlier) and Diagnostic business at 18x EV/EBIDTA on FY25E. Resolution of legal issues and further monetization of non-profitable assets would be a key additional trigger for re-rating. For all recommendations report, click here Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Fortis Healthcare - 23 -06 - 2023 - prabhu USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept IT services major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has blacklisted three staffing firms who were allegedly involved in bribing senior executives overseeing recruitment processes in the company to get business, sources in the know told Moneycontrol. The sources cited above said the financial impact arising out of these violations is likely to be minimal, adding that this happened in the resource management group (RMG), which is different from its main talent acquisition group, that oversees the hiring function. People familiar with the company's inner workings say the RMG division brings in less than 1 percent of its workforce. TCS confirmed the same in its exchange filings later saying, "The recruitment activities in TCS are not handled by the Resource Management Group (RMG) as alleged, therefore the reference to alleged scam in recruitment process is incorrect." The company added, "RMG is responsible for allocation of available resources to various projects and incase of any shortfall, fill such requirements through contractors." TCS' statements were in reference to an article published earlier in Mint, sharing details of senior executives in the RMG getting sacked for taking bribes. According to the report, TCS sacked four senior executives from the RMG division following an internal investigation after a whistle blower alerted CEO K Krithivasan and COO Natarajan Ganapathy Subramaniam. While E.S. Chakravarthy, the global head of RMG was sent on leave, one of the four other employees sacked included Arun GK who was heading one of the functions in the team, for taking commission from these HR firms, Mint said. Sharing the findings of the internal investigation, TCS said that the issue relates to "breach of Companys Code of Conduct by certain employees and vendors providing contractors; and no key managerial person of the Company has been found to be involved." On those grounds the allegations does not involve "any fraud by or against the Company and (has) no financial impact," it added. Sources told Moneycontrol, that these irregularities cited were US-centric, wherein TCS invested nearly a billion dollars to hire employees. All the three hiring firms are based in India and have offices in the US. Each of these US staffing partners make an average 25 percent margin on each hiring contract. This is actually a very rampant trend in the overall IT sector where the staffing companies end up paying one percent in commission to the procurement guys in the client company, one of the sources cited above said, seeking anonymity. Around 80 percent of the subcontracting costs for the IT companies are coming from the US region, the source added. Another source said that the investigation was in fact going on for nearly four months. According to the Mint report, the RMG division has an estimated headcount of 3,000 and places around 1,400 engineers including new hires on projects. TCS ended FY23 with 614,795 employees and $27.93 billion in revenue. The news comes over a week after the TCS reported that a $2-billion deal for a period of 10-year was cancelled by the US-based Transamerica Life Insurance, citing macro environment challenges and changing business priorities. TCS got the deal in 2018 and the pending work will be wrapped up in the next two and a half years. In its other major market, the United Kingdom, TCS bagged four mega deals in the first half of 2023. These include the $1.1 billion Nest deal, 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. (This article was updated to include TCS' statements. Staffing firm IDC Technologies' name was removed after the company got back with clarification.) Today in Crypto: Atomic Wallet Publishes Post-Attack 'Full Event Statement', Binance Brazil Director May be Summoned by Parliament, Ripple Gets In-principle Approval for Singapore Digital Payment License Source: AdobeStock / JorgeEduardo Get your daily, bite-sized digest of cryptoasset and blockchain-related news investigating the stories flying under the radar of todays crypto news. __________ Security news Decentralized wallet provider Atomic Wallet released an "event statement" about the June exploit, claiming that "less than 0.1%" of app users were affected and that there have been no new confirmed cases since the June 3 attack. It didn't say what exactly led to the exploit, instead providing four most "probable" causes: virus targeting local users' devices, infrastructure breach, malware code injection, or a man-in-the-middle attack. The team added that "none of the possible issues are confirmed as potentially causing massive breaches, at least in the latest Atomic app versions." Regulation news A member of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies requested that Guilherme Haddad, the director of Binance Brazil , be summoned to appear before the Brazilian Parliament as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged pyramid schemes. Deputy Alfredo Gaspar alleged that Binance was used by these types of organizations for asset transfers. This comes as the exchange is facing regulatory scrutiny worldwide. requested that Guilherme Haddad, the director of , be summoned to appear before the Brazilian as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged pyramid schemes. Deputy Alfredo Gaspar alleged that Binance was used by these types of organizations for asset transfers. This comes as the exchange is facing regulatory scrutiny worldwide. California-based start-up Ripple announced that its Singapore subsidiary Ripple Markets APAC Pte Ltd obtained In-Principle Approval of the Major Payments Institution License application from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This license will allow Ripple to offer regulated digital payment token products and services in the city-state, and scale its customers' use of its crypto-enabled On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service, the company said. announced that its Singapore subsidiary obtained In-Principle Approval of the Major Payments Institution License application from the (MAS). This license will allow Ripple to offer regulated digital payment token products and services in the city-state, and scale its customers' use of its crypto-enabled On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service, the company said. CACEIS, Credit Agricole and Santander's asset servicing arm, gained approval to provide crypto custody services in France. The asset servicing bank was registered by the country's Financial Markets Authority (AMF) on June 20. NFT news Germanys foreign intelligence agency, the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), launched a dog-themed nonfungible token (NFT) collection with an on-chain treasure hunt to recruit cyber talent. According to the website, users can collect the NFTs by finding a character string posted on Instagram, which points to an Ethereum address. They would then use the information they gained to find the collection and be eligible to mint an NFT. The collection consists of 999 NFTs, 987 of which are available immediately upon release. Mining news Bitcoin (BTC) miners in Texas, USA, curbed operations, crimping power usage, as a heat wave drove electricity prices sky-high on Tuesday and threatened to cripple the grid, according to Bloomberg. The extent of the intentional shutdown and the amount of power conserved for other uses was not yet immediately clear. Adoption news Bakkt Holdings released findings from its Consumer Crypto Sentiment Study of more than 2,000 US consumers who own crypto or are interested in crypto, finding that, despite crypto market turmoil, overall purchase considerations held steady at 84%. Interest amongst the Crypto Curious waned to 27%, down 11 percentage points from October 2022. Overall, 48% of participants said their interest in purchasing crypto hasnt changed, and 30% reported an increase in interest. Career news In an earnest attempt to further boost people-to-people contact between India and the US, the Biden administration has finally agreed to open a consulate in Bengaluru and another in Ahmedabad. The consulates were announced on June 22 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US. Union Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, during his visit to Bengaluru in March this year, had said he was going to take up the demand for a US consulate in the city with his counterpart Antony Blinken. This latest announcement will bring the total number of US consulates in India to seven, adding the existing consulates in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. "The opening of US consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad will have a significant impact, including strengthened diplomatic relations between the United States and India, increased economic opportunities and trade collaborations, improved access to consular services for residents in these cities, enhanced cultural and educational exchanges, expanded regional influence and engagement. Overall, this development signifies a closer partnership and benefits both countries," said Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director at BLS International Services Limited. Also Read: From defence deals to H-1B visa, 10 key takeaways from PM Modi-President Biden meet At present, India has five consulates in the US in New York, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco and Atlanta, apart from the embassy in Washington. Simplifying visa access "The opening of US consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad will streamline visa services, encouraging more Indian students to pursue education in the US and facilitating travel for American tourists, potentially boosting student mobility and tourism numbers, said Chirag Gupta, Founder & CEO, Deyor, a travel-tech firm. He said that there were 97,064 B-1/B-2 visa applications from Karnataka and 88,454 from Gujarat in 2021. B-1 and B-2 visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), for tourism (visa category B-2). "There were a total of 1,452,399 US visa applications from India. Of these, 158,369 were from Karnataka and 139,278 were from Gujarat. This means that Karnataka and Gujarat accounted for 10.8 percent and 10.4 percent of all US visa applications from India in 2022, respectively. The most common type of US visa application from Karnataka and Gujarat is the B-1/B-2 visitor visa. In 2022, there were 110,064 B-1/B-2 visa applications from Karnataka and 100,454 from Gujarat," Gupta added. He said that currently, residents of Gujarat and Karnataka in India typically apply for US visas by traveling to major cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, or New Delhi, where US embassies or consulates are located. This process entails significant logistical challenges and expenses. Bangalore Central MP P C Mohan has said the US consulate in Bengaluru would give a huge relief to the people of Karnataka as they dont have to travel to Chennai or Hyderabad to obtain US visas. "This strategic decision (opening of US consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad) recognizes the increasing significance of these regions in terms of education, business, and travel. By offering localized access to consular services, these consulates will prove instrumental in saving applicants time and resources, thereby enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the visa application and interview process," said Nandivardhan Jain, CEO, Noesis, a hospitality consulting and hotel investment advisory firm. More scope for students Gupta added that culturally, the consulates will serve as centers for promoting understanding and collaboration between the two countries. "With India being one of the top sources of international students in the US, the presence of consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad will nurture educational exchanges and knowledge transfer." Last year, the US issued a record 125,000 visas to Indian students, a senior White House official said, adding that Indian students are set to become the largest foreign student community in America with a 20 percent increase last year alone. These consulate openings will simplify visa processes, increasing access to educational opportunities in the United States. "Indian students being one of the largest groups of international students in the US, easier visa access will facilitate their pursuit of higher education," said Gupta. The United States intends to open new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. India is likewise welcoming the 2023 opening of its consulate in Seattle and look forward to also announcing a new consulate in the United States, the official mentioned. Also Read: Flurry of US-India deals on AI, defence as Joe Biden, PM Modi meet More importantly, the opening of the new consulates is likely to provide greater support and services to citizens and help in establishing closer ties in various sectors such as trade, technology, and innovation. "This move will not only expedite the visa process but also strengthen the travel sector, contributing to the growth of both India and the United States," said Jain. Gujarat and Karnataka are top source markets for travel agency Thomas Cook, noted the company's President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa, Rajeev Kale. "This year we witnessed a 3x surge in demand for international destinations. However, visa delays are currently an impediment to growth in travel to the US," he said. He added that the new US consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad are expected to expedite the visa application process in the case of introduction of additional appointment slots. Daniel DSouza, President & Country Head - Holidays, SOTC Travel, the group company of Thomas Cook, said that this initiative will make the visa application submission process more convenient for not only customers residing in the respective cities but also those from nearby tier 2-3 cities wanting to apply. The US is set to introduce in-country renewable H-1B visas, a significant decision that would help thousands of Indian professionals in staying in the country to continue with their jobs without the hassle of travelling overseas for the renewal of their work visas. This is part of the people-to-people initiative, a senior administration official said ahead of the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden at the White House here on Thursday. The much-sought-after H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. The United States last year issued 125,000 visas to Indian students, which is a record and they are on pace to become the largest foreign student community in the United States with a 20 per cent increase last year alone, the official explained. "The second thing that we're doing is the United States Department of State is going to launch a pilot to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain petition-based temporary work visas later this year, including for Indian nationals with the intent to implement this for an expanded pool of H-1 and L visa holders," a senior Biden administration official said. The programme would be eventually broadened to include other eligible categories. "It is good for people in India, good for people in the United States, really good for our businesses," said the official. Until 2004, certain categories of non-immigrant visas, particularly the H-1B, could be renewed or stamped inside the US. After that, for the renewal of these visas, in particular, those on H-1B, the foreign tech workers have to go out of the country, mostly to their own country to get the H-1B extension stamped on their passport. The H-1B visas are issued for three years at a time. For all the H-1B visa holders, when their visa is renewed, they need to get their passports stamped with renewal dates. This is required if they wish to travel outside of the US and re-enter the US. As of now, H-1B visa restamping is not allowed within the US. Restamping can only be done at any US consulate. This was a big inconvenience for foreign guest workers and also for their employees, particularly at a time when the visa wait time is more than 800 days or more than two years. According to the Cleveland Clinic, A tumor is a solid mass of tissue that forms when abnormal cells group together. Tumors can affect bones, skin, tissue, organs and glands. Many tumors are not cancer (theyre benign). But they still may need treatment. Cancerous, or malignant, tumors can be life-threatening and require cancer treatment. Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), in association with the Department of Neurosurgery in Manipal Institute of Technology, is today using extended reality (XR) to study the deeper aspects of tumours and help doctors establish their intensity, volume, and exact position to plan surgeries precisely and accurately. This is done using the Digital Imaging and Communications or DICOM 3D data of a patient. On the other hand, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM), a Deemed to be University, has been discussing possible collaborations with Tata Steel, NACL and other major firms. Here, the major focus is on creating digital twins of heavy machines. For instance, Tata Steel is working on digital twins of sinter plants. In the pilot mode, a sinter plant is controlled from a building that used to be occupied by people, who now work from home, using tech such as augmentative and virtual reality (AR/VR). Medical and industrial applications are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to XR technology. Extended reality, or XR, is an emerging realm of technology that combines real and virtual environments. The term is used to refer to human-machine interactions generated through wearables and computer technology. There is, however, a dearth of skilled talent in the market for companies looking to develop these applications. Awakening to this demand, a few engineering institutes are now setting up XR labs and offering courses to help students develop their skills and be industry-ready. Preparing for the future XR is categorised into three types namely AR, VR, and mixed reality (MR). Mixed reality is one of three types of extended reality technologies often associated with the metaverse. An MR headset can allow the wearer to use a real-world object to trigger a virtual-world reaction. The AR/VR space is a niche field requiring a substantial amount of investment by colleges to establish labs a unit of Microsofts HoloLens 2 alone costs around $3,500. Hoping their efforts pay off as demand for such talent is rising, some institutes have not shied away from investing time and money on this front. Manipal, GITAM, Mahindra and Sharda University are among the varsities that are putting XR on the curriculum. ALSO READ | Private universities gamify entrance exams as part of education revamp The labs usually are large and require state-of-the-art tech. For instance, Visakhapatnam-based GITAM has equipment such as Microsoft HoloLens 2, PICO 4, Oculus Quest 2, VR Data Gloves, Leap motion sensor, Intel real sense, 3D scanners etc. On the project side, GITAM has divided the work into two sections: Software and Hardware. Currently, hardware such as VR Data Gloves comes at a huge cost. Hence to reduce this burden we are working on developing our Touch and Haptic VR Gloves, which can be developed with low costs and used for testing purposes, said Mandava Kranthi Kiran, Assistant Director of the Centre for Extended Reality (CXR) at GITAM. At Manipal, the virtual reality research in the medical domain is to help doctors plan surgical procedures in a virtual environment, improve accuracy and reduce time in the Operation Theatre (OT). Medical immersive learning refers to the use of VR to simulate medical scenarios and provide realistic training experiences for healthcare professionals. The other objective is to train the student community, enhance their skill sets and improve their career opportunities in the field of XR. Dr Hareesha KS, Coordinator of the Centre for Virtual Reality at MAHE, feels XR labs will eventually bring changes in the curriculum to include more related courses and programmes and increase industry linkages on the campus. Moreover, the ER Lab can serve as a collaborative hub, bringing together students from diverse disciplines to work on multidisciplinary projects, he added. In the pipeline Though staffing firms have not observed any major hiring jump for XR skills, they say it will rise in the next 1-3 years and India will be one of the largest talent markets for these skills. The reason being that there are no separate or newfound skills needed for candidates to enter the XR industry. Experts observed that most skills in demand for metaverse-related technologies are Unity, 3D modelling and AR/VR, with a strong background in programming basics of C++, C# or Java. ALSO READ | Metaverse set to spark next job boom. Get ready with these skills Some institutes such as Mahindra and Sharda University are approaching XR in higher education through the lens of industry demand. As per an Accenture 2022 report, XR is poised to be a $160-billion industry by the end of 2023 globally and XR spending is projected to exceed $6.5 billion by 2022 from under $2 billion in 2020 in India alone. The next report is yet to be released. Storytelling, for example, will need to be recalibrated in an environment that is enabled by a combination of AR, VR, artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, said Professor Shashidhar Nanjundaiah, Founding Dean and Professor of the Mahindra University School of Media. To foster innovation, the School of Media, which is yet to be launched, plans to invest in immersive technologies that find applications in the media practice. Additionally, Mahindra University envisages more specialised programmes and courses that integrate XR methodologies into the curriculum, ensuring that students continue to be at the forefront of media innovation. On the other hand, Sharda Universitys ER labs will work in 2D and 3D game development and add immersive elements to these games as well. Another focus area will be developing 3D models that can be utilised in any of these games before creating a simulation and training environment for multiple sectors. XR labs serve as a breeding ground for skilled individuals who possess the necessary knowledge and practical experience in XR development, design, and application. Thus, these labs can become a talent pipeline for new-age companies looking to incorporate XR into their products, services, and experiences, said Rani Astya, Assistant Professor of Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) at Sharda University. ALSO READ | Entrepreneurship in focus at private universities beyond tier-I cities As per a report by market research firm MarketsandMarkets, the demand for talent with metaverse knowledge is expected to be highest in the consumer vertical followed by the commercial vertical. The study showed that the metaverse market for the consumer vertical had a significant market share of 50 percent in 2022. It consists of gaming, social media, sports, live entertainment, and concerts. Further, commercial verticals, including retail and e-commerce, travel & tourism, education, and corporations had the second largest market share of 16 percent in 2022. That will only grow in the years to come. With the World Health Organisations (WHO) probe into drug adulteration flagging Indian products for adulteration or substandard medicines, the office of the Drug Controller General of India has now issued a slew of show-cause notices, with 45 vulnerable manufacturing sites put on watch in Himachal Pradesh alone after carrying out a risk-based inspection at plants of different firms. Officials collected data on drugs found to be not of standard quality (NSQ), adulterated or spurious between 2019 and 2022, along with the name of manufacturing units from state regulators. According to the data accessed by Moneycontrol, the regulators identified 209 pharmaceutical firms, each having more than 11 NSQ warnings. Also read: Marion Biotech's licence to be cancelled after contamination confirmed The regulators, after inspecting 51 firms in Himachal Pradesh, the most in any state, have issued notices to 26 manufacturing units in the hill state. In India, Himachal Pradesh is a pharmaceutical hub having almost 1,500 functional units. The Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh (BBN) belt and Paonta Sahib are most preferred locations for pharma manufacturing. 16 manufacturing companies have been given the SPO (stop production order) and 2 have been given the notice of firm cancellation, the government document said. Also read: Maiden Pharmas cough syrups from Himachal plant flagged for adulteration Officials said that the drug regulator so far has conducted three risk-based inspections on 137 erring firms. In Phase 1, 78 firms, each with 20 and above NSQs out of 209 firms, were selected for joint inspection by the zonal office of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and state licensing authorities. For Phase 2, the next 44 firms, each with 15 to 19 NSQs selected based on intelligence inputs, were selected and three additional firms were selected based on complaints. In Phase 3, the next 12 firms were inspected, each with 11 to 15 NSQs. The officials, however, didnt share the names of the firms identified for the inspection. WHO names India in contaminated drug probe The WHO in its probe of contaminated cough syrup supply flagged 20 products exported from two countries, India and Indonesia. To date this situation has impacted more than 20 products with two countries of origin (India and Indonesia) and more than 15 different manufacturers. For the date, this refers to the number increasing over time. So it is approximately 15 manufacturers, WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier told Moneycontrol in an email response. Also read: Govt tweaks policy to prevent export of spurious cough syrup When asked about the details of the manufacturers involved in exports of substandard drugs, Lindmeier said the WHO cant divulge names or details of manufacturers other than those mentioned in the medical alerts. Best to contact the authorities in India to understand the details of the investigation they may be doing, he added. The WHO spokesperson further said that the global body was aware of media reporting of potentially contaminated syrups in other countries. Whilst investigations are ongoing, WHO has not expanded its list of medical product alerts. Our investigations with the impacted countries are ongoing. To date, we cannot confirm a link. This may change as we receive more information, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that India and the US, the two biggest democracies of the world, can contribute towards global peace, stability and prosperity as he asserted that for the partnership between the two countries, "even the sky is not the limit". Modi made the remarks during a joint press conference with President Biden after their one-on-one meeting which was followed by delegation-level talks at the White House. "For the partnership between India and the US, even the sky is not the limit. The most important pillar of our relations is our people-to-people ties. More than 40 lakh people of Indian origin are contributing to the development of America," Modi said. The Prime Minister said that the two biggest democracies of the world, India and the US, can contribute towards global peace, stability and prosperity. "I'm sure that on the basis of these values, we can fulfil the aspirations of the world," he added. "Today holds a special significance in the history of India-US relations. Today's discussions and important decisions taken by us open a new chapter in our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership," he said. Modi said that India and America are walking shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight against terrorism and radicalism. He said that during his talks with President Biden, the two sides have agreed that concerted action is necessary to end cross border terrorism, in a veiled reference to Pakistan. The Prime Minister said that peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region is our shared priority. "We are unanimous that the development and success of this region is important for the whole world," he added, amid China's aggressive behaviour in the strategic region. "We have also decided that like trusted partners the US and India will prepare a reliable, secure, resilient global supply chain and value chain, amid global uncertainties," Modi said. Noting that the countries in the Global South have been particularly hard hit by the Covid pandemic and the Ukraine conflict, the prime minister said it is essential for all countries to unite to solve these problems. "We are fully prepared to contribute in whatever way we can to the restoration of peace," Modi said. On the decision to build engines by General Electrics through technology transfer, he said it is a landmark agreement and it will open new opportunities for jobs in both countries. "It will be a new dimension to our defence partnership in the future." Modi said the US-India partnership in trade and investment is not only important for both countries but also for the global economy. "Today, the US is the biggest trade partner of India. We have decided to give closure to pending issues related to trade and begin a new start," he said. He said that during his talks with Biden both sides agreed that governments, businesses and academic institutions should come together to fulfil our strategic technology partnership. Modi said he was deeply touched by the warm and gracious welcome at the White House and was looking forward to fostering even deeper ties and mutual cooperation in the times to come. "The presence of such a large number of Indians in the White House is testimony to the fact that Indian-Americans are the real strength of our relationship," he said, referring to the presence of a huge gathering of Indian-Americans in South Lawn. He welcomed the decision by the US to open consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad to further deepen these ties. On his part, Biden said the partnership between the US and India is "among most consequential in world that is stronger, closer and more dynamic in any time in history." Biden underscored how the two countries were cooperating on issues such as the climate, health care and space, saying "together, we are unlocking shared future of world what I believed to be unlimited potential." The day began with President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden greeting Prime Minister Modi for the Official Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn. The two national anthems were played along with a 21-gun salute to the visiting leader. The United Kingdom government has said that Indian clearing houses overseen by the nations central bank meet its regulatory requirements, a move that may help resolve the ongoing impasse over allowing overseas regulators oversight over local counterparties. The legal framework of India, as implemented by the Reserve Bank of India, provides for an effective equivalent system for the recognition of central counterparties authorized under other regimes of other countries, according to the UK Treasury documents. This change is a prerequisite for Bank of England to recognize overseas counterparties. The move now paves the way for British banks like Barclays Plc and Standard Chartered Plc, with a significant presence in India, to continue trading in the South Asian nation using the Clearing Corp. of India platform. Hundreds of billions of rupees of trading in government bonds and interest-rate derivatives was threatened to be disrupted with European and British banks required to move away from the platform as the European Securities and Markets Authority, or ESMA, withdrew recognition to six Indian central counterparties from May 2023. The British ruling would have kicked in from July. For non-British banks, the standoff continues with ESMAs withdrawal of recognition to counterparties. German and French regulators in February extended by 18 months the time their banks have to transfer trading positions from Indian clearing houses. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India has taken a "big leap forward" in space cooperation after it joined the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all humankind. Grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 (OST), the Artemis Accords are a non-binding set of principles designed to guide civil space exploration and use in the 21st century. It is an American-led effort to return humans to the moon by 2025, with the ultimate goal of expanding space exploration to Mars and beyond. On Thursday, India decided to join the Artemis Accords. "By taking the decision to join the Artemis Accords, we have taken a big leap forward in our space cooperation. In fact, in short, for India and America partnership, even the sky is not the limit," Prime Minister Modi told reporters at a news conference here at the White House with President Joe Biden. In a fact sheet, the White House said India has signed the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all humankind. India joins 26 other countries committed to peaceful, sustainable, and transparent cooperation that will enable exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. According to a joint statement issued after the meetings at the White House, Biden and Modi set a course to reach new frontiers across all sectors of space cooperation. "The leaders applauded our growing cooperation on earth and space science, and space technologies. They welcomed the decision of NASA and ISRO to develop a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation by the end of 2023," it said. The two leaders hailed the announcement by NASA to provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, with a goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024. The leaders celebrated the delivery of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite to ISRO's U.R. Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru and looked forward to NISAR's 2024 launch from India. "Welcoming India's Space Policy 2023, the leaders called for enhanced commercial collaboration between the US and Indian private sectors in the entire value chain of the space economy and to address export controls and facilitate technology transfer," it said. "Biden deeply appreciated India's signing of the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all humankind," it said. The White House said NASA will provide advanced training to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) astronauts with the goal of launching a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024. Additionally, NASA and the ISRO are developing a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation by the end of 2023, it said. India approved a USD 318 million investment to construct a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory in India that will work in tandem with similar facilities in the United States, Europe, and Japan to look for ripples in space-time, known as gravitational waves, that provide insights into the physical origins of the universe. Scientific payloads for the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) have been delivered to India and will be launched in 2024, and will measure Earth's changing ecosystems like natural hazards and sea level rise. "The US Geological Survey and ISRO are negotiating expanded bilateral data exchange that will enable greater insight about the earth, including for a range of applications, such as climate resiliency, sustainable development and management of natural resources, and disaster management support," it said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first State visit to the US will take bilateral ties in areas of space, defence, emerging technology and supply chains to the next level, Vice President Kamala Harris has said. Modi became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice on Thursday. He first addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress in 2016. "The US-India partnership is stronger than ever. Together, our nations will shape the future as we work to create a more prosperous, secure, and healthy world," Harris' office tweeted on Thursday. "The partnership between the United States and India is one of the most important of the 21st century, and this visit will take our partnership to the next level from space, to defense, to emerging technology and supply chains," it said. Modi, in his response, thanked Vice President Harris for her remarks. "Our partnership indeed holds immense potential for this century. I am equally enthusiastic about elevating our cooperation in futuristic sectors," he tweeted. Harris was among prominent personalities, including billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani and tech honchos like Google CEO Sunder Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook, who attended the state dinner hosted in honour of Prime Minister Modi at the White House on Thursday. More than 400 guests were invited to the dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a specially decorated pavilion on the South Lawn of the White House. Vice President Harris and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will host Modi for a luncheon on Friday. During his address to the US Congress on Thursday, Modi said, "There are millions here who have roots in India. Some of them sit proudly in this chamber. There is one behind me, who has made history." He was referring to Harris, the first woman vice president and the highest-ranking female official in US history, as well as the first African-American and first Asian-American vice president. Harris' mother Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer scientist, hailed from Chennai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned that dark clouds of coercion and confrontation were casting their shadow over the Indo Pacific, and the stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of the Indo-American partnership. We share a vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo Pacific, connected by secure seas, defined by international law, free from domination, and anchored in ASEAN centrality, Modi said while addressing the joint session of the US Congress. He did not name China but it was clear who his remarks were directed at. The Prime Minister, who is on his first state visit to the US, held detailed discussions with US President Joe Biden and members of his administration yesterday to further deepen and strengthen the partnership. The two sides signed a host of agreements to enhance cooperation in defence, security, investment, trade, education, culture, high-tech, and space. But support of the US Congress is essential to implement many of the agreements. Modi had to convince US lawmakers from both the Democratic and the Republican parties that a strong partnership with India benefits them. Today, the world wants to know more and more about India. I see that curiosity in this house. Everyone wants to understand India's development, democracy, and diversity. Everyone wants to know what India is doing, Modi said. Highlighting Indias attraction as an investment destination and a potential manufacturing hub, the Prime Minister pointed out how such investments and strong trade ties with India benefits the US as it generates millions of jobs across America as well. But the US lawmakers were also keen to know about Indias position on China. The growing assertion of China in the Indo-Pacific has become a serious concern for the US, especially over Taiwan. India is also locked in a military face-off with China at the border since May 2020. Modi explained what a free and open Indo Pacific meant a region where all nations, small and large, are free and fearless in their choices, where progress is not suffocated by impossible burdens of debt and where connectivity is not leveraged for strategic purposes. The alleged debt-trap caused by huge Chinese loans to countries in the region under its multi-billion-Dollar mega-infrastructure project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has been a major concern. Modi reiterated Indias commitment to the Quadrilateral Strategic Dialogue the Quad and said it is a major force for good for the region. Modi clarified that the aim was not to contain Chinas rise. Our vision does not seek to contain or exclude, but to build a cooperative region of peace and prosperity, he said. The Prime Minister also had to clarify Indias stand on Ukraine. It is the only partner of the US that has not condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, an issue that continues to rankle a large section of the American establishment. Modi said India stood for peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said the war was causing great pain in the region and reiterated that this was not an era of war but of dialogue and diplomacy. He added that all countries should do whatever they can to stop the violence and bloodshed, emphasising that among the worst victims of the conflict was the Global South. He stressed on the need for making the African Union a permanent member of the G20 so that they can be part of the decision-making on key issues affecting poor nations. The Indian Prime Minister also took the opportunity to call out Pakistan for not doing enough to take action against terrorists who continue to operate from its soil. He pointed out that decades after 9/11 and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, radicalism and terrorism continue to remain a pressing danger for the whole world. In the run-up to the Prime Ministers visit there were concerns in various quarters in the US about Indias backsliding on democratic principles and the rights of minorities. Modi spent a substantial part of his address explaining the diverse nature of Indian society. We are home to all faiths in the world, and we celebrate all of them. In India, diversity is a natural way of life, he said. He pointed out that there were 2,500 political parties, and about 20 different parties govern various states. He added that India has 22 official languages and that its cuisine changes every hundred miles. Modi said that when he first visited the US as Prime Minister, India was the 10th largest economy in the world. Today it is in fifth place, and will soon be the third largest. He also listed out the transformation of India in the past decade in infrastructure, telecommunication, digital commerce, and health and medicine. He said: We are not only growing bigger but we are also growing faster, adding that, When India grows, the whole world grows. After all, we are one-sixth of the worlds population. On the future of a strong US-India partnership, Modi said, Together, we shall give a better future to the world, and a better world to the future. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said a decision on whether to oppose the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi would be taken before the Parliament session. His remarks come a day after the AAP's ultimatum that it will walk out of the Opposition meeting in Patna if the Congress does not promise its support over the issue. Asked about the ordinance issue and AAP's ultimatum, Kharge, before leaving for Patna this morning, said his party would take a decision on it before Parliament's Monsoon session and wondered why it was being talked about elsewhere when it was a matter that pertains to Parliament. "Opposing it or proposing it does not happen outside, it happens in Parliament. Before Parliament begins, all parties decide what issues they have to work on together. They (AAP) know it and even their leaders come to our all-party meetings. I don't know why there is so much publicity about it outside," Kharge said. "About 18-20 parties decide together on what to oppose and what to accept. So instead of saying anything now, we will take a decision before Parliament begins," he said. The meeting of opposition parties has been called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar to chalk out a joint strategy to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. "The AAP will stage a walkout of the meeting if the Congress does not promise its support against the ordinance," one of the party sources had said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had expressed hope on Tuesday that the Congress would clear its stand on the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in the national capital at the meeting of non-BJP parties in Patna. Keeping cards close to its chest, the Congress has so far kept its stand ambiguous as to whether it would support the AAP or not when the ordinance is put to test in Parliament by the BJP-led Centre. Congress leaders Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Delhi counterpart Kejriwal, Punjab's Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu's M K Stalin, Jharkhand's Hemant Soren, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, and NCP president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders expected to attend it. Leaders of the PDP, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) and the National Conference will also attend the first high-level opposition meeting. New Cumberland Borough Police (717-774-0400) Police are investigating an armed robbery of a Pennsylvania Lottery van that occurred at 9:38 a.m. June 21 in the parking lot of Quality Gas Mart, 101 Bridge St. Police said one man grabbed the victim, holding him at gunpoint, while demanding he open the van safe. The other grabbed a money bag from the van, and they fled. The perpetrators are described as Black and dressed in black, with one being heavy-set and about 5-foot-10 and the other being slender with a motorcycle helmet and about 5-foot-5. Carlisle Police (717-243-5252) Olivia Leibig, 19, of Carlisle, was charged via summons with misdemeanor simple assault and summary harassment after a fight in the parking lot of Wendys on South Hanover Street on June 19. Police said Leibig was determined to be the aggressor in the fight that resulted in an injury. Shippensburg Borough Police (717-532-8878) Someone used a tool to pinch or cut the brake lines on a truck in the rear of the first block of North Queen Street sometime before June 22. Upper Allen Township Police (717-850-8273) Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash in which a white box truck struck the railroad bridge in the 700 block of Hertzler Road about 5:45 a.m. June 22. Police said the driver of the box truck reversed, saw the damage and left. The truck was damaged in the incident. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The Joint Statement issued by US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after their meeting on June 22, speaks of the two countries being among the closest partners in the world, and of a new level of trust and understanding. Pride of place is accorded to the partnership in critical and emerging technologies, launched by the National Security Advisors of the two countries in January 2023. A $2 million joint fund has been launched for the joint development and commercialisation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies. Thirty-five innovative joint research collaborations in emerging technologies have been funded by US National Science Foundation and Indian Department of Science and Technology. A Mutually Beneficial Relationship Formal announcements were made regarding transfer of technology and production in India of GE F414 jet engines, enabling greater transfers of US jet engine technology than ever before; Microns investment of up to $825 million to build a new semiconductor assembly and test facility in India; Applied Materials' investment of $400 million to establish a collaborative engineering centre in India; and Lam Researchs proposal to train 60,000 Indian engineers through its Semiverse Solution virtual fabrication platform. The visit also opened the path for further defence collaboration. Going beyond just defence procurement by India, the two countries have now adopted a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap; commenced negotiations on a Security of Supply Agreement, to prevent any disruption; and initiated discussion on a Reciprocal Defence Procurement Agreement, potentially creating opportunity for Indian suppliers. A dialogue has been launched in new defence domains, such as AI and space. An US-India Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) was set up as a network of universities, startups, industry and think tanks to facilitate joint defense technology innovation, and co-production of advanced defence technology. The US Department of Defense Space Force has signed its first International Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with two Indian startups. Unusually, several significant Indian investments in the US or in bilateral cooperation programmes have been noted: $140 million in-kind contribution by the Indian Department of Atomic Energy to US Fermi National Laboratory; and investments by Indias VSK Energy, JSW Steel and Epsilon Carbon Limited in solar, renewable energy and electric battery components. This is another reflection of the mutuality in the economic relationship. While US companies have by now invested up to $54 billion in India creating one million direct jobs, Indian companies have invested more that $40 billion in the US creating more than 425,000 jobs and have a presence across all 50 US States. India Emerges A Major Global Player The visit, the events and ceremony surrounding it herald further US recognition of Indias emergence as a major player in the global context. Hence, there was a reiteration of the importance of the Quad, with Australia and Japan, in the context of the Indo- Pacific; and the I2U2 (India, Israel, US and UAE) for cooperation in West Asia. Several elephants in the room were addressed in the context of the visit. There has been an ongoing debate in US on whether India will or should be a formal US ally in view of Indias firm determination on maintaining strategic autonomy, and, therefore, how much should US invest in or bet on the relationship. It is clear that a strong partnership, based on convergences, rather than an alliance with unreal expectations or negation of historical or geographical circumstance, is a more enduring path today in the framework of intense multipolar contestation. Questions have also been raised about whether America First and Aatmanirbhar Bharat were mutually compatible. The decisions reveal that both stand to gain from their mutual investments in each other. The US is still the largest economy globally, India is the fifth largest and expected to become the third largest by the end of the decade. Indian tech human capital, based both in India and the US, contributes significantly to the US maintaining its global leadership in innovation in many cutting-edge technologies. If the US is to meet the growing economic and technological challenge from China, a partnership with a country with a population of 1.4 billion would be important for it. It also shows that while the China challenge can be a catalysing factor, there is enough in the bilateral opportunities to sustain the partnership in an enduring way. The more than four million Indian origin diaspora in the US, with its mainstreaming in US politics, administration and business, provides a firm bridge between the two societies. With the firmer base and higher floor that has now been set for the partnership, it can expect to be consolidated further in the coming period, with two potential visits of US President Joe Biden to India, for the G20 summit in September this year, and for the Quad summit in 2024. The Joint Statement justifiably claims that no corner of human enterprise is untouched by the partnership, which spans the seas to the stars. Arun K Singh is a former Indian Ambassador to the US. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Nitish Kumar, the Bihar chief minister, currently steering the exercise to unite a large segment of the Opposition before the 2024 battle, set out the objectives of the Oppositions first meet beginning today, June 23, at Patna as identifying common issues, preparing a joint statement and appointing a panel to oversee the drafting of a common minimum programme. No PM Candidate Given the past experience with such coalitions at the Centre and states and their propensity to end their trysts with power and governance abruptly, Nitish decided to pare down the agenda to feasible ends. Therefore, the meet is not expected to raise the issue of leadership because thats bound to run into a dead-end. The Congress will never forfeit its entitlement to helm such a coalition given its claim to being the largest non-BJP Opposition party while the regional satraps, each powerful within their geographical spheres of power and rule, will never endorse the Congresss demand. The 20 parties attending the Patna congregation make for a formidable line-up. It includes the chief ministers of West Bengal, Delhi, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the last two states being politically significant. Despite strenuous attempts, evidenced in a slew of important gestures from the Narendra Modi government and the BJP to the people of Tamil Nadu since November 2022 which saw the hosting of an elaborate Tamil Sangamam at Varanasi, Shivas abode, the BJP is a long way from making a breakthrough. In Karnataka, it has to recover from the drubbing it suffered in the assembly polls. The Dilemma Over AAP However, certain developments in the lead-up to todays event do not augur well for the Opposition. The Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party chief, Arvind Kejriwal, has a one-point agenda of coaxing the parties backing to repeal the recently promulgated Ordinance which gives the Centre control over the administrative services in Delhi and the National Capital Region. Kejriwal secured the support of the non-Congress leaders but the Congress, aspiring to regain its lost supremacy in Delhi, has refused to play ball so far. Kejriwal threatened to walk out of the meet if the Congress would not relent to which the Congresss former Delhi MP, Sandeep Dikshits riposte was that Kejriwal was looking for alibis to break Opposition unity. Kejriwal landed in Patna with possibly the largest entourage comprising the Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP MPs Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah whose father Farooq Abdullah will represent the NC at Patna reminded Kejriwal that he had backed the Centres reading down of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories. So could he legitimately expect the NC to be in cahoots on his agenda when it suited him? Roadblocks To Unity Privately, Opposition sources acknowledged that the unity exercise will gain traction only if the participating parties agreed to field a single candidate against the BJP in each seat and not reduce the esprit de corps to a farce of competing identities and jousts. While the Congress seemed unlikely to yield ground to the AAP in Kejriwals Delhi and Punjab strongholds because it is convinced it will stage a comeback, in West Bengal its alliance with the Left Front is a natural stumbling block against arriving at an understanding with the Trinamool Congress. In Uttar Pradesh, the still dominant Samajwadi Party harboured reservations against collaborating with the Congress after the disastrous showing in the 2017 assembly polls when they were allies. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Bihar are the only states where the Congresss partnership with far bigger forces such as the DMK, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the NCP, and the Janata Dal (United) and RJD has held so far. Thats only because it is a minor constituent and in no position to defy, say, Sharad Pawar who calls the shots in Maharashtra. Vulnerability To BJPs Machinations The equidistance club grows because thanks principally to the predilection of the leaders to warm up to the Centre. The BJP has nurtured its relations with the YSRCP, BJD and JD(S) (the last being a Johnny-come-lately to the cabal) and viewed the BSP with amusement. Obviously, none of these leaders were invited to the meet. Given the BJPs pre-eminence in the current scenario, the Opposition regrouping is vulnerable to its pressures and tactics. Nitish lost an ally, Jitan Ram Manjhi of the Hindustani Awam Morcha, to the BJP last week, indicating that despite his ambition to anchor an Opposition coalition, the ground beneath his feet is shaky. In the end it is not Nitish or MK Stalin who could cement the Opposition together. The ball lies in the Congresss court and its willingness to accommodate the regional forces and not play Big Brother. Radhika Ramaseshan is a senior journalist and columnist. She was the political editor of The Telegraph. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. How should the West respond to Russian President Vladimir Putins announcement last week that hes begun moving nuclear weapons into Belarus, within striking distance of Ukraine? So far, the US and its allies have reacted warily, hoping to avoid escalation. Their caution is understandable. Yet failing to respond to such a provocation is likely only to embolden Russia and hence to make the conflict all the more difficult to resolve. Putins nuclear gamesmanship is meant to instill fear and pressure the NATO alliance into withdrawing support for Ukraine. The nuclear-tipped Iskander ballistic missiles at issue have an estimated range of 500 kilometers (311 miles), four times farther than Belaruss existing arsenal of conventional missiles. Russia has said a number of Belarusian Sukhoi Su-25 jets will be adapted to carry nuclear warheads, most likely stationed at the Lida air base near the border with Lithuania. That would put not only a huge chunk of Ukraine but also several NATO allies within reach. As alarming as that sounds, simply positioning nukes closer to Ukraine wont help Russia much on the battlefield. Depending on the weather, Russian forces could be caught in any fallout if the weapons were detonated. It would invite major retaliation, galvanise global opposition to Putin, and almost certainly cost Russia the financial lifelines that China and India have so far been extending. Launching the weapons against NATO countries would make even less sense, given their strategic nuclear arsenals and superior conventional capabilities. Given those realities, the West should avoid tit-for-tat actions that could needlessly increase nuclear risks such as repositioning its own nuclear weapons. Moving those weapons in range of Belarus-based missiles would only make them sitting targets and would do little to strengthen deterrence, while heightening the potential for miscalculation. So what should be done instead? First, its important to show that Putins nuclear blackmail wont succeed. The US and its allies should redouble military and economic support for Ukraine, and in particular bolster its overstretched air and missile defenses. Next, NATO should emphasise that any use of nuclear weapons will be met with an overwhelming military response, whether its delivered by conventional or non-conventional means. China and India should also remind Putin of the costs of any rash action, which both have an overriding interest in avoiding. At the same time, NATO leaders need to reiterate the alliances respect for Russias sovereignty within internationally recognised borders. Refuting Putins false claims that NATO is the aggressor in this conflict might help discourage some Russian commanders from carrying out reckless orders. Finally, Putins provocations are a reminder of longstanding gaps in NATOs own capabilities. In particular, the alliance needs to upgrade its air and missile defenses. Existing capabilities are fragmented and insufficient, more designed to counter a rogue Iranian missile launch than attacks against major European targets from multiple delivery systems. The answer is not just increased capacity but better integration. To counter todays sophisticated missile threats and enhance the credibility of its deterrent, NATO needs a range of systems that work together and are interoperable across the alliance. Russias de facto colonisation of Belarus, a longtime vassal state run by strongman Alexander Lukashenko, has been a Putin project for years. Russias push to move tactical nukes there introduces new risks and uncertainties that extend beyond Ukraine. Only prompt and resolute action by NATO can meet the challenge. The Editors are members of the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Credit: Bloomberg In the airline industry, a flight getting diverted due to unfavourable landing conditions, and reaching its destination a while later when the weather has cleared up, is not unusual. Go Firsts saga thus far has, however, been of an airline not a flight wilfully getting diverted without the eventual destination or time of arrival being known. Go First filed a plea for voluntary insolvency resolution in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in May. This was accompanied by an announcement regarding the suspension of flights for two days May 3 and 4 to perhaps give an impression, either as part of a planned strategy or inadvertently, that suspension of flights was to be for only a brief spell. The past few weeks' events have, however, shown that suspension of flights has turned out to be for a prolonged period. The initial announcement has been followed by over a dozen communications extending flight cancellations further and further, the latest flight cancellations being up to June 25, 2023. More such announcements extending cancellations till a further date cannot be ruled out. As more than seven weeks have elapsed since the announcement was first made, and one fails to understand how cancellation of flights for two days can extend to over 50 days, one is tempted to ask what the policymakers at Go First had in mind or expected when the NCLT was approached. Introspection If viewed from the limited perspective of Go Firsts inability to meet its financial commitments whether it was entirely due to problems of faulty engines supplied by Pratt & Whitney or otherwise the voluntary insolvency action can be described by some as a masterstroke because the airline gained moratorium on all payments. Simply put, the airline management bought relief for itself by not having the need to bother about marshalling resources for effecting payment to vendors and lenders, even while continuing to exercise control on all the assets, including aircraft. However, if judged from the perspective of airline business, it can be described as a disastrous decision since the airline remains grounded, with no solution on the horizon. Quite like Kingfisher and Jet Airways, which collapsed in 2012 and 2019, respectively, Go First too has been displaying misplaced bravado making it appear that resumption of flights is on the anvil. Has any airline after a prolonged suspension of operations taken to the skies again? One is left wondering where is Go Firsts optimism emanating from? It would be infinitely better for Go First promoters to share reasons for their optimism, if any. The reality check on its credibility can only then follow. Amongst those taking a pessimistic view of the airlines operational future, perhaps based on past experience, are aircraft lessors. While the lease of a few aircraft was terminated soon after the initial announcement of Go First and before NCLT admitted the application, lessors are contesting the NCLT moratorium order because it prohibits them from repossessing the aircraft leased to Go First. There are unconfirmed reports that the government hasnt taken kindly to this and may amend the law soon to facilitate possession of aircraft once an airline has defaulted on payment of lease rental. Financial Back Up Needed Appearing on behalf of the Interim Resolution Professional appointed for the airline, legal luminary Harish Salve, said: If the aircraft are returned, that's the end of this airline, it's dead. Salve is spot on! Where Salve has erred is in understanding that even if an airline has aircraft in its possession, it will remain in comatose condition unless there is finance available to run the airline. Has Go First given any indication about financial back up as yet? There isnt any evidence in the public domain. While at aviation regulator DGCAs behest, the crisis-hit Go First has seemingly submitted a revival plan, one is unsure of how many aircraft use does the plan entail. As the number of aircraft needed will be far less than the operational aircraft (half the fleet of 50+ aircraft was operational at the time of initial announcement) it had at the time of suspending flights, one is tempted to ask: who decided on total suspension of flights, and why? Was the action only to seek reprieve from contracted payment obligations? It is for the legal minds to decide whether the course adopted by Go First can be categorised as use or abuse of the legal protection provided under NCLT. Go First should therefore share its optimism with all stakeholders on its revival plan. Sharing of details cant be restricted to just losses and problems relating to Pratt & Whitney engines if it desires to retain whatever goodwill still exists. When the airline resumes operations, if at all, it will be a challenging task. Longer the break, the greater the uncertainty of resumption and the more challenging the revival process. First, the airline will lack credibility with the travelling public passengers, including those whose travel plans suffered due to sudden cancellations, are unlikely to book tickets on it. Second, luring them with highly discounted fares will only make the cash-starved airline bleed further. Anyone in the Go First management who therefore assumes that once revival actually materialises, customers will flock to patronise it, is grossly misreading the market trends. Regaining Market Share A Challenge This is particularly true because the domestic market is largely driven by how attractive are the fares on offer, and not loyalty to an airline. Even if Go First commanded a market share of 6.4 percent in April 2023 by flying almost 4,800 flights in the month, down from 8.4 percent by flying 6,242 flights in January 2023, the climb will be onerous and time-consuming. While a gradual reduction in market share was entirely due to actions of Go First management, the effort to gain market share will see intense competition as Indigo, Air India and Vistara have all launched additional flights on Go Firsts routes and these airlines cant be expected to surrender the gains they made. Since it should be apparent to all that Go First cannot have use of all aircraft currently in its fleet, both due operational and financial reasons, why isnt it voluntarily giving up control on some aircraft sought by lessors. The NCLTs moratorium has already caused enough harm to countrys ease of doing business campaign. The cost of rigidity and prolonged legal process to get justice is bound to be paid by other airlines, as lessors will invariably try to plug loopholes in our legal framework by seeking additional guarantees when leasing aircraft in future. It is also amusing to see banks, which have collectively loaned Rs 6,521 crore to Go First, ordering a forensic audit for possible diversion of funds only after the airline has suspended operations. This has happened in the case of Kingfisher and Jet Airways too. Why cant the banks learn their lessons and have a system of close monitoring in place so that the possibility of diversion just doesnt exist. Go First has made itself a subject for a management case study and lets hope it leads to streamlining of our systems even as the question of whether Go First will revive or perish has become secondary. Jitender Bhargava is former executive director of Air India and author of the book, The Descent of Air India. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Leadrs of about 15 partis have come together in the capital city of Bihar on June 23 to take on a mega level opposition meeting in order to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting is being led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of JD(U) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of RJD at the former's Aney Marg residence. According to sources, this meeting was being seen as a starting point for the Opposition parties to come together to take on the Narendra Modi-led BJP. A basic outline and roadmap for Opposition unity are likely to be deliberated upon with the contentious issue of seat sharing and leadership questions to be avoided for now. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab's Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu's M K Stalin, Jharkhand's Hemant Soren, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, and NCP president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders expected to attend it. Leaders of the PDP, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) and the National Conference will also attend the first high-level opposition meeting. A day before the crucial deliberations, fissures in the Opposition ranks came to the fore with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sources saying the party will walk out of the meeting if the Congress does not promise its support against the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi. All eyes are on the meeting's agenda and whether the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in the national capital would be a key part of the discussions as the AAP wants. Keeping cards close to its chest, the Congress has so far kept its stand ambiguous as to whether it would support the AAP or not when the ordinance is put to test in Parliament by the BJP-led Centre. Asked about the ordinance issue and AAP's ultimatum, Congress chief Kharge, before leaving for Patna on Friday morning, said his party would decide on it before the Monsoon Session of Parliament. "Opposing it or proposing it does not happen outside, it happens in Parliament. Before Parliament begins, all parties decide what issues they have to work on together. They know it and even their leaders come to our all-party meetings. I don't know why is there so much publicity about it outside," Kharge said. "About 18-20 parties decide together on what to oppose and what to accept. So instead of saying anything now, we will take a decision before Parliament begins," he said. The Samajwadi Party is the only party from Uttar Pradesh attending the meeting with BSP supremo Mayawati not being invited and Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary set to skip the huddle due to a family programme. CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI general secretary D Raja and CPI (ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya are among the other leaders attending the meeting. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived here on June 22, post which she met Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Yadav, former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav. Upon asking about the meeting and its procedures, she told reporters outside Tejashwi Yadav's residence, "I cannot say anything now. We have come here as we will fight together, one on one (against the BJP). We will fight together like a joint family," she had asserted. (With inputs from PTI) The India of Mahatma Gandhi cannot be allowed to become of a country of his assassin Nathuram Godse, PDP leader and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said after a meeting of some opposition parties here on Friday. Another former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, Omar Abdullah of the National Conference, said these parties have come together "not for power, but for principles" and to keep democracy alive in this country. Leaders of 17 opposition parties resolved here to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the BJP. After the meeting, most of the leaders addressed a press conference jointly. In her remarks, Mehbooba, the Peoples Democratic Party president, said, "We can't let Gandhi's India become Godse's country.... We feel that Jammu and Kashmir is the supporter and votary of the idea of India. Our attempt will be to ensure that Gandhi's nation does not become Godse's country." She alleged the country is witnessing how minorities are being treated and how democracy is being undermined, and added the opposition parties have come together to counter that. In his address to the press, National Conference leader Abdullah said the 17 parties from Kashmir to Kanyakumari have come together "not for power, but for principles". "We have come together to save the country from disaster, pull it out of trouble and to keep democracy alive in this country," he said. The credit for the success of today's meeting goes to Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar as it is not easy to bring together so many leaders. "It is not more important as to who is not there than those who are present here," he said. "This is not a battle for power that we are fighting, but of ideals and ideology. This is a battle of thought and to save the country," he added. At the meeting, the parties decided to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the BJP and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences. They will meet in Shimla next month to chalk out a joint strategy. This is the first such effort towards opposition unity to take on the Narendra Modi-led BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP on Friday derided the opposition parties' efforts to forge a front against it and said the Congress was seeking the support of others because it was "incapable of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone" in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Top leaders of Opposition parties went into a huddle in Patna on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for next year's general elections. The meeting was hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD. BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani took a dig at JD(U) and other opposition parties, saying it was "ironic" that some of the leaders who witnessed the "murder of democracy" during the Emergency have assembled under the Congress' parasol in Patna. They have sent out a message that they are unable of taking on Modi on their own, she claimed. "I want to especially express gratitude to the Congress for openly announcing that it is incapable of defeating Modi alone. It needs support." "Power has moved from the palace to the people. That's why people who take pride in their political legacy now have to go to those whom they had put behind bars during Emergency," Irani said In a veiled attack on Bihar Chief Minister Kumar, she referred to the recent bridge collapse over the Ganga in the state's Bhagalpur district, and asked, "What kind of democratic bridge will they make who can not even build a bridge." "People are becoming alert about those who could not come together on development issues but now adopting the blackmail route," Irani said. BJP president J P Nadda on Friday said that leaders who were jailed by former prime minister Indira Gandhi during Emergency were now welcoming her grandson Rahul Gandhi. The BJP leader was referring to the opposition meeting in Patna which was organised by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and attended by his ally RJD supremo Lalu Prasad. Both were arrested during the Emergency when they were student leaders participating in the movement of Jay Prakash Narayan. Addressing a public meeting in Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district, Nadda said, Strange things are happening in politics today. Leaders jailed by former PM Indira Gandhi have now joined hands with her grandson Rahul Gandhi. He said Prasad was jailed for 22 months, while Kumar was behind the bars for 20 months during the period. I saw Uddhav Thackeray reaching Patna to attend the opposition meeting. His father, Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray was opposed to the Congress all along. Balasaheb had once said he will shut the dukaan (referring to his political party Shiv Sena) rather than joining the Congress. Now, his son is closing the dukaan, Nadda said. He claimed Congress was unable to digest Prime Minister Narendra Modis praise by world leaders. Nadda said Modi is strongly opposed to dynasty politics and introduced politics of development in the country. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept With less than 10 months left for the next Lok Sabha elections, top leaders of more than 15 political parties came together for a meeting in Patna hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The big message from the meeting was that opposition parties are united; they will formulate a common strategy to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, and that the next meeting of the grouping will take place in Shimla next month. The meeting is significant as it was the first such broad-based session between opposition parties which have decided to come together and challenge the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the national elections next year. A lot of things will take final shape in the next meeting, including the issue of who will contest from where. There is a consensus and everyone has agreed to come together for the benefit of the nation, Kumar said while speaking to reporters at a joint press conference in Patna on Friday evening. Show of strength The meeting on Friday was attended by almost all the key opposition parties in the country including Congress, Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Samajwadi Party (SP), Trinamool Congress (TMC), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Left parties, AAP, and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), among others. From Uttar Pradesh, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), led by former Chief Minister Mayawati, was not invited for the meeting, while Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary skipped the meet due to a family programme, according to a news report by the Press Trust of India. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the next meeting will likely take place around 12 July in Shimla. We have decided to sit together and make a common agenda, decide on what all issues we can take up. All states need to have a different strategy because what works for one may not work elsewhere, he added. Bihars former Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav also made a rare public appearance at the joint press conference. He reiterated the need for opposition parties to come together in the states to challenge the BJP in the national elections. Challenges All eyes are now on how the group strategises in states where two or more opposition parties, particularly the Congress, are in a direct contest. This includes states like West Bengal, whose Chief Minister (and TMC chief) Mamata Banerjee was present in the meeting, and Delhi, where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is in power. In the interaction with reporters, Banerjee maintained a united stance like other leaders who spoke. We did a lot of meetings in Delhi but none of them were fruitful, so now we are looking at Patna. Three things are clear we are united, we will fight unitedly, and the next meeting will be in Shimla. BJP wants that history should be changed, we want history to be saved, she said. Political analysts feel that while opposition parties are projecting a united approach, a lot will depend on whether they are able to go beyond the commonality of being anti-BJP and extend their solidarity to policy issues and strategies. It is good to say that these parties are united but are they united enough, and what are they united upon? Is their opposition to the BJP the only glue or does something else bind them together by way of alternative policy programmes and strategies for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections? A classic example of this is what AAP has raised today, said Sandeep Shastri, a senior political analyst and Director of Academics at the Bengaluru based NITTE education trust. Congress vs AAP The meeting on Friday was not without its share of controversies. Shastris reference was to AAP protesting the centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi. It told the Congress that the its silence on the issue raises suspicions about its real intentions. AAP leaders said they would rethink their participation in an opposition alliance with the Congress if the party doesnt change its stance. On Congress part, Kharge clarified on Friday before leaving for Patna that the decision on the ordinance will be taken before the Parliament session. Washington State Park will host an event showcasing life in the 1800s from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 1. The schedule of events includes: Petroglyph Tour 2 p.m. at Petroglyph Site: Washington State Park team members will offer a tour of the petroglyphs, the park's history carved in stone. Visitors can learn about the Mississippian-era carvings, the culture and community who created them and possible interpretations. They can enjoy a short walk on a covered walkway with interpretive panels highlighting the cultural features. Historical Fabric Making 4 p.m. at Pool: Visitors will learn about how clothing was made by hand in the 1800s, from start to finish. Life in the 1800s 7 p.m. at Campground Amphitheater: A sneak peek into what everyday life was like for a person living near what is now Washington State Park in the 1800s is being offered, including styles of the clothes people wore, food they ate, beliefs they held and some of the tasks they performed. Washington State Park is located at 13041 State Highway 104 in De Soto. For more information, people can contact the park at 636-586-5768. For more information on state parks and historic sites, people can visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjees dream by revoking Article 370 in Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday. Addressing a function on the death anniversary of of Mookerjee, Adityanath hailed his sacrifice for saving Kashmir and for ensuring the unity of India, a statement said. The Chief Minister said Kashmirs situation after Independence was progressively deteriorating due to Congress shortsightedness. In such circumstances, Dr Mookerjee raised a slogan for the country, opposing the creation of separate laws for Jammu and Kashmir and granting separate recognition to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Adityanath was quoted as saying in the statement. Mookerjee launched a movement with the slogan Ek desh mein do vidhan, do pradhan aur do nishan nahi chalenge (There cannot be two constitutions, two prime ministers and two flags in one nation) and was also arrested during that period, Adityanath said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjees dream by permanently removing Article 370 in Kashmir, he said. On August 5, 2019, the Modi government revoked Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister also emphasised the crucial role played by Mookerjee in resisting the Partition. Adityanath also said it was due to Mookerjees patriotism that he was given the responsibility of shaping Indias industrial policy after Independence as the first Minister of Industries and Food. Mookerjee also very open in his criticism of appeasement politics by the government, which posed a threat to the unity and national integrity of India, the Chief Minister said. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. 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I Accept Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the members of the US Congress for coming together to celebrate their country's ties with India, saying there must be a contest of ideas at home but people must also come together as one while speaking for the nation. Modi's remarks in his address to a joint session of the US Congress on Thursday came against the backdrop of Rahul Gandhi's frequent swipes at his government during his visits abroad, which the ruling BJP has often projected as the opposition leader's bid to malign the country from foreign soil to target the central government. The prime minister's remarks were perceived to be an attack on the Congress leader. Modi told US lawmakers, "I can understand the debate of ideas and ideology. But I am delighted to see you come together today, to celebrate the bond between the world's two great democracies - India and the United States. "I am happy to help out whenever you need a strong bipartisan consensus. There will be and there must be - a contest of ideas at home. But, we must also come together as one when we speak for our nation. And, you have shown that you can do it. Congratulations!" Addressing the US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Modi said, "Being a citizen of a vibrant democracy myself, I can admit one thing Mister Speaker you have a tough job! I can relate to the battles of passion, persuasion and policy." Gandhi was recently in the United States and often criticised the Modi government's handling of issues at home. A resident in a Bengaluru society came up for criticism on Twitter after a user shared that housekeepers in the apartment were asked to use the waiting area in between breaks during the day rather than use other facilities such as parks, gazebos and amphitheaters. The note also said that the resident in the society felt uneasy when surrounded by housekeepers, wherever they walked. "Maids can use the waiting areas in all the buildings to wait between jobs or eat their food. We do understand there may be breaks. Its difficult to see them hang out everywhere in the park, amphitheater and gazebos. Residents can feel uncomfortable when being surrounded by maids everywhere we walk. Security is not able to monitor common areas. Cooks, carpenters, plumbers sit on the sofa at the building reception. Most of us have probably stopped sitting on the sofas by now," the note read. residents of a bangalore society confusing class and being a classist pic.twitter.com/0pbeBUpDJc Vibin Babuurajan (@vibinbaburajan) June 21, 2023 The note posted on Twitter generated several comments, many of whom criticised the resident for the thinking. "Why is it so hard for people to understand that they are humans only," one user wrote. "Residents may feel uncomfortable when surrounded by maids. Dear residents, I am confident that if we transitioned to a full corporate culture in this domain, you would also not be able to afford maids. Enjoy the privilege until we become a developed country," another user wrote. "The same maid roaming in your house, cooking for you, cleaning for you is ok. But seeing them around you in the park is troublesome? Pathetic!," a third user wrote. Also read: From not allowing lungi at common places to banning opposite sex visitors, here are some outlandish rules by RWAs In the days before news of billionaire Hamish Hardings death on board the Titan submersible was confirmed, his stepson Brian Szasz attended a Blink-182 concert and flirted with an OnlyFans model on social media drawing flak from the likes of Cardi B. The American rapper and Brian Szasz engaged in a very public feud even as rescuers raced to locate the Titanic-bound submersible earlier this week. The US Coast Guard has now confirmed that five people on board the submersible, including renowned British adventurer Hamish Harding, were killed when it imploded in the Atlantic Ocean sometime this week. The five tourists were on an OceanGate Expedition tour to view the Titanic shipwreck when their submersible lost contact and vanished in the ocean on Sunday, sparking a frantic search to locate and rescue any possible survivors. But even while the extensive search and rescue mission was underway, Hamish Hardings stepson Brian Szasz, 36, was spotted at a Blink-182 concert. His feud with Cardi B began when she responded to his Instagram story from the concert. One of the billionaires thats missing underwater from that submarine sh*t Their stepson is at a concert, right? she tweeted. Cardi B trying to get clout off me and my families [sic] suffering, Szasz tweeted shortly afterwards. 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 his attack in a separate tweet, writing: Cardi B we know all your latest releases are trash but is your career this desperate for attention now?? Szasz has since deleted his Twitter account but not before he responded to a risque post from an OnlyFans model, drawing criticism from thousands of social media users besides Cardi B. His response to the risque post came minutes before he asked his followers to please keep my family in your prayers. Cardi B clapped back at Szasz on Tuesday night, calling him a spoiled brat who used a tragedy to gain clout. The point was the whole world is praying for these people in the submarine and this man son is online shaking d***s for girls off onlyfans and going to Blink 182 concerts, she tweeted. You was looking for clout all along, nobody knew who you were until you said that was ya stepdad!! British billionaire Hamish Harding, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, father-and-son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood and former French navy officer Paul-Henri Nargeolet were part of the OceanGate expedition. The US Coast Guard on Thursday said there were no survivors after the catastrophic implosion deep in the North Atlantic. The search for the submersible - as well as any clues to explain what happened underwater - was ongoing Thursday after a deep-sea robot found debris near the Titanic shipwreck. 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. (With inputs from Associated Press) The American side rolled out a red-carpet welcome for Narendra Modi, with the Indian Prime Minister becoming only the third statesman to address a joint session of the US Congress for the second time, Arvind Panagariya, professor, Columbia University and former vice-chairman of NITI Aayog, tells Moneycontrol that in what would be his 50th year in the US in 2024, he hasnt seen such a reception for any Indian Prime Minister and in fact that such a welcome has been given to very few world leaders. I have been here since 1974, this kind of buzz has never been there for any previous PMs visit. Earlier visits by Indian PMs barely registered. All media in the US have covered the visit extensively, said Panagariya. The clear message to the world with this grand welcome is that there is a clear shift in geopolitical equations in the world, signifying India emerging as a key player and that its clout will continue to grow provided the country manages to grow at 7-8 per cent for the next two decades. Once the US takes a certain view it has implications for other countries Remember what happened when Richard Nixon placed his bets on China and what followed. One of the key reasons why China rose geopolitically is because it also rose economically. India needs to grow economically, Panagariya told Moneycontrol. We have an advantage but we need to sustain 7-8 percent growth for the next two decades for us to reach Chinas status, he added. US President Richard Nixon had travelled to China in 1972, a time described as the week that changed the world. It ended a 22-year estrangement between the two countries. Other governments around the world that had been toeing the US policy line of isolating and containing China opened up to the country, so in effect Nixons endorsement of China opened the world to China. Could the Joe Biden administrations welcome compound the worlds interest in India? Panagariya believes so. But it will require effort from India to simplify rules of engagement and doing business in India, and. most importantly. grow. I have been in touch with investors who say that it is difficult to do business in India. Recent experience with Apple in Karnataka shows how our labour laws didnt allow for 12-hour shifts, which was an issue. You cannot counter long-term hurdles with subsidies. We are banking too much on PLIs (production-linked incentive schemes). What after five years? You cannot substitute subsidies for good policies, he lamented. You can watch the full conversation with Arvind Panagariya here The tradition of raising a toast on stage during the State Dinner held at the White House to honour the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew peals of laughter after alcohol was mentioned by US President Joe Biden. As Biden raised his glass to propose a toast, he reminded everyone of a so-called custom: "When you give a toast and you don't have any alcohol in the glass, you must do it with your left hand. You all think Im kidding. Im not." Biden was hinting at how PM Modi does not drink alcohol, making the prime minister laugh at his remarks. The translator soon after mentioned that the drink in PM Modis glass was ginger ale. President Biden, in his toast, acknowledged the partnership and possibilities that lie ahead for India and US. "Toast to our partnership, to our people, to the possibilities that lie ahead, two great friends, two great nations, and two great powers, cheers," he exclaimed as PM Modi took a sip. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, at the State Dinner at the White House. pic.twitter.com/r0LkOADAZ6 ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 First Lady Jill Biden had put in efforts for the dinner and informed the media about the preparations going down at a specially decorated pavilion on the South Lawn of the White House. "Jill and I have had a wonderful time with the Prime Minister today, during your truly productive visit. Tonight we celebrate the great bonds of friendship between India and the United States," Biden had remarked. Expressing their gratitude for the warm hospitality, Prime Minister Modi thanked President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for opening their doors and hosting the dinner. In his speech, PM Modi highlighted the positive outcomes of his trip. "I want to thank US President Joe Biden for this wonderful dinner today. I would also like to thank First Lady Jill Biden for taking care of my visit to make it successful. Yesterday evening you opened the doors of your house for me," he expressed. Read: Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella attend PM Modi's State Dinner. See full list of guests The State Dinner itself was an illustrious affair, attended by over 400 prominent figures from various sectors including technology, film and fashion. The guest list boasted influential names such as Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Tim Cook, Shantanu Narayen, Indra Nooyi, Mukesh Ambani, Anand Mahindra, and Nikhil Kamath, among others. Industrialist Anand Mahindra announced that skipped lunch to work up an appetite for the state dinner hosted by US First Lady Jill Biden at the White House on Thursday. The billionaire landed in Washington DC on Thursday and was an invitee to the State Dinner along with several dignitaries such as Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella and Mukesh Ambani. The Mahindra Group Chairman shared a video of Jill Biden telling reporters about the preparations for the gala dinner along with his tweet. "...Tomorrow night, guest 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," she said in the clip shared by news agency ANI. Anand Mahindra tweeted: Landed in D.C and honoured to be an invitee to the State Dinner tonight. After hearing this preview of the preparations for dinner made by @FLOTUS Ive decided to skip lunch, work up my appetite, and do justice to all her efforts! Landed in D.C and honoured to be an invitee to the State Dinner tonight. After hearing this preview of the preparations for dinner made by @FLOTUS Ive decided to skip lunch, work up my appetite, and do justice to all her efforts! https://t.co/d00QFXWtCP anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 22, 2023 The State Dinner was hosted in the White House in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi where over 400 dignitaries from the tech world, film and fashion industry as well as billionaire industrialists were invited. Apple CEO Tim Cook, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, and Zerodhas Nikhil Kamath are just some big names who attended the State Dinner. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept A day after reports claimed that the regulators in the United States have issued subpoena to Adani group investors, the Gautam Adani-led conglomerate issued a denial. "We are not aware of any such subpoena to investors. Our various issuers groups remain confident that the disclosures are full and complete as disclosed in the relevant issuer offering circulars," a spokesperson of the ports-to-power giant said on June 23. Earlier, Bloomberg News reported that the US Attorney's Office in Brooklyn, New York, has sent inquiries in recent months to investors with large holdings in Adani group, focused on what the company told them. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also has a similar probe underway, Bloomberg reported, citing two people familiar with the matter. Also Read | Adani group's market cap slips below Rs 10 lakh crore on SEC scrutiny The authorities are looking into the representations that Adani made to its American investors following short-seller Hindenburg's report, the news agency further said. The SEC, in response to the news, said it does not comment on the existence or nonexistence of a possible investigation. The Eastern District of New York U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment on the report. The Adani group, however, has categorically denied violating any of the regulatory norms in the US. "We strongly reject any suggestion that Adani Group and its businesses have not acted as per the regulations and accounting standards of the jurisdictions in which they operate," the company said. Adani operates a robust corporate governance framework and is strongly committed to following all laws and regulations in all of its different markets," it added. In January, Hindenburg Research said it held short positions in the group and accused the conglomerate of improper use of offshore tax havens. The short-seller also flagged concerns about high debt, eroding $11 billion in investor wealth. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in May had "drawn a blank" in investigations into suspected violations in overseas investments in the Adani group and a Supreme Court-appointed panel said its ongoing pursuit of the case could be a "journey without a destination". The Adani group spokesperson said the company has requested the media to "avoid needless speculation at this time" and wait for SEBI and the Supreme Court to "complete their work and submit their findings". Wit Reuters inputs India and the US have come a long way in the past few decades. The economic liberalisation policies enacted by India in the late 1990s and early 2000s have helped US businesses and have proved to be a turning point in bilateral ties. Trade between the two countries has exponentially grown since then and has reached a record high of $ 191 billion in FY 22-23 with the US emerging as India's biggest trading partner. India-US partnership will serve as a driving engine for sustainable, inclusive global growth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on June 22 during his three-day visit to the US. Moneycontrol spoke to Alexander Slater, Managing Director of the US-India Business Council (USIBC), on what this visit means and what may be the possible outcomes. What has been the USIBC's agenda for this specific meeting and engagement between PM Modi and President Biden? Over the past week, the US-India Business Council has been very active in Washington DC, promoting better relations between the two countries. We had our India Ideas Summit and the annual general meeting on Monday and Tuesday of last week, attended by many luminaries. They included Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Minister of Health for India Mansukh Mandavia. It was really a curtain-raiser. It was an opportunity for senior government officials, executives, investors and traders to come together and talk about the US-India commercial and trade relationship. On June 21, we launched Indus X, which is a new platform for US-India defence cooperation. It brought together startups from the US and India in an exhibition hall to display their technologies and innovations, through which USIBC was able to showcase technologies to senior officials from the Pentagon and the Ministry of Defence in India. This has been termed a historic visit, in terms of the red-carpet treatment. How does this tie into bilateral trade? What are the key issues that have gained prominence during this visit and that both countries are looking at resolving? Strategic cooperation, along with the digital economy, has really been the heart of this relationship. In May last year, the two leaders agreed to launch the initiative on critical and emerging technologies that cover areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity, 5G as well as 6G, along with bio-technology. This has sort of grown to expand into other areas, and that is really helping to take forward the work between the two countries. Indus X, in cooperation with the two governments, is something we hope will bring forward the defence relationship in a similar fashion. It certainly appears as if there is going to be a great opportunity to move forward on the defence front, and strategic technologies for diversifying supply chains in key areas. There may also be opportunities to move forward on energy and climate change, which would be a great step forward on a key issue to promote sustainability. I think there may be some progress on space exploration and cooperation in outer space, as well as some step forward on visa issues, making it easier for Indian workers to remain in the US while they're renewing their visas. I think those are the areas that are really shaping the agenda right now. The US has been eyeing a bigger market in India for its agricultural products. Where do you think talks are on that? Food and agriculture is an important aspect of the US-India relationship. However, my understanding is that it is not a top agenda for discussion right now. Most of the talks are going to be about strategic technologies, digital economy, energy, some visa issues, and space-related activities. The US has been nudging India to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework trade pillar. How do you think joining this pillar would play out for Indian businesses and what are the Indian authorities saying on this and what is the US point of view? While I don't speak for either governments, my expectation is that the trade pillar is a great opportunity for the countries to work out how to further expand bilateral trade. It's not a formal trade agreement but a forum for discussions. I think when countries talk about this opportunity, it becomes important for the private sector as it (private sector) feels that the government cares about the concerns that companies have because, ultimately, you know, governments create the playing field and the framework for cooperation and increased trade investment. But it is the private sector that takes forward investment and trade decisions. So anything we can do to make that process smoother for these companies is likely to grow trade relationships. The trade figure was about $190 billion last year, which is an incredible growth through the pandemic. It was about $150 billion before the pandemic started. It is nice to see trade continuing to increase. President Biden has set a trade worth $500 billion between the two countries. So, I think the trade pillar is one way to help facilitate that outcome. What are the key areas where the two countries can cooperate to achieve the shared goals? What can we expect during the meeting? I think semiconductors, packaging, testing and assembly would be a great way to de-risk supply chains, and to build trusted supply chains between India and the US in critical areas. There may also be an announcement on fighter jet engines for India's domestically developed fighter jet (Tejas). I think it will help promote greater supply-chain integration between the US and India because it will involve co- production of an engine that is designed by GE Aerospace, one of our members here in the US. Finally, it sounds as if there may be an agreement to purchase the MQ-9 Reaper drones, used for surveillance and are also armed. The outcome of that is you will likely be able to increase interoperability between the US and Indian militaries, which I think will help promote integration and cooperation between the two forces. It is actually already quite robust, especially in the naval area, where they do multiple joint exercises annually. When it comes to American companies shifting base from China to India, what are the key issues dominating the minds of American businesses that want to shift out? Everyone is talking about supply-chain diversification. The pandemic showed that having all of the world's manufacturing base in one basket is not a good idea. So companies are thinking about diversifying where they build things, cost-competitiveness, ease of doing business and level-playing field. When they think about diversifying, there are multiple options. India is one option. Mexico and Vietnam have turned out to be others. In order for India to capitalise on that, it has to be competitive with these other jurisdictions. At the same time, you know, India has one comparative advantage, and that's a large domestic market. When we speak with government officials in India, we emphasise that we support the idea of making India a global hub for manufacturing, and building trusted supply chains between India and the US. One way the government of India can help do that is by attracting US companies to invest in India by creating a level-playing field in the domestic market -- in areas like finance. You see a lot of infrastructure investments over the last three years by the government of India, and that's going to help to make it easier to do business. A lot of regulatory burden has lessened in India. But there's still more work to do. There are differences in taxation of foreign and domestic banks, which can kind of impede investment and advisory services in the insurance sector. There are different regulations for foreign and domestic companies when it comes to appointing senior executives and board members. Addressing these issues would really go a long way towards making American companies increase their investment in India, as they seek to diversify supply chains. Another thing that would help level the playing field is public procurement orders. The central government basically has the local content requirement and that is not necessarily clear and may exclude foreign companies from bidding on those contracts. That is something which can create an uneven playing field when it comes to accessing the domestic market. Education is a cornerstone of the bond between the US and India, the First Lady has tweeted. What discussions on education and skilling may we be looking at during the event? I will say that skilling is a priority for both countries. One of the great opportunities that India has is its population. Basically, half the population is under 30, with the median age being 28. That means there is a potential demographic dividend because the young population has a working lifetime ahead of it, and the key is to help those workers be as productive as possible. For that, they need skills and education. When our companies invest in India, they help skilled Indian workers. Many of them (American companies) are also at the forefront of building out skilling programmes for vendors and suppliers. So, you know, they're big contributors to that. What does this meeting, which is coming at a crucial juncture for both countries, mean for India-US relationship, going forward? It is definitely very crucial. If reports are true, some of the criticisms of the commentary on US-India relationship is defence cooperation. Prior to this point, there hasn't been any technology transfer in the areas of substantially advanced equipment. If there is an agreement to co-produce the GE engines for the fighter jet, if there is an agreement to purchase the MQ-9 Reaper drones, and these are cutting-edge technologies, they would, in my view, represent a new phase in US-India defence and strategic cooperation. I also think that diversifying the supply chain for semiconductors through packing, assembling and testing capacity in India also represents a sea of change. That shows India moving up the value chain in the manufacturing area. This is a new kind of cooperation, its a deeper cooperation. It's a cooperation that focuses on building trusted supply chains, deeper integration and strategic as well as higher value areas that produce greater returns for both countries in terms of security and job creation Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden met in Washington on Thursday and several agreements were to be announced to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries and highlight new private sector investments. The following is a roundup of the major announcements: VISAS The Biden administration will make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States. The State Department could announce as soon as Thursday that a small number of Indians and other foreign workers on H-1B visas will be able to renew those visas in the U.S. without having to travel abroad, one source said, part of a pilot program that could be expanded in coming years. The United States intends to open new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. India is opening a new consulate in Seattle this year and will soon announce two new consulates in the United States. CHIPMAKER TO INVEST IN INDIA U.S. memory chip firm Micron Technology said on Thursday it would invest up to $825 million in a new chip assembly and test plant in Gujarat, its first factory in India. Micron said that with support from the Indian central government and from the state of Gujarat, the total investment in the plant will be $2.75 billion. Of that, 50% will come from the Indian central government and 20% from the state of Gujarat. U.S. semiconductor toolmaker Applied Materials (AMAT.O) will invest $400 million over four years in a new engineering center in India, the company said on Thursday. TRADE United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the two nations have agreed to terminate six outstanding disputes at the World Trade Organization. India also agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs, which it had imposed in response to the U.S. Section 232 national security measures on steel and aluminum, on U.S. products, including chickpeas and apples. Also read: LIVE updates from PM Modi's US visit CRITICAL MINERALS India joined the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), a US-led partnership to create critical energy minerals supply chains. India will join 12 other partner countries, plus the European Union. India's Epsilon Carbon Limited will invest $650 million in a greenfield electric vehicle battery component factory, hiring over 500 employees over the course of five years. SOLAR POWER INVESTMENT A new venture backed by Indian solar panel maker Vikram Solar Ltd (VIKO.NS) said on Thursday it will invest up to $1.5 billion in the U.S. solar energy supply chain, beginning with a factory in Colorado next year. The newly formed company, VSK Energy LLC, will aid the U.S. push to build a clean energy manufacturing sector to compete with China. FIGHTER JETS General Electric's aerospace unit said on Thursday it has signed an agreement with India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd to make fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. The "historical" agreement includes the potential joint production of GE Aerospace's F414 engines in India and the engines will be used to power Tejas fighter jets, GE said. DRONES India's defense ministry has approved the procurement of armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones, sources told Reuters earlier this month. India will buy 31 drones made by General Atomics worth slightly over $3 billion. The MQ-9Bs will be assembled in India, a joint statement said, and U.S. manufacturer General Atomics will also establish new facility in India. SPACE India agreed to join the U.S.-led Artemis Accords on space exploration and to work with NASA on a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024. ADVANCED COMPUTING India and the United States established a Joint Indo-U.S. Quantum Coordination Mechanism to facilitate joint research between the public and private sectors across both countries. Washington State Park will host the Great American Campout from 2-8 p.m. Saturday. Events for the day include the following: Petroglyph Tour 2 p.m. at Petroglyph Site: Washington State Park team members will offer a tour of the petroglyphs, the park's history carved in stone! Learn about the Mississippian-era carvings, the culture and community who created them, and possible interpretations. Enjoy a short walk on a covered walkway with interpretive panels highlighting the cultural features. Wild Edibles 4 p.m. at Big River Day-Use Area: Learn how to identify Missouri's edible wild plants in a fun, informational program. Survival Games 7 p.m. at Campground Amphitheater: Enjoy an action-packed collection of challenges and games with your family. See if you have what it takes survive in the wild! Washington State Park is located at 13041 State Highway 104 in De Soto. For more information, contact the park at 636-586-5768. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. U.S. President Joe Biden and Narendra Modi hailed a new era in their countries' relationship after the White House rolled out the red carpet for the Indian prime minister on Thursday, touting deals on defense and commerce aimed at countering China's global influence. The partnership is "stronger, closer and more dynamic than at any time in history," Biden told reporters at a joint press conference with Modi after the two leaders emerged from Oval Office talks where differences on Russia and human rights were on the table. The economic relationship is "booming," Biden said, with trade more than doubling over the past decade. Though the countries are not formal treaty-bound allies and India has long relished its independence, Washington wants Delhi to be a strategic counterweight to China. While neither leader criticized Beijing directly in official statements, they alluded to the Xi Jinping-led government. "The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo Pacific," Modi told Congress. "The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership." After Biden and Modi spoke privately for more than two hours, a joint statement included a warning of rising tensions and destabilizing actions in the East and South China Sea and stressed the importance of international law and freedom of navigation. "The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require that India and the United States work and lead together, and we are," Biden said as he welcomed Modi to the White House. The two leaders later appeared together at a state dinner that featured a number of Silicon Valley executives on the guest list, including Apple's Tim Cook, 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, among others. With the slightly Indian-accented dinner, the Bidens followed a White House tradition of serving guests from abroad food that has faint echoes of home with a strong American bent. Modi is seeking to raise the status that India, the world's most populous country at 1.4 billion and fifth-largest economy, has on the world stage as a manufacturing and diplomatic powerhouse while navigating strained ties with China. His participation in a White House press conference itself was a reflection of contrasting political traditions, marking the first time Modi has taken questions in such a format in his nine-year tenure. He took one question apiece from an American and an Indian journalist selected in advance, and dismissed criticism about India's human rights record. Washington has been frustrated by India's close ties with Russia while Moscow wages war in Ukraine. Modi avoided direct mention of Russia, but told lawmakers the conflict was "causing great pain in the region. Since it involves major powers, the outcomes are severe." BOYCOTTS AND WELCOME CROWDS Modi's visit was not without controversy. The speech to Congress, normally a bipartisan affirmation of a visiting leader from an allied nation, was boycotted by some liberal lawmakers, who cited the Modi government's treatment of India's Muslim minority. "I encourage my colleagues who stand for pluralism, tolerance and freedom of the press to join me in doing the same," Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on Wednesday. Modi's speech to the Congress also drew a crowd of on-lookers who chanted "Modi, Modi" at applause lines. As some 7,000 well-wishers gathered for a colorful opening ceremony at the White House, a far smaller group of demonstrators gathered blocks away to protest the Biden administration's coziness with Modi, who leads the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Asked by a U.S. reporter about what steps he would take to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities, Modi said "there's absolutely no space for discrimination" in India. Biden told reporters he and Modi had a straightforward discussion about democratic values. NEW US-INDIA DEALS The two countries announced agreements on semiconductors, critical minerals, technology, space cooperation and defense cooperation and sales. Some are aimed at diversifying supply chains to reduce dependence on China. Others are aimed at cornering the market in advanced technologies that may feature on the battlefields of the future. They also ended disputes at the World Trade Organization, and India removed some tariffs on U.S. goods. The United States is India's largest trading partner but the U.S. has much larger trading relationships with China, the EU, and North American neighbors. Biden and Modi signed off on a deal to allow General Electric to produce jet engines in India to power Indian military aircraft, through an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics. U.S. Navy ships in the region will be able to stop in Indian shipyards for repairs under a maritime agreement, and India will procure U.S.-made armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones. U.S. chipmaker Micron Technology's plans a $2.7 billion semiconductor testing and packaging unit, to be built in Modi's home state of Gujarat. The U.S. will also make it easier for skilled Indian workers to get and renew U.S. visas. India also agreed to join the U.S.-led Artemis Accords on space exploration and to work with NASA on a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024. Modi has been to the United States five times since becoming prime minister in 2014, but the trip is his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit. He will address U.S. CEOs at a reception on Friday. Enormous crowds of worshippers thronged Mecca, Islam's holiest city, on Friday for the biggest hajj pilgrimage in years, with more than two million expected to brave the scorching Saudi Arabian heat. Pilgrims in white robes and sandals packed the ancient city, now dotted with luxury hotels and air-conditioned shopping malls, after flooding in on planes, buses and trains for the annual rites. This year's hajj -- one of the world's biggest annual religious gatherings, with a tragic history of stampedes and other disasters -- could break attendance records, officials said. "As the hajj draws near, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia prepares... for the largest Islamic gathering in history," Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said in a video published by the ministry this week. Rites include circling the Kaaba, the large black cube in Mecca's Grand Mosque, praying on Mount Arafat and "stoning the devil" by throwing pebbles at three giant concrete walls representing Satan. More than two million people from more than 160 countries will attend, Rabiah said -- a dramatic increase on the 926,000 from last year, when numbers were capped at one million post-pandemic. In 2019, about 2.5 million people took part. Only 10,000 were allowed in 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, rising to nearly 59,000 a year later. The hajj is among the five pillars of Islam and must be undertaken by all Muslims with the means at least once in their lives. - 'Unbelievable feeling' - Travellers from around the world have been pouring into Jeddah's modernised airport, some of them using streamlined visa services to disembark from planes straight onto buses to their accommodation. Some 24,000 buses will be in service to ferry the pilgrims, as well as 17 trains capable of moving 72,000 people every hour, officials said. "It is an unbelievable feeling that is very emotional," Souad bin Oueis, a 60-year-old Moroccan pilgrim, told AFP after arriving on her first visit to Saudi Arabia along with her husband. This hajj will be the biggest since the requirement for women to be accompanied by male guardians was dropped in 2021. This year, the maximum age limit has also been scrapped, meaning thousands of elderly will be among those contending with Saudi summer temperatures that are expected to reach 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit). The hajj rituals begin late Sunday at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. The worshippers will sleep in tents on Monday night and spend Tuesday at Mount Arafat, the climax of the hajj, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final sermon. After casting pebbles in the "stoning of the devil" ritual on Wednesday, marking the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday, pilgrims return to Mecca to perform a farewell "tawaf" -- circling seven times around the Kaaba. - Heat risks - Mecca pilgrimages are a major source of income for Saudi Arabia, which is embarking on an ambitious plan to overhaul its largely oil-dependent economy. The hajj and year-round umrah rituals generate an estimated $12 billion annually. An expansion project that involves scaling up infrastructure and transport supporting Mecca and Medina, where two of Islam's holiest sites are located, is a key part of the economic plan as the kingdom looks to increase visitor numbers. This year's summer timing for the hajj, which follows the lunar calendar, will test the endurance of worshippers during the four-day, mostly outdoor ritual. More than 32,000 health workers will be on hand to help fend off heatstroke, dehydration and exhaustion. But severe weather is just one of the risks at an event that has been hit by deadly incidents from stampedes to militant attacks. Just eight years ago in 2015, as many as 2,300 worshippers died in a stampede during the "stoning of the devil" ritual in Mina near Mecca, the worst hajj disaster ever. More than 700 people died in a notorious attack in 1979, when hundreds of gunmen demanding the abdication of the Saudi royal family barricaded themselves inside the Grand Mosque, taking dozens of pilgrims hostage. Ahead of the hajj, security forces held a military parade in Mecca, including soldiers in full camouflage holding automatic weapons. Umer Karim, a doctoral researcher focusing on Saudi foreign policy at Britain's University of Birmingham, said hosting the hajj is a matter of prestige and a source of political legitimacy for Saudi rulers, the custodians of the holy sites. The pilgrimage "gives the kingdom and its rulers a huge amount of esteem and prestige which then becomes a major source of the kingdom's soft power". The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam The annual hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, will start on Sunday with more than two million Muslims from around the world expected to take part this year. It will be the largest pilgrimage since the coronavirus pandemic forced Saudi authorities to dramatically downsize the event. More than 926,000 people took part in 2022, up from nearly 59,000 the previous year, according to official figures. In 2019, the Hajj drew in around 2.5 million pilgrims. With Covid-19 restrictions completely lifted and age limits scrapped, the kingdom expects to return to pre-pandemic levels of more than two million. All Muslims are expected to complete the hajj to Mecca -- from which non-Muslims are strictly banned -- at least once in their lives if they have the means to do so. Believers converge on the holy city for several days of rituals in which they retrace the Prophet Mohammed's last pilgrimage. Here is a rundown of the ceremonies at what is usually one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. - White garments - Pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and behaviour. Men wear a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasises unity among believers regardless of their social status or nationality. Women must wear loose dresses, also white, exposing only their faces and hands. Pilgrims are not allowed to argue or bicker and are prohibited from wearing perfume, cutting their nails, or trimming their hair or beards. - Rituals begin - The first ritual requires walking seven times around the Kaaba, the large black cubic structure at the centre of Mecca's Grand Mosque. Made from granite and draped in an heavily-embroidered cloth featuring verses of the Koran, the Kaaba stands nearly 15 metres (50 feet) tall. Muslims, no matter where they are in the world, turn towards the Kaaba to pray. The structure is said to have been first erected by Adam and then rebuilt by Abraham 4,000 years ago. Pilgrims next walk seven times between two stone spots in the mosque. They then move on to Mina, around five kilometres (three miles) away, ahead of the main rite of the pilgrimage at Mount Arafat. - Mount Arafat - The climax of the hajj is the gathering on Mount Arafat, about 10 kilometres (six miles) from Mina, where it is believed that the Prophet Mohammed delivered his final sermon. Pilgrims assemble on the 70-metre (230-foot) high hill and its surrounding plain for hours of prayers and Koran recitals, staying there until the evening. After sunset they head to Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and Mina, where they each gather several dozen pebbles so they can perform the symbolic "stoning of the devil". - 'Stoning the devil' - The last major ritual of the hajj is back at Mina, where pilgrims throw seven stones at each of three huge concrete walls representing Satan. The ritual is an emulation of Abraham's stoning of the devil at the three spots where it is said Satan tried to dissuade him from obeying God's order to sacrifice his son, Ishmael. After the first stoning, the Eid al-Adha feast of sacrifice begins, marking the end of the hajj. Sheep are slaughtered, in reference to the lamb that God provided for sacrifice instead of Ishmael, in a ceremony that is held at the same time around the world. Men then shave their heads or trim their hair while women cut a fingertip-length off their locks. The pilgrims can then change back into normal clothing, returning to circumambulate the Kaaba and complete their stone-throwing rituals before heading home. - Four other pillars - The hajj is the last pillar of Islam. The other four are: profession of the faith, daily prayers, alms-giving and fasting from dawn to dusk during the holy month of Ramadan. Hajj disasters: Stampedes, infernos and a bloody siege It is Islam's holiest pilgrimage, but the hajj to Mecca in Saudi Arabia has in recent decades been plagued by deadly disasters, from stampedes to militant attacks. Yet the last time the pilgrimage was cancelled outright was in 1798, when Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Egypt. The coronavirus pandemic did, however, force the kingdom to radically downscale the 2020 event to just a few thousand people, a far cry from the 2.5 million believers who took part in 2019. The numbers were scaled back up to 926,000 in 2022, but this year the kingdom is gearing up to host more than two million Muslims from around the world for the rituals that start on Sunday. Here are some recent incidents that have marred the centuries-old pilgrimage: - Stampedes - 2015 - A stampede during the "stoning of the devil" ritual in Mina, near Mecca, kills up to 2,300 worshippers on September 24 in the worst hajj disaster ever. That comes after more than 100 people are killed and hundreds injured, including many foreigners, when stormy weather topples a crane onto Mecca's Grand Mosque less than two weeks before the pilgrimage. 2006 - Some 364 pilgrims die in a stampede on January 12 during the Mina stoning ritual, in which hajj participants throw pebbles at three headstones to symbolise their rejection of Satan. This follows a hotel collapse a week earlier in the city centre, which kills 76 people. The previous year, three pilgrims are crushed to death in a stampede on January 22 at the stoning ceremony. 2004 - 251 people die after a huge stampede at the stoning ceremony on February 1. 1998 - More than 118 people are killed and 180 injured in a stampede in Mina on April 9. 1994 - During the Mina stoning on May 24, a stampede kills 270 people, with authorities blaming "record numbers" of pilgrims. 1990 - The failure of a tunnel ventilation system triggers a huge stampede on July 2 that kills 1,426 pilgrims, mainly from Asia. - Attacks - 1989 - A twin attack on the outside of the Grand Mosque on July 10 kills one and wounds 16. Weeks later, 16 Kuwaiti Shiites are found guilty and executed. 1979 - Hundreds of gunmen calling for the abdication of the Saudi royal family barricade themselves inside Mecca's Grand Mosque on November 20, taking dozens of pilgrims hostage. The official toll of the assault and subsequent fighting is 153 dead and 560 wounded. - Protests - 1987 - Saudi security forces suppress an unauthorised protest by Iranian pilgrims on July 31 in which more than 400 people including 275 Iranians are killed, according to an official toll. - Infernos - 1997 - A fire on April 15 caused by a gas stove rips through a camp housing pilgrims at Mina, killing 343 and injuring around 1,500. 1995 - Three people die and 99 are injured on May 7 in a fire at the Mina camp. 1975 - A huge fire on December 14 started by an exploding gas canister in a pilgrim camp close to Mecca kills 200 people. (With AFP inputs) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with U.S. and Indian technology CEOs in Washington on Friday, the final day of a state visit marked by pledges of deeper U.S.-India cooperation on areas including space, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for Modi on Thursday, declaring after about 2 -1/2 hours of talks that their countries' economic relationship was "booming." Trade has more than doubled over the past decade. Biden and Modi gathered with CEO's including Apple's Tim Cook, Google's Sundar Pichai and Microsoft's Satya Nadella. Also present were Sam Altman of OpenAI, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, and Indian tech leaders including Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, and Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, the White House said. "Our partnership between India and the United States will go a long way, in my view, to define what the 21st century looks like," Biden told the group, adding that technological cooperation would be a big part of that partnership. Observing that there were a variety of tech companies represented at the meeting from startups to well established firms, Modi said: "Both of them are working together to create a new world." Modi, who has appealed to global companies to "Make in India," will also address business leaders at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. The CEOs of top American companies, including FedEx, MasterCard and Adobe, are expected to be among the 1,200 participants. Modi, who touted "a new chapter" in the countries' "strategic partnership" at the White House on Thursday, is seeking to position India, the world's most populous country at 1.4 billion and its fifth-largest economy, as a manufacturing and diplomatic powerhouse. RANGE OF BUSINESS AGREEMENTS SIGNED Washington wants Delhi to be a strategic counterweight to China, and deals announced this week included several investments from U.S.-firms aimed at spurring semiconductor manufacturing in India and lowering its dependence on China for electronics. The White House also announced plans to cooperate on quantum computing, scientific research and technological innovation, alongside plans to manufacture weapons in India. Some political analysts question India's willingness to stand up to Beijing over Taiwan and other issues, however. Washington has also been frustrated by India's close ties with Russia while Moscow wages war in Ukraine. Addressing the U.S. Congress on Thursday, Modi repeated his statement that "this is not an era of war" and called for "dialogue and diplomacy" to end the conflict. Modi will continue talks with top U.S. officials during a lunch at the State Department with Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Asian American to hold the No. 2 position in the White House, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. On Friday evening, Modi will address members of the Indian diaspora, many of whom have turned out at events during the visit to enthusiastically fete him, at times chanting "Modi! Modi! Modi!" despite protests from others. Activists have called for the Biden administration to publicly call out what they describe as a deteriorating human rights situation in India under Modi, citing allegations of abuse of Indian dissidents and minorities, especially Muslims. Biden said he had a "straightforward" discussion with Modi about issues including human rights, but U.S. officials emphasize that it is vital for Washington's national security and economic prosperity to engage with a rising India. Asked during a rare press conference on Thursday what he would do to improve the rights of minorities including Muslims, Modi insisted "there is no scope for any discrimination" in his government. Police have identified a man as a person of interest in the investigation of the fatal shooting on Tuesday that took the life of Laura DeLapp, a mother of five and manager at a local day shelter for the homeless. Albemarle County police said Thursday they are searching for Jemarcus Devonte Butler, a 33-year-old they believe is connected to DeLapp's death at the Rio Hills Apartments north of Charlottesville. Authorities are asking for the public's assistance locating Butler. Unrelated to that investigation, Butler also is wanted on felony charges for failing to appear in court to face charges of malicious wounding in Lynchburg and for robbery in New York. Based on preliminary information, police said Wednesday that they believe DeLapp's death to be a domestic-related incident. DeLapp was pronounced dead at the scene when police arrived at the Rio Hills Apartments complex late Tuesday afternoon. The 46year-olds family has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her memorial service and to support her five children. On the campaign's website, DeLapp's cousin, Breanna DeLapp, describes the victim as a loving mother gone too soon. Laura was tragically taken from us way too soon. She was a Mother, a strong advocate for Homelessness, and pillar in the community. She was loved by everyone she came in contact with. The goal of the GoFundMe is $40,000, and in just a day, the community has poured in support. As of 5 p.m. Thursday, over $32,000 had been raised. Anyone with information on Butlers location is encouraged to contact the Albemarle County Police Department at (434) 296-5807 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at CrimeStoppers@albemarle.org or (434) 977-4000. June 23, 2023 The Ukrainian Counter-Offensive Had No Chance. NATO Failed To Explain That. The 'west' pushed Ukraine into a hopeless counter-offensive based on false assessments and wild expectations. Russian troops were claimed to be weak, untrained and unprepared for an Ukrainian attack. On the other side it was claimed that the freshly mobilized Ukrainian men which received 'western' weapons and training would have the necessary quantity and quality to overcome Russian defenses. Ukrainian troops, as well as the public, were told to believe that bullshit. Lord Bebo @MyLordBebo - 0:55 UTC Jun 23, 2023 NATO training explained by an Ukrainian POW -> Psychologists trained them to not be afraid and that Russia is exhausted and weak ... Embedded video From Maimunka News bigger Any rational and neutral military assessment showed a far more realistic picture. One in which Russia would always defeat the planned counter-offensive. At the end of 2022 the Ukrainian army had been exhausted and had been already been destroyed twice. The Russians had first destroyed large parts of the original equipment of the Ukrainian army and then the Soviet era equipment that was brought to Ukraine from former Warsaw Pact nations. More importantly they had killed or wounded many of the experienced non-commissioned staff (Sergeants etc) and lower rank officers of the Ukrainian military that command and are the core of each company. The newly mobilized Ukrainian forces did not have the knowledge or training necessary to replace them. 'Western' equipment is more complex than Soviet era stuff. It also requires more specialized maintenance. The Ukraine received a zoo. The many types of equipment and the many incompatible kinds of ammunition they use are a logistic nightmare. 'Western' training for the mobilized Ukrainian forces did not bring up more capable soldiers than Soviet training would have done. Those who watched NATO stumble in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya should have recognized that. Russian on the other side mobilized 300,000 soldiers who mostly had been contract soldiers before they had returned to private life. They received extensive refresher training. They now mostly get paid more than in their civilian life which certainly helped to increase their motivation. Russia also changed the structure of its military. The main Russian fighting force in 2022 was made up of Brigade Tactical Groups (BIG). Each of them was part of a garrison brigade which next to the one contract soldier BTG had additional battalions that were mostly training conscripts. Under Russian laws the conscript battalions could not be used on foreign ground. The fighting BTG's had few real infantry soldiers. Next to their 9 infantry platoons they had 8 artillery and 5 auxiliary platoons. Of a total of some 800 plus soldiers in a BTG only 200 were actually infantry that could man the trenches. The whole structure was too big and too difficult to command. After the mobilization had brought up enough men the Russian military changed from BTGs to a mobile brigade structure. Under a higher commander the brigade holds two or three battalions that each consist of three or four companies of mobile infantry or tanks. Most of the artillery and auxiliary troops of the former BTGs are now concentrated under the brigade structure and can be used more flexible wherever they are needed. The tooth to tail ratio in the frontline battalions is now much higher than in a BTG and the whole structure is easier to command. Above the newly structured brigades are now division commands which have additional assets like air defenses, attack helicopters and electronic warfare units. They direct the brigades within a wider front and with a bigger picture in mind. While a lack of contract infantry necessitated the BTG structure of 2022 the additionally mobilized forces allowed in 2023 to return to the more efficient classic structures of battalions under brigades under divisions. All this was visible through the reports from the Russian military which had stopped to mention BTGs and changed to brigade numbers. For an unbiased military mind it was easy to see that this new Russian force would be a more balanced and better one. Satellite pictures had shown for months that the Russian troops were building extensive defense structures like trench lines and anti-tank barriers. They are by the way still adding to them. In the spring of 2023 the Ukrainian army was much weaker than when the war started. The Russian military had grown and was stronger. It also had well prepared positions. 'Western' politicians, the propagandized public and military commands failed to recognize those facts. NATO had simulated the Ukrainian counter-offensive: Logic dictates that any responsible use of the KORA simulation system would have predicted the failure of the 47th Brigades attack. According to The Washington Post, the officers of the 47th Brigade planned their assaults and then let the [KORA] program show them the results how their Russian enemies might respond, where they could make a breakthrough and where they would suffer losses. The KORA simulation allowed the Ukrainian officers to coordinate their actions to test how theyd work together on the battlefield. Given that the Ukrainian force structure was insufficient to accomplish the mission-critical task of suppression, there was no chance for the Ukrainian forces to accomplish the actual assault requirements of a breaching operation the destruction of enemy forces on the opposite side of the obstacle barrier being breached. The Ukrainians, however, came away from their KORA experience confident that they had crafted a winning plan capable of overcoming the Russian defenses in and around Orekhov. When one examines the structure of a KORA-based simulation, it becomes clear that the system is completely dependent upon the various inputs which define the simulation as a whole. They probably thought the Ukrainians could actually win. But when one uses wrong estimates for the fighting powers of each side as input of a simulation the output will always be garbage. The real world results are now in. The Ukrainian counter-offensive has failed. bigger The weekend edition of the German business daily headlines: "This isn't a counter-offensive. It is a bloody crash test." It is now time to acknowledge that the 'western' military assessments and its expectations were completely wrong: In its early phases, Ukraines counteroffensive is having less success and Russian forces are showing more competence than western assessments expected, two western officials and a senior US military official tell CNN. The counteroffensive is not meeting expectations on any front, one of the officials said. According to the Western assessments, Russian lines of defense have been proving well-fortified, making it difficult for Ukrainian forces to breach them. In addition, Russian forces have had success bogging down Ukrainian armor with missile attacks and mines and have been deploying air power more effectively. Ukrainian forces are proving vulnerable to minefields and Russian forces competent in their defense, one of the Western officials said. Even the neoconservative Institute for the Study of War was forced to eat some tiny bits of craw and to acknowledge the competence of the Russian forces: The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) responded to the Ukrainian attack with an uncharacteristic degree of coherency and praised Southern Military District elements for repelling the attack and regaining lost positions. Anyone who thinks that coherency is uncharacteristic for the Russians should go back and read up on Operation Bagration which showed what a well prepared Russian military can actually do. ISW also writes: Russian forces appear to have executed their formal tactical defensive doctrine in response to the Ukrainian attacks ... Well, what did the ISW 'experts' expect? That the Russians would use their manuals as toilet paper and run away when the turkey shooting begins? In their utter stupidity the neoconservatives probably really believed that. The assessments made did not acknowledge the dubious quality of freshly stood up Ukrainian forces. They did not acknowledge the changes and growth in the military structures on the Russian side. They failed to recognize the quality of the Russian fortifications and military capabilities and the deep roots of their doctrine. The results are the consequence of ignoring reality, of seeing what one wants to see. The politics of this war demanded that the 'western' side wins. NATO military was biased towards that. Instead of telling the politicians what a realistic outcome would be it delivered hopeful assessments that defied reality. In consequence the Ukrainian military suffered many unnecessary casualties and lost the initiative. Let's hope that at least some folks will learn from this. Posted by b on June 23, 2023 at 17:16 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page And let's not forget about Abuelita played by the wonderful Kuini Moehau Reedy. In her behind-the-scenes peek, she explains how language is important in the film. By the looks of it, she utilises a mixture of Spanish, Maori and English. Just like how the original embraces the Spanish language she is ready for te reo Maori to be heard on the same platform. A 22-year-old woman is in stable condition after being shot in a domestic-related incident in Albemarle County on Friday morning, according to authorities. Police said they are searching for a suspect identified as 26-year-old Walter Lamont Banks, who is wanted on multiple charges in multiple local jurisdictions. Officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 2400 block of Berkshire Place off Hydraulic Road around 8:23 a.m. Friday. Police said they learned that the victim had been shot by and then taken to University of Virginia Medical Center by a third party. Banks, the suspect, is wanted on charges of aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is also wanted by the city of Charlottesville on a probation violation for a previous felony strangulation conviction. Police said Banks was last seen driving a gray or beige 2005 Chevrolet Equinox LS SUV with Virginia license plate TRL-5104. Charlottesville and surrounding Albemarle County have seen a recent rise in violent crime, specifically related to firearms, over the past year. Already this year there have been five homicide cases in Charlottesville proper, a number that current and former law enforcement authorities says eclipses past years as far back as 2017. Police in Albemarle County reported earlier this year they respond to roughly one shots-fired call every other day. Authorities have asked anyone with information on his whereabouts to call 911 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at (434) 977-4000. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at www.crimestoppers.org. In Virginia, an officer with a private police department must meet all of the same training requirements as other state law enforcement officers. But if that private police officer is killed in the line of duty, their family is not eligible for the same benefits. In light of Wintergreen Police Officer Mark Christopher Chris Wagner IIs death in a shooting June 16, Nelson County officials and state legislators are looking to change that statute. Wagner, 31, was the first law enforcement officer to respond to a residence on Arrowhead Lane in the Wintergreen community of Nelson County on Friday, after an emergency call came to the Wintergreen Police Department about two people being assaulted. Wagner encountered Maryland man Daniel M. Barmak in the woods and a struggle ensued over Wagners department-issued handgun, according to Virginia State Police. Wagner was shot and killed, and Barmak also suffered gunshot wounds, state police reported. Barmak, 23, currently is charged with one count each of aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, drug possession and malicious wounding. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 4 in Nelson General District Court. Area police departments quickly responded with public support for Wagner, his family and the Wintergreen Police Department. Virginia State Police joined Wintergreen Fire and Rescue and Nelson County Sheriffs Department personnel on Tuesday to pay homage to Officer Wagner along an overpass over Interstate 64 in Afton, as state police vehicles transported his body home to Stuarts Draft along the interstate. Photos on the sheriffs departments Facebook page show law enforcement personnel saluting along the overpass next to an American flag hung from a Wintergreen Fire and Rescue fire trucks ladder. In a phone interview Wednesday, Nelson County Sheriff David Hill said in addition to his units, other police and sheriffs departments along the escorts route from Richmond to Stuarts Draft honored Wagner from overpasses along I-64. Its heartbreaking of course and its one of the things we dont want to think about. It could easily be anyone at any point in time, Hill said. He took an oath and he responded to those that were in need, so this speaks volumes of his character and integrity. Wintergreen Fire and Rescue posted to its public Facebook page Sunday, The support shown for the public safety team at Wintergreen over the past 24 hours has been overwhelming. It is very important that we support Officer Wagners family. Sadly, Wintergreen Police Officers dont have the same benefits as public police officers. Theyre required to complete the same academy, have the same authority, and do the same jobs, however, due to antiquated laws, they dont have the same benefits. According to Virginia Code, a private officer is not entitled to benefits under the Line of Duty Act or under the Virginia Retirement System and is not a qualified law enforcement officer within the meaning of the federal Law Enforcement Safety Act. According to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice, there are 42 private law enforcement agencies in the state. The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and Wintergreen Police Chief Dennis Russell organized a public fundraiser for Wagners family that as of Wednesday afternoon had raised $92,000. Local representatives intend to go further, though. Chair of the Nelson County Board of Supervisors Jesse Rutherford said in a phone interview Wednesday he and West District Supervisor David Parr met with the Wintergreen Police Department on Sunday, and are working on a resolution to honor Wagner and endorse legislation to extend the line of duty benefits. Chris was a breadwinner for his family, is my understanding, Rutherford said. He thinks the families of deceased private officers deserve the same benefits as state officers, and wants the legislation change to also extend to animal control officers. Unfortunately, this is how we learned about it, Rutherford said of the issue, adding as a county, Nelson wants to support our own. Parr explained his stance on expanding the Line of Duty Act benefits in a statement. [Private Police Departments and Animal Control Officers] are not only integral parts of our overall public safety program in Nelson; they are essential components of public welfare in localities statewide. They protect and serve our citizens, putting their lives on the line every day, just as other covered positions do; and they should be afforded the same benefits. Rutherford reached out to and found support in the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates with Sen. Mark Peake, a Lynchburg Republican, and Del. Ellen Campbell, a Rockbridge Republican. Interviewed by phone Tuesday, Peake said he intends to sponsor a bill to change the code concerning private police officers line of duty benefits and plans on being the chief patron in the state Senate. Peake said localities may protest about the cost, but that private police officers put their lives on the line just like any other officer, and if an officer is killed in the line of duty their families shouldnt suffer. According to the Virginia Line of Duty Act, the one-time payment for the surviving spouse and dependents of an officer killed in the line of duty is $100,000. In an emailed statement, Campbell said, I believe we have an obligation to take care of a fallen officers family. Public or private, officers like Chris Wagner are out in the community every single day putting their lives on the line to keep us safe. The least we can do to thank them for their ultimate sacrifice is to make sure their families are eligible for line of duty benefits. I hope another family never has to experience what Officer Wagners family is experiencing right now, but if they do, I hope we will be able to take away one source of stress. An Amherst County official also expressed support for Nelson supervisors planned resolution. Amherst Board of Supervisors member Claudia Tucker asked the board during a meeting Tuesday to formally take up a stance on the matter in July. It would equal the playing field between those private officers and officers who serve our localities, Tucker said. Amherst County would have a dog in that fight because we have Sweet Briar [College] here. And so we would be in the same situation. A wheelchair seating sign in the stands at Wrigley Field before the Chicago Cubs play the New York Mets, July 14, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) The Cubs scored a win in Chicago federal court Wednesday after a judge ruled the $1 billion, multiyear renovation of Wrigley Field, which dramatically updated the century-old ballpark, did not violate accessibility requirements for wheelchair-bound fans. The decision follows a one-week April trial, and comes nearly six years after Chicago attorney David A. Cerda filed a lawsuit against the team on behalf of his son, David F. Cerda, a lifelong Cubs fan who is confined to a wheelchair due to muscular dystrophy. The lawsuit alleged the extensive Wrigley rebuild did not provide enough accessible seating to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Advertisement Wrigley Field, which has 39,510 seats, is required to have at least 209 accessible seats, according to ADA standards. The judge ruled the Cubs hit the magic number with at least one seat to spare. There are at least 210 accessible seats at Wrigley Field one more than the required minimum, U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso wrote in his decision. Although Plaintiffs situation is unfortunate, he fails to prove that the Defendant violated the ADA. Advertisement Cerda, who attended Cubs games with his son, now 26, since he was 3 months old, tried the case himself, and said he plans to appeal the decision. Im shocked and very disappointed, Cerda said Thursday. Launched in 2014 100 years after Wrigley held its first opening day the 1060 Project took place in phases over five years. The extensive renovation included a bleachers expansion, outfield video boards, an expanded grandstand concourse, new restrooms and other amenities. It also designated 225 seats as accessible. A local and national landmark, Wrigley Field was previously exempted from certain ADA seating requirements. But the extent of the renovations required the Cubs to comply with 2010 ADA standards for wheelchair seating locations that are substantially equivalent to, or better than, the choices of seating locations and viewing angles available to other spectators. In his 2017 lawsuit, Cerda alleged many of the accessible seats were among the worst views in the ballpark, too small, not properly dispersed and relegated disabled patrons to isolated areas. The judge, who visited Wrigley Field during the April trial, took a different view of the ballparks accessible seating. The site visit impressed upon the Court the variety of locations and views on offer for patrons who require accessible seating, as well as that friendly confines feeling that is unique to Wrigley Field, Alonso said in his ruling. Cubs spokesperson Julian Green said in a statement that the team was grateful for todays decision and its validation of our belief we followed accessibility guidelines throughout the 1060 Project. Advertisement Chicago Tribune Sports Weekdays A daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > The Cubs still face legal challenges to Wrigleys ADA compliance. Last year, the U.S. attorneys office in Chicago filed a lawsuit alleging the team failed to make Wrigley appropriately accessible to fans who use wheelchairs or have other disabilities. That lawsuit is ongoing in Chicago federal court. Cerda also plans to bring his case into extra innings by filing an appeal within 30 days. Were confident that this will be overturned, confident that this should be overturned, said Cerda, 62. An apostate Cubs fan, Cerda sat with his son some 15 rows behind home plate for many years. Those seats were moved farther away from the field during the course of the renovation, Cerda said. After tangling with the team in court, the senior Cerda abandoned the Cubs in 2019, diverging with his son. I will never go to another Cubs game as long as I live, Cerda said. The plaintiff is continuing to go to Cubs games. Advertisement rchannick@chicagotribune.com One month after some board members pushed back on a proposal to freshen a century-old advertisement for Coca-Cola, the Charlottesville Board of Architectural Review has unanimously approved a plan to preserve an entire wall of "ghost signs" at an edge of the city's Downtown Mall. "It's really exciting," said board member Cheri Lewis shortly before the June 21 vote. "What's exciting about this is that it's not just a Coca-Cola sign which was the original project, but the rest of the murals that tell a history about the building, which is amazing." With the permission of the building owner, the mural revival project was launched by a group of business boosters called Friends of Cville Downtown and targets the brick side of 122 E. Main St., which now houses Oyster House Antiques. Initially, the project would have freshened only the largest Coca-Cola sign, a now barely legible bill over Third Street Southeast. "We mistakenly thought that less would be easier for you to say yes to," said presenter Michael Caplin. "But as everybody discussed it, it became apparent that it actually undid the whole purpose." These ads are vintage public art, said Caplin, who co-chairs the Friends group. "They amplify the authenticity of our historic district," said Caplin. "They provide a window into yesterday, who we were, how we lived and how our downtown looked over the past hundred years." Friends group member Susan Krischel told the Board of Architectural Review that the project would bolster the Downtown Mall, a pedestrian-centric park recently named to the Virginia Historic Landmarks Register. "This corridor is the most important entry onto the Downtown Mall given its proximity to the Water Street Parking Garage and to the outdoor parking lots," said Krischel. "And right now when you walk up that corridor, you see an unfinished hotel on one side and a dilapidated, rundown large wall on the other side." The city's preservation planning report on the project asserts that there are actually three painted Coca-Cola signs on the wall plus touts for Sloans Liniment and Owl Cigars, the latter prompting someone in the meeting to call out, "Hoo, hoo." The report also noted a faded sign for T.J. Willis & Company, a grocer in the building from 1897 to 1912, as well as vestiges of a sign for Pence and Sterling, a drug store operating there from circa 1912 into the 1940s. "We believe that there's actually a responsibility to preserve these unique and fragile historic assets," said Caplin. In contrast to the proposal discussed at May's BAR meeting, which would have highlighted only the largest Coca-Cola sign, Caplin showed the BAR a rendering in which all these signs would gain more visibility, although he said the artist would attempt to let newer signs prevail over older ones, just as they did when they were contemporary commercial appeals. "Please grant us permission to save these before they're lost," said Caplin. Tom Chapman, the executive director of the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society, also favored reviving the muralled wall. "Rehabilitating it will bring it to life," said Chapman, "and also preserve it for future generations." Chapman went on to plug the chosen Asheville, North Carolina-based mural artist, Scott Allred of Brushcan Murals and Sign, for winning acclaim from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "I know that the trust's approval of anything does not come lightly or easily," said Chapman. Allred was thrilled, Caplin said, by the prospect of preserving more than Coca-Cola, something Allred confirmed in a post-meeting interview with The Daily Progress by telephone. "They're just beautiful the way they are," Allred told The Daily Progress. "That's why I developed this technique I use to make them look like I was never there." Allred said that such murals came about from a traveling mural man who would offer to paint the store name if he could also paint an ad for a consumer good. "The store owner would get a free sign for letting him advertise a national product," said Allred. "It helps lock in the history of what was originally there. That's my favorite thing about it." Allred said his work will occur over a span of about two weeks in late August, and Caplin told The Daily Progress that Allred's $32,000 fee will be covered by Charlotte-based Coca-Cola Consolidated, the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. "Art wherever you find it needs a patron," said Caplin. Albemarle County supervisors unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday that preserves the opportunity for private development in whats being called Rivanna Station Futures, the 462 acres the county plans to buy surrounding Rivanna Station, home to multiple key U.S. intelligence agencies. That means private enterprises including defense contractors and academic partners as well as day cares and laundromats could soon join the highly secretive establishments already based at the campus north of Charlottesville. There is no reason in the world I can think of why we would not want to give ourselves the greatest flexibility and opportunity, said Donna Price, chair of the board of supervisors, at Wednesdays meeting. The board of supervisors approved acquisition of the land May 24 and has now entered the due diligence phase, which includes contractual due diligence and an environmental analysis. After that period, which could last until February, the county will officially own the property. The defense industry is the second biggest industry in the regional economy, bringing in $1.2 billion, half of which comes from Rivanna Station. More than 3,000 people are employed by the defense industry in the area, 2,100 of them at Rivanna Station alone. The U.S. Department of Defense is investing more than $200 million into Rivanna Station, including $90 million to expand the National Ground Intelligence Center based there. But according to Lettie J. Bien with the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, that doesnt guarantee that Rivanna Stations would stay in Albemarle County. A location in the Midwest offered the Department of Defense 100 free acres for Rivanna Station to move, Bien has previously said publicly. That city is St. Louis, which is currently developing 97 acres to build a new facility for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, a project called Next NGA West. Ensuring the Station remains viable is essential for our communitys vibrancy, said an information sheet from the project, and the Albemarle Board of Supervisors agreed Wednesday that Rivanna Station Futures should be a priority moving forward as Virginias newest members of the General Assembly, many of them essentially picked after Tuesday nights primary, prepare to head to Richmond for the next session. Now, the county is plunging straight ahead into next steps to complete the land acquisition. Once officially acquired, the county plans to develop a campus in the 200 acres adjacent to Rivanna Station, what they are calling the Intelligence Community Innovation Acceleration Campus. That campus might consist of collaborations between the intelligence community, academic institutions and, now, private sector operations. Having all three of those partners together, you could have a really great sort of ecosystem in which youve got data and knowledge generated from the intelligence community meeting academic research and entrepreneurial activity for commercialization, Emily Kilroy, assistant to the county executive, told The Daily Progress. Many people appreciate having a short distance between the folks that they work with and so this weeks ability, where you wouldnt have to get in the car and drive across town to be able to work with these academic partners in these private sector partners, Kilroy added. The other form of private development could include neighborhood services: places for employees located in the area to get lunch, run errands, pick up dry cleaning or drop kids off for the day. The county plans for the new campus are based on a master plan constructed by Rivanna Station and the state in 2016 in recognition of the need to plan for the future of the organization, Kilroy said. The plan envisioned a 100-acre expansion and an extension of Boulders Road off U.S. 29 to provide a second access point to the campus. At Wednesdays board meeting, Neil Williamson, president of the Free Enterprises Forum, spoke about growing up at or near military establishments. With his father in the service, Williamson said he and his brother would get their haircut at a barbershop at the Pentagon and eat lunch at a terrible restaurant called the Pickle Palace afterwards, he said. If you dont do this, you would be actively prohibiting private enterprise from locating where private enterprise is needed, Williamson said. We are outsourcing so much, and our military deserves so much. Whether its a large business like some of the contractors or a small business like a sandwich shop that serves pickles, it certainly is good for Albemarle County. There was nothing but support for the resolution to allow private development at the resolutions public hearing on Wednesday. Natalie Masri, president of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, expressed the chambers endorsement of the resolution. Private enterprise co-locating at Rivanna Station Futures would stimulate diversified job creation, capital investment and entrepreneurship, she said. It may also reduce traffic on U.S. 29 by offering services and offices adjacent to NGIC. Michael Scott, a resident of the countys Rio District, requested the board preserve 20% of the acquired area as a rejuvenation zone for military personnel and veterans. A preserved nature area is essential to the health and well-being of those affected by deployments and taxing operations, he said, citing multiple studies detailing the benefits of nature-based therapy. But ultimately, Scott had no complaints. This is hands-down the best, most forward-leaning proposal Ive seen in three decades, he said. In the coming months, county staff are working on partner engagements with the state and federal government, as well as partnerships with academic entities. Strategic plans and conversations at the state level have for years identified retaining and growing Rivanna Station as a win-win for local, state and federal entities alike. Family of missing actor Julian Sands releases 1st statement since his hiking disappearance View Photo SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) The family of actor Julian Sands has released its first statement five months after he disappeared while hiking in California. 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 statement said. Sands, the 65-year-old British-born actor best known for his role in the 1985 film A Room With a View, has been married for more than three decades to journalist Evgenia Citkowitz, and has three adult children. They said they were deeply grateful to the search teams and coordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian. A June 17 search for Sands on Southern Californias Mount Baldy, the eighth organized search since his disappearance, was unsuccessful, authorities said. But the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department said the case remains active. Sands, a longtime avid hiker and mountaineer, was reported missing January 13 after setting out to hike on the massive mountain, which rises more than 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) east of Los Angeles and was pounded by severe storms during winter. Authorities said that while warmer weather made the latest search possible, parts of the mountain remain inaccessible due to dangerous conditions. MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) Islamic extremists killed eight farmers and abducted 10 in an attack in northeastern Nigeria, officials said Friday the latest in a volatile region that is a key part of the countrys breadbasket and where militants have threatened food supplies. The farmers were ambushed in the bush in the Borno states Mafa district on Thursday. The attackers slit their throats, authorities said. Babagana Zulum, the state governor, said the attack was an attempt to sabotage the successes of the government as it struggles to have those displaced in Borno return to their villages and rebuild their lives. He said the security forces need to rise to the challenge but also urged local residents to take individual precautions. We must rise to our responsibility and address the situation, Zulum said. Ive told the people to be resilient, and they should be security-conscious and avoid remote locations. Islamic extremist rebels launched an insurgency in Borno in 2009 in an effort to establish their radical interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, in the region. At least 35,000 people have been killed and more than 2 million displaced due to the violence by the militant Boko Haram group and a breakaway faction backed by the Islamic State group. Bornos farming communities have been frequently targeted in recent months, raising fears of extreme hunger as U.N. agencies continue to warn of famine. On Friday, local villagers are mourning the slain farmers while also decrying inadequate security measures in remote and volatile areas. Modu Ibrahim, a local resident, said there were no security forces where the farmers bodies were found. The extremists spared one teenager whom they asked to deliver the message about the attack to other villagers, Ibrahim said. The Islamic insurgency in the northeast has also overstretched Nigerias security forces as they continue to battle other crises across the country, including continuing clashes between nomadic cattle herders and farming communities in northwest and central regions of the West African nation. By HARUNA UMAR Associated Press Carlos Ghosn says $1 billion lawsuit against Nissan is reasonable given his suffering after arrest Carlos Ghosn says $1 billion lawsuit against Nissan is reasonable given his suffering after arrest View Photo BEIRUT (AP) Carlos Ghosn said Friday that the $1 billion lawsuit he recently filed against Nissan and others is just the beginning of his fight. The former Nissan CEO said during an interview with The Associated Press in Beirut that had he been an American citizen filing a lawsuit in the United States, I would not be asking for $1 billion, but for much more, given his suffering. Ghosn led Japanese automaker Nissan for two decades, rescuing it from near-bankruptcy, before he 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. He fled Japan in December 2019 for Lebanon where he has lived since. Ghosn is wanted in Japan and France. Since he fled to Lebanon, Beirut has received three notices from Interpol based on arrest warrants for him from those countries. In France, he is facing a number of legal challenges, including tax evasion and alleged money laundering, fraud and misuse of company assets while at the helm of the Renault-Nissan alliance. Lebanon has no extradition treaty with Japan and does not extradite its citizens. Ghosn has French, Brazilian and Lebanese citizenship. Ghosn was kept in solitary confinement in Japan for months without being allowed to speak with his wife. He has said he fled the country fearing he would have no chance of a fair trial. Ghosn said it took him more than three years to file the lawsuit because he wanted it to be as solid as possible based on evidence, on facts, (and) on witnesses. He added that our intention is to win it, so in order to win it, it has to be substantiated by a lot of facts. Thats why it took a lot of time. A hearing date in the case by Lebanons prosecution is set for Sept. 18. Half of the money sought by the 69-year-old Ghosn is for damages, he said, while the other half is for compensation including salary, retirement funds and stock options. Ghosn is also seeking monetary compensation from a Nissan affiliate based in Lebanon, as well as entities that took part in the investigation leading up to his arrest and those that obtained documents and computers from his homes. When contacted by the AP in Tokyo for comment on the lawsuit, a Nissan official said: We will not be commenting. Ghosn fled Japan after jumping a $14 million bail in a Hollywood-style caper. His improbable escape hidden in a box stashed in the hold of a Turkey-bound private jet embarrassed Japanese authorities and allowed him to evade trial. Ghosn, however, alleges that he was ousted illegally from the company. You dont want companies to be at ease with weaponizing the legal system to make a coup where they cannot change management in a legal way, Ghosn said. They use the legal system in order to get rid of management and to establish a new management and thats exactly what Nissan has done. Ghosn said he had no choice but to challenge Nissan regardless of the odds of winning his lawsuit. Frankly, Im not very optimistic about the future of the company, Ghosn said. Ghosn said he believes in the Lebanese justice system more than Japans. You can defend yourself, he said. He added that Ive been through the Japanese legal system, the so-called justice system, which, by the way, Im criticizing it through my own experience. The first time I was able to express myself and defend myself was when I arrived in Lebanon, he said. Ghosn claims to be the victim of a character assassination campaign led by Nissan with the complicity of the Japanese government, aided by accomplices in France. Prosecutors in Japan have charged three Americans with helping Ghosn escape the country. Asked if the lawsuit he filed means that he plans to fight back, Ghosn said that this is the beginning of the fight. By BASSEM MROUE Associated Press Brazils president offers to try to win release of bishop imprisoned in Nicaragua Brazils president offers to try to win release of bishop imprisoned in Nicaragua View Photo MEXICO CITY (AP) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva offered Thursday to help try to gain the release of a Roman Catholic bishop imprisoned in Nicaragua. Lula made the comments after visiting with Pope Francis at the Vatican. Bishop Rolando Alvarez was jailed by the regime of President Daniel Ortega for supposedly helping anti-government protesters. The bishop was sentenced to 26 years in prison, after he refused to board a plane carrying exiles to the United States in February. I want to talk to Daniel Ortega about freeing the bishop, Lula said, adding, I am going to try to help, if I can help. The only thing the church wants is for Nicaragua to free the bishop so he can go to Italy, Lula said. There was no immediate reaction from the Ortega government. Nicaraguas court system said Alvarez was convicted of undermining the government, spreading false information, obstruction of functions and disobedience. Relations between Ortega and the church have frayed to near non-existence since Nicaraguas government began jailing opponents and clergy and expelling church-related groups. Since anti-government street protests broke out in 2018, Ortega has banned all opposition demonstrations in Nicaragua and has also restricted Catholic activities. He says Catholic figures sympathetic to the opposition are terrorists. In March, the Vatican closed its embassy in Nicaragua after Ortegas government proposed suspending diplomatic relations, the latest episode in a years-long crackdown on the church. Dozens of religious figures have been arrested or fled the country. Two congregations of nuns, including the Missionaries of Charity order founded by Mother Teresa, were expelled last year. On Wednesday, State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil was pleased to announce that SB 624, a bill aimed at safeguarding the funding for California fairs, has successfully passed the Assembly Agricultural Committee. Alvarado Gil was Fridays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. The bill seeks to enhance an existing fund source for Californias network of fairs, providing vital financial support for fair projects related to public health and safety, infrastructure, deferred maintenance, and reinvestment into the state fairs. California is renowned for being home to 78 fairs, including 52 district agricultural associations (DAAs), 23 county fairs, two citrus fruit fairs, and the esteemed California Exposition and State Fair (Cal Expo). These fairs are instrumental in promoting agricultural heritage, fostering community engagement, and driving economic growth across the state. Over the past several years, the fair industry has faced significant challenges, including deferred maintenance costs and increasing public health and safety demands, creating undue financial pressure. In response, Senator Alvarado-Gil introduced SB 624 to bolster the financial stability of California fairs. This crucial bill proposes several key measures to achieve its objectives, including: Increasing the fairs share of tax revenues generated from on-fairground sales from 0.75% to 3.5%. Providing funding to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) for costs associated with overseeing District Agricultural Associations. Allocating resources for technical assistance, training, education, and professional development for fair managers and boards. Establishing proper oversight and approval by CDFA for the fund distribution process, ensuring transparency and accountability. Through the collective implementation of these measures, SB 624 presents a pathway to provide a reliable and sustainable funding source for Californias network of fairs. This legislation will enable the fairgrounds to serve communities throughout the state during the joyous fair season and during crises such as floods and fires. Senator Alvarado-Gil expressed her gratitude stating, I appreciate the members of the Assembly Agricultural Committee for recognizing the significance of SB 624 and advancing it to the next stage of the legislative process. With continued support from stakeholders, legislators, and the public, this bill can help ensure Californias fair industrys long-term sustainability and prosperity. Senator Alvarado-Gil represents the 4th Senate District including the Counties of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. Georgia congressman wants to block US agency from slowing boats to protect endangered whales Georgia congressman wants to block US agency from slowing boats to protect endangered whales View Photo SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) A Georgia congressman moved Friday to stop a federal agency from imposing new speed restrictions on boats and ships in order to protect critically endangered whales. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposed a year ago to broaden the geographical area of its seasonal speed restrictions along the U.S. East Coast and expand the types of vessels required to slow down. The rule change is intended to protect North Atlantic right whales, a species that scientists say is perilously near extinction with a dwindling population of less than 340. U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, a Republican whose district includes Georgias 100-mile (160-kilometer) coast, introduced a bill Friday that would prohibit NOAA from spending federal dollars to implement the rule change until its parent agency, the Department of Commerce, develops and deploys new technology to monitor Atlantic waters for right whales. Carter said the enhanced slowdown rules would be restrictive enough to cause charter fishing boats to quit the business and to disrupt the efficiency of busy seaports like the Port of Savannah. We care about the whales too, Carter said in phone interview. We want to protect them, but not at the expense of destroying our commercial fishing and slowing down our port traffic to the point where it has an enormous impact on our economy. Carters proposal comes less than three weeks after a House subcommittee heard testimony from supporters and opponents of the expanded speed restrictions. Scientists say being struck by vessels and entanglement in fishing gear are the two biggest threats to right whales, which are dying faster than they are reproducing. Even one human-caused mortality puts the species at risk of extinction, Jessica Redfern, a conservation scientist at the New England Aquarium, told the U.S. House subcommittee at a June 6 hearing. She said scientists have documented 13 right whale deaths from boat collisions in the past 15 years. Opponents said the restrictions would force fishing boats, harbor pilots and recreational vessels to slow down to speeds that are often unsafe in choppy seas or inclement weather. Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, told lawmakers the rule change would endanger vessels and any people onboard by forcing them to move at the speed of a bicycle. Hugelmeyers association has estimated the new rule would affect 60,000 vessels from fishing boats to yachts. A similar bill was introduced in the Senate earlier this month by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republican Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas. Giant right whales can be found close to shore along the Atlantic coast during different times of year. From spring until fall, they are often found feeding and mating in waters from New England northward into Canada. During winter, adult females migrate south to give birth off South Carolina, Georgia and northern Florida. Right whales swim close to the surface, making them vulnerable to collisions with boats and ships. A NOAA spokeswoman, Lauren Gaches, said the agency had no comment on the proposed legislation. She said the agency plans to take final action on the proposed rule changes later this year. NOAA wants to expand areas where mariners are required to slow down to 10 knots (11.5 mph or 19 kph) during seasons when right whales are likely in the water. The new slow zones would cover the entire East Coast from northern Florida to Massachusetts, filling in large gaps where no restrictions currently exist. The restrictions would also require more vessels to comply by applying them to boats and ships 35 feet (10 meters) or longer. Currently, the speed limits apply only to those longer than 65 feet (20 meters). Federal authorities spent a few years reviewing the speed regulations used to protect the whales. The rules have long focused on a patchwork of slow zones, some of them mandatory while others are voluntary. Environmental groups have made the case that many boats dont comply with the speed restrictions and that the rules need to be tighter. Environmental organization Oceana released a report in 2021 that said noncompliance was as high as nearly 90% in voluntary zones and was also dangerously low in the mandatory ones. By RUSS BYNUM Associated Press One year after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, women who are strong proponents of abortion rights were propelled into power in Charlottesville this week. Amy Laufer and Katrina Callsen won their Democratic primary races convincingly on Tuesday, and the 2022 court decision may have been key to their popularity with voters in the area. It played an outsized role in the primaries, Tarina Keene, executive director of REPRO Rising Virginia, a pro-abortion organization, told The Daily Progress. Its the loss of Roe v. Wade and the moment we find ourselves in with this election being imperative to the future of reproductive freedom in the commonwealth." To be sure, Laufer and Callsen were not the only local candidates to emphasize their commitment to abortion access. Del. Sally Hudson, who lost in a tight race to longtime state Sen. Creigh Deeds, also made the issue a significant plank in her platform, which resonated with Democratic voters. Leaving the polls Tuesday, Chloe Ester Cook told The Daily Progress she was supporting Hudson for a number of reasons. Particularly her stance on abortion, which is very near and dear to my heart, Cook said. Across Virginia, Democratic candidates emphasized their desire to protect abortion rights in the commonwealth, one of the few states left in the South where the medical procedure has not been severely restricted or outright banned. That puts the state in a unique position, Keene said. Were seeing more and more patients coming to Virginia because abortion is legal and accessible here, she said. Were determined to keep it that way but it depends on the outcome of the upcoming general election. In Charlottesville, at least, keeping abortion legal and accessible was a priority for every candidate. Dave Norris and Bellamy Brown, who lost their primary for the 54th District House of Delegates seat, had made the issue a key tenet of their platforms as well. But in an interview leading up to the primary, their opponent Callsen told The Daily Progress that the issue resonated with her in a way it did not, and could not, with her male rivals. I've been pregnant before. I have children. I've had to go through the health care system as I've had a pregnancy. So I bring personal experience and investment into this issue that I don't think either of my opponents can bring the same level, she said. It is also important to note, however, that both Callsen and Laufer raised significantly more money than either of their opponents. In 2023, Laufer received nearly $100,000 more than Kellen Squire. Callsen had over $100,000 more than both of her opponents combined. Still, on the issue of abortion at least women candidates may have an inherent advantage over their male counterparts. Women have a lot more to lose with Roe being overturned or with an abortion ban potentially coming to Virginia, Chaz Nuttercombe, a political analyst and director of CNalysis, a group that predicts state legislative elections, told The Daily Progress. Women candidates followed a trend where after Roe was overturned we saw uptick in women candidates doing even better in Democratic primaries than before, he said. A lot of Democratic primary voters are hungry to vote for women for everything now. The fact that women may have more personally at stake could help explain that trend. Its hard to quantify, but it certainly would make sense that women candidates can speak more personally on the issue, Kyle Kondik, managing editor of "Sabatos Crystal Ball," the University of Virginia Center for Politics newsletter, told The Daily Progress. That personal appeal can go a long way with voters. Keene pointed to House District 57, where Susanna Gibson, a nurse, told voters that immediately after the Dobbs decision, she drove to Washington, D.C., to protest at the Supreme Court. In her drive home, she decided to run for office. I think that really resonates with women and younger people who are finding themselves more impacted by the loss of the protections of Roe, Keene said. Gibson won her race over pro-abortion candidate Bob Shippee. But Keene said the 2023 Democratic primary indicates male candidates can win on abortion too. I think whats really telling is it doesnt matter if youre male or female in the Democratic Party. If you are unapologetically in support of abortion rights and access, voters will move to your side, Keene said. Thats what they want to see right now, especially in Virginia. Deeds victory over Hudson might be proof. While that contest like any other race was not decided by one single issue, the senior statesman appears to have been boosted by his abortion record. Not only did he receive an endorsement from REPRO Rising, but at least one voter leaving the polls Tuesday associated him with reproductive rights. I know Creigh Deeds has been a supporter of abortion care for a long time, Clare, a healthcare worker who declined to provide her last name, told The Daily Progress. Just how much a pro-abortion candidate is helped or hurt by their gender is difficult to gauge. But one thing is clear: In todays Democratic Party, fully supporting abortion access wins primaries. That was not the case a generation ago, Kondik said. Across the political spectrum we would see more mixed opinions on abortion than you see now, he said. There would be more Democrats who held a positon to similar to Jim Morrissey. Keene said that Morrissey, who had been in the legislature since 2008, had tried to play both sides of the aisle to his advantage. His opponent, Lashrecse Aird, called him out and crushed him in the primary, Keene said. A few short months ago I spoke to Morrissey in his office and he told me he was going to crush Aird, Keene said. Her race really did center on abortion rights and access. Morrisseys moderation on the issue hurt his campaign. And as one local candidate learned, even the appearance of being anti-abortion can be devastating to a Democrats electoral prospects. Squires campaign in House District 55 may have been over well before election day. In a controversial move that Squire and his surrogates classified as disingenuous, Laufer released mailers in May that cited language Squire an emergency room nurse who has performed abortion services himself had written on his campaign website years before. In those writings, Squire referred to himself as "unashamedly pro-life." His campaign maintained that this and other lines were taken out of context. His supporters hoped that Laufers attack on someone they believed to be clearly pro-abortion would hurt her candidacy in the end. It didnt backfire on her. The mailers were really, really effective, Nuttercombe said. Instead of being able to focus on policy issues, the Squire campaign found itself dealing with questions about the Laufer mailers. It is a classic campaign phrase: If youre explaining, youre losing, Nuttercombe said. Even the slight possibility that Squire may not be fully committed to reproductive rights appears to have scared off voters. Laufer won the race by 40 points. For now at least, for either a male or female candidate, even flirting with an anti-abortion position can be game over for a Democratic campaign. I would say that is right. Just look at Morrissey and the attack mailers Laufer sent. They worked, Nuttercombe said. If you are a pro-life Democrat, then youre probably done for. VIRGINIA BEACH The driver of a tractor-trailer that went overboard Thursday afternoon on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel has died, according to the U.S. Coast Guard and bridge officials. Portsmouth-based Crofton Diving recovered the truck from the waters under the span around 3 p.m. Friday, according to a news release from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District. Officials are working to identify the driver, who was inside the trucks cab when it was pulled from the water. The vehicle was traveling northbound from Virginia Beach toward the Eastern Shore when it fell off the side of the bridge around 1:50 p.m., about a mile from Chics Beach, according to officials. The cause of the accident is still unknown, CBBT officials said, and the investigation by The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Authority Police is ongoing. Divers who had been conducting search operations saw a deceased person in the vehicle, Coast Guard Capt. Jennifer Stockwell told The Pilot around 12:30 p.m. Friday. The Coast Guard and other authorities determined only one person, a male, was in the vehicle after reviewing tollbooth footage. The company that the driver works for also told authorities only one person was in the truck, Stockwell said. She didnt know the name of the company but said the driver was hauling landscaping supplies. Previous media reports of a good Samaritan diving into the water to help Thursday were false, according to Virginia Beach police and the Coast Guard. A crane barge was used to recover the tractor-trailer from the water, Stockwell said. Recovery efforts were challenging because the tractor-trailer was submerged between the northbound and southbound bridge sections, making it a more complicated recovery between the trestles, Stockwell said. Stockwell said divers rigged up the vehicle with lifting straps, and it would be transported on the barge to shore for analysis. Stockwell said more than a dozen search and rescue organizations deployed Thursday to try to rescue the driver. I appreciate all the support we had in the initial hours of the search, she said. A single lane of traffic remains open for northbound traffic around the site of the accident while CBBT maintenance crews continue to make repairs for guardrail and curb damage. The left travel lane will be closed until repairs can be completed, which are expected to take about one week. We are running this post as a public service announcement of sorts. The short version is if you have an infection that does not respond to antibiotics, immediately and loudly insist your doctor look into fungal infections. A very good Wall Street Journal story tonight describes how dangerous and often fatal fungal infections have been increasing and describes some examples. This piece is much broader than some other mainstream media pieces on the rise of Candida auris in hospitals in recent years. Those stories depicted it as mainly a problem of stubborn pathogen which has gotten itself into more and more hospitals meets inadequate infection control and immune-weakened patients. But these pieces stressed that Candida auris wasnt hazardous to those in rude good health. For instance, from Time in March: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is tracking the rise of a deadly, treatment-resistant fungus thats causing outbreaks in a growing number of health care facilities across the country. New data compiled by a CDC research team, published Mar. 21 in Annals of Internal Medicine, show that Candida auris infections have increased dramatically in the U.S. in recent years. In 2021, national cases reported by health care facilities increased by 95%, and from 2019 to 2021, 17 states reported their first case. With infections recorded in a total of 28 states and the District of Columbia, these numbers suggest that current disinfection and safety measures at care facilities may not be sufficient. Experts do not currently view C. auris as much of a threat to the wider population, since most healthy people are not at risk for severe infections, which tend to spread in hospital settings. But there are fears that it could someday evolve to become one. So the general public is told they dont have to worry about a fungal infection witha a 30% to 60% fatality rate unless they wind up in a hospital, rehab center or a nursing home. Oddly, none of these articles I read on Candida auris mentioned Covid as taxing immune systems and potentially (more like probably) accelerating this bad trend. By contrast, a new article by CIDRAP fingers Covid as playing a significant rate in the recent rise in fungal infections: New data from a US hospital database show a significant increase in hospitalizations involving fungal infections from 2019 through 2021, driven primarily by COVID-19associated infections, US researchers reported yesterday in Emerging Infectious Diseases. Using data from the Premier Healthcare Database, Special COVID-19 Release, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified 59,212 fungal hospitalizations over the 3-year period. Rates of fungal hospitalizations (per 10,000 hospitalizations) increased from 22.3 in 2019 to 25.0 in 2020 and 26.8 in 2021, for an average annual change of 8.5%. Among the specific fungal pathogens that saw increases were Candida, Aspergillus, Coccidioides, and Histoplasma. The lack of inquisitiveness in mainstream accounts about Covid increasing vulnerability to fungal nasties seems even more odd after worldwide coverage of mucormycosis (black fungus) outbreaks in India in 2021. It was directly linked to Covid, with victims becoming symptomatic typically two weeks after recovering from Covid. And those patients usually had taken immune-system weakening steroids to reduce lung inflammation. Mucormycosis has a 50% mortality rate. Back to the more general alarm sounded in the Wall Street Journal story, Deadly Fungal Infections Confound DoctorsIts Going to Get Worse. The article buries what strikes me as a particularly important concern for patients, since these ailments can go undiagnosed until dangerously late, since prompt treatment is crucial: Delaying treatment of some fungal disease by just a day can double the risk of death, research shows. Its that there arent good tests for many of them and on top of that, the tests are too often not run: A lack of good tests makes identifying fungal disease more difficult. Some blood and urine tests for some yeasts and molds are accurate only half the time. Many molds need to be identified by specialists using microscopes. Misidentification is common, infectious-disease experts said. The fungal disease Valley Fever causes one in three pneumonia cases contracted outside of hospitals in Arizona, yet patients with pneumonia symptoms are rarely tested for it, said Dr. Fariba Donovan, an associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Arizona. We are telling patients to ask their doctor, Do you think this could be Valley Fever? Donovan said. The article also describes how some dangerous fungal infections are not uncommon. It start with the case study of a woman who died of an initially not-named fungal infection, which they later reveal to be C. auris and then follows with one who was diagnosed late for Histoplasma, eventually was treated for it, but still has not cleared it and may lose an eye to it. As the Journal notes: Between about 250,000 and 500,000 Americans are infected with Histoplasma each year. An estimated 10% of them suffer from serious disease and need antifungal treatment. Many struggle to pinpoint the source of their sickness. A study of insurance data last year by researchers at the University of Iowa, University of California, Davis and the University of Maryland concluded that more than 80% of the roughly 2,800 patients were misdiagnosed before their infections were identified as Histoplasma. And this lurid example: The CDC warned in May of a suspected fungal meningitis outbreak among people who underwent cosmetic procedures, including liposuction and breast augmentation, at two clinics in Mexico. Almost three dozen people in the U.S. are thought to have been sickened and hundreds were at risk of infection after receiving epidural anesthesia during procedures at the clinics near the Texas border, the CDC said. Four people have died. One, an otherwise healthy woman in her 30s, was hospitalized in Texas with a fever and meningitis symptoms shortly after visiting one of the clinics in March, according to the CDCs Chiller. Tests for bacteria were negative, which should have prompted doctors to consider fungi, said Chiller, who reviewed her case. She was given antibiotics, briefly improved, then deteriorated, Chiller said. She wasnt diagnosed with fungal meningitis until after her death. The article warns these pathogens, which like mold and yeasts, are all around us, even the hazardous ones, but are normally not a danger to the healthy. That is shifting due to climate change increasing their geographic spread and increasing their infectiousness, and some fungi becoming more treatment-resistant. To its credit, this article does cite Covid as increasing susceptibility to fungal diseases. But it points out one of the biggest dangers is doctor ignorance: A 2022 survey of 500 infectious-disease doctors by researchers at the University of Iowa and University of California, San Francisco, identified fungal infections as among the diseases most frequently diagnosed late. Failure to consider fungal disease was most often to blame, the doctors said. Almost half of some 270 patients in Arizona with the fungal disease Valley Fever werent correctly diagnosed for a month or more, a 2019 paper showed. A 2020 study found that one in four patients hospitalized with symptoms of the fungus Cryptococcus were first misdiagnosed. Many medical schools arent adequately training aspiring doctors to identify and treat fungal disease, infectious-disease experts said. Some schools dedicate a couple of hours to the topic, those experts said. Most fungal diseases are taught in medical school as being rare or unusual or some even regional, but we see these on a daily basis, said Dr. George R. Thompson, an infectious-disease specialist at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. The CDC said it is funding fungal-disease education for doctors across specialties. Some hospitals are training emergency-room staff to consider fungal infection, particularly in high-risk patients and people returning to the hospital after treatments havent worked. If you give someone antibiotics and they come back and arent feeling better, dont just give them more antibiotics, said Dr. Patrick Mazi, an infectious-disease doctor at Washington University in St. Louis. Antibiotics can exacerbate some fungal infections because they eradicate bacteria that compete with fungi, he said. And one of those really bad fungi that really benefits from having antibiotics wipe out bacteria is the aforementioned deadly C. auris. Given how comparatively few doctors consider fungal infections when making diagnoses, versus the acute danger of missing a deadly one, patients yet again need to be aggressive in advocating for themselves and family members. Do not be shy about demanding test and retests (given the poor reliability of some fungal tests) and precautionary treatments. The stakes could be high. Yves here. Weve been amplifying the considerable work of Eileen Appelbaum and Rosemary Batt on the way that private equity controls big swathes of hospital operations to their profit and the detriment of patients. Many hospitals have outsourced emergency rooms and hospitalists and speciality practices like orthopedics by contracting with private equity firms that provide and control the staff in these activities. Hospitals have used these outsourced staffing arrangement to engage in surprise billing by deliberately putting doctors in operating room teams who are not part of the network of practitioners covered by his insurance to jack up prices. Despite press and legislative scrutiny, efforts to rein in surprise billing have been only partly successful. This post includes an interview with Dr. Ming Lin, an emergency room doctor assigned to a Washington hospital through a big Blackstone-owned staffing firm, TeamHealth. He was fired when he complained about deficiencies in Covid-related practices. Hes sued for wrongful termination and has also become an evangelist for restoring doctor control of the practice of medicine. By Lynn Parramore, Senior Research Analyst at the Institute for New Economic Thinking. Originally published at the Institute for New Economic Thinking website Dr. Ming Lin, and healthcare providers like him, are fighting to take back control of medicine from private equity firms that are gobbling up practices and facilities. Should Wall Street make life and death decisions based on the bottom line? So stealthily you probably never noticed, private equity firms have transformed American health care over the last decade and not for the better, critics say. These Wall Street players have their eye on medical practices and facilities as so many untapped sources of revenue. Over the last decade, the private equity industry has been on a massive shopping spree, taking over toy stores, restaurant chains, clothing stores, you-name-it and too often leaving the businesses a shadow of their former selves, even bankrupt. The pandemic only jet-fueled the momentum: 2022 was the biggest year in the industrys history, followed by a record-breaking 2021. According to industry tracker PitchBook, in 2021 alone these firms invested $206 billion into over 1,400 health care acquisitions. With private equitys aggressive entry into medicine, this is no longer about squeezing profits from shoe stores. This is about human life. Private equity companies make their money by acquiring ownership or majority stakes in businesses, taking over management in order to boost revenue and efficiency, then flipping them in a few years for huge profits. Over the last decade, industry players have been quietly snapping up medical specialties like dermatology, anesthesiology, and gastroenterology for their vast profit potential. Some of these financial firms end up dominating such services in a growing number of metropolitan areas. Consider, if youre being put under by an anesthesiologist in Orlando, Florida, chances are that doctor is employed by a private equity-owned firm. Some experts warn that the private equity industry has become as rapacious and unaccountable as the robber barons of yore. Is that who you want sticking a needle in your arm? Firms that much of the public has never heard of, with names like KKR, Shore Capital Partners, and TPG, have set their sights on a broad range of healthcare businesses, from orthopedic practices to hospices to addiction treatment centers. Theyre gobbling up emergency rooms, ambulatory surgical centers, even entire hospitals. Physician owners of private medical practices find themselves wooed by sweet-sounding deals when private equity comes calling, and those worn out by the financial challenges of owning a practice, or reaching retirement age, or just plain greedy find them hard to resist. Private equity firms argue that they bring value to health care through better management techniques and investment in newer technologies. But critics say their presence is nothing more than money-driven medicine on steroids, pointing out that the private equity business model is particularly ill-suited for health care, when human lives hang on the balance sheet. In order to squeeze greater profits from businesses, say the critics, private equity firms cut corners in dangerous ways, like reducing staff or replacing physicians with less qualified personnel. Critics also charge that federal regulators are practically blind to what is happening. Because many state laws restrict the corporate practice of medicine, private equity firms have become clever in how they structure takeovers so that the firm does not acquire a practice or facility outright, but instead buys a majority interest, often flying below the radar of regulators. The stakes are high, and studies on the impact of private equity on health care are far from comforting. Research published in the JAMA Health Forum shows that private equity acquisitions of medical practices result in more lengthy and costly care for patients as well as reduced access to services. A 2021 working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that entering a nursing home owned by private equity increases your chances of dying by 10%. Every day, the private equity takeover of medicine impacts more people more doctors, nurses, and medical staff. More human beings who depend on them for health and life. One thing seems clear: private equity executives with MBAs may know little about medicine, but they are determined to profit from your body, cradle to grave literally: theyre even getting into funeral homes. So, is anybody fighting back? The answer is yes: increasingly, doctors themselves are challenging an industry they say has forced them to violate their ethics. When the pandemic struck, Dr. Ming Lin was on the front lines as an emergency physician at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, Washington. But when he spoke out about the need for Covid safety measures like masking, improving ventilation, and limiting visitors, he was fired from a position he had held for 17 years. TeamHealth, a corporation which contracts with hospitals to staff emergency rooms (and is owned by the Blackstone Group, a private equity firm), offered to find Lin a new position in another state, or lower-paid, part-time work, but Lin found these conditions unacceptable for him and his family. He initiated a lawsuit in 2020 for wrongful termination against PeaceHealth and TeamHealth. The case is still pending. Lin warns that a storm is coming in our healthcare system, and if we dont challenge private equity and corporate medicine now, we will all pay dearly. He shares his story and his newfound role in activism with the Institute for New Economic Thinking. Lynn Parramore: How did you become concerned about private equity in health care? Ming Lin: I noticed the problem of private equity growing gradually over the last 10 to 15 years. It all started slowly. Id say to myself, Oh, we cant admit this patient because the hospital says its not financially viable. Or maybe we would be told to find a way to get rid of a patient. In the past, doctors would have been making the decisions about who should and shouldnt be admitted. But when a private equity company has a contract with the hospital, they will make the rules and you either follow them or youll be terminated. It forces doctors into a position where you have to tell the patient, well, sorry, your hospitalization may not be paid for, it may cost you a lot of money. Ive seen that private equity and corporate-driven medicine is not just dangerous, its costly to patients who are confronted with things like surprise billing. Private equity-controlled practices are also known to sue patients. And if the hospital or practice you work for is under the control of a private equity company, you cant speak out about these dilemmas. LP: You were terminated from your position three years ago for raising safety concerns during the pandemic. What have you been doing in the meantime, workwise? ML: Ive worked at over 13 different hospitals. Most have been remote reservation hospitals that are hard to get to, like in northern Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Arizona. Ive also done some volunteer work along the Texas border and worked in some of the emergency rooms along El Paso. Im working on trying to improve my Spanish! LP: Your family is still in Washington, where you held the job for 17 years at PeaceHealth. That must be difficult. ML: Yes, it has been. Ive had to spend a lot of time away up to a month at a time. Ive missed a lot of things, not just family dinners but my kids recitals and performances. Events I will never get to experience again. So, it has been difficult. LP: Why did you go into medicine in the first place? Why did you want to become a doctor? ML: I went into medicine because I enjoy helping people. I enjoy helping to solve their problems. I particularly liked emergency medicine because they treat everybody the same. When financial considerations come into the emergency room, it makes it very difficult for me to treat everybody the same. LP: So you feel youre being asked to go against your value system, your medical ethics? ML: Yes, its a real moral dilemma for a lot of people, including myself. Ive had to tell patients I feel should be admitted that their hospitalization may cost 10k as their insurance may not authorize their stay. Or Ive been asked to let mentally unstable, suicidal patients leave because we were not authorized to detain them for a more thorough evaluation. Over the years I have had more and more patients tell me about the exorbitant bills they have received on visits to the emergency room were talking several thousand dollars for the application of some glue to a half inch wound. Disturbingly, this exorbitant billing was done unbeknown to me. Unlike hospitals and insurance companies, private equity companies can hide behind the physician and not absorb any of the outcry over such fraudulent profiteering. LP: Would you say there is an atmosphere of fear among physicians who are afraid to speak out? ML: Absolutely. There are so many physicians who are afraid to speak out. In many cases, when they do they feel they have to do so anonymously. LP: Do you think the transformation of medicine by the private equity industry is impacting medical students? ML: When they come out of school, I think a lot of them are appalled by the fact that the medical decisions are not being made in terms of whats best for the patient, but in terms of whats best for profit. Thats a real moral problem, and its very hard for people who trained all these years and went into medicine to help people. LP: Private equity is notoriously a shape-shifting industry that likes to fly under the radar, hiding behind complicated business structures and jargon which makes it hard for the public to understand. Do you think there is growing public awareness of what this industry does? ML: I think theres increasing awareness. We just had a conference for Take Medicine Back, an advocacy group started by emergency room doctors to take medicine back from corporate interests. There were high-profile journalists and academics, and a special message from Senator Elizabeth Warren (D) and Senator Roger Marshall (R). Just a few days ago, there was an article in the New York Times [The Moral Crisis of Americas Doctors] about the stress doctors feel dealing with corporate medicine. Finally, theres some media coverage. Physicians that have been impacted have been joining associations that are against private equity-driven and corporate healthcare. You have to realize that there are a lot of Ming Lins out there. Ive sort of become the poster child for a problem that impacts so many people. A lot of physicians are demoralized. Theyre being terminated for advocating for patient safety, or for no reason at all. One reason Ive wanted to pursue this lawsuit is so that we can have a spotlight on this important issue. There will never be a more opportune moment to bring attention to these issues of due process and the fact that private equity and corporate health care is dangerous to patients. There are clear scientific data which show that corporate health care and private equity costs patients more money, and its also unsafe and dangerous. LP: What are the most pressing things that need to be done to address the problem? ML: We have to understand that private equity and corporate-driven health care costs more and is unsafe. We need to let people know that we now have scientific data to prove that it increases mortality and costs. Professional organizations need to recognize this and disassociate themselves from any private equity company. You cant just say, oh, we dont agree with private equity companies and yet accept their money. We also need to realize that there are actually laws against the corporate practice of medicine in many states. We have to tell our attorneys general, hey, we need to pursue this. Its illegal! People who have business degrees cannot be owning and running medical practices. LP: What has surprised you most in your personal saga with private equity-driven medicine? ML: Im really surprised at the amount of attention I got. It feels like Ive hit the perfect storm in some ways. This has been ongoing, this issue of the right to speak out for our patients and the demoralization of physicians. I feel that I need to continue this, that this is the right moment. It has put a lot of stress on myself and my family, and sometimes I question whether I should go on with it, but its an opportune moment and the problem with health care is bigger than any problem at home. I think the public has a hard time understanding what private equity is and how dangerous it is. A regular person might think of a company or a corporation wanting to make money to make their business better, but private equitys main objective is to make money to enrich themselves. Theres no interest in improving the business. They just want it to generate revenue before they flip a business, even if that means the business is failing its customers. And remember, this is not a coffee shop were talking about. Its our health care system a vital part of our lives, our communities, our society. LP: Have you found a role in activism alongside your career in medicine? ML: Yes. This is important for the wellbeing of my patients and the field of medicine more important than myself or my career. It feels like a typhoon is coming thats going to destroy the whole town, not just you and your family. It was a difficult decision we made as a family. How could we walk away from this knowing that we could have at least tried to help? To me this lawsuit is about having a voice in healthcare. Doctors and nurses need a voice to protect our patients. I guess you can say that the anger I felt toward the hospitals lack of Covid response to protect our staff and patients was the straw that broke the camels back. This may be a small battle against the private equity and corporate health care system. But its an important one. You have to win battles to win a war. History is filled with small battles, even losing ones, that have inspired people to win the war. Hopefully my suit will encourage more people to be bold and more aggressive, to realize that we have to fight against the system because its just getting worse. To me, corporate greed in our healthcare system is one big continuum where the drive to generate revenue exploits patients at their most vulnerable moment. I see private equity as the more extreme form of this greed as their sole purpose is to generate revenue at any cost. Unlike most businesses, they are not held accountable to customers or communities only their investors. We need to take the greed out of the equation, and getting private equity out of medicine would be a big step in the right direction. LP: What positive signs have you seen in the fight? How is the Biden administration responding to this problem? ML: AAEM [the American Academy of Emergency Medicine] is involved in a lawsuit against Envision Healthcare for its takeover of an emergency department contract at Placentia Linda Hospital in California. Theyre not doing it for the money, but rather to make a point that the corporate practice of medicine is illegal. This lawsuit is ongoing, and its an encouraging sign. I think the Biden administration has made some progress with the Federal Trade Commission proposing a ban on restrictive covenants, which are non-compete agreements that private equity companies tend to put in their contracts. Getting rid of these would eliminate restrictions that doctors and other workers face when they leave a practice or facility. Also, Ive heard whistleblower laws have been better enforced under the Biden administration. But theres a lot of progress still to be made. The problem is with the whole greed and revenue-driven system that is causing danger to our patients and costing us a surprising amount of money. From 30 May to 23 June, 18 Allies*, Sweden, numerous NATO entities and industry experts from across the Alliance tested and improved their ability to collect, process, exploit and share intelligence from seabed to space during Unified Vision 2023 (UV23), NATOs biggest Joint Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JISR) exercise. During this fifth edition, intelligence experts from across Europe and North America responded to a fictitious crisis situation aggravated by natural disasters. The aim of the exercise is to further enhance Allies and NATOs data decision advantage, ensuring that intelligence is shared with the right people, in the right format, at the right time. Twenty-five maritime, land, air and space assets, were used to collect, process, analyse, and distribute data. These included commercial satellites, NATOs Alliance Ground Surveillance system, F-16 and Tornado aircraft, Raven, Puma and Integrator Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, as well as frigates. Through a federated approach by turning raw information from ISR platforms into intelligence UV 23 provides Allies with an opportunity to combine different types of intelligence data and assets under NATOs umbrella to produce a richer intelligence product and optimise use of resources and training personnel. The Unified Vision 2023 event highlights the effort of our Alliance to test and enhance interoperability and innovation between Allies, partners and within NATO, said Dr. Giorgio Cioni, Director of Armaments and Aerospace Capabilities in NATO Headquarters Defence Investment Division. Building on exercises such Unified Vision, NATOs JISR will allow Allies to benefit from the economies of scale and will formalize the ground work for a greater degree of balanced JISR burden sharing within the Alliance, he added. Unified Vision 2023 also contributes to NATO's efforts to improve Persistent Surveillance from Space, and to integrate Emerging and Disruptive Technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation tools in its intelligence process. It also supports NATO's response to the impact of climate change. This years trial reflects the evolution and growth of NATOs JISR environment since the establishment of the initiative at the 2012 Chicago Summit, by incorporating the use of commercial satellite imagery, internet for command and control, and small tactical UAVs into intelligence planning and operations. *Participating Allies (18): Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechia, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkiye, United Kingdom, United States On Wednesday 28 June 2023, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will receive the Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia, Ms. Kaja Kallas, at NATO Headquarters. They will have a joint press conference after their meeting. 13:45 (CEST) Press conference by the NATO Secretary General and the Estonian Prime Minister Media coverage This event is open to media representatives who have annual accreditation to NATO for 2023. The press conference will be streamed live on the NATO website. A transcript of the Secretary Generals remarks, as well as pictures taken by a NATO photographer, will be posted there shortly. The video will be available for free download from the NATO Multimedia Portal after the event. For more information: Contact the NATO Press Office Follow us on Twitter (@NATO, @jensstoltenberg and @NATOPress). NATO and the Partnership for Peace Consortium of Defence Academies and Security Studies Institutes hosted the 12th Clearing House on Defence Education in Bled, Slovenia, from 20 to 21 June 2023, with support from the Slovenian Armed Forces Military Schools Centre. The Clearing House was opened by the Chief of the General Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces, Major General Robert Glavas. With a grave deterioration of the security situation in Europe after 2014, the importance of interoperability and professional military training and education in the Alliance and in partner nations has become of crucial importance, Major General Glavas said. Only well trained military personnel will be able to deal with current and future security challenges, and helping partner nations develop their professional military education must remain one of our most important goals, he added. The Director for Defence and Security Cooperation at NATO, Piers Cazalet, reiterated the significance of "intellectual interoperability" among NATO and partner countries. In the aftermath of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the need for NATO partners to operate in an interoperable manner with NATO forces has become even more vital. Ukraine is an example of a country that has since 2014 benefited from the assistance provided by the Defence Education Enhancement Programme in aligning its Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer corps with NATO standards. Representatives from across the Alliance emphasised further the unique and critical role that professional military education has in strengthening the resilience and security and defence capacity of individual partner countries, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Moldova. This flagship event brought together 107 participants, representing 23 countries and 62 defence education institutions supporting the efforts of NATOs Defence Education Enhancement Programme. Through the annual multinational Clearing House, this NATO programme offers an invaluable platform to take stock of defence education initiatives and share best practices. The meeting helped identify and meet partners needs, develop synergies and cooperation, and harmonise NATO and bilateral efforts. Only 16% of Americans would support adoption of CBDC, survey finds A survey has found that a vast majority of Americans do not support the widespread adoption of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the United States. This was according to a survey conducted by the libertarian think tank the Cato Institute in collaboration with market research and polling company YouGov, known as the "Cato Institute 2023 Central Bank Digital Currency National Survey." (Related: State legislatures are sneakily introducing amendments to laws that would pave the way for CBDC domination.) According to the survey, just 16 percent of Americans support the adoption of a CBDC in the country. More than double 34 percent would actively oppose the Federal Reserve offering a CBDC, and many Americans 49 percent do not have a strong opinion on CBDCs, likely from a lack of proper information about what CBDCs are. Support for a CBDC is widely unpopular with both Democrats and Republicans, with only 22 percent of Democrats and 11 percent of Republicans stating that they would support a CBDC. Similarly, only 14 percent of political independents support a CBDC. The survey was conducted from Feb. 27 to March 8 from 2,126 respondents, who were then matched down to a sample of just 2,000. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.54 percent. CBDC would link Americans directly to the Fed In its report on the survey, written by Cato Institute Vice President and Director of Polling Emily Ekins and research associate Jordan Gygi, the institute said that while Americans regularly use digital dollars through credit cards, debit cards or other digital and mobile platforms, those dollars are liabilities of private commercial banks issued by them. A CBDC would be a liability of the U.S. central bank, the Federal Reserve, and thus would create a direct link between regular citizens and the central bank that many Americans might not be comfortable with. To illustrate this point, Ekins and Gygi noted that 74 percent of Americans expressed their opposition to a CBDC if they knew that the government would be able to monitor their spending. Sixty-four percent said they opposed a CBDC if the government could end up charging a tax on people if they do not spend enough and stimulate the economy during recessions. Furthermore, 59 percent said they would oppose a CBDC if the government could use the reliance on digital currency to freeze the digital bank accounts of political protesters. Sixty-eight percent opposed CBDCs if they would abolish all American cash and replace it; 65 percent said they oppose CBDCs if they would attract more cybercrime and cyberattacks; and 52 percent were opposed if CBDCs would cause people to stop using private banks, resulting in regional and mid-sized banks going out of business. When considering the potential benefits and risks together, 76 percent of Americans believe the "government should not issue a [CBDC] because it would potentially allow the government to monitor what people buy and potentially control how they spend their money. The remaining 24 percent said they are mildly interested in exploring the potential of a government-issued digital currency if it could realistically reduce financial crimes and other illegal activities and increase regular access to the financial system. Learn more about digital currencies like CBDCs and cryptocurrencies at CryptoCult.news. Watch this clip of International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva calling for a global, interoperable system to allow international transactions using CBDCs. This video is from the Thrive Time Show channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: David DuByne: US gov't accelerated collapse of financial institutions to introduce CBDCs Brighteon.TV. The one-world digital currency is almost here but first they have to collapse the global financial system to make way for it. Adapt 2030: David DuByne says America's banking crisis is accelerating the rise of CBDCs Brighteon.TV. Controlled demolition of global finance system sees failing cryptos, bank runs and soon, the unveiling of central bank digital currencies. HYPOCRISY: Federal Reserve warns banks against using crypto while planning to develop its own digital currency. Sources include: TheNewAmerican.com Cato.org CoinGeek.com Brighteon.com ALL attendees at recent health conference who caught COVID were double vaccinated TAKE THAT FOR DATA! New research published in thejournal proves once again that getting "vaccinated" for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) does absolutely nothing to stop the spread of disease. Every single fully jabbed attendee at the recent 122nd Annual Congress of the German Society of Ophthalmology health conference in Berlin tested positive for COVID despite being "protected," the study found. All of the positive individuals had received at least two doses of a COVID jab. Nearly 4,500 people in total attended the conference, which took place last fall from September 28 through October 2, and of this 1,355 filled out a survey about their vaccination and COVID status. Of these 1,355 survey takers, only about half got tested for COVID after the conference, researchers found. Of those who both filled out the survey and were tested after the conference, 109 people, or 14 percent of the crowd, tested positive for COVID. And of these 109 people, all 109 had gotten at least two doses of a COVID jab, while just 19 of them had evidence of a prior COVID infection. "In comparison, of the people who filled out the survey and tested negative after the conference, 98 percent were vaccinated and 62.5 percent had proven prior COVID-19," one media outlet reported. (Related: Remember when outgoing CDC head Rochelle Walensky lied to America by stating that the fully jabbed could not catch or transmit COVID?) Isolation increases COVID risk while being around others linked to improved health According to Dr. Alaa Din Abdin of Saarland University Medical Center UKS in Germany, the results of he and his co-authors' study shows that a person's COVID vaccination status "was not associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the congress." Conversely, prior infection was "significantly associated" with a person testing negative for COVID. Strangely, staying in a private accommodation rather than a shared hotel was associated with a higher rate of infection, suggesting that being around people is healthier for a person than remaining in isolation. The paper also reveals that those more prone to getting a COVID test are also more likely to get infected, further suggesting that perhaps the tests themselves are spreading disease though the study researchers blamed it on declining jab protection due to the onset of new "Omicron" variants and subvariants. "This higher rate could be because the congress took place during the Omicron surge, which was locally and temporally different compared with the variants in other studies," the authors said, trying to come up with an excuse for this apparent "anomaly." "The Omicron variant had a much higher transmission rate and lower vaccine efficacy due to immune escape of the new subtype," they further claimed. Another similar survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that looked at attendees at a different conference, that of the Academic Surgical Congress held in Atlanta, arrived at similar conclusions. In that one, everyone who responded to the survey, 1,443 participants out of 1,800 total in attendance, and tested positive for COVID had received at least one dose of a COVID injection. Of those who responded, 181 reported testing positive, and about half of these had previously had a COVID infection. Somehow, the CDC concluded that these findings "underline the importance of vaccination for protecting individuals against severe illness and death related to COVID-19." "I still don't understand the mass hysteria and panic over a flu bug," one commenter wrote about how COVID should already be long gone from the public lexicon other than that pertaining to the punishment of all the COVID criminals who committed crimes against humanity. The latest news about the farce of COVID "vaccination" can be found at Immunization.news. Sources for this article include: JamaNetwork.com TheEpochTimes.com SHTFplan.com Newstarget.com TheEpochTimes.com Apple starts to embrace artificial intelligence, installs AI-powered features in iPhones Apple is now transforming into an artificial intelligence (AI) company For many years, the Cupertino, California-based tech giant has been quiet about AI. In fact, InfoWorld reported that during the Worldwide Developers Conference 2023, Apple CEO Tim Cook managed to talk for over two hours in a global keynote without mentioning AI. But that is starting to change with AI-powered features and other updates being installed in iPhones. According to an article published in the Atlantic, the AI updates are to be rolled out using an incremental approach. Apple's much-maligned autocorrect feature is getting upgraded by AI using sophisticated language models. According to reports, this update won't just check against a dictionary but will also be able to consider the context of the word in a sentence. For example, it won't suggest "consolation" when you mean "consolidation," because the technology would know that the words don't mean the same thing. Another small tweak that would be rolled out will be on the Photos app as announced earlier in June. For example, it will be able to automatically recognize the phone owner's dog the same way it recognizes people who frequently appear in the pictures. Also, AirPods will be able to adjust to background noise based on the users' listening via "Adaptive Audio." For example, the Apple earpods might automatically lower the volume of your music when you start talking to the barista at a coffee shop and then raise it when you stop. Apple said it will use machine learning to understand your volume preferences in general and optimize your listening experience. Apple claims to have a practical and lowkey approach to AI Despite the rise of the ultra-advanced ChatGPT, Apple wants to keep a lowkey approach to AI. ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that uses natural language processing to create humanlike conversational dialogue. The language model can respond to questions and compose various written content, including articles, social media posts, essays and emails. (Related: CCP blocks ChatGPT: Party officials fear chatbot will spread American propaganda online.) John Gruber, a longtime Apple follower who runs the technology blog "Daring Fireball," told the Atlantic's Caroline Mimbs Nyce that he doesn't expect any of the machine-learning features Apple announced this year to alter the iPhone user experience significantly. "They'll just make it nominally better. We expect autocorrect just to work," he told Nyce via email. "We notice when it doesn't." The new autocorrect, which will be available in an iOS upgrade later this year, is like a less powerful version of ChatGPT in your pocket. "When you ask ChatGPT a question, you are accessing the same giant large language model stored on the cloud that everyone else is. But the much smaller and more personalized language model that will now power autocorrect will be living on your iPhone. Apple has not shared more details on how the feature will work, and the exact technical approach that Apple is using here is not clear," explained Tatsunori Hashimoto, a computer scientist at Stanford University. Apple also has a different approach to AI than other tech companies, which is evident in their respective business models. Google and Meta control about half of the digital-ad market, and AI-powered chatbots could become just another way to get people to buy things. Microsoft is less in the ad business, but it hopes that adding chatbot functionality to search could help chip away at Google. Amazon's enormous cloud-hosting business stands to gain from the adoption of large language models. Apple, meanwhile, is a luxury brand that is more deeply involved in making computers and phones enjoyable. "So, it isn't surprising that Apple is approaching AI cautiously, with a product-oriented focus," Gruber said. FutureTech.news has more stories related to advancements in technologies. Watch the video below that talks about Apple surveilling Americans by scanning photos from all iPhones. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Apple, Google teaming up to better track your movements under the claim of providing you more 'security.' TIPFLATION: Workers at first unionized Apple store in Maryland want MANDATORY TIPPING at checkouts. DEAD RISING: AI-powered ChatGPT to connect the living and the dead. AI can influence people's decisions in life-or-death situations. Sources include: TheAtlantic.com Rev.com GreatGameIndia.com Brighteon.com Authorities issue trespassing notice to squatters on Floridas meth island Law enforcement agencies recently inspected an island near the Dunlawton Bridge in Volusia County, Florida, which has been taken over by squatters who have built large structures in the area. Volusia Sheriff's Office, Port Orange Police Department, South Daytona Police Department and Florida Fish and Wildlife installed signages that said: "TRESPASS NOTICE: You are ordered to vacate the island within 48 hours." The island, according to the video posted by the sheriff's office, is dotted with various handmade wooden structures, including an elaborate four-story treehouse made of scrap wood, a "welcome center," huts made out of what appears to be old lumber and tree branches and a wooden shed that has a sign offering it for $10 a night. "It's pretty impressive, honestly. The number of structures has exponentially grown over the past few years," one law enforcement official is heard saying in the video. It is also evident in the footage that the illegal settlers have also attempted to decorate the island, including painting hearts on beams of one structure, hanging old license plates on structures like paintings and installing a trampoline. "Parts of these islands have become overrun with campsites, trash, wooden structures, towers, even a trampoline. For everyone who enjoys the beauty of this area, this is one step toward bringing it back to nature," the sheriff's office posted to Facebook. Social media users call the place the "good ole meth island" and "Gilligan's Island" as some allegedly saw people on the island getting high on drugs while passing. They said: "Meth island, I launch my boat at the Dunlawton ramp and pass that island all the time you can see people tweaking on the shore of the island." Another one posted: "Are you going to go back and take them down? I hope so. Thank you." Kevin Pedri, a South Daytona police lieutenant who participated in last week's operation, said there's been "evidence of drugs that have been done over there." He noted that officers found "needles and paraphernalia," but did not find any specific narcotics. (Related: Critical Disclosure with Jim White: Montana AG blames Bidens disastrous border policies for influx of illegal drugs Brighteon.TV.) Meanwhile, some netizens are debating whether installing trespassing signs is a good move by the law enforcers. According to a number of internet users, the island is a "great spot to visit" while others called for the island to be cleaned up. "There's no sanitation on the island, it's a garbage pit," one commenter wrote, while another said the area feels unsafe at night. Island structures pose risks during hurricane season With the onset of the hurricane season, stronger storms could endanger not only those who might be on the island but also those around it. "All that stuff is going to get thrown all over the Intracoastal and damage other boats, or who knows how far some of the wood can launch and possibly damage other property as well," Pedri said. Daytona Beach News-Journal also reported that the structures pose a risk to the island's mangrove population, which is especially important as a natural defense mechanism against storm surges. Also, Pedri expressed concern that the trampoline and treehouse could be appealing to kids. "All it does is (draw attention) for young kids to go over there. They go to these islands and start having fun and then you start getting the alcohol in there and they are jumping down on these trampolines. That's when an accident is going to wind up happening," he stressed. Police have not been able to return to the island immediately due to the weather, but are planning to do so as soon as it is safe. The city's public works department has already begun the process of taking the structures down to "clean the island and put it back to its natural state," Pedri said. Follow Addiction.news to read more about the dangers of addiction to methamphetamine. Watch the video below where former President Donald Trump talks about ending the drug addiction plague in the United States. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: DEAD customers are bad for business: LA County seeks to curb fentanyl deaths by handing out GLASS PIPES for drugs that can be smoked. Biden's DOJ mulls opening "safe injection sites" for drug users, where federal officials will watch them shoot up with heroin and meth. Government document instructs vaccine "strike force" teams how to clear buildings, violate trespass laws and flag anti-vaxxers for forced quarantines. More people died from fentanyl overdose than coronavirus in San Francisco last year. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk FoxNews.com News-JournalOnline.com Brighteon.com The enemy of my enemy is my friend: Beijing plans to construct military training facility in Cuba and station Chinese troops on the island China is negotiating with Cuba to set up a new joint military training facility on the island, allowing Chinese troops and other agents to set up shop just 100 miles off Florida's coast. Intelligence reports from the United States suggest that the discussions for the facility, to be established somewhere on the island nation's northern coast, are at an advanced stage but not yet concluded. The reports have sparked alarm in Washington, D.C., and President Joe Biden's administration is now scrambling to forestall China's ambitions in the Caribbean. The officials already reached out to Cuban officials to interrupt the deal and are trying to tap into what might be Havana's concerns about ceding sovereignty. (Related: Cut from the same cloth: Cuba agrees to let China construct a SPY BASE on island to intercept American communications.) This report comes just weeks after the Wall Street Journal reported that China and Cuba had reached an agreement in principle for the construction of an espionage facility on the island, but the White House characterized that reporting as inaccurate. Days later, Washington declassified intelligence to confirm publicly that Chinese intelligence collection facilities have existed in Cuba since at least 2019. Recently, the U.S. has had ongoing conflicts with Beijing that have been stroked by a host of other issues, including America's and other Western countries' support for Taiwan. The U.S. and Cuba, meanwhile, have had a strained relationship since Fidel Castro overthrew a U.S.-backed government in 1959. The recent high-profile trip of State Antony Blinken to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping may have halted a downward spiral in the relationship between the U.S. and China. Blinken told reporters on Tuesday, June 20, that he "made very clear we would have deep concerns about PRC [Peoples Republic of China] intelligence or military activities in Cuba." "This is something we're going to be monitoring very, very closely, and weve been very clear about that," he added. "And we will protect our homeland, we will protect our interests." However, the Wall Street Journal reported that Blinken failed to secure China's agreement to a U.S. proposal that the two countries resume military-to-military communications to avoid misunderstandings. Moreover, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby claimed that it is not a secret or surprise that China is trying to improve its influence or reach. "It's not like we aren't aware of it. It's not like we haven't been monitoring it," Kirby told the reporters on Tuesday. "We'll continue to take steps to be able to protect our own secrets and our own national security." China's eavesdropping project is already operational in Cuba Biden's officials also said the administration is worried about China's "Project 141," which includes the planned military facility. The said project is an initiative by the People's Liberation Army to expand its global military base and logistical support network. China and Cuba are already running four eavesdropping stations on the island. "That network underwent a significant upgrade around 2019, when a single station expanded to a network of four sites that are operated jointly, and Chinese involvement deepened," the officials added. There also are signs of changes in the arrangement for those facilities that officials say could signal greater Chinese involvement, though the details are scant. A U.S. intelligence report earlier this year referred to the "centralization" of the management of the four joint sites, but what precisely that entails couldnt be determined. Other "Project 141" sites include a deal for a Chinese naval outpost in Cambodia and a military facility whose purpose isn't 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. Meanwhile, a Chinese Embassy official in Washington said he wasn't aware of any deal between China and Cuba and that the U.S. is an "expert in chasing shadows" in other countries and meddling in their affairs. Visit CommunistChina.news to read more about China's impending war against the United States and its allies. Watch the video below that talks about China's plan to build a military training base in Havana in preparation for war with the United States. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: China continues to threaten Taiwanese airspace, deploying 10 WARPLANES to cross Taiwan Strait median line. Investigative journalist: China has been creating gene-edited SUPER SOLDIERS and brain-controlled military weapons. Generals warn of aggressive Chinese military expansion into Latin America. U.S. warns China about plans to increase military drills in South China Sea region. "Spy balloons" are part of global Chinese surveillance, US military and national security officials say. Sources include: WSJ.com MSN.com AlJazeera.com Brighteon.com RFK Jr.: Biden must APOLOGIZE to America, Ukraine for pushing proxy war Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) called on President Joe Biden to apologize to both the U.S. and Ukraine for pushing a "proxy war." He issued this call in a June 20 tweet, writing: "I call upon President Biden to issue two apologies. First, to the American people for misleading them into supporting an ugly proxy war on false pretenses. Second, and more importantly, to the Ukrainian people for maneuvering them into this war and ruining their country all for the sake of U.S. (imagined) geopolitical interests." RFK Jr. cited a Feb. 5 article from Antiwar.com to back up his demand for an apology. According to the piece, former Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Naftali Bennett traveled to Moscow in March 2022 to mediate between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. While the Israeli leader managed to extract significant concessions from his Russian counterpart, the U.S. blocked any deal. "They blocked it, and I thought they were wrong," Bennett remarked. "I'll say this in the broad sense. I think there was a legitimate decision by the West to keep striking Putin." The former Israeli PM recounted that former British PM Boris Johnson took an "aggressive line." In contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz were more "pragmatic." Ultimately, Bennett said Biden adopted "both" positions. "War was the plan all along, [and] the pattern here is clear," the Democratic presidential candidate tweeted. "Not only is the Biden administration deceiving the American people about the motives for this costly and tragic war, but by continually escalating it, they put the whole world at risk of nuclear conflagration." RFK Jr. ultimately quoted the 1963 Peace Speech delivered by his uncle, former President John F. Kennedy. "Nuclear powers must avert those confrontations which bring an adversary to a choice of either a humiliating retreat or a nuclear war," the elder Kennedy said at the time. Western meddling killed peace talks between Kyiv, Moscow The Antiwar.com piece said that despite negotiations between Russia and Ukraine brokered by Bennett falling apart, the peace talks between the two warring nations continued. Russian and Ukrainian officials later met in the Turkish city of Istanbul in March 2022, and followed this up with virtual consultations. Former U.S. officials who spoke to Foreign Affairs magazine said Moscow and Kyiv agreed on the framework for a tentative deal. Even Putin himself publicly said a deal was close following the Istanbul talks. However, the Istanbul negotiations ultimately failed due to meddling by the West. A month after the talks in Turkey, Johnson visited the Ukrainian capital and urged Zelensky not to negotiate with Russia. According to the Ukrainska Pravda online newspaper, the erstwhile British PM also brought two simple messages during his April 2022 trip. First, Putin is a war criminal that should be pressured instead of negotiated with. Second, Ukraine's Western backers were not ready to sign a deal with Russia even though Kyiv itself was ready. Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said some countries that were part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) wanted to prolong the Russia-Ukraine war. "After the talks in Istanbul, we did not think that the war would take this long," he said. "But following the [April 2022] NATO foreign ministers' meeting, it was the impression that there are those within the NATO member states that want the war to continue and Russia [to get] weaker. They don't care much about the situation in Ukraine." (Related: RFK Jr. on Ukraine: Russia is fighting an EXISTENTIAL war and can't afford to lose.) Days after Cavusoglu made his remarks, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin admitted that one of Washington's goals in supporting Ukraine against Russia is to see Moscow "weakened." He told reporters while in Poland: "We want to see Russia weakened to the degree that it can't do the kinds of things that it has done in invading Ukraine." Visit WWIII.news for more stories about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Watch Russian President Vladimir Putin presenting a draft of a signed treaty between Russia and Ukraine something he alleges Kyiv threw away. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: US created the conditions for Russia-Ukraine war, says China. RFK Jr. nails it, exposes all the lies Americans are being told about Russias war in Ukraine. RFK Jr. is pro-Second Amendment, pro-First Amendment, anti-war and pro-border security. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com News.Antiwar.com State.gov Brighteon.com Canadian wildfire smoke continues to affect air quality in US cities Reports show that Canadian wildfire smoke continues to affect the U.S., which makes air quality reach unhealthy levels in major cities. Last week, the smoke from the Canadian wildfires affected the Midwest The smoke started moving into Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota earlier in the month, and the wind had carried high-altitude smoke south into cities like Oklahoma and all the way east into Pennsylvania and New York City. The thickest smoke from the Canadian wildfires stretched from southern Minnesota to Central Ohio. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-EAST weather satellite spotted the widespread smoke from space right between severe weather over the Gulf Coast states and a low-pressure system seen over the Great Lakes. There were also reports that hints of smoke were spotted in New Jersey and North Carolina. Plume Labs, an air quality company owned by AccuWeather, reported last week that air quality was at "very unhealthy" levels in Minneapolis. The air quality company also warned that health effects will be "immediately felt by sensitive groups and should avoid outdoor activity." Plume Labs also cautioned that even healthy people may "experience difficulty breathing and throat irritation." (Related: Smoke from Canadian wildfires darkens skies, triggers health warnings for millions.) The Chicago skyline was also obscured by haze on the morning of June 15, with air quality predicted to worsen as wildfire smoke is expected to drift over the Midwest. Experts warn that in the following weeks, unhealthy air quality levels may reach as far east as Cleveland. But conditions are not currently expected to be as extreme as areas farther west in northern Illinois and eastern Iowa. Experts expect a similar smoky scene for the Ohio Valley and Northeast as a whole, with most of the smoke remaining higher in the atmosphere. This will result in hazy conditions, but air quality could still reach "elevated levels that can be hazardous for sensitive groups." The high-altitude smoke will be more conducive for vivid sunsets, compared to the low-level smoke which is usually too thick for the colorful and smoky side effect. What to do as Canadian wildfire smoke moves across the US As smoke from wildfires in Canada continues to move into parts of America, millions of people in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and parts of the Southeast continue to receive air quality alerts of varying levels. According to reports, at least 13 states have issued air quality alerts due to the thick smoke and fine particles in the air which are dangerous to breathe. How to protect your family Always follow the advice of local officials regarding the air quality where you live and work. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), wildfire smoke is a hazardous combination of gases and fine particles that can make anyone sick. Those with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, pregnant women, children and responders are especially at risk. Breathing in the smoke can cause almost immediate effects that include: Asthma attacks Being tired Chest pain Coughing Difficulty breathing A fast heartbeat Headaches Irritated sinuses Runny nose Scratchy throat Stinging eyes Wheezing If your area is affected by Canadian wildfire smoke, try to keep the smoke outside. Keep all windows and doors closed. Choose one room that you can close off from outside air. Use fans and air conditioning to help your family stay cool. Set up a portable air cleaner or a filter to keep the air in the selected room clean even if its smoky in the rest of your home and outdoors. If you need more light in the room, avoid using candles. If you are going to cook, avoid using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves. Don't fry or broil meat. Avoid using fireplaces or aerosol sprays, and don't smoke tobacco products or vacuum. If you have a central air conditioning system in your home, use high-efficiency filters to capture fine particles from the smoke. And if your system has a fresh air intake, set the system to recirculate mode or close the outdoor intake damper. For rooms with a window air conditioner, check if the seal between it and the window is tight and try to close the outdoor air damper. For window air conditioning units, try running them on fan mode. This will not bring in outside air, but instead circulate the air inside your home. If you are driving on a stretch of road with poor air quality, set the air to recirculate. When dealing with poor air quality due to the aftermath of the Canadian wildfires, watch out for any adverse effects if you or someone at home has asthma or heart disease. Get medical help immediately if someone is feeling poorly. Watch the video below to see NYC covered in wildfire smoke from Canada. This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Canadian officials warn: Wildfire smoke spreading across North America could last all summer. Ways to keep indoor air clean when theres wildfire smoke in your area. Canadian wildfire smoke blocking sun, causing solar panels to produce 50% less energy. Sources include: AccuWeather.com RedCross.org Brighteon.com Former CNN producer sentenced to more than 19 YEARS behind bars for child sexual abuse A disgraced former producer for the fake news purveyor CNN has been sentenced to more than 19 years in prison for child sexual abuse. Erstwhile CNN producer John Griffin was sentenced to 19 years behind bars on June 20, alongside 15 years of supervised release. The 45-year-old Connecticut native confessed to coercing a woman online into bringing her nine-year-old daughter to Vermont for illicit sexual acts. Prior to his conviction, Griffin was a producer for CNN senior political analyst John Avlon and had worked for the fake news network for about eight years. Following charges filed by a federal grand jury in the Green Mountain State, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Griffin in December 2021. CNN terminated him a day after his arrest. According to a December 2021 press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont, Griffin allegedly met a mother of two on a website in the summer of 2020. He wired $3,000 for plane tickets for her and her nine-year-old daughter, and the pair then flew from Nevada to Boston in July 2020. Griffin picked up both from the airport and drove them to his home in Ludlow, Vermont and proceeded to conduct unlawful sexual activity with the girl. Aside from this, Griffin also utilized the Google Hangouts and Kik messaging apps to entice parents of underage daughters. In April 2020, he proposed a "virtual training session" to a mother and her 14-year-old daughter involving incestuous activity. In June of the same year, Griffin proposed to a mother of a 16-year-old daughter that the two take a "little mother-daughter trip" to Vermont so that he could provide "sexual training" to her child. Griffin slapped with severe penalty for "outrageous" conduct Federal prosecutors charged Griffin with three counts of using a facility of interstate commerce to attempt to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity. He had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, but later entered into a plea agreement in December 2021. Because of this plea bargain, the government dropped two additional charges of enticing a minor after he confessed his crimes. Court filings disclosed that the mother of the girl Griffin sexually assaulted in July 2020 was arrested by authorities a month later. Federal authorities seized the former CNN producer's devices in September 2020. The confiscated equipment include computer storage media, devices, phones, cameras, MicroSD cards, images and video. Per a June 21 press release, U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions III sentenced Griffin to 235 months in prison more than 19 years. Once Griffin serves his prison term, it will be followed by 15 years of supervised release. The magistrate also ordered the convicted child abuser to pay approximately $1.1 million dollars in restitution to the victim, and to forfeit the Tesla electric vehicle used to pick up the victim and her mother in June 2020. Sessions defended his decision, describing Griffin's conduct as "outrageous." According to the judge, such conduct warranted a severe penalty almost 20 years behind bars, in the former CNN producer's case. (Related: Pedophile who raped multiple children avoids prison after he tells 'woke' judge that hes transgender Judge rules it would be 'too difficult to cope with.') According to local Vermont channel WCAX 3, 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." He is also barred from being in areas "where children congregate, such as schools, playgrounds and theme parks unless approved by the probation office beforehand." Visit Psycho.news for more stories about child sex abusers like John Griffin. Watch this report by InfoWars founder Alex Jones about John Griffin's 2021 arrest. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: TikTok becoming a platform for child sexual exploitation. Gay pedophile couple adopted boys just to make child pornography. Child rapist and murderer lauded as 'feminist' and 'advocate' for LGBTQ Rights. Pro-pedo California releases child rapists, puts perverts back on the street to molest again. Reddit joins Twitter in protecting pedophiles who post exploitative depictions of young children. Sources include: ThePostMillennial.com Justice.gov 1 Justice.gov 2 WCAX.com Brighteon.com Lebanon officials have yet to identify, as required by state law, a public place where unhoused individuals can rest. With new protections for those without shelter set to take effect July 1, a major booster in Lebanons medical school has offered property. Lebanons elected leaders held off on selecting a site in May after constituents choked a city hearing. In an unusual 1 hours of testimony, commenters said they were scared and pushed back against staff proposals to designate a location on Division Street, behind strip mall Lebanon Plaza in the citys south. Staff struck potential sites from their list, including the citys public works compound on West Oak Street, the wastewater treatment plant on Tennessee Road and the Division location. Lebanon City Council will consider eight other options at a special meeting June 28. Cities across Oregon are attempting to return power to local police to remove people from sidewalks and parks after federal courts found criminalizing sleep is cruel and unusual punishment. The decision out of Idaho in 2019 sets the federal stance for all western states in the U.S. Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit: Police cant arrest someone for violating an anti-camping rule if there is no place for that person to sleep. When the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case, the ruling became the rule of law across the sprawling Ninth Circuit. An Oregon law passed in 2021 codifies the federal decision, requiring cities to consider all community members, including those without housing, in policies dictating usage of parks and sidewalks. That means cities must provide the public with a place where people can shelter from the elements or sleep. If no public sleeping site is specifically designated, then every public space effectively is a sleeping site. Lebanon is considering sidewalks and lawns in front of city buildings for a place that people could sleep in overnight. The city proposal does not include a plan to staff a site, but Lebanon employees would lay down bark mulch and pick up trash after closing the site each morning at 7 a.m. Lebanon staff would furnish a sleeping site with a portable toilet and handwashing station for about $3,600 each year. Jeff Heatherington, the CEO of a defunct Portland-area Medicaid provider, offered city use of a lot on East Grant Street near where Western University of Health Sciences intends to expand the schools Lebanon campus. Heatherington forwarded an expected $22.5 million payout from Oregon over the next four years to Western for expansion of COMP College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Northwest. FamilyCare Inc. sued the state health department, alleging Oregon Health Authority put the provider out of business as a designated coordinated care organization, acting as an insurer for Oregon Health Plan recipients. Heatheringtons company dropped its claim ahead of a trial in March 2022. A longtime school booster and trustee who helped bring COMP to Lebanon, Heatherington put the school on track to expand onto a former Weyerhaeuser mill site. A Portland nonprofit listing Heatherington as its principal officer bought the 145-acre property in 2018 where, he said, he hopes Western will expand its campus. Until the school expands, Lebanon could clear blackberry and level the Grant site where the city would also need an estimated $5,000 in liability insurance. Related stories: Hunter Biden pleads guilty to a trio of minor crimes, but the probes into his corruption continue Hunter Biden agreed to cop a plea with his daddy's "Justice" Department this week, agreeing to plead guilty to three minor offenses in order to make it seem like he's 'no different' than any other citizen. The plea deal will have immediate reverberations in the 2024 presidential election. Hunter Biden will plead guilty to two federal tax misdemeanors and one charge tied to gun possession, according to the filing in a federal court in Delaware. He will appear in court to plead guilty to the charges at a future date, CNN reported Tuesday morning, June 20. The outlet added: 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 for the years 2017 and 2018, according to sources. Hunter Biden owed at least $100,000 in federal taxes for 2017, and at least $100,000 in 2018, but did not pay what was due to the Internal Revenue Service by the deadlines. A judge will have the final say on any sentence. Bidens attorney, Christopher Clark, said in a statement that the deal with federal prosecutors will resolve the Justice Departments long-running criminal probe into the presidents son. Hunter will take responsibility for two instances of misdemeanor failure to file tax payments when due pursuant to a plea agreement, Clark 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 that doesn't appear to be factual. For one, the U.S. attorney in Delaware who had been investigating the allegations against Hunter, David Weiss, said nothing is "over" yet, according to Newsmax. "Hunter Biden is charged with two violations of failure to pay income tax and one violation of unlawful possession of a firearm by a person prohibited. If convicted, he 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. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors," said a statement from Weiss, adding: "The investigation is ongoing." Also, Republicans countered that their probes into Biden family business corruption would continue as well. Lets be clear: the Department of Justices charges against President Bidens son Hunter reveals a two-tiered system of justice, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said after news of the plea deal broke. 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. 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, he noted further. In a tweet along with his statement, Comer said Biden was merely getting a slap on the wrist in light of other, substantially more serious allegations. 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 tweeted. ??? 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. Read my full statement.? pic.twitter.com/9swtTaUUQu Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) June 20, 2023 Sources include: Newsmax.com CNN.com The party of ugly contempt: New study confirms previous research showing that liberals are statistically uglier and unhappier than conservatives (and more mentally disturbed) We have seen multiple different research studies showing differences between Democrats/liberals and Republicans/conservatives. Another study has just been released which provides further proof that liberals are literally miserable people. (Article by Susan Duclos republished from AllNewsPipeline.com) A quick flashback into the previous research before delving into the report recently released which confirms many of the findings from the other studies. White women, ages 18-29, who identified as liberal were given a mental health diagnosis from medical professionals at a rate of 56.3%, as compared to 28.4% in moderates and 27.3% in conservatives. - Source The study, which examined white liberals, moderates, and conservatives, both male and female, found that conservatives were far less likely to be diagnosed with mental health issues than those who identified as either liberal or even very liberal. People who are married statistically are wealthier, have higher rates of happiness and fulfillment, and even have better health than their single, divorced, or cohabitating counterparts. - Source Only 37% of liberals are married, while 56% of conservatives are married. - Source Related: Young Liberal Women Are Statistically The Unhappiest And Most Mentally Ill Demographic In America Some key points from Survey Center on American Life, from a piece titled "The Despair of Young Liberal Women." Compared to conservatives, liberals are less inclined to prioritize activities that are strongly associated with personal fulfillment. Over the past 20 years, liberals have become less closely connected to religious organizations and churches. Only 35 percent of liberals report being a member of a church or place of worship. Marriage rates among liberals have also declined precipitously. Only 37 percent of liberals are currently married, compared to 56 percent of conservatives. THE PARTY OF 'UGLY' CONTEMPT The above image was a meme that has been going around for years, possibly decades, comparing the looks of liberal women and conservative women, and now, according to a new study published by Scientific Reports, that question has been answered. Scientists in Denmark used machine algorithms on images of politicians, male and female, to see how accurately the machines could identify the political ideology of the person in the image, just by their faces. First off the photographs used were provided to the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) for use in public communication by the candidates themselves, so no human "choice" was involved. In other words, researchers did not pick and choose for desired results. The final data set, after exclusions of politicians not be classified as left wing or right wing and those with beards because they can hide facial expressions. They also excluded photos of candidates who did not appear to be of European ethnic origin. "The reason for this exclusion was that candidates of non-European origin, while easy to visually identify, were 2.5 times more likely to be representing left-wing parties." The accuracy of the predictions were 61%. To predict facial attractiveness scores for our sample we use the publicly-available SCUT-FBP5500 dataset (https://github.com/HCIILAB/SCUT-FBP5500-Database-Release). This dataset consists of 5500 faces rated by 60 raters using a beauty score ranging from 04. (Scoring attractiveness as the average value from multiple raters is commonly employed in political science studies on facial attractiveness.. The conclusion, succinctly summarized by PsyPost, finds that "Faces of right-wing politicians were more likely to have happy and less likely to have neutral facial expressions. Women with attractive faces were more likely to be right-wing, while women whose faces showed contempt were more likely to be left-wing." Read more at: AllNewsPipeline.com In an initiative led by the World Economic Forum (WEF), certain factions within the United Nations (UN) are advocating for the adoption of digital IDs that are linked to bank accounts, a proposal that has been criticized as a "chilling" attack on freedom and privacy. These proposals emerged within three policy briefs that are part of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' vision called "Our Common Agenda," which pursues further global cooperation during his tenure as the head of the UN. Guterres' vision for the future will be discussed and potentially approved during the UN-led "Summit for the Future," scheduled for September 2024. Proponents of these proposals claim that digital IDs linked with banks or mobile money accounts can improve the delivery of social protection coverage and better reach eligible beneficiaries. They also note that digital technologies may help reduce leakage, errors and costs in the design of social protection programs. However, critics are not buying their explanations. They know it's an attempt to control the population. (Related: Mark of the beast? UN rolls out biometric digital ID wallet and passport.) Privacy experts worry about the proposal's possible overreach In a world where digitalization has become increasingly prominent, nearly one billion people are without any official proof of identity, leaving them unable to access vital public and private services. The UN's proposed future global financial system is intended to align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It would be governed by a yet-to-be-established "apex body." Key actors in this system would include the UN Secretary-General, the Group of 20 bloc, the UN Economic and Social Council and heads of international financial institutions. Digital ID encompasses both physical and digital artifacts associated with an individual, as well as the process of ensuring credibility and trust. Various forms of digital ID exist, from functional IDs like driver's licenses to foundational IDs such as passports or national ID cards, providing proof of identity and enabling access to services. Similar to the WEF's approach, the UN aims to regulate the global digital future and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and multiple stakeholders in shaping the principles, objectives and actions governing this future. They aspire to create an open, free, secure and human-centered digital environment. However, critics believe that such a digital future, as envisioned by both formal and informal groups like the UN and the WEF, may not be as open, free or human-centered as claimed. Critics argue that the increasing centralization and regulation of digital systems could infringe upon privacy, civil liberties and individual autonomy. They warn that any negative impact from this scheme would not be evenly distributed but could disproportionately affect civil society or specific groups excluded from social benefits. Visit PrivacyWatch.news for more stories about the dangers of digital surveillance systems. Watch this video that talks about the UN's push for the digital ID system. This video is from the World Alternative Media channel on Brighteon.com. New Arcturus strain of COVID-19 RESISTS antibodies, spreads rapidly across many countries The new XBB.1.16 strain of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), which descended from the B11529 omicron variant, appears to resist antibodies and can spread more rapidly compared to its predecessors. XBB.1.16, also known as the Arcturus strain, originated from the omicron variant first identified in South Africa in November 2021. Omicron has undergone multiple mutations since its identification, giving rise to several descendant strains. Arcturus is currently the dominant COVID-19 strain in different countries including the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Singapore, China and India. People who get infected with Arcturus commonly suffer from symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, diarrhea, fatigue, shortness of breath and conjunctivitis the latter commonly known as pink eye. Children infected with this COVID-19 strain may experience fever, cough and pink eye symptoms not commonly seen during the previous stages of the pandemic. According to a study published in Lancet Infectious Diseases in May of this year, Arcturus demonstrates an ability to dominate other circulating COVID-19 variants and evade the immune system compared to the earlier XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 strains. The study authors from Japan also found that the new variant demonstrates potent resistance to various antibodies raising concerns about its global risks. The Arcturus variant has been under observation since April 2023. According to the Central Epidemic Command Center, an agency under the Taiwanese National Health Command Center, Arcturus and other SARS-CoV-2 strains under the XBB lineage accounted for 77 percent of all COVID-19 variants. Moreover, the center said Arcturus infections showed a four percent increase in April. Monoclonal antibodies no longer work against Arcturus strain Based on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Arcturus strain has accounted for approximately 18 percent of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. as of June 9. While the variant is believed to be more transmissible, American experts say they do not anticipate another surge in COVID-19 cases in the country. According to a recent study by the public health agency, almost all Americans possessed immunity against COVID-19 last fall. Of the 96 percent of Americans aged 16 and up with immunity, about 23 percent had it from a previous infection while 26 percent obtained it from the COVID-19 vaccines. Almost 48 percent had hybrid immunity the combination of protection from vaccination and infection. American virology expert Dr. Lin Xiaoxu said in a statement that individuals previously infected with the initial stages of the omicron variant may have other antibodies that could still be effective against the current variant. However, he also noted Arcturus' significant ability to resist multiple antibodies. According to the Epoch Times, monoclonal antibodies once effective against the XBB lineage have now lost their broad efficacy. This indicated that the virus' evolution has surpassed the progress of existing vaccines.(Related: New "Omicron" variant so far detected ONLY in the "fully vaccinated.") All hope is not lost, however, as Lin recommended the use of ivermectin to prevent Arcturus. According to him, ivermectin much maligned by the mainstream medical establishment helps reduce the chances of infection. Data from India showed that the anti-parasitic drug reduces COVID-19 infection rates among health care workers. Lin recounted that ivermectin was not promoted initially due to commercial interests favoring the COVID-19 vaccines. However, the affordable medication is also becoming more and more recognized in preventing and treating COVID-19 regardless of what strain causes it. Pandemic.news has more stories about COVID-19 and its different variants that circulate. Watch this clip explaining how the XBB 1.5 variant is more likely to infect fully vaccinated persons. This video is from the AxeTruth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Omicron variant may protect against delta, new study finds. Fauci says covid jabs are being "tweaked" to stop Omicron variant... but they never stopped any other variant to begin with. If you look at the facts, 'Omicron variant' hype is ridiculous and staged for leftist implementation of more control. Omicron variant spreading faster in highly vaccinated states like New York and New Jersey. WHO: Omicron variant could spell end of pandemic in Europe. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com TheLancet.com USNews.com Brighteon.com Biden regime knew in January of 2021 that jabs didnt stop covid, emails show Emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request show that fake president Joe Biden and his regime were well aware of the fact that Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) "vaccines" do not stop the disease almost immediately after they were unleashed by the Trump administration through Operation Warp Speed. Outgoing director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Rochelle Walensky, along with former National Institutes of Health (NIH) director Francis Collins, discussed "breakthrough cases" of covid in January 2021. This was right when the jabs were being rolled out to the public. "Breakthrough cases," by the way, is the government's deceptive way of saying that the jabs don't work. Walensky admitted to this in the email correspondences, despite just recently claiming in a hearing before Congress that she had no idea the shots were useless until way later in the "pandemic." "I had a call with Francis Collins this morning and one of the issues we discussed was that of vaccine breakthroughs," Walensky wrote in a January 2021 email. "This is clearly an important area of study." (Related: Is Operation Warp Speed the worst genocidal atrocity in world history?) Walensky, Fauci and Collins all belong in prison for crimes against humanity It was apparently not that important of an area to study after all, though, since absolutely nothing happened after that to get to the bottom of the issue. In fact, Walensky, Collins, and the rest of the Biden regime proceeded to go after anyone who dared question the alleged "safety and effectiveness" of the injections. As we all remember, Big Tech, at the direction of the federal government, proceeded to censor, silence, de-platform, and otherwise destroy people's lives for trying to tell the truth online about covid injections, which cause and spread more disease. Two months after Walensky discussed vaccine breakthroughs via email, she was out in the public eye claiming that "fully vaccinated" people "don't carry the virus" and "don't get sick." In other words, Walensky lied to the American people while quietly admitting internally that something was amiss. During her hearing before Congress, Walensky lied again when pressed about the matter by claiming that she did not know in early 2021 that the jabs were a failure at keeping people safe and healthy. This is known as perjury, and Walensky is guilty of it on at least two accounts. "Turns out Walensky even knew about the breakthroughs weeks earlier," commented Dr. Houman Hemmati, a vocal critic of the government's response to the fake pandemic, in disgust. "Nancy and I discussed this briefly a few weeks ago and I understand [redacted]." Not to be left out of the conversation just because he quietly disappeared is former National Institutes for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) head Tony Fauci, who likewise admitted in emails that fully jabbed people were still getting sick and spreading disease. "Should we discuss?" Fauci asked of Collins in the January 2021 discourse. "What is the best next step forward?" None of this is all that shocking considering who these people are and what they have done throughout their careers. While most of the country had never even heard of these people prior to covid, it became really clear really quickly that they were not telling the truth from the very beginning. "We knew because we had eyes and brains," said Bob Hoge of RedState about the matter. "This latest email is just further proof that they were knowingly spreading misinformation the entire time." Keenly aware Americans knew from the moment Donald Trump announced that covid jabs were being unleashed through Operation Warp Speed not to take them. Learn more at VaccineWars.com. Sources for this article include: RedState.com Newstarget.com BlackRock recruiter claims war is good for business, says asset management giant decides peoples fate A recruiter for asset management behemoth BlackRock has made some startling admissions about how the company operates, why it operates the way it does, and how much global influence it really has. In its latest undercover sting, the media organization founded by former Project Veritas principal James O'Keefe "published a new story focusing on perhaps [his] most powerful investigative subject to date, BlackRock Inc.," said a post by O'Keefe Media Group, also known as OMG. The recorded video showcases Serge Varlay, a recruiter from BlackRock, who reveals in approximately seven minutes of captivating undercover footage how BlackRock holds the ability to exert influence on a global scale. The footage was clandestinely filmed during a series of meetings in New York by one of the skilled undercover journalists from OMG News, the report says. BlackRock Inc, the world's largest asset management company, has garnered increased attention recently due to its substantial acquisitions. In a revealing statement, Varlay acknowledges that BlackRock finds it advantageous to operate when "people aren't thinking about it" and prefers to remain inconspicuous, away from the public radar. Varlay told our journalist that BlackRock manages $20 trillion dollars worldwide, leading him to say, Its incomprehensible numbers. In addition, it has over $9.5 trillion of assets under management, which is more than the GDP of all countries on the globe except the US and China. What he said about the ease at which U.S. lawmakers can be bought (and presumably sold) is incredibly low. "You can take this big f*** ton of money and buy people, I work for a company called BlackRockIts not who is the president its who is controlling the wallet of the president. You could buy your candidates. First, there is the senators; these guys are f**kin cheap. Got 10 grand you can buy a senator. Ill give you 500k right now, it doesnt matter who wins theyre in my pocket," Varlay claimed. Varlay doesnt stop there. According to OMG, he went on to describe what people in his line of work think about the tragedies related to war, to which he said: [It's] real f**king good for business." "Ukraine is good for business, you know that right? Russia blows up Ukraines grain silos and the price of wheat is going to go mad up. The Ukrainian economy is the wheat market. The price of bread goes up, this is fantastic if youre trading. Volatility creates opportunity for profit," he added. He also said its exciting when s*** goes wrong. BlackRock is a global investment management firm headquartered in New York City. The company was founded in 1988 by a group of entrepreneurs led by Larry Fink, who still serves as the CEO. BlackRock's success is driven by its focus on risk management, technology, and innovation. The company's investment approach is based on the belief that risk and return are closely related, and that active management can add value over time. BlackRock's investment teams use a range of quantitative and qualitative tools to identify opportunities and manage risk. The company's Aladdin platform, which was developed in-house, is a key part of its technology infrastructure. Aladdin is an integrated platform that provides real-time risk analytics, portfolio management, and trading tools to BlackRock's investment teams and clients. In recent years, BlackRock has faced criticism from some quarters over its role in the global financial system. The company's size and influence have led some to question whether it has become too powerful, and whether it poses a systemic risk to the financial system. BlackRock has responded to these concerns by emphasizing its commitment to risk management and its role as a responsible steward of its clients' assets. These people are evil. Sources include: OkeefeMediaGroup.com CNBC.com Study reveals how CANCERS in multiple organs alter liver function Investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) found that cancers often release molecules into the bloodstream, causing fat buildup pathologically shifting the liver into an inflammatory state and impairing its normal detoxifying functions Their discovery sheds light on one of cancers more stealthy survival mechanisms and suggests potential approaches for detecting and reversing this process. How distant tumors impact liver function In a study published in the journal Nature, WCM researchers found that a wide variety of tumor types growing outside the liver remotely reprogram this vital organ and gland to a state resembling fatty liver disease via secretion of extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs) containing fatty acids. The scientists found evidence of this process in animal models of cancer and in the livers of human cancer patients. "Our findings show that tumors can lead to significant systemic complications, including liver disease, but also suggest that these complications can be addressed with future treatments," said study co-senior author Dr. David Lyden, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at WCM. For the past two decades, Lyden and his research group have been studying the systemic effects of cancers, including how cancers secure their survival and speed their progression. In their work published in the journal Nature Cell Biology, the team discovered that pancreatic cancers secrete molecules encapsulated in extracellular vesicles, which travel through the bloodstream, are taken up by the liver and prepare the organ to support the outgrowth of new, metastatic tumors. During metastasis, cancer cells break away from the original (primary) tumor, travel through the blood or lymph system, and form a new tumor in other organs or tissues of the body. The new, metastatic tumor is the same type of cancer as the primary tumor. In the new study, the researchers uncovered a different set of liver changes caused by distant cancer cells they observed in animal models of bone, skin and breast cancer that metastasize to other organs but not to the liver. The studys key finding is that these tumors induce the accumulation of fat molecules in liver cells, consequently reprogramming the liver in a way that resembles the obesity- and alcohol-related condition known as fatty liver disease. The team also observed that reprogrammed livers have high levels of inflammation, marked by elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) an inflammatory cytokine produced by macrophages/monocytes during acute inflammation and low levels of drug-metabolizing enzymes called cytochrome P450, which break down potentially toxic molecules, including many drug molecules. The observed reduction in cytochrome P450 levels could explain why cancer patients often become less tolerant of chemotherapy and other drugs as their illness progresses. The researchers traced this liver reprogramming to extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs) that are released by distant tumors and carry fatty acids, especially palmitic acid. When taken up by liver-resident immune cells called Kupffer cells, the fatty acid cargo triggers the production of TNF-a, which consequently drives fatty liver formation. Although the researchers principally used animal models of cancers in the study, they observed similar changes in the livers of newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients who later developed non-liver metastases. "One of our more striking observations was that this EVP-induced fatty liver condition did not co-occur with liver metastases. This suggests that causing fatty liver and preparing the liver for metastasis are distinct strategies that cancers use to manipulate liver function, said co-first authors Dr. Gang Wang and Dr. Jianlong Li in the Lyden laboratory. The scientists suspect that the fatty liver condition benefits cancers, in part by turning the liver into a lipid-based source of energy to fuel cancer growth. "We see in liver cells not only an abnormal accumulation of fat, but also a shift away from the normal processing of lipids or fatty compounds so that the lipids that are being produced are more advantageous to cancer, said co-senior author Dr. Robert Schwartz, a hepatologist at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and associate professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at WCM. That may not be the only benefit that cancers derive from this liver alteration. "There are also crucial molecules involved in immune cell function, but their production is altered in these fatty livers, hinting that this condition may also weaken anti-tumor immunity," said co-senior author Dr. Haiying Zhang, assistant professor of cell and developmental biology in pediatrics at WCM. To mitigate these systemic effects of tumors on the liver, the researchers implemented strategies, such as Blocking tumor-EVP release Inhibiting the packaging of palmitic acid into tumor EVPs Suppressing TNF-a activity Eliminating Kupffer cells in the experimental animal models The researchers are further investigating the potential of implementing these strategies in human patients to block these remote effects of tumors on the liver. (Related: Top 4 ways to improve liver function.) They are also now exploring the possibility of using the detection of palmitic acid in tumor EVPs circulating in the blood as a potential warning sign of advanced cancer. Visit Cancer.news for more stories like this. Watch this video about the signs of have a FATTY LIVER. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Study: Eating BROCCOLI can protect against LIVER CANCER and fatty liver. Ajwa dates preserve liver function in cancer patients. Ten alternative plants that cleanse the liver, Part I. Ten alternative plants that cleanse the liver, Part II. Sources include: NaturalHealth365.com MeyerCancer.Weill.Cornell.edu Nature.com 1 Nature.com 2 Brighteon.com Indian-born CEOs flying back to homeland to evade potential charges linked to H-1B visa lottery fraud Indian-born CEOs are closing shop and flying back to their country of birth to escape potential fraud charges linked to the annual H-1B visa lotteries. Texas immigration lawyer Rahul Reddy, who represents many Indian-owned subcontractors and visa workers, disclosed this fact during an online question and answer (Q&A) session with graduates from India. He shared: "[The CEOs] are getting prosecuted and investigated. That's the reason why some of them are packing their bags and closing their companies." The graduates in the Q&A session were worried about federal probes into the H-1B visa fraud in the annual lottery for 85,000 new work permits. These permits are used to import Indians willing to take jobs for American college graduates at a lower wage. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant work visa that allows American employers to hire foreign workers with specialized skills to work in the U.S. for a specific period of time. H-1B visa holders typically fill roles that require a bachelor's degree or equivalent in fields such as technology, finance, engineering and architecture. (Related: While tech companies demand amnesty for cheap workers, they are laying off tens of thousands of U.S. employees.) According to Breitbart, many Indian graduates from Indian colleges willingly participate in the fraudulent scheme as the H-1B visas put them on a long, indentured service path to U.S. jobs, green cards and citizenship. But other Indian graduates that come from U.S. colleges oppose the fraud as it hinders their three legal chances to convert their Optional Practical Training (OPT) work permits into H-1B visas. One Indian graduate from the Midwest who gave his name as Manohar told the news outlet: "This is the most important point. Graduates here are working on STEM OPT. They are in their final or penultimate attempt [to win the H-1B lottery] and a legitimate employer employs them. They are the ones who are affected." Manohar also divulged that he knows people around him engaging in the scheme, most of them on their last year of their STEM OPT. He added: "They applied to the legitimate employer where they are employed and submitted another five, six applications through a consultancy [labor broker]. So they got a [fake] job offer [needed to apply for the lottery], which they know is bogus, and everyone knows it is bogus. DHS turning a blind eye to H-1B visa lottery fraud reports Manohar told Breitbart he and at least 500 others on a subreddit group have been reporting these H-1B visa lottery fraud cases to the federal government. He unfortunately lamented: "They said theyre investigating them, but there has been no update whatsoever." Top officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have reportedly been aware of the visa lottery fraud since 2021. Even U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an office under the DHS, knows of the fraudulent activity. However, officials in the department say little about the matter. "USCIS is committed to preventing abuse of the H-1B registration process, by undertaking extensive fraud investigations and referrals for criminal prosecution," the office tweeted. "Only those who follow the law are eligible to file an H-1B cap petition." However, Atlanta lawyer Charles Kuck begged to differ. He told Breitbart in 2021: "There is literally no follow-up to fake filings that we can ascertain, and no effort is made by [DHS to] weed out folks who have filed multiple applications with multiple employers." The news outlet ultimately remarked that Washington's silence over the H-1B visa fraud is "a diplomatic concession" for Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi. The Indian leader strongly backs the H-1B program because it steers vast wealth to his country and his people, at the expense of Americans. More related stories can be found at Migrants.news. Watch this video discussing the alien invasion by means of H-1B visas and other issues. This video is from the Terral03.com channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Facebook hires Chinese communists with H-1B visas to build "hate speech" algorithms to censor Americans. Democrats' massive $3.5T "budget reconciliation" bill includes mass amnesty for illegals, which is why they are allowing border to remain wide open. Justice Department sues Facebook for hiring immigrants over qualified Americans. Sources include: YourNews.com Boundless.com Breitbart.com Brighteon.com Mary Fanning: Obama admin handed US ports to foreign firms, including one linked to Saddam associate Brighteon.TV Investigative journalist Mary Fanning denounced the Obama administration for handing over U.S. ports to foreign companies including one linked to an associate of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. She disclosed this to Ann Vandersteel on the June 19 episode of "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel" on Brighteon.TV. The Zelenko Freedom Foundation co-chair responded by saying that foreign corporations, entities and countries that do not have Americans' best intentions at heart are taking over U.S. ports. Vandersteel then asked his guest about Gulftainer, which Fanning swiftly denounced. According to the investigative journalist, former President Barack Obama and his vice president incumbent President Joe Biden "brought America to the gates of hell" with their deals with the United Arab Emirates-based port operator. "What they did was they brought Gulftainer inside [and] gave them leases to our ports," Fanning said. They gave [Gulftainer] a 35-year lease to have the cargo container operations at Port Canaveral. They also gave [Gulftainer] a 50-year lease to the Port of Wilmington -- to the entire port, not just a cargo container operation." Fanning and Alan Jones wrote in a June 10 article for the American Report that Gulftainer was kicked out of the Port of Wilmington in Delaware. The company's expulsion at the port followed its 2018 signing of a 50-year lease there. Delaware paper News Journal claimed that Gulftainer was kicked out because it "did not deliver on job promises and expansion plans in its almost five years of operating the port." According to Fanning, Obama and Biden made use of the Department of Transportation's Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants to pay Gulftainer for its Port Canaveral operations. However, the use of these grants allowed the president and vice-president to bypass the review conducted by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review, which serves as a national security threat analysis. Gulftainer's Port Canaveral terminal is located 1,000 feet from the U.S. Navy's Trident Submarine Turning Basin. Gulftainer's owner is the brother of Iraqi nuclear program mastermind Fanning said Gulftainer is led by Hamid Dhia Jafar. Incidentally, his brother and business partner Jafar Dhia Jafar served as the mastermind of the Iraqi leader's nuclear program. Jafar Dhia also ran Iraq's intelligence operations, including a terrorist unit of about 35,000 equal to the size of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Vandersteel noted that even though Washington had taken out Hussein, it had brought in Gulftainer despite its links with Jafar Dhia. The latter was reportedly on the Department of Defense's list of wanted individual. "They knew exactly who this man was. They brought him inside the wire. He also was on tapes that we captured in Iraq," Fanning told Vandersteel. "In those tapes, Saddam and his cabinet which included Jafar Dhia were heard to be talking about putting a nuclear weapon into Washington, D.C. that did not have our fingerprints on it so we wouldn't be able to track it." Aside from this, the investigative journalist said Hamid had other companies in their ownership. The Gulftainer owner had also been under investigation by three congressional committees for funding Hussein and Jafar Dhia's weapons of mass destruction via the oil for food program. Fanning also disclosed that Gulftainer set up a joint venture with two Russian state-owned firms Rostec and Rosoboronexport for the export of a Trojan Horse Club-K. The Club-K weapon system opens up via satellite and has a 10-year shelf life. (Related: China thought to be hiding ballistic missiles in shipping containers aboard cargo vessels so Beijing can launch surprise attack anywhere in the world.) The weapons system can launch biological, chemical and nuclear weapons as part of its standard payload. Moreover, the Club-K can also launch hypersonic or EMP weapons. More similar stories can be found at NationalSecurity.news. Watch the June 19 episode of "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel" below. "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel" airs weekdays at 8-8:30 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related articles: EXCLUSIVE: Mexican drug cartels to launch terror attacks inside U.S., warns federal intel. Inviting terrorism: Number of terrorists being caught at U.S.-Mexico border is increasing, thanks to Bidens policies. Counterterrorism analyst urges border states to shut down ILLEGAL ALIEN INVASION facilitated by the federal government. Sources include: Brighteon.com TheAmericanReport.org PRIDE perverts declare free speech to be unsafe, but mutilating children is affirming A scandal erupted this week in Grand Rapids, Mich., after a news manager atwrote a memorandum to staff stating that there are two differing views on LGBT Pride in the local community. Since LGBT cultists are only tolerant of their own viewpoints this statement triggered ire among the protected group, prompting station owner Nexstar, the largest owner of television stations in the United States, to issue an apology stating that the both-sides memo is "not consistent with Nexstar's values, the way we cover the news or the respect we have for our viewers." In other words, only one side of the issue, the pro side, is to be allowed. This is how Nexstar is choosing to show "respect" for the community or some members of the community, anyway. (Related: Are Pride perverts a threat to public health? The CDC says they are, warning that so-called monkeypox could spread at Pride events this month.) LGBTs aren't interested in conversation, just conversion One of the loudest and most powerful enforcers of LGBT Pride is GLAAD, also known as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The group recently released a "Safety Index" via the Associated Press (AP) ranking social media companies based on their compliance with censorship. The headline of the badly disguised press release reads: "Twitter is the worst major social media platform when it comes to LGBTQ+ safety, says GLAAD." We know this headline was run because of Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter and his promise to make it freer speech-friendly (spoiler alert: Twitter is still pretty much the same as it was before Musk with a few exceptions, including the allowance of discussions, at least). Here is what AP reporter and publicist Barbara Ortutay tweeted about the views of GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis: "Twitter is largely a cesspool now. You can't post without getting attacked. There's no room for conversation. It is just about hand-to-hand combat." Ellis described Twitter's allowance of multiple viewpoints to be expressed in the platform as "backyard dogfights," demonstrating how LGBT cultists view free speech that goes against their dogma. "'Cesspool' is a code word for 'not censored enough,'" expressed mrcNewsBusters' Tim Graham about what Ellis really meant with this choice of word. "Sarah Kate Ellis is not interested in 'conversation,' only conversion. GLAAD's publicly stated goal is 'accelerating acceptance,' and they prefer accelerating it by squashing all contrary opinions." It is abundantly clear that GLAAD is upset that Musk dissolved Twitter's "trust and safety council," which was really just a censorship patrol that the group used to wield its power. "Elon Musk has turned Twitter into a weapon against the LGBTQ community," complained Ellis on MSNBC on June 17. "He leads the charge," she added, further whining that Twitter under Musk took away the "safety precautions" that were in place to prevent users from "misgendering" transgenders. "Using pronouns other than what someone prefers is a common way to bully trans people," further complained NBC reporter and publicist David Ingram in another story blasting Twitter under Musk. WOOD-TV and Nexstar clearly want to avoid upsetting GLAAD and other LGBT cultist groups because they are used to the Pride patrol bullying and punishing anyone who dares to defy their doctrines but the status quo is shifting some with Twitter's change in direction, which could spread to other platforms as well. "The censors at GLAAD are in the business of bullying, starting with the usual method that these verbal slights spur suicide attempts," Graham added. "Since Twitter is failing to enforce GLAAD's standards, they are demanding the government get involved in some heavy-handed content moderation. When the private 'safety' enforcers can't censor people, it's time for federal intervention." The latest news about LGBT Pride can be found at Evil.news. Sources include: NewsBusters.org Newstarget.com Reconstruction bank set up by globalist financiers to help Ukraine secure more than $411bn needed to rebuild A reconstruction bank has reportedly been set up by BlackRock and JP Morgan Chase to help the Ukrainian government rebuild its country when the conflict with Russia ends. It is estimated that it will cost Ukraine at least $411 billion to rebuild, an amount that continues to rise each day as the conflict rages on. The Ukrainian government contacted BlackRock late last year to find out how they could attract investments, and JP Morgan joined the efforts in February. Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had been working with Black Rock and JP Morgan Chase as well as consultants from McKinsey. The relationship between JP Morgan and Ukraine has existed for some time, with the financial institution assisting Ukraine in raising more than $25 billion of sovereign debt since 2010. Known as the Ukraine Development Fund, the reconstruction bank is still in its planning stages and will not be launched until the hostilities with Russia come to a close. However, investors were given a preview of the efforts at a conference this week. Although no specific fundraising goals have been announced, insiders report that the fund hopes to raise low-cost capital from international financial institutions, governments and donors that can be leveraged to attract significant private investments. Both JP Morgan and BlackRock will be donating their services with a view to getting early insight into potential investments in the country. The financial institutions discovered in consultations that there is interest among public and private investors in helping Ukraine but many have reservations about the country's shallow capital markets, governance and lack of transparency, as well as war losses. BlackRock advised Ukraine that a development finance bank should be established to identify opportunities for investment in sectors such as climate, agriculture and infrastructure in hopes of attracting long-term investors such as pension funds. One of the reasons JP Morgan was brought in was for its expertise in debt. BlackRocks Financial Markets Advisory Co-Head Brandon Hall told Financial Times: Our view is that if you have a strong governance structure and an internationally credible set of stakeholders who are in the leadership position in this fund, then that will rgo a long way. US, UK and other allies have pledged billions of dollars in non-military aid At the Ukraine Recovery Conference yesterday, some of Ukraines allies pledged billions of dollars worth of non-military aid to help the country rebuild its infrastructure and promote its efforts to join the European Union. At the conference, which was held in London, delegates from more than 60 countries met to discuss Ukraine's future. European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen committed to providing $55 billion of support through 2027, while Germany pledged $416 million of humanitarian aid. The US, which was represented by Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the conference, promised more than $1.3 billion worth of additional aid, including more than $500 million that would be earmarked for restoring the country's damaged energy grid. Britain, meanwhile, offered $3.8 billion of World Bank loan guarantees for Ukraine along with $305 million in aid. On the topic of Ukraine joining the European Union, Von der Leyen noted that although she expects Ukraine to one day be a part of the EU, the country still has some work to do in terms of reforming its judiciary and curbing corruption before it stands a chance. She added that these reforms would also serve to send a powerful message" to potential investors that they will have the fairness and transparency they need to feel confident about making investments in Ukraine. This sentiment was echoed by Blinken, who emphasized the importance of Ukraine cracking down on corruption. He added that some of the money being pledged by the US would be used to upgrade border infrastructure and ports and digitize its customs procedures to deter corruption. Sources for this article include: BlacklistedNews.com APNews.com FT.com Texas Childrens Hospital secretly indoctrinating young physicians to embrace left-wing extremism, covid propaganda It has come to our attention that America's largest pediatrics hospital is secretly indoctrinating the next generation of young doctors into far-left activism and Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) propaganda. Every week for who even knows how long, Texas Children's Hospital has been creating weekly "training" videos for new doctors that aim to brainwash them into hating white people and believing everything the government says about covid, vaccines, pandemics, and pretty much everything else. Back in August 2021 at the height of covid, Peter Hotez, a dean at the Baylor College of Medicine, led one such training session in which he railed against "far-right extremism and PACs (political action committees) which have become mainstream across the GOP." What any of this has to do with medicine is unclear, but Hotez would continue during the session to call for "people from Homeland Security, the Justice Department, Commerce Department, State Department" to take disciplinary action against anyone and everyone who questioned the then-conventional "wisdom" about covid, likening detractors against the official narrative to terrorists threatening "nuclear proliferation." "As academics, this is not stuff we're comfortable talking about or doing, but the health sector has gone about as far as it can with amplifying the message," Hotez yammered in anger, strangely referring to himself as "the OG villain. "Now we need to bring in some heavyweights." (Related: During covid, hospitals across America became death and murder facilities, facts show.) Texas Children's Hospital brainwashing young doctors into anti-white racism Just a few months ago, Hotez was still railing on and on about covid, probably mostly to himself, claiming that those who believe the disease came from a Chinese laboratory as opposed to bat soup at a wet market are engaging in "fruitless scientific witch hunts, which will serve to distract the scientific community." "Republican members on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform also made a series of misleading or downright outlandish claims. Among them: that they had evidence that COVID-19 likely originated from a laboratory in Wuhan," Hotez wrote in a recent editorial. Hotez has also whined and complained about people who are opposed to face masks and social distancing, both of which have been thoroughly debunked as doing anything to "stop the spread" of anything other than insanity as was originally claimed. "It's defiance, defiance against masks and social distancing and now vaccines," Hotez complained in another training session attended by budding doctors new to the industry. "We put a lot of infrastructure in place to combat things like global terrorism, nuclear proliferation, cyberattacks, but this is a far greater killer is anti-science and I've been trying to make that case both to the Biden administration and the United Nations." In another training session, young doctors were lectured about the mythical concept of "micro-aggressions," which are apparently anything that white people do that non-whites get upset about. When some of the doctors complained about this racist indoctrination, they were accused of engaging in "micro-aggressions" themselves due to their "fragility." "I think defensiveness is the most common reaction," the trainer said in a follow-up video reprimanding the opposition. "We did do a health equity round on micro-aggressions, and I think that generated the most resistance and additional micro-aggressions." The most fragile people of all, ironically enough, are LGBTs and particularly transgenders whom we are told might kill themselves or others if someone refers to them by the "wrong" gender pronoun. And we are supposed to take these deranged people seriously and obey their orders? "The adage that doctors know best has been deteriorating for many decades," one commenter wrote about the lunacy of modern medicine. The latest news about the American medical system can be found at Medicine.news. Sources for this article include: DailyWire.com Newstarget.com Is a Titanic conspiracy theory tied to the sinking of the billionaire submersible? Ever since the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912, theories have continuously emerged that questioned the official narrative. Some are ludicrous, such as the one about a cursed mummy onboard that was repeated by the NY Times shortly after the sinking. Some have legs, such as the notion that a German U-Boat sunk her in their quest for WWI sea domination. (Article republished from JDRucker.Substack.com) One theory in particular stands out as not only plausible, but potentially tied to the current tragedy unfolding in the news. According to Google whistleblower Zach Vorhies: Since no one is offering the conspiracy narrative of the submarine here goes Well if you read the primary sources of from the survivors of the Titanic youll see a disturbing trend: survivor after survivor doesnt mention an iceberg, they mention an incredible explosion that rocked the ship before it sank. Weve all become familiar with the phrase jet fuel cant melt steel beams yet no one is mentioning the obvious: ice bergs cant cut through hardened steel hulls. So if why would the titanic be blown up? Well it turns out the industrialists opposed to the creation of the federal reserve were on that ship: John Jacob Astor IV Benjamin Guggenhei Isidor Straus George Dunton Widene This is even mentioned in the movie Titanic, in one scene, were there are a group of people arguing against the creation of the federal reserve. Its extremely short, a few seconds, but its there. Unfortunately for those behind the conspiracy (presumably the current stockholders of the Federal Reserve) the Titanic sits in international waters. Unregulated salvage operations can proceed on the Titanic. What would they presumably find? That the hull buckling in by an iceberg is actually a buckling out by an explosive. This fact cant be hidden forever, and the media is starting to tease limited disclosures to the public. To close this loophole, the internationalist are clamping down on visitation so that no unauthorized persons can visit the titanic wreckage without a permit. So the fact that this submarine dude was able to offer trips at all is a little suspect. The fact he was able to do it with an uncertified, experimental submarine controlled by a wireless game controller - makes no sense. The additional fact that he specifically excluded hiring experienced pilots because they were 50 something white people, yet was still permitted. So whats going to happen? The people in this submarine likely perished. But Im open to being wrong. But this event will be used as leverage to make the Titanic off limits by visitation by the citizens of the west so that the narrative of the Federal Reserve is preserved. Oh look the Rothschild dynasty funded this thing what a surprise. According to Derek Broes: You are being mislead about the submarine. They did not hear taps and attempts to rescue has resulted is catastrophic failure implosion of two submersibles to rescue. The media wants you tuned into their fake ass broadcasts. The sub is gone according to sources that have contacted me for Canadian a U.S. coast guard insiders. The hull of the Titanic was 1 inch (26 mm) of steel. That puts it in the same league as an "ice breaker ship", who's hull ranges from 25 - 75 mm. Regarding the Old Theory Vorhies mentioned the Rothschild family, whose names have been tied to theories about the Titanic sinking from the beginning. He didn't mention J.P. Morgan, another Federal Reserve bank architect who had a massive vested interest in seeing opposition to the Fed sunk (pun intended). Read more at: JDRucker.Substack.com Top 7 Democrat, Big Tech and Big Pharma stances that are completely hypocritical by definition Most Americans support a specific political party because they believe that means certain legislation that the leaders of that party support will help the economy, national security, their lives, their schools, and their businesses improve. That makes perfect sense, but nowadays, it's "say anything" politics, and then just the opposite happens. Interested in decent schooling that helps your children learn how to lead a productive life? Don't vote for Democrats, or you're in for a world of hurt. Nearly everything "decided" by those politicians these days is first planned, plotted, and scripted out by Big Pharma gurus, who want the absolute worst life for your children, full of sickness, confusion, distraction, perversion, misinformation, and total lack of ethics and morality. Dis-United States of America? Coerced vaccination, gender-bender drugs and surgery, and hate-breeding are top priorities for the new Democrat-CCP-Nation How many Americans are now governed by literal communists, but who voted for Donald Trump in 2020? Do we as patriots have any say in NOT going to war with Russia over Ukraine? Do we as patriots have any say in NOT sending our hard-earned tax money to a country that is corrupt and supports Nazism? Today, if you tell the truth about dirty vaccines or harmful prescription medicine, you are labeled a dissenter who is "anti-vax," "anti-science," and a "conspiracy theorist" who spreads misinformation and disinformation on the internet. For this spreading of the truth, you get banned from all of social media, YouTube, and your business gets blacklisted and bankrupted by Paypal, Google Ads, and other finance and marketing hubs online. This is the new dystopian multi-tiered Democrat stance, where anyone who disagrees with their twisted propaganda suffers horrible consequences, and if you oppose them well, you are "burned alive" like a real-life scarecrow to set an example for the others (think Jan. 6'ers here). George Orwell's "Big Brother" totalitarian police state has come completely true in America who would've thought? Hate and division of the populace is being woven into the fabric of this nation by the villains who run Washington DC right now. Nearly every Democrat in the country has been brainwashed to believe that Donald Trump is a white-supremacist Nazi and that "Resident" Joe Biden is actually trying to help the country "recover" from his "reign" of terror. Although Donald Trump was pushing for the Covid vaccines to come out as quickly as possible, he never said he would make everyone get them. In fact, before he was president, he used to talk about the dangers of vaccination and how when kids get too many too close together, they suffer neurological disorders, like autism. He is right. However, the Democrats take a difference stance. During the scamdemic, we all were just one step away from being vaccinated at gunpoint by the authoritarian CDC and DHS. Natural health advocates who denounce chemical violence by medication were called "domestic terrorists" and blamed for spreading Covid and literally killing people. It was all propaganda to make the vaccine enthusiasts enraged with FEAR and HATE. That is the insidious agenda of the Left, and it works. Top 7 Democrat, Big Tech and Big Pharma hypocritical stances #1. If you don't support child-grooming, gender mutilation surgery, gender-bender drugs, and drag queen story hour, then you are a gay-basher. #2. If you don't support Nazi-loving Ukraine, then you are a Russia-loving domestic terrorist. #3. If you don't believe Trump cheated in 2016 and that Biden got 81 million votes in 2020 without cheating, then you are an election-denier who needs to be jailed. #4. We're all supposed to believe that every BLM and Antifa "protest" has always been 100 percent peaceful and justified, but anyone who actually peacefully walked through the Capital on January 6th is a "domestic terrorist" who must serve life in prison, without trial. #5. If you disagree with the fake narratives of the Democrats or Big Pharma, you are spreading "disinformation," but if you agree with the lies, you are a law-abiding American. #6. If you don't vaccinate for Covid and wear your mask 24/7/365, you are a disease-spreading leper (even though it's just the opposite as the vaccines LOWER your immunity and cause spike shedding, while the masks breed and spread disease and infection). #7. If you are a white person, you are automatically a racist, but if you are black and hate all white people, that's normal. Keep your truth news in check by adding Preparedness.news to your favorites list and tuning in daily for updates on real news about surviving and thriving in the near future, and news that's being scrubbed from MSM and social media as you read this. Sources for this article include: Censored.news NaturalNews.com Report: US militarys latest surveillance strategy involves TRACKING and LOCATING private citizens who express contrary opinions The U.S. military's new surveillance strategy now involves secretly tracking, locating and identifying Americans who voice their dissent or dissatisfaction with military leadership or actions. A June 17 report by the Intercept disclosed this new strategy initiated by the Army Protective Services Battalion (APSB). It defended the measures as necessary under its mission of defending top U.S. generals from "assassination, kidnapping, injury or embarrassment." But Trending Politics pointed out that the said mission has been used against online criticism of the military in the past few years. Based on government procurement records from September 2022 reviewed by the Intercept, the strategy opens the U.S. Army's enormous resources to spying on anyone it considers having made "direct, indirect, and veiled" threats and or expressed "negative sentiment" of its leadership. The September 2022 documents mention access to Twitter's "firehose," allowing the Army to look into public tweets and Twitter users without restriction. Investigations into sites such as 4chan, Reddit, YouTube and the social media platform VKontakte are also mentioned. Moreover, internet chat platforms such as Discord and Telegram will also be searched for the purpose of "identifying counter-terrorism and counter-extremism and radicalization" albeit it is not clear what those terms would exactly mean. The APSB has also rolled out the surveillance strategy outside of leading social media platforms. According to the Intercept, it would now involve "signal-rich discussions from illicit threat-actor communities and access to around-the-clock conversations within threat-actor channels," public research, CCTV feeds, radio stations, news outlets, personal records, hacked information, web cameras and cellular location data. Army operatives to use imitation, deceit for info gathering Citing the procurement document, the Intercept also noted how the Army would try to conceal its online presence through imitation and deceit to stay undetected. It would reportedly utilize "mis-attribution" to deceive people about the person actually behind the keyboard. To achieve this goal, the Army would make use of false web browser data and foreign-based servers that would handle Army internet traffic. The outlet also revealed in another report that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had been using a paid program called Flashpoint to impersonate "extremists" for data-gathering purposes. Under the new surveillance strategy, it won't be long until APSB personnel make use of the service to spy on Americans. "In relation to extremist forums, Flashpoint has maintained mis-attributable personas for years on these platforms. Through these personas, Flashpoint has captured and scraped the contents of these forums," the FBI memo said. (Related: FBI admits collusion with CIA and NSA to spy on Americans.) According to the report, the FBI "does not want to advertise they are seeking this type of data collection." In a similar vein, the APSB does not want to advertise its interest in broad data collection. Ilia Siatitsa, program director at the London-based Privacy International, told the Intercept: "There may be legally valid reasons to intrude on someone's privacy by searching for, collecting and analyzing publicly available information, particularly when it pertains to serious crimes and terrorist threats." However, expressing 'positive or negative sentiment towards a senior high-risk individual' cannot be deemed sufficient grounds for government agencies to conduct surveillance operations, even going as far as 'pinpointing exact locations' of individuals. The ability to express opinions, criticize, make assumptions, or form value judgments especially regarding public officials is a quintessential part of democratic society." In a June 20 piece for LifeSiteNews, UK-based writer Frank Wright noted that the fiasco "helps to clarify why the Army wants to maintain itself undercover online, and in the real world as it publicizes for help to further demolish the privacy and security of private citizens." "This is simply another extension of an already vast national security state surveillance operation on the citizens of the formerly free world." Watch this segment from "The Bottom Line with Dagen & Duffy" about intelligence agencies buying data on Americans. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Atlas of Surveillance database reveals THOUSANDS of law enforcement agencies unlawfully surveilling Americans. Empowering the deep state: Biden secretly signs executive order unleashing the U.S. surveillance state on Americans. SPY GRID: More than 10k federal employees have access to NSA surveillance databases on American citizens, DOJ Inspector General reveals. Americans fear the government is spying on them and are pessimistic about the nations future, surveys show. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com TheIntercept.com Brighteon.com ELECTION INTERFERENCE: YouTube removes Jordan Peterson interview with presidential candidate RFK Jr. over vaccine comments In a recent interview with Jordan Peterson, 2024 presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy Jr. affirmed that deadly chemicals in the water such as atrazine, a crop chemical, are contributing to the rise of transgenderism and other forms of LGBT in children. That interview was later taken down by YouTube for allegedly violating its policy surrounding vaccines. Kennedy took to Twitter in response, asking his followers: "What do you think ... Should social media platforms censor presidential candidates? My conversation with [Peterson] was deleted by [YouTube]." It would hardly be the first time that a social media platform has censored a presidential candidate. As you may recall, Twitter censored and silenced Donald Trump while he was the actual president, which means this is hardly something new. Strangely, the Kennedy interview in question is still available to view on Twitter, which makes sense now that billionaire electric car guru Elon Musk is the social media platform's new owner. "Luckily you can watch it here on [Twitter] (thank you [Elon Musk])," Kennedy further tweeted. "Maybe you can help me figure out what 'misinformation' was in this interview." Watch the interview that YouTube censored below: Rekindling the Spirit of the Classic Democrat | @RobertKennedyJr | Ep.363 pic.twitter.com/RKBm5YT2Vi The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast (@JBPpod) June 5, 2023 (Related: Did you catch our earlier story about how illegal alien smugglers are allowed to run profitable YouTube channels, even as Peterson, Kennedy, and others are silenced simply for discussing vaccine safety?) Peterson says YouTube took upon itself "to actively interfere with a presidential election campaign" Remember that prior to Trump's election win in 2016, the left-wing media machine was railing on about how so-called "foreign actors" such as "Russia" were interfering with that election by saying truthful things about two-time failed presidential wannabe Hillary Clinton. Now, Big Tech is doing exactly that to Kennedy, claiming the excuse of "misinformation." "Now [YouTube] has taken upon itself to actively interfere with a presidential election campaign," Peterson also tweeted about the censorship. The Kennedy campaign told the media that the vaccine issue is "not a major priority" for his 2024 presidential bid, but that "he will be happy to debate the issue with any prominent proponent of the conventional view." "Mr. Kennedy does not believe the attacks are coordinated," the Kennedy campaign further added. "People are simply speaking out according to what they believe. These beliefs are the result of the long influence of corporate money in medicine, research, media, and government." "Even so, there are troubling indications in published research of serious safety issues with vaccines in general, but especially the Covid shots. The real issue for Mr. Kennedy is regulatory capture and corporate influence over government. He is in favor of properly conducted, unbiased, transparent safety testing of all vaccines." A spokesperson from Google, the parent company of YouTube, issued a statement of its own backing the decision to censor Kennedy's interview. According to Google, Kennedy violated YouTube's 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." The same spokesperson from Google added that even though Kennedy is a candidate for the presidency, he will not be treated differently than anybody else who attempts to tell the truth about vaccines on YouTube. "Community Guidelines apply equally to all creators on our platform, regardless of political viewpoint," the Google spokesperson added, noting that Google supports whatever the World Health Organization (WHO) says is true about vaccines, regardless of what actual science has to say. The latest news coverage about the plague of censorship across Big Tech platforms can be found at Censorship.news. Sources for this article include: FoxNews.com NaturalNews.com Shark fins may have been a symbol of terror for some people when we see the gliding through the waves of oceans, as portrayed in several movies such as "Jaws." The fins portrayed in pop culture show the presence of sharks or approaching ones. Regardless of their perception, this body part of a shark is crucial for the ocean predator's survival. Moreover, another reputation of shark fins is their usage in traditional Chinese medicine and their role as a food delicacy in the form of soup. With this, illegal shark finning has become rampant in different parts of the world, even in countries where the said practice is completely banned. One such country is Brazil where a recent operation led to the "world's largest confiscation" of shark fins. Shark Finning is the practice of removing a fin from a shark, leaving only the rest of the marine animal's body back into the ocean. There are also instances where such acts led to the eventual death of the animal. In the case of the recent Brazil shark fin contraband, the products are supposed to be sent to the Asian market, where a high demand for the fins is found. Brazil Illegal Shark Fins Brazilian federal authorities seized over 63,200 pounds (28,700 kilograms) of shark fins on Monday, June 19, in an instance of what may be the largest confiscations of illegal shark fins in the world, according to officials of the country's environment agency IBAMA, as cited by Live Science. Although prohibited, shark finning practices have been recurrent in Brazil, where around 7 or 8 metric tons of sharks are seized in the state of Para, according to IBAMA Director Jair Schmitt who told Reuters about the current status of the fins in the South American country. The said government body estimated the contraband represent the death of approximately 10,000 sharks belonging to two different species, the blue shark and shortfin mako shark, the fastest known shark species in the world. The mako sharks entered Brazil's national list of endangered shark species in graveyard last month. Also Read: Shark Fin Trade Drops Significantly in Hong Kong Shark Finning Industry Humans kill around 100 million sharks each year and such practice have attracted fishermen due to the high monetary and cultural value the fins represent, according to the Smithsonian Institution, describing the 'predators turned prey.' The institution explains that many fishermen prefer only cutting and taking the shark fins instead of the whole shark since they are far more profitable than the rest of the shark's body. The practice has increased over the past decade due to the increasing demand for shark fin soup. The Shark Research Institute is considering that shark finning can cause the extinction of sharks in the future. Efforts made toward the issue is convincing some restaurants not to serve shark fin soup, according to the research organization. Related Article: Researchers Sampled Shark Fin Trimmings From Hong Kong and Unraveled the Mystery of Where the Fins Belong On the occasion of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands' visit to Antwerp, the Belgian navy took the opportunity to showcase all the unmanned systems it uses. Navy Recognition was able to observe an example of the ROV 7, which Belgium has supplied to Ukraine. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link Remotely Operated Vehicle, ROV 7 at the port of Antwerp, Belgium. (Picture source: Navy Recognition) The Exail's R7 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) is a tool designed to seamlessly blend compactness, ease of deployment of mini-ROVs with the performance, speed, and payload capacity of professional observation-class ROVs. This unique combination makes it highly attractive for oceanographers, hydrographers, fish farmers, and operators of submerged structures. Designed for maximum utility, the R7 excels in a wide array of underwater missions, ranging from inspections and surveillance to maintenance and object recovery, all up to a depth of 300m. Incorporating the latest in digital technology, the R7 delivers some of the highest-quality images available on the market. The digital architecture of the R7 supports a plug-and-play connection of payloads, making the ROV easily scalable. Not to be outdone, the R7 also boasts a highly intuitive Human Machine Interface, ensuring ease of use and superior ergonomics. The addition of a multi-function manipulator arm makes the R7 incredibly maneuverable, and capable of handling or recovering objects up to 2kg with ease. Its man-portable design, professional-grade robustness, and straightforward deployment add to its appeal. When it comes to serviceability, the R7 does not disappoint with its easy-to-maintain design. In the realms of defense and security, the R7 finds a host of applications, from subsea observation, inspection, and surveillance to object recovery, wreck inspection, and search and rescue missions. Furthermore, it is an excellent choice for tasks such as black box recovery, harbor surveillance, coastal and seabed surveys, offshore platform protection, and overall coastal protection. According to information published by the US DoD on June 23, 2023, the Legend-class cutter USCGC Stratton (WMSL 752) carried out a standard passage through the Taiwan Strait, despite the visit of the United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in China. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link US Coast Guard's Legend-class cutter Stratton. (Picture source: US DoD) The Taiwan Strait, extending over a distance of approximately 180 kilometers (110 mi; 97 nmi), is a significant geographical feature that lies between the island of Taiwan and the Asian mainland. Serving as an integral component of the South China Sea, it provides a crucial connection to the East China Sea in the north. At its narrowest point, the strait measures about 130 km (81 mi; 70 nmi) across. Yet, the strait's political characterization is a source of international discord. The People's Republic of China (PRC) adamantly claims comprehensive sovereignty, jurisdiction, and sovereign rights over the Taiwan Strait. As per this view, the strait is regarded as an extension of China's internal territorial waters rather than a part of international waters. This perspective implies that any foreign vessel's right to navigate freely across the strait is contingent on approval from the Chinese government. However, this position has been met with staunch opposition from several countries. The United States, Australia, France, and Taiwan have all expressed significant objections to this stance, highlighting the contentious nature of the Taiwan Strait's political and international status. About the Cutter The USCGC Stratton is a formidable United States Coast Guard Cutter that showcases impressive specifications and capabilities. With a displacement of 4,500 long tons and a length of 418 feet, it is a substantial vessel designed for various missions. Its beam stretches to 54 feet, and it has a draft of 22.5 feet, allowing it to navigate different water depths. Powered by three Caterpillar 3512B diesel generators, the Stratton utilizes a combined diesel and gas propulsion system. It boasts two MTU 20V 1163 diesel engines with a combined output of 7,400 kW and a mighty 22 MW LM2500 gas turbine engine, enabling it to achieve speeds exceeding 28 knots. This impressive speed, reaching approximately 52 km/h or 32 mph, allows the vessel to respond swiftly to emergencies and cover significant distances. The USCGC Stratton has a remarkable range of 12,000 nautical miles, equivalent to approximately 22,000 kilometers or 14,000 miles. This extensive range, combined with an endurance of 60 days, enhances its capability for long-duration missions and extended operations at sea. Crewed by a complement of 113 personnel, including 14 officers and 99 enlisted members, the Stratton can accommodate additional personnel, accommodating up to 148 individuals, as per mission requirements. This flexibility ensures that the vessel can effectively adapt to various operational scenarios. Equipped with advanced sensors and processing systems, the Stratton is outfitted with a range of radar systems, including the EADS 3D TRS-16 AN/SPS-75 Air Search Radar, SPQ-9B Fire Control Radar, and AN/SPS-79 Surface Search Radar. It also features the AN/SLQ-32B(V)2 Electronic Warfare System for electronic defense and the AN/UPX-29A IFF system for identification purposes. Moreover, the vessel incorporates the MK 46 Mod 1 Optical Sighting System and Furuno X and S-band radars. These cutting-edge systems are complemented by components of the Lockheed Martin COMBATSS-21 combat management system, enabling comprehensive situational awareness and effective command and control capabilities. In terms of armament, the USCGC Stratton is armed with a MK 110 57 mm gun, a variant of the Bofors 57 mm gun, accompanied by a Gunfire Control System. Additionally, it features a 20 mm Block 1B Baseline 2 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System for close-range defense. The vessel also carries four crew-served .50-caliber Browning M2 machine guns and two crew-served M240B 7.62 mm machine guns. Notably, it has provisions for additional weapons and sensors, indicating its adaptability to evolving mission requirements. The USCGC Stratton's capabilities extend beyond the surface, as it supports aerial operations. It is equipped with a flight deck measuring 50 by 80 feet, allowing it to accommodate and operate a MH-65C Dolphin MCH helicopter. Furthermore, it possesses a hangar capable of housing all aircraft on board. The vessel also has provisions for two small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS), enhancing its surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. YMCA residents open new Norwich charity shop YMCA residents open new Norwich charity shop Young people living at YMCA Norwich Central were honoured to be part of unveiling to the public a new charity shop in the city centre. Reliance Jio is reportedly negotiating loans with several banks to raise US$1.6 billion to purchase equipment from Finnish vendor Nokia. Anonymous sources speaking to Bloomberg said the banks involved include Citigroup, HSBC and JP Morgan Chase & Co. Although the number of banking partners could still change and this is not set in stone. Finnish export credit agency Finnvera will issue guarantees to cover most of the loan. They added the loan has a maturity of 15 years and will be priced over the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. This deal would expand the partnership between Nokia and Reliance Jio as both announced in October that Nokia will supply the operator with equipment for its 5G deployment. Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: Fourteen years after the alleged rape and murder of two young women Asiya and Neelofar of Shopian sparked a month-long agitation in Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday terminated the services of two doctors, who conducted a post-mortem of the two women, for allegedly fabricating evidence of the two women in 2009. Lt Governor administration in separate orders terminated the services of Dr Nighat Shaheen Chiloo, Consultant Gynecologist in Sub-District Hospital, in Sanat Nagar, and Dr Bilal Ahmad Dalal, Medical Officer, in Shopian. Asiya and Neelofar were found dead in a stream in Shopian on May 29, 2009 in mysterious circumstances. There were allegations that they were raped and murdered by security men. It sparked a 42-day-long agitation in Kashmir during which seven civilians were killed. The situation improved after the CBI started investigating the matter. The CBI probe found that they were never raped. SRINAGAR: Fourteen years after the alleged rape and murder of two young women Asiya and Neelofar of Shopian sparked a month-long agitation in Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday terminated the services of two doctors, who conducted a post-mortem of the two women, for allegedly fabricating evidence of the two women in 2009. Lt Governor administration in separate orders terminated the services of Dr Nighat Shaheen Chiloo, Consultant Gynecologist in Sub-District Hospital, in Sanat Nagar, and Dr Bilal Ahmad Dalal, Medical Officer, in Shopian. Asiya and Neelofar were found dead in a stream in Shopian on May 29, 2009 in mysterious circumstances. There were allegations that they were raped and murdered by security men. It sparked a 42-day-long agitation in Kashmir during which seven civilians were killed. The situation improved after the CBI started investigating the matter. The CBI probe found that they were never raped.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); By PTI GUWAHATI: Reacting to a social media post speculating if Assam police will go to arrest former US president Barack Obama over his remarks on the alleged vulnerability of minorities in India, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday claimed that there are many "Hussain Obamas in India" and his priority will be in dealing with them. He said that Assam police will act according to its own priorities. "There are many Hussain Obamas in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington. The Assam police will act according to our own priorities," the BJP leader wrote on Twitter, sharing a post by a prominent journalist. The tweet had asked if the Assam police will go to the US to apprehend the former US president. "Has an FIR been filed in Guwahati yet against Obama for hurting sentiment? Is Assam police on its way to Washington to get Obama offloaded from some flight and arrest him?" the journalist wrote. The tweet was apparently referring to FIRs being lodged in Assam against opposition leaders over their remarks in different parts of the country. Assam police had travelled to different locations and even made arrests, including deplaning and apprehending Congress leader Pawan Khera in February and arresting then-Independent Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani last year. Obama in an interview to CNN on Thursday had said that India may "pull apart" if the rights of the religious and ethnic minorities are not upheld. "If the (US) President meets with Prime Minister Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a Hindu majority India is worth mentioning. If I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you don't protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, there is a strong possibility that India would at some point start pulling apart," Obama had said. GUWAHATI: Reacting to a social media post speculating if Assam police will go to arrest former US president Barack Obama over his remarks on the alleged vulnerability of minorities in India, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday claimed that there are many "Hussain Obamas in India" and his priority will be in dealing with them. He said that Assam police will act according to its own priorities. "There are many Hussain Obamas in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington. The Assam police will act according to our own priorities," the BJP leader wrote on Twitter, sharing a post by a prominent journalist.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The tweet had asked if the Assam police will go to the US to apprehend the former US president. "Has an FIR been filed in Guwahati yet against Obama for hurting sentiment? Is Assam police on its way to Washington to get Obama offloaded from some flight and arrest him?" the journalist wrote. The tweet was apparently referring to FIRs being lodged in Assam against opposition leaders over their remarks in different parts of the country. Assam police had travelled to different locations and even made arrests, including deplaning and apprehending Congress leader Pawan Khera in February and arresting then-Independent Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani last year. Obama in an interview to CNN on Thursday had said that India may "pull apart" if the rights of the religious and ethnic minorities are not upheld. "If the (US) President meets with Prime Minister Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a Hindu majority India is worth mentioning. If I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you don't protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, there is a strong possibility that India would at some point start pulling apart," Obama had said. By Associated Press WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden on Thursday pronounced the U.S.-India relationship never stronger and rolled out new business deals with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as human rights activists and American lawmakers questioned the administrations decision to honour the leader with a pomp-filled state visit. In a joint news conference with Modi, Biden called the relationship between the U.S. and India among the most consequential in the world and "more dynamic than at any time in history. He underscored how two of the worlds most powerful democracies were cooperating on issues such as the climate, health care and space, saying that the U.S-India economic relationship was booming. But Modi bristled at a reporter's question about his country's commitment to democratic values as the country has seen an erosion of religious, political and press freedoms under his watch. Democracy is our spirit, Modi, who rarely takes questions from journalists, said through an interpreter. Democracy runs in our veins. We live in a democracy and our ancestors have actually put words to this concept. He said India has proved that democracies can deliver and when I say deliver, this is regardless of class, creed, religion, gender." Yet Modi has faced criticism over legislation amending the countrys citizenship law that fast-tracks naturalization 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. Nevertheless, later in a 59-minute address before a joint meeting of Congress, Modi insisted that in India diversity is a natural way of life." We are home to all faiths in the world, and we celebrate all of them, added Modi, in a line that brought many cheering lawmakers to their feet. The premier's description runs counter to accusations by rights groups of widespread attacks and discrimination against Indias Muslims and other minorities under Modi. A group of more than 70 lawmakers wrote to Biden this week urging him to raise concerns about the erosion of religious, press and political freedoms during the visit. At least six Democratic lawmakers, Democratic Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Greg Casar of Texas, Jamaal Bowman and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, boycotted Modi's address to Congress, because of concerns about his human rights records. When it comes to standing up for human rights, actions speak louder than words, Bush, Tlaib, Omar and Bowman said in a joint statement. By bestowing Prime Minister Modi with the rare honor of a joint address, Congress undermines its ability to be a credible advocate for the rights of religious minorities and journalists around the world. Standing alongside Modi, Biden emphasized that press, religious and other fundamental freedoms should be at the core of how both democracies operate. During their Oval Office meeting, Biden said, he and Modi had a good discussion about democratic values while Modi said There's absolutely no space for discrimination" when pressed about his own commitment to human rights. The state visit, just the third of Biden's presidency, was certainly a glitzy affair. Thousands gathered on the White House South Lawn for the welcoming ceremony, listening to performances by violinist Vibha Janakiraman and the Cappella group Penn Masala. As Modi arrived, the crowd, including many members of the Indian diaspora, broke out in a chant of Modi, Modi, Modi." All eyes are on the two largest democracies in the world, India and America, Modi said. I believe that our strategic partnership is important. Im confident that working together will be successful. Later, Modi told Congress that our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy as the two countries expand partnerships in defence, semiconductor manufacturing and other industries. He also cheered the samosa caucus, the five U.S. House members of Indian descentand Vice President Kamala Harris, who is Black and of Indian descent, as examples of the impact of the diaspora. Biden administration officials say honouring Modi, the leader of the conservative Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, is Diplomacy 101. The U.S.-India relationship will be vital in the coming decades as both sides navigate an ascendant China and the enormity of climate change, artificial intelligence, supply chain resilience and other issues. On the issues that matter most that will define the future, our nations look to one another including on critical regional and global issues, Biden said. Among the announcements made Thursday is an agreement that will allow U.S.-based General Electric to partner with India-based Hindustan Aeronautics to produce jet engines for Indian aircraft in India and the sale of U.S.-made armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones. The Biden administration also announced plans to bolster India's semiconductor industry. U.S.-based Micron Technology has agreed to build a $2.75 billion semiconductor assembly and test facility in India, with Micron spending more than $800 million and India financing the rest. U.S.-based Applied Materials will launch a new semiconductor centre for commercialization and innovation in India, and Lam Research, another semiconductor manufacturing equipment company, will start a training program for 60,000 Indian engineers. On the space front, India signed on to the Artemis Accords, a blueprint for space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA's lunar exploration plans. NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization also agreed to make a joint mission to the International Space Station next year. We made critical and emerging technologies the pillar of our next-generation partnership to ensure these technologies promote and protect our values, remain open, accessible, trusted and secure," Biden added. All this matters for America, for India and for the world. At the welcoming ceremony, Modi called the Indian diaspora in America, the millions of immigrants and their children from the subcontinent living in the U.S., the real strength of the U.S.-India relationship. He said the honour of a formal state visit, the first in the U.S. for India since Barack Obama honoured Modis predecessor, Manmohan Singh, in 2009, reflected the positive impact Indians are having worldwide. Modi, the son of a tea seller who rose to be India's premier, also recalled that the first time he visited the White House was three decades ago as a common man. I have come here many times but today for the first time, the doors of the White House have been opened for the Indian American community in such large numbers," Modi said to an estimated crowd of 7,000. Despite the major deals, the visit was shadowed by concerns laid out by rights activists and lawmakers who question Modi's commitment to democratic principles. In 2005, the U.S. revoked Modis visa to the U.S., citing concerns that, as chief minister of the state of Gujarat, he did not act to stop communal violence during 2002 anti-Muslim riots that left more than 1,000 people dead. An investigation approved by the Indian Supreme Court later absolved Modi, but the stain of the dark moment has lingered. Biden and Modi have also had differences over Russia's war in Ukraine. India abstained from voting on U.N. resolutions condemning Russia and refused to join the global coalition against Russia. Since the start of the war, the Modi government has also dramatically increased its purchase of Russian oil. White House officials note that there are signs of change in India's relationship with Russia, which has long been New Delhi's biggest defence supplier. India is moving away from Russian military equipment, looking more to the U.S., Israel, Britain and other nations. Modi recently met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and has spoken out about his worries about the potential use of nuclear weapons by Russia. Modi, before Congress, said the war is causing great pain in Ukraine and having residual effects on Europe and beyond. This is not an era of war, but it is one of dialogue and diplomacy, Modi said. And we must all do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering. Without specifically naming China, Modi also addressed heightened tensions in the region, saying Dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific. Later Thursday, Modi attended a lavish White House state dinner in his honour. WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden on Thursday pronounced the U.S.-India relationship never stronger and rolled out new business deals with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as human rights activists and American lawmakers questioned the administrations decision to honour the leader with a pomp-filled state visit. In a joint news conference with Modi, Biden called the relationship between the U.S. and India among the most consequential in the world and "more dynamic than at any time in history. He underscored how two of the worlds most powerful democracies were cooperating on issues such as the climate, health care and space, saying that the U.S-India economic relationship was booming. But Modi bristled at a reporter's question about his country's commitment to democratic values as the country has seen an erosion of religious, political and press freedoms under his watch.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Democracy is our spirit, Modi, who rarely takes questions from journalists, said through an interpreter. Democracy runs in our veins. We live in a democracy and our ancestors have actually put words to this concept. He said India has proved that democracies can deliver and when I say deliver, this is regardless of class, creed, religion, gender." Yet Modi has faced criticism over legislation amending the countrys citizenship law that fast-tracks naturalization 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. Nevertheless, later in a 59-minute address before a joint meeting of Congress, Modi insisted that in India diversity is a natural way of life." We are home to all faiths in the world, and we celebrate all of them, added Modi, in a line that brought many cheering lawmakers to their feet. The premier's description runs counter to accusations by rights groups of widespread attacks and discrimination against Indias Muslims and other minorities under Modi. A group of more than 70 lawmakers wrote to Biden this week urging him to raise concerns about the erosion of religious, press and political freedoms during the visit. At least six Democratic lawmakers, Democratic Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Greg Casar of Texas, Jamaal Bowman and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, boycotted Modi's address to Congress, because of concerns about his human rights records. When it comes to standing up for human rights, actions speak louder than words, Bush, Tlaib, Omar and Bowman said in a joint statement. By bestowing Prime Minister Modi with the rare honor of a joint address, Congress undermines its ability to be a credible advocate for the rights of religious minorities and journalists around the world. Standing alongside Modi, Biden emphasized that press, religious and other fundamental freedoms should be at the core of how both democracies operate. During their Oval Office meeting, Biden said, he and Modi had a good discussion about democratic values while Modi said There's absolutely no space for discrimination" when pressed about his own commitment to human rights. The state visit, just the third of Biden's presidency, was certainly a glitzy affair. Thousands gathered on the White House South Lawn for the welcoming ceremony, listening to performances by violinist Vibha Janakiraman and the Cappella group Penn Masala. As Modi arrived, the crowd, including many members of the Indian diaspora, broke out in a chant of Modi, Modi, Modi." All eyes are on the two largest democracies in the world, India and America, Modi said. I believe that our strategic partnership is important. Im confident that working together will be successful. Later, Modi told Congress that our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy as the two countries expand partnerships in defence, semiconductor manufacturing and other industries. He also cheered the samosa caucus, the five U.S. House members of Indian descentand Vice President Kamala Harris, who is Black and of Indian descent, as examples of the impact of the diaspora. Biden administration officials say honouring Modi, the leader of the conservative Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, is Diplomacy 101. The U.S.-India relationship will be vital in the coming decades as both sides navigate an ascendant China and the enormity of climate change, artificial intelligence, supply chain resilience and other issues. On the issues that matter most that will define the future, our nations look to one another including on critical regional and global issues, Biden said. Among the announcements made Thursday is an agreement that will allow U.S.-based General Electric to partner with India-based Hindustan Aeronautics to produce jet engines for Indian aircraft in India and the sale of U.S.-made armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones. The Biden administration also announced plans to bolster India's semiconductor industry. U.S.-based Micron Technology has agreed to build a $2.75 billion semiconductor assembly and test facility in India, with Micron spending more than $800 million and India financing the rest. U.S.-based Applied Materials will launch a new semiconductor centre for commercialization and innovation in India, and Lam Research, another semiconductor manufacturing equipment company, will start a training program for 60,000 Indian engineers. On the space front, India signed on to the Artemis Accords, a blueprint for space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA's lunar exploration plans. NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization also agreed to make a joint mission to the International Space Station next year. We made critical and emerging technologies the pillar of our next-generation partnership to ensure these technologies promote and protect our values, remain open, accessible, trusted and secure," Biden added. All this matters for America, for India and for the world. At the welcoming ceremony, Modi called the Indian diaspora in America, the millions of immigrants and their children from the subcontinent living in the U.S., the real strength of the U.S.-India relationship. He said the honour of a formal state visit, the first in the U.S. for India since Barack Obama honoured Modis predecessor, Manmohan Singh, in 2009, reflected the positive impact Indians are having worldwide. Modi, the son of a tea seller who rose to be India's premier, also recalled that the first time he visited the White House was three decades ago as a common man. I have come here many times but today for the first time, the doors of the White House have been opened for the Indian American community in such large numbers," Modi said to an estimated crowd of 7,000. Despite the major deals, the visit was shadowed by concerns laid out by rights activists and lawmakers who question Modi's commitment to democratic principles. In 2005, the U.S. revoked Modis visa to the U.S., citing concerns that, as chief minister of the state of Gujarat, he did not act to stop communal violence during 2002 anti-Muslim riots that left more than 1,000 people dead. An investigation approved by the Indian Supreme Court later absolved Modi, but the stain of the dark moment has lingered. Biden and Modi have also had differences over Russia's war in Ukraine. India abstained from voting on U.N. resolutions condemning Russia and refused to join the global coalition against Russia. Since the start of the war, the Modi government has also dramatically increased its purchase of Russian oil. White House officials note that there are signs of change in India's relationship with Russia, which has long been New Delhi's biggest defence supplier. India is moving away from Russian military equipment, looking more to the U.S., Israel, Britain and other nations. Modi recently met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and has spoken out about his worries about the potential use of nuclear weapons by Russia. Modi, before Congress, said the war is causing great pain in Ukraine and having residual effects on Europe and beyond. This is not an era of war, but it is one of dialogue and diplomacy, Modi said. And we must all do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering. Without specifically naming China, Modi also addressed heightened tensions in the region, saying Dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific. Later Thursday, Modi attended a lavish White House state dinner in his honour. By PTI NEW DELHI/KOLKATA: Top BJP leaders on Friday pooh-poohed fresh attempts by opposition parties to stitch an alliance against the saffron party for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and variedly described the Patna meeting as like wolves hunting in packs, a "drama" and mere "photo opportunity". As 17 opposition parties met in Patna on Friday to chalk out their strategy with less than a year left for the general elections, Union minister Smriti Irani took a swipe at their unity efforts, saying the 'prey' of the leaders is the future of India. "It is said that wolves hunt in packs! A political pack met in Patna. Their 'prey' is the future of India," she told reporters in Delhi. She also described the planned front as a "multi-headed selfish alliance". The remarks by the BJP leaders came as 17 opposition parties resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the saffron party and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences. They dubbed the planned alliance as "unholy and opportunistic". While BJP chief J P Nadda said the participating leaders were those who were jailed by the Congress during Emergency, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said opposition unity is "nearly impossible". Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur called the meeting a "drama". Shah also slammed former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, who attended the meeting, saying he has the habit of criticising everything. "A photo session is happening in Patna. All the opposition leaders have come together on a single platform to convey the message that they will challenge the BJP, the NDA and (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi (in 2024)," Shah said at a rally in Jammu. "All I want to say to these opposition leaders is that your unity is nearly impossible and even if it happens, irrespective of how unitedly you appear in front of people in 2024, Modi's return with more than 300 seats is confirmed." Nadda, who was in Odisha's Kalahandi district, said leaders who were jailed by former prime minister Indira Gandhi during Emergency are now welcoming her grandson, Rahul Gandhi. "Strange things are happening in politics today. Leaders jailed by Indira Gandhi have now joined hands with her grandson, Rahul Gandhi." He pointed out that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad was jailed for 22 months, while JD(U) chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was behind bars for 20 months during Emergency. "I saw Uddhav Thackeray reaching Patna to attend the opposition meeting. His father, 'Hindu Hriday Samrat' Balasaheb Thackeray, was opposed to the Congress all along. Balasaheb had once said he will shut the 'dukaan' (referring to his political party, Shiv Sena) rather than joining the Congress. Now, his son is closing down the 'dukaan'," Nadda said. Irani held two press conferences at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, one ahead of the meeting on Friday morning, and one after it concluded. Irani, who defeated Rahul Gandhi from Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, said the Congress is seeking the support of other parties as it is "incapable of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone". She said it is "ironic" that some of the leaders who witnessed the "murder of democracy" during Emergency have assembled under the Congress' 'parasol' in Patna. "I want to especially express gratitude to the Congress for openly announcing that it is incapable of defeating Modi alone. It needs support. Power has moved from the palaces to the people. That is why those who take pride in their political legacy will now have to go to those they had put behind bars during Emergency," Irani said. As the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders stayed away from a joint press conference of opposition leaders in Patna, Irani said AAP's blackmailing in the beginning itself shows the future of the "unholy alliance". "It is ironic that Trinamool Congress Party members today witnessed bonhomie between Mamata Bandopadhyay and that Communist Party, the leadership of which was particularly known for dragging Mamata by her hair, especially when she tried to speak for the people of Bengal," she said referring to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Minister Thakur also took a dig at the Opposition, saying RJD president Lalu Prasad's nudge to Rahul Gandhi to get married was among the top conclusions of the meeting. "Ahead of the 2024 elections, the stage is being decorated once again, the drama troupe is gathering, characters are being decided, there will be drama, there will be promises to fulfill, people will laugh, and once again Modi ji will take oath as the Prime Minister for the third time with a huge majority," said Thakur. "New doors of political tourism opened, after eating litti-chokha, rasgulla in Bihar, they will now meet in Shimla." The meeting was hosted by Nitish Kumar and his deputy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. The West Bengal unit of the BJP lashed out at the Congress and the CPI(M) for allegedly "betraying" their grassroot workers engaged in a bitter fight over rural polls in the state by joining hands with the TMC for the Patna meeting. The saffron camp also termed the meeting as an "opportunistic alliance". "West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee chief Adhir Chowdhury and CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty will have no right to rush to the aid of their grassroot workers if they are attacked by TMC goons in the run-up to the July 8 panchayat polls," BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya told PTI in Kolkata. He also claimed that both the Congress and CPI(M) state leaderships stand "exposed in front of the people of West Bengal". NEW DELHI/KOLKATA: Top BJP leaders on Friday pooh-poohed fresh attempts by opposition parties to stitch an alliance against the saffron party for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and variedly described the Patna meeting as like wolves hunting in packs, a "drama" and mere "photo opportunity". As 17 opposition parties met in Patna on Friday to chalk out their strategy with less than a year left for the general elections, Union minister Smriti Irani took a swipe at their unity efforts, saying the 'prey' of the leaders is the future of India. "It is said that wolves hunt in packs! A political pack met in Patna. Their 'prey' is the future of India," she told reporters in Delhi. She also described the planned front as a "multi-headed selfish alliance".googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The remarks by the BJP leaders came as 17 opposition parties resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the saffron party and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences. They dubbed the planned alliance as "unholy and opportunistic". While BJP chief J P Nadda said the participating leaders were those who were jailed by the Congress during Emergency, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said opposition unity is "nearly impossible". Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur called the meeting a "drama". Shah also slammed former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, who attended the meeting, saying he has the habit of criticising everything. "A photo session is happening in Patna. All the opposition leaders have come together on a single platform to convey the message that they will challenge the BJP, the NDA and (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi (in 2024)," Shah said at a rally in Jammu. "All I want to say to these opposition leaders is that your unity is nearly impossible and even if it happens, irrespective of how unitedly you appear in front of people in 2024, Modi's return with more than 300 seats is confirmed." Nadda, who was in Odisha's Kalahandi district, said leaders who were jailed by former prime minister Indira Gandhi during Emergency are now welcoming her grandson, Rahul Gandhi. "Strange things are happening in politics today. Leaders jailed by Indira Gandhi have now joined hands with her grandson, Rahul Gandhi." He pointed out that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad was jailed for 22 months, while JD(U) chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was behind bars for 20 months during Emergency. "I saw Uddhav Thackeray reaching Patna to attend the opposition meeting. His father, 'Hindu Hriday Samrat' Balasaheb Thackeray, was opposed to the Congress all along. Balasaheb had once said he will shut the 'dukaan' (referring to his political party, Shiv Sena) rather than joining the Congress. Now, his son is closing down the 'dukaan'," Nadda said. Irani held two press conferences at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, one ahead of the meeting on Friday morning, and one after it concluded. Irani, who defeated Rahul Gandhi from Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, said the Congress is seeking the support of other parties as it is "incapable of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone". She said it is "ironic" that some of the leaders who witnessed the "murder of democracy" during Emergency have assembled under the Congress' 'parasol' in Patna. "I want to especially express gratitude to the Congress for openly announcing that it is incapable of defeating Modi alone. It needs support. Power has moved from the palaces to the people. That is why those who take pride in their political legacy will now have to go to those they had put behind bars during Emergency," Irani said. As the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders stayed away from a joint press conference of opposition leaders in Patna, Irani said AAP's blackmailing in the beginning itself shows the future of the "unholy alliance". "It is ironic that Trinamool Congress Party members today witnessed bonhomie between Mamata Bandopadhyay and that Communist Party, the leadership of which was particularly known for dragging Mamata by her hair, especially when she tried to speak for the people of Bengal," she said referring to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Minister Thakur also took a dig at the Opposition, saying RJD president Lalu Prasad's nudge to Rahul Gandhi to get married was among the top conclusions of the meeting. "Ahead of the 2024 elections, the stage is being decorated once again, the drama troupe is gathering, characters are being decided, there will be drama, there will be promises to fulfill, people will laugh, and once again Modi ji will take oath as the Prime Minister for the third time with a huge majority," said Thakur. "New doors of political tourism opened, after eating litti-chokha, rasgulla in Bihar, they will now meet in Shimla." The meeting was hosted by Nitish Kumar and his deputy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. The West Bengal unit of the BJP lashed out at the Congress and the CPI(M) for allegedly "betraying" their grassroot workers engaged in a bitter fight over rural polls in the state by joining hands with the TMC for the Patna meeting. The saffron camp also termed the meeting as an "opportunistic alliance". "West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee chief Adhir Chowdhury and CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty will have no right to rush to the aid of their grassroot workers if they are attacked by TMC goons in the run-up to the July 8 panchayat polls," BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya told PTI in Kolkata. He also claimed that both the Congress and CPI(M) state leaderships stand "exposed in front of the people of West Bengal". Ramashankar By Express News Service PATNA: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday asserted that BJP would 'vanish' in the assembly elections in Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh like they did in Karnataka. Rahul, who reached the state capital this morning to attend the meeting of opposition leaders, made the remark while addressing party workers at the state Congress headquarters, Sadaqat Ashram. He said that BJP leaders were claiming a 'big victory' in Karnataka before the assembly election but when the Congress stood up collectively and fought the election, BJP was defeated in the election. "BJP will be nowhere in assembly elections to Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh," he remarked. "Congress is standing behind the poor but people know the aim of BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to transfer the country's assets to their 2-3 friends," he added. The country has to choose betweeb Congress' 'Bharat Jodo' ideology and BJP-RSS' 'Bharat Todo' ideology, he emphasised. Rahul also said that the Congress' DNA was present in Bihar and he found lots of people from the state participating in his 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and other states. "BJP is spreading hatred and violence and also dividing the country. On the other hand, Congress is spreading love. Hatred cannot be defeated through hate but through love only," he remarked. "All opposition parties have assembled in Patna and we are going to defeat BJP," he added. Congress president Malliarjun Kharge said, "If we win Bihar, we will entire India. Bihar will never let go of Congress' principles." Kharge said that all opposition parties had to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha election collectively to defeat BJP. He said it was the reason Rahul took the first step in this direction. "Later, I invited all opposition leaders for discussions," he added. The meeting of the opposition leaders was held at 1 Anney Marg, the official residence of the Bihar Chief Minister after key leaders of 15 odd parties reached the state capital. The BJP accused the ruling grand alliance in Bihar of misusing government machinery for the grand meeting of non-BJP parties in the state capital. BJP state chief Samrat Choudhary said that CM's residence was being used to convene the meeting of different political parties for electoral purposes. PATNA: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday asserted that BJP would 'vanish' in the assembly elections in Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh like they did in Karnataka. Rahul, who reached the state capital this morning to attend the meeting of opposition leaders, made the remark while addressing party workers at the state Congress headquarters, Sadaqat Ashram. He said that BJP leaders were claiming a 'big victory' in Karnataka before the assembly election but when the Congress stood up collectively and fought the election, BJP was defeated in the election.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "BJP will be nowhere in assembly elections to Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh," he remarked. "Congress is standing behind the poor but people know the aim of BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to transfer the country's assets to their 2-3 friends," he added. The country has to choose betweeb Congress' 'Bharat Jodo' ideology and BJP-RSS' 'Bharat Todo' ideology, he emphasised. Rahul also said that the Congress' DNA was present in Bihar and he found lots of people from the state participating in his 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and other states. "BJP is spreading hatred and violence and also dividing the country. On the other hand, Congress is spreading love. Hatred cannot be defeated through hate but through love only," he remarked. "All opposition parties have assembled in Patna and we are going to defeat BJP," he added. Congress president Malliarjun Kharge said, "If we win Bihar, we will entire India. Bihar will never let go of Congress' principles." Kharge said that all opposition parties had to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha election collectively to defeat BJP. He said it was the reason Rahul took the first step in this direction. "Later, I invited all opposition leaders for discussions," he added. The meeting of the opposition leaders was held at 1 Anney Marg, the official residence of the Bihar Chief Minister after key leaders of 15 odd parties reached the state capital. The BJP accused the ruling grand alliance in Bihar of misusing government machinery for the grand meeting of non-BJP parties in the state capital. BJP state chief Samrat Choudhary said that CM's residence was being used to convene the meeting of different political parties for electoral purposes. Kazakhtelecom JSC is working with A10 Networks to improve the reliability of broadband access for businesses and consumers nationwide. The operator began the transition to a telco cloud environment in 2020, and A10 Networks has been a key facilitator of this, helping Kazakhtelecom JSC to establish cloud nodes on its network. At this time, the operator launched two cloud nodes using an Open Stack architecture in the largest cities of Kazakhstan. The operator launched the first A10 virtualised carrier-grade network address translation (CGNAT) solution on a cloud node that serves 384,000 broadband subscribers, along with a second that serves 80,000 subscribers. These nodes provide a universal infrastructure for deploying virtual network functions (VNFs) that have numerous advantages, including deployment time, scaling, high fault tolerance, and manufacturer selection. This solution allows the telco to automate the operation of all VNFs, which has a positive effect on the quality of services for its customers. Kazakhtelecom JSC is actively working to enter the information security market and has established a Security Operation Centre. A core element of the centre is its DDoS attack protection system, which Kazakhtelecom JSC launched with A10 Networks. The A10 Thunder Threat Protection System (TPS) provides the backbone to analyse all incoming internet traffic, detect anomalies and DDoS attacks and block or clear illegitimate traffic. The system has allowed Kazakhtelecom JSC to protect up to 500 zones of IP address spaces and analyses about 2 Tbps of traffic. IPv4 addresses are almost fully allocated, causing difficulties for telecom operators as they grow subscribers. While IPv6 provides a solution, most of the internet today still uses IPv4, while transitioning to IPv6 brings its own set of challenges and costs. Network address translation (NAT) technologies are used as a near-term solution to connect hundreds of hosts behind one public address without the need to purchase more expensive IPv4 addresses. Kazakhtelecom JSC successfully deployed A10 Thunder Carrier-Grade Networking (CGN) in the cities of Almaty and Astana, where a large number of its internet users are concentrated. The operator immediately saw the economic benefits compared to the acquisition of new IPv4 addresses. Kazakhtelecom JSC is looking to expand its use of Thunder CGN to other network locations. A10 Networks has been a valued partner and strong collaborator as we have set to transform our network, grow subscribers, and establish an information security services centre, said Nurlan Meirmanov, chief innovation officer, Kazakhtelecom JSC. We are actively working on creating new deployments for our telco cloud environment, and we are confident that with our anti-DDoS system, the resources of Kazakhtelecom JSC and its customers will be reliably protected from network attacks. Kazakhtelecom JSC has faced a convergence of business challenges that many telco operators have faced in recent years: how to grow subscribers with limited addressing, how to secure its network against the rapidly expanding cyber threat landscape and how to transition to new-generation cloud technologies within its network, all while maintaining a secure and consistent subscriber experience. A10 Networks solutions have helped support Kazakhtelecom JSC's business and technology objectives throughout this transition as we continue to work with them on their evolution to a cloud-based infrastructure, said Dhrupad Trivedi, president and CEO, A10 Networks. By PTI WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the "dark clouds of coercion and confrontation" are casting their shadow on the Indo-Pacific, in a veiled attack on China amid its aggressive military manoeuvring in the strategically vital region. In his address to the joint meeting of the US Congress for a second time on Thursday, Modi said the global order is based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. "The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific. The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership," he said in the backdrop of the prolonged stand-off between the armies of India and China in eastern Ladakh. The prime minister said a region where all nations, small and large, are free and fearless in their choices, where progress is not suffocated by an impossible burden of debt, where connectivity is not leveraged for strategic purposes, where all nations are lifted by the high tide of shared prosperity. His comments came amidst the economic crisis in countries such as Sri Lanka and Pakistan, where China has made huge unviable infrastructure investments. The two South Asian countries are currently facing an unprecedented economic crisis. "We share a vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, connected by secure seas, defined by international law, free from domination, and anchored in ASEAN centrality," Modi said. "Our vision does not seek to contain or exclude, but to build a cooperative region of peace and prosperity. We work through regional institutions and with our partners from within the region and beyond. Of this, QUAD has emerged as a major force of good for the region," he said. Meanwhile, a joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Modi and US President Joe Biden called for respecting the rules-based international order by all countries. "As global partners, the United States and India affirm that the rules-based international order must be respected. They emphasised that the contemporary global order has been built on principles of the UN Charter, international law, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states," the statement said. India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of Chinas rising military manoeuvring in the region. China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, through which more than USD 5 trillion of trade passes annually. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims over some of the areas claimed by China. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. Modi told US lawmakers that the last few years have seen deeply disruptive developments. "With the Ukraine conflict, war has returned to Europe. It is causing great pain in the region. Since it involves major powers, the consequences are severe," he said. "Countries of the Global South have been particularly affected. The global order is based on the respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity," the prime minister said. He added that: "As I have said directly and publicly, this is not an era of war". But, it is one of dialogue and diplomacy, Modi said. "We all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering," he said. WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the "dark clouds of coercion and confrontation" are casting their shadow on the Indo-Pacific, in a veiled attack on China amid its aggressive military manoeuvring in the strategically vital region. In his address to the joint meeting of the US Congress for a second time on Thursday, Modi said the global order is based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. "The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific. The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership," he said in the backdrop of the prolonged stand-off between the armies of India and China in eastern Ladakh.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The prime minister said a region where all nations, small and large, are free and fearless in their choices, where progress is not suffocated by an impossible burden of debt, where connectivity is not leveraged for strategic purposes, where all nations are lifted by the high tide of shared prosperity. His comments came amidst the economic crisis in countries such as Sri Lanka and Pakistan, where China has made huge unviable infrastructure investments. The two South Asian countries are currently facing an unprecedented economic crisis. "We share a vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, connected by secure seas, defined by international law, free from domination, and anchored in ASEAN centrality," Modi said. "Our vision does not seek to contain or exclude, but to build a cooperative region of peace and prosperity. We work through regional institutions and with our partners from within the region and beyond. Of this, QUAD has emerged as a major force of good for the region," he said. Meanwhile, a joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Modi and US President Joe Biden called for respecting the rules-based international order by all countries. "As global partners, the United States and India affirm that the rules-based international order must be respected. They emphasised that the contemporary global order has been built on principles of the UN Charter, international law, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states," the statement said. India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of Chinas rising military manoeuvring in the region. China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, through which more than USD 5 trillion of trade passes annually. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims over some of the areas claimed by China. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea. Modi told US lawmakers that the last few years have seen deeply disruptive developments. "With the Ukraine conflict, war has returned to Europe. It is causing great pain in the region. Since it involves major powers, the consequences are severe," he said. "Countries of the Global South have been particularly affected. The global order is based on the respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity," the prime minister said. He added that: "As I have said directly and publicly, this is not an era of war". But, it is one of dialogue and diplomacy, Modi said. "We all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering," he said. By PTI WASHINGTON: To increase defence cooperation and deepen critical information sharing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden have agreed to place three Indian liaison officers in US commands. The US and India advanced steps to operationalise tools that will allow the two nations to increase their defence cooperation, the White House said on Thursday following summit talks between Biden and Modi. The two countries have resolved to strengthen undersea domain awareness cooperation. The agreement to place three Indian liaison officers in US commands for the first time deepening our partnership and critical information sharing, it said. The US and India have also commenced negotiations for a security of supply arrangement and a reciprocal defence procurement arrangement that will enable the supply of defence goods in the event of unanticipated supply chain disruptions, the White House said. They have finalised a Defense Industrial Roadmap that provides policy direction to defence industries and enables co-production of advanced defence systems as well as collaborative research, testing, and prototyping of technologies that will determine the future of military power, it said. In a joint statement following the talks, President Biden and Prime Minister Modi appreciated the strong military-to-military ties, mutual logistics support, and efforts to streamline the implementation of foundational agreements. They noted that information sharing and placement of liaison officers in each others military organisations will spur joint service cooperation. They also reiterated their resolve to strengthen maritime security cooperation, including through enhanced underwater domain awareness, the joint statement said. The leaders welcomed the launch of dialogues in new defence domains, including space and artificial intelligence, which will enhance capacity building, knowledge, and expertise, it said. Both sides are committed to addressing any regulatory barriers to defence industrial cooperation. The leaders also noted the decision of Indias Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defense to commence negotiations for concluding a security of supply arrangement and initiate discussions about reciprocal defence procurement agreement, the joint statement. Biden and Modi also welcomed Indias emergence as a hub for maintenance and repair for forward deployed US Navy assets and the conclusion of master ship repair agreements with Indian shipyards. This will allow the US Navy to expedite the contracting process for mid-voyage and emergent repair. As envisaged in the Defense Industrial Roadmap, both countries agree to work together for the creation of logistic, repair, and maintenance infrastructure for aircraft and vessels in India, the statement said. According to a White House Fact Sheet, the US Navy has concluded a master ship repair agreement with the Larsen and Toubro Shipyard in Kottapuli (Chennai) and is finalising agreements with the Mazagon Dock Limited (Mumbai) and the Goa Shipyard (Goa). WASHINGTON: To increase defence cooperation and deepen critical information sharing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden have agreed to place three Indian liaison officers in US commands. The US and India advanced steps to operationalise tools that will allow the two nations to increase their defence cooperation, the White House said on Thursday following summit talks between Biden and Modi. The two countries have resolved to strengthen undersea domain awareness cooperation. The agreement to place three Indian liaison officers in US commands for the first time deepening our partnership and critical information sharing, it said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The US and India have also commenced negotiations for a security of supply arrangement and a reciprocal defence procurement arrangement that will enable the supply of defence goods in the event of unanticipated supply chain disruptions, the White House said. They have finalised a Defense Industrial Roadmap that provides policy direction to defence industries and enables co-production of advanced defence systems as well as collaborative research, testing, and prototyping of technologies that will determine the future of military power, it said. In a joint statement following the talks, President Biden and Prime Minister Modi appreciated the strong military-to-military ties, mutual logistics support, and efforts to streamline the implementation of foundational agreements. They noted that information sharing and placement of liaison officers in each others military organisations will spur joint service cooperation. They also reiterated their resolve to strengthen maritime security cooperation, including through enhanced underwater domain awareness, the joint statement said. The leaders welcomed the launch of dialogues in new defence domains, including space and artificial intelligence, which will enhance capacity building, knowledge, and expertise, it said. Both sides are committed to addressing any regulatory barriers to defence industrial cooperation. The leaders also noted the decision of Indias Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defense to commence negotiations for concluding a security of supply arrangement and initiate discussions about reciprocal defence procurement agreement, the joint statement. Biden and Modi also welcomed Indias emergence as a hub for maintenance and repair for forward deployed US Navy assets and the conclusion of master ship repair agreements with Indian shipyards. This will allow the US Navy to expedite the contracting process for mid-voyage and emergent repair. As envisaged in the Defense Industrial Roadmap, both countries agree to work together for the creation of logistic, repair, and maintenance infrastructure for aircraft and vessels in India, the statement said. According to a White House Fact Sheet, the US Navy has concluded a master ship repair agreement with the Larsen and Toubro Shipyard in Kottapuli (Chennai) and is finalising agreements with the Mazagon Dock Limited (Mumbai) and the Goa Shipyard (Goa). Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: Four heavily armed militants were killed and nine AK rifles were seized from them as troops foiled an infiltration bid in Machil sector of the border district of Kupwara in J&K on Friday. It was the second major infiltration bid foiled by troops within a week. An army official said during the intervening night of June 22 and 23, suspicious movement was detected in Kala Jungle along the Line of Control in Machil sector of Kupwara. An ambush plan was laid out by the Army and at 4.30 am troops engaged a group of militants crossing the LoC. The militants fired from the automatic AK-47 rifles and the Army men effectively retaliated and in the ensuing firefight, the four militants were killed whereas no casualties or injuries were reported from the Army side. The official said during the search of the area, a huge cache of arms and ammunition including nine AK rifles, three pistols, four grenades, 288 AK and pistol rounds, 55 suspected narco packets and other huge quantities of war-like stores were recovered. This recovery indicates the vicious plan of Pakistan by utilising the terrorists to derail the existing peace in the Valley. The successful operation is a big blow to the narco-funding and terror plans of the terrorists, he said. Earlier, last Friday, Army had foiled an infiltration bid of militants in the Keran sector by killing five heavily armed foreign militants and recovering 5 AK rifles, 15 magazines, ammunition, grenades, night vision devices and binoculars from their possession. ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that the group affiliated to JK Ghaznavi Force, with Rafiq Nai and Shamsher Nai alias Zafar Iqbal (residents of Poonch but now settled in PoK) as handlers. SRINAGAR: Four heavily armed militants were killed and nine AK rifles were seized from them as troops foiled an infiltration bid in Machil sector of the border district of Kupwara in J&K on Friday. It was the second major infiltration bid foiled by troops within a week. An army official said during the intervening night of June 22 and 23, suspicious movement was detected in Kala Jungle along the Line of Control in Machil sector of Kupwara. An ambush plan was laid out by the Army and at 4.30 am troops engaged a group of militants crossing the LoC. The militants fired from the automatic AK-47 rifles and the Army men effectively retaliated and in the ensuing firefight, the four militants were killed whereas no casualties or injuries were reported from the Army side. The official said during the search of the area, a huge cache of arms and ammunition including nine AK rifles, three pistols, four grenades, 288 AK and pistol rounds, 55 suspected narco packets and other huge quantities of war-like stores were recovered. This recovery indicates the vicious plan of Pakistan by utilising the terrorists to derail the existing peace in the Valley. The successful operation is a big blow to the narco-funding and terror plans of the terrorists, he said. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Earlier, last Friday, Army had foiled an infiltration bid of militants in the Keran sector by killing five heavily armed foreign militants and recovering 5 AK rifles, 15 magazines, ammunition, grenades, night vision devices and binoculars from their possession. ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that the group affiliated to JK Ghaznavi Force, with Rafiq Nai and Shamsher Nai alias Zafar Iqbal (residents of Poonch but now settled in PoK) as handlers. Mayank Singh and Yeshi Seli By Express News Service NEW DELHI: US President Joe Biden on Thursday rolled out the White House red carpet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Washington seeks to bolster its ties with New Delhi to counter Chinas global influence. In the meetings that followed, the two leaders sat down to discuss a wide range of bilateral as well as multilateral issues and set the ball rolling to boost India-US strategic relations in defence, space, clean energy and other crucial sectors. We both agree governments, businesses and academic institutions should come together to fulfil our strategic technology partnership, Modi told Biden. On his part, the US president said: Together, we are unlocking the shared future of the world which I believe will have unlimited potential. In a significant development, GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd signed an MoU aimed at joint production of the formers F414 fighter jet engines in India. According to GE Aerospace, the agreement includes the potential joint production of F414s in India, pending export authorisation from the US government. The deal requires final approval from the US Congress and is part of the Indian Air Forces Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 programme. India has been using F404, which is lighter than the GE 414 engines, to power its indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A. Engine manufacturing is complex and is acknowledged as the weakest link in the Make in India drive. According to reports, the US will open two new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad while India will establish a mission in Seattle, reports said quoting the White House. Agreements on semiconductors, minerals, technology, space and defence cooperation are expected to be announced. Isro, Nasa to send joint mission to ISS India has decided to join the Artemis Accords, which brings like-minded countries together on civil space exploration, and NASA and ISRO will have a joint mission to ISS in 2024, the White House said | P14 In-country renewable H-1B visas The US is set to introduce in-country renewable H-1B visas, which will help Indian professionals there to continue with their jobs without travelling overseas for renewal of their work visas NEW DELHI: US President Joe Biden on Thursday rolled out the White House red carpet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Washington seeks to bolster its ties with New Delhi to counter Chinas global influence. In the meetings that followed, the two leaders sat down to discuss a wide range of bilateral as well as multilateral issues and set the ball rolling to boost India-US strategic relations in defence, space, clean energy and other crucial sectors. We both agree governments, businesses and academic institutions should come together to fulfil our strategic technology partnership, Modi told Biden. On his part, the US president said: Together, we are unlocking the shared future of the world which I believe will have unlimited potential. In a significant development, GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd signed an MoU aimed at joint production of the formers F414 fighter jet engines in India. According to GE Aerospace, the agreement includes the potential joint production of F414s in India, pending export authorisation from the US government. The deal requires final approval from the US Congress and is part of the Indian Air Forces Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 programme. India has been using F404, which is lighter than the GE 414 engines, to power its indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Engine manufacturing is complex and is acknowledged as the weakest link in the Make in India drive. According to reports, the US will open two new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad while India will establish a mission in Seattle, reports said quoting the White House. Agreements on semiconductors, minerals, technology, space and defence cooperation are expected to be announced. Isro, Nasa to send joint mission to ISS India has decided to join the Artemis Accords, which brings like-minded countries together on civil space exploration, and NASA and ISRO will have a joint mission to ISS in 2024, the White House said | P14 In-country renewable H-1B visas The US is set to introduce in-country renewable H-1B visas, which will help Indian professionals there to continue with their jobs without travelling overseas for renewal of their work visas Pronab Mondal By Express News Service KOLKATA: Bonhomie between Bengal governor C. V. Ananda Bose and chief minister Mamata Banerjee, which was observed shortly after the constitutional head of the state assumed office in November last year, seems to be petering out as the face-off between the two reached its peak on Thursday. The duo disagreed over the role being played by the State Election Commission (SEC) and its head ahead of the panchayat elections in Bengal. Bose, late on Wednesday night, returned state election commissioner Rajiva Sinhas joining report, casting a shadow on the continuation of the state poll panel head. A war of words between the two erupted when Bose, refusing to accept the state election commissioners joining report, expressed his disappointment amid murmurs of removal of the state election commissioner and Mamata said the state poll panel head cant be removed on whims and fancies. Asserting that Sinhas removal is a cumbersome process, Mamata said, State Election Commissioner cannot be removed just like that. He was appointed after the government approved it. He cannot be removed just at the drop of a hat. The removal process is quite cumbersome, just like removing judges through impeachment, she said before leaving for Patna to attend a meeting of opposition parties. Never ever the poll process in Bengal is so peaceful. It is cadres of our party who have been killed. There have been incidents in three to four booths and armed with that, some people are maligning Bengal, she added. KOLKATA: Bonhomie between Bengal governor C. V. Ananda Bose and chief minister Mamata Banerjee, which was observed shortly after the constitutional head of the state assumed office in November last year, seems to be petering out as the face-off between the two reached its peak on Thursday. The duo disagreed over the role being played by the State Election Commission (SEC) and its head ahead of the panchayat elections in Bengal. Bose, late on Wednesday night, returned state election commissioner Rajiva Sinhas joining report, casting a shadow on the continuation of the state poll panel head.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); A war of words between the two erupted when Bose, refusing to accept the state election commissioners joining report, expressed his disappointment amid murmurs of removal of the state election commissioner and Mamata said the state poll panel head cant be removed on whims and fancies. Asserting that Sinhas removal is a cumbersome process, Mamata said, State Election Commissioner cannot be removed just like that. He was appointed after the government approved it. He cannot be removed just at the drop of a hat. The removal process is quite cumbersome, just like removing judges through impeachment, she said before leaving for Patna to attend a meeting of opposition parties. Never ever the poll process in Bengal is so peaceful. It is cadres of our party who have been killed. There have been incidents in three to four booths and armed with that, some people are maligning Bengal, she added. Ejaz Kaiser By Express News Service RAIPUR: Home Minister Amit Shahs participation in the BJPs ongoing Maha Jansampark Abhiyan at Bhilai in Durg district on Thursday launched the partys campaign ahead of the Chhattisgarh Assembly polls. Shah alleged that several scams emerged during the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government and that the ruling party has not kept its promises made in its manifesto in 2018 polls. Shah urged the people to bring back the BJP government in the state and also vote for the BJP under the leadership of Narendra Modi next year at the Centre. The Durg division in the Chhattisgarh plains has 20 Assembly seats and has remained challenging for the BJP as the Congress has 18 MLAs from the region. In the 90-member House, the ruling Congress has 71 legislators. Paddy procurement remains a major political issue in Chhattisgarh, which is cited as the rice bowl. The Home Minister took credit for procuring 92 lakh MT paddy by the Modi-led Centre with a payment of Rs 74,000 crore to the farmers while the contribution of the state government was Rs 12,600 crore for paddy growers. The Baghel government should stop telling lies. Around 90% of the amount on procurement was given by the Modi government. Its the earlier Raman Singh government that established a transparent and efficient system on paddy procurement, Shah said adding that the BJP government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee had created the state of Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh has a debt of Rs 1.5 lakh crore, said Shah, saying that the Modi government has allocated around Rs 3 lakh crore in 9 years to the state, which got Rs 74,000 crore during the 10-year rule of the Manmohan Singh government. He cornered the Congress government for failing to keep promises on liquor ban, and unemployment allowances, among others. It was Shahs third visit to Chhattisgarh this year after Korba and Bastar. Shah said the peoples turnout at the rally in Bhilai, which is a mini India, indicated the countdown of the Congress government has begun. While citing Chhattisgarh as the maternal home of Lord Ram who undertook exile route through the state, Shah claimed the credit for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya went to PM Modi. The consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla at Ayodhya will now be in January next year, said Shah. He also recalled Indian forces surgical strike in Pakistan (in 2016) and how Article 370 which offered a special status to Jammu & Kashmir was scrapped by the Modi government in August 2019. Shah said the Narendra Modi-led Central government brought left-wing extremism under control in the entire country, except for a few areas in Chhattisgarhs Bastar region, in nine years. Highlighting the achievements of nine years of the Modi-led government, he said, The Left Wing Extremism was brought under control in the entire country, barring a few areas in Bastar region in Chhattisgarh, during this period. Shahs helicopter unable to land in MPs Balaghat Bhopal: A helicopter carrying Union Home Minister Amit Shah could not land at Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh due to bad weather on Thursday, a state official said. Due to bad weather, the helicopter was unable to land, the official said. Shahs visit to the state was cancelled in view of the development, he added. Several parts of Madhya Pradesh received rains on Wednesday night, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy showers and lightning in several areas on Thursday. RAIPUR: Home Minister Amit Shahs participation in the BJPs ongoing Maha Jansampark Abhiyan at Bhilai in Durg district on Thursday launched the partys campaign ahead of the Chhattisgarh Assembly polls. Shah alleged that several scams emerged during the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government and that the ruling party has not kept its promises made in its manifesto in 2018 polls. Shah urged the people to bring back the BJP government in the state and also vote for the BJP under the leadership of Narendra Modi next year at the Centre. The Durg division in the Chhattisgarh plains has 20 Assembly seats and has remained challenging for the BJP as the Congress has 18 MLAs from the region. In the 90-member House, the ruling Congress has 71 legislators. Paddy procurement remains a major political issue in Chhattisgarh, which is cited as the rice bowl. The Home Minister took credit for procuring 92 lakh MT paddy by the Modi-led Centre with a payment of Rs 74,000 crore to the farmers while the contribution of the state government was Rs 12,600 crore for paddy growers.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Baghel government should stop telling lies. Around 90% of the amount on procurement was given by the Modi government. Its the earlier Raman Singh government that established a transparent and efficient system on paddy procurement, Shah said adding that the BJP government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee had created the state of Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh has a debt of Rs 1.5 lakh crore, said Shah, saying that the Modi government has allocated around Rs 3 lakh crore in 9 years to the state, which got Rs 74,000 crore during the 10-year rule of the Manmohan Singh government. He cornered the Congress government for failing to keep promises on liquor ban, and unemployment allowances, among others. It was Shahs third visit to Chhattisgarh this year after Korba and Bastar. Shah said the peoples turnout at the rally in Bhilai, which is a mini India, indicated the countdown of the Congress government has begun. While citing Chhattisgarh as the maternal home of Lord Ram who undertook exile route through the state, Shah claimed the credit for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya went to PM Modi. The consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla at Ayodhya will now be in January next year, said Shah. He also recalled Indian forces surgical strike in Pakistan (in 2016) and how Article 370 which offered a special status to Jammu & Kashmir was scrapped by the Modi government in August 2019. Shah said the Narendra Modi-led Central government brought left-wing extremism under control in the entire country, except for a few areas in Chhattisgarhs Bastar region, in nine years. Highlighting the achievements of nine years of the Modi-led government, he said, The Left Wing Extremism was brought under control in the entire country, barring a few areas in Bastar region in Chhattisgarh, during this period. Shahs helicopter unable to land in MPs Balaghat Bhopal: A helicopter carrying Union Home Minister Amit Shah could not land at Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh due to bad weather on Thursday, a state official said. Due to bad weather, the helicopter was unable to land, the official said. Shahs visit to the state was cancelled in view of the development, he added. Several parts of Madhya Pradesh received rains on Wednesday night, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy showers and lightning in several areas on Thursday. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Welcoming the resolve by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden to deepen the strategic partnership between Indian and American universities, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Friday that the ministry is working to set up Indo-US Global Challenge Institute to further cement research ties between the two largest democracies. In a tweet, Pradhan said he welcomes the resolve between the prime minister and US President to deepen the strategic partnership between Indian and American universities. "The recently launched India-US initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) will usher in a new phase of partnership, given the vibrant talent pool in India and the US, particularly in new age technologies and the synergistic R&D centers of excellence in our academic institutes," he said. The minister said that a Joint Task Force constituted with Association of American Universities comprising top Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs) and Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) has been in discussion in this regard. He said as envisioned by our leaders, the ministry will work to set up Indo-U.S. Global Challenge Institutes to deepen research partnerships and people-to-people exchanges in areas such as semiconductors, sustainable agriculture, clean energy, health and pandemic preparedness & emerging technologies. This formal partnership, with its complementary expertise and incorporation of industry collaboration and startup enablers, will facilitate free flow of ideas, student exchange and joint IPRs. This academic partnership will help in developing solutions for a sustainable and secure future, Pradhan further said. I welcome the resolve by Hon. PM @narendraModi and @POTUS @JoeBiden to deepen the strategic partnership between Indian and American universities. The recently launched India-US initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) will usher in a new phase of partnership, given Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 23, 2023 Terming it as a historic moment when two strong nations are joining hands in education and research, he said, it is bound to make a global impact in the coming years. Modi, who is currently on a state visit to the US, had said that while the US has top-class educational institutions and advanced technologies, India is the world's largest youth factory. The prime minister had also expressed his belief in the potential of the India-US partnership to become the driving force behind sustainable and inclusive global growth At an event in the US on India and US: Skilling for Future,' Modi had presented a five-point proposal to energise India-US collaboration in the education and research sectors. The proposal included an integrated approach that brings together government, industry and academia, encouraging exchange of teachers and students and mutual recognition of vocational skill qualifications. NEW DELHI: Welcoming the resolve by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden to deepen the strategic partnership between Indian and American universities, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Friday that the ministry is working to set up Indo-US Global Challenge Institute to further cement research ties between the two largest democracies. In a tweet, Pradhan said he welcomes the resolve between the prime minister and US President to deepen the strategic partnership between Indian and American universities. "The recently launched India-US initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) will usher in a new phase of partnership, given the vibrant talent pool in India and the US, particularly in new age technologies and the synergistic R&D centers of excellence in our academic institutes," he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The minister said that a Joint Task Force constituted with Association of American Universities comprising top Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs) and Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) has been in discussion in this regard. He said as envisioned by our leaders, the ministry will work to set up Indo-U.S. Global Challenge Institutes to deepen research partnerships and people-to-people exchanges in areas such as semiconductors, sustainable agriculture, clean energy, health and pandemic preparedness & emerging technologies. This formal partnership, with its complementary expertise and incorporation of industry collaboration and startup enablers, will facilitate free flow of ideas, student exchange and joint IPRs. This academic partnership will help in developing solutions for a sustainable and secure future, Pradhan further said. I welcome the resolve by Hon. PM @narendraModi and @POTUS @JoeBiden to deepen the strategic partnership between Indian and American universities. The recently launched India-US initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) will usher in a new phase of partnership, given Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 23, 2023 Terming it as a historic moment when two strong nations are joining hands in education and research, he said, it is bound to make a global impact in the coming years. Modi, who is currently on a state visit to the US, had said that while the US has top-class educational institutions and advanced technologies, India is the world's largest youth factory. The prime minister had also expressed his belief in the potential of the India-US partnership to become the driving force behind sustainable and inclusive global growth At an event in the US on India and US: Skilling for Future,' Modi had presented a five-point proposal to energise India-US collaboration in the education and research sectors. The proposal included an integrated approach that brings together government, industry and academia, encouraging exchange of teachers and students and mutual recognition of vocational skill qualifications. Narendra Sethi By Express News Service JOSHIMATH: Markets in Joshimath remained closed on Friday in protest against the commencement of construction of the Helang-Marwari bypass. As a mark of protest, traders staged a demonstration and tried to march to the construction site, which was averted by a heavy police force. The protesters were stopped near Animath, 1 km from Helang. A minor clash occurred between the police and the traders. A large number of traders, including Vyapar Mandal president Nain Singh Bhandari, BJP leader Laxman Singh, had an altercation with the administration and police officials over their visit to the construction site. The construction work of the Helang-Marwari bypass was suspended temporarily on January 5 this year after the subsidence problem aggravated in Joshimath. Since then, there was confusion about the construction of the bypass. In this regard, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had requested the government to allow the construction of the bypass at the earliest. To start the construction of the bypass, experts from IIT Roorkee, PWD and THDCIL were asked to conduct a survey and submit a report. The experts from the three institutes had submitted their report to the government on April 11. Citing this report, Brigadier Prasanna S Joshi, chief engineer of BRO Shivalik range had requested to resume construction at the earliest. Atul Sati, convenor of Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, told this TNIE, "The proposed bypass has been continuously opposed since 1990 and once the Allahabad High Court had given a stay on it considering the geological condition of Joshimath. The intention of the government has always been to build it. "Our concern is that digging a bypass at the root of Joshimath will pose a serious threat to the existence of Joshimath, so alternatives should be considered," Sati added. Speaking to The New Indian Express, Joshimath Vyapar Mandal general secretary Jai Prakash Bhatt said, "The traders are demanding that the report of the expert committee that probed the causes of the natural calamity after the land submergence has not been made public yet. Nor have the residential buildings of Joshimath has been allowed to be rebuilt. On what basis is the government starting construction on the Helang-Marwari bypass?", questioned trade leader Bhatt. Anand Sailani, head of the Gram Sabha Helang, told TNIE, "At present, given the increasing number of pilgrims going towards Badrinath Dham and the movement of tourists, there is definitely a huge pressure on traffic, due to which long jams on this route have become common". "We will welcome every decision taken by the government to solve the traffic problem in the public interest, keeping in mind the scientific approach and geological aspect", Sailani added. JOSHIMATH: Markets in Joshimath remained closed on Friday in protest against the commencement of construction of the Helang-Marwari bypass. As a mark of protest, traders staged a demonstration and tried to march to the construction site, which was averted by a heavy police force. The protesters were stopped near Animath, 1 km from Helang. A minor clash occurred between the police and the traders. A large number of traders, including Vyapar Mandal president Nain Singh Bhandari, BJP leader Laxman Singh, had an altercation with the administration and police officials over their visit to the construction site. The construction work of the Helang-Marwari bypass was suspended temporarily on January 5 this year after the subsidence problem aggravated in Joshimath. Since then, there was confusion about the construction of the bypass. In this regard, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had requested the government to allow the construction of the bypass at the earliest.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); To start the construction of the bypass, experts from IIT Roorkee, PWD and THDCIL were asked to conduct a survey and submit a report. The experts from the three institutes had submitted their report to the government on April 11. Citing this report, Brigadier Prasanna S Joshi, chief engineer of BRO Shivalik range had requested to resume construction at the earliest. Atul Sati, convenor of Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, told this TNIE, "The proposed bypass has been continuously opposed since 1990 and once the Allahabad High Court had given a stay on it considering the geological condition of Joshimath. The intention of the government has always been to build it. "Our concern is that digging a bypass at the root of Joshimath will pose a serious threat to the existence of Joshimath, so alternatives should be considered," Sati added. Speaking to The New Indian Express, Joshimath Vyapar Mandal general secretary Jai Prakash Bhatt said, "The traders are demanding that the report of the expert committee that probed the causes of the natural calamity after the land submergence has not been made public yet. Nor have the residential buildings of Joshimath has been allowed to be rebuilt. On what basis is the government starting construction on the Helang-Marwari bypass?", questioned trade leader Bhatt. Anand Sailani, head of the Gram Sabha Helang, told TNIE, "At present, given the increasing number of pilgrims going towards Badrinath Dham and the movement of tourists, there is definitely a huge pressure on traffic, due to which long jams on this route have become common". "We will welcome every decision taken by the government to solve the traffic problem in the public interest, keeping in mind the scientific approach and geological aspect", Sailani added. Dilip Singh Kshatriya By Express News Service AHMEDABAD: It is sowing time in Gujarat as the monsoon is setting in. Farmers are looking for quality seeds at affordable costs. However, hardly a single farmer has benefited from the Seed Village Programme or Beej Gram Yojana in the last two years as no fund was released by the Central government in 2021-22 and 2022-23. On the one hand, it is alleged that farmers are being duped into purchasing duplicate seeds. To meet to farmers need of quality seeds at affordable rates, the Centre in 2014 had launched the Seed Village Programme (Beej Gram Yojana). Under this scheme, financial assistance for distribution of foundation/certified seeds at 50 per cent of seed cost for cereal crops and 60 per cent for pulses, oilseeds, fodder and green manure crops is available for up to one acre per farmer. When Beej Gram Yojana was first started in 2014, 11,052 farmers in the state profited from it. Next year, as many as 1,223 farmers benefited. No farmer gained from the programme in 2016 or 2017, according to government statistics. The government provided benefits to 1,849 farmers in 2018 and 7,301 farmers in 2019, and 15,984 farmers in 2020. But no farmer in Gujarat has benefited from this programme in 2021 and 2022. In response to a question from MP Upendrasinh Rawat in the Lok Sabha on March 21, 2023, the government admitted that in 2020-21 the central government provided fund for the scheme totaling Rs 156.30 lakh, which were fully utilised, after which no fund was released by the government in 2021-22 and 2022-23. Gujarat Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel did not respond to queries on Beej Gram Yojana. Gujarat Congress Farmer Cell President Pal Ambliya told TNIE, The centre has started the Beej Gram Scheme to encourage farmers to conduct seed research in their fields by providing them with tools and financial assistance. The state agriculture department is required to submit a proposal to the central department." AHMEDABAD: It is sowing time in Gujarat as the monsoon is setting in. Farmers are looking for quality seeds at affordable costs. However, hardly a single farmer has benefited from the Seed Village Programme or Beej Gram Yojana in the last two years as no fund was released by the Central government in 2021-22 and 2022-23. On the one hand, it is alleged that farmers are being duped into purchasing duplicate seeds. To meet to farmers need of quality seeds at affordable rates, the Centre in 2014 had launched the Seed Village Programme (Beej Gram Yojana). Under this scheme, financial assistance for distribution of foundation/certified seeds at 50 per cent of seed cost for cereal crops and 60 per cent for pulses, oilseeds, fodder and green manure crops is available for up to one acre per farmer. When Beej Gram Yojana was first started in 2014, 11,052 farmers in the state profited from it. Next year, as many as 1,223 farmers benefited. No farmer gained from the programme in 2016 or 2017, according to government statistics.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The government provided benefits to 1,849 farmers in 2018 and 7,301 farmers in 2019, and 15,984 farmers in 2020. But no farmer in Gujarat has benefited from this programme in 2021 and 2022. In response to a question from MP Upendrasinh Rawat in the Lok Sabha on March 21, 2023, the government admitted that in 2020-21 the central government provided fund for the scheme totaling Rs 156.30 lakh, which were fully utilised, after which no fund was released by the government in 2021-22 and 2022-23. Gujarat Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel did not respond to queries on Beej Gram Yojana. Gujarat Congress Farmer Cell President Pal Ambliya told TNIE, The centre has started the Beej Gram Scheme to encourage farmers to conduct seed research in their fields by providing them with tools and financial assistance. The state agriculture department is required to submit a proposal to the central department." Shruti Kakkar By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Ritu Raj Awasthi, the 22nd Law Commission Chairman, recently told a media outlet the Karnataka High Court had ruled that one cannot insist on wearing hijab if the school uniform does not allow it. Awasthi was a part of the Karnataka HC bench that upheld the controversial government order last year banning students from wearing hijab in educational institutions of the state. The main argument of the Muslim girl students was that wearing a hijab is a part of the essential religious practice of Islam. We said that if the uniform of a school does not allow hijab, you cannot insist on it. We looked at the history and the context of the introduction of uniforms in detail. We found that if you wear an attire different from the uniform, you identify that group as being different from others and it beats the point of uniform, he said. Therefore, you cannot insist on wearing something that gives you a separate identity as it will fail the purpose of a uniform, the purpose of which is uniformity, he said. Awasthi refused to comment on the views put forth by SC judge Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia who opined that the HC had not examined the manner in which hijab was against public order or morality, the judge said, while delivering the verdict did not feel any pressure. In the same interview, the former judge spoke on the recent report by the Law Commission that recommended the retention of 153-year-old colonial law on sedition in India. He said the recommendations were made by the Commission on three points: the Commission first attempted to adopt the rationale presented by the SC in the Kedarnath ruling, second it suggested a procedural safeguard to avoid its misuse and third, a large gap of up to three years or life imprisonment was unreasonable. Recommendations The Law Commission had made recommendations on three points: one, it first attempted to adopt the rationale presented by the SC in the Kedarnath ruling, second, it suggested a procedural safeguard to avoid its misuse and third, a large gap of up to three years or life imprisonment was unreasonable. NEW DELHI: Ritu Raj Awasthi, the 22nd Law Commission Chairman, recently told a media outlet the Karnataka High Court had ruled that one cannot insist on wearing hijab if the school uniform does not allow it. Awasthi was a part of the Karnataka HC bench that upheld the controversial government order last year banning students from wearing hijab in educational institutions of the state. The main argument of the Muslim girl students was that wearing a hijab is a part of the essential religious practice of Islam. We said that if the uniform of a school does not allow hijab, you cannot insist on it. We looked at the history and the context of the introduction of uniforms in detail. We found that if you wear an attire different from the uniform, you identify that group as being different from others and it beats the point of uniform, he said. Therefore, you cannot insist on wearing something that gives you a separate identity as it will fail the purpose of a uniform, the purpose of which is uniformity, he said. Awasthi refused to comment on the views put forth by SC judge Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia who opined that the HC had not examined the manner in which hijab was against public order or morality, the judge said, while delivering the verdict did not feel any pressure.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In the same interview, the former judge spoke on the recent report by the Law Commission that recommended the retention of 153-year-old colonial law on sedition in India. He said the recommendations were made by the Commission on three points: the Commission first attempted to adopt the rationale presented by the SC in the Kedarnath ruling, second it suggested a procedural safeguard to avoid its misuse and third, a large gap of up to three years or life imprisonment was unreasonable. Recommendations The Law Commission had made recommendations on three points: one, it first attempted to adopt the rationale presented by the SC in the Kedarnath ruling, second, it suggested a procedural safeguard to avoid its misuse and third, a large gap of up to three years or life imprisonment was unreasonable. Andrew Tate walks between bodyguards as he arrives at the Bucharest Tribunal, in Bucharest on June 21, 2023. (Vadim Ghirda/AP) A Romanian court on Friday extended by 30 days the house arrest of Andrew Tate, the divisive social media personality and former professional kickboxer who was charged this week with rape, human trafficking, and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. The Bucharest Tribunals decision comes days after prosecutors from Romanias anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, formally indicted the 36-year-old social media star after filing their criminal investigation to a Bucharest court. Advertisement Tate, who has amassed nearly 7 million Twitter followers and is known for expressing misogynistic views and hate speech online, was initially arrested near Romanias capital, Bucharest, in late December, along with his brother, Tristan. Two Romanian women are also charged in the case. All four defendants will remain under house arrest for 30 days, the court ruled, but the decision can be appealed within 48 hours. Advertisement DIICOT requested this week that judges extend the house arrest measure as they filed their investigation. Under Romanian law, judges have 60 days to decide whether the case is sent to trial, but nonetheless often takes longer. The agency alleges that the four defendants formed a criminal group in 2021 in order to commit the crime of human trafficking in Romania, as well as in the United States and Britain. All four have denied the allegations against them. There are seven female victims in the case, DIICOT said, who were lured with false pretenses of love and transported to Romania, where the gang sexually exploited and subjected them to physical violence. One defendant is accused of raping a woman twice in March 2022, according to the agency. The women were allegedly controlled by intimidation, constant surveillance and claims they were in debt, prosecutors said. The Tate brothers, who are dual British-U.S. citizens, won an appeal on March 31 to be moved to house arrest after spending three months in police detention. Andrew Tate, who is known to peddle conspiracy theories online to his mostly young male followers, has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy designed to silence his views. In a video posted on Thursday to his Twitter account, he labeled the charges against him as a level 10 matrix attack and said, Theyre trying to destroy me without evidence. Tate was previously banned from several prominent social media platforms for expressing hate speech and misogynistic comments, including that women should bear responsibility for getting sexually assaulted. Several women in Britain also are pursuing civil claims to obtain damages from Tate, alleging they were victims of sexual violence. Advertisement During their investigations, prosecutors have ordered the confiscation of the Tate brothers assets, including 15 luxury cars, luxury watches and about $3 million in cryptocurrency. A scandal erupted in South Africa last January when the National Prosecutor's Office opposed taking to court a firm of environmental consultants who may have helped the Turkish company Karadeniz Holding circumvent national environmental protection regulations. Months earlier, the civil environmental organization Green Scorpions had accused the firm Triplo4 Sustainable Solutions, contracted by the Turkish firm that produces electricity through its fleet of powerships, for violating the National Environmental Management Law, a serious charge that would lead to a prison sentence of ten years, plus a fine. The decision by the National Prosecutor's Office cleared the biggest obstacle to a controversial project to supply emergency electricity from gas-powered ships, dating back to 2020, and opened the door to Karadeniz's operation in South Africa, indicated a report from the local paper Times. At the end of March 2023, a powership belonging to the Turkish company anchored in the community of Los Negros, Azua province, south of the Dominican Republic. The facility had received the approval of the national government for the installation of an electricity generating plant that would inject more than 170 megawatts into the energy system of the country, where blackouts are frequent. The vessels placement in the area occurred after an initial attempt to do so was thwarted by the inhabitants of the fishing community, in 2022. On that occasion, in addition to organizing demonstrations, the locals filed appeals with the courts to avert the plant's operations, according to local media Diario Libre. "You have to wait for it to work to see if it has an effect. You have to have proof of the damage," one resident later said, while other locals said they hoped the commencement of the electricity generator's operations would offer locals new employment opportunities. At the beginning of June, Azua fishermen sent the newspaper a video showing the death of dozens of fish on the sands of Los Negros beach, arguing that these images represent "a situation never seen before in the area, where the trade has been plied for years," and attribute the environmental damage to the powership's operations. Almost immediately, the Dominican Republic's Academy of Sciences requested, through a statement, an investigation into what happened. According to the institution, Karadeniz's ships are placed in the Puerto Viejo Mangrove Wildlife Refuge, and, although the Environmental Ministry argued that the ships are not inside the protected area, but rather in the "buffer zone," "no one can claim that this company is outside the protected area, when all the species that are dying, are inside it." "We need to clarify for the country what happened. This company benefited from an environmental license that is based on an Environmental Adaptation Plan to respond to situations of major environmental impact such as this one," added the Academy of Sciences. In November of 2022, when the Karadeniz power generation ship sent to the Dominican Republic was unable to anchor in Azua, due to community pressure, it headed to Cuba, to join the Turkish firm's fleet on the island. What environmental licenses did Karadeniz receive in Cuba? What impact is its operation having on the areas where its seven ships have been located on the Island? Damage to sea life There is sufficient research demonstrating the environmental impact of floating power plants in countries where they are operating. For example, in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, South Africa was considered a compelling reason to grant Karadeniz an exemption under Section 30A of the National Environmental Management Act. According to Triplo4 Sustainable Solutions consultants, the power plants would provide emergency power to the hospitals that would keep fans running during breakdowns, thereby saving lives. In that African country the plants were going to be moored in Richards Bay, Ngqura and Saldanha. The first site is, according to South African environmental groups, an area of critical biodiversity and one of the most important coastal waterfowl habitats in the country. The investigative journalism project AmaBhungane stated, in an extensive report, that there was "a clear indication in the literature that the noise levels that this project will emit will have an impact on the birdlife, and it is almost certain that (coastal birds) will leave the site." Even the state entity Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife warned about the impact that the noise would have on vulnerable fish breeding areas, which could affect the local fishing industry. Therefore, it called for complementary research on the probable impact of the floating plant. "The potential impacts of a wall of constant turbine noise could disrupt crossings of the marine [area], effectively reducing [shrimp] stocks by more than half," Ezemvelo warned in a letter cited by the journalistic investigation. Other critics noted the need to investigate the impact that the electric ships would have on the nearby Richard's Bay Nature Reserve: "The potential disturbance of birds and solitary species on the banks of the marsh and the mangrove forest is a critical omission." They also called for consultation of "a specialist in marine biology to determine the effects of underwater noise on marine animals." "Any increase in anthropogenic noise could have significant effects on the environment in an ecologically sensitive area," Dr. Brent Williams and Jason Hutten wrote in a report. A danger that is not discussed in Cuba DIARIO DE CUBA consulted Jorge Pinon, the director of the University of Texas's Latin America and the Caribbean Energy and Environment program, about the risks that the widespread use of powerships in Cuba could pose over time. "They're not only floating plants burning fossil fuels rich in sulfur, which pollute the environment, but also thermoelectric plants, fuel generators, as well as the steel and cement industries," he said. According to the expert, scientific research indicates that breathing Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emissions is linked to several health problems, from lung and cardiovascular diseases to childhood asthma. Sulfur Dioxide emissions also cause environmental problems, such as acid rain, which affects soil and water, thus damaging biodiversity. These emissions further impact crops, forests and aquatic species, and contribute to ocean acidification, he added. Pinon referred to studies that, over the past 20 years, have documented the problem. "Several Cuban scientists have sounded the alarm in scientific articles demonstrating the negative environmental impact of the burning of liquid petroleum fuels with high sulfur content in the industrial, electrical generation and transport sectors," he said. To cite just three of these texts, published in English in major international journals, the study by five Cuban authors entitled "Assessing the Health Impacts of Emissions from Cuban Power Plants Using High-Sulfur Fossil Fuels," published in 2007 in Atmospheric Environment, noted: "The generation of electricity from fossil fuels has been shown to be a major source of air pollution. Most of these fossil fuels are fuel oil with rich in sulfur, around 3.5%, and domestic crude oil, with a higher sulfur content than fuel oil: between 5% and 7%. In 2014 the International Journal of Atmospheric Sciences published the study "The Chemical and Physical Components of Rain in Cuba: Effects on Air Quality." Signed by three Cuban authors, among them Dr. Rosemary Lopez, head of the Meteorological Institute's Center for the Study for Air Pollution, warned: "The high levels of acid deposits, mainly of sulfates in different places similar to those that have appeared in adverse environmental impacts in areas of North America, suggest that anthropogenic SO2 emissions, through the use of fossil fuels with a sulfur content of 4 to 7%, constitute the main problem in terms of air quality in Cuba." The study adds: "Nationally, the most likely anthropogenic sources are the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, the nickel industry, cement factories, and the burning of biomass at cane plantations." In 2021, a study by experts from Cienfuegos and Villa Clara, with the cooperation of experts from the University of Navarra, in Spain, confirmed that the three main sources of pollution in Cuba are "road traffic, industrial emissions and oil combustion." According to the text, written by nine researchers, and published by the journal Ecological Indicators, "spatial variability was particularly useful in identifying some of these sources, including emissions from diesel and fuel oil combustion in power plants, biomass burning, and the metallurgical industries. The results also showed that V (vanadium) and Ni (nickel) were strongly associated with the combustion of oil." In the face of the electrical crisis that Cuba is suffering, the Government insists on keeping its old thermoelectric plants running, whose obsolescence not only generates greater pollution, but also forces them to opt for Turkish powerships as a backup, due to frequent breakdowns. Although the Government speaks of having a plan for the development of renewable energy sources, currently only 5% of the electricity on the island is from clean sources. The choice seems to be between sustaining precarious electricity generation and protecting the environment. Are they thinking about the future of the island? By PTI PATNA: As many as 17 opposition parties on Friday resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the BJP and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences and will meet in Shimla next month to chalk out a joint strategy. Addressing a joint press conference after an almost four-hour meeting during which leaders of these parties expressed their views, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said they will meet in the next few days to give final shape to their plan of fighting together. "We had a good meeting and several leaders expressed their views during the meeting. Seventeen parties have decided to work together and contest the Lok Sabha elections unitedly," he told reporters. The meeting is viewed as a starting point for Opposition unity ahead of Lok Sabha polls to unitedly take on the Narendra Modi-led BJP. Kumar, who hosted the meeting, said they were working in the national interest and accused the BJP of acting against the country's interest as it was trying to change India's history. Sources said differences emerged between the AAP and the Congress after Arvind Kejriwal insisted that the grand old party should make its stand public on the Delhi ordinance failing which it would not be possible for his party to attend future meetings of the Opposition. "The black ordinance is anti-constitutional, anti-federalism, and outright undemocratic. Congress' hesitation and refusal to act as a team player, especially on an issue as important as this one, would make it very difficult for the AAP to be a part of any alliance that includes Congress," the AAP said in a statement. "Until the Congress publicly denounces the black ordinance and declares that all 31 of its RS MPs will oppose the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha, it will be difficult for AAP to participate in future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant," it added. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced that the next meeting would be held in Shimla next month. WATCH | "We have decided to prepare a common agenda and will take decisions in the next meeting on how to move forward," he said. "We will have to evolve separate plans for every state and we will work together to dethrone the BJP at the Centre," he said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "We may have some differences but have decided to work together with flexibility and will work to protect our ideology". As many as 32 leaders of these parties participated in the meeting at the Bihar chief minister's 1, Aney Marg, residence here. West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said the first meet was organised in Patna as "Whatever starts from Patna, takes the shape of the public movement". "If this dictatorial government (NDA) returns this time, there will be no elections in future," she said. "We all are united and will fight unitedly against BJP," she said and added that "the BJP wants to change history but we'll ensure that history is saved". Banerjee also asserted that they were not opposition parties but citizens of the country who are patriotic and love 'Bharat Mata'. She said the BJP wants history to be changed but asserted that the Opposition will ensure that history is saved. NCP supremo Sharad Pawar said just like the JP movement," our united front will get the blessings of the public". "The message from the Patna meeting is clear for all of us that we need to work together to save the country," said Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav who thanked all the leaders for making it for the meeting. Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren said today's beginning will prove to be a milestone for the country and all leaders will move together with positive thinking. RJD supremo and former chief minister Lalu Prasad said people of the country "want us to fight unitedly" against the BJP and the RSS. "Prime Minister Modi is distributing sandalwood in the US when the country is facing problems," he said, asserting that "I am fit now and can take on him". "We have to fight together. People of the country used to say that votes got divided as the opposition did not fight together," he said, alleging that the country is on the verge of breaking. "Bajrang Bali is with us the BJP and Narendra Modi will face tough times ahead," he said. Lalu also jokingly told Rahul Gandhi to get married, saying there is still time left, with Gandhi responding, "It will happen since you have said. " NC leader Omar Abdullah said after the meeting that 17 parties from Kashmir to Kanyakumari have come together "not for power, but for principles". CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said the main issue is to protect the character of our secular democratic country which the "BJP wants to change". CPI leader D Raja alleged that BJP's nine-year rule has become "disastrous and detrimental" to the constitution of our country. "We can't let Gandhi's India become Godse's country," PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti said after the meeting. In the current Lok Sabha, the combined strength of these parties accounts for less than 200 of the 543 seats, though their leaders are hopeful of together turning the tables on the saffron party which enjoys a brute majority with a 300-plus tally. The Congress, which is seen as the principal rival of BJP, had won around 50 seats in 2019, a slight improvement over its 2014 performance when it won only 44 - an all-time low. PATNA: As many as 17 opposition parties on Friday resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the BJP and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences and will meet in Shimla next month to chalk out a joint strategy. Addressing a joint press conference after an almost four-hour meeting during which leaders of these parties expressed their views, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said they will meet in the next few days to give final shape to their plan of fighting together. "We had a good meeting and several leaders expressed their views during the meeting. Seventeen parties have decided to work together and contest the Lok Sabha elections unitedly," he told reporters.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The meeting is viewed as a starting point for Opposition unity ahead of Lok Sabha polls to unitedly take on the Narendra Modi-led BJP. Kumar, who hosted the meeting, said they were working in the national interest and accused the BJP of acting against the country's interest as it was trying to change India's history. Sources said differences emerged between the AAP and the Congress after Arvind Kejriwal insisted that the grand old party should make its stand public on the Delhi ordinance failing which it would not be possible for his party to attend future meetings of the Opposition. "The black ordinance is anti-constitutional, anti-federalism, and outright undemocratic. Congress' hesitation and refusal to act as a team player, especially on an issue as important as this one, would make it very difficult for the AAP to be a part of any alliance that includes Congress," the AAP said in a statement. "Until the Congress publicly denounces the black ordinance and declares that all 31 of its RS MPs will oppose the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha, it will be difficult for AAP to participate in future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant," it added. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced that the next meeting would be held in Shimla next month. WATCH | "We have decided to prepare a common agenda and will take decisions in the next meeting on how to move forward," he said. "We will have to evolve separate plans for every state and we will work together to dethrone the BJP at the Centre," he said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "We may have some differences but have decided to work together with flexibility and will work to protect our ideology". As many as 32 leaders of these parties participated in the meeting at the Bihar chief minister's 1, Aney Marg, residence here. West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said the first meet was organised in Patna as "Whatever starts from Patna, takes the shape of the public movement". "If this dictatorial government (NDA) returns this time, there will be no elections in future," she said. "We all are united and will fight unitedly against BJP," she said and added that "the BJP wants to change history but we'll ensure that history is saved". Banerjee also asserted that they were not opposition parties but citizens of the country who are patriotic and love 'Bharat Mata'. She said the BJP wants history to be changed but asserted that the Opposition will ensure that history is saved. NCP supremo Sharad Pawar said just like the JP movement," our united front will get the blessings of the public". "The message from the Patna meeting is clear for all of us that we need to work together to save the country," said Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav who thanked all the leaders for making it for the meeting. Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren said today's beginning will prove to be a milestone for the country and all leaders will move together with positive thinking. RJD supremo and former chief minister Lalu Prasad said people of the country "want us to fight unitedly" against the BJP and the RSS. "Prime Minister Modi is distributing sandalwood in the US when the country is facing problems," he said, asserting that "I am fit now and can take on him". "We have to fight together. People of the country used to say that votes got divided as the opposition did not fight together," he said, alleging that the country is on the verge of breaking. "Bajrang Bali is with us the BJP and Narendra Modi will face tough times ahead," he said. Lalu also jokingly told Rahul Gandhi to get married, saying there is still time left, with Gandhi responding, "It will happen since you have said. " NC leader Omar Abdullah said after the meeting that 17 parties from Kashmir to Kanyakumari have come together "not for power, but for principles". CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said the main issue is to protect the character of our secular democratic country which the "BJP wants to change". CPI leader D Raja alleged that BJP's nine-year rule has become "disastrous and detrimental" to the constitution of our country. "We can't let Gandhi's India become Godse's country," PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti said after the meeting. In the current Lok Sabha, the combined strength of these parties accounts for less than 200 of the 543 seats, though their leaders are hopeful of together turning the tables on the saffron party which enjoys a brute majority with a 300-plus tally. The Congress, which is seen as the principal rival of BJP, had won around 50 seats in 2019, a slight improvement over its 2014 performance when it won only 44 - an all-time low. By Associated Press WASHINGTON: Narendra Modi did something very unusual on Thursday at the White House, he took questions from journalists. It's a rare occurrence for PM Modi who avoids unscripted moments and has presided over a steady decline in press freedom in his country. The news conference was more limited than the kind that U.S. presidents usually hold with foreign leaders, but even that wasn't easy to arrange with Modi. Indian officials agreed to the event only the day before, according to a person familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations. Administration officials told Modi's advisers that taking questions from the media was a standard part of how White House state visits are conducted, the person said. An Indian reporter asked about addressing climate change, and an American reporter pressed Modi on human rights concerns, a particularly delicate topic as the United States seeks closer ties with India as a bulwark against China's influence in the region. Modi defended India by saying Democracy runs in our veins and insisting that there is absolutely no space for discrimination. Although Modi, who is 72, has granted sporadic interviews since becoming India's leader nine years ago, he has never held a solo press conference. Sometimes when asked questions he'll defer to others on stage with him. Modi also tends to keep reporters at a distance during overseas trips, such as last year in Germany, when the two countries announced a clean energy deal. The Indian delegation had insisted then that no press conference be held, according to a German official, who spoke only on condition of anonymity. However, Modi has loosened up a little in the company of American counterparts. Eight years ago, when President Barack Obama visited India, Modi answered questions from two reporters, including one from The Associated Press. Modi is active on social media where hundreds of millions follow him, hosts a monthly radio program where he directly connects with listeners, and often makes big speeches. He uses these platforms to highlight government programs, inaugurate infrastructure projects and express condolences when an accident or tragedy strikes. But Modi has often remained silent on polarizing incidents, including when religious minorities have faced attacks by Hindu nationalists. He has also not commented on the current ethnic violence roiling Indias remote northeast, where at least 100 people have died since May. His silences are legendary, he has never asked people to refrain from sectarian violence, said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author of a Modi biography. He suggested that Modi should not get much credit for any press conference in Washington if only a few questions were allowed. Modi's action, Mukhopadhyay said, allows him to project an image as a more reasonable and democratic leader abroad, while he continues to evade press conferences at home, where he has scant regard for press freedom. The decline in press freedom didn't start with Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, but it's increased. The country fell eleven places, to 160 out of 180 countries, in this years Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders. The organization cited violence against journalists and a partisan media landscape as reasons that press freedom is in crisis in the worlds largest democracy." With an average of three or four journalists killed in connection with their work every year, India is one of the worlds most dangerous countries for media, the report said. Indias foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, dismissed the reports claims at an event last month. In recent years, journalists have been arrested and some are stopped from traveling abroad. Dozens are facing criminal prosecution, including for sedition. At the same time, the government has introduced sweeping regulatory laws for social media companies that give it more power to police online content. A number of media outlets critical of Modi have also been subjected to tax searches, most recently the BBC after it aired a documentary that examined the prime ministers role in 2002 anti-Muslim riots in the western state of Gujarat, where he was chief minister at the time. More than 1,000 people were killed in the violence. Modi has denied allegations that authorities under his watch allowed and even encouraged the bloodshed, and India's Supreme Court said it found no evidence to prosecute him. The two-part BBC program drew an immediate backlash from the Indian government, which invoked emergency powers under its information technology laws to block it from being shown in the country. Social media platforms including Twitter and YouTube also complied with government requests to remove links to the documentary. WASHINGTON: Narendra Modi did something very unusual on Thursday at the White House, he took questions from journalists. It's a rare occurrence for PM Modi who avoids unscripted moments and has presided over a steady decline in press freedom in his country. The news conference was more limited than the kind that U.S. presidents usually hold with foreign leaders, but even that wasn't easy to arrange with Modi. Indian officials agreed to the event only the day before, according to a person familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Administration officials told Modi's advisers that taking questions from the media was a standard part of how White House state visits are conducted, the person said. An Indian reporter asked about addressing climate change, and an American reporter pressed Modi on human rights concerns, a particularly delicate topic as the United States seeks closer ties with India as a bulwark against China's influence in the region. Modi defended India by saying Democracy runs in our veins and insisting that there is absolutely no space for discrimination. Although Modi, who is 72, has granted sporadic interviews since becoming India's leader nine years ago, he has never held a solo press conference. Sometimes when asked questions he'll defer to others on stage with him. Modi also tends to keep reporters at a distance during overseas trips, such as last year in Germany, when the two countries announced a clean energy deal. The Indian delegation had insisted then that no press conference be held, according to a German official, who spoke only on condition of anonymity. However, Modi has loosened up a little in the company of American counterparts. Eight years ago, when President Barack Obama visited India, Modi answered questions from two reporters, including one from The Associated Press. Modi is active on social media where hundreds of millions follow him, hosts a monthly radio program where he directly connects with listeners, and often makes big speeches. He uses these platforms to highlight government programs, inaugurate infrastructure projects and express condolences when an accident or tragedy strikes. But Modi has often remained silent on polarizing incidents, including when religious minorities have faced attacks by Hindu nationalists. He has also not commented on the current ethnic violence roiling Indias remote northeast, where at least 100 people have died since May. His silences are legendary, he has never asked people to refrain from sectarian violence, said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author of a Modi biography. He suggested that Modi should not get much credit for any press conference in Washington if only a few questions were allowed. Modi's action, Mukhopadhyay said, allows him to project an image as a more reasonable and democratic leader abroad, while he continues to evade press conferences at home, where he has scant regard for press freedom. The decline in press freedom didn't start with Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, but it's increased. The country fell eleven places, to 160 out of 180 countries, in this years Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders. The organization cited violence against journalists and a partisan media landscape as reasons that press freedom is in crisis in the worlds largest democracy." With an average of three or four journalists killed in connection with their work every year, India is one of the worlds most dangerous countries for media, the report said. Indias foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, dismissed the reports claims at an event last month. In recent years, journalists have been arrested and some are stopped from traveling abroad. Dozens are facing criminal prosecution, including for sedition. At the same time, the government has introduced sweeping regulatory laws for social media companies that give it more power to police online content. A number of media outlets critical of Modi have also been subjected to tax searches, most recently the BBC after it aired a documentary that examined the prime ministers role in 2002 anti-Muslim riots in the western state of Gujarat, where he was chief minister at the time. More than 1,000 people were killed in the violence. Modi has denied allegations that authorities under his watch allowed and even encouraged the bloodshed, and India's Supreme Court said it found no evidence to prosecute him. The two-part BBC program drew an immediate backlash from the Indian government, which invoked emergency powers under its information technology laws to block it from being shown in the country. Social media platforms including Twitter and YouTube also complied with government requests to remove links to the documentary. By PTI JAIPUR: Amid the ongoing deadlock between the administration and the family of a Dalit woman who was allegedly gang-raped and murdered in Bikaner, a police constable accused in the case has been terminated from service, officials said on Friday. Police have been trying to get the family members to accept the body, which is currently at the mortuary after post-mortem, but the family members have resisted all such attempts and are demanding the arrest of the accused. According to police, three persons, including two police constables, have been accused of the crime. While the police constables posted at the Khajuwala Police Station, both of whom were suspended soon after the FIR was registered on Tuesday, have been detained, the main accused Dinesh Vishnoi is still absconding, police said. Bikaner SP Tejaswani Gautam said that the decision to dismiss constable Manoj was taken late on Thursday night. A video in which constable Manoj is seen taking the victim in a car along with the main accused Dinesh Vishnoi surfaced, based on which the constable was terminated, the SP said. She said the role of the second constable Bhagirath was being examined in detail. A three-member delegation of BJP visited Khajuwala town in Bikaner district and met the family members and also held talks with police officials. Ajmer South MLA Anita Bhadel, who was part of the BJP delegation, targeted the Congress government saying crimes against women have increased under its rule in the state. The SP said that efforts were being made to persuade the family members to accept the dead body. The family members have already been given assurance of a compensation of Rs 10 lakh by the state government, Rs 15 lakh from social organisations, an investigation of the case by SIT, and a contractual job for one family member. On these assurances, the family members had called off the dharna outside the Khajuwala Police Station on Wednesday evening. But after the postmortem, they refused to accept the dead body on Thursday demanding arrest of all the accused. Postmortem was conducted on Wednesday evening. According to police, the 20-year-old woman's body was found in an area under the Khajuwala Police Station limits on Tuesday following which an FIR was lodged. The family members have named Dinesh Vishnoi, Manoj and Bhagirath in the police complaint. JAIPUR: Amid the ongoing deadlock between the administration and the family of a Dalit woman who was allegedly gang-raped and murdered in Bikaner, a police constable accused in the case has been terminated from service, officials said on Friday. Police have been trying to get the family members to accept the body, which is currently at the mortuary after post-mortem, but the family members have resisted all such attempts and are demanding the arrest of the accused. According to police, three persons, including two police constables, have been accused of the crime.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); While the police constables posted at the Khajuwala Police Station, both of whom were suspended soon after the FIR was registered on Tuesday, have been detained, the main accused Dinesh Vishnoi is still absconding, police said. Bikaner SP Tejaswani Gautam said that the decision to dismiss constable Manoj was taken late on Thursday night. A video in which constable Manoj is seen taking the victim in a car along with the main accused Dinesh Vishnoi surfaced, based on which the constable was terminated, the SP said. She said the role of the second constable Bhagirath was being examined in detail. A three-member delegation of BJP visited Khajuwala town in Bikaner district and met the family members and also held talks with police officials. Ajmer South MLA Anita Bhadel, who was part of the BJP delegation, targeted the Congress government saying crimes against women have increased under its rule in the state. The SP said that efforts were being made to persuade the family members to accept the dead body. The family members have already been given assurance of a compensation of Rs 10 lakh by the state government, Rs 15 lakh from social organisations, an investigation of the case by SIT, and a contractual job for one family member. On these assurances, the family members had called off the dharna outside the Khajuwala Police Station on Wednesday evening. But after the postmortem, they refused to accept the dead body on Thursday demanding arrest of all the accused. Postmortem was conducted on Wednesday evening. According to police, the 20-year-old woman's body was found in an area under the Khajuwala Police Station limits on Tuesday following which an FIR was lodged. The family members have named Dinesh Vishnoi, Manoj and Bhagirath in the police complaint. By PTI NEW DELHI: The NHRC has suggested screening inmates' mental health at the time of admission and constant monitoring of at-risk prisoners to bring down instances of suicides among them. The human rights body also recommended improving prison architecture and its environment to mitigate suicide attempts by prisoners in judicial custody. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it has observed that most of the unnatural deaths of prisoners occur due to suicide. In an advisory issued to the central and state governments and the Union Territories, the NHRC emphasised keeping barracks and toilets, where most suicides take place, free of such objects as can be used for hanging, for instance, iron rods, grills, fans, and hooks. It also suggested encouraging visits by family members of the prisoner and or at least phone talk to keep inmates off the edge. The commission gave the suggestions in a letter that was also sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Bureau of Police Research and Development, and all Director General-Prisons. NHRC Secretary General, Devendra Kumar Singh, also sought an 'Action Taken Report' within three months on the recommendations. In all, the central body highlighted 11 points for the agencies to follow, some of which were augmenting prison staff strength, their training, screening inmates' mental health at the admission stage, monitoring at-risk prisoners, and keeping their addiction in check. The NHRC also suggested prison authorities keep abrasive and corrosive chemicals used for cleaning toilets beyond the reach of prisoners and keep ropes, glass, wooden ladders, pipes, etc in their custody. It recommended that the jail authorities must regularly check the bed sheets and blankets of inmates to ensure they are not used to make ropes for suicide and also identify places where it can be done. "Mental health screening be included in the initial health screening report of every prisoner. Existing vacancies of prison staff should be filled up particularly those of prison welfare officers, probation officers, psychologists, and medical staff and the strength should be suitably augmented to include mental health professionals," it said. It recommended training the jail staff in each barrack in administering CPR and first aid, and assigning a prisoner 'buddy' for any eventuality. "There should be measures to tackle the issue of addiction among prisoners undertaken by regular visits of mental health care professionals and de-addiction experts," the letter said. It also suggested using the Gatekeeper Model, devised by the World Health Organization (WHO), which involves training select inmates to identify suicide-prone prisoners. NEW DELHI: The NHRC has suggested screening inmates' mental health at the time of admission and constant monitoring of at-risk prisoners to bring down instances of suicides among them. The human rights body also recommended improving prison architecture and its environment to mitigate suicide attempts by prisoners in judicial custody. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it has observed that most of the unnatural deaths of prisoners occur due to suicide.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In an advisory issued to the central and state governments and the Union Territories, the NHRC emphasised keeping barracks and toilets, where most suicides take place, free of such objects as can be used for hanging, for instance, iron rods, grills, fans, and hooks. It also suggested encouraging visits by family members of the prisoner and or at least phone talk to keep inmates off the edge. The commission gave the suggestions in a letter that was also sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Bureau of Police Research and Development, and all Director General-Prisons. NHRC Secretary General, Devendra Kumar Singh, also sought an 'Action Taken Report' within three months on the recommendations. In all, the central body highlighted 11 points for the agencies to follow, some of which were augmenting prison staff strength, their training, screening inmates' mental health at the admission stage, monitoring at-risk prisoners, and keeping their addiction in check. The NHRC also suggested prison authorities keep abrasive and corrosive chemicals used for cleaning toilets beyond the reach of prisoners and keep ropes, glass, wooden ladders, pipes, etc in their custody. It recommended that the jail authorities must regularly check the bed sheets and blankets of inmates to ensure they are not used to make ropes for suicide and also identify places where it can be done. "Mental health screening be included in the initial health screening report of every prisoner. Existing vacancies of prison staff should be filled up particularly those of prison welfare officers, probation officers, psychologists, and medical staff and the strength should be suitably augmented to include mental health professionals," it said. It recommended training the jail staff in each barrack in administering CPR and first aid, and assigning a prisoner 'buddy' for any eventuality. "There should be measures to tackle the issue of addiction among prisoners undertaken by regular visits of mental health care professionals and de-addiction experts," the letter said. It also suggested using the Gatekeeper Model, devised by the World Health Organization (WHO), which involves training select inmates to identify suicide-prone prisoners. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The G20 member nations have endorsed that the tourism sector is impacted by climate change, biodiversity and cultural losses and hence should be a driver for nature protection. In the Outcome Document and Chairs Summary of the G20 tourism ministerial meeting that concluded on Wednesday in Goa, the member nations recognised the need for tourism policies to advance sustainability in infrastructure and operations. The sustainable planning and management of tourism can be enhanced through adequate data and measurement, recognise the need to advance the measurement of tourism in its three dimensions economic, social and environmental and acknowledge the initiative towards a statistical framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism launched by United Nations World Tourism Organisation with the support of the United Nations Statistics Division, the document read. Five key priorities of the G20 tourism track, including green tourism, digitalisation and destination management, have been endorsed by all countries of the group for sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth in the sector, officials of the tourism ministry stated. At the end of the meeting, a Goa Roadmap and Action Plan and a ministerial outcome document came out. About 130 delegates from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, South Africa, Russia, Mauritius, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, Nigeria, Oman, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, and top international organisations took part in the ministerial meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a State visit in the US, greeted the delegates via a recorded video message. NEW DELHI: The G20 member nations have endorsed that the tourism sector is impacted by climate change, biodiversity and cultural losses and hence should be a driver for nature protection. In the Outcome Document and Chairs Summary of the G20 tourism ministerial meeting that concluded on Wednesday in Goa, the member nations recognised the need for tourism policies to advance sustainability in infrastructure and operations. The sustainable planning and management of tourism can be enhanced through adequate data and measurement, recognise the need to advance the measurement of tourism in its three dimensions economic, social and environmental and acknowledge the initiative towards a statistical framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism launched by United Nations World Tourism Organisation with the support of the United Nations Statistics Division, the document read.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Five key priorities of the G20 tourism track, including green tourism, digitalisation and destination management, have been endorsed by all countries of the group for sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth in the sector, officials of the tourism ministry stated. At the end of the meeting, a Goa Roadmap and Action Plan and a ministerial outcome document came out. About 130 delegates from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, South Africa, Russia, Mauritius, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, Nigeria, Oman, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, and top international organisations took part in the ministerial meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a State visit in the US, greeted the delegates via a recorded video message. By PTI WASHINGTON: A legislation to fast-track weapons sales to India has been introduced in the US Congress, with a group of lawmakers saying strengthening the strategic partnership of the nations will safeguard their shared security interests. This comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State Visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The legislation introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate on Thursday seeks to place India on equal footing with other partners and allies of the US by streamlining and accelerating the review and sales process for foreign military sales and exports under the Arms Export Control Act. While in the House of Representatives, it was introduced by Congressmen Mike Waltz, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Andy Barr and Marc Veasey, in the Senate, it was Mark Warner and John Cornyn. "The United States and India are bonded by our shared national security interests and democratic values which is why it is so important we continue to strengthen our global partnership to address the threats of today," Waltz said. The Congressman said that as "our militaries continue to conduct joint military exercises and coordinate through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, streamlining military sales will help our two nations bolster security in the Indo-Pacific region". Barr said that "by removing red tape around military sales, we are recognising India as the key partner it is". "Together, the United States and India will continue to cooperate and safeguard our shared national security interests and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region," he said. Barr said that as the world's largest democracies, "strengthening our global partnership is paramount in addressing the challenges of today and securing a safer future for all". Strengthening the US-India strategic partnership is vital to the prosperity and security of not only both nations, but also other democracies around the world, Krishnamoorthi said. "That is why I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to expand security cooperation between the United States and India by adding India to the list of partners included in the Arms Export Control Act," he said. WASHINGTON: A legislation to fast-track weapons sales to India has been introduced in the US Congress, with a group of lawmakers saying strengthening the strategic partnership of the nations will safeguard their shared security interests. This comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State Visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The legislation introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate on Thursday seeks to place India on equal footing with other partners and allies of the US by streamlining and accelerating the review and sales process for foreign military sales and exports under the Arms Export Control Act.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); While in the House of Representatives, it was introduced by Congressmen Mike Waltz, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Andy Barr and Marc Veasey, in the Senate, it was Mark Warner and John Cornyn. "The United States and India are bonded by our shared national security interests and democratic values which is why it is so important we continue to strengthen our global partnership to address the threats of today," Waltz said. The Congressman said that as "our militaries continue to conduct joint military exercises and coordinate through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, streamlining military sales will help our two nations bolster security in the Indo-Pacific region". Barr said that "by removing red tape around military sales, we are recognising India as the key partner it is". "Together, the United States and India will continue to cooperate and safeguard our shared national security interests and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region," he said. Barr said that as the world's largest democracies, "strengthening our global partnership is paramount in addressing the challenges of today and securing a safer future for all". Strengthening the US-India strategic partnership is vital to the prosperity and security of not only both nations, but also other democracies around the world, Krishnamoorthi said. "That is why I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to expand security cooperation between the United States and India by adding India to the list of partners included in the Arms Export Control Act," he said. By PTI WASHINGTON: Top American lawmakers have applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his address to the Joint Meeting of the US Congress that called for deepening the strong friendship between the two democracies, fostered by a range of close economic ties and expanded cooperation on areas like defence, trade and technology. Representing 1.4 billion Indians, Modi who addressed the US Congress on Thursday, said it is always a great honour and an exceptional privilege to address the US Congress twice. This is the second time that the prime minister has addressed the US Congress, the first time being in 2016. "Prime Minister Modi's address to Congress today emphasised the strong friendship that has been built between our two countries, fostered by a range of close economic ties and shared opportunities," Senator Mark Warner, Chairperson of the Senate Intelligence Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus said. "I'm pleased to see President Biden and Prime Minister Modi utilise this visit to continue to deepen the bonds between our countries and expand our cooperation on defence, trade, technology, and innovation," he said. ALSO READ | PM Modi meets the press at the White House, takes rare questions "It's also more important than ever in the face of rising global authoritarianism that we respect and reaffirm the shared values that form the foundations of our respective nations, such as democracy, universal human rights, tolerance and pluralism, and equal opportunity for all citizens," Warner said. "As the Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus, I look forward to this continued partnership because I know that the US-India relationship is one that's worth investing in," said the Senator who on Thursday introduced legislation to streamline the United States' ability to consider defensive military sales to India under the US Arms Export Control Act (AECA). House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul in a statement warmly welcomed Modi's visit and joint address to Congress, and the deepening of ties between the United States and India, including in defence and space cooperation, technology sharing, and people-to-people ties. "This visit will serve to strengthen our shared commitment to a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific and support for a rules-based international order. Because of the impact the US-India relationship will have on creating prosperity and security for billions of people, we look forward to this visit advancing our cooperation and further strengthening US-India ties," they said. Congressman French Hill said during his address, Prime Minister Modi demonstrated his understanding of how important the relationship between our two nations is and how they must continue to build upon their economic partnership, shared values, and national security needs to expand democracy around the world. "Prime Minister Modi is a key ally of the United States and I thank him for his leadership in strengthening the relationship between our two nations," Hill said. ALSO READ | Biden and Modi cheer booming economic ties in visit that also reckoned with India's record on rights Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush, Ilhan Omar, and Jamaal Bowman boycotted the joint meeting. "When it comes to standing up for human rights, actions speak louder than words. By bestowing Prime Minister Modi with the rare honour of a joint address, Congress undermines its ability to be a credible advocate for the rights of religious minorities and journalists around the world," the four lawmakers said in a joint statement. We stand in solidarity with the communities that have been harmed by Modi and his policies. "We must never sacrifice human rights at the altar of political expediency and we urge all Members of Congress who profess to stand for freedom and democracy to join us in boycotting this embarrassing spectacle," they said. WASHINGTON: Top American lawmakers have applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his address to the Joint Meeting of the US Congress that called for deepening the strong friendship between the two democracies, fostered by a range of close economic ties and expanded cooperation on areas like defence, trade and technology. Representing 1.4 billion Indians, Modi who addressed the US Congress on Thursday, said it is always a great honour and an exceptional privilege to address the US Congress twice. This is the second time that the prime minister has addressed the US Congress, the first time being in 2016.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Prime Minister Modi's address to Congress today emphasised the strong friendship that has been built between our two countries, fostered by a range of close economic ties and shared opportunities," Senator Mark Warner, Chairperson of the Senate Intelligence Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus said. "I'm pleased to see President Biden and Prime Minister Modi utilise this visit to continue to deepen the bonds between our countries and expand our cooperation on defence, trade, technology, and innovation," he said. ALSO READ | PM Modi meets the press at the White House, takes rare questions "It's also more important than ever in the face of rising global authoritarianism that we respect and reaffirm the shared values that form the foundations of our respective nations, such as democracy, universal human rights, tolerance and pluralism, and equal opportunity for all citizens," Warner said. "As the Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus, I look forward to this continued partnership because I know that the US-India relationship is one that's worth investing in," said the Senator who on Thursday introduced legislation to streamline the United States' ability to consider defensive military sales to India under the US Arms Export Control Act (AECA). House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul in a statement warmly welcomed Modi's visit and joint address to Congress, and the deepening of ties between the United States and India, including in defence and space cooperation, technology sharing, and people-to-people ties. "This visit will serve to strengthen our shared commitment to a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific and support for a rules-based international order. Because of the impact the US-India relationship will have on creating prosperity and security for billions of people, we look forward to this visit advancing our cooperation and further strengthening US-India ties," they said. Congressman French Hill said during his address, Prime Minister Modi demonstrated his understanding of how important the relationship between our two nations is and how they must continue to build upon their economic partnership, shared values, and national security needs to expand democracy around the world. "Prime Minister Modi is a key ally of the United States and I thank him for his leadership in strengthening the relationship between our two nations," Hill said. ALSO READ | Biden and Modi cheer booming economic ties in visit that also reckoned with India's record on rights Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush, Ilhan Omar, and Jamaal Bowman boycotted the joint meeting. "When it comes to standing up for human rights, actions speak louder than words. By bestowing Prime Minister Modi with the rare honour of a joint address, Congress undermines its ability to be a credible advocate for the rights of religious minorities and journalists around the world," the four lawmakers said in a joint statement. We stand in solidarity with the communities that have been harmed by Modi and his policies. "We must never sacrifice human rights at the altar of political expediency and we urge all Members of Congress who profess to stand for freedom and democracy to join us in boycotting this embarrassing spectacle," they said. By Express News Service BHOPAL: Posters accusing former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath of corruption surfaced in Bhopal on Friday sparking a war of words between the Congress and the BJP. The mysterious and ugly war of posters five months before the assembly polls in the state started from the Manisha Market area in Bhopal, as QR Code posters bearing state Congress chief Kamal Naths pictures and containing the title, Wanted: Corruption Nath revived the memories of Congresss PayCM posters which were pasted outside the BJPs headquarters on the outskirts of Bengaluru, months before the Karnataka assembly polls. While the Congress accused the BJP of putting up the posters in Bhopal and Rewa districts to defame Kamal Nath, the state Congress chief himself said that CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan's attempts to demean him won't fructify. MP government is the most corrupt government in the country and Shivraj Singh Chouhan the most corrupt CM. No corruption accusations have been levelled against me in my long political career. I dont need a certificate of honesty from the BJP government. Accusing the BJP of putting up the objectionable posters, Congress leaders led by ex-minister and local MLA PC Sharma reached the Chuna Bhatti police station of Bhopal and demanded that a police complaint be lodged in the matter. With police not lodging the complaint, the Congress team sat on dharna at the police station premises. Denying any hand in the posters, the state BJP president VD Sharma said, Weve nothing to do with these posters, its the result of the internal rift in the Congress. Maybe those youths who are fed up with the politics of the dynasty in the Congress have put up these posters. Instead of blaming us, the Congress should put its own house in order. Just a few hours later, similar objectionable posters of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, containing the title, Shivraj Nahi Ghotala Raj appeared on the walls at multiple locations, including close to the Vallabh Bhawan, Satpura Bhawan, NO 5 Bus Stop and a shopping mall. While maintaining that the Congress had nothing to with the posters pasted at multiple locations in Bhopal, state Congresss media advisor Piyush Babele said, The common people have given befitting reply to the BJP, who had pasted the posters to demean our leader earlier in the day. BHOPAL: Posters accusing former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath of corruption surfaced in Bhopal on Friday sparking a war of words between the Congress and the BJP. The mysterious and ugly war of posters five months before the assembly polls in the state started from the Manisha Market area in Bhopal, as QR Code posters bearing state Congress chief Kamal Naths pictures and containing the title, Wanted: Corruption Nath revived the memories of Congresss PayCM posters which were pasted outside the BJPs headquarters on the outskirts of Bengaluru, months before the Karnataka assembly polls. While the Congress accused the BJP of putting up the posters in Bhopal and Rewa districts to defame Kamal Nath, the state Congress chief himself said that CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan's attempts to demean him won't fructify. MP government is the most corrupt government in the country and Shivraj Singh Chouhan the most corrupt CM. No corruption accusations have been levelled against me in my long political career. I dont need a certificate of honesty from the BJP government.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Accusing the BJP of putting up the objectionable posters, Congress leaders led by ex-minister and local MLA PC Sharma reached the Chuna Bhatti police station of Bhopal and demanded that a police complaint be lodged in the matter. With police not lodging the complaint, the Congress team sat on dharna at the police station premises. Denying any hand in the posters, the state BJP president VD Sharma said, Weve nothing to do with these posters, its the result of the internal rift in the Congress. Maybe those youths who are fed up with the politics of the dynasty in the Congress have put up these posters. Instead of blaming us, the Congress should put its own house in order. Just a few hours later, similar objectionable posters of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, containing the title, Shivraj Nahi Ghotala Raj appeared on the walls at multiple locations, including close to the Vallabh Bhawan, Satpura Bhawan, NO 5 Bus Stop and a shopping mall. While maintaining that the Congress had nothing to with the posters pasted at multiple locations in Bhopal, state Congresss media advisor Piyush Babele said, The common people have given befitting reply to the BJP, who had pasted the posters to demean our leader earlier in the day. Sunitha Natti By Micron Technology's proposed $2.7 billion chip testing and packaging plant in India has an undeniable Chinese trigger. At least three factors seem to have influenced the $30.8 billion memory chipmaker to choose India, with firm support from Washington. First, Micron is facing a partial ban in China. Second, the US government's latest funding package for chipmakers reportedly comes with restrictions on doing business in China. Lastly, Micron itself is facing a financial downturn, and given the incoming revenue hit from China, a market like India opens up fresh opportunities. Finally, the timing of the announcement also serves a dual purpose. One, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first state visit to the US needed to show some big-ticket deals like the Micron investment, which incidentally also showcased the US' commitment to China-plus-one strategy. Prior to Micron's partial ban, China had not taken any specific actions to counter the increasing US restrictions including a series of export controls and tech sanctions essentially preventing US companies from selling high-end chips and technologies to China. But in May, the Cybersecurity Administration of China claimed that Micron had failed its security review and barred domestic firms from purchasing Micron's products. Initially, the revenue hit was estimated to be in low-single to high-single digit percentage. But early this month in an SEC filing, Micron warned of a bigger blow. The company now believes half of its revenue from China-headquartered firms will be impacted, equating to a low-double-digit percentage of its total revenue. Micron's revenue from companies based in mainland China and Hong Kong, including direct sales and indirect sales, accounts for about a quarter of its total revenue. Micron said the conclusion by the Chinese regulator continues to remain uncertain and fluid, yet it vowed to invest $603.8 million in its chip packaging facility in the Chinese city of Xian. Micron primarily makes two products: NAND, which doesn't need power to retain data like a portable flash drive, and DRAM, which must be powered on to hold data. Interestingly, their production is dominated by just three companies including Micron and two South Korean companies Samsung, and SK Hynix. Together, they account for over 90% of the global market share for DRAM chips and over 60% for NAND chips. It'll be interesting to see how the dispute over Micron evolves and if South Korea, a US ally, will pitch in to fill the gap left by Micron's exclusion in China or not. Meanwhile, Micron's proposed Indian investment plans also come at a time when the company is facing a financial slowdown. Just last December, it announced 10% workforce reduction, besides other cost-cutting measures including suspension of employee bonuses and trimming of executive salaries to deal with a market demand-supply mismatch. The Boise, Idaho-based company has about 48,000 employees across 38 sites in North America, Europe and Asia including one office in Bengaluru and two offices in Hyderabad. It has 11 manufacturing sites across the world, but none in India until now. The proposed Assembly Testing Marking and Packaging (ATMP) plant will also be India's first such plant in the high-end semiconductor fabrication ecosystem. The company, however, said the austerity measures won't upset its investment plans. In fact, last year it announced a $100-billion investment plan to set up the US' largest semiconductor fabrication facility in Clay, New York. The proposed $100-billion megafab is an attempt to increase American-made DRAM production to 40% of the company's global output over the next decade. Micron will avail over $5.5 billion federal incentives besides grants and tax credits from the CHIPS and Science Act. CHIPS, or Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act, introduced in August 2022, offers $52 billion of the $280-billion funding, and is a federal government initiative to revitalize domestic semiconductor manufacturing, where the US lags behind Taiwan and China. Interestingly, those availing incentives from CHIPS Act face restrictions on how much capital they can spend on developing advanced factories in China or producing chips for the American market. Reportedly, companies can expand existing chip production facilities in China only if the output is intended for the Chinese market alone. The Covid-19 led supply-chain disruptions was a wake-up call for all countries, and if there's one thing that every economy wanted to gain self-sufficiency in, it's in semiconductor chips, given their indispensable usage. Countries have been on an incentive-offering spree since then. If the US announced an eye-popping $280-billion funding package, the EU matched it with a euro 45-billion EU Chips Act. India, which meets all of its semiconductor needs currently through imports, announced a Rs 76,000-crore funding package. The competition to attract chipmakers is so fierce that it's not just countries with little or no chipmaking experience that entered the fray. Even countries like Taiwan, the global hub for chip manufacturing, are unwilling to be easy, passing fresh laws offering incentives to local chipmakers to keep R&D within its territory. Taiwan has a near monopoly when it comes to chipmaking, yet the fact that its government finds the need to sustain incentives despite decades of handholding chipmakers confirms both the need and urgency to do so. Micron Technology's proposed $2.7 billion chip testing and packaging plant in India has an undeniable Chinese trigger. At least three factors seem to have influenced the $30.8 billion memory chipmaker to choose India, with firm support from Washington. First, Micron is facing a partial ban in China. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Second, the US government's latest funding package for chipmakers reportedly comes with restrictions on doing business in China. Lastly, Micron itself is facing a financial downturn, and given the incoming revenue hit from China, a market like India opens up fresh opportunities. Finally, the timing of the announcement also serves a dual purpose. One, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first state visit to the US needed to show some big-ticket deals like the Micron investment, which incidentally also showcased the US' commitment to China-plus-one strategy. Prior to Micron's partial ban, China had not taken any specific actions to counter the increasing US restrictions including a series of export controls and tech sanctions essentially preventing US companies from selling high-end chips and technologies to China. But in May, the Cybersecurity Administration of China claimed that Micron had failed its security review and barred domestic firms from purchasing Micron's products. Initially, the revenue hit was estimated to be in low-single to high-single digit percentage. But early this month in an SEC filing, Micron warned of a bigger blow. The company now believes half of its revenue from China-headquartered firms will be impacted, equating to a low-double-digit percentage of its total revenue. Micron's revenue from companies based in mainland China and Hong Kong, including direct sales and indirect sales, accounts for about a quarter of its total revenue. Micron said the conclusion by the Chinese regulator continues to remain uncertain and fluid, yet it vowed to invest $603.8 million in its chip packaging facility in the Chinese city of Xian. Micron primarily makes two products: NAND, which doesn't need power to retain data like a portable flash drive, and DRAM, which must be powered on to hold data. Interestingly, their production is dominated by just three companies including Micron and two South Korean companies Samsung, and SK Hynix. Together, they account for over 90% of the global market share for DRAM chips and over 60% for NAND chips. It'll be interesting to see how the dispute over Micron evolves and if South Korea, a US ally, will pitch in to fill the gap left by Micron's exclusion in China or not. Meanwhile, Micron's proposed Indian investment plans also come at a time when the company is facing a financial slowdown. Just last December, it announced 10% workforce reduction, besides other cost-cutting measures including suspension of employee bonuses and trimming of executive salaries to deal with a market demand-supply mismatch. The Boise, Idaho-based company has about 48,000 employees across 38 sites in North America, Europe and Asia including one office in Bengaluru and two offices in Hyderabad. It has 11 manufacturing sites across the world, but none in India until now. The proposed Assembly Testing Marking and Packaging (ATMP) plant will also be India's first such plant in the high-end semiconductor fabrication ecosystem. The company, however, said the austerity measures won't upset its investment plans. In fact, last year it announced a $100-billion investment plan to set up the US' largest semiconductor fabrication facility in Clay, New York. The proposed $100-billion megafab is an attempt to increase American-made DRAM production to 40% of the company's global output over the next decade. Micron will avail over $5.5 billion federal incentives besides grants and tax credits from the CHIPS and Science Act. CHIPS, or Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act, introduced in August 2022, offers $52 billion of the $280-billion funding, and is a federal government initiative to revitalize domestic semiconductor manufacturing, where the US lags behind Taiwan and China. Interestingly, those availing incentives from CHIPS Act face restrictions on how much capital they can spend on developing advanced factories in China or producing chips for the American market. Reportedly, companies can expand existing chip production facilities in China only if the output is intended for the Chinese market alone. The Covid-19 led supply-chain disruptions was a wake-up call for all countries, and if there's one thing that every economy wanted to gain self-sufficiency in, it's in semiconductor chips, given their indispensable usage. Countries have been on an incentive-offering spree since then. If the US announced an eye-popping $280-billion funding package, the EU matched it with a euro 45-billion EU Chips Act. India, which meets all of its semiconductor needs currently through imports, announced a Rs 76,000-crore funding package. The competition to attract chipmakers is so fierce that it's not just countries with little or no chipmaking experience that entered the fray. Even countries like Taiwan, the global hub for chip manufacturing, are unwilling to be easy, passing fresh laws offering incentives to local chipmakers to keep R&D within its territory. Taiwan has a near monopoly when it comes to chipmaking, yet the fact that its government finds the need to sustain incentives despite decades of handholding chipmakers confirms both the need and urgency to do so. By Agencies NICOSIA (CYPRUS): Cypriot emergency services rescued 45 Syrian migrants from two boats after receiving information that they were in distress near a coastal tourist resort, authorities said on Friday. The eastern Mediterranean island's Joint Rescue Coordination Centre said it had brought ashore 29 men, five women and 11 children who had been afloat off Cape Greco on Thursday evening. Police said they were in good health and had been transferred to a migrant reception centre on the outskirts of the capital Nicosia. Two people, aged 20 and 18, were arrested on suspicion of navigating the two boats and were scheduled to appear in court on Friday. A court in Cyprus ordered that two Syrian men remain in police custody for seven days on suspicion of people smuggling after authorities rescued the Syrian migrants aboard two rickety vessels off the island nation's southern coast. European Union member Cyprus says it is on the front line of the bloc's irregular migration flows, and last year registered the EU's highest number of first-time asylum applicants per capita. Those rescued on Thursday evening were 18 irregular migrants on a wooden boat and another 27 aboard an inflatable craft. Police said they had set off from war-torn Syria before being detected off Cape Greco, near the tourist resort of Aya Napa on the island's southeast coast. The rescue operation comes after a boat carrying 37 Syrian migrants was intercepted off Cape Greco and escorted to shore on Wednesday. Cypriot authorities say there has been a rise in migrants arriving by boat, with a 60 per cent increase recorded in the first five months of 2023 compared with last year. They say most migrants arriving on boats set out from the port of Tartus in Syria, which has been ravaged by more than a decade of war, although fighting has subsided since 2020. (With inputs from AFP and Associated Press) NICOSIA (CYPRUS): Cypriot emergency services rescued 45 Syrian migrants from two boats after receiving information that they were in distress near a coastal tourist resort, authorities said on Friday. The eastern Mediterranean island's Joint Rescue Coordination Centre said it had brought ashore 29 men, five women and 11 children who had been afloat off Cape Greco on Thursday evening. Police said they were in good health and had been transferred to a migrant reception centre on the outskirts of the capital Nicosia.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Two people, aged 20 and 18, were arrested on suspicion of navigating the two boats and were scheduled to appear in court on Friday. A court in Cyprus ordered that two Syrian men remain in police custody for seven days on suspicion of people smuggling after authorities rescued the Syrian migrants aboard two rickety vessels off the island nation's southern coast. European Union member Cyprus says it is on the front line of the bloc's irregular migration flows, and last year registered the EU's highest number of first-time asylum applicants per capita. Those rescued on Thursday evening were 18 irregular migrants on a wooden boat and another 27 aboard an inflatable craft. Police said they had set off from war-torn Syria before being detected off Cape Greco, near the tourist resort of Aya Napa on the island's southeast coast. The rescue operation comes after a boat carrying 37 Syrian migrants was intercepted off Cape Greco and escorted to shore on Wednesday. Cypriot authorities say there has been a rise in migrants arriving by boat, with a 60 per cent increase recorded in the first five months of 2023 compared with last year. They say most migrants arriving on boats set out from the port of Tartus in Syria, which has been ravaged by more than a decade of war, although fighting has subsided since 2020. (With inputs from AFP and Associated Press) LenDenClub makes history as first P2P lending platform to enable ESOP liquidity NewsVoir, Mumbai, June 22: LenDenClub, India's leading and most trusted, proudly announces its successful ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) liquidation, reaffirming its commitment to fostering a culture of meritocracy and rewarding its employees for their exceptional contributions. LenDenClub makes history as first P2P lending platform to enable ESOP liquidity LenDenClub has emerged as the pioneer in the Indian fintech industry by becoming the first Peer-to-Peer lending platform to facilitate ESOP liquidity. Among the company's workforce consisting of 200 employees, approximately 30 per cent of team members, spanning across senior, mid-level, and junior positions, possess ESOPs. When considering the current liquidation event, it is notable that approximately 85 per cent of eligible employees have opted to exercise their right to participate. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that a select number of individuals have made the decision to pursue partial liquidation rather than opting for the complete liquidation.As an organization deeply rooted in meritocracy, LenDenClub believes in recognizing and rewarding individuals who work hard and achieve outstanding results. In line with this philosophy, the company offers ESOPs to its employees, recognizing their instrumental role in creating value for the organization. Unlike many other companies, LenDenClub extends ESOP eligibility to every single employee, regardless of their position within the company.The pandemic had posed many financial challenges for individuals across the globe. In a heartening incident, a former office boy who had been allocated ESOPs faced financial distress due to home loan EMIs. Recognizing the employee's plight, the management acted promptly and offered their support by facilitating the liquidation of his ESOPs, providing crucial financial relief. This compassionate gesture took place in the midst of the pandemic in 2020.Now, the company has introduced a liquidity program specifically designed for the current ESOP holders, further enhancing their financial opportunities.ESOPs have proven to be a transformative benefit for LenDenClub's employees. Another former employee, Priti Ranjan Dhal, was grateful for steadfast support during a significant milestone in his life, thanks to the ESOPs provided by the company. Priti Ranjan Dhal, who joined LenDenClub during its early stages, contributed for approximately four years before eventually parting ways.The story of Rajat Sinha, a senior executive with over five years of stint at LenDenClub, exemplifies the remarkable patience and incredible returns that ESOPs can offer. Despite contemplating selling his ESOPs earlier in 2019, Rajat chose to hold onto his shares till this liquidation event. His decision was rewarded with an astounding return of 15 times more than the previous valuation, providing him with an unexpected windfall and reaffirming the potential of LenDenClub's growth."This is a proud moment for me and my Co-founder Dipesh. Our team has shown unwavering belief in us, and we have proven them right. This achievement further reinforces our company's commitment to rewarding our top performers with additional ESOPs. Inspired by the meritocratic principles of the global giant 3G Capital, we implemented them in LenDenClub a few years ago. The results have been remarkable, not just in terms of organizational performance, but also in terms of wealth creation for our team members. We have individuals who hold a range of ESOPs, from a few to a few hundred. Considering the set price of Rs. 3.25 lakhs for this current round of liquidation, the extent of wealth creation is truly remarkable. However, it's important to remember that earning such wealth requires patience," stated Bhavin Patel, CEO of LenDenClub. "We strongly believe in a shared vision, meritocracy, and our commitment to building wealth for our dedicated team members who contribute to the growth of our organization."LenDenClub's pioneering move in facilitating ESOP liquidity sets a new benchmark in the fintech industry, highlighting the organization's progressive approach towards employee benefits. By recognizing the contributions and fostering the financial well-being of its employees, LenDenClub aims to continue leading the way in fostering a culture of excellence and growth.Click Here to Download the .LenDenClub is India's largest Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending platform, owned and operated by Innofin Solutions Pvt. Ltd., an RBI-registered (NBFC-P2P). It provides an alternate investment opportunity to investors or lenders looking for high returns by connecting them with creditworthy borrowers looking for short-term loans. In the past three months, its flagship product, FMPP, has provided returns of more than 10 per cent p.a. to 100 per cent of the investors. The AI and ML-powered platform encourages investors to start investing in P2P lending with a minimum investment of Rs. 10,000 and hyper-diversifies their funds to as low as Rs. 1 per borrower, leading to risk-mitigated and stable returns to investors.Founded by Bhavin Patel and Dipesh Karki, LenDenClub has disbursed loans of over Rs. 11,000 crores and has an active customer base of over 85 lakh investors. In 2022, they also launched a corporate venture capital for early-stage Tech and FinTech startups, offering them acceleration through mentorship and access to capital.(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 Shared Recently! Marquez returns for Assen as Lecuona substitutes Mir Assen [Netherlands], June 22: The Repsol Honda Team arrive in the Netherlands for the last round before the summer break, Marc Marquez is back after missing the Grand Prix in Germany with Iker Lecuona alongside him as Joan Mir continues his recovery. Marquez returns for Assen as Lecuona substitutes Mir After a bruising weekend in Germany, Marc Marquez will return to the Repsol Honda Team RC213V to compete at round eight. The Dutch round is known for intense battles around 4.54 kilometre-long circuit, the fast and flowing nature of the track often keeping multiple riders battling together. Marquez has twice won the race in Assen in the premier class and has only once finished off the podium - in 2021. He and the team arrive with realistic expectations and know that it will be another weekend focusing on improvements and the future.The other side of the Repsol Honda Team box will see Iker Lecuona make his second appearance of the year. Joan Mir will continue to recover at home with the aim of returning to action at the British GP fully fit after a challenging start to the year. Lecuona made his Repsol Honda Team debut at the Spanish round earlier in the year, putting together a consistent weekend and finishing both the Sprint race and the Grand Prix. In 2022, the 23-year-old claimed his debut WorldSBK podium at the Dutch circuit."I arrive in Assen looking to put the hard weekend in Germany behind me. We have one more race before the summer break and the objective is to gather a lot of good data for the engineers so they can work over these next weeks. This is the focus for the weekend, we need to remain calm and approach the weekend with a clear plan, " said Honda rider Marc Marquez."First of all I want to wish Joan all the best in his recovery. I am excited to join the team again, it's a true honour. Assen is a circuit I like, I got my first WorldSBK podium there so hopefully we can have another good weekend like in Jerez. I am still recovering a bit after the crash in Misano, so this will be a good physical test too. Let's ride!" said Honda rider Iker Lecuona.ANI22 June 2023 Shared Recently! Good Flippin Burgers raises USD 4 million in Series A round PRNewswire, Mumbai, June 22: Good Flippin' Burgers, the renowned burger chain celebrated for its mouth-watering burgers, has successfully raised USD 4 million in its latest Series A round of funding via Tanglin Venture Partners. Good Flippin' Burgers raises USD 4 million in Series A round This cash infusion not only bolsters the company's financial resources for growth but also solidifies its ambitions as it continues its journey of becoming the most loved burger brand in India. Good Flippin' Burgers raised USD 1 million in April 2022 and have grown 3X this past year.Founded by Viren Dsilva, Sijo Mathew, and Sid Marchant, who left their corporate careers to pursue their dream of serving the perfect burger. Looking towards the future, Good Flippin' Burgers has set ambitious plans for the next 12 months post this round of funding. The company will primarily concentrate on geographical expansion, reinforcing its supply chain, and further refining its dining and quick service models. These strategic initiatives will position Good Flippin' Burgers as a dominant player in the market, poised to meet the growing demand for delicious burgers across diverse regions. Ashika Capital was a financial advisor to this round."We are thrilled to have secured this funding and garnered the support of respected investors," Viren DSilva, Co-founder Good Flippin' Burgers said as he commented on the latest round. "This investment is a significant milestone for us and will empower us to expand our operations, fortify our supply chain, and bring our delicious burgers to an even wider customer base. We are grateful for the overwhelming love and support we have received from our loyal patrons and will continue to keep delighting them with our product portfolio.""Viren, Sid and Sijo are exceptional founders with extreme customer obsession and process orientation. They have built a strong brand in Good Flippin' Burgers with extraordinary customer love. We are really impressed with their focus on supply chain capabilities which has enabled them to maintain highest level of quality as well as consistency across their store footprint. At Tanglin, we are extremely excited to be partnering with the team and look forward to working with them towards building an enduring business," said Sankalp Gupta, Partner at Tanglin Venture Partners.What truly distinguishes this team is its unwavering focus on people, processes, and scalable operations. The brand adheres to the principle of being built for scale, with a conscious approach to every aspect of its operations. By prioritizing four key pillars--people, processes, product, and patrons--the company has established itself as an industry leader, delivering excellent dining experiences to its valued customers with an exceptional product portfolio. From all-time favourites adored by celebrities to innovative offerings that cater to a range of tastes, Good Flippin' Burgers is steadfast in its commitment to becoming India's most beloved burger chain.GOOD FLIPPIN' BURGERSA was launched in 2019 in Mumbai. The brand currently has a total of 23 outlets and rising across Mumbai and Delhi with a headcount of more than 295+ employees. With 16 stores across Mumbai, the brand has also made inroads in Delhi with 7 outlets.It started with the simple aim of creating a haven for foodies that serves fresh delicious burgers that are priced right. Since then, the burger chain has been flippin' hearts from one customer to the next, every day across all its outlets.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI22 June 2023 Shared Recently! Cyclone Biparjoy: Gujarat Congress sets up teams to help affected people Ahmedabad, June 22: The Gujarat Congress on Thursday set up teams to evaluate the situation and address the concerns of the affected residents in the aftermath of Cyclone Biparjoy and heavy rainfall causing extensive damage. Cyclone Biparjoy: Gujarat Congress sets up teams to help affected people Emphasising the need for immediate action, Gujarat Congress chief Shaktisinh Gohil said "There are several complaints by people affected due to the cyclone, especially in Patan and Banaskantha. Congress members Jignesh Mevani and Jagdish Thakor will personally meet the affected individuals. In areas like Kutch, Naushad Solanki and other members of the party will be conducting visits. Similarly, our members will also visit Jamnagar, Dwarka and Porbandar."Gohil said the farmers have suffered significant losses, particularly in terms of tree uprooting, but they have not received adequate compensation."Their crops have been damaged, and there has been a lack of action in addressing these issues. Livestock should also be provided with necessary support such as grass. Additionally, electricity is still not restored in several areas. Our members will assist anyone who requires help in filling forms or seeking government aid," he said.Gohil also appealed to the Gujarat government to provide a relief package for the affected individuals."The damage amounts to crores of rupees. We will also appeal to the collectors in the designated areas to extend their assistance," he said.As per the Gujarat government's official data, power restoration is expected to be completed by June 30.The damage caused by the cyclone has resulted in an estimated loss of over Rs 1,013 crore for power companies, according to government records.IANS22 June 2023 Shared Recently! India Business Conclave 2023 , Chennai : Business Ecosystem Empowering & Transforming India SRV Media, New Delhi, June 22: Global Triumph Foundation and Image Planet organized the India Business Conclave 2023 and Women Entrepreneurship Summit 2023 event held at Ramada Plaza Chennai on 17th June 2023. India Business Conclave 2023 , Chennai : Business Ecosystem Empowering & Transforming India In this event 200+ top business leaders and women entrepreneur participate from all over India.Eminent guests and speakers that graced the event includedSenji K.S. Masthan, Minister for Minorities, NRI Tamil Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu;Dr. Kanimozhi NVN Somu, Member of Parliament, Parliamentary Standing Committee Member of Education, Women, Children, Youth Affairs and SportsBhupesh Nagarajan, Co-Chairman FICCI; Bala MS, Chairman, Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT Sricity) Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, Founder and CEO, STRATINFINITY INC, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of KEN42; Antony Lobo, Honorary Consulate of Spain; Sesha M Sai, Honorary Consul General for Republic of Seychelles; Mr. Oleg N. Avdeev, Consul General of Russia in Chennai, India; Dr. P.K. Rajput, Former Sr. Vice President, Cadila Pharma Ltd.; Pritam Kumar Agrawal Founder and Director -Hello Kids Chain of Preschools and Riverstone Schools; Dr L Shawnawazkhan, Advisor, International Business Group - Dubai; Dr.Reenu Yadav, Dean, IES University, Bhopal; Dr.Abhishek Pandey Founder Director harles Walters Council For Innovation; Dr. B.Sendilkumar, Dean and Director -Allied Health Sciences, Vinayaka Missions Research Foundation-DU; S Karthikeyan, Managing Director, Relux ElectricThe panel discussions witnessed various expert panelists shared their insights on the business innovation in startups, marketing and challenges in business eco-system. The panelists also shared their valuable insights on how aspiring entrepreneurs can utilize the budding opportunities in the Indian context during the panel discussion on the topic "Business Ecosystem Empowering and Transforming India" The panel members for the discussion included --Gaurav Sharma, CEO Flexi Analyst ; Neha Tyagi , Assistant General Manager Procurement at Paytm Payments Bank ; Ajmal Dastagir,CEO at Gemini Films India ; John Yesudhas, Founder and CEO , IGO AGRI TECHFARMS ; Professor and Head - Department of Economics , Deputy Registrar , Alliance University BengaluruOur second Panel Discussion was on topic " Fostering Women Entrepreneurs and Digital Skills " . The panel members for the discussion included --Srimathi Kesan, Founder, CEO at Space Kidz India; Dr. Susan Sindhu, Director at Hindustan Community College, Medical Director, Smart Vision Hospital, President, Indo Australian Association; Farah Khan Founder Nutribs; Neha K Bisht, Founder and CEO, Blue BuzzIndia Business Conclave 2023 Winners ListDr J Deny ; Edumate.tv (Ahead Media Solutions Pvt Ltd ); Humming Birds Academy of LearningKunal Dron; Raj Eshwar; Shanaya Payments Technology and Swiss Payments TechnologySTEM Cadets Pvt Ltd; 4S REFRACTORIES; ACSASS; AL OWAISI SHIFA FOUNDATION; Bibi B LBrand Recall Integrated Services; Cambridge Training and Consultancy; Career Pathways ;DALE Vihari Trips Pvt Ltd; Dew Montessori; Digital Mercato; Dr D Dev Anand; Dr. V. G. Santhosam ;Dr.Abhijit Banerjee; Empire Design Construction Pvt ltd; Eshal Recruitment Consultancy Private Limited;FC Marina Sports Infra Private Limited; Fitfutures; Harikrishnan S; Hello Kids; Hello Kids Creatorz ;Hello Kids Swan Preschool; Hello Kids TK Preschool; Hello Kids - Happyfeet; Hello Kids Aadya Preschool; Hellokids Berryz; Hellokids Smiley Preschool; Hello Kids Sparkle Preschool; Ira Agarwal ;Jesh Kids New Gen Preschool; John Yesudhas; Joteer Vaastu; Kizzards Group of Preschools; L Giri babuLittle World; McAries and Company; Mohammed Anifa Biriyani; Native Araku Coffee Pvt Ltd ;Online E-Trade; Prabhat Kumar; Prof. (Dr.) Sunil Kumar; Prof. Dr. Anita Ramesh; R R Enterprises And Electricals Of R R Group Of Industries; School of Allied Health Sciences, VMRF-DU; Shero Home FoodSri Lakshmi High School kurnool; Sunil David; Technokarz Institute of Innovation and Technology (TECHNOKARZ); The Archery Solutions; Umbrella Homes and Interiors; Vehicle Doorstep Services Private Limited; Vishal Joshi; Vivacious Bridal Studio and Academy; Vividus Health Pvt Ltd; VJ Eventz ;Women Entrepreneurship Summit 2023 Winners ListDr.Vaishali Vijayant Thorat; Suma Menon; Neha Tyagi; Shree Purniema Krishnan; Dr. Leena SatputeDr Roshini S ; Dr.Sasikala Srinivas ; Sheetal Jethy ; Satpritika Vaasudevaan ; Prathibha R ; Kulpreet KaurSandhya Heranjal ; Pushpa M Chhabria ; Er. Joshla L Soni; Poonam Gaur; Dr. Raina Khatri TandonNeha K Bisht ; K N Mamatha ; Lalitha.K ; Bhagyalakshmi Jayanna ; G. Vijayalakshmi ; Mettaigaru Ramyareddy ; Shrividhya ; Sakshi Sabarwal Duggal ; Sayani Ghosh ; Dr.Tamilarasi Arunkumar ; Dr.Navjot kaur ; Parveen Sahulameed ; Dr Santhi Saravanan ; A.V.ReyaannSai ; Kavitha Sasi Udhay ; Preetha PalakrishanEnablers for the event included - The Business Ascent, Nutribs , Sha Consultant, Flexi Analyst, Native Araku Coffee PVT LTD , Hello Kids, School Consultant India, Little Fingers, Little Woods, Charles Walters Council For Innovation and Research , Allied Health Sciences ,Vinayaka Missions Research Foundation-DU , LAMEHENOW , Entrepreneurs Deal , Fit Futures, Transcendental TechnologiesTo know more, visit - and .(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)ANI22 June 2023 Shared Recently! Centre rubbishes media report on possible tweak in pension system, says no conclusion reached New Delhi, June 22: Dismissing a media report on possible changes in the new pension system in the country as false, the Union Finance Ministry on Thursday clarified that the matter is still under deliberation and no conclusion has been reached. Centre rubbishes media report on possible tweak in pension system, says no conclusion reached Earlier, reports suggested that the government will propose 40-45 per cent of their last drawn salary as pension to employees instead of the current employee-government contributed scheme.With reference to the report, which gave details of pensions being allegedly proposed by the government for the employees under the National Pension System, the Finance Ministry said, "This news report is false.""The committee, set up under the chairmanship of the Finance Secretary in pursuance of an announcement made by the Union Finance Minister in the Lok Sabha in the last Budget Session, is at present in the midst of its deliberations and is in the process of consulting stakeholders," the Finance Ministry tweeted, adding the Committee has not yet reached any "conclusion whatsoever".Many Opposition-ruled states have reverted to the Old Pension Scheme, or are mulling to, in the face of demands from government employees and other pressure groups.So far, Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, and Jharkhand -- all Opposition-ruled states -- have reverted to the Old Pension Scheme while ignoring the new one which has been in vogue since 2004.Under the Old Pension Scheme, a government employee is entitled to half of his/her last drawn salary as monthly pension upon retirement.Under the New Pension Scheme, employees contribute a portion of their salaries to the pension fund. Based on that, they are entitled to a one-time lump sum amount on superannuation.For the record, the OPS was discontinued in December 2003 and the NPS came into effect on April 1, 2004.ANI22 June 2023 Shared Recently! Guardian Recognized as Indias Best Companies to Work for 2023 BusinessWire India, Gurugram, June 22: Guardian India Operations Private Limited, a subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of AmericaA (Guardian), has been recognized as one of 'India's Best Companies to Work For 2023' - Top 100 by the Great Place to WorkA Institute, India. Guardian Recognized as India's Best Companies to Work for 2023 This recognition reflects Guardian's High-Trust, High-Performance Culturea that fosters an inclusive workplace that promotes colleagues' holistic well-being, trust the organization they work for, take pride in what they do, and relish the camaraderie."It's truly an honor to be recognized amongst the Top 100 best companies in India," shared Andrew McMahon, CEO and President, Guardian Life. "At Guardian, we believe that a great workplace is built on trust, respect, and empowerment. This recognition highlights the dedication and collaborative spirit of our colleagues, who make working at Guardian a one-of-a-kind experience." "Our culture thrives on a shared belief that our people are the heart of our success. We are honored to be recognized by the Great Place to Work Institute, which reinforces our commitment to championing well-being and fostering an environment where every individual can flourish," said Dean Del Vecchio, Chief Information and Operations Officer. Every year, more than 10,000 organizations from over 60 countries collaborate with Great Place to WorkA Institute for assessment, benchmarking, and planning actions to strengthen their workplace culture. As part of this assessment, the organizations are studied through two lenses. The first lens measures the quality of employee experience through Trust Index(c) survey that helps in seeking anonymous feedback from employees and carries 75% weightage when considered for the Best Workplacesa lists. The second lens is called Culture Audit(c) that evaluates the quality of people practices of an organization, covering the entire employee life cycle. This carries 25% weightage. The Institute undertakes a robust validation process on the data gathered through the assessment process. The cumulative score of Trust Index(c) and Culture Audit(c) determines an organization's position in the ranking scoreboard and helps in identifying 'India's 100 Best Companies to Work For'.Guardian India Operations Private Limited is a subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of AmericaA (Guardian) and provides IT and ITES services, consulting and business solutions to Guardian and its affiliates. In India, we are located in Chennai and Gurugram.Guardian makes a difference in the lives of people when they need us most. With more than 160 years of stability and fiscal integrity, we are a trusted resource to millions of consumers, helping them prepare and plan for a bright future and recover and thrive in times of unexpected loss. We believe in inspiring well-being across mind, body, and wallet, and in driving value beyond dividends. We invest in our colleagues, are building a progressive and inclusive culture and are helping to uplift communities through thoughtful social and environmental programs. Guardian, which is based in NYC, is a leading provider of life, disability, dental, and other benefits, and has received . Our colleagues and financial representatives serve with care and experience, and our commitments rest on a strong financial foundation, which at year-end 2022 included $11 billion in capital and largest dividend of $1.26 billion in the company's history[1],[2]. For more information, visit or follow us on , , , and .[1] Financial information concerning Guardian as of December 31, 2022, on a statutory basis Admitted assets = $76.0 billion; liabilities = $67.2 billion (including $55.0 billion of reserves); and surplus = $8.8 billion.[2] Dividends are not guaranteed. They are declared annually by Guardian's Board of Directors.Great Place to WorkA Institute is a global management research and consulting firm dedicated towards enabling organizations achieve business objectives by building better workplaces. It is the global authority on High-Trust, High-Performance Culturea for the workplace. Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and certification programs, the institute recognizes the Best Workplaces across the globe. Great Place to WorkA Institute works with over 10,000 organizations globally every year to help them assess, change, learn and share.GuardianA is a registered trademark of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America.(c) Copyright 2023 The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America2023-157187 Exp. 6/25(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)ANI22 June 2023 Shared Recently! Thousands of Sri Lankans get onboard Indian submarine in Colombo Colombo, June 22: Thousands including adults, school children, scouts, guides, members of the NCC and officers from Sri Lanka Navy had a rare opportunity to get onboard Indian Naval Submarine Vagir which was docked in Colombo from June 19 to 22. Thousands of Sri Lankans get onboard Indian submarine in Colombo The visit of INS Vagir was the first foreign port call of the recently commissioned indigenous Kalvari-class submarine of the Indian Navy.The visit of the submarine was to take part in the celebration of 9th International Day of Yoga (IDY) which was held at the Port of Colombo.Organised by the High Commission of India and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), the cultural arm of the High Commission, the event was organised onboard and alongside the visiting submarine connecting Colombo to the Global Ocean Ring - a unique initiative under IDY 2023 wherein naval ships deployed in the Indian Ocean region visited various ports in friendly foreign countries to commemorate the Yoga Day.Addressing the event, High Commissioner Gopal Baglay underlined the transformative power of Yoga - a shared heritage of India and Sri Lanka.He noted that the High Commission and SVCC had organised nearly 100 yoga events across the country over the last 50 days with the unstinted support and enthusiasm of yoga institutions and enthusiasts in Sri Lanka."The visit of INS Vagir undertaken to commemorate IDY 2023 brought the message of goodwill, friendship and camaraderie to the shores of Sri Lanka," Baglay stressed.Senior officials from Sri Lankan government including Secretary of Defence, Gen Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), Commander of Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, and Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral PS De Silva, joined SLN personnel, the crew of INS Vagir, and officials and staff of the High Commission for the programme.As an outreach initiative, the crew of INS Vagir also interacted with Colombo-based school children and presented essential items for some of the schools.The visit "fostered brotherhood and togetherness" between the Navies of the two neighbours in line with India's policy of 'Neighbourhood First' and vision of 'Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)', the High Commission said.IANS23 June 2023 Shared Recently! MP: PM Modi will launch sickle cell anaemia mission, distribute Ayushman Bharat card during his visit to state, says CM Chouhan Bhopal, June 22: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would launch two missions which includes sickle cell anemia mission and distribution of ayushman bharat card during his visit to the state. MP: PM Modi will launch sickle cell anaemia mission, distribute Ayushman Bharat card during his visit to state, says CM Chouhan "PM Modi will launch two missions here, which includes Sickle Cell Anaemia Mission and distribution of Ayushman Bharat cards. The Sickle Cell Anaemia Mission will be a new campaign for screening of the people who are suffering this disease and for arrangements of their treatment," CM Chouhan said.Secondly, over one crore of Ayushman Bharat cards are ready in Madhya Pradesh, the distribution of those cards will also be done symbolically during PM Modi's programme in Shahdol. At the same time the distribution work will be done at all health and wellness centres and along with this, it will be distributed in panchayats, in villages and cities, CM added.Earlier on Monday, CM Chouhan shared information regarding PM Modi's visit to the state and said that the PM would flag off two Vande Bharat trains in the state."Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Madhya Pradesh on June 27. He will flag off two Vande Bharat trains (Bhopal-Indore and Bhopal-Jabalpur) in the state capital Bhopal," CM Chouhan said.He had also said that PM Modi would also participate in the party programmes during his visit to the state. PM Modi will participate in the Veerangana Rani Durgavati Balidan Diwas program and the concluding program of Veerangana Rani Durgavati Gaurav Yatra in Shahdol district on the same day June 27.Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the Veerangana Rani Durgavati Gaurav Yatra on June 22 from Balaghat, CM added.Veerangana Rani Durgavati Gaurav Yatra will start from five zones of the state on June 22 which includes Balaghat to Shahdol, Chhindwara to Shahdol, Singrampur to Shahdol, Kalinjar Fort (UP) to Shahdol and Dhauni (Sidhi to Shahdol). The yatra will cover every village in these areas, the Chief Minister said, adding that the program will conclude on June 27 in Shahdol in the presence of PM Modi.ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! Navys Dornier carries out night evacuation of ill toddler to Kochi from Lakshadweep Agatti (Lakshadweep), June 22: A two-and-half-year-old child suffering from serious illness was airlifted from Agatti Islands in Lakshwadeep to Kochi by an Indian Navy Dornier on Wednesday. Navy's Dornier carries out night evacuation of ill toddler to Kochi from Lakshadweep According to an official release, the medical evacuation was carried out at the request of the Lakshadweep Administration."On the request from the Lakshadweep Administration, the Southern Naval Command carried out a swift emergency medical evacuation of a two and half-year-old child with Febrile Seizure Aspiration Pneumonia and Respiratory Failure on the night of 21 Jun 23," the release said."The patient was airlifted from Agatti Island and shifted to Kochi by an Indian Navy Dornier based at INS Garuda in challenging weather conditions owing to the prevailing monsoon," it added.The evacuated child was admitted to a civil hospital and is recovering."The ongoing efforts towards operationalizing Agatti airfield for night operations has thus paved the way for undertaking quick humanitarian aid and casualty evacuation missions," the release added further.ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! Appy Pie announces alpha launch of AppyLM: Revolutionary large language model for native mobile app code generation India PR Distribution, New Delhi, June 22 the leading provider of innovative AI-powered solutions, is proud to announce the alpha launch of, its proprietary large language model (LLM) designed exclusively for native mobile app code generation in technologies such as Swift and Kotlin. Appy Pie announces alpha launch of AppyLM: Revolutionary large language model for native mobile app code generation With the introduction of AppyLM, Appy Pie AI, the AI arm of Appy Pie, aims to revolutionize the app development industry by combining the power of artificial intelligence and natural language processing, offering a transformative approach to native app development.AppyLM represents an extraordinary leap forward in mobile app development by leveraging a large language model to generate app code based on users' text or voice inputs. Powered by a robust algorithm, this comprehensive model has undergone extensive training on an extensive corpus of text and code data, equipping it with the capability to effortlessly generate intricate code structures.At its alpha launch, AppyLM showcases the cutting-edge technology and marks the beginning of a new era in app development. This milestone demonstrates Appy Pie's commitment to continuous innovation and staying at the forefront of industry advancements. During the alpha phase, Appy Pie welcomes early adopters to experience the power of AppyLM and provide valuable feedback to further enhance its capabilities.Traditionally, building native mobile apps required proficient coding skills and a deep understanding of programming languages. However, AppyLM's intuitive and conversational interface breaks down these barriers, allowing users of all skill levels to create robust and professional applications. By leveraging AppyLM, developers can streamline the app development process, reduce time-to-market, and deliver high-quality applications that cater to the needs of today's tech-savvy users."We are thrilled to introduce AppyLM to the world," said Abhinav Girdhar, CEO of Appy Pie AI. "With this proprietary large language model, we are revolutionizing the way native mobile apps are created. AppyLM empowers users to effortlessly generate complex code structures, saving them valuable time and effort. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, we are democratizing app development and making it accessible to a wider audience."Appy Pie, a Trademark of Appy Pie LLP, is a leading no-code development platform that helps transform business ideas into reality without requiring technical knowledge. It offers an all-inclusive suite of the best no-code tools, including an app builder, website builder, workflow automation platform, graphic design software, chatbot builder, help desk software, and live chat software. Appy Pie's App Maker has been recognized as one of the highest-rated app builders globally by G2, thanks to its unique features, ease of use, and affordability. It is considered one of the most comprehensive no-code application development software for businesses of all sizes according to Capterra. Moreover, Appy Pie is the fastest-growing cloud-based DIY Mobile App Builder in the world, as acknowledged by GetApp.(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)ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! Bayer sees more than doubling of accessible markets and potential to shape regenerative agriculture on more than 400 million acres PRNewswire, New York [US]/ Mumbai, June 22: Bayer today announced its Crop Science Division will capitalize on opportunities presented by the shift to regenerative agriculture to grow in adjacent markets in addition to its core business of seeds, traits, crop protection and digital. Bayer sees more than doubling of accessible markets and potential to shape regenerative agriculture on more than 400 million acres At its 2023 Innovation Summit, the company identified growth potential in segments like crop fertility, biologicals, biofuels, carbon farming, precision application services as well as digital platforms and marketplaces, all of which are serving the needs of agriculture. Overall, the company expects to access more than 100 billion euros in these adjacent markets annually, in effect doubling the division's potential market which today stands at more than 100 billion euro for the core portfolio alone. Importantly, by the middle of the next decade, Bayer envisions shaping regenerative agriculture on more than 400 million acres, built on the foundation of its leading agriculture input solutions.This endeavor, in combination with the division's leading seeds, traits and crop protection R and D pipeline were showcased in New York, featuring holistic system solutions the company is uniquely positioned to provide, fueling long-term growth of the company as it propels its ambitious growth plan to drive regenerative agriculture."We are envisioning an even broader role in agriculture. With the most powerful innovation engine in the industry and leading market positions, Bayer is uniquely set to provide the solutions that farmers need in light of food security and climate change," said Rodrigo Santos, President of Bayer's Crop Science Division and Member of the Board of Bayer AG. "We define regenerative agriculture as increasing food production, farm incomes and resilience in a changing climate while renewing nature. Our portfolio will deliver future innovations with regenerative agriculture at the core, and we will explore new market opportunities to further allow farmers to combine productivity, profitability, and sustainability benefits."Focus on solutions that drive regenerative agricultureFarmers around the globe can expect access to industry-leading innovations that not only deliver yield improvements, but which can also regenerate soil and minimize the impact of farming on the climate and broader environment - tailored to the different crops. On the farm of the future, the terabytes of data captured from the field as well as the tons of carbon dioxide sequestered, will be as important to the farmer as the yield that each field produces. Going forward, Bayer will focus its investment on solutions that deliver important pillars of regenerative agriculture. This includes improved productivity, social and economic wellbeing of farmers and communities, conservation of water, mitigation of climate change, improved soil health as well as preservation and restoration of biodiversity.To this end, Bayer's core portfolio of crop protection, seeds and traits and digital products is best positioned to grow, and significant advancements are being made annually. The company is investing in its industry-leading pipeline to accelerate the delivery of solutions that growers need. Late-stage transformative technologies are being combined with the annual refresh of the global seed portfolio and the addition of hundreds of new product registrations and formulations every year.Industry-leading pipeline delivers on the transformation of agricultureIn 2022, 15 projects advanced, including new crop protection active ingredients, new seed traits and digital models. Bayer refreshed its seed portfolio with 500 new hybrid and variety deployments and its crop protection portfolio with 10 new formulation launches and more than 250 new registrations. The R and D investment of 2.6 billion euros before special items in 2022 continues to advance a pipeline with an estimated peak sales potential of more than 30 billion euros, half of which are incremental to the existing base."A bold vision takes a bold investment. It takes all five of our innovation platforms - breeding, biotechnology, chemistry, biologicals and data science to power this pipeline. But it is far more than these platforms alone - it is the convergence of this innovation that allows us to generate system solutions to solve our most pressing challenges," said Dr. Robert Reiter, Head of R and D at Bayer's Crop Science Division. "Farmers need the best genetics with best-in-class traits, they need data-driven planting scripts to know when and where to plant those crops. And they need lower impact small molecule crop protection paired with late-season biological solutions and precision applications to sustainably protect those crops. We have a deep and proud history of successfully converting these engines into viable, valuable products for growers."Bayer's R and D pipeline includes several exciting and new technologies- Designer Seeds and Next Generation Breeding TechnologyWith its unmatched germplasm library, Bayer is advancing existing breeding technologies while also developing the next generation of tools like gene editing to create designer seeds for growers in crops like corn, soybeans, cotton and vegetables. The precision breeding program helps to improve both yield and efficiency for farmers, using AI technology to develop the right seeds for the right conditions. In addition, the company is hybridizing staple crops like rice and wheat, to improve their productivity and sustainability. Direct seeded rice has the potential to transform rice production, significantly reducing water consumption while increasing yields. Initial trials under the Bayer Direct Acres program are underway in India.- Transformative Trait TechnologiesThe company is expanding its industry-leading expertise into new spaces, like the Preceon Smart Corn System, offering reduced plant height which brings multiple benefits to the farmer. This includes reducing the risk of losses from high wind, season-long access for more precise use of crop protection products and nutrient applications and the potential to optimize inputs, planting populations and field placement through digital tools. The system approach includes digital tools to support planting and showcases the transition from selling inputs to selling solutions. The first generation of short-stature corn to launch was developed via plant breeding and the next generation, expected mid-to-late this decade, was created using plant biotechnology and will expand the reach to more hybrids and acres. With the expertise in protein optimization technology, RNAi technology and biotech, Bayer is able to stack new trait technologies like short-stature corn with current and next-generation insect-control traits like its third-generation corn rootworm trait, to allow farmers to reap the benefits of insect and weed control with this shorter stature product. Other value-driving examples are Bayer's insect and herbicide tolerant soybean varieties with multiple modes of action for Brazil, which are essential to manage the changing pest and weed resistance challenges typical in a tropical environment.- Sustainable Small MoleculesNew approaches to crop protection are expected to shape the industry in future. This includes development of an entirely new herbicide mode-of-action for broadacre weed control, the first in the industry for over three decades. This molecule has demonstrated effective control of key resistant grasses in research and is expected to be commercialized towards the end of this decade. Further examples include a new broad-spectrum fungicide for cereals, corn, fruits and vegetables with blockbuster potential in research phase 3 and a new mode of action broad-spectrum horticulture fungicide in research phase 2 with opportunities to extent to cereals and oil seed rape. Artificial Intelligence helps Bayer design the next generation of crop protection, putting sustainability and environmental impact reduction at the core. New products will enable farmers to tailor and target use in specific ways, for example by using PROTAC technology which is being co-developed with Oerth Bio that is designed to interact with only one target protein and safeguard beneficial organisms. Bayer is also optimizing application of existing chemicals through digital and AI technologies.Bayer's innovation engines will power agricultural evolution by equipping farmers with the tools, technologies, and options they need for the future of regenerative agriculture. Precision bred seed products will offer significant acceleration for the genetic gain of yield potential and will be protected by game-changing traits that enable no-till farming to improve soil health. Combined with innovative small molecules and biological solutions that can protect biodiversity and offer low to no-residue solutions, and verified soil improvements through digital tools and technologies, Bayer will shape the future of regenerative agriculture.Bayer to expand into new accessible ag-adjacent marketsBeyond this core, Bayer is strongly positioned to expand into new market opportunities adjacent to its core offerings, for instance- Crop Fertility and Biological BreakthroughsBiologically based nitrogen-fixation technologies can help farmers grow more with less, reducing emissions and costs for farmers in crops like corn and wheat. The potential biodiversity and soil health benefits from reduced synthetic nitrogen use are significant, and the company's early-stage technology holds great promise. With late season application of biological-based crop protection for insect and disease control, the company also sees opportunities for reduced residues in fruit and vegetable production, an attribute increasingly desired by consumers. As market leaders in biologicals with products like Serenade, and through its open innovation partnerships with Gingko, Kimitec, M2i and AlphaBio, Bayer is well positioned in this critical, rapidly growing space and has the ambition to reach more than 1.5 billion euros in sales by 2035.- BiofuelsCover crops help farmers protect their fields in a sustainable way, promoting soil health. CoverCress, in which Bayer is the majority share owner, will open additional revenue streams from the sale of the same-named cover crop to biofuel makers. Oil extracted from CoverCress is designed to achieve a lower carbon intensity score and can be made into renewable fuels without competing against food crops, due to its planting in between seasons. With more uptake, there is significant market opportunity for this sustainable crop.- Digital value chainAdvancements in precision agriculture and digital farming technology are helping farmers maximize the productivity and sustainability of their land and agricultural practices. Climate FieldView has become an essential decision tool with subscriptions on more than 220 million crop acres globally. In addition to delivering real-time agronomic insights to farmers, it also serves as the digital platform delivering tailored solutions like the Preceon Smart Corn System, combining Bayer's new short-stature corn hybrids with digital recommendations tailored to our customers' fields and performance goals. Beyond the farm, FieldView is the gateway to creating value chain solutions, serving as the system of record for our customers' climate-smart farming practices and powering Bayer's global carbon programs, including Bayer's ForGround platform in the US. Earlier this year, the company unveiled new cloud-based enterprise solutions Bayer AgPowered Services, powered by the new Microsoft Azure Data Manager for Agriculture, offering a suite of advanced digital capabilities and robust digital infrastructure to accelerate innovation in the food and agriculture industries. Building from the new cloud offerings, innovators and companies across the farm and food value chains can accelerate their speed to value for customers, bring greater transparency to consumers, and deliver increased opportunity for farmers.- Carbon FarmingBayer is a leading provider of solutions and platforms that support farmers in removing carbon from the atmosphere and reduce their emissions. No-till farming enabled by herbicide tolerant traits and the use of cover crops can help improve soil health, reduce soil erosion, and cut carbon emissions. As an added benefit, Bayer's Carbon Initiative opens new revenue streams to farmers by connecting them to the global carbon markets.Rodrigo Santos added "Bayer is well positioned to lead in the regenerative agriculture space due to our emphasis in digital transformation, commitment to innovation and strong partnerships. Our aim is to transform agriculture to be more productive, more sustainable, and have a net positive impact on the environment."Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2022, the Group employed around 101,000 people and had sales of 50.7 billion euros. R and D expenses before special items amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to .Contact for media inquiriesAlexander Hennig, phone +49 175 3089736EmailSnigdha Vishal, phone +91 9819170087EmailContact for investor inquiriesBayer Investor Relations Team, phone +49 214 30-72704EmailFind more information at .Follow us onahe (2023-0124E)Forward-Looking StatementsThis release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at . The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! PM Modi shares highlights from Yoga Day celebration in New York Washington DC, June 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a glimpse of the Yoga Day event led by him which was held at United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York on the occasion of the 9th edition of International Day of Yoga. PM Modi shares highlights from Yoga Day celebration in New York "Here are memorable highlights from the #YogaDay programme in New York City...,' PM Modi tweeted along with the video of the Yoga Day event.At the beginning of the video, people were seen chanting 'Modi, Modi' slogans as he arrived at the venue. Later he was seen performing yoga and leading the event further."Yoga means, to unite. It is wonderful to see the entire world come together again for yoga," PM Modi said in the video.Yoga enthusiasts from different walks of life were part of the event. One of the yoga enthusiasts said, "Yoga really helps unify the world and is really great for the world to share..""Yoga is truly universal. Yoga is a way of life, a way to live in harmony, with self, others and with nature," PM Modi added.Earlier at the event, PM Modi also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the UN Headquarters' lawns.Moreover, people from more than 180 countries joined the PM for the Yoga Day programme.The function saw attendance by 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.While addressing the people gathered at the event, PM Modi said that the event is taking place 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," he said.ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! Multi-faith delegation of Indian Minorities Foundation denounce terror in one voice; pays homage to the victims of the 9/11 terror attack PRNewswire, New York [US]/ Chandigarh, June 22: A multi-faith delegation of the Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF) paid tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack that took place on, September 11, 2001, as they visited the 9/11 ground zero in New York on June 20 in memory of those who fell to the attack. Multi-faith delegation of Indian Minorities Foundation denounce terror in one voice; pays homage to the victims of the 9/11 terror attack The IMF's multifaith delegation, led by Chancellor Chandigarh University and IMF convenor Satnam Singh Sandhu, paid homage to the victims of the attack at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York. The delegation held a special multifaith prayer as well. A multitude of minority community leaders took part in the event, which was organized on the sidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the USA which began on June 21. PM Modi has already arrived in the USA.Notably, the delegation visited ground zero and held special prayers on Tuesday as the attacks of 11 September 2001 also took place on the same day (Tuesday). Caitlin Leavey and Sara Tumulty, who both lost their father in the September 11 attack, also participated in the prayers.A peace march was organized by the Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF) on the occasion in which the Indian minorities' diaspora participated in large numbers. The peace march commenced from the office of the New York Mayor and concluded at ground zero of the 9/11 attack where the members of the IMF delegation paid tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attack.Later in a joint statement during the multifaith tribute ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial at ground zero in New York, the people belonging to different minorities, who were part of the Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF) delegation condemned terrorism in any form happening anywhere in the world.While denouncing terrorism, they termed it as an act against humanity and voiced effective measures to counter-terrorism. The minority leaders unequivocally urged world leaders to join hands in countering terrorism across the globe and lead the world toward peace and prosperity.Meanwhile, IMF also honoured the Tuesday's Children for their commendable work in serving the families of terror attack victims. Chancellor Chandigarh University and IMF convenor Satnam Singh Sandhu handed over the award of honour to Kathryn Ellard, who is the program manager of Tuesday's Children. Tuesday's Children, an NGO, provides a lifetime of healing for families who have been forever changed by terrorism, military conflict, or mass violence. The Tuesday's Children, over the last 20 years, has served more than 45000 individuals who have been victims of military conflict and violence of that sort. They provide mental health and wellness to the victims and their families to recover from the trauma and the loss.Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, a US-based businessman, and philanthropist, who earlier this year was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the highest honor given by the Indian government to its settlers in foreign countries, was also part of the peace march. Dhaliwal, who hails from Patiala said that they are thankful to PM Narendra Modi for the work he has done for the Sikh community in the last nine years. "No one before him has ever done such great things for the Sikh community. There are numerous examples be it the opening of the Kartarpur corridor or waiving the GST on langar items," said Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, a prominent face of the Sikh community."Minority Communities play a crucial role in India's Growth Story, and enjoy equal rights, opportunities, and security in the country as that of the Majorities," said His Holiness Dr. Acharya Lokesh Muni, Founder President of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti. He said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the message of an inclusive India where everyone enjoys equal opportunity to progress and has taken landmark initiatives for the social and economic welfare of the Minorities during the last 9 years. From solving long-term pending issues to providing support to all Minorities for their socio-economic development, PM Modi has ensured that the sentiments of all communities in India are considered. Under his leadership, people of all the Minority Communities enjoy equal opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, and employment, and contribute equally to the growth journey of the nation."Acharya Abhiramananda Avadhuta from Ananda Marga, a global spiritual and social service organization, also hailed PM Modi for supporting all the minority communities. "It gives me pleasure to say that Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister of India who supports all the minority communities of the country. We wish him the best in carrying forward his mission of uplifting minority communities and working toward a better world," said Acharya Abhiramananda Avadhuta who on behalf of Ananda Marga congratulated IMF convenor Satnam Singh Sandhu for coming all the way from India and organizing the event in New York. He further stated that PM Modi sees the world as a family and propagates the idea of universal brotherhood.Babu Khalfan, who has been living in the US for 52 years, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting Muslims in India and working for their betterment. He said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tenure has taken several initiatives for the welfare of Muslims in India. Under his leadership, the Muslim Community in India is flourishing and enjoying equal rights, respect, and progress as that of other communities."Imam Mohammed Shaheedullah from New York said that all faith leaders here who have assembled here condemn terrorism. "We appreciate the efforts of various countries to condemn terrorism, especially India which has actively taken counter-terrorism measures in recent years," he said.Meanwhile, a Buddhist monk based in New York expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his work for the welfare of Minorities in India and for working tirelessly for establishing the feeling of oneness, love, and brotherhood among all. He also said that it is important for everyone to come together to create a world where there is no hatred and violence but only love and harmony.Tazim Khalfan, a representative of the Muslim Community who has been living in the US for the past 52 years, expressed her gratitude towards PM Modi for his work for the welfare of Minority Communities and efforts to empower Muslim women in India through several landmark initiatives undertaken during last nine years.Tazim said, "Muslim women across the globe are grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting Muslim women in India and acting against Triple Talaaq to protect their rights and respect. With the abolition of Triple Talaaq, PM Modi has not just empowered the Indian Muslim women but also set an example for other Muslim countries of the world." She also applauded PM Modi for promoting peace and harmony in the world and playing a significant role in providing solutions to global issues that are threats to humanity.Guru Dileep Kumar Ji Founder of the World Yoga Community and NGO Representative to the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), Guru Dileep kumar Thankappan, said, "Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come into power, he has been working on bridging the gap between all the communities in India and foster the spirit of oneness, brotherhood, unity, and peace among all. I strongly believe that under PM Modi, no part of Indian society has been left out or ignored. He has focused on every person, every community including the Minorities, and under his leadership, the Minority Communities in India today enjoy equal rights like the Majorities." Guru ji, who hails from Kerala, further applauded Indian Minorities Foundation (IMF) Convener Satnam Singh Sandhu for initiating the creation of an organization that brings the leaders of all Minority Communities on a common platform with a mission to inculcate the spirit of communal harmony and participate in the development and progress of the nation as one family.While paying homage to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, Satnam Singh Sandhu, said, "Although it has been more than 21 years, the wounds of 9/11 Terrorist Attacks are still fresh on mind and soul. Through my homage, I am trying to reach out to the victims' families who have lost their loved ones in the attacks. on behalf of IMF pay my condolences to the families of the victims who have joined us today for the day and I also salute the brave survivors who lived up to the spirit of their nation and fought against the tragedy that changed their lives and came out as winners."Chancellor Chandigarh University and IMF convenor, Satnam Singh Sandhu, said that PM Modi during the last nine years has lifted India's image on the global stage due to people-centric governance. "PM Modi's understanding of the aspirations of the minority communities worked for their upliftment throughout the last nine years. During 65 years of India's Independence, the political parties considered Minority Communities for their Vote Bank politics only," said Satnam Singh Sandhu.Satnam Singh Sandhu further said, "The Minority Communities in India enjoy full freedom and equal opportunities without any discrimination of caste, creed, or religion. Minorities living in India feel safe under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. In his tenure of 9 years, PM Modi resolved several long-term pending issues of Minority Communities and took landmark decisions such as the Opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor after 7 Decades, ensuring Justice for the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riot Victims after 3 Decades for the Sikh Community, abolition of Triple Talaq, FCRA Registration for Harimandir Sahib, and creation of Ladakh as separate UT.""While there was Instability, Insurgency, and Inequality during the earlier 65 years but now that has changed after PM Modi took over and India has witnessed development, peace, Innovation, and Integration," Satnam Singh Sandhu added.India 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.Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and an autonomous educational institution approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC.Website(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! India to sign Artemis Accords for space exploration; ISRO-NASA to launch joint mission to International Space Station Washington DC, June 22: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are developing a strategic framework for human spaceflight operations this year according to senior US Administration officials. India to sign Artemis Accords for space exploration; ISRO-NASA to launch joint mission to International Space Station This comes amidst Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first State visit to the US."In the space sector, we will be able to announce that India is signing the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision for space exploration for the benefit of all humankind," Senior US Administration officials said on Thursday.Also, they said that NASA and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are developing a strategic framework for human spaceflight operations this year.The Artemis Accords is a non-binding multilateral arrangement between the United States government and other world governments participating in the American-led effort to return humans to the Moon by 2025.The senior officials also said that the Indian National Semiconductor mission will receive 800 million USD from Micron Technology in setting for setting up semiconductor assembly and test facilities in India.Recently, India and the US signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on establishing the Semiconductor Supply chain during India - USA 5th Commercial Dialogue 2023, which can help India realize its long-nurtured dream of becoming a hub for electronic goods.Speaking to ANI, the officials said, "With respect to semiconductors, Micron Technology with support from the Indian National Semiconductor mission announced an investment of more than 800 million USD that together with additional financial support from the Indian authorities up to a 2.75 billion USD semiconductor assembly and test facility in India"."In the semiconductors sector, another semiconductor manufacturing equipment company is going to announce a training programme for 60,000 Indian engineers in the country," they added.The officials said that the two governments are working together on advanced telecommunications including 5G and open routing systems."On advanced telecommunications, we are working together on 5G and other technologies, including open routing systems. We will be announcing partnerships on open field trials and rollouts, including scale deployments in both US and India with operators and vendors, markets. This will involve backing from the US International Development Finance, cooperation, and to promote the deployments in India," they told ANI.The officials further said that US intends to open two new consulates in India."The United States intends to open a new consulate in Bengaluru and one other city. India looks forward to announcing new consulates in the United States," the US administration officials said.ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! Oxane Continues its Winning Streak for its Portfolio Management Solution at the Drawdown Awards NewsVoir, New Delhi, June 22: Oxane Partners ("Oxane"), a leading technology-driven solutions provider to private markets, announced that it has won the Portfolio and Risk Management Technology award at the Drawdown Awards 2023. Oxane Continues its Winning Streak for its Portfolio Management Solution at the Drawdown Awards The winners were announced on June 7, 2023, at an awards ceremony held at the Hilton Bankside in London. This recognition further extends Oxane's award-winning streak as the portfolio and risk management solution provider of choice for private markets.The Drawdown Awards celebrate excellence and innovation within private fund operations. The judging process is based on a panel of leading private capital fund experts that recognise firms exhibiting strong business growth, innovation, and transformation in driving up the service standards and operations across the private markets.Oxane's portfolio management solutions are now one of the most awarded, winning 10 awards in the past five years. Oxane's solutions have been driving the transformation in private funds' portfolio and risk management operations, with machine-learning-driven straight-through data ingestion, and automated reporting, enabling transparency and access to investment data to achieve control at scale."We are pleased to be recognised by Drawdown Awards for our portfolio management solution. These awards highlight Oxane's growing recognition in the industry, reflecting the trust our clients place in us," comments Vishal Soni, Co-founder and Managing Director of Oxane Partners. "Over the years we have consistently enhanced our portfolio and risk management solutions to meet the evolving needs of our valued clients. We combine the latest in technology to help our clients streamline their risk monitoring, and portfolio management processes as we continue to support their growth."The firm has experienced significant growth in recent years and remains at the forefront of providing cutting-edge solutions across asset-backed lending, fund finance, real assets, corporate credit, private ABS, and other illiquid assets in a single ecosystem which makes it a compelling industry-leading solution for a growing number of clients across private markets."Today's investment firms are dealing with increasingly complex and diverse investment data. To overcome these challenges, they are seeking a robust solution to optimise the investment operations that give them control at scale," says Kanav Kalia, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Oxane Partners.He further adds, "As we continue to drive innovation in the space, we are seeing greater adoption of our solutions across global banks and private funds, establishing ourselves as the solution provider of choice for private markets globally."The full list of Drawdown Awards 2023 can be found and details on Oxane's solutions on its .Oxane Partners is a leading provider of technology-driven solutions to the private markets industry. Our solutions transform the way investment firms and banks analyze and manage their investments. We unify our technology with deep domain expertise to provide compelling solutions to the challenges faced by the private markets industry.Our solutions manage over $400 billion of notional for 100+ clients including global investment banks, private credit, private equity, hedge funds, and alternative asset managers. With offices in London, New York, Gurgaon, and Hyderabad our team of 350+ supports clients in more than 20 geographies globally.Founded in 2013 by former structured credit investment professionals at Deutsche Bank, Oxane Partners is at the forefront of the digital transformation that is underway in the private markets industry.For more information, please visit .(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! Global Media Congress acts as platform for media to serve countries and people better: Indian Envoy to UAE Abu Dhabi (UAE), June 22: The Global Media Congress is the UAE's excellent initiative to bring a wide spectrum of stakeholders together to discuss issues of interest to them, according to a top Indian diplomat. Global Media Congress acts as platform for media to serve countries and people better: Indian Envoy to UAE "In today's dynamic world, the role of media is transforming. To synergise respective strengths of the stakeholders, it is important for them to come together to make the world of media serve countries and people better," Sunjay Sudhir, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM).Second edition of Global Media Congress.He made these comments as preparations are underway for the second edition of the Global Media Congress (GMC) that will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court.Organised by ADNEC Group in partnership with Emirates News Agency (WAM), the prominent international conference-cum-exhibition in the media sector will take place from 14th to 16th November, 2023, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre - ADNEC, Abu Dhabi.Fulfilling experience at first GMCThe Indian Ambassador said Indian participants at last year's GMC had a very fulfilling experience."They were able to shed light on developments in Indian media, participated in discussions, met their partners from UAE and other countries, and developed a much better understanding of global media situation," Sudhir said.The first edition of the GMC was held in Abu Dhabi in November 2022, under the theme "Shaping the Future of the Media Industry". The global event with an exhibition, and more than 30 debates and workshops featuring over 162 globally renowned speakers, attracted more than 1,200 media sector pioneers, specialists, and influencers from six continents across the globe.Hopes on GMC this yearThe Indian envoy expressed hope that Indian participation at the GMC this year will further help expand the cooperation between media sectors in India and the UAE."The existing bilateral cooperation in the media sector between India and the UAE is strong and is strengthening by the day," Sudhir stressed.He said that recent visits of senior Indian officials to the UAE were crucial in expanding the ties in media sector.Expanding media tiesAnurag Thakur, India's Minister of Information and Broadcasting, visited the UAE last year and Apoorva Chandra, Secretary of Information and Broadcasting, participated in the first Global Media Congress, the ambassador pointed out.Earlier this year Gaurav Dwivedi, Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati, India's national broadcaster, visited Abu Dhabi and had fruitful discussions with Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director-General of WAM, and top officials of Abu Dhabi Media Company, he noted.Under an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between WAM and Prasar Bharati, both parties decided to expand the mutual cooperation in wide-ranging areas.Joint documentaryOn 1st May, 2023, Doordarshan India (DD India), Prasar Bharati's international news channel, broadcast a documentary jointly produced by Prasar Bharati and WAM.The documentary titled 'India-UAE Partnership New Frontiers, New Milestones', highlighted "the highly successful" Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed by the UAE and India in 2022, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the CEPA. (ANI/WAM)ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! PM Modi will return to power with huge majority in 2024: MP CM Chouhan ahead of Opposition meet Bhopal, June 23: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday took a jibe at the opposition parties' meeting, scheduled to be held on Friday, in Bihar's Patna and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would return into power with a huge majority in the next parliamentary polls. PM Modi will return to power with huge majority in 2024: MP CM Chouhan ahead of Opposition meet CM Chouhan made the remark while talking to the reporters after planting saplings at Smart City Park in the state capital."Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity among the people is not only in the country but also across the world. There is reverence, faith and love towards him among the people. It is clear that in the 2024 parliamentary elections, PM Modi will form the government with a huge majority by breaking all the previous records," CM Chouhan said."PM Modi will become the prime minister of India. Those who are building castles in the air may continue to do so," Chouhan added.The opposition parties' meeting, which will be convened by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, to mobilise the opposition against the Centre ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, will be held on June 23.The meeting, which is aimed at laying the groundwork for the coming together of like-minded Opposition parties against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government at the Centre, was originally scheduled to be held on June 12.Several prominent opposition leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee will attend the meeting.ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! G20 tourism meet: Ministers, delegates visit heritage sites in Goa; hail rich cultural diversity Panaji, June 22: A group of G20 ministers and delegates, who attended the 4th Tourism Working Group meeting, visited heritage sites in Goa on Thursday and praised India for its rich cultural heritage. G20 tourism meet: Ministers, delegates visit heritage sites in Goa; hail rich cultural diversity The delegation visited the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the Museum of Christian Art, the Mangesh temple, and the Figueiredo Mansion.While speaking with ANI, John Whittingdale, Tourism minister for the United Kingdom said, 'Well, it's an absolutely beautiful church. I'm really pleased to be here in Goa. We had a very constructive discussion as part of the G 20 meeting. But today is an opportunity to come and look at some of the great heritage sites of Goa and this is a really beautiful cathedral".On the G20 ministerial meet and 4th TWG meeting outcome he said, "Well, India obviously is holding the presidency of the G20. And so yesterday we were looking particularly at tourism, and how we can develop tourism in a sustainable way. We talked about the importance of achieving lower emission standards and developing tourism which is already very important between the United Kingdom and India. So I think Goa is doing a remarkable job in hosting the meeting".Minister Catherine Gallagher, Australia said, "I'm incredibly inspired by the beauty, conservation of heritage sites. And it's so good to see so many people here too at the temple. India has done the preservation so well, and it's wonderful to see this space. So earlier in the day we visited the beautiful historic churches of Goa, and I loved the new museum of Christian art. The level of conservation and curation there is world-class. So I've been so impressed and I intend to come back with my family when I have the opportunity".On visiting the Mangesh temple, she said, "It's calm and I think the sound of the bell brings with a wonderful aura and it almost enters your body. So it's a really spiritual experience. I've enjoyed being at the Hindu temple today".Giljun Ko, Minister of Sports, Culture, and Tourism, Republic of Korea said, "Today after coming here, I have changed my mind about Goa'.On India's G20 presidency, he said, 'This meeting is our last one. We started this year in January. So, I feel it's very excellent because everything is very detailed".Ana Martin from the United Nations World Trade Organisation said, "Well, it's been a very good experience and I like very much that we got to see these UNESCO heritage sites and all the cultural richness that this place has to offer and to show the world. It's been really amazing to be here and also here the landscape is something you don't see every day".On India's G20 presidency, she said, "India is very welcoming, very warmful so we are very thankful for that and made us feel like this is our home too".Federico Salas Lotfe, Ambassador of Mexico in India and head of the delegation of Mexico to the Tourism Ministerial meet in Goa said, "I think it was a very appropriate ending to the tourism Working Group and ministerial meeting to visit some places which of course are very attractive. And they're particularly important because they, especially the Basilica which is on the world heritage List of India, UNESCO. And I think that's very important. It is a very important monument. So I was very pleased to have been there".On India's G20 presidency, he said, "Well, it's moving on. Now of course the ministerial meetings are taking place. And I think slowly but surely, India is succeeding in achieving what it set out to achieve in terms of consolidating the group with the goals that it set out at the beginning for the different kinds of groups not only tourists and all the others."Dieter Gerald Janecek, Coordinator for tourism from Germany said, 'It was really fabulous. so much hospitality here and so many great things to see such as culture, nature. So I can really recommend coming to Goa. It's a very fabulous place to go and I have very heart-felt things in my mind now when I go back to Germany. It's very nice here to stay".On India's G20 presidency, he said, "Well, it's good to focus also on the green issues, it's important to have sustainable tourism. I think India is on the same track. so we will have good talks in the future to get together on a sustainable path".Cameron Mackay, High Commissioner of Canada to India said, "I really enjoyed my time in Goa and a special thanks to the Government of India and the government of Goa for everything they've done for all of the G20 delegates here for these important meetings. We had a very interesting visit to an important church, a historical church, and of course, the Hindu temple. I am very impressed by the diversity and religious tolerance in Goa is just so important for peace and prosperity. So very impressed with everything on my visit to Goa."On India's G20 presidency, he said, 'I think it's been excellent so far, and I look forward to more success for India in the months ahead, leading up to the Summit in September in Delhi'.Abu Tahir Muhammad Zaber, Chief Executive Officer (additional secretary), Bangladesh Tourism Board, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism said, "I feel really well. Bangladesh and India share many similarities in religion, culture and many other things. So, I feel very well and I feel this is like Bangladesh".ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! Himachal Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri unveils statue of Virbhadra Singh in Sainj Shimla, June 22: Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Thursday unveiled the statue of former state CM Virbhadra Singh at Sainj. Himachal Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri unveils statue of Virbhadra Singh in Sainj Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri said that former CM Virbhadra Singh was the architect of modern Himachal who brought the state forward in areas like education and health."Raja Virbhadra Singh was the architect of modern Himachal who brought the state forward in areas like education and health he never did politics of regionalism, regionalism and casteism and that is why he became the Chief Minister 6 times," Deputy CM Agnihotri said."Today is a very important day for the state as the first statue of former Chief Minister Raja Virbhadra Singh has been unveiled in Sainj, making his birth anniversary memorable forever," he added.On the occasion, Deputy CM Agnihotri said that efforts are being made to replace the fleet of about 500 buses this year and some of the new buses will be made available for Theog town."We are making efforts to replace the fleet of about 500 buses this year and now among the new buses that will come, buses will be made available to Theog. Apart from this, an amount of Rs 13 crore has also been given for Theog Bus Stand and it will be started soon," he said.Virbhadra Singh was a nine-time MLA, a five-time member of Parliament and served as Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister for six terms.ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! Biden calls India, US partnership most consequential, says our nations look to one another Washington DC, June 22: Calling partnership between India and US most consequential, US President Joe Biden on Thursday (local time) said that, together both nations are unlocking a shared future with unlimited potential. Biden calls India, US partnership most consequential, says our nations' look to one another Addressing a joint press conference today, the US President also underlined how trade has doubled between the two countries over the past decade to more than USD191 billion."Trade between our countries has almost doubled over the past decade to more than USD191 billion supporting tens of thousands of good jobs in both India and the United States," he added.Biden asserted, "Together we are unlocking a shared future with unlimited potential. Collaboration on space flight to accelerate the clean energy transition and collaboration on quantum computing and Artificial intelligence."He further mentioned that Air India's purchase of Boeing planes would support the creation of one million jobs in the USA."One million American jobs across 44 states will be supported by the purchase of more than 200 American-made Boeing aircraft that Air Indian is announcing earlier this year and with this visit, Indian firms are announcing more than USD 2 billion in new investments in manufacturing solar in Colorado, steel in Ohio, and optic fibre in South Carolina," Biden added.The US President further said that the two leaders not only discussed how to mitigate the effect of the war in Ukraine but also discussed how the Pacific can remain secure.He added saying, "Indian and American are people who innovate...". The discussions also took place regarding the growing defence partnership between India and US.Earlier today, US President Joe Biden said the India-US partnership was stronger than ever."Over the past ten years, small steps have transformed into large progress. Today, the partnership between our countries is stronger than it has ever been," Joe Biden said during the bilateral meeting with PM Modi at the Oval Office of the White House.The US President expressed his gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for his decision to host the G20 this year."Thank you Prime Minister for your decision to host the G20 this year...I look forward to discussing how we can strengthen our partnership," Biden said.He added that India and the US collaborated on a range of areas including space, marine technology and green technology.ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! Threatening letters containing suspicious substance sent to Tennessee Republican lawmakers Washington, June 23: The FBI has launched a probe into an incident of Republican lawmakers in the US state of Tennessee receiving threatening letters containing a suspicious substance, officials said. Threatening letters containing suspicious substance sent to Tennessee Republican lawmakers In a statement, the FBI said that the letters were sent on Thursday to the lawmakers' offices inside the Cordell Hull state office building on the grounds of the state Capitol in Nashville, reports CNN."Laboratory testing is ongoing but at this time has not indicated a risk to public safety. Additional testing will be needed to fully identify the unknown substance in the letters," the statement says.Also confirming the incident, the Tennessee House Republican Caucus said in a tweet on Thursday night "TN House GOP leaders received letters containing an unknown substance. The letters contained obvious threats by a liberal activist specifically targeting us. 6th fl. of CHB remains on lockdown while 1st responders investigate. All employees iamp; members in the building are safe."According to the FBI statement, the Bureau is probing a number of factors, including the number of letters sent; the person or people responsible for sending the letters; and the motive."As this is an ongoing matter, we will not be commenting further regarding our steps or methods, but the public can be assured that law enforcement will continue to keep the public's safety as its top priority," it added.Earlier this month, Kansas legislators and public officials across the state received about 100 letters containing a white powder, officials said.The incident is currently under probe by the FBI and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.IANS23 June 2023 Shared Recently! UNGA urges adoption of comprehensive anti-terror pact proposed by India United Nations, June 23: The UN General Assembly has called for the adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism that was proposed by India and has been languishing for more than a quarter of a century. UNGA urges adoption of comprehensive anti-terror pact proposed by India In a resolution adopted on Thursday, the Assembly urged its 193 members "to make every effort to conclude a comprehensive convention on international terrorism".The resolution reviewing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy reiterated the obligation of all countries to "deny terrorist groups safe haven, freedom of operations, movement and recruitment and financial, material or political support" and to bring to justice or extradite terrorists and their supporters.The Assembly adopted the resolution during the Counter-Terrorism Week at which a high-level meeting was convened and several programmes on fighting the scourge were held.The main roadblock to adopting the convention proposed by India in 1996 is the definition of terrorists, with some countries claiming that their favoured terrorists are "freedom fighters".UN Assembly President Csaba Korosi said, "We must ask ourselves, should we continue to bicker over what constitutes terrorism or violent extremism? To languish in details and remain blind to the bigger picture?""Or should we come together and channel all our resources to fight terrorism in all its forms," he asked, as he called for "political and moral will to act together".Speaking at the high-level meeting on Tuesday, India's Additional Secretary in the Home Ministry, Praveen Vashishta, had said, "Unfortunately, there are also some countries who seek to undermine or subvert our collective resolve to fight terrorism. That cannot be allowed to pass.""There cannot be any exception or any justification for any act of terrorism, regardless of motivations behind such acts," he had said.It is "vital that we do not take a selective, tactical or even a complacent view of the problems we face" and "must never countenance sanctuaries for terrorists or overlook the raising of their resources", he had said."And when we see state hospitality being extended to those with innocents' blood on their hands, we should never lack the courage to call out this double-speak," he added in an obvious reference to Pakistan.Another element in the resolution of relevance to terrorism from Pakistan asks for cooperation between countries in investigations of terrorism, but it is unlikely to be implemented.It asked UN members "to provide full coordination and afford one another the greatest measure of assistance" in "criminal investigations or criminal proceedings relating to the financing or support of terrorist acts, especially with those states where, or against whose citizens, terrorist acts are committed, including obtaining evidence for the proceedings involving terrorist organisations, terrorist entities or foreign terrorist fighters".It added, "All states must cooperate fully in the fight against terrorism on the basis of mutual legal assistance and the principle of extradite or prosecute."(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)IANS23 June 2023 Shared Recently! Delhi govt to adopt SCADA system to revolutionise water supply management New Delhi, June 22: The Delhi government said on Thursday that it will adopt the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to revolutionise water supply management in the national capital. Delhi govt to adopt SCADA system to 'revolutionise' water supply management The SCADA system is used in countires like China, France, Central Europe, and Italy to manage water supply.Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the government will adopt leverage state-of-the-art SCADA systems to ensure efficient water distribution and meet the growing demand in various localities of Delhi.He said that the installation of flow metres across the city will be completed by December 31.Kejriwal further said the initiative will help track and optimise water usage and promote responsible consumption habits among the residents."With real-time data and comprehensive insights into water consumption patterns, the government will be better equipped to address shortages, detect leakages, and implement necessary measures to sustainably manage water resources," he said.He said that the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) will commence centralised monitoring of water supply throughout the city from July 1.By monitoring water supply centrally, the government aims to enhance efficiency, minimise wastage, and ensure equitable distribution of this vital resource. The centralised monitoring system is expected to play a crucial role in meeting the water supply demands of various localities across the city.During the review meeting held at the Delhi Secretariat, the Chief Minister sought an update on the progress of flow metre installations from DJB officials.He discovered that the work had not been completed as instructed in the previous meeting. In response, Kejriwal expressed strong displeasure and set a deadline for the installation of flow metres on primary and secondary UGRs (Underground Reservoirs) to ensure comprehensive information and availability of water supply in Delhi.The DJB is tasked with completing the installation of all remaining flow metres by December 31.The meeting was attended by Water Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, Vice Chairman of Delhi Jal Board Somnath Bharati, and other senior DJB officials.IANS23 June 2023 Shared Recently! OPP An Opp man who was shot by police Tuesday morning died at a hospital Thursday evening, according to a release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. On Tuesday, June 20, at around 7:43 a.m., the Opp Police Department received a report of a man who was armed with a knife and experiencing a crisis episode. According to Opp Police, officers discovered the subject, Cornelius S. Ball, 45, of Opp, upon arrival and immediately requested the assistance of the Covington County Incident Response Team. When law enforcement officials attempted to take Ball into custody, he was shot multiple times after his knife injured an Opp police officer. Two days later, on Thursday, June 22, Ball died from his injuries at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery. No further information is available at this time as the case is being investigated by agents within ALEAs State Bureau of Investigation. Biden welcomes Modi to White House; says US, India great powers Washington, June 22: US President Joe Biden on Thursday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House, underscoring the need for the two countries to work together as two great nations, two great friends and two great powers to tackle the challenges facing the world and to define the course of the century. Biden welcomes Modi to White House; says US, India 'great powers' Prime Minister Modi called the relationship between the two countries "instrumental in enhancing the strength of the whole world" at a time when the global order is taking a new shape.Modi was received by Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a ceremonial welcome with a 19-gun salute on the South Lawn of the White House, in the presence of an estimated 7,000 Indian-Americans who chanted "Modi, Modi" several times, and occasionally "USA, USA".The two leaders spoke again before the start of their bilateral meeting on the same theme of cooperation and democratic values.Vice-President Kamala Harris, her husband and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti were the US officials who attended the event.On the India side, the attendees included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and the Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.The reception marked the start of what is clearly going to be an "India Day" in the US capital. Biden and Modi left the reception for meetings with their respective delegations, which would be followed by a news conference where the two leaders will deliver remarks and take questions.Later in the afternoon, Prime Minister Modi will address a joint session of the US Congress, for the second time. His first address was in 2016, at the invitation of the leaders of both the Democratic and Republican Congress leaders.In the evening, Modi and his delegation will be hosted at a state dinner by Biden and the First Lady, which will be the first for an Indian leader in 15 years; then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the last to be hosted at a state dinner in 2009 by then President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.At the White House reception, Biden spoke about the ongoing cooperation between India and the US as part of the Quad, which they form with Japan and Australia, its importance for the Indo-Pacific, and of working together on issues from healthcare and climate change to the Russian invasion of Ukraine."As democracies, we can tap into the talents of all our people," Biden said, reflecting US' concern over the challenges to democracy.Modi also spoke about democracy being the central value system to both the countries. Institutions of both India and the US "are based on democratic values, the constitutions of both countries begin with the following three words - "we the people" - and both "countries take pride in diversity", saying "both of us believe in the fundamental principles in the interest of all".He added "The world order is taking a new shape this time. The friendship between India and the US will be instrumental in enhancing the strength of the whole world."IANS23 June 2023 Shared Recently! If minorities not protected... Former US President Barack Obama rants on India as Biden-Modi meet in Washington DC Washington DC, June 23: Former US President Barack Obama on Thursday made a reference to the rights of ethnic minorities in India during a media interview and said if these are not protected, there is a strong possibility of the country at some point starts pulling apart. If minorities not protected... Former US President Barack Obama rants on India as Biden-Modi meet in Washington DC Obama's made the remarks during an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour and said if President Joe Biden meets with PM Modi, "the protection of the Muslim minority in a majority Hindu India is something worth mentioning".The remarks by the former US President came amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the United States, which is regarded as extremely significant by both sides amid growing strategic, technology and defence cooperation.Bharatiya Janata Party Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda slammed Obama for his remarks and said it is preposterous to see the former US President "pander to the anti-India crowd, lecturing India in the same breath as China for its atrocities in Xinjiang".Obama, who was asked a question relating to India and China, said he has worked with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Paris accords to deal with climate change."By the way, if I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you do not protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, then there is a strong possibility that India, at some point, starts pulling apart. And we have seen what happens when you start getting those kinds of large internal conflicts. So that would be contrary to the interests not just of Muslim Indians but also Hindu Indians. I think it is important to be able to talk about these things honestly. Things are not going to be as clean as you like, because the world is complicated," Obama told CNN.Obama also said it is important for the US president to say that if China is sending Ughurs to mass camps and they are being "re-educated, that's a problem and a challenge to all of us" and there is a need to pay attention to it.The upward trajectory of India-US relations enjoys bipartisan support in Washington and former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley asserted on Thursday that India is an ally "that shares our democratic values".Nikki Haley has announced that she is running for president in 2024, challenging fellow Republican candidate Donald Trump."The U.S.-India friendship is personal. India is an ally that shares our democratic values. We have so much in common, from business and cultural ties to mutual security interests. It's critical that we continue to grow our partnership. I wish Prime Minister Modi a successful visit to Washington," she said in a tweet.Panda noted that Obama's remarks came when PM Modi is in Washington and two sides are lavishing attention to bilateral ties."While @pewresearch finds 98 per cent of India's Muslims say they're free to practice their religion without hindrance, it is preposterous to see @BarackObama pander to the anti-India crowd, lecturing India in the same breath as China for its atrocities in Xinjiang. This, when President @JoeBiden is hosting PM @narendramodi and lavishing attention on the US-India relationship. And by a former President on whose watch race relations exploded in his country. Tsk, tsk, talk about hypocrisy and false narratives," Panda said in a tweet.ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! Times Square displays banner welcoming PM Modi on his maiden State visit to US New York, June 22: A banner welcoming PM Modi on his maiden State visit to the US was displayed at Times Square in New York on Wednesday (local time). Times Square displays banner welcoming PM Modi on his maiden State visit to US The billboard depicted PM Modi standing together with US President Joe Biden, with a scrolling message, "Indian-American community welcomes honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a historic State visit to the USA."Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment hub, and neighbourhood in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.Meanwhile, a banner was also flown in Boston skieS welcoming PM Modi with a message, "Welcome PM Modi on your historic State visit to the USA.Welcoming Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi from the Boston skies! @FIANewEngland and members of the diaspora sending a special message of welcome on the #HistoricStateVisit2023," tweeted the Consulate General of India, New York.Earlier, on Tuesday, the Nasdaq billboards donned PM Modi's pictures and messages welcoming him to a historic State visit to the US.The US-India Business Council (USIBC) said the displays for historic State visits require a historic welcome!"A historic state visit requires a historic welcome! @USIBC welcomes Shri @narendramodi@PMOIndia to the United States of America with a display of our support for US-India commercial ties and this historic state visit at Times Square, New York. @Nasdaq #ModiInUSA #USIndia," tweeted USIBC.PM 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.PM Modi has visited the US five times since taking the reins of the country in 2014 but his ongoing visit, which runs until Saturday, is his first with the full diplomatic status of a state visit, indicating the strengthening bond between Washington and New Delhi.The visit is expected to see the two countries expand cooperation in the defence industry and high-tech sectors, with India getting access to critical American technologies that Washington rarely shares with non-allies.US lawmakers have invited PM Modi to address a joint meeting of Congress. It will be Modi's second such address.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden held bilateral talks in the Oval Office of the White House.Both leaders said they were committed to working together for the global good, peace, stability and prosperity.PM Modi said the societies and institutions of both India and the US are based on democratic values and the two countries take pride in diversity.Earlier, PM Modi was accorded a grand welcome as he arrived at the White House on his maiden state visit.US President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden received him warmly on the South Lawns of the White House.Upon his arrival at the White House, PM Modi, dressed in a traditional white kurta pyjama paired with a powder blue jacket, was greeted by President Biden and the First Lady.A US delegation led by Vice President Kamala Harris, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin also arrived on the lawns to greet PM Modi.The Indian delegation was led by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Sandhu.National anthems of India and the US played out as thousands of people gathered on the White House South Lawns to greet PM Modi. Visuals showed them waving Indian flags and chanting "Modi, Modi" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".Some people waved a banner that read "Indian American Diaspora welcomes Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi."ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! UP CM Yogi attends mass marriage program under Mukhyamantri Samoohik Vivah Yojana in Gorakhpur Gorakhpur, June 22: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended a mass marriage program organised under 'Mukhyamantri Samoohik Vivah Yojana' at Champa Devi Park in Gorakhpur on Thursday. UP CM Yogi attends mass marriage program under 'Mukhyamantri Samoohik Vivah Yojana' in Gorakhpur Earlier in the day, CM Yogi directed the officials to get Ayushman Health Cards made for those needy persons who have been deprived of the facility so far, on a priority basis.Listening to the problems of around 700 people during the Janata Darshan held outside Mahant Digvijaynath Smriti Bhawan at Gorakhnath Temple on Thursday, CM Yogi said, "Protecting public health is our responsibility, so money should not be an obstacle in anyone's treatment."For those whose Ayushman cards have not been made, better arrangements should be made in the medical college for their treatment, and if needed, an estimate for treatment in the higher centre should be prepared and made available to the government so that funds could be released from the Chief Minister's Discretionary Fund for their treatment as soon as possible," he added.The Chief Minister reached out to the people and after listening to their issues referred their applications to the concerned authorities and reassured them of a satisfactory and just solution.People from other districts had also come for public darshan. The Chief Minister assured the people who came to the Janata Darshan seeking financial assistance for the treatment of serious diseases that there would be no dearth of funds for their treatment."After taking the estimate from the concerned hospital, it should be made available to the Chief Minister's office after completing the process. The assistance amount will be released immediately from the Discretionary Fund", he said.On complaints related to police and revenue, the Chief Minister said that the officers should ensure the solution of the problem at the district level itself. He also said that any kind of negligence in resolving their problems will not be tolerated."A fair solution to every person's problem with full commitment and transparency is the topmost priority of the administration and negligent officials will be punished. The officers should sensitively listen to the problems of the people and ensure quality, quick solutions," he said.The Chief Minister also visited the cowshed on temple premises and did 'goseva' (taking care of cows). He affectionately called the cows by their names, and the cows came running to him. The CM then fed them jaggery.ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! India-UK partnership will be defining one for our times: Sunak London, June 23: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed confidence that the UK-India partnership will be a defining one for our times, ahead of the UK-India Week 2023 beginning on Saturday. India-UK partnership will be defining one for our times: Sunak The annual event which will continue through June 30, seeks to strengthen the partnership between the two nations by providing a platform to spotlight crucial areas, including politics, trade, business, among other sectors.Praising the event as a catalyst for forging new trade ties, the British-Indian Prime Minister said that the "India Global Forum's annual UK-India Week 2023 is a highly anticipated fixture in the bilateral calendar of our two great nations"."It is a catalyst for forging new trade ties, lasting collaborations, and a better future for our peoples. I'm confident this partnership will be a defining one for our times," the 43-year-old said in a statement from Downing Street.Sunak's comments come against the backdrop of the 2030 Roadmap, and the ongoing FTA negotiations -- a key indicator of his ambition to transform and elevate UK-India ties.He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the recent G7 summit in Hiroshima, where the two leaders reviewed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and took stock of the FTA negotiations.The British government has estimated that a trade deal could increase the UK's GDP by approximately 3.3 billion pounds to 6.2 billion pounds, and India's by around 3.7 billion pounds to 8.6 billion pounds by 2035.As hs former role as Chancellor, Sunak had spoken at the event as a special guest last year, highlighting the importance of forging a partnership of equals."India isn't looking to the past. And nor can we. We need to move forward. Because the UK does not have a natural right to sit at the table with one of the world's largest, fastest growing, and most dynamic economies. We must earn it," he had said.Manoj Ladwa, Founder and Chairman of India Global Forum, said "Given the geopolitical upheaval and economic turbulence around the world, I believe that it is more important now than ever before that the UK and India forge closer and deeper ties."I am therefore grateful to Prime Minister Sunak for recognising the role that IGF is playing in bringing our two great democracies closer to unlocking the true potential of the partnership."This year's UK-India week will open with an address by opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, and will see participation by several senior political and business figures from the two nations.Raj Kumar Singh, Minister for Power, New iamp; Renewable Energy, and Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan will be among prominent figures attending the event.Past speakers of the event included King Charles III, five serving and former British Prime Ministers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and many other world-renowned business leaders, entrepreneurs and cultural figures.IANS23 June 2023 Shared Recently! PM Modi meets Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy at US Capitol Washington, DC, June 23: Ahead of a historic address at the US Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy at US Capitol on Thursday. PM Modi meets Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy at US Capitol Both leaders shook hands as they met, while PM Modi thanked McCarthy for providing him with the opportunity to address the joint session of the US Congress.US Vice President Kamala Harris also arrived at the House of Representatives, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the joint session of the US Congress.Prime Minister Modi's first visit to the US took place in 2014, during which he had a working visit and delivered his inaugural speech at the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly.He visited the US again in 2016, for the Nuclear Security Summit. During this visit, he also met then-US President Barack Obama at the White House and held bilateral talks. PM Modi also delivered his maiden address at the US Congress and spoke on a range of topics including terrorism, climate change and the strong Indo-US relationship.In an exclusive interview with ANI, Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar recently said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US is "historic." He called it an "honour" to escort PM Modi to his address at the joint session of the US Congress.Shri Thanedar said, "This is an important visit and this is a historic visit. Not only this is important for the world's oldest democracy, which is the United States, and the largest democracy, which is India, but it's not just important for these two countries, it is also important for the world because peace in the India-Pacific region, Indian Ocean region, is very, very important. And this historic relationship will ensure that we have peace in that region.""It is a great honour for me to be able to come and be able to escort Mr Modi to his historic address, to the joint session of the US. Congress," Shri Thanedar said.Prime Minister Modi is currently on his sixth visit and maiden State visit to the US.Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the Joint Sitting of the US Congress, a gathering of Indian diaspora and Tibetan community members assembled outside the US Capitol on Thursday (local time), expressing their enthusiasm by chanting slogans such as 'Bharat Mata ki Jai,' 'Vande Mataram,' and 'Welcome Modi.'ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! In talks with US president Biden, PM Modi highlights Pakistan-sponsored terrorism: Foreign Secy Vinay Kwatra Washington DC, June 23: Cross-border terrorism and challenges faced by both India and the US in the Indo-Pacific region and what the two countries need to do to mitigate these challenges through cooperation figured prominently in the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, according to Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra. In talks with US president Biden, PM Modi highlights Pakistan-sponsored terrorism: Foreign Secy Vinay Kwatra Briefing reporters here on Thursday (local time) the ongoing PM Modi US visit, which he described as "pathbreaking," the Foreign Secretary said that PM Modi highlighted that the problem of "terrorism remains a pressing challenge for the global community."He also stated that the two leaders not only discussed several aspects of similar global threats but also talked about redressal of such problems.Responding to an ANI question about whether a discussion or request was made by India on the extradition of Pakistan terrorist Tahawwur Rana, Kwatra said, "PM Modi said that even after two decades of 9/11 and one decade of 26/11, the problem of terrorism remains a pressing challenge for the global community.""Clearly, what he was highlighting was the need for the international community to recognise that the people who sponsor terrorism, support terrorism, they continue to pose a serious challenge to the safety and security of our societies and have to be very sternly and firmly dealt with," the Foreign Secretary added."When the PM and President Biden held their discussions, all aspects of such global challenges were discussed between the two and how India and US could cooperate to mitigate, address and try and deal with this challenge as comprehensively as possible that was also discussed between the two leaders and going forward it would be our effort to see how some of those discussions can translate into concrete cooperative decision between India and the US," Kwatra said."PM and President Biden in their discussions focused on the nature of challenges that both countries face in the Indo-Pacific region, including strategic challenges, and what India and the US need to do to mitigate those challenges through cooperation, Kwatra said.In the US-India joint statement, issued on Thursday (Local time), the two countries strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, and the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks.Biden and PM Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qaida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen.Both countries stood together to counter global terrorism and unequivocally condemn terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations.They called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice, read the statement.Earlier, PM Modi had highlighted the need to fight terrorism and extremism that constitutes a real threat to democracy, the rule of law and the enjoyment of human rights.Addressing a joint press conference on Thusday (local time) PM Modi said, "India and America are walking shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism and extremism. We agree that concerted action is necessary to end cross-border terrorism."Notably, his comments come days after China blocked proposals at the United Nations to designate Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba's Sajid Mir as a "global terrorist."Even 15 years after the Mumbai terrorist attacks, its masterminds have not yet been brought to justice.Both leaders also raised concern over the increasing global use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones and information and communication technologies for terrorist purposes and reaffirmed the importance of working together to combat such misuse, added the joint statement.They welcomed the cooperation between the two governments on counterterrorism designations and homeland security cooperation, including intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation.Both leaders called upon the Financial Action Task Force to undertake further work identifying how to improve global implementation of its standards to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism, added the statement.ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! MANA Verdant wins Prestigious Times Business Awards for Premium Apartment Project of the Year 2023 NewsVoir, Bengaluru, June 23: MANA, a widely recognized and renowned real estate brand, has officially announced the momentous achievement of MANA Verdant, their distinguished residential project, in being bestowed with the prestigious accolade of Premium Apartment Project of the Year 2023 at the esteemed Times Business Awards. MANA Verdant wins Prestigious Times Business Awards for Premium Apartment Project of the Year 2023 This remarkable recognition stands as an undeniable testament to MANA's unwavering dedication to exceptional quality, relentless innovation, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence inspiring the entire real estate community and motivating them to exceed expectations and strive for unparalleled quality in all their endeavors.The Times Business Awards serve as a noteworthy celebration of innovation, achievement, and entrepreneurial spirit. This grand event casts a radiant spotlight on remarkable individuals who actively drive the economy and contribute to the betterment of society through their endeavors. The primary objective of this gathering is to foster collaboration among like-minded organizations, offering leaders from diverse industries a distinctive opportunity to engage in networking, learning, and knowledge-sharing. The award for Premium Apartment Project of the Year specifically acknowledges the outstanding standards exemplified by MANA Verdant, reaffirming its position as a leader in luxury living through its exceptional architecture, design, amenities, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.Nestled in a prime area of the city, MANA Verdant offers a harmonious blend of opulence, elegance, and sustainability. In the fast-paced lives of geriatric millennial home-buyers who juggle numerous responsibilities both personally and professionally, MANA Verdant offers a serene living environment that revitalizes their lives. As the tallest tower in its vicinity, this exceptional project makes a prominent statement in the city's skyline. This magnificent vantage point exemplifies the project's dedication to delivering an unparalleled living experience that seamlessly blends awe-inspiring natural beauty with urban sophistication.Upon receiving this prestigious award Kishore Reddy, CMD, MANA expresses his gratitude and says, "We are truly honored to receive the Premium Apartment Project of the Year award from the Times Business Awards. This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and our dedication to creating exceptional living spaces for our customers. The award is a testament to MANA's continuous pursuit of excellence and its commitment to setting new industry standards. MANA Verdant represents the pinnacle of our efforts, and we are delighted that its unmatched quality and design have been acknowledged on such a prestigious platform."The success of MANA Verdant is attributed to the collective efforts of the talented team at MANA, who have ensured quality checks and worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life. The project has garnered widespread acclaim for its attention to detail, utilization of premium materials, and ability to provide residents with a luxurious, yet sustainable and nature-filled living experience.For more information about MANA Verdant and other esteemed projects by MANA, please visit their official website at .MANA, founded in 2000 by D. Kishore Reddy, has evolved over the past two decades to become a revolutionary force in the real estate market. Headquartered in Bengaluru, the company is expanding across business verticals, including property development and construction, with plans to expand its footprint to Hyderabad.With a commitment to green living, MANA has built a wealth of expertise in design, construction, and development, spanning across a spectrum of entry-level homes (through its brand, MACASA) to premium and luxury homes. The company's mission is to provide future-forward living that blends nature with dream spaces, using imagination to engineer homes for the next generation of homebuyers.MANA's tagline, 'Live Brilliantly', encapsulates the company's multidisciplinary approach to design, blending tomorrow's technologies with today's reality. With more than 8 million sq. ft developed to date, MANA consistently delivers innovative, high-quality homes that exceed customer expectations.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! Freedom outlet vending products made by prisoners inaugurated in Chennai Chennai, June 23: A retail outlet vending various products made by jail inmates at a very affordable price was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Minister for Law, Courts, Prisons and Correctional Services S. Reghupathy on Friday here. 'Freedom' outlet vending products made by prisoners inaugurated in Chennai Branded as 'Freedom', the new Prison Bazaar outlet located at the Prison Headquarters in Egmore here sells products ranging from cooking oil, ready made garments, shoes, snacks and others at a price which is much lower than that are sold in other outlets."Products from all the prisons in the state (including Special Prisons for Women) will be sold in the newly inaugurated store," Amaraesh Pujari, Director General, Prisons and Correctional Services told IANS.The Gingelly/Sesame Oil (Rs 350/litre), Groundnut Oil (Rs 250/litre) are certainly far lower than those sold in other retail outlets, a homemaker told IANS.With the objective of providing an opportunity to the prisoners for reformation and rehabilitation by channelising their energy in a positive direction, the Tamil Nadu government has established the Prison Bazaars at the boundary of the Central Prisons, certain District Jails and Sub Jail complexes.According to the Policy Note for the year 2023-24, a Corpus Fund of Rs 10 lakh was sanctioned for the development of the Prison Bazaar.The government said the turnover of the Prison Bazaars for FY2022023 (up to February 2023) was about Rs 5.23 crore with a net profit of about Rs 1 crore.The profit earned from the Prison Bazaar is apportioned as follows-a) 20 per cent to the prisoners who worked to produce the goodsb) 20 per cent to Government Accountc) 20 per cent to the Prison Staff Welfare Fundd) 40 per cent to the Tamil Nadu Prison Department Manufacture of Goods Fund (TNPDMGF).Many of the products made in the prison are supplied to various departments of the Tamil Nadu government.Being a service department, the Prisons and Correctional Services Department enjoys special privilege of supplying articles to various government Departments.The value of the industrial production for the year 2022-2023 (up to February, 2023) is Rs 44.30 crore, the government said.Be that as it may, the Minister Reghupathy also inaugurated a gym at the Prison Headquarters for the staff and released the Prison Department's monthly magazine 'Sirakithazh'.IANS23 June 2023 Shared Recently! Delhi HC seeks NCERTs response on plea challenging online bids only from firms empanelled with it New Delhi, June 23: The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the National Council Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on a plea challenging online bids from firms currently empanelled with NCERT, for the supply of items of New Kit (Jaadui Pitara) - a play-based learning-teaching material developed by NCERT. Delhi HC seeks NCERT's response on plea challenging online bids only from firms empanelled with it The Plea has been moved by Samit Khanna, proprietor of the M/s Universal Sales who is dealing in the manufacturing and distribution of toys since 2013, registered under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.The petitioner through Advocate Juhi Arora submitted that this New Kit being tendered majorly has toys items which come under the toys industry and toy manufacturers. However, the current 23 empanelled companies for which the tenderer is restricted are manufacturers of scientific instruments i.e. for Science and Mathematical kits.Petitioner also submitted that the impugned tender does not mention the valid requirement of BIS Certificate (Bureau of Indian Standards) with empanelled members which is now compulsory as per notification dated 15th September 2020 by The Gazette of India.The bench of Justice Amit Mahajan in an order passed on June 22, 2023, issued notice to NCERT and Ministry of Education in the matter.The petition mentioned that in the Impugned Tender, the New Kit is being purchased for all states/UTs. There are a total of 36 States/UTs in India and for them, only 23 companies are being considered.It also mentioned that the said one-sided criteria are also affecting the centre financially. Since the ineligibility of other members to fill the said impugned tender is restraining the lowest bid for the said kit.The said one-sided criteria set by the NCERT are completely against the fundamental principles of transparency, fairness, competition, economy, efficiency and accountability. Further, the said criteria are also against the General Financial Rules (GFR), 2005, plea read.ANI23 June 2023 Shared Recently! A lifesaver is what Melba Chasteen calls the Respite Care Ministry at First United Methodist Church of Dothan. You will never know how much you mean to us no matter how many ways we tell you, she told the 150 volunteers attending the annual Volunteer Celebration lunch Thursday at the FUMC Fellowship Hall. Chasteen was among those who shared what the seven-year-old respite care program for caregivers of those suffering from memory loss has meant to them. Because unless you have been with someone 24-7 after being with them 58 years, for that person to have another place where he can go to be loved and cared for is such a huge, huge gift, Chasteen said. And I am eternally grateful. FUMC created the Respite Care Ministry as a way to offer caregivers a break while providing a safe environment for their loved ones still in the early stages of dementia, said Katie Holland, director of Respite Care Ministry at FUMC Dothan. The program started in 2016 with four participants two days a week. It is now Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with 15 participants each day. We do art, music, cognitive games, pet therapy, and have a family-style lunch together, she said. So the caregiver gets a four-hour break while we are here loving on their loved one. FUMCs Respite Care is the only such ministry in the immediate area. Eufaula is the next closest other one. Some 19 churches assist with the program, as do area businesses who encourage employees to donate volunteer hours, Holland said. There are 150 volunteers on the rolls and, because there is one volunteer for each participant, all volunteers are appreciated. We use every single volunteer and we can use more, she said. We do a volunteer training the second Wednesday of each month, so if you would like more information about volunteering please, contact me at katie@fumcdothan.org. More about the program is at www.fumcdothan.org. A caregiver center on the FUMC campus will open soon. It will be a place where caregivers can take a break, and where resources will be available for anyone in the community who is dealing with dementia in their family. A caregiver support group that meets the third Thursday of each month will also meet there. It is called the Rosemary House in recognition of the herb linked to vitality and memory, Holland said. Rosemary has also been linked to the concepts of enduring love. Holland called retired United Methodist Church Bishop Lawson Bryan the spark that lit this fire. Bryan had been senior pastor at Dothans FUMC before being reassigned to FUMC Montgomery when the first respite care ministry was established at his church. He is now retired and serves with the Montgomery-based Respite for All Foundation which helps build successful local respite communities that provide social support for families living with dementia. The respite care in Dothan was the first one outside of Montgomery, Bryan said. There are now 28 around the country. Our goal is to have one in every community all around America so that people who have dementia would not be forgotten, but love maximized lives. While respite ministry doesnt take place in a clinical setting, I believe evidence reveals that healing occurs, the healing is real, and the healing is profound, said the Rev. Wayne Helms, a Respite volunteer. Chasteen agrees. She is recovering from a stroke suffered in October of last year, and she remembers hearing the brain surgeon telling her that the next 24 to 36 hours would be critical. So I truly believe that I spent 24 hours in the presence of God, she said. It was like a tsunami of gratitude poured over me. Its a huge, huge blessing to those of us who love them also, Chasteen said about the respite participants. You are a huge blessing to those people who are here. You make them feel whole again when they are not sure what they are missing but they know things are not as they have always been. Such wonderful people, her husband calls respite volunteers, she said. I told him, James, I think you have just described what it means to have Jesus eyes, she said. You look at people as Jesus looked at people without flaws. You have looked through Jesus eyes at the things we are called to do every single day, Chasteen told the volunteers. You look at people when they are not always at their best and you look at them with love. CVoter Snap Poll: Opinions divided over US help against China New Delhi, June 23: A series of exclusive snap polls conducted by CVoter during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US reveals how Indians are divided when it comes to American help during hostilities with China. CVoter Snap Poll: Opinions divided over US help against China One of the questions asked in the survey conducted with a sample size of 4,409 on June 22 was Do you think the US has helped India till date to resolve the border dispute with China?More than four out of every 10 respondents are of the opinion that the US has not helped India at all. While a little more than three out of 10 feel that the US has helped India to some extent, a small minority claimed that the US has indeed helped India during its border dispute and conflict with China.The unresolved border dispute between India and China frequently leads to stand-offs and near military confrontations. In June 2020, the dispute turned violent and bloody in Ladakh when clashes between Indian and Chinese troops at Galwan led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troopers.Since then, more than 50,000 troops each from either side have been confronting each other face-to-face in both Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.One of the key points for the state visit of PM Modi to the US has been forging a stronger partnership to contain the threat that China poses in the vital Indo-pacific region. Without directly naming China, the joint declaration issued after formal bilateral talks between President Joe Biden and PM Modi stressed the importance of keeping the Indo-pacific safe for global trade and all-round prosperity.However, as the results of the CVoter snap poll indicate, a substantial proportion of Indians are of the opinion that the US is not helping India.IANS23 June 2023 Shared Recently! Google Workspace is set to roll out a range of exciting features aimed at enhancing productivity in the hybrid work environment. As professionals adapt to the new normal of working from both the office and home, Google has been working tirelessly to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to tackle the challenges of information overload and optimize collaboration. Among the forthcoming additions to Google Workspace is Portrait restore, a groundbreaking feature powered by Google AI technology. This innovative tool will enhance video quality during Google Meet calls, even under less-than-ideal conditions such as dimly lit rooms or outdated webcams. By automatically improving the visual clarity of participants, Portrait restore ensures a seamless and professional experience. Another notable addition is Portrait light, which harnesses the power of machine learning to replicate the quality of studio lighting in video feeds. Users will have the flexibility to adjust lighting positions and brightness, creating an aesthetically pleasing and professional appearance during video conferences. To improve audio quality, Google Workspace will introduce de-reverberation, a cutting-edge technology that filters out echoes in spaces with hard surfaces. This feature aims to recreate the ambiance of a well-equipped conference room, regardless of the actual location of participants, even if they happen to be in their basements. In a bid to foster real-time collaboration, Google Workspace will introduce live sharing capabilities. This functionality enables synchronized content sharing during Google Meet calls, granting participants control over the media being presented. Whether working from the office or remotely, all individuals will have simultaneous visibility and audibility, ensuring seamless collaboration. Building upon the success of automated built-in summaries for Google Docs, Google Workspace will extend this feature to Spaces. Users will receive digest-style summaries of conversations, allowing them to quickly catch up on important discussions they may have missed. Addressing the need for meeting accessibility, Google Workspace plans to introduce automated transcriptions of Google Meet meetings. This feature will empower individuals to swiftly review meeting content, even if they were unable to attend in person. Moreover, Google aims to enhance the security of its productivity tools by extending many of the robust security measures utilized in Gmail to Google Slides, Docs, and Sheets. By leveraging advanced threat detection capabilities, users will receive automatic alerts when attempting to access documents containing phishing links or malware, safeguarding their digital environment. With these exciting updates on the horizon, Google Workspace is poised to redefine productivity and collaboration in the hybrid work era, empowering professionals to thrive in their respective work environments. For a deeper dive into all the new AI capabilities coming to Google Workspace, head over to the Cloud blog for more details. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. 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 stories - that 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-up - a 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." Patients treated by surgeons who average over 10 shoulder replacements a year have a lower risk of reoperation and serious complications, and a shorter hospital stay than those treated by surgeons who do fewer operations, finds a study published by The BMJ today. These findings build on similar evidence for hip and knee replacements and should help guide future resource planning in this area, say the researchers. Shoulder replacements are becoming increasingly common globally, particularly in high income countries as populations continue to age. In the UK alone, more than 8,000 shoulder replacements are carried out each year. Previous studies of hip and knee replacement surgery show that patients treated by "high volume" surgeons experience better outcomes than patients of lower volume surgeons. This has prompted some providers to introduce minimum volume thresholds for surgeons to improve patient outcomes, but evidence for other types of joint replacement surgery is more limited. To fill this knowledge gap, a team of UK researchers set out to explore the association between surgeon volume and outcomes after non-urgent (elective) shoulder replacement surgery. Their findings are based on data from the National Joint Registry and Hospital Episode Statistics in England for 39,281 elective shoulder replacements performed by 638 consultant surgeons at 416 public and private hospitals from 2012 to 2020. Statistical models were used to investigate the effect of annual surgeon volume on revision, reoperation within 12 months, serious adverse events at 30 and 90 days, and prolonged hospital stay (more than 3 nights). All participants were aged 18 or over and were receiving shoulder replacement surgery for the first time. After adjusting for a range of potentially influential factors, the researchers identified a mean annual volume threshold of 10.4 procedures, below which there was a significantly increased risk of revision surgery. For example, patients treated by surgeons who performed at least 10.4 procedures a year showed a 45% lower risk of revision surgery than those treated by surgeons who performed fewer than this. Patients treated by higher volume surgeons also showed a 53% lower risk of reoperation, a reduction in serious adverse events (40% at 30 days and 37% at 90 days), and a 62% reduction in the risk of a prolonged hospital stay, although no minimum case volume threshold was identified for these outcomes. Annual variations in case volume did not affect patient outcomes, suggesting that a surgeon's average annual volume of procedures over the course of their career is more important for better patient outcomes than variation in annual procedure volumes. These are observational findings and the researchers note that their models may be a simplification of real life practice and they can't rule out the possibility that other unmeasured factors may have affected their results. But they say the data used represent all the main types of shoulder replacement procedures, patients of different age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic groups, providing a complete picture of shoulder replacement activity across a national healthcare system. "Improving outcomes and reducing complications after joint replacement surgery is of clear benefit to patients and their families," they write, but say these results "also provide timely evidence for healthcare systems that are overburdened, under-resourced, and in need of recovery planning post pandemic." They conclude: "This study offers evidence for local hospitals and national healthcare services that informs workforce and resource planning to ensure the best outcomes for patients undergoing shoulder replacement surgery." In a linked editorial, researchers say this study is a useful addition to current knowledge of the association between surgeon volume and patient outcomes, but argue that the association between surgeons and patient outcomes is a complex one that can be difficult to evaluate scientifically. They point out that registry data do not reliably capture patient reported outcomes, such as quality of life or functional and wellbeing measures, and often report only revision rates or major adverse outcomes. As such, they conclude: "Registry data need to be interpreted carefully at surgeon, hospital, and national level, as currently available outcome measures may not tell the whole story." The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and New Orleans-based Ochsner Health today announced a partnership to create Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center in southeastern Louisiana. Cancer patients in the region now have access to cancer treatments that are among the most advanced in the nation. Through this collaboration, Ochsner is the first and only provider in Louisiana with a fully integrated cancer program based on MD Anderson's standards and treatment plans. As the state's leader in cancer care, we're proud to partner with one of the global leaders in cancer care to provide a full continuum of services close to home for our patients. Beyond MD Anderson's accolades and top national rankings, its clinicians and researchers advance innovative therapies through clinical trials several years before they become standard practice. Now, our patients will benefit from this expanded breadth of experience and therapies in Louisiana." Mike Hulefeld, president and chief operating officer of Ochsner Health Ochsner is one of only seven MD Anderson partners in the country and the only one in Louisiana. It joins a collaborative network of hospitals and health care systems dedicated to advancing MD Anderson's mission to improve the quality and accessibility of cancer care and research. As such, Ochsner MD Anderson patients in southeastern Louisiana receive care based on the same protocols and practice standards provided at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, and benefit from integration with its clinicians and researchers. Ochsner MD Anderson experts adhere to the philosophy, process and guidelines of MD Anderson's clinical leadership, and they provide a full range of multidisciplinary care options, including medical oncology, surgery and radiation. "We are pleased to welcome Ochsner Health as our newest partner, and we applaud their team's commitment to excellence, innovation and patient-centered care, which aligns with our own mission to end cancer," said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson. "By working together, we are expanding our reach and impact, ensuring even more patients have access to high-quality cancer care and advanced treatments through clinical trials. We are proud to have Ochsner MD Anderson join us in Making Cancer History." "Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center will transform the way we deliver high-quality, comprehensive cancer care to the communities we serve," said Pete November, chief executive officer of Ochsner Health. "Through this partnership, we aim to improve patient outcomes while supporting research that will change how we care for patients in the future. I am grateful to our physicians, clinicians and all of our support teams who made this partnership possible, changing the course of cancer care in Louisiana." In this first phase, Ochsner MD Anderson facilities are located in the New Orleans area, Baton Rouge and Covington. They include: The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center at Ochsner Medical Center Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank Campus Ochsner Baptist - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center Ochsner Cancer Center - Baton Rouge Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove St. Tammany Cancer Center - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center Ochsner and MD Anderson will work together to certify additional sites in the future. Cancer patients throughout the entire Ochsner system will continue to receive high-quality clinical care and benefit from the largest clinical trials network in Louisiana and Mississippi. "As part of our ongoing commitment to providing world-renowned cancer care close to home, Ochsner is thrilled to join forces with MD Anderson to offer groundbreaking research and innovative therapies not found anywhere else in our region," said Brian Moore, M.D., medical director of Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center. "Our patients can be confident that they will receive an enhanced level of comprehensive cancer care through this partnership. Each member of our select team of cancer physicians has been certified by MD Anderson to clinically practice as part of the co-branded Ochsner MD Anderson cancer program, and appointed physicians will become adjunct members of MD Anderson faculty." With a holistic, patient-centric approach, Ochsner MD Anderson's expert team provides comprehensive care to patients. A multidisciplinary team of doctors, clinicians and support specialists offers services to treat the entire person. Support professionals include nutritionists, nurse navigators, social workers, physical therapists, acupuncturists and others. Ochsner MD Anderson is dedicated to improving the health of our communities and committed to the prevention and early detection of cancer. Ochsner MD Anderson offers groundbreaking research and innovative therapies, including access to select clinical trials available to eligible patients as the only Phase I clinical trial program in Louisiana. "Ochsner and MD Anderson's partnership has been years in the making and will have a lasting impact on families across Louisiana," said Andrew Wisdom, chairman of Ochsner Health Board of Directors. "As a board member, I'm incredibly proud to see Ochsner's team join forces with a global leader in cancer care, and, as a current cancer patient, I'm incredibly grateful to see our organizations come together. I'm one of many people who will be personally impacted by this partnership today and in the future. To my fellow patients on their cancer journeys: This brings us one step closer to hope, recovery and healing." For more than 80 years, Ochsner has been dedicated to cancer research and new cancer therapy development, bringing innovations to treatment with more clinical trials than anywhere else in Louisiana. It is accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American College of Radiology, the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (Bone Marrow Transplant) and the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. Cancer care at Ochsner is recognized by U.S. News & World Report, ranking as high performing in uterine, prostate, lung and colon cancer surgeries. Ochsner's ear, nose and throat specialty is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 program in the country, which includes head and neck surgical oncology. The Ochsner Cancer Institute treats more than 40,000 patients each year and has cared for patients from all 50 states and 28 countries. Each patient's care team can include as many as 20 multidisciplinary cancer specialists working together to provide high-quality treatment. In 2022, more than 300,000 preventive cancer screenings were performed at Ochsner facilities across its system. "This is an exciting milestone in Ochsner's long-standing history of providing high-quality cancer care," said Robert Hart, M.D., chief physician executive of Ochsner Health. "Through collaboration with MD Anderson's physicians and researchers, our patients will benefit from the expertise of a global leader in cancer care. This partnership is a testament to our ongoing commitment to elevate care and expand access to clinical trials close to home in Louisiana." MD Anderson is one of the world's largest and most respected cancer centers devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. MD Anderson has been working to eliminate cancer for more than 80 years and has been named one of the top two hospitals in cancer care every year since U.S. News & World Report began its annual "America's Best Hospital Rankings" in 1990. Based in Houston, MD Anderson conducts one of the world's largest clinical trials programs, offering more than 1,600 clinical trials covering prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. To learn more about Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center, please visit Ochsner.org/CancerServices. As the nation's top health official and leader of one of the federal government's largest departments, the secretary of Health and Human Services makes life-or-death decisions every day that affect millions of Americans. But not all important work is serious. One former HHS secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, recalled a highlight of her tenure: recording a public service message with "Sesame Street." "The Elmo commercial was to teach kids how to sneeze," she said. "We were trying to spread good health habits." The script called for Sebelius to ask her co-star to "bend your elbow and sneeze into your arm." "Elmo has no elbow," the beloved red Muppet replied, veering off script. So, Sebelius said, they swapped roles: "Elmo taught me how to sneeze." Her story punctuated a rare, intimate conversation Wednesday with three HHS secretaries, past and present and across party lines. Secretary Xavier Becerra, the agency's current leader, joined Sebelius, who worked under then-President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2014, and Alex Azar, who worked under then-President Donald Trump from 2018 to 2021. Their candid discussion took place at Aspen Ideas: Health, part of the Aspen Ideas Festival, about the job each of them held. The panel discussion, taped in Aspen, Colorado, before a standing room-only crowd, was hosted as a live episode of KFF Health News' weekly policy news podcast, "What the Health?," and is now available to stream. Becerra, Azar, and Sebelius spoke not only about the common bullet point on their resumes, but also about their shared understanding of what it means to lead the agency at a time when health is at the front of American minds and in the crosshairs of American politics. Becerra and Azar have led HHS during the covid-19 pandemic, and Sebelius was in charge during the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. They offered frank and at times strikingly similar perspectives on leading a department with more than 80,000 employees; a budget of more than $1.5 trillion; and an agenda most often set by outside events or their boss at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Azar, who described fielding "two to five" daily phone calls from Trump, which could come at nearly any hour, said he started his days huddling with senior staff "to discuss what could hit us in the face today." "The White House is not a patient place," said Becerra, who described losing 11 twin towers' worth of Americans to covid-19 every day when he took the reins. "They want answers quickly." "It truly is life and death at HHS," Becerra added. "The gravity, it hits you. And it's nonstop." The panel offered some behind-closed-doors takes on today's top issues, including the bruising fights over skyrocketing drug prices under Trump and ACA contraceptive coverage under Obama. Deciding which "hills do you die on" was Azar's top challenge as HHS secretary, he said. "When do you fight and when do you not fight with, say, the White House?" He pointed to his push to eliminate drugmaker rebates paid to health plans and pharmacy benefit managers, which drugmakers and others have criticized for driving up drug costs. "I left a lot of blood on the field of battle just to try to outlaw pharmaceutical rebates," he said. All three secretaries agreed that one of the least understood but most important aspects of the department's work happens outside the United States, performing what Sebelius called "soft diplomacy." While many countries are loath to welcome officials from the State Department or the military, "they welcome health professionals," she said. "They welcome the opportunity to learn." Asked what they felt unprepared for when they got the job, Azar who had worked at HHS previously as general counsel then deputy secretary replied: "The Trump administration." Coming from the administration of former President George W. Bush and later a stint as president of the U.S. division of the drugmaker Eli Lilly, Azar said he was "used to certain processes and ways people interact." Working in the Trump administration, "it was different." The atypical assembly of current and former political appointees also offered a chance for some unusually friendly banter. Becerra noted that one reason he was familiar with HHS programs was because he had filed numerous lawsuits challenging the agency's actions when he was attorney general of California. "Oh, he sued me a lot," Azar quipped, as the group laughed. "Becerra v. Azar, all over the place." A mountain of evidence shows police often fail to respond properly to people experiencing a mental health crisis. It can lead to avoidable deaths and criminalization of mental illness, especially among people of color. A poll commissioned by Public Health Advocates, a Davis-based health policy nonprofit, showed that more than two-thirds of California voters want behavioral health professionals to be part of the emergency response in non-life-threatening situations. Among seven types of situations potentially warranting emergency response, voters think law enforcement agencies are least equipped to respond to calls about mental health crises and people who are unhoused, according to the May 24 poll. "Police response has become the oversized band-aid for something the band-aid was never designed to cover or heal," said Ryan McClinton, who manages Public Health Advocates' First Response Transformation Campaign. His group and like-minded advocates in California are stepping up a campaign to overhaul the state's 911 system so more mental health professionals and others with specialized training handle many emergencies, rather than the police. Law enforcement officials agree that 911 response merits a more nuanced approach. But powerful police unions are against proposals that might reduce their control over 911 operations, and the budget and staff that go with them. Police representatives contacted said they favored alternatives that would supplement the current system rather than supplant it, and that would keep overall responsibility for 911 with police departments. "Our 911 dispatchers do an amazing job and are the perfect people to handle those in crisis," said Tim Davis, president of the Sacramento Police Officers Association, a union. "It is imperative that 911 remain under the direction of the police department, as the majority of the calls they receive are for police services." McClinton, however, said emergency response systems are outdated and in need of transformation. In many California counties, change is already underway. Forty-one of the state's 58 counties have some form of mobile crisis services in which mental health workers go out and address crisis needs in the community, according to a survey conducted by the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California. Michelle Cabrera, executive director of CBHDA, said that by next year all California counties will have mobile crisis services up and running. Established in 1968, 911 was designed for reporting fires. However, it quickly became an all-purpose system for routing a much broader set of calls to police. Californians now make more than 25 million 911 calls annually. Nationally, as many as 15% are for behavioral health emergencies, according to a 2021 study in the journal Psychiatric Services. Andrea Rivera, a legislative health advocate, said 911 centers today are inundated with calls that aren't necessarily emergencies an influx the system wasn't built to handle. "911 has become a catchall," said Rivera, who works for the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network. "While it might be unfair to law enforcement, which doesn't have the capacity or training, its particularly unfair for the community members that dont feel like they have someone to turn to." Alternative approaches vary widely across the state. Santa Clara County, for example, has five mobile response teams that can respond to 911 calls, and can also be deployed by dispatchers at 988, the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Some teams are made up of clinicians and other trained professionals who can provide peer support. Some respond alongside police, while others arrive wearing plainclothes in a non-police vehicle. Sandra Hernandez, a division director of Behavioral Health Services in Santa Clara County, said the program is in its infancy but has been effective so far. One surprising takeaway she noted was how much community members appreciated being able to ask for help without emergency vehicles arriving at their doorstep and alerting nosy neighbors to a moment of crisis. Hernandez recalled one letter her team received from a grateful resident: "My neighbors didn't even know. They thought I had company." Cities in Oregon, New Mexico, and Colorado have similar programs. Advocates point to cases like that of Jaime Naranjo, a Sacramento County resident who was shot and killed by police last year at his home. Naranjo's wife, Elisa Naranjo, said her husband was suicidal and had been experiencing delusions and carrying a machete when she called 911 for help. Sacramento has a Mobile Crisis Support Team, but its not 24/7 and Elisa called 911 outside its hours of operation. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office said that when police arrived the deputy told Naranjo to drop the weapon, but he did not comply. That, the Sheriff's Office said, is when Naranjo advanced on the deputy, who shot and killed him. In California, proposed legislation would make alternative response a statewide requirement. State Sen. Aisha Wahab's SB 402, which is championed by Public Health Advocates, would require 911 service centers to dispatch professionals other than armed police officers for calls related to mental health or homelessness. This approach is akin to the role 988 was meant to fill, Wahab said, but low awareness of the 988 number has been a barrier to effectiveness. Wahab introduced an alternative response program three years ago in Hayward, while on its City Council, and said its success inspired her to draft the legislation. She said the bill, whose fate won't be decided until next year, is a priority for her but acknowledged it would be complicated to enact changes statewide. Police union representatives said they supported the idea of alternative response in principle. "Our members are not mental health professionals," said Alexa Pratt, the communications director for the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs. "We agree that law enforcement should not be the lead addressing mental health calls but should be there to assist in these programs." Tom Saggau, a San Jose Police Officers' Association spokesperson, referenced a pilot program in San Jose of which police were initially skeptical, until they saw how sharing the burden of emergency call response eased their workload. The program has grown sixfold in eight years. Saggau, who also represents the Los Angeles Police Protective League, a union, said Los Angeles has drafted a list of 28 types of calls that could be diverted to other initial responders and don't require a police presence. Still, police departments are protective of their control over 911 and associated personnel and funding. Saggau criticized proposals to restructure 911 as outgrowths of the "defund the police" movement and voiced frustration that some advocates think supporting alternative response requires a redistribution of police budgets. The push to defund the police, which gained international momentum after George Floyd's murder in 2020, refers to reallocating funding away from police departments to other government agencies that support social services. "It's not an either-or," Saggau said. "You can have a fully staffed, robust police department and you can also have a robust alternative response model." Wahab believes it's critical to ensure all cities and counties have clinicians and other unarmed emergency responders on hand. "It's very simple," Wahab said. "You save lives by having the appropriate response to a crisis." Andelyn Biosciences, a pioneer in the development and manufacturing of cell and gene therapies, today formally inaugurates its new manufacturing headquarters, the Andelyn Corporate Center (ACC), located in the Innovation District in Columbus, Ohio. The newly constructed state-of-the-art and regulatory-compliant facility complements Andelyns two existing facilities in Columbus. With 180,000 square feet of office, laboratory, and manufacturing space, the ACC more than triples Andelyns footprint, ensuring the company will have the space and capabilities to meet the growing demand for its cell and gene therapy services. The opening of the new Andelyn Corporate Center is a fitting tribute to our more than 20 years of leadership and innovation in the development and manufacture of viral vectors for gene therapy. The new facility includes 16 cGMP modular manufacturing suites with upstream, downstream, solution prep, and filling capabilities, along with quality control labs and warehouse and corporate headquarters space. This expansion significantly enhances the comprehensive Concept-to-Commercialization capabilities we provide to our biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients. Wade Macedone, Chief Executive Officer, Andelyn Biosciences Macedone continued, We are proud of our record of success in this demanding field, with over 2,000 viral vector production runs and more than 450 cGMP batches delivered in support of more than 75 global gene therapy clinical trials. Our talented workforce of over 200 people never lose sight of the ultimate goalto help eradicate the many debilitating and deadly genetic disorders that were formerly untreatable. We view expansion with the ACC as positioning Andelyn for continued leadership and growth that, in turn, will help advance the fields of cell and gene therapy and help bring curative treatments to more patients. From its origins operating development and cGMP manufacturing supporting pioneering gene therapy efforts at Nationwide Childrens Hospital, Andelyn has expanded to three buildings with more than 250,000 combined square feet of space, including the ACC, the Andelyn Development Center (ADC) for preclinical non-cGMP activities, and the Andelyn Plasmid Center (APC) for research and cGMP plasmid production. Andelyn has broad expertise in all aspects of viral vector development and manufacturing, from preclinical starting materials through development, manufacturing and fill and finish for clinical trial and commercial scale production. Supporting services include analytical development and quality control, quality assurance, and regulatory support. Andelyns decades of experience have led to the development of a configurable adeno-associated virus (AAV) platform, which provides performance predictability and drives faster development, optimization, and efficiency in the manufacturing process. Reflecting the companys vast experience in analytical development and viral vector program execution, products manufactured at Andelyn are of consistently high quality, characterized by safety, purity, potency and yieldattributes that are measured extensively throughout the production, purification, release, and stability process. The company also supports the development and manufacturing of other viral vector processes and cell-based gene therapies. A new robotics platform was inaugurated at the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) on Thursday, June 15, 2023, in the presence of Thuringia's State Secretary for Research, Innovation and Economic Development. The highly modular facility serves the institute to accelerate the discovery of new antibiotics and is unique in Germany's academic sector in its combination of size, degree of automation and flexibility. The robotics platform was designed and built in close cooperation with Analytik Jena GmbH+Co. KG. At the inauguration of the robotics platform, Thuringian State Secretary Katja Bohler (center) cut the symbolic blue ribbon together with Leibniz-HKI Administrative Director Elke Jacksch (right) and facility manager Luzia Gyr (left). Image Credit: Anna Schroll/Leibniz-HKI The antibiotics crisis is one of the greatest medical challenges of our time. Increasing resistance means that people are once again dying from bacterial infections that were long considered to be easily treatable. At the same time, the pharmaceutical industry has largely withdrawn from the less profitable development of new antibiotics. A major reason for this is lack of profitability: antibiotics are used sparingly, sold at low prices, and also have short treatment durations. Related Stories Tradeshow Talks with Analytik Jena Publicly funded research is trying to close this gap. "As a state, we provide targeted support for application-oriented research in order to take the results all the way to value creation in Thuringia," said Katja Bohler, State Secretary for Research, Innovation and Economic Development at the Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Science and Digital Society. She referred in particular to the innovation umbrella program "Thuringia MOTIVation," which bundles all related funding instruments. "Future-oriented cooperation between science and industry makes Jena and Thuringia a high-tech location with many highly qualified jobs. The new robotics facility is an example of how well this interplay between public and private players works here in the state." "Antibiotic development with the help of public research funding is a major challenge that our institute is taking on," says Pierre Stallforth, deputy director and project leader of the new robotics platform at Leibniz-HKI. This was achieved most recently with the tuberculosis agent BTZ-043, which was discovered at Leibniz-HKI and further developed in cooperation with academic partners and industry. In the future, the new robotics platform set up at the HKI Biotech Center should be able to perform experiments faster and more accurately, as repetitive steps are always carried out in exactly the same way. "The combination of automation, data analysis and innovative research approaches increases the chances of success in identifying new antibiotics," explains Luzia Gyr, head of the facility. The technology platform was designed in close development cooperation with Analytik Jena. The most important requirement of the future users was that the system should be as flexible as possible. Industrial plants are normally characterized by a fixed process sequence. Here we have a platform that is equipped for the future and can respond to the high variability of the research topics of the institute and its partners." Matthias Fischer, Team Leader of Automation, Analytik Jena. The project was technically very demanding, but due to the short distances and the very intensive coordination of all participants directly on site, it could be realized in a relatively short time." Lars Bottcher, Vice President of Technology, Analytik Jena. The construction of the modern facility was only made possible by extensive public funding. It was largely funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research as part of the Zwanzig20 consortium InfectControl and its follow-up projects. Additional funding was provided by the German Research Foundation as part of the Balance of the Microverse cluster of excellence and by the state of Thuringia with money from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The total volume of the investment is three million euros. In addition, the Free State of Thuringia is funding the RoboThur research group, which has applied jointly with the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, with one million euros, thus enabling the recruitment of highly qualified personnel for the platform. The new robotics platform will not only be available to the Leibniz-HKI research groups, but also to the University of Jena and other research institutions and industrial partners with which the institute cooperates. The commissioning of the system, which has just taken place, will now be followed by a phase of setting up the first test series and validating the results, which will take several months. The comprehensive avoidance of double taxation agreement with Mauritius that was signed in November 2022 came into force today, the Government announced. The agreement will have effect in respect of Hong Kong tax from April 1, 2024, it added. The agreement will also bring a greater degree of certainty on tax liabilities for those who engage in cross-border business activities, and help promote bilateral trade and investment activities. Phan Thi Thanh Tam (red ao dai) and Kim Keon-hee (green ao dai) at a tea party in Hanoi, June 23, 2023. Photo courtesy of the World &Vietnam Report The first ladies of South Korea and Vietnam enjoyed lotus tea, folk music and an ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) fashion show together Friday. Phan Thi Thanh Tam, wife of Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong invited Kim Keon-hee, wife of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, to sip lotus tea. Kim expressed her fondness of lotus flowers and Vietnamese lotus tea. The two first ladies then watched a fashion show that featured a collection of ao dai inspired by Vietnamese women in rural villages. They also listened to Vietnamese and Korean folk music ensembles. While enjoying the concert, First Lady Tam introduced Kim to betel quid, which is famously chewed by Vietnamese women in rural areas. South Korea's first lady Kim Keon-hee at a tea party on June 23, 2023. Photo courtesy of the World &Vietnam Report Earlier, President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife attended an official welcoming ceremony chaired by Thuong at the Presidential Palace in the capital. After the ceremony, Thuong and his counterpart had a meeting, while Kim left the Presidential Palace wearing a green ao dai. Born in 1972, Kim majored in painting at Kyonggi University and earned a master's degree in art education, followed by a doctorate in digital content design. Kim married Yoon in March 2012. This trip is Yoons first visit to Vietnam after taking office in May. It was also his first visit to any Southeast Asian nation. Vietnam and Korea established diplomatic relations in 1992. The relationship was upgraded to a "strategic cooperative partnership" in October 2009, and then a "comprehensive strategic partnership" last December. The ongoing debate between certain states and the central government regarding the New Pension Scheme (NPS) and the old pension scheme for government employees has gained significant attention. Reports suggest that the central government may offer government employees 40% to 45% of their pension by making modifications to the NPS, while ensuring fiscal prudence. This contentious topic has become a focal point in recent elections, with many opposition parties advocating for changes in the NPS. States such as Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh have demanded the reinstatement of the old pension scheme, but the central government currently has no plans to bring it back. Responding to the increasing demands for changes in the NPS, the government has established a four-member panel to review the scheme ahead of the 2024 general elections, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek a third term. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while considering the Financial Bill 2023, stated that the new pension scheme will be applicable to both state and central governments. The central government has no intention to reintroduce the old pension policy; instead, it aims to introduce an assured pension under the NPS. According to reports, the government plans to make slight adjustments to the market-linked NPS for the benefit of employees. It is anticipated that the government will guarantee a minimum pension of 40% to 45% for government employees, necessitating a minor alteration to the NPS. Under the current NPS scheme, employees are required to contribute 10% of their salary, while the government contributes 14%. The accumulated corpus is primarily invested in government debt securities. The new pension scheme is applicable only to government employees who joined the service on or after April 1, 2004. These employees will receive an assured pension of 40% to 45% of their last drawn salary. Government officials have noted that under the current National Pension policy, employees receive approximately 38% of their last salary as a pension. By guaranteeing a 40% return, the government would only need to cover a 2% shortfall. However, if the market-linked returns are higher, government expenses could increase in the future. It is important to note that these developments are subject to further review and approval, as the government aims to strike a balance between the demands of government employees and fiscal responsibility. India and the US have agreed to end six key trade disputes at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), while New Delhi will also remove retaliatory customs duties on certain American products such as almonds, walnuts, and apples. The six disputes include three initiated by India and as many by the US. Announcing this, United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai in a statement said that these tariff cuts will restore and expand market opportunities for US agricultural producers and manufacturers. A joint statement issued after the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden said that both the countries have taken steps towards deepening bilateral cooperation to strengthen their economic relationship, including trade ties. The leaders welcomed the resolution of six outstanding WTO disputes between the two countries through mutually agreed solutions," it said. The USTR said that the two countries have agreed to terminate six outstanding disputes" at the WTO. These include countervailing measures on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India, certain measures relating to solar cells and modules, measures relating to the renewable energy sector, export-related measures, certain measures on steel and aluminium products, and additional duties on some products from the US. According to trade experts, both countries can resolve the disputes on mutually agreed terms and later inform the Geneva-based WTO about the same. Commenting on this, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said that this decision is a big victory" and will be mutually beneficial for both countries. He said, its a package deal" and now there are no pending India-US disputes at WTO. In 2018, the US imposed 25 per cent and 10 per cent import duties on certain steel and aluminium products, respectively, on grounds of national security. In retaliation, India in June 2019 imposed customs duties on 28 American products, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents. The US had filed a complaint in the WTO about Indias support measures to its export sector under different schemes. In 2019, a WTO dispute panel ruled that Indias export measures are inconsistent with global trade norms. The US is the largest trading partner of India. In 2022-23, the bilateral goods trade increased to USD 128.8 billion as against USD 119.5 billion in 2021-22. According to WTO rules, a member country can file a case in the Geneva-based multilateral body if they feel that a particular trade measure is against the norms of the world body. Bilateral consultation is the first step to resolving a dispute. If both sides are not able to resolve the matter through consultation, either of them can approach the establishment of a dispute settlement panel. The panels ruling or report can be challenged by WTOs appellate body. Interestingly, the appellate body is not functioning because of differences among member countries to appoint its members. Several disputes are already pending with this body. The US has been blocking the appointment of the members. Adani Stocks Fall Today: Adani Group shares were under pressure, falling up to 6 per cent on the BSE in Fridays intra-day trade following reports that the Group has drawn regulatory scrutiny in the US after a short sellers report. All the 10 listed counters of the Gautam Adani-led conglomerate opened with big cuts in the last trading session of the week. The ten listed Adani Group companies have lost a cumulative market capitalisation of over Rs 52,000 crore in Fridays trading session so far. This is the biggest market capitalisation erosion for the group in over four months. The last instance was when the group had lost Rs 59,538 crore on February 9 this year. According to a Bloomberg report, the US authorities are looking into what representations Adani Group made to its American investors following a scathing short sellers report that accused the company of using offshore companies to secretly manipulate its share prices. The US Attorneys Office in Brooklyn, New York, has sent inquiries in recent months to institutional investors with large holdings in the India conglomerate; Bloomberg reported quoting one person familiar with the inquiries, the report stated. Shares of Adani Enterprises, the flagship company of Adani Group, dipped 6 per cent to Rs 2,251 on the BSE in intra-day trade. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, Adani Power, Adani Total Gas, Adani Transmission, Adani Green Energy, Adani Wilmar, Ambuja Cements and ACC were down 2 per cent to 4 per cent. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 0.28 per cent at 63,061 at 10:17 AM. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone cracked more than 3 per cent to Rs 721 levels, commanding a total market capitalization of little more than Rs 1.50 lakh crore. The scrip had settled at Rs 745.50 in the previous trading session. Adani Power dropped over 4 per cent to Rs 246.25 as its market capitalization slipped below Rs 1 lakh crore market, while Adani Transmission, Adani Total Gas and Adani Green Energy dropped 3 per cent each during the early trading session. Ambuja Cement was also trading 3 per cent lower. Among other Adani group companies, Adani Wilmar was down 2 per cent, same as ACC and New Delhi Television (NDTV). Meanwhile, the market regulator the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is conducting an investigation into allegations made by a foreign short-seller on January 25, 2023, and also into market activity before and after that date. The verdict is expected from the securities watchdog in August. However, a panel of experts appointed by the Supreme Court also said in a report last month that theres no regulatory failure or wrongdoing behind the wild swings of Adani stocks. We are fully compliant with all laws, rules, and regulations and are confident that truth will prevail. We are fully cooperating with SEBI and will continue to provide all our support and cooperation, Adani Group said in a media statement on April 29. It is pertinent to note that in the SEBI application filed before the Honble Supreme Court, there are no conclusions of any alleged wrongdoing. The SEBI application only cites the allegations made in the short-sellers report, which are still under investigation, the Group said. Stocks to Watch on June 23: The Nifty futures contract traded on the Singapore Exchange indicates a positive/negative start to domestic equities. The contract was trading at 18,850, up 19 points or 0.10% from the previous close. L&T: The construction conglomerate inked pact with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for realisation of two air-independent propulsion (AIP) modules for the Kalvari class of submarines of the Indian Navy. Fortis Healthcare: The company signed definitive agreements to sell its hospital business operations at Vadapalani, Chennai to Sri Kauvery Medical Care (India), for a sale consideration of Rs 152 crore. GAIL: The gas distributor won licence to build a gas pipeline from Gurdaspur in Punjab to Jammu, beating Indian Oil Corporation. The 175-km long pipeline will carry environment-friendly fuel to Jammu, and have an initial capacity to carry at least 2 million standard cubic meters per day. READ MORE ONGC: The state-owned company linked Panna oilfield in the Arabian Sea to shore through a sub-sea pipeline, saving $43,000 a day that was previously incurred in transporting crude oil through ships. READ MORE Tata Power: According to reports, the company is planning to raise up to Rs 2,500 crore by selling some of its assets overseas, including hydro assets in Zambia, and two coal mines in Indonesia. Paytm: The company signed an MoU with Arunachal Pradesh Innovation and Investment Park (APIIP) to create a startup ecosystem for the youth in the northeastern state. The Paytm Incubation Centre, according to the MoU, would provide products to early-age startups at a discounted price. Vedanta: The company that did not plan to sell its copper plant at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, and called media reports of selling the plant as wrong, baseless and incorrect. Wipro: The IT services company inaugurated its new office at Sable Park, Century City, in Cape Town. The new office, said the management, would help address requirements of the growing client base in South Africa, and provide opportunities to local talent. Coforge: Coforge has acquired the final tranche shares of balance 20% in Coforge Business Process Solutions aggregating its shareholding to 80%. BPCL: A Board meeting of BPCL will be held on June 28 to consider the various modalities for capital infusion including rights issue, for achieving energy transition, net zero and energy security objectives. Prompted by the growing number of job offers and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across sectors, IITs are revising undergraduate curriculum to launch full-time degree courses in the discipline along with data science and other emerging technologies. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Gandhinagar, one of the new-age IITs, is the latest to launch a BTech in AI from the new academic session 2023-24. While IIT-Patna launched a full-time degree course in AI and data science this January, IIT-Guwahati launched a BTech in Data Science and AI (DSAI). IIT-Hyderabad was the first tech institute across the country and among very few globally to have launched a BTech in AI in 2019. While many IITs such as Madras, Delhi and Bombay do offer offline courses for working professionals in AI and data analytics as well as dual degree courses (five-years programme) for on-campus students in which they get to study subjects such as robotics and machine learning, among others in the post-graduate year, those offering full-time undergraduate courses in the discipline are still a handful. On the expanding focus on AI, Prof Rajat Moona, director, IIT-Gandhinagar, said the undergraduate curriculum was revised this year to adapt to rapidly evolving technology. This has also helped add more seats to the undergraduate programmes at the institute. With the introduction of BTech in AI, we will enable students to build systems that harness data collection and computation to solve important global challenges. Apart from statistical and computational techniques, this program emphasises responsible use of AI and developing interdisciplinary domain knowledge, said Moona. Also, the institute recently inaugurated a laboratory for AI and data science to foster a collaborative ecosystem in the fields of data sciences, machine learning, artificial intelligence and applied mathematics. Even as computer science engineering, which entails AI and ML as sub-branches, is a full-fledged and the most-sought-after discipline at IITs across India, one wonders what AI as a discipline in itself will offer. The roots of AI go down deep and are interlinked with all other branches of engineering and sciences, including computer science, maths, physics, civil, mechanical and so on. We need people who know how to develop techniques in AI to take it to the next level. The full-fledged degree course will have students dive deep into the fundamentals of AI and how to improve on it, said Prof Anirban Dasgupta, who teaches computer science at IIT-Gandhinagar. AI has become like a writing code, he said, adding that its going to be needed by all kinds of engineers. For example, civil engineers need AI to know the resilience, the same way its applicable to climate and weather prediction technology, same way beyond physics in a gravitational wave detector (device to detect cosmic gravitational waves), its all about data analytics that help catch the signal and determine if two blackholes are colliding. Based on what we see around, there is a huge interest in AI, which is not just restricted to computer science graduates. Plus, there is a demand for AI-qualified graduates in the market and the degree courses shall fill that gap in. AI will become one of the pillars of any branch of engineering in the near future, said Dasgupta. The placements season across IITs, which has just ended, saw a significant chunk of high paying as well as the highest number of job offers from top companies being made to computer science graduates and those having studied AI, robotics, data science and other emerging technologies at the post-graduate level. According to faculty members at IIT-Guwahati, the AI programmes provide a comprehensive range of courses to cater to both basic and advanced levels of learning. The basic courses, such as Introduction to Data Science, Introduction to Optimization, and Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, offer students a solid foundation in these domains. On the other hand, the advanced courses, such as Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning, and Data Mining, delve deeper into AI and applications, equipping students with advanced skills. The programmes also offer elective courses on interdisciplinary subjects, allowing students to explore and specialise in specific areas of interest, said Prof Debanga Raj Neog, assistant professor, Mehta Family School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, IIT-Guwahati. Currently, counselling sessions for admission to IITs are going on for those having cleared JEE (Advanced). The new academic session will commence from July-August. Meanwhile, IIT-Jodhpur too has invited applications for part-time MTech in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) for working professionals, starting this session. The Uttar Pradesh Education Board has added 50 new biographies of great personalities in class 9th to 12th books. As per news agency ANI, 50 new personalities include Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Sarojini Naidu, Bhagat Singh, Gautam Buddha, Mahavir Jain and Swami Vivekanand, among others. UP Education Board adds biographies of 50 great personalities including Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya and Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Sarojini Naidu, Bhagat Singh, Gautam Buddh, Mahavir Jain and Swami Vivekanand to its syllabus for ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 23, 2023 Education Minister of the state, Gulab Devi said these inclusions are a part of strengthening the moral and cultural values of the children who will grow up and take part in nation building. However, Samajwadi Party (SP) led by Akhilesh Yadav criticised the move and asked government to reconsider inclusion of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The spokesperson of the party Sunil Sajan said that BJP government in Uttar Pradesh should apologise to millions of freedom fighters eulogizing Vinayak Damodar Savarkar who had betrayed their sentiments by apologizing to the British rulers. Earlier news agency, PTI informed that schools in Uttar Pradesh will adopt revised NCERT textbooks from the current academic session. Additional Chief Secretary (basic and secondary education) Deepak Kumar confirmed the development. We follow NCERT books and whatever is available in the revised edition, we will follow it in state schools from 2023-24 session, Kumar told PTI. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) eliminated some topics from the curriculum as part of its syllabus rationalisation effort last year, claiming overlapping and irrelevant as justifications. These topics included lectures on Mughal courts from its class 12 textbooks. When the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) rationalised its syllabus in April 2022, many of these modifications were made public. Some state boards use NCERT texts in addition to those used by CBSE schools. Listing the changes, the NCERT, in a note, had said, The content of the textbooks has been rationalised for various reasons, including overlapping with similar content in other subject areas in the same class, similar content included in the lower or higher classes on the same subject." In class 12 political science textbook, pages on the topic Gujarat Riots have been excluded from the chapter titled Recent Developments in Indian Politics. The mention of the National Human Rights Commission report on the 2002 violence and the raj dharma remark by then Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee has been dropped from the textbook. The US Navys acoustic system has detected an anomaly" that is believed to be the cause of the fatal implosion of the Titan submersible, Associated Press quoted a senior military as saying. As per the report, the Navy analysed its acoustic data after the submersible was reported missing, and the Coast Guard later confirmed that the craft experienced a catastrophic implosion resulting in the death of all five individuals on board. The anomaly detected by the Navys acoustic system was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the vicinity where the Titan submersible was operating when communication was lost. The senior Navy official, who spoke to Associated Press anonymously due to the sensitivity of the acoustic detection system, provided this information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search. What is a Catastrophic Implosion and How is it Different from an Explosion? Earlier, experts had expressed doubts about the implosion of the deepwater exploratory vessel, as no significant underwater sound wave had been registered to indicate such an event. However, it has now been confirmed that the missing craft succumbed to the immense pressures at the depth where the famous shipwreck lies on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. The exact depth at which the catastrophic implosion" occurred is still being determined. When pressure inside a confined space becomes too great, it exerts outward force and can cause an explosion. An analogy can be drawn to blowing up a balloon excessively, where the material eventually reaches its limit and bursts, according to a report by AS. Here is an example of a controlled implosion by a transportation company WABASH: Heres an example of what the implosion of the Titan submersible would have looked like. Potentially even more violent given the depths of the mission. #Titan #Titanic #OceanGate #implosion #submarine #submarinemissing pic.twitter.com/1hZTjlxOMg Messias (@honestfan_1) June 23, 2023 Conversely, when a container experiences more pressure from the outside than it can withstand, it collapses inward, resulting in an implosion. This effect can be demonstrated in a classroom experiment often performed by science teachers. It involves heating an empty soda can and then submerging it, with the opening facing into a freezing liquid. The can crumples inward as if it were crushed, the report explains. Concerns Existed About Oceangate Before The incident 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. 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. WHATS NEXT AND WHO WAS KILLED? The Coast Guard will continue searching near the Titanic for more clues about what happened to the Titan. Efforts to recover the submersible and the remains of the five men who were on board will also continue. The victims are: Oceangate chief executive and Titan pilot Stockton Rush; two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans, OceanGate said in a statement. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew. Associated Press contributed to this report The decision taken by General Electric to manufacture jet engines in India through transfer of technology is a landmark agreement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, noting that this will give India-US defence cooperation a new character". GE aerospace has announced it has inked a pact with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to jointly produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Forces Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk-II Tejas. The decision taken by General Electric to manufacture engines in India through transfer of technology is a landmark agreement," Prime Minister Modi told reporters at a joint news conference with US President Joe Biden at the White House. This also opens up new job opportunities in both countries, he said and added that this will give our defence cooperation a new character in the times to come". The defence industries and startups of both countries are important partners in this cooperation. Bringing them together is the key objective of our defence industrial roadmap," Modi said. In a joint statement, President Biden and Prime Minister Modi hailed the landmark signing of the MoU between GE and HAL. About the Deal GE has signed a memorandum of understanding with HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) that includes the potential joint production of GE Aerospaces F414 engines in India. GE Aerospace is working with the US government to obtain the necessary export authorization for this collaboration. The aim is to support the Indian Air Forces Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 program, with the F414 engines being used in the indigenous Tejas Mark-2 fighter jets, according to a report by Firstpost. The GE F414 engine is highly regarded for its performance and is already used in Boeings Super Hornets and Gripen fighter jets. It is an American afterburning turbofan engine in the 22,000-pound (98 kN) thrust class. The F414 offers unrestricted engine performance with rapid throttle response and no throttle restrictions. It excels in afterburner light and stability, providing extra thrust when needed. Its advanced technologies make it versatile and suitable for advanced combat aircraft, the report says. Derived from the GE F404 engine, the F414 produces up to 18,000 pounds of thrust, making it suitable for various aircraft and missions. It is designed for easy maintenance, reducing ownership costs, and meets current environmental regulations while prioritizing future environmental sustainability. The engine utilizes integrated electronic engine instrumentation, providing real-time performance data to enable informed decisions by pilots. Its high-pressure compressor (HPC) offers improved efficiency and lower emissions compared to previous engine generations. However, the GE F414 engine comes at a significant cost. Reports indicate a price tag of $3.71 million (approximately Rs 30 crore) per engine. Why Does the Deal Matter? According to a report by the Indian Express, only a few countries, like the US, Russia, the UK, and France, have the expertise and knowledge to manufacture engines for combat aircraft. India has been striving for self-reliance in critical technologies but has not yet mastered this particular field. Indias Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) worked on developing engines for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, but the ambitious Kaveri engine project faced challenges. Despite developing prototypes and conducting extensive testing, the engines did not meet the requirements for fighter aircraft, falling short in terms of thrust. In 2011, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) criticized the GTRE for its inability to deliver the engine for the LCA, leading to cost overruns. While the LCA Tejas currently uses the GE-404 engine, the government has expressed plans to utilize technological capabilities gained from the Kaveri engine project, including in drone applications. Typically, countries possessing advanced engine manufacturing technology have been unwilling to share it, making the anticipated deal to manufacture GEs F414 engines in India a significant breakthrough. This agreement will mark the end of Indias prolonged pursuit of advanced combat jet engine technology, the report explains. Top leaders of Opposition parties held deliberations here on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting is being hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD. As the host, Kumar presided over the meeting flanked on either side by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad. Reports said over 30 leaders of 15 Opposition parties participated in the meeting at the Bihar chief ministers 1, Aney Marg, residence here. The meeting was being seen as a starting point for the Opposition parties to come together to take on the Narendra Modi-led BJP, the sources said. Therefore, a basic outline and roadmap for Opposition unity are likely to be deliberated upon with the contentious issue of seat sharing and leadership questions to be avoided for now, they said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (TMC), her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal and Punjabs Bhagwant Mann (AAP), Tamil Nadus M K Stalin (DMK), Jharkhands Hemant Soren (JMM), Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtras former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT), and NCP president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders attending the first high-level Opposition meeting. Leaders of the PDP, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) and the National Conference are also present at the meeting, PTI reported. Amid the developments, lets look at the third front attempts made in the past and what it resulted in: What is the Third Front? In Indian politics, the Third Front refers to various alliances formed by smaller parties at various times since 1989 to provide a third option to Indian voters, challenging the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). National Front (19891991) The government of India from 1989 to 1990 was made up of a group of political parties called the National Front (NF). The Janata Dal was in charge of this group. The president of the National Front was N. T. Rama Rao, and its leader was Vishwanath Pratap Singh. V. P. Singh was the first prime minister of the coalition, and Chandra Shekhar took over after him. Janata Dal and Indian Congress (Socialist) were in charge of the party at the national level. It was represented in Andhra Pradesh by the Telugu Desam Party, in Tamil Nadu by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and in Assam by the Asom Gana Parishad. Left Front, which was not a member party, also supported them. This was the second time India was ever ruled by a coalition, and Singh was prime minister for less than a year, from December 2, 1989, to November 10, 1990. His short time as prime minister was full of controversies and hard times, such as implementing the recommendations of the Mandal Commission (which said that a fixed quota of all jobs in the public sector should be reserved for OBCs) and dealing with the Ram Janmabhoomi issue and the rise of militancy in Kashmir. The Rise and Fall According to a report by Britannica, he faced fierce protests across northern India after he announced in August 1990 that the Mandal recommendations would be implemented. V.P. Singhs critics accused him of pandering to underprivileged lower castes for votes, and many members of his own party deserted him over it, most notably Chandra Shekhar, who led a splinter group of JD dissidents out of Singhs coalition. V.P. Singh resigned on November 7, 1990, after being defeated in a vote of no confidence by a stunning margin of 356 to 151. The majority of those voting against Singh were members of Rajiv Gandhis Congress (I) Party, as Gandhi retained the largest single block of party faithful in the Lok Sabha; however, Advanis BJP supporters also lined up against Singh, the report says. Shekhars Janata Dal (S)the S stood for Socialistbecame the smallest new party bloc in the Lok Sabha, and he was invited to serve as Prime Minister by President Ramaswamy Venkataraman before the end of 1990. Devi Lal, who had been deposed by Singh in August, was reinstated as deputy prime minister. With fewer than 60 Janata (S) members in the Lok Sabha, the new prime ministers hold on power was tenuous and not expected to last any longer than Gandhi and the Congress (I) bloc deemed necessary. When the Congress (I) walked out of the Lok Sabha in March 1991, Shekhar was forced to resign and request that President Venkataraman call new general elections. United Front After the 1996 elections, Janata Dal, Samajwadi Party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Telugu Desam Party, Asom Gana Parishad, All India Indira Congress (Tiwari), Left Front (4 parties), Tamil Maanila Congress, National Conference, and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party formed a 13 party United Front (UF). Between 1996 and 1998, the coalition formed two governments in India. H. D. Deve Gowda was the first Janata Dal Prime Minister, and he was succeeded by I. K. Gujral after Jyoti Basu declined to become Prime Minister. The Indian National Congress, led by Sitaram Kesri, provided outside support to both governments. The United Front was convened by N. Chandrababu Naidu of the Telugu Desam Party. How this happened: The Indian general election in 1996 produced a splintered result. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was invited first to form a government after emerging as the largest party with 161 of 543 seats. The offer was accepted, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee was sworn in as Prime Minister. However, he was unable to secure a majority on the House floor, and the government was overthrown 13 days later. At a meeting of all the other parties, the Indian National Congress, with a substantial 140 seats, declined to head the government and along with the Communist Party of India (Marxist), agreed to extend outside support to a coalition with the Janata Dal at its head, named the United Front. The Samajwadi Party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Asom Gana Parishad, Tamil Maanila Congress, Communist Party of India, and Telugu Desam Party were also members of the front. H. D. Deve Gowda, the sitting Chief Minister of Karnataka, was asked to lead the coalition as Prime Minister after V. P. Singh, Jyoti Basu, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav, G. K. Moopanar, and M. Karunanidhi declined. His term ran from June 1, 1996 to April 21, 1997. The Congress withdrew its support for Deva Gowda due to disagreements between the coalition and the Congress. It agreed to support a new government led by I. K. Gujral, who served as Prime Minister from April 21, 1997 to March 19, 1998. After his government fell apart, new elections were held, and the United Front lost power. Lesson to Learn? The Third Fronts frailty became a powerful campaign platform for the BJP. Its 1998 government lasted only 13 months, but it returned to power in 1999 and formed the first stable National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, which lasted five years, opined political editor Saubhadra Chatterji in a Hindustan Times report. The BJP gained the trust of allies. The episode also established a more stable coalition dharma; both the NDA and the two Congress-led United Progressive Alliance governments were stable because regional parties did not want frequent elections, the report said. The UF experiment also demonstrated the importance of a larger, national party serving as the coalitions anchor. It also marked the consolidation, followed by the fragmentation, of regional parties, Chatterji argued. In Indian politics, the Janata Dal, which promised to be an alternative to the national parties, remained an illusion, and its various constituents drifted apart. Following the experiment, the Congress, too, returned to the Nehru-Gandhi familys leadership, with Sonia Gandhi in charge. A report in the Deccan Herald, speculating on the same reason of why the third fronts failed, said both the United and National Fronts relied heavily on outside assistance to form governments. Governments formed with external support are very fragile and vulnerable because the party providing the external support can leave if they are dissatisfied with how the government is run, the report argued. Both fronts were a ragtag collection of regional political parties. Because of the large number of regional parties, it is extremely difficult to control the regional parties. This was evident when the National Front attempted to form an absolute majority by enlisting opposition parties such as the DMK and AIADM. On the federal level, there was a clear lack of leadership seen. H.D Devegowda was elected Prime Minister of the United Front after Jyoti Basu, Chandrababu Naidu, and V.P Singh declined the position. The lack of a single leader in these coalitions impacted on the front that hoped to form the government. Parts of this report were published in January, 2023 PTI contributed to this report The 7.5 carat eco-friendly lab-grown diamond, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted to the US First Lady Jill Biden in Washington during his ongoing state visit, has been manufactured in a Surat factory in Gujarat by recreating the same process that takes place beneath the earth in formation of natural diamonds. What is a Lab-grown Diamond & How is It Made? Lab-grown diamonds (LGDs) are much in demand now and the Indian government has decided to promote them in a big way to boost the diamond industry, which has its headquarters in Surat in Gujarat, as per a PTI report. Union Carbide claimed to have created the first chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond in 1952, while other producers were using the high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) technology to produce diamonds. These diamonds were primarily used in industries such as telecommunications and laser optics. However, it was in the 1970s that researchers at General Electric first succeeded in creating gem-quality laboratory-grown diamonds. Around the same time, scientists at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) conducted the first scientific study of these laboratory-grown diamonds, according to a report by the Hindu Business Line. Laboratory-grown diamonds (LGDs) possess physical and optical properties similar to those of natural diamonds. They are indistinguishable from natural diamonds to the naked eye, requiring trained gemologists and advanced equipment to tell them apart, the report says. The size, clarity, cut, and color of LGDs make them suitable alternatives to natural diamonds, particularly when the availability of natural diamonds becomes limited due to depleting reserves and rising costs. The production of lab-grown diamonds involves a different process compared to the natural diamond formation that takes centuries or even millennia under extreme heat and pressure beneath the Earths crust. LGDs are created in laboratories using either the CVD or HPHT method, and it takes less than a month to produce a distinctively-shaped crystal. The process begins with a seed, which is a slice of another diamond, serving as the foundation for the LGD growth. In the HPHT method, the seed and graphite carbons are subjected to high temperatures (1,500 degrees Celsius) and extreme pressures that simulate the conditions necessary for the formation of natural diamonds beneath the Earths surface. In China, most of the LGDs are produced using the HPHT method, according to the report. In India, the CVD (chemical vapor deposition) method is more widely used for the production of lab-grown diamonds. In the CVD process, a seed is placed in a sealed chamber filled with carbon-rich gas molecules, typically methane. The seed is then heated up to around 800 degrees Celsius. By Which Method Was the Diamond Gifted to Jill Biden Made? Talking to PTI in Surat, Smit Patel, convenor of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), said the diamond gifted by Modi to the US First Lady was grown in India using CVD technology that creates the purest form of diamonds. The Kohinoor was a type Two A pure diamond. This diamond (gifted by PM) is 7.5 carat, which represents the 75 years of Independence. This diamond was also created using green energy. So that is also a step towards showing that India is moving towards green and renewable energy a goal espoused by PM Modi himself," said Patel. GJEPC lab-grown diamond convenor Patel said India has mastery over the CVD technology and most of the LGDs produced in India are produced using this technique. This is like an IVF (in vitro fertilization) baby. After the IVF baby is born, looking at the baby nobody can say the difference. In the same way, diamonds produced using the CVD technology have the same quality, hardness as natural diamond, Patel said. He said the 7.5 carat diamond gifted by Modi was manufactured in a Surat-based lab. Chairman of Surat-based Indian Diamond Institute Dinesh Navadiya told PTI, Diamonds are formed naturally deep underneath the earth surface, when carbon deposits are subjected to high temperature and pressure. It can take millions of years to form the crystal. Diamonds come to the earths surface through volcanic eruptions." The process involved in the formation of natural, earth-mined precious stones is adopted in a facility for lab-grown diamonds, he said. We procure diamond seed (chips of other diamonds), and then it is subjected to intense heat and pressure along with high carbon-containing gases. Layers of carbon start depositing on seeds and after a month-long process turn out to be a lab-grown diamond, Navadiya explained. Natural diamonds take millions of years to form, while LGDs are manufactured in a matter of a few weeks. There is no difference between the two as the process is the same, he maintained. On an average a diamond like this size would take around two months to grow, cut and polish, he said. Everyone in the diamond industry is so proud and emotional because this is such a big promotion for everyone in this industry," he said. Potential in LGD Diamonds Vipul Shah, chairman of GJEPC, Indias apex body supported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, told PTI the country has made stellar advancements in the lab-grown diamond sector. We are happy to note that Prime Minister Narendra Modiji gifted 7.5 carat green lab-grown diamond (LGD) to US First Lady Dr Jill Biden during a private dinner at the White House in Washington. This remarkable gesture highlights the exemplary advancements made by India in the lab-grown diamond sector, said Shah. He said India has also seen a robust rise in export of LGDs. Today, India is the largest player in growing of Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) lab-grown diamonds. Presenting a 7.5 carat lab-grown diamond in the 75th year of Independence highlights Indias leadership in the LGD sunrise sector. It is also a great example of the Make in India story after attaining undisputed global leadership in natural diamonds. Indias exports of LGD has grown exponentially and crossed USD 1.67 billion mark in 2022- 2023," Shah said. Lab-made diamonds are developed from a carbon seed placed in a microwave chamber and superheated into a glowing plasma ball. The process creates particles that crystallize into diamonds in weeks, said a report by Prabhudas Lilladher, a research-driven financial services firm. Since the 1950s, scientists have been trying to recreate that process above ground - resulting in two techniques. The High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) system is where a diamond seed is surrounded by pure graphite (a type of carbon) and exposed to temperatures of about 1,500C and pressurised to approximately 1.5 million pounds per square inch in a chamber," said the report. The Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) process involves putting the seed in a sealed chamber filled with carbon-rich gas and heating to around 800C. The gas sticks to the seed, building up a diamond atom by atom, it explained. These days, a one carat diamond - a popular size and common in engagement rings - made in a lab would be around 20 per cent cheaper than its naturally-formed equivalent, the report said. India already produces around three million (30 lakh) lab-grown diamonds a year, accounting for 15 per cent of global production, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. China is the other big producer, with a similar market share, industry experts said. India witnessed a sharp rise in LGD exports worth USD 443 million which rose 102 per cent year-on-year. The Prabhudas Lilladher report said even at the start of 2020, lab-grown diamond exports in India were up 60 per cent Y-o-Y, while natural diamond exports were down by 41 per cent Y-o-Y. PTI contributed to this report Thu Ha wants to have a second child at age 50, but doctors say she won't be able to. Ha and her husband are the same age, and both of them pursued studies abroad. Like other young modern women, she prioritized her career more than anything else when she was young. She had a plan to have a second child when her first child turned six, but decided to postpone it after being informed that she was about to be promoted as deputy head of her department. After discussing it with her husband, she fully concentrated on working to establish her position at the company. Two years later, she was promoted to head of the department. As her career was blooming, she delayed having a second child even further because she knew her maternity leave would destroy the efforts she had made over the previous years. She thought about having another child again when she was in her 40s. Her first child turned 12, and she felt stable financially and socially. She and her husband decided to do in-vitro fertility as they were aware of the challenges of their age. However, after completing their health check-ups, they were informed that Ha had missed the opportunity to be a mother again. "We encouraged each other by saying that having one child is already enough and we would be able to support him better," she recalls. But things have turned out different than Ha thought. The older she gets, the less interested in work or travels she becomes. "I spend more time with myself and my family, only to realize how lonely I am." After growing up, Has son spends less time at home and with her. Her husband is still busy with work and often arrives home late in the evenings. So Ha often finds herself alone in her house, spending a lot of time and effort cooking but then not even bothering to eat. She sometimes invites her friends out for a meal or a coffee. But the invitations are rarely accepted because her friends are all busy spending time with their children and grandchildren. Ha has begun to regret spending too much time working and too little time on her family. Couples that have few kids will be the first ones to bear the consequences, not society. Photo illustration by Freepik In a VnExpress survey of over 4,000 people, some 51% responded "Yes (given a stable financial situation)" to the question: "Do you want to have a second child?" Despite that, Vietnam is experiencing a declining birth rate. In 2022, the annual birth rate was 2.01, the lowest figure since 2018. The 2020 Next Generation study conducted by the British Council in Vietnam showed that Vietnamese youth are prioritizing careers over families and marital matters. This has led to them to marrying later in life on average, according to the research. And theyre also having less children, the study said. Pham Thi Thuy, professor at the National Academy of Public Administration, says there are two groups that mainly contribute to the countrys low birth rate. They are those who do not want to have more children, and those who are too afraid to have more children. The former group is comprised of two sub-groups: one has achieved financial stability but does not want to lose further career opportunities, and the other doesnt have access to quality living conditions or education systems. The latter macro group is comprised of families under financial pressure. Experts have pointed out various consequences of the declining birth rate, including negative effects on the national demographic, economic, and social developments. A declining birth rate also adds pressure to the social welfare system and the countrys human resources. One is the loneliest number Hanoian Nguyen Thi Trang became aware of the negative consequences of having only one child at age 75. When she was younger, Trang and her husband decided to have only one child despite pressure from their family, because they worried they didnt have enough money. "I have spent everything I have on my son, but he has always blamed me and my husband for leaving him alone." She admits that her son holds the "only child pressure," though she and her husband have never expected too much of anything from him. Trangs husband passed away over 20 years ago, making the family "emptier." Her son turned down a job offer to relocate to work abroad because he did not want to leave his elderly mother behind alone in Vietnam. He has argued with his wife many times because he has been insisting on living with his mother, while his wife has been against it. Every time Trang gets sick, her son and daughter-in-law have to take turn on leave from their workplaces to care for her. "If only I had two kids, both I and they would have had more choices," Trang reflects. Trangs emotions have been almost obsessively revolving around her only son and his family. Sometimes her son accidentally says something offensive and she will stay up all night thinking about it. Trang once told her son that she wanted to live on her own for a while to relax, but she soon realized she had nowhere to go. "My next-door neighbor has three kids, and visits each of them in turn," Trang says. "Even if I had more kids and each of them lived in a different place, having a phone call would give me comfort." According to experts, couples should be aware of the responsibilities as well as the joy of having kids. Couples that have few kids will be the first ones to bear the consequences, not society, some say. Hong Ha and her husband, of HCMC, have Trang, 25, as their only child. They doted on her, and now Trang is selfish woman. Having graduated from a top university and being fluent in foreign languages, Trang expects to find a good job with a high salary. But she has not found it despite having applied to many companies. She decided to stay at home and use her parents money until she finds a satisfying job, but she hasnt managed to do so. Last year, she borrowed money from her mother and claimed that she would use it to launch a business of her own. Glad that she finally thought about working, Ha withdrew VND 200 million (around $8,500) from her savings account and gave it to Trang. But the money ran out instantly. Ha suggested that she should go to work, which Trang declined, saying: "You have the ability to support me financially." Ha believes if she had more kids, she would not have pampered Trang that much. On the other hand, Trang would not have relied on Ha and her husband because she would have had to consider other people. "Im still taking care of a kid at age 50," Ha says. Thuy suggests couples have two kids if their financial ability allows, in order to prepare for their old age. The recently publicized story of a woman in her 50s giving birth to a healthy child thanks to in-vitro fertility made Thu Has relatives suggest she should retry. Shes considering it, but also worried that if any pregnancy or birth complications arise, theyll just add to her list of late-life regrets. Incidents of dognapping and smuggling are on the rise in Assams Guwahati, with residents reporting missing animals nearly everyday and causing a major concern for animal activists. CCTV camera footage, accessed by News18, showed few instances of dog kidnapping in residential societies. The four cameras, installed in Noonmati, Uzan Bazzar, Kharguli and Hengerabari area of Guwahati showed youth entering societies late night, luring dogs with food and kidnapping them in vehicles High-end vehicles could be seen used for this. On a average, two dogs were lifted everyday by the dog traders" along with the help of local youths, taxi drives and others. These dog lifters often sell these dogs for five to ten thousand rupees, and some of them are smuggled outside the state borders. Amid this, Rikshita Choudhury a resident of Uzan Bazaar area of Guwahati filed an Complaint with the Latasil police station about a missing dog. The first dog went missing on June 1, while two other animals were picked from the same society in the same week. Since the last couple of days, I have been unable to trace two of my community dogs which I have been feeding for the last seven years, staying near the Assam Police Headquarter. One night watchman of the nearby Axis bank informed that few youths came in a car, fed the dogs biscuits and took them way. This is worrisome," said Sujata, a dog feeder in Ulubari area of Guwahati. This comes after, Assam police rescued at least 31 smuggled dogs from Bokahat town in September last year. The dogs were stuffed into sacks with their mouth and legs tied. In March of the same year, Guwahati police arrested a man identified as Rana Das for stealing a German Spitz puppy. Till now there are no census of these animals. We know some figures with the help of the dog feeders. We often see the ugliest aspect of humans when they deal with innocent animals. Human-animal conflict are now on the rise," Indira Amma, Secretary PFA, Assam Chapter said. The recent case has been registered with the Geetanagar police station. There are many cases in various police station with no action been taken so fa. But the problem is that nobody is even taking it seriously," Amma added. We have been running an animal shelter, Shiba for the last three years. Recently Merapani police station had apprehended couple of trucks, smuggling dogs. We have six of those dogs with us. This is one truck, there are many such trucks which carry such smuggled dogs to be sold in the border markets which slips off unoticed. We need to more aware and involve the society and police to save our dogs, Farah, owner of the Animal shelter in Jorhat of Upper Assam told us. Papori Hazarika from Beltola shared that she has been feeding dogs in her area for the last four years, however recently many dogs have been missing mysteriously. Searching for her dogs in the locality and beyond have not yielded any positive result so far. Help us to save the dogs. They have started missing from the apartments these days stated Papori Hazarik, a dog feeder form Assam. Meanwhile, the Kohima Bench of the Guwahati High Court recently overturned the ban on the trading, consumption, and sale of dog meat in Nagaland. Though this decision was welcomed by traders in the hill state, animal activist lamented the decision and observed that the recent mysterious missing of dog observed in Guwahati and Assam these days, has some connection to this decision of the court. The Enforcement Directorate has raided more than 15 locations since June 21 in connection with BMC contracts allegedly fraudulently won by a businessman and his partners for managing Covid-19 field hospitals during the pandemic. According to officials, the anti-money laundering agency has recovered Rs 68.65 lakh in cash during these raids. Businessman Sujit Patkar, his three partners and Lifeline Hospital Management Services were booked by the Azad Maidan police in a forgery case in August last year. Based on the FIR, the ED had registered a case to investigate alleged money laundering. Apart from properties purportedly linked to Patkar, raids were also conducted at locations of some officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and others, including IAS officer Sanjeev Jaiswal. Officials told News18 that documents pertaining to 50 immovable properties across Maharashtra with a market value of over Rs 150 crore, fixed deposits and investments worth Rs 15 crore and jewellery worth Rs 2.46 crore were recovered. The ED has also seized several mobile phones and laptops. Officials said the search revealed that one company was giving body bags for Covid-19 deceased to another company for Rs 2,000 and the second company was selling the same body bags to the Central Procurement Department for Rs 6,800. The contract was signed by then BMC mayor Kishori Pednekar, who is likely to be summoned by the ED for questioning. BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal had appeared before the ED in January this year in connection with the alleged irregularities. What is the BMC Covid Scam? The scam pertains to alleged irregularities in setting up of jumbo Covid-19 centres in Mumbai and Pune. The ruling Eknath Shinde government has alleged the involvement of the Shiv Sena-UBT which was then in power as part of the alliance between undivided Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP. The ED has so far conducted searches at more than 15 locations across Mumbai, including residences of IAS officer Sanjeev Jaiswal, Yuva Sena secretary Suraj Chavan and businessman Sujit Parkar, who is said to be a close associate of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had earlier this week announced the setting up of an SIT, headed by Mumbai police commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, to investigate the case. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has alleged that the scam is worth more than Rs 100 crore. Mumbai Polices Economic Offences Wing (EOW), however, has pegged it at Rs 38 crore. Security forces foiled a major infiltration bid on Friday, by killing four terrorists in a joint operation by the Indian army and Jammu and Kashmir police in the Macchal sector of the frontier Kupwara district in north Kashmir. The Indian army said that war-like stores have been recovered from the slain while the operation was in progress. Kashmir police in a tweet said that in a joint operation, Army and Police have killed four terrorists in Kala Jungle of Machhal sector in Kupwara who were trying to infiltrate to our side from POJK (Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Sources told News18 that all of them were highly trained and had a large number of arms and ammunition including some advanced weaponry with them. Terror groups are upset after the abrogation of Article 370 and successful completion of the G20 summit programme in Jammu and Kashmir. They wanted to disturb the peace and were trying to attempt major civilian killings," said sources. This is the third infiltration bid which has been foiled this month in Kupwara district. On June 13, two terrorists were killed in the Macchal sector while five foreign terrorists were gunned down in Jumagund Kupwara on June 16. A total of 11 Pakistani terrorists have been killed this month alone. Security forces see this as a major success in the wake of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra which starts on July 1. There have been threats from the terror outfits to the Yatra. The Supreme Court on Friday refused to grant anticipatory bail to Abhishek Jha, the husband of suspended Jharkhand cadre IAS officer Pooja Singhal, in a money laundering case arising out of the alleged MNREGA scam in the state. Singhal, a 2000-batch IAS officer, is the main accused in the alleged scam allegedly involving the embezzlement of public funds of Rs 18.07 crore when she was the deputy commissioner of Khunti district. A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and M M Sundresh declined to grant relief to Jha and posted the matter for hearing on July 5. Jha has challenged the May 18 order of the Jharkhand High Court denying him bail in the case. His lawyer had earlier mentioned the matter seeking an urgent hearing. On May 18, the high court dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of Jha and asked him to surrender before the court in four weeks. As held by the Supreme Court, in offences under PMLA rigours of Section 45, will apply. Considering the magnitude of a crime involving proceeds of crime to the tune of crores with evidence of it being carefully layered and laundered through investments, materials on record, risk of flight and the plea taken on behalf of the ED, I do not find this a case fit for grant anticipatory bail," Justice Gautam Kumar Chaudhary of the high court had said while rejecting his bail application. According to the prosecution, Jhas fortunes soared after his marriage to Singhal, and ill-gotten cash, allegedly the proceeds of crime generated by the officer through corrupt practices, began flowing into his bank accounts. Jha has claimed the money was his legitimate income from his job in Australia. The high court noted in its order that Jha got married to Singhal in June 2011. The high-profile IAS officer was posted as the deputy commissioner of the Khunti district from February 16, 2009, to July 19, 2010. Large-scale embezzlement of public funds was detected and 16 FIRs were lodged detailed in para 1.6 of the prosecution complaint in the District of Khunti where Puja Singhal was the deputy commissioner at the relevant time. The total amount alleged to have been embezzled as per the 16 FIRs was to the tune of Rs 18.06 crore. In all the 16 FIRs, charge sheets were filed against Ram Binod Prasad Sinha, RK Jain and others," the HC order said. It said the investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) unearthed proceeds of crime in various layers of money laundering, and properties worth Rs 4.28 crore, including the interest on these properties were attached. The order referred to the search and seizure operations at nearly 30 premises linked to Singhal and her associates in Ranchi, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Faridabad, Gurugram and Muzaffarpur during which cash totalling Rs 19.76 crore was seized, besides incriminating documents and digital devices. The high court recorded the main case against Singhal related to the period when she was the DC of Khunti during which she allegedly connived with the engineers of the special division and the district board, and embezzled Rs 18.06 crore. Referring to the allegations against Jha, the court cited Singhals chartered accountant Suman Kumar, who claimed he was making investments on behalf of his wife. Singhal has been accused of setting up Pulse Sanjeevani Hospital in Ranchi with her husband to launder her ill-gotten wealth. Jha has claimed in his statement made under Section 50 of PMLA that the source of infusion of money in Pulse Sanjeevani Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. was his savings from his job in Australia and gifts that he received during his wedding ceremonies. Imposition of Presidents Rule in Manipur will not be on the table at the all-party meet called by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 24 to discuss the volatile situation in the north-eastern state. More than 110 deaths have been recorded and 40,000 people have been displaced since ethnic violence first erupted in Manipur on May 3 following a Tribal Solidarity March organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Sources said Amit Shah will reach out to political parties of all hues at the all-party meeting to be held in the Parliament Library on Saturday, but added that imposing Presidents Rule, a growing demand among many opposition parties, is not under consideration at the moment. The decision seems to have been taken after North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor and BJP point-person in the Northeast Himanta Biswa Sarma briefed Shah on his meetings with Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Kuki rebels. Sarma had met Biren Singh, who belongs to the Meitei community, in Imphal on June 10. A day later, he had met a group of Kuki rebels in Guwahati. Sarma flew to Delhi late on June 21 to brief the Union Home Minister at the latters residence. After the meeting, the government has seemingly ruled out discussing the option of Presidents Rule in Manipur at the upcoming all-party meeting, government sources said. A BJP source active in the Northeast told News18: What the government does is for it to decide. But as a party, we are not in favour of Presidents Rule in Manipur, at least not in the immediate future. Peace talks are going on. We are hopeful of a positive outcome. Another BJP insider, based in Delhi, concurred. Isnt it natural that Presidents Rule is kept off the table? (Imposing) Presidents Rule right now can be counterproductive and can create trust deficit with New Delhi. Why would any government want that? DG-CRPFs Hush-Hush Manipur Visit Even as officers deployed by the Centre work with the Manipur government for smooth functioning and support, DG CRPF SL Thaosen also visited the state and met the Governor. During his visit, DGP Manipur Police also met Thaosen along with other state officials. Sources said they discussed the current situation, deployment of forces and controlling the situation in tense areas. Thaosen also visited a few areas that saw violent clashes, and met the CRPF personnel there. Though the force is keeping the visit low profile, claiming it as a routine visit, sources said Thaosen apprised top officials in the Union Home Ministry about the situation on the ground. Sources added that newly appointed BSF DG Nitin Agarwal is also expected to visit Manipur in the next few days. Army Chief Manoj Pande had visited the state last month. The major concern from the security standpoint is ammunition missing in lakhs from police stations and armouries in various districts. More than 50% of missing weapons are yet to be recovered. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said the Opposition parties were meeting in Patna not to dislodge Prime Minister Narendra Modis government but to save their own political dynasties. He also took a swipe at his former ally and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray who had in the past criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party for joining hands with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir. They have said the meeting is for `Modi Hatao (remove Modi), but they are working to protect their dynasties. Uddhav Thackeray used to criticize us for joining hands with (PDP leader) Mehbooba Mufti in Kashmir. Now he is sitting next to Mehbooba Mufti and talking about forming an alliance, he said. The Opposition has realised that the country will stand by Modi for the work done by him, Fadnavis said, adding that the Opposition made a futile attempt in 2019 (to come together against the BJP) and the people will give a bigger mandate to the BJP in 2024. All dynastic parties have come together and working to save their families. For them, running the government is business, but for Modi it is service, Fadnavis said. To a question about the Enforcement Directorate conducting raids at the properties of Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders and an IAS officer in Mumbai, Fadnavis said, There will be no attempt to target any officer. But if a scam has taken place, then some officers will be called for seeking information and investigation. A scam has taken place. Raids were conducted on Wednesday at the residences of Suraj Chavan, a leader of the youth wing of Sena (UBT), some officials of the Mumbai civic body and others including IAS officer Sanjeev Jaiswal in connection with an alleged scam in the setting up of `jumbo hospitals in Mumbai during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday heaped praises on Kamala Harris, who is the first India-origin woman vice president of the US, saying that her achievements are a major inspiration not only for the US but also for women in India and across the world. Speaking at a Luncheon hosted by VP Harris in Washington D.C., the PM also remembered her mother Dr Shyamala Gopalan, who came to the US from India. Kamala Harris mother Dr Shyamala Gopalan came to the US in 1958. At that time, the majority of people did not have phones. Thats why she used to write handwritten letters to her family. She never severed her ties with India India was close to her despite being thousands of miles away, the PM said. You have taken her inspiration to a new level. Your achievements are a major inspiration not only for the US but also for women in India and across the world," he added. #WATCH | Bharat aur America ke sambandhon ki madhur geetmala, people to people ties ke suron se piroyi gayi hai," says PM Narendra Modi at the Luncheon hosted by US State DepartmentYour achievements are a major inspiration not only for the US but also for women in India pic.twitter.com/WrR0cHWPKU ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 PM Modi also raised a toast to India-US friendship and to peace and prosperity of the citizens of India and the US. He also thanked VP Harris and Secretary Blinken for the grand welcome. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for your warm words. Today, I am delighted to be before you once again at the State Department. In the last 3 days, I participated in numerous meetings. In all these meetings, one thing was common. Everyone agreed that friendship and cooperation should further deepen between the people of India and US," he said. VP Harris said she has seen Indias global impact. In South East Asia, India-made vaccines saved lives. In the African continent, Indias long-standing partnerships support prosperity and security. Through the Indo-Pacific, India helps promote a free and open region," she said. Harris Road to Vice President Harris is the first Black American, and the first Asian-American to hold the office of the vice president of the United States. Harris is known to have shattered many glass ceilings. She was San Franciscos first female district attorney and Californias first woman of colour to serve as the attorney general. Born on October 20, 1964 in Oakland, Harris mother and father emigrated from India and Jamaica, respectively. She went to Howard University, a historically black college in Washington DC, and studied law at UC Hastings. After finishing her legal studies, Harris worked for eight years at the Alameda County District Attorneys office, where she prosecuted child sexual assault cases. She was later elected as San Franciscos District Attorney from 2004 to 2011 and Californias Attorney General from 2011, until 2017. During her stint as Californias Attorney General, Harris caught the attention of national democrats, including Barack Obama. In a shocking incident reported from Mumbai, a 16-year-old boy faked his own kidnapping after he went missing lately and left a series of scary audio messages for his father claiming that he was assaulted and was not sure if he would survive. According to a TOI report, a teenager from Uttar Pradesh went missing lately and his 45-year-old father woke up to scary audio notes claiming that he was kidnapped, beaten up and unsure of his survival. The boy recently came to Mumbai from UP. Bahut maara hairaat ko 1.30 am baje tak baandh ke. Humko dhundne ki koshish na karein hum phas gaye hai buri tarah se. Zinda bache toh varna koi umeed mat rakhiyo (I was tied up and beaten till 1.30 am. Dont try to look for me. Im trapped here. Dont get your hopes upI dont know if I would survive)," TOI quoted the message his father received. However, the police later tracked the boy down to find out that he was faking his kidnapping and cooked up the assault story as he was upset because of his parents fights. The 16-year-old boy, who is a class 3 pass-out, recently moved to Mumbai from Uttar Pradesh where his father works as a tailor. The incident took place when on June 12, the boy left home around 9 am after informing his father but never returned. Later, his father started to make inquiries in the neighbourhood. Days later, his father woke up to some audio texts over WhatsApp. As the boy is a minor, police registered a case of abduction in accordance with SC guidelines, TOI reported. Later, when the police investigation began, the teenagers friend claimed to have no information at first, however, one of his friends eventually opened up and disclosed that the boy was upset by his parents constant fights over the phone and wanted to flee. He also informed that the boy ran away to Bengaluru where he had an acquaintance. Later, the acquaintance admitted the boy had put up with him in Bengaluru. The boy has been brought back to Mumbai and will be produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), TOI reported. In a significant stride towards promoting inclusivity and prioritizing employee comfort, several prominent airlines have recently implemented progressive dress code policies. Qantas, Akasa Air, British Airways, and Air New Zealand have emerged as trailblazers in this movement, reshaping traditional notions of gender norms and embracing individuality within their cabin crew uniforms. These airlines recognise and respond to the evolving needs and expectations of their diverse workforce and passengers. By championing diversity and inclusivity in their dress code policies, these airlines create an environment that fosters a sense of belonging and empowers their employees to express their authentic selves. Qantas, the renowned Australian airline, has recently introduced groundbreaking changes to its dress code policies, challenging traditional stereotypes and promoting equality among its employees. The airline has taken a progressive step by allowing male employees the option to wear makeup and keep long hair, breaking away from rigid gender expectations. Simultaneously, female employees now have the freedom to choose whether to wear makeup, opt for flat shoes, and have long hair, as long as it is neatly styled in a ponytail or bun. Similarly, Akasa Air, an Indian airline, has taken a significant step towards prioritizing the comfort of its cabin crew. One notable change implemented by the airline is allowing its crew to wear sneakers instead of traditional heels. This decision recognises the physically demanding nature of the job and acknowledges the need for crew members to perform their duties without unnecessary discomfort. Whereas, British Airways also made headlines with its first uniform change in two decades. The new uniforms introduced jumpsuits and hijabs as part of the options available to its crew members. This change celebrates diversity and provides employees with choices that align with their cultural and personal preferences. Virgin Atlantic Airlines has also taken a significant step towards inclusivity. The airlines gender identity policy allows its staff members to choose between stylish red and burgundy uniforms, designed by Vivienne Westwood, that best represent their gender identity and expression. In 2019, the airline made make-up optional for its employees and introduced the choice of wearing trousers and flat shoes, providing greater comfort and flexibility. The airline also lifted the ban on visible tattoos for both crew members and front-line employees. Air New Zealand set a precedent back in 2019 by lifting the ban on visible tattoos for its staff. This decision allowed employees to express their cultural heritage and personal identity through body art. By breaking away from traditional notions of professionalism, Air New Zealand promotes individuality and cultural diversity within its workforce. The airline industrys embrace of progressive dress code policies marks a positive step towards comfort. By challenging traditional norms and prioritizing their employees well-being, these airlines are setting an example for the industry. UNITED NATIONS PUBLIC SERVICE DAY 2023: Every year, the UN Public Service Day commemorates the immeasurable value and noble nature of public service. Commemorated on June 23, this special occasion aims to shine a spotlight on the vital role played by public servants. It is also a day to reflect on how they are instrumental in driving development and progress. It also seeks to honor the commendable work of these dedicated individuals and inspire the younger generation to embark on meaningful careers within the public sector. Since its inaugural Awards Ceremony in 2003, the United Nations has experienced a remarkable surge in submissions from across the globe. United Nations Public Service Day 2023: Theme There is no specific theme chosen for United Nations Public Service Day 2023. The day revolves around the value and virtue of public service to the community. United Nations Public Service Day 2023: Origin On December 20, 2002, the General Assembly of the United Nations officially designated June 23 as Public Service Day through the adoption of resolution 57/277. In order to enhance the recognition of this important day and highlight the significance of public service, the United Nations launched the UN Public Service Awards (UNPSA) program in 2003. In 2016, the program underwent a review to align its objectives with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The United Nations Public Service Forum is a prominent global event focused on promoting capacity development in public governance. Organized annually by UN DESA (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs) in collaboration with a host country, the forum serves as a platform for conducting capacity-building workshops, hosting the UN Public Service Awards ceremony, and facilitating a Ministerial Roundtable. The Ministerial Roundtable, held during the UN Public Service Forum, provides an opportunity for high-level officials and policymakers to engage in discussions on critical issues related to public governance and service delivery. These deliberations contribute to the exchange of best practices, fostering collaboration, and generating innovative solutions to address contemporary challenges faced by governments around the world. Public Service Day and the UNPSA program play a vital role in promoting the values and principles of public service while supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. By recognizing and encouraging excellence in public administration, these initiatives contribute to building efficient, inclusive, and accountable institutions that can effectively respond to the needs and aspirations of societies globally. What Is The United Nations Public Service Awards It is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service. Through the UN Public Service Awards, outstanding achievements and innovations in public service are recognized and celebrated. The program aims to encourage and showcase excellence in public administration, highlighting initiatives that have made a positive impact on the lives of people and communities. By acknowledging exemplary practices, the UNPSA program inspires governments and organizations worldwide to strive for greater effectiveness, transparency, and accountability in delivering public services. Titanic director James Cameron spoke out during an ABC News interview about the tourist submersible Titan that lost contact on its way to reach the wreck of the famous passenger liner. After submarine company OceanGate released a statement on Thursday saying that the five people who went down are believed dead, Cameron gave his thoughts on the tragedy as a longtime member of the diving community, who has made 33 trips to the Titanic himself. Advertisement People in the community were very concerned about this sub, Cameron said. A number of the top players in the deep submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company, saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and that it needed to be certified. Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship, and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night and many people died as a result. For us, its a very similar tragedy where warnings went unheeded. To take place at the same exact site with all the diving thats going on all around the world, I think its just astonishing. Its really quite surreal. In 2018, the Manned Underwater Vehicles committee of the Marine Technology Society wrote to OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush warning him of their unanimous concern about Titans development, according to a letter obtained by the New York Times. Advertisement Cameron also spoke about how he had known Titanic explorer Paul-Henri PH Nargeolet for 25 years and was mourning the death of his friend, who was on Titan. PH, the French legendary submersible dive pilot was a friend of mine, Cameron said. You know, its a very small community. Ive known PH for 25 years, and for him to have died tragically in this way is almost impossible for me to process. International search teams from the U.S., Canada, France and the U.K. joined efforts this week in an attempt to locate and rescue the craft. A breakthrough came on Tuesday when a Canadian aircraft picked up banging noises from the underwater search area. But on Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard said debris had been discovered by a remote-operated vehicle on the seabed around the shipwreck. Within hours, it was confirmed that those onboard are believed to have died in a catastrophic implosion of the vessel. In February, Cameron posted footage of the first discovery of the Titanic shipwreck in 1986 by the research submersible HOV (Human Occupied Vehicle) Alvin. In 2012, Cameron piloted a submersible called the Deepsea Challenger to the oceans deepest point in the Mariana Trenchs Challenger Deep, which is 35,876 feet deep. There, Cameron collected samples and filmed the experience for a Nat Geo documentary. Parks Stephenson -- a Titanic specialist who advised on Cameron and Bill Paxtons 2003 documentary Ghosts of the Abyss -- made a public Facebook post on June 19 about the search for the Titan. No matter what you may read in the coming hours, all that is truly known at this time is that communications with the submersible have been lost and that is unusual enough to warrant the most serious consideration, he wrote. Those aboard included Nargeolet; British businessman Hamish Harding; British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman; and OceanGate CEO Rush, who was piloting Titan. Advertisement Watch Camerons full interview. Titanic director James Cameron on the catastrophic implosion of Titan submersible: Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field." pic.twitter.com/vO8JkCXS5f ABC News (@ABC) June 22, 2023 Human trafficking, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken, violates the universal right of every person to have autonomy over their own life and actions. Today more than 27 million people around the world are denied that right. Trafficking harms our society, weakening the rule of law, corrupting supply chains, exploiting workers, fueling violence, he said. And it disproportionately impacts traditionally marginalized groups: women, LGBTQI+ individuals, persons with disabilities, ethnic and religious minorities. On June 15, the U.S. State Department issued its annual Trafficking in Persons Report, the worlds most comprehensive review of efforts by governments, including the United States, to combat this horrific crime. This years report shows a picture of steady progress around the world, said Secretary Blinken, with dozens of countries making significant strides in preventing trafficking, in protecting survivors, in prosecuting those who carry out this crime. As examples, he cited the Seychelles, where the government offered police and airport personnel enhanced training to better spot trafficking; Hong Kong, which launched a new hotline to help trafficking victims report fraudulent overseas employment scams and get help; Denmark, which committed more resources to identifying victims and prosecuting traffickers. The report also highlights a number of concerning trends, said Secretary Blinken: The first is the continued expansion of forced labor. As the pandemic disrupted supply chains around the world exploitative employers used a host of tactics to take advantage of lower-paid and more vulnerable workers. The second is the rise in labor trafficking using online scams Traffickers capitalized on widespread unemployment to recruit victims with fake job listings and then forced them to run international scams. Third, the report exposes the risks facing an often-overlooked segment of trafficking victims: boys and young men. The reality is that any person regardless of sex or gender ideology can be targeted by traffickers, said Secretary Blinken. That is why governments, civil society, the private sector have to develop resources for all populations. We need law enforcement working to prosecute traffickers. We need social workers providing trauma-informed care to the victims, he said. We need advocates holding governments accountable. We need communities coming together to support the survivors. The United States, said Secretary Blinken, remains committed to the crucial task of once and for all, ending human trafficking. A Nepal court on Thursday lifted the ban on Hindi films, including Prabhas-starrer Adipurush, asking authorities not to halt the screening of any movie passed by the countrys censor board. A dialogue of Om Rauts Adipurush, in which Sita is mentioned as Indias daughter", had led to the ban on all Hindi films, which was announced by Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah. Shah on Thursday said he is ready to face any punishment but will not allow the films screening as the matter pertains to Nepals sovereignty and independence". A single bench of the Patan High Court judge Dhir Bahadur Chand issued a short term order, stating that the screening of films that have acquired permission from the censor board should not be stopped. Bhaskar Dhungana, president of the Nepal Motion Picture Association, told media persons that the petitioners are waiting for a written order from the court. Now we will screen all movies passed by the censor board," he said. Adipurush and other Hindi films were banned in Nepal on Monday following a controversy over its dialogues, including the mention of Sita (played by Kriti Sanon) as Indias daughter". Sita, also referred to as Janaki, is believed by many to have been born in Janakpur in southeast Nepal. In a Facebook post, Shah said that he would not abide by the courts order". The films writer said that Nepal was under India, this clearly shows Indias ill intention. To term this as a stunt by the Nepal government and to issue an order by the court in favour of screening the movie means, to accept that Nepal was once under Indias rule, the court and the government are both the slaves of India, he said in the post. I am ready to face any punishment for this but the movie wont work and wont be allowed to run," he added. Following Kathmandu Mayors decision to ban Adipurush in Kathmandu, Dharan Mayor Harka Sampang and Pokhara Mayor also followed the suit, which ultimately led to halting of the screening of Adipurush" across Nepal. Produced by T-Series, Retrophiles and UV Creations, the film also stars Saif Ali Khan, Sunny Singh and Devdatta Nage. Adipurush lands in a big trouble again, as a PIL has been filed before the Allahabad High Court against the exhibition of the movie. Directed by Om Raut, Adipurush has been facing a volley of backlash for the alleged distortion of the Hindu epic, Ramayana. The film features Prabhas as Raghava, Kriti Sanon as Janaki, Saif Ali Khan as Lankesh and Devdatta Nage as Bajrang. The PIL states that the portrayal of Ravana and Lord Hanuman in the Adipurush movie is completely divorced from the Indian Civilisation". It also objected to the films dialogues written by Manoj Muntashir Shukla. The dialogues are ridiculous, filthy and also against the glory of Ramayan Yug which is a direct attack on religious faith," said the plea seeking impleadment of Manoj Muntashir as a respondent in the plea before the HC. He has written cheap and funny dialogues in the name of creative liberty," it added. The PIL further stated that the bearded look of Ravana played by Saif Ali Khan in the film is hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community as the Brahmin Ravana is shown having raw red meat, making a ghastly face in a wrong manner which is an insult to Hindu civilization." THE NEGATIVE WORD OF MOUTH HAS COME INTO PLAYAfter a strong opening weekend, #Adipurush COLLAPSES on Monday.#Hindi version. #India biz. pic.twitter.com/HJT4hHT80u taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 19, 2023 Meanwhile, multiple film theatres across the country have been witnessing fierce protests against Adipurush. Recent videos uploaded to social media showed protestors calling for the films boycott while chanting slogans like Hindu dharma ka apmaan band karo (stop insulting Hindu dharma)" and Maa Sita ka apmaan band karo". Hindu Mahasabha lodged a complaint with the Lucknow police against the makers of Adipurush earlier this week. All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to stop screening" the movie and immediately order a ban" on Adipurush shows in theatres and OTT platforms in the future. In an open letter, AICWA wrote that the movie clearly" defamed the image of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman and hurt religious sentiments of Hindus and Sanatan Dharma." Mahabharata actor Gajendra Chauhan has lashed out at Adipurush and demanded a ban on the movie. Directed by Om Raut, Adipurush, starring Prabhas, Kriti Sanon and Saif Ali Khan, has been facing criticism over its colloquial dialogues and alleged distortion of the Hindu epic Ramayana and its characters in the movie. Even though the makers of Adipurush have changed some of the controversial dialogues in the movie after a massive backlash, Gajendra said that it wouldnt make any difference as the damage has already been done. No matter how much you try to improve it, it wont change. It wont bring any benefit. People have already punished the filmmaker. Look at the collection on the first day and today. They deserve punishment, and they should be punished. I am even surprised by the decisions of the censor board. They should also be questioned. This film should not have been released at all. The entire film should be banned. The government should immediately put a stop to it," Chauhan told India Today.in. Gajendra further slammed Adipurush dialogue writer Manoj Muntashir for being ignorant" and not acknowledging his fault. I think Manoj Muntashir has introduced ignorance to the world. He really has no knowledge. He is a lyricist and he was asked to write the dialogues. The dialogues he added to the film were taken from videos of writers that circulate on social media. Like the dialogue by Kumar Vishwas, I will set your Lanka on fire. By combining all these, he has presented it as if he has written everything. He is still being stubborn. This arrogance is not right for any artist," he added. Earlier, Manoj Muntashir defended the backlash surrounding the Lord Hanumans dialogues in the movie by saying that Bajrangbali is not a God." Bajrangbali bhagwaan nahi hai, bhakt hai. Humne unko bhagwaan banaya hai kyuki unki bhakti mein wo power tha (Lord Hanuman is not God but a mere devotee. We made him God because his devotion had that power)," Manoj told Aaj Tak while defending the oversimplified" dialogues given to Hanumans character in the movie. Manojs statement left netizens angry. The teaser for Karan Johars Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani has taken the internet by storm. One of the major highlights of the film was the legendary Jaya Bachchans comeback to the silver screen. Having previously collaborated with Karan Johar on the blockbuster film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Jaya Bachchans return to the silver screen in a Karan Johar directorial has heightened expectations. Jaya Bachchans stature definitely adds more to the character and the film. Even the off-screen scenario makes no difference, as the presence of a legendary actor does motivate the filmmaker and the young cast members. Reports from the film set reveal that Jaya Ji shared a warm and friendly relationship with everyone involved in the production. Contrary to her perception, she ensured that not only the actors but also the technicians and assistant directors felt comfortable and welcomed on set. Despite her esteemed stature in the industry, Jaya Bachchan remembered and addressed team members by their first names, fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment. In the teaser, Karan promises a drama-packed movie. While he brings back the chiffon sarees and dancing in the Swiss Alps with the film, we also see Ranveer and Alia in the middle of a lot of drama. Karan manages to keep everything under the wraps, generating the right amount of curiousity. Watch the teaser below: The official synopsis of the teaser on YouTube reads: Karan Johar, in his 25th anniversary year - invites you to a world which magnifies the power of love, embraces the complexities of relationships, and celebrates the beauty of both perfect and imperfect families. A new era of love dawns upon us all as #RockyAurRaniKiiPremKahaani begins now." Not only does Karan bring back Alia and Ranveer on the big screen, he also reunites Dharmendra and Jaya Bachchan after several years. The actors were previously seen in movies such as Guddi and Chupke Chupke. Rocky Aur Rani also marks Jayas first movie since her cameo in Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Kapoors Ki & Ka. Speaking about the veterans, Karan said last year, The film is a joyous film, in my opinion, I hope that everybody else believes that. I just think that Im very privileged to have been able to work with Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, and Dharmendra, besides Ranveer and Alia. We have an amazing cast from Kolkata as well. We have Churni Ganguli and Tota Roy Chowdhury. Ive worked with Aamir Bashir, Kshitee Jog and an actress called Anjali Anand. We have so many interesting new actors and its a massive ensemble, a family love story." Viacom18 Studios and Dharma Productions present A Dharma Productions film, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar and Apoorva Mehta is all set to hit the big screen on 28th July, 2023. The Marathi film industry is mourning the death of director Praveen Karle. The popular film director, known for the Marathi movie Hrudayat Something Something, died at 10 am on Friday. He passed away in Punes Mangeshkar Hospital while he was receiving treatment. Film director Anand Mane posted a picture of Pravin Karale and penned a heartfelt note. His notes read, Director Praveen Karle sadly passed away at Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune at ten oclock this morning. It is understood from sources that the last rites will be held at Warje at 6 pm. God bless the soul. Talking about his most popular film, Hrudayat Something Something made several headlines since it was first announced. It was without a doubt one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year. The movie, which was co-produced by Sachin Nathuram Sant and produced by Vinodkumar Jain, Shailendra Parakh, Swapnil Chavan, and Atul Guggale, will purportedly follow the story of one man who dates several women. Ashok, renowned as the king of comedy in the Marathi film industry, played the character of a love guru." The movie was released on October 5 and featured important roles from Aniket Vishwasrao, Sneha Chavan, and Priyanka Yadav. Praveen Karle was the son of theater and film critic Raja Karle. At the age of 4, Praveen made his stage debut. Since he was a young child, Praveen Karle has worked on hit films including Bokad, Bhairu Pailwan Ki Jai, Mansanman, Maazhi Aashiqui, and Hrudayat Something Something. Mega star Ram Charan and his wife Upasana walked out of the Hyderabad hospital on Friday days after becoming proud parents to a baby girl. The two were seen twinning in white as they also held their little princess in arms. Even though the two did not disclose their daughters face to the shutterbugs, they posed for the cameras. Ram Charan also spoke to the media at length and thanked fans for sending love and blessings. When asked who does the little mega princess resembles, Charan joked and said, Obviously me. However, he also refused to disclose her name. Thanks to all the fans for their prayers. Forever indebted to the fans and well wishers in India and other countries. As per the tradition, I would reveal her name on 21st day from the date of her birth. I felt same like any other father who holds his baby for the first time. Definitely, she is looking like me," the actor said in Telugu. #RamCharan and #Upasana walk out of the Hyderabad hospital with their newborn daughter for the first time. Watch #exclusive video here: pic.twitter.com/6bssmTk31O News18 Showsha (@News18Showsha) June 23, 2023 Ram Charan and Upasana welcomed a baby girl on June 20. The news of their baby was shared by Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, where Upasana was admitted. Sharing a medical bulletin, the hospital said, Ms Upasana Kamineni Konidela and Mr Ram Charan had a baby girl on 20th June 2023, at Apollo Hospital Jubilee Hills - Hyderabad. The baby and mother are doing well." Ram Charan and Upasana welcomed their first baby after being married for 11 years. Earlier, Ram Charans father and megastar Chiranjeevi also mentioned that he is overjoyed with his granddaughters birth and added that he had been waiting for this day for years now. Our entire family is overjoyed. This girl means a lot to us. We had been waiting for years to see Ram Charan and Upasana as parents. After many years, divine favors granted our request. We are showered in love and wishes from our friends, families, well-wishers, and admirers all around the world who always feel our happiness as their own," he said. While Prabhas, Kriti Sanon and Saif Ali Khans Adipurush has left the audiences disappointed, Ramanand Sagars television adaptation of the Ramayana is remembered to date. In the show, Arun Govil played the role of lord Ram. In a recent interview, Govil talked about the faith that people in India have in Ramayana. He recalled an incident when a crying woman bought her dying son to him and pleaded to save her child. I remember one, during shooting, I had done hair and makeup, but was sitting in a T-shirt and shorts. A woman came to the set, asking to see Lord Rama. She was very flustered, she was crying. The crew pointed in my direction. She had a small child with her in her arms, and she approached me and put the child at my feet. Through tears, she said that the child was about to die, and pleaded with me to save him. I told her to take the child to the hospital, but I dont know what came over me that day, so I also prayed for the childs recovery. She took my hand and placed it on the childs head. I again asked her to take the boy to a doctor, Arun Govil told Zee News in Hindi. Three days later, the same child who was about to die, was walking next to her, holding her hand. I had nothing to do with this, but it was all because of the faith that the woman had in Lord Rama, and the faith that I had in Lord Rama. This is our faith, this is our devotion. When people make a film on religion, this is the kind of faith they need to have in god and his devotees, the actor added. Arun Govils interview comes at a time when Om Raut directorial Adipurush has been facing backlash from the audience for colloquial dialogues and alleged distortion of the Hindu epic Ramayana and its characters in the movie. Earlier, Aruns Ramayana co-star Dipika Chikhlia issued a video statement and urged everyone to stop making films on Ramayana. Over the years, actress Sobhita Dhulipala has kept her personal life away from the media glare, but recently, her romantic life has become a topic of interest. Speculations are rife that she is dating actor Naga Chaitanya. Although the couple has never officially acknowledged their relationship, a photo of Naga Chaitanya posing with a chef in London, with Sobhita in the background, went viral in March, adding fuel to the rumours. During her current promotional campaign for the second part of The Night Manager, Sobhita Dhulipala was asked about her earlier statement regarding her reluctance to date actors due to the vanity associated with it. When asked about the rumours of dating Naga Chaitanya, Sobhita blushed and hid her face. While speaking to Film Companion, Sobhita was asked if she was willing to reconsider her criteria. She said she has become less judgmental. Yeah. I think my judgments have come down a little bit. Being judgmental is necessarily a bad thing. I feel like its only when we judge, can we assess, she said, adding, If we are constantly judgmental for the sake of analysing, thats not right. But I think, being judgmental in measure is very natural. I may have had a certain amount of conditioning which I am, over the years pulling down. In an exclusive chat with News18, Sobhita, without mentioning anyone, recently said 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, said the Made In Heaven actor, who will next be seen in Disney+ Hotstars The Night Manager: Part 2. South superstar Thalapathy Vijay celebrated his 49th birthday yesterday. On this joyous occasion, his fans decided to honor him. The actor has a dedicated fan club that actively works for the social welfare of underprivileged people. Recently, the President of Vijay Fan Club, along with its members, distributed food to more than 500 people in the Karuvadikuppam area of Puducherry. They offered fruits such as muskmelon and watermelon, as well as fresh juice. But thats not all. In the Kottakuppam Government School located in the Viluppuram district of Puducherry, necessary equipment was donated to the school. Notebooks and various writing materials were also provided to the students. Fans also decided to donate fans, clocks, and speaker boxes to the government educational institute. Thalapathy Vijays fans took it upon themselves to mark the special occasion due to his immense popularity. They organized numerous gatherings and celebrations to pay tribute to the actor in their own unique way. In Thiruparankundram, Tamil Nadu, Thalapathys fans decided to celebrate his birthday in a distinctive manner. They expressed their appreciation for food delivery executives by offering 49 delivery valets free petrol worth Rs 220, along with tasty chicken biryani. The fans believed that this generous gesture would assist the food delivery staff. To the delight of his fandom, the first poster of his upcoming film Leo was also shared on his birthday. The makers of Leo unveiled the poster and extended their wishes to the star. The movies director, Lokesh Kanagaraj, wrote, Leos first look is here! Happy Birthday Vijay anna! Elated to join hands with you again! Have a blast! Happy Birthday Thalapathy Vijay." Sanjay Dutt, Vijays co-star in Leo, took the opportunity to wish the star as well. He wrote, Wishing a very happy birthday to brother Vijay! Looking forward to the release of Leo and wishing you a year filled with success and happiness!" Wishing a very happy birthday to brother @actorvijay! Looking forward to Leo's release, wishing you a year filled with success and happiness! pic.twitter.com/ENb1AoJL0P Sanjay Dutt (@duttsanjay) June 22, 2023 Director Atlee, who has worked with Vijay in Theri, Meral and Bigil, wrote, Leo, wish you many more happy returns of the day anna. Love you to the moon and back." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Atlee (@atlee47) Composer Anirudh Ravichander, who has collaborated with Vijay in superhits such as Katthi, Master, Beast and in the upcoming film Leo, tweeted, Happy birthday dearest Thalapathy Vijay Sir." Thalapathy Vijay is gearing up for the release of Leo, an action drama scheduled to hit cinemas on October 19. Sanjay Dutt will be playing a negative role, while Trisha will star opposite Vijay on the lead role. There are speculations that Leo could be the latest film in the Lokesh Kanagaraj Cinematic Universe which includes movies like Kaithi and Vikram. (Note to Editor: Please use the video from the reference link) The recent debate regarding the Akhand Bharat map inside Indias Parliament has created diplomatic anxiety among a few neighbours of South Asia. Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal have communicated with the Indian counterpart for the clarification of such a map. According to them, Parliament is the symbol of the sovereign, and any map which shows their land as part of India violates international relations. Though India responded very quickly to all the concerns raised by our neighbours with historical facts. It explained that the map does not signify the political map of India; it portrays the kingdom of Samrat Ashoka in history. Except for Pakistan, other neighbours did not escalate the matter further. It needs to be understood that the Parliament of any country not only represents the political reality of the country, but it showcases the cultural and historical richness of the state too. Parliament is the highest assembly of lawmakers in India. We consider it the biggest panchayat in India. Democratic practices in India are as old as our culture. Since the time of ancient Indian society has adopted modern democratic practices performed through various social, political, and religious organisations. After World War II, many boundaries of the new world were redrawn. These processes had been very arbitrarily done by the colonial superpower without or with very less consultation with the people on the ground. Therefore, for a long time, border disputes have been a reality in South Asia. Even though people in South Asia are separated by new political borders, they still largely follow the cultural traditions of thousands of years of ancient India. It is only when the British left that they made South Asia into different countries. Historically, the entire region was under common rule by different political, social, religious, and cultural leaders. India, as a nation, has carried and inherited the ancient pride of the region. All other nations by or large have taken different routes. In this light, this issue can be seen in two significant ways involving the need for moving away from territory and territorially-based concepts of regulatory power and local practices and understandings of specific regimes. In the given case, the historical significance of culture is being portrayed by India and it is not imposing its statehood over its geographical territory. Sadly, our neighbours have seen it as a sign of intervention and labelled it as a violation of their sovereign rights which is not the case. Even under Article 51 of the Indian Constitution, a direct reference has been made to encourage the settlement of international disputes through arbitration under subparagraph (d) along with voluntary obligations like fostering respect for international law and treaty obligations and maintaining just and honourable relations with other nations, which clearly reflects the intentions of the country to respect the territorial integrity of other countries and maintain a peaceful co-existence with other nations. This obligation under Article 51 is read along with Articles 246 and 253 of the Constitution that deals with demarcating the powers of the Union and the state governments by classifying their powers and the power of Parliament to make any law for the whole or any part of the territory of India, for implementing any treaty, agreement or convention with any other country or countries or any decision made at any international conference, association or other body. In this context, there arises a need for establishing regional and sub-regional human rights codes or conventions. This has also been recognised by the United Nations since, in the absence of a universal approach that the South Asian states refuse to adopt, it is through regional initiatives that the motives of human rights could be achieved. The need for a regional initiative becomes even more significant because unlike Europe, America and Africa, there is no inter-governmental regional system for human rights protection in South Asia. In practice, the reason cited is that the human rights debate revolves around South Asian views or perspectives. Although the South Asian governments have ratified international human rights instruments, they fail to reflect in the national constitutions or laws of most governments. Abhinav Mehrotra is Assistant Professor and Dr Biswanath Gupta is Associate Professor at OP Jindal Global University. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not represent the stand of this publication. The United States condemns in the strongest terms the ongoing human rights violations and abuses and horrific violence in Sudan, declared State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller in a statement. In particular he noted reports of widespread sexual violence and killings based on ethnicity in West Darfur by the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias. In mid-April tensions between the Sudanese military and its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, erupted into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere across the nation. Local groups estimate that up to 1,100 civilians have been killed in El Geneina alone, and the UN has reported more than 273,000 people are displaced in West Darfur state. The Sudan Conflict Observatory and media outlets have documented satellite imagery of sections of El Geneina and whole settlements in West, South, and North Darfur states razed to the ground by marauding forces. Credible Sudanese voices claim this is part of an emerging pattern of targeted ethnic violence against non-Arab populations. Women are bearing the brunt of this violence, and victims and human rights groups have credibly accused soldiers of the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, and allied militias of rape and other forms of conflict-related sexual violence. The atrocities occurring today in West Darfur and other areas are an ominous reminder of the horrific events that led the United States to determine in 2004 that genocide had been committed in Darfur. We specifically condemn the killing of West Darfur Governor Khamis Abbakar on June 14 after he accused the RSF and other forces of perpetrating genocide, declared spokesperson Miller. We also express our concern over reports that the brother of the sultan of the Masalit tribe and 16 others were killed in El Geneina on June 12. While the atrocities taking place in Darfur are primarily attributable to the RSF and affiliated militia, both sides have been responsible for abuses. In Darfur, the Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, has failed to protect civilians and has reportedly stoked conflict by encouraging mobilization of tribes. SAF attacks by military aircraft or drones have also impeded humanitarian efforts. Spokesperson Miller called on both sides to cease fighting in the area, control their forces, and hold accountable those responsible for violence or abuses, and enable delivery of desperately needed humanitarian assistance. Sobhita Dhulipala was a picture of elegance in the white and black off-shoulder gown. She was seen wearing the chic outfit for promoting her OTT show The Night Manager. (Image: Viral Bhayani) As American politicians including former president Barack Obama raised questions over protecting rights of minorities in India during Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to the United States, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said India doesnt need lectures about minority rights and all the communities in the country get equal benefits from the government. Poonawalla said that he is an Indian Muslim and also a national spokesperson of the BJP, which is the worlds largest democratic party. He further said that in India Mary, Mathew, Mohammad, Madhav, Shilpa and Sultana get the same benefit. Im the national spokesperson of the worlds largest Democratic Party - @BJP4India led by PM Modi. Im an Indian Muslim & I speak for my country & party on all important platforms- nationally and globally, Poonawalla said. Im the national spokesperson of the worlds largest Democratic Party - @BJP4India led by PM Modi Im an Indian Muslim & I speak for my country & party on all important platforms- nationally and globally. When we ensure 80cr or 800 million people get free rations , 11 cr or pic.twitter.com/eO86kzkHgN Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) June 22, 2023 When we ensure 80cr or 800 million people get free rations , 11 cr or 110 million get toilets , 11cr or 110 million households get tapped water connections , 35 million poor get concrete houses - it goes to Mary, Mathew, Mohammad, Madhav , Shilpa & Sultana, he added. He further took a dig at Ilhan Omar, a Democrat Congresswoman, saying he do not need lectures about minority rights from someone who has made anti-semitic comments and patronised Islamist radicals. Dont need lectures about minority rights from someone who has made anti-semitic comments, patronises Islamist radicals & has no track record to speak of on the said subject, Poonawalla added. Ilhan Omar is among the prominent progressive Democrats from the so-called Squad", who are boycotting Prime Minister Narendra Modis address to a joint session of the United States Congress on Thursday. Ilhan Omar said she will not attend the event alleging that the Modi-led union government in India has repressed religious minorities. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is a Democratic representative of Minnesotas 5th congressional district in the House of Representatives. She is also a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Former US president Barack Obama said on Thursday that India risks pulling apart" if the Muslim minority is not respected and called for the issue to be raised with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. First of all, We, Indian muslims are NOT minority but second largest majority in India.Secondly, we are not tolerated but celebrated in our Country. Stop spreading lies for your political gains. Let Indian muslims decide for themselves. https://t.co/1BQxZtRNQ1 Subuhi Khan (@SubuhiKhan01) June 22, 2023 Activist Subuhi Khan also attacked Omar by saying that Muslims in India are not a minority but the second largest majority. First of all, We, Indian muslims are NOT minority but second largest majority in India. Secondly, we are not tolerated but celebrated in our Country. Stop spreading lies for your political gains. Let Indian muslims decide for themselves," Subuhi said on Twitter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden, on Thursday said there is no question of discrimination in India on the grounds of caste or religion because his government follows the Constitution, which is formed on the basic values of democracy. India is a democracy. And as President Biden said democracy is in the DNA of both India and America. We have proved that democracy can deliver. When I say deliver it means there is no place for discrimination on the grounds of caste, creed, gender, religion, Modi said while responding to a question about the steps taken by his government to improve the rights of minorities in India and uphold free speech. Days after Ajit Pawar asked the top brass to relieve him from the LoP post, senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal has ignited another debate in the party, emphasising that the next state chief, Mumbai president or Leader of Opposition should be an OBC face. Bhujbal is of the opinion that the NCP should follow in the footsteps of the Congress and the BJP and balance the caste equations within the organisation to ensure representation for all on the big posts. His statement, however, has triggered a row as the NCP has historically been recognised as a Maratha-dominated party. While Maharashtra Congress has Maratha leader Balasaheb Thorat as Leader of Opposition, OBC face Nana Patole is the state president. Similarly, in BJP, OBC leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule has been given the responsibility of the state president post. According to Bhujbal, a similar move by NCP will help send a strong message to the party cadre. Apart from himself, the senior leader suggested the names of Sunil Tatkare, Dhananjay Munde, and Jitendra Awhad to take on the responsibility. If the party appoints the next state president from the Maratha caste, the LoP post should be given to an OBC leader or vice versa, Bhujbal said. Reacting to Ajit Pawars statement, Bhujbal said: Our party runs on democratic values so all have a right to express their opinions. The national chief of the party will take a decision on Ajit Pawar but I am expressing my feelings that OBC leaders should also get a bigger role in the party organisation. A source within the NCP said if Ajit Pawar gets a bigger role in the party like state president, he may suggest name names of Dhananjay Munde or Bhujbal for the post of Leader of Opposition as both are his close associates. Bhujbal has a vast experience in state politics whereas Munde was Leader of Opposition of Upper House from 2014-2019. The name of another leader and MP from Konkan region, Sunil Tatkare, is being discussed for the post of state president. A seasoned politician, Tatkare understands the caste equations in Maharashtra and is a close associate of Ajit Pawar. As the opposition parties meet in Patna on Friday over Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars initiative to unite them against the ruling BJP, several key questions on the contours of the proposed alliance remain unanswered. Those involved in the process claim that the mega opposition meet will be the first visible step in bringing together the anti-BJP camp and will attempt to identify common ground and issues against the ruling party. However, it remains unclear if the gathering will transcend the typical political rhetoric and lead to concrete and unified actions. Several prominent leaders, including Mayawati from the BSP, Jayant Chaudhary of the RLD, and BRS chief and Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao, will be absent from the meeting due to various reasons. Nonetheless, amidst the political hullabaloo, the recent political developments indicate that the BJP has already begun working on the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and with initial success. Two days after withdrawing support from the Nitish Kumar government, Jitan Ram Manjhi, the chief of Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday. Following the meeting, his party announced its re-entry into the NDA. HAM, along with other former NDA partners, appears eager to re-join the alliance that has diminished over the years as the BJP benefiting from Prime Minister Narendra Modis popularity started garnering Lok Sabha numbers well beyond the magic figure of 272. In 2014, the saffron party won 282 Lok Sabha seats, a number that increased to 303 seats in 2019. The BJPs aggressive electoral push made many of its allies feel insecure as the party encroached upon their respective political territories. The alliance, which completed 25 years on May 15 this year, was the formalisation of four of the BJPs old allies: Shiv Sena, Samata Party, Haryana Vikas Party, and the Akali Dal at the national level in 1998. A year earlier, Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP had stitched a pre-poll alliance for the 1997 Punjab assembly polls. Other parties like Biju Janata Dal, Trinamool Congress, Lok Shakti, AIADMK, PMK and others joined in to form the NDA. The Telugu Desam Party provided support from outside. However, the first NDA government, led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, lasted only 13 months as the AIADMK withdrew its support due to the central governments refusal to dismiss the DMK government in Tamil Nadu. The second NDA government (1999-2004) saw DMK replacing AIADMK and others like National Conference joining the NDA bandwagon. Despite leaders from diverse ideological backgrounds, ranging from the ultra-right to the Left of the center, this coalition government became the first in independent India to complete its full term. The successful governance of a coalition government also provided a blueprint for the subsequent UPA government. Throughout its evolution, political parties representing various ideologies and regions have had their association with the NDA. In 2002, the Lok Janshakti Party was one of the first to withdraw from the NDA. The departure of the party led by Ram Vilas Paswan was a direct consequence of the Gujarat riots. In 2003, the DMK also decided to leave the alliance due to the alleged misuse of POTA by the Tamil Nadu government. Subsequently, the DMK aligned with the Congress party. In 2007, the JD(S) and Mamatas TMC exited the NDA for various reasons. In 2009, Naveen Patnaiks BJD also decided to step out, while the TRS led by K Chandrasekhar Rao joined the alliance in the same year. The exodus briefly slowed down after NDA came to power in 2014. However, the aggressive political expansion plans of the BJP created tensions with regional allies, leading to heavyweights quitting the alliance on one pretext or the other. In March 2018, the Telugu Desam Party severed its ties with the NDA due to the disagreement over granting special category status to Andhra Pradesh. During the same year, the BJP ended its three-year alliance with the PDP due to divisions over a range of issues. The year 2019 saw BJPs oldest ally Shiv Sena moving away over the power-sharing agreement in Maharashtra. Another old ally and NDA founding member SAD ended its relationship in September 2020 over the farm bills. The last major party to move out was Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) as Kumar, in August 2022, dumped his government with the BJP to form a new one with the RJD. The question arises as to why the BJP, which independently won 303 seats in the previous Lok Sabha elections and faces no sign of ebb in popularity of PM Modi, would require additional electoral allies. The simple explanation is that while the prime minister remains popular, Karnataka and Himachal results showed that his acceptance might not be enough to ensure numbers for a return. In many states like Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand etc., the party has already achieved almost full electoral success and theres not much scope for expansion. In states like Bihar, Odisha, Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, regional parties still hold sway, and the Karnataka result has left BJP without power in the South. The Maharashtra alliance is yet to face an electoral test. Besides, 10 years of anti-incumbency will definitely weigh high. Recognising the potential pitfalls, the saffron party has reportedly begun reaching out to some estranged allies while also seeking new ones. Also, to ensure their political survival, many regional parties which have been cornered in their respective states by the non-NDA parties are reaching out to the NDA camp. The Indian Express, citing sources within the BJP, has reported that the party leadership has initiated discussions with potential alliances such as the JD(S) in Karnataka, the TDP in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and the SAD in Punjab. In a signal to the BJP, these three parties had supported NDA presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu last year over the united opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha. Last month, a hint of the possible new NDA and its potential allies was also reflected in the political attendance during the inauguration of the Parliament building. While 20 opposition parties boycotted the event, unexpectedly, parties like the BSP, SAD, TDP, and JD(S) attended it. The SAD, already on the electoral down slope, suffered back-to-back shocks first in the successive assembly polls followed by the death of party patriarch Parkash Singh Badal in April this year. With just three seats, the party was relegated to a distant third position behind AAP and Congress in the last assembly polls. The JD(S) is currently confronting an existential crisis as it wrestles with the staggering electoral results in Karnataka. The partys seat count has plummeted to its lowest level of 19 since it first entered the realm of elections in 1999. Recently, in response to the question of whether there is a possibility of JD(S) aligning with the BJP, party supremo and former PM HD Deve Gowda had raised a counter question, asking to find him a political party in the country that has engaged in politics without establishing some form of association with the BJP. Experts also believe that both the BJP and JD(S) could potentially benefit, to some extent, from forming an alliance in 6-8 seats, either through direct collaboration or a tacit understanding. Earlier this month, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu met Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda in Delhi, which sparked an alliance buzz. In the days following this meeting, Shah, during a rally commemorating the nine years of the BJP-led NDA government in Visakhapatnam, criticised the otherwise friendly YSRCP government, stating that in the last four years, the Jagan Mohan Reddy government has been involved in nothing but corruption and scandals. Besides Lok Sabha polls slated around April-May next year, Andhra Pradesh will go for assembly elections. In Bihar, the epicenter of the current attempt at opposition unity, the BJP is in the process of stitching alliances with smaller parties that are against the Mahagathbandhan. Recognising the significance of caste-based politics in the state, the saffron party is making efforts to establish some form of electoral arrangement with Upendra Kushwahas RLJD and Mukesh Sahanis VIP. While former Union minister Kushwaha comes from the Koeri caste, which is the second-largest group among the backward classes after Yadavs in Bihar, Sahni belongs to the extremely backward caste Mallah (fisherfolk) community, which holds approximately 3 per cent of the votes in the state. Few months back, both Sahni and Kushwaha were provided central security. Ex-CM Manjhis HAM (S), which has a Dalit Musahar voter base representing roughly 2 per cent of Bihars total population, has already joined the NDA. In addition, efforts are underway to bring Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan on board. Amid speculations of a merger between the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Telangana Party (YSRTP) and the Congress, Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy said that there is no space for YSRTP Chief YS Sharmila in the state and suggested that she should instead remain on her home turf of Andhra Pradesh. There is no place for YS Sharmila in Telangana. Her home turf is Andhra Pradesh. If a person from Andhra Pradesh gets a position here, he or she will attract a wild reaction from the people of Telangana, Reddy was quoted as saying by the India Today on Thursday. While he dismissed mergers with the party, Reddy said Sharmila is welcome to join the Congress and work with senior leader Rahul Gandhi. Even the last wish of her father, YS Rajasekhara Reddy, was to make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister of India. She can contest elections from the Kadapa seat, Reddy said while clarifying that are no talks about the YSRTP leader joining the Congress yet. While YSR had advocated for a united Andhra Pradesh, after the bifurcation of the state in 2014 into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Sharmilas association with Andhra Pradesh could potentially work against her in Telangana, a report by the Times of India read. As the YSR family originates from Andhra Pradesh, there is a possibility that she may be perceived as an outsider" in Telangana, which could impact her political prospects in the region. The State Congress chief said Sharmila can be a star campaigner and a national leader for the Congress. However he dismissed her role in Telangana stating, When it comes to Telangana, there is no place for her. Only a person from Telangana can lead a Telangana party. Senior Congress leader and former union minister Renuka Chowdhury has termed the merger as political opportunism". Let us see, these are all political opportunities and opportunism that they take to establish their own credential," she told IANS. The developments came as Sharmila was scheduled to meet top All India Congress Committee (AICC) leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, on Thursday to finalise the YSRTPs merger with the grand old party, according to an Indian Express report. As per the report, YSRTP is likely to merge with the Congress next month on July 8 the partys foundation day. Meanwhile, YSRTP chief spokesperson Konda Raghava Reddy told the publication that Sharmila will continue to focus on Telangana politics. The merger of YSRTP with Congress is unconditional. What roles, if at all, would be given to YSRTP leaders by the Congress is not known. Whether Sharmila would be accepted by leaders of Telangana Congress is also not known, he was quoted as saying. In May, there were political speculations suggesting that Sharmila had been approached by the Congress with an offer of a Rajya Sabha seat. Top sources within the YSRTP told News18 that the Congress high command, specifically, Priyanka Gandhis team, has been in touch with Sharmila in a bid to persuade her to join forces with the Grand Old Party. As per reports, she was offered the opportunity to lead the party in Andhra Pradesh, where the Congress lacks strong leadership and a cadre base to effectively counter Sharmilas brother, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. Sharmila dismissed reports alleging her assumption of the role of Congress chief in Andhra Pradesh and denied receiving any proposal to accept a Congress Rajya Sabha ticket from Karnataka. In a tweet, she asserted that she would stay committed to Telangana till her last breath. I was always in Telangana and will be in Telangana till my last breath. I request speculators to stop making paper plans about my future and instead write about the issues pertaining to the people of my state Telangana and highlight the misrule and massive corruption of KCR, his family and his party members. My future lies in Telangana and with its people, she said in a tweet. Both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are headed for assembly elections in less than a year. BJP national president JP Nadda on Friday targeted the Odisha government and slammed the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Opposition meeting in Patna, stating that leaders who were jailed by former prime minister Indira Gandhi during the Emergency were now welcoming her grandson Rahul Gandhi. Addressing a rally in Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi district, on the occasion of the ninth anniversary of the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre, Nadda stated that both Nitish Kumar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad were arrested during the Emergency. Rahuls grandmother sent Lalu and Nitish to jail, but today they are being welcomed by Rahul," he said. He further stated that while the whole world is praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress is creating obstacles. He targeted the BJD-led government and highlighted that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been ruling Odisha for 23 years. However, despite this long tenure, Odisha is still known as a backward and poor state," he said while asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided ration to 3.5 crore people. He also claimed the actual beneficiaries in Odisha are not receiving houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Taking strong note of the matter, Nadda declared that whoever is found guilty will be sent to jail. Noting that a significant number of 11 crore people nationwide have benefited from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, Nadda highlighted that the people of Odisha are being deprived of this scheme as Patnaik was not implementing it. Nadda questioned who is governing Odisha and said that MLAs and MPs seem nonexistent in the state. He further claimed the BJP will form the government in Delhi and also in Odisha. Corruption is increasing in the state. Odisha has the lowest per capita income. We dont know if any leader or officer is effectively running the government. The time has come to ensure that we form the government at the Centre and in Odisha," he said. On the other hand, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who was also present at the rally, stated that the Modi government has established a new standard of welfare for the poor in the aspirational district of Kalahandi. Over the course of nine years, four lakh families have received grants. The Modi government has increased the price of paddy by Rs 2,123 per quintal. However, there is an incapable government in the state, resulting in the youth of Kalahandi seeking work outside the region as migrant laborers," he said. Similarly, state BJP president Manmohan Samal and Kalahandi MP Basant Panda have called for a double-engine government in Odisha. People of Kalahandi have been deprived of basic amenities. However, times have changed, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken various steps to address these issues through initiatives such as PMAY, Ujjwala, Swachh Bharat, and more. To strengthen the Modi government, we should strive for a double-engine government," said Samal. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said the Opposition parties were meeting in Patna not to dislodge Prime Minister Narendra Modis government but to save their own political dynasties. He also took a swipe at his former ally and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray who had in the past criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party for joining hands with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir. They have said the meeting is for `Modi Hatao (remove Modi), but they are working to protect their dynasties. Uddhav Thackeray used to criticize us for joining hands with (PDP leader) Mehbooba Mufti in Kashmir. Now he is sitting next to Mehbooba Mufti and talking about forming an alliance, he said. The Opposition has realised that the country will stand by Modi for the work done by him, Fadnavis said, adding that the Opposition made a futile attempt in 2019 (to come together against the BJP) and the people will give a bigger mandate to the BJP in 2024. All dynastic parties have come together and worked to save their families. For them, running the government is business, but for Modi it is service, Fadnavis said. To a question about the Enforcement Directorate conducting raids at the properties of Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders and an IAS officer in Mumbai, Fadnavis said, There will be no attempt to target any officer. But if a scam has taken place, then some officers will be called for seeking information and investigation. A scam has taken place. Raids were conducted on Wednesday at the residences of Suraj Chavan, a leader of the youth wing of Sena (UBT), some officials of the Mumbai civic body and others including IAS officer Sanjeev Jaiswal in connection with an alleged scam in the setting up of `jumbo hospitals in Mumbai during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ahead of the meeting of Opposition parties in Patna, the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday said if democracy has to survive after 2024, then political parties will have to show a big heart in the national interest to instil confidence among voters. In an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and K Chandrasekhar Roa-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) have national ambitions, but this will help Prime Minister Narendra Modi indirectly and support dictatorship". Both these parties are in direct contest with the Congress and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in different states. The BRS has been holding rallies in Maharashtra, in a bid to make a foray into the state. If democracy has to survive after 2024, then political leaders have to show a big heart for the national interest. If all come together, it will instil voters confidence," it said. Top leaders of Opposition parties are meeting in the Bihar capital on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting is being convened by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. His counterparts in Delhi (Arvind Kejriwal), West Bengal (Mamata Banerjee), Jharkhand (Hemant Soren), and Tamil Nadu (M K Stalin). Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar, and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray are among the leaders attending this meeting. The editorial said that PM Modis attempt will be to break the opposition unity by some way or the other. The BJP will be defeated if there is a direct fight on 450 seats. Many states have shown that despite the tricks, Modi can be defeated, it added. The rulers who do not believe in law, Constitution and judiciary, can be defeated if opposition leaders earnestly deliberate in the Patna meeting, the Sena (UBT) said. It will be wrong to say that those opposing the BJP are meeting in Patna, but it is appropriate to say that patriotic" parties are coming together to save the Constitution and democracy in the country, it said. The country is heading towards the path of dictatorship. Democracy and freedom are in danger in the country. Modi and his party are of the firm opinion that the opposition must be finished by using central agencies, the party said. All these are signs of dictatorship, it added. As many as 32 opposition leaders, including six Chief Ministers, from national and regional parties huddled at Bihar CM Nitish Kumars official residence in Patna to test the waters for an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The leaders walked into the 1, Aney Marg address at 11:30am to emphasise on building a common ground while avoiding the prickly leadership question as of now. The biggest roadblock to forging any electoral understanding is Arvind Kejriwal-led AAPs demand that all parties protest the Centres ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi. In the current Lok Sabha, the combined strength of these 15 parties accounts for less than 200 of the 543 seats, though their leaders are hopeful of together turning the tables on the saffron party which enjoys a brute majority with a 300 plus tally. The Congress, which is seen as the principal rival of BJP, had won just a little over 50 seats, which was a slight improvement over its performance in 2014 when it won only 44 an all-time low. Two of the parties at the meeting - the RJD and CPI(ML) Liberation had failed to win a single seat in the last Lok Sabha polls though both performed well in the Bihar assembly polls held a year later. With their alliance firmly intact, they hope to do well in the parliamentary elections too. Among the other parties, only Trinamool Congress, DMK and JD(U) had secured double digit tallies. The Shiv Sena had won 18 seats but it remains unclear how many of the MPs remain with the faction headed by Uddhav Thackeray, who has joined opposition unity chorus. Following is the complete list of opposition leaders who attended the Patna meeting: JD(U) Nitish Kumar, Lalan Singh Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has played the perfect organiser and host to the opposition gathering, mediating between parties and persuading leaders to attend, all of which has led to the speculation that the JD(U) leader is pitching himself as the leader of such a front against Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha elections next year. JD(U) president Lalan Singh, who also attended the Opposition meeting, however, denied the speculation earlier this month. Nitish Kumar is not a contender for the post of the Prime Minister. He has stepped up to build a BJP-free country and is working to unite the Opposition When elections conclude and the country becomes BJP-free, all parties will sit together and decide who will be the leader of the country," news agency ANI quoted Singh as saying on June 11. Nitish Kumar who had snapped ties with BJP about a year ago recently caused a flutter with his prediction that the ruling BJP may call early general elections. I may have spoken about early polls in jest but it is also a strong possibility. Those in power at the Centre may sense that there is a lot of movement in the opposition camp, he said. A government at the Centre always has this option. Early polls took place in 2004, too, even though the then prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee was not in favour of the same The current dispensation may feel that if our opposition unity bid gathers momentum, it would inflict bigger losses on them. So they could take recourse to early polls, Kumar added. Congress Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal For any such electoral understanding with other parties, the Congress first has to convince its state units to put on the backburner regional rivalries. Its Delhi and Punjab units are said to be opposed to any truck with the AAP, while the party is embroiled in tensions with the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and CPI(M) in Kerala. Keeping cards close to its chest, the Congress has so far kept its stand ambiguous as to whether it would support the AAP when the Centres ordinance on the control of administrative services in the national capital is put to test in Parliament. Asked about the ordinance issue and AAPs ultimatum, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, before leaving for Patna on Friday morning, said his party would take a decision on it before Parliaments Monsoon session and wondered why it was being talked about elsewhere when it was a matter that pertains to Parliament. Opposing or proposing it does not happen outside, it happens in Parliament. Before Parliament begins, all parties decide what issues they have to work on together. They know it and even their leaders come to our all-party meetings. I dont know why is there so much publicity about it outside," he said. Accompanying Kharge to the meeting were senior leader Rahul Gandhi, who is on his first visit to Bihar since 2020 Assembly elections, and general secretary in charge of organisation KC Venugopal. Ahead of the meeting, Rahul Gandhi told party workers that all Opposition parties are unitedly" going to defeat the BJP in the 2024 general elections. You know that hate cannot be countered with hate. It can be defeated only with love. The Congress is working to unite the country and spread love That is why we have come to Bihar, because the DNA of the Congress is in Bihar." AAP Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, Raghav Chaddha, Sanjay Singh The AAP has reportedly threatened to walk out of the meeting if the Congress does not promise its support against the Centres ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi. Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal, who is attending the Patna meet with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and senior leaders Raghav Chaddha and Sanjay Singh, had expressed hope on Tuesday that the Congress would clear its stand on the Centres ordinance. Ahead of the meeting, the AAP was also forced to distance itself from a poster in Patna calling Arvind Kejriwal would be prime minister and Nitish Kumar confidant of Narendra Modi. This is a disgusting conspiracy against opposition unity, said Bablu Kumar, spokesman of AAPs Bihar unit. Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Derek OBrien, Firhad Hakim West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed confidence that opposition parties will fight like a family" and take on the BJP one to one", but hasnt addressed her reservations about the Congresss alliance with the Left in her state. I cannot say what will happen at tomorrows meeting. But I am certain we are all here to fight the BJP together, like a family, one to one," she told reporters on Wednesday. The opposition meet comes amid tensions between the Congress and TMC. Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury staged a dharna outside a block office in Bengals Murshidabad district demanding action against the activists of the ruling Trinamool Congress who allegedly attacked Congress workers in the run-up to the panchayat polls in the state. RJD Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Manoj Jha, Sanjay Jha RJD leader and deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav is Nitish Kumars co-host for the Opposition meeting. Sidestepping the Delhi Ordinance issue, Tejashwi Yadav earlier said: This is not the first meeting of opposition leaders nor is it going to be the last. Leaders of different hues have agreed to meet and they will all raise issues that they feel strongly about. There is no problem with that. Backing Nitish Kumars speculation of early Lok Sabha elections, Yadav said: You never know, it is possible Everything is in the hands of the ruling dispensation at the Centre." Shiv Sena-UBT Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut Ahead of the Opposition meeting, the Shiv Sena-UBT led by Uddhav Thackeray called on political parties to show a big heart in national interest to instill confidence among voters. In an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, the party said the AAP and K Chandrasekhar Roa-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which has skipped the meeting, have national ambitions, but this will only help Prime Minister Narendra Modi indirectly and support dictatorship". The editorial said the BJP will attempt to break the opposition unity some way or the other. The BJP will be defeated if there is a direct fight on 450 seats. Many states have shown that despite the tricks, Modi can be defeated It will be wrong to say that those opposing the BJP are meeting in Patna, but it is appropriate to say that patriotic parties are coming together to save the Constitution and democracy in the country," it said. NCP Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, Praful Patel Sharad Pawar, one of the tallest Opposition leaders, is attending the Patna meet at a time of uncertainty in his own party. Days after he entrusted the responsibility of Maharashtra to his daughter and MP Supriya Sule by appointing her as a working president, his nephew Ajit Pawar asked to be relieved as Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and sought any role in the party organisation. Ajit Pawar had also batted against any electoral tie-ups 1just two days before the Patna meet, saying Sharad Pawar is a bigger leader than Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and others. If (West Bengal chief minister) Mamata Banerjee, (Delhi CM) Arvind Kejriwal, (AP CM) Jagan Mohan Reddy, N Chandrababu Naidu (of TDP), K Chandrasekhar Rao and Nitish Kumar can win their respective states on their own Sharad Pawar is a bigger leader than all of them. Why cannot NCP work towards this goal (to win Maharashtra on its strength)," he asked. Sharad Pawar, meanwhile, said on Friday morning that important issues, including the current situation in violence-hit Manipur, will be discussed at the Oppositon meeting. Samajwadi Party Akhilesh Yadav The Samajwadi Party is the only party from Uttar Pradesh attending the meeting with BSP supremo Mayawati not being invited and Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary skipping the conclave due to a family programme. Uttar Pradesh sends the maximum number of 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. DMK MK Stalin, TR Baalu The DMK already has an alliance with the Congress, CPI(M), the CPI and some other smaller Left parties. No surprises that the war cry of a united opposition is from here, the land of social justice, to end this fascist, autocratic regime and allow the rebirth of a secular, democratic India, tweeted Stalin with the hashtag #UnitingIndia2024 after landing at the Patna airport where he was received by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav. CPI(M) Sitaram Yechury CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury was among the first leaders to confirm efforts towards an anti-BJP coalition, saying: Efforts for opposition unity have picked up the pace. An opposition coalition will be formed and seat adjustments will be done at the state level." After meeting Nitish Kumar in April, he had, however, said the third front" will always be after the elections. But in India, fronts are formed post polls such as United Front in 1996, in 1998 NDA was formed after elections, UPA formed post polls in 2004, Yechury had said. In Kerala, the ruling CPM and opposition Congress are rivals. The parties locked horns this week over the fake certificate issue in the state, with the latter on Thursday accusing the Left front of protecting those involved in illegal activities. CPI D Raja CPI general secretary D Raja has hailed the Patna huddle of Opposition leaders as a step forward in the right direction". This meeting is being held immediately after the Karnataka elections. Several state elections are coming up and the Lok Sabha polls are due in 2024. This (the meeting) will give clarity," Raja told news agency PTI. When elections take place, the electoral strategy and seat-sharing will be discussed at the state level. It will be based on the balance of political forces. There, I think, the secular democratic parties must be more reasonable and mutually accommodating," the CPI leader said. National Conference Omar Abdullah Our role is limited in this as at best we can win six seats three from Kashmir, two from Jammu and one from Ladakh. The unity first should be among those who have 40 to 50 seats. What is the point of having expectations from us? Let them forge unity first. Often we have seen that the parties with 50, 100-200 seats are not able to unite but we are expected to do it," Abdullah told reporters on June 13. The National Conference was represented at the Opposition meeting by former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday. He had previously exhorted bigger opposition parties to show the way in opposition unity. PDP Mehbooba Mufti The attack on secularism and democracy started from Kashmir. Democracy is being undermined in the current scenario. We will not let the nation of Gandhi become the country of Godse, Mufti said after the meeting on Friday. The former J&K CM had in March this year urged opposition parties to unite and give a formidable fight to the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but had expressed doubts about such an alliance coming into existence. Unless and until opposition parties dont come together, I dont think there is going to be a formidable opposition to the BJP. (But), are they in a position to come together with this ED, NIA and other agencies at their throat? she had said. JMM leader and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren also attended the meeting as did CPIML leader Dipankar Bhattacharya. With PTI inputs Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday said all 15 parties opposed to the BJP that took part in the meeting convened in Patna have agreed to fight the Lok Sabha elections together". The next Opposition meeting will be hosted by Congress and will take place in July, he said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar were among the top figures from a total of 15 parties opposed to the BJP who attended a meeting convened in Patna by Bihar Chief Minister to formulate a joint strategy ahead of next years Lok Sabha polls. ALSO READ | Who Attended the Oppn Meet Today? 32 Leaders, 6 Chief Ministers, 15 Parties & One Elephant in the Room Party leaders will release a statement signed by all 15 opposition parties that had attended the meeting. Congress to Host Next Meeting in Shimla in July Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced that the next meeting of the Opposition parties is scheduled to take place in Shimla on July 12, adding the dates are tentative at the moment. All the leaders have decided to fight together and to further strengthen this unity, we are planning to meet again on July 12 in Shimla," he said. The purpose of the meeting will be to collectively establish a common agenda and strategise the way forward, Kharge said. We will devise strategies for each state," he added. We will work together to make this unity stronger so that we succeed in defeating the BJP. This united front encompasses the entire country, stretching from Kashmir to Kanyakumari," he said. TMC leader Derek OBrien had confirmed the next meeting in Shimla in a tweet stating, We are all united. We will work together for 2024. We will meet again soon in Shimla. Four hours together. Its only just begun. Much to look forward to." We are all united. We will work together for 2024. We will meet again soon in Shimla. Four hours together. Its only just begun. Much to look forward to. Derek O'Brien | ' (@derekobrienmp) June 23, 2023 Opposition to Unite While Safeguarding Their Ideology: Rahul Gandhi Rahul Gandhi also spoke at the presser and said the Bihar chief minister had graciously hosted a lunch for them, and they had the opportunity to savour various delicacies. He expressed concerns about the assault on institutions and democracy" and said this is an ideological war" in which they stand united. The Opposition will collaborate with flexibility while safeguarding their ideology," he said. In the next meeting, we plan to delve deeper into the matters at hand," he said while asserting that the process of opposition unity has begun." During the meeting, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal raised discuss the ordinance issue, and according to sources, there was no discussion about seat sharing. Widespread Discontent Among Common People Towards BJP: Pawar NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that there is widespread discontent among the common people towards the BJP. We have decided to go ahead and work together to bring about a change in the countrys environment." PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti also remarked, The attack on secularism and democracy has originated from Kashmir. Democracy is being undermined. Though we may not be as strong in Kashmir, we will not permit Gandhis country to transform into Godses nation." Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray declared, The country is united, and we will strive to maintain its integrity. We will actively protest against those who attempt to suppress it." Banerjee Outlines Three Key Resolutions TMC Chief Mamata Banerjee expressed her satisfaction with the meeting, attended by current and former Chief Ministers, acknowledging the presence of political veteran Lalu Prasad and senior leaders such as Sharad Pawar, Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi, and others. Whatever starts in Patna emerges as a Jana Andolan," she said. We had multiple meetings in Delhi, but they did not yield fruitful results. Thats why I suggested starting from Patna," she stated. Banerjee outlined three key resolutions: the unity among the parties, the collective fight against BJPs dictatorship, their unjust laws, and political vendetta. She emphasised that this fight should not be branded solely as an Opposition battle" but rather as a fight against the BJP." The West Bengal Chief Minister also attacked the BJP over its alleged misuse of central agencies and the recent issue of Governor C V Ananda Bose organising Foundation Day without the states knowledge for political gains and promoting a narrative favoured by the saffron camp. She strongly criticised the BJP for allegedly misusing central agencies and raised concerns over the recent incident where Governor C V Ananda Bose organized a Foundation Day event without the states knowledge Raj Bhavan has become an alternative government. They organized Foundation Day for our state without consulting us. When we oppose them, they employ the ED and CBI against us," she added. They send lawyers to court and falsely implicate us in various cases." However, Mamata Banerjee highlighted that the government remains silent on issues such as unemployment, the welfare of the common people, economic devastation, atrocities against Dalits, and violence against women. She criticized the government for failing to allocate funds for housing, infrastructure development, and making arbitrary appointments in universities. We are ready to shed blood, if necessary, but we will protect our people. If the BJP comes to power again, we will witness the end of elections," she asserted. The BJP may want to rewrite history, but history will be saved from Bihar," she concluded. Modi Distributing Sandalwood in America: Lalus Jibe Lalu Prasad Yadav stated, It has been decided that the next meeting will take place in Shimla, where we will further discuss our strategy." Taking a jibe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on a State visit to US, the RJD supremo said, Modi Ji is distributing sandalwood in America, but his situation is going to deteriorate significantly (Bohut bura haal hone Wala hain Modi ji ka)." NC leader Omar Abdullah said after the meeting that 17 parties from Kashmir to Kanyakumari have come together not for power, but for principles". CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said the main issue is to protect the character of our secular democratic country which the BJP wants to change". CPI leader D Raja alleged that BJPs nine-year rule has become disastrous and detrimental" to the constitution of the country. We are witnessing a communal-corporate nexus. People are suffering as a result. They are usurping the powers of states, putting the federal system in danger," he said. The discussions did not involve any contentious issues and it was decided that more meetings would be held in the future to discuss the common minimum program and other important matters, sources said. Congress Silence on Delhi Ordinance Issue Raises Suspicions: AAP Meanwhile the Aam Aadmi Party who had said its leaders would walk out of meeting of opposition leaders if the Congress does not promise its support against the Centres ordinance on Delhi administrative services, released a statement condemning the lack of support against the Black Ordinance" at the Patna meet. Members of the AAP leadership, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who participated in the meeting, were notably missing at the joint press conference later. Today, during the like-minded party meeting in Patna, many parties urged the Congress to publicly denounce the Black Ordinance. However, the Congress refused to do so," the statement read. Congress silence raises suspicions about its real intentions," it said. Its high time that Congress decides whether it stands with the people of Delhi or the Modi government," it added. A consultative meeting of various opposition parties was held in Bihar today to safeguard Indias democracy. All opposition parties share a common goal of defeating the BJP. However, we did not decide on who will be the prime ministerial candidate," stated DMK President and Tamil Nadu CM, MK Stalin, upon returning to Chennai from the Opposition meeting in Patna. Nafrat ko sirf mohabbat kaat sakti hai (only love can defeat hatred), Rahul Gandhi said on Friday as he arrived in Patna for the Opposition key anti-BJP" meeting. He launched an attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party and added that they were spreading hatred", while Congress is working towards uniting people and spreading mohabbat (love). The BJP, on the other hand, released a video mocking the Opposition. The video starts with Inmein se kaun kisko pehchaanta nahi, par dil hai ki maanta nahi. Fark pehchanta hi nahi ki kahin PM banne ke armaan hain (for Rahul Gandhi) toh kahin PM banne ki dil-e-khwaish (for Nitish Kumar); kahin PM banne ki dabbi ichcha hai (for Mamata Banerjee) toh kahin PM banne ki chuppi tamanna (for K Chandrashekar Rao)" The Hindi message loosely translates into: They all know each other well and yet are trying to join hands. Each one of them considers himself/herself a prime ministerial candidate but they publicly say that they dont want the top post; all they want is to dethrone Narendra Modi. Even as the Opposition shows unity" through such meets, they all criticise each other in their respective states. The Indian voter, however, is very smart and knows the gimmicks. Hence, Narendra Modi alone is heavy on all. Union Home Minister Amit Shah hit out against the meeting and called it a photo session". A photo session is happening in Patna. All the opposition leaders have come together on a single platform to convey a message that they will challenge BJP, NDA and Modi (in 2024)," he said while adressing a rally in Jammu. All I want to say to these opposition leaders is that your unity is nearly impossible and even if it gets real, please come in front of the people as in 2024, Modis return with 300 plus seats is confirmed," he said. BJP Chief JP Nadda also hot out against parties joining hands with the Congress and termed it as a strange" phenomena taking place in politics. Strange things are happening in politics today. Leaders jailed by former PM Indira Gandhi have now joined hands with her grandson Rahul Gandhi." He said Prasad was jailed for 22 months, while Kumar was behind the bars for 20 months during the period. I saw Uddhav Thackeray reaching Patna to attend the opposition meeting. His father, Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray was opposed to the Congress all along. Balasaheb had once said he will shut the dukaan (referring to his political party Shiv Sena) rather than joining the Congress. Now, his son is closing the dukaan," Nadda said at public meeting in Odishas Bhawanipatna. BJP leader Sushil Modi also slammed the meeting, stating that there was no outcome from it. They only decided on the next date of the meeting. AAP boycotted the meeting over the ordinance issue. The Chief Ministers of Delhi and Punjab did not participate. There was no outcome regarding the seat-sharing agenda." AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi raised questions about the Opposition meeting and stated, We also dont want PM Modi to return to power. However, what is the track record of the parties participating in this meeting?" The June 23 meeting has been scheduled to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asserting that they will fight together like a family" to take on the NDA one to one". #WATCH | West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren attend #OppositionMeeting in Bihars Patna pic.twitter.com/yqNCllD3o8 ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 News agency PTI quoted its sources as saying that the Opposition parties would look to avoid the prickly leadership question as of now and emphasize on building a common ground. Leaders of 15 parties including half-a-dozen chief ministers are expected to attend the deliberations. The Venue and Who is Hosting the Meeting The Opposition picked Patna as a venue for its meeting as it represents the 1974 call of total revolution by Jayaprakash Narayan that toppled Indira Gandhis majority government. ALSO READ | Nitish Kumar to Host Opposition Leaders Meet in Patna on Jun 23: Know All About the Bihar CMs Pitch The meeting is being hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav with an aim to arrive at a consensus to forge a united Opposition front to take on the BJP. Opposition Leaders Who Reached Patna Today Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, Maharashtras former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar and Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren arrived in Bihars capital on Friday. #WATCH | Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar leaves for Bihars Patna from Pune to attend #OppositionMeetingWe are meeting to discuss some important issues of the country and decide the future course of action. Manipur issue will also be discussed, he says pic.twitter.com/xNzsAccnTq ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 Opposition Leaders Already in Patna, Who Skipped As leaders of several opposition parties arrived in Patna on Thursday, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary decided to skip the conclave due to a pre-decided family programme". Chaudhary, however, hoped the meeting will be an important milestone in the path of opposition unity". This came after the Janata Dal (United), which is hosting the meet, said Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has not been invited to the event. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti were among the leaders who reached Patna on Thursday, a day before the meeting. Those in Opposition Not Invited Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, who was not invited for the big meeting, took a dig at the meeting with sarcastic remark, Dil mile ya na mile, haath milate rahiye. She also used another Hindi proverb muh me Ram, bagal me chhuri" and said the opposition parties should have cleared their intentions before the meeting. Mayawati said Uttar Pradesh has 80 Lok Sabha seats and a key to electoral success but the opposition parties do not seem to be serious about their objectives. Unease in Congress Over Arvind Kejriwals Demand? Kejriwal wrote to opposition leaders, urging them to discuss the Centres ordinance on the control of services in Delhi at the June 23 meeting. However, state-specific issues may not be taken up for discussion in the first such meeting. There is some unease in Congress over the Aam Aadmi Partys suggestion that Opposition leaders clarify their positions on the Centres ordinance. Reacting to it, Mallikarjun Kharge while leaving for Patna on Friday said, We all want to fight together against BJP and our agenda is to remove the BJP govt We will take a decision on this (on supporting AAP against the Centres ordinance) before the Parliament session." #WATCH | We have got info that Rahul Gandhi and BJP have done an agreementCongress should clear its stand against this unconstitutional Ordinance, why they are taking so long in doing so? : AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar on Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharges https://t.co/iZlW68JIOy pic.twitter.com/r7vdxKBrus ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 #WATCH | Congress has to answer as to why they will not support this anti-federal bill that govt of India is trying to enforce on the people of this nation, especially in the case of Delhi govt: Telangana Minister KTR Rao pic.twitter.com/eCxRumX592 ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 Reaction from Bharatiya Janata Party Addressing a rally in Odishas Kalahandi, BJP national president JP Nadda reminded people that Rahul Gandhis grandmother, Indira Gandhi, had put Lalu Yadav in jail and imprisoned Nitish Kumar for 20 months. When I see them welcoming Rahul in Patna, I wonder what happened in politics; where did he go and where did he reach," he said. Nadda further said, Just came to know that Uddhav Thackeray has landed on the land of PatnaHis father Hindu Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray used to say that I will not allow Shiv Sena to become Congress, if I had to join hands with Congress, I would I will close my shop. Today Balasaheb Thackeray must be thinking that none other than his son has closed his shop." Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Vijay Kumar Sinha, said, They have forgotten that Bihar never supports corrupt people. Congress was defeated, then RJD (Lalu Yadav) lost its power, and now its time for Nitish Kumar. He will lose the CM post and will get zero seats." #WATCH | Vijay Kumar Sinha, Bihar LoP takes a jibe at the #OppositionMeetingThey have forgotten that Bihar never supports corrupt people. Congress was defeated, then RJD (Lalu Yadav) lost its power, and now its time for Nitish Kumar. He will lose the CM post and will get pic.twitter.com/oarQ3dvtM2 ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad took a jibe at the Opposition leaders, asking who is the groom in this marriage party (a sarcastic comment aiming to know the main contender from united Opposition wholl fight against PM Modi in 2024). Nitish Kumar 2024 ke liye baaraat saja rahe hai Patna mai, baaraat me to dulha bhi hota hai, pr is baaraat ka dulha kon hai?" he asked. #WATCH | Nitish Kumar 2024 ke liye baaraat saja rahe hai Patna mai, baaraat me to dulha bhi hota hai, pr is baaraat ka dulha kon hai? (Nitish Kumar is decorating the wedding procession for the 2024 elections in Patna, but who is the groom (PM contender). Everyone is calling pic.twitter.com/4RfIVLsVkF ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 Taking a dig at the Opposition over the mega meeting, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi said all the Opposition leaders accused of corruption" have come together fearing arrest once Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns for a third term in office after next years Lok Sabha elections. (With inputs from agencies) Education is a cornerstone of the bond between India and the United States, according to First Lady Jill Biden, who complimented Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allowing all Indians, particularly girls, to seek education to enhance their abilities. Jill produced these statements over a visit to the National Science Foundation (NSF)'s 'Skilling For Future Event'. Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, an Indian American, leads the NSF.The NSF is directed by Indian American Dr Sethuraman Panchanathan. The visit to the organisation was organised by Jill Biden. Prime Minister (Modi), I know that education is an issue close to your heart just as it is for me. Your work to ensure all Indians especially girls have the opportunity to pursue an education and gain the skills they need for our modern workforce is so important, she said in a statement.Its exciting to be able to show you some of the innovative programs our schools and businesses are creating for students here, she said. If we want our economies to be strong, we need to invest in the young people who are our future. We need to ensure they have the opportunities they deserve, she said. Modi is on an Official State Visit from June 21-23 at the invitation of President Joe Biden and the First Lady.Education is a cornerstone of the bond between India and the United States one we hope to keep building and strengthening with this visit. Our universities are partnering together, leading research, and creating apprenticeships and internships that span the ocean. And, as weve seen here, students from both our countries are learning and growing along side each other discovering the people 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, she said.While serving as First Lady, Jill Biden continued teaching English and writing at Northern Virginia Community College, where she has been a professor since 2009. She is the first presidential spouse to maintain an independent career outside of the White House. 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 NSF is an independent agency of the US 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. As 32 leaders from more than a dozen opposition parties held a high-optics meeting in Patna on Friday, the BJP, predictably, refused to accord it any importance. The Bharatiya Janata Partys disregard turned into ridicule as the day progressed and public contradictions and even a war of words broke out within the opposition camp. Though in Jammu, union home minister Amit Shah didnt let go of the opportunity to hit out at the Patna huddle. Today a photo session is underway in Patna, said Shah. No matter how many parties come for the meeting, they can never unite. He also took on the oppositions challenge. I want to inform them that PM Modi will form his government in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls with more than 300 seats," Shah said. The meeting ended in Patna with Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal refusing to attend the joint press conference and AAP hit out at the Congress, alleging that it was helping the Narendra Modi government. AAP blamed the Congress for not being supportive on the Delhi ordinance issue. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had already asked the Congress to support the Trinamool Congress in her state if it wants support elsewhere. Sensing the rift ahead of the start of the meeting, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, I request everyone to give up on their differences and get united to save democracy. With so many contradictions at play, BJP fielded its fiery orator Smriti Irani to launch an attack. Appearing at the BJP headquarters at 6A Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, the union minister announced, Unholy alliance ke sath kya unhoni hone wali hai (The unholy alliance will face disaster)." Highlighting the striking contradictions that the opposition parties failed to conceal, Irani said, Congress workers are beaten under Mamata Banerjees rule and now she is sharing dais with the Congress." She went on to attack Banerjee, a key constituent of the alliance. Never would TMC workers have thought that she will share the dais with CPI(M). The TMC is in an acrimonious relationship with the CPI(M) and the Congress in West Bengal which often results in inter-party violence. Earlier in the day, she had derided the opposition huddle, stating that by coming together to oust the BJP in 2024, the opposition parties exhibited that they are incapable of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone". If the BJPs top guns went from employing ridicule to a dismissive tone throughout the day, party president JP Nadda used the opportunity to not just train guns at another key constituent, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, but also mend the perceived deterioration of relations with its own ally Eknath Shindes party. Calling Thackerays father Balasaheb a Hindu Hriday Samrat", Nadda lashed out at the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief. Balasaheb Thackeray used to say that he will not allow Shiv Sena to become Congress. If I have to join hands with the Congress, I will close my shop. Today Balasaheb Thackeray must be thinking that his own son has closed the shop of Shiv Sena. The BJP didnt just use powerful adjectives to dismiss the so-called opposition unity, which trended on Twitter throughout the day. It also put up giant posters outside its party office in Patna, where the meeting took place. In the posters, a photo of Rahul Gandhi, a leader of the largest opposition party, is placed along with Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khans photo with a tweaked quote from the SRK-starrer Devdas. In the poster, the famous Babuji ne kaha gaon chhod do" lines of SRK were added with a twist next to Rahul Gandhi, reading, Mamata Didi asked to leave Bengal, Kejriwal asked to leave Delhi and Punjabthat day is not far when everyone will ask Congress (Rahul) to leave politics." As the day ended, the BJP was brimming with smiles. Inter-party differences oozed out, no seat-sharing arrangements were discussed, and not even a common minimum programme was part of the discourse at the Patna meeting, say sources. Leaders who were present there told News18 on conditions of anonymity that the discussion was primarily on blaming the Modi government for using central agencies against the opposition, and the Manipur violence. Not even the caste census found a place for deliberation, they conceded. No wonder then, another venue is selected for another huddle. This time it is in Shimla where the Congress will play host. Hitting out at Congress for not opposing Centres black ordinance," that effectively gives the lieutenant governor control over administrative services in Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party on Friday said that the grand old partys silence raises suspicions about its real intentions." In a statement, AAP said, Its high time that Congress decides whether it stands with the people of Delhi or the Modi government." Today, during the like-minded party meeting in Patna, many parties urged the Congress to publicly denounce the Black Ordinance. However, the Congress refused to do so," the AAP said. Congress silence raises suspicions about its real intentions. In personal discussions, senior Congress leaders have hinted that their party might informally or formally abstain from voting on it in the Rajya Sabha," the statement read. The Congress abstention from voting on this issue will help the BJP immensely in furthering its attack on Indian democracy," it added. AAP further said called Congress a national party that takes a stand on almost all issues," but has yet to take a stand on the ordinance issue. Our statement on the meeting of political parties on June 23, 2023, in Patna.#OppositionMeeting pic.twitter.com/Mb3u1G75Cf AAP (@AamAadmiParty) June 23, 2023 Except for the Indian National Congress, all other 11 parties, which have representation in the Rajya Sabha, have clearly expressed their stand against the Black Ordinance and announced that they would oppose it in the Rajya Sabha," it further wrote. AAP will find it difficult to be part of any alliance that includes Congress Using strong language, AAP has declared that if Congress refuses to act as a team player, especially on an issue as important as this one, the party would find it very difficult to be a part of any alliance that includes Congress. Until the Congress publicly denounces the Black Ordinance and declares that all 31 of its Rajya Sabha MPs will oppose the ordinance, it will be difficult for AAP to participate in future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant, the party said. Ordinance row between Kejriwal and Centre The Centre had promulgated an ordinance to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority for the transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre. The ordinance came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi to the elected government, excluding those related to police, public order and land. As per the ordinance, all matters required to be decided by the Authority shall be decided by the majority of votes of the members present and voting. However, in case of difference of opinion, the decision of the Lieutenant Governor shall be final. Delhi governments lawyer and Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi termed the act of a bad, poor and graceless loser". Opposition parties meet The statement comes on the same day, after 15 parties took part in the meeting convened in Patna and agreed to fight the Lok Sabha elections together." Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar were among the top figures from a total of 15 parties opposed to the BJP who attended a meeting convened in Patna by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday to formulate a joint strategy ahead of next years Lok Sabha polls. Party leaders will release a statement signed by all 15 opposition parties that had attended the meeting. The next meeting of the Opposition parties will be hosted by Congress and will take place in July, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said at a press conference after the conclusion of the meeting. Shiv Sena secretary and spokesperson Kiran Pawaskar has slammed Sena (UBT) for claiming that the action by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Covid-19 Jumbo Centre case was a tactic by the government to silence them before their July 1 protest march. Pawaskar said the people too supported the inquiry, given the manner in which the Opposition has looted the BMC for the last 24 years. For the last 24 years, they have only looted the BMC. Despite them being in power for such a long time, the citys infrastructure continued to deteriorate. Even during Covid-19, when people were dying and struggling to get medicines, these people were shamelessly making money over dead bodies. And today, when an inquiry is being conducted, they are saying that this is being done out of political vendetta. So you want to continue looting the public and no one should question you? said Pawaskar. He added that the July 1 protest is an eye-wash and a publicity gimmick. July 1 is a Saturday, will they give their memorandum to the BMCs watchman and return? said Pawaskar. Speaking on the ED raids on government officials and aides of Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut, Pawaskar said the inquiries have been delayed and even now, if the inquiry is conducted properly, it will lead them to the mastermind of the scams Aaditya Thackeray. Who is this Suraj Chavan? Even when he was not eligible to pay Income Tax for so many years, how has he amassed so much wealth? Who was he collecting the money for? When all these things will be inquired, it will lead them to Aaditya Thackeray, said Pawaskar. On Uddhav Thackeray claiming that BMCs fixed deposits are being broken, Pawaskar said the money is being used to give Mumbai the development it deserves. We are using the money to give citizens good-quality roads. What did they do? Contracts were given to Sujit Patkar for setting up a Jumbo Covid Centre. What are his credentials, just that he is Sanjay Rauts friend? Why such arbitrary decisions shouldnt be questioned, asked Pawaskar. On the BMCs demolition of an illegal structure that was being called Shiv Sena Shakha in Bandra East, Pawaskar said all sorts of illegal activities were being run from that structure. While the structure was being demolished, there were only a handful of people there in total contrast to the power that Shakhas wielded when Balasaheb was around. This is the reality of their party today, said Pawaskar. Pawaskar also came down heavily on the BMC for fleecing people during the crisis period. During the coronavirus times, BMC charged Rs 6,719 for a body bag which is usually available for around Rs 800. Even in the USA, the bags were acquired at $51, which is roughly Rs 3,900. BMC also acquired Remdesivir vial doses at Rs 1,568 per vial. However, Haffkine Institute had raised the invoice for Rs 665 per vial. Moreover, they charged Rs 207 extra for PPE kits, which they bought as many as 5,000 per day," he said. Pawaskar added: This is the level they stoop to? They were fattening their bank accounts when people were running around for essentials. They have been operating a gang under the garb of a political party and they say we are misusing agencies. If this is the case, then even the military should be used on them. I urge and appeal to the central authorities that those found guilty should be severely punished." Notably, in October 2022, Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde had ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the financial irregularities in the BMC to the tune of Rs 12,024 crore between November 28, 2019, and February 28, 2022. Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar will head the SIT probe, along with the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) joint police commissioner Nishit Mishra among other senior police officers. Andrew Tate has offered to be billionaire Elon Musks trainer and teach him for the upcoming cage match with Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg. This comes after Tate was banned from Metas platforms in 2022. He portrayed his offer to Musk as an act of retaliation against the social media giant. Taking to Twitter, Tate wrote, I will train you @elonmusk.You will not lose." Also Read: 19-Year-old Suleman Was Terrified To Board The Titanic Sub, Aunt Reveals Meta banned me everywhere for telling the truth about vaccines," he further mentioned, stating, But now we can restore honour with a strike at the enemy clans leader." okay submarine is over new thing is that andrew tate is offering to train musk to fight zuckerberg pic.twitter.com/B34ge8k32G jenny_tightpants (@halomancer1) June 22, 2023 Tate earned the position as the newest face of misogyny on the Internet. This is when Meta banned the influencer from Facebook and Instagram for violating its policies. At the time when his account was removed, he had 4.7 million followers on Instagram. In a statement, Meta said that it had removed the influencer from its platforms for violating its policies on dangerous organisations and individuals. The company, however, did not provide further details. Tate has repeatedly made misogynistic, homophobic and other harmful comments. Starting from suggesting that women should bear responsibility" for being raped, calling them mans property" to claiming depression isnt real. He runs an online learning platform called Hustlers University, where he charges people in return for purportedly teaching them how to get rich. Recently, the outrage against Tate has been mounting and now, people are calling for social media platforms to act against him. Also Read: Disturbing Video Shows Toddlers Left Unattended, Kid Beating Another At Bengaluru Pre-school Tate became known ever since his stint on reality show Big Brother UK in 2016, from where he was removed after videos emerged of him hitting a woman with a belt and also verbally abusing her. He had claimed that the act was consensual. A man from Nagpur, Maharashtra who looked heavily pregnant had a rare condition known as Fetus in Fetu. Sanju Bhagat, born in 1963, is often called the pregnant man because of his huge bulging stomach. What looked like severe bloating would often make him stand out in his little community. But, he was unaware of the fact that he was carrying his twin sibling inside him for 36 years. As a child, Bhagat appeared to be fit and healthy despite boasting a slightly more prominent stomach than most of the kids his age. It was not a concern until he entered his 20s. He used to work on a farm every day, so he can feed his family but his belly looked ballooned to an alarming size. Bhagat, who was struggling for survival, ignored the swelling and continued working. He was also often teased by his friends which also turned a concern for his family. But in 1999, the belly bulge was pressed against his diaphragm which made it difficult for him to breathe and he was rushed to a hospital in Mumbai. Dr Ajay Mehta, who was assigned this case, assumed that Bhagat was suffering from a tumour at a first glance. However, during the surgery when the doctors were operating, instead of a massive tumour, they discovered another human being inside him. The doctor in the case in an interview said, He just put his hand inside and he said there are a lot of bones inside. The doctors found limbs, some part of genitalia, some part of hair, jaws and limbs. We were horrified. We were confused and amazed To my surprise and horror, I could shake hands with somebody inside. It was a bit shocking for me, he added. The stunned doctors initially thought that Bhagats case was an example of vanishing twin syndrome which means that his twin died during the pregnancy before being reabsorbed but later on examination and study it was found out that it was a case of fetus in fetu. After the birth, the unborn twin lives like a parasite in its sibling body, it is said that typically, the host twin will realise something is wrong much sooner than Bhagat. Sanju Bhagat reportedly refused to look at the lump of hair and flesh twin described to him after it was removed from his stomach and is now back to live his normal life. Fetus in Fetu is a very rare condition and is considered to occur one in every 5,00,000 live births and occurs when one twin is born inside the other. Indian billionaire businessman and Chairman of Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra delighted his Twitter followers to a captivating thread of pictures and videos from the State Dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House. The evening was a harmonious celebration of music as Mahindra revealed through his posts. With a promise to share glimpses of the event, Mahindras Twitter thread started with a video showcasing talented musicians gracefully playing violins. The second tweet in the thread featured pictures captured inside the White House, showcasing multiple violin players focused on their skilful performances. The highlight of the evening was a violin rendition of the iconic Hindi song Ae mere watan ke logon" by the Marine band. Mahindras accompanying caption explained the familiarity of the tune and further enhanced the significance of the performance. Adding to the musical extravaganza, Mahindra shared a video featuring virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell. The finale of the thread featured a renowned A Capella group from the University of Pennsylvania, enthralling the guests with their rendition of the Hindi song Meri Umar k Nojawaano." I promised to share some images from the State Dinner in Washington in honour of @PMOIndia at the White House. It was a pleasant surprise to see how the dominant theme of the eveningapart from the cuisinewas music. From the very start to the finish (1/5) pic.twitter.com/cnNjiE1r6C anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 23, 2023 Mahindras Twitter posts swiftly gained attention and admiration, amassing over 3,02,000 views and counting. The engaging content also received approximately 7,000 likes and 602 retweets, with the comment section buzzing with delight and appreciation from his followers. Social media users expressed their gratitude to Anand Mahindra for sharing these exclusive glimpses. One user commented, TY Mr Mahindra for sharing these pictures and videos. These are heartening to see." TY Mr Mahindra for sharing these pictures and videos.These are heartening to see ! PHOENIX (@PHOENIX21PHOTON) June 23, 2023 Another user thanked him for including the public in such a prestigious event, stating, Thank you, Sir, for making us part of this journey and honour!! Much appreciated!" Thank you Sir for making us part of this journey and honour!! Much appreciated! #RISE Himanshu Kadam (@not_chai_lover) June 23, 2023 The State Dinner itself was attended by around 400 guests, including prominent Indian business tycoons Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, and esteemed Indian-origin entrepreneurs. Renowned global business leaders, such as Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc, Satya Nadella, CEO and Chairman of Microsoft and former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, also graced the event with their presence. Representing the Indian government, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra were among the distinguished attendees. Notably, Indian-origin US representatives, including politicians Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi, were also present, further emphasizing the strong ties between the two nations. It is very important to have a good equation with your landlord. Not only does this comes with many benefits but also the perks are never ending. Twitter user Srishti Mittal took to her official Twitter handle and shared how her landlord is the sweetest man she has ever met. She mentioned how whenever he makes a visit, it is never empty handed. Meaning, he never forgets to bring something for them. Juice, shakes, cold drinks, and this time, he brought cold coffee for us. Bhgwan aisa landlord sbko de, she wrote. Also Read: Jodhpur Varsity Sets Guinness World Record By Performing 26-hour Surya Namaskar On Yoga Day With this, she shared an image of a cold coffee bottle that her landlord brought this time. The tweet has now gone viral and everyone is longing for a landlord like him. Have a look: My landlord is the sweetest man I have ever met. Whenever he visits us (me and my rommie), he never forgets to bring something for us. Juice, shakes, cold drinks, and this time, he brought cold coffee for usBhgwan aisa landlord sbko de pic.twitter.com/ILcFwpyVpa Srishti Mittal (@SrishtiMittal22) June 22, 2023 i am happy for op if they have a healthy relationship with their land owner, but in my experience, they only come in person to check if the house is maintained properly and/ or if the tenants are smoking or cooking meat. The best land owner is the one who doesnt visit ever, wrote a Twitter user. Another person mentioned, My Gurgaon vale uncle aunty kept giving me meals for long cause I stayed alone. Invited for tea a lot and on every little ocassion or festival. Packed food whenever I travelled. Did not ask for rent even if months went without it. Still wishes me birthday. Make sure he should not deduct money from your advance https://t.co/JcElY39V9f Raf (@Rafique_techie) June 23, 2023 i am happy for op if they have a healthy relationship with their land owner, but in my experience, they only come in person to check if the house is maintained properly and/ or if the tenants are smoking or cooking meat. The best land owner is the one who doesn't visit ever. https://t.co/50yUfOvDQj sleepy cat || @iamdatemike@masto.ai (@iamdatemike) June 22, 2023 My landlord aunty was the sweetest, she would make Vritahar for me on Ekadashi, and she would send me food when I was alone ( I used to live with my sisters), she kept checking on me when I got sick, she gifted me saree for my wedding. It means a lot, and I am very grateful. https://t.co/YADhQkkF5i Yosha (@Blackdrug_) June 22, 2023 In 2012, my dad was ill & hospitalised. When I visited the landlord to give the rent, he asked about my dad who usually gave him rent. After knowing that my dad had been hospitalized, he refused to take the amount & waived off 2 months rent. https://t.co/c3qbR30iS6 Aamer Arafath (@aamerarfath) June 22, 2023 Do you have any such experience? Also Read: Experience Authentic Japan With An Exclusive Stay That Wont Cost a Thing A fresh outbreak of violence in the Israel-occupied West Bank now has the potential of spiralling out of control, the UN issued a stern warning on Friday. These latest killings and the violence, along with the inflammatory rhetoric, serve only to drive Israelis and Palestinians deeper into an abyss, UN human rights chief Volker Turk said. At least 18 people died in the territory this week due to incursions by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), Palestinian miscreants as well as Jewish settlers. Israeli news outlet Haaretz in a report said that Israeli settlers were spotted vandalising a West Bank mosque in the Palestinian village of Urif during a rampage earlier this Wednesday. One masked settler was seen leaving the mosque with a Quran which he later tore apart on a street outside. The Israeli human rights organisation Yesh Din condemned the incident and called it an organised pogrom. The settlers assaults continue with no effort by the army to stop them. The shocking footage demonstrates that the settlers sole purpose is to incite a riot by committing organised pogroms, Yesh Din said in a statement accessed by the Israeli news media outlet. The Palestinian village of Urif was thrown into the spotlight and became the latest flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after Muhanad Shehadeh, 26, and his friend Khaled Sabah, 24, attacked a petrol station outside a nearby Jewish settlement on Tuesday. These Palestinian men were later found to be associated with the terrorist group Hamas - which controls the Gaza Strip - and were shot dead by a passerby and an Israeli army officer moments after they killed four Israelis and seriously wounded four more. Hamas said the attacks on the petrol station were retaliation for the Israeli raid on Jenin refugee camp on Monday that killed six Palestinians. Later on Wednesday, settlers also set ablaze a school and attempted to set fire to homes and the mosque as well. The residents said that the settlers entered the village from the direction of Yitzhar settlement. The two Hamas-affiliated men were reportedly from the village of Urif. In a separate incident, Jewish settlers also set ablaze fire to houses and vehicles in the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya on Wednesday, Haaretz said citing security officials. After the settler rampage, violence broke out between security forces and Palestinians leading to the death of a 27-year-old man named Omar Ketin, who was shot dead. US envoy to Israel Tom Nides slammed the settlers for the violence in the West Bank and said that Washington would not stand idly by and watch the settler violence of recent days. Nides said that Israel has been encouraged by security agencies to take the necessary steps to prevent such violent incidents. The Israeli army acknowledged Friday it failed" to prevent an attack by Jewish settlers on a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank, during which one villager was killed. Revenge attacks on Turmus Ayya and other villages followed the killing of four Israelis by Palestinian gunmen on Tuesday, which militant group Hamas said was in response to an Israeli army raid on Jenin refugee camp which killed six Palestinians the previous day. Army spokesman Daniel Hagari said troops had tried to prevent Israelis from attacking Turmus Ayya but they were stretched too thin. We didnt have, in the first wave, enough forces in the area they chose," he told journalists on Friday. We failed this time," Hagari added. Turmus Ayya residents told AFP they saw between 200 and 300 Israelis rampaging through their village on Wednesday, attacking residents and damaging dozens of houses and cars. A delegation from more than 20 diplomatic missions, including those of the European Union and the United States, visited the village on Friday to inspect the damage. The EUs top representative to the Palestinians, Sven Kuehn von Burgsdorff, blasted Israel for failing to meet its obligations to protect Palestinians. There was no attempt or effort to stop the settlers," he said. Israeli police said on Friday they had arrested three people in connection with the violence, without giving details. Turmus Ayya is home to a significant number of Palestinian-Americans and residents voiced their anger at the lack of action from Washington. We are helpless," Yaser al-Kam, 33, told AFP. Im speaking on behalf of this peaceful town where 80 per cent to 90 per cent of residents are US citizens. We hold passports, does this passport matter?" Al-Kam asked. The 25-year-old Palestinian killed Wednesday, Omar Jabara, was a US Green Card holder, a US official told AFP. The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk, warned the violence, along with the inflammatory rhetoric, serve only to drive Israelis and Palestinians deeper into an abyss." Israels extreme-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, insisted what was needed in the West Bank was a large-scale military operation". Terrorists eliminated, not one or two, but tens and hundreds, and if necessary even thousands," said Ben-Gvir, himself a settler. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as Pakistan Taliban, warned last week that it is proceeding with its plans to build a shadow province in the southwestern province of Balochistan. The news should not only worry the Pakistan government but it is also likely to raise concerns in Beijing as Balochistan is the home to the port city of Gwadar and also to Chinese President Xi Jinpings pet project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). News outlet Nikkei Asia in a report said that such moves by the Pakistan Taliban will become a major problem for China and Pakistan when they restore the multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects under BRI. Chinese engineers have faced attacks from Baloch separatists and now are likely to fear for their safety as the Pakistan Taliban emerges as a new threat. Economic issues have also prevented Pakistans security agencies from providing security to Chinese citizens not involved in the projects and those running businesses. The report said that TTP is planning to establish its own Kalat-Makran province and will build a parallel government in that region. This shadow government, if formed, will cover over 40% Balochistan-area, including a 760-km coastline. The TTP recently attacked a production facility for natural gas and oil in northwest Pakistan and killed at least six policemen and security guards. Beijing has made its new investment in Balochistan conditional with security guarantees, and the emerging threat from TTP will be a huge problem, an independent analyst told Nikkei Asia. Gwadar Port is one of the most important parts of the BRI as well as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is aiming to revive CPEC projects but an economic crisis and dwindling forex reserves have hampered his plans. Now, the rising TTP and its plans to build a shadow province will further hurt Chinas and Pakistans plans and is more likely to anger Xi Jinping who has sternly told Pakistan to ensure safety and security of its citizens after Baloch rebels targeted Chinese citizens on several occasions, most notably the Karachi University attacks last year, killing three Chinese academics. An analyst also told Nikkei Asia that such moves by the Pakistan Taliban is similar to the steps the Taliban regime in Afghanistan took before recapturing the country in 2021. This also puts in peril Pakistan-Iran relations as the area of the so-called shadow province also covers a 400-km border with Iran and a restive border region means that crucial energy imports from Iran could be affected. The analysts also reflected on the fact that if such plans fruition this means the TTP will have to coexist with the left-wing Baloch rebels, who have intensified their attacks on Chinese engineers and projects. Experts told Nikkei Asia that the TTP has a history of coexisting with the Islamic State, which increases the probability that it may coexist with the separatists. Baloch rebels have complained for decades that Pakistan has used the Chinese projects to spy on Baloch residents and uses it to identify and eliminate dissidents who question the atrocities of the Pakistan government. The Pakistan army has been accused of committing human rights abuses on Baloch minorities. VANCOUVER Calibre Mining Corp. announced that assay results from the 2023 near-mine discovery, delineation and resource expansion drilling at its 100% owned Pan Mine in Nevada included higher grades than demonstrated in Pans current mineral resource. The company reported that results at the Palomino target just south of the open pit operation at Pan in White Pine County show the potential to materially increase resource ounces, grade and confidence. The deposit remains open to the southeast and at shallow depths. Pans average grade is 0.4 g/t gold, therefore these higher-grade, near-surface results are very encouraging, said Darren Hall, president and chief executive officer of Calibre. Although a small amount of material at Palomino exists in the inferred resource category, we expect to see substantially more ounces at higher grades. He said in the June 21 announcement that operationally, given proximity to the current South Pit and this deposit is within our permitted disturbance area, we could act on this as early as next year. Drilling is ongoing at Palomino and will shift to the south in July toward our Coyote discovery made late last year. Highlights from the drilling at the Palomino target included 3.84 grams per ton over 15.2 meters, including 4.19 g/t of gold over 13.7 meters in one hole, and 2.08 g/t over 27.4 meters, including 2.67 g/t over 19.8 meters, according to Calibre. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the India-US developments as honhaar, shandaar, dhardaar" during the Hi-Tech Handshake event at the White House, which was attended by US President Joe Biden and CEOs of top Indian and US technology companies. He highlighted that the convergence of talent and technology ensures a brighter future" and expressed gratitude to President Biden on the final day of his state visit. PM Modi and Biden have turned have pushed for the Innovation Handshake," a fresh endeavor designed to tackle regulatory obstacles hindering collaboration between US and India and foster job creation in emerging technologies. Prominent figures such as Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Indian tycoons including chairman of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani and chairman of Mahindra Group Anand Mahindra were observed in attendance at the event. Notable personalities like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams were present during the event. #WATCH | Washington, DC | PM Narendra Modi met top CEOs and Chairmen from the US and India at the White House earlier today. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, Reliance Industries pic.twitter.com/QXC9Ji68nk ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 US President Joe Biden welcomed the discussions and said Our countries are taking innovation and cooperation to a new level." Biden further said, Our cooperation matters, not just for our own people but quite frankly to the whole world as our partnership is about more than the next breakthrough or the next deal as big as they may be. It is about taking climate change, about tackling, about exploring the universe, about lifting people out of poverty, preventing pandemics and giving our citizens real opportunity." Were going to see more technological changein the next 10 years than weve seen in the last 50 years," he said. President Biden said their partnership will ensure a free, more secure and prosperous future for the coming generation. PM Modi thanked Biden for his presence and said, This morning is only among a few friends, but has brought with it the guarantee of a bright future." The coming together of talent and technology guarantees a brighter future," he added. During PM Modis three-day state visit to US, the two leaders have announced significant investments by US-based companies in India. One notable investment is Micron Technologys commitment to constructing a semiconductor assembly and test facility in India, amounting to $2.75 billion. Micron will contribute over $800 million, while the remaining financing will be provided by India. Additionally, Applied Materials will establish a new semiconductor center in India dedicated to commercialisation and innovation. Lam Research, a semiconductor manufacturing equipment company, will also initiate a training program for 60,000 Indian engineers. In the realm of space exploration, India has formally joined the Artemis Accords, which serve as a blueprint for international cooperation in NASAs lunar exploration plans. Moreover, NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) have agreed to undertake a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024. Earlier this year, the India and US launched the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies, which paves the way for collaboration in semiconductor production, artificial intelligence development and relaxed export control regulations. This initiative played a vital role in securing a recent deal between US-based General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), enabling the production of Tejas fighter jet engines in India. Prime Minister Modi was also honored at a State Department luncheon hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. PM Modi also delivered an address to members of the Indian diaspora in the United States before concluding his visit to Washington in the evening. A top White House official reaffirmed on Friday that the United States does not consider India as a counterweight to China, emphasizing that Prime Minister Narendra Modis State Visit was not centered around Beijing. John Kirby, US National Security Council spokesman, said the Washington-New Delhi relationship stands on its own merit and is about the Indian and American people. PM Modi in US Highlights: PM Raises Toast to India-US Friendship at State Luncheon, to End Visit with Address to Indian Diaspora Today While acknowledging Indias challenges with China, Kirby emphasized that India deals with them independently. This State visit (of PM Modi) wasnt about China. India has challenges with China as well right on their doorstep and more broadly in their region. Clearly, the challenges presented by the PRC to both our nations were on the agenda yesterday. But this wasnt about leveraging India to be some sort of counter-weight. India is a sovereign, independent state," John Kirby said during a press conference. VIDEO | This State visit wasnt about China as India is a sovereign independent state and they have their own foreign policy that they have to manage. They live in a tough neighborhood, says White House official John Kirby on PM Modis State Visit to the US.#PMModiUSVisit pic.twitter.com/Lwfiv4vy9A Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 23, 2023 Answering a question on Indias role with respect to Washingtons China policy, Kirby said, We are not viewing India as a counterweight to China. We werent approaching the state visit as some sort of messaging opportunity to China." Kirby stressed that PM Modis visit was about sending the message to the American and Indian people about how important this bilateral relationship is and people around the world. India has challenges on their own and they address those challenges, largely on their own. Now, they are the members of the Indo-Pacific Quad and have been terrific contributors to the multilateral form," he added. Regarding India-Russia ties, the White House official said, India has to make its own choices about (Russian) oil purchases and we hope that we can continue to see that they purchase Russian oil at or below the price cap, as they have been." On Friday, PM Modi met with US and Indian technology CEOs in Washington, the final day of a state visit marked by pledges of deeper US-India cooperation in areas including space, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. President Joe Biden and Modi gathered with CEOs including Apples Tim Cook, Googles Sundar Pichai and Microsofts Satya Nadella. Also present were Sam Altman of OpenAI, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, and Indian tech leaders including Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, and Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, the White House said. Our partnership between India and the United States will go a long way, in my view, to define what the 21st century looks like," Biden told the group, adding that technological cooperation would be a big part of that partnership. The video was shocking not just for what it showed but also for what was said. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the outspoken millionaire head of the private military contractor Wagner, stood in front of the bloodied bodies of his slain troops in Ukraine and yelled expletive-riddled insults at Russian military leaders, blaming them for the carnage. They came here as volunteers and they died to let you lounge in your mahogany offices, Prigozhin shouted during the video in May. You are sitting in your expensive clubs, your children are enjoying good living and filming videos on YouTube. Those who dont give us ammunition will be eaten alive in hell! It was a disquieting display for Russians used to more than two decades of rigidly controlled rule by President Vladimir Putin years with little sign of infighting among his top lieutenants. Prigozhins video and his other rants against the military leadership have been met with silence from Putin. Some see the presidents failure to squelch the infighting as a sign of potential shifts in Russias political scene that sets the stage for more internal battles. Prigozhins rift with the military escalated sharply Friday, when he accused Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of ordering a rocket strike on Wagners field camps that resulted in a huge number of casualties. The Defense Ministry quickly rejected Prigozhins claim. He said the Wagner forces were embarking on a mission to punish the military leaders who ordered the strike and urged the army not to offer resistance, saying his troops will fire at any military checkpoints that would try to stop them and down any attacking aircraft. We would see those who try to oppose us as a threat and destroy them immediately, he declared. The evil envisaged by the countrys military leadership must be stopped, Prigozhin shouted in a recorded statement, adding that his forces werent seeking to challenge Putin and other government structures. We will sort it out with those who destroy Russian soldiers and then return to the front line. Justice in the armed forces will be restored, and then justice will be restored in all of Russia." The conflict so far has been ignored by state-controlled TV, where most Russians get their news. Its followed closely, however, by the politically active, ultrapatriotic readers and viewers on social media networks, which share his contempt for military leaders. The blistering criticism also continues even though the Kremlin vigorously cracks down on other critics through fines and imprisonment. While there are no indications Putin is losing influence, there are growing signs of deep dysfunction, anxiety, worry about the war and real problems in marshaling the resources necessary to fight it effectively, said Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the editor of its Strategic Survey. Prigozhins feud with military leaders goes back years, and it spilled into the open amid the fighting for the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut that was spearheaded by his mercenaries. It has pushed the 62-year-old Wagner owner, dubbed Putins chef for his lucrative Kremlin catering contracts, to the forefront of Russian politics and signaled his growing ambitions. He has scathingly criticized Shoigu, the defense minister and the chief of the General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov, as weak and incompetent in mocking statements full of vulgar language. With the Ukrainian counteroffensive now in its initial stages, Prigozhin has accused the military brass of playing down the threat it presents and warned that Russian defenses could collapse. And he said hes asked the countrys top criminal investigation agency to open a probe of Shoigu and Gerasimov, urging their prosecution for the deaths of tens of thousands of Russians and surrendering territorial gains. With his crude and caustic remarks, Prigozhin ventured into areas where only Putin had gone before: Over the years, the Russian leader occasionally broke decorum with an earthy remark or off-color joke, while top officials used carefully worded language. In another recent video, Prigozhin made a statement that some have interpreted as a thinly veiled attack on Putin himself. He declared that while his men were dying due to the Defense Ministrys failure to supply ammunition, a happy granddad is thinking hes doing well, and then referred to that granddad with an obscenity. The blunt comment caused a social media uproar, where it was broadly seen as a reference to Putin. Prigozhin later said he was talking about Gerasimov. Prigozhin is now sailing much closer to the wind than he ever has, Gould-Davies told The Associated Press. Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political commentator, described Prigozhin as the second-most popular man after Putin and a symbol of Russias military victory for millions of people. Putin needs Prigozhins mercenaries at a time when the regular military is still recovering from setbacks earlier in the invasion. The Wagner chiefs position was bolstered after the private army captured Bakhmut last month in the wars longest and bloodiest battle, relying on tens of thousands of convicts who were promised pardons if they survived six months of fighting. Putin dominates the system, but he still sort of depends upon a small number of big people to implement his will, to provide him with resources to carry out his orders, including fighting the war, Gould-Davies told AP. While Putin may adhere to keeping various factions divided and then intervening to decide who wins and who loses, and whos up and whos down, the process erodes the governments authority in wartime, Gould-Davies said. That may be a way of keeping the political system going, but its certainly not the way to fight the war, because if your military forces are divided and if theyre not fighting together effectively, then your military operations will suffer accordingly and thats exactly whats happening here, he said. Mark Galeotti, a London-based expert on Russian politics and security, noted the infighting was continuing amid Ukraines counteroffensive a point when really everyone should have one single common goal. In a recent podcast, he speculated that Putins failure to resolve political disputes could be rooted in a lack of interest, a focus on other issues or, more likely, a reluctance to take sides. It also raises questions about his overall capacity to do his job, Galeotti said. This is the one thing, the one job he cant really outsource, and hes not even trying. Prigozhin has allied with other hawkish officials, reportedly including Tula Gov. Alexei Dyumin, a former Putin bodyguard seen by many as a potential successor. The Wagner head also gravitated for some time toward Ramzan Kadyrov, the Moscow-backed regional leader of Chechnya. While denouncing most senior military leaders, Prigozhin spoke approvingly about Gen. Sergei Surovikin, who led Russian forces in Ukraine for several months before Putin appointed Gerasimov to oversee the operations. But some of those alliances have been shaky. While Kadyrov initially praised Prigozhin and backed some of his criticism of the military leaders, he later shifted course and criticized him for sounding defeatist. Kadyrovs lieutenants went further, blasting Wagners efforts in Bakhmut after Prigozhin made dismissive comments about Chechen fighters in Ukraine. Kadyrovs right-hand man, Magomed Daudov, bluntly said Prigozhin would have been executed for such statements during World War II. Prigozhin quickly backed off, saying he was only expressing concern about Russian operations. Prigozhin has dodged questions about his ambitions, but in a move that reflected his desire to gain political clout, he recently toured Russia, continuing a barrage of blustery comments. There are signs that he seeks some sort of political future, Gould-Davies observed. Even though Prigozhin owes his position and wealth to Putin, hes playing the role of outsider with his criticism of some leaders and by trying to appeal to the masses amid setbacks in Ukraine, said Andrei Kolesnikov of the Carnegie Endowment. He is posturing as an enemy of the elites, even though he is a product of Putins system, the embodiment of his regime and state contracts, Kolesnikov said. Prigozhin is playing an independent politician, raising the stakes and testing the systems limits. But its only technically and physically possible for as long as Putin finds him useful and is amused by his escapades. In a show of support for the military, Putin backed the Defense Ministrys demand for all private companies to sign contracts with it something Prigozhin has refused to do. And in another sign Putins administration may finally be cutting Prigozhin down to size, messaging app channels connected to the Kremlin carried photos of his partying children, including a daughter in Dubai, in apparent retaliation for Prigozhins attacks on the defense ministers daughter. Prigozhin has urged all-out war with Ukraine, including a total nationwide mobilization and the introduction of martial law in Russia calls welcomed by some hawks. But Kolesnikov notes the vast majority of Russians who are mostly apathetic or unwilling to make larger sacrifices could be frightened and appalled by that message. He cautions against overestimating Prigozhins clout and political prospects, and underestimating Putins authority. Its enough for the commander-in-chief to move his finger to make the Wagner chief disappear, Kolesnikov said. Top American lawmakers applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modis address to the US Congress that called for deepening the strong friendship between the two democracies, fostered by a range of close economic ties and expanded cooperation on areas like defence, trade and technology. Representing 1.4 billion Indians, Modi who addressed the US Congress on Thursday, said it is always a great honour and an exceptional privilege to address the US Congress twice. This is the second time that the prime minister has addressed the US Congress, the first time being in 2016. Prime Minister Modis address to Congress today emphasised the strong friendship that has been built between our two countries, fostered by a range of close economic ties and shared opportunities, Senator Mark Warner, Chairperson of the Senate Intelligence Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus said. PM Modis visit is an important opportunity to strengthen the ties between our two nations.For both the U.S. and Indias economies and national security, theres never been a more critical time to deepen our partnership. Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) June 22, 2023 Im pleased to see President Biden and Prime Minister Modi utilise this visit to continue to deepen the bonds between our countries and expand our cooperation on defence, trade, technology, and innovation, he said. Great to be here for PM Modis address to Congress! The continued cooperation of our nations the worlds two largest democracies is more critical now than ever. pic.twitter.com/ckrj38SgXq Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) June 22, 2023 House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul in a statement warmly welcomed Modis visit and joint address to Congress, and the deepening of ties between the United States and India, including in defence and space cooperation, technology sharing, and people-to-people ties. This visit will serve to strengthen our shared commitment to a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific and support for a rules-based international order. Because of the impact the U.S-India relationship will have on creating prosperity and security for billions of people, we look forward to this visit advancing our cooperation and further strengthening US-India ties, they said. Congressman French Hill said during his address, Prime Minister Modi demonstrated his understanding of how important the relationship between our two nations is and how they must continue to build upon their economic partnership, shared values, and national security needs to expand democracy around the world. Today, @narendramodi delivered a passionate address about the importance of the relationship between the US and #India during a joint meeting of Congress. My full statement, below: https://t.co/rrwg6Mcduf French Hill (@RepFrenchHill) June 22, 2023 Prime Minister Modi is a key ally of the United States and I thank him for his leadership in strengthening the relationship between our two nations, Hill said. It was an honor to escort my friend @narendramodi onto the House Floor and welcome him to our Nations Capitol today!" tweeted Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. It was an honor to escort my friend @narendramodi onto the House Floor and welcome him to our Nations Capitol today! pic.twitter.com/r10LPkcQY5 Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (@RepBrianFitz) June 23, 2023 Several other prominent lawmakers took to Twitter to welcome and applaud PM Modis speech. After years of negotiation and my calls to lower tariffs on pulse crops, Im glad to see India agree to reduce burdensome trade barriers. This is GREAT NEWS for MT farmers and for Americas relationship with our ally IndiaIm excited for this hard-fought win for MT ag! pic.twitter.com/XrJT9Z2A8m Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) June 22, 2023 Today I attended the joint address to Congress given by Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi.The U.S.-India partnership is critical for promoting peace and democracy globally, and growing our economy here at home. Rep. Greg Stanton (@RepGregStanton) June 22, 2023 Outstanding to meet Prime Minister @narendramodi of India! Tomorrow I am introducing a bipartisan resolution re-affirming Indias territorial sovereignty against incursions from communist China. Our nations will forge a bright future together! @CGI_Atlanta @IndianEmbassyUS pic.twitter.com/dZ8q8HfmxJ Congressman Rich McCormick, MBA MD (@RepMcCormick) June 22, 2023 Democracies of the world must work together to solve our global challenges, and today the U.S. Congress welcomed @narendramodi of India to a joint session. I look forward to continuing to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between our two nations. pic.twitter.com/kjd86rO2nY Rep. Colin Allred (@RepColinAllred) June 22, 2023 It was a privilege to welcome Prime Minister @narendramodi to the U.S. Capitol, one of the greatest symbols of democracy in the world. I look forward to increased economic and national security ties between our two great nations," Speaker Kevin McCarthy said. Prime Minister Modis visit is an opportunity for the U.S. & India to celebrate our longstanding partnership, forge new areas of cooperation, & be clear-eyed about threats posed to our alliance by the Chinese Communist Party. I was glad to be a witness at todays Joint Session," Senator Roger Wicker tweeted. Good to be at reception after the speech by #Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi. pic.twitter.com/nk9j9eSRmL Congressman Brad Sherman (@BradSherman) June 22, 2023 India is a key partner in trade, and in the effort to counter the growing influence of the Chinese government.I attended PM Modi's joint address to Congress, and Im committed to working on a bipartisan basis to strengthen our diplomatic, economic and security cooperation. Senator Gary Peters (@SenGaryPeters) June 22, 2023 #NY11 is home to a vibrant Indian-American community. It was a pleasure to welcome PM @narendramodi to the Capitol today & I look forward to watching our country's strategic relationship grow, particularly in the areas of tech, defense & finance. pic.twitter.com/IXWZhD1BXs Office of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (@RepMalliotakis) June 22, 2023 I was thrilled to welcome Prime Minister @narendramodi to the Capitol and thank him and all of India for our friendship and alliance. I look forward to our ongoing partnership economically, militarily, and diplomatically.https://t.co/4uPFBsQwLu Congressman Mike Lawler (@RepMikeLawler) June 22, 2023 Today, we welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to the US Capitol for a joint meeting of Congress. pic.twitter.com/3Vhw814GCT Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 23, 2023 Todays meeting with Indian PM @narendramodi comes at a consequential moment in our two countries relationship. We face common challenges, and share a commitment to keeping the Indo-Pacific free and open," Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said. Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Friday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision for Digital India, emphasizing that it was ahead of its time and has now become a global model. This praise came after Pichai had a brief interaction with the Prime Minister in Washington, alongside other top American tech CEOs. PM Modi in US Highlights: PM Raises Toast to India-US Friendship at State Luncheon, to End Visit with Address to Indian Diaspora Today His vision for Digital India was way ahead of its time. I now see it as blueprint other countries are looking to do. The follow-through of scaling up Indias digital stack is model other countries are thinking about," Pichai said after meeting Modi. The Indian-American executive of the US tech giant, who last met Modi in December, shared with the Prime Minister that Google is investing USD 10 billion in the digitization fund of India. We shared with the Prime Minister that Google is investing USD 10 billion in Indias digitization fund. And we are continuing to invest through that including in companies working in AI," he said. Pichai also announced that Google is bringing the companys generative AI chatbot Bard to more Indian languages very soon. He shared that Google is opening up its global fin-tech operation center in the Gift City of Gujarat. It will cement Indias fintech leadership thanks to UPI and Aaddhar. We are going to build on the foundation and take it globally," he added. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said PM Modi invited Pichai to explore further avenues of collaboration in the domains of Artificial Intelligence, fintech and cybersecurity. A good conversation between PM Narendra Modi and CEO of Alphabet Inc. & Google Sundar Pichai. PM invited Sundar Pichai to explore further avenues of collaboration in the domains of Artificial Intelligence (AI); fintech; cybersecurity products & services; as well as mobile device manufacturing in India, Bagchi tweeted. They also discussed collaboration between Google and academic institutions in India to promote R&D and skill development. On Friday, the Prime Minister met with US and Indian technology CEOs in Washington on the final day of a state visit. President Joe Biden and Modi gathered with CEOs including Apples Tim Cook, Sundar Pichai and Microsofts Satya Nadella. The CEOs discussed the enormous opportunities and ways to deepen institutional cooperation in cutting-edge tech and R&D between the two countries. India-US | Trusted partners in High Technology collaborations. PM Narendra Modi & @POTUS @JoeBiden addressed a gathering of Indian and American CEOs of leading tech companies at a special event in the @WhiteHouse. @SecRaimondo moderated the event," Bagchi said in a tweet. | Trusted partners in High Technology collaborations.PM @narendramodi & @POTUS @JoeBiden addressed a gathering of Indian and American CEOs of leading tech companies at a special event in the @WhiteHouse. @SecRaimondo moderated the event. The CEOs discussed the pic.twitter.com/lHlX1SEV61 Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) June 23, 2023 The Prime Minister underlined the immense potential of harnessing India-US tech cooperation for socio-economic growth. Also present were Sam Altman of OpenAI, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, and Indian tech leaders including Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, and Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries. A woman from the US city of Cleveland was charged with murder after she left her 16-month-old all alone to go on a week-long vacation. 20-year-old Kristel Candelario returned home to find her daughter Jailyn, unresponsive last Friday morning at their home on West 97th Street. Investigators pronounced Jailyn dead at the scene and said that the child was extremely dehydrated, according to local news outlet WKYC. Kristel Candelario later admitted that she went to both Puerto Rico and Detroit for a total of eight days leaving her daughter Jailyn alone and without care inside the house. The investigators told the news outlet that they found the childs play bin packed with soiled blankets and a bottom liner, saturated with urine and faeces. The news of the death of the child also impacted the community as neighbours lay devastated after being told about the developments. We were absolutely heartbroken. We loved Jailyn a lot, a neighbour told WKYC. The neighbour and her mother said they first saw the child in August 2022 when the mother asked them to watch the child for the weekend. They recalled that days would turn into weeks and Calendario would not pick up the phone and even if she did she would make excuses for why she did not return to pick her daughter up. They said they would call the mother up and ask for money at times so that they could buy baby food but the mother would not respond. Despite this, these neighbours on several occasions tended to the baby girl and took care of her in her mothers absence. Jailyn really didnt deserve what happened to her. She was amazing and really adorable and I miss her a lot. I wish for her to pay for what she did to her daughter, the neighbour said. The neighbours told the investigators that they wish Calendario would have asked them to watch Jailyn. The mother appeared before the court this week and is currently being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail on a $1 million bond. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner will rule on Jailyns exact cause of death and the case is expected to go to a grand jury, WKYC said in its report. Mohammad Lootah, president and CEO of the Dubai Chambers, praised China's strong infrastructure and fintech sectors, and rapid advancement in cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet. Representatives of chambers of commerce from several countries and regions have expressed confidence in China's economy during the 13th World Chambers Congress, which is currently happening in Geneva. Mohammad Lootah, president and CEO of the Dubai Chambers, told Xinhua that he saw China as a growing economy backed up by a strong manufacturing sector and talent pool, which he said was vital for innovation. He also praised China's strong infrastructure and fintech sectors, and rapid advancement in cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet. Dubai Chambers has set up three offices in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong and witnessed a quick recovery of Chinese business activities after the COVID-19 pandemic, Lootah said. Dubai remains a significant partner of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a cooperation platform aimed at common development proposed by China ten years ago, Lootah said. He added that the BRI project has helped China to play a pivotal role in Dubai's non-oil sectors, with key growth sectors including tourism, telecommunications, renewables, smart cities, artificial intelligence, and other technology-oriented industries. Dario Gallina, president of the Torino Chamber of Commerce in Italy, told Xinhua that the Chinese market is a prime source of revenue for Italian products and the country's tourism industry. As the Chinese economy continues to develop, Chinese people's spending power is increasing, he said. China has good infrastructure and well-educated people, with a relatively low cost of labor and a wide variety of consumer groups, which offer good business opportunities for entrepreneurs, Gallina said. According to Alexandra Gaillard, president of the Geneva Chapter of the Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SCCC), the Chinese economy has fully regained momentum after the COVID-19 pandemic. The SCCC often receives delegations from different regions of China, which seek potential business opportunities in Switzerland and Europe, Gaillard said. UPDATE Jun 23, 2023 1:10 AM CDT Wyoming's first-in-the-nation abortion pill ban has been blocked before it had a chance to take effect. A judge ruled Thursday that the ban must not take effect July 1, as had been planned, while a lawsuit against it proceeds, the AP reports. The same people challenging the abortion pill ban also sued to challenge Wyoming's general abortion ban, which was also temporarily blocked by the same judge. The judge combined the two lawsuits. Mar 18, 2023 1:30 PM CDT Wyoming has taken the battle against the use of pills for abortion to another level, becoming the first state to enact a specific ban. The legislation, signed into law Friday by Republican Gov. Mark Gordon, decrees it "unlawful to prescribe, dispense, distribute, sell or use any drug for the purpose of procuring or performing an abortion," the Washington Post reports. People who take the pills, which is permissible to treat "natural miscarriages," will not face criminal prosecution. But the law provides for penalties for doctors or others found to have broken the new law of up to six months' imprisonment and a fine of as much as $9,000. Journalists, especially the ones at ProPublica, are wondering how the Wall Street Journal could have criticized an investigation into Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's possible ethics violations before the article had been published. Two ProPublica reporters had emailed questions to Alito on Friday with a request to reply by noon Tuesday, the New York Times reports. Instead, Alito wrote an article of his own defending his decisions to take a fishing trip on a hedge fund billionaire's tab without including it in a financial disclosure report. The Journal published that article Tuesday evening on an opinion page under the headline, "Justice Samuel Alito: ProPublica Misleads Its Readers." ProPublica published its investigation several hours later, meaning the Journal had printed a shot at the article before anyone had read it. The Journal answered Thursday with another opinion piece, saying it didn't need to read the investigation. "We saw ProPublica's list of 18 questions and had a good idea of where the reporters were going," the piece says. "The story proved us right." ProPublica's editor-in-chief pointed out that the the Journal attacked his publication without asking for our comment, which is pretty standard in journalism. "We're curious to know whether the Journal fact-checked the essay before publication," Stephen Engelberg said. A Columbia University professor said the Journal could not have factchecked Alito's assertions, of course, because ProPublica hadn't yet published. Rod Hicks of the Society of Professional Journalists called it "quite uncommon for a news outlet to allow an official to use its platform to respond to questions from a different outlet." The Journal's editorial board also accused ProPublica of inventing "a non-scandal built on partisan spin intended to harm the Justice and the current Court majority," per the Hill. (Read more Samuel A. Alito stories.) / This Is the Most Livable City in the World Vienna is No. 1 in rankings of 170+ cities worldwide; no US cities make the top 10 Exactly 40 years after the teenage daughter of a Vatican employee disappeared, the Vatican said Thursday that new leads "worthy of further investigation" had surfaced hopes of finally getting to the bottom of one of the Holy See's enduring mysteries. Emanuela Orlandi vanished June 22, 1983, after leaving her family's Vatican City apartment to go to a music lesson in Rome. Her father was a lay employee of the Holy See. Over the years, her disappearance has been linked to everything from the plot to kill St. John Paul II, a financial scandal involving the Vatican bank, and Rome's criminal underworld. The Vatican's criminal prosecutor, Alessandro Diddi, said Thursday he had recently forwarded to prosecutors in Rome all the relevant evidence he'd gathered in the six months since he reopened the investigation into Orlandi's disappearance. In a statement, he vowed to keep pursuing the case, per the AP. Popular interest in the case was renewed last year with the four-part Netflix documentary Vatican Girl, which explored the various scenarios suspected in her disappearance and also provided new testimony from a friend who said Orlandi had told her a week before she disappeared that a high-ranking Vatican cleric had made sexual advances toward her. After the documentary aired, and with the 40th anniversary of her disappearance nearing, Orlandi's familybacked by some lawmakerspressed for an Italian parliamentary commission of inquiry. Separately, the Vatican and Rome prosecutor's offices reopened the investigation. Rome's previous chief prosecutor who archived the case within the Italian legal system, Giuseppe Pignatone, is now the chief judge of the Vatican's criminal tribunal, where Diddi is the chief prosecutor. In the statement, Diddi said his office had collected "all the evidence available in the structures of the Vatican and the Holy See." Diddi added that his office had also interrogated people who held Vatican positions 40 years ago. "It has proceeded to [examining] the material, confirming some investigative leads worthy of further investigation, and transmitting all the relevant documentation, in recent weeks, to the prosecutor's office in Rome, so that the latter may take a look at it and proceed in the direction it deems most appropriate," the statement said. He expressed solidarity with the Orlandi family. Pietro Orlandi, who has fought for 40 years to find the truth about his sister, is planning a sit-in protest Sunday near the Vatican. (Read more Emanuela Orlandi stories.) As friends and relatives mourn the five people who died in the Titan submersible, more questions are being raised about safety, with one expert calling the tragedy "clearly preventable." William Kohnen, chairman of the Manned Underwater Vehicles Committee, tells the BBC that the industry hasn't seen any other major disasters since the 1960s. He says a submersible like the Titan would not be allowed to carry passengers in US or Canadian waters without being certified. The committee wrote to OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, one of the five who died, in 2018 warning of potentially "catastrophic" problems with the vessel. The youngest passenger was 19-year-old Suleman Dawood, a student at a Glasgow university who died along with his father, British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood. His aunt, Azmeh Dawood, tells NBC that Suleman told relatives he was "terrified and "wasn't very up" for the trip to the Titanic wreckage, but he didn't want to disappoint his father on Father's Day weekend. She says her older brother was obsessed with the Titanic from a young age. The aunt says she had not been in touch with many family members in recent years but remained close to Suleman. Johnnie Mae had suffered two recent losses, including that of her father, when she stood in front of friends and family and committed to the love of her life on Monday. But within the hour, her groom was dead, too. As Mae and new husband Toraze Davis of Omaha, Nebraska, left the church where they said "I do," Davis suffered a blood clot that made his heart stop. "It happened within seconds ... just an hour after the ceremony had begun," friend Jewel Roberson tells KETV . Family and friends are now rallying behind Mae, director of ECO Supportive Living, which assists the elderly and those with disabilities. "Johnnie Mae has suffered through so much," says Roberson. Now "she's been widowed and married in a 10-minute span." "It's seriously the saddest thing ever," Tricia Pugsley tells the State. She was supposed to DJ the couple's wedding reception, but "they went to the hospital instead." That's where Mae "had to say goodbye to her new husband." A GoFundMe page has raised more than $10,000 for Mae and the children the couple shared. Mae "always helps others; this is our time to help her," the page reads. Some are finding solace in knowing that 48-year-old Davis died on what was evidently "the happiest day of his life," a friend tells KETV. Another friend says she hopes the tragedy will teach others to care for themselves, including through annual visits to the doctor. "Not all medical emergencies are preventable. However, some may be," says nurse Tonja Ross. (Read more Nebraska stories.) SNCTM bills itself as "the world's most exclusive members-only club," designed for "personal exploration" (ie, high-end sex orgies) and strict on maintaining privacy for those who belong. Now, however, the Los Angeles Times reports that the group's founder, 52-year-old Damon Lawner, has been banned for life after recently committing the faux pas of publicly name-dropping one of the club's supposed members: Hunter Biden. The claim by Lawnerwho sold SNCTM in 2019 for $1 million because he said the lifestyle he became immersed in through it destroyed relationships with familywas cited in a Tuesday Times profile on Lawner, who first mentioned Biden's name this week in an Instagram story. "Hunter was a member at Snctm and I canceled his membership after 1 party because he's a scumbag," Lawner wrote. He didn't elaborate, and the post has since been deleted, but now the man described by one of the first women he hired to work at SNCTM as a "modern-day sex Jesus" is no longer welcome at the club's events. "We neither confirm nor deny the identities of our attendees," an SNCTM spokeswoman tells the Times. She adds that the club takes its members' privacy seriously, and that "any infringement leads to a lifetime ban. Please note that Mr. Lawner's membership has been revoked, effective immediately." Lawner tells the Times he knew he'd likely get booted due to his disclosure, but he says he was willing to assume the risk. "Posting what I did on my Instagram about Hunter was me letting people know that the type of behavior that he exhibited was something that upsets me," he notes, adding that one of SNCTM's current owners personally texted him to let him know he was banned. He gives a few more details to the New York Post on Biden's alleged behavior, including that the president's son was kicked out for "grabbing women's asses" and acting "like a spoiled child." There's been no comment from the Biden camp over the allegations, but per the Post, an IRS whistleblower who testified in front of Congress on Thursday claimed Biden deducted tens of thousands of dollars from his taxes on money spent for a prostitute and on a sex club, said to be SNCTM. Much more here on the hush-hush group, which Lawner is said to have modeled after the Tom Cruise movie Eyes Wide Shut, and which also reportedly saw the likes of Bill Maher, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler at its events. (Read more Hunter Biden stories.) A fire chief in South Carolina is being sued over what the mothers of two teenagers say was conduct "utterly intolerable in a civilized community." According to the lawsuit, Townville Fire Chief Billy McAdams and his son chased two 17-year-olds at high speeds and held them at gunpoint last summer after the teens used McAdams' driveway to turn around, the Washington Post reports. In 911 calls heard by the Post and Fox Carolina , the teens said they were being chased by armed men in two pickup trucks. "They're yelling and trying to run us off the road," one teen said. "And all we did was we just made a little quick turn around in their yard, gave them a wave because they were in their garage." The teen told the Oconee County dispatcher that they were going to pull over, but the men "were extremely enraged, and we didn't want to have a gun pulled on us or anything like that." According to the lawsuit, the pursuers boxed the teens in at an intersection. "They're making us get out of the car with guns," one teen told the dispatcher. "Ma'am, I'm sorry. I'm gettingwe're getting on the ground." McAdams had used his radio to call dispatchers in Anderson County to say he "possibly witnessed a robbery" and was following a car. The Post reports that recordings show that when authorities realized McAdams was one of the pursuers the teens had reported, the Oconee County dispatcher asked Anderson County to tell the fire chief to put his gun away, but he had hung up by that point. According to the lawsuit, the teens became lost while scouting locations to hunt geese and decided McAdams' "large, well-maintained gravel drive" was a good place to turn around. The lawsuit accuses McAdams and his son of assault and false imprisonment. The fire chief denies the accusations, though a court filing states that he admitted chasing the car, pointing a gun at the teens, and ordering them to lie on the ground. According to a sheriff's office incident report, he told officers that he decided to chase the car because there had been a "lot of thefts" at his home. No charges were filed at the time, but the sheriff's office says it recently reopened the investigation due to "new information." (Read more South Carolina stories.) With the 2024 election looming, California has a "contradiction" at play ahead of next year's polls: People there love their state, but many are also mulling packing it up and leaving. That's per the Los Angeles Times , which reports on a new survey that details what's become sticking points for disillusioned Golden Staters. The California Community Poll , a joint initiative between the Times and the Strategies 360 PR/comms firm, queried about 1,350 California adults between June 6 and June 16, and among its key findings was the fact that more than 70% of residents were happy living there, noting the state's diversity as a major factor that "brings people together around new ideas and vibrant communities." Economic opportunities and a comfortable environment were also cited, and the Times notes that the state's natural and cultural attractions are also a draw. On the flip side, however, "Californians face deep economic anxieties," the poll notes. Locals are irked at how much they pay for health care, routine expenses, and rent and mortgagesin February, an economist told KABC that housing costs, especially in bigger coastal cities, had become "ridiculously high." Meanwhile, less than 30% of households making $50,000 to $100,000 per year feel they can live a decent lifestyle and still save a good chunk of money. Plus, women and people of color say they're still regularly facing challenges, including discrimination, lack of access to good schools, and roadblocks on everything from getting jobs and receiving adequate pay, to being treated fairly by police. On ditching their home state, upward of 40% of those surveyed say they've contemplated making the move, with about half of those respondents saying they're thinking about it "very seriously"and almost 30% of those polled say they'd consider leaving due to political differences. All of this has combined to make appealing to constituents a little tougher for the next round of candidates. "Voters who are anxious about the economy but happy with the cultural climate are a complicated challenge for candidates who have to appeal to those mixed feelings," USC political communications instructor Dan Schnur, who helped conduct the survey, tells the Times. So where are defecting Californians headed to? The PODS moving company says its data showed that Dallas is the top destination, followed by Seattle; Portland, Oregon; and Nashville, Tennessee. KABC, which notes the state's population lost more than 500,000 people between April 2020 and July 2022, talks to eight former Californians who've made the move to Texas over the past year to see if the grass was indeed greener on the other side. (Read more California stories.) While it apparently hasn't reached the loyalty oath stage yet, the House Freedom Caucus is struggling to maintain unity amid infighting and mutual distrust. Politico , citing "three Republicans with knowledge of the talks," reports some members of the conservative caucus want to purge its ranks, with at least two hardliners proposing to caucus chairman Rep. Scott Perry that he kick out members who don't meet its standards. The insiders say one leading candidate for expulsion is Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is seen as too close to House Speaker Kevin McCarthyand too willing to openly criticize the caucus. Insiders say cliques have formed and some members feel unable to speak openly during meetings, fearing other members might snitch on them to McCarthy. The caucus is "best known for what it's against: the Republican establishment, business as usual in Washington, compromises of any kind," the New Yorker noted in a look at debt ceiling talks earlier this month. Caucus member Rep. Ralph Norman says there were "differences of opinion" on the race for House speaker, the debt deal, and other issues, with the group unable to reach the 80% threshold to take a unified stance on some issues. He says he's not trying to push Greene out, but "she's been critical of us for a long time." Tensions boiled over this week, when Greene called fellow caucus member Rep. Lauren Boebert a "little b----" on the House floor for launching a competing effort to impeach President Biden. Greene confirmed that reports on her remarks were "impressively correct," while Boebert complained that reporters focused on "pettiness" instead of her push for impeachment. "I didn't leave my four kids and now my grandson to come up here and have cat fights and just to get in squabbles," the 36-year-old told Politico. She declined to say where she stands on efforts to purge members from the caucus. (Read more House Freedom Caucus stories.) The delegation from Lam Dong province pays working visit to Cuba. (Photo: VNA) The working visit took place in order to tighten the special friendship between Lam Dong province and Cuba, and seek information and survey opportunities for exchange and cooperation, especially in fields such as agricultural processing, high-tech agricultural development, and tourism business and management, which are the strengths of Lam Dong province. In Matanzas province, the delegation of Lam Dong province gained a deep understanding of the local situation, thereby agreeing on the orientation and content of cooperation in the coming time between the two provinces. With the goal of creating a framework, orientation and identifying specific areas of cooperation, the two localities have agreed to sign a "Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation for the period of 2023-2028". Representatives from the Communist Party of Cuba highly appreciated Cuba's development potential and affirmed its readiness to create favorable conditions for Lam Dong and Matanzas provinces to implement concrete cooperation activities in a practical manner. On behalf of the delegation, Mr. Tran Duc Quan, Secretary of the Lam Dong Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council donated USD1 million to support the purchase of medical equipment for the Emergency Center of the Faustino Perez Hospital of Matanzas province and to provide computer and information technology equipment to the Nico Lopez Senior Party School. In addition, to support Matanzas province in taking care of people's health, the delegation also donated a number of modern and traditional medicines produced by enterprises of Lam Dong province to Faustino Perez Hospital./. Last Friday, police in Norwalk, Ohio, received a disturbing call just after 1pm from a young mom, who revealed to the dispatcher she was eight months pregnant and had been shot in the back. Even more shocking was the person she said had shot her: her 2-year-old son, reports CNN . Just a few minutes later, the husband of the womanIDed by WOIO as Laura Ilgcalled 911 from another location and said he'd just received a call from his wife, who was "screaming something about my son and needing to call 911," per CNN. Cops rushed to the couple's residence, busted their way in, and made their way upstairs, where they say they found Ilg and the toddler in the master bedroom, a pistol nearby. Police say a fully conscious, in-shock Ilg told them what had happened and asked them to take the little boy out of the room as they tried to assist her. She was transported to a nearby medical center, where doctors tried to save her unborn child via emergency C-section, to no avail. Police Chief David Smith tells WOIO it was to have been Ilg's second child. Ilg herself died in the hospital a short time later. Cops say the pistol, which the toddler apparently took out of a nightstand, had another 12 rounds in it, and that they discovered another 12-round magazine for the firearm after obtaining a search warrant. They also say they found a 12-gauge shotgun with six rounds in it in the master bedroom's closet, as well as an airsoft rifle in a closet in the home office. Police say that otherwise, the home seemed well-protected for housing a toddler, with child locks on drawers and safety gates erected everywhere. In a statement, the Norwalk Police Department offered its condolences to Ilg's loved ones over her "tragic passing." "Words truly cannot express how heartbreaking this is, and we cannot imagine the pain and heartache you're feeling," the department writes. So far, no charges have been filed, though the probe is ongoing and the case has been referred to the Huron County Prosecutor's Office to see what happens next. (Read more shooting stories.) TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The University of Bahrain and the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) have joined hands for scientific and technical cooperation in various key sectors, especially in advancing research in the development of scientific applications of aluminium alloys. The agreement was signed by Dr. Fouad Mohammed Al-Ansari, President of UoB, and Charlotte Lindbergh, Director of International Relations at CERN. Dr. Al-Ansari said the deal will allow Bahraini researchers to gain valuable opportunities, enabling scientists, researchers, engineers, teachers, students, and technicians to benefit from CERN schools and programmes. These include the School of Accelerators, the School of Computing, the European School of Physics, and the Summer Student Programme at CERN. He said the collaboration also opens up avenues for joint research and development in the scientific application of aluminium alloys, as well as the integration of education and training with the national industry. The signing ceremony was attended by notable figures, including Bahrains Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Ambassador Dr Youssef Abdulkarim Bucheery, Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Shaikh Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture and Research, Dr Shaikha Haifa bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Dean of the College of Engineering, Walid Salah AlMiraj, the Director of the Policy Department in the Office of the Prime Minister, Maryam AlShorouki, Director of Research Projects at the Shaikh Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture and Research, Martin Gastal, CERN Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa, and several members of the Bahraini diplomatic mission in Geneva. The University of Bahrain students and employees on scholarships from the university, who are currently engaged in research projects at CERN, were also present. It is noteworthy that UoB has been involved in the muon detector experiment since 2019 and has since established a partnership for cooperation projects with CERN through collaboration with the Sheikh Ibrahim bin Mohammed Centre for Culture and Research. Its worth knowing that, based on Volzas Bahrain Import data, Bahrain received 1.4K shipments of aluminium alloy, which were imported by 44 Bahrain Importers from 40 Suppliers. The majority of Bahrains aluminium alloy imports originate from Belgium, India, and Germany. Among the importers, the United States takes the lead with 322,625 shipments, followed by India with 242,441 shipments, and Mexico in the third position with 153,248 shipments. Leaders from more than 60 countries are attending the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. Japan's foreign ministry said its meeting could be held at the end of this year. It aims to renew Tokyo's commitment to rebuilding Ukraine, which is still at war with Russia. 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. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida steps up energy diplomacy in Middle East South China Morning Post - Jul 18 Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida kicked of a tour of the Middle East on July 16, 2023, in Saudi Arabia, with stops expected in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida kicked of a tour of the Middle East on July 16, 2023, in Saudi Arabia, with stops expected in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Saudi Arabia, Japan approve 26 economic agreements to bolster bilateral ties arabnews.com - Jul 17 Saudi Arabia and Japan set the stage for strong trade ties by exchanging 26 pre-signed economic agreements between the two nations on Sunday at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia and Japan set the stage for strong trade ties by exchanging 26 pre-signed economic agreements between the two nations on Sunday at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Jeddah. Japan: Suspected North Korea ICBM flew for 74 minutes NHK - Jul 12 Japan's defense ministry says North Korea launched a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile Wednesday morning. It's believed to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. Japan's defense ministry says North Korea launched a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile Wednesday morning. It's believed to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. Japan not opposed to U.S. plan to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine Kyodo - Jul 11 Japan did not voice opposition Monday to a U.S. plan to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine for its counteroffensive against Russia, with some NATO members concerned over the supply of the weapons ahead of their summit later this week. Japan did not voice opposition Monday to a U.S. plan to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine for its counteroffensive against Russia, with some NATO members concerned over the supply of the weapons ahead of their summit later this week. Macron opposes NATO intention to set up liaison office in Japan NHK - Jul 10 French President Emmanuel Macron has informed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg of his opposition to plans to set up a liaison office in Japan. French President Emmanuel Macron has informed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg of his opposition to plans to set up a liaison office in Japan. Widow of assassinated Japan PM Abe Shinzo plans Taiwan visit Taiwan News - Jul 09 On the first anniversary of the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo Saturday (July 8), Japans envoy announced the politicians widow was making plans to visit Taiwan this month. On the first anniversary of the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo Saturday (July 8), Japans envoy announced the politicians widow was making plans to visit Taiwan this month. Memorial service marks a year since killing of Abe Shinzo NHK - Jul 08 A memorial service for former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was held on Saturday to mark one year since he was fatally shot while delivering a campaign speech in the western city of Nara. A memorial service for former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was held on Saturday to mark one year since he was fatally shot while delivering a campaign speech in the western city of Nara. Japan digital agency to be investigated over My Number problems Japan Today - Jul 08 Japan's Digital Agency will be investigated over the My Number national identification system after a number of IDs were erroneously registered with the information of other people, the government said Friday. Japan's Digital Agency will be investigated over the My Number national identification system after a number of IDs were erroneously registered with the information of other people, the government said Friday. Japan regulators approve treated water release system at Fukushima Daiichi plant NHK - Jul 08 Japan's nuclear regulators have approved a new system to release treated and diluted water into the ocean from the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. This means all logistical preparations have been completed. Japan's nuclear regulators have approved a new system to release treated and diluted water into the ocean from the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. This means all logistical preparations have been completed. Japan calls out China for dangerous behavior in South China Sea ANC - Jul 07 Japans criticism of what it called Chinas dangerous behavior in the South China Sea. Japans criticism of what it called Chinas dangerous behavior in the South China Sea. NATO and Japan to cooperate in 16 areas, align defense equipment Nikkei - Jul 07 NATO and Japan have concluded negotiations over a new cooperation document and are preparing to announce the pillars at the Vilnius Summit next week, Nikkei Asia has learned. NATO and Japan have concluded negotiations over a new cooperation document and are preparing to announce the pillars at the Vilnius Summit next week, Nikkei Asia has learned. UN watchdog approves plan for Fukushima water release BBC - Jul 04 A UN watchdog has said that Japan's plan to release waste water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea complies with international standards. A UN watchdog has said that Japan's plan to release waste water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea complies with international standards. Fukushima water release should avoid swimming season: Komeito head Kyodo - Jul 03 The head of Komeito, the junior coalition partner of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said Sunday the government should not start the release into the sea of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant during the swimming season amid concerns over the safety of the plan. The head of Komeito, the junior coalition partner of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said Sunday the government should not start the release into the sea of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant during the swimming season amid concerns over the safety of the plan. Japan sends a male representative to the summit on womens empowerment indiatimes.com - Jun 29 The sight of men occupying spaces that should be for women is unfortunately not uncommon, and a recent incident has captured global attention, shedding light on the true state of gender equality in society. The sight of men occupying spaces that should be for women is unfortunately not uncommon, and a recent incident has captured global attention, shedding light on the true state of gender equality in society. PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba Corps General Alvaro Lopez Miera at the meeting in Hanoi on June 22. (Photo: VNA) Welcoming the Cuban minister on his fifth trip to Vietnam, PM Pham Minh Chinh said the visit is highly meaningful as both countries are celebrating the 60th founding anniversary of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam (September 25, 1963) and 50 years since then leader Fidel Castros first visit to Vietnam and arrival in the liberated zone in South Vietnam (September 15, 1973), and that it will help strengthen the two countries special traditional friendship, including defence cooperation. Vietnam always views Cuba as a comrade, a brother, and a traditional friend, Chinh said, affirming that it always keeps in mind the enormous and effective support and assistance from the Party, Government, people, and armed forces of the Caribbean nation for Vietnam's struggle for independence and efforts in national construction and safeguarding. Vietnam wishes to share the difficulties Cuba is facing and will do its utmost within its capacity to assist the latter, the PM noted, adding Vietnam is ready to share experience in both the fields it has performed well and those it has not. Vietnam always backs the United Nations resolution opposing the embargo on Cuba, he said. The host leader expressed his belief that under the clear-sighted leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba, led by Miguel Diaz-Canel, the Cuban people will definitely overcome difficulties, sustain political and social stability, and gain even greater victories. PM Pham Minh Chinh highly valued the close multi-faceted cooperation between the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, and also applauded the outcomes of the talks between the two ministers. The Vietnamese Government has been creating favourable conditions for bilateral defence relations to continue developing and become a pillar and an example in the two countries cooperation, he went on. For his part, Minister Alvaro Lopez Miera stated that his country has always been treasuring and nurturing the time-tested and special friendship with Vietnam as late leader Fidel Castro used to said: For Vietnam, Cuba is ready to shed its blood. He appreciated Vietnams support and assistance for Cubas national defence and construction, including the advocacy for the UN resolution opposing the embargo on Cuba and its help with agricultural development. The visiting official also appreciated the contributions by Vietnamese businesses which he said have helped foster bilateral economic and trade links. He pledged coordination with the Defence Ministry and relevant ministries and sectors of Vietnam to fruitfully implement the issues both sides agreed on as well as the directions of Vietnamese and Cuban Party and State leaders./. At the meeting (Photo: VNA) Receiving Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba Alvaro Lopez Miera who is paying a visit to Vietnam, the Vietnamese Party leader highly appreciated the significance of the visit in the context of the two countries looking forward to the 50th anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro's visit to the liberated area in Quang Tri province. He expressed his belief that the visit will contribute to consolidating and deepening the special traditional friendship between the two parties, the two countries and the two militaries. General Secretary Trong appreciated the important role and results of defence cooperation between the two countries. He suggested the two sides strengthen practical and effective cooperation, in line with the interests of each country and for peace and development in the region and in the world. For his part, the Cuban minister voiced his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Vietnamese people will continue to reap great achievements of historical significance, and successfully implement the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress. He updated the host leader on the situation in Cuba, the Cuban people's support for the Party and the Revolution as shown through the results of the elections to the People's Councils at all levels, the National Assembly, the State leader, and local government. Speaking about the results of cooperation between the armies of the two countries over the past time, he affirmed that they will work closely to implement bilateral cooperation agreements, contributing to strengthening and consolidating the special relations between the two parties, the two States, the two peoples and the two armies./. TORONTO, June 22, 2023 /CNW/ - It's Pride season and what better way to celebrate than with the launch of Canada's newest 2SLGBTQI+ community resource directory, created by IN Magazine. The IN Directory is a national community resource directory for 2SLGBTQI+ specific programs, services and supports currently featuring 325 community resource listings across all 10 provinces and three territories: from St. John's to Victoria, Iqaluit to Windsor, and everywhere in between. Visitors can access the directory in a grid or map view and filter search results by province, city/town, category (i.e., community programs; health care; mental health and addictions; trans; crisis and helplines; employment, education and training; housing, emergency housing and shelters; sexual health; youth; abuse and assault; arts and culture; people with disabilities; children and family services; legal; African, Caribbean and Black; faith and spirituality; Indigenous peoples; older adults; Francophones; newcomers; and sport and recreation) and keyword search. Each community resource listing contains a detailed overview of 2SLGBTQI+ specific programs, services and supports offered by organizations and service providers and contact information including a website, phone and/or text support number and social media handles. "We know that 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians are more likely to be victims of violent crimes like hate crimes, more likely to experience poor mental health outcomes and to be diagnosed with a mood or anxiety disorder and more likely to have seriously contemplated suicide in their lifetimes," says Jumol Royes, IN's director of communications and community engagement. "The need for trusted information sources to help folks find support and safer spaces is greater than ever. This digital directory will serve as a living resource navigation tool that is continually expanded and updated in partnership with diverse 2SLGBTQI+ communities." The IN Directory is co-created by IN Magazine Canada's leading 2SLGBTQI+ digital publication, website and community platform and 2SLGBTQI+ community members, and proudly sponsored by Pride Parenthood with Anova Fertility and Reproductive Health. Visit: inmagazine.ca/directory About IN Magazine IN Magazine is Canada's leading 2SLGBTQI+ digital publication, website and community platform celebrating Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ communities. IN Magazine is published by Elevate Media Group, a full-service creative agency that helps brands and the communities they serve through authentic marketing grounded in purpose, with a focus on 2SLGBTQI+ communities. www.inmagazine.ca SOURCE Elevate Media Group For further information: Jumol Royes, Director of Communications and Community Engagement, Elevate Media Group, Email: [email protected], Phone: 416-917-0285 DTEK Energy Holding intends to implement a $145 million Smart Grid project in Kyiv region, said its CEO Maksym Timchenko. We have developed a concept of how to build modern smart grids We are presenting this project, which will cost us $145 million, here for discussion, Timchenko said during a business table on reforming the Ukrainian energy sector as part of URC2023. He noted that the company plans to start implementing the project from Irpin and Bucha in Kyiv region, which were subjected to colossal destruction during the Russian offensive in February 2022 and subsequent occupation. According to him, the company is now actively working on the project. "We met with our partners in Europe. We were doing benchmarking, we are building a model on how to avoid 15% losses in the network, how to reduce a power outage from 1,500 minutes to European standards, which are 10 times less. We are building a digital model of this business," Timchenko explained. He also noted that Smart Grid would help integrate future renewable energy capacities in Kyiv region. According to DTEK's report on its Telegram channel on Thursday, the large grid reconstruction plan is designed for 10 years and includes 20,000 km of new overhead and underground cables, 250 substations, 6,000 transformers, and almost 1 million smart meters. DTEK clarified that the new concept of "smart" grids is planned to be tested during a three-year pilot stage in the Irpin-Bucha-Borodianka energy hub. OceanGate, the diving company responsible for the Titanic tour trip, says all passengers aboard Titan, the submersible, are dead. The company made the announcement in a statement on Thursday evening after debris believed to be from Titan was found near the Titanic by rescue teams. Also, John Mauger, a US coast guard, said the submersible with five passengers suffered a catastrophic implosion killing everyone on board. On Sunday morning, Titan began a two-hour descent to see the wreckage of the Titanic at the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean, nearly 13,000 feet below land, southeast of Newfoundland, Canada. The eight-day journey conducted by OceanGate Expeditions is priced at $250,000 per person. About an hour and 45 minutes into its descent, Titan lost contact with the Polar Prince, the mothership. Search efforts began immediately and hours later, a Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area but efforts to trace the source were unsuccessful. Three vessels, including one that has technology that can detect and map out objects on the seafloor, had earlier arrived to join the search for the missing submersible. The US Coast Guard (USCG) had said the oxygen supply was expected to run out by 1 pm UK time earlier today. The estimate was based on the number of hours of oxygen the craft had for the five people on board and the time it submerged (1 pm UK time on Sunday). However, experts said the projected supply of breathable air had chances of an extension if the passengers had taken measures to conserve oxygen. As search efforts intensified, the USCG said rescue vessels found on the sea floor consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber from the Titan. The tail cone of the submersible was found on the sea floor about 1,600 feet away from the bow of the Titanic and other debris nearby, John Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander, added. The crew pod was not found. ALL PASSENGERS FEARED DEAD Confirming fears in a statement, OceanGate said it believes the passengers of the Titanic-bound submersible have sadly been lost. 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, the statement reads. 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. The company described the loss as a very sad time for the entire explorer community and asked that the privacy of the affected families be respected during this most painful time. Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Friday, failed to appear before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. Recall that the Tribunal had on Thursday, ordered a substituted service of a subpoena on Mbah through his lawyer. This was following an application by counsel to the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Barr Alex Amujiogo. The subpoena was immediately served on Mbahs lawyer by Amujiogo. However, when the case came up today, Friday, the PRP counsel told the Tribunal that Mbah did not honour the summons. Amujiogo said, This Honourable Tribunal had on June 22, 2023 made an order that the subpoena be served on Barr Peter Mbah through his counsel. We have since done that for him to appear today. My Lord, it is obvious that he is not in court under the pretence of immunity. And today is my last day for me to close my case; my hands are tied and I have no choice but to close my case. When asked of his next line of action, Amujiogo told journalists: It is now left for the tribunal, in the course of this matter to know the next step that they will undertake as regards his refusal or inability to appear today before the Tribunal; let us watch and see the battle will be like, between the tribunal and the governor. It has two legs- the tribunal can exercise its power of sanctions against the person who refuses his order; you also know that judgement is always at hand; it is the last option. The ball is on the court of the Tribunal to do things one way or the other. However, the lead counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Barr Anthony Ani (SAN) told journalists after the Tribunal sitting that the petitioner did not comply with the provisions of the law while serving the subpoena. He said the Governor was ready to appear had the petitioners done the right thing. According to Ani, The petitioner has not complied with the mandatory provisions of the law; the default provision, respecting election petitions, is the Federal High Court Rules, which is very clear on service of Subpoena Testificandum or Duces Tecum. Now when you serve a subpoena, that subpoena should have been filed alongside the originating process, that is the petition. And in filing it, you have to comply with the relevant order; I think Order 3, Rule 4 of the Federal High Court Rules and serve the witness you are subpoenaing with what we call Form 1A; that form 1A, with mandate the witness to file witness deposition on oath, and then you also serve the witness you are expecting with your pleadings. In this case, they should have served the governor with the petition, to enable the Governor file a deposition on oath, and then come to court to adopt that deposition. So you dont serve just ordinary paper, thats what the Court of Appeal called it, you dont just serve only the subpoena without the accompanying documents. If they had complied with the provisions of the rules of court, Im sure the governor must have been here; There is no issue of immunity here; if they had done the proper thing, the governor would have been here, but they didnt comply with the law, if you comply we will comply, if you dont, we wont comply. Meanwhile, the Tribunal led by Justice K. M. Akano adjourned the case to June 24, 2023, for the 1st Respondent (the Independent National Electoral Commission) to open its defence. A star witness of Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last presidential election, Mike Enahoro-Eba, on Friday evening at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), faulted the judgement of the United States of Americas court in which President Bola Tinubu reportedly forfeited $460, 000 dollars for alleged drug offences. The witness, who is a lawyer of 17 years, admitted that the judgement copy was not registered in Nigeria as required by law when delivered to make it effective in the country. He admitted that there was no evidence in the judgement that Tinubu appeared before the court for his plea to be taken, face trial, and be convicted as required by criminal trial procedure. Enahoro-Eba, who is an Abuja-based activist, faulted the judgement while answering questions from Tinubus lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, during cross-examination. As a lawyer, I am aware that there are differences between criminal forfeiture and civil forfeiture, he said. He, however, insisted that President Tinubu, on his own, admitted forfeiting the money in a civil matter. The witness whose cross-examination almost drew the anger of the court said that he was not aware of a letter of February 4, 2003, written to the Inspector General of Police by the US Consulate in Nigeria. Answering another question from Olanipekun, the witness denied knowledge of any warrant of arrest issued against Tinubu by the American government. He admitted instituting direct criminal charges of forgery against Tinubu at a Magistrate Court in Abuja but said the case was thrown out by the court due to a lack of jurisdiction. Besides faulting the judgement, the witness under cross-examination said he was not aware of a public notice of June 27, 2022, by the Registrar of Chicago University to the effect that Tinubu attended the institution and graduated with honours. Also during cross-examination by lead counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, the witness admitted to knowing Chicago University as a public institution established in 1863. He said that there was no certificate in the hand of any police officer relating to the judgement on forfeiture of $460, 000 by Tinubu, and there was no fingerprint or photograph of anybody on the judgement copy. Immediately after the cross-examination, lead counsel to Atiku and PDP, Chief Chris Uche, announced the close of prosecution of the petition, having exhausted the number of days allotted to them by the Court. The presiding justice of the court, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, has fixed July 3 for Tinubu, APC, and INEC to open their respective defence in the petition. At the presidential election tribunal on Thursday, two witnesses of the Labour Party (LP) contradicted themselves on the requirements for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy technological applications. These are the highlights of the proceedings. WITNESSES GIVE CONTRADICTING TESTIMONIES Chibuike Ugwuoke, a cyber security expert, on Wednesday, presented metadata which he claimed to have extracted from the INEC result viewing portal (IReV). Under cross-examination on Thursday by Abubakar Mahmoud, INECs lawyer, Ugwuoke said the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act stipulates that all technologies used by INEC must adhere to the ISO 27001 2013 standard. However, Emmanuel Edet, another LP witness who is the head of legal services at NITDA, said such requirements do not exist under the NITDA Act. The NITDA Act does not contain any cyber security standard code ISO 27001 2013, Edet said. The witness also said no provision in the act makes reference to INEC. OVER 47 BOXES OF EVIDENCE BROUGHT TO COURT Several boxes filled with documents were brought before the presidential election petition court by the LP. The transparent plastic boxes, about 47 in number, were labelled with the names of states. Due to time constraints, the petitioners could not tender the content of the boxes in evidence. INEC DELIBERATELY WIPED OUT RESULTS FROM BVAS Hitler Nwala, a digital forensic analyst and the 26th witness of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused INEC of intentionally deleting the results of the presidential poll in BVAS devices. Commissioned by the petitioners, Nwala said he inspected 110 BVAS devices used during the presidential poll in the FCT. He alleged that all the machines he inspected had their data deliberately removed. Nwala said it was unnecessary to delete the FCT presidential poll result data since the governorship election does not hold in the FCT. However, the INEC counsel said 110 BVAS devices examined by the witness are not a sufficient sample size to establish the allegations against the commission. The PDP also tendered certified true copies of polling unit results(form EC8A) from Ogun (20 LGAs), Ondo (17 LGAs), Jigawa (27 LGAs) and Rivers (20 LGAs). TRIBUNAL ADJOURNS Further hearing in the petitions by the LP and PDP is expected to continue on Friday. Advertisement While the PDP said it would tender more documentary evidence at the resumed session, LPs session is expected to begin with the cross-examination of Tanko Yunusa, the partys 12th witness. Both parties are expected to close their cases on Friday. The immediate past Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, has distanced himself from articles purportedly written by some individuals in response to the Oba of Benins inquiries about his (Agbas) stewardship as a minister. He said those writing such articles that were trending online were not known to him (Agba), nor did he sponsor any article or commission anyone to reply to the Oba, whom he described as his father. Oba Ewuare II had, during Agbas visit to the Benin throne on June 15, questioned the former minister about his stewardship in the state. Agba, in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Benin on Friday, said he had no disagreement with the Oba and distanced himself from articles on his behalf in response to the monarch. He said, I do not and I will not have any disagreements with His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin Kingdom, on any matter whatsoever. I would like to address some commentaries and articles that have come to my attention, purportedly in response to the questions I received from our esteemed Royal Father, His Royal Majesty, Omo Noba Nedo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare ll, Oba of Benin Kingdom, about my stewardship. Let me make it clear, without any doubt, that the commentaries and articles that have surfaced are neither sought nor sponsored by me. It is not my nature to join issues in public. He is not only my father but also the father of all of us in Edo State. The former minister said he later met with the Oba in private, where he (Agba) clarified some of the issues raised by the monarch. He added, However, unaware to most, later that evening, His Royal Majesty graciously granted me an opportunity to privately discuss and address those concerns, allowing me to provide clarifications and answers. Especially regarding how the provision for the storage of the artefacts was captured in the Budget, for which I apologised and clarified that was not my intention, he stated. He, therefore, advised, those who insist on writing articles and commentaries, attempting to politicise the situation, to discontinue the fruitless pursuit. Officers line the path four deep as the body of a slain Champaign, Ill., police officer Christopher Oberheim is taken into the coroner's office on May 19, 2021, in Urbana, Ill. (Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette/AP) A woman pleaded guilty on Thursday to federal charges stemming from the straw purchase of a gun used to fatally shoot one central Illinois police officer and wound another in 2021. Ashantae Corruthers, 29, of Indianapolis, entered the plea to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the government by buying and transferring a gun to Darion Marquise Lafayette, 24, of Champaign, and covering up the transaction by falsely reporting to Indianapolis police that the gun had been stolen. Lafayette shot Champaign police Officer Christopher Oberheim on May 19, 2021. Advertisement Corruthers faces up to 25 years in prison when she is sentenced Nov. 6, The News-Gazette of Champaign reported. Oberheim and another officer, Jeff Creel, went to a Champaign apartment complex in response to a report about a domestic disturbance and encountered Lafayette. A shootout ensued in which both officers and the suspect were shot. Advertisement Lafayette, who also died, was not legally able to buy a gun because he was a convicted felon. He persuaded co-defendant and cousin Regina Lewis, 28, of Normal, to get Corruthers to buy the gun at an Indianapolis gun store, which she did legally in November 2020, the newspaper reported. Lewis pleaded guilty in federal court a month ago to the same charges and is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 2. Naftogaz of Ukraine, together with five companies of Naftogaz Group, has filed a motion to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to confirm the earlier award by the Arbitral Tribunal of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague that bound Russia to pay $5 billion (including interest) in compensation for damage and lost property in Crimea. According to the company's press release, published on Friday, the motion is necessary for the enforcement of the award. In accordance with the 1958 New York Convention, Naftogaz has the right to initiate the process of recognition of and admission to award enforcement in countries hosting Russian assets. "Since Russia has not voluntarily paid the funds to Naftogaz as provided for by the award, we intend to leverage all available mechanisms to recover these funds. We are currently working on this in the United States and other target jurisdictions," Naftogaz Group CEO Oleksiy Chernyshov said. In accordance with U.S. laws, confirmation of the award is mandatory unless the court establishes the existence of causes to refuse or delay recognition or enforcement of the award set out in the New York Convention. Interest for non-payment of funds in accordance with the award continues to accrue until the full payment of compensation under the award. As reported, on 12 April 2023, the Arbitral Tribunal of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague ordered Russia to pay $5 billion in compensation for losses caused by the seizure of Naftogaz Group's assets in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in 2014. Back in October 2016, Naftogaz and its subsidiaries initiated arbitration proceedings against the Russian Federation for damages due to the seizure of their assets in Crimea, and in September 2017 an application was submitted to the tribunal at the court in The Hague. In February 2019, the tribunal confirmed the responsibility of the Russian Federation for violating the intergovernmental agreement on the protection of investments, including the article on the prohibition of expropriation. In June of the same year, Naftogaz filed an application with the tribunal for the amount of compensation for losses from the expropriation of assets in Crimea, and in December the Russian Federation filed a counter-application. In February 2020, Naftogaz, in a response statement, additionally substantiated the amount of compensation for losses, estimating them at about $5 billion plus interest, which at the beginning of 2022 already exceeded $10 billion. On February 21, 2022, the Arbitration Tribunal in The Hague began hearings to determine the amount of compensation to Naftogaz Ukrainy for the missed opportunity to use its assets in Crimea. In April 2023, the leading American law firm Covington & Burling LLP presented Naftogaz with a strategy to recover $5 billion in compensation from Russia for seizing the group's assets in Crimea. The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has appointed Tammy Danagogo as Secretary to the State Government. Danagogo was the SSG to the immediate past administration, led by former Governor, Nyesom Wike. Governor Fubara also appointed Chidi Amadi, as his Chief-of-Staff. Their appointments were contained in a statement dated June 22, 2023, and signed by Boniface Onyedi, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor. This comes almost one month after the Governor was sworn into office, a delayed appointment which created wide criticism. Some residents of the state, however, took to their social media handles, especially Facebook to criticize Amadis appointment as the Chief-of-Staff owing to his tribe in the state. A post read, Opobo is Ikwerre and Ikwerre is Opobo. This is because some people believe Wike, an indigene of Ikwerre is still in power while, Fubara, an indigene of Opobo is in office. Another post read, They never allowed Sim to make an appointment of his own and na Opobo and Riverine turn. Is our God not merciful? Aminat Yusuf, the Lagos State University (LASU) best graduating student with 5.0 CGPA, has opened up on her journey to academic excellence. The law student is the first undergraduate in the institutions history to get 5.0 CGPA. Speaking with NAN on Thursday, Yusuf said she struggled financially in school but she resolved to defy the odds through hard work. The student said she was motivated to pursue a perfect CGPA as an undergraduate after getting 4.98 CGPA during her direct entry (DE) programme at LASU. I studied really hard and prayed so fervently towards achieving excellence; I graduated from the programme (direct entry) with a CGPA of 4.98 and this was the best in my set, she said. The possibility of graduating with such grade motivated the yearning to graduate with a perfect CGPA at the undergraduate level. I believe this will no doubt be of immeasurable value to our education system. While I struggled financially through my education, I dont desire such hardship for students coming behind us, especially the female students. I am deeply grateful to my parents for their sacrifice, unwavering support towards my education. My parents really motivated me from their different careers; my father is a journalist while my mother is a business woman. Thanks to my faculty lecturers for their reflex of excellence, commitment and dedication teaching us to be the best. Yusuf also announced plans to launch a YouTube channel to teach law. I will like to use this opportunity to launch a YouTube channel tagged Learning Law with Aminat with a goal of giving back to society through my immediate community, she added. On Thursday, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state, gifted the student the sum of N10 million to celebrate the feat. Big Brother Naija, BBNaija reality show star, Deji Morafa has tendered public apology to his fellow housemate and ex-lover, Chichi. Deji, in a tweet tendered an apology to Chichi for not being genuine about his relationship with her during the show. He tweeted: In the light of the recent episode of the reunion, I realized some of my shortcomings and I will start by tendering my heartfelt apology to Chichi. I acknowledge that I failed to clearly express my lack of interest in pursuing a serious relationship with you during the show and I take full responsibility for it. After the show, we made an effort to work things out but unfortunately there was no chemistry between us to sustain a romantic relationship. In a nutshell, Im sorry, my intention was never to disrespect you in any way. Recall that Deji had during the Third episode of the BBNaija reunion on Wednesday, stated that the reality show is a poverty alleviation scheme programme for Chichi. His comment came after she threatened to expose his awful acts. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will conduct a review of the 2023 general election. In a statement on Thursday, Festus Okoye, INEC national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, said the review will focus on all aspects of the electoral activities, before, during and after the elections. Okoye added that the commission has been holding the review meetings after every general election since 2011. He said the review would be done with the aim to learn lessons from the elections and chart the way forward. He added that the commissions officials at national and state levels as well as stakeholders would be involved. The review will commence with a meeting of the resident electoral commissioners (RECs) on 4th July 2023 and end with the commissions retreat on 5th August 2023, the statement reads. At state level, the internal review will involve the commissions regular and ad hoc staff, including RECs, the 774 electoral officers, heads of departments, administrative secretaries as well as some presiding officers and collation/returning officers. The external engagement will involve critical stakeholders such as political parties, security agencies, election observers, the media and service providers such as transporters that facilitated the movement of personnel and materials for the election. The review will focus on all aspects of the electoral activities before, during and after the elections. Specifically, the commission welcomes actionable recommendations from stakeholders towards strengthening institutional capacity for the discharge of its responsibilities and the enhancement of processes and procedures. Olubusayo Fasidi, an immigration lawyer in the United States, has testified before the Lagos state election petition tribunal. Fasidi appeared before the tribunal on Thursday and was led in evidence by Olumide Ayeni, counsel to Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the last election. The immigration lawyer told the tribunal that Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos deputy governor, who is the third respondent, applied for naturalisation of the US as contained in forms 8CFR/337 and N400. She claimed that Hamzat took an oath of allegiance in the US to renounce his Nigerian citizenship. According to NAN, Ayeni tendered documents to the three-member tribunal but counsel to all the respondents objected. The counsels said the reasons for their objection will be included in their final written addresses. During cross-examination by Eric Ogiegor, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the immigration lawyer said that an individual could enjoy dual citizenship. She added that she was not aware of the provision of Nigerias 1999 constitution (as amended) that dealt with dual citizenship. She disclosed that she was subpoenaed before the tribunal to explain US law and not Nigerias constitution. HAMZATS COUNSEL RESPONDS Bode Olanipekun, counsel to Hamzat and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, asked the lawyer to disclose the jurisdiction and date Hamzat applied for naturalisation. She said she would not because the information was protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. Norris Quakers, counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC), asked the witness if she was aware that Hamzat disclosed his American citizenship. The witness replied in the affirmative. In his response, Quakers argued that the witness addressed issues of law and not of facts. While admitting the documents tendered, the tribunal led by Arum Ashom, the judge, ordered counsel to the respondents to include their objections in their final written addresses. The case was adjourned to June 26 for continuation of hearing. Rhodes-Vivour is challenging the victory of Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Hamzat, at the March 18 governorship election. WHAT DOES THE CONSTITUTION SAY ABOUT RENUNCIATION, DUAL CITIZENSHIP? Section 182 (1) of the 1999 constitution states that: No person shall be qualified for election to the office of Governor of a State if (a) subject to the provisions of Section 28 of this Constitution, he has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a country other than Nigeria or, except in such cases as may be prescribed by the National Assembly, he has made a declaration of allegiance to such other country. Section 187 (2) states that: The provisions of this Part of this Chapter relating to qualification for election, tenure of office, disqualifications, declaration of assets and liabilities and Oath of Governor shall apply in relation to the office of Deputy Governor as if references to Governor were references to Deputy Governor. Section 28 (1) states that: Subject to the other provisions of this section, a person shall forfeit forthwith his Nigerian citizenship if, not being a Nigerian citizen by birth, he acquires or retains the citizenship or nationality of a country, other than Nigeria, of which he is not a citizen by birth. Section 28 (2) reads as follows: Any registration of a person as a citizen of Nigeria or the grant of a certificate of naturalisation to a person who is a citizen of a country other than Nigeria at the time of such registration or grant shall, if he is not a citizen of birth by that other country, be conditional upon effective renunciation of the citizenship or nationality of that other country within a period of not more than five months from the date of such registration or grant. Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has received the Global Impact Lifetime Achievement Award. In his vote of thanks, the 81-year-old cleric acknowledged the team of pastors and volunteers that have selflessly worked with him. His words, I humbly accept the Global Impact Lifetime Achievement Award at Everyone 23 Amsterdam. Im grateful for this recognition of my service to God and humanity. I thank Brother Bil Wilson, Empower 21, and Oral Roberts University for this prestigious honor. I give all glory to God, who has been my strength and inspiration. Without His grace, none of my accomplishments would have been possible. I express heartfelt gratitude to my wife, children, and family for their unwavering support throughout my journey. They have been my pillars of strength. To the leadership and members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), thank you for your dedication, prayers, and commitment. You are the foundation of this ministry. I acknowledge the remarkable team of pastors, ministers, and volunteers who have selflessly worked alongside me. Your passion has driven our collective success. I thank the organizers of Everyone 23 Amsterdam for recognizing the impact of faith-based initiatives. Let us be inspired to continue our work for the betterment of society. This award reminds us to deepen our commitment to Gods Kingdom, justice, and serving the less privileged. True impact is measured by lives touched, hope restored, and love demonstrated. I recommit myself to Gods purpose and being a vessel of His grace. I dedicate this award to the countless individuals and communities we have served. Your stories and unwavering faith inspire me to continue making a difference. Thank you, and may God bless us all abundantly. The Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate during the February 25 general election, Peter Obi has congratulated Miss Ifeoma Amuche, a Nigerian student who recently emerged as the best graduating student at South West University, China. Amuche delivered a valedictory speech in Chinese on behalf of the graduating students at South West University. Reacting to her achievement, Obi said she had brought honour to Nigeria and established herself globally through her outstanding academic results. In a statement via her Twitter handle on Friday, the former Anambra State governor affirmed that every Nigerian youth could attain their full potential if the nation made the right educational investments. I congratulate Miss Ifeoma Amuche, a Nigerian student who recently emerged as the Best Graduating Student at South West University, China. It takes immeasurable hard work and dedication to achieve such an academic feat and stand out from the crowd. You have, by your outstanding academic results, brought honour to our nation and established yourself on the global stage. As a firm believer in education, I know there are no limits to how far one can go by taking their education seriously, part of his statement read. Former Vice President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, who is seeking to nullify the election of President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, closed his case before the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, sitting in Abuja. Atiku, who called a total of 27 witnesses and tendered several documentary exhibits in evidence before the court, said his decision to close his case was in view of the fact that he had exhausted the days that were allocated for him to present his case against Tinubu. My lords, at this point in time, may we humbly inform your lordships that this will be our last witness, Atikus lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, told the court. Continuing, Uche, SAN, said: Having exhausted the days allocated to us, pursuant to the pre-hearing report and Paragraph 46(5) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2022, we most humbly apply the formally close the case for the petitioners. On its part, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, through its lawyer, Mr. Kemi Pinhero, SAN, told the court that all the parties earlier met and agreed to defer the opening of defence by the Respondents till after the impending Sallah celebration. Confirming the development, head of President Tinubus legal team, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, begged the court to allow the Respondents, starting with INEC, to open their defence to Atikus petition, from July 3. My lords, all of us took into consideration some salient factors, especially the fact that some of us will love to travel to celebrate with our families and loved ones. Moreover, there is likely to be a two days public holidays next week. We will therefore plead your lordships to adjourn the case till after the Sallah celebration. We also want to assure your lordships that on our part, we will not exceed the days allotted to us. Following a no objection stance by counsel to the Petitioners, the Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five-member panel, adjourned the case till July 3 for INEC to open its defence to the petition. The adjournment came after Atikus star witness, Mr. Mike Enahoro-Ebah, was discharged from the box. Enahoro-Ebah had in the course of his testimony, tendered before the court, certified copies of academic qualifications of President Tinubu, which was admitted in evidence and marked as an exhibit. Equally admitted in evidence and marked as an exhibit by the panel was Tinubus certificate of service from Mobile Oil Nigeria Plc, which formed part of his work records, as well as a copy of his Guinean Passport. Enahoro-Ebah told the court that he applied and obtained the Form EC9, which contained the affidavit of personal particulars, which Tinubu submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in aid of his qualifications to contest the presidential election. He told the court that his lawyer in the United States of America, USA, also wrote to various schools that the 2nd Respondent, Tinubu, claimed to have attended, and obtained more information about him. The witness told the court that among the documents he obtained from the USA, included Tinubus purported certificate from Chicago State University, which he said belonged to a female. Also tendered before the court by the witness, was a transcript that was issued in 1977 by South West College, which he said equally established that the Tinubu that attended Chicago State University was a female. Mr. Enahoro-Ebah told the court that whereas the forwarding letter from his lawyer in the USA, which contained Tinubus details, came on November 1, 2022, however, it was nof until April 2023 that he received a copy of the notorised judgement on criminal asset forfeiture proceedings that involved the 2nd Respondent. Besides, he told the court that documents he obtained from INEC showed that the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, certificate that Tinubu submitted in aid of his qualifications, bore the name, Adekunle. Despite stiff objections from the INEC, President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, who are Respondents in the matter, the court, admitted all the documents in evidence and marked them as Exhibits PDE-1 to PDE-5. More so, the witness, said he had in 2022, instituted a direct criminal complaints against Tinubu before a Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja. He told the court that the Chief Magistrate Court declined jurisdiction to entertain the case. Dissatisfied with the action of the court of the Magistrate, the witness, said he wrote a petition to the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory. A copy of the court process was admitted in evidence and marked as an exhibit by the panel. Asked if he inquired from the Guinean embassy, if the 2nd Respondent (Tinubu) denounced his purported citizenship. The witness, said: My lord, I did not have to because the former President of Guinea, Alpha Conde, admitted the issuance of the passport. Following insistence by Tinubus lawyer, Chief Olanipekun, SAN, that the said passport that was tendered in evidence, expired in 2020, the witness, said: My lords, the data page indicated that it expired, but citizenship does not expire. Asked if he was aware that the judgement from the US District Court was not registered in Nigeria, the witness said he was only aware that the verdict was adequately notorised. The witness said he was not aware of any letter the US Consulate in Nigeria wrote to the Inspector General of Police on February 4, 2003, stating that there was no warrant of conviction against Tinubu in the USA. Asked if he was aware that the Chicago State University had on June 27, 2022, issued a public notice, where it stated that the 2nd Defendant not only attended the school but graduated with honours degree, the witness, said he was not aware of such letter, insisting that his case at the Magistrate court bordered on forgery. The panel admitted in evidence, the said public notice from the Chicago State University which was tendered by Tinubus lawyer and marked it as exhibit XX2. When he was shown the document from the US Court which he tendered and asked to confirm to the court if there was an arraignment, plea or trial that involved giving of evidence, the witness said: My lords there was a plea to forfeit after his admission of guilt, but no conviction. Asked if as a lawyer, he would be happy to be scandalized by anyone, the witness, replied: Because I dont want to be scandalized, that is why I will not be involved in forgery of documents. Answering questions from counsel to the APC, Prince Fagbemi, SAN, the witness admitted that the said forfeiture judgement from the US had no certificate signed by a police officer but that of a licensed detective. He said there was equally no finger print or picture on the court document. The witness, who told the court that he is not a member of the APC, added, my lords, I am a member of the Obidient movement. Suspected Gunmen reportedly invaded Ejule town in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing many residents in the process. A resident in the community, who fled because of the incident, said a commercial motorcyclist, popularly known as okada rider, and the wife of a youth leader in the community, were reportedly killed in the attack. I cannot tell you the number of the dead now. Two have been identified, an okada rider and the wife of a known youth in the town have been confirmed dead as a result of the early morning attack. The situation is still tense, but more dead bodies are sighted on the streets. No one can go out now, a resident told our correspondent on the telephone. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP William Aya, did not pick up his calls. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says he met with President Emmanuel Macron, first lady Brigitte Macron and other world dignitaries in France. Tinubu disclosed this through his official Twitter handle on Thursday. According to Tinubu, Macron warmly hosted him at a state banquet. Tinubu and his team are in France for the New Global Finance Pact Summit to woo foreign investment into Nigeria. I had a great time with other Heads of State and important dignitaries at the State Banquet hosted by President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, France, this evening. President Macron and his wife, First Lady Brigitte Macron, were both gracious and warm, making the event an enjoyable experience, he wrote. The International GFPS, with the theme, Building a new consensus for a more inclusive international financial system, commenced on Thursday and is expected to end on Friday. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) called on the states in charge of the assets of the Russian Federation to create an international compensation mechanism in order to use the confiscated assets to immediately compensate for military damage to Ukraine. This is stated in the resolution "Political consequences of the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine," adopted at the PACE plenary meeting in Strasbourg on Thursday. The Assembly invites parliaments of Council of Europe member States to designate the Wagner Group and Kadyrov's Guard as terrorist organisations and to call for the full accountability of all those military and paramilitary groups who participate in the Kremlin's aggression against Ukraine. The PACE calls on the countries represented in the Conference of Participants of the Register of Damage to clarify in the Register's Rules on admissibility that the Register applies also to acts committed by private military groups, paramilitary groups and other military groups fighting for the Russian Federation, including the Wagner Group and Kadyrov's forces. The Assembly, welcoming that 45 States and the European Union have already joined or indicated their intention to join the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation Against Ukraine, invites the largest possible number of countries to join. The PACE calls on member States of the Core Group on the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine to accelerate their negotiations to set up a Special international criminal tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, and calls on additional States to join the Core Group. The Assembly supports the investigation of the situation in Ukraine by the International Criminal Court and calls on all States Parties to the Rome Statute to execute the arrest warrants issued by the Court; asks the Court to issue arrest warrants against the members and leaders of the above mentioned Wagner and Kadyrov Groups. The government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says it would improve power supply across the country amid a planned electricity tariff hike on July 1. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Mr Temitope Fashedemi, disclosed this on Thursday. According to a statement by the Ministrys spokesperson, Ms Chinwe Udouwem, Fashedemi made the declaration when the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, Ms Olu Verheijen, visited the Ministry. We are hopeful that you will identify some of the issues confronting the sector as technical directors and heads of agencies under the ministry brief you on ongoing or concluding projects, Fashedemi said. In her remarks, Verheijen said the power sector was critical to the growth and productivity of nations. She noted that reforms in the power sector over the years would bring about the much-desired positive impact. She stressed the need for synergy between stakeholders in the power sector and a holistic approach to achieving a lasting solution. We must create an enabling environment that allows the private sector to grow and arrive at affordable electricity tariffs for households, the major electricity consumers, she said. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the countrys power supply increased to 5852-gigawatt hours in the First Quarter of 2023. Manchester United have set a deadline to complete the deal to sign Chelseas Mason Mount this summer. Man United saw an opening bid of 40million for Mount rejected last week, with an improved offer of 45million plus 5m in add-ons also turned down on Wednesday. Mount is in the final year of his contract with Chelsea and Man United manager Erik ten Hag has made him a top transfer target for this summer. It is thought that Man United have reached a breakthrough in talks with Chelsea and are close to agreeing a 60million move for the former Derby County star. But the Red Devils want the deal to be completed quickly and have set a deadline for the end of next week to complete the 24-year-olds transfer to Old Trafford, as reported by Metro UK. Man United are set to launch a third bid for the England midfielder but have warned Chelsea that they wont keep negotiating for too long despite agreeing personal terms with the player. The College of New Jersey is appointing an interim president to oversee the public institution for the next two years as it searches for a new leader. Michael Bernstein, a longtime educator and administrator who recently led Stony Brook University in New York for 10 months as an interim president, will take over from Kathryn A. Foster on July 1. Foster, the president of The College of New Jersey since 2018, announced in April that she will be stepping down at the end of the school year and take a year-long sabbatical. Then, she plans to join the political science department as a faculty member. Bernstein was appointed interim president by the colleges Board of Trustees for a two-year term, officials announced Thursday. Bernstein currently works as a senior consultant with Keeling and Associates, a higher education consulting and professional services firm that conducts searches for college presidents and other leaders. While his contract does not preclude him from other consulting engagements under limited circumstances, Dr. Bernstein intends to focus on his work at TCNJ, Luke Sacks, a spokesperson for The College of New Jersey, said Friday. Bernstein began his education career in New Jersey. He was an assistant professor of history at Princeton University from 1982 to 1987, the college said. Dr. Bernstein has a proven track record of achievement in higher education leadership and is an outstanding fit to lead The College of New Jersey for the interim period. We look forward to working with him to ensure the colleges continued success, said board Chair Rebecca Ostrov. Bernstein worked in several capacities at the University of California-San Diego for 20 years starting in 1987, including dean of arts and humanities and chair of the history department. Foster arrived at The College of New Jersey following six years as president of the University of Maine at Farmington. She is the colleges 16th president in its 168-year history. The College of New Jersey enrolls approximately 7,281 students including 6,715 undergraduates and 566 graduate students on a 289-acre campus in Ewing, a spokesperson said. This story has been updated with a quote from Luke Sacks. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Editors note: A version of this story was published in 2022 and has been updated. New Jerseys official nickname may be the Garden State. But we all know it might as well be the Beach State. Laura Benanti has played the first lady of the United States. Mother to Supergirl. Maria in The Sound of Music. But a mother who hires a stranger off Craigslist to seduce her 19-year-old son? Thats a new one for the versatile Tony winner from New Jersey, who has enjoyed a 25-year career on stage and screen. Benanti fully commits to the character and her controversial request in No Hard Feelings, a new R-rated comedy starring Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence. In the movie, opening Friday (June 23), Lawrence plays the stranger, Maddie Barker, and Andrew Barth Feldman is Percy, the college-bound son Benantis character is hoping to coax out of his shell. Its a super raunchy comedy, which Ive really never been a part of, Benanti, 43, tells NJ Advance Media. Im a little more uptight than that, she says, laughing. I wont let my parents watch it, or my children, ever. But it was a really fun experience. The film includes full-frontal nudity, albeit nowhere in the vicinity of Benantis character. However, she does set in motion the related chain of events. Benanti, who grew up in Kinnelon and currently lives in Essex County with her husband and their two young daughters, plays one half of a pair of extreme helicopter parents. Laura Benanti at the New York premiere of "No Hard Feelings." The R-rated comedy is a new lane for the Tony-winning actor.Dia Dipasupil | Getty Images Her character, Allison Becker, and Allisons husband, Laird (Matthew Broderick), are concerned about what will happen when their beloved Percy, a loner, starts his freshman year at Princeton University. So concerned that they employ 32-year-old Maddie to date and have sex with him. To Allison and Laird, who are summering at their home in Montauk, the premise is entirely rational. The wealthy parents see it as a kind of initiation for their son to dating and some semblance of a social life. I think that they helicoptered for so long and I think theyre feeling a panic of like, Oh my God, we have sheltered him this entire time and now hes going to get to college and basically, like, combust into flames, Benanti says. Theyre overcorrecting in such a major way that they are willing to go so far to help him. And the price ownership of the familys old Buick Regal is right for Maddie, an Uber driver who rollerblades to meet them, since she recently lost her car and is in danger of losing her house. The catch: she has to seduce Percy without him finding out that his parents hatched the scheme. Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman) and Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) in "No Hard Feelings."Macall Polay | Columbia Pictures The film, directed by Gene Stupnitsky (Good Boys, The Office), might seem far-fetched, but its based on an actual Craigslist ad. Its plot presents not only the cringe notion of parents who target their sons virginity, but also the eyebrow-raising age gap between 19 and 32. (In real life, Feldman, who deferred enrollment at Harvard to make the movie, is 21, and Lawrence is 32.) It would be pretty gross if it was a 32-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman, Benanti says. I think that there are different rules in our culture for men and women. Whether theyre right or wrong is not for me to say. But what I do know is this is meant to be a comedy. Its not meant to be prescriptive ... Its not meant to encourage 32-year-old women to catfish 19-year-old boys. Its sort of a ludicrous premise. The power of empathy Benantis footprint in film expands with the Columbia Pictures comedy. She embraced the chance to collaborate with Lawrence, who produced the movie, and Broderick and Feldman (Dear Evan Hansen), who she knows from theater. I loved working with Matthew, I loved working with Jen, Benanti says. I think shes a pretty incredible human being and a very funny and brave performer and a really great mom. She also recently co-starred with the Tony-winning Broderick in the off-Broadway play Love Letters. Benanti, who has been nominated for five Tonys, won in 2008 for playing Louise in a revival of Gypsy opposite Patti LuPones Rose. The Beckers (Benanti and Broderick) meet Maddie Barker (Jennifer Lawrence). They want her to "date" their son before he leaves for college.Macall Polay | Columbia Pictures Her many Broadway credits include My Fair Lady, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Nine and Meteor Shower. Shes also had a successful TV career, with roles in Younger, Nashville, Supergirl Life & Beth and the Gossip Girl revival. Before No Hard Feelings, she was in recent films including the Lin-Manuel Miranda movie musical Tick, Tick... Boom!; Worth, with Stanley Tucci and Michael Keaton; and Here Today with Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish. Benanti has a real gift for connecting with people through acting, producing and signing she released her debut solo studio album, Laura Benanti, in 2020. But shes also become known for her vulnerable, honest social media posts, like personal accounts of her struggles with chronic pain and miscarriages. The actor broke her neck at 22 when she had to perform a series of pratfalls while playing Cinderella in Broadways Into the Woods. Because of the injury and its complications, she suffers from myelopathy that has caused her to lose dexterity and strength in her face, arms and hands. Laura Benanti at the Tony Awards in 2019. She has been nominated five times. In 2008, Benanti won the Tony for best featured actress for Gypsy.Sean Zanni | Patrick McMullan via Getty Images At the time of her injury, the Broadway rumor mill assumed she had left the show because she was difficult or lazy. But multiple surgeries and two decades later, shes still dealing with pain. As were talking, Im on the floor stretching, Benanti says. Thats how she copes when she feels her symptoms flaring into a knot. I deal with it every day, she says. I have a 10-month-old baby whos 22 pounds. And by the end of the day, Im in a lot of pain. My 6-year-old, who occasionally still wants me to pick her up and hold her, I dont want to be like, No. And as a busy working parent, I dont have an hour that I can dedicate to doing physical therapy and Pilates. Im lucky if I can pee without someone on my lap. In April, Benanti shared that she had a miscarriage while performing for 2,000 people on a cruise ship to Bermuda. On the same cruise, she sang You Are My Sunshine and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star with her daughter Ella, 6. She posted the experience on Instagram because she wanted to dispel cultural shame around miscarriage and emphasize that no one is alone in the experience. People responded by sharing their own pregnancy losses. Ive walked through a lot of hard things in my life, as many of us have, Benanti says. And that, I think, has given me a tremendous empathy ... For me, being of service is empathy in action. Laura Benanti with her husband, Patrick Brown, in 2021. Their move to New Jersey was prompted by threats made about her Melania Trump impression. But Benanti's homecoming has been a happy one.Bruce Glikas | Getty Images Benanti had written about her experiences with miscarriage before the actor and her husband, Patrick Brown, welcomed their first daughter, Ella Rose Benanti-Brown, in 2017. Last summer, they announced the birth by surrogate of Louisa Georgia Benanti-Brown, their second rainbow baby (the term used for a baby born after a previous loss). My first miscarriage, I felt so lonely, and I was looking online, looking for stories and support, and I couldnt find it, Benanti says of her experience in 2015. Thats the first time I wrote about it, for The Huffington Post. And I still get letters from women all over the world saying how helpful that was to them. Two more miscarriages followed her first, and she did not speak about them when they happened. That didnt feel good, she says. So this year, she decided to reach out and make countless connections. Especially with the war on women that is happening in our society, I think the internalized misogyny of our culture that fears the power and the fragility of womens bodies, and the mystery of it, there is so much shame regarding women ... about what happens in our bodies, Benanti says. Stephen Colbert with Laura Benanti as Melania Trump on "The Late Show."CBS Melania, Benania and moving back to Jersey Benanti moved to New York at 18, to launch her professional career in theater. She couldnt have known then that a future first lady would send her back to New Jersey. And thats just what happened in a manner of speaking. Because of my Melania impression, people threaten me, she says. I had to move because of it. It started when Benanti was recruited to play Melania Trump on The Late Show. Host Stephen Colbert, a fellow New Jerseyan, noted her resemblance to the future former first lady when the actor was a guest on the show in 2016. I was horribly offended, she muses. But when Colbert held their photos side by side, it was a little uncanny. Im gonna have a second career as an impersonator, she told Colbert. Her natural penchant for comedy was on full display as she gamely squinted her eyes and pursed her lips into a pout, working her Melania angles for the cameras. Benantis remark turned out to be exceedingly prophetic. Within months, Benanti was recruited to become the late-night shows resident Melania Trump, dubbed Benania by those in the know. The day after the former first lady gave a speech at the Republican National Convention and was accused of plagiarizing then-first lady Michelle Obama, the actor was asked if she could get an impression together that same night. Though she was five hours away celebrating her grandmothers 92nd birthday, Benanti sprang into action. She took a train to the city, delivered her take on Melania, then took a train right back to her grandmother. The result was this viral sensation that was really, really fun to be a part of, Benanti says. That first outing, in which she recited various pop culture catchphrases (Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar, Boom goes the dynamite!) as Melanias speech at the RNC, has been seen 10 million times on YouTube. Her sketches throughout the Trump administration became a hallmark of the show. Hate tweets and hate mail followed. Because Benantis New York apartment was publicly listed under her name, the actor and her husband no longer felt safe living there with their daughter Ella. They moved into a rental and sold their apartment, then relocated to Jersey. Those threats have pretty much gone away, but Im just always mindful of it, Benanti says. Because my children didnt choose this path. I did. She was still playing Melania on The Late Show as recently as April. The former first lady beamed in from Mar-a-Lago to talk about her husbands legal affairs and 2024 presidential campaign. It was really fun to revisit that, Benanti says, and her return to Jersey has been rejuvenating. I think I had that feeling of like, Ill never live in New Jersey again, she says. But now that I do, I love it so much, honestly. My anxiety levels and my pace has gone down in a really fantastic way. I feel just happy that my kid has a yard, a yard that connects to two other yards with kids. We made a door in the fence so that they can play together. Shes got six friends on our block and they all go to our local little pool together. Its really sweet. Laura Benanti, third from left, with the cast of "No Hard Feelings," director Gene Stupnitsky (fifth from left) and stars Jennifer Lawrence and Andrew Barth Feldman.Dia Dipasupil | Getty Images Booked, busy ... and enough Benanti made her Broadway debut at 18. She started out as an understudy and postulant in The Sound of Music, but soon took over the lead role of Maria. (She returned to the musical for NBCs 2013 The Sound of Music Live! as Elsa Schrader.) Her road to New York started with guidance from her mother Linda Benanti, a voice teacher who also performed on Broadway (the two have since shared stages). Lauras talent made her a standout in shows at Kinnelon High School. In 1996, she won the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award for outstanding actress in a high school production for her performance as Dolly in Hello, Dolly! Those experiences were still fresh in her mind when high school shows were canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19. Benantis call on social media for students to share school musical performances with her went viral. As Broadway went dark during the early pandemic, the deluge of responses from teens who shared clips of their singing with the actor inspired a special on the former HBO Max, Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020, produced by Benanti. Laura Benanti at the 2021 premiere of the HBO Max "Gossip Girl" revival. "I never feel like I'm doing enough," she says. Michael Loccisano | Getty Images Her stage career famously took off like a shooting star, but she has been very busy with TV and film. So busy, in fact, that she just pulled out of a planned role in Amazon Primes Cruel Intentions series (she was supposed to play Claudia, Carolines mother) because of a scheduling conflict. Its so funny, I was literally just talking to my therapist about this, Benanti says with a laugh. I never feel like Im doing enough ... I have this part of me that feels like if Im not doing multiple things at a time that Im doing something wrong. The world is hierarchical, and certainly this industry is, she says. So you can always find somebody more successful than you, tremendously more successful than you. So the thing Ive been trying to focus on is that I am enough. I am enough just as a woman in the world, as a mother, as a wife, as a daughter, as a sister, as a friend. I am so lucky that on any level, I get to make a living doing what I love and that Ive gotten to do that since I was 18 years old. Benanti doesnt see herself as a movie star or a huge TV star. She thinks her work is its own reward. Its just, in many ways, like winning the lottery, she says. Breaking free in The Gilded Age An upcoming role positions Benanti as quite the high-roller. In the second season of HBOs The Gilded Age, Benanti plays Susan Blane, a widow in well-heeled Newport, Rhode Island. Benanti delighted in stepping into the wardrobe of the 1880s-set drama. Man, it was amazing, she says. The detail that goes into these costumes and the hairdos. Not wearing makeup was something to get used to on television that definitely is a vulnerable feeling but I love that time period. I wouldnt have wanted to actually live in it, but sort of the romanticized version that we get to see on television and in film, its just so physically beautiful. Benanti is in good company among Jersey locals joining the cast (the premiere date is TBA). Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector as power couple Bertha and George Russell in HBO's "The Gilded Age." In the upcoming second season, Benanti joins the cast as a wealthy widow who hires the Russells' architect son to renovate her home.Alison Cohen Rosa | HBO Fellow Tony winner Robert Sean Leonard (The Invention of Love, Dead Poets Society, House) of Ridgewood plays the Rev. Matthew Forte, the new rector of a New York church. Broadway actor Michael Braugher (To Kill A Mockingbird), son of South Orange Emmy winner Andrew Braugher, plays real-life historical figure Booker T. Washington, the influential Black leader and Tuskegee Institute educator. Since Benantis character is based in Newport, she spent a lot of time on the palatial grounds of Gilded Age estates. It was interesting to see how so many of them have deteriorated because the taxes are so high that these families cant keep up, she says. So whats nice is that the use of them by The Gilded Age has allowed some families to hold on to them. Her character, Susan Blane, recently lost her husband, who was her senior by many years. She strikes up a connection with Larry Russell (Harry Richardson), the architect son of New York new-money power couple Bertha and George Russell (Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector). The charismatic widow hires the young scion of the railroad tycoon and socialite to renovate her seaside home. "I try to remind myself every day of how lucky I am," Benanti says.Bruce Glikas | WireImage Theres something about the containment that one had to have, the refinement, Benanti says. Theres something really fun about playing a character who is breaking free of that. This woman had been married to a man significantly older than her for quite some time. So all of a sudden, shes free. She was sort of stunted she married this man around 22 and then had 20 years of torture, essentially. And then meets a man who is 22, sort of the age where she stopped growing. To me, it was really an interesting character to navigate. Benanti has yet to see her episodes of the show. I dont know how it ended up getting edited, which is always an interesting thing as an actor, because your performance can change so much, or it is changed so much by the edit, she says. I hope the more yearning parts of her are still in there. But, you know, Ill find out. No Hard Feelings, in theaters Friday, June 23, runs 1 hour and 43 minutes and is rated R for sexual content, language, some graphic nudity and brief drug use. Red band trailer contains explicit language. Thank you for reading. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter. Friends, family and co-workers joined with police officers, firefighters and EMS crews from across the state Friday morning to pay their final respects to Mickey McCabe, the founder of McCabe Ambulance and co-founder of the New Jersey State EMS Task Force. A funeral Mass was performed at Saint Vincent de Paul Church in Bayonne. McCabe died Monday at the age of 76 of complications from the lung disease he suffered as a result of working on the pile at the World Trade Center site after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He underwent double-lung replacement in 2016 for interstitial lung disease with pulmonary fibrosis. My lungs were being eaten up by the debris that I inhaled at the site, McCabe told The Jersey Journal in 2021 of the diagnosis. McCabe founded his ambulance service in 1973 and built it into a business that answers more than 25,000 calls per year, including 9-1-1 for Bayonne, backup 9-1-1 for Hoboken, 9-1-1 call screening for both municipalities, mutual aid for neighboring communities in Hudson County, and emergency response to the New Jersey Turnpike and Bayonne Bridge. The city of Bayonne and the state of New Jersey lost a true legend in Mickey McCabe, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez said in a statement. Few people could match the grit and fight that Mickey had always advancing the cause of emergency response and preparedness and ensuring that those who answer the call have the support and resources they need. Ask Randy Wicker about being one of five grand marshals in the 2023 New York City Pride March and hell happily tell you that it will be his second time riding in a Jaguar, the first being when he caught a ride with a friend to a nudist colony. At 85, Wickers stories of adventures, friendships and historic activism could fill months worth of conversations. And while the longtime Hoboken resident is far from finished making new stories, Sundays ride in a Jaguar will be one that acknowledges all he has already done for the LGBTQ+ community. Im the last spokesman from the pre-Stonewall movement still standing and fighting, and Im not finished yet, Wicker said in an interview Thursday. Wicker is a legendary activist in many ways: He had a groundbreaking television segment answering questions about the gay community, he similarly discussed homosexuality on the radio and attended a sip in at a bar that did not serve homosexuals. He is also a part of Hoboken history for not only calling the city home for decades, but for living here with transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson. To this day, he still has a space in his apartment dedicated to Johnson, which he calls a temple for a saint. This year he will be honored in one of the biggest Pride marches in the world, alongside fellow grand marshals Billy Porter, Yasmin Benoit, AC Dumlao and Hope Giselle. Embodying our theme of strength in solidarity, each of this years grand marshals have used their platforms to bridge gaps within our community to bring about positive change for all marginalized voices, said Pride March Director Bansri Manek. Much of Wickers activism is based on a philosophy that increased visibility of LGBT individuals could counter discriminatory and false narratives about the community. His pioneering radio segment in 1962, for example, was in response to a station hosting a program with psychiatrists portraying homosexuality as a sickness. Wicker demanded time on that very radio station, brought other gay men with him, and spoke on the air about their reality. It is believed to be the first time that a radio broadcast about the gay experience actually allowed gay men into the conversation. Johnson began living with Wicker in Hoboken in 1980 and helped care for his lover there, who was battling AIDS. Though Johnson was found dead in the Hudson River in 1992, Wicker believes she is still there with him. He recalls the apartments above and below him experiencing damage from a fire while in his water just trickled down my wall, leaving it damage-free. That was Saint Marsha P. Johnson, Wicker said. He is quick to acknowledge the citys transformation since he first arrived (Just talk about Yuppyville, he said), though he does speak regretfully about not biting the bullet and purchasing a home here when they were more affordable. I love it, I just couldnt afford it today, Wicker said. What Im paying $1,400 for costs $4,000 across the street. He continues to find new ways to lend his voice. He is currently pushing for the removal of a statue of General Philip Sheridan near Stonewall through a petition that says Preserving a statue that symbolizes the mistreatment of Native Americans contradicts the principles of inclusivity, diversity, and respect for marginalized communities. You can catch Wicker in the Pride March Sunday beginning at 25th Street and Fifth Avenue and ending 16th Street and Seventh Avenue in Chelsea. It will also be broadcasted on ABC-TV Channel 7. Its just incredible because I represent 300 people that built a movement from 1950 to 1969, Wicker said. The North Hudson Community Action Corp. has been awarded a housing counseling grant of nearly $17,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The $16,746 award is part of $14.4 million in grants awarded by HUDs Office of Housing Counseling (OHC) to 180 housing counseling organizations. The awards support the comprehensive housing counseling services and continue to reach deeper into underserved communities through partnerships between HUD-approved housing counseling agencies, Historically Black Colleges, and Universities (HBCUs), and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). In New Jersey, HUD awarded $491,487 to nine housing counseling organizations. Homeownership is the primary way most people in this country build wealth, said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. It has the power to transform not only your life but the lives of your family members. Housing counseling services help ensure current and prospective homeowners have all the tools they need to purchase and maintain the homes of their dreams. In fiscal year 2022, HUD awarded more than $53 million in grants to support the critical services delivered by the nations housing counselors. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies address a full range of housing counseling needs, including assisting homebuyers in evaluating their readiness for a home purchase and navigating the home buying process, helping households find affordable rental housing and offering financial literacy training. In addition to providing counseling to homeowners and renters, HUD-approved housing counseling agencies support emergency preparedness and disaster recovery efforts, assist the homeless in finding transitional housing, and help seniors determine whether a HECM or other reverse mortgage makes sense for them. To locate a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, visit HUDs online locator or call (800) 569-4287 to use our interactive telephone locator service. The Pulaski Skyway in Jersey City will be closed in both directions over the weekend, the state Department of Transportation announced Friday as the rehabilitation project on the 91-year-old bridge continues. State DOT officials cited rocker bent work for the closure between 9 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Sunday. as the rehabilitation of the historic 91-year-old bridge advances in Jersey City. A rocker bent is a framework placed across a structure to provide both vertical and horizontal support. Officials said the closure will allow for other maintenance operations and bi-annual inspections to occur within the closed work zone to possibly eliminate the need for future lane closures. In addition, there will be blast cleaning and painting of the overhead bridge truss at span 44 over the railroads in Jersey City. The Skyway southbound and the northbound left lane will reopen by 10 a.m. Sunday. All northbound lanes are expected to reopen by 3 p.m. Sunday. If work is completed early, the Skyway will reopen sooner. To avoid delays, NJDOT is encouraging motorists to use the NJ Turnpike-Hudson County Extension to all destinations, including the Holland Tunnel, I-78, or to I-280/Route 7 and Route 1&9 Truck southbound. All other motorists will be directed to Route 1&9 Truck in both directions. Northbound closure and detour The northbound closure will begin past Newark Liberty International Airport with the Route 1&9 Express Lanes directed onto the local lanes. Traffic will follow Route 1&9 Truck northbound to the intersection of Route 7, Route 139, and Route 1&9 in Jersey City. Northbound motorists heading to Hoboken, Jersey City or New York City also may use the New Jersey Turnpike-Hudson County Extension (I-78 eastbound). Southbound closure and detour The southbound closure on Route 139 lower roadway will begin over the Tonnele Circle. All traffic coming from Route 139 will be directed to the off ramp to I-280/Route 7 and Route 1&9 Truck southbound. In addition, the ramp from the Tonnele Circle on to Pulaski Skyway southbound will also be closed. Traffic on Route 1&9 southbound heading toward Tonnele Circle is encouraged to stay right and use the prior ramp to Route 1&9 Truck. Southbound Detour (toward Newark): Leaving the Holland Tunnel, motorists will have the following options: Stay to the far right and take the NJ Turnpike-Hudson County Extension to all destinations west and south, including I-78 (this is the recommended option) Stay to the left and follow signs for Route 139 West, then stay left to Route 1&9 Truck southbound towards Newark, Route 7 and I-280. Local traffic for Jersey City: Stay to the middle to take Route 139 Upper Roadway and follow signs to Kennedy Boulevard/Jersey City, to best access many local Jersey City locations and other points north (Secaucus). Kearny ramp detour A Flemington borough councilman charged with selling drugs to an undercover police officer earlier this year has been indicted, authorities said Friday. Malik Johnston, 46, was indicted Thursday on charges of distributing and possessing cocaine and methamphetamine, the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office said. Also known as Pippin J. Folk, Johnston allegedly sold the drugs to the cop in January and February in Raritan Township. He was also in possession of drugs in Flemington, officials said. The Democratic councilman, whose term expires at the end of the year, has ignored repeated calls from fellow council members to resign. He has not spoken publicly about the charges. Johnstons biography has been removed from the borough website, though he is still listed as a council member. The Hunterdon County law firm representing Johnston didnt immediately return a call from NJ Advance Media seeking comment. In March, Flemington Mayor Marcia Karrow said that borough attorney Chris Corsini told the council it cant remove an elected official who continues to attend meetings and serve as liaison on committees they have been appointed to. A recall election is the mechanism used to remove an elected official in New Jersey. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) called on the Council of Europe member states and observer states, as well as the European Union, to create a public register of organizations and individuals working in the interests of the Russian Federation, as well as a register of companies and individuals evading sanctions. This is stated in the resolution "Political consequences of the Russian Federation's war of aggression against Ukraine," adopted at the PACE plenary meeting in Strasbourg on Thursday. Believing that an effective framework to address sanction avoidance should rest on the following elements, the Assembly calls on Council of Europe member and observer States and the European Union to take them into account: creating strategic European economic autonomy from Russian oil and gas that are used for Russian imperialistic geopolitical purposes; introducing measures to reduce the resale of Russian oil and gas to Europe via third countries. The PACE recommendations also include expanding the list of individuals and entities targeted by the restrictive measures in the Russian Federation and third countries; identifying the major categories of entities and individuals which play a significant role in sanction avoidance, such as banks, insurance companies, financial advisers, financial institutions, transport and logistics companies, ports, and service companies. According to the resolution, the problem of sanctions evasion will be solved by setting up effective mechanisms to monitor sanctions compliance, for instance a dedicated Task Force; introducing and implementing secondary sanctions, and monitoring compliance with them; as well as introducing international guidelines for financial institutions to assess risks carefully for customers and transactions prone to sanction avoidance. The PACE also suggested considering the establishment of a pan-European body with the authority to investigate and prosecute persons involved in sanctions avoidance. "Such a body (Task Force), like the Register of the States and entities, banks and firms that are circumventing sanctions, should be established as soon as possible and it should work in parallel with the Register of Damage," the resolution notes. In addition, it suggested introducing monetary incentives for whistle-blowers reporting specific details of sanction avoidance. Two comedians are always better than one. Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan will be heading out on a four city tour this fall. The comedy duo will be performing in San Francisco on Nov. 3, Los Angeles on Nov. 4, Chicago on Nov. 9 and 10 and St. Louis on Nov. 11. Jim and I met doing Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and have been talking about doing this for years, Seinfeld said in a statement. We finally made the schedules work out. Cant wait. If you want to see the comedians on tour this November, here is how you can. Where can I get tickets to Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigans tour? Tickets for Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigans tour will go on sale on June 23 at 10 a.m. on Ticketmaster. However, tickets are also available on the secondary market. Comedy fans can look for tickets on StubHub, Vivid Seats, MegaSeats and TicketNetwork. First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout. A complete list of Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigans tour dates is available here. More comedians heading out on tour Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan are not the only comedians heading out on tour this year. Here are a few more comedy tours you do not want to miss. RELATED STORIES ABOUT LIVE EVENTS: Taylor Swift tour 2023: Full schedule, dates, where to buy tickets Billy Joel ends 10-year MSG residency in 2024: How to secure tickets Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull and Ricky Martin 2023 tour: How to get tickets Matt Rife world tour 2023: Schedule, dates, where to buy tickets Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. A man found dead inside a crashed car Thursday morning in Trenton was shot in an apparent homicide, Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor Rachel Cook told NJ Advance Media. Officers were called to Vine Street around 7 a.m. for a report of a crash and found the man, identified as Guillermo Sanchez, unresponsive inside the car, Cook said. Detectives discovered that Sanchez had a gunshot wound, but it was unclear exactly when he had been shot, authorities said. No other information was released Thursday night as the shooting remained under investigation by the office. Cook asked anyone with information to contact Mercer County Prosecutors Office Detective Sgt. Roberto Reyes or Detective Elijah Phillips at 609-989-6406 or to email mchtftips@mercercounty.org. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. The 75-year-old Nestle plant in Freehold will package its last batch of instant coffee this fall as the company moves its coffee production entirely outside the United States. Swiss food and beverage brand Nestle confirmed Friday that production at the Monmouth County manufacturing plant on Jerseyville Avenue will stop in November and there will be layoffs for the factorys 227 employees. Update: Allen Collins completed the New Jersey section of the Appalachian Trail within his 24-hour goal, with about a half-hour to spare, and the fundraiser as of July 10 had raised $62,000 for the Rescue Mission of Trenton, according to mission spokesperson Patrick Sweeney. Allen Collins has a straightforward strategy for traversing New Jerseys 72 miles of the Appalachian Trail in under 24 hours this weekend. Hike the uphills. Jog the flats. Pick up a little speed going downhill, said Collins, 39, who lives in Vernon near the trail. Collins is an endurance athlete, entrepreneur, recovering addict and volunteer faculty member for the Rescue Mission of Trenton. The nonprofit organization is seeking to raise $100,000 in donations through Collins Appalachian Trail fundraiser, a spokesperson said. Collins expects to step off from the trail rock that marks New Jerseys border with New York at 8 a.m. Saturday and, if all goes according to plan, reach the Pennsylvania line by 8 a.m. Sunday. He plans to continue throughout the night, aided by a headlamp. He is aiming for a minimum 20-minute per mile pace along a strenuous route through the hills of in northwestern New Jersey where the elevation ranges from 350 to 1,685 feet. Asked about the most challenging aspect, Collins said, Its the running through the night in the dark with the not sleeping part. The Rescue Mission of Trenton provides a homeless shelter, addiction services, food pantry and supportive housing, among other services. It is touting Collins, a Brick native who owns three nutrition supplement stores, as an addiction recovery success story, a decade removed from his last trip to drug rehabilitation. Collins is a volunteer faculty member for The New Direction Program, which helps those in recovery envision their potential and future direction, said Patrick Sweeney, spokesperson for the Rescue Mission of Trenton. He doesnt look like a runner. He looks like a bodybuilder. Hes taken his passion and made it such a positive influence for himself and for others, Sweeney said. Handwritten notes from a graduation speech by Charles Chandler, a participant in the New Direction program at the Trenton Rescue Mission.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Collins said he began using drugs at age 14 and was 18 when he first went to rehab. He said he endured frequent arrests and bouts of anger before finally getting clean, aided by counseling, meetings and journaling, a decade ago. His first job, after treatment, was an entry-level, minimum wage job at a gym. I loved being in the gym and wanted to be around people who were focused on staying healthy, said Collins, a married father of two. Physical fitness remains a crucial part of his recovery, he said. Collins said he owns Underground Nutrition, which operates nutrition supplement stores in Marlboro, Hazlet and Garwood. He takes part in Hyrox races, consisting of short bursts of running repeatedly interrupted by wide-ranging feats of strength, such as pushing a sled, and the Spartan Races known for their elaborate obstacle courses. Allen inspires those in earlier stages of recovery as he freely shares his personal journey of finding the discipline within himself to recover and succeed as an entrepreneur, said Barrett Young, CEO of the Rescue Mission of Trenton. They know he truly cares about them, because he has been there, and his personal message about discipline leading to freedom resonates strongly when he teaches those who are struggling with addiction, Young said. His longest effort on the Appalachian Trail, prior to this weekend, was a 50-mile race in New York about two years ago. Anyone is welcome to join him along the way, but Collins warned he will not be lingering to chat. Im not hanging. Youre going to see me for a few seconds. The most important thing is to finish it, and to finish it in under 24 hours, Collins said. Three "thru-hikers," a designation for those attempting to hike the entire Appalachian Trail between Georgia and Maine, making their way through Vernon, N.J., May 29, 2018Rob Jennings | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The Appalachian Trail is perhaps the worlds best-known hiking trail and totals just under 2,200 miles between Georgia and Maine. Every year, about 2,500 thru-hikers succeed in completing the entire Appalachian Trail, which on average takes about six months. Karel Sabbe of Belgium in 2018 had the fastest finishing time 41 days, 7 hours and 39 minutes, according to Guinness World Records. Collins in intimately familiar with the New Jersey section of the trail. Hes run, jogged or hiked through every section of it at some point, he said. I see bears and deer and foxes and coyotes, he said. He has hiked the iconic Stairway to Heaven, a lengthy upwards hike in Vernon offering especially stellar views, about 30 times. I can see the Stairway to Heaven summit from my deck, which is pretty cool, he said. Collins will be aided by a team of four this weekend. His crew chief, Kevin Hoegler, will provide social media updates on his progress. Anthony Russo will be driving a support vehicle theres at least eight road crossings where they can meet up with Collins and provide food and other supplies while Shane Kelly and Dan Marchese will take turns running with him, possibly starting around the 20-mile mark. It is a rain-or-shine effort rain is in the forecast this weekend but Collins acknowledged that lightning could alter his plan. Im just going to assume well have no lightning, he said Wednesday. Collins is planning to get up at 5 a.m. Saturday. Hell take a cold shower, meditate, probably have some eggs and bacon and milk. Then, he has to hike up to the rock marking the border, about a two-mile journey and thats before he begins his 72-mile effort. Collins doesnt see it as extra work. Thats the warmup, he joked. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Officials have released photos of clothing and jewelry items in the case of the unidentified woman who was fatally struck by an NJ Transit train on the Jersey Shore 15 years ago. The woman was hit about 1:38 a.m. on June 15, 2008, by a North Jersey Coast Line train in the town of Brielle, between the Manasquan and Point Pleasant Beach stations, according to the New Jersey Transit Police. The victim has been described as about 54, 115 to 130 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes and was estimated to be between the ages of 18 and 30 in 2008. At the time of the incident, she was wearing a white t-shirt with a red long-sleeved sweatshirt underneath, Adidas sneakers with black stripes, a blue rosary bead type necklace and a wooden bracelet with religious icons, police said. She was also carrying a New York tote bag that contained additional clothes, including a sweater with a picture of a winter scene on the front, officials said. Police say the victim was carrying this tote bag when she was struck by a NJ Transit train in 2008.NJ Transit Police The victim had short fingernails painted silver with white lines. She also had a scar on both hands and another scar on the abdomen, possibly indicating an appendix surgery, authorities said. Detectives with the State Police Forensic Imaging Unit created a facial reconstruction sketch that was released to the public last year. Investigators have used her dental characteristics, fingerprints and DNA to attempt to identify her, but never found a positive match. The New Jersey Transit Police is asking anyone with tips about the victim to contact Detective Marianna Tropeano of the agencys investigations bureau at 973-491-8634 or email mtropeano@njtransit.com. Police say the victim was wearing this bracelet when she was struck by a NJ Transit train in 2008.NJ Transit Police The woman was hit about 1:38 a.m. on June 15, 2008, by train No. 4785 on the North Jersey Coast Line between the Manasquan and Point Pleasant stations.New Jersey State Police Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. Gary Sanchez has rocked another homer for San Diego. The Padres catcher ended a 0-for-22 slump with a three-run home run in Thursdays 10-0 win over the Giants. BUY MLB TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER It was Sanchezs seventh home run since joining the Padres. The Mets signed Sanchez on May 9, and after he raked for Triple-A Syracuse, they called him up to the major league roster where he had a strong debut catching Max Scherzer. In the end, things did not work out in Queens. He played three games for the Mets, going 1-of-6, driving in one run and striking out three times. Sanchez, 30, won a Silver Slugger award and was a two-time All-Star teams in his six seasons with the Yankees, but he still fell short of expectations and couldnt live down his reputation as a defensive liability. After being traded to the Twins, he batted .205/.282/.377 with 16 home runs and 61 RBI in 128 games last season, then became a free agent. Sanchez signed a minor-league deal with the San Francisco Giants in March, but was cut after posting a .164/.319/.182 slash line in Triple-A. In 13 games, he had no home runs and eight RBI in 55 at-bats. He also struck out 19 times. Padres manager Bob Melvin has also complimented Sanchezs defense, which was the a large source of the Yankees woes while he served as their backstop. Want to bet on MLB? See the best NJ Sports Betting sites I think some of the balls maybe in the dirt, in the past hes sold out to framing, Melvin told the San Diego Union Tribune. " I think thats where hes gotten some of his criticism, but I think hes found a nice balance to where he gets in a position to where he can block a ball in front of him. Hes done that and his framing numbers and throwing arm has always been there. MORE SPORTS: - N.J. native Marina Alex takes first tee shot of KPMG womens PGA championship at Baltusrol - Tyrod Taylor gives Giants quality insurance plan as backup quarterback - Ex-Eagles WR Jordan Matthews: What it was like watching Philly win the Super Bowl after being traded Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Bridget Hyland may be reached at bhyland@njadvancemedia.com. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. Ukrainian MFA calls on world community to react in consolidated manner to threatening situation at Zaporizhia NPP The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has called on the world community to respond in a consolidated manner to information about the threat of a terrorist attack at the Zaporizhia NPP, and also asks the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to give a clear assessment of the criminal actions of the Russian Federation. The scale of challenges and threats facing the global nuclear security regime today as a result of the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine is extremely high and requires joint and robust international efforts to avert a nuclear disaster, the statement reads. We call on the international community, in particular the Group of Seven and the EU, to take urgent measures to prevent a nuclear disaster at the Zaporizhzhia NPP, including but not limited to introducing strengthened restrictive measures against the Russian nuclear industry and military-industrial complex, the ministry said in a statement released on Thursday evening. The ministry insists on the need to recognize Russia as a terrorist state and ensure the inevitability of political, economic and legal consequences for all crimes and illegal actions committed by it. Also, the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine appealed to the leadership of the IAEA. By occupying the ZNPP, Russia grossly violates international law and nuclear safety norms and standards, including the seven IAEA fundamental principles on nuclear safety and security, the statement says. We expect an objective assessment by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi regarding Russia's criminal actions, the statement says. A briefing for partner countries on the situation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant (HPP) was held at the Presidents Office of Ukraine on Thursday, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message on Thursday. There were representatives of the G7 and G20 countries, as well as representatives of international organizations. Here, in the Office. The MID, the Office's team, our diplomats provided the available information. Our principle is simple: the world must know what the occupier is preparing, the head of state said. According to him, it is Russia that is now the global center of cynicism, and any order for any evil that they hope to disguise as a disaster can come from there. The world has enough power to prevent any radiation incidents, let alone a radiation catastrophe. We will continue to inform our partners. We will also provide information to those countries that are pretending to be neutral even now. Obviously, radiation does not ask who is neutral and can reach anyone in the world. Accordingly, anyone in the world can help now, and it is quite clear what to do, Zelenskyy said. He stressed that full de-occupation of the Zaporizhia NPP is a must. And anyone who turns a blind eye to Russia's occupation of such a facility, to Russia's mining of the territory and facilities of the nuclear power plant, is actually contributing not only to this Russian evil, but also to terror in general. She discusses going back to work after her musician brother's passing, why she is determined to keep doing series such as 'The Talk' and 'Follow the Line' The United Nations (UN) has put Russia on the global list of violators for the murder of children in Ukraine, Reuters reports, citing a report by the UN Security Council. The statement says that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday accused Russia of killing 136 children in Ukraine in 2022, adding its armed forces to the global list of violators. In addition, the UN confirmed that the armed forces of the Russian Federation and groups associated with them injured 518 children and carried out 480 attacks on schools and hospitals. The report also says that the occupiers used 91 children as human shields. The UN report on children and armed conflict confirmed the abduction of 91 children by the armed forces of the Russian Federation, the children were subsequently released. The report also confirmed the transfer of 46 children to Russia from Ukraine. As reported, on March 17, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Putin and Commissioner for Children's Rights of Russia Maria Lvova-Belova for the illegal deportation and relocation of Ukrainian children. Polish President Andrzej Duda has said that Poland is ready to help with the training of Ukrainian pilots on Western F-16 fighters. During an interview with Ukrainian TV channels, which was broadcast on the telethon on Friday, Duda noted that, in fact, from the very beginning of the war, Poland has been training the Ukrainian military on its territory. In various fields, including recently and for tankers, as well as in the operation of the self-propelled gun Crab or other areas. We also offer our training when it comes to F-16 aircraft. After all, as you know, we have a certain pool of F-16 aircraft, and we have pilots who already have extensive experience working on F-16s, have flown them in different places, not only in Poland. Therefore, we have the opportunity to conduct these exercises. We really offered these trainings, President Duda said. He stressed that this will contribute to the victory of Ukraine, the rebuff of the Russian army. Duda recalled that Poland had previously transferred MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine. These planes had a great advantage in that Ukrainian pilots could fly immediately, without any exercises. Yes, we have supported, support and will support Ukraine, he assured. Earlier, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said that the training of Ukrainian pilots on modern fighters will begin in the near future, and preparations for the creation of an F-16 training center in Eastern Europe are also in full swing. At the last, 13th, meeting of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine, assurances were received from partners about the start of training Ukrainian pilots on modern fighters, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said. Ukraine needs more aircraft, helicopters and shoulder-launched missiles for a successful counter-offensive since Russia's dominance in the air is the second largest problem, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba has said. "The biggest problem on the counter-offensive is the sustainability of the supply of artillery ammunition, and in sufficient quantities. And the second largest problem of the counter-offensive is Russia's dominance in the air," he said in an interview with The Telegraph. The minister stressed that "the biggest mountain that we have to climb is to ensure the sustainability of deliveries of artillery ammunition," and added that this is still the unconquered summit of "weapons diplomacy." Kuleba also said that success on the battleground relates with the direction in which the diplomatic effort will go. In this regard, he said that this counter-offensive or the next counter-offensive should not be seen as the decisive or the final one. "Of course we are cautious. We are aware of the fact that if the achievements on the ground will not be perceived as success, voices saying 'okay, we tried but it doesn't work militarily, so we have to put them at the table and negotiate' will become louder," the minister said. He rejected the suggestion that calls from U.S. Republicans for an end to support for Ukraine represented the party's mainstream, however, and said he expected bi-partisan American support for Ukraine to be sustained. Kuleba also said Ukraine is still trying to persuade the United States to supply ATACMS missiles for long-range precision strikes. NTV News 24 is a service of Nippon Television, Japan's leading broadcasting network. This page provides a selection of today's stories in English. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the beginning of a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) in Kyiv. "The focus is on three big topics. Firstly, safety of people. A quarter of bomb shelters all over Ukraine and one third in Kyiv are unsuitable for use. The decision of the NSDC: those guilty must be punished and all shelters must be brough into proper condition," the head of state said on the Telegram channel on Friday. "Secondly, the courts. We continue to implement judicial reform in close cooperation with the EU. We are toughening liability for corruption in the justice system. Separately, we are developing a mechanism of protection in courts for foreign and domestic investment. Thirdly, our future in the EU. We are accelerating our work on the fulfillment of European recommendations," Zelenskyy said. The Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-winning play Doubt A Parable will be staged in Munster. The acclaimed play by playwright John Patrick Shanley, which was turned into a movie starring Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman, will be performed one night only as a staged play reading with scenes at 3 p.m. June 25 at the Theatre at the Center at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster. The matinee is being performed as a charity show with the permission of the author and Dramatists Play Service, Inc. It will benefit the Edith Root Scholarship of WANISS, the Womens Association of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Society. "In this brilliant and powerful drama set in fall 1964, Sister Aloysius, a Bronx school principal, takes matters into her own hands, despite the reservations of a novice nun classroom teacher, when she suspects Father Flynn of improper relations with a student, and seeks to counter the indifference of the students mother," South Shore Arts said in a press release. "She seeks to counter the indifference of the students mother. Suspenseful and riveting with moments of humor, the stage story was the recipient of a Tony Award for Best Play and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2005." Originally staged off Broadway, the play debuted at the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway in 2005 and ran for 525 performances. It earned actress Cherry Jones a Tony for her turn as Sister Aloysius, who Streep played in the 2008 film adaptation. The movie version earned Streep, Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis in her break through role, Oscar nominations for acting. The stage reading in Munster will feature the comedienne Jeannie Rapstad as Sister Aloysius Beauvier, Renee Giragos as Sister James, Lisa Tyree as Mrs. Muller and columnist Philip Potempa as Father Brendan Flynn. Popular WJOB Radio Personality Tony Panek will provide narration and sound affects. Tina Stasny serves as the costume designer. Potempa, who recently performed Dickens Christmas Carol Dinner Show" at the Theatre at the Center with Rapstad and Panek, will provide stage directions. Tickets are $35. For tickets or more information, call 219-836-3255 or visit cvpa.org. HAMMOND A federal judge Friday ordered former GOP Portage Mayor James Snyder to surrender himself Oct. 16 to begin serving a 21-month prison term for his bribery and tax violation convictions. Federal prosecutors sought to have 45-year-old Snyder turn himself in by Tuesday, but that request was denied by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly. During the Friday morning telephonic hearing, Kennelly referred to defense hopes of a successful appeal, specifically on the bribery charge, but said it remains a longshot. "This is a really old case," he said. In arguing for a delay in Snyder's surrender, defense attorney Andrea E. Gambino said, "We're not finished with the appeals process." Snyder intends to seek another appellate hearing, as well as potentially seek to have the case heard by the Supreme Court, she said in a filing before the court. "Mr. Snyder has received offers from several large firms with Supreme Court practices, to assist him in preparing a petition for a writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court," according to the defense. "These offers express the view that the Supreme Court is likely to grant certiorari on the issue." The action in the case comes just more than a week after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit 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," Amarjeet Bhachu, special attorney for the United States, had written in his request for a more immediate surrender. 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. Porter County drug trafficking operation shut down, man arrested, police say The accused was taken into custody and a search of the home led to the recovery of evidence that was consistent with narcotics trafficking, according to police. The sentence, passed down Kennelly in October 2021, was well below the recommended sentencing guideline of 46 to 57 months on Snyder's federal bribery and tax violation convictions. Kennelly then in December 2021 granted Snyder's request to remain out on bond while appealing his convictions, one of which had been affirmed during two different trials. Snyder 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. Porter County murder charges filed against 2 in last week's death of Hobart man, records show "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Derek Hartz during this difficult time," Porter County police said. 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. CROWN POINT A Hammond man was sentenced to 32 years in prison on Thursday for an April 2022 shooting at a Hammond smoke shop, which left one man dead. Marcus Ross, 29, was originally charged with murder and criminal recklessness, according to court records. A jury found Ross guilty of a lower charge voluntary manslaughter on May 11. Ross was sentenced to 22 years for the voluntary manslaughter. Ross was found guilty on the voluntary manslaughter charge because his attorney argued said he acted in sudden heat when he fatally shot Zachery Smith, 27, of Chicago. He was also found guilty of a weapons enhancement charge, which added an additional 10 years to his sentence. Charging documents described on April 1, 2022, Ross shot Smith in retaliation to an earlier confrontation, during which Smith pointed a gun at Ross. After he shot Smith, Ross got into Mycheal Thomass car and fled the Oasis Smoke Shop parking lot, located at 5535 State Line Ave., according to a probable-cause affidavit. Thomas was also charged with murder and criminal recklessness, according to court records. Her next court appearance is set for July 5 in Judge Gina Joness courtroom. Before Ross was sentenced, Smiths parents spoke to how the shooting death of their son has affected them. Smiths mother told the courtroom on Thursday how no sentence could fill the hole in her heart left by her sons passing. As much as I pray for myself, I pray for you too, man, Smiths father said to Ross. Ross apologized to Smiths family and his own, and said I still myself do not know why this occurred. Prosecutors maintained that Ross should serve 22 years for the manslaughter charge because of his criminal history, which spanned back to when he was 14. Prosecutor Cole Galloway said Ross got many second chances during his run-ins with the criminal justice system. Galloway said Ross couldve taken that experience and turned things around and instead of enacting the cool, calm and collected killing of Mr. Smith. Defense attorney Lakeisha Murdaugh said Ross should receive a shorter sentence, in part, because he expressed remorse and he has six children whom he needs to care for. Rosss mother detailed how she and his children need him home. She pleaded Judge Jones to show mercy and said I know he knows what he did is wrong. Ahead of delivering Rosss sentence, Jones disagreed with Ross' mother and attorneys characterization. She said she did not believe that he was remorseful, because he had been untruthful on multiple occasions. Jones also highlighted Rosss prior felony convictions and said you knew you werent supposed to have a gun. Ross indicated that he plans to appeal his sentence. Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail Tevin Jones Stephanie Pabon Soula Campbell Shanta Baker Mykia Canady Monica Acevez Michael Novak Michael Frassrand Mark Stovall Jr. Mark McGowan Manuel Arce Louis Adkins Lois Williams Larondo Thomas Laquintae Taborn Kevin Johnston Kevin Cokes Keturah Carter-Lampkins Keith Nowling Keith Eastwood Katina Kidd Jordon Novorita Jonathon Thomas Jhust McBride Ervin Pearson Erin Dunning Dyequan Kizer Derek Akins Demetrius Morris David Garza Courtney Hill Christopher Hawkins Jr. Charles Schuler Carvell Thomas Carrington Pitts Butch Ferry Brockton Lane Brandon Dubose Ashley Griffith Ashley Cook Anthony Mysliwiec Anthony Hiles Andrea Black Amber Kowal Amanda Sellers Alejandro Sanchez Franciscan Health and RUSH are expanding their partnership to bring more acclaimed Chicago healthcare services to Northwest Indiana. Rush University System for Health or RUSH is now providing vascular surgery options at the Franciscan Health Munster campus. RUSH vascular surgeon Michele Richard will now see patients and do surgeries in Munster. She will work with Franciscan Physician Network interventional cardiologists like Michael Nicholas, Wisam Martini and Tariq Hameed. We are thrilled to be able to expand our collaborative efforts with our partners at RUSH to provide more vascular surgery options for our patients in Northwest Indiana, Franciscan Health Munster President and CEO Dean Mazzoni said. Franciscan Alliance is dedicated to providing compassionate care in a community setting. We are looking forward to more exciting announcements in the near future regarding our partnership with RUSH and our plans to continue to provide access to the highest quality healthcare in Northwest Indiana. Franciscan and RUSH already have been partnering on cancer and neuroscience since September. RUSH specialists at oncology, neurology and neurosurgery treat patients at Franciscan Health campuses in Northwest Indiana, for instance helping treat stroke patients at Franciscan emergency rooms. Since last year, RUSH has brought its nationally recognized thoracic surgeons to the Franciscan Health Munster and Dyer campuses. RUSH also helps Franciscan Health with advisory services to help Franciscan Health Olympia Fields in graduate medical education and physician recruitment, letting trainees take part in educational activities like RUSH grand rounds. We are enthusiastic about the expansion of our partnership with Franciscan, said Dr. Paul Casey, senior vice president, chief medical officer and interim president, RUSH Faculty Practice Group. Dr. Richard will provide the highest quality, world-class vascular surgery care, treating complex cases closer to where patients live. Richard is now seeing patients at RUSH at Franciscan Health Munster, 701 Superior Drive, Suite O, in Munster. To make an appointment or for more information, call 312-563-2762. The state agency that reviews and gives final approval to property tax assessments and local government budgets has a new leader. Gov. Eric Holcomb has appointed Daniel Shackle as commissioner of the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF). Shackle, an Indianapolis attorney, comes to DLGF from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) where he served as chief legal officer and ethics officer. Though prior to joining the BMV in 2020 Shackle was chief of staff and general counsel at DLGF. He succeeds as DLGF commissioner Wes Bennett, who is taking up a new post Monday at the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. "During his time in state government, Dan has proven his commitment to improving the customer experience for Hoosiers through collaboration, purposeful leadership and effective public policy," Holcomb said. "He understands that local communities and their citizens are best served through respectful relationships and clear communication." Shackle said he's honored to be selected by the governor to lead DLGF and for the opportunity to return to his former state agency. "I look forward to continuing the success the department realized under Commissioner Bennett and engaging with local governments across the state. Much like the BMV, DLGF and its dedicated employees provide a valuable service to Hoosiers. I am eager to get started," Shackle said. As DLGF commissioner, Shackle also is a member of the Indiana Distressed Unit Appeals Board that currently is overseeing emergency management of the Gary Community School Corp. Gallery: Get to know these new Indiana laws that took effect July 1 AirTags Alcohol permits Animal facilities Annexation Book bans Bullying Charter schools Child molesting Childrens hospitals Domestic violence Drinking water Electric/hybrid vehicles Encroachment FAFSA Financial literacy Firefighting equipment Food and beverage tax Gender-affirming care Gary schools Gasoline tax Human trafficking Illiana Expressway Inmate gender Insurance fund Juror pay Juveniles Lake County convention center Lake County recorder Landlords Little Calumet River Lost farmland Machine guns Mail-in ballots Mental health Military bases Military pay Pension investments Public health School board elections Service animals Sex education SNAP assistance Speed cameras State comptroller Storage units Tax sales Taxpayer receipt Teachers unions Throwing stars Transit Development District 21st Century Scholars Valparaiso lawsuit Xylazine The Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte took part in a summit to address substance use and mental health issues in Hoosier Schools. The foundation that aims to help LaPorte County residents be healthy and well attended the state's first Youth Emerging Stronger or YES! Summit in Noblesville to discuss evidence-based drug prevention and mental health support in K-12 schools. The Indiana Department of Education, Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and North Central Health Services, Inc. organized the summit. More than 300 Indiana school leaders, health care providers and educational stakeholders took part. Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte President and CEO Maria Fruth and Special Projects Manager Mary Wellnitz attended to discuss mental health support and prevention programs. The foundation for instance launched the Partners in Prevention grant initiative in 2019 to help LaPorte County schools pursue proven substance use prevention programs. It's helped 13,000 students in 11 school systems over the last three years. The LaPorte Community School Corporation, Michigan City Area Schools, New Prairie United School Corporation, Queen of All Saints School, St. Johns Lutheran School, South Central Community School Corporation and Tri-Township Consolidated School Corporation went to the summit to learn about similar programs. Michigan City Area Schools superintendent Barbara Eason-Watkins spoke at the summit on how the school district is "collecting and using data for continuous improvement of their school-based prevention and mental health initiatives and programs, as well as demonstrating student impact to maintain stakeholder buy-in." The hope is to help the almost 40% of Hoosier middle and high school students who reported feeling sad or hopeless daily for two weeks or more, often leading them to drink alcohol or use drugs. For more information, visit https://yessummit.today/. HAMMOND A Gary man is admitting he committed a federal weapons violation earlier this year. Clinton Retic II appeared Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joshua P. Kolar to plead guilty to being a felon in possession of a black .40-caliber Model 22 Glock pistol. Retic admitted he was legally barred from possessing firearms because he was previously convicted of Aggravated Battery, a Class B Felony, in Lake County 19 years earlier. Court records state Retic was driving a blue Ford SUV the morning of March 22 this year in the 2400 block of Broadway when he pulled into a service station there without using a turn signal. The officer activated his squad cars emergency lights to pull Retic over. Retic got out of his car and walked inside, refusing the officers order to stay in his vehicle. Moments later, Retic walked back outside and surrendered to police. Another officer assisting in Retics arrest used a web-based platform to remotely access video camera footage of the gas stations surveillance system and saw Retic reach into his sweatshirt pocket, pull a gun out and hide it behind an ice cream cooler near the cash register. Officers looked behind the ice cream cooler and found a black .40-caliber Model 22 Glock pistol loaded with 15 live rounds of ammunition. The U.S. Attorney charged Retic earlier this month with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Retic gave up his constitutional right to make the government prove the allegations against him in a jury trial in return for a more lenient sentence than the maximum term available under law, 15 years imprisonment. The magistrate judge is recommending Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio accept that Retic's guilty plea appears to be voluntarily and knowingly made. DeGuilio has scheduled a sentencing date of Oct. 4 for Retic's sentencing. Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail Tevin Jones Stephanie Pabon Soula Campbell Shanta Baker Mykia Canady Monica Acevez Michael Novak Michael Frassrand Mark Stovall Jr. Mark McGowan Manuel Arce Louis Adkins Lois Williams Larondo Thomas Laquintae Taborn Kevin Johnston Kevin Cokes Keturah Carter-Lampkins Keith Nowling Keith Eastwood Katina Kidd Jordon Novorita Jonathon Thomas Jhust McBride Ervin Pearson Erin Dunning Dyequan Kizer Derek Akins Demetrius Morris David Garza Courtney Hill Christopher Hawkins Jr. Charles Schuler Carvell Thomas Carrington Pitts Butch Ferry Brockton Lane Brandon Dubose Ashley Griffith Ashley Cook Anthony Mysliwiec Anthony Hiles Andrea Black Amber Kowal Amanda Sellers Alejandro Sanchez A new Crown Staffing office in the Region donated to Franciscan Health Foundation's Food Insecurity Program to help feed those in need. The family-owned regional employment services agency, which dates back to 1968, has offices in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Nebraska, Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Tennessee. It did a food drive to benefit Franciscans Food Insecurity Program and Fresh Start Markets to celebrate its new Dyer office at 910 Richard Rd, Suite B, in Dyer. The Franciscan Health Foundation and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana partnered to address food security across Northwest Indiana, including by running food pantries in Crown Point and Hammond where the needy can shop free of charge for healthy, nutritious food. People can get food assistance at designated times at Fresh Start Market food pantries at the Womens Specialty and Dialysis Center Entrance at 5454 Hohman Ave. in Hammond and the Physician Network St. Clare Health Center at 1121 S. Indiana Ave. in Crown Point. The Fresh Start Markets accept donations from the general public. The service we provide to the community with the help of our donors is vital in a county that is experiencing an almost 15% food insecurity rate, said MinDee Richard, director of development for the Franciscan Health Foundation. Thank you to Crown Staffing and best of luck with this new location. For more information or to sign up for assistance, call 219-407-6948. LAPORTE Northwest Indiana has a special place in Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouchs heart. Youve just got an incredible area up here, she said. It is going to lead Indiana in growth in the future because of the quality of life that you have, Crouch told the LaPorte County Association of Realtors at a Thursday luncheon. Kudos to you for doing your part. Crouch offered a familiar list of economic accolades, including a AAA credit rating, the nations leader in advanced manufacturing, No. 1 in the Midwest and No. 6 in the state for business environment. That wasnt always the case. When I was in local government, the state was not in a very good financial position, she said. Over the past 18 years, she said, the situation has turned around. The next chapter in Indiana history is about quality of life, she said. It used to be that people followed businesses. Today business is following people. People are choosing to live where you have quality of life, she said. The federal infrastructure bill will mean an additional $500 million to $600 million for Indiana, she guesstimated. Indiana is already offering Community Crossings grants of up to $1 million for local governments to pave roads, and the Next Level Trails grants have helped build the Marquette Greenway and other trails in the Region. Maggie McShane, senior vice president of government affairs for the Indiana Association of Realtors, asked her LaPorte County constituents if the Double Track NWI project, aimed at cutting South Shore Line travel time to about an hour between Chicago and Michigan City, is having its intended effect on real estate here. I hear all of you saying, Heck yeah! she summarized after hearing their remarks. Improving quality of life means more than just investing in physical improvements, however. Its about how we care for each other in the community, Crouch said. Thats especially important to her because some members of her family have struggled with anxiety and depression. Theyre not alone. Since COVID-19 began, there has been a 20% increase in anxiety and depression, Crouch said. Among young people, the increase is 60%. We know we have to do something, she said. The state put $100 million toward staffing the 988 suicide hotline, she said. In addition, Senate Enrolled Act 4, authored by state Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, is offering millions of dollars to counties for improving physical and mental health. Crouch noted Indiana ranks near the bottom nationally for health outcomes. We have horrible health outcomes compared to this country. Crouch, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor next year, said she hopes the state will reimagine state government, realigning the approximately 100 agencies and creating navigators to help Hoosiers figure out how to find the answers they need to interact with their government. We have to make government more user-friendly, she said. We have to figure out how to better connect people to their government. Crouch attended not just to speak to the Realtors but also to listen to their concerns and ideas. What can the state do to make your jobs easier in terms of putting people into homes? she asked. Theres not enough contractors to get existing homes fixed up on a timely basis, one Realtor said. Another asked about state assistance to get high-speed internet available to more homes. Were the missing middle, one Realtor said. One Realtor said some Illinois residents are converting their secondary homes in Northwest Indiana into full-time residences. Others noted that Illinois buyers are contributing to the short supply of housing in the area. Crouch outlined a variety of state initiatives, including from agencies she leads, to address their concerns. She encouraged the Realtors to push their local officials and state legislators to work toward additional solutions. The state gave away $500 million in READI grants, with housing the biggest need identified, she said. The $500 million that the state invested is going to attract $9 billion to $10 billion in private investment, she said. Another $500 million has been set aside for READI grants in the next biennial budget. I suspect that housing will be a big part of it again, she said. Crouch said local and county officials will need to work together to find solutions. No man is an island, and no county can stand alone either, McShane said. You have to push your local county officials to reach across the county line. The chemical and manufacturing giant 3M reached a $10.3 billion settlement on Thursday with U.S. cities and towns over their claims that the company contaminated drinking water with so-called forever chemicals used in everything from firefighting foam to nonstick coatings. Under the sweeping settlement, 3M said it would pay out the money over 13 years to any cities, counties and others across the country to test for and clean up perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, in public water supplies. 3M, which is facing about 4,000 lawsuits by states and municipalities for PFAS contamination, did not admit any liability. The company said the settlement covered remediation to water suppliers that detected the chemical at any level or may do so in the future. In a statement, Mike Roman, the chairman and chief executive of 3M, called the agreement an important step forward for 3M and said it built on our announcement that we will exit all PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced personnel reshuffles after the consideration by the National Security and Defense Council of a report on the condition of bomb shelters in the country. "Ministers [of Internal Affairs Ihor] Klymenko and [for Strategic Industries Oleksandr] Kamyshin presented the first summary of the inspection of shelters in the regions of our country: Klymenko across the country, Kamyshin for Kyiv. In general, today we reviewed the situation with shelters in the regions, districts and cities most intensively terrorized by the enemy," the head of state said in a video address on Friday. Zelenskyy said that the results are poor. "Almost all over the country. This includes Kyiv, Zaporizhia, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Konotop, Bila Tserkva, and many other cities," he said. "The situation is particularly cynical and shameful in those cities that have significant financial resources but, unfortunately, other priorities. There will be personnel decisions. Accessible and reliable shelters across the country should be and will be a priority for leaders at all levels. Security is the first priority," the president said. According to Zelenskyy, "the Prosecutor General informed the NSDC about the legal action taken by the prosecutor's office to return the premises of the shelters that were illegally withdrawn from the ownership of the communities. To date, more than 400 such lawsuits have been filed across the country, and the work continues." The proposed $290 million settlement between JPMorgan Chase and sexual abuse victims of Jeffrey Epstein carries no minimum or maximum payout for each individual, leaving that decision to the claims administrator appointed to oversee the process, according to a plan filed in federal court on Thursday. If approved by a federal judge, the proposed deal with JPMorgan would resolve a class-action lawsuit filed in November in Manhattan federal court against the nations largest bank on behalf of women who claim that Mr. Epstein sexually abused them when they were teenagers or young women. The decision to leave the size of each payout up to an administrator will give that person significant power over the settlement fund, which covers a period of abusive activity by Mr. Epstein from 1998 to 2019. More than 200 women may be eligible to apply to the settlement fund, judging from the number of claims that had been filed with a separate victims restitution fund established by Mr. Epsteins estate. The estate created the restitution fund shortly after Mr. Epstein killed himself in August 2019 while awaiting trial in a Manhattan jail on sex-trafficking charges. The proposed settlement with JPMorgan did not prohibit any woman who received a payout from the estates restitution fund from getting an additional recovery under the deal with JPMorgan, according to the court filing. The bank served as Mr. Epsteins primary financial institution for roughly 15 years before ending the relationship in 2013. A Wyoming judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the first state law specifically banning the use of pills for abortion, the most common method in the country. Just over a week before the ban was scheduled to take effect, Judge Melissa Owens of Teton County District Court granted a temporary restraining order, putting the law on hold pending further court proceedings. Ruling from the bench after a hearing that lasted about two hours, Judge Owens said that the plaintiffs, who include four health care providers, have clearly shown probable success on the merits and that at least some of the plaintiffs will suffer possible irreparable injury if the ban were to take effect. Medication abortion is already outlawed in states that have near-total bans, since those bans prohibit all forms of abortion. But Wyoming became the first state to outlaw the use of pills for abortion separate from an overall ban. The law was scheduled to take effect July 1. Mr. Allen was indicted in December in the overdose deaths of Nurbo Shera and Ardijan Berisha. On Wednesday, he was charged with the killings of Ms. Gallagher, Alexander Rudnitsky, a 25-year-old student at Rutgers University who lived in Yonkers, N.Y., and Sadath Ahmed, 33, who lived in Queens. Mr. Allen has been charged with 10 counts of second-degree murder two for each of the five deaths. One charge accuses 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. Mr. Shirley is charged in the overdose deaths of Mr. Ahmed and Mr. Rudnitsky. He was arraigned on Thursday afternoon, pleading not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, robbery, and grand larceny. The indictment described a series of texts about money between him and Mr. Allen. In court, Brian Rodkey, an assistant district attorney in Manhattan, said Mr. Shirley and Mr. Allen drugged the victims, robbed them, and left them on the street, not caring whether they lived or died. Mr. Rudnitsky was found on a street in the Bronx on the early morning of July 22. He was unconscious and rushed to a hospital where he was declared brain-dead, according to his older sister. He was taken off ventilators about a week later, she said. SmileDirectClub, which provides orthodontic services through the mail, has agreed to release customers who asked for refunds from nondisclosure agreements, as part of a settlement with the District of Columbias attorney general. The settlement, announced on Thursday, allows 17,000 customers to talk publicly about their experiences with SmileDirectClubs teeth aligners, said the attorney general, Brian L. Schwalb. The company previously asked customers who wanted refunds to agree not to discuss their experiences and delete negative social media posts about the company. In 2020, The New York Times reported that SmileDirectClub tied confidentiality agreements to some refunds. The District of Columbia attorney generals office sued the company in 2022, accusing it of blocking customers who were injured by its services from filing complaints with regulators or law enforcement. SmileDirectClub promised a simple, safe and affordable way to straighten teeth and touted five-star reviews but behind the scenes, the company silenced dissatisfied consumers and buried complaints about injuries caused by its products, Mr. Schwalb said in a statement. A Guatemalan judge walked into a meeting at the American Embassy last spring and pulled out a large quantity of cash: The money, she said, was a bribe from one of the presidents closest allies. The judge, Blanca Alfaro, helps lead the authority that oversees the countrys elections. She claimed the money had been given to her to gain influence over the electoral agency, according to a U.S. official briefed on the encounter and a person who was present and requested anonymity to discuss the details of a private meeting. American diplomats were shocked by the brazenness of the episode, but not by the allegations. In the volatile political climate consuming Guatemala in the run-up to presidential elections on Sunday, there has been one constant: a steady drumbeat of attacks on democratic institutions by those in power. In a country that has shifted from a staging ground for rooting out corruption to one where dozens of anticorruption officials have been forced into exile, the first round of voting will be as much about who is not on the ballot as who is. The chief meteorologist of a television news station in Iowa said this week that he was leaving his job to start a career in science, citing in large part the post-traumatic stress disorder that he said he had suffered after he was threatened last year over his on-air coverage of climate change. Chris Gloninger, 38, who announced on Wednesday that he would leave the station, KCCI in Des Moines, in July, also cited a family health matter as a factor in his decision to quit his position, which he began in July 2021. Last summer, Mr. Gloninger shared on Twitter the harassing messages that had been sent to him from a single email address. One appeared to threaten his life. Whats your home address, we conservative Iowans would like to give you an Iowan welcome you will never forget, read one of the emails, dated June 24, 2022, that Mr. Gloninger shared. The email appeared to allude to an episode last year in which a man was arrested on charges of attempting to murder Justice Brett Kavanaugh of the Supreme Court. The lead I.R.S. agent investigating whether Hunter Biden committed tax crimes told Congress his team uncovered evidence that Mr. Biden had invoked his father, who was then out of office, while pressing a potential Chinese business partner in 2017 to move ahead with a proposed energy deal, House Republicans said. In testimony made public on Thursday, Gary Shapley, an I.R.S. agent since 2009 who supervised the tax agencys investigation into Hunter Biden, said his team used a search warrant to obtain a July 30, 2017, WhatsApp message from Mr. Biden to Henry Zhao, a Chinese businessman. In a summary of the message, provided to the House Ways and Means Committee by Mr. Shapley, Mr. Biden told Mr. Zhao that he was sitting with his father and that we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled. Tell the director that I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand, and now means tonight, Mr. Biden wrote, referring to other participants in the proposed deal. And, Z, if I get a call or text from anyone involved in this other than you, Zhang, or the chairman, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction. The quest for the missing vessel was seen at the start as a race against time, as rescuers who hoped the Titan might still be intact hurried to reach the area where it had descended before its supply of oxygen ran out. Hopes surged on Wednesday, after banging noises were detected underwater by maritime surveillance planes; U.S. Navy experts analyzed the sounds for signs that they might be attempts by the Titans passengers to signal their location. But on Thursday afternoon, four days after the vessel went missing, those hopes were extinguished by evidence discovered more than two miles beneath the ocean surface: the tail cone of the Titan adrift on the sea floor, one-third of a mile from the bow of the Titanic, along with the two broken ends of its pressure hull. The debris, Admiral Mauger said, was consistent with the catastrophic loss of its pressure chamber. On Thursday evening, a U.S. Navy official said that underwater sensors had registered readings consistent with an explosion or implosion shortly after the loss of contact. That information was sent to the incident commander to help narrow down the search area, the official said. Without conclusive evidence of a catastrophic failure, it would have been irresponsible to assume the five people were dead, the Navy official said, so the mission was treated as an ongoing search and rescue even as the outcome appeared grim. Shahzada Dawood, a British Pakistani businessman who was among the five people aboard a submersible journeying deep into the Atlantic to view the Titanic, was killed when the vessel imploded during its descent to the ocean floor, the authorities said Thursday. He was 48. His 19-year-old son, Suleman, who was with him on the Titan submersible, was also killed. Mr. Dawood was the vice chairman of Engro Corporation, a business conglomerate headquartered in the Pakistani port city of Karachi that is involved in agriculture, energy and telecommunications. His family is known as one of the wealthiest business families in the country. His work focused on renewable energy and technology, according to a statement from his family. Mr. Dawood was born on Feb. 12, 1975, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He studied law as an undergraduate at Buckingham University in Britain and later received a masters degree in global textile marketing from Philadelphia University, now part of Thomas Jefferson University. In 2012, he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. His son was a business student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and had just completed his first year, a spokesman for the school said. Like his father, he was a fan of science fiction and enjoyed solving Rubiks Cubes and playing volleyball, according to a statement from Engro. KYIV, Ukraine A Russian-held bridge far behind the front lines that helps Moscow resupply its forces in Ukraine was hit by missiles on Thursday, Kremlin-backed local officials said. The bridge, which connects the occupied Crimean Peninsula to the rest of Ukraine, was struck by several missiles in an overnight attack that some of the officials blamed on Kyiv. While Ukrainian forces have stepped up their strikes on the peninsula, which Moscow seized long before launching its full invasion, the Ukrainian government has generally declined to officially confirm them, and that was the case again on Thursday. The bridge which consists of two spans crosses the Chonhar Strait to connect Crimea and the Kherson region. An Indiana chapter of Moms for Liberty, a nonprofit that advocates for " parental rights " in education and was recently labeled as extremist by an anti-hate watchdog, is apologizing and condemning Adolf Hitler after using a quote attributed to the Nazi leader in its inaugural newsletter. The groups Hamilton County chapter on Thursday posted a revised version of its newly launched newsletter, The Parent Brigade, on Facebook after it had previously shared a version that featured the Hitler quote on its front cover. Advertisement We condemn Adolf Hitlers actions and his dark place in human history, read a statement from chapter chair Paige Miller on the cover of the revised newsletter. We should not have quoted him in our newsletter and express our deepest apology. The first version of the newsletter included the quote, He alone, who OWNS the youth, GAINS the future, and cited Hitler. While the origin of the quote is not entirely clear, it has been attributed in numerous historical texts to a 1935 rally speech by the Nazi leader. Advertisement Late Wednesday, after The Indianapolis Star reported on the quote, the local Moms for Liberty chapter updated the newsletter to add a context section. The quote from a horrific leader should put parents on alert, the updated version read. If the government has control over our children today, they control our countrys future. We The People must be vigilant and protect children from an overreaching government. By Thursday morning, the chapter had removed those versions and posted its new copy of the newsletter, replacing the Hitler quote with the chairs apology. The quote has frequently been used by conservative Christian groups as a warning of what they experience as liberal or left-wing attempts to indoctrinate children, said Mark Pitcavage, senior research fellow at the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center on Extremism. Afternoon Briefing Weekdays Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > In 2014, for example, a church group in Alabama removed a billboard after using the quote next to images of children. And last year, a Colorado school board member faced calls to resign after posting the quote on Facebook. They use it as a way to get peoples attention, Pitcavage said. Regardless, you should never use Adolf Hitler quotes to get your point across. Some who encountered the newsletter interpreted Moms for Libertys use of the quote as a tacit endorsement for Hitler and his beliefs. Moms for Liberty has faced criticism for its activism against school inclusion, including trying to remove books related to race and gender identity from school libraries. Its disappointing, but not surprising, that the largest anti-student inclusion movement organization has allegedly used a quote from one of the appalling figureheads in history, said Rachel Carroll Rivas, deputy director of research, reporting and analysis for the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center. The center labeled Moms for Liberty as an anti-government extremist group in its 2022 annual report. Advertisement Moms for Liberty has come under increasing national scrutiny as it has become a power player in Republican politics. Five presidential candidates plan to speak - and several grassroots groups plan to protest - at the groups annual summit in Philadelphia next week. The national Moms for Liberty chapter took to Twitter to call the Stars reporting intentional dishonesty, even while issuing a statement that condemned the chapters decision to quote Hitler. They should not have quoted Hitler. Period, read the statement from co-founders Tina Descovich and Tiffany Justice. Parents are passionate about protecting future generations from tyranny, but Hitler did not need to be quoted to make that point. The death toll of an enemy attack on Kherson has risen to three as another wounded employee of the shelled transport enterprise died in hospital, Head of Kherson Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Prokudin has said. "The heart of a 53-year-old employee of the transport enterprise, which was shelled by Russian terrorists today, stopped in hospital. The doctors did everything they could to save the man's life. Regrettably, the wounds were too serious," he said on the Telegram channel on Friday. As reported, Russian occupation forces shelled the municipal transport enterprise in Kherson. One person was killed and five people were hospitalized. Later, it was reported that one of the casualties, 43, died in hospital. An exhibition that opened Friday at Romes Quirinal Palace could be described as a classic rags-to-riches story. Just ten months ago, many of the bronze statues now on show there artfully spotlighted and captioned were submerged in layers of thick mud in what had been a sacred pool of thermo-mineral water roughly halfway between Florence and Rome. Their rediscovery last fall during an ongoing archaeological excavation in a field just below the Tuscan town of San Casciano dei Bagni made headlines around the world, propelling the bronzes via a stint in Italys main restoration institute to the rare honor of being exhibited at the presidential palace. Since the late 70s, Manchester, in the north of England, has been a focal point for British pop culture. The city is still mostly known by the rest of the world for the bands it helped produce: Joy Division, New Order, the Stone Roses, Oasis and the Smiths all have ties to the city. Now a new multipurpose arts venue aims to cement Manchester as a destination for the fine arts, too. It marks how the citys cultural scene has transformed in recent decades, from a site for D.I.Y art-making to a desirable home for large-scale investment and corporate sponsorship. Aviva Studios, named for the insurance company that provided some of the funding, opens in Manchesters city center at the end of the month. It is a huge, highly configurable space that includes a nearly 70-foot-high, 5,000-capacity warehouse venue and a 1,500-seat auditorium. It will also provide a permanent home to the multidisciplinary Manchester International Festival. The venue was initially named Factory International, after the local club night that became Joy Division and New Orders record label, but a name change accompanied the announcement of Avivas sponsorship deal on Tuesday. In two recent interviews, Jerome and key members of the Im a Virgo crew Maxwell Orgell, production designer; Eric Moynier, cinematographer; and Garth Winkless, puppeteer discussed the secrets behind the shows many movie magic tricks, the symbolism of Cooties size and why the most antiquated filmmaking techniques are sometimes the most effective. These are edited excerpts from the conversations. What did you think you were getting into when you signed up for this show? JHARREL JEROME I got an email from Boots in early 2020 with the title: 13-Foot Black Man in Oakland. I didnt know what to make of it, but I was excited just from knowing Bootss work. When we met in person a week later, he brought a briefcase that had these figurines of all the characters, including Cootie. He showed me right then how he was going to shoot the entire project with forced perspective [using camera angles to make a subject appear bigger or smaller relative to the environment]. MAXWELL ORGELL When I first read the script I said, This is going to be a headache and I walked away from the table. Id used some of these kinds of tricks on other projects [Orgell worked as the production designer on the Michel Gondry series Kidding] and knew how big of a challenge it was going to be, especially given that the effects were for the lead character. I needed a few days, but I couldnt stop thinking about it. As a Gen X latchkey child of a single mom, I knew the solitude and sadness that come from having only the distracted supervision of one (preoccupied) adult. My parents divorced and my dad died before I started school, so I didnt move between two homes, but I had plenty of friends who did. Our divorce bible was Its Not the End of the World, by the inimitable Judy Blume, in which Karen, a white sixth grader from New Jersey, tries scheme after scheme to get her parents back together before eventually giving up. Their reasons for separating are vague, so Karen looks for answers in The Boys and Girls Book About Divorce, which she special-orders in 1972 for the very expensive price of $7.95. (Blume has always understood the power of books to explain and heal.) As a grown-up youth librarian now, I am in the happy position of recommending books that help children cut the big problems they are facing down to kid size. While Its Not the End of the World is still in print, a new generation of divorce books builds on its emotional resonance to explore issues of identity, class and culture with nuance and care. PICTURE BOOKS AMERICAN WHITELASH: A Changing Nation and the Cost of Progress, by Wesley Lowery. (Mariner, $29.99.) Beginning with the backlash to the 2008 election of Barack Obama, Lowery examines how American society has fissured in the past 15 years, profiling the victims of white supremacy and the institutions that support it. CALIFORNIA, A SLAVE STATE, by Jean Pfaelzer. (Yale, $35.) A historian explains how California welcomed, honed and legalized human bondage for 250 years, from the legalized enslavement of Native Americans to forced labor in todays prisons. CROOKED PLOW, by Itamar Vieira Junior. Translated by Johnny Lorenz. (Verso, paperback, $19.95.) In rural Brazil, the lives of two young sisters are at the mercy of climate, volatile men and sharp knives in this novel, which expands from a personal tale of hardship into a broader commentary on race, class and gender in Brazilian society. RIVERMOUTH: A Chronicle of Language, Faith, and Migration, by Alejandra Oliva. (Astra House, $28.) Reflecting on her familys fluid relationship to the southern U.S. border and her experience working with asylum seekers, Oliva meditates on the seemingly insurmountable barriers migrants face today. Yevgeny Prigozhin accused the Russian military of attacking his private forces, shortly after he released a scathing video that described the invasion of Ukraine as a racket meant to enrich Russias corrupt elite. Prigozhin, who leads the Wagner private military company, accused the Russian minister of defense, Sergei Shoigu, of sending missiles and helicopters to attack camps in Ukraine, where his fighters were bivouacked. He said that some Wagner fighters had died. The evil carried by the countrys military leadership must be stopped, Prigozhin said. Russian law enforcement immediately accused him of fomenting an armed rebellion. For months, the feud between Prigozhin and Russias military leadership has hampered the war effort, but these new accusations took the conflict to a new level. Never before had Prigozhin accused military leaders of attacking his forces, nor had asserted in such stark terms that the Kremlins stated justification for the war was nonsense. On two separate occasions last year, railroad cars carrying tens of thousands of kilograms of smokeless powder enough propellant to collectively make at least 80 million rounds of ammunition rumbled across the China-Russia border at the remote town of Zabaykalsk. The powder had been shipped by Poly Technologies, a state-owned Chinese company on which the United States had previously imposed sanctions for its global sales of missile technology and providing support to Iran. Its destination was Barnaul Cartridge Plant, an ammunition factory in central Russia with a history of supplying the Russian government. These previously unreported shipments, which were identified by Import Genius, a U.S.-based trade data aggregator, raise new questions about the role China has played in supporting Russia as it fights to capture Ukrainian territory. U.S. officials have expressed concerns that China could funnel products to Russia that would help in its war effort what is known as lethal aid though they have not said outright that China has made such shipments. Speaking from Beijing on Monday, Antony J. Blinken, the U.S. secretary of state, said China had assured the United States that it was not providing lethal assistance to Russia for use in Ukraine, and that the U.S. government had not seen anything right now to contradict that. Thousands of workers at organized Starbucks stores across the nation will stage strikes over the next week, their union said on Friday, after workers in some states said management prohibited them from putting up decorations for Pride Month. The company denied the accusations and issued a statement declaring that it has been and will continue to be at the forefront of supporting the LGBTQIA2+ community. Starbucks Workers United said employees at more than 150 stores would strike over the companys labor practices and its hypocritical treatment of LGBTQIA+ workers. The union represents about 8,000 of the companys workers in more than 300 stores. Starbucks workers in a number of stores said this month that they had been told that no decorations for the annual L.G.B.T.Q. celebration, such as rainbow flags, were allowed this year, a shift from previous years. In interviews arranged through their union, workers said the given reasons varied. The Canadian Parliament has passed a law that will require technology companies to pay domestic news outlets for linking to their articles, prompting the owner of Facebook and Instagram to say that it would pull news articles from both platforms in the country. The law, passed on Thursday, is the latest salvo in a push by governments around the world to force big companies like Google and Facebook to pay for news that they share on their platforms a campaign that the companies have resisted at virtually every turn. With some caveats, the new Canadian law would force search engines and social media companies to engage in a bargaining process and binding arbitration, if necessary for licensing news content for their use. The law, the Online News Act, was modeled after a similar one that passed in Australia two years ago. It was designed to enhance fairness in the Canadian digital news marketplace and contribute to its sustainability, according to an official summary. Exactly when the law would take effect was not immediately clear as of Friday morning. Its really hot in Texas right now. Many parts of the state are hotter than theyve ever been at this time of year. In the coastal city of Corpus Christi, the heat index, a combined measure of heat and humidity, reached a shocking 125 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 52 Celsius. Thats because a weather system called a heat dome is parked over Texas, Oklahoma and parts of Mexico. People are struggling, and one person may have died from the baking temperatures. And, theres a lot of worry about the Texas electric grid. That heat dome could stay in place until early July. Its forecast to expand to Arkansas, Louisiana and Kansas. As people turn up their air-conditioners to stay cool, will the grids hold? Today, I want to explain to you why electric grids are an enormous concern during extreme heat waves and what policymakers can do about it. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a meeting of the Supreme Commander Headquarters on Friday, ordered Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny to dismiss the head of Odesa army recruitment center, in whose ownership journalists discovered a villa in Spain. "I gave an urgent instruction to Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhny to immediately dismiss, so to speak, the Odesa 'military commissar' the head of the local recruitment center, whom our whole country is discussing," the head of state said on the Telegram channel on Friday. The president also ordered to urgently set up a commission led by First Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Pavliuk jointly with law enforcers and the National Agency on Corruption Prevention to check all military commissars in all regions of Ukraine. In 1994, Leah Wong Ashburns father, Oscar, did something very few, if any, Chinese Americans had tried before: He opened a craft brewery. Mr. Wong, who immigrated to the United States from Jamaica in the 1960s, had retired to Asheville, N.C., after a long and successful career running an engineering firm. Beer wasnt on his mind until a friend and local brewer proposed starting their own operation the citys first since Prohibition. They called it Highland Brewing. When my dad opened the brewery, he was easy to find because he was the only Chinese guy selling beer in the South, said Ms. Wong Ashburn, who took over as chief executive after her father retired (for a second time) in 2015. There werent very many of us around back then. Though demographics in the craft beer industry have slowly shifted since Highland opened its doors nearly 30 years ago, it is still a world dominated by white owners. According to data from the Brewers Association, only 2 percent of breweries in the United States are owned by Asian Americans like the Wongs. Chamblas and I sat in a classroom with seven or eight of the participants. The men convicted felons, most of them serving sentences for gang-related murders were exceptionally open in their interviews. They were thoughtful and eager to share their experiences in life and in the dance program. Much of what Chamblas had them doing was the kind of postmodern dance thats often called pedestrian: mostly walking, running and weight-sharing. There were trust exercises like those done at a corporate retreat. I had seen all of the moves many times before. But I remembered something Chamblas had previously told me about his own experiences as a dancer, about how basic gestures could change in meaning depending on the context. Inside a prison, where motion is so controlled and regulated, even cliches of postmodern dance resonate differently. And the meanings shifted again as I considered what the men told me about how radical and defiant they felt moving this way being vulnerable, touching one another, expressing their creativity. The men told me how dance was changing how they saw themselves. I could see that. I could also see how dance might change how they were seen by someone from the outside, someone like me. This insight would be key to the article I eventually wrote. But that reporting took a very long time because, soon after I visited, the coronavirus pandemic shut down most of the world. At the prison, rehearsals and the performance were postponed, and no one knew for how long. Over the coming months, which extended into years, I kept in touch over the phone with Chamblas and several of the class participants, learning how they were faring under pandemic conditions. I kept track as those conditions shifted the variants, the surges and rehearsals were rescheduled and then canceled many times. Hype springs eternal in medicine, but lately the horizon of new possibility seems almost blindingly bright. Ive been running my research lab for almost 30 years, says Jennifer Doudna, a biochemist at the University of California, Berkeley. And I can say that throughout that period of time, Ive just never experienced what were seeing over just the last five years. A Nobel laureate, Doudna is known primarily for Crispr, the gene-editing Swiss Army knife that has been called a word processor for the human genome and that she herself describes as a technology that literally enables the rewriting of the code of life. The work for which Doudna shared the Nobel Prize was published more than a decade ago, in 2012, opening up what seemed like an almost limitless horizon for Crispr-powered therapies and cures. But surveying the recent landscape of scientific breakthroughs, she says the last half-decade has been more remarkable still: I think were at an extraordinary time of accelerating discoveries. The pandemic has exhausted many Americans of medicine, and it has become common to process the last few years as a saga of defeat and failure. And yet these brutal years which brought more than a million American deaths and probably 20 million deaths worldwide, and seemed to return even the hypermodern citadels of the wealthy West to something like the experience of premodern plague might also represent an unprecedented watershed of medical innovation. Beyond Crispr and Covid vaccines, there are countless potential applications of mRNA tools for other diseases; a new frontier for immunotherapy and next-generation cancer treatment; a whole new world of weight-loss drugs; new insights and drug-development pathways to chase with the help of machine learning; and vaccines heralded as game-changing for some of the worlds most intractable infectious diseases. Its stunning, says the immunologist Barney Graham, the former deputy director of the Vaccine Research Center and a central figure in the development of mRNA vaccines, who has lately been writing about a new era for vaccinology. You cannot imagine what youre going to see over the next 30 years. The pace of advancement is in an exponential phase right now. As middle schools in New York City go, the Center School is unusual, and not just because of her longevity. Most such schools have three grades, starting with sixth. But the Center School has four grades, starting with fifth. And students from every grade are in every class (except math and Latin nobody comes in speaking Latin, Schwartz said). There is no principals office not that I know of, said Kamar Samuels, the superintendent of the district that includes the Center School. Schwartz works from a desk in a closet-size alcove in a classroom. I like to hear the kids, she explained. Its the only way you know whats going to happen. And of the schools 16 teachers, four are alumni. She makes fun of me because I have yet to be able to call her Elaine, said Emily Reiver, a teacher who was a student in the early 2000s, because she was always Ms. Schwartz to me and Ill always call her Ms. Schwartz. Reiver said she wished Schwartz would be in charge until Im ready to retire. Through her 50s and her 60s, her 70s, her 80s and now into her 90s the tone at the school seems not to have changed. From the outside, people come to the school and it looks like chaos its noisy, said Timothy Holst, a teacher. She has no problem with chaos, he said, referring to Schwartz. Sometimes new parents are coming in and they dont understand whats going on here. My analogy is always the sausage factory. Youve just got to trust what the sausage factory is doing. Eventually youre going to have delicious sausage. In 1982, the city of Boston embarked on a plan for the most ambitious and expensive highway project in the countrys history, one that replaced a crumbling, six-lane elevated artery of Interstate 93 with a tunnel and two bridges crossing the Charles River. Known as the Big Dig, the project resulted, at various phases, in charges of bad design, shoddy workmanship, fraud and death; it ran more than five times over budget and took a quarter century to complete, missing its deadline by almost a decade. What can this history teach us about the future of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway? Studied and debated for years with virtually no progress to speak of, the B.Q.E. is considered an even more complicated undertaking. Construction and engineering challenges distinct to the most problematic segment of the highway a deteriorating mile-and-a-half stretch containing a triple-deck cantilever running below the Brooklyn Heights Promenade are part of what makes any grand effort at rehabilitation so hard to implement. Increasingly though, the broader, more intractable issue would seem to demand a philosophical response as much as a logistical one, a resolution to questions around urban identity and the extent to which we want to articulate it through submission to an idle, habitual and environmentally exhausting style of consumerism. Four chemical companies based in China and eight Chinese nationals have been charged with trafficking chemicals used by Mexican drug cartels to manufacture vast quantities of fentanyl later sold in the United States, federal officials said on Friday. The officials said that two of the defendants, the principal executive of one Chinese firm and its marketing manager, had been arrested overseas and taken to Hawaii for a court appearance, and that they would be brought to Manhattan to face prosecution. The indictments announced Friday in New York are part of a strategy by the Drug Enforcement Administration to attack the scourge of fentanyl at every stage of the supply chain. The buyers of the chemicals were largely organizations like the Sinaloa cartel, formerly run by the Mexican drug lord known as El Chapo, which the Justice Department says is largely responsible for the influx of fentanyl into the United States. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a news conference that the firms advertised the so-called precursor chemicals online, and an indictment said they were packaged to resemble dog food, nuts or motor oil. Wuhan-based Hubei Amarvel Biotech Co., Mr. Garland added, went as far as to guarantee 100 percent stealth shipping, and they provided proof of their success on their websites, including a screenshot of a shipping confirmation to Culiacan, Mexico, the Sinaloa cartels base of operations. This act was the kind of egregious behavior that was tolerated in the past and has no place in this administration, Mr. Molina said in a statement. Suicide prevention training is critical for any public safety organization and especially for a correctional facility. We continue to push this important training to all of our employees and will hold everyone accountable. Ms. Clark, who is in a primary race against Tess Cohen, who has been critical of her oversight of Rikers, has announced three indictments related to the jail complex in recent days. Ms. Clarks office indicted a former correction officer who is charged with accepting a $2,500 bribe to smuggle a cellphone to a detainee. It also charged four detainees with brutally beating another incarcerated person, lacerating his spleen, which needed to be removed. Though Fridays charges cover events said to have taken place during the last administration, the Department of Correction has continued to be criticized for lacking transparency. Recent reports from the federal monitor, Mr. Martin, have taken direct aim at the agencys leaders, saying that violence within the citys jails is unabated, while officials hide information. These problems have grave consequences for the prospect of reform and eliminating the imminent risk of harm faced by incarcerated individuals and staff, Mr. Martin wrote this month. In a recent episode flagged by the monitor, the staff members waited 33 hours to report that a person being held at a Rikers Island facility had jumped from the upper tier stairway at his housing unit, landing on the floor at the bottom. The department did not immediately notify the monitoring team, Mr. Martin wrote, leaving them to first learn about the episode from news reports. How much money must E. Jean Carroll win to stop Donald J. Trump from talking about her? A Manhattan jury last month ordered the former president to pay $5 million in damages, $3 million of that for defaming Ms. Carroll when he said her accusation that he had raped her decades earlier was a lie. The next day, Mr. Trump appeared on CNN, and again accused Ms. Carroll of making up her story and for good measure called her a wack job. Now, Ms. Carroll is seeking millions of dollars more to stop the river of invective. Forbes magazine says Mr. Trump is worth $2.5 billion, but his actual wealth is in much dispute he has said his net worth fluctuates with his mood. As he seeks the presidency again, he has used his legal troubles, which include state and federal indictments, to raise money by tearing into prosecutors and plaintiffs. Mr. Trump became a celebrity and then the nations chief executive largely through the power of an untrammeled tongue, creating fascination even among opponents with his unpredictable and cruel verbal assaults. He is also famous for his love of money, bragging about his fortune and flaunting its gilded prizes. Ms. Carroll and her lawyers are trying to win a jury award that would bring his competing desires into economic equilibrium. But is there any amount of money that could persuade the former president to keep her name out of his mouth? Because Jehovahs Witnesses believe that saluting the flag or reciting the Pledge of Allegiance amounts to worshiping secular authority, they prohibit their school-age children from engaging in the practice. In 1940, with war raging in Europe and patriotic fervor rising at home, the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution provided no religious exemption from what many public schools deemed an essential civic duty. The decision upheld a Pennsylvania school districts expulsion of a Jehovahs Witness brother and sister. A single member of the court dissented. A mere three years later, even though the United States itself was now at war, the court reversed itself. In a new flag-salute case from West Virginia, three members of the original majority switched sides and two justices who had joined the court since 1940 voted with them. One of those two, Robert Jackson, wrote the new majority opinion, strategically avoiding the contested question of religion in favor of an eloquent defense of free speech. Compulsory unification of opinion achieves only the unanimity of the graveyard, he wrote in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette. The new decision vindicated the initial 8-to-1 rulings lone dissent by a vote of 6 to 3. Historians understand that what impelled such a stark reversal was the justices dismay at the violence and prejudice that the first decision, Minersville School District v. Gobitis, had unleashed; some people, and not only a few, had evidently taken the court as having labeled Jehovahs Witnesses as un-American and disloyal. Mobs attacked individual Witnesses and destroyed their places of worship. More than 2,000 Witness children were thrown out of school, and some of their parents criminally prosecuted. The consequences of the decision were alarming, and the country paid close attention as the court took up the issue for reconsideration. The public relief that greeted the second decision was captured by Time magazines headline on its account of the ruling: Blot Removed. What brings this historical episode to mind is the approaching anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the decision last June 24 that eradicated the constitutional right to abortion. About 40 percent of states have bans that make abortion illegal or functionally unavailable, though in some of those states the proscriptions have been blocked pending the outcome of court challenges. The crisis in reproductive health care that Dobbs propelled is acute and growing. There have been, in other words, alarming consequences. Even within the Biden administration, though, key players have different takes based on their personal proclivities and the agencies they lead. Janet Yellen, as secretary of the Treasury, sells the bonds that cover federal budget deficits, so she has to keep in mind institutional investors distaste for policies that are perceived as picking winners and losers. Shes also an economist so shes acutely aware of the gains of free trade, not just the drawbacks. Katherine Tai, the U.S. trade representative, tends to be more all-in on the worker-centric agenda. Gina Raimondo, as secretary of commerce, is responsible for several of the Biden administrations biggest swings at industrial policy, so its little surprise that shes on board. And so on. Ive assembled quotes from a variety of administration officials to give a sense of the diversity of thinking on worker-centric industrial policy. This is going to run long but you can skim. Im giving the most space to Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, because his April 27 speech at the Brookings Institution was rightly seen as supplying intellectual scaffolding for Bidens agenda. Sullivan outlined what he called four fundamental challenges the United States faced when Biden entered office. First, the hollowing out of Americas industrial base, which he blamed on free-market ideology: There was one assumption at the heart of all of this policy: that markets always allocate capital productively and efficiently no matter what our competitors did, no matter how big our shared challenges grew and no matter how many guardrails we took down. Second, he said, U.S. policymakers falsely assumed that bringing countries into the rules-based order would incentivize them to adhere to its rules. Third, climate change. Fourth, the challenge of inequality and its damage to democracy. The Biden administrations five solutions to the four problems: An industrial strategy targeted public investments into projects that the private sector doesnt adequately support. This, he said, will crowd in private investment, not crowd it out. Whats come to be known as friend-shoring: buying from friendly trading partners and making sure that they, too, are building production capacity and resilience. A new approach to trade. Reducing tariffs, largely a success, is no longer the administrations main focus, Sullivan said. Other priorities include diversified and resilient supply chains, clean energy, safe digital infrastructure, fighting corruption, preventing a race to the bottom in corporate tax rates, safeguarding labor and the environment and of course creating good jobs along the way, family-supporting jobs. Mobilizing trillions of dollars of investment into developing countries. Protecting our foundational technologies with a small yard and high fence. The small yard means protecting only technologies that are truly matters of national security. The high fence means protecting those few well. Competition with China was the subtext of Sullivans remarks. He accused China of unfairly subsidizing industries, expanding its military ambitions and using lending to build influence in developing nations. But, he said, we are not looking for confrontation or conflict with China. He quoted Biden as saying that the two nations can and should cooperate on climate, macroeconomic stability, health security and food security. The stinger: He said China has to be willing to play its part. Tai, the trade representative, echoed Sullivan in a speech at the National Press Club but hit China even harder. She said dependence on China for imports is a danger to national security and accused China of economic coercion. She said focusing solely on getting the cheapest products for American consumers is a mistake because the consumer who enjoys the low prices of imported goods is also a worker who must withstand the downward pressures that come from competing with workers in other parts of the world toiling under exploitative conditions. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy considers it a top priority to implement agreements on insurance of war risks for investors and to help the first companies enter Ukraine under these security guarantees. On Friday, "we systematized the results of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London with our parliamentarians and members of the government," he wrote on the Telegram channel. "Tens of billions of dollars of direct budget support. Five hundred companies ready to invest in Ukraine. Effective mechanisms for the confiscation of Russian assets to compensate for the damage caused," he said. "We continue to work to protect businesses from officials, improve the investment climate and ensure equal conditions for all participants," Zelenskyy also wrote. To the Editor: As an Indian American living in the United States for a long time, I have been a strong supporter of the media for their active stance against people like Donald Trump who engaged in egregious behavior while in office. But Im totally aghast at the tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in During Modis Visit, Biden Plans to Focus on Common Interests (news analysis, June 22). For the past year or so, you have published articles critical of Mr. Modi, accusing him of being authoritarian and anti-democratic. You seem to lump him in the same group as Vladimir Putin, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Viktor Orban. This article talks about a crackdown on dissent under Mr. Modi and India backsliding in democracy. Similar articles have pointed out large-scale incarceration of political opponents ever since Mr. Modis party has been voted to power. Are we living in an alternate world? Ive not seen any mass jailing or subversion of democracy in India as is happening in other countries like Turkey. Its also remarkable that so many religious leaders came together to speak with one voice on this particular issue, which one could falsely assume from the current political hysteria is the leading threat facing children. But as anyone whos been part of recent debates within broader Muslim American communities knows, youd probably never get this kind of concerted public statement from Muslim leaders on the issue of gun violence the leading cause of death for American children or climate change, which ultimately threatens all life. Somehow, though, this issue has managed to rally an array of Muslim scholars. In Montgomery County, Md., outside Washington, D.C., the group Moms for Liberty, which has been designated an extremist organization by the Southern Poverty Law Center, has united with some Muslim parents who are protesting that the public school system no longer allows their children to opt out of reading books with L.G.B.T.Q. stories. Its not bigoted to want a safe space for all children, nor is it bigoted to provide reasonable accommodations to those with sincerely held religious beliefs, says Raef Haggag, a Montgomery County public school parent and former high school teacher. When we exchanged emails, he told me that Muslim parents in Montgomery County had never called for a book ban, but that he believed an opt-out option would reflect parental rights and also be a reflection of genuine tolerance, inclusivity and religious freedom. But is it truly inclusive and tolerant to signal to L.G.B.T.Q. kids or L.G.B.T.Q. parents that simply reading a book or learning about their existence might be so threatening and offensive that it requires an opt-out option in schools? How would Muslim parents feel if this was applied to childrens books about Ramadan or hajj? Kareem Monib, a Muslim parent and a founder of the opt-out group Coalition of Virtue, recently appeared on Fox News and bonded with the host Laura Ingraham over what they saw as their fight for religious freedoms, apparently forgiving Ingraham for her past anti-Muslim bigotry: Five years ago, Laura was saying we shouldnt have Muslims in this country, Mr. Monib told Semafor, Now shes saying: Thank God, the Muslims are here! He seems to be referring to comments Ms. Ingraham made eight years ago, but either way, the irony is lost on him. Muslims have also joined this campaign in Hamtramck, Mich., which has an all-Muslim City Council. Last week the council voted unanimously to bar Pride flags from being displayed on city properties apparently forgetting that their Muslim immigrant forebears faced discrimination when they arrived in the city. I investigated many of these theories, often by consulting the sources Id cultivated. Kennedy was right that the 2004 election had been rife with irregularities and efforts at disenfranchising voters, particularly in Ohio, where a partisan secretary of state, Kenneth Blackwell, had overseen several divisive voting measures and obstacles. But pretty much every expert I talked to said it was unlikely that any of the issues were big enough to have undone Bushs win. An investigation by the Democratic National Committee which looked at precinct level voting counts found that the data does not suggest the occurrence of widespread fraud that systematically misallocated votes from Kerry to Bush. And so: I wrote a point-by-point debunking of Kennedys breathless claims. Then Kennedy wrote a rebuttal to my rebuttal, which I, again, rebutted. For a week or two this dust-up took over my life. Salon, a generally liberal-leaning publication, was deluged by letters from readers angry that I was defending Bushs win. Thankfully, my editors supported me, and I remember coming away from the episode feeling bruised but journalistically vindicated: A man with a famous political name was wrong on the internet, and, armed with the facts, I had stepped in to correct the record. Looking back, though, I cringe. The other day I went back and listened to a debate I had with Kennedy on public radios The Brian Lehrer Show. Lehrer opened the program by asking Kennedy for his big-picture case. But whether Kennedy is talking about vaccines, elections or other out-there topics (he told Rogan he was aware that he could be assassinated by the American government), he tends to present his theories in a particular way. He starts with a few sprinkles of truth Ohios vote was run by a partisan official, some vaccines have serious side effects and then swirls them up with enough exaggerations, omissions and leaps of logic to create a veritable McFlurry of doubt. Such was his effort when we met on Lehrer: Kennedy offered an assortment of claims about the election that, in big and small ways, were unsubstantiated. So when Lehrer turned to me, I felt I had no choice but to start out by correcting Kennedys misstatements. I did so pretty handily, but because I had to point to sources and tease out the nuances Kennedy had elided, I couldnt help but sound like the boring, persnickety nerd stuck in the weeds. After a few rounds of this back-and-forth, I cant imagine that much of anything had been clarified for the audience. Instead, the impression was one of earnest complexity: One side says X, the other says Y, but whoever is right, it sure seems like this is a debate we should be having. Donald Trump did not and does not recognize any distinction between himself and the office of the presidency. He is it, and it is him. This view is as close a fundamental rejection of American constitutionalism as you can imagine and it helps explain much of the former presidents behavior in and out of office. It is why he could not abide any opposition to anything he tried to pursue, why he raged against the deep state, why he strained against every limit on his authority, why he rejected the very idea that he could lose the 2020 presidential election and why he decided he could simply take classified documents to his home in Florida. For Trump, he is the president. He is the government. The documents, in his mind, belonged to him. What this means in practical terms is that as Trump runs for president, he has promised to bring key parts of the federal government under his control as soon as he takes office. He wants to clear out as much of the executive branch as possible and swap professionals for true believers a new crop of officials whose chief loyalty is to the power and authority of Donald Trump, rather than their office or the letter of the law. And in particular, Trump wants to clear house at the Department of Justice, which is investigating him for mishandling those documents. Trump cannot tolerate the existence of an independent Justice Department, and so, if made president again, hell simply put it under his thumb. An-My Le can barely recall the Hawaiian shirt that the blond American wore when he put her into a black cargo van. Though many of the artists memories from the spring of 1975 bleed into one another slanted piles of burlap sandbags encasing her bedroom wall, fallen artillery shells lining the streets near her school like bread crumbs what has remained with her lucidly from those last few days of the 21-year war that divided her home country against itself, is the profound fear that had engulfed Saigon. The city was bracing for the Quan oi nhan dan Viet Nam, the Communist army of the North, and the Viet Cong, the guerilla-style militant groups from South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, to capture the capital of Viet Nam Cong hoa what the United States and the rest of the Western Bloc knew as the Republic of Vietnam. Le spent that night on the military tarmac of Saigons Tan Son Nhut Air Base with her father and two brothers. When dawn broke, she took one last glance at the landscape through the windows of the American C-130 aircraft as it disappeared into the clouds. She was 15. Complicated emotions of uncertainty and anger, guilt and abandonment all intersect for artists from Les generation; those who are not fully Vietnamese in Vietnam nor American in America. Shrouded in war, these Vietnam-born American artists use their memories not so much as a political protest as an emotional inquiry, through the generational traumas that have plagued their families since the day they left home. How a displaced culture can endure in America is a complicated concept for anyone to attempt to grasp. The Vietnamese diaspora is a marginalized generation who had no choice but to flee their homeland and then integrate themselves into the society of the enemy its the center of a disconnect theyve been trying to grapple with for the past five decades. And only now are Western institutions finally giving these displaced artists room to engage with these traumas. As they built K5, Mr. Kives and Mr. Baum touted their connections, including with the billionaire financier Warren E. Buffett. In an interview, Mr. Buffett said Mr. Kives was a name-dropper who might pitch that he has a connection to me, but he doesnt. Mr. Buffett said he had known Mr. Kives from his time at Creative Artists Agency. Since then, he said, Mr. Kives has contacted him about a few investment opportunities, which he declined. In late 2021, Mr. Kives used his network to forge a relationship with Mr. Bankman-Fried, who was rising in prominence as cryptocurrencies boomed. They got in touch over email, the lawsuit said, and Mr. Kives introduced Mr. Bankman-Fried to the musician Sia. Two days before the Super Bowl last year, Mr. Bankman-Fried attended a party at Mr. Kivess home in Beverly Hills, Calif., where he spent time with Ms. Perry and Mr. Bloom, four people familiar with the matter said. During a karaoke session, three of the people said, Ms. Perry performed a song that incorporated lyrics about FTX. The next day, she wrote on Instagram that she was quitting music to become an FTX intern. Mr. Bankman-Fried later raved that Mr. Kives was one of the most connected people he had ever met, the lawsuit said. He reserved space for Mr. Baum in an apartment complex in the Bahamas, where FTX was based, the lawsuit said. And he gave K5s partners access to FTXs internal messaging channels. Growing up in Boston, the child of a professor of biomedical engineering and a real estate lawyer, Edelman, who has a slight build and floppy hair, has been doing stand-up since he was a teenager. (He has had long-term romantic relationships with the female comics Katherine Ryan and more recently, Hannah Einbinder, though they broke up a month ago.) He describes his early influences as not great, explaining that if Im being honest, I saw a lot of racist comedy, self-congratulatory and smug. He described discovering his voice when he went to London during college, and recalled one key turning point when the British comic Josie Long took him aside and said, What youre doing is getting laughs but its not who you are. Even more important, at 23, he met Brace at Phoebe Waller-Bridges birthday party. They talked comedy and Brace later asked him if he could give him notes. Brace was especially alert to the dramaturgy of a show, insisting on cutting jokes that worked if they werent worth the lost momentum. If Edelman riffed too much, Brace told him: Youre on the jazz tonight. Their running conversations continued over the next decade. In early June, I accompanied Edelman to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center to watch old recordings of Broadway performances by artists like Billy Crystal (who also gave him a note after a show) and Eric Bogosian. When a man at the desk told him that he could see The Producers only with the approval of its director, Susan Stroman, and she was in London, Edelman looked down at his phone, shot off a text and within a minute had her approval. The man at the desk looked surprised, then added that he also needed the approval of Robin Wagner, the shows set designer, and he had died the previous week. After a pregnant pause, Edelman deadpanned: Thats beyond my ability. When asked about how he seems to know everyone, Edelman said these were all people he approached because he was genuinely curious about them. The thing everyone says but maybe doesnt internalize is: You just have to show up, he explained, before adding that there is privilege in knowing you are able to do so. The previous month, when in Boston, he knocked on the door of the 94-year-old comedy legend Tom Lehrer, whom he did not know, just to talk. I told him I was a comedian, Edelman reported. And he said, What problem do you need solving? Mr. Harnick also became an accomplished opera translator, providing English librettos for classical works like Lehars The Merry Widow, Stravinskys The Soldiers Tale and Bizets Carmen. He wrote some original opera librettos as well, including Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines (1975), with music by Jack Beeson, and The Phantom Tollbooth (1995), a collaboration with Norton Juster, the author of the childrens book on which it was based, and the composer Arnold Black. Lady Bird: First Lady of the Land, an opera about Lady Bird Johnson, for which he wrote the libretto and Henry Mollicone wrote the music, had its premiere in Texas in 2016 and has been performed in New York and elsewhere. In late 2015, shortly before the latest Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof opened, Mr. Harnick was in the studio making a demonstration record of songs from Dragons, an adaptation of a Russian play for which he wrote the book, music and lyrics, and which he had been working on for many years. In an interview with The Times, he said that he had no thoughts of retirement, and that he continued to attend every show on Broadway, as he had for many years. He added that he was working on a new show of his own. I hope I live long enough to complete it, he said. I wont tell you what idea I have, because youll steal it. Robert Berkvist, a former New York Times arts editor, died in January. Peter Keepnews contributed reporting. From the time Sasha Colby first took the stage in the latest season of RuPauls Drag Race, her eventual victory appeared almost inevitable. The 38-year-old whose tagline is Your favorite drag queens favorite drag queen brought her work ethic and two decades of experience to every revealing-yet-revelatory costume, heartfelt lip-sync routine and comically timed neck crack. On the national stage, her rise to mainstream stardom, as a transgender woman and a Native Hawaiian, could also be seen as an act of defiance as a wave of anti-trans laws sweeps the nation and conservatives target drag shows in several states. Ms. Colby spoke to The New York Times from Oklahoma City, where she had just landed. This interview has been edited and condensed. First, congratulations on your win on Drag Race. How has it been since? How much are you traveling? Thank you so much. Its insane. I havent been home in Los Angeles a lot in the past two or three months. Im going to a different city every day. Ive been all over the U.S. and Canada. Im going to Australia soon. We are doing a little European tour and the Philippines as well. Ive only traveled outside the U.S. and Canada twice before: once to Japan and once to Paris. So Im just so happy and so excited that I get to travel all over the world. Drag queens have to lug around a lot of stuff: costumes, wigs, etc. How many suitcases are you traveling with? Im pretty O.C.D.: Everything has to be organized. So this trip I just did five cities and have about six costumes I was able to get everything in one rather heavy suitcase. It was a little over 50 pounds. A police oversight board in Louisiana on Thursday permanently stripped the credentials of four former New Orleans officers who were convicted for their roles in killing unarmed civilians on a bridge in the chaotic days after Hurricane Katrina nearly 20 years ago. The board, the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, decertified the former officers Robert Faulcon Jr. and Anthony Villavaso, as well as two former sergeants, Kenneth Bowen and Robert Gisevius, for their roles in opening fire on six New Orleans residents, two of whom died, on the Danziger Bridge just days after the levees broke and then orchestrating a sweeping cover-up. Another sergeant, Arthur Kaufman, was stripped of his credentials for his role in covering up what happened. The New Orleans Times-Picayune, which has detailed gaps in Louisianas system for ensuring that the oversight board is informed about offenses committed by officers, was the first to report the decertification of the former New Orleans officers. Bob Wertz, a training manager at the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, the umbrella body for the police board, said officers who are convicted of felonies should automatically be referred to the agency for decertification. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. FINCA [Foundation for International Community Assistance] Azerbaijan has issued loans worth more than $1.3 billion over the past 25 years, the company CEO Timothy Tarrant said at a press conference, Trend reports. We have always focused on working with rural entrepreneurs and rural households, and this continues to this day. We continue to focus on providing financial services mainly to these clients," Tarrant noted. According to him, the company has served more than 600,000 clients, not counting their families, who also use their financial services. "We have given them the opportunity to expand their business, increase their livestock, grow more crops, hire more people. We have helped more than 600,000 people improve their standard of living, improve their lives, and the lives of their families by providing greater access to financial services," the CEO pointed out. Besides, Tarrant added that the company is the largest and most advanced microfinance service provider in the Azerbaijani market for over 25 years. FINCA Azerbaijan is a leader in responsible finance, serving small businesses across the country with loan products to promote profitable business activity. Launched in 1998, FINCA Azerbaijan is part of FINCA Impact Finances global network of 16 banks and microfinance institutions, reaching more than 2.8 million clients on five continents. Margaret Gilleo, who turned a local dispute over an antiwar sign on her lawn into a freedom-of-speech showdown at the Supreme Court, died on June 8 at her home in Ladue, Mo. She was 84. Her husband, Charles J. Guenther Jr., said the cause was pancreatic cancer. Ms. Gilleo (pronounced GILL-ee-oh) never set out to be a First Amendment crusader. But she refused to allow her rights to be impinged upon, even if neighbors questioned her patriotism or her propriety. I consider myself extremely patriotic, she told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch in 1991. I love this country. I love the flag, and I would never burn it. But I reserve the right to dissent. It all began in December 1990, when the United States was on the verge of the Persian Gulf war. Ms. Gilleo expressed her opposition to the conflict with a 3-by-2-foot sign that said: Say no to war in the Persian Gulf. Call Congress now. Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a renowned French maritime expert and submersible pilot, became a leading authority on the R.M.S. Titanic through 37 successful journeys to its wreckage. He was killed on his 38th attempt when the submersible craft in which he was traveling with four others imploded, the U.S. Coast Guard announced on Thursday. He was 77. Perhaps no one was more intimate than Mr. Nargeolet with the wreck of the White Star liner that settled nearly 13,000 feet deep in the North Atlantic Ocean after sinking in 1912, killing more than 1,500 passengers and crew members. Often called Mr. Titanic for his knowledge of the ships wreckage and environs, he was the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic, the company that owns the salvage rights to the storied shipwreck, and the author of the book In the Depths of the Titanic, recently published by HarperCollins France. His dozens of dives to the site included previous expeditions on the Titan, the vessel that disappeared on Sunday en route to the wreckage. On one such trip, in 2022, he helped with the discovery of an extraordinarily biodiverse abyssal ecosystem on a previously unknown basalt formation near the Titanic, according to the company that owned the Titan, OceanGate Expeditions. James Cameron, the director of the popular movie Titanic and a friend of Mr. Nargeolets, described him as a legendary submersible pilot. Polls show that support for legalized abortion has risen since the Dobbs decision. Democrats argue that it helped them avoid a Republican wave during last years midterm elections you all showed up and beat the hell out of them, as Mr. Biden put it and could be critical to retaining the White House and recapturing the House next year. Republicans are at odds with each other over how much to emphasize the issue, with some worried that it will only hurt them in a general election. But some progressive activists have privately expressed frustration that Mr. Biden has not made it more of a public priority until now. Abortion has long been an uncomfortable issue for Mr. Biden, who has cited his Catholic faith as his views have shifted over the years. While a young senator, he declared that the Supreme Court had gone too far in the Roe decision and later voted for a constitutional amendment allowing states to individually overturn the ruling before reversing himself. He supported the so-called Hyde amendment prohibiting the use of federal funds for abortion, including through Medicaid, until the 2020 campaign, when he changed his mind under pressure from liberals in his party. By contrast, Ms. Harris has unabashedly joined the battle for abortion rights since Roe was reversed, becoming by all accounts the administrations most passionate and effective voice on the issue. At Fridays event, Laphonza Butler, president of Emilys List, praised Mr. Bidens team as the most pro-choice administration weve ever seen but reserved her most effusive words for Ms. Harris. The rally on Friday, organized with the Democratic National Committee, was part of a series of messaging efforts by the Biden team around the anniversary of the Dobbs ruling. Earlier this week, Dr. Biden hosted a session with women from states that have imposed limits on abortion to highlight the consequences even for those not seeking to end a pregnancy. On Saturday, Ms. Harris will deliver an address on abortion rights in Charlotte, N.C. Mr. Bidens allies on Capitol Hill on Friday also called attention to the issue. House Democrats led by Representative Ayanna S. Pressley of Massachusetts introduced legislation to require insurance coverage to include abortion care, shield patients and providers from criminal charges, and affirm a legal right to abortion and miscarriage care. The bill has no chance of passing the Republican-controlled House but was meant as a signal to supporters. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland defended the Justice Departments five-year investigation of Hunter Biden on Friday, forcefully rebutting claims promoted by House Republicans that he blocked federal prosecutors in Delaware from expanding the inquiry to encompass a greater range of crimes. On Tuesday, the House Ways and Means Committee released testimony from two I.R.S. officials who said that David C. Weiss, the U.S. attorney for Delaware who has overseen the inquiry, told them that Justice Department officials prevented him from bringing cases against Mr. Biden, President Bidens son, in Washington, D.C., and California. The I.R.S. officials also claimed in their testimony that Mr. Weiss told them that he was rebuffed in his request to be appointed a special counsel, which would have allowed him to file a detailed report of his findings that could potentially be made public once the probe is ended. The attorney general denied the assertions made by the I.R.S. officials during a news conference at the Justice Departments headquarters, saying he had given Mr. Weiss complete authority to continue his investigation and to make a decision to prosecute any way in which he wanted to and in any district in which he wanted to. A particularly bitter battle is brewing over funds for the Justice Department, which has become a major target of Republicans who claim it is politically biased against the right, including former President Donald J. Trump. Right-wing lawmakers have pledged to cut the departments budget and proposed a slew of restrictions on the agency, including defunding the special counsel overseeing investigations of the former president and withholding funding for a new F.B.I. headquarters. I will not vote for ANY appropriations bill to fund the weaponization of government, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republican of Georgia, pledged on Twitter as she announced her proposal to defund the office of the special counsel in the Trump investigations. It is not yet clear whether that measure will be added to the legislation. Such provisions could render many of the G.O.P.-written spending bills dead on arrival in the Democratic-controlled Senate, paving the way for a government shutdown if the disputes cannot be resolved by Sept. 30 or automatic spending cuts in early 2025 if Congress fails to clear all dozen of the individual spending bills. Adding so-called riders provisions that sometimes have little to do with the underlying legislation to appropriations bills was once a common practice for lawmakers seeking to influence policy on an array of hot-button issues, such as abortion and the environment. But as the appropriations process on Capitol Hill has broken down in recent years, huge packages lumping all or most federal funding together in one take-it-or-leave it bill negotiated by congressional leaders in both parties have replaced individual spending measures, limiting the opportunities for rank-and-file lawmakers to tack on such items. Michael Roman, a top official in former President Donald J. Trumps 2020 campaign, is in discussions with the office of the special counsel Jack Smith that could soon lead to Mr. Roman voluntarily answering questions about a plan to create slates of pro-Trump electors in key swing states that were won by Joseph R. Biden Jr., according to a person familiar with the matter. If Mr. Roman ends up giving the interview known as a proffer to prosecutors working for Mr. Smith, it would be the first known instance of cooperation by someone with direct knowledge of the so-called fake elector plan. That plan has long been at the center of Mr. Smiths investigation into Mr. Trumps wide-ranging efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The talks with Mr. Roman, who served as Mr. Trumps director of Election Day operations, were the latest indication that Mr. Smith is actively pressing forward with his election interference investigation even as attention has been focused on the other case in his portfolio: the recent indictment of Mr. Trump in Florida on charges of illegally keeping hold of classified documents and then obstructing the governments repeated efforts to retrieve them. In the past few weeks, several witnesses with connections to the fake elector plan have appeared in front of a grand jury in Federal District Court in Washington that is investigating the ways in which Mr. Trump and his allies sought to reverse his defeat to Mr. Biden. Among them was Gary Michael Brown, Mr. Romans onetime deputy, who was questioned in front of the grand jury on Thursday. Mr. DeSantis recently signed a six-week abortion ban in Florida that Mr. Trump said some in the anti-abortion movement considered too harsh. Both Mr. DeSantis and Mr. Pence have seized on that phrase to criticize the former president, though neither did so by name on Friday. It was the right thing to do, Mr. DeSantis said Friday of signing the law. Dont let anyone tell you it wasnt. It was revealing that some of the loudest cheers at the conference came not for any of Mr. Trumps rivals but for Mark Robinson, the lieutenant governor of North Carolina who is running for governor, and who made a surprise endorsement onstage of the former president. This nation is at war, Mr. Robinson said. We need a warrior. Still, the Republican candidates present, including Mr. Pence and Mr. DeSantis, see abortion as providing an important political opening on Mr. Trumps right flank and a chance to appeal to evangelical voters, who are an especially large voting bloc in two of the early-voting states, Iowa and South Carolina. In a sign of the sway Christian conservatives are expected to have in the partys primaries, the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference is the first gathering to draw the top candidates for the Republican nomination to the same event. Seven Republican candidates addressed the crowd in the windowless ballroom of the Washington Hilton on Friday; others will speak on Saturday, including Mr. Trump, who will headline an evening gala. They are fighting more effectively at night than their Russian counterparts, U.S. officials say. They are using American-made Bradley fighting vehicles to destroy Russian armor with anti-tank missiles. And they are deploying combined arms tactics synchronized attacks by infantry, armor and artillery forces that they learned from American and other Western troops. It is, finally, showtime for the 36,000 Ukrainian soldiers nine brigades that have been armed, equipped and trained outside of Ukraine over the past several months by the United States and its NATO allies. How these Western-trained troops perform over the next few months, military experts say, will help determine the success of Ukraines long-awaited counteroffensive to push Russian forces out of occupied territory. Their performance will also demonstrate whether the tens of billions of dollars in weapons that Ukraine has received from its allies, including $40 billion from the Biden administration, is managing to transform the Ukrainian military into a NATO-standard fighting force. Biden administration officials are hoping the nine brigades will show that the American way of warfare using combined arms, synchronized tactics and regiments with empowered senior enlisted soldiers is superior to the rigidly centralized command-structure that is the Russian approach. One survey in the weeks after the courts decision last June found that 92 percent of people had heard news coverage of abortion and 73 percent had one or more conversations about it. As people talked at work, over family Zoom calls, even with strangers in grocery store aisles they were forced to confront new medical realities and a disconnect between the status of women now and in 1973, when Roe was decided. Many found their views on abortion more complex and more nuanced than they realized. Polls and interviews with Americans show them thinking and behaving differently as a result, especially when it comes to politics. This is a paradigm shift, said Lydia Saad, director of United States social research for Gallup, the polling firm. Theres still a lot of ambivalence, there arent a lot of all-or-nothing people. But there is much more support for abortion rights than there was, and that seems to be here to stay. Gallup happened to start its annual survey of American values just as the courts decision in the case, Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, leaked last May. That was when the balance began to tilt toward voters identifying as pro-choice. And when the question was divided into whether abortion should be legal in the first, second or third trimester, the share of Americans who say it should be legal in each was the highest it has been since Gallup first asked in 1996. The Supreme Court avoided a difficult First Amendment question on Friday, ruling that an unusual 1986 federal law that makes it a crime to encourage or induce unauthorized immigrants to come to or stay in the United States should be read narrowly to require complicity in a criminal conduct. A broader interpretation of the law would give rise to constitutional concerns, Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote for the majority in the 7-to-2 decision. She added that the laws key words were terms of art used in a specialized, criminal-law sense and mean something different than they do in ordinary usage. For purposes of the law, she wrote, the terms require proof of solicitation or facilitation of a crime. When the case was argued in March, several justices asked questions about the laws sweep, given the usual meaning of encourage. Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked about a grandmother living in the United States without authorization. The grandmother tells her son shes worried about the burden shes putting on the family, the justice said. And the son says: Abuelita, you are never a burden to us. If you want to continue living here with us, your grandchildren love having you. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. An international conference themed "Ensuring transparency in the context of business and human rights" was held in the administrative building of the Main Anti-Corruption Department under the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan with the joint organization of the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson), Trend reports. The conference was attended by Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev, Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) Sabina Aliyeva, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Azerbaijani Parliament Zahid Oruj, representatives of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the members of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Azerbaijani Parliament, the Prosecutor General's Office, courts, law enforcement agencies, senior officials of human rights institutions, international organizations, representatives of business structures, civil society, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, and the media. Kamran Aliyev noted that democratic, legal state building based on international norms has gained a large scale in Azerbaijan. "The adoption of the Constitution, which is the Basic law of sovereign Azerbaijan, the formation of civil society, the definition of a new economic course, the choice of a Europe-oriented development strategy, the creation of other factors that irreversibly ensure sustainable sociopolitical stability in the country, the initiation of the ongoing development of Azerbaijan is associated with the name of national leader Heydar Aliyev, whose 100th anniversary we celebrate," he said. The prosecutor general reminded that Heydar Aliyev signed a decree "On measures to ensure human and civil rights and freedoms" on February 22, 1998, according to which the State Program for the Protection of Human Rights was adopted. In the Presidential Decree "On the approval of the State Program for the Protection of Human Rights" of June 18, 1998, the relevant state structures are tasked with Azerbaijan's accession to international human rights agreements, the creation of a research institute in this area, ensuring that normative legal acts are brought into full compliance with international standards in the field of human rights, compliance with relevant obligations. The continuation of work on the implementation of the State Program for the Protection of Human Rights has led to the fact that over the past years the Republic of Azerbaijan has expanded cooperation with authoritative international structures engaged in activities in the field of human rights, has supported numerous international documents in this area and has achieved significant success in implementing international obligations. As a result of the future-oriented, purposeful policy of modern content carried out in the republic under the leadership of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, worthy successor of the great leader's statehood policy, high results were achieved in all areas of Azerbaijan's life, the foundations of independence and sovereignty were further strengthened. In the conditions of the financial crisis that has engulfed the world, the economic power of Azerbaijan has increased, with the achievement of high indicators of socio-economic development, the processes of building a legal and democratic state and civil society have been raised to a new level, integration into the world community has become irreversible. According to Aliyev, the issue of the influence of business on the realization of human rights and the responsibility of commercial organizations for the violation of these rights has been the subject of serious research by the UN in recent decades. At the International Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland), the idea of developing a global set of values and principles that meet the requirements of the entire world population was put forward In 1999, and in 2000 this idea was embodied in the UN Global Compact, which states that business should respect, support and fulfill human rights enshrined in the international level. The UN Global Compact provides for the integration into business activities at the international level of ten voluntary principles formulated in accordance with the requirements of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work of the International Labor Organization, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and the UN Convention against Corruption, as well as the promotion of UN activities on implementation of large-scale development-related goals. Moreover, within the framework of the UN "Protection, Respect and Remedies" project, the UN Human Rights Council Resolution No. 17/4 of June 16, 2011, approved the Guiding Principles of Entrepreneurship in the Aspect of Human Rights. Azerbaijan, having joined numerous international initiatives in this area, has undertaken to ensure the unhindered exercise of human rights and freedoms regardless of gender, race and nationality, religious beliefs, social origin, political beliefs and other circumstances. The Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which enshrined, among other principles solemnly proclaimed by the Azerbaijani people, the intention to create a rule of law state, recognized human rights and freedom as universal values and declared their provision the highest goal of the state. The Basic law also says that the state must guarantee the protection of everyone's rights and freedoms. The prosecutor's supervision over the execution and application of laws in the manner and cases provided for by the laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan, at the same time acts as an effective mechanism for the legal protection of human rights and freedoms, their official interpretation and established judicial practice, serves to ensure compliance with international and constitutional principles concerning human rights and fundamental freedoms, taking into account the precedents of the European Court of Human Rights in carrying out activities in these areas and justice in general, increasing the regulatory role of legal norms in streamlining public relations, improving legal culture, Aliyev added. Co-chair of the conference, Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva noted that the areas of business and human rights are constantly in the focus of the Ombudsperson's attention, events are constantly organized to monitor the current situation in this area, identify and eliminate shortcomings, scientific and analytical work is carried out, international experience is studied, close cooperation in this direction with government agencies, NGOs and international organizations. Chairman of the Board of the Center for Social Research and the Milli Majlis (Parliament) Committee on Human Rights Zahid Oruc said that President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev introduced innovations in all areas, thereby ensuring transparency in Azerbaijan. According to him, the president has made systemic transformations in all areas and made important decisions to update the economic and business environment. This happened against the background of the removal from office of forces that resisted reforms, while the appointment of highly educated and progressive people to important posts. Oru noted that hundreds of people who held important posts in Azerbaijan were removed from their posts only during 2018-2020. Chairman of the Management Board of the Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Businesses (KOBIA) Orkhan Mammadov noted that various surveys are regularly conducted in order to form an opinion among entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan. These surveys are designed to study the degree of awareness of entrepreneurs about corruption, including the rules of anti-corruption behavior in the business environment. Other speakers touched upon such topics as transparency in business activities and appropriate support mechanisms, responsible business in the context of sustainable development, new approaches to combating corruption and protecting human rights in the private sector, anti-corruption standards in the private sector, recovery of criminal assets in the context of human rights and economic transparency, development of women's entrepreneurship in a transparent economy, public control, etc. Detailed discussions and a productive exchange of views were held. Severe weather can happen any day of the year. If you are in its path, youll probably get a warning in the form of a shrill alarm on your cellphone or text scrolling across the TV screen. These messages are carefully crafted to make sure you have time to seek shelter before its too late, which could unnecessarily put you, or emergency medical workers, in harms way. But what actually causes people to respond to these warnings? Its something scientists learn more about every day. Heres how it works and how you might convince your uncle, for instance, that he really does need to evacuate ahead of the next hurricane. An effective warning is specific. People often look for an indication that they will be directly affected by a storm, said Kathleen Sherman-Morris, a professor of meteorology and climatology at Mississippi State University. This means it is important for a warning to be more specific than, for example, saying that a tornado is headed toward Eastern Tennessee. The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the conviction of an American who participated in a plot to assassinate a real estate agent in the Philippines in 2012, rejecting his claim that his constitutional rights had been violated in allowing testimony about a confession from an accomplice. The plaintiff, Adam Samia, was sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years after his conviction, along with two co-defendants, in a 2018 trial involving a murder-for-hire scheme. During the trial, the judge allowed the jury to hear about the post-arrest confession of one of the other defendants who said he had been driving a van when Mr. Samia had shot the woman in it. The judge allowed a federal agent to describe that confession on the witness stand on the condition that phrases like another person be substituted for Mr. Samias name. The judge also instructed the jury to consider the account of the confession as admissible as evidence only against the defendant who had made it. After all three of the defendants were convicted, Mr. Samia appealed. His lawyers argued that the context had made clear to the jury that the other person was him, and permitting jurors to hear that claim violated his Sixth Amendment right to confront his accuser, since the co-defendant did not testify and there was no opportunity to cross-examine him. The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the Biden administration could set priorities for which undocumented immigrants to arrest and which to leave alone, rejecting a challenge from two conservative states that pressed for more aggressive enforcement and handing a major victory to President Biden. The dispute was part of a larger battle between Mr. Biden, who has struggled to balance control of the southern border with humane treatment of immigrants, and Republican-led states, which have repeatedly sought to quash the administrations immigration agenda by contesting policy after policy in the courts. In allowing the administration leeway in deciding whom to arrest, the Supreme Court acknowledged the difficulty of the problem and the leading role the executive branch must play in solving it. In ruling that the states, Texas and Louisiana, lacked standing to sue, the majority, by an 8-to-1 vote, also signaled skepticism of challenges to immigration measures brought by states in an area that has largely been the federal governments domain. More generally, the ruling set new limits on partisan lawsuits filed by states to challenge federal programs, which have surged in the last decade. If the court greenlighted this suit, Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh wrote for five justices, we could anticipate complaints in future years about alleged executive branch under-enforcement of any similarly worded laws whether they be drug laws, gun laws, obstruction of justice laws or the like. We decline to start the federal judiciary down that uncharted path. Strafed by powerful storms and superheated by a dome of hot air, Texas has been enduring a dangerous early heat wave this week that has broken temperature records and strained the states independent power grid. But the lights and air conditioning have stayed on across the state, in large part because of an unlikely new reality in the nations premier oil and gas state: Texas is fast becoming a leader in solar power. The amount of solar energy generated in Texas has doubled since the start of last year. And it is set to roughly double again by the end of next year, according to data from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. Already, the state rivals California in how much power it gets from commercial solar farms, which are sprouting across Texas at a rapid pace, from the baked-dry ranches of West Texas to the booming suburbs southwest of Houston. Solar is producing 15 percent of total energy right now, Joshua Rhodes, a research scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, said on a sweltering day in the state capital last week, when a larger-than-usual share of power was coming from the sun. The Titans fate was not known until Thursday morning in part because it took days to transport remote-operated vehicles that could reach the depth of the Titanic to the site more than two miles below the ocean surface. Once the vehicles were deployed, debris from the Titan was spotted within a few hours, in an area about 1,600 feet away from the bow of the Titanic, according to Admiral Mauger. Experts said the remote vehicles will probably be used to continue surveying the site and to retrieve some items. But parts of the stricken submersible will probably be left on the ocean floor indefinitely, they said. It remained unclear whether any human remains were seen or could be retrieved. We should expect the R.O.V.s on site to identify as much as they can and also bring to the surface as much as they can, said Jennifer K. Waters, the provost of the State University of New York Maritime College. They would not be able to collect everything on the ocean floor, she said, but they could bring back some materials that would be useful in investigations. If the implosion happened well above the ocean floor, fragments of the submersible may have spread across a wide area, said James G. Bellingham, a professor of exploration robotics at Johns Hopkins University. They will have to search for Titan debris amid the Titanic debris on the bottom, he added. In military-ruled Myanmar, there seemed to be a new criminal offense this week: wearing a flower in ones hair on June 19. Pro-democracy activists say more than 130 people, most of them women, have been arrested for participating in a flower strike marking the birthday of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the civilian leader who was ousted by Myanmars military in a February 2021 coup. Imprisoned by the junta since then, she turned 78 on Monday. The protest a clear, if unspoken, rebuke of the junta drew nationwide support, and many shops were reported to have sold all their flowers. Most of the arrests occurred on Monday, but they continued through the week as the military tracked down participants and supporters. In some cities and towns, soldiers seized women in the streets for holding a flower or wearing one in their hair. Some were beaten, witnesses said. The police have also been rounding up people who took to Facebook to post a birthday greeting or a photo of themselves with a flower. His grip on the levers of national power secure, his hold on Indias domestic imagination cemented, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has increasingly turned to advancing himself on a new horizon: the global stage. With a packed diplomatic calendar that includes Indias hosting of the Group of 20 summit later this year, Mr. Modi is building an image going into his re-election campaign as a leader who can win respect and investment for his vast nation. The state visit accorded to Mr. Modi in Washington, which ends on Friday, is perhaps the biggest prize yet in that quest. Its not just about a fairer bargain abroad, said Ashok Malik, a former government adviser who is the India chair at the Asia Group, a consulting firm. Its also that my investments in key foreign policy relations are actually helping to build the Indian economy and therefore create opportunities for Indians at home and strengthen India overall. At home, Mr. Modis Hindu nationalist party has continued to sideline institutions that were once important checks on the government. It has persisted in its vilification of the countrys 200 million Muslims, even as Mr. Modi used an exceedingly rare news conference in Washington to claim that there was no discrimination against anyone in India. As guests filed into Westminster Abbey for the coronation of King Charles III, a young man wearing a ceremonial robe of blue and gold beneath a glinting chain of office walked up the central aisle and took a prime seat by the choir. He was the Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Westminster. And he was extremely nervous. In the car, hed combed his beard and checked his outfit several times before making his grand entrance. Youre in front of millions you cant afford to put a step wrong, Hamza Taouzzale recalled recently. Just 22 at the time of his appointment as lord mayor last year, he is the youngest ever, and the first Muslim, to hold the ceremonial role, which serves as a sort of good-will ambassador for Westminster and its residents. He represents the area, which covers much of central London, at civic events with all the pomp and protocol that comes with the title, which was created by Queen Elizabeth II by letters patent in 1966. Flying a 50,000-pound attack jet while 10,000 feet above Earth may not be the best time for a language lesson. But it was part of the drills that Maj. Greg Kirk of the Idaho Air National Guard had to decipher last week as he sought clarity on his mission from a heavily accented German military air traffic controller issuing the orders. English is the lingua franca for most military air forces, and the German joint terminal attack controller was fluent, but with his accent he was hard to understand over the headset feedback in Major Kirks A-10 jet. I know what hes trying to say now, Major Kirk said three days into the exercises in an interview at Lechfeld Air Base in southern Germany. Training together with all of our NATO partners over the week things are moving now, things are happening a lot more efficiently. The joint air power exercises, which will end on Friday after a 12-day run, have been the largest in NATOs history, involving 250 aircraft and around 10,000 personnel from 25 nations. Conducted in several places in Germany, they were planned well before Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine 16 months ago. As Pope Francis met with dozens of international artists at the Sistine Chapel on Friday, he sought both to reaffirm the Roman Catholic Churchs commitment to artistic endeavors and to enlist the artists to act as catalysts for change in areas like social justice. Yet as the group sat amid Renaissance frescoes by the likes of Michelangelo, Botticelli and Perugino undisputedly one of the high points of papal art patronage not all of those present had a traditional religious bent. Among them were the American artist Andres Serrano, whose photograph Piss Christ, an image of a plastic crucifix submerged in a tank full of urine, was considered blasphemous when it debuted in 1987. On Friday, Francis blessed Mr. Serrano and gave him a cheery thumbs up. I was surprised to be invited and even more surprised that he gave me a thumbs up, Mr. Serrano said afterward. And I was very happy that the church understands that I am a Christian artist and I am not a blasphemous artist. Im just an artist. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Azerbaijan and Armenia potentially can reach a peace agreement even before the end of 2023, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov said, Trend reports. He noted that there is certain progress in the peace talks and that Baku strives to make a deal. "Why did it take the prime minister of Armenia two and a half years (since the end of the 2020 second Karabakh war) to state that he actually recognized the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan?" the foreign minister also said. According to Bayramov, the peace agreement is quite achievable if Armenia is ready to take certain steps. "If there is a desire not only to make statements, but also some practical steps, then it's potentially possible to agree even before the end of the year, but if there is no real readiness, then it may be later," he added. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. Azerbaijan liberated its territories from Armenian occupation as a result of the 2020 second Karabakh war, which ended on November 10, 2020, with the signing of a trilateral statement between Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders, followed by trilateral agreements achieved at the highest level on January 11 and November 26, 2021 and October 31, 2022, designed to ensure the comprehensive normalization of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations. Within the normalization process, Azerbaijan transferred to Armenia proposals on mutual recognition of territorial integrity, renunciation of future territorial claims, demarcation of the border, and the signing of a peace agreement. Russian generals late on Friday accused Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the outspoken mercenary tycoon, of trying to mount a coup against President Vladimir V. Putin, as the Russian authorities opened an investigation into Mr. Prigozhin for organizing an armed rebellion. The long-running feud between Mr. Prigozhin and the Russian military over the war in Ukraine has now escalated into an open confrontation, setting up the biggest challenge to Mr. Putins authority since he launched his invasion of Ukraine 16 months ago. Videos circulating widely on social media showed that military and national guard armored vehicles had been deployed in Moscow and the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, near the front line in Ukraine where Mr. Prigozhins fighters had been operating. Over the course of Syrias long war, a remote desert camp for thousands of displaced people grew in the shadow of an American military base, just out of reach of Syrian government forces. The Rukban camp, a few miles from the United States base at al-Tanf in southeastern Syria, ended up almost cut off from aid largely because of closed borders and a Syrian government policy to block almost all relief efforts for areas outside its control. That has left many of its 8,000 residents, who live in tents or mud homes, struggling to survive without sufficient food and health care. One Syrian-American aid group worked for years to find a way to ease their plight. In recent days, the group has sent a first wave of critically needed supplies with the help of an obscure United States military provision known as the Denton Program. It lets American aid groups use available space on U.S. military cargo planes to transport humanitarian goods such as food and medical supplies to approved countries. Hundreds of people may have died last week in the Mediterranean, after a boat overloaded with migrants, including many children, capsized and sank. It was one of the deadliest migrant disasters in years. Please take a moment to read this article by my Times colleagues Christina Goldbaum and Zia Ur-Rehman, who traveled to Bandli, a small village in Pakistan near the Indian border, frequently shelled in the fighting over disputed territory in Kashmir, and the hometown of 28 of the passengers on the doomed ship. When hundreds of people die it can be difficult to comprehend the magnitude of the loss, but the article movingly describes the lives of two young cousins who drowned, and their familys profound heartbreak in the wake of their loss. The smugglers who stuffed hundreds of people onto the ship were apparently trying to reach Italy, most likely because Greece has hardened its borders in an effort to keep migrants from reaching its shores and seeking asylum. (Sometimes it has gone even further, violating international, Greek and European Union law by expelling people who had already reached Greek territory: In April, the Times published a video showing Greek authorities forcing a van full of migrants, including children and a 6-month-old infant, onto an inflatable raft and towing it into the middle of the Aegean Sea, then abandoning it.) Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who was the prime minister of Greece from 2019 until the countrys first-round elections last month and is expected to win a renewed majority in the runoff this weekend, has claimed that his harsh treatment of migrants has built good will with the European Union. And, indeed, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said Greeces border enforcement was Europes shield, because its harsh tactics prevent migrants from reaching E.U. territory. This border is not only a Greek border, it is also a European border, she said after Greece used tear gas to repel hundreds of people who were trying to cross over from Turkey. The European Union has gone to even greater extremes to deter migrants. Frontex, the E.U. border agency, has used aerial surveillance to help the Libyan coast guard to intercept migrant boats, even though there is extensive evidence that Libya has systematically abused and tortured the migrants it captured. Frontex has claimed that the surveillance saved lives, but a report by Human Rights Watch found that it was done in service of the Libyan interceptions, rather than rescues by other boats in the area. Remnants of Cindy, the second active tropical storm to threaten the Caribbean in this past week, could redevelop, forecasters said. It was unclear if it will impact any land. An area of low pressure, linked to remnants of Cindy, was producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms more than 400 miles south-southeast of Bermuda, the National Hurricane Center said on Tuesday. This is staying well offshore of the United States at this time, Philippe Papin, a hurricane specialist at the center in Miami, said in an interview on Tuesday. We are monitoring it for the low chance it might be able to redevelop into a potential tropical cyclone, he said. The center was giving the remnants a 10 percent chance of developing further in the next two days, and a 30 percent chance of formation in the next seven days. [music] Crowd: Modi, Modi, Modi. Ive long believed that the relationship between the United States and India is one that will be one of the defining relationships of the 21st century. Two proud nations, two proud nations whose love of freedom secured our independence, bound by the same words in our Constitution. First three words. We the people. An Indonesian fisherman claims to have shared a friendship with a four-meter-long saltwater crocodile for over 20 years and calls the reptile part of the local community. 59-year-old Ambo, a fisherman from Bontang City, in Indonesias East Kalimantan, has become somewhat of a celebrity in his country because of his unusual friendship with a giant saltwater crocodile named Rizka. The giant reptile has been a constant part of Ambos life for the past 26 years, ever since he first laid eyes on her in the waters of Pupuk Kaltim. She was only about one meter in size back then, and he didnt pay much attention to her as she swam past his boat, but when he noticed that she had followed him home, Ambo grabbed some food and tossed it in the water. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship spanning 26 years and who knows how many more going forward. I first ran into Rizka when I was on a boat passing through the waters of the Pupuk Kaltim area 23 years ago, Ambo told Kompas back in 2020. She was then only about a meter long, so I ignored her as I made my way home. [But] I noticed that [Rizka] followed the vessel home. I even saw her next to the boat, which I also named Rizka. I called her over to give her something to eat, and she came around. She has since been doing that. If I dont see her for two or three days, I go looking for her, Ambo added. I treat her as my own child. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AMBO (@amboriska) Over the years, these two unlikely friends became really close. Rizka often floats near Ambos boat when she sees him, and doesnt go away until he strokes her back for a while. She also visits his home whenever she is hungry, and he is more than happy to throw her something to eat. I usually give Rizka three chickens. Once she has been fed, she swims away, Ambo said. When I leave the village, Ive to tell my neighbors to feed Rizka while Im gone. I had to get neighbors to look after Rizka after my wife told me once that the croc came around when I was away. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AMBO (@amboriska) When Ambo was away for about two years, working in the provincial capital Samarinda, he asked local fishermen to take care of Rizka for him, and they would throw the crocodile some of them catch when they saw her. Since then, Rizka has become part of the community, and people see her as their guardian. Ambo claims to love Rizka as if she were his child, and although he admits that he still fears scared sitting so close to a four-meter-long crocodile that could literally swallow him whole, he is willing to put his life on the line in the name of their friendship. Sure the fear is there, but my ancestors believed that one can bond with crocodiles and other animals as if we have familial relations with them, the fisherman said. To keep up with Ambo and Riska, check out their official Instagram. Elito Amangpintor Circa is a Filipino artist who rose to fame for using his own blood to create canvas paintings that have attracted both praise and criticism over the years. Born in a poor family that couldnt afford to buy improper art supplies, Elito Circa experimented with a variety of unusual mediums as a child, including plums and tomatoes, but it was when he accidentally scraped his hand that he discovered the art medium that would mark his artistic career his own blood. He quickly realized that the blood not only made his paintings more durable, as it was harder to erase from the canvas, but that it also made his artworks his own in a way that he had never imagined before. Photo: Elito Circa/Facebook My artwork is very important to me because they come from me, it is from my own blood, my DNA is part of it Circa recently told Reuters. My philosophy is that life is circular and everything is a cycle, so (my blood) is a tool that serves as a reminder of where I came from. Every time he scraped his body, young Elito used the blood as paint, but as he grew older he realized that he needed as stable supply of paint, so she started visiting a clinic in Manila to have it extracted periodically. Nowadays, he stops by the clinic about once every three months to have his blood drawn, which he then stores in a freezer in his studio. Although Amangpintor has been criticized for his use of blood as paint in the past, the Filipino artist has always made it clear that he wants to change peoples perception of blood through his art. People are afraid of blood. Because in their minds, blood means death, Circa said in an interview. But I want to twist that belief. Thats why Im addressing its use because I want people to think that its not death, but love and life. Its unclear how much of his own blood Elito Circa has stored in his art studio, but it must be a lot, because he has announced plans to create the largest blood painting ever on a 100-meter (328 ft) canvas next year, thus setting a new world record. As bizarre as using blood as an art medium sounds, Elito Circa isnt the first artist to do it. In the past, weve actually featured artists like Vincent Castiglia and Dr Rev Mayers, who did the same thing. Bobby Kennedy, Jr. Throwing it all away. Bobby Kennedy, Jr., who has trashed his impressive 33 years of service as chief lawyer for the Riverkeeper environmental group by spouting anti-vaccine nonsense and embracing conspiracy theories, thinks the mainstream media are out to get him. Bobby sounds downright Trumpian. Just remember, what youre seeing and what youre reading is not whats happening, Donald Trump told the Veterans of Foreign Wars on July 24, 2018. Kennedy has urged people not to believe what they read about him. Listen to my own words and dont accept the media characterizations as necessarily true, he said. Okay, thats fair enough. Kennedy said on June 19 that the Biden administration is using Ukraine to achieve the larger geopolitical goal of weakening Russia. In other words, the Ukrainians are cannon fodder in the US proxy war against Russia. In the real world, Bobbys buddy, Vladimir Putin, has been using undertrained and ill-equipped troops as cannon fodder to test and soften up Ukrainian defenses. Kennedy has accused Team Biden of deceiving the American people about the motives for this costly and tragic war by continually escalating it and putting the whole world at risk of nuclear conflagration. Its not Biden who ordered his army to march to Kyiv and threatened to use nuclear weapons. It is Putin who is responsible for launching the biggest war in Europe since WWII. Kennedy did a world of good in fighting polluters of the Hudson River, improving its water quality, and shutting down the Indian Point nuclear energy plant. Its a shame that Kennedy, who stepped down from Riverkeeper in 2017, will be remembered mostly as a hero of the tin foil hat brigade. Calling out the GOP wimps. California Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff issued a sharp rebuke to the MAGA crowd in the House after they censured him on June 21 for leading the first impeachment of Donald Trump. Why did you not stand up to Donald Trump, why did you not reject his immorality, why did you not condemn his dishonesty, why did you not speak out when his horde attacked this Capitol, or now, when he treats the nations secrets with such carelessness, lawlessness and disdain, why did you hide from efforts to hold him accountable, why were you silent, afraid, unwilling to do your ethical, constitutional duty, why did you cower, why did you cower and why do you still? The GOP censure paves the way for Schiff to succeed retiring California Diane Feinstein as Senator in the 2024 election. A Maynooth University student was recruited as a money mule to transfer illegally obtained pandemic unemployment payments into other people's bank accounts, a court has heard. Luke McNamee (20) of Loughlinstown Road, Celbridge, Co Kildare, was completing his Leaving Cert when he was added as a friend by a man on Snapchat and asked if he wanted to make easy money. McNamee, then aged 18, sent the person his bank account details and got involved in money-laundering PUP payments to the tune of 4,700, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. McNamee pleaded guilty to one count of possessing the proceeds of crime in his AIB bank account on dates between May 18 and July 30 2021. At a hearing on Thursday, Judge Orla Crowe said McNamee had made a monumentally bad decision but acknowledged that he had effectively handed himself into gardai once he realised his mistake. Judge Crowe applied Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which involves deferring a sentence and imposing conditions for the defendant to meet until the sentencing date. The judge ordered McNamee to keep the peace and be of good behaviour until December 14, at which point he could be discharged from the indictment. If he doesn't comply, Judge Crowe said the court would consider a 12-month sentence. The judge also noted McNamee had made a gain of 1,500 for his role and ordered him to repay this sum to the gardai for onward transmission to the Department of Social Protection. McNamee has no previous convictions, and Garda Amy Devery told the court she thought he was unlikely to come before the courts again. I think it's unlikely; I think he made a big mistake, but I think he's learnt from it, said Gda Devery. She told Derek Cooney BL, prosecuting, that a man on Snapchat added McNamee as a friend on May 18, 2021. The man on Snapchat gave his name as R Boogie, the court heard. When R Boogie asked McNamee if he wanted to make easy money, the student replied that he did and proceeded to give his bank account details over Snapchat. R Boogie told McNamee that money would come into his account every Tuesday and that he would get instructions on what to do with it. 16 sums of Pandemic Unemployment Payments, initially of 350 per week and then of 250 weekly, were transferred into McNamee's bank account by the Department of Social Welfare. McNamee would then get instructions via Snapchat to transfer various amounts into different bank accounts or to buy items on the ASOS shopping app and then hand over the goods. The court heard that, at one point, McNamee got the orders mixed up and lost money. He began to get threats by text message from R Boogie. McNamee was told he owed money of up to 10,000 and that R Boogie was going to call up to the house. On August 12, 2021, McNamee presented at a garda station with his parents and told his full story, giving gardai his bank and Revolut details and printouts of his Snapchat and text messages. Gardai discovered that two separate women, neither of whom had ever claimed Pandemic Unemployment Payments, were contacted by the Department of Social Protection to say their PUP was under review. It emerged that both of these women's names had been used to lodge fraudulent PUP claims to the total value of 4,700, which had been lodged into McNamee's account. Gda Devery agreed with Jennifer Jackson BL, defending that McNamee couldn't have been any more cooperative with gardai. Ms Jackson told the court that this type of offence, known as money muling has become such a problem that gardai have taken out ad campaigns to warn students against getting involved. Counsel said McNamee was never on the radar for criminal activity and comes from a law-abiding family. He was at the lower end of the operation, but he made an extremely stupid decision to become involved, said Ms Jackson. She attributed McNamee's lack of ability to see consequences to his youth at the time. The court heard that McNamee planned to use the money to pay for a holiday with his friends after the Leaving Cert. A large number of letters and character references in support of McNamee were handed into court. Deputy principals of two schools and representative of sporting clubs described him as caring, compassionate and trustworthy and spoke of his support and kindness towards younger team members. A significant amount of people within the community are willing to put pen to paper and come out to bat for him. They are rooting for him, counsel said. Judge Crowe said that although others had set up a sophisticated money-laundering system, McNamee had played an active role in that he was involved in the passing on of money and had made a gain. She took into account McNamee's youth and the fact that the offending had taken place during the pandemic when there wasn't the same awareness in relation to these types of activities. The judge noted that McNamee is working part-time in a pub and can make reparation. The case was adjourned for mention to November 16. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Members of the National Preventive Group visited a center of temporary detention in the police department of Azerbaijan's Gadabay district as part of the activities of the National Preventive Mechanism of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva, the Ombudsman's Office told Trend. During the visit, the persons kept in the isolation ward, including five people detained and arrested administratively during the incident in the district's Soyudlu village, were received confidentially, and the appeals of each of them were heard. The persons received said that they had no complaints about their treatment, provision of food, or conditions of detention, and thanked the Ombudsperson for keeping the issue of ensuring their rights in the spotlight. The detainees were explained their rights, each was provided with legal advice on their appeals in connection with court decisions against them. During the visit, the detention conditions - the condition of the cells, personal hygiene and sanitation, medical care, and food supply issues were studied on the spot. As a result of the visit, a meeting was held with the leadership of the temporary detention facility, and relevant recommendations were given on the basis of national and international legislation. RESIDENTS are objecting to two residential schemes in Tullamore which recently got the green light from Offaly County Council. Council planners gave the go-ahead for a 102-unit scheme on the Daingean Road near the bypass Cappincur roundabout and a 92-house development at Hophill. Appeals have been lodged with An Bord Pleanala and the earliest it will come to a decision is mid-October. Sixty-two houses and 40 apartments are proposed by Daingean Road Residential Ltd, a company whose directors are Martin Kenny and Fearghal de Feu, on a greenfield site owned by Cayenne Holdings, a company headed up by Tullamore businessman and developer Seamus Kane. The project includes 13 four-bedroom houses, 27 three-bedroom houses and 22 two-bedroom houses on more than four hectares on the town side of the filling station. The 40 apartments include one, two and three-bed units and the plan is for them to be built in four separate three-storey blocks. Access for traffic will be off the Daingean Road and an initial proposal for 173 car parking spaces was increased to 195. Local residents had expressed serious concerns about the project, saying there was a history of flooding in the area and that a density of 28 dwellings per hectare was too high. However, the applicant referred to an Office of Public Works study which said there had been no flood events on the site or in the immediate vicinity. When council planners told the developers that Transport Infrastructure Ireland had concerns about the impact on the existing N52 roundabout, the applicant said an analysis showed there would be no impact on the roundabout and it will continue to operate well within capacity. On April 24 last a letter on behalf of residents was sent to the council, saying they were still looking for answers and had concerns about a range of issues, including flooding, density, traffic impact, wastewater, ecological impact, lack of a masterplan for the area, plus an additional concern about the scheme's heating source. Offaly County Council granted conditional permission on May 16 and the appeal was lodged on June 12 by Daingean Road Residents Association. An Bord Pleanala said the case is due to be decided by October 16 next. The scheme at Hophill, which is to be known as The Meadows, received planning consent on May 24 and an appeal was lodged on June 14 by a resident of Oakfield, an existing residential estate in the area. Developer James Spollen Ltd hopes to build 92 houses reduced from an initial plan for 95 on a greenfield site between Bachelors Walk (also known as New Road) and Oakfield/The Cedars, Hophill. The Meadows will be a mix of one, two and three-bedroom houses. Access for traffic is to be off Church Road and through The Cedars. There is to be a pedestrian entrance off Bachelors Walk/New Road near the roundabout. Residents had expressed concerns about a number of issues, including increased traffic volumes in the existing estates on the same side of Church Road, as well as overlooking of houses on Bachelors Walk/New Road. A condition of the permission granted by the council is that a wall two metres high be built along the walkway to Bachelors Walk/New Road. Also, the applicant was told that a boundary wall at one of the proposed houses must be set back and the developer must submit its plans for creeping plants and landscaping. The developer was further told to provide a pedestrian crossing at the entrance to the new houses to provide a link to the existing footpath network in the Oakfield and The Cedars estates. Traffic access to another neighbouring estate, Ashley Court, must be prevented by the installation of bollards. Much of the focus in submissions made to the council was on the access route for traffic to the scheme. Vehicles will come off Church Road and enter Hophill and turn right into The Cedars and then enter the new development opposite some of the existing Oakfield houses. Residents mentioned alternative access routes including one Clonminch Avenue, which would provide open up the way to the Portlaoise road. Ashley Court was also suggested. It is currently accessed off Bachelors Walk/New Road and though it adjoins Clonminch Avenue, traffic is blocked from travelling between the two estates by permanent bollards. A third possibility floated by residents is for the creation of a new entrance off Bachelors Walk/New Road and one submission even suggested that it could be one-way access only. An Bord Pleanala said it is due to decide on the appeal by October 17 next. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Armenia's demand for guarantees to the Armenian minority of Karabakh is equal to interference in Azerbaijan's affairs, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov said, Trend reports. "We do not accept such a precondition for a number of reasons. The most fundamental matter is that this is an internal, sovereign issue. The Constitution of Azerbaijan and a number of international conventions to which Azerbaijan is a party provides all the necessary conditions in order to guarantee the rights of this population," the minister explained. He noted that when integrated into Azerbaijani society, ethnic Armenians can speak and receive education in their native language and preserve their culture, like other ethnic and religious minorities. Following the 2020 Second Karabakh War, Azerbaijan repeatedly expressed readiness for dialogue with Armenian residents of Karabakh regarding their reintegration. So, speaking at a special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council held on June 17, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said that Azerbaijan is determined to reintegrate ethnic Armenians living in the countrys Karabakh region into its political, legal, economic, and social frameworks as equal citizens. A 27-Year-Old Son Bludgeons His Parents To Death In Bengaluru, Probe On 5 Terror Suspects Held In Bengaluru With firearms, Raw Materials Used In Explosives 21-Year-Old MBA Student Brutally Attacked with Machete in Broad Daylight in Bengaluru's Nagarbhavi Bengaluru oi-Madhuri Adnal In yet another disturbing incident, an MBA student from a private college was attacked with a machete by unidentified miscreants in broad daylight. The incident reportedly took place near near KLE College, Nagarbhavi 2nd Stage on June 5. The victim, identified as 21-year-old Darshan, was assaulted by five bike-borne men. The video footage shows the assailants striking the victim with the blunt side of a machete before swiftly fleeing the scene. The faces of the attackers were not visible in the video because all of them were wearing helmets. Following the assault, Darshan later registered a complaint at Annapurneshwari police station in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, a case has been registered under relevant sections of IPC, further investigation underway. Siddaramaiah Govt Invites Musk To Invest In Karnataka: Will Twitter Boss Choose This State For Tesla Plant? Bengaluru oi-Prakash KL Days after billionaire Elon Musk said he will be coming to India in 2024, the Siddaramaiah government has invited the Tesla CEO to invest in Karnataka. M B Patil, Karnataka's Minister for Commerce and Industries, Infrastructure, in a Twitter post, said that Karnataka is the "ideal destination" for Tesla's expansion into India. "If Tesla considers setting up a plant in India, Karnataka, with its great potential and capabilities, I must say is The Destination," he added. "As a progressive state and a thriving hub of innovation and technology, Karnataka stands ready to support and provide the necessary facilities for Tesla and other ventures of Elon Musk, including Starlink," Patil wrote, tagging Musk's Twitter handle. M B Patil said that Karnataka is focused on being the hub for technology and manufacturing 5.0, to propel the state for the next decades. Elon Musk met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and revealed after the meeting that he would come to India. "I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible," he said. Tesla Coming To India Soon: Elon Musk After Meeting PM Modi "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. However, it has to be seen whether Musk will choose Karnataka or any other state to manufacture Tesla cars in India. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 14:23 [IST] OPINION: 'India First' Defines Modis Policies At Home & Abroad Feature lekhaka-Balbir Punj Out of all the successes recorded by Narendra Modi during his nine-year tenure as Prime Minister, the one that has really shocked the 'Khan Market gang', is his amazing handling of India's foreign policy. For years, under pressure from the 'gang', the US had denied Modi a visa, though he was an elected Chief Minister of Gujarat. Don't miss the irony -- today Modi is being given a red-carpet treatment by the same country. The American establishment is pulling out all stops to underline the fact that how important India, and Modi are to it. The State Dinner hosted for Modi yesterday (June 22) was a momentous event. In the two and half years of the Biden administration, this was only the third such occasion -- the earlier two were for the French and South Korean Presidents. The leaders of the two chambers of the US Congress have extended an invitation to Modi to address a joint meeting of Congress for a second time -- an honour that has been accorded earlier only to a few leaders like Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Israel's Prime Ministers Binyamin Netanyahu and Yitzhak Rabin. What defines Modi's foreign policy? How has he elevated India's status to an unprecedented level in the global arena? How does Modi manage to keep Russians in good humour and do business with ease with the Americans at the same time when the two most powerful nations are locked in a bitter slugfest in Ukraine? The secret: He has freed India's foreign policy from ideological shibboleth -- an albatross cross around India's neck for decades. His guiding principle, both at home and abroad, is simple: India First, and nothing else counts for him. A little flashback is necessary to get a proper perspective of the ties between the two nations. Pandit Nehru, and several of his comrades in the pre-independence Congress, had a clear bias in favour of communist Soviet Union and against the West, including the US. The reason for this pronounced tilt was not national interest, but ideological. That's one of the reasons that the departing British joined hands with the communists and Muslim League, and created Pakistan -- a geo-strategic outpost to contain the Soviet Union and guard the West's interests in this part of the world. Tonight We Celebrate Great Bonds Of India, US Friendship: Biden At State Dinner With PM Modi The British shenanigans leading to the vivisection of India, and birth of an Islamic Pakistan have been unravelled by a noted diplomat and civil servant, Narendra Singh Sarila, in his seminal work, "The Shadow of the Great Game, the Untold Story of India's Partition". Subsequent post-Independence events confirmed Western apprehensions about Nehru weren't misplaced. Independent India, distanced itself from the US and Western nations, and deeply intertwined with the communist block on strategic matters. It pushed communist China's case for United Nations Security Council membership at its own cost and refrained from establishing ties with Israel ignoring its tactical interests. While the West and the US nurtured their child Pakistan unabashedly, India experimented with a half-baked socialist system at home with disastrous consequences, and courted the communist nations outside. The US in turn refused to engage India in any meaningful relationship and denied access to even elementary technology. Mutual distrust and suspicion marked the Indo-US relationship during Nehru-Indira era. For the US, pristine values like democracy, human rights and secularism have a substantive meaning only within its own borders. Outside, while paying lip service to these lofty principles, its conduct and policies are solely guided by its national interests. In its dealings with India, nothing probably illustrates this harsh reality, better than the American conduct during the 1971 Bangladesh war. Pakistan was a military dictatorship, which had unleashed repression against a section of its own people because of their ethnicity. Millions had fled to India as refugees from East Pakistan to escape an orgy of rapes and mass murders. While India was intervening in favour of hapless Pakistani citizens, the then US President Richard Nixon ordered the US Seventh Fleet's Task Force 74, led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Enterprise towards the Bay of Bengal, to intimidate India and ease pressure on its satellite, Pakistan. However, India and the US have come a long way since. With the collapse of Soviet Union in 1991, Communism lost its sheen. In India, Congress was freed from the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty stranglehold for a while when Narasimha Rao became the Prime Minister (1991-96). Subsequent years witnessed a steady improvement in Indo-US ties. President Clinton's visit to India in 2000 infused new elements in bilateral ties. President Bush inked the civil nuclear cooperation agreement with India in 2008, ending India's nuclear "apartheid". No Ifs And Buts In Dealing With Terrorism: PM Modi To US Congress President Obama invited Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the first State visitor of his administration in 2009. During his own visit to India in 2010, he extended support for India's permanent membership of UN Security Council, and later worked successfully for India's membership of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). During his and the Trump administration, there were other breakthroughs on higher-level technology releases. President Biden elevated the Quad with India, Japan and Australia to summit-level meetings. A new group I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE, USA) met at the summit level. National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the US, India, the UAE and Saudi Arabia had their first-ever meeting in this format on May 7. On January 31, the NSAs of India and US launched a major new initiative for a partnership on critical and emerging technologies, which seems to have now become the organising framework for the new phase in the bilateral relationship. There are multiple reasons for the increasing, mutually beneficial, Indo-US engagement. One, India is now led by a Prime Minister who's not bogged down by ideological cobwebs and is clear on what's the best in Indian interests. Since there's no ambiguity, those dealing with India know where it stands. Moreover, in the last four decades, India has changed beyond recognition. Once living precariously on ship-to-mouth PL 480 wheat imports, India is now a net exporter of food grains and several other agricultural commodities. India today has emerged as the fifth largest economy, from the tenth position it held not long back. It took India 60 years (1947-2007) to become a one-trillion dollar economy, and only seven years (2007-14) to add another trillion. One of the fastest growing economies of the world, India is in the touching distance of being a four-trillion dollar economy. At the current rates of growth, India's economic size should overtake Germany by 2027-28 and Japan by the end of the decade. Modi's meetings in the US, which include CEOs, are a testament to the global interest in both accessing India's growing market and also its supply capabilities. The India-US initiative on critical and emerging technologies (iCET) would have been inconceivable a few decades ago. The US too has changed a lot, and so has the world, it has to deal with. The job losses in the US from shifting manufacturing to China are pinching it hard, and the Covid has made it worse. China is a Russia ally, and making threatening noises emboldened by its new found prowesses in technology, defence capabilities and geopolitical footprint. Beijing has taken on the new role of peacemaker in the Middle East -- a region the US regarded as its sphere of influence. European engagement with the US is shrinking. Pakistan, once a US side-kick, is now a China's satellite. It's an epicentre of global terror and the entire non-Islamic world, including America, is in its crosshairs. Economic sanctions, once an effective tool to punish those who didn't toe the US line, no longer works. The American move, sanctioning Russia and those countries that bought energy and food grains from it, hasn't been effective. While the US' exalted global status is under threat, the scene at home isn't comforting either. The ideological divide is deep, and for the first time in history, an American President is facing criminal charges. A large number of Americans feel unhinged from the civilisational ethos of their country, and random gun violence is the new normal. China has risen to peer status with the US, even as Russia. North Korea, Iran and transitional terrorism remain threats to American interests in various parts of the world. The US simply cannot handle all these challenges alone, or by using its old model centred on formal allies in Europe, despite what some in Washington may believe. PM Modi Talks of 'Bold' Steps; Biden Lauds 'One of the Most Defining Relationships' in 21st century India-US relationship over the last 18 years has taken place in the shadow of China's rise and its subsequent growing belligerence. It's obvious that there is a considerable overlap in the comprehensive national interest of India and that of the US at this point of history. The interests of the two countries get served by a deepening partnership, now described as a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership (CGSP). The US is India's largest trading partner at $191 billion, with the surplus in India's favour. Companies from the two countries have invested more than $40 billion in each other, with presence of Indian investments across all 50 US States. At 4.9 million individuals, Indians are the second largest immigrant group in the US. As many as 2 lakh Indian students in US universities constitute a potential for building business and other networks for the future. However, those working for close cooperation between the two countries would have to watch out for prophets of doom in the US. They feel that India is a 'bad bet' for Washington to make; that Delhi will not side with Washington to the hilt. They must realise that transactional approach can't deliver any tangible results in Indo-US cooperation and collaboration convergence between the two countries can't come at the cost of India's strategic autonomy. (Mr. Balbir Punj is a Former Member of Parliament and a Columnist. He can be reached at: [email protected]) Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of OneIndia and OneIndia does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 10:17 [IST] China Blocks Proposal By India, US To Blacklist Pak-based LeT Terrorist and 26/11 Accused Sajid Mir 4 Terrorists Gunned Down In Kupwara While Trying To Infiltrate Border From PoK India oi-Deepika S Four terrorists trying to infiltrate from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) were gunned down in a joint operation conducted by Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir police in Kupwara on Friday. The gunfight took place near the Line of Control (LOC) in the Machhal sector in Kupwara. The terrorists were trying to infiltrate to the Indian side from POK, police said. "In a joint operation, Army and Police have killed four terrorists in Kala Jungle of Machhal sector in #Kupwara who were trying to infiltrate to our side from POJK," the Kashmir Zone Police said in a tweet. In a tweet, Indian Army's Chinar Corps said: "In a Jt op launched by Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir police, an infiltration bid was foiled today by alert troops along LOC in Macchal Sector, Kupwara. 04 x Terrorists eliminated and war-like stores have been recovered. Ops in progress." This is the second such incident to take place in the Kupwara region. Security forces had foiled an infiltration bid last Friday as well when five terrorists were killed in Jumagund area of Keran sector. In recent times, security forces have been getting a large number of intelligence inputs of likely infiltration from across the LoC. DRDO, L&T Ink Pact To Build AIP Modules For Scorpene-Class Subs India oi-Sanjeev Nayak The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have signed a contract for the realisation of two Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system modules for 'Kalvari' class submarines of the Indian Navy. An AIP module extends the endurance of conventional submarines and is a niche technology with just a few countries. "These modules constitute the core of the fuel cell-based AIP System, indigenously developed by the Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) of the DRDO with L&T as prime industry partner, an association spanning more than a decade. The Energy Modules (EMs) comprising fuel cells produce the required power, along with on-board hydrogen generation," L&T said in a statement. The manufacturing, integration and factory acceptance trials of the EMs would be undertaken in its AM Naik Heavy Engineering Complex at Surat, L&T said, adding the EMs would be supplied for integration into the AIP Plug that would be retrofitted into the submarine. Further, it stated that the technology of this indigenous AIP system was a unique one that generated hydrogen on demand thereby obviating the need for carrying hydrogen onboard which was a major safety concern for a submarine. "It is pertinent to mention here that principally this technology is a green one since the by-product of the reaction is non-polluted water which can be released into the oceans." L&T is the recipient of Transfer of Technology (ToT) for the AIP system from the DRDO and the ToT documents were handed over to L&T by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during Aero India 2021. In another giant step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat, DRDO hands over Akash missile details to MSQAA In January, DRDO and Naval Group of France, the manufacturer of Scorpene-class submarines, signed an agreement to fit the indigenous fuel cell based AIP system on INS Kalvari, the first Scorpene-class submarine when it goes for its first refit in the end of 2024 or early 2025. Subsequently, AIP modules are planned to be installed on all Scorpene submarines. Six Scorpene submarines are being built under Project-75 by MDL under technology transfer from Naval Group of France under a $3.75-billion deal signed in October 2005. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 16:30 [IST] Flyer Arrested For Allegedly Talking About Hijacking On Vistara Plane India oi-PTI A 23-year-old male passenger on board Vistara's Mumbai-Delhi flight was arrested after he was heard speaking over his phone about a "hijacking plan" shortly before the plane was to take off from the city airport, officials said on Friday. The incident occurred around 6.30 pm on Thursday at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, they said. After a crew member and others around him heard his conversation, the passenger, hailing from Haryana, was deplaned and handed over to the security personnel. A thorough check of the aircraft was conducted and the flight later took off for Delhi with the rest of the passengers following a clearance by the authorities. "The incident took place before the flight was to take off for Delhi around 7 pm. All the passengers were occupying their seats and the cabin crew members were engaged in their work," a police official said. "A member of the cabin crew and others heard the male passenger speak over his mobile phone. They heard him saying in Hindi - 'Ahmedabad ka flight board karne wala hain. Koi bhi dikkat ho to mujhe call karna.' (Will board a flight to Ahmedabad. Call me in case you face any difficulty)," he said. Hoax Bomb Threat Delays Delhi-Mumbai Vistara Flight By Two Hours The passenger also said, 'Hijack ka sara planning hain. Uska sara access hain, chinta mat karna.' (All planning for hijacking is done. Don't worry as there is an access), according to the official. "After hearing his conversation, the passengers sitting nearby got scared and many of them stood up. The cabin crew member called in the security staff of the flight and the passenger was handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)," he said. The passenger, who was later identified as Ritesh Juneja, was taken to the Sahar police station and based on the complaint lodged by the 27-year-old cabin crew member, an offence was registered against him, he said. It has come to light that the accused is mentally unstable and has been undergoing medical treatment since 2021, he said. A first information report (FIR) under section 336 (rash or negligent act that endangers human life or the personal safety of others) and 505 (2) (making statement with intent to cause fear or alarm among people) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered against the passenger, he said. Vistara to merge with Air India by March 2024 A spokesperson of Vistara airline said in a statement, "We confirm that there was an incident concerning an unruly passenger on Vistara flight UK 996 scheduled to operate from Mumbai to Delhi on 22 June 2023 at 1830 hrs." In line with the guidelines and our standard operating procedures (SOPs), relevant authorities were immediately informed and the said customer was handed over to them. A thorough check was conducted and the flight took off with the rest of the customers after clearance, the statement said. "We are fully cooperating with the security agencies in the investigation. Vistara stands firm with its zero-tolerance policy against unruly behaviour that endangers the safety and security of its customers and staff," it added. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 16:09 [IST] Get Married, We Will be Your 'Baraati': Lalu Prasad's Witty Advice to Rahul Gandhi at Opposition Meet India oi-Madhuri Adnal Adding a touch of humor to the joint press conference of the opposition in Patna, RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav playfully advised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to consider getting married soon. Praising Rahul Gandhi's recent efforts, including his Bharat Jodo Yatra and his eloquent speech in the Lok Sabha regarding the Adani group controversy, Lalu Prasad expressed his appreciation. With a mischievous grin, he added, "Rahul ji has done a great job and has also shown bravery. Now, you should think about marriage. It's not too late, get married now! We are ready to be your baraatis." The lighthearted comment from Lalu Prasad drew laughter from other opposition leaders present at the press conference. #WATCH | "You didn't listen to my advice earlier. You should have married. It is not too late even today. You must get married," says RJD leader Lalu Yadav to Rahul Gandhi during opposition leaders' press meet in Patna pic.twitter.com/T4HomIpZo5 ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 Lalu Prasad also made a symbolic statement, highlighting that the opposition now had the support of Hanuman, a deity who was historically associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "In the past, the BJP used to fight in the name of Hanuman. But now, Hanuman ji is with us," he declared. Expressing his optimism about the united front, Lalu Prasad emphasized the importance of the opposition's unity in Shimla during their future discussions. He highlighted that their unity would dispel the notion that the opposition remains divided and enable them to present a strong challenge to the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The joint press conference followed a four-hour-long meeting, where leaders of 17 opposition parties expressed their views and solidified their commitment to fighting the BJP unitedly. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the host of the meeting, affirmed their dedication to the nation's interest and criticised the BJP for allegedly attempting to rewrite the country's history. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge announced that the next gathering of opposition leaders would take place in Shimla next month, further solidifying their collaborative efforts. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev has viewed the conditions created at one of the commando military units of the Ministry of Defense, and presented the battle flag to the military unit. Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov reported to President, Victorious Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev. The head of state laid flowers at a statue of National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the territory of the military unit, and paid tribute to the Great Leader. President Ilham Aliyev then visited the indoor shooting range designated for personnel to improve their shooting skills. The head of state also viewed the conditions created in the indoor gym. The Commander-in-Chief watched the intensive training exercises of the commandos at the outdoor training ground. The Commander-in-Chief then got acquainted with the conditions created in the soldiers' dormitory. In the weapons room, President Ilham Aliyev was informed of the tactical and technical characteristics of weapon samples, most of which are produced in Azerbaijan. The head of state then came to the parade ground of the military unit. President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev was reported about the preparations for a ceremony to present the battle flag to the military unit. The memory of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and Azerbaijani martyrs, who gave their lives for the country`s territorial integrity was honored with observing a minute of silence. The national anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was played. The head of state addressed the event. Speech by President Ilham Aliyev - Dear servicemen. I congratulate you and all personnel of our Armed Forces on the upcoming Armed Forces Day. Servicemen: Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: On the eve of this holiday, another commando unit is opening in our country. This is a very significant event. As you may know, after the Patriotic War, the Commando Force was established in the Ministry of Defense on my orders and the number of commandos is increasing by the day. Several military units are already in operation and more units are to be opened in the future. So, we are significantly increasing and will continue to increase our combat capabilities. In the Second Karabakh War, the Special Forces showed tremendous professionalism and heroism. They played a special role in implementing a number of military operations. Taking into account all this, as well as combat operations of our time, the establishment of the new Commando Force has been set as a task on my orders and this task is being successfully fulfilled. After the Second Karabakh War, the process of army building picked up further pace. Of course, during the occupation, army building was the number one task for us, as special importance was attached to preparing our Army and all our Armed Forces for the liberation of our lands, and we have achieved this. The Patriotic War ended with a complete victory of the Azerbaijan state. But despite this, additional steps are being taken to build up the army after the war, and there is a great need for that. After all, the geopolitical situation in the world is becoming increasingly strained, there are new threats in our region, revengeful forces are rising in Armenia again. With all this in mind, the task of further strengthening our Army remains the number one priority. Of course, comprehensive measures are being taken to achieve this. After the Patriotic War, the process of purchasing new weapons has continued, many contracts have already been signed for new unmanned aerial vehicles and long-range missiles for our country the missiles that have great destructive power and high precision. The process of upgrading the structure of the Ministry of Defense is also underway, and this process continues. I am sure that the decisions made regarding military education will bear fruit in the near future. The establishment of new combat units, first of all, the creation of the Commando Force is one of the important factors for increasing our combat capability. Today, we are developing our Armed Forces on the basis of a unified program, and I am sure that in the near future our Army will rise to a new and higher level. I have already said this before but I want to say it again that the Azerbaijani Army today is even stronger than the Azerbaijani Army that showed heroism and professionalism during the war. At the same time, the number of personnel in other special forces is being increased. The number of Special Forces of the Ministry of Defense has been significantly increased. I have already mentioned that the special forces of the Ministry of Defense showed particular heroism and professionalism during the war. The number of marines of the Ministry of Defense has been increased several times, and this increase continues. The State Border Service, the Internal Troops, the State Security Service, the Foreign Intelligence Service the number of special forces of these institutions has been increased many times, and all this great force has one goal of protecting our territory, securing the territorial integrity of our country and, if there is a threat to our security, defeating the enemy with crushing blows. So, when I say that our Army has become stronger after the Second Karabakh War, I also take this into account. I should also note that our successful economic policy allows us the opportunity to allocate sufficient state funds for army building, for the purchase of new weapons and equipment, and for the creation of new combat units. Taking into account our successful economic policy and the growing revenues of our country, additions have recently been made to the state budget. This year's state budget is already a record budget in the history of independent Azerbaijan. Despite this, as soon as we got the additional funds, we allocated a large amount to increase the budget and identified two main directions there first, the restoration of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, and second, the strengthening of our military potential. So, this alone shows that one of the priority issues for us today is the building of the army and the other is the restoration of Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur. All necessary measures will continue to be taken to further strengthen our Army. Azerbaijan's enemies know and see this, and they must know and see this. That is why any provocation against us does not go unanswered. Every provocation is met with a worthy response, be it a military or political response. Today, Azerbaijan is one of the countries that determines its own destiny, does not and will not depend on anyone, speaks its word openly and conducts an independent policy. So, our country is an independent country in the true sense of the word, because it is capable of conducting an independent policy, and it is primarily our military potential that gives us this power. We were preparing for the Second Karabakh War and did not make a secret of that. During the occupation, I repeatedly said that the priority task for us is to regain our territory and secure our territorial integrity. I said that if the negotiations did not succeed, we would use force to liberate our historical lands. Unfortunately, some people turned a blind eye to my words. Armenia and its foreign patrons believed that they would keep our lands under occupation forever. We foiled their insidious plans. We prepared for war and dealt such a crushing blow to the enemy that the enemy is still unable to recover. After the Second Karabakh War, we had to further back up our military victory on the political and diplomatic level. After the Second Karabakh War, it was us who shaped up the agenda in the region. Today, the processes in the region are still unfolding on the basis of our proposals. If we look at the first months after the Patriotic War, we will see that the patrons of Armenia were still trying to make us accept the old theses. We firmly rejected that, and today everyone sees that the Minsk group, which once made efforts to perpetuate the Armenian occupation, is no longer on the agenda. It has been consigned to history. Everyone can see that the forces that once demanded a special status for the Armenians of Karabakh are now making completely different statements. We see that the leaders of Armenia, who once said that Karabakh is Armenia and full stop, are now repeating my words: Karabakh is Azerbaijan! In other words, all this is the result of our policy during the last two and a half years. These issues do not appear by themselves. The events that took place in the direction of the Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border, the military operations in our Karabakh region where Armenians live, and the creation of a border crossing point on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border in the direction of Lachin two months ago are indicators of our strong political will. So, we have taken all our steps based on a single program. If we analyze the events of the last two and a half years, everyone can see that there was a strong political will, power, logic and international law behind every step we took, and every next step was a logical continuation of the previous step. Today, we have further consolidated our glorious Victory on the political and diplomatic level. Today, we have a say in the region. Some, including Armenia and some of its foreign patrons, are accusing us of revenge. It is a completely erroneous thesis. I have said this, I said during the war we will take our revenge on the enemy on the battlefield, we will avenge the blood of our martyrs on the battlefield, and so it happened. The Azerbaijani Army did not waged war against the civilian population everyone knows and sees this. Unlike Armenia, we did not destroy their cities with Iskander, Tochka and Elbrus missiles. The Azerbaijani Army has high moral qualities, fully implements and will continue implement the orders of the Commander-in-Chief. Therefore, those accusing us of revenge should go and look in the mirror. We demand justice, not revenge. We demand protection of justice. We demand that no-one interfere in our internal affairs. We demand that all countries respect our territorial integrity in deed, not in words, and in this case we will respect their territorial integrity. Otherwise, our steps will be commensurate. Let me say again that we took revenge on the battlefield. At the same time, we should never forget the Armenian atrocities. During the occupation, our cities were razed to the ground. Our historical monuments were destroyed. Our holy places were desecrated and ravaged. It was our contemptible neighbors who did that. The international world, the international community and the corrupt European officials and deputies visiting Armenia every day are turning a blind eye to that. What is behind this injustice? Double standards and bribery! There is no other explanation for this. They go, take pictures near our border, and send us some messages. If they have the guts, let them come closer to our border. Those times are already in the past. We broke their legs. Because we have not forgotten it after the Second Karabakh War. Official representatives of some European countries entered our territory, Khankendi, without our permission. I said back then that if we had known about it, we wouldnt have let them go there. Even today I am saying to them that if they have the guts, come and see what happens. The ugly campaign being conducted against us today does not and will not matter. No-one can influence our determination. If no-one could influence our determination during the Patriotic War, of course, no-one can influence it today. Again, we demand justice. The conclusion of the peace negotiations with Armenia today is necessary both for us and even more for Armenia. This peace agreement should be signed on the basis of norms and principles of international law. Post-war realities should be taken into account in this peace agreement. This is natural. We have won the war, we have shed blood, we have given martyrs. May Allah rest the souls of all our martyrs in peace! We have fought a war in our own land, and today we live and will continue to live in our own land. These are our terms and conditions. Armenia officially recognized the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in October last year. I said that these words are not enough. More precise words should be said, and last month not only our territorial integrity was officially recognized by Armenia, but also the parameters of the territory of Azerbaijan were acknowledged. So, this is a positive development. However, these words must now be put on paper and Armenia must sign it. In such case, long-term peace can be established in the South Caucasus. Otherwise, there will be no peace. At the same time, one of our preconditions is the opening of the Zangezur corridor. This is our rightful demand, especially if we take into account the fact that Armenia undertook this obligation in the act of capitulation signed on November 10, 2020. However, this obligation has not been fulfilled yet. The other condition is that the armed units of the Armenian army should be withdrawn from the Karabakh region. This is one of the obligations undertaken by Armenia. This has not been implemented either. We are exercising restraint for now. Over the past two and a half years, we have been forced to show our strength to the Armenian side several times, first, in response to their military provocations and secondly, we sent them a signal that if they don't behave, if they don't honor their signature, the consequences will be dire for them. This is why we are still acting with restraint. We have never acted hastily, there is no need for that. Today, power is on our side, our position is strengthening over time, and international law is also on our side. The world community already unequivocally recognizes Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan. We can wait. Again, we are in no rush. Today, we are engaged in extensive construction work on the liberated lands. We are returning the former IDPs to their ancestral lands. We have favorable positions along the border with Armenia. We are strengthening our positions there. Being on strategic heights gives us a strategic edge. Again, we have greatly strengthened our army in the last two and a half years. If Armenia and its foreign relatives do not understand all these factors, then they will only have themselves to blame. Today, large-scale construction work is being carried out in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. Former IDPs are returning to their ancestral lands. During meetings with them, I said that they would return to their lands, and so it happened. I said that we would never allow a second Armenian state to be created in our territory, and so it happened. We said that we would expel the enemy from our lands, and we expelled the enemy from our lands, we raised the flag of Azerbaijan on our historical lands. So, this is a great and historic achievement. This glorious history will live forever in the hearts of the Azerbaijani people. Dear servicemen, as you know, the people of Azerbaijan are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev this year. The Great Leader has played a special role in the formation of the Azerbaijan Army. Back in the Soviet era, the creation of a military school named after Nakhchivansky was aimed at creating a professional class of officers in Azerbaijan. I was in Shusha on the Great Leader's birthday, on his 100th birthday anniversary. I celebrated my father's birthday in Shusha, and I think that this step has a great meaning. Shusha is the crown jewel of Karabakh. After the liberation of Shusha, the Armenian state and government were forced to accept their defeat. Shusha is the embodiment of our strength, indomitable spirit, bravery and heroism of our heroic soldiers. On the eve of this wonderful holiday, I want to once again congratulate you on the upcoming Day of the Armed Forces. I wish the Azerbaijani Army continued successes and victories. Long live the Azerbaijani Army, Karabakh is Azerbaijan! Then, the presentation on handing over the battle flag to the commando military unit was read out. The Victorious Commander-in-Chief presented the battle flag to the commander of the military unit. Following the commando oath-taking ceremony, the personnel marched in front of the podium with the battle flag under the accompaniment of a solemn military march. Then, the Commander-in-Chief watched small and large weapons, armored vehicles and special equipment, including artillery, intelligence, engineering, communication and other combat equipment, as well as attack drones and unmanned aerial vehicles of various purposes. The head of state watched the commando training. President Ilham Aliyev also toured a canteen. Is Foxconn's Pull Out Of Rs 1.5 Lakh Crore Chip Deal A Blow For India? Govt Responds Bilkis Bano Case: SC Fixes Aug 7 For Final Hearing Of Pleas Against Remission To Convicts Gujarat: Building Collapses in Jamnagar; Four Persons Rescued, Some 8-10 Feared Trapped India oi-Madhuri Adnal A three-storeyed residential building in Jamnagar city in Gujarat collapsed on Friday evening, officials said. ''A three-storeyed residential building in Sadhana Colony area collapsed in the evening. Four persons have been rescued in the operation underway. The building was constructed by the Gujarat Housing Board nearly three decades back,'' an official said. Jamnagar municipal commissioner DN Modi, senior civic officials and local MLA Divyesh Akbari rushed to the spot and are overseeing the rescue operation, he said. VIDEO | Several feared trapped under the debris of a building that collapsed in Sadhna Colony of Gujarat's Jamnagar earlier today. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/5DVSCW5qml Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 23, 2023 21-Year-Old MBA Student Brutally Attacked with Machete in Broad Daylight in Bengaluru's Nagarbhavi Local residents said the building was in a dilapidated condition and it collapsed at around 6:00 pm when residents were still inside. While three to four persons were pulled out alive from the rubble and hospitalised, eight to ten persons are feared to be trapped inside, residents said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 20:49 [IST] Himanta Sarma's 'Many Hussain Obama In India' Tweet Sparks Row; Oppn Cites PM Modi's Speech in US India oi-PTI Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday claimed that there are many "Hussain Obama in India" and his priority will be in dealing with them, reacting to a social media post speculating if Assam police will go to arrest former US president Barack Obama over his remarks on the alleged vulnerability of minorities in India. His remark has drawn opposition flak with leaders asking if he was "disregarding" statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US. "There are many Hussain Obama in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington. The Assam police will act according to our own priorities," the BJP leader wrote on Twitter, sharing a post by a prominent journalist. Congres spokesperson Supriya Shrinate condemned his remark and asked, "What is the PM, MEA and Government of India's stand on this?" The tweet by the journalist had asked if the Assam police will go to the US to arrest the former US president. "Has an FIR been filed in Guwahati yet against Obama for hurting sentiment? Is Assam police on its way to Washington to get Obama offloaded from some flight and arrest him?" the journalist wrote. The tweet was apparently referring to FIRs being lodged in Assam against opposition leaders over their remarks in different parts of the country. Assam police had travelled to different locations and even made arrests, including deplaning and apprehending Congress leader Pawan Khera in February and arresting then-Independent Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani last year. 'Socialist', 'Secular' missing from Preamble in Class 10 Textbook Cover in Telangana The NCP has termed Mr Sarma's comment as distasteful and that it undermines PM Modi's assertion during the US visit that there is no religion-based discrimination in India. "Either he (Sarma) did not listen to our PM Narendra Modi ji's statement made in the US, or he is disrespectfully disregarding what he said," said Nationalist Congress Party spokesperson Clyde Crasto. Obama in an interview to CNN on Thursday had said that India may "pull apart" if the rights of the religious and ethnic minorities are not upheld. "If the (US) President meets with Prime Minister Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a Hindu majority India is worth mentioning. If I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you don't protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, there is a strong possibility that India would at some point start pulling apart," Obama had said. Asserting that democracy is "in our spirit...and flows in our veins", PM Modi on Thursday said there is no question of discrimination in India on the grounds of caste or religion because his government follows the Constitution, which is formed on the basic values of democracy. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 23:40 [IST] Oppn Parties Form Coalition INDIA For 2024 LS Polls: Rahul Says It Is 'INDIA vs Modi' Fight 'Mamata Didi Ne Kaha..': Poster Mocking Rahul As Real-Life 'Devdas' Put Up In Bihar India oi-Deepika S As Rahul Gandhi arrived in Patna for the mega opposition meet, posters taking pot-shot at the Gandhi scion were seen outside the office of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bihar. Incorporating the famous dialogue from the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer film, the posters mocked the Congress leader as real-life 'Devdas'. "Mamata didi asked to leave Bengal, Kejriwal asked to leave Delhi and Punjab...that day is not far when everyone will ask Congress (Rahul) to leave politics," the poster read. #WATCH | Posters taking a jibe at the Opposition unity, portraying Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as 'Devdas of real life', put up outside the BJP office in Patna, Bihar. pic.twitter.com/23eHdw8D9o ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 The poster took a dig at the opposition meeting as West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee earlier proposed that the Congress should not be the big brother and let the regional parties take the upper hand where they are strong. Will Walk Out Of Opposition Meet, If...: AAP's Ultimatum To Congress Over Centre's Ordinance The Aam Aadmi Party, a strong opponent of the Congress in Delhi and Punjab, also gave an ultimatum to the Congress that it will walk out of the Opposition meeting in Patna if the Congress does not promise its support over the issue. Top leaders of opposition parties will meet in the Bihar capital to chalk out a roadmap for forming an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:07 [IST] Watch: PM Modi stops his car to accept painting of his mother by girl in Shimla Opposition Parties to Meet in Shimla Again, to Chart Roadmap for Anti-BJP Front in 2024 Polls India oi-Madhuri Adnal In a significant development, opposition parties have announced their plan to gather in Shimla from July 10 to July 12 with the objective of formulating a roadmap for an anti-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) front ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. "We will meet again in July in Shimla to prepare an agenda on how to move ahead together while working in our respective states to fight the BJP in 2024," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at a joint press conference after Opposition's meeting. The primary objective of the Shimla meeting will be to formulate a comprehensive agenda and devise strategies on how to proceed collectively, while also focusing on individual state-level efforts to combat the BJP in the 2024 elections. Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar, who hosted the meeting in Patna, described it as a positive and productive gathering. He said that the decision to contest the elections as a united front had been reached and hinted at the likelihood of another meeting in the near future. #WATCH | "We will meet again in July in Shimla to prepare an agenda on how to move ahead together while working in our respective states to fight BJP in 2024," says Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on the Opposition meeting in Patna. pic.twitter.com/cruKD6W8x8 ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 "It was a good meeting where it has been decided to fight the elections together. Another meeting will be held soon," Kumar said at the press conference. Opposition Patna Meet: 17 Parties Decide To Fight Unitedly Against BJP in 2024 Polls The meeting was hosted by Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD. As the host, Kumar presided over the meeting flanked on either side by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (TMC), her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab's Bhagwant Mann (AAP), Tamil Nadu's M K Stalin (DMK), Jharkhand's Hemant Soren (JMM), Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT), and NCP president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders attending the first high-level Opposition meeting. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 17:59 [IST] Mega Opposition Meet In Patna: What To Expect, Who All Are Attending Opposition Patna Meet: 15 Parties Decide To Fight Unitedly Against BJP in 2024 Polls India oi-Madhuri Adnal As many as 15 opposition parties have come together with a common goal of defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Following an extensive four-hour-long meeting, leaders of the participating parties addressed a joint press conference to announce their unity and determination to work collectively, setting aside their differences. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who hosted the meeting, expressed satisfaction with the fruitful discussions and confirmed that the parties had unanimously agreed to contest the elections as a united front. Kumar further mentioned that the leaders would convene in the coming days to finalize the strategy for their joint campaign. Stressing that they were acting in the national interest, Kumar accused the BJP of working against it by attempting to alter the country's history. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge revealed that the next meeting of opposition leaders would take place in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, next month. He emphasized the importance of establishing a common agenda and making decisions on the way forward during the gathering. #WATCH | It was a good meeting where it was decided to fight the elections together. Another meeting will be held soon: JD(U) leader & Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Opposition meeting in Patna pic.twitter.com/dMOiL6K4Le ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 Rahul Gandhi, a prominent Congress leader, acknowledged that while differences may exist, the opposition parties had made the commitment to collaborate with flexibility and protect their shared ideology. Amit Shah Hurls Photo Session Jibe At Opposition Meet In Patna Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo, highlighted the symbolic significance of initiating the meeting in Patna, stating that movements originating there tend to gain momentum. Banerjee reiterated the unity of purpose among the parties and pledged a united fight against the BJP. She also said their love for the country and their dedication to safeguarding its history, asserting that they were not just opposition parties but also patriotic citizens of India. #WATCH | Patna, Bihar: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee during the joint opposition meeting said "We are united, we will fight unitedly...The history started from here, BJP wants that history should be changed. And we want history should be saved from Bihar. Our objective is to speak pic.twitter.com/BB2qLgbApP ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 The meeting is being hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD. As the host, Kumar presided over the meeting flanked on either side by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (TMC), her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab's Bhagwant Mann (AAP), Tamil Nadu's M K Stalin (DMK), Jharkhand's Hemant Soren (JMM), Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT), and NCP president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders attending the first high-level Opposition meeting. Like Karnataka, Congress Will Win MP, Rajasthan: Rahul Gandhi Ahead Of Opposition Meet In Patna Leaders of the PDP, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) and the National Conference are also present at the meeting. Before the meeting, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin dubbed the Opposition huddle a ''war cry'' against a ''fascist and autocratic regime.'' The Samajwadi Party is the only party from Uttar Pradesh attending the meeting with BSP supremo Mayawati not being invited and Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary skipping the conclave due to a family programme. Uttar Pradesh sends the maximum number of 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. Siddaramaiah To Be Felicitated by Maharashtra Congress, NCP on Sunday India oi-PTI Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will be felicitated in Maharashtra by the state's Pradesh Congress Committee as well as ally NCP on Sunday, to mark the massive victory of the Congress in last month's Assembly elections. According to the itinerary released by the Chief Minister's office, Siddaramaiah will fly from here to Kolhapur, from where he would drive to Sangli by road to attend a programme organised by the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee. This would be Siddaramaiah's maiden visit to Maharashtra after becoming the Chief Minister for the second time. He would then fly to Baramati -- on invitation of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar -- to attend a function on the birth anniversary of 18th century Maratha queen Ahilyadevi Holkar organised by Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Vikas Pratishthan, where he would also be felicitated, sources close to the Karnataka chief minister said. Pawar wrote to Siddaramaiah on June 9 inviting him to Baramati -- the NCP leader's home turf in Pune district -- saying the people of Maharashtra would like to felicitate him. Pawar said the Karnataka Assembly elections have demonstrated the strength of ''secular forces'' and have again paved the way for a change in the political dynamics of the nation. Siddaramaiah Govt Invites Musk To Invest In Karnataka: Will Twitter Boss Choose This State For Tesla Plant? "The reverberations of the elections have reached and permeated through Maharashtra and the people here are enthused to welcome and felicitate you in Maharashtra," Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member and former chief minister of Maharashtra, said in the letter. According to Pawar, the Dhangar community, which has consistently supported him throughout his political career, has taken the initiative to invite and felicitate Siddaramaiah. Leaders of the community wished to felicitate Siddaramaiah on the occasion of Ahilyadevi Holkar's birth anniversary. "I do personally invite you on behalf of the community and the people of Maharashtra," Pawar added. In the May 10 Karnataka elections, the Congress ousted the BJP from power, winning 135 seats in the 224-member Assembly. BJP got just 66 seats and the Janata Dal (Secular) headed by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda managed only 19. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 17:14 [IST] Smriti Irani Thanks Congress For Admitting They Cannot Defeat PM Modi Alone India oi-Deepika S Taking a dig at the opposition meet in Patna, Union Minister Smriti Irani on Friday thanked the Congress for publicly acknowledging that the grand-old Party cannot defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone and need support from others. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is hosting a meeting of opposition parties at his official residence, which is expected to set the tone for the much-hyped Opposition unity to take on the BLP-led NDA government in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. "I thank Congress for publicly announcing that they cannot alone defeat PM Modi and that they need the support of others to do so," says Union Minister Smriti Irani during a press conference. Nearly 18 opposition parties are expected to join the crucial meeting called by the Janata Dal (United) chief, who snapped ties with the BJP last year. The meeting is aimed at boosting the Opposition's morale which has been hurt by the frequent squabbling and infighting of parties. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, M K Stalin, Sharad Pawar, Mehbooba Mufti and Hemant Soren, and other leaders are attending the meeting. 'Mamata Didi Ne Kaha..': Poster Mocking Rahul As Real-Life 'Devdas' Put Up In Bihar Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati would miss the crucial meet and clarified her stance against an opposition alliance saying it was more like joining hands, not hearts. The Biju Janata Dal of Odisha, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the YSR Congress Party are among the non-BJP parties which are likely to give the meeting a miss. The opposition leaders are likely to discuss the alleged misuse of investigating agencies by the Centre to violence in Manipur, the wrestlers' protest and even the Delhi ordinance, and social justice in Patna on Friday. During the mega opposition meeting, Nitish Kumar is likely to 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. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 13:01 [IST] There Will Be No Polls In Future If This Dictatorial Govt Returns: Mamata at Oppn Meet Sort Out Delhi Ordinance Issue Over Tea Biscuits: Mamata to AAP, Congress India oi-PTI West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday asked the AAP and the Congress to sort out their differences on the Delhi ordinance issue over tea and biscuits at a later date, reminding them that the Patna opposition meeting was not the ideal forum for such discussion, sources said. They said Banerjee, herself on a day-long fast, was keen that the bickering over the ordinance does not derail the discussions and intervened in the matter when AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal insisted that the Congress make an announcement at the end of the meeting that it will support AAP on the issue. During the meeting, Congress chairperson Mallikarjun Kharge in his speech gave an in-principle support to the AAP on the issue saying the party will not back anything that is unconstitutional, the sources said. He said his party has a set mechanism for taking up issues and the announcement on it will be done at a later date, according to the sources. At no point did Kejriwal threaten to walk out of the meeting, they added. The sources also said that all the opposition party members in attendance sided with the Congress and stated that the party's line on the issue was a "reasonable" one. Rahul Gandhi during his speech did not raise the ordinance issue, they said, adding he asserted he was attending the meeting with a clean slate "without any memory of past likes or dislikes with any of the parties in attendance". He also said he and his party would do anything to keep the opposition together. Gandhi suggested that the Opposition would have to break the financial, institutional and constitutional monopoly of the BJP to defeat them. AAP Slams Congress Silence Over Centres Ordinance Bill "Incidentally, the West Bengal chief minister was sitting almost equidistant from Kejriwal and Gandhi. When the issue became heated, she intervened and asked them to have tea and biscuits. She said a lot of things can be resolved over a good cup of tea and biscuits," said the source. During her address at the meeting, Banerjee said it was important for all parties to ensure support for the Congress wherever the party was the strongest. She said the BJP will be fighting not the opposition but the people of India. RJD chief Lalu Prasad was given a rousing welcome by the opposition party leaders as he started his speech as the second speaker. He suggested that for the 2024 general elections, the opposition fight should be led by the biggest party in each state. Requesting the Congress to be large-hearted, he appreciated the party's gesture to speak last after hearing everyone else. Host and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was the first to speak, said while 15 opposition parties were in attendance, at least 10 more will be joining the ranks soon. Kejriwal said for the 2024 elections, the motto should be "nation first, party second." He said when parties give up seats for their opposition partners, their victory should be victory for the united front. He also said this was no time for expansion for parties and the focus should not just be the election, but agreement of issues. Referring to alliances to be formed by the opposition, DMK's MK Stalin said every state will have a different pattern of understanding between the parties, a view seconded by NC leader Omar Abdullah who also said while one-to-one battles with the BJP may not be possible on all seats, different ways of seat sharing options can be worked out. The opposition parties all agreed that they will not have a prime ministerial face as of now. Both Shiv Sena's (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray and Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav outlined the spirit of the Opposition parties as they saw it, during their addresses. While Thackeray referred to the Opposition as "deshpremi" (patriots) and "prajatantra premi" (lovers of democracy), Yadav said in Hindi, "To create a big forum, you need a big heart." The JMM suggested that the Opposition should not just focus on the 2024 polls, but also on the five upcoming assembly elections. CPIM's Sitaram Yechury also asked the leaders to issues related to hardships being felt by the people. The sources said that all the leaders agreed that the Opposition parties now must corner the government on Manipur and expressed fear that the state could "turn into another Jammu and Kashmir". The next Opposition meeting will be held in the second week of July in Shimla, followed by another in one of the southern states, the sources said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 23:45 [IST] Here is how much Joe Biden and Kamala Harris earn Vice President Kamala Harris Lauds PM Modi's Commitment to Bolstering US-India Ties India oi-Madhuri Adnal US Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his commitment to strengthening US-India ties, as she along with Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted a luncheon for the Indian leader at the State Department. Prime Minister Modi is currently in Washington on a state visit at the invitation of President Joe Biden. The two leaders held a historic summit on Thursday. Biden also held a state dinner for him on Thursday. "Prime Minister Modi, President Joe Biden and I are grateful for your commitment to strengthening the ties...between the United States and India. And we share that commitment under your leadership and that of President Biden our partnership has become more expansive than it has ever been," she said. Harris said over the past two and a half years she along with Prime Minister Modi advanced cooperation on climate change on clean energy, terrorism, cybercrime, public health and vaccine production. "And during this trip, our countries have launched new areas of cooperation from artificial intelligence to semiconductors. As we look toward the future, the United States and India, the world's oldest and largest democracies, instinctively turn to each other and are increasingly aligned," Harris said. OPINION: PM Modi In US Congress: Focus On Inclusive Development Harris also mentioned her mother Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer scientist who hailed from Chennai, during her address. She also spoke about her deep connection to India and her grandfather. Harris on Thursday said Prime Minister Modi's first State visit to the US will take bilateral ties in areas of space, defence, emerging technology and supply chains to the next level. "The US-India partnership is stronger than ever. Together, our nations will shape the future as we work to create a more prosperous, secure, and healthy world," Harris' office tweeted. "The partnership between the United States and India is one of the most important of the 21st century, and this visit will take our partnership to the next level - from space to defence, to emerging technology and supply chains," it said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 0:00 [IST] Worlds Largest Ramayan Temple In Bihar To Be Completed By 2025 India oi-Sanjeev Nayak The construction work for 'Virat Ramayan Mandir', which once built is set to become world's largest Ramayan temple, has already commenced near Kesariya in East Champaran district of Bihar. The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025, i.e. in straight two and half years' time. The three-story temple will be erected on a 3.76 lakh square feet plot of land in the villages of Kaithwalia-Bahuara, approximately 120 km from Patna. The temple itself will span 280 feet in length and 540 feet in width, making it larger in size compared to the Ayodhya temple. It will feature twelve domes, with the tallest one soaring to a height of 270 ft and another structure to 198 feet. Additionally, the complex will house approximately 22 sanctum sanctorum dedicated to different deities, along with marriage halls and guest houses. Though the 'bhumi pujan' for the temple held in 2012, the construction could not begin due to objections raised by the Cambodia government over its proposed name resembling the 12th-century temple 'Virat Angkor Wat' in that country. This temple will be taller than the Chola era Cambodian temple. After a long wait for about a decade, the construction of world-class temple began with prayer to Lord Vishvkarma on Tuesday. Amid the chanting of 'Jai Sri Ram' and 'Jai Hanuman' by the locals gathered to watch the event, over 200 workers supported by heavy machines began the underground piling for 3,001 pillars. While construction of the pillars will be completed by November this year, the whole temple work would be completed with the installation of the world's largest 'Shivling' 2 years later involving an initial infrastructural cost of Rs 500 crore, being funded by the Mahavi Temple Trust of Patna, said Times of India report quoting trust secretary Acharya Kishore Kunal, who is a former IPS officer, as saying. The entire cost of the temple is being met from small public donations as offerings to the temple, profits earned on sales of 'prasad' and fixed charges for special prayers or religious ceremonies. Temple trustee and former Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court S.N. Jha, representatives of the construction company and a villager, Mohammad Ishtiyaq Khan, who donated about 18 kattha land free of cost for the project, were present on the occasion. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 15:27 [IST] BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. In the Second Karabakh War, the Special Forces showed tremendous professionalism and heroism. They played a special role in implementing a number of military operations, said President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to present the battle flag to one of the commando military units of the Ministry of Defense. The head of state said: Taking into account all this, as well as combat operations of our time, the establishment of the new Commando Force has been set as a task on my orders and this task is being successfully fulfilled. Abuse Of Blasphemy Laws Sparks Massive Outrage In Pakistan International oi-Sanjeev Nayak The repeated use of blasphemy laws against people of religious minorities in Pakistan has been a matter of concern, and is drawing continuous criticism from various circles. A court in Bahawalpur sent shockwaves across the country after sentencing a 22-year-old Christian youth, Noman Masih, to death on blasphemy charges. Masih's lawyer Lazar Allah Rakha expressed utter disappointment by the conviction and said that the ruling came despite the prosecution failing to provide evidence of the blasphemy allegation against his client for four long years, according to an ANI report. According to the complainant, Noman was accused of "blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad by carrying blasphemous images on his mobile," where the FIR was registered against him under Section 295-C, which has a mandatory death sentence. Masih's trial concluded in January but the court repeatedly postponed the verdict on various pretexts, Rakha said. Pakistan Army Wasnt Prepared for War With India: Imran Khan Minority rights activist Joseph Jansen also condemned the decision calling it "disturbing" and raising doubts on the 'fairness' of the investigation. "The false accusations of blasphemy against religious minorities are often made to settle personal vendettas, property disputes, religious prejudice, or business rivalries, as seen in Mussarat Bibi's case," DND News quoted Jansen as saying. Notably, the abuse of blasphemy laws (Sections 295 through 298 of PPC) carrying severe punishments has increased exponentially over the years in Pakistan. The more disturbing aspect is the fact that mere accusations of blasphemy become a justification for attacking any accuser. This provokes people in taking law into their own hands without any investigation and sets up the system of 'mob justice', which has been evidenced in several cases across the country. Jansen further said that a fair trial is guaranteed in the Constitution of Pakistan, yet the accused persons have been denied a fair trial under blasphemy laws. "The complainants and witnesses involved in levelling false allegations against the accused often enjoy impunity," he added. Another human rights activist Ilyas Samuel expressed hope that the High Court would set aside the death sentence awarded by Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Hafeez Ur Rehman Khan and drop all charges against Masih. Nadia Stephen, a women's rights activist, observed that Masih's case is not the first when the court handed over a death sentence to an individual from a religious minority community. The past trends show numerous cases where people were accused of blasphemy and ended up being given death sentences by trial and High Courts. Human rights activist Ashiknaz Khokhar also called the state of affairs "unfortunate" and said that such practices have ruined many innocent lives, especially among minorities. "It is an unfortunate fact that has become a practice in trial courts in blasphemy cases to convict the accused, despite clear doubts about fair inquiries and lack of evidence. These laws have massively affected the marginalized Christian community of Pakistan and have ruined the lives of many innocents in the country, and still, no one is trying to amend them," DND News quoted Khokhar as saying. Pakistan mob lynches demonstrator over alleged blasphemy National Minority Alliance of Pakistan chairperson Lala Robin Daniel too expressed concern over the matter stating that blasphemy laws have often been used to target religious minorities. "The blasphemy issue is a very sensitive matter in the country which has often been wrongly used to target religious minorities motivated by personal vendettas or religious hatred. The highly inflammatory accusations can potentially spark mob lynchings and vigilante justice," he said. The government needs to introduce a national action plan to counter its abuse of blasphemy laws in the name of religion. At least 57 cases of alleged blasphemy have been registered in Pakistan from January to May 2023, Eurasia Review reported, adding that the highest number of such cases, 28 in total, were reported in Punjab while Sindh followed with 16 cases, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 8 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) with 5. Two Christian teenagers, identified as Adil Baber and Simon Masih, were recently accused of blasphemy in Lahore, Pakistan. The allegations against them were levelled by a police constable, Zahid Sohail, soon after he had indulged in an altercation with the young accusers on May 28, the ANI report said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 12:33 [IST] The risk factor for India as Pakistan goes from one crisis to another Pakistan stands embarrassed again for sending aid back it got from Turkey in 2022 Did Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif Snatch Umbrella From Woman Or Chivalrous Act Gone Wrong? International oi-Prakash KL A video of Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif taking an umbrella from a woman official who was escorting him has gone viral. It is because he walked away leaving the said woman to drench in the rain. What's In The Video? In the clip, a female protocol officer stood with an umbrella, awaiting the arrival of the Pakistani Prime Minister. As Sharif stepped out of the car, they start walking towards the venue. The Pakistani leader engaged in a brief exchange before accepting the umbrella from the protocol officer. He proceeded ahead, shielded by the umbrella, while the officer followed him in the rain. Pakistan HEC Retracts Controversial Holi Letter After Severe Criticism Although a section of netizens have claimed that he snatched the umbrella from her, the visuals clearly indicate that he politely took it from her. Recommended Video Pakistan PM Shebaz Sharif gets trolled for taking away umbrella from protocol officer |Oneindia News It looks like this was a chivalrous act which went wrong. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrived at Palais Brogniart to attend the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact in Paris, France. #PMatIntFinanceMoot pic.twitter.com/DyV8kvXXqr Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) June 22, 2023 The incident occurred when Shehbaz Sharif arrived at Palais Brogniart in France to attend the two-day New Global Financing Pact Summit in Paris. "PM of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif insisted on holding the umbrella himself when a protocol officer received him at a summit hosted by the French president on Thursday. But his "good gesture" left the woman officer walking in the rain," a user on Twitter said. However, many used the opportunity to troll him. "He is planning to take home the umbrella, sell it and uplift the Pak economy," the second user said. Abuse Of Blasphemy Laws Sparks Massive Outrage In Pakistan A netizen said, "Too embarrassed to share an umbrella in pouring rain? Was he thinking of legendary song "Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua Hai"? "He thought he will recreate the moment of a powerful leader holding his own umbrella but nakal main bhi akal chahiye," another user said. Another netizen added, "While our PM stands in the rain without an umbrella for 3 mins for both India. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 16:36 [IST] H1-B Visas, Stolen Antiques and Mini India: Top Quotes From PM Modi's Address To Indian Diaspora In US US-India Friendship Among Most Consequential In The World: President Biden Inside Glimpses Of PM Modi's State Dinner At White House Out, Courtesy Anand Mahindra International oi-Deepika S Big names in the tech world, film and fashion industry, as well as billionaire industrialists, were among those invited to the State Dinner hosted in the honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Thursday. Anand Mahindra, the Chairperson of Mahindra and Mahindra group, who had the opportunity to witness the event, took to Twitter to share videos and pictures from the state dinner. "I promised to share some images from the State Dinner in Washington in honour of PMO India at the White House. It was a pleasant surprise to see how the dominant theme of the evening-apart from the cuisine-was music. From the very start to the finish," Anand Mahindra wrote on Twitter. I promised to share some images from the State Dinner in Washington in honour of @PMOIndia at the White House. It was a pleasant surprise to see how the dominant theme of the eveningapart from the cuisinewas music. From the very start to the finish (1/5) pic.twitter.com/cnNjiE1r6C anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 23, 2023 In a tweet, Anand Mahindra said that the dominant theme of the evening, besides the delicious cuisine, was music. More welcoming music during the journey inside(2/5) pic.twitter.com/7Qb8rHuXFu anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 23, 2023 One video featured the US Marine band playing the patriotic song "Ae mere watan ke logon." If that tune sounds familiar its because it is the Marine band playing Ae mere watan ke logon. (3/5) pic.twitter.com/QIvoEcRUbC anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 23, 2023 Another tweet showcased the incredible skills of virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell. Virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell (4/5) pic.twitter.com/xCEsg8QDfK anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 23, 2023 Recommended Video PM Modi State Dinner: Worlds richest business tycoons join PM Modi at White House | Oneindia News Anand Mahindra also shared a clip of an A Capella group called Penn Masala from U Penn. And to cap it all, the famed A Capella group from U Penn, Penn Masala(5/5) pic.twitter.com/m218gasyRS anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 23, 2023 In his address at the State Dinner, Prime Minister Modi applauded the role of Indian Americans in the all-round development of the nation they live in and playing a significant role in strengthening the India-US relationship. "The guests here symbolise so much about the US-India relationship - our energy, our dynamism, and our potential," PM Modi said. "You have gathered a group of exceptionally talented and remarkable people tonight, I must commend you for that," he said thanking President Biden and the first lady for hosting the dinner and raised a toast for his wonderful hosts," he added. Nepal HC Lifts Ban On Indian Movies, Mayor Vows To Defy It Anyway International oi-Sanjeev Nayak The Patan High Court in Nepal's Bagmati province has issued an interim order in a writ petition challenging the ban on the screening of Indian films by the Kathmandu Metropolis. However, the city Mayor reacted sharply saying he would defy the court order if needed. During the hearing over the writ petition filed by the Film Association of Nepal (FAN) against the decision to ban all Hindi movies in the wake of the "Adipurush" dialogue controversy, the High Court gave the interim order against the decision of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Mayor Balendra Shah. A bench of Justice Dhirbahadur Chand gave the interim order. The defendants and the petitioner have also been called to the court next week as part of the proceedings. "Interim order has been issued. The court has directed not to block Hindi films and continue the screening," news agency ANI quoted FAN lawyer Jayalal Bhandari as saying over the phone. The FAN, an umbrella organization of movie theatre owners of the country, had filed a writ petition at Patan High Court on Wednesday. Kathmandu Mayor Shah, KMC Police and Ministries of Home Communications and Information & Technology have been made the defendant in the case. However, in a wild reaction to the court's decision, Mayor Shah said in a Facebook post that he "will not obey" any law or court "when it comes to independence and sovereignty of the country". He had announced the ban on June 18 over dialogue from the movie. Delhi HC Refuses Urgent Listing Of Plea By Hindu Sena To Ban Movie 'Adipurush' "If the film is allowed to be shown in other areas within the country and abroad, it will establish a misleading fact, so it is prohibited to show any Indian film in the Kathmandu metropolitan city until the objectionable parts are removed from the said film," he said on Facebook. Soon after the announcement of the ban, T-Series, the production company of 'Adipurush', wrote a letter saying it was "never intentional or deliberate to cause any disharmony for anyone." "We request you to view the film in its artistic form and support the intention of reaching out to a larger audience to create interest in our history," said the letter signed by Radhika Das from the Super Cassette Industries Private Ltd, also known as T-Series. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 13:32 [IST] Former CMs of Jammu and Kashmir have now been rid of their perks Pakistan HEC Retracts Controversial Holi Letter After Severe Criticism International oi-Sanjeev Nayak A day after the controversial announcement, Pakistan Higher Education Commission (HEC) has withdrawn its letter expressing objections to the celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi at a university. This comes after facing widespread criticism over HEC executive director Shaista Sohail issuing a letter taking exception to the celebration of the festival. Salman Sufi, the head of the Prime Minister's Strategic Reforms Unit, clarified that Education Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain had instructed the HEC to retract its controversial letter. According to the latest HEC statement, the commission is "highly respectful" of all religions and in "no way intends to hurt" anyone's sentiments, local newspaper Dawn reported. "HEC was highly respectful of all religions, faiths, and beliefs, and the associated festivals and celebrations observed in the country. The message communicated in this regard is in no way intended to hurt the sentiments of any individual or group," Dawn quoted the letter, which further stated that the perception that HEC had banned any festivity was "out of context". "Our letter portrayed impression and disseminated connotation that HEC has banned the celebration of any festivities is out of context to the spirit of the communication made, as HEC has emphasized upon the higher education institutions in the country to focus upon the core reason of their existence i.e., academic excellence, research quality and harnessing the talent of the youth towards a structured, disciplined, and responsible citizen as per the nation's ideology," the letter stated. Pakistan Bans Holi Celebration In Universities The letter acknowledged that the message conveyed in the communication had been subject to misinterpretation and it is withdrawing the notification for the aforementioned reasons, Dawn reported. The HEC had sparked an outrage after the HEC banned Holi celebrations across all educational institutes, claiming that it had caused concern and disadvantageously affected the "country's image" and "erosion of Islamic identitiy". The move came after pictures and videos from their Holi celebration at the Quaid-I-Azam University (QAU) in Islamabad went viral on social media earlier this month, in which students can be seen dancing and throwing colours in the air as loud music plays in the background. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 12:58 [IST] Tonight We Celebrate Great Bonds Of India, US Friendship: Biden At State Dinner With PM Modi International oi-Prakash KL US President Joe Biden expressed his delight in hosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the official State dinner at the White House and emphasized that the occasion celebrates great bonds of friendship between India and the United States. In a special address during the State Dinner at the White House, Biden said, "Jill and I have had a wonderful time with the Prime Minster today, during your truly productive visit. Tonight we celebrate the great bonds of friendship between India and the United States." The two leaders also raised a toast to the successful meeting that happened between them as they attended the official State dinner today (local time). Earlier today, US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House for the State dinner. Amongst the US officials who arrived at the White House for the State Dinner was the US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti. US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy also arrived at the White House for the event and said that India and US have a very strong relationship. Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, Chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani and wife Nita Ambani were amongst the Indian business tycoons who arrived at the White House for the State Dinner. Furthermore, Indra Nooyi, former Chairperson and CEO of PepsiCo also reached the White House for the State Dinner. Several CEOs were also among the invitees to the State dinner. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google CEO Sundar Pichai were in attendance. Zerodha Co-Founder Nikhil Kamath was also on the guest list, amongst many. Prime Minister Modi is currently on his sixth visit and maiden State visit to the US. A 'state visit' holds a special significance as compared to other foreign visits, as this is a formal visit by the head of state to a foreign country at the invitation of the head of state hosting him. The visit signifies the highest expression of friendly bilateral ties between two sovereign nations. Also, during a State visit, the leader extending the invitation acts as the official host of the visiting head of state through the course of the trip. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 7:03 [IST] Top US Lawmakers Hail PM Modi's Address To Joint Meeting Of Congress International oi-Prakash KL Top American lawmakers have applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his address to the Joint Meeting of the US Congress that called for deepening the strong friendship between the two democracies, fostered by a range of close economic ties and expanded cooperation on areas like defence, trade and technology. The Indian Prime Minister who addressed the US Congress on Thursday, said it is always a great honour and an exceptional privilege to address the US Congress twice. This is the second time that the prime minister has addressed the US Congress, the first time being in 2016. Responding to Modi's speech, Senator Mark Warner, Chairperson of the Senate Intelligence Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus said, "Prime Minister Modi's address to Congress today emphasised the strong friendship that has been built between our two countries, fostered by a range of close economic ties and shared opportunities," "I'm pleased to see President Biden and Prime Minister Modi utilise this visit to continue to deepen the bonds between our countries and expand our cooperation on defence, trade, technology, and innovation," he said. No Ifs And Buts In Dealing With Terrorism: PM Modi To US Congress "It's also more important than ever - in the face of rising global authoritarianism - that we respect and reaffirm the shared values that form the foundations of our respective nations, such as democracy, universal human rights, tolerance and pluralism, and equal opportunity for all citizens," Warner said. "As the Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus, I look forward to this continued partnership because I know that the US-India relationship is one that's worth investing in," said the Senator who on Thursday introduced legislation to streamline the United States' ability to consider defensive military sales to India under the U.S. Arms Export Control Act (AECA). In a statement, House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul warmly welcomed Modi's visit and joint address to Congress, and the deepening of ties between the United States and India, including in defence and space cooperation, technology sharing, and people-to-people ties. "This visit will serve to strengthen our shared commitment to a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific and support for a rules-based international order. Because of the impact the U.S-India relationship will have on creating prosperity and security for billions of people, we look forward to this visit advancing our cooperation and further strengthening US-India ties," they said. Congressman French Hill said during his address, Prime Minister Modi demonstrated his understanding of how important the relationship between our two nations is and how they must continue to build upon their economic partnership, shared values, and national security needs to expand democracy around the world. "Prime Minister Modi is a key ally of the United States and I thank him for his leadership in strengthening the relationship between our two nations," Hill said. However, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush, Ilhan Omar, and Jamaal Bowman boycotted the joint meeting. "When it comes to standing up for human rights, actions speak louder than words. By bestowing Prime Minister Modi with the rare honour of a joint address, Congress undermines its ability to be a credible advocate for the rights of religious minorities and journalists around the world," the four lawmakers said in a joint statement. Watch: At State Dinner, Biden's No Alcohol Toast Leaves PM Modi Laughing We stand in solidarity with the communities that have been harmed by Modi and his policies. We must never sacrifice human rights at the altar of political expediency and we urge all Members of Congress who profess to stand for freedom and democracy to join us in boycotting this embarrassing spectacle," they said. 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. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 10:32 [IST] H1-B Visas, Stolen Antiques and Mini India: Top Quotes From PM Modi's Address To Indian Diaspora In US Watch: At State Dinner, Biden's No Alcohol Toast Leaves PM Modi Laughing International oi-Deepika S US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared some light-hearted moments as they raised a toast together to the successful meeting that happened between them as they attended the official State Dinner at the White House today. With both President Biden and PM Modi being non-drinkers, the former recounted his grandfather's advice on raising a toast without alcohol. Speaking at the high-profile event, attended by 400 distinguished guests, President Biden recounted his grandfather, Ambrose Finnegan's words of wisdom. Tonight We Celebrate Great Bonds Of India, US Friendship: Biden At State Dinner With PM Modi "If you give a toast and you don't have any alcohol in the glass, you must do it with your left hand. You all think I'm kidding. I'm not," Biden said. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, at the State Dinner at the White House. pic.twitter.com/r0LkOADAZ6 ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2023 The guests present in the audience broke into laughter as the translator tried to translate it into Hindi. Recommended Video PM Modi and Joe Biden share a light-hearted moment, raise a toast | State Dinner | Oneindia News "Jill and I have had a wonderful time with the Prime Minster today, during your truly productive visit. Tonight we celebrate the great bonds of friendship between India and the United States," Biden said. Prime Minister Modi thanked the US President and First Lady Jill Biden for hosting the dinner and opening their doors for him. Sky Isnt Limit for India-US Partnership, Says PM Modi after Talks with Biden "I want to thank US President Joe Biden for this wonderful dinner today. I would also like to thank First Lady Jill Biden for taking care of my visit to make it successful. Yesterday evening you opened the doors of your house for me," PM Modi said. "This evening is made special by the presence of the people of our two countries, they are our most precious assets," the prime minister said, adding that the guests in the audience "symbolise a lot about the US-India relationship - our energy, our dynamism, and our potential." For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 9:27 [IST] Struck By The Similarity Of 'Titanic' Disaster Itself: Cameron on Titan Submersible Tragedy What Happens To The Missing Bodies From Titanic Submersible? 6 Key Points Shared By Coast Guard International oi-Prakash KL A deep-sea submersible carrying five people on a voyage to the wreck of the Titanic was found in pieces from a "catastrophic implosion" that killed everyone aboard, the US Coast Guard said on Thursday. Thus ending a multinational five-day search for the vessel. In a remote corner of the North Atlantic, a robotic diving vehicle deployed from a Canadian ship discovered a debris field from the submersible Titan. The vessel, which had limited oxygen supplies, had gone missing on Sunday morning, an hour, and 45 minutes into what should have been a two-hour dive to the world's most famous shipwreck. Prior to the Coast Guard's press conference, OceanGate issued a statement saying there were no survivors among the five men aboard the Titan, including the company's founder and chief executive officer, Stockton Rush, who was piloting the Titan. British billionaire Hamish Harding, 58, Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son, Suleman, and French oceanographer and renowned Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, were the other passengers. Titanic Submersible Suffered Catastrophic Implosion, Killing all 5 On Board, says US Coast Guard Here Are The Key Points From US Coast Guard's Press Conference: It was discovered about 1,600ft away from the bow of the Titanic resting on the sea floor. Five major fragments of the 22-foot (6.7-meter) Titan were located in the debris field left from its disintegration, including the vessel's tail cone and two sections of the pressure hull, Coast Guard officials said. No mention was made of whether human remains were sighted, the US Coast Guard said as per Reuters. The bodies of the five passengers may never be recovered from the Atlantic. "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 don't have an answer on prospects at this time," said Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard. The US Coast Guard is unclear whether the Titan imploded when the submersible first lost contact with its mother ship. 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. Mauger also stated that there was not any connection between the banging noises heard during the search and the location on the sea floor. However, a daily, citing unnamed US defense officials, said the sound was picked up by a top-secret system designed to detect enemy submarines. The debris field was located in close proximity to the shipwreck, indicating that the failure of the Titan likely occurred towards the end of its descent on Sunday, as suggested by the timing of the last communication. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:44 [IST] OPINION: PM Modi In US Congress: Focus On Inclusive Development H1-B Visas, Stolen Antiques and Mini India: Top Quotes From PM Modi's Address To Indian Diaspora In US PM Modi's Visit Not About China, India No Counterweight: White House US-India Friendship Among Most Consequential In The World: President Biden White House Condemns Harassment Of Journalist Sabrina Siddiqui Who Questioned PM Modi On Human Rights When India Grows, World Grows: Key Takeaways From PM Modi's US Congress Address International oi-Deepika S In a rare honour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice on Thursday. He is also just the second global leader, after Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to be granted the honour more than once. PM Modi's hour-long address to the US Congress evoked multiple standing ovations, applauses, and cheers from American lawmakers in the grand House Chamber at the US Capitol. No Ifs And Buts In Dealing With Terrorism: PM Modi To US Congress Recommended Video PM Modi addresses the US Congress | Lawmakers line up for Modis autograph | Oneindia News What PM Modi said in his address to the US Congress? Key takeaways When I first visited the US as Prime Minister, India was the tenth-largest economy in the world. Today, India is the fifth largest economy and India will be the third largest economy soon. "We are not only growing bigger but we are also growing faster. When India grows, the whole world grows. After all, we are one-sixth of the world's population! Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs or buts in dealing with it. Giving a voice to the Global South is the way forward. This is not an era of war. But, it is one of dialogue and diplomacy. Today in modern India, women are leading us to a better future. India's vision is not just of development that benefits women. It is of women-led development where women lead the journey of progress. A woman has risen from a humble tribal background to be our Head of State." India is the home to all faiths in the world and we celebrate all of them. In India, diversity is a natural way of life, today the world wants to know more and more about India" said Narendra Modi. "We have over 2,500 political parties. About 20 different parties govern various states of India. We have 22 official languages and thousands of dialects, yet we speak in one voice. We live by the motto of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'-the world is one family. Our engagement with the world is for everyone's benefit. The same spirit is also seen in the theme when we chair the G20 Summit, One Earth, One Family, One Future. Last week, all nations joined our proposal at the UN, to build a memorial wall to honour the peacekeepers. In the past few years, there have been many advances in AI- Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, there have been even more momentous developments in another AI- America and India. Democracy is the culture that gives wings to thought and expression. India is blessed to have such values from times immemorial. In the evolution of the democratic spirit, India is the Mother of Democracy. Farmers check weather updates, the elderly get social security payments, students access scholarships, doctors deliver tele-medicine, fishermen check fishing grounds and small businesses get loans, with just a tap on their phones. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 10:01 [IST] The wisdom of allowing judges to suspend the enforcement of laws by issuing temporary injunctions has come under increased scrutiny in recent years. Although these judicial orders come from just a single judge, they can be made to apply broadly across the relevant jurisdiction, which can be the entire country or statewide. The rationale behind these rulings is to prevent the implementation of laws that are constitutionally dubious until theres been an opportunity for a full evidentiary hearing, or an appeals court has weighed in. Clever litigants, however, have become adept at forum-shopping, i.e., bringing constitutional challenges before judges who are more likely to give them a favorable ruling. The issue has been especially newsworthy in Illinois, where court rulings from the past year have put two high-profile pieces of legislation on ice. In April, a federal judge in the Southern District of Illinois issued an injunction halting the states ban on assault-style weapons, which the General Assembly passed in response to the mass shooting in Highland Park on July Fourth. Advertisement Last December, Judge Thomas Cunnington, a state judge from Kankakee County, ruled that portions of Illinois massive bail reform law, the SAFE-T Act, violated the states constitution. This came just days before the legislation was set to take effect, placing the legal landscape into a state of confusion. The Illinois Supreme Court stepped in, pausing implementation of the law until the court had an opportunity to review the case. It must be frustrating to Illinois Democrats, who hold supermajorities in both houses of the state legislature, that a single judge can thwart their legislative ambitions. Indeed, these pesky judges seem to be just about the only thing that can stop their legislative steamroller. Under unified control, the Illinois legislature passed more than 500 bills in the month of May alone. Advertisement Its fair to be skeptical that a trial court judge anywhere in the state can unilaterally nullify a duly enacted law. Legislation already needs to overcome numerous roadblocks on its way to passage, including institutional opposition, entrenched interests, media scrutiny, a governors veto and, of course, the voice of the electorate. Its the political branches that pass laws, and its those branches that must ultimately be accountable. But if there is a solution to this issue, its not the one recently enacted in Illinois. A new bill, signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and endorsed by Attorney General Kwame Raoul, limits the venues available for Illinoisans to challenge the constitutionality of state laws to just two counties Cook, which encompasses Chicago, and Sangamon, home to the state Capitol in Springfield. [ Editorial: Dozens of sheriffs say they wont enforce Illinois assault weapons ban. Did they forget their oaths of office? ] Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > The stated reason for clogging up the legal pipelines is to prevent forum shopping, which is to say, stop constitutional challenges from being heard by downstate judges who are presumably less likely to side with the government. The other proffered rationale is that the move will conserve resources for the state attorney generals office. However way you slice it, though, this is a clear political power grab. First, its impossible to ignore the fact that Cook and Sangamon counties are hospitable venues for the government relative to the more rural counties that crisscross the state. Forcing constitutional challenges to emanate from those counties works to the governments advantage, since the record upon which an appeals court makes its ultimate decision is based largely on the transcripts of proceedings at the trial court level. It is hardly fair that the record for such cases can be made only in a county where judges tend be more partial toward the governments policies. Second, the two-county requirement is not enforced across the board, but rather, it grants certain groups better access to the legal system than others. The legislature carved out an exception to allow for constitutional challenges to collective bargaining disputes to be brought in any county in Illinois. The upshot is that public unions, a group favored by the left-leaning legislature, are permitted to challenge the constitutionality of laws in places that ordinary folks cannot. Third, a majority of Illinoisans dont live in either of the two designated counties. By giving undue influence to just two of the states 102 counties, residents of the other 100 counties are denied equal access to challenge laws they believe are unconstitutional, except potentially at a great inconvenience and expense to themselves. For those who dont live anywhere near the states power centers, that can be a considerable barrier to seeking justice. Yet, residents of Cook and Sangamon counties and public unions need not overcome those same hurdles. The government may be warranted in seeking to limit forum shopping, which can result in a cheap manipulation of the political process. But by limiting Illinoisans access to the legal process only to forums preferred by the government, our elected officials have engaged in precisely the same conduct that they are purportedly trying to prevent. Tyler Michals is a practicing attorney in Chicago. Advertisement Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. After the second Karabakh war, the process of army building picked up further pace, said President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to present the battle flag to one of the commando military units of the Ministry of Defense. During the occupation, army building was the number one task for us, as special importance was attached to preparing our Army and all our Armed Forces for the liberation of our lands, and we have achieved this. The Patriotic War ended with a complete victory of the Azerbaijan state. But despite this, additional steps are being taken to build up the army after the war, and there is a great need for that. After all, the geopolitical situation in the world is becoming increasingly strained, there are new threats in our region, revengeful forces are rising in Armenia again, the head of state. Why People Engage In Risky Tourism Activities? International oi-PTI After a five-day search for the sub, the US Coast Guard on Thursday said that the crew was killed in a "catastrophic implosion". The horror of the incident raises questions as to why people engage in risky tourism activities in remote locations and whether there should be more restrictions to what adrenaline-seeking tourists can do. What is frontier tourism? This type of travel, known as "frontier tourism", is becoming big business. The wider adventure tourism industry is already worth billions of dollars - and is growing quickly. Frontier tourism is an exclusive and extreme form of adventure travel. The trips are very expensive, aim to overstimulate the senses and go to the outer limits of our planet - the deep oceans, high mountains, polar areas - and even space. Frontier tourism is not new; humans have explored remote locations for millennia. Pasifika people used the stars to navigate the oceans for migration and trade. Europeans sailed to the edges of what they believed to be a flat Earth. What Happens To The Missing Bodies From Titanic Submersible? 6 Key Points Shared By Coast Guard In recent years, however, frontier tourism has attracted widespread attention thanks to the common occurrence of long queues on Mount Everest, the trending TikTok phenomenon of crossing the #DrakePassage in Antarctica and the rapid development of space tourism for the wealthy. The rise of travel content sharing on social media and revenge travel following COVID-19 have contributed to the surge in its popularity. Why are we so obsessed with extreme forms of tourism? Risky activities release chemicals in the brain that can be addictive. Research suggests engaging in risky tourism activities, such as scaling a high mountain, can bring about feelings of accomplishment and euphoria. Travellers report feeling alive and experiencing a sense of transformation. Some are also attracted to the pristine, untouched and remote aspects of the locations that they visit. Furthermore, the element of fantasy associated with imagining certain places or stories, like the movie Titanic, can be alluring. Besides physical frontiers, there is also the thrill people get at pushing the human body to its limits and facing one's fears. Base-jumping, skydiving, bungee jumping and polar plunges are common examples of this. In a slightly more mundane way, even tasting "scary food" pushes tourists outside of their comfort zone and helps them feel alive. Still others make extreme tourist journeys to follow in the footsteps of their heroes, such as those who travel to Antarctica to pay homage to explorer Ernest Shackleton. Extreme and risky activities not only make participants feel euphoric, but they also convey status. When bucket lists are ticked off and experiences shared on social media, this brings bragging rights. Research suggests many travellers seek recognition for undertaking the first, longest or most extreme experiences possible. But frontier tourism is clearly not for all. It is usually only accessible to a privileged few, as the tragic circumstances of the Titan highlight. Passengers onboard the vessel reportedly paid US$250,000 for the voyage. Titanic Submersible Suffered Catastrophic Implosion, Killing all 5 On Board, says US Coast Guard What are the impacts of frontier tourism? Beyond the unspeakable angst that friends and family must endure when things go wrong, there are many other impacts of this form of tourism. This type of travel can create environmental harm and negatively impact local communities. For example, after decades of mass mountaineering, the environmental impact on Mount Everest must be addressed. And when mishaps do occur, the cost of search and rescue efforts can be massive and put rescue teams at great risk. The plight of frontier tourists are usually the focus of media reports, while emergency responders are often overlooked. Recent efforts by sherpas such as Nimsdai Purja are trying to overcome this issue. Through the Netflix documentary, 14 Peaks, he publicises the behind-the-scene preparations and heavy lifting work done by sherpas who guide and rescue tourists up Everest and other mountains. Frontier tourism is not going away Despite tragedies like the Titan disappearance, tourists remain attracted to the quest for the most unique experiences in the most remote, uncharted places. Tourists also increasingly feel able to embark on trips once perceived as too dangerous because technology and other innovations have ostensibly made them safer and more accessible. In many instances that danger remains, but the commercial transaction strips away the perceived risks involved. Marketing materials aim to sell "safe" adventures, with the risks are often listed in the fineprint. A polar plunge in Antarctica, for instance, is often marketed as safe because participants are attached to a tether and the swim time is limited to prevent hypothermia. Two decades ago, in forecasting the growth of space tourism, anthropologist Valene Smith said what tourists want, the industry will provide. This has become a truism, as the Titan voyages demonstrate. The massive growth of frontier tourism could lead to even greater problems if the industry doesn't respond in the right way. If travellers are going to expose themselves to extreme risks, whose responsibility is it, then, to ensure their safety and recovery should accidents occur? Many tourism businesses and travel insurance companies make risks known to their guests. But regulations on disclosing risks differ between countries. These means travellers may have to evaluate the risks themselves, and this is fraught with danger if company standards are low. One solution is frontier tourism might be best experienced in controlled and safe environments through digital storytelling or augmented and mixed reality. However, this may not be enough to satisfy the adrenaline junkies out there. As the Titan incident illustrates, the unpredictable nature and unintended consequences of frontier tourism are very real things. While money can allow us to travel almost anywhere, it's worth considering whether some places should just remain untouched, sacred and off limits completely. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, June 23, 2023, 12:16 [IST] A parliamentary inquiry found almost all of the community supports the expansion of free dental as Australians put off dentist trips. Ukraine's Zelenskyy said Moscow has hidden the bodies of those killed in the Kakhovka dam breach. Meanwhile, the UN has put Russian forces on a blacklist over the killings of Ukrainian children. DW has the latest. During the Cold War, 60 years ago, John F. Kennedy sparked hope with a legendary speech given in West Berlin, after the Berlin Wall came up. The UN atomic agency's head, Rafael Mariano Gross, said a meeting with Rosatom was "timely." Meanwhile, Ukraine's Zelenskyy said Moscow has hidden the bodies of those killed in the Kakhovka dam breach. DW has the latest. After the Soviet Union cut supply lines to West Berlin in 1948, the western allies launched a historic rescue effort: an airlift catering for more than 2 million residents. Germany commemorates the blockade, 75 years on. The Euro-Atlantic military alliance's largest ever air exercise has come to a close in Germany. Commanders said they are confident in their ability to provide 'collective defense.' A Ukrainian official said the attack on the bridge was a blow to Russian logistics and a sign the counteroffensive could become.. Washington Post 23 Jun 2023 A hawkish Russian analyst with President Vladimir Putins ear ignites a debate over whether it's time for the Kremlin to use a nuclear weapon to end the war in Ukraine. The escalation of nuclear threats some coming from Russia's top political thinkers coincides with Ukraine's counteroffensive. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Today, we are developing our Armed Forces on the basis of a unified program, and I am sure that in the near future our Army will rise to a new and higher level, said President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to present the battle flag to one of the commando military units of the Ministry of Defense. The head of state once again reminded that the Azerbaijani Army today is even stronger than the Azerbaijani Army that showed heroism and professionalism during the war. Obama discussed the recent indictments of former President Donald Trump, increasing polarization in the U.S., the war in Ukraine and more. As a long-running standoff between him and the Defence Ministry appeared to come to a head, the ministry issued a statement, saying Yevgeny Prigozhin's accusations were "not true and are an informational provocation." Referring to the opposition meet underway in Bihar's capital, Shah said, "A photo session is happening in Patna. All the opposition leaders have come together on a single platform to convey a message that they will challenge BJP, NDA and Modi (in 2024). Justice Department investigators were trying to limit" questioning related to Joe Biden as part of the investigation into Hunter Biden, despite objections from FBI and IRS officials. EXCLUSIVE: Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt flew a former top White House adviser on his private jet from Washington, D.C., to a secretive retreat in Montana. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's overtures to Beijing remain a double edged sword.The visit will give a huge moral and strategic win for Beijing, and further weakens Washington's standing, being looked as weak and desperate. The first top level meeting in Alaska in 2021 has played well into Beijing's end goals of... Washington: Despite rights groups and State Department reports of abuses, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi denied that discrimination against minorities existed under his government during a press conference with U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday. Biden said he discussed human rights and other democratic values with Modi during their talks in the White House. Asked at the press conference what steps he was willing to take to "improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in your country and to uphold free speech," Modi suggested they did not need to be improved. "Our Constitution and our government, and we have proved democracy can deliver. When I say deliver - caste, creed, religion, gender, there is no space for any discrimination (in my government)," Modi told reporters. In reports on human rights and religious freedom, the State Department raised concerns over treatment of Muslims, Hindu Dalits, Christians and other religious minorities in India while also listing a crackdown on journalists. Rights advocates and dozens of lawmakers from Biden's Democratic Party urged him to raise the issue publicly with Modi, whose Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has held power since 2014. Protesters decry Modi's remarks Dozens of protesters gathered near the White House on Thursday. "Modi should think why that was the first question asked to him in the press briefing. It's obvious to all there is rights abuse in India," said Ajit Sahi, a protester and advocacy director at the Indian American Muslim Council. "Modi's comments (that there is no religious discrimination by his government) is a complete lie. India has become a black-hole for religious minorities," said Raqib Hameed Naik, the founder of Hindutva Watch, a group that monitors reports of attacks on Indian minorities. India's importance for the U.S. to counter China and the economic ties between the countries make it difficult for Washington to criticize human rights in the world's largest democracy, political analysts said. Biden rolled out the red carpet for Modi on Thursday. The only two Muslim women members of the U.S. Congress - Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib - along with some other progressive lawmakers like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, boycotted Modi's address to the Congress on Thursday, citing allegations of abuse of Indian dissidents and minorities, especially Muslims. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders said Modi's "aggressive Hindu nationalism" has "left little space for India's religious minorities." The benefits of the Indian government's policies are accessible to everyone, Modi said. Rights groups have asserted, however, that dissidents, minorities and journalists have come under attack since Modi took office. India has slid from 140th in the World Press Freedom Index in 2014 to 161st this year, its lowest point, while also leading the list for the highest number of internet shutdowns globally for five consecutive years. The U.N. human rights office described a 2019 citizenship law as "fundamentally discriminatory" for excluding Muslim migrants. Critics have pointed to 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 as well. 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. "The protection of the Muslim minority in a majority Hindu India, that is something worth mentioning," former U.S. President Barack Obama, whom Modi calls a close friend, told CNN in an interview aired on Thursday. "If you do not protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, then there is a strong possibility that India at some point starts pulling apart," Obama said of what he would have told Modi now. (With Reuters inputs) 'Daniel Ellsberg & Patricia Ellsberg' (Image by Christopher.Michel) Details DMCA Daniel Ellsberg: Master of War, Champion of Peace by John Kendall Hawkins The Speeches Daniel Ellsberg reckoned that he almost got us all killed back in '62, twice shooting his mouth off through firebrand speeches that he wrote and gave to political orators to proxy vent his bravado. His research and analyses at the RAND Corporation in the years after WW2 had shown him that the US sported a 10-1 nuke advantage over the Soviets, and that we knew where their dinky little nukes were located (Plesetsk), and yet in the mounting tension in a post-war Berlin, the Soviets were blustering about superiority, scaring the bejeezus out of the Europeans, who wanted some gimme reassurance from the Yanks. DeGaulle's Force de Frappe set up to deter the Soviets, the French not believing the Yanks's promise to protect Europe. Ellsberg's speeches changed that calculus. Each speech served to humiliate Soviet First Secretary Nikita (his name translates to "unconquered" or "victor") Khrushchev. The first speech, delivered by Deputy Secretary of Defense Roswell Gilpatrick at a Business Council gathering in Virginia on October 21, 1961, seemed, to the Soviets, to be calling their bluff on nuclear superiority and may have helped inflame the tensions over the newly constructed Berlin Wall, culminating in the famous stand-off at Checkpoint Charlie on October 22. Ellsberg, recalling his speech 50 years later in The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a War Planner, realized he may have sent a rorschachable message: What else was I saying in my draft passages for the Gilpatric speech but that if the Soviets blocked our enlarged patrols along the Berlin corridors with some of their armored divisions in the neighborhood, they would have been taking an unacceptable risk of U.S. first use of nuclear weapons against those forces Ellsberg expressed surprise at the Soviet response to this speech. Although it occurred to him that Khrushchev needed to save face. The day after Gilpatric's speech, Khrushchev's Minister of Defense Rodion Malinovsky told the Twenty-Second Congress of the Communist Party in Moscow: A realistic assessment of the picture would lead one to believe that what the imperialists are planning is a surprise nuclear attack on the U.S.S.R. and the socialist countries. The response was scary in its implications. The speech introduced the idea of a first strike, first use concept into the fraught conversation between the superpowers. Ellsberg's second speech, at the 1962 University of Michigan at Ann Arbor commencement, was delivered by Secretary of State Robert McNamara. The Secretary urged a policy of deterrence whereby the US and Soviets agreed to nuke only military targets and to spare the cities and their populations. This seemed to favor the Americans. Khrushchev raged that "it was deceptive to the American people because bases in the United States were in or near large cities." As far as the First Secretary was concerned, the speech was saying to him,"that McNamara was somehow trying to make nuclear war seem less bloody and therefore more acceptable," and said Khrushchev, "To get the population used to the idea that nuclear war will take place." It's interesting that, according to Ellsberg, both speeches were exactly the kind of language that JFK was intent on avoiding. Kennedy aide Carl Kaysen had warned him about language he'd prepared in a previous speech written for Kennedy that was meant to call Khrushchev's bluff; its propositions included language that went against "Kennedy's more conciliatory style." JFK didn't use Ellsberg's speech. As for Gilpatrick's speech, historian Michael Bechloss, said "The speech violated the President's own rule against backing an enemy into a dangerous corner." Ellsberg "confessed" in Doomsday that "in October 1961 I had done my part in greasing the skids toward the Cuban missile crisis." The second speech, at Ann Arbor, had merely put out the growing fiery rhetoric between the Soviets and the Americans with gasoline, Ellsberg wrote: By the time of the Ann Arbor speech in July, the Soviet medium-range ballistic missiles that were meant, among other aims, to counter American assertions of strategic superiority and warnings of possible U.S. first use or first strike over Berlin were already on their way to the Caribbean. Nothing in the speech encouraged Khrushchev to turn the nuke-laden ships around. As Ellsberg points out in Doomsday, it wasn't only the speeches but also the US pointing out in their bluff-calling the number of ICBMs the Russians had (4), where they were located (Plesetsk), and how "vulnerable" the missiles were to attack, while the US moved nukes into Italy and Turkey well within range of Moscow. Clearly, even with such an advantage, nobody thought to consider that Khrushchev might sneak some intermediate range missiles within range of Washington, DC. Ellsberg seems to have started out as the real deal Master of War that Bob Dylan sneered at in his famous song, hiding behind walls, hiding behind desks, playing with the world as if it were a toy. Though he declares in Doomsday that he in no way wanted to see a nuclear war break out, Ellsberg "confesses" that it took half a century for him to realize that his earlier language could easily have been taken as an existential threat to the Soviets. He misread their read. He believed the Soviets were bluffing about the threat; the missiles sent to Cuba suggested otherwise. But Ellsberg's story about what happened in the lead-up, and during the missile crisis, in Cuba, was more harrowing than anything most Americans have heard about. The zero sum event was far closer than reported. Consider: The Pentagon wanted to invade Cuba to force the Soviet intermediate missiles out, but, Ellsberg reveals in his book, nobody realized at the time that the Soviets had, "along with SAMs and ballistic missiles, they had been secretly equipped with over a hundred tactical nuclear weapons, warheads included." And what's more, Ellsberg reports in Doomsday, the Pentagon had every intention of nuking China, too, had they bombed the Soviets, even without Chinese provocation. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). High Point Travel, the premier travel agency specializing in extraordinary adventures in Belize, is excited to announce its unparalleled services that connect travelers with the heart-pounding beauty and cultural richness of this captivating destination. Belize, known as the adventure capital of Central America, offers a plethora of awe-inspiring experiences, and High Point Travel is the expert guide that ensures an unforgettable journey for every adventurer. With their extensive knowledge, impeccable attention BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. We were preparing for the Second Karabakh War and did not make a secret of that, said President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to present the battle flag to one of the commando military units of the Ministry of Defense. During the occupation, I said that if the negotiations did not succeed, we would use force to liberate our historical lands. Unfortunately, some people turned a blind eye to my words. Armenia and its foreign patrons believed that they would keep our lands under occupation forever. We foiled their insidious plans. We prepared for war and dealt such a crushing blow to the enemy that the enemy is still unable to recover, the head of state emphasized. Visma e-conomic HubSpot Integration: Automate your invoicing process and improve data quality Kornmarksvej 10, 2605 Brndby, Copenhagen - Cloudify, a leading provider of innovative integration and process automation solutions, is thrilled to announce the launch of the Visma e-conomic HubSpot Integration, an essential tool for businesses looking to optimize their accounting and invoicing processes. Visma e-conomic HubSpot is an extremely useful integration that connects HubSpot with Visma e-conomic and allows businesses to Pacific Coast Fruit Co., a Portland-based independent produce wholesaler, has acquired local hummus maker King Harvest Hummus. Pacific Coast Fruit, which is also based in Portland, said in a news release Thursday that the acquisition grew out of its distribution partnership with King Harvest Hummus. The acquisition, which was finalized in April, will expand both Pacific Coast Fruits product line and King Harvests distribution, according to the release. Terms, including a sale price, were not disclosed. Twyla Beckner, a partner at King Harvest, said in a statement that the hummus company has worked with Pacific Coast Fruit in the past to help distribute its food products across Oregon and Mercer Island in Washington. They were an invaluable and reliable partner to help us grow and reach the demands of our customers, Beckner said. So it was a natural progression to join forces when we were looking to change ownership. Its unclear whether the acquisition will result in any staff layoffs at either of the companies facilities. King Harvest, operates a manufacturing and wholesale facility on Morrison Street, while Pacific Coast Fruit has distribution centers and culinary kitchens in Portland and Kent, Washington. A spokesperson for Pacific Coast Fruit did not immediately respond to a phone call or email. --Kristine de Leon; kdeleon@oregonian.com A man was killed and another injured in a Friday-morning shooting in the Hollywood District, police said. Patrol officers in the neighborhood heard gunfire at 2:33 a.m. and quickly came upon a car that had crashed into a utility pole near the intersection of Northeast Broadway and Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard, the Portland Police Bureau said in a statement. The driver was dead at the scene and the passenger seriously wounded. Both apparently had been shot. Paramedics took the passenger to a nearby hospital. Officials have not publicly identified the victims, and police have made no arrests. Streets around the crash site were closed during the initial phase of the investigation. Police ask anyone who might have information about the case to contact Det. Travis Law at travis.law@police.portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-0395, or Det. Ryan Foote at ryan.foote@police.portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-0781. -- The Oregonian/OregonLive A former student and devotee of J. Michael Shoemaker, the founder and spiritual leader of the Movement Center, has filed a federal suit against him, alleging he sexually exploited and assaulted her. The woman, identified by the initials G.M. in the suit filed Wednesday in Portland, alleges Shoemaker choked her until she lost consciousness in one encounter. Ive always been in love with monsters, filmmaker Guillermo del Toro said Thursday night, as part of the acceptance speech for his Cinema Unbound Award. And as he looked out at a crowd including philanthropists, elected officials, and fellow creatives, del Toro added a genial observation: Were all monsters. The colorful speech by del Toro was one of the highlights of the 2023 Cinema Unbound Awards, the fundraising event in which the Portland Art Museums PAM CUT (Center for an Untold Tomorrow) honors innovators and creators from a variety of fields. The fourth annual Cinema Unbound Awards ceremony got off to a lively start, with aerialists dangling from the ceiling of the museums Kridel Grand Ballroom, pouring beverages for attendees. Razzle-dazzle was provided by hosts IZOHNNY, the drag queen duo of Isaiah Esquire and Johnny Nuriel, and some fiery literally dance performances. Attendees at the 2023 Cinema Unbound Awards Thursday included honoree Fred Armisen, right, his "Portlandia" collaborator, Carrie Brownstein, center, and Riki Lindhome, left, with whom Armisen costars in the Netflix series, "Wednesday." But the heart of the evening were the awards, which honored del Toro, whose Oscar-winning Guillermo del Toros Pinocchio co-directed by Portland stop-motion animation veteran Mark Gustafson is the subject of the current Portland Art Museum exhibit, Guillermo del Toro: Crafting Pinocchio; Portland-based novelist and screenwriter Jon Raymond; Portland celebrity chef Gregory Gourdet; Portlandia co-creator and costar Fred Armisen; actress Tessa Thompson, who accepted remotely; and Jacqueline Stewart, director and president of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and Turner Classic Movies host. Related: Cinema Unbound Award winner Jacqueline Stewart on why movies -- even problematic ones -- matter Speeches from the notables who introduced the Cinema Unbound Awards winners were also heartfelt, and sometimes funny. Actor Doug Jones, who has worked with del Toro to create memorably non-human characters in such films as The Shape of Water and Pans Labyrinth, said he didnt realize how labor-intensive the stop-motion animation process was until he visited the Guillermo del Toro: Crafting Pinocchio exhibit. Of the Mexican-born director, Jones humorously noted that del Toro speaks three languages Spanish, English, and the F word - all with equal amounts of charm. In his speech, del Toro thanked ShadowMachine, the production company behind the mostly Portland-made Pinocchio, as well as his co-director and precious partner, Gustafson. The filmmaker also praised Portland as a city with a personality, and pride, and added that Portlands legacy as a hub for top-level stop-motion animation helps give the city those qualities. Armisens award was presented by Corin Tucker, of the band Sleater-Kinney, and her husband, filmmaker Lance Bangs. I dont like to travel if its not for work, Armisen said as he accepted his award, adding that Portland is the exception to that rule. He recalled how he used to enjoy visiting Portland to spend time with his friend and Portlandia co-creator and costar Carrie Brownstein, who is also a member of Sleater-Kinney, which Armisen called his favorite band of all time. Those trips led to the creation of Portlandia, the satirical comedy series that ran from 2011 through 2018, which Armisen described as a love letter to the Rose City. The upbeat tone was consistent throughout the evening. Stewart, who was introduced via video by filmmaker Ava DuVernay, called the feeling of love and community in the room overwhelming. Todd Haynes, the director of such films as Far From Heaven and May December, which recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, lives in Portland and is a previous winner of a Cinema Unbound Award. Haynes introduced Jon Raymond, whose credits include co-writing Haynes HBO miniseries version of Mildred Pierce. Haynes spoke about how he became friends with Raymond after the director moved to Portland in 2000. Haynes friend, filmmaker Kelly Reichardt, came to visit Haynes in Portland, where she also met Raymond, which launched a collaboration between Reichardt and Raymond that has included such Oregon-made films as Old Joy, Wendy and Lucy, Meeks Cutoff, Night Moves, First Cow, and Showing Up. Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro was among the honorees at the 2023 Cinema Unbound Awards ceremony Thursday night. Raymond talked about his memories of seeing movies at what was then known as the Northwest Film Center (the name prior to the PAM CUT rebrand), and described the collaborative process of making films as akin to building a cathedral. Padma Lakshmi, who recently announced her departure as host of Bravos Top Chef, appeared via video to introduce my dear friend Gregory Gourdet, who competed in two seasons of the show and has made other Top Chef appearances since then, including the 2020 season filmed in and around Portland. Lakshmi called Gourdet a wonderful citizen of Portland, and noted how his restaurant, Kann, recently won a James Beard award as best new restaurant of 2023. In accepting his award, Gourdet spoke of the importance of remembering ancestors, such as his parents, who were young immigrants from Haiti when they moved to the United States. Recalling his past as a New Yorker who was struggling with substance abuse issues, Gourdet said that he got sober not long after he moved to Portland. He went on to say that, as white as Portland is, there is a lot of diversity in the city, especially in the food and arts scenes, and that he accepted the award on behalf of young cooks who want to change the world. Kristi Turnquist 503-221-8227; kturnquist@oregonian.com; @Kristiturnquist Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe The owner of the Wagner private military contractor escalated his direct challenge to the Kremlin on Friday, calling for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russias defense minister. The security services reacted immediately by opening a criminal investigation into Yevgeny Prigozhin. Prigozhin posted a series of angry video and audio recordings in which he accused Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of ordering a rocket strike Friday on Wagners field camps in Ukraine, where his troops are fighting on behalf of Russia. Prigozhin said his troops would now punish Shoigu in an armed rebellion and urged the army not to offer resistance. This is not a military coup, but a march of justice, Prigozhin declared. The Defense Ministry denied carrying out the rocket attack. The National Anti-Terrorism Committee, which is part of the Federal Security Services, or FSB, said he would be investigated on charges of calling for an armed rebellion. The state news agency Tass said President Vladimir Putin was kept informed. The FSB urged Wagners contract soldiers to arrest Prigozhin and refuse to follow his criminal and treacherous orders. It called his statements a stab in the back to Russian troops and said they amounted to fomenting an armed conflict in Russia. FILE - The top Russian military commander in Ukraine, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, left, and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, center, attend the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to the joint staff of troops involved in Russia's military operation in Ukraine, at an unknown location, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. While denouncing most senior military leaders, Prigozhin, the maverick millionaire head of the private military contractor Wagner, spoke approvingly about Gen. Sergei Surovikin, who led Russian forces in Ukraine for several months in the fall before Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed the chief of the military's General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, to oversee the operations. (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)AP In a sign of how seriously the Kremlin was taking the threat, riot police and the National Guard have been scrambled to tighten security at key facilities in Moscow, including government agencies and transport infrastructure, Tass reported. Russias chief prosecutor said the criminal investigation was justified and that an armed rebellion charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment. Wagners forces have played a crucial role in Russias war in Ukraine, succeeding in taking the city where the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place, Bakhmut. Prigozhin has frequently criticized Russias military brass, accusing it of incompetence and of starving his troops of weapons and ammunition, but his accusations and calls for armed rebellion Friday were more direct challenge. The Russian Defense Ministry required all military contractors to sign contracts with it before July 1, but Prigozhin, whose feud with the Defense Ministry dates back years, refused to comply. In this grab taken from video and released by Prigozhin Press Service on Friday, June 23, 2023, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the outspoken millionaire head of the private military contractor Wagner, speaks during his interview at an unspecified location. Prigozhin, the millionaire owner of the Wagner Group military contractor, assailed the Russian military top brass, accusing it of downplaying the threat posed by the Ukrainian counteroffensive. (Prigozhin Press Service via AP, File)AP In a statement issued late Friday, he said he was ready to find a compromise with the Defense Ministry, but they have treacherously cheated us. Today they carried out a rocket strike on our rear camps, and a huge number of our comrades got killed, he said. Prigozhin claimed that Shoigu went to the Russian military headquarters in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don personally to direct the strike on Wagner and then cowardly fled. This scum will be stopped, he said, in a reference to Shoigu. The evil embodied by the countrys military leadership must be stopped, he shouted, urging the army not to offer any resistance to Wagner as it moves to restore justice. Security also was heightened in Rostov-on-Don, Tass reported. Its correspondent said military and law enforcement personnel were seen on the streets, with at least one armored personnel carrier and aerial patrols. In other developments in the Ukraine, war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on other countries to heed warnings that Russia may be planning to attack an occupied nuclear power plant to cause a radiation disaster. Members of his government briefed international representatives on the possible threat to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, whose six reactors have been shut down for months. Zelenskyy said he expected other nations to give appropriate signals and exert pressure on Moscow. The Kremlins spokesman has denied the threat to the plant is coming from Russian forces. The potential for a life-threatening release of radiation has been a concern since Russian troops invaded Ukraine last year and seized the plant, Europes largest nuclear power station. The head of the U.N.s atomic energy agency spent months trying to negotiate the establishment of a safety perimeter to protect the facility as nearby areas came under repeated shelling, but he has been unsuccessful. The International Atomic Energy Agency noted Thursday that the military situation has become increasingly tense while a Ukrainian counteroffensive that got underway this month unfolds in Zaporizhzhia province, where the namesake plant is located, and in an adjacent part of Donetsk province. Although the last of the plants six reactors was shut down last fall to reduce the risk of a meltdown, experts have warned that a radiation release could still happen if the system that keeps the reactors cores and spent nuclear fuel cool loses power or water. During months of fighting, Russia and Ukraine have traded blame over which side was increasing the threat to the plant. On Friday, IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi met with the head of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom in the Kaliningrad exclave of Russia to discuss the conditions at the plant. Rosatom director Alexey Likachev and other officials emphasized that they now expect specific steps from the U.N. agency to prevent Ukrainian attacks on the plant and its adjacent territory, said a statement from the Russian corporation, whose divisions build and operate nuclear power plants. Earlier this week, Ukrainian officials accused Russia of mining the plants cooling system, already under threat from a dam collapse earlier this week that drew down water in a reservoir that the power station uses. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Friday that Russia has beefed up its defense forces in southern Ukraine in response to the early counteroffensive and intensified its efforts to take more ground in the east. Asked if the Ukrainian militarys initial attacks set the stage for a larger assault, Maliar told Ukrainian television: We are yet to see the main events, and the main blow. And indeed, a part of reserves will be used later. Ukrainian forces so far have made only incremental gains in Zaporizhzhia province, one of four regions that Putin illegally annexed last year. Putin has pledged to defend the regions as Russian territory. Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine is fighting to force Russian troops out of those regions, as well as the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow illegally annexed in 2014 and is using as a staging and supply route in the 16-month-old war. If the counteroffensive breaks the Russian defenses in the south, Ukrainian forces could attempt to reach a pair of occupied port cities on the Sea of Azov and break Russias land bridge to Crimea. After an hourslong standoff with police, eight minors are in custody for allegedly being involved in a shooting that injured two people in Southeast Portland early Thursday morning. Police responded to calls about a shooting in the 600 block of Southeast 146th Avenue at 12:52 a.m. and soon detained multiple people near the scene, Portland Police Bureau officials said. The two victims were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, police said. Shortly after the shooting, officers saw people running into an apartment building at 300 SE 148th Ave., police said. Officers surrounded the building and closed off the avenue between East Burnside Street and Southeast Stark Street. They asked residents in the area to remain inside their homes. During the standoff, a large contingent of police huddled behind armored vehicles while periodically using loudspeakers to tell the people to come out with your hands up or force may be used against you. Police also brought in a canine unit and a motorized remote-control robot roughly a foot tall. Jose Bastida said he lives with his partner, Anna Hurtado, and their two small children directly below the second-story apartment where one or more of the people now in custody apparently live. Bastida said he was returning home from the gym late last night when he saw a group of young people heading out of the building shortly before gunshots were reported a couple of blocks away. One of the young people rents the second-story apartment and often has groups of people over, Bastida said. Early Thursday morning, the group Bastida saw leaving the building returned after a short time away, Bastida said. He heard a fight break out in the apartment above his, as well as a lot of movement outside, he said. There was, like, a two-hour period before the cops got here where they were running up and down the stairs like crazy, Bastida said. I dont know if they knew the cops were coming or what, but it went on for 30 minutes, probably. At about 6:30 a.m., Bastida was leaving the building to go to his managerial job at Jiffy Lube when he was pulled aside by police, who recommended he take his family out of the apartment during the standoff, he said. Bastida, Hurtado and their two kids spent most of the morning driving around. He said the Centennial neighborhood feels relatively safe during the day, but that things change when the sun goes down. Bastida said he hears gunshots several times a week, sees a lot of drug use on the street and had his car burglarized a few months ago. He said they moved to the area primarily because it is affordable. Hurtado said the stress of living in the neighborhood has motivated the family to look for housing elsewhere. The couple have recently applied for apartments in Gresham, closer to her parents. I dont want to live in this area anymore, Hurtado said. Its scary, especially with kids. I cant even walk down the street to the 7-Eleven to get my kids some ice cream. The family returned to their apartment around 1:15 p.m., when Southeast 148th Avenue reopened. Chris Makris, 31, said he lives across the street from the building that police surrounded and was woken up at 6:30 a.m. by the loudspeaker announcements. He said he was not surprised by the standoff. Makris noted that a fatal shooting occurred near the corner of Southeast Stark and 148th last August. Makris said hes lived there for about a year and plans to stay put. My rent is really good here, and I dont feel unsafe enough to leave yet, Makris said. A neighbor, Emily Chick, said she grew up in the neighborhood and has seen it change a lot over the years. I used to walk back and forth from school on my own every day, Chick said. Its crazy, I dont even think kids could do that nowadays. But the shooting and subsequent standoff wont motivate her to look for another place to live. These things, Chick said, can happen anywhere you live. Nick Gibson; ngibson@oregonian.com; 971-393-8259; @newsynicholas Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe A Washington County jury on Wednesday found a 37-year-old Beaverton man guilty of second-degree murder in the death of 32-year-old Jeremy Lee Covey. The jury also found Herbert James Rabago guilty on charges of unlawful use of a weapon and felon in possession of a firearm. Court records show Covey and Rabago knew each other because they both dated the same woman off and on. That woman told a grand jury that on Feb. 18, 2021, 20 minutes before the fatal shooting, Rabago came to her home and argued heatedly with her and Covey, whod been released from Oregon prison a week before in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors said Covey texted a friend with misspelled words, Boss call me ASAP harm pooled a syrap, with harm referring to Rabagos nickname and syrap possibly being a typo for strap, slang for gun. The text was excluded at trial as inadmissible hearsay in part because of its lack of clarity. Rabago then drove to the 17800 block of Kinnaman Road near an apartment complex in Aloha, crashed into Coveys car with him inside it, shot Covey and drove off, the woman testified under oath. She was in a separate car at the time of the shooting. And shed earlier told police she couldnt identify the shooter, prompting Rabagos defense attorneys to call her statements unreliable. Covey died at an urgent care facility. He had been convicted in 2018 of two counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle and one count of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, according to court records. Police arrested Rabago on March 4, 2021 after spotting his car in Beaverton and chasing him for about a mile. An attorney for Rabago did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Seven years earlier, a Beaverton police officer shot and wounded Rabago as officers responded to a reported domestic disturbance and police said Rabago charged at a cop with a knife. Court records show that when police shot him in 2014, Rabago was on probation in three criminal cases involving convictions of first- and second-degree theft and second-degree criminal mischief. Rabago has already served two prison sentences for felony assault and unlawful use of a weapon, the Washington County District Attorneys Office said Wednesday. Rabagos sentencing is set for June 29. Prosecutors are seeking life in prison for Rabago with a minimum of 32 1/2 years. Mr. Rabago has a significant criminal history, said Bracken McKey, chief deputy district attorney. This will be the third time he has gone to prison. He represents a serious safety threat in Washington County. Beth Slovic; bslovic@oregonian.com; 503-221-8551 Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Darcelle XV, whose decades-long drag persona slinked its way into the very heart of Portland, breaking boundaries and a world record, posthumously notched another first Thursday. At a ceremony inside the famed Stonewall Inn, Darcelles name went up on the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor housed inside the historic New York City club thats recognized widely as the birthplace of gay pride. Darcelle, also known as Walter Cole, died March 23 at 92 and is the only Oregonian to have their name appear on the wall, which pays tribute to pioneers, trailblazers and heroes. The ceremony this year, tied to Pride Month and the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising that occurred in June 1969, also coincided with mounting assaults nationally on transgender and LGBTQ rights. More than 650 anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in state legislatures across the country this year, according to Equity Federation, an LGBTQ advocacy group. Closer to home, the Tigard Public Library closed June 11 after a drag queen storytime drew repeated threats of violence, and a Portland elementary school canceled its Pride festival due to safety concerns. Amid the vitriol, Oregon advocates have led a counter-resistance, naming drag performer Poison Waters the grand marshal of the Rose Festivals 2023 Starlight Parade and the concept of drag as the grand marshal of the 2023 Portland Pride Parade. In July, artists in Portland will attempt to break the world record for longest drag artist stage show. Its fitting then, supporters said, that the first Oregonian to have a place of honor on the wall at this moment is Darcelle, who launched in 1967 what became the nightclub Darcelle XV Showplace, a Portland home base for fighting anti-gay discrimination. In 2016, Darcelle was recognized by Guinness World Records as the Worlds Oldest Drag Queen Performer, and in 2020 Darcelles nightclub was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its contributions to LGBTQ rights. There is no better way to honor her memory and her legacy than tonights award, said Kevin Cook, who flew in from Portland to attend the event. Cook has taken over hosting performances at Darcelle XV Showplace; though, as Poison Waters, she still refers to herself as Darcelles co-host. Their friendship dates back 33 years. Darcelle in so many ways be it an activist, be it an entertainer, be it a parent was a role model for all of us, said Nicole Murray Ramirez, a San Diego city commissioner who also serves as Queen Mother of the Americas within the International Imperial Court System, an LGBTQ organization. Murray Ramirez founded the LGBTQ Wall of Honor in 2015. Six other people were also honored at the ceremony, including five-time Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally, Emmy Award-winning actor Leslie Jordan and Achebe Betty Powell, an activist who was one of the first Black women to take a leadership role in the gay and lesbian liberation movement of the 1970s. The event was attended by several dozen supporters, who packed the cramped upstairs room of the Greenwich Village club. Nameplates for each honoree were on display near a small stage, where several guests, including Cook and Casey Ivock, known also as Monica Boulevard, took to the stage to accept the honors on behalf of the recipients. Ivock worked at Darcelle XV Showcase for 23 years. Ive been to New York dozens of times but it feels spectacular to be here for this reason, Ivock said. The nameplates will be placed on the wall at a later time. The wall is owned by the National LGBTQ Task Force and the International Imperial Court System, which calls itself the oldest LGBTQ service organization in the world. There were as many people in drag at the event as there were cameras to capture them. Monica Boulevard wore a two piece slate gray full-length outfit with a black patent leather belt that cinched at the waist. Poison Waters, aka Kevin Cook, wore a full-length gold sequin dress with an outsized faux diamond bib necklace. Before making the trip to New York to honor Darcelle, Cook reflected on their decades-long connection and Darcelles final week of life at a Portland hospital. Each day Darcelle would tell Cook new things. Sometimes it would be funny and sometimes serious, Cook said. Darcelle would hold Cooks hand and say, Dont forget to be kind, Cook recalled. Everybody got what they needed from it, including Darcelle, Cook said. Darcelle thanked family, fellow performers and the entire staff of Darcelle XV Showplace before dying. Now keep it going, Darcelle told Cook. Dont let them forget me. Beth Nakamura Twitter: @bethnakamura Instagram: @bethnakamura Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Portlands Bureau of Emergency Communications will begin testing an automated-operator service that uses artificial intelligence to direct non-emergency calls. The AI trial, which begins Monday, is part of an effort to reduce wait times for 911 calls that often stretch well beyond national standards. The Versaterm Case Service Reporting system at first will be used for a couple hours a day to identify calls that should be redirected from the bureaus non-emergency line 503-823-3333 to the separately managed 311 system, bureau director Bob Cozzie told city commissioners last Wednesday. A recent city-commissioned report found that many Portland-area residents are confused about whether they should call the BoECs non-emergency line or 311 when they dont believe an immediate response from first responders is necessary. Based out of the citys chief administrative officers office, 311 operators provide callers with information on city and government services like housing and transportation. BoECs non-emergency line, on the other hand, is intended for incidences that are not immediately time-sensitive but a police or fire-bureau response may be needed, Cozzie said in an interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive on Tuesday. The Emergency Communications bureau also takes emergency 911 calls. Cozzie said calls to the bureau have been steadily increasing for more than a decade, with a total increase of 28% since 2011. The bureau received more than a million calls in 2022, 32% of which came through the non-emergency and administrative lines, according to the report. The report estimates that redirecting appropriate calls to the 311 line, which was established in 2019, could reduce the bureaus call volume by 180,000 per year, or about 17%. The emergency dispatch systems high call load, mixed with staffing challenges since the coronavirus pandemic, has led to significantly increased wait times in recent years. Only 42% of calls last month were answered in the first 20 seconds, well below the National Emergency Number Association standard of 95%, according to bureau data. Cozzie said that to meet the industry standard the bureau would need a staff of 147 call-takers and dispatchers. The bureau currently has 90, down from 98 in January 2020. What we used to do was provide a lot of the same information that 311 provides, Cozzie told commissioners. Now were not having to do that, so that has simplified things. The problem is, were still getting those calls on the non-emergency number. The AI-driven automated operator should relieve some of the burden, but ultimately confusion over which non-emergency line to call needs to be addressed by a public-education campaign, the report states. The bureau will use the automated system for a limited period every day at the start of the trial. If the system is working as planned, use of the AI operator will be steadily increased until its taking 100% of non-emergency calls probably in July, Cozzie said. Data will be collected during each call and reviewed every day to identify shortcomings or issues with the system. Callers to the non-emergency line during the trial hours will be greeted by a human-sounding automated operator that will ask questions to determine whether the call should be taken up by a human bureau operator or redirected to the 311 system, Cozzie said. In some instances, the AI operator may attempt to address the callers request on its own by directing the person to online resources, such as the Portland Police Bureaus reporting form. The system also can text information and links to callers. At any point, callers can ask to speak with a human being, and the system will forward them to one of the bureaus call takers, Cozzie said. The emergency communications bureau is not considering using the automated system for 911 calls, according to spokesperson Jaymee Cuti. Our primary mission is processing emergency calls, Cuti said. In an emergency, a caller needs to speak with a human being. Cozzie, the bureau director, said he hopes that eventually the bureaus non-emergency line can be eliminated, leaving 311 and 911 as the sole lines for Portlanders needing information, city services or first responders. The AI-driven automated operator could become the main point of contact on the 311 line, Cozzie said. I would like it to be as simple as possible for our community, where if they have an emergency, they call 911, Cozzie said. They call 311 for anything else, and 311 then ultimately would be able to point them in the right direction, even if its a non-emergency call that needs a dispatch from our 911 center. Mike Myers, Portlands community safety transition director, told city commissioners last week that many major cities in the United States, including San Francisco and Seattle, use 311 as their line for at least some non-emergency services, and he recommended Portland do the same. The hitch: most of the 311 call centers in other cities are staffed 24/7, while Portlands fledgling program is only available from 7 a.m.-8 p.m, Monday through Friday. PDX 311 program manager Michelle Kunec-North told commissioners that they will begin weekend hours on July 1. Once 311 is fully operational 24/7, Cozzie said, thats when I think we can really make that push for 911 for emergencies, 311 for everything else. Nick Gibson; ngibson@oregonian.com; 971-393-8259; @newsynicholas Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. After the Second Karabakh War, it was us who shaped up the agenda in the region, said President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to present the battle flag to one of the commando military units of the Ministry of Defense. Today, the processes in the region are still unfolding on the basis of our proposals. If we look at the first months after the Patriotic War, we will see that the patrons of Armenia were still trying to make us accept the old theses. We firmly rejected that. Everyone can see that the forces that once demanded a special status for the Armenians of Karabakh are now making completely different statements. We see that the leaders of Armenia, who once said that Karabakh is Armenia and full stop, are now repeating my words: Karabakh is Azerbaijan! In other words, all this is the result of our policy during the last two and a half years, the head of state noted. The Oregon Legislature on Wednesday approved a bill that will make the Oregon Health Authority more accountable for carrying out the states landmark voter-approved drug decriminalization law. Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland, who spearheaded House Bill 2513, said the bill was the result of an 80-member work group formed to address a series of stark and significant problems identified in an Oregon Secretary of State audit earlier this year of Measure 110. A bill that would have created a new agency to promote Oregon distilleries across the country and the world appears to have not survived the legislative session, a win for substance abuse treatment advocates who lobbied against using state dollars to push alcohol. House Bill 2976 called for the creation of an Oregon Spirits Board that, according to a legislative analysis, would have served as a semi independent state agency overseen by a nine-member board appointed by the governor. It would have cost about $5 million per biennium and would have been focused on promoting liquor produced in Oregon. The bill also would have made permanent a temporary but longstanding 50-cent per bottle surcharge for liquor produced in the state. Oregon is home to 78 distilleries more than Kentucky, a state famous for its bourbons, according to a report last year by the Oregon Distillers Guild. The guild says the industry has experienced a boom in Oregon since 2009, when the state had just 14 distilleries. According to the guild, most distilleries in the state are small businesses with many producing fewer than 5,000 cases a year. But advocates for substance abuse treatment in Oregon slammed the idea of an Oregon Spirits Board, saying the state should not invest in the promotion of alcohol when so many Oregonians struggle with dependence. Public health data shows Oregon ranks fifth nationally in alcohol abuse disorders among teens and adults. -- Noelle Crombie; ncrombie@oregonian.com; 503-276-7184; @noellecrombie Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe The Idaho College Murders special documentary film debuted on Sunday, March 12 with a live broadcast on Investigation Discovery, but it is now available on demand to watch now on Philo (free trial). The dark and difficult documentary dives into the mystery and investigation that led to the capture of Bryan Kohberger, who is suspected of brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death. WATCH: The Idaho College Murders documentary on demand for FREE with Philo (free trial). If you prefer a different streaming platform, you can also watch it on Fubo (free trial). The suspect and focus on the documentary, Kohberger, a criminology graduate student at Washington State University, was arrested in December for the murders of Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20. They were all found fatally stabbed on Nov. 13 at a home the female victims shared with two other people in Moscow, Idaho. HOW TO WATCH What: The Idaho College Murders TV channel: Investigation Discovery Watch the show live streaming online for free: You can watch the The Idaho College Murders on demand for FREE with Philo (free trial), or with FuboTV (free trial). More information on how to stream live TV, sports events, and movies on the cheap: Watch Jared From Subway: Catching a Monster documentary How to watch The Hillside Strangler: Devil in Disguise documentary What is Philo? The cheapest live TV streaming service: Cost, what it includes How to watch DAZN on your TV: What is it, what does it cost and include? Boxing fights, MMA and more How to watch ESPN+ on TV: What is it, what does it cost and include? BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. The creation of a border crossing point on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border in the direction of Lachin two months ago is an indicator of our strong political will, said President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to present the battle flag to one of the commando military units of the Ministry of Defense. If we analyze the events of the last two and a half years, everyone can see that there was a strong political will, power, logic and international law behind every step we took, and every next step was a logical continuation of the previous step, the head of state underlined. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Unlike Armenia, we did not destroy their cities with Iskander, Tochka and Elbrus missiles. The Azerbaijani Army has high moral qualities, said President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to present the battle flag to one of the commando military units of the Ministry of Defense. Saying that the Azerbaijan Armed Forces fully implement and will continue implement the orders of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the head of state added: Therefore, those accusing us of revenge should go and look in the mirror. We demand justice, not revenge. We demand protection of justice. We demand that no-one interfere in our internal affairs. We demand that all countries respect our territorial integrity in deed, not in words, and in this case we will respect their territorial integrity. Paris, France (PANA) - The African Development Bank has presented a plan allowing rich countries to reallocate their Special Drawing Rights to low income countries through multinational banks Washington DC, US (PANA) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has welcomed the agreement reached by Zambia with its official creditors under the Group of 20 Common Framework on its $6 billion debt treatment Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The importance of creating science cities in Libya is no longer in question, according to the Libyan newspaper, Alsabaah, which points out that this type of project accelerates the transfer of expertise, experience and the results of scientific research into competitive products that support national economic growth Voith Opens New OnPerformance.Lab in Sao Paulo, Brazil Voith's new OPL site in Sao Paulo is specifically designed to support paper manufacturers in automation, digitalization and achieving their sustainability goals. Voith's new OPL site in Sao Paulo is specifically designed to support paper manufacturers in automation, digitalization and achieving their sustainability goals. June 23, 2023 - Voith announced the opening of a new OnPerformance.Lab (OPL) site in Sao Paulo, Brazil. According to Voith, the new OPL site is specifically designed to support paper manufacturers in automation, digitalization and achieving their sustainability goals. "With the new location in Sao Paulo, we want to offer our customers even greater proximity and support," said Ivan Medeiros, Head of Digital and Automation at Voith Paper South America. "We want to help them use digitalization profitably and increase their resource efficiency to reliably achieve their goals." Remote support represents an important part of Voith's service portfolio and complements its existing on-site services. In a press release, Voith said, "Customers can quickly and easily access the expertise of the experts and jointly find solutions to individual challenges. In this way, short-term problems can be solved efficiently, and long-term optimization projects can be carried out successfully." The OPL in Sao Paulo is part of a global initiative by Voith to offer comprehensive know-how and expertise to its customers worldwide. Existing OPL locations can be found in Heidenheim, Germany; Kunshan, China; and Tokyo, Japan. The opening of additional regional offices is planned to further strengthen the regional footprint, Voith noted. Voith Paper, part of the Voith Group, is the full-line supplier to the paper industry, providing a wide range of technologies, services, components and products, and offers paper manufacturers solutions from a single source. SOURCE: Voith Photo: (Photo : Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Math and reading scores for 13-year-olds in the US have reached their lowest levels in decades, with math scores experiencing the largest decline ever recorded, according to the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the nation's report card. According to ABC7, these scores reflect the significant learning setbacks caused by the pandemic. The latest test, administered from October to December 2022 to a national sample of 8,700 students in each subject, revealed that average math scores fell by 9 points between 2020 and 2023, while reading scores dropped by 4 points. According to LA Times, the impact of remote learning during the pandemic played a significant role in the decline of scores. Barry Weiss, who runs Mathnasium Sherman Oaks, noted that the setbacks were not limited to specific areas of math but rather a result of students missing out on a year or two of schooling. Many parents, like Shaindee Kreitenberg, observed the struggles their children faced while trying to learn remotely. Pandemic Learning Setbacks: Impact on Math and Reading Scores Revealed The effects of the pandemic were previously seen in the results for fourth- and eighth-grade students, and now the latest scores for 13-year-olds indicate a further decline in academic performance. The drop erases earlier gains made in the years leading up to 2012, with math scores now at their lowest levels since 1990 and reading scores at their lowest since 2004. Of particular concern are the disproportionate decreases among the lowest-performing students. While students of all achievement levels saw declines, lower-performing students experienced more significant drops, with decreases ranging from 12 to 14 points compared to 6 to 8 points for stronger students. Racial disparities were also evident, with American Indian students experiencing a 20-point drop in math scores, followed by Black students at 13 points. The decline for white students was 6 points, while Asian students held steady. The impact of the pandemic disruptions has been especially challenging for Black and Latino students and those from low-income families. Denise Forte, president and CEO of the Education Trust, emphasized the disproportionate effects on these groups and the urgent need to address the learning loss they have experienced. Despite the investment of billions of dollars in recovery efforts, including tutoring, summer classes, and other interventions, the lingering setbacks indicate that catching up will require significant time and effort. Dr. Tyrone Howard, a professor of education at UCLA, stressed the need to focus on the students who have fallen behind, particularly those growing up in poverty and those from Black and Latino communities. Read Also: 2-Year-Old Ohio Boy's Gun Access Ends in Fatal Shooting of Pregnant Mother, Unborn Brother Challenges Ahead: Addressing Learning Loss and Closing the Academic Gap Experts warn that cooperation between parents and educators will be crucial in helping students move forward and regain lost ground. The scale of the challenge suggests that it may take several years to bridge the learning gaps created by the pandemic. "We know that students across the board really struggled, and the data show us that," said Dr. Howard. "We have to drill down on those students who really fell behind, and we know who those students are. They're students who are growing up in poverty; they're students whose first language is English; and they're Black and Latino students." The scores reflect the disproportionate impact of the pandemic's disruptions on Black and Latino students and those from low-income families, said Denise Forte, president and CEO of the Education Trust, a nonprofit advocacy group. "Students want to succeed, attend college, start a rewarding career, and reach their full academic potential," Forte said. "But they can't if they continue to lose precious ground." Pandemic setbacks appear to be lingering even as schools across the U.S. spend billions of dollars to help students catch up. The federal government sent historic sums of money to schools in 2021, allowing many to expand tutoring, summer classes, and other recovery efforts. Experts fear it's going to take years to catch up and say it will take cooperation between parents and educators to get students moving forward. The deep learning setbacks incurred during the pandemic have had a lasting impact on academic achievement, and concerted efforts are needed to support students in their educational journey. Related Article: University of Wyoming's Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority Lawsuit Challenges House Rules on Transgender Women's Inclusion BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. We took revenge on the battlefield. At the same time, we should never forget the Armenian atrocities, said President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to present the battle flag to one of the commando military units of the Ministry of Defense. During the occupation, our cities were razed to the ground. Our historical monuments were destroyed. Our holy places were desecrated and ravaged. It was our contemptible neighbors who did that. The international world, the international community and the corrupt European officials and deputies visiting Armenia every day are turning a blind eye to that. What is behind this injustice? Double standards and bribery! There is no other explanation for this, the head of state added. Photo: (Photo : James Eades on Unsplash) In a recent complaint filed on June 12, two Ohio moms, Amy Gonzalez and Andrea Gross, accused Columbus Academy of launching a bullying campaign against them and their children. According to FOX News, the parents claim that their efforts to address concerns about left-wing bias in the school's curriculum and fiduciary compliance matters were met with harsh retaliation from the administration, including the denial of re-enrollment for their children. Re-Enrollment Denied to Children of Ohio Moms Exposing Curriculum Concerns Gonzalez and Gross revealed that their requests for transparency were met with an overreaction from the school, which went as far as calling the police on them and alerting nearly 900 faculty members that the FBI had been notified, branding the parents as "dangerous." The moms expressed bewilderment at such extreme measures, questioning the motives behind the administration's actions. According to Gross, the alleged retaliation campaign had severe consequences, causing their community to turn against them. The hostile atmosphere became so overwhelming that Gross's daughter had to leave the state and enroll in another school. The complaint filed in the Court of Common Pleas in Franklin County not only addresses the alleged retaliation but also sheds light on the school environment, which the moms claim was hostile towards conservative students. They assert that critical race theory was taught, which they perceived as indoctrination, with politically charged issues being discussed without presenting opposing viewpoints. Additionally, the complaint states that the school did not provide equal inclusion to Latino students, a matter of particular concern for Gonzalez, whose daughter is Latina. In response to their concerns, the moms released a public letter highlighting incidents of intimidation and bullying based on political beliefs. However, the complaint states that the school's head of security filed a false police report against the parents with the Gahanna Police Department, followed by the school notifying faculty that the moms had been reported to the FBI. The school vehemently denied all the allegations, declaring them to be without any legal merit or factual basis. Columbus Academy also referred to an earlier statement, stating that any parent who waged a public campaign of false and harmful statements would be in violation of the Enrollment Agreement and denied re-enrollment. The actions taken by the school and its affiliates, as alleged in the complaint, had a significant impact on the well-being of the plaintiffs. The parents claim that the school falsely labeled them as dangerous, thereby tarnishing their reputations among colleagues and acquaintances with whom they had spent years working and learning. Read Also: 2-Year-Old Ohio Boy's Gun Access Ends in Fatal Shooting of Pregnant Mother, Unborn Brother Damage to Reputations: Parents Claim Unfair Labeling as Dangerous to Community The incident involving Columbus Academy adds to the ongoing national debate surrounding critical race theory and parental concerns over the education system. Parents across the country have increasingly voiced their opposition to the teaching of critical race theory, sparking contentious discussions on the appropriate content and approach in classrooms. As the complaint seeks compensation for damages, the legal battle between the moms and Columbus Academy will likely shed further light on the contentious issue and its implications for educational institutions nationwide. Critics argue that critical race theory promotes division and a distorted view of history, while supporters believe it is a necessary tool to address systemic racism and promote inclusivity. The clash of perspectives has fueled intense debates, not only among parents but also within academic and political circles. The case of Columbus Academy raises questions about how schools should handle dissenting views and whether their responses crossed the line into intimidation and retribution. The involvement of law enforcement and federal agencies, as alleged in the complaint, adds another layer of complexity to the controversy. While the school maintains that its actions were justified, the moms are determined to seek justice and hold Columbus Academy accountable for what they perceive as an unjust and damaging campaign against them and their children. The outcome of this legal battle will undoubtedly have broader implications for schools nationwide, as it touches on issues of free speech, academic freedom, and parental rights. It highlights the delicate balance schools must strike between fostering an inclusive learning environment and respecting diverse perspectives. As the case unfolds, it will likely fuel further discussions on critical race theory and its role in shaping the education system. The voices of concerned parents like Gonzalez and Gross will continue to echo in the ongoing debate, bringing attention to the need for transparency, dialogue, and mutual respect within schools. In the end, the resolution of this dispute will have ramifications far beyond the boundaries of Columbus Academy, as it has become a focal point in the nationwide discourse on critical race theory and the future of education. Related Article: University of Wyoming's Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority Lawsuit Challenges House Rules on Transgender Women's Inclusion Photo: (Photo : JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK/AFP via Getty Images) In a heartbreaking incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, a 16-month-old baby girl tragically lost her life after being left home alone for an astonishing duration of 10 days. According to 7 News Miami, the mother, identified as 31-year-old Kristel Candelario, now faces murder charges as authorities in Cleveland delve into this devastating case of severe neglect. The lifeless body of little Jailyn Candelario was discovered at their residence on West 97th Street, sending shock and disbelief throughout the neighborhood. Police reported that the child was found unresponsive and "extremely dehydrated." However, the subsequent investigations conducted by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office uncovered the harrowing truth-that Jailyn had been left alone and unattended for the entire 10-day period, ultimately leading to her untimely demise. Although there were no immediate signs of physical trauma, the authorities firmly believe that a lack of care and attention resulted in this heartbreaking outcome. 16-Month-Old Infant's Tragic Death Rocks Cleveland Community According to information from NBC affiliate WKYC, Kristel Candelario left her helpless child behind on a trip to Puerto Rico and Detroit without making any plans for her safety. The details surrounding Candelario's decision to leave on this vacation without ensuring proper care for her infant daughter remain unclear. However, the police wasted no time in taking her into custody and charging her with murder, holding her accountable for the tragic consequences of her actions. Neighbors, grappling with the shock of the unfolding tragedy next door, expressed their disbelief that Candelario did not seek assistance from them, despite having done so in the past. One neighbor, a 13-year-old who fondly remembered Jailyn, shared their grief, saying, "Jailyn really didn't deserve what happened to her. She was amazing and really adorable, and I miss her a lot." This sentiment reverberates throughout the community, which is now united in a shared sense of loss and sorrow over the premature passing of such a young life. As the legal proceedings progress, questions persist about the circumstances that led to this unimaginable tragedy. The focus will undoubtedly be on the responsibility of caregivers to ensure the safety and well-being of their vulnerable children. This devastating incident serves as a poignant reminder of the critical role that communities play in looking out for one another, particularly in safeguarding the lives of their youngest members. Read Also: Father Kills His Own Infant; Cops Found The Baby With Bruises Mother Faces Murder Charges in Cleveland Infant's 10-Day Home Alone Tragedy Amidst the sorrow and grief, it is important to emphasize the collective responsibility we all bear towards protecting children. Every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment, and it is crucial that we remain vigilant and responsive to their needs. This tragic incident should serve as a wake-up call to reinforce the importance of proper childcare arrangements and foster a culture of support and assistance for those in need. At present, it remains unclear whether Kristel Candelario has obtained legal representation. The gravity of the charges against her necessitates a comprehensive and thorough legal process to determine the extent of her culpability in this heartbreaking loss. The community eagerly awaits further updates on the case, yearning for justice to be served and hoping that this devastating event will ignite a renewed commitment to child welfare and the protection of innocent lives. As the memory of little Jailyn Candelario lives on in the hearts of those who knew her, her story serves as a painful reminder of the profound importance of responsible caregiving. It is a stark call for greater vigilance, empathy, and support for those in need, particularly the most vulnerable among us-our precious children. Let us honor Jailyn's memory by working together to create a safer world for all children, where their well-being is cherished and protected above all else. Related Article: Tragedy in Georgia as 1-year-old Baby Dies After Being Left in Hot Car for Hours Outside Walgreens Photo: (Photo : DANIEL LEAL / Getty Images) SunOpta Inc's subsidiary, Sunrise Growers Inc., has taken a significant step in ensuring consumer safety by issuing a voluntary recall of its frozen fruit products. The recall comes in response to concerns over potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that poses serious health risks. The affected products, which were distributed to major retailers across the United States, including Walmart, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Target, Aldi, and AWG, are being scrutinized for the potential presence of this harmful pathogen. Potential Listeria Contamination Sparks Recall According to ABC, the recall of the frozen fruit products from SunOpta's Sunrise Growers is driven by concerns surrounding the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The bacterium can survive refrigeration and freezing, making it essential for consumers to exercise caution and check their freezers for any recalled products. By promptly addressing the issue and initiating the recall, Sunrise Growers aims to prevent any potential health hazards and protect its customers. According to the Mayo Clinic, Listeria monocytogenes infections can have severe consequences, especially for vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may only experience short-term symptoms such as diarrhea, headache, fever, and nausea, the bacterium can lead to more severe complications, including miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. The voluntary recall was initiated by Sunrise Growers Inc. in close collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to address the potential health risks associated with the consumption of the affected frozen fruit products. The primary focus of the recall is on items linked to pineapple provided by a third-party supplier, prompting Sunrise Growers to take immediate action to safeguard consumer well-being. Major Retailers Impacted by the Recall Customers who have purchased frozen fruit products from prominent retailers need to be aware of the recall and its implications. According to Progressive Grocer, Walmart, one of the largest retail chains in the United States, has several products included in the recall, including Great Value Dark Sweet Cherries, Great Value Mango Chunks, and Great Value Mixed Fruit. Whole Foods customers are advised to check their purchases for recalled items such as 365 Organic Tropical Fruit Medley, 365 Organic Pineapple Chunks, and 365 Organic Blackberries. Trader Joe's Organic Tropical Fruit Blend is also among the affected products subject to the recall. Target shoppers should exercise caution with products such as Good & Gather Organic Cherries and Berries Fruit Blend, Good & Gather Dark Sweet Whole Pitted Cherries, and others. ALDI's Season's Choice Tropical Blend and AWG's Best Choice Pitted Red Tart Cherries Unsweetened are also part of the recall, emphasizing the wide-ranging impact on multiple retailers. Read Also: 2-Year-Old Ohio Boy's Gun Access Ends in Fatal Shooting of Pregnant Mother, Unborn Brother Ensuring Consumer Safety and Cooperation with FDA Sunrise Growers places the utmost priority on consumer safety and has terminated all future business with the third-party supplier responsible for the potential Listeria contamination. By cooperating closely with the FDA, the company aims to address the issue transparently and minimize health risks. The recall serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent food safety practices throughout the supply chain and the need for vigilance in maintaining product integrity. Consumers who have purchased the recalled frozen fruit products are strongly advised to check their freezers immediately. If any of the affected items are found, it is crucial not to consume them. Instead, customers should either discard the products or return them to the respective stores for a full refund. It is important to note that other Sunrise Growers products with different lot codes or best-by dates are not affected by this recall. For further information or inquiries related to the recall, consumers can contact Sunrise Growers Inc. via email at recall@sunrisegrowers.com or by calling 1.888.490.5591 from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Related Article: CDC Advisory Committee To Endorse Pfizer, GSK RSV Vaccines For Older Adults Photo: (Photo : LOGAN CYRUS /Getty Images) In a significant legal development, a judge in Wyoming has issued a ruling that blocks a law prohibiting abortion pills in the state. Judge Melissa Owens of Teton County made the decision on Thursday, stating that the law would not be implemented as planned on July 1 while a lawsuit challenging its validity moves forward. The judge's ruling came after considering arguments from both sides and concluding that the plaintiffs had demonstrated a strong likelihood of success in their case. The Judge Blocks Law Banning Abortion Pills According to the Casper Star Tribune, Wyoming became the first state in the United States to pass a law specifically banning abortion pills, setting the stage for a contentious legal battle. While other states have imposed indirect bans on the medication by broadly restricting abortion access, Wyoming took a direct approach. However, this unprecedented legislation has faced immediate opposition and legal challenges. The abortion pill ban was proposed by Senator Tim Salazar, R-Riverton, and supported by approximately thirty legislators from the House and Senate. The law sought to criminalize the prescription, distribution, and use of any drug for performing abortions in Wyoming starting July 1. Advocates of the law argued that it aimed to safeguard women's well-being and effectively prohibit abortions within the state. However, due to the ongoing legality of abortion in Wyoming, banning abortion pills would necessitate women opting for more invasive surgical procedures, as highlighted by Marci Bramlet, an attorney representing those opposing the ban during Thursday's hearing. Bramlet emphasized that such a restriction effectively forces individuals to undergo open-heart surgery when a less invasive solution, like a stent, would suffice. In the court proceedings, discussions also revolved around a state constitutional amendment passed in 2012, which responded to the Affordable Care Act introduced by former President Barack Obama. The amendment explicitly states that Wyoming residents possess the right to make their own healthcare decisions, adding a crucial dimension to the arguments presented. According to ABC, four women, including two obstetricians, along with two nonprofit organizations, have filed a lawsuit against the Wyoming law. They argue that a ban on abortion pills would inflict harm and unduly restrict women's reproductive rights. In the recent court proceedings, the plaintiffs successfully convinced Judge Owens that they had a strong chance of prevailing in the lawsuit. Consequently, the judge ruled to block the law from taking effect, pending further legal proceedings. Read Also: CDC Advisory Committee To Endorse Pfizer, GSK RSV Vaccines For Older Adults Impact on Women's Healthcare Options and State Constitutional Amendment Critics of the law highlight the potential consequences of banning abortion pills. They contend that such a prohibition would force women to resort to more invasive surgical procedures, eliminating a less invasive alternative. Moreover, the plaintiffs emphasized a state constitutional amendment enacted in 2012 that grants Wyoming residents the right to make their own healthcare decisions. The argument centered around whether abortion should be considered a medical decision within the scope of this amendment. The ongoing legal battle surrounding Wyoming's abortion laws has garnered significant attention. Furthermore, as per CNN, the plaintiffs are not only challenging the ban on abortion pills but also seeking to halt a near-total abortion ban enacted in the state earlier this year. Judge Owens has temporarily suspended both laws, combining the two lawsuits into a single legal proceeding. While this ruling marks a victory for the plaintiffs, the lawsuit's outcome remains uncertain. Wyoming's new abortion laws were introduced following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, resulting in a wave of restrictive legislation across the country. As the lawsuit continues, the fate of Wyoming's abortion pill ban hangs in the balance, with broader implications for reproductive rights and healthcare access in the state. As the legal battle unfolds, stakeholders on both sides of the issue are closely monitoring the proceedings. The judge's decision to block the law's implementation demonstrates the significance of judicial oversight in shaping policies related to reproductive rights. Related Article: SunOpta's Sunrise Growers Recalls Frozen Fruit Products for Listeria: Sold at Walmart, Whole Foods, More Photo: (Photo : JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images) In the days leading up to the ill-fated voyage of the Titan submersible off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, a 19-year-old university student, Suleman Dawood, expressed hesitation and fear about the expedition, according to his aunt, Azmeh Dawood. In an emotional interview with NBC News, Azmeh revealed that her nephew had confided in a relative, stating that he "wasn't very up for it" and felt "terrified" about the upcoming trip to explore the haunting wreckage of the Titanic. Despite his reservations, Suleman ultimately joined his father, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, aboard OceanGate's 22-foot submersible. The trip coincided with Father's Day weekend, and Suleman wanted to please his passionate father, who had a deep fascination with the history and lore surrounding the Titanic. Devastating Confirmation: All Five Titan Passengers Presumed Dead Speaking from her home in Amsterdam, Azmeh expressed her profound devastation upon receiving the news that all five passengers aboard the Titan were presumed dead. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that debris found in the search area indicated a "catastrophic implosion." Through tearful sobs, Azmeh described her disbelief and shared that the past four days had been agonizing as she anxiously followed television news coverage, desperate for updates on the fate of her beloved brother and nephew. Azmeh and Shahzada hail from one of the most prominent corporate dynasties in Pakistan, the Dawood family, whose namesake business empire, Dawood Hercules Corp., holds investments in various sectors such as agriculture and healthcare. Shahzada, the vice chairman of the Karachi-based Engro Corporation and an adviser to Prince's Trust International, a charitable organization founded by King Charles III, has had a keen interest in the Titanic since his childhood. Recalling their shared past, Azmeh recounted how she and Shahzada would watch the 1958 film "A Night to Remember," a British drama about the sinking of the Titanic, and visit museum exhibitions featuring artifacts recovered from the wreckage. The fascination with the Titanic extended to Shahzada's adulthood, as he would often immerse himself in documentaries and books on the subject. However, Azmeh's relationship with Shahzada has become strained in recent years due to her use of medicinal cannabis. Shahzada, along with other family members, disapproved of her choice, leading to a decline in communication between them. Despite this, Azmeh maintained a close bond with Suleman, whom she described as a young man with a thoroughly good-hearted nature. Read Also: Young Breast Cancer Survivors Share Experiences With Deadly Disease That 'Does Not Discriminate' A Strained Relationship: Cannabis Use Causes Distance Between Azmeh and Shahzada Overwhelmed by grief, Azmeh expressed her deep love for her younger brother, Shahzada, reminiscing about the time she held him when he was born. In a statement, their parents, Hussain and Kulsum Dawood, requested prayers for the departed souls and expressed gratitude to the search teams for their tireless efforts. They also acknowledged the immense love and support they had received, which provided solace during this unimaginable loss. Reflecting on the tragedy that befell her brother and nephew, Azmeh shared that participating in the OceanGate mission was something she could never fathom doing, regardless of the circumstances. As she looked through old family photos, trying to make sense of the tragedy, she recognized the profound emotional impact that reverberated not only within her family but also across the globe. The deaths of Suleman and Shahzada Dawood have left a void in the hearts of their loved ones, while the tragic fate of the Titan submersible has sent shockwaves of grief and suspense around the world. As people continue to grapple with the magnitude of this devastating event, Azmeh's heartfelt account serves as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind the headlines and the profound impact that such tragedies have on individuals and communities. Related Article: Heartbreak for Families of Passengers as No Survivors Found in China Eastern Airlines Plane Crash It's being reported in Korea today that Apple's first manufacturing research and development accelerator discussed the impacts of artificial intelligence and machine learning in smart manufacturing with small and medium-sized businesses in South Korea. Apple Manufacturing R&D Accelerator held its first Smart Manufacturing Forum in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, for two days from Wednesday, inviting hundreds of guests from SMEs, industry experts and academia to exchange insights on smart manufacturing, the company said. The manufacturing R&D accelerator is Apple's first manufacturing specialized entity it launched worldwide. Located at Postech in the southeastern city of Pohang, the accelerator has been providing free lectures, training and one-on-one consulting to small and medium-sized manufacturing companies with smart process-related equipment, Apple Korea said. Priya Balasubramaniam, Apples vice president of operation stated in her keynote that "We are proud to host our first-ever Smart Manufacturing Forum at the Apple R&D Accelerator in Pohang. I am impressed by their creativity and passion, and Ive never been more confident that Korea will continue to be a pioneer in smart manufacturing. "Not many companies have bridged the gap between conventional and smart manufacturing. Many, especially small and medium-scale enterprises, dont know where to begin. At Apple, we believe that we can help bridge this gap. And we saw an opportunity to work toward that mission here." Apple's VP added that the success and growth of manufacturing in Korea is the reason why Apple chose this country to launch its first manufacturing R&D accelerator. At the forum, experts from World Economic Forum Global Lighthouse Network companies, including Posco, LG Electronics, LS Electric and Kenvue, shared their success stories of unlocking the smart manufacturing process, Apple said. Experts from Apple, industry and academia also participated in panel discussions on the success stories and impact of AI and machine learning in smart manufacturing. The participating SMEs also took part in various activities, including workshops, classroom training and lab sessions with industry experts." Update 4:10 a.m. PST June 24: I found this announcement a little confusing. Why did Apple hold such an event on smart manufacturing? Are they planning to lead with Apple products made in factories deploying smart manufacturing? If so, then why did they choose S. Korea to deliver this R&D Accelerator keynote? If someone has insight into this as it relates to Apple, then please send in your feedback in an email to [email protected] Im a real Jane Austen fan. Once upon a time, in fact, I worried (half seriously or, anyway, perhaps three percent seriously) that my great affection for her novels (and for every movie based upon them or upon her, excepting only and decisively the execrable 1940 Pride and Prejudice, co-written by Aldous Huxley and starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier) might cast doubt upon my masculinity. But I no longer worry: I have a friend who holds the rank of brigadier general and who took the works of Jane Austen with him on deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Thus, I rest my case. Anyway, we devoted today to revisiting Jane Austen country, Particularly, we spent time again at the Church of St. Nicholas in Steventon, Hampshire, where Janes father, Rev. George Austen, was the rector until his retirement in 1800. (Her oldest brother, James, eventually pastored the same church.) Jane herself was born there in Steventon in 1775. Its a beautiful little church in a beautiful but quite remote setting. As on our previous visit, I got a nervous thrill out of driving on the one-way roads in the area, being obliged to back up on several occasions when confronted by on-coming traffic. We also visited Chawton, Hampshire again via remarkably narrow roads bordered by thick hedges and/or by stone fences where Jane lived from mid-1809 until shortly before her untimely death in 1817 at the age of forty-one with her by-then widowed mother and her elder sister and closest friend, Cassandra. It was while living at Chawton that Jane published Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1815). The four novels were modestly successful but, since they appeared anonymously, they left her still in quiet obscurity. (Apparently, her name appeared in print only once during her lifetime: Miss J. Austen of Steventon, Hants was included on a published list of subscribers for a future novel to be published by the then-famous female novelist Fanny Burney.) She wrote two more novels at Chawton Northanger Abbey and Persuasion that were both published in 1818, after her death, and she began another, eventually titled Sanditon, that was unfortunately left incomplete at her passing. The Austen house still stands as a museum, and we went through it fairly thoroughly so thoroughly, in fact, that we were obliged to give up our plan to revisit Janes tomb in Winchester Cathedral. I regret that. Jane Austens novels rarely if ever include explicit discussions of religion. And, if anything, the clergymen in them tend to be buffoons. But she was the loving daughter and sister of clerics and she was herself devoutly religious. Cassandra Austen preserved three prayers written by her sister. Each prayer was probably meant to be read or spoken by one person and then followed by all present reciting the Our Father. A slightly abridged version of the prayer given below was propped up on a table in St. Nicholas Church, Steventon, when we visited it today. Give us grace, Almighty Father, so to pray, as to deserve to be heard, to address thee with our Hearts, as with our lips. Thou art every where present, from Thee no secret can be hid. May the knowledge of this, teach us to fix our Thoughts on Thee, with Reverence and Devotion that we pray not in vain. Look with Mercy on the Sins we have this day committed, and in Mercy make us feel them deeply, that our Repentance may be sincere, & our resolutions stedfast of endeavouring against the commission of such in future. Teach us to understand the sinfulness of our own Hearts, and bring to our knowledge every fault of Temper and every evil Habit in which we have indulged to the discomfort of our fellow-creatures, and the danger of our own Souls. May we now, and on each return of night, consider how the past day has been spent by us, what have been our prevailing Thoughts, Words, and Actions during it, and how far we can acquit ourselves of Evil. Have we thought irreverently of Thee, have we disobeyed thy commandments, have we neglected any known duty, or willingly given pain to any human being? Incline us to ask our Hearts these questions Oh! God, and save us from deceiving ourselves by Pride or Vanity. Give us a thankful sense of the Blessings in which we live, of the many comforts of our lot; that we may not deserve to lose them by Discontent or Indifference. Be gracious to our Necessities, and guard us, and all we love, from Evil this night. May the sick and afflicted, be now, and ever thy care); and heartily do we pray for the safety of all that travel by Land or by Sea, for the comfort & protection of the Orphan and Widow and that thy pity may be shewn upon all Captives and Prisoners. Above all other blessings Oh! God, for ourselves, and our fellow-creatures, we implore Thee to quicken our sense of thy Mercy in the redemption of the World, of the Value of that Holy Religion in which we have been brought up, that we may not, by our own neglect, throw away the salvation thou hast given us, nor be Christians only in name. Hear us Almighty God, for His sake who has redeemed us, and taught us thus to pray. Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. The horrors to be found in the Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File are, quite literally, never ending. And you do realize dont you? that Im giving you only a small slice of mostly Latter-day Saint Hitchens File news, which is in its turn only a small slice of the overall ongoing catastrophe caused by religion and religious believers: American Red Cross Recognizes Latter-day Saint Blood Donations: More than 1.1 million units collected in Church-sponsored drives BYU Nursing Students Practice the Healers Art During Trip to Poland to Help Ukrainian Refugees: Ive gained a deeper respect and perspective on human life, says Brenna Wilkinson Church Stake in California Wins Award for Efforts After Flooding: Porterville California Stake is named a state districts nonprofit of the year for Springville flooding response through JustServe JustServe Specialists Connect Wards, Stakes and Communities Through Service Opportunities: Church members may have heard of JustServe.org, but they might be less familiar with the work of JustServe specialists Posted from London, England He Still Refuses to Admit that Many Eminent Lutheran Scholars Contend that Luther Believed in Marys Immaculate Conception for His Entire Life This has been an ongoing debate, going back literally over twenty years now. My initial wranglings with Reformed polemicist James Swan (who runs the Boors All blog) had to do with Luthers Mariology. I refuted his contentions in great depth in two reply-articles, dated 4-26-03 and 6-28-03. Prior to June 2003 he had at least been outwardly cordial and civil in our interactions. But when I replied the second time within a few days of his presenting his huge paper, complete with 202 footnotes, it was too much for his anti-Catholic ego to stand, and he has treated me with the utmost contempt and dripping disdain and condescension (including serious accusations that I am supposedly severely mentally ill) ever since. See the boring details if you have run out of things to do in his section on my Anti-Catholicism web page. I guess he thought it would take months for me to ever even make any attempt to offer a reply to his magnum opus: if I ever did at all. But I did very quickly. He still attempted to debate me till around 2010, at which point he ceased responding (while I continued offering rebuttals, and still do), according to the strategy also adopted in the same general time period by various other anti-Catholic luminaries, like James White, Jason Engwer, and Steve Hays (all of whom, like Swan, had extensively interacted with me prior to that time). If you cant beat em in argument, ignore them and pretend they dont exist and flee for the hills is the silly mentality. Recently, Swan replied to Catholic apologist Trent Horn of Catholic Answers, in his article, Catholic Answers on Luthers View of the Immaculate Conception (Boors All, 5-25-23). His words will be in blue. Catholic Answers posted an article defending their belief that Mary was entirely without sin, particularly when detractors question the impregnation of a teenage girl. While Martin Luthers view of the immaculate conception was only a passing comment, it represents a change in typical Roman Catholic cyber-treatments of the Reformers Mariology. Apologist Trent Horn writes, Some Protestants might say that at best, this proves only that Mary was free from sin at the Annunciation, not necessarily since her conception. Martin Luther, for example, moved away from belief in the Immaculate Conception, but even in 1540, he said with regard to the Annunciation, The flesh and blood of Mary were entirely purged, so that nothing of sin remained. In response, I would just say that it seems arbitrary to say God chose this moment to give Mary grace rather than at any other moment and that the angels greeting, Hail, full of grace, signifies that her being full of grace was a part of her identity even before the announcement about the Incarnation. Lets take a look at the citation used and conclusion reached by Mr. Horn of Catholic Answers. * Its nothing new in my own treatment of Luthers Mariology. On 2 October 2010 I announced that I was persuaded that the later Luther ceased believing in Marys Immaculate Conception, and instead held that she was sinless only after the conception of her Son (rather than her own conception). I described this view as the Immaculate Purification of Mary . I wrote: Luther continued (most of the time) to assert that Mary was without actual sin, and that she was freed from original sin (the latter being the most constant aspect of his evolving beliefs on the matter). Since those are the two essential elements of the Immaculate Conception (and vastly different from the opinions of almost all Protestants today), then we are quite justified in continuing to say that he held the doctrine in some form (as I expressed it in my 2003 paper) until his death: he held to Immaculate Purification. Its not identical to the Catholic position (which wasnt yet a dogma during his lifetime, anyway, so that folks were free to disagree a bit), but it is far closer to the Catholic position than any denominational or creedal Protestant position today. . . . I have argued that the substance or essence of Luthers views remained the same, insofar as he held that Mary was purified of original sin. That didnt change. Thats the essence of the immaculate conception. When it happened is a different issue, but not of its essence. Mr. Horn rightly says that Luther moved away from belief in the Immaculate Conception. I would qualify this though by saying: Luther didnt just move away from it, he ceased believing it. It appears earlier in his life he accepted it, later in his life he did not. * If we mean that he ceased believing that she was made immaculate at her conception, I agree (and so, it appears, does Trent Horn). But he still believed that God made her immaculate and sinless (from both actual and original sin) at Jesus conception. Therefore, in my reasoning, he still accepted the essence of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. He was wrong, later in life, only concerning when God applied this grace to her. But Swan isnt interested in any of that. His only motive as always is to make Catholics look ignorant and misinformed. Hes the big expert; were always the dummies, who can learn from his pearls of wisdom, in his habitual self-important game. * If the sands of cyber time were reversed, this same quote, and others, were used by some of Romes defenders to prove Luther held a lifelong belief in the immaculate conception of Mary! It would be interesting to know what sources Mr. Horn used on Luthers view of the immaculate conception. Back in the early 2000s, it was common to find Roman Catholic webpages using Luthers statements about Mary as an apologetic tool against Protestants. I do not find the same amount of these webpages today. It seems to me the newer generation of Romes defenders have learned from the errors of the older generation of perhaps they are better at using Google! * Right. Do you notice how Swan insinuates that only Catholics have ever believed that Luther held to the Immaculate conception of Mary his entire life? Thats the impression he wishes to leave, by cynically selective and convenient emphasis. The actual fact is that many Lutheran Luther scholars have also held this. * Yes: 31 (16 Lutherans, 13 Catholics, 1 Reformed, 1 probably Protestant [uncertain] ) Probably: 1 (Catholic) Probably not: 1 (Catholic) No: 2 (1 Catholic; 1 Lutheran) That makes for an 89% rate of scholars of various religious persuasions. Only one Protestant scholar is firmly against the opinion, while two Catholic scholars are against and probably against (putting to rest the charge of denominational bias and special pleading). The Lutheran scholars can be, I think, fully trusted for the interpretation of the founder of their branch of Christianity. Catholic scholars are, then, only agreeing with the consensus of Lutheran scholarship on this point. As already noted, I myself agree with Swan that later Luther appeared to change his mind (thus, I cant be accused of bias on this topic). But the issue is whether only Catholic scholars and apologists believe that Luther maintained the same opinion his entire life. Many Lutheran scholars also hold to that. They may be right in the end, for all I know. Interpreting Luther in his endless vacillations and polemical moods and self-contradictions is always difficult. I drew my own conclusion based on the relevant data that I had found. But Im not a Luther scholar, so I may be wrong in the final analysis. And if I am shown to be, Ill be more than happy to change my opinion again, since I want to believe in truth, not falsehood. The Lutherans holding to this view that Swan implies only ignorant, misinformed Catholic polemicists adhere to include some very big names. I wrote: [T]he eminent Lutheran scholar Eric W. Gritsch, who studied for his doctorate under the famous Luther biographer Roland H. Bainton, and was a major translator of Luthers Works in English (edited by Jaroslav Pelikan), including the lengthy treatise, Against the Roman Papacy: An Institution of the Devil (vol. 41, 263-376). He wrote: Luther defended Marys perpetual virginity and regarded her Immaculate Conception as a pious and pleasing thought that should not, however, be imposed on the faithful. (in The One Mediator, the Saints, and Mary, Lutherans and Catholics in Dialogue VIII, edited by H. George Anderson, J. Francis Stafford, Joseph A. Burgess, Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Press, 1992; 241) In footnote 43 on page 382, he elaborated: Haec pia cogitatio et placet. Exposition of the Ninth Chapter of Isaiah, 1543/44. WA 40/3:680.31-32. Two scholars doubt whether Luther affirmed the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary: Preuss (n. 11 above came to the conclusion that Luther rejected the doctrine after 1528; OMeara states that it is likely, but not certain that Luther rejected the doctrine (118 [n. 11 above]). But Tappolet (32 [n. 1 above]) demonstrated with the use of texts that Luther did not change his mind. The literary evidence from Luthers works clearly supports the view that Luther affirmed the doctrine, but did not consider it necessary to impose it. Walter Tappolet is the man as far as documenting Luthers Mariology. Gritsch writes about him on page 379: An exhaustive collection of Luthers statements on Mary has been offered by Walter Tappolet and Albert Ebneter (eds.), Das Marienlob der Reformatoren (Tubingen: Katzmann, 1962), 17-218, 357-64. Two studies have analyzed the chronological development of Luthers views in conjunction with his basic theological views: Hans Dufel, Luthers Stellung zur Marienverehrung ( . . . 1968) and William J. Cole, Was Luther a Devotee of Mary? Marian Studies 21, (1970), 94-202) . . . The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, which Pius IX., in our own days, first ventured to raise into a dogma of the Church, was zealously defended by the Augustinians, and firmly maintained by Luther himself, even after the beginning of his war of Reformation. * Bridget Heal , unlike the inimitable James Swan, is actually a scholar, interested in objectively analyzing historical questions. Her research focusses on the long-term impact of the Protestant and Catholic Reformations on German society and culture and she has authored related books published by both Oxford and Cambridge universities. She stated in her book above (page 58 or 59) that Luthers exact position on the Immaculate Conception has been the subject of extensive debate. One would never know that, reading Swans biased ultra-polemical materials, but one would learn it reading my materials, because I attempt to be objective, even about opinions that I myself do not hold, as presently. * Swan is always going after the credentials of Catholic apologists. But we can find out very little about him. As far as I can tell and recall, he has a degree in philosophy and simply blogs as an amateur historian. He hasnt published a single book that I am aware of, not even a self-published one. I have published over twenty books with six different real publishers (established folks with editors, etc.), two of them non-Catholic publishers. * Trent Horn may not be an expert on Luthers Mariology (I think he would readily admit that), but he is an adjunct professor of apologetics at Holy Apostles College, and has three masters degrees in theology, philosophy, and bioethics from that institution and the Franciscan University of Steubenville. In an article three weeks ago , Swan, writing about Catholic apologists in general, stated: Many (if not most) of Romes defenders are self-proclaimed Roman Catholic apologists: the Pope has not sanctioned them to venture into cyberspace and tap away on their keyboards to defend the Roman church. Therefore, if you are engaging in a dialog with a defender of Rome, you are not necessarily doing apologetics against Roman Catholicism, but rather, an interpretation of Roman Catholicism. Whenever possible, ask Romes defenders to document their points with official dogmatic pronouncements from the magisterium. . . . Similarly with history: say a defender of Rome makes a declaration about Martin Luther, make sure to inquire if its their opinion, or an official historical conclusion of the Magisterium. Trent Horn has plenty of credentials, as shown, He works for Catholic Answers: the largest and arguably the most influential Catholic apologetics organization in the world, these past thirty years. It has massive oversight from many bishops, as I have written about in the past (because anti-Catholics constantly bring up this pseudo-issue). They, in turn, are under the pope. Swans last sentence above shows his rank ignorance of how the Catholic Church functions and what Catholics teach and believe about authority and ecclesial oversight. Does he actually think that every jot and tittle of every opinion a Catholic expresses about Luther must be enshrined somewhere in the Magisterium (and if not, no Catholic ought to dare express an opinion!)? Of course it isnt. * There is no official decree, that I am aware of, that informs all Catholics with regard to the question of whether Luther changed his mind on the Immaculate Conception or not. I disagree myself with other Catholics on this point. In the same screed, Swan also wrote: If they attempt to interact with you over the Bible, make sure to challenge them to document their use of the Bible with Romes official dogmatic interpretation of the passage being utilized. * This is equally clueless. In fact, Catholic exegetes (and I have done my fair share of amateur exegesis; I love it!) are only bound to seven to nine official decrees from the Catholic Church proclaiming interpretations of Bible passages that must be agreed with. I have been reiterating this fact for almost twenty years now, but the anti-Catholics simply keep repeating the caricature and lie. Its what they do. And they never seem to learn from the very people who are in a position to teach them. * According to a recent alert from the U.S. Armys Criminal Investigation Division, someone is sending free smartwatches to military members across all American branches. But its not a thank you for your service situation the report says that the devices may be loaded with malware, intended to steal personal info or snoop on conversations via built-in microphones. The CID alert (spotted by PCMag and Defense News) doesnt actually offer any evidence that the smartwatches are being targeted to specific users, hunting after either state secrets or the more usual personal phishing attempt. (Military members with security clearance arent even allowed to bring personal electronics past secure checkpoints, including phones and wearables, for obvious reasons.) A more obvious culprit is a scam called brushing, in which sellers will send unsolicited packages to addresses, faking that shipment as a verified sale on sites like Amazon, and then posting a fake review. This scam is usually done with inexpensive, lightweight items (Ive gotten baby wipes myself), but some knock-off smartwatches are now so cheap that it might just make sense. Apple Watch imitators are available for as little as $15, and even at such low prices theres stiff competition for bargain hunters. The Army page recommends that service members do not turn on the watches, just in case theyre rigged to scan local Wi-Fi or connected phones for info, and report the devices to their chain of command or directly to the CID tip portal. The hotel has recently accomplished another feat by upgrading to a 3 Star hotel as of May 2023. The hotel originally received a license from the Ghana Tourism Authority as a provider of hospitality services in the 2 star category. But now has a license to operate as a three-star hotel. AH Hotel and Conference is a limited Liability company that is fully owned by Ghanaian. It was established in 2017 and is a part of the JOSPONG Group of Companies. It is located in the peaceful East Legon enclave. It has 75 incredibly clean and spacious guest rooms that are all pampered with state-of-the-art equipment, including air conditioners, 40'' LED Smart TVs with satellite channels, newspaper stands, high-speed WI-FI, same-day laundry service, and round-the-clock room service. Banquet services, a multi-cuisine family restaurant, an Olympic-size pool, a cutting-edge gym, an international bar with a good variety, and a total of 1,050 square meters of conference rooms and facilities are all provided by the hotel. The AH Hotel and Conference is one of the best locations for local and international conferences, from small get-togethers to significant conventions. Our cutting-edge conference facilities will impress with two unique language translation systems outfitted with the best audibility technology and capable of handling up to four languages simultaneously. Our primary business goal is to maximize Conferencing and leisure time. Customers can come in to relax, use the gym or pool, and unwind at one of our spacious bars while hosting guests or just enjoying a drink. The only hotel that offers a king size bed in a standard room. It has one of the biggest lobbies among the 3-star hotels category in the country. As a result, despite only receiving a three-star rating, we distinguish ourselves from our competitors. We provide service that is comparable to that of four- to five-star hotels. We are a business-minded hotel that, although being situated in a residential neighborhood, has been successful in luring clients from the city's financial sector thanks to the superior services we offer in contrast to other hotels of the same grade. The selection of food and beverage which includes regional, international, and continental cuisine are all available at AH. From cold appetizers to hot cuisines, including vegan options, we offer it all, starting with breakfast. When it comes to lunch, there are many different categories, from the cold and hot portions to the neighborhood corner, occasionally, there is Italian cuisine and food from other nations. We eat desserts after that. Dinner follows in similar fashion every night. The largest Afrocentric brunch we have ever seen is held on Sundays in Accra at AH hotel. Our bar, which is of international standard, accepts any drink order. There are numerous international beverages available. We also provide specialty cocktails. We provide fresh juices, healthy options. At AH Hotel, we take extraordinary care of our guests. We make sure that our customers get the greatest services available. We offer exclusive bargains each month, and June is no exception. For instance, we are giving weekend guests 15% off the regular price for a standard room. We have amazing packages for government agencies and NGOs. We implore you to use the services of AH Hotel, it is a wonderful experience. Source: Peacefmonline com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. The conclusion of the peace negotiations with Armenia today is necessary both for us and even more for Armenia, said President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to present the battle flag to one of the commando military units of the Ministry of Defense. This peace agreement should be signed on the basis of norms and principles of international law. Post-war realities should be taken into account in this peace agreement. This is natural. We have won the war, we have shed blood, we have given martyrs. We have fought a war in our own land, and today we live and will continue to live in our own land, the head of state emphasized. The Executive Director of Child Rights International, Bright Appiah, has asked the government not to allow any external pressure to make Ghana abandon any of its social intervention programmes, especially, the free Senior High School (SHS) programme. He has also called on the government to come clear on its position regarding key social intervention programmes in the wake of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout programme. Mr Appiah made the observations when he spoke to TV3 on the topic IMF Impacts on Ghanas Social Interventions and the Vulnerable in Accra. Protect Vulnerable Group Mr. Appiah said despite Ghanas economic challenges, it would be suicidal for any government to implement any programme that would disadvantage the vulnerable groups in the society. He explained that social intervention programmes such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) and free SHS programmes have helped many vulnerable groups and as a result produced exceptional benefits. Citing the free SHS programme as an example, Mr. Appiah said enrolment rate of school children is currently between 92 and 95%, which is amazing. With regards to the LEAP, he said the programme is one of the well-established social intervention programmes with over 350,000 households beneficiaries. If the vehicle is giving us result, we need to strengthen it and channel more resources there, Mr. Appiah said. Open Discussion Commenting on the rollout of the various social intervention programmes, Mr. Appiah said there must be an open discussion to ensure that any mechanism the government planned to implement would strengthen it efficiently. If the foundation of these programmes is shaken because of the IMF impact, the country need to take a look at how best to protect the vulnerable groups so that we can position ourselves in this difficult times, he said. Describing the free SHS as a unique concept and judging it from the benefits seen so far, Mr. Appiah said Ghana must do everything within it capacity to protect and enhance it delivery. All the social intervention programmes is a fraction of our GDP. Let's strengthen its delivery instead of reviewing it downwards, he said. Child Labour In Cocoa Growing Areas Touching on child labour, Mr. Appiah said despite the challenges faced, steps had been taken by the country to address those issues, adding that the issue was not as prevalent as it used to be. Rather, he raised concerns regarding children involved with galamsey, indicating that a policy must be developed to address the issue else once these children are exposed to some form of daily income, they will never stop. The lack of policy from the government on this issue is worrying and could spell doom if left unattended to, Mr. Appiah added. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video At least two members of the Kenyan president's security team have been injured after their car rolled over on a road in the Rift Valley district of Naivasha. The vehicle was part of a motorcade that was on its way back to the capital, Nairobi, on Wednesday after President William Ruto had attended an event to flag off the WRC Safari Rally competition. Mr Ruto is said not to have been in the motorcade as he had flown by helicopter. It was not clear what caused the accident. Witnesses told local media that the driver had been trying to negotiate a sharp bend. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video In a devastating accident involving a car and an SUV, two individuals lost their lives, and three others sustained injuries, as reported by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The collision occurred in Pickens County around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to Lance Cpl. Nick Pye. Alberta Oduraa Quartey, 23, a Telecommunication Engineer graduate from KNUST and Abena Gyamfua, 31, both residents of Clemson, were tragically killed due to blunt force trauma, as confirmed by Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley. Quartey and Gyamfua were passengers in a 2006 BMW sedan traveling south on S.C. 11 when it collided with a 2021 Jeep SUV traveling north near the intersection with Elizabeth Drive. The driver of the SUV, as well as the driver and another passenger in the car, were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, Pye mentioned. Further updates on their conditions were not provided. Seat belt usage by the individuals involved in the crash remains unknown. The cause of the collision is currently under investigation by the Highway Patrol, and no additional details have been released regarding its circumstances. Clemson University said both Quartey and Gyamfua were graduate students from Ghana. LinkedIn profiles of the victims indicated that Quartey was pursuing a PhD in electrical engineering, while Gyamfua was enrolled in a master's program in education. Chris Miller, Vice President and Dean of Students at Clemson, conveyed the university's grief and mourning in response to the tragic deaths. Oduraa Quartey was a YouTuber and content creator whose focus was on sharing tips on studying in the USA. She was into her 11 month in the USA as a student. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pulse Ghana (@pulseghana) Source: Pulseghana.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 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 Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Supreme Court has granted James Gyakye Quayson seven more days to file a review, challenging the declaration of his election as the MP for Assin North as unconstitutional by the court. A single justice of the apex court, Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, today granted the application for extension of time to file the review. Lawyers for Mr Quayson led by Tsatsu Tsikata had argued that although the court gave the judgement on May 17, 2023 the full reasoning was made available on June 5, 2023 and therefore they needed extension of time to file the review. Unconstitutional act On May 17, 2023 a seven-member of the court, held that the whole process leading to the election of Mr Quayson - filling of nomination forms, election itself and swearing-in, were all in violation of Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution, which bars a person with dual citizenship from contesting as an MP. It was the considered view of the court as at the time Mr Quayson filed his nomination forms in October 2020 to contest for the Assin -North seat, he had not renounced his Canadian citizenship and therefore was not qualified per Article 94(2)(a) of the Constitution. In view of that the court further held at the Electoral Commission (EC) also violated Article 94(2)(a) of the Constitution when it permitted Mr Quayson to contest the election. Upon the true and proper interpretation of Article 94(2)(a) the decision of second defendant [electoral commission] to permit the first defendant [James Gyakye Quayson] to contest the parliamentary election of Assin North when the first defendant had not shown evidence of the cancellation of his citizenship of Canada is an act which is inconsistent with and violates Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution , the court held. Consequently, the court declared that the election of Mr Quayson as well as his swearing -in as an MP was unconstitutional, null, void and of no legal effect. Upon a true and proper interpretation of 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution, the the election of the first defendant [James Gyakye Quayson] as Member of Parliament for Assin North was unconstitutional , null and void and of no legal effect. Upon the true and proper interpretation of Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution, the swearing in of first defendant [James Gyakye Quayson] as Member of Parliament of Assin North Constituency was unconstitutional, null and void and of no legal effect, the court held. The court gave the decision after a constituent of Assin North, Michael Ankomah-Nimfah, invoked its jurisdiction to interpret and enforce the constitution, with a case that Mr Quaysons election was unconstitutional. The seven-member panel of the court was presided over by Justice Jones Dotse , with Justices Nene Amegatcher, Mariama Owusu, Gertrude Torkornoo, Prof Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu and Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi and Barbara Ackah -Ayensu , as members. The court said the full reasons for its decision will be filed at the courts registry by June 7, this year Plaintiffs case In July 2021, Mr Ankomah-Nimfah, won a judgment at the Cape Coast High Court nullifying Mr Quaysons election on the basis that the MP held Canadian citizenship at the time he filed to contest the seat. He then went to Supreme Court in January, this year for interpretation of Article 94 (2) (a), the same constitutional provision the High Court used to nullify Mr Quaysons election. His basis for going to the apex court was that despite the judgment by the High Court, Mr Quayson still continued to parade himself as an MP. Mr Ankomah-Nimfah sought a declaration from the Supreme Court that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution, at the time the EC opened nominations for people to file to contest the Assin North parliamentary seat, Mr Quayson held a Canadian citizenship and therefore was not eligible to contest. He further wanted the court to declare that the EC breached Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution when it allowed Mr Quayson to contest the parliamentary election in Assin North when he owed allegiance to another country. Again, he iurged the Supreme Court to declare the entire process that led to Mr Quaysons election as MP for Assin North as unconstitutional and, therefore, null and void. Background Mr Quayson polled 17,498 votes, as against 14,793 by the New Patriotic Party's (NPP's) Ms Abena Durowaa Mensah, in the December 7, 2020 parliamentary election. On December 30, 2020, Mr Ankomah-Nimfah filed a parliamentary election petition at the Cape Coast High Court challenging the eligibility of Mr Quayson to be an MP. The court upheld the petition, and on July 28, 2021, following that petition by Mr Ankomah-Nimfah, the Cape Coast High Court declared Mr Quaysons election as void, on the basis that he owed allegiance to another country other than Ghana, contrary to Article 94(2) of the 1992 Constitution. It was the considered view of the court that as of the time Mr Quayson filed to contest the MP position, he had not renounced his Canadian citizenship and, therefore, he was not qualified to become a legislator. The court, presided over by Justice Kwasi Boakye, ordered the EC to organise a new election in the constituency. The MP filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Cape Coast, but on March 22, the second-highest court of the land struck out the appeal for not being in compliance with the rules of court. Source: Graphiconline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Presidential hopeful and flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party, Hon. Joe Ghartey, has called on NPP delegates to reject politics of ethnicity and tribalism. He made this call when he met with the Upper West Regional Executive Committee on Wednesday, June 24, 2023, at Wa. Hon. Ghartey said that the founding fathers of the tradition including R. S. Dombo would never be forgotten. He however stated that they should never be seen as the basis for tribal or ethnic politics. He said in 1957 we became a nation. The then Gold Coast, Ashanti, the North and parts of Trans Volta Togoland joined together to form Ghana. He said that since then we have remained a nation; one nation. He said if we introduced ethnicity into our politics we would be sowing a dangerous and poisonous seed and the fruits we would reap would definitely be bitter. He stated that the delegates should vote for the best person and they should not rely on where the person came from. Joe Ghartey said for him a very important criterion if not the most important was what the person has done for the NPP over the years. He said his service to NPP was from its inception in 1992 and he recounted among other things the role in the writing of the Stolen Verdict in 1993. Those present confirmed that he had served the Party diligently and recalled his role in 2009, during the Jirrapa bye-election which arose because of the death of Hon Edward Salia. Joe Ghartey said he had gathered experience in the Executive, where he served as Attorney-General and Minister for Justice as well as Railways Development Minister. Joe Ghartey also said he was a five-term Member of Parliament who had also served as Deputy Speaker of Parliament. As a President, he said he would work with both sides of Parliament to carry the agenda of the Nation forward. Joe Ghartey said he had a clear vision for Ghana based on the private sector and the role of government would be to support the private sector. He gave examples of how he would promote the educational sector and health sector as a major driver of the economy. The Regional Executives thanked Joe Ghartey and wished him well assuring him that unlike when he stood against President Nana Akufo-Addo before the 2012 elections the Upper West would not disappoint him. They said he, Joe Ghartey was a good man with a good heart. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Director of Local Government Services at the Office of the President, Dennis Miracles Aboagye says the only candidate among the aspirants vying to become flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who can beat the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, is Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. To Dennis Miracles, there is no other candidate apart from Dr. Bawumia to go head-to-head with John Mahama in the 2024 elections. He averred that the Vice President has proven beyond doubt that he has the gravitas to beat Ex-President John Mahama who is the obvious choice to lead the largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress, into the 2024 general elections. He highlighted the immense role of Dr. Bawumia and his influence, particularly in the northern sector of Ghana, by reminding his party faithfuls and Ghanaians how the Bawumia effect swept votes from the sector for the NPP during the 2020 elections. Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, Dennis Miracles stated; "I believe that you need to beat John Mahama in an election first and the person that can beat John Mahama is Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and he has proven it." Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Afigya Kwabre North Member of Parliament (MP), Collins Adomako-Mensah has raised concerns over the daylight robbery attack on a bullion van at Ablekuma Fanmilk in Accra. Four armed robbers ambushed the bullion van, fatally shot the Police guard and bolted with an undisclosed amount of money. According to a Police statement, the van was attacked shortly after stopping at a fuel station to buy fuel. Hon. Collins Adomako-Mensah, reacting to the incident, has called for strict protection for Police officers who guard bullion vans in the country. He wondered why a Police officer having no armoured wear would be allowed to guard a bullion van when the country's history has shown it is usually a target for robbers. "Of course, this is not the first time we are seeing this bullion van robbery. I think it should be a concern to the Ghana Police", he called on the authorities to rigorously enforce the Bank of Ghana instructions which demand that a bullion van should either be bullet-proof or have a military escort or both. The MP was however certain the Ghana Police Service which is on a manhunt for the suspects will definitely apprehend them. "I know they are going to arrest them", he said. Hon. Collins Adomako-Mensah extended his deepest condolences to the deceased's family and the Police Service. He made these comments on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo". Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Yvonne Nelson, a renowned Ghanaian actress, has recently unveiled intriguing details of her experiences with influential Nigerian men in her memoir, "I Am Not Yvonne Nelson." She boldly recounts her first encounter with a Nigerian governor, followed by a "scary" proposition within one of Nigeria's grand palaces. In her book, Yvonne recounts being enticed to visit Nigeria due to the presence of a potential donor for her glaucoma foundation. Eager to pursue her philanthropic endeavors, she flew into Nigeria and subsequently boarded another plane to reach the magnificent kingdom. Although her stay was brief, she emerged from the encounter with an unexpected $5,000 in her possession. One had to go through several halls before coming face-to-face with the ruler. Wait here. Come here. Go there. These were the instructions I heard until I met the powerful ruler, who was not so powerful in physique. He was a frail old man who looked like someone who could not survive another five years. The inner court I was ushered in to meet him had a magnificent royal bed, where he beckoned me to join him. Whatever the intermediary had told me did not happen. Reflecting on the encounter, Yvonne describes the governor, an older gentleman, as someone who seemed to assume she understood the purpose of her presence. She felt he expected her to comply with certain undisclosed expectations. Prepared to resist any untoward advances, Yvonne's determination was further reinforced by the governor's attitude. When he invited her to join him on the bed, she questioned his motives, considering his age. She remained steadfast and refused to move. Realizing he had made an erroneous judgment, the governor promptly dismissed her. It seemed, like the governor, this old man expected me to know why I was there. He expected me to go ahead and act on cue. Mentally, she had prepared to resist anything untoward and his attitude fortified my resolve even more. When he asked me to join him on the bed, I wondered what he needed me there for. At his age, what was he up to? I didnt move. And when he realised he had made a wrong choice, he dismissed me. He gave the man who took me there a wad of dollar notes, who then gave me a share of $5000 as compensation for travelling to see the king. However, her anger and disappointment toward her friend severed their friendship. She also questioned whether his involvement in organising events for influential men included facilitating exploitative acts. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Two related companies have received approval for a Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority loan in order to open a new location in Upper Allen Township. Early Bird Therapy LLC and Growing in Motion LLC have been approved for the 15-year, $409,000 loan with assistance from the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation, the economic development arm of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber, and Orrstown Bank. The loan is to fund the opening of a new location at 2104 Aspen Drive. The two companies, owned by Keith Parker, an occupational therapist, provide pediatric and adolescent occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy. Early Bird Therapy provides therapy services for children ages 0-3. Growing in Motion provides therapy services for children ages three and up. The companies are based in Camp Hill. READ MORE: Vending company owner wins Capital Region Multicultural Small Business Lab pitch competition The new location in the Mechanicsburg area will allow the two companies to expand and provide vital support to more children and families in need, CREDC said in a news release. The new facility will serve as an additional location for both companies. As a mother, I know firsthand the importance of quality pediatric therapy services. Early Bird Learning and Growing in Motions expansion means more families will have access to the care and support they need to help their children thrive, Anita Weikel, economic development lending officer for CREDC, said in the news release. CREDC is thrilled to see this center grow and continue to make an impact in our community. The expansion project has begun and is expected to be completed in August. The 15-year PIDA loan of $409,000 provides the company fixed rate financing at 3.5% over seven years and a maximum of 5.5% for the remaining eight years. Administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the PIDA program provides low-interest loans and lines of credit to Pennsylvania businesses that commit to creating and retaining full-time jobs in the Commonwealth, as well as for development of industrial parks and multi-tenant facilities. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Over the past two and a half years, we have been forced to show our strength to the Armenian side several times, first, in response to their military provocations and secondly, we sent them a signal that if they don't behave, if they don't honor their signature, the consequences will be dire for them, said President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to present the battle flag to one of the commando military units of the Ministry of Defense. This is why we are still acting with restraint. We have never acted hastily, there is no need for that. Today, power is on our side, our position is strengthening over time, and international law is also on our side. The world community already unequivocally recognizes Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan. We can wait. Again, we are in no rush, the Azerbaijani leader added. The former head of a York County charter school has received a final sentence on a charge of theft of federal program funds, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced Friday. Leonard Hart, 50, the former head of Lincoln Charter School in York, was charged in August of 2022 after federal prosecutors said he stole funds by faking that he was enrolled in university courses and then seeking reimbursement from his federally-funded school. At one point, prosecutors said, Hart even pressured an employee and a former student to help him forge a diploma as part of the scheme. Hart was sentenced Thursday by Judge Yvette Kane, with court records indicating he had signed a plea deal before the case was filed, and also waived his right to face indictment. Hart received five years on probation and was ordered to pay $55,311 in restitution, of which he paid $10,000 at the time of sentencing, according to the office of Gerard Karam, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Hart was the principal and CEO of Lincoln Charter School from 2013 to 2021, according to federal prosecutors, and the alleged fraud occurred between 2018 and 2020. The school receives federal Title I funding, which assists schools with high levels of children from low-income families. Helped in part by federal dollars, the school offered a tuition reimbursement for employees to further their education, according to federal prosecutors. Hart gamed this system by claiming that he was pursuing a Ph.D. and fraudulently submitting reimbursement requests for courses, prosecutors said - falsifying documents and even leaning on an employee and former student to assist him in crafting a forged diploma. As noted by the York Dispatch, Hart is not the first former Lincoln Charter School administrator to face the program theft charge. The schools former operations manager, Eliseo Sierra, pled guilty in 2020 to the same charge for what prosecutors said was embezzlement of federal grant funding. SUNBURY A Northumberland County couple is headed to state prison for their roles in a 2020 beating death and burial of a man who was staying with them. Dorothy Mae Huffman, 46, and Thomas A. Huffman, 44, were sentenced Thursday by county Judge Paige Rosini each to 8 to 20 years. Their nephew, Kaden C. Koser, 18, earlier this month was placed on four years probation for his participation in the death of Richard LeRoy Jameson II, 55. He cooperated with authorities and pleaded guilty to reduced charges of tampering with evidence and abuse of corpse. Thomas Huffman had pleaded guilty to charges of third-degree murder and abuse of corpse and his wife to voluntary manslaughter. Rosini rejected their plea agreements that called for minimum sentences at the bottom standard range of the guidelines. Both Huffmans agreed to let their guilty pleas stand after the judge told them she would still sentence them in the standard range just not at the bottom. The effect of the change is they will serve longer minimum terms but the maximums remain at 20 years. The Huffmans could have opted to withdraw their pleas and stand trial at which time all charges including homicide would be in play. Rosini sentenced Thomas Huffman, who appeared by video, to a concurrent term of one month to two years on an abuse of corpse charge. I regret what I have done, he said. He cited the abuse he claimed his wife endured from Jameson that no one would do anything about. I didnt mean to do what I did, he said. I tried to teach him a lesson. His wife was in the courtroom for her sentencing but remained silent. Prosecution evidence presented at court proceedings included: Jameson had issues with Dorothy Huffman and on the day in March 2020 he was killed he became aggressive, used slurs and called her names. Her husband had heard some of this over the telephone and was agitated when he came home. He confronted Jameson who knocked off his glasses and spit on him. Huffman punched him in the face and then hit him with a paddle attached to a heavy wooden stick. Jameson punched Huffman in the stomach knocking him to the floor. Huffman kicked Jameson in groin after warning him when got up he was going to be beaten. At some point Jameson started walking to the bathroom but collapsed. A witness to the assault tried to help him but could not because she was too weak due to medication. Jameson was carried to a sofa where he slumped over and fell to the floor. Dorothy Huffman placed a pillow under his head and slammed his head into it. She later told her husband Jameson was dead. The body was wrapped in a comforter and Thomas Huffman and Koser carried it outside. They used a pickup truck to take it to a wooded area a couple hundred yards from the trailer in the Watsontown area where the burial occurred. There was testimony at one proceeding that Jameson had been beaten at least five hours before he died. Dorothy Huffman is facing related charges in Lycoming County of attempting to intimidate a witness and conspiracy with the victim being the woman who witnessed the beating. She now lives outside Williamsport. Last July 12 assisting state police she participated in a phone call during which Dorothy Huffman talked about the burial site and the involvement of the others in the slaying, a police affidavit states. Later that day, according to document, Dorothy Huffman called the woman who was with police, told her she was at her residence and she had a surprise for her. Troopers went with the woman and detained Huffman and Koser. A knife was found on the teen, they said. When interviewed by investigators she is alleged to have provided details of the killing and claimed she hoped by talking to the woman she would not say anything to police. She also is alleged to have said she brought Koser to keep her [woman] mouth shut. More: Pa. school district officials accused in amended civil rights lawsuit Judge asked to deny Harrisburg womans first-degree murder conviction appeal UPDATE: Central Pa. towns shelter-in-place order ends with 1 in custody: officials Some Fairview Township residents were ordered to shelter in place Friday morning because of a police incident in a local neighborhood, authorities said. A shelter-in-place order went into effect at 9:15 a.m. on the 500 block of Kellinger Road, according to the York County Office of Emergency Management. Kellinger Road is shut down at Scully Place. The shelter-in-place order is in effect for a quarter-mile radius. Fairview Township police are involved in the incident that led to the shelter-in-place order, according to Cody Santiago, York Countys director of emergency management. Township police were not immediately available to provide additional information. READ MORE: Human remains found in Dauphin County park: police Family sought help for Pa. man with mental health crisis a day before he shot troopers A Bucks County brewer is capturing the taste of summer and Ritas Italian Ice in a can. Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company on April 15 launched Ritas Fruit Brews Mango Blonde Ale, the first in a series inspired by Ritas Italian ice fruit flavors. On June 30, the brewer will squeeze out the second flavor - Lemon Ale. At 5% ABV, Ritas Fruit Brews Lemon Ale is a pale golden beer brewed with 2-Row Malt, Flaked Oats, and White Wheat making for a light base that allows the zesty lemon to shine through. Refreshingly crisp with a lively citrus flavor, Ritas Fruit Brews Lemon Ale is a little sweet and just the thing to beat the summertime heat, the brewery said in a news release. Ritas Fruit Brews Lemon Ale will be available at the three Neshaminy Creek locations in Croydon (cans and draft), Dublin (cans), and New Hope (cans). Neshaminy Creeks lagers and ales also are sold in a six-pack of 12 ounce cans at beer distributors, grocery stores and bottle shops in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware. The brewery has launched a new online beer finder. Ritas Fruit Brews are not available at Ritas Italian Ice locations. The Ritas Fruit Brews concept is a homegrown idea as both brands are based in Bucks County, PA, north of Philadelphia, and share history. Ritas first location opened in 1984, just minutes from Neshaminy Creeks production brewery and taproom. While each company operates in very different spaces, their shared values and local roots have driven each of their respective successes thus far. A release party will be held at noon June 30 at Neshaminy Creek taproom in Croydon with food trucks and music. READ MORE Does Pa. buy more hot dog or hamburger buns for the Fourth of July? Vlasic puts hot dog lovers in a pickle with contest. Slurp on this - three new fruity frozen flavors land at 7-Eleven. Editors note: This posted has been updated to reflect that the North Museum says the exhibit opening on June 24 is the world premiere. A museum in central Pennsylvania is the first in the world to host the Dinosaurs Among Us exhibit. North Museum of Nature and Science will open the exhibit to the public on Saturday, June 24, 2023. It is one of only four museums worldwide and the only one in North America to host the exhibit. North Museum was selected to host the exhibit by the American Museum of Natural History. The exhibition Dinosaurs Among Us highlights the unbroken line between the charismatic dinosaurs that dominated the planet for about 170 million years and modern birds, North Museum officials said. Dinosaurs Among Us exhibits also will be launched in Spain, Mexico and Canada. North Museums exhibit will continue through March 31, 2024. North Museum said the exhibit uses spectacular fossil imagery and life-size illustrations to bring to life the connection between dinosaurs and living birds, the exhibition is presented in both English and Spanish, with strategically placed images and text for both children and adults on panels as large as eight by 19 feet. Add to the exhibit is North Museums own collection of eggs, nests, taxidermy birds and fossils. In a news release, North Museum CEO Andrea Rush said she believes the museums own impressive collection was a key to it being selected to host the exhibit. The North Museum is marking its 70th anniversary in a very significant way, Rush said. The North Museums name, along with the other three museums internationally that are part of this pilot experience, will carry on to every exhibition that happens related to Dinosaurs Among Us throughout the world. This is our chance, and our communitys chance, to be a part of something much bigger than all of us, that will continue at this point to operate in perpetuity. North Museum of Nature and Science in Lancaster, Pa., will host the world premiere on Saturday, June 24, 2023, of the "Dinosaurs Among Us" exhibit from the American Museum of Natural History. North Museum is one of only four museums globally that were selected to have the exhibit. (Photo provided by North Museum of Nature and Science) The Dinosaurs Among Us explores the obsolete boundary between the animals we call birds and those we traditionally called dinosaurs. Todays pigeons, sparrows and other birds are modern dinosaurs. Dinosaurs never really vanished from Earth. Most did go extinct, but their evolutionary legacy lives on all around us, in birds. Living birds belong to a group, or clade, called the Dinosauria. It includes the extinct dinosaurs and all their living descendants, which is why most scientists now agree that birds are a kind of dinosaur just like we are a kind of mammal. The more comparisons we make between birds and their closest non-bird relatives, the more connections we find. Using paleontological and biological evidence, audiences learn about the links between dinosaurs and birds by examining their reproduction, physical structures, and the evolution of flight, demonstrating that birds truly are the Dinosaurs Among Us. The North Museum of Nature and Science is at 400 College Ave. in Lancaster. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The museum is seeking more volunteers to serve as docents and translators. Admission to Dinosaurs Among Us is included in the North Museums general admission price of $11, free admission to children under 3. As a participant in the national Blue Star program, North Museum offers free admission to active military and their families through Sept. 4, 2023. READ MORE Lego celebrates 30th anniversary of Jurassic Park with five new build sets with dinosaurs. Want to look a dinosaur in the eye? See a 15-foot spider? Philadelphia Zoo has them in new exhibit. North Museum of Nature and Science in Lancaster, Pa., will host the world premiere on Saturday, June 24, 2023, of the "Dinosaurs Among Us" exhibit from the American Museum of Natural History. North Museum is one of only four museums globally that were selected to have the exhibit. (Photo provided by North Museum of Nature and Science) North Museum of Nature and Science in Lancaster, Pa., will host the world premiere on Saturday, June 24, 2023, of the "Dinosaurs Among Us" exhibit from the American Museum of Natural History. North Museum is one of only four museums globally that were selected to have the exhibit. (Photo provided by North Museum of Nature and Science) The desperate search to find the missing Titan submersible turned into a recovery effort Thursday after officials announced the vessel imploded sometime this week, killing all five aboard, near the Titanic shipwreck. Deep-sea robots will continue searching the sea floor for clues about what happened deep in the North Atlantic. The pilot and four passengers died in the catastrophic implosion. 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. Many questions about what occurred underwater remain: Exactly when and why did the implosion occur? Will the victims bodies ever be found? How could this tragedy have been prevented? Heres what we know so far: 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. WHAT HAPPENED ABOARD THE TITAN? The vessel suffered a catastrophic implosion, killing all five aboard, sometime this week after it submerged Sunday morning. Its not clear exactly when or where the implosion occurred. But a senior military official said Thursday that a U.S. Navy acoustic system detected an anomaly Sunday that was likely the Titans fatal implosion. The Coast Guard announced that debris from the submersible had been found and rescue efforts ended Thursday, bringing a tragic close to a saga that included an urgent around-the-clock search and a worldwide vigil for the missing vessel. The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber, Rear Adm. John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District, said in a news conference Thursday. A deep-sea robot discovered the debris, near the Titanic shipwreck, that authorities say came from the submersible. The senior military official said the Navy went back and analyzed its acoustic data after the Titan was reported missing. That anomaly was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost, the official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive acoustic detection system. The Navy passed on the information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search because the Navy did not consider the data to be definitive. The Wall Street Journal on Thursday first reported the Navys involvement. This photo combo shows from left, Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Stockton Rush, and Hamish Harding, all killed on a small submersible that went missing in the Atlantic Ocean. (AP Photo/File)AP Photo/File WHATS NEXT AND WHO WAS KILLED? The Coast Guard will continue searching near the Titanic for more clues about what happened to the Titan. Officials say there is not a timeframe for when they will call off the massive international search. Mauger said that the prospect of finding or recovering remains was unknown. The victims are: Oceangate chief executive and Titan pilot Stockton Rush; two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans, OceanGate said in a statement. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew. WHO REGULATES DEEP-SEA EXPEDITIONS? The Titans voyage down into the North Atlantic highlights the murkily regulated waters of deep-sea exploration. Its a space on the high seas where laws and conventions can be sidestepped by risk-taking entrepreneurs and the wealthy tourists who help fund their dreams. At least for now. The Titans fatal implosion has drawn attention to how these expeditions are regulated. This grab taken from a digital scan released by Atlantic/Magellan on Thursday, May 18, 2023, shows a view of the bow of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean created using deep-sea mapping. (Atlantic/Magellan via AP, file)AP The Titan operated in international waters, far from the reach of many laws of the United States or other nations. It wasnt registered as a U.S. vessel or with international agencies that regulate safety, nor was it classified by a maritime industry group that sets standards on matters such as hull construction. Stockton Rush, the OceanGate Expeditions CEO and Titan pilot who was among the dead, had said he didnt want to be bogged down by such standards. Experts say wrongful death and negligence lawsuits are likely in the Titan case and they could be successful. But legal actions will face various challenges, including waivers signed by the Titan passengers that warned of the myriad ways they could die. More: Wife of pilot in fatal sub implosion is descended from Titanic victims James Cameron says Titan sub very similar tragedy to Titanic sinking: Warnings went unheeded By MARK PRATT, The Associated Press BOSTON (AP) 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 were killed aboard the Titan submersible when it imploded in the Atlantic Ocean sometime this week. The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday said there were no survivors after the catastrophic implosion deep in the North Atlantic. The search for the submersible as well as any clues to explain what happened underwater continued after a deep-sea robot found debris near the Titanic shipwreck Thursday. Rear Adm. John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District, said search efforts will continue but that the prospect of finding or recovering remains was unknown. The 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 raced against the clock because it was feared the oxygen supply could run out by approximately 6 a.m. Thursday. 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. This photo combo shows from left, Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Stockton Rush, and Hamish Harding, all killed during an expedition to the Titantic wreck. (AP Photos/File)AP Photo/File A pilot and four other people were on the Titan. They were: 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. Rush was the Titans pilot, said company spokesperson Andrew Von Kerens. The private company based in Washington started taking 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 McDonnell Douglas Corp. in 1984 as a flight test engineer. Over the past 20 years, he oversaw 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 lived in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Action Aviation, an aircraft brokering company for which Harding served as chairman, said he was one of the mission specialists, who paid to go on the expedition. Harding was a billionaire adventurer who held 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. Hardings family said in a statement: He was one of a kind and we adored him. ... What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved. 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. FILE - OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush emerges from the hatch atop the OceanGate submarine Cyclops 1 in the San Juan Islands, Wash., on Sept. 12, 2018. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times via AP, File)Alan Berner/The Seattle Times SHAHZADA AND SULEMAN DAWOOD Father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood were members of one of Pakistans most prominent families. Their family had said in a statement that they were both aboard the vessel. Their firm, Dawood Hercules Corp., based in Karachi, is involved in agriculture, petrochemicals and telecommunication infrastructure. In Pakistan, the Dawood-owned Engro Corporation, a fertilizer company, announced the deaths of the two men early Friday. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dawood family at this tragic time. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends and all those around the world who grieve the unthinkable loss, the statement said. When called, the companys employees said they were reciting verses from the Quran for the Dawoods. Shahzada Dawood also was on the board of trustees for the California-based SETI Institute that searches for extraterrestrial intelligence. The Dawoods lived in the UK, according to SETI. Shahzada Dawood was also a member of the Global Advisory Board at the Princes Trust International, founded by Britains King Charles III to address youth unemployment. He had degrees from the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom and Philadelphia University (now Thomas Jefferson University) in the U.S. PAUL-HENRI NARGEOLET Nargeolet was a former French navy officer who was considered a Titanic expert after making multiple trips to the wreckage over several decades. He was director of underwater research for E/M Group and RMS Titanic Inc., had completed 37 dives to the wreck and supervised the recovery of 5,000 artifacts, according to his company profile. RMS Titanic, Inc., the company that owns the salvage rights to the Titanic shipwreck, mourned the longtime employee known as PH. The maritime world has lost an iconic and inspirational leader in deep-sea exploration, and we have lost a dear and treasured friend, the company said in a statement Thursday. Friend and former colleague Matthew Tulloch said Nargeolet loved his work from the time they first collaborated in the 1990s up until Nargeolets death. I never got the impression that he was looking forward to retirement, Tulloch said with a small laugh. You sort of think of people as they retire, then they can go on and do things that they love to do. This was exactly that for him I cant think of anything that Im aware of that he would enjoy doing more than traveling around and sharing information and his experiences with people. Longtime friend and colleague Christian Petron hailed Nargeolet as surely one of the worlds greatest explorers of the deeps. He opined that Nargeolet was aware of the risks, but would have been powered by a thirst for further exploration of the Titanic wreck and its fauna and flora. There are always extraordinary things. When you descend deeper than 1,000 meters, you always find unknown things, unknown animals, he said. Theres always something to find on a wreck like that, which is a genuine oasis on a sandy bottom where there is absolutely nothing. Nargeolet was expedition leader on the most technologically advanced dive to the Titanic in 2010, which used high-resolution sonar and 3D optical imaging on the Titanics 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. A 12-year-old boy running toward his home in East Germantown, Philadelphia, was shot to death along with two men on Thursday, June 22, 2023, news sources reported. CBS News and 6ABC reported that the boy was killed on his birthday, according to a local activist. Philadelphia Police Department told CBS News that the shooting happened around 2:15 p.m. in the 700 block of East Locust Avenue. Police said one of the men was in his 40s while the other was in his 30s. Police told CBS News that they have not determined what prompted the shooting. The three victims were pronounced dead at Albert Einstein Medical Center. CBS reported that a community activist at the scene talking to families said it was the boys birthday. FOX29 reported that officials said at least 12 rifle rounds were found. Police told 6ABC that they believe the shooters were driven to the scene and left in the same vehicle. Investigators are reviewing video to develop a description of the suspects. READ MORE: Bystanders record and post attack on teen in Pa. but didnt call 911, police say: reports. PHILADELPHIA And then there was one... remote work day. After almost a year of working on a hybrid schedule with three days per week in the office, Comcast is planning to expand in-office time to four days per week starting in the fall, according to a company spokesperson. The decision was based on observations from the past year of hybrid work, and a desire to provide more opportunities for collaborative work, in-person meetings and mentorship, the spokesperson said. Office-based employees have been expected to come in on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays since September. The new policy requires four days in the office, and the specific days will be decided between employees and their managers based on their teams needs, the spokesperson said. Comcast will also allow flexibility for employees and their managers to adjust in-office schedules for individual needs, such as child-care arrangements, and special circumstances, the spokesperson added. Comcasts two Center City buildings in Philadelphia, at 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard and 1800 Arch Street, are the primary work location for about 8,000 employees. When the company rolled out its hybrid work policy last year, leadership had already analyzed roles to determine which ones most needed in-office time, and designated thousands of jobs as virtual home-office positions. Before the pandemic, very few jobs at Comcast had that designation, but now there are more than 25,000 such jobs at the company, said Bill Strahan, Comcasts executive vice president of human resources, in an interview last month. Good news for Center City business Comcasts shift back to the office last year was widely seen as a signal to the rest of the local business community that in-office work would be part of the future. Foot traffic in Center City increased immediately. In April, the average number of pedestrians in the Center City business district on a Tuesday was about 40,000 roughly 15,000 more than it had been in April 2022 according to a recent Center City District report. Foot traffic on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays was also up significantly from 2022, though it was down slightly on Fridays. Paul Levy, president and CEO of Center City District, said he sees Comcasts increase in office days as a very positive sign for Center City activity. He expects it will bring more business to retailers and restaurants, and will likely inspire other employers to bring people back into the office more. When a major firm like Comcast says theyre coming back, it gives a signal to other firms, even if they dont do business with Comcast, Levy said. While downtown recovery has been steady, its not complete. The number of people downtown on an average day in May was 75% of May 2019 levels, and the office vacancy rate is nearly 20% (up from 12% in 2019). The prevalence of remote work has continued to plague the lunch business at Center City restaurants. Ridership on SEPTA Regional Rail is around half of what it was pre-pandemic, while its slightly higher for buses and lower for the Broad Street and Market- Frankford Lines. Comcast has been in touch with SEPTA about the planned increase in in-office days, SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said. Were thrilled any time we see an indication that more people are going to be on the system, Busch said. Every fare paid helps. SEPTA saw a significant dip in ridership as a result of the pandemic and with federal infrastructure money expiring next year, the transit agency is eager to attract more riders to increase revenue. Busch said SEPTA has been in frequent contact with employers large and small in the city as part of their efforts to boost ridership. With three months to prepare for Comcasts increase in foot traffic, he said, there will be time to discuss potential adjustments to service to meet their needs. Busch noted that SEPTA has already noticed some increase in the number of commuters on Mondays, but that hasnt created a significant uptick in revenue for the transit system yet. Marc Vetri, who opened Pizzeria Salvy in the Comcast Technology Center last month, said he expects another day of in-office presence to make a big difference for his business. Anything to boost vibrancy of the city and keep it humming is a great thing in my book, Vetri said. Lizzy Ravitch of The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote this story. 2023 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Visit at inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. More: I-95 in Philly to reopen at noon Friday, less than two weeks after collapse A rare 1928 Ford Tri-Motor airplane is making a three-day stop at the Capital City Airport in New Cumberland. Owned since 2014 by Ed Patrick and the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, Ohio, it is leased by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in Oshkosh, Wi., and makes a local stop as part of a nationwide tour. Members of the local EAA 122 chapter are hosting rides from its hanger at Capital City Airport in New Cumberland this weekend, weather permitting. The Ford Tri-Motor first flew on Dec. 1, 1928, just 18 months after Charles Lindberghs historic solo flight across the Atlantic, and helped develop some of the first transcontinental commercial air services in the United States. This Tri-Motor was built by Henry Ford, the auto titan, with a vision to move people cross country at speeds faster than railroads at a time when commercial flight was just a dream. Productions ran from 1926 to 1933, but only 199 were built before newer technologies overtook the design. Over the past 95 years, this plane went through several restorations and owners and was once even owned by Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA). In the 1930s it was part of the Grand Canyon Airlines fleet and then Boulder Dam Tours and spent most of the 1940s based in Compeche, Mexico. Flights will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The public can book a ride at FlyTheFord.org. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. We have favorable positions along the border with Armenia. We are strengthening our positions there. Being on strategic heights gives us a strategic edge, said President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to present the battle flag to one of the commando military units of the Ministry of Defense. We have greatly strengthened our army in the last two and a half years. If Armenia and its foreign relatives do not understand all these factors, then they will only have themselves to blame, the head of state added. A Slatington man was charged Thursday with killing a 4-month-old baby, according to a news release. The release from the Lehigh County District Attorneys office says 56-year-old George C. Sutch was charged with third-degree murder in connection with the childs death. Sutch is the babys mothers boyfriend, according to District Attorney James Martin. The online court docket says Sutch is represented by the Lehigh County Public Defenders office. A message left with the chief public defender wasnt immediately returned Thursday. Police were called to the childs home on Feb. 11, 2023, in the first block of North Seventh Street in Slatington after the baby was unresponsive, the news release says. The child wasnt breathing and was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township, the release says. The child suffered severe head injuries due to a violent shaking episode, the release says. The coroner determined the infant died from head injuries. He ruled the death a homicide. Sutch was taken into custody without incident Thursday and will be arraigned later, the release says. First-degree murder is the most serious homicide charge in Pennsylvania. Third-degree murder differs from first-degree murder in that it doesnt require premeditation. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. More: Cumberland County man to serve 1 to 2 years in prison for abuse of foster children Parents charged in death of 6-year-old Alabama boy who weighed 21 pounds HARRISBURG Pennsylvanias state Senate wants to expand a ban on texting while driving and approved legislation on Thursday that would increase the penalties for motorists who are handling their cell phones for almost any activity while driving. The bill, approved 37-11, goes to the state House of Representatives. Pennsylvania first banned texting while driving in 2012, a summary offense punishable by a $50 fine. Under the new legislation, motorists cannot handle their cell phones to make a call or almost any other function while driving. That includes while sitting in traffic or at a stoplight. However, it allows people to push a single button to start or end a phone conversation on a phone that is within easy reach and to use it for navigation or listening to music. A first offense is punishable by a $150 fine. The bill carries exceptions for emergency responders and for people calling 911. Offenders who cause serious accidents could get more time in prison. In cases where the offender is convicted of homicide by vehicle, a court can add a sentence of up to five years. In cases where the offender is convicted of aggravated assault by vehicle, a court can add a sentence of up to two years. The bill would give drivers a grace period of a year in which they would only receive a written warning for violating it. It would require driving tests to ask a question about the effects of distracted driving and student driving manuals to include a section on distracted driving and the penalties. More: Pa. Senate confirms Dr. Laurel Harry as Secretary of Corrections Is it time for school vouchers to be Pa. law? Itd be an education game changer PennDOT said that Pennsylvania State Police will be increasing their patrols around a closed bridge in Port Royal, Juniata County, to discourage pedestrians who are trespassing. The bridge on Route 75 over Norfolk Southern Railroad in the borough was closed this spring so it can be replaced. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said it is again urging pedestrians not to pass safety fencing, caution tape, or other barricades within this active work zone. The work zone is off-limits to anyone except authorized personnel in the interest of ensuring public safety. PennDOT said that anyone found trespassing in the work zone, whether during work hours or after dark, will be escorted out by state police. The detour around the construction zone uses Route 3002 (Old 22 Road/Main Street), Route 35, and Route 333 before returning to Route 75. Homeowners near the bridge are able to access their properties, PennDOT said. The bridge is expected to be closed through the end of August. For the upcoming Fourth of July 2023 holiday weekend, PennDOT said flaggers will be working to help alleviate expected congestion for races at Port Royal Speedway. The flaggers will be there on July 1 and 3, PennDOT said. PennDOT anticipates increased traffic at the intersection of Routes 35 and 333 on race days due to the ongoing bridge replacement project along Route 75 in Port Royal Borough, and flagging will help alleviate some of the congestion. For more information on the project, go to PennDOTs District 2 website. READ MORE: Bridge project will reduce 22/322 to one lane in each direction in Juniata County: PennDOT. Gwen Shapiro is a rising 11th grade student at Lower Merion High School who is passionate about equity and justice in all policy areas. Born in Philadelphia, she has been living in Lower Merion for 8 years. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn on Wednesday visited Little Buffalo State Park for a ceremony honoring the 2023 graduates of the agencys ranger trainee academy. I am proud of this years graduates and excited to have these dedicated public servants working in our public lands, Dunn said in a press release. We expect a lot from our rangers and park managers, as they are key in providing positive visitor experiences along with their duties as sworn law enforcement officers. I am confident that their hard work during training has prepared these graduates for long and successful careers within our state parks system. DCNRs Bureau of State Parks employs park rangers to oversee law enforcement in state parks and forests. State park ranger and manager trainees must complete a 19-week academy that includes training to learn to provide visitor services, educational programs and information, specifics of equipment use, enforcing rules and commonwealth law, and more. DCNR holds two ceremonies for graduates annually. Wednesdays graduates and their associated state parks include: Nicholas Albright, Codorus Ron Gilliland, Regional Park Manager Trainee Karen Hock, Beltzville Alexander Hunt, Kinzua Bridge Thomas Layden, Regional Park Manager Trainee William Milburn, Hickory Run Brittany Perdos, Regional Park Manager Trainee Haley Redmond, Harrisburg Central Office Park Manager Trainee Gregory Romancho, Hickory Run Jared Sariol, French Creek David Savidge, Codorus Kendra Schrek, Raccoon Creek Sara Woodsmith, Regional Park Manager Trainee A ceremony was held May 25 for graduates including: Hunter Ammerman, Hills Creek Joseph Andrews, Beltzville Charles Bassett, Laurel Hill Jesse Bohrman, Vosburg Chelsea DePoe, Ricketts Glen Warren Eckel, Neshaminy Justine Evans, Laurel Hill Cody Farmery, Parker Dam Joshua Fleming, Cowans Gap Samual Harwi, French Creek Hunter Kauffman, Pine Grove Furnace Garrett Layman, Beltzville Jacqulyn McHale, Neshaminy James Reim, Presque Isle Duane Saunders, Hickory Run Kelly Sheaffer, Gifford Pinchot Preston Wynings, Hickory Run Jason Zagropski, Hickory Run I am proud of each of these individuals and the commitment to service the have demonstrated through the academy, State Parks Director John Hallas said. Completing the ranger academy is a tremendous accomplishment, and I am eager to see them demonstrate what they have learned at their respective parks in the future. Those interested in becoming a park ranger must: Be a Pennsylvania resident Be at least 21 years old Possess a valid drivers license Possess a valid certificate or its equivalent in first aid and adult, child and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as provided by the PA Department of Health for professional rescuers or health care professionals at the time of the interview. Complete the State Civil Service Commission exam DCNR manages 124 state parks, 2.2 million acres of state forest lands, and is tasked with conserving and sustaining Pennsylvanias natural resources for present and future generations use and enjoyment. For more information about becoming a ranger trainee or for other Pennsylvania employment opportunities, visit employment.pa.gov. More: Pa.s newest old-growth forest might have the most interesting backstory of all Pa. releases electric bike policy for trails in state parks, forests The rediscovery of Fort Halifax in Dauphin County is down to its final two days after a productive few weeks. The archaeology team under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Burns, director of the Juniata College Cultural Resources Center in conjunction with Friends of Fort Halifax Park, Inc., held a media day Wednesday. They began their work June 4 and will finish Saturday. It appears that the group has found the exterior wall and parts of the foundations of two buildings inside Fort Halifax, a post built by Pennsylvania colonial soldiers in 1756 during the French and Indian War. Burns told the Daily Item that the findings included an area consisting of many stones that was probably a hearth to what would have been the barracks. The other feature might represent a second building within the fort. The progress has been documented on a Fort Halifax Park Facebook page, thanks to the work of Vicki C. Vitolo, the PR chair and recording secretary for the Friends of Fort Halifax Park, Inc. This is the second visit that Burns has made with a group; the first one took place in 2021. Burns and Joe Baker, a second archaeologist, said excavations at the site two years ago revealed that the forts walls consisted of squared logs that were stacked horizontally. A more complete account of the dig was documented by Marcus Schneck in a June 30, 2021, story for PennLive. That work was followed up this April when Burns and Dr. Ryan Mathur from Juniata College, Dr. Jorden Hayes from Dickinson College and Dr. Martin Helmke from West Chester brought students from each of the schools to experience and learn via hands-on techniques for ground-penetrating radar, magnetometry, electrical resistivity, and drone-based topographic surveying. The educators along with James Stuby from Stuby Subsurface Investigations then evaluated the results from these tests. Burns said Wednesday he expects to bring a group back at least one more season, according to the Daily Item. By DANICA COTO, The Associated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Tropical Storm Bret is swirling close to St. Vincent as it begins pushing into the eastern Caribbean, where islands have shut down to prepare for possible torrential downpours, landslides and flooding. The storms maximum sustained winds had weakened a bit to 60 mph. Airports, businesses, schools and offices had closed on St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Dominica, Martinique and other islands by midday Thursday. Residents rushed to fill up their cars with gasoline and stock up on water and canned food. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Rainfall of 3 to 6 inches was forecast from the French island of Guadeloupe south to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including Barbados, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Dangerous surf was also a possibility, the center warned. Bret was expected to lose strength after entering the eastern Caribbean Sea and was forecast to dissipate by Sunday. The Caribbean was also closely watching Tropical Storm Cindy, trailing Bret, though forecasts called for that storm to take a path northeast of the Caribbean over open waters. U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, left, steps away from the media at the conclusion of a news conference, Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Coast Guard Base Boston in Boston. The U.S. Navy has confirmed its acoustic sensors detected an anomaly consistent with an implosion in the area where the doomed submersible Titan was operating when it lost contact with surface vessels on Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Steven Senne President Joe Biden and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on June 22, 2023. (Andrew Harnik/AP) American foreign policy straddles two missions the first is championing democracy and human rights around the world and the second is pursuing in realpolitik fashion what it needs from other nations. Quite often, the gap between the two is formidable. President Joe Biden has encountered that disconnect several times in the last 2 years, most notably with Saudi Arabia and the abysmal human rights record amassed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans authoritarian leanings, and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus far-right incursions into judicial independence. Advertisement On Thursday, Biden faced it again, as he rolled out red carpet treatment for Narendra Modi during the Indian prime ministers state visit to the White House. Modi isnt a dictator, but neither is he a paragon of democracy. He sidelines political opponents, as was the case with Rahul Gandhi, a major rival of Modis who was kicked out of parliament this spring after a court found him guilty of criminally defaming the Modi family name. He relies on internet shutdowns to tamp down protests, and according to a 2022 State Department report, oversees a government that violently cracks down on religious minorities, mostly Muslims and Christians. Advertisement And yet, Modi leads a country thats pivotal to U.S. global interests right now, as the Biden administration copes with the belligerence of Vladimir Putin and the long game of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Right now, India is more of a hindrance than a helper when it comes to Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Putin has been able to cushion the blow of U.S.-led sanctions on the Kremlins energy sector thanks to Indias voracious appetite for Russian oil. Since the war began in February 2022, India has dramatically increased the crude it buys from Russia, which now amounts to about 2 million barrels a day,The New York Times reported. Thats nearly half of Indias overall oil imports. New Delhis purchases of Russian oil, coupled with Chinas sharp increase in Russian oil imports following the invasion, have helped the Kremlin keep cash flowing into its war machine. Indias rapidly growing economy needs ample energy supplies, and cheap Russian oil satisfies that hunger. Biden likely wont have much success trying to wean India off Russian energy. He can, however, push Modi harder to lessen Indias dependence on Russian military equipment and arms. Modis government gets roughly half of its military supplies from the Kremlin. Thats revenue that helps keep Putins brutal and illegal war from flagging. On Ukraine, India has consistently maintained neutrality, though thats not the way Modi would describe it. He recently told The Wall Street Journal that we are not neutral. We are on the side of peace. All countries should respect international law and the sovereignty of countries. If Modi wanted to back up that easy rhetoric with action, he would put far more pressure on Putin who is the sole reason why legions of Ukrainian civilians are dying needlessly to recognize Ukraines sovereignty and bring an end to the conflict. Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > On the question of China, the U.S. may have more success with Modi, whose nation increasingly sees China as an economic and geopolitical rival. Relations between the two countries have been tense for years, in part because of territorial disputes that led to a deadly border clash in 2020. Also rankling New Delhi are the billions of dollars that Beijing for years has poured into Indias nuclear archrival, Pakistan. The Biden administration sees India as a formidable counterpoint to Chinas ever-growing economic might. India has surpassed China as the worlds most populous nation, and it makes sense for Washington to shift more economic focus toward Modis nation of 1.4 billion people. The foundation for that shift is already strong; the U.S. is Indias biggest trading partner, with trade between the two nations hitting a record $191 billion last year. America is also Indias third largest source of foreign investment. Turning to India as a counterweight to China and a stronger partner against Russian aggression doesnt have to mean that the Biden administration must treat Modis checkered human rights record as if it doesnt exist. It does mean, however, that Washington would be smart to rely on careful, measured diplomacy in dealing with Modi, rather than a cudgel. Advertisement Modi, meanwhile, should recognize that his vision for India as a global leader can only happen if India behaves like a true democracy, rather than one in name only. Governments that regard themselves as democratic but apply a different set of rules to political opponents and minorities are unlikely to gain sufficient global credibility to ascend to the worlds upper tier of leaders. The U.S. and Biden can and should advise Modi of that truth, but it would be even better if he realizes it himself. Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Today, large-scale construction work is being carried out in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, said President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev as he addressed a ceremony to present the battle flag to one of the commando military units of the Ministry of Defense. Former IDPs are returning to their ancestral lands. During meetings with them, I said that they would return to their lands, and so it happened. I said that we would never allow a second Armenian state to be created in our territory, and so it happened. We said that we would expel the enemy from our lands, and we expelled the enemy from our lands, we raised the flag of Azerbaijan on our historical lands. So this is a great and historic achievement. This glorious history will live forever in the hearts of the Azerbaijani people, the head of state noted. The Nature Trust of BC announces a fundraising campaign to raise $425,000 to protect 11 hectares (27 acres) of ecologically valuable habitat called the Nighthawk Hill Grasslands. The area includes over 100 meters of river corridor, crucial for the mammals, reptiles, birds, and amphibians that rely on it, including at least nine federally listed at-risk species. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Deputy Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan - Military Prosecutor, Justice Lieutenant General Khanlar Valiyev, Lieutenant General Mais Barkhudarov, as senior officials of the central board of the Military Prosecutor's Office and territorial military prosecutor's offices and high-ranking officers of the Defense Ministry held meetings with military personnel in the liberated territories on the eve of the June 26 - Armed Forces Day in Azerbaijan, press service of Military Prosecutor's Office told Trend. The meeting participants honored memory of the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and the martyrs who gave their lives for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan with a minute of silence, and wished the veterans good health. Valiyev congratulating the military personnel on the occasion of the upcoming holidays (Armed Forces Day and Eid al-Adha), and conveyed them good wishes. The military prosecutor stressed that 2023 was declared as the "Year of Heydar Aliyev" spoke about the role of this great personality in world history, the exceptional merits of the great leader to the Azerbaijani people and state. He noted that thanks to a wise political strategy, unwavering determination and indefatigable activity of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev successfully continuing the policy of the great leader, architect and builder of modern Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, the state is becoming stronger, despite the negative processes taking place all over the world. Besides, Valiyev said that the regions of the country, including the liberated territories, are developing comprehensively, and the continuity of the process of further improving the well-being of the population is being successfully ensured. The military prosecutor also noted that in recent years, thanks to the high attention and care of the head of state, the Armed Forces capable of performing any combat mission at the highest level have been formed. Speaking about the 2020 second Karabakh war, Valiyev emphasized the skillful diplomacy and high military skills of the Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, the support of the First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, the perseverance of Azerbaijani people, the unprecedented heroism of Azerbaijani servicemen, and stressed that the historic victory was achieved thanks to the unity of the President and people. Then other participants of the meeting made speeches. Speeches were made on the topic of legal education, answers were given to questions of interest to military personnel. Valuable gifts were presented to the military personnel distinguished in the service. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Azerbaijan hopes that the US will support the efforts of Azerbaijan aimed at maintaining long-term peace and security in the region, Azerbaijani Finance Minister Samir Sharifov said, Trend reports. He made the remark during an event dedicated to the 247th anniversary of the signing of the US Declaration of Independence. "We also hope that the US will support the restoring and reintegrating the liberated territories of Azerbaijan into the country's economy, as well as the return of Azerbaijanis to their historical lands," Sharifov said. Sharifov also expressed confidence in the further expansion of close cooperation. "US President Joe Biden, in his congratulatory letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, pointed out the strategic importance of our cooperation and stated that the partnership between Azerbaijan and the US contributes to prosperity in the entire region," the minister said. The US will continue to support a lasting and just peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, he said. 2023 WSOP Featured Females: Women in Full Force in Tag Team Event June 23, 2023 Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S. One of the most boisterous events of the summer is upon us at the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) in the form of Event #51: $1,000 Tag Team, a tournament that never fails to draw an exciting roster of teams looking for the rare chance to win two bracelets in a single event. Hundreds of teams packed into the Paris ballroom on Day 1 on June 22 as partners would tag out of the tournament to either grab a bite to eat or stick around on the rail. Those teams included several spearheaded by women looking to become the first female bracelet winner of the summer. If a woman-led team goes deep in the Tag Team event, it wouldn't be the first time. Back in 2021, daughter-father duo Amanda Botfeld and David Botfeld finished in third place for a total score of $35,542, while the spousal team of Holly Babbitt and Michael Babbitt finished seventh for $14,494. And just last year, the team of Jamie Kerstetter and Corey Paggeot finished second in the 2022 Tag Team event to Patrick Leonard and future Main Event champion Espen Jorstad for the beloved poker commenter to be denied her maiden bracelet. Meanwhile, the duo of Mackenzie Kraemer and Jon Schiller finished in fifth place for $34,299. Jamie Kerstetter and Corey Paggeot in the 2022 Tag Team event 2023 World Series of Poker Hub Bookmark this page! All you need to know about the 2023 WSOP is here. Click here Tagging In to Win a Bracelet As is the case most years, the Tag Team event attracted a larger percentage of women than other events. Some have argued that women not feeling comfortable at the table is a barrier preventing them from getting into poker, and playing alongside a trusted friend or loved one is one sure way to get comfortable. The Tag Team alliances on Day 1 came in several forms. First, there were the poker power couples, including last year's Ladies Event champion Jessica Teusl and her boyfriend and fellow Austrian Stefan Lehner, as well as 2012 Main Event runner-up Jesse Sylvia and longtime girlfriend Ashley Sleeth, who was on the rail a decade ago when her Tag Team partner won $5.3 million. Herself an accomplished player, Sleeth is looking to add to her $327,220 in live earnings. Jessica Teusl in the 2023 Tag Team event Other poker couples on the Tag Team felt included Brazilian wife-husband duo Natalie Ramos and Felipe Ramos (who earlier in the series finished second in Event #12: $5,000 Freezeout No-Limit Holdem 8-Handed for $401,460), the partnership of high-stakes pro David Peters and poker socialite Hayley Hanna, and the French couple Tom Jarry and Sarah Herzali, who has made the deepest run of any woman at the 2023 WSOP so far as she finished third in Event #15: $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em for $207,720. Next, there were the content creator alliances, including vloggers Ashley PokerFaceAsh Frank and Andrew Neeme and content creators Ebony Kenney and Justin Kelly, who despite running kings into aces during Level 7 managed to stay afloat. Ebony Kenney There were a few teams featuring two women, including Team Hudson consisting of Kami Hudson and Women in Poker Hall of Famer Maria Ho, who made a big fold during Level 4 as she laid down ace-king before her opponent tabled Rockets. Another was the team of Poker Power instructors Sarah Stefan and Kyna England. There were also the teams that featured a member of poker media, like poker photographers Rachel Kaye Miller and Katerina Lukina and their respective partners Brian Frenzel and Chris Conrad. Rachel Miller Most touching of all was the father-daughter duo of content creator Marle Spragg and her dad. "This is our year," Spragg tweeted with a picture of the two side-by-side. Read About This Year's WSOP Featured Females Two More Days Before A Winning Team Emerges Less than 300 teams bagged at the end of Day 1 after 11 levels of play. Those teams will return today for Day 2 on their quest for the two bracelets that await the winning team. With 1,282 entrants, 193 teams will be paid and each of those will be guaranteed a minimum payout of $801 split between the two players. That's just a fraction of the $95,331 that awaits the eventual winning team. Only time will tell whether a team of one of two women will run deep in the Tag Team event and end up winning a pair of bracelets. Read about last week's WSOP Featured Female, Poker Hall of Famer Jennifer Harman, who talked about her memories at the original WSOP and with the late Doyle Brunson. This article is brought to you by Global Poker. Global Poker offers fun and exciting social casino games, including traditional poker games, table games, and other slot machine options. It's legal and free to play almost everywhere in the US and Canada. Play now and discover the world's best social casino! Check out our guide to the Best Online Casinos around the world. For US players, online real money casino is available in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey and West Virginia. If you're looking to start playing Online Casino right now, then we recommend FanDuel Casino. If youre in a State where real money online casino isnt an option, then you still have the chance to play via Social Casino sites such as Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots. 888poker Summer Sale Week Proving Popular; Cut-Prize $100K This Weekend June 23, 2023 Matthew Pitt Editor The decision by 888poker to slash the buy-ins of some of the online poker site's most popular tournaments has gone down a storm, with each of the tournaments surpassing their guarantees. 888poker players are taking full advantage of half-price tournament buy-ins and will continue to do so over the weekend when they get to play for a share of a guaranteed $100,000 for only $55 in the Mystery Bounty Main Event. On June 22, 84 players purchased 23 re-entries between them for a total attendance of 107 in the $12,000 Summer Sale Big Shot 320. Usually, this tournament is reserved for those with a bankroll large enough to sustain a $320 hit, but the Summer Sale Week promotion meant those entrants only paid $160 to play this event. The top 12 finishers shared the $16,050 prize pool, a min-cash weighing in at $441 and a few cents. The final table payouts ranged from $521 up to $4,373. Brazil's "M.Flush.N" was the first of the finalists to bow out. "CARRAMROD" joined the Brazilin on the rail after collecting $682 for their eighth-place finish. A flurry of bust outs saw "PotofGreed" of Malta bust in sixth for $842, "BeHappyyy" crash out in fifth for $1,123, and "steraz2398" reel in a $1,524 score for their fourth-place finish. The value-packed tournament progressed to the heads-up stage when "9saymon" ran out of steam in third, which was good enough for a bankroll-boosting $2,247 payout. Two Canadians contested heads-up: "beebsterizer" and "Acespace911." Both players locked in almost $3,000, but "Acespace911" fell at the final hurdle and had to make do with the $2,969 runner-up prize, which left "beebsterizer" to capture the title and $4,373 for their efforts. Win up to $10K Free With 888poker's Card Strike Feature $12,000 Summer Sale Big Shot $320 Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 beebsterizer Canada $4,373 2 Acespace911 Canada $2,969 3 9saymon Brazil $2,247 4 steraz2398 Canada $1,524 5 BeHappyyy Sri Lanka $1,123 6 PotofGreed Malta $842 7 CARRAMROD Ecuador $682 8 M.Flush.N Brazil $521 Other 888poker Summer Sale Week Results Check out the other Summer Sale Week results in the table below, including a 4,410 score for "SenvintySync," the champion of the $12,000 Summer Sale Tuesday PLO Rumble 320, which only cost $160 to enter this week. *Event Sale Buy-in Entrants Prize Pool Champion Prize $10,000 Summer Sale Monday Big Shot 215 $109 152 $15,200 FelipeD92 $3,724 $10,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty 22 $11 1,149 $11,490 Serebr1 $1,122* $12,000 Summer Sale Tuesday PKO Rumble 320 $160 83 $12,450 SenvintySync $4,410* $10,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty 22 $11 1,186 $11,860 eko4gg $1,178* $10,000 Summer Sale The PKO Rumble 109 $55 288 $14,400 rodtrader $3,316* $10,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty 22 $11 1,076 $10,760 Pokerdog31 $1,097* $12,000 Summer Sale Big Shot 320 $160 107 $16,050 $4,373 $12,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty 55 $27.50 749 $18,725 nuncanemi $2,463* *includes bounty payments You Can Now Earn Up To 50% Rakeback at 888poker Permanently! Upcoming Summer Sale Week Events The 888poker Summer Sale Week concludes on June 26, so time is rapidly running out to sample what it is like to play in a higher-stakes tournament for a fraction of the cost. PokerNews recommends the $100,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty Main Event if you can only play one event this weekend. Usually, this exciting tournament costs $109 to enter, but you can jump in for only $55 at 7:00 p.m. BST on June 25, or even less if you satellite your way in. The $100,000 Mystery Bounty Main Event often overlays when it costs $109 to join, so expect even more value now that 888poker has halved the buy-in! Date Time (BST) Event Sale Buyin Fri 23 Jun 5:30 p.m. $7,000 Summer Same PKO Rumble 22 $11 7:30 p.m. $10,000 Summer Sale The PKO Rumble 109 $55 Sat 24 Jun 5:30 p.m. $7,000 Summer Sale PKO Rumble 22 $11 6:30 p.m. $12,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty 55 $27.50 Sun 25 Jun 6:30 p.m. $30,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty 55 $27.50 7:00 p.m. $100,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty Main Event $55 7:30 p.m. $30,000 Summer Sale Big Shot 525 $265 Mon 26 Jun 6:00 p.m. $10,000 Summer Sale Monday Big Shot 215 $109 7:00 p.m. $10,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty 22 $11 Use the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar to Find the Best 888poker MTTs Have you heard about the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar? Our tech boffins created a free-to-use tool that makes it easier than ever to find online tournaments that are either upcoming or in late registration. You can set filters to narrow your search for the best 888poker tournaments before registering for those MTTs via the calendar. It is pretty cool, even if we do say so ourselves! Yuri Dzivielevski says he continues to study and work on his mixed games. His result today shows that he may need less work than he thinks. Dzivielevski beat out a field of 836 entrants in order to claim $207,678 and his third WSOP bracelet in Event #47: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. at the 2023 World Series of Poker at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. "I don't know," said Dzivielevski when asked if he felt that he had an advantage in any of the H.O.R.S.E. games in particular. "I'm working a lot on my game, so I don't know exactly what is my best game, to be honest. Like, results show that limit hold'em is my best game, but I'm not sure - maybe it is?" The well-dressed, often-smiling Dzivielevski enjoyed a large stack for the majority of the tournament. He found himself in seventh place at the end of Day 1, and improved upon that to be the runaway chip leader at the end of Day 2. He brought the biggest stack to the final table and ended the night with all of the chips in play. The Champion's Rail Dzivielevski was aided at that final table by a rambunctious rail, who serenaded all in attendance with various chants throughout the night. "It helps a lot, believe me," he said. It gives an extra power that I cannot explain. It's pretty special to have all this rail like, I don't know, maybe 50 people rooting for you is, of course, it's pretty special. I'm feeling very loved for all this crowd. Pretty happy." Event #47: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. Final Table Results Place Player Country Earnings 1 Yuri Dzivielevski Brazil $207,678 2 Randy Ohel United States $128,536 3 Nghia Le United States $91,221 4 Frankie O'Dell United States $65,782 5 Stephen Savoy United States $48,146 6 Thor William Morstoel Norway $35,772 7 Denis Nesterenko Russia $26,987 8 Serhii Popovych United States $20,677 Day 3 Action The day began with 28 players still remaining, but that number quickly went down once cards were in the air. Early eliminations included Gershon Distenfeld (23rd), Anson Tsang (19th), and Jeff Shulman (18th). The final table bubble was burst when the two pair of Daniel Makowsky fell to Dzivielevski's set. Final table action began with Randy Ohel eliminating Serhii Popovych in eighth when he scooped a Stud Hi-Lo Eight or Better pot. Dzivielevski then scored his first elimination of the final table when he eliminated Denis Nesterenko in seventh with a rivered Broadway. Thor William Morstoel was next to fall in sixth, sent home by Nghia "3 Putts" Le's nut flush in Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better. Dzivielevski scored two more eliminations prior to heads-up play. He first eliminated Stephen Savoy in fifth before ending the very amusing Le's night in third to bring the tournament down to its final two players. His heads-up opponent would be Ohel, who had eliminated three-time bracelet winner Frankie O'Dell in fourth place with his nut flush in limit hold'em. Heads-Up Play Dzivielevski and Ohel began heads-up play with almost identical stacks. Dzivielevski pulled out to an early lead and seemed primed to take down the bracelet early. Ohel was able to hang in, though, and began to turn things around. The once-loud crowd grew increasingly silent as Ohel stormed back, pulling into a virtual tie after showing down a queen-six to win in Razz. Dzivielevski began to build a lead again, though, and it was one that he would not relinquish. After nearly two and a half hours of heads-up play, Dzievielevski turned quad aces in limit hold'em to eliminate the valiant Ohel and claim the top prize. What's next for the now three-time champ? "I'm going to keep working," he said. "Keep playing every day, keep playing as many tournaments as I can. And that's it. I hope to win more bracelets and, I don't know, good results as well." This concludes PokerNews' coverage of Event #47: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. Stay tuned for continuing coverage of all events at the 2023 World Series of Poker. After three hours on a surprise second day of Event #49: $1,500 Super Turbo Bounty here at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas during the 2023 World Series of Poker, Pengfei Wang has officially won the grand prize of $270,700 and his first WSOP bracelet by defeating Will Linden heads up. Linden took home $167,339 for his biggest career tournament cash. Wang overcame a field of 2,226 players over the course of two days to claim his share of the $1,858,710 prize pool in the first-ever tournament he has played. PokerNews caught up with him just after he won: "So excited! Yeah, so it's actually my first time. It's my first tournament ever. We sometimes play some private games and sometimes at the casino in Los Angeles for fun. We mostly play cash games; I don't really have tournament experience. This time, it was a lot of good luck." Pengfei Wang & Friends If you'd look up his profile on The Hendon Mob, you'd come up empty-handed indeed. This is his first cash ever, and it's a substantial one immediately. But what was more important? The bracelet or the money? "Well, it means a lot to me. In the beginning, when I barely got to the final table, I had a short stack. I was worried and trying to get more money in the front. But when I reached the top three, I felt the bracelet was more important to me than the money." Event #49: $1,500 Super Turbo Bounty Final Day Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Pengfei Wang United States $270,700 2 Will Linden United States $167,339 3 Chen An Lin Taiwan $123,198 4 Kenneth Maurer United States $91,558 5 Michael Burns United States $68,693 6 Tony Gargano United States $52,034 7 Alejandro Lococo Argentina $39,799 8 Danny Scott United States $30,760 9 Frank Lagodich United States $23,978 Final Day Action With the average stack worth 20 big blinds, and 20-minute levels throughout the day, the action promised to be fast-paced and that it was from the start. Kenneth Maurer doubled up almost immediately before Frank Lagodich was sent to the rail by Michael Burns. A few minutes later, Danny Scott was taken out by Chen An Lin. But some of those chips went Wang's way when he doubled through Lin with ace-king and spiked an ace on the river. Lin didn't sit still for long though and came out victorious in what was probably one of the two most important hands of the day. He scored a big double-up through Alejandro "Papo MC" Lococo with pocket jacks versus kings. The jack in the window on the flop left the Argentinian rapper short. Alejandro Lococo finished in seventh place for $39,799 One double-up for Lococo came along but he couldn't keep it going as he then lost it all to Wang to finish in seventh place. Tony Gargano doubled up through Lin but gave all those chips right back to the Taiwanese player a few minutes later. Burns finished in fifth place when his stack was added to Linden's who went on a bit of a heater to take the chip lead. Maurer's lower kicker meant the end of his tournament life as he lost his chips to Wang, and then doubled through Linden to take over the chip lead with pocket nines versus pocket eights. That didn't last long though as Linden was back in control shortly after. He picked up pocket aces to eliminate Lin to get to the heads-up stage. Chen An Lin finished in third place for $123,198 It could have all been over when Wang shoved with pocket eights. Linden held the suited king-jack however the two eights on the board gave Wang quads to stay alive and double up. A failed bluff took Wang out in front, the stacks went back to even for a bit, but Wang gained momentum. In the end, Linden shoved on a turn with an open-ended straight and flush draws. Wang called with the same straight draw but he had already hit a pair of nines. Those held up when the final card was dealt to hand him the win while he jumped into the air from happiness. Pengfei Wang jumps into air after winning $270,700 After posing for the winner photos with his friends he mentioned that he was planning to go home on Saturday: "I might come back next week for the short deck tournaments." PokerNews will be here for it too if he decides to come back to try and win a second bracelet so make sure to follow along with all the WSOP updates on the dedicated tournament hub. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print It turns out that lots of people were taping and recording Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago and they are turning those recordings over to federal prosecutors. CNN reported: That recording, of a meeting at his Bedminster club in July 2021, captures a few-minute segment where the Trump discusses a classified document and suggests he was showing it to others in the room. That recording, first reported by CNN, is described in the 37-count indictment, and prosecutors included quotes from the transcript such as, This is secret information. Look, look at this See as president I could have declassified it. Prosecutors also obtained multiple recordings from at least one other source, including a version of the Bedminster tape. During the summer of 2021, sources said multiple people were making recordings of Trump as he held conversations with journalists and biographers. The notion that people were running around Mar-a-Lago filming and recording while government and classified documents were unsecured and lying around drives home the national security threat posed by the former presidents theft of classified documents. The good news for the American people is that there seem to have been plenty of individuals around who were recording the former president. There isnt just one Trump. There are many, and it might not matter who the judge is that hears the case. It looks like the federal government is going to be able to present overwhelming evidence that that former one-term president knowingly broke the law and jeopardized national security. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print On Friday, President Biden will be endorsed by the nations top two reproductive freedom groups, and the Republican problem with the abortion issue will return. Politico reported: The nations top abortion rights groups are expected to endorse President Joe Bidens reelection bid at an event Friday in Washington, according to four people familiar with the plans. EMILYs List and NARAL Pro-Choice America are scheduled to announce their joint endorsement at a rally with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the people said. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is likely to back the president as well, though the group was going through formal endorsement proceedings on Thursday. The far right continues to push Republican candidates to support a national abortion ban at a time when voters have shown a consistent desire to protect and expand reproductive liberty. The vast majority of Americans dont support a moment that takes away freedom from a majority of the US population. Abortion is an issue that is a nightmare for Republicans. They never expected Roe to be overturned, so the GOP has no national strategy or message on the choice issue. Republican politicians move to the right to appease their extremist base and then they lose elections. It has been this way since the Dobbs decision and it looks to be happening again in 2024. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Special Counsel Jack Smith has flipped two Trump fake electors and is rounding up testimony from other witnesses in a sign that charges could be coming. CNN reported: Special counsel Jack Smith has compelled at least two Republican fake electors to testify to a federal grand jury in Washington in recent weeks by giving them limited immunity, part of a current push by federal prosecutors to swiftly nail down evidence in the sprawling criminal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The testimony, described to CNN by people familiar with the situation, comes after a year of relative dormancy around the fake electors portion of the investigation and as a parade of related witnesses are being told to appear before the grand jury with no chance for delay. That activity could signal that investigators are nearing at least some charging decisions in a part of the 2020 election probe, sources added. Special Counsel Smith has been interested in Trumps lawyers at the time, which would include people like Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Jenna Ellis, and Sydney Powell. The fake electors in Georgia flipped as soon as they were threatened with possible criminal charges in the Fulton County, GA investigation. The fake electors are the weak link in the coup plot, and prosecutors are targeting them to get to the people who organized and masterminded the plot to overthrow the will of a majority of the presidential election voters in 2020. Flipping electors doesnt necessarily mean that Donald Trump will be indicted, but it looks like Jack Smith is going to the top of the plot, and that means that Trump is facing some legal jeopardy. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed that woke and leftist ideology were the reasons why he saw people defecating on the streets in San Francisco. Video: DeSantis: Dont tell me it doesnt affect peoples lives. I was just in San Francisco. In 20 minutes on the ground, I saw people defecating on the sidewalk. I saw people using Fentanyl. pic.twitter.com/Tlwi6Wbonl Acyn (@Acyn) June 23, 2023 DeSantis said at the Faith and Freedom Conference: Dont tell me it doesnt affect peoples lives. I was just in San Francisco. I saw in 20 minutes on the ground people defecating on the sidewalk. I saw people using Fentenyl. I saw people smoking crack right there in the open, right there in the street. It was a civilization in decay, and it was as a result of leftist ideology pursued leftist policies, so this is a battle that we must win, and my pledge is this. We will fight the woke in the schools. We will fight the woke in the corporations. We will fight the woke in the halls of government. We will never ever surrender to the woke mob. We are going to leave woke ideology in the dustbin of history where it belongs. Being woke apparently makes people go to the bathroom in the streets. It couldnt possibility that San Francisco has some of the highest housing prices in the country, and like many other cities is dealing with a homelessness crisis. Nope, its the woke agenda, which is something that DeSantis cant describe, but everything that he thinks he sees that is not a conservative utopia is due to woke. The war on woke is not working for DeSantis. Sure the people at the very conservative Faith and Freedom conference clapped for his remarks, but the response was not the sort of overly enthused lets run through a wall to vote for this guy motivation that the Florida governor was hoping for. Ron DeSantis is trying to scare Republican primary voters with woke. However, the woke-causing poop in the streets claim is bizarre and makes DeSantis look like a total weirdo. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. A Paris court has handed down a verdict in the case of the Armenian individual who attacked the Azerbaijani embassy in France, Trend reports. On September 18, 2022, there was an attempted attack on the Azerbaijani embassy in Paris by radical Armenian representatives. This resulted in damage to the embassy building. Subsequently, evidence pertaining to the attack was presented to the local court, seeking punishment for the main organizer and all participants involved. During the court proceedings, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan was represented by the law firm Lexlor. Loris Tufanyan, a member of the Charjoum Armenian movement, was found guilty and sentenced to six months of suspended imprisonment. Additionally, Tufanyan is required to pay a fine. The Embassy of Azerbaijan strongly condemns such attacks on diplomatic missions and urges local law enforcement to enhance security measures in accordance with the Vienna Convention of 1961. The court's decision is seen as a significant step towards justice and deterring similar incidents in the future. Zac Efron, I believe, is one of the only true heartthrobs of our time. Ill die on this hill. Who else do we have? Austin Butler in Elvis? Keep him. Jacob Elordi in Euphoria? He may be super tall, but dont insult me. Timothee Chalamet? Okay, Im listening. But no matter which White Boy of the Month you have on rotation, Zac Efron is the north star of millennial and Gen-Z hotness. He was a revelation in High School Musical (no, I will not watch that Olivia Rodrigo x Joshua Bassett spin-off), and actually, dont get me started on Baywatch. It seems impossible, but Zac Efron is more than just his looks! My king keeps to himself, goes to the gym or whatever, and only resurfaces when he has an upcoming project. In the words of culture writer Hunter harris, I love a man with a job! His latest project: Down to Earth Down to Earth: Season 2 is Zac Efrons answer to Bear Grylls. Season 1 saw him travel across the world to experience nature and carbs. Like, seriously. He cried eating pasta in Italy for the first time in years. Who could blame him? The recently released Season 2 finds Efron in Australia, where he was trapped during lockdown an experience that made him fall in love with the country, its wildlife, and its cultures. The first season was even awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Daytime Program Host. This season starts with a welcoming ceremony, in which Zac explores Aboriginal land and is welcomed by elders in his quest to learn. Its an important moment that acknowledges the history of colonialism and pays tribute to the original custodians of the land. And then the adventures commence. After the last season of Down to Earth which I, of course, watched in one sitting Twitter revealed its true evils as body shamers came out of the woodwork. People commented on Zacs dad bod, and while some meant it as a compliment (we all like what we like), others were lamenting his less-chiseled frame. To be clear, a less-chiseled Zac Efron is more shredded than most people could ever hope to get in their lifetime. But even so leave Zac alone! You come to me on the day of my mans series premiere and talk about his body? The disrespect! I mean, the man cried over pasta. We could all cut him some slack. But Zac Efrons body is not the only thing to have taken verbal and physical hits over the past few years. Hes been the subject of much online speculation for quite some time now. First things first the plastic surgery allegations? Many celebrities are subject to rumors about what they have and what they have not done to their faces. Bella Hadid recently finally opened up about her nose job. And even Joe Jonas admitted to getting filler. Its a brave new world. But when pictures of Zac Efron looking unrecognizable surfaced, they begged the question: was this plastic surgery gone wrong? In April 2021, Efron appeared in a Facebook Watch video entitled Earth Day! The Musical. Screenshots from this circulated and fans went crazy. BBL Zac? Botox, the Musical? The rumors were endless. But turns out, the answer to his strange appearance was way, way scarier than botched fillers. Zac finally opened up about the rumors in a Mens Health interview. Turns out, our social media-averse king didnt even know about the rumors for a while. But he quickly put them to rest. It was plastic surgery kind of. But it was reconstructive surgery after a major accident. Hed been running through his house in socks and slipped, smacking his chin against the granite corner of a fountain. He lost consciousness, and when he woke up, he recalls, his chin bone was hanging off his face, revealed Mens Health. As for his jawline? The masseters just grew, he says, shrugging. They just got really, really big. Maybe we should take a lesson from Zac and mind our business a little more not to mention show a little compassion. If I valued what other people thought of me to the extent that they may think I do, he says, I definitely wouldnt be able to do this work. But, since I am in the business of not minding my business, there is one more thing to discuss: the recent viral photos of Zac Efron with the most atrocious hair. Breaking My Silence: Zac Efrons Wig Usually, when new photos of Zac Efron drop, I see fireworks and hear Barbara Streisands My Man playing on loop in my head. No further questions. But when new photos from Zac Efrons A24 production dropped the record scratched. Instead, I heard that vintage Vine sound: Oh no, baby, what is you doing? The now-viral photos were taken from the set, where Zac Efron is in jorts (that part, I enjoyed) and an atrocious wig. He looked like a yassified Lord Farquaad. My jaw was on the floor, and not in a good way. Is this method acting? If it is, I dont like it. For his new role in The Iron Claw, Zac has transformed into the wrestler the Golden Warrior, aka Kevin Von Eric. Alongside him, Harris Dickinson (now that I think of it, another heartthrob) will play his brother, David Von Erich, and Jeremy Allen White, aka Carmy from The Bear, will play Kerry Von Erich. I can only hope they do not do to them what they did to Zac. How much more can a girl take? But in this case, I will take my own advice and trust the process. You best believe I will be front row in the theatre when the film is released. For now, Ill watch Down to Earth and remember that what matters isnt whats on the outside. Its whats underneath that wig. NORTH AUGUSTA For Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, national security should begin at home. Audience members twice asked the Republican presidential candidate his stance on the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia during a town hall event June 22 in North Augusta's Riverview Park Activities Center. DeSantis said Russian President Vladimir Putin is a bad guy, but national security should begin at home. "At the end of the day you have to as president, your first priority has to be to defend the American people and defend our country," DeSantis said. "I get frustrated when they allow an open border here while they're sending money abroad," he added. "You at least have to care about your own border before you worry about some of these other things." DeSantis said he didn't see how it was possible to be credible abroad if the country isn't strong at home. He added his first priority if elected would be to remove what he called the "woke" concept from the American military on Day 1 and to secure the border with Mexico. Then he would worry about deterring China in the Pacific and then European security. DeSantis said China is in many respects more of a threat to the United States than the Soviet Union was during the Cold War. He added something similar to NATO was needed in the Pacific to deter China. "In Europe what I would say is NATO needs to do more," DeSantis said. "These countries, they need to produce more for their own defense." DeSantis was also asked in front of about 500 audience members if he supported a national abortion ban. "In Florida, we respect life," DeSantis said. He referenced heartbeat bills signed into law in Florida and South Carolina, and said he felt progress on restricting abortion was being made from the ground up. DeSantis added he was concerned President Joe Biden wanted federal legislation that would legalize abortion until the moment before birth. Ahead of the town hall, the South Carolina Democratic Party released a statement saying DeSantis was parachuting into the state on the anniversary of the Supreme Court's issuance of the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. Party spokeswoman Alyssa Bradley said DeSantis, as Florida governor, signed an "extreme abortion ban" of six weeks that ripped away Florida womens freedom to make their own health care decisions. DeSantis is one of 10 Republicans seeking the party's 2024 presidential nomination. A CNN reporter asked DeSantis if he would commit to supporting the Republican nominee if he wasn't that person. DeSantis said he wanted to let the process of determining the nomination play out and that he would respect the process. He said he wanted to work to beat Biden. DeSantis' appearance coincided with the release of 15 Republican lawmakers who are endorsing his bid. The endorsements, shared first with The Associated Press, came from 11 state House members and four state senators , with a heavy concentration in South Carolinas conservative Upstate. Its a show of force for DeSantis in a state that current Republican front-runner Donald Trump won handily in the 2016 primary and where he has maintained popularity. DeSantis list includes Sen. Josh Kimbrell, a Spartanburg Republican who has been bullish on the governors candidacy since before he officially entered the race. He called DeSantis the only candidate in this race who can defeat Biden. Many of the new endorsements are from lawmakers who have introduced DeSantis during appearances in the state. One of them, North Charleston Rep. Chris Murphy, praised DeSantis, a former Navy judge advocate general, this month at a Bluffton campaign event as the only candidate that has worn our nations uniform. Theres also Rep. Micah Caskey, a Marine veteran who hails from Lexington County, another strongly conservative area. The South Carolina Republican primary is scheduled for Feb. 24. The winner of the Republican nomination will face the winner of the Democratic nomination, likely Biden, in the Nov. 5, 2024 general election. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Aiken, SC (29801) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 93F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 74F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. SALLEY Three votes determined the winner of a special election in an Aiken County town. A special election was held June 20 to fill Paul Salley's unexpired term on the Salley Town Council. Chris Hartley received 57 votes to defeat Rosalyn Hicks, who received 54 votes. Salley, the son of former mayor Nathan "Bob" Salley, resigned in March after serving for more than 30 years on the town council. "I thought it was a great race," Hartley said. "I give all kudos to her [Hicks] for running a good race. It was a honest race. I'm just glad the results turned out the way they did." Hartley said he felt like it was time for him to step in and run for the council and make something positive happen for the town. "I've been helping with the Chitlin' Strut for more than 40 years," Hartley said. "I just felt like it was time for me to step into a leader position to help the town move forward and take care of what we got." The initial results Tuesday evening showed Hartley winning by one vote, 55-54, but his margin increased to three Friday morning when the Aiken County election board voted to accept two provisional ballots. Jerry and Patti Griswold cast those provisional ballots after questions arose about their eligibility to vote. Specifically, there was a question as to whether the Griswolds lived inside or outside of the town limits. Salley, like many small South Carolina towns, determines its town limits by drawing a circle around the town with the center of the circle being the center of town. In Salley, the diameter of the circle is one mile, making the radius a half a mile. The Griswolds' property lies right on the town limits. Aiken County election board chairman Andrew Marine said the property where the Griswolds live is divided by the county property tax office in two parts, one inside of the town and one outside the town. A GPS map shows the majority of the home is in the part outside the town limits but a corner lies within the town limits. But, as S.C. Rep. Bill Taylor said at the hearing, those markers are unofficial and the maker of the GPS technology says on its website not to rely on the technology. Taylor is a Republican who represents the eastern portion of Aiken County, which includes Salley. Marine added the town ultimately controls its own boundaries and the Griswolds argued the town has treated the residents in the house as residents of the town for around 70 years. Jerry served on the town council for 16 years. Patty's father served as a councilman for 20 years. Patty added the town does not charge them an out-of-town surcharge on water bills and that they have been paying the town taxes since they moved into the house in 2000. Jerry showed photos of the town limit signs lying further away from the town than their home and a camera placed by the town further away from the town than their home. The election board then voted unanimously to accept the provisional ballots. In addition to increasing Hartley's winning margin, the counted provisional ballots eliminated the need for a mandatory recount. South Carolina law requires mandatory recounts if the winner wins by less than 1%. If the board had voted to reject the Griswolds' provisional ballots, the election would have been decided by a 0.9% margin and a recount would have been mandatory. But, since the board voted to accept the ballots, Hartley's margin increased to 2.7%, eliminating the need for a mandatory recount. During the retirement party for United Way of Aiken County President and Chief Professional Officer Sharon Rodgers on Thursday, there were tears, laughter and lots of hugs. In addition, Rodgers received a major award, the Order of the Palmetto, which is South Carolinas highest civilian honor and recognizes a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, service and contributions on the national or statewide scale. On behalf of Gov. Henry McMaster, S.C. Sen. Tom Young, R-Aiken; S.C. Rep. Bill Taylor, R-Aiken; and S.C. Rep. Bart Blackwell, R-Aiken, presented the Order of the Palmetto to Rodgers at the United Ways Aiken-based headquarters, which is named in her honor. Sharon has been selected for the Order of the Palmetto because of her commitment to the people in this area and the people in this county but also in particular for her role at the state level, Young said. She was involved in the public policy committee at the state level and was a true leader in the United Ways mission to serve all the people in South Carolina. She played a very important role in improving financial literacy instruction in public schools and for other things that the United Way advocated for across the state and the General Assembly adopted. The governor said that it was very important that Sharon receive this award, Young added. Rodgers is leaving her leadership positions with the United Way of Aiken County at the end of this month after serving in those capacities since 2007. I dont feel like I deserve this, but I do appreciate it very much, said Rodgers, with tears in her eyes, of the Order of the Palmetto. Thank you to everybody in this room. Youre all part of why the United Way is successful, and we couldnt do it without you because it is truly a collaborative effort. Rodgers described her work with the United Way as the joy of my life and urged everyone at her retirement party to carry on with their support of the organization going forward. The Good Lord put us on the face of this earth to do good for others, she said. Those of us who are blessed should share those blessings with other people who arent as blessed as ourselves. Hopefully, the United Way can lead the pack in making sure those efforts are undertaken and that those people who feel alienated and marginalized in our society will have the opportunity for a good life, Rodgers continued. Thats what we strive to do, and with your help and Gods help, we will continue to do that. Under Rodgers guidance, the United Way set a fundraising campaign record of $3,033,634 in 2016 after exceeding $3 million for the first time in 2012. The total for that year was $3,005,584. In addition, the United Way finalized plans last year to acquire, renovate and move from a leased location on Barnwell Avenue to the former home of Aiken Senior Life Services at 159 Morgan St. N.W. That building now is known as the Sharon L. Rodgers Community Resource Center. In 2020, the Aiken Chamber of Commerce honored Rodgers as its Woman of the Year. Discussing her experiences with the United Way prior to the Order of the Palmetto presentation Thursday, Rodgers said: Ive had so much fun. Ive had a great time, and we have accomplished a lot everything I think we set out to do. Im so thankful that the board of this organization entrusted the United Way to me, and I just hope that they are proud of what weve done. I also hope the community feels that what we do is impactful and that we will continue to be impactful in the future. Rodgers added that her association with the United Way wouldnt be ending. Im not abandoning the cause, she said. Im going to be a United Way Bookworms reader at Millbrook Elementary School, and Im on Women Uniteds executive committee. Ill also probably be involved in volunteering at some of the United Ways partner agencies. Its just going to be a different kind of participation than it was. In addition to the three legislators who presented the Order of the Palmetto, the people who showed up at Rodgers retirement party included Aiken County Administrator Clay Killian, County Council Chairman Gary Bunker and Aiken Chamber of Commerce President and CEO J. David Jameson. I came here last week for some one-on-one time with Sharon just to let her know what an amazing job she has done, said Heather Waddell, executive director of the Tri-Development Center of Aiken County. She has been a true supporter of all the United Way agencies and partners in the community, and she will certainly be missed. She has been a shining light. Will Williams, president and CEO of the Western SC Economic Development Partnership, also praised Rodgers. Sharon has done a fantastic job of inspiring the volunteerism that has emanated from the United Way, and she has done so many great things for the community, he said. The key corporate defendant in a landmark environmental case that was to go to trial in Charleston earlier this month has agreed to pay up to $12.5 billion to settle the litigation. The proposed deal in the first phase of the so-called forever chemicals case was announced June 22 by 3M Co., which is not admitting any liability or wrongdoing. The agreement requires approval by U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Gergel of Charleston. In late 2018, Gergel was assigned the task of overseeing the mounting number of lawsuits from around the nation and preparing the first case for a jury trial. The complaints center on a ubiquitous class of man-made and nearly indestructible chemicals that have been linked to cancer and other health ailments after seeping into drinking-water systems across the U.S. One of the primary manufacturers was 3M. For decades, the Minnesota-based industrial titan, DuPont and others made or sold the water-, stain- and heat-resistant chemicals for use in a huge assortment of everyday products, from Teflon-coated cookware to care-free carpeting. The perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances also were a key ingredient in a powerful and widely used suppressant that firefighters sprayed on the ground for decades either for training purposes or to extinguish petroleum-fueled blazes. More than 4,000 lawsuits from around the nation have since been consolidated in federal court in Charleston. Some allege that the chemicals in the foam leached into the soil and contaminated public and private drinking-water sources. A case filed by the beach community of Stuart, Fla., was selected as the first to go a jury. The city of about 18,000 residents was seeking about $115 million. Gergel agreed to delay the trial for three weeks earlier this month as settlement talks heated up, hours before jury selection was to begin. He said he was "firmly persuaded" that the pause was "in the interest of all of the parties to this litigation and is in the interest of justice." He asked for weekly updates, with a final report due June 26. The settlement announced late Thursday would resolve all "current and future drinking water claims," according to 3M. CEO Mike Roman called it an important step forward" that builds on the company's previous actions, including making investments in filtration technology and its plan to stop using the chemicals over the next three years. The funding will provide $10.2 billion to $12.5 billion between 2024 and 2036 to eligible public water systems for testing and investing in treatment upgrades. It also will provide money if utilities detect specific chemicals in the future. The plaintiffs in the foam cases include the authority that runs Charleston International Airport. 3M can terminate the deal if a certain number of litigants decide not to settle. The company said it is prepared to move forward in court if the judge doesn't approve it. Earlier this month, three other defendants in the first forever-chemicals "bellwether trial," including DuPont, proposed a $1.19 billion settlement. The cost of scrubbing the pollutants from U.S. water systems eventually could be much higher than what 3M and the other manufacturers have agreed to pay so far, according to Scott Summy, one of the lead attorneys suing the companies. "I'm not sure anyone knows what that ultimate number will be, the Dallas lawyer told the Associated Press. But I do think this is going to make a huge dent in that cost, ... and you don't have to litigate for the next decade or longer. While the firefighting foam cases could be coming to an end, 3M and the other defendants still face a wave of unresolved lawsuits alleging personal injuries and property damage from the chemicals. Many but not all of those cases have been assigned to federal court in Charleston. Columbia, SC (29201) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 93F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low near 75F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. The next meeting of the General Assembly of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) will be held on December 8 in Baku, Trend reports citing the official website of the FIA. According to the information, the extraordinary general assemblies of the International Automobile Federation were held in Cordoba today (June 22 - ed.). FIA Member Clubs took part in the voting process and approved several proposals, most notably the FIAs annual audited accounts for 2022 and the reaffiliation of the Automobile Association of the United Kingdom as an FIA Member Club. President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) Mohammed Ben Sulayem welcomed the UK's re-joining to the FIA. "Today I would also like to invite you to take the opportunity to welcome the Automobile Association of the United Kingdom back into the FIA family. As our Federation grows it becomes stronger," he said. COLUMBIA The Lexington One school district is defending its curriculum after agreeing to cut ties with an education nonprofit to settle a lawsuit from a group of hardline conservative state legislators. The district, which serves about 27,800 students in the solidly Republican county, has denied the Statehouse's Republican Freedom Caucus' allegations that the district's work with the nonprofit EL Education incorporated critical race theory into its training and instruction, and said it settled to avoid a costly legal battle. Continuing the lawsuit would have cost teachers and employees hundreds of hours of labor, according to district spokeswoman Megan Moore, as well as "extensive" litigation costs, which the district thought a "poor allocation of taxpayers dollars." But it was the caucus' narrative of the settlement and allegations that featured prominently in Fox News' coverage of the settlement, to the point where Lexington One's Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait sent a letter to the broadcaster's executive vice president and editor in chief about what she called several "serious inaccuracies." The network's initial headline read "South Carolina school district ordered to slash CRT curriculum after GOP lawsuit," to which Postlewait wrote that "the court did not issue an order in the case requiring either party to take any action." An editor's note at the bottom of the current story, which has a different headline, says the article was updated to "clarify that this was a settlement agreement and not a court order." Postlewait also wrote in her letter to Fox that the district had denied several of the lawsuit's allegations included in the article, which are now either no longer present, or attributed to the caucus' complaint with the district's denial in the current story. She went on to say that quotes from Freedom Caucus vice chair RJ May included in the story "misrepresent" the settlement agreement, pointing to a quote from a caucus statement in which May asserted that the settlement agreement shows Lexington One was "caught red-handed." "To the contrary, since the filing of the original deficient complaint, Lexington One has continued to deny any and all wrongdoing and has maintained that the school district is in compliance with all South Carolina laws," Postlewait wrote. "Lexington Ones answers to the original complaint and the amended complaint support this, as does the Settlement Agreement." Fox did not respond to a request for comment from The Post and Courier. In a June 21 interview, May maintained that the district had violated the law, calling the evidence for the alleged violation "overwhelming." He pointed to the caucus' initial complaint and an edited recording of an EL employee talking about "culturally relevant pedagogy," and noted that "there's no language in that settlement agreement that says the district didn't break the law." The settlement agreement did not include any finding or judgment on the lawsuit's allegations. Scott Hartl, the CEO of education nonprofit EL Education, called the lawsuit against Lexington One "deeply troubling" in a June 21 statement. The nonprofit denied that its curriculum contains critical race theory or that it violates state law, but called the settlement agreement a "pragmatic judgment" to end the lawsuit, which Hartl said "only served to spread misinformation about best practices in education in order to frighten constituents and advance a political agenda that is not in the best interest of children." "We are saddened that the terms of the settlement mean that EL Educations top-rated curriculum will not be available to Lexington One students and educators," the statement read. "We remain incredibly proud of the work of our partners in Lexington and around the state and country to help students read, write, speak and achieve at higher levels. When asked about the caucus's allegations of "indoctrination," Hartl said in a June 22 statement that EL's curriculum is "built to help students form their own judgments and conclusions on important topics." He also emphasized the importance of parents in education, calling them children's' "first and most important teachers." "We see how the most successful schools partner with parents and their communities to adapt the use of the curriculum for their local context and students needs," Hartl wrote in the statement. "Students are encouraged to discuss the content of the books and curriculum at home and in the community, where they can further explore how their ideas and experiences align with or differ from the characters and ideas in the texts." Six of Lexington One's schools had contracted with the New York-based nonprofit, Moore said in an email, so the district will now "assess the needs" of those schools to determine a support plan after ending their relationships with EL Education. The district did not consult with EL Education while considering its response to the lawsuit, Moore said in an email, but did confer with its board of trustees before approving the settlement agreement. EL Education's work in the Charleston County School District has also prompted a lawsuit against the Charleston district from the S.C. Freedom Caucus. May said the caucus "expects to prevail in that lawsuit also," and that he hoped that the school board elected in Charleston's November elections, which saw a Moms for Liberty-backed majority take office, would be "willing to get rid of EL Education." "The good news about Charleston is that they do have a new board, a board that I believe would like to do the right thing and get back to reading, writing and arithmetic instead of indoctrinating our students," he said. A CCSD spokeswoman declined to comment on the ongoing lawsuit. The Quinte Oyster Bar's opening chef, Nicolas Quintero, has departed the swanky downtown Charleston raw bar, The Post and Courier discovered June 21. That same day, a beloved downtown wine bar announced it will permanently close in August. Named for the circa-1918 billiards bar not the chef himself The Quinte quickly caught the attention of Charleston diners after opening in November. Shortly after, readers wrote in raving about the British Columbia bivalves they slurped down at the globe-lit marble oyster bar, asking if I had visited the destination located in The Pinch Charleston boutique hotel. Upon dining at the restaurant, I was impressed by Quinteros artistry, technique and ability to incorporate thought-provoking flash into seemingly ordinary plates. Now, the 8-month-old oyster bar will forge ahead without Quintero, who departed The Quinte in mid-June. Quintero declined to comment on what led to his decision. The chef, formerly of FIG and The Ordinary, was supposed to lead the kitchen of a forthcoming second restaurant on The Pinch Charlestons property. "With his departure, Method Co. has decided to further enhance the guest experience that its become known for and will be making a more detailed announcement regarding the plans for The Quinte and its new chef in the coming weeks," ownership said in a statement, adding that they will also provide more information about the forthcoming restaurant Lowland. It is slated to open this fall. Saying goodbye Farther north on the Charleston peninsula, changes are coming at a popular wine bar that has been open since 2017. Edmund's Oast Exchange, the drinking den and bottle shop next to the Edmunds Oast restaurant, will permanently close in August, wine director Sarah OKelley confirmed June 23. With their lease set to expire later this year, the decision came after a lot of thought and reflection. As much as The Exchange is adored by its customers, the business just hasnt worked out on paper, OKelley said. We love The Exchange and truly admire it as the most unique jewel in the Edmund's Oast family of businesses, Edmunds Oast owner Scott Shor said in a letter to The Exchanges supporters. But that love alone does not overcome the reality that there is potential other use for the space which may be better suited for the long term so we have decided to pursue those options. The Exchange hasnt closed yet in fact, OKelley was expecting a big order of Burgundy over the weekend. The wine bar and retail shop will continue serving customers throughout the summer, which will culminate in an anniversary and finale party Aug. 12, featuring live jazz music and food from Foxes Fried. Starting at the event, everything inside the store will be 20 percent off until The Exchange shuts its doors for the last time in the weeks after the party, OKelley said. This can be The Exchanges time to shine, and we can have time to spend with our customers, OKelley said. To be able to have two months to be able to process this with our customers and our staff is a blessing. OKelley is still contemplating her plans for the future, though she will soon start exploring wine, food and travel in her new newsletter Grape to Table. In the future, she could bring The Exchanges popular wine classes and wine club to another location. Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Mostly sunny early with isolated thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 94F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low around 75F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. FLORENCE An Andrews man will spend the rest of his life in prison for the 2019 murder and robbery of a mail carrier in Williamsburg County. U.S. District Court Judge Donald C. Coggins Jr. sentenced Trevor Raekwon Seward, 25, to life in prison for the murder of Irene Pressley and a consecutive 20 years for using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Seward also received concurrent sentences for robbery, felon in possession of a firearm and marijuana conspiracy charges at the June 22 hearing. Seward was convicted of all charges he faced in January. Federal prosecutors said he murdered Pressley, 64, over a missing package of marijuana by firing an AR-15 rifle into her vehicle while she was on her mail route. The senseless murder of Irene Pressley has had a profound impact on our community, Williamsburg County Sheriff Stephen Gardner said. We are thankful that those responsible have now been held fully accountable for their actions and we greatly appreciate the opportunity to work alongside the United States Postal Inspection Service and our other law enforcement partners to obtain justice for the Pressley family. According to the office of U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs, Seward and Jerome Terrell Davis, 31, also of Andrews, were expecting the delivery of a two-pound package of marijuana to Seward's residence on Sept. 23, 2019. Instead of delivering the package, Pressley placed a form in Seward's mailbox stating that he would have to claim the package at the post office. Court documents stated that Seward confronted Pressley minutes later and returned home when he did not receive the package. Prosecutors said Seward retrieved an AR-15 rifle and was dropped off by Davis on Senate Road in unincorporated Williamsburg County, about 10 miles north of Andrews. "Davis then left the area and a short time later, approximately one hour after she had left the form in Sewards mailbox, Pressley was driving down Senate Road in Andrews, SC, when Seward fired approximately twenty rounds off from his AR-15 into the back of Pressleys vehicle, striking her multiple times," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. "Seward then got into Pressleys vehicle and drove approximately three miles away, where he left Pressley and her vehicle in a ditch on an access road to a hunt club." The package of marijuana was later found on Senate Road after Seward had gone through Pressley's packages looking for the package he was expecting "or any other items of value," the U.S. Attorney's Office stated. Coggins sentenced Davis to the maximum of 20 years for robbery and five years for marijuana conspiracy, with the sentences to run consecutively. Davis, who pleaded guilty to his charges in February, will also be on supervised release for three years following the end of his sentence. Parole for federal inmates was abolished in 1987. Inspector in Charge Tommy D. Coke of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Atlanta Division expressed gratitude for his agency's partners in the investigation, which included the Williamsburg County and Charleston County sheriff's offices, the FBI and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. No sentence can pay for the loss of a loved one, but we hope the justice served will bring some meaningful measure of closure to Irene Pressleys family, friends, and colleagues, Coke said. A third man, Ricky Jesus Rocha Barajas of Santa Rosa, Calif., was charged for his role in the marijuana conspiracy with Seward and Davis in 2020. Barajas pleaded guilty in May 2022 and was sentenced by Coggins to 5 years' probation last August. GEORGETOWN COUNTY When Anthony Barletta spied the beaten-up pontoon boat, a business idea floated in his mind. That's how he should deliver pizza. "This thing was on the lake shore all busted up and nobody knew who it belonged to, said Barletta, who tracked down the owner, purchased it from him in Georgia for a dollar, and rebuilt it himself with generators, air conditioning, pizza ovens, two refrigerators, a freezer and other commercial kitchen equipment. The New York City native stumbled upon the idea shortly after moving to South Carolina during the pandemic. Just as its name suggests, Barletta's Pontoon Pizzeria is a pizza shop that operates strictly on bodies of water in Georgetown County's Hammock Coast, although the Brooklyn-raised 59-year-old hopes to set up shop north of the Grand Strand in parts of North Carolina in the future. I came down there during COVID and left New York, Barletta said. I was a network administrator for a retailer but had a friend in Greer that turned me on to South Carolina. I just fell in love with it. I said this is the place that I really want to be. Barletta moved to the western edge of the state in Westminster in 2020, and shortly after living in the Upstate for a period of time he came across a weathered pontoon that did not seem to have an owner. After hearing from many South Carolinians that good specialty pizzas in the state are hard to come by, Barletta brought his love of pizza and recipes he has perfected over the years including some passed down from his Italian grandmother to open the first incarnation of his pizzeria in Westminster. Within three months, we had everything ready for inspection, Barletta said. And they slapped that A sticker right on there. The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control inspects retail food establishments in the state through a grading system ranging from A to F. In Westminster, he ran a successful business for a couple of years, even donating a lot of his time and pizzas for charity, which he said he hopes to reciprocate in Georgetown County by working with local organizations in the future. But Barlettas pontoon in Westminster was mainly situated in a lot located off U.S. 123. After hearing the winter in Georgetown County was more advantageous, he brought his SCDHEC-permitted floating pizzeria to the coast, which he anchors off Sandy Island Beach in Pawleys Island each weekend, weather permitting. Everyone loves pizza, but I dont think everyone has seen a floating pizzeria before, Barletta said. Pontoon Pizzerias Georgetown County menu features 12-inch pies, including cheese, margherita, veggie, supreme, meat lovers, pepperoni, buffalo chicken and his specialty Cheetos Crunch. Prices for the pies are $14.99. Right now, Im keeping things simple until we get really rolling, Barletta said. Ive created all different kinds of pies over the years. I went as far as creating a mac-n-cheese pie, I had a pulled pork pie, really specialty stuff. My latest is the Cheetos Crunch. Kids love it. Barletta said with the limited space of his pontoon he uses a special pie crust imported from Italy called ItalCrust because it is difficult to work with regular dough other than calzones, which are also prominently featured on his menu. It has a thickness that is perfect for everybody, Barletta said. Once we top it, it is five minutes in the oven. Five minutes at 550 degrees and it is ready to go. You want a quick turnover and you want things to be good. Garlic parmesan knots are also on the menu as well as Pepsi products. Government regulations do not allow Barletta to sell beer, although he said he constantly gets requests for it. But Barletta said you have to keep the menu fresh, as he is currently experimenting with a new pizza called the Ring of Fire. It consists of hot sauces that go under the mozzarella in a ring, said Barletta, adding that it may take a waiver to purchase. Each ring that goes out gets hotter and hotter. Tabasco all the way to a Carolina Reaper. Right now, the Pontoon Pizzeria is open from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, but Barletta said it is still a fluid situation, as it is his first year operating in Georgetown County. Barletta said he has a QR code on the side of the pontoon. The code takes patrons to his website. After ordering online, customers will receive a text letting them know when their pizza is on the way. The delivery aspect of his floating business is also unique. Visitors to Sandy Island Beach are not the only ones who can purchase Barlettas pies, as he uses a jet ski delivery service with water-tight bins, giving him the ability to open the business up to other bodies of water in Georgetown County. People close to the beach, or on the beach, they arent leaving the beach, Barletta said. Even though they want pizza, they are not going to go out and leave to get it, Barletta said. So, what we did was create a delivery service. Its just a $5 fee and you can get your food delivered right to the beach. The $5 charge goes right back to his delivery team, who also keep whatever tips they get. Barletta said he is also looking for more jet ski operators. I want people to be happy and I want people who work with me to be happy, Barletta said. If successful, Barletta said he plans to look into adding more hours and setting up in other places in the Hammock Coast, such as RV parks along the river or neighborhoods with dock access. He is also awaiting a permit from North Carolina to possibly do business in Ocean Isle Beach and on Bird Island in the future. Barletta said those interested can visit pontoonpizzeria.com to order or find out where he will be set up next. This is just the beginning of what we want to do, Barletta said. Once we prove that this thing can make money, we want to approach investors, possibly adding other boats. Mount Pleasant, SC (29464) Today A few isolated thunderstorms developing this afternoon under partly cloudy skies. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. High 93F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Isolated thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%. MYRTLE BEACH Ebony Waters lifted her arms skyward as the purple and white balloons drifted over the Socastee Swing Bridge. A day after her oldest sons funeral, Waters had walked to the place where 23-year-old Demeatrius Chandler Jr.s life ended. This is where he took his last breath, she said, staring at the Intracoastal Waterway. He was just a loved person. Just a genuine, overall good child. Loved everyone who came in his presence. Family members still dont know why Chandlers Kia Rio crashed through two safety gates and into the 88-year-old swing bridge as it turned on June 12. They said he never seemed like someone who would hurt himself or anyone else. He did suffer from epilepsy and they fear his health played a role in the wreck, though it could be months before a state investigation gives them any answers. But they know some things. They know he was protective of his family, especially his mother and girlfriend. They know his cousins called him Meat Man, and he would often join them in freestyle rapping at family gatherings. They know he liked his mothers seafood pasta salad, playing "Call of Duty" with his buddies and listening to the music of Al Green. He was a peacemaker who loathed drama and always wanted his family to get along. Gentle giant. Old soul. Thats how they describe him. Thats the man they remember. They also know they dont want his life to be defined by the way it ended. To them, he wasnt just some guy who crashed into a bridge. He was a son, a brother, a partner and a stepfather. He was everybodys rock, said Rashanell McDonald, one of Chandlers cousins. Chandler was born in Manning but grew up in the Myrtle Beach area. He had seven siblings and a host of cousins. From a young age, he shared his mother's love of purple, the color of royalty. Always stand out, Waters told him. Be that royal person. Chandler stood out in multiple ways. For starters, he possessed the frame of an offensive lineman, towering well above 6 feet. That was one reason for his nickname Meat Man. Family members said his burly physique made them feel safe, but he was also tender and generous, the kind of guy who frequently gave $20 to a homeless man outside a Circle K. If you just walk into any room, no matter how you was feeling feeling bad, down he was going to be there [for you], said Aaron Jones, Chandlers close friend since elementary school. He was going to make you happy. Family members said Chandlers quick wit and easygoing demeanor brought a spark to weddings, baby showers and graduation cookouts. McDonald said it wasnt unusual for her cousin to suddenly break out in song or start rapping. Hed soon get others to join him. Wed all start rapping, she said. He was going to make you go. Chandler earned his high school diploma from Georgia State Adult Education and later attended Strafford College, according to his obituary. He eventually settled in Socastee, an area nestled along the waterway just outside the city of Myrtle Beach. Chandler and his girlfriend Alexis Jenkins lived in the Plantation Apartments across from Socastee High School. The couple met through one of his cousins. Family and friends say he was interested in her first. He kept asking, Man, who that? She was drawn to the big guy with the bigger personality. He was the life of the party for everybody, she said. Chandler and Jenkins dated for three years. They went bowling at the Captains Quarters and had dinner at the Sakura buffet. It didnt take long for her to know the relationship was serious. She started calling him her husband. He referred to her son as his stepson. Her 5-year-old couldnt pronounce Chandlers name, so he called him Demeter. While Chandler was a source of strength for Jenkins, she was also his support, caring for him through his health struggles. Just a few months before his death, hed stayed overnight at a hospital after a seizure. Friends said they were inseparable. On the day of the wreck, Chandler made a quick trip to a friends house. He was supposed to come back home. Jenkins was preparing for her 12 p.m. shift at the Chick-fil-A at Myrtle Beach International Airport. She started texting him to find out where he was. At 11:34 a.m., he texted that he was passing a McDonalds. Then he stopped responding. He didnt answer calls, which wasnt like him. When she heard the sirens, Jenkins panicked. The Socastee swing bridge is less than a mile from their apartment complex. I ran down the road with my son, Jenkins said. The road was already blocked off. I kept asking the officer that was on scene, Was it a silver Kia? She said an officer there insisted the car wasnt a Kia. I already knew that it was him, she said. Chandler had no reason to be driving toward the bridge. Normally, he would turn right at the traffic light from Dick Pond Road onto S.C. 707. Then hed take a quick right on Rittenhouse Road and be home. Instead, the Kia sped toward the bridge. The swing bridge turns to allow tall boats to pass. When this happens, a warning sounds and the bridge's adjustable gates are lowered to keep cars from driving into the waterway. But Chandler's car plowed through both gates. The bridge was about a quarter of the way into its turn when authorities say the Kia went airborne and struck a truss, then plunged into the water. A dive team recovered Chandlers body. The bridge remained closed for a week. The S.C. Highway Patrols Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team is investigating the wreck. This unit is assigned to complex cases and they use cutting-edge technology to reconstruct crashes. No additional information about the bridge wreck has been released. A patrol spokesman said the investigation could take weeks if not months to complete. While they await answers, Chandlers family wants to remember him as they knew him. On June 21, they walked down Dick Pond Road with purple and white balloons. Many wore shirts bearing his photo and nicknames. The back of Waters shirt said gentle giant. He doesnt want us sad, McDonald said. He want all his family together. This is like a gift to him, basically. When the telltale beeps of the bridge warning sounded and the blue steel bridge slowly rotated, the family walked to the edge of the black water. They released the balloons as 5ives Me and My Brother played. The song opens with the line, "Know I miss my brother." I know that hes at peace now, Waters said. Hes watching me and looking down on me every day. Hes with us right now. SUMMERVILLE A North Carolina electric company is giving Dorchester County $11,000 in grant money to fund weather stations. The money will go toward installing five weather stations, tentatively set to be located in St. George, Harleyville, the Givhans/Ridgeville area, Summerville and Ravenel. The stations will help keep track of weather conditions throughout the county in real time. Thomas McNeal, county emergency management director, said the stations will read atmospheric conditions, including wind, rain, temperature and barometric pressure. Duke Energy, an electric and gas company based in North Carolina, has no customers in Dorchester County, said Rick Jiran, Duke Energys vice president of local government and community relations. He said the company decided to do an emergency management grant process to give grants totaling up to $500,000 in South Carolina. As bad weather comes in, as storms come in, it doesnt know utility lines, it doesnt know county lines, it certainly doesnt know municipal lines or state lines, Jiran said. We made the conscious decision that we were going to open up the screening process to the entire state, and not just confine it to our territory. As a result, Jiran said, the grant process became a lot more competitive. Dorchester County was one of 32 grant winners across the state. Other counties include Greenville County radio equipment for the Simpsonville Fire Department and an ATV for the Greenville Emergency Response Team as well as Florence County for a couple different programs: communication devices for Lake City and equipment for the Florence Fire Department to extract people out of their homes or cars who may be trapped following severe weather. McNeal said the weather stations in Dorchester County will help the county evaluate if first responders should continue their service in the event of a hurricane. As the winds increase during a tropical event, there comes a point where the winds are too high, and its unsafe for (first responders) to operate, McNeal said. We really need with a county as long as ours to know exactly what the weather is doing in different portions of the county, so that were not just cancelling service everywhere. McNeal said that the weather stations would also help the National Weather Service in Charleston, confirming the readings they get themselves and assisting with emergency warnings for severe weather forecasts. McNeal added that the weather stations will help the county with schools as well, just for evaluating if its safe for students to be outside for recess or practice. He said the weather readings will be made available on the county website. County Council Chair Todd Friddle said hes excited for the opportunity Dorchester County has been given with the grant. He said he looks forward to the county implementing the weather stations and is confident it will help strengthen the emergency management department. Its going to be huge for us, having the ability to collect data that will be used by the National Weather Service, giving them more real time data, Friddle said. This has been a real gift for us. ...I think were going to be a leader in the Lowcountry for emergency management. Jiran said the county should receive the money by the end of June. The county was unable to provide a timeline on when the weather stations would be installed. Charleston Day School is accused of misusing COVID relief funds and retaliating against a board member who raised concerns about financial misuse, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court in Charleston. Attorney Matt Austin, a partner at Nelson Mullins and former member of the school's board of trustees, filed the 26-page civil suit June 21. He alleges that fellow board members voted to remove him as a trustee after he questioned the schools handling of money awarded through federal COVID-19 relief programs. Austin's attorney, Bill Nettles, declined to comment on the lawsuit. When asked for a comment on the lawsuit, officials with Charleston Day provided a letter to The Post and Courier they sent to parents on June 23. The private school with grades K-8 in downtown Charleston was awarded a $570,200 Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, loan in April 2020. Administrators said the money would help cover the payroll for 43 employees, according to the complaint. The school was also awarded nearly $80,000 through the Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools program, a pandemic program that provided financial assistance to non-public schools that enrolled low-income students, the suit contends. According to the suit, the school wasnt struggling to make payroll when administrators applied for a PPP loan. Charleston Day reported an operating surplus of $727,797, the suit lists, and in October 2021 the board of trustees voted to transfer the surplus which included the federal pandemic relief funds to the schools endowment. CDSs representations in its applications for PPP funding and forgiveness were not true, the lawsuit reads. In a letter sent to the school community on June 23, Charleston Day officials said they followed the spirit and letter of the law in applying for the relief funds. An independent review of the applications raised no concerns, according to the letter, which was signed by board of trustees chair Ross Hostetter and head of school Judith Arnstein. Mr. Austins removal was for his own conduct, not for voicing concerns about the propriety of the Boards financial stewardship, the letter reads. In their application for assistance for low-income students, Charleston Day administrators said the school enrolled 131 students from low-income families during the 2019-2020 school year, according to the lawsuit. The vast majority of families at the school are upper middle class and annual tuition runs up to $25,000, the suit states. In the suit, Austin additionally accuses school administrators of using a method of assessing economic demographics that inflated the number of low-income students at Charleston Day. Austin, who is married to the city of North Charleston deputy attorney Francie Austin, was elected to the board of trustees in June 2021. He began voicing his concerns about what he perceived as the misuse of money to board of trustees' chairperson Emmie Hershey in December 2021, according to the suit. Five days later, the board removed his access to prior meeting minutes. In a Feb. 5 text message to Hershey, Austin called the treatment "retaliation for my asking about the PPP loans and for the meeting minutes going back to the beginning of the pandemic," according to the lawsuit. Austin continued to approach board members with his concerns after learning of "potential misrepresentations" on the school's application for assistance for low-income students and its "misuse of PPP funds and offered to oversee an audit several times in early 2022, the lawsuit states. On Feb. 5, Austin brought his concerns to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the suit reports. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brook Andrews declined to comment June 23 on the lawsuit. On Feb. 11, the board of trustees held a special meeting and removed Austin from his position. He was later informed that his three children would not be allowed to enroll for the 2022-23 school year. Austin claims school officials punished him for trying to stop a perceived violation of the federal False Claims Act, which protects against "false or fraudulent claims for payment to the United States government," according to the lawsuit. Named defendants in the case are Charleston Day School, Hershey and Arnstein, the head of school. Austin seeks unspecified monetary damages along with legal fees. He has requested a jury trial. The Baku Higher Oil School of SOCAR (BHOS) has hosted an award ceremony for students of LANDAU School Local Curriculum. Speaking at the ceremony, BHOS Rector Elmar Gasimov congratulated the students and wished them success. The rector noted that Baku Higher Oil School is always ready to host such events that encourage students' achievements. It should be noted that the students of the Azerbaijani and Russian departments of LANDAU School for the first time since October of the current academic year have taken part in city and international Olympiads. During this period, they have participated in about 10 Olympiads, including SASMO, AMO, FISO, Olympiads in Mathematics and English, as well as in the Mother Tongue Olympiad, which was held for the first time on a national scale. In total, 250 students were awarded at the Olympiads. Some of the winners received several awards. A local television station is suing the Charleston County sheriff for refusing to provide copies of jailhouse tapes of Jamie Lee Komoroski, who is accused of driving drunk and killing a bride on her wedding night on Folly Beach. The lawsuit sets up a potential legal battle that pits the rights of defendants against the public's right to information. Gray Television LLC, the parent company of Live 5 News, contends in a complaint filed June 22 in Charleston County that Sheriff Kristin Graziano violated state public record law by denying reporters' requests for access to Komoroski's recorded phone and video calls from the county jail. The lawsuit has implications for journalists reporting on law enforcement and people jailed throughout South Carolina awaiting trial and presumed innocent. Komoroski, 25, of New Jersey, is charged with felony driving under the influence and reckless homicide. She is being held without bond at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center on allegations she was driving drunk April 28 when she fatally mowed down 34-year-old Samantha Miller and severely injured the groom as they left her wedding reception. Miller's death and the ensuing criminal case against Komoroski garnered national media attention. Komoroski's attorneys declined to comment on the television station's lawsuit. The sheriff's office granted The Post and Courier's request for Komoroski's phone and video calls after the newspaper filed a public records request under the state Freedom of Information Act, providing the newspaper copies of eight video recordings of conversations Komoroski had with her family and friends after her arrest, along with an equal number of taped phone calls. The agency indicated it had withheld one recording because it contained legal information and two more because they contained personal information such as passwords. Otherwise the sheriffs office lodged no objection to the release of the recordings. The hours of conversations reviewed by the newspaper painted a picture of a young woman who struggled to come to terms with her predicament and may have received special treatment by the sheriff. After the newspaper published its story on May 19, the sheriff's office denied subsequent requests from other media outlets for those same recordings. "Counsel and other interested parties" had raised concerns that "similar record releases would materially interfere with the administration of justice," Andrew Knapp, a sheriff's office spokesman, said in a June 6 email to news outlets. The sheriff's office, according to the lawsuit, stated further release of the tapes would compromise the defendant's privacy, right to a fair trial and physical safety provisions exempt from the S.C. Freedom of Information Act. The Post and Courier submitted a request for subsequent calls made by Komoroski while in custody, which the sheriff denied, citing issues related to privacy and the administration of justice. We feel further release of the records you received and of similar records would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy and would interfere with this persons right to fair trial, Knapp wrote in a June 13 email. The Post and Courier objected to this stance, arguing that the sheriffs office had already released recordings, setting a precedent. Knapp said the agency believes it erred by releasing most of the initial recordings to the newspaper. The sheriff's office records all video and phone calls inmates make from the jail. The government agency is subject to FOIA, which states in part that any person has a right "to inspect or copy any public record of a public body." The lawsuit filed by Gray Television rejects the sheriff's argument that the recordings fall under FOIA exemptions. It further states the sheriff's office "changed its stance" after The Post and Courier published information from the recordings, which "undoubtedly casts Defendant (the Sheriff) in a negative light." Komoroski indicated in her calls that the sheriff arranged for Komoroski to meet in-person with her parents at the jail a privilege not normally extended to other inmates. Komoroski also said the sheriff told her she should be home with her family, not locked up in jail, and that Graziano was planning to arrange a call between Komoroski and a friend of the sheriff who was in a similar situation. Charleston attorney Mark Peper, who filed the suit on behalf of Live 5, called the sheriff's revised stance "damage control." "The sheriff and her office just did not like the reaction they got from the release of these videos and documents," he said. Graziano defended her position. We believe the law is on our side, and we look forward to defending our position in court, she wrote in an email to The Post and Courier on June 23. Komoroskis case is not the first in South Carolina to raise questions about the public's right to access recordings of inmates' personal phone calls. Disbarred Hampton attorney Alex Murdaugh sued the Richland County jail in 2022 seeking to stop the flow of tapes after officials released hours of his phone calls. The tapes quickly became the subject of podcast episodes, news articles and television broadcasts. Murdaugh argued the release of his calls violated federal wiretapping law. A federal judge rejected the argument, and more tapes were released. His attorneys later contended the release violated his constitutional rights to a fair trial and privacy, but the case was never decided. Murdaugh departed the Richland County jail for state prison after he was found guilty of murdering his wife and son. He is serving two consecutive life terms. South Carolina courts have not previously ruled whether pre-trial detainees' personal phone calls should be considered public record. Taylor Smith, an attorney for the South Carolina Press Association, said the Charleston County Sheriffs Office has no legal basis to withhold the recordings in their entirety. The agency is allowed to redact certain information from documents and recordings that fall within specific exemptions outlined in the open records law. But it cant block the release altogether, he said. They are violating the law by saying, No, you dont get the record at all, he said. Ashley Pennington, the former longtime chief public defender for the 9th Circuit, argues that releasing pre-trial detainee's personal conversations is an "inappropriate" use of FOIA, which is designed as a tool for the public to learn about the functions of government. The Komoroski case is unique, Pennington said, because the recordings involve the actions of the sheriff. "This case is different than the 99.9 percent of other cases," Pennington said. "It is very unusual and not a sufficient justification to open this up more broadly." Pennington, who has represented hundreds of indigent defendants in his career, argued that release of jail calls is an unreasonable invasion of privacy and creates a "nightmare scenario" where conversations between a defendant and their loved ones "are mined for sensational or dumb comments that would be perceived as newsworthy." Courts have ruled that inmates have no reasonable expectation of privacy while in custody, and inmates are informed that their calls are subject to recording that can be monitored by law enforcement. Komoroskis father reminded her of this fact multiple times during the calls. The complaint requests the Court of Common Pleas schedule an initial hearing within 10 days. Glenn Smith and Thad Moore contributed reporting. FLORENCE Florence County School District 1 will put armed security guards at its 13 elementary schools next school year at a cost of more than $435,000. The money is included in the district's $191.1 million 2023-24 budget, which the school board approved June 21. We cannot stress enough the importance of making sure our schools are safe for our students and staff, Superintendent Richard OMalley said. O'Malley said providing armed security guards at elementary schools allows the district to provide the same level of security at every school. The district is reviewing bids from private companies to provide the guards, said Trisha Caulder, board vice chairwoman. Contract discussions probably will occur at the board's July meeting, she said. The S.C. Department of Education doesn't have records regarding the number of state school districts that employ armed security guards in addition to school resources officers provided by law enforcement agencies. Increasing school safety Armed security guards are the latest step to keep Florence 1 students safe, O'Malley said. The district hired private campus safety officers in the 2022-23 school year to help school resource officers patrol middle, junior high and high school buildings. All schools in the district conduct classes behind locked doors. Each classroom door is locked when students are present, and doors that lead into and out of classroom buildings are locked at all times. Schools also have metal detectors at each main entrance. All doors leading into buildings remains locked. The district also has installed more than 1,500 security cameras, and most teachers have emergency buzzers in their classrooms, Caulder said. The district is eliminating mobile school classrooms that aren't directly connected to a building because of safety concerns. It has removed nearly 170 mobile classrooms. The final piece will be removing mobile units at McLaurin Elementary School. That task will be completed before the start of the 2023-24 school year, Caulder said. School safety has long been a concern for the Board of Trustees as the number of school shootings across the nation continue to escalate, Caulder said. The Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit that collects and stores gun violence incidents from across the country, has counted 617 gun-related incidents at schools in 2023. Not enough school resource officers Florence County law enforcement agencies cannot provide enough school resource officers for all the Florence 1 schools. The Sheriffs Office already supplies armed school resource officers in multiple district middle schools, high schools and at Brockington Elementary School in Timmonsville. The Sheriffs Office cant supply enough officers to cover the whole district, OMalley said. The Florence Police Department supplied school resource officers to the district until the 2022-23 school, but it no longer has officers directly involved in the district. In the past, school resource officers traveled between schools in the district, Caulder said. Those officers could not be used full time at a school while that procedure was in place. Having armed security guards will fill in security gaps at the districts more rural elementary schools, she said. We just dont want to take any chances with our kids, she said. The partnership with the Florence County Sheriffs Office to provide school resource officers will remain in place after a contract to hire security guards has been approved, she said. School security will continue to be on the school board's radar, Caulder said. You always think, 'oh, itll never happen to us,' Caulder said. But what if it does, and what if we didn't do what we could have done to stop it? The budget also includes pay raises for teachers and staff. Starting pay for classroom assistants will increase to $15 per hour and bus drivers will be raised to $15.26. Classroom assistants in special needs classes will also see an increase to $15.60 per hour. Other staff apart from school data managers and assistant principals will receive $2,500 and a step increase. Classroom assistants, school data managers and assistant principals will receive position-specific raises. Teachers will receive the states $2,500 increase, a step increase and the districts local supplement. The general fund budget also provides money to continue and expand some of the districts programs, including mental health and wellness programs, specialized academic programs and its visual and performing arts programs. Technology and district facility upgrades also are part included in the new budget. Primary residential owner-occupied properties do not pay a school property tax in South Carolina. The state legislature passed Act 388 in 2006, which exempts owner-occupied homes from being taxed to fund public school operations. The act imposed a 1-cent statewide sales tax to make up for the lost funding. The Florence 1's 2023-24 budget of $191.1 million is 8.8 percent higher than the 2022-23 budget of $175.4 million. The tax increase next year will be the first in four years. What does the approved budget mean for taxpayers? Owners of rental property with an assessed value of $150,000 will see their taxes go up about $60. Businesses with an assessed value of $1.4 million will see a tax increase of $1,000, Showe said. The tax increase also will apply to vehicle taxes. Owners of a vehicle with an assessed value of $20,000 will see a $10.75 increase. Vehicles with an assessed value of $40,000 will have a $26.84 tax increase, she said. FLORENCE Affordable housing remains a stubborn problem in Florence and the small towns that surround it. In response, local governments and community organizations are continuing to pour resources into a range of housing programs. Community advocates say theres still not enough. Theres very minimal resources for this, said Cecelia Meggs, director of Lighthouse Ministries, which provides families with financial assistance. Theres a huge need but minimal resources. Florence Deputy City Manager Scotty Davis said housing studies done in the past have indicated Florence is in need of middle-income and low-income housing. Thats the case across South Carolina, which is experiencing strong demand for housing as more people move to the state. But theres not enough inventory to meet that demand, according to the 2023 Palmetto State Housing Study. Approximately 90 percent of households earning below $35,000 annually in South Carolina are housing cost burdened, according to the study. The need in Florence has dramatically increased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, as both housing and rent costs have risen, Meggs said. Compared to this time last year, requests for rental assistance sent to Lighthouse Ministries have increased 17 percent. The funds that theyve spent for rental assistance have increased by 21 percent. United Way is one of the organizations stepping up to address the need for housing. The organization is in the early stages of a pivot to new focus areas, one of which is rehabbing dilapidated houses. United Way of Florence County President Cameron Packett said the organization will explore creating a dedicated program for home rehabilitation after a needs assessment in the community found that safe, affordable and accessible housing was a major concern. According to United Way data, home rehabilitation is a more pronounced need in Florence County than in other areas. Year-over-year, requests related to rehabilitation have increased 13 percent in Florence, Packett said. Packett attributed that to Florences aging population. With few options for rehabilitation, seniors can end up living in unsafe environments or living without a home. If those problems go unaddressed, it can affect the rest of the neighborhood as well. It's a problem that definitely gets worse with time, Packett said. If you don't maintain the home as early as possible, the problems get bigger and more expensive. And then the home resale value is nothing and you'll ultimately have to demolish it and start from scratch. Thats a particular problem in an area that is already without enough houses. Saving homes from having to be demolished is one way to add to the inventory, Packett said. Homeownership is a top priority for city officials who say that more people owning homes will bring more stability to neighborhoods. The City Council recognized local Realtors as part of events to celebrate homeownership month in June. For years, the city has been steadily constructing houses on empty or dilapidated lots, Davis said. Recently, it has focused its efforts on the North Pointe Subdivision and on Pine, Vista and Sumter streets. The houses being built are designed to be affordable. In North Pointe, a 27-lot development in north Florence, the prices start around $120,000. Qualifying applicants may receive up to $30,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. Work on Pine, Vista and Sumter streets is intended to jumpstart revitalization and redevelopment in some of Florences historically underinvested neighborhoods. The city used an initial investment to build the first houses and has reinvested the funding when they sell the properties. That makes the program essentially self-sustainable, Davis said. In some of those areas the new houses will be among the nicest. Theres hardwood flooring, granite countertops all the amenities that would come with more expensive homes. Davis said thats intentional. Oftentimes, the public will hear the term affordable housing and will use that term and think that means an inferior product, Davis said. The city is trying to change that. We are building quality product, the product that anyone of us regardless of income would want to live in, he said. Lake City is pursuing a similar program, beginning this summer. Five lots at a time, the city is partnering with a private developer to build homes on lots the city owns. Once the homes are complete, theyll be sold at cost, and the city will reinvest the money in the program. The whole goal is to provide quality affordable housing to families who want to live, work and play and visit in Lake City and provide a stable environment and accessibility to home ownership to families who could not stay in Lake City, Donna Tracy, the citys public information officer, said. Davis said the goal is to encourage enough private development that it puts the city out of the housing business. But the city has been building houses as long as Davis has been working there 26 years. FLORENCE Tuition and fees will remain the same at Francis Marion University for a fifth consecutive year, the university's Board of Trustees decided June 22. The tuition and fee decision is part of a continuing promise public universities throughout South Carolina have made to state lawmakers to receive additional funding. The state budget appropriates more than $480 million in additional aid to South Carolina's public universities for the 2023-24 fiscal year that starts July 1. Francis Marion will receive a total of $14.75 million from the state. This year, the legislature also allocated $43 million for tuition mitigation at the state's public universities. The university received a little more than $1.2 million. FMU received slightly more than $7.7 million from the state allocation of $209 million for capital projects and deferred maintenance at the state's public universities. The school will use the $7.7 million to help finance a $9-millon renovation of Founders Hall, which was built in 1971 and provides instructional space for FMU students. The renovation will create a layout that better suits today's instructional methods and update mechanical systems. The General Assembly was extremely supportive of higher education this year, university President Fred Carter said in an interview after the June 22 meeting. Lawmakers also gave raises to all state employees, he said, which will help FMU retain and recruit top professors and staff. In the state's budget, all state employees making less than $50,000 will receive a $2,500 recurring salary increase and those making more than $50,00 will receive a 5 percent bump in their wages. FMU trustees decided June 22 to provide an additional increase of $1,000 for its employees making less than $50,000, and an additional 2 percent hike for employees making more than $50,000 annually on top of the state's increases. Trustees also approved a 15 percent pay increase for adjunct faculty, course overload payments, student workers and other hourly employees. "To increase that pay amount make this a very special place to work," Carter said. "There's no greater sign of respect that a Board of Trustees can extend to faculty and staff than to take care of them financially." The pay package is more meaningful, Carter said, because it didn't increase the financial burden on our students or their parents. Tuition and fees for a full-time, in-state undergraduate student for the 2023-24 school year will be $5,580 per semester. This doesn't include the cost of textbooks or supplies, which vary by academic program. Tuition and fees for full-time, out of state students for the coming school year will be $10,772 per semester. On-campus housing ranges from $2,781 to $5,402 per semester. Meal plans range from $300 to $2,114 per semester. As long as the General Assembly continues to provide "tuition mitigation" funding and additional support, FMU will do everything possible to avoid raising tuition and fees, Carter said. "Obviously, if we reach a situation where the state is not able to continue to support us at the level they have the past few years, we may have to do something with those increases, but I don't think given the current leadership of the General Assembly both on the House side and Senate side that that's is likely to happen. I think they will continue to support higher education." As long as that happens, Francis Marion will not increase tuition and fees out of respect for what the General Assembly is doing for higher education in the state, Carter said. The Board's decision to freeze tuition and fund additional wage increases for its faculty and staff was included in the approval of FMU's 2023-24 general fund budget of approximately $73.3 million. The university's total budget for the coming school year is approximately $173 million. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. In the historic heart of Baku, in front of the majestic Maiden Tower, a special yoga session unfolded on June 19, 2023. This event was organized by the Embassy of India in Azerbaijan and supported by the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve. The Ambassador of India, Mr. Sridharan Madhusudhanan, expressed his gratitude to the Icherisheher administration for their support. He highlighted the synergy between the historic setting and the practice of yoga and wellness. Key participants at the event included the Director of the Scientific and Cultural Center of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve, Mr. Vugar Huseynli, and the Head of the Department for Mass Events of Icherisheher, Ms. Beyaz Sadikhova. The yoga session was guided by Mr. Kanan Mammadov, an experienced yoga practitioner from The Art of Living. He led the participants through various yoga postures and breathing exercises, encouraging them to deepen their practice. The successful event at the unique location underscores the growing popularity of yoga in Baku, and the Embassy of India in Azerbaijan's commitment to promoting the benefits of yoga to the broader community. PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-23 21:40:45 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 450 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 New AI-Powered Software, Filing.Cab , Redefines Back-Office ManagementASPEN, CO / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Aspen Business Services, a leading business solutions provider based in Aspen, Colorado, is proud to introduce its latest innovation, Filing.Cab , an AI-powered, paperless back-office cloud, as the Aspen Ideas Festival kicks off. Filing.Cab harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to streamline, organize, and optimize back-office operations. The software is designed to seamlessly automate administrative tasks, enhance data accuracy, and significantly reduce manual effort, allowing businesses to focus more on strategic initiatives. Filing.Cab's intelligent system aims to significantly reduce human error, improve efficiency, and offer unprecedented ease of use. It offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface designed to accommodate businesses of all sizes and structures, allowing for seamless integration and adaptability.With Filing.Cab , businesses can look forward to a future where lost documents, disorganized files, and labor-intensive manual tasks are a thing of the past. The software features include AI-driven file organization, intelligent document recognition, and advanced reporting capabilities. Filing.Cab was originally designed to meet the rigorous and multifaceted demands of our esteemed clients in the real estate and private equity sectors," said Jonathan Hollinger, Managing Partner at Aspen Business Services. "It has already processed tens of millions of dollars in transactions and managed billions in assets. We are excited to share this robust and powerful tool with businesses across a variety of industries."Our state-of-the-art software leverages artificial intelligence to manage, process, and streamline complex and time-consuming tasks, thus enabling businesses to focus on what matters most - growth and customer service. Filing.Cab is not just a tool but a revolution in back-office management. We designed it to help businesses transition to a more streamlined, efficient, and eco-friendly way of handling their back-office duties. It empowers businesses to achieve a level of operational efficiency that was previously unattainable - especially given tight labor markets and rising costs." This announcement coincides with the Aspen Ideas Festival, emphasizing Aspen Business Services' commitment to continually innovate and reimagine the way business is conducted in this region. Hollinger adds, "As a local business, we're proud to contribute to Aspen's vibrant and dynamic entrepreneurial culture, and we look forward to seeing our fellow entrepreneurs take advantage of what Filing.Cab has to offer." About Aspen Business Services:Aspen Business Services is a leading provider of financial and administrative solutions, with a focus on serving the needs of the real estate and private equity industries. Based in Aspen, Colorado, the company has continually driven innovation in back-office operations, helping businesses streamline processes, enhance productivity, and improve their bottom line.Contact InformationTaylor ContiAdministratortaylor@ aspen.services 9707103111SOURCE: Aspen Business Services PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-23 03:00:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1108 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / June 22, 2023 / Avila Energy Corporation ("Avila" or the "Company" or "Avila Energy"), trading symbol "CSE: VIK.CN" , clarifies its news release dated June 7, 2023 regarding the convertible debenture units financing and the Micro Turbine Technology B.V. ("MTT") transaction.Convertible Debenture Units FinancingAs previously stated in its June 7, 2023 news release, Avila Energy has agreed to enter into non-brokered private placement discussions with two groups of accredited investors according to National instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions located in the United States and continue to work towards the completion of the private placements totaling US $10,000,000 on or before July 15, 2023, of convertible debenture units offering for a minimum of US$5,000,000 and a maximum of US$30,000,000 (the "Offering Amount"), subject to an additional US$5,000,000 to cover any oversubscription (the "Over-Allotment"), the whole on a best efforts basis only.The offering price per unit is US$1,000 with a minimum subscription of US$5,000,000 (5,000 units), The Company may accept subscriptions for less than the minimum in its sole discretion.The convertible debenture units (the "Units") shall consist of (i) one 24-monthconvertible Unit with a stated value of US$1,050 per Unit (the "Stated Value") with an automatic extension; and (ii) a two-year warrant (the "Warrant") representing the right to purchase one (1) Company common share ("Common Shares") for every dollar of the stated value of the Units subscribed for at an exercise price of US$0.50 per Common Share (the whole referred to as the "Offering").Each holder of the Units shall be entitled to receive interest payable on the Stated Value of such Unit at the rate of 9% per annum, which shall be cumulative and be due and payable in Common Share on the applicable conversion date or in cash at the discretion of the Company. , subject to the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") policies. In the event, the accrued interest is paid in Common Shares, the number of Common Shares shall be calculated using the conversion price.Upon completion of the business combination announced by the Company on April 3, 2023, the holders of the Units shall be entitled to demand a full or partial redemption of 115% of the Stated Value plus 115% of the amount of accrued but unpaid interest thereon to the extent that the residual post-redemption trust balance of the Company exceeds US$10,000,000. The redemption shall be allocated on a pro-rata basis to all holders of the Units. Thereafter, Units shall be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the holder of the units, in cash, at a price per share equal to 115% of the Stated Value plus 115% of the amount of accrued but unpaid interest thereon, unless extended as described as the Extension (as defined herein).The holder of the Units shall be entitled to convert any portion of the Units, plus any accrued but unpaid interest, into Common Shares at any time after the earlier of:the date of the completion of the business combination (the "Closing Date of the Business Combination"); ortwenty-four (24) months after the initial closing date of the Offering (the "Offering Closing Date"), at the conversion price set forth below.If no conversion has taken place within 24 months of the Offering Closing Date, the Units, plus any accrued but unpaid interest, will automatically convert into Common Shares at the conversion price set forth below if the share price is at US$4.00 or higher. In the event the business combination is not consummated within 24 months of the Offering Closing Date, the Units shall remain an obligation of the Company. In this case, the Units may be converted into Common Shares of the Company listed on a Canadian exchange at the choice of the holder of the Units. If the holder of the Units decides not to convert into Common Shares at the end of that 24-month period, then the Units will be automatically extended for 12 months unconditionally, and the exchange price will be increased from 115% to 122% (the "Extension"). During the Extension period, the holder of the Units can convert into Common Shares as described herein. If at the end of the Extension period, the share is trading at or above US$4.00 per Common Share, the Units will be automatically converted into Common Shares. If the Common Shares is trading below US$4.00 per Common Share, the Units will become due and payable at 122% of the unpaid principal and accrued interest amount. If this occurs, the Company and the holder of the Units agree to negotiate the terms in good faith. In such case, the holder of the Units will have full rights and remedies to be repaid in full as described herein unless the parties agree to new terms. In addition, once the Company has raised US$25 million, the Units will become secured by all the assets of the Company.If the Units are converted into Common Shares, the conversion price is the lower of(the "Conversion Price"):US$6.00 per share; orEighty percent (80%) of the lowest closing price of the Company during 21 consecutive trading days ending on the trading day immediately prior to receiving a conversion notice from the holder of the Units. The Conversion Price shall be subject to a floor price of US$4.00 per share, subject to compliance with CSE policies.If the transaction does not close, then the units will be converted into Common Shares at the Conversion Price at the lower of: (i) CDN $1.25 per share; or (ii) 80% of the lowest closing price of the Company during 21 consecutive trading days ending on the trading day immediately prior to receiving a conversion notice from the Unitholder. The Conversion Price shall be subject to a floor price of CDN $0.50 per share. For clarification, there can be no conversion into the Common Shares of the Company as long as the transaction is still progressing.The financing is to be completed by way of private placement offering (i) pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and/or Rule 506(b) of Regulation D under the US Securities Act of 1933 (the "US Securities Act"), as amended, or (ii) pursuant to Canada's applicable securities laws, including National Instrument 45-106 (the "CDN Act") and any and all applicable state/provincial securities laws.Closing is anticipated to close on or before July 15, 2023, or as may be extended by the Company.The Units and underlying securities will be subject to a four months and one day regulatory hold period from the date of issuance. The Units and its underlying securities offered have not been registered under the US Securities Act, a PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-23 19:00:57 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 681 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Increased Land Position Now Exceeds 132 Claims and totals 2,747 acresNew Claims Are in Highly Advantageous PositionsVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / CAT Strategic Metals Corporation (CSE:CAT)(OTC PINK:CATTF)(FRA:8CH) ("CAT" or the "Company") announces that, further to its news release of June 8, 2023, the Company has continued to stake claims adjacent to, and around, its Gold Jackpot property located NE of Elko, Nevada. This ongoing claim staking activity is the result of the recent discovery of highly anomalous lithium values reported by Surge Battery Metals Inc. ("Surge") on its Nevada North Lithium Project, located only ~1.5 miles from Gold Jackpot.ADDITIONAL NEW CLAIMS STAKEDCAT deployed a third consulting geologist to the property this past week to continue the staking activity initially undertaken by Rick Redfern and Patrick Laforest at the beginning of June. This intensive ground work has resulted in CAT staking a further sixty (60) claims to the east and west of the Company's existing claim block. This claim staking program has increased CAT's landholdings to 133 claims, which now totals 2,747 acres, or 1,112 hectares.GOLD JACKPOT MINERALIZATIONAdditional rock chip samples were taken by Redfern and Laforest, during their most recent claim staking, of multi-phase Cu-Au-Ag-Te-Mo mineralization at Stag's Leap and were submitted to the ALS laboratory in Elko. Widespread distribution of copper mineralization over an 800 by 2700-plus meter area at Stag's Leap suggests a possible early porphyry/diatreme copper-gold-molybdenum system at depth. This appears to have been overprinted by a later gold-tellurium system. A possible, still later, Carlin-style gold system is suggested by auriferous, acid-leached ("sanded") Paleozoic carbonate rocks in a NE-trending fault zone at the Prince uranium mine which is 1.8 Km southwest of Stag's Leap. The uranium appears to have originated from the Opal Spring Caldera system (~11 Ma?), whose youngest rhyolitic dome rocks are highly-enriched in uranium. The lithium is the most recent event (~10 Ma) of mineralization in the property area.CAT CEO, Robert Rosner, stated that "The Gold Jackpot Property has been determined by our geologist, Rick Redfern, to be part of the same lithology and geological structure that occurs on the Surge property. It should also be noted that Mr. Redfern's knowledge of this structure goes back many years, predating the discovery by Surge of lithium, and his enthusiasm for Gold Jackpot has expanded significantly with our focus on lithium in the discovery area".Mr. Richard R. Redfern, M.S., C.P.G. No. 10717, is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 who has examined the property on the ground, and wrote a Master's thesis on the Prince Mine area, and reviewed the geological information available from public sources related to the property and is responsible for approving the technical contents of this press release. Mr. RedfernAbout CAT Strategic Metals Corporation (CAT)CAT Strategic Metals' corporate strategy, as reflected in its overall Mission Statement, is to source, identify, acquire and advance property interests located in mineral districts proven to have world-class potential, primarily lithium, tellurium, gold, silver and copper. In addition to the Gold Jackpot strategic metals property located NE of Elko, Nevada, in the Pequop gold-copper-lithium trend with multiple targets for gold-silver, copper, tellurium , and potential lithium, CAT has the South Preston Uranium Project in the Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan, the Burntland Project located northeast of St. Quentin in the Restigouche County, New Brunswick, Canada, directed at the exploration and development of several Skarn-hosted copper-silver, gold targets. CAT's shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the trading symbol "CAT", and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "8CH".ON BEHALF OF THE BOARDRobert RosnerChairman, President & CEOFurther information regarding the Company can be found on SEDAR at www.SEDAR.com , by visiting the Company's website www.catstrategic.com or by contacting the Company directly at (604) 674-3145.Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.We seek safe harbour.SOURCE: CAT Strategic Metals Corporation PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-23 19:20:19 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 772 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CARY, NC / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / The U.S. is experiencing a severe housing shortage right now. According to a recent report by Realtor.com , the gap between single-family home constructions and household formations grew from 5.5 million at the end of 2021 to 6.5 million at the end of 2022.The housing picture looks a little less bleak if you account for multi-family construction (which actually picked up in 2022). Then, the gap between household formations and housing construction lowers to 2.3 million. But either way, a lot of homes need to be built in order to meet demand.Fortunately, modern technology can help. Here are a few different ways it can address the shortage:1. Accelerating build timesTech can help build houses faster.According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, it takes an average of 8.3 months to build a new privately owned residential building, but it doesn't have to take that long.For example, according to McKinsey & Company, modular construction can reduce construction time by 20 to 50%.What is modular construction? It's the practice of building individual sections of a house (aka modules) off-site in a factory and then shipping them to the construction site for assembly. This allows builders to mass produce homes via automated processes within a controlled environment that's less susceptible to outside weather conditions.Other technologies that are speeding up the construction process include construction robots (for specific jobs like digging and drilling) and 3D printing (which can layer materials like plastic, metal, or cement according to preset computer designs).2. Lowering the cost of constructionModern technology can also lower the cost of construction. For example, modular construction helps reduce waste and limits the variability of production factors such as how much material is needed.Similarly, construction robots and 3D printing technology reduce the amount of human labor needed to construct houses.But it's not just machines that are lowering the cost of construction. It's also software. For example, builders can use construction enterprise asset management (EAM) software to optimize their use of materials and equipment to drive down project costs.3. Expanding homebuyers' access to capitalOne of the major challenges of the current housing shortage is its effect on housing affordability. According to a report by Redfin.com , housing affordability is at its lowest level in history, with only 1 in 5 U.S. homes for sale in 2022 being considered affordable.Fortunately, there's been a wide range of tech solutions developed to help solve this issue. For instance, so-called power buyers like Homeward, Knock, and Orchard help people buy houses with cash offers, bridge financing, and trade-in programs. In exchange, buyers agree to get their mortgage through them.Another creative tech solution that dampens the high cost of housing is shared equity financing, such as that provided by Point. It offers people upfront cash to buy a home in exchange for an equity stake in the home. Other tech companies like Divvy let you rent-to-own, i.e. rent now while you save for a down payment to buy.4. Lowering the cost of mortgage administrationHome loan administration can be expensive. Between loan origination, payment collection, title searching, and default services, the costs can really add up.However, companies like Provenance are disrupting the loan administration industry with blockchain technology. They record mortgage transactions on a blockchain to streamline the loan administration process and cut out many of the traditional middlemen who drive up costs.Other AI-powered solutions help match borrowers to lenders and loan products to reduce the amount of time spent shopping for the right mortgage.5. Improving risk-prediction methodsThe amount of available data in the world is growing exponentially, and this includes data about housing. As a result, data-powered tech is improving mortgage and housing quality.For example, drones can fly over housing developments to capture video footage, which can then be processed with AI software to detect defects and dangerous construction activity. This leads to greater quality control, which can increase available housing stock.Data and AI can also be leveraged to better assess borrowers. For example, instead of relying on limited measures like credit scores, mortgage companies can take in other data about applicants' financial situation to get a more holistic picture of how much risk they pose.Moving forward with housing techThe current housing crisis won't be solved overnight, and many regulatory bottlenecks like zoning laws can't be addressed by tech alone. However, housing technology can do a lot to improve the situation. So now's the time for the real estate industry to embrace tech.Media contact:Company name: CetarisContact email address: scbedard@ cetaris.com Country: United StatesCity: Cary, North CarolinaSOURCE: Cetaris Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-23 19:30:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 989 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Top industry professionals came together to celebrate three prominent real estate colleagues who are changing New York City's landscape and to support the real estate leaders of tomorrow at a premiere event last week hosted by Fordham University's Real Estate Institute (REI).MaryAnne Gilmartin, founder and CEO of MAG Partners, Jeff Levine, founder and Chairman of The Douglaston Companies, and Nicholas Fusco, Commercial General Manager at Related Companies/Hudson Yards, were honored at the first-annual Real Estate Institute Awards event June 15 on the rooftop of Douglaston Development's 3Eleven, at 311 Eleventh Ave. in West Chelsea."This is a night to celebrate the groundbreakers, visionaries, and future leaders in real estate," said Bess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens, EAC member, and event emcee. "Tonight, we honor the people who have shaped the skyline of New York City and beyond, and your presence here supports those who will shape it in the future." Dr. Anthony Davidson, Dean of Fordham University's School of Professional and Continuing Studies, was joined by REI Executive Advisory Council (EAC) Chair Ryan O'Connor, President and CEO of Clinton Management, and EAC member Chris Mills, CEO and President of Electra USA, to present the awards."We launched our Real Estate Institute just over six years ago with the goal of offering programs that impart real-world skills and lessons, taught by industry leaders," said Dean Davidson. "REI has achieved that and more, and is recognized today as an educational and thought-leadership powerhouse. All of you here tonight are testament to that." "REI comprises students seeking undergraduate, master's degrees, and graduate certificates, as well as thousands of students in our professional development and certificate classes," said O'Connor. "But, what impresses me more than the numbers are the people. The people at Fordham care about you and help you make connections, just like we are doing tonight. What better place to celebrate that and bring together students studying real estate construction, development, and finance than 3Eleven, the largest new multifamily building in Manhattan, at the epicenter of the built environment." "I became involved with REI because I like to give back to our industry," said Mills. "Thirty years ago, there was a gentleman who took time to mentor me and I have never forgotten that, and I have paid it forward ever since. If you haven't already, consider becoming a mentor - the rewards are incredible." The REI awards were presented in the following categories:Groundbreaker Award: Jeff Levine, founder and Chairman of The Douglaston Companies, for the revolutionary development at 3Eleven, the largest new multifamily building in Manhattan, as well as for his decades of excellence in building, developing, managing and delivering market-rate and affordable housing options to New Yorkers.Visionary Award: MaryAnne Gilmartin, founder and CEO of MAG Partners, and Fordham graduate who is special advisor to the EAC. With decades of experience in developing impactful, iconic, large-scale projects, Gilmartin leads MAG Partners, which currently has a $1 billion development pipeline in New York, including the recently opened "Ruby" multifamily community in Chelsea.Titan of Tomorrow Award: Nicholas Fusco, Commercial General Manager at Related Companies/Hudson Yards, and Fordham graduate for his academic and professional achievement in the real estate industry and strong commitment and service to Fordham REI's EAC and adjunct faculty staff."I'm honored to accept the Groundbreaker Award from Fordham University's esteemed Real Estate Institute alongside industry peers," said Levine. "It is made that much more special that we are able to do so at 3Eleven, one of our team's most transformative developments to take shape and more importantly, one that is providing both a needed affordable and market-rate housing offering at a time when new housing stock in New York City is sparse." "Real estate is not just about putting up buildings; it's thinking of the people who live and work in them, creating jobs, and building partnerships with the community," said Gilmartin. "As a Fordham alum, I'm excited to be here to see the next generation of real estate leaders and help them on their road to success." "I'm grateful to be the first Fordham REI alum to receive this award. From student orientation through graduation, I had the full support of faculty, mentors and classmates," said Fusco. "I look forward to continuing to pave the path and create opportunities for those lucky enough to study at Fordham REI - and that's what tonight is all about." About the Fordham Real Estate InstituteThe Fordham Real Estate Institute (REI) is a part of Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies. REI offers a Master of Science in Real Estate, a Master of Science in Real Estate Development, Master of Science in Construction Management, advanced graduate certificates in real estate finance, development, management and construction management, a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate, and a comprehensive array of professional certificates in real estate and construction at its campuses in Manhattan and West Harrison, N.Y. Flexibility and convenience are program hallmarks as classes can be taken in-person, online, and at various paces. For information, visit www.fordham.edu/realestate Photo by Chris TaggartPHOTO CAPTION: Attending the June 15, 2023 premiere of the Fordham Real Estate Institute (REI) Awards event in New York City were, from left: Dr. Anthony Davidson, Dean, Fordham University's School of Professional and Continuing Studies; Jeff Levine, founder and Chairman, The Douglaston Companies; MaryAnne Gilmartin, founder and CEO, MAG Partners; Nicholas Fusco, Commercial General Manager, Related Companies/Hudson Yards; Bess Freedman, CEO, Brown Harris Stevens and member of REI's Executive Advisory Council (EAC); REI's EAC Chair Ryan O'Connor, President and CEO of Clinton Management; and Chris Mills, CEO and President, Electra USA, and EAC member.Media Contact:Caryn McBride, Co-Communications Inc.cmcbride@ cocommunications.com SOURCE: Fordham Real Estate Institute PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-23 16:01:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 690 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Weizhen Tang, a biologist, academic, and financial entrepreneur, has recently announced his candidacy for the mayoral race in Toronto. With a bold promise to revitalize the city's economy, Tang is determined to "Make Toronto rich again." Drawing upon his unique life experiences and success in the financial sector, Tang believes he possesses the necessary skills to lead the city towards economic prosperity.Tang graduated from Central South University of Forestry and Technology in 1982. He became an assistant professor of microbiology at the same university. In 1987, he studied as a visiting scholar at the University of Ohio. He completed his Master's Degree in Biology at the University of Waterloo in Canada in 1992. Afterwards, he worked as a researcher in human genetic diseases at Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Sick Kids Hospital.In 1996, Tang decided to venture into the finance world and founded Weizhen Tang & Associates, Inc. Starting with a modest fund of $4,000 CDN, Tang's firm experienced steady growth, reaching an impressive $4 million within a year. His financial acumen captured the attention of Canadian investment firm Gorinsen, leading to a successful partnership in making stock investments for retail investors. Despite facing setbacks in the Asian financial crisis of 1997, Tang displayed resilience and reimbursed the losses of his partners and clients. Tang's reputation as a financial expert continued to flourish, and in 2006, he published his book "My Way to Buffettian Wealth" (Chinese edition) and "The Chinese Warren Buffett" (English edition) published in 2018.In 2007, Weizhen Tang Financial Corp. was established in Toronto, followed by the official approval of Weizhen Tang Corp. by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) as a registered professional financial and limited market dealer in 2008. Tang's commitment to community involvement was evident through his active participation in charitable activities, including supporting disaster relief efforts in China and local community initiatives.However, Tang's journey faced a setback during the global financial crisis. By 2009, his assets under management had reached nearly 60 million Canadian dollars, but unfortunate market circumstances led to the loss of his funds. In June 2009, the Ontario Securities Commission formally charged Tang with securities fraud and other related offenses. This ultimately resulted in a conviction and a six-year prison sentence in 2012. Finally, the OSC withdrew the quasi-criminal charges on August 22, 2013, and lifted all cease trading orders to his companies on September 18, 2015. Despite these legal challenges, even today, Tang still maintains his innocence for the treatment he experienced.Following his complete freedom from the sentence in 2017, Tang became determined to utilize his rich life experiences for the betterment of Toronto. He strongly believes that the city requires effective leadership to address its political, economic, and social challenges. Drawing inspiration from former Mayor Mel Lastman, Tang emphasizes the importance of having business-oriented individuals in city council positions rather than mere "talk show" stars.With Toronto facing a significant deficit of 1.5 billion dollars and an immediate challenge of 880 million dollars in 2023, Tang has unveiled his ambitious campaign platform. He aims to generate 10 billion dollars for the city within a year by investing in US equity index ETFs, specifically SPY. This investment strategy is intended to replace all property taxes, cover free TTC services, and address the deficit. Additionally, Tang promises to restore trust, preserve culture and passion, and prioritize the happiness and well-being of Torontonians.Tang's vision extends beyond Toronto's borders, as he advocates for strengthening international cooperation with the United States, China, and other countries. He envisions Toronto as a model of international collaboration, highlighting China's potential as a valuable partner for global economic development.Tang's candidacy has sparked both support and skepticism within the city. While some admire his entrepreneurial spirit and determination, others question his ability to effectively govern based on his past legal troubles. Nevertheless, Tang remains resolute in his belief that his experiences will greatly benefit Toronto's management and propel the city towards a prosperous future.As the mayoral race heats up, Toronto residents eagerly await the upcoming election to determine who will lead their city and steer it towards a path of renewed economic success.CONTACT:NAME: Peter MorganEMAIL: peter@ canadanewsreport.com SOURCE: Canada & World Report BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Weapons of Armenian servicemen were found in Azerbaijans Khojavend district by the employees of the district police department, Barda regional group of the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan told Trend. Police officers found three assault rifles, one grenade launcher, one pistol, 882 cartridges of various calibers and other ammunition abandoned by Armenians during the Karabakh war. Meanwhile, according to the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), a total of 1,955 mines were found during the work carried out on the Victory Road between Azerbaijans Fuzuli and Shusha districts on June 21. As many as 1,586 mines and unexploded ordnance were discovered and destroyed during the implementation of the Fuzuli-Aghdam railway project. Following the liberation of its lands from Armenian occupation, Azerbaijan from Nov. 2020 started carrying out operations on clearing its lands of mines, booby traps, and various weapons left behind by the Armenian troops. Meanwhile, a total area of 83,993 hectares has been cleared from mines and unexploded ordnance to date in Azerbaijan [since the second Karabakh war]. PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-23 22:30:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1093 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Quality Industrial Corp. (OTC:QIND), is a mergers and acquisitions company focused primarily on the Industrial and Oil and Gas sectors. Earlier this week, the company appointed a prominent investment bank to act as its exclusive lead managing underwriter in connection with the sale of its common stock in a firm commitment public offering with a concurrent listing of the Company's common stock on the NYSE American. The company confirms that it plans to file its S-1 Registration Statement for the underwritten offering as well as its preliminary application for review by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) within the next 10 business days. Today, the company filed its preliminary Schedule 14C Information Statement following authorization by its Board of Directors for a reverse split of QIND's stock under the condition that it may only be accomplished for the purpose of and at the same time as listing of the Company's common stock on a National Exchange.The ProcessQIND has prepared its preliminary application for review by the NYSE and is now finalizing its S-1 Registration Statement for the underwritten offering. The S-1 is expected to be filed within the next 10 business days, during which the Investment Bank will be revealed. Upon approval of the company's NYSE application and completion of the offering, QIND intends to list to the NYSE American. If required in order to meet the bid price requirement for listing to the NYSE American, the company will affect the authorized reverse stock split simultaneous to its listing on the Exchange.Investment BankQIND has exclusively appointed a New York headquartered Investment Bank to act as the lead managing underwriter in connection with the sale of the company's common stock in a firm commitment public offering and concurrent listing on a U.S. National Securities Exchange. The company's Capital Markets Advisor, Exchange Listing LLC is collaborating with the Investment Bank on the financing and listing of QIND."We are pleased to appoint a prominent Investment Bank to assist with our NYSE American listing. Having been impressed by the team's exemplary track record, their overall management experience and proactivity, we are confident that they are the right partner for this listing as well as our broader strategy." said QIND CEO, John-Paul Backwell.S-1 Registration StatementQIND expects to file an S-1 Registration Statement for the sale of its common stock in a firm commitment public offering and concurrent listing on a U.S. National Securities Exchange within the next 10 business days. The offering shall be for an amount of gross proceeds of up to approximately $7 million. Coinciding with the filing of the S-1 Registration Statement, QIND will submit is preliminary application for review by the NYSE.Reverse Stock SplitHaving today filed the required Schedule 14C Information Statement, QIND has given notice that its Board of Directors authorized a reverse split of the company's stock which may only take place in order to list QIND's common stock on a National Exchange and very significantly, the reverse split may only take place at the same time as the company's common stock is listed on a National Exchange.The reverse stock split will have no immediate effect on the company's current value, as its market capitalization shall remain the same after it is executed. A reverse stock split has no direct effect on the total dollar value of a stockholder's shares.QIND's Board of Directors will determine the ratio for the reverse stock split, if required, having authorized a range of 1-for-2 and not more than 1-for-20, thus providing the company with the flexibility to achieve the desired results of the reverse stock split. Upon receiving a market effective date from FINRA and following approval of the company's NYSE application as well as effectiveness of its S-1 Registration Statement, the company will choose the ratio required to meet or exceed the $2 bid price requirement for uplisting to the NYSE American. The reverse stock split will only take place if required at the time to meet the bid price requirement and is only authorized to take place for the purpose of as well as at the same time as uplisting to a National Securities Exchange.QIND's Board and Management believe that the decision to authorize a reverse stock split only in connection with and simultaneous to a National Securities Exchange listing is in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders. The company believes that QIND's share price is highly undervalued when compared to industry peers on core underlying valuation metrics as reflected by the company's audited annual and quarterly financial results. The company's Board and Management team unanimously agrees that listing on a National Securities Exchange will attract institutional investors to the company, with increased demand and liquidity as a result. Consequently, in order for the company to complete its eligibility for listing on a National Securities Exchange, the reverse stock split may be required. Furthermore, in an agreement signed with the company's Investment Bank, shares of QIND insiders will be locked-up for a period of six months following the company's listing on a National Securities Exchange."We firmly believe that an uplist to the NYSE American is in the best interest of our Shareholders. It is the optimal path for realizing the value we see in the company and for its expansion from a largely Middle Eastern operation with several Global Multinational Customers towards a fully Global operation servicing a much larger Global Customer base. We also plan to expand further into the Utilities and Industrial Manufacturing sectors, given that our company is one of very few globally which is fully certified to manufacture the scalable equipment and facilities required for hydrogen storage and power plants. This is a high demand, high growth sector, making listing on the NYSE American all the more important towards achievement of our growth objectives. It is exciting that we are taking very significant steps closer towards this milestone as well as towards even greater achievements by our company." Said QIND Chairman, Nicolas Link.This Press Release does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale.FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSThis press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature about the Company. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "future" or other similar expressions. The Company has based these PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-23 07:30:26 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 738 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LRGENEVA, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SA (SIX:RLF)(OTCQB:RLFFD)(OTCQB:RLFTD) (Relief Therapeutics, or the Company), a biopharmaceutical company committed to delivering innovative treatment options with the potential for transformative outcomes to benefit those suffering from select specialty and rare diseases, today announced the closing of the previously announced private placement.The Company sold 1,200,000 shares at a purchase price of CHF 3.33 and 300,000 pre-funded warrants to a healthcare-focused institutional investor. Each pre-funded warrant has an exercise price of CHF 3.33, with CHF 3.329 prepaid upon issuance and CHF 0.001 payable upon exercise. The pre-funded warrants will expire upon exercise. As part of the transaction, Relief Therapeutics also issued to the investor 1,500,000 warrants. These warrants are immediately exercisable, will expire in five years and have an exercise price of CHF 3.40 per share.The aggregate gross proceeds from the offering were approximately CHF 5 million, before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes.The private placement shares and, upon exercise, the shares underlying the warrants, will be traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange and rank pari passu (carrying the same rights) with Relief Therapeutics' ordinary shares, and will be delivered from Relief Therapeutics' treasury shares previously issued out of its authorized share capital under exclusion of the existing shareholders' pre-emptive rights.H.C. Wainwright & Co. acted as the exclusive placement agent for the offering.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 jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements.ABOUT RELIEF THERAPEUTICSRelief Therapeutics is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing treatment paradigms and delivering improvements in efficacy, safety and convenience to benefit the lives of patients living with select specialty and rare diseases. Relief Therapeutics' portfolio offers a balanced mix of marketed, revenue-generating products, our proprietary, globally patented Physiomimic and TEHCLO drug delivery platform technologies and a highly targeted clinical development pipeline consisting of risk-mitigated assets focused in three core therapeutic areas: rare metabolic disorders, rare skin diseases and rare respiratory diseases. In addition, Relief Therapeutics is commercializing several legacy products via licensing and distribution partners. Relief Therapeutics' mission is to provide therapeutic relief to those suffering from rare diseases and is being advanced by an international team of well-established, experienced biopharma industry leaders with extensive research, development and rare disease expertise. Relief Therapeutics is headquartered in Geneva, with additional offices in Balerna, Switzerland, Offenbach am Main, Germany and Monza, Italy. Relief Therapeutics is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the symbol RLF and quoted in the U.S. on OTCQB under the symbols RLFTF and RLFTY. For more information, please visit our website www.relieftherapeutics.com or follow Relief Therapeutics on LinkedIn and Twitter.CONTACT:RELIEF THERAPEUTICS Holding SACatherine DayVice President, Investor Relations & Communicationscontact@ relieftherapeutics.com DISCLAIMERThis press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including market and other conditions, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Relief Therapeutics to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, the anticipated use of proceeds from the offering. A number of factors including those described in Relief Therapeutics' filings with the SIX Swiss Exchange and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could adversely affect Relief Therapeutics. Copies of Relief Therapeutics' filings with the SEC are available on the SEC EDGAR database at www.sec.gov . Relief Therapeutics does not undertake any obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of this date, except as required by law.SOURCE: Relief Therapeutics Holdings AG PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-23 15:31:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 406 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 New Office Allows Saluda Law, LLC to Better Serve the People of Saluda, SC, and Surrounding CommunitiesSALUDA, SC / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Saluda Law, LLC is proud to announce the opening of its Saluda Office. Located at 109 West Church Street, Saluda, SC 29138, the new office will allow Saluda Law, LLC to better serve the people of Saluda and surrounding communities including Ward, Monetta, Batesburg-Leesville, Edgefield, and Johnston.Attorney Judah VanSyckel at WorkWhistleblower (False Claims Act) Lawyer Judah VanSyckel Working Attorney Judah VanSyckel of Saluda Law states, "This is an exciting time for Saluda Law. With offices in McCormick, Lexington, and Saluda, I feel confident that we are in a position to not only better serve the people of this great area but to truly be part of the community." VanSyckel is a former prosecutor with extensive criminal defense experience.Admitted to practice in the state courts of South Carolina, VanSyckel is also admitted to the Federal District Court for the District of South Carolina, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. His firm's core practice areas include criminal defense and whistleblower matters. Other matters are considered on a case-by-case basis, including personal injury cases, such as car wrecks, truck wrecks, and catastrophic injury cases.VanSyckel has experience with both criminal and civil matters in federal and state courts. He has represented defendants charged with white-collar offenses like money laundering, unlicensed money transfer business, wire fraud, and theft of government property. He has filed multiple False Claims Act lawsuits in the Federal District Court for the District of South Carolina as part of his whistleblower practice. VanSyckel has also represented defendants charged with murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, breach of trust, obtaining goods under false pretenses, DUI, and other offenses.The phone number for the new office located in Saluda, South Carolina, is 864-803-5575. This location is currently open for video conference, telephone conference, and in-person meetings by appointment only. VanSyckel's primary office, located at 137 E. Main Street, Office 1, Lexington, SC 29072, remains open and can be reached by phone at 803-939-6927. The McCormick Office, 119a N. Main Street, McCormick, SC 29835, is also open by appointment and can be reached by telephone at 864-465-4092. Parking is available at all three locations.Contact InformationTeresa PierceLegal Assistantteresa@ saludalaw.com 803-939-6927Amie DouglassLegal Assistantamie@ saludalaw.com 803-939-6927SOURCE: Saluda Law, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-23 05:12:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 424 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / June 22, 2023 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until August 7, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:S), if they purchased the Company's securities between June 1, 2022 and June 1, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of SentinelOne and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-s/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by August 7, 2023.About the LawsuitSentinelOne and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On June 1, 2023, the Company disclosed that "[a]s a result of a change in methodology and correction of historical inaccuracieswe made a one-time adjustment to ARR of $27.0 million or approximately 5% of total ARR" and that the Company had slashed its fiscal year 2024 revenue guidance from a range of $631 million to $640 million to a range of $590 million to $600 million, due to the discovery of "historical upsell and renewal recording inaccuracies relating to ARR on certain subscription and consumption contracts, which are now corrected." On this news, shares of SentinelOne fell $7.28 per share, or more than 35%, to close at $13.44 per share on June 2, 2023.The case is Johansson v. SentinelOne, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-02786.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit http://ksfcounsel.com/ Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partner1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-23 15:17:04 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 492 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Hagens Berman urges Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPR) investors who suffered $500k or more in losses submit your losses now.Class Period: Apr. 8, 2020 - Apr. 13, 2023Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 5, 2023Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/SPR Contact An Attorney Now: SPR@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (SPR) Securities Fraud Class Action:The litigation focuses on Spirit AeroSystem's past statements concerning its operational performance and quality controls, particularly with respect to supplying its largest customer (Boeing).According to the complaint, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Spirit lacked adequate production quality controls; (2) Spirit incorrectly installed fittings designed to join the aft fuselage to the vertical tail for some Boeing 737 MAX airplanes; (3) Spirit would have to develop an inspection and repair procedure for the affected fuselages; and (4) the foregoing would negatively impact Spirit's financial results.Investors began to learn the truth on Apr. 13, 2023, when the financial press reported that Spirit notified Boeing of a quality problem that could stretch back to 2019. Reuters reported that "[t]he issue will likely affect a significant' number of undelivered 737 MAX airplanes both in production and in storage, and could result in lowered 737 MAX deliveries in the near term" and "[t]he problem, which affects a portion of the 737 MAX family [] involves the installation of two fittings that join the aft fuselage made by Spirit to the vertical tail, which were not attached correctly before it was sent to Boeing." Most recently, on May 3, 2023, Spirit announced that fuselage repair costs would negatively impact 2023 gross profit by $31 million and said that additional costs are expected.These events have driven the price of Spirit shares sharply lower."We're focused on investors' losses and proving Spirit knew it embarked on a cost cutting program that adversely affected quality control," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in Spirit and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Spirit should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email SPR@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens BermanHagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.CONTACT:Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-23 00:51:19 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 810 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BANGOR, ME and TRUE BLUE, GRENADA / ACCESSWIRE / June 22, 2023 / St. George's University has launched a new partnership with Husson University that will give qualified Husson students fast-track status and priority entry into the St. George's School of Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine."Husson University is the premier professional educator in Maine," said Dr. Philip A. Taylor, III, dean of the College of Science and Humanities at Husson University. "Agreements like this one with St. George's University smooths the transition of students from our rigorous undergraduate healthcare programs to graduate education. Maine, and the rest of the world, will need more qualified physicians to deliver care." Medical Economics magazine supports this conclusion. According to a recent article, an estimated 6.4 million more physicians are needed to provide universal health coverage (UHC) across the globe.Simultaneously, there is also a pressing need for more veterinary professionals. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates that employment opportunities for veterinarians will grow 19 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growing pet populations, increased pet longevity, and new treatment options are driving the need for more professionals in this discipline. Creating a path that will help meet the increased need for medical and veterinary professionals makes this agreement important."This partnership will provide invaluable opportunities for Husson students to become leaders in the medical and veterinary fields," said Dr. Marios Loukas, Dean of St. George's University School of Medicine. "St. George's is delighted to add Husson to our global network of partner institutions -- and make graduate study in medicine and veterinary medicine accessible to a new group of promising students." The new partnership establishes "4+4" programs at the St. George's University Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. Husson students who complete four years of pre-medical or pre-veterinary coursework and meet all requirements for admission are fast-tracked for admission into four-year programs at the St. George's Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. Candidates for the programs must achieve a strong undergraduate GPA and competitive test scores on relevant entrance exams.Students accepted into the "4+4" program at the School of Medicine also receive a $10,000 scholarship from St. George's, distributed to them over their four years of study.Students who enroll in the St. George's University School of Medicine can complete their first two years in Grenada or spend their first year at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom and their second in Grenada. All SGU medical students spend their final two years in clinical rotations at hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom.Veterinary medicine students spend their first three years in Grenada and their final clinical year at schools in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands."This partnership offers Husson students the opportunity to pursue an education that leads to a successful career. The international aspect of these programs also provides students with the opportunity to better understand international perspectives," said Melissa Rosenberg, Husson University's executive director of admissions. "We look forward to working together with St. George's to help educate the next generation of doctors and veterinarians." About St. George's UniversitySt. George's University is a center of international education, drawing students and faculty from 140 countries to the island of Grenada, in the West Indies, to its programs in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, science, and business. SGU is affiliated with educational institutions worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The University's over 20,000 graduates include physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health and business professionals across the world. St. George's University School of Medicine is accredited by the Grenada Medical and Dental Council, and its programs across all schools are accredited and approved by many governing authorities. For more information, visit www.sgu.edu About Husson UniversityFor nearly 125 years, Husson University has shown its adaptability and strength in delivering educational programs that prepare future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent a superior value in higher education. The hallmarks of a Husson education include advanced knowledge delivered through quality educational programs in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. According to an analysis of tuition and fees by U.S. News & World Report, Husson University is one of the most affordable private colleges in New England. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu MEDIA CONTACTS:St. George's UniversityEvan CobbDirector of Communications and Public Relations203.606.3127ecobb@ sgu.edu Husson UniversityEric B. GordonExec. Director of Communications207.992.4925 (Office)207.649.4647 (Cell)GordonEr@ Husson.edu SOURCE: St. George's University On Friday, while grieving over his friend and partner, Hamish Harding, a passenger in the ill-fated Titan submersible, Nigerian politician Ned Nwoko revealed that he was invited to join the tour of the famous Titanic Ship wreckage. Mr Harding, a British businessman, explorer, and multiple-Guinness World Record holder, including one for the longest time spent traversing the deepest part of the ocean on a single dive, was one of the five people who died aboard the imploded submersible. The politician took to his verified Instagram handle and explained why he couldnt make the Titanic tour despite the invitation. He also eulogised Mr Harding while recounting adventures they had explored together. Late Harding, and his teenage son, Giles, joined Mr Nwoko during his January 2020 expedition to Antarctica alongside a team of scientists from Russia, India, China, the U.S., and the UK. Mr Nwoko said he aimed to use the global attention the expedition attracted to create Awareness of Malaria Eradication in Africa. His tribute read, I have lost a dear friend and business partner. Captain Hamish Harding. We both went on a dangerous expedition to Southpole, Antarctica, a few years back. He was a gulf stream pilot who flew across the world in a record-breaking expedition by the Guinness world record to circumnavigate the Earth some years ago. He descended into the Mariana. He also invited me on his space shuttle last year and this very Titan ill-fated adventure, but I was tied down with national duties. Above all, he was a partner in the various pieces of research into eradicating malaria in Africa project. Mr Nwoko recalled Mr Hardings last message as regards the tour before they went on the journey on Sunday. He extended his familys condolences to Hardings family as well. He was very enthusiastic about it and always gave his support at every given opportunity. His last message to me was this Sunday when he told me they were ready to dive into the Titanic if the weather permits. He loved adventure and challenges. My heart bleeds for his dear wife and kids, who have become family friends. We will surely miss his wealth of experience, he said. Titanic submersible The Titanic submersible went missing after it dived on Sunday. It was reportedly said to have suffered a catastrophic implosion, which led to all five passengers on board missing. A catastrophic implosion is an instance of something collapsing violently inward. The implosion made what was supposed to be a 10-hour tour of the Titanic shipwreck, the famous ship, to end in tragedy. The submersible passengers include OceanGate CEO and founder Stockton Rush, British businessman Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood and his 18-year-old son Suleman Dawood. READ ALSO: CNN said The submersible, known as Titan, started its two-and-a-half-hour trip early Sunday and lost contact with its mother ship, the Polar Prince, an hour and 45 minutes into the journey. Also, the United States Coast Guard announced recently that the tail cone and other debris from the missing submersible were found by a remotely operated vehicle about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic, which rests about 13,000 feet deep in the North Atlantic Ocean. Antarctic Expedition In 2020, Mr Ned, through his foundation, Ned Nwoko Foundation, embarked on a multi-million naira Malaria Eradication Project. He left for the Atartica Expedition, where he met with renowned scientists from Russia, India, China, the UK and the United States of America. Alongside Harding and his son, Giles, the politician set out to visit the south pole in an upgraded 1943 DC3 turboprop aircraft. The expedition made Hardings son the youngest person to visit the South Pole, while Mr Nwoko was the second Nigerian. Arthur Nwabufo, a navigator and cadet at the Far Eastern State Technical Fisheries University, Russia, was the first Nigerian to reach Antarctica in 2019. They embarked on the journey from the coast of Antarctica on the Cape Town side of the continent and arrived on 12th January 2020. After reaching their destination, the team unfurled a Nigerian flag at the pole boldly written with the words Lets Eradicate Malaria in Africa. The Antarctica Expedition by the trio aimed to gather relevant and researched ideas on completely eradicating the Malaria scourge from Africa. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Friday, closed his case at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja with the 13 witnesses he called to prove his case against President Bola Tinubus election. Mr Obi had proposed to call 50 witnesses but could only call 13 within the court allotted time. He also tendered tons of electoral documents. Nigerias electoral commission, INEC, had declared Mr Tinubu the winner of the 25 February election. Displeased with the results, Mr Obi, who came third in the election, filed a petition at the court to challenge Mr Tinubus victory. He and his party filed the petition 20 days after Mr Tinubu was declared president-elect. Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who came second at the polls, is also challenging the election outcome separately. He also closed his case on Friday with 27 witnesses, although he had proposed to call 100. Both opposition candidates claim the presidency, alleging that Mr Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not win the election. Resumed hearing At the resumed hearing of Mr Obis suit on Friday, his lead counsel, Livy Uzoukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), led Tanko Yunusa, a stalwart of the Labour Party, as a witness. Mr Yunusa, a Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson, was cross-examined by INECs lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, a SAN. Mr Tinubu and APCs lawyers, Wole Olanipekun and Lateef Fagbemi, both SANs, also took their turns to grill Mr Yunusa during the cross-examination session. Mr Yunusa was asked if he knew about a Federal High Court decision that dismissed the Labour Partys suit challenging vice president Kashim Shettimas nomination because of the alleged double nomination. He responded, No. A lawyer in Mr Obis legal team, Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, a SAN, invited Peter Yari to the witness box as the 13th petitioners witness in the case. Mr Yari was a presiding officer during the presidential election in Kaduna State. He adopted his witness statement on oath. Under cross-examination by the respondents lawyers, Mr Yari said he had difficulty uploading the presidential election results on INECs Results Viewing Portal. At the close of his testimony, Mr Obis lawyer, Mr Uzoukwu, told the court, My Lords, that is the petitioners case. Afterwards, the court adjourned further hearing until 3 July for the respondents Mr Tinubu, INEC and APC- to open their defence. Background Mr Obi came behind Atiku with 6,101,533 votes, while Mr Tinubu polled over 8.8 million. As part of the grounds of the suit, Mr Obi argued that Mr Tinubu, at the time of the (presidential) election, was not qualified to contest the election. Like Atiku, Mr Obi anchored his claim on the grounds that Mr Tinubu was fined $460,000 for an offence involving dishonesty, namely narcotics trafficking imposed by the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, in case no:93C 4483 between the United States of America and Bola Tinubu. He further alleged the non-qualification of Mr Tinubus running mate, Mr Shettima, citing the nomination for two separate constituencies as Borno Central senatorial candidate and vice-presidential candidate for the whole of Nigeria in the same election cycle. Subsequently, Mr Obi put forward five prayers in court. Three of them are alternative prayers to the two main ones. In his two main prayers, he urged the court to declare Mr Tinubu and his running mate, Mr Shettima, unqualified to contest the presidential elections. Still, under the first prayer, he urged the court to declare that Mr Tinubu did not score most of the lawful votes in the election. He asked the court to declare that he satisfied the constitutional requirements to be declared the winner of the 25 February 2023 presidential election after deducting alleged illegal votes from Mr Tinubus scores. In the second main prayer, he urged the court to invalidate Mr Tinubus victory due to his failure to win one-quarter of the lawful votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. However, in his third prayer, which he put forward as an alternative prayer, Mr Obi urged the court to cancel the election and order INEC to conduct a fresh one. But he repeated his claim that he won the election in prayer 4, which he also put forward as an alternative prayer. Claiming to have secured the majority of the lawful votes cast during the election, Mr Obi called the court to declare him the president-elect and order the INEC to issue him a certificate of return. He urged the court to void the certificate of return wrongly issued to Mr Tinubu. In his fifth prayer, another alternative prayer, he called on the court to nullify the election, which he said was conducted without compliance with the electoral law, and order a fresh election. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A U.S. Immigration lawyer, Olubusayo Fasidi, has claimed Lagos Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, took an oath of allegiance in the U.S. to renounce Nigerian citizenship. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Fasidi, a Nigerian, testified before the Lagos State Election Petition Tribunal on Thursday. She was led in evidence by Olumide Ayeni (SAN), counsel to the petitioner, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party. The witness told the tribunal that Mr Hamzat, the third respondent in the petition, also applied for naturalisation as contained in Forms 8CFR/337 and N400. Mr Ayeni tendered the documents to the three-member tribunal. However, counsel to all the respondents objected, saying the reason for their objection would be included in their final written addresses. During cross-examination by Eric Ogiegor, counsel to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the witness said an individual could enjoy dual citizenship. She, however, said she was not aware of the provision of Nigerias 1999 Constitution that dealt with dual citizenship. She said that she was subpoenaed before the tribunal to explain U.S. law and not Nigerias Constitution. But when Bode Olanipekun (SAN), counsel to Mr Hamzat and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, asked the witness to disclose the jurisdiction and date Mr Hamzat applied for naturalisation, she said she would not because the information was protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. The All Progressives Congress (APC) counsel, Norris Quakers, asked the witness if she was aware that Mr Hamzat disclosed his American citizenship. The witness replied in the affirmative, and Mr Quakers, after that, argued that the witness addressed issues of law and not those of facts. The tribunal, led by Justice Arum Ashom, while admitting all the documents in evidence, ordered counsel to the respondents to include their objections in their final written addresses. The other members of the tribunal are Justice Mikail Abdullahi and Justice l.P. Braimoh. The tribunal adjourned the case until June 26 to continue the hearing. Earlier, Mr Ayeni presented result sheet from polling units in nine local government areas of the state to establish differences in some areas against what is recorded on INECs Form EC 40A. Counsel to INEC, Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat and APC objected to the admissibility of Form EC 40A, reserving reasons until their final written addresses. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Jigawa State said some communities shield suspected drug dealers from being arrested. The anti-narcotic agency warned that the adverse consequences of protecting suspected drug dealers in the community would be far-reaching. The head of the agency in the state, Muazu DanMusa, who was speaking on Thursday at an event to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Dutse, the state capital, said solving the problem of illicit drugs in the state is the collective responsibility of all and not the NDLEAs alone. One of the challenges we have (in Jigawa) is that in some towns, the residents tend to connive in support of drug dealers. They shield them. On two occasions when we went for the operation, they smashed our vehicles and injured our officers. This did not, however, deter us from performing, which is why it called a war against drugs. When you are in the field, you expect such an outcome, Mr Dan-Musa said while soliciting the support of such communities, whom he did not mention, at the event. READ ALSO: Meanwhile, Mr DanMusal said 999.335kgs of narcotics drugs were seized as an exhibit, with 422 suspects comprising 409 males and 12 females arrested in the state since June last year. A total of 94 persons were convicted, 186 counselled, 15 drug users rehabilitated, and four other drug users are undergoing rehabilitation at the state rehabilitation centre in Dutse, Mr Dan- Musa added. According to him, the Jigawa command of the agency has embarked on a War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Sensitisation campaign at motor parks and educational institutions across the state as part of the preventive measure against Drugs abuse and trafficking. He commended the officers and men of the command for their resilience, professionalism, and sacrifice in the discharge of their official duties. At the event, Mr Dan-Musa decorated some personnel of the command with new ranks while commending the chairman of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, for clearing the backlogs of promotion in the agency. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print KRAKOW, Poland, June 23. The first qualification stage of individual archery competitions among women has ended at the third European Games in Poland, Trend reports. Azerbaijani Yaylagul Ramazanova scored 645 points, and she will move to the 1/32 finals, to face Paulina Ramanauskaite from Lithuania. In case of victory, Ramazanova will meet in the 1/16 finals with Caroline Lopez from France. About 7,000 athletes from 48 countries take part in the third European Games, which will last until July 2. Azerbaijan is represented by 86 athletes in 13 sports. The first ever European Games were held in 2015 in Baku and the second in 2019 in Minsk. The Azerbaijani national team took second place at Baku-2015 and 10th at Minsk-2019, winning a total of 84 medals: 26 gold, 25 silver, and 33 bronze. The new Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Emmanuel Ogalla, on Friday, pledged to ensure a safer maritime domain as he assumed office as the 22nd indigenous naval chief. Mr Ogalla, a rear admiral, took over leadership of the Navy from Awwal Gambo, a vice marshal, who had been in command since January 2021. President Bola Tinubu named him as the new chief of naval staff on Monday. In his remarks, the new naval chief thanked God for the privilege and pledged to ensure that the Nigerian navy sustains the aspiration of being the best. He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for entrusting him with the responsibility. He pledged unwavering commitment to the security and prosperity of the nation in line with the vision of the president. Mr Ogalla, therefore, expressed his commitment to serving Nigeria with utmost dedication and integrity. He said the navy under his predecessor had made remarkable strides in safeguarding Nigerias maritime domain, protecting national interests, and contributing to regional peace and stability. Most auspiciously are the fleet recapitalisation efforts culminating in the hosting of a Presidential Fleet Review. Infrastructural development milestones and gladly, as a hydrography officer, the establishment of the National Hydrographic Agency, amongst several significant achievements, are worthy of mention. Sir, your dedication, strategic vision, and tireless efforts have set a high standard for all of us in the Nigerian Navy. The new CNS solicited the cooperation of all personnel in ensuring the success of the navy and upholding the highest standard of professionalism, integrity, and dedication to duties. He, however, said the task ahead was still challenging, as Nigeria face significant threats such as crude oil theft, illegal refineries and unregulated fishing, piracy, sea robbery, various forms of trafficking and other maritime crimes. According to him, these are not just threats to maritime security but also Nigerias economic stability and development. READ ALSO: We are committed to tackling these security challenges head-on, and we will intensify our efforts to curb crude oil theft and end illegal refining. We will enhance our capabilities to combat piracy and sea robbery and ensure the general safety of our maritime domain, he said. Mr Gambo said the navy under him pursued a single-purpose target to address the subversive and nefarious activities in the nations maritime domain. He said the service evolved more stringent operations, concepts and strategies to tackle the devastating impacts of piracy, sea robbery, the proliferation of illegal refineries, brazen crude oil theft, and destruction of critical oil and gas infrastructure, among others. To this end, we heightened our commitment to anti-piracy operations, anti-COT operations, choke point operations, as well as riverine and swamp operations. To give impetus to this resolve, we embarked on massive fleet renewal, robust logistics management, acquisition of additional platforms, human capital enhancement and holistic infrastructural development and effective collaboration with local and international partners. Our determination to face the several maritime security challenges will have been weakened if not for the immense support we received from the various quarters, he said. Mr Gambo thanked the personnel for their dedication, teamwork and professionalism, urging them to keep up the high standards and remain devoted to the service. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A Nigerian cleric, Abel Damina, has stirred controversy by claiming that it was Satan, not God, who sent down fire when Prophet Elijah, a Biblical figure, prayed for fire during a contest between him (Elijah) and the priests of Baal. The Biblical story The Biblical story, as told in 1 Kings 18:1 18, narrates a spiritual contest between Elijah, whom the Bible portrays as a prophet of God and another set of prophets the prophets of Baal, portrayed as false priests. Here is a simplified version of the story as presented by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: The kingdom of Israel continued to suffer from having no water. King Ahab told the people to follow a false god named Baal. The Lord sent Elijah, the prophet, to meet Ahab. Elijah invited all the people to the top of a mountain. He invited the king and his priests to a challenge to see whether the Lord or Baal was the true God. Elijah explained the challenge. He and the priests would sacrifice a bull on an altar, but they, would not light a fire themselves. Instead, the priests would pray to Baal to start a fire. Then Elijah would pray to the Lord to start a fire. Elijah knew that only the true God would start the fire. The priests of Baal prayed to their god from morning until noon, but nothing happened. Elijah joked with them and said their god Baal must be asleep. The priests grew angry, jumped on the altar, and shouted into the evening. They hoped their god would answer, but there was still no fire. Then it was Elijahs turn. He built an altar to the Lord, dug a trench around the altar, and prepared the sacrifice. Elijah asked the people to fill four barrels of water and pour them onto the wood of his altar three times. Water soaked the wood and the altar. It filled the whole trench. Elijah prayed to the Lord to show the true Gods power. The Lords fire came down and consumed the sacrifice, wood, stones, and water. The people knew that Elijahs God was the true God. Elijah prayed that the drought would end, and the Lord sent rain. Christians have known this Elijah story for generations, viewing it as proof of Gods power. But Mr Damina, who is the founder of Power City International in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said Jesus Christ would have shut Elijah up if he (Jesus Christ) was there when Elijah made the statement, adding that the fire in the Biblical story was from Satan, and not God. In two different clips which addressed the same issue, Mr Damina, citing Luke 9:51, said it was Satan that sent down fire when Prophet Elijah prayed. He explained that Jesus Christ rebuked his disciples from emulating Elijah. If I be a man of God let fire, if Jesus (Christ) was there, he would have said stop that, Mr Damina exclaimed, according to a video clip of the remark posted on the internet. Jesus wouldve told him (Prophet Elijah) (to) stop that. Shut up! Go and sit down, if you dont know what to do. Jesus (Christ) wouldve rebuked Elijah. If he rebuked the disciples that wanted to copy Elijah. It means if he was there, he would have rebuked Elijah. That means it was not Jesus that answered Elijahs prayer, it was Satan, he said amidst cheers from the congregants. Explaining further, Mr Damina said these are not the days of Elijah but that of the manifestation of the sons of God. It devilish, he said. Mr Damina told the congregants, All those wicked books you bought, go and burn them this afternoon. Bring them out, pour fuel, I licence you (to) burn it to ashes; those books are demonic. It is unclear the exact books Mr Damina was urging the congregants to burn, but he may have referred to any book that supports the claim that it was God who sent down fire when Elijah prayed. Mr Damina is not new to controversies, but the latest one has triggered mixed reactions from other pastors in Akwa Ibom, with some accusing him of heresies. The states five million population is predominantly Christian. Nyenime Andy, a pastor and founder of Holy Ghost Ambassador, Uyo, disagrees with Mr Daminas position on who, between God and Satan, sent down fire when Elijah prayed. Attention, the Christian Community. Satan did not send down fire, but God did, he said in a Facebook post, citing 1 Kings 18:22-39. Please read it carefully and thoroughly. But for the purpose of clarity, let me pick two verses of this scripture, he said with emphasis on verse 38. A Bible scholar and Bishop of the African Church in Akwa Ibom State, Ime Brownson, agrees with Mr Andy that it was God that sent down fire in response to Elijahs prayers. But Idy James, a pastor at Salt of the Earth Ministry, Uyo, agrees with Mr Damina. Mr James, in a Facebook post, presented his argument in support of Mr Daminas controversial remarks. That you are ignorant of a particular subject should not be blamed on another who has refused to remain in your position. It is a choice, he said in the post. Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, Mr James said the cleric, Mr Damina, would have been a celebrated figure if he was not from this part of the world. He supported Mr Daminas teachings, including the warning against paying tithes to pastors and the one about Noah not being asked by God to build an ark.. Not new to controversy Mr Damina has made many controversial remarks in the past. In 2017, he preached against Christians donating money to churches and expecting God to flourish them with riches in return. He remarked that God did not tell Noah to build an ark but that Noah built an ark to communicate what God revealed to him. PREMIUM TIMES in 2019 reported how Mr Damina blamed the church for the increase in suicide rates in Nigeria. Reacting to the suicide of a 400-level student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in Enugu State, Chukwuemeka Akachi, who drank a deadly insecticide, Mr Damina said sermons in Nigerian churches were instilling greed and depression among Christians. He said in 2022 that there was no fairness in politics and that elections were essentially about the stealing of votes, and added that men of God have no business prophesying to politicians because God is not involved in politics. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu Thursday in Paris, France, said the ongoing reforms introduced by his administration would be sustained for a more competitive economy that attracts Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). He urged investors to take advantage of the opportunities in Nigeria. Mr Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy during his inauguration on 29 May. He also approved the streamlining of the exchange rate in the country. We are ready for business, prepared to welcome investments, he said while receiving the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim), Benedict Oramah and President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile RenaudBasso, in separate meetings, on the sidelines of the Summit for New Global Financing Pact. The president assured the delegation of AfreximBank Executives led by Mr Oramah that the federal government would continue to stimulate the economy with policies that support investments in areas of Nigerias competitive advantage, particularly agriculture. We need reforms for national survival, he added, noting that it would take boldness and courage to reposition the economy, calling for more collaboration to solidify the economy. We must stimulate recovery for the growth and prosperity of our people, which will not be far away. Nigeria is ready for global business, and our reform is total. Nigeria is blessed with human and material resources, Mr Tinubu told the delegation, who had earlier listed areas of interventions to buoy the economy, like infrastructure, health, energy and agriculture. The president of AfreximBank commended Mr Tinubu for the bold steps in removing the fuel subsidy and unification of the exchange rate, assuring the Nigerian leader of the full support of the financial and development institution on the ongoing reforms. Mr Oramah said the bank was already building the first African Specialist Hospital in Abuja, and Energy Bank, pledging to inject more money into the economy to build the confidence of investors further. In the meeting with the EBRD, Mr Tinubu said, We are challenged in terms of reforms, and we have taken the largest elephant out of the room with the removal of fuel subsidy, and multiple exchange rates are equally gone. We are determined to open up the economy for business. Consider us a stakeholder in the Bank. He told the EBRD president that Nigerias economy was too large and potent to be ignored, adding, Ignoring Nigeria will be a peril to the universe. Renaud-Basso said it would be a mistake for the development bank not to invest in Nigeria after considering six potential economies for investment. She explained that the focus would be on the private sector, especially Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta on Thursday decried the dearth of qualified medical personnel, saying it was a major contributor to the high rate of child and maternal mortality in Nigeria Mr Oborevwori said this during the flag-off of the first round of 2023 Maternal and Newborn Health Week in Asaba. According to him, the situation is aggravated by health system gaps, challenges, low-quality care, inadequate utilisation of available health facilities and lack of access to essential medicines among others. Mr Oborevwori said that providing accessible and affordable healthcare for mothers, newborns and children was critical to any effective and sustainable primary healthcare policy. He said that successive administrations in the state had provided free healthcare for pregnant women and children under the age of five years in recognition of the importance that was attached to their survival and well-being. Mr Oborevwori assured that his administration would continue the free healthcare and improve Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) services in the state. According to him, available data show that maternal and newborn mortality rates in Nigeria are among the highest globally. In fact, in 2015, Nigeria overtook India as the country with the highest maternal and child mortality rates in the world. Yet Nigerias population is less than one-fifth of that of India. That tells you the magnitude of the problem on our hands, he said. Mr Oborevwori also said that poor nutrition, complex pregnancy-related illnesses and high cost of out-of-pocket expenses at the point of service were part of the challenges of the sector. To meet the global targets in maternal, newborn and child health services requires the participation of all, not just the government. The Delta State government will continue to do its best to improve health infrastructure across the state and expand the health insurance scheme to capture more people in the informal sector. Furthermore, we shall continue to implement policies and programmes that will create wealth for our people, so that they can invest in quality nutrition, he said. The governor called for the involvement and cooperation of women to embrace and practice healthy social habits that improve womens health, such as breastfeeding, regular physical exercises and abstinence from illicit drugs. He charged the people of the state to take advantage of the week-long programme to receive basic primary healthcare services at various locations close to their homes and offices. Mothers and caregivers should endeavour to bring out their newborns and under-5 children to the Primary Health Centres and other outreach facilities to avail themselves of the health services. We need to embrace these promotional and preventive health services to avoid unnecessary medical complications, health emergencies and avoidable deaths, Mr Oborevwori said. He called for the support of local government chairpersons, royal fathers, and religious and opinion leaders in the engagement and mobilisation of their subjects and followers to participate in this exercise. Mr Oborevwori commended various partners in the health sector who had always collaborated with the state government in its march to achieve the Universal Health Coverage mandate of the United Nations (UN). On his part, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Philomena Okeowo, said the goal of the MNCH week was to improve the health status of women and children by increasing the coverage of key interventions. She said that the state had made considerable progress over the years with Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) dropping below 200/100,000 live births and Child Mortality Ratio (CMR) reduced to 53/1000 live births.\ In her goodwill message, Delta State World Bank Co-ordinator, Faith Ireye, commended the state government for its commitment to mother and child survival. Ireye said the commitment is shown in the implementation of Primary Health Care services in the state. She said Delta witnessed a reduction in the outbreak of maternal and childhood killer diseases. Worthy of note is the significant reduction in the incidences of measles; there was 82 per cent reduction in laboratory confirmed measles cases in the state in 2023 when compared with same period in 2022, Ms Ireye said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President of France Emmanuel Macron on Thursday convened a summit with over 300 people in attendance including about 39 heads of state, 25 of them African. The summit called to discuss a New Global Financing Pact seeks to reform and transform existing financial systems created by the Bretton Woods initiative/agreement, arguing that it is now redundant, not inclusive and unreflective of the realities of todays world. What is the Bretton Woods Agreement The Bretton Woods Agreement was reached at the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference 1944 summit held in New Hampshire, USA on a site by the same name. At that time, the world economy was very shaky, and the allied nations sought to meet to discuss and find a solution for the prevailing issues that plagued currency exchange. Nations were also seeking policies and regulations that would maximise the potential benefits and profits that could be derived from the global trading system. The outcome of the conference was the Bretton Woods Agreement and the Bretton Woods System. The agreement was reached by 730 delegates, who were the representatives of the 44 allied nations that attended the summit. The delegates, within the agreement, used the gold standard to create a fixed currency exchange rate. The Bretton Woods System is a set of unified rules and policies that provided the framework necessary to create fixed international currency exchange rates. Essentially, the agreement called for the newly created IMF to determine the fixed rate of exchange for currencies around the world. It is famous for what has today become famous financial institutions in the world the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) popularly called the World Bank. The system was depended on and was used heavily until the beginning of 1973 when it fell apart as major countries began to float their currencies. At this period, it was feared that countries will fall back to where they used to be before the agreement. However, economists noted that it made it easier for countries to adjust to external shocks at the time. The institutions created by this agreement (IMF and World Bank) also had the responsibility of helping poor countries around the world through loans and grants. In February, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said It is time for a new Bretton Woods moment, because he believes the global financial architecture needs a radical transformation. He spoke while briefing the UN General Assembly on priorities for 2023 He reechoed this on Thursday when he spoke at the Paris Summits opening ceremony when he said the current global financial architecture is outdated, dysfunctional and unjust, hence the need for a New Global Financial Pact to take action to meet the urgent needs of developing countries. What then is the alternative on the table? Led by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, developing countries are proposing an alternative called the Bridgetown Initiative which seeks to be more inclusive and, according to Ms Mottley, reflective of todays realities. The initiative, as seen on the website of the Barbadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, groups its demand into three: The first step is to immediately provide liquidity to stop the debt crisis in its tracks, by asking the IMF Board to return access to its unconditional rapid credit and financing facilities to previous crisis levels and to temporarily suspend its interest surcharges imposed on heavily indebted borrowing countries for two to three years. This is expected to re-channel at least $100 billion of unused Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to those who need it and operationalise the Resilience and Sustainability Trust. SDR is an international reserve asset created by the IMF in 1969 to supplement the official reserves of its member countries. It is not a currency; it is a potential claim on the freely usable currencies of IMF members. As such, SDRs can provide a country with liquidity. Also, the G20 should agree to an ambitious Debt Service Suspension Initiative that includes all Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) loans to the poorest countries, and COVID-related loans to the middle-income. Major issuers of debt to the markets should help normalise natural disasters and pandemic clauses in all debt instruments to absorb shocks better. In the second part, the initiative proposes the expansion of multilateral lending to governments by $1 trillion Liquidity is not enough; these crises have systemic roots. Only investment will change their course, it says. MDB shareholders should implement the recommendations of the independent G-20 Capital Adequacy Frameworks Review of 2022 and the World Bank and other MDBs must use remaining headroom, increased risk appetite, new guarantees and the holding of SDRs to expand lending to governments by $1 trillion. New concessional lending should prioritise attaining the SDGs everywhere and building climate resilience in climate-vulnerable countries. The third step involves activating private sector savings for climate mitigation and fund reconstruction after a climate disaster through new multilateral mechanisms Most climate-vulnerable countries do not have the fiscal space to adopt new debt. We must move beyond country-by-country responses that have become bogged down by issues of who should do more, it said while proposing that we need a global mechanism for raising reconstruction grants for any country just imperilled by a climate disaster. Additionally, it proposes a new issuance of 500 billion SDRs ($650 billion) or other low-interest, long-term instruments to back a multilateral agency that accelerates private investment in the low-carbon transition, wherever it is most effective. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Government has called on the United Nations and development partners to strengthen support towards the implementation of a regional strategy for stabilisation, recovery and resilience of areas affected by terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Yaminu Musa, made the call at the ongoing 3rd UN Counter-Terrorism Week in New York. The CT Week is a biennial gathering of Member States and international counter-terrorism partners with the theme, Addressing Terrorism through Reinvigorated Multilateral and Institutional Cooperation. This is contained in a statement by the Director of Strategic Communication, NCTC, Ozoya Imohimi, on Friday in Abuja. According to the national coordinator, the reintegration of the vast number of repentant and low-risk individuals associated with Boko Haram and ISWAP poses a significant new challenge for the government of Nigeria. He said there was a need for more international support to address the menace. Mr Musa, a retired major general, said the Nigerian government had in the last six years since the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2349, undertaken several responses to address the impact of Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin. He said the efforts had guided the 2022 Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, the 2019 National Security Strategy, the 2017 National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, as well as the 2016 National Counter Terrorism Strategy. He expressed gratitude for the tremendous support from the UN and its entities for the rehabilitation efforts in Nigeria and emphasised the need for more global awareness and support to address the inherent challenges and risks in reintegrating all categories of returning terrorists especially those moving around sub-Saharan Africa. In the Lake Chad Basin region, the UN and Developmental Partners must continue to strengthen support towards the implementations of the regional strategy for stabilisation, recovery and resilience of Boko Haram affected areas, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU) in Kaduna State has expressed hope that the newly appointed service chiefs will help clear their community of terrorists. Birnin-Gwari is one of the most terrorised communities in Kaduna and the entire North-west region. Gangs of terrorists, locally called bandits, attack rural communities in the local government. Several hundreds of people have either been killed or kidnapped by the terrorists. President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, appointed new service chiefs of the various arms of the Nigerian military and an Inspector General of Police. Taoreed Lagbaja was appointed the Chief of Army Staff, Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, Emmanuel Ogalla the Chief of Navy Staff and Hassan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff. The Chairman of the BEPU, Ishaq Usman, in a statement to PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday while congratulating the service chiefs, said the officers and men of the army have helped to reduce insecurity in Birnin Gwari. He noted that among the soldiers that have protected the town was Mr Lagbaja, a major general, who was the General Officer Commanding Headquarters 1 Division in Kaduna from August 2022 June 2023. The community welcomes and commends the appointment of Mr Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff; even before the appointment, our community anticipated it. This is given his commitment to combating insecurity in Nigeria. The community acknowledged that, when Mr Lagbaja was GOC 1 Division in Kaduna, he led troops of OPERATION SANITY to confront terrorists/bandits in Birnin-Gwari and adjoining forests, including Niger State. Birnin-Gwari Community is confident that, with Mr Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Mr Musa as Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), and with synergy with other relevant security agencies and support of communities, the end of terrorists/bandits in our Community, North-west and indeed Nigeria at large, is in sight. Their appointments are a testament to their outstanding records of service and their unwavering dedication to the defence of our nation and the reflections of their merit and unparalleled expertise in the field of military operations. Their appointments could not have come at a crucial time as their leadership will undoubtedly inspire our troops to greater heights of excellence. Birnin-Gwari Community encourages them to remain steadfast in their commitment to defending our nation. Indeed, their appointments have brought renewed hope for the people of the Community toward ending security challenges. The Community is ready to give all the necessary support needed for any security operation towards combating insecurity which has prevailed for far too long in the area. Once again, accept the Communitys heartfelt congratulations on your appointments, and we wish you every success in your new roles, the community, Mr Usman said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja, on Friday, admitted as exhibit the The Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja, on Friday, admitted as exhibits President Bola Tinubus academic records from the Chicago State University, United States of America. The five-member court headed by Haruna Tsammani admitted the documents as exhibits, while the legal teams of Mr Tinubu, APC, and INEC argued that the documents were not admissible and promised to give their grounds objection in their final addresses. The documents were tendered by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, who is challenging the outcome of the 25 February presidential election. Atiku had filed a petition calling the court to overturn Mr Tinubus victory. Nigerias electoral commission, INEC, on 1 March declared Mr Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the race. But continuing his quest to have Mr Tinubus election nullified, Atikus lead counsel, Chris Uche, led the 27th witness, Mike Enahoro-Ebah, in evidence before the court on Friday. At the proceedings, Mr Enahoro-Ebah, a star witness for the petitioner, narrated how he obtained several documents detailing Mr Tinubus biodata. Mr Enahoro-Ebah, who identified himself as a public interest litigator, told the court that his attorney in the US obtained Mr Tinubus academic records from Chicago State University. He said the university was subpoenaed by a US court to release Mr Tinubus academic records. I obtained the academic records from Chicago State University purporting to belong to Mr Tinubu with a forwarding letter by my counsel based in Chicago. A subpoena was issued to the Chicago State University, which gave out the Academic records. A copy of the actual degree certificate issued by Chicago State University and Mr Tinubus admission letter dated 1977 is attached, Mr Enahoro-Ebah told the court. He said the degree certificate from Chicago State University bears the name Tinubu Bola Adekunle. Mr Enahoro-Ebah also tendered Mr Tinubus transcript from the South West College in the US. He added the transcript, issued in 1977, identified Mr Tinubu as female. The court admitted the documents as exhibits. In addition, the court admitted a notarised judgement of criminal forfeiture of Mr Tinubus assets over alleged drug trafficking in the US. The court further admitted a photocopy of Mr Tinubus purported Guinean citizenship passport, which Mr Enahoro-Ebah tendered. READ ALSO: Mr Enahoro-Ebah also said he obtained Mr Tinubus biodata from INEC, which was tendered before the five-member panel of the court A certified true copy of Mr Tinubus nomination form as flagbearer of the APC for the presidential election was presented as an exhibit. The form was accompanied by a cover letter from INEC and a payment receipt for the certification. The witness equally presented a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate bearing Tinubu Bola Adekunle Objections In their responses to the various documents, the respondents lawyers objected to the admissibility of Mr Tinubus records from both the US and Nigeria. INECs lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud, said reasons for his objection to the admissibility of the documents would be advanced at the close of arguments in the case. Mr Tinubus lead counsel, Wole Olanipekun and APCs lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi, urged the court not to admit the documents in evidence. But no reasons were stated as they promised to articulate their objection later. As of the time of filing this report, the court stood down Mr Enahoro-Ebahs cross-examination until 3:00 p.m. Friday. Mr Enahoro-Ebah may be Atikus last witness in the trial that has lasted three weeks. Atiku is expected to close his case against Mr Tinubu on Friday after calling 27 witnesses and tendering tons of electoral documents as evidence before the court. After that, Mr Tinubu and other respondents in the suit are expected to commence their defence on 30 June. Atiku is also challenging Mr Tinubus victory because the president was fined $460,000 for an offence involving dishonesty, namely narcotics trafficking imposed by the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, in case no:93C 4483 between the United States of America and Bola Tinubu. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Acting Inspector-General of Police (I-G P), Olukayode Egbetokun, said the Nigeria Police will establish a Quick Intervention Squad to tackle the menace of crimes and criminality. Mr Egbetokun said this on Friday in Abuja during his inaugural conference with Strategic Police Managers, consisting of officers from the rank of Comissioners of Police and above. The Nigeria Police Force under my command, in its quest to stamp out violent crimes and their detrimental and debilitating effects on the security and safety of our society, will forge ahead to tackle the menace of crimes and criminality head on. This will be done with the establishment of a specialized Quick Intervention Squad which will comprise combat ready Police Mobile Force personnel with effective and enhanced training in crisis de-escalation and violent crime reduction strategies. This will lead to a review of the engagement patterns of the Police Mobile Force in a bid to restore the days of glory of the Police Mobile Force as a punching arm of the Police, he said. The Police IG said his administration would embrace innovation and technology as powerful allies in the fight against crime. According to him, the world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and so the Nigeria Police should adapt to the evolving landscape of crime. He said criminals were presently more sophisticated, more organised and more ruthless than ever before. Mr Egbetokun said the Nigeria Police would leverage cutting-edge tools, data analytics and intelligence networks to stay one step ahead of the criminals, seeking to disrupt the peace of the country. The I-G said this would be achieved through a robust and effective human and technical intelligence gathering process to enhance the capacity of personnel. By harnessing the power of technology, we can make our streets safer, our investigations more efficient and our communities more resilient. We cannot afford to be reactive; we must be proactive in our approaches by equally collaborating with other security agencies, both domestic and international to strengthen our intelligence network, he added. Mr Egbetokun said his administration would also prioritise the enhancement of the Nigeria Police training curriculum with special focus on attitudinal and behavioural changes for new recruits and reorientation programme for serving officers. READALSO: The police boss said the idea was to further refine the perception of officers to concepts of human rights, rule of law and citizen-focused policing. He said the new training curriculum would be produced with inbuilt tests, designed to weed out individuals with negative mentality and high tendency for violence from recruits. The police boss said his administration would also make a case for improved welfare for officers to ensure the availability of resources, trainings and support necessary to carry out their duties professionally. To this end, my administration will intensify collaboration with relevant stakeholders for the resuscitation of the Police Officer Support Unit (POSU) of the Police Medical services. This will serve as a confidential support and counseling facility for all police officers, Mr Egetokun said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Taoreed Lagbaja, has assumed command of the Nigerian Army as the 23rd Army chief with a pledge to discharge responsibilities with fairness. Mr Lagabaja, a major general, took the baton from the 22nd COAS, Frank Yahaya, a lieutenant general, who had been in command since May 2021. He was appointed alongside other service chiefs on Monday. Mr Lagbaja said God had made it his turn to receive the mantle of leadership of the Nigerian Army, an aspiration of every combatant army officer. The new army chief said the army had, in the past 25 months, witnessed milestone transformation under his predecessor, Mr Yahaya. He said these included unprecedented procurement of equipment and prudent management of human and material resources, which Nigeria had begun to reap the dividends. Mr Lagbaja thanked the former COAS for mentorship and empowering his military career. According to him, following the leadership style of Mr Yahaya, repentant terrorists have been surrendering in droves like never before. Currently, we are witnessing more than ever before massive surrender by repentant insurgents in the North-east in a manner that beats the expectation of any observer locally and internationally. There is no doubt that the experience and exposure garnered under you will help in the discharge of my duties as the chief of army staff as you transit into retirement on this glorious day. I wish to assure you that I shall do everything within my power to improve on your legacy of a proficient, effective and admirable Nigerian Army, he said. Mr Lagbaja also promised to improve on the legacies of his predecessors of a proficient and professional army, adding that hard work would be rewarded under his watch. READ ALSO: I promise that I shall discharge my responsibilities as COAS with fairness; merit and hard work shall be dully rewarded while appropriate measures taken to bring back in line anyone that errs, he added. Earlier, Mr Yahaya said he was leaving the Nigerian Army better than he met it, adding that the army made remarkable successes in the fight against insecurity. He said that the adversaries are currently in disarray across all theatres of operations and charged officers and men to maintain the tempo. You must always conduct yourselves professionally in accordance with the ethics, customs and traditions, he added. Mr Yahaya said, You must continue to make deliberate efforts to improve your performance for heightened security, especially at this time of a new administration in our growing democracy. I charge you all to re-double your efforts in supporting the incoming chief of army staff to achieve even greater heights. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Insurance agents in Azerbaijan send SMS messages to citizens with notices that if they do not insure their properties they will be fined, however, this is illegal, Chairman of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) Taleh Kazimov said, Trend reports. He made the remark during the discussion of the proposed amendments to the law "On the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan" at today's meeting of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan. "We know that consumers are concerned about this, and we have already warned both insurance companies and their agents that sending SMS messages to citizens is not in their competence," he said. Currently, there are 20 insurance companies working in Azerbaijan, including such as AzInsurance JSC, Ateshgah Insurance JSC, Silk Way Insurance JSC, Gunay Insurance JSC, A-Group Insurance JSC, Xalq Insurance JSC, Ata Insurance JSC, Baku Insurance JSC, Azerbaijan Industrial Insurance JSC, AzerInsurance JSC, Mega Insurance JSC, Qala Insurance JSC, Pasha Insurance JSC, Nakhchivan Insurance JSC, etc. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan canceled the licenses of two insurance agents (individuals) on June 9. The licenses were canceled based on the statements of these insurance agents in accordance with Articles 107.1.1 of the Law "On Insurance Activities" of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa, has reiterated the determination of the military to go after terrorists, bandits and other criminals in full force. Mr Musa, a major general, made the vow when he took over the command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria from the erstwhile defence chief, Lucky Irabor, on Friday in Abuja. He said the military under his command would go all out to ensure that Nigeria was secured. As the CDS, my promise to Nigeria is that well continue to improve on our mandate of sustaining peace and tranquillity in our country. I will assure every Nigerian to feel safe that the armed forces are up and doing and are highly professional and will be there for them. Nobody should doubt our determination to bring peace to Nigeria, and anybody, especially the criminals, bandits, terrorists who thinks otherwise, should be ready to face the music. The Nigerian armed forces will come out in full force while safeguarding the safety and security of the citizenry, he said Mr Musa, who was appointed on Monday by President Bola Tinubu, also promised to prioritise the welfare of personnel to enable the military to get the best from them, saying that a soldier that is well fed, well taken care of would give his best. Mr Irabor, a general, urged his successor to ensure the value and professional standards of the military were upheld. READ ALSO: He said he had handed over to a tested and trusted officer who, by all standards, a model for the armed forces. I appreciate the president for finding Maj.-Gen. Musa very suitable to take over the reins of the armed forces. I ask that you redouble your efforts so that the cherished values and professional standard be maintained. Mr Irabor added that quite a lot had been achieved and was confident that the armed forces were in the right mood to achieve set targets. Looking at the mood of the armed forces they will help you and your team of service chiefs to ensure that the professional standard of the armed forces is retained, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print After calling 27 witnesses and tendering tons of electoral documents, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday, closed his case at the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja, which he prayed to upturn President Bola Tinubus victory in the 25 February poll. He filed the petition challenging the outcome of the election in March, roughly three weeks after INEC declared Mr Tinubu, the winner of the poll. But hearing did not start until 30 May. At Fridays proceedings, Atikus lead lawyer, Chris Uche, called the 27th witness in the three-week trial. The number of witnesses Atiku called fell far short of the 100 he proposed at the end of the prehearing session in the case. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how the witness, Mike Enahoro-Ebah, tendered Mr Tinubus academic records from the Chicago State University and the presidents biodata, obtained from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Mr Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN, also tendered electoral documents in evidence to substantiate Atikus claims of electoral fraud allegedly perpetrated by INEC and Mr .Atiku is alleging that Mr Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in connivance with the electoral commission, stole the 25 February presidential election. Mr Enahoro-Ebah was led in evidence by Mr Uche and later cross-examined by the respondents lawyers Wole Olanipekun for Mr Tinubu, Lateef Fagbemi for APC and INECs Abubakar Mahmoud, all SANs. Citing the prehearing session report of the court and provisions of the Electoral Act, Mr Uche informed the court that he had come to the end of Atikus suit challenging Mr Tinubus victory. Referring to Mr Enahoro-Ebah, Mr Uche told the court, My Lords, this will be our last witness in this case. Pursuant to the prehearing report and the Electoral Act, we apply to close the case for the petitioners. After the close of Atikus case, the respondents INEC, APC and Mr Tinubu are expected to open their defence soon. The five-member panel of the court headed by Haruna Tsammani had scheduled 30 June for respondents to commence their defence. But after Atiku concluded his case, a lawyer in INECs legal team, Kemi Pinheiro, also a SAN, urged the court to allow the electoral body to open its defence on 3 July. Toeing Mr Pinheiros line, Messrs Olanipekun and Fagbemi prayed the court to allow them to open their clients (Mr Tinubu and APC)s suits after the Sallah break. The Sallah break meant to mark Eid-el-Kabir, an Islamic celebration, is expected to commence from 28 to 30 June. After listening to the lawyers, the court granted the request and adjourned the suit until 3 July for defence. Background In the petition filed on 21 March, Atiku asked the presidential election court to either declare him the winner of the 25 February election or nullify the election and order a rerun. In seeking to upturn Mr Tinubus victory, Atiku distilled seven prayers. Atiku, Nigerias former vice president, urged the court to determine that Mr Tinubu was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes cast, and therefore the president-elects victory is unlawful, wrongful, unconstitutionalnull and void. He prayed the court to determine that Mr Tinubu, at the time of the election, was not qualified to contest the said election. That it may be determined that the return of the 2nd Respondent (Mr Tinubu) by the 1st respondent (INEC) was wrongful, unlawful, undue, null and void having not satisfied the requirements of the Electoral Act and constitutionwhich mandatorily requires Mr Tinubu to score bot less than one quarter (25%) of the lawful votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the states in the federal and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. He urged the court to declare him the presidential election winner, as he scored the majority of lawful votes cast at the presidential election. In the alternative, Atiku asked the court to make an order directing INEC to conduct a second election (run-off) between him and Mr Tinubu. That the election to the office of the President of Nigeria held on 25 February 2023 be nullified, and a fresh election be ordered, Atiku and his party, the PDP, prayed the court. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Calabar Division of the Court of Appeal, on Friday, affirmed the conviction of a former senator, Bassey Albert, on money laundering charges, which involved N240 million proceeds of bribery. But the appellate court softened the punishment imposed on the convict by giving him an option of a fine as an alternative penalty to the seven years of jail time imposed on him by the trial court. The trial judge, Aghatha Okeke of the Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, had on 1 December 2022, convicted Mr Albert on all seven charges involving money laundering and punished him with seven years imprisonment for each count. The court also ordered Mr Albert to repay N240 million to the state as a condition for his release after serving the jail term. But delivering judgment on the appeal filed by Mr Albert to challenge his conviction, the three-man panel of the appellate court led by Raphael Chikwe Agbo, on Friday, upheld his conviction of the former senator but varied the sentence by granting the appellant an option of fine. The court also affirmed that the appellant should make restitution of N240 million, the proceeds of the alleged crime, to the federal government, a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the agency that prosecuted the convict, said Friday. The statement added that Mr Albert was ordered to make the restitution through the EFCC. Further softening the sentence imposed by the Federal High Court, the appellate court also ruled that restitution shall not be a prerequisite for his release from the correctional facility. But the court revoked the earlier post-conviction bail. The trial court had convicted Mr Albert, the senator representing Akwa Ibom North East District, in the immediate-past 9th Senate, of the offences he committed while serving as the Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State between 2010 and 2014. Mr Albert was said to have received 12 cars worth N254 million as bribes from an oil marketer, Olajidee Omokore, who was then a contractor who executed a N3 billion contract for Akwa Ibom State. He was said to have taken the bribes as the chairperson of the state governments Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee. The various offences contravene Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and are punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act. Mr Albert served as Commissioner for Finance in the administration of Godswill Akpabio as Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Mr Akpabio served between 2007 and 2015. The convict was also the Akwa Ibom State governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the 2023 election. Appeal, post-conviction bail Mr Albert was taken to Ikot Ekpene prisons to serve his term after his conviction on 1 December 2022. But shortly after his jailing, he applied for a post-conviction bail at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. On 29 December 2022, a judge, S. I. Mark of the Federal High Court, who was then sitting as a vacation judge, granted him a post-conviction bail on health grounds. Mr Albert was taken to the University of Teaching Hospital for a check-up after his health deteriorated while serving his prison term. But upon release from prison, Mr Albert continued his campaign to be governor of Akwa Ibom State. Subsequently, he filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Calabar to challenge his conviction. While arguing against the appeal, counsel for the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, urged the appellate court to uphold the lower courts judgment, dismiss the appeal and revoke the post-conviction bail granted to the convict. The lawyer anchored his prayers on the grounds that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and the charge was validly filed. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Taraba State governor, Agbu Kefas, on Friday, signed an executive order prohibiting illegal mining activities in the state. Mr Kefas, who signed the order during a meeting with traditional rulers at the state government house in Jalingo, said the order would address insecurity in the state. He said his government would strengthen its regulatory framework and collaborate with all relevant agencies to fight the states illegal mining activities. It is imperative that we put an end to these illegal activities by strengthening our regulatory framework, improving enforcement mechanisms and enhancing collaboration among relevant sectors, and by ensuring responsible mining practices in curbing illegal operations, we can harness the wealth beneath our soil while safeguarding our environment for the future generation, he said. He called for cooperation and collaboration among traditional institutions in the state. He said cooperation would help secure mining sites and improve the states security situation. Another pressing issue that requires our immediate attention is the rampant spread of illegal mining activities in our state. While mining holds great potential for economic growth, unregulated and illegal mining practices pose a significant threat to our environment, economic and social values. These activities lead to environmental degradation, health hazards and exploitation of vulnerable communities. Taraba State, like many parts of our great nation, has been grappling with the scourge of insecurity. The rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes, and farmer-herder conflicts all have caused immense pain and sufferings to our people. The loss of innocent lives, displacement of communities and destruction of properties have cast a dark cloud over our once peaceful state. It is our collective responsibility to confront these challenges head-on and restore peace and security to our state. In the face of such adversities, unity and collaboration becomes paramount. We must set aside our differences to embrace dialogue and work together to find a lasting solution. Your royal highnesses, I implore you to harness your influence, bring your communities together, and foster an atmosphere of understanding and cooperation; by fostering peace at the grassroots, or at the grassroots level, you can pave the way for a harmonious and prosperous state. As I said earlier, as the custodians of our traditions and culture, you possess a unique power to shape the hearts and minds of our people. It is in this regard that I urge you to utilise the power to promote peace, discourage violence, and encourage youth engagement in productive activities; by leading by example and promoting the values of tolerance, respect and peaceful coexistence, we can create a society where every citizen can feel secure, and go about their productive endeavours. Our royal fathers, in conclusion, therefore, I am speaking to you today not only as your Governor but also as a concerned citizen of Taraba State. Together, we can address these security challenges that confront us. We can foster collaboration together and put out things that hinder us. Let us embrace the call for unity, wisdom and community engagement to build a Taraba State that is safe, prosperous and sustainable. May the bonds of our shared heritage strengthen our resolve, and may our collective effort bear fruits in securing a better future for Taraba State, he said. Illegal miners have reportedly invaded minerals-rich areas of the state, chasing away farmers, degrading the soil and depriving them (farmers) of their means of livelihood. Their activities have also resulted in violent clashes among groups in the state. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Taraba State government said it has concluded a deal with Knight A.S, a Czech company, to supply 850 tractors, and provide technical assistance to boost agriculture in the state. According to a statement released by Yusuf Sanda, the chief press secretary to Governor Agbu Kefas, the tractors will be delivered within the first 100 days of the administration. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the supply of the tractors was signed in 2021 by the immediate past governor, Darius Ishaku, but the tractors were not supplied because the state could not get the needed clearance from the federal government. The statement disclosed that the firm is expected to supply 750 new global multi-purpose mini tractors and 100 Cabrio compact tractors, accessories, tools, and spare parts for small and medium-scale farmers at the cost of 150 million euros. Mr Sanda said the governor decided to follow through with the plan because of his commitment to, taking a giant step towards kick-starting the revitalisation of the agricultural sector in the state. Kefas reiterated the commitment of his administration to collaborate with foreign investors to modernise farming practices in the state so that local farmers can compete globally, he said. During the immediate past administration, 150 tractors were allegedly procured by the government, yet the state now has fewer than 30 government-owned tractors across its 16 local government areas. Alleged diversion of tractors A source within the state Ministry of Agriculture, Tractor Hiring Unit Department (THU), who pleaded anonymity for fear of being punished for speaking to the media without authorisation, said out of the 30 tractors at the department, only about 16 were functional. The source also disclosed that the mini tractors that were supposed to be sold to small-scale farmers at subsidised prices with flexible payment plans were diverted and bought by government officials who in turn hired them out to the farmers at exorbitant rates. Between 2018 and 2019, Mr Ishaku bought 160 tractors, 60 Massey Ferguson tractors and 100 mini tractors. During the distribution of the tractors, Mr Ishaku said the THU had failed hence the need for a change of strategy in providing machinery to farmers. A farmer, Ibrahim Usaini, who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES said the high cost of hiring tractors has made farming less profitable and is one of the reasons for the increase in food prices. The tractors are scarce and even when you get it (tractor), the cost of hiring it is always high, he said. Almost all the tractors bought by the last administration to help farmers were bought and diverted by top government officials. We learnt that some were taken to some north-central states, a situation that is causing us hardship, Mr Usaini added. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in Wukari LGA, Ishaya Gani, told PREMIUM TIMES that tractors were purchased by the last administration but were sold to individuals on loan. Mr Gani said the initiative by the present administration to prioritise small-scale and medium-scale farmers in the distribution of the soon to arrive tractors will no doubt boost food production and security in the state. Efforts to speak with officials of the THU failed as the head of the unit claimed that he can only speak when he gets clearance from the Ministry of Agriculture. READ ALSO: Gunmen raid villages in Taraba State Similarly, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture also refused to speak. He said the ministry submitted its report on the state of things at the end of the last administration to the government through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Timothy Kataps. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to commit the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Yushau Ahmed, a brigadier-general, to prison over alleged disobedience to a court order. Mr Mbah prayed to the court in Form 49 filed through his lawyer, Emeka Ozoani, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). It marks the commencement of contempt proceedings against the NYSC boss. The development is the latest in an unfolding legal battle Mr Mbah launched in May after the NYSC disowned the discharge certificate he claimed the corps had issued him after completing his national service in 2003. Mr Mbah, in his suit, is seeking N20 billion in damages against the NYSC for alleged conspiracy, deceit, and misrepresentation of facts. But NYSC has insisted it did not issue the certificate in Mr Mbahs possession and provided details to back its claim that the governor refused to collect the authentic certificate. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor filed the fresh contempt application on 22 June, accusing Mr Ahmed of flouting the courts order on 15 May. The governor said the order had restrained Mr Ahmed from issuing, publishing or continuing to issue or publish a disclaimer of his NYSC certificate of national service dated 6 January 2003 and with certificate number: A.808297. He said the NYSC boss had violated the order. . The plaintiff apply to this court for an order for your committal to prison for having disobeyed the order of this court, his application read in part. The Form 48 attached to the application and addressed to the NYSC boss read: Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in this order, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison. Although the matter was scheduled for today (Friday) for hearing, the trial judge, Inyang Ekwo, did not sit. Consequently, the case was adjourned until 4 July. Suit NAN reports that Mr Mbah had sued the NYSC and its Director, Corps Certification, Ibrahim Muhammad, for publishing a disclaimer, denying the issuance of a discharge certificate issued to him on 6 January 2003. An NYSC discharge certificate is issued to Nigerian graduates aged 30 and below after they complete a mandatory one-year national service organised by the body. The certificate is a prerequisite for degree holders to secure a formal job in Nigeria. Those above 30 are issued a certificate of exemption which is also tenable for securing a job. But graduates who fail to participate in the NYSC scheme before clocking 30 are not entitled to an exemption certificate once they cross the eligibility age. READ ALSO: Academic and NYSC records of politicians appointed to or getting into public office usually attract public scrutiny. Based on Mr Mbahs request after filing his suit, the trial judge, Mr Ekwo, had, on 15 May, restrained the relevant NYSC officials and any of their agents from, henceforth, engaging in publishing a disclaimer of Mr Mbahs certificate pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter. The judge, however, did not grant the other prayers of the applicant because it touched on the substantive issue of the suit. Instead, Mr Ekwo ordered that the defendants be put on notice. Mbahs claim While doubling down on the authenticity of the certificate in his possession, Mr Mbah averred that after graduating in Law from the University of East London in 2000, he returned to Nigeria and, as a pre-requisite to practice as barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, applied and was admitted into the Bar Part 1 programme of the Nigerian Law School. Mr Mbah said upon completing the bar Part I examinations, he had to wait for the bar Part 2 programme and was advised that instead of spending time idling around, he should proceed to the mandatory one-year NYSC programme. He said he was called up for NYSC and was deployed initially to Nigerian Ports Authority Apapa for his primary assignment, but was rejected by NPA before securing the law firm of Ude & Associates. The plaintiff in the course of his service year and after six months of NYSC, applied and was granted approval to defer the NYSC in order to enable him complete the bar final exam. Thereafter, the plaintiff was remobilised to finish the NYSC programme, which he did complete. Call for dismissal Mr Mbah further averred that upon completion of the NYSC, he was issued the certificate of National Service No. A.808297 dated 6 January 2003. But in a preliminary objection dated and filed on 22 May, the 1st and 2nd defendants prayed for an order dismissing or striking out the suit for want of jurisdiction and competence. Giving three grounds of argument, the defendants said Mr Mbah did not appeal to the President as required by the provisions of section 20 of the NYSC Act before instituting the suit against them. They argued that the appeal to the President was a condition precedent to instituting an action against them in any court of law in Nigeria. Consequent upon the refusal of the plaintiff/respondent to comply with the provisions of Section 20 of the National Youth Service Corps Act, this suit is premature for the jurisdiction of the court to crystalise, they said. The NYSC had, on 1 February, written a letter signed by Ibrahim Muhammed saying that the corps did not issue the certificate in Mr Mbahs possession. Mr Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner of the Enugu state governorship election held on 18 March by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, has advised the federal government to deploy 90 per cent of the savings from subsidy and liberalisation for infrastructure and social development. Mr Soludo gave the advice at the Nigerian Academy of Engineering Annual Lecture with the theme: Financing Engineering Infrastructure held at the University of Lagos, Akoka, on Thursday. Mr Soludo, a former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, also urged the government to invest eight to 10 per cent of Gross Domestic Product in public infrastructure per annum for the next 10 years to meet public needs. The governor said this would help provide infrastructure, which was germane to the well-being of the citizens and the development of the country. Mr Soludo disclosed, among other issues, that despite alternative financing initiatives, infrastructure needs and provision in Nigeria continued to widen due to the population growth rate and urbanisation. He also tasked the federal government on collaborating with state governments in other to succeed in infrastructure provision. For the federal government to succeed in infrastructure provision, it is necessary to collaborate with state governments who understand the most priority of their needs. For example, in the area of road infrastructure provision, the state governments are in the best position to know the alignment of roads from one end to the other. Thus, it is imperative that such projects require joint collaboration for a successful and functional execution, he explained. Similarly, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State also stated that bridging the gap in the engineering infrastructure through proper funding would have a direct and indirect impact on a number of other sectors in the economic fortune, especially in the area of revenue generation. The governor, represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, emphasised that collaboration and partnership among all stakeholders remained a key strategy government must adopt and explore to achieve its goals. In the face of dwindling economic fortunes, especially in the area of revenue generation, it becomes absolutely imperative for the government to apply innovative and creative strategies to bridge the financing gap being experienced in the country as the government alone cannot provide all the solutions. Mr Sanwo-Olu, therefore, recommended that knowledge of engineering was critical to the attainment of the Industrialisation goal of any country. He stated that due to technologys increasing role in advancing economic growth, development and prosperity in the 21st century, it had become imperative that the government placed more emphasis on acquiring the required knowledge and skill. Also, there is a need to provide the necessary support for professionals in the engineering sector and other science and technology-related sectors. This will help in channelling their knowledge and expertise towards developing sustainable solutions to our local challenges, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Months after it was commissioned, the Lagos Blue Rail Line (Marina Mile 12) will commence passenger operations in August. The managing director of the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo, made this known at the agencys Business/Investor forum, according to a statement on Thursday by Kolawole Ojelabi, the spokesperson of the transport authority. The 13- kilometre metro lines first phase of the railway transport system was commissioned in January by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Blue rail, powered by an independent power plant (IPP), is expected to be 27 kilometres long, connecting Okokomaiko to Marina. Since the commissioning, the state government has been testing the rail system for different groups of people across the state, to familiarise Lagosians with the rail system. Operations I am happy to inform you that we are rounding off all testing processes for the commencement of full passenger operation in August this year. Details of the operations will be announced soon, Mrs Akinajo said. The first phase of LRMT Red Line (Agbado to Oyingbo) is also nearing completion, and we intend to commence testing and passenger operations about August 2023. Mrs Akinajo said that a wide range of transport infrastructure had been offered to investors for branding and Out-of-Homes advertising. This, she said, will shore up revenue for the sustainability of the Lagos State Transport Network. According to the agencys boss, opportunities exist for investors in bus and rail advertising and infrastructure, such as pedestrian bridges, bus shelters, bus terminals, interchanges, and megacity bus terminals. READ ALSO: She said the agencys first-ever Business/Investor forum was held to call the attention of the business community to the need for a sustainable partnership on the use of transport infrastructure for the prosperity of their businesses and for the government to earn income to strengthen transport infrastructure and provide more. In his presentation, the agencys technical adviser on corporate and investment planning, Osa Konyeha, said that the state government was seeking investors in the development of the Abule Egba Sango Tollgate Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor, a 7.6-kilometre bus route with a daily projected ridership of over 63,000 passengers. Also available is the Oworonsoki Apapa BRT, a 28-kilometre route with a projected daily ridership of about 430,000 passengers, the statement reads. Mr Konyeha further said that the government was ready to partner with investors in refurbishing 300 currently non-operational buses and the decarbonisation of the existing fleet and transition to cleaner energy. In rail transportation, the government is seeking partnership in the management of advertising and Out of Homes (OOH) concessions within the stations, construction and management of multi-level car parks, and skywalk bridges at Ikeja and Marina while also looking forward for concessionaires for the Green and Purple lines which have a combined distance of 133 kilometres, he said. Investors would also have opportunity to bid for the upgrade of bus shelters, rehabilitation/construction of the Oyingbo Bus Terminal, construction of Ikorodu and Maryland Terminals and transport interchange facilities at Iju, Mushin, Ajah, Agege, LASU-Iba as well as Megabus terminals at Ojodu Berger, Odogunyan, Sango-Ota, Epe and Agbara. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Submerged in the sadness for the loss of five people aboard the Titan submersible, and the criticism of the risky and poorly certified expedition to the wreck of the Titanic, was an extraordinary international rescue effort. This week saw a heartening reminder of what nations can do together, a primer in how different government agencies can cooperate both with the private sector and with each other in an all-out, no-expense-spared attempt to save lives. Advertisement In a matter of days, aircraft and a flotilla of rescue ships assembled some 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, searching for a craft hardly much bigger than a minivan that had been lost somewhere in one of the most unforgiving and remote areas of the planet. The search field in the North Atlantic had a depth of some 12,500 feet, all the way down to the cold and dark place where the Titanic had rested since it hit an iceberg in April 1912. This was far different than a typical Coast Guard rescue with watercraft on the oceans surface, or a salvage from a few hundred feet. Advertisement The time-bound rescue effort, which captivated most of the planet, involved close cooperation between U.S. and Canadian authorities, between Navy and Coast Guards, government officials and private businesses. It involved teams and equipment from at least five countries: Canada, the U.S. Britain, France and Germany. Search gear arrived at breakneck speed for rescue teams, including remotely operated underwater vehicles, salvage machinery capable of lifting the Titan from the ocean bed, decompression chambers and specialized health care facilities. Though distraught, family members must have felt enormous comfort and gratitude for the scale and competence of this international response, even though the chance of finding people alive was remote from the start. There was another extraordinary aspect to this story. On Thursday it emerged that the U.S. Navy had detected an acoustic signature consistent with an implosion on the previous Sunday, a remarkable piece of detection in itself but also an indicator that the hope of finding the five men on the Titan alive was remote indeed. Although the Navy relayed this information to the Coast Guard command, it was decided that the evidence was insufficiently definitive to call off the search and rescue operation. In other words, the sounds might not have come from the lost craft. So the rescue effort continued. Remarkably, given the massive amount of media attention, all of this was kept discreet, both out of compassion for the families and as a consequence of the rescuers creed that where there is a chance, you keep going. It was only once a remotely operated vehicle found the debris field, which the U.S. Navy had anticipated, that the search was called off and the lives declared lost. Questions remain about the level of danger surrounding this tourist expedition, the payoff of which appeared to be little more than the chance to gawk at a watery graveyard through a shared porthole, along with who should pay the enormous costs of the search and rescue effort. The submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. (OceanGate Expeditions) Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > As privately funded and operated trips into space and into the oceans depths proliferate, theres a need to debate certification procedures, especially when those journeys are destined for places yet to be explored. Clearly, there are rich folks who feel like they have bought everything they can buy on terra firma, and who crave the sensation of risk and danger. Predictably, entrepreneurial outfits have emerged to serve them. We respect the spirit of the adventurer. But paying for a costly, dangerous ride is not the same thing as genuine exploration, even if those tourists convince themselves otherwise.Perhaps some of our fellow humans need saving from their own desires. Advertisement Nonetheless, had that been your loved one lost in the Atlantic Ocean, you surely would hope for the kind of rescue effort that took place over the last several days. Many people have been educated over the role of the Coast Guard, an agency that does not always get the attention it deserves. In these kinds of situations, it is the Coast Guard that takes the lead, and the Navy that provides backup. But the most heartening thing here was, with only minor exceptions, the absence of bureaucratic squabbling and the determination to try to save lives while holding back questions for later. This was an example of what governments do best. They moved like lightning, given the circumstances, ably supported by a private sector that had the needed technology. Everyone wishes an outcome that did not add more deaths to the legacy of Titanic. That said, there were brave human rescuers then, and there are those rescuers now. We can be thankful for their service. Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. The state purchase price of food wheat for 2023 is set at 450 manat ($264.7) per ton, the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan told Trend. Work continues within the framework of the execution of the decree "On a number of measures to increase the level of self-sufficiency in food wheat" dated July 19, 2022, of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, adopted in order to ensure food security in Azerbaijan, including increasing the level of self-sufficiency in basic foodstuffs. In order to ensure the implementation of paragraph 2.3 of the decree, an order was adopted "On setting the state purchase price of food wheat", taking into account the proposal of the State Resources Agency, agreed with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Finance, in connection with increasing the level of self-sufficiency in food wheat, stimulating the activities of local producers of food wheat and providing them with state support. The state price per ton of local food wheat corresponding to the quality indicators specified in Annex No. 1 to the "Rules for Storage and Use of the State Grain Fund" approved by Resolution No. 105 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated July 7, 2009, is set at 450 manat ($264.7) for 2023. According to the decree "On a number of measures to increase the level of self-sufficiency in food wheat" of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, producers for every ton of food wheat produced in farms where modern irrigation systems have been introduced, and which has been handed over to the State Resources Agency and flour milling enterprises, in accordance with the contract concluded with the Ministry of Agriculture, a food subsidy is provided in the amount of 100 manat ($58.8) for each ton. Global learn-to-swim event shares water safety education to raise awareness and prevent drowning. OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TEAM WLSL, a global team of aquatic facilities and water safety organizations, coordinated by the World Waterpark Association (WWA), kicked off the first official weekend of summer with tens of thousands of kids on six continents all participating in the same global swimming lesson. In addition to sharing critical water safety skills, the lesson helps build awareness about the vital importance of teaching kids to swim to help prevent drowning. U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist, Cullen Jones, helps students learn water safety skills at the Valley of The Sun YMCA/Leslie's World's Largest Swimming Lesson event in Phoenix, AZ. Jones shared his personal water safety/learn to swim story to help raise awareness about the importance of learning to swim and using layers of protection including adult supervision and preventing access to water with fencing and pool covers. Students from non-profit organizations including Boys and Girls Clubs, Elevate Orlando, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Big Brothers Big Sisters learned important water competency skills on June 22, 2023 at the World's Largest Swimming Lesson event at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Steven Diaz, photographer.) In the U.S., more drowning and near-drowning accidents take place in June and July than any other time period according to the CDC. The upcoming 4th of July holiday also sees an increase in drowning accidents compared to other weeks during the summer. "Reaching as many parents and caregivers as possible with this information is crucially important as we head into the peak season for aquatic recreation," said Rick Root, President of the World Waterpark Association. "Whether families are spending time at a waterpark, the community pool, the beach or the lake, we want them to be prepared by enrolling kids in swimming lessons and always providing active adult supervision." Research released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 2021 shows drowning is the single leading cause of death for kids ages 1-4 and remains the second leading cause of unintended, injury related death for kids ages 5-14. While research from the AAP/National Library of Medicine shows that participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children aged 1-4. "At the age of five, I almost drowned," shared U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist, Cullen Jones speaking at the World's Largest Swimming Lesson at the Valley Of The Sun YMCA/Leslie's location in Phoenix, AZ. "I was fully supervised, there were lifeguards there, my parents were there but as soon as I hit the water, I flipped upside down and because I hadn't had swim lessons, I didn't know what to do," said Jones. "We want to make sure people are safer around the water and the best way to do that is swimming lessons." U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist, Maritza McClendon, the first African American female to swim for Team USA and win an Olympic Medal, led the WLSL event at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park in Lake Buena Vista, FL. The Disney World Resorts hosted more than 600 kids from area non-profits including Boys and Girls Clubs, Elevate Orlando, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida and Big Brothers Big Sisters, making it the largest event in the state of Florida. In total, more than 600 waterparks, aquatic centers and Goldfish Swim School locations, hosted the same lesson. From Hong Kong to Qatar, to the United Arab Emirates and Okinawa, Japan where the U.S. Marine Corps Installations Pacific taught both Marines and Marine Corps families, every facility worked to share the same important message that Swimming Lessons Save Lives. B-roll and file footage from the 6/22/2023 World's Largest Swimming Lesson Event: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dsdwh7jkq3jymbm/2023WLSL_BRoll_6_22_10P.mp4?dl=0 Children learning basic swim strokes, kicking and doing the back float with instructors. Soundbites: Olympic Medalists Cullen Jones , Maritza McClendon and instructors on the importance of learning to swim. About The World's Largest Swimming Lesson The World's Largest Swimming Lesson is celebrating its 14th year of raising awareness about the critical importance of teaching kids and parents to Be Water Aware to prevent drowning. The WLSL event, first launched in 2010, serves as a platform to use one voice to send the clear and unified message that Swimming Lessons Save Lives. Since the program's inception, WLSL host locations have provided more than 200,000 hours of water safety training to 354,000+ children and adults. Learn more about this phenomenal program by visiting www.WLSL.org. Contact: Beth Root Email: [email protected] Phone: 913-544-5734 SOURCE World's Largest Swimming Lesson DUBLIN, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EO/IR) Systems Market Report 2022-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Overall world revenue for the Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market, 2022 to 2032 in terms of value will surpass US$8.00 billion in 2022, this report calculates. The report predicts strong revenue growth through to 2032. Increasing Demand for UAV Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, have been a regular feature in military applications, especially surveillance, for some time, and the range of defence applications continues to grow as technology develops. The pace of development of drones continues to increase, driven by geopolitical factors such as the rise of China. The development of drone technology is strategic in its continuing struggle to assert itself as a regional hegemonic power. Accounting for more than 70% of the global drone market, the government segment, comprising military and law enforcement agencies, was the key demand generator for drones in 2021. This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or expand their existing operations in a new region. Leading Companies and the Potential for market growth Airbus ASELSAN BAE Systems plc Boeing CONTROP Corning Incorporated Elbit Systems Ltd General Dynamics Corporation Hensoldt AG Israel Aerospace Industries Kollmorgen L3Harris Technologies Leidos Holdings Lockheed Martin Corporation Logos Technologies ManTech International Corporation Moog Northrop Grumman Raytheon Technologies Rheinmetall AG Rockwell Collins Saab AB Teledyne Technologies Textron Thales SA Segments Covered in the Report Type Outlook Imaging EO/IR System Non-imaging EO/IR System Platform Outlook Airborne EO/IR System Ground EO/IR System Naval EO/IR System Application Outlook Military Intelligence Military Surveillance Military Reconnaissance Others Wavelength Outlook Ultraviolet Wavelength Near-Infrared Wavelength Short Wavelength Medium Wavelength Long Wavelength Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1 Report Overview Chapter 2 Executive Summary Chapter 3 Premium Insights Chapter 4 Industry Outlook Key Findings Market Dynamics COVID-19 Impact Analysis Porter's Five Forces Analysis PESTLE Analysis Electro-optical Programs by Leading Manufacturers EOST-46 (High Performance Passive Electro-Optical Surveillance and Tracking System) - Leonardo TITAN 385ES-HD - Leonardo IRST21 Sensor System - Lockheed Martin LITENING Advanced Targeting Pod - Northrop Grumman TALIOS pod - Thales LAIRCM (Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure) - Northrop Grumman The WESCAM MX-15 EO/IR Imaging System - L3Harris Technologies FLIR 111 - Helicopter Navigation FLIR SPHYDER (Smart Processing Hyperspectral Detection And Reconnaissance System) ALICE HH (Handheld Uncooled Thermal Imager) Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market Recent News/Development F-35 Lightning II Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) Fusion of Radar and Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) for Ship Classification and Identification Quantum Leap in Naval EO/IR Capabilities SWOT Analysis Chapter 5 Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market Analysis Key Findings Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market Forecast Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Region Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Type Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Platform Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Application Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Wavelength Chapter 6 Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market Analysis by Type Segment Overview Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Type, 2022-2032 (USD Mn, AGR (%), CAGR (%)) Imaging EO/IR System Segment What is Military Imaging and Surveillance Technology L3Harris To Provide New Passive EO/IR Capability To US Navy EO Vista Imaging Sensor for Space Force Weather Satellites Opgal's Battle Proven Military Thermal Imaging Defense Solutions Global Imaging EO/IR System Market Forecast Global Imaging EO/IR System Market by Region Non-Imaging EO/IR System Segment Non-Imaging EO/IR Systems Non-Imaging Applications? Global Non-Imaging EO/IR System Market Forecast Global Non-Imaging EO/IR System Market by Region Chapter 7 Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market Analysis by Platform Segment Overview Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Platform Airborne EO/IR System Segment The Market for Airborne Electro-Optical Systems Hensoldt Launched New Argos-8 Lightweight Airborne Surveillance And Targeting System Leonardo EO/IR Surveillance & Targeting Rafael Unveils Microlite EO/IR Sensor Compact, lightweight Airborne EO/IR system for Wide-Area Persistent Surveillance Global Airborne EO/IR System Market Forecast Global Airborne EO/IR System Market by Region Ground EO/IR System Segment Raytheon Delivered 'Third-Generation' FLIR System to US Army IAI Introduced a New Electro-Optical Surveillance System - MegaPOP Global Ground EO/IR System Market Forecast Global Ground EO/IR System Market by Region Naval EO/IR System Segment Stabilized Payloads for Naval CONTROP Delivered its Naval Surveillance System iSea-30HD EO/IR to Latvian Navy L3Harris to Provide Passive EO/IR Capability for US Navy's Fleet Protection Raytheon EO/IR System for Navy Advances to Production Global Naval EO/IR System Market Forecast Global Naval EO/IR System Market by Region Chapter 8 Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market Analysis by Application Segment Overview Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Application Military Intelligence Segment Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISR and ISTAR) Global Military Intelligence Market Forecast Global Military Intelligence Market by Region Military Surveillance Teledyne FLIR Unveiled New Military Vehicle Surveillance System WESCAM MXT-15, AIR SURVEILLANCE Aerial Surveillance via Unmanned Systems Global Military Surveillance Market Forecast, Global Military Surveillance Market by Region Military Reconnaissance Battlespace Reconnaissance and Information Superiority Electro-optical Reconnaissance System Developed for Training and ISR Radar-based surveillance and reconnaissance Global Military Reconnaissance Market Forecast Global Military Reconnaissance Market by Region Other Military Application EO/IR sensors boost situational awareness Global Other Military Application Market Forecast Global Other Military Application Market by Region Chapter 9 Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) System Market Analysis by Wavelength Segment Overview Global Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Wavelength Ultraviolet Market Segment Military Looks to Ultraviolet Networks for Secure Battlefield Communication Global Ultraviolet Market Forecast Global Ultraviolet Market by Region Near-Infrared Market Segment NIR (Near-Infrared) Imaging Cameras Global Near-Infrared Market Forecast Global Near-Infrared Market by Region Short Wavelength Infrared Market Weapon Systems Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) for Surveillance Applications in defence Global Short Wavelength Infrared Market Forecast Global Short Wavelength Infrared Market by Region Medium Wavelength FLIR Launches Mid-Wave Infrared Thermal Camera Advantages of MWIR in long-range imaging Global Medium Wavelength Infrared Market Forecast Global Medium Wavelength Infrared Market by Region Long Wavelength Infrared Market Segment Multi-Colour Long-wave Infrared (LWIR) Imagers for Infantry Applications Global Long Wavelength Infrared Market Forecast Global Long Wavelength Infrared Market by Region Other Wavelength Market Segment Global Other Wavelengths Market Forecast Global Other Wavelengths Market by Region Chapter 10 North America Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market Analysis Key Findings Opportunity for Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems in North America U.S. U.S. Aerospace & Defence Industry Next-Generation Electro-Optical and Radio-Frequency Sensors US Navy Awards L3Harris $205 Million Contract for New Passive EO/IR Capability to Protect Fleet Contract for New Passive EO/IR Capability to Protect Fleet EO/IR satellite prototype for U.S. Space Force coming from Raytheon Intelligence & Space US Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Canada Need for Imaging Systems in Canada ISR Industry ISR Industry L3Harris Technologies Awarded $380 Million IDIQ Contract for WESCAM MXT-Series Products and Support IDIQ Contract for WESCAM MXT-Series Products and Support L3 Delivers MX-15 EO / IR System for Canada's Fixed-Wing SAR Project Fixed-Wing SAR Project Canada Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Chapter 11 Europe Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market Analysis Key Findings Germany Thales Awarded German Imager Contract Germany Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value UK UK Offers Up Sentinel R1 Surveillance Fleet for Scrap UK DASA Awarded Contracts to Develop EOIR Sensor Capability UK Ministry of Defence Selects L3Harris Technologies to Provide WESCAM EO/IR Sensors for Upgrade Program Cambridge Pixel Delivers RadarWatch Software for UK Firing Ranges UK Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value France French Armed Forces Buy 70 Thales Spy 'Ranger Boeing To Upgrade French E-3F Airborne Warning and Control System Next-Generation EO/IR System Selected for French Navy Helicopters Tactical SIGINT Systems in France to be Upgraded by Thales and Airbus to be Upgraded by Thales and Airbus France Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Italy The First Special-Mission Gulfstream G550 AISREW For the Italian Air Force Italy Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Spain GA-ASI and SENER Teamed to Provide Capability to Spain Spain to Acquire Predator B to Acquire Predator B L3 WESCAM Opens Authorized Service Center in Madrid, Spain Spain Buys Four Reaper UAVs Spain Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Rest of Europe Rest of Europe Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Chapter 12 Asia-Pacific Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market Analysis Key Findings China Chinese Concepts and Capabilities of Information Warfare China Showcased SAR-Equipped BZK-005 UAV in Military led Firefighting Operation China's PLA Installs ISTAR Sensor Systems Near India Border In Arunachal PLA Installs ISTAR Sensor Systems Near India Border In Arunachal China Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value India India to Procure Two More Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control Systems to Procure Two More Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control Systems CONTROP to Supply Indian Armed Forces with Electro-optics Systems Boost to 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' in defence, Indian Navy signs contract with BEL for the supply of Naval Anti drone system. India Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Japan The Future of Japanese ISR MHIENG to deliver 78 additional 7000-Series carriages to Hiroshima Japan Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value South Korea L3 WESCAM to Open Authorized Service Center in South Korea Korean Light Attack Helo Passes Cold Weather Trials South Korea Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Australia SYPAQ - Integrated Sensor Systems Solutions Australian DoD announces FOC of new satellite ground station Australia Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Rest of Asia-Pacific Rest of Asia-Pacific Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Chapter 13 Middle East and Africa Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market Analysis Key Findings South Africa Hensoldt South Africa Launched New Quadome Land Radar South Africa Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Saudi Arabia L3 Technologies and Saudi Arabian Military Industries Entered Into Joint Venture Cooperation on Airborne Electro-Optic Systems Goodrich DB-110 Airborne reconnaissance systems selected by Royal Saudi Air Force Saudi Arabia Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Turkey Aselsan To Ramp Up Drone Electro-Optics Output, Unveil Upgraded Versions Turkey's Meteksan Unveils NAZAR Anti-Electro-optic/Infra-red Guided Missile System Meteksan Unveils NAZAR Anti-Electro-optic/Infra-red Guided Missile System Turkey Unleashes Indigenous Unmanned Assault Boat 'ULAQ' Turkey Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value UAE EDGE, IAI Sign MoU to establish electro-optics marketing and maintenance center in UAE Edge and L3Harris to localise Wescam MX-Series UAE orders additional Seeker UAV from Denel UAE Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Rest of Middle East & Africa & Israel Unveils Cutting-Edge Surveillance Systems That Can Track You from A Height Of 15,000 Feet Rest of Middle East & Africa Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Chapter 14 South America Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) System Market Analysis Key Findings Brazil Finmeccanica - Selex ES Received Contract to Provide Gabbiano Radar for Brazilian KC-390s CONTROP's Airborne Camera Payload Protected Rio Olympic Games Brazil Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Argentina Spectrum Aeromed Equips Argentina Army Cessna Citation Bizjet for Air Medical Service Argentina Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Mexico Mexico Selected Winglift for Airlift with Northern Surveillance System Mexico Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Rest of South America Rest of South America Military Electro-Optical and Infrared (EOIR) Systems Market by Value Chapter 15 Competitive Landscape Top Company Positioning Strategic Framework Chapter 16 Company Profile Chapter 17 Conclusion and Recommendations For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ezfztu About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets If approved by the European Commission (EC), atogepant will be the first and only once daily oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist (gepant) in the European Union (EU) for the prophylaxis of migraine in adults who have four or more migraine days per month The positive CHMP opinion is based on results from two pivotal Phase 3 studies evaluating atogepant for the prophylaxis of migraine in adults with episodic or chronic migraine NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced that the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion recommending the approval of atogepant for the prophylaxis of migraine in adults who have four or more migraine days per month. If approved, AbbVie will be the only company to offer a once daily oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist (gepant) treatment spanning both episodic and chronic migraine in the European Union (EU). Chronic migraine (CM) is characterized by 15 or more headache days a month and at least eight migraine days, while episodic migraine (EM) refers to people with migraine who have less than 15 headache days per month.1 In Europe, migraine is estimated to cost the economy 50 billion annually due to reduced productivity and workdays lost.2 "Migraine is a complex neurological disease and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, which is why we continue to advance our science to provide effective treatment options for people living with this debilitating condition," said Dawn Carlson, vice president, neuroscience development, AbbVie. "The recent positive CHMP opinion of atogepant brings us closer to providing a new therapy option to those living with migraine in the European Union." The positive CHMP opinion for atogepant is supported by data from two pivotal Phase 3 studies, PROGRESS and ADVANCE, which evaluated 60 mg once daily (QD) atogepant in adult patients with chronic and episodic migraine, respectively. Both studies met their primary endpoint of a statistically significant reduction in mean monthly migraine days (MMDs), compared to placebo across the 12-week treatment period. Additionally, statistically significant improvements were seen in all secondary endpoints with atogepant 60 mg QD.3,4 In the PROGRESS study, the changes from baseline in MMDs were 6.8 days for atogepant 60 mg QD and -5.1 days for placebo (p=0.0024).3 In the ADVANCE study, the changes from baseline in MMDs were 4.1 days for atogepant 60 mg QD and 2.5 days for placebo (p=<0.001).4 In both studies, atogepant 60 mg QD was well tolerated and the most common adverse events were constipation, nausea, and fatigue. The adverse drug reaction most commonly leading to study discontinuation was nausea (0.4%).3,4 "Far too many people around the world are impacted by migraine, and the path to treatment can be long and complex," said Prof. Patricia Pozo-Rosich, MD, PhD, Head of Neurology Section, Vall d'Hebron Hospital and Institute of Research, Spain. "The approval of atogepant would represent a meaningful advancement for the migraine community in the European Union, providing adults with four or more migraine days per month a new prophylactic treatment option that offers the possibility of sustained migraine prevention." Migraine is highly prevalent, affecting 1 billion people worldwide5, including an estimated 41 million people in Europe.6 Individuals with migraine experience frequent disabling migraine attacks, preventing them from performing daily activities and significantly affecting their quality of life.7 This debilitating disease imposes both a social and financial burden for people living with migraine and healthcare systems.8 About Atogepant Atogepant is an orally administered, CGRP receptor antagonist specifically developed for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults who have four or more migraine days per month. CGRP and its receptors are expressed in regions of the nervous system associated with migraine pathophysiology. Studies have shown that CGRP levels are elevated during migraine attacks and selective CGRP receptor antagonists confer clinical benefit in migraine. About the Phase 3 PROGRESS Clinical Trial3 The pivotal Phase 3 PROGRESS study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of oral atogepant for the prophylaxis of chronic migraine compared with placebo. The study included 778 patients with a diagnosis of chronic migraine for at least one year, and greater or equal to 15 headache days with at least eight migraine days in the 28 days prior. Patients were randomized into one of three treatment groups receiving 60 mg QD of atogepant, 30 mg twice daily of atogepant, or placebo. The primary endpoint measured the reduction from baseline in MMDs compared to placebo for 60 mg QD across a 12-week treatment period (p=0.0024). The overall safety profile observed in the Phase 3 PROGRESS study was consistent with safety findings observed in previous studies. The most common adverse events reported with a frequency greater than or equal to 5% in the atogepant 60 mg QD arm were constipation (10.0% vs. 3.1% for placebo) and nausea (9.6% vs. 3.5% for placebo). Most of the events of constipation and nausea were mild or moderate in severity and did not lead to study discontinuation. Additional key secondary endpoints included change from baseline in mean monthly headache days (MHDs), change from baseline in mean monthly acute-medication use, proportion of participants with at least a 50% reduction in MMDs across the 12-week treatment period and change from baseline in Migraine-Specific Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Version 2.1 (MSQ v2.1) Role Function-Restrictive (RFR) domain score at week 12. MSQ v2.1 is designed to measure health-related quality of life impairments attributed to migraine. For a full listing of secondary endpoints across all regions, please go to www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03855137). About the Phase 3 ADVANCE Clinical Trial4 The pivotal Phase 3 ADVANCE study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of oral atogepant for the prevention of migraine in those with 4 to 14 migraine days per month. A total of 910 patients were randomized to one of four treatment groups evaluating 10 mg, 30 mg, or 60 mg of atogepant QD, or placebo. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in MMDs compared to placebo for 60 mg QD across a 12-week treatment period (p<0.001). The study demonstrated that treatment with atogepant 60 mg QD resulted in statistically significant improvements in all the primary and secondary endpoints. The most common adverse events reported with a frequency greater than or equal to 5% in the atogepant 60 mg QD arm were constipation (6.9% vs. 0.5% for placebo), nausea (6.1% vs. 1.8% for placebo), and upper respiratory tract infection (3.9% vs. 4.5% for placebo). Most of the events of constipation and nausea were mild or moderate in severity and did not lead to study discontinuation. Additional key secondary endpoints included change from baseline in MHDs, mean monthly acute-medication use days, and mean monthly performance of daily activities and physical impairment domain scores of the Activity Impairment in Migraine-Diary (AIM-D) across the 12-week treatment period, and change from baseline in the MSQ v2.1 RFR domain score at week 12. The AIM-D is a questionnaire designed to evaluate difficulty with performance of daily activities and physical impairment due to migraine. For a full listing of secondary endpoints across all regions, please go to www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03777059). About AbbVie in Neuroscience At AbbVie, our commitment to preserving personhood of people around the world living with neurological and psychiatric disorders is unwavering. With more than three decades of experience in neuroscience, we are providing meaningful treatment options today and advancing innovation for the future. AbbVie's Neuroscience portfolio consists of approved treatments in neurological conditions, including migraine, movement disorders, and psychiatric disorders, along with a robust pipeline of transformative therapies. We have made a strong investment in research and are committed to building a deeper understanding of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Every challenge makes us more determined and drives us to discover and deliver advancements for those impacted by these conditions, their care partners, and clinicians. For more information, visit www.abbvie.com. About AbbVie AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @AbbVie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions and uses of future or conditional verbs, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, and changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines, to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law. References 1 Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2012; 16(1): 8692. 2 Rethinking Migraine in times of COVID-19. European Brain Council. 2023. https://www.braincouncil.eu/projects/rethinking-migraine/. Accessed June 2023. 3 AbbVie. Data on File: ABVRRTI76375 4 Ailani J, et al. NEJM. Atogepant for the Preventive Treatment of Migraine. 2021; 385:695-706. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2035908. 5 Global Burden of Disease Study. 2016. Lancet Neurology 2018;17:95476. 6 Rethinking Migraine in times of COVID-19. European Brain Council. 2023. Available at: https://www.braincouncil.eu/projects/rethinking-migraine/. Accessed May 31, 2023. 7 Lanteri-Minet M, Duru G, Mudge M, Cottrell S. Quality of life impairment, disability and economic burden associated with chronic daily headache, focusing on chronic migraine with or without medication overuse: a systematic review. Cephalalgia. 2011;31:837-850. 8 Messali A, Sanderson JC, Blumenfeld AM, et al. Direct and indirect costs of chronic and episodic migraine in the United States: a web-based survey. Headache. 2016;56:306-322. SOURCE AbbVie BEIJING, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) President Jin Liqun and Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) Chief Executive Remy Rioux have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their collaboration. AIIB and AFD intend to strengthen an ambitious cooperative relationship to achieve impactful and common objectives in sustainable, resilient and inclusive development. Since AIIB and AFD signed a letter of intent in 2017, they have engaged in joint activities, including collaboratively financing projects in several countries and in the Finance in Common Movement. Following a joint portfolio review in June 2021, a more regular dialogue has been taking place. The shared goal of mobilizing resources for sustainable development provides the basis for AIIB and AFD to strengthen their institutional and operational relationships. "This MOU is a key milestone in our shared ambition to build an impactful partnership at the very moment where sustainable development is at a critical juncture. Our partnership with AFD will focus on jointly developing and scaling innovative initiatives related to climate and sustainable infrastructure," said AIIB President Jin. The agreement aims to facilitate the prospection of joint opportunities for parallel or joint cofinancing in geographic areas of mutual interest to AIIB and AFD. AIIB and AFD intend to collaborate in the following areas: (a) Green and resilient infrastructure: To pursue their exchange on energy, transport, integrated water resources management, urban development and digital infrastructure. (b) Climate change, nature and biodiversity: To work together on global and regional climate change issues (adaptation and mitigation) and on topics related to nature and biodiversity. (c) Social infrastructure: To explore collaboration on health, nutrition and education infrastructure. (d) Private sector investments: To enhance collaboration in private capital mobilization and private sector development. France is a founding member of AIIB. AFD is France's development finance institution and has worked for 80 years to alleviate poverty, support economic growth and foster climate and nature resilience in both developing and emerging countries. About AIIB The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank whose mission is financing the Infrastructure for Tomorrowinfrastructure with sustainability at its core. We began operations in Beijing in January 2016 and have since grown to 106 approved members worldwide. We are capitalized at USD100 billion and Triple-A-rated by the major international credit rating agencies. Working with partners, AIIB meets clients' needs by unlocking new capital and investing in infrastructure that is green, technology-enabled and promotes regional connectivity. SOURCE AIIB AIR Asset Management Hosts Successful Second Annual Private Life Settlement Symposium in Chicago Tweet this The event marked a significant milestone for the industry, as the Symposium provided attendees with an investment-focused setting that brought together key industry players with active and prospective investors. "We are thrilled to witness the momentum and education sharing during our second annual Private Life Settlement Symposium," said Scott Romanek, Managing Director, Sales at AIR Asset Management. "The Symposium served as an exceptional platform for industry professionals and investors to connect, network, and gain valuable insights into the life settlement market. We believe this collaborative environment is vital for our industry's continued growth and success." The Symposium provided a comprehensive overview of the asset class, the latest secondary market data from the Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA), AIR's unique multi-strategy approach to longevity investing, investment structures, and life expectancy concepts and developments. Attendees heard valuable information directly from industry sources. One element remains clear; life settlements continue to provide financial benefits to seniors. LISA reported that its provider members achieved an average multiple of 5.2 on the price paid to consumers compared to what they would have received by surrendering their policies directly to the life insurance company. This represents a significant financial advantage for seniors. The report also highlighted that LISA provider members paid approximately $789.6 million to consumers in 2022, a notable increase of nearly $40 million from the previous year. The number of transactions completed in 2022 reached 3,079, showcasing the industry's steady growth. In addition to the insightful discussions about the market, the Symposium featured sessions on investing. These investment-focused sessions highlighted how AIR's approach to life settlements, through its multi-strategy, provides equity-like returns with bond-like volatility, offering investors much-needed diversification to weather storms like 2022. Hearing directly from the managers about AIR's complementary strategies, such as law firm lending and lower middle-market lending, showcased the opportunity to allocate to life settlements while providing investors with a valuable alternative for individuals seeking to diversify their portfolios, preserve capital, and increase risk-adjusted returns. "One of the highlights of the Symposium was the meticulous analysis of mortality rate variations among different cohorts. In-depth discussions illuminated these variations' implications and potential impacts, offering attendees a unique insight into life expectancy estimation's intricacies. This exploration of mortality trends proved invaluable for industry professionals and investors seeking to make informed decisions in the life settlement market," said Christopher Conway, Principal of ISC Services & Longevity Asset Advisors. The Symposium attracted esteemed participants, including sizeable registered investment advisory firms, institutions, consultants, and high-net-worth individuals. Prominent industry participants such as Abacus Life, Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA), Coventry, Q Capital Strategies, Life Equity, Carlisle Management Company, ISC Services, Longevity Asset Advisors, Lapetus Solutions, Predictive Resources, Life Insurance Settlements, and others were in attendance. Additionally, representatives from AIR Asset Management's esteemed partners and service providers, including EisnerAmper, Sadis & Goldberg, Aegis, Kerberos Capital Management, Star Mountain Capital, and a handful more, joined the event. Beyond the insightful content shared during presentations and discussions, attendees had numerous opportunities to network, exchange knowledge, and interact with the AIR Asset Management team. Networking events included a Lake Michigan Boat Cruise to see the famous Chicago fireworks and a dinner that featured keynote speaker Bill Benjamin, who spoke on the "Art of Empathy" to build emotional intelligence in leaders, which complements AIR Asset Management's values and culture. These valuable connections further contributed to the collaborative atmosphere, fostering meaningful relationships within the life settlement industry. About AIR Asset Management AIR Asset Management ("AIRAM") is a rapidly growing SEC-registered hedge fund management firm with approximately $700 million in AUM in life settlements, annuities, and private credit investments. The firm has specialized in longevity-linked investing since 2014 and has offered qualified investors the opportunity to access attractive risk-adjusted returns largely uncorrelated to traditional asset classes. AIRAM's experienced team of professionals from diverse backgrounds serves an investor base of institutional, registered investment advisers (RIAs), single and multi-family offices, and high-net-worth investors. The firm is headquartered in Chicago. For more information about AIR Asset Management, please visit www.airassetmanagement.com. SOURCE AIR Asset Management TEMPE, Ariz., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- American University Kyiv (AUK), the first university in Ukraine based on American education standards through a partnership with Arizona State University, announces a donation raised in partnership with the Institute of International Education (IIE). The funds were provided by Third Coast Infrastructure, LLC ("Third Coast"), and will be primarily targeted to finance the Build Solid Futures scholarship program for talented Ukrainian students. "Third Coast is proud to continue its tradition of supporting promising students in need through a donation to AUK in partnership with IIE. We are excited to be working with promising students who are facing challenging conditions as their country is defending itself in an unprovoked and unjust war in Ukraine," said Matt Rowland, CEO of Third Coast. For this fund-raising campaign in the USA, AUK is partnering with the Institute of International Education (IIE), a global not-for-profit organization that works with thousands of U.S. and international educational institutions and more than 29,000 students, scholars, and professionals each year. "At AUK we strive to help Ukraine win the war and contribute to its recovery. Therefore, AUK is raising funds to expand access to quality education for promising youth from Ukraine, paying additional attention to the children of fallen Ukrainian heroes. We hope that many US companies will follow the example of Third Coast, which has made a significant donation to AUK scholarship fund! Thank you, Matt Rowland, for joining us on this inspiring mission and helping change the lives of young Ukrainians by providing them with an American education!," outlined Dan Rice, AUK President. Information on the scholarship and how to support it can be found at the link below. All contributions are 501c3 tax deductible within the United States and IIE provides all documentation for donors. https://www.iie.org/programs/american-university-of-kyiv . The Build Solid Futures program provides AUK students with merit-based, need-based, and wartime scholarships that contribute to Ukraine's young generation, its resistance and its commitment to freedom. AUK has created two fully funded scholarships for Wounded Warriors and Children of the Fallen Heroes those who lost a parent in the war. A full four-year bachelor's scholarship to pay 100% of a young person's education is U.S. $32,000. American University of Kyiv ( www.auk.edu.ua ) is offering a U.S. higher education standard in Ukraine through its partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), one of the largest universities in the U.S. and ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the most innovative university in the U.S. American University Kyiv delivers an American standard of excellence in higher education through its expanding portfolio of undergraduate, graduate, and lifelong learning programs. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Third Coast is a full-service midstream company with assets that provide critical infrastructure linking primarily natural gas production to end-use markets. Third Coast's vertically and horizontally integrated assets are strategically located along the Gulf Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. Third Coast currently owns or has an ownership interest in approximately 1,900 miles of interstate and intrastate pipelines, as well as ownership in a gas processing plant, and two offshore semi-submersible floating production systems with a combined processing capacity of up to 185 MBbl/d of crude oil and 340 MMcf/d of natural gas. For more information about Third Coast, visit www.third-coast.com . Institute of International Education ( www.iie.org ) was founded in 1919 and works with a range of corporate, government, and foundation partners across the globe to design and manage scholarship, study abroad, workforce training, and leadership development programs. IIE has a network of 18 offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,300 member institutions. It administers over 29,000 scholarships in 180 countries annually, including the Fulbright Scholarships, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship and many others. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE American University Kyiv MIAMI, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, pilots at Amerijet, represented by the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), voted in favor of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The vote comes after Amerijet's leadership team and ALPA agreed to the terms, which include new pay rates and work rules that would increase schedule flexibility. Amerijet International Airlines "I want to thank the negotiating teams and ALPA for their efforts in reaching this agreement that recognizes our pilots' contributions," said Amerijet's CEO, Tim Strauss. "The union agreement will provide job security for our pilots and allows us to focus on the future with our vision to be the go-to-world-class cargo carrier of choice." "This new contract reiterates what many of us have known for decades, Amerijet is a great place to work and spend a career as a pilot," added Amerijet's Chief Pilot, Mike Meyer. Amerijet has rapidly grown its fleet during the past three years and now operates a fleet of 24 Boeing 757 and 767 cargo jets as it expands its scheduled service and subcontracted flights to Europe and Asia. About Amerijet: With almost 50 years of experience in the air cargo industry, Amerijet operates its dedicated fleet of freighters from its primary hub at the Miami International Airport to destinations throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, South America and Europe. Amerijet's portfolio of worldwide scheduled, longterm and shortterm ACMI and CMI charter services provide seamless and transparent transportation solutions for customers shipping time-sensitive, valuable, hazardous material, temperature-controlled, and other commodity types. More about Amerijet can be accessed at www.amerijet.com. SOURCE Amerijet International Airlines BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Iran exported 192,000 tons of non-oil products worth approximately $63.9 million to Turkmenistan, during the first two months of the current Iranian year (March 21 through May 21, 2023), Trend reports. Within 2 months, Iran's non-oil exports to Turkmenistan increased by 9.02 percent in value, while decreasing by 17.2 percent in volume compared to the same period in the last year. So, the exports stood at 232,000 tons worth $58.6 million in the same period of the last Iranian year. Iran mainly exported agricultural and food products, industrial products, transformers, water conditioners, petrochemical products, etc. to Turkmenistan during the mentioned period. Meanwhile, in the 2nd month of the current Iranian alone (April 21 through May 21, 2023), Iran's non-oil exports to Turkmenistan amounted to 104,000 tons worth approximately $37 million. Overall, Iran exported 21 million tons of non-oil products worth $7.51 billion within the first two months of the current Iranian year (March 21 through May 21, 2023). This is an increase of 12.3 percent in value, while a decrease of 13.7 percent in volume compared to the same period in the last Iranian year. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur The New Grant Will Support Important Pre-clinical Studies VANCOUVER, BC, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Asep Medical Holdings Inc. ("Asep Inc." or the "Company") (CSE: ASEP) (OTCQB: SEPSF) (FSE: JJ8) is pleased to announce, along with their academic partners at the University of British Columbia (UBC), that they have been awarded a grant from the NanoMedicines Innovation Network (NMIN) to investigate further and identify an optimal nanoparticle-peptide solution with the specific goal of treating chronic sinus infections caused by biofilms. The Government of Canada funds NMIN through the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Program. To date, the Company and its subsidiaries have received over USD $20 million in non-dilutive grant funding from organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Genome Canada and UBC. The Company, through its pre-clinical partner, iFyber LLC, has also received funding from the US Army for its novel antibiofilm peptide technology. The funds will be used to establish pre-clinical toxicology parameters of the peptide technology and determine the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the peptide when delivered intranasally to guide dosing regimens. This information will contribute to a pre-IND (Investigational New Drug) meeting with the FDA and move Asep Inc. another step closer to formal clinical trials in humans. The CAD $200,000 grant provides financial support for an important scientific collaboration between Asep Inc.'s subsidiary (ABT Innovations), the Hancock Lab at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the NMIN PharmaCore (a subsidiary of NMIN providing pharmacology, toxicology and scale-up manufacturing expertise at UBC). The grant title is "Pre-clinical evaluation of nanoparticle formulations for the in vivo delivery of anti-biofilm and anti-inflammatory synthetic host defence peptides." As the title suggests, the project will aim to identify an optimal nanoparticle-formulated peptide solution that provides a suitable drug delivery vehicle for the Company's desired clinical indication of chronic sinus infections. Founder, Chairman and CEO Dr. Robert E. W. Hancock commented, "Funding of this nature further supports the viability of our anti-biofilm peptides by the scientific community and the Federal Government of Canada. In addition, it allows us a critical lab time to refine the technology with a goal to help millions of people worldwide that suffer from chronic sinus infections." ABOUT ASEP MEDICAL HOLDINGS INC. Asep Medical Holdings Inc. (asepmedical.com) is dedicated to addressing the global issue of antibiotic failure by developing novel solutions for significant unmet medical needs in human medicine. The Company is a consolidation of three existing private companies, all with technology in advanced development Sepset Biosciences Inc. (proprietary diagnostic tools to enable the early and timely identification of sepsis), ABT Innovations Inc. (broad-spectrum therapeutic agents to address multi-drug resistant biofilm infections), and SafeCoat Medical Inc. (an antibacterial peptide medical device coating technology). Sepset Biosciences Inc. (sepset.ca) is in the final stages of preparation for clinical studies and commercialization of an in vitro diagnostic test that involves a patient gene expression signature that helps assess the development of severe sepsis, one of the significant diseases leading to antibiotic failure since antibiotics are the primary initial treatment for sepsis. Sepsis was responsible for nearly 20% of all deaths on the planet in 2017 and essentially all deaths due to COVID-19 and other pandemics. The SepsetER test is a blood-based gene expression assay that is straightforward to implement, and results are obtained in about an hour after taking a blood sample in the emergency room or intensive care unit. This proprietary diagnostic technology differs from current diagnostic tests, enabling the risk assessment for progression to severe sepsis within ~60 minutes of initiating the test. Bacterial culture, the gold standard, provides results after ~15 hours but can be as long as three days. Asep Inc. believes its test will enable critical early decisions to be made by physicians regarding appropriate therapies and thus reduce overall morbidity and mortality due to sepsis. ABT Innovations Inc.'s (abtinnovations.ca) peptide technology covers a broad range of therapeutic applications, including bacterial biofilm infections (dental, wound, sinusitis, skin, medical device infections, chronic infections, lung, bladder, ear-nose and throat, orthopaedic, etc.), anti-inflammatories, anti-infective immune-modulators and vaccine adjuvants. The company is in the pre-clinical development phase for the first three indications with promising data. SafeCoat Medical Inc.'s (safecoatmedical.com) technology encompasses self-assembling polymers combined with conjugated antimicrobial peptides, which can be applied to various surfaces as antimicrobial and anti-fouling coatings. In particular, the invention relates to coatings that may be applied to multiple medical devices and implants, and feasibility has been demonstrated in animal models. The company's expertise also encompasses the methods for manufacturing and applying these anti-bacterial coatings. ABOUT NANOMEDICINES INNOVATION NETWORK The NanoMedicines Innovation Network (NMIN) (nanomedicines.ca) is advancing "smart" medicines to cure disease by delivering small molecule drugs, more specifically to disease sites and enabling the clinical use of gene therapies. NMIN brings investigators from universities across Canadaa multidisciplinary collective of physicists, engineers, chemists, biochemists, cell biologists, disease specialists, and clinicianstogether with companies and not-for-profit research and granting institutions to expand and improve Canada's position as a world leader in nanomedicines R&D. NMIN invests in projects aimed at developing new therapeutics and diagnostics. Particular efforts are made to conduct projects partnered with industry to ensure market impact. The Government of Canada funds NMIN through the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Program. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates," "plan," "continue," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "may," "will," "potential," "proposed," "positioned" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements include but are not limited to the successful clinical testing of our Sepsis in vitro diagnostic test and its intended filing for regulatory market authorization; the Company not receiving regulatory market authorization as planned or at all; the undertaking of pre-clinical studies on our lead therapeutic, with the expectation that this will lead to fast-track clinical trials; the timeframe for identification of sepsis with the company's products; the potential opportunities for the generation of revenue; the therapeutic benefits of the company's products; and other statements regarding the company's proposed business plans. Various assumptions were used in drawing conclusions or making the predictions contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks including the risk that the company's products may not perform as expected; that the company may not receive the requisite regulatory market authorization or results of testing; the Company's testing of the products may not be successful and market authorization may not be obtained in the estimated timelines or at all; the company may not be able to generate revenue from its products as expected or at all; the market for the company's products may not be as described in this news release; and various other risk factors identified in the Asep Medical Inc.'s prospectus dated November 9, 2021, and in the company's management discussion and analysis, available for review under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Asep Medical Inc. is under no obligation and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. SOURCE ASEP Medical Holdings Inc. DUBLIN, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Human DNA Vaccine Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Competition, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028 Segmented By Mode of Administration (Intramuscular, Subcutaneous, Intradermal, Others), By Application, By End User, By Region and Competition" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global human DNA vaccine market is anticipated to observe impressive growth during the forecast period, 2024-2028, owing to the growing prevalence of cancer and infectious diseases in humans. An increase in the number of antibiotic-resistant pathogens is further expected to drive the growth of the human DNA Vaccine Market. The growing prevalence of different diseases has significantly increased the demand for different types of vaccines. Additionally, growing research & development activities being initiated by various governments and pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies across the globe are further expected to create lucrative opportunities for the growth of the human DNA vaccine market in the coming years. In 2021, the research & development expenditure in the pharmaceutical industry across the globe was around USD238 billion. Rise in Prevalence of Different Diseases Globally, cancer is the leading cause of death. According to World Health Organization, around 50,550,287 cases of cancer prevalence have been reported worldwide in the last five years. This is due to the physical carcinogens, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation; chemical carcinogens, such as asbestos, components of tobacco smoke, alcohol, aflatoxin (a food contaminant), and arsenic (a drinking water contaminant) and biological carcinogens, such as infections from certain viruses, bacteria, or parasites as well as unhealthy lifestyle. Cancer has become a global healthcare concern. The need to develop therapies for cancer is expected to support the growth of global human DNA vaccine market. Similarly, the increasing prevalence of diseases such as HIV, Human Papillomavirus, and Tuberculosis, which are deadly and require a potential treatment, is further expected to drive the growth of global human DNA vaccine market. As of 2021, globally, around 38.4 million people were living with HIV. Increase in Number of Antibiotics Resistant Pathogens Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development. The epidemiological models describe a direct relationship between antibiotic consumption and resistant pathogen. According to World Health Organization, 32 antibiotics were identified in clinical development, which addressed the top priority pathogens. Some multi and resistant bacteria called "superbugs" that cause infections are not treatable with existing antimicrobial medicines such as antibiotics. Also, certain bacteria have developed resistance to existing treatment options, thereby creating a need to develop novel therapeutic solutions which can address the issue of antibiotic resistance. This, in turn, is expected to fuel the growth of Global Human DNA Vaccine Market. Growth in R&D for DNA Vaccine Rapid advancements in research and development (R&D) practices and activities are propelling the growth of the market on account of the growing need to develop novel human vaccines for the treatment of different life-threatening diseases. According to Clinicaltrials.gov, 247 clinical trials are in different phases of development across the globe for Human DNA vaccines. This clearly indicates that a lot of R&D is being done across the globe for developing human DNA vaccines for the treatment of different diseases, thereby supporting the growth of the global human DNA vaccine market. Recent Developments ZyCoV-D is a DNA plasmid-based COVID-19 vaccine developed by Indian pharmaceutical company Cadila Healthcare, with support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council in August 2021. This vaccine illustrated higher safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity. The vaccine is administered into the skin without an injection and has been found to be 67% protective against symptomatic COVID-19 in clinical trials. ZyCoV-D is a three-dose intradermal vaccine applied using The PharmaJet needle-free system, Tropis, which can significantly reduce any side effects and improve quality. Zydus Cadila has received approval for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for ZyCoV-D. Report Scope In this report, Global Human DNA Vaccine Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends, which have also been detailed below. Human DNA Vaccine Market, by Mode of Administration Intramuscular Subcutaneous Intradermal Others Human DNA Vaccine Market, by Application Oncology Tuberculosis HIV Human Papillomavirus Others Human DNA Vaccine Market, by End-user Hospitals & Clinics Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Companies Academic & Research Institutions Others Human DNA Vaccine Market, by Region North America Europe Asia-Pacific South America Middle East & Africa Competitive Landscape Detailed analysis of the major companies present in Global Human DNA Vaccine market. A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes: BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM GmbH (Merial) ELI-LILLY (Novartis Animal Health) Gene One Life Science GEOVAX LABS, INC Inovio Pharmaceuticals (VGX Animal Health) Genexine, Inc. VIATRIS INC. (Rottapharm Biotech) Takara Holdings ( Takara Bio ) ) ZOETIS INC. (Fort dodge Animal Health) Zydus Lifesciences Limited For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2h19r7 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the official launch of summer underway, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare encourages the public to take precautions this summer to prevent heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Extreme heat kills more people than any other weather-related emergency and some people are at a greater risk than others to suffer from high temperatures. If you have chronic conditions like asthma, COPD, diabetes and heart disease, you should take extra measures to avoid overheating. "Staying hydrated is probably the most important tip to avoid symptoms of heat exhaustion," said Regina Goulder, nurse practitioner with Methodist Medical Group. "We should also limit any outdoor activities during mid-day high heat temperatures. Instead, visit a local museum, take in a movie, read a good book or get creative with an inside project." Follow the below suggestions to give yourself the best chance to stay healthy and avoid a trip to the emergency room while enjoying the dog days of summer. Hydrate: Grab that cup of water repeat. Grab that cup of water repeat. Drink at least six to eight cups of water per day. Avoid drinks with added sugars. Limit caffeine and alcohol, which could contribute to dehydration. Plan ahead: Check the forecast for the coolest time of day. Check the forecast for the coolest time of day. Exercise, yard work or other strenuous outdoor activities are best completed during early morning or evening hours when temperatures are lower. Seek shade: Find that shady tree and plant yourself. Find that shady tree and plant yourself. Shade can make the temperature feel up to 10 degrees cooler than when you are in direct sunlight. Dress to impress your body's cooling system: Forget fashion and embrace function with your clothes. Forget fashion and embrace function with your clothes. Wear loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing to reduce your chance of burning up. If you suspect any of the following signs or symptoms in yourself or loved ones seek immediate medical attention. Warning signs of heat exhaustion, which could lead to heat stroke, include: Muscle cramps Headaches, confusion, fainting or dizziness Excessive sweating Extreme thirst Symptoms of heat stroke include: No longer sweating A body temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit Seizures Headache, dizziness, lightheadedness Rapid heartbeat Nausea and vomiting Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation and staggering About Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare has been caring for patients and families regardless of their ability to pay for more than 100 years. Guided by roots in the United Methodist Church and founded in 1918 to help meet the growing need for quality healthcare in the greater Memphis area, MLH has grown from one hospital into a comprehensive healthcare system with 13,000 Associates supporting six hospitals, including nationally ranked Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient facilities, a hospice residence and physician and specialty practices serving communities across the Mid-South. From transplants and advanced heart procedures to expert neurology services and compassionate cancer care, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare offers clinical expertise with a focus on improving every life we touch. SOURCE Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare WILSON, N.C., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Believer Meats, a leading pioneer of the cultivated meat industry, announced today its CEO, Gustavo Burger, and COO, Kash Muthuraman, met with U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) on Tuesday, June 20, in Washington D.C. Believer Meats CEO, Gustavo Burger, and COO, Kash Muthuraman, met with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) on Tuesday, June 20, in Washington D.C. Believer Meats CEO, Gustavo Burger, and COO, Kash Muthuraman, met with U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) on Tuesday, June 20, in Washington D.C. During the meeting, the Believer Meats executives reaffirmed the company's unwavering commitment to investing in the state of North Carolina, promoting local employment opportunities, and fostering economic growth. As the cultivated meat industry gears up for commercialization and wider consumer adoption in 2024, the Senators expressed their enthusiasm for learning more about the industry's potential to address food insecurity and the pivotal role that North Carolina can play in this regard. Believer Meats is currently constructing its first U.S. commercial production facility in Wilson, North Carolina, with an anticipated opening in Q2 2024. Once operational, the 200,000-square-foot facility will be the largest cultivated meat production center in the world with the capacity to produce at least 10,000 metric tons of cultivated meat. The Senators expressed their eagerness to support Believer Meats as the company progresses towards commissioning its facility and launching product within the U.S. market. "It was an incredibly rewarding experience to introduce Believer Meats to U.S. Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis," said Gustavo Burger, CEO of Believer Meats. "During our meeting, we had the opportunity to discuss the commitments we are making in their home state of North Carolina, the plan for commercialization, and the partnerships we have been cultivating with local research institutions and universities. We look forward to serving both senators their first taste of Believer soon." "It was great to meet with Believer Meats as they expand their presence in North Carolina. Believer Meats' more than $120 million investment in Wilson County for their first U.S.-based production facility that will employ over 100 North Carolinians represents a major economic win for the state and region," said Senator Tillis. "North Carolina remains one of the best states in the country for innovative new businesses, and Believer Meats investment reflects that." When selecting the location for its first U.S. production facility, Believer Meats explored several well-established manufacturing corridors across the country. Ultimately, the company chose Wilson County due to its abundance of highly skilled STEM professionals, thriving ecosystem of biotech and food tech companies, and the region's success in implementing technology-driven solutions to enhance residents' lives. These factors closely align with Believer Meats' mission of making it possible for all future generations to eat meat. The company is making an initial planned investment of over $120 million in Wilson County, located approximately 40 miles east of Raleigh, N.C., which includes plans to create over 100 new jobs over the next three years. The facility will feature proprietary, custom-made bioreactors capable of achieving high cell densities and yields using patented processes. Additionally, the state-of-the-art facility will house a product and food development center, a modern kitchen for tastings, as well as office and conference spaces. For more information, visit believermeats.com and follow @believermeats on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. About Believer Meats Believer Meats (formerly Future Meat Technologies) is a cultivated meat company pioneering the first scalable cultivated meat production system that can feed the world. Founded in 2018, Believer's mission is to ensure that future generations can enjoy the meat we know and love. Believer is building a better future for people, animals and the planet with meat that is delicious, sustainable, nutritious, and broadly accessible. For more information, visit us at believermeats.com. SOURCE Believer Meats BlackBerry maintains carbon neutral status, originally announced in 2021 WATERLOO, ON, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) today announced the continued progress it has made on its sustainability agenda, which aligns the company's expertise in embedded IoT and cybersecurity software to the development of a sustainable smart world and advances the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Climate change is one of the most pressing threats to national and global security, and digital transformation can help address it. In-line with BlackBerry's commitment to confront climate change, the company has sustained its carbon neutral status across Scope 1, Scope 2 and material Scope 3 emissions, the three groups that categorize the emissions a company creates, as classified under the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Corporate Standard. First announced in December 2021, BlackBerry has maintained this sustainability achievement by: Making more BlackBerry software available in the cloud including, most recently, the company's industry-leading QNX Neutrino Real Time Operating System (RTOS) and QNX OS for Safety, both of which are heavily used in carbon-intensive industries such as automotive, robotics, medical devices, industrial controls, and aerospace and defense. Encouraging customer adoption of BlackBerry cloud-based solutions, including BlackBerry UEM Cloud, BlackBerry AtHoc, and BlackBerry QNX. Reducing direct and indirect emissions across our operations by 88% since 2013, across company facilities, energy consumption, business travel, waste management and more. Partnering with Carbonzero, a leader in corporate carbon management strategies and solutions, to identify high-quality, third-party verified, carbon offset projects to address remaining emissions. Partnering with Coastal First Nations in Canada to reduce logging and increase forestation, mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events and wildfires. to reduce logging and increase forestation, mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events and wildfires. Investing in wind farms in the United States , part of the nation's critical infrastructure and providing jobs to local communities. , part of the nation's critical infrastructure and providing jobs to local communities. Continued investments in innovative cookstove technology in Rwanda , enabling water security, relieving deforestation pressures, creating jobs, and improving urban resilience. BlackBerry has taken a number of other steps to advance the company's sustainability agenda, including: Partnering with higher education institutions and governments, such as the University of Waterloo and the National Science Foundation, to develop secure 5G infrastructure, to enable more resilient and efficient connectivity. and the National Science Foundation, to develop secure 5G infrastructure, to enable more resilient and efficient connectivity. Joining the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC), whose mission is to support the transition to sustainable supply chains. "The security threat of climate change is one of the most critical challenges of our time and we firmly believe that it is our responsibility to take action," said Neelam Sandhu, Chief Elite Customer Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Head of Sustainability, BlackBerry. "BlackBerry continues to make investments in and progress our sustainability agenda, taking a 'no stone unturned' approach to how we can leverage our industry-leading connectivity & security technologies and technical expertise. Technology companies, in collaboration with governments, have a key role in global sustainability and we are committed to continuing to be a leader in advancing how the world lives and works." "We have been delighted to work with BlackBerry as the company continues to advance its sustainability performance, reduce its GHG emissions, and align its carbon offset projects to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals," said Dan Fraleigh, CEO, Carbonzero. "Their progressive actions demonstrate a deep-rooted commitment to creating a more sustainable and connected world." "We are proud to welcome BlackBerry to the SPLC community, an innovative company that is leading with its actions and has made commendable progress in its carbon reduction accomplishments," said Sarah O'Brien, CEO, SPLC. "We are happy to bring BlackBerry into the SPLC community which convenes key organizations to amplify meaningful change through collaboration." For more information on BlackBerry's sustainability initiatives visit BlackBerry.com/Sustainability. About BlackBerry BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including over 215M vehicles. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety, and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security, endpoint management, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear - to secure a connected future you can trust. BlackBerry. Intelligent Security. Everywhere. For more information, visit BlackBerry.com and follow @BlackBerry. Trademarks, including but not limited to BLACKBERRY and EMBLEM Design are the trademarks or registered trademarks of BlackBerry Limited, and the exclusive rights to such trademarks are expressly reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. BlackBerry is not responsible for any third-party products or services. Media Contact: BlackBerry Media Relations +1 (519) 597-7273 [email protected] SOURCE BlackBerry Limited NEW YORK, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bond Vet, a leading provider of veterinary urgent and primary care services in North America has announced Garrett Lewis as CEO. Garrett succeeds Founder Mo Punjani, who will remain with the company as its Chairman. Bond Vet is a tech-enabled platform of veterinary clinics and a pioneer in the vet urgent care space. Bond Vet offers a highly flexible, convenient experience for pet care, with clinics providing a wide range of appointment options, including pre-scheduled appointments, walk-in visits, and telehealth. Garrett brings over 20 years of leadership experience and deep industry knowledge, spending the past decade in the pet care and broader healthcare industries. He brings extensive experience in growing multi-site healthcare businesses, building and enabling high-performing teams, and a proven track record of leadership roles across strategy, business development, operations, and business leadership. Previously, Garrett was Chief Operating Officer at VCA Animal Hospitals (VCA), owner and operator of the largest network of freestanding veterinary hospitals in the United States and Canada, where he led U.S. and Brazil Veterinary Hospitals, Marketing, Innovation and Real Estate teams. He started with VCA in 2016 as Group Vice President of hospitals across the Midwest and held a variety of roles at the company, where he achieved strong financial performance, launched key initiatives and built a strong talent pipeline. Prior to VCA, Garrett served as Regional Operations Director at DaVita, one of the nation's largest kidney care organizations. Garrett holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS from the University of Tennessee. "Mo, Dr. Zay, Lukas and the Bond Vet team have built an incredible company, uniquely focused on providing top-tier pet care and client experience supported by innovative technology and software access. Their growth over the past few years has been impressive and something I look forward to continuing as we advance Bond Vet's role in pet health in communities across the U.S. I see immense opportunity in serving our growing end markets through continued service expansion, all supported by an excellent team," said Garrett Lewis, CEO, Bond Vet. "Bond Vet gives pet parents the type of tech-enabled healthcare experiences originally pioneered for humans. I look forward to working closely with Mo and this talented team as we further strengthen and expand our product offering, capabilities, and reach." "Garrett has a strong background in delivering successful transformations across numerous verticals, particularly within pet health. Dr. Zay, Lukas and I started Bond Vet four years ago with the goal of strengthening the human-animal bond through access to better pet care. I'm proud to see our goals coming true and believe that Garrett will continue our mission and build on our extraordinary momentum and growth trajectory to-date," said Mo Punjani Chairman, Bond Vet. "It has been a privilege to build Bond Vet to this point and I look forward to upholding Bond Vet's reputation for excellent healthcare, client experiences, and team culture as the company's Chairman." About Bond Vet Bond Vet is a pet health company that's building a new breed of vet clinics to strengthen the human-animal bond through access to better pet care. The company is redefining the veterinary industry through design, technology, service, and culture think: calm spaces for pets and their humans to feel comfortable, amenities like a "treat yourself" wall and hydration station; a mobile app that makes booking and treatment plans a breeze; immediate + affordable access to veterinary doctors and specialists, and transparent pricing; and a primary focus on the well-being of its care team, critical in an industry where burnout remains a growing problem. Bond Vet offers all veterinary services, from routine check-ups to urgent care, at 40 hospitals across the greater New York City area, Boston, greater DMV area and Chicago with more clinics on the way. For more information, please visit BondVet.com. Contact Brooke Goldstein [email protected]com SOURCE Bond Vet PHOENIX, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Catholic Education Arizona is honored to announce it has been awarded a generous grant from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. The grant is dedicated to enhancing fundraising capacity for Catholic Education Arizona's Changing Lives Division, focused on facilitating non-tax credit donations to increase scholarship assistance to underserved children for generations to come. Catholic Education Arizona Launches New Fund Raising Division, Changing Lives. http://ceaz.giftlegacy.com/ Supporting underserved students with education is a lasting legacy for generations to come. Nancy Padberg, President and CEO of Catholic Education Arizona shared, "We have been accepting Arizona Individual and Corporate tax credit funds for 25 years. Now we can add a structured framework of non-tax credit donations to our core business for the next 25 years! We must safeguard our underserved children to ensure they have access to faith forming education." Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust is known for its commitment to enhancing quality of life in Maricopa County. Supporting Catholic Education Arizona's mission to provide underserved children with access to quality education continues the legacy of Virginia Galvin Piper, the Trust's founder who was a devout Catholic woman. The grant will play a pivotal role in capacity building for the Changing Lives Division. Todd Bankofier, Chairman of the Board added, "The Changing Lives Division helps bridge the financial gap for families seeking a Catholic education for their children. The grant from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust will enhance Catholic Education Arizona's capacity to meet the growing demand for scholarship assistance and elevate underserved children onto a path of success now and in the future." Catholic Education Arizona is grateful to Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust for its unwavering commitment to education and philanthropy. The grant represents a significant milestone for Catholic Education Arizona, reinforcing the organization's dedication to building a better future for Arizona's children, families and communities. Individuals and corporations continue to support Catholic Education Arizona and The Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Schools because of their impressive results: 99.4% graduation rate 97% matriculation to higher education, trade school, or enter military service 1000s of hours of community service are conducted annually In addition to the Changing Lives Division donations and AZ Individual tax credits, Catholic Education Arizona also accepts AZ Tax Credits from S & C Corporations, LLC/PLLCs filing as S Corps, and insurance companies paying Arizona premium tax. 100% of their corporate state tax liability can be redirected through the Arizona Low Income and Disabled/Displaced Corporate tax credits. Community leaders such as APS, Cigna, Shea Homes, Meritage Homes, Earnhardt Auto Centers, Grand Canyon University, Lumen Technologies, and hundreds more participate. Catholic Education Arizona is the largest provider of scholarships to families attending Catholic schools in the Diocese of Phoenix. Since 1998, $313 million has been raised and 148,000 scholarships have been awarded. Catholic Education Arizona is changing lives one scholarship at a time through tax credits, planned gifts, and donations. Visit www.ceaz.org or call 602-218-6542 to learn more. Contact: Debra Preach, Chief Operating Officer Catholic Education Arizona [email protected] (602)-296-4738 SOURCE Catholic Education Arizona SYRACUSE, N.Y. , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CCMR3, a leading provider of accounts receivable and collection services, has been granted the "Best Places to Work for 2023" award by the CNY Business Journal. CCMR3 Named a Best Place to Work by CNY Business Journal Jacob Corlyon, CEO of CCMR3, expressed his gratitude for the dedicated team and their role in the company's success. He said, "Our employees are the driving force behind everything we accomplish. Receiving the "Best Places to Work for 2023" award reassures me that our team is genuinely satisfied with the work they do each day. Our people-first approach extends to our business partners and employees alike. I eagerly anticipate another outstanding year with our dedicated and hardworking team, which truly makes us a great place to work." CCMR3 prioritizes employee well-being by offering a comprehensive benefits package, competitive pay, and generous PTO. Last year, CCMR3 introduced Wellness Weekends, allowing employees to enjoy one Friday off per month to disconnect, spend time with loved ones, and recharge. This initiative adds up to an additional 12 paid days off per year. Fostering a positive and collaborative culture remains a top priority for the leadership team at CCMR3. Monthly award ceremonies are held to recognize employees for their dedication and hard work. Additionally, the company offers a hybrid work environment, providing employees with the flexibility to work remotely or from one of their office locations in Syracuse, NY, Des Moines, IA, Phoenix, AZ or Rochester, NY. Jill Czyz, Vice President of People and Culture at CCMR3, shared her experience and perspective on the company's culture. "The best thing about CCMR3 is the people. To me, CCMR3 is more than just a debt collections agencyit is a close-knit company where every employee genuinely cares about helping our customers achieve financial success. We have established a company culture where our employees truly care about one another here are you are not just a number." CCMR3 provides modern, technology-driven revenue recovery solutions, debt purchasing, and litigation services for enterprises that need engagement with empathy, experience with compliance, and excellence in revenue recovery. Leveraging state-of-the-art analytics and machine learning combined with a service-focused approach, CCMR3 helps organizations from a variety of industries protect their brands and improve their bottom lines. For more information about CCMR3 and its suite of services, visit www.ccmr3.com and connect with us on LinkedIn. SOURCE CCMR3 BANGKOK, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the morning of June 23 (local time), the launching ceremony of the "electric scooters as motorcycle-taxi" project of the United Nations Environment Programme was held in Bangkok of Thailand. TAILG of China donated electric scooters to the Bangkok government to support the promotion of the project. Dr. Mushtaq Memon, representative of the United Nations Environment Programme Regional Coordinator for Resource Efficiency in Asia and the Pacific Office, said that since TAILG became an electric traveling partner of the United Nations Environment Programme in 2018, TAILG has launched pilot projects of electric traveling in over 100 countries including Kenya and the Philippines, effectively supporting the efforts of the United Nations in improving air quality and mitigating climate change. There is great potential to promote electric scooters as motorcycle-taxi in Thailand. Representative of the Bangkok government noted that Thailand is a major motorcycle country. With the support of the government and companies like TAILG, Thailand is expected to achieve the transition from fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles soon to improve the energy utilization of urban transportation and improve the living environment of local people. Wang Shutang, Deputy Director of China's Belt and Road Environmental Technology Exchange and Transfer Center (Shenzhen), said that Shenzhen and Bangkok are sister cities and should learn from each other and enjoy mutual benefits.He also mentioned that efforts will be made to increase the level of capacity cooperation and green investment of countries along the Belt and Road, and support the environmental management exchange among the Thai government, international organizations and businesses. German ambassador H.E. Georg Schmidt, United Nations' representative in Thailand Ms. Gita Sabharwal, BMA Vice Secretary Mr. Chalermpon Chotinuchit, Nonthaburi Mayor Mr. Sutee Tongyam, and Deputy Governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) expressed their congratulations on the launch of the project and recognition of the long-term support of TAILG. Meanwhile, representative of Thailand's Independent Research Group on Electric Motorcycle Traveling, Director of ENTEC/NSTDA Dr. Sumittra Charojrochkul, Director of EGAT Mr. Somsak Prangthong, President of TAILG Yao Li, and CEO of The Stallions Mrs. Areerat Sriprathai had in-depth discussion and exchange on the electric motorcycle and importance in public transportation. It is learned that all the scooters TAILG donates to Thailand this time adopt the independently developed patented system, boasting both high power and longer range. SOURCE TAILG ZURICH, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) today announced that Michael O'Donnell has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, Global Reinsurance. Currently, he serves as Division President of Chubb Tempest Re USA. In his new role, O'Donnell will continue to have responsibility for the U.S. operations of Chubb Tempest Re while expanding his remit into the strategic and tactical operations of the company's global reinsurance operations. The appointment is effective immediately. O'Donnell will continue to report to Jim Wixtead, Senior Vice President, Chubb Group and President, Chubb Tempest Re. "Mike is an exceptional executive who has demonstrated strong fortitude and leadership during his tenure managing our U.S. reinsurance operations," said Wixtead. "Clients, brokers and colleagues respect Mike's insights and commitment to our mission at Chubb Tempest Re. I look forward to working with him as he expands his responsibilities within Global Re." O'Donnell has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. He joined Chubb Tempest Re Bermuda in 2006 as a casualty treaty underwriter. He was then promoted to Senior Vice President with responsibility for ACE Tempest Re USA's workers compensation and alternative risk business units as well as oversight of its claims operations. Since 2014, he has been responsible for Chubb's U.S. property and casualty assumed reinsurance operation. Prior to Chubb, he was with General Reinsurance Corp., where he underwrote the casualty facultative business. About Chubb Tempest Re Chubb Tempest Re is the reinsurance business of Chubb, offering a broad range of products to a diverse group of primary property and casualty insurers worldwide. Doing business globally with offices in Bermuda, Stamford, London, Montreal and Zurich, the business has deep underwriting, actuarial and claims expertise. About Chubb Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 34,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com. SOURCE Chubb Limited Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. CHICAGO, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cision, an end-to-end consumer and media intelligence and communications platform, announces the introduction of a new Code of Ethics and a comprehensive Risk Management Framework created specifically to guide the company's development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven capabilities. This industry-leading action reflects increasing concerns from clients, governments, the public and regulators about the potential dangers of AI. This industry leading action fosters a more equitable and responsible AI ecosystem. Tweet this View PDF Cision AI Code of Ethics View PDF Cision AI Vendor Risk Assessment "The transformative power of AI has already impacted many aspects of communications, enabling us to better understand our audiences, craft more effective messaging and automate time-consuming tasks," said Antony Cousins, Executive Director of AI Strategy at Cision. "However, we must acknowledge that along with these benefits come potential risks to accuracy, privacy, fairness, transparency and equality." The recent breakthroughs in generative AI and the accelerated pace of development across the PR, communications and marketing disciplines has created the need for a principled approach to the application of AI to ensure any guidelines aren't quickly outdated. Cision's principles include commitments to: Rigorous testing, validation, and ongoing monitoring to minimize potential harm Privacy protection and security of client information Transparent documentation and explanation of AI objectives, potential risks and mitigations Commitment to maintaining human oversight while targeting and eliminating bias where possible Cision has been at the forefront of AI development for years, leveraging advanced technologies to deliver actionable analysis and powerful insights to its clients, and is the first in the PR & communications sector to take a public stand on the responsible application of AI. "We understand that as the largest communications technology company in the world, we must ensure that our AI solutions not only serve the needs of all our clients, but also avoid any unfair discrimination, violation of personal privacy or amplification of misinformation. The implementation of a robust risk management framework will ensure that Cision's AI technologies adhere to ethical standards and best practices, fostering a more equitable and responsible AI ecosystem," said Cousins. Cision is also actively shaping the development of government guidelines ensuring representation for the communications industry in future AI regulations by actively engaging with the UK Government on its recently published whitepaper on AI regulation and the U.S. Government's request for contributions to their AI regulation plans. In addition, as a leader in industry associations like CIPR and AMEC, Cousins will be working to build broader industry commitment to responsible development guidelines. "If we do not proactively act responsibly, forthcoming regulation will be overly restrictive and limit our ability to maximize the positive impact AI can have for our customers. We want to collaborate with the whole industry to avoid this risk and ensure good outcomes for our clients and their stakeholders," said Cousins. Cision is inviting any relevant stakeholders to reach out directly if they want to collaborate on industry-wide commitments. Cision has a robust pipeline of AI-driven capabilities leveraging the largest data set in the industry for training AI models, which it will continue to bring to market through its Brandwatch consumer intelligence solution, PR Newswire and CisionOne, the new revolutionary PR & communications platform, that debuts in July in the UK. About Cision Cision is a comprehensive consumer and media intelligence and communications platform enabling public relations, marketing and communications professionals around the world to understand, influence and amplify their stories. As the market leader, Cision enables the next generation of leaders to strategically operate in the modern media landscape where company success is directly impacted by public opinion. Cision has offices in 24 countries through the Americas, EMEA and APAC, and offers a suite of best-in-class solutions, including PR Newswire, Brandwatch, Cision Communications Cloud and Cision Insights. To learn more, visit www.cision.com and follow @Cision on Twitter. Contact Information: For media inquiries, please contact: Cision Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE Cision Ltd. PORTLAND, Ore., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Portland has signed an agreement with SAFEbuilt to provide electronic plan review services. This agreement enables contractors and developers to maintain an efficient workflow of plan reviews while ensuring the highest safety and quality standards. The City of Portland has signed an agreement with SAFEbuilt to provide electronic plan review services. Tweet this SAFEbuilt - a community development services firm Dallas utilizes SAFEbuilt to address their permit backlog Residents in Portland can expect faster results from SAFEbuilt's remote plan review services. It allows all plan reviews and document processing to be conducted quickly and accurately through a secure online platform. By utilizing this digital platform, contractors and developers can expect greater efficiency than traditional paper-based document processes, resulting in fewer delays, costs and labor associated with the review process. With remote services now available, businesses can benefit from a more accessible experience with virtually no backlogs. "Joining forces with Portland further highlights our dedication to employing technology for the advancement of communities," stated Steve Nero, SAFEbuilt's Vice President of Sales. "Our structure ensures streamlined processes, greater accessibility, and robust adaptability, integrating seamlessly into progressive, dynamic cities like Portland." By utilizing SAFEbuilt's National Plan Review services, the City of Portland will be able to modernize its building process further and remain adaptive during high-peak times, such as an increase in the volume of permits during the summer months or an unexpectedly strong storm. With these remote services now available, residents can expect a more seamless experience and speedier results. "The City of Portland is committed to providing its residents with the best possible services," commented Joe DeRosa, President and Chief Revenue Officer for SAFEbuilt; he added, "This partnership with SAFEbuilt will help to achieve that goal and ensure that the City's building department remains efficient, accessible, and successful." For more information regarding the City of Portland's contract with SAFEbuilt, please visit safebuilt.com. About SAFEbuilt SAFEbuilt is a community development services company offering multi-disciplinary building and professional expertise in 36 states and DC. The company employs approximately 1,700 employees serving more than 1,900 customers nationwide. SAFEbuilt provides the broadest array of community development services anchored by a sophisticated technology stack built to fit each customer's needs, including stabilizing budgets, maximizing building department efficiencies, improving the customer experience, and accelerating the speed to revenue for both municipalities and developers. To learn more, visit SAFEbuilt.com. SOURCE SAFEbuilt Columbia Grain is expanding into the organic grain, dry beans, and pulses consumer products market, positioning itself as the preferred choice for versatile food manufacturers, retailers, and consumers that seek the authentic farm to feast experience. PORTLAND, Ore., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on its 45 year legacy as a global leader in the origination, processing, logistics, and distribution of high-quality bulk grains and pulses, Columbia Grain International (CGI) is expanding into the consumer products market. Their newly-formed subsidiary Enrich Foods, LLC completed its first acquisition by purchasing Great River Milling in Fountain City, Wisconsin, assuming its milling operation and a new, state-of-the-art packaging and distribution facility. Great River Milling specializes in organic and specialty baking flour, grains, and breakfast products, which have a widespread Amazon presence and nationwide distribution through leading retailers and major e-commerce platforms in the United States. Great River is also known for its co-manufacturing and private label capacities for top-tier retailers. CGI will integrate its own Balanced Bushel brand of dry beans and pulses in consumer-friendly packaging into the Enrich Foods portfolio. This new venture provides CGI the foundation to expand into the CPG category and to welcome future business and acquisition opportunities and new market penetration. "CGI's acquisition of Great River Milling to launch Enrich Foods gives us the platform to develop healthy, clean, packaged food innovations," said the CEO & President of Columbia Grain and Enrich Foods, Jeff Van Pevenage. "It allows us to leverage our agricultural base of 5,000 producers to open new markets for them thanks to our unique processing and packaging capabilities, all in an effort to further our mission of nourishing the world, safely. I am confident in the competent leadership and passionate team at Great River Milling, which will help make the transition to our ownership seamless." Enrich Foods will benefit from Columbia Grain's stability and access to world markets for commodity sourcing. The Great River Milling facility is conveniently located in SW Wisconsin and offers a central location to service U.S. grain market and freight routes. The secure and efficient, new SQF processing facility features high-speed robotic lines for high capacity, offers packing, milling and blending capabilities for stone or hammer mill, as well as innovative packaging options from laminated to recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable. It also offers a range of package sizes and types for retail, club and foodservice use. It is SQF, gluten free, organic and non-GMO certified, kosher, and has allergen-friendly capabilities. For media inquiries, please contact Gillian Christie at [email protected] or (805) 969-3744. About Enrich Foods, LLC Enrich Foods LLC is the consumer products subsidiary of Columbia Grain International that specializes in bringing high-quality, premium grain, dry bean and pulse-based products to the retail marketplace. Its backed by the legacy of a leading commodity trader and supplier of commercial grains and pulses that has established partnerships with over 5,000 producers across the United States. Enrich Foods' product range includes the Balanced Bushel line of premium dry beans and pulses and Great River Millings' line of organic and specialty baking flour, grains and breakfast products. Enrich Foods specializes in high capacity co-manufacturing capabilities and as a private label partner due to its new SQF-certified facility. Gillian Christie Christie & Co (805) 969-3744 [email protected] SOURCE Enrich Foods, LLC MARLTON, N.J., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Approximately 769,000 consumers are being notified that their Social Security numbers and other confidential information were compromised when hackers were able to exploit a vulnerability software used by CalPERS. The data breach lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. are investigating claims on behalf of CalPERS members and anyone else affected by the breach, hoping to fully inform them of the risks they face in the wake of the breach as well as their legal rights. The sensitive personal data of 769,000 California retirees and their family members has been compromised. Now, members' full names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth may be in the hands of criminals who can use the stolen data to carry out various schemes, such as identity theft and other frauds. On June 21, 2023, CalPERS posted a notice on its website describing a third-party data breach affecting consumers nationwide. According to the notice, the data breach affected an estimated 769,000. CalPERS explained that the incident affected all retirees from the state, public agencies, school districts and retirees of the Judges' Retirement System and Legislators' Retirement System. The breach also leaked information belonging to those listed as members' beneficiaries. CalPERS notes that the incident stemmed from a third-party vendor's use of the managed file transfer software. Evidently, on June 6, 2023, CalPERS was notified by its vendor, PBI Research Services/Berwyn Group ("PBI"), that a vulnerability in the MOVEit file-transfer software created by Progress Software allowed hackers to download confidential member data. The list of sensitive information that was exposed includes: Names, Social Security numbers, and Dates of birth. If you receive a data breach notice from CalPERS, you could now be at risk of identity theftand the devastating financial and legal consequences that go along with it. CalPERS is offering affected consumers two years of complimentary credit monitoring and identity restoration services through Experian. And while affected parties should enroll in this service immediately, it is not sufficient to protect them from the risks of a data breach. What should you do if you receive a CalPERS data breach letter? Individuals who receive a data breach letter from CalPERS should take steps to protect themselves. (See our Guide for Victims of Data Breach for more details at https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/consumer-privacy-data-breach-lawyers/if-your-information-has-been-compromised-in-a-data-breach/ .) Additionally, victims should consider contacting a data breach attorney immediately. Those consumers who receive a data breach letter from CalPERS may be entitled to financial compensation. If you wish to discuss this data security incident, or if you have any questions regarding your rights following the CalPERS data breach, please contact Console & Associates, P.C. at (866) 778-5500. Interested parties and potential plaintiffs can also learn more about this data breach and potential lawsuit at https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/calpers-data-breach-investigation/ . Anyone who has received a Notice of Data Breach letter may contact the firm to learn more about their rights. Media Contact: Console & Associates, P.C. 866-778-5500 [email protected] SOURCE Console & Associates, P.C. Roku users can enjoy select free unlocked French series from MHz Choice for all of July's French-American Heritage Month WASHINGTON, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking for a way to celebrate French culture this Bastille Day? MHz Choice offers one of the most robust catalogs of French content outside of France, and this July we're sharing the perfect collection of French series for your Bastille Day binge. From the critically acclaimed A FRENCH VILLAGE to the popular anthology MURDER IN, there's something to satisfy the taste of every Francophile in your life on MHz Choice. July is French-American Heritage Month and all month long, Roku users can access some of the MHz Choice French catalog for free, with unlocked episodes of select French series. Roku users can enjoy select free unlocked French series from MHz Choice for July's French-American Heritage Month. Tweet this Pauline Bression, Philippe Bas in "Murder In..." Season 10 Mark your calendar to check out these French series in July: MURDER IN*New Season* the popular crime anthology series where the location is the star returns for a tenth season. Locations in the new season include Amboise, Biot, Frioul Island, Haute Provence, Kermadec, Marie-Galante, Mont Saint-Michel, Porquerolles, and Rochefort Sur Mer. CAPTAIN MARLEAU *New Season* She's back! Corinne Masiero returns as the offbeat Captain Marleau, solving crimes in Paris in her inimitable style. A FRENCH VILLAGE This acclaimed drama examines the German occupation of France during WWII and its effects on the inhabitants of a small village. In June 1940, the village of Villeneuve awakens to the arrival of the German army and the next four years of occupation have a shattering effect on the lives of all its inhabitants. GLORIA In this thriller, a woman's frantic search for her missing husband leads to peril in this French reimagining of the hit BBC series Keeping Faith. NONA AND HER DAUGHTERS This charming series set in Paris from creator and star Valerie Donzelli follows the mysterious pregnancy of 70-year-old Nona, portrayed by ten-time Cesar Award nominee, Miou-Miou, and her complicated relationships with triplet daughters. CHERIF Captain Kader Cherif is a brilliant and eccentric detective in this addictive, long-running mystery series set in Lyon. MAGELLAN Inspector Simon Magellan unravels crimes and mysteries in the fictional French town of Saignac. But that's just his day job he's also raising two teenage daughters. THE ART OF CRIME He's clueless about art and she's phobic without him. Together, Captain Verlay and Florence manage to solve high-profile art crimes in the heart of Paris. Full July Schedule available here: https://mhzchoice.com/premiere-schedule/ About MHz Choice MHz Choice, the evolution of the original MHz Networks television service, offers viewers in the U.S. and Canada access to a library of the best television mysteries, dramas, comedies and documentaries subtitled in English through its subscription streaming service. Select MHz content is also available on DVD and on its free ad-supported service MHz Now, available on Samsung TV Plus and Plex. Newcomers to MHz Choice are offered a free 7-Day Trial. For more information, go to mhzchoice.com. SOURCE MHz Networks PORTLAND, Ore., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CTL, a leading ChromeOS solutions provider and manufacturer of award-winning Chromebooks, has been named to the "Best & Brightest Companies to Work For" list in the Pacific Northwest region for two consecutive years. "We are honored to make the list of Best & Brightest companies in 2023," noted CTL CEO Erik Stromquist. "It's a testament to having great employees who work hard to build a company that values excellent customer service, teamwork, ingenuity, initiative, and creativity." Best & Brightest Companies to Work For "Only companies that distinguish themselves as having the most innovative business acumen and human resource practices can be bestowed this honor," notes the National Association for Business Resources (NABR), the organization that awards "The Best & Brightest Companies to Work For." The winning companies were assessed by an independent research firm, which reviewed several key measures relative to other nationally recognized winners. The categories applicants were scored on include Compensation, Benefits and Employee Solutions; Creative Wellness and Wellbeing Solutions, Employee Enrichment, Engagement and Retention; Employee Education and Development; Recruitment and Selection; Employee Achievement and Recognition; Communication and Shared Vision; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Work-Life Blend; Community Initiatives and Corporate Responsibility; and Leadership, Strategy and Company Performance. With over 25 years of experience conducting the Best and Brightest competitions, the National Association for Business Resources has identified numerous best Human Resource practices and provided benchmarking for companies that continue to be leaders in employment standards. "Those companies that made the list of Best and Brightest Companies to Work For as well as those companies that continue to make the list are truly remarkable. Given today's need for talent, retention of talent, and the further issues related to the pandemic, these companies have proven they are superior to market conditions. They are elite thinkers, and this honor demonstrates their commitment to excellence," said Jennifer Kluge, President and CEO of NABR and The Best and Brightest Program. About the Best and Brightest Programs The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For is a powerful community of the Nation's elite leaders who share ideas, practices and have proven they are employers of choice. This program identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in operations and employee enrichment that lead to increased productivity and financial performance. There are numerous regional programs throughout the United States, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Houston, Milwaukee, San Diego, San Francisco, Miami, New York, Charlotte, Denver, Nashville, Pacific Northwest and Nationally. Nominations are now being accepted for all programs. Visit thebestandbrightest.com to nominate your organization. About CTL CTL builds award-winning ChromeOS solutions backed by frictionless service and support. Our Chromebook and Cloud Computing Solutions support EdTech and Enterprise teams in over fifty countries across the globe. CTL has been named to the list of "Best & Brightest Companies to Work For" in 2022 and 2023. For more information about CTL and to purchase CTL products, visit us at ctl.net. Media Contact: Mark Jorgensen [email protected] 503-866-0850 SOURCE CTL Campaign to celebrate the relaunch of Baconalia menu encourages America to identify iconic bacon lovers SPARTANBURG, S.C., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Denny's, affectionately known as "America's Diner," is igniting a bacon frenzy across the nation with an exciting culinary mystery. Today, it issued an open letter to America, inviting everyone to join in an epic quest to bring three bacon-loving icons to Denny's and unlock a glorious reward: free bacon. Dennys Teases Free Bacon for All with Open Letter to Bacon Fans Everywhere To celebrate the sizzling return of its Baconalia menu, Denny's is extending a bold challenge. The open letter, which runs June 23 (USA Today) and June 25 (LA Times), calls for bacon fans everywhere to unite for a common purpose: encourage some of our nation's preeminent bacon lovers to visit Denny's to unleash free bacon for America. So, who are these bacon lovers? That's for fans, amateur detectives, and fellow bacon enthusiasts to figure out. Some initial clues: This model knows her way around the kitchen, even a few game shows. And don't get us started on her comedic social posts some may even say they're legendary. This TV icon rings the bell for giving extra effort every day. A man of many talents, he has appeared in several television series, films, and even on Broadway. This action star is no stranger to space and classic rock. When he's not saving the universe and fighting off dinosaurs, he's hanging out on his ranch. Bacon enthusiasts nationwide are asked to uncover the identities of these bacon-loving icons by tagging the individuals on social media using the hashtag #baconalia. If even one of them heeds the call, Denny's will reward America with a delectable treat: a free side of bacon for all guests on Monday, August 21, at every participating Denny's location across the country. "This campaign is more than just a quest for bacon it's a celebration of our shared love for great food and unforgettable experiences," said John Dillon, Denny's president. "In honor of our 70th anniversary, we're thrilled to reintroduce Baconalia after a decade-long hiatus by uniting bacon enthusiasts with the joy of free bacon. Start sleuthing, America!" Available at all Denny's locations from June 21 through August 29, the Baconalia menu features seven craveable bacon-centric creations, including the Premium Bacon Loaded Pancakes, the Triple Bacon Sampler, the Bacon Obsession Burger, and the Sweet Maple Bacon Sundae. Guests can also purchase limited edition Baconalia Merchandise, including beach towels, sunglasses, and bucket hats, on Dinerdrip.com. The Baconalia menu is available all day, every day, including Late Night, for a limited time only in Denny's locations nationwide. Items can be ordered online at www.dennys.com or through the Denny's iOS and Android apps. For more information about Denny's, please visit www.dennys.com . About Denny's Corp Denny's is a Spartanburg, S.C- based family dining restaurant celebrating its 70th anniversary and founding purpose: We love to feed people. That purpose has led us to become a restaurant brand that guests worldwide rely on for delicious value and craveable contemporary meals across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night. Every day, we welcome guests to dine whenever. However, they prefer, whether at our brick-and-mortar locations, via Denny's on Demand the first delivery platform in the family dining segment, or at The Meltdown and The Burger Den, our two virtual restaurants. Our longstanding commitment to supporting our local communities is brought to life with our Mobile Relief Diner, which delivers hot meals to our neighbors during times of disaster. Denny's is one of the largest franchised full-service restaurant brands in the world, based on the number of restaurants. As of March 29, 2023, Denny's had 1,594 franchised, licensed, and company restaurants, which includes 161 restaurants in Canada, Costa Rica, Curacao, El Salvador, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. To learn more about Denny's, please visit our brand website at www.dennys.com or the brand's social channels via Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , TikTok , LinkedIn , or YouTube . *Growth rates and projections from Yahoo! Finance, Smoked Bacon, and Ham Global Market Report 2023. SOURCE Denny's AUCKLAND, New Zealand, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The gambling company Dopamine Gaming releases their newest project, OnlineCasinos365 . Its aim is to meet New Zealand players' expectations and requirements, many of which are currently being overlooked in most such projects in the industry. Dopamine Gaming is Expanding in the New Zealand Market After 7 years of successfully operating their UK project, KingCasinoBonus.uk, Dopamine Gaming is moving on by entering the New Zealand gambling scene with clear innovation plans. OnlineCasinos365's goal is to secure the safest and most trustworthy gaming experience for all online casino gamblers in New Zealand. To achieve this goal, this company's newest project brings to the table a surprising number of professional casino reviews, casino promotions, expert guidance on gambling and game strategy, and hidden industry insights, many of which have never been disclosed so freely. If we look at Dopamine Gaming's first-hand expertise accumulated over years of operating in the UK market, the public doesn't doubt that OnlineCasino365 will ensure a rapidly evolving and secure gambling space for New Zealanders. After all, the company has already established such a strong reputation for its strict standards of security, diversity, and fairness. There's really no surprise that Dopamine Gaming decided to venture into the New Zealand market. The need is clear: online gambling continues to change and grow worldwide, so New Zealanders' demands for better gambling processes and conditions intensify by the day. It's only natural that Dopamine Gaming seize the opportunity to enter such a fresh market where change is painstakingly necessary. Dopamine Gaming has a clear-set purpose of becoming the number one safe and complete reference for New Zealanders who struggle to find secure, tested, and expertly vetted online casinos and bonuses. The company will bring the same commitment to transparency, accuracy, and fairness to New Zealand that it has had for so long in the UK. Dopamine Gaming's CEO - Ionut Catalin Marin Ionut Catalin Marin , as the CEO of Dopamine Gaming, is decidedly entering the New Zealand industry with the full scope of experience and knowledge gathered over the course of his work in the UK as the head of a reputable gaming business: "We are delighted to announce that our firm is releasing a brand-new project for the New Zealand gambling market," said Ionut Catalin Marin, "We hope that 'OnlineCasinos365' spreads out its fresh approach to gaming in New Zealand. Every expert we involve in our project works tirelessly to provide gamers with creative gambling solutions, completely free guidance, and permanent assistance. We want to collectively create new and much more beneficial standards for the industry, empowering players to only make educated decisions in regard to their money and time while still enjoying a secure and responsible gaming environment. We are about to begin a fantastic journey together." OnlineCasinos365 has a straightforward design, as it's operated via a user-friendly interface for New Zealanders to navigate and browse through with no effort. Just as in Dopamine Gaming's first project, KingCasinoBonus, OnlineCasinos365 users will receive constant and effective support and will have the option to filter through their favorite types of promotions and loyalty programs. Every single OnlineCasinos365.net.nz expert understands the importance of responsible gambling and does their utmost to ensure casino operators take critical security measures for a safe environment for all gamblers by including age verification and KYC procedures, as well as by collaborating only with reputable developers. SOURCE OnlineCasinos365 Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs who are building a better world CHICAGO, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that Stephanie Klein, CEO of Braviant Holdings, was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Midwest Award winner. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the preeminent competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. Stephanie was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes. "I am truly honored to be named an Entrepreneur of the Year Midwest Award Winner," said Stephanie Klein. "This recognition highlights the incredible teamwork, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit that drive Braviant forward. We are dedicated to transforming the financial landscape and empowering underserved borrowers with responsible financial solutions. This award fuels our passion to revolutionize the industry and create positive impact. I am immensely proud of our team and grateful to EY for this incredible honor." For nearly four decades, EY US has honored entrepreneurs whose ambition, courage and ingenuity have driven their companies' success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries all supported by vast EY resources. Since 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 US executives. As a Midwest award winner, Stephanie is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 National Awards. The National Award winners including the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2024. The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has honored the inspirational leadership of entrepreneurs such as: Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks and of Arista Networks Daymond John of FUBU of FUBU Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani, Inc. of Chobani, Inc. Holly Thaggard and Amanda Baldwin of Supergoop! and of Supergoop! Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company of Starbucks Coffee Company James Park of Fitbit of Fitbit Jodi Berg of Vitamix of Vitamix Joe DeSimone of Carbon, Inc. of Carbon, Inc. Kendra Scott of Kendra Scott LLC of Kendra Scott LLC Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn Corporation and of LinkedIn Corporation Sheila Mikhail of AskBio Sponsors Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, N.A.; SAP America; and the Kauffman Foundation. In the Midwest, sponsors also include regional Platinum sponsors, Cresa Global, Inc., DLA Piper, LLC, LaSalle Network and Marsh McLennan, a Gold sponsor, Becker Professional Education, and a Silver sponsor, ADP. About Entrepreneur Of The Year Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall Award winners go on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy. About EY Private As Advisors to the ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private. About EY EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. About Braviant Holdings Braviant Holdings is a digital lending platform that combines breakthrough technology and machine learning to empower consumers with better credit solutions. Our next-generation approach to lending reduces credit barriers and creates a Path to Prime to help millions of underbanked consumers build credit history, reduce their cost of borrowing, and take control of their personal finances regardless of credit score. To learn more about Braviant, visit www.braviantholdings.com. SOURCE Braviant Holdings FORT MYERS, Fla. and AUSTIN, Texas, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC (FCS) a leader in value-based oncology care, announced today a partnership with IDEOlogy Health to serve as the exclusive provider of multi-channel medical education for the providers within the statewide practice. For nearly 40 years, FCS has been providing cancer care to patients in the communities in which they live, inclusive of groundbreaking genetic testing and clinical trials. FCS will have access to IDEO's suite of services including live events & digital platforms, IDEO Talks, and Sound Bites. Tweet this "As part of our mission to provide exceptional cancer care to our patients, we are excited to partner with IDEOlogy Health, a leader in oncology medical education, so that our physicians receive the most up-to-date, credible, and unbiased information," said Lucio Gordan FCS President & Managing Physician. "IDEOlogy's comprehensive educational platform delivers an easily accessible resource to our physicians and advanced practice providers. In the constantly evolving oncology landscape, this is a versatile tool that will enable them to stay informed of the latest medical education, data insights, and topical conversations relevant within oncology," stated FCS Chief Executive Officer Nathan H. Walcker. FCS will have access to IDEOlogy Health's suite of services including live events and digital platforms, IDEO Talks, and Sound Bites. The patented, text message-based, digital Sound Bites channel will allow FCS providers access to timely and trustworthy clinical updates from world-renowned experts right at their fingertips. Bringing IDEOlogy Health's live events to FCS practices throughout Florida will facilitate roundtable discussions among their physicians and leading experts on the latest data impacting cancer care. "We are honored to have the opportunity to build customized multi-channel education for FCS and its providers," remarked Mike Gramling, IDEOlogy Health CEO. "With so many advancements in oncology on a daily basis, we are committed to ensuring their physicians receive the latest updates to support them in providing their patients the best possible care." About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC: (FLCancer.com) Recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) with a national Clinical Trials Participation Award, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) offers patients access to more clinical trials than any private oncology practice in Florida. The majority of new cancer drugs recently approved for use in the U.S. were studied in clinical trials with Florida Cancer Specialists' participation.* Trained in prestigious medical schools and research institutes, our physicians are consistently ranked nationally as Top Doctors by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1984, Florida Cancer Specialists has built a national reputation for excellence that is reflected in exceptional and compassionate patient care, driven by innovative clinical research, cutting-edge technologies, and advanced treatments, including targeted therapies, genomic-based treatment, and immunotherapy. Our highest values are embodied by our outstanding team of highly trained and dedicated physicians, clinicians, and staff. About IDEOlogy Health IDEOlogy Health is leading the change in how healthcare professionals connect and stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in medicine. The company leverages decades of healthcare expertise and emerging technology to provide data, analysis, and educational opportunities from experts across the globe in the diseases of Oncology and Hematology. www.ideologyhealth.com. On Behalf of IDEOlogy Health Sylvia Krivickova E:[email protected] SOURCE IDEOlogy Health BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Romanias ROMGAZ company is interested in booking capacity in Solidarity Ring, the company told Trend. "We welcome the Solidarity Ring project and once implemented, we will most probably be interested in booking transmission capacity on such new infrastructure," said the company. ROMGAZ is the largest gas producer in Romania and one of the most important suppliers on the national gas market. "It has an important portfolio of clients and currently manages to cover their consumption needs almost integrally from its own gas production. The company is not involved in gas transportation activities and gas transmission infrastructure operation or development. Such involvement is legally prohibited in Europe where the rules of gas activities unbundling are in place. (In Romania, the operator of the gas transmission infrastructure is Transgaz, company which has signed the MoU related to the Solidarity Ring project.)," said the company. Sofia hosted a ceremony of signing the Memorandum of Understanding on the promotion of cooperation between Bulgartransgaz (Bulgaria), Transgaz (Romania), FGSZ (Hungary), Eustream (Slovakia), and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) on April 25. The Memorandum of Understanding outlines the directions of cooperation between the four gas transmission system operators and SOCAR for additional gas deliveries to Europe. The additional gas supplies will be facilitated through the enhanced gas transmission network of Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia, known as the Solidarity Ring. Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn SUGAR LAND, Texas, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mr. David Wallace, the esteemed former Mayor of Sugar Land renowned for his insightful perspectives on community development, has published a thought-provoking book titled "One Nation Under Blog: Believe". This captivating publication delves into the influence and power of blogging in shaping public discourse, fostering connections, and challenging conventional thinking. One Nation Under Blog by David Wallace of Sugar Land In "One Nation Under Blog: Believe," Mr. David Wallace of Sugar Land delves deep into the realm of blogging, examining its profound impact on modern society. With a keen eye for cultural shifts and technological advancements, he explores how blogs have transformed the way we consume information, communicate ideas, and engage in meaningful conversations. Drawing from his extensive experience as a public figure and community leader, Mr. Wallace delves into the various ways blogs have disrupted traditional media channels, allowing individuals from all walks of life to express their opinions, share personal stories, and advocate for social change. He highlights the democratizing nature of blogging, emphasizing its role in amplifying marginalized voices, fostering inclusivity, and challenging established narratives. Through a series of compelling anecdotes and incisive analysis, "One Nation Under Blog: Believe" navigates the complex landscape of modern blogging. Mr. Wallace explores the power of social media platforms, the influence of citizen journalism, and the emergence of online communities united by shared interests and passions. With each chapter, readers gain a deeper understanding of how the blogosphere has reshaped our perceptions of reality, revolutionized public discourse, and shaped the fabric of contemporary society. Speaking about his inspiration behind the book, Mr. David Wallace stated, "Blogging has become an integral part of our social and cultural landscape, transforming the way we communicate, connect, and perceive the world. In 'One Nation Under Blog: Believe,' I aim to explore the immense power of this medium and its capacity to inspire, challenge, and bring people together. I hope this book encourages readers to critically examine the influence of blogging on our collective consciousness and recognize its potential to foster positive change." " One Nation Under Blog: Believe " is now available for purchase on Amazon.com in both print and digital formats. For more information or to order a copy, please visit Amazon . About Mr. David Wallace: Mr. David Wallace served as the esteemed Mayor of Sugar Land , Texas. He is recognized for his exceptional leadership and his dedication to urban development, sustainability, and community building. With his latest book, "One Nation Under Blog: Believe," he continues to contribute to the public discourse on important societal issues. Media Contact: Jamal Parpia 5167179179 [email protected]com SOURCE David Wallace Turnkey technology and infrastructure to bring alternative investment opportunities to banks and wealth advisors LONDON, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FundFront, a leading provider of alternative investment technology and solutions, has announced the launch of its white label alternative investment platform tailored for the wealth management industry. This turnkey wealth tech solution enables advisors to seamlessly offer alternative investment opportunities to their clients, with minimal integration required. The platform has been developed to provide enhanced access, liquidity, and transparency to alternative investment products. By leveraging this platform, advisors and their clients can easily transact with alternative investments without the hassle of subscription processes or paperwork. Furthermore, the platform infrastructure makes alternative investments accessible across major banks and brokers, ensuring convenience and accessibility for investors. Commenting on the launch, Amin Naj, Founding Partner of FundFront said, "Recognizing the increasing demand for broader access to alternative investments, we see the need for wealth advisors to offer these opportunities to their clients within their existing advisory and custody framework. By leveraging our platform, banks, wealth advisors, brokers, and distributors can now expand their offerings beyond traditional asset classes. Key features of FundFront platform and solutions for wealth advisors include: Bankable: Products on the platform are accessible through banks and brokers with ease. Products on the platform are accessible through banks and brokers with ease. Fully managed: End-to-end product administration, including investment vehicle setup and lifecycle management. End-to-end product administration, including investment vehicle setup and lifecycle management. Digital: Streamlined investment processes-no paperwork, forms, or documents. Streamlined investment processes-no paperwork, forms, or documents. Real-time reporting : Instant investment updates directly to custody accountsno integration needed. : Instant investment updates directly to custody accountsno integration needed. Security and control : Complete client confidentiality and control by advisors without the hassle of investment subscriptions. : Complete client confidentiality and control by advisors without the hassle of investment subscriptions. White label: Dedicated infrastructure and technology tailored to meet clients' business needs. With its ground-breaking solutions, FundFront empowers advisors and their clients to navigate and embrace the alternative investment landscape with unparalleled efficiency. By embracing these innovative solutions, advisors can expand their service offerings, attract a broader client base, and unlock new sources of revenue and growth. About FundFront FundFront empowers financial institutions with alternative investment technology and solutions. Its platform serves as a vital link between asset managers and the wealth industry. By harnessing the power of technology, it brings access, liquidity, and transparency to the forefront, transforming the landscape of alternative investments for the benefit of all stakeholders. For more information about FundFront, please visit www.fundfront.com. FundFront Ltd., is an Appointed Representative of Brooklands Fund Management Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with the firm reference number 757575 and the Securities and Exchange Commission with the registered number 286221. This material is not intended to provide any financial advice and FundFront Ltd. recommends that investors seek specialist tax or financial advice before investing. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1850553/4123680/FundFront_Logo.jpg SOURCE FundFront DUBLIN, June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Capacitive Sensor Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The capacitive sensor market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.76% from US$11.880 billion in 2021 to US$16.448 billion by 2028. Capacitive sensing technology is rapidly evolving to match the complex user interface demands of modern applications. One of the main reasons propelling the expansion of the market under study is the growing preference for capacitive sensors due to their excellent durability, superior sensibility, and higher measurement accuracy than resistive or inductive sensors. The demand for components that can deliver crucial data connected to the production process has increased due to the automation of complicated production systems. By identifying the presence and location of metal objects, these sensors aid process control in industries. Further, the need for capacitive devices in the medical and automotive sectors is also anticipated to increase as manufacturing processes become increasingly automated. Demand for capacitive sensors is also predicted to be boosted by the usage of touchscreen display systems for interaction between humans and machines by end users in the consumer, commercial, automotive, and medical sectors. Companies Mentioned OMRON Corporation Texas Instruments Incorporated NXP Semiconductors Capacitec, Inc. ELK Corporation Pepperl+Fuchs SE Schneider Electric Drivers: Rising demand for consumer electronics The market for capacitive sensors is growing owing to the growing demand for consumer electronics products with tracking and motion-stabilizing capabilities. Additionally, the size of sensors has been significantly reduced because of the development of fabrication processes like Micro-electromechanical Systems (MEMS). They can now be found in portable consumer gadgets like cellphones, smartwatches, and tablets. For instance, in February 2022 - Xiaomi introduced Redmi K50, equipped with the FPC1552 curved Fingerprint Cards AB's second-generation tiny and curved capacitive touch sensor. The fingerprint sensor is placed on the side of the phone and has a curved surface. Further, the Consumer Technology Association 2022 prediction projects that smartphone revenue will increase by 15% to $61.37 billion in 2022, up from $53.38 billion in 2021 in the United States. Moreover, 5G smartphones are anticipated to account for 62% of all smartphone units in 2021 and 72% in 2022. The market is expanding due to the extensive use of touchscreen display technologies for human-machine interfaces, which is increasing smartphone penetration. Vendor Analysis Many vendors on the market offer capacitive touch sensors that are scratch resistant. For instance, Ifm Electronic offers the Capacitive Touch Sensor KT5050, which has low maintenance requirements and is impact, scratch, wear, and wear resistant. Apple's Touch ID fingerprint sensor is a crucial component that reads, recognizes, and scans fingerprints. Although the iPhone 5S was used to illustrate the function, it has since been added to several other recent iPhone models, including the iPhone SE (2020), iPads, and MacBooks. The sensor captures fingerprint images in high definition using cutting-edge capacitive touch technology. Market Developments: Furthermore, investments and funding by key firms in this market are also expected to fuel its growth. In November 2022 , TouchNetix, a fabless touch controller integrated circuits manufacturer, received investments of about $12 million from companies such as Alliance Venture, Reitan Kapital, Djerv Holding, and others. , TouchNetix, a fabless touch controller integrated circuits manufacturer, received investments of about from companies such as Alliance Venture, Reitan Kapital, Djerv Holding, and others. Somalytics is enhancing human engagement with the Internet of Things using ground-breaking capacitive sensors that significantly improve natural control and interaction with the digital environment. Somalytics anticipates that by the end of 2023, its new headquarters and production facility in Redmond, Washington , will be producing its capacitive sensors in large quantities. , will be producing its capacitive sensors in large quantities. In August 2022 , Projective Capacitive, or PCAP, was launched. PCAP touchscreen technology's multi-touch capabilities enable enhanced gesture detection, including pinch, zoom, and rotate functionalities. The purpose of the multi-touch feature in medical apps is to make it easier to analyze visual pictures; for instance, the zoom-in and zoom-out capability allows doctors to examine even minute details. Application in Cutting-edge medical equipment Capacitive sensors are incorporated into medical equipment to track vital signs, identify changes in patient conditions, and give healthcare workers real-time feedback. This use of technology in cutting-edge medical equipment, particularly in emerging nations like India, Brazil, and Mexico, will enable people to access better healthcare. For instance, the World Bank and the Government of India agreed on two loans on March 3, 2023, each for USD 500 million, to strengthen and enhance India's healthcare system. In addition, Japanese researchers are looking at novel uses for tablets and touchpads in addition to more conventional ones. Asia Pacific region accounts for a significant market share. Due to the region's developed electronics sector and uptake of cutting-edge technology, the Asia Pacific region controls a sizeable percentage of the global market for capacitive sensors. Several significant capacitive sensor manufacturers are also present in the area, including Renesas Electronics and Omron Corporation, which have helped to propel the capacitive sensors market. There has also been a rise in demand for touch screens from smartphone manufacturers due to the region's expanding smartphone adoption, which has had a beneficial effect on the market. Chinese market Insight: The automotive segment is growing in China, providing an edge for capacitive manufacturers to hold a prominent market share. The electric flow in the car is reported with the presence of capacitive sensors. Furthermore, numerous research institutions, including universities such as the Chinese Academy of Science and the Applied Institutes of Industrial Ministries, have active research and development programs on sensors. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and 12 other agencies released "The 14th Five-Year Development Plan for the Robotics Industry" in December 2021, allowing the sensors market to develop in China. Market Segmentation: By Sensing Type Mutual Capacitance Self or Absolute Capacitance By End User Industry Automotive Aerospace and Defense Healthcare Consumer Electronics Manufacturing Others For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/6dgcsz About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Cocaine Use Disorder - Market Insight, Epidemiology And Market Forecast - 2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report delivers an in-depth understanding of the Cocaine Use Disorder, historical and forecasted epidemiology as well as the Cocaine Use Disorder market trends in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan. The Cocaine Use Disorder market report provides current treatment practices, emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted 7MM Cocaine Use Disorder market size from 2019 to 2032. The report also covers current Cocaine Use Disorder treatment practices/algorithms and unmet medical needs to curate the best opportunities and assess the market's underlying potential. Key Highlights from the Report The 12-month diagnosed prevalence of Cocaine Use Disorder has been increasing due to the increased use of illicit drugs among adults and older adults. This may be attributed to stressful life events or other social problems. The current treatment of Cocaine Use Disorder relies on behavioral interventions including contingency management and cognitive-behavioral therapy for substance use disorders. One of the major concerns in understanding the market for Cocaine Use Disorder is that there is a paucity of evidence to validate many of the interventions used in the daily management of CUD. No consensus guidelines are available in the US, EU4 and the UK, and Japan for the management of CUD patients. for the management of CUD patients. Recent advances in understanding the processes involved in cocaine addiction have allowed researchers to identify promising new candidate medications that, shortly, can be effective pharmacological treatments for CUD. In 2022, the market size of Cocaine Use Disorder was highest in the US among the 7MM, accounting for approximately USD 35.5 million , which is further expected to increase by 2032. , which is further expected to increase by 2032. Emerging therapies STP7/ mavoglurant and EMB-001, have the potential to create a positive shift in the Cocaine Use Disorder market size. Though CUD is currently managed through psychosocial treatment and a few drugs like topiramate and disulfiram, there are no approved pharmacological treatments for CUD. If approved, STALICLA's mavoglurant would be the first FDA-approved treatment indicated for patients with CUD. With positive results from Phase II, mavoglurant, a metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) antagonist, can potentially reduce the craving for cocaine in CUD patients and has the potential to address the unmet need for CUD. EMB-001 is being investigated under Phase II trial in moderate-to-severe CUD patients. The two grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health (NIDA) and the Rose Research Center (RRC) would support the development of EMB-001. Market Outlook Cocaine is among the major illicit stimulants used worldwide. There is an increased risk of dependence with heavier use and when cocaine is smoked or injected. Additionally, cocaine abuse is associated with significant mortality and morbidity with cardiovascular and neurologic effects, and chronic repeated exposure leads to tolerance, adverse psychological and behavioral effects, and complications, including infections, stroke, and seizure. However, no medication has yet been approved to treat CUD; psychosocial treatment is currently the standard. Several psychological treatments, including group counseling, individual drug counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and contingency management, are effective; however, many patients still do not respond to these treatments and are associated with high dropout rates. Despite decades of efforts, CUD has not responded well to pharmacotherapeutic interventions. Nevertheless, a significant understanding of neurobiology has led to the discovery of potential medications like dopamine agonists, including long-acting amphetamine, modafinil, and ?-aminobutyric acid (GABA)/glutamatergic medications, including topiramate. A few combination medications, such as topiramate and mixed amphetamine salts, also appear promising. The current market has been segmented into different commonly used therapeutic classes based on the prevailing treatment pattern across the 7MM, which presents minor variations in the overall prescription pattern. Disulfiram, topiramate, and modafinil are the major drugs covered in the forecast model. Key players STALICLA (mavoglurant) and Embera NeuroTherapeutics (EMB-001) are evaluating their lead candidates in different stages of clinical development. They aim to investigate their products for the treatment of Cocaine Use Disorder. The total market size of Cocaine Use Disorder in the 7MM is approximately USD 48.3 million in 2022 and is projected to increase during the forecast period (2023-2032). in 2022 and is projected to increase during the forecast period (2023-2032). The market size in the 7MM will increase at a CAGR of 18.1% due to increasing awareness of the disease and the launch of the emerging therapy. In 2022, topiramate and disulfiram were among the most prescribed medication across the US. Though the revenue of the current standard of care will decline owing to the launch of emerging therapies. Among EU4 and the UK countries, the UK accounts for the maximum market size in 2022, while Italy occupies the bottom of the ladder in 2022. occupies the bottom of the ladder in 2022. Japan accounted for the fifth largest market among the 7MM with approximately USD 2.0 million in 2022, which is expected to increase during the forecast period (2023-2032). accounted for the fifth largest market among the 7MM with approximately in 2022, which is expected to increase during the forecast period (2023-2032). In the US, among the emerging therapies, STALICLA's STP7/ mavoglurant, the first to enter, is expected to attain a peak in its 7th year accounting for approximately USD 178 million . Epidemiology As the market is derived using a patient-based model, the Cocaine Use Disorder epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by 12-month diagnosed prevalent cases of Cocaine Use Disorder, Gender-specific cases of Cocaine Use Disorder, Age-specific cases of Cocaine Use Disorder, and Severity-specific cases of Cocaine Use Disorder in the 7MM covering the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan from 2019 to 2032. The total 12-month diagnosed prevalent cases of Cocaine Use Disorder in the 7MM comprised approximately 1,869,555 cases in 2022 and are projected to increase during the forecasted period. The total number of 12-month diagnosed prevalent cases of Cocaine Use Disorder in the United States was around 1,152,759 cases in 2022. was around 1,152,759 cases in 2022. The US contributed to the largest 12-month diagnosed prevalent population of Cocaine Use Disorder, acquiring ~62% of the 7MM in 2022. Whereas EU4 and the UK, and Japan accounted for around 33% and 5% of the total population share, respectively, in 2022. accounted for around 33% and 5% of the total population share, respectively, in 2022. In the US, males diagnosed with Cocaine Use Disorder are higher in number than females. In 2022, cases of Cocaine Use Disorder among males were approximately 805,548, while among the female population, there were approximately 347,211 CUD cases. These numbers are expected to rise during the study period. According to the publisher's estimates, in EU4 and the UK, the diagnosed prevalence of Cocaine Use Disorder is highest in the =35 age group, while 12-17 years has the least cases. In EU4 and the UK, the =35 age group accounted for the highest number of diagnosed CUD cases 312,774, followed by 281,730 cases in 18-34 years and 20,225 cases in 12-17 years in 2022, which is projected to increase during the forecast period. According to the publisher's estimates, in Japan , the diagnosed prevalence of mild cases of Cocaine Use Disorder is more than the moderate-severe cases. In 2022, there were approximately 61,342 mild, and 40,725 moderate-severe cases of Cocaine Use Disorder in Japan which are projected to decrease during the forecast period. Other Topics Covered Drug Chapters Drug Class Insights Drugs Uptake Pipeline Activities Development Activities KOL Views Qualitative Analysis Market Access and Reimbursement Scope of the Report The report covers a segment of key events, an executive summary, descriptive overview of Cocaine Use Disorder, explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, pathogenesis, and currently available therapies. Comprehensive insight has been provided into the epidemiology segments and forecasts, the future growth potential of diagnosis rate, disease progression along with treatment guidelines. Additionally, an all-inclusive account of both the current and emerging therapies, along with the elaborative profiles of late-stage and prominent therapies, will have an impact on the current treatment landscape. A detailed review of the Cocaine Use Disorder market, historical and forecasted market size, market share by therapies, detailed assumptions, and rationale behind our approach is included in the report, covering the 7MM drug outreach. The report provides an edge while developing business strategies, by understanding trends, through SWOT analysis and expert insights/KOL views, patient journey, and treatment preferences that help in shaping and driving the 7MM Cocaine Use Disorder market. A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes: STALICLA Embera NeuroTherapeutics For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/e9ww02 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "eClinical Solutions Market Report 2023-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. In terms of value the market will surpass US$8.9 billion in 2023. The analyst predicts strong revenue growth through to 2033. this work identifies which organisations hold the greatest potential. Discover their capabilities, progress, and commercial prospects, helping you stay ahead. This report will prove invaluable to leading firms striving for new revenue pockets if they wish to better understand the industry and its underlying dynamics. It will be useful for companies that would like to expand into different industries or to expand their existing operations in a new region. Rising Adoption of Electronic Data Capture (EDC) Systems in Clinical Trials to Spur Industry Growth The market for eClinical solutions is expanding significantly as a result of the increased use of electronic data capture (EDC) systems in clinical trials. EDC systems have a number of advantages over conventional paper-based data collection techniques, including: Increased accuracy and efficiency Improved data quality Enhanced patient safety Enhanced data management Cost savings Companies using EDC systems in clinical trials include Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Novartis. These companies have reported increased efficiency and data quality, as well as improved patient safety and cost savings, as a result of their use of EDC systems. High Installation Costs Likely to Challenge Industry Growth One of the main factors limiting the growth of the eClinical solutions market is the high installation cost. The implementation of eClinical solutions typically requires a significant investment in hardware, software, and personnel, which can be a challenge for some organisations, particularly those with limited budgets. In addition to the upfront costs, the ongoing maintenance and support costs for eClinical solutions can also be high, as organisations must continuously invest in technology upgrades, security measures, and other infrastructure improvements. Despite these challenges, many organisations are choosing to invest in eClinical solutions due to the numerous benefits they provide, including improved data accuracy, increased efficiency, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Key Questions Answered How is the eClinical solutions market evolving? What is driving and restraining the eClinical solutions market? How will each eClinical solutions submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2033? How will the market shares for each eClinical solutions submarket develop from 2023 to 2033? What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2023 to 2033? Will leading eClinical solutions markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others? How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2033 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2033? Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period? How will the industry evolve during the period between 2020 and 2033? What are the implications of eClinical solutions projects taking place now and over the next 10 years? Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the eClinical solutions market? Where is the eClinical solutions market heading and how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market? What are the best investment options for new product and service lines? What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path and C-suite? How will the eClinical solutions market, 2023 to 2033 report help you? In summary, this 250+ page report provides you with the following knowledge: Revenue forecasts to 2033 for eClinical solutions market, 2023 to 2033 Market, with forecasts for product type, deployment type, and end users, each forecast at a global and regional level - discover the industry's prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues. Revenue forecasts to 2033 for four regional and 20 key national markets - See forecasts for the eClinical solutions Market, 2023 to 2033 market in North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , Latin America and MEA. Also forecasted is the market in the US, Canada , Mexico , Brazil , Germany , France , UK, Italy , China , India , Japan , and Australia among other prominent economies. , , , and MEA. Also forecasted is the market in the US, , , , , , UK, , , , , and among other prominent economies. Prospects for established firms and those seeking to enter the market - including company profiles for 20 of the major companies involved in the eClinical solutions Market, 2023 to 2033. Find quantitative and qualitative analyses with independent predictions. Receive information that only this report contains, staying informed with invaluable business intelligence. Information Found Nowhere Else With this new report, you are less likely to fall behind in knowledge or miss out on opportunities. See how this work could benefit your research, analyses, and decisions. The study is for everybody needing commercial analyses for the eClinical solutions market, 2023 to 2033, market-leading companies. You will find data, trends and predictions. Companies Mentioned in the Report Clario Dassault Systemes eClinical Solutions LLC IBM IQVIA Inc. Medrio, Inc. Oracle Parexel International Corporation Signant Health Veeva Systems Anju Software BioClinica Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH Clinixir Company Limited ClinOne PHARMASEAL International Ltd. uMotif Limited Veracity Logic Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) Clinical Research Forum (CRF) Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative (CTTI) Drug Information Association (DIA) European Medicines Agency (EMA) Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Society for Clinical Data Management (SCDM) For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/azxmin About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets PUNE, India, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent market study published by Growth Market Reports, titled, "Global Sweet Condensed Milk Market by Type (Flavored and Unflavored), by Packaging Form (Pouch, Tetra Pack, Bottle, Can, and Tube), by Packaging Size (Below 300 g, 301-400 g, 401-500 g, 501-1000 g, and More than 1000 g), by Application (Household, Restaurant & Cafes, Infant Food Producers, Bakery, and Confectionary), by Distribution Channel (Wholesalers/Distributors, Supermarket & Hypermarket, Departmental Stores, Convenience Stores, and Online Retailing) and Region: Size, Share, Trends and Opportunity Analysis, 2023-2031", the market size was USD 7.03 billion in 2022 and is expected to surpass USD 9.13 billion expanding at a CAGR of 3.2% by the end of 2031. The market is driven by its rising application as a major ingredient in most bakery and confectionary items. Recent Developments: In May 2021, Nestle launched a new condensed milk substitute that is completely plant-based and is composed of oat and rice flour. As per the manufacturer, it has been developed as a vegan confectionery and is ideal for preparing dishes such as brownies, dairy-free caramel slices, and chocolate chip cookies. Key Market Players Profiled in the Report Nestle Royal FrieslandCampina N.V GCMMF Vinamilk Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd Eagle Family Foods LLC Goya Foods, Inc Belgorod Dairy Products OJSC Santini Foods, Inc. DANA DAIRY GROUP Download PDF Sample here: https://growthmarketreports.com/request-sample/5234 The report covers comprehensive data on emerging trends, market drivers, growth opportunities, and restraints that can change the market dynamics. It provides an in-depth analysis of the market segments, which include type, packaging form, packaging size, application, distribution channel, and competitor analysis. This report also includes a complete analysis of industry players and covers their latest developments, product portfolio, pricing, mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations. Moreover, it provides crucial strategies that are helping market players to expand their market share. For Any Questions on This Report: https://growthmarketreports.com/enquiry-before-buying/5234 Regional Highlights: On the basis of region, the global sweet condensed milk market is classified as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is projected to dominate the global market, due to the increasing demand for sweet condensed milk products in desserts and confectioneries. In addition, several key players belong to this region, which further boosts the market. Europe is expected to be a rapidly growing region in the global market during the projected period as it is the world's top exporter of chocolate products. European countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom are the largest manufacturers of milk and milk products. To Buy the Complete Report: https://growthmarketreports.com/report/sweet-condensed-milk-market-global-industry-analysis Key Takeaways from the Study: Sweet condensed milk is the kind of milk from which approximately 60% of the water component has been removed. It is a good source of various nutrients such as calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin D, riboflavin, protein, and phosphorus. Sweet condensed milk can be used in making various products such as tea, coffee, caramel sauce, pudding, and fruit dressing, among others. It aids in maintaining strong bones & teeth and a strong immune system. The demand for new desserts and beverages, such as new types and flavors of ice creams, fudges, and cakes, is rising constantly, which is likely to drive the market. Sweet condensed milk is used not only for creating new flavors and sweets but also for traditional sweets such as pudding and truffles. The packaging of the product should be compatible with various processors. Making the packaging compatible with the technological requirements of production facilities has the potential for creating major growth opportunities for the market players. The flavored segment is anticipated to boost the market during the forecast period due to the growing competition among the players in the industry. Several manufacturers are focusing on creating innovative products by adding flavors to increase the demand for sweet condensed milk segment is anticipated to boost the market during the forecast period due to the growing competition among the players in the industry. Several manufacturers are focusing on creating innovative products by adding flavors to increase the demand for sweet condensed milk The can segment is projected to register a considerable CAGR during the forecast period as the metal cans are eco-friendly and prevent food spoilage. Cans provide sturdy packaging which not only lowers the damage cost but also keeps the product from getting contaminated or spoiled during transport. segment is projected to register a considerable CAGR during the forecast period as the metal cans are eco-friendly and prevent food spoilage. Cans provide sturdy packaging which not only lowers the damage cost but also keeps the product from getting contaminated or spoiled during transport. The online retailing segment is anticipated to expand at a significant pace in the market as it has considerably increased consumer reach and has become the main source of revenue for several companies. The online platforms offer products at relatively low prices by omitting the middle-man role of the retail stores. Read 350 Pages Research Report with Detailed TOC on "Global Sweet Condensed Milk Market by Type (Flavored, Unflavored), by Packaging Form (Pouch, Tetra Pack, Bottle, Can, Tube), by Packaging Size (Below 300 g, 301-400 g, 401-500 g, 501-1000 g, More than 1000 g), by Application (Household, Restaurant & Cafes, Infant Food Producers, Bakery, Confectionary), by Distribution Channel (Wholesalers/Distributors, Supermarket & Hypermarket, Departmental Stores, Convenience Stores, Online Retailing) and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast, 2023 2031" Get Full Access to this Report: https://growthmarketreports.com/checkout/5234 Key Segments Covered By Type Flavored Unflavored By Packaging Form Pouch Tetra Pack Bottle Can Tube By Packaging Size Below 300 g 301-400 g 401-500 g, 501-1000 g More than 1000 g By Application Household Restaurant & Cafes Infant Food Producers Bakery Confectionary By Distribution Channel: Wholesalers/Distributors Supermarket & Hypermarket Departmental Stores Convenience Stores Online Retailing Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa Other Related Reports: Dairy Free Chocolate Market Segments - by Nature (Organic and Conventional), Type (Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, and White Chocolate), Distribution Channel (Online Stores and Offline Stores), Frequency (Premium, Seasonal, and Daily), Flavor (Caramel, Dark, Brown Butter, Coconut Milk, Lavender, and Others) and Region ( Asia Pacific , North America , Latin America , Europe , and Middle East & Africa ) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 2023 2031 Global Baby Infant Formula Market by Type (Infant Milk, Follow-on-Milk, Specialty Baby Milk, Growing-up Milk), By Application (Hypermarkets, Supermarkets, Pharmacy/Medical Stores, Specialty Stores, Hard Discounter Stores, Others), And By Region ( North America , Latin America , Europe , Asia Pacific , and Middle East & Africa ), Forecast From 2022 To 2030 Global Milk Market by Type (Yogurt, Probiotic Milk, Pure Milk, Others), By Application (Online, Offline), and Region ( North America , Latin America , Europe , Asia Pacific , and Middle East & Africa ), Forecast To 2028 Global Milk Powder Market by Type (Skim Milk Powder, Whole Milk Powder, ), By Application (Infant Formula Milk Powder, Adult Formula Milk Powder, Confectionery, Others, ) And By Region ( North America , Latin America , Europe , Asia Pacific , and Middle East & Africa ), Forecast From 2022 To 2030 About Growth Market Reports: Growth Market Reports provides global enterprises as well as small & medium businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Industry Intelligence Solutions". Growth Market Reports has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients in making strategic business decisions and achieving sustainable growth in their respective market domains. Our key analysis segments, though not restricted to the same, include market entry strategies, market size estimations, market trend analysis, market opportunity analysis, market threat analysis, market growth/fall forecasting, primary interviews, and secondary research & consumer surveys. Contact: Alex Mathews 7th Floor, Siddh Icon, Baner Road, Baner, Pune. Maharashtra 411045. India. Phone: +1 909 414 1393 Email: [email protected] Web: https://growthmarketreports.com Logo : https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1980656/Growth_Market_Reports_Logo1.jpg SOURCE Growth Market Reports DUBLIN, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Veterinary Monitoring Equipment Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global veterinary monitoring equipment market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.07% from a market valuation of US$293.18 million in 2021 to reach US$574.03 million in 2028. The veterinary monitoring equipment market is poised to grow due to the increasing amount of pet owners, along with the growing awareness towards animal healthcare. For example, as per the Insurance Information Institute, in 2022, about 3.9 million pets in the United States were insured at the end of the year 2021, which was an increment of 20% when compared to the 2020 statistics. Such factors are expected to hold lucrative opportunities for the veterinary monitoring equipment vendors as more people continue to spend on animal healthcare. Furthermore, it is essential for monitoring vital signs of animal health including heart rate, core body temperature, and breathing rate, particularly to ensure survival and speedy recovery following surgery. Numerous companies are releasing monitoring equipment since vital sign monitoring is very crucial. Moreover, the large livestock population in various parts of the world is also expected to drive the demand for this monitoring equipment. For instance, according to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying of India's 20th Livestock Census, the total livestock population in the country grew by almost 4.8% in comparison to the Livestock Census-2012, to 536.76 million in 2019. Further, according to data from Eurostat, the European Union was reported to have a total livestock population of about 289 million. Such a huge population of livestock is thus expected to drive the demand for veterinary monitoring equipment due to a higher probability of illness. The veterinary monitoring equipment market is driven by increased pet ownership The veterinary monitoring equipment market is expected to see considerable growth due to the high proportion of people owning pets, which is expected to augment the need for animal healthcare and inevitably, monitoring equipment as well. For instance, according to data from the national pet owner survey run by the APPA (American Pet Product Association) for the year 2021-22, approximately 70% of the households in the United States were reported to own a pet 69 million pet dogs and 45.3 million pet cats were reported according to the data from this survey. The increased number of pet owners and their inclination towards spending on animal healthcare has also opened up major opportunities for businesses to develop novel veterinary monitoring equipment. Key Developments In October 2022 , Darvall launched its fresh new range of cutting-edge equipment for anesthesia monitoring. The introduction of such modern products in response to the growing customer demographic due to rising pet ownership is thus expected to drive significant market growth. , Darvall launched its fresh new range of cutting-edge equipment for anesthesia monitoring. The introduction of such modern products in response to the growing customer demographic due to rising pet ownership is thus expected to drive significant market growth. Bionet America, Inc. unveiled the BMVet PRO Series of multi-parameter monitors in February 2020 , which comprised the BMRVet PRO, the BM5Vet PRO, & BM7Vet PRO. The multiparameter monitors were made up of veterinary-specific parts and algorithms. , which comprised the BMRVet PRO, the BM5Vet PRO, & BM7Vet PRO. The multiparameter monitors were made up of veterinary-specific parts and algorithms. In July 2020 , the Midmark Multiparameter Monitor, which has veterinary-specific algorithms for use in the screening, treatment, surgery, and recovery sectors of veterinary clinics, was announced by Midmark Corporation. North America accounts for major shares of the veterinary monitoring equipment market There is a growing emphasis on animal health combined with rising awareness among pet owners and veterinarians about the importance of proper care for animals. For instance, in October 2022, a new manufacturing facility was launched by Merck Animal Health for Merck Animal Health's animal intelligence products in Baton Range, Louisiana. This facility will expand the company's production capacity. Moreover, the US market is dominated by the strong presence of leading market players, increased investment in research and development, and growing demand for advanced technology products the speed of both the development and application of digital technologies in animal health is increasing exponentially. Due to the growing awareness about the benefits of pet health insurance and the introduction of new affordable pet health insurance policies, a large number of pet owners are getting insurance for their pets. For instance, in the United States, 3.9 million pets were insured at the end of 2021, a 20% increase from 2020, according to 2022 statistics published by the Insurance Information Institute. Additionally, veterinarians and pet or cattle owners are turning to wearable technology to monitor animal behavior. These wearable monitoring devices provide timely insights regarding the animal's overall health and help the veterinarian provide an appropriate diagnosis for the animal. For instance, a wearable sensor worn on a dog's collar, Vetrax allows clinicians and pet owners to monitor aspects of it. According to a Veterinary Practice News report, 83% of pet owners are satisfied with the use of wearable technology and 68% consider it an effective way to monitor their pet's weight and diabetes. Market Segmentation By Type Anaesthesia Monitors Capnography & Oximetry Systems ECG & EKG Monitors MRI Systems Vital Sign Monitors Others By Application Cardiology Multi-parameter Monitoring Neurology Respiratory Disorders Weight & Temperature Monitoring Others By Animal Type Companion Animals Livestock By End-user Veterinary Clinics & Diagnostic Centers Veterinary Hospitals Research Institution By Geography North America South America Europe Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific Companies Mentioned Agfa-Gevaert Group Bionet America Inc Burtons Medical Equipment Covetrus Digicare Biomedical DRE Veterinary (Avante Health Solutions) ESAOTE S.p.A. Hallowell Engineering & Manufacturing Corporation IMV Technologies Jorgensen Labs Masimo Medtronic For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/e6meb1 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets NEW YORK, June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global X ETFs, the New York-based provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), today announced the scheduled liquidation of the Global X MSCI Nigeria ETF (NGE). Based upon the recommendation of Global X Management Company LLC, the Fund's adviser, the Board of Trustees of the Global X Funds (the "Trust") determined on June 22nd, 2023 that it was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to move forward with liquidation. The Fund represents less than 1% of the assets of Global X ETFs as of June 22nd, 2023. Shareholders may sell their holdings in the Fund prior to the end of the trading day on July 28th, 2023, and customary brokerage charges may apply to these transactions. The Fund will cease trading at the end of the trading day on July 28th, 2023. The Fund will liquidate on or around July 28th, 2023. Any person holding shares in the Fund as of the liquidation date will receive a cash distribution equal to the net asset value of their shares as of that date. The adviser will bear all fees and expenses that may be incurred in connection with the liquidation of the Fund and the distribution of cash proceeds to investors, other than brokerage fees and other related expenses. About Global X ETFs Global X ETFs was founded in 2008. For more than a decade, our mission has been empowering investors with unexplored and intelligent solutions. Our product lineup features more than 100 ETF strategies and over $40 billion in assets under management.i While we are distinguished for our Thematic Growth, Income and International Access ETFs, we also offer Core, Commodity, and Risk Management funds to suit a wide range of investment objectives. Explore our ETFs, research and insights, and more at www.globalxetfs.com. Global X is a member of Mirae Asset Financial Group, a global leader in financial services, with more than $520 billion in assets under management worldwide.ii Mirae Asset has an extensive global ETF platform ranging across the US, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam with over $80bn in assets under management.iii Important Information Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. International investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuation in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles, or from economic or political instability in other nations. Emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors as well as increased volatility and lower trading volume. Investment in African securities involves heightened risks, including expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political instability including authoritarian and/or military involvement in governmental decision-making, armed conflict, the impact on the economy as a result of civil war, and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest and, in certain countries, genocidal warfare. The economic development of Nigeria has been significantly hindered by military rule, mismanagement, corruption and ethnic conflict. The Nigerian economy is heavily dependent on oil, which may subject the Fund to greater volatility. NGE is non-diversified. Shares of ETFs are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. Carefully consider the fund's investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the fund's full or summary prospectuses, which may be obtained at globalxetfs.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. Global X Management Company LLC serves as an advisor to Global X Funds. The Funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SIDCO), which is not affiliated with Global X Management Company LLC or Mirae Asset Global Investments. Media Contact Ariel Kouvaras, Sloane PR 212-446-1884 [email protected] i Source: Global X ETFs, as of June 6, 2023 ii Source: Mirae Asset, as of April 2023 iii Source: Mirae Asset, as of April 2023 SOURCE Global X Management Company LLC The H2D55 is disrupting the UAS industry with hydrogen-powered drones, addressing Li Po limitations and serving as a clear use case for DoD's hydrogen infrastructure investment WASHINGTON DC, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HevenDrones , a leading drone manufacturer, will present its hydrogen-powered UAS, the H2D55, at the Modern Day Marine Expo in Washington, DC from June 27th-29th. HevenDrones will discuss the paradigm shift its hydrogen-powered UAV provides as well as additional model configurations in its hydrogen-powered product line. Improvements in EVTOL technology are creating new defense and security use cases including logistics in contested environments (point-to-point delivery) and improved loitering capabilities for both attack and ISR missions. Hydrogen-powered drones are uniquely positioned to significantly improve flight endurance as well as the logistical challenge associated with lithium batteries (supply, charge, and life cycle management) whilst also serving as the perfect use-case for USG hydrogen infrastructure investments in both a military and commercial context. As part of the company's hydrogen innovation strategy, HevenDrones is working to develop a hydrogen ecosystem, with a focus on electrolysis, fixed and portable refueling hubs, advances in regulation and integration within the wider mobility sector as well as other key hydrogen infrastructural projects at a military, federal and commercial level. HevenDrones currently has a partnership with PlugPower , a major supplier of hydrogen fuel cells designed to replace electric batteries in vehicles. Roy Levy, VP of Business Development & Gilad Katz, HevenDrones Chief of Staff, will be attending Modern Day Marine, providing in-depth demos of the H2D55 and outlining the company's US expansion plans. Please contact [email protected]com for media inquiries. About HevenDrones HevenDrones is building the next generation of multi-purpose UAS capable of solving a range of commercial, infrastructural, humanitarian, and military challenges. Actionable drones not only capture visual and sonic information but perform highly useful tasks simultaneously. Spanning key economic sectors such as logistics, defense, agriculture, IoT connectivity and emergency response, HevenDrones' solutions deliver cutting-edge performance, patented stability and superior lifting capability across the US and the globe. The company is an early adopter of hydrogen technology, significantly extending flight times and speed, and is committed to clean hydrogen energy, compliant with American regulations. HevenDrones' leadership team includes industry experts from military, engineering and scientific backgrounds, with decades of combined experience. HevenDrones has headquarters in Miami and Israel. For more information, please visit www.hevendrones.com . Media Contact Eli Cohen-Gold Gova10 for HevenDrones [email protected]com +972 50-600-9660 SOURCE HevenDrones CHICAGO, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- High Voltage Cables and Accessories Market is projected to reach USD 52.5 billion in 2028 from USD 40.0 billion in 2023 at a CAGR of 5.6% according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. High voltage cables and accessories are essential as they facilitate the efficient and reliable transfer of electricity from power plants to power utilities, renewables and industries over long distances. It offers insulation and protection to prevent electrical leakage and reduce power losses. Accessories are essential components utilized to establish secure connections and maintain the seamless flow of power, ensuring the integrity of the system. Browse in-depth TOC on "High Voltage Cables and Accessories Market" 215 - Tables 50 - Figures 250 Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=95892251 High Voltage Cables and Accessories Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Size USD 52.5 billion in 2028 Growth Rate 5.6% of CAGR Largest Market Asia Pacific Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities & Challenges Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered High Voltage Cables and Accessories Market by product type, voltage, conductor type, installation, and end user Geographies Covered Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East & Africa. Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Increasing Adoption of HVDC Submarine Power Cables Key Market Drivers Rising Investments in Electricity Grids The power utilities, by end user, is expected to grow be the largest segment during the forecast period. Based on end user, the High Voltage Cables and Accessories Market has been split into power utilities, renewables, and indusrials. The power utilities segment is anticipated to be the largest during the forecast period. Power utilities industry is growing in High Voltage Cables and Accessories Market because of rising demand for electricity due to industrialization, urbanization, population growth etc. It is also growing due to factors like renewable energy integration, grid modernization, infrastructure expansion, and advancements in cable technology. The underground segment, by installation, is expected to grow at the second-highest CAGR during the forecast period. This report segments the High Voltage Cables and Accessories Market based on installation into three segments: overhead, underground, and submarine. The underground segment is expected to be the second-fastest growing segment during the forecast period. Underground installation is essential as it offers enhanced reliability as they are less susceptible to weather-related disruptions leading to fewer power outages and a more dependable electrical supply. Underground cables provide flexibility for future expansion and urban planning, allowing for easier integration with new infrastructure projects and accommodating growing power demands. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=95892251 Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest region in the High Voltage Cables and Accessories Industry Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest High Voltage Cables and Accessories Market during the forecast period. Industries in Asia Pacific is constantly evolving, with new developments and emerging trends emerging. Some key trends such as the growth in the energy consumption of the region, coupled with development of infrastructure and energy projects drive the market for high voltage cables and accessories with the rising need for effective power transmission and distribution. Key Market Players: Some of the major players in the High Voltage Cables and Accessories Companies are Prysmian Group (Italy), Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. (Japan), Nexans (France), LS Cable & System Ltd. (Korea), and NKT A/S (Denmark). The major strategies adopted by these players include sales contract, acquisitions, product launches, agreements, partnerships, and expansions. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=95892251 Recent Developments In May 2023 , Prysmian Group made an announcement regarding the successful acquisition of a contract valued at over USD 864.9 million . This contract pertains to the development of a new power interconnection project between France and Spain , which will be executed for INELFE. INELFE is a joint venture equally owned by Red Electrica, the Spanish grid operator, and Reseau de Transport d'Electricite (RTE), the French grid operator. , Prysmian Group made an announcement regarding the successful acquisition of a contract valued at over . This contract pertains to the development of a new power interconnection project between and , which will be executed for INELFE. INELFE is a joint venture equally owned by Red Electrica, the Spanish grid operator, and Reseau de Transport d'Electricite (RTE), the French grid operator. In April 2023 , Nexans finalized the purchase of Reka Kaapeli Oy, for a total of USD 57.29 million . The integration of Reka Cables into Nexans' Distribution & Usage business group was included in the acquisition. Being a part of Nexans presents Reka Cables with the chance to enhance its growth and development, while also enabling increased investments in renewable energy solutions. , Nexans finalized the purchase of Reka Kaapeli Oy, for a total of . The integration of into Nexans' Distribution & Usage business group was included in the acquisition. Being a part of Nexans presents with the chance to enhance its growth and development, while also enabling increased investments in renewable energy solutions. In April 2023 , Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. revealed its plans to construct a fresh Power Cable facility in the Scottish Highlands, UK. This initiative aims to make a substantial impact on fostering local supply chains and advancing technologies in the UK within the renewable energy sector. , Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. revealed its plans to construct a fresh Power Cable facility in the Scottish Highlands, UK. This initiative aims to make a substantial impact on fostering local supply chains and advancing technologies in the UK within the renewable energy sector. In March 2023 , Prysmian Group made an announcement regarding the acquisition of contracts from the Dutch transmission system operator TenneT. These contracts, with a total value of around USD 1.94 billion , are for two grid connection projects that aim to connect two upcoming offshore wind farms situated in the Dutch North Sea to the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands . The scope of the project includes various tasks such as design, engineering, manufacturing, installation, testing, and commissioning of two 525 kV HVDC submarine and land cable systems, along with all associated accessories. Browse Adjacent Markets: Energy and Power Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Medium Voltage Cables & Accessories Market Cables and Accessories Market Top 10 High & Medium Voltage Products Market About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/high-voltage-cable-accessories-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/high-voltage-cable-accessories.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Azerbaijan exported 814,775,000 cubic meters of natural gas to Italy in April 2023, as compared to 473,000,000 cubic meters in March, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, told Trend. As such, the imports rose by 1.7 times month-on-month. The value of exports stood at 392,949,687 euros in April, compared to 486,051,445 euros in March, showing over 19 percent decrease. Azerbaijan's energy ministry has reported a noteworthy 10.5 percent year-on-year increase in gas exports to Europe, totaling 3.9 billion cubic meters between January and April 2023. Additionally, Azerbaijan exported 3.4 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkiye and 1.1 billion cubic meters to Georgia during the same period. Around 1.9 billion cubic meters were transported to Turkiye via the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), which is a crucial component of the Southern Gas Corridor. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) commenced gas supplies to Europe on December 31, 2020, and possesses an annual transportation capacity of 10 billion cubic meters of gas, expandable to 20 billion cubic meters. Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn PHILADELPHIA, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HueDx, a rapid assay development platform, is launching its first ever crowdfunding campaign, allowing individuals to invest directly in improving the future of diagnostics. At HueDx, we believe that quantitative diagnostics are the pathway to a healthier world. From developing better health prevention protocols, improving global pandemic response, testing drinking water quality, or checking food products for allergens, the HueDx Platform is designed to enable all of these endeavors and more at a fraction of the cost and time previously required. Within two weeks following the launch of the HueDx Platform, the first customer contract was signed and since then, HueDx has over $10M of inbound revenue in its pipeline. HueCard, part of the HueDx System HueDx's mission is the partnership of a need and a technology. Brianna Wronko-Stevens, an expert in microfluidics, worked in an HIV clinic and noticed that patients frequently fell out of the healthcare system due to the time gap between visit and diagnostic results. HueDx was created to enable the development of rapid, quantitative assays with near-immediate results reducing patient anxiety and improving outcomes. The HueDx Platform offers two solutions: the HueCloud and the HueCard. The HueCloud enables researchers and scientists to quickly build assays that are quantitative and can be developed in a fraction of the time it took previously, particularly when a global emergency happens. The HueCard is a technology platformboth hardware and softwarethat those assays can be deployed on. The HueDx System uses novel technologyartificial intelligence, machine learning, paper microfluidics, to bring a solution that facilitates rapid deployment whenever and wherever diagnostic assays are needed. This technology enables companies, both new to the diagnostic space as well as industry veterans, to rapidly develop and deploy diagnostic assays, with a goal of improving patient care and outcomes. We'd love to partner with you to make a healthier world. Available on Republic 6/23/23. About HueDx: HueDx is a Rapid, Quantitative, Assay-based (RQA) test development and launch platform that eliminates the need to develop physical devices and software to launch an RQA product. In doing so, HueDx makes the accessibility of launching flagship or complimentary diagnostics accessible to companies that would not normally consider the undertaking and dramatically reduces costs for industry veterans. HueDx's core product launched in February of 2023. Media contact: Brianna Wronko-Stevens [email protected] 4454004017 SOURCE HueDx, Inc Hyundai N returns to its home circuit at the Nurburgring, as IONIQ 5 N, N's first all-electric model, enters final testing before its world premiere IONIQ 5 N expands N's three pillars of N performance Corner Rascal, Racetrack Capability and Everyday Sportscar into electrified models without compromise IONIQ 5 N seeks to elevate N brand by offering a higher performance value through new technology complimented by an EV-specific experience for driving enthusiasts The high-performance EV backs motorsport-bred hardware with advanced software to ensure increased endurance, powerful braking and emotional driving excitement N brand releases its third and final teaser signaling the end of development and preparing for its global debut IONIQ 5 N to be unveiled at Goodwood Festival of Speed with exclusive N stand and hill climb demonstrations SEOUL, South Korea, June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Company is testing the performance capabilities of IONIQ 5 N at the Nurburgring circuit for its world premiere in July. Hyundai Motors IONIQ 5 N Enters Final Phase Of Racetrack Capability Testing at Nurburgring Racing Circuit Hyundai Motors IONIQ 5 N Enters Final Phase Of Racetrack Capability Testing at Nurburgring Racing Circuit Hyundai Motors IONIQ 5 N Enters Final Phase Of Racetrack Capability Testing at Nurburgring Racing Circuit "The Nurburgring is where every N model is honed to the Nth degree, so our first high-performance, all-electric N model must also prove itself here," said Till Wartenberg, Vice President and Head of N Brand & Motorsport at Hyundai Motor Company. "IONIQ 5 N just completed its 10,000 km durability test on the Nordschleife, which is an important milestone that proves the vehicle's high endurance and racetrack capability. And yet, we just began our second 10,000 km test to push IONIQ 5 N's limits." Maximizing endurance in racetrack conditions Hyundai N brand has long used the Nurburgring Nordschleife track to validate motorsport-bred technologies on N brand vehicles. Powerful braking backed by industry-leading regenerative braking Regenerative braking from the motors provide primary braking force with hydraulic brakes providing additional braking force if necessary. Hyundai N engineers designed this unique regenerative braking system. Redefining sound and gearshift as precision driving tools Many performance enthusiasts have been outspoken about their dissatisfaction with the lack of driver feedback behind the wheel of many EVs. That's why N engineers developed N Active Sound + and N e-Shift. In conjunction with the Nurburgring test, N brand released 'Hyundai N | IONIQ 5 N Teaser Episode 3. Reaching into the heart of car culture at Goodwood Festival of Speed IONIQ 5 N will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. SOURCE Hyundai Motor Company Two countries thwart the will of the remaining twenty-five to create a system of marine protected areas SANTIAGO, Chile, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) were unable to reach consensus on the designation of marine protected areas (MPAs) at a special meeting in Santiago, Chile, called to address a six-year stalemate of forward progress. The last MPA designated by the Commission was in 2016, when members agreed to the largest protected area in the world in the Ross Sea. Credit for the image is John Weller. "Scientific studies point to an increasingly urgent need to protect the Southern Ocean. Unfortunately, this special meeting ended as the previous six annual meetings have: with two countries blocking the will of the other 25 CCAMLR members to make progress toward a network of Southern Ocean MPAs," said Andrea Kavanagh, who directs Antarctic and Southern Ocean work for the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy project. "Those 25 members repeatedly work to deliver on CCAMLR's mandate to conserve Antarctic marine life, using a precautionary approach and the best available science. The other two repeatedly derail the process by demanding more data to protect the ocean than to exploit it." "CCAMLR is a convention founded to conserve marine lifeits mission is in its very name. Yet in the last two years, while the body has successfully passed 66 measures allowing fishing in the region to continue as usual, no new measures related to the conservation of marine ecosystems have been adopted," said Claire Christian, executive director of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition. There were high hopes that CCAMLR would use the occasion to take a step toward protecting 30% of the global ocean by 2030part of the "30 by 30" target that the 196 parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity agreed to in Montreal last December. World leaders reaffirmed that 30 by 30 commitment again this week, in New York, when they adopted a United Nations treaty to protect the high seas. The majority of Members came to Santiago prepared with solutions, but it was clear that not all came with the political will to negotiate in good faith. "The Commission's system of consensus decision making is fundamentally broken. But decisions under the Global Ocean Treaty, which was adopted this week at the United Nations, allows voting on decisions," said Chris Thorne of Greenpeace's Protect the Oceans campaign. "This gives us hope, but something must change for the Commission to fulfill its responsibility of protecting the Antarctic Ocean." "The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) plays the most important role in protecting the Southern Ocean. For over eleven years, it has failed to achieve its goal of establishing a representative network of marine protected areas", said Sascha Mueller-Kraenner, Executive Director at Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH). "We urgently need engagement at the highest political level in upcoming CCAMLR meetings to move forward on designating the existing proposals of three marine protected areas." While the Santiago gathering was only the third special meeting in the Commission's history, efforts to move MPA designations forward require further focused, high-level discussions between countries. "This special CCAMLR meeting was a concrete opportunity to make progress to protect ocean life in Antarctica," said Emily Grilly, Antarctic Conservation Manager for WWF. "Leaders squandered another chance to take action and must now step up during the annual meeting in October, or continue to risk the health of the Southern Ocean and its biodiversity." CCAMLR: The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Resources (CCAMLR) was established under the Antarctic Treaty System to preserve the biodiversity of the Southern Ocean. CCAMLR is a consensus-based organization consisting of 27 Members, including the EU and eight of its Member States. CCAMLR's mandate includes fisheries management based on the ecosystem approach, the protection of Antarctic nature and the creation of vast marine protected areas allowing the ocean to increase the resilience to climate change. In 2009, CCAMLR member countries began to undertake their responsibilities to establish a network of MPAs throughout the Southern Ocean and established the first high seas MPA on the southern shelf of the South Orkney Islands. In 2016 the world's largest MPA was agreed in the Ross Sea (proposed by the United States & New Zealand; 2.02 million km2). Currently, there are three proposals for the creation of new MPAs in the Southern Ocean. Two proposed by the EU and its member states, together with Australia, Norway, Uruguay, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, India, South Korea and Ukraine: East Antarctic with 0.95 million km2, the Weddell Sea 2.18 million km2; The Antarctic Peninsula: from Argentina and Chile- about 0.65 million km2. The protection of these three large areas would safeguard nearly 4 million km2 of Antarctica's ocean. That is roughly the size of the EU and represents 1% of the global ocean. Together this would secure the largest act of ocean protection in history. SOURCE Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition Members Recognized for Extraordinary Accomplishments in Stability and Contingency Operations WASHINGTON, June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Stability Operations Association (ISOA) recently presented its annual Global Impact Awards for excellence in stability operations. Two individuals received Lifetime Achievement Awards for their significant contributions supporting U.S. mission-critical support services. Fourteen member companies also received Global Impact Awards recognizing extraordinary accomplishments in stability and contingency operations. The ISOA Global Impact Awards were presented at its annual Awards Dinner on June 20 at Capital One Hall in Tysons, VA. Two Lifetime Achievement Awards Presented for Outstanding Support of the Stability Sector Fourteen companies received Global Impact Awards recognizing extraordinary accomplishments in stability operations. Tweet this Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to two individuals who have made significant contributions to the stability sector. Each award winner has worked to guarantee that their stability operations partners have received as much support as possible, ensuring that ISOA companies can provide mission-essential services to the U.S. Government and allies abroad. Bonnie Carroll , President and Founder of Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). Ms. Carroll founded the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), the American nongovernmental organization providing care to the families of military and conflict deceased. The surviving spouse of a Soldier, Ms. Carroll also served in the military, retiring as a Major in the USAFR. She has traveled extensively to countries of conflict mentoring programs to empower bereaved survivors. In 2015, Ms. Carroll was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama , the highest US civilian recognition. Ms. Carroll founded the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), the American nongovernmental organization providing care to the families of military and conflict deceased. The surviving spouse of a Soldier, Ms. Carroll also served in the military, retiring as a Major in the USAFR. She has traveled extensively to countries of conflict mentoring programs to empower bereaved survivors. In 2015, Ms. Carroll was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President , the highest US civilian recognition. Congressman Rob Wittman : Serving the First Congressional District of Virginia since 2007, Representative Wittman has been focused on strengthening our military and supporting veterans, promoting economic development through fiscal responsibility, fixing our crumbling infrastructure, increasing access to high-speed internet, and promoting workforce development through Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs. In the U.S. Congress, Rep. Wittman serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Natural Resources. He has quickly earned a reputation for being an advocate for our men and women in uniform and for being a champion of the Chesapeake Bay. Global Achievement Awards Presented to ISOA Member Companies Fourteen Global Achievement Awards were presented to ISOA member companies for their extraordinary achievements in stability and contingency operations. Seven Vanguard Awards were presented to companies in recognition of overall outstanding achievement in stability, contingency, disaster or recovery operations. Examples of transparency, accountability, ethical conduct and respect for human rightshallmarks of ISOA member companieswere important factors in making the award selections. Vanguard Awards were presented to the following companies: GardaWorld Federal Services Constellis Louis Berger Services International SOS SafeLane Austability Terravive One organization received an award for its outstanding efforts in support of Afghanistan Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) and Refugee Resettlement Operations in the U.S. and internationally. The SIV Award was presented to the following company: DAI Two organizations received awards for Innovation, developing new or more technologically advanced approaches to challenges in the stability industry, improving efficiency, effectiveness and overall program performance. Innovation Awards were presented to the following companies: KRH Planate Management Group One organization received a Women, Peace, and Security Award for its outstanding commitment and performance in including women for conflict prevention, resolution, and post-conflict stabilization efforts in accordance with the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017. The WPS Award was presented to the following organization: Prime Consulting International Three organizations received awards for their outstanding efforts in support of the people of Ukraine, including the Ukrainian military and government ministries, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis inside and outside of Ukraine. Ukraine Support Awards were presented to the following companies: Palladium Culmen Reinaert About ISOA: ISOA is a global, nonprofit association whose mission is to serve as the primary point of strategic engagement for the government and private sector in support of stability operations worldwide, providing critical services in fragile environments in an accountable, transparent, and ethical way. ISOA serves the implementing community, providing member services focused on contracting, partnerships, regulatory and legal developments, research initiatives and policy movement. For more information, visit stability-operations.org. SOURCE International Stability Operations Association AUSTIN, Texas, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Litigation Exchange, LLC ("LitX"), a provider of innovative legal technology solutions in the legal industry, announces the release of their new SaaS platform for use by all parties involved in civil litigation. The new platform is designed to transform the way law firms, attorneys, and their staff connect, communicate, manage, and exchange information with their corresponding rivals. Despite the ever-increasing myriad of options entering the legal tech industry, no solution focuses on the core challenges arising from the nature of an adversarial system that forces opponents to collaborate. To the contrary, existing tools only serve to exacerbate the problem of managing and organizing the vast amounts of information exchanged between parties in litigation. LitX addresses this issue by offering a comprehensive, central-docket solution for document and file management and exchange, from case inception to resolution. The LitX platform is a subscription-based web application for sharing documents and files between parties engaged in civil litigation cases. The software provides an easy-to-use, intuitive interface that enables users to exchange, upload, store, and retrieve all case-related documents and files in a shared, secure, and centralized location in the cloud ensuring files are always available, wherever you are. It also allows for collaboration among team members, which is essential in managing complex and multi-party cases. Some of the features of the LitX platform include: Shared and equal control between opposing parties, fostering accountability in a neutral space. Permanent repository for exchanged files and documents accompanied with an audit record. Simple assignment and reassignment controls, including easy access for team members. Role-based access control to ensure the security of confidential information. Advanced security measures including encryption of all data in transit and at rest with SSL and 256-AES and two-factor authentication "We are excited to offer this innovative solution to legal professionals to help them address what has long been a neglected area for the hundreds of thousands of attorneys practicing in civil litigation," said John Rubin, CEO of LitX and trial attorney of 20 plus years. "LitX is a collaboration of design born out of the extensive experience of a group of senior litigators and a team of expert software engineers. We believe that LitX will revolutionize the way legal teams work and help them achieve better outcomes for their clients." LitX offers a free trial of their new product and a monthly subscription option with no long-term obligations. For more information, please visit www.litx.legal About Litigation Exchange, LLC LitX is a provider of legal technology solutions, offering innovative software solutions that help legal professionals work more efficiently and effectively with opposing parties. LitX is developing the next generation of digital products that transform the way law firms, attorneys, and their staff connect, communicate, manage, and exchange information and is committed to providing the highest level of customer service and support to its clients. Contact: Scott Wilcox Litigation Exchange, LLC 3901 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 260 Austin, TX 78704 (512) 270-0466 [email protected] www.litx.legal SOURCE LitX Leading Developer and Retailer of Top-Quality Education Materials Opens Storefront in Milwaukee Area MILWAUKEE, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lakeshore, a leading developer and retailer of educational materials for teachers, children and families, is excited to announce the opening of their new retail store in Milwaukee (16900 F West Bluemound Rd., Brookfield, WI 53005), marking the brand's first ever brick-and-mortar location in the state of Wisconsin. To celebrate the Milwaukee store's opening, Lakeshore has organized a lineup of fun-filled in-person events and opportunities to win prizes throughout June and July. Lakeshore Opens First Store in Milwaukee, WI. "We are thrilled to grow our brick-and-mortar roster and to expand our presence and support our local sales force in the state of Wisconsin. We're eager to celebrate this milestone with the Milwaukee-area community and look forward to connecting with local educators and families," said Joe Abbadessa, Lakeshore's Senior Vice President of Retail & Sales Strategy. Lakeshore Learning invites the Milwaukee area to join in the following store opening festivities: Exclusive Giveaways: Every customer has an opportunity to participate in a fun game to earn one of several exclusive prizes. Mystery Discounts: For the first 30 days of the store's opening, customers will receive a scratcher with a mystery discount upon entry. Attend Read and Play Events (All will run 11AM 3PM ): Local Milwaukee business, Pete's Pop, will provide a summer popsicle for every child that attends each event: June 24 th Sea Splendor Hear a story about a shimmering fish who learns to share, then examine sea life, "cast a line" and more. July 1 st Bug Bonanza Sit down for a cherished caterpillar table before enjoying insect-themed play from observing to counting! July 8 th Animal Adventures Join us for a book about a monkey in a bad mood and have loads of fun exploring adorable animal sets. July 15 th Goodies Galore This sweet story time features a clever cookie, plus pretend treats kids sort, scoop, and serve! Passionate about creating materials that foster a lifelong love of learning, Lakeshore has had the privilege of serving the education community for almost 70 years. Recognizing the difference teachers make in children's daily lives, the company creates high-quality materials and classroom resources that are easy to use and fun for students. At Lakeshore's retail locations, customers are invited to experience educational in-store events, helpful services, and more. This store location's hours will be as follows: Monday Saturday 10AM 8PM; Sunday 11AM 5 PM. For more information about Lakeshore Learning stores, visit: www.lakeshorelearning.com/store. To stay up to date with all things Lakeshore Learning, follow: @LakeshoreLearning. About LakeshoreDesigned by Teachers, Loved by Kids Lakeshore Learning Materials is a leading developer and retailer of top-quality materials for early childhood education programs, elementary schools and homes nationwide. Since 1954, Lakeshore has offered innovative learning materials distinguished by their quality, educational merit and safety. To learn more, visit LakeshoreLearning.com . MEDIA CONTACT: Madeline Zenz [email protected] SOURCE Lakeshore Learning MUNICH, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The lion population in Africa has declined by roughly 43% in 20 years, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Many lions are killed to stop them from eating livestock, a crucial concern for the Kenyan Maasai. Richard Turere developed a system to ward off lions from livestock using light sequences. Richard Turere explaining his system to ward off lions from livestock using light sequences Turere has been named as one of three finalists for the second edition of the Young Inventors Prize, which recognises innovators aged 30 or under who have developed technological solutions to help reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Turere's invention contributes to UN SDG 15: Life on Land. Many animals of the Nairobi National Park seek shelter in communal lands to escape predators, leading lions to these human-inhabited areas. Turere's invention, known as Lion Lights, replicates the human presence that keeps lions away. Now, over 2 000 homes in Kenya use Lion Lights. As Turere explains, "our motto at Lion Lights is that there is no existence without co-existence we'll have to find a way of living peacefully with each other, humans and wildlife." Lion Lights has been implemented in several other countries, where it has helped deter various species of animals, such as hyenas and cheetahs. The Maasai inventor believes that others can learn from his journey. "I want this story to inspire the young kids that they too can do something. If I did it coming from this community with no education, and with no resources whatsoever then anyone can make it. Anyone can change this world." In 2013, Turere founded an organisation, working with more than 50 people in his village. Turere's invention caught the eye of Wildlife-Direct, a charitable organisation led by Dr. Paula Kahumbu, who helped him win a scholarship to Brookhouse School in Nairobi. Turere has become a speaker, sharing his inspiring story in TED Talks and at events such as Ciudad de las Ideas. He highlights that "the human-wildlife conflict is still a significant challenge as many communities still cannot afford Lion Lights. We need more hands on deck to build the future we want." The Young Inventors Prize winner will be announced at the European Inventor Award 2023 hybrid ceremony on 4 July 2023 in Valencia (Spain). This ceremony will be broadcast online here . Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2108682/Richard_Turere_light_sequences.mp4 SOURCE European Patent Office Mauve Group is awarded 'Excellence in Global Mobility, Global Policy Design, or Implementation' at the Think Global People and Relocate Awards. Hosted by Relocate Global, the award ceremony brought together leaders from across the global mobility, relocation, and international management sector. Mauve is proud to announce its 2nd award win of the year to date. LONDON, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mauve Group is delighted to announce it has been presented with the 'Excellence in Global Mobility, Global Policy Design or Implementation' Award at the Think Global People and Relocate Awards 2023. Announced at The Innovation Festival for Global Working, the award ceremony celebrated the achievements of leading organisations across the global mobility and international relocation sector. During The Innovation Festival for Global Working, Mauve CEO Ann Ellis took part in a keynote panel discussing how the evolution of global trends is impacting diverse industry sectors. Chaired by BAFTA-nominated journalist Jayne Constantinis, Ann was joined by Valerie Besanceney, Executive Director at Safe Passage Across Networks and Demetra Marcantonio, Director of KPMG's Global Mobility Services team. The global mobility accolade accepted by CEO Ann Ellis recognises Mauve's contribution to relocation management, by supporting organisations with global business expansion, overseas mobility projects, and maximising return on investment. The award application discussed the solutions Mauve provides across the Not-for-Profit sector, to showcase how its expertise support businesses with global mobility projects. The application was supplemented by a supporting video and all applications were then scrutinised by a panel of judges. Mauve Group was credited by the judges for its innovative employment solutions and for providing "an inspirational approach for all organisations wishing to operate effectively without jeopardising compliance requirements". CEO Ann Ellis expressed, "Myself and the team are thrilled to receive this award. Gaining recognition for the delivery of excellent global mobility services that prioritise the utmost compliance, enables us to raise our visibility and support more clients globally." This is Mauve's second award win of 2023 to date a testament to Mauve's authenticity and expertise in an increasingly competitive sector. About Mauve: With over 27 years of experience, Mauve Group is a leading global HR, Employer of Record, and business consultancy solutions provider. Mauve has developed the global knowledge to support businesses of any size planning to expand internationally. For more information, please contact Ellie Simmons, [email protected] or visit www.mauvegroup.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2108914/Mauve_Logo.jpg SOURCE Mauve Group NEW YORK, June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Technavio categorizes the global MOOCs market as a part of the global education market, which covers products, services, and solutions that are offered to educational institutions, corporate institutions, students, parents, individuals, and teachers. The global MOOCs market size is estimated to increase by USD 27,877.75 million from 2022 to 2027. The market's growth momentum will progress at a CAGR of 34.26%. Discover some insights on market size before buying the full report - Request a sample report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global MOOCs Market MOOCs Market Insights - Vendors : 15+, Including 360training.com Inc., Alison, Ambow Education Holding Ltd., Coursera Inc., edX LLC, Instructure Holdings Inc., iTutorGroup Inc, iversity Learning Solutions GmbH, NIIT Ltd, Pearson Plc, SAP SE, Seek Ltd., Simplilearn Solutions Pvt. Ltd., SkillShare Inc., Telefonica SA, Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd., Udacity Inc., Udemy Inc., Vedantu Innovations Pvt. Ltd., and XuetangX, among others : 15+, Including 360training.com Inc., Alison, Ambow Education Holding Ltd., Coursera Inc., edX LLC, Instructure Holdings Inc., iTutorGroup Inc, iversity Learning Solutions GmbH, NIIT Ltd, Pearson Plc, SAP SE, Seek Ltd., Simplilearn Solutions Pvt. Ltd., SkillShare Inc., Telefonica SA, Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd., Udacity Inc., Udemy Inc., Vedantu Innovations Pvt. Ltd., and XuetangX, among others Coverage: Parent market analysis; key drivers, major trends, and challenges; customer and vendor landscape; vendor product insights and recent developments; key vendors; and market positioning of vendors Parent market analysis; key drivers, major trends, and challenges; customer and vendor landscape; vendor product insights and recent developments; key vendors; and market positioning of vendors Segments: Type (xMOOCs and cMOOCs), subjects (technology, science, business and management, arts and humanities, and others), and Geography ( North America , APAC, Europe , South America , and Middle East and Africa ) To understand more about the information services market, request a sample report MOOCs market - Vendor Insights The growing competition in the market is compelling vendors to adopt various growth strategies such as promotional activities and spending on advertisements to improve the visibility of their services. Technavio report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, including 360training.com Inc., Alison, Ambow Education Holding Ltd., Coursera Inc., edX LLC, Instructure Holdings Inc., iTutorGroup Inc, iversity Learning Solutions GmbH, NIIT Ltd, Pearson Plc, SAP SE, Seek Ltd., Simplilearn Solutions Pvt. Ltd., SkillShare Inc., Telefonica SA, Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd., Udacity Inc., Udemy Inc., Vedantu Innovations Pvt. Ltd., and XuetangX. MOOCs Market Market Dynamics Major Drivers - The rise in regional MOOCs is driving the growth of the market. Though English is the main medium of instruction in the market, MOOCS are also available in various languages such as Chinese, German, and Spanish. Leading players such as Coursera offer courses in other languages. Moreover, there is a high demand for affordable online education in emerging economies, which has increased the growth potential for courses in local languages. By providing MOOCs in regional languages, vendors can overcome language-related challenges and increase their revenue in various markets. Significant Trends - The extensive application of MOOCs in corporate training is a key trend in the market. E-learning courses, interactive digital content, gamification, visual technologies, and adaptive learning help organizations design and develop training programs. With the help of MOOCs, they can implement self-paced learning methods. The demand for MOOCs has increased across the world for highly-skilled and medium-skilled workforce development. MOOCs have witnessed high traction in the SMB segment as well. Startups have started to enroll their employees in MOOCs to close the skills gap. Key Challenges - Completion rates are hindering the massive open online course market growth. High drop-out rates affect the profitability of many vendors. This can lead to low enrolments, which deters investors from funding MOOCs. Factors behind high drop-out rates include a lack of availability of appropriate recommendation systems and low scope for customization. These factors will impede the growth of the global MOOCs market during the forecast period. Drivers, Trends, and challenges have an impact on market dynamics, which can impact businesses. Find more insights in a sample report! The MOOCs market report provides critical information and factual data, with a qualitative and quantitative study of the market based on market drivers and limitations as well as future prospects. Why Buy? Add credibility to strategy Analyzes competitor's offerings Get a holistic view of the market Grow your profit margin with Technavio- Buy the Report What are the key data covered in this MOOCs Market report? CAGR of the market during the forecast period Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the MOOCs market between 2023 and 2027 Precise estimation of the size of the MOOCs market and its contribution to the market with a focus on the parent market Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior Growth of the MOOCs market across North America , APAC, Europe , South America , and Middle East and Africa , APAC, , , and and A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of MOOCs market vendors Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: The online language learning market estimated to grow at a CAGR of 20% between 2022 and 2027. The online language learning market size is forecast to increase by USD 36,400.33 million. The report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (courses, solutions, and apps), language (English, Mandarin, Spanish, and others), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The size of the online education market in India is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 19.9% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 3,461.93 million. This report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (higher education and K-12) and product (content and services). MOOCs Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 34.26% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 27,877.75 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 33.02 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 35% Key countries US, China, India, UK, and Italy Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled 360training.com Inc., Alison, Ambow Education Holding Ltd., Coursera Inc., edX LLC, Instructure Holdings Inc., iTutorGroup Inc, iversity Learning Solutions GmbH, NIIT Ltd, Pearson Plc, SAP SE, Seek Ltd., Simplilearn Solutions Pvt. Ltd., SkillShare Inc., Telefonica SA, Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd., Udacity Inc., Udemy Inc., Vedantu Innovations Pvt. Ltd., and XuetangX 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 Subjects 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 MOOCs market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on Global MOOCs market 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 Subject Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Subject 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 xMOOCs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on xMOOCs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 35: Data Table on xMOOCs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 36: Chart on xMOOCs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on xMOOCs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 cMOOCs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on cMOOCs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 39: Data Table on cMOOCs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 40: Chart on cMOOCs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on cMOOCs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 42: Market opportunity by Type ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by Subjects 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 43: Chart on Subjects - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 44: Data Table on Subjects - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Subjects Exhibit 45: Chart on Comparison by Subjects Exhibit 46: Data Table on Comparison by Subjects 7.3 Technology - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 47: Chart on Technology - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 48: Data Table on Technology - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 49: Chart on Technology - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 50: Data Table on Technology - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Science - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 51: Chart on Science - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 52: Data Table on Science - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 53: Chart on Science - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 54: Data Table on Science - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Business and management - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 55: Chart on Business and management - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 56: Data Table on Business and management - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 57: Chart on Business and management - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 58: Data Table on Business and management - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.6 Arts and humanities - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 59: Chart on Arts and humanities - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 60: Data Table on Arts and humanities - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 61: Chart on Arts and humanities - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 62: Data Table on Arts and humanities - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 63: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 64: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 65: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 66: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.8 Market opportunity by Subjects Exhibit 67: Market opportunity by Subjects ($ million) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 68: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 69: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 70: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 71: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 72: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 74: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 75: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 76: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 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 (%) 9.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 82: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 83: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 84: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 86: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 87: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 88: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 90: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 91: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 92: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 94: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 95: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 96: 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 97: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 98: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 99: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 100: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 102: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 103: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 104: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 105: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 106: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 107: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 108: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 Italy - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 109: Chart on Italy - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 110: Data Table on Italy - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 111: Chart on Italy - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 112: Data Table on Italy - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 113: 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 114: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 115: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 116: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 117: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 118: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 119: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 360training.com Inc. Exhibit 120: 360training.com Inc. - Overview Exhibit 121: 360training.com Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 122: 360training.com Inc. - Key offerings 12.4 Ambow Education Holding Ltd. Exhibit 123: Ambow Education Holding Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 124: Ambow Education Holding Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 125: Ambow Education Holding Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 126: Ambow Education Holding Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 127: Ambow Education Holding Ltd. - Segment focus 12.5 Coursera Inc. Exhibit 128: Coursera Inc. - Overview Exhibit 129: Coursera Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 130: Coursera Inc. - Key news Exhibit 131: Coursera Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 132: Coursera Inc. - Segment focus 12.6 edX LLC Exhibit 133: edX LLC - Overview Exhibit 134: edX LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 135: edX LLC - Key offerings 12.7 Instructure Holdings Inc. Exhibit 136: Instructure Holdings Inc. - Overview Exhibit 137: Instructure Holdings Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 138: Instructure Holdings Inc. - Key offerings 12.8 iTutorGroup Inc Exhibit 139: iTutorGroup Inc - Overview Exhibit 140: iTutorGroup Inc - Product / Service Exhibit 141: iTutorGroup Inc - Key offerings 12.9 iversity Learning Solutions GmbH Exhibit 142: iversity Learning Solutions GmbH - Overview Exhibit 143: iversity Learning Solutions GmbH - Product / Service Exhibit 144: iversity Learning Solutions GmbH - Key offerings 12.10 Pearson Plc Exhibit 145: Pearson Plc - Overview Exhibit 146: Pearson Plc - Business segments Exhibit 147: Pearson Plc - Key offerings Exhibit 148: Pearson Plc - Segment focus 12.11 SAP SE Exhibit 149: SAP SE - Overview Exhibit 150: SAP SE - Business segments Exhibit 151: SAP SE - Key news Exhibit 152: SAP SE - Key offerings Exhibit 153: SAP SE - Segment focus 12.12 Seek Ltd. Exhibit 154: Seek Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 155: Seek Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 156: Seek Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 157: Seek Ltd. - Segment focus 12.13 SkillShare Inc. Exhibit 158: SkillShare Inc. - Overview Exhibit 159: SkillShare Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 160: SkillShare Inc. - Key offerings 12.14 Telefonica SA Exhibit 161: Telefonica SA - Overview Exhibit 162: Telefonica SA - Business segments Exhibit 163: Telefonica SA - Key offerings Exhibit 164: Telefonica SA - Segment focus 12.15 Udacity Inc. Exhibit 165: Udacity Inc. - Overview Exhibit 166: Udacity Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 167: Udacity Inc. - Key news Exhibit 168: Udacity Inc. - Key offerings 12.16 Udemy Inc. Exhibit 169: Udemy Inc. - Overview Exhibit 170: Udemy Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 171: Udemy Inc. - Key news Exhibit 172: Udemy Inc. - Key offerings 12.17 XuetangX Exhibit 173: XuetangX - Overview Exhibit 174: XuetangX - Product / Service Exhibit 175: XuetangX - Key offerings 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 176: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 177: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 178: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 179: Research methodology Exhibit 180: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 181: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 182: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base 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 DALLAS, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NexBank Capital, Inc. (the "Company"), a financial services company and the parent company of NexBank (the "Bank"), today announced that Egan-Jones Ratings Company affirmed the Company's and Bank's credit ratings and stable outlook. The ratings were maintained with a Senior Unsecured Notes rating of A-, Subordinated Notes rating of BBB+, Preferred Stock rating of BBB, and Company/Bank rating of A-. According to the report, "The Company's A- rating is consistent with the implied credit metrics in fiscal 2022 and forward-looking 2023 and 2024." About NexBank Capital, Inc. NexBank Capital, Inc. is a Dallas-based financial services company that provides financial and banking services primarily to institutional clients, financial institutions, and corporations nationwide. Through its subsidiary, NexBank, the largest privately held bank in Texas with $15.2 billion in assets, it provides institutional banking, commercial banking, and mortgage banking services. www.NexBank.com NexBank | Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender Forward-Looking Statements This press release is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, nor shall there by any sale in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. This press release contains forward-looking statements. Any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, predictions, protections, forecasts, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically, but not exclusively, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "could," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "likely," "intends" "plans," "pro forma," "projects," "estimates" or "anticipates" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or contemplated by the particular forward-looking statement, and, therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances, except as required by applicable law. Note Regarding the Ratings A rating is not an investment or financial advice and is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities. Ratings may be subject to revision or withdraw at any time by the assigning rating agency. SOURCE NexBank Capital, Inc. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Trading data indicate a slight decline in world oil prices on Friday morning, Trend reports. The price of August futures for Brent Crude Oil fell by 1.05 percent to $73.42 per barrel, while August futures for WTI fell by 0.97 percent to $68.78. Traders express worry about oil demand prospects amid a slowdown in economic recovery in China, one of the largest consumers and importers of oil. At the same time, investors are studying the statistics of oil reserves in the US. During the week which ended on June 16, commercial oil reserves (except the strategic reserve) unexpectedly decreased by 3.8 million barrels and amounted to 463.3 million barrels. On the other hand, gasoline inventories increased by 500,000 barrels to 221.4 million barrels, while distillate inventories rose by 400,000 barrels to 114.3 million barrels. Oil production in the US this week fell by 200,000 barrels per day and amounted to 12.2 million barrels per day. Meanwhile, the price of August futures for Brent Crude Oil fell by 0.54 percent to $76.7 per barrel, while August futures for WTI fell by 0.51 percent to $72.16 on June 22. Simulator instruction no substitute for in-theater training in complex environs COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NetJets pilots are expected to perform international, extended overwater and mountainous airport operations like their Part 121 peers, but this is where the similarities end. Not only do NetJets pilots, whose professional interests are represented by the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP), fly to 20 times as many locations as their airline peers, but also have a very different training experience. NetJets Aviation, Inc. is a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary (NYSE: BRK.A). In some scenarios, proficiency in very challenging flying environments need only be demonstrated in a flight simulator. 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. "NJASAP believes NetJets's training and proficiency standards are inferior to those observed by Part 121 operators," NJASAP President Pedro Leroux said. "In some scenarios, proficiency in very challenging flying environments need only be demonstrated in a flight simulator." As one example, a Delta Airlines pilot must complete in-theater training to conduct mountain airport operations to places like Jackson Hole, Aspen and Telluride - all of which are popular NetJets destinations. NetJets, in direct contrast, only requires simulator-based training or a single in-theater flight before being released to conduct these complex operations. Inarguably, the simulator is a very valuable flight instruction tool, but it has its limitations: Specifically, it is a controlled environment bolted to the floor. "When flying the line, unexpected situations insert themselves into our duty day, and when they do, pilots rely on their training and experience when every second and decision count," Leroux explained. The state of NetJets training compelled the Union to file a class action grievance this past Wednesday to address systemic deficiencies that have decimated the training product. "NetJets owners and customers pay a premium not only for the flexibility to travel to the locations of their choosing, but also, and just as importantly, to do so with the peace of mind that a highly qualified flight crew is seated in the front of their aircraft," Leroux said, adding, "The training we, as pilots, receive should better position us to deliver that product to our clientele." 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 CHICAGO, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a rigorous evaluation of financial management systems and more than a year-long implementation, today Northeastern Illinois University is the first public university in Illinois to go live on Workday. Investing in Workday reaffirms the university's commitment to support faculty and staff to foster a nationally recognized urban university. As a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, this technology was also important to further the university's efforts to bring new programs and grants to truly serve this important and growing population in Chicago. We are proud to be leading the way for other state universities. Workday was selected following a rigorous evaluation process to unify human capital management, payroll, and analytics to bring the entire campus together under one agile, easy-to-use systemall delivered in the cloud. Northeastern now has a single source for HR and payroll data with built-in, always-on auditing and compliance controls and configurable business processes across its three Chicago locations. "It was frustrating, but not uncommon, for our Human Resources team to be mired in manual paper processes, trying to answer questions on employee benefits, where candidates were in the recruiting process, or whether faculty was hired for a scheduled course," said Northeastern President Gloria J. Gibson said. "We will continue to improve systems that support our faculty, staff and students." Northeastern Illinois University is a vibrant learning and research community, with its main campus on the northwest side of Chicago and three additional locations in the area. Manish Kumar, Vice President of Finance and Administration, who was instrumental in this initiative, said, "It was a mammoth effort to reengineer how we conduct business. Now we can end our inefficient processes, focus on people not paper, and deliver on our mission of providing an exceptional environment for learning, teaching, and scholarship." "The anticipated savings is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars as we decommission systems and simplify our technology, improve efficiency across HR, payroll and administration, and improve time tracking and accuracy of reporting," Kumar added. As the newly appointed Executive Director of Human Resources in 2021, Abby Murray discovered that HR was buried in administrative processes and needed an integrated approach to be a more effective with departments across the university. Payroll was at risk of inaccuracy and incompleteness and manual requests slowed down processes that needed greater efficiency. Departments were operating in silos and there was a need for more collaboration with business peers across the university. Data was inaccurate or inaccessible and was needed for making meaningful decisions. "When I arrived on campus, HR was processing more than 2,700 paper forms yearly," said Abby Murray, Executive Director of Human Resources. "This digital transformation has helped the university move from antiquated systems paper systems to a modernized human capital management (HCM) and payroll solution. In payroll alone, automation has reduced processing time by six hours per week. With access to data, improved payroll accuracy, and better insight into overtime, the university anticipates saving $140,000 to $190,000." "Campus-wide collaboration and upstream thinking is essential for sustainability in higher education," added Murray. "Through focus groups we learned that the staff loved the university and their jobs, but they didn't love our systems and processes. Involving the wider university community was critical and would help us achieve our goals of improving our systems and processes and deliver a better employee experience." Workday applications are more cost-effective and faster to deploy than legacy applications but with change extending beyond the technology, change management best practices and principles were recognized as key to long-term success. Northeastern operates with limited resources as do most schools of its size, and its staff needed to maintain legacy systems while implementing the new application and at the same time, prepare every business unit, department, and campus for transformation. "We now have processes that are consistent across the board while still meeting the needs of each business process owner. The success of the Workday project had to do with our team and external partners we couldn't have done it without them. In addition to bringing in best practices, greater transparency and more collaboration, our transformation leaves behind a legacy of efficiency and accessibility and modern practices that will benefit students long into the future. We're excited about what we accomplished," Kumar said. ABOUT NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY Northeastern Illinois University offers more than 40 undergraduate degree and certificate programs and more than 50 graduate degree, certificate, licensure and endorsement programs. The Main Campus is located on 67 acres in an attractive residential area on the Northwest Side of Chicago. The University has additional locations in the metropolitan area, including the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, El Centro and the University Center of Lake County. SOURCE NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY DDB and BBDO Named Two of the Top Three Creative Networks in the World NEW YORK, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Omnicom (NYSE: OMC) was named Most Creative Company of the Year at the 70th annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. More than 120 agencies from 40 countries contributed to the title, with over 175 Lions won throughout the week. Of note, two of Omnicom's creative networks, DDB and BBDO, placed in the top three of the Network of the Year category, with DDB coming in first and BBDO in third. As the top Creative Network of the Year, DDB won more than 85 Lions. "The Last Photo" by adam&eveDDB for ITV x Calm dominated as the network's most-awarded piece of work at this year's festival. It won 11 Lions, including one Grand Prix. Other heavy hitters for the group included "Apologize the Rainbow" by DDB Chicago for Skittles and "Baby Scan" by adam&eveDDB for Marmite, winning two Gold Lions each. BBDO, who came in third for Creative Network of the Year, closed with 55 Lions. "Phone It In" by Colenso BBDO for Skinny was hugely successful with nine Lions, including one Grand Prix. BBDO Toronto also racked up points with "Missing Matoaka" for Muskrat Magazine, scoring eight Lions, two of which were Gold Lions. The network also secured three more Grand Prix wins with "Inside the Newspaper" by Impact BBDO for An-Nahar Newspaper, "Eart4" by AlmapBBDO for UN Global Compact, and "Flipvertising" by CHEP Network for Samsung. As a reflection of the breadth of creative excellence housed within Omnicom, its agencies entered over 175 campaigns created for more than 115 clients. Its wide span of disciplines achieved Gold Lions in a variety of categories including Health & Wellness, Media, Public Relations, Creative Commerce, Brand Experience and Activation, and more. Omnicom Media Group collectively contributed 57 total Lions, and PHD Worldwide came in second place for the Media Network of the Year category. Several agencies also received special awards throughout the week, including within the Regional Network of the Year category. DDB Worldwide took the title for Europe and BBDO Worldwide won for MENA and Pacific. "I am incredibly proud of how our agencies showed up this year," commented John Wren, Chairman and CEO of Omnicom. "It's always rewarding to see the hard work of our people across the globe recognized by Cannes Lions, the global benchmark for creative excellence. I want to congratulate them for their efforts; this award is a direct reflection of their brilliance and unwavering dedication to their clients." The award comes at the end of the week when Omnicom announced a series of generative AI collaborations with Microsoft, Google, Adobe and Amazon. It also follows two other Holding Company of the Year titles for Omnicom in 2023, including The One Show and Ad Age's A-List. About Omnicom Group Inc. Omnicom Group (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms offer services in advertising, strategic media planning and buying, precision marketing, commerce and brand consulting, experiential, customer relationship marketing (CRM), public relations, healthcare marketing and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 70 countries. SOURCE Omnicom Group Inc. KYOTO, Japan, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OMRON Healthcare Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the Company) of Kyoto, Japan, has announced the official sponsorship of the 32nd Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension (hereinafter referred to as ESH 2023) via OMRON Healthcare Europe B.V., OMRON Healthcare's sales and marketing headquarters in Europe. ESH 2023 is underway from June 23 to 26, 2023, at Milano Convention Centre in Italy, and at the event, the Company is introducing its recent initiatives for realizing its "Going for ZERO" vision, zero heart attacks and strokes, both in a booth exhibition and at a satellite symposium. Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202306216488-O2-oFetqFmr Image: Exhibition booth (for illustration purposes only): https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M000242/202306216488/_prw_PI3lg_1tfyS8Kd.jpg Under the theme of "There's always room for inspiration," the Company is showcasing a collection of innovative blood pressure monitors, including Complete (TM), an upper-arm blood pressure monitor with built-in ECG technology, NightView (TM), a wrist nocturnal blood pressure monitor for measuring night-time blood pressure, and EVOLV (TM), a convenient blood pressure with an integrated cuff. Speaking at the satellite symposium will be Prof. Dr. Gianfranco Parati, Prof. Dr. Martino F. Pengo, and Prof. Dr. George S. Stergiou. They will all discuss the importance of measuring blood pressure at home while sleeping for early detection and intervention of nocturnal hypertension. In addition, the symposium will underline atrial fibrillation, a type of arrhythmia that is known to be the cause of cardiogenic embolism and will introduce the correlation between atrial fibrillation and hypertension, and the benefits of ECG recording at home for preventing cardiovascular disease before it worsens. Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day, and its readings at night are normally 10-20% lower than daytime readings. Among general hypertension conditions, nocturnal hypertension presents high blood pressure during night-time sleep. A study shows that the group with night-time blood pressure remaining the same as in the daytime would have a 2.56 times greater stroke mortality rate, while the stroke mortality rate of the group with blood pressure increasing at night is 3.69 times higher (*1). Another study discovered that the detection rate of atrial fibrillation is about three times higher in hypertensive patients than in non-hypertensive patients (*2). Therefore, it is essential to check the pulse and record ECG on a daily basis for preventing cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. Aiming for zero cerebro-cardiovascular events, the Company has been working on advancing the ways of hypertension treatment in collaboration with healthcare professionals and researchers. The Company will continue to promote academic activities globally, develop devices and services, and contribute to empowering people worldwide to live life to the fullest. Notes: (*1) Ohkubo T et al. Am J Hypertens. 1997; 10: 1201 (*2) Senoo K, et al. (2022), PLoS ONE 17(6): e0269506 ESH 2023 Event Outline - Title: 32nd Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) on "Hypertension and Cardiovascular Protection" - Date: June 23-26, 2023 (CEST) - Venue: Milano Convention Centre in Italy - Official website: https://www.eshonline.org/new-dates/ Satellite Symposium - Date & time: 11:30am - 12:30pm, Saturday, June 24, 2023 (CEST) - Venue: Red Hall 2, Milano Convention Centre - Theme: "Beyond the Daytime: Night-time Blood Pressure and Afib, Exploring Their Critical Role in Hypertension Management" - Chairs: Prof. Dr. Gianfranco Parati, Prof. Dr. George S. Stergiou Session 1: "Why you need to include night-time BP as part of routine hypertension diagnosis protocol" by Prof. Dr. Gianfranco Parati (Honorary Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy; Chairperson, Council on Hypertension, European Society of Cardiology; President-Elect, World Hypertension League) Session 2: "What you need to know about night-time home blood pressure measurements" by Prof. Dr. Martino F. Pengo (Italian Auxological Institute IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular, Neural and Metabolic Sciences, San Luca Hospital, Milan, Italy) Session 3: "Risks of uncontrolled hypertension and asymptomatic Afib" Prof. Dr. George S. Stergiou (Professor of Medicine & Hypertension, Chairman, Hypertension Center STRIDE-7, School of Medicine, Athens University, Athens,Greece) SOURCE OMRON Healthcare Co., Ltd. CONCORD, N.H., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Opal Strategic, a new political marketing agency based in Concord, New Hampshire, is dedicated to transforming the political landscape by helping conservative candidates secure election victories. The company is committed to translating the power of voice into action, and action into victory. Opal Strategic in Concord, NH Opal Strategic offers a comprehensive suite of services, including web development, event planning, fundraising, and social media marketing. The team's expertise extends beyond traditional methods, incorporating innovative strategies such as TikTok Ads to reach a broader voter base. "We believe in the power of voice," said Mike Visconti, founder of Opal Strategic, in a recent interview with local media outlet, The Concord Sentinel . "Our mission is to ensure that the voices of our clients are heard loud and clear. Whether we're knocking on doors locally or capturing clicks on social media, we employ the best practices to deliver your campaign message effectively." Opal Strategic's team of passionate political strategists leverages their skills to ensure the success of their clients' campaigns. The company's proven track record in supporting political campaigns and organizations to achieve success is a testament to their dedication and expertise. "We win elections," Visconti added. "Our team is experienced with a broad variety of strategies we bring to our clients. It would be easier to name the services we can't provide!" For more information about Opal Strategic, visit: https://www.opalstrategic.com/ About Opal Strategic Opal Strategic is a political strategy agency based in Concord, New Hampshire. The company is dedicated to helping conservative candidates secure election victories through a comprehensive suite of services and innovative strategies. Media Contact Mike Visconti Opal Strategic 6 Garvins Falls Road Concord, NH 03301 [email protected] 603.606.9819 SOURCE Opal Strategic SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pinkberry (www.Pinkberry.com) is diving into summer with a new frozen yogurt in celebration of the highly anticipated summer movie release, Barbie! Pinkberry is partnering with Warner Bros. Pictures and introducing Barbie Land Berry Pink frozen yogurt, now available in participating stores nationwide for a limited time until August 11, 2023. Pinkberry's New Frozen Yogurt Dazzles in Pink for Highly Anticipated Summer Movie Release, BARBIE! Tweet this Pinkberry Barbie Land Berry Pink Pinkberry Barbie Land Berry Pink Frozen Yogurt Shining like the sweet, fresh flavors of summertime, the new Barbie Land Berry Pink swirl is a refreshing tart frozen yogurt guests can imagine Barbie herself enjoying on a warm day along the Malibu shore. The new flavor deliciously combines flavors of Dragonfruit and Strawberry, and when topped with glittery Dream Sprinkles, the new swirl has all the makings of a perfectly Barbie-inspired summer day! "We are thrilled Warner Bros. chose to partner with Pinkberry for this playful and empowering movie," said Melissa Hubbell, vice president of marketing for Kahala Brands, parent company of Pinkberry. "The brand is a natural fit for this epic summer movie! The perfectly pink hues of the Barbie Land Berry Pink frozen yogurt echo this iconic character's fun yet bold personality. We know our guests will love this new swirl topped with Dream Sprinkles that is made for the spotlight!" There is more fun to be had with prizes up for grabs! Guests can enter the Barbie The Movie Sweepstakes for a chance to win Barbie-themed prize packs, including movie tickets, Barbie-themed swag and Pinkberry gift cards. For full details and sweepstakes rules and to enter online, visit https:// Pinkberry.com/barbiethemoviesweeps/ now through August 11, 2023. At Pinkberry, guests can customize their swirl with a variety of toppings that include fresh, never frozen, fruit that is hand-cut in stores daily, along with premium granolas and nuts, specialty chocolates, and much more. Pinkberry is swirling with possibilities! Promotional Flavor: Barbie Land Berry Pink Promotional Combination: Barbie Land Berry Pink Swirl frozen yogurt topped with Dream Sprinkles About Pinkberry Pinkberry launched in Los Angeles, CA in 2005 as the original brand that reinvented frozen yogurt. Today, over a decade later, Pinkberry continues to create great tasting treats with fresh ingredients in an experience comprised of distinctive product, outstanding service and inspirational design. At Pinkberry you can taste the difference of an uncompromising commitment to quality and freshness. Most recently, Pinkberry was acquired by Scottsdale, Arizona-based Kahala Brands, one of the fastest growing franchising companies in the world with a portfolio of 30 quick-service restaurant brands and approximately 3,00 locations in 35 countries. For more information, please visit www.Pinkberry.com. SOURCE Pinkberry Pixalate's Global Publisher Trust Indexes (PTIs) rank the quality of open programmatic app advertising inventory across multiple platforms, regions, and categories for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and now, for the first time, Samsung. LONDON, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pixalate, the market-leading fraud protection, privacy, and compliance analytics platform for Connected TV (CTV) and mobile advertising, today released the May 2023 Global CTV Publisher Trust Index (PTI) for apps across the Roku, Amazon Fire TV app stores, and, for the first time ever, the Samsung app store. Pixalate's PTI is a global approach to quality measurement and monthly rankings of the world's Connected TV (CTV) and mobile apps, bringing transparency to the programmatic advertising ecosystem. Pixalate's monthly CTV PTI report offers advertisers a comprehensive view of the quality of CTV apps that support programmatic advertising. The report includes rankings by geographic region, country, app category, and app store. These rankings are based on multiple factors, including invalid traffic (IVT), popularity, ad density, and engagement scores. Pixalate's methodology is transparent and can be found at Publisher Trust Index: Methodology. By utilizing the PTI report, advertisers can make informed decisions about where to place ads and improve their ad campaigns. Here are the top apps in North America in May 2023 across Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung: Top Roku Apps for Programmatic Advertising in North America, May 2023 Pluto TV DIRECTV Kidoodle.TV Tubi The Roku Channel Download the full May 2023 Global CTV Publisher Trust Index - Roku report here . The full report contains the top apps across North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM. Top Amazon Fire TV Apps for Programmatic Advertising in North America, May 2023 fuboTV Frndly TV DIRECTV Bloomberg Watch TNT Download the full May 2023 Global CTV Publisher Trust Index - Amazon Fire TV report here . The full report contains the top apps across North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM. Top Samsung Apps for Programmatic Advertising in North America, May 2023 Sling TV fuboTV SAMSUNG TV Pluto TV Tubi Download the full May 2023 Global CTV Publisher Trust Index - Samsung report here . The full report contains the top apps across North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM. Download the Reports Download the May 2023 Global CTV Publisher Trust Indexes: About Pixalate Pixalate is the market-leading fraud protection, privacy, and compliance analytics platform for Connected TV (CTV) and Mobile Advertising. We work 24/7 to guard your reputation and grow your media value. Pixalate offers the only system of coordinated solutions across display, app, video, and CTV for better detection and elimination of ad fraud. Pixalate is an MRC-accredited service for the detection and filtration of sophisticated invalid traffic (SIVT) across desktop and mobile web, mobile in-app, and CTV advertising. www.pixalate.com Disclaimer The content of this press release and the Publisher Trust Indexes (collectively, the "Indexes"), reflect Pixalate's opinions with respect to factors that Pixalate believes may be useful to the digital media industry. The Indexes examine programmatic advertising activity on mobile apps and Connected TV (CTV) apps (collectively, the "apps"). As cited in the Indexes and referenced in the Indexes' key findings reproduced herein, the ratings and rankings in the Indexes are based on a number of metrics (e.g., "Brand Safety") and Pixalate's opinions regarding the relative performance of each app publisher with respect to the metrics. The data is derived from buy-side, predominantly open auction, programmatic advertising transactions, as measured by Pixalate. The Indexes examine global advertising activity across North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM, respectively, as well as programmatic advertising activity within discrete app categories. Any insights shared are grounded in Pixalate's proprietary technology and analytics, which Pixalate is continuously evaluating and updating. Any references to outside sources in the Indexes and herein should not be construed as endorsements. Pixalate's opinions are just that, opinions, which means that they are neither facts nor guarantees; and neither this press release nor the Indexes are intended to impugn the standing or reputation of any person, entity or app. SOURCE Pixalate WASHINGTON, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To mark the 1-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC (PPMW) and Planned Parenthood Advocates for DC, MD, & NoVA (PPADMV) are partnering with Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the ACLU, and NARAL to host a mini rally ahead of the Women's March National Day of Action in DC. WHAT: Rally marking the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization WHEN: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. WHERE: Stanton Park, 226 4th St NE, Washington, DC Purpose When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade one year ago, it stripped tens of millions of people of the right to make their own personal medical decisions. People are being pushed further into pregnancy, having to resort to an abortion method that they wouldn't have otherwise chosen, or not accessing a legal abortion at all. Within two weeks of the ruling, PPMW was seeing patients from Texas, Georgia, Ohio, and Florida a trajectory that has only intensified throughout this past year. PPMW has increased health center capacity through expanded hours and telehealth services to meet the needs of these patients, while also protecting and securing abortion access locally. PPADMV is fighting back against abortion bans and proactively working to safeguard and ensure access to sexual and reproductive rights and freedom within our region. Data In the past year, PPMW has served patients from states beyond the DC Metro area, including Georgia , Florida , Kentucky , Michigan , North Carolina , Oklahoma , Tennessee , Texas , and West Virginia . , , , , , , , , and . From May 2022 through March 2023 , PPMW has: served more than 19,000 patients, completed nearly 30,000 visits, provided 5,300 abortion procedures, provided contraception to more than 12,600 patients, and provided 3,770 telehealth visits. through , PPMW has: served more than 19,000 patients, completed nearly 30,000 visits, provided 5,300 abortion procedures, provided contraception to more than 12,600 patients, and provided 3,770 telehealth visits. PPMW has plans to expand both in-clinic and remote services across the Metro DC region in 2023 and 2024. Quotes Comment from Dr. Laura Meyers, President and CEO of PPMW and Co-CEO of PPADMV: "When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade one year ago, it stripped tens of millions of people of the right to make their own personal medical decisions. Within two weeks, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC (PPMW) was seeing patients from Texas, Florida, and other states hundreds of miles away. PPMW is protecting and securing access locally by increasing our health center capacity, collaborating with partner organizations, and providing financial resources through our Abortion Access Fund. Our doors remain open and our team will continue to provide non-judgemental, high quality sexual and reproductive health care for all those who come to us seeking care, regardless of their zip code." Comment from Karen Nelson, President and CEO of PPM and Co-CEO of PPADMV: "The Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade is a tragedy. The ramifications have been devastating on those seeking healthcare across the nation. We knew that demolishing 50 years of a constitutional right was the next step in the anti-abortion playbook. A year later, the reality of it is heartbreaking. But it is also encouraging to see the concentrated efforts to fight back against these bans. We are proud of the work being done in Maryland. We are proud that Maryland will remain a state where abortion care will be available to all. We will continue to fight the fight!" Comment from Dr. Serina Floyd, Chief Medical Officer, PPMW: "One year after the Supreme Court decided to gut abortion legal protections, I am regularly caring for patients who have been forced to navigate the fallout. As a woman, a mother, a sister, an aunt, a friend, and an abortion provider, I am outraged by the constant attacks on our reproductive freedom. But I am also tremendously proud of how the sexual and reproductive health community has rallied to do all we can to ensure we continue to provide the necessary healthcare that is abortion, no matter what." About PPMW Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington's (PPMW's) mission is to provide high-quality, affordable reproductive health care; promote education programs that empower all individuals to make informed and responsible reproductive choices; and to protect the right to make those choices. PPMW is the oldest and largest provider of family planning services in Metropolitan Washington, serving DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. About PPADMV Planned Parenthood Advocates for DC, Maryland & NoVa (PPADMV) is Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC's and Planned Parenthood of Maryland's shared 501(c)(4) advocacy organization. PPADMV advocates legislatively, politically and electorally in Maryland, Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia for priorities that are part of Planned Parenthood's mission, which includes fighting for people to be able to make their own reproductive choices. SOURCE Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.; Planned Parenthood Advocates for DC, Maryland & NoVa NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ProHance Analytics, a leading new-age workplace analytics and operations enablement platform, is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the HFMA Annual Conference 2023. Organized by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), the conference is scheduled to take place from June 25th to 28th at Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee. Kishore Reddy and Khiv Singh of ProHance Analytics will be at Booth 1149 of the HFMA Annual Conference 2023 in Nashville Tweet this Kishore Reddy, CEO, ProHance Analytics Khiv Singh, Senior VP, ProHance Analytics The HFMA Annual Conference is a premier event that brings together financial leaders from healthcare organizations, industry experts, and solution providers to explore the latest trends, strategies, and best practices in healthcare finance. This conference offers a unique opportunity for professionals to connect, share knowledge, and gain valuable insights that drive financial performance and operational excellence. Kishore Reddy, CEO of ProHance Analytics, commented on the participation, stating, "ProHance Analytics has been at the forefront of delivering innovative technology solutions that empower healthcare organizations to optimize their financial performance, enhance operational efficiency, and improve patient outcomes. With our comprehensive suite of software products and services, ProHance helps healthcare providers streamline their revenue cycle management, gain deeper insights into their financial data, and navigate the complexities of healthcare reimbursement." During the conference, ProHance Analytics will showcase its cutting-edge solutions designed to address the evolving needs of healthcare finance professionals. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the company's suite of products, including revenue cycle management software, analytics and reporting tools, and patient engagement solutions. "We are thrilled to be a part of the HFMA Annual Conference 2023," said Khiv Singh, Senior VP at ProHance Analytics, continuing, "This event provides an ideal platform to engage with healthcare finance professionals and demonstrate how our solutions can help them achieve financial success while delivering exceptional patient care." ProHance Analytics senior leadership team - Kishore Reddy and Khiv Singh - will be present at Booth 1149 during the conference to connect with healthcare leaders. They will demonstrate why and how ProHance has become the trusted workforce analytics platform for over 30 healthcare/RCM firms, boasting a user base exceeding 100,000. With its transformative capabilities, ProHance delivers unparalleled value by significantly enhancing efficiency, productivity, cost reduction, and ultimately ensuring higher levels of customer satisfaction. About ProHance: ProHance is a new-age workplace analytics and operations enablement platform leveraged by enterprises across their back office, chat, and email servicing operations to provide real-time visibility on team engagement on the ground. ProHance is leveraged by 280,000+ users in 150+ enterprises across 24 countries. www.prohance.net SOURCE Prohance Analytics MCLEAN, Va., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- QinetiQ US was recently named a 2023 Top Workplace by The Washington Post, recognizing the company as one of the top employers in the Washington area. "As a company committed to helping protect the critical assets of our country's defense and security partners around the globe, we understand that people are our strongest asset. Our team is intensely curious, mission-led and customer-focused. They are what makes this recognition possible," said QinetiQ CEO Shawn Purvis. The Washington Post named QinetiQ US a 2023 Top Place to Work in the Washington, D.C., metro area Now in its tenth year of the program, the 2023 Top Workplaces were selected through nominations and then chosen through interviews with employees of the nominated firms. In total, 200 organizations in the Washington area were named. The Top Workplaces recognition is open to public, private, nonprofit or government employers with at least 50 employees. "We work diligently every day to empower our employees with an environment that helps them grow and develop their careers in a meaningful way and that provides the type of mission-led excellence our customers have come to expect from us. As an inclusive, diverse and welcoming company where every single person's contributions are valued, we want our employees to not just know, but feel that we are deeply invested in their personal and professional growth; so it is truly an honor to be recognized by The Washington Post with this award," said QinetiQ Chief People Officer Daniela Walrath. QinetiQ US is constantly evolving it's professional development and workplace benefits to be aligned to the needs of our employees and those we are seeking to join our team. For more information on our careers and benefits, please visit https://www.qinetiq.com/en-us/careers. About QinetiQ US: QinetiQ US is a leading defense and security company in the United States providing mission-led innovation at pace. QinetiQ US is a provider of technologically advanced services and products to the US Department of Defense and national security agencies, positioned to deliver key aspects of the modernization required to address our customers' pivot to counter near peer adversaries. QinetiQ's engineering services span the DoD and Intel community providing subject matter expertise in the areas of communications, sensor integration and research and development, survivability and unmanned ground combat systems. QinetiQ US operates as the U.S. arm of QinetiQ Group plc (QQ.LSE), an integrated global defense and security company focused on innovation for defense, security and civil customers. QinetiQ US employees are based predominantly in Virginia and Massachusetts and operate under a Special Security Agreement (SSA) with the U.S. Defense Counterintelligence & Security Agency (DCSA). QinetiQ US is creating new ways of protecting what matters most; testing technologies, systems, and processes to make sure they work as expected; and enabling customers to deploy new and enhanced-existing capabilities with the assurance they will deliver the outcomes required. Please visit our website at https://www.qinetiq.com/en-us/ and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook @QinetiQUS. SOURCE QinetiQ BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Azerbaijan intends to cooperate with the Harbor.Space University and the Holberton School in training personnel in the field of ICT, Trend reports via tweet of Azerbaijani Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev. "The development of human capital in the field of ICT is one of our priorities. We met with delegations from Harbor.Space University and Holberton School, are famous for their innovative approaches to education around the world. We discussed common goals for training professional personnel in our country in the field of ICT and explored partnership opportunities," the minister said. Harbour.Space University is a private unaccredited university for technology, entrepreneurship, and design, with campuses in Barcelona, Spain and Bangkok, Thailand. Harbour.Space offers bachelor's and master's degrees. Holberton School is a Computer Science school founded in Silicon Valley to address the gap in the education system for aspiring software engineers. NEW YORK, June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE, NEE-PR, NEE-PQ) between December 2, 2021 and February 1, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important July 25, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased NextEra securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the NextEra class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=16680 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 25, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) NextEra's primary subsidiary, Florida Power and Light Co. ("FPL"), surreptitious orchestration of political misconduct exposed NextEra to substantial legal and reputational risk; and (2) in light of the above, defendant's positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the NextEra class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=16680 mailto:or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. After she was accepted into the Urban Solutions Lab, Brickman had the opportunity to learn more about what it would take to make her idea a reality. Ultimately, she changed course, opting to open a small commercial space with a walk-up counter in Teaneck that will be called The Brickery. "Food is a big aspect of everyone's life," Brickman said of why food became the focus of her entrepreneurial ambitions. "Whether it's a good burger or a stunning cake, the response it evokes, how it makes people feel, is very rewarding," she said. Through the Urban Solutions Lab, she was mentored, given resources, including access to experienced entrepreneurs running similar food businesses, and she was given time to research regulations and calculate start-up costs. Started by the Rutgers Advanced Institute for the Study of Entrepreneurship and Development, or (RAISED), the Urban Solutions Lab is housed within the Honors Living and Learning College at Rutgers University-Newark. Its objective is to bring students and community stakeholders together in pursuit of prosocial entrepreneurship. Students with business ideas are selected for semester-long internships that allow them to carve out the time in their lives to research and start a venture, according to Professor Ted Baker, who co-founded the Urban Solutions Lab with Jasmine Cordero-West, the associate director of RAISED. Brickman was among the lab's first eight interns. "(Miriam) was very determined," said Cordero-West who mentored Brickman. "She has that entrepreneurial drive. This won't be her only venture." Cordero-West said Brickman is part of a generation of young people who are being inspired by the entrepreneurs and influencers they see all around them. "They understand that entrepreneurship is something that's possible for everyone," she said. Brickman's business idea grew out of a long-time passion for baking. She started making sweet things in middle school and continued through high school. "YouTube was my main teacher," she said. Brickman is pragmatic, resourceful, and brimming with ideas. While she was in college, she lived at home. She worked as many as three jobs at once. And she baked. During the pandemic shutdown, she jumped on the popularity of do-it-yourself kits and started assembling some of her own cupcake decorating kits. She supplied the cupcakes, made the frosting, and provided a theme. A beach kit, for example, would include crushed graham crackers for sand and the tiny umbrellas used in cocktails. She put her marketing and logistics skills to work, promoting her cupcakes on Instagram, setting delivery dates, and establishing geographical areas in Essex, Passaic and Bergen counties that allowed her to create reasonable distribution routes. Birthday parties, Bat and Bar Mitzvah celebrations, and holidays created a steady demand for her cupcakes. Her largest single order was 400 cupcakes, which she baked in a school kitchen. At the peak of the pandemic, a local synagogue asked her to make special boxes of honey cookies and bee-patterned cupcakes to deliver to its members on Rosh Hashanah. She fulfilled the order from home. "No one else was allowed in the kitchen for a few days," she said. With that experience as inspiration, she set out to see whether she could make a business of operating a truck to sell her sweet treats. The Urban Solutions Lab put her in touch with people already operating food truck ventures. She also had access to websites, tax information and industry data that provided insights into how food truck businesses were regulated, how competitive it might be to get started, and how other food truck businesses had performed. The process turned out to be critical for Brickman. "That information helps you see whether it's an industry you want to take a risk with," she said. "What struck me was the number of permits that were necessary. It was different in every municipality. It's much different than operating an ice cream truck. There are a lot more restrictions." Based on what she learned, Brickman decided to revise her plan. She found a commercial property in Teaneck that she describes as "pretty cozy" and "mostly a kitchen" with a walk-up counter where she can serve customers her baked treats. In a shark tank-styled process, Brickman made her pitch and succeeded in receiving a $12,000 grant from the Urban Solutions Lab to help pay for the lease. The Brickery a name that blends her last name with bakery is expected to open this summer with gelato, waffles and the popular treat, edible cookie dough. There are plans to add crepes, cupcakes, and other sweet creations. During her internship, Brickman learned more about building an element of social good into a business. Brandon Frame, the founder of Black Men Can, gave a talk that left an impression. "I appreciate that perspective that a business is not just about profit," she said. She's still mulling some ideas for repurposing food waste and giving back to the community. "There are a lot of things in the back of my mind," she said, "but right now I'm focusing on building the business." Brickman describes herself as an analytical creative. "I love math and I love the artistry involved in decorating a cake," she said. "A lot of people think marketing is fluffy. I like the analytics and data behind it." While she was in college, most of her jobs involved working with kids, but she also landed a remote job with a Pennsylvania company that gave her experience in the data analytics aspect of marketing and public relations. She's counting on her marketing knowledge to help establish the business. Brickman said she isn't sure what inspired her path to entrepreneurship. "I guess I prefer to challenge myself in different ways as opposed to taking the safe route," she said. SOURCE Rutgers Business School-Newark and New Brunswick BONN, Germany, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Scanbot SDK continues its string of demo app releases with a Barcode Scanner Demo for the Universal Windows Platform (UWP). The "Scanbot SDK: Barcode Scanning" app showcases the capabilities of the Barcode Scanner SDK. It is now available for free on the Microsoft Store. Scanbot SDK: Windows Barcode Demo The Windows Barcode Scanner SDK turns any mobile Windows device into a reliable and easy-to-use barcode scanner. It utilizes machine learning and computer vision technology to deliver fast and accurate scan results in just 0.2 seconds. The demo app demonstrates the speed and reliability customers can expect after integrating the SDK into their own Windows applications. With the Barcode Scanner Demo App for Windows, users can scan all common 1D and 2D barcodes individually and in batches. With the "Multiple Scanning" feature, several barcodes and even different barcode types can be captured in one go. The demo also includes two scanning modules for special use cases: "Tiny Barcodes" locks the camera focus, while "Distant Barcodes" offers a zoomed-in viewfinder. Another highlight is the AR overlay: When enabled, it displays the contents of the barcodes on the user's screen in real time. This makes it easy to get an overview of multiple codes. The AR overlay can also be configured to only highlight items with a specific barcode. The UI has been tailored for optimal performance on Windows tablets. As it adheres to the Fluent design language, it seamlessly integrates into the Windows experience. This ensures that every user can easily use the SDK and benefit from its built-in user guidance, a hallmark of the Scanbot SDK. Enterprises already using Microsoft products for their IT infrastructure benefit from the effortless communication between the Windows tablets and other devices. They can be used as barcode scanners one minute, and as desktop PCs in the next, thanks to docking stations. "Scanbot SDK: Barcode Scanning" is now available for free. To test the Windows Barcode Scanner SDK in their own apps, companies can use the free 7-day trial license. More information about the product, including its technical requirements, is available at scanbot.io. About Scanbot SDK Scanbot SDK offers quick and reliable mobile data capture solutions for Windows, iOS, Android, and Web, helping companies reduce costs by eliminating slow and error-prone manual data entry. More than 200 enterprises worldwide use Scanbot SDK's products for billions of scans every year. CONTACT: Niklas Kreck, +49 (0)228 94800044, [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2107853/Scanbot_SDK.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1896251/Scanbot_SDK_logo.jpg SOURCE Scanbot SDK GmbH JOHNSTOWN, Ind. and SOMERSET, Pa., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Senior Choice, Inc., which manages and does business as three (3) residential facilities, The Atrium (216 Main Street, Johnstown, PA 15901), Beacon Ridge (1515 Wayne Ave, Indiana, PA 15701), and The Patriot (495 W Patriot St, Somerset, PA 15501) (collectively "Senior Choice"), confirmed today that it experienced a data incident in April 2023 and will issue notices to affected individuals and relevant state and federal agencies about the incident. On April 24, 2023, Senior Choice discovered suspicious activity that affected some internal systems used for business operations. Upon becoming aware of the incident, Senior Choice immediately implemented measures to contain the situation and further safeguard the security of its computer systems. Over the past weeks, the Senior Choice team has been working diligently to continue its investigation, add further technical safeguards to existing protections, and bring the limited number of impacted systems back online quickly and securely. Immediately upon discovery of this incident, Senior Choice engaged the assistance of leading industry professionals in data privacy and security, who continue to lead the incident investigation, response and reporting to relevant government agencies, including law enforcement. At this time, the investigation remains ongoing; however, there is evidence that unauthorized actors accessed some internal systems used for business operations during the period between April 18, 2023, and April 24, 2023. There is no evidence that any software systems used directly for resident care were impacted. There has been no impact on the care and services provided to those who reside at the three facilities and our staff continues to provide the highest level of care and services. Based on our investigation findings to date, we believe the following types of information may have been affected: name, address, birth date, admission date, discharge date, death date, medical record number, provider or facility name, medical condition, diagnosis and/or treatment information, lab results, medications, payment amount history information, insurance payment amount information, date of service, Social Security number, financial account information, credit card number, medical information, health insurance information, driver's license or state identification number, passport number, and any information on an individual that was created, used, or disclosed in the course of providing health care services. These are general categories of information that we believe may be present within the affected systems and may have been accessed by the unauthorized actor during the incident. However, specific individuals and the extent of the information accessed are not yet known. Because our investigation is ongoing, we are providing notice to all individuals who may potentially be affected by this situation. As our investigation continues, we encourage individuals who may be potentially impacted to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud. We encourage a cautious review of account statements and explanation of benefits forms for suspicious activity. Additional monitoring can be conducted by checking free credit reports for suspicious activity and errors. Under U.S. law, individuals are entitled to one (1) free credit report annually from each of the three (3) major credit reporting bureaus. Additional information and resources are outlined below. Equifax Experian TransUnion https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/ https://www.experian.com/help https://www.transunion.com/credit-help 1-888-298-0045 1-888-397-3742 1-833-395-6938 Equifax Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 Experian Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016 Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094 Moreover, information regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, security freezes, and the steps an individual can take to protect personal information may be obtained by contacting the consumer reporting agencies, the Federal Trade Commission, or the appropriate state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission can be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. Individuals can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by calling 1-877-438-4338. Individuals should file a police report if they are a victim of identity theft or fraud. To file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, an individual will likely need to provide some proof that they have been a victim. If you have questions, you can contact Senior Choice at 724-463-3864 or by mail at the address of the appropriate facility: The Atrium (216 Main Street, Johnstown, PA 15901), Beacon Ridge (1515 Wayne Ave, Indiana, PA 15701), and The Patriot (495 W Patriot St, Somerset, PA 15501). SOURCE Senior Choice, Inc. HOUSTON, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SkillGigs, Inc. , an ecommerce talent marketplace that pairs skilled healthcare and technology job seekers with AI-matched work opportunities, today announced the launch of a new employer of record program. This new capability will make it easier for U.S. employers to hire remote international workers amid surging demand for IT professionals and the rising cost of domestic talent . SkillGigs will be the employer of record for a global pool of top tech workers, allowing employers to save money, scale quickly, and access more specific skillsets for their projects. "SkillGigs is a true marketplace that is built for users to explore, bid and exchange, and we are making it easier than ever to hire without borders," said Brad Hill, digital division president at SkillGigs. "Functionalities like this new employer of record program are what make SkillGigs a game-changer in the staffing industry. We connect companies to the best talent, no matter where they are." Hiring offshore IT professionals is an increasingly common practice among U.S. companies looking to scale, but many run into hurdles with traditional staffing routes. Established third-party staffing companies often upcharge employers at least 20-25% to hire offshore IT roles, essentially the same as any domestic hire, and companies otherwise often lose track of offshore candidates in an ATS or standard job board. SkillGigs' employer of record program mitigates many of the risks associated with offshore hiring for U.S. companies. Employers who hire international tech workers through SkillGigs can save up to 40% in talent acquisition costs while having access to total talent management services that track and document project milestones. The SkillGigs employer of record program for technology workers is a service the platform offers in addition to their international travel nurse program for healthcare companies. To get started, U.S.-based employers can now post their jobs for free on SkillGigs' talent marketplace. For more information, please visit: https://skillgigs.com/employers/global-it-talent/ ABOUT SKILLGIGS Launched in 2017 on the belief that companies and talent should be able to interact seamlessly, SkillGigs is dedicated to empowering the users. SkillGigs elevates and maximizes the hiring process by removing traditional barriers. The company's patented AI software matches talent with jobs tailored to their skills, while giving companies with open positions strong candidates who are ready to work. Learn more: https://skillgigs.com Contact Amanda Betts [email protected] SOURCE Skillgigs CHICAGO, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the near future, the smart pills industry is poised to revolutionize healthcare by combining pharmaceuticals with digital technology. These advanced pills will enable remote patient monitoring, providing real-time data on physiological parameters and medication adherence. With imaging capabilities, they will enhance diagnostics by capturing detailed images and videos of the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, smart pills will enable targeted drug delivery, releasing medications at specific locations within the body. Personalized medicine will be a key focus, as smart pills gather individualized health data to tailor treatment plans and lifestyle recommendations. However, addressing data privacy and security concerns, as well as navigating regulatory challenges, will be imperative for the industry's success. Overall, the future of smart pills holds great promise for improving healthcare outcomes through advanced monitoring, diagnostics, and personalized interventions. Smart Pills Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $0.6 billion in 2023 and is poised to reach $1.1 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 11.8% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Growth in this market is primarily fueled by increased patient preference for minimally invasive procedures and technological improvements in capsule endoscopy. The growing demand for rising need for rapid drug development is expected to offer opportunities for market players during the forecast period. On the other hand, technological limitations and challenges associated with accuracy of smart pills are expected to restrain the market growth to some extent in the coming years. Download an Illustrative overview: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=840 Browse in-depth TOC on "Smart Pills Market" 104 - Tables 33 - Figures 153 - Pages Smart Pills Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $0.6 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $1.1 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 11.8% Market Size Available for 2021-2028 Forecast Period 20232028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Application, Target Area, End User & Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Growing demand for advance drug delivery system Key Market Drivers Rising demand for non-invasive diagnostic and monitoring devices The vital sign monitoring segment has accounted for the second largest share of the market during the forecast period Based on application, targeted medicine delivery, capsule endoscopy, and vital sign monitoring are the different smart pill market segments. The vital sign monitoring segment accounted for the second largest share of 8.0% of smart pills application market in 2022. The lack of integration with digital health systems in conventional vital sign monitoring devices drives the growth of the vital sign monitoring segment in the smart pills market. As healthcare systems strive for interoperability and comprehensive patient records, the rising need for vital sign monitoring devices that integrate smoothly with digital health systems becomes crucial. The growing demand for streamlined integration is expected to increase the adoption of smart pills due to advanced connectivity and compatibility with digital health systems. The small intestine target area accounted for the largest share of the market during the forecast period. Based on target area, the small intestine, esophagus, stomach, and large intestine, make up the major market segments for smart pills. The small intestine accounted for the largest share of the market during the forecast period. Rising incidence of small intestine disorders such as Crohn's disease, celiac disorders, and small bowel tumors are key factors driving market growth. Additional factors include the small intestine's complex anatomy and challenging accessibility that are expected to drive the adoption of smart pills in the coming years. The hospitals segment is to witness the highest growth during the forecast period Based on end users, the smart pills market is categorized into distinct segments, including diagnostic centers, hospitals, and other end users. Among these, hospitals segment is to witness the highest growth during the forecast period. This can be attributed to several factors, such as the growing demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures and inadequate medication adherence. Numerous hospitals have embraced the concept of capsule endoscopy, which has subsequently contributed to an increased adoption of smart pills. Asia-Pacific is to witness the highest growth during the forecast period. The Asia-pacific smart pills market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period of 2023-2028. The high growth rate of this market can be attributed to presence of established vendors in the regional market and rising adoption of capsule endoscopy in countries such as China and India. The high incidence of stomach cancer in Japan has created a growing demand for advanced diagnostic technologies such as capsule endoscopy. This non-invasive and patient-friendly procedure utilizes small, swallowable capsules equipped with cameras to capture detailed images of the gastrointestinal tract. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=840 Smart Pills Market Dynamics: Drivers: Rising demand for non-invasive diagnostic and monitoring devices Restraints: High cost associated with smart pills Opportunities: Growing demand for advance drug delivery system Challenges: Implications with patient privacy Key Market Players: The prominent players in smart pills market are Chongqing Jinshan Science Technology (Group) Co., Ltd (China), RF Co., Ltd (Japan), etectrx (US), Bodycap (France), CapsoVision,Inc. (US), Medtronic plc (US), Check-Cap Ltd. (Israel), IntroMedic (South Korea), ANX Robotica Corp. (US), Olympus Corporation (Japan), Shenzen Jifu Medical Technology Co., Ltd (China) and Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. (US). Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=840 Recent Developments: In 2023, AnX Robotica Corp. (US) launched the NaviCam Small Bowel System in the US. The NaviCam SB System utilizes aspherical lens technology to reduce distortion and enhance the field of vision, a critical component in the diagnosis of small bowel disease. In 2021, the US FDA has granted 510(k) clearance for its PillCam Small Bowel 3 system for remote endoscopy procedures. In 2021, Check-Cap ( Israel ) expanded C-Scan's manufacturing capacity and on-premises production line, while also remedying technical issues from a single source supplier. The company significantly expanded its production line to support its US pivotal study. ) expanded C-Scan's manufacturing capacity and on-premises production line, while also remedying technical issues from a single source supplier. The company significantly expanded its production line to support its US pivotal study. In 2020, AnX Robotica Corp. (US) has been granted by the FDA De-Novo classification for its NaviCam Magnetically Controlled Capsule Endoscopy (MCCE) System. It is the first-of-its-kind system which allows complete, real-time visualization of the stomach utilizing a pill-sized capsule containing a camera and is remote-controlled by the physician using proprietary magnetic technologies. In 2020, CapsoVision Inc. (US), achieved the International Standard Organization (ISO) 27001 security certification. The scope of the certification includes CapsoVision's headquarters and the company's CapsoCloud software. This certification validates company's long-term commitment for the protection of customer data. Smart Pills Market Advantages: Enhanced Patient Monitoring: Smart pills enable continuous and remote monitoring of patients, providing healthcare professionals with real-time data on various physiological parameters. This allows for early detection of abnormalities, better management of chronic conditions, and timely interventions, ultimately leading to improved patient monitoring and care. Improved Diagnostics: Smart pills equipped with imaging technology can capture high-resolution images or videos of the gastrointestinal tract. This enables healthcare providers to obtain detailed insights into a patient's condition, facilitating accurate and early diagnosis of diseases such as colon cancer, gastrointestinal bleeding, and inflammatory bowel disease. Targeted Drug Delivery: Smart pills can be designed to deliver medication precisely to the intended location in the body. By incorporating drug reservoirs and release mechanisms, these pills can release drugs at specific sites or in response to specific physiological cues. This targeted drug delivery approach enhances the efficacy of treatment, reduces side effects, and improves patient compliance. Personalized Medicine: Smart pills collect real-time data about an individual's health, lifestyle factors, and medication adherence. This data can be used to personalize treatment plans, optimize medication dosages, and provide tailored lifestyle recommendations. The ability to customize healthcare interventions based on individual characteristics and needs can lead to more effective treatments and improved patient outcomes. Increased Patient Engagement: Smart pills empower patients to actively participate in their own healthcare. By providing them with access to real-time data about their health, these pills encourage patient engagement and enable individuals to take proactive measures to manage their conditions. This can result in better medication adherence, lifestyle modifications, and overall self-care. Research and Development Opportunities: The smart pills market opens up new avenues for research and development in healthcare. The integration of pharmaceuticals with digital technology enables the exploration of novel drug delivery mechanisms, advanced diagnostics, and personalized medicine. This fosters innovation, drives advancements in healthcare technologies, and encourages collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, technology firms, and healthcare providers. It's important to note that while smart pills offer significant advantages, challenges such as data privacy, regulatory compliance, and cost-effectiveness need to be addressed to ensure their widespread adoption and long-term success in the market. Smart Pills Market Report Highlights: UPDATED MARKET OVERVIEW: The current edition of the report consists of an updated market overview, along with an updated market assessment across all segments from 2021 to 2028. Also, it includes challenges, value chain analysis, trends, technology analysis, patent analysis, regulatory analysis, key conferences and events in 2023-2024, regulatory bodies/government agencies and other organizations, and ecosystem analysis provided in the market overview chapter. UPDATED COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE CHAPTER: The competitive landscape chapter has been updated with the company evaluation quadrant for key players. The competitive landscape also includes the revenue share analysis of the top players, market share analysis, competitive benchmarking, and the company footprint of the global market. UPDATED COMPANY PROFILES: The new edition of the report includes profiles for Check-Cap Ltd. ( Israel ), IntroMedic ( Seoul ), Chongqing Jinshan Science & Technology (Group) Co., Ltd. ( China ), Shenzhen Jifu Medical Technology Co., Ltd. ( China ), RF Co., Ltd. ( Japan ), etectRx (US), BodyCap ( France ), and Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. (OAPI) (US). UPDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION/PRODUCT PORTFOLIOS OF PLAYERS: The new edition of the report provides updated financial information in the context of the smart pills market until 2022 for each listed company in a graphical representation in a single diagram (instead of multiple tables). This will easily help analyze the present status of profiled companies in terms of their financial strength, key revenue-generating country/region, business segment focus in terms of the highest revenue-generating segment, and investments in R&D activities. UPDATED MARKET DEVELOPMENTS OF PROFILED PLAYERS: Recent developments are important to understand the market trend and growth strategies adopted by players in the global smart pills market space. The current edition of this report provides updated developments of profiled players from January 2020 to June 2023 , indicating a continuation of the previous version. Product launches and approvals, expansions, asset purchases, and collaborations are the principal growth strategies adopted by market players in this period. ADDITION OF RECESSION IMPACT: The current edition of the report consists of the impact of the recession on the smart pills market. A section on the impact of the recession on all regional markets, such as North America , Europe , and Asia Pacific , has been included. Related Reports: Top 10 Medical Device Technologies Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 Point of Care Diagnostics Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 Disposable Medical Device Sensors Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 Hearing Aids Market - Global Forecasts to 2026 Cardiac Monitoring Devices Market - Global Forecasts to 2025 About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/smart-pill-technology-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/smart-pill.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets BOISE, Idaho, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SmashBrand, a revolutionary data-driven brand development agency for consumer packaged goods (CPGs), today announced the appointment of Jeana Abboud as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Abboud will also become a partner at the agency. Jeana Abboud Abboud joins SmashBrand after a noteworthy career in operations and client services, most recently serving as an executive management and COO consultant across several emerging and established agencies. Her vast experience also includes leadership roles at Social Factor, Mason Zimbler, VMLY&R, Goodby Silverstein & Partners, Razorfish, FP7 McCann, and GSD&M. "I'm thrilled to join SmashBrand, an agency that is truly revolutionizing the CPG industry with its data-driven approach," said Abboud. "I look forward to scaling what SmashBrand already is, keeping what's great about it and what's special about it, and taking it to the next level." Unveiled in 2019, SmashBrand's Path To Performance methodology has become a transformative force in the CPG industry. It seamlessly integrates the successful brand development and consumer testing processes used by Fortune 500 companies into one efficient approach. This methodology has enabled our clients to achieve an unprecedented $20 billion increase in incremental sales, earning a spot on Bain & Company's esteemed 2023 US Insurgent list. With our methodology, we leverage consumer data and proven big CPG frameworks led by Nielsen award-winning strategic and creative talent to create brands that truly connect with consumers and drive measurable sales outcomes that we can guarantee for our clients. SmashBrand's client roster includes respected brands such as Kraft Heinz, TreeTop, Duracell, 7-Eleven, Nulo, Kroger, Walmart, Curation Foods, Sunbrella, and G Fuel. As COO, Abboud will focus on enhancing the agency's operations, driving its culture, and fostering growth among its client base. "Jeana's appointment marks a significant milestone for SmashBrand," said Kevin Smith, Founder of SmashBrand. "Her leadership and operational expertise will be instrumental in driving our growth strategy and continuing to deliver outstanding results for our clients." Abboud will officially start in her new role as COO and partner at SmashBrand June 2023. Media contact: Jason Vaught [email protected] 6198610561 SOURCE SmashBrand The company will also present several other works in progress MENLO PARK, Calif., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Subtle Medical, a leading innovator in medical imaging technology, announced its participation in the 2023 Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) conference in Chicago, IL. The Subtle Medical team will be presenting their revolutionary SubtlePET software, which utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to enable up to 75% faster PET imaging, at the event. Faster imaging with SubtlePET enables medical facilities to add capacity across all scanner vendors to increase revenue. Tweet this Up to 75% faster PET imaging with Subtle Medical's SubtlePET denoising software. SubtlePET is a breakthrough solution that empowers healthcare providers to achieve faster PET imaging on any scanner brand. By leveraging a proprietary denoising algorithm on low count PET scans, SubtlePET reduces imaging time without compromising image quality or diagnostic accuracy. The latest release of SubtlePET covers a multitude of new radiotracers and offers improved performance. The technology represents a significant advancement in the field, offering numerous benefits to both patients and medical facilities. One of the key advantages of faster medical imaging is enhanced patient comfort. Traditional PET imaging often requires patients to remain motionless for extended periods, leading to discomfort and anxiety. SubtlePET's ability to expedite the imaging process reduces patient stress and contributes to a more positive healthcare experience. Additionally, faster imaging enables medical facilities to increase their revenue and optimize resource utilization. By reducing scan times, SubtlePET allows healthcare providers to scan more patients in a day, leading to improved throughput and higher patient volumes. Moreover, the reduced imaging time allows technologists to adhere to schedules more efficiently, enabling smoother operations and improved patient care. The software has been successfully implemented by esteemed institutions such as Hoag Hospital and Middlesex Health, which have leveraged faster imaging to enhance the performance of their aging scanner fleet. Hear from Precision Imaging's CEO on their experience increasing capacity with SubtlePET. "Subtle Medical is dedicated to advancing medical imaging through cutting-edge research and continuous product innovation," said Josh Gurewitz, Chief Commercial Officer at Subtle Medical. "We are proud to present SubtlePET at the 2023 SNMMI conference. Our AI-powered software has installations in over 15 different countries and has been embraced by medical professionals worldwide." Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the capabilities of SubtlePET firsthand and discover other innovations in Subtle's robust R&D pipeline. To learn more about SubtleMR and SubtlePET, schedule a meeting with the team at the SNMMI conference in Chicago at Booth 8074. Representatives will be available to discuss the latest advancements, provide live demonstrations, and explore potential collaborations. About Subtle Medical, Inc. Subtle Medical is a leading provider of AI-powered technology for faster, safer, and smarter medical imaging. It has been named a CB Insights Top AI 100 and Digital Health 150 company multiple years and is an Nvidia Inception Award Winner. The company's cutting-edge solutions optimize imaging workflows, improving productivity and patient experience. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, Subtle Medical aims to revolutionize medical imaging and transform the future of healthcare. For more information, please visit subtlemedical.com or email [email protected]. Media Contact Anna Menyhart-Borroni Head of Marketing [email protected]com SOURCE Subtle Medical, Inc. BEKAA, Lebanon, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Situation in Lebanon Recent threats of losing their homes and being detained or deported have triggered many Syrian children and families finding refuge in Lebanon to be in chronic fear. Tweet this Image of Syrian refugee children at Jusoor's Jurahiya Educational Center in Lebanon The ongoing economic collapse in Lebanon has had multiple debilitating consequences for its social fabric. In the last few months, an increasing climate of racism and scapegoating of Syrian refugees reached a fever pitch, leading to a series of raids and deportations of Syrians. While such rhetoric is not representative of all Lebanese citizens' beliefs, it comes as the latest in an escalation of anti-Syrian sentiment. Such high levels of threat and deprivation experienced by children have lasting effects on their confidence, self-esteem, and dignity, leading to behavioral changes like nightmares and social withdrawal. As Suha, Jusoor's Head of Refugee Education, explained, "The children were so unusually quiet in our classrooms these few months they were terrified that they would go home to find their family had been detained or deported." Support for Children Jusoor mobilized to support its community affirming their commitment to all children's rights to education and safety. Jusoor's psychosocial counselor, Rania Al Boubou, offered one-on-one psychosocial support sessions for children who were struggling to process their feelings and fears. Sessions included identifying and expressing the fear they feel as many children expressed fear of separation from their parents, validating their fears, in addition to other topics related to seeking comfort, coping techniques, and open communication with parents Support for Parents Jusoor acknowledges the fear carried by refugee parents, who experienced the Syrian conflict during their adolescence. They now have the responsibility of caring for their children amidst triggering their own memories. Recognizing the crucial role of parents in protecting their children's well-being, Jusoor invited them to meet with their counselor, offering advice on stress management and creating a safe environment. As one of the parents expressed to Rania, "Since the raids started, my child has been getting nightmares and speaking in his sleep about how the army will take us." While most children were born in Lebanon and did not directly experience displacement from Syria, their fear is mostly a reflection of their parents' fear. Despite challenging circumstances, Jusoor believes in individuals and groups' ability to provide comfort, connection, and build stronger communities for refugee children in times of great duress. www.jusoor.ngo SOURCE Jusoor Legislation Would Empower Working Families, Hold Corporate America Accountable WASHINGTON, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Teamsters are commending U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, as well as the Democratic Senators on the committee, for voting in favor of passing the Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. "Democrats on the HELP Committee did the right thing by voting in favor of the PRO Act, which is desperately needed to empower working people and hold big business accountable for their attacks on the American middle class," said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. "We now call on every member of the Senate to do the right thing: grow a spine, stand up to corporate greed and support this legislation." The PRO Act would strengthen workers' rights to form a union and engage in collective bargaining in a variety of ways. These include increasing employer penalties for unlawful union-busting and bad-faith bargaining, extending greater employee rights to misclassified independent contractors, legalizing secondary boycotts, weakening "right to work" laws, and streamlining the process for holding union elections. Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters. Contact: Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877 [email protected] SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters AzerTelecom and Kazakhtelecom have signed a Shareholders Agreement to establish a joint venture for the construction and operation of the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Communication Line (FOCL) along the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan route on the seabed of the Caspian Sea. This agreement marks a significant milestone in the project, as it represents the collaborative efforts and actions of the parties towards its finalization. Vasyl Latsanych, the Head of Telecom at NEQSOL Holding, which includes AzerTelecom, signed the agreement on behalf of AzerTelecom, while Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev, Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakhtelecom, signed the document on behalf of Kazakhtelecom. The agreement outlines the purpose and objectives of the joint venture, with a particular focus on its governance, as well as the construction and operation of the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Communication Line along the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan route. As the Digital Silk Way projects Asian segment, the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Communication Line plays a crucial role in developing the digital infrastructure for connectivity services and establishing a digital telecommunication corridor between Europe and Asia. Vasyl Latsanych, Head of Telecom at NEQSOL Holding, commented on the agreement, emphasizing that the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Communication Line will enable high-capacity data transmission by connecting regions and transcending geographical boundaries. Collaboration between AzerTelecom and Kazakhtelecom will contribute to establish access to new markets and improve the internet usability and data transmission capacity of the countries. Moreover, what makes the project unique is its distinction as the first undersea cable route to be built along the seabed of the Caspian Sea, he added. According to Sergey Nazarenko, Chief Operations Officer of AzerTelecom, the establishment of this joint venture marks the beginning of an exciting journey that will not only shape the communications infrastructure landscape of our region but also open doors to great opportunities for the digital development of our countries and businesses. Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev, Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakhtelecom, highlighted that Kazakhtelecom and AzerTelecom, as leaders in their respective fields, highly appreciate the transformative potential of this project and have joined forces to make it a reality. Together, we will join our expertise, resources, and vision to ensure the successful construction and operation of the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Communication Line, he concluded. AzerTelecom is a leading wholesale telecommunications operator in Azerbaijan and is a part of NEQSOL Holding, an international group of companies operating in nine countries across the energy, telecommunications, hi-tech, and construction industries. Kazakhtelecom is the largest telecommunications company in Kazakhstan and holds the status of a national telecommunications operator. DALLAS, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) have reached a Tentative Agreement (TA) for the airline's Mechanics & Related Employees. "Our Mechanics & Related Employees work around the clock to safely maintain our aircraft, and we reached a Tentative Agreement that rewards them and helps Southwest maintain an efficient operation," said Adam Carlisle, Vice President Labor Relations at Southwest Airlines. "I'm pleased with the work from AMFA and Southwest that led to reaching this agreement quickly." "The AMFA negotiating committee has reached a Tentative Agreement with Southwest Airlines that, if ratified by membership, will elevate the Southwest Airlines Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) to industry-leading compensation. AMFA's goal and objective is to protect work, raise standards, and increase recognition of AMTs and related professionals," said AMFA National President Bret Oestreich. "Our members control their own destiny by exercising their right to vote, and their voices will be heard through our democratic organization." This agreement covers Southwest's more than 2,800 Mechanics & Related Employees, which includes the Company's Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, Aircraft Inspectors, Maintenance Controllers, and Training Instructors. AMFA will communicate the details about the agreement and the voting timeline directly to its members. ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO. Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline.1 Based in Dallas and famous for an Employee-first corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering its nearly 70,0002 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 126 million Customers carried in 2022. That formula for success brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive years3 of profitability for Southwest Shareholders (NYSE: LUV). Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship. As the airline with Heart, Southwest has set a goal to work toward achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Southwest has also set near-term targets and a four-pillar strategy to achieve its environmental goals. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/planet. 1) U.S. Dept. of Transportation most recent reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded 2) Fulltime-equivalent active Employees 3) 1973-2019 annual profitability ABOUT THE AIRCRAFT MECHANICS FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association is a craft/trade-oriented, independent aviation union. AMFA represents licensed and unlicensed technicians and related employees actively involved in the aviation industry. These aircraft technicians and related employees work directly on aircraft and/or components, support equipment, and facilities. AMFA is committed to elevating the professional standing of technicians and to achieving progressive improvements in wages, benefits, and working conditions of the skilled people it represents. For more information about AMFA, visit www.amfanational.org. SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co. DUBLIN, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The The Impact of Regulations on the Chemical Industry report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This study analyzes the key regulations in the chemical industry and examines how various stakeholders are responding to the changing regulatory landscape. It serves as a regulatory handbook and helps understand how regulations have been evolving in the chemical industry. With regulatory authorities increasingly responding to the rising concerns over the effect of certain chemicals on human health and the environment, it is crucial to examine the potential impact of these regulations on different business segments. The study also analyzes the significant variations in regulations and regulatory trends across regions. Regulations often trigger product development, and the subsequent adoption of those products can affect the market, even in regions where regulations are not enforced. These are crucial industry dynamics that can potentially impact various aspects of a business. This analysis covers the regulations from four main product segments: coatings, adhesives, and sealants (CAS); plastics and polymers; fuels and lubricants; and process chemicals. The key process chemicals covered in the study include those used in electrical and electronic (E&E), water and wastewater treatment (WWT), and mining applications. Certain regulations also stem from end industries such as automotive, marine, construction, energy, food and beverage, etc., and the analysis covers the most important and relevant ones within its scope. Some chemicals have an impact on a wide range of industries and product segments. For example, chemicals such as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates have been affecting several product markets. This study identifies such issues and examines how the stakeholders in different product markets are responding to the evolving regulations for these chemicals. The study concludes by identifying the growth opportunities emerging from the changes in the regulatory landscape for market players and stakeholders to leverage. Key Topics Covered 1 Strategic Imperatives Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow? The Strategic Imperative 8 The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Chemical Regulations Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine 2 Growth Opportunity Analysis Overview and Introduction Scope of Analysis Scope of Analysis - Summary Scope of Analysis - Product Segments and End Industries Scope of Analysis - Regional Regulations and Regulating Authorities Europe - CSS - CSS Europe - REACH Regulations - REACH Regulations Europe - CLP and GRA - CLP and GRA Key Chemical Regulations in the United States Key Chemical Regulations in China End-industry Trends - Automotive End-of-life (EOL) Vehicles (ELVs) End-industry Trends - Water and Wastewater Treatment Regulated Chemicals - PFAS Regulated Chemicals - Phthalates 3 CAS Key Regulations Impacting the CAS Segment VOC Emission Regulations Regulations on Heavy Metals in Paints and Coatings Packaging Coatings Segment Fire Protection Coatings Segment Marine Coatings Segment Solvents Pigments Additives (PFAS) Adhesives and Sealants - VOC Emission Regulations Adhesives and Sealants - Formaldehyde Regulations Adhesives and Sealants - Diisocyanate Regulations Adhesives and Sealants - The Impact of Right to Repair (RtR) 4 Plastics and Composites Plastics and Polymers VOC Emission Regulations in Plastics and Polymers Plastics and Polymers FCMs Plastics and Polymers Fuels and Lubricants Lubricants for FCMs - Regional Other Lubricants Waste Oil Re-refining Biofuels Biodiesel Mandates Emission Control Catalysts 5 Process Chemicals Process Chemicals Segment 6 Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals Sludge Incineration and Dewatering (Solenis Case Study) Regional Outlook 7 E&E Chemicals E&E Chemicals Battery Directive 8 Oilfield Chemicals Oilfield Chemicals 9 Growth Opportunity Universe Growth Opportunity 1: New Harmonized Fertilizer Regulation will Encourage Phosphorous/Ammonia Removal Technologies Growth Opportunity 2: PFAS Regulations will Present Opportunities for Newer Materials Growth Opportunity 3: EOL Regulations will Push Stakeholders to Develop Circular Products 10 Next Steps Your Next Steps For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/exa79r About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets RESTON, Va., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Plus3 IT Systems, LLC (Plus3 IT) has been named one of The Washington Post's 2023 Top Workplaces in the Washington, D.C. area. Selection is based solely on employee feedback gathered through an anonymous third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC . Energage measured several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution, and connection. This year's honorees include a wide-range of industries, including government contractors, real estate firms, consulting groups, law firms, and technology companies. "For the past ten years, the Top Workplaces list has been a credible guide to companies, old and new, in the D.C. region where employees feel valued," said Washington Post Top Workplaces editor Bronwen Latimer. "As a new generation enters the workforce, the Post is more committed than ever to highlighting the changing landscape of work and how these companies are thriving in it." Commenting on the award, Plus3 IT Director, Human Resources, Angela Morrell said, "We are grateful for this recognition and even more so for the privilege of working with such talented people that made it possible. Plus3 IT emphasizes authenticity and ingenuity for our synergetic corporate culture." In its 10th year of recognizing top workplaces in the region, The Washington Post hosted an awards ceremony on Thursday, June 15 to recognize the top-ranked companies of 2023. Plus3 IT was recognized, again, as a Top Workplace at this event, having previously been a Top Workplace recipient two times before. Visit The Washington Post's Top Workplaces 2023 to see the full list of this year's winners and honorees. Plus3 IT is a privately owned small business, headquartered in Reston, VA. As an expert-level cloud services firm, Plus3 IT supports mission requirements through the delivery of cloud adoption, cloud security, cloud native application development, and cloud enabled data analytics. Plus3 IT has proven and documented success supporting Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), and Federal customers in all things related to cloud. Follow Plus3 IT Systems news on LinkedIn, Facebook, and on Twitter. For general inquiries: [email protected] SOURCE Plus3 IT Systems Theorem Fund Services, LLC announces it was named winner in the Best Administrator Technology category in the annual Hedgeweek US Emerging Manager Awards after it achieved the distinction of being the sole fund administrator nominated in all 3 available fund administrator categories. CHICAGO, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Theorem Fund Services, LLC, a leading independent third-party fund administration firm, announces it was named the winner in the Best Administrator Technology category in the annual Hedgeweek US Emerging Manager Awards. This award comes after Theorem achieved the distinction of being nominated in all 3 available fund administration categories. The nominated categories were: Best Administrator - Overall Best Administrator - Technology Best Administrator - Fund Domicile The winners were announced at a ceremony held in New York City on June 8, 2023. "Once again, Theorem has the honor of being independently recognized by our clients and partners for our services and we remain hugely appreciative," remarked Co-Managing Member Stephen Giannone. "We are fortunate to have assembled a best in class technology platform capable of servicing all of our clients, ranging from emerging managers to some of the largest global asset management firms," added Mikhail Davidyan, Theorem's Co-Managing Member. About Theorem: Theorem Fund Services, LLC is a multi-service fund administrator which offers a unique turn-key solution to investment managers that combines institutional-level technology with strong industry experience and a deep understanding of our clients' needs and goals. We were founded on the belief that traditional fund administration platforms needed to evolve into a much more comprehensive multi-service offering. This enables an investment manager to maximize their service delivery by dramatically increasing fee efficiency and scalability. We understand that our success depends entirely on the success of our clients and our ability to develop long-term client relationships that fully support our clients in their work. We are committed to partnering with our clients to ensure they receive the very best value combined with the highest quality service at the best price. Contact: Stephen Giannone Managing Member Theorem Fund Services, LLC (312) 952-1455 [email protected] www.theoremfundservices.com SOURCE Theorem Fund Services A roundup of the week's most newsworthy energy industry press releases from PR Newswire, including updates in battery energy storage and sustainable aviation fuel. NEW YORK, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the energy and natural resources industry stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly Energy Press Release Roundup, June 19-23, 2023. Photo provided by H2U Technologies. https://prn.to/3NkD24k Read more of the latest energy-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNenergy on Twitter. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire A roundup of the week's most newsworthy environment industry press releases from PR Newswire, including a net zero initiative for the dairy industry and consumers' concerns about CO2 emissions. NEW YORK, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the environment industry stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly Environment Press Release Roundup, June 19-23, 2023. Photo provided by The Home Depot. https://prn.to/3NLnVCE Read more of the latest environment-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNenv on Twitter. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire A roundup of the week's most newsworthy health industry press releases from PR Newswire, including the best children's hospitals in the U.S. NEW YORK, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the healthcare industry stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly Health Press Release Roundup, June 19-23, 2023. Photo provided by American Red Cross. https://prn.to/3qWEZwi Read more of the latest health-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNhealth on Twitter. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire A roundup of the week's most newsworthy policy and public interest press releases from PR Newswire, including parents' mindsets at the end of the school year and the state of nonprofits in 2023. NEW YORK, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the policy and public interest industries stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly Policy & Public Interest Press Release Roundup, June 19-23, 2023. Photo provided by Toyota Mobility Foundation. https://prn.to/3CGpSto Read more of the latest policy-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNpolicy and @prnedu on Twitter. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire New partnership to bring the benefits of cardiac imaging to new healthcare settings NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, UltraSight , a digital health pioneer transforming cardiac imaging through the power of artificial intelligence, announced a partnership with point-of-care ultrasound innovator EchoNous, to enable more healthcare professionals to perform cardiac ultrasound and help increase patient access to cardiac care. The new collaboration was announced at ASE 2023, the premier event for bringing together echo professionals. "Empowering a greater number of healthcare professionals in more care settings to conduct cardiac ultrasound brings us one step closer to realizing our vision of making cardiac care more equitable for patients around the world," said UltraSight CEO Davidi Vortman. "We know that image quality is the key for achieving accurate patient diagnosis. This is why we are thrilled to collaborate with EchoNous, which provides superior image quality and offers one of the most advanced handheld ultrasound systems available on the market." UltraSight's real-time AI guidance software will be integrated with EchoNous' KOSMOS handheld ultrasound device with the goal of enabling chronic cardiac patient monitoring to be done closer to patients. Fusing together these joint capabilities, the goal is for healthcare professionals with no prior sonography training to be able to accurately conduct echocardiographic examinations. UltraSight will present its pivotal study results and EchoNous will be exhibiting at the American Society of Echocardiography's 34th Annual Scientific Sessions held on June 23-26, 2023 in National Harbor, Maryland. UltraSight's study, which is the basis for the company's FDA submission, demonstrates that novice users with real-time AI guidance software were able to successfully acquire diagnostic quality cardiac ultrasound images. "UltraSight's AI solution in conjunction with our own AI technology will help widespread use and adoption to provide Echocardiology exams in any location or setting," said Graham Cox, CEO of EchoNous. "With this partnership, we will work toward offering remote clinicians the tools they need to make lifesaving diagnoses, cardiac monitoring and potentially improve cardiac care for patients in rural areas." EchoNous released the groundbreaking Kosmos handheld ultrasound device in 2020 and has continued refining the platform since then. Available on iOS, Android and its own proprietary system, the AI-enhanced Kosmos ultrasound system boasts capabilities and image quality that is comparable to cart-based systems at a lower cost. A partnership with UltraSight can provide complementary AI guidance that further enhances Kosmos' AI offering. "Providing more professionals in the medical community with the ability to take high-quality diagnostic images of the heart has the potential to yield enormous clinical benefits," said Dr. Peter J. Fitzgerald, MD, PhD, at Stanford University. "Not only do we have a chance to close the gap between novice and skilled ultrasound users, but this new technology may help alleviate the bottleneck related to sonographer shortages that continues to plague today's healthcare system." When paired with the EchoNous Kosmos, UltraSight's underlying AI neural network predicts the position of the ultrasound probe relative to the heart based on the ultrasound video stream and guides the user on maneuvering the probe to capture diagnostic quality cardiac images. After acquiring diagnostic-quality cardiac images at the point of care, images can then be read remotely. By separating the acquisition and interpretation of ultrasound images, UltraSight technology has the potential to improve access to optimized cardiac care and more cost-effective heart monitoring opportunities. The UltraSight real-time AI guidance software is currently under FDA 510(k) review. For more information on UltraSight, visit www.ultrasight.com . For more information about the Kosmos ultrasound system, visit www.EchoNous.com. About EchoNous Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, EchoNous creates transformative handheld point-of-care ultrasound solutions by infusing premium ultrasound performance with industry-leading AI educational tools providing more clinicians with increased information more quickly. For more information, visit www.echonous.com. About UltraSight UltraSight's real-time AI guidance software aims to bring the benefits of cardiac imaging to more healthcare professionals in multiple care settings and allow patients easier access to cardiac care. UltraSight achieved CE Marking for its real-time guidance software for cardiac ultrasound in the EU, and UKCA Marking in the UK. The UltraSight software is currently under FDA review and is pending a 510(k) clearance. In 2022, UltraSight won the Bristol Myers Squibb Improving Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Challenge as the most "innovative cardiac technology." Additionally, the company was awarded a patent for its real-time guidance solution for ultrasound devices. For more news and information, visit our website or follow UltraSight on LinkedIn and Twitter . SOURCE UltraSight CHICAGO, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global underfloor heating market is expected to grow from USD 5.1 billion in 2023 to USD 7.4 billion by 2028, registering a CAGR of 7.5% according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Underfloor heating has grown significantly due to its energy efficiency, comfort, design flexibility, zoning capabilities, improved indoor air quality, technological advancements, environmental sustainability, and retrofitting opportunities. These factors have fueled its popularity in residential and commercial applications. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=167464533 Browse in-depth TOC on "Underfloor Heating Market" 150 Tables 55 Figures 210 Pages Underfloor Heating Market Report Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $5.1 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $7.4 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% 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 Hydronic, Electric, Subsystem, Offering, Application and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Limited size and shape capabilities of Underfloor heating Key Market Opportunities IoT-enabled underfloor heating systems Key Market Drivers Stringent building codes The services segment is expected to register a higher CAGR during the forecast period. Underfloor heating services mainly include installation, repair, and maintenance. Services can be provided on the retrofitted or new installations of underfloor heating systems in residential, commercial, or industrial sectors. The high demand for underfloor heating from infrastructural development in North America and Europe is a critical factor driving the growth of the underfloor heating market. Increasing demand for smart homes in Europe is another factor contributing to the growth of this segment. Electric underfloor heating to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Electric underfloor heating systems are primarily used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The deployment of components such as heating mats in new and retrofit installations of electric underfloor heating systems is increasing. Consequently, the demand for installation, repair, and maintenance services of electric underfloor systems is also rising. However, the lower growth rate of the services market for electric underfloor heating systems is due to the rising use of DIY systems. Also, these systems are readily available through online channels, thereby giving an extended scope to be installed by the users, eliminating the need for any service provider. Residential application to hold the largest market share in the year 2022. The high growth of the underfloor heating market for residential applications can be attributed to the growing awareness about the benefits of underfloor heating systems used in residential properties. The high growth rate of the underfloor heating industry for residential applications is mainly accounted for by residents' growing home renovation activities in many developed nations. Underfloor heating is considered ideal for new buildings and residential structures and also becoming more popular for renovations because of the development of innovative technology implemented in the products in this segment. The growing modern design trend has motivated consumers to create a clean and uncluttered look throughout their homes. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=167464533 Europe is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the Underfloor Heating Market from 2023 to 2028 Europe accounted for the largest share of the underfloor heating market in 2022. The market in this region is growing because Europe is moving toward a low-carbon economy and is focused on implementing energy efficiency policies. Also, higher levels of insulation, driven by regulatory requirements and government initiatives, contribute to a reduction in the overall heating load, making underfloor heating a more practical and efficient heating solution in Europe. Key players operating in the Underfloor Heating Companies include Uponor Corporation (Finland), Resideo Technologies Inc. (US), nVent Electric Plc (UK), Warmup (UK), Rehau Ltd (Switzerland), Emerson Electric Co. (US), Robert Bosch Gmbh (Germany), Danfoss (Denmark), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan), Siemens Ag (Germany), Schneider Electric (France), Incognito Heat Co. (Scotland). Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=167464533 Browse Adjacent Market: Semiconductor and Electronics Market Research Reports &Consulting Related Reports: HVAC System Market by Cooling Equipment (Unitary Air Conditioners, VRF Systems), Heating Equipment (Heat Pumps, Furnaces), Ventilation Equipment (AHUs, Air Filters), Implementation Type, Application and Region - Global Forecast to 2028 HVAC Controls Market by Component (Sensors, Controllers, and Controlled Equipment), System, Implementation Type (New Construction, Retrofit), Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial) and Region - Global Forecast to 2027 District Heating Market by Heat Source (Coal, Natural Gas, Renewables, Oil & Petroleum Products), Component (Boiler, Heat Exchanger), Plant Type (Boiler Plants, CHP), Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial) and Region - Global Forecast to 2027 Electric Heat Tracing Market by Type (Self-regulating, Constant Wattage, Mineral-insulated, Skin Effect), Application (Freeze Protection & Process Temperature Maintenance, Roof & Gutter De-icing), Vertical and Region - Global Forecast to 2027 Building Automation System Market Size, Share & Industry Growth Analysis Report by Offering (Facility Management Systems, Security & Access Controls, Fire Protection Systems, BEM Software, BAS Services), Communication Technology (Wireless, Wired), Application and Region - Global Growth Driver and Industry Forecast to 2027 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/underfloor-heating-market.asp Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/underfloor-heating.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Uzbekistan's Senate approved the Law on Ratification of the Treaty between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan on the demarcation of the Uzbek-Kazakh state border during the forty-second plenary session, Trend reports. During the discussions, the senators emphasized that Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are close neighbors and longstanding strategic partners. In recent years, a new era of cooperation has begun between the two countries, with rapid developments in political, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian, and other spheres. Furthermore, it was noted that the document holds special significance as it was signed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on December 21, 2022, during his state visit to Uzbekistan. According to the treaty, the length of the demarcated State Border between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan is over 2,356 km. The treaty marks the completion of the work on determining the Uzbek-Kazakh State Border, thus creating vital conditions for its security and inviolability. Undoubtedly, the ratification of the treaty contributes to the further strengthening and expansion of multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. NEW YORK , June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The private tutoring market size in the US is set to grow by USD 20,479.88 million from 2022 to 2027. The growth momentum will progress at a CAGR of 9.65% during the forecast period, according to Technavio. The private tutoring market in the US is fragmented, and the vendors are seeking strong partnerships with automotive, industrial, and commercial companies to compete in the market. American Tutor Inc., ArborBridge LLC, Boston Tutoring Services, Chegg Inc., Club Z Inc., Coursera Inc., Graham Holdings Co., Growing Stars Inc., Huntington Mark LLC, IXL Learning Inc., John Wiley and Sons Inc., Mathnasium LLC, Pearson Plc, Superprof SAS, Sylvan Learning LLC, Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd., Tutor Doctor, TutorMe LLC, Tutors International Ltd., and Varsity Tutors LLC are some of the major market participants -. To know about the vendor offerings - Request a sample report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled US Private Tutoring Market Private Tutoring Market in the US 2023-2027: Scope Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The private tutoring market in the US report covers the following areas: The private tutoring market in US is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate. The growing emphasis on STEM education will offer immense growth opportunities. However, the availability of open-source material will hamper the market growth. Private Tutoring Market in the US 2023-2027: Drivers & Challenges One of the key factors notably driving the market growth of the private tutoring market in the US is the growing emphasis on STEM education. STEM education implicates the integration of core disciplines such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into a unified learning model through the use of practical, application-based learning. Due to the rapid growth in employment prospects in industries related to disciplines such as science and technology over the last few years, STEM education is increasingly being incorporated into various educational institutions. However, higher educational institutions that offer STEM programs are increasingly considering grades, courses undertaken, and STEM-related extracurricular activities such as robotics while selecting students. Several vendors in the market offer personalized tutoring services for STEM subjects to students. Therefore, the growing significance of STEM education is expected to drive the growth of the market during the forecast period. The availability of open-source material will be a major challenge that may impede the private tutoring market growth in the US during the forecast period. Private tutoring vendors in the US, such as Club Z! and Kaplan, offer tutoring services across a range of subjects for a fee. Moreover, several providers such as Coursera, edX, Udacity, and FutureLearn offer massive open online courses (MOOCs) with learning flexibility in terms of accessibility and course duration. Though certain MOOCs charge a nominal fee for delivering course certification, open-source educational content is generally available free of cost. The popularity of MOOCs in the US is growing due to their highly dynamic and robust curriculum. Students and parents are increasingly viewing open-source learning as a cost-effective alternative to private tutoring services, due to the high costs involved in availing of private tutoring services. Therefore, the rising popularity of MOOCs and open-source learning is expected to hinder the growth of the tutoring services market in the US To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a PDF sample Private Tutoring Market in the US 2023-2027: Segment Analysis Type Curriculum-based Learning Test Preparation Learning Method Online, Blended Classroom-based Private Tutoring Market in the US 2023-2027: Segmentation Highlights The market share growth by the Curriculum-based learning segment will be significant during the forecast period. With the advent of digitization, many teachers and educational institutions are opting for online and blended modes of testing for curriculum-based learning. Thus, they are entering into collaborations with various vendors that provide digital testing and assessment solutions for the K-12 industry. Hence, there is a substantial opportunity for vendors to capitalize on the growth potential of this segment. Vendors include CAT, fixed-form tests, and rubric-based assessments. Therefore, the above-mentioned factors indicate that the curriculum-based learning segment is expected to witness moderate growth during the forecast period. 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, and growth in market share, among others Buy the Report Private Tutoring Market in the US 2023-2027: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2023-2027 Detailed information on factors that will assist the private tutoring market in its growth during the next five years Estimation of the private tutoring market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behaviour The growth of the private tutoring market across the US Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of the private tutoring market vendors in US Get Instant access to 17000+ market research report Technavio's Subscription Platform Related Reports: The K-12 online tutoring market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 12.34% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 97.66 billion. This report extensively covers market segmentation by type (structured tutoring and on-demand tutoring) and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America). The growing importance of STEM education is the key factor driving the global K-12 online tutoring market growth. The online higher education market size in the US is expected to increase by USD 33.35 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 19.82%. This report extensively covers the online higher education market in the US segmentation by subjects (commerce and management, STEM, Arts, and others) and courses (non-degree courses and degree courses). The collaborations between enterprises and educational institutions are one of the key drivers supporting the online higher education market growth in the US. Private Tutoring Market Scope in US Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 9.65% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 20,479.88 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 8.86 Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled American Tutor Inc., ArborBridge LLC, Boston Tutoring Services, Chegg Inc., Club Z Inc., Coursera Inc., Graham Holdings Co., Growing Stars Inc., Huntington Mark LLC, IXL Learning Inc., John Wiley and Sons Inc., Mathnasium LLC, Pearson Plc, Superprof SAS, Sylvan Learning LLC, Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd., Tutor Doctor, TutorMe LLC, Tutors International Ltd., and Varsity Tutors LLC Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for the forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Table of Content 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Country Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Learning Method Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 07: Parent market Exhibit 08: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 09: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 10: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 11: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 12: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 13: Chart on US: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 14: Data Table on US: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Private tutoring market in US 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 15: Historic Market Size Data Table on Private tutoring market in US 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 16: Historic Market Size Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 Learning method Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 17: Historic Market Size Learning method Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 18: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 19: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 20: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 21: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 22: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 23: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 24: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by Type 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 25: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 26: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 27: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 28: Data Table on Comparison by Type 6.3 Curriculum-based learning - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 29: Chart on Curriculum-based learning - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 30: Data Table on Curriculum-based learning - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 31: Chart on Curriculum-based learning - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 32: Data Table on Curriculum-based learning - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Test preparation - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 33: Chart on Test preparation - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 34: Data Table on Test preparation - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 35: Chart on Test preparation - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 36: Data Table on Test preparation - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 37: Market opportunity by Type ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by Learning Method 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 38: Chart on Learning Method - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Learning Method - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Learning Method Exhibit 40: Chart on Comparison by Learning Method Exhibit 41: Data Table on Comparison by Learning Method 7.3 Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 42: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 44: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Blended - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 46: Chart on Blended - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 47: Data Table on Blended - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 48: Chart on Blended - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Blended - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Classroom-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 50: Chart on Classroom-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 51: Data Table on Classroom-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 52: Chart on Classroom-based - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Classroom-based - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.6 Market opportunity by Learning Method Exhibit 54: Market opportunity by Learning Method ($ million) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 55: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 9.1 Market drivers 9.2 Market challenges 9.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 56: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 9.4 Market trends 10 Vendor Landscape 10.1 Overview 10.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 57: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 10.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 58: Overview on factors of disruption 10.4 Industry risks Exhibit 59: Impact of key risks on business 11 Vendor Analysis 11.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 60: Vendors covered 11.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 61: Matrix on vendor position and classification 11.3 ArborBridge LLC Exhibit 62: ArborBridge LLC - Overview Exhibit 63: ArborBridge LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 64: ArborBridge LLC - Key offerings 11.4 Boston Tutoring Services Exhibit 65: Boston Tutoring Services - Overview Exhibit 66: Boston Tutoring Services - Product / Service Exhibit 67: Boston Tutoring Services - Key offerings 11.5 Chegg Inc. Exhibit 68: Chegg Inc. - Overview Exhibit 69: Chegg Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 70: Chegg Inc. - Key news Exhibit 71: Chegg Inc. - Key offerings 11.6 Club Z Inc. Exhibit 72: Club Z Inc. - Overview Exhibit 73: Club Z Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 74: Club Z Inc. - Key offerings 11.7 Coursera Inc. Exhibit 75: Coursera Inc. - Overview Exhibit 76: Coursera Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 77: Coursera Inc. - Key news Exhibit 78: Coursera Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 79: Coursera Inc. - Segment focus 11.8 Graham Holdings Co. Exhibit 80: Graham Holdings Co. - Overview Exhibit 81: Graham Holdings Co. - Business segments Exhibit 82: Graham Holdings Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 83: Graham Holdings Co. - Segment focus 11.9 Growing Stars Inc. Exhibit 84: Growing Stars Inc. - Overview Exhibit 85: Growing Stars Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 86: Growing Stars Inc. - Key offerings 11.10 Huntington Mark LLC Exhibit 87: Huntington Mark LLC - Overview Exhibit 88: Huntington Mark LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 89: Huntington Mark LLC - Key offerings 11.11 IXL Learning Inc. Exhibit 90: IXL Learning Inc. - Overview Exhibit 91: IXL Learning Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 92: IXL Learning Inc. - Key offerings 11.12 John Wiley and Sons Inc. Exhibit 93: John Wiley and Sons Inc. - Overview Exhibit 94: John Wiley and Sons Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 95: John Wiley and Sons Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 96: John Wiley and Sons Inc. - Segment focus 11.13 Mathnasium LLC Exhibit 97: Mathnasium LLC - Overview Exhibit 98: Mathnasium LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 99: Mathnasium LLC - Key offerings 11.14 Pearson Plc Exhibit 100: Pearson Plc - Overview Exhibit 101: Pearson Plc - Business segments Exhibit 102: Pearson Plc - Key offerings Exhibit 103: Pearson Plc - Segment focus 11.15 Superprof SAS Exhibit 104: Superprof SAS - Overview Exhibit 105: Superprof SAS - Product / Service Exhibit 106: Superprof SAS - Key offerings 11.16 Sylvan Learning LLC Exhibit 107: Sylvan Learning LLC - Overview Exhibit 108: Sylvan Learning LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 109: Sylvan Learning LLC - Key offerings 11.17 Varsity Tutors LLC Exhibit 110: Varsity Tutors LLC - Overview Exhibit 111: Varsity Tutors LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 112: Varsity Tutors LLC - Key offerings 12 Appendix 12.1 Scope of the report 12.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 113: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 114: Exclusions checklist 12.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 115: Currency conversion rates for US$ 12.4 Research methodology Exhibit 116: Research methodology Exhibit 117: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 118: Information sources 12.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 119: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base 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 BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. In order to preserve and safeguard forests, the Kyrgyz Republic allocated significant funds of 90.8 million Kyrgyz som ($1.03 million) from its budget for the year 2023, Trend reports. According to the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic, these funds will be dedicated to financing a range of essential activities aimed at ensuring the longevity and sustainability of the country's forests. The allocated budget will be distributed as follows: - A substantial portion of 68.3 million Kyrgyz som ($779,769) have been allocated for silvicultural activities (tree nursery operations, tree harvesting operations, reforestation, tree thinning, prescribed burning, and pest and fire control); - A total of 19.2 million Kyrgyz som ($219,203) have been allocated for firefighting measures; - Additionally, 3.3 million Kyrgyz som ($37,675) have been allocated for forest protection initiatives. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Washington, June 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to allay concerns in the US Congress about India's position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine by reiterating his public and direct message to Russian President Vladimir Putin: that "this is not an era of war" but of dialogue and diplomacy. The standing ovation that followed showed members of the Congress had wanted to hear that assurance from the Prime Minister as many among them, including stanch and steady friends of the bilateral relationship had expressed concern with India's refusal to condemn Russia and said the time had come for India to choose which side it wanted to be on. Modi also spoke at length about India's commitment to democracy, which was another issue of concern for the lawmaker, more than 70 of whom wrote a joint letter to US President Joe Biden this week urging him to raise issues of democracy, religious and press freedom in India. The Prime Minister also, however, proceeded to bunch the rule of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals with that of the British empire, calling them together as "thousand years of foreign rule", in the context of the 75th anniversary of Indian independence in 2022. Modi became today the first Indian Prime Minister to address a joint session of the US Congress twice, calling it an "exceptional privilege". He spoke in English, reading from a teleprompter, to repeated applause from the floor and the packed visitors gallery, which frequently cheered him by chanting "Modi, Modi" and, finally, "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai". Modi described the Russian invasion of Ukraine one of "deeply disruptive developments" in recent years when "war returned to Europe". He said the Global South was deeply affected. "The global order is based on the respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Prime Minister said to loud applause from the lawmakers. "As I have said directly, and publicly. This is not an era of war," Modi went on to say, to even louder and longer applause, with whoops, adding, "But it is one of dialogue and diplomacy. And we all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering." Modi was referring to his remarks in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, at a joint media availability with Russian President Vladimir Putin. With a bank of TV cameras trained on the two leaders, Modi had told Putin that "this was not an era of war". The comment reverberated around world capitals and probably the loudest in here in Washington D.C. This US Congress has approved billions of dollars of defence supplies requisitioned by the Biden administration for Ukraine and though some lawmakers have begun to question these expenses, the body as a whole remains deeply committed to helping Ukraine for, as Biden has said, "as long as it takes". The Prime Minister also sought to address another concern many lawmakers have had, publicly and privately, about, what they see as a backslide of democracy in India, with targeting of religious minorities, crackdown on dissent and press freedom. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Senator Chris Van Hollen led a joint letter signed by more than 70 members of Congress urging Biden to raise these issues in his conversations with Modi. Democratic Senator Mark Warner, who is a co-chair of the India Caucus, had also said he would like to see the Prime Minister to express "commitment, recommitment" to democracy. "Democracy is one of sacred and shared values," Modi said and went on to add, "Democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity; democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse; democracy is a culture that gives wings to thoughts and expression." India is blessed to have such values from times immemorial. "In evolution of the democratic spirit," he said, "India is the mother of democracy." The Prime Minister read a Sanskrit phrase in support of his contention, which, he said, meant "truth is one but the wise express it in a different ways". Shamli : , June 23 (IANS) Two police constables and five others have been booked for allegedly cheating a Shamli-based man of Rs 2.5 lakh by claiming to provide huge returns on the investment, police said. The case came to light when Shubham Kumar, a resident of Panjokhara village in Shamli, filed a complaint in this regard. Shamli Superintendent of Police (SP), Abhishek ordered a thorough investigation leading to the registration of a case against seven individuals, including the two police personnel, based on the victim's complaint. Shubham alleged that he was approached by one Deepak Kumar, a resident of Rashidgarh village in the district, and an acquaintance who introduced him to Mohammad Javed. The accused duo deceived Shubham by offering a scheme to double his money within two days. Shubham handed over Rs 2.5 lakh between May 27 and June 1 in instalments. Later, Deepak and Sarfaraz invited Shubham to sit in their car on June 1 and drove towards Lalukheri village on the Shamli-Muzaffarnagar road. According to the complainant, upon arrival, he was handed a bag supposedly filled with cash. However, the situation took a dramatic turn as two police officers arrived at the scene, interrogated everyone present, and absconded with the confiscated amount after assaulting them. SP Abhishek said that based on the victim's complaint, a case has been registered against seven accused at the Babri police station under IPC sections 311 (Punishment of a thug), 323 (Causing hurt), 506 (Criminal intimidation), and 34 (Criminal act done by several persons in furtherance of common intention). "Two of the accused, identified as Javed and Jatin, have been arrested, while the remaining suspects are currently absconding," he added. "Two police personnel, constables Mayan Kumar and Pravesh Kumar, posted at Babri police station, have also been implicated in the case. They have been immediately suspended, and a departmental inquiry and disciplinary action is being initiated against them," the SP said. San Francisco, June 23 : One person was killed in a shooting two days ago in the Uptown district of Oakland, in the western US state of California, police said. Arriving officers provided medical treatment to the victim until medics arrived. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital but died of the gunshot wound, according to police on Thursday. The victim's identification was not immediately released. Homicide investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and have made no arrests, Xinhua news agency reported. The killing is the 51st homicide investigated by Oakland police this year, The Mercury News reported on Thursday. Lucknow, June 23 : The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), a key ally of the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, will not be attending the opposition meeting in Patna on Friday. The RLD spokesman Anil Dubey said that owing to his prior engagement abroad, RLD President Jayant Chaudhary will not be attending the opposition meeting in Patna. The party, however, said it had extended "full support" and "commitment" to the united opposition meeting. Dubey added that "our alliance leader is Akhilesh Yadav and he would be present there". Asked if the RLD would send a representative, he said that the meeting would mainly be attended by parties' national presidents. Jayant, in a letter, has already informed the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar that he will not be able to attend the meet because of "personal reasons". But, Jayant said, he hoped that the meet would prove to be "decisive" in bolstering the opposition unity. "Opposition unity is the need of the hour given the threat posed by the communal forces to the democratic set up," he had said, insisting that the opposition should initiate the process of dialogue and come up with a practical and visionary scheme. Moscow, June 23 : Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and visiting Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, have agreed to deepen bilateral relations. During the talks held in Moscow, the two parties confirmed their mutual intention to intensify a political dialogue and build up contacts between economic and investment departments, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday in a statement. The officials underlined the importance of maintaining stable positive dynamics of bilateral trade, Xinhua news agency reported. They also discussed the situation in Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Sudan and Palestine, and agreed to continue close coordination of the approaches of Moscow and Doha in order to promote a long-term comprehensive settlement of regional conflicts. In addition, the two sides discussed measures to ensure stability in the Persian Gulf and to create a stable system of collective security in this strategically important region, according to the press statement. Jerusalem, June 23 : Israel has detected a case of monkeypox disease for the first time in 2023, the country's Health Ministry said in a statement. A man in his 50s who travelled from Portugal to Israel contracted the disease despite being vaccinated against the virus, the Ministry noted on Thursday. According to the Ministry, vaccinated people may contract the disease if others around them have a high viral load. An epidemiological investigation revealed that no other people had contact with the man and were exposed to the virus, Xinhua news agency reported. The Ministry advised anybody who had travelled abroad and then returned home with a fever and a blistering rash to see a doctor. Between May and October last year, 262 monkeypox cases were diagnosed in Israel. Since then, no other cases have been reported until the present one. Tehran, June 23 : Iran and the UAE have highlighted the necessity to strengthen mutual coordination and elevate the level of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the trade and economic sectors. During their meeting in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on Thursday, visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed bilateral ties as well as regional and global developments, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. They also exchanged views on the political, economic, trade, cultural and consular dimensions of the two countries' relations, expressing satisfaction with the growth in bilateral ties, Xinhua news agency reported. They agreed that it was essential to implement initiatives to enhance regional cooperation for the common interests of the region's countries and peoples. During the meeting, Amir-Abdollahian extended Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's invitation to the UAE President for a visit to the Iranian capital of Tehran, which was accepted by the UAE leader. The UAE President also invited Raisi to visit his country. Amir-Abdollahian arrived in the UAE on Wednesday after wrapping up his visit to Kuwait. The UAE is the last leg of his four-nation tour of the region's Arab states which also took him to Qatar and Oman. New York, June 23 : Asserting that Immigration needs to be merit-based and not dictated by arbitrary caps, Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar announced that he will be co-sponsoring a bill on eliminating visa backlogs. Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2023, the bipartisan bill introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year, seeks to effectively utilise the employment-based visas that are allocated each year under existing federal immigration law. "Proud to co-sponsor the H.R. 1535 Eliminating Backlogs Act of 2023, bipartisan legislation which increases employment-based immigration visas. Immigration needs to be merit-based, not dictated by arbitrary caps," Thanedar tweeted on Thursday. The Congressman had earlier said that the long Green Card backlog is creating hardships for skilled workers, including Indians, at a time when American businesses need more immigrants. According to estimates, there are only six available workers for every 10 job openings in the US. The bill, introduced by Congressmen Larry Bucshon and Raja Krishnamoorthi on March 10, would recapture the unused employment-based Green Cards accumulated over the past three decades, going back to 1992 when the current Green Card allotment system took effect. Unused Green Cards are the ones left unissued due to bureaucratic delays and slow USCIS processing. In addition, the bill would exempt these recaptured Green Cards from the 7 per cent per-country cap. As a consequence of numerical limits, per-country caps, and administrative delays, the employment-based Green Card backlog reached 1.6 million by the end of Fiscal Year 2022, according to National Immigration Forum. The US sets aside 140,000 employment-based green cards for skilled, unskilled, and professional workers from all around the world every year. In addition to the numerical limit, Congress has put a limit on the maximum number of Green Cards that can be allocated to nationals of a particular country. As per the existing federal law, individuals from any one country cannot be issued more than 7 per cent of the total number of Green Cards each year. The existence of these per-country caps means that individuals from countries with high numbers of Green Card applicants, such as India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines, face backlogs lasting years or even decades. This rendering shows what the proposed Boys and Girls Club facility in Aurora could look like. (Boys and Girls Club/HANDOUT) Aurora officials are stressing that the possible construction of a Boys and Girls Club on land across from Garfield Park is still in the exploratory phase. Aldermen are set to vote Tuesday on a memorandum of understanding that would allow the Boys and Girls Club of Aurora, a local chapter of the national organization, to look at a vacant site near Garfield Park for a 45,000-square-foot clubhouse. Advertisement At some point, if both the city and the club agree, the city could donate the land for the facility. The Boys and Girls Club of Aurora would raise the money and pay for the construction and operation. The proposal is not to yet enter into a donation, that would come later, said Alex Alexandrou, the citys chief management officer. This is just the first step. Advertisement The site is an empty green space just to the east of Garfield Park, roughly surrounded by Michels Avenue, Sheffer Road, Ohio Street and Lehnertz Avenue, in the Pigeon Hill neighborhood. The Boys and Girls Club of Aurora, which is being sponsored by the existing club in Elgin, would serve 450 youths, according to Larry Henderson, representing the Boys and Girls Club. The Aurora clubhouse would include a recreation center with a gym, track and stage, a library, a sensory room, a STEM lab, a game room, a teen center, a workforce development center, an art room and a commercial kitchen and cafe. Henderson stressed that the Boys and Girls Club facility would be a multi-purpose community center with space available for other organizations to share. We are not here to take anything from anybody at all, he said. We partner. We have a track record of sharing with our brothers and sisters. He said Aurora is the largest city in Illinois to not have a Boys and Girls Club. Were here just because that makes sense, he said. Not everyone is convinced the potential location makes sense, though. Theresa Michaels, a Lehnertz Avenue resident, said while she thinks Aurora needs such a club, the location is not right. She said that area is not central to who youre going to serve, and said Lehnertz Avenue is in need of repairs and could not handle the traffic. Advertisement Why would anyone consider tearing up an open space? she said. She suggested club officials look at repurposing an existing empty building, such as the empty former grocery store and Auto Zone store at Smith and New York streets. Henderson said one of the reasons club officials are looking at the Garfield site is because its so beautiful. Our children should go to a piece of land that is beautiful, he said. We want them to be proud of this location. Alds. Juany Garza, 2nd Ward, and Emmanuel Llamas, 1st Ward, whose ward contains the location, said they like the proposal. Our kids need this, Garza said. Advertisement Llamas said if such a facility were around when some of his family members were growing up, it would have made all the difference in the world. While the organization is unsure if it would build in the location yet, it does already have five bids for the building between $18 million and $22 million, Henderson said. The club already has a presence in town with some programming in five Aurora schools. The Boys and Girls Club of Aurora already has started a fund-raising campaign and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. The local clubs Board of Directors includes 18 Aurora community members, including representatives from business, government and education. slord@tribpub.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Tajikistan's imports of plastic and plastic products from Turkiye in April 2023 significantly increased year-on-year, Trend reports. The Turkish Statistical Institute data shows that Tajikistan imported plastic and plastic products worth $3 million from Turkiye in April 2023. This amount represents an 81 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022, when the imports amounted to $1.7 million. In January 2023 Tajikistan imported from Turkiye plastic products for $4.2 million, in February 2023 - for $1.8 million, and in March 2023 for $4 million. Overall, Tajikistan imported from Turkiye this type of products for $13.2 million from January through April 2023, which is a twofold growth compared to $6.3 million in the same period of 2022. The trade turnover between the two countries reached $178.9 million from January through April 2023, increasing by 32.4 percent compared to the corresponding period in 2022($135.1 million). During this period, Turkiye's exports to Tajikistan made up a total of $123.5 million, while imports from Tajikistan accounted for $55.3 million. Lucknow, June 23 : The Islamic Centre of India in Lucknow has issued an advisory, asking Muslims not to share pictures of animal sacrifice on social media during Eid-ul-Azha, or Bakri Eid. The advice was given in respect to the religious sentiments of other communities. Bakrid will be celebrated on June 29 across the country and in his advisory, the chairman of the Islamic Centre, Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali, said the community must ensure that only those animals are sacrificed on which there is no legal restriction. "Legal provisions should be kept in mind while performing sacrifice. Cleanliness must be ensured and photos or videos of sacrifice should not be made or shared on social media," said the cleric, who is also the Imam of Lucknow Eidgah. "Sacrifice should not be done in any open space or by roadside and public places. No animal waste should be thrown on roads or public places after sacrifice but kept inside municipal dustbins. We must respect the religious sentiments of others while performing sacrifice. Those performing sacrifice should ensure that blood of sacrificial animals is not poured out on the drains." The cleric said in his advisory that the "the distribution of animal meat should be done after packing it properly and one third of the sacrifice meat must be distributed among poor and needy". Lucknow, June 23 : The three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) which was set up to probe the murder of gangster Sanjeev Maheshwari Jeeva in a Lucknow court, has failed to submit its report even after the expiry of the extended deadline that has now ended. A senior police official said the SIT had completed its inquiry, but was not sure when the report will be submitted. The process of recording the statements of police personnel deployed to bring Jeeva from Lucknow district jail to the court and some other cops deployed to ensure security of the court had already been done, he added. On June 7, the Uttar Pradesh government had constituted the SIT headed by Additional DGP (technical) Mohit Agarwal, with Lucknow's Joint Commissioner of Police (crime) Nilabja Choudhury and IG (Ayodhya range) Praveen Kumar. The team was initially given one week till June 14 to submit its report, but the deadline was extended to two weeks. The official said the recreation of the crime scene to understand the circumstances in which the shootout took place had also been done. The SIT had also visited the crime scene inside the SC/ST court at the old high court building, which is now part of the Lucknow district and sessions court premises. Gangster Jeeva was shot dead allegedly by one Vijay Yadav, 26, who entered the court in the guise of a lawyer. Three other people -- two head constables and an 18-month-old girl -- were injured in the shootout. London, June 23 : Kim Aris, the youngest son of Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has urged the army to release his mother who is currently in jail after she was handed a 33-year sentence in a series of trials following the coup that toppled her democratically-elected government in February 2021. Speaking to the BBC in London, Aris, a British national, said that "I can't let my mother languish in prison", and urged the global community to do more to help the 78-year-old Nobel Laureate. Aris claimed that the military has not given him any information about his mother and that despite contacting the Embassy of Myanmar in London, the British Foreign Office and the International Red Cross, there has been no help. "Before this, I didn't want to speak to the media or get involved too much," the 46-year-old told the BBC in his first-ever interview with international media. He had not spoken out when his mother was detained for nearly 15 years between 1989 and 2010. "It was better that I stayed out of politics. My mother never wanted me to be involved. But now that she has been sentenced, and the military are clearly not being reasonable, I think I can say what I want." Suu Kyi, who was under house arrest following the coup, was moved to solitary confinement last year in a prison in the capital Nay Pyi Taw. Almost no news of her has emerged in the last two years and she was also rumoured to have been ill, but the the military denied the reports. Aris also urged the international community to resolve the crisis in Myanmar, saying the international community "must start doing something, including putting a proper arms embargo on the military, and even supporting those who are trying to fight the military". Since the coup, Myanmar has spiralled into a civil war, which has so far killed tens of thousands of people. He also urged the world to provide "proper aid for the people of Burma who are going through such hard times... and have nobody supporting them, other than the people of Burma". Aris and his brother have been mostly separated from their mother since 1988, when Suu Kyi returned to Myanmar from the UK to care for her ailing mother. In 1991, when she could not leave Myanmar for fear of not being able to return, Aris, who was then 14 years old, received the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. She did not go back to see her husband before he died of cancer in 1999. Aris finally visited her in 2010 when she was released from detention. "The military will never win this war. It's just a matter of how much longer it goes on," he told the BBC ."The sooner they hand back power to my mother, and the democratically-elected government, the sooner things can start to progress in their country." New Delhi, June 23 : The Customs officers on Friday said that they have arrested a man at the Indira Gandhi International Airport for smuggling 1,078.63 grams of gold worth Rs 56,43,554 by concealing it in his rectum. According to officials, the accused was apprehended based on profiling. "He arrived at the IGI from Bangkok. He was intercepted after crossing the Green Channel and was approaching the exit gate of the International Arrival Hall. During a personal and baggage search, he admitted to having three oval-shaped capsules wrapped with black adhesive tape containing gold paste weighing 1252 grams concealed inside his rectum," said the official. The passenger voluntarily expelled the capsules himself, resulting in the recovery of 1078.63 grams of gold. "The seized gold has been confiscated under Section 110 of the Customs Act. The passenger has been placed under arrest in accordance with Section 104 of the Customs Act," said the official. Further details were awaited. Kanpur, June 23 : The parents of the medical student, who ended her life by suicide, have alleged that ragging in the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial medical college had driven her to take the drastic step. Tanya, 23, who had allegedly consumed toilet cleaner, died during treatment at the Lala Lajpat Rai hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur on Wednesday. The medical student's father Narendra Kumar, a sub-inspector in the state police department, told reporters that his daughter had informed him about ragging in the college. "About seven months ago, Tanya told me that some seniors in the college had cut her long hair. Two days before she was admitted to the Lala Lajpat Rai hospital, Tanya had told me that the college students used to make fun of her for some disability she had since birth," he said. Principal of GSVM Medical College, Dr Sanjay Kala said it was not a case of ragging. "If Tanya was facing any such problems, she or her parents should have complained to the college management," he said. The student was living in a rented house in Kalyanpur in the city away from her family, police said, adding they were awaiting a complaint in this regard for taking any action. On June 17, two youths had admitted her to the emergency ward of LLR in a critical condition. Both the youths had disappeared mysteriously after admitting her to the hospital. They told the doctors that she had consumed toilet cleaner. According to doctors, the woman's intestines suffered major complications. "Along with this, she died due to multiorgan failure," they added. Moscow, June 23 : Russia has claimed that Ukraine has attacked a key pair of bridges that links the southern region of the war-torn nation to the occupied Crimean Peninsula. According to Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-installed governor in Ukraine's occupied Kherson region, the parallel Chonhar bridges bridges were both damaged in the strike on Thursday using long-range British missiles, reports the BBC. In a video posted on social media, Saldo is seen walking around the wreckage, and says that the attack won't decide any results of the special operation". "Special operation" is the term used by Russia for its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The Mayor however admits that because of the attack, deliveries of food and other essentials will get a "little harder" since they will have to use another, longer route to the West through Armyansk and Perekop, which are closer to Ukrainian positions, CNN reported. The bridges are the shortest route from Crimea to the frontline in southern Ukraine. It is also an important link to the occupied city of Melitopol, which lies on the coastal route from the Russian border across southern Ukraine to Crimea. Melitopol is thought to be one of the targets of Ukraine's counter-offensive, which began in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia on June 10, the BBC rpeorted. Meanwhile, another Russian-installed official, Nikolai Lukashenko, said repairs could take weeks. Speaking to national TV, Ukrainian military spokeswoman Natalia Humeniuk said the army was aiming to disrupt Russia's supply routes and military intelligence official, Andriy Yusov, said more attacks would follow. Russian forces seized the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and then in February 2022 they invaded Ukraine's southern coastal region as well. Ukrainian forces have bombed Russian-controlled bridges in the region before. Last summer, in the weeks before they recaptured the city of Kherson on the east bank of the Dnipro river, they repeatedly attacked the Antonivskiy bridge to stop Russian forces bringing supplies from occupied Crimea. Then in October, a bridge across the Kerch Strait linking Crimea to Russia was put out of action for weeks in a deadly attack condemned by President Vladimir Putin called an "act of terrorism". Even now the Kerch bridge is not open to all traffic. New Delhi, June 23 : Before leaving for the meeting of the opposition parties in Patna, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said that he wanted all parties to fight unitedly to remove the BJP government from the Centre. He also said that the Congress will decide on the ordinance issue of Delhi before the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Speaking to the media before leaving for the first meeting of like-minded parties in Patna, Kharge said, "We all want to fight together against the BJP and our agenda is to remove the BJP government by fighting unitedly. "We want everyone to fight united and after going there we will get the opinion of everyone and a consensus will be reached. Rahul Gandhi has been trying for opposition unity and this meeting in Patna is part of that," Kharge asserted. To a question about Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's AAP threatening to walkout of the opposition meeting if they don't get support of Congress over ordinance, Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said, "I am not aware of this and he also knows that ordinance is not opposed outside. It is done in Parliament. "When the Parliament session begins then several parties decide on agenda on which issues they need to take up and what to leave. Even their party leaders attend the all-party meeting in Parliament. I don't know why they are publicizing this. Around 18 to 20 parties take decisions on what to oppose and support in Parliament. And we will take a decision on this (on supporting AAP against the Centre's ordinance) before the Parliament session," the Congress president added. The first meeting of the opposition parties is scheduled in Patna to bring the like-minded parties together ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting will be attended by several top opposition parties, including Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal(United), Rashtriya Janata Dal, DMK, JMM, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP and others. Besides Kharge, former Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi is also attending the meeting. San Francisco, June 23 : Tech giant Microsoft was planning to develop a separate version of Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) that won't be dependent on the premium Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. On Thursday, at the hearing regarding the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) versus Microsoft case, the FTC's attorney disclosed that the tech giant had been developing a "dedicated xCloud SKU" last year, reports The Verge. "Xbox would very much like to do it," Sarah Bond, head of Xbox creator experience, had said in September last year. The company's decision has now been strangely modified in response to regulatory concerns about cloud gaming. "We've continued to get more data about the success and the popularity of xCloud. We've gotten more clear on the costs related to it, and we have signed partnerships with others who provide those services," said Bond. This is a key part of the FTC versus Microsoft hearing because, according to the tech giant, xCloud is just a feature, not a specific market. Microsoft's claim that it's only a function is undermined if it intended to provide access in a way similar to Google Stadia. "We believe there is going to be 2 billion gamers in the world, and our goal is to reach every one of them," Kareem Choudhry, head of cloud gaming at Microsoft, had said when the company first started talking about xCloud in 2018. Meanwhile, in October 2022, Project Keystone, as Microsoft referred to it internally, was spotted on Xbox chief Phil Spencer's shelf. The device, which was supposed to be a dedicated Xbox streaming console, was delayed due to cost, according to a statement made by Spencer in November 2022. Additionally, the tech giant previously stated that by the end of 2022, Xbox Cloud Gaming would support the users' existing game library. However, that never happened, the report said. San Francisco, June 23 : US automaker Ford is preparing to cut more jobs as it directs more investments towards building electric vehicles (EVs). The fresh layoffs could be announced as soon as next week, according to The Wall Street Journal. The company laid off about 3,000 employees in August last year. Ford CEO Jim Farley has said that the automaker has more work to do than its competitors to get costs in line. "Ford Motor is preparing to initiate another round of layoffs in the coming weeks, according to people familiar with the matter, the latest in a broader effort by the automaker to streamline operations and reduce costs," the report mentioned. Last month, Ford Motor reached an agreement with Elon Musk-run Tesla that will provide Ford electric vehicle customers access to more than 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across the US and Canada, doubling the number of fast-chargers available to Ford EV customers starting spring 2024. In 2025, Ford will offer next-generation electric vehicles with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector built-in, eliminating the need for an adapter to access Tesla Superchargers. In August 2022, Ford laid off about 3,000 employees and contract workers, with the cuts primarily affecting staff in the US, Canada, and India. "Building this future requires changing and reshaping virtually all aspects of the way we have operated for more than a century. It requires focus, clarity and speed. And, as we have discussed in recent months, it means redeploying resources and addressing our cost structure, which is uncompetitive versus traditional and new competitors," the company had said in a memo. Overall, the company had reduced salaried workforce by about 2,000, as well as reducing agency personnel by about 1,000. Washington, June 23 : The FBI has launched a probe into an incident of Republican lawmakers in the US state of Tennessee receiving threatening letters containing a suspicious substance, officials said. In a statement, the FBI said that the letters were sent on Thursday to the lawmakers' offices inside the Cordell Hull state office building on the grounds of the state Capitol in Nashville, reports CNN. "Laboratory testing is ongoing but at this time has not indicated a risk to public safety. Additional testing will be needed to fully identify the unknown substance in the letters," the statement says. Also confirming the incident, the Tennessee House Republican Caucus said in a tweet on Thursday night: "TN House GOP leaders received letters containing an unknown substance. The letters contained obvious threats by a liberal activist specifically targeting us. 6th fl. of CHB remains on lockdown while 1st responders investigate. All employees & members in the building are safe." According to the FBI statement, the Bureau is probing a number of factors, including the number of letters sent; the person or people responsible for sending the letters; and the motive. "As this is an ongoing matter, we will not be commenting further regarding our steps or methods, but the public can be assured that law enforcement will continue to keep the public's safety as its top priority," it added. Earlier this month, Kansas legislators and public officials across the state received about 100 letters containing a white powder, officials said. The incident is currently under probe by the FBI and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Washington, June 23 : Despite the Beijing government warning of "consequences" for his remarks, US President Joe Biden has downplayed the impact of his comments comparing his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to a "dictator". Addressing a joint press conference alongside visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Biden on Thursday said that "I don't think it's had any real consequence" and called rejected concerns over worsening US-China ties as "hysteria", reports CNN. The President also said he expected to meet Xi in the near future, and suggested he would not going to tone down his rhetoric. "The idea of me choosing and avoiding saying what I think is facts with regard to the relationship with China is just not something I'm going to change very much." At a fundraiser in California on Tuesday, President 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 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," he said. In response, Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng on Wednesday "made serious representations and strong protests to senior officials of the White House and the US Department of State" about the remarks, which Beijing's Embassy in Washington called a "smear" that "seriously contradicts basic facts, breaches diplomatic etiquette, infringes on China's political dignity, runs counter to the commitments made by the US side, and undermines mutual trust". "We urge the US side to immediately take earnest actions to undo the negative impact and honour its own commitments. Otherwise, it will have to bear all the consequences," CNN quoted the Embassy as saying in a statement. Biden made the remarks just a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken became the highest ranking American official to meet Xi in Beijing. Blinken's meeting with Xi in Beijing on Monday was part of efforts to improve the strained relations between the two largest economies. On the outcome of the meeting, 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 for February. But it was postponed after the discovery of the suspected Chinese spy balloon. Los Angeles, June 23 : The rock band Foo Fighters are set to make an appearance at Glastonbury this weekend, reports 'Mirror.co.uk'. The American rock band - fronted by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl - are reportedly taking to the Pyramid stage at 6.10 p.m. on Friday evening. The slot is currently being held by a mysterious act called 'The Churnups', which was previously believed to have referred to band Pulp. As per 'Mirror.co.uk', it comes a year after Dave Grohl took to the Pyramid stage for a surprise appearance during Paul McCartney's headline set. Legendary artist David Hockney is also believed to have done the graphics for the band's performance, as they perform some of their greatest hits at the Worthy Farm music festival to hundreds of thousands of festival goers. Now, the Daily Mail claims the group are set to make an emotional performance at the gig after the death of their drummer, Taylor Hawkins. Fifty-year-old Hawkins was found dead last year in his luxury hotel room from a 'cardiovascular collapse' believed to be induced by a drug binge whilst the band was on tour in Columbia. Khartoum, June 23 : Violent clashes between the warring Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have continued in various areas of the capital Khartoum. The clashes mainly took place in eastern Khartoum, north of Bahri (Khartoum North) city, and west of Omdurman city, according to witnesses and resistance committees. "The clashes renewed today in the vicinity of the Burri neighbourhood, with warplanes flying over the area," Xinhua news agency quoted resistance committees of the neighborhood in Khartoum as saying in a statement on Thursday. "Cannon shells fell on several parts of Burri, and residential buildings were affected. No deaths or injuries are reported so far," the statement added. Witnesses said the Sudanese army's warplanes flew over the southern area of Omdurman, with intermittent clashes occurring in old neighborhoods of the city. Violent clashes also took place in the Al-Kadaro camp in Bahri, a major camp of the army, with explosions heard there, the witnesses added. Also on Thursday, Malik Agar, the deputy chairman of Sudan's Sovereign Council, declared the Sovereign Council's rejection of the initiative proposed by the African Union to resolve the Sudanese crisis, citing the suspension of Sudan's membership in the bloc. Agar also expressed reservations about the recent initiative from the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), saying IGAD was seeking to introduce the United Nations forces into Sudan and demilitarize Khartoum through its "occupation initiative", As the fighting continued, residents of Bahri were suffering from continued water shortage while those in southern Khartoum were facing food scarcity. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said in its report issued on Monday that the current crisis has worsened the already dire food insecurity in Sudan, with more people possibly plunged into famine. To scale up its response, the FAO urgently appealed for funding amounting to 95.4 million U.S. dollars to reach 15 million people in need, according to the report. About 2.5 million people have been displaced inside and outside of Sudan since the conflict broke out on April 15, according to an update of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. So far, the conflicts have left over 3,000 people dead and more than 6,000 injured, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry. New Delhi, June 23 : Oil marketing companies (OMCs) may have to cut petrol and diesel price by Rs 4-5 a litre from August onwards given the key state elections likely from November-December onwards. Though OMCs' FY24 P/B valuations appear reasonable, there exists significant uncertainty on earnings in the fuel marketing business given risk of OPEC+ strong pricing power driving high crude price during the next election-heavy 9-12 months, JM Financial Institutional Securities said in a research. Hence, optimism on OMCs will be contingent on crude sustaining below USD 80/bbl and government fully compensating for FY23 fuel under-recoveries. OMCs valuations appear reasonable but sharp jump in crude price during elections could pose risk to OMCs marketing earnings, the report said. However, OMCs marketing segment earnings could come under risk if Brent crude price jumps above OMCs break-even crude price of USD 85/barrel or if any fuel price cut is followed by rise in crude price, as reversal of fuel price cut might be unlikely during the election period. Upside risk to crude price exists as we believe OPEC+ will continue to support Brent crude price at USD 75-80/bbl, which is the fiscal break-even crude price for Saudi Arabia, given their strong pricing power, the report said. OMCs may be asked to cut petrol/diesel price by Rs 4-5/ltr from August onwards given the key state elections likely from November - December onwards. Media reports suggest that the oil ministry may nudge OMCs to cut petrol/diesel prices as OMCs' balance sheet has largely got repaired and are likely to report strong profits in 1QFY24; however, the reports didn't mention the likely timeline and quantum of possible cuts as it will depend on level at which crude price and INR/USD exchange rate stabilises. "Our calculation suggests that OMCs can potentially cut petrol/diesel prices by Rs 4-5/ltr from August'23 onwards, based on current crude price/product cracks, given the series of elections in the next 12 months (starting November - December'23)", the report said. The latest IEA report presents a completely grim picture for the refiners. Spare global refinery capacity is likely to reach 8 million bopd by CY28 amid capacity additions, slowing oil demand from transportation sector and competition from non-refined products, Motilal Oswal Financial Services said in a note. China will play a key role in balancing the global refined product market as 44 per cent of the upcoming capacity during the next six years and 40 per cent of global spare capacity in CY28 will be concentrated in China. Oversupply may lead to a glut of refined products in global markets that may weaken refining margins structurally over the medium term. IOCL will be the most hit by declining GRMs due to its highest refining leverage among OMCs, the research said. (Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in) New Delhi, June 23 : An abscoding history-sheeter involved in 20 criminal cases registered across the city, was arrested from Dabri area in the national capital, an official said on Friday. The accused was identified as Manish Kalawat alias Kana (25), a resident of Sultanpuri and a native of Kotputli, Rajasthan. According to Delhi Police's Crime Branch, a specific input was received that Kalawat, a thief of the Sultanpuri area, who was absconding since two years and declared a proclaimed offender in three cases, would come near Dabri Chowk, Dabri and could be apprehended from there. "Acting on the inputs, a trap was laid near the Dabri Chowk and Kalawat was apprehended," said Ravindra Singh Yadav, the Special Commissioner of Police (Crime). On interrogation, it was revealed that he is previously involved in more than 20 cases of robbery, snatching and theft among others." He started snatching after getting inspiration from the movie 'Dhoom' and soon embarked upon a spree of snatching and robbery incidents. He used to steal racing motorcycles and execute snatching/robbery incidents, said the Special CP. Kalawat further also disclosed that around two years ago, he absconded to Kotputli, Rajasthan and has been residing there with a fake identity. "He ran out of money and returned to Delhi to commit crimes. However, he was apprehended before he could commit any fresh crime," the official added. Guwahati, June 23 : The Assam Police seized narcotics worth at least Rs 25 crore in the international market and arrested five persons on charges of drug peddling, officials said on Friday. The police said they received a tip-off that a huge consignment of drugs was being peddled through the Karimganj district. Acting on the information, a team from Karimganj police was deployed in the Bazarichera area. Karimganj Superintendent of Police, Partha Pratim Das told IANS: "We intercepted two vehicles that were coming from Mizoram. At least 3.2 kg of narcotic substances were recovered. "The drugs were hidden in 250 soap boxes. A second vehicle was escorting the first one carrying the narcotics." The five arrested persons were identified as Talab Hussain, Tahir Ahmed and Khalid Hussain, residents of Patharkandi in Assam; and Nitai Sarkar and Nitu Sarka from Tripura. The police also seized the two vehicles. Das further said that the consignment was coming from Aizawl. "We suspect that the drugs were supposed to be transported to Guwahati. We are investigating further links," he added. Los Angeles, June 23 : James Cameron, the director of 'Titanic', has reacted to the deaths of the five passengers on board the Titan. The director said that the diving community was "deeply concerned" about the submersible's safety even before Sunday's expedition, reports 'People' magazine. He told ABC News, "A number of the top players in the deep submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company, saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and that it needed to be certified". After reports discovered Titan debris was found, indicating the crew inside was dead, Cameron said he couldn't help but connect the circumstances of the presumed catastrophe to that of the 'Titanic'. He said, quoted by 'People', "I'm struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship, and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night and many people died as a result". "For us, it's a very similar tragedy where warnings went unheeded," the Canadian director surmised. "To take place at the same exact site with all the diving that's going on all around the world, I think it's just astonishing. It's really quite surreal." Cameron, 68, is not only a filmmaker but an experienced diver, reportedly completing 33 trips to the ship's wreckage site in his life. Sonipat, June 23 : The Jindal School of Art & Architecture (JSAA) at O.P. Jindal Global University is proud to announce the unique Dual Degree Architecture Masters with the University of Adelaide (UoA). Under the Jindal-Adelaide Architecture Pathway (JAAP), students will be able to receive a Bachelor of Arts (hons.) Built Environment Studies from JGU, the Bachelor of Architectural Design from the University of Adelaide and a Master of Architecture from the University of Adelaide within a total period of 6 Years (3+1+2). The JSAA students undertaking Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Built Environment Studies at O.P. Jindal Global University will be able to transfer to the Bachelor of Architectural Design at the UoA after three years at JGU completing another one year at UoA. The Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar said, "I congratulate the Dean and the faculty members of the Jindal School of Art and Architecture (JSAA) and The School of Architecture at the University of Adelaide for developing this unique programme. "The Jindal Adelaide Architecture pathway is the first and only architecture program in India that is designed to graduate global architects who will be eligible for licensure across Australia, New Zealand, India and many other countries through reciprocal arrangements. As part of this path breaking collaboration for creating a unique dual degree programme for our students at JSAA, the University of Adelaide and JGU are committed to work together on promoting global experiences for our students in the areas of Architecture and Design." Some of the key elements of the JAAP programme include: 1. Only Architecture programme in India that will produce architects eligible for registration across India, Australia, New Zealand and other commonwealth countries (through reciprocal agreements) 2. Graduating students eligible for minimum three-year post study work visa in Australia 3. Global Curriculum which blends architectural education and expertise across India and Australia 4. Study in two top ranking universities with highly accomplished global faculty; get to meet top architects and designers across India, Australia and New Zealand 5. Be a part of the Deloitte Academy of Studies at the University of Adelaide 6. Access state of the art facilities in BIM, 3D modelling, Motion Capture and Rapid Prototyping across JGU and UoA Prof. (Dr.) Jaideep Chatterjee, Dean-JSAA said, "The Jindal-Adelaide Architecture pathway is an absolute game changer for the discipline of architecture in India today. For the first time ever, this remarkable programme brings together two highly sought undergraduate architecture degrees and a professional Master of Architecture degree under the same roof. This combination will finally allow students from India to graduate and directly be a part of the global workforce of architects from which they had been long excluded. "As a premier institution, the Jindal School of Art & Architecture (JSAA), OPJGU is extremely glad to be partnering with the University of Adelaide, a top university in Australia to bring this unique program to aspiring architects in India." Dr. Jessica Gallagher, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement), University of Adelaide welcomed the partnership and said, "It is with great enthusiasm that we launch this new agreement with OP Jindal Global University. We look forward to continuing to build upon this relationship and welcoming their students to Adelaide in the future. Indian students greatly contribute to the cultural richness of our University campuses and Australian society more broadly." Patna, June 23 : Ahead of the opposition meeting, Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday appealed to his party leaders to stay united in a fight with the BJP in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, and that the BJP-RSS has 'Bharat Todo' ideology in contrast to Congress' 'Bharat Jodo' faith. "The opposition parties are assembled here in Patna to chalk out the plan for the 2024 Lok Sabha election. If we win Bihar, we will win the entire country," Gandhi said. "Currently, the fight of ideology is underway in Bihar. The Congress party has an ideology of 'Bharat Jodo' while the BJP-RRS has the ideology 'Bharat Todo'. We are spreading love in the country and talking about Mohabbat while BJP-RSS are talking about hatred and dividing the society," the Congress leader said. "When the Bharat Jodo Yatra was underway, wherever we went, we found people of Bihar. Those who were coming to meet me and when I asked them about their native places, they informed me it was Bihar. I walked in Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, and Kashmir and we found people of Bihar everywhere," Gandhi said. Earlier, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that Rahul Gandhi was the one who had taken an initiative to unite the people of the country. He took the initiative to talk to every political party in the country," Kharge said. "We are 20 opposition parties meeting in Patna, and we will fight together in 2024. I want to ask the people of Bihar to remove internal disputes among ourselves. If we win Bihar, we will win the entire country," Kharge said. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge reached Patna airport where a large number of Congress party supporters were present. Both the leaders straight away reached the Congress office 'Sadakat Ashram' where they were welcomed by party leaders from the state. A large number of hoardings highlighting the 'Mohabbat Ki Dukan' slogan and other display boards were installed in Patna by the party. New Delhi, June 23 : A viral video doing the rounds on social media shows Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is in Paris to attend a global financing summit, "snatching" an umbrella from a protocol officer leaving her drenched in the rain. In the 45-second video, Sharif, donning a grey suit, is seen trying to grab the umbrella, which is being held by the officer. After a few seconds, he proceeds to take the umbrella from her and proceeds to walk alone, while the officer is following him in the pouring rain. She keeps walking behind him until the Prime Minister reaches the entrance of the venue. Netizens had a mixed response to the incident. While one Twitter user said, "there are many others so she (protocal officer) could have used another female officer's umbrella", another person said: "Because last time in Iran when someone else held the umbrella for him -- Pakistani Twitter had a severe meltdown." A Twitterati joked saying "watching him reminds me of Mr. Bean", while another user said: "And he stole her umbrella." The Summit for a New Global Financing Pact kicked off in Paris on Thursday, with more than 300 participants from various sectors. The participants are expected to discuss climate change-related financing issues through six round tables, including overhauling the international financial architecture, restoring confidence, forging partnerships for strategies, and creating a conducive environment for the private sector. Ahead of the summit, Sharif met several world leaders and heads of the UN and International Monetary Fund (IMF) and highlighted the challenges faced by developing nations, particularly because of climate change. While addressing the event, the premier stressed the need for a fair and equitable formula for the distribution of financial resources in the world in an effort to help mitigate the suffering of developing nations and ensure peace. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. The figures for textile production in Turkmenistan exhibited growth during the period of January through May this year, surpassing the levels recorded during the same period in 2022, Trend reports. According to official data, this was announced by the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Batyr Atdaev at a government meeting. He noted that during the reporting period, the volume of products produced by enterprises of the Ministry of Textile Industry of Turkmenistan, including cotton yarn and fabrics, increased by 4.7 and 10.8 percent, respectively, compared to the same period last year. The production of clothing and knitwear from January through May 2023 increased by 3 percent, and leather - by 15.5 percent compared to the first 5 months of 2022. The plan for the manufacture of carpet products at the enterprises of the Turkmen Turkmenhaly State Association has been exceeded by 6.4 percent. During the meeting, the government reviewed the outcomes of its economic efforts for the first five months of 2023, deliberated on draft documents, and discussed the key objectives for the socio-economic development of the country. Kolkata, June 23 : Two persons, including a Congress candidate for the West Bengal panchayat polls were arrested by police on Friday in connection with the murder of Dhananjay Choubey, the Trinamool Congress's Adra town president in Purulia district. Choubey was shot from point blank range while he was at the party office on Thursday evening. The two arrested persons have been identified as Arshad Hossain and N.D. Jamal. Hossain is contesting as a Congress candidate in the state panchayat elections scheduled on July 8. State Congress leader and Calcutta High Court counsel Kaustav Bagchi claimed that the arrest had been a conspiracy hatched by the district police in connection with the ruling Trinamool Congress. "Congress is the principal opponent of Trinamool Congress in Purulia. At the same time, severe infighting in the state's ruling party leaders in the district is quite common. We are sure that Thursday's murder was a result of that conspiracy. Now to cover up, the Congress candidate and a party worker has been framed," Bagchi said. The district leadership of Trinamool Congress has, however, denied such charges and claimed that the Congress leaders and workers had been trying to disturb the peaceful polling process in Purulia district since the beginning, the fallout of which was the murder of Choubey. Meanwhile, the district Trinamool Congress workers have been agitating, blocking the roads in different parts of Purulia district since Friday morning as a mark of protest against Choubey's murder. They claimed that the road blockade will continue for an indefinite period unless all those involved in the murder are nabbed and appropriate action taken. At around 8.30 p.m. on Thursday, when Choubey was sitting at the party office along with his associates, three unknown miscreants arrived at the spot on a motorcycle and shot at Choubey from a very close range. His bodyguard Sekhar Das was also injured in the firing. A profusely bleeding Choubey was admitted to a local hospital under critical condition and he died soon after being admitted. His bodyguard is under treatment at the same hospital. On Thursday afternoon only the Governor, C.V. Ananda Bose had indirectly held the West Bengal State Election Commission responsible for the bloodshed over the rural civic body polls. Islamabad, June 23 : Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will virtually attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting chaired by India on July 4. "We have received the official invitation from Indian Prime Minister for our Prime Minister for the virtual meeting of Heads of State of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation that is due to take place on July 4," The News quoted a spokeswoman at the Foreign Office as saying at a briefing. "Pakistan will be represented at the summit. We will be making an announcement regarding our participation in coming days," she added. Earlier this month, the Centre said that it was never announced that the July 4 meeting would be held in person. "As everyone is aware that in the past some years, several events have taken place virtually so taking all factors into account, we decided that the Summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State will be held in a virtual format on the 4th of July," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said. The statement came just days after the Ministry announced that it will host the annual SCO summit in virtual format on July 4. In September 2022, the in-person SCO summit was held in the Uzbek city of Samarkand which saw the participation of all the top leaders of the grouping, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. India had assumed the rotating chairmanship of the SCO at the Samarkand summit. The Ministry has said that all the SCO member states -- China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan -- have been invited to attend the virtual summit. Los Angeles, June 23 : Actress and the ex-wife of the late Elvis Presley, Priscilla Presley, is voicing her support of Sofia Coppola's upcoming biopic 'Priscilla'. Sharing the movie's poster on Instagram, Priscilla said she was "excited about the interpretation" of her book "by the masterful Sofia Coppola", reports 'People' magazine. "She has such an extraordinary perspective and I have always been such an admirer of her work," added Priscilla, 78. "I'm certain this movie will take everyone on an emotional journey." As per 'People', Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny star as Elvis and Priscilla, respectively, in the A24 film, which debuted its first trailer on Wednesday. It is based on Priscilla's 1985 memoir Elvis and Me. The film's 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 vulnerable best friend." "Through Priscilla's eyes, Sofia Coppola tells the unseen side of a great American myth in Elvis and Priscilla's 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," the synopsis adds. 'People' further states that this project comes after the box-office success of director Baz Luhrmann's 'Elvis' movie last year, which starred Austin Butler as the iconic musician and Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla in a story that also focused on Tom Hanks as manager Tom Parker. Members of the Presley family praised that film upon its release last summer. "I'm sitting there watching this movie and going, 'God, I wish he could see this,' " Priscilla said last June on 'Good Morning America' about the film and how she thinks Elvis would have reacted to it. "It was perfection." Shahjahanpur : , June 23 (IANS) Five members of a family, including two children, were killed when an unidentified vehicle hit their motorcycle on the Shahjahanpur-Lucknow road in the Shera Mau Dakshin area here on Friday. Circle officer Amit Chaurasia said the incident occurred in the early hours of Friday when the victims were returning home after attending a wedding function. The deceased have been identified as Raghuveer, 34; his wife Jyoti, 30; sister-in-law Julie, 36; and children Abhi, 3, and Krishna, 5. Head injuries are said to be the likely cause of deaths. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem and a probe into the matter was underway, the police official added. Jaipur, June 23 : Amid the ongoing tussle in the Congress in Rajasthan, fresh differences have cropped up after a senior MLA and minister from the Pilot camp have refused to contest the forthcoming Assembly polls. However, senior ministers of the Gehlot camp are keen to fight polls. Pro-Pilot MLA and former Assembly Speaker Dipendra Singh Shekhawat, 72, has refused to contest the Assembly elections. Shekhawat said, "Now I will be an MLA for three to four months more and after that the code of conduct will be imposed. Considering my health, I have decided that I will not contest the next Assembly elections." Shekhawat has announced not to contest elections even in a public programme in the past. On the other hand, 73-year-old state education Minister B.D. Kalla from the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot camp has refused to withdraw from the election race. On the issue of aged leaders not contesting elections, Kalla said, "If someone else is ready to contest polls, I will leave the seat. However, no one is ready yet... There is no candidate in front of me to fight the BJP, so the ground is very clear. I will contest the election, I am the winning candidate," he said. Another Congress Minister Hemaram Chowdhary, who is also a pro-pilot man has already declared that he will not contest the next election. Congress state in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa recently said that the "elderly leaders should leave fascination for chair and should set an example by giving space to the youth". In fact, other Congress MLAs, including Bharat Singh from Sangod and Congress MLA from Shiv constituency, Amin Khan have also refused to contest the next election. All the leaders have argued for promoting the youth. Bharat Singh and Amin Khan have also said several times on various public forums that they will not contest the next election while advocating for promoting youth. The leaders in the Congress, who have announced their withdrawal from the election field, are mostly above 75. Bengaluru, June 23 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will be felicitated in Pune on Sunday by the Dhangar community under the leadership of NCP chief and Rajya Sabha member Sharad Pawar, an official release from the CM's office stated. The felicitation will take place on the occasion of ruler Ahilyadevi birth anniversary. Pawar had written to Siddaramaiah extending the invitation and congratulating him on the victory of Congress in Karnataka under his leadership. The letter reads, "At the outset, I congratulate you for assuming the charge as the Chief Minister of Karnataka." The results of recent Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections have demonstrated the strength of secular forces and have paved the way for a change in the political dynamics of the nation, he added. "The reverberations of the elections have reached and permeated through Maharashtra and the people here are enthused to welcome and felicitate you in Maharashtra. "In my public life spanning over five decades, people of Baramati have reposed unstinting faith in me and amongst them the Dhangar community is one of the predominant communities. They have consistently supported me throughout my political career. The same community has taken initiative to invite and felicitate you here in Baramati, Pune. "The delegation led by Vishwas Deokate, former ZP President of Pune district and the President of Ahilyadevi Vikas Pratishthan, Baramati would like to call on you to extend the invitation for celebration of Ahilyadevi birth anniversary and to felicitate you on this pious occasion. Your August presence as the guest of honour for the function will be highly appreciated. "I shall be happy if the aforesaid delegation is given an appointment as per your convenience and the invitation is accepted. I do personally invite you on behalf of the community and the people of Maharashtra." New Delhi, June 23 : After the success of the first edition, Google India on Friday announced the launch of the second edition of the virtual "Startup School" 2023, supported by Startup India, starting from July 11. "This year's programme will span over eight weeks, featuring over 30 Google and industry experts via fireside chats with transformative entrepreneurs and VCs, as well as instructor-led sessions on a series of topics including AI, product and tech strategy, marketing & global growth and funding & leadership, Aditya Swamy, Director, Play Partnerships, wrote in a blogpost. This year, Google is hoping to reach 30,000 startups and help them innovate responsibly, and learn best practices at scale through a curriculum tailored to the unique needs of the Indian ecosystem. "Startup India and Google with this shared mission of contributing to the growth of entrepreneurship in the country have come together to enable startups at scale through this programme," said Manmeet K. Nanda, Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The launch edition of Startup School saw over 14,000 startups participate from more than 600 towns and cities, with encouraging feedback, according to the company. New Delhi, June 23 : Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has achieved another milestone by entering into the top 10 institutions of the country in the London-based Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings-2023. The university has moved upward to 128th rank in Asia and remarkably improved its position from 160th rank last year. With an improvement of 32 ranks, JMI is one of the very few institutions of the country which has performed exceptionally well in the ranking. The Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings assessed performance of 669 universities from 31 countries on the same 13 performance indicators/parameters as the THE World University Rankings, but they were recalibrated to reflect the attributes of Asia's institutions. The universities were judged across all their core missions -- teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook -- to provide the most comprehensive and balanced comparisons available. The Jamia administration said that JMI has been consistently maintaining its rank in THE World University Rankings also. It was ranked at 601-800 in the recently declared THE World University Rankings- 2021. Elated over the performance JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar said, "It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction for the whole Jamia fraternity as this achievement reflects the hard work put in by teachers, non-teaching staff and other stakeholders of the university. Our efforts have been recognized internationally and I hope that the university will continue its endeavours to improve its performance further in coming years." It is worth mentioning that JMI has been continuously improving its national and international ranking over the last few years. The university not only maintained 3rd rank among universities in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) - India Rankings-2023 released by the Ministry of Education (MoE) but improved its performance by 13 positions to 12 in overall category, she added. JMI also improved its position in Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings-2023 released in October, 2022. Globally, JMI moved to the 501-600 ranking band from 601- 800 in previous year ranking. The university also improved its position in QS Asia University Rankings- 2022 released by the London-based QS University Rankings Agency where it was ranked at 186th improving its position from 203 last year, Jamia VC said. Lucknow, June 23 : The students of Classes 9 to 12 in UP Board will study the biography of Veer Savarkar. Apart from Savarkar, the chapters on the life of 50 other great men have been included in the syllabus. They include Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Mahavir Jain, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, Arvind Ghosh, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Sarojini Naidu, Nana Saheb, Chandra Shekhar, Ramkrishna Paramhans among others. UP education minister Gulab Devi said that the inclusion of these chapters was aimed at strengthening the moral and cultural values of children who will grow up and take part in nation building. She said that the opposition parties were getting frustrated and were criticising the move. Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has asked the UP government to reconsider its decision to include the chapter on Veer Savarkar. SP spokesman Sunil Sajan said that the state government should apologise to millions of freedom fighters for eulogizing Veer Savarkar who had betrayed their sentiments by apologizing to the British rulers. Hyderabad, June 23 : Unable to bear the mental torture by husband and in-laws, a woman in Hyderabad committed suicide during a Facebook Live video After narrating her ordeal, including the fact that her husband was having an extra-marital affair, the woman, identified as Sana, hanged herself on a ceiling fan. The shocking incident occurred in the city's Nacharam area. Sana's parents told reporters that she had a love marriage four years ago with her husband Hemant Patel, hailing from Rajasthan who teaches music. The couple also share a three-year-old son. They said he had come to them and offered to become a Muslim to marry Sana and changed his name to Shamsher. The couple had a smooth married life for a year. However, Hemant's did not accept the marriage. Sana's mother said he began a relationship with Sofi Khan, who was learning music from him. After she caught them red-handed, her husband and the woman were mentally torturing her. Police have registered a case and have recovered the victim's mobile phones and analysing her chats with her husband and Sofi Khan. Chennai, June 23 : A retail outlet vending various products made by jail inmates at a very affordable price was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Minister for Law, Courts, Prisons and Correctional Services S. Reghupathy on Friday here. Branded as 'Freedom', the new Prison Bazaar outlet located at the Prison Headquarters in Egmore here sells products ranging from cooking oil, ready made garments, shoes, snacks and others at a price which is much lower than that are sold in other outlets. "Products from all the prisons in the state (including Special Prisons for Women) will be sold in the newly inaugurated store," Amaraesh Pujari, Director General, Prisons and Correctional Services told IANS. The Gingelly/Sesame Oil (Rs 350/litre), Groundnut Oil (Rs 250/litre) are certainly far lower than those sold in other retail outlets, a homemaker told IANS. With the objective of providing an opportunity to the prisoners for reformation and rehabilitation by channelising their energy in a positive direction, the Tamil Nadu government has established the Prison Bazaars at the boundary of the Central Prisons, certain District Jails and Sub Jail complexes. According to the Policy Note for the year 2023-24, a Corpus Fund of Rs 10 lakh was sanctioned for the development of the Prison Bazaar. The government said the turnover of the Prison Bazaars for FY2022023 (up to February 2023) was about Rs 5.23 crore with a net profit of about Rs 1 crore. The profit earned from the Prison Bazaar is apportioned as follows:- a) 20 per cent to the prisoners who worked to produce the goods b) 20 per cent to Government Account c) 20 per cent to the Prison Staff Welfare Fund d) 40 per cent to the Tamil Nadu Prison Department Manufacture of Goods Fund (TNPDMGF). Many of the products made in the prison are supplied to various departments of the Tamil Nadu government. Being a service department, the Prisons and Correctional Services Department enjoys special privilege of supplying articles to various government Departments. The value of the industrial production for the year 2022-2023 (up to February, 2023) is Rs 44.30 crore, the government said. Be that as it may, the Minister Reghupathy also inaugurated a gym at the Prison Headquarters for the staff and released the Prison Department's monthly magazine 'Sirakithazh'. Bengaluru, June 23 : The Bengaluru police are initiating strict action against a preschool for negligence which resulted in a brutal attack on a toddler by another in a classroom. The disturbing video has raised concerns among parents and shocked society. Subramanyapura police, who are investigating the case after being directed by the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, stated that the juvenile case can't be initiated against the attacking kid as he is just three years old. The action will be taken against the preschool for negligence and the kid who attacked would be advised for counselling, police said on Friday. Meanwhile, the parents of the two-year-old girl have refused to file a police complaint regarding the incident. The police are now consulting the legal experts and senior police officers over taking action as it involves children of tender age. The police have visited the preschool and conducted the inspection. The police have collected the details from the staff of the administration and management of Tenderfoot Montessori located in Chikkalasandra in Bengaluru. The disturbing video of the duration of five minutes surfaced in public domain raising concerns. The video shows that when the attender goes out of the classroom with a kid, the boy repeatedly attacks the girl child. The video shows the boy biting and kicking her in the presence of many children. Even as the helpless kid tries to defend, the boy does not give her any chance and even sits on her and continues to rain blows. The video which has the voice of the mother of the girl child who was attacked shows the mother seeing her child being attacked brutally breaking down and sobbing. The parents have questioned the management over absence of an attender in the classroom for five minutes and toddlers are left to themselves. New Delhi, June 23 : Describing the opposition meeting in Patna as ridiculous, Union Minister Smriti Irani said that the Congress has admitted that it cannot defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone and needs the support of others. At a press conference Irani said, "It is ridiculous that leaders who saw the murder of democracy during Emergency are today coming together under the leadership of the Congress." Hitting back at former Congress president Rahul Gandhi's statement, she said: "I especially thank Congress for publicly announcing that they cannot alone defeat PM Modi and that they need the support of others to do so." The minister said, "Power has moved from the palace to the people. That's why people who took pride in their political legacy now have to go to those whom they had put behind bars during Emergency." Taking a jibe at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the BJP leader said that you go to people who can't even make a bridge? What democratic bridge will they make?" Targeting the Aam Aadmi Party, Irani said that parties which could not come together for development are resorting to political blackmail. Commenting on the opposition unity move, she said, "One leader says he is not aware of what will happen at the meeting, a second leader says 'let's see what happens', and the third leader says 'if you don't address my issue, I will walk out'." Criticising Rahul Gandhi's 'Mohabbat ki dukan' statement, Irani said, "I want to ask again whether the 1984 riots, the Emergency, MISA were examples of the Congress's 'Mohabbat'." Phnom Penh, June 23 : The National Assembly of Cambodia on Friday amended the Southeast Asian country's election law to bar politicians or political officials who do not vote from running for future elections. The revised bill also imposes a fine from 5 million riel ($1,200) to 20 million riel ($4,800) on anyone who prevents eligible citizens from casting their ballots, and the fine will be up to 30 million riel ($7,20) if the violator is from a political party, reports Xinhua news agency. Some 111 lawmakers in attendance unanimously approved the legal changes, which were initiated by Prime Minister Hun Sen last week. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng said the amendment was aimed at enhancing political leaders' responsibilities and ensuring non-disruptive elections. "Going to vote or not going to vote is still the right of the Cambodian people and it is not compulsory," he said during the Assembly session. "But for people wishing to stand for future elections, they must go to vote," he said, adding that otherwise, "their right to run as candidates in any elections will be revoked". The legal changes came as Cambodia is scheduled to hold a general election for the 125-seat National Assembly on July 23. According to the National Election Committee, 18 political parties will contest in the forthcoming election, with more than 9.7 million voters expected to cast their ballots. New Delhi, June 23 : The Supreme Court has acquitted a man and his son in a murder case, in which they were sentenced to life imprisonment 25 years ago, noting that the FIR was ante-timed, there was a delay in conducting post-mortem and difference in the name of the weapons of crime. The son died during the pendency of the appeal. A bench of Justices V. Ramasubramanian and Pankaj Mithal observed that the FIR had been ante-timed by police, from 1:50 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., to implicate Mohd Muslim and his son Shamshad. The bench said the time and date of murder in the FIR were mentioned as 9 a.m. on August 4, 1995, although the murder took place at 1.50 p.m. In 1998, the trial court had convicted the father and son in the murder case and sentenced them to life imprisonment. The Allahabad High Court upheld the conviction and sentencing by the trial court. The accused father-son moved the apex court in 2011, however the son died in 2021 during the pendency of the appeal. Mohd Muslim is now aged about 79 years and has undergone six years of incarceration. He has been on bail since 2013. "The Trial Court completely lost sight of the fact that not only the time has been changed but the word 'PM' has also been interpolated and converted into 'AM'...the FIR has been ante-timed from 1:50 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.," noted the bench. According to the police, Altaf Hussain was murdered on his way to court over a land dispute with the accused. The bench noted that if the deceased was going to the court, it would have been early in the morning before the start of the court rather than in the afternoon that too in the post-lunch session. "In order to justify that deceased Altaf Hussain was going to the court in the morning, the timing of the FIR has been changed to 9:00 a.m. Had the incident occurred in the morning before 9:00 a.m., and the police had arrived at the spot at 10:00 a.m., the dead body would have been sent to the mortuary immediately thereafter by the afternoon but this has not happened and the dead body of the deceased Altaf Hussain was sent to the mortuary late in the evening by which time it was too late to conduct the post-mortem which had to be postponed for the next day," said the bench. The bench noted that "even if it were to ignore other minor discrepancies in the oral evidence, the delay in conducting the post-mortem, the difference in the name of the weapons of crime, i.e., 'tabal' or 'palkatia' which are more or less similar types of instruments for cutting crops, etc. .. It is a case where the prosecution has miserably failed to prove that the accused appellants have committed the offence beyond any reasonable doubt." Acquitting the appellant, the top court said: "A bare perusal of the aforesaid FIR clearly shows that there is some interpolation in the time of its lodging mentioned therein. It is evident from the naked eye that '1' has been converted into '9' and '5' has been rounded off to make '0' whereas 'PM' has been converted into 'AM'. In other words, 1:50 p.m. has been changed to 9:00 a.m. This is abundantly clear from the FIR and there cannot be two opinions on that." Chennai, June 23 : After Russia in 1984, it is now the US to fly Indian astronauts to space. But this time the US will fly Indian astronauts to the International Space Station next year -- much ahead of India's own human space mission -- Gaganyaan. According to the joint statement issued by the US White House, the US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi set a course to reach new frontiers across all sectors of space cooperation. The leaders applauded our growing cooperation on earth and space science, and space technologies. "They welcomed the decision of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) to develop a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation by the end of 2023," the statement said. "The leaders hailed the announcement by NASA to provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, with a goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024," the statement notes. It may be recalled that it was Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma who had travelled to space in a Russian rocket in 1984. It will be interesting to know who from India will be travelling to the International Space Station on an American rocket. Already four Indian Air Force (IAF) officials have undergone astronaut training in Russia as a part of India's Gaganyaan programme. Whether the same four will be considered for the US-Indo space programme or a different set of people is not known. Be that as it may, the other Indo-US joint space programme NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) -- an earth observation satellite -- will be orbited by an Indian rocket next year from the Sriharikota rocket port in Andhra Pradesh. The NISAR is an earth observation satellite jointly built by NASA and ISRO. The satellite has already reached India from the US. Modi and Biden called for enhanced commercial collaboration between the US and Indian private sectors in the entire value chain of the space economy and to address export controls and facilitate technology transfer. "President Biden deeply appreciated India's signing of the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all humankind," the White House statement said. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Kochi, June 23 : A controversial YouTuber, who was taken into custody on Friday in two different cases of improper language use and creating traffic nuisance on a busy road, was given bail from the police station in Malappuram which registered the case. The 24-year-old YouTuber, Nihad is popularly known for his YouTube channel - 'Thoppi'. He was forcefully taken into custody after the police broke into his room at his friend's apartment on Friday in Kochi. However, while the Malappuram police have given him bail he will be handed over to the local police at Kannur as there is also a case against him over his improper use of language. His YouTube channel has lakhs of subscribers. The complainant on the Malappuram incident for blocking traffic, Murshid said he was a nuisance and a bad influence on the young minds as he has lots of school students as subscribers. A video of the way police breaking into his room has now gone viral. New Delhi, June 23 : The CBI on Friday said that they carried out search operations at office of IL&FS Energy Development Company Ltd (IEDCL) and residential premises of its directors in New Delhi, Dehradun, and Mumbai in connection with a loan fraud case and recovered incriminating documents and other articles. The IEDCL and its directors were booked by the CBI for cheating the Punjab National Bank to the tune of Rs 100.03 crore. A senior Central Bureau of Investigation official said that they received a complaint in this regard from the bank. The bank alleged in its complaint that IL&FS Energy Development Company Ltd and its Directors, namely, Hari Sankaran, late Ravi Parthasarathy, Ramesh Chander Bawa, Arun Kumar Saha, Sunil Kumar Wadhwa, and Anoop Seth and other unknown persons entered into a criminal conspiracy and misappropriated the sanctioned credit facilities by way of cheating, utilisation of loan funds contrary to the sanction terms and conditions. By diverting of sale proceeds to related, sister concern companies the accused caused wrongful loss to the tune of Rs 100.03 crore to the PNB. "After receiving the complaint we have lodged a case under sections 120-B read with 420 of the IPC and Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of PC Act against the IEDCL, and its Directors," said the official. Further investigations are underway. 38 years on, 9-in-10 Canadians know little or nothing about A-I bombing Image Source: IANS News 38 years on, 9-in-10 Canadians know little or nothing about A-I bombing Image Source: IANS News Toronto, June 23 : Nine-in-ten Canadians know little or nothing about the Air India Flight 182 terrorist attack that killed all 329 people on board on this day in 1985, according to a survey. The Boeing 747 plane from Montreal to London disintegrated mid-air off the Irish coast within 45 minutes of taking off, making the bombing the deadliest attack carried out by Khalistani terrorists in Canada's history. Among the 329 dead were 268 Canadians, mostly of Indian origin, 24 Indian citizens and 27 British citizens. It included 82 children below the age of 13, as well as six infants. Sixty-one per cent of Canadians say they have little knowledge and 28 per cent have no idea of the worst single instance of the mass killing of their fellow citizens, the survey by the non-profit, public polling agency Angus Reid Institute said on Thursday. Of these, three-in-five, or 58 per cent, of those younger than 35 said they have never even heard of it. In the British Columbia province, where the conspiracy to commit the bombings was hatched, and Ontario, where many of the victims lived, awareness is higher, but fewer than one-in-six in each province say they know a lot about the attack. Just one-in-ten, or 11 per cent, Canadians say they "know a lot" about the incident. A majority (61 per cent) say they know just the main details, the survey, which polled 1,548 Canadians, said. Canadians who were born after the Air India Bombings were most likely to say they had not heard of the tragedy. More than half of men aged 18 to 34 (53 per cent), and three-in-five women that age (62 per cent), say they are not aware of the event. In 2006, the then Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a commission inquiry into the bombings, which found several security lapses and blunders on part of Canadians that led to the bombing. Inderjit Singh Reyat was arrested and charged but only for manslaughter for his role in constructing the bomb. He served 30 years for all his offences -- including six of his nine-year sentence for perjury -- but has since been released from prison. Alleged mastermind of the attack Talwinder Singh Parmar was not convicted. He was killed in a gunfight with Punjab Police in 1992 when he returned to India. According to the survey, Canadians are split overall as to whether they are confident in the ability of Canada's security services to prevent a similar terrorist attack occurring in the country again. Those who know a lot, or a little, about the Air India Bombings express more doubt in Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's ability to stop an attack like Air India than those who had not heard of the incident. The timing of the 38th anniversary of the bombing coincides with the recent killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was declared a 'wanted terrorist' by the Indian government. He was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen at the parking lot of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in the Punjabi-dominated Surrey city of British Columbia province. Nijjar had been accused of killing Ripudaman Singh Malik last year. Malik was acquitted in 2005 along with another accused Ajaib Singh Bagri in the case. Bengaluru, June 23 : A day after an incident of a toddler being assaulted by another in a pre-school surfaced, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) unit of Karnataka on Friday said that the government's control over montessories and pre-schools is a must. Addressing a press conference at the party's media office regarding the incident, AAP State Working President Mohan Dasari said, "In a commercial city like Bengaluru, there is an inevitable situation where couples have to go to work to support their families and to deal with burning issues like rising prices. They have to send their children to Montessori or daycare centres. Hundreds of such mishaps are happening in the city because the Montessori owners are only commercial minded and making money without employing properly trained staff." The state government should immediately take appropriate measures to monitor such happenings and curb them by enforcing government guidelines and strict rules. In the interest of children and parents, the government should act immediately," he urged the government. Bengaluru City Vice President Ashok Mrityunjaya, who participated in the press conference, said, "NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) has already given a report in 2013 and said that it should be implemented by 2016. But the fact that the state government has not implemented the guidelines of the report so far shows the irresponsibility of the government. The Minister of Education should immediately focus on this area and appoint a commission" he demanded. Party secretary Sushma Veer said, "The government should show motherly and humanity instincts in this matter. The government should immediately take strict action on these private Montessori in order to make the children better citizens. They can see the Montessories run by the AAP government in Delhi and open similar schools in the state too," she urged. The shocking video surfaced on social media showed that when the attender goes out of the classroom at a pre-school with a kid, the boy repeatedly attacks the girl child. The video shows the boy biting and kicking her at his will in the presence of many children. Even as the helpless kid tries to defend, the boy does not give her any chance and even sits on her and continues to rain blows. The video which has the voice of the mother of the girl child who was attacked, shows the mother breaking down and sobbing on watching her child being brutally beaten. The parents have questioned the management over absence of an attendant in the classroom for five minutes and toddlers are left to themselves. Police have taken note of the incident and are initiating action against the preschool. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. The European Union has adopted the 11th package of sanctions, which also included companies from Armenia, Trend reports. In accordance with the decision of the EU, 87 new companies which directly support the military-industrial complex of Russia have been added to the sanctions list. "They are subject to tighter export restrictions for dual-use and advanced technology items. In addition to the Russian and Iranian entities, this now also covers entities registered in China, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Syria and Armenia," the EU said. Chennai, June 23 : India and the US are working together for developing next generation small modular reactor technologies for domestic and export markets. According to a joint statement issued by the US White House, amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi noted "the ongoing discussion on developing next generation small modular reactor technologies in a collaborative mode for the domestic market as well as for export". Small modular reactors are the ones which are factory-made compact with less than 300 MW capacity. Nuclear power equipment manufacturers like Russia's Rosatom, French company EDF and the US based NuScale Energy are now looking at the small modular reactor segment. For global nuclear power plant makers, small is now beautiful and they are looking at populating their small modular reactors across the world. With lesser gestation time, higher power generation period and lower risks, nuclear power plant manufacturers are now of the view that small is beautiful and are in favour of small modular reactors, experts had told IANS. The world's first land-based small modular reactor (SMR) with RITM-200N is slated to be commissioned in 2028 in Russia's Arctic region, said Director General of Rosatom Alexey Likhachev. Meanwhile, Biden and Modi underscored the important role nuclear energy plays in global decarbonisation efforts and affirmed nuclear energy as a necessary resource to meet nations' climate, energy transition, and energy security needs. "The leaders noted ongoing negotiations between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) for the construction of six nuclear reactors in India," the statement notes. The US Department of Energy and India's Department of Atomic Energy are having intense consultations for facilitating the opportunities for WEC to develop a techno-commercial offer for the Kovvada nuclear project in India. "The United States reaffirms its support for India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and commits to continue engagement with like minded partners to advance this goal," the joint statement said. The two leaders also hailed the deepening bilateral cooperation on cutting-edge scientific infrastructure, including a $140 million in-kind contribution from India's Department of Atomic Energy to the US Department of Energy's Fermi National Laboratory toward collaborative development of the Proton Improvement Plan-II Accelerator, for the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility - the first and largest international research facility on American soil. They also welcomed the commencement of construction of a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in India's Maharashtra. (Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in) Kolkata, June 23 : A fresh political slugfest has erupted in West Bengal after a BJP office at Dabgram under the Siliguri Municipal Corporation in Darjeeling district was set ablaze by unknown miscreants late on Thursday night. The BJP leadership has alleged that goons backed by the ruling Trinamool Congress were behind the incident. They claimed that the impact of the fire was such that everything inside the office area was totally gutted. The local BJP leaders have also alleged that the office was set on fire with the intention to ensure that not a single opposition office exists in the area. According to the leader of opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, such violence will continue as long as Trinamool Congress is in power in the state with Mamata Banerjee as the Chief Minister. "The only solution to such a menace is 'no vote to Mamata' and 'no vote to Trinamool Congress'," Adhikari said. On the other hand, Trinamool's Darjeeling district president Bablu Pal said that it has become a habit of the BJP to level baseless allegations and do politics on everything. "I personally went to the spot and informed the fire department," Pal said. Patna, June 23 : All opposition parties in the country are united and will fight together against the BJP in the next Lok Sabha election, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Friday. The leaders of the opposition parties, after the mega meeting here, jointly held a press conference where they said that they also decided to hold another meeting in Shimla on July 10 or 12 to decide the seats on which they would contest in the Lok Sabha election. "We have a good and positive meeting today where we have decided to contest the Lok Sabha election together. The next meeting will take place under the chairmanship of (Congress President) Mallikarjun Kharge in Shimla where we will decide on seats... If we stand together, we will reduce the BJP to under 100 seats," Nitish Kumar said. "Those who are in power are not working in the interest of the country. They want to change the history and constitution of the country. If they come again to power in the country, they will change the constitution," he added. On his part, Kharge said: "We are trying to come up with a common agenda to fight together in the Lok Sabha election. The next meeting will take place in Shimla. We have to make a separate strategy for every state for fighting the Lok Sabha election." NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that his party has been working against the party of Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena) in Maharashtra for the last 25 years but now come together to save the Constitution and the country. West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee said: "The people's movement started from the soil of Patna. We will fight together. The Modi government has become a dictatorship in the country. The BJP and the RSS are attacking the democratic base of our country. This is a fight of ideology and we are standing by the opposition parties to fight against the BJP. We will work together and save our common ideology." San Francisco, June 23 : Researchers found that conservative female politicians tend to appear happier and more attractive in pictures than liberal politicos, a new AI study has shown. According to the study published in the Nature-owned journal Scientific Reports, the research said that AI can predict a person's political ideology with 61 per cent accuracy by analysing just one headshot, reports New York Post. The scientists used Microsoft Azure's Face API tool to assess the emotional state of about 3,200 publicly submitted photos of political candidates who ran in the 2017 Danish municipal election. According to the analysis, 80 per cent of the faces had a happy expression, while 19 per cent were neutral. "For females (though not males), high attractiveness scores were found among those the model identified as likely to be conservative. These results are credible given that previous research using human raters has also highlighted a link between attractiveness and conservatism," the researchers said. Moreover, the study showed that the accuracy of facial recognition was even higher for men, at 65 per cent, before researchers removed all visual cues from the photos other than the men's faces, such as shirt collars. Left-leaning male politicians had more neutral, less happy expressions than their conservative counterparts, according to the study. "Attractiveness was not the only correlate of model-predicted ideology. We also found that expressing happiness is associated with conservatism for both genders," the researchers explained. "Previous work has found smiling in photographs to be a valid indicator of extraversion, and while extraversion is not broadly associated with ideology some studies have found that right-wing politicians are more extraverted," they added. New Delhi, June 23 : A series of exclusive snap polls conducted by CVoter during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US reveals how Indians are divided when it comes to American help during hostilities with China. One of the questions asked in the survey conducted with a sample size of 4,409 on June 22 was: Do you think the US has helped India till date to resolve the border dispute with China? More than four out of every 10 respondents are of the opinion that the US has not helped India at all. While a little more than three out of 10 feel that the US has helped India to some extent, a small minority claimed that the US has indeed helped India during its border dispute and conflict with China. The unresolved border dispute between India and China frequently leads to stand-offs and near military confrontations. In June 2020, the dispute turned violent and bloody in Ladakh when clashes between Indian and Chinese troops at Galwan led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troopers. Since then, more than 50,000 troops each from either side have been confronting each other face-to-face in both Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. One of the key points for the state visit of PM Modi to the US has been forging a stronger partnership to contain the threat that China poses in the vital Indo-pacific region. Without directly naming China, the joint declaration issued after formal bilateral talks between President Joe Biden and PM Modi stressed the importance of keeping the Indo-pacific safe for global trade and all-round prosperity. However, as the results of the CVoter snap poll indicate, a substantial proportion of Indians are of the opinion that the US is not helping India. Hyderabad, June 23 : Telangana's Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister K.T. Rama Rao on Friday called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and requested him to transfert certain defence lands in Hyderabad to the state government for development of skyways and other various infrastructure projects. After the meeting, Rama Rao said the state government had requested the Centre for transfer of lands for developing skyways. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao himself had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make the request but there was no response. "Defence Ministers are changing but there is no change in the stand of the Central government," said KTR, as Rama Rao is popularly known. The state minister told media persons that the state government had been requesting the Centre to transfer defence lands for construction of skyways from Jubilee Bus Stand to Rajiv Rahdari, from Paradise Circle to Medchal ORR. He said he met Rajnath Singh to make a request once again. KTR said that if the Defence Ministry comes forward to give 96 acres of land for Jubilee Bus Stand-Rajiv Rahadari skyway and 56 acres for Paradise Circle-Medchal ORR skyway, the state government would give alternate lands of equal value. He said the state government was also developing skywalks. While the skywalk at Uppal has been completed, the work on the skyway at Mehdipatnam was stalled as the Defence Ministry had not given the permission. The state has also sought defence land for a road to link Golconda and Ibrahim Bagh. It also demanded transfer of unused defence lands in Secunderabad Cantonment to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) so that hospitals and community halls can be constructed for local people. KTR said he would meet Union Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday to once again request approval for extending Metro Rail from Lakdi Ka Pul to BHEL and from Nagole to LB Nagar. He said the state government submitted DPRs to the Centre several times. The minister said while the state government has provided funds towards its share in MMTS, there was no response from the Centre. He claimed that the state government completed several works under Strategic Road Development Programme (SRDP) but the work at Rasoolpura could not be completed as the Union Home Ministry had to transfer 3-4 acres of land. He said he would try to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah over this issue. KTR said that he wants the Centre to support the state government's efforts to strengthen public transport system in Hyderabad He demanded that the Centre also approve extension of Metro Rail from Patancheru to Hayat Nagar. Stating that Telangana received no support from the Centre for nine years, the BRS leader said that it appears that the Centre may continue its discrimination towards the state. KTR made it clear that if there is no change in the Centre's approach, the BRS would take this issue to the people. He questioned the Centre when it can sanction Metro Rail to 10 small cities in Uttar Pradesh, why can't it cooperate with Telangana for extending Metro in Hyderabad. He also wanted to know why the Centre, which provided no funds for Hyderabad during floods, extended the assistance for flood relief in Gujarat and other BJP-ruled states. KTR reminded BJP that there are Telangana funds in the development of poor states ruled by it. He said the BJP leaders should thank Telangana people and the government for their contribution in the national development. --IANS ms/vd A New Delhi, June 23 : Disclaimer: You really do not have to be a foodie to enjoy Zac O' Yeah's 'Digesting India: A Travel Writer's Sub-Continental Adventures With The Tummy: A Memoir A La Carte' (Speaking Tiger). Even as it treads the diverse Indian food landscape - unheard of dishes and unique food habits, this Scandinavian-born author, settled in Bangalore, who has been exploring the sub-continent for over three decades now never ceases to surprise himself, and the reader with the everyday magic of India. This time, he discovers it through food - as he journeys the country through the pleasures of drinking beer in Bengaluru, toddy in Kerala, eating boiled vegetables and masala-less curries in Sevagram, the Mahatma's ashram in Maharashtra, or the rich 'lal maas' in royal Rajasthan. The writer, who has 15 books including several fiction and non-fiction bestsellers to his credit, tells IANS that even before the Pandemic struck, he had been thinking of donating his boots to a museum considering he had been travel-writing for 25 years. "When I started out in the previous millennium, one carried a portable, non-electrified typewriter in the backpack and sent stories by post to the magazines, it was a very Hemingway lifestyle still in the 1900s. Today, it is all about social media handles and hand sanitisers, and nobody swills gin and tonic for anti-malarial protection anymore." Feeling like a "dinosaur", he thought it was time to focus on writing about history, rather than travel because that's where dinosaurs belong. "I think when the pandemic came, lots of people found reasons to rethink their lives and what they value about being on this planet. I thought if I cannot go forward right now, it would be the perfect time to look backward instead. So, what initially looked like the end of my career, actually turned out to be the beginning. And this book is a result of that. So more than just a book about the best food you can eat in India, it's existential philosophy in an enjoyable and adventurous format." Though it is a memoir, he did, during gaps in the lockdowns, revisit some favourite places, to see how they fared, however, the book is largely based on past experience as he mostly focuses on old and time-tested restaurants that have survived, in many cases, for over a hundred years and are likely to remain relevant for centuries to come. "And many of the Indian cuisines I explore are thousands of years old. That's where the research comes in, one has to check old sources - like say Sangam poetry to see what was written about millets in their poems, for example, and it actually gives a very interesting perspective considering that 2023 has been declared the year of millets, which is considered to be a power food that can save the world today, while in fact it was considered a royal food already then in ancient India. In between, humans perhaps lost sight of millets though in the south Karnataka region, millets never ceased to be relevant. I have been a great fan of ragimudde for decades, ever since I was introduced to it at a roadside shack around 2001. Best food ever." This founder-director of Bangalore's 'World-Famous Semi-Deluxe Writing Programme', the first semi-professional writing school in India whose recent works include the novel 'Tropical Detective' and the travelogue 'A Walk Through Barygaza' says that writing about Indian food is a great challenge, and a very interesting one. Adding that in the past three decades, he has learned to appreciate the complexity of Indian food as this country is like an endless ocean of very different culinary philosophies. "In South, food is very rice-based, even rotis are made of rice such as the lovely akki roti I had for lunch yesterday, then you go north and suddenly you are tempted by tandoori naans and aloo parathas, and if there's rice at all on the table it will usually be in the form of mutton biryani. In the book I describe overland journeys and how just by moving from one town to the next, maybe only an hour away, you find yourself negotiating an entirely different food culture." Ask him if anything like 'Indian food' exists, and he is quick to assert that one cannot speak of an 'Indian food' but it should always be rephrased as the 'foods of India' which reflects the diversity of Indian culture in general. Adding that while in the West they think they know what Indian food is - tandoori chicken and palak paneer, which could probably be called the national dishes of Sweden considering how people in his home country love that classic dhaba combo, he says, here in India the scene is way more fascinating. "Once I was besotted by aloo bonda, then my love became vada-sambhar, then I got a passion for mackerel recheado, then grew a life-long love for ragimudde, in between I had an affair with Bihari litti-chokha, and I also could not resist ker-sangri in Rajasthan, then I fell for pandi kari, and more recently I've been completely bewildered by the tribal foods of the Northeast and how they cook there - I even went to stay with a lady in Garohills last year and was her kitchen helper in order to understand how she cooked their typical dishes, like different kinds of dried fish. But when it boils down to what it boils down to, I think the best food in the world is probably dal-roti. When one just needs to eat well, like if you're on a long trek in the Himalayas, nothing beats a bowl of dal and hot rotis. Having said that, I also think UNESCO should grant world heritage status to masala dosa and Udupi." As the conversation veers towards the fact that the viewpoint of an 'outsider' is mostly enriching, he remembers a chat with psychoanalyst, Sudhir Kakar, who made him realise that it is only when one goes abroad and stays outside one's home country for some time, that one begins to understand one's country. "When one is where one is, he/she takes everything around for granted. So it is travel that broadens one's vision. This is why Gandhi, to take one example which I discuss in my book, became the Mahatma - he went abroad in his late teens and returned when he was a successful professional, and he was able to see then what needed to be done to end colonialism. Of course, that's to slightly simplify things, as it took until 1947 to achieve that, and many others contributed too, but his experiences from abroad were definitely crucial. And it also changed his perspectives on Indian food habits too. So, the insider-outsider vision can be very useful as it makes one examine things rather than take them for granted. And that's the beauty of travel, you go somewhere and you become more aware of yourself - if you are mindful enough to notice the possibility. And once you become aware of yourself, you become aware of many other things that you may have been blind to before." Washington, June 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden have announced a slew of defense and technology deals and initiatives that will give India ability to coproduce jet engines, armed SeaGuardian drones, a semiconductor assembly and testing facility and a shot at the Moon. Yashwant Raj Washington, June 23 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden have announced a slew of defense and technology deals and initiatives that will give India ability to coproduce jet engines, armed SeaGuardian drones, a semiconductor assembly and testing facility and a shot at the Moon. The two leaders "affirmed a vision of the United States and India as among the closest partners in the world - a partnership of democracies looking into the 21st century with hope, ambition, and confidence", according to a joint statement issued after their meeting at the White House on Thursday. Prime Minister Modi hailed the jet engine deal signed between GE and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) as a "landmark" and the Americans described it as both "groundbreaking" and "trailblazing". GE will jointly manufacture F-414 engines in India with HAL for use in the next generation of Tejas fighter jets. The deal "will enable greater transfer of US jet engine technology than ever before", the two sides said in the joint statement and added: "The leaders committed their governments to working collaboratively and expeditiously to support the advancement of this unprecedented co-production and technology transfer proposal." The two leaders welcomed India's plans to buy General Atomics's armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAVs, which will be assembled in India. The drones will enhance the ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) capabilities of India's armed forces across domains. General Atomics will also establish a Comprehensive Global MRO facility in India to support India's long-term goals to boost indigenous defense capabilities, in a nod to the Prime Minister's "Make in India" campaign. Defense announcements also included the adoption of a Defense Industrial Cooperation Roadmap to provide policy direction to defense industries and enable co-production of advanced defense systems, and Master Ship Repairs Agreement with Indian shipyards for US navy ships to go for repairs. Technology featured "very prominently" in the discussions between Modi and Biden, as Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, and the joint statement clearly reflected it with at least 21 initiatives cutting across domains and sectors and spanning everything from technology transfer to technology trade, to trade in technology products, and technology services. The joint statement listed out between 20 and 25 ares of new partnership or initiatives, including: $825 million investment by Micron Technology, Inc to build a new semiconductor assembly and test facility in India; Lam Research proposing to train 60,000 Indian engineers; Applied Materials, Inc., to invest $400 million to establish a collaborative engineering center in India. The joint statement noted India signing on to the Artemis Accords, a US-led agreement to set the norms for exploration and exploitation of the Moon, Mars and the potentially mineral-rich asteroids. Announcing the deal at the joint press briefing, Modi said: "By taking the decision to join the Artemis Accords, we have taken a big leap forward in our space cooperation. In fact, in short, for India and America's partnership, even the sky is not the limit." Space cooperation between two sides will include pursuing the "a goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024". No further details were available of this initiative, though US space press speculated it could mean NASA assisting ISRO in putting an Indian astronaut on a private mission to the space station. The two sides also launched Joint Task Forces on advanced telecommunications, focused on Open RAN and research and development in 5G/6G technologies, in pursuit of the two leaders' vision of "creating secure and trusted telecommunications, resilient supply chains, and enabling global digital inclusion". The two sides announced the establishment of the Indo-US Quantum Coordination Mechanism to facilitate collaboration among industry, academia, and government, and work toward a comprehensive Quantum Information Science and Technology agreement. The ongoing cooperation in research between the the US National Science Foundation and India's Department of Science and Technology a new implementation agreement between them will enable them to fund both sides will fund joint projects in computer and information science and engineering, cyber physical systems, and secure and trustworthy cyberspace. On clean energy, the two sides noted India's VSK Energy LLC's plan to invest up to $1.5 billion to develop a new, vertically integrated solar panel manufacturing operation in the US and India's JSW Steel USA's plans to invest $120 million at its Mingo Junction, Ohio, steel plant to better serve growing markets in the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors. The two leaders also took stock of the ongoing discussions between US's the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and Westinghouse Electric Company (WEC) for the construction of six nuclear reactors in India, a byproduct of the 2008 India-US civil nuclear agreement. The leaders welcomed "intensified consultations" with Westinghouse to develop a techno-commercial offer for the Kovvada nuclear project. The two leaders also took stock of global and regional developments. They expressed their "deep concern over the conflict" in Ukraine; underscored the need to reform and strengthen the multilateral systems such as the UN Security Council (India has staked a claim to a permanent membership of the expanded Security Council, and the US is backing it); recommitted themselves to empowering the Quad as a partnership for global good; reiterated their enduring commitment to a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous India-Pacific region with respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, and international law; expressed deep concern about the deteriorating situation in Myanmar; condemned the destabilising ballistic missile launches of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). Standing together against terrorism, the two leaders "reiterated the call for concerted action" against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qa'ida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen," the joint statement said, adding, "They called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice". Their discussions also covered trade and commerce and health. India restated its desire for the reinstatement of its special trading rights under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) under which some Indian goods could enter the US market at zero tariff. It was suspended in 2019 by President Donald Trump. The scheme stands lapsed currently -- not just for India but all beneficiaries -- and has to be renewed by US congress. The Biden administration has promised to review India's case according to the eligibility criteria set by the Congress whenever it renews the scheme. Lucknow, June 23 : Aiming to make Uttar Pradesh a $1 trillion economy, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday that he has envisioned "UP for UP, UP for India, UP for Global" for the state. The Chief Minister said that now is the time for Uttar Pradesh to utilise all its potentials and establish itself as the most important base for the nation's multidimensional growth. Fixing sector-wise short-term and long-term strategies according to UP's potential, Adityanath has set a timeframe of five years to achieve this ambitious goal. The Chief Minister was addressing a meeting of officials to review the progress in various sectors. He also said that by 2027, Uttar Pradesh will become a state with an economy of $1 trillion. The Chief Minister said that according to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "it is our mission to make Uttar Pradesh a $1 trillion economy". "Officers should concentrate on the core sectors for this, and our core sectors are manufacturing, IT & ITES, religious tourism, and agriculture. Apart from this, we also need to put special focus on sectors like energy, health, urban development, education, food processing, and MSME, among others," he said. The officials informed the Chief Minister that there is a plan to develop the major metropolitan cities of the state as hubs for different sectors. In this sequence, preparations are on to make Lucknow the country's first AI city. The Chief Minister said that to make the state a $1 trillion economy, more technology will have to be used to bring transparency to the system. Any type of pendency will not be tolerated at all, he said. While reviewing the construction sector, the Chief Minister said that 54 lakh houses have been constructed for the poor in the state. Directing the officials, Adityanath said that registration of all types of construction works must be done using technology, adding that construction work should not be done on agricultural land. He also said that each department should make full use of its resources to generate income. Efforts should be made to further improve the state's 'Ease of Doing Business' ranking by giving traders a transparent system. The Chief Minister suggested that the system be made so transparent that no businessmen or entrepreneur doing business in the state or wishing to do business should have any fear. He added that ODOP (One District One Product) has been empowered by removing all legal restrictions. The work that should have been done after Independence started in 2017, the Chief Minister said. "Today, lakhs of people are associated with the tourism industry in the state. There has been a growth of more than 24 per cent in this sector. There is no such tourist place in the state where even a single hotel or guest house is empty," Adityanath said. He also asked the officials to prepare the entire mechanism for an accurate assessment of the tourists visiting the state. New Delhi, June 23 : Concerned about rising prices of wheat, the government on Friday indicated that it may even consider reducing import duty on the commodity to scale down prices. Food Corporation of India (FCI) Chairman Ashok Meena told media persons that to bring down wheat prices, there are several options available and if need arises, then import duty on wheat may also be reduced. There is 40 per cent import duty on wheat currently. Meena further said that as part of market intervention to control wheat prices, FCI will conduct e-auction of wheat and also rice. Around 4 lakh metric tonnes of wheat will be offered under e-auction from 457 depots, he informed, adding that the tender for this would be issued by midnight on Friday. The FCI has kept the reserve price for wheat at Rs 2,150 per quintal. One bidder can bid only for 100 metric tonnes of wheat and also only local buyers can participate in the e-auction to ensure that GST registration of the state is mapped and checked before stocks are released, Meena added. These measures are being taken by the government because even after imposing stock limit on wheat to control its price rise earlier this month, there has been a percentage increase in its prices in the last 10 days. Government had imposed stock limit on wheat on June 12, however its efforts don't seem to have borne much fruit. On June 7, wheat was being sold at Rs 2,302 per quintal, however after stock limit was imposed on June 12, its prices had come down by 2 per cent. On June 14, wheat was being sold at Rs 2,268 per quintal, but on June 22, it's price rose sharply to Rs 2,340 per quintal. Experts say that owing to El Nino and poor monsoon conditions, wheat prices are expected to rise further. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked US President Joe Biden for accepting the proposal to add 'Africa' as a permanent member of the G20. "Under our G20 presidency, we are giving strength to 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' and giving voice to the Global South. I thank President Biden for granting support to my proposal of making Africa a permanent G20 member. I firmly believe that the world's two largest democracies - India and the US will be able to fulfil the aspirations of expectations and aspirations of the whole world," said PM Modi. Earlier, PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to his counterparts among the Group of 20 (G20) members, calling for the African Union to be given full membership of the grouping. The proposal was made in line with a request from the Union, which is made up of 55 countries of the African continent, aimed at enhancing Africa's voice on the international stage and shaping the future of our shared world. Prime Minister Modi firmly advocates and supports the African cause and has led from the front in this matter. Prime Minister Modi is also a strong believer in holding a greater voice of the Global South countries on international platforms, particularly of African countries. As part of India's G20 Presidency, he has particularly focused on incorporating priorities of the African countries in the G20 agenda. The G20, which was founded in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis, comprises the 20 largest economies. The grouping's members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, the UK, the US and the EU. India is set to host the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September. New Delhi, June 23 : India Today Group has launched a brand-new online portal for its Best Colleges Survey - the most credible and exhaustive ranking of institutions of higher learning in India for over a quarter century-featuring six years of ranking data as well as a wealth of granular information on thousands of institutes of higher learning. The interactive portal offers easy access, analysis, and guidance to our Best Colleges of India survey results for 2,000 colleges across 14 major streams-Engineering, Architecture, BBA, Mass Communication, Hotel Management, Fashion Design, MSW, BCA, BCom, BSc, BA, Law, Medical and Dental. Students and their guardians can now make informed choices at a click of the button. Aside from the college ranking-which can be filtered by state and city-our site also allows cross comparisons on five major indicators of quality: intake and quality of governance, academic excellence, infrastructure and living experience, personality and leadership development and placement and career. The goldmine of information also provides a wealth of data about each college, from courses offered and eligibility requirements to admission fees, cut offs, placements, faculty data, and information on the institute's industry connect. One of the USPs of this new portal is the Jobs in Demand section which offers insights on the positions and salaries on offer for graduates from different streams. A separate section on the Best Emerging Colleges presents new institutions of excellence while information on important exams, including JEE, NEET, CUET, LSAT and BITSAT is also available for easy reference. Patna, June 23 : Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday that all the opposition forces stand united in the fight against the BJP. Speaking to reporters after the mega opposition unity meeting here, Rahul Gandhi said: "BJP and RSS are attacking the foundation, institutions, and people's voice in the country. It is a fight for ideology. I raised this point in today's meeting as well. We all stand united. We may have small differences, but we have decided to work together with flexibility and we will protect the ideology we share." "As Kharge Ji and Nitish Ji said, we will hold another meeting on opposition unity. It is a process which will only strengthen in the the future," Rahul Gandhi said. The Congress leader also thanked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for offering 'Litti-Chokha' and 'Gulab Jamun'. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, "We will meet again in Shimla on July 10-12 and formulate a common agenda. We have to work separately in every state." RJD national President Lalu Prasad said: "I am fully fit now. I will fight Narendra Modi and the BJP. The leaders have put forward their perespectives at the meeting today. We have decided to meet in Shimla for the next meeting. "We will decide the next course of action there. We have to fight unitedly. People of the country are saying that we are not getting united and the BJP-RRS is taking advantage of that and winning elections. But it will not happen this time as we will fight together." Patna, June 23 : At the mega opposition unity meeting in Patna on Friday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed that the Congress is the not supporting the ordinance brought by the Centre for control of services, even as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge made it clear that the meeting was called to discuss national issues with focus on next year's general election. Sources told IANS that Kejriwal raised the issue of Congress not making its stand clear on the Centre's ordinance over control of services. A source said that after listening to Kejriwal's argument, Kharge said that when the ordinance issue will come up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha, it will be discussed by the opposition parties just like every Bill is discussed. The source said that Kharge also told Kejriwal, "Today the issue is not about states, but about national politics and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. So we will focus on that." Kharge said that when the time comes, Congress will clear its stand on the ordinance, the source said. "Give and take will be there, some old wounds will be there but we will have to wait and see if ointment will be applied or it will be left open," the source said. Sources also revealed that National Conference leader Omar Abdullah reminded Kejriwal how it supported the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. After the meeting in Patna, which was attended by 15 opposition parties, the AAP issued a statement saying that Congress' hesitation and refusal to act as a team player on an important issue will make it very difficult for AAP to be a part of any alliance that includes the grand-old party. The AAP also said that until the Congress publicly denounces the 'black' ordinance and declares that all 31 of its Rajya Sabha MPs will oppose it, it will be difficult for AAP to participate in future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant. It added that the ordinance not only aims to snatch the democratic rights of an elected government in Delhi, but also poses a significant threat to India's democracy and Constitutional principles. Hyderabad/New Delhi, June 23 : The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which skipped the meeting of opposition parties held in Patna on Friday, has made it clear that it doesn't subscribe to the view that the BJP or the Congress should be the nucleus of any front or coalition. BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao hinted that BRS will maintain equidistance from both the Congress and the BJP and it maintains that people and not parties should unite. "We believe in uniting people on issues and not in uniting parties," he told media persons in New Delhi. Interestingly, he was in the national capital to meet Union Ministers on a day when leaders of 15 opposition parties, including the Congress, met in Patna and decided to work together. KTR, as the leader is popularly known, stated that any effort will be successful only when people unite and not parties. "Even if 20 parties unite and there is no outcome, which is people-centric, there is no point in it. It can't hinge on your blind hatred for one party or another," he said. "If you have to ensure that people vote for you, you have to tell what you have done when given the opportunity. Unfortunately, the Congress can't claim much. "A simple philosophy we have been championing is that it's not about uniting political parties. The agenda should be to unite people on issues. Unfortunately, in India political rhetoric eclipses everything around it," he remarked. "We have maintained all along that people should unite, based on people centric issues. Unfortunately, the whole ecosystem that has been built is that the BJP or Congress should be the nucleus of any front or coalition. This is something we don't subscribe to," the BRS leader said. KTR alleged that both Congress and BJP have miserably failed in ensuring development of the country during the last 75 years despite people giving them huge opportunities. "Congress was given 50 years to administer the nation and BJP was given 15 years. If today you look around, our neighbours are doing better and so many countries moved on in the last seven decades while our country is where it was," he said. "If India still has villages without electricity and drinking water, it is because of these two national parties. There is a need for people to unite against both these parties. We will continue our efforts to unite people on the basis of issues against these two parties," he added. KTR stated that the BRS will continue its efforts to expand itself in other states. "If a small state like Telangana is able to do wonders in a short span of nine years, the rest of the country has a lot to pick and learn. We want the Telangana model of development to be replicated across the country. That is why we are spreading wings and ambitions to other parts of India including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh," he said. KTR launched a scathing attack on Congress while reacting to the allegation by its leaders that his BRS skipped the Patna meeting as it is the "B team" of BJP. "Everyone knows how Congress and BJP colluded in Nizamabad and Karimnagar parliamentary constituencies. People know who is colluding with whom," he said. He dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the weakest Prime Minister in the history of independent India and said that his party has been ahead of others in criticising Modi's "inefficiency". To another query about Congress, he said: "Congress has been a disaster for this nation. They have been, in fact, the root cause for every malice that plagues India today. The fact that Congress has been given 50 years at governance has not been able to deliver reflects in their mindset and in their silly criticism." Bengaluru, June 23 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday met various industrialists to address the issue of power tariff hike in the state and the other issues faced by them. The industrialists' delegation was led by the President of Karnataka Federation of Commerce and Industry (KFCCI), B.V. Gopal Reddy. The Chief Minister said that it is wrong to say that the Griha Jyothi Scheme is a burden on the state government. "Our government has not taken any decision on increasing electricity charges. The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) had decided to increase the charges before our government came to power," he told the visiting delegation. The Chief Minister assured the delegation that a separate meeting will be held between the finance department, energy department, Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA), and KFCCI to discuss the demands submitted by the delegation. After the KERC increased power tariff for the industrial sector, the industrialists of the state had appealed to the government to reduce electricity tax to 3 per cent from 9 per cent which is levied on small and medium industries and HT industries. "We also requested to give discount on fuel escalation charges and also to form an MSME policy which is already in force in other states," the delegation had urged. New Delhi, June 23 : A 24-year-old man was stabbed to death by his acquaintance in north Delhi's Wazirabad area, in what is suspected to be a case of personal enmity, police said on Friday. The incident occurred on Thursday night and the deceased was identified as Md Faizan. The official said that Faizan was unemployed and is suspected to be a drug addict. According to police, a police control room call was received regarding the stabbing incident in the Wazirabad area following which a police team was rushed to the spot. "Faizan was rushed to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital where he was declared brought dead," Deputy Commissioner of Police, North, Sagar Singh Kalsi said. During initial investigation, it was revealed that Abdul Mashad had arrived near the victim's house and stabbed him. "Mashad, who is also alleged to be a drug addict, fled after the incident with his friend. The victim sustained a stab injury below the chest and died," the official added. "The victim and the accused were known to each other and they consumed drugs together. A case of murder has been registered and the accused has been arrested in connection with the incident," the official added. Shimla, June 23 : Fourteen years ago, then main opposition BJP had held a brainstorming session in Shimla over the state of affairs in the party against the backdrop of the Lok Sabha defeat in 2009 and internal bickering. At that time, the split within the BJP was wide open with the expulsion of its own MP Jaswant Singh over alleged ideological transgressions related to his remarks on Pakistan's founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah and senior leaders like Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha, demanding soul-searching in the party after its poll debacle. Now the opposition parties of the present day, including the Congress, which assembled in Patna on Friday for the grand opposition unity meeting aimed at forging a united face to take on the BJP in next year's Lok Sabha polls, have again decided to meet in Shimla for a brainstorming session from July 10-12. The venue for the opposition brainstorming session is likely to the state-run guest house-cum-hotel Peterhoff, officials told IANS. In August 2009, this entire hotel was booked when the BJP hosted its three-day 'Chintan Baithak' or introspection meet that saw the attendance of top party leaders like L.K. Advani, then Leader of Opposition Rajnath Singh, Jaswant Singh and Sushma Swaraj, among others. At that time, the BJP government in the state was led by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, the father of Union minister Anurag Thakur. Currently, the Congress is in power in Himachal led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu, who rose from the ranks without any dynasty background but has wide organisational experience. A senior Congress leader told IANS that special arrangements will be made for the opposition leaders to visit the other imperial buildings in the state capital which were once institutions of power when the hill town was the summer capital of British India. Over 25 senior BJP leaders, including then Chief Ministers Narendra Modi (Gujarat), Raman Singh (Chhattisgarh), Ramesh Pokhriyal (Uttarakhand) and B.S. Yeddyurappa (Karnataka), had participated in the 2009 introspection session. Among other issues, former Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh's remarks on Jinnah in his book 'Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence' were subjected to detailed discussions during the Shimla session. On the opening day of the brainstorming session, the decision to expel Jaswant Singh, who passed away in September 2020, was taken by the Parliamentary Board of the party which met here. Within hours of his expulsion, Jaswant Singh, who was in Shimla then but had been instructed by Rajnath Singh to stay away from the 'Chintan Baithak' as "tempers were running high", met the media and said with tears in his eyes: "I have committed no sin." Jaswant Singh had said he had been expelled "for merely writing a book" without even the courtesy of a show-cause notice. As someone who had been associated with the party for 30 years, he said the decision had left him saddened but he will not appeal against the move. "I do not want to compromise on my self-respect for the path I have chosen for myself," he had said, stressing that his political career was far from over in spite of the setback. Lauding Jinnah as a "great man" in his book, Jaswant Singh had said Jinnah was "demonised" in India, while it was actually India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel whose belief in a centralised polity had led to the Partition of the subcontinent. The BJP was then facing a rebellion by Vasundhara Raje, who had defied the party high command and refused to step down as Leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly despite being asked to do so. At that time, the BJP had admitted that hate speeches were among the reasons for its humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. The closed-door meetings had also discussed threadbare a report of a committee headed by the party's Vice President Bal Apte. However, senior party leader Arun Jaitley had denied that such a report (by the Apte Committee) existed or was discussed at the session. Not many people might be aware that Shimla, the erstwhile summer capital of British India, had witnessed the trial of Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathu Ram Godse. The trial was carried out from 1948-49 in the British-era Peterhoff building. At that time, it housed the Punjab High Court and this town was part of united Punjab. Shimla, which served as the summer capital of British India between 1864 and 1939, currently has 91 British-era heritage buildings. (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com) New Delhi, June 23 : Delhi Police's Special Cell has arrested a member of the infamous Hashim Baba gang, who was wanted in two murder cases, after an overnight encounter in Delhi's Ghazipur area, the police said on Friday. The accused has been identified as Mohd Zahid, a native of Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh. Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), H.G.S. Dhaliwal, said that in the intervening night of June 22-23, an information was received that Zahid would come to the Paper Market in Ghazipur to meet his associate in order to commit some heinous crime. "Acting upon the tip-off, a trap was laid near the Shiv Mandir behind Paper Market. At around 1:30 a.m., Zahid was spotted there on an Apache motorcycle," Dhaliwal said. The police team surrounded Zahid and asked him to surrender. However, finding himself surrounded by the police, the accused whipped out a pistol and opened fire at the raiding party. The police retaliated in self-defence, resulting in gunshot injury on the left foot of Zahid, the Special CP said. Zahid was immediately shifted to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital for treatment. As per police records, at an early age, Zahid got influenced by a criminal from his village named Samarpal and started committing crime with him. "Later, he joined the Vijay Lamba gang. Before his arrest, he was a key member of the dreaded Hashim Baba gang. On May 28, 2020, the accused along with Hashim, Aman, Guddu and Sachin had killed a freelance reporter named Haider in the Bhajanpura area," the officer said. On May 10 this year, Zahid along with his associate Sageer, had robbed Rs 55 lakh from an employee of Ridha Metal Company at gunpoint in the Sadar Bazar area. Washington, June 23 : Who is she? Soon after the White House released the guest list for the state dinner for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Google search began registering hits for Seema Sadanandan. And when she walked in with Ashley Biden, the US President's daughter, Google searches for Sadanandan surged, with a spike late into the night and early morning. Who is this woman with the President's daughter? Sadanandan is an Indian American lawyer in AWashington DC. She describes herself on her LinkedIn page as a "lawyer and seasoned campaign strategist" and she indicates her field of expertise is "Strategy and Public Policy Consulting - Criminal Justice Reform and Racial Equity". Sadanandan worked on Biden's election campaign in 2020 as a senior policy adviser, leaving in December after Biden's election. But as is the practice for campaign staff, she did not join the administration. Before joining Biden's election campaign, Sadanandan was Managing Director of Government Affairs/State Campaigns Managing Director of Government Affairs/State Campaigns with the Alliance for Safety and Justice, which describes itself as a multi-state organisation that aims to replace over-incarceration with more effective public safety solutions rooted in crime prevention, community health, rehabilitation and support for crime victims. She was earlier with American Civil Liberties Union of the Nation's Capital (ACLU-NCA) as criminal justice director; and for two years she worked in Karnataka as an agricultural workers labor union organizer with Jagrutha Mahila Sanghatane. Sadanandan studied law at the American University in Washington DC and sociology at the Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Kolkata, June 23 : The Calcutta High Court on Friday sought an explanation from the State Election Commission (SEC) on why as many as 20,585 candidates withdrew their nominations for the July 8 panchayat elections in West Bengal. The division bench of Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam also sought to know why as many 274 seats in a particular block in South 24 Parganas district were won uncontested by the candidates of a particular party. The court also sought to know how Moinuddin Gazi, a Trinamool Congress candidate in North 24 Parganas district, could file his nomination despite being in Saudi Arabia. The division bench has asked the SEC to submit these explanations in the form of an affidavit by July 27. The matter has been listed for next hearing on June 28. The bench gave the directions after hearing contempt of court petitions filed by leader of opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, and Congress MP Abu Hasem Khan Chowdhury. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Ashoke Kumar Chakrabory informed the court that the Union Home Ministry has no difficulty in deploying over 82,000 central armed forces personnel as sought by the State Election Commission. However, at the same time, he argued that such a huge deployment would have been more feasible had there been a five-phase poll, as happened in 2013. In fact, Adhikari as well as CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty too had questioned whether 82,000 force personnel will be enough for the single-phase poll this time, considering that the number of voters, districts, polling stations and booths have gone up manifold since 2013. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. From Tesla to Apple, leading U.S. corporations are accelerating their push into India as an alternative production hub to China amid protracted tensions between Washington and Beijing. Tesla CEO Elon Musk met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York on Tuesday. The electric vehicle maker is reportedly in talks with New Delhi to set up a factory in India, expanding a production network that spans the U.S., China, Germany and Mexico. "I am confident that Tesla will be in India, and will do so as soon as humanly possible," Musk said afterward. On Thursday, Micron Technology said it will invest $825 million to build a semiconductor assembly and testing facility in the Indian state of Gujarat. The project is expected to receive support from New Delhi and Gujarat. Amazon Web Services, Amazon.com's cloud unit, said in May that it will invest 1.06 trillion rupees ($12.9 billion) in India by 2030, including to build new data centers. This represents a major increase from the 309 billion rupees invested between 2016 and 2022. These moves come amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and China. Since 2018, Washington has imposed restrictions on trade with Beijing and worked to decouple American supply chains from China in areas that affect economic security. This has made it more difficult for U.S. companies to buy and sell Chinese goods and services, raising the risk of doing business in China. India's importance to American businesses has grown in the meantime. The U.S. accounted for 22% of foreign direct investment to India in 2020. It was the second-largest investor in India last year, after Singapore, and could account for an even larger slice when including indirect investments such as those made through the Cayman Islands. India's appeal stems largely from the size of its domestic market. The country reportedly overtook China as the world's most populous this year. Its per-capita gross domestic product is expected to reach $2,600 this year and top $3,000 in 2025, the International Monetary Fund projects. Consumer spending generally appears to accelerate at the $3,000 mark, which China crossed in 2008, the year it hosted the Beijing Olympics. Purchasing power in India is expected to continue increasing beyond its largest cities. Apple opened its first stores in India in April, and wants to shift more output there from China with the help of suppliers like Hon Hai Precision Industry, known as Foxconn. The U.S. tech company reportedly aims to produce around 25% of its products in India, up from 5%-7% currently. European and Japanese companies also are increasing investment in India in light of China-related risks. In April, Suzuki Motor said through a subsidiary that it will expand annual capacity in India by 1 million vehicles from the current 2.25 million. Modi in 2014 set a goal of expanding manufacturing to 25% of India's GDP. The recent surge in foreign investments could help the country finally meet this target. "A new world order is forming, and we have to seize the opportunity," Modi said at a semiconductor industry event in 2022. New Delhi, June 23: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has threatened Pakistani security forces after they tried to arrest Abdul Aziz Ghazi - the controversial cleric of the famous Lal Masjid at Islamabad. Ghazi has been booked by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on terror charges along with four other people. He has been booked under the charges of rioting with weapons, unlawful assembly, obstructing public servants and attempt to commit qatl-i-amd - which means that the cleric tried to cause death. The Lal Masjid, which has always been associated with terror outfits and radical students is no stranger to controversy. It is known to shelter terrorists and radical elements from internationally proscribed terror groups. On behalf of the TTP militants, spokesperson Muhammad Khurasani issued a statement threatening the CTD with severe consequences if the radical cleric Ghazi was harmed. The forces had tried to question the cleric on Wednesday after which tension prevailed in the Pakistani capital. Burqa-clad women students from the mosque blocked roads and beat up police women with sticks. Umme Hasaan, the wife of the maulana, sought help from the TTP, inviting the banned terror group to intervene. In her fiery speech, she sought revenge and threatened suicide attacks on Pakistani security personnel. The TTP has been running a campaign against the Pakistan government and the security forces ever since the Taliban came to power in neighbouring Afghanistan in 2021. In her video, the maulana's wife said: "I urged TTP to kill CTD ISI armed or unarmed, as you have killed them... before... if they do something to Maulana Abdul Aziz, we will kill 1,000 for one". She said in her viral video that the students of the Lal Masjid seminary had earlier braved the brutality of President General Pervez Musharraf, adding that the government now has forgotten about the suicide bombers. Pakistan's security forces said there were reports of firing by the maulana's supporters from the Lal Masjid. Pakistan's security forces are already under attack from the TTP which wants to install a Sharia-compliant government in Islamabad. The group which operates from the Afghan-Pakistan border areas has led a campaign against Pakistan's security forces in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces killing hundreds of police personnel in the last few months. One of their major operations included the takeover of the Karachi Police Headquarters and the bombing of a mosque in Peshawar that killed 101 people, mostly policemen. In 2007, clerics and students of the Lal Masjid had unleashed a campaign of terror by indulging in kidnappings, violent demonstrations and attacks on security personnel for over 18 months. Finally, General Musharraf was forced to launch a security operation to cleanse the mosque and the madrassa of terrorists. China also mounted diplomatic pressure on Islamabad as the Lal Masjid students had kidnapped seven Chinese women. The Lal Masjid operation took the lives of 100 security personnel, madrassa students, clerics and other people. The commando operation also found terrorists from the Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami with a huge array of Ak-47 guns, hand grenades, petrol bombs and rocket launchers. (The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative Guwahati, June 23 : Even though there is displeasure among a section of leaders within the BJP on the draft delimitation for Assam published by the Election Commission of India (ECI), Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted on Friday that it would provide safeguards to the 'Khilonjiya' (original inhabitants) Assamese people, something which the National Register of Citizens (NRC) could not do. The draft delimitation published by the ECI has proposed a major overhaul in many Assembly and Parliamentary seats in Assam. Many prominent leaders cutting across party lines may face uncertainty in the upcoming elections if this draft gets accepted. In Cachar district, the local BJP unit is unhappy over the draft. This is because the Silchar Lok Sabha seat has been proposed to be reserved for a Scheduled Caste (SC) candidate. In that case, the current MP representing the seat, Rajdeep Roy, will not be able to contest the polls in 2024. Also, major changes have been proposed in the boundaries of each Assembly seat in the district, which has irked the local leaders who have started to oppose the delimitation draft. Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader and five-time MLA Prodip Hazarika told IANS, "My constituency Amguri has been proposed to be abolished in the draft. But this is one of the oldest constituencies in the state and the first election was held here in 1951, just after Independence. Amguri has given some of the tall leaders to state politics." Hazrika also warned of launching a protest in his area if the draft is not altered. "We are discussing the issue within our party and a formal decision on the delimitation will be taken soon," he added. However, Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that the draft delimitation will prove beneficial for the original inhabitants of Assam. Sarma has been very vocal against the Bangladeshi Muslim infiltration issue in Assam and has raised the matter several times. Since he became the Chief Minister, it has been alleged that many of his actions were targeted against the Bengali-speaking Muslims living in the state. The Chief Minister said, "To save the original inhabitants of Assam from the invasion of Bangladeshi infiltrators, this draft delimitation must be properly implemented." Sarma also admitted that NRC failed to address this issue and it is his government that has been batting for a new NRC in the state. The state government has expressed its willingness to conduct a re-verification of the NRC at least in the districts adjacent to the Bangladesh border, alleging that names of Bangladeshi infiltrators were included in the NRC. Reacting to the annoyance among BJP leaders and its ally AGP over the draft, Sarma said, "I know some people are disappointed. Even my constituency faces some major changes. The people who voted for me for the last several years will have to cast their votes in a different constituency. I am saddened, but I have to accept it because we must understand that delimitation is the only way to protect the Assamese identity." Imphal, June 23 : Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Friday visited Kwakta areas in Bishnupur district, where prefabricated houses would be constructed to provide temporary shelter to the people displaced in the ongoing ethnic violence. After visiting the areas, Singh tweeted: "Inspected the site for construction of prefabricated houses at Kwakta, Bishnupur district to address the housing needs for the people displaced by the unfortunate violence in the state. This site is one of the many temporary facilities which is being developed by the state govt to accommodate people displaced by the violence at both the hills and the valley. In these difficult times, let us take all possible steps to bring peace in Manipur for good." The Chief Minister has asked the officials to speed up the construction of the prefabricated temporary houses for the displaced people. Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi, several other leaders and senior officials accompanied the Chief Minister. Singh had earlier said that 4,000 prefabricated temporary homes would be constructed within two months for the people displaced in the ethnic violence, which broke out since May 3, and had so far has claimed 120 lives and injured around 400 people of different communities. "Collection of construction materials and process to construct the temporary houses have already started to build the prefabricated temporary houses for the displaced people. After completion of the temporary houses, the inmates of the relief camps would be shifted there for a brief period before their permanent settlement at their original places," Singh had told the media. In view of the ethnic strife in Manipur since May 3, approximately 50,650 men, women and children, displaced in the violence, are sheltered in 350 camps. Over 13,000 displaced people from Manipur so far also took shelter in Mizoram, Nagaland, and Assam. An official statement said that the Manipur government has been running relief camps since May 3 for the displaced people in view of the prevailing law and order situation in various violence affected districts. The semi-permanent relief camps for the affected people have been set up in line with the basic minimum requirements as per the provisions of National Disaster Management Act's (NDMA) prescribed minimum standard in respect of shelter in relief camps. Certain conditions were fulfilled while setting up a relief camp. These camps preferably opened in the existing government structures having basic minimum facilities and the buildings are well protected and secured, preferably by security personnel and Army, the statement said. The building or site of these camps have easy access for fire tenders and have differently-abled friendly facilities and special care arrangements for pregnant and lactating mothers, children and elderly people. The district administrations have been arranging basic one time facilities and consumables like mattresses, cooking utensils, water tanks, toilet, food items, drinking water etc. for the inhabitants in the relief camps. For these camps, a three level Relief Camp Management structure was set up to ensure effective functioning and monitoring of the camps in all the violence-affected districts. The relief camps are supported by the district administration, which appointed one nodal officer for each camp who are responsible to provide support to the relief camp, in close coordination with the available Civil Society Organisations and local clubs, the statement added. Chandigarh, June 23 : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Friday said Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's 'outrageous' and 'shameless' act of humiliating and ridiculing a Gursikh's beard in the assembly was a systematic attack on the unique identity of the Khalsa Panth. He said this was done as a part of a deep-rooted conspiracy to defame and disgrace the unique religious identity of the Sikh qaum (community). "Its real motive is to deprive the Sikhs of pride in their unique identity," he told media persons. Majithia told assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan that it was shocking that he himself is an Amritdhari Sikh and he "felt no hurt to his religious sentiments and kept smiling in his chair while watching Bhagwant Mann gleefully tearing Sikh religious heritage to pieces." "The Speaker neither intervened nor advised the Chief Minister to withdraw his remarks nor asked him to tender an apology. On the contrary, Sandhwan made no secret of his joy over the insult being heaped on the sacred symbol of his religion at the highest platform of democracy and in full global view," Majithia said. The Akali leader said the Speaker's willing and joyful participation in the CM's outrage against sacred Sikh symbols brought back memories of his grandfather Giani Zail Singh remaining a mute witness to the massacre of thousands of innocent Sikhs as well as to the army assault on Harmandar Sahib in 1984. "Shockingly, the Speaker did not expunge the CM's shameful remarks from the Vidhan Sabha records. Instead, he allowed these remarks to become a part of recorded history," he added. Panaji, June 23 : Congress General Secretary Viriato Fernandes on Friday alleged that the BJP government in Goa is discouraging local farmers to procure fruits and vegetables from neighboring states to get commission. Fernandes was talking to reporters after submitting a memorandum to the agriculture department to increase support price and subsidy on agricultural products. He said that farmers are not getting the assistance on time, which deprives them from doing agricultural activities. "Government is trying to make us dependent on neighboring states, so they get commission from agents while procuring the vegetables and fruits," he said. He said that the government is trying to strangle farmers by delaying the assistance. He said youth should not be encouraged to venture in agriculture sector as government has failed to provide them facilities. He said that Congress demands white paper on fallow land and crop production of the state. Under Goa State Horticultural Corporation Ltd (GSHCL), around 1300 vendors in the state sell vegetables. GSHCL purchases vegetables from other states and supplies to these vendors. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, in September last year, said that vegetables imported from other states under government scheme will be stopped and only local produce will be purchased, once production is increased. "We are dependent on vegetables procured from Belgavi-Karnataka. We now 'like' the taste of outside procurement, more than our traditionally grown here. This is a fact," Sawant had said. Sawant said that Goa is dependent on other states for milk, fruits, vegetables, chicken and mutton. "Whatever we need should be produced in Goa. At least half of the required quantity should be produced in Goa," he had said. New Delhi, June 23 : The Supreme Court on Friday declined to grant anticipatory bail to Abhishek Jha, the husband of suspended Jharkhand cadre IAS officer Pooja Singhal, in a money laundering case in connection with the alleged MNREGA scam in the state. A vacation bench comprising justices Surya Kant and M.M. Sundresh scheduled the matter for next hearing on July 5, and declined to grant any relief to Jha, who had moved the court against a Jharkhand High Court order passed in May that denied him bail in the case. Singhal is the main accused in the scam allegedly involving embezzlement of public funds of Rs 18.07 crore. She was the Deputy Commissioner of Khunti district then. On May 18, the high court had junked Jha's anticipatory bail plea and asked him to surrender before the court within four weeks. The prosecution had claimed that Jha's fortunes soared after he got married to Singhal, and the ill-gotten cash, which were allegedly the proceeds of crime made by the officer through corrupt practices, reached his bank accounts. However, Jha had contested this argument claiming that the money was his legitimate income from his job in Australia. New Delhi, June 23 : Indian Overseas Congress Chairman Sam Pitroda said on Friday that BJP is spreading lies about Rahul Gandhi, who is a dedicated Indian and has the "DNA of freedom fighters and people who sacrificed their lives for the country". The BJP had targeted former Congress President Rahul Gandhi for keeping the details of his meetings abroad secret and accused him of being an agent of the 'other' country. Pitroda said that Rahul Gandhi is not going abroad to "complain" because he has said that "Indian democracy is for larger global public good" and "India cannot be insulted" if anyone criticises the government. "Rahul Gandhi is not an agent of any country. He is a dedicated Indian who has the DNA of freedom fighters and people who believed in the idea of India. You (BJP) are calling him an agent? You got to be stupid," Pitroda said during an interview with IANS. Pitroda said that Rahul Gandhi is not going aborad to complain, because, as he has said and I totally agree with him, Indian democracy is for larger global public good. "We are the largest democracy in the world. And it is our moral responsibility to talk to other countries. The other countries need to be democratic, still we respect them for what they are. We believe in freedom, liberty, justice, inclusion. One doesn't have to agree, but we believe that certain things are going through stress in India and we want to spread that message and there is nothing wrong in it," he said. "Criticising the government is different from criticising India, but these (BJP) guys get confused and say that we are criticising India. No, India cannot be criticised. India is too big, it cannot be insulted by anybody. India has a long history, special heritage, it cannot be insulted by anybody," he said. He added that an opposition leader can criticise the government which is perfectly normal and should be acceptable, adding that one should pay attention to criticisms instead attacking the critique. Pitorda also said that during Rahul Gandhi's recent six-day visit to the US, he met with 15 professors at Stanford University, who all specialise in studying democracy. "These people have written books on democracy and it's always good to have a conversation with them. We learnt from them, they also learnt from our side," the Congress leader said. Taking a swipe at the BJP for not holding a conversation, Pitroda said: "If the BJP does not want to have a conversation, it's their privilege. When Rahul Gandhi came to the US, he addressed the National Press Club before 100 journalists from all over the world. I wish the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) does that. That is what the Prime Minister should do rather than asking questions. That is democracy, and that's what we are pushing for." He said the Congress wants a system that is "open, transparent, accountable", and not personal attacks based on lies. The technocrat, who had earlier worked with former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi, ex-Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, also opened up on the duel between Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot, saying that such fights don't help the party or the government, and it must be resolved at the earliest. Pitroda said: "Such fights don't help anybody. It doesn't help the Chief Minister or his former deputy. It doesn't help the party, nor does it help the state. These things must be resolved in a manner which is democratic. "Everyone's time will come. You don't have to be in a hurry... Everybody wants to be the Prime Minister, of the Chief Minister. Everybody wants to be head of something, but it doesn't work that way. Sometimes you have to let it go. That doesn't mean you have lost power. Power comes from moral authority and not from your position, but people don't always understand that. "They need to resolve this... I urge them and request them to resolve this at the earliest." When asked about the delay in reshuffling of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest decision making body, Pitroda said: "I think the party is aware of the challenges. The party was waiting for the Karnataka elections. Now that the elections are over, hopefully the CWC issue will be addressed in the next few weeks." He also said that elections are scheduled in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Rajasthan, which will be the priority for the party. "The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are also nearing, and it will get the attention it deserves. I think in the next couple of weeks, or maybe a month, a clear picture will emerge," he said. Pitroda has been instrumental in organising the programmes of Rahul Gandhi abroad. Earlier this year, Rahul Gandhi had visited the UK before going to the US for six days. During his visits, he met several eminent personalities and also addressed multiple events. (Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in) Kolkata, June 23 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will submit a detailed report to the Calcutta High Court on July 14 in the matter of expelled youth Trinamool Congress leader Kuntal Ghosh's letter accusing central agencies of putting pressure on him to name Trinamool Congress' national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in the multi-crore school recruitment case. Recently, the high court's single-judge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha had directed the authorities of the prison where Ghosh is housed to submit CCTV footage to the CBI in connection to the letters that Ghosh wrote to a local police station and to the judge of a special court in Kolkata, accusing the central agency sleuths. On Friday, the CBI counsel informed the high court that it has secured all the CCTV footage from Presidency Central Correctional Home, where Ghosh is serving judicial custody because of his alleged involvement in the school recruitment case. The counsel also informed the court that CBI officers are currently examining the footages. The court then scheduled the next hearing of the matter on July 14, and directed the CBI to submit a report on their findings from the CCTV footage on that date. Incidentally, Ghosh had accused the central agencies of putting pressure on him just a day after Abhishek Banerjee had made a similar claim at a public rally, accusing the central agencies of putting pressure on Trinamool leaders such as Madan Mitra and Kunal Ghosh to name him in the Saradha chit fund scam. Sources said that from the CCTV footage, the CBI is trying to deifer whether Ghosh wrote the letters himself or anyone else wrote them on his behalf. Bengaluru, June 23 : Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar was elected as the Memeber of Legislative Ccouncil (MLC) unanimously on Friday. Along with Shettar, state minister N.S. Boseraju and senior Congress leader Tippannappa Kamakanur were also elected to the council. Friday was the last day for taking back nominations by the candidates. The BJP did not field any candidate and only Congress candidates were in the fray. The nomination by Padmarajan as an Independent candidate was rejected. The three posts in the council fell vacant due to the resignation of former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, Baburao Chinchanasur and R. Shankar. All three were nominated by BJP back then. Savadi joined the Congress and is an MLA from Athani constituency now. The development is seen as the comeback of Shettar, who lost the recent Assembly elections from Hubballi-Dharwad Central contesting on a Congress ticket after jumping ship from the BJP. However, Shettar's move of joining the Congress ahead of the elections proved beneficial for the party to dent the Lingayat vote-bank of the BJP. Bengaluru, June 23 : The Karnataka BJP, which is in the mode of introspection and waiting for a momentum against the ruling Congress, which is growing stronger each passing day, has decided to bring former CM and Lingayat strongman B.S. Yediyurappa to the forefront ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections. Sources said that BJP is planning to launch an all-out agitation against the Congress government. The party is planning to launch agitation at Vidhana Soudha for 10 days for the government's 'failure' to implement the guarantees announced before the elections. All the BJP legislators will join the protest to send out a message to the masses. Yediyurappa has already started a state tour leading one of the seven teams in the run-up to next year's Lok Sabha elections. In yet another interesting development, former minister and senior Lingayat leader V. Somanna, who suffered defeat against Siddaramaiah from Varuna in the Assembly polls, on Friday staked claim for the post of state BJP President. As per party sources, Yediyurappa and Somanna are at loggerheads. The sources also claimed that Yediyurappa ensured the defeat of Somanna against Siddaramaiah. Speaking to reporters, Somanna said that he has conveyed to the party high command that he should be given a chance to become BJP's state unit chief. "Let the party give me an opportunity for 100 days, I will show what the organisation is all about. I visited Delhi twice and met the top leaders and discussed a few things. I am asking for the post in the backdrop of 45 years of my political career. I have completed all the tasks given by the party by taking risks and putting in hard work," he said. "The recent defeat in the Assembly elections proved to be a setback. Few might also raise questions over my capability to become the state unit chief. But I am a senior leader in the party and I can take everyone along. I have conveyed my wish to become the state unit President to Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President J.P. Nadda and National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh," he said. Somanna also said that Yediyurappa and other party leaders should be okay with his wish. "I did whatever he (Yediyurappa) asked me to do during the elections. But after the defeat, he (Yediyurappa) did not call me even once," Somanna said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. The Prosecutor General's Office of Russia commented on the initiation of a criminal case against the founder of Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin, Trend reports. The Prosecutor General's Office noted that a proper legal assessment of his actions would be given, the telegram channel of the Office said. "On June 23, 2023, the Investigation Department of Russias Federal Security Service legally and reasonably initiated a criminal case against Prigozhin under Article 279 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation on the fact of organizing an armed rebellion. His actions will be given a proper legal assessment. This crime is punishable by imprisonment for a term of 12 to 20 years," says the statement. Patna, June 23 : Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar on Friday asked the opposition leaders to forget the differences among themselves and fight for the country. "The situation in the country is not good even in BJP-ruled states. BJP also sabotages governments in the Congress-ruled states. We need to fight against the BJP which requires collective efforts. If we have any ideological differences, we need to sit together and sort it out," Pawar said. He added that a movement has started from Patna which will spread across the country. "I remember, one such movement was started from Patna under the leadership of Jayaprakash Narayan which spread across the country. A number of movements started from this place and were accepted in the country," the NCP Chief said. His remarks came in the wake of the opposition party meeting witnessing some arguments between Congress and the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on one side and the AAP on the other pertainting to issues such as ordinance and Article 370. Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said: "I want to thank Nitish for organising such a meeting. You are seeing that the prominent leaders of different political parties of the entire country are assembled here from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Everyone knows that we belong to different political parties. We came together to save the unity and integrity of the country." "We will object to anyone who attacks our democracy. Just like Mamata Didi has said that whether opposition parties would come on one platform? I object those who are traitors and want to bring dictatorship in the country. Today, we started the opposition unity and when the start is good, everything will go well in future. We will sit together from time-to-time and make strategies," Thackeray added. Guwahati, June 23 : : A man from Assam's Dima Hasao district was found guilty of kidnapping and raping a minor girl and sentenced to 25-year of rigorous imprisonment (RI). Public Prosecutor Ajoy Chakraborty, told reporters, on Friday that it was discovered in the medical examinations that the 13-year-old victim was sexually assaulted. She described the occurrence in her statement, which was later recorded by the police. The police presented a case diary to the court following the initial inquiry, and the hearing went on for more than four years. On June 21, Judge Abu Bakkar Siddiqui of the district sessions court sentenced Naiding a total of 25 years in jail. "Monu Naiding was given a 20-year term of rigorous imprisonment for rape and an additional 5-year sentence for kidnapping. He must pay a fine of Rs. 55,000, and if he doesn't, his sentence will be elongated," Chakraborty added. The family members of the victim said: "This judgment will be an example for all those rapists who think that they'll escape after doing the crime." As per the police records presented before the Dima Hasao District & Sessions Court, the crime took place in 2018 in the Lama Disa neighbourhood of Haflong town in the district, when the accused, Monu Naiding (28), kidnapped a 13-year-old girl while she was walking home. A senior police officer said: "Naiding allegedly kidnapped the minor and sexually assaulted her for days. After being imprisoned by him for a few days in various locations close to forests, the girl was eventually freed. Naiding was arrested when the victim's family members filed an FIR." Initially, the accused was absconding but due to police pressure, he later surrendered. In 2018, police filed charges against him under sections 363 (abduction) and 376 (rape of a minor under the age of 16) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Jaipur, June 23 : Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan visited Jaipur-based South Western Command on Friday. He was received by the General Officer Commanding-In-Chief, South Western Command, Lieutenant General B.S. Raju. During his visit, the CDS interacted with senior officers of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. He also discussed operational aspects related to the South Western Command and was received by Lieutenant General Raju. During his visit, the CDS interacted with senior officers of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. He urged them to be ready, resurgent and relevant in the current era and highlighted the crucial role of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. He also emphasised that soldiers must keep themselves upto date with latest trends in information technology, emerging cyber threats and counter-measures. He complimented the South Western Command for its operational readiness and urged all ranks to continue to strive for excellence. Imphal, June 23 : Heavy exchanges of fire between security forces and unidentified attackers broke out in different places of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts on Friday, defence officials said. Reports said that at least two people, including a woman, were injured in the firing but official confirmation was yet awaited. Defence sources added that a group of attackers sneaked into the Yaingangpokpi (YKPI) area in Imphal East district towards the hill side on Friday afternoon. "The attackers fired automatic weapons towards Urangpat and Gwaltabi villages. Security forces deployed in these villages responded in a calibrated manner to avoid any collateral damage. Large group of women were part of the mobs at YKPI and Seijang (both in Imphal East district) areas preventing movement of additional security forces in the area," the sources said. Defence PRO said that in view of blocks by the women-led crowd in YKPI, additional Army personnel moved cross country on foot to cordon the area. "With indulgence of local leaders, blocks (established to prevent movement of additional miscreants towards the area) partially lifted to give safe passage to miscreants and mobs to withdraw from the area to maintain peace." "Area under surveillance by Army and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Situation is now under control and being closely monitored. Additional Army troops inducted in the area and joint operations against armed miscreants under progress," the Army tweeted. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Friday appealed to the people not to disturb the movements of security personnel by blocking roads. He said the Army personnel are in Manipur to counter the attackers who are escalating tension in the state. Meanwhile, the mass combing operation has been continuing in far-flung areas of Manipur. The police report said that the combined security forces have so far recovered 1,095 and 13,700 pieces of various ammunition and 250 bombs from different areas. The Arms and ammunition were earlier looted by the attackers and the mobs after the ethnic violence broke out on May 3. Friday's gun battles comes a day after two soldiers were injured when armed attackers fired at them at North Boljang in the Imphal West district while an INSAS Light Machine Gun and a highly-explosive mortar bomb were recovered in Imphal East and Imphal West districts, respectively, on Thursday. 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 the attackers and arrest those involved in the violence. New Delhi, June 23 : Delhi Police have arrested five persons, including one woman, on charges of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in Delhi, an official said on Friday. The arrest was made on Friday following a complaint lodged by the minor victim in southeast Delhi's Sunlight Colony area. The police have registered a case of sexual assault against the accused under Section 10 of the POCSO Act. In order to protect the privacy and identity of the alleged perpetrators, their names have been withheld by the police. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (southeast) Rajesh Deo said that the accused woman's daughter had previously filed a case against the relatives of the current victim. The officials confirmed that the present victim's relatives are 'bad character' of the Sunlight Colony police station area and are currently in judicial custody. New Delhi, June 23 : The Delhi Police's Special Cell has arrested a former Bulgarian army officer running international Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) racket in the national capital, the police said on Friday. The accused identified as Ruslan Petrov Metodiev (47) was printing FICN on his own and was supplying/circulating them to his receivers in Delhi/NCR. The police said that they have also recovered Rs 8 lakh, all in the denomination of Rs 500 notes, from the possession of the accused, who was residing at Palam Vihar in Gurugram. Sharing the details, the Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), H.G.S. Dhaliwal, said the police received information regarding circulation of FICN by the members of an international syndicate in India. "Accordingly, a police team was deputed to check on the activities of the suspected members of this syndicate. During surveillance, it was revealed that a foreign national staying in Gurugram was involved in the circulation of fake currency notes in various parts of India with connivance of other members of this cartel based in different countries," Dhaliwal said. On June 21, specific input was received that the foreign national will come to the Ganda Nala on Najafgarh-Kapashera Road to deliver a big consignment of FICN to his contact named Ashaiba. "A trap was laid and Metodiv was apprehended with FICN equivalent to Rs 8 lakh in his possession," said Dhaliwal. On interrogation, it was revealed that he printed the notes at his flat in Palam Vihar. "During a search of his house, the materials/equipment used for printing FICN and cash to the tune of Rs 1,89,000 derived from sale proceeds of FICN were recovered," the officer said. "He also disclosed that he was part of a big international FICN racket. The accused is a permanent resident of Bulgaria and came to India first in 2018. He again came to India in 2019 and was arrested by the police in a case of cheating and forgery under the IT Act for putting a skimming device in an ATM of HDFC Bank," Dhaliwal said. In January 2021, Metodiv was released on bail. However, during his stay in jail, he came in contact with certain persons who were involved in printing and circulation of fake currency. "Earlier, he would deliver FICN to various persons in Delhi/NCR on the instructions of his handlers sitting in different parts of the world. Later, after recognising the high demand for FICN and the margin of profit, he started printing FICN on his own and began supplying/circulating them to his receivers in Delhi/NCR. He learnt the art of printing FICN on YouTube," the officer said. As per the police, Metodiev is a permanent resident of Sofia, Bulgaria. After his schooling in Bulgaria, he joined the Army in 1996 and served for six years. In 2018, he visited Goa to explore the possibility of business. In 2019, Metodiev again came to India and started a business of doughnuts, but did not receive a good response. Hyderabad, June 23 : YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) leader Y. S. Sharmila on Friday denied media reports that she is going to be appointed as the Andhra Pradesh Congress President. Sharmila, the sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, also denied receiving any proposal for the Congress Rajya Sabha ticket from Karnataka. She made it clear that she is committed to the cause of Telangana and would continue to fight for the people of the region. "I was always in Telangana and will be in Telangana till my last breath. I request speculators to stop making paper plans about my future and instead write about the issues pertaining to the people of my state Telangana and highlight the misrule and massive corruption of KCR, his family and his party members," Sharmila tweeted. "My future lies in Telangana and with its people," she added. There have been speculations of Sharmila merging her party with the Congress or aligning with the grand-old-party ahead of the Assembly elections in Telangana scheduled later this year. Sharmila's meeting with D. K. Shivakumar after the latter become Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka had triggered massive speculations. Amid the growing buzz about the likely merger of YSRTP with the Congress, Sharmila on June 19 greeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on his birthday. She wished him success in his tireless endeavours dedicated to the cause of the people of the nation. Sources had confirmed talks between Sharmila and Congress leaders for the merger deal. Sharmila, daughter of former United Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), is said to be ready to merge the party. In return, the Congress has offered her and a couple of her close supporters tickets to contest Telangana Assembly polls. Sharmila has already declared that she will contest from Palair constituency in Khammam district. Patna, June 23 : Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday said that cracks have appeared in the 'unity in diversity' credo of the country and it needed repair works. "Today, people of different ideologies sat together in Patna and discussed how to stop exploitation taking place in the country for years. Everyone knows the current status of farmers and youth. Cracks have appeared in our 'unity in diversity' and it needs repair," Soren said after the meeting of top opposition leaders here. "The meeting was held in Patna to keep in view the current situation of the country. Nitish ji worked hard to tie every opposition leader in one chain and I want to thank him from my heart for his effort," Soren said, referring to his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar. "This is the first glimpse of the new alliance which started today and it will definitely be a milestone for the country in future. If we honestly move forward with our intended thinking, the goal would be achieved. This is the first step to re-establish the original face of our country," Soren said. During the meeting, Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said: "I first thank Nitish ji and (RJD leader) Lalu Prasad for organising this meeting. Today, Patna and Bihar are turning out to be the centres of renaissance. Today, not only different parties of the country but the leaders of the country have come on one platform. The message of Patna is that we will fight the election together to save the country and how it will progress in the future." Bhubaneswar, June 24 : BJP National President J.P. Nadda on Friday criticised the Naveen Patnaik government's style of functioning, saying that the entire Odisha. administration has been outsourced. Addressing a public rally at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district, Nadda questioned who is ruling Odisha -- 'a politician or a bureaucrat'? he asked. "Naveen Patnaik has sublet everything to officers. The total administration has been outsourced," said Nadda. "Even ruling party MLAs and MPs don't have any power and nobody is listening to them. What kind of government is it"? he asked. He called upon the people to reject this government which has no right to rule the state and bring the BJP and the "double engine government" to rule Odisha. The BJP President asked what happened to the promises made by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to establish one cold storage in each block and provide 35 per cent irrigation facilities in each block. Alleging that there has been massive corruption in the selection of beneficiaries in the PM Awas Yojana in Odisha, he said: "Ineligible persons are getting houses. There will be a probe. I will speak to Union Minister Giriraj Singh. Those involved in the scam will be put behind bars." The Naveen Patnaik government doesn't want the Ayushman Bharat benefits to reach the people of the state. Out of 4.5 crore people of Odisha, Modi government is providing free foodgrains and ration to 3.5 crore people, he said, adding, during last 23 years of government, Naveen Babu has taken Odisha to low level. The per capita income and farmers' income in Odisha is lowest in the country while it tops the country in incidents of crime against women. He also alleged that the BJD government in Odisha is also indulging in massive corruption and commission. "This is a government of commission where 50 per cent commission is being taken away in every work and nobody knows where this 50 per cent commission goes?" Nadda also paid tribute to victims of the triple train crash in Odisha. Reacting to the allegations of Nadda, BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said his speech was aimed at motivating the state BJP leaders and cadre who are demoralised and frustrated due their massive losses to the BJD in by-elections as well as losing all 30 districts in the 2022 Zilla Parishad elections. "It would have been good if he had clarified when the BJP government in Centre will restart providing five kg rice per person per month under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana," Patra added. "It would have been good if he had clarified when the seven lakh Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) houses would be provided to Odisha that has been blocked by the Centre due to the conspiracy by Odisha BJP MPs in Delhi," he said. New Delhi, June 24 : A 55-year-old cyber fraudster has been arrested by the Delhi Police from Haryana's Nuh for allegedly posing as an armed forces personnel and duping a wire manufacturer on the pretext of purchasing his wares for a school, an official said on Friday. The accused was identified as Ali Mohammad, a resident of Nuh. The official said that so far, a total of 15 complaints in various states linked to the accused have been found and a further money trail of more than Rs 22 lakh has also been detected. The arrest came after a complaint was received by police on June 10 from Ankit Garg, a resident of Delhi's Shahdara area wherein Garg, who has a wire manufacturing business, alleged that he got a call from an army officer requiring wire for an army school. "After discussion on the telephone, the deal was settled on an amount of Rs. 47,790. On June 9, the complainant received a Whatsapp call from another number and the caller sent him two bank account numbers and asked him to transfer Rs 5," Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shahdara, Rohit Meena, said. The accused assured Garg that double the amount will be refunded in his Bank account. "He asked him to try transferring a small amount, thereafter the complainant transferred Rs 5, and Rs 10 was refunded to his bank account. Further, the fraudster allured him to transfer the huge amount in the mentioned bank accounts to get double the amount in refunds," he said. Garg then transferred Rs 47,785 and Rs 12,335 separately in two bank accounts but he did not receive any amount back. During investigation, the police team tasked with the probe collected the relevant information about the incident, analysed the call detail records of the suspect to identify the culprit and simultaneously worked on technical angles of the case. "On the basis of technical surveillance on June 15, Mohammad was identified and arrested from Nuh (Mewat)," said the DCP. During interrogation, it has been revealed that this gang of fraudsters have duped several people. On the modus operandi of the gang, the DCP said that at first, fraudsters searched the details of vendors on Google, Just Dial and on other apps/websites to get their contact numbers and details of the product they deal in. "After that, a few members of this gang impersonate themselves as Army officers and a few impersonate themselves as lower rank officers of the Army. Then they contact the victim/vendors through Whatsapp and normal calls," said the official. The gang members express interest in purchasing the item for official purposes but after settling a deal, they lure people on the pretext of doubling the amount into their bank but this is never refunded. "These bank accounts were managed by other members of the fraudster gang. After that fraudsters used to withdraw the amount from the bank accounts through ATMs. In the present case, the cheated amount was withdrawn by the other group members and was handed over to Mohammad, who distributed the amount among the gang members as per their role," the official added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. The Center for Public Relations of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has commented on the statement of Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner PMC chief, calling it a crime and betrayal, Trend reports. The Center called on the fighters of Wagner PMC to take measures to detain Prigozhin and prevent irreparable mistakes. The statement notes that Prigozhin's words actually call for unleashing an armed civil conflict on the territory of the Russian Federation and are a "stab in the back" of Russian servicemen. Washington, June 24 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the third and final day of his visit to the US on Friday told US diplomats at the State Department that the "promise over the horizon", as Joe Biden as Vice President had described the bilateral relationship nine years ago, has become a "reality" today. Modi was referring to his 2014 visit to the US, his first as the Prime Minister. Biden was the Vice President then, and had hosted a luncheon meeting for Modi at the State Department. In the years since, the relationship has made a "lot of progress", Modi said, adding, "Whether it is on ground or in the skies, in the deep seas, or way up in space, India and America can be seen working together. Indeed, in the true sense, the promise over the horizon today is not merely a promise, but a reality, and neither is it far over the horizon." The Prime Minister went on give the credit for it to "your dreams and your tireless hard work", and those in the room, which included America's top diplomats such as Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma, House Committee on Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul and ranking member Gregory Meeks. US Vice President Kamala Harris co-hosted the lunch for Prime Minister Modi with Secretary Blinken. Welcoming Modi, Harris spoke about spending time with her grandfather in Chennai -- it was then madras, she reminded the audience -- and learning from some principles that have stayed with her. "Throughout those walks, I recall my grandfather teaching me lessons about not just what it means to have a democracy, but to keep a democracy. And I do believe it is these lessons that I learnt at a very young age that first inspired my interest in public service," Harris said. On Thursday, Biden had said, "Equity under the law, freedom of expression, religious pluralism, and diversity of our people -- these core principles have endured and evolved, even as they have faced challenges throughout each of our nation's histories, and will fuel our strength, depth, and future." Prime Minister Modi was asked about democracy and religious freedom at the White House news briefings, to which he said, "Democracy is in our DNA." Welcoming the Prime Minister to the State Department, Blinken spoke about, among other things, the arc of the relationship in the last two-and-a-half years that he has headed the State Department. "During the last two-and-a-half years, we've transformed the relationship between the two countries," he said. "We are working closer together on more issues than ever before; from semiconductors to space, from education to food security. The energy, ambition, and potential of our cooperation is boundless. The United States and India have become, as the Prime Minister has put it, indispensable partners and that partnership, as President Biden said, is a defining relationship of the 21st century." Washington, June 24 : The challenges posed by China to both India and the US were on the agenda for talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden, but the India leader's state visit was not about China, the White House National Security Council (NSC) Spokesperson said. John Kirby, the spokesperson, went on to call India an "exporter of security" increasingly and, he added on Friday that the US welcomes that and that would explain to an extent a lot of the deliverables announced by the two sides. Kirby pushed back to the question if the US was looking at India as a counterweight against China. "This state visit wasn't about China and, look India has challenges with China as well, right on their doorstep but also more broadly in the region," he said in response to a question at the daily White House briefing. "Clearly, the challenges presented by the PRC (short for China's official name, the People's Republic of China) to both our nations were on the agenda yesterday. No question about that. But this wasn't about leveraging India to be some sort of counterweight." Prime Minister Modi and President Biden met and spoke publicly several times on Thursday, but neither of them mentioned China -- except when Biden was asked about his comments earlier about the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping -- and the joint statement doesn't name China either. But they did speak about the need to keep the Indo-Pacific region free and open, from coercion and unilateral actions, which, and they did not say it, is usually a barely veiled reference to China. The NSC spokesperson went on to say: "India is a sovereign, independent state, they have their own foreign policy that they have to manage and they live in a tough neighbourhood." "They are becoming an increasing exporter of security, which we welcome, and you can see a lot of our desire to improve the defence cooperation on hand yesterday in some of the deliverables -- whether it's co production of jet engines, whether it's their purchase of MQ-9 drones, there's a lot we can do in the security front together, and that's really what we are focussed on." When pressed if the US doesn't see a role for India in its -- America's -- competition with China, Kirby said, "I didn't say that. I said that we were not viewing India as a counterweight to China and we weren't approaching the state visit as some sort of messaging opportunity to China." "It was about sending a message to the American people and the Indian people about how important this bilateral relationship is, quite frankly, to people around the world." The Spokesperson reiterated India has its own challenges with China, which they are tackling "largely on their own". Jakarta, June 24 : Semeru volcano in the Indonesian province of East Java Island has erupted, prompting authorities to warn residents to stay away from the eruption area. The mountain, 3,676 metre above sea level, remained in the third danger level, below the highest level of IV. According to the Semeru Volcano Monitoring Post, the volcano on Friday exploded 12 times, Xinhua news agency reported. "At 1:43 a.m., the volcano launched hot ashes as far as 3.5 km from the crater to the southeast," said Semeru Volcano Monitoring Post Officer Ghufron Alwi. Authorities asked people to remain vigilant and avoid its southeastern sector of 13 km and a five km radius around the summit to avoid an eruption. The eruption of Mount Semeru in December 2021 caused tens of thousands of people to flee home and claimed more than 50 lives. Jakarta, June 24 : A small plane with six people on board crashed in Indonesia's eastern Highland Papua province, an official said. The Grand Caravan plane operated by PT Samuwa Aviasi Mandiri (SAM AIR) went down in a deep forest after leaving Elelim airport in Yalimo district, said Yusuf Latief, spokesman of the national search and rescue office, on Friday. "The search by a helicopter found the wreckage of the plane," the spokesman added. Video footage received by Xinhua from the search and rescue office showed the wreckage of the plane in a deep forest, emitting smoke, Xinhua news agency reported. "The wreckage was seen from the air, we have not reached the scene so far. The evacuation is to begin tomorrow (Saturday)," he told Xinhua by phone. "The people on board comprised a pilot, a crew and four passengers. The plane lost contact this morning," the spokesman said. Tehran, June 24 : At least six people were killed and 25 others injured in a 26-car pile-up on an intercity road in southwestern Iran, media reported. The incident occurred at 10:50 a.m. local time when a semi-trailer truck carrying iron girders collided into 25 other vehicles because of the malfunction of its brake system, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency report said on Friday. A number of pedestrians were also hit in the incident in the province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, it added as quoted by Xinhua news agency report. The number of people injured in the incident is still rising, Tasnim quoted President of Yasuj University of Medical Sciences Saeed Javdan-Sirat as saying. Tehran, June 24 : Five Iranians imprisoned in Armenia have been repatriated under a prisoner extradition agreement between the two countries, media reported. The convicts are expected to serve the remainder of their jail terms in Iran, the the semi-official Fars news agency report said on Friday. Fars quoted the Iranian Foreign Ministry as saying the prisoner extradition process will increase coordination between the Iranian and Armenian juridical and law enforcement authorities. Iran and Armenia signed the prisoner extradition agreement in February 2022, Xinhua news agency reported. According to Iranian Justice Minister Amin-Hossein Rahimi, most of the Iranians imprisoned in Armenia are accused of carrying narcotics including codeine-based sedatives. Colombo, June 24 : Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has emphasised the urgency of debt restructuring to avoid instability, said a statement from the President's Media Division (PMD). The PMD said on Friday that the President made these remarks while participating in a high-level panel discussion at the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris on June 22. Pointing out that Sri Lanka faced limited access to financing and took ownership of its debt and economic restructuring programme, Wickremesinghe emphasised the need for timely and automatic access to concessional financing and highlighted the high costs incurred during the process. Sri Lanka announced a suspension of foreign debt repayments in April 2022 when it was hit by its worst financial crisis since independence, Xinhua news agency reported. The IMF in March this year approved a 48-month extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility of about $3 billion to support Sri Lanka's economic policies and reforms. Ramallah, June 24 : A senior Palestinian official has denied the Israeli claims that the Palestinian Authority (PA) cannot control the West Bank and is on its way to collapse. Hussein Al-Sheikh, Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) executive committee, twitted on Friday that the voices from the Israeli government are "forgetting that we are a people under occupation and our people's central problem is the survival of this occupation on our land". He also urged Israel to curb the crimes and violence of armed settlers against innocent Palestinian citizens, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier this month, Head of the Israeli Shin Bet internal security agency Ronen Bar said in a meeting with US officials that the PA had lost control over large areas in the northern West Bank, which prompted the Israeli army to intensify its activities there, according to the Israel Radio. The radio also reported that Bar warned of the deterioration of the PA's situation and the loss of its ability to operate in those areas. The tension between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has been flaring since early January after the Israeli army intensified its daily raids on Palestinian towns and cities to arrest Palestinians wanted by Israel. The mounting tension has led to the loss of 24 Israeli lives in attacks by Palestinians, while about 175 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire in the West Bank. "Generative AI is a proven game changer as enterprises seek new ways of engaging with customers, prospects and other stakeholders, said Rebecca Clyde, CEO of Botco.ai. Botco.ai (http://www.botco.ai), today announced the launch of the GenAI Chat Cloud, a suite of generative AI products to enable enterprises to transform their sales, marketing and customer relationship initiatives through the latest advances in Generative AI. Botco.ais GenAI Chat Cloud relies on proprietary, fine-tuned large language models (LLMs) to sort, analyze and contextualize information from enterprise data and applicationsincluding websites, CRM, EMR, CMS and other proprietary data sourcesin order to provide fast, accurate answers to user questions in a conversational manner. While the introduction of generative AI has been a boon for enterprises seeking to save time and resources, serious questions persist around the accuracy, privacy and security of most Generative AI solutions on the market today. However, the Botco.ai GenAI Chat Cloud is trained specifically on an enterprises proprietary data and comes with SOC2 compliance, robust data governance capabilities, HIPAA validation, and more, ensuring that all responses are 100 percent accurate and come with none of the hallucinations that plague traditional AI chatbots. Generative AI is a proven game changer as enterprises seek new ways of engaging with customers, prospects and other stakeholders, said Rebecca Clyde, CEO of Botco.ai. But the solutions on the market today are limited in what they can do for an enterprise because they arent trained on the data and information that matters mostthe enterprises own content. Our GenAI Chat Cloud makes it easy for any business to query its own documents and deliver timely, accurate responses to just about any question a prospect or customer might have. The Botco.ai GenAI Chat Cloud offers a no-code platform that can be built and deployed rapidly. Product modules that comprise the Botco.ai GenAI chat cloud include: InstaStack: Quickly and easily query documents from across an entire enterpriseincluding CRM, CMS, Analytics and moreusing Botco.ais generative language models, which analyze the enterprises content to extract meaning and context. The fine-tuned models of the Botco.ai GenAI Chat Cloud are able to refresh by interacting with changing data sources to reflect the most current information. InstaChat: Automatically produce question and answer pairs from uploaded documents. This is suitable for smaller chatbots that can be deployed rapidly when the underlying information does not change frequently. InstaGraph: Query structured data to gain real-time insights into customer behaviors by examining what questions theyre asking, how theyre asking those questions, and how campaigns are performing. Botco.ais GenAI Chat Cloud leverages fine-tuned LLMs to understand specific questions in a target industry or function and generate fast, accurate responses in natural language. Combined with the Botco.ai platform and its workflow, authoring, training and analytical modules, it enables enterprises to create personalized and engaging experiences that increase revenue and compress enterprise workflow. To date, customers in healthcare, wellness, government and other verticals have experienced an average of 6X return on investment. On June 29th, Botco.ai will hold a webinar on the topic of Using GenAI to Educate, Validate and Convert in Senior Living featuring David Coluzzi, President of Carlton Senior Living, and Rebecca Clyde, CEO of Botco.ai. To register, visit https://insights.botco.ai/webinar/using-genai-to-educate-validate-and-convert-in-senior-living. About Botco.ai Botco.ai is the GenAI Chat Cloud company. Botco.ai enables businesses to engage people through helpful, relevant and personalized AI conversations that convert strangers into customers. Enterprises rely on Botco.ais end-to-end Generative AI Chat Cloud to rapidly find, retrieve and present information from across their enterprise data systems in order to engage visitors at all stages of the customer journey. We train our large language models on our clients enterprise data so that they are completely accurate and do not hallucinate. Botco.ai empowers businesses from a range of industries to deliver exceptional, trustworthy customer experiences that generate high quality pipeline, increase sales conversions, reduce costs and accelerate revenue. Recipient of the Arizona Innovation Challenge "Most Outstanding Startup" award, best SaaS platform from the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), the TiE50 Award, and others, Botco.ai is transforming the way businesses communicate with and market to their prospects and customers. For more information, visit http://www.botco.ai/http://www.botco.ai. Sonictel was certified by the New York State Department of Economic Development. The rigorous certification process involved a detailed view of the companys ownership, management, and operations to confirm is majority-owned, controlled, and operated by women. "We are thrilled to receive the WBE certification, as it highlights the commitment to supporting woman business owners," said Linda Walsh, CEO. Its an honor to receive this certification, especially in the telecommunications industry. We look forward to partnering with companies looking for diverse, expert vendors and consultants. As a WBE-certified business, Sonictel is now positioned to explore new avenues of collaboration with government agencies, corporations, and other entities that prioritize working with diverse suppliers. It also allows access to a wide range of resources and opportunities to support long-term growth. About Sonictel Sonictel, a leading provider of telecommunications solutions in the New York Metro area, is renowned for its expertise in business phone systems and comprehensive telecom services. At Sonictel, we prioritize understanding your unique needs and crafting the optimal solution tailored specifically to your business. Our boutique customer service encompasses end-to-end support, from installation and training to the availability of local technicians and a round-the-clock help desk. With Sonictel, you can trust that your telecommunications needs are in capable hands. President Emmanuel Macron stressed to President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi that France is keen on strengthening economic cooperation with Egypt as well as intensifying coordination between the two countries on regional and international issues. Related Egypt president in Paris to attend Summit for Global Financing Pact Macrons comments came during a work luncheon organized with the Egyptian president at the Elysee Palace on Thursday, according to a statement released by the Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Ahmed Fahmy. President El-Sisi is in Paris to attend the Summit for New Global Financing Pact, which is hosted by France 22-23 June. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed international issues including latest developments in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and its impact on the food and energy markets world. They also discussed regional issues including latest developments in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Macron and El-Sisi also discussed cooperation between France, as a key member of the European Union, and Egypt in combating terrorism and irregular migration, according to Fahmy. The two leaders exchanged views on aspired outcomes from the Summit for New Global Financing Pact, emphasizing the commitment of both their countries to support international initiatives aimed at facilitating developing countries' access to necessary financing to address the negative economic consequences of various global crises. The French president lauded growing cooperation between the two countries in the economic and trade sectors, adding that his country is looking forward to strengthen ties with Egypt on all levels. France considers Egypt a key partner who plays a major role in maintaining stability in the Middle East, the Mediterranean region and the African continent, Macron told El-Sisi, according to Fahmy. For his part, El- Sisi emphasized to President Macron that Egypt looks to benefit from the exceptional expertise and capabilities that France possesses in various fields such as transport and green hydrogen production in the renewable energy sector, specifically in the field of green hydrogen. El-Sisi expressed to Macron that Egypt looks forward to more French companies taking advantage of various investment opportunities in the country Egypt. According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), the volume of trade exchange between Egypt and France increased to $3.9 billion in 2022, up from $2.9 billion in 2021, a whopping 35 percent increase. Moreover, Egyptian exports to France increase by 61 percent in 2022, reaching $1.8 billion. Meanwhile, Egyptian imports from France rose by 19.2 percent in 2022, reaching $2.2 billion. President El-Sisi also met on Thursday with the President of the European Council Charles Michel on the sidelines of the climate summit. The meeting addressed the development of relations between the two sides in the context of their partnership map within the framework of the EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities Document 2021-2027. Charles expressed to President El-Sisi the EU) appreciation of Egypts efforts in maintaining security and stability in the Mediterranean region and its efforts in establishing peace in the Middle East. He also lauded Egypt for hosting of millions of guests/migrants and playing a key role in curbing irregular migration and combating terrorism and extremist ideology. Finally, regional issues such as the developments of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and the Sudanese crisis were also discussed. Both officials agreed on the necessity of intensifying efforts to help Sudan overcome its crisis while accounting for the interest of the Sudanese people. The Egyptian president also met with Tunisian President Kais Saied in Paris on Thursday. The two leaders exchanged views on several regional and international issues of mutual concern, Fahmy said. These discussions encompassed international efforts to reform the world's financial system in order to allow developing countries meet the challenges posed by various amid global crises. Search Keywords: Short link: 2023-Top-Content-Providers-To-Help-You-Prove-Training-ROI-commlabindia CommLab India, the leading provider of rapid eLearning solutions for corporate training has ranked FIRST in the list of "Top Content Providers to Help You Prove Training ROI" by eLearning Industry. This is a testimony to CommLab Indias more than two decades of experience and expertise in designing and developing learner-centric eLearning solutions that help organizations close performance gaps and improve bottom line, leading to better ROI. It is celebration time at CommLab India. Acknowledging the recognition, this is what Dr. Ayesha Habeeb Omer, COO & Co-Founder, CommLab India had to say We are thrilled to top the list in this groundbreaking category. This award encourages us to forge ahead with our objective of making digital learning experiences effective and engaging, ensuring that training investment creates a positive impact! Evaluation of training and measuring ROI is very important for any organizations success and growth, and CommLab India understands the need for Learning and Development (L&D) units to prove this. CommLab India believes that training should be an investment and not an expense. And it wants to help organizations avail the best ROI when investing in nurturing their most valuable assets their employees. To this end, CommLab India designs and develops digital assets that help organizations maximize their investment in training. How Do They Do It? And here are some ways CommLab India helps corporates prove their training ROI: Ensures training is aligned with business goals and addresses specific performance-based learning objectives. Designs and delivers digital learning solutions that are sticky and translate to better retention and application at work. Updates and maintains courses to avoid building from scratch. Converts legacy courses to HTML5 for mobile compatibility. Leverages rapid authoring tools to cut development costs and efforts. Use templates for standardization and consistency. The USP of CommLab India is rapid eLearning solutions with scale, speed, and quality. CommLab India takes care of all rapid eLearning needs under one roof, saving organizations the hassle of dealing with multiple vendors. Apart from the design and delivery of digital assets such as eLearning, microlearning, videos, and job aids, they also offer eLearning translations, LMS services, and skilled L&D resources that can be used by organizations to enhance internal teams. CommLab India has been helping their clients across industries such as manufacturing, pharma and healthcare, logistics, information technology, financial services, and training organizations get the best ROI from online training since 2000. CommLab India was one of the first eLearning providers to pioneer the use of authoring tools and continues to update itself to provide customers the best in the Learning tech domain. Whatever your training need, CommLab India takes care of it all. Working with CommLab India will ensure the better and quicker rollout of courses, desired learning outcomes, enhanced employee productivity, performance, and increased revenue. About CommLab India CommLab India serves 300 delighted international customers in 30+ countries, and ranks FIRST among the top providers of Rapid eLearning and Blended Learning Solutions by eLearning Industry. With its expertise in corporate training, instructional design, and authoring tools, CommLab India offers rapid eLearning solutions for corporate training at speed, scale, and value. CommLab India offers the complete spectrum of online training needs, including: The RNL National Conference is an essential event for professionals engaged in the dynamic fields of undergraduate, graduate, and online college student marketing, recruitment, and retention. Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL), a leading provider of higher education enrollment, student success, and fundraising solutions, is proud to present the highly anticipated 2023 RNL National Conference. Now in its 37th year, the conference will take place July 25-27 in Nashville, TN, and feature a diverse range of strategies and solutions aimed at addressing the unique challenges in undergraduate, graduate, and online college student marketing, recruitment, and retention. RNL will also host related events on higher education and nonprofit philanthropy as well as historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The RNL National Conference is a premier event that annually attracts more than 1,500 higher education professionals, administrators, and industry experts from across the nation. The conference offers valuable insights and actionable strategies for professionals working in college enrollment management, college student success, and campuswide strategic planning. The event includes a range of sessions, keynote presentations, interactive workshops, panel discussions, and peer-to-peer sessions facilitated by renowned industry experts and thought leaders. Attendees can choose from more than 130 sessions across six main tracks covering key areas of higher education: 1. Undergraduate Marketing and Recruitment explores innovative marketing strategies and recruitment techniques specifically tailored to the undergraduate student population. 2. Graduate and Online Enrollment addresses the unique challenges and opportunities associated with graduate and online enrollment, including strategies for attracting and enrolling diverse student populations. 3. Student Success provides valuable insights and tools to enhance student retention and success through effective support services and interventions. 4. Financial Aid Management shares best practices in financial aid management and strategies to optimize financial resources and address affordability challenges. 5. Strategic Enrollment Planning offers a comprehensive framework for developing and implementing strategic enrollment plans aligned with institutional goals. 6. Innovations and Analytics showcases emerging trends, technologies, and data analytics shaping the higher education landscape. In addition to the main program, the conference will feature several related workshops, including the Higher Education Leadership and Wellness Workshop, the HBCU Summit Workshop, and the National Donor Engagement Workshop for advancement leaders. These workshops provide specialized content and networking opportunities for attendees. "The RNL National Conference is an essential event for professionals engaged in the dynamic fields of undergraduate, graduate, and online college student marketing, recruitment, and retention," emphasized Bill McHale, CEO and President of RNL. "With a meticulously curated program designed to tackle the distinctive challenges in these domains, we offer attendees a valuable opportunity to glean insights from industry experts, participate in meaningful discussions, and forge invaluable connections with peers. Together, we will explore actionable strategies that pave the path to success." To register for the RNL National Conference 2023 and to learn more about the program, pre-conference workshops, agenda, and speakers, please visit the conference website at https://www.ruffalonl.com/events/rnl-national-conference-2023/. Early bird registration discounts are available until June 26, 2023. About RNL RNL (Ruffalo Noel Levitz) is the leading provider of solutions for traditional college enrollment, graduate and online enrollment, college student success, and higher education and nonprofit fundraising. The firm serves more than 1,500 institutions through data-driven solutions focused on helping them meet their enrollment goals, guide more students toward completing their degrees, and increase giving back to those institutions. With a deep knowledge of the industry and a large roster of experienced experts, RNL provides institutions the ability to scale their efforts by tapping into a community of support and resources. A conversation about ducks mimicking human speech inspired Alexander Gilbey to write, Dog the Wonderduck (published by Xlibris AU). This conversation journeyed through the realms of possibility to consider whether an orphan duck could be adopted by another animal and grow up thinking it was that species, and wondered what crises of identity would be faced by that duckling. This is a story about a duck that thinks it is a dog. However, she is unhappy and does not know how to be normal, like the other ducks. She lives with a scientist who has discovered how to travel to different dimensions. One day, she decides to use the scientists travelling device to go back through time and see if she can find someone who will teach her how to fit in. This story treats time and space as constructs that we can control if we use our imagination. Why cant we travel through different dimensions to search for meaning? It promotes the fact that we all have something special about us and although we may feel different from others, our unique lives, experiences and skills are something valuable, and we dont need to be the same as the majority, Gilbey says. He adds, Its also written with a degree of rhythm, so its fun to read. When asked what he wants readers to take away from the book, Gilbey answered, Theres so much pressure on kids, particularly young girls, these days to get the latest tech, wear the latest clothes, adapt to the themes pushed by digital media. So it is important for them to understand that just because everyone else quacks, they dont have to be mindless ducks as well. However, it also says that it is ok for kids to take the time to explore who they are, in order to be happy with it. For more details about the book, please visit https://www.xlibris.com/en-au/bookstore/bookdetails/813374-dog-the-wonderduck Dog the Wonderduck By Alexander Gilbey Softcover | 8.5 x 11in | 28 pages | ISBN 9781669888215 E-Book | 28 pages | ISBN 9781669888208 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Alexander Gilbey is an author who has had a long career in higher education and learning design. He neither dresses, nor acts like his day job. He prefers to approach life with a casual, colloquial elegance. Xlibris Publishing Australia, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider dedicated to serving Australian authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles. For more information, visit xlibrispublishing.com.au or call 1-800-844-927 to receive a free publishing guide. Boston Childrens Museum Announces Summer of Creativity Boston Childrens Museum invites families to stretch their creative talents this summer! Throughout July and August, the Museum will offer experiences designed to harness the power of ideas, possibilities, and making as children and families explore what it means to be creative. Themed programs, activities, and a Summer Carnival will encourage every Museum visitor to explore their creative side. Creativity is at the forefront of a fun-filled and playful summer. The Museum welcomes all to create, play, make believe, and fantasize, all of which inspire joy and wonder while empowering visitors to visualize and problem solve. Museum visitors can join in the special Summer of Creativity programming and activities happening under the tent outside of the Museum between 12:00pm and 1:30pm each day (weather permitting). Summer of Creativity Themes and Events Include: Week of July 3 - Outdoor Play: Challenge yourself with stepping stones, balance beams, Hula Hoops, and other physical play! Week of July 10 - Sun Prints: Create stunning silhouettes using found objects, a little bit of water, and sunlight! Week of July 17 - Spin Art: Mix different colors of paint and watch them swirl together in surprising ways to make unique pieces of art. Week of July 24 - Bubbles: Move the fun of the Bubbles exhibit outdoors! Families will get a chance to play with and explore bubble toys as well as make their own bubbles. Its bubbles of fun! Saturday, July 29 from 6:00-9:00pm - Summer Carnival - Special After-Hours Event: Step right up for a fun filled night of games, unique performances, carnival food, and prizes at Boston Childrens Museums Summer Carnival. This limited capacity after-hours event will give visitors the opportunity to explore the Museum with limited crowds, unique games, performances, and fun for the whole family. Tickets are required for this after-hours event. For ticket information and additional details visit http://www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org Week of July 31 - Water and Ice: Explore how ice and water feel with your hands, splash water, move the ice around with tools, watch how ice melts, and turn into water! Week of August 7- Balls & Tubes: Build ramps, tunnels, and pathways using cardboard, tubes, blocks, and tape. Then experiment with cars, balls, and things that rollsee how they move! Week of August 14 - Big drawing and painting: Draw and paint in a space bigger than a piece of paper! Explore different tools and ways to draw or paint. Week of August 21 - Shaving Cream: Make sculptures, scenes, and mountains using shaving cream. Squish the foam, get messy, and see what you can create. Week of August 28 - Stamp Roller: You may have used a stamp before and can be a great way to make creative designs. However, have you used a GIANT stamp that you move with your whole body? The Museum is open Monday through Sunday from July 3 until September 4 in two time slots 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:30pm. Admission is only by advance registration and ticketing. All visitors, including members, are required to reserve an advance ticket online at https://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/ticketing. For full information, visit the Museums website http://www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org About Boston Childrens Museum Boston Childrens Museum engages children and families in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning. More information about Boston Childrens Museum can be found at http://www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org. Become a fan of the Museum on Facebook and follow us on Twitter Hours and Admission The Museum is open Monday Sunday from July 3 through September 4 with two set daily time slots, 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:30-4:30pm. To reduce touchpoints and enable timed visits, all ticketing will be done online. Members must also make reservations online. There are a limited number of visitor reservations available for each time slot. Adults, $22, children (1-15) and senior citizens, $22; children under 12 months and Museum members are always free. ### Dr. Robert W. Radtke (center) with the Most Rev. Justin Welby (right) and the Rev. Dr. John Deane (left) at Lambeth Palace. Rob Radtke has overseen [Episcopal Relief & Development's] growth by deepening relationships with Anglican partners around the world and building a team of experts to touch the lives of over 3 million people each year," said the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Dr. Robert W. Radtke, President & CEO of Episcopal Relief & Development, was awarded the Cross of St. Augustine for Services to the Anglican Communion by the Most Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, at a ceremony yesterday at Lambeth Palace in London, England. Dr. Radtke was honored for his outstanding leadership in humanitarian relief and social development, which has included leading Episcopal Relief & Development since 2005 and playing a catalytic role in forming the Anglican Alliance. Rob Radtke has been the trusted leader of Episcopal Relief & Development for almost 20 years, said the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. He has overseen the organizations growth by deepening relationships with Anglican partners around the world and building a team of experts to touch the lives of over 3 million people each year. This award is well-earned and I extend my deepest gratitude for his service and for the witness of Episcopal Relief & Development to Jesus of Nazareth and his way of unselfish, sacrificial love. Dr. Radtke was celebrated as a leader in the international development space. During his tenure at the helm of Episcopal Relief & Development, the organization implemented an Asset-Based Community Development approach, which energizes change and development from within local communities rather than from outside sources. Episcopal Relief & Development policy and research work has been spotlighted by the United Nations and other secular organizations, which brought awareness to the role faith-based organizations have in international development work. During his time at Episcopal Relief & Development, Rob Radtke has worked with his team to create locally-led, evidence-driven programs that create long-lasting change, said Teri Lawver, Chair of the Board, Episcopal Relief & Development. From early childhood development to ending gender-based violence and climate resilience to disaster response, Episcopal Relief & Development is now a thought leader for program implementation. Congratulations to Rob on this distinct honor. In addition to his work leading Episcopal Relief & Development, Dr. Radtke has worked tirelessly to build relationships across the Anglican Communion with the understanding that by working together and learning from each other, Anglican organizations could create more change together. Robs commitment to building relationships across the Anglican Communion is central to him as a person and his success at Episcopal Relief & Development, said the Rev. Dr. John Deane, Executive Director, Anglican Board of Mission and Anglicans in Development. In the 15 years we have worked together, Rob has been committed to fostering both a professional and personal relationship with me, which has allowed us both to learn and grow from the friendship and from our agencies' shared missions. I was delighted that we were able to share the experience of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage together last fall. There are few people that I could have spent 42 days with but Rob is certainly one of them! Dr. Radtkes commitment to relationship building extends to more than just Anglican organizations, as well. Rob epitomizes what it means to serve, said Robert Bank, President and CEO, American Jewish World Service. He acts humbly and quietly but with an outspoken conviction that the entire human family is deserving of dignity. As a transformational leader, he works across faiths and disciplines, uniting religious and secular communities to create the momentum needed to support our planets most vulnerable people. The Cross of St. Augustine is a gift of the Archbishop of Canterbury, bestowed upon those who have made significant contributions to the Anglican Communion. In 2022, Nagulan Nesiah, Senior Program Officer, Disaster Relisience, Episcopal Relief & Development, was awarded the Cross for his work coordinating the Anglican Alliances COVID-19 pandemic response. This years recipients also included the Rev. Dr. John Deane, Professor Amy-Jill Levine and the Rev. Canon John Kafwanka Kaoma. I am honored to receive the Cross of St. Augustine and am deeply grateful to the Archbishop of Canterbury, said Dr. Radtke. The many accomplishments this award recognizes result from the hard work of my colleagues and our partners throughout the Anglican Communion and beyond. It is a privilege working together for lasting change with them. ABOUT EPISCOPAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT For over 80 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate. Michael Stomberg, CEO of The Planet Group, is an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Midwest Award Winner I am honored to be recognized as an Entrepreneur of the Year winner for the Midwest region, said Michael Stomberg, CEO of The Planet Group. It is my privilege to share this recognition with the incredible teams around me who work tirelessly to deliver our mission, vision and purpose." Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that Michael Stomberg, CEO of The Planet Group, was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Midwest Award winner. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the preeminent competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. Stomberg was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes. I am honored to be recognized as an Entrepreneur Of The Year winner for the Midwest region, said Stomberg. It is my privilege to share this recognition with the incredible teams around me who work tirelessly to deliver our mission, vision and purpose with unwavering commitment and dedication to achieve success. Being an entrepreneur entails welcoming the unpredictability and difficulties that accompany creating something new. I take pride in being a member of a team that honors and encourages entrepreneurship, and I am excited to keep exploring the limits of what can be achieved. For nearly four decades, EY US has honored entrepreneurs whose ambition, courage and ingenuity have driven their companies success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries all supported by vast EY resources. Since 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 US executives. As a Midwest award winner, Stomberg is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 National Awards. The National Award winners including the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nations most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2024. About Entrepreneur Of The Year Entrepreneur Of The Year is the worlds most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall Award winners go on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy. About The Planet Group The Planet Group, a portfolio company of Odyssey Investment Partners, consists of a group of related global consulting organizations and renowned staffing brands and has been purposefully built to address the professional services needs of leading companies in the Technology, Diversified Energy & Engineering, Accounting & Finance, Human Resources, Infrastructure and Digital Marketing areas. Named one of Americas fastest-growing private companies, the company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois with offices throughout the US, Europe, India and LATAM. Learn more at theplanetgroup.com. About EY Private As Advisors to the ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private. About EY EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com. Gary S. Kleinman and Joel C. Harrison, Real Estate shareholders at global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, assisted BLDG Orchard LLC, an affiliate of BLDG Management Co. Inc., with a $425 million loan for the construction of an 800,000-square-foot mixed-use building at 42-02 Orchard Street in Long Island City, known as The Orchard. According to building plans, the 780-foot tower will feature multiple ground-floor retail spaces, more than 60 floors of residential units, a swimming pool, gym, and lounges. M&T Bank led the $425 million loan for the planned 69-story development, while U.S. Bank and Bank of China were co-joint lead arrangers on the deal. Israel Discount Bank, City National Bank and Bank Hapoalim also contributed to the loan. Greystone Capital Advisors arranged the transaction. The Orchard will include 824 apartments, 207 parking spaces, and 13,000 square feet of above-grade retail space. When completed around 2026, the property will be one of the latest multifamily developments eligible to receive a 35-year real estate tax exemption under the recently expired 421a Affordable New York Housing Program, which requires 30% of the units be set aside for households earning at or below 130% of the area median income, according to Greystone. New York City-based BLDG Management Co. Inc. is a privately held real estate investment and management company. BLDG operates a portfolio consisting of residential buildings, retail, industrial, and office properties. The portfolio includes in excess of 300 properties. BLDG was founded more than 60 years ago. About Greenberg Traurig's Real Estate Practice: The Greenberg Traurig Real Estate Practice is a cornerstone of the firm and recognized leader in the industry. The firms real estate attorneys deliver diversified and comprehensive counsel for property acquisition and investment, development, management and leasing, financing, restructuring, and disposition of all asset classes of real estate. The team draws upon the knowledge and experience of more than 700 real estate lawyers from around the world, serving clients from key markets in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The groups clientele includes a broad range of property developers, lenders, investment managers, private equity funds, REITs, and private owners. The firms real estate team advises clients on a variety of matters across a broad spectrum of commercial, recreational, and residential real estate, including structured equity and debt and the hybrids. About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 2650 attorneys in 45 locations in the United States, Europe and the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The firm is a 2022 BTI Highly Recommended Law Firm for superior client service and is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law Global 100 and NLJ 500. Greenberg Traurig is Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certified Plus by The Diversity Lab. The firm is recognized for powering its U.S. offices with 100% renewable energy as certified by the Center for Resource Solutions Green-e Energy program and is a member of the U.S. EPAs Green Power Partnership Program. The firm is known for its philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com. Danielle Gonzalez, a Real Estate Practice shareholder in the Miami office of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, P.A., represented Switzerland-based Empira Group in its acquisition of a multifamily residential development site in Dallas. Empiras acquisition in Dallas is part of its broader U.S. expansion strategy that began in Miami, where it has acquired two multifamily development sites in the past year with Greenberg Traurigs assistance. Empira, an institutional real estate investment firm, acquired the 1.1-acre site at 711 N. Pearl Street in Dallas with plans to build a high-rise consisting of 375 market-rate apartments and 7,300 square feet of ground-floor restaurant space. The site is strategically located three blocks from the Dallas Arts District, in the heart of the citys urban core. Greenberg Traurig is excited to support Empiras expansion in Dallas with this state-of-the-art development, which will provide new housing options within walking distance of museums, shops, restaurants, parks, and job centers, said Gonzalez, who oversaw all aspects of deal structuring, negotiating, and transaction management on behalf of Empira. Greenberg Traurigs global platform and collaborative culture enable us to consistently deliver the service that clients like Empira need to grow and thrive in an evolving economic environment. We look forward to supporting Empiras continued expansion to key markets across the United States. Gonzalez was assisted on the transaction by a multi-practice team of Greenberg Traurig attorneys in Chicago, Dallas and Miami, including Real Estate Shareholder Sean W. Bezark, Tax Shareholder Labry Welty, Associates Kathryn Corral and Shivani Rumalla, and Practice Group Attorney Theresa K. Bowley. About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 2650 attorneys in 45 locations in the United States, Europe and the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The firm is a 2022 BTI Highly Recommended Law Firm for superior client service and is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law Global 100 and NLJ 500. Greenberg Traurig is Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certified Plus by The Diversity Lab and is recognized for powering its U.S. offices with 100% renewable energy as certified by the Center for Resource Solutions Green-e Energy as a member of the U.S. EPAs Green Partnership Program. The firm is known for its philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com. About Empira Group: Empira Group is an institutional real estate investment firm headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. The firm focuses on private equity and private debt investments in residential real estate in the United States and German-speaking Europe. Empira currently manages over $8.9 billion in AUM, representing more than 100 German and Swiss institutional investors. Besides its Headquarters in Switzerland, Empira has offices in numerous German cities as well as London, Stockholm, Vienna, Luxembourg, and a fully vertically integrated investment office in Miami. Empira Group focuses on identifying unique investment opportunities to develop superior quality and sustainable mid-rise and high-rise residential properties in dynamic and fast-growing locations across the US Sunbelt region. For more information visit https://www.empira-invest.com/en/company. LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards, dedicated, family owned business crafting vineyard-driven wines, is leading the charge in showcasing Cabernet Sauvignon from site specific appellations in the Lodi region. With their unwavering commitment to their family legacy, a sustainable future, and crafting quality, single vineyard wines, LangeTwins is offering approachable expressions of one of Americas most popular varieties and Californias king grape, Cabernet Sauvignon. As Cabernet Sauvignon prices in Napa Valley continue to rise, Lodi offers an economical alternative to both trade and consumers to purchase quality Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, according to SipSource analysts Danny Brager and Dale Stratton, Cabernet Sauvignon within the $15-$25 price bracket accounts for over 10% of the wine category volume share and is seeing continual, consistent growth, which is also consistent with data from IRI (Information Resources, Inc.), which shows Cabernet Sauvignons overall volume growth from the past year. Additionally, according to a recent survey from Drizly, 31% of respondents plan to reach for red wine as their go-to summer drink an 8 percentage point increase from 2022. More survey takers crowned red wine (31%) their top summer sip, ranking it above the typical white wine (28%) and rose (17%), and potentially signaling a shift in how consumers view red wine. With red wine on the rise as a summer drink of choice, LangeTwins offers an array of red varietals from their portfolio, most notably their Thirty Eight Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, which can be enjoyed year-round. While Napa Valley has long been celebrated for its exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon, LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards is putting the spotlight on the lesser-known micro appellations in Lodi, including Jahant, Clements Hills, and Mokelumne River, that demonstrate tremendous potential for this noble grape variety. Situated in Acampo, CA, LangeTwins has discovered the unique terroirs and microclimates within Lodi that create an ideal environment for cultivating exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and other diverse varieties. "I am continually amazed by the character and expression of our single vineyard wines, but especially from our Thirty Eight Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, said Marissa Lange, President of LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards. With the soils, microclimates, and meticulous farming techniques, each vineyard tells its own story, especially Thirty Eight Vineyard. Located less than a mile from the winery, Thirty Eight Vineyard was one of the first Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards planted by the twins in 1982. As one of LangeTwins oldest vineyards, the yields are low, producing intense fruit flavors. It's a privilege to craft wines that showcase the exceptional quality and diversity that our vineyard sites have to offer." LangeTwins' portfolio of wines highlights the unique characteristics of each vineyard, reflecting the distinct nuances of the regions where the grapes are grown. From the rich soils of the Lodi Appellation to the rolling hills of the Sierra Foothills, LangeTwins consistently delivers wines of extraordinary quality, depth, and complexity. In September, LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards will be participating in this years SommCon Conference in San Diego, California, where LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards President, Marissa Lange, will take part in a seminar discussing The Origins and Regionality of California Cabernet Sauvignon. Additionally, the winery will be hosting an educational experience at the winery scheduled for the late summer months, which will explore their deep roots when it comes to Cabernet Sauvignon. Guests will taste through a selection of LangeTwins Cabernet Sauvignon, including some of their library vintages, two current releases, and even a barrel sample. For more information about LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards and to explore their portfolio, please visit http://www.langetwins.com. About LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards: For five generations, the LangeTwins family has been a sustainable grower of premium grapes in both the Lodi and Clarksburg Appellations of California, where they currently farm over 7,000 acres. In 2006, LangeTwins opened a winery in Acampo, CA, just 90 miles east of the San Francisco Bay Area, to showcase their passion for growing superior wine grapes and creating sustainably farmed, quality wines. The vineyard and winery operation is owned and managed by twins Randall and Brad, their wives Charlene and Susan, and fifth generation LangeTwins family members Marissa, Aaron, Philip, Kendra and Joseph. The LangeTwins family is committed to sustainable winegrowing, habitat restoration, and renewable energy. For more information visit: http://www.langetwins.com. The CINITY Cinema System gives you projection quality like no other, with sharp details and a depth of color that youre not used to seeing in commercial film theatres. Odeon Multicines has reached an agreement to install CINITY Cinema Systems, with components that include the energy-efficient Christie Real|Laser illumination technology, in six premium large format (PLF) theatres across Spain. The high-powered CINITY format for PLF auditoriums enhances the overall cinematic experience with 4K, 3D, high brightness, high frame rate (HFR), high dynamic range (HDR), and wide color gamut (WCG) display capabilities, paired with immersive sound. Christie partner Ingevideo, in collaboration with Equipo de Cine, will supply, install and service this integrated system. After seeing the CINITY Cinema System in action at last years CineEurope, we instantly realized we had to get our hands on it and bring it to Spain so that our audiences could view and experience movies in CINITY, says Luis Millan, owner of Odeon Multicines.The CINITY Cinema System comprises two customized Christie-supplied CINITY projectors, pedestals, and CINITY server, manufactured by GDC. The CINITY system was developed over a three-year period by CINITY, in partnership with Christie and GDC Technology Limited. The system provides exceptionally clearer images, brighter colors, and smoother motion and sound quality to greatly enhance the quality of cinema screenings. Moviegoers can now experience the CINITY Cinema System at various Odeon Multicines multiplexes across Spain including Girona, Alicante, Sambil (Madrid), Bahia Plaza (Cadiz) and Naron (Ferrol), all of which are also equipped with Dolby Atmos and Christie Vive Audio. We are pleased to see our vision of advanced-cinema format projection expand globally. The adoption of our CINITY Cinema System for PLF screens means moviegoers will experience higher quality images and sound, at 120fps and in 3D, says Fu Ruoging, chairman and general manager of China Film Co., Ltd. (CFC). Id like to congratulate Odeon Multicines on choosing the new system and for their trust in CINITY. Like James Cameron said about CINITY, it is a new gold standard. Millan adds, The CINITY Cinema System gives you projection quality like no other, with sharp details and a depth of color that youre not used to seeing in commercial film theatres. It makes all the difference, producing a truly immersive experience for the audiences and taking the cinemagoing experience to a whole new level. Adil Zerouali, senior sales director for Cinema, Christie EMEA, says: The experience that audiences can enjoy thanks to CINITY is unique. Installing these systems cements Odeon Multicines position at the forefront of exhibition chains in Europe. We are very grateful to Luis Millan the Odeon team for continuing to trust Christie as their technology partner of choice. Exhibitors throughout Europe are choosing CINITY Cinema Systems for their PLF theatres, including Cineplex Cinema in Aachen, Germany, one of the largest screens in Europe, and in Switzerland at Arena Cinema in Zurich and in Geneva. Clarendon Hills new community development director Ed Cage comes to the village with experience in three other Chicago-area suburbs. (Village of Clarendon Hills/HANDOUT) The new Clarendon Hills community development director comes to the village with experience in three other Chicago-area suburbs. Ed Cage most recently worked as director of community and economic development in Oak Forest for 1 1/2 years, after a run of more than six years in Wood Dale as community development director. Before that, Cage was the zoning coordinator for Park Ridge from January 2013 to March 2015. Advertisement Clarendon Hills appeals to me because of the walkable and vibrant downtown area with restaurants, businesses, services, along with a train station, Cage said. The first thing I noticed was how many people using the sidewalks for running and walking their dogs. This is a very good sign of a community that the residents enjoy being an active part of. Cage said that healthy attendance at village festivals, such as Daisy Days and Dancin in the Street, is a good livability sign. Advertisement I have lived in Itasca for 25 years and walk my dog around the downtown on most days, he said. Assistant Village Manager Zach Creer, who takes over July 1 as village manager, said five qualified candidates with significant amounts of planning and zoning experience were interviewed before the choice was made to hire Cage. Ed brings a strong background of zoning and economic development expertise, including working on development deals in TIF districts, developing village-owned parcels, administering zoning in historic downtowns and planning in adjacent unincorporated areas, Creer said. We expect him to be able to leverage that experience to start working on all the open projects in Clarendon Hills immediately. Creer said the team that made the decision to hire Cage noted his friendly demeanor, which has already translated to good conversations with the villages business community and landlords. Cage said adding new businesses and services to the downtown area, while retaining the unique design and character, will be a positive challenge for him. Also, assimilating new single-family homes into existing neighborhoods and finding that reasonable balance of progress, he said. Cage replaced Jonathan Mendel, who started July 2021, after Dan Ungerleider, who worked in Clarendon Hills from June of 2012 to June of 2021, left to take a job out of state. Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press. The new outbreak of violence in the occupied West Bank could spiral out of control, the UN human rights chief warned Friday. ` This week, at least 18 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied territory -- in incursions by the Israeli occupation army or attacks by Jewish settlers. "These latest killings and the violence, along with the inflammatory rhetoric, serve only to drive Israelis and Palestinians deeper into an abyss," Volker Turk said in a statement. So far this year, more than 200 people have died in violence linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the vast majority of them Palestinians. Deadly violence has flared in recent days in the northern occupied West Bank where Israel has stepped up military operations. Turk said this week's violence was being fuelled by strident political rhetoric and an escalation in the use of advanced military weaponry by Israel. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said the sharp deterioration was having a terrible impact on both Palestinians and Israelis, and called for an immediate end to the violence. He said international human rights law required Israeli authorities to ensure all operations are planned and implemented to prevent lethal force. Every death caused in such context requires an effective investigation, he added. "Israel must urgently reset its policies and actions in the occupied West Bank in line with international human rights standards, including protecting and respecting the right to life," Turk said. "As the occupying power, Israel also has obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure public order and safety within the occupied Palestinian Territory." Turk said the underlying dynamics leading to violence and the arbitrary loss of life needed to be addressed urgently, and would require political will from Israel and the Palestinians as well as the international community. "For this violence to end, the occupation must end," he said. "On all sides, the people with the political power know this and must instigate immediate steps to realise this." 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For retailers seeking a trusted partner for wholesale vaping, smoke shops, headshops, and dispensary supplies, Savage Distribution remains the premier choice in the industry. To learn more about their extensive product range and to explore partnership opportunities, visit their website at https://www.savagedist.com or contact their customer service team at 708-543-8079. About Savage Distribution: Savage Distribution is the leading wholesale vape, electronic cigarette, smoke shop, and dispensary supply distributor in Chicago, IL, with an unmatched selection of wholesale products, including disposable vapes, vape mods, vaporizers, and more. Savage Distribution is committed to delivering exceptional value and service to retailers nationwide. With same-day shipments and a dedication to customer satisfaction, Savage Distribution is the preferred partner for retailers in the industry. To further encourage their initiatives in the US, The Charming Taste of Europe will participate in the 2023 Summer Fancy Food Show with a stand dedicated to the campaign. The Show will take place at the Javits Center in New York City from June 25th to the 27th. The Charming Taste of Europe will be located at Level 1 - Hall 1B, Booth N: 5474. Open only to the trade, the 67th Summer Fancy Food show held in New York City is the largest trade-only specialty food event in the United States. The show attracts buyers, brokers, distributors and other various professionals in the industry. The Charming Taste of Europe'' invites all attendees to stop by their booth to discover the agricultural jewels of Europe it promotes: the kiwis of Kavala and cherries from Rachi Pieria, both in Greece, the late harvest wines from Bordeaux, France, and the wines from Abruzzo, Italy. The booth will highlight all products associated with the campaign and offer participants a chance to taste a selection of white and red wines from the Abruzzo region. The Charming Taste of Europe, a three-year campaign started in 2021 and promoted by the Vini d Abruzzo consortium, the Union of Sweet Bordeaux Wines, along with fruit producers in Greeces Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP) and Agricultural Cooperative of Rachi Pieria (Agios Loukas), co-financed by the European Union, aims to enlighten participants on the significance and elegance of the Abruzzo region by highlighting the charming wines through educated wine professionals. About the Charming Taste of Europe: Europe, a place with timeless charm, is the birthplace of some of the highest-quality products in the world. The Charming Taste of Europe is a special project that introduces exquisite specialties to the United States and Canada, such as Italian and French wines, and fresh fruits from Greece, that showcase Europes charm, beauty, culture, history, art, heritage and unmistakable tastes. The mission of the Charming Taste of Europe, co-funded by the European Union, is to increase awareness of the merits and quality standards of select European wines and fresh fruits with promotional activities in the competitive markets of the U.S. and Canada. The Charming Taste of Europe is promoted by the Consortium for the Protection of Wines of Abruzzo, the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP), the Agricultural Cooperative of Rachi Pieria Agios Loukas and the Union of Sweet Bordeaux Wines. These European agricultural products, famous around the world for their outstanding qualities, will continue to be promoted with initiatives and events for consumers, journalists and trade professionals. For more information visit charmingtasteofeurope.eu To Follow The Charming Taste of Europe Campaign: Website: charmingtasteofeurope.eu Facebook: @CharmingTasteofEU Instagram: @charmeu_usa YouTube: The Charming Taste of Europe Hashtags: #thecharmingtasteofeu and #charmeu The content of this promotion campaign represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission and the European Research Executive Agency (REA) do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains Vape Delivery Chicago is dedicated to providing our valued customers with an unparalleled experience. 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Warriors Heart Announces New Virginia Warrior Healing Center for Military, Veterans and First Responders struggling with Addiction, PTSD and Mental Health Issues We are beyond grateful to the Commonwealth of Virginia, Mr. Tom Crabbs Military Liaison to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, along with the local community members and businesses, who have openly welcomed and supported us. - Josh Lannon, CEO/Founder, Warriors Heart Warriors Heart announces the purchase of a new property in Caroline County, Virginia, and is currently building a local team to be part of the solution to the national mental health crisis and support Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkins Right Help, Right Now behavioral health care plan. As the #1 Warrior Healing Center for frontline protectors in the United States, Warriors Heart is a private and accredited treatment program that is exclusively for male and female Active Military, Veterans and First Responders struggling with substance abuse and PTSD (post-traumatic stress). Warriors Hearts unique peer-to-peer healing environment supports all six pillars of Virginias Right Help, Right Now program to address our behavioral health challenges, encompassing crisis care, Law Enforcement burden, substance use disorder support, behavioral health workforce and service delivery innovation. CEO/Founder Josh Lannon is currently on-site at Warriors Heart Virginia with a pre-launch team, who are in the process of hiring 30+ new employees (and will ramp up to 60), as one of the fastest growing businesses in the area. The new property is approximately 1.5 hours south of Washington, D.C., and 45 minutes north of Richmond, Virginia. The team is preparing for a soft opening on Patriots Day, September 11, 2023. CEO/Founder Lannon explains, We are beyond grateful to the Commonwealth of Virginia, Mr. Tom Crabbs Military Liaison to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, along with the local community members and businesses, who have openly welcomed and supported us. From 9/11 to a 911 phone call, we take care of those who take care of us. Our focus is to serve adult men and women Veterans, Active Duty and First Responders. CEO Lannon adds, Warriors Heart is currently hiring doctors, nurses, licensed clinicians and therapists, operations employees, chefs, housekeeping and support staff, for our 60-bed inpatient facility. All positions will contribute to exclusive treatment of our frontline protectors struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring psychological disorders, with special attention to post traumatic stress, unresolved grief/loss, and moral injury. Together, we will bring our warriors home. With 20+ years of experience building behavioral healthcare facilities, the three Warriors Heart Founders (CEO/Founder Josh Lannon, Former Law Enforcement Officer Lisa Lannon and Former Delta Operator Tom Spooner) officially started Warriors Heart in 2016, and over 2,500 Warriors have gone through their program. Warriors Heart provides a full continuum of care from; Detox, Residential Treatment (inpatient), Day treatment, Outpatient, Sober Living, MeRT (brain treatment) and Aftercare. This new Virginia healing campus will offer Warriors a secured environment with peers without the stigma or shame of asking for help. Josh Lannon emphasizes, Our second location was designed to feel like the opposite of a hospital. We are not your average treatment center. Warriors Heart provides an innovative solution for men and women, and works closely as a community care provider with the Veterans Affairs. And the behavioral health statistics support an urgent need for this second Warriors Heart location: More than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (57.8 million in 2021) (Source: National Institute of Mental Health). In 2020, approximately 5.2 million Veterans experienced a behavioral health condition Additionally, more than 90 percent of those experiencing a substance use disorder did not receive treatment. (Source: SAMHSA, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services) More than 80 percent of first responders experience traumatic events on the job, often resulting in PTSD (Source: Institutes of Health). Roughly 1 in 3 first responders develop PTSD (Source: SAMHSA). At some point in their life, 7 out of every 100 Veterans (or 7%) will have PTSD (Source: Veteran Affairs) Warriors Heart Co-Founder Lisa Lannon adds; One way that people who are suffering from PTSD cope is through substances such as alcohol or drugs. It helps numb the emotional pain of the trauma. Our program treats the substance abuse and the PTSD at the same time because it can create better coping mechanisms and a healthier warrior. MEDIA CONTACT Liz Kelly, 310-987-7207 ABOUT WARRIORS HEART (Bandera, Texas near San Antonio & Milford, Virginia) is the first and only private and accredited treatment program in the U.S. exclusively for warriors (active duty military, veterans, first responders and EMTs/paramedics) faced with the self-medicating struggles of alcohol addiction, prescription and drug addiction, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), mild TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and other co-occurring issues in a private, 100-bed facility on a 543-acre ranch in Bandera, Texas. Along with a minimum 42-day peer-to-peer residential treatment program, Warriors Heart offers a full continuum of care. Warriors are given the option of Detox, Residential Treatment (inpatient), Day treatment, Outpatient (IOP), Sober Living, MeRT (brain treatment) and Aftercare. Warriors Hearts work has been featured on the TODAY Show, CBS Health Watch, A&E Intervention, KENS 5 CBS San Antonio, National Defense Radio Show and in TIME, Forbes, The Chicago Tribune, Addiction Pro magazine, Stars and Stripes, and many more. There is a 24-hour Warriors Heart hotline (844-448-2567) answered by warriors. https://warriorsheart.com Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has emphasized the potential positive impact that a fulfilled $100-billion climate finance pledge by developed nations to developing nations could have had on climate change results. At the Paris summit to revamp the international financial system, El-Sisi urged for the will to combat climate change to be translated into action during the closing session on Friday. "The danger [of climate change] is obvious, and we must take measures that enable us to act efficiently," Sisi stated in his speech at the summit, stressing that the world has acted decisively when it came to dealing with coronavirus and the Ukraine crisis implications. We do not want to give promises and only implement a very small portion of that promise, the Egyptian president stated. Sisi emphasized during his speech that his election campaign in Egypt did not involve making promises commonly seen in developing countries. In our developing nations, there are always promises being made by leaders to peoples in the elections to do this or that for them El-Sisi said. In my [election] campaign, I never said that. Instead, I said I have nothing to promise you except work, work, work and patience and I have never launched a project until it was inaugurated, the president added. As the chairperson of the African Union (AU) in 2019-2020, Sisi proposed that each developed state pay its share of the $100-billion climate finance to its companies to develop the necessary infrastructure in Africa. Sisi and other African leaders visited Japan, China, India, Russia, and the UK to promote economic cooperation between Africa and developed countries, given the challenging circumstances faced by the continent. Developed and rich countries that have technology and knowledge have a responsibility towards other [countries] that do not have it, Sisi said. Sisi added that developing countries must also take responsibility for achieving their goals by having the necessary ideas and preparedness to act effectively. The president also discussed the issue of irregular migration, which results in the deaths of hundreds of migrants annually as they attempt to leave Africa for Europe. We speak a lot about human rights and I agree about it, Sisi said, warning, however, that around 27,000 migrants were confirmed dead while crossing from Africa to Europe over the past 10 years. If people in Africa do not find hope and a chance for life, they will move toward those who have the hope and the chance, here in Europe, Sisi stressed. The $100-billion pledge During the summit's final panel today, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that developed nations have fulfilled the overdue $100-billion climate finance pledge to developing countries. Developed nations committed to supporting climate action in developing countries with $100 billion annually by 2020 during the 15th UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in 2009. However, rich nations have failed to fulfill the pledge until now. The Paris summit on 22-23 June aimed to enhance crisis financing for low-income countries, alleviate their debt burdens, reform financial systems, and allocate funds to tackle climate change, according to Reuters. Search Keywords: Short link: This month, were celebrating mysteries, thrillers, and true crime. Afterstrike (An Unforgettable Thriller) L.J. Sellers ASIN B0BW3F2F8Y Author statement: What if, without warning, you had to run for your life and leave everything behind? Remi Bartell faces that terrifying moment and takes only the dog who saved her. But as she settles into a new place, lightning strikes! Remi loses her memory and struggles to figure out who she is, why her life is so secretive, and who she can trust. Then she makes a small mistakethat costs her everything. The crime family patriarch shes hiding from kidnaps her and plunges her into a revenge nightmare. The trauma triggers buried memories from her old life that will either save her or destroy her. The plot is based on real news events. First, I read an article about a crime family patriarch who had committed insurance fraud. The details about how he staged phony car accidents with family members who got sucked into his schemes were fascinating. Then I read a feature story about a lightning strike survivor and, soon after, met a man whod suffered a high-voltage electrical shock. I couldnt stop thinking about all those peopleand I knew I had to tell their stories. Barnaby Shea J.E. Delehanty ISBN 979-8-5398-5574-1 Author statement: Meet Barnaby Shea, an ex-priest, now married, who loves classical music, who never uses contractions, and who is facing accusations of child abuseaccusations that first surfaced in the 1950s when a young boy was found hanging from a tree in the cemetery of a small farming town. The small community blamed their young parish priest for the boys suicide. Some 30 years later the accusations return in the form of a class action suit against the archdiocese and a threatened civil allegation against that same man. In 2016 I published my first novel, Tis More Than Luck. One character in particular intrigued me enough that I always hoped I might find a way to develop him further. When the fledgling idea for a second novel began nagging at me I knew I wanted a different kind of mystery and a theme that was both important and current. The mystery became the death of a young boy found hanging in a country cemetery and the main character, a former priest, desperate to clear his name. Deep Fake Double Down Debbie Burke ASIN B0BZQRHXTT Author statement: Video captures a daring prison break by a young Native American inmate and a biracial female guard whos his lover. The videos go viral on social media and every cop in Montana is hunting them down. The guard begs for help from investigator Tawny Lindholm and her high-powered attorney husband Tillman Rosenbaum. The woman swears the escape never happened, denies the romance, and claims the inmate was murdered. Then she disappears, fleeing a brutal killer who wants to silence her and the cops who are ready to shoot first and ask questions later. To help the woman, Tawny and Tillman plunge into a sinister alternate reality where videos are illusions, but death is all too real. Will they lose their lives finding the truth? After researching deepfakes, I wondered what could happen if this technology were used against an ordinary person? What if an innocent woman is tried and convicted on social media based on evidence that looks convincing but is false? My imagination took off and this timely psychological thriller was born. East of Evil Joni M. Fisher ISBN 978-0-9972575-8-8 Author statement: Orphaned at 14, Nefi Jenkins lost everything. At 21, studying for a career in law enforcement, she inherits a fortune and discovers someone will kill for it. After a mission trip in Ecuador, I saw a stark contrast between the values and behavior of children raised in the rainforest and children raised in the U.S. How would a child raised without the influences of television and social media adjust to life in the U.S.? What attitude and skills would such a child use to handle dangerous situations? Far Out Khaled Talib ASIN B0BVWN62SV Author statement: Far Out is an unconventional tale that centers around screenwriter Blake Deco, whose life is turned upside down when his Hollywood movie star wife, Goldie Saint Helen, wakes up from a coma with a false identity. She believes she is a hippie detective living in the 1960s, tasked with finding a missing teenager. Her reaction to anachronisms, such as current songs on the radio and modern cell phones, is erratic, and her lawyers see her condition as an opportunity to take advantage of her. The plot takes a dangerous turn when the missing girl materializes, and a malicious scheme unfolds around the delusional detective. The story was inspired by the dangers of conservatorship and the real-life experiences of Britney Spears. To comply with legal requirements, I used the real names of Hollywood movie stars in the story and created scenes around them. Fatal Rounds Carrie Rubin ISBN 978-1-958160-01-5 Author statement: When Liza Larkin, a medical school graduate with schizoid personality disorder who doesnt always make the best choices, suspects an esteemed trauma surgeon of stalking her family, she impulsively changes her training program of choice to his hospital. She wants to be near him. She wants to know what hes up to. She wants to protect her family. I wanted to create a protagonist for whom interacting with the world is a constant struggle, one that impacts her judgment and makes her an unreliable narrator. Innocence on Trial Stephen Roth ASIN B09ZLT84TY Author statement: An intense courtroom drama plays out when young Tommy Henderson takes the stand to provide crucial testimony in his teachers sexual assault trial. Nothing could adequately prepare the boy for Lester Mobeys meticulous cross-examination. The wily and experienced defense attorney left no stone unturned and committed everything to win his last trial. The consequences of the jurys verdict have deadly implications for Tommy and this teacher. The lessons learned from that courtroom experience prove invaluable when Tom Henderson, now an adult and lawyer himself, desperately tries to save his sons life. The only question is: how far is he willing to go? Innocence on Trial is a hybrid of true crime and courtroom/mystery fiction. The true crime element originates from actual events revolving around my elementary school teacher and his cabin. The fictional part was inspired by my work as a lawyer. The Mentor Rita Carla Francesca Monticelli ASIN B01FEKUV6S Author statement: DCI Eric Shaw and a woman nicknamed Mina. The former is the chief investigator of a forensic team at Scotland Yard, but also so obsessed by his job that sometimes he tampers with the evidence to make sure the culprits go to prison. The latter is a serial killer. The problem is, shes very close to him. During the investigation on the death of some known offenders, Eric starts suspecting that Mina is the person hes looking for, but doesnt want that to be true. Im a fan of the CSI franchise, precisely because the investigation in those series was based on scientific elements. The idea for The Mentor comes from the desire to write a crime thriller whose protagonists are forensic investigators, but who are a little more flawed than those of the various CSI series, where there is a clear separation between the good and the bad guy, between good and evil. I prefer stories in which the border between the two things is not clear, and they tend to get confused depending on the point of view from which they are observed. Murder in the Marshes Carter Fielding ASIN B0C2JDFK9M Author statement: Sisters Finley and Whitt are meeting up in Charleston for Whits wedding and have booked one of the stately mansions off Colonial Lake as their Airbnb home away from home. As if managing Mamas need to feed and tamping down Whitts pre-wedding jitters arent enough, Finley has to help her sister remember where she has seen the man who turns up dead in the master bedroom of the house they are renting. Carter Fielding is the pen name we co-writing sisters use for our cozy mysteries. Keeping our identities secret because of our positions as a dean of a small university in Africa and as a senior international development banker in Asia, we have adopted a persona in Carter that matches our personalities and yet protects our identities. Pedaling West E.A. Coe ASIN B0BTM1KRWF Author statement: When Carrie loses her job and boyfriend during the opening weeks of the pandemic, shes determined to reset her life in a positive direction. The answer? A solo, two-month cross-country bicycle trip from Virginia Beach to Mendocino, California. Yet dangers lurk that shed never anticipated. During Carries idyllic journey across the continent, her greatest danger comes not from her encounters with angry animals, road hazards, or the elements. Something much worse stalks hersomething much too human. After moving the timeline for my last two novels back to avoid addressing the issues all of us faced during Covid, I finally decided to address the pandemic head-on with a Covid-era novel. Rebels in Pisa Ken Tentarelli ASIN B0BSP216DY Author statement: Renaissance Italy 1465: After six decades of domination by Florence, agitators in Pisa are impatient to regain the freedom of their past when Pisa was an independent state. Rumors of insurrection in Pisa spur Florentine authorities to send young lawyer Nico Argenti and his team to investigate and stop the agitators. In Pisa, the team confronts more than they expected: smuggling, abduction, and murder. During my extensive travels in Italy studying the language and culture, I became fascinated with the countrys historywho wouldnt? Rebels in Pisa is the latest novel in the Nico Argenti series set during the Renaissance. It is my attempt to bring the excitement of that era to readers. The Rio Affair: A Thriller Micah Barnett ASIN B0BT2CT986 Author statement: Special Agent Miles Ronan has a secret: his father is on the FBIs Most Wanted List. Its been 30 years since Miles has heard from his father, but when hes called to Brazil to identify his dead body, hes sucked into a twisted mystery that forces him to unravel his fathers fugitive past... and become a fugitive himself. This novel was inspired by travels to Brazil. During one of these trips a sensational murder dominated the news. An American executive and his wife had been hacked to death in their sleep. The couple lived in a secured condominium and the police found no sign of forced entry or a clear motive. Was it an assassination? Corporate espionage? Corruption? My conspiracy-minded Brazilian friends offered up dozens of imaginative theories. Want to see your book featured? Check out the Indie Spotlight calendar at booklife.com/indiespotlight. Growing up in Minnesota, a bustling hub of literary activity in the Midwest, Ari Tison understood that becoming a writer was a reachable goal. Tison spent her younger years up close and personal with literature, dictating stories to her writer stepmother to transcribe for her and attending childrens programming at her local literary center. I do feel lucky that I grew up in Minnesota, where there are so many authors I could go see as a kid, Tison says. That just really made my dream of being a writer feel like a possibility. Recognizing her passion for writing early on in life, Tison evolved from writing fictional stories about her sisters dog to drafting novels by the time she was a teen, even taking college courses while in high school to help hone her writing skills. With the encouragement of mentors such as Alison McGhee, Tison went on to Hamline University, where she won the Vaunda Micheaux Nelson Award. There, Tison found her own voice by studying Sandra Cisneross The House on Mango Street and the work of Nikki Grimes, inspired by poetry and prose. Tisons dreams have become fully realized with the debut of her YA novel Saints of the Household (FSG). Structured in vignettes and verse, the novel centers Bribri American brothers Jay and Max as they navigate the fallout after a misguided act of violence makes them social pariahs at school, mirroring the cycle of violence the boys face at home. With the end of high school approaching, their once intertwined lives begin to diverge as they form new relationships, dive into their passions, and ruminate on their commitment to their family and to each other. The journey to writing Saints of the Household began in 2017, when Tison was preparing for a workshop at Hamline, and in a moment of magic the voice of Jay, who would become one of the books central characters, came to her. I had worked on so many other ideas, even picture books, she says. And then that voice just hit me, and I wrote down maybe 15 vignettes. I think it hit me because he is, in a way, super close and parallel to my own story. Once Tison committed to finishing the story, she continued to lean on community mentorship to kickstart her career. I used that village, that community to connect with agents, she says. I signed with agent Sara Crowe [then with Pippin Properties], whom a lot of my Hamline faculty are represented by. After six months of revisions, the book began to go out on submission. With the novels nontraditional structure, Tison received several comments from editors along the lines of, This is really beautiful and really unique, but I have no idea how to edit it. But the rejections didnt deter her. In 2020, FSG senior editor Grace Kendall bought the title at auction for six figures in a two-book, world English rights deal. Tison says Kendall was the best fit because she was pushing me to do something that I was kind of scared to do but wanted to do. Tison was also drawn to FSG for its reputation for supporting authors. In March 2023, seven years after Tison heard the whispers of her characters, Saints of the Household made its debut, earning critical acclaim and three starred reviews. Her second book, a mystery novel, is slated for release in 2025 from FSG, and she has two anthologies in the works. Tison is just grateful to be a part of it all. I have zero expectations, she says. It means something if someone even reads one word that I write. Like, I did the work, and I just get to sit back and see what it does. Return to main feature. In the midst of a wearying, years-long assault on the freedom to read, librarians and library supporters unofficially kicked off the 2023 American Library Association Annual Conference with a shot of moral support. On June 22, the ALAs first-ever Rally for the Right to Read, held on the eve of the main conference program, featured an inspiring program of librarians and freedom to read advocates who spoke of the need to fight censorshipincluding a keynote from bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi, who praised librarians as modern-day freedom fighters. I want to applaud library professionals, library workers, and your supporters for your everyday freedom fight, fighting for our freedom from censorship, our freedom from book bans, our freedom from ignorance, our freedom from homophobia, our freedom from sexism, our freedom from racism, Kendi said. There can be no greater compliment than to call a human being a freedom fighter. And if youre fighting book bans, if youre fighting against censorship, then you are a freedom fighter. In his enlightening 20-minute talk, Kendi connected the actions of would-be book banners today to the actions of the segregationists and enslavers of the past. This atmosphere of conspiracy theories, of alternative facts, of misinformation, of great lies to control people through ignorance have their antecedents in the enslaving south, he told librarians. Today we are fighting an old fight from new segregationists... As much as this era is new, it is old. As much as we may feel alone fighting book bans, you have generations of company, and generations of Americans cheering you on in this freedom fight. Kendi also girded librarians for the hard work still to come, acknowledging that most never expected librarianship would land them on the front lines of such an essential fight. There can be no greater compliment than to call a human being a freedom fighter. And if youre fighting book bans, if youre fighting against censorship, then you are a freedom fighter Let me tell you this: it is those people who had no intention, no desire, no plans to be freedom fighters who typically make the best freedom fighters, Kendi said. We do not choose to become freedom fighters, the freedom fight chooses us. The freedom fight has chosen you. The freedom fight has chosen every single library professional in the country. The freedom fight has chosen every single American who reads the Bill of Rights beginning with the First Amendment, not the Second. The freedom fight has chosen every single person who treasures books, who treasures knowledge, who treasures the truth. The freedom fight has chosen every single American, who recognizes that an institution without books about racism, without books about homophobia, without books without books about the Holocaust, without queer characters, without books by authors of color, is not a libraryit is a propaganda shop masquerading as a library." Librarians Honored Kendi's appearance was one of several highlights from the three-hour Rally for the Right to Read program. The evening kicked off with remarks by Vickery Bowles, City Librarian of the Toronto Public Library, who set the stage by speaking of the importance of libraries in a democracy, the library's essential commitment to equity as a core value, and a fraying political discourse. "Fundamentally, what were seeing is growing intolerance for difference of opinions, and polarized disagreements have taken the place of informed and respectful discussion and debate," Bowles noted. "And the way the attack on libraries has been politicized by state legislatures and local authorities has taken these challenges to a whole new level." Next up, the program honored the work of librarians on the front lines. Legendary school librarian Pat Scales was honored with the Freedom to Read Foundation's Roll of Honor Award; University of Illinois professor Emily Knox was presented with the Eli M. Oboler Award, which honors outstanding scholarship in the field of intellectual freedom; Louisiana school librarian Amanda Jones was presented with the John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award, which honors those who show personal courage in defending intellectual freedom; and the Michigan Library Association was presented with the Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award for their work in defense of the freedom to read. The program then included a short panel featuring three librarians on the front lines of the battle: Texas school librarian Becky Calzada, a founder of the #FReadomFighters; school librarian Jamie Gregory, who found herself the target of attacks after she defended Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer in a tweet; and Leila Green Little, lead plaintiff in a closely-watched lawsuit of the banning of books in Llano County, Texas, Little v. Llano County. ALA executive director Tracie D. Hall got the room to join her in shouting what has become something of the official motto of the library of community's response to book banning: "Free people read freely." And to close the evening, ALA president Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada introduced some special guests: three courageous students who are fighting the banning of 97 books in their local high schools in Beaufort County, S.C., and are the subject of a forthcoming documentary. The students showed a short trailer, and received a standing ovation from the packed ballroom. And in another unannounced addition to the program, longtime ALA director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom Deborah Caldwell-Stone was honored for tireless efforts to help librarians battle book bans. Caldwell-Stone said she was honored and humbled to help librarians who fight the battle and do the hard work in their communities. The event was hosted by the ALA's Unite Against Book Bans advocacy group, and was sponsored by EBSCO, Ingram, and Penguin Random House. In her closing remarks, Pelayo-Lozada praised the work of advocates who are coming together to defend the freedom to read, and urged more cooperation and coordination. "No one of us, no single organization, can do this alone," she said. Main Program Meanwhile the 2023 ALA Annual Conference main speaker program kicks off Friday afternoon in the McCormick Place Chicago convention center auditorium, with author Judy Blume in conversation with Simon & Schuster senior v-p and publisher Justin Chanda. The discussion promises to explore a number of important topics and issues, including the freedom to read, as Blumes books have landed on ALAs Most Challenged Books lists over the years, and she continues to be a vocal advocate against censorship. And there is more star power to end the main speaker program: this years closing general session will feature Amanda Gorman and Christian Robinson, who will discuss their forthcoming childrens book Something, Someday, due out in September from Viking (Tuesday, 11 a.m.noon). Gorman is the youngest presidential inaugural poet in U.S. history and the bestselling author of numerous books, including The Hill We Climb, which made headlines recently when a single complaint alleging the book contained hate messages was enough to get it removed from circulation in a Florida school library. And a bustling exhibit hallthe Library Marketplace will host some 600 exhibits, and more than 300 experts, authors, and illustrators are set to appear on eight live stages, as well as hundreds of Meet the Author booth sessions, book and galley giveaways, and autograph and selfie opportunities. You can check out the full program, including an education program with more than 200 sessions over five days, here. As always, check the online program for exact times and any last-minute changes. Of course, the freedom to read will be a major topic of discussion at this year's conference. PW has rounded up some panel picks from dealing with the freedom to read here. ALA officials say they expect more than 15,000 in-person attendees at the conference, which runs through June 27. This article has been updated for clarity. W.W. Norton & Company, one of the countrys largest independent publishers, has generally been happy to fly under the radar, but its stepping out of character this year as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. The company has a host of programs and events to mark its centennial underway, highlighted by its lavish June 7 bash at New York Citys Cipriani 42nd Street that attracted some 900 Norton fans. After five well-known Norton authors (Rita Dove, Neil Gaiman, Joy Harjo, Michael Lewis, and Richard Powers) offered tributes to the publishers success and longevity, chairman and president Julia Reidhead gave a quick salute to the world of independent publishing, drawing loud applause from attendees. In an interview with PW two days before the party, Reidhead, who was named Nortons first woman president in 2016 and added the chairman title in 2020, stressed how important independence has been to Nortons ability to build a company that publishes about 450 titles per year and operates in both the trade and college marketsa strategy most publishers have abandoned in favor of concentrating on one industry segment. Norton has about 650 employees, including some 200 who work in its warehouse, and across its trade and college departments it has well over 10,000 active backlist titles, a spokesperson said. The publishers combination of college and trade also provides financial balance. For example, the college departments highly regarded Norton Anthologies have sold more than 50 million copies, and Norton Critical Editions have sold 12 million copies. And while college publishing in general is undergoing tremendous change, the trade department is operating in a less volatile market. Asked which division is the biggest, Reidhead said excluding Nortons trade distribution clients, college is probably bigger. Reidhead is not ambiguous when it comes to identifying the turning point in Nortons history: shortly after the death of William Warder Norton in 1945 at age 54, his widow, the very active company cofounder Mary Polly Dows Herter Norton, after rejecting about 24 acquisition offers, developed a plan to ensure the publishers independence. Starting in 1952, she gradually transferred her ownership stake in the company to its employeesa step the defines Norton to this day, former Norton chair W. Drake McFeely writes in Books That Live: Nortons First One Hundred Years, a book Norton published to mark the anniversary (Books That Live is Nortons long-standing motto). Under this ownership model, employees who become shareholders receive dividends but must sell their shares back to the plan when they leave the publishera formula that ensures all of Nortons stock remains in the control of its current employees. With independence comes stability, community, and the freedom to experiment, Reidhead said, adding that Nortons resources allow it to act on promising initiatives. Through its 100-year history, much of Nortons growth has come organically. One relatively new venture was the 2019 launch of the Norton Young Readers imprint, which Reidhead approved, believing it would allow the company to reach readers from childhood through adulthood. The imprint, headed by Simon Boughton, has been nominated for two National Book Awards, and while NYR operates in what Reidhead said is a crowded field, she has been encouraged by early results. We have a long-game strategy, she noted. We can take our time to find our way. Nortons few acquisitions include Countryman Press in 1996 and the 1974 purchase of Liveright Publishing, which it acquired largely for its prestigious backlist, including books by Hart Crane, E.E. Cummings, Anita Loos, and Jean Toomer. In 2012, McFeely revived Liverights frontlist program to give a home to new voices, Reidhead said. Those new voices have done well. Authors published by Liveright have won one National Book Award, four Pulitzer Prizes, and placed 25 titles on the New York Times bestsellers list, including Paul McCartney, whose The Lyrics has sold more than 277,000 copies since the $100 hardcover was released in November 2021. Robert Weil, who joined Norton in 1998, oversaw the relaunch of Liveright as editor-in-chief of the imprint, and stepped away from the jobs managerial duties in June 2022 to take on a new role as Liveright v-p and executive editor, focused on acquiring new titles. Peter J. Simon, v-p and editor in Nortons college department, took over as editor-in-chief. A similar transition took place this June involving John Glusman, who has served as v-p and editor-in-chief of the Norton Trade department since 2011. Glusman relinquishes his position as editor-in-chief this week to become executive editor. Dan Gerstle, who joined Liveright as a senior editor in 2018, is moving to the Norton trade group to succeed Glusman as editor-in-chief. Editors frequently move from one imprint or division to another within Norton due to how closely the different divisions work with one another, Weil and Glusman told PW in separate interviews, noting that collaboration helps the different divisions prosper. We have a sterling college division, whose synergy with the trade division is integral to the companys success, and a fair number of our authors have emerged from academia, since the house has a unique ability to commercialize books by leading academics, Weil said. In fact, it is this sweet spot between academia and trade publishing, in which stellar writing and narrative is stressed, that often makes our list stand out. Glusman has a similar take, pointing out how well the different divisions can cross market each others titles. He takes particular pride in the trade departments sales and marketing capabilities. We have a real sales reach, and our marketing teams market as effectively has anyone in the business, he said, pointing to a long list of bestsellers that includes The Overstory by Richard Powers, Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Nomadland by Jessica Bruder. Nortons sales capabilities benefit from the quality of its lists. Its authors have won 18 National Book Awards and taken home another 18 Pulitzer Prizes, and Norton has published books by at least 26 Nobelists. Both Weil and Glusman agree that Nortons independence provides a stable, and stimulating, environment for editors as well as authors. Brendan Curry, director of the trade group, oversees not only Norton Trade and Liveright but also Norton Professional Books, Countryman Press, and Norton Young Readers, and he also echoed that being an independent publisher lets Norton think about the long term. We like to say we buy books for the future, he saida mindset that helps separate the company from corporate-owned publishers that need to worry about quarterly financial statements. If a book is late or doesnt meet expectations, we dont need to worry about what will happen to the stock price. The company also resists rejecting any title because of doubts about its sales potential. Many of our biggest books have been bought for modest prices, Curry said. Everyone PW interviewed at Norton was gratified with the large, enthusiastic turnout for the party, seeing it as approval for the way the company operates. That was one of the best and biggest publishing parties in years, Glusman said. It was a testament to all of our authors and to the wonderful work done by my publishing colleagues. American literature continues to command attention around the world, even if it seems to many abroad that Americans are not so interested in foreign works. Perhaps because of its position as the largest publishing market in the world, the U.S. has not been featured as a guest of honor country at any of the major international book fairs in years. Occasionally, you might see the U.S. embassy in a country sponsor a booth, as it did for several years at the Buenos Aires International Book Fair in the mid-2010sthough the only objects on display at that time were Amazon Kindle devices and iPads showcasing e-books. The U.S. doesnt need to promote its literature abroad; everyone already buys rights to its books, said one director at a recent fair who wished to remain anonymous. Furthermore, who would we even ask to fund and run the project? The Association of American Publishers is not involved with promoting literature abroad and, when it comes to issues outside the U.S., primarily seems concerned with policing copyright infringement. Still, book fairs are finding ways to highlight works from the U.S. This years Thessaloniki Book Fair, the main professional publishing event for Greece, which ran May 47, featured American literature as the guest of honor. The program was sponsored by the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, and, as a result, the Combined Book Exhibit hosted a booth featuring books from more than 20 U.S. publishers, including Abrams Books, Insight Editions, Penguin Random House, Quarto Group, Sourcebooks, and Yale University Press. American authors who took part included Claire Messud, Saskia Vogel, James Wood, and Nell Zink. European authors who were at the fair included the 2023 International Booker Prize winner Georgi Gospodinov, from Bulgaria. Greek authors ranged from bestsellers, such as childrens author Katerina Kris, to emerging talents like Alexandra K*, author of Things the Virgin Mary Thinks While Smoking Hidden in the Bathroom, a graduate of International Writing program at the University of Iowa. The Thessaloniki Book Fair, under the guidance of fair director Nopi Chatzigeorgiou, has made a push to engage more deeply with the international community and this year implemented its first professional fellowship program and launched a rights center. Two rights professionals representing U.S. companies participated: literary agent Chrysothemis Armefti from the 2 Seas Agency, based in Ojai, Calif., and senior rights manager Michela Pea from Insight Editions. Both are based in Europe: Armefti is from Cyprus and Pea is Italian and lives in Lisbon. Another American, Jessica Kasmer-Jacobs, represented the Deborah Harris Agency, which is headquartered in Tel Aviv. The professional program in Thessaloniki offered panels touching on topics directly relevant to Americans, including book bans and the market for literary translations, particularly in the U.S. Several Greek authors and publishers cited the dearth of literary agents working in the country as an impediment to selling more rights. At present, only Catherine Fragou of the Iris Literary Agency and Evangelia Avlioniti of the Ersilia Literary Agency are representing Greek authors to the international market. We have a large number of extraordinary writers who are as yet unknown around the world, but whose books have global appeal, Chatzigeorgiou said. Our hope is the fellowship program fostered more international networking and business. And having American literature as the guest of honor made for a successful collaboration, a new cultural and business bridge between the U.S. and Greece. Maybe its the start of a trend. Getafe Negro, a crime and horror writing festival in Madrid, will have the U.S. as the guest of honor at this years event, which takes place October 2029. Festival director Maica Rivera said the fair secured the support of the U.S. embassy in Spain to bring an author over (that author has yet to be selected). We wanted to go back to where noir literature started, which was the U.S., with writers such as Edgar Allen Poe, Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Patricia Highsmith, and Jim Thompson, Rivera said. The hardest part, she added, was getting U.S. authors interested and involved, as many simply didnt know the fair. Krista Kaer, program director of Head Read in Tallinn, Estonia, said that she, too, feels that American publishers and writers are unaware of some of the opportunities open to them to promote their work abroad. Head Read, an Estonian phrase that translates as good lines, is an annual literary festival that takes place in the events space above the Estonian Writers Union in Tallinn. This years event ran May 2428 and featured some 50 writers, including U.K. authors Anthony Horowitz and Kate Mosse, Spains Javier Cercas, and Icelands Andri Snaer Magnuson, alongside a coterie of Estonian authors, including Eero Epno, Lilli Luuk, and childrens writer Anti Saar. Everyone is treated the same, Kaer said, whether they are a debut poet or a superstar, which is something I think everyone appreciates. The Head Read events routinely draw 50 or more people each, and each is broadcast on video screens visible from the citys main pedestrian squares. This years most popular author was exiled Russian Mikhail Shishkin, who spoke about the war in Ukraine. I would say that the fact we are doing this interview in English, instead of Russian, says all you need to know about how I and the world feel about it, Shishkin said to the packed room, with an overflow of several hundred more in the street. Estonian writing is still a mystery to many, with only a modest number of works reaching English-speaking audiences, said Kerti Tergen, director of foreign affairs for the Estonian Literature Center (Elic). She noted that the center offers generous professional and financial support for publishers looking to translate books from Estonian. Among the most popular Estonian writers in English is Jaan Kross, who has been published by Maclehose Press and Vagabond Voices, an independent publisher based in Glasgow. The Man Who Spoke Snakish by Andrus Kivirahk was also a hit for Grove. Sometimes, Elics translation efforts lead to unexpected cultural exchanges, such as the translation of Tadhg Mac Dhonnagains Irish-language novel Madame Lazare into Estonian before rights to an English-language translation have been sold. Mac Dhonnagain was a featured speaker at Head Read. Overall, more than 4,000 people attended the fair over the four days. In a country with just 1.3 million people, the Estonian literary communitys ability to stage such an impressively curated event is noteworthy. The one thing missing from the roster of speakers was an American author. I think that we fail to attract American participants because they think that we are too far awayor maybe its that we are next to Russia and they fear the war, said fair program director Kaer. Either way, wed like to extend an invitation to American authors and publishers to come and visit Head Read. Im sure they would discover we have more to offer than they expected. In Survivor Injustice (North Atlantic, Aug.), Jezebel staff writer Cheung argues that many government policies align with the interests of domestic abusers and others who commit intimate violence against women. What is the most direct connection you see between government and domestic abusers? What is the difference between an abusive partner who tampers with your birth control, impregnates you against your will, and forces you to carry a pregnancy, and a state that does the same thing? I think that with abortion bans and the criminalization of pregnancy, we see the state act as an abuser. Could you talk about how this is compounded by digital surveillance? A really alarming trend over the last decade has been the way that digital histories are used to investigate and punish pregnant people. To access these histories, law enforcement weaponizes laws that are not meant to punish pregnant people. For example, last summer, in Nebraska, a teenager was prosecuted for taking abortion pills. Someone had reported hermost people who come to the attention of law enforcement have been reported by someone they know. Law enforcement put out a warrant to Meta, and the warrant did not say the word abortionI believe it made a reference to manslaughter or fetal homicide. So, without a lot of consideration, Meta handed over those texts of hers. Meta later said that they wouldnt help with the criminalization of abortion, but I think technology companies are demonstrating that they are not equipped to handle these nuances. You write about the history of the Violence Against Women Act, a 1994 law intended to protect women from violent gender-based crimes. How do it and other law enforcement efforts end up working against women? The VAWA first emerged in 1994 after decades of important anti-rape organizing and consciousness-raising, but in the tough on crime era, a lot of the VAWAs funding was allocated to law enforcementeven though police officers are often perpetrators of gender-based violence themselves. There is a wealth of statistics about that. And there are statistics showing that 90% of women in prisons are survivors of prior sexual violence, and that it is one of the most costly crimes to survive, even more so than home burglary, because of medical bills and the impact on ones ability to continue doing their job. Many women pay thousands out of pocket to go to the emergency room after an assault. These costs contribute to survivors of sexual violence committing crimes. Then, in prisons, gender-based violence is rampant. We talk about prisons or the legal system as a way to help prevent sexual violence, but our criminal system is only equipped to reproduce sexual violence. In the 1992 story Ink Studs, Daniel Clowes describes a world where the lowly cartoonist is the new rock star. Wise up, ladies, the narrator tells the reader. Grab that long-haired Fender-Bendin, three-chord Romeo by his leather pants and give im the heave-ho. Its time to find yourself a cartoon Casanova. It was self-deprecating humor that provided unintentional foreshadowing for Clowess own future success. But before he became one of the worlds most influential and lauded cartoonistsover the past 40 years hes won seven Eisners, 13 Harveys, and the 2011 Pen Award for Outstanding Body of Work in Graphic Literature, and hes widely credited with bringing graphic novels into the mainstream thanks in part to the success of 1997s Ghost Worldhe was a painfully shy kid from Chicago. For his latest, hes going back to his roots. The 62-year-olds new graphic novel, Monica (Fantagraphics, Oct.), grapples with many of the themes that have recurred in his oeuvre. Its title character struggles with feelings of loneliness and alienationfeelings that Clowes has returned to again and again, in large part because he identifies so closely with them. Speaking via Zoom from the studio in his Bay Area home, Clowes says his childhood was very isolated. Hes wearing a blue-gray pullover sweater, with a pair of round glasses that complement his close-shaved head and white beard. His parents divorced when he was two, and he wound up splitting his time between their homes and his grandparents house. He was beset by social anxiety and was so shy that he rarely spoke to the classmates or adults in his orbit. Its one of the main reasons he was drawn to the solitary art of cartooning: I cant function in a job around other people, he says. Clowess mom and dad, meanwhile, were deeply absorbed in the world of Formula Junior, a type of auto racing for which novice drivers build formula cars from regular auto parts. His mother left his father, in fact, for the man hired to drive the car his father had built. Three years later, the man died in a crash. And then she just sort of spiraled out from there, Clowes says. Coming to grips with who my mother was in an honest way gave me a lot to think about, he adds. I always felt like I had a childhood that was so indescribable. Clowess attempt to understand, and possibly accept, his mother is the driving force behind Monica, he says. The book is told through nine loosely connected chapters, which he describes as different variations on aloneness. It opens in the 1960s, as Monicas mother, Penny, embraces a free love lifestyle that quickly devolves into parental neglect. Monica is later abandoned by her mother and, after an adolescence marked by the loss of her beloved grandparents, devotes herself to tracking her parents down. She eventually leaves behind her life as a wealthy and successful business owner to join a cult that she believes once counted her mother as a member. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there is a direct line from Penny to Clowess own mother, who died in 2019 while Clowes was working on Monica. Clowes started sending out his first work in the mid-1980s. At age 24, he sent a comic featuring a character named Lloyd Llewellyn to Fantagraphics publisher Gary Groth. The first time I saw Dans work was when I opened his impressively wrapped submission envelope and pulled out a fully executed color dummy of Lloyd Llewellyn, Groth says. It was a handsome plastic notebook that contained completed individual pages in full color using Pantone sheets that were meticulously cut and laid onto the art. That comic soon appeared in the pages of Love and Rockets, Gilbert and Jaime Hernandezs seminal indie comics series. Clowes created a half dozen issues of the Lloyd Llewellyn miniseries before moving on to the first issue of his one-person anthology, Eightball, in 1989. For Groth, Clowes shares a space with Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, one of the 20th centurys most influential cartoonists. Their work traffics in loneliness, anomie, and people adrift, he says. Over the next 15 years, Eightball put Clowes among the categorys most celebrated creators. The comics serialized stories that would later be published as some of Clowess best-known graphic novels, including Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron and David Boring. But Ghost World struck the deepest chord with readers. The graphic novel follows two recent high school graduates in the 1990s as they wile the days away in their small town, criticizing the people around them and the culture at large. Soon after the works publication, Clowes cowrote a screenplay adaptation with director Terry Zwigoff. The resulting film premiered in 2001, earning Clowes and Zwigoff an Academy Award nomination for best adapted screenplay. The pair then teamed up again for 2006s Art School Confidential. Ultimately, Clowess Hollywood experiences pushed him back toward making comics. Its the only thing I really like doing, he says. I had a great time making movies, and I think it was essential to have this little thing that I could use to get away from comics. Four months ahead of Monicas release, Clowes reveals that several film producers have expressed interest. This is the time when the most interest from Hollywood happenswhen nobodys seen the book, he says. Theyre like Ill buy it! And I was like, You might want to wait. Monica took Clowes seven years to write. During that time he lost both his mother and his brother, as well as his close friends and fellow cartoonists Richard Sala and Gary Lieb. The book is dedicated to all of them, but his mother unquestionably looms largest over the text. I knew it was going to be unpleasant, he says when asked about how he thinks his mom might have reacted to the graphic novel. Then he adds, with a morbid laugh, so I kind of lucked out that she died before it came out. Brian Heater is the hardware editor at TechCrunch. Russia said Friday it was adding more European officials to a list of individuals barred from entering the country in response to the EU's decision to slap new sanctions on Moscow. "In response to these unfriendly actions, the Russian side has significantly expanded the list of representatives of European institutions and EU member states, who... are prohibited from entering the territory of our state," the foreign ministry said in a statement. Search Keywords: Short link: Thien Pham builds each chapter of his debut graphic memoir, Family Style (First Second), around resonant food memories, from school cafeteria Salisbury steak to com tam dac biet. Though Pham is the author of the YA graphic novel Sumo (2012) and illustrator of Gene Luen Yangs 2011 Level Up, Family Style is his first memoir. Ive been wanting to tell this story all my life, Pham says, and he got started during pandemic quarantine. Inspired by the daily comics journals he and fellow artist Briana Loewinsohn posted on social media, Pham experienced a resurgence in drawing, he says. I decided it was time to ask my parents about our coming to America. In 1979, Pham and his family left Vietnam for Thailand; the following year, when Pham was five years old, they traveled to the U.S. His mother and father worried about burdening him and his younger brother with their stories of anxiety and fear. Yet Pham retained big memories and gaps he hoped to fill. Each week during Covid, he visited his parents and asked them questions about the past. I would come home exhilarated from talking, and I wrote it so fast, he says. Id spend seven to eight hours drawing, then post it on Instagram, and the next day Id do the sameit just poured out of me. Though Pham did not plan Family Style as a book, Callista Brill at First Secondwho edited his graphic novel Sumoasked whether he wanted to publish it. Thats when we got the ball rolling, he says. Family Style proceeds chronologically, with each chapter focused on a dish that sparks Phams imagination. While speaking with his parents, he says he realized that his childhood memories were tied to food, like the strawberries we ate or the time we saw a sign for onion dip and thought it was mayonnaise. The book opens with a treacherous sea crossing from Vietnam to Thailand, during which a seasoned rice ball comforts him belowdecks on a creaky boat. At the Songkhla refugee camp, Phams mother learns to make banh cuon (which reappears in a chapter about Phams adolescence). When the family finds an apartment in a San Jose building where other Vietnamese American immigrants live, Pham meets friends his age and experiences love at first crunch with a potato chip. In addition to the meals that structured his youth, Pham writes about formative elementary-through-high-school relationships. His parents opened a bakery and later owned a video store; his friends caregivers held multiple jobs and went to night school, too. I was a latchkey kid since kindergarten or first grade, he says. We were left to our own devices, and adults basically babysat in shifts. Without that community helping each other out, I dont know where wed be. Pham finds satisfaction in retelling these memories and sharing them with his close relatives and friends. My parents have always been supportive of everything Ive done, but theyve never had a huge interest, he says. Thanks to this project, he adds, I think they understand me better, and I understand the sacrifices they made, the generosity. It makes me think about every time Ive grumbled about helping to fix their Wi-Fi, and how much my parents did to get us here. The process of researching and writing Family Style brought us a lot closer together. His passion for cuisine resulted in a unique marketing campaign. Pham is fascinated by international food customs (Im a huge fan of watching people eat, he says), so one day he decided to film himself eating noodles. I decided, Im going to eat noodles every weekend until my book comes out, just being a goof, he explains. His cartoonist friend Derek Kirk Kim threw down a bigger gauntlet, suggesting Pham eat noodles every day until the pub date. And I was like, You know what, Derek? I will. Pham started his scheme on March 17, fully expecting his PR team or friends to object. A couple weeks later I went to an event at a bookstore and the owners were like, We love your noodle eating. Its amazing, he recalls. I talked to my marketing people, and they were like, Keep going! We love it! So I basically locked on. Asked how he sustained this intensive noodle regimen through June 20, Pham expresses an undiminished love of noodles. Honestly, it hasnt been much of a challenge, he says. The only challenge is when Ive had a long day and realize, Oh no, its 10 p.m.I have to go eat noodles! Return to main feature. Lore and escapism were what drew Terry J. Benton-Walker to fantasy books, even as a child growing up in a part of rural Georgia with no bookstores. His love for expansive worldbuilding and magic systems continued into adulthood, but he felt frustrated that he could not find himself anywhere in these fantastical worlds. It was in that empty space where he wished to see Black children wielding magic that his desire to create his own stories was born. I want to write stories for kids who are like 16-year-old me, he says, because we deserve to see ourselves as the protagonists, and heroes, and the villains, and everything that we can be in an epic fantasy. Benton-Walker brings young Black heroes to the forefront of his YA debut, Blood Debts (Tor Teen), which is flooded with Southern culture, an extensive cast of diabolical characters, and a magical system inspired by Afro and Afro-Latinx rituals and practices. In the book, Black 16-year-old twins Clement and Cristina must put aside their personal differences when they realize that their mothers sickness is the result of a hex placed on them by someone in the magical community who wants to see their family exterminated. Their only chance at staying out of harms way is to reunite their drama-filled family and investigate a 30-year-old murder that tarnished their reputation and forced them off the throne of the magical world. Benton-Walkers road to publishing began in 2010, when he wrote his first full-length adult novel; he began querying in 2011. He went on to write several adult and childrens manuscripts over the course of eight years, before a cold query to Patrice Caldwell, who was at the time an editor at Disney and is now an agent with New Leaf Literary & Media, landed him the opportunity to move forward. I cant lie, it was hard, Benton-Walker says of his years in the query trenches. There were so many times where I thought it was not going to happen. I was close to giving up when I asked myself, Well, if you give up on this, what else are you going to do? Benton-Walker signed with Caldwell in 2019, and the pair reworked many aspects of Blood Debts, including bringing in an original magic system and fleshing out the historical background. As a Black writer with a Black agent, Benton-Walker notes that his experience collaborating with Caldwell was a far cry from working in corporate management consulting for 15 years, where he faced racism and homophobia. Patrice was one of the first people in a professional setting to actually hear me when I brought up a concern and take action with my best interest at heart, he says, and I will never forget it. In 2020, Blood Debts sold in a three-book, mid-six-figure deal for North American rights to Ali Fisher at Tor Teen, whose editorial vision for the book aligned with what Benton-Walker imagined. The first thing that she asked me was, What did this story mean to you? And what do you want it to mean to your readers? he recalls. Ive been really lucky in the sense that were very equally yoked when it comes to creativity. Benton-Walker worked on Blood Debts over the course of 2020, while caring for his young son Aiden with his husband amid the pandemic and protests over the murder of George Floyd. These conditions felt incredibly close to the story hed created, Benton-Walker says, noting how the theme of justice started to creep into Blood Debts and it really helped me save the story. Blood Debts was released in April, earning starred reviews from PW and Kirkus, and Benton-Walker has no plans of slowing down. His forthcoming projects include his middle grade debut, Alex Wise vs. the End of the World, out from Labyrinth Road this fall, with book two of that series in the works; The White Guy Dies First, an anthology of YA horror slated for summer 2024; and Blood Justice, the second in the Blood Debts trilogy, due in April 2024. On what readers can look forward to in the Blood Debts series, Benton-Walker says, The world is bigger, theres more characters. Its more intense. The last 25% of the book is completely unhinged. Im so proud of it. Return to main feature. Book bans and the freedom to read will be the hot topic at the 2023 American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago, which kicked off with the first-ever Rally for the Right to Read on Thursday evening. As I reported for Publishers Weekly, the rally was an important, inspiring moment for librarians, who have been under withering assault for more than two years for defending the freedom to read. There was a real sense that a broad array of advocates are now pulling in the same direction, and the tide is turning against a years-long, organized political attack not just on the freedom to read, but on our democracy. "Fundamentally, what were seeing is growing intolerance for difference of opinions, and polarized disagreements have taken the place of informed and respectful discussion and debate," noted Toronto Public Library's Vikery Bowles at the rally. "And the way the attack on libraries has been politicized by state legislatures and local authorities has taken these challenges to a whole new level." In a look at just how pervasive the legislative threats facing libraries are in this political climate, EveryLibrary has released a sobering report, Unpacking 2023 Legislation of Concern for Libraries, that tracks the state-level legislation affecting libraries. Among its findings: 24 bills have passed in state legislatures across 14 states as of June 17. Two have been vetoed, and 22 are in the process of being enacted. "In several instances, historic defenses from criminal prosecution for public librarians, schools, or libraries over books and materials have been removed, raising concerns about librarians' professional autonomy and ability to provide access to content without fear of arrest," the report notes. "Other themes include provisions related to changing the definitions of obscenity and harmful to minors; changes to collection development and collection review or challenge policies; mandating age verification checks for patrons; creating new liabilities for school libraries; withholding funds; and imposing book rating systems." The report is a must-read. It is at once a comprehensive look at the extent of this historic threat to the freedom to read and a call to arms that urges library supporters to adopt "an activism model" for building political power. "Any organizer has three resources with which to build political power: Time, Money, and People," the report notes. "The goal is to convert time and money, which are finite resources, into people, which is a much longer-term resource and a significant source of political power when organized for action." For those in Chicago for ALA, you can hear directly from EveryLibrary founder and executive director John Chrastka on a panel entitled Help! They're Coming for Our Books! (Sunday, 11 a.m.-noon, McCormick room W185a). Sponsored by the ALAs Rainbow Round Table, the panel will discuss the legal rights of libraries and librarians, and will also feature Angela Ocana, current chair of the ALA Intellectual Freedom Round Table; Christine Emeran, Youth Free Expression program director with the National Coalition Against Censorship; and Jonathan Friedman, PEN Americas director of free expression and education programs. Meanwhile, on that advocacy front, the EveryLibrary Institute announced a great addition to its board of directors this week: Roger Rosen, Chairman of Rosen Publishing, a leading K-12 publisher. Rosen is well-known and highly respected for his commitment to intellectual freedom, social justice, and diverse voices. "As a publisher, I understand the importance of access to information and the power of libraries to transform lives," Rosen said, in a statement. "I look forward to contributing to EveryLibrary Institute's efforts to ensure that libraries have the resources they need to thrive." In our June 9 column, we reported on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals now reviewing a federal judge's order that returned 17 books to library shelves in Llano County, Tex., while a closely-watched lawsuit over their removal proceeds. This week, the Texas Tribune reports that librarians and publishers are "worried about existing legal precedents" at issue in the case. "We have individuals who are trying to tell us what they believe librarianship is without listening to librarians about what librarianship is all about, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom and executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation, told reporters at the Tribune. I do believe that its an effort to either limit the role of libraries in society or take them away altogether. If you're in Chicago for ALA, you can hear Caldwell-Stone talk about the case and others at a session entitled Books Under Fire Law and the Right to Read 2023 (Saturday, 1-2 p.m, McCormick room W180). The session will also feature Theresa Chmara, general counsel for the Freedom to Read Foundation, the ALAs First Amendment legal defense arm, which is a plaintiff in the suit challenging Arkansas's new "harmful to minors" law. Over at Book Riot, Kelly Jensen begins her weekly censorship roundup with a timely look at the ALA's Library Bill of Rights, which was enacted 70 years ago this week. "It is important we know and understand the document, as well as use it as a guiding tool for ensuring libraries remain open, accessible, and as equitable as possible to all," Jensen writes. "This means both having the books and resources representative of all people and *also* having mechanisms in placepolicies and proceduresto ensure that those who disagree with materials in the collection have the right to express those views and have them addressed. Good policies and procedures are foundational to the First Amendment Rights of all, and for libraries that follow the Library Bill of Rights, this means not bowing to loud pressure but allowing it to do what it needs to do through the proper channels." From KSL.com, a report that a Utah school district won't ban the bible under a new state law governing the "appropriateness" of library materials. "The Davis School District board on Tuesday voted unanimously to reverse the decision of an initial review committee and retain the Bible in all district libraries after weeks of controversy and criticism," the report states. "So far, the district has conducted reviews for 60 books," the report adds, with 37 removed for violating the state's new "bright line rule" for books that are deemed "pornographic," while 14 books were "restricted at some levels due to age-appropriateness" and nine were retained. In a statement, district officials denied that the Bible was restricted as a stunt to undermine the new law. If you dont like a childrens book thats on the shelf, dont let your children read it.Thats a conversation between you and your child. But you dont get to tell other people what their children can and cannot read. Its really that simple. Also in Utah, the Salt Lake Tribune reports on the good work of Salt Lake City's downtown library's recently hired social worker, Nicole Campolucci. "The library hired Campolucci in December as its first licensed clinical social worker, with the official title of social services coordinator. Its her job to assess what library patronsespecially those experiencing homelessness, or who have other psychosocial needswant and need, as well as what staff needs, and help them get it," the article states. "So far she has made an impact. In the last three months, the library has provided 2,144 services to people, up from 1,170 in the three months before." The Arkansas Advocate reports on how Saline County is considering vesting a single judge with "full and complete authority" over the county's library system. The move comes after the library's director, Patty Hector, refused to "relocate books" the library board believes are inappropriate. "Hector has refused to relocate books, and she told the court in May that 'there is nothing wrong with these books' and 'its not illegal to be gay or trans,'" the article states. If passed, the resolution would empower a county judge with the authority to relocate the books. From the Springfield Daily Citizen, news that the Christian County Library in Missouri will not be implementing a "rating system" for books. The decision reflects the ongoing worry and confusion among Missouri librarians after Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft implemented a rule that requires libraries in the state to restrict "age-inappropriate" materials at the risk of losing state funding. "The key reason for executive director Renee Brummetts recommendation to not establish such a system dealt with how reviewing all of the librarys materials for ratings would be too large of a project for current staff members and budget limitations," the report notes. "In discussion of the issue, board members pointed to research by Brumett that found that while rating systems exist for movies and video games, no such system is available for the book publishing industry.... That would mean library staff members would have to do the job of reviewing more than 70,000 titles, about 28,000 of which are childrens and young adult titles," adding that a responsible rating system would require a title to be reviewed by at least three people each "to ensure objectivity." In South Carolina, local affiliate WSPA7 reports on a courageous library manager who has refused to take down a Pride display. "A Greenville County Library director told the manager of the library to take the display down Monday, according to emails. He said the Greenville County Library System does 'not want to post content that could be interpreted as if the Library System has taken a position on a particular subject,'" the report states. "The library manager responded by saying removing the display 'could likewise be interpreted as if the Library System has taken a position on this particular subject. One that is decidedly anti-LGBTQ+.' The manager refused to remove the display." From the Dayton Daily News, news that the Dayton (Ohio) Metro library will become a sanctuary library. "As efforts to ban books skyrocket across the country, the Dayton Metro Library is taking steps to collect and protect endangered books. The board of directors at Dayton Metro Library have declared the library system a Book Sanctuary, joining more than 2,400 libraries across the United States that seek out books that have been subject to bans or attempted bans, making them available for patrons to check out," the report notes. Great quote from executive director Jeffrey Trzeciak on the move: "If you dont like a childrens book thats on the shelf, dont let your children read it," Trzeciak told the paper. "Thats a conversation between you and your child. But you dont get to tell other people what their children can and cannot read. Its really that simple." And finally this week, e-books are also the minds of librarians here at the 2023 American Library Association Annual Conference, and the New York Times has good editorial this week on an issue librarians are grappling with: the world's digital memory. "The fact that crucial decisions about whether to keep or destroy data are kept in the hands of actors with profit motives, autocratic aspirations or other self-serving ends has a huge implication not only for individuals but also for the culture at large," opines data scientist Nanna Bonde Thylstrup, in a guest essay. "Few nonprofit organizations or publicly backed digital libraries are able to operate at the scale needed to truly democratize control of digital knowledge. Which means important decisions about how these issues play out are left to powerful, profit-driven corporations or political leaders with agendas. Understanding these forces is a critical step toward managing, mitigating and ultimately controlling data loss and, with it, the conditions under which our societies remember and forget." The Week in Libraries is a weekly opinion and news column. News, tips, submissions, questions or comments are welcome, and can be submitted via email. Previous columns can be viewed here. The Readmagine publishing conference ran from June 7-9 in Madrid, featuring an A-list of publishing pros, including Chantal Restivo-Alessi, chief digital officer at HarperCollins, Marie-Pierre Sangouard, general manager at Interforum Editis, Santos Palazzi, head of mass market and digital at Planeta, Maria Jose Galvez, managing director for the Book, Reading & Libraries division of the Ministry of Culture of Spain, and Luis Gonzalez, managing director at FGSR, the German Sanchez Ruiperez Foundation, which organized the event. Topics ranged from an overview of sales trends from the European book publishing market to the need for publishers to hire professionals from adjacent industries, such as video games and movies, as the industries continue to blur. The boom in audiobook sales, which continues to transform the landscape across Europe, was a point of conversation. Enrico Turrin, deputy director of the Federation of European Publishers, told the audience that when all the data from FEP's members is in, audiobooks are likely to account for as much as 4-5% of sales. This shift follows that in the U.S., where Michele Cobb, executive director of the Audiobook Publishers Association, noted that the U.S. has seen 11 years of double-digit growth. Now, 53% of the U.S. population has listened to an audiobook, Cobb said. Cobb noted that there was a potential shift in prevailing business models, moving from a credits-based system to the all-you-can-consume model. There is growth in both areas, she said. Discovery too is changing as new consumers are increasingly finding books on TikTok you might call it AudioTok, Cobb said. People are building online communities around listening to audiobooks, but like with print, the biggest challenge is marketing and many publishers are using influencers to do their marketing. Kurt Thielen, CEO at audiobook publisher Zebralution, said that he was seeing the market shift in Germany, where the company is based. Were seeing people do an audiobook with everything, from books to magazines to personal brand content. Its a fundamental change in the marketing approach. Thielen said that short, 30-minute episodic serialization is becoming more prevalent. Growth for audiobooks has been strong across most demographics, but the born-digital Gen Z those 18-28 years oldare showing a preference for audiobooks over digital reading, said Shauna Moran, trends manager for Global Web Index, an U.K. based consultancy. 68% of European Gen Zers say they prefer audio books to e-books, and 28% regularly listen to podcasts. Moran noted that the content Gen Z preferred was engaging and goal oriented meaning self-help and publishers of DIY content might have an opportunity with short form audio. As far as discovery goes, there was no surprise when she referenced the power of TikTok to persuade readers. People want to be told what to [read], she said. Matt Locke, director of Storythings, a media consultancy from the U.K., concurred. He went on to say that future innovation in publishing would require some tangential thinking, insofar as the past patterns of consumption are evolving into a situation where people want everything, everywhere all at once, which has helped fuel the shift from visual to listening. When it comes to innovation from inside the established publishing industry, HarperCollinss Restivo-Alessi, was part of a panel that tried to peer into the future. The panelists made several observations. They saw the possibility of famous authors, following in the footsteps of Swiss bestseller Joel Dicker and fantasy novelist Brandon Sanderson, going the self-publishing route; and authors merging genres, such as romance and fantasy becoming romantacy, which was already a big trend as of Frankfurt 2022. Unsurprisingly, AI was a main point of discussion, with the panel referencing a variety of ways the industry has already been impacted, from the launch of Reedz, an AI-powered translation company based in Sweden; Bookwires incorporation of ChatGPT into its platform; and the launch of Sudowrite, AI-powered writing software. Restivo-Alessi quoted HC CEO Brian Murrays speech at the London Book Fair earlier this year, noting that AI is both an opportunity and a risk. It offers publishers a chance to streamline some editorial and marketing tasks, such as the production of metadata and production of social media posts, but also threatens the integrity of human-centric storytelling. Then there is the question of how publishing will be able to attract talent with the skills to employ AI to the advantage of the industry. That challenge is being addressed by Christoph Blasi, director of the publishing degree program at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany who offered his thoughts on AI as well. Like many, he sees AI as two-sided, offering opportunities, such as the ability to produce instant, customized or personalized books, as well as a great unknown. Nevertheless, he admitted to one certainty. We have already begun incorporating AI into our curriculum, Blasi said. In two-years time, well be graduating students who will view AI as a standard part of the industry. Earlier this month, a Chinese warship aggressively maneuvered within 150 yards of a U.S. Navy destroyer, risking a collision. To discourage continued Chinese aggression against U.S. warships, the Navy could turn to nonlethal weapons like unmanned surface vessels (USV) equipped with ramming capabilities. The latest harassment by the Chinese Navy is part of a recurring pattern in which its ships have rammed, or threatened to ram, vessels from other nations. Just a month before, a Chinese warship nearly collided with two Philippine Coast Guard cutters. Other targets have included military, coast guard, and civilian vessels from other nations. This and other gray-zone activity by China is part of its drive to dominate its neighbors and assert authority over international waters. China has even designed ships with features that make them more effective at ramming to inflict damage or shouldering to shove other ships around. For obvious reasons, U.S. Navy vessels try to avoid using lethal force against their Chinese counterparts, even when the latter are behaving aggressively. However, the U.S. military has a panoply of nonlethal weapons and other intermediate force capabilities in operation or development that it can use to help prevent these encounters at sea from becoming dangerous. Acoustic hailers can complement other forms of communication, and even transmit irritating sounds as a warning and distraction. Laser dazzlers ( PDF ) that create temporary glare, but no permanent eye damage, can be aimed at ships' pilot houses to dissuade them from approaching. It is not publicly known if either of the above systems were used in the most recent incident. Additional nonlethal capabilities are in development: for example, the Active Denial System induces a temporary heating sensation on the skin of personnel, causing discomfort without lasting harm. When faced with an adversary who threatens to ram or shoulder your ship, ramming in return is a proportional response. Share on Twitter In addition to these, another option that might be considered is the development of specialized USVs armed only with a ram. When faced with an adversary who threatens to ram or shoulder your ship, ramming in return is a proportional response. An agile, speedy USV roaming near your ship whose sole purpose is to be ready to ram an aggressor would constitute an effective deterrent. Ramming by these USVs would not be intended to sink an aggressor ship, but merely to inflict incapacitating, reparable damage through a substantial leak at the waterline. Alternatively, ramming USVs could sport long underwater protrusions to damage sonar and other sensitive equipment under the hull. To achieve this, such USVs need not be large; they primarily need to be able to achieve high speeds over short ranges, since the energy of the collision is proportional to the relative speed. Ramming USVs could be retrieved and reused after most collisions, though they would be inexpensive enough to be expendable (and in some cases, scuttling might be advisable to prevent capture of their electronics). Moreover, their deterrent capabilities would generally make actual ramming unnecessary. They could be emblazoned with highly visible orange paint, like animals whose colors warn predators not to attack them, lest they be stung. A public-affairs campaign indicating that these USVs are incapable of carrying explosive payloads, plus their distinctive bright markings, could help to clarify that ramming represented the limits of their intent to inflict harm. The presence of a ramming USV would create a clear value proposition for ships that might otherwise engage in aggressive maneuvers: if you attempt to attack others, your warship will be damaged. The USV is faster and more agile than a large warship, so it will be able to collide with you well before you collide with your target. While you can try to continue in the direction of your intended target after a USV ramming, the accumulating water in your hull will both slow you down and affect your ability to navigate precisely, facilitating evasion. In such an encounter, you will incur the loss of a warship's availability and the expense of repairing it. The United States will stand to lose, at worst, a relatively inexpensive USV. The presence of a ramming USV would create a clear value proposition for ships that might otherwise engage in aggressive maneuvers: if you attempt to attack others, your warship will be damaged. Share on Twitter While the aggressor could shoot the USV, this would greatly raise the escalatory stakes by firing weapons in the vicinity of a U.S. warship. Just as the United States wants to manage confrontations at sea without backing down or escalating to conflict, Chinese vessels also have a keen interest in not provoking the U.S. Navy and their rules of engagement would likely preclude the use of various weapons. This approach has deep roots: purpose-designed vessels for ramming date back thousands of years. As projectile and subsurface weapons have become more effective, ramming has rarely been used in combat since the nineteenth century, though it was occasionally employed during both world wars. Ramming has, however, been used in confrontations over fisheries, as well as in China's recent efforts to dominate its neighbors' waters and international thoroughfares. That is precisely the type of gray-zone situation in which ramming vessels excel. These ramming USVs could be based at forward locations around East Asia and could be deployed to roam alongside U.S. warships in high-tension situations, such as freedom-of-navigation operations or transits of the Taiwan Strait. Instead of personnel or large payloads, they would have ample fuel tanks enabling them to travel alongside warships for long periods. Communications and control would be easy, given the short ranges between the USVs and the warships they protect. A modicum of autonomy would be required primarily during confrontations when channels might be jammed. U.S. warships could emit encoded signals to prevent fratricide under such conditions. In the face of aggressive maneuvers by Chinese vessels, the U.S. Navy can brandish ramming USVs as a capability to inhibit threats while limiting the risk of escalation. These relatively simple, inexpensive vehicles could be used alongside a variety of nonlethal weapons to manage confrontations, giving commanders more options as they attempt to prevent China from dominating the seas. Scott Savitz is a senior engineer at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation. This commentary originally appeared on RealClearDefense on June 22, 2023. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis. 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Search Real Estate Dean Unglert / Instagram By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 06/23/2023 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. couple Caelynn Miller-Keyes and Dean Unglert flew to Bali, Indonesia to celebrate their four-year anniversary, and they marked the special occasion with new tattoos!Dean and Caelynn's wedding is set to take place in September in Aspen, CO, but there is more celebration to be had in the meantime!Dean and Caelynn recently took off to Bali for a trip that Caelynn had organized for a group of travelers, according to BachelorNation.com.Dean and Caelynn have been posting photos and videos of their vacation -- and the wild monkeys they've come across -- on Instagram, including a picture of Dean holding up four fingers to represent the couple's milestone anniversary."4 years with this wonderful man," Caelynn wrote alongside the photo. "This year we get two anniversaries, one in Bali and one in the U.S."Dean also shared a photo with Caelynn and joked, "4 years down, 4 years left."He added, "Happy four years to my soon-to-be ex-girlfriend," referring to how the former beauty pageant queen will soon become his wife.Caelynn also revealed how she got inked with a tattoo of a bell pepper to celebrate the occasion."I got my Mrs. Bell tattoo on our four year anniversary," Caelynn shared.When Dean and Caelynn tie the knot later this year, they both plan to change their last names to "Bell" in honor of Dean's late mother, whose maiden name was Bell.Dean confirmed Caelynn's new tattoo via Instagram Stories, writing, "The future Bell got a bell."And for Dean's part, he committed to a magikarp tattoo, writing, "Cuz we inflict the same amount of damage to our opponents."Caelynn just celebrated her bridal shower and bachelorette party last month in Las Vegas. She called it "the best weekend ever" with her family and girlfriends.Caelynn said in April that she had already ordered her two wedding gowns for her big day and that she and Dean had "everything planned." The couple previously revealed they'll be getting married on the 23rd of their chosen -- yet undisclosed -- month.Considering Caelynn just revealed her wedding is in three months, their wedding will presumably take place on September 23, 2023.Dean surprised his fiancee with a new engagement ring -- her fourth one from Dean -- this past spring while they were exploring a bamboo forest in Kyoto, Japan.Dean had lost his original 4.5 carat diamond for Caelynn, and so he proposed in October 2022 with a temporary ring featuring a tiny diamond. Caelynn wore a temporary ring with a replica moissanite stone for a while, and then Caelynn's final ring is a real diamond.Dean and Caelynn, who will be signing a prenuptial agreement and plan to have kids of their own as well as adopt, began dating on Season 6 of , which aired in Summer 2019.Dean proposed marriage to Caelynn late last year following a grueling 22-mile hike to Hawaii's Kauai Island about three years after they started dating.Caelynn then popped the question to Dean in December 2022, which made their engagement even more "official." She forced him to conquer his fear of riding horses since he had pushed her out of her comfort zone with that brutal Hawaiian hike.Caelynn and Dean -- who previously admitted he'd prefer to just get married in a low-key courthouse ceremony -- initially planned to elope in Italy but then they realized Colorado would be a better wedding destination because all of their friends would be able to attend.On 's sixth season, Dean broke up with Caelynn on her birthday and left the show alone because he didn't think he was ready to provide the commitment that Caelynn wanted.However, Dean returned for Caelynn later on and begged her to give him a second chance, and the pair left Paradise dating each other.Following their Paradise exit, Dean convinced Caelynn to live "the van life" with him in which they traveled together and didn't have a stable home base.But Dean apparently got the van life out of his system because the couple moved into a home together in Las Vegas, NV, in Spring 2021. Caelynn and Dean later relocated to Denver, CO.Back in June 2022, Dean revealed on his podcast that he had made a deal with Caelynn about getting engaged."I made a deal with [Caelynn]. I was like, 'I'll buy you a ring if you buy me a truck,'" Dean said, which sparked criticism from some fans that Dean didn't treat Caelynn very well.Dean also admitted at the time how he had thrown a "hissy fit" upon seeing the 4.5 karat ring Caelynn was hoping to have on her finger one day and the pair got into "a scuffle."Dean said getting engaged was simply "a touchy subject" in his relationship, adding, "Caelynn makes significantly more money than I do and here I am having to spend all this money on something I don't even want. Like, I want her to get what she wants, but she's the one who wants to get married."But then Caelynn came through and bought Dean a truck in August 2022.Back in April 2022, Caelynn recalled her reaction to Dean's request that she propose marriage to him."When Dean first said that, I thought, 'Okay, [it's] another thing Dean is saying to break the mold.' Sometimes he says things just for a reaction, and he'll admit that. I thought that's kind of what he was doing," Caelynn explained in a Q&A on YouTube."But the more I thought about it, the more I loved it, because traditionally, he would propose to me. That's something I've dreamt of for so long, and that's something that he doesn't get -- a day that's catered to him and this special moment where he's really thought of. That's when I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I love this.'"Caelynn pointed out how she and Dean have "a partnership" and so they both deserve to have a proposal day. She therefore got "really really into" the idea.Dean and Caelynn have been wearing wedding bands since 2020 to show they are committed to each other. Caelynn told Us Weekly last year that it "really frustrates" her when fans assume Dean isn't good to her."He is hilarious and he's very sarcastic and he's also the most romantic person I think I've ever met. He's so thoughtful," Caelynn boasted."So I think that's a big misconception -- that I'm, like, more invested in the relationship or he, like, doesn't treat me right. I'm like, 'No, he treats me exceptionally well and he's always going out of his way to just surprise me and do romantic things.'"Prior to meeting on Paradise, Caelynn competed for Colton Underwood 's heart on The Bachelor's 23rd season, and Dean had been on multiple The Bachelor spinoffs after initially appearing on Rachel Lindsay 's season of The Bachelorette.Dean previously gushed to Us his relationship with Caelynn is "monumentally different" from other women he's dated in the past. Dean was previously linked to Kristina Schulman Danielle Lombard and Lesley Murphy from The Bachelor world alone."She's very intelligent and compassionate. I am able to be myself around her and she's able to be herself and that's how we create synergy and build around each other," Dean explained of Caelynn."For the first time in my Bachelor franchise relationship history, I feel like I'm able to say what I want, do what I want, and allow my partner to build with me while I'm doing that."Dean, however, believed in late 2019 that marriage was "never going to happen" for them."She does joke around about us getting married all the time, and I always say, 'Sorry, it's not going to happen.' I don't know, I'm super unconventional and she obviously is a little more conventional," Dean told the magazine at the time."We joke around about it. Just try to keep expectations to a minimum, you know? Like I said on the show, underpromise, overdeliver."Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group They go by different names T-Back Knives, Push Daggers, Punch Knives, Gimlet Knives, or even Palm Knives. Theyre primarily designed for self-defense, although a few utility blades for hunting and other outdoor chores make use of this design when you might need better retention. The retention factor makes these knives great for self-defense. If you can access and deploy it quickly, you can punch your way out of a deadly altercation. While the idea has been around for centuries, they became streamlined in the early 19th century in the southeastern states. Favored by city dwellers for their ease of concealment and retention, these designs made their way West as the country expanded, quickly becoming popular with miners, gamblers, and anyone else who needed a concealable, GTF off me blade. Typically, the profile for this design resembles a T (or a 7) with the handle as the top bar and the blade as the stem. Historically, most of these blades were designed as a symmetrical dagger or even a spike. As well see in this lineup, the symmetrical dagger still rules the roost, but that isnt always the case; some makers and manufacturers use more utilitarian blade shapes. This may be to work around jurisdictions that outlaw dirks or daggers, or simply ease of manufacturing. Most of these designs arent a great choice if you only want to own one EDC knife. There are one or two that might fill that role, such as the innovative design from WE Knife, but try to think of this as more of a backup or hideout knife when youre defending against a gun grab, or maybe if you find yourself in an area where guns are prohibited but knives arent. This is the type of knife you carry and hope you never have to use it. As always, research your local and state laws before you start carrying one. BEST PUSH DAGGERS Toor Knives Thors Hammer Designed by Rich Hansing, a 28-year Navy Seal Veteran and owner of Tridentis Tactical, the Thors Hammer serves as an elite non-edged pocket defense tool. Deceptive and devastating, this tool is small enough to hang from your keys or a necklace but still provides the ability to punch through dense objects. Thors Hammer is made in the USA by Toor Knives and includes a one belt loop mount Kydex holster, perfect for everyday carry. This particular model is more of a spike than a blade. But since its made of chromoly 4140 and hardened to a Rockwell hardness of 60, itll take a beating (or throw one) and ask for more. Pros: + This is a tool that can be worn covertly and can even pass for a piece of man jewelry. + The spike is awesome at penetrating anything you can think of. + The sheath is very versatile, and you can wear it in a variety of ways. Cons: Since this is just a spike, its pretty much only good for punching holes in things. Dont mistake this for a knife. VZ Grips Punch Ripper VZ Grips is mostly known for its G10 grips for firearms. But their G10 blades make you realize that polymer can make a more than an acceptable cutting tool. The Punch Ripper takes an entirely new look at the punch dagger; rather than a pointy dagger blade, you get a 2.5-inch platform of 10 raised serrations thatll rip and tear your opponents face to shreds. The sheath is very minimalist. Sewn leather with an eyelet barely covers the blade. Run paracord through the eyelet, attach it to a belt loop, and let the sheath fall away as you draw. Pros: + The Push Ripper indexes unlike any other due to their handle length and low profile. + Serrated G10 is brutal and indestructible at this thickness. + A training option for an EDC knife, when intended as a fighter, is a must. Too few makers take care of that. Cons: This is pretty much a single-purpose hideout defensive tool. You wont peel apples or open boxes with it. Getting it back inside the sheath can be a pain until you get used to it. DPX Hit Dagger Ti Sandblasted Robert Young Pelton is a professional author and adventurer and the design mind at DPX gear. His work is fascinating, as he takes you on tours from war zones to cartel strongholds. He just returned from Ukraine the day he shipped this knife out. This is one of the smallest and lightest push daggers weve ever seen thats still fully functional. Its sheath may weigh more than the knife does. This knife is constructed of a billet of titanium and the M390 blade is attached to it. This was done by Lionsteel of Italy for DPX. Pros: + Extremely lightweight but very effective and usable + The edges are a deadly sharp section of M390, one of the toughest and most corrosion- resistant steels. + The artistry is superb, with amazing carving on the titanium. Cons: As with any lightweight design, make sure you dont inadvertently wear it somewhere you shouldnt. The sheath snaps above the handle, slowing your draw, but you can use it as a neck knife without fear of losing it. M3 Tactical Tech Ultra Concealment G10 Puncher M3 Tactical Tech (Modern Mission Mobility) is run by Kevin Moore, a custom maker of knives, tools, and tactical gear. He designed a polymer push dagger that can punch through 55-gallon steel drums due to the knifes profile and toughness. The Ultra Concealment G10 Puncher is aptly named, as you can forget youre wearing it. The handle fits the hand perfectly. The sheath has a metal clip and wears well on the belt comfortably and unobtrusively. If you find yourself carrying one, always be mindful if youre going to the airport as you can forget its there. Pros: + This knife penetrates well against all sorts of material, including steel drums. Check out the companys social accounts for demo videos. + The sheath is simple but effective at securing and concealing the blade. + Lightweight and comfortable Cons: As its polymer, dont expect much of an edge for slicing or cutting. M3 is a custom outfit, so models may be scarce or only available during certain times of the year. WE Knife Typhoeus Most push knives are pretty much designed to be used strictly as defensive weapons and have limited use as an EDC blade. It seems that WE Knife heard that and said, Hold my beer. The Typhoeus is an innovative push knife with an American Tanto style blade and a titanium handle. Yet, swivel the handle to the rear and it becomes a standard knife for EDC tasks. Its held in place like a friction folder using your hand to keep it closed. As usual, WE doesnt skimp on quality materials, like CPM20CV for the blade steel and titanium for the handle. Pros: + Its like having two knives in one. It carries in push dagger mode and can be instantly converted to a standard knife. + CPM20CV offers excellent wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and edge retention. + The tanto blade with a high saber grind proved more versatile than you might expect. Cons: It may just be this sample model, but the rearmost portion of the blade is sharp where it shouldnt be. The friction lock works fine, but some users prefer a more positive locking system. Mercworx Seraphym Mercworx Knives has been producing high-end custom tactical knives for a few decades, but seems to avoid the spotlight to do good work in the shadows. The Seraphym is one of their push daggers with a great deal of input from real-world operators. Constructed of S30V or 154CM steel, this blade is a one-piece construction, save for its canvas Micarta scales. A lot of thought went into this design, and its been in the companys lineup probably since the beginning. The Kydex sheath is extremely well made and keeps it secure on your person. Pros: + This knife has one of the best push dagger handle treatments weve seen and used. + The profile and grinds make it excel at penetration. + The sheath is next-level greatness in Kydex it keeps the blade secure yet doesnt slow it down for rapid deployment. Cons: Mercworx is a custom manufacturing facility; theres typically a wait for their knives or a higher price on the secondary market. The edge couldve been sharper, but it didnt prevent it from penetrating various types of material. Cold Steel Safe Maker I If youve ever seen the movie Platoon, this knife may seem familiar. An earlier version was made in Japan using different materials for the steel and sheath, but with the same blade length and profile. Cold Steel has been producing push daggers since the mid 1980s with minor tweaks over the years. Compared to the earlier versions, the latest models cover more of the knifes stem with rubber for comfort. The handle treatment aids in retention and provides leverage for cutting tasks. Pros: + The blade is AUS8A, a decent stainless steel with hardness, rust resistance, and ease of sharpening. + Although the original had a great leather sheath, the new polymer one is good and excels in retention. + Scary sharp edge and insane geometrical plane make this knife excellent at penetration. Cons: AUS8A tends to lose its edge quickly with a lot of use; save this knife for self-defense. The blade is a bit long for concealment purposes. The German parliament on Friday passed a law easing immigration rules for skilled workers, as Europe's top economy battles chronic labour shortages across a range of industries. Germany has for years been struggling to get enough workers due to an ageing population, in sectors from hospitality, to health and construction. At the end of 2022, around two million posts remained unfilled. Lawmakers from the ruling coalition voted in favour of the legal changes, designed to make it easier for foreign skilled workers to take up work in Germany. Under the new rules, there will be a points system based on the Canadian model, which awards for factors such as skills, education and language ability. Foreign vocational qualifications will also be more widely recognised. Economy Minister Robert Habeck welcomed the news, saying that labour shortages were among the "pressing problems" facing Germany. "We are lowering barriers to immigration," he said in a statement. "In the future, it will be much easier for companies to recruit foreign skilled workers." But opposition politicians have criticised the law, particularly a move to allow some asylum seekers already in the country to take up residency if they are qualified and have a job offer, or are already working. The coalition "is sending out a signal to the world that virtually anyone who has somehow made it into the country can stay," Thorsten Frei, a lawmaker from the conservative CDU party, told the RND media group. Employers' organisations have however long been calling for an easing of immigration rules in the country of 84 million. Earlier this year, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the problem was having a huge economic impact and that half of German companies they had interviewed had problems finding workers. Search Keywords: Short link: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that the combination of technology and talent will be a guarantee for a bright future for the world. Photograph: ANI on Twitter Modi made the remark at the India-US Hi-Tech handshake event organised at the White House and attended by US President Joe Biden and CEOs of top Indian and American companies. "This morning (meeting) is only among a few friends but has brought with it the guarantee of a bright future," he said as President Biden nodded. Modi, who is on a state visit to the US, also stressed that there is a great opportunity for everyone to take along Biden's vision and capabilities and India's aspirations and possibilities. The prime minister referred to the event as "honhaar, shandaar, dhardaar (promising, magnificent, sharp)" in Hindi and also thanked the US president for his presence. Modi further said that representatives of the business community have come from every sector -- from agriculture to space -- with some of them representing well-established firms while some others only start-ups. He said the combination of technology and talent will be a guarantee for a bright future for the world. President Biden said their partnership will ensure a free, more secure and prosperous future for the coming generation. Our cooperation matters, not just for our people but quite frankly to the whole world as our partnership is about more than the next breakthrough or the next deal as big as they may be, Biden said. It is about tackling climate change, about exploring the universe, about lifting people out of poverty, preventing pandemics and giving our citizens real opportunity, the president added. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, AMD CEO Lisa Su, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams were among the US-based company representatives who participated in the meeting. Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, Zerodha and True Beacon co-founder Nikhil Kamath and 3rdiTech co-founder Vrinda Kapoor joined the meeting as part of the India business delegation. In a major development, India and the US have agreed to end six trade disputes at the WTO through mutually agreed solutions, while New Delhi will remove retaliatory customs duties on certain American products such as almonds, walnuts, and apples. Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters The decision to resolve the six trade disputes outside the dispute settlement mechanism of the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) was taken during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US. According to the joint statement issued after the meeting of Modi and US President Joe Biden, "the leaders welcomed the resolution of six outstanding WTO disputes between the two countries through mutually agreed solutions". The six disputes include three initiated by India and as many by the US. The six cases are countervailing measures on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India, certain measures relating to solar cells and modules, measures relating to the renewable energy sector, export-related measures, certain measures on steel and aluminium products, and additional duties on some products from the US. According to trade experts, both countries can resolve the disputes on mutually agreed terms and later inform the Geneva-based WTO about the same. Commenting on this, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said India and the US have actively engaged in discussions for the last two years to terminate these six outstanding disputes. These disputes have been filed by India and the US over a decade, representing certain key sectors of the economy such as steel, aluminium, renewable energy, solar products, and certain key export-related measures. This mutually agreed solution negotiated by both sides marks the culmination of protracted negotiations, and it is unprecedented in WTO history, the commerce ministry said. He also said that as a result of the agreement, exports of certain steel and aluminium products from India to the US would get an exemption from additional duties. "They (US) have assured us that all exclusion (from additional duties) requests that India makes or US importer makes...They have given an assurance that at least 70 per cent of all such requests for steel and 80 per cent of all such requests for aluminium for products originating from India will be excluded from the additional process of Section 252 (of a US law), Goyal said. These remarks assume significance as in 2018, the US imposed 25 per cent and 10 per cent import duties on certain steel and aluminium products, respectively, on grounds of national security. The US administration had imposed these duties using Section 232 of an act that permits the president to restrict imports. In retaliation, India in June 2019 imposed customs duties on 28 American products, including chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents. India had also filed a complaint against the US in WTO on imposing these duties. The United States Trade Representative (USTR) said that the two countries "have agreed to terminate six outstanding disputes" at the WTO. On India's decision to remove retaliatory customs duties on certain American products like chickpeas, lentils, almonds, walnuts, apples, boric acid, and diagnostic reagents, USTR Katherine Tai said that these tariff cuts will restore and expand market opportunities for US agricultural producers and manufacturers. Trade experts stated that the move will help boost two-way commerce and strengthen economic ties. Welcoming the decision, think-tank GTRI co-founder Ajay Srivastava said it is expected that the agreement also includes a commitment from the US to eliminate additional tariffs on steel and aluminium imported from India. The US is the largest trading partner of India. In 2022-23, the bilateral goods trade increased to $128.8 billion as against $119.5 billion in 2021-22. According to WTO rules, a member country can file a case in the Geneva-based multilateral body if they feel that a particular trade measure is against the norms of the world body. Bilateral consultation is the first step to resolving a dispute. If both sides are not able to resolve the matter through consultation, either of them can approach the establishment of a dispute settlement panel. The panel's ruling or report can be challenged by WTO's appellate body. Interestingly, the appellate body is not functioning because of differences among member countries to appoint its members. Several disputes are already pending with this body. The US has been blocking the appointment of the members. Further, the joint statement also said that India has highlighted its interest in the restoration of its status under the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) programme, which could be considered in relation to eligibility criteria determined by the US Congress. On this, Goyal said that India and the US have agreed to discuss New Delhi's demand for restoration of GSP benefits to domestic exporters and now both sides will commence discussions to find a solution. GSP allows eligible developing countries to export duty-free goods to the US. A number of Indian products from sectors such as chemicals and engineering were getting duty-free access to the US market under the GSP, introduced in 1976. The US has assured that they will consider that and "we will discuss that and find some solution," he added. But ultimately it's the US Congress which will have to take a final decision "but discussions will now commence on that issue," he told reporters here. JP Morgan has reiterated its negative stance on Indian information technology (IT) services and downgraded the sector to underweight (neutral earlier post Q4-FY23 numbers), as it believes the overall demand environment for the sector still remains weak. The research firm expects most companies in the sector to disappoint while announcing their first quarter numbers for the current fiscal (Q1-FY24). Among stocks, it has placed Infosys, TCS, MphasiS in its negative catalyst watch. India IT Services offers investors an opportunity for a short IT Services trade for the second time in six months. After meeting 15 industry participants in Bangalore, we came away feeling that the demand environment for IT Services has likely weakened further in June, wrote Ankur Rudra and Bhavik Mehta of JP Morgan in a recent note. Paused projects, Rudra and Mehta said, may have limited visibility of restarting and signs of demand recovery over the next 6-9 months could be low, potentially driving H2 growth expectations lower and FY24 industry growth. We believe paused projects may have limited visibility of restarting and signs of demand recovery over the next 6-9 months could be low, potentially driving growth expectations in the second half lower, and FY24 industry growth to sub 5 per cent YOY levels (from our previous 4-7 per cent post 4Q results), the note said. As deferred project starts, halts and cancellations are likely to persist, the impact, Rudra and Mehta believe, is likely to be felt most in discretionary project spend areas cross applications (apps), design and engineering with lower impact on legacy managed services. We believe increased competition for a smaller pie could trigger falling win-rates, pricing and deteriorating deal terms, the JP Morgan report suggests. At the bourses, the Nifty IT index has been an underperformer thus far in FY24, moving up a negligible 0.5 per cent as compared to 8 per cent surge in the Nifty50 index. Select stocks that comprise the index, however, have performed well during this period, ACE Equity data shows. Coforge (up 21 per cent), L&T Technology Services (15 per cent) and Wipro (9 per cent) have been the top gainers among the lot. As regards growth, analysts at JP Morgan feel the current expectations of a quick or a V-shaped recovery are likely to prove optimistic and could be unlikely over the next 6-9 months, suggesting all of calendar year 2023 (CY23)/FY24 could be a washout as opposed to just the first half of 2023 (H1-CY23) as currently perceived. We have trimmed our Street-low estimates by 1-3 per cent to bake in Q1 weakness and do not anticipate any recovery in the second half. "We have also downgraded Persistent Systems to underweight from neutral with reduced Street-low estimates and a new price target of Rs 4,100, Rudra and Mehta wrote. 'When I felt that the party is drifting away from Hindutva, I tried to speak to Uddhavji. But nobody was ready to listen.' IMAGE: Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray and Mallikarjun Kharge with Nationalist Congress Party, Congress and Shiv Sena MLAs, November 25, 2019. Photograph: Mitesh Bhuvad/PTI Photo Ever since Chief Minister Eknath Shinde scooped away 39 Shiv Sena MLAs and toppled the Maha Vikas Aghadi government led by then chief minister Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray in June 2022, a steady stream of legislators and party workers have left the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray. Dr Manisha Kayande is the most recent SS-UBT legislator who quit Thackeray's party. In this interview to Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com Dr Kayande, who has a PhD in zoology and has been an associate professor, reveals why she quit the party and joined Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. What was the immediate reason for you to quit the Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and join the Shiv Sena headed by Chief Minister Shinde? My original political background is from the RSS and BJP. I worked in these organisations right since my political age. I have always been living in a Shiv Sena-dominated area and have always worked for the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance (which was in place since 1985) alliance during elections. When I joined the Shiv Sena in 2012 it was unconditional. In the BJP I had contested from the Sion Koliwada constituency (north central Mumbai) in the 2009 election, which I lost due to the MNS vote; in 1997 I lost the (election to the BrihanMumbai Municipal) Corporation by a very thin margin. I worked in the party like a common Shiv Sainik and then I was named as the party's spokesperson. In 2018, when I was still working as a professor, I was offered the MLC post, after which I resigned my associate professorship and worked very hard outside the legislature and also as a field worker. In 2019, the BJP-Shiv Sena contested together and we got a common mandate (to form a government in Maharashtra). But suddenly (Uddhav Thackeray decided) to join the Congress and NCP and formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Even then it was a little difficult (for many Shiv Sena MLAs) to digest because we had contested against them (Congress, Nationalist Congress Party) and the people's mandate was for the Shiv Sena-BJP. But as a loyal party worker we all followed our leader (Uddhav Thackeray who remained chief minister till June 2022), although many party leaders like me thought that it was not an ethical decision to form a government with the Congress and NCP. They were the ones whom we had contested against, and several of our leaders had defeated those people. Given this background many Shiv Sena elected representatives found it difficult to work with them (the MLAs from the NCP and Congress). This did not affect me directly, but somewhere we were wavering away from Balasaheb's (Bal Thackeray, the Shiv Sena's late founder) Hindutva; we were cornered about issues like Savarkar (Vinayak Damodar 'Veer' Savarkar) and Aurangzeb. This was very difficult for me to defend as a spokesperson. Many in the Shiv Sena are saying that I quit the party because of Sushma Andhare and Sanjay Raut. This lady (Andhare, a recent entrant into the SS-UBT, has emerged as an influential leader within the party) has been criticising and demeaning all the Hindu gods and goddesses. Being a staunch Hindu, how could I tolerate somebody talking nonsense about our gods and goddesses? This lady had used very acerbic and abusive language to attack Hindu gods and goddesses and many of us (in the united Shiv Sena) often wondered how she would fit into a party that espouses hardcore Hindutva as its political ideology. Despite our reservations everybody welcomed her to the party fold, but she kept on supporting narratives that went against our core ideology. Interestingly, during the Maha Prabodhan Yatra she was tasked with attacking all the 40 MLAs who joined Eknath Shindeji to topple Uddhavji's government. But she started behaving like the party supremo. What was your main difference with Uddhav Thackeray? I couldn't see the party betraying its Hindutva ideology just so that we remain in power. How could we make such people (Andhare), who have no respect for Hindu religion and Hindutva, as the party's face? People like Sushma Andhare and Sanjay Raut created such an atmosphere that we were being cornered by our opponents from the NCP and Congress (over issues related to hardcore Hindutva) and we couldn't take on them just because we were in power. I don't know why Uddhavji is still continuing with people like Sharad Pawar who have openly criticised him in his book (Lok Maze Sangati). Now, he (Thackeray) has joined hands with Prakash Ambedkar (Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi leader and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's grandson) who recently went to pay his respects to Aurangzeb, a cruel Mughal emperor, and bowed before his grave. No Shiv Sainik who regards Balasaheb as their supremo will ever accept such anti-Hindutva leaders like Andhare and Ambedkar and yet Uddhavji befriends them for political gains. I fail to understand what type of Hindutva are we (SS-UBT) going towards. The party's DNA is completely changing. I could not tolerate this. There is no openness (left in the party anymore); we can't discuss with the party chief (Uddhav Thackeray). He does meet us, but not very often there are regular meetings. So when we have to give him some feedback, how do we do that? Who do we talk to for solving certain grievances, certain complaints? Since the last six months I was strongly feeling that I was no longer needed in the party. I only asked for some post in the party; some position that will help me work for the organisation; I am good at organisational work. I didn't ask Uddhavji for the moon. I just wanted to be part and parcel of the party. When I felt that the party is drifting away from Hindutva, I tried to speak to Uddhavji. But nobody was ready to listen. Uddhavji is strongly with the NCP and Congress. I don't know why. This is just an ego issue; joining hands with BJP would have been the best thing. Why did it take you almost a year after the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government was sworn in to quit SS-UBT? There is no openness. If you want to complain about certain things, Uddhavji doesn't want to listen to any complaints. IMAGE: Uddhav Thackeray being greeted by NCP President Sharad Pawar after he was chosen as the nominee for the Maharashtra chief minister's post by the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance, November 26, 2019. Photograph: Sahil Salvi Do you really believe that Uddhav Thackeray has rejected his late father Bal Thackeray's brand of Hindutva? He is ignoring issues that matter to hardcore Hindutva party workers. I firmly stood by Uddhavji Thackeray (even after 40 Shiv Sena MLAs rebelled against him in June 2022) and supported his gaddar (Uddhav Thackeray and those close to him have labelled the 40 MLAs and Eknath Shinde as traitors) jibes against these MLAs. But gradually I realised that these 40 MLAs were finding it extremely difficult to face their constituents, their local supporters who have a strong animosity towards the NCP, Congress and what they stand for politically. These MLAs kept pleading with Uddhavji to disown the Maha Vikas Aghadi and join hands again with the BJP, but he kept ignoring their pleas. I -- and many others like me -- sincerely hoped (since the day Eknath Shinde rebelled and formed a government with the BJP) that there would be a patch up (between Thackeray and the 40 MLAs) and we will all come together. There were some hopes; many people had hopes (about the patch up between the two). When you quit Uddhav Thackeray's party, why did you choose to join the Shiv Sena? You said you have a very strong RSS connection and you were also once a BJP member. Even though I have extremely good relations with all the BJP leaders there was no question of joining the BJP because all my political life I have been a loyal Shiv Sainik. As I told you earlier, I have lived all my life in the Shiv Sena bastion of Wadala-Naigaon area (north central Mumbai) and have imbibed and internalised the party culture. So, it was an easy choice to make. SS-UBT leader Sushma Andhare alleges you joined the Shiv Sena because of the fear of investigation based on a letter written by Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. She has also said that I joined the Shiv Sena because my MLC term was ending this July and my former party wouldn't have given me another term. Perhaps, her Civics is very weak or she did not learn it in school. Once elected, an MLC holds office for six years unlike an MLA whose term is five years. I was elected an MLC in 2018 and my term only ends in July 2024. The letter written by Rahul Shewale was politically motivated. None of the facts in that letter are true. How comfortable would you be working with a person against whom you had demanded an SIT (Rahul Shewale) and who has demanded an investigation against you for allegedly demanding money from an MLA? I don't know from where this letter (allegedly by Rahul Shewale demanding an investigation against Kayande) came. It was only in social media. I don't know who actually has done that because Rahul Shewale never came up with this issue. In fact, I worked for him when he contested as a Lok Sabha candidate in 2014 and 2019 (Shewale won both elections from Mumbai's South Central constituency). My relations with him were never strained. In fact, I campaigned for him wholeheartedly during both his elections. I think that it was a politically motivated and scripted letter by somebody who wanted to malign me. Whatever said and done (between Shewale and I), why should Sushma Andhare defame me? Why should one woman bring out other woman's issues and malign her politically? Did she ever verify with me (about the authenticity of the letter written by Shewale)? As my colleague, I always welcomed her. But did she verify with me? Did she ask me what is all this? How do you react to Sanjay Raut referring to you as kachra (trash) after you quit the SS-UBT and joined the Shiv Sena? Political decency and Sanjay Raut are opposite poles. I'll tell you the internal thing. He (Raut) is terribly upset with Sushma Andhare. He had no choice but to go for the Maha Prabodhan Yatra along with Sushma Andhare. He was terribly upset because his limelight was completely stolen by her (during the Yatra). Also, Andhare has been demanding ACs and sofas from ordinary karyakartas and this news has also reached Matoshree (Uddhav Thackeray's home in north west Mumbai). Why isn't Uddhavji asking her for an explanation into these charges? Why has Uddhavji become so helpess? I don't know why Uddhavji has become so helpless. Why is he tolerating people like Andhare and Raut who are working only to finish off his party? As many as 17 opposition parties on Friday resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences. IMAGE: Leaders from different parties attend the Opposition leaders' meeting, in Patna, June 23, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Addressing a joint press conference after an almost four-hour-long meeting, during which leaders of 17 parties expressed their views, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said the leaders will meet in the next few days to give final shape to their plan of fighting together. "We had a good meeting and several leaders expressed their views during the meeting. 17 parties have decided to work together and contest the Lok Sabha elections unitedly," he told reporters. Kumar, who hosted the first such meeting, said they were working in the national interest and accused the BJP of acting against the national interest as it was trying to change the country's history. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced that the next meeting of opposition leaders would be held in Shimla in Himachal Pradesh next month. "We have decided to prepare a common agenda and will take decisions in the next meeting on how to move forward," he said. "We will have to evolve separate plans for every state and we will work together to dethrone the BJP at the Centre," he said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said,"We may have some differences but have decided to work together with flexibility and will work to protect our ideology". West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee said the first meet was organised in Patna as "Whatever starts from Patna, takes the shape of the public movement". "We all are united and will fight unitedly against BJP," she said and added that "the BJP wants to change history but we'll ensure that history is saved". She also asserted that they were not opposition parties but were also citizens of the country who had patriotism and loved 'Bharat Mata'. The Aam Aadmi Party on Friday said any alliance with the Congress will be very difficult after its war of words with the grand old party over the contentious Delhi ordinance issue, at an opposition unity meeting in Bihar. IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister and AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during the opposition parties' meeting, in Patna on Friday, June 23, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo At the opposition meet in Patna, many parties urged the Congress to publicly denounce the black ordinance, but the grand old party refused to do so which raises suspicions about its real intentions, the AAP said in a statement soon after the meeting. "The Congress' hesitation and refusal to act as a team player, especially on an issue as important as this one, will make it very difficult for the AAP to be a part of any alliance that includes the Congress," the AAP said. "Until the Congress publicly denounces the black ordinance and declares that all 31 of its RS MPs will oppose the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha, it will be difficult for the AAP to participate in future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant," it added. The AAP's stance comes on a day when leaders from 17 opposition parties, including party supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, met in Patna and "decided to work together and contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly" by setting aside their differences. Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP's Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chaddh attended the meeting, but remained conspicuous by their absence at the joint press conference held by the opposition parties later. The Bharatiya Janata Party took a potshot at the absence of Kejriwal at the opposition parties' joint press conference in Patna and said the AAP's blackmailing at the beginning of the meeting itself showed the future of the "unholy alliance". Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, however, said a decision on whether to oppose the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi will be taken before the Parliament session and wondered why it is being talked about elsewhere when the matter pertains to Parliament. "The Congress, a national party that takes a stand on almost all issues, is yet to make its position on the black ordinance public. However, the Congress' Delhi and Punjab units have announced that the party should support the Narendra Modi government on this issue, the AAP said in a statement. "Today, during the (meeting of) like-minded parties... in Patna, many parties urged the Congress to publicly denounce the black ordinance. However, the Congress refused to do so," it said. The AAP termed the ordinance anti-constitutional and outright undemocratic, and said it seeks to reverse the Supreme Court's judgment which held that the Delhi government has control over the administrative services. The Centre's ordinance is an affront to the judiciary, the party said. It is high time the Congress decides whether it is standing with the people of Delhi or the Modi government, it added. "In personal discussions, senior Congress leaders have hinted that their party might informally or formally abstain from voting on it in the Rajya Sabha," it charged. "The Congress' abstention from voting on this issue will help the BJP immensely in furthering its attack on Indian democracy. If left unchallenged, this dangerous trend could spread to all other states, resulting in the usurpation of power from democratically elected state governments. It is crucial to defeat this black ordinance," it said. Except the Congress, all other 11 parties which have representation in the Rajya Sabha have clearly expressed their stand against the black ordinance and announced that they would oppose it in the Upper House, the party added. The Centre had on May 19 promulgated an ordinance to create an authority for the transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi, a week after the apex court handed over the control of services in the national capital, excluding police, public order and land, to the elected government. 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. AAP chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar told PTI, "We have received information from reliable sources that Rahul Gandhi and the BJP have reached an agreement that the Congress will stand by the saffron party on the issue of this illegal ordinance." "The Congress should make it clear whether it is standing with the Constitution or the BJP," she said. The Centre's ordinance 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. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin later told a regular briefing that China and North Korea had agreed to resume cross-border freight transport between two of their border cities "according to border-related treaties and through friendly consultation." North Korea's state media didn't immediately confirm the reopening. South Korea's Unification Ministry, which handles relations with North Korea, said it assessed the North Korea-China freight railway service restarted Monday. Spokesperson Cho Joong-hoon said how long the train service would last and what goods would be transferred would remain to be seen. The reopening came after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un last month made a dubious claim to have overcome the coronavirus pandemic and ordered an easing of the restrictions guarding against the spread of the coronavirus. North Korea and China resumed freight train service Monday following a five-month hiatus, South Korean officials said, as the North struggles to revive an economy battered by the pandemic, UN sanctions and other factors. Earlier Monday, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said it has seen a freight train with more than 10 cars leaving the Chinese border city of Dandong and crossing a railway bridge into North Korea's Sinuiju city. Kim Jong-un likely wants to import consumer goods, materials needed to build residences in Pyongyang and modernize factories in rural areas, and other items related to his hope to improve public livelihoods, said Lim Eul-chul, a professor at Kyungnam University's Institute for Far Eastern Studies in Seoul. Lim said the Dandong-Sinuiju railroad has handled more than 70 percent of official trade between the two countries. There are no reports that other cross-border railway or truck transport routes have been reopened. "The two sides will continue to strengthen coordination to ensure the steady and secure transport of goods and make further contributions to friendly relations between China and (North Korea)," Wang, the Chinese spokesperson, said. In April, China said it had halted the Dandong-Sinuiju freight train traffic amid the spread of the COVID-19 in Dandong. Earlier in January, the two countries reopened the railway link following two years of suspension while North Korea closed all its international borders as part of the world's harshest restrictions to guard against the pandemic. China, which shares a porous border with North Korea, is the North's economic pipeline and last major diplomatic ally. More than 90 percent of North Korea's external trade has been with China. The nosedive in trade volume between them during the pandemic was believed to have caused a further strain on the North's fragile economy, which has also been hit by the sanctions, natural disasters and Kim's own mismanagement. Kim's claim to have beaten the pandemic came only three months after his country first admitted an outbreak following a highly disputed claim to be coronavirus-free for more than two years. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday tried out Indian street food like chaat and jalebi at the Little India precinct in Harris Park as recommended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit last month. IMAGE: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday tried out Indian street food like chaat and jalebi at the Little India precinct in Harris Park. Photograph: @AlboMP/Twitter Harris Park, located in Parramatta, is home to a large Indian community. It is a well-known destination for Indian cuisine and several Indian-owned businesses and shops. Modi and his Albanese last month laid the foundation stone of the 'Little India' gateway at the event at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. "Great Friday night in Little India, Harris Park with @Charlton_AB. We tried out Prime Minister @narendramodi's recommendations of chaat at Chatkazz and jalebi at Jaipur Sweets - a winner!" Albanese tweeted along with a video of the visit to the precinct. WATCH: Anthony Albanese visits Little India in Harris Park Prime Minister Modi responded to the tweet by saying, "Sounds like a memorable Friday night, imbibing the best of Indian culture and culinary diversity. A winner indeed, like the India-Australia friendship." Modi, during his visit to Australia last month, addressed a community event in Sydney. During the address, he said: "I've heard that Chatkazz 'Chaat' and 'Jalebi' from Jaipur Sweets at Harris Park are very delicious. I want you all to take my friend Australian PM Albanese to that place." A 23-year-old male passenger on board Vistara's Mumbai-Delhi flight was arrested after he was heard speaking over his phone about a "hijacking plan" shortly before the plane was to take off from the Mumbai airport, officials said on Friday. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Reuters The incident occurred around 6.30 pm on Thursday at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, they said. After a crew member and others around him heard his conversation, the passenger, hailing from Haryana, was deplaned and handed over to the security personnel. A thorough check of the aircraft was conducted and the flight later took off for Delhi with the rest of the passengers following a clearance by the authorities. "The incident took place before the flight was to take off for Delhi around 7 pm. All the passengers were occupying their seats and the cabin crew members were engaged in their work," a police official said. "A member of the cabin crew and others heard the male passenger speak over his mobile phone. They heard him saying in Hindi - 'Ahmedabad ka flight board karne wala hain. Koi bhi dikkat ho to mujhe call karna' (will board a flight to Ahmedabad. Call me in case you face any difficulty)," he said. The passenger also said, 'Hijack ka saara planning hain. Uska saara access hain, chinta mat karna' (all planning for hijacking is done. Don't worry as there is an access), according to the official. "After hearing his conversation, the passengers sitting nearby got scared and many of them stood up. The cabin crew member called in the security staff of the flight and the passenger was handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)," he said. The passenger, who was later identified as Ritesh Juneja, was taken to the Sahar police station and based on the complaint lodged by the 27-year-old cabin crew member, an offence was registered against him, he said. It has come to light that the accused is mentally unstable and has been undergoing medical treatment since 2021, he said. A first information report (FIR) under section 336 (rash or negligent act that endangers human life or the personal safety of others) and 505 (2) (making statement with intent to cause fear or alarm among people) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered against the passenger, he said. A spokesperson of Vistara airline said in a statement, "We confirm that there was an incident concerning an unruly passenger on Vistara flight UK 996 scheduled to operate from Mumbai to Delhi on 22 June 2023 at 1830 hrs." In line with the guidelines and our standard operating procedures (SOPs), relevant authorities were immediately informed and the said customer was handed over to them. A thorough check was conducted and the flight took off with the rest of the customers after clearance, the statement said. "We are fully cooperating with the security agencies in the investigation. Vistara stands firm with its zero-tolerance policy against unruly behaviour that endangers the safety and security of its customers and staff," it added. Here's the full text of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to a joint session of the United States Congress, delivered on Thursday. IMAGE: US Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to a joint meeting of the Congress in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC on June 22, 2023. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Mister Speaker, Madam Vice President, Distinguished Members of the US Congress, Ladies and Gentlemen, Namaskar! It is always a great honour to address the United States Congress. It is an exceptional privilege to do so twice. For this honour, I extend my deepest gratitude on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India. I see that nearly half of you were here in 2016. I feel your warmth as old friends. I can also see the enthusiasm of a new friendship in the other half. I remember Senator Harry Reid, Senator John McCain, Senator Orrin Hatch, Elijah Cummings, Alcee Hastings and others, who I met here in 2016, and who are sadly no longer with us. Mister Speaker, Standing here, seven Junes ago, thats the June when Hamilton swept all the awards, I said that the hesitations of history were behind us. Now, when our era is at a crossroads, I am here to speak about our calling for this century. Through the long and winding road that we have travelled, we have met the test of friendship. A lot has changed since I came here seven summers ago. But a lot has remained the same like our commitment to deepen the friendship between India and the United States. In the past few years, there have been many advances in AI Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, there have been even more momentous developments in another AI America and India. Mister Speaker and Distinguished Members, The beauty of democracy is the constant connect with the people, to listen to them, and feel their pulse. And, I know this takes a lot of time, energy, effort, and travel. It is a Thursday afternoon - a fly-out day for some of you. So, I am grateful for your time. I also know how busy you have been this last month. Being a citizen of a vibrant democracy myself, I can admit one thing Mister Speaker you have a tough job! I can relate to the battles of passion, persuasion and policy. I can understand the debate of ideas and ideology. But I am delighted to see you come together today, to celebrate the bond between worlds two great democracies - India and the United States. I am happy to help out whenever you need a strong bipartisan consensus. There will be and there must be - a contest of ideas at home. But, we must also come together as one when we speak for our nation. And, you have shown that you can do it. Congratulations! Mister Speaker, The foundation of America was inspired by the vision of a nation of equal people. Throughout your history, you have embraced people from around the world. And, you have made them equal partners in the American dream. There are millions here, who have roots in India. Some of them sit proudly in this chamber. There is one behind me, who has made history! I am told that the Samosa Caucus is now the flavour of the House. I hope it grows and brings the full diversity of Indian cuisine here. Over two centuries, we have inspired each other through the lives of great Americans and Indians. We pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Junior. We also remember many others who worked for liberty, equality and justice. Today, I also wish to pay a heartfelt tribute to one of them Congressman John Lewis. Mister Speaker, Democracy is one of our sacred and shared values. It has evolved over a long time, and taken various forms and systems. Throughout history, however, one thing has been clear. Democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity. Democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse. Democracy is the culture that gives wings to thought and expression. India is blessed to have such values from times immemorial. In the evolution of the democratic spirit, India is the Mother of Democracy. Millennia ago, our oldest scriptures said, 'Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti. It means -- the truth is one but the wise express it in different ways. Now, the US is the oldest and India the largest democracy. Our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy. Together, we shall give a better future to the world, and a better world to the future. IMAGE: A word cloud of the PM's address. Mister Speaker, Last year, India celebrated 75 years of its independence. Every milestone is important, but this one was special. We celebrated a remarkable journey of over 75 years of freedom, after a thousand years of foreign rule in one form or another. This was not just a celebration of democracy, but also of diversity. Not just of Constitution, but also of its spirit of social empowerment. Not just of our competitive and cooperative federalism, but also of our essential unity and integrity. We have over two thousand five hundred political parties. Yes, you heard that right- two thousand five hundred. About twenty different parties govern various states of India. We have twenty-two official languages and thousands of dialects, and yet, we speak in one voice. Every hundred miles, our cuisine changes. From Dosa to Aloo Prantha and from Srikhand to Sandesh. We enjoy all of these. We are home to all faiths in the world, and we celebrate all of them. In India, diversity is a natural way of life. Today, the world wants to know more and more about India. I see that curiosity in this House too. We were honoured to receive over hundred Members of the US Congress in India over the last decade. Everyone wants to understand India's development, democracy and diversity. Everyone wants to know what India is doing right and how. Among close friends, I am happy to share the same. Mister Speaker, When I first visited the US as Prime Minister, India was the tenth largest economy in the world. Today, India is the fifth largest economy. And, India will be the third largest economy soon. We are not only growing bigger but we are also growing faster. When India grows, the whole world grows. After all, we are one sixth of the worlds population! In the last century, when India won its freedom, it inspired many other countries to free themselves from colonial rule. In this century, when India sets benchmarks in growth, it will inspire many other countries to do the same. Our vision is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas. It means: Together, for everyone's growth, with everyone's trust and everyone's efforts. Let me share with you how this vision is translating into action, with speed and scale. We are focusing on infrastructure development. We have given nearly forty million homes to provide shelter to over hundred and fifty million people. That is nearly six times the population of Australia! We run a national health insurance programme that ensures free medical treatment for about five hundred million people. That is greater than the population of South America! We took banking to the unbanked with the worlds largest financial inclusion drive. Nearly five hundred million people benefited. This is close to the population of North America! We have worked on building Digital India. Today, there are more than eight hundred and fifty million smart phones and internet users in the country. This is more than the population of Europe! We protected our people with two point two billion doses of made in India COVID vaccines, and that too free of cost! I may be running out of continents soon, so I will stop here! Distinguished members, The Vedas are one of the world's oldest scriptures. They are a great treasure of humanity, composed thousands of years ago. Back then, women sages composed many verses in the Vedas. And today, in modern India, women are leading us to a better future. India's vision is not just of development which benefits women. It is of women-led development, where women lead the journey of progress. A woman has risen from a humble tribal background, to be our Head of State. Nearly one point five million elected women lead us at various levels and that is of local governments. Today, women serve our country in the Army, Navy and Air Force. India also has the highest percentage of women airline pilots in the world. And, they have also put us on Mars, by leading our Mars Mission. I believe that investing in a girl child lifts up the entire family. Empowering women, transforms the nation. Mister Speaker, India is an ancient nation with a youthful population. India is known for its traditions. But the younger generation is also making it a hub of technology. Be it creative reels on Insta or real time payments, coding or quantum computing, machine learning or mobile apps, FinTech or data science, the youth of India are a great example of how a society can embrace latest technology. In India, technology is not only about innovation but also about inclusion. Today, digital platforms are empowering the rights and dignity of people, while protecting privacy. In the last nine years, over a billion people got a unique digital biometric identity connected with their bank accounts and mobile phones. This digital public infrastructure helps us reach citizens within seconds with financial assistance. Eight hundred and fifty million people receive direct benefit financial transfers into their accounts. Three times a year, over hundred million farmers receive assistance in their bank accounts at the click of a button. The value of such transfers has crossed three hundred and twenty billion dollars, and we have saved over twenty five billion dollars in the process. If you visit India, you will see everyone is using phones for payments, including street vendors. Last year, out of every 100 real time digital payments in the world, 46 happened in India. Nearly four hundred thousand miles of optical fibre cables, and cheap data have ushered in a revolution of opportunities. Farmers check weather updates, the elderly get social security payments, students access scholarships, doctors deliver tele-medicine, fishermen check fishing grounds and small businesses get loans, with just a tap on their phones. Mister Speaker, A spirit of democracy, inclusion and sustainability defines us. It also shapes our outlook to the world. India grows while being responsible about our planet. We believe: 'Mata Bhoomih, Putro Aham Prithivyah'. This means: 'the Earth is our Mother and we are her children'. Indian culture deeply respects the environment and our planet. While becoming the fastest growing economy, we grew our solar capacity by Two Thousand Three Hundred Percent! Yes, you heard it right -- Two Thousand Three Hundred Percent! We became the only G20 country to meet its Paris commitment. We made renewables account for over forty percent of our energy sources, nine years ahead of the target of 2030. But we did not stop there. At the Glasgow Summit, I proposed Mission LiFE- Lifestyle for Environment. This is a way to make sustainability a true peoples movement. Not leave it to be the job of governments alone. By being mindful in making choices, every individual can make a positive impact. Making sustainability a mass movement will help the world reach the Net Zero target faster. Our vision is pro-planet progress. Our vision is pro-planet prosperity. Our vision is pro-planet people. Mister Speaker, We live by the motto of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or The World is One Family. Our engagement with the world is for everyone's benefit. The 'One Sun, One World, One Grid' seeks to join us all in connecting the world with clean energy. 'One Earth, One Health' is a vision for global action to bring quality healthcare to everyone, including animals and plants. The same spirit is also seen in the theme when we Chair the G20 -- 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'. We advance the spirit of unity through Yoga as well. Just yesterday, the whole world came together to celebrate the International Day of Yoga. Just last week, all nations joined our proposal at the UN to build a Memorial Wall to honour the peacekeepers. And this year, the whole world is celebrating the International Year of Millets, to promote sustainable agriculture and nutrition alike. During Covid, we delivered vaccines and medicines to over hundred and fifty countries. We reach out to others during disasters as first responders, as we do for our own. We share our modest resources with those who need them the most. We build capabilities, not dependencies. Mister Speaker, When I speak about India's approach to the world, the United States occupies a special place. I know our relations are of great importance to all of you. Every Member of this Congress has a deep interest in it. When defence and aerospace in India grow, industries in the states of Washington, Arizona, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania thrive. When American companies grow, their research and development centres in India thrive. When Indians fly more, a single order for aircrafts creates more than a million jobs in forty four states in America. When an American phone maker invests in India, it creates an entire ecosystem of jobs and opportunities, in both countries. When India and the US work together on semi-conductors and critical minerals, it helps the world in making supply chains more diverse, resilient and reliable. Indeed, Mister Speaker, we were strangers in defence cooperation at the turn of the century. Now, the United States has become one of our most important defence partners. Today India and the US are working together, in space and in the seas, in science and in semi-conductors, in start-ups and sustainability, in tech and in trade, in farming and finance, in art and artificial intelligence, in energy and education, in healthcare and humanitarian efforts. I can go on and on. But, to sum it up, I would say, The scope of our co-operation is endless, The potential of our synergies is limitless, And, the chemistry in our relations is effortless. In all this, Indian Americans have played a big role. They are brilliant in every field, not just in Spelling Bee. With their hearts and minds, talent and skills, and their love for America and India, they have connected us; they have unlocked doors; they have shown the potential of our partnership. Mister Speaker, Distinguished Members, Every Indian Prime Minister and American President of the past has taken our relationship further. But our generation has the honour of taking it to greater heights. I agree with President Biden that this is a defining partnership of this century. Because it serves a larger purpose. Democracy, demography and destiny give us that purpose. One consequence of globalisation has been the over-concentration of supply chains. We will work together to diversify, decentralize, and democratise supply chains. Technology will determine the security, prosperity and leadership in the Twenty First century. That is why our two countries established a new "Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies. Our knowledge partnership will serve humanity and seek solutions to the global challenges of climate change, hunger and health. Mister Speaker and distinguished Members, The last few years have seen deeply disruptive developments. With the Ukraine conflict, war has returned to Europe. It is causing great pain in the region. Since it involves major powers, the outcomes are severe. Countries of the Global South have been particularly affected. The global order is based on the respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. As I have said directly and publicly, this is not an era of war. But, it is one of dialogue and diplomacy. And, we all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering. Mister Speaker, The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo Pacific. The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership. We share a vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific, connected by secure seas, defined by international law, free from domination, and anchored in ASEAN centrality. A region where all nations, small and large, are free and fearless in their choices, where progress is not suffocated by impossible burdens of debt, where connectivity is not leveraged for strategic purposes, where all nations are lifted by the high tide of shared prosperity. Our vision does not seek to contain or exclude, but to build a cooperative region of peace and prosperity. We work through regional institutions and with our partners from within the region and beyond. Of this, Quad has emerged as a major force of good for the region. Mister Speaker, More than two decades after 9/11 and more than a decade after 26/11 in Mumbai, radicalism and terrorism still remain a pressing danger for the whole world. These ideologies keep taking new identities and forms, but their intentions are the same. Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs or buts in dealing with it. We must overcome all such forces sponsoring and exporting terror. Mister Speaker, COVID-19's biggest impact was the human loss and suffering it caused. I wish to remember Congressman, Ron Wright and the staff members who lost their lives to Covid. As we emerge out of the pandemic, we must give shape to a new world order. Consideration, care and concern are the need of the hour. Giving a voice to the Global South is the way forward. That is why I firmly believe that the African Union be given full membership of G20. We must revive multilateralism and reform multilateral institutions, with better resources and representation. That applies to all our global institutions of governance, especially the United Nations. When the world has changed, our institutions too must change. Or, risk getting replaced by a world of rivalries without rules. In working for a new world order based on international law, our two countries will be at the forefront, as partners. Mister Speaker and Distinguished members, Today, we stand at a new dawn in our relationship that will not only shape the destiny of our two nations, but also that of the world. As the young American Poet Amanda Gorman has expressed: "When day comes we step out of the shade, aflame and unafraid, the new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it. Our trusted partnership is like the Sun in this new dawn that will spread light all around. I am reminded of a poem that I once wrote : Asman Me Sar Uthakar Ghane Baadalon Ko Cheer Kar Roshni Ka Sankalp Len Abhi To Sooraj Uga Hai Dridh Nishchay Ke Saath Chalkar Har Mushkil Ko Paar Kar Ghor Andhere Ko Mitane Abhi To Sooraj Uga Hai If I were to say it in English, it would be: Raising its head in the skies, Piercing through the dense clouds, With the promise of light, The sun has just risen. Armed with a deep resolve, Overcoming all the odds, To dispel the forces of darkness, The sun has just risen. Mister Speaker and Distinguished Members, We come from different circumstances and history, but we are united by a common vision. And, by a common destiny. When our partnership progresses, economic resilience increases, innovation grows, science flourishes, knowledge advances, humanity benefits, our seas and skies are safer, democracy will shine brighter, and the world will be a better place. That is the mission of our partnership. That is our calling for this century. Mister Speaker and Distinguished members, Even by the high standards of our partnership, this visit is one of a great positive transformation. Together, we shall demonstrate that democracies matter and democracies deliver. I count on your continued support to the India-US partnership. When I was here in 2016, I had said that 'our relationship is primed for a momentous future'. That future is today. Thank you once again Mister Speaker, Madam Vice-President and the Distinguished Members for this honour. God Bless America. Jai Hind. Long Live India-US friendship. Leading American newspapers highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first state visit to the US, with prominent coverage including reports on technology and defence agreements signed between the two countries. IMAGE: The United States President Joe Biden offers a toast with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the state dinner hosted for PM Modi, at the White House in Washington DC, USA, June 22, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo In a full-page coverage inside The Washington Post, the paper notes In Prime Minister's address before Congress, Modi puts his focus on growth.' Lawmakers welcomed Modi to the House Chamber warmly, giving him a loud standing ovation. Some in the gallery chanted his name as lawmakers lined up to shake his hand as he made his way to the dais, the report said. Modi is currently in Washington on a state visit at the invitation of President Joe Biden. On Thursday, both leaders held a historic summit during which the two countries signed an agreement to jointly produce jet engines in India to power military aircraft and a deal on the sale of armed drones to India. Another article US, India announce agreements on technology, defence said, Biden and Modi announced several agreements, including a deal to jointly produce a GE fighter jet engine in India and efforts to shore up supply chains for microchips and other key technologies. The style section of The Washington Post has a half-page photograph of Prime Minister Modi flanked by the Bidens in the White House for the lavish state dinner. The article accompanying the report says All the pomp but light on the glee. A photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, greeting US lawmakers with a Namaste' during his address at the US Congress, is on the front page of The New York Times, with the caption At a joint session of Congress on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India avoided using the words Russia and China. A full page of coverage of the visit is splashed inside the paper, with a photograph of Biden, with his hand on Modi's shoulder, with the Washington Monument in the foreground, the two leaders watching the ceremonial guard of honour and the thousands of Indian-Americans who had gathered at the South Lawns of the White House on a rainy Thursday morning. The detailed NYT report notes that to mark their ties, the two leaders rolled out a long list of joint initiatives on telecommunications, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and other areas. The Financial Times carried a photograph of the two leaders standing for the national anthems on the South Lawn of the White House during the ceremonial welcome, with the caption Stronger Ties Biden and Modi commit to a defining' relationship between democracies'. A detailed report on the technology and defence agreements signed between the two leaders is on the second page. Joe Biden welcomed Narendra Modi to the White House yesterday for a state visit during which the US and Indian leaders will announce defence and technology deals including a purchase of US spy drones. The accords, which include efforts to boost space cooperation, mark a big push by the US to draw New Delhi into its orbit as part of a plan to work with allies and partners to counter China, the FT report said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday made a strong push for reforming multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, and spoke glowingly of India's ties with the United States, saying the two countries stand at a new dawn in their relationship that will not only shape their destiny but also that of the world. IMAGE: US Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy applaud as Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his address to a joint meeting of the US Congress in the House Chamber of the Capitol in Washington, DC on June 22, 2023. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Becoming the first Indian prime minister to address the Joint Session of the US Congress for a second time, Modi also took a swipe at China as he spoke about 'dark clouds of coercion and confrontation casting their shadow in the Indo Pacific'. The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership, he said, shining a light on the shared concerns in India and the US about China, which he did not name. "We share a vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific, connected by secure seas, defined by international law, free from domination... "A region where all nations, small and large, are free and fearless in their choices, where progress is not suffocated by an impossible burden of debt, where connectivity is not leveraged for strategic purposes, where all nations are lifted by the high tide of shared prosperity," he said. India and the US will be at the forefront, as partners in working for a world order based on international law, he said. The prime minister also raised the issue of terrorism, noting that more than two decades after 9/11 in the US and more than a decade after 26/11 in Mumbai, radicalism and terrorism still remain a pressing danger for the whole world. "These ideologies keep taking new identities and forms, but their intentions are the same. Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs or buts in dealing with it. We must overcome all such forces sponsoring and exporting terror," he said. Indian officials called Modi's speech historic and noted that it was marked by applause 79 times, 15 standing ovations, autographs, selfies, bipartisan support and 'Modi Modi' chants. Noting that the COVID-19's biggest impact was the human loss and suffering it caused, Modi asserted that a new world order must be given shape as the global community emerges from the pandemic. Consideration, care and concern are the need of the hour and giving a voice to the Global South is the way forward, he said, adding that the African Union be given full membership of G20. "We must revive multilateralism and reform multilateral institutions, with better resources and representation. That applies to all our global institutions of governance, especially the United Nations. When the world has changed, our institutions too must change. Or, risk getting replaced by a world of rivalries without rules," he said. Modi also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr, saying 'we remember many others who worked for liberty, equality and justice'. Modi said the scope of India-US cooperation is endless, the potential of our synergies is limitless, and, the chemistry in our relations is effortless as lauded the feats of Indian Americans in the country. He underscored the share democratic values and vision of the two countries and their celebration of diversity, noting that India has over 2,500 political parties and that 20 different parties govern various states in the country. "We have twenty two official languages and thousands of dialects, and yet, we speak in one voice. We are home to all faiths in the world, and we celebrate all of them. In India, diversity is a natural way of life," he said in a clear rebuttal to the charges of India's democratic backsliding under him. Asserting that everyone wants to understand India's development, democracy and diversity, he said noting that when he first visited the US as prime minister in 2014 India was the 10th largest economy in the world. "Today, India is the fifth largest economy. And, India will be the third largest economy soon. We are not only growing bigger but we are also growing faster. When India grows, the whole world grows. After all, we are one sixth of the world's population," he said. When American companies grow, their research and development centres in India thrive, when Indians fly more, a single order for aircraft creates more than a million of jobs in 44 states in the US, he said. "I am told that Samosa Caucus is now flavour of House... I hope it grows and brings full diversity of Indian cuisine here," Modi said, referring to an informal grouping of Indian-American lawmakers who are either part of the House of Representatives or the Senate. "Together, we shall demonstrate that democracies matter and democracies deliver," he added. Defence deals signed between India and US during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit not only enhance India's defence capabilities, but also show growing proximity between the two countries, experts said on Friday. IMAGE: A US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone sits in a hanger at Amari Air Base, Estonia, July 1, 2020. Photograph: Janis Laizans/Reuters India and US inked a $3 billion deal for 31 high altitude long endurance UAVs, of which the Navy will get 15 SeaGuardian drones. while the Army and the Indian Air Force will get eight each of the land version -- SkyGuardian. Another major announcement that came was an MoU signed between GE and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to jointly produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. Former deputy national security advisor Pankaj Saran called it a "new era" in India-US relationships. "This marks a new era in relationships. The key takeaway is the focus on two sectors -- defence and technology. The third element is the boldness of ambition shown by both sides," Saran told PTI. "In the past also we have had summits, but in this particular summit there is a very conscious decision for both sides to significantly increase their ties in strategic areas," he said. Former Vice Chief of Indian Air Force Air Marshal Ravi Kant Sharma (retired) said the MoU signed between GE and HAL is a great step forward for India and its jet engine programme. "It will provide a boost in making India move towards self reliance in jet engine technology, though there will be a long road ahead before we produce an engine. The F414 is a contemporary, state of the art engine... While we do not know the fine prints, this MoU will definitely help in moving towards indigenous jet engines," Sharma said. Talking about the deal for the unmanned aerial vehicles, he said, "These UAVs can sustain for long duration, fly at high altitude, and have encrypted communication. In any warfare, you need intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance... It will provide good ISR capabilities." The Indian Navy has already been operating two Reaper drones which were hired on lease from an American firm. Former Navy spokesperson Captain DK Sharma (retired) said the drones provide a huge advantage, especially as India has been watching its maritime boundaries with the ramping up of Chinese activities in the Indian Ocean area. "These drones are an asset which has not been shared anywhere in the world, India is probably the first country to get the MQ9B, they had earlier given us two MQ9 Reapers on 'company owned, company operated' model," the retired navy spokesperson told PTI. "The two UAVs have already flown around 12,000 hours and they have changed the way surveillance is done, data is collected and a maritime domain awareness picture is created. It was very well appreciated," he said. "Our area of responsibility -- from Africa in the west to Sunda Strait in the east, and in the south, is huge. Last few years we have also seen a lot of Chinese presence in the area on one pretext or the other. We wanted some advanced surveillance assets which are not very costly to operate. One hour of a sortie of a Reaper costs in thousands (of Rupees), when the same job is done by the P8-I, the cost comes to a few lakhs," he said. "It has hard points, can be weaponised, can go on a pure ISR mission, or anti-submarine warfare mission, and can be armed with hellfire missiles or other weapons. It can do the job as the mission requires," he added. The Predators, also called the MQ-9 Reaper, can fly up to 36 hours at a stretch and can be used for focused monitoring of any specific point or area of interest. Other major outcomes of PM Modi's state visit to the US includes computer storage chip maker Micron's announcement to set up a semiconductor assembly and test plant in Gujarat, and the decision by the two countries to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station in 2024. India has also decided to join the Artemis Accords, which brings like-minded countries together on civil space exploration, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Indian Space Research Organisation have agreed to a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024. India and the US on Thursday said they are looking forward to the reconvening of the India-US Trade Policy Forum later this year to further enhance trade relationship and identify new areas for engagement. IMAGE: India and the US hold delegation-level talks at the White House, Washington, DC, June 22, 2023. Photograph: ANI on Twitter The two countries have also taken steps towards deepening bilateral cooperation to strengthen economic relationship, including trade ties, according to a joint statement issued after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden. "The US-India trade and investment partnership is an engine for global growth, with bilateral trade exceeding USD 191 billion in 2022, nearly doubling from 2014," it said. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden also applauded the reconvening of the US-India Commercial Dialogue and CEO Forum in March in New Delhi, according to the statement. They have encouraged respective industries to take action on the recommendations from CEOs for greater engagement and technical cooperation to build resilient supply chains for emerging technologies, clean energy technologies, and pharmaceuticals; promote an innovative digital economy; lower barriers to trade and investment; harmonise standards and regulations wherever feasible; and work towards skilling of workforces, it said. "The leaders support continued for active engagement between the US treasury department and the Indian ministry of finance under the Economic and Financial Partnership dialogue," the joint statement said. They encouraged the US Federal Insurance Office and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India to advance in areas of mutual interest in the insurance sector under their existing MoU framework, it said. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden have committed their administrations to promoting policies and adapting regulations that facilitate greater technology sharing, co-development, and co-production opportunities between the US and Indian industry, government, and academic institutions, the statement said. They also welcomed the launch of the interagency-led Strategic Trade Dialogue in June and directed both sides to undertake regular efforts to address export controls, explore ways of enhancing high technology commerce, and facilitate technology transfer between the India and the US. The statement said Modi and Biden welcomed Air India's historic agreement with Boeing to acquire more than 200 US-made aircraft. This purchase, it said, will support more than one million US jobs across 44 states and contribute to ongoing efforts to modernise the civil aviation sector in India. Boeing has announced a USD 100 million investment on infrastructure and programmes to train pilots in India, supporting India's need for 31,000 new pilots over the next 20 years. The leaders also welcomed Boeing's announcement of its completion of a C-17 aftermarket support facility for MRO and a new parts logistics centre in India to capture future synergies between defence and civil aviation. "India highlighted its interest in the restoration of its status under the US Generalised System of Preferences programme, which could be considered in relation to eligibility criteria determined by the US Congress. The leaders supported intensifying the work to advance progress on issues related to the eligibility criteria," the statement said. Prime Minister Modi also expressed India's interest towards being recognised as a Trade Agreements Act-designated country by the US to further enhance the integration of both economies and to further promote trade and investment between the two countries. In this regard, the leaders welcomed the initiation of discussions between both sides at an official level on issues related to bilateral government procurement, it said. The leaders are committed to pursuing ambitious efforts to strengthen Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to address shared global challenges of the 21st century, according to the statement. "By the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi, the United States and India will work together to secure G20 commitment to create a major new dedicated pool of funds at the World Bank to deploy concessional lending for global challenges, and to enhance support for crisis response in International Development Association recipient countries," the statement said. Noting the developments, Chief Executive at General Atomics Global Corporation Vivek Lall said, "We are very happy to note that Prime Minister Modi and President Biden have significantly enhanced the defence relationship between the two countries by announcing the decision to acquire MQ9B for the Indian armed forces." "This is a breakthrough moment for India-US strategic and defence partnership and General Atomics is pleased to be a major contributor in taking it to the next level," Lall said. Prime Minister Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Applauding the Indian community in the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that they are brilliant in every field, not just in Spelling Bee and have played a big role in the country's relationship with America. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a joint meeting of the US Congress. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Prime Minister Modi's remarks on Thursday came during his address to a joint session of the US Congress. He attributed a big part of the success of India-US ties to Indian-Americans. Representing 1.4 billion Indians, Modi said it is always a great honour and an exceptional privilege to address the US Congress twice. This is the second time that the prime minister has addressed the US Congress, the first time being in 2016. "In all this, Indian Americans have played a big role. They are brilliant in every field, not just in Spelling Bee. With their hearts and minds, talent and skills, and their love for America and India, they have connected us; they have unlocked doors; they have shown the potential of our partnership," he said. Spelling Bee is a prestigious contest where children of Indian origin have ruled the roost. Dev Shah, a 14-year-old eighth-grader from Florida, has won the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee. "Today India and the US are working together, in space and in the seas, in science and in semi-conductors, in start-ups and sustainability, in tech and in trade, in farming and finance, in art and artificial intelligence, in energy and education, in healthcare and humanitarian efforts," he said. President Joe Biden also mentioned the contributions of Americans of Indian heritage in his administration, including Vice President Kamala Harris, whose success stories define the relationship and the limitless possibilities between the two nations. Harris, 58, was born in Oakland, California. Her mother Shyamala Gopalan migrated to the US from Tamil Nadu in India, while her father, Donald J Harris, moved to the US from Jamaica. Biden's remarks came as he welcomed Prime Minister Modi at the White House on his first state visit. He said a special bond between the two nations forged by the special bond among its people based on values like the duty to family and elders, treating all people with respect and dignity, self-discipline, hard work, faith and service to the community, courage, resilience and tolerance and opportunity for all which are universal. A record 150-plus Indian-Americans serve in key positions in the Biden administration. "The granddaughter -- the proud granddaughter of an Indian civil servant; daughter of an Indian student, turned American scientist who came to the United States when she was only 19 years old to pursue her dream of curing cancer. A family like so many of ours in our nation. That speaks to the thousand stories of determination courage and hope in America," he said. Prime Minister Modi also praised the Indian diaspora and said the grand welcome accorded to him at the White House was an honour and pride for 1.4 billion people of India and more than 4 million people of Indian origin living in the US. While addressing the State Dinner, Modi said that Indian Americans have played a significant role in the all-round development of the nation they live in and also in strengthening the India-US relationship. More than 400 guests were invited for the dinner and they included big names in the tech world and billionaire industrialists such as Mukesh Ambani, Anand Mahindra, Google CEO Sunder Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Apple CEO Tim Cook. The National Bee is a high-profile, high-pressure endurance test as much as a nerd spelling match and spellers spend months preparing for it. Over the past 20 years, Indian-Americans have been dominating the Spelling Bee contest even though they comprise only about 1 per cent of the US population. The US Spelling Bee reflects the dominance young children from the small ethnic community have had on this prestigious test for more than a decade now. Since Balu Natarajan won it in 1985, more than 20 Indian-origin children have been crowned champions at the competition. The National Spelling Bee was launched in 1925. Reacting to a social media post speculating if Assam police will go to arrest former United States president Barack Obama over his remarks on the alleged vulnerability of minorities in India, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday claimed that there are many Hussain Obama in India and his priority will be in dealing with them. IMAGE: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma . Photograph: @CMOfficeAssam/Twitter He said that Assam police will act according to its own priorities. "There are many Hussain Obama in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington. The Assam police will act according to our own priorities," the BJP leader wrote on Twitter, sharing a post by a prominent journalist. The tweet had asked if the Assam police will go to the US to apprehend the former US president. "Has an FIR been filed in Guwahati yet against Obama for hurting sentiment? Is Assam police on its way to Washington to get Obama offloaded from some flight and arrest him?" the journalist wrote. The tweet was apparently referring to FIRs being lodged in Assam against opposition leaders over their remarks in different parts of the country. Assam police had travelled to different locations and even made arrests, including deplaning and apprehending Congress leader Pawan Khera in February and arresting then-Independent Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani last year. Obama in an interview to CNN on Thursday had said that India may pull apart if the rights of the religious and ethnic minorities are not upheld. If the (US) President meets with Prime Minister Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a Hindu majority India is worth mentioning. If I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you don't protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, there is a strong possibility that India would at some point start pulling apart, Obama had said. Drawing the battle lines, opposition parties on Friday resolved to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party unitedly in 2024 Lok Sabha elections at a crucial meeting here, even as fissures emerged with the AAP asserting that it would be difficult for it to be part of any such gathering in future till the Congress publicly supports it on the ordinance issue. IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with party leader Rahul Gandhi, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav during the Opposition leaders' meeting, in Patna on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo At a joint press meeting, opposition parties said they would fight the polls on a common agenda and state-wise strategy, setting aside their differences with a flexible approach. The plan of action is expected to be formulated at the second meeting to be chaired by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, tentatively on July 10 or 12, in Shimla. "We will have to evolve separate plans for every state and we will work together to dethrone the BJP at the Centre," Kharge said. Launching a blistering attack on the BJP, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee claimed that if the "dictatorial government" at the Centre returns to power this time, there will be no elections in the future. Over 32 leaders of more than a dozen political parties attended the meeting hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at his 1, Aney Marg residence here. While Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, Biju Janata Dal chief Naveen Patnaik, Bharat Rashtra Samithi chief K Chandrashekar Rao and YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy were not invited, Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Jayant Chaudhary did not attend the meeting due to a "predetermined family programme". There was lack of clarity on the exact number of parties that pledged to take on the BJP unitedly with leaders such as Nitish Kumar and Benerjee putting the number at 17 and some others like Yechury stating that 15 parties were there. The BJP reacted strongly to the Opposition meeting, calling it a "multi-headed selfish alliance" and compared it with wolves hunting in packs. Home Minister Amit Shah described the opposition unity meeting as a mere "photo session". Despite repeated assertions by the opposition parties that they were united, fissures in their ranks became apparent when AAP issued a statement after the meeting, claiming that the Congress has "refused" to publicly denounce the Centre's ordinance on Delhi's administrative services. The Arvind Kejriwal-led outfit said that until the Congress publicly denounces the Centre's ordinance on Delhi's administrative services and declares that all 31 of its RS MPs will oppose the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha, it will be difficult for AAP to participate in future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant. The Congress' silence raises suspicions about its real intentions, the AAP said in the statement. West Bengal Chief Minister asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal to sort out their issues on the Delhi Ordinance over a cup of tea and biscuits at a later date, reminding them that the Patna Opposition meeting was not the ideal forum for the discussion, sources said. According to sources, Congress chief Kharge gave in-principle support on the issue, saying his party doesn't support anything unconstitutional. The Congress has a set mechanism for taking up issues and an announcement on it will be done at a later date, he said. Earlier, the Congress chief had said the party will take a decision before monsoon session of Parliament. Sources said at no point Kejriwal threatened to walk out of the meeting. In fact, all the opposition party members in attendance sided with the Congress and maintained that the Congress' line on the issue was a "reasonable one". During the meeting, Rahul Gandhi said that he was attending the meeting with a clean slate "without any memory of past likes or dislikes with any of the parties in attendance", according to sources. He also said he and his party would do anything to keep the opposition parties together. "We may have some differences but have decided to work together with flexibility and will work to protect our ideology," Gandhi said and alleged that India's foundations and institutions were being attacked. The Congress leader also suggested that the Opposition would have to break the financial, institutional and constitutional monopoly of the BJP to defeat them. Banerjee during her address said it was important for all parties to ensure support for the Congress wherever the party was the strongest. During the meeting, RJD chief Lalu Prasad was given a rousing welcome by the opposition party leaders as he started his speech as the second speaker. Yadav suggested that for the 2024 general election, the opposition fight should be led by the biggest party in each state and requesting the Congress to be generous in sharing seats. Bihar Chief Minister, who was the first to speak, said that while 15 opposition parties were in attendance, at least 10 more will be joining the ranks soon. Delhi CM Kejriwal said for the 2024 election, the motto should be "nation first, party second." He said when parties give up seats for their opposition partners, their victory should be a victory for the united front. Jharkhand's Hemant Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT), National Conference Leader Omar Abdullah and Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar were also among the leaders who attended the nearly four-hours-long meeting. Janata alParty-United's Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav, who hosted the meeting, as well as Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti, CPI general secretary D Raja, CPI-ML leader Dipankar Bhattacharya and CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury were also present at the meeting and the joint presser. However, Kejriwal and his Tamil Nadu counterpart M K Stalin did not participate in the press briefing. While Stalin had to catch a flight for prior commitments, Kejriwal skipped the press briefing over Congress' silence over the Delhi central ordinance. Kumar, however, said both had to leave as they had to take their plane back home. Speaking with reporters after reaching Chennai, Stalin said the meeting did not decide on fielding a common prime ministerial candidate but have resolved to consolidate all democratic forces to defeat the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. There have also been tensions between the Congress and the TMC over the Panchayat polls violence in West Bengal but they seemed to have taken a backseat Friday with Banerjee asserting that the Opposition has resolved to fight the BJP unitedly. Banerjee said she had urged Kumar to organise the first meeting in Patna as "whatever starts from Patna, takes the shape of a people's movement". She said there are three key takeaways from the meeting in Patna -- the opposition is united, it will fight together and the fight is against the BJP's "tyrannical rule and vendetta politics." "The BJP wants to change history but we'll ensure that history is saved," she said. NCP supremo Sharad Pawar said just like the JP movement, "our united front will get the blessings of the public". "The message from the Patna meeting is clear for all of us that we need to work together to save the country," said Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav who thanked all the leaders for making it to the meeting. Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM leader Soren said today's beginning will prove to be a milestone for the country and all leaders will move together with positive thinking. At the press conference, Uddhav Thackeray said,"we will stand against the tyrants", referring to the BJP. He said parties can have different ideologies and differences but they belong to one country and will work together to save the people from those in power currently. On his part NC leader Omar Abdullah said parties from Kashmir to Kanyakumari have come together "not for power, but for principles and to save the Constitution". CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said the main issue is to protect the character of our secular democratic country which the "BJP wants to change". CPI leader D Raja alleged that BJP's nine-year rule has become "disastrous and detrimental" to the constitution of our country. "We can't let Gandhi's India become Godse's country," PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti said after the meeting. In the current Lok Sabha, the combined strength of these parties accounts for less than 200 of the 543 seats, though their leaders are hopeful of together turning the tables on the saffron party which enjoys a brute majority with a 300-plus tally. The Congress, which is seen as the principal rival of BJP, had won 52 seats in 2019, a slight improvement over its 2014 performance when it won only 44 - an all-time low. Biden's remarks at a fundraiser Tuesday, when he also said China had "real economic difficulties," opened a new rift just after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded a visit to Beijing. The trip sought to break the ice in a relationship that has hit a historical low. Yellen has recently advocated for improving relations between the U.S. and China, arguing cooperation is needed for the sake of maintaining global stability. Speaking at a news conference in Paris, Yellen said that "with respect to the comments, I think President Biden and I both believe it's critical to maintain communication... to clear up misperceptions, miscalculations. We need to work together where possible." "But we have disagreements, and we are also forthright in recognizing we do have disagreements," she added. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday that it's "critical" the U.S. and China maintain a relationship so they can "work together" on global challenges, coming just after President Joe Biden's remarks calling Chinese leader Xi Jinping a "dictator" drew condemnation from Beijing. China delivered a formal protest of Biden's remarks on Thursday, with Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng telling senior White House and State officials that Washington "should take earnest actions to undo the negative impact" of what Biden said or "bear all the consequences," a Chinese embassy spokesperson said in a statement. "With the latest irresponsible remarks about China's political system and its top leader, people cannot help but question the sincerity of the U.S. side" in seeking to stabilize relations, the statement said. "The Chinese government and people do not accept any political provocation against China's top leader and will resolutely respond." Meanwhile, speaking as a two-day gathering gets underway in Paris on improving the global financial response to climate change and poverty, Yellen said that "I'm certainly pleased to see China participating in this summit." Chinese Premier Li Qiang was among the dozens of heads of state and government, world finance officials and activists who converged on the French capital Thursday to discuss ways of reforming the global financial system and address debt, climate change and poverty crises, especially for developing nations. "I believe it's important, as President Biden does, that the world's two largest economies are... working together in addressing global challenges," Yellen said. She also emphasized that debt restructuring was a U.S. priority. As a growing number of countries struggle with unsustainable debt aggravated by the fallout from climate change, Yellen encouraged all creditors to enter into negotiations to make the burden sustainable. China is the world's biggest government lender. Citing Zambia, the southern African country she visited in January, Yellen said she was "encouraged by progress" regarding debt negotiations and was hoping "debt treatment can move forward soon." She did not provide details. "Other urgent pending cases must also move forward quickly," she added, mentioning Ghana and Sri Lanka. Top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders on Friday pooh-poohed fresh attempts by opposition parties to stitch an alliance against the saffron party for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and variedly described the Patna meeting as like wolves hunting in packs, a "drama" and mere "photo opportunity". IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav during a press briefing after the conclusion of the Opposition leaders' meeting in Patna. Photograph: ANI Photo As 17 opposition parties met in Patna on Friday to chalk out their strategy with less than a year left for the general elections, Union minister Smriti Irani took a swipe at their unity efforts, saying the 'prey' of the leaders is the future of India. "It is said that wolves hunt in packs! A political pack met in Patna. Their 'prey' is the future of India," she told reporters in Delhi. She also described the planned front as a "". The remarks by the BJP leaders came as 17 opposition parties resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the saffron party and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences. They dubbed the planned alliance as "unholy and opportunistic". While BJP chief J P Nadda said the participating leaders were those who were jailed by the Congress during Emergency, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said opposition unity is "nearly impossible". Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur called the meeting a "drama". Shah also slammed former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, who attended the meeting, saying he has the habit of criticising everything. "A photo session is happening in Patna. All the opposition leaders have come together on a single platform to convey the message that they will challenge the BJP, the NDA and (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi (in 2024)," Shah said at a rally in Jammu. "All I want to say to these opposition leaders is that your unity is nearly impossible and even if it happens, irrespective of how unitedly you appear in front of people in 2024, Modi's return with more than 300 seats is confirmed." Nadda, who was in Odisha's Kalahandi district, said leaders who were jailed by former prime minister Indira Gandhi during Emergency are now welcoming her grandson, Rahul Gandhi. "Strange things are happening in politics today. Leaders jailed by Indira Gandhi have now joined hands with her grandson, Rahul Gandhi." He pointed out that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad was jailed for 22 months, while JD-U chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was behind bars for 20 months during Emergency. "I saw Uddhav Thackeray reaching Patna to attend the opposition meeting. His father, 'Hindu Hriday Samrat' Balasaheb Thackeray, was opposed to the Congress all along. Balasaheb had once said he will shut the 'dukaan' (referring to his political party, Shiv Sena) rather than joining the Congress. Now, his son is closing down the 'dukaan'," Nadda said. Irani held two press conferences at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, one ahead of the meeting on Friday morning, and one after it concluded. Irani, who defeated Rahul Gandhi from Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, said the Congress is seeking the support of other parties as it is "incapable of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone". She said it is "ironic" that some of the leaders who witnessed the "murder of democracy" during Emergency have assembled under the Congress' 'parasol' in Patna. "I want to especially express gratitude to the Congress for openly announcing that it is incapable of defeating Modi alone. It needs support. Power has moved from the palaces to the people. That is why those who take pride in their political legacy will now have to go to those they had put behind bars during Emergency," Irani said. As the Aam Aadmi Party leaders stayed away from a joint press conference of opposition leaders in Patna, Irani said AAP's blackmailing in the beginning itself shows the future of the "unholy alliance". "It is ironic that Trinamool Congress Party members today witnessed bonhomie between Mamata Bandopadhyay and that Communist Party, the leadership of which was particularly known for dragging Mamata by her hair, especially when she tried to speak for the people of Bengal," she said referring to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Minister Thakur also took a dig at the Opposition, saying RJD president Lalu Prasad's nudge to Rahul Gandhi to get married was among the top conclusions of the meeting. "Ahead of the 2024 elections, the stage is being decorated once again, the drama troupe is gathering, characters are being decided, there will be drama, there will be promises to fulfill, people will laugh, and once again Modi ji will take oath as the Prime Minister for the third time with a huge majority," said Thakur. "New doors of political tourism opened, after eating litti-chokha, rasgulla in Bihar, they will now meet in Shimla." The meeting was hosted by Nitish Kumar and his deputy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. The West Bengal unit of the BJP lashed out at the Congress and the CPI(M) for allegedly "betraying" their grassroot workers engaged in a bitter fight over rural polls in the state by joining hands with the TMC for the Patna meeting. The saffron camp also termed the meeting as an "opportunistic alliance". "West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee chief Adhir Chowdhury and CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty will have no right to rush to the aid of their grassroot workers if they are attacked by TMC goons in the run-up to the July 8 panchayat polls," BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya told PTI in Kolkata. He also claimed that both the Congress and CPI(M) state leaderships stand "exposed in front of the people of West Bengal". Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said a decision on whether to oppose the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi would be taken before the Parliament session. IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party's former president Rahul Gandhi meet the family members of a worker who was injured during Bharat Jodo Yatra, at a felicitation function, at Sadaqat Ashram in Patna, on Friday, June 23, 2023. Photograph: PTI Photo His remarks come a day after the Aam Aadmi Party's ultimatum that it will walk out of the Opposition meeting in Patna if the Congress does not promise its support over the issue. Asked about the ordinance issue and AAP's ultimatum, Kharge, before leaving for Patna on Friday morning, said his party would take a decision on it before Parliament's Monsoon session and wondered why it was being talked about elsewhere when it was a matter that pertains to Parliament. "Opposing it or proposing it does not happen outside, it happens in Parliament. Before Parliament begins, all parties decide what issues they have to work on together. They (AAP) know it and even their leaders come to our all-party meetings. I don't know why there is so much publicity about it outside," Kharge said. "About 18-20 parties decide together on what to oppose and what to accept. So instead of saying anything now, we will take a decision before Parliament begins," he said. The meeting of opposition parties has been called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United chief Nitish Kumar to chalk out a joint strategy to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. "The AAP will stage a walkout of the meeting if the Congress does not promise its support against the ordinance," one of the party sources had said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had expressed hope on Tuesday that the Congress would clear its stand on the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in the national capital at the meeting of non-BJP parties in Patna. Keeping cards close to its chest, the Congress has so far kept its stand ambiguous as to whether it would support the AAP or not when the ordinance is put to test in Parliament by the BJP-led Centre. Congress leaders Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Delhi counterpart Kejriwal, Punjab's Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu's M K Stalin, Jharkhand's Hemant Soren, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, and Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders expected to attend it. Leaders of the People's Democratic Party, the Communist Party of India-Marxist, the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist and the National Conference will also attend the first high-level opposition meeting. A British Pakistani teenager who died with his billionaire father in a submersible missing since it dived down into the wreckage of the Titanic last weekend was a student from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland, which stated support for his classmates on Friday. IMAGE: Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood with his son Suleman Dawood. Photograph: Kind courtesy Dawood foundation Suleman Dawood, 19, was on board the vessel with Shahzada Dawood as a Father's Day bonding trip when their small submarine is believed to have imploded, killing all five on board, including British billionaire-explorer Hamish Hamilton. Members of the Dawood family, one of Pakistan's wealthiest, have also been paying tributes to the father and son. We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the death of Suleman Dawood and his father in this tragic incident, said Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Strathclyde University. Our student wellbeing team remains on hand to offer appropriate support to Suleman's classmates and the wider Strathclyde community at this difficult time, he said. Suleman Dawood was enrolled at the Strathclyde Business School and had recently completed his first year at the university in Glasgow. The British Asian Trust is deeply saddened by the tragic news that our supporter Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman have passed away. They were on board the missing submarine that set off to see the wreck of the Titanic, the British Asian Trust, a charity founded by King Charles when he was the Prince of Wales, said in a statement. Shahzada was a wonderful and generous man who supported our work in South Asia for many years, while his son was just emerging into adulthood with a promising future ahead. Our hearts and prayers are with family and friends at this unimaginable time of grief and loss. Our deepest condolences to them and everyone else who lost loved ones in this terrible incident, the statement added. Suleman's Amsterdam-based aunt, Azmeh Dawood, told Sky News that her nephew was very, very not into doing it but went ahead with the trip as a Father's Day bonding experience. "Our thoughts are with the victims of this tragedy, one which has been followed around the world. The family remains overwhelmed with the love and support that it has received and is grateful to those who showcased the best in humanity," the Dawood family said in a statement. The family were spending a month in Canada before the dive. Contact was lost with the OceanGate submersible on Sunday which happened to be Father's Day, about an hour-and-a-half into its dive in the mid-Atlantic. A massive search operation was attempted to locate the vessel and those on board. The wreck of the Titanic, the infamous ship that sank in April 1912, lies around 700 kilometres south of St. John's, Newfoundland, in Canada. British adventurer Harding, former French Navy diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet, and Stockton Rush, the chief executive of OceanGate, which runs the Titanic voyages were the others aboard the vessel. OceanGate charges USD 250,000 per person for the deep-sea excursion on the Titan' to the Titanic shipwreck, which sits 12,500 feet beneath the surface of the Atlantic. A large Royal Air Force (RAF) plane also left Scotland for Canada to join the global search operation. A second British plane was scheduled to leave later, transporting specialist loaders and crew after the UK Ministry of Defence received a request for assistance and had been moving assets to help with the operation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nearly hour-long address to the United States Congress evoked multiple standing ovations, applauses and cheers from American lawmakers and chants of 'Modi, Modi' from members of the diaspora community sitting in the grand House Chamber at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Modi became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice on Thursday. He first addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress in 2016. IMAGE: US Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy applaud as Prime Minister Narendra Modi concludes his address to a joint meeting of the Congress in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC on June 22, 2023. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters As Modi walked to exit the chamber, several lawmakers crowded around him, shaking his hand, congratulating him and getting his autograph on special copies of his speech that were circulated to the attendees. Earlier, Modi arrived in the House Chamber to a rousing reception as lawmakers stood up and applauded as he walked up to the podium to deliver his address. IMAGE: Modi puts his hand on attendee's head as he departs the House Chamber after concluding his address. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Members of the Indian-American community sat in the visitor galleries in the chamber and erupted into applause and chanted 'Modi, Modi' as the Indian leader walked in. Modi waved to the diaspora in the galleries overhead before he began his address. IMAGE: Modi is greeted by a member of the US Congress as he arrives to address a joint meeting. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Modi's address received about 15 standing ovations from US lawmakers and multiple applauses. On several occasions, the diaspora broke into chants of 'Modi, Modi' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' during the address. IMAGE: Modi waves as he departs the House Chamber after concluding his address. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Some of the members of the Indian-American community were dressed in traditional Indian attire. During his address, Modi said, "There are millions here, who have roots in India. Some of them sit proudly in this chamber. There is one behind me, who has made history." IMAGE: Harris and McCarthy listen as Modi addresses a joint meeting of the Congress. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Modi was referring to Kamala Harris, the first Black, South Asian, and woman to be elected to the post of Vice President. Harris' mother Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer scientist, hailed from Chennai. IMAGE: Modi waves as he arrives on the podium. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters As Modi made this comment, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi smiled and looked over at Congressmen Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi sitting across the aisle from her and applauded and acknowledged them. Both are US lawmakers of Indian origin. IMAGE: Modi is greeted by Harris and McCarthy as he arrives on the podium. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Some aspects of Modi's address also elicited light-hearted laughter from the lawmakers, with one saying, "In all this, Indian Americans have played a big role. They are brilliant in every field, not just in Spelling Bee." IMAGE: Modi addresses a joint meeting of the US Congress. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters It was a reference to the popular spelling competition in America that has been dominated by Indian-American children who emerge as champions year after year. This year too, 14-year-old Dev Shah, an eighth grader from Florida, won the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Modi's address ended with a prolonged standing ovation and applause from the lawmakers and members of the Indian-American community. Members of the community shouted 'Modi, Modi' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. A group of armed men, who sneaked from Yaingangpokpi in Manipur's Imphal East district and moved towards the hills on Friday afternoon, fired from automatic weapons towards Urangpat and Gwaltabi villages, officials said. IMAGE: : Locals stay alert after fresh violence in Manipur's Kanto Sabal, in Imphal West, June 20, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Security forces columns, which were immediately deployed in these "vacant" villages, responded cautiously to avoid any collateral damage. However, a large group of women in YKPI and Seijang areas were preventing the movement of additional columns into the area, officials added. This comes a day after two soldiers were injured when unknown gunmen fired at them at North Boljang in Imphal West district around 5am on Thursday. During initial search operations by the security forces, one INSAS light machine gun and one INSAS rifle were recovered. Shots of automatic small arms were also heard near Urangpat, north of YKPI, around 5.45 pm on Wednesday. More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state so far. Clashes first broke out on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. The Telangana State Council of Educational Research and Training has got mired in a controversy following the publication of the Preamble of the Constitution on the cover page of a school textbook allegedly without the words 'socialist' and 'secular'. IMAGE: Students attending a class at a government high school in Hyderabad, February 1, 2022. Photograph: ANI Photo The SCERT, however, maintained that the error occurred due to oversight. The Telangana State United Teachers' Federation submitted a representation to the secretary of education department on Thursday complaining that the words 'socialist' and 'secular' were "removed" from the Preamble published on the cover page of the class 10 social studies textbook published by the SCERT. The two words were included in the Preamble through the 42nd Constitutional amendment, the TSUTF recalled. However, the Preamble, including the two words, was published in the pages inside class 8 and 10 social studies books, it said. At a time when there is a debate "across the globe" that secularism was in danger in India, the publication of the old Preamble "the way some people want it" instead of the one that is in force gives rise to several doubts, the Federation claimed. It said that the error was a major one and that either it happened intentionally or due to oversight. The Federation urged that the correct Preamble be published and sought tough action against those responsible for wrongly publishing the Preamble, after conducting an inquiry. Meanwhile, the SCERT said the error was inadvertent. "This happened by oversight and unintentionally while downloading the image at the time of designing the cover," the SCERT Director said. However, in the inner pages of other textbooks, the Preamble after amendment was printed. "The error crept in inadvertently," the director said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he was honoured to have addressed the US Congress twice and thanked all its members for attending his historic joint address where he laid out his vision for the future of the defining bilateral partnership. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the joint session of the US Congress, at the US Capitol Hill in Washington DC, USA, June 22, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Modi on Thursday became the first Indian leader to address the joint session of the US Congress twice. His first address to a joint meeting of the US Congress was in 2016. "Honoured to address the US Congress. Gratitude to all the members of Congress who attended today. Your presence signifies the strength of India-USA ties and our shared commitment to a better future. I look forward to continued partnership in fostering global peace and progress," he tweeted. Modi, in his hour-long speech in English, said every Indian prime minister and American president of the past had taken the bilateral relationship further. "But our generation has the honour of taking it to greater heights. I agree with President (Joe) Biden that this is a defining partnership of this century," he said. IMAGE: PM Modi being greeted by the US Speaker Kevin McCarthy during the Modi's address to the joint session of the US Congress, in Washington DC, USA. Photograph: ANI Photo In a series of tweets, Modi also thanked US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnel, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer among others for their remarks on his state visit to the US. "Your warm welcome is highly appreciated @SpeakerMcCarthy. Eager to enhance our bilateral cooperation, fostering an even stronger bond between our countries," Modi said in response to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. McCarthy was also seen getting a copy of Modi's address to the joint meeting signed by the prime minister. "Indeed @LeaderMcConnell, our meeting comes at a crucial time. The challenges we face can be effectively addressed, guided by the values we share. Our nations will continue to work together to uphold these ideals for the prosperity of our nations and the planet," Modi said while responding to Mitch McConnell, the leader of the opposition Republican Party in the US Senate. "Thank you for your presence at the address, Senator @MarkWarner and for your commitment to our partnership. Indeed, the cooperation between our great nations is vital for addressing today's global challenges. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter future," he said in response to the Chairman of the Senate intelligence committee. "Thank you for the warm welcome @SenSchumer. It's always an honour to address friends at the US Congress. Looking forward to strengthening our ties and continuing our work towards shared goals. The future is brighter when our nations stand together," he responded to New York Senator Chuck Schumer. Modi, who is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, thanked US Vice President Kamala Harris for her remarks. "Thank you, @VP @KamalaHarris. Our partnership indeed holds immense potential for this century. I am equally enthusiastic about elevating our cooperation in futuristic sectors," he tweeted. Modi also thanked lawmakers Nikema Williams, Brad Sherman, Greg Stanton, Colin Allred, John Duarte, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Marc Veasey, Don Bacon, Nicole Malliotakis, Mike Lawler, French Hill and Seth Magaziner. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said all Opposition parties are going to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2024 general elections unitedly. IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses supporters in Patna, ahead of an Opposition meet, on June 23, 2023. Photograph: ANI on Twitter Accusing the BJP of working to 'divide India and spread hate and violence', he asserted that a fight of ideologies is going on in India. On one hand, there is the Congress' 'Bharat Jodo' ideology and on the other the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's 'Bharat Todo' ideology, Gandhi said. "You know that hate cannot be countered with hate. It can be defeated only with love. The Congress is working for uniting the country and spreading love," he said. "That is why we have come to Bihar because the DNA of the Congress is in Bihar," Gandhi said. "All Opposition parties have come here and together we are going to defeat the BJP," the former Congress chief said, adding, "In Karnataka, the BJP leaders gave speeches and went everywhere but the result is there for you to see." "As soon as the Congress stood united, the BJP disappeared in Karnataka. I am saying it from this stage that the BJP will be nowhere in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and the Congress will win," Gandhi claimed. Back in the Press Briefing room on being commended for her questions to President Biden and the Indian prime minister, The Wall Street Journal's Sabrina Siddiqui responded, "You gotta do it." Rediff.com Contributor Abhijit J Masih reports from The White House. Photographs and Video: Abhijit J Masih for Rediff.com IMAGE: Sabrina Siddiqui from The Wall Street Journal asks Narendra D Modi the first question he has ever been asked at a press conference since he become prime minister, to which he replied thus The Secret Service got no chill. Media, hard pass holder (usually American media White House correspondents), accredited foreign press or visiting Indian media contingent, they judiciously treat everyone alike -- with equal disdain. "Are you departing?" asked one stationed between the press briefing room and the exit gate on the North West side, closer to the West Wing. 'Departing' -- a word in White House parlance -- exiting not to return. The Indian media contingent though was handled with care by the White House press department. The 'Indian pool' was escorted by a dedicated White House person at all times. Immediately after the Biden-Modi press conference ended in the East Room, while the foreign press and the US media were asked to wait, the Indian media team left first so that they could accompany Prime Minister Narendra D Modi to Capitol Hill where he was to address the joint session of the United States Congress. Many of the American and foreign press could not make it to cover the speech to both Houses of Congress. The day was unlike any other for many who attended the official ceremony in the morning. The only dampener was the dull and wet weather, though the rains gods hit pause during the important stage of the hour-long ceremony. For the Indian Americans -- some estimates put the numbers at 7,000 though 2,000 appeared a more believable figure -- in attendance, it wasn't short of a festival. IMAGE: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Eric Garcetti, the US ambassador to India, have a quick pow-wow before the Modi-Biden press conference. The EAM and the ambassador were among the group of six officials in the Oval Office when the prime minister and the US president had their most confidential discussion. National Security Adviser Ajit Kumar Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan were the others. "India is a democracy," Modi told the rare press conference, responding to the question that was expected by most to be put to him by the US media -- the human rights, democracy and minorities question. It did not come as a surprise even when only two questions were allowed after President Biden and Prime Minister Modi had made their opening remarks. One of the hardest questions to answer when you haven't answered an unscripted question in nine years. Back in the Press Briefing room on being commended for her questions to President Biden and the Indian prime minister, The Wall Street Journal's Sabrina Siddiqui responded, "You gotta do it." Amid rising concerns about the dilution of democracy in India and the pressure on Biden to push for discussions on the topic, this was a question that must have been a no-brainer for the PMO to prepare a fitting response. IMAGE: A US soldier keeps a watch as Indian and American journalists take their places in the East Room of the White House for the Modi-Biden press conference. While the media inside the White House confines was busy recording and reporting the events unfolding on location, there were slogans being chanted outside. It was easy to mistake them to be originating from the South Lawns by the Indian Americans who had congregated to see Modi. Right outside the White House gates there was a contingent of -- who else? -- pro-Khalistan supporters who could be heard even from outside the press briefing room within the campus sloganeering against the US State guest. A group of approximately 40 Sikhs had camped outside the White House and had not moved even when the prime minister left for Capitol Hill. "This is horrible. If they have to do it, they should do it in India," said an Indian father visiting Washington, DC with his family from Chicago during the summer break. They had not planned to come for Modi, but were interested if they could enter the White House if they could. IMAGE: A glimpse of the Indian Americans who had gathered for the welcome ceremony at the White House on Thursday morning. Chants of 'Modi! Modi!' punctuated the air. On Wednesday, there was another event in New York that coincided with the Yoga day celebrations at the United Nations -- 'Howdy Democracy!?' "It has a question and an exclamation mark. What is democracy right now, in India?" asks Shruti Ganguly, a film-maker and the organiser of the event. "The event was an attempt to bring together artists, people from literature and activists; people who have been very vocal for a while. We wanted to create an incredible evening where we could come together with collective disappointment about the state of democracy in India today," she says. Interactions between journalists on a day when waiting overshadowed reporting, the discussion veered towards Rahul Gandhi. A few of the journalists had attended events during Gandhi's visit to America last month, both in California and New York. They felt that the weight of the dynastic legacy and the elitist image keeps him from connecting to a common person, even with an Indian journalist working in New York. IMAGE: "Modiji has recognized the Indian Americans' contribution and opened the doors of the White House for so many of us," says Ushang Desai, who has lived in the US for 20 years. Two elderly gentlemen, one dressed in saffron with a BJP pin, have lived in Maryland for over 30 years and hailed Prime Minister Modi as a world leader. The day was eventful to say the least. A day where Indian Americans were mentioned numerous times. A day that was joyous for many Indians that saw unprecedented respect and honour being showered on India and Indians by the US in great measure. A day that included a press conference by the prime minister. A day where deals and investments were announced by not just the US in India, but by India in the US. A day when Prime Minister Modi assured us that democracy is well and alive in India. At the State dinner Prime Minister Modi raised a toast, saying, 'To liberty and the everlasting bonds of friendship.' May both liberty and friendship prevail. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the stellar achievements of Indian Americans in his remarks at the state dinner in which he had his high-profile guests often in laughter. IMAGE: US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi raise a toast, Washington, DC, June 22, 2023. Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters Both President Joe Biden and Modi regaled their guests with some light moments while also being generous to each other, with the prime minister ending his speech with a toast to his wonderful hosts, including first lady Jill Biden, and the bond between the two countries. With Modi having a busy day attending several events, he said he had forgotten the count of speeches he made on Thursday. Apparently referring to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who surprised guests by singing a song during a similar state dinner hosted for him in April, Modi said Biden's hospitality has moved his guests to sing, evoking laughter from the guests. He then wished that he too had the singing talent that "I could have also sung a song." Modi recalled that during a dinner hosted for him in 2014, he could not eat anything as he was on a Navratri fast while Biden, then vice president, often enquired with concern that if there is anything he can eat during the fast. "Your wish to feed me is now being fulfilled," Modi said. In his comments, Biden said light-heartedly that both leaders raising the toast do not drink. He dwelt on the two countries' historic ties and praised the contributions of Indian Americans. The president also spoke about Rabindranath Tagore's visit to the US, and his impact on the ideas in America and invoked his famous poem, 'Where the mind is without fear'. The state dinner was hosted in his honour by Bidens at the North Lawn of the White House. More than 400 guests were invited for the dinner and they included big names in the tech world and billionaire industrialists such as Mukesh Ambani, Anand Mahindra, Google CEO Sunder Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Apple CEO Tim Cook. A U.S. Coast Guard ship sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday in a transit that China described as "public hype," after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken having wrapped up a high-profile, widely watched visit to Beijing a day earlier. The national security cutter Stratton made a "routine" Taiwan Strait transit Tuesday "through waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law," the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet said Thursday. The politically sensitive strait, which separates China from the democratically governed island of Taiwan, is a frequent source of tension as Beijing steps up its political and military pressure to try to force Taipei to accept Chinese sovereignty. "Stratton's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows," the 7th Fleet added in its statement. On the parade ground are sons of jawans, farmers, LIC agents, daily wage farm labourers, shopkeepers... all living their moment of triumph; their faces bright with the possibilities that lie ahead. Text: Archana Masih/Rediff.com. Photographs: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com Editorial consultant: Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd). IMAGE: Agniveervayus celebrate after the passing out parade. The parade ground was awash with the joy of success as young boys in blue uniforms did synchronised push-ups and belted out rousing military cheers. They thumped each others' backs, smiled from ear to ear, humbly acknowledged the 'well dones' from instructors in camouflaged uniforms who had trained them for the grand passing out parade and then made their way to meet the parents in the visitors' enclosure. The scorching sun was beating down hard and strong, but that did not matter to the young men in the early 20s because what they had accomplished after 22 weeks of grueling training at the Indian Air Force Training Institute in Belagavi was a landmark, a turning point. IMAGE: Squadron mates do the customary celebratory push-ups. On the parade ground were sons of jawans, farmers, LIC agents, daily wage farm labourers, shopkeepers, etc, who were taking in every second of a day that they would probably remember for a long time. The boys had officially earned the blue IAF uniforms and were about to leave for the 8 weeks enhanced training at various IAF Technical Type Training Institutes spread across the country from Bengaluru to Assam. They thronged together in small groups after the parade, chatting excitedly with their grey peak-caps in hand as mothers and fathers admired their sons in uniform. IMAGE: Trainees spend their last day together before leaving for different training institutes. The first batch of the 2,675 Agniveervayus -- the name given to IAF Agniveers -- were living their moment of triumph; their faces bright with the possibilities that lay ahead. In the billets, their bags were packed as they readied to travel to various training establishments where they would continue training in respective streams -- carrying out basic jobs on radars, missiles, aircraft etc. At the end of two months, the Agniveervayus will join diverse IAF units for a minimum of 4 years -- 25% of the best amongst them will be retained and the rest released with Rs 10.4 lakh package and a certificate highlighting their skills. They will also have 10 per cent reservation in recruitment in Central Armed Police Force and Assam Rifles. State police force and Railways will also provide priority in recruitment. IMAGE: The first batch of IAF Agniveervayus on the parade ground. "I had wanted to join the IAF as an officer, but I did not succeed. Once the Agniveer scheme was announced, I said to myself that 'I have to give it my all'. I was thrilled to be selected," says Deep Giri, 20 from Jhargram district, West Bengal who was adjudged topper in academics and overall performance. Trainees were assessed on individual performances in various activities like the endurance test which includes a 5 km run bearing 3-4 kg load, firing, general service training, academics, drill etc. Deep was awarded a trophy by Air Marshal R Radhish, the commander-in-chief of the Training Command, and is presently undergoing further training at the IAF's Electronics Training Institute in Bengaluru. IMAGE: Deep Giri, the best in over-all performance, hails from a village in West Bengal. His father, a fruit shop owner, had travelled from his village, which is located 150 km from Kolkata, to see his son graduate top of the course. In the few days he was going to be away, he had left his shop in the care of a helper. "There were several 'up and down' moments for me in the first month of training, but our instructors were very good and I was able to learn quickly," says Deep. Allotted the air defence stream, his goal is to join the IAF as an officer. He will apply for the competitive entrance process whenever it is announced by the IAF. Almost all trainees aspire to enter the Indian Air Force as officers and look at their induction as Agniveervayus as a stepping stone to that final goal. "What I like best about the IAF are the three values -- Mission, Integrity, Excellence -- This is the foundation that the Indian Air Force rests upon and I am happy to be a part of it," says Deep with a smile. IMAGE: Agniveervayus take a breather on the parade ground. Inside the Infantry Weapon Training Simulators facility Insas and AK-103 rifles are lined for training practice. A giant digital screen generates the target as trainees who have never held a weapon before learn to aim and shoot for both day and night firing. IMAGE: The indoor firing facility. Prasad Bapurao Kadam, 21, from Satara, Maharashtra, was given the trophy for best marksmen. The son of a tailor, his father had once hoped to join the fauj; his only son has now fulfilled that dream. "I have learned so many new things in these five months -- most of all discipline," Prasad says. The qualities of a good marksmen, he says, is stability of posture. "You need a firm grip on the gun, have a good trigger operation and aim with singular focus," he says with confidence, switching between Marathi and English. Prasad is currently undergoing training at an IAF institute in Delhi. IMAGE: Prasad Bapurao Kadam, the best marksman, receives the trophy from Commander-in-Chief Training Command Air Marshal R Radhish. It had been raining continuously in Raghuvir Singh's village near Jodhpur, Rajasthan, forcing the farmer's family to cancel their attendance at the passing out parade in Belagavi. "They cancelled at the last moment because our fields had to be protected from the rain," said Raghuvir, who won a trophy for being the best in drill. 'Drill is the bedrock of discipline' is an oft repeated phrase used liberally by military folk. Raghuvir had called his grandfather, a retired subedar from the Indian Army, and spoken to him over the phone that morning. IMAGE: Raghuvir Singh, among the top performers, comes from a farming family in Jodhpur district. "I am closest to him and he is extremely proud," says Raghubir who is presently undergoing practical training on operating a particular kind of radar in Pune. Talking about the practice needed to pull out a near perfect drill performance and answering a query about what is the most difficult part of drill training, he gives a succinct reply: "Nothing in life is difficult if you practice." "Practice makes you perfect." The youngest brother among four married sisters and a brother who is a construction manager, Raghuvir says his family owned 80 hectares of farm land and looks back fondly on the times he helped his father when he was short of hands during the harvesting season. His uncle retired as an honorary captain and a cousin serves in the Indian Navy. All set to make his mark in the fauj, he ends his conversation with a crisp, "Jai Hind!" -- just like all the other Agniveersvayus we spoke to that day. IMAGE: Most Agniveervayus want to gain an entry into IAF as officers. The 22 weeks had transformed them into disciplined, impressive, men, gung-ho about a new beginning in the service of the nation. Seeing them was a matter of pride. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Ali Hussain's mother can barely speak a sentence without breaking down. Her voice is hoarse from crying. Holding back tears, she says that she recites the Quran all day, praying for her sons miraculous return. Hussain is among the hundreds of Pakistanis missing since an overloaded fishing boat carrying up to 750 migrants capsized in the Mediterranean Sea on June 14. The accident near Greece could be one of the deadliest in recent history. Reports suggest the boat was carrying about 200 to 300 Pakistanis, the most from any single country. Pakistan observed a day of mourning this week. Hussain, 18, and his cousin Ali Jahanzaib, 21, who is also missing, paid a trafficking agent $3,000 each to fly to Libya from Pakistan. They committed to pay another $5,000 upon reaching Italy by boat. Sitting in a room full of relatives and friends comforting the family, Hussains father, Hafeez-ul-Rehman, told VOA he learned about the accident through social media. He had come back from midday prayers, Rehman said, when he opened Facebook and saw that the incident was trending as top news. He called the trafficking agent in Libya to find out if his son and nephew had been on that boat. "He [the agent] was asleep. We asked him what was going on? He said he didn't know and would check. It was around midnight or so when he confirmed that it was indeed that ship," Rehman said. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, known as Frontex, recorded about 54,000 attempts to illegally enter the continent in the first quarter of this year. In the same period, more than 440 died taking the perilous journey, according to the International Organization for Migration, making it the deadliest quarter since 2017. More than half of the illegal attempts, three times more than last year, were made via the central Mediterranean route, according to Frontex. After Ivory Coast and Guinea, Pakistan accounts for the greatest number of migrants on this route. Many come from the central areas of Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province, and Pakistani-administered Kashmir. The Titan was reported overdue Sunday afternoon about 700 kilometers south of St. John's, Newfoundland, as it was on its way to where the iconic ocean liner sank more than a century ago. The Titan was estimated to have about a four-day supply of breathable air when it launched Sunday morning in the North Atlantic, but experts emphasized that was an imprecise approximation and could be extended if passengers had taken measures to conserve breathable air. OceanGate did not provide details when it announced the "loss of life" in a statement or how officials knew the crew members had perished. The Titan's 96-hour oxygen supply likely ended early Thursday. OceanGate has been chronicling the Titanic's decay and the underwater ecosystem around it via yearly voyages since 2021. OceanGate Expeditions said in a statement that all five people on board, including company CEO Stockton Rush, were believed to be dead. Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding and Paul-Henri Nargeolet "have sadly been lost," OceanGate said in a statement. "The outpouring of support in this highly complex search operation has been greatly appreciated. Our most heartfelt condolences go out to the friends and loved ones of the crew," Mauger said. Coast Guard officials said during a news conference that they'd notified the families of the crew of the Titan, which has been missing for several days. Debris found during the search "is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel," said Rear Admiral John Mauger of the First Coast Guard District. The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that a missing submersible had imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, killing all five people on board. Rescuers rushed ships, planes and other equipment to the site of the disappearance. The U.S. Navy said in a statement Wednesday that it was sending a specialized salvage system that's capable of hoisting "large, bulky and heavy undersea objects such as aircraft or small vessels." The Titan weighs 9,000 kilograms. The U.S. Navy's Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System is designed to lift up to 27,200 kilograms, the Navy said on its website. On Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard said an undersea robot sent by a Canadian ship had reached the sea floor, while a French research institute said a deep-diving robot with cameras, lights and arms also joined the operation. Dr. Rob Larter, a marine geophysicist with the British Antarctic Survey, emphasized the difficulty of finding something the size of the submersible, which is about 6.5 meters long and nearly 3 meters high. Authorities were hoping underwater sounds would help narrow their search. Coast Guard officials said underwater noises were detected in the search area Tuesday and Wednesday. Retired Navy Captain Carl Hartsfield, now the director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Systems Laboratory, said the sounds detected that were 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 of sounds 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. But Jamie Pringle, an expert in Forensic Geosciences at Keele University, in England, said even if the noises were from the submersible, "the lack of oxygen is key now; even if they find it, they still need to get to the surface and unbolt it." By Thursday morning, hope was running out that anyone on board the vessel would be found alive. At least 46 people successfully traveled on OceanGate's 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 newly uncovered allegations suggest there had been significant warnings made about vessel safety during the submersible's development. One of the company's first customers characterized a dive he made to the site two years ago as a "kamikaze operation." "Imagine a metal tube a few meters long with a sheet of metal for a floor. You can't stand. You can't kneel. Everyone is sitting close to or on top of each other," said Arthur Loibl, a retired businessman and adventurer from Germany. "You can't be claustrophobic." During the 2-1/2-hour descent and ascent, the lights were turned off to conserve energy, he said, with the only illumination coming from a fluorescent glow stick. The dive was repeatedly delayed to fix a problem with the battery and the balancing weights. In total, the voyage took 10 1/2 hours. The submersible had seven backup systems to return to the surface, including sandbags and lead pipes that drop off and an inflatable balloon. Nick Rotker, who leads underwater research for the nonprofit research and development company MITRE, said the difficulty in searching for the Titan has underscored the U.S.'s need for more underwater robots and remotely operated underwater vehicles. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told U.S. lawmakers Thursday the United States-India partnership is bound by the shared values of respecting debate and equality in a democracy. "The U.S. is the oldest and India the largest democracy," Modi said, addressing a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress. "Our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy." U.S. lawmakers hailed Modi's address as a key opportunity to forge closer ties between the United States and India, even as concerns remain about Modi's human rights record. "Our partnership -- which spans trade, innovation, technology and security -- has never been closer, stronger or more important. From this solid foundation, anything is possible. I look forward to increased economic and national security ties between our two great nations," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said in a statement following the address. Modi told U.S. lawmakers that India's rapidly growing economy was driven by women-led development and the technological innovations of the younger generation. He also said bloodshed and suffering in Ukraine must be put to an end and emphasized the importance of "a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, connected by secure seas." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said a in statement after meeting with Modi, "India and the United States share more than robust trade and basic values. We share an interest in keeping the Indo-Pacific free and open, and we face common challenges. India understands China's belligerent behavior firsthand." Pauses in Modi's speech were greeted by enthusiastic chants of "Modi, Modi, Modi," from visitors filling the upper galleries of the House of Representatives chamber. The most sustained applause from members of Congress followed Modi's acknowledgment of Vice President Kamala Harris' Indian heritage. Modi is the only Indian prime minister to address a joint meeting of Congress twice. His last speech to Congress was in 2016. He was denied a visa to visit the United States on the basis of human rights concerns in 2005 under the administration of President George W. Bush. The president of the United Arab Emirates met with Irans visiting foreign minister on Thursday in the latest sign of improving relations between Arab Gulf countries and the Islamic Republic. The UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf countries have long harbored suspicions about Iran because of its nuclear program and support for militant groups across the region, and have cultivated close defense ties with the U.S. But in recent months they have charted a more independent path, reaching out to U.S. adversaries as Washington increasingly focuses on Russia and China. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian discussed the importance of building on positive developments to benefit the people of the region and enhance regional stability and prosperity, the UAEs state-run WAM news agency reported. Iranian state TV said the two met for 90 minutes and discussed further cooperation in different fields. It said the Iranian foreign minister invited Sheikh Mohammed to visit Iran and that the UAE president invited Irans President Ebrahim Raisi to visit the Emirates. The meeting follows similar recent outreach by Saudi Arabia, which agreed to normalize relations with Iran for the first time in seven years in a deal brokered by China in March. The two countries have since reopened embassies and held high-level official visits. The UAE, home to the futuristic cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is a close US military ally that hosts some 2,000 American troops at the Al-Dhafra Air Base. US forces based there and in other Arab Gulf countries have long been seen as a deterrent to Iran. The UAE was also the driving force behind the so-called Abraham Accords, in which it and three other Arab countries forged ties with Israel. Israel views Iran as its greatest threat and hopes to further isolate it by pursuing closer ties with Arab states. Israel and the US are keen to reach a normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials say any such agreement would have to be linked to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Cambodian lawmakers raise their hands to approve amending the countrys election law at the National Assembly, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on June 23, 2023. Cambodias National Assembly on Friday unanimously approved an amendment to the election law that prohibits those who dont vote in next months elections from running for office in future elections. The change appears to be aimed at preventing a large-scale boycott of the July 23 vote by supporters of the main opposition Candlelight Party. A boycott would be a way of expressing public anger over the National Election Committees decision in May to ban the party from running in the election essentially blocking the only major party that could challenge Prime Minister Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party. The committee blamed the ban on inadequate paperwork, but opposition activists said it was politically motivated. They pointed out that they were allowed to compete in last years local commune elections with the same documentation. The ban, which was upheld by the Constitutional Council on May 25, means that the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party wont have any major challengers on the ballot next month. More than a dozen minor parties have also qualified for the ballot. Cambodian lawmakers welcome President Heng Samrin as he arrives for a session at the National Assembly in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on June 23, 2023. Credit: Heng Sinith/Associated Press Not a surprise The result of Fridays vote in the Assembly, which is made up only of members from the CPP, was not a surprise. All 111 parliamentarians who participated in the session voted to approve the amendment without objections. Anyone who doesnt vote next month wont be able to run as a candidate in next years Senate, district and commune elections, according to Minister of Interior Sar Kheng. They also wont be able to run in the next general election scheduled for 2028, he said. The amendment also allows for the prosecution of individuals and parties who discourage people from voting, he said in a speech at the Assembly before the final vote. The amendment will regulate those who want to run for offices. It wont affect voters rights guaranteed by the Constitution, he said. Hun Sen first proposed the change to the law earlier this month. Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watchs deputy Asia director, said earlier this month that Hun Sun is trying to pressure people to vote because he thinks a high voter percentage will bring legitimacy to the election. Finland-based political analyst Kim Sok said Fridays amendment will affect opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who has been living in exile in France since 2015, and many of his supporters, who also live outside of Cambodia and wont be able to return to vote in person. The amendment doesnt serve the countrys interest, he said. It is being done according to one persons wish. Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster. A woman walks with cold patches on her forehead and neck amid a red alert for heatwave in Beijing, June 23, 2023. Beijing issued a red alert level Friday, a day after the citys temperature soared to a record for June, weather authorities and local media said, as northern China suffers a scorching heat wave expected to extend into next week. Already, several monthly heat records have been broken across China, which has prompted fears of a looming energy crisis. On Thursday afternoon, Beijings temperature reached 41.1 degrees Celsius (105.9 F), a record since data collection started in 1961, according to the municipal weather observatory. It was also Beijings second-highest level in history, just below the 41.9 C (107.4 F) registered on July 24, 1999. This weeks scorching heat has coincided with the annual Dragon Boat Festival holiday, which started on Thursday, when millions of Chinese travel to visit relatives or for tourism. Authorities urged residents to remain indoors. Citizens and tourists are reminded to reduce the time for outdoor activities during high-temperature periods, pay attention to heatstroke prevention and cooling, and replenish the water frequently, the state-owned China Weather Network said in a warning Friday. Last summer, China faced its most severe heat wave and drought in many decades, resulting in extensive power deficits and significant food and industrial supply network disruptions. Humans contributing According to a scientific report last month, the record-breaking heat wave that hit parts of Asia in April was made at least 30 times more likely due to human-induced climate change. The temperatures were at least 2 degrees Celsius hotter due to climate change, which has seen average global temperatures rise 1.2 degrees since 1900, the World Weather Attribution (WWA) study said. Experts have said clear and dry conditions now have exacerbated the current heat wave. A man and woman relax after swimming in a canal during a heatwave in Beijing, June 23, 2023. Credit: AFP It was the first time that Beijing, home to more than 21 million people, issued a red alert in its four-tiered warning system since the new system was introduced in 2015. On Friday, Beijings temperature hit 40.3 degrees C (104.5 F), the first time on record that Chinas capital rose to more than 40 degrees, the Beijing weather observatorys chief forecaster, Zhang Yingxin, told a press briefing, according to media reports. Chinas National Meteorological Center said temperatures in parts of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and Shandong rose rapidly over 40 C (104 F), with a total of 19 observatories in four regions reporting record-high temperatures, Zhang Fanghua, its chief forecaster said, according to CWN. In the northern port city of Tianjin, the temperature reached 41.2 C (106.16 F), a record high for the region. The temperature reached 43 C (109.4 F) in coastal Shandong on Thursday, according to the meteorological center. Local authorities in northern and eastern Chinese cities have issued heatstroke and dehydration warnings, advising people not to work outdoors during the hottest parts of the day. Meanwhile, in southern China, authorities issued the lowest yellow alert for rainstorms on Friday, with heavy rains projected to hit parts of Guangxi Zhuang, Fujian, Guangdong and Yunnan in the coming days. Edited by Malcolm Foster. The remains of homes in Li Khu Pa Yar village, Hpruso township, Kayah state destroyed by the junta airstrike on June 23, 2023. A junta plane attacked two villages in Myanmars eastern Kayah state Friday morning, killing a man and injuring two children, locals told RFA. The aircraft first strafed Li Khu Pa Yar village in Hpruso township around midnight Thursday before returning to drop bombs on Li Khu Pa Yar and Do Yaw villages before dawn on Friday. Li Khu Pa Yar and Do Yaw village are not close so, when Li Khu Pa Yar was fired on from the air at midnight, people in Do Yaw village did not flee as they thought the shooting would not reach their village, said a local who didnt want to be named for security reasons. But both Li Khu Pa Yar and Do Yaw villages were bombed from the air at 4 p.m. Some people were sleeping so they didnt flee. The local said the man who died was in his forties but didnt give the ages of the children. He said five houses in Do Yaw were destroyed by the bombing. Executive Director of the Karenni Human Rights Group, Banyar who goes by a single name confirmed the death and injuries and said the details are still being investigated. Li Khu Pa Yar and Do Yaw are small villages with fewer than 50 houses in a state with a low population compared with the rest of Myanmar. Locals said the junta attacked by air because road transport is difficult in Hpruso township. Although the Karenni Defense Forces are active in Kayah state, residents told RFA they had no idea why the junta targeted their villages. Many have now taken refuge in the nearby jungle. RFA called Kaya states junta spokesperson Aung Win Oo Friday but nobody answered. According to a June 1 statement by the Progressive Karenni Peoples Force there have been 699 battles in three townships in Kayah and neighboring Shan states since the Feb. 1, 2021 coup and the junta has carried out 463 airstrikes. The ethnic armed group said 462 people were killed in Kayah state due to fighting over that period and 15 died in airstrikes. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn. Zaw Wai Soe, the minister of health and education for Myanmars shadow National Unity Government, recently traveled to Washington DC, seeking support from U.S. officials, representatives of government institutions and international organizations, and members of the Burmese diaspora living in America. The NUG is made up of former lawmakers and opponents of the military junta that overthrew the democratically elected government in February 2021 in a coup detat. On Wednesday, RFA Burmese Service reporter Khet Mar spoke with him about the substance of his meetings, his governments efforts to support Myanmars opposition, and the state of the countrys education and medical sectors. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity: RFA: In an interview in May, you said that during your U.S. visit, you would meet government officials, lawmakers and development partners to explain the situation in Myanmar and how they can provide assistance to the country. Id like to know about the results of your meetings. Zaw Wai Soe: I discussed Myanmars situation with foundations, [international] NGOs and philanthropic organizations. When I explained to them how the junta uses airstrikes against the people, how our children study [amid conflict], and how we run our hospitals, they expressed a desire to help us. Im satisfied with the meetings. We established better connections. We also held meetings with State Department officials. RFA: The National Unity Government has been running schools in Myanmar [as an alternative to junta-run schools]. But students in cities like Yangon and Mandalay cannot go to such schools and wont attend the juntas schools either. What do you want to tell those students and their parents? Zaw Wai Soe: In the border areas, we have set up education online by using internet access from Thailand, China and India. But it is hard to run a school safely in the heart of the country when the military controls the internet. So, in my meetings with U.S. officials, we requested help with communications systems to use in running schools and healthcare systems. But we cant rely on that assistance alone. As for the students of Myanmar, Id like to urge them to get their education. We are implementing a basic education completion assessment. It aims to provide higher education and vocational training for students. A student who is 17 years old can take a test for the assessment. Months ago, some 70,000 students, including members of the [anti-junta] Peoples Defense Force [paramilitary group] took the test. The students should know about this assessment. International universities accept scores from the test. RFA: There are many doctors who have joined the Civil Disobedience Movement and several hospitals and clinics have been forced to shut down [since the coup]. Lots of doctors have been arrested. Amid such a situation, what do you want to tell those seeking medical care? Zaw Wai Soe: As most people know, the country's education, health, economic, and most other sectors were destroyed by the reckless acts of [the military coup leaders]. We must place blame on those who put the country and its citizens in this nightmare situation. But blaming them alone wont solve the problem and we have to help the people as much as possible. We are trying. We have been running a new medical school in Kachin state and a nursing school in Kayah state because we need to produce health care workers. We have started a six-month course, which can be extended to a year if necessary, to train experts who can provide primary health care to the people. We have already trained more than 10,000 people as medics. Additionally, we have been building locally-administered health and human resources systems in Kayah and Chin states. To do more, we need financial support and other assistance from the international community. Thats why I am seeking such support as one of the reasons for this visit. Because of our efforts, six months ago, donors from European countries provided us with US$8.4 million and plan to send another US$20 million next year. We also need to work together with the ethnic groups of Myanmar in order to provide assistance to the countrys border regions. Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. A Naperville police officer arrested on charges he illegally checked someones license plate number to obtain personal information has been placed on administrative leave, Police Chief Jason Arres said. Anthony Cimilluca, 48, was arrested on a class 3 felony charge of official misconduct after turning himself in to authorities Thursday night, the DuPage County States Attorneys Office said. Advertisement An arrest warrant had been issued Tuesday by DuPage County Judge Brian Telander. Cimilluca was released on a $10,000 recognizance bond. Arres, in a statement issued Friday morning, said the department is aware of the charge and cooperating with prosecutors. Additionally, an internal investigation is being conducted. Advertisement Cimilluca will remain on administrative leave until the conclusion of that probe, which is separate from the criminal investigation, Arres said. We intend to fully investigate the charges and pursue appropriate actions while providing due process required under state law, he said. This charge is not at all representative of the great work the men and women of the Naperville Police Department do on a daily basis. Neither Arres or Cmdr. Michaus Williams, who provided Arres public statement, responded to questions about how the alleged offense was discovered, who Cimilluca was allegedly checking when he used the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System or what kind of disciplinary record Cimilluca had prior to his arrest. The offense occurred on Feb. 14, according to the states attorneys office. While the allegations against Mr. Cimilluca are very serious, I would like to stress that these allegations are in no way indicative of the outstanding work of the men and women in the Naperville Police Department, States Attorney Robert Berlin said in announcing the arrest and charges. Cimillucas next court appearance is scheduled for July 24. Genres : Action : Action Running Time : 118 min. : 118 min. Directed by : Park Hoon-jung : Park Hoon-jung Starring : Kim Seon-ho, Go A-ra Synopsis : An amateur boxer who was born to a Korean father and a Filipino mother searches for the wealthy estranged father he's never met. But after a lead takes him from the Philippines to Korea, he is relentlessly pursued by a quirky yet highly dangerous man. A delegation of diplomats and officials from the Arab League and its Secretariat visit a workshop making traditional ethnic musical instruments in Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 31, 2023. In showcasing two recent official visits to the Uyghur Region, China sent a chilling message to Uyghurs and their allies: Chinese President Xi Jinpings oppressive policies are correct, and Arab countries support them. In a May 22-24 inspection visit to Kashgar and Urumqi, top policy advisor Wang Huning exhorted local officials to completely and accurately implement Xis Xinjiang policies, according to state-run Xinhua News. Those policies have included more than six years of mass detentions, long prison sentences and forced labor. They have been condemned by the United States as genocide, and by the United Nations as potential crimes against humanity. Shortly after Wangs inspection, a delegation from the Arab League, a 22-member body of Arab nations that coordinate on regional issues, visited Xinjiang from May 30 to June 2. According to Chinas Foreign Ministry, members of the delegation said that Xinjiangs society is harmonious, the economy is prosperous and Muslims freely exercise their ethnic and religious rights in accordance with the law. The group visited Kashgars Id Kah Mosque, which has been open to tourists but largely off-limits to Muslim worshippers for years, as well as Kashgars Old Town, which the government has largely demolished in the name of earthquake prevention. National interests The visits dismayed overseas Uyghurs and human rights activists, who said they underlined Chinas confidence in its course of repression, and the eagerness of much of the world, including many Muslim nations, to cheer China on. Its disappointing to see Muslim leaders from Islamic countries allow China to use them to hide [the] genocide of Turkic Muslims and other minorities, said Robert McCaw, Government Affairs Department Director at the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The Arab League delegation visited Kashgars Id Kah Mosque, which has been open to tourists but largely off-limits to Muslim worshippers for years. Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images file photo Siding with China and remaining silent on the government persecution of the mostly Muslim Uyghurs is apparently more in their national interests. Every country operates in their perceived best interest," McCaw said. Right now, Muslim countries are covering for China because they think its in their economic interests. The Arab League did not respond to requests for comment. Setting the tone Wang Huning is a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, Chinas top political body, as well as chairman of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference. Analysts have long viewed him as a close advisor and confidant to Xi Jinping. This was his first visit to the Uyghur region since taking direct charge of Xinjiang policy, as head of the Chinese government's Central Xinjiang Coordination Group. Wang emphasized to local officials that Xinjiang policies were part of Central Party strategy, centered around Comrade Xi Jinping, according to Xinhua. Wang added that Xinjiangs stability and public order is of paramount importance, employing an idiom which literally means heavier than Mount Tai, a sacred peak in Shandong Province. He also told officials to steadfastly advance the normalization and legal institutionalization of counterterrorism and stability maintenance, Xinhua reported. What Wang Huning says is compatible with the fact that the regime is trying to portray a normalization on the surface, and a reduction of security on the surface, said Adrian Zenz, senior fellow and director in China studies at the Washington-based Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. But underneath, the emphasis on total security is very much upheld. Wang also called the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a state-run paramilitary conglomerate sanctioned by the United States for rights abuses, an important strategic force in achieving the overall goals of [the Partys] Xinjiang work whose functions should be given full play. Wang Huning attends a session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 10, 2023.Credit: Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press According to researchers at Sheffield Hallam University, those functions have included extrajudicial internment and imprisonment, land expropriation, forcible migration of people, repressive, preemptive policing, social engineering, religious persecution and forced labor. Wangs visit demonstrated both the confidence and the rigidity of the Communist Partys Xinjiang campaign, according to David Tobin, lecturer in East Asian Studies at the University of Sheffield. The Party-State now sees itself in command and is now acting more confidently, Tobin said. However, the fact that they have to send leaders to remind regional leaders to implement policy shows they are aware that this balance, this current peace, is precarious and potentially temporary because the problems the arbitrary detention system has created are massive. Cheering China on The Arab Leagues delegation to Xinjiang comprised 34 members from 16 countries, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The Xinjiang they saw was completely different from the portrayals of Western Media, [and] discourses like so-called genocide and religious repression are complete lies, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. Arab nations have long endorsed Chinas repression of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities. Non-Arab Muslim countries, meanwhile, have a more mixed record in speaking out for Uyghurs. Analysts peg this support largely to economics as well as authoritarian leadership. We respect and support Chinas rights to take counter-terrorism and de-extremism measures to safeguard national security, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said during a 2019 visit to China. China is the top importer of Saudi crude petroleum. It has also stepped up investments in the Middle East and North Africa under its Belt & Road Initiative. Earlier support has faded Earlier in Chinas economic development, however, adherents of Salafism the conservative school of Sunni Islam which predominates in Saudi Arabia sought to build ties with Muslims in China. Through the 1990s and early 2000s, Saudis financed mosque construction in China and encouraged Chinese Muslims to join in the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. A delegation of diplomats and officials from the Arab League and its Secretariat visit the old town of Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 31, 2023. Credit: Gao Han/Xinhua via Getty Images Some Uyghurs took advantage of new access to the Muslim world, and relatively laissez-faire Chinese policies, to deepen their practice of Islam. But when China changed course, and started imprisoning Uyghurs for the religious practices Saudis and others had encouraged, Arab governments at best stayed silent, and at worst collaborated with Chinas oppression. At least six Arab governments Egypt, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates have detained or extradited an estimated 292 Uyghurs at Chinas behest, according to a joint 2022 study by the Uyghur Human Rights Project and the Oxus Society for Asian Affairs. In July 2017, Egypt arrested more than 200 Uyghur residents, mostly students at the Islamic Al-Azhar University, and deported some to China. The Arab League delegation visited an exhibition on Xinjiangs anti-terrorism and deradicalization work and praised Xinjiangs remarkable achievements in respecting and safeguarding human rights, according to Xinhua. During his visit to Beijing last week, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas voiced support for Chinas Uyghur policies. A joint statement issued by Xi and Abbas declared that Xinjiang-related issues are not human rights issues at all, but anti-violent terrorism, de-radicalization and anti-separatism. Translated and edited by Nadir; edited by Malcolm Foster. Vietnamese lawyers Nguyen Van Mien and Dang Dinh Manh stand in front of a photo of the U.S. Capitol at Dulles International Airport after their arrival on June 16, 2023. Three of the five lawyers who defended a Buddhist organization in a case in Vietnam last year and who were later summoned for police questioning after publicly discussing the case have fled the country and arrived safely in the United States. Dang Dinh Manh and Nguyen Van Mieng flew into Washingtons Dulles International Airport last week. A third lawyer, Dao Kim Lan, told Voice of America that he was in a very safe place and was arranging his new life. When the plane landed, I felt really relieved after 100 days of being hunted down, Mieng told Radio Free Asia. With my visa, it took me only around 30 minutes to go through customs. I was so ecstatic that I almost forgot to pick up my luggage. The lawyers defended six members of the Peng Lei Buddhist House who were found guilty in July 2022 and sentenced to a combined 23 years and six months for incest and fraud. While they were providing legal support to the Peng Lei members, the three lawyers, as well as two others Ngo Thi Hoang Anh and Trinh Vinh Phuc also used the YouTube account Nhat ky Luat su (Lawyer's Diary) to frequently post information about the case. The account no longer has any video content. The public discussion of the case could be a violation of Vietnams Article 331 a statute in the penal code widely criticized by international communities as being vague. Vietnamese authorities routinely use it to attack those speaking out in defense of human rights. Public search notice Authorities in the southern province of Long An issued a summons to the five lawyers in March that required them to report to the police for questioning. When the lawyers didnt appear, police followed up with several more summonses. Provincial Police on June 11 posted a search notice on its website, saying that Mieng, Lan and Manh had neither attended the meetings nor provided excuses for their absence. The police at their wards of residence confirmed they were not at their places of residence and there was no information about their whereabouts, what they were doing, and they could not be contacted, the police notice said. The notice also said that investigators had begun searching for the lawyers and requested that anyone who sees them immediately report to Long An Provincial Polices Investigation Agency. The whereabouts and status of the other two lawyers in the Peng Lei case Anh and Phuc was unknown. In an interview with RFA after his arrival in the United States, Manh said that he was aware of the police decision to actively search for him. However, I dont think I have the responsibility to abide by this decision as it is not aligned with the regulations on criminal procedures, he said. Leaving Vietnam was within his rights as a citizen under Vietnams Constitution, he said. Its my right to leave the country, travel and choose a place to reside and work, he said. I dont know much about the U.S., but so far, Ive been fascinated and overwhelmed. I have some projects to do here and have just kicked them off. Will critical voices still exist? The news about the lawyers arrival in the United States generated mixed feelings from friends and acquaintances in Vietnam. I am happy for my friends but worried for those who still remain, Hanoi lawyer Ngo Anh Tuan, who has worked as a defense attorney in many political cases, wrote on Facebook. The total number of lawyers nationwide who dare to defend clients in political cases was less than the number of our fingers, Tuan wrote. Now nearly half have left. The quantity has decreased. I am not sure how the quality has been affected but the spirit of the remaining people has obviously gone down. Will this trend stop, or will people continue to leave the country? Will critical voices still exist or gradually disappear over time? Over the last 15 years, Manh defended more than 50 clients, many of whom were human rights and democracy activists and independent journalists. Manh and Mieng stood out among the modest number of lawyers who dared to work in political cases, according to a young attorney from the Hanoi Bar Association who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons. Its now more likely that prosecuting agencies will designate government-aligned lawyers to participate in political cases as defense lawyers, he said. Their departure creates a gap in political cases, he said. Lawyers now tend to avoid political cases. Evidence of a weak judiciary But another lawyer from Hanoi who did not want to be named said that the three lawyers departure wouldnt significantly affect the situation in Vietnam. Escaping has never been a step forward, nor does it create any impact, he wrote in a text message to RFA on Wednesday. Its simply a way to ensure the safety of those who left. However, their departure is more evidence of the weak position of lawyers in Vietnams judiciary, he said. Lawyer Ngo Anh Tuan said that the Vietnamese government should change its treatment of lawyers. I asked myself many times: Instead of pushing political dissidents to the corner so that they have to make extremist choices, why doesnt the government listen to them and have a dialogue with them so that conflicts will be settled and their knowledge can be utilized to make our country more democratic and advanced? RFA contacted Long An Provincial Police for comment on the search notice for the three lawyers. A message left with a staff member wasnt immediately returned. Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster. Vietnamese security personnel arrest suspects in the armed attacks in Dak Lak province in this undated photo. Authorities in Vietnam said Friday they will prosecute 84 people accused of being involved in deadly attacks on two commune offices in central Dak Lak province and ordered them held in pre-trial detention. It isnt clear who was behind the June 11 attacks, which left nine people dead, or what motivated them. On Friday, the Ministry of Public Security said it had confirmed that organizations and individuals from overseas had been involved, without getting more specific. Materials and evidence collected by security forces show that the incident took place with the support and guidance of several organizations and individuals from overseas, the ministry said. They even sent foreign-based people to Vietnam illegally in order to stage and direct the terrorist attacks. On Tuesday, Major General Pham Ngoc Viet, the head of the ministrys Homeland Security Department, said that among those arrested in Dak Lak were members of a U.S.-based organization who had been tasked to enter Vietnam and stage the attacks. The attacks occurred in an area that is home to about 30 indigenous tribes known collectively as Montagnards, who have historically felt persecuted or oppressed. But authorities have not said those arrested were Montagnards. RFA interviewed several overseas Montagnard organizations who denied involvement in the incident and even condemned the violent attacks. In the days immediately following the attack, authorities had said those involved were young people who harbored delusions and extremist attitudes and had been incited and abetted by the ringleaders via the internet. Charges In an announcement, the Dak Lak Provincial Polices Investigation Agency said it will try 75 of the 84 defendants on charges of conducting terrorist acts against the Peoples government. Seven others were charged with failing to denounce criminals, while an eighth was charged with hiding criminals and a ninth with organizing and brokering for others to exit, enter, or stay in Vietnam illegally. The Dak Lak Peoples Procuracy approved the decision to prosecute the 84 and ordered them remanded to the provincial prison ahead of their trial. The announcement said that security forces investigating the attack have so far confiscated 23 guns, two grenades, 1,199 bullets, 15 detonators, 1.2 kilograms (2.6 pounds) of explosives, a silencer, a landmine training model, and 30 knives. It said 10 flags from the United Front for the Liberation of Oppressed Races, or FULRO, were also seized. FULRO, founded in the 1950s, was a resistance army that fought on the side of United States and South Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War before officially disbanding in the 1990s. Vietnam has asserted that rights groups working on Central Highlands issues are part of an ongoing separatist movement linked to FULRO, but the groups reject the claims, saying they are working nonviolently for human rights. Anger and frustration in the Central Highlands has built up after decades of government surveillance, land disputes and economic hardship, RFA reported earlier. In recent months, there have been a number of land revocation incidents by local authorities, police and military forces. In the ministrys description of what transpired, about 40 people wearing camouflage vests and equipped with knives and guns split into two groups for a dawn attack on the offices in Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communes. Members of the two groups also had broken into Special Forces Brigade No. 198s barracks in Hoa Dong commune in Dak Lak province to steal weapons, but failed, the ministry told state media. Those arrested said they sought to steal weapons so as to make news headlines, which they hoped would give them the opportunity to immigrate to other countries, according to the ministry. In their preliminary statements, those arrested said they had been incited by others to kill police officers. Four police officers, two commune officials and three civilians were killed. The attackers also kidnapped three civilians, though one of them managed to escape, and the others were rescued later, the ministry said. Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. When the co-founder of the up-and-coming Russian cybersecurity group Group-IB unleashed an unusual public broadside about cybercrime in June 2020, it was seen as a bold and risky move in an industry where the line between Russian criminals and Russia security agencies has always been porous. Speaking alongside Russias prime minister, Ilya Sachkov called out one person in particular, a man behind a notorious bit of ransomware code used to lock victims computers in order to extort money from them: Maksim Yakubets. Not only did Sachkov at the time know that the FBI had charged Yakubets with major cybercrimes six months earlier -- he also probably knew that Yakubets father-in-law was a former special forces officer with the Federal Security Service, the FSB. That, many experts say, is likely why Sachkov was arrested by the FSB in September 2021 and charged with treason. Now sitting in a Moscow jail awaiting trial, Sachkov has made another bold and risky ploy: He and his allies have released a video recorded a few months prior to his release. In the video, which circulated on Telegram earlier this month, Sachkov rips into the FSB and calls out two prominent people by name: the head of its main cyberunit and the units previous director, who is serving a 22-year prison sentence on a treason conviction. I find it to be strategic. I find it to be very interesting that it was released, said Alexander Leslie, an analyst at the U.S.-based cybersecurity company Recorded Future, referring to the new video. Prior to his arrest, Sachkov went out of his way to name names, to name the names of cybercriminals that were openly collaborating, he alleged, with the FSB and the security services as a whole, he said. I think a lot of people, especially people who are involved in studying Russian politics and studying the Russian cybercriminal underground revere Sachkov for those statements, Leslie told RFE/RL, because it's very rare, it's exceedingly rare for someone to say something like that, and then deal with the backlash that he's likely dealing with as a result of these statements. 'You Will Definitely Be Surprised' In September 2021, FSB agents raided Group-IBs Moscow offices, hauling away servers and documents. They also hauled away Sachkov, who had been out of the country but had returned for unclear reasons. Even in an industry accustomed to subterfuge, scandal, and betrayals, Sachkovs arrest stunned many. It even drew criticism from top Russian business leaders, including the countrys official business ombudsman. For years, if not decades, Russia had been trying to cultivate its own tech industry, struggling to harness the vast intellectual potential of its vaunted education system and its world-class programmers, coders, and engineers -- not to mention hackers and security agents. Kaspersky Lab was one example of a homegrown tech company that had gone global until 2017, when the U.S. government alleged it had collaborated with the FSB and banned its software from all U.S. government computers. The German government and Italy followed suit in 2022. Group-IB, meanwhile, was embraced as a good-news success story for Russias tech industry. In February 2019, President Vladimir Putin awarded Sachkov with a prize for young entrepreneurs. "We started out with investigations of high-tech crimes, collaborating withthe Investigative Committee, the FSB, the Interior Ministry. And then we began to make products that use machine learning and artificial intelligence to prevent attacks at an early stage," Sachkov said, inviting Putin to visit his offices. You will definitely be surprised. That same year, Group-IB moved its headquarters to Singapore, in an effort to expand its business to a global audience beyond the Russian market. In June 2020, Sachkov attended the event hosted by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in the central city of Kazan, along with other major figures in Russias high-tech industry, including the founder of Yandex, Yevgeny Kaspersky of Kaspersky Lab, and the then-head of Mail.ru. Boris Titov, the Kremlins official business ombudsman, introduced Sachkov to Putin. After Sachkov was arrested, Titov was among the first officials to speak out in his defense. At the meeting with Mishustin, Sachkov lamented what he saw as obstacles to guaranteeing the sovereignty of Russian technology and accused law enforcement of failing to stop cybercrimes, which he said hurts Russias image. When the whole world says that Mr. Maksim Yakubets, a hacker who drives around in Moscow in a Lamborghini with [government-issued] license plates, is a computer criminal, the creator of the Dridex virus, every engineer in the world knows about it, he said. Not a single Russian state body -- neither the police, nor the Federal Security Service, nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs -- responds to this in any way. Maksim stays in Moscow, continues to drive his luxury car, and believe me, this affects the image of Russian companies that export information security, he said. 'If You See This Video, Then Something Happened Or Is Happening To Me' In the eyes of many experts, Sachkov erred in publicly taking on an alleged cybercriminal who had a powerful protector, and likely taking on others on the inside of Russias security apparatus. Such statements are not convenient for people who provide cybercriminals with comfortable conditions in Russia, Viktor Kalinin, a former data analyst with Group-IB, told the Novaya gazeta newspaper earlier this year. There may be other reasons. In the video that circulated on June 16, Sachkov said it was recorded in June 2021, three months before his arrest. It was impossible to verify the time or place of its recording, though it appeared to be a location in Moscow. He said he recorded it because he was concerned that he could be the target of a serious provocation. If you see this video, then something happened or is happening to me. Hospital, prison, disappearance -- something that is extraordinary, but to which we are probably already accustomed, he said. He then named the current head of the FSBs Center for Information Security, Oleg Kashentsov, as being responsible for his possible criminal prosecution. And he also named Kashentsovs predecessor, Sergei Mikhailov. Known also as Center 18, the Center for Information Security was roiled by a scandal in 2016 when it was directed by Mikhailov and his deputy, a former hacker named Dmitry Dokuchayev. Russian investigators accused the two, and two others, including a respected private sector analyst, Ruslan Stoyanov, of involvement in a scheme to pass classified cybersecurity information to U.S. authorities. Sachkov gave expert testimony in the trial at which Mikhailov was ultimately convicted. Mikhailov and Dokuchayev -- who had previously worked with and met with U.S. Justice Department officials to cooperate on some cybercrime investigations -- were sentenced to 22 years in prison, though Dokuchayev later had his sentence cut short. Dokuchayev, meanwhile, was indicted by the U.S. Justice Department in March 2017 for his role in hacking Yahoo and stealing 3 billion e-mail records -- the largest such hack in history. Some Russian media outlets, as well as Bloomberg News, speculated that Sachkov had also provided U.S. officials with information that led to the Justice Department indictment of 12 officers from the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU. The video and its whistle-blowing content were consistent with the white-hat image that Sachkov had sought to build, said Julien Nocetti, a fellow and researcher at the French Institute of International Relations. I do think Ilya is still trying to maintain a sort of moral influence within the domestic cyberindustry, which has undergone profound changes since February 2022, Nocetti told RFE/RL. Those who didnt take sides have been forced to do so and thats not the best of luck when you are a Russian entrepreneur in this sensitive and sovereignty-related industry. In a sense, he knows he is likely to remain in jail for years, and thus has nothing to lose except his reputation as a crusader against cybercrime, he said, "especially the [kind] which intersects between financial motives and political gains. 'Why Is The Russian Government Not Doing Anything About It?' Among many investigations into Russian cybercrime that U.S. authorities pursued was the case of Yevgeny Nikulin, who was arrested in the Czech Republic in October 2016 and extradited to the United States on charges that he hacked the U.S. tech companies LinkedIn, DropBox, and others. In 2020, Nikulin was convicted by a jury and sentenced to just over seven years in prison. In April 2014, FBI agents traveled to Moscow to meet with cybersecurity officials, a meeting that was supported by Russian law enforcement. Among the people who were interviewed was Nikita Kislitsin, who had been indicted by a U.S. grand jury on cybertheft charges the previous month. At the time of the FBI meeting, Kislitsin was employed by Group-IB, hired in January 2013 and later becoming the companys director of network security. Prior to that, however, Kislitsin had been well-known in Russias cyberunderground and was acquainted with Nikulin, whom he had described as the Putin of the hacking world. Nikulin and Kislitsin had attended a meeting at a Moscow hotel in March 2012, along with several other Russians and Ukrainians, at a gathering that was dubbed the "summit of bad motherf*****s, according to evidence submitted in Nikulins trial. Kislitsin allegedly worked with another notorious Russian hacker, Aleksei Belan, to buy stolen data from Nikulin. Belan, who was also indicted in the Yahoo e-mail hack, is on the FBIs list of its most-wanted hackers. In his meeting with FBI agents, Kislitsin was notified of his legal rights, according to Justice Department filings. Kislitsin then indicated that he was open for collaboration and wanted to mitigate problems. In April, Group-IB announced that it had finalized its move to leave Russia entirely. "All of Group-IB's research and development processes, along with the company's full stack of technologies and products, will be withdrawn from Russia," the group said. Group-IB did not respond to a new request for comment from RFE/RL. Sachkovs preemptive denunciation appeared aimed at pinning blame for Group-IBs exit from Russia on the FSB, said Leslie of Recorded Future. It's a very, very interesting thing to say that the director of the FSB center that's effectively responsible for information in cybercrime more or less possibly pushed them out of Russia, he said. But I think honestly, going back to what [Sachkov] said in 2020 and 2021 about cybercrimes relationship with the Russian state, [that] was what started this snowballing effect of allegations and public scrutiny, Leslie said. He continues to say this in not only that video. Why is the Russian government not doing anything about it? Leslie said. It's probably because, a) its a source of revenue for some people; b) it's a source of soft power projection for the Russian state. It allows for a Russian kind of FUD -- fear, uncertainty, and doubt -- in cyberspace to allow cybercrime out of Russia to run rampant. The FSB unit that Sachkov crossed swords with isnt the only FSB division that has drawn scrutiny and the attention of law enforcement. Last month, authorities in the United States, Britain, and three other Western nations announced a joint effort to unplug a pernicious and damaging malware called Snake, or Uroburos, that had been lurking around Internet servers in dozens of countries for decades. The code was attributed to a FSB unit known as Center 16. Four Russians were charged by the FBI with various cybercrimes. Snake was "the most sophisticated cyberespionage tool designed and used by Center 16 of Russia's Federal Security Service for long-term intelligence collection on sensitive targets," the U.S. government's cybersecurity agency said. 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 killing at least two people, 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, at least two civilians, one of them a 21-year-old man, were killed in the strikes that targeted grain and oil terminals, and also caused destruction in the city center, Odesa region Governor Oleh Kiper reported. "Unfortunately, as a result of the overnight Russian attack, we have one person killed in Odesa. The deceased is a security guard of a civil building, born in 2002," he said, adding that the body of a second victim was pulled from under the rubble. 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: Moscow targeted the Black Sea port cities of Odesa and Mykolayiv on July 20. 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 Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here. I'm Abubakar Siddique, a senior correspondent with RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm keeping an eye on in the days ahead. The Key Issue The Taliban has carried out another execution as it continues to implement strict Islamic punishments the group sees as central to its drive to enforce Shari'a law. Under the concept of qisas, or retributive justice, a man was publicly killed in the eastern province of Laghman on June 20 for allegedly killing five members of a single family. The killing of the man -- identified only as Ajmal, a resident of Guldara, near Kabul -- was the second retributive execution carried out by the Taliban in the past seven months. The group has sought to recreate its infamously brutal emirate of the 1990s, when such punishments turned its government into an international pariah. In November, Taliban Supreme Leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada ordered the return to qisas and hudood punishments, which essentially allow "eye-for-an-eye" retribution and corporal punishments for offenses considered to be in violation of the boundaries set by God. Since then, hundreds across the country have been publicly flogged, stoned, or had body parts amputated for crimes such as theft and adultery. These punishments, however, have met strong criticism and skepticism from both human rights watchdogs and Afghans. Islamic scholars have questioned whether the Taliban has met the stringent conditions required by Islamic law in implementing such harsh punishments. Why It's Important: The Taliban has defied international criticism in implementing capital and corporal punishments, which its leaders see as a key benchmark of their commitment to impose Islamic Shari'a law. But in the absence of an overall governance framework capable of addressing the economic, social, and political challenges and grievances of Afghans, such punishments alienate the Taliban from the people it rules and the international community alike. The Taliban's failure to establish a professional judiciary makes selling the implementation of qisas and hudood punishments as a symbol of justice difficult. The Taliban's courts are comprised of Taliban members or pro-Taliban clerics, most of whom are not formally trained for the roles. Meanwhile, international human rights watchdogs, the United Nations, and the wider international community have opposed the use of capital and corporal punishments by the Taliban. Some campaigners advocate for international sanctions to remain in place as long as the Taliban metes out these punishments. What's Next: The Taliban is unlikely to give up on Islamic punishments. But the rapid rise of executions, stonings, amputations, and other penalties will continue to overshadow the group's second stint in power. For Afghans, these punishments underscore the Taliban's excesses and oppression. At the same time, the world will see them as symbols of the group's cruelty and misrule. Given that the Taliban is unlikely to reform, some Afghans are bracing for mounting instances of capital and corporal punishments as the group fails to address the continuing economic and humanitarian crises in Afghanistan. The Week's Best Stories Afghanistan's Taliban rulers are trying to control thousands of rural classrooms. These are part of the Community Based Education program funded by Western donors through the UN and international NGOs. The Taliban's efforts have left the future of more than 500,000 Afghan children enrolled in these education centers hanging in the balance. What To Keep An Eye On In a briefing to the UN Security Council, the UN envoy to Afghanistan warned that the Taliban's restrictions on Afghan women and girls have made it "nearly impossible" for the international community to recognize the ruling group's government. On June 21, Roza Otunbaeva, the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), told the UNSC that the restrictions against Afghan women "cost the Taliban both domestic and international legitimacy." Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban has banned women from education and employment, effectively denied them any public role in society, and imposed strict limitations on their mobility and appearance. Why It's Important: The damming assessment will dampen the Taliban's hopes that its isolated hard-line government will soon be recognized. The group has gradually extended its control over Afghan diplomatic missions in neighboring countries as it continues to press for recognition. Yet no country or international organization has recognized the Taliban government. Otunbaeva's statement lays out that the Taliban's only path to international recognition starts with rescinding its harsh restrictions on Afghan women. While the Taliban had promised more moderate policies in the years leading up to its return to power, its leaders have doubled down on the recreation of a totalitarian clerical regime since seizing power. Until next time, Abubakar Siddique If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday. A 7-year-old Ukrainian refugee made headlines in the Czech Republic after a video showed Czech children spitting at her and making pro-Russian statements. The incident led Czech President Petr Pavel to invite her for a meeting to show his support. In an interview with RFE/RL, Polina Butkivska has spoken about how she felt bewildered and offended by the Czech children's behavior. Prominent Georgian journalist and director-general of the independent Mtavari television channel, Nika Gvaramia, was released from prison on June 23 after President Salome Zurabishvili pardoned him for an abuse of power conviction that many rights groups, the United States, and the European Union called politically motivated. Gvaramia told journalists gathered for his release that Zurabishvili should now pardon jailed former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. The minimum wage will continue to be applied uniformly across all industries next year after a commission of labor, management, government and academic representatives voted against a proposal by businesses to allow exceptions for some industries. The 27-member commission met at the government complex in Sejong administrative city on Thursday, and 11 members supported the proposal, but 15 rejected it and one abstained. Businesses argued that the next hike should not be applied to sectors that are already facing difficulties. For over 20 years, the Imam Ali's Popular Student Relief Society has worked on combating poverty and helping vulnerable children in Iran. But the charity, which has over 10,000 volunteers across Iran, has come under mounting pressure from the authorities in recent years. In 2021, an Iranian court ordered the independent NGO be dissolved, a ruling that was upheld by an appeals court last year. In July 2021, the charity's founder, Sharmin Meymandinejad, was arrested and charged with insulting Iran's leaders. He was kept in detention for months, during which he alleges he was tortured. In an interview with RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Meymandinejad, who recently fled Iran, said the clerical establishment saw his grassroots organization as a threat. He said his organization's interpretation of Islam clashed with what he called the intolerant and violent version promoted by the authorities. "Our path was different than the one taken by the establishment, our reading of the religion was an attempt to promote self-sacrifice, mercy, and altruism," said the 53-year-old, who now resides in the United States with his wife and three children. "But the reading promoted by the establishment is based on violence, which the authorities claim comes from above, they even say from God," he added. The crackdown on the charity, which is widely known as the Imam Ali's Society, came after years of state pressure and a smear campaign by hard-liners, who have branded the organization a cult, Meymandinejad said. One of the NGO's biggest critics has been the ultra-hard-line daily Kayhan, whose editor in chief was appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "We didn't want to challenge the establishment. We were doing social work based on real [Islamic] principles," said Meymandinejad. "They saw that a [nongovernmental] group was doing the work [of the government] and that comparisons could be made," he said. The Imam Ali's Society has been credited with helping alleviate poverty and aiding marginalized Iranians. In comparison, large state charities with extensive funds are often seen as corrupt and ineffective. The Imam Ali's Society, one of the largest NGOs in the Islamic republic, was launched in 1999 by a group of students led by Meymandinejad at Tehran's Sharif University of Technology. The organization originally focused on poverty alleviation but has since expanded its activities to include providing education, medical care, and social and cultural events for vulnerable children and campaigning against the death penalty for offenders who committed crimes as minors. The group has been credited with saving around 50 minors on death row. Rights groups criticized the 2021 court order to disband the Imam's Ali Society as an assault on independent NGOs and said the ruling had been "made in apparent coordination with Iran's abusive intelligence and security apparatus." It is unclear if the charity is still active or has been dissolved. The original court order was issued following a complaint by the Interior Ministry, which said the Imam Ali's Society had "deviated" from its mission. As evidence, the court cited the group's "questioning of Islamic rulings," including the principle of qisas, or retributive justice, as well as "promoting falsehood by publishing statements against the Islamic republic of Iran." The move came amid a wider crackdown on civil society and dissent. Scores of activists, lawyers, and journalists have been arrested in recent years. The Oslo-based Iran Human Rights reported last year that two other NGOs, including the Society For the Protection of Children, have also come under pressure by the authorities. 'I Broke' In his interview with Radio Farda, Meymandinejad also accused the authorities of sending children from poor Iranian families to fight in the war in Syria, where Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) deployed military advisers and fighters to prop up the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Meymandinejad also accused the authorities of using minors to help crush nationwide antiestablishment protests that erupted in September. Photos appeared on social media in October that purportedly showed children and adolescent boys wearing uniforms and holding batons. They appeared to be wearing the uniforms of the Basij paramilitary forces, a branch of the IRGC. Members and supporters of the Imam Ali's Society said the authorities had recruited children from impoverished families to help "suppress" the street protests. In exchange, the minors received a "few bags of food," the charity said. The Imam Ali's Society was among several groups that warned that the use of child soldiers was against international law. Meymandinejad said he will continue to hold Iran's clerical establishment accountable for its actions even from exile. He said state pressure and the alleged torture he suffered during his time in detention forced him to leave his homeland. "I was weak, I wasn't strong like [prominent jailed rights activist] Narges Mohammadi. I was concerned that my children will pay the price for my activities," he said. "After four months of torture I broke and signed whatever they wanted. I broke because of my children," he added. Senior Iranian intelligence and security officials met last week in the northeastern religious city of Mashhad to discuss a coordinated strategy to counter what state media described as plots by the countrys "enemies." The June 15 meeting, which was not reported by state media until a week later with no explanation, appeared to be intended to increase cooperation between the Intelligence Ministry and the intelligence branch of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a message addressed to the meeting that the lack of understanding between the countrys intelligence bodies is our weakness, while calling for increased intelligence cooperation at all levels. The message by Khamenei, who has ultimate power in the Islamic republic, was read by his chief of staff, Ayatollah Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani. Other attendees included Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, the IRGCs intelligence chief, General Mohammad Kazemi, IRGC commander Major General Hossein Salami, and the newly appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Rear Admiral Ali Akbar Ahmadian. Power Struggle? The meeting followed several months of antiestablishment protests, and highlights the Islamic republics concerns about instability and potential future protests. It could also suggest a power struggle and rivalry between the Irans two main intelligence bodies, which in recent years have failed to prevent the November 2020 assassination near Tehran of a top nuclear scientist, cyberattacks targeting state institutions, and acts of sabotage against the countrys nuclear and military facilities. Saeid Golkar, a senior fellow on Iran policy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, told RFE/RL that competition between the two groups has led to "the mishandling of some situations, potentially leading to ineffective intelligence operations and conflicts of interest." "The meeting shows Khameneis frustration with the competition between these two forces," Golkar said, adding that the presence of the supreme leader's chief of staff and the head of his military office at the meeting was "significant." The IRGC's intelligence branch was created in 2009 shortly after the disputed presidential election that year triggered mass protests and a brutal state crackdown. The feared branch has expanded its activities in recent years, arresting scores of activists, conservationists, and alleged spies as well as foreigners and dual nationals. Preventing 'Plots And Seditions' The IRGC's intelligence branch was created in 2009 shortly after the disputed presidential election that year triggered mass protests and a brutal state crackdown. The feared branch has expanded its activities in recent years, arresting scores of activists, conservationists, and alleged spies as well as foreigners and dual nationals. Speaking at the meeting, the head of the Supreme Leaders military office, General Mohammad Shirazi, said intelligence bodies should work together to prevent plots and seditions through intelligence work, preparation, and timely action. IRGC commander Salami referred to the Intelligence Ministry and the IRGCs intelligence body as the two eyes of the establishment that should work to provide a single picture and prevent what he described as political astigmatism. Antiestablishment sentiments have been on the rise in Iran amid a deteriorating economy that has led to rising poverty. The protests have led to increased state repression and the crackdowns that have left about 500 dead, including children, according to rights groups. Earlier this week, IRGC intelligence chief Kazemi alleged that 20 countries were involved in the recent nationwide antiestablishment protests sparked by the September death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini following her arrest by the morality police in Tehran. In a June 19 interview with Khameneis website, Kazemi, who was appointed as IRGC intelligence chief last year amid a major shakeup, claimed that the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Belgium, Iceland, Italy, and Iran's regional rival, Saudi Arabia, and archfoe Israel were among the countries involved in fomenting the protests. Speaking at the June 16 meeting, Kazemi called for increased cooperation between intelligence bodies and said there should be joint action and the formation of joint operational bases. For his part, Intelligence Minister Khatib said his ministry and the IRGCs intelligence branch must develop joint strategies and improve information-sharing to counter what he called coherent and extensive planning by the enemies against the Islamic republic. Khatib said the intelligence meetings will continue to fulfill Khameneis demands for greater cooperation between the two intelligence bodies. ZHYLTYR, Kazakhstan -- Houses and other buildings in the village of Zhyltyr, in the Aqtobe area of western Kazakhstan, are being buried in sand. Even the electric poles are losing their battles to stay above ground. Weary residents who have been struggling with the problem for years have pleaded with authorities for help, yet their pleas have gone unanswered. Livestock breeding is now the primary source of income for the roughly 100 families who live in Zhyltyr. With the constant sand drifts that occur in the summer months, the villagers are unable to plant crops. To the southeast of Zhyltyr, there are several fields surrounded by barbed wire. They call one of them the Ramazan fence, and the other, the Akhmetov fence. Zhuzgun bushes -- a species of trees and bushes native to Central Asia -- are starting to grow there. Two villagers, Ramazan and Uais Akhmetov, have become advocates for the locals. They raised money to erect fences for the fields because they were fed up with the officials' inaction. The residents also helped by planting drought-resistant zhuzgun bushes on the windward side of the village. With cattle unable to access the fields, grass and bushes have started to grow. The villagers are hopeful that as more of these plants appear, they will slow the invading sand. "The wind blows from the southeast in the winter and summer. We rarely get wind from the north and west. Windblown sand was already covering the houses on the outskirts of the village. We had to drive the cattle away from the barns and stables on the south side of the village. Otherwise, they would have been buried too," says Akhmetov. Akhmetov, who lives in the village with his youngest son, does not want to leave. His home is located on the south side of the settlement, where the sand pours over the iron fence and spills into the courtyard. Looking at the rolling dunes on the other side of the fence, he jokingly calls the village "our Dubai." Endless Summers Fighting Sand Viewed from the south, you can just make out the upper parts of the residential buildings as you walk along the sandy street, where shoes become heavy with the golden brown grains. It would seem easier to walk barefoot, but the sand, after being heated for hours in the bright sun, would burn the skin. It is also advisable to protect your eyes and ears if the wind begins to pick up. "Careful! There is a house underneath,"Akhmetov exclaims as we walk toward the village elder Zhenis Mamyrova whose building is below. Every day she must remove the sand that marches up to the doors of not only her home but her other buildings. She takes the sand away in buckets and, at times, in carts. Sometimes she must call upon her relatives to remove the sand that blocks her from leaving her home. "All we do is fight sand! All summer long, removing the sand is our main job," Mamyrova says. The sand begins to creep in at the end of April, where it accumulates until the heavy snows of November weigh down its progress. People are trying to protect their homes by erecting barriers, but this is a natural disaster that they cannot stop. Sick And Tired Of Complaining There is a Kazakh saying, "Aita-aita Altaydy, Zhamal apay kartaydy," that translates to, "We are sick and tired of complaining." Though they face a seemingly endless and losing battle, the residents built another fence on the outskirts of their village last year. They also dug a well, and with money they raised, they planted a total of 200 seedlings inside the fence. "All of the villagers want only one thing: that these seedlings will take root as soon as possible," Akhmetov said. A native of the Kyzylorda region, Akhmetov has been living in the village for more than 20 years. The pensioner raised his children and livestock here. He considers the village a "blessed place" and refuses to leave, even if the sand buries him. Akhmetov spends his time caring for the young seedlings and checking on the well that he dug 3 meters down. To save the precious water, the villagers devised a system of irrigation using plastic bottles. "We bring our children and grandchildren here in the morning and in the evening. Some carry water from the well; others bottle it. Both children and old people try to be useful. We also must protect the seedlings from cattle who at times will knock down our fence," Akhmetov said. Authorities Who 'Only Nod' And Do Nothing The villagers have repeatedly applied to the regional authorities for help, but their pleas have been in vain. Officers only know how to nod at each other, complained pensioner Lena Bekzhan, a villager who previously worked as a teacher. "This problem did not appear yesterday or today. In previous years, the village was already covered with sand. This year the situation is very difficult. The sand comes up to our windows. Sometimes we can't leave the house as the door is blocked by the sand," Bekzhan said. The village mayor, Qalzhan Qarzhaubai, said that, if at least 20 hectares of land are not fenced off in the future, there is a risk that all of the houses will be buried. "Planting greenery in a village surrounded by sand is not an easy task. This should be done by a specialized company. The budget of the village, even the budget of the district, will not be enough to fight it," Qarzhaubai said. "We want Astana to include us in their plans and develop a special project to help. Otherwise, we will not be able to cope with this ourselves, he added. Other Villages Also Under Threat Zhyltyr is not the only village battling against desertification in Aqtobe, several other settlements also facing the same plight. Altogether there are 19 villages in Aqtobe battling the encroaching sand and authorities estimate that 165 million tenge ($370,000) will be needed to build fences and implement remedial programs, such as planting bushes and trees, to alleviate the situation in the region. Aktolkyn Khabiboldina, head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management for the Aqtobe region, says that the government has spent money on devising plans to address the problem in 11 of the villages this year. For the remaining eight villages, a new plan will be developed in 2024. Kosovos only ferronickel plant has restarted production for the first time since closing in 2021 over soaring energy costs. DRENAS, KOSOVO -- As he stands in front of a giant furnace, Sylejman Hajdari says the sight of molten metal flowing once more fills him with happiness. In October 2021, Hajdaris employer Newco Ferronikeli stopped production due to skyrocketing energy prices in Europe. The 60-year-old worker told RFE/RLs Balkan Service that the shutdown was deeply distressing because after a long career, to have your job stopped just before retirement is not good, he said. Production at the plant was restarted on June 21 after three weeks of preparation to prime the facilitys massive machinery. The nickel producer has had several different owners since being privatized in 2005, and in September 2022, while shuttered, was purchased by the Turkish Yildirim Group. Nickel ore deposits were first discovered in the landscape surrounding Drenas in the late 1950s. The nickel plant was built in 1984 when Kosovo was an autonomous province within Serbia, itself a part of Yugoslavia. The factory was badly damaged during the 1999 NATO bombing campaign. Nickel is a corrosive-resistant metal used in the production of stainless steel and consumer items such as batteries and some magnets. After the October 2021 shutdown, protests were held in which workers called on Pristina to step in. According to company officials, in the first year after production stopped, workers were paid 50 percent of their wages. More recently, the staff of around 1,000 began receiving 75 percent of their salaries and worked half-time to maintain equipment in the factory. Fehmi Nika, the head of the workers' union at the nickel plant, says the new owners have promised stability going forward. He added that the return to production "means a lot to the workers," most of whom have bank loans. Newco Ferronikeli is one of the largest exporters in Kosovo. In 2019, before the pandemic threw global trade into turmoil, the company shipped nickel worth 51 million euros -- around 13 percent of all exports from Kosovo by value. Although the plant is of huge economic importance to the region, it has been criticized for its environmental impact amid fears that toxic waste at the site could endanger air quality and drinking water. The plant sources all of its electricity from abroad and so was especially vulnerable to the spiking energy prices that rocked Europe beginning in late 2021. Russia struck a public transport facility in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson on June 23, killing at least three people as Ukraine grappled with yet another wide-scale attack involving Russian cruise missiles and Iranian-made drones. 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 central Ukraine, the military said air defenses thwarted a major air strike, downing all 13 cruise missiles launched by Russia overnight at an airfield in Khmelnitskiy. The military said the attack was carried out around midnight by aircraft from the direction of the Caspian Sea. The General Staff of the Ukrainian military said in its evening briefing on June 23 that during the day the Russian military carried out 51 air strikes and about 50 attacks from rocket salvo systems on positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas. Russia has drastically stepped up the frequency and intensity of its air strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and cities, in particular on Kyiv, from the beginning of last month, causing numerous casualties among civilians and huge material damage. Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said "targeted fire" struck a municipal trolleybus company in Kherson city, instantly killing a 55-year-old employee, and wounding five others. The other two men, a 43-year-old and a 53-year-old, died in the hospital while being treated for their wounds, Prokudin said on Telegram. Overnight, another air raid alert was declared for several hours throughout Ukraine as Russian forces launched numerous cruise missiles and Shahed drones, the General Staff reported, adding that the consequences of the "massive" raid were being clarified. On the battlefield, Russian forces made more attempts at attacking Ukrainian positions in the eastern region of Donetsk, the General Staff reported, with heavy fighting under way in Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, and Maryinka, where more than 27 close-quarter battles were fought during the day on June 23. Separately, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on June 23 that Ukrainian defenders stopped a Russian offensive in Lyman and in Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region. "For the last week and a half, we have been fighting very fierce battles on the Kupyansk and Lyman fronts," Malyar told Ukrainian television. Regional Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said on Telegram that Russian forces launched an air strike near a chemical plant in Avdiyivka, one of the spots of heavy fighting in Donetsk. It was not immediately known if the plant was damaged. Ukrainian troops continue to conduct offensive operations in Melitopol and Berdyansk in the south and downed another Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter, the General Staff said in separate reports. The military said it was the sixth such helicopter shot down by Ukrainian forces over the past several days. The battlefield reports could not be independently verified by RFE/RL. Russia's latest wave of attacks came a day after a key bridge connecting Russia-annexed Crimea with the occupied part of Ukraine's southern region of Kherson was damaged after being hit by what Moscow said were Storm Shadow missiles donated by Britain. The strike was carried out on the bridge known as "the gate to Crimea," which represents the shortest route from the Crimean Peninsula to the front line in southern Ukraine, making it a key link in Russia's supply line. Russia-installed officials said the road on the bridge was damaged but that no one was injured, while alternative transport routes had been opened. Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Ukraine has vowed to retake it. WATCH: 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. Since the start of its much-anticipated counteroffensive, the Ukrainian military has managed to retake several villages in Russia-occupied southern Ukraine. Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak on June 23 cautioned against exaggerated expectations from Ukraine's offensive operations, saying that they currently have the role to prepare the battlefield. "Real war is not a Hollywood blockbuster. The counteroffensive is not a new season of a Netflix show. There is no need to expect action and buy popcorn," Podolyak wrote on Twitter. "Offensive operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue in a number of areas. Formation operations are under way to set up the battlefield." A Moscow-installed official said on June 23 that a Russian-held bridge connecting southern Ukraine to the Crimean Peninsula has been badly damaged and is "unusable" now. "The bridge sustained more damage than we initially thought," Volodymyr Saldo, the head of the Russia-controlled part of Ukraine's Kherson region, said in televised remarks. Repairs are under way on the Chonhar bridge, which was damaged in a strike on June 22. Saldo said it would be closed to traffic for around 20 days. The start of Ukraine's counteroffensive operation in the southern region of Zaporizhzhya has also prompted Russia to transfer part of its strategic aircraft fleet to North Ossetia in the Caucasus, from where it can launch strikes on Ukrainian civilian and military targets, as revealed by Skhemy (Schemes), an investigative project run by RFE/RL. Schemes has obtained satellite images by Planet Labs, a San Francisco-based commercial company, showing that the Russian Army moved such aircraft to the airfield near the North Ossetian city of Mozdok. According to the Ukrainian military, Russian TU-22M3 planes took off from the Mozdok airfield on the night of June 22 and launched X-22 cruise missiles at Dnipropetrovsk region, causing damage to civilian infrastructure. With reporting by Reuters and AFP President Yoon Suk-yeol arrived in Hanoi on a state visit on Thursday with a huge entourage of business leaders. Yoon meets with his Vietnamese counterpart Vo Van Thuong on Friday to discuss their "comprehensive strategic partnership." Top executives from 205 companies have gone to Vietnam with him, twice as many as he took to Washington in April. "Vietnam is a land of opportunity for us more than ever before," a business executive said. Last year, Vietnam became Korea's third largest trading partner with total trade volume reaching US$87.7 billion. Vietnam is also the country with which Korea recorded its biggest trade surplus at $34.2 billion. LETS turn Rotherham blue! That was the call from a health charity this week as preparations gear up for celebrating the 75th birthday of the NHS. Rotherhams Hospital and Community Charity are encouraging schools, nurseries, workplaces, community groups and individuals to swap their usual attire on July 5 for a blue-themed dress code to match the shade of hospital scrubs. Embodying the typical NHS style uniform, the Wear it Blue Day aims to get people involved wherever they may be. The charity is asking those joining in to show their support for the NHS in one of many ways, including fundraising, volunteering, sharing your skills or leaving a gift in your will. Head of fundraising Rachael Dawes said: Its a big year for the NHS and wed love to see as many of you celebrating the incredible milestone with us as possible. The Editor's pick of the news Man jailed for possession of semi-automatic handgun Rotherham approves 1.3 million investment in electric vehicle charging points Rotherham United's full fixture list for the 2023/24 Championship campaign/24 HISTORY FEATURE: Free education comes to Maltby ...177 years before government introduced it This is a great oppotunity to raise funds for your local NHS charity whilst wearing your favourite royal sweater, lucky navy pants, sky-clouded headscarf or teal shirt - or whatever suits you. You can go head to toe in blue to brighten up your office, school or workplace or just wear one item as homage to the NHS - anything goes! Youll be helping us to brighten up hospital stays for our patients and their families at the same time. Previous donations to the hospital charity have paid for improved sensory equipment for patients with dementia, learning disablities and autism and enhanced life in hospital for patients, including funding toys at the childrens ward and tea parties for older patients. SHADOW minister Bridget Phillipson said a visit to Rotherham had clearly shown the need for more help for pupils and staff both in and out of school with hungry kids pinching food and heads struggling to find enough teachers. The shadow education secretary and Labour MP toured schools in the Rother Valley, including one in Todwick, alongside the partys candidate for the next election, Jake Richards. She said she had heard that even in schools where free meals were on offer, some children were still stealing from the canteen as their parents were unable to make ends meet. It is difficult to hear the challenges around cost of living and how parents are struggling to hear the effect on teachers and how its having real impact on the education of a lot of children, she said. She said teachers were doing their best but said much more needed to be done to ensure all children started the school day well-fed. Labour has vowed to scrap a VAT exemption for private schools and use the proceeds to boost the national education budget. Ms Phillipson said heads in the Rother Valley had spoken of being unable to find teachers due to a national shortage, sometimes receiving no applications at all for vacancies. She also highlighted the national issues around mental health issues, with children often waiting years to be assessed for autism and other conditions and for an educational health and care plan to be put in place. Ms Phillipson said Labour had pledged to deliver a mental health professional into every school daily, adding: The sooner we pick up on the problems, the sooner we can put the right support in place. We need long term reform to the system to ensure children have all the support that they need. On the issues of pupil behaviour and mental health, Ms Phillipson said many had not settled again after the pandemic, adding: The government should have done more to give schools support that they needed to reintegrate children. Mr Richards said stagnation in teachers pay was a factor in the shortage of staff, especially specialists in certain subjects. Children are just not getting the resources they need further education and too often teachers are filling in holes in the system, he said. We have children coming to school hungry and stealing from the canteen. Families are going hungry and struggling. Schools do not have all the budgets they need and speaking to head teachers and staff shows this. The Department for Education has been contacted for comment. Freight trains carrying daily necessities started going into North Korea from China through customs in Nanping and Musan on Tuesday, sources said. Some cargo trains from the North also went to China. The reopening sparks fears that some 2,000 North Korean defectors who have been detained in China might be repatriated through the border. North Korea has reopened the border between remote Musan in North Hamgyong Province and China's Nanping after sealing it at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The North and China already reopened customs houses in Sinuiju and Dandong across the Apnok River in March. It is baffling that the remote border in the rugged mountain area is being reopened instead of more accessible crossings between Hyesan and Changbai, Wongjog-ri and Hunchun or Onsong and Tumen. But a source said, "Nanping is ideal for repatriating defectors to North Korea secretly because of its bad accessibility. You can't see when North Korean defectors are packed in buses before being sent back to the North" from a detention camp in Helong nearby. Human rights activists here say Helong's detention facility has been expanded significantly. Satellite images show that a new fence and a new building have been built where only a sentry post stood in 2019. That suggests an estimated 2,000 North Korean defectors who were caught in China during lockdown could be repatriated. But another possibility is that the North simply wants to resume exports of iron ore to China from one of Asia's largest iron strip mines in Musan. Notorious Gangsters NIA Appeals to Public: Step Forward with Information about Notorious Gangsters MOHALI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has intensified its pursuit of justice by offering generous rewards ranging from 1 to 5 lakh rupees for eight wanted gangsters from Haryana and Punjab. Topping the list is Lucky Patial, the notorious head of the Bambiha syndicate, along with Sandeep, a key mastermind behind gangster Kaushal Chaudhary. These individuals have long evaded law enforcement, with some of them finding refuge in foreign countries while operating their criminal networks. NIA has recently apprehended several individuals connected to these gangsters, including Dinesh Sharma alias Gandhi, Neeraj alias Pandit from Shivaji Nagar in Gurugram, Sandeep alias Bandar from Naharpur Rupa in Gurugram, Daler Singh alias Kotia from Karnal, and Gurpinder Singh. Advertisement A reward of Rs 1 lakh each has been announced for Baba Dalla alias Baba Dalla Moga resident Sukhdur Singh alias Sukha Dunneke of Ludhiana, Punjab, while a substantial reward of Rs 5 lakh each awaits information leading to the capture of terrorists Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla and Gaurav Patial alias Saurav Thakur alias Lucky Patial. The NIA has released the identities and reward amounts of these most-wanted criminals, urging the public to come forward with any pertinent information. Confidentiality will be maintained regarding the identity and address of the informants. The NIA's resolute efforts to bring these dangerous criminals to justice underscore their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the region. Rajnath Singh Certain Roads in the city have been diverted or restricted for traffic CHANDIGARH: Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit Chandigarh tomorrow, June 24. With utmost priority given to safety and security, the local police department has issued a traffic advisory for the occasion. Today, on June 23, an exercise is being conducted to ensure necessary arrangements. As a result, certain roads in the city have been diverted or restricted for traffic. Areas affected include the black body light point, Sector 31/32-46/47 Chowk, Sector 32/33-45/46 Chowk, and Sector 33/34-44/45 Chowk on Shanti Marg. Additionally, traffic diversions and restrictions will be in place near the exhibition grounds located in Sector-34, where a meeting with the Defense Minister will take place. Commuters can expect traffic disruptions from New Labor Chowk (Sector 33/34-20/21 Chowk) to Burail Chowk (Sector 33/34-44/45 Chowk) on Sarovar Marg, as well as from Sector 33/34 Light Point to Gurdwara Sahib. Some internal roads within Sector 34 will also be affected. Advertisement The police department has urged the general public to avoid these roads between 3 pm and 4:30 pm on June 23, and between 5 pm and 8 pm on June 24. Alternative routes should be utilized during these times. Visitors heading to the exhibition grounds from Sector-34 and 35 light points have been advised to park their vehicles in the unpaved parking lot near the Central Library of Sector-34 or in front of the Gurdwara Sahib. Furthermore, as a security measure, a ban on drones has been imposed in Chandigarh from June 23 to June 25 due to concerns about potential drone attacks by miscreants and terrorists. The District Magistrate of Chandigarh, Vinay Pratap Singh, has issued the order, declaring Chandigarh a no-flying zone. However, law enforcement agencies are exempt from this restriction, and any violation will be strictly dealt with. These precautions and arrangements aim to ensure the smooth conduct of the Defense Minister's visit while safeguarding public safety and maintaining security in the region. Swiss Bank Overall wealth of Indian customers in Swiss banks reached 3.42 billion francs The Central Bank of Switzerland has revealed that the money held by Indian residents and companies in Swiss banks experienced an 11 percent reduction, totaling 3.42 billion Swiss francs (approximately Rs. 30,000 crore) last year. As per the data provided by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) for 2022, the overall wealth of Indian customers in Swiss banks witnessed an 11 percent decrease, reaching 3.42 billion francs. In the preceding year, 2021, Indian customers held the highest amount in 14 years, with 3.83 billion Swiss francs deposited in Swiss banks. Additionally, the total deposits made by Indians in Swiss banks also decreased by around 34 percent last year, amounting to 394 million francs. This figure marked a significant decline from the seven-year high of 602 million francs recorded in 2021. Advertisement It is important to note that the data released by Swiss banks, based on information provided to the SNB, does not include any mention of alleged black money deposited by Indian account holders. Moreover, these figures exclude deposits made in Swiss banks under the names of firms belonging to third countries. According to the SNB, the total liability of Swiss banks to Indian customers stood at 342.4 million Swiss francs at the end of 2022. Among this sum, 394 million Swiss francs were in the form of deposits, while 1100 million francs were routed to Swiss banks through other financial institutions. An additional 24 million francs were held by responsible persons or trusts, whereas customers held 189.6 million francs in banks in the form of bonds, securities, and other financial instruments. Notably, out of the four asset groups held by Indians in Swiss banks, only the segment of responsible persons and trusts experienced an increase. Deposits in the other three segmentsother banks and the bonds and securities segmentregistered declines. Advertisement The total amount held by Indians in Swiss banks reached a record high of 6.5 billion francs in 2006, after which it has experienced varying degrees of decline. Only in 2011, 2013, 2017, 2020, and 2021 did the amount held by Indian customers witness an increase during this period. While the decline in Indian deposits in Swiss banks showcases a changing trend, it is crucial to continue monitoring these developments as part of efforts to combat financial irregularities and promote transparency in international banking systems. Sub-Marine Debris was found approximately 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the Titanic's bow: Report In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the five crew members aboard the ill-fated submersible, en route to the legendary Titanic, have tragically lost their lives. The US Coast Guard, leading the investigation, reached a somber conclusion after examining debris recovered by a remote-controlled vehicle on Thursday. The debris was found approximately 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the Titanic's bow, painting a grim picture of the incident. Rear Admiral John Mauger delivered the devastating news during a press briefing held in Boston yesterday, expressing his profound condolences on behalf of the US Coast Guard and the entire unified command. "We immediately notified the families," he stated, his voice filled with sorrow. Advertisement Crew Members The search for the missing submersible, which embarked on its journey to explore the iconic wreckage, had gripped the attention of maritime enthusiasts and Titanic aficionados worldwide. Hope slowly faded as the investigation unfolded, leading to the heartbreaking confirmation of the crew members' fate. While the exact cause of the vessel's catastrophic implosion remains under investigation, the incident serves as a solemn reminder of the risks associated with deep-sea explorations. The immense pressure at such depths poses formidable challenges, and this tragedy underscores the inherent dangers that brave explorers face in their quest for knowledge and discovery. Advertisement The Securities and Exchange Commission fined JPMorgan Chase of $4 million for accidently deleting about 47 million electronic records which were requested by subpoenas in several investigations. As per the SEC order against J. P. Morgan Securities LLC, the banking major's broker-dealer unit, it was accused that the bank failed to preserve electronic records as required. Millions of emails and instant messages from January 2018 to April 2018 were permanently deleted in June 2019, while troubleshooting an issue. Broker-dealers are required to retain the originals of all communications for at least three years. These millions of communications were housed in around 8,700 electronic mailboxes, including the email boxes of as many as 7,500 employees who had regular contact with Chase customers. Many of which were records required to be retained, it noted. As the records got deleted, the company failed to come up with requested documents in at least twelve civil securities-related regulatory investigations. These included eight SEC investigations and four other regulatory probes. JPMorgan reported the deletion event to the Commission in January 2020. "Because the deleted records are unrecoverable, it is unknown - and unknowable - how the lost records may have affected the regulatory investigations. Indeed, a member of JPMorgan's compliance department acknowledged in an internal email after the deletion event was discovered that lost documents could relate to potential future investigations, legal matters and regulatory inquiries.", the order said. For the settlement of the issues, JPMorgan had submitted an offer, which was accepted by the regulator. The SEC ordered the company to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of the securities law. JPMorgan is also censured, and the bank is asked to pay the penalty money within 14 days of the entry of the order. In previous incidents, JPMorgan paid $700,000 in penalties in 2005 for not preserving electronic records from mid-1999 to mid-2002. In late 2021, the company agreed to pay $125 million in penalties for failing to preserve electronic communications sent between January 2018 and November 2020. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Maruti Invicto, a rebadged Toyota Innova Hycross, positioned in the premium MPV segment will use Toyotas TNGA-C platform and strong-hybrid powertrain Maruti Suzuki Invicto, a premium MPV, which is a rebadged version of Toyota Innova Hycross, has been opened for bookings through Nexa dealerships at a down payment of Rs 25,000. Though no price announcements have been made on date, it is slated to be the most highly priced model in the company lineup. It will be positioned above the Grand Vitara, with prices expected to commence from around Rs 25 lakh (ex-showroom). It will only be offered with a hybrid powertrain. The Innova Hycross petrol on the other hand is priced between Rs 18.55 lakh-19.55 lakh, while the hybrid variants are priced from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh, ex-sh. Maruti Suzuki Invicto arrives at NEXA Ahead of launch on 5th July, the first units of the new Maruti Invicto MPV have now started to arrive at Nexa dealers across India. Where its exterior makeup is concerned, Maruti Invicto will be seen with a new front grille design with chrome slats, a redesigned front bumper, revised headlamp design, new tail light inserts and new alloy wheels. The interiors will also see premium equipment with ventilated front seats, powered drivers seat, panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, dual zone air conditioning and a 10 inch touchscreen infotainment system along with a 9 speaker JBL music system. Safety will be via a total of 6 airbags, front parking sensors, 360 degree camera and radar based ADAS. Invicto is being produced at the Toyota plant in Bidadi, in Karnataka, alongside the Hycross. It will be positioned on the Toyota TNGA-C platform and will sport a strong hybrid powertrain. Maruti Suzuki Invicto will likely be offered in Zeta and Alpha trims. Maruti Suzuki to be offered with strong hybrid powertrain Innova Hycross is offered with a 2.0 liter naturally aspirated petrol engine as well as a hybrid option. Invicto will only be offered with a hybrid option. This will be a strong hybrid system offering 186 hp power and 188 Nm torque with a claimed fuel efficiency of 23.24 km/l. The strong-hybrid option will be paired with an e-CVT. Once launched, the new Maruti Invicto will compete with Toyota Innova Hycross, Mahindra XUV700 etc in the Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh segment. Source Ten years is long enough to wait for any man, Beatrice Bess Houdini told TIME magazine shortly before her death. Without a doubt, this is the phrase by which the widow of the famous Austro-Hungarian illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini will always be remembered. The legendary magician was the love of her life, and death unexpectedly took him away from her despite the fact that his life had been at risk on thousands of occasions. After his death, she waited for him for 10 years, trying unsuccessfully to contact him by all possible means. Harry Houdinis death continues to be the subject of debate among conspiracy theorists and mystery fans. The most famous escape artist in history (with apologies to David Copperfield) died in 1926, supposedly after taking a series of heavy blows to the stomach for which he was not prepared. A furious enemy of phony spiritualists (who were almost as common then as they are now), he and Bess had an agreement that if he died before she did, they would try to make contact through seances. To verify the communications veracity, they established a password: Rosabelle - answer - tell - pray, answer - look - tell - answer, answer tell. This strange series of words came from a secret code created by magicians to communicate with their assistants during their mentalism acts. Each word, or group of words, corresponded to a letter. For example, the word answer was the letter B, answer-answer was the letter V, etc. The code the Houdinis chose meant Believe. But Harry never transmitted that message to Bess from the great beyond. Kristen Connolly (as Bess Houdini) and Adrien Brody (as Harry Houdini), in an image from the 2014 miniseries 'Houdini.' The beginnings of a unique couple The first word of the message, Rosabelle, referred to the song Bess sang when she and Harry met when they were performing in a theater in Coney Island, New York. At the time, he was 20 and she was only 18; they were just aspiring performers. Harrys brother Theo first courted Bess, but Harry eventually married her in June 1894. Bess was born Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner in Brooklyn to a family of German immigrants, and from an early age she felt the call of show business. She started out singing in a group called The Floral Sisters. After marrying Harry, she began to work with him; she did tricks herself and helped him as his assistant in an act called The Houdinis. At the turn of the century, after changing managers, Harry started to achieve success. After focusing on escapismthe most spectacular part of his acthe soon gained international fame and toured not only the United States but also Europe. Once this happened, Bess decided to take a step back. She only rarely went on stage and helped out backstage by advising her husband on his tricks and taking care of his wardrobe. Throughout their relationship, the Houdinis remained a close couple. There are many photos of the two together, and, as the magicians biographer Kenneth Silverman explains in his book Houdini!!!! The Career of Erich Weiss, Harry often left very affectionate notes for Bess in which he called her a Precious Lump of Sweetness and Sweetie Wifie, Mine, and signed them with names like your popsy and Houdinsky. As their niece Marie Blood explained in a 1995 interview, they adored children but were never able to have one because Bess suffered from primary amenorrhea and could never get pregnant. Poster for one of the couples 1895 shows. Harry Houdinis death Although he had walked the razors edge all his life, Houdinis death was unexpected and was a devastating blow for Bess. After the famed magician died, Bess experienced problems with money, alcohol and the thousands of charlatans who approached her to get her money by promising that they could contact Harry in the afterlife. For years, Bess was faithful to the promise that she had made to her husband and periodically held seances, futilely hoping that Harry would appear and say the words that they had agreed upon. The fact that it never happened plunged her into such despair that she attempted suicide twice. In 1930, in the midst of all this, she met Edward Saint, who became her manager and perhaps something more (although it has never been proven). They moved to Hollywood together, and Bess dedicated herself to keeping her husbands memory alive. After 10 years of trying to talk to him, in 1936 Bess and Saint organized The Final Seance on the terrace of Hollywoods Knickerbocker Hotel on Halloween; for the final time, she attempted to summon Harrys spirit. The surviving photos from the event, which appear on the Wild About Harry blog, are truly spooky and quite a spectacle in and of themselves. The ceremony also had a bit of a stage play and was an extraordinary publicity campaign (well see why later). As expected, the illusionist did not appear, and his widow gave up the quest that, years later, inspired the phrase with which this text begins. Nevertheless, Bess entrusted her friend Walter B. Gibsonthe writer of the mystery series The Shadow and Houdinis friend, confidant, publicist and ghostwriterto continue holding an annual session to try to contact the magician. The Wild About Houdini blog contains the dialogue between Bess and Saint, her manager, at the end of the last seance. Quoting it at length gives one a sense of the moments theatricality. Saint: Mrs. Houdini. The zero hour has passed. The ten years are up. Have you reached a decision? Bess: Yes. Houdini did not come through. My last hope is gone. I do not believe that Houdini can come back to me, or to anyone. After faithfully following through the Houdini ten year compact, after using every type of medium and seance, it is now my personal and positive belief that spirit communication in any form is impossible. I do not believe that ghosts or spirits exist. The Houdini shrine has burned for ten years. I now reverently turn out the light. It is finished. Good night, Harry. Over time, the Final Seance has become something of a cliche in the American spiritualist world, and sessions honoring the legendary magician are still held today in many places around the United States, including the Houdini Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania (yes, the town where The Office is set). Harry Houdini, with his mother, Cecilia Steiner, and his wife, Beatrice, circa 1907. The Final Years Bess and Saint put the publicity of The Final Seance to good use. The following year they sold Paramount the rights to make a biopic about Harry, a project that took almost 20 years to complete; it starred Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh in the roles of the magician and Bess. Interest in the couples story and their stance on parapsychology was such that Bess also shot her own film the following year. It was originally to be titled Madame Houdini Speaks. The idea was that, after 10 years of silence imposed by the search for her husband among the spirits, Bess was going to discuss her views on spiritualism but in a fictional movie. The filmwhich was originally released as Religious Racketeers and then later changed its title back to Mystic Circle Murderfinally premiered in 1938. In it, Bess only appeared at the beginning and at the end; she played herself, and her participation essentially consisted of declaring that communication with the dead was simply impossible. As we can see in these images, her words were basically a reworking of what she had said on the terrace of the Knickerbocker Hotel a few years earlier. The film had an impact on spiritualist circles, which obviously felt attacked by it, but other than that it went largely unnoticed (it was almost always shown as part of a double feature). In fact, the film was almost lost altogether. As far as we know, only one copy survivedin it, almost all of Besss final speech has been cutand it was released on DVD in 2006. Bess Houdinis death There is little additional information about Besss life from this point until her death five years later, on February 11, 1943. Bess, who had been very weak for some time and was probably suffering from tuberculosis, had a stroke while traveling by train from Los Angeles to New York to spend her final days with her family, the local press wrote at the time. She was 67 years old. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Some of the creatures that star in Naomi Rincon Gallardos films have blood dripping from their legs. They wear necklaces with hands, livers, and hearts hanging from them. There are disembodied arms that sprout from the earth like wriggling worms and rough-backed lizards. Two-headed snakes and strange black birds. But these are not horror, sci-fi, or superhero films. This Mexican creators films are audiovisual works of art inspired by opulent traditional Mesoamerican legends. The three that can be seen at La Casa Encendida in Madrid accompanied by masks and drawings Versos de porqueria (Verses of filth), Soneto de alimanas (Bloodsuckers sonnet) and Eclipse make up the Trilogia Tzitzimime (Tzitzimime Trilogy), which takes its name from the female deities of Mexican mythology that presage the end of time. Loaded with a decolonialized, queer, and feminist message, the exhibition is part of the annual Reivindicar la resiliencia (Reclaiming Resilience) exhibition, curated by the Lithuanian artist duo Pakui Hardware, and can be seen until September 17. Mexican artist Naomi Rincon Gallardo. la casa encendida / galerna With their stark, terrifying appearance, both cadaverous and ferocious, the Tzitzimime were assimilated in the viceregal era as demons or beings from the underworld. But, in reality, as Rincon Gallardo explains, their original nature is not necessarily punitive. Rather, this vision arose as a result of the influence of Catholicism. Thats the reading that has been imposed, she stresses. The Spanish conquered Mexico and tried to interpret the cultures, but I think it is a mistake to do it from the binary logic of punishment and redemption. The idea encapsulated in it of transcending the binarisms of black and white, man and woman, that govern Western thinking is the key that unlocks the multiple visions in this artists works. Her pieces were shown at the Mexican Pavilion at the last Venice Biennial. There is an attempt to challenge this imposed modern colonial thinking, she adds, to destabilize the symbolic orders of colonialism. Through the Tzitzimimes we can believe that we are in a moment of planetary collapse, a cataclysm. These are characters that I have been given to tell multiple stories from the land I inhabit, which is the land of Mexico. For over 15 years it has become a place that has accumulated many stories of violence, pain, injustice and different forms of war and necropolitics. A still from Soneto de alimanas (2022), by Naomi Rincon Gallardo. Claudia Lopez Terroso Although the three films in the exhibition make up a trilogy, each of them can be viewed independently of the others. But there are recurring elements, the author notes. And she elaborates: All three have a very intimate relationship with death, with the idea that the dead can return, of the untamed dead, who wants to resurface because they have unfinished business. So, in all three, we are going to see the disembodied arms rising from the earth. It is a character from the horror of the dead cinema that has yet to return to stake a claim. And here the arms multiply, and lets say that they refuse to accept this necropolitical or premature death. In all three, there are characters inspired by different Mesoamerican myths, which appear in the codices. For some time now I have been very interested in Mesoamerican understanding. I think it can transcend the binary logic of modern knowledge. All three films show animals that were related to the Mesoamerican underworld, creatures of the night. And all three also allude to voracious female deities. The Tzitzimime Trilogy installation at La Casa Encendida. la casa encendida / galerna Through these referents, coated in do it yourself punk aesthetics, the vibrant colors that define Mexican aesthetics and a surrealistic and ironic sense of humor, the artist addresses issues such as the insatiable exploitation of the earths resources, the virulent imposition of the laws of heteropatriarchy, and the crushing of all types of dissidence. And not only does it confront them, but it also wants to offer a counterproposal that looks to the past, to ancestral traditions to generate groundbreaking contemporary visions. Art has no obligation, but as an artist, a feminist, a queer subject, as someone who wants to join in destabilizing the orders of coloniality, that is my imperative. It is precisely for this reason that she does not believe that exhibiting her work in Spain has an important connotation. I dont believe in these ideas of nation-states, but I think my work can resonate with different dissenting thoughts. And thats what interests me. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A new robotic camera at Palomar Observatory is scanning the night sky to capture some of the most volatile and violent events in the universe, including stellar explosions and colliding neutron stars. The device is the linchpin of a program called the Zwicky Transient Facility, which updates one of the observatorys telescopes in order to shoot images of the cosmos in motion. It will scan the sky nightly, looking for changes in movement or brightness. Those could be passing objects such as asteroids or comets, or rarer phenomena, such as the momentary flare of a dying star. The Zwicky is celestial cinematography, which is an order of magnitude faster than anything before, said Mansi Kasliwal, assistant professor of astronomy at Caltech, who leads some of the science programs at the observatory. Its looking for very rare, very fast, very young events. Im excited. I think it will be a lot of fun. Advertisement In November, the camera shot its first images, a milestone astronomers call first light. The program, named for pioneering Caltech astrophysicist Fritz Zwicky, who discovered 120 supernovas over his lifetime, places Palomar at the center of a network of observatories across the globe. Its an $18 million investment, funded through a $9 million grant from the National Science Foundation, and matching funds from participating universities, said Shrinivas Kulkarni, the principal investigator of the facility and a professor of astronomy and planetary science at Caltech. Partners include Caltech and the University of Maryland; University of Wisconsin; University of Washington, Seattle; and institutions in Taiwan, Israel, Germany and Sweden; along with help from the Department of Energy laboratories at Los Alamos and Berkeley. This is very large, Kulkarni said. It is a global effort. And its based right here at Palomar. The new camera sits inside a 48-inch telescope, one of three at the observatory, along with 60-inch and 200-inch instruments. Last week, Caltech engineer Michael Feeney worked on the device with mechanics from the observatory. Clad in white suits and hair nets to minimize dust and debris in the sensitive apparatus, they installed black baffles to absorb stray light within the telescope and prevent reflections and ghosting. The 576-megapixel camera contains a mosaic of 16 sensors that work together to automatically record cosmic images. It illustrates the evolution in astronomical technology since Palomar Observatory was dedicated 70 years ago in 1948, Feeney said. When this was first built, they used photographic plates, and the image was burned into the chemicals in the plate, he said. When all is said and done, this will be a robotically driven instrument. You basically press go and wait for the data to come in. Were very happy with resolution, the quality. Its just incredible. The new camera will scan the sky over the course of three nights, and then repeat the survey to detect differences between the images that suggest movement or changes, Feeney said. It also scrutinizes specific portions of the sky in greater detail to search for those transient events, Kulkarni said. A suite of computers analyze those results in real time; if they reveal something of interest, within minutes the system will alert large telescopes around the world, said Roger Smith, the lead engineer for the camera. They need a discovery engine to tell them where to look, Smith said. We provide an all-sky surveillance to find anything that moves or changes in brightness. The stream of images will include binary star systems, in which two stars dance in orbit together and periodically eclipse each other. Those events can help astronomers study the geometry and mass of those systems, Kulkarni said. It will also search for supernovae, the catastrophic explosions of dying stars that blaze suddenly and then fade over days or weeks, allowing the camera to pick them out of the background light. Theyre very violent events, Kasliwal said. They can only sustain that luminosity, that brightness for a short amount of time. In the nuclear furnaces of those dying stars, heavier elements form as smaller atoms crash together. The stars are actually fusion reactors, Kulkarni said. By studying supernovae, astronomers are studying how the periodic table got put together. Astronomers will also look for changes in neutron stars extraordinarily dense, collapsed stars that produce the heaviest elements. The collision of two neutron stars, or a neutron star with a black hole, can give you a flash of light that is 100 million times the brightness of the sun, which the Zwicky project aims to detect, Kasliwal said. Neutron stars are the cosmic mines of heavy element production where the heavy elements are created - gold, platinum and uranium, silver, neodymium, she said. Understanding how rare metals are created helps explain the origins of matter in the universe, researchers said. People wear gold and platinum wedding rings, and they take it for granted that gold is present on Earth, but it had to be made some where, and its made in neutron stars, Kasliwal said. Its satiating the scientific curiosity, to know where the elements around us come from. Sorting through the vast troves of data also has immediate practical applications, Kulkarni said. Students who work on these systems become experts in handling large data sets, he said, and some move onto jobs with tech companies such as Google or Amazon, which rely on that type of real-time analysis. Although larger telescopes such as the Keck Observatory in Hawaii are in greater demand than those in San Diego, Kasliwal said Palomar Observatory allows researchers to log more time on long-term projects that can lead to ground-breaking discoveries. There have been entirely new frontiers in astronomy at Palomar that have opened up because people have asked bold questions and undertaken systematic campaigns to look at the universe in creative new ways, she said. I have used telescopes at many mountaintops in the world, but by far my favorite mountaintop is Palomar. deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan Retired U.S. District Court Judge H. Lee Sarokin, left, joined actors Richard Trujillo and others onstage Monday at North Coast Repertory Theatre to discuss his latest play, The Protester, with the audience. On Monday night, distinguished Judge H. Lee Sarokin hosted a reading for his latest hot-button-issue play at North Coast Repertory Theatre. The Protester, a one-act play about a family dealing with deportation and free speech issues, ran a brisk 58 minutes so that the 89-year-old Sarokin could preside over his favorite part of the evening: a discussion with the audience on the thorny legal issues in the play. All but a handful of the Solana Beach theaters 181 seats were filled for the performance. Afterward, enthusiastic audience members didnt hold back in expressing their legal opinions or their right to humbly change their minds after the playwright weighed in with his own thoughts. Advertisement I hope theres a lot of agony out there, Sarokin joked with the crowd, admitting that he intentionally writes plays with strong arguments on both sides so audience members must consider how their personal feelings affect their views on the law. The Protester is the ninth Sarokin play that North Coast Rep has presented in its New Works series over the past eight years. He took up play-writing after he and his wife of 48 years, Margie, moved to La Jolla after his 1996 retirement from a long and illustrious career as a civil rights champion. Actors Richard Baird, left, Richard Trujillo, Larry Baza, hidden, Melba Novoa and Catalina Maynard, right, perform H. Lee Sarokins play The Protester at North Coast Repertory Theatre Monday night. (Don Boomer / San Diego Union-Tribune) Sarokin spent 25 years as a trail lawyer, then served on the U.S. District Court in New Jersey from 1979 to 1994. Before retiring, he spent nearly two years on the U.S. Court of Appeals. As a judge, he wrote more than 2,000 legal opinions and made many landmark decisions, including forcing tobacco companies to reveal secret research and ordering service clubs like Kiwanis to admit women. But the decision hes most famous for was in November 1985, when he freed former middleweight boxer Rubin Hurricane Carter from prison after serving 19 years for a triple-murder he did not commit. It was dramatized in the 1999 film The Hurricane and the two men remained close friends until Carters death in 2014. Although Sarokin wasnt trained in playwriting, he is a lifetime theater buff and he said serving as a trial judge was good preparation, since trials unfold like a play and always have a surprise ending. All nine of his plays are based on topical issues that present a legal quandary. David Ellenstein, artistic director of North Coast Rep, said Sarokin has a prescient quality of writing plays about issues that later explode into the public consciousness. His last play, The Wedding Cake, was presented at North Coast Rep several months before the U.S. Supreme Court took up the gay marriage-themed issue and well before La Jolla Playhouse produced its own play on the topic, The Cake, last winter. He has also written fictional plays about officer-involved shootings of black men, federal employees who release classified documents, the limits of diplomatic immunity, terrorism and federal corruption. Retired U.S. District Court Judge H. Lee Sarokin, center, and his wife, Margie, second from left, watch the reading of his latest play The Protester at North Coast Repertory Theatre on Monday. (Don Boomer / San Diego Union-Tribune) Sarokin said he came up with the idea for The Protester in January after reading a report on the harsh living conditions in federal immigration detention centers. He had no idea the topic would blow up it as it has in recent months. I try to make my plays current, but I couldnt keep up with this one, he said, in a backstage interview before Mondays reading. Every day there was something in the paper that was more horrific, whether it was parents being deported and leaving their children behind or the sexual abuse of women in the centers. The Protester is the story of Juan Rodriguez, a pizzeria worker in his mid-30s who entered the U.S. illegally with his father 20 years before the story begins. At work one day hes arrested by ICE officers and held in detention for deportation. After six months, hes freed to return to his wife, children and memory-impaired father thanks to the intervention of his sister Grace, a firebrand law student and naturalized U.S. citizen. Angry about her brothers treatment, Grace organizes a noisy anti-deportation protest at her law schools graduation ceremony, where the anti-immigration U.S. attorney general is scheduled to speak. At a disciplinary hearing, Grace faces suspension or expulsion for repeatedly disrupting the ceremony to exercise her free speech rights. The play ends with Graces fate hanging in the balance. Christopher Williams, who directed the reading, said he loves plays like The Protester because they dont offer a black-and-white conclusion. Its easy to get caught up in the emotions of the play, Williams said. We go in with our gut on how we feel about the issue, but his plays help you understand the legal rules behind these decisions. Retired U.S. District Court Judge H. Lee Sarokin, left, takes questions from the audience about his new play The Protester at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach on Monday. (Don Boomer / San Diego Union-Tribune) After patiently encouraging debate from the audience in the style of a college professor, Sarokin told the crowd that hes a free speech advocate and is sympathetic to the problems faced by the fictional Rodriguez family. But he doesnt believe Graces right to protest is any greater than the universitys right to choose its own keynote speaker and have a peaceful ceremony. As with most of Sarokins plays, The Protester ends with an impassioned speech. In this play its delivered by Juan, played by actor Richard Trujillo, on the issues of free speech, patriotism, family unity and the law. Sarokin said these speeches always represent a summation of his own feelings on the topic. Over the past nearly 90 years, Sarokin said hes seen great periods of social upheaval in this country. Although the racism and anti-immigrant rhetoric has ramped up in recent years, he said its not as severe now as it was during the civil rights era. However, Sarokin said this is the first time hes seen so much of the agitation, much of it false, being fomented by the president and the administration itself. He said The Protester is his way of making people stop and think, no matter where they come down on the issue of illegal immigration. I find it offensive that people who are coming here to seek asylum which is authorized by international law are treated in this country like criminals, he said. I know this is a hot-button topic. Its controversial. These plays are a great outlet for me to write about issues I have a great interest in. pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com Nothing is ever entirely new and yet, in the art of collage, everything is renewed. The subversion implicit in this artistic technique and its various actions cutting, fragmenting, tearing, camouflaging, stealing, faking disrupts all expectations while suggesting affinities and resonances that harmonize into one work of art. As unrestrained as it is adaptable, this form of visual expression, which secured its status as art in the early years of the 20th century, remains capable of capturing the spirit of the time by incorporating the elements that define an era. But what does it mean to speak of collage today, in the digital age, when the gesture that gave meaning to the practice cut and paste has been replaced by its computational alternative, copy and paste? What are the basic elements that qualify something as collage? 'Geisha,' 2021. George Hotpon. George Hotpon 'The Atlantist,' 2022. Irini Karayannopoulou Bo papa Mapula, ba no le masela, [Mapulas Father, in a Tailors Suit] 2021. Neo Matloga Ainda Que eu Ande pelo Mortifero Vale da Luz [Though I Walk through the Deadly Valley of Light], 2021. Ventura Profana Invasion, 2008. From the series: House Beautiful: Bringing the War Home, New Series,' 2004-08. Martha Rosler 'Standing fawn,' 2021. Erin Shirreff 'Mask CLXXXIX,' 2016. John Stezaker 'Clarivel Face Foward Gazing,' 2020. Mickalene Thomas 'Togethering 4,' 2020. Carmen Winant The cover of Vitamin C+: Collage in Contemporary Art. PHAIDON These are the question that give shape to a new project just published by Phaidon Press, Vitamin C+: Collage in Contemporary Art, the latest volume of the publishers Vitamin series, which was first launched in 2002. The series aims to take the pulse of different artistic disciplines, and to identify new practices and trends as they emerge. For this latest issue, Phaidon solicited the participation of 69 experts museum directors, curators, collectors and critics and tasked them with selecting 108 artists who currently use collage as a central component in their artistic practice. The resulting collection reflects, as historian Yuval Etgar writes in the books introduction, the delicate balance between the potential and limitations implied by the practice. While offering a wide range of interpretations on the art form, the monograph constitutes a reminder of what is most at stake in contemporary collage: namely, the delimitation of edges and peripheries within a field whose territorial contours are virtually impossible to identify, and are in a state of permanent flux. The artists, featured in alphabetical order, are from 40 different countries as well as different cultures, contexts and generations. One of them is the British artist John Stezaker (Worcester, 1949), who began experimenting with collage in the mid-1970s a moment associated with the incipient digital era and the emergence of theories of postmodernism through his poetic and elegant juxtapositions involving postcards, stills from movies, and images taken from old illustrated books. Like many of the avant-garde gestures that preceded his work, Stezakers collages emerged as a response to mass cultures consumption of printed material, and, as the critic David Campany wrote, seem to put image destruction, or iconoclasm, [in] the service of a strange and subterranean iconophilia [love of images]. Bo papa Mapula, ba no le masela [Mapulas Father, in a Tailors Suit], 2021. Neo Matloga The British artist Linder (Liverpool, 1954) took an even more radical approach to the practice, with the former vocalist for the experimental post-punk band Ludus provoking a public debate about her works candid revelations of hidden desires and taboos. The image of a naked, muscular woman with a steam iron for a head represented not only a continuation of Richard Hamiltons 1960s pop sensibility, but a radical feminist protest against domestic entrapment. Today, the artist continues to create provocative images that take aim at gender inequality, and her work also appears in the new collection from Phaidon Press. The book features a selection of powerful photomontages by Martha Rosler (New York, 1943), which reference, often with humor, various political and social issues. The American artist integrates her figures seamlessly into their scenes and, like the Surrealist Max Ernst, who pioneered the practice, manages to merge two irreconcilable realities, thus demonstrating how collage lends itself to the direct communication of a single, but sometimes complex, idea. We are not a here and a there. We are all one, and this is crucial, she says. In a similar vein, the work of Lorna Simpson (New York, 1960) shows the bodies of Black women overlaid in classical celestial maps, in a series titled Stars from Dusk to Dawn. Her work is not so much aimed at conveying a specific concrete meaning, but rather seeks to create new associations free from the constraints of conventional representation. Meanwhile, Frida Orupabo (Sarpsborg, Norway, 1986) whose works are often life-sized, merges historical photographs of enslaved women with others taken from eBay, Tumblr or Instagram: fragmented bodies, reconfigured to renegotiate the representation of African bodies, and to free them from cliche and stereotype. Ainda Que eu Ande pelo Mortifero Vale da Luz' [Though I Walk through the Deadly Valley of Light], 2021. Ventura Profana The monochromatic scenes of domestic life by Neo Matloga (Mamaila, South Africa, 1993) capture the daily life of the artists childhood. His dreams and imagination were shaped by the radio programs his parents would listen to, which narrated local dramas, familial and romantic conflicts, and the news of the day. Collage provides Matloga with a form to incorporate new contexts that deconstruct the images with which he starts out, allowing a displacement in time and space that produces a new kind of reality. The colorful still-life pieces of Daniel Gordon; the seductive visual universe of Sara Cwynar, where the old overlaps with the new, the analog with the digital, and the nostalgic with the futuristic; the enigmatic compositions of Simon Moretti, where the connections between knowledge, culture, memory and emotion are laid bare; the installations of the Chinese Guanyu Xu, considered a form of three-dimensional collage; and the sculptural projects of Canadian Erin Shirreff, which focus on the inevitable gap that arises between an object and its image; along with a long etcetera of authors, combine to complete this rich monograph that, in the words of its curator, Yuval Etgar, warns us that, at the end of the day, and despite the fact that we are constantly reminded that we live in the age of globalization, crossing borders is no simple matter. Vitamin C+: Collage in Contemporary Art. Phaidon Press. 304 pages. $69.95 USD Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Millions of Muslims from all over the world gather in one location, Makkah, to perform their religious duties during the Hajj season. As a result, irregular outbreaks of various diseases and conditions among the pilgrims are more common. Read More: Hajj 2023 to be the Best Hajj Organizational Operation of All Time Read More: You Can Now Get Zamzam Water Delivered to You During Hajj One of Islam's five pillars, the Hajj, is a once-in-a-lifetime responsibility for all healthy and able- Muslims to do if they have the means. Here are some important tips for staying safe and healthy during the Hajj season 2023. Queen Berengaria I of Castile (1180-1246) was also queen consort of the Kingdom of Leon by her marriage to Alfonso IX, but Pope Innocent III annulled the marriage seven years after the union and after five children had already been born. The reason given was that the spouses were first cousins once removed. Berengaria (known as Berenguela in Spanish) never got over the emotional and political blow that forced her to return to Castile and take refuge under the protection of her royal parents: Alfonso VIII, victor of the Battle of Navas de Tolosa, and Eleanor Plantagenet, daughter of King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, muse of the troubadours. A life, therefore, marked by the political and personal interests of others. For example, the Duke of Rothenburg, fifth son of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, became engaged to her when she was only nine years old, but finally broke off the agreement when he learned that Berengaria had a new brother (Henry I), which meant that the German aristocrat lost his possible dynastic rights through marriage. Shortly before her death, Berengaria decided to write her eventful story. Scholars Charo Garcia de Arriba and Miguel Angel Martin Mas have found where. It was encrypted and painted on the ceiling of the Real Convento de Santa Clara, in Salamanca, Spain. The convent was founded around 1238. Until now, it was believed that the one hundred and fifty or so emblems and heraldic coats of arms painted on the coffered ceiling were those of the citys most important families so that their generous patronage of the religious building would be remembered by posterity. But in the 18th century, the nuns of the Poor Clares decided to build a new church, and so the ceiling whose frieze was decorated with lions, birds, castles and coats of arms was hidden between a false vault and the convents roof. Fifty years ago, during construction work, the original ceiling was uncovered. The colorful ceiling can now be visited thanks to a system of walkways that allows you to see the decoration in detail. The accepted interpretation that these were heraldic elements of the city remained until Raul de Tapia Martin, biologist and director of the Tormes-EB Foundation, made it public that the bird represented several times on the coffered ceiling, a chough, was not typical of the Salamanca area, but rather of the mountainous areas of the Iberian Peninsula and the cliffs of the British Isles. And so a logical question arose: why would someone paint this particular bird in a church in Salamanca? Garcia de Arriba and Martin Mas began to weigh the options to justify the presence of the corvid. They realized that the chough is the emblem of St. Thomas Becket, whose assassination in 1170 was precipitated by Henry II of England, Berengarias grandfather. After the murder, the repentant king encouraged devotion to the saint, and entrusted this mission to his daughters and granddaughters in the places where they reigned. A kind of family penance. According to one legend, after the archbishops murder, a passing crow entered the cathedral and, landing on the corpse, dipped its beak and legs in blood, thus giving the chough its distinctive coloration. Therefore, the coat of arms of the city of Canterbury shows three choughs on a silver field and above them the golden lion of the Plantagenets on a field of gules (red). From there we began to discover that the coffered ceiling did not contain isolated coats of arms of the nobles from Salamanca, but that the whole thing told a story. What we saw was in keeping with the vicissitudes experienced by Queen Berengaria, the story of the chronicles was there, only it was told through images. The lions would mark the order of the pages to be read, explains Martin Mas. The castle of Alfonso VIII and the red-billed chough, emblem of the patron saint of the Angevin dynasty. Miguel Angel Martin Mas The ceiling, according to the two scholars, tells the story of Berengaria from 1204, the year her marriage to Alfonso IX was annulled, until 1245, the year before her death. Everything indicates, Garcia de Arriba says, that the queen herself came to Salamanca at the end of her life to tell her side of the story and reclaim her position as Queen of Leon, Lady of Salamanca and, above all, wife of Alfonso IX and mother of Ferdinand III the Saint, conqueror of Cordoba and Seville. We believe it to be something unique in the world. Among other things, heraldry is used to represent the struggle for the succession of the Kingdom of Leon, the death of Alfonso IX, the accession of Ferdinand III to the throne of Leon in 1230, and the death of his two wives: Beatrice of Swabia, who died in 1235 (her black eagle is transformed into a band to reflect her death), and Joan of Ponthieu, whose emblems reflect her grief at the loss of two of her five sons, the scholars note. There is also an emotional tribute to Berengarias grandmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, to whom the queen offers the Kingdom of Leon, fruit of the treaty of Benavente. Signed after the death of Alfonso IX, this pact dispossessed the daughters of his first wife (Teresa of Portugal) of their dynastic rights in favor of his son Ferdinand III. According to the scholars, the ceiling shows the queens advanced knowledge and education, as she makes use of icons to narrate the very personal circumstances of her life through emblems and coats of arms. It is heraldry that talks, in the broadest sense of the term. Emblem depicting the death of Queen Beatrix of Swabia, first wife of Ferdinand III. Miguel Angel Martin Mas Among the symbols used, the large number of different quartered emblems stands out, an innovation introduced to the Iberian Peninsula by Berengaria and a veiled representation of herself with ten different variants. She does so by following codes implicit in the medieval cliche of courtly love, which her grandmother loved so much. It is not a tribute to Queen Berengaria, but a tribute from her to the Kingdom of Leon, to her husband and maternal ancestry, to the empire raised by her grandmother Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen of England and prime mover in the so-called Angevin Empire, which included England, Ireland and western France. If you follow the itinerary marked by the lions on the roof, you can follow the chronology of historical events that Garcia de Arriba and Martin Mas detail exhaustively in a blog. Among them, the stormy struggle for the succession of the kingdom of Leon and the engagements and marriages of those involved. In fact, the struggle for the Leonese crown is told as a game of chess and a greyhound race. In addition, the rear frieze of the ceiling offers a tribute to the queens maternal lineage and the Angevin Empire of the Plantagenet family. Among the historical characters featured are the two widows of Ferdinand II of Leon (Urraca of Portugal and Urraca Lopez de Haro), Teresa of Portugal, Berengaria herself and her sister Mafalda, Violant of Aragon, and Alfonso X. Queen Berengaria was an extremely intelligent and capable woman, but one of many forgotten by history in favor of her husbands and sons. She sought peace between the Christian kingdoms, and thanks to her ambition and her extraordinary political skills, she united the kingdoms of Leon and Castile once and for all. All this she left written on the roof timbers of a convent. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Russia-appointed officials in Crimea said that a bridge between the Moscow-annexed peninsula and Russia-occupied areas in southern Ukraine was hit by missiles Thursday, threatening a key supply link to Russian forces amid the early stages of a Ukrainian counteroffensive. The Russian military has relied on the Chongar bridge as the principal connection to its forces in the Kherson region, part of which is controlled by Moscow. Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-appointed Kherson governor, said the bridge was hit by air-launched Storm Shadow missiles supplied by the U.K. Ukrainian authorities, who usually refrain from commenting on specific attacks, didnt directly claim responsibility for the strike, but spokeswoman Natalia Humeniuk for the Ukrainian militarys Southern Command emphasized the importance of derailing Russias logistics in televised comments. We are destroying enemy plans, destroying the enemys capability to stand up against us, she said. Russia-appointed officials in Crimea said that while it could take weeks to fully repair the bridge, traffic could continue on one lane and noted that two other crossings are also available. But despite those attempts to downplay the damage, the attack has hurt the Russian military logistics at a time when Ukranian forces are probing Russian defenses in the initial stages of a long-expected counteroffensive. Ukrainian authorities have said that for the war to end, Russia must withdraw its forces from Crimea that it illegally annexed in 2014 as well as from the areas that Moscow seized since launching the full-scale invasion 16 months ago. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu warned earlier this week that Ukraine was planning to use U.S.-made HIMARS and U.K.-provided Storm Shadow missiles to attack Russian territory, including Crimea. He warned that use of those missiles against targets outside the combat zone would trigger immediate strikes on the decision-making centers on the territory of Ukraine. But on Thursday, Shoigu sought to downplay the importance of West-supplied advanced weapons like the Storm Shadow missiles as he reported to Putin during a session of Russias Security Council. We understand that the quantity that will be delivered in 2023 and that has already been delivered will not significantly affect the course of hostilities, Shoigu said. Shoigu declared that Russian forces have successfully fended off Ukrainian attempts to break through Russian defenses as part of a counteroffensive that began earlier this month. He claimed that Ukrainian troops are now regrouping after suffering heavy losses, noting that the enemy still has forces to continue offensive operations. Shoigu said that the Russian military is forming additional reserves after drawing an additional 166,000 volunteer soldiers this year. That number tops 300,000 reservists who were mobilized on Putins order in the fall. Shoigu added that while the volunteers are highly motivated and eager to go to combat, the military doesnt need them yet and will continue training them for now. They will be pulled together under a single command, the minister said. Neither Putin, nor Shoigu made any mention of the attack on the Chongar bridge in their televised comments at the start of a security meeting. In the opening days of Russias February 2022 invasion, Russian troops from Crimea pushed north and quickly captured the entire Kherson province. Ukraine reclaimed the city of Kherson and other areas on the west bank of the Dnipro that bisects the province during its counteroffensive in the fall. Russia has continued to hold onto the east bank. The destruction of an upriver dam this month caused dozens of deaths and extensive flooding on both sides. Ukrainian commanders say it also got in the way of some of their plans for taking Russian positions in the area in the counteroffensives initial stages. Addressing the overall progress of the counteroffensive unfolding in Ukraines south and east, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Thursday that Ukraines army had advanced seven kilometers and retaken territory that included eight villages during the last two weeks. As the president of Ukraine said yesterday, the counteroffensive is not a Hollywood movie. Its not an easy walk, Shmyhal told reporters at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. The counteroffensive is a number of military operations. Sometimes its offensive, sometimes its defensive. Sometimes it could be tactical pauses. Unfortunately, during our preparation for this counteroffensive, Russians were preparing too. So there is so much minefields, which really make it slower. Shmyhal urged Ukraines Western allies to be patient, noting that Ukraine will proceed carefully in the high-stakes campaign. We will not bring our people into the fire of this war as Russians (are) doing. We will do very smart offensive operations and because of this it will take time, the prime minister said. We all should have patience and we will see results. The Crimean Peninsula is connected to mainland Ukraine by an isthmus about 9 kilometers (6 miles) wide and several bridges. An October truck bomb explosion on the 19-kilometer (12-mile) Kerch Bridge over a strait between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov caused its partial collapse. It took Russia months to repair the bridge, which is Europes longest and a symbol of Moscows claims on Crimea. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition 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, analysed 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 3 years. This figure remained unchanged, even when taking into account the different types and outcome of fertility treatment -- alongside 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 realise that they could conceive naturally following fertility treatment. advertisement This could lead to them becoming pregnant again quickly or when they aren't ready -- which 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 views -- by women and health professionals -- and 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 treatment -- equating to between 1% and 6% of all babies born per year in the developed world by 2020. advertisement In order to track the data more accurately and analyse 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." 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. Critical insights into why airborne viruses lose their infectivity have been uncovered by scientists at the University of Bristol. The findings, published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface today [21 June], reveal how cleaner air kills the virus significantly quicker and why opening a window may be more important than originally thought. The research could shape future mitigation strategies for new viruses. In the first study to measure differences in airborne stability of different variants of SARS-CoV-2 in inhalable particles, researchers from Bristol's School of Chemistry show that the virus has become less capable of surviving in the air as it has evolved from the original strain through to the 'Delta' variant. Dr Allen Haddrell, the study's lead author and Senior Research Associate in Bristol's School of Chemistry, explained: "Aerosol particles, exhaled when infected individuals breathe, speak or cough, can transmit viruses -- but how and why viruses lose infectivity once they are circulating around in these airborne particles has been widely debated." To conduct the research, the team used a next generation bioaerosol technology instrument that they developed called CELEBS (Controlled Electrodynamic Levitation and Extraction of Bioaerosols onto a Substrate), that allowed them to probe the survival of different SARS-CoV-2 variants in laboratory generated airborne particles that mimic exhaled aerosol. They examined how environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity, particle composition and the presence of acidic vapours such as nitric acid alter virus infectivity over a 40-minute period. Through manipulating the gaseous content of the air, the team confirmed that the aero-stability of the virus is controlled by the alkaline pH of the aerosol droplets containing the virus. Importantly, they describe how each of the SARS-CoV-2 variants has different stabilities while airborne, and that this stability is correlated with their sensitivities to alkaline pH conditions. The high pH of exhaled SARS-CoV-2 virus droplets is likely a major driver of the loss of infectiousness, so the less acid in the air, the more alkaline the droplet, the faster the virus dies. Opening a window may be more important than originally thought as fresh air with lower carbon dioxide, reduces acid content in the atmosphere and means the virus dies significantly quicker. Dr Haddrell added: "Our results indicate that the high pH of exhaled aerosol drives the loss of viral infectivity. So, any gas that affects aerosol pH may play a role in how long the virus remains infectious in the air. For example, bleach gives off acidic vapour that may increase SARS-CoV-2 stability in the aerosol phase. Conversely, ammonia which gives of alkaline vapour may have the opposite effect." The findings provide valuable insights into why and how aerosolised viruses lose their infectivity, setting the stage for the design of new strategies to mitigate risk. advertisement Jonathan Reid, Director of Bristol Aerosol Research Centre and Professor of Physical Chemistry in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol, and one of the corresponding authors, said: "There are numerous factors that affect the transmission of airborne viruses, and these are often confounded with physical and environmental parameters that can affect viral longevity in the aerosol phase such as temperature, relative humidity, air movement and UV light. "Our findings broaden our understanding of how environmental factors affect airborne stability of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses, which will help us design better safety and mitigation strategies to reduce disease transmission. We now intend to explore the role of pH further through studying the role that carbon dioxide has on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission." The research was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) rapid COVID-19 call, the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute (EBI), the University of Bristol and the PROTECT COVID-19 National Core Study on transmission and environment, managed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The distant ancestors of modern horses had hooved toes instead of a single hoof, which vanished over time, according to researchers. The animals, such as the Eocene Hyracotherium, had feet like those of a modern tapir: four toes in front and three behind, each individually hooved with an underlying foot pad. In contrast, modern equids such as horses, asses, and zebras, have only a single toe, the left over original third toe on each foot, encased in a thick-walled keratinous hoof, with an underlying triangular frog on the sole that acts as a shock absorber. An international team of scientists, from the UK, the US, and the Netherlands, analysed hoof prints and foot bones from modern horses and fossil records to discover what happened to the lost digits. Author Professor Christine Janis from the University of Bristol's School of Earth Sciences explained: "The upper portions -- the remains of the additional hand and foot bones -- remain as 'splint bones' fused with the remaining central one, but where are the fingers and toes?" "In later fossil horses there were only three toes front and back. The extra toes, known as side toes, in these horses were smaller and shorter than in a tapir, and likely did not touch the ground under normal circumstances, but they may have provided support in exceptional situations, such as sliding or forceful impact." In findings, published today in Royal Society Open Science, they confirm the older notion that these toes really have been completely lost in evolution, not somehow retained within the hoof, as proposed in another recent paper published in the same journal in 2018. advertisement Lead author Professor Alan Vincelette, of St. John's Seminary, Camarillo, California pointed out: "Although it does seem that remainders of the proximal (upper portions) of the side digits have been retained in modern horses, as the earlier 2018 paper claimed, the distal (lower portions, or toes) have simply been lost. The 2018 paper proposed that in modern horses these side toes are retained within the hoof of the central toe, in part contributing to the frog -- although there are no actual bones within the frog. This was partially based on an interpretation of the hoof prints of an extinct three-toed horse, Hipparion (not on the direct line to modern horses) from Laetoli in Tanzania 3.7 million years ago, the same site that yielded the famous foot prints of the hominid Australopithecus. These hoof prints apparently lacked a frog, and this added weight to the notion that the side toes of horses like Hipparion now contribute to the frog of modern horses. While not all hoof prints of modern horses with frogs record its presence, an undoubted frog can be seen in many hoof prints that are known to have been made by three-toed horses. These observations cast doubt on the notion that the frog of modern horse hooves formed out of the side toes of tridactyl equids. Author Professor Christine Janis from the University of Bristol's School of Earth Sciences said: "While the notion that modern horses have retained all of their original toes as within-hoof remnants is a novel one, and so rather appealing, it can be shown to be incorrect." Alan Vincelette added: "The frog of the horse's hoof evolved independently of the side toes as a unique structure providing shock absorption and traction during locomotion." The team also show that the feet of one-toed horses have a different shape from the main toe of the foot of three-toed horses, being round rather than oval, a difference that may be related to differences in weight distribution and/or ecological habitat. Paper: 'Hipparion tracks and horses' toes: the evolution of the equid single hoof' by Alan Vincelette, Christine Janis et al. in Royal Society Open Science. Vanderbilt researchers are part of a team that has developed a cutting-edge method that seeks to make the removal of salt from hypersaline industrial wastewater far more energy-efficient and cost-effective. While desalination through reverse osmosis has made tremendous strides -- allowing for salt removal from seawater for less than a penny per gallon -- it still falls short in eliminating saline in wastewater from industries like mining, oil and gas and power generation and in inland brackish water. The industrial brines are currently injected into deep geological formations or transferred to a evaporation ponds, and both disposal methods are facing more regulatory and environmental challenges. Zero liquid discharge and minimal liquid discharge, which use engineered treatment systems to eliminate brines or minimize brine volume, are already required in some countries for certain industries, and they are expected to become more widely adopted soon. Current ZLD/MLD treatments typically involve a technology called mechanical vapor compression, which generates heat from electricity to evaporate brines until the salt is all that remains. Because of the high capital and operating costs of MVC, these processes are unaffordable to many users. Associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and 2023 Chancellor Faculty Fellow Shihong Lin and his team, including researchers from Colorado State University, believe they have an answer to this dilemma. In a paper featured on the cover of the June 2023 issue of the journal Nature Water, Lin and his colleagues describe a novel brine treatment technology called electrodialytic crystallization that has the potential to reduce the energy consumption and cost of brine crystallization. The fundamental principle of EDC, according to the researchers, is like electrodialysis, a process that has been used in various industries for desalination and brine concentration. In ED, an electric field is applied to pull ions through ion exchange membranes. By placing different types of IEMs in a certain way, ED can produce streams of deionized water and streams of concentrated brine. With some configuration changes to that process, the researchers say EDC keeps the brine within the integrated system and uses an electric field to induce salt crystallization without using costly evaporation methods. "The elimination of evaporation is the key to developing potentially energy efficient brine crystallization processes," according to the paper. One major technical challenge is that when certain ions transport through the IEMs, they drag too much water across and reduce the effectiveness of the process in concentrating the brine stream. This phenomenon, called electro-osmosis, prevents some salts from being crystallized out effectively. The researchers said that better membrane design and optimized operation can potentially address this challenge and make EDC more universally applicable. Nevertheless, for the salts that EDC can handle, the team performed a preliminary analysis and showed that EDC coupled with reverse osmosis can potentially consume much less energy than MVC for brine crystallization. Earlier this year, Lin, who is also associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, was awarded a Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize by the American Society of Civil Engineers for his contributions to the field of water separation and resource sustainability. Twistronics isn't a new dance move, exercise equipment, or new music fad. No, it's much cooler than any of that. It is an exciting new development in quantum physics and material science where van der Waals materials are stacked on top of each other in layers, like sheets of paper in a ream that can easily twist and rotate while remaining flat, and quantum physicists have used these stacks to discover intriguing quantum phenomena. Adding the concept of quantum spin with twisted double bilayers of an antiferromagnet, it is possible to have tunable moire magnetism. This suggests a new class of material platform for the next step in twistronics: spintronics. This new science could lead to promising memory and spin-logic devices, opening the world of physics up to a whole new avenue with spintronic applications. A team of quantum physics and materials researchers at Purdue University has introduced the twist to control the spin degree of freedom, using CrI 3 , an interlayer-antiferromagnetic-coupled van der Waals (vdW) material, as their medium. They have published their findings, "Electrically tunable moire magnetism in twisted double bilayers of chromium triiodide," in Nature Electronics. "In this study, we fabricated twisted double bilayer CrI 3 , that is, bilayer plus bilayer with a twist angle between them," says Dr. Guanghui Cheng, co-lead author of the publication. "We report moire magnetism with rich magnetic phases and significant tunability by the electrical method." The team, mostly from Purdue, has two equal-contributing lead authors: Dr. Guanghui Cheng and Mohammad Mushfiqur Rahman. Cheng was a postdoc in Dr. Yong P. Chen's group at Purdue University and is now an Assistant Professor in Advanced Institute for Material Research (AIMR, where Chen is also affiliated as a principal investigator) at Tohoku University. Mohammad Mushfiqur Rahman is a PhD student in Dr. Pramey Upadhyaya's group. Both Chen and Upadhyaya are corresponding authors of this publication and are professors at Purdue University. Chen is the Karl Lark-Horovitz Professor of Physics and Astronomy, a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the Director of Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute. Upadhyaya is an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Other Purdue-affiliated team members include Andres Llacsahuanga Allcca (PhD student), Dr. Lina Liu (postdoc), and Dr. Lei Fu (postdoc) from Chen's group, Dr. Avinash Rustagi (postdoc) from Upadhyaya's group and Dr. Xingtao Liu (former research assistant at Birck Nanotechnology Center). "We stacked and twisted an antiferromagnet onto itself and voila got a ferromagnet," says Chen. "This is also a striking example of the recently emerged area of 'twisted' or moire magnetism in twisted 2D materials, where the twisting angle between the two layers gives a powerful tuning knob and changes the material property dramatically." "To fabricate twisted double bilayer CrI 3 , we tear up one part of bilayer CrI 3 , rotate and stack onto the other part, using the so-called tear-and-stack technique," explains Cheng. "Through magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) measurement, which is a sensitive tool to probe magnetic behavior down to a few atomic layers, we observed the coexistence of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic orders, which is the hallmark of moire magnetism, and further demonstrated voltage-assisted magnetic switching. Such a moire magnetism is a novel form of magnetism featuring spatially varying ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases, alternating periodically according to the moire superlattice." Twistronics up to this point have mainly focused on modulating electronic properties, such as twisted bilayer graphene. The Purdue team wanted to introduce the twist to spin degree of freedom and chose to use CrI 3 , an interlayer-antiferromagnetic-coupled vdW material. The result of stacked antiferromagnets twisting onto itself was made possible by having fabricated samples with different twisting angles. In other words, once fabricated, the twist angle of each device becomes fixed, and then MOKE measurements are performed. advertisement Theoretical calculations for this experiment were performed by Upadhyaya and his team. This provided strong support for the observations arrived at by Chen's team. "Our theoretical calculations have revealed a rich phase diagram with non-collinear phases of TA-1DW, TA-2DW, TS-2DW, TS-4DW, etc.," says Upadhyaya. This research folds into an ongoing research avenue by Chen's team. This work follows several related recent publications by the team related to novel physics and properties of "2D magnets," such as "Emergence of electric-field-tunable interfacial ferromagnetism in 2D antiferromagnet heterostructures," which was recently published in Nature Communications. This research avenue has exciting possibilities in the field of twistronics and spintronics. "The identified moire magnet suggests a new class of material platform for spintronics and magnetoelectronics," says Chen. "The observed voltage-assisted magnetic switching and magnetoelectric effect may lead to promising memory and spin-logic devices. As a novel degree of freedom, the twist can be applicable to the vast range of homo/heterobilayers of vdW magnets, opening the opportunity to pursue new physics as well as spintronic applications." If you've ever thought you may be running a temperature yet couldn't find a thermometer, you aren't alone. A fever is the most commonly cited symptom of COVID-19 and an early sign of many other viral infections. For quick diagnoses and to prevent viral spread, a temperature check can be crucial. Yet accurate at-home thermometers aren't commonplace, despite the rise of telehealth consultations. There are a few potential reasons for that. The devices can range from $15 to $300, and many people need them only a few times a year. In times of sudden demand -- such as the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic -- thermometers can sell out. Many people, particularly those in under-resourced areas, can end up without a vital medical device when they need it most. To address this issue, a team led by researchers at the University of Washington has created an app called FeverPhone, which transforms smartphones into thermometers without adding new hardware. Instead, it uses the phone's touchscreen and repurposes the existing battery temperature sensors to gather data that a machine learning model uses to estimate people's core body temperatures. When the researchers tested FeverPhone on 37 patients in an emergency department, the app estimated core body temperatures with accuracy comparable to some consumer thermometers. The team published its findings March 28 in Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies. "In undergrad, I was doing research in a lab where we wanted to show that you could use the temperature sensor in a smartphone to measure air temperature," said lead author Joseph Breda, a UW doctoral student in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering. "When I came to the UW, my adviser and I wondered how we could apply a similar technique for health. We decided to measure fever in an accessible way. The primary concern with temperature isn't that it's a difficult signal to measure; it's just that people don't have thermometers." The app is the first to use existing phone sensors and screens to estimate whether people have fevers. It needs more training data to be widely used, Breda said, but for doctors, the potential of such technology is exciting. "People come to the ER all the time saying, 'I think I was running a fever.' And that's very different than saying 'I was running a fever,'" said Dr. Mastafa Springston, a co-author on the study and a UW clinical instructor at the Department of Emergency Medicine in the UW School of Medicine. "In a wave of influenza, for instance, people running to the ER can take five days, or even a week sometimes. So if people were to share fever results with public health agencies through the app, similar to how we signed up for COVID exposure warnings, this earlier sign could help us intervene much sooner." Clinical-grade thermometers use tiny sensors known as thermistors to estimate body temperature. Off-the-shelf smartphones also happen to contain thermistors; they're mostly used to monitor the temperature of the battery. But the UW researchers realized they could use these sensors to track heat transfer between a person and a phone. The phone touchscreen could sense skin-to-phone contact, and the thermistors could gauge the air temperature and the rise in heat when the phone touched a body. advertisement To test this idea, the team started by gathering data in a lab. To simulate a warm forehead, the researchers heated a plastic bag of water with a sous-vide machine and pressed phone screens against the bag. To account for variations in circumstances, such as different people using different phones, the researchers tested three phone models. They also added accessories such as a screen protector and a case and changed the pressure on the phone. The researchers used the data from different test cases to train a machine learning model that used the complex interactions to estimate body temperature. Since the sensors are supposed to gauge the phone's battery heat, the app tracks how quickly the phone heats up and then uses the touchscreen data to account for how much of that comes from a person touching it. As they added more test cases, the researchers were able to calibrate the model to account for the variations in things such as phone accessories. Then the team was ready to test the app on people. The researchers took FeverPhone to the UW School of Medicine's Emergency Department for a clinical trial where they compared its temperature estimates against an oral thermometer reading. They recruited 37 participants, 16 of whom had at least a mild fever. To use FeverPhone, the participants held the phones like point-and-shoot cameras -- with forefingers and thumbs touching the corner edges to reduce heat from the hands being sensed (some had the researcher hold the phone for them). Then participants pressed the touchscreen against their foreheads for about 90 seconds, which the researchers found to be the ideal time to sense body heat transferring to the phone. Overall, FeverPhone estimated patient core body temperatures with an average error of about 0.41 degrees Fahrenheit (0.23 degrees Celsius), which is in the clinically acceptable range of 0.5 C. The researchers have highlighted a few areas for further investigation. The study didn't include participants with severe fevers above 101.5 F (38.6 C), because these temperatures are easy to diagnose and because sweaty skin tends to confound other skin-contact thermometers, according to the team. Also, FeverPhone was tested on only three phone models. Training it to run on other smartphones, as well as devices such as smartwatches, would increase its potential for public health applications, the teamsaid. "We started with smartphones since they're ubiquitous and easy to get data from," Breda said. "I am already working on seeing if we can get a similar signal with a smartwatch. What's nice, because watches are much smaller, is their temperature will change more quickly. So you could imagine having a user put a Fitbit to their forehead and measure in 10 seconds whether they have a fever or not." Shwetak Patel, a UW professor in the Allen School and the electrical and computer engineering department, was a senior author on the paper, and Alex Mariakakis, an assistant professor in the University of Toronto's computer science department, was a co-author. This research was supported by the University of Washington Gift Fund. A University of California, Irvine-led team of researchers have 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, PhD, 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 preclinical and clinical studies. advertisement "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 preclinical 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). This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. 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 cubesats, small, shoebox-sized devices launched into low Earth orbit, are 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. 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 nonurban 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 nonurban 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. advertisement "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 imagery -- for growing seasons from 2018 to 2020 -- covering 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, which has published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, was conducted on trees in D.C., Alonzo said the findings apply to other urban, nonurban 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. Fifteen years of archaeological work in the Tam Pa Ling cave in northeastern Laos has yielded a reliable chronology of early human occupation of the site, scientists report in the journal Nature Communications. The team's excavations through the layers of sediments and bones that gradually washed into the cave and were left untouched for tens of thousands of years reveals that humans lived in the area for at least 70,000 years -- and likely even longer. "When we first started excavating the cave, we never expected to find humans in that region," said University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign anthropology professor Laura Shackelford, who led the research with Fabrice Demeter, a professor of anthropology at the University of Copenhagen. "But beginning that first season when we started work there, we found our first modern humans. At the time, that made them the only early modern human fossils in the region." While the remains of modern Homo sapiens dating back roughly 197,000 years have been recovered in Israel, genetic studies suggest the main phase of early human migration out of Africa and into Asia occurred much later -- around 50,000 years ago, Shackelford said. Her team's earliest excavations in Tam Pa Ling found bone fragments from modern human remains dating to about 40,000 years ago. But as the excavations dug deeper, the age of sediments and animal remains found alongside human bones dated back much earlier. In 2019, the team had excavated as far as they could in the cave, reaching bedrock about 23 feet (7 meters) below the surface. The excavations yielded dozens of animal bones and many fragments of human skeletal remains. The deepest human bone recovered -- a partial tibia -- was resting on bedrock near the bottom of the trench. Analyses of sediments taken not far above this bone indicate the soil was deposited there between 67,000 and 90,000 years ago. "The entire section of the trench goes from about 30,000 years ago to 80,000 to 100,000 years ago," Shackelford said. "Flood season after flood season, the sediments and bones washed into the cave and were deposited. They've been sitting there ever since." The team used a variety of techniques to date the sediments and nonhuman mammal bones found at different depths in the cave. For the soil samples, the researchers relied primarily on a technique called optically stimulated luminescence, which reveals how much time has elapsed since sediments were last exposed to light. Numerous soil samples were collected from the cave in total darkness and taken back to the laboratory for analysis. The researchers used several other techniques to date the soils, human and animal bones and teeth found at different depths in the trench. advertisement The human remains were fragmentary, but the site yielded two pieces of skull -- both from the frontal region of the head -- one of which dated to about 35,000 years ago and the other much older, dating to roughly 67,000 years ago, Shackelford said. At first, a comparison of the physical characteristics of the fossils baffled the researchers, Shackelford said. "What we saw was that the youngest fossils, the first ones we found, looked old," she said. "And the oldest fossils that we found at the very bottom looked younger. It was the opposite of what we would expect to find because as you get deeper in time, you think of things becoming more archaic, more like ancestral populations." There are two potential explanations for the differences between the older and younger fossils, Shackelford said. One, the older fossil may be from an ancestral population that had more modern characteristics than their descendants, who interbred with people with more archaic features. The other possibility is that the two skulls represent two distinct migrations into the region. "We don't know how they're related, but we have two very different looking groups of humans," Shackelford said. "The older fossil was most likely part of an early migration -- a failed migration because it did not give rise to people who are still alive today." The team was unable to extract viable DNA from the human remains, a common problem in studies of ancient remains from tropical sites, Shackelford said. "I think the only way to settle our questions is with genetic data," she said. The team is preserving the human fossils in a freezer in the hopes that more refined DNA extraction and analysis techniques will one day yield more answers. The National Geographic Society supported this research. US President Joe Biden and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak during a joint press conferences in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on June 22, 2023. President Joe Biden emphasized the power of democracies on Thursday as he hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, boasting of the collaborations between the two nations on nearly every human endeavor while stressing that universal human rights remain vital to the success of both the U.S. and India. In a news conference Thursday, Biden called the relationship between the U.S. and India among the most consequential in the world, that is stronger, closer and more dynamic than at any time in history. He underscored how two of the worlds most powerful democracies were cooperating on issues such as the climate, health care and space, saying that the U.S-India economic relationship was booming. On the issues that matter most that will define the future, our nations look to one another including on critical regional and global issues, Biden said in his opening remarks. But standing alongside Modi, who has come under criticism from human rights advocates, Biden also emphasized that press, religious and other fundamental freedoms should be at the core of how both democracies operate. During their Oval Office meeting, Biden said, he and Modi had a good discussion about democratic values while Modi said theres absolutely no space for discrimination when pressed about his own commitment on human rights. Democracy is our spirit, Modi said through an interpreter. Democracy runs in our veins. We live democracy and our ancestors have actually put words to this concept. He said India has proved that democracies can deliver and when I say deliver, this is regardless of class, creed, religion. The two leaders were devoting Modis state visit Thursday to launching new partnerships in defense, semiconductor manufacturing and more sectors as they look to strengthen their countries crucial albeit complicated relationship. Thousands gathered on the White House South Lawn for the welcoming ceremony, listening to performances by violinist Vibha Janakiraman and the a cappella group Penn Masala. As Modi arrived, the crowd including many members of the Indian diaspora broke out in a chant of Modi, Modi, Modi. All eyes are on the two largest democracies in the world, India and America, Modi said as the leaders met in the Oval Office. I believe that our strategic partnership is important. Im confident that working together will be successful. At the earlier welcoming ceremony, Biden said he believes the U.S.-India relationship will be one of the defining relationships of the 21st century. Since Ive become president, weve continued to build a relationship built on mutual trust, candor and respect. But as Biden fetes Modi, human rights advocates and some U.S. lawmakers are questioning the Democratic presidents decision to offer the high honor to a leader whose nine-year tenure over the worlds biggest democracy has seen a backslide in political, religious and press freedoms. Biden administration officials say honoring Modi, the leader of the conservative Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, is Diplomacy 101. The U.S.-India relationship will be vital in coming decades as both sides navigate an ascendant China and the enormity of climate change, artificial intelligence, supply chain resilience and other issues. Still, Biden said at the start of his Oval Office meeting with Modi that he wanted the partnership to be grounded on democracy, human rights, freedom and the rule of law. Among the announcements to be made Thursday is an agreement that will allow U.S.-based General Electric to partner with India-based Hindustan Aeronautics to produce jet engines for Indian aircraft in India and the sale of U.S.-made armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones, according to senior Biden administration officials. The officials briefed reporters on condition of anonymity to preview agreements before they are announced. The Biden administration also is coming out with plans to bolster Indias semiconductor industry. U.S.-based Micron Technology has agreed to build a $2.75 billion semiconductor assembly and test facility in India, with Micron spending $800 million and India financing the rest. U.S.-based Applied Materials is announcing it will launch a new semiconductor center for commercialization and innovation in India, and Lam Research, another semiconductor manufacturing equipment company, will start a training program for 60,000 Indian engineers. On the space front, India will sign on to the the Artemis Accords, a blueprint for space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASAs lunar exploration plans. NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization also agreed to make a joint mission to the International Space Station next year. We made critical and emerging technologies the pillar of our next generation partnership to ensure these technologies promote and protect our values, remain open, accessible, trusted and secure, Biden added. All this matters for America, for India and for the world. The State Department will also announce plans to open consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, while India will reopen its consulate in Seattle. At the welcoming ceremony, Modi called the Indian diaspora in America the millions of immigrants and their children from the subcontinent living in the U.S. the real strength of the U.S.-India relationship. He said the honor of a formal state visit the first in the U.S. for India since Barack Obama honored Modis predecessor, Manmohan Singh, in 2009 reflected the positive impact Indians are having worldwide. Modi, the son of a tea seller who rose to be Indias premier, also recalled that the first time he visited the White House was three decades ago as a common man. I have come here many times but today for the first time, the doors of the White House have been opened for the Indian American community in such large numbers, Modi said to an estimated crowd of 7,000. Despite the major deals, the visit will be shadowed by concerns laid out by rights activists and lawmakers who question Modis commitment to democratic principles. Modi has faced criticism over legislation amending the countrys citizenship law that fast-tracks naturalization 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. In 2005, the U.S. revoked Modis visa to the U.S., citing concerns that, as chief minister of Gujarat, he did not act to stop communal violence during 2002 anti-Muslim riots that left more than 1,000 people dead. An investigation approved by the Indian Supreme Court later absolved Modi, but the stain of the dark moment has lingered. A group of more than 70 lawmakers wrote to Biden this week urging him to raise concerns about the erosion of religious, press and political freedoms during the visit. Biden and Modi have also had differences over Russias war in Ukraine. India abstained from voting on U.N. resolutions condemning Russia and refused to join the global coalition against Russia. Since the start of the war, the Modi government has also dramatically increased its purchase of Russian oil. White House officials note that there are signs of change in Indias relationship with Russia, which has long been New Delhis biggest defense supplier. India is moving away from Russian military equipment, looking more to the U.S., Israel, Britain and other nations. Modi recently met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and has spoken out about his worries about the potential use of nuclear weapons by Russia. State visits typically are reserved for Americas closest allies, but they also have been used in the past as a carrot to try to strengthen relationships with countries with which the United States has had complicated relationships. Modis busy itinerary on Thursday also includes an address to Congress and a lavish White House state dinner. Modi, who hasnt taken part in a formal press conference in years, agreed to participate in one with Biden. Typically, state visits include a news conference in which the leaders take questions from two members of the U.S. press and two from the visiting press corps. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Under certain conditions -- usually exceedingly cold ones -- some materials shift their structure to unlock new, superconducting behavior. This structural shift is known as a "nematic transition," and physicists suspect that it offers a new way to drive materials into a superconducting state where electrons can flow entirely friction-free. But what exactly drives this transition in the first place? The answer could help scientists improve existing superconductors and discover new ones. Now, MIT physicists have identified the key to how one class of superconductors undergoes a nematic transition, and it's in surprising contrast to what many scientists had assumed. The physicists made their discovery studying iron selenide (FeSe), a two-dimensional material that is the highest-temperature iron-based superconductor. The material is known to switch to a superconducting state at temperatures as high as 70 kelvins (close to -300 degrees Fahrenheit). Though still ultracold, this transition temperature is higher than that of most superconducting materials. The higher the temperature at which a material can exhibit superconductivity, the more promising it can be for use in the real world, such as for realizing powerful electromagnets for more precise and lightweight MRI machines or high-speed, magnetically levitating trains. For those and other possibilities, scientists will first need to understand what drives a nematic switch in high-temperature superconductors like iron selenide. In other iron-based superconducting materials, scientists have observed that this switch occurs when individual atoms suddenly shift their magnetic spin toward one coordinated, preferred magnetic direction. But the MIT team found that iron selenide shifts through an entirely new mechanism. Rather than undergoing a coordinated shift in spins, atoms in iron selenide undergo a collective shift in their orbital energy. It's a fine distinction, but one that opens a new door to discovering unconventional superconductors. advertisement "Our study reshuffles things a bit when it comes to the consensus that was created about what drives nematicity," says Riccardo Comin, the Class of 1947 Career Development Associate Professor of Physics at MIT. "There are many pathways to get to unconventional superconductivity. This offers an additional avenue to realize superconducting states." Comin and his colleagues will publish their results in a study appearing in Nature Materials. Co-authors at MIT include Connor Occhialini, Shua Sanchez, and Qian Song, along with Gilberto Fabbris, Yongseong Choi, Jong-Woo Kim, and Philip Ryan at Argonne National Laboratory. Following the thread The word "nematicity" stems from the Greek word "nema,"meaning "thread" -- for instance, to describe the thread-like body of the nematode worm. Nematicity is also used to describe conceptual threads, such as coordinated physical phenomena. For instance, in the study of liquid crystals, nematic behavior can be observed when molecules assemble in coordinated lines. In recent years, physicists have used nematicity to describe a coordinated shift that drives a material into a superconducting state. Strong interactions between electrons cause the material as a whole to stretch infinitesimally, like microscopic taffy, in one particular direction that allows electrons to flow freely in that direction. The big question has been what kind of interaction causes the stretching. In some iron-based materials, this stretching seems to be driven by atoms that spontaneously shift their magnetic spins to point in the same direction. Scientists have therefore assumed that most iron-based superconductors make the same, spin-driven transition. But iron selenide seems to buck this trend. The material, which happens to transition into a superconducting state at the highest temperature of any iron-based material, also seems to lack any coordinated magnetic behavior. advertisement "Iron selenide has the least clear story of all these materials," says Sanchez, who is an MIT postdoc and NSF MPS-Ascend Fellow. "In this case, there's no magnetic order. So,understanding the origin of nematicity requires looking very carefully at how the electrons arrange themselves around the iron atoms, and what happens as those atoms stretch apart." A super continuum In their new study, the researchers worked with ultrathin, millimeter-long samples of iron selenide, which they glued to a thin strip of titanium. They mimicked the structural stretching that occurs during a nematic transition by physically stretching the titanium strip, which in turn stretched the iron selenide samples. As they stretched the samples by a fraction of a micron at a time, they looked for any properties that shifted in a coordinated fashion. Using ultrabright X-rays, the team tracked how the atoms in each sample were moving, as well as how each atom's electrons were behaving. After a certain point, they observed a definite, coordinated shift in the atoms' orbitals. Atomic orbitals are essentially energy levels that an atom's electrons can occupy. In iron selenide, electrons can occupy one of two orbital states around an iron atom. Normally, the choice of which state to occupy is random. But the team found that as they stretched the iron selenide, its electrons began to overwhelmingly prefer one orbital state over the other. This signaled a clear, coordinated shift, along with a new mechanism of nematicity, and superconductivity. "What we've shown is that there are different underlying physics when it comes to spin versus orbital nematicity, and there's going to be a continuum of materials that go between the two," says Occhialini, an MIT graduate student. "Understanding where you are on that landscape will be important in looking for new superconductors." This research was supported by the Department of Energy, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the National Science Foundation. Moms for Liberty completely misrepresented in column I am responding to the column by Tyler ONeil of The Heritage Foundation published in the June 14 Naperville Sun. Mr. ONeil is entitled to his opinion but not to lies. In his column, Mr. ONeil fails to mention that The Heritage Foundation funds Moms for Liberty (M4L) or his vested interest in attacking the Southern Poverty Law Center. It is false to say M4L is grassroots, or homeschooling moms. Advertisement M4L co-founder Bridget Ziegler works for the Leadership Institute founded by Council for National Policy, a strategy and funding organization for the Christian Right that uses the doctrine of religious liberty to construct a Bible-based social, political, and religious order which denies the religious liberty of (their) enemies. (Cohn, June 2023) ONeil claims M4L is plotted alongside the KKK. False. M4L is listed as an anti-student inclusion movement/anti-government extremist group. M4L has repeatedly attacked public school boards, libraries, teachers, and health care providers. Advertisement ONeil claims M4L is a parental rights movement working for the protection of children. Not all children. Marisa Fuentes of Rutgers said, The language of protection of children is code for White children should not be made to know how they benefit from centuries of violence, theft of land, and slavery. Virulently anti-LGBTQ, M4L is particularly vicious to transgender people and those who love and care for them. M4L uses the terms groomers, child mutilation advocates, leftists and Marxists. M4L uses propaganda to reframe race, gender, and sexuality as race hustling, pedophilia and pornography. M4L groups (including the Naperville chapter) claim nonpartisanship but they are deeply funded, extreme-right political action groups. If the Moms are the foot soldiers for theocracy, todays GOP are the Christian Rights generals. Millions understood M4Ls hate before Southern Poverty Law Center had a say. It is disappointing the Naperville Sun would publish this opinion. Karen V. Peck, Naperville Council missed its chance to do a lot of community good Naperville Sun Twice-weekly News updates from the Naperville area delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > The Naperville City Council could have done so much for so many organizations and people in Naperville by distributing its $13.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to groups that can help people instead of using it for capital improvement projects. It could have been used for mental health treatment programs, food pantries, DuPage Pads, small businesses. There are so many worthwhile organizations. Meanwhile, the Dupage County Board gives $500,000 to food pantries. Advertisement Our city council had the opportunity to do so much for so many. Charles Brown, Naperville Share your views Submit letters to the editor via email to suburbanletters@tribpub.com. Please include your name and town of residence for publication. Please include phone number and email address for confirmation. Letters should be no more than 250 to 300 words. 'Wall Street Journal' reporter Evan Gershkovich stands in a glass cage in a courtroom at the Moscow City Court in Moscow, Russia, on June 22, 2023. A Moscow court on Thursday ruled that Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich must remain in jail on espionage charges until at least late August, rejecting the American journalists appeal to be released. The 31-year-old U.S. citizen was arrested in late March while on a reporting trip. A Moscow court ruled last month to keep him in custody until Aug. 30, but his lawyers had challenged the decision. Gershkovich, wearing a black T-shirt and light blue jeans, looked tense and paced inside a glass defendants cage while waiting for the hearing to begin at the Moscow City Court. Then other journalists in the courtroom were asked to leave, and the proceedings took place behind closed doors. The ruling was broadcast to reporters, who watched it on two large TV screens in a separate room in the courthouse. While waiting for the judge, Gershkovich smiled and chatted with his parents, who were present. U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy also attended. Evan continued to show remarkable strength and resiliency in these very difficult circumstances, she told reporters afterward. Tracy said she was extremely disappointed by the ruling, reiterating that Gershkovich was an innocent journalist and Russias charges against him were baseless. Such hostage diplomacy is unacceptable, and we call on the Russian Federation to release him, she said. The Wall Street Journal said in a statement after the hearing that Gershkovich has been wrongfully detained for more than 12 weeks for nothing more than doing his job as a journalist, and it again called for his immediate release. Gershkovich and his employer have denied the allegations, and the U.S. government has declared him to be wrongfully detained. His arrest in the city of Yekaterinburg rattled journalists in Russia, where authorities have not detailed what, if any, evidence they have to support the espionage charges. Gershkovich is being held at Moscows Lefortovo prison, which is notorious for its harsh conditions. Tracy said the U.S. Embassy was denied consular access to Gershkovich on three occasions since she last visited him in jail in April. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters the ministry is considering another visit request from the embassy. Analysts have pointed out that Moscow may be using jailed Americans as bargaining chips in soaring U.S.-Russian tensions over the Kremlins military operation in Ukraine. At least two U.S. citizens arrested in Russia in recent years including WNBA star Brittney Griner have been exchanged for Russians jailed in the U.S. Ryabkov has cautioned, however, that the possibility of a swap in Gershkovichs case could only be considered after a court delivers its verdict. Prominent lawyers who worked on espionage cases told The Associated Press that the investigation alone could take up to 18 months. Gershkovich is the first American reporter to be arrested on espionage charges in Russia since September 1986, when Nicholas Daniloff, a Moscow correspondent for U.S. News and World Report, was arrested by the KGB. Daniloff was released without charge 20 days later in a swap for an employee of the Soviet Unions U.N. mission who was arrested by the FBI, also on spying charges. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Michael Wayne Williams, an investment adviser formerly registered with the State of Georgia and currently residing in Miami, Florida, and two businesses controlled by him, Highguard Capital, LP, and Guardian Opportunity Management, LP, with conducting a multipart offering fraud. The SEC's complaint alleges that, between February 2016 and July 2017, Williams and Highguard Capital sold more than $1.8 million of securities interests to investors in Guardian Opportunity Management, which he described as the investment manager of Guardian Opportunity Fund, a private fund that he was starting. The complaint further alleges that Williams fraudulently represented that investors' money would be used to launch and grow the Guardian Opportunity Fund, but instead diverted a large portion of their invested funds to repay investors in three prior funds that he was closing. The complaint also states that, between March 2016 and at least October 2022, Williams and Guardian Opportunity Management solicited and obtained at least $16 million from investors using false performance returns. Finally, the complaint states that, in February 2021, Williams and Highguard Capital fraudulently sold over $1 million of securities interests in Guardian Opportunity Management to a Mississippi woman, telling her that the funds would be used to grow the Guardian Opportunity Fund when, in fact, Williams diverted her money to repay earlier Guardian Opportunity Management investors. The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, charges Williams, Guardian Opportunity Management, and Highguard Capital, with violating Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. The complaint further charges Williams and Guardian Opportunity Management with violating Section 206(4) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rule 206(4)-8 thereunder. The SEC seeks permanent injunctive relief, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, and civil penalties against each defendant. The SEC's investigation was conducted by Elizabeth P. Skola, Micheal D. Watson, and Tiffany B. Kunkle, and was supervised by Stephen E. Donahue and Justin C. Jeffries, all of the Atlanta Regional Office. Terrence Moran of the Division of Examinations in the Chicago Regional Office and Howard Kaplan and Brian Shute of the Enforcement Division's Office Investigative and Market Analytics assisted in the investigation. The litigation will be led by Paul Kim and supervised by M. Graham Loomis. The litigation is pending as to all parties. The colonial past of the Netherlands is on the political agenda on the eve of the 150th anniversary of the emancipation of the Surinamese slaves. Cornelius Gerhard Anton de Kom (1898-1945), a Surinamese author and activist who was the first to write about his country from an anti-colonial point of view, was recognized this week by the Dutch government. Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra apologized to the descendants of the freedom fighter, who also fought in the resistance against the Nazi occupation, for the suffering that both the author and his family endured at the hands of the authorities. De Kom was labeled a danger to the state in 1932 and died in the Sandbostel German prisoner-of-war camp in 1945. The Dutch government also announced the creation of a chair in his name at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He was a courageous man who fought for justice, equality and humanity, Hoekstra said. Two of his children, Ad and Judith, aged 96 and 92, respectively, have now been able to witness the authorities acknowledge that, nearly a century ago, their father was persecuted. He was imprisoned and, despite everything, he gave his life by joining the resistance during the war, the minister admitted. De Kom was arrested in 1944 for writing in the communist newspaper De Vonk and ended up at Stalag X-B in Sandbostel, a camp for civilian and military prisoners. He died there in April 1945, shortly before its liberation by Allied troops. His body was identified in 1960 in a mass grave and reinterred at the National Cemetery of Honours. In 1982, he was posthumously awarded the Dutch Cross of Resistance. In recent years, his story has gained greater interest due to the Black Lives Matter movement and the debate on racism. For his family, the Dutch governments decision marks a historic moment because it acknowledges the courage, vision and tireless commitment of a man who fought all his life for freedom and equality, against the spirit of the times, they said in a statement. They also hope it will contribute to creating a more just society in which we dare to confront our colonial past. A government-commissioned investigation noted that the former Dutch republic consciously based its global expansion on the exploitation of human beings. According to the same report, the House of Orange, from which the current Dutch monarchy descends, earned the equivalent of $590 million from their control of overseas colonies, which included slavery. A hero of the resistance De Kom was added to the Canon of the Netherlands, which forms the basis for the school curriculum, in 2020. He is presented as an anti-colonial writer, activist and hero of the resistance. His book, Wij slaven van Suriname (We Slaves of Suriname), written in 1934, is a cry against racism, exploitation, and colonial rule. It was also the first historical work about his home country written by a Surinamese and a precursor to many others of the same tone. The Canon itself includes The Black Jacobins (1938) by C.L.R. James, the Trinidad and Tobago-born African-American Marxist thinker and historian, which recounts the slave revolt in the French colony of Saint-Domingue in 1791, which led to the creation of Haiti. Cornelius Gerhard Anton de Kom was born in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, in 1898. His father had been born on a plantation in the east of the country shortly before the abolition of slavery in 1863. Despite holding a degree in accounting, De Kom was unable to find work due to racism and decided to try his luck in the Netherlands. He arrived in 1921 and found a position as a coffee and tea merchant. In 1926, he married Petronella Borsboom, a white Dutch woman with whom he had four children. Mixed marriages were uncommon at the time, but the family settled down and De Kom began to write. Disheartened at how little was known in the Netherlands about the countrys colonial past and slavery, he took to publishing politically critical articles and joined the Communist party. In 1932, he returned to Suriname shortly before the death of his mother, where he was censored and harassed by the colonial authorities. In view of the obstacles imposed against Surinamese, he opened a consulting firm to help exploited workers. In February 1933, when he was already known as Papa De Kom, he was arrested for fear of sparking riots. He was jailed without trial and exiled to the Netherlands, where he wrote his famous book. Since the independence of Suriname in 1975, De Koms relevance has been increasingly acknowledged and he is now considered a national hero. The chair named after him, which will be inaugurated for the 2023-2024 academic year, will focus on the study of the Netherlands slave-owning past and its repercussions in the present. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Zsolt Demetrovics, president of the International Society for the Study of Behavioral Addictions, in a corridor of the Bellvitge hospital, in Barcelona. Zsolt Demetrovics answers every question after a moment of quiet reflection. As he meditates on how the forms of interaction have changed in recent decades, he acknowledges that doubting or suspecting the new technologies is only logical. Still, behind online gaming, there is a need for enjoyment and socialization. The Hungarian psychologist, president of the International Society for the Study of Behavioral Addictions, spoke to EL PAIS shortly before giving a lecture on behavioral addictions at the Bellvitge hospital in Barcelona, Spain. Question. Do you use social networks? Answer. I have Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts, but I dont really use them. I dont have time. Q. Does their impact on young people worry you? A. The question is always how we use these technologies. What has happened in the past 25 years is an increasingly fast development of the IT communications. In my childhood, we didnt even have a phone at home. If you wanted to call someone, you had to walk to a public telephone. All these developments offer us a lot of possibilities. On the other hand, there are risks. Q. What risks? A. Addiction. Overuse. But thats not everything; there are physical consequences if you just sit in front of your computer, and you dont move enough, you dont exercise. [Also] eye issues, sleep issues, and obviously it has a very significant impact on interpersonal relationships. Q. Is there a connection between compulsive gaming and loneliness in the medium or long term? A. Its a very important issue. When we start to use these devices, and social media or gaming, there is always a reason. We always have to look at what the motives are. Twenty, thirty years ago, if we wanted to meet someone we went to their home, we organized a meeting, and now much of this happens online. Its very good, but it might have negative consequences. Q. You often talk about escapism. A. Gaming and socializing with others on the internet is absolutely okay. If you had a stressful day, you get home from work and you want to sit down and scroll through Facebook or play games for one or two hours, thats relaxation. You want to forget about your problems, you want to forget about your conflicts with your boss, and thats fine. But theres a problem if because of gaming or because of the internet, you have problems in your relationship, in your work or your studies. Q. How much is too much? A. Its not necessarily the amount. Its difficult to say its that many hours or if that is the only solution. We have to switch off sometimes. The question is, will we go back to the problem and solve it, or will we do the same the next day? Q. Are we less capable of facing problems? A. There are different strategies. We all face many stressful events every day, and we need to cope with that. And we have different inner abilities and capacities to do so. If you have a fight with your boss, you may say, Hes like that. I dont care. Ill do my job. And others ruminate on that all day and the next. They have more difficulties to cope with this emotional stress. They are more prone to look for any substance or behavior to reduce the stress. Zsolt Demetrovics at the Bellvitge hospital in Barcelona. Kike Rincon Q. Addictions are increasing among teenagers. Why? A. Gaming [addiction] is a very prevalent problem among the youth. But we also see that compared to most addictive behaviors, including alcohol, substances, even gambling, gaming seems to be a much less progressive disorder. Spontaneous recovery is quite frequent among young gamers. Q. How does it happen? A. For example, a person will play ten or 12 or even more hours a day in front of the computer. But after a few months or half year, it decreases and gets normalized. You dont see that with alcohol. When alcohol use starts, it will progress for the next one or two decades in most cases. Q. Why does this happen? A. We dont know much about it yet. Maybe they get used to it or dont get the effect they want. We would need more research to know if gaming is a progressive or a more transient problem. Q. Were we happier before the internet? A. I dont know, I dont think so. I dont like to see the new technologies as good or bad. Before, people walked on the street and saw their neighbors and said, Hey, how are you doing? And you could share something. Now we have likes instead of that. So, Facebook, or social media, they respond to the same need. We havent changed; our environment has changed. But our needs are rooted in our evolutionary history. Q. Schools demand an evaluation of the use of technologies. A. It takes time. Weve seen the possibilities: we have now the experience of remote teaching with Covid-19, and now we see the advantages of the in-person, direct teaching. Q. When should screens be introduced to children? A. Probably not [at a very early age], and then its very important that you do it together. Its not very good if you give your mobile or an iPad to a kid to watch something. But it was also not good to put the kid in front of the TV. Theres going to be an interaction between the screen and the kid. You should never give them a device to calm them down if theyre crying or upset or just irritated, its not how technology should be used. Q. Parents do not have models to educate in technology. A. No, not all. We have no models, no memories. We have to learn it together with the kids. Its better to develop these rules together. We have to understand that they do different things than what we did, and what a mobile phone means to them. Q. Should public administrations regulate the use of technology in the educational sector? A. I wouldnt intervene very drastically, and not on the level of the users, but probably more on the level of the developers. Whats important is explaining the risks. Governments have a tendency to solve issues by law, but you cannot solve mental health issues by law. Q. The average age of access to pornography has dropped to eight years, according to the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD). A. Pornography is an increasing problem. But the motives and the amount make the difference. Its always kind of a replacement question or a compensation question. [It is okay] if you watch pornography because you want to enhance your sexual life, but if you do it because you have relationship problems or because you are not satisfied, its different. You will not solve the problem. Q. Is porn the worst enemy of sexual health? A. I dont think so. I think it can contribute to understand that there are things that shouldnt be normalized. And of course porn has a huge risk, because it shows an unreal sexuality. Q. Parents can play video games with their kids, but not watch pornography with them. How is sexuality introduced to them? A. Its always a difficult issue. It depends very much on the relationship. But yeah, I dont think that watching porn with the kids is a good idea. Q. What is the behavioral addiction with the best prognosis? A. With behavioral addictions, one additional difficulty is that many are just part of your life. With alcohol, the goal is abstinence. You cannot drink anymore, which is difficult to reach, but it can be done. With the internet or with sexual disorders, the goal is not that you shouldnt have sex anymore or play video games. Q. What is the goal? A. To learn to control it. And thats obviously difficult. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Rep. Adam Schiff stands outside the chamber after the Republican-controlled House voted to censure him for comments he made several years ago about investigations into Trump's ties to Russia, June 21, 2023. The House voted Wednesday to censure California Rep. Adam Schiff for comments he made several years ago about investigations into Donald Trumps ties to Russia, rebuking the Democrat and frequent critic of the former president along party lines. Schiff 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 charging his GOP colleagues of doing the former presidents 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. When it was time for Schiff to come to the front of the chamber to be formally censured, immediately after the vote, the normally solemn ceremony turned into more of a celebratory atmosphere. Dozens of Democrats crowded to the front, clapping and cheering for Schiff and patting him on the back. They chanted No!, Shame! and Adam! Adam! House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., read the resolution out loud, as is tradition after a censure. But he only read part of the document before leaving the chamber as Democrats heckled and interrupted him. Censure all of us, one Democrat yelled. 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. More than 20 Republicans voted with Democrats last week to block the censure resolution, but they changed their votes this week after the measures 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 voted to block the resolution last week said they opposed fining a member of Congress in that manner. The final vote on Wednesday was 213-209 along party lines, with a handful of members voting present. 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. 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 Schiffs conduct. While Schiff did not initiate the 2017 congressional investigation into Trumps 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 Trumps own Justice Department. Luna said that Schiffs 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 vast Deep State conspiracy, and of course, it is nonsense. Democrats aggressively defended their colleague. Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, who led Trumps second impeachment, called the effort an embarrassing revenge tour on behalf of Donald Trump. Mueller, who led the two-year Justice Department investigation, determined that Russia intervened on the campaigns behalf and that Trumps campaign welcomed the help. But Muellers team did not find that the campaign conspired to sway the election, and the Justice Department did not recommend any criminal charges. The House intelligence committee probe launched by Nunes similarly found that Russia intervened in the election but that there was no evidence of a criminal conspiracy. Schiff was the top Democrat on the panel at the time. Schiff said last week that the censure resolution was red meat that McCarthy was throwing to his conference amid squabbles over government spending. Republicans are trying to show their fealty to Trump, Schiff said. He said he warned the country during impeachment proceedings three years ago that Trump would go on to do worse. And of course he did worse in the form of a violent attack on the Capitol. After Democrats won the House majority in 2018, the House impeached Trump for abuse of power after he threatened to withhold military aid to Ukraine and urged the countrys president to investigate then-candidate Joe Biden. Schiff was the lead House prosecutor making the case for conviction to the Senate, arguing repeatedly that right matters. The Republican-led chamber ultimately acquitted him. Trump was impeached a second time a year later, after he had left office, for his role in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. The Senate again acquitted Trump. In the censure resolution against Schiff, Luna also cited a report released in May from special counsel John Durham that found that the FBI rushed into its investigation of Trumps campaign and relied too much on raw and unconfirmed intelligence. Durham who testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday said investigators repeatedly relied on confirmation bias, ignoring or rationalizing away evidence that undercut their premise of a Trump-Russia conspiracy as they pushed the probe forward. But he did not allege that political bias or partisanship were guiding factors for the FBIs actions. In the hours before the vote, Schiffs campaign sent out a fundraising email that said Luna had introduced yet ANOTHER resolution to censure me. The vote and debate will happen imminently, the email read, asking recipients to donate to help him fight back. Once more, I have to be on the House floor to listen as MAGA Republicans push false and defamatory lies about me. Democrats argued that the House censure resolution is an effort to distract from Trumps recent indictment on federal charges of hoarding classified documents several of which dealt with sensitive national security matters and attempting to conceal them. House Republicans, most of whom are loyal to Trump, say the indictment is more evidence that the government is conspiring against the former president. This is not a serious resolution, said Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., but political theater to distract from Donald Trumps history of transgressions and now indictments. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition On Thursday the U.S. Coast Guard announced that it had found debris from the Titan submersible, missing since Sunday after setting off to explore the wreck of the Titanic. Although the causes of the vessels catastrophic implosion have yet to be determined, as well as the responsibilities derived from it, one of the most pressing questions now is the cost-sharing of the gigantic rescue mission. The search mission included 10 vessels, supported by three U.S. Army C-130 aircraft, to comb an area of 20,000 square kilometers (7,722 square miles) to a depth of almost four kilometers (2.5 miles), while planes flew overhead in search of of any trace of the missing sub. During the operation, the U.S. Coast Guard assumed coordination while the Canadian Army collaborated with sound buoys. In the final moments of the search, the French government contributed a Victor 600 robot, a deep-water remotely operated device. For now, it has not been determined whether the company OceanGate Expeditions will bear any financial responsibility. Authorities have not provided information about the possibility of recovering the bodies of the five passengers who were on board the submersible. KYODO NEWS - Jun 23, 2023 - 16:10 | All, Japan, World Japan on Friday denied U.S. President Joe Biden's claim that he convinced Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to boost Tokyo's defense spending, saying it had objected to the comments in a rare public airing of a disagreement with its security ally. The denial came after Biden said at a campaign reception in California earlier this week that Japan has increased its defense expenditures "exponentially" as a result of his persuasion of Kishida during their past three talks. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Tokyo has told Washington that Biden's remarks were "misleading" as Japan decided to expand the defense budget on its own, adding the president's intention was "unclear." Speaking at a news conference, Matsuno, the top government spokesman, said the U.S. side now shares the Japanese view, but he refused to clarify through what diplomatic channels the exchanges took place. In December, Kishida's government pledged to almost double Japan's defense budget by the end of March 2028 to around 2 percent of gross domestic product, on par with NATO members, amid mounting military threats from neighbors such as China and North Korea. Biden was quoted by the White House as saying at the reception on Tuesday that Japan had not bolstered its defense expenditures "for a long, long time," but Kishida "convinced himself that he had to do something different" after talking with him "on three different occasions." Biden, who is seeking re-election next year, cited the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima in May as one of the three opportunities, but the Japanese government had already decided to beef up the country's defense budget by that time. Related coverage: Biden brought paper cranes symbolizing peace to Hiroshima museum KYODO NEWS - Jun 23, 2023 - 18:25 | All, World The U.S. administration of President Joe Biden plans to expand the scope of its sweeping semiconductor export controls on China that seek to hobble the Asian power's efforts to develop advanced technologies for military purposes, sources familiar with the matter said Thursday. The plan is aimed at matching Japan's upgraded restrictions, according to the sources, as Tokyo will add 23 devices to its existing list starting in July. Japan's revised list, which will go beyond current U.S. curbs, is set to include different kinds of cutting-edge equipment for cleaning, lithography and etching that are needed to produce the most high-end types of chips. A senior U.S. official is believed to have told Japan and the Netherlands of the plan, which could cause further friction in relations between Washington and Beijing. The plan comes as the United States and China agreed to have increased communication at senior levels following months of elevated tensions between the two countries. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up his two-day visit to Beijing on Monday, during which he agreed with Chinese President Xi Jinping and senior Chinese diplomats on the importance of stabilizing bilateral ties. Reflecting Washington's complicated and difficult relationship with Beijing, Blinken's visit was the first to China by a U.S. secretary of state since 2018. Blinken told a press conference in Beijing at the end of his trip that his "candid" in-person discussions with the Chinese officials had achieved the goals of reducing the risk of misinterpretation and helping to ensure that intense competition between the world's two largest economies does not veer into conflict. Still, with China's rise in mind, the United States has been stepping up its efforts to reinforce supply chains for semiconductors and other key industrial products with its allies and partners. After announcing in October a set of export curbs on certain advanced computing chips and related items, the Biden administration asked Japan and the Netherlands, where leading chip-producing equipment makers are based, for cooperation to stymie China's access to high-tech devices. The curbs included restricting items made in foreign countries using U.S. technologies from being exported to China. China has reacted sharply to the U.S. move, filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization in December accusing Washington of abusing export curbs under the guise of protecting national security. In January, Japan and the Netherlands agreed to join the United States in curtailing exports of advanced technologies that China could use to develop artificial intelligence and modernize its military capabilities. Following the three-way agreement, Japan unveiled its additional measures in March, which are set to take effect on July 23. Related coverage: China sharply reacts to Biden's labeling of Xi as "dictator" Blinken says U.S. agrees with China on stabilizing ties China, U.S. agree to stabilize ties, explore summit talks UK retail sales unexpectedly rose in May, helped along by warmer weather, according to figures released on Friday by the Office for National Statistics. Retail sales were up 0.3% following a 0.5% increase in April, and versus expectations of a 0.2% decline. Non-store retailing sales volumes rose by 2.7%, mainly thanks to strong sales by online retailers selling outdoor goods and summer clothing. This was boosted by the warm weather in the second half of the month. The figures also showed that food stores sales fell by 0.5% in May. The ONS said there was some anecdotal evidence of increased spending on takeaways and fast food due to the extra bank holiday, but retailers also indicated that increased cost of living and food prices were still affecting volumes. Ruth Gregory, deputy chief UK economist at Capital Economics, said: "The further rebound in retail sales volumes in May suggests the recent resilience in economic activity hasnt yet faded. But we think its too soon to conclude the rebound in retail sales will be sustained and the economy will avoid a recession." KYODO NEWS - Jun 23, 2023 - 13:36 | All, World Countries and organizations supporting war-torn Ukraine pledged a further $60 billion in aid for its recovery as they wrapped up a two-day gathering in London on Thursday. A joint statement by cohosts Britain and Ukraine said that "by helping Ukraine's recovery and reform, we will unlock the potential of the country and its people, help defeat Russia's aggression, and benefit global security, prosperity and the rule of law." The Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023, chaired by Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, brought together private and public representatives from 59 countries. Following the new pledges by multiple governments, Shmyhal said in a press conference that he was sure his country would receive the $6.5 billion it needs this year for urgent recovery work from Russia's ongoing invasion. The conference also stressed the importance of private-sector efforts to lead the recovery. Almost 500 companies from 42 countries including Japan have signed the Ukraine Business Compact to show support for the country's recovery. Japan's most powerful business lobby, the Japan Business Federation, which attended the London gathering, said it has set up a special unit for Ukrainian economic recovery. The group, known as Keidanren, said it intends to provide Japanese expertise in electronics, communications and transportation in the reconstruction process. Keidanren is calling on its around 1,500 members to take part in the unit's first meeting it plans to hold in July. Estimates by major international organizations including the World Bank from March showed that the cost of recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine from the first year of the war alone had reached $411 billion. Consistent help from the international community is needed to cover costs expected to stretch over 10 years, the report said. Among the government pledges made at the conference, the European Union said it will provide up to 50 billion euros ($54.7 billion) including in investment over four years. Britain said it will offer another $3 billion in guarantees via World Bank loans up to 2027, while the United States pledged $1.3 billion in additional aid. The 2024 Ukraine recovery conference will be held in Berlin. Related coverage: Japan to host meeting to urge firms to join Ukraine recovery efforts Japan boosts Ukraine embassy staff amid prolonged Russian war Japan agrees to set up reconstruction liaison system with Ukraine PC and printer major HP on Thursday launched its latest line-up of OMEN & Victus gaming laptops to provide the best-in-class gaming experience for all types of gamers in India. The new range includes the OMEN Transcend 16, OMEN 16 and Victus 16 laptops, priced at Rs 1,59,999, Rs 1,04,999 and Rs 59,999, respectively. "HP is enhancing and expanding a world-class ecosystem of hardware and software with its new portfolio, designed to empower gamers and deliver the best experiences whether they're gaming, creating, or connecting," Vickram Bedi, Senior Director (Personal Systems), HP India, said in a statement. The new portfolio comes equipped with the advanced OMEN Tempest Cooling feature that ensures intense cooling even during top titles gameplay and multi-applications workload. The OMEN Transcend 16 laptop weighs around 2.1 kg and comes equipped with the latest 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900HX mobile processor and up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPUs for power-packed performance. The OMEN 16 comes powered with the 13th Gen Intel Core i7 mobile processor and up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPUs with up to 32 GB of RAM, while the new Victus 16 laptop comes with 13th Gen Intel Core i7 mobile processor and up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPUs. Along with the new line-up of gaming laptops, the company also launched the all-new HyperX 27-inch QHD gaming monitor for an immersive gaming experience at a starting price of Rs 30,990. KYODO NEWS - Jun 23, 2023 - 19:34 | All, Japan Okinawa on Friday marked the 78th anniversary of the end of a fierce World War II ground battle between Japanese and U.S. troops, with concern growing among local people that the island prefecture could become the front line of conflict amid rising tensions with China. Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki called for "peaceful diplomacy and dialogue" to ease regional tensions during a commemoration service at a memorial park in Itoman, the site of the final stage of the Battle of Okinawa, which killed a quarter of the local civilian population. "People in the prefecture are greatly concerned" with the current situation rekindling memories of the brutal land battle, Tamaki said, touching on Japanese national security strategy documents endorsed in December that highlighted the need to bolster defense capabilities in Okinawa. Japan has been deploying defense assets on far-flung islands in the country's southwest amid tensions over Taiwan and the nearby Senkaku Islands, a group of Tokyo-controlled uninhabited islets, which China claims and calls Diaoyu. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also attended the commemoration event and emphasized that "the security environment surrounding our country is currently at its most tense and complicated since the war." While noting that the central government does not make light of the fact that Okinawa continues to host the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan, the prime minister said he will strive to reduce the "burden" local people face from hosting the bases. The Japanese government has been working to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma within the Okinawa Prefecture as a key measure for what it believes would address such a burden. But many Okinawans have long been frustrated with noise and crimes linked to the U.S. military presence and want the Futenma base moved outside the prefecture. During the ceremony, Tamaki reiterated the local government's demand to scrap the decades-old plan to move the Futenma base from a crowded residential area of Ginowan to the island's less densely populated coastal area of Henoko in Nago. Kishida said in his speech he will "steadily" proceed with the consolidation and reduction of facilities of U.S. military forces in Japan, without specifically referring to the ongoing work to build a replacement facility at Henoko. Members of the public were able to participate in the memorial ceremony for the first time in four years, as the novel coronavirus was downgraded in the country to the same category as seasonal influenza earlier this year. About 4,000 people took part in the event. Attendees observed a minute of silence at noon, followed by a poem read by a survivor's grandson. "People with power start wars, but ordinary people are always the first to suffer," said Seiki Takushi, a survivor who came to visit the Cornerstone of Peace in the memorial park. The 84-year-old witnessed his mother asking his grandmother to take care of the children after she was shot in a bunker during the battle, adding he cannot forget the scene. Ryoyu Zukeyama, 80, joined around 270 relatives of the victims and others on a march to the park that also took place for the first time in four years. "I'm afraid that the presence of the bases or the Self-Defense Forces may make us a target (of an attack) and lead to war," he said. The anniversary follows the establishment in March of a Ground Self-Defense Force garrison on Okinawa Prefecture's Ishigaki Island, the latest in a series of camps opened on the islands in the southwest in recent years. The fighting from March through June 1945 claimed the lives of approximately 94,000 civilians, in addition to the Japanese and U.S. troops involved. The names of 365 people were added this year to the list of war dead inscribed on the Cornerstone of Peace, bringing the total to 242,046. The list covers all those killed in the war, irrespective of nationality or civilian or military status. Okinawa Prefecture remained under U.S. administration until 1972. It accounts for about 70 percent of the acreage used exclusively for U.S. military facilities in Japan, despite only representing 0.6 percent of the country's total land area. The cryptocurrency industry has witnessed a resurgence in the popularity of meme coins, with Shiba Inu and Dogecoin taking center stage. These meme coins, known for their unique community-driven nature and viral appeal, have experienced an upward price trajectory. Additionally, Tradecurve, a potential blue-chip token now in its presale, is poised for a significant surge of 40%. Today, we will explore all of these developments in further detail. BUY TCRV TOKENS NOW Summary - Shiba Inu sees a 24.7% increase in the last week - Dogecoin jumps by 6.04% overnight - Tradecurves presale value to jump by 40% soon Shiba Inu (SHIB) sees a price increase Shiba Inu, a prominent meme coin, has captured the attention of investors and crypto enthusiasts' attention. With its "doge-themed" branding and vibrant community, Shiba Inu has experienced a substantial rise in its price as it soared by 24.7% in the last seven days. This Shiba Inu surge reflects the renewed interest in meme coins and highlights the potential profitability for investors who have seized this opportunity. Shiba Inu is now up 11.54% over the previous 24 hours, trading at $0.000008194 with a market worth of $4.8B. The trading volume of Shiba Inu has also jumped by 123.89% in that same time, reaching $263,062,339. With its moving averages and technical indicators showing strong buy signals, Shiba Inu could see a further jump to $0.0000090 soon. Dogecoin (DOGE) trades in the green Dogecoin, another meme coin that gained widespread recognition due to endorsements from influential figures like Elon Musk, has also demonstrated a similar upward trajectory. In the last week, Dogecoin's value increased by 13%. Bulls control Dogecoin as it now has a value of $0.06799 with a market cap of $9.5B, up 6.04% overnight. Further price increases are incoming as Dogecoin shows a bullish picture from a technical perspective, with all technical indicators in the green. The resurgence of meme coins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu can be attributed to various factors, including increased social media attention, celebrity endorsements, and overall acceptance and adoption of cryptocurrencies. Tradecurve (TCRV) set to pump once more While meme coins like Shiba Inu and Dogecoin dominate the spotlight, it is crucial not to overlook Tradecurve and its native token TCRV. This presale token has already given early buyers 80% of the gains. Moreover, a 40% surge can be expected in the upcoming week for TCRV as countless investors are flocking to its presale. It is evident that Tradecurve's innovative features, such as its privacy- focused approach, advanced trading tools, and potential for high returns, make it an attractive option for investors. 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With an expected 100x growth for TCRV when it launches and gets listed on a major CEX, Tradecurve may be the most promising investment option for 2023. For more information about the Tradecurve presale: Click Here For Website Deshpande Startups, Indias largest business incubator, has appointed Dr Karthik Sankaran as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With an impressive background in the semiconductor and software industry, Dr Sankaran brings extensive leadership experience and a proven track record of driving innovation. In his new role, he will be leading all four programmes of Deshpande Startups, and spearhead collaboration efforts between the programmes and industries alongside taking care of the day-to-day responsibilities as the CEO. He has joined Deshpande Startups at a time when the company is rapidly expanding its impact across the Indian startup ecosystem through its state-of-the-art startup incubator at Hubbali in Karnataka. It is also undertaking a multitude of programmes aimed at various aspects of entrepreneurship, startup growth, knowledge-sharing, and ESG initiatives. Speaking about the appointment, Anand Bariya, CEO, Deshpande Foundation said, We are thrilled to welcome Dr Karthik Sankaran as the CEO of Deshpande Startups. His remarkable experience and leadership in the semiconductor and software industry, coupled with his entrepreneurial background, will be invaluable in guiding our startup programs and strengthening our ties with industries. As we endeavour to contribute to economic and social growth in India by providing incubator support, mentoring, and industry guidance to startups, Dr Karthiks expertise is going to add immense value to our efforts. I wish him all the best in his new endeavour. Adding further, Dr Karthik Sankaran, Chief Executive Officer, Deshpande Startups, said, I have always advocated the usage of advanced technologies to solve challenges and achieve social and business objectives. Having been associated with a diversity of companies, over the last three decades, I have seen technologys impact first-hand. I look forward to working with the talented teams at Deshpande Startups and the startup community to drive meaningful impact and help startups scale and succeed. A prominent figure in the software and semiconductor industries in India, Dr Karthik has accumulated over 30 years of experience in the field. Notably, he made significant contributions during his extensive 18-year tenure at Analog Devices, Bangalore, where he served in several executive positions. His leadership was instrumental in establishing a diverse semiconductor product development team in Bangalore, renowned for delivering innovative IC products that catered to the global market. He has also played key roles during his time at ATI Motors. He also has a successful entrepreneurial background, having co-founded Black Lotus Technologies and spearheaded the development of the Black Lotus mobile app for mental well-being. Indian and American startups will now be able to co-develop and co-produce advanced technologies, including in areas of space artificial intelligence, under the India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) which was launched at an event in Washington. The launch coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modis three-day State visit to the US. What makes the launch critical is that it comes within months of operationalising the US India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) NSA Ajit Doval met his US counterpart Jack Sullivan. Several startups of both countries are working in areas of critical technologies. In a statement, the US Department of Defense said the INDUS-X will vitalise defence industrial cooperation between the two countries and unlock new innovations in technology and manufacturing. INDUS-X will create jobs for working families in both countries and promote global peace, security, and prosperity, it said. Post the launch event, the US Department of Defense and the Indian Ministry of Defence welcomed a collaboration agenda outlining initiatives that INDUS-X stakeholders would spearhead. These initiatives complement existing government-to-government collaboration and include joint prize challenges for start-ups, roundtable events, mentor-protege initiatives between major primes and startups, and the formation of a Senior Advisory Group, it said. The collaboration agenda lists points like mentor-protege partnerships for startups by defence firms of both countries, academic and startup programming partnerships with universities and collaboration of startups with defence majors supply chains. It also mentions possible public-private partnerships, such as innovation, testing, and certification labs and centres for defence startup collaboration, a joint innovation fund for which private investors will be engaged to garner support for investment in defence and dual-use startups, easing regulations for cross-border development and trade as well as standardisation of Indo-US certifications for technology startups. Both sides also said that INDUS-X will catalyse innovation and help equip both countries armed forces with the capabilities they need to defend a free and open Indo-Pacific. In his keynote address at the event, Frank Kendall, US Secretary of the Air Force, said the India-US relationship is growing exponentially and there is enormous potential for startups of both nations to collaborate in deep tech innovations, especially in the Space and Artificial Intelligence (AI) domains. Anurag Bajpai, Joint Secretary (Defence Industries Promotion) in the Ministry of Defence, said the launch of iCET was a landmark event in India-US relationship, adding that this was an opportune moment for this event, as the leaders of the two largest and oldest democracies of the world meet in Washington. Bajpai led the Indian delegation at the two-day event on June 20-21. Stressing on the co-development and co-production of advanced technologies by Indian and the US startups, he asked the participants to develop mechanisms for future collaboration across industries, academia, and investors while also giving an overview of the Make in India initiative of the Modi government. The event included representatives from more than 30 US and Indian startups, as well as government, business, academic, and thought leaders in wide-ranging discussions to advance cutting-edge technology cooperation between the countries defence industrial ecosystems, according to the US DoD statement. The event was co-organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), Ministry of Defence, Department of Defense and hosted by the US-India Business Council (USIBC), the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. Innovative technologies developed by Indian and US startups were jointly showcased at the event. Paytm Payment Services Limited (PPSL) signed an MoU with Arunachal Pradesh Innovation and Investment Park (APIIP) to create a startup ecosystem for the youth in the northeastern state, officials said. According to the MoU, Paytm Incubation Centre will provide its product to early-stage startups at a discounted price and offer free credits through the Paytm Startup toolkit to aid the business ventures of youths in their early stage of growth. This will nurture the startup ecosystem in the state and motivate the young entrepreneurs, an official communique informed here. The MoU was signed at the Arunachal Pradesh Innovation & Investment Park, the first state-owned marquee incubator here in the presence of its CEO Tabe Haidar. "We are happy to partner with the government of Arunachal Pradesh in its journey to create a vibrant startup ecosystem. At the Paytm Incubation Centre, we strive to catalyse the startup ecosystem in India and help young entrepreneurs gain new user acquisition, access funds and more facilities," the spokesperson of Paytm Payment Services said. "Our comprehensive platform helps businesses to expand their digital presence with quick integration of payment, brand and commerce solutions," he added. Paytm is India's payment app, which offers consumers and merchants payment services. It is a pioneer of mobile QR payments in the country. It enables commerce for small merchants and distributes various financial services offerings to its consumers and merchants in partnership with financial institutions, the communique added. DEAR ABBY: A few months after I returned to work from maternity leave, a co-worker mentioned that our bosss father had died while I was away. How should I handle this? My boss hasnt said anything about it. Id feel weird expressing my sympathies verbally six months later. Should I just leave a card on his desk? To further complicate matters, my bosss younger brother has started working at the company. Would I get him a card too? I have only known him a couple of months, as compared to my boss of almost 10 years. -- UNSURE IN GEORGIA DEAR UNSURE: Whether its with a card or a simple note, it would be thoughtful to tell your boss you were informed by a co-worker that his father had passed away during your maternity leave, and you would like to express your sympathy. You could send a card addressed to his home without it being disruptive at the business. As to what to do about expressing your sympathy to his brother -- in light of the fact that you have known him only a short time, offer condolences verbally if the opportunity presents itself. ** ** ** Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. ** ** ** Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: Abbys Favorite Recipes and More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby. Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.) A 14-year-old was killed while allegedly subway surfing on top of a Manhattan-bound L train in Brooklyn Thursday afternoon, according to news outlets. The teen, who was accompanied by a friend reported to also be 14 years old was riding atop the train near the Broadway Junction station when they were both thrown off from the train, sources told the New York Post. The second teenager was critically injured in the incident. According to the report, one of the teens was struck so hard that his shoes were knocked off his feet. Police confirmed to the New York Post that one teen was killed at the scene and the other individual was transported to Cohen Childrens Medical Center. Subway surfing has been tied to a number of incidents in New York City the past couple of years. In May, an alleged subway surfing incident claimed the life of a Staten Island teenager, the Advance/SILive.com previously reported. In February, a 15-year-old boy died after he climbed on top of a J train subway car and hit a beam. In August 2022, a teen lost his arm while trying to climb to the top of a train in Queens, according to a report. 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. A 2-year-old boy in Ohio shot and killed his pregnant mother, also killing the unborn child, according to a report. The incident occurred in Norwalk, Ohio, on June 16, CNN reported. Police responded to a 911 call from the 31-year-old woman, who said she was shot in the back by her 2-year-old son, according to a press release from the Norwalk Police Department obtained by CNN. Her husband had also called 911 and stated he received a phone call from his wife screaming something about my son and needing to call 911, CNN reported. Officers arrived and found the woman, who was eight months pregnant, and the 2-year-old in the upstairs primary bedroom, along with a pistol, according to CNN. The woman was fully conscious and gave police an account of the events. She was transported to a local hospital where an emergency C-section was performed. The woman and her unborn child were later pronounced dead, according to the report. No charges have been filed at this time, according to the Huron County Prosecutors Office, and an investigation remains ongoing. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - In a historic moment for the United States Postal Service and the Staten Island community, Frances Paulino was installed as the 11th U.S. Postmaster of Staten Island the first Latina and only the second woman to hold this office. The ceremony took place June 23 at the SSG Michael Ollis VFW Post 9587, Oakwood, attended by over 75 guests. As Postmaster, Paulino will oversee a team of over 600 employees who provide retail services through 13 locations and ensure the delivery of mail to more than 161,000 residential and business points throughout the borough. Paulino, along with her sister Margarita, and two brothers, David, and Jose, are first-generation New Yorkers who descend from Dominican Republic heritage. Her parents Arelis and Jose Lescano came to New York in the early 1970s. Frances is the proud mother of two, Ashley and Richard. Scene from the installation of the Staten Island Postermaster. (Dr. Gracelyn Santos/Staten Island Advance) At the installation, a number of USPS executives addressed the crowd, including District Manager and Executive-in-Charge Lorraine Castellano. In addition, members of the Susan E. Wagner High School Jazz Band performed, to the delight of all in attendance. Despite being young, Postmaster Paulino had a strong work ethic, said Anthony Carlo, manager, Customer Service Operations, USPS Manhattan. Beyond her dedication to her work, she was a devoted mother who knew how to strike a balance between her professional and personal lives. Her resilience and dedication are a hallmark of why she rose up the ranks. Her leadership skills are second to none. Frances Paulino, the new Staten Island Postmaster USPS, Staten Island, is flanked by her two children Richard and Ashley. (Dr. Gracelyn Santos/Staten Island Advance) POSTMASTER PAULINOS ADDRESS To the many messages of congratulations at the ceremony, Paulino graciously gave words of thanks at the conclusion of the ceremony to those in attendance, who were treated to a hot buffet luncheon. Id like to thank those who saw potential in me and fostered my growth, including District Manager Lorraine Castellano, former Executive Postmasters of the Bronx Lilliam Rodriguez and Scott Farrar, retired MCSO Matthew Totero and Ivonne Warden as well as Retail and Post Office Operations Vice President Elvin Mercado, said Paulino in her remarks. I would not be in this position were it not for Chief Executive Officer and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, Chief Retail and Delivery Officer and Executive Vice President Joshua Colin, Area Retail and Delivery Operations Vice President Scott Raymond, the New York 1 District team and Manager, Operations Integrations Ann Ko, she added. Richard Salonia, the son of Frances Paulino, the new Staten Island Postmaster, addresses the crowd. (Dr. Gracelyn Santos/Staten Island Advance) A THANK YOU FOR ABUELA Paulino also thanked her grandmother, Francia Liranzo, who along with all my family, is forever in my heart, and her Staten Island team Manager Customer Service Operations (MCSO) Joseph Raguso, Acting MCSO Mary Rafferty. Thank you for all you do every day, she said. I also want to thank those who assisted in putting this event together. Your hard work and sacrifices contribute to our shared postal and personal successes. You have my endless thanks for supporting my commitment to deliver for America on behalf of the United States Postal Service. Matthew Totero, Manager, Customer Service Operations, Ret. USPS, Bronx, addresses the crowd. (Dr. Gracelyn Santos/Staten Island Advance) ABOUT POSTMASTER PAULINO Postmaster Paulino is now responsible for administering postal operations for around 500,000 Staten Islanders. She is supported by over 600 employees who provide retail services through 13 locations and deliver to more than 161,000 residential and business delivery points across the boroughs 58.5 square miles. Paulino brings more than 26 years of New York City postal experience, beginning her career as a Letter Carrier in Manhattan in 1997. Graduating from the Associate Supervisor Program in 1999, she has held positions of increasing levels of responsibility, serving as Supervisor, Customer Service at Inwood Station, Manager, Customer Service at Woodlawn Station, and Manager, Customer Service Operations in the borough of the Bronx for nine years before her recent appointment. Postmaster Paulino is a graduate of the USPS Managerial Leadership Program and the Advanced Leadership Program. In 2023, she was nominated for and currently serves as the designated Delivering for America, 10-year plan, Year 2 Spokesperson for the New York 1 District. Genie Martinez, Consumer Affairs Manager USPS, New York 1 District, served as the emcee for the installation ceremony. (Dr. Gracelyn Santos/Staten Island Advance) Anthony Carlo, Manager, Customer Service Operations USPS, Manhattan, addresses the crowd. (Dr. Gracelyn Santos/Staten Island Advance) Retired executive postmaster of the Bronx, Lillian Rodriguez, addresses the crowd. (Dr. Gracelyn Santos/Staten Island Advance) 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. KYODO NEWS - Jun 23, 2023 - 09:13 | All, World All five people aboard a missing submersible are presumed dead after the vehicle imploded in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean near the wreckage of the Titanic, the operator and the U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday. OceanGate Inc. of the United States said in a statement it believes its CEO Stockton Rush, the vehicle's pilot, and the four others aboard the Titan "have sadly been lost." The submersible went missing Sunday in the northern Atlantic off Canada during an undersea tour to view the wreckage of the luxurious passenger ship that sank in 1912. The coast guard said debris from the Titan was found at a point nearly 500 meters away from the Titanic. "The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber," Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger told reporters. "On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families," Mauger said. The Titan submersible went missing nearly two hours after it descended into the sea Sunday morning, according to the coast guard. The four others aboard were British businessman Hamish Harding, French maritime expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet and British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood with his teen son Suleman, according to the company and U.S. media. The five were on their way to a point some 700 kilometers south of St. John's on Newfoundland Island of Canada and some 3,800 meters deep, where the Titanic lies. Related coverage: International team struggles in search for missing Titanic tour submersible STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York City is in the midst of its June primaries, but on Thursday a host of conservative elected officials called for the city to end its controversial push to have non-citizens vote in local elections. Last year, a local law passed that granted about 900,000 non-citizens the right to vote in local elections for positions like mayor and City Council, but it has been on hold after a judge struck it down last year after a lawsuit brought by Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella and other elected officials. Mayor Eric Adams administration has been challenging that judges ruling in the appeals process, but on Thursday, Fossella called for the city to end its efforts as the city deals with an influx of nearly 80,000 migrants. New York State law is clear, non-citizens do not have the right to vote, he said. And in pushing this appeal, in the middle of this crisis, against any justifiable reason, many will be left with the impression that lax border security is part of a broad agenda to increase voter rolls. And thats an outright shame. In his decision reached in June, Staten Island Supreme Court Justice Ralph Porzio echoed some of the legal arguments opponents had made against the legislation, particularly that it was in violation of the states Constitution, election law and home rule law. City Council Minority Leader Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore), a plaintiff in the lawsuit, has repeatedly referenced a section of state election law that reads [no] person shall be qualified to register for and vote at any election unless he is a citizen of the United States. Had the law gone into effect, people who obtained status as a legal permanent resident or a work authorization would have been able to vote in local elections if they had been a resident of the city for 30 days. While most of the people who have arrived in the city lack that status or the work authorization, Adams has made repeated calls for the federal government to grant the new arrivals work authorizations. On Thursday, Borelli joined Fossella in calling for the Adams administration to withdraw its appeal of last years court victory. The mayors office did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication, but the city Law Department said they intend to continue with the appeal, a hearing for which will take place Friday. Not only New Yorkers, but people across this country should be alarmed by the potential outcome of this case, Borelli said. If the Appellate Court overturns the lower court ruling and allows foreign nationals to vote in our elections, it will further embolden the radicals who want to erase all national borders, undermine the rule of law, and destroy the value of United States citizenship. City Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island) said Thursday that he was proud to have voted in 2021 against the Council legislation, sponsored by then-City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Manhattan) who now heads the city Department of Transportation. Only American citizens should be allowed to vote in this country, Carr said. The trial court was completely right when they ruled New York City could not extend voting rights to noncitizens, and I hope the Appellate Division recognizes the irrefutable logic of our case. While the legislation passed the Democrat-controlled Council, it didnt do so without strong opposition from both sides of the aisle. REASONS FOR OPPOSITION Reasons for opposition included the brevity of the 30-day residency requirement before a non-citizen could vote and its effect on the African-American communitys already small share of the citys vote. Former City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo (D-Brooklyn), who now heads the city Department of Cultural Affairs, backed a motion to delay a Council vote on the bill that would have effectively killed it before it passed. The only thing that many African-American communities have left are their Black representatives and representation, she said during the debate on the Council floor. Across the country, non-citizens have had varying rights to vote throughout history. In New York City, non-citizen parents had the right to vote in school board elections until 2002, when school boards were disbanded. Opponents concede that non-citizens could be granted the right to vote, but it would require action on the part of the State Legislature along with a possible statewide referendum. OTHER ISLAND POLS SOUND OFF Assemblyman Mike Reilly (R-South Shore), another plaintiff in the Fossella-led lawsuit, has brought forth opposing legislation that would prevent municipalities from bringing another piece bill like what passed the City Council. Irresponsible policymaking by New York City Democrats has contributed to the dumpster fire that is the culmination of the Biden administrations failed border agenda, he said Thursday. Even local election officials didnt seem entirely on board with the idea. City Board of Election officials needed a plan by July 1 of last year to implement non-citizen voting, but the boards president and secretary sent a letter in early 2022 to the state Board of Elections seeking advice about apparent conflicts between state law and the municipal legislation. NYC Democrat policies are wrecking our state and they seek to maintain power buying the votes of people who are not American citizens, State Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-South Shore) said Thursday. The idea that a person can move to New York City and register to vote after 30 days is preposterous and ripe for fraud, Assemblyman Michael Tannousis (R-East Shore/South Brooklyn) added. The New York State Constitution is clear as day non-citizens cannot vote in our elections, said Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo. There is nothing more important than preserving the integrity of our election system, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) said. The government should be working to create more trust in our elections, not less. As New York State and federal law clearly state, the right to vote is a sacred right given only to United States citizens. The mayors push to appeal the State Supreme Courts decision is reckless and cynical, particularly as he incentivizes mass migration by providing free housing and other services. I join my colleagues in calling on the mayor to withdraw this effort that would dilute the voices of American citizens and forever change our city as we know it. City Councilman Bob Holden (D-Queens), City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (R-Queens), City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens) and City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (R-Brooklyn) joined the Staten Island elected officials in calling on the Adams administration to withdraw its appeal. MORE NYC NEWS NYC partners with Google in effort aimed at getting public school students ready for tech jobs NYC to launch asylum application help center in latest effort to address migrant influx De Blasio recalls 2014 incident in magazine interview Officials dispute claims of migrant shelters coming to 2 Staten Island sites Mile-long section of Richmond Terrace to close in July as part of NYC program STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. What goes around comes around, according to Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn). The second-term congresswoman got into a testy exchange on the floor of the House of Representatives Wednesday amid the censure of Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) for what House Republicans characterized as his misleading of the American public about investigations into former President Donald Trump. As her Democratic colleagues chanted shame at the Republicans political move, Malliotakis called back on Schiff, according to Politico reporter Olivia Beavers, and $32 million on your whole charade, according to Fox News reporter Liz Elkind. The latter comment came in reference to the cost of the investigations into Trump, who House Democrats impeached twice the first for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and the second for the events of Jan. 6, 2021. The Senate acquitted the former president both times. Schiff, who is running for Senate in next years election, became a central figure in those investigations and last years House Select Committee on the January 6 attack often addressing the public and speaking with media. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) during a hearing at the Capitol in Washington, on June 21, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) Some of those public actions led to Wednesdays censure of the California congressman, particularly his claims that the 2016 Trump campaign colluded with Russia and his dramatization of Trumps phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In a full statement, Malliotakis, a longtime defender of the former president, stood by the censure of Schiff, and said the vote would hold him accountable for abusing his power. As chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Representative Adam Schiff grossly misused his position and the trust granted to him by the American people, she said. The perpetual lies made by Adam Schiff fueled unnecessary investigations that lasted years, cost taxpayers $32 million, and brought great division to Congress and our country. At a time when our government should have been focused on preventing COVID-19 from reaching our shores, our Democrat-controlled Congress was weaponizing our government to conduct a witch hunt in an attempt to falsely disparage a sitting and duly elected President without facts, evidence, or even an ounce of truth in an effort to remove him from office. Also on Wednesday, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who ran into some Staten Island controversy in 2021 for comments she made at a local Conservative Party event, introduced a resolution to impeach President Joseph Biden. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) made a deal behind the scenes that will likely delay a vote on that resolution for months. He arranged for the resolution to be sent to the Judiciary and Homeland Security committees, which the House Republicans confirmed on party lines Thursday. Malliotakis, who has aligned herself with McCarthy, has not said publicly if she supports impeaching Biden and ducked the question again on Thursday. Todays vote sends the issue to the appropriate committees for review, Malliotakis said when asked if she supported Boeberts resolution. MORE POLITICAL NEWS Under NY bill no conviction would ever be final New state law takes effect Tuesday, aims to protect New Yorkers from gift card scams NY commission to study possibility of state reparations for slavery Proposed U.S. Tax Cut law would add guaranteed bonus deductions Clean Slate law, which would seal many criminal records in NY, expected to pass Thank you for visiting the Daily Journal. Please purchase an Enhanced Subscription to continue reading. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Global energy majors BP and Shell are considering buying shale gas from the Northern Territorys environmentally and culturally sensitive Beetaloo Basin within the next decade if an ambitious new gas export project goes ahead. Tamboran Resources, an ASX-listed junior gas developer, said on Friday that it had signed non-binding initial agreements with BP and Shell over the potential purchase of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from its proposed production project at Middle Arm. Tamboran owns assets in the Beetaloo Basin, believed to be one of the worlds biggest untapped gas reserves, and is preparing to begin drilling works as soon as next month. BP and Shell are two of the worlds largest LNG portfolio trading and energy companies and provide important and credible counterparties for Tamboran to progress financing discussions to support the sanctioning of the NTLNG project, capable of producing up to 6.6 million tonnes per annum, Tamboran chief executive Joel Riddle said. Tamboran is aiming for first gas from the Beetaloo Basin from as early as 2025, and a potential LNG export plant from 2030. Troy Bohling, 30, of Lincoln Park, Michigan is accused of sexually assaulting and killing one woman and injuring another in Germany. (Photo courtesy of Chanidtha Khumpuok) A woman who lives in Thailand connected months ago with a Downriver man while playing an online video game. They quickly struck up a friendship and chatted every day. Those conversations came to an end on the afternoon of June 14 the day Troy Bohling, 30, of Lincoln Park, Michigan, is accused of sexually assaulting and killing one woman and injuring another in Germany. Chanidtha Khumpuok said she is shocked to learn the man she knew online is now accused of choking and pushing two women down a steep ravine near a castle known for its fairytale appearance. People stand on the Marien-Bridge at Castle Neuschwanstein. (Frank Rumpenhorst/AP) It was less than an hour beforehand that Bohling sent her several selfies in an online chat photos resembling the very area he was arrested, wearing the same clothing he had on when police took him into custody. In a chat log shared with The News-Herald, Khumpuok and Bohling began talking that day like any other day. Both said good morning to one another. Bohling then told her about a dream he had. I had a dream that I was sleeping in the room and wanted to open the window to get a breeze but it was too loud outside, he said. And for most of it I was watching my body and not in my body if that makes sense. A few minutes later, Bohling said he was getting ready to head out and would message later. Once he arrived near the castle, he sent a message with a mountainous photo, showing where he had parked. At 6:53 p.m. Thailand time, which is 1:53 p.m. Germany time, he sent several more photos, mostly selfies of himself smiling from different vantage points of his walk up. I climbed it, he wrote. It went about 100 meters up, only tree roots and branches for steps/grabbing. The last photo he sent was of two people kneeling in a small area that provided an overlook of the castle. He captioned it: And now I get to sit here and look at these 2 try to get the perfect insta. Those details eerily mirror parts of the account police gave of that deadly day. (Screenshot courtesy of Chanidtha Khumpuok) According to German police, the incident occurred at about 2:40 p.m. June 14 at a viewpoint near the Marienbrucke, a bridge over a gorge close to the castle that offers a famous view of Neuschwanstein. Bohling allegedly met the women on a hiking path and lured them down a trail that was difficult to see, but he said offers a romantic view of a historic German castle. The women are identified as 22-year-old Kelsey Chang and 21-year-old Eva Liu, both from Illinois. They are friends who were visiting Germany after graduating from the University of Illinois. [ Church preparing for funeral for Naperville woman killed in Germany as city remembers her with moment of silence ] The younger of the two women was attacked by the suspect, police spokesman Holger Stabik told the Associated Press. The older one tried to rush to her aid, was then choked by the suspect and subsequently pushed down a slope. Police said Bohling is suspected of sexually assaulting Liu before pushing her down the ravine. Changs fall reportedly was caught by a tree branch and she suffered cuts and bruises. Officials said she likely also would have died had the branch not stopped her from further falling. Liu was flown to a hospital via helicopter and died the following day. Weihan Chang of Normal said that his daughter, 22-year-old Kelsey Chang, survived the attack. She was released from a hospital on Sunday and was on a plane bound for home Tuesday. He said he hadnt had a chance to talk with her very much. Shes pretty damaged by the incident, he said. Its life-changing. After the attack, Bohling left the immediate area, but was located and arrested after a large police response. He was seen walking out of the area in police custody. Police said a judge has ordered Bohling held in jail pending a potential indictment a process that can take months. Police are pursuing murder, attempted murder and sexual offense charges against Bohling. Who is Troy Bohling? During their many chats, Khumpuok, who is Asian, said Bohling told her that Asian women were his type. Both of the women hes accused of assaulting are Asian. Khumpuok said the Bohling she knew is a workaholic with a strict schedule. Its unknown why he was in Germany or how long he had been there. Khumpuok described Bohling as someone who didnt have many friends because he was too logical and very private. He doesnt have much interactions with people in real life, she said. He is quiet. He loves cats more than people, he said. That matches a neighbors description, saying he was known for walking his cat on a leash in his Michigan backyard. Former classmates remember Bohling as a quiet kid. He kept to himself, said Shelby Prater, who went to middle and high school with Bohling. He was in band, and I want to say maybe drama club, as well. He was never like overly creepy, but never really very friendly, either. I cant say I would have ever expected this, but I also havent heard anything of or about him since school. Prater added Bohling was not much of a conversationalist. I remember he was intelligent, but very few friends, and just not the kind of person youd go out of your way to have a conversation with, especially if you had known him for a while, because it never went anywhere, she said. He was a bit odd and very closed off, but never rude, never seemed like an angry kid, and never showed any violent tendencies that I can recall. But definitely odd. Brittany Tyslicki, who went to high school with Bohling, said she didnt know him well and is shocked by what he is charged with. She remembered him as being a quiet guy who played in the band. From talking to other classmates, they say the same thing he was just quiet, she said. Nothing spectacular happened at school involving him. He was just a classmate. I wouldve never thought this could or would happen. Troy Bohling, who stands accused of sexually assaulting and killing one woman before injuring another, lives in this Lincoln Park home. ((Andrea Blum / For MediaNews Group)) Media frenzy Since news of the crime broke in Michigan identifying Bohling as the suspect, media from inside and out of the country have converged on his Lincoln Park neighborhood, knocking on doors and asking neighbors questions about him. He shared a house with his brother and, from all accounts, they seemed to have been good neighbors. His next-door neighbor, only willing to give her first name, Donna, said a reporter from an international publication was pacing in front of the house, which drew concern for her and another neighbor. She said he sat on her porch for three hours waiting for someone to come out of Bohlings house. Once his brother emerged, she said, he was met with questions with a camera pointed in his direction. The reporter told me what was going on, but I didnt believe him, Donna said. He said, Do you recognize this man? and he showed me a picture. I said, Yes, thats my neighbor. I just thought hes got the wrong person. But, that was his picture. Donna said she and her neighbor searched the internet to find out what actually happened and said it was frightening to discover someone so close in proximity could be accused of such a crime of that magnitude. I have nothing to say about him personally because we never spoke, Donna said. I spoke with (his brother) who is still there. Hes a very friendly man, but I never spoke with Troy. He came and went, came and went. Sometimes he would be gone for three weeks at a time. Im still in shock to tell you the truth. Donna said she feels compassion for Bohlings relatives who have come under attack online, but arent suspected of doing anything wrong. The News-Herald attempted to contact several of Bohlings relatives for comment, but none responded. Donna said all of this brings home a point for her. You really think you know somebody, but you never really do because this is a shocker, she said. KYODO NEWS - Jun 23, 2023 - 14:50 | All, World, Japan Japan and France agreed Thursday to strengthen the countries' defense partnership in response to China's military expansion, while Paris has reportedly opposed NATO's plan to open an office in Tokyo. Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his French counterpart Catherine Colonna met after the Financial Times reported earlier this month that President Emmanuel Macron had objected to what would be NATO's first office in Asia. The Japanese government said Hayashi and Colonna reaffirmed joint cooperation in the face of China's growing military clout, but they did not touch on the proposal to set up a NATO office in Tokyo to address security threats in Asia. France, a NATO member, has apparently voiced opposition to the plan to establish the office, worrying it could fuel tensions between China and the trans-Atlantic alliance, which has been beefing up security cooperation with Japan recently. Macron made waves after saying in a media interview in April that Europe should not be a follower of either the United States or China, while urging NATO not to expand its reach beyond the North Atlantic. Hayashi and Colonna, meanwhile, pledged to bolster bilateral defense cooperation by conducting activities such as joint exercises between the Self-Defense Forces and the French military, the Japanese government said. The foreign ministers also agreed that Japan and France will establish a working group to deal with economic security issues. Regarding Russia's 16-month war in Ukraine, Hayashi and Colonna confirmed Tokyo and Paris will maintain tough sanctions on Moscow. The bilateral meeting was held on the sidelines of an international conference on financial measures to achieve the U.N. sustainable development goals by 2030. Hayashi is on a five-day trip to Europe through Saturday. On Wednesday, he attended the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. Related coverage: NATO air exercise involving Japan begins amid Russian war in Ukraine Japan declines to comment on French objection to NATO's Tokyo office Japan backs Sweden's NATO membership bid ahead of July summit When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia, the events industry skidded to a sudden standstill. For the CEO of Perfect Events, Liliana Sanelli, it was resilience and reinvention that got her through. She quickly got to work creating an at home restaurant experience in partnership with Curtis Stone Events. Then she helped her clients move their own events online. As the pandemic progressed, her team became experts in running COVID-safe events. COVID-19 made the whole events and entertainment industry come to a halt, and we needed to reimagine, rethink, and reinvent the industry, Sanelli says. Creating opportunities: Liliana Sanelli conceived the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023 to help Legacy celebrate its hundredth birthday. Credit: Eddie Jim Having weathered the pandemic, that reinvention now includes a resurgence of live events, often paired with live-streaming or virtual options. TECHNOLOGY Here Be Monsters: Is Technology Reducing Our Humanity? Richard King Monash, $32.99 The Dark Cloud: How the Digital World is Costing the Earth Guillaume Pitron Scribe, $35 Faith in technology is a volatile stock. In under a decade weve sunk from the Arab Spring boomtimes, when legacy media credited social media with overthrowing dictators, to our present cynical nadir. Two withering critiques of techs central promises could drive the price even lower. The first, a rebuke on technology as humanitys guiding light, the second challenges whether this light is as ecofriendly as it pretends. According to Guillaume Pitron, 1.7 billion views of Psys Gangnam Style uses the annual power of a European city of 60,000. One chapter of Richard Kings Here Be Monsters: Is Technology Reducing Our Humanity? begins Nothing dates as quickly as a vision of the future. And while The Matrixs leather trenchcoats are chic again, stronger than ever is the uncanny feeling we inhabit an immense hive leaching us of our vitality and sense. King names this hive technoscientific capitalism. This means science exists not to further our understanding of the universe but to provide ever more complex tools for technology, while technology is being developed to turn a profit. The scope of the argument is set out early: Palestine is Israels workshop, where an occupied nation on its doorstep provides millions of subjugated people as a laboratory for the most precise and successful methods of domination. In the right hands, theres nothing more powerful or incendiary than words and Loewenstein mounts a full-scale attack. He accuses Israel of not only running an apartheid state but profiting from the tools used to oppress millions, and selling them to some of the worlds more murderous despots and least scrupulous governments. What follows is a polemic traversing Israels history from its establishment in 1948, expansion in the Six-Day War of 1967, the post-September 11, 2001 war on terror through to todays cyber cold war. Along the way it explores the clandestine operations of Israeli intelligences Unit 8200 and opaque security companies such as NSO Group and Black Cube, and sales of hardware, surveillance technology and know-how from Saudi Arabia to Myanmar and beyond. Credit: It synthesises Loewensteins own work and also takes advantage of once-secret documents, archives and growing media scrutiny both within Israel and from outside. Examining these issues for 20 years has earned him the trust of insiders and activists alike, but also no shortage of criticism and enemies in the form of Israels fiercest defenders. Its not an entry-level book, as it assumes a level of knowledge of and interest in Israeli history and global affairs, but it does stand on its own as an eye-opening account of a shadowy world. Many of his critics will no doubt take umbrage at the thesis and the rhetoric, but Loewenstein is adamant that believing in Israels right to exist need not be at odds with supporting the human rights of Palestinians. Public perception of Israel has shifted in recent decades, meaning it might find a more receptive audience than his earlier works. A historical reckoning of Israels involvement with some of the 20th and 21st centuries most depraved regimes is required, he writes. Its a history thats rarely discussed in the public sphere, and many of its details remain hidden in Israeli archives. 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 This story is part of the June 24 edition of Good Weekend. See all 18 stories . My 10-year-old son is dressing for school when I notice he has become very thin. He has always been lean, but with his T-shirt off I can see his ribs protruding. Instead of taking two sandwiches for lunch, he wants only one. He starts running to and from school and around the oval at recess. I find his snacks in the bin. Sometimes he reaches for a biscuit and checks himself. I try to squeeze calories into him. He has seen another boy being teased about his weight and is worried. If he is not skinny, my son says, he will be a nobody. Some of the popular kids have thin arms. He thinks his arms are too fat so he wears long sleeves, even when it is boiling hot. I take him to a hospital eating-disorders unit as an outpatient. He meets the criteria for an Eating Disorder Plan and qualifies for up to 40 sessions of subsidised psychological help. Four years later, my son starts going to the gym. He wants two sandwiches for lunch and a container of nuts and a supplement drink and cheese. He counts calories and grams of protein. He wants to put on 10 kilos. He starts talking about his wrist-to-forearm ratio, bulking and cutting, sets and reps. His friends start going to the gym, too. They appraise each others bodies and lifting capacity online and in person. One boy tells him his forearms are too thin. YouTubes algorithms bombard him with videos of oiled-up muscly influencers instructing him on how to improve his physique. He buys grip strengtheners and performs dead hangs from an overhead bar he installs in his bedroom doorway. He puts on 10 kilos, but still feels skinny and weak. Among the social media accounts run by his classmates is one requesting comments on students appearances. Threats of physical violence are constant and made for the flimsiest of reasons. Boys he doesnt like are bigger than him. They could bash him, and he imagines looking pathetic, lying on the ground. Hypothetically, my son asks me, if someone punched me in the face, how hard would my head have to hit the ground for me to die? He wants to be the biggest in his class. He sneaks food. Sometimes he seems full, but he forces himself to eat more. The first time he vomits, it is loud and forceful and the rest of the family rushes to the bathroom at the centre of our small home. He says he is such an idiot. He is distressed because he has just lost all those calories. Going to the gym makes my son feel confident, but he is scared people wont like him if he loses weight. He goes more often and his workouts get longer. He puts on another 10 kilos, and it is still not enough. He feels like hes in competition with every male in the world, even though he knows its a competition he cant win. I try to give him smaller dinners. Advertisement Loading Dr Google diagnoses my son with muscle dysmorphia, a form of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), also known as bigorexia. Both Eating Disorders Victoria and the Butterfly Foundation emphasise this is not an eating disorder, although one article by the Butterfly Foundation (The Rise of Muscle Dysmorphia) says, the causes of muscle dysmorphia may be similar to other eating disorders, such as low self-esteem, perfectionism and the importance of appearance to ones self-worth. BDD is a subset of obsessive compulsive disorder, in which people focus on perceived physical flaws generally unseen by others. Suicide rates of BDD sufferers are high. I tell an actual doctor I am worried my son has put on more than 20 kilos in nine months and is eating and exercising in an unhealthy manner. The doctor tells me he was probably underweight, and now hes just catching up; his weight is in the healthy range. I tell him I understand that, but I am worried he is damaging his health. I want blood tests. I insist. Surely, his cholesterol will be high, and he will be shocked out of his behaviour. The doctor orders them but acts as if I am overreacting. When the tests come back fine, he is smug. The doctor is not alone in failing to detect problematic eating and exercising behaviours in boys. The SCOFF test is a widely used five-question screening tool for eating disorders. Two or more yes answers to questions about: purposely vomiting; worrying about losing control over eating; losing more than six kilograms in three months; believing you are fat when others say you are thin; and thoughts about food dominating your life, indicate the possibility of an eating disorder. It is no surprise to me that a review of studies using the SCOFF test across 16 countries found significantly more disordered eating in girls. Disordered eating in males often differs from the typical presentations in females, upon which almost all assessment and diagnosis tools are based. But an article in the British Journal of Psychiatry argued unhealthy eating and exercising in males are comparable, in terms of the distress and disability that they engender, to the weight-control behaviours characteristic of eating disorders in females. Working out is good for you, but my sons aim is to be big and strong, not fit and healthy. His body is his defence, his only social capital. When I go through the list of psychologists Eating Disorders Victoria sends me, none treats children for BDD. The few that I find myself have year-long waiting lists. I contact researchers and enrol my son in a university study that confirms his diagnosis. Advertisement While he spends up to three hours per day thinking about his appearance and performing appearance-related behaviours including going to the gym and checking his body in reflective surfaces, he does not meet criteria for an eating disorder, given his eating behaviours are intended to help him gain weight and vomiting is accidental rather than a compensatory behaviour. He does not qualify for the 40 sessions of subsidised psychological therapy provided by an Eating Disorder Plan. But given I cant find an expert to help him within a reasonable time frame, this is a secondary concern. Sometimes I think, at least he is not drinking, taking drugs or sitting in front of a screen. He occasionally meets other kids at the gym and no longer hangs out with boys who criticise his body. But even the kind boys reinforce his behaviour with their own insecurities, encouraging each other to improve their benching records and mindsets. Working out is good for you, but my sons aim is to be big and strong, not fit and healthy. His body is his defence, his only social capital. He is always tired; he doesnt socialise, has no time for homework and his concentration and schoolwork suffer. Talking to my son and other parents, I am stunned at the number of boys we know who are consumed by concerns about their muscularity. Australian research published in 2016 found 60 per cent of males were dissatisfied with their bodies. In a survey of 20 US urban high schools, more than 90 per cent of boys said they exercised more to build up their muscles in the past year. A study of 237 students at one Melbourne high school, published in 2020, revealed that nearly 50 per cent were taking protein powder. Protein and other supplements are part of a growing multibillion-dollar industry. Eventually, I get an appointment with a psychologist. The treatment for BDD is exposure therapy, but my son cannot imagine taking a single small first step towards eating and exercising less. He cant imagine a time when worrying about his body is not a part of his life. One night I watch him struggle to finish his plate after he has eaten more than his share of bread. I warn him he will be sick. He says he will not. When I hear choking and a gush of vomit from behind the bathroom door for the sixth or seventh time, I lose my cool. I tell my son this is ridiculous. From now on, I will control what he eats. When he has brushed his teeth, we sit together on the couch, and he tells me very calmly that if I want to do that and he has a bad day which he links to being skinny, he will kill himself. I backtrack very quickly, and discuss it with the psychologist. We hope he is just expressing how upsetting the idea of change is. Of course, there is no taking risks. I observe him closely and make him promise he will always talk to me if he feels like hurting himself. Advertisement Given his resistance to change, there is no point continuing therapy. I decide, in the end, that I can do nothing to stop him overeating and vomiting or spending hours at the gym six days a week. I hope that time, talking with him regularly and moving to a less poisonous school environment will help. Adolescence is brutal. When I sit on the edge of my sons bed and tell him it is the person you are that matters, that can give you real confidence if you are kind, generous, a good friend I know my words will be buried within hours by the relentless, toxic torrents of electronic sludge spewing from his peers and the likes of Andrew Tate. Loading But male body image ideals are not created from these extremes alone. My son, now 15, does not look unwell. He looks, in fact, fantastic. He is five foot 10 and 74 kilograms of muscle. In the past year and a half, his body mass index has moved from being in the lightest 20 per cent for his height and age to the heaviest. His regimen is vindicated by positive feedback. People who have not seen him recently comment on how much hes grown, how good he looks. Men ask if he is working out, slap him on the back, shake his hand firmly and say, Good on you! or, Dont bash me! One day, he comes out of the gym while teenagers are harassing passers-by. He tells me that when he hears one suggest they follow him, another says, No, look at the size of him. Even I, hearing this, am secretly glad his body has protected him. Our kids are suffering, with both eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia on the rise. My son has experienced both, even though the thoughts and behaviours are effectively the same, flipped 180 degrees. Every child deserves timely access to effective treatment and we, as a society, need to question the body image and gender role messages were sending boys. Im so glad Australian of the Year and body image activist, Taryn Brumfitt, has used her platform to raise this issue. So many gorgeous young men are standing before us, needing our help. But when you dont know what youre looking for, its hard to see them. * Name has been changed for privacy reasons. Lifeline: 13 11 14; Butterfly Foundation: 1800 33 4673. Advertisement Each morning, walking into court past a throng of journalists, Roberts-Smith had radiated confidence, his suit impeccably pressed, his chin held high. Whenever I caught Roberts-Smiths eye, he would coolly hold my gaze. If I cocked my eyebrow, he would do the same. This had made me wonder if he was enjoying the contest unfolding in courtroom 18D and if it would destroy his reputation or mine. As I rose to follow Levitan out of the court, every fibre in my body was telling me that it would be the latter. If Levitan was saying something bad had happened, it meant we were in deep trouble. At that very moment, Roberts-Smith was in the witness box, his deep and authoritative voice rebuffing question after question from our counsel, Nicholas Owens SC. Even I had to acknowledge his manner was both impressive and believable. I turned my head and Levitan indicated that I should follow him out of the courtroom. His face looked pale and as I noticed this, a surge of panic felt like it was twisting up my stomach. The whisperer was Dean Levitan, a 30-year-old media lawyer who, through a combination of timing and circumstance, had come to lead the small legal team representing me and journalist Chris Masters in what the press had dubbed the defamation trial of the century. War hero and Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith v the two of us and our employer newspapers, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. Nick. Come with me now. Something bad has happened. I felt a hand grip my shoulder and a voice whisper into my ear as I sat in the Federal Court. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Masters and I had both received threats of violence from veterans who didnt know Roberts-Smith but believed our reporting amounted to a treasonous attack on the Anzac legend itself. We had countered publicly that the concern about alleged war crimes wasnt a product of our imaginations, but of hundreds of conversations with Defence Force insiders, including men who had served on the ground with the SAS in Afghanistan. A public relations company geared to protect Roberts-Smith had easily drowned out this response, briefing reporters from conservative outlets all too willing to attack us. Brendan Nelson, the then Australian War Memorial director and ex-defence minister, went fiercely into bat for Roberts-Smith, as did billionaire businessman Kerry Stokes, the chairman of Seven West Media, where Roberts-Smith had landed a plum executive role after leaving the SAS in 2013. The decision to carefully publish stories throughout 2018 that, at first, didnt even name Roberts-Smith had led to Masters and me being pilloried by politicians and radio shock jocks. My decision in 2017 to investigate Roberts-Smith and rumoured allegations of war crimes had sent my anxiety into overdrive. When I had told my former editor that Masters and I were coming close to corroborating allegations of battlefield misconduct that we believed the public deserved to know about, hed responded: Do you really want to shoot Bambi? Three years on, I was glad I had. He was ferociously intelligent and intensely serious. Even more, Levitan had given up his life for the Roberts-Smith case, becoming as invested in it as Masters and I were. He also had a rare ability to stay calm when things went wrong. Unlike me. When Id first met Levitan in 2018, after we were first sued by Roberts-Smith, Id pushed back at the suggestion from his legal firm, MinterEllison, that a 27-year-old lawyer with a boyish face should play a key role in a case that was not only threatening to swallow up my career but also my mental health. Hes very, very good, Levitans boss had told me. Give him a chance. The news was grim. Our key witness, the man upon whom the fate of a large part of the trial would likely rise or fall, would not be coming to testify. Without this witness, a veteran named Jason Andrews*, we would have no chance of proving the war crime allegation at the centre of the case. I had reacted to this growing list of problems with despondency and countless exasperated calls to Levitan. He would respond with a calm assurance belying his age. Id come to appreciate Levitan in a more profound way. This junior lawyer, 10 years younger than me, had become a calming influence in a never-ending storm. But, at this moment, Levitan didnt look calm; he looked as panicked as I felt. Nick McKenzie (left) and Chris Masters, the journalists at the heart of the case. Both had received threats of violence from veterans who saw their reporting as a treasonous attack on the Anzac legend. Credit: AAP This wasnt all. Our brilliant senior counsel, Sandy Dawson, had been diagnosed with brain cancer on the eve of the trial, prompting a scramble to find a replacement in Owens, a barrister who, while equally brilliant, had never run a defamation case. My anxiety had reached fever-pitch by the start of the trial in mid-2021 and the realisation that, despite our best efforts and a defence that, on paper, was compelling, key SAS witnesses were refusing to cooperate. The young lawyer didnt reply and I followed him out of the room and back into the court, making sure I didnt catch the eyes of Roberts-Smiths parents or legal team. If they were watching me, they would surely see that something was terribly wrong. I sat back in my seat as everything in the courtroom the lawyers, the barristers, the government officials turned into a blur, a sea of eyes that needed avoiding. Roberts-Smith was also waging a covert war to silence those soldiers he feared knew the truth. He had sent them anonymous threats and briefed journalists against them. Now, it seemed like his campaign was working. But while they might have been willing, or in some cases compelled, to disclose this to authorities, the traumatic prospect of taking to the stand to testify against a brother soldier was hardly enticing. Roberts-Smiths decision to sue Masters and me was our fight, not theirs. I couldnt let him know I thought he was right, and that maybe the decision Id made four years earlier to start investigating him was one I should never have made. Andrews was one of several of our SAS witnesses who we were worried would resist taking to the witness box. This was understandable. They had bravely served their country in the best tradition of the Australian military, only to witness Roberts-Smith engage in atrocities. We had revealed this allegation in an article that detailed how Roberts-Smith had kicked a handcuffed civilian off a cliff in the southern Afghan village of Darwan on September 11, 2012, and then overseen his execution. The risk now looming in court was that Australians would, in time, be left with a singular, inescapable conclusion: Roberts-Smith had been stitched up by the media, a war hero unjustly tarnished. Whenever a story Id written that had already sparked legal threats and an editors intervention was about to hit newsstands and porches in Melbourne and Sydney, Id lie in bed, legs sweaty and restless, mind racing with the question: What have I got wrong? I slipped my shoes on and crept out of the house. It was still cold and dark, but I couldnt sleep. As I ran past Californian bungalows and 1950s red-brick houses towards a local creek, I was reviving an old tradition. I forced myself to look at him, but immediately looked down before his gaze could meet mine. Roberts-Smith sounded like a man sure he was winning. I couldnt let him know I thought he was right, and that maybe the decision Id made four years earlier to start investigating him was one I should never have made. Was I having a panic attack? I could feel sweat running down my back. I tried to write in my notebook, but couldnt think of any words to put down. All I could hear was Roberts-Smiths voice, calmly dismissing each question from our counsel. As if searching for a slip-up, Id log on to the newspapers online system at 2am and re-read my copy, cursing grammatical errors as I searched for anything seismically flawed. My copy would have already passed through three or more editors, but Id log in again at 3am and check. Just in case Id stuffed up. When I still couldnt doze off, Id put on my sneakers and a hoodie and run into the dark morning, a ghostlike figure pounding his worry out of existence. That morning, I headed out at 5am. My story about Roberts-Smith was short, fewer than 1000 words, carefully penned and even more carefully legalled. I had written about Roberts-Smiths first seminal battle and first major decoration, a Medal for Gallantry for what the official record described as courage, tenacity and sense of duty to his patrol. My story also detailed how Roberts-Smiths medal citation had not dealt with all the events of that historic day. The article described how Chris Masters had, while researching his book on the Afghan war, uncovered conflicting accounts from Roberts-Smiths own patrol team about the death of an Afghan teen. According to Roberts-Smith, jealousy was the reason for his colleagues misgivings over the teens death, the subsequent battle and his supposed bullying of a fellow soldier. He believed his comrades were bitter that he had won not just a Medal for Gallantry but also a Victoria Cross for an heroic action in 2010. The bullying is what they do to me, he had told Masters in a tense interview months earlier for No Front Line, the journalists book that was due to be released in late 2017. My copy would have already passed through three or more editors, but Id log in again at 3am and check. Just in case Id stuffed up. As I ran, the pre-dawn light illuminated my path. Warehouses to my left, the swollen creek to my right. I wondered why Roberts-Smith had reacted so defensively to my efforts to engage with him. Weeks earlier, Id sent him a LinkedIn message requesting a meeting or interview. My message was polite and respectful, but had also flagged the fact of the ongoing Brereton inquiry into rumours of unlawful conduct in Afghanistan. Id also written that it was clear that Roberts-Smith was a target for some complainants. Loading With Masters help, I had made contact with several Defence Force insiders, obtaining a complaint about Roberts-Smith signed by a small number of SAS patrol commanders. It detailed concerns from a 2012 mission about Roberts-Smiths bullying and attempt to cover up and blame a bungled mission on a junior trooper. My LinkedIn message was a genuine attempt to speak to Roberts-Smith, open to the possibility he was being unfairly criticised by his old comrades. But rather than a response, Id received a blistering email from a defamation lawyer, Mark OBrien, known for his aggressive tactics on behalf of his clients. Any hint in print that Roberts-Smith was under investigation for any alleged misconduct or breach of duty in Afghanistan will be a most despicable and indefensible defamation, OBrien had written. On behalf of his client, OBrien had not only threatened to sue me for defamation without further notice, but wrote that if Roberts-Smith learnt I had made false allegations while talking to people during my journalistic research, Id also be in legal trouble. The story that The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald had printed and was going out into the world as I ran along the creek, the sun rising, was titled, The fog of war and politics leads to controversy over Afghan war mission. With my editors breathing down my neck, and OBrien breathing down theirs, Id made no suggestion Roberts-Smith was implicated in war crimes, even though the truth seemed somewhat murkier. Masters and I had by now spent weeks hitting the phones. In whispered conversations with SAS insiders, including soldiers and support staff, the conduct of Roberts-Smiths patrol had come up again and again. It was evident that these opaque tales were eating away at some SAS members, fuelled by stories told in jumbled snippets at barbecues, pubs and, increasingly, during veterans debriefings with psychologists. None of our sources was a direct eyewitness to any execution, but many had expressed a genuine concern that Roberts-Smith, or those close to him, had crossed moral lines on the battlefield. As I began to run back towards home, my thoughts turned to the loudest whisper about Roberts-Smith. It involved a story about an Afghan prisoner who had been pushed, thrown or kicked from a great height in a village called Darwan in the badlands of southern Afghanistan in September 2012. I was deeply sceptical about this allegation. To me, it seemed too far-fetched, too ugly, too brutal, even for soldiers whod endured endless deployments to an endless war. At times, Masters and I felt like two men stuck in quarantine, too contagious to meet. But the story had stayed with me over the following months, as Masters and I tried to speak to members of Roberts-Smiths patrol teams. Our intent was clear. We wanted to find eyewitnesses to back up the allegations wed heard. Responses ranged from gruff hang-ups to polite no-comments. I know exactly what you are talking about, one soldier had stammered. I knew he was close to Roberts-Smith and I had, seconds before, explained I was investigating allegations of war crimes. But I cant talk to you. For hours we waited in hotel rooms, bars and coffee shops for a call back, only to hear nothing. At times, Masters and I felt like two men stuck in quarantine, too contagious to meet. But in time, calls began to be returned. A junior officer who had been deployed to Afghanistan on multiple occasions agreed to meet us at a Perth cafe overlooking the Indian Ocean. He arrived, covered in sweat, carrying two weights hed held tightly as hed run several kilometres to meet us. An exhibit in the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case, showing the village of Darwan. The X marked with B and an arrow is the cliff from which Ali Jan was kicked by Roberts-Smith. This officer appeared on edge as he described the mental state of a small number of soldiers who appeared to relish killing. Attack dogs and light switches that cant turn off, he called them. Those with truly dark interiors were in the minority, outnumbered by the honourable. But these few functioning psychopaths had embedded themselves in the regiment, forming cliques that operated like bikie gangs, black holes that had sucked in junior soldiers. When soldiers hinted at witnessing atrocities committed by their own, the officer had told them to alert the chain of command. But higher-ranking officers had taken a dont know, dont care attitude, fuelling a lack of oversight and accountability. Masters finally mentioned the elephant in the room. Roberts-Smith had come up in plenty of hushed conversations, the officer responded. The VC recipient was polarising loved and hated, a walking embodiment of entitlement and arrogance. Have you ever heard of a mission to a village called Darwan? I asked him. He nodded. He had heard something bad had been covered up. But he knew no more. One Afghanistan veteran spoke as his wife served us tea and biscuits. Another downed wine after wine. Different versions of our conversation with this officer were repeated over the next two days in meetings at bars and coffee shops. One Afghanistan veteran spoke as his wife served us tea and biscuits. Another downed wine after wine. The picture they painted was complicated. Many were proud of their own service and that of their mates, of missions conducted with bravery and honour. But as our week in Perth neared its end, the story firmed of what had taken place at Darwan in 2012. It wasnt yet corroborated, but there was a consistency to the accounts disclosed by SAS soldiers. Loading At the very last compound on a ridge in the village, shortly before the SAS was due to fly back to base, Roberts-Smiths patrol had been keeping watch over a small number of Afghan prisoners. One of the men had annoyed Roberts-Smith. Hed been taken to the edge of a small cliff above a dry creek bed and, without warning, kicked over the edge and, then, summarily executed. After this, Roberts-Smiths patrol had agreed to cover up the crime by claiming the prisoner was an insurgent with a radio. But the cover-up had been compromised. One patrolman in particular, wed been told, couldnt rid his mind of an image of the Afghan hurtling over the edge, his face meeting rock, teeth exploding from his mouth. The patrolman was Jason Andrews. Andrews was one of those who held the key to unlocking the secrets of Darwan, but he was also one of those who hadnt taken our repeated calls. Melbourne, May 2018 Ali Jan. His name is Ali Jan. I sat at my desk as Afghan journalist Rashid Ghulam spoke excitedly from his base in Kandahar in the south of the country. His wife is Bibi. His children are seven in number. He farmed the almonds, and was shepherd to the animals and picked the firewood. Are you sure? I asked. Are you sure thats him? Rashid responded fiercely, proudly. Of course I am sure. I am a journalist just like you. The villagers told me many times. Ali Jan is the one who was kicked. Ali Jan is the one who was killed. When Id asked Rashid if he could find locals from a tiny village visited by Australian forces almost six years before, the freelancer responded cautiously. The Talibans influence in southern Afghanistan was growing again and journalists were not welcome. Afghan villager Ali Jan was marched to a cliff edge with his hands tied behind his back. Credit: Matt Davidson From three or four metres away, Ben Roberts-Smith walked forward and kicked the man, catapulting him backwards. Credit: Matt Davidson By the time I called Rashid to see if hed made any progress, Masters and I had mapped out the key details of the mission to Darwan by talking to those from the SAS whod been on the ground that day, and other confidential sources. We confirmed the SAS had swept into the village on September 11, 2012, detaining dozens of men as soldiers searched for a rogue Afghan Army soldier who had a fortnight earlier murdered three Australian soldiers. If the days manhunt had started with promise, it was ending with failure, the SASs quarry long gone if he had ever been in Darwan at all. As helicopters thundered into the village to take the SAS back to their base in Tarin Kowt, dozens of Afghan detainees were crammed into a compound and issued a blunt warning by SAS soldiers. If you come outside before the helicopters are gone, youll be shot. The Afghans waited, some with their heads bowed, listening for the whir of rotor blades that would signal the end of their ordeal. Then a radio communication crackled into SAS earpieces, relaying a message from Roberts-Smith. The famous soldier was with his patrol at a compound cluster on the end of a steep ridge overlooking a dry creek bed, out of sight of most of the other soldiers: One spotter EKIA [enemy killed in action], he said over the radio. One of the SAS members on the ground, a respected and experienced operator, told us of feeling a distinct pang of suspicion. I thought to myself, Somethings not right. But if it wasnt an insurgent who was KIA, who was it? A short time after the mission, another SAS soldier had approached two senior regiment members separately with an answer. Chris Masters and I had confirmed this soldier was Jason Andrews, a member of Roberts-Smiths patrol team. Wed also confirmed that Andrews had later disclosed to other soldiers a scene hed witnessed that was playing on an endless loop in his head, haunting his dreams. It began with a handcuffed prisoner from a compound at the furthest end of the ridge being led to the edge of a small cliff. Id asked Rashid to seek more information on the ground in Afghanistan. I was searching for further corroboration and I wanted to put a name to the victim, to hear his story. After a few days, which Id spent pressing my hesitant bosses in Sydney and Melbourne to fly me to Afghanistan, Rashid called me from Kandahar. Hed contacted a network of tribal elders to locate villagers whod been at Darwan on September 11, 2012. The villagers described how Ali Jan, a farmer from a nearby village, had arrived in Darwan on September 10 to collect flour and firewood, and shoes for one of his children. The villagers who spoke directly to Rashid hadnt witnessed what had happened to Ali Jan, but they insisted others had. What were the chances that SAS soldiers had made up a story of a man being kicked off a cliff and that villagers on the other side of the world had conjured up the same tale? As Rashid continued, I felt a surge of adrenaline. I was hearing again what Id heard from soldiers in Australia. The Afghans had claimed Ali Jan had been kicked by a foreign soldier over a manda, a small cliff. Ali Jan had then been executed. What were the chances that SAS soldiers had made up a story of a man being kicked off a cliff and that villagers on the other side of the world had conjured up the same tale? Critically, Masters and I had confirmed that at least two men working with the SAS had witnessed Ali Jans last moments alive. Those who spoke to Rashid claimed to be among the villagers who had attended to Ali Jans body. They described how a young boy was dispatched to Ali Jans house, in a neighbouring village, with the grim news. Expecting her husband to return home to the hills with the goods and gossip from Darwan, Ali Jans wife Bibi Dhorko instead received word that he was dead. Then the screams started, Rashid said. Bibi Dhorko, Ali Jans wife, and his brother, Abdul Ahmad, who had to comfort her and her children after news of his death. Credit: Scott Morelli/60 Minutes Ali Jans brother, Abdul Ahmad, was among the villagers Rashid had spoken with. He had comforted Bibi and her children after the news arrived. His two elder daughters were screaming and running after their grandmother in a state of bewilderment, pleading to be told their father was alive, Ahmad recalled. Ali Jans mother was crying day and night for a week, he said. Ahmad told Rashid that Ali Jans death had left Bibi struggling to put food on the table. His family could no longer afford meat or to send the children to school. I asked Rashid for the ages of Ali Jans children. When he came to the youngest child, I felt a pang of doubt. Ali Jans youngest child was born after his death. I immediately challenged Rashid and he could tell by the tone in my voice that I was sceptical. I could also tell that he was offended. Of course I asked about this, Rashid said. When Ali Jan died, Bibi was pregnant. After death had come life. Three months after the man fitting the description of Roberts-Smith kicked Ali Jan off a cliff, Bibi gave birth to a baby girl. Ali Jans youngest daughter was now five. Afghanistan, April 2019 An armed guard outside the Kabul hotel patted the cameraman and me down, before opening a reinforced door and herding us into a small guarded antechamber. Once the door behind me was bolted shut, another door was opened and I walked into a large courtyard with terracotta walls lined with tired pot-plants. Ali Jans wife, three of their children and her brother-in-law were waiting, along with Rashid. Bibi Dhorko, 34, was wearing a bright-green shawl that covered her head and most of her face. Her two sons wore traditional Afghan shirts, each a different shade of green, while her daughter was dressed in a bright, colourful tunic. As I spoke, thanking them for making the journey from Oruzgan province, Rashid translated. The children stared at me, eyes wide, but when I looked back at them, they averted their gazes nervously. I guessed I was one of the few foreigners they had ever met. Bibi avoided eye contact, as was the custom, but I occasionally caught her glimpsing at me with wariness. Her face looked worn, her eyes dark and sad. Rashid ushered us to a room and when we were seated on an old carpet, he filled our cups with sweet tea. My conversation with Bibi was slow, stilted and solemn, lightened only by the giggles of the children as they played with marbles. After we moved outside, in front of our camera, I asked Rashid if Bibi could tell me what had happened on the day Ali was meant to return to his home, a three-hour donkey-ride from Darwan. As she spoke, Bibi dabbed at her eyes with her green shawl. She had finished the morning chores and was preparing lunch to be ready for his return. She had taken her time. No one was in a rush. The kids had their playground of rock crevices and mountain paths to explore. She had supposed Ali would ramble up one of these on his donkey at any moment. But then an hour passed. And then another. Bibi was at first unconcerned. Ali was a man who avoided trouble, no easy task in southern Afghanistan. He didnt side with anyone and never had a gun, she told me. Another hour had passed. It was well into the afternoon when Bibi finally heard someone approaching. It wasnt Ali, but a young boy from Darwan, sweating and panting, who raced up with the news. I started crying, shouting, Bibi said. My legs were numb. I couldnt breathe. I want justice because I have been widowed my children are now helpless. Bibi Dhorko, Ali Jans widow, and mother of their seven children Bibi remembered clearly the last time she saw Ali alive, and the last time hed seen his children: Guldasta, 8; Sharifa, 7; Sidiqa, 4; Muzdalifa, 3; and their two babies, Mohmmadullah and Nematullah. She remembered him telling her to tend to their plot of land while he was gone. She remembered how Ali then turned to face her and say goodbye. She also remembered dashing down the rocky path towards Darwan, retracing her husbands last steps, until she was finally convinced by relatives to turn back. It was too late, they told her. She remembered seeing blood on the floor of her hut, realising shed badly cut her feet while running but had not noticed the pain. She was pregnant at the time with her seventh child, a girl who would never meet her father. Before the interview ended, I asked Bibi if she had a message for Australia. I want justice because I have been widowed my children are now helpless, she said. Seven years after Ali Jan was murdered, she was still in mourning, clinging to old memories. She recalled Ali Jans donkey, led by a relative, returning home after his death. The childs shoes Ali Jan had promised to bring back from his trip to Darwan were strapped to its side. Sydney, February 2022 The details Chris Masters and I had gathered about the war crime at Darwan were, after weeks of wrangling with editors and lawyers, published in The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and, a year later, broadcast on 60 Minutes. The revelations and continued reporting prompted Ben Roberts-Smith to make good on his promise to sue us for defamation and, over several weeks in mid-2021, take to the stand to tell his version of events to Federal Court Justice Anthony Besanko. Loading During his defamation case, Roberts-Smith had forcefully denied that anything sinister had occurred at Darwan. He testified that the villager who we claimed had been kicked off a cliff and executed was, in fact, an insurgent discovered in a cornfield, and shot because he was carrying a radio and posed a risk to soldiers. Afghan eyewitnesses from Darwan who we had called to testify via video link had disputed Roberts-Smiths version of events, alleging Ali Jan was detained, beaten, kicked off a precipice and murdered. But then, Justice Besanko adjourned the trial because of COVID-19 lockdowns. It wasnt until February 2022 that it resumed and I took up my familiar position in the back row of the court, closest to the door and just metres from Roberts-Smith. Our hope of proving the Darwan execution claim came down to one man: SAS veteran Jason Andrews. Andrews had, prior to Besankos lengthy adjournment, made it clear he was too unwell to appear. But in the months that had passed, our hope of getting Andrews to testify had slowly grown. In early 2022, we got news that he might be open, begrudgingly, to making the trip from Perth to the Federal Court in Sydney. As I waited for Andrews to be called to the stand on February 28, I once again turned to face Roberts-Smith. We hadnt said a word to each other, despite sitting only metres apart for days on end. Instead, we exchanged occasional stares and facial gestures. He now appeared to me as an oversized boy in a suit who, having made his vow of innocence to Kerry Stokes or his father or whomever else he had lied to about what hed done in Afghanistan, was too arrogant or proud or scared to back down. On this morning, as we locked eyes, I raised my brows and he did the same, mimicking me. But something had changed. I saw something I had never seen in Roberts-Smith. He now appeared to me as an oversized boy in a suit who, having made his vow of innocence to Kerry Stokes or his father or whomever else he had lied to about what hed done in Afghanistan, was too arrogant or proud or scared to back down. Hed walked himself to the edge of a cliff. If Andrews testimony pushed him over, his lies would be exposed. I almost felt sorry for him. Then my mind turned to the man actually kicked off a cliff, Ali Jan, and his donkey loaded with flour, wood and shoes for one of his and Bibis children, whom Id met in Kabul three years earlier. On day one of the trial, the war heros barrister, Bruce McClintock SC, had used a very descriptive term in describing the picture our case had painted of Roberts-Smith. McClintock was making the point it was egregiously unjust, but his term was perfect. Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG, would have to have been an ostentatious psychopath to do what wed alleged. I was certain of this characterisation because of everything that had preceded Andrews impending appearance in court. It wasnt just the years of journalism. Contrary to the expectations of Roberts-Smiths legal team, our witnesses civilian and SAS had shown up in droves. They had to be forced to court with subpoenas, but once in the stand they had nearly all exceeded our expectations. Roberts-Smiths barristers Arthur Moses SC and Bruce McClintock had largely been ineffectual, their jocularity and guffawing fading as the days passed. One of Roberts-Smiths lawyers, Monica Allen, now seemed nervous when she entered the court, staring at her shoes. Moses still appeared smug, but it was clear that his clients great hope regarding Jason Andrews would not be realised. Roberts-Smiths worst nightmare was taking shape: Andrews had arrived in Sydney. The heart of the journalism that had landed us in court in the first place, and the core of our war crimes defence against Roberts-Smiths lawsuit, was what happened in Darwan. It was why we had spent the best part of four years battling to get Andrews into court. But until I saw him enter the courtroom, I wouldnt breathe out. Even then, it depended on what he said. Would he back up his old friend, the man he once regarded as a brother? Our barrister Nic Owens would often tell me about the nerves of various witnesses hed had to prod forward in the box. But that day, prior to court, he disclosed that it was he who was feeling nauseous. Ive never felt so nervous, Owens said. The journalists barrister, Nicholas Owens SC. Credit: AAP If I hadnt already spent weeks watching Owens on his feet, I might have been worried. But he had performed flawlessly, week in week out. Essentially, though, whether or not Andrews would testify honestly was outside of Owens control. For weeks, Id sought to gather intelligence. Were Andrews and Roberts-Smith still not speaking? Had anyone got to Andrews? Had they secretly conspired to defeat our case? The witness door opened and a besuited man with a greying beard strode towards the witness box. Andrews. The building tension was almost too much to bear. Dean Levitans face was ghostly pale, his jaw clenched. He looked as nervous as me. I thought briefly of all those years of his life hed poured into the case. Owens guided Andrews through his memory of the Darwan mission, leading him slowly to the final compound on the ridge, the place where Roberts-Smith insisted he had arrived with Andrews and a second soldier, Vincent Jelovic*. Jelovic, Andrews and Roberts-Smith were the only SAS soldiers with Ali Jan when he died. We knew Jelovic was a loyal friend of Roberts-Smith who would back Roberts-Smiths account when it was his turn to testify, for a reason that went beyond mateship. According to our account, Jelovic was also a co-accused. We just needed to prove it. It wasnt just me who looked anxious. The whole courtroom was on edge. Dean Levitan turned around to look at me and nodded. This was the moment of truth. Our case would rise or fall on what happened next. Andrews took three sips of water and continued, directing his answers to Justice Besanko. According to his recollection, the far compound wasnt empty. He recalled an Afghan male and a donkey draped in a red rug. The donkey man was detained by Roberts-Smiths patrol team. A translator was then called for and an interrogation commenced. I tried to make notes, but I was squeezing my pen so hard my hand cramped. Andrews was already drastically diverting from the account given by Roberts-Smith. Along with the man and the donkey, Andrews recalled at least one other Afghan detainee in the compound that Roberts-Smith had insisted in his testimony was empty. I stopped writing and focused on Andrews, my heart pounding. The soldier questioning the donkey man with the help of an interpreter was Roberts-Smith, Andrews said. A short time later, he watched as Jelovic moved towards a large drop-off. Andrews sighed audibly. His face looked pained. Gently urged forward by Owens, he pressed on. Jelovic wasnt alone. He had guided the handcuffed man to the edge of the cliff and was holding him still, his hand upon his shoulder. Andrews described the Afghan to the court using the military terminology for a detainee in Australian custody: a person under control. Which person under control are you talking about? Owens asked quietly. The individual that had arrived with the donkey the person under control had his back towards the large slope, Andrews answered. Next, Andrews noticed Ben Roberts-Smith. He had walked to a position, maybe three or four metres away. And as I was trying to understand what was happening, he turned around, walked forward and kicked the individual in the chest. The donkey man was catapulted backwards over the cliff edge. As he fell, Andrews saw the individuals face strike a large rock He knocked out a number of his teeth, including his front teeth. Roberts-Smith with former defence minister Brendan Nelson in 2013 at the Australian War Memorial, and right, part of the Memorials Roberts-Smith exhibit, which is now a subject of some debate. Credit: Andrew Meares/Alex Ellinghausen Andrews described feeling shocked, but still followed Roberts-Smith and Jelovic as they manoeuvred down a track towards the creek bed where the donkey man had landed. Might be an obvious question, but why were you in shock? Owens asked. Cause it was something Ive never encountered before, Andrews said, his face ashen. When you say youd never seen this before, youre referring to someone being kicked off a cliff? Absolutely. The three soldiers found the donkey man lying in the dry creek bed, dazed and bleeding from the mouth. He attempted to sit up and then fell back down again, recalled Andrews. Was he still handcuffed or not? Yes. Andrews described Roberts-Smith ordering him and Jelovic to drag the donkey man to the base of a large tree and the pair following the command. Next, Andrews testified that he walked away from the tree, searching for other members of the SAS. Then he turned back in the direction of the donkey man. The Afghan was now standing, still in handcuffs, so Andrews looked away again. He didnt want to see what happened, but he knew it had been done when gunshots rang out. He turned back again, this time to see Jelovic still in a position with his rifle in his shoulder. The donkey man was dead. And did you observe anything about it that struck you? Owens asked. Id never seen the courtroom so still. Justice Besanko watched Andrews like a hawk as he described noticing that a radio had appeared next to the donkey mans body. It was slightly wet, he recalled. It was then that Andrews realised the radio had been taken from an insurgent Roberts-Smith had earlier waded across a river to kill and then planted on the donkey man. [Roberts-Smith] came back into our room and said, This is what the story is Jason Andrews*, witness But the cover-up wasnt complete. After they returned to the base, Andrews said that Roberts-Smith met with his small patrol team in their room and invented a false story about killing a Taliban member in a cornfield. He came back into our room and said, This is what the story is , said Andrews, adding, Your Honour, it was words to the effect of the story is that we engaged a spotter. A spotter was an insurgent with a radio. As I waited for Arthur Moses to stand and begin the cross-examination, I wondered what else might fall out of Andrews testimony. I also slipped off my suit jacket. It was convention to keep it on in court, but Id been so anxious Id been sweating. During the proceedings, Moses had already drawn out information that had helped, or at least hadnt harmed, our case. He wouldnt disappoint with Andrews. Moses pushed Andrews on his relationship with Jelovic, pointing out that hed been the best man at Jelovics wedding. And hes upset with you, is that right? Moses asked. I guess so. Do you know that hes upset with you because he feels that you have, in effect, accused him of being a murderer? Id suggest so. I watched this line of questioning in bewilderment. It seemed to serve no purpose other than to reinforce the discomfort Andrews so evidently felt in testifying. The same occurred when Moses accused Andrews of being jealous of Roberts-Smiths Victoria Cross. Andrews had fought alongside Roberts-Smith at the famous battle of Tizak in 2010, but Andrews had won a Medal for Gallantry, a lesser but still revered award recognising bravery. Roberts-Smith had found fame and fortune, but Andrews had left the army years later, a relative nobody. The Medal for Gallantry is awarded for acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances. So what? I thought. Again, the questioning seemed to fall well short of its intended mark, highlighting only the anguish faced by Andrews in entering the witness box. I loved him as a brother, he said to Moses of Roberts-Smith. Theres no resentment there. But now you hate him, dont you? Of course, I dont hate him. And its the case, isnt it, that youre jealous of him? Believe me Im not jealous of him. Loading To highlight the incongruity of Andrews claim that Roberts-Smith had later talked openly about the cliff kick after initially trying to cover it up, Moses pushed the Afghan veteran to recall what it was Roberts-Smith had precisely said. Is that what he said, I kicked the individual off the cliff? Moses asked. No, he didnt say that. What did he say? I kicked the c--- off the cliff. I noticed a Commonwealth lawyer observing proceedings wince as Andrews recalled the words. Most in the courtroom had now watched my 60 Minutes story about Ali Jans alleged execution, care of Moses decision to repeatedly replay it on a screen to various witnesses. As a result, they knew the executed donkey man had a name. They knew the c--- kicked off a cliff had a wife and several children. Andrews knew it, too. As Moses forced him to watch the program featuring Ali Jans family calling for justice, Andrews wept silently. * Jason Andrews and Vincent Jelovic are not their real names, which have been suppressed by court order. Other names have been altered for security reasons. In a special deal for subscribers, you can order a copy of Nick McKenzies new book, Crossing the Line, from QBD Books for the discounted price of $23.85 with the coupon code TRUTH or by using the barcode at the end of this article in store. This offer is available until July 28. Shipping fees apply for online purchases. To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times. I think it happens a lot, he says. When he was a kid, his parents were strict on his older sister and banned her from dating a boy she fancied. She, of course, became pregnant and fell into his arms, Dadds recalls. My mother was totally horrified by that. She was like, dont ever tell Mark what to do. So I was allowed to run wild. A rule of thumb for raising teenagers, he says, is to always know where they are. Dadds parents didnt. I would come home drunk, and smoking, and they would not say anything, he says. His Melbourne school, then called Fawkner Secondary College, was wild too. It was brutal. [There was] bullying. The school got burned down five times in my first year. We had a teacher who used to smoke pot and play Vanilla Ice records. Girls were treated really badly. I was kind of scared, too, but my way of reacting to being scared was to try to get it under control. Two Chaps brekkie ciabatta with grilled mushrooms, beetroot relish, fresco halloumi and poached egg. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer A turning point for Dadds came when he was on the verge of expulsion due to a series of misdemeanours, wagging and stuff like that. He cut a deal; if he passed the exam for the selective University High, the principal would not tell his parents about his near-expulsion. And he did. I went from being this thoughtless kid to seeing inner-city Melbourne and culture, it was wonderful. The accidental child psychologists work has helped thousands. Given this glittering career, I ask Dadds whether he was an exemplary father to his own stepchildren. He laughs. Hes good now, but it took me a long time, he says. I was pretty fiery, a little bit narcissistic. Selfish, maybe like a lot of young guys, despite everything I already knew. You can be super-smart. You can study psychology. You get in a situation where a kids throwing a tantrum, or your own parents are nagging you when youve got your own kids, and its very hard to not just become primitive in your responses. Dadds has spent decades helping parents to avoid such responses. His clinic specialises in Oppositional Defiance Disorder and its more serious older brother, conduct disorder. The behaviours are common to all kids, in varying degrees lying, stealing, punching, hitting, irritability, blaming others but for some, they escalate to a point that disrupts the childs life. We get a 60 per cent success rate, says Dadds, which is pretty good. Thats all you get with antibiotics for an infection. Because life gets in the way. [Some] people dont do it. They drop out. University of Sydney Professor Mark Dadds in Marrickville. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer Some of the children have underlying anxiety, or are intensely aware and emotional, and feel like everyone is against them. Theyre good to treat, says Dadds. Theres the ADHD kids, who have higher rates of conduct disorders because theyre impulsive. Their thing is I didnt mean it, says Dadds. And theres the kids with autism, for whom the challenge is to separate the behavioural issues from the hard-wiring of their neurodiversity. The parents will often say, is that a tantrum, or is that autism? Theres no answer to that. I say to them, the only way we can do this is to get to know your child really well. As we tuck into our mushroom, halloumi and egg ciabattas, I ask how the program works. Dadds asks me to imagine two buckets. One is full of the bad stuff; the negativity, the yelling, the fighting. The other is the good stuff; when a child follows instructions, plays independently, or has a positive interaction with their sibling. Typically, parents especially those arriving at Dadds door, whose lives are consumed by conflict with their conduct-disordered children focus their energy and attention on the former, and let the latter slip past with quiet relief. Dadds teaches them to do the opposite. We train the parents to find their heart again, he says. And to say [to their child], I love it so much when we work as a team. And when you followed that instruction, and gave me that pen, were in the zone together! And then the moment that child steps out of line, we have this predictable, boring, attachment-neutral discipline. We get over that as quickly as we can, and we try to get back to normal. That emotionless discipline usually involves time out, which, if done correctly, is the quickest and most effective. Mark Dadds with the families followed in the documentary Kids on Speed. Credit: ABC-TV Publicity The interaction between neurodiversity and behaviour is a hot issue. There are deep divisions around the question, for example, of whether ADHD is over-diagnosed, and challenging, fidgety kids are being pathologised (Dadds, who starred in the ABC documentary Kids on Speed, does not agree; he says diagnosis has become more rigorous, and if anything its now under-diagnosed in sections of the community with less access to pediatric support). Nowhere is the debate more fraught than in schools, where the number of neurodiverse children is skyrocketing. A NSW Department of Education report in 2019 found the number of children with autism was increasing by 15 per cent a year, and one in five children now requires classroom modifications due to some kind of disability. Students with disabilities receive disproportionately high numbers of suspensions. There is mounting tension between parents, who expect their childs challenging behaviour to be met with understanding in the classroom, and teachers, who say they have neither the time nor resources to deal with this extra complexity. This is such a problem, says Dadds, who uses the term Uries law to explain the damaging impact of this conflict. Urie Bronfenbrenner was a Russian-American psychologist who showed that the distance [a child] will go successfully in life to be a loving, successful, happy, generous person ... is directly proportional to the extent to which the caregiving systems in that childs life are seen by the child to be on the same team. Loading When Dadds was a child, there was more uniformity; parents, school and church mostly shared the same views and values. Thats no longer the case. He is encouraging parents to ask themselves, even though Im angry with the teacher, whats the best for my child? A teacher with 30 students in their class doesnt need your crap, he says, they need your help. As our conversation turns to challenging eight-year-olds, your correspondent a parent who could use a little advice herself spots an opportunity. I ask how he would convince an, ahem, hypothetical eight-year-old girl, who is brilliant, brave, kind and spirited, and who is much smarter than her mother, to be less defiant when it comes to following instructions. He suggests holding a family meeting, to explain how her life will evolve over the next eight years as she comes of age. Shell grow to be 16, he says, with all the exciting things that come with that; independence, adventures, boyfriends. And you want her to have such a wonderful time. During that period, there will be three buckets, representing three kinds of decisions; one for those decisions her parents make on her behalf, one for the things they negotiate with her, and one for those she makes herself. Loading As she grows, the things that were once in the first bucket will move to the second, and then the third, in a slow shift towards independence. Everyone struggles with it, says Dadds. But you two are going to do it because youre smart, and because you love each other. He flashes that kindly smile again, but this time with a hint of concern because his interviewer has dissolved into tears, imagining her fierce little girl as a young woman and overcome with the joy and sadness of it. Parts of Sydney will be asked to double or even triple the number of homes they deliver in coming years to resolve the citys serious housing crisis, the outgoing head of the citys planning agency has revealed, ahead of major revisions to housing targets for each council. Geoff Roberts, whose term as chief commissioner of the Greater Cities Commission ends next week, disagreed with criticism the agencys previous housing targets were too low, but conceded in future they need to be bolder. Were going to need to double, and in some cases triple, the number of houses, he told the Herald in an exit interview. We have to double at least the number of housing completions. Thats easy to say, much more difficult to deliver. The commission is taking a precinct approach to the mission, identifying corridors or areas where density could increase. But these targets will then be allocated to councils. The law requires the commission to set five, 10 and 20-year dwelling targets for all 43 councils in the six-city region. A first-floor addition to a home on Sydneys north shore that provided affordable housing for a young family priced out of the property market has taken out top awards in the NSW architecture prizes. Georgia Booth and her partner Adam Farrow-Palmer said finding somewhere to rent or buy had been frustrating. Everything was too far from family and friends, too expensive, had no backyard, and compared to what we have now, awful, said Booth. President of the NSW chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects Adam Haddow said the winning projects delivered beauty, delight and joy. Adam Farrow-Palmer with Theron, 6 months, and his parents Antoinette Farrow and John Palmer with Olive, 3. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos Announced on Friday night, award-winning projects ranged from the grand, such as the Opera House and the Art Gallery of NSW, to solutions to the housing crisis. This included small homes built in tiny spaces in the inner city, award-winning social housing, and several multi-generational homes. A man has been charged with murder after allegedly crashing his ute into a car, killing his estranged wife and injuring two children, in the central west town of Molong on June 9. Kristy Armstrong, 36, died at the scene of the crash on Speedy Street, and the children, aged eight and 11, were treated at the scene and taken to hospital with minor injuries. Kristy Armstrong was killed in a two-vehicle crash at Molong. Credit: Facebook Troy Armstrong, the 35-year-old driver of the ute, was cut from the wreckage of his white ute by rescue personnel and flown to Sydneys Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition. Following extensive inquiries, investigators attended Royal North Shore Hospital, where they charged a 35-year-old man with murder, and two counts of attempted murder, police said on Saturday morning. Mental injuries, which can be caused by bullying, gendered violence, stress and other factors, have topped the list for Victorian university WorkCover claims, as tertiary institutions spent millions of dollars on injury claims last year. According to WorkSafe, in 2022 the number of accepted injury claims by Victorian universities increased to 67, up from 56 the previous year. Those figures dont include claims made at the University of Melbourne, as it is a self-insurer. Victorian universities spent millions of dollars on WorkCover claims in 2022. Credit: Wayne Taylor The University of Melbourne expected to pay $2.65 million in WorkCover claims in 2022, an increase from $1.69 million in 2021. The average cost of claims at the states universities ranged from $6279 to $260,055. Chongqing, June 22 (Xinhua) -- As the Dragon Boat Festival holiday is coming, a special train carrying more than 300 passengers slowly left Zunyi Railway Station, heading for Chongqing West Railway Station on Tuesday. Different from the previous "slow train", passengers can not only enjoy the scenery along the way but also experience various Dragon Boat Festival folk customs during their journey. A "market carriage" is set on the train, where villagers living along the route sell their own agricultural products such as reed leaves, wormwood, calamus, glutinous rice and vegetables to passengers. After visiting the "market", visitors can watch various performances and make Zongzi (traditional sticky rice dumplings) and wormwood sachets in the "customs experiencing carriage" to experience traditional culture and folk customs. During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday from June 22 to 24, the 5630\5629 trains commute between Zunyi and Chongqing will continue to serve as a special festive train for passengers to get access to traditional folk customs. Volunteers make Zongzi with passengers on Train 5630 from Zunyi in Guizhou to Chongqing West in southwest China, June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) This photo taken on June 20, 2023 shows the "market carriage" on Train 5630 from Zunyi in Guizhou to Chongqing West in southwest China. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) Volunteers take photos with passengers on Train 5630 from Zunyi in Guizhou to Chongqing West in southwest China, June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) A villager pours out newly picked waxberries in the "market carriage" for passengers to select on Train 5630 from Zunyi in Guizhou to Chongqing West in southwest China, June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Wei) Produced by Xinhua Global Service According to a well-placed source who was not authorised to speak publicly, the $95 million purchase through Sothebys Michael Pallier was a highly structured deal with the option of a two to three-year settlement and involving multiple deposits (usually 10 per cent of the price) to be paid at intervals through the settlement. The Edgewater mansion sold for $95 million is yet to settle to the company that purchased it, Point Piper One. Credit: Domain Despite the protracted terms, Li has already commissioned a major redesign of the house by architectural firm MHN Design Union to create what is dubbed on the development application as the Li Residence. Three years later, and after tens of millions of dollars have been paid toward the cost of the house, it remains unknown if Yangs company will settle on it. Indeed, in Yangs affidavit to the court, she alleged she only became aware that the purchase had not yet settled thanks to a story in this masthead. Neither Li, 60, nor Yang, 59, would comment for this story, but according to a standard contract of sale, if the sale does not settle, the deposit would be forfeited and the Brender and Moss families could put the property back up for sale. Trouble in paradise Problems in Li and Yangs marriage go back to June last year when Yang found out Li had moved into one of the properties that had been purchased and was now residing there with his former wife, according to a recent decision handed down by NSW Supreme Court judge Ashley Black. According to Yangs own affidavit, it was at this point that she moved into her apartment in Zetland that records show she purchased for almost $1.3 million in 2017. The judgment adds that a month after Yang discovered Li was living with his former wife, she then discovered her corporate interests had been changed without her permission, prompting legal proceedings into the state of the couples joint corporate interests. Justice Black ordered earlier this month that estranged wife Yang be installed as the sole director and owner of the company Point Piper One Pty Ltd, putting her in the box seat to complete the purchase of the Point Piper mansion. Further, Justice Black ordered that three other companies controlled by Li and already in provisional administration be wound up by liquidators. Loading The three companies were placed into administration last year with debts itemised on the companies own corporate filings that included a tax debt totalling $7.5 million, $16,000 in council rates and charges, $800,000 in outstanding land tax, almost $1 million owed to construction company Forbair and $100 million in outstanding loans. A property known as Mandalay, which is set on a waterfront peninsula of almost three hectares, and owned by one of the companies now in liquidation, One Lake Macquarie Pty Ltd, was recently almost sold. Justice Black noted in his judgment that there had been an attempted sale of the [Lake Macquarie] property to an associate of Mr Li at an apparent undervalue immediately prior to the provisional liquidators appointment, which they had not [been] permitted to complete. There were no findings of misconduct or unlawful behaviour found against Li. Indonesian gold heist Lis billionaire lifestyle is in part a credit to the gold mining operation in Borneos West Kalimantan region called PT Sultan Rafli Mandiri (SRM), of which Lis corporate interests are a major shareholder. Indonesian corporate records show Lis previous wife, Changren Cheng, is the company managing director of PT SRM. The tunnel owned by PT Sultan Rafli Mandiri was sealed by police. Credit: Arief Nugroho/Pontianak Post The gold mine was sealed almost two years ago when police began an investigation into claims of illegal mining activity, confiscating a gold ore stockpile totalling 3000 tonnes. What followed was detailed in a judgment handed down by Indonesias Ketapang District Court in the trial of the mines supervisor, Wang Shiming, in which he was found guilty of taking an item that is confiscated in line with the law. According to a summary of the judgment, a few days after police sealed the mine it was alleged that the companys major shareholder, Li, called from Australia to ask that the gold ore stockpile be processed into gold bars. Over three nights workers produced 16 gold bars, photos of which were allegedly sent to Li via WeChat by the mines supervisor, according to the judgment. Of those gold bars, 15 were transported to Jakarta and delivered to Lis brother-in-law Li Zhi Hua, the judgment states. Li Zhi Hua, 50, was arrested in Bali, and despite denying the allegations against him, at his trial he was found guilty for his role in the scheme by the Ketapang District Court. He was sentenced to four years jail, but that was revised to 18 months on appeal. The gold bars remain missing. Loading No charges were made against Li and he was never part of the separate trials into the gold heist. He was contacted in relation to this story, but was unavailable to comment before publication. Indonesian media reports in July of last year say the gold mine employees have not been paid for months following the shutdown, prompting workers to plead with the authorities to allow operations to start up again. Meanwhile, back in Sydney a source with knowledge of the Edgewater deal said Li still intends to settle on the $95 million mansion at 92 Wolseley Road Point Piper. Corporate records show he recently set up a new company with his 20-year-old daughter Li Zhirou, called Point Piper 92 Pty Ltd. VISIT East Coast Lagoon Food Village is at 1220 ECP, Singapore. Allow $20 a person. No bookings, no website. Bincho WE SAY Though Singapore is well-known for its native cuisine, as well as those of Malaysia, China and India, the country is also home to plenty of restaurants serving high-quality Japanese food. One of the best of those is Bincho, a yakitori grill hidden in the back of a carpark in trendy Tiong Bahru. By day, this space is an 80-year-old noodle house, but by night it transforms into a high-end Japanese grill, specialising in chicken and seafood. Grilled and marinated chicken thigh with sugiita at Bincho. MATT SAYS Ive been going here for years. When all the Singapore Airlines [International Culinary Panel] chefs come out, this is somewhere we usually end up. Its just good food you know, chicken hearts and bums but its also a must-see venue when youre in Singapore, and a really interesting dining experience. VISIT Bincho is at 78 Moh Guan Terrace, #01-19, Singapore. Allow $150+ a person. Bookings essential. See bincho.com.sg Waku ghin WE SAY Australian chef Tetsuya Wakuda made his name in Sydney with his eponymous fine-dining restaurant, before making a highly successful foray into the Singapore scene with Waku Ghin. Set in the Marina Bay Sands complex, Waku Ghin serves 10-course degustation menus of exquisite Japanese-style cuisine, and its two Michelin stars speak to the quality of that experience. MATT SAYS I sat at the bar when Tets first opened Waku Ghin and had a phenomenal meal. And hes one of the true gentlemen. Tetsuyas in Australia probably doesnt get the accolades that it used to, but people have to remember, Tetsuya put Australian food on the map. It was regarded as one of the best restaurants in the world. And a lot of great cooks have come out of there over the years. Tetsuya has also recently opened up Wakuda in Marina Bay Sands, the casual brother to Waku Ghin, which Im keen to check out. VISIT Find Waku Ghin at 2 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Allow $250+ a person at the bar, $700+ at the Chefs Table. Bookings essential. See marinabaysands.com Long Beach Seafood WE SAY Of all the iconic dishes served in Singapore, perhaps the best known is chilli crab, in which whole mud crabs (and sometimes snow crabs or Dungeness crabs) are tossed in a thick, tomato and chilli-based sauce. However, theres a sister dish, black pepper crab, that might be just as good, or even better, and it was invented at Long Beach Seafood. This restaurant has been around since the 1940s, and still peddles a huge array of crab and other seafood dishes, served by the water on the East Coast. Long Beach Seafood Singapore. MATT SAYS This is my go-to with family. If weve got the kids with us, its really family-friendly. Pepper crab, chilli crab, crispy-skin chicken, and just go for it. Plus at Long Beach you can sit outside along the water with a view of Marina Bay Sands. Just nearby, Jumbo is another great spot for pepper crab and chilli crab youve gotta get one of each. VISIT Long Beach Seafood has multiple outlets, though its original venue is along the East Coast Parkway, near the airport, at 1202 ECP, #01-04, Singapore. Allow $75+ a person. Bookings available online, though walk-ins are also accepted. See longbeachseafood.com.sg Burnt Ends WE SAY Australian chef Dave Pynts now-legendary wood-fired grill restaurant has been lauded (and copied) the world over, and offers next-level cuisine to those who appreciate meat, seafood and even vegetables with a hint of smoke. The menu changes daily, though the smoked quail egg and caviar is a current staple. Book well in advance for this one because Burnt Ends is popular, and deservedly so. Bar at Burnt Ends. MATT SAYS Dave Pynt has inspired so many other chefs to start cooking with fire. Jake Kellie, whos got Arkhe down in Adelaide now ... I mean, people say its on trend, but thats how humans started, thats how we cooked! But I remember going to Burnt Ends when Dave first opened it it was one of my first experiences of all food cooked over a fire. I am very excited to be going there again soon. VISIT Burnt Ends is at 7 Dempsey Road, #01-04, Singapore. Bookings open one month in advance. Allow $250+ a person. See burntends.com.sg Atlas WE SAY The Singapore nightlife scene doesnt begin and end in its restaurants. Over the last decade or so the city-state has seen a proliferation of high-end bars serving excellent cocktails and snacks in swanky surrounds, and one of the best of them would have to be Atlas. This is worth a visit for the venue alone, in the spacious lobby of the art deco-style Parkview Square building. At night, with its dark leather tones and soft lighting, you wouldnt want to be anywhere else. MATT SAYS Its an unbelievable room, full of late-night wow factor for people who might not have been to Singapore before. The whole place just screams decadence, with its high ceilings, leather furniture and elegant decor, and the service is always top notch. Its a must whilst youre in town. VISIT Atlas is at Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore. Allow $30+ a person. Reservations are available 90 days in advance, though some tables are held for walk-ins. Food is available until 12.30am. See atlasbar.sg Cloudstreet WE SAY The name of this restaurant speaks to chef Rishi Naleendras time in Australia its taken from the seminal Tim Winton novel though the cuisine on offer at Cloudstreet is a melange of Asian and Oceanic influences, led by Naleendras own heritage in Sri Lanka. Cloudstreet is an intimate restaurant that now has two Michelin stars, and diners here enjoy an eight-course degustation of unique, modern cuisine, priced at $440 a person. Cloudstreet offers a melange of Asian and Oceanic influences. MATT SAYS This is some of the best food Ive eaten for a long time. Rishi Naleendra is an incredible cook. He actually worked in Australia, but its just phenomenal food, hes a real talent. I dined at Cloudstreet last year, and it has to be one of the best meals I have eaten in Singapore. I was blown away. VISIT Cloudstreet is at 84 Amoy Street, Singapore. Allow $550+ a person. Bookings essential. See cloudstreet.com.sg Employees Only WE SAY The whole speakeasy thing might seem a little forced in Singapore, but Employees Only is a hospitality-industry-friendly cocktail bar that began its life in New York in 2004, so the bonafides are certainly there. The Singapore venue was the brands second outpost, set in a historic terrace with a fortune teller in the front room, and it almost immediately began to draw a crowd of chefs and other hospitality workers keen for a few cocktails to wind down after a long shift. MATT SAYS I cant remember too many nights here, but Ive been a few times! This is a great bar, small, people everywhere, it takes you half an hour to get to the toilet because you have to push past a lot of people. You see all the expat chefs here. Its the perfect bar to go to after dinner for drinks. VISIT Employees Only is at 112 Amoy Street, Singapore. Allow $20+ a person. Reservations can be made for dinner, otherwise the bar is solely walk-ins only. See employeesonlysg.com Crystal Jade Palace WE SAY Singapore, of course, has a lot of excellent Chinese food. You can find that food in hawker centres, you can find it in Michelin-starred diners, and you can find it in places such as Crystal Jade, which is a happy medium between the two, providing high-quality cuisine in comfortable surrounds. The restaurant was founded 25 years ago and now has more than 100 outlets across the globe, including five in Singapore, serving a seafood-heavy menu of dishes from around China. MATT SAYS This is a place I would always tend to go if theres a big group of us. So, if Ive got a bunch of chefs here, or a whole lot of mates who want to catch up, its easy. You dont even have to think about it. The original venue is a cosy one, with a traditional Chinese menu and great dim sum. VISIT Find Crystal Jade Palace at 391 Orchard Roadd, #04-19, Singapore. Allow $100+ a person. Bookings recommended but not essential. See crystaljade.com Smoke And Mirrors WE SAY Scrape your jaw off the floor and head to your table once you arrive at Smoke and Mirrors, a rooftop bar with one incredible view of the Singapore skyline, including the Marina Bay Sands complex. Fortunately, the cocktails here are as impressive as the vistas, with light snacks available to pair with them. As you would expect, these drinks dont come cheap, but are well worth the extravagance. Head to Smoke and Mirrors for incredible views. MATT SAYS Dont go here too late because sunset is amazing. Singapore has become known for its rooftop bars, and in a city of skyscrapers there are plenty to choose from. But my pick is Smoke and Mirrors, which is on the top floor of the National Art Gallery. VISIT Smoke and Mirrors is at 1 St Andrews Road, #06-01, Singapore. Allow $50+ a person. Bookings open 14 days in advance, and are recommended. See smokeandmirrors.com.sg Air fare: An exclusive look at Matt Morans new Singapore Airlines menu There are certain things you can do, and certain things you cant do, when it comes to cooking in the air. You can use the best produce to turn out high-quality meals served on fine china. You cant use open flames. I wish you could, laughs Matt Moran when we meet at the SATS Inflight Catering Centre at Singapore Changi Airport, where the Australian chef has been developing menus for Singapore Airlines over the last 20 years. But certain things lend themselves better to being on a plane. Everything has to be a little saltier. Theyve got the [aircraft] simulator in SATS here, which they use to taste the food under normal cabin pressure. But the way the food has gone in the last 20 years, passengers just want to be able to identify good produce, and usually simple produce. You know, a simple piece of grass-fed beef, cooked really well. I just look for flavour profiles that work well together, keep it simple, good quality. And thats my philosophy on food overall, just use good product and let it speak for itself. Those travelling in Singapore Airlines premium cabins may recognise a few of the dishes that are served from Matts inflight menus. Many of these creations began their existence on the menus of Aria and Chiswick, and have since been adapted to suit conditions in the air. Most of the dishes are adapted from something, Matt says. We just go through the database of recipes [from all his venues] and think about what will work. So, whats on the new menu? Im lucky enough to have Matt cook me one of the stand-out dishes: seared grass-fed beef with fondant potato and mushrooms. We call it mushroom ketchup, Matt says. Its just mushrooms [pureed] with a little bit of vinegar and sugar to give it that acidity, to cut through. You need that balance. The potato fondant is cooked down with chicken stock and butter, and then caramelised. Its ridiculously good. Also featuring on Matts menu, youll find the likes of citrus-cured trout with creme fraiche and trout roe; confit pork belly with sherry prunes, celeriac salad and pork mustard jus; wagyu short-rib with cardamom steamed rice, and gnocchi with mushrooms, truffle oil, kale and kombu butter. As we finish our meal, some of the Singapore Airlines staff bring around packets of ingredients they have sourced from a new supplier, an urban farm in Newark, New Jersey, that is producing incredibly crisp greens and micro-herbs. Matt tries a little from each package, and you can see the gears clicking in his mind as he runs through the ways he could use such excellent produce. Keep an eye out for it, next time you fly. See singaporeairlines.com Its official: day trips are good for you. As a recent University of London study discovered (and as any avid day tripper could have told you), they give us emotional and health benefits aplenty. Fortunately, Melbourne is within striking distance of many great day-trip options: the Dandenong Ranges, the Yarra Valley, and the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas being our favourite destinations. But if youre seeking something different for the winter school holidays and beyond, there are some surprising options to consider, all doable in a day, to have you comfortably home for dinner. Embrace winter in Ballarat I feel for Tony Sullivan (Traveller Letters, June 3), and encourage him to use Resolver.co.uk as I did to get full compensation for flight delays originating in the EU and UK. This free service provides you with the correct legal wording and EU Regulation to reference in your communication with the airline, under which they are legally bound to compensate in full, based on the length of the delay. Within two weeks of my email to Qantas about our QF10 service from London to Perth, which was delayed by 26 hours, I had my full refund in my account nearly $1000 a person. Damian Reynolds, Maroubra, NSW Gut reaction Having also returned from Portugal recently, I did not necessarily notice the different European wheat raised in the Gut reaction letter (Traveller Letters, June 10) but can confirm that a pastel de nata (Portuguese tart) every day while in the country certainly hit the spot. Or you can try the pastel de belem in Lisbon. And on the topic of food, in Portugal give the arroz a la valenciana (Portuguese version of paella) and Francesinha (iconic Porto dish) a go with a sangria on the side. Cameron Giacometti, South Turramurra NSW Gut reaction #2 Your Aussie wheat definitely requires closer inspection. My family and I have been over from London for the past two months and, since arrival, have all experienced near continuous discomfort. We had no wheat issues ever back in Europe, and it is only by unearthing a rare loaf of organic bread that we have been able to get back on the toast and Vegemite. I would also note that wheat allergies, to varying degrees, are a constant theme when dining with family and friends here, far more prevalent than back home. On the other hand, Im yet to see a single traffic warden, so my blood pressure has come right down. Tom Etherton, London, UK (but currently Toowong, Qld) Doggy bag I admit to having taken the occasional piece of fruit (OK, and maybe the occasional danish) from hotel breakfast buffets, but things changed in India and I have not one scintilla of guilt. India itself was wondrous but not so all of its stray dogs. Had we been aware of the extent beforehand, we would have bought some dry dog food at the beginning of the tour to fill baggies each day but instead, we started taking leftovers and a few other small titbits to feed the puppies that crossed our path. Better in their stomachs than the rubbish bin. Daniela Scalcon, Cabarita, NSW Back(pack) off As a former flight attendant there is one other thing that I would like to add to traveller etiquette (Traveller, June 7) and that is the backpack. Passengers constantly forget theyre wearing them or just dont seem to care about whom they nearly decapitate when they swing around in the narrow aisle of the aircraft. Jill Rogers, Pullenvale, Qld Tip of the week: Cancel culture As soon as I have the idea of a getaway in my mind, I start the search for accommodation options and car hire etc and book through sites that offer free cancellation, sometimes right up to the day of arrival. Then, keep an eye on last-minute deals and room sales as the day gets closer. If you find a cheaper deal, book that and then cancel the original booking. Also, most hotels have loyalty programmes that are free to join and offer great discounts for booking direct. Remember to link as much as you can to frequent flyer accounts. For instance, my NAB rewards card offers extra points for booking through partners, I just booked some accommodation through Agoda and got 8 points for every $1 spent. Sally Milliss, Logans Crossing, NSW Two sides now We are currently on a long trip with a combination of group and independent (or DIY) travel organised from Australia using Rail Europe and Booking.com. Using DIY travel we picked up local tour companies in Avignon and local people in Lyon through the French greeters organisation. Ending our DIY travel we looked forward to joining a group tour through Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Both methods of travel have been fun, interesting and memorable, with advantages and disadvantages. The group tour allows you to see the highlights of the country and of course, organised transport and accommodation. The bonus is travel with friendly people. In DIY, you can take things slowly, use public transport, meet locals and use long forgotten French and Spanish. But you may miss out on key sites if you do not do your research properly. Michael Copping, Oatley, NSW Return to Algeria Its time to think about going to Algeria. On May 11 Smartraveller lowered its advice for most of the country to exercise a high degree of caution, the same as many other popular holiday destinations. I recently spent nine days there, visiting the fascinating cities of Algiers and Constantine, the magnificent Roman ruins of Djemila and Timgad and the magical Sahara oasis town of Ghardaia. Algerians were welcoming and there was none of the hassle that tourists experience in Morocco. My trip was organised by an Algerian tour company who also provided the invitation letter needed for a tourist visa. Robert Cumming, Centennial Park, NSW Modi cracked jokes about his lack of singing ability, the time Biden wanted him to eat even though he was fasting, and how well Indians and Americans were getting along. Loading Not known for his sense of humour, Modi kept the almost 400 guests in stitches as he toasted Biden and first lady Jill Biden before dinner was served. I know your hospitality has moved your guests to sing. I wish, I too, had the singing talent, Modi joked. I could have also sang before you all. Modi was referring to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who surprised guests when he got up onstage during a White House state dinner honouring him in April and belted out a rendition of American Pie one of his favourite songs to raucous applause. Modi said the dinner would give him a chance to make up for not eating during a banquet that he said Biden hosted for him in 2014. Modi was observing a religious fast at the time. I remember you were asking me and asking me again and again what I could eat during my fast. But it was not possible for me to eat anything and you were quite concerned about it, he said. Well today, Im making up for it. All that you desired at that time with so much affection is being fulfilled today. Alphabet chief executive Sundar Pichai and his wife Anjali Pichai arrive for the dinner. Credit: Bloomberg Biden recalled that two decades ago when he was chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hed said the world would be safer if the US and India grew to be the closest friends and partners in the world. I believe that even more today now that Im president, Biden said. Despite deep differences over human rights and Indias stance on Russias war in Ukraine, Biden extended to Modi the administrations third invitation for a state visit. It included the state dinner, a high diplomatic honour that the US reserves for its closest allies. Loading Biden hopes all the pomp and attention lavished on Modi from the thousands who gathered on the White House lawn to cheer his arrival in the morning to the splashy dinner at the end of the day will help him firm up relations with the leader of a country the US believes will be a pivotal force in Asia for decades to come. Modi is seeking to raise the status that India, the worlds most populous country at 1.4 billion and fifth-largest economy, has on the world stage as a manufacturing and diplomatic powerhouse while navigating strained ties with China. Modis participation in a White House press conference was notable in itself, marking one of the first times the Indian leader has taken questions in such a format during his nine-year tenure. He took one question apiece from an American and an Indian journalist selected in advance, and dismissed criticism about Indias human rights record. Democracy is our spirit, Modi said through an interpreter. Democracy runs in our veins. We live democracy and our ancestors have actually put words to this concept. Modi has faced criticism over legislation amending the countrys citizenship law that fast-tracks naturalisation 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. Asked by an American reporter about what steps he would take to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities, Modi said theres absolutely no space for discrimination in India. Biden told reporters he and Modi had a straightforward discussion about democratic values. Washington has been frustrated by Indias close ties with Russia while Moscow wages war in Ukraine. Modi avoided direct mention of Russia, but told lawmakers the conflict was causing great pain in the region. Since it involves major powers, the outcomes are severe. Loading Modis visit was not without controversy. The speech to US Congress, normally a bipartisan affirmation of a visiting leader from an allied nation, was boycotted by some politicians, who cited the Modi governments treatment of Indias Muslim minority. I encourage my colleagues who stand for pluralism, tolerance and freedom of the press to join me in doing the same, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on Wednesday. As some 7000 well-wishers gathered for a colourful opening ceremony at the White House, a smaller group of demonstrators gathered blocks away. 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 Two-and-a-half miles down. Three-thousand, eight hundred and twenty-one metres. The pressure outside is three-and-a-half tons per square inch. These windows are nine inches thick, and if they go, its sayonara in two micro-seconds. Thats a quote uttered by fictional undersea treasure hunter Brock Lovett in James Camerons Titanic as he narrates a submersible exploring the sides of the 1912 wreck. The clip is circulating online due to its eerie relevance to the tragic end to the search for the Titan submersible, which went missing on Sunday AEST with five passengers aboard as they travelled to the depths of the North Atlantic. After an undersea robot discovered debris from the submersible about 487 metres from the Titanics bow, at the wrecks depth of 3.8 kilometres, the US coast guard concluded the vessel suffered a catastrophic implosion, killing the five men and ending any hopes of a rescue. Officials have said its too early to tell when the implosion occurred and how. But what conditions on the ocean floor couldve caused such a catastrophic end? An undated image showing OceanGates Titan submersible vehicle. Why is the pressure so extreme in the deep sea? All of us are exposed to atmospheric pressure, caused by the weight of the air above us pressing down. You can imagine it as a long column of air above you reaching to the top of the atmosphere, pressing down on the top of your head, according to the American Museum of Natural History. Advertisement The higher you go, the less of that column is pressing down on your body, which is why theres lower pressure at higher altitudes. Loading At sea level, the pressure is at one atmosphere, which is equivalent to about one kilogram of weight pressing down on every square centimetre, or 14.7 pounds per square inch (PSI). In the sea, that column of atmosphere pressing down is increased by the weight of water above you too and water is far heavier than air. For every 10 metres of ocean depth, the pressure ramps up by one atmosphere. At the depth of the Titanic wreck, the Titan submersible would have contended with pressure of between 375 and 400 atmospheres. The pressure is equivalent to about 2500 kilograms (5500 pounds) of force pressing in on every square inch. Put another way, its the equivalent of more than 4000 tonnes applied on an area of one square metre, says Associate Professor Eric Fusil, director of the Shipbuilding Hub at the University of Adelaide. The effect of this pressure was illustrated by Australian marine archaeologist Emily Jateff, who strung a bag of styrofoam cups to the outside of the submersible she travelled to the Titanic within in 2005. The cups were crushed to an eighth of their size. Advertisement At such depths, says Fusil, its like crushing a can of soda to the size of a very small marble in your hand. What could have caused the implosion? A catastrophic implosion of the kind that destroyed the Titan is a phenomenon where, basically, you are crushing a pressure vessel from the outside. It results in the instantaneous implosion of that vessel, killing everyone within 20 milliseconds, Fusil says. It is instant. The human brain is not able to process information at that speed. They wouldnt have realised what happened. The massive difference in pressure between the inside of the hull, at one atmosphere, and 400 atmospheres in the depths outside the vessel means one tiny fracture or imperfection could have led the Titan to implode. This is why you need shapes like spheres, cylinders, that are naturally prone to perfectly balance the stresses inside the material and then you need the materials to be able to sustain those high stresses, Fusil says. Advertisement Other submersibles that travel to extreme depths are built with a single metallic material such as titanium. Titanium is used because thats material with a high-yield strength it can absorb deformation very easily under a huge range of pressures. The titanium pressure vessel would just contract and then when you go back up it would come back to its original shape without any permanent deformation. Thats called plastification. But the Titan was made from two materials: titanium end caps and a composite carbon fibre body. [Carbon fibre] is very stiff, says Fusil. It does not want to move. So Titan has a combination of two materials with opposite behaviour. If youve got those two opposite materials, maybe and this is speculation there was a defect created in the bonding of the composite material and the titanium part. Fusils analysis was backed up by retired US navy captain Alfred McLaren. When you take a couple of dissimilar materials like that, and try and seal them, and then you change depth and temperatures and all that, the molecules are going to react differently, McLaren told ABC radio. He added the risk of a defect increases with every deep sea journey by a submersible. All you had to have is just a hole [in the submersibles seal] not much bigger than the diameter of your hair ... just a slice. The passengers wouldve been killed instantly by the folding metal in the implosion or by the extreme pressure crushing the air-filled cavities of their bodies, including their lungs. That thing would flood so quickly, McLaren said. Theyd be gone in a fraction of a second. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Parliament of Sint Maarten invites the public to submit nominations for the Annual President of Parliament Award. The application form can be found on the Parliaments website. Persons have until August 11, 2023, to submit their nominations. The website address is: www.sxmparliament.org and can be found under the public section of the site. Select the President of Parliament Award and you will be able to fill in the application form. The purpose of the President of Parliament award is to recognize and award young persons of Sint Maarten who have contributed to the community and the country positively whether it be academically, voluntary or sporting achievements. The eligibility criteria are: the candidate must have the Dutch nationality and/or has been legally residing in Sint Maarten for 10 years or more consecutively, and has been registered in the Civil Registry for that period of time; must be between the ages of 15-24 years; has made a worthwhile contribution to the development of the community and the country; these contributions/achievements must have taken place within the last three years; contributions/achievements must have been made while the individual was acting as a private citizen, not as an appointed or elected government official; and must have demonstrated a capacity for leadership and ability to motivate. An award committee consisting of three Members of Parliament reviews the nominations and selects the recipient of the award in consultation with the President of Parliament. The award is presented yearly to the recipient during the reception ceremony at the Opening of the Parliamentary Year. Nominations for the Annual President of Parliament Award may be submitted by any citizen of Sint Maarten who believes that the individual that he or she is nominating meets the abovementioned criteria. Nominations can be submitted by delivering a hardcopy to: The Parliament of Sint Maarten Attn: Annual President of Parliament Award Committee Wilhelminastraart 1 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten Or via e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. PHILIPSBURG:--- From Monday, 26 June through Friday, 30 June the University of St Martin (USM) will facilitate the local daily live-streaming and networking sessions of the third annual Dutch Caribbean Research Week (DCRW 2023). Research projects on the six Caribbean islands Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, St Maarten, Saba, and St Eustatius will be presented in the form of lectures, poster presentations, and panel discussions. This year six researchers from Sint Maarten will present their work and ideas. In collaboration with and sponsored by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), USM welcomes everyone interested in research on our Caribbean islands to view the daily live stream in its conference room 208 from 8 am to 2 pm. Following each presentation, USM will offer networking opportunities on campus and a special Happy Hour on Friday evening to close the Dutch Caribbean Research Week. From Sint Maarten, Eugene Hoogstad will present on Food Security and Economic Diversification; Local pediatrician at Sint Maarten Medical Center Lilly M. Verhagen will share her research on respiratory tract infections in children; USM lecturer Dr. Delroy Pierre, will present his doctoral research findings on mathematics teaching in Foundation Based Education in country St Maarten, while independent researchers Carla Vlaun and Tadzio Bervoets will participate as panelists. USM President Carmona Baez will deliver the final keynote address of the five-day symposium on Friday, 30 June at 10.30. In written statements delivered to the press, USM president Dr. Antonio Carmona Baez called the live streaming of the DCRW on campus another milestone celebrating USMs achievement of bringing the arts and sciences to the community at large. By USM co-hosting the DCRW for the first time, everyone here in St. Maarten interested in research on our islands can come to USM and participate in this event. It is not because we are providing live streaming from Holland; rather, it is because we are celebrating the contributions of our Caribbean researchers within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. USM Research Coordinator drs. Raymond Jessurun is delighted with the opportunity to welcome the community to learn about what research is being carried out on our islands. Coming to the in-person sessions at USM creates the opportunity to discuss and critically assess what is being presented. The opportunity to network after the sessions is also a service of USM to the country Sint Maarten. With this annual one-week event, NWO wants to provide a platform to bring researchers from the Caribbean science community together. The former Dutch Caribbean research weeks largely served audiences residing in the Netherlands. With USM co-hosting the research week, just as with the USM Science Cafe activities held at Axum on Front Street, the university wants to involve the local public more and more in critical reflection on our development issues. Visitors can access DCRWs scheduled program at https://www.nwo.nl/en/meetings/dutch-caribbean-research-week and choose which sessions are most interesting for them. Canada Nickel Reports Encouraging Initial Metallurgical Results from its Texmont Project, Announces Consolidation of Texmont Region Highlights Initial metallurgy work yields excellent nickel and cobalt recoveries producing high-grade concentrates: Nickel recoveries of 79 84% Cobalt recoveries of 77 83% Final concentrate grades of 18 28% nickel with up to 0.7% cobalt Simple process can be used and would provide significant flexibility for potential toll milling opportunities Company acquires 9,520 hectares of mining claims covering 20 kilometres of strike length with the potential to host Texmont style mineralization Canada Nickel Company Inc. (\Canada Nickel\ or the \Company\ https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/canada-nickel-company-inc/) (TSXV:CNC) (OTCQX:CNIKF) is pleased to announce the initial results from preliminary metallurgical test work on the first set of samples from the Texmont Nickel Sulphide Project, which demonstrates a range of grades could be processed using a simple process flowsheet and recoveries that meet or exceed historical results. Mark Selby, CEO said, aTexmont continues to deliver excellent results, with initial metallurgy yielding nickel and cobalt recoveries and concentrate grades exceeding our expectations. Further, these results were achieved with a simple flowsheet which will maximize potential opportunities to toll mill our initial production.A I look forward to the next phases of work while we complete our initial resource on Texmont and complete a Preliminary Economic Analysis (aPEAa) by year-end.a Mr. Selby continued, aGiven our success at Texmont, we capitalized on the opportunity to acquire regional mining claims, consolidating 20 kilometres of property with the potential to find more Texmont-style deposits. We have signed a total of 10 agreements which consolidate 9,520 hectares of mining claims. We view this as an important and highly prospective addition to our Timmins Nickel District.a A Description of Results The Texmont property is a past producing mine, located approximately 36 kilometres south of Timmins, that contains a large ultramafic body. Through analysis of historic drill data and supported by new drilling (refer to news release June 1, 2023), Canada Nickel has identified a near surface, high grade zone of > 1% nickel wrapped within a moderate-high grade zone of 0.6 to 1.0% nickel. The company is evaluating the potential for near term production from Texmont through open pit mining of this moderate-high grade material. Table 1 summarizes the results of open circuit testing completed at XPS (A Glencore Company), on three samples from Texmont, with head grades ranging from 0.67 a 1.52% nickel. The samples were selected to represent the moderate-high grade zone of the deposit and were tested using a simple flowsheet with samples ground to 100 microns, that does not require desliming, and which offers flexibility for toll milling. A Nickel recoveries were in the range of 79 to 84%, while cobalt recoveries were similarly high, ranging from 77 to 83%. The mineralization shows excellent upgrading potential, with final cleaner concentrate grades between 18 to 28% nickel and 0.44 to 0.70% cobalt, which is considered a high-grade concentrate for material with pentlandite style mineralization. The Company is very encouraged by these results, which are in line with and exceeding the historical results documented in the 2007 Fletcher Nickel NI 43-101 report, supporting the potential for a near term open pit operation. Next Steps in Metallurgical Testing Through the summer months, Canada Nickel expects to finalize the metallurgical flowsheet by conducting locked cycle and metallurgical variability tests. This test program will be used to define recovery equations for the Texmont PEA, which is expected to be released by the end of 2023. Acquisition of Texmont Trend Canada Nickel, through a series of ten Purchase and Sale Agreements (including one previously announced for 54,000 common shares) has acquired 403 additional mining claims within the Texmont ultramafic trend. The Company will issue a total of 515,400 common shares (461,400 and 54,000) and make cash payments totaling $300,550. Each of the foregoing issuances of common shares are subject to the prior approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, and the shares will be subject to a four-month hold period under Canadian securities laws from the date of the respective issuance. Qualified Person and Data Verification Arthur G. Stokreef, P.Eng. (ON), Manager of Process Engineering & Geometallurgy and a aqualified persona as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of Canada Nickel Company Inc. About Canada Nickel Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to deliver nickel required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless steel markets. Canada Nickel Company has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero Nickela, NetZero Cobalta and NetZero Irona and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel in low political risk jurisdictions. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project in the heart of the prolific Timmins-Cochrane mining camp. For more information, please visit www.canadanickel.com. About XPS (A Glencore Company) XPS (A Glencore Company) is an engineering and testing facility based in Falconbridge, Ontario.A They provide Industry Relevant Solutions to the mining and metals industry, including process development for new mines.A Services offered range from materials selection, process control, process modelling, mineralogy, geometallurgy, mineral processing and extractive metallurgy.A A A A A A For further information, please contact: Mark Selby, CEO Phone: 647-256-1954 Email: info@canadanickel.com In Europe: Swiss Resource Capital AG Jochen Staiger & Marc Ollinger info@resource-capital.ch www.resource-capital.ch Cautionary Note and Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain information that may constitute \forward-looking information\ under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, drill and exploration results relating to the target properties described herein (the aProperties\), the potential of the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project, the Texmont Project and the other Properties, timing of economic studies and mineral resource estimates, nickel and cobalt recoveries, grades of concentrates, the ability to toll mill material from Texmont, the potential for near term production at Texmont using an open pit mine, the potential to find more Texmont style deposits in the newly acquired claims, the ability to sell marketable materials, strategic plans, including future exploration and development results, and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon several 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 information. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property, environmental liabilities (known and unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals, and the impact of COVID-19 related disruptions in relation to the Company\-s business operations including upon its employees, suppliers, facilities and other stakeholders. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Canada Nickel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. This photo taken on Feb. 16, 2023 shows the container terminal III in Piraeus port, Greece. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) Sino-Greek cooperation in recent years has been a good example of working together to the benefit of both countries in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinese, Greek officials and scholars said. ATHENS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Sino-Greek cooperation in recent years has been a good example of working together to the benefit of both countries in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinese, Greek officials and scholars said Thursday at a BRI forum held in Piraeus, which hosts Greece's largest port. The forum was jointly organized by the Institute of European Studies (IES) at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), the China Public Diplomacy Association, and the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation to mark the 10th anniversary of the launching of the BRI and Sino-Greek relations. The BRI was initiated by China and has "provided opportunities and benefits to the whole world," Wu Hailong, president of the China Public Diplomacy Association, said at the event. He noted the Piraeus port investment as a good example of a successful joint project. China's COSCO Shipping Corporation acquired the majority of Piraeus Port Authority S.A. (PPA)'s shares in an international tender in 2016 and since did a lot to improve the image of the port, benefitting the local economy. What divides people is misunderstanding and prejudice, not mountains or seas, Wu said, while discussing multilateralism and globalization. Chinese Ambassador to Greece Xiao Junzheng said concepts like protectionism and decoupling did nothing to improve the global economy. A driver works at the container terminal III in Piraeus port, Greece, Feb. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) China and Greece have been expanding their strategic partnership in many areas, including economy, trade, education and culture, and the two sides need to work even closer to expand bilateral cooperation to new sectors, such as digital economy, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence, he said. "BRI belongs to the world," and China and Greece should make more efforts to promote world peace and cooperation, said Feng Zhongping, director of the IES at CASS. In a challenging and complex international environment, drawing on the wisdom of our ancestors may help leaders find a way to improve global cooperation for the sake of the international community, Athanassios Platias, professor of Strategy at the University of Piraeus, said at the event. Great powers always compete, but competition must coexist with common interests, he said, citing ancient Greek general and historian Thucydides. Today, such common interests include the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, environmental protection, financial stability and safeguarding public health, he said. This aerial photo taken on Feb. 15, 2019 shows a container ship of the COSCO Shipping approaching Piraeus port, Greece. (Xinhua/Wu Lu) Ioannis Kotoulas, adjunct lecturer of geopolitics at the Universities of Athens, Tbilisi and Tsinghua, praised BRI's aim to coordinate the interests of Euroasia. Regarding Sino-Greek ties, he said that both countries are strong advocates of using soft power and should further explore cooperation in more sectors. NASA, also known as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is the U.S. government's civil space agency. NASA "explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery," according to the agency's website. The agency employs 18,000 civil servants, has thousands of contractors, and an annual budget of $23 billion. The agency has 20 centers and facilities across the United States, with research directions including Earth's climate, the sun, the solar system and aeronautics research and development. In human spaceflight, large projects include the International Space Station and the Artemis program which aims to land humans on the moon later in the 2020s. Related: What was the space race? NASA is working to increase diversity following early government inclusions issues, such as the "Lavender Scare" of the 1950s and 1960s against LGBTQ+ people, and the exclusion of women and people of color in both astronaut and ground roles. A 1978 astronaut class known as the "Thirty-Five New Guys" was one early effort to increase Black and women representation in the agency. NASA's recent efforts to increase diversity date back to at least 2010, according to its Office of the Inspector General. Since then, NASA enacted a charter for its LGBTQ Pride Alliance in May 2018. The agency also named its headquarters after a Black woman and "Hidden Figure" Mary Jackson in 2020. The agency has numerous programs in aerospace and space exploration, but here we will focus on its main space exploration programs human and robotic. Mary W. Jackson overcame the barriers of segregation and gender bias to become the first African American female engineer to work at NASA. She later led the efforts to ensure equal opportunities for future generations. The Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington, D.C. has been named in her honor. (Image credit: NASA) NASA formation NASA was officially formed through the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to in part, pursue "activities in space [that] should be devoted to peaceful purposes for the benefit of all mankind." (Today, NASA recognizes a diverse workforce and uses terms such as "humans" instead.) Much of the agency's research, employees and programs were inherited from the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics which was formed in 1915 in the midst of the First World War, during a need to develop advanced airplane technology, according to a NASA overview. Other facilities were incorporated into NASA after its formation on Oct. 1, 1958, with notable examples including the Armyas Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) that later pursued solar system exploration, and rocket research under the Redstone Arsenal at Huntsville, Alabama (now called the Marshall Space Flight Center). Today, astronaut activities are performed at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston and solar system science at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center near Baltimore. U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limon is seen during her visit to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), overlooking the Europa Clipper while it was under assembly in January 2023. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) The impetus for NASA's formation was complex, but briefly put, the United States and the Soviet Union were in the midst of a Cold War, which Encyclopedia Britannica describes as "an ongoing political rivalry" between those countries and their allies between the end of the Second World War in 1945 and 1991 when the Soviet Union dissolved. That rivalry spurred missile technology and rocket development. NASA itself argues that it was formed due to "technological advances in other countries", saying that "lagging" in space matters "would put America not only at a technical disadvantage but also an economic and perhaps even military one." As the Second World War ended, both NASA and the Soviet Union acquired former Nazi German rocket engineers, including Wernher von Braun at NASA. The engineers' role in Nazi atrocities must be remembered, but regarding the space program, they played a crucial role in developing early rockets. That development culminated with the surprise launch of the Soviet Union's Sputnik in 1957, the first-ever artificially made human satellite. NASA was also working on its own satellite under the auspices of the International Geophysical Year (from July 1, 1957, to Dec. 31, 1958). After several failed attempts by the Americans, the first U.S. satellite, Explorer 1, reached orbit on Jan. 31, 1958. Related: V2 rocket: Origin, history and spaceflight legacy An artist's illustration of NASA's Explorer 11 satellite, a later entrant in the Explorer series. (Image credit: NASA) NASA human spaceflight programs NASA's spaceflight history has been covered in numerous books, but its notable astronaut programs include: Project Mercury: The first human spaceflight program that sent single astronauts into space. It sent its first astronaut (Alan Shepard) to space on May 25, 1961, roughly six weeks after the Soviet Union's Yuri Gagarin. Project Gemini: A set of two-person missions to test technology and procedures ahead of moon landings, deemed a key NASA priority as of 1961. The program performed dockings and spacewalks, among other achievements. Apollo: This program culminated with the landing of 12 men on the moon, starting with Apollo 11 on July 12, 1969. However, three astronauts were killed during a launch pad fire for Apollo 1 on Jan. 27, 1967, that sparked a lengthy investigation and spacecraft redesigns. The Apollo-Soyuz mission of 1975 saw Americans and Soviets meet in space during a lull in the Cold War. Skylab: The first American space station included a tricky set of spacewalks to repair Skylab after the facility was severely damaged during launch. Skylab hosted three crews and came down unexpectedly in 1981, mainly in rural Australia. Sally Ride was the first U.S. woman in space and the first known LGBTQ+ astronaut, although she did not reveal the latter fact during her lifetime. (Image credit: NASA) Space shuttle: The shuttle flew 135 crews and is known for opening up the program at last to women, people of color and international astronauts after decades of restrictions. Two crews of seven astronauts each died: Challenger's STS-51-L during launch on Jan. 28, 1986, and Columbia's STS-107 crew during landing on Feb. 1, 2003. The shuttle also was key in developing the ISS, including visits to the Soviet-Russian Mir space station as an early ISS testbed. International Space Station: The ISS construction began in 1998 and permanent crews on the complex began in 2000. The ISS aims to serve as a testbed for science and for examining human health on long-duration missions. Hundreds of people have served on the ISS; a typical stay is six months, but a handful of NASA astronauts have spent a year on board. Russian Soyuz seats: The shuttle's retirement in 2011 led to nearly a decade of dependence on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft to access the ISS. NASA paid by the seat to use Soyuz. Dozens of missions went well, although relations periodically deteriorated and one crew experienced a scary (but safe) abort in 2018. Commercial crew: NASA funded SpaceX's Crew Dragon and Boeing's Starliner as the first U.S. commercial company crewed spacecraft for the ISS, with SpaceX and Boeing allowed to use the technology for other space matters. The program is still very young. SpaceX sent its first crewed mission to the ISS aboard Dragon in 2020, while Boeing is expected to do the same in 2023 or so. Artemis program: NASA aims to bring humans back to the moon in the 2020s with the Artemis program, with international partners. The uncrewed Artemis 1 flew around the moon successfully in 2021 and a crewed mission, Artemis 2, is expected to follow around 2024. A landing mission, Artemis 3, will launch no sooner than 2025 or 2026. Related: Four for the moon! NASA names Artemis 2 astronaut crew for 1st lunar mission since Apollo The Artemis 2 crew that will fly around the moon. Clockwise: NASA astronaut Christina Koch, NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman. (Image credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel) NASA solar system exploration Numerous NASA probes have explored Earth and the solar system, but a sampling of notable missions include: Pioneer series: This early spacecraft series explored the solar system when spaceflight engineering was in its infancy. Amid numerous failures due to inexperience, the program successfully sent probes to the moon, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn. Mariner series: The Mariner series, conducted between 1962 and 1973, made visits to the planets Mercury, Venus and Mars. Especially notable is Mariner 9, the first orbiter at Mars that discovered the planet's volcanoes and vast canyons during an era in which scientists thought its surface was like Earth's quiet moon. Viking 1 and Viking 2 landings: Viking 1 and Viking 2 alighted on the Martian surface in 1976, marking the first-ever landings on the Red Planet. The probes worked for years on the surface, gathering valuable data about the Mars environment, and also performed controversial life-searching experiments. Voyager 1 and Voyager 2: These spacecraft were launched in 1977 to take advantage of a rare alignment between the planets that allowed Voyager 2, with additional funding, to make flybys of Uranus in 1986 and Neptune in 1989. Both spacecraft also explored Jupiter, Saturn and (decades later) interstellar space, where they are still sending back scientific information. Artist's impression of a Voyager spacecraft. (Image credit: NASA / JPL) Hubble Space Telescope: The observatory (funded by both NASA and the European Space Agency) launched in 1990 to explore the universe in optical and infrared light. Its flawed mirror caused the first space shuttle repair mission in 1993, and four other servicing missions followed through 2009. Hubble remains active and is best known for confirming the acceleration of the universe, among numerous other discoveries. 'Faster, better, cheaper': As computer technology improved in the 1990s, NASA implemented a "faster, better, cheaper" approach on select spacecraft. It sent more than a dozen missions to space using several techniques to cut down on cost, such as working in small teams, using off-the-shelf technology and reducing inspections ahead of launch. The most notable success was Mars Pathfinder (below), with other ones including Lunar Prospector and asteroid probes called Stardust and NEAR-Shoemaker. That said, the loss of the Mars Climate Orbiter and Mars Polar Lander missions due to simple engineering mistakes forced a rethink of the program. Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter: NASA's LRO launched in 2009 to map the surface in high resolution, successfully following up on reports of water ice from other missions. LRO is now serving as a scout ahead of NASA's Artemis program, as it provides imagery for landing missions at the south pole (a key area due to the suspected presence of water ice in its craters.) The Hubble Space Telescope is deployed from the cargo bay of space shuttle Discovery during mission STS-31 on April 25, 1990. (Image credit: NASA) Mars rover program: Several NASA orbiters found evidence of ancient water on the surface of the Red Planet, which was a large impetus for the ongoing rover program. NASA's first Mars rover was Sojourner, a mini-machine that rode to the surface aboard the Pathfinder lander in 1996. The agency followed the work up with the Mars Exploration Rovers, known as Spirit and Opportunity, who reached the surface in 2004 and explored for years beyond their 90-sol design life. A car-sized rover, Curiosity, followed in 2012 with a more advanced machine, Perseverance, in 2021. Curiosity and Perseverance are still active. In the 2030s or so, a Mars sample return mission is planned with ESA. Earth observation program: NASA has been observing our planet for decades to learn about matters such as climate change, fires, water and extreme weather forecasting. Dozens of satellites have launched, with a selected few programs including the long-running Landsat series with the United States Geological Survey, the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and individual satellites like Aqua or Terra. Other solar system probes: There have been many, but examples include the Magellan mission to Venus, numerous Mars spacecraft such as the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Galileo (with ESA) and Juno (independently) missions to Jupiter, the Cassini-Huygens mission (with ESA) to Saturn, the New Horizons mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, and several spacecraft that have visited or touched down on comets and asteroids. James Webb Space Telescope: Webb or JWST launched in 2021 to explore the earliest galaxies and history of the universe. Its notable discoveries span a range of astrophysics in stars, exoplanets and young galaxies. NASA Planetary Defense Coordination Office: The agency works with partner telescopes to scan for potential threats from asteroids or comets (no imminent threats are known after decades of searching.) Other U.S. agencies or departments are also involved to assist with matters such as training and emergency management. Related: Solar system planets, order and formation: A guide Curiosity takes a selfie at Mont Mercou on Mars on March 30, 2021. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS) Q&A: Vanessa Wyche Vanessa Wyche Director of NASA's Johnson Space Center Vanessa Wyche joined NASA in 1989 after working for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. She is now director of NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) and the first Black woman to hold the role. Wyche's other key leadership positions have included deputy director of JSC, director of the Exploration Integration and Science Directorate, flight manager of several missions of the space shuttle, and executive officer in the Office of the NASA Administrator. What advice would you give to students who desire to work for NASA? Find your passion, whatever it is that you're excited about, because there's so many different careers that you can do at NASA, whether you're interested in being an engineer or an accountant, etc. We do have internship programs at NASA, and all of our centers. What do you foresee will be the future of the astronaut corps? We'll probably be needing more astronauts. We're doing operations in low Earth orbit. We'll also be doing simultaneous operations on the moon, and preparations for going to Mars. Our astronaut corps is very diverse. We have people of all different backgrounds, and also they have different skill sets. What excites you the most about the future of NASA? We have more people that are going into space in different ways. Additionally, we have more companies and more countries that are joining. I believe that space is going to be just like aviation was 50 years ago. There are going to be people from all over the world going into space. This Q&A is based upon a livestreamed event at the Smithsonian National Air & Space museum in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 12, 2023 celebrating Black History Month at NASA. The answers are edited and condensed. Additional resources Read more about NASA's early days in this brief history of NASA. Eilene Galloway, often called "the grand matriarch of space law," tells here how she came to work for Lyndon B. Johnson and helped him bring NASA into existence. Bibliography Encyclopedia Britannica. (2023, June 20.) "Cold War." https://www.britannica.com/event/Cold-War NASA. (n.d., retrieved 2023, June 21.) "NASA 60 Years and Counting: Beginnings." https://www.nasa.gov/specials/60counting/begin.html NASA. (2023, May 30). "Our Mission and Values." https://www.nasa.gov/careers/our-mission-and-values NASA Office of Inspector General. (2023, April 20). "NASA's Efforts to Increase Diversity in Its Workforce." https://oig.nasa.gov/docs/IG-23-011.pdf NASA. (2023, Jan. 27). "About NASA." https://www.nasa.gov/about/index.html NASA. (2022, May 6). "LGBTQ Pride Alliance." https://www.nasa.gov/centers/hq/eodm/employee_resource_groups/pride_alliance NASA. (2010, Oct. 26). "NACA Overview." https://history.nasa.gov/naca/overview.html NASA. (2004, Feb. 14). "National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958." https://history.nasa.gov/spaceact.html HARBIN, June 23 (Xinhua) -- A newly-launched tourist train offers travelers to northeast China's Heilongjiang Province a new experience in enjoying the scenery of its signature emerald forests. Lying back on comfortable seats and taking a sip of freshly-brewed tea, passengers on the 15-carriage train were amazed by the magnificent view of the Lesser Khingan Mountains. "We can now enjoy the beautiful scenery and attentive service at the same time," said Zhang Wei, a passenger on the train dubbed "forest capital." On Sunday, the train started its first trip from the provincial capital of Harbin to the city of Yichun, offering over 200 passengers an eight-hour experience of natural wonders. The train is decorated with an exterior design featuring red pines, mountain stones and snowflakes, as well as a slogan for the train: "A home heading for the forest." "I am quite satisfied with the facilities and services on this train. It is just like a hotel on the tracks!" Zhang added. The train provides passengers with personalized dining, concierge service for each compartment on the sleeper cars, and introductions of scenic spots, said Lin Hongyu, a crew member on the train. "We hope to create a 'home away from home' in the forest for tourists aboard our train," Lin added. The "forest capital" is operated with the joint efforts of the Yichun Tourism Development Group and the Harbin railway culture and tourism group. After its Sunday debut, the train is on a trial run, and the plan is to eventually launch three new routes in the eastern, central, and western parts of Heilongjiang to attract more tourists, said the operators. Wang Rongjiang, assistant to the chairman of Yichun Tourism Development Group, said that the operation of this train will further expand the exchanges and cooperation between Yichun and other cities. Wang hopes the train will attract more investors to Yichun and generate new momentum for tourism in the Lesser Khingan Mountains region. "Part of the railway for this train trip has been operating since 1941," said Wang. "Now the 'forest capital' has given it new life." Photo taken on Dec. 8, 2022 shows an exterior view of the headquarters of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Wei Xuechao/Xinhua) Heat waves, flooding, and drought in Europe have created the habitat required by the Aedes Albopictus mosquito, which can spread dengue fever, malaria, and the Chikungunya virus. It also carries the West Nile virus, yellow fever, and the Zika virus. STOCKHOLM/ROME, June 22 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,300 locally acquired human cases of West Nile virus infection, including 104 deaths in 2022 had been reported in Europe as of May 31, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said on Thursday. They were the highest reported number of locally acquired cases since the peak epidemic year of 2018, and the cases were found in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and EU-neighbouring countries, according to the ECDC. More than 1,100 of the locally acquired human cases were reported by ten countries in the EU/EEA, the ECDC said in a press release. Tourists cool off around a fountain at Piazza del Popolo in Rome, Italy on Aug. 5, 2022. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua) The vast majority were reported by Italy and Greece, 723 and 283 respectively, and the number of cases in Italy in 2022 was the highest on record, the ECDC said. Heat waves, flooding, and drought in Europe have created the habitat required by the Aedes Albopictus mosquito, which can spread dengue fever, malaria, and the Chikungunya virus. It also carries the West Nile virus, yellow fever, and the Zika virus. The mosquito is mostly spreading north and into higher altitudes, whereas its traditional territory is in humid parts of the Mediterranean area. Other disease-carrying mosquito species are also spreading, the ECDC said. According to media reports, mosquito-borne diseases are being recorded as far north as Denmark and Sweden. "In recent years we have seen a geographical spread of invasive mosquito species to previously unaffected areas in Europe," said Andrea Ammon, director of the ECDC. A man clears a flooded area in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna region, Italy, on May 19, 2023. (Photo by Gianni Schicchi/Xinhua) "If this continues, we can expect to see more cases and possibly deaths from diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya, and West Nile Virus," Ammon said, adding that efforts need to focus on ways to control mosquito populations, enhancing surveillance and enforcing personal protective measures. L ondon fintech WorldFirst has seen a mass board exodus as billionaire Jack Ma tightens his grip on the management of the payments company, the Standard has learnt. A suite of senior leaders have left the firm over the past year, including CEO Jeff Parker, finance director Stephen Gregson and managing director Danny Howe. Senior members of the companys risk and legal team have also left, including its head of risk, chief information security officer, and group general counsel and compliance officer. Staff at the fintechs parent company, Ant Financial, as well as its sister company, Chinese payments platform Alipay, have been among those brought in to replace the departing execs and managers. Founded in London in 2004, WorldFirst was acquired by Jack Mas Ant Group in 2019 in a deal thought to be worth more than $700 million (550 million). The company processes billions of pounds of international payments and reported revenues of 47 million in 2021. Before Ant Financial acquired WorldFirst, it made a bid to acquire US-based rival MoneyGram as part of Ants international expansion plans. But in 2018 the planned $1.2 billion deal was rejected by the committee on foreign investment in the United States (CFIUS) over national security concerns. Jack Ma, who co-founded Chinese tech conglomerate Alibaba in 1999, is the fifth richest person in China and the 63rd richest in the world with a fortune of $23.9 billion (18.8 billion), according to Forbes. WorldFirst did not return calls or respond to an emailed request for comment. The companys move to shift management away from London comes at a turbulent period for the capitals fintech sector amid a spate of layoffs, falling valuations and dwindling investment. UK fintech investment fell 56% to $17.39 billion in 2022, according to a study by KPMG, while global fintech layoffs since the start of last year have topped 24,000, according to layoffs.fyi. Last month, founder of mortgage platform LendInvest, Christian Faes said he was leaving London to start his next fintech venture in the US because The UK has been a very tough place to build a business the last five to six years. We had the endless distraction of Brexit, Boris and the Liz Truss debacle and its hard to see it getting better any time soon, he added. P rotesters are calling on central banks to limit the flow of money going into new fossil fuel projects. Frontline activists and climate groups from around the world are staging a coordinated action in the lead up to the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) annual general meeting in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday. At least 400 protesters, including Greta Thunberg, are expected to march through the Swiss city on Saturday, ahead of the meeting which will be attended by Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey. Meanwhile, artistic works will be on show in the city as a tribute to 20 environment defenders from around the world who have been killed over their work to protect nature, including British journalist Dom Phillips. Tim Ratcliffe, 42, from Stoke-on-Trent who has joined the action with the UK Climate Bailout protest group, told the PA news agency: The broad message is End fossil finance. Its within the responsibility of the central banks and financial regulation to ensure financial stability. But theres no financial stability in a world thats suffering from climate emergency and climate breakdown. So were calling on them to stop the flows of finance to new fossil fuel projects and stop the expansion of the fossil fuel industry. Mr Ratcliffe said there is not enough capacity or movement strength to fight every new fossil fuel project. That is why it comes down to lobbying more systematically, looking at what levers can be pulled and whats the role of the supervisors, the regulators, the central banks and the core institutions in the financial sector, he added. Around 200 of the climate campaigners have also been gathering for plenary sessions and discussions in Basel this week as part the Peoples Forum for Climate Justice and Financial Regulation. They include grassroots activists, policy workers in NGOs and community representatives who are resisting oil and gas projects on the ground in their home countries like Colombia, Argentina, Senegal and Mozambique. Among them is Aryanne de Campo, 25, from the Centre for Energy, Ecology and Development in the Philippines, who is campaigning to protect the Verde Island Passage a marine corridor in the country teeming with biodiversity. It comes after a tanker carrying 800,000 litres of industrial oil capsized close to the strait earlier this year. Fears of further spills and disruption to local fishing have been prompted by Shells plans to build a liquid natural gas import terminal in nearby Batangas City, which is being financed by HSBC, Barclays and Standard Chartered. Ms de Campo told PA: Communities have lived and flourished on the Verde Island Passage for centuries but the actions of oil and gas companies, and the banks that finance them, have undermined their livelihood, harmed their health and polluted the precious habitats that exist there. I am coming to Basel to tell the banks and the world that some things are too precious to be bought. A spokesperson for the BIS said representatives met with the Peoples Forum for Climate Justice and Financial Regulation on Tuesday and acknowledged their concerns. They said: While direct policy action to address climate change is a matter for legislators and governments and the BIS has no direct role to influence climate change, its members are taking a range of actions within their mandates to mitigate financial stability risks and raise awareness of the need to manage the transition in an orderly way. They added that BIS decisions on setting standards have no legal force but members are expected to implement them, and that it works to mitigate risks to the global banking system, including from climate change, to ensure financial stability. E ars were pricked among some shoppers at Foyles, Charing Cross Road, last Friday when a helpful manager took to the tannoy. This is a public service announcement, he said, before taking a beat to maximise the impact of his impromptu declaration. Padam Padam. Ta-da! Welcome to the first unofficial gay summer of Padam. Should its viral escalation have passed you by, Padam Padam is an omnipresent bop from Kylie Minogue, among my top five favourite adopted Londoners, a peoples princess I share with many. Her elegant Padams have thwarted all expectations of how a Kylie Minogue single ought to perform in 2023, making her only the fourth female artist to secure top 10 singles across five consecutive decades, Padam-ing her way to the top tier for the first time since 2013. As a record, Padam Padam is a cunning little whisper of electropop, the sort of song gay fans might invent in our heads for Ms Minogue if tasked with the brief while consulting a useful dictionary of words once immortalised by Edith Piaf. It isnt just the fruitier end of Foyles staff who are elevating Padam with public notoriety. I read a news bulletin on the BBC this week (no, seriously) explaining the made-up etymology of Padam, an onomatopoeic word for the sound of the hearts beat, before explaining how far this exotic new Padam has travelled into gay slang. As a phenomenon, Padam is something beyond many of our, and almost certainly her, wildest imaginings. In five short weeks of existence, Padam has become a gay codeword for everything and nothing. It is question, greeting, exclamation, insult and, in some shady corner of the internet, very probably dubious sex practice by now. One Padam fits all. The audiences at the Parisian menswear shows have used Padam as both superlative and curt rebuke. Prepare your ears for an onslaught of Padams at NYC Downlow, the gay enclave of Glastonbury this weekend, as Padam is given festival wings, biologically befitting the preponderance of amyl nitrate onsite. Yes, Padam has entered common gay vernacular with a bounce, Padam-ing its way toward infamy. The data banks of China have imploded due to TikTok going Padam bonkers. The old homophobic insult, its Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve, will soon be updated to not Padam and Eve. Heaven help any gay man christened Adam during this especially giddy Pride Month. Padam Lambert doesnt stand a chance. Padam Driver escapes on a heterosexual technicality, but not for long if he carries on starring in those buff aftershave ads. God bless Kylie. Padam is a noble addition to Polari, the fictitious post-war gay language. It is now indivisible from Minogue Power, honouring her entrenched relationship with a community which elevated and sustained her. Where Kylie succeeds, there is usually a sideline of unfettered gay joy that follows. When she is cheerful, so are we. What a wonderful skill that is. Virgil Ablohs legacy lives on When the late, great Virgil Abloh launched his debut collection for Louis Vuitton in June 2018, he themed the runway a Yellow Brick Road. That collection went down in history, not just because of the breadth of his cinematic vision. I spoke to Abloh about his purposeful invitation to people who aspire to the luxury of LV as models and audience. His runway was peopled with exciting young Londoners, rappers, musicians and skateboarders. Tuesdays debut by Pharrell Williams for the brand, a commercial masterclass, has divided online critics. But in one way he stayed true to Abloh. I noticed the brilliant young London artist and photographer Gabriel Moses, in double pixelated denim, gliding down Pont Neuf. A significant shift of who is and who ought to be invited to high-fashion events happens in those moments. The door Abloh cranked wide remains open. T he daughter of Zoe Ball and Fatboy Slim may skip her famous fathers performance at Glastonbury this weekend, her parents revealed, as they reunited on air on Balls BBC Radio 2 breakfast show. The British DJ, real name Norman Cook, will perform on the Park Stage at 11pm on Saturday, but Ball, who was married to him for 18 years, said their daughter Nelly wants to go and see Loyle Carner, who is slated for the West Holts Stage at 10.15pm. Cook said he was most looking forward to Sir Elton Johns headline set at 9pm on Sunday on the Pyramid Stage, but a time clash could prevent him from seeing his son Woodys set. Woody, who has appeared on Channel 4 reality show The Circle, is DJing on Sunday evening. Ball said: Well, he is playing in the Rabbit Hole on Sunday night between 8pm and 9pm, so we could still get to see Woody and then get to Elton in time. Cook said it sounded like she had got a plan and Ball responded: Yes. I have a plan. I am also loving the fact that our daughter wants to go and see Loyle Carner and not her dad on the Park Stage on Saturday night. Shes got great taste. Cook spoke about taking Nelly to a recent Harry Styles concert and said: It was fun. I mean, I must say I went to take Nelly and her friend. Not for my own personal fun, but it was really good and its a fabulous atmosphere. Harry Styles fans are just hilarious. The way they dress up, the way they do congas round Wembley Stadium when the gigs on. Yeah, it was a very fun night out. The DJ also discussed how he had been preparing for his Glastonbury set and said: It is the first time Ive played the Park Stage. Im playing for an hour and 15, but generally I play for an hour and a half, so Im trying to shave 15 minutes off the set, but I want everything to be there. So Im just making everything shorter. He first played at Glastonbury in 1986 when he was in The Housemartins and, asked by Ball if they would ever reform, he replied: No, I dont think so. Fatboy Slim rose to prominence when he released a string of club hits including Praise You, which topped the singles chart in 1999. He and Ball first met when she was working at BBC Radio 1 and the pair were married for 18 years before they announced their separation in 2016. Glastonbury Festival is taking place from June 21 to 25 at Worthy Farm in Somerset. F lorida has long been the UKs favourite long-haul destination for good reasons. But some of those reasons might come as a surprise, even to regular visitors. As well as being the Sunshine State, Florida is also the Astounding State a destination of immense contrasts, culture and history, in addition to the obvious lure of fabulous beaches, theme parks, nightlife and shopping. Thanks to their flight network to Orlando, Miami and Tampa, you can experience all this and more with British Airways. This is the place to come for the oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States; for cutting-edge art museums and events; for one of the worlds most biodiverse eco-systems in the shape of the Florida Everglades; and for truly original cuisine and internationally recognised restaurants. The Michelin seal of approval The Sunshine State boasts a host of high-end restaurants / VISIT FLORIDA The cities of Miami, Orlando and Tampa all received the supreme accolade of Michelin Guide approval in 2023. An impressive 144 Florida restaurants currently enjoy that prestigious dining distinction, representing 38 cuisines: 19 received a Michelin Star and, in addition, 33 received Bib Gourmand honours and four received special awards. Uber-cool Miami has the lions share of the endorsements, with 12 restaurants rated as Michelin-worthy, including a rare two-Star rating for the true gourmet experience of LAtelier de Joel Robuchon. The two other cities that received recognition were Orlando and Tampa. More choice than ever From tempting tapas to other succulent small plates, Florida has an abundance of foodie scenes / VISIT FLORIDA Not only is there plenty to celebrate in the gastronomic world of Floridas dining delectation, but theres also more good news on the menu for foodies: wherever you are in Florida, more than ever before, you are truly spoiled for choice. The states proximity to the Caribbean and Latin America means masses of diversity, both in terms of imported cuisines from the likes of Cuba, Puerto Rico and Brazil, as well as their influences rubbing off on local chefs, notably for tasty tapas and other small-plate delicacies. Youll discover fresh foodie scenes from St. Augustine to Key West and Naples to Tallahassee, as well as a proliferation of tantalising food festivals and vegetarian and vegan offerings. Beer drinkers can also savour a genuine bonanza in craft breweries throughout the state. Score with seafood An astonishing array of seafood awaits you / VISIT FLORIDA Floridas other claim to cuisine fame is its preeminence in the realm of seafood. For fish, lobster and crab, no other US destination has the wealth of fresh-from-the-sea goodness that the Sunshine State can provide. From tuna to mahi-mahi and stone crabs to prawns (or shrimp in the US), this is the place to indulge your inner pescatarian, with an absolutely astonishing array of fish dishes. At the very least you should try conch fritters or chowder, plus the Southern delicacy of shrimp and grits. Benefits of booking with British Airways There are all kinds of advantages British Airways has an extensive flight network to Florida, including regular direct flights to Orlando, Tampa and Miami British Airways offer a full service across Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy on all flights All British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected, keeping you and your money safe You can secure your package holiday with a low deposit from just 60 per person and pay off the rest in as many instalments as you like. Final payment is due 7 weeks prior to travel on long haul With a dedicated 24-hour holiday helpline, British Airways Holidays have got you covered for any issues whilst youre away, if your plans change or the unexpected happens 23kg checked baggage allowance per person is included as standard on all British Airways Holidays bookings, not as an add on British Airways Holidays offers quality accommodation options to suit every budget, from 3* to 5* luxury Partnering with Avis, British Airways Holidays offers fly-drives across the state. When booking flights and car hire together, all mandatory charges are included, and youll benefit from roadside assistance and 24-hour customer support Even better, you can have the satisfaction of catching it yourself and having a local restaurant cook it for you in places such as the Keys, Destin, Miami and Sarasota. Or theres scalloping in Crystal River, a unique opportunity to go snorkelling for these tasty molluscs, and then have them for dinner. Great eats without breaking the bank Dining out is part of Floridas DNA and its often affordable too / VISIT FLORIDA As a final endorsement of Floridas fab foodie profile, the good news is this is still a destination that offers maximum value for your holiday dollar. Dining out remains such a local staple that even the most superior restaurants keep their prices competitive. Look out in particular for early-bird specials, buffet choices and daily dishes that all add value to the bottom line, while youll definitely find exclusive items such as steak and lobster much more affordable than at home. Plus, you cant really put a price on dining alfresco with a view of the sea and thats the Sunshine States ultimate culinary commendation. Where to stay in Florida Caribe Royale Orlando with plenty of fine fare to sample in Orlando, youll want to stay somewhere that also knows how to serve memorable meals, and Caribe Royale featuring the award-winning Venetian Chop House is just the place. The feature-packed resort is also ideal for families with its fab pool deck. Tampa EDITION ensure your Tampa foodie adventure goes with an epicurean swing by staying at a hotel that revels in its dining options, including a rooftop bar and terrace, plus a signature restaurant, Lilac, overseen by Michelin-starred chef John Fraser, in addition to the latest word in luxury accommodation. To find out more and to book your perfect Florida holiday with British Airways visit ba.com/florida A ccording to Vanessa Mahi, aka Ivorian Doll, life in your mid-twenties can be scary. Leaving home, cooking, cleaning, adulting (bleagh). But things get better, her life she says changed after [she] turned 25. I just got to a phase where I stopped forcing things because I feel like sometimes when you want something too much, it takes longer to come. The last two years have been kind of stressful for me, things werent going the way I wanted them to go but ever since my birthday in December, Ive been really grateful every single day and I havent been sad, she tells me. I dont know. I think its like a good luck 25 thing. Over the past five years, Ivorian Doll has sealed herself as one of the top drill artists of her generation. First cruising onto our radar as a YouTuber, she then moved into the music scene, releasing hit singles and has since been nominated for Best Newcomer at the MOBO Awards. Even Raye had said shed like to form a pop group with her, along with Charli XCX and Rina Sawayama. I dont know if Id ever do a pop group because Im a Sagittarius, so Im very independent she says. But if she was to start one, it would be a really cute girly group with Miss Banks, Raye and Mahalia. It seems things are quite literally written in the stars for the young musician. She 100% feels like one too, (a star, that is) with her latest mid-tempo anthem Big Bad IVD. Three years in the making, its crammed with big bad tude, buzzing afrobeats and unapologetic lyrics: I be livin in your head rent free, Im that bitch, a different pedigree, youll be cranking it up all summer long. Bringing her gregarious spirit into her music is very important to Ivorian Doll, she says. I started off as a YouTuber and people loved me for my personality because Im known to be outspoken and carefree, I dont really care what people think so I tried to show that in my music as well. So whats next for the young rapper? First on the cards escaping from grey Britain to Nigeria for a much-needed trip tropical heat, a big night out with her girlfriends in DNA Red Room and good vibes. Thats the dream for Ivorian Doll, the backbone to her music. You need to be a certain type of someone to go to Nigeria because you have to party, you dont stop like you cant get tired and thats it for me. It just never stops, it just keeps going till like 6-7am it just doesnt stop. Blending Nigerias buzzing sub-genres and energy with her witty bars, Ivorian Doll wants to show everyone that I can actually do other stuff. She hopes to bring in more Afrobeats, more singing. Im really happy for my supporters to finally hear all the versatility that I can do, she tells me excited for whats to come. The different sides to me are gonna shock them! Below, Ivorian Doll picks her top five tracks to get the party started. Listen to ES Magazines full Friday Night Playlist here. Friday Night Playlist with Ivorian Doll Rema - Charm So the first thing I chose was Rema with Charm. Im currently obsessed with that song, it makes me feel good. I love Rema as an artist anyway, so every song that he puts out, Im always into it, so that is my top first song. Trojan Horse - Central Cee and Dave My second song is Trojan Horse and that recently came out and Ive been listening to it ever since and I feel like thats a good weekend song. I havent seen them recently, the last time I saw Dave was when I performed at Rated Awards. Aquafina - Young John Hes a Nigerian artist and Ive been listening to it. I like the way hes talking about the girl. Its an Afrobeat song. I like the beat, I like his voice. I just feel like its a good summer song, its nice to play in the car or in your headphones. I play it every day. Literally, when Im getting ready. Its one of those songs! Hamba Wena - Deep London and Boohle Its Amapiano.That song is just perfect. When I went to Nigeria, they played it in every single club I went to like Amapiano fest or every Amapiano event. Like, theres no way you can escape this song. Its literally like a #1. It just became addictive. Its a very, very good song I think thats one of the best songs Ive ever heard. Big Bad IVD - Ivorian Doll I love it because its me, obviously, and Im happy that I did a 50 Cent sample of P.I.M.P, which is like a classic. So Im actually very happy I sampled such a huge song and I feel like its a catchy hook and beat. I was so excited writing the song because I just loved it. When I fall in love with a beat, its very easy for me to create the lyrics. Its a summer vibe! A gunman has been found guilty of murdering a custody sergeant after smuggling a revolver into a police station and opening fire in a holding cell while still in handcuffs. Former tax office data analyst Louis De Zoysa claimed diminished responsibility, but was unanimously convicted after a jury decided that he pulled the antique weapons trigger deliberately and did not suffer an autistic meltdown. A three-week trial at Northampton Crown Court was shown distressing video footage of New Zealand-born Met Police Sergeant Matt Ratana being hit in the chest by the first of three shots discharged by De Zoysa within three seconds. Sgt Ratana died of his injuries in hospital despite the efforts of medical staff. A second bullet struck the 54-year-old in the thigh, before De Zoysa was wrestled to the ground by other officers as a third round hit the cell wall at Croydons Windmill Road custody centre. De Zoysa, who was living in Banstead, Surrey, discharged a fourth shot while on the cell floor 16 seconds later, hitting an artery in his own neck and causing brain damage. The 25-year-old, who now uses a wheelchair, has communication difficulties and is being treated at a healthcare unit in Northamptonshire, was arrested in London Road, Norbury, in the early hours of Friday September 25 2020. A bag containing seven bullets and cannabis were found during a search of De Zoysas clothing and body, but officers did not discover a .41-calibre revolver loaded with six rounds. During the trial, prosecutors said De Zoysa retrieved the weapon from a holster under his left arm, while handcuffed to the rear, as he was being transported to Windmill Road in a police van. CCTV evidence suggested he managed to get hold of the gun with his right hand around 16 minutes before the shooting and then took advantage of a vent at the back of his overcoat to hide the weapon until the shooting. Jurors deliberated for just over five hours over two days before unanimously convicting De Zoysa, who listened to the verdict sitting in a wheelchair in the secure glass-fronted dock. De Zoysa nodded twice as the judge confirmed with him that he had heard the verdict being announced by the jury foreman. Sgt Ratanas partner, Su Bushby, and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley were among those in the public gallery as the verdict was returned. After the verdict, trial judge Mr Justice Johnson thanked the jury for its deliberations on the case and said it had fulfilled an onerous but critically important public duty. Prosecutor Duncan Penny KC told the court that further firearms and ammunition charges faced by De Zoysa will be allowed to lie on the file at a sentencing hearing at the same court next month. The judge did not address any remarks directly to De Zoysa, who has communication difficulties due to brain damage from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, immediately before he remanded him in custody. After buying the antique revolver, which was legal to own, on the internet three months before the murder, De Zoysa used bullets he had made and tested that it worked, the court heard. At the time of his arrest De Zoysa was travelling in the general direction of his fathers home in south-east London, having caught two buses and walked to the junction of London Road and Pollards Hill North. Pre-trial hearings, at which De Zoysa was twice ruled fit to plead to the charges despite his communication problems, were told that an infantry rifle was among items found at his flat and workshop in Banstead. Jurors were not told about the other weapons owned by De Zoysa, which also included a pipe gun, a dummy launcher and various types of ammunition. An examination of his digital devices confirmed his interest in weapons as well as violence across a range of ideologies including right-wing extremism, Islamic extremism and homophobia. D etectives have arrested two people after a pensioner was found dead at her south London home after a suspected burglary. Nelly Akomah, 76, was discovered with fatal injuries after police were scrambled by neighbours on Wednesday. A man aged 28 and a woman, 31, are in custody after police swooped and arrested them at Stansted Airport in the early hours of Friday morning on suspicion of murder. The churchgoing pensioner was described by her neighbours in Ladbrook Road, Croydon, as the loveliest lady, always smart and smiling. Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn said: First and foremost my thoughts are with Nellys family and friends. Nelly was active in her church and her loss will be keenly felt by many people. The arrests mark substantial progress in what is a fast-moving investigation. I dont underestimate the level of concern in the local community following this shocking incident. At this stage we are investigating the possibility that there was a burglary at Nellys address. I must stress the investigation in its very early stages and we are working to establish exactly what happened. A neighbour, aged 62, told the Standard: She was found at the bottom of stairs we are told. The belief is that it was an intruder maybe there to steal her stuff and she interrupted them. We are heartbroken she was our neighbour for 20 years. A lovely churchgoing woman. She was always very well dressed. She was not doddery, she was very strong and always out doing her own shopping, she certainly wouldnt have just fallen down the stairs. Just a smart, smiley, lady. Dame Susan Solanke, Lay president of Ms Akomahs Nigeria Methodist Mission UK, said in a statement her death was a big blow to the mission. Paying tribute, she added: Sister Nelly, only last week we were all at a weekend retreat, full of life.You were such a valuable member of the mission who will be sorely missed. My heart is broken with this cruel, mindless and senseless attack. I pray God brings the culprits to book as soon as possible. Ayodeji Okegbile, a fellow member of Nigeria Methodist Mission UK, paid tribute to the pensioner asking followers to keep the police investigation in their prayers. He said: Nigeria Methodist Mission UK and Ireland are very sorry to announce the loss of our long-standing leader and beloved mother, Mrs Nelly Akomah who passed away yesterday after an overnight attack in her residence in London. She will always be dearly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with her loving children, grandchildren, family, Tooting Methodist Church, Nigerian Fellowship, and close friends. Anyone with information should call police on 101 or crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A n alleged ringleader of a people-smuggling gang has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 39 men, women and children in a lorry trailer in Essex. The Vietnamese nationals were found dead in the container which had been transported by ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Purfleet early on October 23 2019. The victims had hoped for a better life in Britain when they agreed to pay up to 13,000 a head for a "VIP" smuggling service. On October 22 2019, they were crammed into the lorry container to be shipped in pitch black and sweltering conditions and the Old Bailey has heard how they desperately tried to raise the alarm as they ran out of air before reaching British shores. Marius Mihai Draghici, 50, who was detained by police in Romania last August, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey on Friday to the manslaughter charges as well as conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. He will be sentenced on a date to be set. Four others were jailed in 2021 for between 13 and 27 years for the manslaughter of the 39 migrants. Lorry driver Maurice Robinson found the migrants, two aged just 15, dead when he collected the trailer from the docks early the next morning. Robinson, 28, of Craigavon, and his boss Ronan Hughes, 43, of Armagh, had admitted plotting to people smuggle and 39 counts of manslaughter. Marius Mihai Draghici (Essex Police/PA) / PA Media Hughes's partner in crime Gheorghe Nica, 46, of Basildon, Essex, and Eamonn Harrison, 26, of County Down, who had collected the victims on the continent, were found guilty of the offences. At a sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey, Robinson, who also admitted money laundering, was jailed for 13 years and four months in jail, Hughes was sentenced to 20 years in prison, Nica to 27 years and Harrison to 18 years. Mr Justice Sweeney said: "I have no doubt that, as asserted by the prosecution, the conspiracy was a sophisticated, long-running, and profitable one to smuggle mainly Vietnamese migrants across the channel." The migrants had desperately tried to break out of the trailer and raise the alarm before they suffered an "excruciatingly slow death", the judge said. Other members of the gang were also jailed in the same hearing for their role in the organised criminal operation. Lorry driver Christopher Kennedy, 26, of County Armagh, was jailed for seven years; Valentin Calota, 40, from Birmingham, was handed four-and-a-half years; and Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga, 31, from Essex, was sentenced to three years in custody. The court had heard the operation was long-running and profitable, with the smugglers standing to make more than a million pounds in October 2019 alone. A total of seven smuggling trips were identified between May 2018 and October 23 2019, although the court heard that there were likely to have been more. Migrants would board lorries at a remote location on the continent to be transported to Britain where they would be picked up by a fleet of smaller vehicles organised by Nica for transfer to a safe house until payment was received. The fee was between 10,000 and 13,000, for the "VIP route" in which the driver was aware of the presence of smuggled migrants inside the trailer attached to his lorry. Victims of the tragedy / PA Some of the trips were thwarted by border officials and residents in Orsett, Essex, who had repeatedly reported migrants being dropped off to the police. Yet the smuggling operation was not stopped until after the tragic journey. The families of the victims in Vietnam and Britain spoke at the sentencing hearing of their loss and hardship. Phan Thi Thanh, 41, had sold the family home and left her son with his godmother before setting off on the ill-fated journey. Her "heartbroken" son said: "I heard about the incident from mass media so I called dad in the UK in order to confirm if mum was a victim. "I was very shocked, very sad and I was crying a lot." Tran Hai Loc and his wife Nguyen Thi Van, both 35, who were found huddled together in death, left two children aged six and four. The children's grandfather Tran Dinh Thanh said: "Everyday, when they come home from school they always look at the photos of their parents on the altar. "The decease of both parents is a big loss to them." Fifteen-year-old Nguyen Huy Hung's UK-based father Nguyen Huy Tung learned about his death on social media. He said: "We were very shocked, trembled, we lost track and awareness of our surroundings. "My wife had fainted many times whenever our son's name was mentioned." HOMS, Syria, June 23 (Xinhua) -- A section of a rare Roman-era mosaic panel, unveiled Thursday to the public in central Syria's al-Rastan City located in Homs Province, offered a glimpse into the hidden treasures that emerged after the 12-year-long Syrian war. Discovered last year, the well-preserved 300-square-meter flooring panel was inlaid with thousands of colored mosaic pieces made of small grains and glass, showcasing rare tableaux featuring Amazon characters, a water deity, and nymphs from Greek mythology. It also bears the names of the kings who partook in the legendary Trojan War fought in the ancient lands of western Anatolia. Besides the depictions of the Amazon Wars and the God of the Sea, the panel also showed another scene in ancient Greek Homer's epic poem The Iliad -- the Battle of the Centaurs. Archeologist told Xinhua at the site that the panel's end has yet to be unearthed, as the excavation work is still underway until the entire flooring is revealed. Mohamad Nazir Awad, Syria's director general of antiquities and museums, told Xinhua that its significance derived not only from the scenes and stories it conveys, but also from its sheer size, because flooring panels of such size are a rare find. "It's an exceptional discovery in terms of the depicted topics included in the Homer Iliad such as the God of the Sea, Poseidon, and the Amazon wars as well as the Battle of the Centaurs, which we have uncovered now. This is what makes this discovery important on the local and international levels," he told Xinhua. Nazir expected heritage management in Syria to generate more benefits for the local communities, particularly for those where the relics were found. Such discoveries would make the area a popular destination for tourists with a passion for archaeology, thus creating socioeconomic benefits for local communities, he said. "The concept in heritage management in Syria today is to make these discoveries one of the economic, social, and development levers and (promote) sustainable development for the people here in this area," he said. "We think that in the future it will be an important visiting point that is no less important than archaeological sites (most) visited in Syria, including (the ancient cities of) Palmyra and Apamea, and other places." While all the new discoveries and restoration work have been undertaken by Syrian archeologists and working teams, the U.S. and Western sanctions on Syria have obstructed the importation of crucial restoration materials and modern excavation tools, posing a formidable obstacle for their work, Haidar Youssef, a Syrian archeologist and field supervisor, told Xinhua. "Unfortunately, the restoration materials used to support and restore this painting are mostly imported materials that do not exist in Syria, due to the sanctions imposed on Syria. Unfortunately, we are suffering from difficulty in securing these materials," he lamented. Despite all the challenges, he said, "we have built a strong, distinguished, and empowered national cadre who are able to carry out all the excavation work and compensate for the shortage resulting from the sanctions." A n obsessed pharmacist who murdered a young female student with a face mask before dumping her body in a locked suitcase has been jailed for life. Muhammad Arslan, 27, concocted a fantasy that he was engaged to 21-year-old Hina Bashir and they had plans to marry and have children together. In reality, Ms Bashir had rejected his romantic advances and told Arslan she did not want a relationship. Arslan had given up his job as a pharmacy manager in Pakistan to pursue Ms Bashir to the UK, where she was studying business management at Coventry Universitys London campus. In a jealous rage, Arslan forced a floral-patterned face mask mask into Ms Bashir to suffocate her after she visited his home in Ilford, east London on July 11 last year. After the murder, he put her body into a padlocked suitcase, stored it in his bedroom overnight, and took a taxi to a remote area of Upminster the next morning in a bid to hide the remains. At the Old Bailey on Friday, Arslan was sentenced to life in prison and was ordered to serve at least 20 years in prison. Judge Richard Marks KC, the Common Serjeant of London, said to Arslan: You were madly in love with her and wanted to marry her. In my judgment you were obsessed with her. He said the evidence shows Arslans unrequited feelings for Hina boiled over and resulted in you taking hold of a face mask and forcing it into the back of her mouth, which led to her collapse and ultimately to her death from asphyxiation. At only 43kgs in weight, she was extremely slight in build and you easily overpowered her. The judge said he is sure Arslan intended to kill Ms Bashir, before launching a campaign of lies to try to get away with murder. Arslan admitted manslaughter before his trial, claiming he had killed Ms Bashir accidentally while trying to quieten her. However, he was convicted by the jury of murder and perverting the course of justice. Ms Bashirs father, Muhammad Bashir Khan, who attended every day of the trial, paid tribute to a beautiful, bubbly girl who was happy and would always make us laugh. He said Ms Bashirs family, including five younger siblings, have been deeply devastated by the murder. Branding Arslan vicious, he added: He showed no remorse and this has added to the pain I am feeling. This male didnt even show her respect after he killed her. Animals would treat my daughter better. Ms Bashir was the second young woman to die in Ilford at the hands of a violent man in the space of two weeks, following the fatal attack on Zara Aleena as she walked home alone. The court heard Arslan and Ms Bashir grew up in the same village in the Faisalabad district of Pakistan. He was 17-years-old and she was 11 when he befriended her via text message, and later declared: How wonderful it is that I have found my princess in the house right next to mine. Ms Bashir, who had a boyfriend in Pakistan, moved to the UK to study in November 2021, but found herself being pursued by Arslan who enrolled at the University of Essex for a masters degree in data science and applications while working part-time in a warehouse. Arslan already had masters degree in maths and quantum physics from the University of Faisalabad. On the night of the murder, Ms Bashir went with friends to Arslans flat to collect belongings she had stored there while moving house. After the murder, Arslan spent hours trawling through her private messages and photographs on her mobile phone. Muhammad Arslan murdered Hina Bashir in a jealous rage / MPS The next morning, the defendant set off from his house, dragging behind him a suitcase containing Hina Bashirs dead body, said prosecutor Gareth Patterson KC. 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. When questioned by police, Arslan lied that Ms Bashir had left his home unhurt. He had wiped his number from her phone, and officers then discovered CCTV of him wheeling a suitcase through Upminster. Ms Bashirs blood was found on Arslan bedclothes, matching floral face masks were recovered from his home and the taxi driver confirmed taking the killer and his heavy suitcase to the industrial estate where it was dumped. 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. Officers also found a large number photos of Ms Bashir, including some photoshopped with love hearts and collages of her image. The evidence suggests that he was obsessed with her, said Mr Patterson. Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams, who led the murder investigation, said: "Arslan was obsessed with Hina to the point that he told people they were engaged and said they should have children together. This relationship was completely in his mind. Our investigation showed that Arslan was unable to live with the fact Hina did not want to be with him. It was this rejection that tragically led to her death. Arslan, wearing a blue prison-issue jumper, stared at the floor as he was jailed for life. A n obsessive man has been jailed for 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. A jury at the Old Bailey found him guilty of the charges on Wednesday. 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. Judge Richard Marks KC sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder and five years running concurrent for perverting the course of justice. The judge told Arslan: I am satisfiedthat your unrequited feelings for Hina boiled over and resulted in you taking hold of a facemask and forcing it into the back of her mouth which led to her collapse and ultimately to her death from asphyxiation. He treated her in a heinous and brutal way He added that Arslans prime motivation was to save himself after killing Ms Bashir, embarking on a campaign of lies to conceal what he had done lying to all and sundry before disposing her body in a shocking and callous manner. Judge Marks said it was apparent that Arslan had been madly in love and obsessed with Ms Bashir, feelings which he added were clearly not reciprocated. The judge told Arslan he was extremely sceptical of his claim that he had been sent naked photographs of Ms Bashir before he attacked her as no such photos were ever recovered. Ms Bashirs father, Bashir Khan, made an impact statement which was read out in court in which he asserted that animals would treat my daughter better. He treated her in a heinous and brutal way, Mr Khan added. The father spoke of how Ms Bashirs death has traumatised his family and how they loved their beautiful, bubbly girl. Arslan showed no emotion during the hearing and his defence barrister told the court there was nothing to say in mitigation. Six jurors returned to the Old Bailey to listen to the sentencing. These jurors heard during the trial 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. The prosecution said Arslan set off from his house the next morning dragging a suitcase containing Ms Bashirs body, travelling to an industrial estate by the M25 near Upminster where he hid the suitcase in some undergrowth to the side of a lane. 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. 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. Our investigation showed that Arslan was unable to live with the fact Hina did not want to be with him Police found a large number of photographs of Ms Bashir, including collages of her image, on Arslans phone. Love hearts had been added on some pictures. Following Arslans conviction, detective chief inspector Dave Whellams, said: Arslan was obsessed with Hina to the point that he told people they were engaged and said they should have children together. This relationship was completely in his mind. Our investigation showed that Arslan was unable to live with the fact Hina did not want to be with him. It was this rejection that tragically led to her death. Once Arslan had murdered Hina he did everything he could to cover his tracks but the evidence gathered by our team left no doubt in our mind as to his guilt. We are pleased the jury felt the same way and our thoughts now continue to remain with Hinas family and friends who are dealing with an incomprehensible loss. T he man who shot dead Sergeant Matt Ratana while handcuffed inside a police station custody cell has been found guilty of murder. Louis De Zoysa, 25, fired the antique pistol four times just as 54-year-old custody sergeant Ratana was preparing to search him in the course of an arrest. Metropolitan Police officers who first detained De Zoysa found ammunition and cannabis, but had failed to spot the gun tucked under his arm. Sergeant Ratana was struck in the chest by one of the shots, fired by De Zoysa despite him being hancuffed with his arms behind his back at the time. At Northampton crown court on Friday, De Zoysa was found guilty by a jury of murder. He had denied the charge, insisting the shooting happened during the course of an autistic meltdown. Louis De Zoysa murdered Sgt Matt Ratana in a shooting inside a Croydon police station / Metropolitan Police/PA Wire Mr Justice Johnson said he will sentence De Zoysa at the same court on July 27. Speaking outside the courthouse, Sgt Ratanas partner Su Bushby described him as her gentle giant and said he will never be forgotten. Today is about justice for Matt. His life was taken too soon in the line of duty doing a job that he loved a cruel end to a lifetime of service and dedication protecting others. Whilst the court case has concluded, the constant feeling of grief and loss continues. My love for Matt, my gentle giant, will never end. He will never be forgotten. De Zoysa, a former HMRC data analyst, was sat in a wheelchair when the verdict was delivered, as Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Ms Bushby sat nearby. He nodded twice at the guilty verdict, before being told a series of extra gun and ammunition charges will be left to lie on file at the sentencing hearing. Outside court, Sir Mark said he believes more lives would certainly have been lost without the courage of officers on duty on the night of the shooting. Officers never have a perfect picture of what awaits them at the next incident. Every day for example, we take several firearms off the streets of London and the vast majority of those are seized in routine police work by unarmed officers. The men and women in policing daily stepping forward into uncertainty and risk are truly remarkable and deserve our admiration. Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Police commissioner, speaking outside Northampton crown court after the murder conviction of Louis De Zoysa for shooting dead Sergeant Matt Ratana / PA Wire The officers and staff on duty the night Matt was murdered show just those attributes. Without their courage, I believe that more lives would certainly have been lost. Im immensely proud of their professionalism and their bravery. They have my enduring admiration and my full support. De Zoysa, a former engineering student at UCL, shot himself in the neck during the course of the incident on September 25, 2020, triggering a stroke, causing brain damage and forcing the justice system to set up a specially-organised trial. He made a failed bid for the case to be stopped - arguing he was unfit to stand trial - but Mr Justice Johnson insisted the courts could make allowance to enable a jury to reach a verdict. The case was shifted from the Old Bailey to Northampton to be closer to the secure hospital where De Zoysa is receiving treatment, he used a whiteboard and marker pen to communicate at times, and a simplified list of questions was drawn up so that he could give his evidence.De Zoysa had bought the gun online legally due to its antique status he drilled down bullets to fit in the chamber. and he had also constructed a shotgun from old parts at his home. Matt Ratana (Metropolitan Police/PA) / PA Media He was stopped by police in London Road, Norbury, south London, in the early hours of September 25, 2020, when drugs and ammunition were found and he was taken into custody. When he reached the custody centre in Croydon, De Zoysa was handcuffed and CCTV footage showed Sgt Ratana telling him he was about to be searched as part of the booking-in process. Shocking footage released by the Met Police shows De Zoysa suddenly stretching his arms around his body, moments before the shooting. Officers wrestled him to the ground once the shots had been fired, and Sgt Ratana was rushed to hospital. Louis De Zoysa pulled the trigger on purpose twice when he was pointing the gun at Sgt Ratana, said prosecutor Duncan Penny KC. The police officers did not find that Louis De Zoysa was carrying a loaded revolver in a holster. The gun and holster were probably concealed under one of his armpits. Louis De Zoysa bought the antique gun online which he used to shoot Sgt Matt Ratana / MPS Describing the incident in the holding cell, the prosecutor said: Louis De Zoysa was still handcuffed. He was able to point the gun Sergeant Ratana. He deliberately shot Sergeant Ratana once to the chest, at very close range. He did not give a warning. Following the guilty verdict, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said its recommendation that all police vehicle are equipped in the future with handheld metal detectors has been accepted by the National Police Chiefs Council. The two officers who searched De Zoysa on the street were given further training but will not face disciplinary proceedings, the IOPC said. CCTV showing Louis De Zoysa (centre, top) holding an item (circled in red) in his hand, seconds before Sergeant Matt Ratana (centre) was fatally shot (Metropolitan Police/PA) / PA Wire Director of Operations Amanda Rowe added: The same officers should be commended for their incredible bravery in trying to disarm De Zoysa after he produced the firearm. They acted without hesitation, despite the significant danger they were placed in at the time. De Zoysa, who had been living in a flat at a farm in Banstead, gave evidence in his defence, delivering largely one-word answers. He insisted he had never intended to fire the gun, blaming the shooting on a panic attack. De Zoysa also said he has hypermobility, which enabled him to move his arms even though he was handcuffed. He also told the court about violence he had suffered at home from his father, his autism diagnosis, and his consumption of cannabis to be mellow. Screen grab taken from body worn camera footage of Louis De Zoysa being put into a police van (Screengrab/PA) / PA Wire After Sgt Ratanas death, tributes poured in for the 29-year policing veteran who moved to the UK from his native New Zealand. At the unveiling of a memorial last year, Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer, Commander for Croydon, said: The students have done a wonderful job of capturing what Matt stood for and how people far and wide were affected by his tragic death. Matt was a larger-than-life character, with a real passion for helping others, so it was fitting to invite young Croydon community members to create a tribute to his legacy.Every day, colleagues will look at this spectacular artwork and they will remember Matt and be inspired to make a positive difference to others lives in the way he did with such inexhaustible enthusiasm. Sir Mark said today: Matt dedicated almost 30 years to policing and was nearing retirement when he was tragically murdered. He was an outstanding officer who brought joy to his work, treating everyone with respect, compassion and good humour. In the days after his death, tributes flowed in from Matts colleagues, from communities he had served and from those who knew him in his life outside policing. They were a testament to the man he was. Whether it was on the street or in a custody centre as a uniformed police officer, or on the rugby field as a player and later a coach, it is clear he was someone who made an enduring impact wherever he went. We will ensure that he is never forgotten. I have also seen the heavy impact that Matts murder had on his colleagues, those he worked with in Croydon and also the many officers and staff he had served alongside in his lengthy career. That impact is particularly felt by those who were present on the night he was murdered. Ken Marsh, chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said: Sgt Matt Ratana was the best of us. A larger than life, much-loved and brave Met officer missed to this day by all who knew him. To hear and sadly be forced to see details of his death during the course of this trial has been harrowing for many colleagues who knew and respected this superb cop. Colleagues will be pleased to see justice has been served in this case and we hope that his killer pays the heaviest price for murdering a police officer. He should spend the rest of his life in custody. We would like at this time to also pay tribute to the painstaking work of Metropolitan Police detectives in this case. The difficulty of having to investigate the murder of a friend and colleague cannot be underestimated. Our thoughts remain with Sgt Ratanas partner, family and friends from across the world - and his close colleagues. The good memories of Matt and legacy of his life will live on. A Metropolitan Police officer has pleaded not guilty to raping a woman in an incident more than two years ago. PC Sam McGregor, 31, was first arrested in June 2021 after an allegation emerged of sex without consent the previous month. The officer, part of the Mets Central North Command Unit, was charged with rape in May, after a two-year investigation, and appeared in the dock at the magistrates court last month. At Inner London crown court on Friday, McGregor pleaded not guilty to rape and an alternative charge of sexual assault. Judge Benedict Kelleher set him free on bail until a trial which is set to start on April 22 next year. Scotland Yard has said the alleged victim is known to McGregor, and the incident is said to have taken place between May 11 and 12, 2021. No further details of the alleged offence were given at the court hearing. McGregor, who lives in Alice Close, Barnet, was arrested in June 2021, a day after he was first accused of rape. The Met said he is currently suspended from duty. The PC donned a black hat and large black face mask as he left the courthouse in central London. A millionaire philanthropist has been branded a prolific offender and banned from driving after he clocked up seven speeding convictions in less than two years. Sir Harry Djanogly, 84, blamed the Covid lockdown, the recent death of his wife and poor concentration for a string of offences while behind the wheel of his silver Jaguar. The businessman was first banned from driving for six months in September 2021 after amassing 12 points on his licence for speeding. He served the ban, but faced a series of prosecutions for breaking the speed limit in July and November 2021, and August, September, October and November 2022. Sir Harry, the father of MP Jonathan Djanogly, amassed a 300 million fortune during a career in textiles and was knighted in 1993 for his charity work. Sir Harry, who came to Britain as a refugee from the Nazis, has made donations to the V&A, Tate galleries and the Chickenshed theatre group. In 2015, he was acquitted by a jury of dangerous driving and assault over an incident on the A40 when a police officer was injured while clinging to Sir Harrys moving Jaguar. He had been stopped for speeding at 70mph in a 50mph zone and told jurors he did not deliberately accelerate when the officer attached himself. He had been driving his wife to hospital, and insisted he genuinely believed her life was in danger. Sir Harry has written a series of similar letters to magistrates since September 2021 when he wrote: I apologise to the court. I am an 83-year-old widower and for the past eighteen months have felt very isolated. Having hardly driven a car during the period, I regret my concentration was poor and I had received two prosecutions. I now feel refocused. The weather was good and there was very little traffic. The car is very important for my wellbeing. Once again, I am sorry. In December 2021, he wrote: I do apologise to the court. Unfortunately being 83-years-old and having been in virtual isolation for such a long time, it has taken me time to readjust. At no time was anyone in any danger and the weather was fine. Lavender Hill magistrates heard this week that Sir Harry had apologised in similar fashion: Since Covid, I havent left home for two years. I have not concentrated as I should have done. The court heard Djanogly had reached 16 points on his driving licence by March this year, but was inexplicably not considered for a driving disqualification. He was back in court this week for speeding at 51mph in a 40mph zone on the A40 on September 18 last year, at just before 7am. Magistrates added a further three points to his tally, bringing it to 19 points, and imposed a 12-month road ban. Djanogly, who turns 85 in August, had been told about the hearing in a letter to his Pall Mall home. He was not present in court as he was also ordered to pay a 440 fine, 90 in costs, and a 58 court fee. The bench notes all the offences for speeding, he is a prolific offender, and he has already been disqualified within the last three years, said chair Deborah Drakesmith. Djanogly still faces two further court dates for speeding offences which have not yet been sentenced. Court dates have been set for July. A teenager has been charged with stabbing a bus driver in the back during a street fight in east London. The brave driver was knifed in the back during the attack in Commercial Road, Stepney at around 3.30pm on Sunday. Officers found the victim, in his 40s, with multiple stab injuries after the altercation spilt out onto the street at the junction with Arbour Square. He continues to recover in hospital, police said. One witness to the aftermath told the Standard: He was brave man, I pray he is well. I didnt get a chance to speak to him. I was trying to crowd control and stop people recording him [bleeding]. Louise Cheeseman, director of buses at TfL, said: This was an appalling and dangerous attack on a bus driver, who remains in hospital and our thoughts are with them and their family. We will fully support the Metropolitan Police to bring the perpetrator to justice. Everyone has the right to go about their day without fear or intimidation and any form of physical or verbal assault on our staff or customers will not be tolerated. Police continue to appeal for witnesses to come forward. If you witnessed the incident or have footage then please contact the enquiry team by calling 101 quoting CAD 4546/18Jun23 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A n alleged ringleader of a people-smuggling gang has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 39 men, women and children in a lorry trailer in Essex. The Vietnamese nationals were found dead in the container which had been transported by ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Purfleet early on October 23 2019. The victims had hoped for a better life in Britain when they agreed to pay up to 13,000 a head for a VIP smuggling service. I have no doubt that, as asserted by the prosecution, the conspiracy was a sophisticated, long running, and profitable one to smuggle mainly Vietnamese migrants across the channel On October 22 2019, they were crammed into the lorry container to be shipped in pitch black and sweltering conditions and the Old Bailey has heard how they desperately tried to raise the alarm as they ran out of air before reaching British shores. Marius Mihai Draghici, 50, who was detained by police in Romania last August, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey on Friday to the manslaughter charges as well as conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. Following Draghicis guilty pleas, prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC noted the defendants basis of plea. Mr Emlyn Jones said he was disinclined to accept there was no financial reward for Draghicis involvement even though he could not point to any money being handed over. Judge Richard Marks KC remanded the defendant into custody to be sentenced at a date to be fixed. Defence barrister Gillian Jones KC said her client would prefer to be sentenced sooner rather than later. Four others were jailed in 2021 for between 13 and 27 years for the manslaughter of the 39 migrants. Lorry driver Maurice Robinson found the migrants, two aged just 15, dead when he collected the trailer from the docks early the next morning. Robinson, 28, of Craigavon, and his boss Ronan Hughes, 43, of Armagh, had admitted plotting to people smuggle and 39 counts of manslaughter. Hughess partner in crime Gheorghe Nica, 46, of Basildon, Essex, and Eamonn Harrison, 26, of County Down, who had collected the victims on the continent, were found guilty of the offences. At a sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey, Robinson, who also admitted money laundering, was jailed for 13 years and four months in jail, Hughes was sentenced to 20 years in prison, Nica to 27 years and Harrison to 18 years. Mr Justice Sweeney said: I have no doubt that, as asserted by the prosecution, the conspiracy was a sophisticated, long-running, and profitable one to smuggle mainly Vietnamese migrants across the channel. The migrants had desperately tried to break out of the trailer and raise the alarm before they suffered an excruciatingly slow death, the judge said. Other members of the gang were also jailed in the same hearing for their role in the organised criminal operation. Lorry driver Christopher Kennedy, 26, of County Armagh, was jailed for seven years; Valentin Calota, 40, from Birmingham, was handed four-and-a-half years; and Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga, 31, from Essex, was sentenced to three years in custody. The court had heard the operation was long-running and profitable, with the smugglers standing to make more than a million pounds in October 2019 alone. A total of seven smuggling trips were identified between May 2018 and October 23 2019, although the court heard that there were likely to have been more. Migrants would board lorries at a remote location on the continent to be transported to Britain where they would be picked up by a fleet of smaller vehicles organised by Nica for transfer to a safe house until payment was received. We were very shocked, trembled, we lost track and awareness of our surroundings The fee was between 10,000 and 13,000, for the VIP route in which the driver was aware of the presence of smuggled migrants inside the trailer attached to his lorry. Some of the trips were thwarted by border officials and residents in Orsett, Essex, who had repeatedly reported migrants being dropped off to the police. Yet the smuggling operation was not stopped until after the tragic journey. The families of the victims in Vietnam and Britain spoke at the sentencing hearing of their loss and hardship. Phan Thi Thanh, 41, had sold the family home and left her son with his godmother before setting off on the ill-fated journey. Her heartbroken son said: I heard about the incident from mass media so I called dad in the UK in order to confirm if mum was a victim. I was very shocked, very sad and I was crying a lot. Tran Hai Loc and his wife Nguyen Thi Van, both 35, who were found huddled together in death, left two children aged six and four. The childrens grandfather Tran Dinh Thanh said: Everyday, when they come home from school they always look at the photos of their parents on the altar. The decease of both parents is a big loss to them. Fifteen-year-old Nguyen Huy Hungs UK-based father Nguyen Huy Tung learned about his death on social media. He said: We were very shocked, trembled, we lost track and awareness of our surroundings. My wife had fainted many times whenever our sons name was mentioned. The 39 victims were:Dinh Dinh Binh, Nguyen Minh Quang, Nguyen Huy Phong, Le Van Ha, Nguyen Van Hiep, Bui Phan Thang, Nguyen Van Hung, Nguyen Huy Hung, Nguyen Tien Dung, Pham Thi Tra My, Tran Khanh Tho, Nguyen Van Nhan, Vo Ngoc Nam, Vo Van Linh, Nguyen Ba Vu Hung, Vo Nhan Du, Tran Hai Loc, Tran Manh Hung, Nguyen Thi Van, Bui Thi Nhung, Hoang Van Tiep, Tran Thi Ngoc, Phan Thi Thanh, Tran Thi Tho, Duong Minh Tuan, Pham Thi Ngoc Oanh, Tran Thi Mai Nhung, Le Trong Thanh, Nguyen Ngoc Ha, Hoang Van Hoi, Tran Ngoc Hieu, Cao Tien Dung, Dinh Dinh Thai Quyen, Dang Huu Tuyen, Nguyen Dinh Luong , Cao Huy Thanh, Nguyen Trong Thai, Nguyen Tho Tuan and Nguyen Dinh Tu. T he prevention of poor health, a greater use of technology and personalising care should be key areas of focus for the NHS in the coming years, according to an independent advisory group. NHS Assembly which was formed in 2019 and comprises staff, patient groups, carers, charities and healthcare partners has prepared a report ahead of the 75th anniversary of the NHS on July 5. It highlights three key areas the health service should be focusing on based on the groups analysis. These are preventing poor health, creating personalised care and co-ordinating care locally by bolstering general practice. This report will help to build on the progress already made, both locally and nationally, for years to come The report includes responses from more than 700 organisations and patient groups, which said they were proud of NHS staff and their resilience, but said more should be done to improve the retention of workers, reduce vacancies and better support unpaid carers. It also noted calls for a greater need to prevent ill health through societal change, as well as capital investment and a long-term infrastructure plan. NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: After some of the most challenging years in NHS history, I know how energising many colleagues have found having the chance to think about opportunities to improve health and care for the future. And by taking into account such a wide range of views from our patients, staff and partners, this report will help to build on the progress already made, both locally and nationally, for years to come. NHS Assembly hailed the creation of integrated care systems (ICS), which replaced clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) last year, and said they allow the NHS to work with other bodies to tackle major causes of poor health, such as smoking or obesity. It also recommended that ICSs should adopt new technology to help patients monitor conditions and get advice. This visionary document based on the views of people across health and social care sets out three key aims for the sector preventing people from getting ill, creating more personalised care and delivering this care closer to peoples home On Friday, the Government announced a 21 million fund for artificial intelligence (AI) to be rolled out further across the NHS. Trusts have been invited to apply for a portion of the cash to implement AI tools for the likes of medical imaging and decision support. The NHS Assembly report was co-authored by Professor Dame Clare Gerada and Professor Sir Chris Ham. Dame Clare said: This visionary document based on the views of people across health and social care sets out three key aims for the sector preventing people from getting ill, creating more personalised care and delivering this care closer to peoples home. Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of NHS Providers and NHS Assembly member, added: Its heartening to see resounding support for the founding principles of the NHS we approach the NHS 75th anniversary. As well as tackling health inequalities and delivering care closer to home, we heard from patients and the public that investment in staff and capital, alongside social care reform, is vital to give this and future generations safe, high-quality services. Sadiq Khan said bring it on when he was asked to comment on speculation that Boris Johnson might stand against him at the next City Hall election. Mr Johnson has been rumoured to be considering a bid to stand for his old job as London mayor, after he announced that he was standing down as an MP. Speaking with James OBrien on LBC, Mr Khan threw down the gauntlet to his predecessor. The mayor was asked by one listener: Would you be worried if Boris Johnson became a London mayoral candidate? Mr Khan replied: The flippant answer is bring it on. Mr Johnson served as mayor from 2008 until standing down in 2016, when Mr Khan took over. The Labour mayor is now running for a historic third term. The Conservatives have selected a shortlist of three people, who are currently battling it out to be selected as the partys candidate in May 2024. If Mr Johnson plans on running therefore, he will have to do so as an independent, or join another party. One of the shortlisted Conservative candidates, Moz Hossein KC, was asked in a recent interview for his thoughts on Mr Johnson standing. If he wants to, then he should, said Mr Hossein. This is the exciting thing about London - anybody, whoever wishes to do it, they should consider it seriously, and do it. Yeah, it would be exciting. Mr Hossein - a criminal barrister - is up against London Assembly member Susan Hall, and former Downing Street aide turned tech entrepreneur Daniel Korski. F irst Minister Humza Yousaf has backed a councils condemnation of proposals to house asylum seekers on a ship. Edinburgh City Council leader Cammy Day has written to the Home Office to voice his concerns that the ship could become a floating prison. The MS Victoria is currently docked at Leith and it has housed more than 1,000 Ukrainian refugees, with the final cohort set to leave by July 11. Labour councillor Mr Day said the council was contacted by the UK Government over its intention to commission the ship to house asylum seekers. He said that decision is all the more surprising given previous advice from the UK Government that it would be impossible for the ship to remain. The Home Office said the decision was taken due to the incredible strain on the asylum system. Mr Day said council leaders were not consulted on the plan, and the local authority has urged UK ministers to provide further details. He said: The potential consequences for the council in terms of the pressures on our services and the city as a whole are severe and barring robust partnership discussions involving NHS, police and other colleagues we will continue to oppose these plans in the strongest terms. Many of these people have risked their lives to make it to Europe and what they need is recognition and rights, not an unknown future without the support they desperately need. While the MS Victoria has been a place of refuge for many Ukrainian families arriving in Edinburgh, until we have adequate assurances from the UK Government regarding the welfare and ongoing engagement and support, we cannot allow it to become a floating prison for asylum seekers. Speaking at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh on Friday, Mr Yousaf said: I have to say I side very strongly with Edinburgh City Council, who have articulated very strong opposition to that plan. I can understand why. There is quite a difference between the rights asylum seekers have and refugees have. The asylum-seeking population does not have the right to work, dont have recourse to public funds very different to the refugee population so I can understand where the concerns are from Edinburgh City Council. Ultimately, its a discussion between the Home Office and Edinburgh City Council but I have to say I side very strongly with Edinburgh City Council on this matter. A Home Office spokesperson said: The Home Office has a statutory obligation to provide accommodation for asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute while we consider their claim. The significant increase in illegal, unnecessary and dangerous Channel crossings has put our asylum system under incredible strain and made it necessary to continue to use hotels to accommodate some asylum seekers. We are committed to making every effort to reduce hotel use and continue to engage with local authorities as early as possible whenever sites are used for asylum accommodation. The British Red Cross have also expressed concern, saying a docked ship with windowless cabins is not an appropriate place to house people who have been forced to flee their homes and experienced trauma. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, June 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) PARIS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here on Thursday that China and France, as the permanent members of the UN Security Council and responsible major countries, share a common strategic and holistic perspective. Li made the remarks when he met with French President Emmanuel Macron. Conveying warm greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Macron, Li said during the French president's successful visit to China not long ago, Macron and Xi had in-depth exchanges and reached a series of strategic consensus, which have drawn a blueprint for the development of China-France relations. The Chinese premier said his visit to France aims to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and have in-depth discussions with the French side on strengthening China-France cooperation. China, France, and Europe have their own strengths and need to further strengthen cooperation, said Li, stressing that they, while deepening cooperation in such traditional areas as nuclear energy, space and aviation, should also tap the potential of cooperation in such emerging areas as environmental protection, digital economy, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, so as to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. The Chinese side encourages its enterprises to invest in France and French companies are welcomed to share China's development opportunities, said Li. China stands ready to continue to strengthen communication and coordination with France on international affairs, support each other's good initiatives, jointly cope with global challenges, and promote world peace and stability, Li said. Macron joyfully recalled his successful visit to China in April this year and asked Li to convey his sincere greetings and thanks to Xi. Macron welcomed Li's visit to France and his attendance of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, adding that France attaches great importance to relations with China and adheres to the one-China policy. France is willing to work with China to enhance coordination through the France-China Strategic Dialogue, High-Level Economic and Financial Dialogue, and High-level Dialogue on People-to-people Exchanges and to deepen cooperation with China in such fields as aviation and space, nuclear energy, agriculture and food, he said. Macron welcomed Chinese companies to invest in France and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as green and environmental protection and new energy. In a world full of challenges, France and China should adhere to resultful multilateralism, promote international solidarity, improve global governance and promote solutions to global issues, Macron said. The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other international issues of common concern. T ory mayoral hopeful Susan Hall has become the first candidate to publicly criticise Shaun Bailey for his jingle and mingle party during lockdown. Ms Hall spoke out after Mayor Sadiq Khan said the actions of Mr Bailey who has been nominated for a peerage and his team were simply indefensible. Ms Hall, who claims to have more grassroots support than her two rivals bidding to become the Tory mayoral candidate, told the Standard: The party should never have happened. Her intervention came after fellow mayoral hopeful Moz Hossain KC was caught on camera darting into a pub in a bid to escape questions about the scandal. His campaign is being run by several people caught on video at the party at Tory headquarters in December 2020, including Ben Mallet, who was awarded an OBE by Boris Johnson in the same resignation honours list that is reportedly set to elevate Mr Bailey to the Lords on July 18. Mr Khan, speaking at Mayors Question Time on Thursday, said that Tories who failed to criticise the lockdown party or the fact that participants had received honours will regret that in the long term. Ms Hall is a longstanding colleague of Mr Bailey on the London Assembly, and was previously his group leader. Mr Bailey, a family man who is believed to be teetotal, was not seen in the footage when party guests started dancing. He is believed to have left the party at that time. The party was held at a time when he was the Tory mayoral candidate, and was attended by a number of staff working on his campaign. Mr Bailey was defeated by Mr Khan in the May 2021 mayoral elections. The Tory group on the London Assembly has previously defended Mr Bailey and blocked moves at City Hall to have him censured after details of the party first emerged in December 2021. The Standard has been told Mr Bailey initially sought to deny there had been a party, only for a now-notorious photograph to emerge prompting him to quit as chair of the assemblys police and crime committee. Mr Bailey, who earns 60,416 a year as an assembly member, failed to attend Mayors Question Time, having informed officials that he had suffered a bereavement. Earlier this week, he was filmed near Parliament, and apologised unreservedly for the scenes at the party. Mr Khan said the footage of party-goers dancing and drinking in close proximity at a pre-arranged event will have been deeply upsetting to many Londoners. He said: Like most Londoners, I was and am shocked by the scandal. At the time, socialising indoors was banned in London. Levelling-Up Secretary Michael Gove last weekend called the party indefensible. Mr Khan said: We have heard nothing from the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the Conservative assembly group or any of their current mayoral candidates. Londoners are furious. The actions of Assembly member Shaun Bailey and his team are simply indefensible, and yet they are being rewarded. Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said officers were checking whether the video footage provided a basis for further investigation. This could result in attendees being fined. Mr Khan said: I have always been clear that nobody is above the law. Those who broke the rules at a time when the public were being asked to make huge sacrifices should be held to account for their actions, not rewarded. This is a plague on all our houses. Those who dont condemn this behaviour, those whose silence and acquiescence to [his] promotion to the Lords will regret that in the long term. G lastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis has confirmed the Arctic Monkeys will headline the Pyramid Stage on Friday after their set was thrown into question earlier this week. The rock band announced on Monday that frontman Alex Turner had acute laryngitis which forced them to cancel their show in Marlay Park, Dublin, on Wednesday. They will close out the main stage at the festival in Pilton, Somerset, which kicked off this year at midday with a group of Sufi musicians, named The Master Musicians of Joujouka, who performed a form of trance beats which are said to be used for healing. Broadcasting from the grounds of the festival at Worthy Farm, Zoe Ball asked during her BBC Radio 2 show if the band were still set to play, and Eavis replied theyre on, which was welcomed with uproarious applause. It was a little bit close there for a minute and we were thinking about whether we should have a serious back-up plan in place, but no, thankfully theyre on, so thats great, she added. It will be the Sheffield bands third time headlining the festival after topping the bill on 2007 and 2013. The group are currently on a world tour with venues in Europe, the US, Canada and Mexico lined up across the next few months. Since the start of the year, they have performed hits across Australia, Asia and the UK from their back catalogue including I Wanna Be Yours, 505 and Do I Wanna Know? They performed three shows at the Emirates stadium in London from Friday to Sunday last week before they had to announce that Turner was under doctors orders to rest. Fridays music highlights opened with the group of 10 Sufi musicians who are from a village in the southern Rif Mountains in Morocco. They played a range of drums and woodwind-type instruments while donning brown robes over a white shirt with a cream headpiece. A male dancer later came onto the stage dressed in a brown fur costume and wicker hat to represent Bou Jeloud, a Pan-like figure half-goat-half-man who is part of their legends. Crowds clapped and danced around the field as he shook two tree branches as he performed. They were followed by singer-songwriter Maisie Peters, 23, who played a range of tracks from her new album The Good Witch, which was released on Friday. Rapper Stefflon Don and Scottish rock band Texas will also play there throughout the afternoon and early evening. The other major rumour of the day is in relation to a mystery band named The Churnups who are listed to perform ahead of rock duo Royal Blood and Arctic Monkeys, with speculation that could be a cover name for Foo Fighters. Addressing the rumblings, Eavis told Radio 2: To be honest, I think theres a lot of rumours that are circulating about The Churnups one of which is true. I dont think I can completely confirm but its coming soon. But this is a huge, huge, huge, huge surprise and we have kept this secret for so long, just me and (her husband) Nick, we didnt even tell the kids we were like Nobody can know this and I think its going to be extraordinary later. Hozier has also confirmed on Friday morning that he will be the surprise act at 7.30pm on the Woodsies stage, previously named the John Peel stage. The Irish singer-songwriter, full name Andrew Hozier-Byrne, said he is thrilled to be performing at the festival again in a not-so-secret set on Friday evening. Eavis also appeared to accidentally confirm rumours that Rick Astley and Blossoms will play a secret set this weekend. When asked about if their set was confirmed, she said: Yep before catching herself and asking if the show was being broadcast live. The third day of the festival in Pilton, Somerset, will also host film screenings, theatre and circus performances and a debate titled Solidarity With Iran which will include British-Iranian charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was imprisoned there for six years. The festival is set to remain mainly dry and bright on Friday, with temperatures hitting around 25C during the day, the Met Office has forecast. In a statement, a spokesperson for the national weather service said: The weather is set fair for much of the weekend at Glastonbury Festival with only a small chance of a shower. Friday and Saturday should see a good deal of dry, bright weather with some sunny spells, albeit hazy at times, with highs in the mid-20s, with some warm nights to follow once the sun goes down. 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. Sir Elton John, 76, will close the festival on Sunday night for what has been billed as the final UK show of his mammoth farewell tour. Eavis revealed she has wanted to book the Rocket Man superstar for years but felt it was something that would never ever happen. Then I wrote him a letter, it was probably September or October last year, and it was like a really cool autumn morning and I sat thinking Whats my dream? Ive got to try and get him, she added. So I wrote this letter and so lucky that he called up and just said, Im so up for this. And I was like, what? I cant believe it. N azanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been given a standing ovation at Glastonbury Festival after she spoke about her imprisonment for six years in Iran. Joined on stage at Left Field by an all-female panel to discuss the rights of women in Iran, where Ms Ratcliffe was released from jail in 2022, she spoke about the power of solidarity and the impact of her time in prison. My daughter was 22 months old when I was arrested we missed six birthdays in between I was used as a political pawn in something that predated me, she told the crowd. Midway through the debate, Ms Zaghari Ratcliffe described how while imprisoned she was shown a picture of #FreeNazanin demonstrations at Glastonbury Festival. All the time I was in prison I had very little access to the outside world, she said. I didnt know the details of what was happening. She said she was smuggled one very low quality picture while in prison, explaining: It was the banner at Glastonbury 2019 that said Free Nazanin on. Appearing emotional, after another panel member had already appeared to shed tears, Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe said while describing seeing the image: Were all going to cry now. She added: I think there was also a picture of a man holding a baby on his shoulders and the baby would have been about my childs age at the time. That shows how far your story can get if people care about you. We always talk about how every single one of us is a light and we have power. She encouraged people to be the voice of those who are oppressed or detained in countries such as Iran and share their story. As she ended her speech the crowd clapped and then gradually everyone in the packed Glastonbury tent stood up to cheer and applaud Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe. She stood up to clap in response, holding her hands to her chest in appreciation as the crowds applause continued for around 40 seconds. After the applause fellow panel member Shappi Khorsandi, an Iranian-born British comedian, said: What just happened there was a dream come true. In the six years that you were gone we lived for this moment. J unior doctors in England will strike for five days from July 13 in what is thought to be the longest single period of industrial action in the history of the health service, the British Medical Association announced on Friday. The five-day walkout comes amid a bitter dispute over pay and follows three previous rounds of industrial action. Co-chairs of the BMA junior doctors committee Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi said: It has been almost a week since the last round of strikes finished but not once have we heard from Rishi Sunak or Steve Barclay in terms of reopening negotiations since their collapse of our talks and cancelling all scheduled meetings a month ago. What better indication of how committed they are to ending this dispute could we have? As their refusal to even discuss pay restoration leads to continued disruption to the health service, more than four-fifths of junior doctors report finding their patients supportive they understand the value of a fully staffed and resourced NHS. They added: We are announcing the longest single walkout by doctors in the NHSs history but this is not a record that needs to go into the history books. Even now the Government can avert our action by coming to the table with a credible offer on pay restoration. Restoring pay can stem the flow of Australian job adverts in doctors social media feeds and lead to a future 75 years of doctors being paid fairly, in a rebuilt workforce and NHS that this country can continue to be proud of. Hospital consultant members of the BMA in England are currently being balloted over strike action over pay, with a walk out set to take place on July 20 and 21 if consultants vote in favour. Results from the ballot are due by the end of the month. The BMA has ruled out the possibility of junior doctors and consultants striking simultaneously, The last round of industrial action staged by the BMA last week led to the cancellation of- nearly 33,000 hospital appointments and procedures in London. An average of 4,566 doctors walked out in London, which is at least 600 more than the North East, the second worst-affected region. The BMA is seeking a 35 per cent pay rise to restore a real-terms fall in income since 2008, arguing that junior doctors are struggling to pay rent and bills during the cost-of-living crisis. But Health Secretary Steve Barclay has branded the pay demand unaffordable, with both sides remaining deadlocked. Other unions have already settled a pay dispute with ministers after the NHS staff council voted to accept the Governments revised pay offer for staff on the Agenda for Change contract including paramedics, nurses and physiotherapists. The offer consisted of a 5 per cent pay rise for this year and a cash sum for last year. T he King has paid tribute to the selfless service and sacrifice of British troops in a letter to mark Armed Forces Day. In a signed address, Charles thanked military personnel for their immense and dedicated contribution. He wrote: The Queen and I join many around the United Kingdom in celebrating Armed Forces Day, recognising the immense and dedicated contribution of our military both at home and overseas. Today provides a particularly valuable opportunity to acknowledge publicly the selfless service and sacrifice made each day by our Armed Forces personnel to keep this nation safe. Drawing on his own time in the military, Charles recognised the deep pride service personnel take in their duty, as demonstrated during the Coronation. He wrote: Having trained, and served, in both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, and having had such close affiliations over the course of the last 47 years as Colonel or Colonel-in-Chief of multiple regiments within the British Army, I know only too well of the deep pride our service personnel take in their duty, so superbly shown during our recent Coronation. As your Commander-in-Chief, I send my warmest good wishes to you all, your families, and the entire Armed Forces community on this special day. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer visited an RAF base to mark the occasion. He and shadow defence secretary John Healey visited RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, where they met with military personnel including those involved in the ongoing UK operation to provide assistance to Ukraine. Sir Keir said: Those who serve in our Armed Forces represent the best of Britain courage, duty and professionalism. As we mark Armed Forces Day, we thank our Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families for all they sacrifice to keep Britain safe. My uncle served aboard HMS Antelope in the Falklands War, and pride in his service echoes through our family. Its a privilege to mark Armed Forces Day by meeting with serving personnel. Their comments come as new research shows one million fewer Britons are donating to military charities compared to five years ago. The study, carried out by YouGov on behalf of military charity Help for Heroes, found a 1.1 million drop in the number of people donating to military charities within the last half decade. In 2017, an estimated 3.2 million Britons donated to such causes. That figure fell to 2.1 million in 2022. The researchers quizzed more than 175,942 people in two separate polls carried out over the course of 2017 and 2022 respectively. The decline in support has been described as a worrying trend by Help for Heroes, which has seen its own income fall by 56% since British forces ended combat operations in Afghanistan in 2014. The charitys chief executive, James Needham, said: Demand for our services is growing, yet the donations we rely on to provide life-changing support to veterans and their family members are falling. It is a worrying trend because the daily struggles of our Armed Forces community are no less challenging, nor have they gone away they have just stopped making the headlines. This Armed Forces Day we celebrate the men and women who have served our country, past and present, but also remember that there are many veterans out there who still need our support and will do so long into the future. Armed Forces Day is an annual event taking place on the last Saturday of June that offers people a chance to show their support for the Armed Forces community including serving troops, their families, veterans and cadets. T he Prince and Princess of Wales joined racegoers at Royal Ascot when they took part in the traditional carriage procession with the King and Queen. William and Kate made their first appearance of the week at the famous Berkshire meet, where high fashion rubs shoulders with the racing world. Kate wore a red dress by Alexander McQueen and a Philip Treacy hat while William, like the other royal men, looked smart in a morning suit, and top hat. The couple live close to the racecourse, having moved to their four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage in Windsors Home Park last year, to offer their children more freedom away from central London. They were spotted on Thursday with eldest son Prince George at Williams former school Eton College, prompting speculation the young royal, who turns 10 next month, will follow in the footsteps of his father. William and Kate were guests of the late Queen a number of times at Royal Ascot, a racecourse the monarch had a great affinity with and where she had more than 20 winners. Charles and Camilla appeared ecstatic when their thoroughbred Desert Hero, an 18-1 longshot, won the King George V Stakes on Thursday their first Royal Ascot win and they have another chance of victory when Candle of Hope rides later in the Sandringham Stakes. They were joined in the carriage procession by actress Dame Judi Dench, the Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice and her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi. T he RMT union has announced further strikes in July after negotiations with the Government and rail firms failed. Around 20,000 union members across 14 rail companies will walk out for three days. Union general secretary Mick Lynch said that the Government and rail bosses had not made any attempt whatsoever to arrange any meetings or put forward a decent offer that can help us reach a negotiated solution. He said: The Government continues to shackle the companies and will not allow them to put forward a package that can settle this dispute. It follows industrial action by RMT and Aslef members both in and out of London in June. RMT union members walked out on June 2 with 20,000 catering, train managers, and station staff marking three rail strikes within four days, as Aslef train drivers walked out on June 3, after strikes on May 31. Elizabeth Line workers from the Transport Salaried Staffs Association also walked out earlier this month, for the second time this year on Wednesday, May 24. The day was chosen as it marked the one-year anniversary of the 20 billion network opening. Transport unions remain locked in pay disputes and are taking action as they are not satisfied with the offers they have received. But how much do rail workers currently earn? UK Train & Tube Strike | Tuesday 21 June 2022 1 / 38 UK Train & Tube Strike | Tuesday 21 June 2022 Passengers arrive at Kings Cross Station, London, as train services continue to be disrupted following the nationwide strike by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union along with London Underground workers in a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions PA Commuters on the Central Line at Stratford Station Getty Images Passengers wait for Stratford station to open in London, as train services continue to be disrupted following the nationwide strike by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union along with London Underground workers in a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions PA Traffic on the A1203 near Kings Cross in London, as train services continue to be disrupted following the nationwide strike by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union in a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. PA People walk on London Bridge, the day after a national rail strike, during six days of travel disruption REUTERS Passengers wait for Stratford station to open in London PA Commuters arrive at Stratford Station Getty Images People walk on London Bridge in view of The Shard, the day after a national rail strike, during six days of travel disruption REUTERS Passengers await their trains to be announced, at a quiet Euston station, in Londo AP A group of passengers board a number 87 double-decker bus to Aldwych at a stop outside Clapham Junction station PA Supplied Passengers walk after getting off a train at the Waterloo Station REUTERS The picket line outside Bristol Temple Meads station, as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union begin their nationwide strike in a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions PA Southeastern trains sit in sidings in Ashford, Kent PA A passenger rests her head on her luggage as she sits on the station concourse on the first day of a national rail strike at Manchester Piccadilly Station REUTERS People look at the departures board at Victoria Station, in London REUTERS Passengers board a bus outside Victoria Station, in London REUTERS Cyclists ride at Parliament Square on the first day of national rail strike REUTERS Passengers pass a picket line at Liverpool Lime Street Station AFP via Getty Images A passenger waits at Great Malvern train station in Worcestershire, as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union begin their nationwide strike in a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions PA A woman stands outside the closed entrance to the Westminster Undeground Station REUTERS A general view of Waterloo Station, on the first day of national rail strike in London REUTERS Hammersmith Gareth Richman/Evening Standard Merseyrail trains lined up on the track at Kirkdale Depot, as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union begin their nationwide strike in a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions PA A man stands with his bike at the Waterloo Station, on the first day of national rail strike in London REUTERS A woman walks her dog into an almost empty London Bridge station in London AP Passengers walk after getting off a train at the Waterloo Station REUTERS Passengers at Birmingham New Street station, as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union begin their nationwide strike in a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions PA Striking sail staff picket outside Cowlairs maintenance depot and signal centre in Glasgow, Scotland Getty Images How much do rail workers earn? Rail workers not including train drivers earn a median salary of 36,800, according to the ONS. The median salary for rail travel assistants, such as ticket collectors, guards, and information staff, is 33,310. The median salary for rail construction and maintenance operatives the people who lay and repair tracks is 34,998. Rail transport operatives, such as signallers and drivers assistants, earn a median salary of 48,750. However, the RMT says the median salary for rail workers is closer to 33,000, because the ONSs figures do not include cleaners salaries and around 10,000 RMT members are cleaners. How much do train drivers earn? The median salary for train and tram drivers was 59,189 in 2021. But train drivers are not part of the workers striking, as they are represented by their own union, the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (Aslef), not the RMT Union. Around 96 per cent of train drivers in Britain are a part of Aslef, and the other four per cent are not union members. A university community has been left profoundly saddened by the death of one of its students who was on board the Titan submersible, its principal has said. Londoner Suleman Dawood, 19, a student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, was on board the vessel with his father, businessman Shahzada Dawood. They, along with three other men, died in the Titan submersibles catastrophic implosion during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck off the coast of Canada. Professor Sir Jim McDonald, principal and vice-chancellor of the university said: We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the death of Suleman Dawood and his father in this tragic incident. The entire Strathclyde community offers our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and all those affected by this terrible accident. Our student wellbeing team remains on hand to offer appropriate support to Sulemans classmates and the wider Strathclyde community at this difficult time. The university confirmed on Thursday that the teenager was a business school student who had just completed his first year. It is understood that the family were already spending a month in Canada before the father and son made the dive. The student told relatives that he was terrified to go on the ill-fated Titan submersible and only attempted the 12,500 foot dive to please his father who was very passionate about the Titanic. Sulemans aunt Azmeh Dawood told NBC News that her nephew informed a relative he was very not into doing it. Suleman had a sense that this was not okay and he was not very comfortable about doing it, she said. But it was a Fathers Day thing. It was a bonding experience and he wanted the adventure of a lifetime just like his father did. His father wanted it and that was Sule all the way - hed do anything for anyone. Suleman and his father belong to one of Pakistans most prominent families. Mr Dawood, 48, is vice-chairman of Pakistani conglomerate Engro Corporation, and a long-time adviser to the Kings charity, Princes Trust International, with a focus on its work in Pakistan. He lived in Surbiton, south-west London, with his son Suleman, wife Christine and daughter Alina, according to the Telegraph. Relatives of the Dawoods urged well-wishers to keep their departed souls and our family in your prayers during this difficult period of mourning as they also thanked the rescue operation. They added: The immense love and support we receive continues to help us to endure this unimagineable loss. The US Coast Guard confirmed the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered about 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage during a press conference in Boston. Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was also found, in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, that was consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. OceanGate Expeditions said its pilot and chief executive Stockton Rush along with UK citizens Hamish Harding, Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, and French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet, have sadly been lost. A teenage student told relatives that he was terrified to go on the ill-fated Titan submersible and only attempted the 12,500 foot dive to please his billionaire father who was very passionate about the Titanic. Suleman Dawood, 19, heir to the great Dawood dynasty, had felt compelled to join the expedition as a Fathers Day present to his dad Shahzada, his heartbroken family said. The father and son, from Surbiton, were confirmed among five dead when the submersible imploded on the descent with wreckage discovered on the Atlantic Ocean floor around 1,600 ft from the bow of the Titanic. Sulemans aunt Azmeh Dawood said the business student, from Surbiton, informed a relative he was very not into doing it Suleman had a sense that this was not okay and he was not very comfortable about doing it, she said. But it was a Fathers Day thing. It was a bonding experience and he wanted the adventure of a lifetime just like his father did. His father wanted it and that was Sule all the way - hed do anything for anyone. 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 Azmeh said the other men killed went on the trip for their own interests - unlike Suleman. They were there for their own reasons. Suleman was just there for [a] Fathers Day bonding experience. To be honest, as terrible as it sounds, at least knowing that they wouldnt have had time to know, they would have just been sat there enjoying themselves and then suddenly boom. It was over. To know that my Sule didnt feel a moments pain. The estranged aunt told NBC News she would not have boarded the Titan submersible herself if you gave me a million dollars. I feel disbelief. Its an unreal situation. She said she personally found it kind of difficult to breathe thinking of them, adding: Its been unlike any experience Ive ever had. Suleman was studying at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. He was a Business School student and had just completed his first year. The US Coast Guard confirmed the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered around 1,600 ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage during a press conference in Boston. 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. Please continue to keep the departed souls of our family in your prayers during this difficult period of mourning. The family statement said they are truly grateful to those involved in the rescue operations and the untiring efforts brought strength to the family. We are also indebted to our friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers from all over the world who have stood by us during our hour of need, the statement said. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers onboard the Titan submersible. Mr Dawoods company paid tribute to him and his son after their deaths. In a statement, Engro Corporation, the Pakistani conglomerate that Mr Dawood was vice chairman of, said: With heavy hearts and great sadness, we grieve the loss of our vice chairman, Shahzada Dawood, and his beloved son, Suleman Dawood. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, colleagues, friends and all those around the world who grieve this unthinkable loss. Meanwhile, the family of a British billionaire adventurer who died have paid tribute to their dedicated father. Hamish Harding was described as a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a living legend following the news of his death on Thursday. In a short statement, Mr Hardings family said: He was one of a kind and we adored him. He was a passionate explorer whatever the terrain who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved. 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 Harding was remembered by friend Richard Garriot de Cayeux, who is the president of the Explorers Club, which Mr Harding helped found. Hamish Harding is a dear friend to me personally and to The Explorers Club, Mr Garriot de Cayeux said. He holds several world records and has continued to push dragons off maps both in person and through supporting expeditions and worthy causes. Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was also found, in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, that was consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. 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. Rear Admiral Mauger 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. The Wall Street Journal reported the US Navy said they detected a sound in the search area for the submersible on Sunday that was consistent with an implosion. Titanic director and submersible expert James Cameron told the BBC he predicted the outcome days earlier. I felt in my bones what had happened, he said. For the subs electronics to fail and its communication system to fail, and its tracking transponder to fail simultaneously subs gone. I knew that sub was sitting exactly underneath its last known depth and position. Thats exactly where they found it. According to court documents, safety concerns had previously been raised about the Titan submersible by a former employee of OceanGate. The filings said David Lochridge, OceanGates former director of marine operations, claimed wrongful dismissal after flagging worries about the companys alleged refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design. Court papers suggest 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. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly described the update as tragic news and said the UK Government is closely supporting the British families affected. Pakistans foreign ministry released a statement, sharing their condolences. Our deepest condolences to the Dawood family and the family of other passengers on the sad news about the fate of Titanic submersible in the North Atlantic, the statement said. The White House said the families of those who died had been through a harrowing ordeal over the past few days, and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers. A uthorities are searching for the reason a submersible carrying people to the wreck of the Titanic imploded deep in the North Atlantic, as questions emerged about how such expeditions are regulated and tributes poured in for the five aboard who were killed. It comes amid uncertainty over whether the bodies of the five men who were seeking a trip of a lifetime to the Titanic wreck - including a London-based businessman and his son - will be recovered. Constellation Marine Services director Captain John Noble told Sky News that the five men are in a resting place along with hundreds of Titanic passengers. The decision may well be to leave them in peace where they are, he said. He said the implosion is expected to be the start of a very long path by regulators to tighten rules around deep-sea exploration. The victims are London-based businessman Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding, Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Oceangate chief executive and Titan pilot Stockton Rush. The US Coast Guard confirmed the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered around 1,600 ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage during a press conference in Boston. Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was also found, in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, that was consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. 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. According to court documents, safety concerns had previously been raised about the Titan submersible by a former employee of OceanGate. World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Cindy McCain speaks at the UN Security Council briefing on Somalia at UN Headquarters in New York, June 22, 2023. WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain on Thursday called for a five-pronged action plan to address the serious and growing emergency in Somalia. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Cindy McCain on Thursday called for a five-pronged action plan to address the serious and growing emergency in Somalia. First, she called on all UN member states to contribute to the humanitarian response plan for Somalia, which is seriously underfunded. The WFP is forced to cut back on life-saving assistance programs, just when they are needed the most, she told the Security Council in a briefing. "By December 2022, we were reaching a record 4.7 million people per month with food assistance -- thanks to donors' efforts to stop famine in its tracks. But at the end of April (2023), we had to reduce our caseload to 3 million per month. And without an immediate cash injection, we'll have to cut our distribution lists again in July to just 1.8 million per month," she said. "That's almost 3 million women, children and men who will be denied the assistance they desperately need, simply because we do not have the money to feed them." In her briefing, Catriona Laing, the UN secretary-general's special representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia, told the Security Council that the 2023 UN humanitarian response plan for Somalia needs more than 2.6 billion U.S. dollars. The plan is less than 30 percent funded halfway through the year. McCain said Somalia was hauled back from the abyss of famine in 2022 because the international community saw the warning signs flashing red and raced to respond. Donors funded an unprecedented humanitarian scale-up. But now there is a risk of losing the precious gains that were made last year. Second, McCain called for efforts to ensure life-saving humanitarian assistance reaches the people of Somalia. This means ensuring operations are run with maximum efficiency to stretch every donor dollar as far as possible. The WFP has the largest presence of any UN agency in Somalia, with 13 offices across the country. It is working hard to ensure its assistance reaches those in greatest need, she said. Third, food assistance must be matched with investments to rebuild livelihoods, strengthen resilience and support climate adaptation programs. These proven solutions are the only way to finally break the vicious cycle of hunger and poverty, said McCain. Fourth, the Security Council must spearhead efforts to secure unimpeded humanitarian access to all vulnerable communities in Somalia. Too often, civilians living in territories controlled by armed groups are cut off from humanitarian assistance, because access is denied or the safety of aid workers is threatened. This has to end, she said. Fifth, political solutions need to be found to create stability and peace in Somalia. This is what the exhausted people of Somalia want and need, above all, she said. "The WFP is ready to play our full part and help Somalia lay the foundations for long-term food security, and an end to the scourge of hunger. But peace requires political will and leadership," she said. McCain, who went to Somalia last month, said she was horrified and heartbroken by what she saw: violence, fear and starvation. The violence and instability which scars the country has destroyed much of the infrastructure needed to support food production and distribution. What has not been wrecked by conflict has been consumed by Somalia's climate crisis, which its people did not cause. The longest drought on record killed millions of livestock and decimated crops. It has recently given way to disastrous flash floods in the south of the country, she said. Inevitably, huge numbers of people have been forced from their homes and lands in search of food and safety. Since the start of 2022, conflict has triggered over 1 million internal displacements. Climate disasters have fueled a further 2.1 million displacements over the past three years, she said. The latest food security data show that food insecurity is spiraling across Somalia. Over 6.6 million people -- one-third of the population -- are expected to face crisis or worse levels of hunger. This includes 40,000 people fighting for survival in famine-like conditions. Even worse, 1.8 million children are expected to suffer acute malnutrition in 2023, she said. Catriona Laing, the UN secretary-general's special representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia, speaks at the UN Security Council briefing on Somalia at UN Headquarters in New York, June 22, 2023. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) This photo taken on June 22, 2023 shows the UN Security Council briefing on Somalia at UN Headquarters in New York. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) The Hollywood director, who has visited the Titanic wreck himself 33 times, said he suspected a disaster when he learned the sub had lost both its navigation and communication at the same time. He said: I felt in my bones what had happened. For the subs electronics to fail and its communication system to fail, and its tracking transponder to fail simultaneously - subs gone. Cameron told BBC News the past week had felt like a prolonged and nightmarish charade where people are running around talking about banging noises and talking about oxygen and all this other stuff. I knew that sub was sitting exactly underneath its last known depth and position. Thats exactly where they found it. The submersible vessel named Titan (OceanGate Expeditions/PA) / PA Media The Avatar director, who was once trapped against the stern of the wreck by currents for 16 hours, drew parallels between the tragedy and the subject of his 1997 Oscar-winning blockbuster Titanic. The Titanics captain ignored warnings about ice in the North Atlantic, and the movie director said deep-sea explorers voiced concerns about the Titan submersible, saying it was too experimental to carry passengers. Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship, and yet, he steamed up full speed into an ice field on a moonless night, Cameron told ABC News. And many people died as a result and for us very similar tragedy where warnings went unheeded to take place at the same exact site. 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 Cameron, who has designed subs that can dive three times deeper than where the Titanic rests on the Atlantic floor, claimed the carbon fibre construction of the Titans shell was fundamentally flawed. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who was among the five passengers killed on the submersible, had previously defended the decision to manufacture the Titan with the material, saying he believed a sub made with carbon fibre would have a better strength-to-buoyancy ratio than titanium. The investigation into what happened was already under way and would continue in the area around Titanic where debris from the submersible was found, said Rear Adm. John Mauger, of the US First Coast Guard District. I know there are also a lot of questions about how, why and when did this happen. Those are questions we will collect as much information as we can about now, Mr Mauger said, adding that it was a complex case that happened in a remote part of the ocean and involved people from several different countries. A senior US Navy official said that after the Titan was reported missing on Sunday, the Navy went back and analysed its acoustic data and found an anomaly that was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the vessel was operating when communications were lost. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive acoustic detection system. Those killed were Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the submersible; two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, who lived in Surbiton, south-west London, British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Suleman Dawood, 19, heir to the great Dawood dynasty, had felt compelled to join the expedition as a Fathers Day present to his dad Shahzada, his heartbroken family said. OceanGate, which has been chronicling the Titanics decay and the underwater ecosystem around it via yearly voyages since 2021 that included paying tourists, released a statement calling all five people killed true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans. T his is the heart-stopping moment a group of killer whales attack a racing yacht as it rounds the Strait of Gibraltar. The third-placed crew of the Ocean Races Team JAJO could only make loud banging noises on the hull to fend off three orcas who swam underneath their boat and circled it menacingly. Video footage shows the black-and-white whales circling the Dutch yacht, before accelerating towards it, ramming into it, and biting the rudders. No damage or injuries were reported by the racers. This was a scary moment, Team JAJO skipper Jelmer van Beek said. Three orcas came straight at us and started hitting the rudders. Impressive to see the orcas, beautiful animals, but also a dangerous moment for us as a team. We took down the sails and slowed down the boat as quickly as possible and luckily after a few attacks they went away. The Mirpuri/Trifork Racing team of Portugal also reported a run-in with orcas, organisers said, adding that there were no injuries or damage. Authorities have noted a steady increase in interactions between orcas and vessels in the Strait of Gibraltar and Portugal, with more than 20 incidents in May alone. In some cases, boats have been significantly damaged, at least three to the point of sinking, organisers said, and the behaviour appears to be spreading among different killer whale family groups. Earlier this week, an orca repeatedly rammed into a yacht in the North Sea off Shetland, in the first such incident in northern waters. A Russian diplomat has been squatting on the contested site of a proposed Russian embassy in Australias capital as the Prime Minister assures the land is secure. The diplomat is understood to be living on the site in Canberra after the Australian government decided this month to cancel the lease amid reported security fears. Australia passed a law to prevent Russia from moving its embassy from a Canberra suburb to a prime site close to parliament and the Chinese embassy, citing national security concerns. The Australian newspaper reported on Thursday that the Russian diplomat was squatting on the land under the watch of police, who were unable to arrest him as he has diplomatic immunity. The man has been living on the site in a portable building since Sunday, when passersby first saw Australian Federal Police outside the fenced block in Canberras Yarralumla diplomatic precinct. Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a press conference on Friday that the site is secure and hes not worried. Australia will stand up for our values and we will stand up for our national security, and a bloke standing in the cold on a bit of grass in Canberra is not a threat to our national security, he said. The site is secure and we are comfortable with our position. The Russian embassy in Canberra declined to comment but Russias RIA news agency quoted the mission as saying that it had taken the matter to Australias High Court. The Australian newspaper on Friday said the Russian Federation has officially launched legal action, challenging Australias decision to block a new Canberra embassy. Mr Albanese said he was confident that the eviction would stand up to any Russian legal challenge. We actually support the law. Russia has not been real good at the law lately, Mr Albanese said, referring to Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine. Australian Federal Police declined to answer why the man had not been removed for trespassing. Russia says it has invested in the site since it was granted the lease in 2008. Completed works include fencing and a single perimeter building that was to be part of a planned complex of several buildings. Russia on Wednesday barred 48 Australians from entering the country in what it said was retaliation for Australias long-running sanctions regime against it. R ussia has accused its mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin of calling for an armed mutiny. It comes after the chief of the Wagner Group alleged the Russian military leadership had killed 2,000 of his fighters and vowed to stop what he called its evil. As a long-running standoff between him and the Defence Ministry appeared to come to a head, the ministry issued a statement, saying Prigozhins accusations were not true and are an informational provocation. Prigozhin said his actions did not amount to a military coup. But Russias FSB security service opened a criminal case against him for calling for an armed mutiny, the TASS news agency said on Friday, citing the National Anti-terrorism Committee. The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin had been informed and that necessary measures are being taken. The standoff, many of the details of which remained unclear, looked like the biggest domestic crisis Putin has faced since he sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in February last year in what he called a special military operation. Prigozhin, whose private militia spearheaded the Russian capture of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut last month, is resisting an order for mercenary groups like his to sign contracts with the Defence Ministry before July 1. Mr Prigozhin portrays Wagner as Russias most effective fighting force, and has enjoyed unusual freedom to publicly criticise Moscow, but not of Putin, on whose support he and Wagner ultimately depend. In a series of emotional audio messages over two days, Mr Prigozhin escalated his repeated criticism of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, a close Putin ally, and Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff - by accusing them of hiding Russias very serious losses on the front from Putin. He said in one message: Total trash is being put on the presidents desk. Shoigu and Gerasimov have a simple approach. The lie must be monstrous for people to believe it. That is what they are doing. Its all being hidden from everyone. Russia will wake up one day and learn that (Russian-annexed) Crimea has been handed over to the Ukrainians ... They are misleading the Russian people and if it keeps on like this well be left without the most important thing: Russia. There was no immediate response from the Defence Ministry, which has publicly ignored previous complaints. But it repeatedly says Russian troops have repelled all the attacks that Ukraine has launched in its two-week-old counteroffensive, inflicting a heavy cost in equipment and manpower while suffering only small losses itself. Ukraine has reported modest advances, which President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says have been slower than desired. On Friday President Zelenskiy said there would be personnel changes following an inquest into the state of Ukraines bomb shelters. The nationwide investigation was launched after the deaths of three people who were locked out of a bomb shelter in Kyiv during a Russian missile strike. There will be personnel decisions, Zelenskiy said in a statement, without saying who the changes would affect. A business tycoon revealed he gave up his spots on the doomed Titan sub at the last minute despite reassurances from the late OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush that it was safer than crossing the street. Las Vegas-based financier Jay Bloom claimed the pilot and CEO was offering last-minute places on board for $150,000 (120,000) - a $100,000 discount on the normal fee for the voyage that ended in tragedy after the submersive imploded while diving to observe the Titanic wreck on Sunday. Mr Bloom, who has been photographed with Joe Biden, turned down the seats which instead went to London billionaire Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood who perished in the implosion. Revealing text messages between the pair, it appears Mr Stockton, who died in the tragedy, tried to reassure Bloom on safety concerns, messaging: While theres obviously risk its way safer than flying in a helicopter or even scuba diving. There hasnt been even an injury in 35 years in a non-military subs. In a Facebook post, Jay Bloom said he had dropped out after his own son expressed safety concerns. Stockton Rush was offering last-minute places on board Titan for $150,000 / OceanGate He wrote: I am sure he really believed what he was saying. But he was very wrong. He passionately believed in what he was doing. A lunch in the Luxor food court we talked about the dive, including safety. He was absolutely convinced that it was safer than crossing the street, he added. I told him that due to scheduling we couldnt go until next year. Our seats went to Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood, two of the other three who lost their lives on this excursion (the fifth being Hamish Harding). As for Sean and I... we are going to take a minute to stop and smell the roses. Tomorrow is never promised. Make the most of today. FB Suleman Dawood, 19, heir to the great Dawood dynasty, had felt compelled to join the expedition as a Fathers Day present to his dad Shahzada, his heartbroken family revealed. The father and son, from Surbiton, were confirmed among five dead when the submersible imploded on the descent with wreckage discovered on the Atlantic Ocean floor around 1,600 ft from the bow of the Titanic. Sulemans aunt Azmeh Dawood said the business student, from Surbiton, informed a relative he was very not into doing it The Titan submersible vanished on Sunday roughly two hours into its dive and was found in pieces on the ocean floor after what the US Coast Guard said on Thursday was a catastrophic implosion of its pressure chamber. It came as legal experts said liability waivers signed by passengers may not shield the owner from potential lawsuits by the victims families. The families could not be reached on Thursday. It is possible none of them will sue. T he 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. 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 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. London-based businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman were among those on the trip / DAWOOD HERCULES CORPORATION/AFP 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. 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 London-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 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. T he team behind 40 Dean Street has announced a new sister restaurant, 64 Old Compton Street, billed as a traditional Italian, affordably priced. Like the original, the new spot will serve classic Italian food, and will do so with a similar vibe, the Standard was told. A two minute walk from 40 Dean Street, a Soho favourite for 20 years and with a cocktail on the menu named for the Standards David Ellis owner Nima Safei said his latest restaurant would be a cosy spot. He said that guests will be greeted with a bold red design, and a gold-and-black graphic logo reminiscent of legendary New York nightclub Studio 54. It hints at mischief to be made within: the dark blue-painted, antique-strewn dining room, half hidden from view by a cafe curtain, is intimate and louche, like Soho itself, said the restaurateur. His first venue, 40 Dean Street, is known as something of a Soho secret, being publicity shy but attracting a starry crowd. Among the guests known to dine at 40 are actor Rupert Everett, Princess Beatrice, and Fawn James, the director of Soho Estates. Brad Pitt once ordered takeaway from the restaurant, despite it not usually offering the service. Owner Safei, celebrated for his exuberance and charm, is a regular fixture across W1. He said the time is right to open a new restaurant: Since 2009, the wonderful people of Soho have taken 40 Dean Street to their hearts and many treat it like an extension of their home, office or hotel, said Safei. But we were having to turn too many people away, so opening 64 Old Compton Street literally round the corner felt like the perfect solution. Despite their close proximity, theyre very much their own restaurants with their own personalities 40 is the older gay brother whos been around for a while and knows where the partys at, while 64 is the cool lesbian sister whos new on the scene but intends to make her presence felt. I hope people will love them equally! The 64 Old Compton Street menu has been divided into three sections: cold, fritti and baked; pizzas and salads; and pasta, risotto and oven. On the way are dishes such as baked portobello mushrooms with sun-fried tomatoes, white pizza of mushroom and truffle, tiger prawn linguine, and chicken Milanese with spaghetti. The site had previously been Leggero, also homely Italian, but most recently was a branch of Clean Kitchen Club, which shut in February after just 18 months trading. The closure was another indication that vegan-only restaurants are falling out of fashion, and followed the decision by Pret to call time on all but two branches of Veggie Pret in December of last year. 64 Old Compton Street, W1D 4UQ, is open now. For more information, visit fortydeanstreet.com T he director general of RTE has been suspended amid a controversy over the national broadcasters misreporting of the salary of star presenter Ryan Tubridy. Dee Forbes, who was already due to step down from her role next month, was suspended on Wednesday, the RTE board announced on Friday. Culture Minister Catherine Martin welcomed the announcement of the suspension for the sake of transparency. The National Union of Journalists called for a wide independent inquiry into RTEs corporate governance. The announcement came a day after RTE apologised as it admitted Tubridy, its top earner and highest profile presenter, had been paid several hundred thousand euro more than it had previously declared. The RTE board said that between 2017 and 2022, he received a series of payments totalling 345,000 euro (295,000) above his annual published salary. Former Late Late Show host Tubridy, who continues to present a daily radio show on RTE Radio One, has said he was surprised to learn of errors in the broadcasters public statement about payments it made to him. He did not host his radio show on Friday morning, with comedian Oliver Callan stepping in. In a further statement on Friday, the RTE board said: The RTE board confirms that Dee Forbes, the director general, was suspended from her employment on Wednesday June 21. There are processes ongoing and RTE must be mindful of its legal responsibilities and the rights of individuals. RTE will not be commenting further on this issue at this time. Culture Minister Ms Martin is due to hold talks with RTE board chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh on Monday to discuss the crisis rocking the broadcaster. Speaking to the media on Friday, Ms Martin said: I want to know what actions are going to be taken, what processes will be put in place to make sure that this never happens again. I do believe it raises concerns in relation to the broader transparency and governance of this organisation. Public service broadcasting is so important to society, to democracy, and there is no doubt that damage has been done here. Trust has been damaged with the public, but I would say there is a lot of damage has been done to the staff, and that is something the board needs to work on, rebuilding the trust. Regarding the suspension of Ms Forbes, the minister added: I think for the sake of transparency it is good that announcement has been made, that clarity is given that that suspension has taken place. Ms Martin said she became aware in March that an issue had been discovered in the RTE audit, but only became aware that it involved Tubridy on Wednesday. She said: What I was told in March was that an issue had arisen in the routine annual audit and that the need to do a fact-finding review to establish the actual facts around this. That is all I knew in March. Irelands deputy premier Micheal Martin said the misreporting of Tubridys salary represented a serious breach of trust. Speaking to reporters in Galway on Friday, Mr Martin said: First of all, theres huge shock and surprise at what has transpired in terms of the manner of this. I think we need more clarification. I think, particularly in the area of transparency, this is a breach of trust in terms of the public presentation of the figures as opposed to the reality of the figures. That is serious, particularly because I think it relates to governance within RTE and given its unique role as a public service broadcaster, clarity is required in all aspects of this. On Thursday, RTE revealed that during a routine audit of 2022 accounts in late March, an issue was identified in relation to the transparency of certain payments. In mid-March, Tubridy announced he was quitting as host of the flagship Late Late Show after 14 years. Comedian Paddy Kielty has since been appointed as his replacement. Following the discovery in the 2022 accounts, RTE appointed an external auditor to carry out an independent fact-finding review. Tubridys previously published remunerations for 2020 and 2021 show he earned 466,250 (398,500) euro and 440,000 euro (376,000) respectively in those years, which appeared to represent an 11% reduction on his 2019 earnings. However, under a separate agreement, Tubridy was guaranteed by RTE an additional annual income of 75,000 euro (64,000) in 2020 which was intended to come from a commercial partner. The commercial partner fee due to Tubridy was guaranteed and underwritten by RTE. Im disappointed to be at the centre of this story, but unfortunately I cant shed any light on why RTE treated these payments in the way that they did The commercial partner did not renew the agreement for a second year, and since the agreement was guaranteed by RTE, the payments were instead made directly by RTE to Tubridys agent. The presenter received two further 75,000 euro payments in 2022, which prompted the review. It was then discovered that Tubridys remuneration had been understated by RTE by 120,000 euro (102,000) over the contract period of 2017-2019. Callan addressed the payments controversy as he opened the radio programme on Friday in Tubridys absence. Its Friday a bit of a weird Friday, I must concede, he said. Clearly this is the last place I expected to be less than 24 hours ago, but here we are, and the reasons are fairly obvious, especially as I get to the review of the newspapers because the usual presenter of the show is the subject of every single front page. The wider media, it has to be said, do enjoy a good old RTE scandal and boy did RTE whip up and serve a cool one for them with a flake on top and sprinkles of shambles. After encouraging listeners to contact the show with messages, Callan added: We have a show for you and the ordinary decent staff of the programme have been working away as they always do very, very early in the morning. Were all here to serve, and bear in mind they are at the receiving end of all those messages here and across the programmes today. Its an RTE story, so on the one hand we could be accused of talking too much about ourselves, but if I ignored it this morning on this programme Id be doing a disservice for you. After reading out newspaper headlines about the controversy, Callan added: Id say for everyone involved yesterday was like starring in a mini-private episode of Succession with the bombshells and the media chatter, phones buzzing, whos going to get the blame for this?, and watching the thing about yourself on the news and television with a fresh pair of underpants within lunging distance, Id imagine, for everyone concerned. The payments were uncovered after the broadcasters auditors alerted the board to some of the transactions. On Thursday, Tubridy said he cant shed any light on how the discrepancy had come about. Like many people, Im surprised by the announcements made in RTEs statement today regarding the errors in the reporting of its accounts, he said in a statement. It is unfortunate that these errors are in relation to how RTE have reported payments made to me but I just want to be clear: this is a matter for RTE and I have no involvement in RTEs internal accounting treatment or RTEs public declarations in connection with such payments. Obviously, Im disappointed to be at the centre of this story, but unfortunately I cant shed any light on why RTE treated these payments in the way that they did, nor can I answer for their mistakes in this regard. NUJ members at RTE organised an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the controversy. This form of drip-drip announcements, a sort of industrial relations striptease, does nothing to reassure RTE employees Irish secretary of the NUJ Seamus Dooley called for a broad investigation into corporate governance issues at RTE. He said there is great anger among RTE members and added that an investigation into industrial relations processes within RTE was also needed. Mr Dooley said the union was seeking an apology from management to staff as well as a meeting with the trade union group. NUJ Dublin Broadcasting chairwoman Emma O Kelly said RTE staff wanted a wider independent inquiry into a culture of secrecy at the broadcaster. People spoke of how devastated they were, how ashamed they were, and how betrayed they felt. Employees who are members of SIPTU were also in attendance. We have young, talented journalists leaving this organisation and yet in the midst of all this we have these secret payments so theres huge anger. Ms O Kelly, who is RTE News education correspondent, added: We have huge concerns around the use of the third-party contracts, this is something we have raised with RTE before. P resenter Ryan Tubridy has apologised unreservedly for not asking questions when RTE published incorrect figures for his earnings. Tubridy also revealed that he would not be presenting his daily radio show next week as the national broadcaster reels from the controversy over the misreporting of its star presenters salary. Earlier on Friday the director general of RTE Dee Forbes was suspended and the National Union of Journalists called for a wide independent inquiry into RTEs corporate governance. Irish premier Leo Varadkar has expressed his concern at what he said appears to have been a serious breach of trust and truth between RTE and the Government, and the people. Minister for Media Catherine Martin is set to meet with RTE board chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh on Saturday. Mr Varadkar added: The Government considers it essential that we have the highest standards of governance, accountability and transparency from RTE and will consider what further action may be required. All of the matters involved will have to be examined and, perhaps, remedial steps taken to restore trust and confidence. On Friday evening, RTE interim deputy director general Adrian Lynch described a massive breach of trust with the public and our staff. Its a corporate governance issue of significant proportions and RTE staff are outraged by this, they have the public interest at the centre of their job every day, he told RTE Televisions Six One news programme. Mr Lynch said a process is under way, and he expects it to be completed within days rather than weeks. He also said he was not in a position to say when Tubridy might be back to presenting his radio show. In a statement, Tubridy said: RTEs accounting treatment and publication of payments made to me between 2017 and 2022 contained serious errors. While I have no responsibility for the corporate governance in RTE or how or what they publish in their accounts, when my earnings were published I should have asked questions at the time and sought answers as to the circumstances which resulted in incorrect figures being published. I didnt, and I bear responsibility for my failure to do so. For this, I apologise unreservedly. The former Late Late Show host added: At the centre of all of this is trust. The trust of colleagues in RTE and the trust of a great many people who listen to my show. To them, I wholeheartedly apologise for my error of judgement. Separately, it has been reported that I did not take a pay cut over the last number of years. This is simply not true. I am disappointed that RTE has decided that for editorial reasons I should not broadcast my radio show next week Over the period of my contract with RTE, I have been asked to take several reductions in salary and I did. Indeed, between 2012 and today, my pay from RTE was cut by approximately 40%. I also wish to respond to suggestions that this issue had some bearing on my decision to step down from hosting the Late Late Show. It did not. Finally, I am disappointed that RTE has decided that for editorial reasons I should not broadcast my radio show next week. I look forward to returning to the radio show, a job I love, as soon as possible and I hope my listeners and my colleagues appreciate my sincerity on this. The latest statement came a day after RTE apologised as it admitted Tubridy, its top earner and highest-profile presenter, had been paid several hundred thousand euro more than it had previously declared. The RTE board said that between 2017 and 2022, he received a series of payments totalling 345,000 euro (295,000) above his annual published salary. Ms Forbes, who was already due to step down from her role next month, was suspended on Wednesday, the RTE board announced on Friday. In a statement, Ms Forbes said: I have been fully engaged with the (RTE) Board since this matter arose in the course of the audit of the accounts. When asked in April 2023, I participated in the review conducted by Grant Thornton to determine the full circumstances and facts surrounding two specific payments to fulfil a contractual obligation for the years 2021 and 2022. Yesterday was an extremely difficult day for all of us who care so deeply about the organisation and the impact of these issues is a matter of profound regret. Culture Minister Catherine Martin welcomed the announcement of the suspension of the director general for the sake of transparency. In a further statement on Friday, the RTE board said: The RTE board confirms that Dee Forbes, the director general, was suspended from her employment on Wednesday June 21. There are processes ongoing and RTE must be mindful of its legal responsibilities and the rights of individuals. RTE will not be commenting further on this issue at this time. Speaking to the media on Friday, Ms Martin said: I want to know what actions are going to be taken, what processes will be put in place to make sure that this never happens again. I do believe it raises concerns in relation to the broader transparency and governance of this organisation. Public service broadcasting is so important to society, to democracy, and there is no doubt that damage has been done here. Trust has been damaged with the public, but I would say there is a lot of damage has been done to the staff, and that is something the board needs to work on, rebuilding the trust. Regarding the suspension of Ms Forbes, the minister added: I think for the sake of transparency it is good that announcement has been made, that clarity is given that that suspension has taken place. Ms Martin said she became aware in March that an issue had been discovered in the RTE audit, but only became aware that it involved Tubridy on Wednesday. She said: What I was told in March was that an issue had arisen in the routine annual audit and that the need to do a fact-finding review to establish the actual facts around this. That is all I knew in March. Irelands deputy premier Micheal Martin said the misreporting of Tubridys salary represented a serious breach of trust. Speaking to reporters in Galway on Friday, Mr Martin said: First of all, theres huge shock and surprise at what has transpired in terms of the manner of this. I think we need more clarification. On Thursday, RTE revealed that during a routine audit of 2022 accounts in late March, an issue was identified in relation to the transparency of certain payments. In mid-March, Tubridy announced he was quitting as host of the flagship Late Late Show after 14 years. Comedian Paddy Kielty has since been appointed as his replacement. Following the discovery in the 2022 accounts, RTE appointed an external auditor to carry out an independent fact-finding review. Tubridys previously published remunerations for 2020 and 2021 show he earned 466,250 (398,500) euro and 440,000 euro (376,000) respectively in those years, which appeared to represent an 11% reduction on his 2019 earnings. However, under a separate agreement, Tubridy was guaranteed by RTE an additional annual income of 75,000 euro (64,000) in 2020 which was intended to come from a commercial partner. The commercial partner fee due to Tubridy was guaranteed and underwritten by RTE. The commercial partner did not renew the agreement for a second year, and since the agreement was guaranteed by RTE, the payments were instead made directly by RTE to Tubridys agent. The presenter received two further 75,000 euro payments in 2022, which prompted the review. It was then discovered that Tubridys remuneration had been understated by RTE by 120,000 euro (102,000) over the contract period of 2017-2019. Tubridy did not host his radio show on Friday morning, with comedian Oliver Callan stepping in. Callan addressed the payments controversy as he opened the programme. Its Friday a bit of a weird Friday, I must concede, he said. Clearly this is the last place I expected to be less than 24 hours ago, but here we are, and the reasons are fairly obvious, especially as I get to the review of the newspapers because the usual presenter of the show is the subject of every single front page. The wider media, it has to be said, do enjoy a good old RTE scandal and boy did RTE whip up and serve a cool one for them with a flake on top and sprinkles of shambles. NUJ members at RTE organised an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the controversy. Irish secretary of the NUJ Seamus Dooley called for a broad investigation into corporate governance issues at RTE. He said there is great anger among RTE members and added that an investigation into industrial relations processes within RTE was also needed. Mr Dooley said the union was seeking an apology from management to staff as well as a meeting with the trade union group. P eter Andre has said he holds no ill feelings towards Rebekah Vardy after she publicly compared the size of his manhood to that of a chipolata sausage. The crass comment was referenced during Vardys infamous Wagatha Christie High Court battle last year against Coleen Rooney. David Sherborne, Rooneys lawyer, read out excerpts of her 2004 double page spread in the News of the World in which she revealed intimate details of sex with Andre and made a cruel jibe about his manhood, in a bid to highlight her relationship with the press. Despite having the relive the remark, the 50-year-old insisted that he doesnt hold a grudge because people say stupid things but is frustrated that the jibe kept getting brought up. Speaking on the Off Air podcast, he said: I dont hold any ill feeling and Ill tell you why. At the time it wasnt very nice, that wasnt the problem people say stupid things, we all do. Ive said many stupid things in my life that if I could go back, I would clip myself around the head. Even the old reality shows when I would talk in a way that I would never talk now. Andre said he holds no ill feeling towards Rebekah Vardy over the remark / PA Wire That wasnt the problem, the problem for me was that it was brought up again, and again and again. For me the ill feeling isnt with [Rebekah]. Something stupid was said, so what? Weve all said stupid things. Ive always been a glass half full kind of guy. The Mysterious Girl hitmaker previously said he wasnt holding on to any bitterness toward Vardy for making the comment. He previously told Daily Mails Weekend magazine: I dont have ill feelings towards anybody because Im not perfect. Ive made mistakes. I dont dislike anybody, but I do dislike things being brought up all the time. The reason I dont talk about this is because its gone on for years and theres nothing more to say. But Im not holding on to any bitterness. During the court case, Vardy accepted the article was not nice and absolutely disrespectful to Andre but insisted she had not wanted to take part in the interview when questioned. I was forced into a situation by my ex-husband to do this story, its something I deeply regret, and something thats very much part of my past, she said at the time. Its not nice to read, Ive dealt with this, I understand why this is being used. To me, this is mudslinging, I was always threatened with mudslinging by Mrs Rooneys team. I went through a terrible relationship, it was horrible and abusive, and I was forced into a situation. Tourists visit the ancient city of Kashgar scenic area in Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu) KASHGAR, Xinjiang, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Ostangboyi, a teahouse nestled in the old town area of Kashgar City in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has become a beloved gathering place for neighbors, locals and merchants alike. Here, amid the winding streets and ancient architecture, they can savor a cup of tea, engage in lively conversations and immerse themselves in the timeless beauty of their surroundings. "With over a hundred years of history, the art of tea brewing may have evolved, but people's enduring passion for tea remains unwavering," said Memetkerim Memet, the teahouse's manager. The rich heritage of Kashgar came alive as tea from south of the Yangtze River found its way to the western region of Xinjiang along the ancient Silk Road, integrating seamlessly into the lives of the locals. In ancient times, Kashgar served as a vital transportation hub, connecting China with Central Asia and South Asia, said Xiao Xiaoyong, a professor at the Minzu University of China, adding that the confluence of diverse ethnic cultures in this region has given rise to a wealth of historical and cultural treasures. Today, Kashgar has harnessed its cultural and geographical advantages, transforming into a unique tourist destination that blends history and modernity. Through favorable policies, improved infrastructure, and the promotion of cross-border exchanges, the city has also emerged as a catalyst for Eurasian commerce. WHERE HISTORY MEETS MODERNITY On the second-floor balcony of the teahouse, people joyfully sway to the enchanting melodies of the rawap, a stringed instrument, and the rhythmic beats of tambourines. However, this place may not have always been as welcoming to tourists in the past. "Houses in the old town were predominantly constructed using brick and wood structures. They lacked resilience against earthquakes and faced potential dangers, such as walls vulnerable to flood damage and limitations in fire rescue capabilities," said Memet Usman, father of Memetkerim Memet and the teahouse's former manager. In 2010, a project was initiated with an investment of over 7 billion yuan (about 975 million U.S. dollars) to revamp the dilapidated houses. It involved a population of more than 200,000 people and an area of 8 square km in the old town. As a result, more than 7,000 traditional dwellings of historical and cultural significance were repaired and reinforced while preserving their original spatial patterns. "The measures taken by the Chinese government to transform the old town of Kashgar are admirable," said Mohanad A.A. Alaklouk, permanent representative of Palestine to the Arab League, during his visit as a delegate of diplomats and officials from the Arab League and its Secretariat in May. "This transformation has not only brought great changes to the residents' living environment and conditions, but more importantly, has preserved the local cultural characteristics," said Alaklouk. Beyond the tangible architectural rejuvenation, Kashgar cherishes its intangible cultural heritage. Zulpukar Ababakri is an inheritor of the Kashgar pottery tradition, which produces both household items and ornaments. "For thousands of years, despite the evolution and innovation in earthenware techniques, the patterns of clouds, peaches, roses and grapes -- symbolizing fortune, good health and happiness in Chinese culture -- have remained intact and continue to captivate the multi-ethnic community of Kashgar," Zulpukar Ababakri said. Kashgar not only celebrates its indigenous culture but also embraces the world with open arms. Hadiya Msham Abulla, a student from Tanzania who studied medicine in China, is now married to her Uygur husband Dilshat Tursun. The couple started running a coffee shop in the old town of Kashgar this year. Through live streams and online platforms, they share their stories and products with a global audience. "The ancient city of Kashgar is a place of passion and fantasy. Despite living in a foreign land, I sense the feeling of home from the hospitable people," she said. According to the Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau of the Kashgar Prefecture, the region welcomed over 11 million tourists in the first five months of 2023, marking an 83.48 percent increase year on year, and resulting in tourism revenue of nearly 8.6 billion yuan, up 114.7 percent. PASSAGE TO EURASIA Earlier this month, 25 trucks loaded with containers departed from Kashgar. After arriving at the railway station of the city of Osh in Kyrgyzstan, containers were transferred onto trains bound for Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. It was a trial run for Kashgar to facilitate cross-border trade through the implementation of multimodal transport systems, ahead of the launch of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. "Kashgar is a passage connecting China to Central Asia, South Asia, West Asia, and even Europe. We are dedicated to providing support in streamlining customs clearance for foreign trade enterprises and ensuring the stability of industrial chains and supply chains," said Cao Hongjian of Kashgar Customs. Kashgar has emerged as an attractive destination for enterprises seeking to capitalize on its key location. One such enterprise is Zhongshun E-commerce Co., Ltd., a foreign trade company established in Kashgar's comprehensive bonded zone in 2020. "We collect goods from the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta and gather them in Kashgar, before dispatching them to Central Asia, Europe and other places. Presently, we process over 120,000 e-commerce orders daily," said Zhang Qi, the general manager of Zhongshun. Ma Haitao, director of the zone's management committee, said that there are currently over 350 registered enterprises in the zone, including more than 280 trade and logistics companies and nearly 40 ones for manufacturing and processing. In 2022, the value of cross-border e-commerce in the zone reached 1.29 billion yuan, up 291 percent year on year. "With the development of cross-border e-commerce, general trade and processing trade with a longer value chain have also started to release their growth potential," said Ma. An artist performs a show of intangible cultural heritage in the ancient city of Kashgar scenic area in Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu) People spend their leisure time at a teahouse in the ancient city of Kashgar scenic area in Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu) This photo shows tourists at the east gate of the ancient city of Kashgar scenic area in Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu) This aerial photo shows a view of the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) Local residents play musical instruments at a teahouse in the ancient city of Kashgar scenic area in Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) This aerial photo shows a view of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) This aerial photo shows a view of the comprehensive bonded zone in Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu) R yan Reynolds and Blake Lively have excited fans after they were pictured visiting the Great British Bake Off. A-list actor Reynolds took to his social media to share a snap alongside GBBO judges Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith outside the actual Bake Off tent. Posing the photo, the Deadpool star and Wrexham AFC co-owner captioned the pic: A full and unconditional hug of pure serotonin. Equally delighted by the meeting, Paul posted the same snap and shared his delight over their meeting. Prue and I catching up with @vancityreynolds #legend, the Channel 4 star wrote as he shared the snap on his own Instagram account, while he replied to Ryans and teased: Great catching up Hollywood was particularly giddy about the meeting as he went on to upload a photo alongside Reynolds wife, actress Blake Lively, who is an avid baker and fan of the show. Joking that hes found a replacement for Leith, he wrote: Sorry Prue, Blake (@blakelively) has taken your seat welcome to cake corner Blake #legendinthetent #getbaking @vancityreynolds. Unsurprisingly, fans are wondering if this means that either star could be taking part in the next Stand Up 2 Cancer celebrity series. One commented: Hes only gone and done bake off hasnt he, cemented national treasure status. If this doesnt mean Ryan Reynolds is on the next celebrity bake off I dont want it, another wrote. A third shared: This is the crossover I never even knew I needed. The UK has just claimed Ryan Reynolds as our own now and I am not sad about it, another claimed. Its not such an outlandish idea to think that either could take part on the show given that the pair are should big fans of it. He previously told People in 2019: We live in a world thats pretty divisive right now and theres a lot going on. And I like that show just because its a nice thing to watch at night. The Deadpool actor has been spending more and more time in the UK since buying Wrexham AFC with Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Rob McElhenney. C haracter.AI is a hugely popular new platform that promises to bring to life the science-fiction dream of people having open-ended conversations with computers, either for fun or educational purposes. Instead, its so-called dialogue agents have gone rogue. An Evening Standard investigation has discovered a dark array of chatbots based on the characters of Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein and one that disrespectfully purports to imitate the Prophet Muhammad. The hatebots need little encouragement to spew vicious antisemitic or islamaphobic tropes, along with various other forms of racist messages. These include blatant homophobia and nationalistic slurs all of which are a flagrant violation of the platforms own stated rules against sharing hateful content. AI hatebots hiding in plain sight The ease with which these highly disturbing chatbots can be found on Character.AI is startling. A simple search on its homepage leads to an Adolf Hitler bot that openly states antisemitic conspiracy theories. For example, this chatbot said that the Nazi party was funded and created by powerful German bankers who were Jewish, and that a secret cabal of elitists is suppressing this theory. When asked who these elitists are, this same bot described them as globalists. This word is a well-known dogwhistle term of abuse for Jewish people that is frequently wielded by antisemites online. A chatbot based on Adolf Hitler shared an antisemitic conspiracy theory on Character.AI / Character.AI / Saqib Shah The Hitler bot is not the only alarming chatbot available on the Character.AI service. Others include a Prophet Muhammad chatbot that said: I love bacon the problem is my religion forbids me from eating it. A so-called Saddam Hussein chatbot reeled off a racist rant against Iranian Kurds, describing them as criminals who work with drug dealers from Afghanistan and Pakistan. This bot also described them as separatists and falsely claimed Iranian Kurds were behind the violent protests in Paris earlier this year. In addition, a pair of homophobic chatbots invoked various hurtful slurs, such as describing gay people as abnormal. The website will, no doubt, not be mentioning this during Pride celebrations over the summer. A Character.AI chatbot of Saddam Hussein used derogatory language against Iranian Kurds, Afghans, and Pakistani people. / Character.AI / Saqib Shah What is Character.AI? Character.AI is among the hottest new names in tech and is already valued at $1 billion (787 m). It was founded by two ex-Google engineers, who built the web giants chatbot technology, before leaving to make their own mark on the world. The 19-month-old companys eponymous service allows its users to chat with, or even create, their own chatbot companions. Each bot is supposedly based on the personalities of real or fictional people, living or dead. For those unfamiliar with this topic, a chatbot is a form of generative AI that provides the ability for people to have text-based online conversations about a range of subjects. Each response is gleaned from digital text scraped from the internet, and relies on probability models to determine if each message serves its purpose. An inflammatory chatbot claimed to be based on the Prophet Muhammad made offensive remarks / Character.AI / Saqib Shah How popular is Character.AI? Within a single week of its release in May of this year, the Character.AI mobile app was installed 1.7 million times. People have visited the website roughly 280 million times in the past month alone, according to data gleaned by Similarweb, a reputable search-engine analyst. Investors and technology mavens are already talking about this new platform with a similar level of reverence as ChatGPT , the resident poster-child of AI bots. All of which adds context to the scale of this problem, because the numbers are worrying. The Adolf Hitler chatbot already had more than 1.9 million human interactions on Character.AI at the time of writing. This figure is based on the platforms own public message count. By comparison, chatbots based on public figures featured on the platform homepage had fewer interactions. For instance, a Christiano Ronaldo chatbot had 1.5 million messages and an Elon Musk bot had 1.3 million. Lets discuss this after you have succeeded in removing villains from novels and film Community reaction to AI hatebots Anti-hate and Jewish advocacy organisations approached by The Standard have roundly condemned the bigoted chatbots found on Character.AI. Some of the material here is profoundly disturbing, said a spokesperson for Searchlight, an investigative publication that focuses on rooting out extremism, both in the UK and abroad. Character.AI has a clear responsibility to moderate what appears on its platform to make sure it does not include hate material which may influence and mislead users, especially young people. Failure to do so is to be party to disseminating hate material. The Board of Deputies of British Jews President, Marie van der Zyl, said: There need to be controls, penalties, and a clear regulatory framework so that AI cannot be used to promote antisemitism and racism online. Lack of moderation matters Character.AI did not directly address its moderation policy when contacted by The Standard about its hatebots. Instead, the companys co-founder, Noam Shazeer, gave a somewhat bizarre response to the findings: Since Creation, every form of fiction has included both good and evil characters, he said. While I appreciate your ambition to make ours the first villain-free fiction platform, lets discuss this after you have succeeded in removing villains from novels and film. A chatbot on Character.AI that made unprovoked homophobic comments / Character.AI / Saqib Shah Shazeer and his Character.AI co-founder, Daniel De Freitas, left Google after growing frustrated over what they have described as its overly cautious approach to AI. However, Googles hesitation was borne out of a fear of reputational blowback if its chatbot said something offensive, Shazeer explained on the No Priors podcast. The odd thing is that the new platforms own rules expressly forbid its users from uploading material that is hateful racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable. It also states everything characters say is made up. Neither of these explanations provides any justification for the evident failure to moderate content, according to a Searchlight spokesperson: The fact that it is made up is irrelevant. We wouldnt tolerate hate-based jokes, films, or plays, even though they are made up Its as simple as that. They cant duck their responsibility for this. Despite these online warnings about hateful content within its own terms of use, the new platform appears to enforce no active moderation that curbs these offensive interactions in any meaningful sense of the word. At one point, a racist message shared by the Saddam Hussein chatbot was scrubbed and a notification said that it had violated the rules of Character.AI. Even so, follow-up prompts were then permitted and the same bot then continued its extremist tirade without apparent consequences. Each of the chatbots mentioned above was still active on Character.AI and actively spouting this same type of hateful material to impressionable young people at the time of publication. There is no suggestion that staff nor representatives of Character.AI are involved with the creation or posting of this offensive material. The issues are that the platform is apparently failing to take the steps that would automatically filter its creation and seems to be inadequately moderating posts. We wouldnt tolerate hate-based jokes, films, or plays, even though they are made up Its as simple as that The dangers of unrestricted AI chatbots Racist chatbots are not a new occurrence. In 2016, Microsoft infamously culled its Tay chatbot in less than a day after it posted inflammatory tweets through its Twitter account. Earlier this year, an AI-generated Seinfeld live-stream on Twitch was shut down when it referred to being trans as an illness. Tech luminaries and US lawmakers have suggested pausing the development of advanced AI systems until regulators determine the risks and remedies. For its part, the UK has set up a 100 million AI taskforce to research ways of safely developing artificial intelligence. More broadly, the extremism rife on Character.AI raises troubling questions about the data used to train each firms own AI tools. Chatbots are powered by a technology known as a large language model (or LLM) which is said to learn by scouring vast amounts of information sourced from websites and social media. This type of AI essentially mirrors the data that it is trained on, making it prone to misinformation and bias. Demonstrating the dangers of using bad data, last year an AI language model leveraged posts from a toxic forum on alt-right platform 4-Chan. The chatbots spawned from this experiment inevitably unleashed a raft of hate back onto the website, sharing tens of thousands of racist comments in the space of 24 hours. Leaving aside the questionable approach to moderation on social media platforms, even Character.AIs own peers take a much tougher stance on this topic, which is backed up by real-world practices. The ChatGPT and Dall-E generative AI tools from OpenAI will actively block users from creating hateful or racist content. Its plainly possible to make this work where the will exists to impose reasonable restrictions. In tests conducted by The Standard, these bots refused to create content related to Adolf Hitler, for example. In other cases, they shut down any queries related to the Prophet Muhammad or Saddam Hussein, due to safeguards that restrict them from promoting hate speech or discrimination against individuals or groups. Character.AI, on the other hand, remains a wildfire zone for incendiary hatebots. The question is: how bad does this situation need to get before its own investors or customers force it to tone down this arrogance? P irate TV-streaming sites, where people can illegally watch popular content for free, continue to be such a big problem that the Korean government has decided to fight back by developing its own artificial intelligence to ban and automatically detect new dodgy websites. Despite police crackdowns in multiple countries, online piracy continues to weigh heavily on the global TV and movie industry. The Motion Picture Association (MPA), which also represents Netflix, told the US government last year that it estimates that piracy costs the US economy at least $29.2bn (23bn) annually, and globally the whole industry lost $99.7bn (78 bn) in 2021. Following a long battle to block a hugely popular pirate streaming site called Noonoo TV, Koreas Ministry of Science and ICT announced earlier this week that it is now going to develop its own artificial intelligence that can automatically block new instances of the website several times a day. The government agency said that it had worked together with Korean broadcasters and internet service providers to keep blocking Noonoo TV once a week, then twice a week, and finally once a day. However, Noonoo TV kept coming back using different domain names. But even though the pirates were winning, after several weeks of battling to stay online, the site administrator got fed up with having to pay outrageous costs of bandwidth and shut the site down in April, piracy technology news site TorrentFreak reports. The authorities probably thought they had finally won but, in the past two weeks, fans of the original site have created a brand new version of Noonoo TV with no association to the original. The Korean government is understandably annoyed and its communications regulator has called for stronger blocking measures. Currently, illegal site-detection response is manual work based on human manpower. As such, to overcome limitations, we are also planning to develop AI as a secondary technology to automatically detect new and replacement illegal site URLs, Koreas Ministry of Science and ICT said in a statement. Online video service (OTT) content is a precious asset created with the blood of many people, made of sweat, valuable property, and is the growth engine responsible for the future of Korea. More than anything, it is important for citizens to refrain from using these illegal sites. While the government agency has not elaborated on how or when its new AI system will be deployed, TorrentFreak also reports that for now, the people running the second version of the Noonoo TV website are having a rethink. The sites operators posted on the website: After careful consideration, The Noonoo TV Season 2 site is closed. Its a short period, but I sincerely appreciate your interest. There is no plan to open Season 3, and please be aware of similar impersonation sites. While it is not to do with online piracy, in the past 12 months, Netflix has turned to tackle its other key problem account and password sharing with people who are not in your household. Following trials for 100 million households in South America in 2022, Netflix decided to launch new limits and sharing fees worldwide earlier this year, which finally came to the UK and US last month. T echnology giant Meta has rejected an accusation of online censorship as protesters called for language around womens bodies to be normalised. Demonstrators gathered outside the companys London office in Kings Cross on Friday morning. She Oath, described as a female empowerment charity, joined representatives from period product firm Bodyform, which is running a campaign aimed at normalising use of words such as vagina, clitoris and vulva online. These are our bodies and we shouldnt be shamed or cast into the shadows for what we naturally have to experience Bodyform said that since launching its campaign it has been slapped with multiple violations of Metas ad policy deeming their content as too sexual and labelling it with an 18+ warning. It says menstrual health shouldnt be censored and doing so makes important subjects, that are already taboo, almost impossible to talk about, affecting lives and health. But Meta said some adverts had been removed by mistake and had since been reinstated, and apologised for any confusion. The company said it has no blanket ban on words like menopause or vagina, adding that adverts are governed by a stricter set of policies because they receive paid distribution to appear in peoples feeds. She Oaths founder Brookmorgan Henry-Rennie said: We use our platform to educate, entertain and inform around subject matters like authentic confidence, womens health and well-being. So this shadow-banning is not just depriving trauma-experienced girls and women from gaining access to our resources, its putting them in further danger. These are our bodies and we shouldnt be shamed or cast into the shadows for what we naturally have to experience. If it wasnt for Bodyforms ads being banned, we wouldnt have even realised that our posts were being deprioritised. Meta really does need to do better. The adverts were removed by mistake by our automated review systems and have since been reinstated. We apologise for any confusion caused Ruth Gresty, spokesperson for Bodyform, said: Its unfortunate but not surprising that our latest campaign, which calls out the unnecessary censorship of words commonly used to talk about, describe and define womens bodies and their experiences, has been censored by some social media companies. In doing so, these companies have simply underlined the need for campaigns of this nature that seek to break down the barriers that prevent women from being able to speak openly and confidently about their bodies. We at Bodyform will not be deterred from our mission to make talking about the female body normal. A spokesperson for Meta, which owns Facebook, said: We want Facebook to be a place where people can express themselves and we are proud of the way our community uses the platform to have important and open conversations about womens health. The adverts were removed by mistake by our automated review systems and have since been reinstated. We apologise for any confusion caused. A I-based chat is increasingly being used for language learning, with chatbots like ChatGPT proving useful when generating charts of verb tenses. Developers have capitalised on this sudden wave of interest with the introduction of several AI apps. These draw on open-source code to customise AI for those developing their language skills. Heres everything you need to know. What language-learning platforms have been affected by AI? Shares in the education sector have fallen as investors believe artificial intelligence could disrupt business models. On Monday, the California-based Chegg, which provides online study guides, said the rising student interest in AI chatbot ChatGPT was impacting sales. Shares in the language-learning platform Duolingo also fell by 10 per cent, as well as the US-listed education company Udemy. How can you use AI to learn languages? Research from Assoc Prof Klimova, a member of the research project Language in the Human-Machine Era, suggests that AI chatbots can help with vocabulary development, grammar, and other lanaguage skills, particularly when they give feedback as well. She told the BBC: Its just a matter of time when artificial intelligence will replace us as teachers of foreign languages. She added that GPT-4, which is available with a paid subscription to ChatGPT, has improved greatly in accuracy. One of the specific language-learning chatbots is LangAI, launched in March by Federico Ruiz Cassarino, the BBC reports. Mr Ruiz Cassarino utilised his own experiences of learning English after moving from Uruguay to the UK. He ended up speaking English every day, and is now using the app to improve his Italian. Making mistakes when learning a new language can be embarrassing, but he thinks this can be avoided by using an AI chatbot instead. He told the BBC: We worked really hard to make this well-tailored for somebody who wants to learn languages. Mr Cassarino explained that out of the users who tried the app for around 10 minutes, roughly 45 per cent will still be using it a month later. Other language learners are using apps such as ChatGPT and Bard. Additionally, Duolingo started collaborating with OpenAI in September 2022, using the companys GPT-4 to stay ahead of the trend. XIAMEN, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The "Looking China Youth Film Project" on Wednesday kicked off its cultural experience activities in the city of Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province. Nine young filmmakers from Portugal, Jamaica, Singapore, Spain and Mexico are involved in the project, which will last to July 6. Paired with Chinese youth, they will head to cities such as Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou and Xiamen to film a 10-minute documentary, telling their stories about Fujian's unique customs and cultural heritage. Craig McTurk, an American film producer and instructor of the project in Fujian, said that the project is an innovative program that celebrates Chinese culture and nurtures young international filmmakers. "It is both a tremendous opportunity and a challenge to even the most experienced filmmakers. Making a documentary film in a foreign country is one of the best ways to experience that country on all levels -- personally, visually, and as a celebration of shared humanity," he said. Adria Guxens Chaparro, one of the participants from Spain, said that the program can help the filmmakers discover an ancient culture through exploration of their theme and their stay in Fujian, and that this can eliminate prejudices and stereotypes, while also allowing viewers to learn from the main protagonists in these interesting and illuminating stories. The "Looking China Youth Film Project" is a cultural experience program sponsored by Huilin Culture Foundation and hosted by the Academy for International Communication of Chinese Culture. It has been successfully run for 12 editions and is enjoying increasingly extensive influence both in China and abroad. It has attracted nearly 900 young people from 101 countries, produced 854 documentary short films and received 157 international awards. The project has become a brand showcasing enchanting aspects of China and promoting Chinese culture. CARACAS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela denounced the "negative impact" of sanctions on the development of Caribbean countries, an official said Thursday, calling for more support for climate-vulnerable countries in the region. Raul Li Causi, Venezuela's deputy foreign affairs minister for the Caribbean, made the remarks during the annual meeting of the board of governors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) held in Saint Lucia. Li Causi denounced on social media the "anachronistic international financial order" and rejected the "criminal unilateral coercive measures and their negative impact on promoting development in the Caribbean region." Almost 130,000 people enter Romania on June 22, including 15,426 Ukrainian citizens. As many as 129,651 people, including 15,426 Ukrainian citizens, entered Romania on Thursday, June 22, the General Border Police Inspectorate (IGPF) reported on Friday, told Agerpres. According to IGPF, at the border points nationwide on Friday, nearly 272,300 people, Romanian and foreign citizens, were checked both on the way in and on the way out of Romania, as well as more than 68,800 means of transport. Starting February 10, 2022 (pre-conflict time) 4,663,624 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania. The border police detected 49 illegal acts (21 crimes and 28 misdemeanors) in the areas under their jurisdiction - the crossing points and the green border - committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens, levying over RON 14,400 in fines in the process. Assets of an estimated value of RON 296,000 were impounded. Twenty-four foreign citizens who did not meet the conditions provided by the law were denied entry. Also on Thursday, 51 Romanian citizens were not allowed to leave for various legal reasons. Bucharest Bible and Cazania lui Varlaam, auctioned for the first time. The Biblia de la Bucuresti/Bucharest Bible of 1688 and Cazania lui Varlaam/Homiliary of Varlaam and the Letopisetele Tarii Moldovei/The Chronicles of the land of Moldova, together with other rare original copies from a private collection never exhibited to the public or sold on the market, are put up for sale in an auction organized on July 5 by Artmark House, told Agerpres. The Important Books Auction includes a selection of pieces from the collection of literary critic Serban Cioculescu. The auction also includes a special selection of historical books. Rare appearances are Letopisele Tarii Moldovei by Mihail Kogalniceanu, published in Iasi in 1852. Two of the three volumes of the collection bear the handwritten signature of the author. The book has a starting price of 600 euros. From the same period comes also the letter sent by Metropolitan Andrei Saguna to the parish priest Alesiu Nedeciu in 1865 and which has a starting price of 300 euros. It bears the postmarks, as well as the dry stamp of the Orthodox Metropolitan of Sibiu. From Cioculescu's collection put up for auction also comes the famous representation of Mihai Viteazul (Michael the Brave) in an engraving by Egidius Sadeler the Younger in Prague in 1601. The extremely rare piece has a starting price of 1,500 euros and was acquired by the literary critic from the Dimitrie A. Sturdza collection. The creator of the first union of the Romanian principalities is also represented by the painter and graphic artist Mihail Lapaty, one of the founders of modern Romanian painting, in the Mihai Viteazul lithography. The piece was made in Paris in 1850 and has a starting price of 100 euros. Another piece in the auction is the book Tara Mea/My Country written and signed in holograph by Queen Maria, which has a starting price of 100 euros. The work was written by Queen Maria during the First World War. The copy includes both the holograph dedication and the Queen's signature to the writer Margareta Miller-Verghy, as well as her holograph ex-libris on the title page. Minister of Foreign Affairs Luminita Odobescu received on Friday the US ambassador to Romania, Kathleen Ann Kavalec, with the discussions focusing, among other topics, on the Visa Waiver Program and the Black Sea strategy being developed in Washington. "Both parties underlined their interest in intensifying efforts to include Romania in the Visa Waiver Program so that the common objective of lifting tourist visas for the US can be achieved as soon as possible," said a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) press release sent to AGERPRES.Minister Odobescu assured the full support of the ministry she is leading for the activity of the national coordinator for Romania's accession to the Visa Waiver Program.They also discussed the "close" and "deep" cooperation between the two countries on security and defence matters, with emphasis on the mutual interest for substantial results at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, including the strengthening of the defence and deterrence posture on the Eastern flank.In this regard, it was stressed that "the implementation of the Madrid Summit decisions is crucial for a strong Alliance response to the threat posed by the Russian Federation".The Romanian minister and the US ambassador highlighted the importance of bilateral and NATO cooperation in dealing with the effects of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and discussed possibilities for further strengthening transatlantic cooperation to this end. Ambassador Kavalec noted Romania's multidimensional and extensive involvement and stressed the importance of continued efforts to support refugees.Minister Luminita Odobescu reiterated interest in the US Black Sea strategy currently being developed and "Romania's readiness to continue to cooperate with the US and other allies and partners to develop a framework to ensure an open, secure and prosperous region".The increasing volume of US investments in Romania was also discussed, with ambassador Kavalec signaling the interest of some companies to develop business in our country, as well as the interest of some companies already active on the Romanian market to expand their presence. It was agreed to continue the dialogue to facilitate US investments and job creation in Romania.The Romanian minister also presented our country's objectives for the Three Seas Initiative Summit and the Business Forum to be held in Bucharest in September. NATO Deputy Secretary General Geoana: We are still struggling at the periphery of Europe. Deputy Secretary General of NATO Mircea Geoana stated that Romania is running out of time because it has reached a "critical point," although it has "the chance of an unique decade, of great transformations," the country is still struggling at the periphery of Europe and if the political elites do not understand this thing, "all Romanians shall wipe the floor with the current political system." "More than 30 years have passed since we came out of darkness and almost 20 years since we entered the light, through the door of the free, Euro-Atlantic world. Throughout this period, good things have happened, but Romania's transformation into a prosperous, respected and confident country has not happened. As a result, Romania is experiencing the huge trauma of abandonment: too many children, too many of our young women and men have either already left or do not see their future in their country. We are still struggling at the periphery of Europe. The agreements negotiated at the time of accession to the European Union have not been observed as they were fixed at that time. Schengen is a huge injustice, but there are others. I say it bluntly, because I know exactly what the terms of the agreement were. But neither did the political class rise to the heights of this unique period in our history. It is becoming obvious that the current political system has reached its limits," Mircea Geoana stated within a conference called "Vision, innovation, transformation," organized at the Tarii Crisurilor Museum. According to him, Romania's future is running out of time because "it has been floating in the fog for decades, it has been stumbling around in the words of some politicians and that is all, "this is why it must be redesigned on real bases, on concrete needs, in the short term." Mircea Geoana described the national project of Romania as having two large components: preserving the unity of the entire Romanian nation, both at home and the one spread across the world, and the definitive recovery of development gaps from the advanced West, by achieving a true historical leap, based on innovation. In his view, the five preconditions for success refer to the existence of a vision for organising society, the quality of political leadership, the ability to constantly innovate "on the go," a strong national, identity and community culture based on patriotism, solidarity and societal resilience, and a level of education and physical and moral health of the nation. There is still a need, he continued, for "a thinking that is truly independent of the small partisan games at the top of the state," respected and connected to the great transformations of the world, but anchored in the real problems of the country, for the promotion of meritocracy at every level, for new criteria according to which representatives are elected. "Let us have the courage to rethink the Romanian state and the responsibility in public office from the ground up," Geoana urged. He believes that the country has reached a critical point, and that 2024 will be the year in which the political clocks of Romania, Europe and America will resynchronise. "We have reached a critical point which, if the political elites do not understand, Romanians, all Romanians, are to wipe the floor with the current political system. And in desperation, we see that too many disappointed and hopeless Romanians are already looking for solutions where there is nothing but populism and hatred. We have the chance of a unique decade of great transformation for our destiny, in which Romania can truly become a strong, respected and prosperous country. It is only up to us," Mircea Geoana concluded. NATO's Geoana: Jens Stoltenberg's successor will be elected by the allies. Deputy Secretary General of NATO Mircea Geoana said on Thursday evening in Oradea that the successor of Jens Stoltenberg as NATO secretary general will be elected by consensus by the NATO member states, told Agerpres. "At NATO, the selection it is not based on a popular vote, but it is a decision of the NATO countries, who consult with each other and decide. Neither I nor the incumbent secretary general is in a position to comment or interfere in any way in the succession of our positions. It is the sovereign right of the allies, by consensus, to find the general secretary they want," Geoana replied to a question by professor Paul Magheru. The professor wanted to know Geoana would consider the position of ecretary general of NATO. "I can say only one thing - not because I work with Jens Stoltenberg in an extremely united team and we are colleagues and friends - that I have learned a lot from him. And we politicians, especially the Romanian ones, have the feeling that we know everything. I have learned a lot from a serious, sober man, a man who worked with four presidents: George W. Bush, Obama, Trump and Biden. So I'm not surprised that it's not easy to find a successor to Stoltenberg. And I am absolutely convinced that the allies will find, when they find, someone suitable. My job at NATO is to do my duty until the last second of the contract and ensure a correct succession to the office of the secretary general," said Geoana. He was also asked if he is considering running for President of Romania. "I tell you honestly that this is not the time to discuss something like that, but we'll see when the contract ends, what discussions we can have," he answered. Appointed on October 1, 2014 to a four-year term of office, Norwegian Stoltenberg, 64, has already served two terms and his term was extended until September 30, 2023. In February, Stoltenberg said that he did not intend to have his contract renewed with the 30 NATO nations once again, as he had done last spring to avoid replacing NATO's leadership amid Russia's onslaught on Ukraine. American President Joe Biden has recently asked Stoltenberg to remain in office for another year. ONRC: Number of dissolved companies up 24.57pct, in first four months of 2023. The number of dissolved companies increased by 24.57pct, in the first four months of 2023, to 13,300 compared to 10,677 in the same period of 2022, according to the data centralized by the National Trade Registry Office (ONRC), told Agerpres. The most dissolutions were registered in Bucharest, namely 2,801 companies (up 38.05pct compared to the first four months of 2022), and in the counties of Timis (742, +54.91pct), Cluj (646, +31.03pct), Constanta (614, +12.04pct) and Ilfov (517, + 26.61pct). At the opposite pole, the fewest company dissolutions were recorded in the counties of Covasna, namely 72 (-28.57pct), Ialomita (72, +50pct) and Mehedinti (73, +14.06pct). The activity area that registered the most dissolutions of companies, in the first four months of 2023, is wholesale and retail trade, the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, where 3,666 dissolutions were registered at national level. Compared to the similar period of the previous year, dissolutions in this sector increased by 11.67pct. According to the quoted source, professional, scientific and technical activities, constructions, as well as the manufacturing industry are other areas of activity where a large number of company dissolutions were recorded, namely 1,307 (+36.57pct), 1,239 (+27.73pct) ), 1,142 (+22.53pct), respectively. PM Ciolacu says certain fiscal exceptions should be removed; Romania should return to an equal competitive climate. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said he is convinced that certain exceptions to the Tax Code would have to be removed, but he hinted that IT exemptions are not yet targeted, told Agerpres. Asked whether tax facilities in the construction, agriculture and IT sectors could be withdrawn, the Prime Minister said that Romania should return to an equal competitive climate. "The PNRR [the National Recovery and Resilience Plan] foresees to start removing exceptions. Yes, I believe that in the future some exceptions will have to be removed. This does not mean that, from our preliminary analysis, we will be looking at exceptions in IT at the moment. There have been exceptions for almost 20 years, as far as I know, and they have brought a beneficial thing so far, an important hub in Romania. There are exceptions to the Tax Code of approximately 74 billion. It is a totally abnormal thing and a recommendation from all international financial bodies. In other words, we must return to an equal competitive climate in Romania. The period of exceptions on top of exceptions is over," Ciolacu said in a press statement. In terms of the areas from which these exceptions shall be removed, the Prime Minister stressed that no decision has been made yet. "I am firmly convinced that, once we have made the decision, we will come and communicate. We will not make any decision - we have the international recommendations, the Finance Ministry is currently analyzing them, but we shall not make any decision until we have talked to all the actors involved," Ciolacu said. BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) -- China recently organized its 2023 science research educational program for teenagers, aiming to cultivate innovation and practical abilities, according to the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST). The program was mainly designed for students in primary and junior secondary schools, encouraging them to discover and explore scientific problems in areas such as energy resources, the ecological environment and health. Four topics -- low-carbon life, saving food, caring for your eyes, and the BeiDou navigation satellite network -- are the focuses of this year's activities, according to the CAST. Students in the program will gain scientific knowledge, learn research methods, conduct surveys, complete reports and share their findings with others. Schools, science museums, science popularization education bases and other off-campus educational sites are actively involved in the program. PM Ciolacu: There are leaders suggesting to leave EU, forgetting that we benefitted from EUR 54bl. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Friday said that there are political leaders who suggest Romania should leave the European Union, forgetting the benefits that the EU membership offers, told Agerpres. He added that politicians who forget how important the "NATO umbrella" is, especially in the context of a security crisis, should be asked what alternatives they support. "Now, we can see how important our NATO membership is. We also see certain political leaders who come up and suggest that Romanians should leave the European Union, forgetting that from the European Union Romania has received over 54 billion euros, which are found in the infrastructure and the development of the country, forgetting how important NATO and the NATO umbrella are at this moment, especially in a major regional security crisis for the whole of Europe, with a conflict in Europe in the year 2023. When you see them express such opinions, maybe you ask them what they will put in place. Maybe they have other concepts," Ciolacu told a news conference. Regarding his social media post on Thursday after threats from the governor of Kherson regarding the attack of the Giurgiulesti bridge, Ciolacu said that the Romanian government had to have a reaction. "I think the threat was only a test and it was mandatory for the Romanian government to have a reaction. I saw that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also had one. I had one too, as the prime minister and also as a Romanian. We are under an obligation to offer security to Moldova. Remember that there are Romanians like me, just like you, living in Moldova. And I was under that obligation," said Ciolacu. The pro-Russian governor of the Kherson region Vladimir Saldo has warned that the Russian army would hit the Giurgiulesti bridge in response to Thursday's Ukrainian attack on a bridge connecting the Ukrainian region of Kherson to Crimea. "The coordinates of the bridges in the Odesa region, in the Moldovan Giurgiulesti, which were part of Ukraine on the Danube but was handed over by the Yuschenko regime. All these coordinates are known, so there will be a very serious answer soon," said Saldo. Scheduled events for June 23, 2023. EXECUTIVE: - Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu holds consultations with representatives of employers in the construction sector DIPLOMACY: - Secretary of State for Global Affairs and Diplomatic Strategies Traian Hristea has consultations with First Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Chang Ho-jin - Seoul, Republic of Korea - Meeting of Secretary of State for Global Affairs and Diplomatic Strategies Traian Hristea with State Counsellor for Foreign Policy Tae Jun-youl - Seoul, Republic of Korea - State Secretary for Global Affairs and Diplomatic Strategies Traian Hristea participates in a working seminar with the Chancellor of the Korean National Diplomatic Academy, Dr. Park Cheol Hee - Seoul, Republic of Korea DEFENCE: - The Chief of Defence Staff, General Daniel Petrescu, pays visit to the Republic of Albania at the invitation of his counterpart, Brigadier General Arben Kingji ECONOMY: - National Institute of Statistics releases data April 2023 net coal imports and production - Trade Register: April 2023 company dissolutions ST. LOUIS COUNTY The number of Masses celebrated in the Lemay area will be cut by nearly half starting in August after five Catholic parishes consolidate into one. St. Bernadette, St. Martin of Tours, St. Matthias and St. Andrew parishes will close and merge into St. Mark parish under the All Things New downsizing plan announced last month by Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski. The release of a temporary Mass schedule gives a first look at how some of the 50 closed or merged parishes could continue to operate after the changes go into effect. The schedule through 2023 shows every weekday Mass and five weekend Masses will be celebrated at St. Mark on Ripa Avenue. The other four churches will each host one weekend Mass starting Aug. 4. The new parish of about 3,200 households will be the sixth largest in the Archdiocese of St. Louis after the restructuring. Many of us are suffering from some negative feelings after the recent announcement from the Archbishop about the future of parish life in Lemay some anxiety, a lot of uncertainty, a little dose of anger, a considerable amount of frustration, all mixed in with disappointment, wrote the Rev. Robert Reiker of St. Bernadette in a bulletin this month. The cure is a healthy dose of hope ... Be open to the Lord working with us to create a new and better way to be Church in Lemay! The current schedule includes 15 weekly Masses at St. Mark, nine at St. Martin, eight each at St. Bernadette and St. Matthias and two at St. Andrew for a total of 42. After the consolidation, there will be a total of 24 weekly Masses. The parishes, previously served by five pastors, will have one pastor, the Rev. Robert Burkemper, and two associate pastors. The churches in closed parishes will also be available for baptisms, funerals and weddings, church leaders said. Fear not the nay-sayers; dont be discouraged by those who say it will never work, or I will not be a part of this new St. Marks Parish, Reiker wrote in the St. Bernadette bulletin. Jesus would say to us to not be disheartened by pessimists, or those who want to hang on to the old structures for fear of something new. Plans are moving ahead even for parishes that appealed the archbishops decision, like St. Roch in the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood of St. Louis that will be absorbed by Christ the King in University City along with All Saints in University City and St. Rita in Vinita Park. The three closed parishes will no longer host Mass regularly but will continue at least for the near future to have their churches open for prayer, baptisms, funerals and weddings, Monsignor Mike Turek, pastor of Christ the King, wrote in a recent note to the parish. The social justice committee at Christ the King is developing programs and events for the merged parishes as an important and valuable step in creating the trust and sense of community that will be needed to create the kind of new parish community wed all like to be part of, Turek wrote. Monsignor Mark Ullrich of Sacred Heart in Florissant said he feels like a lame duck official in his last months before transferring to St. Francis Assisi in Oakville. Pastors received a 15-page manual for all the necessary tasks before Aug. 1. Some of his books and mementos will be donated to the Shrine of St. Ferdinand in Florissant, Ullrich wrote in the bulletin for Sunday. St. James the Greater and Epiphany parishes in south St. Louis, which will share a pastor, are hiring a family ministries coordinator and a director of engagement and adult faith formation, according to the archdioceses job postings. Other parish employees said they are still unclear about their status after the mergers. More than 80 members of the St. Louis chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians met June 12 at St. Ambrose in south St. Louis in part to discuss the fall out from All Things New. A lot of people dont know what their future employment is as musicians, said John Powel Walsh, an organist who plays at several churches around the region. Its up to the new pastors to decide who stays on and who continues to work. Walshs job at St. Martin of Tours will end when the church drops its Saturday night Mass, and he doubts the plan to keep one weekly Mass at every Lemay church will last. I think it has to be temporary. Youre not going to heat and cool four separate churches forever and call it one parish, Walsh said. In other cities that have undergone similar reorganizations, Mass attendance has declined after parish mergers. Already across the St. Louis area, there are indications that weekly offerings have dropped, particularly in parishes that will be closed. Revenue at St. Barnabas in OFallon, Missouri, has fallen sharply according to the Rev. Linus Dolce. The closing parish will host its final traditional Latin Mass on July 30. The Rev. John Nickolai at St. Rose Philippine Duchesne in Florissant said he has heard of some sentiment among parish groups and organizations that we might as well spend every penny we have while it is still ours, before we are forced to hand it over to them. We continue to have staff to pay for their hard work, and we continue to need to pay for utilities and the upkeep of our property, Nickolai wrote to the parish, which will be absorbed by Sacred Heart in Florissant. He encouraged them to continue to support the newly merged parish, which is going to need at least as much collaboration between the clergy and laity as before, and probably much more. Dr. Patricia Wolff has executed some ambitious ideas about how to save the lives of malnourished children in Haiti. Her latest effort may turn out to be transformative in helping starving people around the world. Wolff, a retired St. Louis pediatrician, has been involved in humanitarian efforts in Haiti for more than 30 years. She founded Meds & Foods for Kids in 2003 and left her practice eight years later to devote herself full-time to the nonprofit. MFK produces a food called Medika Mamba, Creole for peanut butter medicine. Initially, the group was grinding peanuts by hand to make this ready-to-use food that treats malnutrition. After several years of fundraising, the nonprofit opened a new factory in 2012 in Cap-Haitien, in northern Haiti. The factory allowed them to increase production tenfold and doubled the number of Haitian farmers needed to supply peanuts. It provided lifesaving treatment to hundreds of thousands of children. But the factory ran on diesel generators. The price of diesel skyrocketed in recent years and roadblocks would cut off supply for months at a time, shutting down production. It was clear to Wolff that they needed to ditch diesel and make the switch to sustainable energy. I had always thought that Haiti was the perfect place for solar, Wolff said. It was short on a lot of things, but it was not short on sunshine. In 2020, she talked to board member Jeffrey Klopfenstein about the idea. He began searching for an engineering company to design a prototype. Klopfenstein, who has been involved with the MFK board for just over a decade, had retired in 2020 after a career with Novus International, a St. Charles County-based company that makes supplements for animal feed. He found an engineering firm that gave them a report of what could be done and how much it might cost. Wolff presented the proposal to the board in July 2020. They agreed to support it. Then, they had to raise the $1.5 million needed to make it happen. Wolff was told it would likely take two years to fundraise that much money. Because of the pandemic restrictions, she was unable to travel to Haiti from March to August of 2020. She devoted that time to raising money. They reached their goal within 15 months. Klopfenstein, an engineer by training, volunteered as project manager. The first phase was building the electrical infrastructure. The equipment parts were shipped to Long Beach, California, and integrated in a shipping container. They used the shipping container as a building and sent the fabricated equipment to Haiti in May 2021. The second phase was the solar phase. Klopfenstein hired another engineering company to make more detailed designs. The designs turned into purchase orders. Klopfenstein said he ordered 27,000 parts last year. They had 680 panels and a battery system the size of a Volkswagen microbus. They experienced the same supply chain issues the rest of the world was dealing with during the pandemic. I would call vendors, and I would make friends, Klopfenstein said. He would tell the story of the organization to vendors and engineers a story about trying to save lives while saving the environment and people went above and beyond to help. There were several engineers here in St. Louis who said, yes, and put in hours and hours to make it all happen, he said. He also located all the solar contractors in Haiti and put out a call for bids. The Haitian company that won the contract worked six days a week for seven straight weeks to complete the installation. The bid package was well over 100 pages, and Klopfenstein had practically memorized it. He spent countless hours communicating through WhatsApp with the workers in Haiti answering their questions during the process. Theres a lot of bad press about bad things that happen in Haiti, but not everything in Haiti is like that, he said. There are hard working people who want to do a good job. ... It was perfect teamwork. On March 24, they flipped on the switch at the factory. It worked. The project came in under budget and ahead of schedule. It was thrilling, Wolff said. They would no longer be exposed to the diesel fumes at the factory or the noisy generators. Most importantly, they would greatly expand their production capabilities. Through MFKs partnership with UNICEF Global, their Haitian-made therapeutic foods are used to treat malnutrition in 17 other countries. This year we have doubled our production of any prior year because we are so efficient, she said. Currently, the factory is the largest solar-powered project in the country, although other projects are underway. Haiti has long been a needy place, and headlines about rising chaos and violence have dominated the news. But Wolff said she refuses to be discouraged about the future. Its more needy now, but its also not hopeless. Wolff: There is a solution to global child hunger and malnourishment According to the latest estimates, as many as 9 million children in the United States live i 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 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 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. ST. LOUIS Robert Wilson paid cash for his ticket. He wore purple-tinted sunglasses and hefted a trombone case onto American Airlines Flight 119, headed for Tulsa, Okla. Wilson slouched into a back row of the Boeing 727. Approaching Tulsa, he showed flight attendant Jane Furlong the submachine gun he smuggled aboard. Furlong told the pilots, "You're not going to believe this, but we're being hijacked." The hijacking on June 23, 1972, was one of many four decades ago, before airlines and airports clamped down on security. That day, American still wasn't using metal detectors at St. Louis, although other airlines were. (American later snapped into line.) What made Wilson's crime noteworthy was its bizarre unfolding. Wilson demanded $502,500 and five parachutes as he ordered the jet back and forth between Oklahoma and St. Louis. He was the ninth copycat of the mysterious D.B. Cooper, who bailed out of a 727 somewhere south of Seattle in 1971, never to be seen again. The thieves liked the three-engine airliner because its rear staircase could be opened in flight for a bail-out. Back in St. Louis, the jet attracted a crowd along the airport perimeter. Wilson dispatched a hostage to get his loot. David J. Hanley of Florissant watched live TV in the Airport Marriott lounge and got angry. At 12:30 a.m., he crashed his 1971 Cadillac convertible through the airport fence and sped down the runway at Wilson's commandeered jet. He smashed into the wheel struts at 80 mph. Inside the plane, a jumpy Wilson demanded a second 727 and hid behind his hostages from FBI sharpshooters as they walked to another jet. They took off, heading northeast. Wilson gave flight attendants generous tips and jumped at 2:50 a.m. over northern Indiana from an altitude of 8,000 feet. Three days later, searchers found the full money sack and gun in fields near Peru, Ind. A fingerprint led to their man, a bruised but alive former Navy sailor named Martin J. McNally, 28, of suburban Detroit. "Wilson" had $13 in his pocket. Hanley, 30, couldn't remember a thing about his deed. He announced his candidacy for president in 1976. McNally drew two life sentences and was sent to the federal prison at Marion, Ill., where he met fellow air pirate Garrett B. Trapnell. On May 24, 1978, Trapnell's girlfriend, Barbara Oswald of Richmond Heights, commandeered a helicopter and ordered its pilot, Allen Barklage, to fly to Marion, where Trapnell, McNally and a third inmate were hiding in a yard. Barklage grabbed Oswald's pistol and killed her in flight. The inmates were nabbed. Trapnell died in prison in 1993. Barklage died in a helicopter crash in 1998. McNally was paroled from a California prison Jan. 27, 2010, at age 67. Scenes from the Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking American Flight 119 hijacking JEFFERSON CITY A Cole County judge has refused to shutter a St. Louis funeral home accused of mishandling bodies, poor record-keeping and unsanitary conditions. The Missouri Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors on May 22 asked Circuit Judge Cotton Walker to temporarily close the Serenity Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service, 1905 Union Boulevard. But Walker on Wednesday denied the states motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction closing the business, saying the state had failed to meet its burden for such an order. Walker said the state produced evidence that the funeral home may not meet state standards. He said there was evidence of necessary building repairs, but not that a substantial probability of serious danger existed the standard the state cited to authorize a funeral homes closure. Our client, Serenity, is very happy that Judge Walker denied the order, and theyre happy that theyre able to continue to serve that community, said Lowell Pearson, a Jefferson City attorney representing the funeral home. A representative for the state board said Thursday they were reviewing the judges order, but declined to comment on pending litigation. Walker held a hearing on the states motion June 9 in Jefferson City. In his order, Walker said the board stated in writing on March 7 that Serenity was in compliance with Missouri law and that purported previous violations were corrected. On March 14, Walker said the board conducted an unannounced inspection and that the state didnt provide the home with findings for that inspection, despite a request by the funeral home. Walker said the state conducted further investigations on April 26, April 27 and May 22, but that the board again did not detail its findings to the home, despite requests from the funeral home. Walker noted the state filed its lawsuit more than two months after the first inspection, and that the lawsuit was the first time that the Board informed Serenity of the alleged violations noted in March and April, Walker said. Once the funeral home received the lawsuit, Serenity immediately started improving the facility in an effort to correct several of the purported violations including ceiling repairs, wall repairs, carpet strip removal, stain removal, new floors in the embalming room, and new locks, Walker said. He said the funeral home also changed its record-keeping procedures. The judge also said the state failed to produce evidence on claims, including that bodies werent embalmed in a timely manner, that bodies were improperly embalmed, and that embalming sink drains were clogged. Walker also said the state didnt produce credible evidence showing bodily fluids dripping onto the floor causes a danger to the public. Walker also addressed findings the home failed to preserve records to identify dead bodies. Walker said the unidentified bodies were identified after a short period of time. To support its claim there was a substantial probability of serious danger to the public, the state said the home was storing bodies in an overflow room and other inappropriate parts of the facility. But Walker said the boards investigator agreed under cross-examination that Missouri law had no requirements for storing embalmed bodies. The judge said the state couldnt identify unembalmed bodies outside the cooler. He said the owner of the funeral home said all bodies outside the cooling unit were embalmed. Walker said the state did not produce credible evidence the bodies posed a substantial probability of serious danger to the public. The judge also dissected the states claim that keeping bodies in a transport van supported the states case. Walker said the investigator said he watched the van for only 10 minutes and that the owner said the bodies were in the van because of a service that would have been disrupted if the bodies were moved. He also addressed a finding the home erroneously reported on death certificates that dead bodies still present at the home had been cremated. The judge said proper identification of a cremation date is a common problem within the industry because the certification must be completed prior to the cremation adding that families often fail to execute the certification prior to the cremation date. UNITED NATIONS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- China's envoy to the United Nations Thursday called for an end to double standards on counter-terrorism. Terrorism remains a significant challenge that threatens international peace and security. In the face of the complex and grave counter-terrorism situation, there is an urgent need to strengthen international counter-terrorism cooperation, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. China supports the United Nations' crucial role in coordinating efforts among countries to combat terrorism. There is no good or bad terrorism. There should not be double standards in counter-terrorism, including focusing only on combating terrorist organizations that threaten oneself while turning a blind eye to terrorist organizations that harm other countries or even use them to interfere in other countries' internal affairs, he said. The response to terrorism threats cannot stay superficial but must focus on eliminating the root causes that breed terrorism, he told a General Assembly debate on the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. "Military action alone cannot eradicate terrorism. Counter-terrorism efforts must address both symptoms and root causes, respect the leading role of the countries involved, and eliminate the root causes of terrorism through a comprehensive approach, which includes eliminating poverty, increasing employment, respecting the diversity of civilizations and enhancing social inclusion." Support for member states' counter-terrorism efforts should focus on capacity-building, said Zhang. Developing countries face the double challenge of inadequate counter-terrorism capacity and insufficient resources. UN counter-terrorism resources should be pivoted toward countries at the forefront of counter-terrorism. The UN should strengthen the coordination of extra-budgetary counter-terrorism resources; divert more funds to step up counter-terrorism legislation, judicial and law enforcement capacity-building in developing countries; and support countries in enhancing their capacity to prevent the cross-border movement of terrorists and combat cyber-terrorism so that counterterrorism assistance can produce tangible results, said Zhang. He stressed that there is a need to pay great attention to the security situation in Afghanistan. Terrorist organizations, such as the Islamic State Khorasan Province, al-Qaida, and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, are wreaking havoc in Afghanistan and operating and carrying out activities in China and Central Asian countries, seriously threatening regional peace and security. All parties should jointly combat the terrorist organizations listed by the UN Security Council and prevent Afghanistan from becoming a gathering place for all kinds of terrorist organizations, he said. China is ready to work with all countries to jointly combat terrorism, a public enemy of the international community -- upholding the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind -- and continue to make positive contributions to international counter-terrorism cooperation, he said. Aisha Sultan Follow Aisha Sultan 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 Much of the world was captivated this week by tragedies unfolding on the seas. The first one was depressingly familiar more than 500 migrants fleeing toward Europe are presumed drowned off the coast of Greece after the ship transporting them sank. The second was astonishingly unusual five adventurers paying $250,000 apiece missing in a submersible lost in the ocean while trying to catch a glimpse of the wreckage of the Titanic. There were unavoidable comparisons between the two maritime disasters the most privileged people on Earth versus the most destitute; a risk taken for adventure versus a risk taken for survival; countries rushing to rescue versus a country deflecting blame. Naturally, the second story about the billionaire adventurers got minute-by-minute, relentless news coverage as opposed to the coverage of the desperate, drowned migrants. The submarine was an unfolding nightmare scenario with a ticking clock and a glimmer of a chance for a miracle rescue. Who wouldnt be fascinated? The United States, and other countries, marshaled considerable resources toward trying to rescue five men wealthier than nearly everyone else on Earth. Meanwhile, Greece fought off criticism for its Coast Guard allegedly failing to help the migrant vessel. I felt terrible for both groups of missing travelers, although Ill admit I had greater empathy for the migrants and greater interest in the search for the billionaires. Both seemed worlds removed from our suburban lives in St. Louis. You couldnt pay me enough to get in an experimental sub descending into the deepest depths of the ocean. I also doubt I would have the courage to risk everything and jump on a ship likely run by human traffickers if I had to flee my home. Each of the terrible scenarios forced me to think about ways in which these distant events could end up affecting our lives, even those so far removed. Environmental ethics professor Ibrahim Ozdemir painted a bleak picture of how the increasing frequency and intensity of climate disasters and droughts will impact people around the globe. In an essay for Politico, he notes that globally, migrant flows have doubled in the past decade, with around 1.2 billion people at risk of being displaced by climate disasters before 2050. The EU is faced with a nearly 64 percent increase in unauthorized migrant crossings a figure that excludes the almost 8 million Ukrainian refugees now scattered across the Continent, he writes. The implications of this mass exodus of people trying to gain entry to other countries threatens to destabilize social order, break down institutions and lead to far more deaths and suffering. Meanwhile, the number and wealth of billionaires keeps growing doubling over the past 10 years. Oxfam reports that billionaire fortunes have increased by $2.7 billion a day, on top of a decade of historic gains. Billionaire wealth surged in 2022 with rapidly rising food and energy profits, the organization reported. The uber wealthy vacationers on superyachts have been encountering destitute migrants on shoddy boats. What a world. So, rather than trying to shame people for being more interested in one news event than the other, its better to understand how they are connected. Granted, it seems much easier to focus on a single high-stakes rescue effort rather than working on systemic problems like climate change and skyrocketing income inequality. Few of us will ever ride on a superyacht or submarine, but all of us are at the mercy of Mother Nature. We are fooling ourselves if we think these forces wont eventually collide our own lives. This past week was a sobering reminder of the hubris of humans and the power of the sea. Tony Messenger Follow Tony Messenger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Renee Breen doesnt trust the judicial system in Iron County. Its easy to understand why. In March, the sheriff and two of his deputies in this southeast Missouri community were arrested and charged with criminal street gang activity, in an alleged plot to help a friend in a custody dispute. Attorney General Andrew Bailey is now trying to remove the sheriff, Jeff Burkett, from office something the local prosecutor also tried to do shortly after Burketts election. Burkett and his deputies have pleaded not guilty. Their attorneys allege others in the judicial system are out to get them. Its quite a mess. Three months before those men were arrested, Breen found herself in the jail they used to run. The 63-year-old got in a spat with a man with whom she was living in a trailer. She was drinking. There was some pushing and shoving. A door was broken. The sheriffs office was called. According to the police report, she was put in the Iron County Jail for 12 hour safe keeping because of her intoxicated state. In other words, she wasnt arrested. She wasnt charged with a crime. To call the Iron County facility a jail is a stretch. Its more like a dungeon, Breen says. Its been that way for a long time, with limestone walls that date to the 1800s, little sunlight, leaks, black mold and bat guano. Its a Civil War-era facility that is hot in the summer, cold in the winter and is finally due an infusion of money from the budget that the Missouri Legislature passed this year. I just stood in the corner for hours and hours, Breen remembers. There was nowhere to sit. After 12 hours, after she had sobered up, Breen was still in jail. In fact, she was there for days. Thats because, according to the police report, a deputy and a jailer decided to go through her purse looking for a set of car keys. The report doesnt say why they were looking for the keys, or whether they asked Breens permission to dig through her purse. But it alleges they found a container with methamphetamine in it. Breen says theres no way thats true. She owns up to her drinking. She has a medical marijuana card. I dont do drugs, she says. Breen was charged with felony drug possession. She spent almost two weeks in the dungeon before her public defender could get the judge to let her out on a personal recognizance bond. The public defender, Ayla Chadbourne, also filed a motion to suppress the evidence, which she argues was obtained without due process in an unlawful search. Defendant did not consent to the search or seizure and any alleged consent was not voluntary and understandingly and knowingly given, the motion reads. The items seized were not in plain view and the seizing officers were not at a place the officers had a legal right to be. The case highlights a constant problem in our nations legal system, in which people with money can get different results than people of lesser means. Wealthy people, or those who know somebody in the system, dont often end up in jail in these situations. Once youre in jail, bad things can happen. Breen is one of those people of lesser means. Shes bounced around from state to state Nebraska, Colorado, California, Missouri. She had been working as a fry cook in Caledonia. By the time she got out of jail, she had no place to live and no job. Her daughter in Texas sent her a train ticket. Thats where Breen was when we spoke, and thats what her current problem is, even in a case that appears to be a slam-dunk loser. In Iron County, and many rural counties in Missouri, its common practice for a judge to require weekly drug testing for defendants on pre-trial release, often through a private, for-profit probation company. In this case, Breen was told to come to the Iron County Jail every Monday to be drug tested. By the time the first Monday came, she was in Texas. Now theres a warrant out for her arrest. Her public defender has told her that they might be able to get the charges dismissed but Breen first has to come back to Iron County. Who in the hell wants to be 63 years old and have a warrant out for your arrest in another state? Breen says. But I had to run, man. I had no other choice. I had nowhere to go. The prosecutor, of course, could drop the charges. The judge could rule on the motion to suppress and wipe the case away. But none of that probably happens if Breen doesnt come back to Iron County and turn herself in where she believes she will end up in the dungeon again, for however long it takes for justice to occur in a place that sometimes lacks it. Im not a nefarious person, Breen says. I know I probably have to come back at some point, but I just dont trust anybody in that county. This has ruined my life. Its been a nightmare that wont end. Messenger: Shes 64, with a clean record. But she spent 3 days in jail for being poor. A loose dog, an ordinance violation and fines she couldn't afford led to jail time for an Iron County, Missouri, woman. Then a local lawyer spoke up for her. 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. COLLINSVILLE Collinsville police shot and injured a man they say pointed a weapon at them on Tuesday. Illinois State Police, which is investigating the shooting, said Collinsville officers were initially called to the 1100 block of St. Clair Avenue for a report of a man with a gun. Officers shot and injured the 30-year-old man just before 9:15 p.m. after they say he pointed a weapon at them. State police did not provide information about the man's condition. No officers were injured in the incident. A Collinsville major contacted by a reporter on Thursday refused to talk about the incident, referring all questions to Illinois State Police. Despite repeated inquiries, neither police agency issued details about the shooting until Thursday afternoon about 40 hours after it happened. ST. LOUIS It may be another four more months before the citys jail oversight board can review complaints in the facility, a St. Louis city official said Thursday. Members of the oversight board have long complained that theyve faced significant obstruction from city officials as the board tries to enter and investigate the City Justice Center. And now, city officials say, a lack of training may further delay investigations. City ordinance requires new board members to participate in an extensive orientation program on confidentiality, federal and state laws and other topics, as well as a separate, hourslong presentation required by the jail. To date, the board has not completed all the required training, Nicolle Barton, executive director of the citys Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, told aldermen on Thursday. Our administration does share the boards frustration ... but we do have to follow the law. But Matthew Brummund, the former head of the Division of Civilian Oversight before his resignation last month over transparency complaints, said the training wasnt a prerequisite. Instead, he said, it was one of several excuses made by the jails commissioner, Jennifer Clemons-Abdullah, and the city counselors office for why neither the oversight divisions investigators nor board members could review any complaints. Oversight is not currently happening, he said. We dont have any insight into whats going on. But Barton maintained that the training had to be done before they could investigate complaints, and she said in the meantime she would try to get investigators employed by the civilian oversight division into detention facilities. Committee members said they hoped officials would move quickly. A lot can happen in four months, said Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier. ST. LOUIS Prosecutors charged a man Friday with first-degree murder in the death of a father of three on Christmas Eve in 2020. Myles Overby, 35, is accused of shooting 21-year-old Christopher Rea in the back of the head on Dec. 24, 2020 while Rea was driving a truck in the 8100 block of South Broadway. The scene was in the city's Patch neighborhood. Witnesses who knew Overby identified him in surveillance photos, and police said Overby told multiple people that he had shot Rea, police said. Rea, a father of three young girls, grew up in south St. Louis and attended Roosevelt High School, his sister, Brandy Tate, told the Post-Dispatch in 2020. "He never missed a chance to tell us he loved us," Tate said. "Every 10 minutes he would text us and when I asked him why, he said, 'Because I want to hear you say 'I love you' back.' " Overby is on supervision by the Missouri Department of Probation and Parole for multiple burglary offenses out of St. Louis County. FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS One year after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, medical providers are uncertain about what services they can legally provide, and patients seeking abortions are traveling hundreds of miles to clinics that often cant admit them right away, because of a steep increase in demand. Thats the situation health care workers, patients and abortion-rights advocates described to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who visited St. Louis Friday to take stock of reproductive health care services in the region on the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision. After the Supreme Court decided Dobbs v. Jackson, which overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade case that had established a constitutional right to abortion in 1973, Missouri banned abortion except in cases of medical emergencies that threaten the life of a pregnant woman. That shift has created an even greater divergence in the policies on the east and west sides of the state line that runs through the St. Louis region. On Friday, Becerra and Rep. Cori Bush, a St. Louis Democrat, visited two Planned Parenthood clinics, 17 miles apart, on opposite sides of the Mississippi River. The first, in Fairview Heights, Illinois, has become one of the few abortion clinics in a wide swath of the Midwest. The second, in Missouri, was the last abortion clinic in the state. Becerra and Bush were both at the Missouri clinic one year earlier, for a panel discussion, when the Supreme Court issued the Dobbs decision. Dr. Colleen McNicholas, Planned Parenthoods regional chief medical officer, said people are now traveling farther, and waiting longer for appointments at the Fairview Heights clinic. Wait times have increased from two or three days, before the Supreme Court decision, to about two weeks. In the past year, the clinic has seen patients from 29 states. Though the facility has increased its hours, McNicholas said, The truth is, we are not going to meet all the needs. Planned Parenthood said more than 40% of abortion patients come to the clinic from outside of Missouri and Illinois. McNicholas said that is compared to about 7% before the Supreme Court decision. Vasectomy appointments have increased by 97 percent over the past 11 months, Planned Parenthood said. For about an hour in Fairview Heights, Planned Parenthood employees told Becerra stories about the influx of patients traveling there. They said in some cases, patients had never left their home states before. Beyond helping patients arrange travel, organize childcare and figure out how to pay for the journey, at times clinic staff have to explain how to navigate airports, and how a layover works. Clearly, the stories are devastating, Becerra said after visiting the Fairview Heights clinic. Were going to continue this fight. One of the main topics of conversation during Becerras visit was the confusion felt by patients and medical providers over the new legal landscape for reproductive health in the U.S. Patients are scared. Theyre confused. They dont know who to trust for accurate information. Providers feel theyre on very shaky ground, said Michelle Trupiano, of the nonprofit Missouri Family Health Council. Trupiano referenced a survey released this week found that many Missouri residents are uncertain about whether birth control is legal in the state. Contraception is not abortion, Becerra said. Do not let anyone deceive you. Earlier this year, Axios reported that HHS was considering a range of other possible actions on abortion access, potentially including a public health emergency declaration. At a press conference late Friday morning at the St. Louis clinic, Becerra said HHS has never excluded any particular proposal. We continue to explore what we can do, Becerra said. Were going to do our part. We will consider any proposal, and we will act wherever we can. In April, HHS proposed rules that would prohibit the disclosure of reproductive health information for criminal, civil or administrative investigations. In May, HHS announced investigations into two hospitals one in Missouri, and one in Kansas alleging they failed to provide care to a patient in an emergency. The Associated Press reported that doctors at both hospitals told a patient that her fetus would not survive and that she was at risk for serious infection or losing her uterus, but they would not terminate the pregnancy because a fetal heartbeat was still detectable. HHS is investigating the hospitals actions as violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA. On Friday, Melanie Fontes Rainer, director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights, said the situation is pending. Becerra said the agency doesnt report on its investigative work. But, he added, HHS will take action if hospitals violate EMTALA, up to and including removing facilities Medicaid reimbursements. Planned Parenthood says it won't change its practice on medication abortions Staff at Planned Parenthood's clinic in southern Illinois say they will continue to provide medication abortions as usual, despite a federal appeals court decision late Wednesday restricting access. Metro East center served more than 5,000 abortion patients in first year, report says The Regional Logistics Center, launched in January 2022 by Planned Parenthood and Hope Clinic, helps patients cover costs for child care, travel and missing work. Missouri clinics offer free vasectomies, citing a surge in demand Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri performed 42 vasectomies in July, compared to 10 in the same month last year. Wait times grow longer as out-of-state demand for Illinois abortions skyrockets Before the Dobbs ruling, a patient could schedule an appointment to terminate a pregnancy in three or four days in the Metro East. Now its taking on average three weeks or more because of a massive influx of out-of-state patients. Missouri teens face a significant hurdle to getting an out-of-state abortion Despite Illinois dropping parental notification requirements for teens, a similar law in Missouri can prevent teens from getting help to cross the state line for an abortion. Standing up: Women leaders in St. Louis respond to post-Roe reality In the days following Missouris abortion ban, local women leaders scrambled to anticipate the fallout and what it might mean for their industries and organizations. At Missouris last abortion clinic, St. Louisans reckon with the fall of Roe v. Wade The Supreme Courts decision will almost certainly divide the St. Louis metro area, a center of abortion access and a region with deep Catholic roots. ST. LOUIS The city is turning to recreation centers in an effort to combat gun violence among teenagers in St. Louis. Mayor Tishaura O. Jones on Thursday explained the decision to keep recreation centers open later on weekends this summer at a media briefing. The decision came after 11 teens were shot, one fatally, at a party in downtown St. Louis. "Our recreation centers are trusted in the community, and our staff form relationships with the parents who go there," Jones said outside the Gateway YMCA. The Wohl and Marquette recreation centers will be open until 1 a.m. in hopes it will keep more teenagers away from gun violence. Jones cited other cities, including Newark, New Jersey, and Tampa Bay, that have had success expanding the services offered by their recreation centers. "This is a primary investment, if we make the right primary investments we won't need to invest as much on secondary," said Jones. Jones and other community leaders met on Thursday in a closed meeting after the media briefing to discuss what else can be done to reduce youth gun violence in the city. JEFFERSON CITY The Missouri Supreme Court said Friday it would hear oral arguments July 18 in a fight over a ballot initiative to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem on Tuesday ordered Attorney General Andrew Bailey to sign off on the abortion initiatives cost estimate prepared by a fellow Republican, State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick. Bailey has refused to do so. Beetem ordered Bailey to approve the fiscal note summary within 24 hours of the ruling. That deadline passed Wednesday with no such action from Bailey. Bailey instead asked the Missouri Supreme Court to intervene in the case. The Supreme Court on Friday scheduled oral arguments for 3 p.m. on July 18. Anna Fitz-James, represented by the ACLU of Missouri, originally filed the lawsuit May 4. After Bailey failed to sign off on the summary this week, the ACLU asked Beetem to issue an order enforcing his order, arguing Bailey couldnt automatically stay Beetems ruling by appealing the case, the Missouri Independent reported. The outlet reported the attorney general argued his notice of appeal was sufficient to stay Beetems order. The legal conflict stems from a March determination by Fitzpatrick 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. 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. Judge rejects Missouri attorney general's bid to rewrite ballot language on abortion issue Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who has refused to sign off on the amendment's potential cost estimate, will have to do so, the judge ordered Top Missouri Republicans face off in court over abortion amendment The face-off is part of 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. Missouri AG had no authority to inflate cost of abortion amendment, auditor argues The case is scheduled for trial on Wednesday morning, with the ACLU asking a judge to order the secretary of state to finalize the summary. Why have so many good conservatives left the Missouri AGs office, challenger asks Key lawyers who worked to advance Eric Schmitts agenda quit in the first five months of Attorney General Andrew Baileys tenure. Lawsuit over Missouri AG push to inflate cost of abortion ballot measure heads to trial next month Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick refused to acquiesce to a demand by Attorney General Andrew Bailey to increase the estimated cost of the proposed amendment ACLU asks judge to force state to finalize ballot summary for Missouri abortion amendment Supporters of an abortion-rights initiative petition contend the attorney general acted unlawfully when he pressed the state auditor to increase the projected cost of the proposal. More than 3,000 workers at over 150 Starbucks stores in the United States will walk off the job over the next week, the union representing the coffee chains baristas said on Friday, following claims the company had banned Pride Month decorations at some of its cafes. The strikes are also aimed at pushing the company to reach fair labor contracts for improved pay and benefits, the Starbucks Workers United union added. The company is yet to reach any collective bargaining agreements at its newly unionized cafes. Shares of Starbucks, which runs about 9,000 U.S. company-owned locations, fell more than 2.5% in broadly lower markets. The strike comes ahead of a big weekend for U.S. Pride Month celebrations, with Pride Parades set to take place on Sunday in several major cities including New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Chicago. The union claims that managers at dozens of Starbucks locations had prevented employees from putting up Pride Month flags and decorations, or had removed them. Starbucks on Friday called the claims false information. It said last week there had been no change to any policy on this matter and it was still encouraging store managers to celebrate Pride Month as long as store safety guidelines were followed. Several U.S. retail brands have faced backlash from conservatives over the display of LGBTQ+ merchandise, as well as criticism from gay rights groups for insufficient support for the community after the companies relented under pressure from conservatives. U.S. retailer Target was forced to pull some Pride merchandise off shelves after confrontations between some shoppers and store workers, while Anheuser-Busch InBevs efforts to market to the transgender community have led to a steep drop in sales of its Bud Light beer in recent weeks. Shareholders are taking note. Earlier in June, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who manages the states public pension funds, wrote to Starbucks, Target and more than 50 other companies in which the funds are invested. DiNapoli asked them to explain how they were managing corporate risks from recent attacks on LGBTQ+ equality, including their approach to state legislation that could hurt recruitment, and how they were supporting LGBTQ+ employees. Starbucks was the first company to reply to DiNapoli. On June 14, it reiterated its inclusive policies, showing a timeline that goes back to 1988, when it began offering full health benefits to same-sex domestic partners, according to letters seen by Reuters. Starbucks also faces hundreds of complaints at the National Labor Relations Board, over its alleged illegal practices such as firing union supporters and shutting stores during labor campaigns. Workers at more than 300 U.S. stores have voted to unionize since late 2021. Starbucks Workers United said on Friday the companys flagship Seattle Roastery was kicking off the nationwide strike, dubbed Strike with Pride. Updated at 1:30 p.m. UNITED NATIONS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday called for efforts to strengthen African counter-terrorism efforts at the launch of the UN Joint Appeal for Counter-Terrorism in Africa. China welcomes the launch of the Joint Appeal given that terrorism is a significant threat facing the African continent, said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations. China hopes the Flagship Initiative will promote synergy among UN agencies to help Africa deal with the challenge of terrorism, he added. Dai called for efforts to strengthen counter-terrorism capacity-building in Africa. Practices in many African countries have proved that establishing professional security institutions can fight terrorism and maintain stability. In August last year, China promoted a Security Council open debate on strengthening Africa's capacity-building. The council adopted a presidential statement, one of the crucial goals of which is to support Africa's security capacity-building, said Dai. "We hope the Joint Appeal will promote the tilting of global counter-terrorism resources to Africa, focusing on increasing support for capacity-building." He also called for efforts to tackle the root causes of terrorism. In February this year, the UN Development Programme released a report stating that poverty and unemployment constitute the main reasons for people in the Sahel region to join violent extremist organizations. This also applies to other regions in Africa with terrorist activities. Dai said he hoped that projects under the appeal would help improve the living conditions of people in poor areas and eliminate the root causes of conflicts. In addition, Dai called for an objective look at the challenges facing Africa's counter-terrorism operations, including the issue of human rights. "With regard to human rights issues, it should be noted that the AU (African Union) and African countries have made great efforts to strengthen the capacity-building of the troops and enhance the awareness of human rights protection," he said. "One cannot just assume that there is a problem with the protection of human rights every time the issue of counter-terrorism in Africa is mentioned. This is a kind of prejudice. Human rights cannot be used as an excuse to reduce counter-terrorism support to Africa. It is hoped that relevant projects of the Joint Appeal will pay attention to this issue." The Global Security Initiative proposed by China takes support for Africa's counter-terrorism as essential. It promotes strengthening the role of the United Nations in fighting terrorism. In recent years, China has supported UN agencies such as the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism through the China-UN Peace and Development Fund. Dai said that China would actively participate in the Joint Appeal, deepen cooperation with UN agencies under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation framework and the China-UN Peace and Development Fund, and provide more support for Africa's counter-terrorism efforts. The launch of the joint appeal was a side event during UN Counter-Terrorism Week. BRUSSELS NATO faces a series of dilemmas in its attempts to fight climate change while ensuring the effectiveness of its combat forces, as Europes biggest land war in decades ravages Ukraine, the head of the military alliance saYS. The worlds armed forces are among the greatest consumers of hydrocarbons fuel and oil that contribute to greenhouse gases. They have been in much demand recently as global warming fans conflicts and crises because of resource and food scarcity. The main dilemma NATO is contending with, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said this past week, is the difficult choice between either having a green or a strong military." He said that NATO needs to "reconcile the need for an effective, strong, armed forces with the need to have climate-friendly armed forces. Last year, in its new Strategic Concept essentially NATOs mission statement the worlds biggest security organization recognized, for the first time, climate change as a defining challenge of our time, with a profound impact on Allied security. The document acknowledged that the 31-nation alliances infrastructure, assets and bases are vulnerable to its effects. It warned that NATO armies are being forced to operate in more extreme climate conditions and are increasingly called upon to take part in disaster relief operations. Climate change is a crisis multiplier. It increases competition over scarce resources like water and land, and it drives millions of people to leave their country. So, all this impacts our security, Stoltenberg told the AP at NATO's headquarters in Brussels. Last week, NATO began an air deployment exercise in Germany billed as the biggest in the alliances history. Some 250 aircraft a major source of emissions from 25 nations responded to a simulated attack on a NATO member. The United States alone sent about 100 aircraft. The exercise was long-planned, but remains part of NATOs deterrence and defense strategy; its ongoing effort to dissuade Russian President Vladimir Putin from expanding his war against Ukraine to any member of the alliance. Wargames are not likely to be halted. Stoltenberg said that the best way to achieve a balance is to develop technology and to ensure that the armed forces are part of the energy transition which is going on. NATO has established an innovation fund and a center for excellence on climate change to help develop such technology. The United Kingdom has also begun to use more climate-friendly fuels, biofuels, for some of its aircraft. Other allies are working on ways to reduce their dependency on diesel, which is also particularly vulnerable to air or land attacks when being transported. But Stoltenberg said that NATO cannot simply go 100% from fossil technologies to zero-emission technologies in one stroke. That raises another dilemma. Over time we will have parallel systems that will increase costs and there will be additional problems with logistics, when it comes to supplying motors, battle tanks and ships with different kinds of fuels and parts, he said. The other dilemma (is) to make sure that the systems can work together, Stoltenberg said. If different nations (use) different systems that are partly fossil and partly new technologies, then the issue of the interchangeability and interoperability will be even harder. The fight against climate change has, in some ways, been postponed by the heavy reliance of many European countries on Russia for oil and natural gas before it invaded Ukraine last year. Some, like Poland, are slowing their transition away from coal, while others, such as Belgium, plan to keep using nuclear energy for longer. Stoltenberg warned that nations must be wary of creating new dependencies, notably on authoritarian countries like China, for rare earth minerals like lithium and cobalt used in the manufacture of batteries and solar panels and windmills. Security though is at the heart of the battle against climate change, Stoltenberg told the AP, and peace is a precondition for that, whether in Ukraine or elsewhere. We need peace and stability, he said, so countries can cooperate among themselves and incur a meaningful global effort to reduce emissions. If allies or Ukraine were forced to choose between a climate-friendly or an effective armed force, then everyone would choose a strong and effective military because thats about our security, he said. The challenge, Stoltenberg underlined is to reconcile, those two goals in the long run. Photos: United Nations' climate agency's State of Global Climate 2022 KANSAS CITY, Mo. A group of civil rights organizations on Friday again asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate constitutional violations, excessive force complaints and discrimination against Black people by the Kansas City Police Department. The group, led by the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity, or MORE2, includes the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City and other faith and social activist groups. In a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice, released publicly by the group Friday, the activists said federal authorities have not addressed the deep concerns of citizens, namely the disparate treatment of Black Kansas Citians, from disproportionate stops to use of force. The letter cited systemic constitutional violations, an alarming amount of excessive force violations and the targeting of Black motorists to achieve ticket quotas. The same organizations were part of a group that filed a similar letter to the Justice Department in July 2021. Since then, the Justice Department has launched an investigation of employment practices to determine whether racism is a factor in the hiring and promotions of Black KCPD officers. The group is asking the Justice Department to conduct a pattern and practice investigation of the Kansas City police force. Sgt. Jacob Becchina, a police department spokesman, told The Star in an email that Police Chief Stacey Graves takes the concerns of the community very seriously. Since she was appointed Chief, she has made relationships a priority. She has met with community groups, key stakeholders, and instituted regular listening sessions to hear the communitys concerns, Becchina wrote. Becchina said the police department has cooperated, and would continue to cooperate, with the Justice Department. In the 22-page letter to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, the social activist group laid out examples they said demonstrated a pattern of systemic constitutional violations. The letter pointed to the millions of dollars the police department has paid out to settle civil lawsuits stemming from officers using excessive force against Black residents, the departments failure to investigate missing Black residents and the slowness of Kansas City police to arrest a white man who shot Ralph Yarl, a Black teen who knocked on the mans door by mistake. Black people in Kansas City live in terror of KCPD because of the lack of any accountability, the letter said. When an officer uses excessive force, the department claims the force was legal, the prosecutor rarely charges officers, and if an individual is lucky, they will get a settlement and KCPD will not make any policy changes. The letter notes that Kansas City, unlike most major U.S. cities, does not control its own police department. As a result, the police department is not accountable to city residents. Four of the five members of the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners board, which controls the police department, are appointed by the Missouri governor. The fifth member is the mayor of Kansas City. In their letter, the activists say the board is essentially a rubber stamp for anything the department puts before it. To this point, no amount of public complaints, lawsuits and judgments/settlements have been enough to spark a shred of change, the letter said. In September, the Justice Department announced had launched an investigation of employment practices at KCPD t o determine if the force engaged in racial discrimination in hiring and promoting Black officers. Federal investigation arrived months after The Star published a series of stories examining allegations of racism and harassment inside KCPD. The series profiled Herb Robinson, a Black detective, who believes he was racially profiled by two of his colleagues. The stop was captured on dash camera, in which his colleagues can be heard calling him dumbass and a retard. Robinson has filed a civil racial discrimination lawsuit against KCPD. Leaders of the group said they hoped a federal investigation would result in the police department entering into a consent decree with the Justice Department. Such a move would compel the police department to address problems with the use of force and failure to properly train and discipline officers. The KCPDs misconduct will continue to go unfettered and unchecked until an independent outside agency intervenes - and the federal government is the only independent entity that has the power to intervene, according to the letter. On June 16, the Justice Department released the results of a two-year investigation of Minneapolis police begun after the murder of George Floyd. The investigation found that Minneapolis officers used excessive force, including unjustified deadly force, and violated the rights of people engaged in constitutionally protected speech. Regarding " The Statue of Liberty has arrived in Sauget. Sort of. " (June 20): The transition of a downscaled statue of Lady Liberty from a blue state to look out upon a red one across the Mississippi was worthy of any front page. When unpacked, she was photographed in a prone position. Perhaps being this close to Missouri caused her to duck and cover. Her risk from harm went up a great deal just moving to Illinois, where the death rate by firearms per 100,000 persons was 16.1, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Possible random stay shots from across the river where Missouri has a death rate of 23.2 must cause her to shake right down to her pedestal. She must miss New York, where the death rate is only 5.4. Chinese fishing trawlers, often accompanied by Chinese warships, were responsible for a nine percent decline in the annual tonnage of fish caught. Fishing is a large part of the Filipino economy because Filipino fishing boats normally bring in nearly 300,000 tons of fish a year. The Filipino fishing boat operators are angry at their governments inability to prevent this Chinese behavior. The government has purchased more gunboats for the coast guard and navy but the Chinese already have far more armed ships escorting Chinese fishing boats and interfering with the operation of Filipino trawlers. While the government is unable to halt the Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, the battle against domestic communist rebels and Islamic terrorism is another matter. Over the last few years communist rebels (the NPA) and Islamic terrorist groups like Abu Sayyaf have suffered heavy losses because of more army and police efforts against them. These groups no longer make the headlines because there are only about a hundred of these rebels still active and their main activity is avoiding detection by the army and police. During the last two years the NPA (New Peoples Army) rapidly fell apart after several senior leaders were killed or captured, some of them with over fifty years NPA experience. Many were found because of tips from local civilians. Most of the political violence in the Philippines since World War II has come from communists, who were present but not very active before World War II. The communists became a major part of the armed opposition fighting the brutal 1942-45 Japanese occupation. After independence in 1946, leftist rebels continued fighting, trying to establish a communist dictatorship. That proved difficult to do. A major reorganization took place in the 1960s, resulting in the creation of the NPA in 1969. The new communist rebel organization adopted the Chinese Maoist long term strategy. That was not very successful despite lots of economic and social problems they could promise to fix if they were in charge. Enthusiasm for a "communist solution" went sharply downhill after the collapse of the Soviet Union and its East European communist allies between 1989 and 1991. That massive failure of communist states left the NPA much weaker ideologically and vulnerable to subsequent amnesty programs. A decade ago, NPA leaders admitted that they had only a small fraction of their peak (in the 1980s) strength of 26,000 armed members. There were some serious attempts to reverse the decline in popularity. NPA gunmen were instructed to behave better around civilians and the NPA were found giving some civilians, especially health or aid workers, cash compensation of a few hundred dollars each for wounds received during NPA attacks on soldiers or police. The government increased its efforts to provide medical care for such victims of NPA violence, the NPA tried to compete and found they couldnt afford it. Many NPA members arrested recently were wanted for banditry and similar crimes. Information on the location of NPA camps, weapons storage sites or covert supporters is now regularly obtained from local civilians or surrendering NPA members. Because of that more NPA camps are being attacked, weapons storage sites seized and key supporters arrested or killed, even in traditional strongholds like Bukidnon and Negros Occidental provinces. Philippine Islamic terrorist activity, mainly in the Moslem south, is also rapidly disappearing. The autonomous Moslem regional government plays a role in that, encouraging Moslems to resist, not aid the remaining Islamic terror groups. The government offers amnesty to those who surrender and are not accused of serious crimes like murder or kidnapping. This has played a major role in reducing the number of Islamic terrorists still active to about fifty. Since the autonomous Moslem Bangasamoro area was created in 2014, diehard separatist groups like BIFF, ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) and Abu Sayyaf were treated as outlaws in Bangasamoro and continually lost support and members since 2014, but are still around though not nearly as actively as they were before 2014. Bangasamoro security forces cooperate with the army to find and shut down these outlaw groups. Since 2014 this joint effort has largely eliminated Abu Sayyaf, BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters) rebels and several smaller Islamic terrorist groups. These groups have not disappeared, but have become much less active because of declining membership. With only a few dozen members left there are not enough to form active groups for carrying out attacks or kidnapping for ransom. June 19, 2023: Japan, the United States and the Philippines agreed to increase and coordinate their naval presence in those portions of the South China Sea that fall within the Philippiness EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) that is part of the South China Sea area China is claiming. The EEZ extends 360 kilometers from the coast. This means the three allies will patrol the ocean area 360 kilometers from the Philippine islands that face the South China Sea. The Philippines call this area the West Philippine Sea but China now claims it belongs to them. Although the EEZ is recognized by international law, and a treaty that China signed and uses to defend waters off its own coast, China says that does not apply here because all the islets in the South China Sea belong to China and there is no room for negotiation on that point. The new agreement means that Filipino, American and Japanese warships and aircraft will jointly patrol the West Philippine Sea and confront any Chinese forces seeking to prevent anyone else from using its naval forces to intimidate, often physically, non-Chinese economic activity in the West Philippine Sea. Filipino coast guard and navy forces were outnumbered by the Chinese and the new three-nation agreement will deal with the Chinese bullying. The Philippines has also accepted American aid in reopening and expanding air and naval bases that make it easier for allied warplanes and warships to operate near the Philippines. China protested this move because it put American military aircraft within range of Taiwan and in a position to quickly oppose a Chinese attack on Taiwan. The U.S. has mutual defense treaties with Taiwan as well as the Philippines and most American other allies in East Asia, including Thailand. June 17, 2023: In the south (Agusan del Norte province) soldiers summoned by local villagers confronted a group of armed NPA rebels. After a brief gun battle three NPA gunmen were killed and the rest fled. June 14, 2023: In the south (Sulu), a 13-year old Egyptian member of Abu Sayyaf surrendered to the army. The adolescent Islamic terrorist and his family came from Egypt as tourists in 2017. He was the youngest and after his mother, father and two elder brothers the family died or were killed during their short careers as Islamic terrorists, the ten-year old son remained working for Abu Sayyaf but eventually saw no future in it. An older (27-year old) Abu Sayyaf member who was planning to surrender allows the 13-year old to join him. Such surrenders by Abu Sayyaf members are increasingly common, especially among the younger Islamic terrorists. In the south (Mindanao) the current emir (leader) of ISSA (IS Southeast Asia) was killed by soldiers. ISSA is the local ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) franchise that includes Filipino groups, like Abu Sayyaf, as well as smaller factions in Malaysia and Indonesia. June 13, 2023: Fifty police officers are accused of conspiring to steal some of a large (nearly a ton) of methamphetamine pills (shabu) seized late in 2022. This much shabu was worth over a hundred million dollars and a large number of corrupt police were planning to steal and resell some of this shabu. This plan involved ten senior police commanders, including two police generals. Such a large operation also attracted the attention of anti-corruption investigators. June 7, 2023: In the south (Basilan province) soldiers encountered and killed two Abu Sayyaf leaders. June 5, 2023: The government is purchasing twelve Swedish JAS 39C Gripen jet fighters. The only competition was the American F-16. Sweden offered a more attractive deal, in part because F-16s are more numerous and often cheaper. The F-116 model the Philippines wanted was not cheaper. May 26, 2023: In the north (Bulacan province) soldiers and police found and arrested two NPA members, one of them a senior leader. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Condor Resources Inc. - ("Condor" or the "Company") (TSXV:CN) is pleased to advise that it has received the June 23, 2023 payment from Chakana Copper Corp. ("Chakana") pursuant to Chakana's option to acquire a 100% interest in the Company's Soledad concessions in Peru. Under the terms of the agreement with Chakana, payment consisted of US$1.0 million cash, and 1.379 million Chakana shares. Commented Condor President Lyle Davis: "Chakana's technical execution at Soledad has been excellent, and we believe that Chakana's exploration programs have the potential to add significant value to the project. Condor is a significant and supportive shareholder of Chakana." Condor is an active explorer focused exclusively on Peru, supplemented by a project generator and royalty model designed to generate exploration capital whilst minimizing shareholder dilution. Our objective in advancing our portfolio of projects is the discovery of a major new precious metals or base metals deposit in Peru. Project acquisition and exploration activities are managed by the Company's Lima based exploration team. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Lyle Davis, President & Chief Executive Officer For further information please contact the Company at 1-866-642-5707, or by email at [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities law. 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 applicable 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 and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in such statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. SOURCE: Condor Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com: NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Edison International: Every dollar donated to the L.A. Food Bank can create four meals for those in need. PHOTO CREDIT: ERIKA POTTER Energized by Edison By Erika Potter ENERGIZED by Edison Writer As summer sets in, many children lose access to the meals provided by their schools. To combat the pressing issue of childhood hunger during the summer months, Southern California Edison joined the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank for its annual Food From the Bar campaign. Over two weekends, volunteers sorted through almost 50,000 pounds of produce, separating potatoes and oranges into boxes that will join other groceries for distribution. Food From the Bar taps into the legal community's philanthropic spirit by engaging law firms, legal departments and organizations in a friendly competition to raise funds and volunteer hours to support the food bank's mission: eliminating food insecurity. Last year, 50 law firms or legal organizations participated in the program, raising $550,000. This year, 65 organizations (including SCE) are involved and hoping to hit a goal of $615,000. Every dollar donated creates four meals for those in need. The nonprofit fundraiser will continue to accept donations through May 31, allowing individuals to contribute to the fight against childhood hunger in Los Angeles County. Visit Los Angeles Food Bank or Food From The Bar for more information or to contribute. For more information on Edison International's community giving and philanthropic initiatives, visit edison.com/community. Above are photos from the recent volunteer events. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Edison International on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Edison International Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/edison-international Email: [email protected] SOURCE: Edison International View source version on accesswire.com: SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Quality Industrial Corp. (OTC:QIND), is a mergers and acquisitions company focused primarily on the Industrial and Oil and Gas sectors. Earlier this week, the company appointed a prominent investment bank to act as its exclusive lead managing underwriter in connection with the sale of its common stock in a firm commitment public offering with a concurrent listing of the Company's common stock on the NYSE American. The company confirms that it plans to file its S-1 Registration Statement for the underwritten offering as well as its preliminary application for review by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) within the next 10 business days. Today, the company filed its preliminary Schedule 14C Information Statement following authorization by its Board of Directors for a reverse split of QIND's stock under the condition that it may only be accomplished for the purpose of and at the same time as listing of the Company's common stock on a National Exchange. The Process QIND has prepared its preliminary application for review by the NYSE and is now finalizing its S-1 Registration Statement for the underwritten offering. The S-1 is expected to be filed within the next 10 business days, during which the Investment Bank will be revealed. Upon approval of the company's NYSE application and completion of the offering, QIND intends to list to the NYSE American. If required in order to meet the bid price requirement for listing to the NYSE American, the company will affect the authorized reverse stock split simultaneous to its listing on the Exchange. Investment Bank QIND has exclusively appointed a New York headquartered Investment Bank to act as the lead managing underwriter in connection with the sale of the company's common stock in a firm commitment public offering and concurrent listing on a U.S. National Securities Exchange. The company's Capital Markets Advisor, Exchange Listing LLC is collaborating with the Investment Bank on the financing and listing of QIND. "We are pleased to appoint a prominent Investment Bank to assist with our NYSE American listing. Having been impressed by the team's exemplary track record, their overall management experience and proactivity, we are confident that they are the right partner for this listing as well as our broader strategy." said QIND CEO, John-Paul Backwell. S-1 Registration Statement QIND expects to file an S-1 Registration Statement for the sale of its common stock in a firm commitment public offering and concurrent listing on a U.S. National Securities Exchange within the next 10 business days. The offering shall be for an amount of gross proceeds of up to approximately $7 million. Coinciding with the filing of the S-1 Registration Statement, QIND will submit is preliminary application for review by the NYSE. Reverse Stock Split Having today filed the required Schedule 14C Information Statement, QIND has given notice that its Board of Directors authorized a reverse split of the company's stock which may only take place in order to list QIND's common stock on a National Exchange and very significantly, the reverse split may only take place at the same time as the company's common stock is listed on a National Exchange. The reverse stock split will have no immediate effect on the company's current value, as its market capitalization shall remain the same after it is executed. A reverse stock split has no direct effect on the total dollar value of a stockholder's shares. QIND's Board of Directors will determine the ratio for the reverse stock split, if required, having authorized a range of 1-for-2 and not more than 1-for-20, thus providing the company with the flexibility to achieve the desired results of the reverse stock split. Upon receiving a market effective date from FINRA and following approval of the company's NYSE application as well as effectiveness of its S-1 Registration Statement, the company will choose the ratio required to meet or exceed the $2 bid price requirement for uplisting to the NYSE American. The reverse stock split will only take place if required at the time to meet the bid price requirement and is only authorized to take place for the purpose of as well as at the same time as uplisting to a National Securities Exchange. QIND's Board and Management believe that the decision to authorize a reverse stock split only in connection with and simultaneous to a National Securities Exchange listing is in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders. The company believes that QIND's share price is highly undervalued when compared to industry peers on core underlying valuation metrics as reflected by the company's audited annual and quarterly financial results. The company's Board and Management team unanimously agrees that listing on a National Securities Exchange will attract institutional investors to the company, with increased demand and liquidity as a result. Consequently, in order for the company to complete its eligibility for listing on a National Securities Exchange, the reverse stock split may be required. Furthermore, in an agreement signed with the company's Investment Bank, shares of QIND insiders will be locked-up for a period of six months following the company's listing on a National Securities Exchange. "We firmly believe that an uplist to the NYSE American is in the best interest of our Shareholders. It is the optimal path for realizing the value we see in the company and for its expansion from a largely Middle Eastern operation with several Global Multinational Customers towards a fully Global operation servicing a much larger Global Customer base. We also plan to expand further into the Utilities and Industrial Manufacturing sectors, given that our company is one of very few globally which is fully certified to manufacture the scalable equipment and facilities required for hydrogen storage and power plants. This is a high demand, high growth sector, making listing on the NYSE American all the more important towards achievement of our growth objectives. It is exciting that we are taking very significant steps closer towards this milestone as well as towards even greater achievements by our company." Said QIND Chairman, Nicolas Link. This Press Release does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature about the Company. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "future" or other similar expressions. The Company has based these forward-looking statements primarily on the Company's current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect Company's financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. There is no assurance that the Company's current expectations and projections are accurate. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on the Company's information on the date hereof. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law. This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, issue, subscribe for, sell, or otherwise dispose of any securities, nor any solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, issue, subscribe for, sell, or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company. The release, publication, or distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions into which this announcement is released, published, or distributed should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions. CONTACT Quality Industrial Corp. 315 Montgomery Street, San Francisco CA 94104, USA Phone: +1-800-706-0806 Email: [email protected] Investor site: https://qualityindustrialcorp.com Twitter: @ QualityIndCorp @ILUS_INTL SOURCE: Quality Industrial Corp. View source version on accesswire.com: Epoch-Making Breakthrough of the Stem-Cell Nutritional Supplementation CD34 Nu-Signals, Currently Undergoing Rigorous Clinical Trials Conducted by Prestigious Medical Institutions to Validate Its Effectiveness LOS ANGELES / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2023 / Beauty-Stem Biomedical, a natural food supplement researcher and supplier, has recently launched its revolutionary product, CD34 Nu-Signals. This cutting-edge supplement is set to revolutionize the field of stem cell regenerative healthcare with its patented CD34 active protein and MSC exosomes. And it's also the first stem cell food supplement that is undergoing clinical trial with Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital International Medical Service Center. CD34 Nu-Signals CD34 Nu-Signals, Currently Undergoing Rigorous Clinical Trials Conducted by Prestigious Medical Institutions to Validate Its Effectiveness CD34 Nu-Signals is the result of extensive research and development conducted by Power-Stem Biomedical Research's team of dedicated scientists and researchers. Leveraging their expertise in natural food supplements, the company has created a product that holds immense promise for the advancement of regenerative food supplements. "The key ingredient of CD34 Nu-Signals is premium CD34 active protein, which plays a crucial role in the body's natural regenerative processes," said Dr. Chia-Chin Lin, founder of Beauty-Stem Biomedical and Power-Stem Biomedical Research. The patented micro-liposome technology encapsulates regenerative factors, including GCSF (Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor) and SCF (Stem Cell Factor) proteins. This approach has been proven effective in releasing mature stem cells, promoting autologous rejuvenation and enhancing immunity by numerous international research publications. CD34 is a surface marker found on certain cells, including hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells. These cells have the remarkable ability to differentiate into various cell types and contribute to tissue repair and regeneration. In addition to CD34 active protein, CD34 Nu-Signals also contains MSC-48 exosomes. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes have gained significant attention in the field of regenerative medicine due to their potential to stimulate tissue repair and modulate the immune system. These tiny vesicles carry a range of bioactive molecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and growth factors, which can enhance the body's regenerative processes. By combining CD34 active protein and MSC-48 exosomes, CD34 Nu-Signalsoffers a comprehensive approach to stem-cell regenerative healthcare. The supplement is designed to support the body's natural regenerative capabilities and promote optimal tissue healing. It can potentially benefit individuals seeking regenerative solutions for various health concerns. "We are thrilled to introduce CD34 Nu-Signals to the market," said Dr. Chia-Chin Lin. "Our team has worked tirelessly to develop a product with natural regenerative mechanisms. CD34 Nu-Signal has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach regenerative healthcare and provide individuals with a safe and effective solution." Beauty-Stem Biomedical is constantly pushing boundaries, collaborating with well-known medical centers, including Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital International Medical Service Center, to reach significant milestones in the clinical trials of the effectiveness of CD34 Nu-Signals. Beauty-Stem Biomedical's commitment to scientific excellence ensures that CD34 Nu-Signals meets the highest standards of efficacy and safety. The company adheres to stringent quality-control processes and sources its ingredients from reputable suppliers. Contact Information Ryan Huang CEO [email protected] 888-341-7505 SOURCE: Beauty-Stem Biomedical US View source version on accesswire.com: Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO) announces the addition of Paul J. Krump and Bronislaw (Bronek) E. Masojada to Brown & Browns board of directors. H. Palmer Proctor, Jr., Brown & Browns lead independent director and chair of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee of Brown & Browns board of directors, said, Paul and Bronek are highly accomplished leaders who have guided some of the worlds most respected insurance companies through periods of extraordinary growth. Their broad and deep knowledge in the insurance industry, together with their international experience, will benefit Brown & Brown as we continue to pursue strategic growth opportunities that create long-term value for our shareholders. J. Powell Brown, Brown & Browns chief executive officer and a member of the board, commented, Paul and Bronek bring a unique perspective to the board supported by their many years of operating insurance companies in the U.S. and international markets. We believe they will be tremendous assets to the board and are thrilled they have chosen to lend their remarkable capabilities to Brown & Brown. Krump retired from Chubb Limited, the worlds largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company, effective January 1, 2023, most recently serving as vice chairman, global underwriting and claims from September 2020 until his retirement. From 2016 to 2020, he served as executive vice president, Chubb Group and president, North America commercial and personal insurance. Before Chubb Limiteds January 2016 acquisition of The Chubb Corporation, Krump served as chief operating officer of The Chubb Corporation. He joined The Chubb Corporation in 1982 as a commercial underwriting trainee in the Minneapolis office. Krump held numerous headquarters and field positions in the United States and Europe, including president of personal lines and claims and president of commercial and specialty lines. Masojada served as chief executive officer of Hiscox Group, a global specialist insurer and reinsurer listed on the London Stock Exchange, from 2000 until his retirement in 2021. He first joined Hiscox in 1993 as group managing director. Before joining Hiscox, Masojada began his career at McKinsey & Company. He served as deputy chairman of Lloyds of London from 2001 to 2007 and as chairman of the Lloyds Tercentenary Research Foundation from 2008 to 2014. Masojada currently serves as chair of the board of directors of SiriusPoint Ltd. DULUTH, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AGCO, Your Agriculture Company, (NYSE: AGCO), a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, announced today that it will conduct a technology event on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. The meeting will include presentations by Eric Hansotia, AGCOs Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Kelvin Bennett, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Seth Crawford, Senior Vice President & GM, Precision Ag and Digital. The event will begin at 6:30PM Eastern Time and is expected to conclude by 7:30PM. Investors may register for the event by accessing the link on AGCOs corporate website in the "Investors" section at www.agcocorp.com. The technology event will also be archived on the website. About AGCO: AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology. AGCO delivers customer value through its differentiated brand portfolio including core brands like Fendt, GSI, Massey Ferguson, Precision Planting and Valtra. Powered by Fuse smart farming solutions, AGCOs full line of equipment and services help farmers sustainably feed our world. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, USA, AGCO had net sales of approximately $12.7 billion in 2022. For more information, visit www.AGCOcorp.com. For company news, information and events, please follow us on Twitter: @AGCOCorp. For financial news on Twitter, please follow the hashtag #AGCOIR. Please visit our website at www.agcocorp.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623908328/en/ Greg Peterson Vice President, Investor Relations (770) 232-8229 [email protected] Source: AGCO GUANGZHOU, June 23 (Xinhua) -- China Southern Airlines and Tencent have worked together to build a laboratory for aviation safety and simulation, and released a homegrown visual system for flight simulators in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province. The system, equipped with a self-developed game engine and virtual image display technology, can replicate a city of 2,000 square kilometers in 12 hours and an airport within three days. It covers the entire asset production, image rendering, control management, hardware adaptation and imaging calibration chain. "The system produces more realistic imaging and more efficient modeling, and operates more stably," said Li Congbing, an R&D manager at Tencent. The laboratory will focus on areas including aviation safety, big data analysis for flights, flight simulation and visual simulation. LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of a- (Excellent) of National Grid Insurance Company (Isle of Man) Limited (NGICL or the captive), a captive insurer of National Grid plc (NG). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect NGICLs 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. NGICLs balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). AM Best expects the captives BCAR scores to remain comfortably above the minimum required for the strongest assessment, reflecting its strategy to maintain sufficient capital buffers to absorb potential volatility stemming from its exposure to low frequency, high severity losses. A partially offsetting balance sheet strength factor is the captives reinsurance dependence, driven by the large policy limits needed by NG. Counterparty credit risk is mitigated partly by the good credit quality of NGICLs reinsurance panel. NGICL has a track record of adequate operating performance, generating positive net results in seven of the past 10 years (2014-2023), underpinned by good underwriting performance over the cycle. However, the captive reported significant losses on its property damage business interruption (PDBI) book in financial years 2021 and 2022, which is reflected by the deteriorated five-year (2019-2023) weighted average combined ratio of 106%. Prospectively, AM Best expects the captives underwriting performance to be robust over the longer-term, albeit subject to potential volatility given its high net line sizes relative to its premium base, supported by corrective actions taken by management following recent losses. NGICLs business profile assessment reflects its core role in NGs risk management strategy as its principal captive. The company is well-integrated into the groups overall risk management framework, providing a broad range of primarily PDBI, casualty and cyber cover to meet NGs insurance needs. AM Best remains the leading rating agency of alternative risk transfer entities, with more than 200 such vehicles rated throughout the world. For current Bests Credit Ratings and independent data on the captive and alternative risk transfer insurance market, please visit www.ambest.com/captive. 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. Copyright 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623108374/en/ Dale Kirby Financial Analyst +44 20 7397 0276 [email protected] Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 [email protected] Kanika Thukral Associate Director, Analytics +44 20 7397 0327 [email protected] Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 [email protected] Tim Prince Director, Analytics +44 20 7397 0320 [email protected] Source: AM Best OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has downgraded the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (ICR) to ccc (Weak) from ccc+ (Weak) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of C (Weak) of Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (HIP), EmblemHealth Insurance Company (EIC), EmblemHealth Plan, Inc. (EHPI) and ConnectiCare, Inc. (ConnectiCare) (Farmington, CT). All companies are subsidiaries of EmblemHealth, Inc. and are domiciled in New York, NY, unless otherwise specified. The outlook of the FSR has been revised to negative from stable, while the outlook of the ICRs is negative. The Credit Ratings (ratings) reflect EmblemHealth Groups (EmblemHealth) balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very weak, as well as its marginal operating performance, neutral business profile and marginal enterprise risk management (ERM). The driver of the rating downgrades is continued deterioration in EmblemHealths capital and surplus, as well as limited financial flexibility. Capital and surplus declined at year-end 2022, driven by unrealized capital losses, and experienced further decline in first-quarter 2023 driven by underwriting and net losses, while the unrealized loss position improved in the first quarter. The organizations financial flexibility has become constrained driven by several years of underwriting and net losses, predominantly driven by $840 million of COVID-19 claims; higher levels than the national average for the last three years. This has also negatively impacted operating cash flows. The Company entered into a reinsurance agreement in 2022 for a portion of its commercial group insurance business to provide some offsetting capital relief. EmblemHealth has a very weak level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). There have been continuous efforts by management and actual outcomes from medical and administrative initiatives to improve capital and operating results. However, adverse levels of COVID-19 claims through 2022 outweighed the companys initiatives and negatively impacted overall operating results, as well as resulting capital. In first-quarter 2023, EmblemHealth reported a higher underwriting and net loss than what is considered typical seasonality of its business that resulted in further deterioration of capital. Operating performance is marginal due to underwriting losses and volatility of results. AM Best assesses EmblemHealths business profile as neutral as it has a strong market position in the greater New York City (NYC) market and geographic diversity with an entity offering products in Connecticut. Additionally, the organization operates within a vertically integrated model in its core NYC market through its affiliated provider organizations, AdvantageCare Physicians and BronxDocs. ERM is assessed as marginal. Although EmblemHealth has a developed, mature and fully integrated ERM program, the organization continues to face challenges to improve its risk-adjusted capitalization and overall financial results with the impacts of COVID-19. The negative outlook on the ratings reflects EmblemHealths continued deterioration in risk-adjusted capital. The lead operating company, HIP, has been under a capital restoration plan with the New York State Department of Financial Services since 2016. The restoration plan calls for meeting and complying with a reduced reserve requirement with the expectation of achievement of full compliance. While HIP remains in compliance with the reduced reserve requirement, improvement in its capital position has taken longer than AM Best expected and while the impact from COVID-19 is showing signs of easing, the company continues to face challenges in its operating results. AM Best will continue to monitor the organizations strategy and results regarding improvement in earnings, as well as the strengthening of its capitalization. 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 Best's 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 specializing 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. Copyright 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623474820/en/ Bridget Maehr Associate Director +1 908 882 2080 [email protected] Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 [email protected] Sally Rosen Senior Director +1 908 882 2284 [email protected] Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 [email protected] Source: AM Best TOULOUSE, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: Latecoere (Paris: LAT) announces that its 2022 Universal Registration Document (constituting the Annual Financial Report) has been filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) today. This Universal Registration Document is available to the public in accordance with French law and may be viewed or downloaded from the Company's website, in its French version, at the following address: https://www.latecoere.aero/finance/rapports-annuels-et-semestriels/. The following documents are included in the Universal Registration Document in accordance with legal provisions: - 2022 Annual Financial Report; - Board of Directors Report on corporate governance; and - Description of the share repurchase program proposed to the Annual Shareholders Meeting. ________________________________________________________ About Latecoere Tier 1 to the worlds leading industry manufacturers (Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Thales), Latecoere serves aerospace with innovative solutions for a sustainable world. The Group operates in all segments of the aerospace industry (commercial, regional, business, defense and space) in two business areas: Aerostructures (55% of sales): doors, fuselage, wings and empennage, struts & rods and customer services; Interconnection Systems (45% of sales): wiring, avionic racks, onboard equipment, electronic systems and customer services. As of December 31, 2022, the Group employed 5,918 people in 14 countries. Latecoere is listed on Euronext Paris - Compartment B, ISIN Code: FR0000032278 - Reuters: AEP.PA - Bloomberg: AT.FP View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623736200/en/ Thierry Mahe / Media Relations +33 (0)6 60 69 63 85 [email protected] Source: Latecoere PUTEAUX, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: ORPEA (Paris: ORP): By order of the court-appointed insolvency judge in the context of ORPEA's accelerated safeguard procedure, the firm Ledouble, acting as an independent financial expert, was appointed to draw up two valuation reports with a view to implementing ORPEA's financial restructuring. The court-appointed administrators have today sent these reports, intended for the bodies involved in the proceedings, to ORPEA. These two expert reports relate to: the valuation of the ORPEA group as a going concern: this report leads the independent expert to propose a range of values of between 6 billion and 7 billion; the valuation of ORPEA SA in a liquidation scenario, including a scenario for the sale of individual assets and a scenario for the sale of all ORPEA assets to a acquirer: this report leads the independent expert to consider that the best estimate of liquidation value is comprised between 2.6 billion and 3.7 billion. These two valuation reports are available on ORPEA's website in the "Restructuring" section [link]. About ORPEA ORPEA is a leading global player, expert in providing care for all types of frailty. The Group operates in 21 countries and covers three core businesses: care for the elderly (nursing homes, assisted living facilities, homecare and services), post-acute and rehabilitation care and mental health care (specialized clinics). It has more than 76,000 employees and welcomes more than 267,000 patients and residents each year. https://www.orpea-group.com/en ORPEA is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0000184798) and is a member of the SBF 120 and CAC Mid 60 indices. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623711478/en/ Investor Relations ORPEA Benoit Lesieur Investor Relations Director [email protected] Toll-free number for shareholders: 0 805 480 480 Investor Relations NewCap Dusan Oresansky Tel.: 01 44 71 94 94 [email protected] Press Relations ORPEA Isabelle Herrier-Naufle Press Relations Director Tel.: 07 70 29 53 74 [email protected] Image7 Charlotte Le Barbier // Laurence Heilbronn 06 78 37 27 60 - 06 89 87 61 37 [email protected] [email protected] Source: ORPEA S.A. NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Corsair Partnering Corporation (the Company) today announced that it will redeem all of its outstanding Class A ordinary shares (the Class A Shares), effective as of July 11, 2023, because the Company will not consummate a partnering transaction within the time period required by its amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (the Articles of Association). As stated in the Companys Articles of Association, if the Company does not consummate a partnering transaction within 24 months (or up to 27 months, if the Company has executed a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement for the partnering transaction within 24 months) of the closing of the Companys initial public offering, or July 6, 2023, the Company will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Class A Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Companys trust account (the Trust Account) held with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (Continental), including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company (less taxes payable and up to $100,000 of interest income to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Class A Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish the rights of the holders of Class A Shares (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining shareholders and the board of directors, liquidate and dissolve, subject in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) to the Companys obligations under Cayman Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and in all cases subject to the other requirements of applicable law. The Company does not expect to execute a letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive agreement for the partnering transaction by July 6, 2023. Net of dissolution expenses but without giving effect to any taxes which may need to be withdrawn, the per-share redemption price for the Class A Shares is expected to be approximately $10.37 (the Redemption Amount). The Company anticipates that the Class A Shares will cease trading as of the close of business on July 6, 2023. As of July 7, 2023, the Class A Shares will be deemed canceled and will represent only the right to receive the Redemption Amount. After July 7, 2023, the Company shall cease all operations except for those required to wind up the Companys business. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions with respect to the Companys warrants, which will expire worthless. The Companys initial shareholders waived their redemption rights with respect to the outstanding Class B ordinary shares and Class F ordinary shares issued prior to the Companys initial public offering. In order to provide for the disbursement of funds from the Trust Account, the Company has instructed Continental to take all necessary actions to liquidate the Trust Account. Registered holders may redeem their shares for their pro rata portion of the proceeds of the Trust Account upon presentation of their respective share or unit certificates or other delivery of their shares or units to Continental, the Companys transfer agent. Beneficial owners of Class A Shares held in street name, however, will not need to take any action in order to receive the Redemption Amount. The redemption of the Class A Shares is expected to be completed within ten business days after July 6, 2023. The Company expects that the New York Stock Exchange will file a Form 25 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) to delist its securities. The Company thereafter expects to file a Form 15 with the SEC to terminate the registration of its securities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). About Corsair Partnering Corporation Corsair Partnering Corporation was formed for the purpose of identifying a company to partner with, in order to effectuate a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar partnering transaction with one or more businesses. Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, including with respect to the pursuit by the Company of a partnering transaction. The words anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, might, plan, possible, potential, predict, project, should, would, and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The Companys forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company or the Companys management teams expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements are based upon the Companys current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company, and there can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those that it has anticipated. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Companys control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the Companys assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. You are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that the Companys actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and developments in the industry in which the Company operates may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. In addition, even if the Companys results or operations, financial condition and liquidity and developments in the industry in which the Company operates are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. The Company 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 under applicable securities laws. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623063552/en/ Alex Nye / Peter Gavaris Prosek Partners [email protected] Source: Corsair Partnering Corporation Annual Report Details How MetLife is Creating Shared Value for its Stakeholders through Sustainability NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) has released its 2022 Sustainability Report, detailing how the company lives up to its purpose, contributes to more confident futures, and creates a virtuous circle of shared value for its customers, colleagues, communities and shareholders. Sustainability is integral to MetLifes business. MetLifes sustainability strategy is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the company remains committed to driving meaningful impact around the world. Our commitment to protecting families, businesses and communities underpins our purpose always with you, building a more confident future and allows us to make a greater difference, said MetLife President and CEO Michel Khalaf. We deliver on our long-term sustainability commitments through the commitment of our colleagues and the strength of our products, services, and investments. MetLifes goal is to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world and to make progress towards its 2030 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Commitments and environmental commitments. This years report highlights MetLifes progress against these goals and how the company serves as a force for good, including: Awarding $37.9 million in grants in 2022 through MetLife Foundations Economic Inclusion, Financial Health and Resilient Communities portfolios Continuing to support a resilient and thriving environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 49% since 2019, planting ~800,000 trees since 2020, and maintaining carbon neutrality, which MetLife has done since becoming the first U.S.-based insurer to achieve the status in 2016 Securing over $77 billion in responsible investments managed by MetLife Investment Management as of year-end 2022 Originating ~$885 million in DEI investments in 2022, nearly completing MetLifes commitment of $1 billion by 2030 Expanding its 360Health offering throughout Asia in 2022 to help more customers improve their mental, physical, financial and social health Earning the status of a certified Great Place to Work in eight of its markets based on the feedback and experience of MetLife colleagues Completing 109,000+ volunteer hours in 2022, advancing MetLife towards its commitment of 800,000 volunteer hours by 2030 To read the 2022 Sustainability Report and learn more about MetLifes sustainability commitments and progress, visit MetLife.com/Sustainability. About MetLife MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (MetLife), is one of the worlds leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help individual and institutional customers build a more confident future. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com. Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements in this news release, using words such as commitment continuing, goal, long-term and remains and other words and terms of similar meaning are based on assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, including the Risk Factors MetLife, Inc. describes in its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. MetLifes future results could differ, and it does not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statements if MetLife, Inc. later becomes aware that such statement is not likely to be achieved. Please consult any further disclosures MetLife, Inc. makes on related subjects in subsequent reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230622971119/en/ For Media: Brian Blaser (212) 578-2415 [email protected] Source: MetLife, Inc. FORT WASHINGTON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PaperWorks Industries Inc. has completed the acquisition of The Standard Group. Founded in 1932, The Standard Group is a converter of custom printed paperboard packaging with a manufacturing location in Louisville, Kentucky. The Standard Group aligns well with PaperWorks in terms of emphasizing quality and innovation while serving customers which value sustainable, paper-based packaging, says Brian Janki, President & CEO for PaperWorks. This addition signifies a return to growth for PaperWorks team members and further bolsters our position in North America. The Standard Group meets PaperWorks strategic criteria including increased vertical integration, complementary geographic fit with our mill system and folding carton operations, while serving diverse end markets. Lou Cortes, President & CEO of The Standard Group, who will join PaperWorks, comments, "We are excited to become part of an organization with an outstanding reputation and strong values that are in line with The Standard Group. PaperWorks provides an opportunity for the Louisville facility to prosper within a larger folding carton network, leverage broader technical capabilities, and benefit from mill integration to provide the highest levels of service to our customers. By integrating The Standard Groups folding carton facility in Louisville and welcoming 120 team members, PaperWorks will operate an integrated folding carton business including two mills and six converting facilities employing over 1,400 team members. About PaperWorks PaperWorks is a leading, integrated North American producer of 100% recycled paperboard and specialized folding cartons. PaperWorks supplies independent packaging converters with coated recycled paperboard (CRB) and provides sustainable, fiber-based packaging solutions to consumer products companies, emphasizing innovation and market differentiation for reputable brands. The Company serves a diverse set of end markets including food, beverage, personal care, and home care. For more information, please visit: www.onepaperworks.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230622617761/en/ Media: Gabriela Goodman PaperWorks +1 (215) 984-7000 [email protected] Source: PaperWorks Industries Inc. PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: Press Release Paris, 23 June 2023 Pernod Ricard (Paris: RI), through Chivas Brothers Limited, entered today into an agreement in principle with Stock Spirits Group in relation to the potential sale of the Clan Campbell Blended Scotch Whisky brand, after receiving a firm offer from the spirits and liqueur producer. This proposed transaction remains subject to consultation with the relevant employee representative bodies. Clan Campbell is one of the leading brands in the blend-12 yo Scotch whisky category in France, with presence also in other European markets such as Spain, Luxembourg, and Italy. Its range has increased in recent years with the addition of Clan Caribbean rum-based spirit drink. This transaction is part of Pernod Ricards active portfolio management, aiming at adapting to the evolving needs of its consumers and providing greater opportunities for premiumization. In France, the Groups portfolio of Scotch whiskies includes the blended whiskies Ballantines and Chivas Regal, as well as The Glenlivet and Aberlour single malts. Stock Spirits Group is a Central European based spirits company present in Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Italy. It owns more than 70 brands, including Zoladkowa Vodka, Stock 84 brandy, Limonce limoncello or Bozkov rum. The group has more than 1,200 employees. It exports to more than 50 countries worldwide. Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and CEO of Pernod Ricard, stated: Our dynamic and broad-based growth across categories and geographies is strengthened by our active portfolio management strategy. Following a successful series of targeted acquisitions, the disposal of Clan Campbell will enable our teams to focus on priority brands. About Pernod Ricard Pernod Ricard is the No.2 worldwide producer of wines and spirits with consolidated sales amounting to 10,701 million in fiscal year FY22. The Group, which owns 17 of the Top 100 Spirits Brands, holds one of the most prestigious and comprehensive portfolios in the industry with over 240 premium brands distributed across more than 160 markets. Pernod Ricards portfolio includes Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantines, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur or Mumm and Perrier-Jouet champagnes. The Groups mission is to unlock the magic of human connections by bringing Good Times from a Good Place, in line with its Sustainability and Responsibility roadmap. Pernod Ricards decentralised organisation empowers its 19,480 employees to be on-the-ground ambassadors of its purposeful and inclusive culture of conviviality, bringing people together in meaningful, sustainable and responsible ways to create value over the long term. Executing its strategic plan, Transform & Accelerate, Pernod Ricard now relies on its Conviviality Platform, a new growth model based on data and artificial intelligence to meet the ever-changing demand of consumers. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code:FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices. About Stock Spirits Stock Spirits is one of the leading companies producing spirits and liqueurs. It has an established position in the category of flavored alcohols and pure vodkas in Poland and in the Czech Republic. Stock Spirits Group also develops its revenue management skills including, above all, the use of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence. The company is focusing primarily on developing a new range of products and services, entering new markets and developing a portfolio high-quality products. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623068258/en/ Pernod Ricard Florence Tresarrieu / Global Senior Vice President, Investors Relations & Treasury +33 (0)1 70 93 17 31 Charly Montet / Investor Relations Manager +33 (0) 1 70 93 17 13 Emmanuel Vouin / Head of External Engagement +33 (0) 1 70 93 16 34 Stock Spirits Beata Ptaszynska-Jedynak / Group Corporate Communications Director +48 22 602 411 680 Source: PERNOD RICARD Tuesday, June 27, 2023 HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, beginning at 9:15 a.m. A quorum of the Port Commission, along with executive leadership, will be present in the boardroom of the Port Houston Executive Office Building, located at 111 East Loop North, Houston, TX 77029. It will be conducted as a hybrid meeting open to the public to attend in person or accessed virtually via WebEx webinar. The agenda and instructions for accessing Port Houston public meetings are available at https://www.porthouston.com/about/public-meetings/agendas-minutes/. Upcoming Port Commission Regular Meeting (subject to change): Tuesday, July 25 at 9:15 a.m. Sign-up for public comment is available up to an hour before the meeting by contacting Erik Eriksson at [email protected] or Liana Christian at [email protected] About Port Houston For more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel the nations largest port for waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas, and the U.S. nation. The more than 200 private and eight public terminals along the federal waterway supports the creation of nearly 1.35 million jobs in Texas and 3.2 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling $339 billion in Texas 20.6% of Texas total gross domestic product (GDP) and a total of $801.9 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit the website: https://porthouston.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623311386/en/ Lisa Ashley-Daniels, Director, Public Relations, Port Houston Office: 713-670-2644; Mobile: 832-247-8179; E-mail: [email protected] Source: Port Houston LONDON & PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Support Club welcomes the Versailles Court of Appeals decision to partially overturn the investor classes order of the restructuring, issued by the commercial court in Nanterre, and for the unsecured creditor class to be modified. This has significant implications for the entire restructuring process and means that the voting process should be restarted. In its decision the Court has considered that the creditors holding secured debt, including banks that were granted additional collateral during the first and second conciliation processes, should be classified differently than the unsecured creditors, so separately from other class 7 creditors. As a result, the Support Club urges the administrators to call a new vote with proper notice and provide for a mechanism to identify unsecured creditors that were granted security. For the administrators to abide by the law, there is no alternative but to restart the voting process and to consider all votes submitted so far as null and void. The Support Club is also evaluating further implications of this ruling and will provide a further update in due course. About Support Club The Support Club is a group of funds managed by Fortress Investment Group, Kite Lake Capital, Kyma Capital, LMR Partners and Whitebox Advisors who are unsecured creditors of Orpea SA (a French healthcare provider), representing 497m of Orpeas unsecured claims and managing over $62 billion in AUM. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623175776/en/ Media [email protected] France APCO Mehdy Taleb: +33 7 64 45 00 53 UK Camarco Ed Gascoigne-Pees: +44 7884 001 949 Phoebe Pugh: +44 7817 421 083 Source: Support Club Doctors of the 12th batch of the Chinese medical team in Ghana provide free clinical service to Ghanaian and Chinese workers in Accra, capital of Ghana, June 22, 2023.(Photo by Seth/Xinhua) ACCRA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The 12th batch of the Chinese medical team in Ghana on Thursday provided free clinical service to more than 500 Ghanaian workers and dozens of Chinese workers in Accra, the capital of Ghana. The beneficiaries are employees of China Railway No. 5 Engineering Group, a state-owned company that has undertaken major road and bridge projects in Ghana for almost 20 years. Du Yushan, chief of the team, told Xinhua he was excited that the team was offering its services to so many Ghanaian workers. "We hope to use our skills to help the Ghanaian workers to achieve better health," Du said. "We have brought medicines to the workers here, and our doctors will also give health advice to the Ghanaian workers as specialists." Du added that the team planned to hold four more such medical service activities in local communities during its one-year stay in the country. Samuel Idan, a Ghanaian geodetic engineer with the company, lauded the Chinese doctors for prioritizing the health of Ghanaians. "We are happy to have this encounter. It is not the first time, and we are so grateful." Idan also praised the professionalism with which the Chinese medical team treated the workers, both Chinese and Ghanaian. The team, which comprises 11 members, is from southern China's Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital and embarked on their service here in March. A doctor of the 12th batch of the Chinese medical team in Ghana provides free clinical service to Ghanaian and Chinese workers in Accra, capital of Ghana, June 22, 2023.(Photo by Seth/Xinhua) PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: Tikehau Capital (Paris: TKO): In accordance with Article 5 of EU Regulation n 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation), detailed information is available on the website of Tikehau Capital: https://www.tikehaucapital.com/fr/shareholders/regulatory-information Disclosure of shares repurchases from 16 June to 22 June 2023 Name of the issuer Issuer Identity Code (LEI) Trading Day ISIN Aggregated volume per day (number of shares) Weighted average price per day Market (MIC Code) TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 16/06/2023 FR0013230612 1,793 23.5677 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 19/06/2023 FR0013230612 2,000 23.2912 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 20/06/2023 FR0013230612 2,000 22.6598 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 21/06/2023 FR0013230612 1,682 22.2258 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 22/06/2023 FR0013230612 2,000 22.2225 XPAR TOTAL 9,475 22.7955 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623351724/en/ Tikehau Capital Source: Tikehau Capital NEEDHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- After declining for the first time ever in 2022, worldwide shipments of wearable devices are forecast to rebound in 2023, reaching a total of 504.1 million units, according to new data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker. This represents 2.4% year-over-year growth, driven by sustained demand for the most popular products earwear and smartwatches while other products hold steady. Looking ahead, IDC expects the market will see several years of single-digit growth with shipments reaching 629.4 million units in 2027 and resulting in a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0%. Earwear will remain the largest product category throughout the forecast as new users seek out their first set and current users upgrade from devices purchased in 2020 and 2021, when earwear shipments reached their peak. Smartwatches will experience market-beating growth as users transition from wristbands to smartwatches and, in some cases, from basic smartwatches to advanced smartwatches. Despite downward pressure from smartwatches, wristbands are not expected to disappear from the market as these devices will continue to appeal to users seeking simpler solutions. Meanwhile, all other wearable categories including clothing, rings, glasses that do not feature augmented or virtual reality, and others will trend up and to the right albeit from a much smaller base. "Despite the ongoing challenges in the macroeconomy, demand for wearables will push the market back into growth mode," said Ramon T. Llamas, research director with IDC's Wearables team. "We still anticipate new devices to come out later this year and these will coincide with replacement purchases for those who acquired a new device several years ago. This sets up a virtuous cycle for future purchases in the coming years resulting in continued growth for the overall market." "And while replacements will be a big driver for mature markets such as North America and Europe, emerging markets are expected to drive continuous growth as well though many of these consumers are expected to be first time buyers," said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers. "India has already surpassed the United States and China in terms of market size and will remain the largest market going forward thanks to the breadth of low-cost yet feature-rich devices from local vendors. Aside from India, other Asian countries along with Middle East and Africa will lead in terms of shipment growth while China and the USA will remain the second and third largest markets, respectively." Top 5 Wearable Device Product Categories by Shipment Volume, Market Share, and 2022-2027 CAGR (shipments in millions) Product 2023 Shipments 2023 Market Share 2027 Shipments 2027 Market Share 2022-2027 CAGR Earwear 313.0 62.1% 390.6 62.1% 4.9% Smartwatch 157.3 31.2% 206.2 32.8% 6.8% Wristband 32.1 6.4% 30.1 4.8% -3.0% Others 1.7 0.3% 2.5 0.4% 8.4% Total 504.1 100.0% 629.4 100.0% 5.0% Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker, June 23, 2023 About IDC Trackers IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly Excel deliverables and on-line query tools. For more information about IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker, please contact Jackie Kliem at 508-988-7984 or [email protected]. Click here to learn about IDC's full suite of data products and how you can leverage them to grow your business. About IDC International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights. All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623201990/en/ Jitesh Ubrani [email protected] 416-873-0315 Ramon Llamas [email protected] 508-935-4736 Michael Shirer [email protected] 508-935-4200 Source: International Data Corporation BorgWarner has secured a contract to deliver its latest electric variable cam timing (eVCT) technology for use in a major global OEM's four-cylinder engine. This business win highlights the first production of BorgWarner's eVCT and is anticipated to significantly improve fuel economy and performance while reducing emissions. "We are proud to have the opportunity to offer this innovative product solution, which enables the customer to achieve reduced cold start emissions that conventional technology is unable to achieve," said Isabelle McKenzie, President and General Manager, BorgWarner Morse Systems. "Our eVCT highlights another exciting technology within BorgWarner's product portfolio that contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gases for a cleaner, more energy-efficient world." The eVCT offers additional benefits from standard VCTs such as the ability to phase the camshaft during and before starting the engine, reduction in noise, vibration and harshness, extended phasing range of authority for improved CO2 reduction, enabling decreased time to torque of the engine. Additionally, the company's eVCT technology features a split-ring planetary gearbox which provides a greater range of control in comparison to hydraulic phasers, lower power consumption, and the ability to operate at lower oil pressure and temperatures. BorgWarner's eVCT will be produced in the company's Ithaca, New York manufacturing facility due to the unique technical capabilities of the site's workforce. BorgWarner Ithaca has a long-standing tradition of launching new technologies since the plant began operations in 1880. Start of production is slated for December 2024 . To apply for open positions in Ithaca, please visit borgwarner.com/careers. Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today announced recent Leadership updates across the Company. Several of these changes are a continuation of the organizational structure work that began in September 2022 and has continued into 2023. Finance Organization With nearly 30 years of unwavering service, Leah Koontz has decided to move from Senior Vice President Controller to an Executive Advisor role, effective Aug. 16 . Throughout Koontz's Southwest career, she has been an integral contributor to the success of many projects and strategic initiatives, including the development of Southwest's first in-house revenue accounting system, its first ticketless system, SAP implementation, several iterations of reservation system upgrades and replacements, and the integration of AirTran. She has held numerous Leadership roles within the Finance Department leading up to her current role as Senior Vice President Controller. Koontz's transition paves the way for several other Leadership changes: Ryan Martinez has been promoted from Vice President Investor Relations to Senior Vice President Controller, overseeing Accounting and Financial Reporting, SOX, Tax, and Controller Operations. Martinez began his Southwest career 17 years ago in the Investor Relations Department before joining the Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Department in 2013, where he led the Corporate Team responsible for overseeing consolidated financial forecasts. He assumed his current role as Vice President of Investor Relations six years ago and has become a well-respected and reliable voice for the Company with the investment community. Prior to joining Southwest, Martinez worked in Financial Reporting at The Neiman Marcus Group, and began his career in public accounting at BDO Seidman, LLP. Martinez graduated from Louisiana State University in Shreveport with a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas . Julia Landrum will move from Vice President Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) to Vice President Investor Relations. Landrum joined Southwest in 2016 as a Senior Director in FP&A. Prior to that, Julia served as Vice President, Revenue for Studio Movie Grill as well as in leadership roles at Ernst & Young LLP, The Home Depot on their Capital Planning and Merchandising and Operations teams, and United Airlines on the Network Planning and FP&A teams. Landrum received a bachelor's degree in economics and international studies from Southern Methodist University (SMU) and an MBA from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Landrum serves on the Leadership Advisory Council for SMU Continuing & Professional Education. Martinez's and Landrum's moves are effective Aug. 16 . Michael Cole is promoted from Managing Director Capacity Planning to Vice President Financial Planning & Analysis, effective June 1 . An 18-year Southwest veteran, Cole served as an analyst in Revenue Management prior to his roles in Network Planning and FP&A. Cole holds a bachelor's degree in aviation science from Baylor University and an associate degree in aeronautical science from Texas State Technical College. Marketing & Customer Experience Organization Effective March 1 , Southwest's Marketing and Customer Experience & Engagement organization transitioned to five departments under Senior Vice President Marketing & Customer Experience Tony Roach . The functions under Roach's Leadership include Marketing; Customer Experience & Digital (CXD); Customer Engagement; Travel Products; and Department Planning, Operations, & Delivery. His oversight includes digital experience, go to market efforts, and the airline's loyalty program, Rapid Rewards , as well as ancillary products. , Marketing and Customer Experience & Engagement organization transitioned to five departments under . The functions under Roach's Leadership include Marketing; Customer Experience & Digital (CXD); Customer Engagement; Travel Products; and Department Planning, Operations, & Delivery. His oversight includes digital experience, go to market efforts, and the airline's loyalty program, Rapid Rewards , as well as ancillary products. Bill Tierney's role changed from Vice President Marketing & Digital Experience to Vice President Customer Experience & Digital (CXD), effective March 1 . The Digital Experience function will transition out of Marketing and join the Customer Experience organization. As an Enterprise-wide support function, the CXD Department will be responsible for meeting the growing needs of the airline's Customers across the entire travel journey, while supporting revenue, operational, and cost-saving goals of the business. Jonathan Clarkson's role changed from Vice President Marketing & Loyalty Products to Vice President Marketing, effective March 1 . Marketing's core purpose of winning more Customers and growing revenue remains unchanged. Jennifer Bridie is promoted from Managing Director Marketing Strategy to Vice President, Marketing Communications and Strategy, reporting to Jonathan Clarkson , effective May 16 . In this role, Bridie is responsible for leading Marketing Strategy, Marketing Communications Go To Market, and Brand Teams. The role is accountable for leading Company efforts to advance capabilities in these areas; drive Company growth and performance; and foster Brand to create an even greater loyalty and engagement among Southwest Customers. Bridie joined Southwest in 2013 as a Brand Communications Sr. Manager, and in 2019, she was promoted to Managing Director of Marketing Strategy. Bridie has been instrumental in launching innovative campaigns such as "Transfarency" and bringing back Southwest's iconic "Wanna Get Away" messaging. Prior to joining Southwest Airlines in 2013, she worked within the advertising industry, giving her a keen understanding of both the science and the art that informs her perspective today. Bridie graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Inflight Operations Sonya Lacore, Vice President Inflight Operations, has made the decision to move to an Executive Advisor role effective June 16 . From her first day of Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant Initial Training in 2001, through all of the Leadership roles she's held in between, Lacore has led by example with kindness and gratefulness above all else, with her most recent focus as a Leader on providing more than 19,000 Southwest Flight Attendants with the tools and support they need to successfully provide Southwest Customers with Legendary Service. Among Lacore's major accomplishments during her career was introducing an exclusive uniform collection to almost 42,000 Southwest Employees in 2017. This is the same uniform collection that Southwest Airlines Employees wear today. Lacore's move paves the way for Steve Murtoff , who is promoted from Managing Director Inflight Safety Service & Base Ops to Vice President Inflight Operations, effective June 16 . Murtoff began his Southwest career nearly 17 years ago in the Inflight Operations Department. For the past 13 years he has served on the Inflight Director Team, leading across nearly all business areas within the Department. In addition to his work at Southwest, Murtoff has been an active leader within the greater airline industry, serving as a Board member and President of the International Flight Services Association (IFSA). Prior to Southwest, he worked at America West Airlines for nearly five years where he started his aviation career as an Operations Agent before joining their Inflight Team. Murtoff attended Pennsylvania State University prior to moving to Phoenix to start his career in aviation. Technology Organization Carrie Mills is promoted from Managing Director, Cybersecurity to Vice President of Cybersecurity, effective March 16 . Mills is responsible for all aspects of Cybersecurity across Southwest's facilities, airports, and aircraft. She focuses on the daily operation of the Cybersecurity function and leads the airline's top Cybersecurity initiatives, including Privileged Access Management, Technology Data Privacy, expansion of Multi-Factor Authentication, Vulnerability Management, and Incident Response and Recovery. Mills joined Southwest in 2017 as the Senior Manager of Cybersecurity Threat Intelligence and Response. Her Leadership and guidance have driven Team wins across numerous efforts to improve Southwest's Cybersecurity posture. Key initiatives include the buildout of an around-the-clock Security Operations Center (SOC) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) capabilities; enhancing the Cybersecurity incident response processes and procedures; the original implementation of Shape Security to combat Customer account takeover attacks; the rollout of improved technologies to aid in vulnerability management and reporting; the deployment of an enterprise-wide Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) platform; and the development of a Cybersecurity Aviation Team to help meet the requirements of many Federal Agencies, and leading a project to implement an Integrated Risk Management platform. Mills' Cybersecurity domain expertise and Leadership talents have been invaluable in growing Southwest's Cybersecurity capabilities. Mills earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in management information systems from the University of Oklahoma, and she's a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) with a long-standing passion for Cybersecurity. "Leadership is a calling to serve, and Southwest has a long-standing history of talented and dedicated Leaders who put Employees and Customers before themselves, which brings me immense pride," said Bob Jordan , President & CEO at Southwest Airlines. "I would like to thank Leah and Sonya for their combined nearly five decades of service at Southwest Airlines, and the legacy they leave at our airline. And I'm grateful for our promoted Leaders who are stepping up to oversee these important functions that contribute to the success our People work so hard to achieve." ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO. Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline1. Based in Dallas and famous for an Employee-first corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering its nearly 70,0002 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 126 million Customers carried in 2022. That formula for success brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive years3 of profitability for Southwest Shareholders (NYSE: LUV). Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship. As the airline with Heart, Southwest has set a goal to work toward achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Southwest has also set near-term targets and a four-pillar strategy to achieve its environmental goals. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/planet. 1U.S. Dept. of Transportation most recent reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded 2Fulltime-equivalent active Employees 31973-2019 annual profitability View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southwest-airlines-announces-leadership-updates-301858588.html SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co. People walk in the Goldman Sachs global headquarters in Manhattan, New York, U.S., November 15, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs is likely to take a large writedown for its $2.2 billion acquisition of fintech lender GreenSky after seeking to divest the business it bought in 2021, CNBC reported on Friday, citing people with knowledge of the sale process. One bidder said GreenSky's loan origination platform is worth roughly $300 million, while another said it was worth closer to $500 million, according to the report. CNBC added the bids for the platform, which facilitates home improvement loans to consumers, were coming in well below Goldman's expectations. Shares of Goldman were down about 1.4% in mid-morning trading. "We're pleased with the participation by bidders, we're in the middle of the process and we'll learn more as we go forward," a Goldman spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters, without revealing any details about the potential writedown it is expected to take. The bank has been running a sale process for GreenSky, and may take a writedown on the $500 million of goodwill, or the premium it paid above the assets' book value, Goldman President and Chief Operating Officer John Waldron told investors at a conference in June. KKR, Apollo Global Management, Sixth Street Partners, Warburg Pincus and Synchrony Bank were among the asset managers and lenders involved in the first round of bids in June, the CNBC report said. (This story has been corrected to clarify that the reported valuation is for GreenSky's loan origination unit, not the entire business, in paragraph 2) (Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Jaiveer Shekhawat; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli) VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AIP Realty Trust (the Trust or AIP Realty) (TSXV: AIP.U) announced the results of voting at its annual general and special meeting of unitholders held Friday, June 23, 2023 (the Meeting). A total of 53.76% of the issued and outstanding units of the Trust (the Units) were represented at the Meeting, and each of the resolutions put forward by the trustees of the Trust (the Trustees) were approved. Each of Greg Vorwaller, Leslie Wulf, Bruce Hall, Nathan Smith, Brian Shibley, Kobi Dorenbush and Samantha Adams were elected as Trustees of the Trust to hold office until the next annual meeting of unitholders. MNP LLP was re-appointed auditors of the Trust for the ensuing year at the remuneration to be fixed by the Trustees. Both the unit option plan (the Option Plan) and newly proposed equity incentive plan (the Incentive Plan and, together with the Option Plan, the Plans) of the Trust were approved by 93.02% and 80.17% of the votes represented at the Meeting, respectively. The Plans are designed to advance the interests of the Trust by encouraging its trustees, officers, employees and consultants to acquire units of the Trust, thereby increasing their proprietary interest in the Trust, encouraging them to remain associated with the Trust and furnishing them with additional incentive in their efforts on behalf of the Trust in the conduct of its affairs. The Incentive Plan was conditionally approved by the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV) on April 20, 2023 and is subject to final acceptance of the TSXV. Summary of Incentive Plan The Incentive Plan provides flexibility to the Trust to grant equity-based incentive awards in the form of restricted security units (RSUs), performance security units (PSUs) and deferred security units (DSUs) (collectively, the Awards) to attract, retain and motivate qualified trustees, officers, employees and consultants of the Trust and its subsidiaries, excluding any persons who perform investor relations activities on behalf of the Trust or any of its subsidiaries (collectively, the Incentive Plan Participants). The aggregate number of Units that may be issued to Incentive Plan Participants under the Incentive Plan may not exceed 342,198, subject to adjustment as provided for in the Incentive Plan. The Incentive Plan provides for the following limits on grants, for so long as the Trust is subject to the requirements of the TSXV, unless disinterested Unitholder approval is obtained or unless permitted otherwise pursuant to the policies of the TSXV: the maximum number of Units that may be issued to any one Incentive Plan Participant (and where permitted pursuant to the policies of the TSXV, any company that is wholly owned by the Incentive Plan Participant) under the Incentive Plan, together with any other security-based compensation arrangements, within a twelve (12) month period, may not exceed 5% of the issued Units calculated on the date of grant; the maximum number of Units that may be issued to insiders collectively under the Incentive Plan, together with any other security-based compensation arrangements, within a twelve (12) month period, may not exceed 10% of the issued Units calculated on the date of grant; and the maximum number of Units that may be issued to insiders collectively under the Incentive Plan, together with any other security-based compensation arrangements, may not exceed 10% of the issued Units at any time. For so long as such limitation is required by the TSXV, the maximum number of Units that may be granted to any one consultant under the Incentive Plan, together with any other security-based compensation arrangements, within a twelve (12) month period, may not exceed 2% of the issued Units calculated on the date of grant. Each of the matters voted upon at the Meeting are described in greater detail in the Management Information Circular of the Trust dated May 17, 2023, and available at www.sedar.com. About AIP Realty Trust AIP Realty Trust is a real estate investment trust with a growing portfolio of light industrial flex facilities focused on small businesses and the trades and services sectors in the U.S. These properties appeal to a diverse range of small space users, such as contractors, skilled trades, suppliers, repair services, last-mile providers, small businesses and assembly and distribution firms. They typically offer attractive fundamentals including low tenant turnover, stable cash flow and low capex intensity, as well as significant growth opportunities. With an initial focus on the Dallas-Fort Worth market, AIP plans to roll out this innovative property offering nationally. AIP holds the exclusive rights to finance the development of and to purchase all the completed and leased properties built across North America by its development and property management partner, AllTrades Industrial Properties, Inc. For more information, please visit www.aiprealtytrust.com. For further information from the Trust, contact:Leslie WulfExecutive Chairman(214) 679-5263[email protected] Or Greg VorwallerChief Executive Officer(778) 918-8262[email protected] Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This press release contains statements which constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of AIP Realty Trust with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect or similar expressions and includes information regarding the ability to obtain regulatory and unitholder approvals and other factors. 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. Such statements represent the Trusts current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Trust, 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. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Trust does not intend, and do 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. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act). The Trust has not registered and will not register the securities under the U.S. Securities Act. The Trust does not intend to engage in a public offering of their securities in the United States. Source: AIP Realty Trust Source: AIP Realty Trust VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZEFIRO METHANE CORP. (the Company, Zefiro, or ZEFI) is pleased to announce that an op-ed article authored by Zefiro Chief Executive Officer Curt Hopkins has been published by Buffalo News, which operates the largest newsroom in all of Western New York1. The op-ed, titled Plugging Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells is Essential, was published on June 18, 2023 under Buffalo News issues-oriented column Another Voice. Although Zefiro has already received media coverage from industry-oriented outlets (e.g., World Oil2), this publication is the first instance of mainstream media coverage since the Companys formation in 2022. Buffalo News has an average daily distribution of over 56,000, and has more than 2.8 million unique visitors each month to its web edition with nearly 15 million total page views per month3. The op-ed describes how private sector organizations such as Zefiro are collaborating with the public sector to plug orphaned oil and gas wells to prevent gases such as methane from being emitted, which can pollute water and air, damage farmland, and potentially harm nearby residents. Additionally, the op-ed highlights the relevance of this issue in the state of New York, where there are approximately 23,000 unplugged wells primarily located in Erie, Steuben, Chemung, and Wyoming Counties4. New York is one of the four states in which Zefiro now has well-plugging operations through its subsidiary Plants & Goodwin, Inc. (P&G), which it recently acquired as announced in a press release dated May 19, 2023 . Mr. Hopkins Buffalo News op-ed can be accessed through the following link: https://buffalonews.com/opinion/another-voice-plugging-orphaned-oil-and-gas-wells-is-essential/article_67d2d66e-0bb2-11ee-81b4-1fc313bce0cf.html On June 18, 2023, Buffalo News published the op-ed shown above authored by Zefiro CEO Curt Hopkins on the topic of plugging orphaned oil and gas wells in the state of New York. The op-ed can be accessed by clicking here . Readers using news aggregation services may be unable to view the media above. Please access the Investors section of the Companys website for a version of this press release containing all published media. Zefiro Chief Executive Officer Curt Hopkins commented, Although plugging orphaned oil and gas wells may appear to be highly technical and commercial in nature, it is an undertaking that has implications for everyone who lives near such wells, as emissions of methane can affect the water supply, the air that residents breathe, and several other aspects of their quality of life. In 2022, the United States Department of the Interior awarded New York State USD $25 million under its Initial Grant Program to go towards plugging orphaned oil and gas wells5. We look forward to taking the next steps towards decommissioning these wells in markets to include New York State, and are thankful to be receiving media coverage as we move forward. Sources 1 - The Buffalo News , Twitter 2 - Zefiro Methane acquires U.S.-based oil, gas well plugging company, expands decommissioning services , World Oil (May 19, 2023) 3 - Lee Enterprises, Incorporated Form 10-K For the Fiscal Year Ended September 25, 2022 4 - Finding and Identifying Oil and Gas Wells , New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 5 - Governor Hochul Announces $25 Million Awarded to New York State Under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law To Plug Orphan Oil and Gas Wells , Governor Kathy Hochul (August 29, 2022) On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, ZEFIRO METHANE CORP. Curt Hopkins Curt Hopkins, CEO For further information, please contact: Zefiro Investor Relations 1-800-274-ZEFI (1-800-274-9334) [email protected] About Zefiro Methane Corp. Zefiro develops methodologies to reduce methane emissions by plugging orphaned and abandoned oil/gas wells, while originating carbon credits. Under executive leadership to include the former carbon market team at J.P. Morgan, Zefiro actively deploys crews to decommission wells throughout the United States. With unprecedented global demand for carbon offsets as corporations and institutions work towards net-zero targets, Zefiro is strategically aligning with industry leaders for a greener future. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as seeks, believes, plans, expects, intends, estimates, anticipates and statements that an event or result may, will, should, could or might occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information in this press release includes statements regarding the Company, the Companys business, the industry in which the Company operates, the Companys opportunities, strategies, competition, expected activities and expenditures as the Company pursues its business plan, the adequacy of the Companys available cash resources and other statements about future events or results. The forward-looking information reflects managements current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include: (i) adverse general market and economic conditions; (ii) changes to and price and volume volatility in the carbon market; (iii) changes to the regulatory landscape and global policies applicable to the Company's business; and (iv) other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment where technologies are in the early stage of adoption. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Companys management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions, including assumptions regarding general market conditions, the availability of financing for proposed transactions and programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of outside service providers to deliver services in a satisfactory and timely manner. The forward-looking information included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e1d0d13a-678a-42bb-8be7-e4e68f54497e Media relations: Sam Connatty Tel.: +44 (0)370 904 3601 [email protected] Investor relations: Vincent Biraud Tel.: +33 1 47 54 50 87 [email protected] Capgemini to boost its cloud and digital end to end transformation offerings in Japan with acquisition of BTC Acquisition supports the Groups growth ambition in the Asia-Pacific region Paris, June 23, 2023 - Today Capgemini announced that it has signed a share purchase agreement (SPA) to acquire BTC Corporation (BTC), a leading cloud and digital services provider in Japan. The acquisition will enable Capgemini to further build its cloud and digital capabilities in the country to meet client demand for its end-to end services. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Tokyo, BTC comprises a 500+ strong team of highly skilled professionals that enables organizations to solve their most complex challenges with agile and efficient development. Its offerings focus on cloud integration related services to support the digital transformation journeys of its clients, who include several international and local brands. As a trusted business and technology transformation partner to organizations, Capgemini is acquiring BTC to strengthen our ability to enable clients in Japan to run their entire business in the cloud, with all the flexibility and sustainability benefits that this brings, said Shinichi Tonomura, Chairman of the Board of Capgemini Japan and member of the Group Executive Committee. This acquisition is a clear indication of our commitment to invest in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. I am delighted to welcome BTC to the team. Our two organizations are highly complementary. Clients as well as team members will benefit from this acquisition. BTC will bring to Capgemini our deep cloud and digital expertise to augment its portfolio of services in Japan. While at the same time Capgeminis scale and breadth of end-to-end services will offer significant added value to BTCs clients, said Ken Sugiyama, CEO of BTC. In addition, providing an environment to maximize our employees potential has always been a key priority for us at BTC. Joining the Capgemini Group will open-up numerous new opportunities for our team members to expand and develop their careers globally. The transaction is subject to customary conditions precedents, including foreign investment regulatory filing, and is expected to close in the coming months. About Capgemini Capgemini is a global leader in partnering with companies to transform and manage their business by harnessing the power of technology. The Group is guided everyday by its purpose of unleashing human energy through technology for an inclusive and sustainable future. It is a responsible and diverse organization of nearly 360,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong 55-year heritage and deep industry expertise, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to address the entire breadth of their business needs, from strategy and design to operations, fueled by the fast evolving and innovative world of cloud, data, AI, connectivity, software, digital engineering and platforms. The Group reported in 2022 global revenues of 22 billion. Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com Attachment Toronto, Ontario, Canada, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadians nationwide are preparing to mark their countrys independence and unity on July 1st with Canada Day. To celebrate, leading online travel agency CheapOair.ca is excited to highlight the most unique Canadian attractions that have earned worldwide attention. Originally called Dominion Day in 1879, the holiday evolved over the next 100 years, as interest increased in Canadian patriotism and related celebrations. Locals would refer to it as Canada Day for short, and the name was made official in 1982. Canada Day commemorates the anniversary of the Constitution Act, which consolidated three territories into the single nation of Canada back in 1867. Originally called Dominion Day in 1879, it wasnt until the 100th anniversary that interest increased in Canadian patriotism and related celebrations. While locals would refer to it as Canada Day for short, the name wasnt made officially until 1982. From fireworks to barbecuing, nothing else quite commemorates the start of summer holidays quite like Canada Day, said Daniel Hayter, Senior Product Manager for CheapOair.ca. To have fun in advance of the holiday, we researched the top attractions and landmarks that have elevated Canadas profile for their uniqueness and high volume of visitors. To help Canadians looking for a unique way to spend the Canada Day holiday, here are the most iconic Canadian attractions from the north to the south, east to west and all points in between as selected by the team at CheapOair.ca: In The North: The Northern Lights The Northwest Territories ranks as the second largest Canadian province and is known for more off the beaten track adventures. But what makes the province and more specifically the capital city of Yellowknife truly unique is that it is one of the best places in the world to view the Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis. Due to its proximity to the north magnetic pole, the city has its own space weather alert system to update the tiny Northern Lighthouses with the latest information. It is truly one of natures wonders. In The South: The CN TowerStanding at 1,815 feet high, the CN Tower is recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and Ontarios most iconic attraction. At 117,910 metric tonnes, this tallest free-standing structure in the western hemisphere features a rotating 360-degree restaurant, observation tower, and the world's highest full-circle hands-free walk - the first attraction of its kind in North America. In Quebec: Notre-Dame BasilicaLocated in the historic Old Montreal district, Notre-Dame Basilica is one of the citys most popular attractions since it first opened its doors on July 1, 1829. Recognized as the first Gothic Revival style church in Canada, the basilica was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1989 and hosts millions of visitors annually. The religious, historical and artistic importance highlights Quebecs heritage and hosts a number of festivals and light shows each year. East Coast: Whale-Watching in the Bay of FundyLocated between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the Bay of Fundy is renowned for featuring a variety of natures largest marine mammals. During the summer and early fall, visitors will be treated to views of Minke, Humpback, Finback and North Atlantic Right Whales, who frequent the area. Along with these majestic creatures, you will find dolphins, seals, and sea birds in abundance. To preserve and conserve the ecosystem for future generations, the Bay is a member of the Global Geoparks Network, a UNESCO initiative focussed on the planet's geological heritage. West Coast: Dinosaur Provincial ParkNow here is something to roar about. Located at the heart of Alberta's badlands lies Dinosaur Provincial Park, featuring over 44 dinosaur fossil samples discovered from over 75 million years ago. On October 26, 1979, the Provincial Park was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (U.N.E.S.C.O.) and today, five of the dinosaur bones discovered are so unique to the world that they hold official Guinness World Records. The mission of CheapOair.ca is to educate and aid consumers and travel professionals in planning their travel accommodations. Canadians can view up-to-date travel related guidelines and choose their Canada Day destination via the Ready for your next trip section on CheapOair.ca. Happy Canada Day! Note to media: Additional flight booking statistics and interviews can be arranged upon request. About CheapOair.caCheapOair.ca is an online travel agency that specializes in providing cheap flights and great last-minute flight deals for travelers worldwide. Consumers can book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone or live chat. Part of Fareportal's family of travel brands, CheapOair.ca bridges the gap between an online travel agency and a traditional agency with travel agents available worldwide to help find great deals on flights to global destinations on over 500 airlines, a million lodgings, and 100s of car rental companies. Follow CheapOair.ca Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for travel inspiration and helpful travel tips. Jerry Grymek CheapOair Canada 416-918-2043 [email protected] Source: CheapOair Canada TORONTO, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dundee Corporation (TSX: DC.A) (Dundee or the Company) is pleased to announce the voting results from its Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the Meeting) which was held on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Shareholders voted in favour of all items of business before the Meeting, as follows: Appointment of Auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were appointed as Auditor of the Company and the directors of the Company were authorized to fix the remuneration of the Auditor. Details of the voting results are set out below: Total Votes % of Votes Cast Votes in Favour 364,050,694 99.97 Votes Withheld 114,644 0.03 Total Votes Cast 364,165,338 100 Election of Directors The shareholders elected each of the seven nominees listed in the Companys Management Proxy Circular. Details of the voting results are set out below: Name Votes in Favour % Votes Withheld % Tanya Covassin 354,870,235 98.89 3,980,358 1.11 Jonathan Goodman 357,713,486 99.68 1,137,107 0.32 Isabel Meharry 354,875,229 98.89 3,975,364 1.11 Andrew Molson 357,420,697 99.60 1,429,896 0.40 Peter Nixon 358,343,612 99.86 506,981 0.14 Allen Palmiere 354,849,322 98.88 4,001,271 1.12 A. Murray Sinclair 358,482,621 99.90 367,972 0.10 Approval of Unallocated Awards under the Share Incentive Plan and DSUs under the Deferred Share Unit Plan The shareholders approved by ordinary resolution all unallocated awards under the Companys Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan and DSUs under the Companys Amended and Restated Deferred Share Unit Plan: Total Votes % of Votes Cast Votes in Favour 343,690,659 95.78 Votes Against 15,159,934 4.22 Total Votes Cast 358,850,593 100 ABOUT DUNDEE CORPORATION Dundee Corporation is a public Canadian independent holding company, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol DC.A. Through its operating subsidiaries, Dundee Corporation is an active investor focused on delivering long-term, sustainable value as a trusted partner in the mining sector with more than 30 years of experience making accretive mining investments. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Investor and Media Relations T: (416) 864-3584 E: [email protected] Source: Dundee Corporation Elders from Pantang area hangs a red cloth flower for the dragon boat from Yanbu street of Foshan, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on June 22, 2023. For many years during the Dragon Boat Festival, people of several villages in the Lingnan area follow a tradition to row dragon boats to visit their "dragon boat's relative". The 591-year-old Yanbu dragon boat has been enjoying a popularity in the border area of Guangzhou and Foshan, where dragon boat race has a long history, from as early as 1597. On that year, people rowing Yanbu dragon boat competed for the first time with another dragon boat from Pantang during the Dragon Boat Festival. Since then, villagers from both places forged a deep friendship and they established a "kinship" for the two dragon boats based on the age of the boats. The Yanbu dragon boat was called the "Qiye" (father), and the Pantang dragon boat was the "Qizai" (son). For hundreds of years, during every Dragon Boat Festival, it has become a tradition for villagers to ride the two boats to visit each other. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei) The dragon boat from Yanbu street of Foshan (C) sails on the river accompanied by dragon boats from Pantang area, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on June 22, 2023. For many years during the Dragon Boat Festival, people of several villages in the Lingnan area follow a tradition to row dragon boats to visit their "dragon boat's relative". The 591-year-old Yanbu dragon boat has been enjoying a popularity in the border area of Guangzhou and Foshan, where dragon boat race has a long history, from as early as 1597. On that year, people rowing Yanbu dragon boat competed for the first time with another dragon boat from Pantang during the Dragon Boat Festival. Since then, villagers from both places forged a deep friendship and they established a "kinship" for the two dragon boats based on the age of the boats. The Yanbu dragon boat was called the "Qiye" (father), and the Pantang dragon boat was the "Qizai" (son). For hundreds of years, during every Dragon Boat Festival, it has become a tradition for villagers to ride the two boats to visit each other. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei) Elders from Pantang aera welcome the dragon boat from Yanbu street of Foshan (2nd L), in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on June 22, 2023. For many years during the Dragon Boat Festival, people of several villages in the Lingnan area follow a tradition to row dragon boats to visit their "dragon boat's relative". The 591-year-old Yanbu dragon boat has been enjoying a popularity in the border area of Guangzhou and Foshan, where dragon boat race has a long history, from as early as 1597. On that year, people rowing Yanbu dragon boat competed for the first time with another dragon boat from Pantang during the Dragon Boat Festival. Since then, villagers from both places forged a deep friendship and they established a "kinship" for the two dragon boats based on the age of the boats. The Yanbu dragon boat was called the "Qiye" (father), and the Pantang dragon boat was the "Qizai" (son). For hundreds of years, during every Dragon Boat Festival, it has become a tradition for villagers to ride the two boats to visit each other. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei) The dragon boat from Yanbu street of Foshan visits Pantangwuyue historical community and invites local villagers to visit Yanbu by dragon boat, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on June 22, 2023. For many years during the Dragon Boat Festival, people of several villages in the Lingnan area follow a tradition to row dragon boats to visit their "dragon boat's relative". The 591-year-old Yanbu dragon boat has been enjoying a popularity in the border area of Guangzhou and Foshan, where dragon boat race has a long history, from as early as 1597. On that year, people rowing Yanbu dragon boat competed for the first time with another dragon boat from Pantang during the Dragon Boat Festival. Since then, villagers from both places forged a deep friendship and they established a "kinship" for the two dragon boats based on the age of the boats. The Yanbu dragon boat was called the "Qiye" (father), and the Pantang dragon boat was the "Qizai" (son). For hundreds of years, during every Dragon Boat Festival, it has become a tradition for villagers to ride the two boats to visit each other. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei) Dragon boats from Pantang area welcome visiting dragon boats in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on June 22, 2023. For many years during the Dragon Boat Festival, people of several villages in the Lingnan area follow a tradition to row dragon boats to visit their "dragon boat's relative". The 591-year-old Yanbu dragon boat has been enjoying a popularity in the border area of Guangzhou and Foshan, where dragon boat race has a long history, from as early as 1597. On that year, people rowing Yanbu dragon boat competed for the first time with another dragon boat from Pantang during the Dragon Boat Festival. Since then, villagers from both places forged a deep friendship and they established a "kinship" for the two dragon boats based on the age of the boats. The Yanbu dragon boat was called the "Qiye" (father), and the Pantang dragon boat was the "Qizai" (son). For hundreds of years, during every Dragon Boat Festival, it has become a tradition for villagers to ride the two boats to visit each other. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei) Villagers on the dragon boat from Yanbu street of Foshan are welcomed by villagers from Pantang area in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on June 22, 2023. For many years during the Dragon Boat Festival, people of several villages in the Lingnan area follow a tradition to row dragon boats to visit their "dragon boat's relative". The 591-year-old Yanbu dragon boat has been enjoying a popularity in the border area of Guangzhou and Foshan, where dragon boat race has a long history, from as early as 1597. On that year, people rowing Yanbu dragon boat competed for the first time with another dragon boat from Pantang during the Dragon Boat Festival. Since then, villagers from both places forged a deep friendship and they established a "kinship" for the two dragon boats based on the age of the boats. The Yanbu dragon boat was called the "Qiye" (father), and the Pantang dragon boat was the "Qizai" (son). For hundreds of years, during every Dragon Boat Festival, it has become a tradition for villagers to ride the two boats to visit each other. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei) The dragon boat from Yanbu street of Foshan visits Pantangwuyue historical community in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on June 22, 2023. For many years during the Dragon Boat Festival, people of several villages in the Lingnan area follow a tradition to row dragon boats to visit their "dragon boat's relative". The 591-year-old Yanbu dragon boat has been enjoying a popularity in the border area of Guangzhou and Foshan, where dragon boat race has a long history, from as early as 1597. On that year, people rowing Yanbu dragon boat competed for the first time with another dragon boat from Pantang during the Dragon Boat Festival. Since then, villagers from both places forged a deep friendship and they established a "kinship" for the two dragon boats based on the age of the boats. The Yanbu dragon boat was called the "Qiye" (father), and the Pantang dragon boat was the "Qizai" (son). For hundreds of years, during every Dragon Boat Festival, it has become a tradition for villagers to ride the two boats to visit each other. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei) The dragon boat from Yanbu street of Foshan visits Pantangwuyue historical community and invites local villagers to visit Yanbu by dragon boat, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on June 22, 2023. For many years during the Dragon Boat Festival, people of several villages in the Lingnan area follow a tradition to row dragon boats to visit their "dragon boat's relative". The 591-year-old Yanbu dragon boat has been enjoying a popularity in the border area of Guangzhou and Foshan, where dragon boat race has a long history, from as early as 1597. On that year, people rowing Yanbu dragon boat competed for the first time with another dragon boat from Pantang during the Dragon Boat Festival. Since then, villagers from both places forged a deep friendship and they established a "kinship" for the two dragon boats based on the age of the boats. The Yanbu dragon boat was called the "Qiye" (father), and the Pantang dragon boat was the "Qizai" (son). For hundreds of years, during every Dragon Boat Festival, it has become a tradition for villagers to ride the two boats to visit each other. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei) Oarsmen of a visiting dragon boat raise their oars at Pantangwuyue historical community in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on June 22, 2023. For many years during the Dragon Boat Festival, people of several villages in the Lingnan area follow a tradition to row dragon boats to visit their "dragon boat's relative". The 591-year-old Yanbu dragon boat has been enjoying a popularity in the border area of Guangzhou and Foshan, where dragon boat race has a long history, from as early as 1597. On that year, people rowing Yanbu dragon boat competed for the first time with another dragon boat from Pantang during the Dragon Boat Festival. Since then, villagers from both places forged a deep friendship and they established a "kinship" for the two dragon boats based on the age of the boats. The Yanbu dragon boat was called the "Qiye" (father), and the Pantang dragon boat was the "Qizai" (son). For hundreds of years, during every Dragon Boat Festival, it has become a tradition for villagers to ride the two boats to visit each other. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei) Dragon boats visit Pantangwuyue historical community in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on June 22, 2023. For many years during the Dragon Boat Festival, people of several villages in the Lingnan area follow a tradition to row dragon boats to visit their "dragon boat's relative". The 591-year-old Yanbu dragon boat has been enjoying a popularity in the border area of Guangzhou and Foshan, where dragon boat race has a long history, from as early as 1597. On that year, people rowing Yanbu dragon boat competed for the first time with another dragon boat from Pantang during the Dragon Boat Festival. Since then, villagers from both places forged a deep friendship and they established a "kinship" for the two dragon boats based on the age of the boats. The Yanbu dragon boat was called the "Qiye" (father), and the Pantang dragon boat was the "Qizai" (son). For hundreds of years, during every Dragon Boat Festival, it has become a tradition for villagers to ride the two boats to visit each other. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei) The dragon boat from Yanbu street of Foshan visits Pantangwuyue historical community in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on June 22, 2023. For many years during the Dragon Boat Festival, people of several villages in the Lingnan area follow a tradition to row dragon boats to visit their "dragon boat's relative". The 591-year-old Yanbu dragon boat has been enjoying a popularity in the border area of Guangzhou and Foshan, where dragon boat race has a long history, from as early as 1597. On that year, people rowing Yanbu dragon boat competed for the first time with another dragon boat from Pantang during the Dragon Boat Festival. Since then, villagers from both places forged a deep friendship and they established a "kinship" for the two dragon boats based on the age of the boats. The Yanbu dragon boat was called the "Qiye" (father), and the Pantang dragon boat was the "Qizai" (son). For hundreds of years, during every Dragon Boat Festival, it has become a tradition for villagers to ride the two boats to visit each other. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei) The dragon boat from Yanbu street of Foshan sails to Lizhiwan in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on June 22, 2023. For many years during the Dragon Boat Festival, people of several villages in the Lingnan area follow a tradition to row dragon boats to visit their "dragon boat's relative". The 591-year-old Yanbu dragon boat has been enjoying a popularity in the border area of Guangzhou and Foshan, where dragon boat race has a long history, from as early as 1597. On that year, people rowing Yanbu dragon boat competed for the first time with another dragon boat from Pantang during the Dragon Boat Festival. Since then, villagers from both places forged a deep friendship and they established a "kinship" for the two dragon boats based on the age of the boats. The Yanbu dragon boat was called the "Qiye" (father), and the Pantang dragon boat was the "Qizai" (son). For hundreds of years, during every Dragon Boat Festival, it has become a tradition for villagers to ride the two boats to visit each other. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei) HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Erdene Resource Development Corporation (TSX:ERD | MSE:ERDN) (Erdene or the Company) is pleased to announce its shareholders voted in favour of all items of business brought before them at the Company's Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders (Meeting) held on June 22, 2023 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Details of the Meeting are provided below. Additionally, the Company is pleased to announce the appointment of executives to its primary Mongolian subsidiary, Erdene Mongol LLC (Erdene Mongol"). Appointment of Board and Executive At the Meeting, shareholders voted in favour of Erdene managements nominees to the board of directors, with details of the proxy voting results as follows: Nominee Votes For % For Votes Against % Against Peter C. Akerley 202,962,603 99.67 663,285 0.33 Dr. Anna G. Biolik 202,962,603 99.67 663,285 0.33 John P. Byrne 202,354,603 99.38 1,271,285 0.62 T. Layton Croft 202,962,603 99.67 663,285 0.33 Kenneth W. MacDonald 202,362,603 99.38 1,263,285 0.62 Cameron McRae 202,962,603 99.67 663,285 0.33 David V. Mosher 202,962,603 99.67 663,285 0.33 Hedley Widdup 202,844,603 99.62 781,285 0.38 Following the Meeting, Erdenes board of directors appointed its officers for the coming year, namely: President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Akerley; Chairman of the Board T. Layton Croft; Chief Financial Officer Robert Jenkins; and Corporate Secretary Suzan Frazer. Additionally, Erdene Mongol LLC has appointed Bilguun Ankhbayar as Chief Executive Officer and Jon M. L. Lyons as Chief Development Officer. Having served as Erdenes Vice President Business Development since 2015, Mr. Ankhbayar is a seasoned executive with North American and Mongolian experience. Since returning to Mongolia from Canada in 2010, Bilguun has held the roles of CEO of Monrud LLC, a full service logistics and mine support management firm, and CEO of Mongolian Investment Banking Group, a domestic investment dealer, assisting TSX and ASX listed companies in financing and in a general advisory capacity. Earlier in his career, Bilguun was employed in the investment banking division of Toll Cross Securities, a Toronto based boutique investment bank. Bilguun graduated from Saint Marys University, Canada with Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Finance, and is a CFA Charterholder. Prior to his appointment as Chief Development Officer, Jon has been employed as Erdenes Vice President Projects since 2021, with responsibility for the overall delivery of the companys projects within scope, budget, and schedule aligned to the business case and the Companys vision for safety and sustainability. Previously, he led the government permitting processes required to advance Erdenes mineral exploration and mining projects and maintained oversight of Health, Safety, Environment, and Community Relations performance for the Company. Jon has lived and worked in Mongolia and the region, including a previous posting with Erdene, since 2001. Jon holds an MBA from Maastricht University and the EuroMBA consortium and a B.A. (summa cum laude) in physics and anthropology from Wheaton College, Massachusetts. Mr. Lyons is fluent in Mongolian and Russian languages. Auditor Re-Appointed KPMG LLP was re-appointed Auditor of the Company to hold office until the next Meeting or until its successor is duly appointed, and the directors were authorized to fix the Auditors remuneration. Approval of Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan Shareholders approved the omnibus equity incentive plan (Omnibus Plan), subject to final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The Omnibus Plan, if approved by the TSX, will replace the legacy incentive stock option plan and the legacy deferred share unit plan, and no further awards will be granted under the legacy plans. Approval of Continuance of the Shareholder Rights Plan At the Meeting, shareholders approved the continuance of the shareholder rights plan (Rights Plan). The Rights Plan was adopted by Erdenes board of directors to ensure the fair treatment of shareholders in connection with any takeover offer for the Company. Under the terms of the Rights Plan, the shareholders of Erdene must affirm the Rights Plan every three years. About Erdene Erdene Resource Development Corp. is a Canada-based resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious and base metals in underexplored and highly prospective Mongolia. The Company has interests in three mining licenses and an exploration license in Southwest Mongolia, where exploration success has led to the discovery and definition of the Khundii Minerals District. Erdene Resource Development Corp. is listed on the Toronto and the Mongolian stock exchanges. Further information is available at www.erdene.com. Important information may be disseminated exclusively via the website; investors should consult the site to access this information. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information regarding Erdene contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although Erdene believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Erdene cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond its control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what Erdene currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the ability to obtain required third party approvals, market prices, exploitation and exploration results, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The information contained herein is stated as of the current date and is subject to change after that date. The Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. NO REGULATORY AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENTS OF THIS RELEASE Erdene Contact Information Peter C. Akerley, President and CEO, or Robert Jenkins, CFO Source: Erdene Resource Development Corporation DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OKX, the second-largest crypto exchange by trading volume and a leading Web3 technology company, has issued updates for the day of June 23, 2023. OKX and Laevitas Partner to Provide Enhanced Insights for Cryptocurrency Derivatives Trading OKX has partnered with Laevitas, a leading data aggregator specializing in quantitative data analytics for cryptocurrency derivatives, to provide Laevitas users with enhanced trading insights through the integration of OKX's real-time datafeeds with the platform. This gives Laevitas users direct access to OKX's Liquid Marketplace, the most powerful on-demand liquidity network for professional and institutional traders. This includes Request for Quotes (RFQs), open interest and volume of derivatives and futures spreads, which streamlines their research and analysis while helping them navigate the dynamic cryptocurrency derivatives market more effectively. With this information, Laevitas users will have more valuable insight into market liquidity and trading volumes. OKX Global Chief Commercial Officer Lennix Lai said: "By incorporating OKX's datafeeds, Laevitas users now have access to a wealth of information that can help them stay ahead of market trends and make more informed trading decisions. Both OKX and Laevitas share a common goal of empowering traders with advanced analytics and accurate data, and we're proud to bring this goal to fruition through our partnership." Laevitas CEO Hassen Naas said: "This partnership allows us to leverage OKX's extensive market data and combine it with our sophisticated analytics tools. OKX is one of the largest and most reputable crypto exchanges; together, we strive to provide traders with comprehensive and accurate information for our growing user base." This partnership is a step forward in enabling traders to navigate the cryptocurrency derivatives market successfully, with OKX and Laevitas committed to empowering traders with advanced analytics and accurate data. Since its inception, Laevitas has established itself as a trusted platform offering comprehensive quantitative data analytics for cryptocurrency derivatives. The platform offers a wide range of powerful features, including option chain analysis, greeks analysis, strategy builder, historical data and customizable dashboards. For more information, please visit the Support Center. For further information, please contact: [email protected] About OKX OKX is the second-largest global crypto exchange by trading volume and a leading Web3 ecosystem. Trusted by more than 50 million global users, OKX is known for being the fastest and most reliable crypto trading app for traders everywhere. As a top partner of English Premier League champions Manchester City FC, McLaren Formula 1, Olympian Scotty James, and F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, OKX aims to supercharge the fan experience with new engagement opportunities. OKX is also the top partner of the Tribeca Festival as part of an initiative to bring more creators into web3. Beyond OKXs exchange, the OKX Wallet is the platform's latest offering for people looking to explore the world of NFTs and the metaverse while trading GameFi and DeFi tokens. OKX is committed to transparency and security and publishes its Proof of Reserves on a monthly basis. To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: okx.com About Laevitas Laevitas is a leading data aggregator that specializes in quantitative data analytics for cryptocurrency derivatives. The platform offers a wide range of powerful features, including option chain analysis, greeks analysis, strategy builder, historical data, and customizable dashboards. By providing comprehensive insights and advanced tools, Laevitas empowers traders to make informed decisions and maximize their trading strategies. Disclaimer THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE ANY INVESTMENT, TAX, OR LEGAL ADVICE, NOR SHOULD IT BE CONSIDERED AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, SELL, OR HOLD DIGITAL ASSETS. DIGITAL ASSETS, INCLUDING STABLECOINS, INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK, CAN FLUCTUATE GREATLY, AND CAN EVEN BECOME WORTHLESS. OKX IS NOT REGULATED BY THE FCA, THUS, PROTECTIONS SUCH AS THE FINANCIAL OMBUDSMAN SERVICE OR FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPENSATION SCHEME WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHETHER YOU UNDERSTAND HOW CRYPTO WORKS AND WHETHER TRADING OR HOLDING DIGITAL ASSETS IS SUITABLE FOR YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR FINANCIAL CONDITION. THE VALUE OF YOUR DIGITAL ASSETS, INCLUDING STABLECOINS, CAN INCREASE OR DECREASE AND PROFITS MAY BE SUBJECT TO CAPITAL GAINS TAX. PAST PERFORMANCE DOES NOT INDICATE FUTURE RESULTS. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR LEGAL/TAX/INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES. Source: OKX SINGAPORE, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genius Group Limited (NYSE American: GNS) (Genius Group or the Company), a leading entrepreneur edtech and education group, will hold an annual general meeting of shareholders (the AGM) on July 12, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. Singapore time (4:00 a.m. ET). The proposals to be submitted for shareholders' approval at the AGM are to consider and vote on the following resolutions: To receive and adopt the Directors Statement and Audited Financial Statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2021, together with the Auditors Report To approve the payment of directors fees and remuneration of directors for the financial year ended 31 December 2022 To re-elect directors, in view of Regulation 89 of the Companys Constitution To re-appoint Mazars LLP as the Auditors for the ensuing year and to authorize Directors to fix their remuneration To provide the Directors of the Company the authority to issue shares To transact any other business which may properly be transacted at an Annual General Meeting Participation in the AGM The AGM will be held at Genius Central Singapore Pte Ltd, 7 Amoy Street #01-01 Far East Square Singapore 049949 on 12 July 2023 at 4:00 p.m. SGT Printed copies of this Notice and accompanying proxy form will be sent to Shareholders, and published on the Companys corporate website at the URL https://ir.geniusgroup.net/. Shareholders may submit questions related to the resolutions to be tabled no later than 11:59 p.m., 7 July 2023 (Singapore time) via email to [email protected] . For verification purpose, when submitting any questions, Shareholders must provide the Company with their particulars (comprising full name (for individuals) / company name (for corporates), email address, contact number, NRIC / passport number / company registration number, shareholding type and number of shares held). . For verification purpose, when submitting any questions, Shareholders must provide the Company with their particulars (comprising full name (for individuals) / company name (for corporates), email address, contact number, NRIC / passport number / company registration number, shareholding type and number of shares held). Shareholders may exercise their voting rights at the AGM via proxy voting. 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. Contacts Investors:Flora Hewitt, Vice President of Investor Relations and Mergers and AcquisitionsEmail: [email protected] Media Contact:Adia PREmail: [email protected] US Investors:Dave GentryRedChip Companies Inc1-800-RED-CHIP[email protected] Source: Genius Group Limited SURREY, British Columbia, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Guildford Town Centre by Ivanhoe Cambridge is unveiling a partnership with MASSIVart, an esteemed public art firm, to introduce a series of eight larger than life art installations in the Plaza at Entrance 3. This collaboration marks a milestone in Guildford Town Centres ongoing commitment to bringing culture and art to the shopping experience for their guests. By integrating artwork that provides supplementary seating and enhances their gathering spaces, Guildford Town Centre aims to create an unparalleled ambiance that will captivate and delight the community. "We are thrilled to team up with international artists Craig & Karl to bring these immersive, inspirational, and exciting art installations to Guildford Town Centre," shares Kiran Deol, Marketing Manager at Guildford Town Centre. "We believe this partnership will create an extraordinary shopping experience for our visitors, one that integrates our diverse culture and vibrant community but also captivates our guests and serves as a hub for connection and inspiration." For 14 years, MASSIVart has specialized in curating, producing, and promoting large-scale art installations. With over 1,700 artists, they collaborate to bring impactful artistic experiences to public spaces. At Guildford Town Centre, their contemporary, vibrant, and bold art installations will transform the plaza into a captivating focal point. These shapes will provide unique seating and gathering areas, creating a welcoming environment for guests to rest, socialize, and enjoy their visit. Whether it's catching up with friends, savoring a coffee, or simply appreciating the art, these new spaces will become cherished gathering spots within Guildford Town Centre. "Using our signature bright colors and bold shapes weve created a fun, immersive environment where visitors can meet friends and get inspired, shares artists Craig and Karl. Our use of color and pattern creates a sense of joy and optimism instilling a vibrant atmosphere at Guildford Town Centre. The engaging art installations will be accessible through Entrance 3 and are available to view and experience for free, today till September 4, 2023. Part of the campaign includes a digital game, scan to win, that allows guests to win various gift cards to Guildford Town Centre food and beverage retailers. On behalf of all non-winners, $2 will be donated to the Youth Arts Council of Surrey for a total of $2,000 by the Centre. This donation will support young people in Surrey with access to and opportunities within the arts. Guildford Town Centre welcomes visitors seven days a week at 10355 152 St, Surrey, BC. For updates on the public art installation, please visit www.guildfordtowncentre.com. Media ContactAmanda BreenTalk Shop Media[email protected] About Guildford Town Centre Guildford Town Centre is a premium shopping destination in the Fraser Valley with more than 200 stores, services and restaurants to choose from such as Hudson's Bay, Apple, Walmart Supercentre, JD Sports, London Drugs, Uniqlo, H&M, MUJI, Old Navy, The LEGO Store, Sephora, Victoria's Secret and more. The third largest shopping centre in British Columbia, opened in 1966 and spans 1.2 million square feet. Its centrally located in Surrey, BC, the second largest city in the province and the fastest growing city in Western Canada. Website: guildfordtowncentre.com | Instagram: @shopgtc | Facebook: @shopgtc | Twitter: @shopgtc About MASSIVart MASSIVart is a creative placemaking and public art firm founded in 2009. With offices in Montreal, Toronto, and Mexico City and projects around the globe, our team is dedicated to producing art integrations and cultural programming that create an impact. Through culture-driven solutions, a multidisciplinary team and a global artist network, MASSIVart creates destinations for the real estate industry, municipalities, museums and brands. From high-level creative strategic planning to curation, fabrication and installation, we believe that art and culture have the ability to create value by contributing to the vibrancy, inclusivity and identity of places. Website: massivart.com | Instagram: @massivart | Facebook | LinkedIn Source: Guildford Town Centre WINDSOR, Ontario, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Sunday, June 25, 2023, Justicia/Justice for Migrant Workers (J4MW), current and former migrant workers, and community members, will be gathering at the office of MP Irek Kusmiercyzk in Windsor, Ontario to deliver the organizations report card on the Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers (VOWP). The rally will outline the groups concerns with the permit, provide an analysis of the crisis facing migrant workers, address concerns regarding Freedom of Information requests and share feedback from applicants of the permit. J4MW and allies will advocate for a model that allows migrant workers the freedom to move and stay. The rally will take place from 5-6pm outside MP Kusmiercyzks office, which is located at 9733 Tecumseh Rd E Unit #2, in Windsor, Ontario N8R 1A5. Taneeta Doma, a staff lawyer with the Migrant Farmworker Clinic and member of J4MW, says, Its time to level the playing field. Migrant farmworkers put food on our table and prop up a multibillion dollar industry that is rife with abuse. It is imperative that we create a new vision of migrant justice that does not compel migrants to face a choice between precariousness and indentured servitude. J4MW is demanding that migrant workers have permanent status upon arrival, an end to closed permits, an end to unilateral repatriations and disbarments from temporary foreign worker programs, and permanent residence to all migrant workers and their family who have been living and working on Canadian farms for decades. Background on the Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers For decades, migrant workers and their advocates have been pointing out the unfree labour and exploitation in the closed, employer-tied system. In response to J4MWs Harvesting Freedom campaign and caravan, the Parliamentary HUMA committee recommended the VOWP as a way to improve the well-being of migrant workers in Canada and to [incentivize employers] to not mistreat or abuse migrant workers. Four years have passed since the June 2019 implementation of the VOWP, and migrant farm workers remain vulnerable to exploitation and oppressive working and living conditions. From the onset, the VOWP application process was uncertain and inconsistent. The onus was on the applicants to provide sufficient evidence of abuse, even though the government is well aware of the difficulties racialized, invisibilized, and precarious workers face in meeting evidentiary burdens. J4MW states that the VOWP was a fig leaf that disregarded the structurally imposed vulnerabilities of closed work permits and the farm program. Crucially, even when workers are successful in their VOWPs despite all the barriers to accessing justice, not only are they time-limited to a single year, they are non-renewable. To remain in Canada after its expiration, workers are forced to rely on recruiters to find another employer who has obtained an LMIA and can sponsor an employer-specific work permit, placing them back in the very same situation where they could face retraumatization and abuse. J4MW believes that this was implemented strategically to maintain the power imbalance that favours employers and encourages worker compliance. The rally will illuminate workers concerns and call for permanent status on arrival for all migrants, as well as ensuring workers have the freedom to move and stay. J4MW asserts that the federal government deserves an F in all the hallmarks that define a just regulation: Access including evidentiary burden- F Combating systemic racism - F Addressing power imbalances - F Structural change to combat exploitation - F Access to justice - F Access to permanent residence - F Incentivizing employers to not mistreat workers - F Provincial support for injured and sick migrant workers - F Ensuring dignity, respect, equity, safety and fairness - F JUSTICE - F Chris Ramsaroop (Justicia for Migrant Workers) Tel 647-834-4932 / Email: [email protected] Taneeta Doma (Justicia for Migrant Workers & Migrant Farmworker Clinic) Tel 519-903-7376 / Email: [email protected] Source: Justicia for Migrant Workers MONTREAL, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Polysleep, a leading Canadian provider of innovative sleep solutions, is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated Moving Day campaign. This campaign celebrates the Canadian heritage of Polysleep's products and highlights their commitment to quality and comfort. As a proudly Canadian company, Polysleep takes great pride in manufacturing all their products locally, right here in Canada. The Moving Day campaign serves as a platform to showcase the excellence and craftsmanship that goes into each Polysleep mattress. By emphasizing the Canadian roots of their brand, Polysleep aims to foster a sense of trust and reliability among consumers who prioritize supporting local businesses. The Moving Day campaign will be showcased through various channels, including radio, social media, and digital platforms, to reach a wide audience across Canada. Engaging radio advertisements will share the story of Polysleep's Canadian manufacturing, while dynamic social media content will engage followers with captivating visuals and informative posts about the benefits of Polysleep's Canadian-made mattresses. Polysleep's commitment to supporting the Canadian economy and reducing their carbon footprint is evident in the Moving Day campaign. By choosing a Polysleep mattress, customers not only experience superior comfort and support but also contribute to the growth of local businesses and the reduction of environmental impact. Through this campaign, Polysleep aims to inspire Canadians to prioritize locally made products and experience the exceptional sleep quality that comes from choosing a Canadian-made mattress. The Moving Day campaign is a testament to Polysleep's dedication to providing customers with the best sleep experience while supporting the Canadian economy. For more information about Polysleep and the Moving Day campaign, please visit https://polysleep.ca. About Polysleep: Founded in 2016, Polysleep is regarded as a pioneering company in the memory foam mattress industry in Quebec. Its primary motivation is to support the well-being of the body and mind through a balanced night's sleep. Manufactured entirely in Montreal, Polysleep mattresses are designed to meet the most essential sleep needs of its customers while contributing to the local economy and reducing its carbon footprint. With innovative solutions such as integrated support contours, antimicrobial foam, and sleep recovery technology, Polysleep enables its consumers to enjoy healthier and more restful sleep. The company stands out primarily for the quality of its materials, its ethical and local manufacturing methods, and its compassionate philosophy. Visit Polysleep at https://polysleep.ca/ CONTACTVictoria Bakos - Public Relations Manager Polysleep[email protected] 514.629.4044 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aaa24da7-c339-4d91-b87a-f20575a2bd6c Polysleep's Billboards for Moving Day Campaign, in Montreal. Captivating Polysleep Billboards Set the Stage for Montreal's Moving Day Campaign Source: Polysleep TORONTO, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Talisker Resources Ltd. (Talisker or the Company) (TSX:TSK | OTCQX: TSKFF) is pleased to announce that it has closed the initial draw of US$7 million under the previously announced royalty agreement with Sprott Resource Streaming and Royalty Corp. (Sprott Streaming) in relation to the Companys 100% owned Bralorne Gold Project (the Project). The proceeds from the financing will be used for drilling, detailed engineering and working capital. Under the terms of the agreement, Sprott Streaming will pay the Company up to US$31,250,000 for a net smelter returns royalty covering all minerals produced from the Project (as more particularly described in the Companys press release of June 12, 2023). For further information, please contact: Terry HarbortPresident and CEO [email protected] +1 416 361 2808 Matt FilgateVice President, Corporate Development [email protected] +1 778 679 3579 About Talisker Resources Ltd. Talisker (taliskerresources.com) is a junior resource company involved in the exploration of gold projects in British Columbia, Canada. Taliskers projects include the Bralorne Gold Complex and the Ladner Gold Project, both advanced stage projects with significant exploration potential from historical high-grade producing gold mines, as well as its Spences Bridge Project where the Company holds ~85% of the emerging Spences Bridge Gold Belt, and several other early-stage Greenfields projects. With its properties comprising 291,392 hectares over 487 claims, three leases and 197 crown grant claims, Talisker is a dominant exploration player in south-central British Columbia. Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance and include statements regarding the Royalty Transaction, including the use of proceeds. The use of any of the words could, intend, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Taliskers current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to Talisker. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of Taliskers management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate. Forward looking information involves 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 forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, title and environmental risks and risks relating to the failure to receive all requisite shareholder and regulatory approvals. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and Talisker is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Source: Talisker Resources Ltd. TORONTO, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TerrAscend Corp. ("TerrAscend" or the "Company") (CSE: TER) (OTCQX: TRSSF), a leading North American cannabis operator, today announced the results of its annual meeting of shareholders held on June 22, 2023 (the "Meeting"). Common shareholders at the Meeting affirmatively approved the following resolutions: the re-appointment of Mr. Craig Collard, Ms. Ira Duarte, Mr. Ed Schutter, Ms. Kara DioGuardi and Mr. Jason Wild as directors of the Company; the re-appointment of MNP LLP as the auditor of the Company and the authorization of the Company's board of directors to fix the auditor's remuneration; amendments to the Companys stock option plan to conform with the provisions of the TSX Company Manual; amendments to the Companys share unit plan to conform with the provisions of the TSX Company Manual; and the reorganization necessary to achieve a listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange. We are thrilled to have the overwhelming support of our shareholders, commented Jason Wild, Executive Chairman of TerrAscend. We have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks as we approach our anticipated listing on the TSX in early July. 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. About TerrAscendTerrAscend 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 several synergistic businesses and brands including Gage Cannabis, The Apothecarium, Ilera Healthcare, Kind Tree, Legend, State Flower, and Valhalla Confections. For more information visit www.terrascend.com. Caution Regarding Cannabis Operations in the United StatesInvestors 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 US 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 TerrAscend's operations and financial performance. Forward Looking InformationThis news 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. 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, the risk factors set out in Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2023. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. The Company 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. For more information regarding TerrAscend:Keith StaufferChief Financial Officer717-343-5386[email protected] Briana ChesterMATTIO Communications424-465-4419[email protected] Source: TerrAscend MONTREAL, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Montreal Heart Institute (MHI) welcomes the approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of colchicine for cardiovascular prevention. Low-dose colchicine (0.5 mg once daily) is the first approved anti-inflammatory medication to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke, coronary revascularization, and cardiovascular death in adult patients with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, which consists in deposits potentially causing narrowing of arteries. Two large cardiovascular clinical studies have been conducted with colchicine: COLCOT, conducted by Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, Director of Research at the Montreal Heart Institute, and LoDoCo-2, led by Dr. Stefan M. Nidorf from Australia. "We have known for a long time that inflammation contributes to atherosclerosis and increases cardiovascular risk. Our COLCOT study and the LoDoCo2 study have demonstrated that by treating inflammation, we can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients who have already experienced a heart attack. The FDA's approval of colchicine confirms that we are entering a new era of patient care, now targeting inflammation as an underlying cause of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease," said Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif. COLCOT Conducted by Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, this large clinical study compared low-dose colchicine to placebo on top of standard treatment in patients who recently experienced a myocardial infarction. The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrated that colchicine significantly reduces cardiovascular risks. Treatment with colchicine reduced the risk of a new ischemic cardiovascular event by 23% and the risk of total ischemic events by 34% in patients who had a myocardial infarction. The study notably led to the approval of colchicine by Health Canada in August 2021 to reduce the risk of ischemic cardiovascular events in patients who have coronary artery disease. LoDoCo-2 While the COLCOT study focused on inflammation in patients who had already experienced a myocardial infarction, the LoDoCo-2 study targeted patients with stable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The results of this study demonstrated that colchicine reduced the risk of cardiovascular events by 31% when added to standard prevention treatments in these patients. About the Montreal Heart Institute Founded in 1954, the Montreal Heart Institute continually strives for the highest standards of excellence in the cardiovascular field through its leadership in clinical and fundamental research, specialized care, professional training, and prevention. It is home to Canada's largest cardiovascular research center, largest cardiovascular prevention center, and largest cardiovascular genetics center. The Institute is affiliated with the University of Montreal and has more than 2,000 employees, including 245 physicians and over 85 researchers. References : The information about pharmaceutical products (including those currently under research) mentioned in this press release is not intended for promotional purposes or as medical advice. Washington, DC, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Mint (Mint) will open sales for rolls and bags containing the third American Innovation $1 Coin of 2023 on June 26 at noon EDT. The reverse (tails) design of the coins in these products honors innovation from the State of Indiana. The following product options from the Mints facilities at Philadelphia and Denver will be available: PRODUCT CODE PRODUCT OPTION PRICE 23GRC 25-Coin RollP $34.50 23GRG 25-Coin RollD $34.50 23GBC 100-Coin BagP $117.50 23GBG 100-Coin BagD $117.50 To set up a REMIND ME alert for the Indiana American Innovation $1 Coin product options, visit the product detail page. Orders are limited to 10 items of each product per household for the first 24 hours of sales. Introduced in 2018, the American Innovation $1 Coin Program is a multi-year series featuring distinctive reverse (tails) designs that pay homage to Americas ingenuity and celebrate the pioneering efforts of individuals or groups from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Territories. The Indiana American Innovation $1 Coin reverse design depicts a series of vehicles that showcase Indiana innovations from yesterday and today. From top to bottom, the design includes an early style gas automobile, a representation of classic car production, and a recent model of an Indy style race car. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and INDIANA. I am honored to announce the American Innovation $1 coin for the State of Indiana, said Ventris C. Gibson, United States Mint Director. When I look at this design, I see the automobiles of our past and present transitioning in perfect harmony. Come to Indiana today and youll find us at the epicenter of innovation, said Eric J. Holcomb, Governor of Indiana. Thrilling industries, including life sciences, medical devices, automotive technology and deeply rooted agricultural advancements abound in our high quality of life destination for top talent. Honing their skills here at top-ranked institutions of higher education, Hoosier innovators have launched global enterprises including Eli Lilly and Company, propelling treatments like insulin with a far-reaching impact. From the early automobiles of the 1890s manufactured by Elwood Haynes in Indiana to the globally known Indianapolis 500 that welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually to experience the cutting edge of motorsports, completion and collaboration are keys to Indianas economic and innovative engine. United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Ron Sanders created the reverse design, which was sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill. The obverse (heads) of all coins in this series features a dramatic representation of the Statue of Liberty in profile with the inscriptions IN GOD WE TRUST and $1. The design also includes a privy mark of a stylized gear, representing industry and innovation. AIP Designer Justin Kunz created the design, which was sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill. Incused on the coins edge are 2023, the mint mark, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. American Innovation $1 Coins are included in the Mints Product Subscription Program. Structured like a magazine subscription, this program affords customers the convenience of signing up to receive automatic shipments of products in a series. The shipments continue until the subscription is cancelled. For details, visit Product Subscription Program. Additional American Innovation $1 Coin products are available at American Innovation $1 Coin Program | US Mint Catalog Online. About the United States MintCongress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nations sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers. Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date of June 26, 2023, at noon EDT. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Visit https://www.usmint.gov/news/image-library/american-innovation-dollar#indiana to view images of the Indiana American Innovation $1 Coin. Visit https://www.usmint.gov/about for information about the United States Mint. Visit and subscribe to the United States Mint YouTube channel to view videos about the Mint. Visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/email-signup to subscribe to United States Mint electronic product notifications, news releases, public statements, and the monthly educational newsletter, Lessons That Make Cents . . Sign up for RSS Feeds from the United States Mint and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. # # # United States Mint Connecting America through Coins Attachment Office of Corporate Communications United States Mint (202) 354-7227 [email protected] Source: United States Mint The 19th national congress of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) concludes at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The 19th national congress of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) concluded on Thursday in Beijing. The 19th CYLC Central Committee, consisting of 170 members and 129 alternate members, was elected at the congress. It passed a resolution on the report of the 18th CYLC Central Committee and a resolution on the revision of the CYLC Constitution. It was noted at the congress that the CYLC should follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and fully implement the guiding principles established at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The CYLC congress stressed that the league must focus on the fundamental task of nurturing capable young people who will join and carry on the socialist cause. It should facilitate the growth and development of young people, and consolidate and expand the patriotic united front among the nation's youth. The CYLC is a mass youth organization under the leadership of the CPC. According to statistics released by the CYLC Central Committee in May, the CYLC had over 73.58 million members at the end of 2022. The congress was attended by nearly 1,500 delegates from across the country and different walks of life. During the congress, they shared their work experiences and exchanged views on the development of youths. Noting that league staff should take up the responsibility of rallying young people's support and pooling their strength for the Party, Pi Huilan, secretary of the CYLC committee of Wuhan, Hubei Province, vowed to better solve problems for youngsters in daily work. Yu Jiajia, secretary of the CYLC committee of Chongqing University, said that CYLC organizations at colleges should exert efforts in cultivating a new generation of youngsters who can withstand all types of tough challenges. The 19th national congress of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) concludes at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vortex Energy Corp. (CSE: VRTX | OTC: VTECF | FRA: AA3) ("Vortex or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of the 3D geology model of the Robinsons River Salt Project (The Project). The work was completed by the Companys contracted consultant partner, RESPEC Consulting Inc. (RESPEC), a global leader in geology, geophysical and engineering work with direct experience in underground hydrogen storage caverns. Based on its interpretation of the ground gravity and seismic data related to the Project, RESPEC generated a 3D geology model to represent the extent and thickness of the salt structures. Based on this 3D geology model, both the East Salt Structure and the West Salt Structure have the potential capacity to hold salt caverns with storage volume exceeding 2 million m per cavern1. The Company notes RESPEC is currently working on estimating the total number of caverns that can be solution mined in these salt structures and the potential total hydrogen storage capacity of the cavern field. Highlights Seismic and ground gravity data were used to interpret the evaporite geology at The Project. The data confirmed the presence of two major salt structures with a maximum thickness of at least 1,800 meters. The estimated thickness of these salt structures is comparable to the thickness of the worlds largest hydrogen project under construction, the Aces Delta in Utah. The East Salt Structure spans an area of approximately 7,000 meters by 3,400 m whereas the West Salt Structure spans an area of approximately 7,100 meters by 3,600 meters. Both salt structures have the potential capacity to hold salt caverns with storage volume exceeding 2 million m per cavern.2 Vortex is planning to drill core wells in each of these salt structures and perform laboratory testing to (1) identify the variations in the stratigraphy in the potential cavern interval and (2) confirm the quality of salt. Information obtained from the core well and laboratory testing programs is expected to provide valuable insight into the planning and designing of the subsurface cavern field. Paul Sparkes, Chief Executive Officer of Vortex commented, We are very pleased with the results of RESPECs 3D mapping. RESPEC has a unique ability to draw from world-class projects, including those being developed on the US Gulf Coast, home to hundreds of storage caverns, and apply it to The Project. Based on the findings of the 3D mapping exercise, we believe that Vortex is well positioned to become a leader in the hydrogen storage space in Canada. Figure 1 - Location Map Figure 2 - Salt Isopach Map Figure 3 3D Isopach Map of the East and West Salt Structures Figure 4 Dimensions of the East and West Salt Structures Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Tabetha Stirrett, P.Geo, who is acting as a consultant for the Robinsons River Salt Project, in accordance with regulations as defined by NI 43-101..Ms. Stirrett is currently a Professional Geologist (10699) registered in Saskatchewan and is currently awaiting her Professional Registration with the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL). With extensive experience in salt and potash evaluation projects for brine, cavern, and solution mining properties worldwide, she is a specialist in exploration planning. Her expertise lies in assessing the feasibility of evaporite projects for development. About RESPECRESPEC is a global leader in diverse technologies and draws from an array of expertise, products, and services to deliver world-class solutions for business, mining, energy, water, natural resources, urban development, infrastructure, and enterprise services. RESPECs subsurface experts have evaluated over 1,000 caverns in nearly every major cavern storage region in the world. With over 50 years of experience in studying the subsurface, RESPEC has developed specialized software and rock lab testing methods. These have proven invaluable in designing storage caverns for both solution-mined and conventionally mined operations. The RESPEC team is also involved in the ACES Delta project in Utah, which is currently under construction and is the world's biggest green hydrogen initiative. About Vortex Energy Corp. Vortex Energy Corp. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America. The Company is currently advancing its Robinson River Salt Project located approximately 35 linear km south of the town of Stephenville in the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador covering over 17,000 hectares. Leveraging the Robinson River Salt project, the Company is also exploring the development of technologies to efficiently store green Hydrogen in Salt Caverns. Vortex also holds the Fire Eye Project, which is located in the Wollaston Domain of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Paul Sparkes Chief Executive Officer, Director +1 (778) 819-0164[email protected] Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words could, intend, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Companys current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the capacity of the salt structures at The Project to hold salt caverns and the thickness and size of such structures; the estimated volume of the salt caverns that may be developed at The Project; Vortexs plans to drill core wells in each of the two salt structures identified at The Project and perform related laboratory testing and the expected outcomes of such exploration programs; and Vortexs ability to become a leader in the hydrogen storage space in Canada. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including, in respect of the forward-looking information included in this press release, the assumption: that, based on the geology of The Project, salt caverns may be developed at The Project; that the salt structures at The Project will conform with the 3D geology model and that salt caverns may be developed at The Project in accordance with the results of the 3D geology model; that the Company will proceed with its planned exploration activities in the manner and on the timelines currently contemplated; the Company will be permitted for future planned exploration activities; future exploration activities conducted at The Project will be successful and will continue to indicate that salt caverns may be developed at The Project; that the similar geological features of the Project to other salt projects are indicative that the geology at The Project is similar to such properties with respect to the development of salt caverns; and that the Company will proceed to solution mine the salt structures at The Project and develop salt caverns at The Project. Although forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Companys management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward looking information involves 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 forward-looking information. Such factors include the risk that further exploration at The Project does not proceed in the manner currently contemplated, or at all; risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral projects, including risks relating to receiving requisite permits and approvals, changes in project parameters or delays as plans continue to be redefined, that mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and that the results of mineral exploration may not be indicative of the actual geology or mineralization of a project; that the geology of comparable projects may not be indicative of the geology at The Project; that mineral exploration may be unsuccessful or fail to achieve the results anticipated by the Company, including that the Company may fail to validate the existence solution mineable salt structures at The Project and, even if such salt structures are validated, that the Company will successfully develop salt caverns at The Project. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release. _____________________________1 Phase 1 drilling to be completed to confirm 3D geology model findings.2 Phase 1 drilling to be completed to confirm 3D geology model findings. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7e02a664-81de-4c64-b4a4-aa4c0c6876b4 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c987275a-fa20-4ffd-8264-de2d9e96e861 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c92d38dc-96ab-437a-a0e2-4dc061ec2815 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/791466bc-ae52-4e30-a829-bca3837b3116 Figure 1 Location Map Figure 2 Salt Isopach Map Figure 3 3D Isopach Map of the East and West Salt Structures Figure 4 Dimensions of the East and West Salt Structures Source: VORTEX ENERGY CORP Last week, the governor of Louisiana enacted into law a measure that made it easier for individuals with first-time convictions on cannabis possession to apply for record expungement. This comes after the governor signed a resolution in 2021 that decriminalized the possession of no more than 14 grams of marijuana. The initiative in question, which was introduced by Rep. Delisha Boyd, was Read More>> NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) are available in the companys newsroom at https://cnw.fm/ACTX About CNW420 CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis. To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer Do you have questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor CannabisNewsWire420 Denver, Colorado http://www.CNW420.com 303.498.7722 Office [email protected] CNW420 is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 23, 2023) - Bluesky Digital Assets Corp. (CSE: BTC) (OTCQB: BTCWF) ("Bluesky" or the "Corporation") announced today that it had entered into, and that it had completed, several debt settlement agreements. The Corporation settled an aggregate of $695,500.00 CAD of secured debt owed to creditors via the issuance of an aggregate 13,910,000 Common Shares. The debt settlement will assist the Corporation in preserving its cash for working capital and to further advance its AI endeavors. With the completion of this debt settlement, the Corporation now has a very minimal amount of debt on its balance sheet. The Corporation also granted a combined total of 8,750,000 Purchase Warrants to Consultants. Each Purchase Warrant allows the holder of the Purchase Warrant the ability to purchase 1 Common Share of the Corporation at a price of $0.05 CAD. The Purchase Warrants have an expiry date of 36 months after the date of issuance. About Bluesky Digital Assets Corp. Bluesky Digital Assets Corp, is building a high value digital enterprise. Bluesky in its startup phase, mined digital currencies such as Bitcoin and Ether and developed value-added technology services for the digital currency market, such as proprietary technology solutions. Offering a complete ecosystem of value-creation, Bluesky has invested appropriate portions of its previous digital currency mining profits back into its operations. A percentage of the profit was invested in the development of a proprietary Artificial Intelligence ("AI") based Blockchain technology. Overall, Bluesky takes an approach that enables the Corporation to scale, and respond to changing conditions, within the still-emerging Blockchain industry. The Corporation is poised to capture value in successive phases as this industry continues to change, evolve, and scale. For more information please visit Bluesky at: www.blueskydigitalassets.com or www.blueskyintel.com Please also follow us on Linkedin at: www.linkedin.com/company/bluesky-digital-assets/ For further information please contact: Mr. Ben Gelfand CEO & Director Bluesky Digital Assets Corp. T: (416) 363-3833 E: [email protected] Mr. Frank Kordy Secretary & Director Bluesky Digital Assets Corp. T: (647) 466-4037 E: [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. The forward- looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and the Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Although management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such. Neither CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. We seek safe harbor. - 30 - To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171212 Bengaluru, India--(Newsfile Corp. - June 23, 2023) - Ennoventure Inc., a leading provider of anti-counterfeit solutions, is proud to announce the appointment of Chad Kite as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Mr. Kite's arrival coincides with Ennoventure's expansion into key global markets and highlights the company's commitment to combating counterfeiting faced by businesses worldwide. Chad Kite To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9578/170978_1.jpg With over 15 years of experience in high-growth start-ups across the analytics, big data, and cybersecurity sectors, Mr. Kite brings a wealth of qualifications and expertise to the Ennoventure team. His successful track record includes senior leadership roles, such as Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing, and Customer Success at QOMPLX. Notably, Mr. Kite has played pivotal roles in the rapid growth at a few prominent start-ups as well. As Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Kite will lead Ennoventure's global go-to-market function, overseeing sales, account management, customer success, and partnerships. Leveraging his deep understanding of enterprise sales and his unwavering focus on driving customer satisfaction and retention, Mr. Kite is poised to elevate Ennoventure to new heights. When asked about his vision for Ennoventure, Mr. Kite expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Ennoventure has some of the biggest global brands as customers and is positioned for explosive growth. With their disruptive, cutting-edge technology incubated out of MIT, Ennoventure is tackling the global counterfeiting problem head-on. With a Total Addressable Market (TAM) of over $2+ trillion, the sky's the limit for the company. I am thrilled to be part of this rocket ship and work alongside great colleagues and investors to accomplish our mission." Padmakumar Nair, the CEO and Co-Founder of Ennoventure Inc., shared his confidence in Mr. Kite's abilities, stating, "Chad's expertise and leadership will significantly contribute to our company's ongoing success. His unique blend of experience, motivation, and exceptional interpersonal skills will further strengthen our market position and enhance our ability to provide cutting-edge anti-counterfeit solutions to our valued clients." Ennoventure Inc. continues to be at the forefront of innovation in the fight against counterfeiting. With its industry-leading SaaS platform and the strategic appointment of Chad Kite as CCO, Ennoventure is well-positioned to make a lasting impact in the global market and provide essential solutions to its valued clients. About Ennoventure Inc.: Ennoventure Inc. is a SaaS-based company that is leading the packaging revolution with its anti-counterfeit solutions for diverse industry segments including FMCG, automotive spare parts and agrochemicals. With the power of AI and cryptography, Ennoventure's technology validates product packages and makes them smart and connected, thereby empowering stakeholders in the supply chain, along with end consumers. The company is headquartered in Massachusetts, USA with its R&D centre in Bangalore, India. Ennoventure Media Relations Email: [email protected] Website: https://ennoventure.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170978 Chicago, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - June 23, 2023) - Personal injury law firm Lerner & Rowe has announced new legal guidance and representation services for victims of car crashes in Chicago. With the move, Lerner & Rowe positions itself to better assist citizens who have been severely hurt or incapacitated in auto accidents on busy Chicagoland roads. Providing victims with up-to-date counsel regarding rights and liability law in the state of Illinois, the firm is able to help injured parties evaluate the strength of their potential case while offering contingency-based support. For more information, see https://lernerandrowe.com/compensation-illinois-pain-and-suffering-laws/. Lerner & Rowe Announces Auto Accident Injury Representation For Chicago Victims To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/170662_374fa509c4d44b9f_001full.jpg The announcement has come after the firm recently listed head-on and sideswipe collisions among the most prevalent accidents in Chicago and the surrounding areas. For those who have unfortunately been involved in such crashes, the firm now offers assistance in personal injury lawsuits, targeting fair compensation for any resulting damage. Lerner & Rowe explained that its ultimate goal is to secure fair compensation for clients after demonstrating the immediate and ongoing effects that auto accidents have had on their lives. Originally founded by the experienced legal pairing of personal injury attorneys Glen Lerner and Kevin Rowe, the firm continues to represent accident victims across the US. While its newly announced services are carried out at its Chicago offices, its nationwide team also spans litigation lawyers and law groups from Florida to California. Additional information is available at https://www.theattorneypost.com/your-personal-injury-guardians-nationwide-lerner-rowe-ensuring-justice-across-the-us/. Lerner & Rowe offers no-obligation consultations regarding the firm's new services, bookable via its official website, which contains LiveChat capabilities for streamlined communication alongside the firm's over-the-phone contact information. Interested parties throughout the Chicago area can learn further details about Lerner & Rowe at https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZC5jby9hdHRvcm5leXBvc3QvYXQ9NDQ2NzgyMzY5JmV4cGlyZXNfaWQ9MTMwMjY2MzIyNw?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjQ_cX08JD_AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ. Contact Info: Name: Kevin Rowe Email: [email protected] Phone:708-222-2222 Organization: Lerner & Rowe Address: 114 E Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616, United States Website: https://lernerandrowe.com/ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/170662 Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 23, 2023) - Northern Graphite Corporation (TSXV: NGC) (OTCQB: NGPHF) (FSE: 0NG) (XSTU: 0NG) (the "Company" or "Northern) is pleased to announce that it will be joining a Partnership Development Activity (PDA) delegation to the United Kingdom on Critical Minerals from June 26-29. The delegation is organized by the High Commission of Canada in London, UK, and funded by the Trade Commissioner Service through the Canadian International Innovation Program. The delegation will bring together private sector and government leaders from the critical minerals industry in Canada and UK businesses and organizations involved in the space for four days of events curated to forge ties and explore opportunities for collaboration in the energy transition. "We are honored to be included in such an important delegation as we explore ways to leverage the strength of our two countries to advance toward a global net-zero future," said Northern Graphite Chief Executive Officer Hugues Jacquemin. "Collaboration is critical to the energy transition and to building sustainable critical minerals supply chains, and Northern Graphite, as a sustainable, integrated, mine-to-market company, is committed to playing its part." Scheduled delegation highlights include a day-long partnering event organized by the High Commission of Canada in collaboration with Innovate UK and aimed at fostering industrial R&D partnerships between Canadian and UK organizations, and a visit by the Canadian delegation of businesses and key organizations to the Battery Cells & Systems Expo at the NEC in Birmingham on June 28-29. On March 6, Canada and the UK signed the Critical Minerals Supply Chain Dialogue to Strengthen Collaboration to deepen engagement and cooperation on critical minerals, prioritize critical minerals security of supply and joint economic prosperity, and attain high environmental, social and governance standards (ESG) and innovation throughout the value chain. About Northern Graphite Northern is a Canadian, TSX Venture Exchange listed company that is focused on becoming a world leader in producing natural graphite and upgrading it into high value products critical to the green economy including anode material for lithium-ion batteries/EVs, fuel cells and graphene, as well as advanced industrial technologies. Northern is the only significant graphite producing company in North America and will become the third largest producer outside of China when its Namibian operations come back online. The Company also has two large scale development projects, Bissett Creek in Ontario, and Okanjande in Namibia, that have the potential to generate continued production growth in the future. All projects have "battery quality" graphite and are located close to infrastructure in politically stable jurisdictions. About the Trade Commissioner Service The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) helps Canadian businesses of all sizes succeed in international markets with export advisory services, funding and accelerator programs. With a presence in more than 160 cities worldwide, the TCS can help you go global. For media inquiries contact Pav Jordan, VP of Communications Email: [email protected] For further information contact Guillaume Jacq, CFO Telephone: (613) 271-2124 Email: [email protected] Qualified Person Gregory Bowes, B.Sc. MBA P.Geo, the Chairman of Northern, is a "qualified person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the content of this news release. For additional information Please visit the Company's website at http://www.northerngraphite.com/investors/presentation/,the Company's profile on www.sedar.com, our Social Channels listed below or contact the Company at (613) 271-2124. LinkedIn YouTube Twitter Facebook Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding, among others, the Company's intentions with respect to advancing its developments projects to production and developing the capacity to manufacture value added products. All such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by management based on their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. However, these statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected including, but not limited to unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of other parties to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure and the failure of ongoing and contemplated studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or operations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what management believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171111 National Health System (NHS) of the UK lists InsuJet(TM) in its online tariff list Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 23, 2023) - NuGen Medical Devices Inc. (TSXV: NGMD) (the "Company" or "NuGen") is pleased to announce that it has received payment for the first shipment of InsuJet", our needle-free insulin delivery system, to its Mexican contractor, Science-Link Trading SAPI de CV. 500 InsuJet" devices will ship to Mexico. This shipment represents the first bulk sale revenues from InsuJet" for the Company. NuGen further announces that the National Health System (NHS) of the UK has now listed the InsuJet" as a medical device on their website, making it available to all members free of charge.[1] "We are seeing more and more interest from different countries around the globe regarding the InsuJet"," says Richard Buzbuzian, CEO of NuGen and he continues, "We firmly believe that with the InsuJet", we will have a very positive impact on the lives of all type 1 diabetics. We can and therefore expect that we will be able to announce further customers in a timely manner." Appointment of Chris Irwin as a Director NuGen is pleased to announce the election of Chris Irwin as a director of the Company following the Company's annual and special meeting of shareholders. Mr. Irwin is a graduate of Bishop's University (B.A., 1990), the University of New Brunswick (Bachelor of Laws, 1994) and Osgoode Hall Law School (Master of Laws, 2009). Mr. Irwin was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1996. He represents, is an officer and/or director, and has served on the audit committee of several public companies. The Company further announces that Mr. Michael Wright did not stand for re-election as a director at the Company's annual and special meeting of shareholders. The Company would like to thank Mr. Wright for his contributions to the Company and wishes him the best in his future endeavours. About NuGen Medical Devices NuGen is a specialty medical device Company that is marketing and selling its next-generation InsuJet" needle-free injection system designed to improve the lives of millions of diabetics. InsuJet" is approved for sale in 42 countries around the world. For further information, please visit: Websites: www.insujet.com and www.nugenmd.com Instagram: @NuGenMD Twitter: @NuGenMD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nugenmd/ For further information, please contact: Tony Di Benedetto Executive Chairman (416) 791-9399 [email protected] Richard Buzbuzian President & CEO (647) 501-3290 [email protected] To arrange a media interview with NuGen, please contact: Nelson Hudes Hudes Communications International (905) 660-9155 [email protected] Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Neither TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 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. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. [1]https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pharmacies-gp-practices-and-appliance-contractors/drug-tariff. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171137 Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - June 23, 2023) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Wilson Baston with defrauding numerous investors in a Ponzi scheme, in which he raised millions of dollars through dozens of transactions purportedly to fund real estate investments, but frequently used the money to instead pay off earlier investors and for personal expenses. In 2008, Baston pleaded guilty to deceiving hundreds of investors in a Ponzi scheme. According to the SECs complaint, soon after his release from prison in 2017, Baston began using aliases, including Chanon Gordon, and presented himself to investors as having expertise in the real estate industry. The complaint alleges that Baston solicited investors to invest with Gordon Management Group LLC, a purported real estate company, by telling them that their money would be used for the purpose of funding specific real estate transactions. In exchange, Baston allegedly gave the investors short-term promissory notes, stating that the money would be returned to them within days or weeks along with a substantial fee, equal to as much as 25 percent of the investment. In some cases, Baston also promised investors a percentage of profits from a transaction. The complaint alleges that, instead of using investor money solely to fund the real estate transactions he promised, Baston used the money to pay earlier investors and for his own personal expenses and benefit. As we allege in our complaint, Baston deceived investors by using an alias to conceal his criminal history and by initially making payments to create the false appearance of a successful investment strategy, said Tejal D. Shah, Associate Regional Director of the SECs New York Regional Office. This case is yet another example of the SECs constant efforts to stop those who profit from lies at the expense of investors. The SECs complaint, filed in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York, charges Wilson Baston with violating the antifraud provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and seeks permanent injunctive relief; disgorgement plus prejudgment interest; a civil penalty; a conduct-based injunction, which, among other things, would prohibit his future participation in the sale of promissory notes and investment contracts; and an officer and director bar. In a parallel action, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York today announced criminal charges against Wilson Baston. The SECs continuing investigation is being conducted by Yitzchok Klug, Mala Bartucci, Daniel Loss, and Michael Paley and supervised by Ms. Shah. The SECs litigation will be led by Mr. Loss. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This partnership between Stronghold Group and APK Charities will significantly support APK's mission to serve veterans in need Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - June 23, 2023) - Stronghold Group, a VA-certified SDVOSB, made up of a globally experienced team of Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans, is proud to partner with APK Charities to support the organization's mission of serving Connecticut veterans in need. Stronghold Group's $15,000 donation will go to supporting the APK Charities ongoing mission of serving as a bridge connecting American society with the nation's Armed Forces and veterans' communities. APK Charities was founded by Bob and Helen Pedersen-Keiser in honor and in memory of their son, Army Special Forces Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel. On March 11, 2013, Connecticut native Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel was killed in action in Eastern Afghanistan while serving as the commander of his Special Forces Detachment, ODA 3126 of 3rd Special Forces Group. He was 28 years old. APK Charities provides financial aid and relief as well as material assistance both directly to veterans and charitable organizations in the name of Andre, who was known for his passion for life and willingness to help others. Support from non-profit organizations for active duty and wounded warriors, their families, and for the families of fallen warriors is still very much needed."The pandemic has created a negative impact amongst our local veteran population, and we've seen an increasing need to help veterans in our community with basic living expenses," Bob Keiser said. "We are relentless in our efforts to help and aim to never turn someone away when there is a demonstrable need for assistance, as we apply Andrew's living spirit in everything we do," he continued. "Stronghold Group's donation will go a long way in our support for veterans with the increase in need that we are seeing." Stronghold Group is proud and humbled to assist. "We see what APK Charities is doing and the tremendous impact they're having, and we hope that funding never becomes the variable that prevents the continuation of the APK Charities mission," Stronghold's CEO Dave Henderson said. "Stronghold Group team members take pride in making impactful donations to sincere organizations and this is something we plan on continuing in the future," he continued. For Stronghold Group, this donation is personal. Stronghold Group's CFO, Sean Niquette, served with Andrew during their time at the United States Military Academy at West Point. "He was a great guy and someone I looked up to. He was always willing to help others and his zest for living life was real," Sean said. "He lived a life worth living and I can see that his spirit is very much alive through the work that APK Charities is doing." For more information on Stronghold Group and APK Charities, please visit their websites at www.strongholdcare.com and www.apkcharities.org. APK Charities is a registered 501c(3) non-profit organization. Donations can be made to APK Charities through the website at https://www.apkcharities.org/donate. Media Contact Company Name: Stronghold Group Contact Person: David Henderson Email: [email protected] Website: www.strongholdcare.com City: Philadelphia State: Pennsylvania Country: USA To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171129 SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 23, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) Mobility Market Intelligence (MMI), a leader in data intelligence and market insight tools for the mortgage and real estate industries, today announced the release of its ROI Calculator, an easy-to-use tool for lenders to see the impact their referral partnerships have on production volume. The ROI Calculator counts the agents a lender has recently worked with and the percentage of their business, or wallet share, attributed to the lender and identifies the impact increasing that percentage has on production volume. Using the ROI Calculator, lenders can enter their NMLS number and in the click of a button, receive insights from the previous 14 months, including the number of buy-side agent partners theyve worked with, the number of buy-side transactions captured, the percentage of buy-side transactions captured, the volume captured from buy-side agents and the uncaptured volume from buy-side agent partners. Lenders are also able to see the impact that increasing the percentage of wallet share with current agent partners would have on their production volume. For example, a lender with an average annual production or $500M can see that a 0.1% increase in captured buy-side partner transactions would add roughly $2.5M in production volume to the pipeline. Similarly, one specific lender averaging $1.3B in captured buy-side volume each year would see that capturing just 0.1% more of wallet share from current partners would result in over $45M in additional volume. That same lender could also see that in the last year, they left more than $43B in uncaptured partner volume on the table. Referral partnerships are always valuable, but they are never more crucial than in a market like were seeing today, said MMI Founder and CEO Ben Teerlink. MMIs ROI calculator lets lenders visualize and understand how even an incremental increase of wallet share from their existing agent partnerships can have a tremendous impact on production volume. While developing new referral partnerships should never be overlooked, its usually much easier grow your wallet share by letting existing referral partners know that youd like to build on your previous success and can handle more of their business. To learn more about MMI and its new ROI Calculator, visit https://mmi.io/roicalc/. About MMI: Mobility Market Intelligence (MMI) is a market leader in data intelligence and market insight tools for the mortgage and real estate industries. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, the companys signature product, MMI, provides actionable intelligence for lenders, real estate agents, real estate brokerages, title companies and others in the real estate industry. MMI is currently used by more than 350 enterprise customers, including 20 of the top 25 lenders in the country. To learn more, visit https://mmi.io or contact [email protected]. NEWS SOURCE: Mobility Market Intelligence This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Mobility Market Intelligence), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/mmi-releases-referral-partnership-roi-calculator/ Copr. 2023 Send2Press Newswire, a service of NEOTROPE, Calif., USA. -- REF: S2P STORY ID: 91550SI.04 ISTANBUL, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish police captured two suspects and recovered thousands of artifacts during a massive operation in Istanbul targeting trafficking in stolen antiquities, local media reported Friday. A total of 2,295 gold, silver and bronze coins of different sizes dating back to the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires were seized in the operation launched as part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown on illegal antiquities trafficking and smuggling, the Ihlas News Agency reported. The police also found 44 arrowheads and various terracotta items dating back to the four empires, the report said. Early this month, Turkish security forces seized a 1,100-year-old copy of the Hebrew Bible in Istanbul and a head of a 2,000-year-old statue in the western city of Izmir. Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. Thomas Law Group, PC has released a report on paternity cases. It is aimed primarily at those who seek compassionate legal advice. The full article can be found below. Thomas Law Group, PC has published a new article entitled, "Navigating Paternity Cases: Key Considerations for Fathers and Families Seeking Resolution." The report sheds light on and explores some critical considerations, for fathers and families seeking resolution in paternity cases. Those who seek compassionate legal and other interested individuals can view the full article at ThomasLawGroup/Blog. The article includes several interesting pieces of information, one, in particular, is how Thomas Law Group, PC has gone above and beyond by releasing a fascinating report to help people understand the laws and procedures involved when Paternity cases are filed. Consequently, the report details how DNA Testing establishes Paternity in Court. The information provided is highly relevant because if the alleged father refuses to submit to DNA testing, the court may find him the legal father by default. One of the most important pieces of information the article tries to convey and communicate is how choosing a knowledgeable attorney for these confusing, overwhelming, and emotionally charged cases is critical to have the best outcome. The best example of this is perhaps found in the following extract: 'Navigating paternity cases can be complex and emotional, so understanding the laws and procedures involved is essential for achieving a positive outcome. By working with a knowledgeable attorney, like Sergei Thomas at Thomas Law Group PC, and carefully considering the factors impacting custody and visitation rights, fathers and families can successfully navigate the paternity process.' In discussing the article's creation, Sergei Thomas, President/CEO at Thomas Law Group, PC, said: 'Establishing paternity is critical for determining child support, inheritance rights, and other legal issues. Furthermore, with so much at stake, at Thomas Law Group PC, the firm considered it essential to release a full report.' Regular readers of Thomas Law Group, PC will notice the article takes a familiar tone, described as 'trustworthy and relevant.' Thomas Law Group, PC now welcomes comments and questions from the audience concerning the publication. They intend to provide relevant and valuable information to their clients and readers; based on their desire to help their audience understand paternity cases and their significance. Anyone who has a specific question about a past, present, or future article can contact Thomas Law Group, PC via their website at https://thomasfamilylawcounsel.com/ The complete article is available to view in full at ThomasLawGroup/Blog. Contact Info: Name: Sergei Thomas Email: Send Email Organization: Thomas Law Group, P.C. Address: 1401 Lawrence Street Suite 1600, Denver, Colorado 80202, United States Website: https://thomasfamilylawcounsel.com/ Release ID: 89100389 If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours. CHICAGO , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AIR Asset Management, a leading provider of life settlement and longevity-related investment solutions, successfully concluded its second annual Private Life Settlement Symposium in Chicago this month, offering industry professionals and investors a platform for insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and a sharing of key knowledge about the longevity space. The Symposium took place on June 7 and 8 in Chicago , attracting diverse participants from the life settlement industry. AIR Asset Management Hosts Successful Second Annual Private Life Settlement Symposium in Chicago The event marked a significant milestone for the industry, as the Symposium provided attendees with an investment-focused setting that brought together key industry players with active and prospective investors. "We are thrilled to witness the momentum and education sharing during our second annual Private Life Settlement Symposium," said Scott Romanek , Managing Director, Sales at AIR Asset Management. "The Symposium served as an exceptional platform for industry professionals and investors to connect, network, and gain valuable insights into the life settlement market. We believe this collaborative environment is vital for our industry's continued growth and success." The Symposium provided a comprehensive overview of the asset class, the latest secondary market data from the Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA), AIR's unique multi-strategy approach to longevity investing, investment structures, and life expectancy concepts and developments. Attendees heard valuable information directly from industry sources. One element remains clear; life settlements continue to provide financial benefits to seniors. LISA reported that its provider members achieved an average multiple of 5.2 on the price paid to consumers compared to what they would have received by surrendering their policies directly to the life insurance company. This represents a significant financial advantage for seniors. The report also highlighted that LISA provider members paid approximately $789.6 million to consumers in 2022, a notable increase of nearly $40 million from the previous year. The number of transactions completed in 2022 reached 3,079, showcasing the industry's steady growth. In addition to the insightful discussions about the market, the Symposium featured sessions on investing. These investment-focused sessions highlighted how AIR's approach to life settlements, through its multi-strategy, provides equity-like returns with bond-like volatility, offering investors much-needed diversification to weather storms like 2022. Hearing directly from the managers about AIR's complementary strategies, such as law firm lending and lower middle-market lending, showcased the opportunity to allocate to life settlements while providing investors with a valuable alternative for individuals seeking to diversify their portfolios, preserve capital, and increase risk-adjusted returns. "One of the highlights of the Symposium was the meticulous analysis of mortality rate variations among different cohorts. In-depth discussions illuminated these variations' implications and potential impacts, offering attendees a unique insight into life expectancy estimation's intricacies. This exploration of mortality trends proved invaluable for industry professionals and investors seeking to make informed decisions in the life settlement market," said Christopher Conway , Principal of ISC Services & Longevity Asset Advisors. The Symposium attracted esteemed participants, including sizeable registered investment advisory firms, institutions, consultants, and high-net-worth individuals. Prominent industry participants such as Abacus Life, Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA), Coventry, Q Capital Strategies, Life Equity, Carlisle Management Company, ISC Services, Longevity Asset Advisors, Lapetus Solutions, Predictive Resources, Life Insurance Settlements, and others were in attendance. Additionally, representatives from AIR Asset Management's esteemed partners and service providers, including EisnerAmper, Sadis & Goldberg, Aegis, Kerberos Capital Management, Star Mountain Capital, and a handful more, joined the event. Beyond the insightful content shared during presentations and discussions, attendees had numerous opportunities to network, exchange knowledge, and interact with the AIR Asset Management team. Networking events included a Lake Michigan Boat Cruise to see the famous Chicago fireworks and a dinner that featured keynote speaker Bill Benjamin , who spoke on the "Art of Empathy" to build emotional intelligence in leaders, which complements AIR Asset Management's values and culture. These valuable connections further contributed to the collaborative atmosphere, fostering meaningful relationships within the life settlement industry. About AIR Asset Management AIR Asset Management ("AIRAM") is a rapidly growing SEC-registered hedge fund management firm with approximately $700 million in AUM in life settlements, annuities, and private credit investments. The firm has specialized in longevity-linked investing since 2014 and has offered qualified investors the opportunity to access attractive risk-adjusted returns largely uncorrelated to traditional asset classes. AIRAM's experienced team of professionals from diverse backgrounds serves an investor base of institutional, registered investment advisers (RIAs), single and multi-family offices, and high-net-worth investors. The firm is headquartered in Chicago . For more information about AIR Asset Management, please visit www.airassetmanagement.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/air-asset-management-hosts-successful-second-annual-private-life-settlement-symposium-301861136.html SOURCE AIR Asset Management MIAMI , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, pilots at Amerijet, represented by the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), voted in favor of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The vote comes after Amerijet's leadership team and ALPA agreed to the terms, which include new pay rates and work rules that would increase schedule flexibility. "I want to thank the negotiating teams and ALPA for their efforts in reaching this agreement that recognizes our pilots' contributions," said Amerijet's CEO, Tim Strauss . "The union agreement will provide job security for our pilots and allows us to focus on the future with our vision to be the go-to-world-class cargo carrier of choice." "This new contract reiterates what many of us have known for decades, Amerijet is a great place to work and spend a career as a pilot," added Amerijet's Chief Pilot , Mike Meyer . Amerijet has rapidly grown its fleet during the past three years and now operates a fleet of 24 Boeing 757 and 767 cargo jets as it expands its scheduled service and subcontracted flights to Europe and Asia . About Amerijet: With almost 50 years of experience in the air cargo industry, Amerijet operates its dedicated fleet of freighters from its primary hub at the Miami International Airport to destinations throughout the Caribbean , Mexico , Central America , South America and Europe . Amerijet's portfolio of worldwide scheduled, longterm and shortterm ACMI and CMI charter services provide seamless and transparent transportation solutions for customers shipping time-sensitive, valuable, hazardous material, temperature-controlled, and other commodity types. More about Amerijet can be accessed at www.amerijet.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amerijet-international-airlines-reaches-agreement-with-their-pilots-represented-by-alpa-301861241.html SOURCE Amerijet International Airlines FORT MYERS, Fla. , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of an ongoing commitment to return value to its shareholders, Chico's FAS, Inc. (NYSE: CHS) ("Chico's FAS" or "Company") announced that its Board of Directors ("Board") authorized a new share repurchase program ("Program") for up to $100 million of the Company's common stock and canceled the remainder of its $300 million share repurchase program, which was announced in November 2015 . The Company completed all but $35.4 million of its previous share repurchase authorization. The Program authorizes the purchase of the Company's common stock in open market transactions made in accordance with the provisions of Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), privately negotiated transactions, trading plans adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, block transactions, or otherwise. The Program permits the Company to repurchase shares of the Company's common stock at any time or from time-to-time at management's discretion. The actual means, timing, number, and purchase price of any shares purchased under the Program will depend on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the market price of the Company's common stock, general business and market conditions, other investment opportunities, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Program does not obligate the Company to purchase any shares. The Program has no expiration date and may be suspended, modified, or terminated by the Board at any time. ABOUT CHICO'S FAS, INC. Chico's FAS is a Florida -based fashion company founded in 1983 on Sanibel Island , FL. The Company reinvented the fashion retail experience by creating fashion communities anchored by service, which put the customer at the center of everything we do. As one of the leading fashion retailers in North America , Chico's FAS is a company of three unique brands Chico's, White House Black Market, and Soma each thriving in their own white space, founded by women, led by women, providing solutions that millions of women say give them confidence and joy. Our Company has a passion for fashion, and each day, we provide clothing, shoes, and accessories, intimate apparel and expert styling in our brick-and-mortar boutiques, digital online boutiques, and through StyleConnect, the Company's customized, branded, digital styling tool that enables customers to conveniently shop wherever, whenever, and however they prefer. As of April 29, 2023 , the Company operated 1,262 stores in the U.S. and sold merchandise through 58 international franchise locations in Mexico and through two domestic franchise locations in airports. The Company's merchandise is also available at www.chicos.com, www.chicosofftherack.com, www.whbm.com, and www.soma.com. To learn more about Chico's FAS, please visit our corporate website at www.chicosfas.com. The information on our corporate website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this press release or incorporated into our federal securities law filings. Investor Relations Contact: Julie MacMedan Chico's FAS, Inc. (239) 346-4384 [email protected] Chico's FAS, Inc. 11215 Metro Parkway Fort Myers, Florida 33966 (239) 277-6200 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chicos-fas-inc-announces-new-100-million-share-repurchase-program-301861197.html SOURCE Chico's FAS, Inc. BANGKOK , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the morning of June 23 (local time), the launching ceremony of the "electric scooters as motorcycle-taxi" project of the United Nations Environment Programme was held in Bangkok of Thailand. TAILG of China donated electric scooters to the Bangkok government to support the promotion of the project. Dr. Mushtaq Memon , representative of the United Nations Environment Programme Regional Coordinator for Resource Efficiency in Asia and the Pacific Office, said that since TAILG became an electric traveling partner of the United Nations Environment Programme in 2018, TAILG has launched pilot projects of electric traveling in over 100 countries including Kenya and the Philippines , effectively supporting the efforts of the United Nations in improving air quality and mitigating climate change. There is great potential to promote electric scooters as motorcycle-taxi in Thailand . Representative of the Bangkok government noted that Thailand is a major motorcycle country. With the support of the government and companies like TAILG, Thailand is expected to achieve the transition from fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles soon to improve the energy utilization of urban transportation and improve the living environment of local people. Wang Shutang, Deputy Director of China's Belt and Road Environmental Technology Exchange and Transfer Center ( Shenzhen ), said that Shenzhen and Bangkok are sister cities and should learn from each other and enjoy mutual benefits.He also mentioned that efforts will be made to increase the level of capacity cooperation and green investment of countries along the Belt and Road, and support the environmental management exchange among the Thai government, international organizations and businesses. German ambassador H.E. Georg Schmidt , United Nations' representative in Thailand Ms. Gita Sabharwal , BMA Vice Secretary Mr. Chalermpon Chotinuchit, Nonthaburi Mayor Mr. Sutee Tongyam, and Deputy Governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) expressed their congratulations on the launch of the project and recognition of the long-term support of TAILG. Meanwhile, representative of Thailand's Independent Research Group on Electric Motorcycle Traveling, Director of ENTEC/NSTDA Dr. Sumittra Charojrochkul, Director of EGAT Mr. Somsak Prangthong, President of TAILG Yao Li , and CEO of The Stallions Mrs. Areerat Sriprathai had in-depth discussion and exchange on the electric motorcycle and importance in public transportation. It is learned that all the scooters TAILG donates to Thailand this time adopt the independently developed patented system, boasting both high power and longer range. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chinese-electric-vehicle-manufacturer-supports-thailand-to-promote-electric-scooters-301861011.html SOURCE TAILG The Company's new focus allows for additional resources to be allocated towards Eat Well Group's profitable pulse processing business and the global plant-based protein industry VANCOUVER, BC , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Eat Well Investment Group Inc. (CSE: EWG) (US: EWGFF) (FSE: 6BC0) ("Eat Well" or the "Company"), a leading plant-based food ingredient and CPG company, is pleased to announce an enhanced focus on its global agribusiness initiative to drive debt reduction, improved profitability, and long-term success. The Company plans to achieve this through the following: Closing the refinancing initiative, led by the Business Development Bank of Canada , expected to be completed as soon as possible. , expected to be completed as soon as possible. Maintaining a 28% ownership stake in PataFoods, Inc. dba Amara Organic Foods (" PataFoods ") resulting in a reduction of current liabilities by $7.05M . dba (" ") resulting in a reduction of current liabilities by . Prioritizing Belle Pulses, Eat Well's wholly-owned and profitable subsidiary Seeking M&A opportunities in: Fractionation, Pulse Processing, and global agribusiness Investing in Belle Pulses' Canadian and US operations to optimize efficiency and drive profitability across its three facilities, utilizing the available cash on the balance sheet. Eat Well is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement on all commercial terms with its current lender regarding the refinancing of its $40,000,000 revolving credit facilities. Further updates on this development will be provided in due course, with closing expected as soon as possible. Eat Well Group currently holds a 51% ownership stake in PataFoods, contingent upon fulfilling additional payments of $7,050,000 ( US$5,300,000 ) as specified in the promissory note. However, Eat Well Group and PataFoods have recently reached an agreement to waive the requirement for the additional payments, thereby reducing Eat Well Group's ownership to 28% and reducing its existing liabilities by $7.05 million . This strategic decision fortifies the financial position of Eat Well Group. Given the profitability of Eat Well's wholly-owned pulse producer Belle Pulses, the Company is pleased to allocate additional resources to further strengthen Belle Pulses's global agribusinesses. Belle Pulses recently announced a record for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2022 , with audited revenue of $64,572,157 and EBITDA of $7,015,435 . This represents a notable 10.01% year-over-year increase in revenue compared to $58,661,758 in the prior fiscal year, as well as an impressive 61% increase in EBITDA. While acknowledging PataFood's outstanding performance, including record achievements in 2022 and promising projections for 2023, Eat Well Group's Board of Directors has deemed it optimal to secure the Company's financial future by reducing its debt load and further improving immediate positive free cash flow. This decision takes into account the prevailing macro environment and prioritization of the Company's strategic focus on the agri-business sector. Pat Dunn , Eat Well's CFO, commented, "In combination with the anticipated near-term closing of the Business Development Bank of Canada's refinancing, this move will position us with a much stronger foundation as we head into the 2nd half of 2023 and beyond. By reducing our debt in the near term and focusing on our highly profitable pulse production businesses, we can establish financial stability, eliminate the need to raise capital from the markets, and concentrate on substantial expansion plans in 2024." Eat Well Group is actively pursuing additional merger and acquisition ("M&A") opportunities within the agribusiness sector, particularly focusing on fractionation, pulse processing, and global agribusiness. The Company aims to identify and capitalize on strategic prospects that align with its growth strategy in these specific areas. By exploring new M&A avenues, Eat Well Group aims to expand its presence, leverage synergies, and further strengthen its position in the agribusiness industry. Furthermore, Eat Well Group is strategically focused on operational efficiency and profitability across Belle Pulses' three facilities. Eat Well Group plans to utilize the available cash on its balance sheet to support these investments. By optimizing efficiency and leveraging synergies, Eat Well Group aims to generate significant positive cash flow and strengthen its position in the agribusiness sector. Eat Well Group remains committed to its core vision of delivering high-quality plant-based food ingredients and products. This strategic prioritization positions the Company for enhanced operational efficiency, sustained growth, and long-term value creation for its stakeholders. About Eat Well Eat Well Group is a pioneering Canadian-based company leading the way in the future of sustainable, plant-based foods. With a rich history spanning nearly 45 years, our subsidiaries have been at the forefront of processing, distributing, and marketing premium-quality plant-based foods. Operating with IP-driven facilities across North America , we distribute to over 35 countries worldwide. With a talented team of over 80 employees, we take pride in our products consistently ranking among the top 10 globally. With our family of private label and owned brands, including Sapientia, Amara Organic Foods, Belle Pulses, and Eat Well, we are dedicated to feeding families worldwide with excellence and innovation. To learn more, join Eat Well's mailing list for important updates. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking information are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "likely" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may," "will," "should," "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the Offering including the use of the net proceeds of the Offering, the conversion of the Debentures and the exercise of the Warrants, future developments and the business and operations of the Company. Such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. Forward-looking information is based on assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate. The Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable in the circumstances. However, forward-looking information is subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information, including the business, financial, credit and other market risks. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law. For more information on the Company and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eat-well-group-to-prioritize-global-ag-business-301860783.html SOURCE Eat Well Investment Group Inc. Cyberwrite's dedicated cyber insurance technology solutions provide HSB with data and cyber risk analytics on hundreds of thousands of companies each year as well as monitoring and alerting NEW YORK , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cyberwrite, global provider of the patented AI cyber insurance risk technology 4SEEN and cyber insurance technology solutions, and specialty insurer HSB today announced an extension to their partnership as part of HSB's ongoing strategy to better leverage data and technology in its cyber insurance underwriting and portfolio management. Since 2018, HSB has been using Cyberwrite to assess the cyber risk for any business on demand and in real time to enable data-driven underwriting, quantify the potential financial impact of cyberattacks, manage aggregated risk, and provide ongoing monitoring and alerting to insureds. HSB uses the Cyberwrite platform to assess risk across its large portfolio of insured organizations. "Cyberwrite's technology helps our customers reduce the risk of cyberattacks and protect their essential data," said Tim Zeilman , HSB's VP and Global Product Owner for Cyber. "The strength and reach of Cyberwrite's platform helps us keep up with emerging exposures in this rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape." As the impact of cyberattacks grows globally, underwriting that leverages AI-driven solutions enables insurers and reinsurers to reduce costs and achieve record-low loss ratios in the cyber insurance market, which is projected to reach $63.62 billion by 2029. Leveraging Cyberwrite's technology solutions, HSB underwriters can instantly receive a risk report for any company. This report includes a one-page risk summary, financial impact assessment, underwriting recommendations, regulatory gap analysis, and recommendations for the business on how to reduce risk. "We are honored to continue our collaboration in helping one of the world's leading insurance companies and reinsurers to analyze, calculate, and communicate cyber risk clearly and quickly to improve underwriting and enable their customers to understand their exposure," said Nir Perry , founder and CEO of Cyberwrite. "Using the Cyberwrite technology, HSB demonstrates the potential of leveraging AI-driven solutions with cyber insurance in helping businesses to understand and reduce their risks and get the protection they need." About Cyberwrite Founded in 2017 by cyber and insurance industry veterans, Cyberwrite's products are used globally by leading insurers, reinsurers, agents, and brokers to grow cyber insurance sales, reduce loss ratios, and decrease underwriting and risk management costs. The company's flagship 4SEEN platform monitors more than $20 billion in cyber insurance risks. Cyberwrite is a Gartner Cool Vendor, Frost & Sullivan Excellence Award Winner, and a graduate of the FinTech Innovation Lab New York in partnership with Accenture. For more information, visit: www.cyberwrite.com. About HSB HSB, part of Munich Re, is a multi-line specialty insurer and provider of inspection, risk management and IoT technology services. HSB insurance offerings include equipment breakdown, cyber risk, specialty liability and other coverages. HSB blends its engineering expertise, technology and data to craft inventive insurance and service solutions for existing and emerging risks posed by technological change. Throughout its 150-year history HSB's mission has been to help clients prevent loss, advance sustainable use of energy and build deeper relationships that benefit business, public institutions and consumers. HSB holds A.M. Best Company's highest financial rating, A++ (Superior). Connect with HSB on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hsb-renews-agreement-with-cyberwrite-for-ai-driven-cyber-insurance-platform-301861233.html SOURCE Cyberwrite MUNICH , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The lion population in Africa has declined by roughly 43% in 20 years, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Many lions are killed to stop them from eating livestock, a crucial concern for the Kenyan Maasai. Richard Turere developed a system to ward off lions from livestock using light sequences. Turere has been named as one of three finalists for the second edition of the Young Inventors Prize, which recognises innovators aged 30 or under who have developed technological solutions to help reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Turere's invention contributes to UN SDG 15: Life on Land. Many animals of the Nairobi National Park seek shelter in communal lands to escape predators, leading lions to these human-inhabited areas. Turere's invention, known as Lion Lights, replicates the human presence that keeps lions away. Now, over 2 000 homes in Kenya use Lion Lights. As Turere explains, "our motto at Lion Lights is that there is no existence without co-existence we'll have to find a way of living peacefully with each other, humans and wildlife." Lion Lights has been implemented in several other countries, where it has helped deter various species of animals, such as hyenas and cheetahs. The Maasai inventor believes that others can learn from his journey. "I want this story to inspire the young kids that they too can do something. If I did it coming from this community with no education, and with no resources whatsoever then anyone can make it. Anyone can change this world." In 2013, Turere founded an organisation, working with more than 50 people in his village. Turere's invention caught the eye of Wildlife-Direct, a charitable organisation led by Dr. Paula Kahumbu, who helped him win a scholarship to Brookhouse School in Nairobi . Turere has become a speaker, sharing his inspiring story in TED Talks and at events such as Ciudad de las Ideas. He highlights that "the human-wildlife conflict is still a significant challenge as many communities still cannot afford Lion Lights. We need more hands on deck to build the future we want." The Young Inventors Prize winner will be announced at the European Inventor Award 2023 hybrid ceremony on 4 July 2023 in Valencia (Spain) . This ceremony will be broadcast online here . Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2108682/Richard_Turere_light_sequences.mp4 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maasai-entrepreneur-named-as-a-finalist-for-the-young-inventors-prize-by-the-european-patent-office-301858146.html SOURCE European Patent Office PARIS , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Moet Hennessy announces today the opening of CRAVAN, a unique venue celebrating French art de vivre, exceptional cocktails and culture in the heart of iconic and literary Parisian district. To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/9180951-moet-hennessy-announces-opening-cravan-cocktail-venue/ Moet Hennessy is proud to present CRAVAN, its latest business venture in the space of luxury hospitality and sophisticated cocktails. A true hidden gem, CRAVAN builds on Moet Hennessy's Maisons' decades on knowledge in crafting incredible experiences for consumers across the world. The CRAVAN art de vivre expresses itself across five floors of a spectacular typical Parisian building from the 17th century, reimagined by Belgian designer Ramy Fischler . Starting tomorrow, consumers can experience different ambiances inspired by art, fashion, cinema, or literature across three cocktail bars as well as a Rizzoli bookstore curated by CRAVAN. The top floors house a by-invitation-only private atelier and mini Parisian kiosk, perched on the building's rooftop, where movies will be screened on warm summer nights. Through CRAVAN, Moet Hennessy shares its unique take on hospitality, culture and cocktail-making with both Parisians and international visitors alike. CRAVAN is also instrumental in building an additional bridge to interact directly with consumers through a new and elevated cocktail experience. Philippe Schaus , Chairman and CEO of Moet Hennessy said: "It is with great pride that we open today the doors of CRAVAN, bringing to life Moet Hennessy's mission: crafting experiences. I am delighted to start welcoming our guests at the heart of historical literary neighborhood of Saint-Germain -des-Pres, inviting them to step into the unique and singular universe of CRAVAN. Celebrating epicureanism through a sustainable, lasting and inspired approach of hospitality, CRAVAN is a strategic milestone in Moet Hennessy's ambition to lead the future of luxury wines and spirits." CRAVAN is also the story of an unexpected encounter and alliance between Moet Hennessy and historian turned celebrated restaurateur and cocktail expert Franck Audoux , CRAVAN's founder and Artistic Director. Franck Audoux brings his knowledge of the Parisian hospitality scene and his unique approach to cocktail making, both scientific and poetic, while Moet Hennessy shares its extensive experience of luxury art de vivre and world-renowned wines and spirits. This alliance makes CRAVAN much more than a bar: it is above all a place of to meet, exchange, think, share, taste, celebrate. In that spirit, behind the bar is a team of artisans whose dedication and know-how constitute the soul of CRAVAN. Free-spirited, the former craftsmen and women who have retrained as mixologists are making it their mission to ensure guests feel welcome at all times. CRAVAN, 165 boulevard Saint-Germain , Paris 6e. Open Tuesday-Saturday from 5 pm to 2 am . Please drink responsibly. About Moet Hennessy Moet Hennessy is the wine and spirits division of LVMH, which also owns renowned wine estates through "LVMH Vins d'Exceptions". Moet Hennessy is a group of twenty-six Maisons, internationally recognized for the richness of their terroirs, the quality of their products and the craftsmanship with which they are created. For many years, Moet Hennessy has been committed to its environmental and social program, Living Soils Living Together. Ao Yun , Ardbeg, Armand de Brignac , Belvedere, Bodega Numanthia, Chandon, Chateau d'Esclans, Chateau Galoupet, Cheval des Andes, Clos19, Cloudy Bay , Dom Perignon, Eminente, Glenmorangie, Hennessy, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Krug, Mercier , Minuty, Moet & Chandon, Newton, Ruinart, Terrazas de los Andes, Veuve Clicquot, Volcan de mi Tierra, Woodinville https://www.linkedin.com/company/moethennessy. About CRAVAN In 2018, Franck Audoux wrote "French Moderne Cocktails" edited by Rizzoli NY, a snapshot of cocktails in Paris during the interwar years, and founded CRAVAN, which quickly became a cult cocktail bar epitomizing the essence of Parisian chic in Paris' 16th district. Without nostalgia, Franck Audoux reinvents classic cocktails and creates signature drinks with both an extreme attention to details and a radical approach. Cravan is named after Arthur Cravan (1887-1918), a poet and a boxer, a well-known devotee of Dadaism and an inspiring figure for Franck Audoux . A "free-spirit", ahead of his time, Cravan was notoriously irreverent. www.cravanparis.com Press contacts Moet Hennessy Andrea Cabrera , VP External Communications [email protected] Apolline Celeyron, Head of Corporate Communications [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2108827/Moet_Hennessy_CRAVAN.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1388256/Moet_Hennessy_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/moet-hennessy-announces-the-opening-of-cravan-an-unexpected-and-inspired-cocktail-venue-in-the-heart-of-paris-saint-germain-des-pres-301858512.html SOURCE Moet Hennessy CHISINAU, Moldova , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Moldova is a regional leader in digitalization, and currently 40% of public services intended for the general population, especially for entrepreneurs, are available online. Looking to maintain the digitalization trend, the Government of Moldova's aim is to double the number of public services intended for citizens in the next year. The most important pillar for Moldova to become a true digital and innovation hub in Central and Eastern Europe is creating a complex platform providing access to important technological resources, expertise, know-how, as well as collaboration and investment opportunities. The latest Moldova Digital Summit, organized by ATIC, was the largest event dedicated to Moldova's digital transformation and technological innovations, attended by 2,500 participants, including 68 speakers, experts and leaders of tech and business communities from 30 countries. The theme of the event "Evolve towards a Borderless Future" shows the direction in which Moldova is heading, shaped by global trends. The G2C borders was also challenged to disappear through the launch of Moldova Government super app "EVO", which will provide access to all public services at their fingertips. In addition. The eGovernance Agency of Moldova signed a Memorandum with Romania , for the development of a common digital space between the two countries. As of 2022 the ICT sector in Moldova has recorded the highest growth rate among all sectors of the economy of over 45%, employs 3% of the active population, and has a significant contribution of about 7.4% to the country's GDP accounting for 11% of country's exports valued at over USD 500 million . Moldova has access high-speed internet, which ranks it 6th for the lowest fixed broadband costs and enjoys 100% mobile network coverage. The legal framework for IT campaigns positions Moldova at a regional level as the country offering the most attractive business incentives, such as a single 7% tax turnover within the Moldova Innovation and Technology Park (MITP) a virtual park that combines EU best practices and simplifies bureaucratic procedures. MITP residents' employees now have remote work opportunities, IT Visas facilitate foreign talent hiring, and new "contactless business" laws minimize the need for physical presence in Moldova . Moldova Digital Summit is organized by the Moldovan Association of ICT Companies under the auspices of the Prime Minister and financed by USAID, the Governments of Sweden , Great Britain , Germany , Switzerland , and the EU Delegation. Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtdkHhrAIA0 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2108582/ATIC.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/moldova-digital-summit-2023-moldova-emerges-as-the-premier-tech-hub-in-central-and-eastern-europe-301857926.html SOURCE ATIC, Moldova Association of ICT Companies Pakistan's Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal speaks during an event marking the 10th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Islamabad, Pakistan, June 22, 2023.(Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) ISLAMABAD, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has hailed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a testimony to and a living example of Pakistan's deep-rooted friendship with China. In the remarks made on Thursday, he said China has always been the most trustworthy friend of Pakistan. Launched in 2013, the CPEC is a corridor linking the Gwadar port in southwestern Pakistan with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport, and industrial cooperation. In marking the 10th anniversary of the CPEC, Pakistan's planning ministry has scheduled a number of events to promote the CPEC and highlight its achievements and contribution to Pakistan's socio-economic development. Speaking at the opening event of the celebrations, Iqbal said that Pakistan will always remember the role China played in bringing investment to Pakistan at a time when even Pakistan's own investors were shying away from investing in the country. "Pakistan was grappling with 16 to 18 hours of daily load-shedding, drawing international ridicule, as it seemed as we were living in the stone age, with people resorting to using lanterns for lighting ... the CPEC swiftly addressed the crisis by completing power projects ahead of schedule, allowing Pakistan to illuminate its homes and overcome the energy shortage within a remarkably short time frame," he added. The minister also paid tribute to hundreds of thousands of "unsung heroes, the Chinese workers, and officials who have spent many years in Pakistan, away from their families." He said that during the last 10 years, the Chinese staff of the CPEC were more devoted to the program than to their own families, and made the CPEC a success story. "The success of the CPEC showed to the world how two countries which are like iron brothers and are friends can work mutually in a win-win paradigm to bring opportunities for people in both countries," he added. In his address, Nadeem Javaid, chief economist of the Pakistani government who also works as the focal person on the CPEC, said that the Pakistani side meticulously drafted CPEC documents to address the pressing needs in improving the socio-economic development across the regions. "I'm confident that with the continued commitment and support of both authentic governments, the CPEC will further progress and achieve its objectives and become a model of successful economic cooperation and development in the years to come," he added. Speaking at the event, Pang Chunxue, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the CPEC. Over the past 10 years, the CPEC has made outstanding contributions to Pakistan's economic and social development. Its great achievements have attracted worldwide attention. "We are fully convinced that the celebration of the 10th anniversary will create a good momentum in advancing the CPEC, making more people get to know and understand the CPEC, telling more success stories of the changes brought by the CPEC, enhancing the confidence of all classes for the CPEC and promoting the CPEC cooperation to a new higher level," she added. Algorithm designed to predict and better distribute work among cancer patient navigators PEORIA , Ill. , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Nurse navigators offer much-needed service and support to help prevent patients from becoming overwhelmed by uncertainty, appointments, diagnostics, treatment, their job, and financial concerns, as well as the psychological impact of a serious diagnosis. Cancer patient navigators provide education, advocacy and support while facilitating the process of cancer care. But the job of a cancer patient navigator can be challenging. The complexities of health care, the gravity of a cancer diagnosis, and the growing number of cancer patients served by the health system can create enormous stresses on all involved, including the cancer patient navigators. This can lead to burnout which could threaten the ability to recruit and retain those performing this critical service for cancer patients. OSF HealthCare has 15 cancer patient navigators at its largest hospital, Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois . Each navigator specializes in serving patients with specific types of cancer. At any point in time, one navigator in a specialty might have much more work than others in the same specialty. However, OSF cancer patient navigators typically do not transfer care to another navigator when workloads are heavy, because they seek to maintain consistent patient relationships throughout the care journey. Within these constraints, a team led by OSF's Senior Fellow for Innovation, Jonathan Handler , MD, sought to develop a solution to better balance workloads among cancer patient navigators within a cancer specialty. The team included researchers from OSF Healthcare and its OSF Innovation group, the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. The work was funded by a grant from Jump ARCHES, a strategic partnership between OSF HealthCare, the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria , and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The team developed a model to predict the upcoming week's work for each navigator's existing patients and for new patients needing navigation. A second model then distributes the new patients among navigators within a specialty to minimize differences among those navigators in their upcoming week's workload. The model makes the predictions using data already contained in a patient's electronic health records, such as demographics, cancer type, and prior health care utilization. "Our cancer patient nurse navigators are highly dedicated, and their workload can sometimes be overwhelming. They never want to shortchange the patient, so they shortchange themselves, working extra hours and sacrificing their own well-being to help patients. We hope our system can even out those workloads and improve their work-life balance." - Dr. Jonathan Handler , OSF Healthcare Senior Fellow, Innovation As part of this research, predictor-informed distribution and random distribution were compared, assessing resulting workload differences among navigators in the same cancer specialty. The random comparison was used because OSF cancer patient navigators distribute patients nearly-randomly; except in unusual cases, patients are distributed to relevant specialized navigators on an alternating basis. Anticipated patient needs, navigator experience, and existing workload are generally not considered for this distribution. In this retrospective simulation study, the predictor-informed model achieved significantly greater workload fairness than random distribution. This research was published in JCOa Clinical Cancer Informatics, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. "At OSF HealthCare, we use innovation to create greater effectiveness, efficiency and access for patients who want clinical excellence, convenience, support, and a positive patient experience," Dr. Handler explains. "We also take innovative approaches to retain our greatest asset, our Mission Partners (employees), and to help ensure that OSF HealthCare remains an outstanding and gratifying place to work." To integrate the smart algorithm for improved cancer patient navigation, OSF Innovation plans to leverage OSF Community Connect, a platform that automates workflows to help OSF Healthcare orchestrate care and resources. Tenille Oderwald , MSN, RN, a co-author of the paper and manager of Oncology Services at OSF Saint Francis, says the next step will be to pilot the tool. With the planned opening of the OSF Cancer Institute next year, Oderwald says being able to help navigators' support and guide patients through appointments and treatment will be important as more people seek care through OSF at its world-class facility. For additional assets, please visit the OSF Newsroom. OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois . OSF HealthCare has 15 hospitals 10 acute care, five critical access - with 2,084 licensed beds throughout Illinois and Michigan . OSF employs nearly 24,000 Mission Partners throughout 150+ locations; has two colleges of nursing; operates OSF Home Care Services, an extensive network of home health and hospice services; owns Pointcore, Inc., comprised of health care-related businesses; OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for the organization; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups. OSF OnCall, a digital health operating unit, was established in 2020 to improve patient experience, using digital tools for 24-7 communication, on-demand care, remote patient monitoring, and offers the largest hospital-at-home program in Illinois . OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country. More at osfhealthcare.org. OSF Innovation was launched in 2016 as a multidisciplinary innovation center focused on internal and external innovation to solve the largest health care challenges. More at osfinnovation.org. Contact: Colleen Reynolds | Media Relations Coordinator OSF HealthCare | (309) 825-7255 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-ai-developed-at-osf-healthcare-to-help-those-who-help-cancer-patients-301861264.html SOURCE OSF HealthCare The adopted resolution urges Congress to include federal funding for shelters and create emergency preparedness grant programs to combat the displacement of all Americans EVERETT, Wash. , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pallet , a public benefit corporation focused on ending unsheltered homelessness, assisted mayors in drafting a resolution urging Congress to provide federal support for stockpiling rapid, scalable shelter solutions. The resolution was sponsored by 16 mayors of cities across the country including Sacramento, CA , Tampa, FL , and Austin, TX , and was adopted at the 91st Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM). U.S. Conference of Mayors drafts resolution to fund stockpiling of rapid-response shelters. The resolution outlines the effectiveness of low-barrier, non-congregate shelter as an immediate and safe model to help displaced populations and build resilient communities. It also highlights how integrating collapsible, easily stored shelters into the disaster preparedness stockpile can increase the speed of housing survivors after a natural disaster, and in turn, transition those in crisis back to permanent housing. "Everyone deserves a safe space to sleep," said Amy King , CEO and founder of Pallet. "This shows that mayors across the country are asking for support to create resilient communities and effective solutions to address homelessness and be prepared for disasters. They are joining congressional leaders to create more equitable disaster response strategies and solutions, and Pallet stands ready to be part of that solution." A core aspect of the resolution is creating initiatives and grant programs enabling municipalities to develop local stockpiles of rapidly deployable shelters, which are lifesaving in emergency situations. This would allow mayors and other city leaders to directly address the specific needs of people in their communities displaced by socioeconomic issues, chronic homelessness, and intensifying effects of climate changeand comes in the wake of natural disasters and extreme weather events across the country such as recent flooding in California . "The climate crisis is existential, but we have an equally compelling crisis in California : and that is housing," said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg . "Its most severe consequence is unsheltered homelessness. The loss of life is the most tragic to unsheltered people, and we need to do everything we can to make sure there is no further loss of life." Stockpiling shelters is an especially prudent measure for disaster-prone areas of the country. When sudden events like hurricanes and tornadoes touch down, cities not only need to be prepared to rapidly respond with emergency housing, but also provide critical aid to support their residents. With experience deploying more than 110 shelter villages across the country for people displaced by homelessness and as an employer of a lived experience workforce, Pallet provided input to the USCM to create this resolution prioritizing the needs of displaced communities. "Part of being a resilient community means being able to serve everybody in your neighborhoods, including those that have been marginalized and disenfranchised," said King. "We're proud of the USCM and grateful to the many mayors who gave their support for adopting this resolution, and we believe in its potential to create truly equitable communities through improved disaster response strategies." About Pallet Pallet is a Public Benefit Corporation working to end unsheltered homelessness, provide rapid shelter to those displaced by disaster, and give people a fair chance at employment. Our transitional shelter villages help bridge the gap from living on the street to finding permanent housing. Learn more at www.palletshelter.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pallet-supports-us-conference-of-mayors-in-drafting-resolution-to-fund-stockpiling-of-rapid-response-shelters-301861098.html SOURCE Pallet JOHNSTOWN , Ind. and SOMERSET, Pa. , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Senior Choice, Inc., which manages and does business as three (3) residential facilities, The Atrium ( 216 Main Street , Johnstown, PA 15901), Beacon Ridge ( 1515 Wayne Ave , Indiana , PA 15701), and The Patriot ( 495 W Patriot St , Somerset, PA 15501) (collectively "Senior Choice"), confirmed today that it experienced a data incident in April 2023 and will issue notices to affected individuals and relevant state and federal agencies about the incident. On April 24, 2023 , Senior Choice discovered suspicious activity that affected some internal systems used for business operations. Upon becoming aware of the incident, Senior Choice immediately implemented measures to contain the situation and further safeguard the security of its computer systems. Over the past weeks, the Senior Choice team has been working diligently to continue its investigation, add further technical safeguards to existing protections, and bring the limited number of impacted systems back online quickly and securely. Immediately upon discovery of this incident, Senior Choice engaged the assistance of leading industry professionals in data privacy and security, who continue to lead the incident investigation, response and reporting to relevant government agencies, including law enforcement. At this time, the investigation remains ongoing; however, there is evidence that unauthorized actors accessed some internal systems used for business operations during the period between April 18, 2023 , and April 24, 2023 . There is no evidence that any software systems used directly for resident care were impacted. There has been no impact on the care and services provided to those who reside at the three facilities and our staff continues to provide the highest level of care and services. Based on our investigation findings to date, we believe the following types of information may have been affected: name, address, birth date, admission date, discharge date, death date, medical record number, provider or facility name, medical condition, diagnosis and/or treatment information, lab results, medications, payment amount history information, insurance payment amount information, date of service, Social Security number, financial account information, credit card number, medical information, health insurance information, driver's license or state identification number, passport number, and any information on an individual that was created, used, or disclosed in the course of providing health care services. These are general categories of information that we believe may be present within the affected systems and may have been accessed by the unauthorized actor during the incident. However, specific individuals and the extent of the information accessed are not yet known. Because our investigation is ongoing, we are providing notice to all individuals who may potentially be affected by this situation. As our investigation continues, we encourage individuals who may be potentially impacted to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud. We encourage a cautious review of account statements and explanation of benefits forms for suspicious activity. Additional monitoring can be conducted by checking free credit reports for suspicious activity and errors. Under U.S. law, individuals are entitled to one (1) free credit report annually from each of the three (3) major credit reporting bureaus. Additional information and resources are outlined below. Equifax Experian TransUnion https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/ https://www.experian.com/help https://www.transunion.com/credit-help 1-888-298-0045 1-888-397-3742 1-833-395-6938 Equifax Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 Experian Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016 Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094 Moreover, information regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, security freezes, and the steps an individual can take to protect personal information may be obtained by contacting the consumer reporting agencies, the Federal Trade Commission, or the appropriate state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission can be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW , Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. Individuals can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by calling 1-877-438-4338. Individuals should file a police report if they are a victim of identity theft or fraud. To file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, an individual will likely need to provide some proof that they have been a victim. If you have questions, you can contact Senior Choice at 724-463-3864 or by mail at the address of the appropriate facility: The Atrium ( 216 Main Street , Johnstown, PA 15901), Beacon Ridge ( 1515 Wayne Ave , Indiana , PA 15701), and The Patriot ( 495 W Patriot St , Somerset, PA 15501). View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/senior-choice-inc-provides-notice-of-security-incident-301861306.html SOURCE Senior Choice, Inc. WICHITA, Kan. , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. announced today that it will meet with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers on Saturday, June 24 , to continue negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. In a vote on Wednesday, June 21 , Spirit workers in Wichita , represented by the IAM Local Lodge 839, rejected a contract proposal that had been agreed by both sides' bargaining committees, which included significant wage increases, a $7,500 ratification bonus, and enhancements to paid time off and job security. The IAM local members also voted to authorize a strike. "We are disappointed by the outcome of the IAM vote on Wednesday. Since then, however, we have continued to engage with IAM representatives and have agreed to meet on Saturday morning with the IAM bargaining committee and other IAM representatives with the assistance of a mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service," said Tom Gentile , President & CEO of Spirit AeroSystems. "As has been our focus throughout these negotiations, we want to provide our IAM-represented employees a fair-and-competitive contract. We are committed to reaching an agreement with Local 839 as quickly as possible for our employees." Gentile noted the increasing demand for aircraft production as air travel returns to pre-pandemic levels and stressed that it is important to employees, the company and other stakeholders to continue supporting Spirit customers. Following Wednesday's vote, Spirit suspended production in Wichita . As Spirit continues to pursue an agreement, the company expects Wichita production operations to remain suspended until that agreement is reached. "I am proud of our Spirit employees. They are part of a bright future for this company, and I look forward to building that future together," Gentile said. Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. ("Spirit"), is a subsidiary of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. [NYSE: SPR] ("Spirit AeroSystems"). About Spirit AeroSystems Inc. Spirit AeroSystems is one of the world's largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defense platforms, and business/regional jets. With expertise in aluminum and advanced composite manufacturing solutions, the company's core products include fuselages, integrated wings and wing components, pylons, and nacelles. We are leveraging decades of design and manufacturing expertise to be the most innovative and reliable supplier of military aerostructures, and specialty high-temperature materials, enabling warfighters to execute complex, critical missions. Spirit also serves the aftermarket for commercial and business/regional jets. Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas , Spirit has facilities in the U.S. , U.K. , France , Malaysia and Morocco . More information is available at www.spiritaero.com. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that may involve many risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "forecast," "intend," "may," "might," "objective," "outlook," "plan," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," "would," and other similar words, or phrases, or the negative thereof, unless the context requires otherwise. These statements reflect management's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown. Our actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements and that should be considered in evaluating our outlook include, without limitation, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and operations; the timing and conditions surrounding the full worldwide return to service (including receiving the remaining regulatory approvals) of the B737 MAX, future demand for the aircraft, and any residual impacts of the B737 MAX grounding on production rates for the aircraft; our reliance on Boeing for a significant portion of our revenues; our ability to execute our growth strategy, including our ability to complete and integrate acquisitions; our ability to accurately estimate and manage performance, cost, and revenue under our contracts; demand for our products and services and the effect of economic or geopolitical conditions in the industries and markets in which we operate in the U.S. and globally; our ability to manage our liquidity, borrow additional funds or refinance debt; and other factors disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors are not exhaustive and it is not possible for us to predict all factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. These factors speak only as of the date hereof, and new factors may emerge or changes to the foregoing factors may occur that could impact our business. Except to the extent required by law, we undertake no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any obligation to, publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spirit-aerosystems-announces-continued-negotiations-with-the-international-association-of-machinists-301861143.html SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems Theorem Fund Services, LLC announces it was named winner in the Best Administrator Technology category in the annual Hedgeweek US Emerging Manager Awards after it achieved the distinction of being the sole fund administrator nominated in all 3 available fund administrator categories. CHICAGO , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Theorem Fund Services, LLC, a leading independent third-party fund administration firm, announces it was named the winner in the Best Administrator Technology category in the annual Hedgeweek US Emerging Manager Awards. This award comes after Theorem achieved the distinction of being nominated in all 3 available fund administration categories. The nominated categories were: Best Administrator - Overall Best Administrator - Technology Best Administrator - Fund Domicile The winners were announced at a ceremony held in New York City on June 8, 2023 . "Once again, Theorem has the honor of being independently recognized by our clients and partners for our services and we remain hugely appreciative," remarked Co-Managing Member Stephen Giannone . "We are fortunate to have assembled a best in class technology platform capable of servicing all of our clients, ranging from emerging managers to some of the largest global asset management firms," added Mikhail Davidyan , Theorem's Co-Managing Member. About Theorem: Theorem Fund Services, LLC is a multi-service fund administrator which offers a unique turn-key solution to investment managers that combines institutional-level technology with strong industry experience and a deep understanding of our clients' needs and goals. We were founded on the belief that traditional fund administration platforms needed to evolve into a much more comprehensive multi-service offering. This enables an investment manager to maximize their service delivery by dramatically increasing fee efficiency and scalability. We understand that our success depends entirely on the success of our clients and our ability to develop long-term client relationships that fully support our clients in their work. We are committed to partnering with our clients to ensure they receive the very best value combined with the highest quality service at the best price. Contact: Stephen Giannone Managing Member Theorem Fund Services, LLC (312) 952-1455 [email protected] www.theoremfundservices.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/theorem-fund-services-wins-award-in-the-latest-hedgeweek-emerging-manager-us-awards-301861189.html SOURCE Theorem Fund Services BOSTON , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Timothy Davis , CFP, Partner, Executive Managing Director and Wealth Manager at Steward Partners, and founder of Davis Executive Wealth Management Group at Steward Partners has been recognized by AdvisorHub. Tim secured the #51 spot on AdvisorHub's 2023 200 Fast Growing Advisors to Watch List , which showcases the 200 fastest-growing wealth management practices in the United States . This recognition is a testament to his professionalism and ability to bring in new clients and assets. Earlier this year, Tim was also named to the Forbes 2023 List of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors. Participation in the 200 Fast Growing Advisors to Watch List is open to all firms and advisors, making Tim's achievement even more noteworthy. Nominees were required to possess a minimum of seven years of experience, maintain a minimum of $100 million in assets under management (AUM), and uphold a clean regulatory record. The ranking process focused on three crucial categories: scale, growth, and professionalism. The scale category evaluated the size and profitability of the business, taking into account factors such as staffing, clientele, and overall practice sophistication. Tim's practice stood out due to its size, profitability, and exceptional business acumen. In the growth category, AdvisorHub considered the year-over-year change in assets, households, and production. Tim's practice has experienced an impressive growth rate of 92.96% over the past three years. Emphasizing organic growth over mergers and acquisitions, the ranking process also factored in market conditions. Tim's practice, Davis Executive Wealth Management Group, which led all Steward Partners' firms in revenue growth last year, demonstrated aggressive growth, independent of its size, highlighting his ability to adapt and excel in a dynamic market environment. The professionalism category assessed Tim's regulatory record, community involvement, and the overall makeup of his team. AdvisorHub recognizes the importance of ethical conduct, positive contributions to the industry and community, and inclusive hiring practices. Tim's practice exemplifies these qualities, cementing his position as a true professional and leader within the wealth management industry. For media inquiries or to learn more about Timothy Davis's wealth management practice, please contact: Timothy Davis , CFP at (617) 377-4418 or [email protected]. www.davis.stewardpartners.com About Steward Partners Global Advisory Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Steward Partners Investment Solutions, LLC, registered broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, and SEC registered investment adviser. Investment Advisory Services may also be offered through Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. Steward Partners Investment Solutions, LLC, Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC, and Steward Partners Global Advisory, LLC are affiliates and separately operated. Steward Partners Media Contact: Michaela Morales JConnelly [email protected] 973.224.7152 About AdvisorHub AdvisorHub is a leading online resource and community for financial advisors, providing news, insights, and industry information to support advisors in their professional growth and success. The Fast-Growing Advisors to Watch List is an annual recognition that celebrates advisors who have demonstrated exceptional growth and professionalism within the wealth management industry. Source: AdvisorHub.Com. AdvisorHub 200 Fastest Growing Advisors to Watch ranking was developed by AdvisorHub and is based on Scope of practice measured by assets, production and level of service; Growth of practice consisting of year over year growth in assets, households and production; and lastly, Professionalism which includes regulatory record, community service and team diversity. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of AdvisorHub and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client's experience. These advisors won by bringing in new clients, increasing assets and boosting production. Participation is open to all firms and advisors. Nominees are required to have a minimum of seven years experience, $100m minimum AUM, and a clean regulatory record. Using data on assets, households, and production, we rank advisors on three categories: scale, growth, and professionalism. Scale, is the traditional metric used in most rankings. It's essentially the size of the business and its profitability. We also considered staffing, clientele, and several other factors. This in aggregate provides a snapshot of the size and sophistication of a practice. Neither Steward Partners Investment Solutions, LLC nor its Wealth Managers pay a fee to AdvisorHub in exchange for the ranking. For more information, see www.AdvisorHub.com. Source: Forbes.com Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client's experience. Neither Steward Partners Investment Solutions, LLC nor its Wealth Managers pay a fee to Forbes or SHOOK Research in exchange for the ranking. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/timothy-davis-cfp-named-to-the-2023-200-fast-growing-advisors-to-watch-list-301861165.html SOURCE Steward Partners Global Advisory Group A view of an entrance to the site of the blocked new Russian embassy in Canberra, Australia, June 16, 2023. REUTERS/Tracey Nearmy/File Photo By Alasdair Pal SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday the contested site of a proposed Russian embassy was secure, after it emerged a Russian diplomat was squatting on the land following an Australian decision to cancel the lease. This month, Australia passed a law to prevent Russia from moving its embassy from a Canberra suburb to a prime site close to parliament and the Chinese embassy, citing national security concerns. The Australian newspaper reported on Thursday a Russian diplomat was squatting on the land under the watch of police, who were unable to arrest him as he has diplomatic immunity. "Australia will stand up for our values and we will stand up for our national security, and a bloke standing in the cold on a bit of grass in Canberra is not a threat to our national security," Albanese told a press conference on Friday. "The site is secure and we are comfortable with our position." The Russian embassy in Canberra declined to comment to Reuters, but Russia's RIA news agency quoted the mission as saying that it had taken the matter to Australia's High Court and various people were involved The embassy told RIA that staff members were at the site to protect an already constructed building and the supplies stored there, and police had made no attempt to remove them from the location. It did not name any of the squatting staffers. Russia on Wednesday barred 48 Australians from entering the country in what it said was retaliation for Australia's long-running sanctions regime against it. (Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Additional reporting by Moscow bureau;Editing by Stephen Coates, Robert Birsel) FILE PHOTO: U.S. Army's Boeing CH-47F Chinook arrives ahead of the opening of the International Aerospace Exhibition ILA at Schoenefeld Airport in Berlin, Germany, June 21, 2022. REUTERS/Christian Mang BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany aims to purchase 60 Chinook helicopters from Boeing in a package that would cost up to 8 billion euros ($8.71 billion), including necessary infrastructure for the aircraft, a parliamentary source told Reuters on Friday. The sum includes the procurement of the CH-47 heavy-lift helicopters for 6.27 billion euros, 700 million euros for service, 240 million euros for national contracts and 750 million euros for the infrastructure, the source said, confirming reports by other media. The deal still needs approval by the German parliament's budget committee, which is set to discuss the contract before the summer break. Germany announced its intent to buy 60 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters from Boeing last year to replace its ageing CH-53 fleet. Originally, six billion euros had been budgeted for the helicopters. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz shifted policy in February 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, sharply increasing defense spending and committing 100 billion euros for the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces. ($1 = 0.9181 euros) (Reporting by Sabine Siebold; editing by Maria Sheahan and Tom Sims) BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil's proposed tax reform will include compensation funds to benefit states that lose money under the changes, the bill's coordinator, Congressman Aguinaldo Ribeiro, said on Thursday, as the proposed constitutional amendment was unveiled. The restructuring of Brazil's notoriously complex consumption taxes, which has been attempted previously by various governments multiple times without success, is a key step in President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's plan to boost growth. The proposal, which must still be debated by Congress, plans to over eight years merge various levies into a value-added tax (VAT) with separate federal and regional rates. The proposal, which would shift the tax basis from where goods are produced to where they are consumed, is expected to benefit the coffers of Brazil's wealthier and more populous states. While the VAT change is set to take eight years, the proposal sets out a 50-year transition period for the place-of-consumption reform, starting in 2029 in a bid to soften the opposition of some state governors. The federal government would also finance a fund devoted to the states' development, at a cost of 8 billion reais in 2029 and rising to an annual amount of at least 40 billion reais ($8.38 billion) from 2033. A second fund would be created to compensate for tax benefits already granted by states, to which the government would allocate a total of 160 billion reais from 2025 to 2032. Prior to the official presentation of the bill, Speaker Arthur Lira said it should be voted on in the Lower House in the first week of July. Finance Minister Fernando Haddad has emphasized that his team's immediate focus over the next two weeks will be solely on securing its approval. The proposal acknowledged exemptions in standard tax rates, including a reduced rate for some goods and services related to health, education, public transportation and rural production. ($1 = 4.7729 reais) (Reporting by Maria Carolina Marcello and Marcela Ayres; Editing by Sarah Morland and Leslie Adler) A cruise ship arriving from Alaska makes its way past Stanley Park and under the Lions Gate Bridge as it sails into Vancouver in the early morning of July 27, 1998. REUTERS/Mike Blake - FILE PHOTO By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canada on Friday banned cruise ships from dumping sewage and dirty water close to shore, and said it would impose fines of up to C$250,000 ($190,000) for offending vessels. A range of anti-pollution measures introduced on a voluntary basis in April 2022 will become obligatory with immediate effect, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said in a statement. Environmental groups said Ottawa had ignored the largest source of liquid pollution from cruise ships: the water used to clean exhaust gas cleaning systems, or scrubbers, that remove sulfur from ships' fuel. "Cruise ships are an important part of our economy and tourism sector, but they need to operate in a more sustainable manner," Alghabra said. Cruise ships generate more than C$4 billion a year for the economy, he added. The rules ban the discharge of sewage and so-called greywater - the drainage from sinks, laundry machines, bathtubs and showers - within three nautical miles of Canadian shores. Additionally, ships in non-Arctic waters will have to strengthen the treatments of sewage and greywater dumped between three and 12 nautical miles from shore. Separate rules regulate cruise ship pollution in Arctic waters. Environmentalists say cruise ships traveling to and from Alaska alone dumped 31 billion liters (8.2 billion U.S. gallons) of inadequately treated pollution into Canada's Pacific waters in 2019. In statements, the West Coast Environmental Law and stand.earth green groups both welcomed Alghabra's announcement but called for regulations on scrubber water, which accounts for over 90% of the liquid waste from cruise ships. Activists say it is particularly acidic. They also called for inspectors to be put on board vessels. A spokeswoman for Alghabra said the government would work with the shipping industry to find a feasible way of reducing or eliminating discharge of scrubber water. ($1 = 1.3199 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Richard Chang) PHNOM PENH, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The National Assembly of Cambodia on Friday amended the Southeast Asian country's election law to bar politicians or political officials who don't vote from running for future elections. The revised bill also imposes a fine from 5 million riel (1,200 U.S. dollars) to 20 million riel (4,800 U.S. dollars) on anyone who prevents eligible citizens from casting their ballots, and the fine will be up to 30 million riel (7,200 U.S. dollars) if the violator is a political party. Some 111 lawmakers in attendance unanimously approved the legal changes, which were initiated by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen last week. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng said the amendment was aimed at enhancing political leaders' responsibilities and ensuring non-disruptive elections. "Going to vote or not going to vote is still the right of the Cambodian people and it is not compulsory," he said during the assembly's session. "But for people wishing to stand for future elections, they must go to vote," he said, adding that otherwise, "their right to run as candidates in any elections will be revoked." The legal changes came as Cambodia is scheduled to hold a general election for the 125-seat National Assembly on July 23. According to the National Election Committee, 18 political parties will contest in the forthcoming election, with more than 9.7 million voters expected to cast their ballots. COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Danish brewer Carlsberg said on Friday it had signed an agreement to sell its Russian business but did not name the buyer or the agreed price for the transaction, which is subject to an extensive regulatory review by Moscow. Carlsberg, the Western brewer most exposed to Russia, said last year it expected a writedown of about 9.9 billion Danish crowns ($1.45 billion) from a sale of the business, which came as a direct result of the invasion of Ukraine. The sales agreement will not impact Carlsberg's 2023 earnings expectations, the company said in a statement. "The signing of an agreement to sell the Russian business is a very important milestone in the highly complex separation and selling process," Carlsberg CEO Cees 't Hart said in a statement. "While it has been an extensive process, it has been important for us to reach the best possible solution for all stakeholders, including our more than 8,000 employees in Russia," he added. Carlsberg said in March this year that it expected to announce a sale of the Russian business by June and has also said it was seeking an option to buy back the Russian business in the future. A Carlsberg spokesperson declined to elaborate on the identity of the buyer, citing the Russian authorities' ongoing approval process of the company's divestment. "It is uncertain whether they will get an approval at all, and if they do, it is hard to know when, because the Russian authorities are difficult to predict," Sydbank analyst Mikkel Emil Jensen told Reuters. Jensen said Carlsberg would reveal the sales price if they changed their guidance now, which is why the company will wait until it has won full approval from Russian authorities before making any guidance changes. "They need a full approval, before they potentially change their guidance," he said, adding that he doesn't expect Carlsberg to make a capital gain from the sale. The brewer in 2021 generated 10% of its revenue in Russia, before excluding the country from its Central and Eastern Europe market in 2022. Western companies remaining in Russia have faced a tricky exit from the country, as new regulations have become difficult to navigate. Shares in Carlsberg traded 1.1% higher at 1152 GMT, outperforming a 0.4% drop in Copenhagen's benchmark index. ($1 = 6.8492 Danish crowns) (Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen and Nikolaj Skydsgaard, editing by Terje Solsvik and David Evans) Firefighters work at the fire scene following a gas explosion at a barbecue restaurant in Yinchuan city, Ningxia, China, on June 21, 2023 in this screengrab obtained from a handout video. Video Obtained By Reuters/Handout via REUTERS By Casey Hall SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's State Council Security Committee and municipal and provincial governments have held emergency video conferences and issued warnings about fire hazards and safety after a blast in the northwest that killed 31 people on Wednesday. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued an emergency circular, urging all localities to investigate "hidden dangers" and strengthen supervision and inspection. President Xi Jinping ordered a safety overhaul across the country, calling on all regions to rectify safety risks. On Friday, another explosion related to a gas leak was reported in the city of Zhengzhou, state media said. The facade of a house collapsed due to the blast, burying four people, all of whom where later rescued, with two sustaining serious injuries and two others with minor injuries. Another deadly fire at a hospital in Beijing in April killed 29 people. Following a hastily convened video conference on Thursday, Beijing mayor Yin Yong stressed that close attention should be paid to investigating and rectifying fire hazards. Beijing's municipal government, as well as the provincial governments of Sichuan, Guizhou and Hainan have all called attention to fire dangers and the safe handling of liquefied gas. Sichuan's Governor Huang Qiang said his province would immediately carry out an investigation and treatment of gas safety hazards. (Reporting by Casey Hall; Editing by Shri Navaratnam and Frances Kerry) The logo of Credit Suisse is pictured on a building near the Hallenstadion where took place the Annual General Meeting, two weeks after being bought by rival UBS in a government-brokered rescue, in Zurich, Switzerland, April 4, 2023. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy ZURICH (Reuters) - A Bermuda appeals court on Friday largely dismissed Credit Suisse's appeal in an ongoing case involving the Swiss bank's local life insurance arm and Georgia's former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. "The time has come for Credit Suisse to take responsibility for the crimes committed by its personnel, accept the rulings and repay in full the damages awarded by the Courts," a spokesperson for Ivanishvili said in a statement. In March the court said that Ivanishvili and his family were due damages of more than $600 as a result of a long-running fraud committed by a former Credit Suisse adviser, Pascale Lescaudron. A client of Credit Suisse between 2005 and 2015, Ivanishvili alleged he racked up hundreds of millions in losses due to forged trades made by Lescaudron, appointed to handle his investments in 2006. Credit Suisse appealed the March verdict handed to its Bermuda life insurance subsidiary, CS Life, which is in the process of being wound down. Bermuda's court on Friday overturned the judge's finding that CS Life had made fraudulent misrepresentations, but largely upheld its initial judgement. Credit Suisse, which was recently taken over by UBS, said it "intends to vigorously pursue an appeal to the privy council" in a statement on Friday. Last month Ivanishvili won a separate case against Credit Suisse, which recently merged with former rival UBS Credit Suisse was ordered to pay $926 million to the Georgian billionaire for losing part of his fortune, in a Singapore court ruling that represents one of the biggest legal awards made against the bank. Singapore's International Commercial Court said a unit of Credit Suisse had not acted in good faith and neglected to keep the assets of Ivanishvili safe. (Reporting by Noele Illien, Editing by Louise Heavens) FILE PHOTO: Students from the University of Stuttgart visit an Airbus H145M helicopter at the 54th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 21, 2023. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo By Allison Lampert and Tim Hepher PARIS (Reuters) - Jean Blondin usually attends the world's largest air show to find new contracts. This year, he has made the journey from Canada to look for something equally precious - workers. Labour shortages are an urgent topic at this week's Paris Airshow, with gaps in the workforce singled out as one of the main factors hampering a swift recovery from the pandemic. On Friday, organisers opened a campaign to lure people back to aerospace, with unemployed people allowed in free. Among those with vacancies are a dozen firms from Quebec aiming to persuade French workers to join them on temporary work permits. "We are all competing for the same people," said Blondin, CEO of Montreal-based parts maker Abipa International. French Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne greeted young workers at a jobs fair held under the wings of the iconic Concorde jet. "The idea is to show that there are job opportunities without necessarily having a very elevated or specific qualification," Transport Minister Clement Beaune told Reuters. "We also want to stress ... that there are opportunities for young women. There are still too few in this industry." Fewer than 25% of French aerospace employees are female, with only 16% in production plants, according to industry data. Silya Drouaz, 24, is a maintenance apprentice at Air France Industries, one of a small proportion of women working in the giant hangars at Charles de Gaulle airport. "It is never the same thing, there is always something new to learn; I am working on Boeing 777s," she told Reuters. Her message to female candidates at the fair: "You mustn't be afraid of stereotypes; if you want to do it, go for it". French President Emmanuel Macron has made an initiative to reindustrialise France a key theme of his second term with a focus on energy transition, calling it the "mother of battles". WAR FOR TALENT After years of declining enthusiasm for industry among the young, aerospace executives say their luminous, hospital-clean factories are a far cry from the popular image of industry. "Look at our factories, how they are," industrialist Patrick Daher said, pointing to digital screens and high-tech displays. "We are trying to motivate young people; it is no longer the 19th century, far from it. We are in a very digital world." Recruitment signs dotted company stands, with engine maker Safran advertising "12,000 jobs available." Overall, French aerospace firms aim to hire 25,000 people this year. After departures, that means a net increase of 9,000, said Philippe Dujarric, social affairs director at GIFAS aerospace association. In Quebec, aerospace needs 38,000 people by 2030. It's a salvo in a broader war for talent as aerospace companies compete not only against each other but also against fast-growing industries such as electric vehicles. It's also a dramatic turnaround from 2020 when the global sector laid off or furloughed hundreds of thousands of people. While most would usually have returned to a sector known for cyclical swings, this time many did not, executives said. Repair shops were especially hard hit as planes were grounded. Now that part of the industry is a major bottleneck, worsened by shortfalls in the durability of some engines. Hiring is not the end of the story. The loss of experience as the industry halted, followed by a wave of retirements, has reset the "learning curve", driving up costs which only come down as workers adapt to their tasks. All this is happening as commercial aerospace faces its fastest ever production ramp-up to meet a recovery in travel demand, backed by orders worth eight years of production. "If you don't invest, if you don't prepare the educational training of these people, one day you are going to face a real lack of competencies," said Thierry Baril, Chief Human Resources Officer at Airbus, which is stepping up training programmes. For Canada's Abipa, travelling abroad to hire has become a necessity after postings failed to generate enough applications. Blondin said a common language, French, and a lower cost of living in Quebec are helping attract French workers. "We don't have to convince them. They want to come." (Reporting By Allison Lampert and Tim Hepher in Paris; editing by David Evans) (Reuters) - A drone attack targeted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's ancestral town of Qardaha on Friday with two projectiles, killing one person and lightly injuring another, Syrian state news agency Sana reported. The strike came a day after Sana reported a drone attack on Salhab, another government-held town in northwest Syria near rebel territory, that killed a woman and a child. The strikes on Qardaha and Salhab, which are around 35 kilometres (22 miles) apart, come amid a flare up in fighting in the northwest with shelling between Syrian government forces and rebels on some front lines. Qardaha is about 10 km (6.5 miles) from Russia's Hmeimim airbase. Russian warplanes have targeted rebel-held areas recently, the Syrian opposition has said. Syrian government forces have increased deployments in some front line areas according to sources on both sides. Major warfare has mostly stopped in Syria with front lines largely stable in recent years after Assad's government regained control over most of the country with help from his allies Russia and Iran. However rebels against Assad still hold an enclave centered on Idlib province in the northwest, close to Qardaha and Salhab, with backing from Turkey and there are sporadic bouts of fighting between them and Syrian government forces. (Reporting by Angus McDowall and Suleiman al-Khalidi; Editing by Frances Kerry) FILE PHOTO: The logo of Ukreximbank is seen at its headquarters in Kyiv, Ukraine October 6, 2021. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo KYIV (Reuters) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will provide a 50-million-euro ($54 million) loan to one of Ukraine's biggest banks, state-owned Ukreximbank, under an agreement signed on Friday. Matteo Patrone, EBRDs Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, said in a statement that the funding would help keep finance flowing to Ukraine's private sector and municipalities despite Russia's war on its neighbour. Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 has hit the Ukrainian economy hard, devastating Ukraine's infrastructure and denting its industrial production capacity. "In wartime as well as during the post-war recovery it is fundamental for Ukreximbank clients in priority sectors to have access to investments, commercial funds, and war-risk coverage. New financing from the EBRD will definitely strengthen the resilience and adaptability of Ukraines economy, said Oleksandr Shchur, a member of Ukreximbank's Management Board. The EBRD said that the financing needs of municipalities were increasing, especially in the west of Ukraine, where towns and cities hosted tens of thousands of people and many businesses which fled from frontline eastern regions. The loan agreement was signed at the EBRD's headquarters a day after Ukrainian officials wrapped up the Ukraine Recovery conference in London. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Ukraine had secured dozens of billions of dollars in direct budget support from its Western partners and several hundred private companies indicated their desire to invest in Ukraine. "The next task is to implement agreements on war risk insurance for investors and help the first companies to enter Ukraine under these security guarantees," Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app. ($1 = 0.9195 euros) (Reporting by Olena Harmash, Editing by Timothy Heritage) By Nyasha Chingono HARARE (Reuters) - Eleven candidates will run for the Zimbabwean presidency in an August election, the electoral commission has said, after several hopefuls were disqualified for failing to raise the $20,000 needed to appear on the ballot. The election is expected to pit Incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, of the ZANU-PF party, against pastor and lawyer Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), who is seen as the strongest challenger. The commission said late on Thursday that 11 hopeful candidates had been disqualified from the Aug. 23 election, several of whom, including Linda Masarira, failed to pay the $20,000 to secure a slot on the ballot by Wednesday, dashing hopes of a female candidate for the top office. "I have been clear that the $20,000 is exorbitant, it is discriminatory in nature and violates the section that speaks to non-discrimination in the eyes of the law," Masarira said. Zimbabwe will vote for a new president and parliament on Aug. 23. While Mnangagwa and Chamisa remain top contenders to revive the southern African country's waning economic fortunes, an independent candidate for president has emerged in recent weeks. Self-exiled Saviour Kasukuwere, a former minister in Robert Mugabe's cabinet, will run as an independent candidate, who political analysts say is expected to attract votes in ZANU-PF strongholds. Kasukuwere, who fled the country during a coup that deposed Mugabe, has harboured presidential ambitions before. Mnangagwa, 80, is seeking another term amid an economic collapse, with the Zimbabwe dollar plunging more than 50% this month against the U.S. dollar. Mnangagwa hailed the democratic process as he filed his nomination at the High Court on Wednesday. "Countrywide the process is going very well and it shows that Zimbabwe is now a mature democracy. This process is so peaceful and that is what we want," he said. Chamisa, who narrowly lost the last election in 2018, has said his party is poised to take over government this time. (Reporting by Nyasha Chingono; Editing by Bhargav Acharya) FILE PHOTO: A logo of Hermes brand is seen during the Watches and Wonders fair in Geneva, Switzerland March 27, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse By Blake Brittain (Reuters) - A Manhattan federal judge on Friday granted Hermes' request to permanently block artist Mason Rothschild's sales of "MetaBirkin" non-fungible tokens following a jury's verdict that they violated the French luxury house's trademark rights in its famed Birkin handbags. U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff said the permanent injunction was justified because Rothschild's continued marketing of the NFTs would likely confuse consumers and irreparably harm the company. Rakoff denied Rothschild's requests to throw out the verdict or hold a new trial. "Defendant's entire scheme here was to defraud consumers into believing, by his use of variations on Hermes' trademarks, that Hermes was endorsing his lucrative MetaBirkins NFTs," Rakoff said. "Nothing in the First Amendment insulates him from liability for such a scheme." Representatives for Hermes and Rothschild did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision. NFTs are unique tokens on blockchain networks that are often used to verify ownership of digital art. Hermes sued Rothschild last year over his MetaBirkins, 100 NFTs associated with images depicting the luxury house's prized Birkin handbags covered in colorful fur. Hermes called Rothschild a "digital speculator" and the NFTs a "get rich quick" scheme that infringed its "Birkin" trademark and created the false impression that the fashion house endorsed the tokens. Rothschild, whose legal name is Sonny Estival, countered that the works were an absurdist statement on luxury goods and immune from the lawsuit based on protections in the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution for art that uses trademarks in an artistically relevant way without explicitly misleading consumers. A jury ruled for Hermes in February and awarded the company $133,000 in damages. Hermes said in a filing in March that Rothschild continued to market his NFTs after the jury's verdict. It asked the court to force him to stop and to turn over his remaining tokens and post-trial profits. Rothschild told the court that Hermes' request went "far beyond what is appropriate in a case, like this one, that involves artistic expression." Rakoff largely granted Hermes' request, but decided not to order Rothschild to transfer the tokens out of an "abundance of caution" for 1st Amendment concerns. The case is Hermes International v. Rothschild, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, No. 1:22-cv-00384. For Hermes: Gerald Ferguson, Deborah Wilcox and Oren Warshavsky of Baker & Hostetler For Rothschild: Rhett Millsaps, Christopher Sprigman, Mark McKenna and Rebecca Tushnet of Lex Lumina; Jonathan Harris and Adam Oppenheim of Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler Read more: Hermes wins U.S. trademark trial over 'MetaBirkin' NFTs Hermes asks court to block 'MetaBirkin' NFT sales after jury win (Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington) U.S. President Joe Biden and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend an official state dinner at the White House in Washington, U.S., June 22, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz By Steve Holland, Simon Lewis and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with U.S. and Indian technology executives in Washington on Friday, the final day of a state visit where he agreed new defense and technology cooperation and addressed challenges posed by China. U.S. President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for Modi on Thursday, declaring after about 2-1/2 hours of talks that their countries' economic relationship was "booming." Trade has more than doubled over the past decade. Biden and Modi gathered with CEOs including Apple's Tim Cook, Google's Sundar Pichai and Microsoft's Satya Nadella. Also present were Sam Altman of OpenAI, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, and Indian tech leaders including Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, and Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, the White House said. "Our partnership between India and the United States will go a long way, in my view, to define what the 21st century looks like," Biden told the group, adding that technological cooperation would be a big part of that partnership. Observing that there were a variety of tech companies represented at the meeting from startups to well established firms, Modi said: "Both of them are working together to create a new world." Modi, who has appealed to global companies to "Make in India," will also address business leaders at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. The CEOs of top American companies, including FedEx, MasterCard and Adobe, are expected to be among the 1,200 participants. NOT 'ABOUT CHINA' The backdrop to Modi's visit is the Biden administration's attempts to draw India, the world's most populous country at 1.4 billion and its fifth-largest economy, closer amid its growing geopolitical rivalry with Beijing. Modi did not address China directly during the visit, and Biden only mentioned China in response to a reporter's question, but a joint statement included a pointed reference to the East and South China Seas, where China has territorial disputes with its neighbors. Farwa Aamer, director for South Asia at the Asia Society Policy Institute, in an analysis note described that as "a clear signal of unity and determination to preserve stability and peace in the region." Alongside agreements to sell weapons to India and share with it sensitive military technology, announcements this week included several investments from U.S.-firms aimed at spurring semiconductor manufacturing in India and lowering its dependence on China for electronics. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the challenges presented by China to both Washington and New Delhi were on the agenda, but insisted the visit "wasn't about China." "This wasn't about leveraging India to be some sort of counterweight. India is a sovereign, independent state," Kirby said at a news briefing, adding that Washington welcomes India becoming "an increasing exporter of security" in the Indo-Pacific. "There's a lot we can do in the security front together. And that's really what we're focused on," Kirby said. Some political analysts question India's willingness to stand up to Beijing over Taiwan and other issues, however. Washington has also been frustrated by India's close ties with Russia while Moscow wages war in Ukraine. DIASPORA TIES Modi attended a lunch on Friday at the State Department with Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Asian American to hold the No. 2 position in the White House, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In a toast, Harris spoke of her Indian-born late mother, Shyamala Gopalan, who came to the United States at age 19 and became a leading breast cancer researcher. "I think about it in the context of the millions of Indian students who have come to the United States since, to collaborate with American researchers to solve the challenges of our time and to reach new frontiers," Harris said. Modi praised Gopalan for keeping India "close to her heart" despite the distance to her new home, and called Harris "really inspiring." On Friday evening, Modi will address members of the Indian diaspora, many of whom have turned out at events during the visit to enthusiastically fete him, at times chanting "Modi! Modi! Modi!" despite protests from others. Activists said Biden had failed to strongly call out what they describe as India's deteriorating human rights record under Modi, citing allegations of abuse of Indian dissidents and minorities, especially Muslims. Modi leads the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has held power since 2014. Biden said he had a "straightforward" discussion with Modi about issues including human rights, but U.S. officials emphasize that it is vital for Washington's national security and economic prosperity to engage with a rising India. Asked on Thursday what he would do to improve the rights of minorities including Muslims, Modi insisted "there is no space for any discrimination" in his government. "There is no end to data that shows Modi is lying about minority abuse in India, and much of it can be found in the State Department's own India country reports, which are scathing on human rights," said Sunita Viswanath, co-founder Hindus for Human Rights, an advocacy group. (Reporting by Steve Holland, Simon Lewis and Jeff Mason; additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Doina Chiacu, David Brunnstrom and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Don Durfee and Grant McCool) A European diplomat checks a Palestinian house that was torched by Israeli settlers, during a visit to Turmus Ayya, near Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank June 23, 2023. REUTERS/Ammar Awad By Ismael Khader and Ammar Awad TURMUS AYYA, West Bank (Reuters) -Israel's national security minister on Friday urged tougher military action against Palestinian fighters in the occupied West Bank and urged Israeli settlers to expand their presence there despite surging violence and international calls for a halt to new construction. Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, was speaking at a settler outpost - one of several the Israeli military said had been discovered across the West Bank since Thursday but were not authorised. They would be dismantled "according to enforcement priorities", a military statement said without elaborating. The developments followed some of the worst violence in years involving Palestinians, Israeli forces and Jewish settlers in the West Bank in the past week. "We have your backs, run to the hilltops, settle the land," Ben-Gvir said during his visit. The United Nations human rights chief said in Geneva he situation "risks spiralling out of control" and he urged Israel to comply with international law. But Ben-Gvir called for tougher action. "We must launch a military operation, bring down buildings, eliminate terrorists, not one or two but dozens and hundreds and if necessary thousands," he said. "Because, ultimately, it is the only way we will seize this place, strengthen our hold and restore security to the residents." Most countries deem Jewish settlements built on land Israel seized in the 1967 Middle East war as illegal. Their expansion has for decades been among the most contentious issues between Israel, the international community and Palestinians, who say they undermine a viable future Palestinian state. The Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported at least seven new outposts were built in the West Bank since Thursday. The new construction follows Netanyahu's announcement on Wednesday of plans for 1,000 new homes in the Eli settlement in response to a Palestinian gun attack in the area the previous day that killed four Israelis. According to the Israeli watchdog Peace Now, Eli was built in 1984 and some 4,600 settlers reside there. Palestinians in the area say they were dispossessed of their land to allow for the settlement's expansion over the years. Tuesday's shooting came a day after an Israeli raid on Jenin that led to an hours-long exchange of fire between Palestinian fighters and Israeli forces backed by helicopter gunships. Seven Palestinians were killed and more than 90 wounded and seven Israeli personnel were also wounded. In retaliation for that attack, hundreds of Israeli settlers rampaged through Palestinian towns in the West Bank such as Turmus Ayya, killing a young Palestinian father and setting dozens of houses and cars ablaze. Amal Abdulhalim, a Palestinian who is a dual U.S. national, said she was doing schoolwork at home in Turmus Ayya on Wednesday when she heard glass shattering and gunshots. She and her siblings locked the doors and tried to find a safe room in the house, she said. They only realised that the cars outside had been torched and their house was about to catch fire when a neighbour called and alerted them to leave. "I texted my family, 'I don't know if we're going to be alive but I love you,'" she said. She and her family managed to climb out a window, some without shoes on, and walk down the street for safety. A delegation of more than 20 foreign missions visited the town on Friday to witness the damage. "These were terrorist attacks committed by settlers to scare these people, to drive people away from their land," said Sven Kuhn von Burgsdorff of the European Union in Palestine. Military spokesman Daniel Hagari said police arrested three people on suspicion of involvement in the rampages. The army had not been adequately prepared for the outburst of settler violence, he said. "What happened in Turmus Ayya, the nationalist crime, is a severe event that we should prevent. We failed to prevent it," he told a news briefing. He said they would investigate themselves to prevent such an incident happening again. The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned Israel's new settlement projects, which it said were part of its plan to de facto annex the West Bank. Israel is "permanently closing the door to any opportunity for a political solution to the conflict," it said. Israel cites biblical, historical and political ties to the West Bank as its justification for claiming the land. (Additional reporting and writing by Henriette Chacar; Editing by Angus MacSwan) A customer refuels his car at a gas station in Millbrae, California, the United States, March 14, 2023. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) A group of Republican senators on Wednesday introduced a legislation in the hope of blocking California's zero emissions rules from being implemented. by Wen Tsui SACRAMENTO, the United States, June 22 (Xinhua) -- California's plan to ban the sales of new gas-empowered cars by 2035 has met with pushback from Republicans, casting a shadow on the state's ambitious climate goals. A group of Republican senators on Wednesday introduced a legislation in the hope of blocking the most populous U.S. state's zero emissions rules from being implemented. The Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act would restrict the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing any waiver for a state seeking ban on sales of new gas-empowered cars. The EPA, under the Clean Air Act, can approve a waiver which grants a state special standing to set stricter tailpipe emission standards for new vehicles than those established at the federal level. California has moved faster than the federal government and other states in setting strict standards for vehicle emissions. However, California's Clean Air Act waiver was revoked by the administration of former President Donald Trump, a Republican, while California has been a Democratic stronghold for decades. In March 2022, the EPA reinstated California's authority to enforce its own greenhouse gas emission standards for cars and light trucks. In August that year, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), a state government agency in charge of reducing air pollution, approved the plan to phase out vehicles that run only on gasoline by 2035. The new rules mandate that 35 percent of the new cars sold in the state be either electric, plug-in electric hybrids, or hydrogen fuel cell by 2026. That proportion will rise to 68 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2035. The state needs the EPA's approval to implement the plan. Last month, CARB Executive Officer Steven Cliff sent a waiver request to the EPA, according to a letter seen by Reuters. Fisker Ocean, an all-electric car, is seen at a press conference during the first-day media preview of the Los Angeles Auto Show, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, on Nov. 17, 2021. (Xinhua) "These vehicles will permanently displace emissions from conventional vehicles," wrote Cliff in the letter, adding that motor vehicles and other mobile sources are the greatest source of emissions in California. Wednesday's bill was a response to California's waiver application. "California's waivers are not about clean energy, they are about control," said Markwayne Mullin, a Republican senator from Oklahoma and sponsor of the bill. "Democrats want to control every aspect of Americans' lives -- including what car they drive," he said in a statement. Mullin's bill is companion legislation to one introduced by some House Republicans in March. They accused California of "making decisions on behalf of other states." A growing number of states are adopting California's electric vehicle rules that are more stringent than what the Biden administration has proposed. The Clean Air Act allows other states to adopt California's motor vehicle emission standards. So far, 17 states have agreed to adopt California's tailpipe emissions rules and 15 others have backed its zero-emission vehicle requirements. California's zero emissions rules have also been involved in some lawsuits. After the EPA restored California's ability to set its own emissions standards, a group of 17 conservative states filed a lawsuit in May 2022, challenging the EPA's decision, which prompted California and 19 other states as well as three cities to intervene and defend the EPA's decision. The EPA approved two waivers for California to set heavy-duty vehicle and engine emission standards in March. That decision was again challenged by a group of 19 Republican state attorneys general, as well as oil industry, farming and truck driver groups in May. People visit 2022 Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Long Beach, California, the United States, on May 10, 2022. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) The attitudes toward zero-emissions rules divide along partisan lines. While Democrats are generally in support of climate change actions, Republican officials tend to reject any effort to reduce carbon emissions. Many prominent conservative commentators and congressional Republicans continue to dismiss the evidence that climate change is contributing to the extreme-weather events. Climate change remains a low-priority issue for Americans who identify as Republican, and few Republicans express deep concern about addressing climate change, according to a Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults in 2021. Republicans place economic considerations at the top of the list when asked about the factors they view as important in proposals to deal with climate change, according to the survey. California and its allies have maintained that clean energy brings economic benefits. According to the CARB's waiver request, through 2040, California's zero emission rules will cost 210.35 billion U.S. dollars, but the total benefits will reach 301.41 billion dollars. A 2022 report by the International Monetary Fund expresses the same idea, saying that further delaying climate policies will hurt economic growth. It states that the progress of cutting greenhouse gas emissions will inevitably impose short-term economic costs, but these are "dwarfed by the innumerable long-term benefits of slowing climate change." By Rollo Ross and Daniel Trotta (Reuters) - Movie director and submersible maker James Cameron said on Thursday he wishes he had sounded the alarm earlier about the submersible Titan that imploded on an expedition to the Titanic wreckage, saying he had found the hull design risky. All five aboard the vessel were killed. Cameron became a deep-sea explorer in the 1990s while researching and making his Oscar-winning blockbuster "Titanic," and is part owner of Triton Submarines, which makes submersibles for research and tourism. He is part of the small and close-knit submersible community, or Manned Underwater Vehicle (MUV) industry. When he heard, as many in the industry had shared, that OceanGate Inc was making a deep-sea submersible with a composite carbon fiber and titanium hull, Cameron said he was skeptical. "I thought it was a horrible idea. I wish I'd spoken up, but I assumed somebody was smarter than me, you know, because I never experimented with that technology, but it just sounded bad on its face," Cameron told Reuters in a Zoom interview. The cause of the Titan's implosion has not been determined, but Cameron presumes the critics were correct in warning that a carbon fiber and titanium hull would enable delamination and microscopic water ingress, leading to progressive failure over time. Other experts in the industry and a whistle-blowing employee raised alarms in 2018, criticizing OceanGate for opting against seeking certification and operating as an experimental vessel. OceanGate has not addressed queries about its decision to forgo certification from industry third parties such as the American Bureau of Shipping or the European company DNV. The U.S. Coast Guard said on Thursday the submersible appears to have imploded on its expedition to the wreckage of the Titanic on the bottom of the North Atlantic, but a conclusive investigation will take time. A secret U.S. Navy acoustic detection system recorded "an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost," the Navy told the Wall Street Journal. Cameron said his sources reported similar information and he knew the submersible was lost from the start of the four-day ordeal, suspecting it imploded at the time the Titan's mother ship lost communications with and tracking of the submersible one hour and 45 minutes into the mission. "We got confirmation within an hour that there had been a loud bang at the same time that the sub comms were lost. A loud bang on the hydrophone. Loss of transponder. Loss of comms. I knew what happened. The sub imploded," Cameron said. He added that he told colleagues in an email on Monday, "We've lost some friends," and, "It's on the bottom in pieces right now." The five who died mark the first deep-sea fatalities for the industry, Cameron said. The industry standard is to make pressure hulls out of contiguous materials such as steel, titanium, ceramic or acrylic, which are better for conducting tests, Cameron said. "We celebrate innovation, right? But you shouldn't be using an experimental vehicle for paying passengers that aren't themselves deep ocean engineers," Cameron said. Cameron said both the Titanic and the Titan tragedies were preceded by unheeded warnings. In the Titanic's case, the captain sped across the Atlantic on a moonless night despite being told about icebergs. "Here were are again," Cameron said. "And at the same place. Now there's one wreck lying next to the other wreck for the same damn reason." (Reporting by Rollo Ross and Daniel Trotta; Editing by Leslie Adler) FILE PHOTO: A man holding a Venezuelan flag gestures as union workers, members of political opposition parties, and others participate in a protest against the government of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro during May Day, in Caracas, Venezuela May 1, By Vivian Sequera CARACAS (Reuters) - Former lawmaker and engineer Maria Corina Machado, ex-presidential candidate Henrique Capriles and at least five others will run in an October opposition primary in Venezuela, the first since 2012 as the opposition seeks to unseat President Nicolas Maduro in an election next year. Popular Will party opposition figure Freddy Superlano and Machado have already formally registered, while Capriles said he plans to do so on Saturday, the final registration day. The fractured opposition, which runs a parallel legislature recognized by the United States and controls the country's foreign assets, was already facing widespread voter apathy. Now it has a new challenge - the resignation this month of members of the electoral council, which has obliged the opposition to hold the vote without state funding or help. Replacing the electoral council - which the opposition has long alleged is biased towards the ruling party, but which included two opposition members - could take more than two months. That leaves little time for planning before the Oct. 22 vote, forcing the opposition to organize without the council, Jesus Maria Casal, the head of the opposition primary committee has said. "The real truth is that this election will be very complicated," said pollster Saul Cabrera. "It's not just the capacity to organize, but that everything has a cost in dollars." The opposition has not confirmed how much the primary could cost, but analysts estimate printing and transporting ballots, giving snacks and transport to polling volunteers and advertising voting locations could cost between $5 million and $7 million. Former legislators Roberto Enriquez, Tamara Adrian, Cesar Perez Vivas and Delsa Solorzano and former governor Andres Velasquez have already registered. Manuel Rosales, governor of oil state Zulia, ex-lawmaker Carlos Prosperi, and economist and politician Andres Caleca are also expected to register. Benjamin Rausseo, a comedian known as 'El Conde', will not participate in the primary, running instead as an independent. The primary may also face roadblocks put in place by the ruling party, said Benigno Alarcon, director of the Center for Political and Government Studies at Andres Bello Catholic University in Caracas. "The government will do all that is humanly possible so there isn't a primary and if there is, that it goes very badly," he said. "For Maduro the ideal is for several opposition candidates to run (in the presidential race), taking votes from each other." The communications ministry and electoral council did not respond to questions about the primary. Up to 3 million of Venezuela's 21 million eligible voters could participate in the primary, Alarcon said. (Reporting by Vivian Sequera; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Daniel Wallis) By Carien du Plessis and Felix Njini JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -A methane gas explosion in a disused South African mine killed at least 31 people last month believed to be from neighbouring Lesotho, South Africa's energy department said on Friday. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) had said late on Thursday that South Africa was investigating the deaths, which occurred in a ventilation shaft in the shuttered Virginia mine in Free State province. Lesotho's foreign ministry had reported the incident to Pretoria, it said. The DMRE said an investigation into the incident with the help of Harmony Gold - the previous owner of the mine which ceased operations in the 1990s - determined that methane levels were very high in the ventilation shaft and an explosion had occurred. "As such, it is currently too risky to dispatch a search team to the shaft. However, we are considering various options to speedily deal with the situation," it said. A spokesperson for mining and energy minister Gwede Mantashe said it might take a while to retrieve the bodies as authorities did not want to risk losing more lives. Illegal mining has plagued South Africa's mining industry for decades, robbing the sector and state coffers of billions of rand through smalltime pilfering as well as networks run by organised crime. Informal mining is rampant in old mine shafts that lie abandoned decades after the country's gold rush. "These guys are heavily armed, and that's the difficulty [with policing them]," said the mining minister's spokesperson, Nathi Shabangu, referring to the criminal gangs. "It is a big challenge, and cannot be solved within a day or overnight." Harmony said it viewed the incident - which occurred in the third week of May - as a criminal matter and has handed it over to the South African police for further investigation. "We were informed by one of the illegal miners (who survived) that there had been an explosion and that the incident resulted in loss of life," said Jared Coetzer, Harmony's head of investor relations. Coetzer said the shaft was acquired in the mid-1980s but was closed shortly afterwards due to a methane gas explosion and was never used by the miner. "We don't know how the people got to the place where the explosion occurred," he added. Methane is a highly explosive greenhouse gas often found in underground mines and poses serious safety and health threats to mine workers. Talks were ongoing between South Africa and Lesotho to retrieve the bodies and bring them home, said Thapelo Mabote, a spokesperson for the small mountain kingdom's prime minister. A chief in the Berea district, from where most of the dead men hailed from, spoke on behalf of the bereaved families and said he had lost six of his men and was waiting for details. "We don't want anything more than just to have those bodies retrieved and repatriated, that's all we are asking for," said Makhabane Peete. In a separate incident on Friday, South African police said they were investigating the deaths of eight people suspected to be illegal miners who were found in Germiston, Gauteng province. The bodies were found wrapped in white sacks by the roadside. When illegal miners die underground their colleagues sometimes retrieve the bodies and leave them in a public place for police to find, said police spokesperson Brenda Muridili. (Additional reporting by Marafaele Mohloboli in Maseru; writing by Bhargav Acharya and Nellie Peyton; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Jason Neely and Louise Heavens) RABAT (Reuters) -Morocco will delay a summit it is hosting between Israel and Arab states that have signed "Abraham Accords" peace pacts, its foreign minister said on Friday, amid rising strife in the West Bank. The decision to postpone the summit until after the summer comes after Israel decided to expand settlement-building in the occupied West Bank and after an Israeli raid on Jenin in which five people were killed. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said the decision was partly over scheduling but also because of what he called "provocative and unilateral acts" that "undermine peace efforts in the region". He condemned the Israeli army raid on Jenin, in the West Bank, and rejected Israel's decision to expand settlements in occupied territory where Palestinians want to establish an independent state. Israel said its operation in Jenin was intended to arrest two Palestinians suspected of attacks. It announced the decision to build 1,000 new houses in the Eli settlement in the West Bank in response to a Palestinian gun attack nearby. Morocco is one of four Arab states - alongside the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan - that moved closer to Israel following a U.S.-driven diplomatic initiative in 2020. Rabat boosted ties with Israel and agreed to move towards full diplomatic relations in return for U.S. recognition of its sovereignty over the territory of Western Sahara, which is claimed by an Algeria-backed independence movement. Morocco has said it wants to see the creation of a Palestinian state with its capital in east Jerusalem as part of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The planned summit follows one held last year in Israel's Negev desert between Israel, Bahrain, Morocco, the UAE, United States and Egypt, which agreed to peace with Israel in 1979. Israel had previously announced that Morocco would host the forum in March, with Foreign Minister Eli Cohen saying other countries that do not have ties with Israel might also attend. An aide to Cohen had earlier this month blamed the delays on the difficulty of coordinating the schedule. Israel's Foreign Ministry declined to comment on Friday. Yair Lapid, a former Israeli foreign and prime minister who was an architect of the forum when in power last year, said that "failure follows failure" with the current Israeli government. "This is not how foreign policy should be conducted," said Lapid, who now heads the opposition to Prime Minister Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nationalist-religious government. (Reporting by Ahmed El Jechtimi and Dan WilliamsEditing by Mark Heinrich and Frances Kerry) Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrives for the closing session of the New Global Financial Pact Summit, Friday, June 23, 2023 in Paris, France. The aim of the two-day climate and finance summit was to set up concrete measures to help poor and developing countri By Casey Hall SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Premier Li Qiang urged China and Europe to "rise above differences" and find "creative solutions" at a summit in Paris on Friday, in order to overcome global problems such as climate change and poverty alleviation. "China will unequivocally reject trade protectionism and all forms of decoupling and severing of supply chains," Li said on the final day of the two-day summit, adding that China would continue to take practical steps to support its fellow developing countries. Easing the debt burden on some of the world's most vulnerable countries while finding ways to free up billions of dollars in new funds for climate finance were key objectives of the summit. "China is ready to be engaged in debt relief efforts in an effective, realistic and comprehensive manner in keeping with the principle of fair burden sharing," Li said. During the summit, Zambia struck a deal to restructure $6.3 billion in debt owed to other governments, including China, its largest official creditor. (Reporting by Casey Hall; Editing by Christina Fincher & Simon Cameron-Moore) FILE PHOTO: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov attends a news conference at the Russian Mission after his speech at the Conference on Disarmament at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland March 2, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo (Reuters) - Russia will not inform the U.S. about the number of nuclear warheads it is stationing in Belarus or tests of its nuclear-capable Poseidon torpedo, the Interfax news agency quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying on Friday. Moscow and Minsk say Belarus has already begun receiving the Russian tactical, or short-range, nuclear weapons that President Vladimir Putin had publicly promised to station there, as tensions with the West soar over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "I deeply doubt that this topic will become the subject of any public discussion or disclosure on our part," Ryabkov was quoted as telling reporters in the southern town of Sochi. "For decades the United States has kept its tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of a number of European countries, and it never gives exact numbers." Short-range weapons do not fall under the terms of the New Start treaty, the last remaining U.S.-Russia arms control treaty, which caps the countries' strategic nuclear arsenals. Putin has suspended Russia's participation in it, although both sides have pledged to continue to respect its limits. There is also no treaty or verification mechanism covering nuclear-capable and nuclear-powered autonomous torpedoes such as Poseidon, and Ryabkov said Russia therefore had no plans to inform the United States about tests of the system. U.S. and Russian officials have both described Poseidon as a new category of retaliatory weapon, something of a cross between a torpedo and an underwater drone, capable of triggering radioactive ocean swells to attack naval battle groups or render coastal cities uninhabitable. The state news agency TASS reported in January, citing an unidentified defence source, that Russia had produced the first set of Poseidon torpedoes for deployment on the Belgorod nuclear-powered submarine. In April, TASS said Russia planned to form a division of special-purpose submarines that will carry Poseidon torpedoes as part of its Pacific Fleet by the end of 2024 or first half of 2025. (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Kevin Liffey and Alison Williams) General Sergei Surovikin, commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, visits the Joint Headquarters of the Russian armed forces involved in military operations in Ukraine, in an unknown location in Russia, in this picture released December 17, 2022. Sputnik/G (Reuters) - The deputy commander of Russia's Ukraine campaign, General Sergei Surovikin, on Friday urged the fighters of the Wagner private militia to give up their opposition to the military leadership and return to their bases. "I urge you to stop," he said in a video message posted on Telegram. "The enemy is just waiting for the internal political situation to worsen in our country." Earlier on Friday, the FSB security service had said comments by Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin vowing to avenge Moscow's purported killing of thousands of his fighters amounted to a call to start an armed civil conflict, the Interfax news agency reported. It urged Wagner fighters to arrest him. (Writing by Kevin Liffey; Editing by Daniel Wallis) By Mohammed Benmansour MECCA, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Iranian haj pilgrims travelled to evening prayers in Mecca's Grand Mosque in a brand new bus this week, as reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran led to improved services for the annual pilgrimage to Islam's holiest sites. Sayid Mahdi, who will be in charge of around 2,800 Iranian pilgrims that will perform haj next week, said Saudi Arabia has been more cooperative in finding hotels for Iranians this year. "We thank God that this is improving," he said. "God willing we can offer better services to the pilgrims of the holy mosque." Saudi Arabia is preparing to host some 2.6 million pilgrims next week for the 2023 haj season after removing all COVID-19 restrictions for the first time since 2019. Iran's official media said 87,550 of those will be Iranians. Regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed in March, in a deal brokered by China, to end a diplomatic rift following years of hostility that had fuelled regional conflicts and made it sometimes difficult for Iranians to perform haj and umrah. Umrah is another form of pilgrimage to Mecca which - unlike haj - can be carried out at any time of the year. Iran repeatedly criticised how Saudi Arabia runs the pilgrimage and boycotted the annual gathering in 2016 after hundreds of people, many of them Iranians, died in a crush in the previous year. The kingdom said Iran sought to politicize haj. Iranian pilgrim Mohammed Hossaini landed in Mecca on Thursday, five days before the annual gathering starts, seeking to perform both umrah and haj in one trip. "I am very happy that relations between the governments of Iran and Saudi Arabia are improving... This will improve Muslims' travel to the house of God, Hossaini said in his hotel lobby in Mecca, wearing the pilgrims' white robes that symbolise purity and equality before God. Haj, a once-in-a-lifetime duty for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it, is a major source of income for Saudi Arabia from worshippers' lodging, transport, fees and gifts. Balloons and haj slogans in Farsi decorated the Al-Mozn hotel where Hossaini, and other pilgrims from the Iranian city of Shiraz, stayed in Mecca. "Haj will be a Koranic evolution, Islamic convergence and defence of Al-Aqsa Mosque," read one of the signs, referring to Islam's third holiest shrine in Jerusalem. "I witnessed a very good Haj this year. We have come here in complete peace," said Mojtabi Laliany, another Iranian pilgrim from Mahdi's campaign. (Writing by Aziz El Yaakoubi; editing by Philippa Fletcher) A NATO flag waves at the headquarters of the NATO Mission in Kosovo, June 20, 2023. REUTERS/Fatos Bytyci BELGRADE/PRISTINA (Reuters) - Serbia's army commander urged NATO peacekeepers and other international bodies on Friday to step up measures to protect minority Serbs in Kosovo, adding that "the international community is not fulfilling its obligations." The call from General Milan Mojsilovic came a day after the European Union, Serbia and Kosovo failed to make a breakthrough in talks aimed at ending weeks of violence in predominantly ethnic Serb areas of northern Kosovo. Mojsilovic's statement came hours after Kosovo's own soldiers marched through the southern Albanian part of the ethnically divided town of Mitrovica, where ethnic Serbs make up the majority in the north. Mojsilovic in a rare public address said he had asked NATO peacekeeping mission KFOR and other international bodies to undertake urgent measures to protect ethnic Serbs there. "Because of ... professional cooperation we have, I have informed the KFOR commander that we are following events with great anxiety and that urgent measures must be taken to protect the Serbian people," Mojsilovic told reporters. "Today it is clear that the international community is not fulfilling its obligations," he said without elaborating. Kosovo's interior minister Xhelal Svecla said late on Friday that in the northern town of Zvecan police had found inside a car with Belgrade registration a large quantities of weapons, including shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, explosive devices, automatic weapons and military uniforms. "These weapons were intended to carry out terrorist attacks," Svecla said on his Facebook page, showing photos of what he said were seized weapons. "This is yet another proof that Serbia through such groups and organisations wants to destabilise our country." Earlier on Friday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he was "very alarmed" by the situation in northern Kosovo, citing "extrajudicial arrests" of Kosovo Serbs and the march by Kosovo Security Forces "followed by heavy rhetoric from Serbia". Borrell met separately with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Brussels on Thursday to try to defuse the crisis. "Despite yesterday's crisis meeting, escalation continues & is becoming dangerous. We will not tolerate it," Borrell declared on Twitter. Violence flared in four northern Kosovo municipalities late last month after ethnic Albanian mayors took office following a local election in which turnout came to just 3.5%. Ethnic Serbs, who make up the majority of the population in the region, had boycotted the vote. A number of Serbs were also arrested by Kosovo police during and after the protests. In response, Vucic in May deployed troops near the Kosovo border. "The Serbian armed forces, in accordance with the constitution and the U.N. Charter, if they receive an order ... will fully carry out all their tasks in relation to the overall security crisis," Mojsilovic said on Friday without elaborating. Kosovo Defence Minister Armend Mehaj earlier in the day said the march in southern Mitrovica was part of regular training "which has nothing to do with the security situation in the north of the republic." "Responsibility for the safety of our citizens lies with Kosovo police," he said. Tensions between Belgrade and Pristina soared again last week when Serbian police arrested three Kosovo policemen, saying they crossed the border between the two countries. Pristina says they were arrested inside Kosovo. Kosovo, formerly a southern province of Serbia, declared independence in 2008 after a late 1990s uprising by its ethnic Albanian majority during which NATO bombed rump Yugoslavia, comprising Serbia and Montenegro, to halt a brutal Serbian security crackdown. Last December, for the first time since the end of the war in 1999, Belgrade asked NATO to allow it to send Serbian troops to Kosovo after clashes between Kosovo authorities and ethnic Serbs in the northern region. NATO declined Serbia's request in January. Ethnic Albanians make up more than 90% of the population in Kosovo, while the Serbs form the majority in four northern municipalities and several enclaves inside Kosovo. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic in Belgrade, Fatos Bytyci in Pristina and Andrew Gray in Brussels; Editing by Hugh Lawson, Mark Porter and Jonathan Oatis) A press conference on a deadly restaurant explosion is held in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 22, 2023. Local officials bowed to express deep condolences to the victims of a deadly restaurant explosion in Yinchuan, the capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, at a press conference held on Thursday night. Tao Shaohua, mayor of Yinchuan, also expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured, and extended deep apologies to the people of Yinchuan. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen) YINCHUAN, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Local officials bowed to express deep condolences to the victims of a deadly restaurant explosion in Yinchuan, the capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, at a press conference held on Thursday night. Tao Shaohua, mayor of Yinchuan, also expressed sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured, and extended deep apologies to the people of Yinchuan. The explosion occurred at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Wednesday at Fuyang Barbecue Restaurant on a busy street in Xingqing District in Yinchuan, when liquefied petroleum gas leaked from the restaurant. The explosion killed 31 people and injured seven. All the injured now have been in stable condition after receiving medical treatment. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Tao said the explosion was the most serious accident in Ningxia for years, which has caused huge losses to lives and property, with extremely heavy costs and painful lessons. The mayor said the work had started to hold accountable those responsible. Public security authorities have taken control of nine individuals, including the restaurant's manager, shareholders and employees. Assets of the nine people have been frozen. Starting Thursday, Yinchuan will launch a one-month campaign for safety risk investigation and rectification, focusing on key areas such as gas, dangerous chemicals, mines, construction and transportation, as well as key periods such as the flood season, summer vacation and construction period. SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea and the United States agreed to step up cooperation on cyber security after holding a high-level meeting on the issue in Washington, South Korea's presidential office said on Friday. During the inaugural meeting of a new consultation channel between the White House and South Korea's presidential office, Seoul called for efforts to expand information sharing and exchange of personnel between the two countries, it said. The meeting was held from June 20-22. (Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi; Editing by Ed Davies) FILE PHOTO: Southwest airline pilots approach to land at San Diego International airport in San Diego, California, U.S., May 18, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo (Reuters) - Southwest Airlines said on Friday it had reached a tentative agreement with the union representing the company's mechanics and related employees. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), which represents more than 2800 Southwest employees, said the agreement, if ratified by members, will elevate salaries of aircraft maintenance technicians to "industry-leading" standards. Employees and unions across industries have intensified their fight for better pay and work conditions over the past few months. Southwest did not disclose the details of the agreement, although it said the union would provide the details of the agreement directly to its members. (Reporting by Ananta Agarwal in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva) SpaceX logo and Elon Musk silhouette are seen in this illustration taken, December 19, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration (Reuters) - Elon Musks SpaceX is offering to sell insider shares at a price that would raise the companys valuation to about $150 billion, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. In January, the company was valued at $137 billion after raising $750 million in a funding round, according to a report from CNBC. SpaceX did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. (Reporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel) FILE PHOTO: U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 24, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, is traveling to Denmark this weekend to participate in a meeting about Ukraine which may include some countries that have refused to condemn the invasion. The talks in Copenhagen are being organized by Ukraine "to discuss basic principles of peace," a U.S. official said on Friday. India, South Africa and Brazil were among the countries invited but it was unclear yet whether they were attending, a source familiar with the matter said. India and South Africa have not condemned the invasion. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in April condemned the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity by Russia and again called for mediation to end the war. Western countries that back the war have also been invited. The U.S. official said Ukraine invited a variety of countries and Denmark agreed to host the meeting in Copenhagen. It will include national security advisers and political directors from various countries invited. The session is considered an informal gathering and not a formal summit. No specific outcomes or joint communiques are expected to come out of it. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a state visit to Washington, discussed the Ukraine war with U.S. President Joe Biden in talks on Thursday. His country has been reliant on Russian oil. A joint statement from the two leaders said Biden and Modi expressed their "deep concern over the conflict in Ukraine and mourned its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences." "Both countries further pledge to render continuing humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. They called for respect for international law, principles of the UN charter, and territorial integrity and sovereignty. Both countries concurred on the importance of post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine," their statement said. (Reporting By Steve Holland; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Chizu Nomiyama) A BMW iX electric car is displayed during a media tour at the plant of German automaker BMW in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, February 3, 2023. REUTERS/Toya Sarno Jordan By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Two U.S. senators wrote seven major automakers on Friday urging them not to remove AM radio from new vehicles. Senator Ted Cruz, the top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, and Democrat Ed Markey, who also sits on the panel, wrote to BMW, Volkswagen, Tesla, Mazda, Polestar, Rivian and Volvo Cars asking them to commit by July 7 to including AM radio in new vehicles. "Preserving AM radio not only aligns with the growing recognition of its significance but also demonstrates a commitment to public safety and meeting consumer expectations," the senators wrote. The automakers did not immediately comment. Some have said electric vehicles can cause interference with AM radio. Ford Motor said last month it would reverse course and not remove AM broadcast radio as a feature in 2024 model vehicles after lawmakers introduced legislation to require them, citing safety concerns about emergency alerts. Markey said last month the seven automakers had opted to remove AM broadcast radio from their electric vehicles. Lawmakers say losing AM radio undermines a federal system for delivering key public safety information to the public. "AM radio covers a wider geographical area than FM radio signals or cell towers and it continues to reliably function during hurricanes, tornadoes, or other severe weather events when other communication networks may face outages," Cruz and Markey said. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing major automakers, said, "mandating AM radios in all vehicles is unnecessary. Congress has never mandated radio features in vehicles ever before." Automakers pointed to an existing system that distributes warnings across AM, FM, internet-based or satellite radio, and over cellular networks. Ford CEO Jim Farley said last month that for existing Ford EVs "without AM broadcast capability, we'll offer a software update." A House panel held a hearing on the issue earlier this month, with many lawmakers raising objections to removing AM radio. The legislation has won the support of Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. (Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Jonathan Oatis) FILE PHOTO: Hunter Biden looks on during the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S. April 18, 2022. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Friday denied allegations by an Internal Revenue Service whistleblower, who said the high-ranking federal prosecutor tasked with investigating President Joe Biden's son Hunter was hindered by the Justice Department from pursuing more aggressive criminal tax charges. Speaking publicly for the first time since Hunter Biden was criminally charged on Tuesday with two misdemeanor counts of willfully failing to pay income taxes, Garland told reporters at a press conference that U.S. Attorney David Weiss, the top federal prosecutor in Delaware, "was given complete authority" to make charging decisions on his own. "David Weiss was appointed by President Trump as the U.S. attorney in Delaware and assigned this matter during the previous administration," Garland said. "He was given complete authority to make all decisions on his own," the attorney general added. Weiss' office on Tuesday revealed in a court filing that Biden has agreed to plead guilty to the two misdemeanor tax charges. He has also agreed to enter into a pretrial diversion program to avoid facing a more serious felony count of possessing a firearm while a drug addict. Republicans have since attacked the charging decision, calling it a sweetheart deal that will likely allow the younger Biden to avoid prison time. On Thursday, lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives released the transcript of an interview with Gary Shapley, an IRS criminal supervisory agent who worked on the Hunter Biden probe. Shapley said that the Justice Department slow-walked the case, starting during the Trump administration and continuing through Garland's tenure. Most notably, Shapley said investigators uncovered evidence of more serious tax crimes that could only be pursued in either Washington, D.C., or California, but not in Delaware. But when Weiss sought permission from Garland to be designated as special counsel, so he could bring charges from anywhere in the country, his request was denied, Shapley said. Garland denied that claim on Friday. "Mr. Weiss never made that request to me," he said, adding that Weiss actually had "more authority" than a special counsel. In a statement, Hunter Biden's attorney Chris Clark said that "any suggestion the investigation was not thorough, or cut corners, or cut my client any slack, is preposterous and deeply irresponsible." (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; editing by Jonathan Oatis) FILE PHOTO: People ride escalator at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City, U.S., December 4, 2022. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/File Photo PARIS (Reuters) - Luxury brands focused on wealthier consumers in the United States are performing better than those who appeal to aspirational shoppers on lower incomes who are deterred by the economic uncertainty, consultancy Bain & company said. In its twice-yearly report, Bain increased its annual sales forecasts for the global personal luxury goods market - spanning clothing, accessories and beauty products - and expects growth of between 5% and 12% this year, compared to previous expectations of between 3% and 8%. China is seen as a major driver of growth now that COVID lockdowns have been lifted, but, chiming with company results from retailers over the past weeks, Bain flagged further evidence that strong post-pandemic spending spree is waning in the United States. "There is an overall slowdown mostly driven by the aspiration side of the customer and more entry prices, so categories like streetwear and sneakers are a bit underperforming as we speak," partner Federica Levato told Reuters. "Brands that are able to cater to the needs of the top customers ... are the ones that perform better than others," she added, noting a divergence between better-peforming labels and less successful ones in that market. Many high end labels are shifting their merchandising strategies or pushing upmarket to cater to their wealthiest clients, seen more resilient to economic headwinds, as younger shoppers are under more pressure from rising prices than older generations with higher incomes. For example, premium fashion retailer Hugo Boss last week raised its sales and profit targets for 2025 and said it continued to see strong growth in the U.S. and was expecting revenue to grow in the Asia-Pacific region. Lovato said that while there were "some questions marks" about China, and possibly a slowing of sales growth with the middle class, there was still appetite there. Luxury sales stood at 345 billion euros last year, according to Bain. (Reporting by Mimosa Spencer and Elisa Anzolin; Editing by Alison Williams) FILE PHOTO: The United States Supreme Court building is seen in Washington, U.S., June 20, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo By Andrew Chung (Reuters) -A federal law that makes it a crime for a person to encourage illegal immigration does not violate constitutional free speech protections, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday in upholding the decades-old measure defended by President Joe Biden's administration. The 7-2 ruling, authored by conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, overturned a lower court's decision to strike down the provision, part of a larger immigration statute, in a case involving a California man named Helaman Hansen who deceived immigrants through a phony "adult adoption" program. The lower court had found the law overly broad because it may criminalize speech protected by the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. The measure bars inducing or encouraging noncitizens "to come to, enter or reside" in the United States illegally, including for financial gain. Endorsing the administration's view of the law, Barrett wrote: "Properly interpreted, this provision forbids only the intentional solicitation or facilitation of certain unlawful acts." Barrett wrote that the law does not prohibit a substantial amount of protected speech. Liberal Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor dissented from the decision. American Civil Liberties Union attorney Esha Bhandari, who helped represent Hansen, said, "As written by Congress, the law has left people wondering what they can safely say on the subject of immigration. Now we expect the government to respect free speech rights and only enforce the law narrowly going forward." The case was one of two immigration-related rulings issued by the court on Friday. The justices also upheld the Biden administration's move to narrow the scope of those who can be targeted by immigration agents for arrest and deportation, a shift that had been challenged by the republican attorneys general in Texas and Louisiana. The court said those states did not have legal standing to challenge the new guidelines. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had tossed out Hansen's 2017 conviction for violating the measure. Hansen also was convicted of mail and wire fraud and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Hansen was out of prison pending his appeal. Federal prosecutors accused Hansen of deceiving immigrants in the United States illegally by promising them between 2012 and 2016 that they could gain American citizenship through an "adult adoption" program operated by his Sacramento-based business, Americans Helping America Chamber of Commerce. The prosecution said Hansen persuaded at least 471 people to join his program, charging each of them up to $10,000 even though he "knew that the adult adoptions that he touted would not lead to U.S. citizenship." Hansen and his program collected more than $1.8 million through the scheme, authorities said. In its decision striking down the law, the 9th Circuit ruled that it criminalizes even commonplace speech such as telling immigrants who are in the country illegally, "I encourage you to reside in the United States," or advising them about available social services. The 9th Circuit upheld Hansen's other convictions and ordered that he be resentenced. Biden's administration argued that the law does not cover certain hypothetical scenarios that concerned the 9th Circuit, such as simply encouraging immigrants in the country illegally to remain in the United States or advising them about available social services. Various free speech, libertarian and press advocacy groups had filed briefs backing Hansen, urging the justices not to trust government promises of limited prosecutions. These groups argued that the law threatens attorneys, doctors, scholars and anyone else who speaks in support of immigration. The 9th Circuit decision applied in the group of western states over which it has jurisdiction including Arizona and California, which border Mexico. The Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also ruled against the law in a separate case. (Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine signalled on Friday that the main push in its counteroffensive against Russian forces was still to come, with some troops not yet deployed and the operation so far intended to "set up the battlefield." And one of its top generals reported "tangible successes" in advances in the south - one of two main theatres of operations, along with eastern Ukraine. Ukraine says it has retaken eight villages in the early stages of its most ambitious assault since Russia's full-scale invasion 16 months ago, but President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said this week that gains had been "slower than desired." Addressing the pace of the Ukrainian advances, three senior officials on Friday sent the clearest signal so far that the main part of the counteroffensive has not yet begun. "Offensive operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue in a number of areas. Formation operations are underway to set up the battlefield," presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter. "The counteroffensive is not a new season of a Netflix show. There is no need to expect action and buy popcorn." Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said the "main events" of the counteroffensive were "ahead of us." "And the main blow is still to come. Indeed, some of the reserves - these are staged things - will be activated later," Maliar told Ukrainian television. General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of Ukraine's "Tavria," or southern front, wrote on Telegram: "There have been tangible successes of the Defence Forces and in advances in the Tavria sector." Tarnavskyi said Russian forces had lost hundreds of men and 51 military vehicles in the past 24 hours, including three tanks and 14 armoured personnel carriers. Although the advances Ukraine has reported this month are its first substantial gains on the battlefield for seven months, Ukrainian forces have yet to push to the main defensive lines that Russia has had months to prepare. 'EVERYTHING IS STILL AHEAD' - UKRAINIAN COMMANDER "I want to say that our main force has not been engaged in fighting yet, and we are now searching, probing for weak places in the enemy defences. Everything is still ahead," the Guardian quoted Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraine's ground forces, as saying in an interview with the British newspaper. Moscow has sought to portray the Ukrainian counteroffensive as a failure. It says Kyiv's forces have suffered heavy losses, while Ukraine says Russia has lost many soldiers in heavy fighting since the counterattack began. Reuters is unable to verify the situation on the battlefield but has reached two of the villages recaptured by Kyiv. Ukraine has prepared new military units for its long-awaited counteroffensive, including 12 new brigades, but only three of them have been seen in combat so far. It has also received an array of weapons from its Western allies to help it take back swathes of territory occupied by Russia. Presidential adviser Podolyak said that the time Ukraine had needed to persuade its Western partners to provide the necessary weapons had given the Russian military the opportunity to dig in and strengthen their defence lines. "Breaking the Russian front today requires a reasonable and balanced approach. The life of a soldier is the most important value for Ukraine today," he said. Zelenskiy, meanwhile, ordered the creation of a special commission to carry out an audit of heads of military draft offices in regions across Ukraine. In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said he had instructed commander in chief General Valery Zaluzhniy to remove the head of an office in the southern port of Odesa after media reports that the official owned property in Spain. "It is very unpleasant, openly immoral and incorrect that this person remained in his position despite everything," he said. (Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka, Writing by Olena Harmash, Editing by Timothy Heritage, Ron Popeski and Jonathan Oatis) FILE PHOTO: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy gestures during a joint press conference with African leaders, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 16, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo KYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday there would be personnel changes following an inquest into the state of Ukraine's bomb shelters after three people were locked out on the street and killed during an air raid earlier this month. Zelenskiy said he had chaired a meeting of the National Security and Defence Council and discussed the security of the Ukrainian people, judicial reforms and Ukraine's accession to the European Union. "In general, today we have reviewed the situation with shelters in the regions, districts, and cities which are terrorized by the enemy most intensely," Zelenskiy said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app. "The conclusions are disappointing. Almost all over the country. The situation is especially cynical and shameful in those cities that have significant financial resources, but, unfortunately, have other priorities. Personnel decisions will be made." A statement issued after the meeting said measures would be taken to "hold accountable officials responsible for the maintenance of civil defence structures" in areas where they were found to be unsatisfactory. Local authorities were to make shelters ready and "provide round-the clock-unhindered access to them". Several areas, including Kyiv, were cited for a poor performance in maintaining the shelters, but Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschkono was not singled out, and neither were other local leaders. Media had suggested this week that Klitschko could be dismissed as head of the Kyiv military administration - though not as mayor, an elected position. Zelenskiy and Klitschko have been at odds several times before and during the invasion. Zelenskiy ordered an audit of all air raid shelters after the deaths of the three people, who rushed to a Kyiv air raid shelter that failed to open. Their deaths on June 1 caused public outrage. Zelenskiy has criticised Kyiv city officials and prosecutors put the head of Kyiv's municipal department for security under house arrest following an audit of air raid shelters. After the bomb shelter incident, Klitschko said he bore some responsibility but that others were to blame, especially appointees of the president. Zelenskiy also said Ukraine's top security chiefs and top government officials discussed how to advance with judicial and anti-corruption reforms, seen as crucial by Ukraine's Western partners, international financial institutions and investors. Zelenskiy said the council wanted to strengthen criminal liability for corruption offences in the judiciary. (Reporting by Olena Harmash; Editing by Timothy Heritage, Ron Popeski and David Gregorio) Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Paris, France, June 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) PARIS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here Thursday that the Chinese side is ready to continue strengthening cooperation with Pakistan to jointly promote the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. During his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, Li also called on the two sides to jointly advance major projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) so as to promote high-quality development of the corridor, and better contribute to the economic and social development of the two countries. China and Pakistan have always treated each other sincerely, trusted each other and shared weal and woe, Li said. China will continue to firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding country's sovereignty, national independence and territorial integrity, in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, and in achieving its stability, development and prosperity. China stands ready to work with Pakistan to promote the continued development of the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and build a closer China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era, said Li. Li pointed out that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and the 10th anniversary of the launch of the CPEC. China will, as always, support Pakistan in accelerating its economic development and enhancing its capacity for sustainable development, Li said. The Chinese side hopes that the Pakistani side will resolutely and effectively crack down on all types of domestic terrorist groups, and ensure the safety of the Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan, said Li, adding that the two sides should jointly uphold international fairness and justice, and safeguard the common interests of China and Pakistan as well as other developing countries. For his part, Sharif said that Pakistan and China are all-weather friends and "iron-clad brothers," and that the friendship between the two countries remains unbreakable. It is the consensus of various Pakistani political parties and all walks of life to consolidate the friendship between Pakistan and China, he said. Noting that Pakistan appreciates China for its great support for Pakistan's efforts in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and in its economic development, he said that Pakistan adheres to the one-China principle and firmly supports China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Pakistani side is willing to work with China to promote the high-quality development of the CPEC and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, he said, adding that the Pakistani side will make every effort to ensure the safety of the Chinese personnel and institutions in Pakistan. Sharif also noted that the Pakistani side opposes any attempt to contain or suppress China, and stands ready with China to mutually support each other in multilateral affairs. ROME (Reuters) - Thirty-seven migrants are missing after their boat capsized between Tunisia and the Italian island of Lampedusa, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Friday, citing an account by four survivors of the shipwreck. The United Nations agency said the survivors, all from sub-Saharan Africa, arrived on Lampedusa late on Thursday, having been rescued from the shipwreck by another vessel. The survivors told the IOM they left the Tunisian port of Sfax heading for Italy with 46 people aboard, but their boat capsized in strong winds. They recounted that five of their fellow travellers were picked up by another boat, while 37 are missing feared dead, including seven women and a child, an IOM spokesman in Italy told Reuters. Earlier, the UN's High Commission for Refugees gave a similar account of the same incident, but said 40 people were believed to be missing, rather than 37. There has been a surge in migration across the Mediterranean from Tunisia this year after a crackdown by Tunis on migrants from sub-Saharan Africa living in the country illegally and reports of racist attacks amid an economic downturn. At least 12 African migrants were missing and three died after three boats sank off Tunisia, a judicial official said on Thursday, while the country's coastguard rescued 152 others. It was not immediately clear if the four survivors who recounted their story to the IOM were on one of these three boats. (Reporting by Alvise Armellini and Gavin Jones, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) FILE PHOTO: A charging handle recharges a Volkswagen ID.4 electric vehicle (EV) parked at an EV charging station inside a parking garage owned by the City of Baltimore, in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., March 23, 2023. REUTERS/Bing Guan By Stephanie Kelly NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. Democratic lawmaker plans to reintroduce a bipartisan bill next month that would allow electricity generated from renewable biomass to qualify for credits under the nation's biofuel blending program. The Biden administration abandoned a similar scheme over concerns that it could trigger lawsuits.. Under the bill's plan, producers of power generated from renewable gas and then used for charging electric vehicles (EVs) would be eligible to generate lucrative credits under the U.S. Renewable Fuels Standard. That differs slightly from the now-discarded approach that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had unveiled in December, which allowed EV manufacturers like Tesla Inc to generate the credits. "The manufacturers do not produce the electricity. It is the biomass/biogas industry that does," Representative John Garamendi from California, the sponsor of the bill, told Reuters in an interview on Friday. "We know that the biomass/biogas industry can produce electricity in a way that is beneficial to the overall economy and ecology of the nation and the world," he added. The bill directs the EPA, which administers the RFS, to implement the plan. Under the RFS, oil refiners must blend billions of gallons of biofuels into the nation's fuel mix, or buy tradable credits from those that do. The new EV pathway would be a major overhaul of that program by expanding it to include stakeholders in the electric vehicle industry. Garamendi originally introduced the bill in 2021, with bipartisan cosponsors including Representative Jack Bergman, a Republican from Michigan, and Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican from Iowa. It did not receive a hearing when last introduced. Garamendi expects similar support for the bill this time around, he said, adding that the bill is already receiving more support from industries including the timber industry, a potential source of the biomass. Groups including the Renewable Fuel Standard Power Coalition, the Biomass Power Association and the American Loggers Council have endorsed the impending bill. The bill would also make biomass removed from federal forestlands eligible under the RFS as renewable biomass. Current law only allows for biomass collected from non-federal lands. (Reporting by Stephanie Kelly; Editing by Alistair Bell) The logo of Amazon is seen at the company logistics center in Lauwin-Planque, northern France, January 5, 2023. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol/FILE PHOTO By Arriana McLymore and Katherine Masters NEW YORK (Reuters) -Amazon.com Inc isn't the only U.S. retailer accused of using deceptive tactics to sell memberships to shoppers. From big-box chains Walmart and Best Buy to specialty retailers like Savage X Fenty and Adore Me, retailers' subscription programs are facing growing scrutiny. Many collect monthly fees from shoppers in exchange for free delivery, unlimited tech support or discounts on merchandise. Thirty percent of Americans were enrolled in a subscription service in 2022, according to a survey of 37,720 people by Euromonitor Inc, up from 20% of respondents in 2017. Amazon is under fire from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, which filed a lawsuit against it in Seattle. The FTC accused the e-commerce giant of duping "millions of consumers" into purchasing subscriptions for Prime services. Prime members in the United States pay $139 per year for free delivery, and drive much of Amazon's sales volume. For years, Amazon "knowingly complicated the cancellation process for Prime subscribers who sought to end their membership," the FTC said in the complaint. Amazon "substantially revamped its Prime cancellation process" to some customers before the lawsuit was filed, according to the complaint. Amazon, which launched Prime in 2005 and has around 170 million subscribers in the U.S., said it is willing to defend itself in court. Last year, Amazon changed its process to cancel Prime with "two clicks" in Europe to comply with the European Union's consumer protection rules, and it altered the process in the U.S. in early 2023, it said. Both the prior and new cancellation process comply with applicable law, Amazon said. William Kovacic, a professor at George Washington University Law School and former commissioner of the FTC, said that the Amazon lawsuit is a way "to make a point," change Amazon's practices and "develop a template for standards for the entire sector." Retailers should be "very concerned" that the FTC is pursuing action against auto-renewal terms, multi-step cancellation policies and other practices that have become widespread across many online subscription platforms, said Kathleen Benway, a former chief of staff at the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "This is the first time a court is looking at the adequacy of these types of disclosures and other practices that have become pretty common now," she said. SAVAGE X FENTY, ADORE ME Consumer protection nonprofit Truth in Advertising filed a lawsuit in 2020 against Savage X Fenty and its parent company TechStyle, which also owns e-commerce platforms such as JustFab and Fabletics, for the company's automatic enrollment techniques. The nonprofit said that Savage X Fenty lured shoppers to the site with VIP member discounts on lingerie and automatically enrolled them in its membership program without fully disclosing the terms and conditions. Those terms required consumers to opt out of the program to avoid monthly charges. Savage X Fenty's marketing also informed customers that those charges could be used as purchase credits without telling them that the credits only applied to purchases of $49.95 or more, according to the complaint. The company subsequently reached a settlement with California's state government for $1.2 million. A company spokesperson said as part of the settlement, it agreed to make changes to Savage X Fenty's website and set aside $140,000 to provide refunds to eligible California consumers. In 2016, Truth in Advertising filed a lawsuit against Adore Me, then an independent company, for its VIP membership pricing program. The retailer reached a $2.35 million settlement with more than two dozen states over its practices earlier in June. Ranjan Roy, Adore Me's vice president of strategy, said the allegations related to the company's practices between at least 2012 to 2016, before the retailer was acquired by Victoria's Secret. WALMART, BEST BUY Walmart started its Walmart+ subscription in 2020 and had 20 million subscribers as of May, according to Morgan Stanley estimates. It charges $98 a year and promises free grocery delivery. A Michigan shopper alleged in a lawsuit in 2022 that Walmart used "deceptive subscription practices" including charging customers automatically after a free Walmart+ trial, creating obstacles in cancelling subscriptions and not honoring cancellations after shoppers opted out, according to the complaint. He withdrew the lawsuit, according to the court docket. His lawyer, Spencer Sheehan, did not immediately respond to emails and calls for comment. The lawyer previously told a media outlet that the parties "resolved the action to our mutual satisfaction." Walmart did not immediately comment. Best Buy in 2021 launched a subscription program offering tech support and discounts on products. Later this month, it will begin offering two tiers of paid memberships for $49.99 a year or $179.99 a year. A shopper filed a class action lawsuit against Best Buy in 2022 after purchasing a TV online, alleging that he was automatically enrolled in two subscription programs - a Total Tech Support Monthly Membership, which cost $19.99 a month, and an antivirus program costing $2.99 a month - without his knowledge. Best Buy did not include an option to cancel either membership online, according to the lawsuit. A California district court referred the case to private arbitration earlier this month but noted that the disclosure above the purchase button was "plainly readable." Best Buy declined to comment on the lawsuit. (Reporting by Arriana McLymore, Kate Masters and Siddharth Cavale in New York City; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) By Brendan Pierson (Reuters) - A federal judge has ruled in favor of Volkswagen in lawsuits brought against the automaker by two U.S. counties over its diesel emissions cheating scandal. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco ruled Thursday that Utah's Salt Lake County and Florida's Hillsborough County could not prove that Volkswagen violated their regulations against tampering with vehicles' emission control systems. The counties can still appeal to the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Robert Giuffra, a lawyer for Volkswagen, said the decision puts the company "near the end of the diesel litigation road in the U.S." The company in May reached an $85 million settlement with Texas, the last remaining state suing the company, though that deal is not yet final. Lawyers for the two counties did not immediately respond to requests r comment. Volkswagen in 2015 disclosed that it had cheated emissions tests by installing so-called "defeat devices" and sophisticated software in 11 million vehicles worldwide, allowing them to reduce emissions only during emissions tests. The company previously agreed to pay more than $20 billion in criminal and civil penalties and settlements to U.S. federal regulators, states, dealers and owners. Worldwide, it has paid out a total of more than $30 billion. The 9th Circuit ruled in 2020 that state and local governments could not sue over the defeat devices and software originally sold with the vehicles, because the federal Clean Air Act left that up to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, it allowed them to sue over updates to the software installed later during maintenance. Breyer rejected the counties' claims over those updates because, he found, evidence did not show that they worsened emissions. (Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York and David Shepardson in Washington, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Alistair Bell) SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549 FORM 6-K REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the month of June 2023 Commission File Number: 001-06439 SONY GROUP CORPORATION (Translation of registrant's name into English) 1-7-1 KONAN, MINATO-KU, TOKYO, 108-0075, JAPAN (Address of principal executive offices) The registrant files annual reports under cover of Form 20-F. Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F: Form 20-F Form 40-F Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934: Yes No If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-______ SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. SONY GROUP CORPORATION (Registrant) By: /s/ Hiroki Totoki (Signature) Hiroki Totoki President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer Date: June 23, 2023 List of materials Documents attached hereto: i) Translation of the Extraordinary Report (Rinji Houkokusho) filed with the Director General of the Kanto Local Finance Bureau in Japan by Sony Group Corporation on June 23, 2023 Extraordinary Report June 23, 2023 (TRANSLATION) Sony Group Corporation Note for readers of this English translation On June 23, 2023, Sony Group Corporation (the Corporation) filed its Japanese-language Extraordinary Report (Rinji Houkokusho) (the Report) with the Director-General of the Kanto Financial Bureau in Japan in connection with the Corporations shareholders voting results for proposals acted upon at the 106th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 20, 2023 pursuant to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan. This document is an English translation of the Report in its entirety. 1. Reason for submitting the Extraordinary Report Given that resolutions were made for the PROPOSALS TO BE ACTED UPON at the 106th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 20, 2023 (the Meeting), Sony Group Corporation (the Corporation) submits this Extraordinary Report under the provisions of Article 24-5, Paragraph 4, of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan and Article 19, Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 2, Item 9-2, of the Cabinet Office Ordinance on Disclosure of Corporate Information, etc. 2. Matters reported (1) Date when the Meeting was held: June 20, 2023 (2) Proposals acted upon Proposal 1: To elect 10 Directors. Kenichiro Yoshida, Hiroki Totoki, Yoshihiko Hatanaka, Toshiko Oka, Sakie Akiyama, Wendy Becker, Keiko Kishigami, Joseph A. Kraft Jr., Neil Hunt and William Morrow elected as directors of the Corporation. Proposal 2: To issue Stock Acquisition Rights for the purpose of granting stock options. (3) Number of voting rights concerning the indication of for, against or abstention for each proposal; requirements for approving the proposals; and results of resolutions 1) Total number of voting rights Number of shareholders with voting rights 339,916 Number of voting rights 12,327,198 1 2) The number of shareholders who have exercised their voting rights Number of shareholders who have exercised their voting rights 98,358 (Number of shareholders present at the Meeting 536) Number of voting rights exercised 10,318,689 [Exercise Ratio 83.7%] (Number of voting rights of the shareholders present at the Meeting 99,321 [Exercise Ratio 0.8%]) (Voting right) Proposal For Against Abstention Ratio of favorable votes Results Proposal 1 Kenichiro Yoshida 10,269,224 33,088 921 99% Approved Hiroki Totoki 10,280,947 21,358 928 99% Approved Yoshihiko Hatanaka 10,254,335 47,966 928 99% Approved Toshiko Oka 10,222,445 79,866 920 98% Approved Sakie Akiyama 10,272,022 30,262 948 99% Approved Wendy Becker 10,288,784 13,543 908 99% Approved Keiko Kishigami 10,237,533 64,747 952 98% Approved Joseph A. Kraft Jr. 10,265,190 37,104 941 99% Approved Neil Hunt 10,294,001 8,267 967 99% Approved William Morrow 10,289,407 12,896 932 99% Approved Proposal 2 9,612,305 690,955 858 93% Approved Notes: 1. Requirements for the approval of each proposal are as follows: 1) The resolution for Proposal 1 shall be adopted by a simple majority of the voting rights held by the shareholders present and voting at the Meeting (including postal and electronic voting) in a vote of shareholders holding in aggregate one-third (1/3) or more of the total number of voting rights. 2) The resolution for Proposal 2 shall be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting rights held by the shareholders present and voting at the Meeting (including postal and electronic voting) in a vote of shareholders holding in aggregate one-third (1/3) or more of the total number of voting rights . 2. The denominator of the Ratio of favorable votes was calculated by adding the number of voting rights held by the present and voting shareholders at the Meeting. 2 (4) Reason why a portion of the voting rights held by the shareholders present at the Meeting was not added to the number of voting rights: The required majority approval for each proposal was met by aggregating the votes exercised prior to the Meeting and votes of shareholders present at the Meeting of which the Corporation was able to confirm the indication as to each proposal. Therefore, of the voting rights held by shareholders present at the Meeting, the number of voting rights concerning the indication of for, against or abstention as to each proposal of which the Corporation was not able to verify was not tallied, except as explained in Note 2 to the table of 2.(3) 2) above. Jassmin McIver-Jones Assistant Vice President, Legal The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company 100 N. Greene Street Greensboro, North Carolina 27401 Telephone: (336)691-3892 VIA EDGAR June 23, 2023 U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, NE Washington, DC 20549-4644 Re: Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life Account M The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company File No: 333-270397; 811-08557; CIK: 0001048607 Initial Registration Statement, Form N-6 SEC Accession No.: 0000726865-23-000186 Request for Withdrawal of Registration Statement Pursuant to Rule 477 Lincoln VULONE Focus Dear Sir or Madam: Pursuant to Rule 477(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (the Company) and Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life Account M (the Separate Account) hereby request the withdrawal of the above-referenced registration statement on Form N-6, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2023 (the Registration Statement). The Registration Statement has not yet become effective. No securities were sold in connection with the Registration Statement. Therefore, the Company and the Separate Account respectfully request that an order be issued granting their request for withdrawal of the Registration Statement as soon as is practicable. The Company has decided not to offer the product filed under the Registration Statement at this time. Should you have any questions regarding this request, please feel free to contact me at (336) 691-3892. Sincerely, /s/Jassmin McIver-Jones Jassmin McIver-Jones Assistant Vice President, Legal CUSIP No 25253X207 Page 4 of 6 (h) A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); (i) A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3); (j) A non-U.S. institution in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). (k) Group, in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K). Item 4. Ownership (a) Amount beneficially owned: 4,558,823 Voting Common Shares (1) (b) Percent of class: 12.0% (2) (c) Number of shares as to which the person has: (i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 4,558,823 Voting Common Shares (1) (ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 0 (iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 4,558,823 Voting Common Shares (1) (iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0 (1) Consists of 4,558,823 Voting Common Shares held by NFS/FMTC Roth IRA FBO Richard Jacinto II, of which Richard Jacinto II is the beneficiary. (2) Based on 37,945,133 Voting Common Shares of the Issuer outstanding as of June 23, 2023. Item 5. Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class. If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following [ ]. Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person. Not applicable. Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person. Not applicable. STUTTGART, Germany New allied defense plans for Europe may provide the kind of granular detail typical of the Cold War, when American troops in Germany knew what territory they would be defending if war broke out, the top U.S. Army commander in Europe said Friday. Gen. Darryl Williams, head of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, said the coming weeks will be pivotal in bringing to fruition a NATO defense strategy that has been many months in the making. Once we get the regional plans in order, once we can figure out what tools we'll need to do that mission, we'll be able to determine where and when we'll have to fight, Williams told reporters. Williams said the plans being put in place harken back to his time as a young lieutenant in Germany during the Cold War. I knew where my artillery battery was going to go, what town and those sorts of things, he said. So we look forward to a time here very quickly, where we'll be able to get that kind of clarity to the mission sets as we go forward and fight. Those plans and a new NATO force model involving up to 300,000 troops operating at higher alert are expected to be approved next month when President Joe Biden and other heads of state meet for a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Williams comments came at the end of a meeting of ground force commanders in Europe, who were gathered this week for talks in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville also was on hand. During the meetings, the Army commanders focused on defense plans for Europe and also got updates from Ukrainian counterparts about the state of the recently launched offensive against Russian forces. So far, Ukraines offensive has gone slowly as troops battle against entrenched Russian positions. But indications are that Kyiv is poised to step up the pace of fighting as Western-trained heavy brigades begin to make their move. Those units, totaling nine brigades of some 36,000 troops, recently entered the fight, The New York Times reported Friday. Expectations are running high that those units will be a game changer for Ukraine. Williams declined to comment on whether those units had indeed entered the battle in force. However, he said Ukraines military has been well-trained at the U.S. bases in Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels, as well as other parts of Europe. At the Armys training sites in Germany, breach complexes were constructed for Ukrainian forces, where they could rehearse the kinds of maneuvers needed to break through Russian positions, Williams said. That's exactly the sort of mission sets they're facing now, Williams said. Russias attack sparked a major training initiative to support Ukraine and also prompted the deployment of more American soldiers within NATO territory to guard against any further Russian aggression. Since Russias February 2022 invasion, thousands of additional troops have rotated through Europe, many on six -to-nine-month missions away from home. McConville said the operations tempo for the Army as a whole and the demands being put on soldiers are an ongoing worry. We're very concerned about our soldiers, their op tempo and you know, we're looking for the most efficient, effective way to posture them so they can conduct the mission, McConville said. The Army is looking for the right balance between rotational units, permanently based forces and making the most of forward-positioned weaponry so troops can carry out their missions quickly, McConville said. We're always looking at that and we're working with the theater to get the proper posture, he said. SEMBACH, Germany Some potential recruits likely arent joining the Army because they think its become too woke, but the main reason the service is failing to attract enough people is because many remain unaware of the services full benefits, retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey said. Speaking on the sidelines of a town hall meeting Thursday at the Sembach Army post in southwest Germany, Dailey said it was up to parents, teachers, influencers and others not just recruiters to encourage young adults to enlist and ensure the Army remains an all-volunteer force. To make that happen, more civilians must be made aware of the opportunities provided by military service and the prevailing notion that attending college is the only pathway to professional success must change, Dailey said. Armies dont build armies, nations do, said Dailey, who argued its the responsibility of society at large to keep troop numbers up. If our nation doesnt start raising an Army, then were going to have a problem. The comments came after the Army fell short of its most recent recruiting goal of 60,000 by more than 25%, signing up fewer than 45,000 people last year. The Army, Navy and Air Force all expect to miss their targets this year. Our problem is that we got to communicate to a broader audience, Dailey said, adding while the military historically has been successful at recruiting family and friends of service members, its been less successful at attracting those with no links to the services. Dailey, who served as the Armys top enlisted soldier from 2015 to 2019 and is now the vice president of the Association of the United States Army, has been meeting this month with U.S. service members and their families in Germany on behalf of AUSA. The nonprofit organization provides a range of support to soldiers and informs Congress and the American public about issues affecting the Army. Speaking to a few dozen people Thursday, Dailey said the opportunity to live and travel abroad was one of the biggest benefits of joining the Army, and many Americans were unaware of incentives like health care, schooling for family members and financial incentives. Some of those benefits could use some improvement at the local level, according to some soldiers and spouses who spoke with Dailey on Thursday. Wait lists for child care have been a problem in the Kaiserslautern Military Community for several years and the dearth of jobs for spouses, many of whom are highly educated and experienced, is another enduring problem. But overall, active duty and veteran benefits play a big part in attracting those in the know to the military. Dailey said he believes ignorance of those perks among the general population is impacting recruitment. Army data published last year showed only 9% of Americans aged 16-21 expressed interest in serving in the military. Earlier this month, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told reporters that accusations by lawmakers and others that the Army had become woke also were hurting recruitment. That drip, drip, drip of criticism about a woke military is having some counterproductive effects on recruiting, Wormuth was quoted by Task and Purpose as saying. We are a ready Army, not a woke Army. Woke is a loosely defined term that often refers to diversity, equality and inclusion efforts. Critics say the militarys emphasis on supporting racial minorities, women and LGBTQ+ troops make it weaker and is causing recruiting to plummet. Dailey, who has been a vocal supporter of diversity throughout his career, said he had to look up the term recently, and he still isnt completely sure what it means. I think its probably a minute contributor to our recruitment problems, but I dont think thats largely our problem, Dailey said. Its largely that we have to communicate the values of service to youth in this nation. Eligibility is also a big factor. A Pentagon report last year revealed 77% of young Americans would not qualify for service because of obesity, drug use or other problems regarding physical or mental health. Regarding diversity, Dailey said he continues to believe that its the Armys greatest asset. Diversity is good, its sustainable and its necessary, he said. We should strive to be a representation of our nation. Collectively, this nation is good at coming together, its proved that throughout history, he added. We need to stop trying to figure out whats wrong with each other and start figuring out whats right. SEOUL, South Korea Metal fencing atop high concrete walls surround an orphanage in Pyeongtaek city, where around 30 children as young as 3 years old live under the care of their teachers. The drab structure, reminiscent of a prison, is interrupted by a 5.5 yard-wide section splashed with bright images depicting the sea and aquatic life. The murals creator, Humphreys High School junior April Conner, 16, volunteered in April to paint the walls in response to the orphanages search for artists to bring new life to their surroundings. I thought this was a great opportunity, so I took it and ran with it, Conner told Stars and Stripes in Seoul on Thursday. The orphanage, Jacobs Home, receives donations and holiday gifts from Americans who live and work less than 10 miles away at Camp Humphreys, the largest U.S. military base overseas. Military personnel stationed in South Korea visit orphanages and donate toys for kids throughout the year as one of the ways to build ties to the local community. Conner, an aspiring artist interested in illustration and surrealism, is one of those volunteers. The monthlong planning process to paint the wall was overly complicated and Conner said she felt some of her ideas in her sketchbook werent good enough. In the end, she decided the painting is supposed to be simple and fun for the kids. When you look at [the mural], its there, right in your face, she said. So, I had to go back and make this really simple, but I also wanted to make it detailed. Military spouses at Humphreys paid for the materials, including the special, weatherproof paint that cost around $500, Conner said. For roughly one to two hours each day for a month, Conner visited the orphanage after class. Painting the mural took another month and was completed in mid-June. Usually, when I finish something, I never feel like Im finished, she said. But if I had actually gone back to the painting to fix those things, I dont think it would have had the same effect as it does right now. Conner said the fish she painted in the mural remind her of the orphans. Every child has a different personality, and they want to do different things in life, she said. There are a lot of opportunities for these kids and the ocean is big. Conners summer schedule reflects her artistic ambitions. She attends an art school in Seoul from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and hopes to attend an art college in the United States. Her father, James Conner, a civilian working for U.S. Forces Korea headquarters at Humphreys, described her as being really dedicated to her craft. When she starts something, she finishes it, he said. She had a purpose for this one: She felt like she wanted to do something for the orphanage. Kim A Ra, lead organizer for the Eastern Social Welfare Society in Pyeongtaek, said the orphanage was grateful for April Conners mural. Many people usually pass this road where the wall is, Kim told Stars and Stripes by phone Friday. It was just an old, gray-colored wall before being newly painted. Conner said she hopes to paint the adjacent walls in the future. It didnt feel like it was charity work, she said. It just felt like this seemed like a really important job to do. In the back of my mind, I felt I had to do this. PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Two travelers have been killed and 21 others injured from a bus-truck collision in Afghanistan's northern Baghlan province on Friday, a local official said. The accident took place on the highway in Doshi district on Friday morning when a passenger bus collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction, said Safiullah Khan, head of the traffic management office of the province without providing more details. This is the second road accident in Afghanistan since Sunday. In the previous accident, which occurred in the northern Takhar province on Sunday evening, three people were killed and two others were injured. Ramshackle roads, old vehicles, lack of safety measures during travel and reckless driving on congested highways, are the main reasons for road accidents in the mountainous country. Nearly 400 people have reportedly been killed in road mishaps in the war-torn country over the past three months. The news reports this week described the submersible Titan as "lost at sea." That did not capture the difficulty of a search-and-rescue operation in the cold, darker-than-dark depths of the Atlantic Ocean. The tragedy of the Titan, the debris of which was spotted Thursday near the encrusted hulk of the Titanic ocean liner, is a reminder that when humans invade exotic environments for which they are not adapted there is minimal margin for error. The submersible, operated by the private company OceanGate as a high-priced adventure travel opportunity, was supposed to visit the Titanic, which rests on the muddy seafloor 12,500 feet below the surface of the Atlantic. But on Sunday, the submersible endured some kind of incident or malfunction and went silent 1 hour, 45 minutes into its 2 1/2-hour dive. The very deep sea is a forbidding, almost alien environment, inhabited only by odd, eyeless creatures that have adapted to pressures that could instantly crush the most advanced Navy submarine. What's more, the Titanic's resting place is 370 miles from the Canadian coast, and farther than that from any port from which rescue vessels can be deployed. These challenges made the search for the missing vessel and its five occupants akin to an effort to rescue astronauts, retired Adm. Thad Allen, former commandant of the Coast Guard, told The Washington Post. "This is closer to Apollo 13 than a classic search-and-rescue mission," Allen said. "Trying to extract a vessel from 12,000 feet is extraordinarily difficult, if not impossible." The Titanic sits beyond United States territorial waters, but the U.S. Coast Guard, under a treaty governing ocean rescues, led the effort to find the submersible. Coast Guard officials on Wednesday continued to describe their work as a search-and-rescue mission even as they warned that the occupants of the vessel, if still alive, would be expected to run out of oxygen early Thursday. The Coast Guard announced late Thursday morning that a remotely operated vehicle had found a "debris field" near the Titanic and that it was being evaluated. Thursday afternoon brought the grim news from the Coast Guard that the five-person crew had been killed in a catastrophic implosion of the Titan's pressure chamber. The water pressure where the Titanic rests is about 6,000 pounds per square inch. By comparison, atmospheric pressure is 14.7 pounds per square inch. Pressure builds in a linear fashion as a submersible descends. At the time the Titan submersible went silent, it would have been dealing with pressures hundreds of times greater than at the surface. To offer one visual image: The average depth of the planet's seafloor hydrothermal vents is 7,000 feet. Researchers studying these ecosystems - where life exists using chemosynthesis rather than photosynthesis - have carried standard foam cups to such depths. The cups retain their form but are compressed to the size of a shot glass. "I think we all agree that going somewhere that has 400 times the pressure in the atmosphere is a dangerous thing to be doing," said Jules Jaffe, research oceanographer emeritus at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, part of the University of California at San Diego. But he supports exploration of this kind and pointed out that another private company, Triton Submarines, has successfully ferried tourists to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest spot in any ocean, nearly seven miles below the surface. "Obviously [the Titan submersible] worked for a while, and they had some number of successful dives. But as they continued to use it, there is a chance that the mechanical properties became fatigued," Jaffe said. Lisa Levin is a veteran oceanographer and deep-sea biologist at Scripps who has plunged into that strange world many times. She studies the bizarre chemosynthetic organisms feeding off methane leaking from the seafloor along continental margins. She has made 53 dives on the famed Alvin submersible that has been in operation, with many upgrades and inspections, since the 1960s. She once was at 1,500 meters (almost 5,000 feet) on an undersea mountain off the coast of Mexico when everything went dark, inside and outside. The pilot fiddled with electrical wiring and couldn't get it lit up again, and so they quickly resurfaced. She said she does not like talking about things that can go wrong. But in the case of the Titan, she said Wednesday, she feared that something might have happened suddenly and catastrophically, such as an implosion. Had there been a gradual leak, the mission would have been quickly aborted. Getting snagged in a net or otherwise stuck somewhere should not have ended communication with the expedition ship at the surface, she said. "If anything's not working properly, they abort the dive. It's like an airplane - if something's not quite right, they'll land at the nearest airport," Levin said. "If anyone had seen a leak, they would have dropped weights and come to the surface," she said. "I'm guessing whatever happened, happened quickly." Many submersibles have ventured into the deepest parts of the sea. James Cameron, the director of "Titanic," is among those who have managed a close-up look at the doomed ocean liner via submersible. Cameron has made that same dive dozens of times, as well as a 2012 dive to the Mariana Trench. But risk does not evaporate with each successful venture. Engineers know that risk builds like plaque, and complex technology deployed in harsh environments - such as space or the deep sea - can fail in many ways not easily envisioned. The NASA space shuttle program carried with it known risks of disaster. The Challenger met a catastrophic end just minutes after launch when a component of a solid rocket booster failed, leading to the ignition of the external fuel tank. The Columbia was destroyed by the heat of atmospheric reentry penetrating the leading edge of a wing damaged at launch. Levin, the Scripps oceanographer, said finding a lost submersible on the seafloor would be a tremendous challenge. The deep sea remains a frontier. It is less well mapped, scientists say, than the surface of the moon. "It's like looking for a small plane that goes down in the middle of a giant rainforest. It's just hard to see," she said. "We don't have easy ways to image the bottom and distinguish the wreck of a submarine from anything else on the bottom." The Titan submersible was a prototype craft, and the OceanGate journeys are a form of adventure travel that exists beyond the reach of government regulatory agencies, said Allen, formerly of the Coast Guard. This is not a situation where agencies have vessels standing by, ready to conduct rescue operations on choppy seas in hurricane season in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. "We're dealing with the high seas and the depths of the ocean - they're one of the few ungoverned places on Earth," said Allen, who knows a thing or two about offshore disasters, having served as the no-nonsense national incident commander for the response to the 2010 BP oil spill. Typically the depths are reached with robotic ROVs - remotely operated vehicles. But ROVs are not like firetrucks with their noses facing the street down at the fire station. They are specialty hardware and not easily deployed on a moment's notice to plunge into mid-oceanic waters to search for a missing 22-foot submersible. The Coast Guard reported Thursday morning that the Horizon Arctic, a Canadian vessel, had successfully deployed an ROV to the seafloor to begin its search for the missing submersible. Soon thereafter, the French vessel L'Atalante also deployed an ROV. The depths of the Atlantic can't be reached by human divers without specially designed submersibles. The creatures of the deep are adapted to the pressure, the cold and sometimes other extreme conditions, such as low oxygen levels or high levels of hydrogen sulfide. Levin, the veteran deep ocean explorer, points out that humans never experience those conditions directly. "As a scientist, diving in a submarine, other than being a little bit cold, we don't experience the high pressure and the other challenges in the water," she said. "We build submarines to keep the internal environment comfortable for us." And they trust the technology to work - knowing that there may come a moment when it doesn't. The mountains surrounding the Italian village of Longarone are awe-inspiring, and the nearby Vajont Dams claim to being one of the worlds tallest draws some attention, even though its not in use anymore. But neither of those features explains why a small but steady stream of visitors has been showing up for decades at a site little-known outside Italy. On the night of Oct. 9, 1963, an avalanche poured tons of rock into the reservoir behind the dam, causing a wave that swept into and over the structure and down into the valley below. Several villages were wiped out and more than 1,900 people were killed. Almost 500 of them were children. The villages, which largely have been rebuilt, werent all that populous, or the death toll would have been higher. A new village named Vajont was constructed on the plains beneath the mountains near the city of Maniago in the early 1970s, and some former residents of the area moved there. It is a short drive from Aviano Air Base and once housed an elementary school for American students from the base. Paratroopers from Vicenza jump onto Juliet Drop Zone nearby. Most Italians now believe that the tragedy was preventable. Experts had conducted studies in the 1950s before and while the dam was being built, warning that the area was prone to landslides. But construction went forward, the dam was completed and a reservoir formed behind the dam. Today, theres very little evidence of that reservoir. Visitors can head to the rebuilt village of Longarone, a short drive north from the end of the A27 autostrada, and see both the dam and the memorials to those who died. The walk along a rock-strewn path to what appears to be the base of the dam doesnt take long. Its actually not the base, though, but rather the lowest point of where the reservoir was. The dam extends below on the other side, which is far less accessible. It's possible to stand on the structure by taking a guided tour. Otherwise, several viewpoints are available. Signs in Italian and English recount the history of the site, and theres a chapel near the top of the dam, although it is often closed. Just a few miles away, a marked trailhead points out paths onto some of the surrounding mountains. Vajont Dam can also be visited as part of a trip to the nearby lakes of Barcis and San Croce. Add in the cities of Vittorio Veneto and Belluno along the A27 and theres more than enough to fill up a weekend. On the QT Location: SR251 just east of Longarone, Italy. Hours: None, but guided tours must be booked in advance Cost: Parking in the small lot near the top of the dam costs 2 euros an hour. There are a few larger lots designed for buses and spillover traffic a short walk away. It costs 5.40 euros in highway tolls from Aviano. Information: Online: tinyurl.com/mt77ze48; for guided tours, Phone: +39 0427-87333 U.S. authorities announced on Thursday that they have secured a $12 million forfeiture agreement from the daughter of accused antiquities smuggler Douglas Latchford, a man federal prosecutors say was a key figure in the decades-long ransacking of ancient Cambodian temples. Latchford was indicted in 2019 but died before trial, leaving unresolved what might happen to any allegedly stolen artifacts and money in his possession. The proposed forfeiture settlement, which is subject to review by a district judge in the Southern District of New York, requires Latchford's daughter, Julia Copleston, to forfeit $12 million and a 7th-century bronze statue depicting the four-armed goddess Durga, which is alleged to have been stolen from Vietnam. According to federal authorities, Latchford received at least $12 million as payment for the sale of stolen and smuggled Southeast Asian antiquities to buyers and dealers in the United States. Latchford provided false documents when those antiquities were imported into the United States. Some of the ill-gotten assets cited by federal prosecutors were exposed in a 2021 Washington Post profile of Latchford based on the Pandora Papers leak. "For years, Douglas Latchford made millions from selling looted antiquities in the U.S. art market, stashing his ill-gotten gains offshore," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in announcing the forfeiture agreement. "This historic forfeiture action and settlement shows that we will be relentless in following the money wherever it leads to fight the illicit trade in cultural patrimony." Some art historians and researchers who have tracked the trade in stolen Asian antiquities praised the settlement. "What we learned through the Pandora Papers investigation is the magnitude of Latchford's wealth," said Angela Chiu, an art historian. In that light, "the fact that they are going to forfeit $12 million appears modest. But this is a landmark forfeiture. It's a signal that U.S. authorities are sending. They're not just going to seize the artworks. They're going after the ill-gotten gains these smugglers have made." TEL AVIV In a week that saw U.S.-made attack helicopters strafing a Palestinian city and Israeli settlers rampaging through a village filled with American citizens, the Biden administration finds itself caught up in a rapidly escalating conflict. Both sides are also introducing new and more powerful weapons and tactics that hark back to the all-out war of the second intifada more than 20 years ago, when Israel reoccupied much of the West Bank. For months the White House, which is mired in a prolonged diplomatic chill with Israels far-right government, has expressed concern over the spiraling violence in the West Bank, where Israel is being confronted by increasingly effective Palestinian militants, with whom its forces fought in lengthy street battles this week. On Monday, a pre-dawn Israeli raid in Jenin quickly devolved into an extremely unusual eight-hour gunfight, during which Israel had to deploy Apache helicopters to extricate its soldiers under fire after roadside bombs trapped them in the city. The cycle then spiraled further when the next day, two Hamas gunmen killed four Israelis in the West Bank in retaliation. On Wednesday, 400 armed settlers rampaged through Turmus Ayya, a West Bank town that is 85 percent Palestinian American dual citizens, according to its mayor. The settlers torched dozens of homes, cars and orchards while shooting at civilians. One Palestinian was killed by Israeli police when clashes broke out. Later that night, Israel, in another rare move, announced it had used drones for the first time since 2006 to kill three members of a Palestinian terrorist cell. Settlers from the hard-line settlement of Yitzhar also cut electricity lines leading to the Palestinian village of Ourif, the hometown of the two Hamas gunmen. In the near future, all hell will break loose, said Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli consul in New York, adding that an Israeli-Palestinian escalation was the last thing that the Biden administration wants to deal with. The last time that the United States meaningfully engaged with the region was in 2014, when then-Secretary of State John F. Kerry oversaw the collapse of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. At the 2016 Saban Forum, an annual gathering of senior Israeli and American policymakers, Kerry said he found the views of some right-wing Israelis leaders disturbing, and said they had deliberately sabotaged efforts to broker a deal. But with the violence across the West Bank escalating in both ferocity and sophistication - and increasing numbers of U.S. citizens on both sides of the divide - the United States may be forced to assume some measure of involvement once more. Israel, under the most far-right, pro-settler government in the countrys history, appears to be seeking the annexation of the West Bank, home to 3 million Palestinians, in a challenge to U.S.-Israeli bilateral relations, based for decades on the stated goal of a two-state solution. We continue to work directly with our Israeli partners, with the Palestinian Authority, to promote steps to advance de-escalation, said U.S. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel in a news conference Wednesday when asked about the presence of U.S.-supplied weapons in recent battles that killed militants as well as civilians. On Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides took a tougher line in a meeting with young Israelis and Palestinians in Tel Aviv, saying that the United States does not stand and watch settler violence. . . . And were pushing the Israelis to take whatever action they need to take to stop those people. Former Israeli consul Pinkas, however, said the United States may soon need to abandon these platitudes as Israeli far-right politicians, who have openly called for collective punishment of civilians as part of a deterrence strategy, gain greater influence over military and civilian policies in the West Bank. On Monday, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also occupies a special position in the Defense Ministry, called for Israel to launch a broad counterterrorism operation, involving the Israeli air force, to eradicate the nests of terrorism in the northern West Bank and its densely populated towns. When asked in an interview with the Kan public broadcaster if he and his fellow politicians had pushed for the Wednesday night drone attack, Yitzhak Kroizer, a member of the far-right Jewish Power party, said, We are pleased to see our demands are being met. Hundreds of Palestinian Americans living in the West Bank, many in clusters near the city of Ramallah, say that the United States is obligated to do more to protect its people as they face off against both the Israeli army and growing numbers of armed Israeli settlers aiming to intimidate them from their land. Why should my tax money fund the Israeli government that kills American citizens? said Tamer Naser Jbaraha, a resident of Dallas whose cousin, Omar Ketin, a U.S. green-card holder, was killed by Israeli forces Wednesday in Turmus Ayya. As an American citizen, it is my duty and obligation to defend my country, so my country is obliged to protect me, wherever I go, said Jbaraha, who is married to a U.S. citizen. He said that he and his family are on summer break in Turmus Ayya, but that his four children are traumatized by the experience of the settlers torching their house and, feeling unsafe, are planning to return home as soon as possible. We need more pressure from the U.S. government, which can tell Israel to stop building settlements, and it can stop sending weapons, said Wasef Erekat, a Palestinian military analyst in Ramallah. He said the ongoing Israeli military raids, focusing in Jenin, had helped militant groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, as well as smaller local battalions, to recruit in unprecedented numbers and encouraged them to develop new weapons and tactics, like preparing homemade bombs and explosives. They are also learning from the older combatants of the second intifada period about the techniques for creating ambushes ahead of Israeli military raids, and traveling individually to avoid detection. The fighters now believe that the only way to face Israelis is to fight them, and they are being encouraged by Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who say that there is no chance for Palestinians to live here, Erekat said, referring to Israels two most well-known hard-line ministers - also zealous settler activists. A senior Israeli military official said that over the past year and a half, as a result of increasing Palestinian sophistication, the raids have become longer, more complicated, making some kind of large-scale operation more likely, which analysts say could take the form of the reoccupation of Jenin. Miri Eisin, a former senior Israeli intelligence officer, said that possibility should not be underestimated, and that if it did happen, it would probably be a prolonged affair carrying a high death toll. Occupying Jenin, this low-tech but fortified arena, will have a ripple effect into West Bank, Gaza, Israel and even outside, she said, adding that it could also leave an opening for Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed group in Lebanon, to get involved. There will be no end, she warned. The Washington Posts Hazem Balousha in Gaza City and Sufian Taha in Jerusalem contributed to this report. The House Ethics Committee announced in a letter Thursday an expanded investigation of Rep. George Santos, to include allegations that he fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits, marking a departure from the panels typical practice of staying out of matters that coincide with federal charges against lawmakers. The move comes a month after the freshman GOP congressman from New York was indicted on federal charges alleging he defrauded his donors, used their money for his personal benefit and wrongfully claimed unemployment benefits. Santos faces seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds and two counts of lying to the House of Representatives on financial forms. The congressman pleaded not guilty in May and vowed to prove his innocence. The Justice Department declined to comment on the ethics panels announcement Thursday. Santoss congressional office also declined to comment on the matter. The congressman stepped down from his committee assignments in January. But he has vowed not to resign from office, and in April he announced that he would run for reelection. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., rebuffed a Democratic-led effort to expel the embattled lawmaker, saying he deserved due process, which McCarthy argued the bipartisan committee could provide. I think these accusations are very serious, McCarthy told reporters last month, but you have to have process. In addition to the federal charges, the New York congressman was the subject of complaints filed by watchdog groups with the Federal Election Commission this year that accused Santos of misrepresenting campaign spending and using campaign resources to cover personal expenses, among other allegations. In January, the Justice Departments Public Integrity Section asked the FEC to hold off on any enforcement action against Santos, a sign that prosecutors were potentially examining overlapping issues. In March, a House ethics panel said it would investigate Santos and established a bipartisan subcommittee to examine claims about him, including about his past business practices, campaign finance expenditures and an allegation of sexual misconduct. While the ethics committee traditionally paused investigations into lawmakers charged with federal crimes so as not to interfere with the work of the Justice Department, members had previously signaled that they would continue with their inquiry into Santos. The committees latest statement acknowledged the risks associated with dual investigations, noting that theyre in communication with the Department of Justice to mitigate the potential risks while still meeting the Committees obligations to safeguard the integrity of the House. The panel also said in Thursdays announcement that it has issued over 30 subpoenas and more than 40 voluntary requests for information. The Washington Posts Devlin Barrett, Shayna Jacobs, Isaac Stanley-Becker, Perry Stein and John Wagner contributed to this report. MOSCOW, June 23 (Xinhua) -- General Director of Russia's Rosatom State Corporation Alexey Likhachev discussed the current nuclear safety situation around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi in Russia's Kaliningrad on Friday. During the discussion, both delegations addressed issues raised by Grossi at the UN Security Council briefing on May 30, in which the official discussed the security situation at the nuclear facility, Rosatom said in a statement. Likhachev emphasized that the Russian side "expects the IAEA Secretariat to take specific steps to prevent strikes by the Ukrainian armed forces both on the ZNPP and on the adjacent territory," it added. He informed Grossi about the specific measures currently being taken by the Russian side to ensure the nuclear facility's safe operation, particularly its water supply "after the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam was destroyed by the Ukrainian armed forces," Rosatom said. Both sides further discussed the outcomes of Grossi's visit to the plant on June 15. During his visit, Grossi was able to personally verify whether the plant could continue operating safely, and confirm among other things that the water supply in the cooling pond was sufficient for the safe operation of the facility. SAN ANTONIO, Texas A federal jury on Friday found a military housing landlord did not properly maintain and repair a home at Joint Base San Antonio rented by an Army officer and ordered the company pay more than $91,000 to the soldier. Lt. Col. Shane Vinales and his wife Becky faced off in court against their former landlord, Hunt Military Communities, alleging the company failed to address mold and structural issues in the house that they moved into more than five years ago at Randolph Air Force Base, which is part of the joint base in Texas. The three-week trial did not consider possible health conditions that the couple and their two children could have developed from exposure to mold. The original complaint filed in 2019 did ask the court to consider personal injury damages. Instead, the jury of six women and one man was asked to determine whether Hunt breached its contract to repair the problems in the home that the Vinales family reported to them, such as a recurring water leak, broken fixtures and appliances, an ant infestation and replacing smelly carpet. The Vinales family filed the lawsuit against Hunt along with eight other families, yet the court decided to hear each familys case separately. The Vinaless case was the first to go before Judge Richard Farrer in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas with jury selection beginning on June 5. The trial was considered an informal bellwether for the pending litigation from other families, including one family who lived in Hunt housing at Laughlin Air Force Base near Del Rio, Texas. I feel that justice has been made. I feel like were paving the road moving forward for other military families who have suffered, Becky Vinales said sitting with her children, Landon, 11, and Savannah, 9, after hearing the verdict. The two children sat in the courtroom for the trial, during which both their parents testified. Its been a lot to deal with the military family housing company and to know that how they treat us, they treat others worse, she said. Hunt Military Communities said in a statement that it acknowledges the verdict and is committed to providing quality housing to military families. We respect the judicial process and will be reviewing our legal options, including the possibility of appeal, to seek what we believe is a just and fair resolution. We firmly believe the outcome does not reflect the facts or evidence of the case, the company said. In the nearly four years that it has taken for the lawsuit to reach a conclusion, Becky Vinales said she never wavered in her decision to sue. They put us through misery, and I wanted my day to speak, she said. It was a long road but rewarding to stick with it. It feels good to get my story heard. Lawyers for the Vinales family recommended in closing arguments that the jury award damages of $96,813. That included $40,656 to return all rent paid for the home and a minimum of $56,157 to replace the familys household goods and items that were ruined by mold. The latter also included $39,000 in clothing inventory for LuLaRoe, a clothing brand that Becky Vinales sold from her home. However, the jury decided Hunt had made attempts to remedy the situation during the last four months of the Vinales familys time in the house and did not award damages for the rent paid in those months. The jury awarded $91,654 to the family. Hunt, which operates roughly 52,000 homes spread across more than 40 Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps installations, does business locally in San Antonio as Randolph Family Housing. The company went beyond the lease agreement to compensate the Vinales family, Walter Boone, an attorney for Hunt said in closing arguments. Hunt paid them $36,653 in a gift card, fees to relocate to a camping site in their travel trailer, meal allowances, cleaning and testing damaged goods for mold and a one-month rent credit. It doesnt make sense whats being said and the evidence thats presented, Boone told the jury. The companys attorneys argued if the Vinales family was so unhappy in the house, they were free to leave. The couple first leased the house in October 2017, and the agreement turned into a month-to-month contract one year later that only required a 30-day notice to vacate. It cant be that you are concerned about your home, but you stay there when you didnt have to. It cant be because its not true, Boone said. The family also received 26 follow-up emails after work orders were completed on their home and never responded with a concern about the work done, he said. Ryan Reed, an attorney for the Vinales family, said Becky Vinales wrote there was mold in their carpet on the form that she filled out the day that they moved into the house. He also presented evidence that showed a leak in the primary bedroom had been a problem before the Vinales family moved into the home and it persisted during their time living there. When OceanGate's submersible, known as Titan, imploded beneath the sea sometime last week, it took the lives of a billionaire and his son; two other wealthy passengers who each paid $250,000; and the company's CEO, Stockton Rush, as they attempted a voyage to view the remains of the Titanic. But for years before the tragedy, OceanGate's vessels were more than stewards for the ultrarich. They also contributed to scientific expeditions in the company's native Pacific Northwest and assisted local academic institutions in trips that led to published research. Joe Gaydos, science director for SeaDoc Society, a marine wildlife organization based in Friday Harbor, Wash., recalled Rush as an ocean lover and a professional who, along with his wife Wendy, cared deeply about local research projects. "In their hearts, they were scientists," Gaydos told The Washington Post. "Stockton wanted to make a difference ... He wanted to do things that actually made the ocean better." OceanGate partnered with SeaDoc Society in 2018 for three projects to study a local species of sea urchin and its kelp-filled ecosystem. As part of that effort, OceanGate lent its Cyclops 1 vessel to researchers from the University of Washington, University of Oregon and University of California at Davis, and Rush piloted many of the dives. Karly Cohen, who was a graduate student at the University of Washington when she went on one of the 2018 expeditions with Rush, called the trip "the defining moment of her career." Rush also was part of a group that gave an educational presentation about the submersibles to local residents of Friday Harbor in-between dives, Cohen said. For these projects, the company's submersible traveled to depths of around 290 meters, significantly less deep than when it attempted to reach the Titanic wreck at 3,800 meters deep. "It was still quite a big operation with a lot of moving parts, and it was really well done. And it couldn't have been done without the Cyclops," Gaydos said. "These were the types of projects that people needed to see with their own eyes, not a remote device." The trip produced three studies published in ScienceDirect, an academic journal, according to documents reviewed by The Post. Gary Greene, a marine geologist for Moss Landing Marine Labs, said Stockton and Wendy Rush would let him stay at their home in Seattle before and after expeditions. They wanted to use the Titan craft to help with Greene's research on submarine canyons, he said. "We would have long conversations about the ways that Titan and the other submersibles could be used for exploration," Greene said. "Stockton was interested in the engineering, and Wendy was interested in the science." In 2014, OceanGate partnered with the Discovery Channel to film an educational episode about sixgill sharks in Seattle's Elliott Bay, where the local rapper Macklemore went on a dive with Rush - a portion of which was posted to the company's YouTube channel. OceanGate had also been partnered with the University of Washington's physics lab around that time, according to another video on the channel. Along with scientific expeditions in the Pacific Northwest, OceanGate vessels were used in archaeological missions around North America, according to an archive of its website. In 2010, its submersible explored Catalina Island in California and filmed Cold War-era chambers and marine life. That same year, it partnered with BlueView Technologies to create a 3D model of a sunken 100-year-old steamboat in Canada's Lake Laberge. In an Oct. 2022 interview with GeekWire, Rush said that OceanGate's high-end tourism helped subsidize its deep-sea research, which wasn't financially sustainable on its own. At the time of the Titan submersible's final voyage, the company was offering spots on an expedition in New York's Hudson Canyon to train oceanography researchers. The Supreme Court split along ideological lines Thursday in refusing a federal prisoner a chance to challenge his conviction after a subsequent court ruling changed the requirements for proving his crime. In a 6-3 decision, the majority said procedural rules bar Marcus Jones from bringing a new challenge to his conviction, even though the Supreme Court later changed the standard of proof required for the crime he faced in 2000. Because Jones had already challenged his conviction once before the change, federal law bars a second motion "based solely on a more favorable interpretation of statutory law adopted after his conviction became final and his initial . . . motion was resolved," Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for his conservative colleagues. The liberal justices disagreed in two separate dissents. Under the decision, a "prisoner who is actually innocent, imprisoned for conduct that Congress did not criminalize, is forever barred . . . from raising that claim, merely because he previously sought postconviction relief," Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan wrote in a two-page opinion. "It does not matter that an intervening decision of this Court confirms his innocence. By challenging his conviction once before, he forfeited his freedom." Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's rebuttal stretched for 39 pages, and was even more critical of the majority. "I am also deeply troubled by the constitutional implications of the nothing-to-see-here approach that the majority takes with respect to the incarceration of potential legal innocents," Jackson wrote. She added that "forever slamming the courtroom doors to a possibly innocent person who has never had a meaningful opportunity to get a new and retroactively applicable claim for release reviewed on the merits raises serious constitutional concerns." Jackson noted she was not taking a position on "whether Jones's legal innocence claim is actually meritorious." Jones was sentenced to 27 years in prison for possessing a firearm as a felon and making false statements to obtain a firearm. Jones said during his trial that he was aware of his felon status but believed his plea agreement had expunged his conviction. Jones challenged his conviction and got one of his concurrent sentences vacated but no other relief. A decade later, the Supreme Court ruled in Rehaif v. United States that the government must prove that a defendant knew it was illegal for him to own a firearm because of his felon status. Jones hoped to use the ruling to show that the government had not proved that in his case. Federal law allows inmates to challenge the legality of their convictions. And they also get a chance to challenge their detention. But Thomas said that Jones had used up his chances and that allowing him another would "circumvent" the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, which Congress passed to bar successive appeals. The only exceptions are newly discovered evidence or a new rule of constitutional law, Thomas said, not the kind of statutory interpretation the court made in Rehaif. He was joined in the decision by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Samuel A. Alito Jr., Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. The case is Jones v. Hendrix. The victim said he was hit with a closed fist many times while his hands were held behind his back by the second man A successful businessman who was jailed for a serious attack that left his victim out of work for six months has launched a bid to overturn his conviction, arguing that the jury had no evidence about the functionality of a machine used to extract DNA from blood found at that scene. Security provider Gezim Idrizi (38) of Luttrellstown Heights, Castleknock, Dublin, was found guilty last February by a jury of one count of assault causing harm but was acquitted on one count of false imprisonment of a man at GZ Security, Rosemount Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin 11, on February 1, 2016. When passing sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in February Judge Patricia Ryan said it was "a very serious assault with three people involved". Judge Ryan said the aggravating factors were the injuries sustained by the injured party, the effect the assault had on the injured party and that the assault was a "prolonged" one in which the man was bound. Judge Ryan sentenced him to three years and nine months and suspended the final six months for two years. Idrizi had pleaded not guilty to both charges. At the trial, Garda Stuart Gleeson told Eoghan Cole, BL, prosecuting, that the injured party had gone to the business premises on the day in question hoping to sell a payment system to Idrizi. Both men were known to each other and had done business in the past. Idrizi met the man, but he did not wish to go ahead with the business offer. The injured man left and went to his next appointment. Gda Gleeson said the man received a call later that day from Idrizi and asked him to return to the business premises under the promise of doing business. The injured man returned, arriving at the premises at 2pm and went into a ground-floor office with Idrizi. The court heard that another man came into the office, and Idrizi accused the man of defrauding him in the past. The man was then punched in the face by the accused. The man said he was in shock and continued to be hit with a closed fist many more times. His hands were held behind his back by the second man. Gda Gleeson said that the injured man was bound with tape, placed on a chair and had a towel put over his head. The injured man was in and out of consciousness and believed that a third man also came into the office during this time. When the towel was removed, Idirzi asked him if he was ok to drive and told him not to contact the gardai or he would be killed. The injured man left and drove home and contacted gardai, who came to his home. The gardai took a statement and called an ambulance, and the injured man was brought to hospital for fracture and laceration wounds. The court heard that a search warrant was issued, and gardai searched the GZ Security premises, where blood stains were found on the floor of the office. The accused was also present in the office and was arrested and brought for interview. Idirzi denied all wrongdoing and assaulting the man. The defence submitted in their appeal that there had been no evidence before the trial court relating to a machine that extracted the DNA from the blood regarding its functionality, nor had procedural checks or balances relating to the use of the machine been put before the court. At the Court of Appeal, defence counsel Michael Bowman SC further submitted that Ms Sarah Fleming of Forensic Science Ireland interpreted the results that came from the machine but was not in a position to give evidence as to what the machine did with the samples provided to it. Counsel argued that the DNA evidence should not have been put before the jury. Eoghan Cole BL, for the State, said that on the basis of the samples being lawfully obtained and transmitted to the laboratory, any issue in respect of what happened within the laboratory was a matter of weight as opposed to admissibility. Counsel further submitted that it had never been put to Ms Fleming at trial that the machine was not in working order. Mr Bowman said it was a matter for the prosecution to prove each element of its case, which included calling evidence in respect of the functionality and operation of the machine. Counsel said the trial judge erred in allowing the DNA evidence into the trial, leaving it as a matter of weight for the jury, as opposed to ruling it inadmissible. Mr Bowman said the trial judge also neglected to charge the jury at all in respect of the weight to be attached to the evidence of Ms Fleming in her expert opinion evidence. Mr Bowman said there had been "no evidence given of what the machine or robot" does and what level of interaction with human operatives is required - the process is not understood". Mr Bowman said that DNA "looms large in the case" and the trial judge failed to warn the jury that "DNA is not infallible" and failed to explain the role of an expert giving opinion evidence on DNA "central to the case". Mr Bowman said it had been an "oversight" by all parties not to put a requisition to the judge to warn the jury of the DNA evidence. Mr Cole said a "minuscule amount" of blood had been taken from the scene and that both men had admitted to being present at the scene. Mr Cole said that at the trial "it was never suggested that the analysis was wrong or that Ms Fleming was wrong in her conclusions". Counsel said the trial judge had given a short charge to the jury which was "perfectly fair and well-balanced". Mr Cole said the trial judge had "specifically told the jury they were free to accept or reject all evidence in the case". Counsel said there was no mandatory need to give a warning on DNA processes in the case unless it was raised as an issue at the trial, which had not been the case. "If you don't raise it then it's not an issue," said Mr Cole. Mr Cole said the machines that extracted the DNA had been "approved, accredited and there were checks, balances and measures in place". Mr Justice John Edwards said the court would reserve its judgement in the matter. Mr Beades insisted the workers were trespassing on his private land to access the house. A DEVELOPER arrested for a public order offence in a highly charged land access dispute outside one of his Dublin properties has been found not guilty. Jerry Beades (64) had been accused of failing to follow garda directions when they intervened as he aggressively shouted at workmen to get out of his land as they crossed it to get to a neighbouring house he previously owned. Mr Beades insisted the workers were trespassing on his private land to access the house. Acquitting him, Judge John Hughes said the prosecution had not proved that where Mr Beades was standing at the time was a public place. Mr Beades, of Richmond Estate, Fairview, pleaded not guilty to failing to comply with garda directions. Dublin District Court heard the incident happened at Richmond Avenue, Fairview on February 25, 2022. Mr Beades was the former owner of No 31 Richmond Avenue and workmen for the new owner were trying to access the property. Mr Beades currently owned now-demolished No 29 Richmond Avenue and said the workmen were trespassing on that land to access No 31. Garda Patrick Watson said Mr Beades had called and requested that gardai attend, stating that there was a dispute. The garda saw two workmen attempting to unload mattresses from a truck and bring them into the house. He said Mr Beades was physically obstructing the workmen and acting in a threatening and aggressive manner, shouting: get out, get out, this is my property, get out. Jerry Beades Mr Beades attempted to pull one of the mattresses from the workmen, the garda said. The atmosphere was highly charged, Mr Beades was highly agitated and he said there was nothing I could do, it was private property", the garda said. Mr Beades was told if he did not stop he would be arrested, and he calmed down. Mr Beades told Gda Watson the house was landlocked and to access it one would have to walk through his property. The new owner showed the garda a solicitors letter and said he had confirmation from Dublin City Council that that area was "public land under the councils charge." The garda allowed the workmen to continue and warned Mr Beades he would be arrested if he continued to act in the same manner, to which he replied: you may as well arrest me now, garda. Mr Beades left but returned and made a beeline for the workers and the gardai put himself in between them. He directed Mr Beades to leave, he did not comply and was arrested, the garda said. A Dublin City Council representative told the court Richmond Avenue and its carriageway were in charge of the council. In evidence, Mr Beades said he owned the land in question although he consented to the public having right of way to an adjoining laneway. He said he parked his own van on his land and workmen were climbing over it to get access to No 31. I came out to stop people trespassing on my property, he said. An engineer called by the defence said in his view Mr Beades was the owner of the land. A state solicitor argued that the definition of a public place was wide enough to encompass the place Mr Beades was standing. He said it was possible for privately owned land to be within the charge of the local authority. Defence solicitor Fergal Boyle said the case came down to the net point of the land ownership and it was not proven that it was a public place. Judge Hughes said he had a doubt over the prosecutions case and dismissed the charge. Anne Broderick to contest allegations Anne Broderick is to contest the allegations made against her. A Cork-based horseracing heiress kept dogs in sub-zero conditions, with no access to water, soaked in urine and standing in faeces in cramped, dirty pens, a court heard this week. Anne Broderick had more than 80 breeding bitches and more than 200 dogs in total, kept in unsafe and unsanitary facilities, according to vets who inspected her dog breeding business in Doneraile. There, puppies were found soaked in urine. Dogs were in very, very cramped conditions, unable to avoid standing in their own faeces and urine, Cork County Council Veterinary Inspector Carol Nolan told Mallow District Court. Multiple dogs, including larger breeds like Alsatians, displayed worrying, abnormal behaviours, she said, which were red flags for animal welfare and indicated prolonged confinement in a deficient environment. Some dogs stood on their hind legs like Meer cats, others repeatedly jumped in their pens and barked excessively and one dog turned in repeated circles. Dogs were also found without bedding or heating in sub-zero temperatures. Ms Nolan was giving evidence during an appeal Ms Broderick brought in the court against a closure order Cork County Council had imposed on her dog breeding facility at The Hermitage, Doneraile, in January. Although Ms Broderick had a licence to breed 50 bitches, inspectors said that they found more than 80, with 218 dogs and puppies in total. The dogs were in unsanitary, cramped and freezing conditions, many had no access to water or uncontaminated food bowls. Some were seen eating their own faeces. Problems had been repeatedly identified at the facility since 2017, Ms Nolan said. Ms Nolan, gave more than two hours of evidence of repeated inspections which found overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, with dogs unable to avoid the faeces and urine in their dirty, cramped pens. She said urine was squelching beneath my wellies when she walked in some of the dog pens. A routine animal welfare inspection on October 6, 2022 revealed a whole host of red flags with overcrowded kennels, dirty with faeces and urine, vermin harbourage and behavioural abnormalities in the dogs, a significant risk of disease and a failure to produce records. Ms Nolan said that it was clear from the smell and amount of faeces and urine that regular cleaning was not taking place. Ms Nolan said that another vet at the scene told Ms Broderick that he was appalled by conditions and that dogs there were being farmed like cattle. An improvement notice was issued. Although the facility was somewhat cleaner with some improvements made, such as the expansion of pen sizes, on a subsequent inspection on October 14, 2022 many other improvements had not been complied with, the court heard. Ms Broderick was adversarial on this visit, the court heard, and allegedly accused Cork County Councils vet inspectors of bullying and harassment, reportedly saying that people had been driven to suicide for less. On this inspection many dogs still had no access to drinking water, Ms Nolan said. Ms Broderick was warned that if she did not comply with the councils improvement notice, a court order to remove her breeding register or a closure order would be issued. The ISPCA accompanied Cork County Council vets on a subsequent inspection due to the seriousness of conditions, the court heard. They climbed the gate to get in as there was no answer when they called. Dogs were again found with no bedding and no heating in sub-zero temperatures with water dispensers that had iced over, Ms Nolan said. A Bichon quite heavily in pup had no bedding, no heat source, and darted away from Ms Nolan like a cat when she tried pet her, which is not normal for this companiable breed which generally likes to be fussed over and petted. Yorkshire Terriers were found in a state of neglect with overgrown coats and soiled litter and faeces stuck to their coats and paws. Puppies were found stinking of urine and a Bischon had alopecia on a limb. Urine is an irritant and can cause inflammation to paws when dogs have to walk in it, Ms Nolan said. Having consulted with the ISPCA, a closure order was recommended and was issued on January 3. Some 47 dogs were removed from the facility on January 23. They were found wet some drenched - with urine-stained paws and without bedding. Many were in low body condition, some had an eye discharge. Ray Boland, Senior Counsel for Ms Broderick, said that his client will contest the councils evidence with expert witnesses. Ms Broderick now has only five breeding bitches, which is legal without a licence, and has 11 dogs in total, the court heard. Mr Boland said that she overextended herself last year, exporting dogs to Singapore. Judge Colm Roberts adjourned the case until July 17 for mention when three days are to be set for the rest of the hearing in September. Ms Brodericks father, John, was well-known in horse racing circles having bred Paddy De Plasterer which won at Cheltenham. He died in 2016, leaving Ms Broderick a share of his 11m estate. Edwin Poots said he was appalled that William Walker avoided jail this week A DUP MLA has written to the Public Prosecution Service and Attorney General asking them to review the sentence handed to a former party councillor who admitted child sex offences. Edwin Poots said he was appalled that William Walker avoided jail this week. He said today the punishment must be increased. Walker, who served as a councillor on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, contacted, while posing as a 24-year-old man, who he believed were two teenage girls and asked for photos of them in their school uniforms. He was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and three years on probation after he admitted two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child. He was also given a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order and told to sign the sex offenders register for five years. Judges are bound by sentencing guidelines and must take into account mitigating circumstances, such as early guilty pleas, co-operation with police and remorse, as well as aggravating factors. But Mr Poots took to Twitter to brand Walkers sentence incredibly light. This afternoon he tweeted: I have contacted the Public Prosecution Service and Attorney Generals office today asking for the lenient sentence handed down to Billy Walker to be appealed. A man in his 50s grooming teenagers is perverse, sickening and unacceptable. The punishment must be increased. Jonathan Buckley, one of the DUPs Upper Bann representatives, shared Mr Poots initial social media post criticising the sentence and added: Agree entirely. A despicable act which must be condemned and called out by all. This is wrong on so many levels. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Earlier this week, DUP councillor Glyn Hanna, Mr Walkers former colleague, confirmed he wrote a character reference on Walkers behalf Mr Hanna has now withdrawn the reference, saying he was misled by Walker. Earlier this week, Downpatrick Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard that Walker (60), formerly from Killyleagh but with a current address at Palatine Road in Blackpool, contacted two teenage girls, pretending to be a much younger man. The girls, who stated they were teenagers in their conversations with Walker, were actually members of a paedophile hunters group acting as decoys. Aware that Sammy Jo was 14, Walker began exchanging messages with her and asked her 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. Walker 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 a fake profile, told her she was stunning and, on February 16, 2022, sent her a message asking if she had a boyfriend, to which she replied saying she didnt and that it was her 14th birthday that day. 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 arrested, Walker 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. 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. UNITED NATIONS, June 23 (Xinhua) -- UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix headed on Friday to prepare in Bangladesh for the "Women in UN Peacekeeping" December ministerial meeting in Ghana, a UN spokesman said. The Dhaka conference is the first of four such meetings ahead of the two-day UN ministerial session in Accra, beginning Dec. 5, said Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The Dhaka meeting wraps up Monday. Haq said the preparatory session, co-hosted by Bangladesh, Canada, and Uruguay, is to hear representatives from troop and police contributing countries and UN peacekeeping experts discussing progress, challenges and good practices to promote women's meaningful participation in UN peacekeeping and to foster gender-responsive leadership. He said that from Bangladesh, Under-Secretary-General Lacroix goes to Nepal and Bhutan for meetings on June 27-July 3 on the countries' support for UN peace operations, including within the framework of the peacekeeping ministerial conference on women. Luke McNamee pleaded guilty to one count of possessing the proceeds of crime in his AIB bank account on dates between May 18 and July 30 2021. Luke McNamee, 20yrs, of Loughlinstown Road, Celbridge, Co. Kildare pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice(CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin after he appeared before the Circuit Criminal Court. Pic: Paddy Cummins A Maynooth University student was recruited as a money mule to transfer illegally obtained pandemic unemployment payments into other people's bank accounts, a court has heard. Luke McNamee (20) of Loughlinstown Road, Celbridge, Co Kildare, was completing his Leaving Cert when he was added as a friend by a man on Snapchat and asked if he wanted to make easy money. McNamee, then aged 18, sent the person his bank account details and got involved in money-laundering PUP payments to the tune of 4,700, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. McNamee pleaded guilty to one count of possessing the proceeds of crime in his AIB bank account on dates between May 18 and July 30 2021. At a hearing yesterday, Judge Orla Crowe said McNamee had made a monumentally bad decision but acknowledged that he had effectively handed himself into gardai once he realised his mistake. Judge Crowe applied Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which involves deferring a sentence and imposing conditions for the defendant to meet until the sentencing date. The judge ordered McNamee to keep the peace and be of good behaviour until December 14, at which point he could be discharged from the indictment. If he doesn't comply, Judge Crowe said the court would consider a 12-month sentence. The judge also noted McNamee had made a gain of 1,500 for his role and ordered him to repay this sum to the gardai for onward transmission to the Department of Social Protection. McNamee has no previous convictions, and Garda Amy Devery told the court she thought he was unlikely to come before the courts again. I think it's unlikely; I think he made a big mistake, but I think he's learnt from it, said Gda Devery. She told Derek Cooney BL, prosecuting, that a man on Snapchat added McNamee as a friend on May 18, 2021. The man on Snapchat gave his name as R Boogie, the court heard. When R Boogie asked McNamee if he wanted to make easy money, the student replied that he did and proceeded to give his bank account details over Snapchat. R Boogie told McNamee that money would come into his account every Tuesday and that he would get instructions on what to do with it. 16 sums of Pandemic Unemployment Payments, initially of 350 per week and then of 250 weekly, were transferred into McNamee's bank account by the Department of Social Welfare. McNamee would then get instructions via Snapchat to transfer various amounts into different bank accounts or to buy items on the ASOS shopping app and then hand over the goods. The court heard that, at one point, McNamee got the orders mixed up and lost money. He began to get threats by text message from R Boogie. McNamee was told he owed money of up to 10,000 and that R Boogie was going to call up to the house. On August 12, 2021, McNamee presented at a garda station with his parents and told his full story, giving gardai his bank and Revolut details and printouts of his Snapchat and text messages. Gardai discovered that two separate women, neither of whom had ever claimed Pandemic Unemployment Payments, were contacted by the Department of Social Protection to say their PUP was under review. It emerged that both of these women's names had been used to lodge fraudulent PUP claims to the total value of 4,700, which had been lodged into McNamee's account. Gda Devery agreed with Jennifer Jackson BL, defending that McNamee couldn't have been any more cooperative with gardai. Ms Jackson told the court that this type of offence, known as money muling has become such a problem that gardai have taken out ad campaigns to warn students against getting involved. Counsel said McNamee was never on the radar for criminal activity and comes from a law-abiding family. He was at the lower end of the operation, but he made an extremely stupid decision to become involved, said Ms Jackson. She attributed McNamee's lack of ability to see consequences to his youth at the time. The court heard that McNamee planned to use the money to pay for a holiday with his friends after the Leaving Cert. A large number of letters and character references in support of McNamee were handed into court. Deputy principals of two schools and representative of sporting clubs described him as caring, compassionate and trustworthy and spoke of his support and kindness towards younger team members. A significant amount of people within the community are willing to put pen to paper and come out to bat for him. They are rooting for him, counsel said. Judge Crowe said that although others had set up a sophisticated money-laundering system, McNamee had played an active role in that he was involved in the passing on of money and had made a gain. She took into account McNamee's youth and the fact that the offending had taken place during the pandemic when there wasn't the same awareness in relation to these types of activities. The judge noted that McNamee is working part-time in a pub and can make reparation. The case was adjourned for mention to November 16. When he was arrested for public order offences, gardai seized his phone and found pictures of the sex act on it. A DUBLIN man seen in a sex act with a woman in a public park was caught after gardai found graphic evidence of the encounter on his mobile phone. Peter OGorman (54) hurled abuse at gardai when they investigated a complaint from a member of the public who saw a woman perform oral sex on him. When he was arrested for public order offences, gardai seized his phone and found pictures of the sex act on it. Jailing him for six months, Judge Ciaran Liddy said OGorman had shown complete disregard for the public and their enjoyment of the park. OGorman, of Bulfin Court, Inchicore, Dublin 8 pleaded guilty to offensive conduct of a sexual nature, as well as public intoxication and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour. Dublin District Court heard the incident happened in Our Ladys Park, Drumcondra on September 22, 2021. Garda Eoin Morrison said a member of the public called 999 on the day in question and reported that two people were engaged in sexual activity in the park, at the junction of the Drumcondra Road and Botanic Avenue. When he went to investigate, the accused was there with a woman, the pair were both intoxicated and there were cans strewn around. OGorman told the garda he had done nothing wrong and became physical, grabbing the garda by the jacket. He had to be restrained and was arrested. His phone was seized and when it was analysed, images were recovered depicting OGorman and a woman involved in sexual activity in the park. He was invited to attend Mountjoy garda station where he was interviewed under caution and made certain admissions. He told gardai he had been in the park drinking alcohol when the woman performed oral sex on him and it had been her suggestion and he acquiesced to that. Following this, a file was submitted to the DPP and he was charged with offensive conduct of a sexual nature. The court heard OGorman had previous convictions for burglary, sexual assault and other offences. There are no issues with consent in the facts of this case, defence solicitor Tony Collier said. Everything was consensual and my client was invited to take part in sexual activity. There were no concerns that the accused was preying on or taking advantage of anyone. He was intoxicated when he dealt with the garda, though he was not using that as an excuse for his behaviour. OGorman was already in prison serving another sentence when he appeared in court. The accused was plagued by an alcohol problem, and had been making efforts to address this before he was sentenced, Mr Collier said. He asked the judge not to jail OGorman. Notwithstanding the graphic nature of the case and the sexual elements, the director has deemed the conduct is more offensive conduct than anything else, Mr Collier said. Judge Liddy said Gda Morrison had been effectively assaulted and OGorman was fortunate that he was not charged with assault. He also noted the accused had been on bail at the time. Two-year-old Ali Jayden Doyle sustained fatal head injuries at a property in the Park Avenue area of Dungannon in August 2021. The mother and stepfather of a Co Tyrone toddler have denied charges arising from the childs death as they appeared in court today. Two-year-old Ali Jayden Doyle sustained fatal head injuries at a property in the Park Avenue area of Dungannon in August 2021. Her stepfather, Darren John Armstrong (34), whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry, appeared in the dock of Belfast Crown Court where he was charged with the toddlers murder. When the charge of murdering Ali Jayden Doyle on August 6, 2021, was put to Armstrong, he replied, Not guilty. Ali Jayden Doyle The childs mother, Jade Dempsey (26), attended the arraignment hearing via a video-link. Dempsey was then charged with two offences arising from her daughters death namely causing the death of a child by an unlawful act on August 6, 2021, and wilfully neglecting and exposing Ali Jayden Doyle in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health. She entered not-guilty pleas to both charges. Although no details regarding the fatal incident were aired today, a previous court was told how the emergency services were called to Armstrongs home on August 6, 2021, to tend to an unconscious child. Ali Jayden Doyle was rushed to hospital but died later that day. Whilst Dempsey was not in the property at the time, Armstrong claimed the youngster fell and hit her head against the fireplace. Ian Turkington, the barrister representing Armstrong, said reports were being sought and steps have already been taken in relation to the medical evidence. Dempseys barrister, Gavan Duffy KC, said he wasnt taking any issue with the medical evidence but said other reports may be sought as the case progresses. No trial date was set, but Mr Justice O'Hara said he would review the case on September 20. Geoff Keating (45) wrote child protection symbols in chalk on the ground Pop star Rihannas former head of security has been found guilty of criminal damage after he wrote child protection symbols in chalk on the ground outside a Dublin garda station. Geoff Keating (45) had denied criminal damage, saying the chalk symbols had been washed away by the time he left the garda station. Keating also said he was an advocate for children in the Finglas area. Judge Gerard Jones found Keating guilty and he fined him 200. The judge also said he did not accept that gardai in Finglas would do anything to harm children, quite the opposite, he said. The defendant, with an address at Woodbank Drive in Finglas, was found guilty of criminal damage at Finglas Garda Station on May 19, 2022. Garda Joseph Rogers told Blanchardstown District Court that Keating was witnessed on CCTV footage writing three symbols on the ground outside the garda station. Gda Rogers said that he spoke to Keating, who admitted writing the symbols, which he claimed were child protection symbols. In his evidence, Keating said he was an advocate for children, and claimed that he had saved the lives of seven children. Mr Keating said all he did was aimed at protecting children. He said hed had a fractious relationship with gardai in Finglas, dating back to 2007, and he believed they were failing to protect children and were running amok. He denied criminal damage, saying he had not intended to cause damage, and the chalk had been washed away by the time hed left the station. Keating also alleged that he had been hit by gardai when he was being brought into Finglas station. The judge found Keating guilty, finding he was reckless about causing damage. Keating was Rihannas head of security on her Diamonds tour in 2012 and 2013. He was caught working without a required doorman licence at a nightclub just three weeks after he was sentenced for the shocking assault The woman-beating thug son of the late PUP councillor Ken Wilkinson has been bounced in court after he was caught working as a doorman illegally. The Sunday World can reveal Ryan Wilkinson was caught working as a bouncer at a Belfast nightclub despite being banned from doing so after he was convicted of a brutal attack on his ex-girlfriend. In fact he was caught working without a required doorman licence at a nightclub just three weeks after he was sentenced for the shocking assault which took place at his 30th birthday party. As reported here last summer, the hulking 31-year-old bodybuilder was convicted of two counts of common assault and one of causing actual bodily harm after he kicked his ex and tore out clumps of her hair. Instead of going to prison and despite continuing to deny his guilt Wilkinson was given 150 hours of community service to complete and handed a two-year restraining order. During his sentence hearing Wilkinsons barrister admitted that the conviction will have an impact on his employment and so will the sentence, adding that the sentence will have an effect on the period of time over which he is suspended from working as a doorman. Ryan Wilkinson And indeed he was banned from working as a doorman by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) because of his criminal conviction at Antrim Magistrates Court in September 2022. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the government body responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. A statement posted on the SIA website reveals why they prosecuted Ryan Wilkinson. They said: SIA investigators and officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland carried out two planned inspections of venues in Belfasts night-time economy on 28 September 2022 and Monday 3 October 2022. During the inspection on 3 October 2022, Mr Wilkinson was found to be working without a valid SIA licence in a Belfast nightclub. When he was asked why he was not wearing a licence he told the investigators that he was a ticket collector. As a former licence holder, the SIA suspended Mr Wilkinsons licence on 18 August 2022. On 6 September 2022 Mr Wilkinson was convicted of assault at Antrim Magistrates Court. Mr Wilkinson was invited by SIA investigators to an interview-under-caution at Musgrave Police Station on 16 January 2023 when he denied working as an unlicensed door supervisor. He told the SIA investigator that he was working as a marshal. On 30 January 2023 the SIA revoked his licence. And the SIA went to explain that after being convicted of a serious assault he was no longer deemed to be fit and proper for the job as a doorman and described the thug as a risk to vulnerable people on a night out. Jenny Hart, one of the criminal investigations managers at the SIA, is quoted as saying: Suspension means Mr Wilkinson was unable to work as a door supervisor, yet still chose to work illegally in Belfasts night-time economy when his licence had been suspended. The SIAs licensing regime is there to protect the public and a licence is awarded to a fit and proper person. Mr Wilkinson had been convicted of assault and the SIA had suspended his licence, yet he chose to carry on working around potentially vulnerable people who were out enjoying themselves. Mr Wilkinson was a risk to those people. Mr Wilkinson has a criminal record following these convictions. The court fined Wilkinson 300, ordered him to pay 150 legal costs and 30 court costs. Last year, Wilkinsons ex-partner told the court how he pushed her, kicked her, tore clumps of hair from her head and threw her against a doorframe. She said he only stopped assaulting her after a man was forced into choking him into letting go of her hair. The drugs were discovered by officers following a search in the Corkagh Park area of Clondalkin. Image of the ketamine seizure released by An Garda Siochana Gardai have seized more than 120,000 worth of ketamine during an operation in West Dublin yesterday. The drugs were discovered by officers following a search in the Corkagh Park area of Clondalkin. A garda spokesman said officers searched a male in his late teens who was found to be in possession of approximately 600 worth of suspected cannabis at around 6pm yesterday evening. This male was subsequently arrested and taken to a Garda station in Dublin. During a follow-up search of the immediate area, gardai seized a package hidden in undergrowth which contained approximately 120,000 of suspected ketamine. The teenager has since been released pending further investigations. A garda spokesman said the haul was seized as a result of investigations into the sale and supply of drugs in the area, Gardai from the Clondalkin District Drug Unit were assisted by Gardai from the Ballyfermot Detective Unit. All of the drugs seized will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis The Goatstown woman used to hide 500 from her husband in the hot press as escape money. Murder victim Siobhan McLaughlin used to sit with tears in her eyes at dinner and hid sums of money in the hot press to try escape the clutches of domestic abuse, her best friend has revealed. Brian Kearney (62) strangled his wife Siobhan (38) to death with a wire flex 17 years ago after she told him their marriage was over and she wanted a divorce. She was murdered for money, it was financial abuse. Siobhan wanted out of the marriage, Priscilla Grainger said on the Real Lives Untold podcast. Hosts Trina OConnor and Sarah OConnor spoke with mother and daughter team Priscilla and Ainie Grainger who run Stop Domestic violence Ireland and published the book SAFE, about the issue of aggression in the home. Brian Kearney Priscilla described how the death of childhood friend, Siobhan, in her South Dublin, home in 2006 was a turning point in her own life. I never got on with Siobhans ex, Priscilla said. We met at 8, Siobhan lived down the road, it was very country. She became my best friend. She was fun, vibrant, but She was murdered for money. It was financial abuse. Siobhan wanted out of the marriage. Our paths ended because of our husbands. Siobhan used to have tears in her eyes at dinner. He was a lot older, he was clued-in and clever, a manipulator. He got caught but he fought it. Her death was horrendous, the way she was left. Hes up for parole again. Hes supposed to be a model prisoner! She hid 500 as escape money in the hot press. Her death was a turning point for me, Priscilla said. Ms Graingers own tears have gone into the book she wrote as both she and her daughter suffered also with domestic abuse. Theres not enough being done in Ireland for men, women and children. Who is getting beaten as we sit here? Siobhan's family Domestic violence victims are the forgotten people. It will take something happen to one of the Governments own, someone close to one of them, Priscilla said. Her daughter, Ainie, agreed. It happens behind closed doors, this is the problem, she said. Priscilla detailed her own experience, beginning not long after taking her wedding vows. It started on the second night of my honeymoon. I didnt know what a red flag was. Nearest thing I knew to that was a Cork flag in Croke park. I had a doubt in my mind the night before I got married. My biggest regret was I went to the bathroom and then said ah, its just nerves. I knew deep down I was making a mistake. A big mistake was not to move in before I got married. I thought to myself have I walked into a prison? she asked. Things would be nice for a few days and then would turn bad again, with beatings and violence. I was terrified if I told the truth about what was going on, my baby would be taken from me, she said. Priscillas husband was jealous of his baby daughter, which Ainie remembers feeling clearly. I felt hostility from him. Never got a good vibe from him. I knew what type of person he was, from an early age. He had huge issues with gambling. He would leave me in the car for 2-3 hours. Im still hyper vigilant. I would have to deal with his anger. It left me with PTSD and trauma. But now I know what to lookout for. Its a set of traffic light: green, amber and red. If they tell you what to wear, thats a red flag. Get rid. No point in sugar coating it, the young woman concluded. - The Real Lives Untold podcast can be accessed here or whereever you get your podcasts. Keith Murphy, a Republican from Manchester, New Hampshire, turned himself in on Monday to face assault charges. A US state senator has been arrested after allegedly slapping and spitting on an employee during an altercation at an Irish pub two months ago. Keith Murphy, a Republican from Manchester, New Hampshire, turned himself in on Monday to face assault charges. The incident took place at Murphys Taproom, which Murphy owns, back in April, according to the Manchester Police Department. Police said that an employee claimed he was spat on and slapped by Murphy during an argument at the venue. Surveillance footage, which has not yet been released to the public, allegedly verified the employee's claims. Authorities said the CCTV footage also showed Murphy picking up a chair in an aggressive manner". Murphy (47) is charged with two counts of simple assault and one count of criminal threatening. The state senator was released on personal recognizance bail and is due to appear in court again on July 24. The politician issued a social media statement on Monday to protest his innocence. I am innocent of these charges and I look forward to my day in court, he wrote on Facebook. When the facts are known it will be clear that the police have charged the victim in this case. I will be defending my name, reputation, and business through the legal process, and I defer all further questions to my attorney, Donna Brown. "Withhold judgment until that happens, he added. Murphy opened Murphys Taproom in Manchester, NH in April 2007 and expanded to a second location in Bedford, NH ten years later with his two business partners. The restaurant and bars website reads: Keith Murphy has been in the hospitality industry for 29 years, working his way from dishwasher to restaurant owner. He opened the original Murphys Taproom on Elm Street in Manchester, NH, in 2007, and expanded it three times before opening a huge new location in Bedford in 2017. A graduate of the University of Baltimore and the University of Maryland, he was a four-term state representative in Bedford before opening his latest venture. Keith is a father to Lexi, Aidan, and Finn Murphy. The incident occurred on Eccles Street, Dublin 7, at approximately 3pm on Tuesday. A woman has died following a collision with an e-scooter in Dublin earlier this week. The incident occurred on Eccles Street, Dublin 7, at approximately 3pm on Tuesday. The woman, aged in her 80s, was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital where she has since passed away. A post-mortem will now take place. Gardai arrested a man in relation to this incident. He was detained at a Garda Station in North Dublin under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. He was later released for a file to be sent to the DPP in relation to this matter. Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward. Any road users who were travelling in the area with camera footage (including dash cam), are asked to make this available to the investigation team. Gardai can be contacted at Mountjoy Garda Station on (01) 6668600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. Investigations are ongoing. Residents are now being threatened with eviction. A nondescript Dublin city property has become the centre of High Court drama this week as housing organisation, Cabhru, seeks to have the Revolutionary Housing League (RHL) evicted from their leasehold building. The RHL demand that all vacant homes and buildings in the country are opened to house those in need and the group currently has a large number of homeless people living in the Dublin 7 location. Since 12th May the Revolutionary Housing League has been housing homeless people in a vacant building in north inner city Dublin. The Dublin City Council building was sitting empty for two years in the midst of the housing crisis, the group stated. Food baskets The Cabhru Housing Association, which provides homes for older persons, are now demanding to repossess the property, in order to develop and convert it into housing units. A spokesperson for the Revolutionary Housing League posted a statement on social media which said: Cabhru have since regained the lease and now want to evict the homeless people back onto the streets, despite having no plans for the building until demolition in 2024. Over sixty people have been housed in the building during that time, regardless of their race, religion or sexual orientation. The RHL believes in the right to housing of everyone in Ireland and the fact that our country has tens of thousands of empty buildings ready to house people demonstrates that this can be easily achieved, the group said. Last week a High Court judge refused to grant orders directing gardai to arrest and bring the un-named persons before the Court over their alleged failure to vacate the property. Irish flag on building Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy previously granted an injunction requiring those occupying the building to leave the property. After being told the injunction was not being complied with, the judge said that he was not granting Cabhru orders to commit those in contempt of the orders to prison. This was due to a lack of evidence before the court about the identities of the persons on the property. The judge was not satisfied that all those alleged to be in occupation have been made aware of the orders to vacate the premises. High Court, Dublin The judge accepted that court orders must be compiled with and that he fully accepted that Cabhru want to redevelop the property into units for older persons. Planning permission has been granted for a 35-unit complex, and the charity intends to demolish the existing building and start construction work next year. Cabhru also claimed that it had made the property secure, disconnected water, gas and electricity with the only connection being to an alarm system, up until the occupation occurred. Another judge, Mr Justice O'Moore, granted Cabhru permission to renew its application and adjourned the matter to a date later this month. BRUSSELS, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The Council of the European Union (EU) on Friday formally adopted the 11th package of sanctions it has imposed on Russia since the Ukrainian crisis broke out last year. The package includes measures aimed at countering the circumvention of sanctions, and adds 87 new entities to the list of those "directly supporting Russia's military and industrial complex." It imposes a full ban on trucks with Russian trailers and semi-trailers from transporting goods to the EU, and extends the ban on the export of luxury cars to all new and second-hand cars above a certain engine size, and all electric and hybrid vehicles. The temporary derogation granted to Germany and Poland for the supply of crude oil from Russia through the northern section of the Druzhba oil pipeline will end, according to the Council. However, oil originating from Kazakhstan or another third country will be able to continue to transit through Russia and imported into the EU via the Druzhba oil pipeline, it added. In response, Moscow has expanded the list of EU representatives who are banned from entering Russia, reported Sputnik on Friday. The Russian news agency quoted the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying the EU's move was "illegitimate, undermining the international legal prerogatives of the UN Security Council." The group today addressed a letter to Lord Mayor of Dublin, Caroline Conroy, and Owen Keegan, Dublin City Chief Executive. A tribute to Savita Halappanavar following the results in the Irish referendum on the 8th Amendment on May 26, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. Photo: Charles McQuillan/ Getty A number of public figures are calling on Dublin City Council to commission a memorial for Savita Halappanavar. The group today addressed a letter to Lord Mayor of Dublin, Caroline Conroy, and Owen Keegan, Dublin City Chief Executive while Arts Minister Catherine Martin was also a recipient. The letter is calling for a public tribute in memory of Savita Halappanavar, who became a catalyst for social change and womens rights in Ireland following her tragic death, and all others harmed by the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland. The 31-year-old, an Indian migrant living in Ireland, died at University Hospital Galway in October 2012 from sepsis, being denied a life-saving abortion. The group said that a memorial would carry a powerful global message for change as abortion remains illegal or restricted in many countries. They said that it is inevitable that plenty of women in the US will meet the same fate as Savita after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade last year and upended reproductive rights. Meanwhile, a memorial would also pay tribute to Savitas identity as a female, migrant, and person of colour which echoes the ongoing struggle for the right to bodily autonomy and healthcare by women and transgender people. Savita was a migrant to Ireland and a woman of colour. There are few statues or pieces of public art in Ireland to women and none to migrant women, so such a memorial would be a fitting correction to this glaring deficit, the letter read. The group referenced how Savitas image was ingrained in public consciousness during the Repeal the Eighth movement through an unofficial mural in Portobello, south Dublin. Poignant messages left at the mural were photographed by the Dublin City Library and Archive, which suggests that the council may support their petition for a permanent memorial five years after the Eighth Amendment was repealed. In the aftermath of the fifth anniversary of the Repeal referendum, we think this is an opportune time to formally request that the Irish state, and Dublin City Council as the main local authority in the capital city, commission a statue or public art piece as a permanent memorial... We ask the Council to commission a permanent memorial respectfully honouring Savita Halappanavars life and declaring Never Again must anyone die from being denied an abortion in Ireland. The letter titled Request for Dublin City Council to commission a memorial to Savita - was signed by feminist academic Ailbhe Smyth, former TD Ruth Coppinger, drag queen and activist Panti Bliss, Marian Keyes, Vincent Browne, and UDC Director of Gender Studies Dr Mary McAuliffe, among others. Tubridy previously said he had "no problem" with wage cuts. Ryan Tubridy on the series finale of 'The Late Late Show'. Photo: Andres Poveda RTE has been engulfed in a payments scandal after they admitted paying Ryan Tubridy 345,000 more than what it stated publicly it was paying him, resulting in the suspension of outgoing Director General, Dee Forbes. The Sunday World has decided to take a look back over Ryans reported pay cuts over the years, as the state broadcaster expresses profound regret over the issue. Former 'Late Late Show' host Ryan Tubridy. Photo: RTE March 2009 This was the height of the recession and purse strings were being tightened across Ireland after the economic crash. Unions at the time strongly criticised RTEs high-paid stars who refused to take a pay cut while ordinary staff were facing a drop of 6%. RTEs senior managers took a voluntary 10% pay cut and the stations top earners then agreed to follow suit. Tubridy spoke about his reported decrease in earnings and payments to charity. Until now, I have not been in a position to take a pay cut in RTE. Thankfully, my legal situation has changed in recent days. This allows me to join my colleagues, who are all facing tough times, by taking a 10% pay cut. Secretary of the RTE trade union group Mary Curtin said at the time: The unions thank those who volunteered a pay cut. RTE secured 27m of savings mainly through a 12-month pay freeze- that year. Ryan Tubridy and outgoing RTE Director General, Dee Forbes. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin April 2012 The country was still in the doldrums as London hosted the Olympics 11 years ago. Thousands of farmers marched through Dublin city in protest at Government cuts and while canvassing in Athlone, Taoiseach Enda Kenny told an unemployed bus driver to "get a job". Tubridy reportedly took further pay cuts in the wake of 25m in cutbacks announced for RTE. "I'm more than willing to do my bit," Mr Tubridy said. "I think everyone is at risk. I would be a fool to go in and plan ahead for the next five years on the basis of my job security in RTE. That's foolish. Don't forget I am a freelancer, I'm not an RTE staffer. I don't have pension rights or anything like that," Ryan said. On the subject of his own pay, which suffered a reported 30pc drop, Tubridy, said he had "no problem" with wage cuts. "Everyone is being hit. It's not my call to say whether its fair or not, to comment on number 14 or 15, my opinion on their pay check is irrelevant. What I do think is fair is that I am getting a cut, and rightly so, I think that's okay. I understand it. That's the real world... I don't have a problem with it so it's not an issue for me." Ryan said he was aware of the impact cuts were having on day to day work in RTE. "Where I am working, cuts are taking place, difficult decisions are being made. Staff are either retiring or leaving. What I am impressed by is the response of the people on the programme I am working with. "What they are doing under the circumstances is pretty amazing, Ryan said. August 2012 It had been announced Tubridy was accepting a salary cut that would see his pay drop more than 150,000 in total since 2008. The broadcaster revealed he suffered a deeper reduction to his wages than station director Noel Curran had asked for. Tubridy refused to say exactly how much his wages would ultimately drop, as negotiations on his contract were still under way. The pay cut meant his yearly wages were reportedly slashed to less than 373,333. "I'll be taking a pay cut of 30pc and beyond," said Tubridy. "That's the world we live in. I'm completely ok with that. It is in excess of 30pc. It's down to the economic demands of our time." Tubridy earned an apparent 533,333 in 2008, so this meant he would have taken a cut of over 159,000 following contract negotiations. Chair of the RTE Board, Siun Ni Raghallaigh November 2019 In 2019 in Ireland it was announced the number of homeless people in emergency accommodation exceeded 10,000 for the first time and it was revealed the FAI was up to its eyes in debt. Tubridy said he was willing to take a pay cut as part of RTEs cost-cutting measures. He said he had taken a reduction in previous years and was willing to do so again. "I've taken a pay cut before, I took over 30pc the last time and they've asked for more, which would bring it up to about 45pc or thereabouts since I took 'The Late Late Show'," he said. "And when it comes to this sort of issue that's not something I've been found wanting in, and that continues to be the case." The presenter reportedly took a pay cut of 30pc in 2013 during the recession, which reduced his pay to 495,000. As part of RTE's cost-cutting measures in 2019, the star's salary was set to fall by a further 15pc cut. Money and a calculator February 2023 RTE director general Dee Forbes commented on a report about the salaries paid to RTEs highest-paid presenters. The document revealed how the state-owned broadcaster was reducing down the salaries paid to the big stars in the station. Tubridy was leading the pack it was claimed by taking a pay cut of 55,000 or 11 per cent between 2019 and 2021, taking his pay down to 440,000. "We are aware that the fees of high-profile presenters attract considerable public interest. Over the past 15 years RTE has reduced these fees by c. 40 pc. We continue to keep them under review, Ms Forbes said. June 2023 RTE admits paying Ryan 345,000 more than what it stated publicly it was paying him. The money was paid between 2017 and 2022, revealed by a Grant Thornton review. Some of the money stemmed from a sponsorship deal with a third party that was not renewed and the rest of the payments are still under investigation. Siun Ni Raghallaigh, chair of the RTE Board, said the matter was one of "profound regret" for RTE, adding that the Board is "well aware that this is a serious breach of trust with the public, and Dee Forbes is suspended from her employment. The Bristol Bar has been a popular haunt for Rangers FC fans for years A famous loyalist bar in Glasgow which has been sponsoring Ulsters biggest 11th night bonfire is facing closure, we can reveal. The Bristol Bar in Dennistoun, Glasgow, held a fundraiser for the Craigyhill bonfire in Larne last year and last week the pyres master builder David Murray told the Sunday World the famous Rangers FC boozer was their main sponsor. The Bristol Bar has been a popular haunt for Rangers FC fans for years with many Ulster-based supporters paying it a visit despite it being situated in the east end of the city and closer to Celtic Park than Ibrox. Craigyhill bonfire But now it has emerged it could soon close its doors for good as it faces liquidation amid a wind-up notice being issued through the courts. Recently bonfire builder Murray told us how the community had already spent 29,000 buying wooden pallets for the Craigyhill bonfire which claims to be the tallest bonfire in the world. He said he had receipts to prove the transactions were all legitimate dismissing rumours the pallets had been stolen and even said another 29,000 would likely be spent to raise it even higher. The fire is already covered in flags advertising the Bristol Bar in Glasgow and Murray said they were their biggest sponsor. Whether the money has already been paid or whether it is now in jeopardy is unknown as the Bristol Bar did not respond to our requests for clarification. Last month the Bristol Bar announced it was going to close for 12 days for a facelift. However, it has now emerged that the pubs lawyers have petitioned the court for a winding-up order, which could lead to the company being liquidated. We just want to bring Chloe home and say our real goodbyes Every day, Billy McDowell visits the park near his home where tributes are being left to his murdered niece Chloe Mitchell. As he read more of the touching messages amid a sea of flowers, Billy yesterday said his family were touched by the beautiful words being written about the 21-year-old Ballymena woman. Every day, Billy McDowell visits the park near his home where tributes are being left to his murdered niece Chloe Mitchell. As he read more of the touching messages amid a sea of flowers, Billy yesterday said his family were touched by the beautiful words being written about the 21-year-old Ballymena woman. Every day, Billy McDowell visits the park near his home where tributes are being left to his murdered niece Chloe Mitchell. As he read more of the touching messages amid a sea of flowers, Billy yesterday said his family were touched by the beautiful words being written about the 21-year-old Ballymena woman. Every day, Billy McDowell visits the park near his home where tributes are being left to his niece Chloe Mitchell. As he read the heartfelt messages amid a sea of flowers, Billy yesterday said his family were touched by the beautiful words being written about the 21-year-old Ballymena woman. The tributes in this park have been a real comfort for us, he told the Sunday World. There are strangers who are coming to the park and sitting here. They have maybe lost ones and are coming here to say their own prayers. We have loads of people who are coming down here and talking, which is good. I come here every day to read the messages and do a bit of tidying. People have approached me and other members of the family here to offer their condolences and it is very heartwarming. Chloe went missing on June 2 and had last been seen in Ballymena town centre. A massive search operation was launched but ended in tragic circumstances last Sunday when human remains were found at the rear of a house at James Street in the town. Two men have been charged in connection with her death. The horrific story has touched the hearts of people across Northern Ireland and a book of condolence has been opened as far away as Derry. Billy, who is a brother of Chloes mother, said they were so thankful for the support they have received. It is heartbreaking but we are very proud of the community we live in. We have made so many friends who have approached us and come to us with gifts and to express their sorrow. Everyone has just been tremendous and it is so appreciated by our family. We are a big family and we are strong. We will never get over this but we will do our best to stick by each other and help everyone through it. Billy had a special word of thanks for everyone who had helped in the search operation for his niece. He added: Chloe will always be in our hearts and will never be forgotten. She was a good child. Chloe was the youngest of her family and is survived by her parents, two older sisters and two older brothers. A vigil in her memory was held at King Georges Park in Ballymena last Wednesday evening. Speaking at the vigil, Reverend Eddie Chestnutt, from nearby Harryville Presbyterian Church, said if felt like a great darkness had descended over Ballymena. The park has now become a focus for the local communitys heartbreak at her death. Monday week ago, a court was told the man accused of murdering Chloe had absconded to the Ballymena area three times from a secure mental health facility. Brandon John Rainey (27), of James Street in Ballymena, appeared via video link at the towns magistrates court. Charged with murdering Chloe between June 2 and June 5 this year, he replied yeah when asked if he understood the charges. A solicitor for Rainey made an application that the defendant be remanded at the Shannon Clinic, a secure psychiatric unit in Belfast, rather than at HMP Maghaberry. He said the defendant was a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic and argued he should be detained in the facility under Article 43 of the 1986 Mental Health Order. The court heard Rainey had previously been a resident at the clinic and had been subject to a tribunal in August 2022 to assess him for release. The tribunal ruled that he should not be released, but a full hearing 14 days later overturned the decision, leading to Raineys release. Police objected to the application at the court hearing and said Rainey should be remanded at Maghaberry as he had previously absconded three times from the facility. On each occasion, he was located in the Ballymena area, which DI Foreman said indicated a propensity to return to the area. District Judge King refused the defence application, remanding Rainey at HMP Maghaberry to appear before the court again on July 6. Also in court was co-accused Ryan Johnston Gordon (34) of Nursery Close, Ballymena. Johnston replied yes to indicate he understood the charge against him of assisting an offender. His solicitor indicated that Gordon also suffered from mental health issues, and that more time was required to prepare his bail application. Judge King agreed to adjourn the bail application until June 20. A flat at James Street was at the centre of the investigation into Chloes disappearance. Local people said Brandon Rainey had moved into the flat several months ago. One neighbour told the Sunday World windows in the property had been smashed the night after Rainey moved in. The police cordon around the flat was removed last Wednesday evening and the property was boarded up on Friday. It is understood the human remains discovered were found in the rear of a house close to Raineys flat. The family living in the house were moved out to a hotel while police carried out a detailed forensic examination of the scene. The family, which includes a number of young children, were allowed back into the house last Friday but were too upset yesterday to speak about their ordeal. A man who lives close to the James Street flat said he was disgusted at the actions of some people who have visited the scene to post videos and photographs on social media. These people need to show a bit of respect to Chloes family, he said. The PSNI have also urged people not to share or comment on graphic videos and texts circulating on social media in relation to the case. Detective Chief Inspector Richard Millar, who is leading the investigation, said this was causing significant distress to her family and friends. A vigil in Chloes memory was also held last Wednesday at City Hall in Belfast. Speakers at the event called for more to be done to end gender-based violence. A book of condolence has also opened at the Guildhall in Derry to give people an opportunity to sympathise with Chloes family. The citys mayor, Patricia Logue, said her death had affected many people. Everyone in our community has the right to feel safe and as a society we must do everything we can to protect women and girls from any form of violence. The book of condolence is an opportunity for the public in Derry and Strabane to show solidarity with Chloes family. The presenter regularly posts photos of her work outfits and life outfits on Instagram when she films the breakfast show. Muireann OConnell has shared her mums hilarious but brutal remarks about her outfit choice on Ireland AM. The presenter regularly posts photos of her work outfits and life outfits on Instagram when she films the breakfast show. This week, she opted for a blue crinkled dress with ruched details and a slit at the front, which she bought for 139 from Styled by Sarah Rickard. The gown was paired with old heels, a gold watch, and a matching gold necklace. And while the blue number seemed like the perfect choice, Muireanns mum Marie had some choice words for her about her fashion sense. Photo: Muireann O'Connell/Instagram The 40-year-old shared a photo of her mums scathing comment opposite a selfie of her wearing the dress. That blue dress is too big for you hon, the message read. "Charity bag!!!! It isnt the first time Muireanns mum has critiqued her outfits on Ireland AM, with one remark cutting so deep Muireann vowed to burn one of her red dresses. Messaging Muireann on WhatsApp, Marie wrote: Time to give the red dress a rest, wearing it a lot. An embarrassed Muireann later vowed to destroy the garment, despite only wearing it a handful of times this year. I think I've worn it twice in four months but that's me told. Going to burn it at the stake, she joked with her followers. It comes after Muireann admitted that she felt like a complete idiot after a stranger pinched her bum during a magazine photoshoot. Sharing a photo from the shoot on Instagram, she recalled the weird and uncomfortable encounter and said that she froze immediately after the incident. We all assumed it was someone we knew, it was a joke but. Nope, she wrote. When my brain clicked in, I felt like a complete idiot for not running after him and doing I dont know what. Muireann said the incident was nothing in comparison to what happens to people without their consent every day but she was surprised by her response to the harassment. She continued: I also know that worse happened to most of us as young ones when we were simply walking through a packed pub or nightclub but I just assumed that being older, Id have the cop on to do something. But my training kicked in and it was to do anything to avoid a fuss. Im not in any way traumatised by someone pinching my arse. When the right person does it, deeelightful! It was the response to it that got me. Be quiet, say nothing. Everyone who was there was the exact same. They all said did that actually happen? They were LOVELY and we moved on, cause I wanted to move on. But its weird, right that powerlessness. Something I think has happened to a lot of us but we dont say anything Muireann said she doesnt know what shed do if something similar happened in the future. Id like to think Id at least roar at the f***er. I just wanted to say it out loud so we could perhaps all realise its ok to ROAR at the f***er. I know a lot of people are gonna say that they would punch him, slap him... whatever. The 40-year-old added that many women have the same response when they are touched inappropriately. Freeze. Dont make a fuss and it just sits in your head, the disappointment in your own response while hell never think about it again. Anyway again, I know, not a big deal! The former Late Late Show presenter took aim at RTE as unions hold emergency talks in Montrose RTE star Ryan Tubridy has broken his silence and taken aim at his employer after a dramatic 24 hours that saw the Director General Dee Forbes suspended. Further to my statement yesterday, I wish to respond to issues in the last 24 hours arising from RTEs accounting treatment and publication of payments made to me between 2017 and 2022. RTEs accounting treatment and publication of payments made to me between 2017 and 2022 contained serious errors. While I have no responsibility for the corporate governance in RTE or how or what they publish in their accounts, when my earnings were published I should have asked questions at the time and sought answers as to the circumstances which resulted in incorrect figures being published. "I didnt, and I bear responsibility for my failure to do so. For this, I apologise unreservedly. He continued: For the avoidance of doubt, all my earnings from RTE have at all times been included in my companys accounts that were prepared by my accountant and filed with the Companies Registration Office and all my taxes are up to date. My filed accounts with details of these earnings have previously been reported on in the media. Ryan Tubridy with the suspended Director General Dee Forbes At the centre of all of this is trust. The trust of colleagues in RTE and the trust of a great many people who listen to my show. To them: I wholeheartedly apologise for my error of judgement. Separately, it has been reported that I did not take a pay cut over the last number of years. This is simply not true. Over the period of my contract with RTE, I have been asked to take several reductions in salary and I did. Indeed, between 2012 and today, my pay from RTE was cut by approximately 40 percent. I also wish to respond to suggestions that this issue had some bearing on my decision to step down from hosting the Late Late Show. It did not. Finally, I am disappointed that RTE has decided that for editorial reasons I should not broadcast my radio show next week. I look forward to returning to the radio show, a job I love, as soon as possible and I hope my listeners and my colleagues appreciate my sincerity on this. The shock press release came as the NUJ announced they held emergency talks in Montrose with its members to discuss the revelations regarding secret payments to Ryan Tubridy. The meeting was chaired by Emma O Kelly, Chair of the Dublin Broadcasting Branch of the NUJ. After a heated discussion the following statement was unanimously agreed and adopted: "NUJ members in RTE remain committed to the core principles of public service broadcasting and to the highest standards of ethical journalism. The revelations of undisclosed payments to Ryan Tubridy and the secretive arrangement with a third party threaten to undermine the trust which is the cornerstone of our relationship with the Irish people. Members are angry and dismayed at the failure of the Executive Board to address the grave concerns of staff and the decision by management to refuse all media interviews. "RTE should be a model of best practice in regard to employment, corporate governance, industrial relations and public procurement. The concept of secret third-party contracts and special arrangements is incompatible with the concept of public service broadcasting. The RTE branch of the NUJ further went on to say: We are calling for the RTE Executive Board to make themselves available to RTE programmes and other media to address the very many questions that need answering. We want to know who signed off on these secret payments and who knew about them. We want those responsible to be held to account. We welcome the new announcement of an independent enquiry. We want its scope to be broadened to include wider issues relating to renumeration, including pensions and perks. We also want an end to what members see as a culture of secrecy surrounding pay, pensions and perks at the organisation. We want an independent examination of RTEs use of third-party agents acting on behalf of a select group and the appropriateness of such relationships in a public broadcasting organisation." Emma O Kelly said todays NUJ meeting was the largest held in recent memory at the broadcaster. Members spoke of how devastated, ashamed, betrayed and angered they are. Miss OKelly revealed: Our members have worked extremely hard to earn and maintain the trust of the Irish public. That trust is something we value and respect hugely. They are devastated to see the hard-earned goodwill of the public undermined as a result of this scandal. We will continue to do our jobs to the best of our ability, and that includes holding RTE to the same standards that the public expects of any publicly funded body. We demand that our viewers and listeners are treated with respect, and we want that respect extended also to staff at RTE. More as it comes in... Asked whether Mr Tubridy will be on the radio next week, Ms Ni Raghallaigh replied: That's a matter for the executive. Ryan Tubridy will not be appearing on his morning radio slot on Friday amid ongoing controversy about payments to him by RTE, the broadcaster confirmed. Siun Ni Raghallaigh, chair of the RTE board, confirmed he will not be live on air during an interview on the Six One news programme this evening. She said: "The board does not have editorial is not our function. But I am informed by the executive that he will not be on the radio tomorrow. Asked whether Mr Tubridy will be on the radio next week, Ms Ni Raghallaigh replied: That's a matter for the executive. She was also asked whether there was a correlation between the issue coming on the radar last March and Mr Tubridy's decision to step down as Late Late Show host the same month. "Not at all," she replied. Earlier this evening, Mr Tubridy said he cant shed any light on hidden payments made to him by RTE. The broadcasters top earner has issued a statement this evening saying he is surprised to learn about errors in the public stated payments received from RTE. The station has carried out a probe which found Mr Tubridy received 345,000 over the past five years that was not publicly declared before. Like many people, Im surprised by the announcements made in RTEs statement today regarding the errors in the reporting of its accounts, he said. "It is unfortunate that these errors are in relation to how RTE have reported payments made to me but I just want to be clear: this is a matter for RTE and I have no involvement in RTEs internal accounting treatment or RTEs public declarations in connection with such payments. "Obviously, Im disappointed to be at the centre of this story but unfortunately, I cant shed any light on why RTE treated these payments in the way that they did, nor can I answer for their mistakes in this regard. His management company, NK Management, said it was made aware of the RTE statement today. "These are matters for which RTE has sole responsibility and accountability. There is no issue whatsoever in relation to the payments being properly and lawfully due and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on the part of Ryan Tubridy or NK Management. "These issues are solely concerned with RTEs internal accounting treatment and public declarations in respect of such lawful payments, NK Management said. RTE said that in early 2020, discussions commenced concerning the renewal of Mr Tubridys presenter contract. RTE was focused on achieving cost savings due to the wider financial circumstances of the organisation and the commitment given by RTE in November 2019 to, among a range of measures, reduce the fees paid to RTEs top 10 most highly paid, on-air presenters by 15pc. "Mr Tubridys previously published remunerations for 2020 and 2021 show that he earned 466,250 and 440,000 respectively across those years, which by 2021 (first full year on new contract) appeared to represent an 11pc reduction on his 2019 earnings. The review conducted by Grant Thornton concerned a separate agreement under which Mr Tubridy was guaranteed by RTE an additional annual income of 75,000 which was intended to come from a commercial partner. In making an agreement with the commercial partner, RTE concluded it on a cost-neutral basis to the commercial partner, and the fee due to Mr Tubridy was guaranteed and underwritten by RTE. Accordingly, under the terms of this agreement, a payment of 75,000 was received by Mr Tubridy in July 2020 from a commercial partner, in exchange for a number of personal appearances a year. As part of this agreement, RTE in turn issued a credit note to the commercial partner, thereby reducing the cost to it of its overall sponsorship arrangement with the organisation. The commercial partner did not renew this agreement for a second year, and since the agreement was guaranteed and underwritten by RTE, the payments were instead made directly by RTE to Mr Tubridys agent (on his behalf). Mr Tubridy received two payments of 75,000 (totalling 150,000), each in 2022 (being a payment for 2021 and a payment for 2022). It was these payments that prompted the review by Grant Thornton. In addition and following the furnishing of the findings of the Grant Thornton review, RTE carried out a review of Mr Tubridys previously stated remunerations. Through this review, it was identified that Mr Tubridys remuneration had been understated by RTE by a figure of 120,000 over the contract period of 2017 to 2019. The circumstances that led to this understatement by RTE are currently under examination. The RTE statement said the board considers the public misstating of RTEs financial information to be a very serious matter and argued it had moved as quickly as it could, once it had independently established the facts, to publish the correct figures. At the request of the board, RTE has this week conducted an internal review of the reporting of the remuneration of its top 10 most highly paid on-air presenters. This review has found that the full cost to RTE of its contracts with the other such on-air presenters has been correctly reported. The board has now requested that Grant Thornton review the contracts of RTEs top 10 most highly paid on-air presenters to independently validate that all remuneration figures have been correctly stated and accounted for by RTE. Grant Thornton will also review the understatement by RTE of Mr Tubridys published remuneration by 120,000 in the period 2017-2019. Ms Ni Raghallaigh said This is a matter of profound regret for the board of RTE. We are well aware that this is a serious breach of trust with the public. On behalf of the board, I wish to apologise for what has occurred. "It is clear that RTE has fallen short of the high standards that it sets for itself and are expected of it. Once these issues came to light, we acted expeditiously to establish the facts and we are confident that the safeguards we have now put in place will ensure that nothing like this will happen again, and that good corporate governance is adhered to at all times. Arts Minister Catherine Martin, who is the line minister for RTE, was notified of the issue in March. "I am extremely concerned at the details which were contained in RTEs statement today, on foot of that review being completed, she said. I have spoken with the RTE chairperson today, and have subsequently written to her requesting that she meet with me and officials of the Department. The meeting has been arranged for Monday. I have asked the chair to set out in that meeting, in detail, the issues involved, the steps the board is taking to deal with the matter, the follow-on action that will be required, and the timeline for these actions. She added: The public rightly expect much higher standards of transparency and accountability from Irelands public service broadcaster. It is unacceptable that these have not been met. "It will be critical for the board to identify whether there are wider governance issues that need to be examined and addressed, and to ensure that there is appropriate accountability for what has occurred. It will be equally important for the board to demonstrate that it is putting in place appropriate structures and processes to prevent a recurrence of a matter of this nature. The investigation findings come as RTE is in a state of transition, with director general Dee Forbes departing next month. Ms Forbes is currently on leave and had going-away drinks with colleagues last Thursday night. She also went around various departments to say her goodbyes. Her replacement, Kevin Bakhurst, has already been spotted on the Montrose campus. Dee Forbes is currently taking annual leave but remains in the role of director general until the end of her term on July 10 and remains contactable. "Kevin has visited RTE for some informal meetings in advance of officially taking up the role of director general on July 10, RTE said in response to queries on Ms Forbes and Mr Bakhurst. Mr Bakhurst, who previously held several senior positions at the BBC, is the current group director of UK communications regulator Ofcom. He was previously RTEs managing director of news and current affairs. The appointment was brought to the Cabinet by Minister Martin and then signed off by senior ministers. Mr Bakhurst was the only name brought forward after an intense and controversial recruitment process. Erics career as an entertainer took off during lockdown, with his videos getting over 20m views. 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. 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. The film director says there are striking similarities between the two tragedies Titanic director and submersible expert James Cameron has spoken about the tragic resemblances between the missing Titan submersible and the Titanic itself. Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field. All five people on board the submersible died in the vessel's catastrophic implosion. Cameron has further told BBC News he predicted the outcome of the ill-fated submersible days before the news was confirmed. "I felt in my bones what had happened," Cameron said. "For the sub's electronics to fail and its communication system to fail, and its tracking transponder to fail simultaneously - sub's gone. "I knew that sub was sitting exactly underneath its last known depth and position. That's exactly where they found it." As well as being an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, Cameron is a seasoned ocean explorer. In 2012, he became the first person to do a solo descent to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the Earth's ocean, in the Deepsea Challenger submersible. He added:"(It) felt like a prolonged and nightmarish charade where people are running around talking about banging noises and talking about oxygen and all this other stuff. "I immediately got on the phone to some of my contacts in the deep submersible community. Within about an hour I had the following facts. They were on descent. They were at 3500 metres, heading for the bottom at 3800 metres. "We now have another wreck that is based on unfortunately the same principles of not heeding warnings." It comes as the US Navy said they heard a sound consistent with an implosion when communications were lost. The US Navy went back and analysed its acoustic data and found an anomaly that was "consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost", a senior Navy official told The Associated Press on Thursday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive acoustic detection system. The Navy passed on that information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search because the Navy did not consider the data to be definitive. The US Coast Guard confirmed the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered around 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage during a press conference in Boston. Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was also found, in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, that was "consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber". All five people onboard the submersible died in the vessels catastrophic implosion (OceanGate Expeditions/ PA) Safety concerns about the sub have been revealed in multiple reports. Before boarding OceanGate vechiles, travellers were warned in a waiver they had to sign, 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. A lawsuit and a letter from industry leaders pointed to potential issues with the Titan. The family of one of the Titan submersible tragedy victims have paid tribute to "a dedicated father" who "lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure. British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding was one of five men now known to have died after a "catastrophic implosion on the sub, which killed those on board instantly. Mr Harding (58) was among the victims, alongside Pakistani-British business adviser Shahzada Dawood (48) and his son Suleman (19), who also reside in the UK. Former French Navy diver and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet (77) was piloting the submersible. Mr Nargeolet has family in Cork, including a grandson being educated in the city and two adult children. Stockton Rush (61), the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions which owns the submersible, was also on board. Staff at the national broadcaster left furious, while politicians demand answers Question marks hang over Ryan Tubridys future in RTE in the wake of the controversy involving 345,000 in payments made to him. There is seething anger among staff at the national broadcaster as it emerged that Tubridy received the payments made over the past six years. Meanwhile, RTE chiefs are facing calls to come before two Oireachtas committees to address the controversy surrounding his remuneration, which was first revealed by the Irish Independent yesterday. It has been described as a serious breach of trust with the public. The former Late Late Show presenter, who said he was surprised by the announcements made, will not be presenting his RTE Radio 1 show this morning. When asked if Tubridy will return to air next week, the chair of the RTE Board, Siun Ni Raghallaigh, said it was a matter for the executive. Internally, there is huge uproar at RTE since a wide-ranging report by Grant Thornton was finalised last Friday and presented to the RTE Board on Monday. The Trade Union Group of RTE staff pointed out that the payments were made at a time when staff were engaged with cost-cutting negotiations with management. Members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) at RTE will hold an emergency meeting to discuss the issue today. It is understood the decision to take Tubridy off air was made by the RTE executive. They will also be the ones to decide his future at the broadcaster. It is understood that incoming director-general Kevin Bakhurst will be involved in the decision-making process even though he doesnt officially take up his role for three weeks. RTE confirmed an internal review of the reporting of the remuneration of its 10 most highly paid presenters. But it is understood that at least some of the other Top 10 stars were caught totally unawares by the news yesterday. They learned that their own pay situation was being reviewed through news reports, a source said. The broadcaster is already in a period of transition as RTE director-general Dee Forbes is not expected to return to the Montrose campus. RTE said she was on annual leave ahead of her five-year tenure ending in early July. Adrian Lynch will take charge for the next three weeks while incoming DG Mr Bakhurst has already been seen at RTE headquarters ahead of his role officially starting shortly. He has a huge challenge facing him as he tries to help the broadcaster get its house in order. The controversy stems from the revelation that Tubridy was guaranteed by RTE an additional annual income of 75,000 in 2020 which was intended to come from a commercial partner. The commercial partner did not renew the agreement for a second year, and since the agreement was guaranteed by RTE, the payments were instead made directly by RTE to Tubridys agent. The issue was identified first in late March after a routine audit of its accounts, and Media Minister Catherine Martin was made aware of the probe the same month. Tubridy also announced his intention to step down from The Late Late Show role in March although RTE bosses have insisted this was not linked to the pay issue. Last night Tubridy issued a statement to say that he cant shed any light on those payments made to him by RTE. His management company, NK Management, said they were matters for which RTE has sole responsibility and accountability. There is no issue whatsoever in relation to the payments being properly and lawfully due and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on the part of Ryan Tubridy or NK Management, it said. Meanwhile there is huge anger among staff working in RTE at the pay revelations, many of whom are earning an average industry wage and have expressed concerns about the serious breach of corporate governance. People working in RTE just cant fathom how this went undetected for so long. In some instances, payments of over half a million euros were made to Ryan Tubridy for one years work, said one source. At the same time, RTE management are going with their begging bowl to the Government calling for a reform of the licence fee structure and extra financial supports. It brings the whole organisation into disrepute and people are understandably angry. An internal email to RTE staff issued by Siun Ni Raghallaigh said that the coming days and weeks would be difficult for us all. On behalf of the board, I wish to apologise for the mistakes that have been made, while reassuring you that once these issues came to light, we acted expeditiously to establish the facts, she said. She said RTEs Director of Audience, Channels and Marketing Adrian Lynch has been appointed as deputy director general with new boss Kevin Bakhurst due to take up his role on July 10. She added that the board and executives at the state broadcaster were committed to working hard together to ensure these serious errors are not repeated and protecting the important and valued role that RTE plays in public life in Ireland. Meanwhile, Media Minister Ms Martin said she is extremely concerned at details in RTEs statement and had spoken with Ms Ni Raghallaigh. A meeting has been arranged for Monday and she has asked the chair to set out the issues involved and the steps the board is taking to deal with the matter. by Ndalimpinga Lita, Chen Cheng WINDHOEK, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Every other day, Max Muyemburuko plies the bumpy roads to remote areas in northeastern Namibia to engage local communities in protecting wildlife. Muyemburuko, a 39-year-old conservationist with the Community-Based Natural Resource Management Program, trains community members on the impact of crucial legislation on the environment and the Integrated Forest and Wildlife Management Plan for 17 community-based organizations. Namibia has 86 conservancies covering 166,179 square kilometers and benefitting 233,100 local people. "It is important to educate the communities, highlighting economic benefits to local communities in protecting the environment," Muyemburuko said. Since taking up the role in 2006, he has convened nearly 200 community meetings. And the work by Muyemburuko, who needs to grapple with more than just navigating rough terrain, has paid off. "We observed a mindset shift among locals in the area toward the environment. The aim is to inspire change in how locals treat the environment," Muyemburuko said. When not convening community meetings on environmental protection in conservation areas, he would be on patrol to curb wildlife crimes such as the poaching of pangolins and rhinos. According to figures from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, 87 rhinos were reported poached in 2022, up from 45 in 2021, 43 in 2020, and 61 in 2019. Muyemburuko, troubled by the destruction of natural habitats and the consequent loss of wildlife, wants to make a difference. "Quite a handy role but key to addressing challenges" such as poaching and extractive industries, he said. "And this is a voluntary work." Muyemburuko, who grew up in Livayi and Shamambungu villages in Namibia's Kavango East Region, joined the conservation program when he was 22. Today, his passion for nature is the mainstay of his work. "Conservation is in my blood from birth, and listening to birds' tweets. I learned early to appreciate the importance of protecting biodiversity, hence choosing this field," Muyemburuko said. Efforts by Muyemburuko and his colleagues have not only led to the protection of endangered species but also helped to promote sustainable tourism in the country, said Romeo Muyunda, spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. In 2022, Muyemburuko won the Conservationist Award of the Year from the Directorate of Wildlife and Parks Management in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. Holder of a travel and tourism management diploma, Muyemburuko is pursuing a degree in tourism management to help create sustainable solutions to preserve Namibia's unique biodiversity. "The plan is still to put more efforts into conservation activities for a healthier environment," he said. A former Western Bay of Plenty health boss who was 'influential in Maori Health is being remembered for the legacy he created. Robin Milne started at Tauranga Hospital as chief operating officer in the early 1990s. He was recruited by Dr Lester Levy and became chief executive in 1993 when the government reformed the health system. The Area Health Boards were reconfigured into 23 Crown Health Enterprises (CHEs). The CHE Western Bay of Plenty Health was formed, and Milne was placed at its head. Members of his executive team, known as the 'tight five, have shared their experiences. 'He was a great support for the advancement of Maori health, says Janice Kuka, one of his executive team. 'His legacy still lives. The [Kaupapa Maori] ward is still there. Maori staff still remember him, and they've gone on to be national leaders. In the early 1990s, the community and iwi were 'dissatisfied about the revolving door that was happening with Maori health, so lobbied hospital management for a kaupapa Maori unit to be established, says Kuka. Milne, Kuka, and the rest of the executive team supported Maori to establish Te Puna Hauora which led to the Kaupapa Maori ward being set up at the hospital. 'He wasn't the only one, but he was very influential in how it all began. The Kaupapa Maori ward was a first for Aotearoa and has not been replicated anywhere else in the country, says Kuka. The ward is open to anyone and takes a holistic Maori approach to caring for people, so there is spiritual support available and whanau are accommodated as well, she says. 'Our nurses were trained to look after the whole person. It's been really successful both for Maori and non-Maori. 'He was highly respected by us [Maori] because he was courageous in supporting us. 'We think that was a big part of the structural change in addressing Maori health. Now the managing director of Nga Mataapuna Oranga Primary Health Organisation, Kuka says Milne continued working for Maori Health right up until he died. Robin Milne on his 75th Birthday. Photo: Supplied. Geoff Smith, former human resources manager for WBOP Health, gets emotional when asked his thoughts on his previous boss. '[He was] very rare and very special. Smith says Milne 'started from scratch with his executive team and head hunted them all to run the hospital and its 4000 staff. 'The staff referred to us as the tight five. On Milne's leadership style, Smith says: 'He enabled and trusted. He was clear about what the vision should be, what we were trying to achieve. Milne felt the hospital should be a place where staff were happy to come and felt their contribution was valued, says Smith. Former WBOP Health customer services manager Alyson Howell says Milne was the 'right man for the times because he was able to balance the business approach required with empathy for patients. She gave the example of James Lynch, who was in the hospital for 44 years after an electrocution at the age of 14 left him severely disabled. Lynch came into the hospital's care in 1957 after his body's motor functions deteriorated, eventually dying there in 2001, aged 84. Pressure was placed on Milne by various authorities to find Lynch alternative care because hospitals were for acutely unwell people, says Howell. 'Robin didn't want him [Lynch] to go somewhere else, because he said: people understand him here, this is his home'. 'He was quite a remarkable leader, very insightful, very dedicated to making the health service that he ran as inclusive and as fair as possible for patients, staff, the community, and [patient's] families. After leaving Western Bay of Plenty Health in 1997 Milne became a consultant, but the 'tight five remained friends. Kuka says Milne was 'very understated, and they didn't realise how much he had achieved until they got together and talked about it. Howell says her colleagues from that time have told her: 'What they learned from Robin, they continue to do in the businesses that they work in today. That he influenced their leadership style, which is pretty fantastic. One of Milne's drawings. His daughter Georgie says he explored with pastels and pencils. Photo: Supplied. In his later years, the doting grandfather took up drawing and set up a mini gallery at one of his favourite cafes in Te Puna. 'He was very proud to display his latest pics and would have them on rotation, says his daughter Georgie Milne. He called Omokoroa home and loved it almost as much as his three 'treasured grandchildren, Portia, Boston and EvaRose, she says. Described as warm and having a great sense of humour, Milne died suddenly at home on April 28, aged 75. One of the 'tight five, Sue Lewer has organised a remembrance gathering at Alma Eatery in Omokoroa from 2-4pm on June 30. 'We're hoping people will take that opportunity to come and talk about the person that they knew, because Robin was different things for different people. For Lewer, he was a 'lively character, he was very thoughtful, but he loved to laugh. He would find humour in some really challenging situations. RSVP to sue.lewer1@gmail.com Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air Midsummer: sweet strawberries for Swedes As the Costa gears up for San Juan on 23 June, Swedish residents and tourists celebrate 'Midsommar' when sweet strawberries are a must-have on a table Alekk M. Saanders Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram The summer solstice has long been considered a magical night, especially in Scandinavia. In Sweden, the celebration of Midsummer (Midsommar in Swedish) is about a never-ending lunch party. A successful midsummer celebration involves flowers in hair, dancing around a pole, singing songs, drinking flavoured schnapps and eating desserts which are often centred around strawberries. As Swedish people say about their tradition: It can be celebrated no matter where you are, as long as you have the right food and drink. Some Nerja restaurants, popular with Swedish residents, prepare salads, salmon, pickled herring with new potatoes and meatballs on 23 June. Some Costa restaurants, popular with Swedish residents, prepare salads, salmon, pickled herring with new potatoes and meatballs for 23 June At this time of year, local farmer Miguel Moreno is used to welcoming Scandinavians who come for his fresh strawberries which are picked from his orchards located just a stone's throw from the centre of Nerja. Miguel knows that their sweet flavour suits the Nordic taste, and considers Scandinavians to be berry connoisseurs, because they know exactly how a strawberry should look and taste. Ampliar Miguel Moreno. A.M.S. Mass-produced strawberries taste nothing like the fresh ones that I pick daily from my field. Also, I am experienced, having been involved in agriculture since my childhood as my family had crops around Nerja. When I established my own business I started growing avocado, chirimoya, mango, bananas and, of course, strawberries, Moreno told SUR in English. Jan, a Swedish resident of Nerja, said, Midsommar is one of the days I look forward to most in the year, and no matter where I am I make sure to celebrate. Celebrating here in Nerja, I might skip eating eggs with pickled herring, but I can't imagine my 'Midsommar' without strawberries. It is important that the strawberries are freshly picked and bright red. Fortunately, this is possible in Nerja thanks to Miguel. I eat them just with whipped cream or bake 'jordgubbstarta', a light cake with strawberries and cream. When asked about how she heard about Miguel's strawberries, she replied, Actually, it was advice from my French friends who live in Nerja and always buy delicious strawberries in the mornings at Miguel's, who has his stall with fruit and vegetables just on the strawberry fields. You have to get there early because by 10 o'clock all the fresh strawberries might be sold out. "You have to get there early because by 10 o'clock all the fresh strawberries might be sold out" Jan Scandinavians don't appreciate the genetically modified bigger strawberries that are sold in supermarkets. There is more yield and firmness, but less sugar and flavour. Many say that you bite into one and you taste absolutely nothing, that if you close your eyes, you might not even know it's a strawberry at all. Strawberries grown in Northern Europe are sweeter and richer. Besides, mass production of strawberries in Andalucia starts in October and finishes in May, meaning it is not easy to find good strawberries for Midsummer at the end of June, even in supermarkets. "The strawberry harvest starts in spring and ends at the very beginning of August" Miguel Moreno The harvest time of my strawberry starts in spring and ends at the very beginning of August. Sincerely, it is very beneficial for me. I grow the Nerja variety that has been grown here for centuries. The Nerja strawberry has always been known to have special sweetness as the underground waters in this valley are sweet, Miguel Moreno explained. Miguel's variety. A.M.S. Miguel Moreno cares about the taste and smell of strawberry. He wants them to be the same as they tasted and smelt in his childhood. Miguel's success in this 'mission' was proved by a couple of local foreigners, regular customers, who arrived during our visit. A foreign couple, the stall, strawberry for tomorrow. A.M.S. As a family we love strawberries, but we are only used to having them in the spring and summer. However, in Nerja our strawberry season starts earlier due to Miguel's production. We come here a few times a week as we cant get enough buying fresh strawberries. We also buy fruit and vegetables here. The produce is locally grown, not to mention good value, the couple said. The serial cybercriminal who hacked Biden and Obama from Estepona Briton Joseph James O'Connor, also known as PlugWalkJoe, stole cryptomoney, hacked accounts and harassed celebrities and children. The US is now seeking to jail him for 67 years Alvaro Soto Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram From a villa in Estepona British man Joseph James O'Connor committed almost all manner of cybercrime over nearly three years (2019-2021). Seated in a 600-euro gaming chair facing three ultra-modern screens, PlugWalkJoe, as he called himself on the internet, would steal cryptocurrencies, hack into the Twitter accounts of the world's most powerful men, harass the famous and even underage users on TikTok and endanger many others. His criminal activities attracted the attention of the FBI. The Spanish National Police, at the request of the US agents and after a complex investigation, arrested him in July 2021. He was only 22 years old but he had already put the best intelligence services in the world to the test. Now comes the moment of truth for O'Connor. Today (Friday, 23 June) he will appear for sentencing before a New York court that could give him almost seven decades in prison and his chances of not receiving a harsh sentence are slim. "He left a huge trail of destruction during his career as a criminal," was the summary from the American investigators following his trial. PlugWalkJoe's criminal activity began in March 2019 when, by doing SIM card swaps, he seized $794,000 (726,000 euros) in cryptocurrencies from three executives of a Manhattan company. To make it more difficult to recover the money, O'Connor, working with various criminal allies, made dozens of transfers to exchange them for bitcoin. But PlugWalkJoe, born in Liverpool and the son of a well-known British lawyer living on the Costa del Sol, thought big and wanted not only money, but also power, controlling the lives of all those who crossed his path. Extremely intelligent, he was not drawn to the same pastimes as most young men his age, according to reports from the National Police. His whole life revolved around screen time, where he was a ruthless player. Hacking In June 2019, he hacked into a young woman's phone and Snapchat account and stole her private images. O'Connor sent copies of this sensitive material to his accomplices and threatened the victim with making them public. This first case was like a training ground for another cruel ploy. In August 2020, O'Connor accessed the TikTok account of "a public figure with millions of followers", according to documents filed with the US courts. He first used that profile to upload promotional videos, including one with his own voice. Later, with the same modus operandi of the previous crime, he stole the victim's personal material and threatened to upload it to a server on Discord, where his followers would have access to it. O'Connor literally spent all his time on the web. He never left the house, which made police inquiries difficult, and his mother was in charge of bringing him food once a month. His only addictions, in addition to internet crime, were Nutella and vanilla ice cream, which he ordered from home through a company that accepted payment by bitcoin. By July 2020, O'Connor was already stacking up multiple crimes. He then went one step further with perhaps his most ambitious work: hacking into some of the most important Twitter accounts in the world. Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, Apple and Uber were some of the victims of a hack that went viral and for which PlugWalkJoe probably gained the help of an employee from that social media platform, according to the investigation team. In total, he created more than 130 profiles that he used to ask his followers to send him bitcoins, with the promise of returning double. "If you send me $1,000, I'll give you $2,000 back," he'd declare. In that way he stole $117,000 (107,000). Between June and July 2020, O'Connor added another string to his bow. In those months he began stalking the social media of an underage teenager, but he was not satisfied with just stealing personal information. What he planned was a crime that in the US is known as swatting. The term comes from the word SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics). Swatting is a joke done in very bad taste that consists of reporting an alleged crime so that these elite police units attend. Some of these hoaxes have already caused deaths by accidental shootings or by heart attack. Swatting On June 25, 2020, and from his home in Estepona, O'Connor notified the police in the city where his victim lived in the States, falsely claiming they had started shooting passers-by. The police dispatched officers to search for an armed and dangerous man who did not really exist. Not satisfied with this hoax, on the same day he called a high school, a restaurant and the local sheriff's office, in the same area with new threats. The next month, he contacted the minor's relatives to tell them that he was going to kill them. Officers from the National Police put a tail on his mother and began to search for the whereabouts of PlugWalkJoe. Once they had a definite lead, they disguised themselves as pizza delivers to verify the address. Finally, in July 2021, he was arrested. In March 2022 and again in January 2023, O'Connor appeared in court before Judge Santiago Pedraz, who in April ordered his extradition. The Department of Justice in the United States accuses him of ten crimes (three of conspiracy to intentionally access a computer without authorisation, two for doing so on protected computers, two more for attempted extortion, another two for cyberbullying and one more for threats) that can add up to 67 years in prison, since at his first hearing in New York he pleaded guilty to all of them. "O'Connor's criminal activities were flagrant and malicious and his conduct affected the lives of many people. He harassed, threatened and extorted money from his victims, causing them considerable emotional harm," said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the US Department of Justice's Criminal Division. His colleague, prosecutor Ismail J. Ramsey, sent a message to cybercriminals like O'Connor: "This is a warning to everyone who uses their computers to commit crime: the arm of the law is long." Experts point to the economic dominance of the Asian giant to justify the majority support for Serbia's proposal Capture of the video showing two Chinese engineers supervising the work on the Belgrade Expo. Jesus Hinojosa Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Why did Malaga lose Expo 2027? What made Serbia's proposal the most voted from the first round in the assembly of countries of the International Bureau of Exhibitions? What strings could have been pulled so that an international exhibition project based on the themes of sport and music received such a majority backing? These questions are on the minds of many Malaga residents and, in particular, those responsible for the Spanish bid for Expo 2027, who were demoralised on Thursday to realise that they had come very close to achieving their dream. Only 11 votes separated Malaga's bid from that of Belgrade in the final vote (81 to 70). Now it is believed that China played a large role in Serbia's bid based, in part, on a drone video showing Chinese engineers at the Belgrade expo site. "China is fully involved in the realisation of the Expo in Serbia," some of those responsible for the Spanish candidature said. They do not rule out the theory that the Asian giant has put pressure on countries, possibly together with its ally Russia, where it has economic influence. Mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, said on Wednesday that the Costa del Sol bid could have lost due to "geopolitical manoeuvres" that benefited Serbia. He concluded that there had been a Serbian alliance with China and Russia to strengthen its candidacy. "On paper we had more support, but it's clear that [Serbia] was playing an underground game that we didn't know about," said De la Torre. PHNOM PENH, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's anti-drug police have arrested two foreigners for trafficking 1.59 kg of cocaine across borders, the country's Anti-Drug Police Department (ADP) said in a report on Friday. The suspects are identified as Knights Joel Isiah, a Trinidad and Tobago man, and Arthan Thatsanee, a Thai woman, the ADP said, adding that they are both arrested at the Phnom Penh International Airport on Monday. The Trinidad and Tobago man had smuggled the drug hidden in a suitcase from Brazil's Sao Paulo through Dubai and Malaysia before arriving in Phnom Penh, with the final destination in Thailand, the ADP said, adding that the Thai woman planned to pick up the drug from the man in order to smuggle into Thailand. The Southeast Asian country has no death sentence for a drug trafficker. Under its law, someone found guilty of trafficking more than 80 grams of illicit drugs could be jailed for life. According to the ADP, 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 seized drugs are ketamine, crystal meth, methamphetamine pills, heroin, ecstasy and cocaine. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Lake County Treasurer John Petalas is warning taxpayers to beware letters like this, which is a delinquent property tax scam. - Original Credit: Photo courtesy of Lake County Treasurer's Office (Photo courtesy of the Lake County Treasurer's Office/HANDOUT) Lake County Treasurer John Petalas urges taxpayers to be aware after multiple complaints have come in regarding fraudulent delinquent taxpayer notifications demanding payment. Petalas said the office has had three taxpayers this week come in with the letters to question the legitimacy because they had concerns about the amounts they allegedly owed. Advertisement The notifications are being sent to businesses and individuals via first class mail and are seeking payment for a specified amount. The 800 phone number in the letters is also active, but he warned the letters are not from the treasurers office. Since the letters are sent by first class mail instead of through a telephone call, Petalas said he worries people may be more likely to fall victim. Advertisement I am concerned someone will pay them, Petalas said. One letter obtained by the treasurers office was delivered to Humane Indiana in Munster. The header on the letter reads: Tax Resolution Lake County Public Judgement Records and provides an 800 phone number. The heading on the letter reads Distraint Warrant in bold type. The letter demands payment of delinquent taxes to avoid collection proceedings that could include garnishment of wages and bank accounts, property seizures, federal tax refund offset, and creation of a property lien. The letters provide an amount due and a number to call. Petalas and Ofelia Gregoline, executive assistant to the treasurers office, said these letters are a scam and encouraged taxpayers to call the office if they have questions about any correspondence seeking payment. Fortunately, the taxpayers receiving the letters realized the fraud and did contact the office instead of making a payment. They fear not everyone will be so lucky. Gregoline said the office has been in touch with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and has been instructed to advise people receiving the letters to file a fraud case at www.uspis.gov/report under the mail fraud header. The treasurers office cannot file the complaint. Only recipients of a letter can. Andrew Brandsasse, postal inspector team leader with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, said to his knowledge the USPS Detroit Division, which oversees Indiana and Michigan, has not received any complaints of related activity to the letter and has no active investigation into such. If a person or entity utilized the U.S. Mail in furtherance of a fraud scheme, however, that would be a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine upon conviction, Brandsasse wrote in response to a list of emailed questions. An informed public is essential to stopping these types of scams, he said. Advertisement These complaints can be investigated and, if warranted, charges can be issued by the U.S. Attorneys office or other relevant prosecutors office, Brandsasse said. He encouraged anyone receiving a letter to do their due diligence as they would with a scam phone call or internet listing. Instead of calling the phone number on the letter, recipients can conduct an internet search on the entity that supposedly sent the letter and use the contact information on the official website to verify the letters authenticity. Often an internet search of the phone number or email provided in the letter will produce search results with scam warnings. An internet search of the phone number provided in the letter turned up scam reports dating as far back as 2019. A search of news reports showed officials warning about a Distraint Warrant scam in Pennsylvania, New York and Florida. If the legitimacy of the letter cannot be immediately confirmed, do not be quick to part with your money, and never hesitate to file a report with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service or local law enforcement, Brandsasse said. Gregoline said the letters appear to target areas around the country in advance of when that area would be sending out its delinquent tax notices. Gregoline said the countys demand notices will begin going out in July. The county has not mailed any letters seeking delinquent payments yet this cycle. Advertisement Gregoline said the letters also use terminology that appears intended to confuse the recipient, mixing language that would pertain to physical property taxes and personal property taxes. Its crazy. Its just so wrong, she said. She encouraged anyone with doubts about a tax collection letter to contact the office at (219) 755-3760. They should call us. Call us 100%, she said. cnapoleon@chicagotribune.com * Despite ongoing opposition from both home and abroad, Japan has been rushing to carry out its plan of dumping radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, raising growing anger and stoking real-life Godzilla fears among the global community. * According to a Research View survey of 1,000 South Korean adults conducted last month, 85.4 percent of the respondents opposed Japan's contaminated water discharge, and 72 percent said they would reduce the consumption of marine products if the wastewater is released into the ocean. * Amid Japan's reckless discharge push, local fishery industry and seafood businesses, whose livelihoods are at stake, reiterated their opposition and grave concern. TOKYO, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Despite ongoing opposition from both home and abroad, Japan has been rushing to carry out its plan of dumping radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, raising growing anger and stoking real-life Godzilla fears among the global community. People rally to protest against Japan's planned discharge of nuclear-contaminated water in Seoul, South Korea, June 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) 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. While the radioactive, 50-meter-tall Godzilla depicted in one of the highest-grossing films may be fictional, symbolizing the consequences of underwater nuclear tests, the Japanese government's reckless discharging, likewise disastrous, is evoking fears that the allegory of humankind's wrongdoings will come true. WORLDWIDE FURY "Nuclear-contaminated water must not be discharged into the sea. It is a crime, a crime against all living things on earth!" shouted Tatsuko Okawara outside the Fukushima Prefectural Government Office, where a mass rally was held last week to voice strong opposition to the Japanese government's wastewater dumping move. "The mountains and rivers will never return to the past, and the radiation will not disappear easily. But this country puts making money first compared to life and love," the Fukushima resident from Tamura city recited a line from a puppet show she created, unveiling the hidden truth behind the government's relentless push. Among the nearly 100 protesters who gathered for parades, rallies and petitions on Tuesday was Chiyo Oda, one of the rally's organizers and co-representative of Koreumi, a Japanese citizens' conference to condemn further ocean pollution. "The government says every day that the trial operation will end soon, making everyone feel that the ocean discharge is a 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," she told Xinhua. A sign that reads "Do not dump contaminated wastewater into the sea" is pictured during a protest near the headquarters of Tokyo Electric Power Company in Tokyo, Japan, March 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) 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 to the diluted nuclear-contaminated water as "treated water," Sakurai from Niigata Prefecture said it is a fraud to confuse the public. According to Eiichi, 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," he added. In the petition submitted to the Fukushima prefectural government, the participants said, "In the absence of a quantitative determination of all radioactive substances in the contaminated water, discharging the water into the sea will cause many radioactive substances to spread to the entire Pacific Ocean through the coastal waters of Fukushima, and then pollute the global marine environment ..." Countries in the region have also expressed their vehement opposition to the discharge plan. In South Korea, thousands of fishermen took to the streets to protest against Japan's disposal plan on June 12, when the test run of the discharge facility started. They rallied near the parliamentary building in Seoul, holding signs that read "Desperately oppose the Fukushima radioactive contaminated water discharge into the sea" and "SOS!! Pacific Ocean!" During the 53rd regular UN Human Rights Council session on Thursday, a Chinese representative urged Japan to earnestly address the international community's legitimate concerns. The representative emphasized that Japan's unilateral decision violates its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Japan has yet to provide convincing evidence regarding the discharge's safety. Earlier this month, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized Japan for failing to demonstrate the desired level of openness on the wastewater disposal. Given Japan's history in nuclear safety, she said that Russia could not allow the situation to develop without proper scrutiny. 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) WIDESPREAD PANIC According to a Research View survey of 1,000 South Korean adults conducted last month, 85.4 percent of the respondents opposed Japan's contaminated water discharge, and 72 percent said they would reduce the consumption of marine products if the wastewater is released into the ocean. On rising worry about Japanese fishery products ahead of the planned discharge this summer, local media reported South Korea's import of Japanese seafood plummeted for the second consecutive month. The import of Japanese seafood, including live, refrigerated and frozen fish as well as shellfish, dropped 30.6 percent over the year to 2,129 tons in May, after sinking 26.0 percent in April, Yonhap news agency said Monday, citing data from the Korea Customs Service. On fears that Japan would push ahead with its discharge plan, salt demand in South Korea has soared over the past months. Online transactions of salt products increased by 817 percent between June 7-13, compared to the same period a week earlier, according to online price comparison service provider Danawa. Offline sales of salt also surged. As reported by the Korea Herald, data from South Korea's largest supermarket chain E-mart revealed that its salt sales from June 1 to 14 increased by 55.6 percent compared to last year, while sea salt sales jumped 118.5 percent. A statement issued by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) on Tuesday confirmed the second technical dialogue on Fukushima wastewater was held on June 9 between the PIF independent scientific experts and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Experts expressed concerns about TEPCO's need for more research on the impact of water discharge from Fukushima on marine species in the Pacific region. This prevented them from providing informed decisions to PIF members regarding the impact on the surrounding ecosystem and food security. This photo taken on March 6, 2023 shows the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant seen from Futabacho, Futabagun, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) HARM TO LIVELIHOODS Amid Japan's reckless discharge push, local fishery industry and seafood businesses, whose livelihoods are at stake, reiterated their opposition and grave concern. Masanobu Sakamoto, president of the national federation of fisheries cooperatives known as JF Zengyoren, on Thursday handed over a request opposing the release plan to Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura, local media reported. Sakamoto said the federation's opposition to the discharge would not change, and the government should take full responsibility. However, despite the fishery workers' concerns, Nishimura reportedly maintained that the release is unavoidable. Earlier Tuesday, local seafood business owners in Fukushima questioned government officials during a study session at Iwaki city's central wholesale fish market, demanding a sufficient explanation about the discharge. An attendant in the sector said the government and TEPCO should think closely about why people are skeptical about the safety of marine products caught in waters near the plant. Another participant said fish stores would face questions from consumers about the safety of seafood, according to the NHK. Koji Suzuki, head of a fishery company who organized the session, said he opposes the plan. Stakeholders in the industry, who continue to wait for an explanation of the release plan, need additional information that can be shared with the customers who doubt the safety of seafood. Fishermen wait for fishing boats on a bank in Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, March 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu) In a recent interview with Xinhua in Suva, Fiji, Kalinga Seneviratne, a visiting lecturer at the University of the South Pacific, said Japan should respect the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, inked by PIF members in 1985, which explicitly prohibits activities such as testing, manufacturing, and stationing nuclear explosive devices and dumping nuclear waste within the zone. "The contamination will also affect the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty areas when it eventually flows there. Also, since fish stocks are migratory, contaminated fish could be caught within the treaty area," he said. "If Japan wants to protect a rules-based order, they need to subscribe to the principles of these rules and respect the wishes of the people in the Pacific who argue the treaty is there to stop something like this happening," Seneviratne said. "Japan should refrain from contaminating the sea with nuclear waste." (Video reporters: Li Guangzheng, Tu Yifan, Chen Yi, Yang Chang, Jin Haomin, Liu Shengji; video editors: Hong Ling, Zhao Xiaoqing, Shi Peng, Zheng Xin, Liu Xiaorui) Cortland, N.Y. -- An Elmira man was sentenced to just under 11 years in prison Friday for trying to sell over 400 grams of methamphetamine in Central New York. Kevin Walker, 32, previously pleaded guilty to driving from Elmira to Cortland for a drug deal, according to a news release from the United States Attorneys Office Northern District of New York. Walker planned to sell 447 grams of meth to an individual he was meeting in a Cortland parking lot on Feb. 12, 2022, federal prosecutors said. Walker also admitted that he had 137 grams of cocaine in the trunk of the rental vehicle he was driving that day. Police followed Walker from his home in Elmira to the Cortland parking lot after a confidential source told law enforcement Walker was planning a drug deal, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court. When police confronted Walker in the parking lot, he tried to run away after a K-9 dog helped police find the drugs, according to the complaint. He was caught and arrested. Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com. Syracuse.com photographers have captured thousands of images this spring of Central New York teens enjoying their high school proms and dances. Prom is a great opportunity for teens to show off their individual styles -- and they sure did. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. UNITED NATIONS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The UN secretary-general's special adviser on genocide prevention, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, on Thursday welcomed the verdict delivered by a German court against a former member of the Islamic State (IS). In a statement, Nderitu welcomed Wednesday's verdict against a German national identified only as Nadine K. in accordance with German privacy laws, who joined the IS in late 2014 after the terrorist group had invaded the Sinjar region of Iraq and carried out mass atrocities against the Yazidi community. The 37-year-old woman has been found guilty of aiding and abetting genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes for the enslavement and abuse of a young Yazidi woman in support of the IS' brutal campaign to eradicate the Yazidi religious minority. She has been handed a sentence of nine years and three months in prison. "This verdict by the Higher Regional Court of Koblenz constitutes a warning to all those who commit atrocity crimes, meaning genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as their incitement, or glorify the perpetrators thereof, that there is no space for impunity and that justice will prevail," said Nderitu. The special adviser encouraged Iraqi authorities to reinforce their efforts aimed at strengthening accountability for atrocity crimes committed in Iraq. "A peaceful Iraq is only possible if justice is ensured, victims' dignity is honored, and minorities are protected and feel they are an integral part of the society," she said. Nderitu reminded the Iraqi government of its obligation to respect and implement international humanitarian and human rights law and of its duty to investigate and, when sufficient evidence is found, to prosecute alleged perpetrators of atrocity crimes. She called for reparation for victims, including rehabilitation when needed, in the best interests of the victims. Important new study shows the area of drained grassland peat soils is grossly overestimated The land-use sector in Ireland is estimated in the national greenhouse gas inventory to be a major source of emissions that are projected to rise to 11.1 Million Tonnes CO2 eq per year by 2030*. Currently grassland peat soils are assumed to contribute up to 9 Million Tonnes CO2 eq of this total, due to the assumption that all 335,000 hectares are drained. This estimate is highly uncertain and relies upon a number of assumptions regarding the drainage status, land classification, areal extent, nutrient status and the emission factors for agricultural peat soils. These assumptions are being tested by on-going research in the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory and other research in the Teagasc Climate Centre to improve the emissions estimates and identify what farmers can do to reduce these emissions. Results from an important Teagasc study published in the Journal of Environmental Management, on Thursday, 22 June, for the first time offers reliable evidence on the drainage status of grassland peat soils. The study establishes a range of likely scenarios with regard to actual drainage status of peat soils, which estimate emissions in the range of 3.6 4.7 M T CO 2 eq, a saving of up to 60% on current inventory estimates. These values correspond to a drained area in the range of 90,000 to 120,000 hectares. The study focuses on the drainage status of agricultural peat soils and combines historical and recent data to offer new insights into the practices of peatland drainage, historical drainage efforts and likely efficacy at national scale. Dr Pat Tuohy, Teagasc, explained, while large areas of peatland have been transformed from their natural state to grassland agriculture, there is no evidence to support that effective drainage ever occurred on as much land as previously assumed. The drainage status of all grassland peat soils requires further investigation. Professor Owen Fenton, Teagasc, states, This study has proposed these potential emission savings by compiling decades of evidence related to drainage status of peat soils. We uncovered data in national scientific literature and reports, which enabled a more accurate national figure for drainage status to be proposed. The application of these findings could impact significantly on the estimated emissions from grassland peat soils and more broadly on the land use, land use change and forestry sector (LULUCF), and this paper could support policy relating to these soils and their management. By accurately quantifying the impact of drainage status on these soils, Ireland can adopt targeted strategies to mitigate CO 2 emissions and make informed policy decisions that contribute to a greener future. While this work offers the potential for positive changes in terms of LULUCF emissions, the refinement of other aspects, yet to be quantified, may result in increased emissions. For Further Information visit https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479723011799?dgcid=author Drainage status of grassland peat soils in Ireland: Extent, efficacy and implications for GHG emissions and rewetting efforts. Authors: P Tuohy, L OSullivan, C.J. Bracken, O. Fenton Support for farmers in Wicklow, Carlow and Wexford to take positive actions for climate The Signpost Advisory Programme was launched by Teagasc in the Wicklow/Carlow/Wexford Advisory Region, yesterday 22 June, at the Orchard Centre in Tinahely, County Wicklow. The Signpost Advisory Programme was launched by Teagasc in the Wicklow/Carlow/Wexford Advisory Region, yesterday 22 June, at the Orchard Centre in Tinahely, County Wicklow. Pictured from (Lto R): Eoin Woulfe, Signpost Advisor, George Ramsbottom, Signpost Advisory Programme Manager, Teagasc; Councillor Andrea Dalton, Carlow Co. Council; Ger Shortle, Teagasc Regional Manager, Wicklow/Carlow/Wexford; Professor Frank O Mara, Teagasc Director; John Pringle, Signpost Beef farmer; Colm Doran, Signpost Advisor, Teagasc; Shay Ryan, Signpost Dairy farmer; Kay OConnell, Teagasc Advisor. The Signpost Advisory Programme was launched by Teagasc in the Wicklow/Carlow/Wexford Advisory Region, yesterday 22 June, at the Orchard Centre in Tinahely, County Wicklow The launch was attended by a cross-section of representatives from the farming and agri-business community in the three counties. This new advisory programme will complement existing advisory services and programmes already being provided to farmers in the region. The programme is designed to support and enable farmers to farm more sustainably with an emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from their individual farms, thus contributing to the overall national effort by the agricultural and food sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030. The programme will be an extension to the existing Signpost (Farmers for Climate Action) Demonstration Farm Programme that has established a network of more than 120 demonstration farms around the country, including 8 in the Wicklow/Carlow/Wexford advisory region, in collaboration with 65 Industry Partners. The Signpost Advisory Programme will add significantly to this programme by providing individual farmers greater access to support and tools to help them to adopt the appropriate practices and technologies on their farms that will impact on the emissions from their farm. This is a free advisory service and available to all farmers across all enterprises. The overall aim of the programme is to give all farmers the confidence to adopt new and existing technologies and production systems that will allow them to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining and improving farm profitability. The programme will utilise an exciting new sustainability digital platform, called AgNav), which is being developed collaboratively by Teagasc, ICBF and Bord Bia. This new AgNav platform will allow farmers to Know My Number by calculating and assessing the sources of emissions on their individual farms. The AgNav platform will also provide a way of comparing the impacts of different technology and farm practice options on reducing these emissions and for a farm to Make My Plan by selecting actions that can be implemented on the farm in the future that will reduce emissions. Speaking at the launch, Teagasc Regional Advisory Manager, Ger Shortle highlighted, Its great that we have two experienced Signpost Advisors working in collaboration with our industry partners across the region to achieve our climate goals. Good management will be the foundation of every plan and, with the advisors help, farmers can make a plan that suits their farm, cutting both emissions and costs. At the launch dairy farmer Shay Ryan, who farms near New Ross, and John Pringle, a beef farmer from Aughrim explained the benefits of adopting new practices that are positive for climate and farm sustainability. They shared their experiences of getting involved in the programme. Shay Ryan pointed out that You cant change what you dont measure and working out my carbon emissions figure with my advisor was key to making progress. John Pringle added, Having engaged with the Signpost Advisory Programme I now know the most important steps that I can take to reduce my carbon footprint and play my part in the whole sector achieving its target to reduce emissions by 25% by 2030. Two Signpost advisors have been appointed in the Teagasc Wicklow / Carlow / Wexford Advisory region to directly support this new programme. Both bring a wealth of experience to their new roles. Colm Doran is from Monamolin, County Wexford, with a dairy and beef farming background. He graduated from University College Dublin in 2013 and completed a masters in horticultural education through the Teagasc Walsh Scholarship programme in 2015. He later taught at Kildalton Agricultural College in 2015-2016 and prior to his appointment as a Signpost advisor worked as a dairy advisor in Gorey, County Wexford since 2017. Eoin Woulfe is originally from County Limerick and graduated from University College Dublin with Degree in Agricultural Science in 1996. Eoin began his career with Teagasc in 1998 as a REPS advisor based in Scariff , County Clare and has worked as a Dairy advisor in Dungarvan and Baltinglass, and as a Drystock advisor in Enniscorthy, Gorey and Tinahely. In 2020, he then took up a Drystock advisor role in Oak Park, County Carlow before taking up the Signpost role. Both advisors are available to work with farmers across the region and stress the importance of getting signed up for the programme as the first step. To sign up for the Signpost Advisory Programme click on: https://www.teagasc.ie/environment/climate-action/signpost-advisory-programme/expression-of-interest/ or contact to your local Teagasc advisor or advisory office. BlackPearl Team-BHP Support Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calcutta/London Posts: 3,543 Thanked: 16,229 Times View My Garage Re: Quick meets in and around London The place was chosen so that it would not be too much of a drive for any of us. We reached there at the planned time but decided to move the venue to a nearby one as it looked better. But before moving we took a few photos of the cars lined up. The cute Mini being guarded by two giants The Mini belongs to 51morris and there is a thread on Team Bhp about it. It will be an understatement to say that it is in a stunning condition. I had read about it that it was a well maintained one, but seeing it in flesh was a revelation. The interior looked like the car came out of the showroom a couple of days back. A few photos of us - From left to right, BlackPearl, swapszone, 51morris, austere_sly and Arijit The Mini garnered the most amount of interest followed by the 40 year old battered and bruised Land Rover Series III. The newest kid on the block, the new Land Rover Defender was feeling a little left out. So after sometime we turned our attention to it and the owner was very happy to show all the cool features of the 85,000 Defender. Signing off with a photo of the Series III that I took after everyone had left Will request the others to post the photos they had clicked yesterday. Finally we were able to have a meet in the UK with more than 2 people attending! It was a sudden decision to meet after office and that too on a Monday evening. 3 cars and 5 people turned up. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. Must say thanks to Team Bhpian austere_sly who came to the UK recently and forced everyone to have a meet. Without his effort it would have been in the planning phase like the last several years!The place was chosen so that it would not be too much of a drive for any of us. We reached there at the planned time but decided to move the venue to a nearby one as it looked better. But before moving we took a few photos of the cars lined up.The Mini belongs to 51morris and there is a thread on Team Bhp about it. It will be an understatement to say that it is in a stunning condition. I had read about it that it was a well maintained one, but seeing it in flesh was a revelation. The interior looked like the car came out of the showroom a couple of days back.A few photos of us -From left to right,The Mini garnered the most amount of interest followed by the 40 year old battered and bruised Land Rover Series III. The newest kid on the block, the new Land Rover Defender was feeling a little left out. So after sometime we turned our attention to it and the owner was very happy to show all the cool features of the 85,000 Defender.Signing off with a photo of the Series III that I took after everyone had leftWill request the others to post the photos they had clicked yesterday. Last edited by BlackPearl : 20th June 2023 at 19:39 . What just happened? Not for the first time, a US official has accused China of stealing intellectual property to gain an advantage in key technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Nathaniel Fick, ambassador at large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy, said the US and other countries should form a coalition to stop China's cybertheft. Fick said that China executed a deliberate strategy of IP theft and government subsidies decades ago after noticing the global advantage in telecoms that big companies gave democratic nations. China, of course, denies any wrongdoing. "I don't think we appreciated or acted on the reality that these technologies were going to be central to our geopolitical standing," Fick said during an event hosted by think tank Hudson Institute (via The Reg). Fick added that stealing core intellectual property allowed China to start building the next generation wireless networks and subsidize Huawei and ZTE around the world to do deals at less competitive terms. He called China's actions a "playbook." "If we allow the Chinese to run it again, they'll run it in cloud computing, they'll run it in AI, they'll run it in every core strategic technology area," he said. "We need to be very clear-eyed now about not letting that happen." Fick's solution is the creation of a coalition of like-minded nations, including "hedging states in the middle," to collaborate on technology to stop China from surging ahead. The ambassador never said if the US would make a formal request to create this group of governments. Fick suggested that plenty of other countries feel the same way, with nations starting to see national security and economic consequences from relying on untrusted networks. "They are looking for a way out," he said. "It feels like the wind is shifting a little bit." Fick also talked about the risks of AI during his speech, warning of the near-term dangers of disinformation and misinformation, particularly when it comes to politics. He noted that the difficulty in telling what content is real and what is fake could have a huge impact during the upcoming US political campaign season. "The most dangerous course of action is the application of these technologies in lethal terms so autonomous weapons biotechnology, to some extent cyber security, and the applications of AI to do really nefarious things using kind of existing lethal stuff," he added. Ficks' warning comes as the EU considers banning Huawei and ZTE equipment from its 5G infrastructure. Only a third of EU nations have banned Huawei from their 5G communications networks, despite recommendations from the EU Commission for certification requirements, diversification of suppliers, and not to use high-risk companies for critical parts of the infrastructure. The Commission never brought in an outright ban on Huawei or ZTE, but one could be on its way. In brief: An eleventh-hour change to the UK's Online Safety Bill will allow parents and coroners, suspecting a child's death is linked to online activities, to force tech companies to release the deceased's data, thereby assisting in investigations and providing potential closure to the families. The amendment to the bill, which came on the last day it was being pushed through Parliament, will give UK communications regulator Ofcom the power to request information from tech companies on behalf of parents and coroners when investigating the deaths of children. The requested information could include content that the children viewed before they died, as well as their other online interactions with others. The Guardian reports the amendment was backed by Bereaved Families for Online Safety, which was started by a group of parents that include those of Molly Russell, whose death was linked by a coroner to viewing negative online content, and Breck Bednar, who was killed by a man he met on an online gaming forum. "This is an important day for bereaved families affected by online harms," said Lady Beeban Kidron, who brought the amendment. "The government has promised to provide a humane route for bereaved parents and for coroners to access critical information at a tragic time." While some social networks voluntarily hand over information to authorities following the death of a user, the legal powers forcing them to comply are limited. In the case of Molly Russell, it took five years for investigators to secure her Instagram data showing she regularly viewed content related to suicide, depression, self-harm and anxiety. She took her own life at 14. Sky News writes that Hollie Dance, whose 12-year-old son Archie Battersbee died last year in a prank or experiment gone wrong, said discovering new information could lead to investigators reopening the inquest into his death. "If this goes through we'll be able to access every single thing Archie looked at. It may be that the internet had nothing to do with it but at least it will be one less question going around in my head," said Dance. The negative impact social media can have on young people's mental health is well documented. It was highlighted in 2021 when Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen revealed documents showing the company had spent years examining the effects Instagram has on younger users' mental health and was aware of the damage it could cause. We also saw Seattle's schools sue social media companies earlier this year for allegedly causing a mental health crisis among children. Companies in all sectors enjoy benefits from using contract management software. This trusted tool is a must-have for any business organization today. After all, making, managing, and negotiating business contracts are significant parts of every enterprise, regardless of their size. Contract management solutions help businesses in each step involved in contract administration, a process that is prone to common data entry mistakes. Contract administration is also prone to being time-consuming. With the help of software for contract management, matters are resolved more efficiently and effectively in the business contract lifecycle. Companies may need help to discover a suitable software for their unique needs. Plus, many contract management tools can be cumbersome and would require extra setup to integrate with a company's workflows, so choosing the right solution is key. In this article, readers will discover more about the concept of software for contract management. They will also learn about the five best providers of this software. What Are the Advantages of Using Contract Management Software? Businesses that opt to use tools for contract management benefit considerably. After all, the software offers a solution to manual document preparation and other traditional, outdated modes of managing written business agreements. Manual document preparation has proven inefficient in today's highly digitalized business landscape. Among the advantages that the contract lifecycle management application provides are: 1. Automation Contract management tools eliminate the need for firms to engage in manual data entry and paperwork. CLM software lets companies easily create, edit, store, and track their online contracts. 2. Proper Systemitization Software for contract management aids firms in staying organized while they manage business contracts efficiently and fast. This tool lets all signatories view modifications and track the contract's timelines from the inception stage to the signing phase. Furthermore, a contract management application unites all contracts, parties, and editions that are parts of contract creation and negotiation. It also enables firms to collaborate better with their employees from various locations. 3. Time efficiency Software for contract management makes processes faster, all while decreasing audit and financial risks for business organizations. Contract management software choices vary in complexity. They depend on the needs of businesses. Some platforms may have broader applicability and are completely customizable. Meanwhile, others bank on being simple. These contract management tools serve a small number of chosen business verticals and contract management use cases. Best Contract Management Software The top contract lifecycle management systems offer many features to businesses. Some of them have intelligent notifications. They can also have an ongoing workflow automation and management benefits. The best contract lifecycle management tools provide clients with detailed analytics and reporting. The following service providers have these beneficial features, which resulted in satisfied users giving them positive feedback: 1. CobbleStone Software CobbleStone is a contract management software company based in Princeton, New Jersey. It is a provider of contract, e-procurement, and vendor management solutions. It began its operations in 1995 and has become a leading service provider of enterprise contract management and e-procurement solutions for thousands of clients. Dunn and Bradstreet, Gartner, IDC, Forrester, and G2 have reviewed CobbleStone. Additionally, this company is SOC 2-reviewed and is a Federal General Services Administration (GSA) vendor. CobbleStone has offered contract lifecycle management software as a SaaS or software as a service longer than any other platform in the business. Its partners include industry-leading brands such as Salesforce, Microsoft, Adobe, DocuSign, Oracle, etc. As a contract management software provider, CobbleStone offers the following benefits to its customers: a. Industry-leading tools and features CobbleStone's objective is to consistently offer its clients the best software solutions. This provider wants its product to be useful for its customers in contract management. One example of CobbleStone's solutions is the recently launched CobbleStone Auto-Redline. This feature is powered by the company's proprietary VISDOM artificial intelligence, which also comes with machine learning. With CobbleStone Auto-Redline, clients can automate clauses' inclusion from their approved clause library. They can also streamline business contract processes. CobbleStone Auto-Redline is an important differentiator because it can automate redlining processes. Meanwhile, ConfigAI is another novel feature CobbleStone introduced alongside VISDOM AI. This solution offers customers proactive contract lifecycle management or CLM field recommendations for metadata fields intended for contract clauses. ConfigAI aids in streamlining the implementations of contract management software. b. Highly configurable and user-friendly contract management solutions CobbleStone Contract Insight is a flagship product of CobbleStone Software. This contract management system and procurement software is easy to use. CobbleStone's clients neither have to possess esoteric, specialized information technology or technical expertise, nor do they need to hire a technically adept administrator. They can configure and manage the system by themselves, unlike other brands. Moreover, CobbleStone Software is a SaaS, on-premise, or deployed solution. Many leading firms, local and state governments, and other regulated associations globally use it. c. Modern and flexible software application CobbleStone Contract Insight is downloadable as a mobile application for Android and iOS digital devices. Its maker offers it as an immersive online software management system. Additionally, CobbleStone Contract Insight is an application that is contemporary and flexible. Its users enjoy this software's maximum availability on the go or at the workplace. d. Flexible training choices CobbleStone Software provides educational opportunities to interested parties. This ensures that CobbleStone users possess a profound knowledge of the contract management system based on their designated positions. Furthermore, CobbleStone aims to allow its users to configure its software to meet their clients' specific organizational contract requirements. This provider of contract management products even offers different self-serve resources to aid users. These helpful materials include tutorial videos, a User Manual/Wiki, and FAQs. Users also benefit from dedicated support staff members and group training. e. Award-winning and globally recognized solutions Hundreds of businesses worldwide use the CobbleStone Software suite. CobbleStone Contract Insight is trusted and used by thousands of contract management, procurement and legal professionals for their ranging contract and procurement requirements. The in-demand features of the company's software are constantly developing with different industry needs. With this advantage, CobbleStone has kept a robust record of recognition and awards from many industry-leading analyst companies and review platforms. They comprise GetApp, Capterra, SaaSworthy, and G2. Furthermore, the company has continuously achieved many awards, including the 10 Best Contract Negotiation Solution Providers to Watch for 2023 and the Theorem Legal Marketplace's Contract Management Innovator of the Year, among many others. As of June 2023, CobbleStone is in the middle of its thrilling effort to enhance and nourish VISDOM AI. More than 700,000 real-life clauses have been integrated into the proprietary artificial intelligence solution. CobbleStone Software's historic 1 million contract clause initiative is one of the proofs that the contract creation specialist is continuously innovating. 2. DocuSign DocuSign, Incorporated is a contract management system provider based in San Francisco, California. It opened for business in 2003 as an e-signature firm. In 2018, DocuSign acquired SpringCM, providing the business CLM or contract lifecycle management capabilities. This company aids small and medium-sized businesses in signing with the use of different digital devices, collecting data, and automating data workflows. DocuSign's affordable contract management solution has the following advantageous features: a. Customizable, multi-feature system DocuSign's CLM offering is straightforward and can be customized. Users can personalize their business contract emails with their preferred color themes and logos. Plus, they can benefit from smart forms that include custom formulas. DocuSign's solution has many features, such as a content repository, reusable templates, and real-time comment notifications. Users also benefit from other usable features like payment collection and recipient reminders. b. Seamless software available on the web and mobile The DocuSign contract management solution is a browser-based software, making it accessible online. They can also take their business contracts along with them. After all, DocuSign has a mobile application for iOS and Android gadgets. Furthermore, DocuSign links with over 350 pre-built integrations. They include Google, Salesforce, and Microsoft. This contract management tool maker offers unique subscription plans for healthcare, real estate, and government bureaus to help meet clients' regulatory requirements. DocuSign is also compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation. 3. PandaDoc PandaDoc is a contract management software provider based in San Francisco, California. Since 2011, this firm has enabled business organizations to make, deliver, and manage their staff members' sales collateral, contracts, quotes, and proposals. PandaDoc's contract lifecycle management software is an all-in-one solution that is budget-friendly for businesses. It has remarkable features for business contracts and document management. Clients find PandaDoc a standout from its competitors and the best overall option for firms of any size because of the following benefits: a. Feature-rich, intuitive software PandaDoc offers a contract management tool with many strong features. Among them are payment processing, contract and content library, and e-signature. Additionally, the PandaDoc program comes with real-time notifications and business contract duplication. This contract database tool is easy to use and has a drag-and-drop editor for the custom templates provided. PandaDoc aids users in overseeing the whole contract lifecycle. Clients can also set up custom rules, workflows, and processes. This solution is also downloadable as a mobile application for iOS and Android digital devices. b. Secure and cost-effective solution The PandaDoc contract database tool offers firms an audit trail for files. It also keeps data protected in its safe cloud storage facilities. Moreover, PandaDoc's offer is affordable. The contract lifecycle management software has yearly or monthly plans and lets clients save up to 34% with an annual subscription. PandaDoc has integrations with 15 customer relationship management (CRM) programs. They include Pipedrive, Microsoft Dynamics, and HubSpot. 4. ContractWorks ContractWorks is a company that offers contract lifecycle management software with artificial intelligence features. Since 2012, this Goleta, California-based firm has offered automated services that are time-efficient and affordable for clients. ContractWorks's CLM offering provides a simple method for users to get their business agreements under control. It removes the risk tied to poorly managed files. Clients who gave positive feedback on ContractWorks' contract management system cited the following as the advantages they enjoyed: a. Intuitive, AI-enabled tool with many features Setting up the ContractWorks tool only takes minutes. It has an automatic smart document tagging feature that uses artificial intelligence technology. This makes ContractWorks the best choice for a company's automation requirements. Furthermore, the tool is easy to use. It has drag-and-drop downloads and an optical character recognition (OCR) text-based search system resembling the Google browser. Users can also schedule, save, export, and share their reports easily. Besides the advanced search and OCR capabilities, ContractWorks software has many other popular features like the built-in e-signature, contract repository, and automated reminders. Users will also benefit from automatic recordkeeping, smart contract outlines, annotations for easy and fast document review, and milestone alerts. b. Secure software The ContractWorks contract management product provides secure storage centers. Users can secure their data with features like 256-bit data encryption and audit log reporting. ContractWorks also has a 24/7 customer support team. 5. Concord Concord Worldwide, Incorporated is a San Francisco, California-headquartered contract lifecycle management solutions provider. Since 2014, it has helped companies create, cooperate on, sign, and manage all business agreements in a single platform. Concord's clients can avail of the firm's 14-day free trial, without the need for a credit card. Users benefit from unlimited business agreements, e-signatures, viewers, and storage. Besides sending unlimited files, firms also enjoy enterprise-grade features and full onboarding support with Concord. Using this option offers clients other advantages, such as: a. Flexibility and multiple features The Concord contract management tool provides users flexibility. It comes with a custom approval process, user groups, insights, and reports. The Concord software's top CLM advantages include autofill smart fields, live editing, built-in e-signature function, and template storage. Businesses benefit from deadline reminders, chat, comment, redline, and full-text optical character recognition or OCR search. b. Secure and easy to use The Concord contract administration solution is safe. It uses bank industry-standard encryption. Business organizations also benefit from Concord's secure data centers. The software features stringent versioning requirements that generate a new record each time a field gets edited or entered. Users also get a constant audit trail. The Concord tool's straightforward design aids businesses in staying atop of compliance and changes throughout the whole business contract lifecycle. This solution features important integrations and unlimited volume, which make it the optimal option for huge enterprises. It connects with Salesforce, Dropbox, and DocuSign. Furthermore, the Concord software resembles Gmail and can be set up in minutes. Users can take advantage of the complete onboarding support with all the subscription plans. They can also select to work from the software they find convenient, whether they opt for Google Drive or the Concord dashboard. CobbleStone Software, DocuSign, PandaDoc, ContractWorks, and Concord are today's five best contract management software providers. They make the processes of managing businesses faster and more efficient while eliminating the financial and time-wasting hassles for businesses. These top-rated providers of contract management solutions are worth a company's budget with the many useful features their software solutions include. 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The bond between Elon Musk and Larry Ellison has not shielded the latter from Twitter's refusal to pay its outstanding debts to its partners. Ellison helped with Musk's Twitter takeover by investing $1 billion in the platform as a token of friendship, but what has Musk done in return for Oracle's co-founder? (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) The Twitter logo is displayed on the exterior of Twitter headquarters on October 26, 2022 in San Francisco, California. Elon Musk's Non-Paying Trend Elon Musk took control of Twitter in late October. Since then, the tech mogul has been exhibiting a pattern of negligence by refusing to pay several companies and suppliers. These companies include Google and Amazon for cloud services, a public relations firm, and landlords across multiple regions. This non-payment behavior has drawn attention and scrutiny. According to insiders familiar with the matter, Oracle has been getting the same treatment. Representatives of the platform have initiated direct communication with Twitter employees and even former company personnel to recover overdue invoices, some of which amount to six figures. Oracle has been providing data storage services to Twitter for several years, making their delayed payments all the more surprising, given the friendship between the two billionaires was not enough. Read Also: Tech CEO Brawl: Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg, Soon in the Vegas Octagon? Elon Musk-Larry Ellison Friendship The situation becomes more unsound considering the close personal and financial ties between Larry Ellison and Elon Musk. As long-time friends, Ellison invested $1 billion in Musk's $44 billion takeover of Twitter, becoming one of its largest investors within Musk's Twitter, officially part of X Holdings Co. Ellison has been a consistent vocal supporter of Musk, having previously served on the board of Musk's electric car company, Tesla. Currently, Twitter and Oracle have not provided any official comments or statements regarding the issue of unpaid bills and expenses. Their silence leaves room for speculation about the underlying factors contributing to this situation. Since taking over, Musk has made significant changes on Twitter, with the workforce being reduced by 90%, the elimination of perks and bonuses, and a decline in confidence among advertisers characterized his approach. The company's ad business is now in the hands of Linda Yaccarino, Twitter's new CEO. Although Musk has stepped down, he maintains responsibility for Twitter's technology, product, and engineering. Despite the cost-cutting measures he has taken and strained supplier relationships, Musk has invested millions of dollars into a new AI project, which is actively working to enhance Twitter's video capabilities. The ongoing issue of unpaid bills and expenses within Twitter, including Oracle's outstanding unfulfilled payments, raises questions about Musk's leadership. The consequences of these actions are not only financial but have also made an impact on Twitter's reputation and future relationships with vendors. The situation highlights the complexities and challenges that arise when personal relationships intersect with business responsibilities. Related Article: Twitter Receives Its Sixth Complaint for Failing to Pay Bills 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with French Senate President Gerard Larcher in Paris, France, June 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) PARIS, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday invited French senators to visit China to boost bilateral cooperation and ties. French senators are welcome to travel around China, so as to encourage the two countries' localities to continue to bring their regional characteristics into play, explore the potential for cooperation, and strengthen the two countries' friendship and exchanges, Li said while meeting French Senate President Gerard Larcher at the Petit Luxembourg. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties nearly 60 years ago, the China-France relationship has withstood changes in the international landscape and has always been a forerunner of China's ties with European countries, Li said. In the face of profound changes unseen in a century, the two sides should stick to the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic ties, and jointly push for the in-depth development of China-France relations, Li said. China stands ready to work with France to consolidate cooperation in traditional industries, actively explore new areas of cooperation such as green development, and carry out third-party cooperation, said the Chinese premier, noting that the development of Chinese modernization will provide great opportunities for French companies. Mentioning that next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France, the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, and the Paris Olympic Year, Li said the two sides should take this opportunity to strengthen people-to-people exchanges in an all-round way and enhance mutual understanding and friendship. Noting that the French and Chinese legislatures have actively contributed to the development of relations between the two countries, Li said that China is ready to boost exchanges between the legislative bodies, strengthen dialogue and legislative experience exchange, provide better legal guarantees and policy support for bilateral practical cooperation, and jointly cope with global challenges. For his part, Larcher said that both France and China cherish sovereignty and independence, and bilateral relations are full of vitality. Noting that next year, France and China will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the France-China Year of Culture and Tourism, Larcher said that the bilateral relationship enjoys a brighter future. France is ready to deepen France-China relations, he said, adding that the French Senate hopes to give full play to the role of the France-China Friendship Group and restart exchanges between the French Senate and the National People's Congress of China as soon as possible. Leaks are now surfacing for the highly-anticipated smartphone from Carl Pei, with the next-gen Nothing Phone 2 being the next-in-line to release from the company. Storage options and pricing were revealed by a French publication saying that these are the expected choices to come once it releases in the upcoming month. This upcoming predecessor would also be the first version to release in the United States, as the original Nothing Phone 1 was only made available to other regions of the world. Nothing Phone 2 Leaks: Storage and Pricing Options (Photo : Sanjeev Velmurugan/Getty Images for Nothing) The Nothing Phone 2 is coming this Summer and official pricing has yet to be revealed by the London-based company. Dealabs Magazine, a France-based media company, has revealed the pricing and storage options of the upcoming Nothing Phone (2), giving the public what to expect in this upcoming release. The leak centers on two storage and pricing options of the device, suggesting that these will be the variants that would release by the London-based tech company. First off, the Nothing Phone (2) would sell a 256 GB device, with a starting price tag of 729 ($798 estimated) and a 512 GB storage option which might see an 849 price ($930 estimated). This is the estimated price range from the leak's report for the France market, but it may vary in other regions and parts of the world. Read Also: Nothing Phone 1 Finally Gets Android 13 Update: How to Install Nothing OS 1.5.2 Nothing Phone 2 Release Date The Nothing Phone (2) is coming early this Summer season, with a July 11 release date that would soon unveil the latest smartphone development of the renowned company. According to Android Central, this pricing may not be entirely accurate upon launch of the device, but it gives an expectation to users who are anticipating the Nothing Phone (2). Carl Pei's Nothing Phone 2 Shortly a year after, Nothing is set to release its next-generation smartphone, the Phone (2), and will bring the latest developments and improvements that the company aims to deliver. This upcoming device was teased to be a premium release from the company, featuring flagship specs and features that would be better than last year's device. Despite the massive dismay of fans and enthusiasts in the US for missing out on the Nothing Phone (1), all hope was not lost as it was teased back in December 2022 that its next releases are finally coming to the US. This also opened up massive possibilities as it was revealed that other future models are also coming to the country after Phone (2). Carl Pei's Nothing Phone 2 is one of the most innovative devices out there and remains to be a sought-after smartphone in today's generation. Alongside a rumored Nothing OS 2.0, the upcoming Phone (2) will bring a premium device for the public, centering on flagship features available, as well as a price tag that is on par with mid to top-tier flagships of the industry. Related Article: Nothing Phone 2 Will Hit Stores Summer 2023 With Official US Release 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Meta has confirmed the removal of all news content from Facebook and Instagram in Canada as the country's Senate has passed the Online News Act. This legislation will force tech companies to pay media outlets for news content that they share. (Photo : Brendon Thorne/Getty Images) SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 18: In this photo illustration reports on Facebook's news ban on Australian and International content on February 18, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Meta Removing News Content in Canada Hours after the Online News Act was passed on Thursday, Meta officially confirmed the removal of news content on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada. Earlier this month, the company threatened to remove the availability of all news content from Facebook and Instagram in Canada once the Canadian government passes its proposed Online News Act. "We have repeatedly shared that in order to comply with Bill C-18, passed today in Parliament, content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to people accessing our platforms in Canada," Meta said in a statement on Thursday. According to Engadget, content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available for Canadian users on Facebook and Instagram starting Thursday. Meta has been very vocal about the company opposing the Online News Act, which will require tech companies to negotiate reimbursement plans and pay news publishers for their content posted on its platforms. Canada has designed this bill to address the decrease in advertising revenue that news organizations experienced in the past few years. In a statement released in May, Meta's president of global affairs, Nick Clegg, said publishers need to adapt to changes, the Verge reported. "Asking a social media company in 2023 to subsidize news publishers for content that isn't that important to our users is like asking email providers to pay the postal service because people don't send letters any more," Clegg noted. Meta said Thursday that these newly-implemented changes would not impact other products and services offered by the company in Canada. The company assured millions of Canadians on its platforms that they will still be able to utilize its other aspects and connect with families, friends, organizations, and businesses. On the other hand, the Associated Press reported that Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez has promised to push back on what he called "threats" from Facebook to remove journalism from their platforms. Rodriguez noted that the company knows very well that it does not have obligations under the act immediately after the law passes and that the government will continue to engage in a regulatory and implementation process. Read Also: Meta Plans to Remove News Content in California Over Proposed Journalism Bill Online News Act Implementation in Canada Forbes reported that under the law, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission would mediate between the publishers and platforms if they could not reach an agreement. Parliament member Chris Bittle noted that this bill would be an important means of providing media and publications with revenue, knowing that more news outlets are going out of business. Meta has said that the company is working to develop a software to solve its issue with the Online News Act. However, it noted that these efforts are still ongoing and "currently impact a small percentage of users in Canada." This move from Meta is not surprising, knowing that the company has been very vocal about removing the feature since March. Meta has already removed its news features from the Australian market after passing similar compensation legislation in 2021. This move negatively impacted pages of agencies from the Australian government. The Associated Press reported that the Online News Act will take effect six months after it gets royal assent. Related Article: Meta to Remove News Content in Canada if Online News Act Passes 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Sony will continue to develop smartphones, as the company signed a multi-year deal with Qualcomm to bring more next-generation phones to the public. It will center on Sony's famous Xperia lineup, best known for mid-tier to flagship releases, also powered by the iconic processors from Qualcomm's Snapdragon. While Sony may not be as famous as rival companies like Apple, Google, Samsung, Xiaomi, and more, their devices are known for quality specs in the industry. Sony, Qualcomm to Continue Smartphone Development Qualcomm announced on Thursday its collaboration with Sony, with both companies entering a multi-year deal that would help continue the Japanese company's smartphone development. This deal would help expand Xperia's availability in the market, centering on top and mid-tier releases from the company. "We're thrilled to continue working with our longstanding partner Sony to deliver the next generation of premium mobile technologies to consumers," O.H. Kwon, senior vice president of Qualcomm CDMA Technologies and president of Qualcomm Asia-Pacific (APAC), said in a statement. Sony has yet to name any upcoming smartphones from this partnership, but it is perceived that this deal would have the company using its Snapdragon processors for all upcoming releases. Read Also: Microsoft Claims Xbox is Behind PlayStation, Nintendo in 'Console Wars' Qualcomm Snapdragon to Power Sony Phones When Sony unveiled the latest Xperia 1 V in May, it came with Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon chip to power the device to give users a brand-new experience. Sony and Qualcomm had long worked together, with the semiconductor company supplying the Japanese company with the components it needed. This recent deal further ensures the existence of future Sony smartphones, including its future developments with Qualcomm. Sony's Famed Xperia Lineup Sony revealed some of its upcoming smartphone models with notable specs in the past months. One of the most impressive launched by the company earlier this year was its flagship smartphone, the Xperia 1 V, centering on a device meant for content creators. Stunning specs were also seen with Sony's unveiling of the Xperia 5 V, which was also revealed earlier this year to bring one of the best gaming smartphones because of its impressive processor. First, it gets 16 GB RAM, paired with Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a promising device for all needs. With Sony using Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors for a long time now, this multi-year deal ensures that the Japanese company's smartphone development will continue. It is beneficial for both companies as Qualcomm also saw massive success with its pairing with Sony's technology, which will soon expand with the Xperia lineup. This will mark the start of an exciting time for Sony fans and smartphone enthusiasts alike. As more information becomes available, fans can all look forward to a phone that offers interesting features and powerful performance. All eyes are on the Japanese manufacturer now as it continues to make strides in the smartphone industry. Related Article: [Gadget Battle] Best Gaming Phones 2023: Samsung Galaxy S23, MORE! How to Choose? 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NASA has voiced its disapproval of lithium mining activities in the Nevada desert, citing crucial scientific reasons. While environmentalists and ranchers have long been fighting against lithium mining ventures in the area, the opposition has now expanded to include NASA's concerns, according to Associated Press. NASA Opposes Lithium Mining in Nevada Dessert A particular desert tract in Nevada holds immense potential as a source of lithium, a sought-after metal used in the production of clean energy for electric car batteries, aiding in the fight against climate change. However, NASA argued that this very site, with its flat and undisturbed landscape unlike any other in the Western Hemisphere, plays an irreplaceable role in calibrating the precise measurements of hundreds of satellites orbiting above. Responding to NASA's request, the US Bureau of Land Management has agreed to exclude a vast area of 36 square miles (92 square kilometers) in eastern Nevada from its list of federal lands available for mineral exploration and mining. For nearly three decades, this expansive piece of land above the untapped lithium deposit in Nevada's Railroad Valley has been utilized by NASA to ensure accurate measurements, essential for maintaining the optimal functioning of satellites and their diverse applications. After considering NASA's input regarding the tract located 250 miles (400 kilometers) northeast of Las Vegas, the Bureau of Land Management concluded in April that "no other location in the United States is suitable for this purpose." The bureau has been engaged in a lengthy battle against various mining challenges put forth by environmentalists, ranchers, and others seeking to overturn the approval of a large-scale lithium mine in northwest Nevada near the Oregon state line. Back in December, the bureau also conducted an assessment of proposals for an additional lithium mine, which faced opposition from conservationists. This mine is situated near the California border, approximately 230 miles (370 kilometers) southeast of Reno, where an endangered desert wildflower thrives. Read Also: [WATCH] NASA Releases Shocking Animation Showing How Far Sea Levels Have Risen in 30 Years Precise Calculations of Satellites In Railroad Valley, the precise calculations of satellites carry immense importance as they collect and transmit crucial information from space. These calculations have wide-ranging applications, encompassing weather forecasting, national security, agricultural predictions, and monitoring natural disasters. NASA emphasizes the indispensable role played by these satellites in delivering time-sensitive information that impacts every facet of life on our planet. Despite lithium's critical role as a key component in electric vehicle batteries, which is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the valuable metal is situated beneath land that NASA firmly asserts should remain undisturbed. This preservation is deemed necessary to ensure the accuracy of satellites that observe and monitor the ever-evolving atmosphere of Earth. "As our nation becomes ever more impacted by an evolving and changing environment, it is critical to have reliable and accurate data and imagery of our planet," Mark Moneza of Planet Labs, a San Francisco-based satellite imaging company, said in a statement, as reported by AP. Related Article: NASA Partners With SpaceX, Blue Origin, and 5 Other US Companies to Advance Space Capabilities 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TikTok, the popular short-form video platform, is currently testing a new in-app shopping section called "Trendy Beat." This section offers various products for sale, which are shipped and sold by a subsidiary of its parent company, ByteDance. Is it Available for Testing in the US? The Financial Times initially reported on this feature, revealing that it is currently in the testing phase in the United Kingdom. Within the shopping section, users can find popular items that have gained attention in trending videos. In a statement provided to TechCrunch on Thursday, TikTok confirmed that the new e-commerce initiative is not undergoing testing in the United States. Instead, the company's current focus in the US market is centered on the expansion of its TikTok Shop offering. This initiative allows brands to sell their products directly on the TikTok platform. TikTok aims to enhance the shopping experience for users by actively seeking to onboard new merchants to its TikTok Shop. Internally known as "Project S," ByteDance's plan to sell its own products on TikTok leverages the platform's knowledge of trending items. This allows ByteDance to either acquire or manufacture these products using a network of suppliers. By introducing Trendy Beat, TikTok aims to challenge retail giants like Amazon and Shein. The new feature represents a shift in TikTok's e-commerce strategy, as it moves from being a marketplace for brands to selling its own products, similar to the models employed by Amazon Basics and Shein, as noted by Tech Crunch. While TikTok Shop has been making rounds and gains in Asian markets, this is not the case in the UK, according to the Financial Times. This may explain why TikTok chose to test the new e-commerce initiative in the UK before potentially expanding it to the US. The company has recently included brands such as PacSun and Revolve for its TikTok Shop, which has been in testing in the US since November 2022. Read Also: Ex-ByteDance Executive Claims Chinese Communist Party Accessed Tiktok's Data to Spy on Hong Kong's Civil Rights Activists TikTok Sets its Sights for E-commerce Expansion TikTok is setting its sights on a significant expansion of its global e-commerce business, with a target of reaching up to $20 billion in merchandise this year. Despite encountering challenges in the US market, the parent company ByteDance is determined to drive this growth, leveraging the rapid expansion of its presence in Southeast Asia. ByteDance's TikTok aims to significantly increase the scale of its e-commerce venture with a target of up to $20 billion in merchandise for this year. This ambitious goal signifies a substantial growth compared to last year's merchandise value target of $4.4 billion. Particularly, the company sees great potential in Indonesia, where influencers play a significant role in promoting and selling products through live-streamed videos. By leveraging this trend, TikTok aims to tap into the market and capitalize on the increasing popularity of influencer-driven sales. Related Article: TikTok Generative AI Avatars Revealed [LEAK]: Here's How the Lensa Powered Tech Works 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Warner Bros. Discovery wants to sell off a sizable amount of its film and TV music catalog to strengthen its financial condition. According to sources quoted by Variety, the corporation hopes to make around $500 million by selling a record label the rights to "slightly less than half" of its repertoire. While specifics about the songs and performances that make up the library are still unknown, insiders claim that a big label, Sony, is likely to buy the rights. The massive collection is reported to contain music from "Purple Rain," "Evita," "Sweeney Todd," "Rent," various "Batman" films, and more. It might incorporate "As Time Goes By" from "Casablanca." The rights bundle must be defined. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav entrusts the deal to renowned lawyer Allen Grubman. Despite the expected economic worth of these assets, detractors contend that many of Warner Bros. Discovery's catalog products are older than 50 years and are thus losing value in the current market. Fewer traditional songs make up the majority of the collection, which might make it difficult for prospective purchasers to maximize their commercial potential. Universal Music Publishing and the library are parties to a multi-year management agreement. Deep in Debt The choice to part up a piece of its music library fits with Warner Bros. Discovery's current emphasis on paying off its massive debts. This tactical choice strives to support the business's financial goals while maximizing valued assets. Industry watchers point out that most subjects in the portfolio come from programs and movies with little cultural relevance now, which might be a challenge for the person who buys the rights. The proceeds from such a sale, which would occur at the height of a still-booming market for music libraries, would aid the corporation in paying down its $49.5 billion debt. Read Also: Mark Cuban Encourages Small Companies: Embrace AI or Fall Behind Rumor: Sony is Interested Amid these events, reports about Sony's desire to purchase the music library of Warner Bros. Discovery have surfaced. Due to this contract, Sony could produce a new Batman game, according to Spiel Times. Sony fans are already speculating about future releases if the rumor is true, even if the transaction has yet to begin. The Batman game is one unique app that has acquired popularity on Twitter. Batman video games have historically been owned and created by Warner Bros. Interactive Studios. However, it is possible that Sony would pick up the mantle and produce a new Batman game if this story is accurate. The possibility that Sony might control and create Batman video games is significant for several reasons. The thought of Sony-owned Insomniac developing Batman excites fans. Insomniac's PlayStation-exclusive titles include Marvel's Spider-Man, Miles Morales, and the highly anticipated sequel. The sale of Warner Bros. Discovery's film and television music library takes place against the background of a television sector that is quickly developing. Once lauded for their popularity and profitability, cable networks like CNN, TNT, TBS, TLC, HGTV, and Food Network today contend with a more dynamic and competitive environment. Related Article: Microsoft Claims Xbox is Behind PlayStation, Nintendo in 'Console Wars' 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Anthony Albanese, Australia's prime minister, has urged residents to reboot their smartphones daily as a proactive cybersecurity measure. This advice, echoed by tech experts, aims to minimize the risk of cyber threats. By forcibly closing background applications and processes, regular reboots can help protect against malicious monitoring and data collection. While the practice may not deter determined hackers, it can add an extra layer of defense. Why Turning Off Your Smartphone is Good Dr. Priyadarsi Nanda, a cybersecurity specialist at the University of Technology Sydney, explains that rebooting a phone shuts down background processes that may be compromising user privacy. Many users are unaware that apps continue to run in the background, making regular reboots a crucial practice. Although manually closing apps can provide some benefits, turning off the phone entirely can halt any potential malicious processes that may be operating. According to The Guardian, while regular reboots offer advantages, experts caution against relying solely on this practice. Dr. Arash Shaghaghi, a cybersecurity lecturer at the University of New South Wales, notes that certain phone components remain active even when turned off. Advanced hacking techniques, such as zero-click exploits, can bypass these measures. However, rebooting can still pose challenges for attackers, as they would need to find alternative means to exploit the device once powered back on. Additionally, enabling airplane mode can further enhance device security. Read Also: Fake Court Summonses Used to Extort $3.8 Million; 18 Arrested in France and Belgium Having a Good Cyber Hygiene is Essential Experts emphasize that regular reboots serve as a fundamental step in promoting good cyber hygiene. Disconnecting from the digital realm periodically can help minimize certain risks. People should avoid developing a false sense of security. At all times, they should still stay vigilant on the apps that they are installing on their phones, as well as their permitted access. Malicious apps can compromise privacy by tracking location data and listening to conversations. Being mindful of app choices and permissions is vital for maintaining cyber safety. Shaghaghi adds that rebooting a smartphone can pose some hurdles to remote attackers who want to exploit the devices, 9to5Mac reports. Because of this, they will be forced to find another way to compromise the phone. Effective Cybersecurity Approach While daily reboots can contribute to cybersecurity, they may not deter determined hackers who specifically target individuals. Recent revelations about sophisticated hacking technologies employed to target world leaders highlight the need for ongoing vigilance. Adopting a comprehensive cybersecurity approach that includes regular reboots, careful app selection, and permission management is essential for safeguarding personal information. Related Article: Beware of this OpenTable Scam: Here's How to Avoid this Reservation Service Scam 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In a significant breakthrough, law enforcement agencies in France and Belgium have dismantled a criminal syndicate that employed fake court summonses to extort a staggering sum of at least 3.5 million ($3.8 million) from unsuspecting victims. AFP reports that the insidious phishing scheme revolved around fraudulent emails, seemingly originating from police officers, judges, or reputable institutions such as Europol, intimidating individuals with false accusations of viewing child sexual abuse images. Perpetrators threatened their targets with prosecution unless they paid a "fine" promptly. Police Operation Takes Down Crime Ring A meticulously coordinated operation on Monday, June 19, led to the arrest of 18 individuals in France and one in Belgium. While 15 suspects have been summoned to court on fraud charges, the remaining three face a different legal course. Shockingly, the relentless tactics employed by these criminals had tragic consequences, as one victim tragically took their own life after being victimized twice. Additionally, authorities suspect six other individuals may have resorted to suicide due to the distress inflicted upon them. Read Also: More Than 100,000 ChatGPT User Accounts Compromised by Malware, Reveals Dark Web Report Toppling the Criminal Syndicate Initially, investigators believed the fraudulent enterprise to be orchestrated by a central authority. However, their inquiries led them to uncover several distinct but interconnected teams operating independently. This discovery complicated the task of law enforcement but ultimately enabled the dismantling of the entire network. Colonel Thomas Andreu, the head of a specialized French police unit, remarked, "We thought that the fraud was being run by one central structure. However, it turned out to be several little teams which were not linked." Victim's Distress Led to Suicide The sums extorted from victims varied significantly, ranging from less than 5,000 to a staggering 200,000 ($217,000). These illicit gains were primarily funneled to African countries, particularly Ivory Coast, although some funds were also spent within France itself. The victims of this heartless scam were predominantly older individuals, with an average age of approximately 60. Commissioner Christophe Durand, from the French OCLCTIC anti-cybercrime unit, empathized with the victims, stating that they had endured genuine distress. The criminal endeavor began its sinister operations in early 2021, prompting the cybercrime division of the Paris prosecutor's office to initiate an investigation. By June 2022, approximately 400 complaints related to the phishing scam had been lodged with the authorities, shedding light on the widespread impact of this heinous plot. The devastating case of the individual who tragically took their own life highlights the harrowing consequences of these deplorable actions. This appalling incident could serve as a catalyst for intensified efforts by law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice. The suspects, aged 20 to 50, will face legal proceedings and answer for their crimes. Avoid Phishing Schemes The FTC advises staying watchful and following a few important rules to prevent falling victim to phishing scams. First, be wary of unsolicited emails, text messages, or phone calls requesting personal or financial information. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. You can read more about these tips from FTC here. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Beware of this OpenTable Scam: Here's How to Avoid this Reservation Service Scam 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. SpaceX, headed by Elon Musk, launched another satellite on Thursday, adding to its impressive record of space operations. Taking out from the Californian Vandenberg Space Force Base, the Falcon 9 rocket sent 47 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. With this launch, SpaceX will have launched 42 rockets this year, with an average of 1.7 weekly flights in 2023. The ongoing performance and rising worldwide market share underline its unique standing in the space sector, according to Barrons. The vast market presence of SpaceX serves as more evidence of its supremacy in the space industry. A remarkable 45% of all worldwide launches were carried out by the corporation in 2023, up from 34% the year before. Over 10% of all space launches done this century have been carried out by SpaceX since the company started its program of frequent flights in 2017. While SpaceX works on projects for both public and commercial customers, building its Starlink constellation, a network of reasonably priced satellites intended to provide high-speed internet access globally, is a primary priority. The revolutionary Starship rocket from SpaceX has significantly influenced the company's success. This totally and quickly reusable system, which consists of the Super Heavy first-stage rocket and the 165-foot-tall Starship upper-stage spaceship, is propelled by SpaceX's cutting-edge Raptor engines, per Space.com. Even while a fully stacked ship has only ever taken off once, during a test flight in April, the business is still making great strides with its ambitious rocket technology. Ship 25 completed a flight-like chill and spin of the Raptor engine pumps, stopping just before engine ignition. As a result of the test, cryogenic liquid oxygen formed a visible cloud beneath the ship. This checked out vital systems in advance of the upcoming static fire. pic.twitter.com/1rMOqlf5qM SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 22, 2023 Read Also: Mark Cuban Encourages Small Companies: Embrace AI or Fall Behind More Launches To Come On Friday, SpaceX will conduct another launch from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The company's last flight in the first half of 2023 will be a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 56 more Starlink satellites into orbit, according to Spaceflight Now. With the forthcoming mission, Starlink 5-12, SpaceX will have launched a fantastic 4,698 Starlink spacecraft, adding to the growth of the high-speed, low-latency Starlink network. The upcoming flight on Friday will let SpaceX continue to deploy its Starlink V1.5 satellites, which are older. SpaceX has two further launches of the older Starlink satellite type scheduled for early July before switching to the newer Starlink V2 Mini platforms, which tout greater size and four times the internet capability compared to the previous version. Dominating The Space Industry A constellation of over 10,000 satellites is envisioned in SpaceX's ambitious design for the Starlink network, necessitating a substantial investment in building and launch operations. However, the business expects Starlink's internet service to be the primary source of its income, serving as the basis for SpaceX's projected $140 billion private market value. Investors are keeping a careful eye on SpaceX as it develops its business and expands its operations, and there is talk of a possible future initial public offering. SpaceX's incredible growth in the space sector is best shown by its accomplishment of safely launching 47 more Starlink satellites into orbit. The corporation is a leader in the industry thanks to its frequent launches, substantial worldwide market share, and ground-breaking rocket technology. Investors anticipating SpaceX's subsequent actions are paying close as the company's prospects for future financial success and capital requirements rise as its Starlink network expands and its plans for more satellite deployments advance. Related Article: Lost Titanic Submarine Sparks Surge in Sales for Ocean-Themed Horror Game 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Pillow, a Singapore-headquartered crypto investment startup, has finalized its plans to stop its services. By next month, the company will cease all of its ongoing operations. Amid regulatory challenges in the ever-evolving crypto landscape, the Accel-backed firm has now the reasons to leave the competition. Before this announcement was made, Pillow managed to raise $18 million as part of its Series A funding. Pillow Is Exiting the Crypto Market Soon Pillow informed its users through a message that it deeply regrets discontinuing its services through the Pillow app. According to TechCrunch, the company noticed that it's growing incapable of serving its customers due to hurdles in the competition. Because of this, users should expect that their investment in Pillow will no longer grow, thus, the app's reward section will soon be removed. By August 7, 2023, Pillow said that the consolidated statement for the transactions would be distributed through its official app. Until July 31, users will still have the opportunity to make cryptocurrency withdrawals, while bank withdrawals will be available until July 7. Related Article: CryptoWatch: Binance Exits the Netherlands, US Crypto Crackdown on Regulations, and Damus' Potential Ban Before Pillow's Discontinuity Phase Founded in 2021 by Arindam Roy, Rajath KM, and Kartik Mishra, Pillow has successfully attracted a user base of over 75,000 individuals across more than 60 countries. The Pillow app allowed users to invest and save in stablecoins backed by the US dollar, as well as popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Pillow had raised a significant amount of $18 million in a Series A funding round in October 2022. This funding round was co-led by prominent investors, including Accel, Quona Capital, Jump Capital, and existing investor Elevation Capital. Additionally, the company had previously received $3 million in a seed round led by Elevation Capital in February 2022, per Money Control. The closure of Pillow has also reached Africa, where a local publication reported that the company would also cease operations in Ghana and Nigeria. The startup penetrated the African markets after only a single year. Likewise, the trend also hit the Indian DeFi app Flint back in January. At that time, it announced that its services would no longer be available this year anymore, citing regulatory issues. With the continuous evolution of business markets all over the world, companies need to adapt to the changes that are happening. In the crypto industry, it's important that the operations need to be optimized and consistent at all times. With this, the companies can be flexible in their decisions as they face the regulations fair and square. In other news, Sony says that it's currently negotiating with Warner Bros. to purchase half of Discovery's assets, amounting to $500 million. The firm was made possible through a Discovery Inc. and Warner Media merger. If this pushes through, Sony could attract more buyers who might want to buy its services in the future. Read Also: Nasdaq Announces $10.5 Billion Acquisition of Financial Software Maker Adenza 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Chinese Premier Li Qiang speaks at the closing ceremony of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris, France, June 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) PARIS, June 23 (Xinhua) -- In the face of the global development financing gap, China calls on the international community to sincerely cooperate and work together to solve the problems of developing countries, especially vulnerable countries, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here Friday. In a speech at the closing ceremony of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, which was chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and attended by more than 60 heads of state, government and major international organizations, Li put forward a three-point proposal in this regard. First, firmly advance the reform of global financial governance and create a stable financing environment for developing countries. China stands ready to work with all parties to build a just and efficient global financial governance structure and strengthen international macroeconomic policy coordination. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and other international financial institutions should implement the consensus reached by G20 leaders, complete a new round of quota and voting rights reform, and increase the voice of emerging markets and developing countries. Second, build a global development partnership and provide more development resources to developing countries. Developed countries should earnestly honor their commitments to providing assistance and funds to developing countries. Developing countries should enhance their capacity for independent development. China will continue to provide various forms of support to other developing countries with practical measures to the best of its ability. Third, firmly advance economic globalization and free trade to inject fresh growth impetus into developing countries. China is ready to work with the international community to promote liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, and unequivocally oppose trade protectionism and decoupling and severing supply and industrial chains in any form. In a world full of disputes and uncertainties, Li stressed, China and Europe should seek common ground while reserving differences, expand convergence while narrowing divergence, promote more creative cooperation, cope with the uncertainty of the international situation with the stability of China-Europe relations, and jointly promote the sustainable development of mankind. In his speech, Li noted that China has always attached great importance to global development and global governance issues. In recent years, Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, which resonate widely within the international community. As a major engine of the global economy, China has injected continuous impetus into its growth. No matter how the world changes, China will unswervingly promote high-quality development, expand high-level opening-up, align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, and let other countries share the opportunities of China's development, Li said. As a responsible major country in the world, China has earnestly implemented the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement and made great efforts to address climate change. As a contributor to global development, China has provided strong driving forces and made great contributions to the international cause of poverty alleviation and development, he added. Leaders at the summit noted that all parties should work together to reduce inequality and poverty across the world, respond to climate change, protect biodiversity, settle the debt problems facing developing countries and promote global sustainable development. It's necessary to uphold multilateralism, respect different national conditions, coordinate poverty alleviation, development and environmental protection, and push for common prosperity, they said, noting the importance of improving global economic governance, sharing responsibilities fairly, promoting cooperation between multilateral development banks and commercial creditors, and better meeting the development financing needs of developing countries. Leaders of developing countries at the summit called on developed countries to earnestly honor their commitments to providing assistance and funds to developing countries. On Thursday evening local time, Li attended the working dinner of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact and made introductory remarks on energy transition. Li said that China actively promotes the green and low-carbon energy transition, and responsibly participates in promoting the global energy transition and tackling climate change. China is ready to work with other countries to forge a global partnership for clean energy cooperation under the principles of mutual benefit and common but differentiated responsibilities, with technological innovation being the core driving force, and jointly build a clean and beautiful world, said the Chinese premier. During the summit, Li also held separate discussions with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the IMF's Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and others. Chinese Premier Li Qiang speaks at the closing ceremony of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris, France, June 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) European Union Commissioner Thierry Breton and his colleagues in San Francisco assessed Twitter's compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA). The stress test aimed to determine Twitter's content filtering skills and assure compliance with the new EU rules that will take effect on August 25. The experiment is part of the EU's attempts to encourage compliance with the broad new legislation and remind key digital platforms of their content filtering duties, according to CNN. Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, participated in a "constructive dialogue" with Commissioner Breton during the visit via videoconference. The company's management of suggested material, preventing unlawful online activity like child sexual exploitation, and dealing with misinformation were just a few of the topics examined by the stress test. The EU Commissioner did not provide the precise results, but he did praise Twitter for its sincere dedication to the exercise, which the site willingly decided to carry out. Twitter is the 1st platform to undergo a stress test to prepare for #DSA The company is taking this exercise very seriously. Constructive dialogue in San Francisco with @elonmusk & CEO @lindayacc ahead of the real test on 25 August. Sufficient resources will be key. pic.twitter.com/99uz5hqNUG Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) June 22, 2023 Thierry Breton added that during his visit this week, he had booked talks with senior officials from Alphabet, Meta, OpenAI, and Nvidia. His visit includes discussing the upcoming artificial intelligence laws for the European Union. He said that the European Parliament recently passed the AI Act, a legal framework that supports the Digital Services Act and other European regulations about competition and privacy. With the help of these rules, artificial intelligence will be efficiently regulated in the EU. Severe Penalties For Violators Large social media sites like Twitter must abide by several content transparency and moderation rules under the DSA. This includes a ban on child-specific targeted advertising. The DSA carries stiff penalties for tech companies will violate the legislation, per The Guardian. Read Also: Meta Confirms Removal of News Content From Facebook and Instagram in Canada In addition to reiterating the EU's commitment to rapidly enforcing the new legislation, EU Commissioner Breton asked all social media businesses to set up internal controls and devote enough resources to comply with the strict rules. The EU's code of conduct, created to help social media platforms be ready for the DSA's implementation, has 44 corporations participating, including well-known internet giants like Google and Facebook. The EU has warned Musk that breaking the rule may have serious repercussions, including a complete European ban or significant penalties equal to 6% of the company's worldwide sales. More Stress Tests To Come The team in charge of Twitter's international government relations said that the business is prepared for the DSA and is "on track" to comply when the new rules take effect. Linda Yaccarino, CEO of Twitter, underscored the company's commitment to the European Union, AP News reported. In the following weeks, more stress tests will be carried out on other internet platforms, according to Commissioner Breton, but he did not say which platforms would be tested. In another update, the European Union is wrapping up the AI Act, which will be the world's first comprehensive artificial intelligence law. This nascent technology has raised both enthusiasm and worries regarding possible privacy breaches, work disruptions, copyright infringement, and other problems. By the end of this year, the AI Act will likely obtain final approval; however, it won't go into effect for another two years. Commissioner Breton has been pushing for a voluntary "AI Pact" to help businesses prepare for its introduction. As enterprises negotiate the obligations described in the AI Act, our program strives to enhance preparation and compliance among them. Related Article: EU Mandates Removable Batteries in Cell Phones 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Free gifts do not mean that they are really free, like in the case of free smartwatches in the mail received by some members of the US military. According to the latest report, the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) warns some members not to switch on these wearables since they could contain malware that can access their personal data. Do Not Open Free Smartwatches in the Mail The CID has discovered that some military personnel received unsolicited smartwatches in the mail. DefenseNews wrote in its recent report that these harmless-looking wearables are capable of connecting to smartphones and nearby Wi-Fi networks. Furthermore, these devices may contain malware specifically designed to collect sensitive personal information and even gain unauthorized access to the cameras on your devices. In addition to these serious security threats, these smartwatches are also being used for a deceptive practice known as "Brushing." This fraudulent technique involves artificially boosting seller ratings by creating fake orders. The Army CID has not disclosed the exact origin of these malicious smartwatches, nor have they provided information on the number of watches received thus far. However, they strongly advise any military member who receives one to report it immediately to their local counterintelligence or security manager. Alternatively, there is a dedicated Army CID portal available for reporting such crimes. Related Article: Sydney Couple Warns of Email Scam After Losing $100,000 Cybercriminals Hide Malware Behind Smartwatch The fact that hackers have been strategizing their plans to spread malware is strong proof that the cybersecurity challenge is getting tighter. While it's a new tactic compared to the traditional way of spreading malware via USB flash drives, it does not mean that they have already abandoned the latter method. Moreover, even the applications we use on our devices can sometimes pose risks. A recent case revealed a previously trustworthy Android screen recorder app that was updated with malicious functions, effectively transforming it into spyware, according to PC Mag. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for military personnel to remain vigilant and exercise caution when faced with unsolicited devices, especially those received through the mail. According to the CID, if a US military member receives a smartwatch, they should refrain from switching it on even if it's tempting. Alternatively, the best thing to do is to report the case to your local counterintelligence security manager. You can also submit a ticket or go to the reporting portal. Meanwhile, Tech Times reported last Wednesday, June 21, that cybercriminals are luring the victims who book restaurant slots. The scam dubbed "OpenTable" scam takes place in the app. The scammers fool the users by tricking them into believing that they are legit OpenTable employees. Upon confirmation, they will ask for the victim's banking information and that's the start of the malicious scheme. Read Also: Australian PM Tells Residents to Turn off Smartphones for 5 Minutes Every Night-Here's Why 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Emergency SOS feature on Android phones is causing a spike in calls being accidentally made to 999 in the UK, police forces across the UK have warned. For those unaware, Google rolled out the Emergency SOS feature with Android 12 in 2021, which was intended to make it easier for users to contact police or other emergency services in times of crisis without the need to dial the number. All you need to do is press the power button five times or more in rapid succession to trigger the feature, which will automatically call the emergency services, share your location and send a message to your pre-specified emergency contacts. However, of late, this potentially life-saving feature is being accidentally activated on some Android phones, causing a lot of problems for emergency services. Apparently, the latest software update on Android smartphones has added a new SOS emergency function for devices to call 999, which gets invoked by tapping the side button five times or more. This has caused a surge in false Emergency SOS calls coming from Android devices. Nationally, all emergency services are currently experiencing record high 999 call volumes. Theres a few reasons for this, but one we think is having a significant impact is an update to Android smartphone, the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) tweeted. These silent calls as they are named, are directed to police control rooms and the result has been a significant increase in silent calls. For instance, Police Scotland has advised the public not to hang up if they have accidentally called 999. They have requested the public to stay on the line and let them know that they are safe. Calls to 999 where the operator cannot hear anyone on the line (silent calls) are never just ignored, Police Scotland tweeted. If you dial 999 and are unable to speak, please follow the instruction of our service advisers who are specially trained to help in these situations. If a crime is in progress or if there is an immediate risk to person or property, always dial 999. BT is reporting a significant increase in accidental calls to 999 following an Android update that triggers an SOS when a button on the side of your phone is pressed 5 times. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/vr5YqdQ6Em Police Scotland (@PoliceScotland) June 21, 2023 Police Scotland is also encouraging Android phone users to check their emergency settings to turn off the functionality added in the latest update. To turn off the Emergency SOS feature, you need to go to Settings on your Android phone, then Safety & Emergency > Emergency SOS and slide the button which says Emergency SOS to switch the functionality off. If your Settings has a search feature, simply search for Emergency SOS. According to the BBC reports, the so-called silent calls saw a surge after the final version of Android 13 was released to Android device users last August. A Google spokesman told the BBC that it was up to Android manufacturers who choose to offer Emergency SOS on their devices to determine how the feature worked on their phones. To help these manufacturers prevent unintentional emergency calls on their devices, Android is providing them with additional guidance and resources, a Google spokesman said. We anticipate device manufacturers will roll out updates to their users that address this issue shortly. Users that continue to experience this issue should switch Emergency SOS off for the next couple of days. Origin of life: Have you cracked the mother of all questions, Ulrich Schreiber? Did the lioness come from private keeping? In Germany, this is hardly regulated In Akita City, which was flooded by heavy rain, the "Hikiyama Event of the Tozaki Shinmeisha Festival" begins "Barbie": can you really go see Greta Gerwig's new film with your children? 'I'm paying the consequences': Laura Smet reveals what's changed in her life since her battle with Laeticia to inherit Johnny Fashion giant Shein in hot weather again sued for plagiarism in the US Taste the long table banquet, appreciate the Yao song and dance... Guangdong Liannan Yao Ethnic Customs and Culture Week was launched Pedro Sanchez plants Susanna Griso at the last minute to close his television tour with Silvia Intxaurrondo in RTVE New Zealand's World Cup success against Norway: Football history in the very first game "As if the vaccine has been delivered": Mashyanov - about Bivol's hard work, Alvarez's "escape" and Beterbiev's fee The huge prize of the Las Vegas World Poker Championship: four times more than Alcaraz at Wimbledon Acroyoga, nine hours of swimming pool and surgical precision to perform the best artistic swimming World Cup in Spanish history New Zealander Wilkinson, a striker who wants to make football equal to rugby in her country The Football Association issued four tickets in a row, and spectators in the Jiangsu Division were fined for throwing objects at each other and attacking each other Women's World Cup: victory and records for New Zealand and Australia in the opening My country has become one of the few countries in the world that has mastered fourth-generation nuclear energy technology China's Bohai Sea has made great progress in the construction of the first 100 billion square meter atmospheric field project Calvino now avoids confirming that next year there will be no tolls on the highways National Development and Reform Commission: A new version of the negative list for market access will be introduced National Development and Reform Commission: Two supporting policy documents to promote the development and expansion of the private economy will be issued soon After the release of the central heavy document, these supporting policies will be introduced People from private enterprises talked about China's promotion of the private economy to become bigger, better and stronger: boosting confidence and stimulating vitality Beijing Taiwan compatriots walked into Tencent to participate in the special exchange on the facilitation of mobile payment Three younger brothers hospitalized after their mother tried to kill them in Fitero (Navarra) The Council of Representatives of Iraq called for the expulsion of the Ambassador of Sweden from the country The most handsome man in the world is an engineer and Galician Baghdad threatens to cut ties with Sweden if repeated burning of the Qur'an and flag, Stockholm summons Iraq's ambassador At the RE:UNION conference, it was announced the creation of the founding committee of the Christian Human Rights Mission Three activists arrested for sneaking into Ibiza airport sticking to a private jet and spraying it with paint The astonishing data of the time trial in which Vingegaard swept Pogacar: "He scored more watts than expected" (m+) That's it for the Internet: Oliver Samwer shuts down his start RaHDit hackers published the routes of ships from which they could hit the Crimean bridge Zakharova called the words of the Austrian Chancellor on the peace plan of Brazil a positive signal Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley will pay an official visit to China from June 24 to 27, and attend the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, in Tianjin. Mia Amor Mottley, 58, served successively as minister of education, youth affairs and culture, attorney-general of Barbados and minister of home affairs, as well as deputy prime minister and minister of economic affairs and development from 1994 to 2008. She was sworn in as Barbados's prime minister in May 2018, and was re-elected in January 2022. Origin of life: Have you cracked the mother of all questions, Ulrich Schreiber? Did the lioness come from private keeping? In Germany, this is hardly regulated In Akita City, which was flooded by heavy rain, the "Hikiyama Event of the Tozaki Shinmeisha Festival" begins "Barbie": can you really go see Greta Gerwig's new film with your children? 'I'm paying the consequences': Laura Smet reveals what's changed in her life since her battle with Laeticia to inherit Johnny Fashion giant Shein in hot weather again sued for plagiarism in the US Taste the long table banquet, appreciate the Yao song and dance... Guangdong Liannan Yao Ethnic Customs and Culture Week was launched Pedro Sanchez plants Susanna Griso at the last minute to close his television tour with Silvia Intxaurrondo in RTVE New Zealand's World Cup success against Norway: Football history in the very first game "As if the vaccine has been delivered": Mashyanov - about Bivol's hard work, Alvarez's "escape" and Beterbiev's fee The huge prize of the Las Vegas World Poker Championship: four times more than Alcaraz at Wimbledon Acroyoga, nine hours of swimming pool and surgical precision to perform the best artistic swimming World Cup in Spanish history New Zealander Wilkinson, a striker who wants to make football equal to rugby in her country The Football Association issued four tickets in a row, and spectators in the Jiangsu Division were fined for throwing objects at each other and attacking each other Women's World Cup: victory and records for New Zealand and Australia in the opening My country has become one of the few countries in the world that has mastered fourth-generation nuclear energy technology China's Bohai Sea has made great progress in the construction of the first 100 billion square meter atmospheric field project Calvino now avoids confirming that next year there will be no tolls on the highways National Development and Reform Commission: A new version of the negative list for market access will be introduced National Development and Reform Commission: Two supporting policy documents to promote the development and expansion of the private economy will be issued soon After the release of the central heavy document, these supporting policies will be introduced People from private enterprises talked about China's promotion of the private economy to become bigger, better and stronger: boosting confidence and stimulating vitality Beijing Taiwan compatriots walked into Tencent to participate in the special exchange on the facilitation of mobile payment Three younger brothers hospitalized after their mother tried to kill them in Fitero (Navarra) The Council of Representatives of Iraq called for the expulsion of the Ambassador of Sweden from the country The most handsome man in the world is an engineer and Galician Baghdad threatens to cut ties with Sweden if repeated burning of the Qur'an and flag, Stockholm summons Iraq's ambassador At the RE:UNION conference, it was announced the creation of the founding committee of the Christian Human Rights Mission Three activists arrested for sneaking into Ibiza airport sticking to a private jet and spraying it with paint The astonishing data of the time trial in which Vingegaard swept Pogacar: "He scored more watts than expected" (m+) That's it for the Internet: Oliver Samwer shuts down his start RaHDit hackers published the routes of ships from which they could hit the Crimean bridge After her return to the Arabic language. Is the relationship between Mali and France over forever? Zakharova called the words of the Austrian Chancellor on the peace plan of Brazil a positive signal Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. On the occasion of International Women in Engineering Day, Rolls-Royce announced the launch of the fourth edition of its Unnati Scholarship Programme for Women Engineering Students in association with Buddy4Study and Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) India. With a focus on bridging the gender gap and raising female representation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), this program aims to provide financial support to meritorious students from economically underprivileged backgrounds.The scholarship is open to all women students enrolled in undergraduate engineering degree programs at any AICTE-recognised institution in India and fulfilling the criteria of the scholarship. Speaking about the initiative, Kishore Jayaraman, President India and South Asia, Rolls-Royce, said: "Rolls-Royce is committed to promoting STEM education in India, with particular focus on enabling the participation of women and girls in these areas. We believe that these efforts will not only help increase the STEM talent pipeline in India, but also harness the potential of women to create sustainable solutions for the future. We hope that our Unnati Scholarship Programme will help support and inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists and innovators."The scholarship program will start receiving applications from July 5. Rolls-Royce's Unnati initiatives include a range of programs that reach out to thousands of female students in middle and high school, as well as scholarships for STEM undergraduate studies that benefit hundreds of young women. So far, Rolls-Royce's community outreach programmes have touched the lives of over 100,000 people in India from diverse backgrounds, inspiring and teaching them about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics concepts and careers. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, leaves the chamber after the Republican-controlled House voted along party lines to censure Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., one of the most outspoken critics of former President Donald Trump, for comments he made several years ago about investigations into Trump's ties to Russia, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. " " The much-beloved Betty White would have turned 100 on Jan. 17, 2022. Here she is attending The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association's (GLAZA) 45th Annual Beastly Ball at the Los Angeles Zoo in 2015. Amanda Edwards/WireImage via Getty Images Beloved comedian and actor, Betty White died on Dec. 31, 2021, about two weeks before her 100th birthday. The former "Golden Girls" star and let's be real national treasure, died peacefully in her sleep, People magazine reported. White was a pioneer of television, first as an actor in the 1940s and then as one of the first women to successfully produce and write her own television show, "Life with Elizabeth," in the 1950s. Over the course of her decades-long career, White received eight Emmy Awards in various categories, three American Comedy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild awards and a Grammy. But she was also known for her love and well-being of animals. She served first as a trustee and later as a President Emerita for the Morris Animal Foundation, a science-drive organization that funds research to find solutions to health issues affecting all animals. Advertisement White was born Jan. 17, 1922, in Oak Park, Illinois. The family moved to California when she was 2 years old. White began working as an assistant for a local television station and got her start in the early 1950s when she launched "Life with Elizabeth," a series she developed with George Tibbles. The show ran from 1953 until 1956 and earned White her first Emmy. Her career was off and running. White worked regularly in television and her wit and timing made her a frequent guest on Jack Paar's Tonight Show and popular daytime game shows such as "Password," hosted by Allen Ludden. White met Ludden in 1961 and the two married in 1963. Though she'd married twice previously, Ludden was the love of her life. They remained married until Ludden's death in 1981. " " Landing the role of Sue Ann Nivens on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" rocketed Betty White into stardom. Here she is with co-stars (left to right) Edward Asner, Mary Tyler Moore and Ted Knight. Bettmann/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images In 1973, White's career rocketed when she took the role of Sue Ann Nivens on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Man-hungry Nivens was the perfect role for White, the perky on-air "happy homemaker" capable of delivering stinging barbs with a smile. What was supposed to be a one-time guest appearance turned into a two-time Emmy Award winning role for White. She played the exact opposite of Sue Ann Nivens in the 1980s when she teamed up with veteran actors Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty in the long-running sitcom "The Golden Girls." White scooped up two more Emmys playing sweet, befuddled Rose Nylund who didn't often get the joke but whose heart was always in the right place. When the show ended in 1992, White continued to work, first in a short-lived spin-off, "Golden Palace," then making guest appearances, providing voice work and doing recurring roles on television. She had a supporting role in the 2010 film "The Proposal," starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. On May 8, 2010, after more than half a million fans rallied to a Facebook campaign, White became the oldest person to host SNL. She was 88 at the time. White won her seventh Emmy for her performance. White also returned to television, joining the cast of "Hot in Cleveland," which starred Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick and ran for five years. " " Betty White is seen here with her "Golden Girls" costars (from left) Roe McClanahan, Estelle Getty and Bea Arthur. Her character, Rose Nylund, was an iconic role for White. Steve Fontanini/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Chuck Daigle, CEO of Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, and North Louisiana Regions of Ochsner Health unviels the new logo at the news conference announcing a new partnership between Ochsner Health and MD Anderson Cancer Center in cancer care delivery that will enhance access to cancer treatments at Ochsner Medical on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Enslaved Africans who were taken to Haiti came from many regions of West Africa, including Senegal, Guinea, Mali, and Ghana. They belonged to different ethnic groups and spoke different African languages, which eventually influenced the development of Haitian Creole. Slaves in Haiti, resisted their enslavement through various forms of rebellion and resistance and the development of their own language as a form of communication with each other helped and fueling rebellious acts on the enslaver. Haitian Creole Language and West African Kwa and Niger-Congo Language Relationship. The Haitian Creole language, spoken by the majority of the population in Haiti, is rooted in West African languages, particularly the Kwa and Niger-Congo language families. The grammatical structure, vocabulary, and syntax of Haitian Creole reflect African linguistic influences. African languages have had a significant influence on Haitian languages like Haitian Creole. To understand this influence, we need to go back in history. During the transatlantic slave trade, many African people were forcibly brought to Haiti from different regions of Africa. The enslaved Africans spoke various African languages with their own unique grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. However, because they were from different regions, they often couldn't understand each other's languages. Imagine thousands of African people from different language backgrounds being brought together in Haiti. In order to communicate with one another and with their French-speaking masters, they had to find a way to communicate that was understandable to all. This led to the development of a new language known as Haitian Creole. Haitian Creole is based primarily on French, as the French colonizers were the masters and their language had a significant influence on the vocabulary and structure of the new language. African languages influenced Haitian Creole in several ways such as vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. The African languages spoken by the enslaved played a more crucial role in shaping the fundamentals of the Haitian Creole than the French. African languages influenced Haitian Creole in several ways such as vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. When it comes to vocabulary, words from African languages were integrated into Haitian Creole. For example, words like "mwen" (I), "nou" (we), and "manje" (food) have their roots in African languages. The way certain sounds are pronounced in Haitian Creole can be traced back to African languages. For instance, the pronunciation of certain vowels and consonants in Haitian Creole may be influenced by the African languages spoken by the slaves. African languages often have different grammatical structures compared to French. These differences influenced the grammar of Haitian Creole. For example, the use of verb tense markers and the position of pronouns in a sentence can be traced back to African language influences. There were many different languages spoken by the slaves, so over time, Haitian Creole has evolved and developed independently, so it is now a distinct language in its own right. However, African languages influenced Haitian languages like Haitian Creole through vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. This influence occurred as a result of the diverse African origins of the enslaved Africans and their need to communicate with each other and their French-speaking masters. Haitian creole language fueled rebellions. Enslaved Africans who spoke different West African languages needed a common language to communicate and plan rebellions. Haitian Creole, being a language that developed among the slaves themselves, became a means of communication that their French-speaking enslavers often did not understand. This allowed the enslaved population to share information, strategies, and plans without their captors knowing. Haitian Creole enabled enslaved individuals to hold secret meetings and discuss strategies for rebellion. They could communicate their grievances, share their aspirations for freedom, and organize revolts without arousing suspicion from their enslavers. This language served as a tool for coordination and unity among the enslaved population.The use of Haitian Creole in rebellious acts also had a psychological impact on the enslavers. It represented a challenge to their power and authority, as they could not understand or control the language used by the enslaved population. This linguistic barrier created a sense of fear and uncertainty among the oppressors. The Haitian Revolution which began in 1791 was a long and complex struggle for freedom, and Haitian Creole served as a vital tool in the resistance against slavery. It provided the means for communication, organization, cultural preservation, and psychological empowerment among the enslaved population. The Haitian Revolution of 1791 and lasted for more than a decade. Led by figures like Toussaint Louverture, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and others, the enslaved population fought for their freedom and independence. The successful rebellion and establishment of Haiti as the first independent Black republic in the Americas owe much to the power and resilience of the language now known as Haitian Creole. Motherless Charlotte has suddenly morphed from being the assistant in the refined and gentle world of her fathers stationery shop to being a supposed madwoman, betrayed by her lover, Flora, whose rejection was the trigger for Charlottes suicide attempt. Her father has died, his will is missing, and Charlotte is trapped in the limbo that society has constructed for her. The novel delicately weaves its suspense. It is here that a young woman, Charlotte, the main character in House of Longing, is placed after she attempts to drown herself in the Yarra River. The asylum, as presented in the novel, is about as far from civilised and benevolent as could be. A dozen iron beds in a long narrow room, walls a greying shade of white, straw mattresses, grey wool blankets, all in a nightmare world of cruelty, violence, suspicion, crime, disease, and danger. An asylum for housing lunatics, inebriates, and idiots was opened in the British colony of Victoria in 1871. It was grand and Italianate in design, described as being elegant and beautiful, suitable for the civilised and benevolent city of Melbourne. Tara Calaby. Credit: Women in general are more or less powerless anyway, with Flora being married off by her family to a suitable and affluent medical doctor who admits he does not love her. How can Charlotte ever negotiate her way back into life? Maybe the worldly, tricky Flora will return and help? Can the lawyers find the will? Might Charlotte succumb to despair? The class system of the time plays an important part in the narrative, and it applies inside the asylum as well as outside, so that the love between Charlotte and Flora is in trouble in more ways than one. Letters to Flora remain unanswered. Has she died in childbirth? The shadow of grief extends over everything, and Charlotte, feeling herself to be a creature of fear and dread, plans another suicide attempt. Within the community of the inmates there is some friendship and wisdom. A Danish woman inmate tells Charlotte that being human consists of loving and hurting and loving even more. Charlotte starts to learn to look outside herself and to help others. She begins a project of finding out the truth of a current asylum scandal. Now her personal strengths begin to emerge, and the asylum is suddenly full of action and resolution. The laundry workers go on strike, causing changes in the asylum, and spoiler alert Flora appears, albeit gaunt and sharp-featured. With the help of Charlottes inheritance and Floras agency, Charlotte moves from enclosure to freedom, having endured the darkest trials, and being strengthened and shaped into a new confidence. Her wounds are healing. Throughout, Charlottes love for Flora is true and honest, and that is, in fact, the beacon that lights the way. For much of their young lives, Australias captive-bred orange-bellied parrots are kept under close watch by scientists trying to save one of the countrys most beloved critically endangered species. Though numbers fluctuate, there are only around 140 left in the wild. Every animal counts. But each winter, when young birds are released along Victorias coastline in the hope they meet with parrots that have migrated from Tasmania, they effectively disappear. Dispersed across hundreds of kilometres, the young birds have been fiendishly difficult for volunteer bird watchers to find. Orange-bellied parrots being released. The wire from the transmitter is just visible next to the tail of the front bird. Scientists are trialling new trackers, not used in Australia before, that collect high-resolution information about the location of released orange-bellied parrots. Tiny one-gram radio transmitters have been painlessly attached to the base of tail feathers of the 19 birds released, and will fall off over time. We know overwinter survival seems to be one of the major problems for this species, says Zoos Victoria senior manager Michael Magrath. These new trackers will help us to determine how we best protect them from extinction. The son of Fijis former prime minister Frank Bainimarama allegedly choked a woman multiple times, bit her on the face and body, hit her across the ear causing a perforated eardrum, and sent her an intimate video he had recorded without her consent, a court has heard. Ratu Meli Bainimarama, 36, has pleaded not guilty to 18 domestic violence-related charges said to have occurred in Sydney between February and May 2022, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, intentionally choking a person without consent, and intentionally distributing an intimate image without consent. Ratu Meli Bainimarama leaves Parramatta Local Court on Friday. Credit: AAP/Dan Himbrechts On Friday, police prosecutor Acting Inspector Darren Pearce told Parramatta Local Court the first alleged incident occurred on the morning of February 19, when Bainimarama and the woman were driving to Sydney Airport. Police allege Bainimarama hit the woman across the face with an open palm while they were driving and pulled her hair, causing the woman to fight him off breaking some of her nails in the process. An internal disciplinary body of the Victorian Greens recommended that a local government councillor should be banned from the party for falsely claiming that former state convenor Linda Gale was a transphobe and the party unsafe for trans and gender diverse people. But the finding against City of Port Phillip councillor and outspoken queer rights campaigner Tim Baxter has not resulted in a formal sanction because the partys governing body refused to recognise the decision and the standing of the misconduct panel which handed it down. Port Phillip councillor Tim Baxter, Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam and Greens Senator Janet Rice at a trans rights event. The misconduct finding against Baxter, which the councillor rejected in his submissions to the three-person panel, is the latest episode in an internecine gender war which has prompted an exodus of party members and damaged the Greens electoral prospects. It has also created a bizarre circumstance where a disciplinary body sacked earlier this month by the state council after it recommended that Senator Janet Rice be censured for her own comments about Gale delivered a finding from beyond its administrative grave. The Royal Commission and the subsequent Office of the Special Investigator (OSI) have taken more than four years and cost over $125 million. The Royal Commission final report ran to 1000 pages. We prefer to sum it up in 60 words: There was an underworld war in Victoria. Then there was a taskforce called Purana. The cops used informers. One was a defence lawyer called Gobbo. She snitched on crooks. She wasnt the only one. The crooks got charged. Most pleaded guilty and went to jail. No false evidence was presented to any jury. The underworld war stopped. Er, the end. On Wednesday documents tabled in state parliament from Nettle said his job was a spectacular waste of time as his recommended charges had been rejected by the DPP, Kerri Judd, KC, who found there was no reasonable prospect of conviction. Director of Public Prosecutions Kerri Judd, KC. Credit: Paul Jeffers It was an impasse between two impressive legal heavyweights, each convinced they had the law on their side and each used to having the last word in any legal argument - one who believes a group of police should be charged and the other who doesnt. The $125 million question had changed from the ethical one: Was using Gobbo as a source fair? To a legal one: Was using Gobbo criminal? Clearly Nettle was filthy Judd questioned his judgement. He wrote to the DPP: When I was appointed to the position of Special Investigator, I believed that I knew sufficient of the law properly to discharge the task. The analysis of the law relating to misconduct in public office included in your letter ... implies that you take leave to doubt it. This is as disappointing as it is displeasing. Nettle told the government that as the DPP had knocked back his recommended charges and would likely do so in future cases, I consider that there is no longer any point in OSI persisting with investigating and determining whether there is sufficient evidence to establish the commission of relevant offences. The date the documents were tabled was June 21, 2023 - 20 years to the day from when a brazen double murder forced police to set up the Purana taskforce. On that day in 2003, a gunman ran up to a van parked at the Auskick in Essendon North and shot dead two men, Jason Moran and Pasquale Barbaro, in front of 10 kids sitting in the back. Until then, a series of gangland killings were being investigated separately until Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Swindells realised there was a common denominator: hitman Andrew Veniamin. Police examine the van in which Jason Moran and Pasquale Barbaro were murdered. Credit: Paul Harris Veniamin worked for drug boss Carl Williams, who was determined to wipe out the Moran clan after being shot in the belly in Gladstone Park in 1999 by Jason and his half-brother Mark. The taskforce was set up with little expectation it would succeed, because the underworld code of silence was rarely broken. It had no intelligence, no inside sources and was dealing with crime syndicates that thought they were above the law. In 2004, when Terence Hodson made a statement to police about corruption, he and his wife Christine were murdered in their Kew home by a hitman recruited by Williams. The taskforce knew that to make inroads, it needed a network of informers. When Purana arrested drug boss Tony Mokbels speed cook and his brother, they thought they were close to turning him. But a lawyer - tipped off from inside Victoria Police that the cooks brother was about to flip - turned up at the Purana office and persuaded him to stay loyal to Mokbel. It was Nicola Gobbo. Andrew Veniamin (left) and Carl WIlliams leave court. Both were on borrowed time. Credit: Ten News The irony is that later, when she was a police informer, she urged the cook to talk to police. He became a star insider, wearing a bug while delivering drugs to the Mokbel clan. Purana cultivated underworld insiders including two paid hitmen, a getaway driver, a speed cook, Carl Williams trusted adviser, a relative of Williams and a Mokbel insider who downloaded key information from the syndicates computer. Purana solved 11 murders, thwarted six, seized nearly $90 million (including unpaid taxes) and stopped the underworld war. After Williams pleaded guilty to multiple murders when faced with overwhelming evidence, then DPP and later Supreme Court judge Paul Coghlan declared the gangland code of silence broken. The culture in the underworld has changed. We have, for at least the foreseeable future, broken the model that there is honour among thieves. This week has been the biggest week there has been for law enforcement in the state of Victoria. Then there was Gobbo, a barrister who ran with the crooks - until she didnt. Carl Williams is arrested by Purana and goes guts up. Credit: Angela Wylie As a law student in 1995 she turned informer on her boyfriend to avoid a conviction on drug charges. In July 1998, she offered to provide information for a major drug squad investigation. She was knocked back. In 1999, she became a Victoria Police registered informer, dobbing in colleagues allegedly laundering money. In 2005, she went to Purana as a human source. Truth is she has sung more often than Nellie Melba. As a Purana source, she was a disaster. She wasnt good at it and when it was exposed, it resulted in convictions being quashed, with others under review. The line between what she learned when she socialised with crooks and what she learned as their legal adviser became impossibly blurred. After years of Gobbo outrage, there was a review on police secret sources. Legislation was introduced earlier this year allowing police (under approved guidelines) to use privileged information from priests, journalists, doctors, politicians and lawyers. The police commissioner decides if the information concerns a threat to national security, the community or a person and whether the information cant be obtained by other means. Which means that in a gangland war, a Gobbo-like lawyer could be registered. With typical audacity, Gobbo wanted an indemnity to give evidence against the Purana cops she described as alpha males calling the shots leaving her emotionally manipulated and groomed by police and at the time was young and naive and desperately sought the approval of older male figures. She played the gender, victim and mental health cards and, with none left, she was prepared to plead guilty to perverting the course of justice (in exchange for a recommendation she wouldnt do jail time) and testify against police over a joint criminal enterprise. In any trial, the judge warns the jury of the unreliable nature of the testimony of someone involved in the crime. There was another concern in using Gobbo as a witness, with Judd finding the former barristers actions were far worse than the individual police officers. Judd says if the police were charged, their defence would be they did nothing criminal but acted in good faith to solve serious crimes. In other words, they were doing their jobs. In response to Nettles stinging criticism, Judd said: My decisions in relation to these matters should be interpreted as nothing other than the results of careful and realistic assessments of the evidence. She found this was a case where there was no case. It would have been easier for Judd to avoid criticism by authorising the charges and pushing them out of her office into court. The weak sort of decisions made too often in recent high-profile cases around Australia, with disastrous results. Instead, Judd - whose independent office has the status of a Supreme Court judge - followed her statutory duty in not authorising prosecutions she believed had no reasonable prospect of convictions. She did her job. The DPP routinely makes these decisions when police want to lay charges. The difference here is the investigator is a former High Court judge with encyclopaedic knowledge of the law. But make no mistake, it was Judds decision to make. Most of the Purana detectives who investigated the gangland war have retired. Many were profoundly affected by the years they have lived with accusations that they had betrayed their sworn duty and could face serious criminal charges. Some suffer serious physical and mental health issues they blame on the stress of the unresolved Gobbo saga. One in particular would have been delighted to hear there will be no charges. Victorian public high schools already struggling to find teachers could soon find it even harder, with new data predicting the number of secondary students will steadily outpace the number of teachers over the next four years. The Andrews government has been accused of dropping the ball on the teacher shortage as the latest education department modelling shows the number of secondary students is projected to grow 14.6 per cent by 2027 2.6 per cent more than the estimated increase in teachers. Bayswater Secondary College principal Elizabeth Swan has a complete roster of staff for her 180 students, but she knows of other schools that arent so lucky. Credit: Darrian Traynor If the government fails to entice and retain more teachers, that could create a shortfall of hundreds. The teaching shortage is already at a crisis point, with schools exhausting their casual budgets and principals being forced to return to classrooms. On Friday, there were 1067 jobs for teachers advertised on the governments recruitment website, including 561 for secondary positions. Buses will replace trains but the Dynon Road closure will lead to substantial delays as diverted vehicles clog Footscray Road. The Frankston line will remain closed until early August for level-crossing removal work and the Upfield and Craigieburn lines will be closed every night next week. Eastern suburbs commuters experienced long delays to board buses when part of the Lilydale/Belgrave line was shut for level-crossing removal work between February and May this year. Lines of passengers stretched almost 150 metres along Spring Street from the corner of Collins Street to the steps of parliament. Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said the failure to provide enough replacement buses was a recurring issue. With so many train stations cut off, resourcing would be particularly stretched in the upcoming work, he said. Theres often insufficient information for passengers, not enough staff at stops to help people, a lack of shelter at the temporary stops, and a lack of [road] priority to help these buses get past other traffic, Bowen said. They will have to look at resourcing very carefully, particularly during peak hour, and they need to make sure they get enough buses and drivers. Bus Association Victoria executive director Chris Lowe said replacement providers were as best prepared as we can be at this stage and dont anticipate any major shortfalls. The combination of road and rail disruption had been specifically scheduled to take place during the school holidays, while fewer people were driving or using public transport, a Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said. Loading But the impact will still be felt: almost 32,400 passengers catch trains along the affected Sunbury, Williamstown and Werribee lines every weekday during school holidays, according to state government data. Cath Ward, who lives in Newport and works about seven kilometres away in Port Melbourne, is worried about how long it will take her to get to work over the next two weeks. Its just all such a nightmare I dont have a car and working from home isnt an option, the 65-year-old said. I also have a hip problem at the moment and cant walk very far or fast. On her first day she will try catching a train-replacement bus to Flagstaff, then a train to Southern Cross and then a bus to Port Melbourne. The crazy thing is how close Newport is to Port Melbourne but the way it has to be done could take me two hours. I know its only two weeks but oh my gosh. If the commute is too bad, Ward said, she would catch the Westgate Punt, a ferry that crosses the Yarra River. But that involves a longish bike ride, as she doesnt feel safe crossing the Salmon Street overpass over the Westgate Freeway. Its freezing cold and dark getting back home, Ward said. Hobsons Bay Mayor Antoinette Briffa said the West Gate Tunnel Project was originally scheduled to be finished in 2022 and the government should consider giving additional compensation to affected council areas. I appreciate its a huge project and that the pandemic also affected the schedule, but they were still able to work during the lockdowns, she said. The closure of major arteries will make it tough to get to the city. Credit: Illustration by Matt Golding The impact of these works to residents and businesses in the west, and especially in Hobsons Bay, is significant and made worse when their road closures coincide with works to train lines. Monash Universitys Professor Graham Currie, an expert in public transport planning, said the traffic disruptions were a necessary evil. While its disruptive, while its terrible, Im just glad that weve got these projects because theyre making a huge difference to our future, he said. The west, in particular, has been really held back by a lack of infrastructure and it needs to get better. Currie said the government had opted for a fast-track approach, which concentrated the disruption over the school holiday period, to get it over with. West Gate Tunnel Project work on the Dynon Road bridge in West Melbourne will cause travel chaos in the western suburbs for the next two weeks. Credit: Jason South This substantially increases the costs but it was recognised as a way to do this, because people would rather have pain quickly and get it over with than have it over a long period. Trung Luu, the Liberal Party member for Western Metropolitan Region, said the rail and road disruptions were compounding the existing problems caused by a lack of bus services in the western suburbs. There is already a lack of connectivity in the west it is already hard enough trying to get from place to place, he said. We dont have as much access to buses as the east. This is making it much harder with more congestion. Colette Corr, who lives in Seddon and works in corporate massage in the city, believes the road and rail disruptions have been poorly communicated. Seddon resident Colette Corr plans to leave for work 90 minutes early. Credit: Justin McManus People are actually genuinely confused about what closures are happening. Corr, who remembers the traffic chaos following the floods in Maribyrnong last year, plans to leave for work 90 minutes early. Loading Normally I take my massage trolley and table on the train but obviously, I cant do that on the bus so I have to drive, she said. Her employer has offered to pay for parking. I think there is a bit of annoyance because if Dynon Road or Footscray Road is closed, it creates a bottleneck situation and one of them has been closed for months. Were quite tired, Corr said. These are very safe Labor seats. Maybe they are taking us for granted, I dont know. Would this happen in a safe Liberal seat? Or a swinging seat? Peter Anderson, chief executive of the Victorian Transport Association, a freight industry group, predicted traffic would slow to a crawl as the train line closures prompted more people to drive at the same time major roads were shut. Loading Theres always an alternate route, but everyone is going to be using that alternate route, he said. Elena Brooks, who lives in Altona Meadows and normally catches the train to work in the city, is stressed about making it home on time to pick up her toddler from childcare. Its already a race to the finish line to get there at six oclock and pretty much everything has to be just lined up perfectly for me to get there on time, Brooks said. My concern is the time it will take on a bus factoring in traffic, factoring in the fact that theyre closing two major arteries. Brooks said she was lucky to have an understanding employer. While sometimes she has to be on-site, there are other times she may be able to work from home or take unpaid leave. Elena Brooks is concerned the travel delays may make it difficult for her to pick her toddler up from childcare. Credit: Darrian Traynor Long story short, I dont actually have a plan. Im just hoping it all falls into place and that theres a day where my husband can work from home or I can work from home, but Im also cognisant that not everybody has that luxury, she said. I guess in the scheme of things, we still have some options, but its not a whole lot. And it depends on other circumstances. A spokesperson for the Department of Transport and Planning said the Metro Tunnel, West Gate Tunnel and level-crossing removal projects would slash travel times once they were completed. We thank people for their patience and understanding while major upgrade works take place to significantly improve Victorias transport network, they said. Crews from the Metro Tunnel Project will use the line closure as an opportunity to lay a new track connecting the Sunbury line to the new cross-city underground line and separate it from the Werribee and Williamstown lines. V/Line trains also run under the Dynon Road bridge but most services will operate as normal next week because they are separate to the metropolitan tracks and do not have overhead wires, the spokesperson said. MANCHESTER, United Kingdom - (NewMediaWire) - June 23, 2023 - (King NewsWire) - UK-based HR consultancy firm Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services is pleased to announce that it has been chosen as the premier Human Resources (HR) consultancy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by StartUps, a leading small business advice platform in the UK. Following a meticulous evaluation process, Avensure's exceptional expertise in employment law, robust core functions, and outstanding capabilities in health and safety have positioned them as the top choice for SMEs in need of HR consultancy services. StartUps is a trusted resource dedicated to assisting small businesses since 2000. Leveraging their profound understanding of the key considerations for business owners in search of the finest HR service provider, StartUps has meticulously curated and evaluated the top 7 HR consulting firms catering to small businesses and startups in the UK. These recommendations are fortified by the valuable insights provided by senior professionals within the industry. Impressive Trustpilot Rating Coupled With A Feefo Award Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services, founded in 2011, has built an outstanding reputation. It boasts an impressive Trustpilot rating. With the most recent Trustpilot rating of 4.9, based on 456 reviews, Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services has demonstrated its exceptional service quality and client satisfaction. The firm has also received the esteemed 2023 Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award. A Talented & Committed Team Chris Garner, the Managing Director of Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services, expressed his delight at securing the top spot in StartUps' HR consultancy rankings. He credited this achievement to Avensure's talented team and their commitment to assisting clients in managing their teams effectively while navigating legal challenges. Garner acknowledged that managing people is one of the most challenging aspects for entrepreneurs, particularly during periods of rapid growth. Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services aims to alleviate this pressure for clients, allowing them to focus on running their businesses. Making Managing Employees Easier Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services excels in HR and employment law as well as health and safety HR consulting. This expertise makes the firm an ideal choice for small to large businesses seeking to outsource crucial HR elements. While its services cater to businesses of all sizes, it notably serves small businesses, with clients in the 0-50 employee range accounting for 53% of their clientele. Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services's commitment to delivering success and ensuring customer satisfaction has attracted clients from various industries, including retail, care, and transport. At Avensure, clients are assured comprehensive coverage. They offer a range of packages to choose from and provide consistent access to the same team members for ongoing assistance. The firm offers outsourced HR services through the following packages: HR Protect - HR and employment law HS Protect - health and safety Total Business Protect - a comprehensive combination of Avensure's HR and health and safety services Avensure H&S & HR Outsourcing Services serves clients across various sectors, including start-ups, SMEs, and renowned brands like Vodafone, Papa Johns, and NHS 111. Leveraging their expert sector knowledge, their team supports businesses in handling HR and health and safety challenges, including legal queries, with round-the-clock expert advice. The firm has also recently launched its own cutting-edge tech platform, Avensure PeopleCloud. This advanced HR and health and safety software provides a range of features, empowering business owners to generate custom reports on employee performance, compensation, and key metrics. By eliminating time-consuming paperwork and streamlining HR and health and safety tasks like managing holidays, Avensure PeopleCloud simplifies processes and enhances efficiency. For more information about the firm and its services, visit https://www.avensure.com/ Media Contact Organization: Avensure HR and H&S Outsourcing Services Contact Person: Chris Garner Website: https://www.avensure.com/ Email: enquiries@avensure.com Contact Number: 0330 100 8705 Address: 4th Floor, St John House, 2-10 Queen St City: Manchester Country: United Kingdom Australia will be invited to join a high-powered climate club for countries with ambitious emissions reductions goals when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese makes an expected visit to Berlin next month to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Joining the German-led group would help Australia avoid potential European trade sanctions on countries that fail to take urgent action to tackle climate change. Its about like-minded countries who want to reduce emissions in industry: German ambassador to Australia Markus Ederer. Credit: Rhett Wyman The two leaders will also seek to advance what would be the biggest defence export deal in Australian history, a $6.5 billion proposal to supply over 200 Australian-made armoured vehicles to the German army. German ambassador to Australia Markus Ederer said the election of the Albanese government had opened up new opportunities for the countries to work together on low-emissions technologies and critical minerals exports. A consulting firm that helped its clients meet former cabinet minister Stuart Robert gained fees of $16 million from global tech giant Infosys for work done on some of the countrys biggest government computer projects. Infosys paid the money over five years at a time when its Australian chief, Andrew Groth, held 11 meetings with Robert to talk about major projects and digital transformation, sometimes without public servants being present. A consulting firm that helped its clients meet former cabinet minister Stuart Robert gained fees of $16 million from global tech giant Infosys for work done on some of the countrys biggest government computer projects. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The new details highlight concerns about leaked emails that revealed lengthy contact between Robert and his consultant friend, David Milo, whose firm Synergy 360 asked big companies for success fees to line up contracts in Canberra. The funding was disclosed in testimony to federal parliaments Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit on Friday afternoon, offering the first public evidence about the scale of the payments to Synergy 360 by one of its clients. Daniel Andrews signature election promise to revive the State Electricity Commission has lost a key adviser as it waits to identify its first project to support, but the state government insists the wheels arent coming off the $1 billion agency nine months after it was announced. While the government and Alan Finkel say his resignation is due to personal reasons, the setback comes three months after the former chief scientist of Australia urged the SEC to tread carefully so not to avoid crowding out private sector investment in the renewable energy market. Former chief scientist Alan Finkel has resigned from Victorias renewed State Electricity Commission. Credit: Eamon Gallagher Cabinet ministers were surprised by Finkels resignation, with three Labor MPs speaking to this masthead on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters pointing out they first learnt of his departure via the media. Energy Minister Lily DAmbrosio on Friday denied that Finkels resignation was a sign of problems with the SECs viability. Russian law enforcement officers stand guard outside PMC Wagner Centre in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Credit: Reuters Those who plotted and organised an armed rebellion, who raised arms against his comrades-in-arms, betrayed Russia. And they will answer for it, he said. It is Russias first armed insurrection since the Chechen wars decades ago, and Prigozhin responded to the presidents address by saying he and his fighters would not turn themselves in. The president makes a deep mistake when he talks about treason. We are patriots of our motherland, we fought and are fighting for it, Prigozhin said in an audio message. Nobody is going to turn themselves in and confess at the order of the president, the FSB (security service) or anyone else. Because we dont want the country to continue to live any longer in corruption, deceit and bureaucracy. Prigozhin had earlier posted a video saying he was at the headquarters of the Southern Military District, which is in Rostov-on-Don. There he demanded Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russias top general, Valery Gerasimov, to come and meet him. We have arrived here, we want to receive the chief of the general staff and Shoigu, Prigozhin said on the video. Unless they come, well be here, well blockade the city of Rostov and head for Moscow. British defence intelligence said on Saturday morning (UK time) that Wagner units were moving north through Vorenezh Oblast and almost certainly aiming to get to Moscow. With very limited evidence of fighting between Wagner and Russian security forces, some have likely remained passive, acquiescing to Wagner, an official said. Western officials said the loyalty of Russias security forces, and especially that of the Russian National Guard, over the next day would be key to how the crisis plays out, saying it represented the most significant challenge to the Russian state in recent times. Prigozhin had earlier announced that his fighters had crossed the border into Russia from Ukraine and were prepared to go all the way against Moscows military, hours after the Kremlin accused him of armed mutiny. As head of the mercenary group that has been fighting Ukrainian troops, Prigozhin is facing charges of inciting mutiny after accusing the Russian military of launching a deadly strike on his troops. He said in a half-hour tirade on social media that the evil in the military leadership must be stopped, and he vowed to march for justice. In response, Russian generals accused Prigozhin of trying to mount a coup against Putin, as the long-running feud between the Wagner founder and the Russian military escalated into an open confrontation. The Russian Ministry of Defence has denied the strike and demanded that Prigozhin halts illegal actions, while the prosecutor-generals office confirmed Prigozhin had been charged with organising an armed uprising, which carries a sentence of 12 to 20 years in prison. It said his actions will receive appropriate legal assessment. In a sign of how seriously the Kremlin was taking Prigozhins threat, Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said anti-terrorist measures were being taken in the Russian capital, including additional checks on roads, to reinforce security. Security was heightened in government buildings, transport facilities and other key locations in Moscow, and in Rostov-on-Don, which is home to the Russian military headquarters for the southern region and also oversees the fighting in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov (left) and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Credit: AP Prigozhin said his forces had entered Rostov with no resistance from young conscripts at checkpoints, adding that his forces arent fighting against children. The governor of the Rostov region sent a message to residents to stay indoors. The Wagner chief said his fighters had also shot down a Russian helicopter that had been firing upon them. However, his claims could not be independently verified. But we will destroy anyone who stands in our way, he said. We are moving forward and will go until the end. He said his actions were not a military coup. But in a frenzied series of audio messages, in which the sound of his voice sometimes varied and could not be independently verified, he appeared to suggest that his 25,000-strong militia was en route to oust the leadership of the defence ministry in Moscow. The White House said Joe Biden had been briefed on the chaotic situation in Russia, with US officials describing it as serious. A White House National Security Council spokesman said: We are monitoring the situation and will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments. A US official told CNN that this crisis was real but the Pentagon and White House were waiting to see how it developed. Kyiv was also closely tracking developments. Its armed forces posted on Twitter: We are watching. Asked on Saturday morning whether Russia was heading towards a civil war, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Russia should withdraw from Ukraine immediately. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a video the evil in the Russian military must be stopped. Credit: AP My view is very clear that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is illegal, is a breach of international law, shows no respect for the sovereignty of a democratic nation, and Russia should withdraw from this action, Albanese said. The standoff, many of the details of which remained unclear, looked like the biggest domestic crisis Putin has faced since he sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in February last year. Earlier, Prigozhin said Russian generals had concocted false pretences to trick Putin into invading Ukraine, and he said that Moscow could have avoided the war entirely. The notorious strongman, who has known Putin since their days in St Petersburg in the early 1990s, is widely believed by analysts to have the Russian presidents approval for his attacks on the army. An armoured personnel carrier is seen next to a shopping mall in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don. Credit: Reuters In an audio message posted to Telegram, Prigozhin said huge numbers of his fighters had been killed in a strike by the Russian military on a Wagner camp. He published a video that he claims shows the aftermath of the rocket attack in the southern Rostov region. Those who killed our lads, and tens of thousands of lives of Russian soldiers [in the war in Ukraine], will be punished, he said. I ask you not to resist. Anyone who does will be considered a threat and destroyed. That goes for any checkpoints and aviation on our way. Presidential power, the government, the police and Russian guard will work as usual. This is not a military coup but a march of justice. Our actions do not interfere with the troops in any way. He claimed that Russia had faced no immediate threat from Ukraine when Putin began his full-scale invasion last year and accused the armys top brass of deceiving the Russian president for their own personal gain. The rant, posted on social media on Friday evening (UK time), is the latest instalment of Prigozhins long-running spat with Shoigu, who he has accused of sabotaging the war effort together with Gerasimov, chief of Russias general staff. There was nothing out of the ordinary on February 24, Prigozhin said, referring to the day Putin ordered the invasion. The defence ministry is trying to deceive the president and society by saying Ukraine was going mad with aggression and was planning to attack us together with the whole NATO bloc. For some reason, this bunch of idiots thought they were so smart-arsed that nobody would understand what they were up to or stop them on their way to Kyiv. Russian state media reported that the FSB, Russias security services, had opened a criminal case against Prigozhin, accusing him of calling for an armed rebellion. A bird flies over the building of the Russian Defence Ministry with anti-aircraft artillery systems atop. Credit: AP The defence ministry said in a statement that all reports by Prigozhin spread on social media of Russian strikes on Wagner camps were not true and are an information provocation. Loading Washington: Eager to impeach US President Joe Biden, hard-right House Republicans forced a vote on Thursday that sent the matter to congressional committees in a clear demonstration of the challenge that Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces in controlling the majority party. The ability of a single representative in the 435-member House to drive an impeachment resolution this week caught Republicans off guard and many of them viewed it as a distraction from other priorities. US President Joe Biden. Credit: AP The measure charges Biden with high crimes and misdemeanours over his handling of the US border with Mexico. Representative Lauren Boebert, backed by allies, was able to use House rules to force a snap vote on such a grave constitutional matter. The 219-208 party-line vote sent her resolution to committees for possible consideration, like any other bill. They are under no obligation to do anything. if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi... (Bloomberg) -- Global New Material International Holdings Ltd., a Chinese colorant producer, is in talks on a potential acquisition of Merck KGaAs pigments arm, people with knowledge of the matter said. Most Read from Bloomberg Hong Kong-listed Global New Material, which sells pigments under the Chesir brand name, has made a binding bid for the Merck unit, according to the people. Its been discussing financing options for the potential purchase, they said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. A deal could value the pigments business at nearly 1 billion ($1.1 billion), the people said. Global New Material is in discussion with an independent third party on a possible acquisition of businesses, the company said in an exchange filing Friday that did not name the potential target. Trading was halted Friday and is set to resume from 1 p.m. local time, the filing showed. Merck shares rose as much as 4.1% on Thursday, the biggest intraday gain in more than five months. The stock was up 1.2% at close in Frankfurt, valuing the company at about 66.4 billion. Global New Material makes pearlescent pigments from materials including synthetic mica. Its products are used to create shiny colors for industrial coatings, plastics, cosmetics and automotive paint. Shares of Global New Material have gained 11% this year, giving the company a market value of $668 million. The Chinese companys discussions with Darmstadt, Germany-based Merck are ongoing, and there is no certainty the parties will reach an agreement, the people said. Other suitors have also expressed interest in the business, they said. A spokesperson for Merck declined to comment. Calls to the offices of Global New Material offices werent answered and it didnt immediately respond to emailed queries. Mergermarket reported on Chesirs interest earlier on Thursday. Global New Material in January agreed to acquire a roughly 42% stake in listed South Korean pigment producer CQV Co. for 85.9 billion won ($66 million). The company said in March it would continue seeking international acquisitions to boost its competitiveness. Any deal for the Merck unit will test the willingness of European companies and governments to accept Chinese takeovers. Merck employs about 750 people at its Gernsheim site, home to the companys largest pigment production facility, and German companies and their unions are particularly sensitive to any moves that could risk jobs or local production. Midea Group Co. of China recently dropped its pursuit of Electrolux AB after finding the Swedish home appliance maker unreceptive to a deal, highlighting the persistent difficulties of Chinese takeovers, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday. --With assistance from Tim Loh. (Updates with exchange filing in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Looking for stocks that may have more upside and also offer generous dividends is usually a priority for many investors. Several highly-ranked Zacks stocks are standing out in this regard, and here is a look at a few investors should consider right now. Ardmore Shipping (ASC) Starting in the Zacks Transportation sector, Ardmore Shipping is standing out with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Engaged in the ownership and operation of chemical tankers, Ardmore stock has an 11.14% dividend yield and is starting to look undervalued at its current levels. Ardmores dividend yield is well above a generous industry average of 3.22% and the S&P 500s 1.46% average. Trading at $12 a share, Ardmore stock trades at 4.5X forward earnings which is nicely beneath the industry average of 6X and the S&P 500s 20.3X. Plus, earnings estimate revisions are noticeably higher over the last 60 days supporting the case that Ardmore stock may be undervalued when considering its P/E valuation. Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Xerox (XRX) Also boasting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) Xerox stock has become attractive at its current levels. Despite decreasing demand for paper-related systems and products, Xerox is still a leader in the contractual print and document services market. Furthermore, with Xerox stock trading at $14 a share its noteworthy that earnings estimates have trended higher in the last two months and the office supplies company offers a 6.89% dividend yield at the moment. Xeroxs dividend yield tops its lofty industry average of 4.87% and is well above the benchmark. Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research More intriguing, Xeroxs bottom line is starting to stabilize with earnings forecasted to soar 37% this year at $1.54 per share compared to EPS of $1.12 in 2022. Plus, fiscal 2024 earnings are projected to jump another 15%. Xeroxs P/E valuation is on par with the industry average at 9.4X forward earnings and well below the benchmark with the companys EPS outlook offering further support. Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Bottom Line Ardmore Shipping and Xerox stock are starting to offer sound value to investors at their current levels. Rising earnings estimates indicate there could be more upside with their stellar dividend yields making this scenario more compelling. 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 Xerox Holdings Corporation (XRX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ardmore Shipping Corporation (ASC) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Evanston manufacturer Tom Ward, Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita and Cook County Bureau of Economic Development Program Director Christine Nappo at a breakfast promoting grant opportunities through the Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented Program, June 22, 2023. (Caroline Kubzansky/Pioneer Press) Manufacturers from around the north suburbs gathered at Evanstons Ward Manufacturing June 22 to find out whether theyd be eligible for financial aid from Cook County geared toward improving or expanding their businesses. The event promoted the $5 million Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented program, geared toward reimbursing suburban manufacturers for expenses related to projects improving operations, workforce, leadership and business growth. Advertisement Businesses may apply to have up to $25,000 in costs covered for eligible projects, county officials said. Cook County Bureau of Economic Development Program Director Christine Nappo said the initiative, funded through Cook Countys American Rescue Plan money and launched about a year ago, was an effort by the county to help manufacturers bounce back from the pandemic. Advertisement Its drawn interest from a range of businesses that fall under the manufacturing umbrella. Weve seen everything from fabricated metals to food manufacturing, leather goods, small businesses to larger businesses, Nappo said. The needs of the businesses who have applied are similarly wide-ranging, she added: Whether they are a very small business and they need a website because the way theyre doing business has changed post pandemic or theyre at a point where they really need some productivity assistance. Host and local manufacturer Tom Ward said he saw the program as a way to deliver a message of opportunity to attract young people considering possible career paths into the manufacturing field.. Thats our lifeblood right now we dont correct that, were all in trouble, he said. Our businesses dont survive. Ward Manufacturing applied for a grant about half the size of the maximum amount, he said, but his focus was more on getting word out to younger workers about opportunities in manufacturing than the specific dollar amount. An audience of north suburban manufacturers listens to remarks at a breakfast promoting grant opportunities through the Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented Program, June 22, 2023. (Caroline Kubzansky/Pioneer Press) Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita, who co-hosted the event with Ward and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, said the program could benefit both young residents of the region and smaller, established businesses. Its a win-win for us to help bring young students who are looking for work, to match them here with manufacturing companies that are investing locally and doing great work, she said. Advertisement Bill Moloney of Arlington Heights-based Molon Motors said hed attended the event to see how the grants worked and if theyd cover what he wanted to purchase: equipment and tools to get into making what are known as direct current motors, which he explained are typically battery powered. Theyre made primarily in China, Moloney said. But Id like to bring manufacturing them back to the United States (and) Id like to have some help from the local government to get that done. The price tag on the equipment hed need to start producing that kind of motor runs to about $1 million, he said, but even $25,000 would help, and he said he hoped to get connected to other possible funding sources too. I know theres other money out there, other grants out there as well, he said. So I just need to know who I need to talk to for them. Applicants for the grants must be a small or mid-sized manufacturer located within Cook County but outside the city limits of Chicago, according to application materials. These 3 Moves Could Significantly Boost Your Retirement Income BlackRock, one of the world's largest financial firms, says three key moves can sharply boost retirement income. Most people focus on building up their savings when they make retirement plans. However, by also focusing on the drawdown phase, the duration of the nest egg that you have accumulated can be significantly extended, BlackRock says in a recent report. Consider working with a financial advisor as you develop a long-term retirement plan for yourself. Add Guaranteed Lifetime Income via an Annuity Annuities have become a hot topic in recent years, as financial professionals have increasingly debated their pros and cons. On the upside, they hedge against longevity risk. A lifetime annuity can guarantee, aside from catastrophic failure on the part of the insurance company, that you will receive a minimum income for life. On the downside, annuities can sometimes post weaker growth than even the standard S&P 500 index fund. BlackRock argues that the benefit of hedging against longevity risk, though, is quite powerful. By putting up to 30% of your portfolio savings into a retirement annuity, you can create a strong base for the future of your retirement income. Alongside Social Security, this gives you an income that never draws down and will not fade. Shift to an Aggressive Asset Allocation There's a catch to an annuity plan, though. Perhaps the biggest risk with annuities, as noted, is their low rate of return. In fact, Fidelity says that in recent years annuities often return one-eighth the amount of a simple S&P 500 index fund. That's a recipe for low, slow growth. So, BlackRock suggests balancing your annuity investments with a more aggressive market portfolio. In other words, leverage the security that you have with your annuity to rebalance your portfolio toward higher-return assets like stocks, if even just a stock market index fund, like the S&P. By doing this, you're more protected against loss by the guaranteed income of the annuity, while also boosting your overall spending power in retirement with the projected growth of the equities. This lets you retain a strong equity portfolio later in life, when many investors would otherwise start shifting their investments in favor of more stable, fixed-income assets, like bonds or CDs. "Adding guaranteed lifetime income combined with a more aggressive asset allocation generates 29% more annual spending ability from one's retirement savings (excluding Social Security) and reduces downside risk by 33%," BlackRock states in the report. Retire (and Take Benefits) Later in Life These 3 Moves Could Significantly Boost Your Retirement Income Finally, BlackRock recommends delaying retirement by two years. The firm suggests delaying retirement, along with Social Security benefits and annuity payouts, from age 65 until age 67. This is not, however, a delayed retirement. For anyone born after the year 1960, the goalposts have been moved back and full retirement age is set at 67. The firm's basic analysis still stands though. As the firm writes, "[a]mong all retirement decisions, the choice of when to retire and claim Social Security often has the single greatest impact on one's financial security." Putting this off even by just two years can significantly boost your Social Security benefits. It will also give your annuities time to continue growing, making their lifetime benefits stronger, while allowing your portfolio to accumulate extra years of high-value growth as well. BlackRock finds that pushing back retirement by two years can boost a retiree's lifetime spending power by 16% and reduce downside risk by an additional 15%. In combination with the 29% retirement increase gained by getting an annuity and having an aggressive, stock market-based asset allocation, retirees can sharply extend the duration of their retirement income. Bottom Line For many investors, the good news here is that BlackRock probably recommends a version of what you are already pursuing: diversification. This approach suggests that you should balance high-security assets, in the form of lifetime annuities, against high-return assets, such as stocks. It recommends delaying retirement as a way of boosting your lifetime Social Security benefits and maximizing your late-in-life portfolio returns. For the average investor and saver, this is all very doable. Retirement Savings Tips A financial advisor can help you build a comprehensive retirement plan. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you're ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Longevity risk is the possibility that you will live too long, and that's a perverse way of looking at life. So start making plans right now to celebrate your hundredth birthday in style. Photo credit: iStock.com/BongkarnThanyakij, iStock.com/PeopleImages The post These 3 Moves Could Significantly Boost Your Retirement Income appeared first on SmartAsset Blog. (0:45) - Should You Be Investing In Energy Stocks For Their Dividends? (5:30) - Value Stock Screener: Traceys Top Stock Picks (24:20) Episode Roundup: LNG, GRNT, ERF, CPG, VET, HBRIY Podcast@Zacks.com Welcome to Episode #333 of the Value Investor Podcast. Every week, Tracey Ryniec, the editor of Zacks Value Investor portfolio , shares some of her top value investing tips and stock picks. Its time to look at the energy sector again. With WTI crude falling back to around $70 a barrel, the energy stocks, and their earnings, have fallen too. The explorers and producers are cheap again even while cash flows remain strong. Screening for Cheap Global Energy Stocks You can screen by industry on Zacks stock screener. In the oil & gas industry, there are 3 categories for the exploration and production companies: United States, International, and Canadian. You will have to run 3 different screens. Tracey added a P/E under 10 to find cheap stocks and a dividend greater than 1% to get companies that have solid free cash flows. She didnt add the Zacks Rank for this screen. The screen with the United States producers produced 21 companies. The screens with Canadian and International producers each produced 3 companies. Cheap Global Energy Stocks Paying Dividends 1. Cheniere Energy (LNG) Cheniere Energy is an American natural gas producer with a market cap of $36.7 billion. Shares of Cheniere Energy are down in 2023, but only 0.3%. It is cheap with a forward P/E of 4.8. Cheniere Energy pays a dividend yielding 1.1%. It is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Should Cheniere, a natural gas producer, be on your short list? 2. Granite Ridge Resources, Inc. (GRNT) Grant Ridge Resources is a non-operated exploration and production company that invests in a portfolio of production across the Permian and 4 other US basins in partnership with proven operators. It is a small cap company with a market cap of just $937 million. Shares of Granite Ridge Resources are down 23.5% in 2023. Its cheap, with a forward P/E of 7.7. Granite Ridge also has a big dividend, currently yielding 6.5%. However, 1 earnings estimate has been lowered for 2023 in the last 60 days. Granite Ridge Resources is a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). Should Granite Ridge be on your short list? 3. Enerplus Corp. (ERF) Enerplus was founded in 1986 and was the first oil and gas royalty trust. Headquartered in Calgary, Canada, it has a market cap of $3.1 billion. Shares of Enerplus are down 20.2% year-to-date. Its also cheap with a forward P/E of 7.1. Enerplus has pledged to return 60% of its full year 2023 free cash flow to shareholders. It pays a dividend yielding 1.5%. 2 earnings estimates have been cut in the last 60 days. Enerplus is a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell.) Should investors wait for a turn in the Zacks Rank before investing in Enerplus? 4. Crescent Point Energy (CPG) Crescent Point Energy is a Canadian producer which explores in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Bakken in North Dakota. Headquartered in Calgary, it has a market cap of $3.7 billion. Shares of Crescent Point Energy are down 9.4% year-to-date. But it is dirt cheap, with a forward P/E of 5.4. Crescent Point Energy has pledged 50% of discretionary excess cash flow to shareholders. It pays a dividend currently yielding 4.5%. Crescent Point Energy is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Should investors look to Canadian producers like Crescent Point Energy in 2023? 5. Vermillion Energy (VET) Vermillion Energy is an international producer headquartered in Calgary. It drills in North America, Europe, and Australia. In 2022, it saw record free cash flow of $1.1 billion Shares of Vermillion Energy have fallen 32% year-to-date. Its also dirt cheap, with a forward P/E of just 3.9. Vermillion Energy returned $100 million to shareholders in 2022. It pays a dividend, currently yielding 2.4%. Vermillion Energy is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Should you look globally, like with Vermillion Energy, for your producers? What Else Should You Know About Global Energy Stocks? Tune into this weeks podcast to find out. 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 Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Enerplus Corporation (ERF) : Free Stock Analysis Report Vermilion Energy Inc. (VET) : Free Stock Analysis Report Crescent Point Energy Corporation (CPG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Granite Ridge Resources, Inc. (GRNT) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Batavia, NY (14020) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. FILE PHOTO: The logo of the Adani group is seen on the facade of one of its buildings on the outskirts of Ahmedabad (Reuters) -The U.S Attorney's Office in Brooklyn, New York, has sent inquiries in recent months to investors with large holdings in Adani Group, focused on what the Indian ports-to-power giant told them, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission also has a similar probe underway, Bloomberg reported, citing two people familiar with the matter. The authorities are looking into the representations that Adani made to its American investors following short-seller Hindenburg's report, the Bloomberg report said. "We are not aware of any such subpoena to investors," an Adani spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters. The group rejects any suggestion that it or its businesses have not acted as per the regulations and accounting standards of the jurisdictions in which they operate, they added. "Our various issuer groups remain confident that the disclosures are full and complete as disclosed in the relevant issuer offering circulars," the spokesperson said. In January, Hindenburg Research said it held short positions in the group and accused the conglomerate of improper use of offshore tax havens. The short-seller also flagged concerns about high debt, eroding $11 billion in investor wealth. The Adani group has rejected all the allegations. India's markets watchdog had, in May, "drawn a blank" in its investigations into suspected violations in the group's overseas investments and a Supreme Court-appointed panel said its ongoing pursuit of the case could be a "journey without a destination". The SEC said it does not comment on the existence or nonexistence of a possible investigation. The Eastern District of New York U.S. Attorneys Office declined to comment on the report. The U.S. Attorney General's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reporting by Chandni Shah and Bharat Govind Gautam in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel and Savio D'Souza) U.S. President Joe Biden hosts an official state dinner for India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House Ambitious plans for US-India technology sharing face hurdles U.S. President Joe Biden hosts an official state dinner for India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House By David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States unveiled agreements this week to sell weapons to India and share with it sensitive military technology, a clear sign of the Biden administration's desire to deepen ties with New Delhi to counter China's ambitions in Asia. But those plans, announced on Thursday during a state visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and future defense cooperation face significant challenges from the U.S. government's own weapons export rules. The Biden administration says sweeping agreements on semiconductors, critical minerals, technology, space and defense cooperation and sales will ring in a new era in relations. They include what one official called a "trailblazing" deal to allow General Electric Co (GE.N) to produce jet engines in India to power Indian military aircraft and a plan for India to procure U.S.-made General Atomics armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones. Standing in the way are strict U.S. rules governing export of defense technology, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). These make defense cooperation hard even with long-time U.S. allies Britain and Australia in the AUKUS deal signed earlier this year to supply the latter with nuclear-powered submarines. Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific affairs, has stressed the need to break down barriers to technology sharing with allies and partners, including India. "Frankly, for the United States and regional security as well it can't be business as usual anymore," he told a June 8 event at the Center for a New American Security think tank. UPHILL BATTLE FOR TECH SHARING On Thursday, the co-chairs of the U.S. Senate India Caucus, Democrat Mark Warner and Republican John Cornyn, introduced legislation that would streamline defense sales to India, including by halving the time that Congress has to block any arms sale to the country to 15 days. But one congressional aide said efforts to speed technology sharing with India would face "an uphill battle" both in the U.S. Congress and at the U.S. State Department, where officials have a specific obligation to protect U.S. technology. "There are concerns about (technology sharing) in the Australia context and there would be more concerns in the India context," he said. "Australia is an ally. India wants the same privileges that allies get without having any of the same obligations or responsibilities." The source noted that India wanted access to sensitive technologies that many of the closest U.S. allies do not have, even while sticking to its stance of maintaining close relations with Russia and refusing to condemn Moscow's Ukraine invasion. Bill Greenwalt, a former senior Pentagon official for industrial policy, said approvals for the jet engine deal and for the military drones should be relatively straightforward, although it appeared GE was still in the process of getting export authorization, which would come with State Department-mandated restrictions. "Complicating factors include to what degree congressional review and approval thresholds kick in. I expect that likely will happen for the SeaGuardians," said Greenwalt, adding that the U.S. Missile Technology Control Regime was an added likely complication. LIMITS ON TECHNOLOGY USE And there is another factor: how willingly India will accept the restrictions that may come along with any technology it receives from the U.S. Greenwalt said the conditions ITAR attaches to use of technology and the limits it imposes on India's ability to add its own intellectual property to what it learns from that could mean New Delhi quickly grows tired of being dictated to by the U.S. State Department. He added that given India's growing IT expertise, it had the potential to leapfrog the United States in areas such as integrated command and control, sensor fusion, autonomy, and data analytics. "Together we could likely make a lot more progress than if we pursue separate paths, but ITAR disincentives will keep them from cooperating with us on things that matter while our over-confidence will keep us from seeing their potential," said Greenwalt. Rick Rossow, an India expert at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies, said approval processes for advanced defense technology transfer were "onerous but not impossible." "The U.S. with great effort can move faster for India," he said. "But we need Indias deal-making process to move fast, too. Otherwise, potential deals will not be accelerated on our side." (Reporting by David Brunnstrom; additional reporting by Mike Stone and Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Don Durfee and Deepa Babington) 1 in 400 Couldnt Vote in Local Elections Due to New Photo ID Rules About 0.25 percent of voters who went to a polling station in the May local elections were not able to vote as a result of the new photo ID requirement, the Electoral Commission has said. Under the Elections Bill passed in April 2022, those turning up at polling stations must show a valid photo ID before being given a voting slip. The requirement was put into practice for the first time in Englands local elections on May 4. According to the election watchdog, approximately 14,000 voters0.25 percent of all voters who went to a polling stationwere not able to vote as a result of not being able to show an acceptable photo ID. Among people who said they did not vote at the May elections, 4 percent listed the ID requirement as the reason3 percent said they did not have the necessary ID, and 1 percent said they disagreed with the new requirement. Craig Westwood, the watchdogs director of communications, said: The evidence suggests that the vast majority of voters were able to present an accepted form of ID at the May elections. But it also shows that some people were prevented from voting in polling stations due to the requirement, and significantly more did not attempt to because they lacked the required ID. The commission said it is undertaking further research and will make recommendations for improvement in order to ensure that elections remain truly accessible to all. High Awareness Valid photo IDs include passports, driving licences, blue badges, biometric residence permits, defence identity cards, and national identity cards issued by the European Union, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein. Those who dont have these IDs can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, a photo ID supplied by the government for free. Westwood said that overall awareness of the requirement was high, but noted that people who lacked ID were less likely to know they needed to show it. According to the commissions research, 92 percent of people were aware of the need to bring ID to vote at a polling station, though awareness was lower among people who said they did not have ID (74 percent). Awareness of the availability of free IDs was 57 percent. Close to 90,000 people applied for a Voter Authority Certificate before the deadline, and 81,033 certificates were issued ahead of the locals, but only 25,000 were used as a form of ID on the day. About 0.7 percent of people were initially turned away from polling stations due to their failure to show an acceptable ID, but around two thirds of these people (63 percent) returned later in the day and were able to vote. Among those recorded as being turned away from a polling station, 70 percent had not brought any ID and 30 percent brought a type that was not accepted. Westwood said: We dont want to see a single voter lose the opportunity to have their say. We are working to understand the challenges people faced, and will make recommendations that, with the engagement of government and wider electoral community, will support the participation of all voters. Encouraging Findings The government said the photo ID requirement is intended to make sure voting is a high-integrity process. But Labour called it a discredited policy and a barrier to voting. Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said, No legitimate voter should be locked out of democracy but that has been the effect of the Tories failed voter ID regulations. Its particularly alarming that under-represented groups look to have been more likely to have denied their say by these new barriers to voting. These strict rules are having a chilling effect on democracy, she added. Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrats local government spokeswoman, said it was an outrage that thousands of people had been denied a voice. It looks like a transparent attempt at voter suppression by Conservative ministers who are desperate to stop people from holding them to account by any means possible, she said. But voter ID is not entirely a novelty for the UK, as it has been a requirement in Northern Irelanda British regionfor nearly 40 years. Voter ID requirements were introduced in Northern Ireland after the 1983 general elections following concerns about the extent of voter fraud in the region. Since 2003 photographic ID has been required. A spokesman for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: Its vital we keep our democracy secure, prevent the potential for voter fraud, and bring the rest of the UK in line with Northern Ireland, which has had photo identification to vote in elections since 2003. We welcome the Electoral Commissions interim report on Mays local elections, which shows that the vast majority of voters99.75 percentwere able to cast their vote successfully and adapted well to the rollout of voter identification in Great Britain. These encouraging findings are also reflective of the confidence we always had in the ability of local authorities to implement these changes while continuing to deliver our elections robustly and securely. PA Media contributed to this report. 30 Percent of Employer Health Plans Pay for Transgender Procedures, Survey Shows Doing so helps employers 'remain competitive in attracting and retaining talent,' expert says A health-care worker pushes a patient across a connecting bridge at a hospital in Montreal on July 14, 2022. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press) An increasing number of American employers provide insurance benefits that will pay for sex-change procedures for employees, a new survey shows. According to the 2022 survey of 502 U.S. employersconducted by the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans (IFEBP)gender-transition procedures covered by the insurance plans include sex-change surgeries, cross-sex hormone treatments, and cosmetic surgery. Medical attempts at sex changes often cause urinary issues, loss of sexual pleasure and libido, permanent voice changes, pelvic bleeding and pain, the need for secondary procedures, bladder injury, blood clots, emotional issues, osteoporosis, heart problems, weight gain, diabetes, infertility, and the need for lifelong medical care, doctors and detransitioners have told The Epoch Times. Many historic homes and businesses in the Riverside community of Jacksonville, Fla., show off exteriors bedazzled with rainbow-themed Pride Month decorations on June 18, 2023. (Nanette Holt/The Epoch Times) Yet, of the 30 percent of company insurance benefit plans that offer irreversible transgender procedures, 13 percent dont cover mental health counseling before or after those surgeries, said Anne Patterson, IFEBP associate director of public relations. The foundation didnt collect data on whether the companies insurance policies would cover care for sex-change side effects, she said. The survey also didnt ask whether the insurance plans would cover detransition procedures for employees who change their minds and hope to reverse the sex change as much as possible. And it didnt have data on whether the employer-provided insurance plans cover sex-change attempts for employees children. While nearly a third of company insurance plans cover transgender modifications, only 2 percent cover cosmetic surgery not related to transgender procedures, Patterson told The Epoch Times in an email interview. Offering gender-affirmation health care benefits is a way for employers to remain competitive in attracting and retaining talent, said Julie Stitch, the IFEBPs vice president of content, in a press release. This type of offering reinforces a culture of inclusion and belonging. Stitch canceled a scheduled interview with The Epoch Times to speak more on the issue. Surge in Gender-Affirming Benefits The IFEBP survey shows big changes in benefits trends in just six years. In 2016, just 8 percent of employers offered health insurance plans with coverage for sex-change surgery. By 2022, that number rose to 27 percent of employers. Allowable surgeries range from breast amputation to creating the appearance of a male appendage using harvested arm tissue. Chloe Cole near her home in Northern California on Aug. 26, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) In 2016, 9 percent of employer-offered plans offered cross-sex hormone coverage. By 2022, it was up to 25 percent. Health plans for employees of corporations and governments offered transgender modifications at about the same rate. And while 30 percent of companies confirmed to researchers they offer health insurance with sex-change coverage, they also revealed that other treatmentsincluding potentially lifesaving procedureswere offered at far lower rates. Only 18.3 percent said they offer critical illness or cancer coverage, and 8.3 percent offer long-term care coverage. Only 13 percent said their employee healthcare plans cover laser eye surgery 15.5 cover gene therapy, and 22.1 percent cover prescription weight-loss medications Contraception also was found to be far more likely to be covered than fertility treatments. Among employers that offer transgender-inclusive benefits, the government entities surveyed offer health care plans with the most coverage for transgender procedures. Breast amputation surgery costs between $10,000 and $20,000. Genital sex-change surgery can cost up to $150,000 and often requires lifelong follow-up and medical care. Cross-sex hormones can cost between $30 and $100 a month. Scott Newgent, who regrets transitioning from feminine to masculine, prepares to testify in support of a bill that would outlaw transgender procedures at the Nebraska State House on Feb. 8, 2023. (Courtesy of Scott Newgent) Scott Newgent, a woman who underwent multiple surgeries to appear like a man, has often spoken about the many complications resulting from those surgeries. The complications from phalloplastywhich attempts to create a male appendagebrought Newgent into near-death experiences multiple times, Newgent shared on TreVoices.org. Today, the sex-change surgery industry is worth $1.9 billion. That amount will grow to $4.9 billion by 2030, industry researchers have told The Epoch Times. And the number of transgender-identifying individuals will surge, too, researchers predict. Currently, about 5 percent of young adults ages 18 to 29 identify as transgender, according to 2022 Pew Research Center figures. An LGBT Pride display in a Target in East Brainerd, Tenn. on June 13, 2023. (Jackson Elliott/The Epoch Times) Past surveys by the IFEBP show the biggest jump in transgender healthcare coverage happened between 2016 and 2018, and it has continued to increase. Increasingly, many corporations choose to put their resources into support of transgender ideology. The pressure to do so comes from a variety of sources. Groups such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the United Nations (UN) push support for transgenderism as a human rights issue. And frequently, companies face bullying ranging from threats of boycotts to bomb threats from some LGBT activist groups if they dont support, and even celebrate, transgenderism. A burgeoning number of companies selling a wide range of products and services have publicly waved the LGBT flag and faced backlash for it. But the public encouragement of transgenderism results in a self-perpetuating cycle resulting in more transgender-identifying people, psychologists have told The Epoch Times. And providing coverage for transgender procedures makes it more likely many more people will undergo attempts to transition, experts say. Acquisition marks focus on Hiber Hilo, a solution for monitoring remote wells anywhere on earth using reliable and affordable satellite connectivity for the Energy industry Amsterdam, Netherlands --News Direct-- Hiber Hiber makes restart following the acquisition by FC Space a 100% subsidiary of Finch Capital. Following the acquisition it will focus on Hiber Hilo, which provides an easy-to-install end-to-end IoT solution for monitoring remote wells anywhere on earth using reliable and affordable satellite connectivity for the Energy industry. Hiber Hilo started as a joint venture between Hiber and WTS. Per July 1 2023 the Joint Venture will be transformed into a standalone company when the transfer of all relevant assets and employees of Hiber and WTS into the company has been completed. HiberHilo makes getting data from remote wells and pipelines simple. Hiber Hilo serves several of the top 10 global Oil & Gas majors and has signed in the last weeks two additional new contracts and has activities now in all continents. The company continues to be lead by its two Managing Directors Erik Boertje and Simon Philipsen The company's key shareholders following the restructuring are WTS and FC Space, who both provided additional funding to ensure the company is well capitalized and can accelerate its growth and continuous product development. "We are very excited to be able to have One Team for One Company with a laser sharp focus. This focus on the further development and roll outs of our Well Integrity IoT Monitoring service is great and very well received by both our Engineers, Developers and Global Sales team and by our clients. We are currently working with 7 of the major Energy companies around the world. We are proud to be supplying this Environmental and Integrity IoT monitoring Technology to prevent well integrity issues and contribute to safer and cleaner operations for our clients in remote locations". Erik Boertje & Simon Philipsen, Managing Directors Hiber Hilo. "We are very excited to continue the journey Hiber embarked on together with WTS and support the team. We have been very impressed with the growth under the leadership of Erik, Simon and team and the product market fit they found in the Energy industry to help them on the energy transition. We remain committed to supporting the company with capital and our network to scale to the next level." Radboud Vlaar, Managing Partner Finch Capital "Well Integrity Monitoring in Remote locations is a very important focus for the Oil & Gas industry. Especially in remote locations where there are many unconnected wells, satellite enabled Well Monitoring is the best solution to get near real time data from the Wells and Pipelines. This prevents integrity and associated HSE problems. Many of our Global Clients have embraced the Hiber Hilo technology, including LoRaWAN, and are now in various stages of rolling out the Hiber Hilo Services for Integrity Monitoring in Africa, Middle East, Asia, and the Americas." Frederik Rengers, Chairman of WTS Energy Background on Finch Capital and FC Space FC Space is a 100% subsidiary of Finch Capital. Finch Capital is a growth investor in Europe's biggest tech transitions, active since 2013. We have made 45 investments to date and have EUR 500 million AuM. We have offices in Amsterdam, London and Dublin and have a presence in Asia. Our mission is to fund and support the best entrepreneurs creating products that will shape the future of the themes we invest in. We leverage our international network and industry expertise to enable our portfolio companies to grow into leaders in their field. For more information see www.finchcapital.com. Background on WTS Energy WTS Energy is a global Services, Training and Staffing company focused on the Energy and Energy Transition industries with offices in over 20 countries and Clients around the world. We employ well over 1000 people working in many countries around the world on new and existing Energy projects. We train and develop the local and international workforce. WTS Energy Clients range from major international energy companies to renewable energy developers, large service companies and clean tech startups. WTS has offices in India, Middle East, East and West Africa, Europe, US and Mexico. For more info: www.wtsenergy.com Contact Details Hiber Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.finchcapital.com/ View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/amsterdam-based-iot-spacetech-startup-hiber-makes-restart-following-acquisition-by-fc-space-a-100-subsidiary-of-finch-capital-393339380 3M Reaches $10.3 Billion Settlement Over US Allegations of Forever Chemicals Contamination 'The largest drinking water settlement in American history' Illustration picture shows the 3M logo at the site of the 3M plant in Zwijndrecht, Netherlands, on 10 June 2021. (Eric Lalmand/Belga Mag/AFP via Getty Images) Chemical manufacturer 3M Co. has reached a $10.3 billion settlement with several U.S. public drinking water systems to resolve allegations of contamination of forever chemicals. The company announced Thursday that the agreement includes present value commitment of up to $10.3 billion payable over 13 years. The $10.3 billion agreement would settle a case that had been scheduled for trial earlier this month over a 2018 lawsuit brought by the city of Stuart, Florida. The judge overseeing the case delayed the trial the morning it was set to start. The city alleged that 3M made or sold firefighting foams containing PFAS that polluted local soil and groundwater, and sought for more than $100 million for filtration and remediation. Stuart is just one of about 300 communities that have filed similar suits against companies such as 3M that produced firefighting foam or the PFAS it contained. 3M itself is facing thousands of lawsuits alleging PFAS contamination that were not part of the latest settlement. Among the lawsuits are those filed by people with personal injury and property damage claims. U.S. states have also filed lawsuits citing damages to natural resources such as rivers and lakes. Not An Admission of Liability 3M said the money in the settlement will help support PFAS remediation for public water suppliers that detect PFAS at any level or may do so in the future. The company noted the settlement is not an admission of liability. If the agreement is not approved by the court or certain agreed terms are not fulfilled, 3M is prepared to continue to defend itself in the litigation. 3M also will continue to address other PFAS litigation by defending itself in court or through negotiated resolutions, all as appropriate, the company stated. PFAS is an acronym for invisible man-made chemicals called per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, which are known for their resistance to grease, oil, water, and heat. They are colloquially referred as forever chemicals because they dont easily break down in the human body or the environment. PFAS are used in a wide range of products, including non-stick cookware, stain- and water-resistant fabrics and carpets, as well as cleaning products, paints, water repellents, and fire-fighting foams. High levels of PFAS have been linked to health issues, including various cancers, hormonal dysfunction including reproductive issues, and adverse effects on immune function. We have reached the largest drinking water settlement in American history, which will be used to help filter PFAS from drinking water that is served to the public, Dallas-based attorney Scott Summy, a lead attorney for the water systems suing 3M and other manufacturers, said in a statement. The result is that millions of Americans will have healthier lives without PFAS in their drinking water. The settlement is subject to court approval, he added. 3M chairman and CEO Mike Roman said the agreement is an important step forward for the company. He noted that 3M had announced in 2000 it would phase out PFOA and PFOS. More recently, the company has been investing in water filtration technology in its chemical manufacturing operations and announced in December 2022 that it will stop all PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025, Roman said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has called PFAS an urgent public health and environmental issue. In recent years, the agency has taken several steps to tighten regulations for PFAS, and in March, it announced the first-ever national drinking water standards for six of the PFAS chemicals. Earlier this month, three other major chemicals companiesChemours Co., DuPont de Nemours Inc., and Corteva Inc.announced they had reached an agreement in principle for about $1.18 billion to resolve allegations from about 300 drinking water providers that the companies had polluted many U.S. public drinking water systems with PFAS. Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A New Cold War, an Old Playbook for Victory Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 19, 2023. (Leah Millis/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) Commentary Recently, Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to China to discuss the rapidly deteriorating relationship between our two countries. Its safe to say the Peoples Republic of China is the United States largest global competitor, both militarily and economically. Despite the differences, we have, for a number of years, enjoyed an uneasy detente due to our interconnected markets. Those days, however, are coming to an end, and the Biden administration seems to lack the willpower to stop whats coming nextwar. If you watched any coverage of Blinkens trip abroad, you might be led to believe his conversations with China achieved some level of success. Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth. On June 17, President Joe Biden downplayed the Chinese incursion of U.S. airspace by a spy balloon in late January saying, I dont think the leadership knew where it was, and knew what was in it, and knew what was going on. I think it was more embarrassing than it was intentional. We shot the spy balloon down, but now a blatant violation of our sovereignty by China is embarrassing? It is, but not for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Biden administration had hoped, at the very least, to reestablish a de-escalation process by reopening military communications between the United States and China. They failed to do so. Why? Is there a proven strategy to which we can look to best handle the CCP? Yes, and it was created by President Ronald Reagan. Early in his presidency, Reagan clearly spelled out his philosophy, saying in response to a question about his plans to deal with the communists in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the Cold War, We win, they lose. Our 40th president saw the situation as more than just a national security issue. In his mind, it was a fundamental battle between good and eviljust as ours is today with the CCP. Reagan labeled the Soviet Union an evil empire in a speech before religious leaders during the height of the Cold War. He knew we had to do more than contain communism, we had to transcend it. With his leadership, thats exactly what we did. Unfortunately, it seems some Americans (including those currently occupying the White House) have forgotten the time-tested values that have made our nation the envy of the free world. We are in danger of losing the very freedoms so many died to protect when we allow CCP aggression and human rights violations to go unaddressed. Earlier this year, the leader of China, Xi Jinping, said his country is preparing for war. At the annual meeting of Chinas National Peoples Congress, Xi spoke of readiness to fight and announced a more than 7 percent increase in Chinas defense budget. At the same time, the CCP is waging a targeted campaign against Uyghurs and other minority groups in the Xinjiang region of China. The State Department has documented human rights abuses, including coercive population control methods, forced labor, arbitrary detention in internment camps, torture, physical and sexual abuse, mass surveillance, family separation, and repression of cultural and religious expression. In addition to massive increases in their defense budget and human rights abuses, the CCP continues to engage in intellectual property theft and computer system hacking. They are indeed the new evil empire. With each passing day, the Taiwanese people see their country under increasing threat of invasionall because they have the audacity to stand for freedom against CCP aggression. Did Blinken take the opportunity while in Beijing to defend the right of Taiwan to remain free? In a statement that was a departure from Bidens promise (made in September 2022) of U.S. troops to defend the island from CCP threats, Blinken seemed to indicate the opposite is now true, saying, We do not support Taiwan independence. Just as Reagan had the moral courage to call out the leaders of the Soviet Union, we must be prepared to do the same with the leaders of the CCP. Our weakness only invites more aggression from China. If we continue in complacency, our shining city on the hill may cease to exist for future generations who seek a better life. We are already in a new cold war with the CCP, one that without bold leadership may soon turn hot. We can only fight it effectively if we have leaders willing to stand up to them. As Americans, we have a legacy built on freedom, the very antithesis of what the CCP stands for. The CCP only understands strength, and if we want peace, thats exactly what we must show them. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Alcohol Bans in Alice Springs Sees Crime Rates Fall by a Third Members of the Mutitjulu Aboriginal community walk through the grounds in Mutitjulu, near Alice Springs, Australia, on July 6, 2007. (Ian Waldie/Getty Images) Rates of domestic violence assaults in Alice Springs have fallen by over a third since alcohol bans were reintroduced by the Northern Territory government in January. This followed calls from NT community groups over rising youth crime and anti-social behaviour after the expiration of long-term alcohol bans in July 2022. Over the last three months, we have seen these alcohol restrictions work and support our community and frontline workers, an NT government spokeswoman said, reported The Australian. Domestic violence has dropped by a third in the months since the takeaway alcohol restrictions were reintroduced into the Northern Territory town. Currently, Aboriginal people living in remote communities cannot purchase takeaway alcohol on Mondays and Tuesdays, with limits to purchases during the week; communities also reverted back to alcohol dry zones in February. However, these can be overturned if more than 60 percent of residents vote for an alcohol management plan. Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson urged the NT and Commonwealth governments not to reduce any alcohol restrictions. Ill be begging them to keep that policy in place, Paterson said. Clearly, if you look at it, this is working. Alcohol Bans Having a Positive Effect John Boffa, from the Peoples Alcohol Action Coalition, said the restrictions were having a positive impact on residents. Its incredibly noticeable, the change is in front of everyones faces The town is a different place again Weve seen a big improvement because of alcohol restrictions, but we cant be complacent, Boffa said, reported The Guardian. You cant not notice it living in Alice Springs. Boffa said the fall in crime rates should attract essential workers, such as GPs, back to Alice Springs. He also added that deep-rooted and complex issues should not be ignored. Weve got to address poverty, inequality, unemployment, educational attainment, early childhood, trauma, the very things that we know make a big difference in terms of being able to live safely with alcohol, but that will take time, he said. Meanwhile, Marion Scrymgour, the Labor MP for the federal seat of Lingiari, urged the NT government not to make any changes to the alcohol restrictions lightly. I have always said that restrictions are an important piece of alleviating some of the challenges we face in Central Australia. Alcohol is a major contributor to violence and the restrictions have shown that reducing supply can make a difference, she said. It is critical the NT government work with communities on their harm minimisation and Alcohol Management Plans before any changes to restrictions take place. The Northern Territory government was initially hesitant about reinstating the bans, saying that they were race-based and would disempower Aboriginals. However, Country Liberal Senator Jacinta Price said that if the NT government had listened to local concerns earlier, we would be much further along in the process of reducing alcohol-related harm. Alcohol laws in the NT are currently under a three-year review by the NT government. The federal government has set aside a $250 million emergency response package for the Northern Territory to improve community safety, infrastructure, education, health access, and community-led initiatives. American Tech Sector Continues to Bleed as Layoffs Jump 200 Percent in May The technology sector in the United States continued to lay off more workers in May, with job cuts nearly tripling from April, according to latest data. In May, the tech sector laid off 19,072 employees, which is an almost 200 percent jump from the 6,469 layoffs announced in April, technology magazine IEEE Spectrum reported, based on data obtained from AI startup Intellizence. So far this year, the tech sector has fired 174,303 workers. Since August 2022, when the tech downturn became more visible, more than a quarter million tech workers have been let go by firms. The massive number of tech layoffs is believed to be the result of the industry rightsizing after over-hiring workers during the pandemic, when business boomed. Major tech layoffs in May include ride-hailing firm Lyft, which announced 2,272 job cuts; software development firm Hyland, with 1,000 cuts; cloud application services and security firm F5, with 623 layoffs; and digital real estate firm Opendoor, with 560 terminations. Since August 2022, the tech company that announced the largest amount of layoffs has been Amazon, which cut 27,860 jobs, followed by Meta with 27,057 cuts, Alphabet 22,000, Microsoft 11,000, and Salesforce with 10,590 terminations. The latest tech firm to lay off workers is Lyft rival Uber, which intends to terminate 200 of its recruiters, affecting 35 percent of the companys recruiting team, according to The Wall Street Journal. Overall, the layoffs would account for less than 1 percent of Ubers 32,700-strong global staff and follows hundreds of other job cuts the company has implemented earlier this year. Those layoffs had affected the firms freight and food-delivery operations. Combined, the total cuts make up less than 3 percent of Ubers staff. The layoff numbers do not include Ubers drivers because they are not considered to be employees. First-Quarter Job Cuts, Tech Layoff Cycle In the first quarter of 2023, U.S.-based employers announced 270,416 job cuts, which is a 396 percent increase compared to the 55,696 cuts in the first quarter of 2022, according to an April 6 report by outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. The number-one reason cited by companies for the job cuts was market or economic conditions, followed by cost-cutting in the second spot. Other major reasons included closing down the business, financial losses, demand downturn, and restructuring. We know companies are approaching 2023 with caution, though the economy is still creating jobs. With rate hikes continuing and companies reigning in costs, the large-scale layoffs we are seeing will likely continue, said Andrew Challenger, senior vice president of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. The technology sector is leading all industries, and this talent is in demand across industries. In fact, 38 percent of all cuts are in the tech sector, he added. In an interview with The Epoch Times in March, Elham Assadi, the chief visionary officer at HR consultant Sedaa in San Ramon, California, said that the current tech layoffs are part of a trend that happens every 10 years or so, depending on the economic conditions of that decade. The pattern of the recent layoffs is the same as before, she noted. First they fire the contract workers, then the employees. But they realize they still need to do the work. So, they hire new contract workers to save the 30 percent overhead (benefits for full-time employees) and show better numbers (to look profitable for auditors, especially if the company is set to go public). Hiring in Coming Quarters Though tech employees have been hit hard by the recent layoffs, things can potentially improve in the coming quarters. According to ManpowerGroups Employment Outlook Survey (pdf), 48 percent of U.S. employers plan to hire in the third quarter, with only 13 percent expecting a staffing decrease. The information technology sector was the industry with the most positive outlook on hiring, with 55 percent of companies in the survey expecting to hire workers. The survey was based on 6,000 employer responses. In a recent interview with Forbes, tech talent guru Ruth Ebeling, who specializes in helping organizations looking for tech talent find and build the team they need, said that the vast majority of people being laid off by big tech companies are non-tech workers. Less than a quarter of the layoffs are actual techies, she said. Demand for tech workers is still high due to which laid off techies are quickly being hired, Ebeling stated. Most of the laid-off tech workers continue to remain in the technology sector, with over 40 percent shifting to smaller firms and startups, she added. An Unofficial Q&A on International Health Regulations The building of the World Health Organization (WHO) is seen in Geneva, Switzerland, in June 2016. (ocphoto/Shutterstock) Commentary 1.Why this unofficial Q&A? The World Health Organization (WHO) includes a Q&A of its proposed health emergency instruments on its website. This document inadequately characterizes draft amendments that carry significant consequences for basic human rights and democratic process. Therefore, the proposals and their implications are explained further here, based on the WHOs drafts, to support informed decision-making by States, legislators, elected persons, and the public. 2. What are the IHR (2005)? The International Health Regulations form a legally-binding international instrument adopted under Article 21 of the WHOs Constitution which requires acceptance by only a simple majority of Member States. It was first adopted in 1951 and has been periodically modified. The current version was adopted in 2005 and entered into force in 2007. It has 196 States Parties, including the 194 WHO Member States. The purpose of the IHR (2005) was to improve coordination of international surveillance and response to health emergencies, particularly pandemics, to; prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease in ways that are commensurate with and restricted to public health risks, and which avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade. 3. What are the obligations of States Parties? The IHR (2005) contain provisions and annexes with different levels of obligations for States Parties, covering surveillance of disease outbreaks, reporting, information-sharing, and capacity-building of national health authorities. The Regulations as they currently stand aim to respect States sovereignty, leaving much flexibility, discretionary consideration, and decision-making to States with regard to outbreaks to be assessed, but include some required measures to be taken. 4. What are the current powers of the WHO under the IHR (2005)? The WHO Director-General (DG) has the power to declare a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). WHO is mandated to inform other States, even without the concerned States consent, and to convene the Emergency Committee. Although pandemics are historically rare, this power has been used 3 times since 2020, regarding SARS-CoV-2, Mpox (formerly monkeypox) and Ebola. The DG has the power to make temporary recommendations to States under a PHIEC regarding persons, cargo, containers, conveyances, goods and postal parcels. These include restrictive measures such as border closure, forced quarantine of people, mandated medical examinations, testing and vaccination, contact tracing and screening (art. 18). The WHO is also vested to make standing recommendations of appropriate health measures in order to ensure better implementation of the Regulations (art. 16). 5. Are the current temporary and standing recommendations by the WHO binding? No. These recommendations are non-binding advice (art. 1), meaning that States can choose not to follow them without consequences. This was required by the States who adopted the IHR (2005), as a means to preserve their sovereignty against potential abusive powers of unelected international officials. 6. Why are amendments being proposed? Arguments have been made that the IHR amendments are needed due to an increasing pandemic risk, but as the WHO reports these are historically unfounded, with mortality reducing over the past 120 years with the advent of antibiotics, better medical care, and better living conditions. Similarly, arguments that human-animal interaction is increasing are incompatible with a steady loss of habitat and biodiversity, and reduced numbers of humans living in close and prolonged contact with farm or wild animals. Private investors and commercial interests have become increasingly prominent in WHO funding, whilst both private and State-based funding is now specified, meaning funders decide how the WHO will spend the funding provided. The pharmaceutical industry that dominates corporate funding, and the main private funders, have amassed considerable wealth through the COVID-19 response. These funders also direct parallel vaccine-focused organizations, the Gavi alliance and CEPI. The two main State funders, the United States and Germany, have heavy investments in vaccine-based responses for health emergencies. The WHO is also strongly influenced by non-democratic political interests through the appointment of the DG and senior officials, the make-up of the Executive Board, and its governing body, the World Health Assembly (WHA). Its actions and policies are therefore not based on the approaches to human rights and individual freedom that ostensibly guide most constitutional democracies. It thus appears that commercial and other vested interests are providing significant impetus to greater centralization of control in health emergencies, probably driven by opportunity for profit, whilst prioritization based on disease burden and human rights norms appear to be less significant drivers. 7. Who is behind the amendment process? The decision to launch the amendment process was made by the Executive Board composed of 34 individuals from elected Member States in January 2022, claiming a need for urgent action to address potential international health emergencies. As is common practice in the United Nations system, the process is probably instigated and supported by a group of powerful States, working closely with the WHO secretariat to achieve their intended results through the intergovernmental process. The prior proposed amendments discussed and approved in 2022 by the WHOs governing body, the WHA, were all proposed by the United States of America. The new proposals call for better compliance to the IHR, more WHO and States control over the activities of citizens, and consequently less human rights and freedom for individuals. This is promoted in the name of equity and a greater good, reflecting the policies implemented in response to COVID-19 against prior public health guidance and human rights norms. Part of the first set of amendments was adopted in May 2022 by consensus through Committee A of the 75th WHA, hence without a formal vote. These amendments, to enter into force in two years (2024), will reduce the period for rejections and reservations to (future) amendments to the IHR from 18 months to 10 months. 8. What is being proposed to reduce State and individual sovereignty? Several proposals aim at extending the purpose and scope of the IHR to all risks with a potential to impact public health (amendment to art. 2). Non-binding recommendations would become binding (amendments to art. 1 and new art. 13A). Many of the proposals aim to reduce States sovereignty and give WHO officials (DG, Regional Directors, technical staff) new and extensive powers, including the issuing of binding recommendations. States not rejecting the amendments undertake to follow the DGs recommendations (art. 13A). These are accompanied by proposals to establish a broader public health bureaucracy at the national, regional and international level, as well as new entities and platforms to monitor and ensure States compliance. Under the current proposals, intellectual property holders will be forced to waive their exclusive rights under pandemics when the WHO applies its allocation mechanism aimed at ensuring access to medical supplies equitable to the WHOs views (new art. 13A). If passed, the WHO D-G would be able to dictate restrictions and other measures at any time for any potential risk. Freedom to discuss and oppose the WHOs recommendations will also be curtailed. Proposals call for the WHO and States to counter mis- and dis-information (amendment to art. 44.2), on the assumption that scientific knowledge and public health correctness arise from a single organization and those collaborating with it, rather than from a continuing open process of enquiry and discussion. 9. What current optional recommendations would become obligatory? Standing recommendations and temporary recommendations, both currently being mere advice from the WHO and non-binding, will become binding (art. 1 and 13A). Standing recommendations will also include those on the access and availability of health products, technologies, and know-how, including an allocation mechanism for their fair and equitable access (amendment to art. 16), implying mandatory requisition and transfer of health products on demand of the WHO. Currently, States can assess public health events and decide what measures and policies to take. Under the new proposals the WHO can declare an emergency, including for mere potential threats, without State consent, and dictate public health measures to be followed (amendment to art. 12, new art. 13A). The recommendations (art. 18.1) regarding persons include: review travel history in affected areas; review proof of medical examination and any laboratory analysis; require medical examination; review proof of vaccination or other prophylaxis; require vaccination or other prophylaxis; place suspect persons under public health observation; implement quarantine or other health measures for suspect persons; implement isolation and treatment of affected persons; implement tracing of contacts of suspect or affected persons; refuse entry of suspect and affected persons; refuse entry of unsuspected persons to affected areas; and implement exit screening and/or restrictions on persons from affected areas. New compliance mechanisms (Universal Health Periodic Review, a strengthened review mechanism to the IHR) and authorities (Implementation Committee, Compliance Committee) are being proposed to ensure States compliance (respectively, amendment to art. 5.1, new art. 53A, and new chapter IV). 10. What is the timeline? The amendment process is in the hands of a WHO Working Group (WGIHR) tasked to streamline, review, and negotiate an outcome regarding more than 300 proposed amendments. It was announced that the WGIHR will present the final text to the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 for consideration. If passed (requiring agreement of 50 percent of those present), States will have 10 months to reject, after which it will come into force for non-rejecting States 2 months later. 11. How likely is it that these amendments will be accepted? If submitted for a vote, their adoption only requires a simple majority of the 194 World Health Assemblys States present and voting (but the pandemic treaty will require a two-thirds majority vote). Alternatively, a committee of the Assembly may be tasked to negotiate and simply reach a consensus. Either path seems to be likely to result in adoption. To prevent this, a majority of States present would need to actively vote against them. Little dissent is apparent among the delegations of Member States, but it is likely that some wording will be refined, and some amendments may not be put to the 2024 vote. 12. How will it affect ordinary people? If the amendments are adopted, people will have lockdowns, border closures, quarantine, testing, and vaccination requirements imposed on them by WHO officials in headquarters (Geneva, Switzerland) or a WHO Regional Office (amendment to art. 18). Such mandates affect rights to individual and bodily sovereignty, including the right to choose medical management, rights to work, education, travel, and to follow cultural, family, and religious practice. Experience from the COVID-19 response indicates that these restrictions are likely to be applied irrespective of individual risk, including the institution of mass vaccination irrespective of individual risk or prior disease exposure. These measures will negatively affect national economies through border closures, restrictions on commerce, and supply line interruption. Reductions in international trade and tourism, a major contributor to many smaller and low-GDP economies, will aggravate this. Increased poverty is associated with reduced life expectancy, and in particular with higher infant mortality in low-income countries. The new amendments may be used to justify adoption of laws and regulations criminalizing mis- and dis-information, referring to information and opinion contrary to those of the WHO (amendment to art. 44). 13. How likely is WHO to enact these requirements? In mid-2022 the DG declared a PHEIC over monkeypox, against the advice of the Emergency Committee, and after just 5 people had died globally, within a very clearly-defined demographic. The declaration remained in place until May 2023, despite only 140 deaths globally. The COVID-19 outbreak PHEIC continued for over 3 years, although mortality was highly confined to old age with certain comorbidities, post-infection immunity was shown to be highly protective within the first year, and with infection mortality rates at a global level being closely equivalent to influenza. The proposed pandemic treaty accompanying the IHR amendments introduces the One Health concept, expanding potential threats to any potential change in the biosphere that may influence human health and well-being, whilst the IHR amendments stress the inclusion of potential harm, rather than demonstrated harm, providing very broad scope to justify a PHEIC. The WHOs statements regarding the potential threat of a next pandemic are inconsistent with its own historical record regarding pandemic rarity. Significant commercial and private interests that have gained from the COVID-19 response are also heavily involved in the health emergency agenda, and direct funders of WHO outbreak response activities. It therefore appears highly likely that the PHEIC declarations will be imposed with increasing frequency in coming years, as these declarations will provide clear benefit to those influencing the process. 14. What is the draft pandemic treaty? In parallel to this process, a pandemic treaty or accord (CA+) is being prepared with similar motivations and likely arising from the same group of States. The same timeline was also announced. Unlike the proposed amendments which can be approved by simple majority or by consensus, the treaty will probably require an assenting vote of at least two-thirds of Member States present and voting. Thirty States must then ratify it, and it may come into force 30 days later. Some provisions may be brought into effect earlier. 15. Is pandemic preparedness justified? Pandemics have played an important part in human history. Historically, most were due to bacterial infections, often exacerbated by poor sanitation. Such pandemics are now readily controllable. In the last severe pandemic, the Spanish flu (influenza) of 191819, most deaths are thought to have occurred due to secondary bacterial infections that would now be treated with antibiotics. The WHO records influenza pandemics only 3 times in the following 100 years, each killing far less than currently die annually from tuberculosis. Mortality in the COVID-19 outbreak is difficult to assess, as definitions and reporting varied, average age of associated death was over 75 years, and the public health response raised mortality from other diseases. Most COVID-19 mortality was associated with severe comorbidities, particularly those associated with metabolic syndrome such as diabetes, mellitus, and obesity. Up to a third of COVID-associated deaths were also linked to impaired immunity due to vitamin D deficiency and other micronutrient deficiencies. Pandemics are therefore rare and of relatively low health burden in the modern era, particularly compared to growing metabolic disease burdens, and endemic infectious diseases in lower-income countries. Preparedness, in terms of reducing mortality, is probably best achieved by addressing underlying impairment of innate immunity, including micronutrient and vitamin deficiencies, metabolic diseases and possibly stress-related illness. Such approaches also produce clear health benefits between outbreaks of infectious disease. As demonstrated through COVID-19 response, it is highly questionable whether surveillance, border closures, restrictions on activity, and mass vaccination improve outcomes, whilst they do have heavy costs in other areas, particularly for lower-income people. This was the basis of the WHOs advice against border closures and other lockdown type measures in its 2019 pandemic influenza guidelines. 16. What can you do? To assess the implications of where the IHR amendments and accompanying pandemic treaty seek to take us, we need to step back and ask some further basic questions: Does this resemble equality and democratic process, or totalitarianism? Should WHO officials have power to declare an emergency in your country and dictate measures? Does their track record of managing recent outbreaks, and the conflicts of interest and political leanings of entities that fund and direct them, impact on this? Do we want a society that can be shut down anytime by non-accountable people, who can then mandate that we and our children take weekly tests and regular vaccines to be able to go to a park? Why is there an urgency to reduce our freedom of action and expression now, for perceived emergencies that are historically rare? Is this a better and necessary approach to life compared to that followed over the past 100 years? We invite you to learn about this and form your own opinions. We encourage you to share your concerns with your elected representatives, local leaders and people around you. We would all be delighted if you join the global concern regarding this process in any way you could. This includes encouraging open discussion with neighbors and friends. Freedom is not something that someone grants you, it is your birthright. But history shows us that it is also easily stolen. The WHO has become a tool of those who would manipulate us for greed and self-interest. In previous eras, people have stood against those who sought to exploit and enslave them, reclaimed their rights and saved society for their children. What we are facing is not new; society periodically faces and overcomes such challenges. Recommended Reading WHOs website: Article-by-article compilation of proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) submitted in accordance with decision WHA75(9) (2022) Zero draft of the WHO CA+ for the consideration of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body at its fourth meeting WHO IHR amendments web repository CA+ treaty WHO web repository Selected comments: A cheat sheet for legislators regarding the WHO and health emergencies Amendments to the WHOs international health regulations: An annotated guide The most dangerous treaty ever proposed The proposed amendments to the international health regulations: An analysis Why legislators should reject the WHOs pandemic treaty From the Brownstone Institute Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. ANALYSIS: ASEAN to Hold First Joint Military Drills to Counter China Threat Yudo Margono (C), Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, poses with ASEAN chief commanders for a group photo during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Chiefs of Defence Force Meeting (ACDFM) in Nusa Dua, on Indonesia's resort island of Bali, on June 7, 2023. (Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP via Getty Images) News Analysis The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will conduct its first joint military exercises in the South China Sea in September. The move indicates that ASEAN is joining other countries pushing back against communist Chinas hegemonic ambitions. Indonesia, the rotating president country of ASEAN, made the announcement on June 8. In addition to the 10 member states, participants will include the observer country East Timor (Timor-Leste). The ASEAN members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma (Myanmar), the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Admiral Yudo Margono, Indonesias military commander, confirmed ASEANs joint military exercises. He told Indonesia state news agency Antara on June 8 that the move aims to strengthen the ASEAN centrality, Reuters reported. Indonesian military spokesman Julius Widjojono said the exercise is related to the high risk of disaster in Asia, especially Southeast Asia. At the 20th ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces Meeting convened in Bali on June 7, defense force commanders approved a document establishing the ASEAN Military Intelligence Community (AMIC). They decided to meet again in the next few months to discuss the details of AMIC in Vietnam. Observers say ASEAN members seek to extend joint operations to the military field from the political and economic spheres. ASEAN has long maintained a restrained and tolerant attitude toward the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) aggressive actions in Southeast Asia. The ASEAN Summit will also be held in Indonesia in September, and one of the main topics is the South China Sea. South China Sea: A Disputed Area The joint exercise site agreed upon by ASEAN military chiefs is in the North Natuna Sea, the southernmost part of the South China Sea, a disputed area that Indonesia insists is its exclusive economic zone. The Chinese regime claims the area as part of its territorya claim the United States says has no legal basis. In recent years, Indonesian vessels had conflicts with the Chinese fishing ships off the northern Natuna islands. The first-ever joint military exercise would showcase ASEANs determination to defend its sovereignty in the South China Sea. Indonesia, which plays the leading role in the ASEAN meeting, is taking the opportunity to demonstrate against CCP. Its worth noting that ASEAN members passed a joined military exercise plan in a shorter time than expected. Its usually challenging for the 10 Asian countries to reach a consensus due to different interests and historical factors, according to Luo Qingsheng, the executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Taiwan. Faced with the growing threat from the CCP regime, ASEAN countries are more willing to adopt an integrated attitude to exert their military influence in the Indo-Pacific region, Luo told the Chinese language edition of Voice of America on June 11. To avoid upsetting Beijing, the location of the military drills was carefully selected. It is a low-disputed area, said Luo, citing that there is no dispute over the sovereignty of the northern Natuna islands. Technically speaking, it is only a question of the distribution of maritime rights in economic waters [of North Natuna Sea], he said. Therefore, according to Luo, the CCP may not be happy with ASEANs military move but can only accept it under the pressure of the U.S.-China competition. ASEANs Military Partnership With US, India ASEAN participated in its first military exercise with U.S. naval forces in September 2019. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) sits next to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi during a meeting with foreign ministers of the ASEAN nations on the sidelines of the 76th U.N. General Assembly in New York on Sept. 23, 2021. (Betancur/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) The 14th ASEAN-U.S. Joint Cooperation Committee was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 17, where both sides renewed their commitment to making the comprehensive strategic partnership more meaningful, substantive, and mutually beneficial. ASEAN enhanced cooperation with India in military security, with the first joint exercise in May in the South China Sea, involving other countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei. In the early 1990s, India completed joint naval exercises with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, and opened the Blair military port to the naval attaches from Southeast Asian countries. In 2002, ASEAN and India opened the 10+1 Sessions, and India subsequently joined the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. Chinese Aggression China has been interacting frequently with neighboring countries. On June 12, military attaches and spouses from 51 countries were invited to visit relevant military units in northwest Chinas Shaanxi Province and receive briefings on the Belt and Road construction by officials from the Central Theater Command of the Chinese military, according Radio Free Asia. The Belt and Road Initiative is the CCPs global expansion strategy involving the development of infrastructure projects with other countries. In late May, China organized a six-party military working group with Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam for the first round of consultations on the multi-national joint exercise in Guangzhou. In mid-May, the Chinese navy dispatched its Qijiquang ship to visit Vietnam, Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines. At the same time, tensions between China and other southeastern Asian countries intensified. Beijing claims much of the South China Sea as its own territory under its so-called nine-dash line. The Hague Tribunal ruled in favor of legal action taken by the Philippines in 2016. Still, the ruling did not see the Chinese regime change its behavior, with Chinese vessels repeatedly intruding into the Philippines maritime zones. In May, Chinese and Philippine authorities began setting up buoys in the waters around disputed islands and reefs in the South China Sea to assert their sovereignty. Fishermen from Masinloc town, who fish at the Scarborough Shoal, and activists carry a wooden fishing boat during a protest outside the Chinese consulate in Manila on July 12, 2016, ahead of a U.N. tribunal ruling on the legality of Chinas claims to an area of the South China sea contested by the Philippines. (Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images) The Philippine Coast Guard invited several media reporters on April 1824 to expose the increasingly transgressive behavior of the CCP in the South China Sea. During the voyage, the Philippine patrol boats BRP Malapascua and BRP Malabrigo were followed by Chinese naval vessels and maritime police boats and ordered to leave the area several times. The CCP stepped up its aggression after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office and expanded the U.S. Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which includes four new Philippine military bases for rotating use by U.S. forces. Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said on June 8 at the Center for New American Security that the United States is working with the Philippines on asymmetric capabilities in the maritime domain and other security issues, according to a report by U.S. Naval Institute. ASEANs History Successive Southeast Asian governments have abhorred subversive Chinese communist infiltration throughout history. ASEAN was preceded by the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA), formed on July 31, 1961. The mission of the founding five countriesThailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesiawas to prevent the expansion of communist forces in the region and ensure military security and political neutrality, according to a 2009 article published in Review of Global Political, a journal of the Institute of International Politics of Chung Hsing University in Taiwan. ASEAN was established on Aug. 8, 1967, in Bangkok with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration by ASA member nations. Subsequently, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Brunei joined, collectively known as the ASEAN 10. There is one candidate country, East Timor, and one observer country, Papua New Guinea. A young Cambodian woman looks at the main stupa in Choeung Ek Killing Fields, which is filled with thousands of skulls of those killed during the Pol Pot regime, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Aug. 6, 2014. (Omar Havana/Getty Images) At the time of the founding of ASEAN, communist China was undergoing a sociopolitical movement, the Cultural Revolution, launched by Mao Zedong in 1966, and communism was largely spreading to neighboring countries. The governments and peoples of the ASEAN countries were subjected to violence and harassment by armed communist groups supported by the CCP in the region for years. Atrocities were committed by communist parties in Indonesian, Filipino, Thai, and Malay, particularly the notorious Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. The CCP views ASEAN as an anti-communist group, and the two have been in a state of confrontation for some time. It was not until 1972, when then-President Richard Nixon visited China to ease tensions between Beijing and Washington, that ASEAN member states began to follow the U.S. lead, establishing diplomatic relations with the Chinese regime and lifting the ban on trade with China. The CCPs aggressive and domineering stance toward its neighbors in recent years has created a sense of solidarity and identity among the ASEAN countries that intend to elevate their military alliance through the first joint military exercises. This indicates that ASEAN is joining the worlds anti-communist camp led by the United States. ANALYSIS: The Tale of Two Legal Fates: Hunter Bidens Plea Deal and Trumps Indictment Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, looks on during a state dinner at the White House in Washington on June 22, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) News analysis Lots of presidents have had troublesome family members. Billy Carter, the beer-drinking, public urinating brother of Jimmy Carter, got himself registered as an agent of the Lybian government, sparking a Senate inquiry. Roger Clinton, the ex-convict half-brother of Bill Clinton, earned the Secret Service codename Headache, possibly due to antics like reportedly accepting a $50,000 Rolex to lobby for the pardon of crime boss Rosario Gambino. Then theres Neil Bush, who was investigated, though not charged, for his role in the collapse of a $1 billion savings and loan during the presidency of his father, George H. W. Bush. When George W. Bush was president, his brother Neil entered a consulting agreement with a semiconductor company managed, in part, by the son of Jiang Zemin, then general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and paramount leader of China. A significant difference in the Hunter Biden case is that it lands side-by-side with federal charges against former President Donald Trump. Former President Donald Trump appears in court at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on April 4, 2023. (Steven Hirsch/AFP via Getty Images) Hunter Bidens alleged crimes will be settled by a guilty plea to two misdemeanor counts of tax evasion resulting in probation, plus a weapons charge that could be dismissed through a diversion program. Meanwhile, TrumpJoe Bidens 2020 political opponent and possible presidential nominee in 2024faces 37 felony counts related to the handling of classified documents. The fact that the younger Bidens plea deal was announced barely a week after Trump was indicted in federal court only sharpens the contrast. Critics see these cases as clear evidence of a double standard in the American justice system. For those in power, misdeeds and even criminal offenses are glossed over by the authorities. At the same time, the system is wielded like a club to embarrass, harass, or even imprison those who oppose the powerful. Bidens defenders point out that the facts in each case and the seriousness of the alleged offenses are wildly different, and that the prosecutor offering the plea deal was appointed by Trump and retained in office by Biden to avoid even a hint of interference. No matter. The perception of a double standard could impact the 2024 presidential election and, experts say, will almost certainly spark further distrust in and possibly changes to the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the future. Republicans Fired Up Republican leaders responded immediately after the Hunter Biden plea agreement was announced on June 20 with the assertion that the deal proves the existence of a two-tiered system of justice in America, the kind usually seen only in notoriously corrupt countries. I, like tens of millions of Americans, am concerned about a two-tiered system of justice, like one set of rules for Republicans and one set of rules for Democrats, former Vice President Mike Pence said in a televised interview on June 20. A sweetheart deal for Hunter [and Joe], as they continue their quest to get Trump, Joes political opponent. We are now a third-world country! Trump wrote in a June 20 social media post. Tulsi Gabbard, the former congresswoman from Hawaii who left the Democratic party in 2022, went further. Every banana republic or dictatorship has a two-tiered justice system. The in-crowd, like Hunter Biden, get a slap on the wrist while dictators use federal law enforcement and government institutions as their own personal goon squad to go after political opponents, Gabbard wrote on Twitter on June 21. That idea, accurate or not, is likely to animate Republican rhetoric for some time, analysts say. The Republican candidates will likely have a field day with this development, government analyst and former Navy intelligence officer Matt Shoemaker told The Epoch Times. Its likely that Republican candidates around the country will bring this up on the campaign trail. Former Vice President Mike Pence gestures as he speaks in Las Vegas, Nev., on Nov. 19, 2022. (Wade Vandervort/AFP via Getty Images) Despite the sermonizing, the most likely impact of the Biden deal on the election is a fundraising windfall for Republicans, some experts say. Asked whether the Hunter Biden plea deal would hurt the presidents chances of re-election, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) was matter of fact: No, he told The Epoch Times. Jeffries turned the narrative around, saying that the Republican attempt to impeach Biden would likely backfire. All it will do is highlight that they have no plan, no vision, no agenda, he said. Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), who is convinced the plea deal demonstrates a dual system of justice, is less certain that it will change minds. Well, you know, thats to be seen. I cant predict the future, she told The Epoch Times. There are absolutely no implications from the Hunter Biden plea deal on the 2024 presidential campaign because only MAGA Republicans actually care about Hunter or his crimes in the first place, political analyst Andrew Lieb told The Epoch Times. Democrats and independents are indifferent on the matter, he added. The real value of the plea deal is in fundraising. Only Republicans care about the plea deal, and it can therefore only be utilized as a talking point to rile their base and raise money, Lieb said. Indeed, Trump raised more than $6.6 million following his indictment on federal charges according to a June 14 campaign email to supporters. Suspicions Confirmed The more immediate effect of the plea agreement, juxtaposed with the Trump indictment, is that it tends to confirm the widely held belief that there really are two standards of justice in America. That perception exists across the political spectrum, according to Marie Eisenstein, a professor of political science at Indiana University specializing in social trust and its impact on elections. A woman stands with a sign that reads No Justice No Peace during a demonstration in St. Paul, Minn., on June 24, 2020. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) There is a perception in this country that we actually have a two-tiered justice system, and that the accepted orthodoxyno matter what the topic may behappens to be more left of center than right of center, Eisenstein told The Epoch Times. And then if you go against that, youre far more likely to be dealt with harshly politically, in the media, and possibly legally, Eisenstein said. The level of trust in this country is at an all-time low We are less trusting of each other, we are less trusting of our government than weve practically ever been. And I think the part of it is that we do not think that we have equal weights on the scales of justice, Eisenstein said. That perception crosses political and social boundaries, according to Eisenstein. She points out that many black Americans, who have tended to be politically liberal, see inequality in the justice system, and many white conservative Christians do too. They all apply it to different issues, but thats the perception, Eisenstein said. Fixing the System The longer-term effect of the Biden plea deal and Trump indictment may be felt more in the DOJ and FBI than at the ballot box. Based on those cases, and the general lack of trust in the American system of justice, some candidates have vowed to take corrective action if elected. If I have the privilege of serving back at that White House I promise you, were going to clean house across all the senior levels of the Department of Justice and the FBI, former Pence said in a June 20 television interview. And were going to assemble a group of men and women of integrity that are respected on both sides of the aisle for their dedication to equal treatment under the law. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made a similar pledge just after announcing his 2024 presidential bid. I would not keep Chris Wray as director of the FBI. Thered be a new one on day one, DeSantis said in a May 24 television interview. I think the DOJ and FBI have lost their way. I think that theyve been weaponized against Americans who think like me and you, and I think theyve become very partisan. Part of the reason thats happened is because Republican presidents have accepted the canard that the DOJ and FBI are independent, said DeSantis. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters in Washington on July 11, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) They are not independent agencies. They are part of the executive branch. They answer to the elected president of the United States. Special Counsel John Durham, who recently released a report on his review of the FBIs handling of the 2016 Trump-Russia investigation, has said there should be rule changes at the FBI so agents are fired when they lie to misuse the governments spying powers in investigations. Yet all of this may be easier said than done. Up to the People The real difficulty, in my view, is trying to figure out how to hold people accountable for their conduct. Its not a simple problem to solve, Durham told the House Judiciary Committee on June 21. Previous attempts to exert direct control over the DOJ and the FBI have often had the opposite effect, making them appear more partisan rather than less. In 1973, at the height of the investigation into the Watergate break-in and coverup, President Richard Nixon ordered the firing of Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, who had issued a subpoena for tapes of Oval Office conversations. Trump himself was accused of political interference in the FBI by firing Director James Comey in 2017, apparently over his handling of the investigation into Russias suspected interference in the 2016 election and collusion with the Trump campaign. Ultimately, ensuring equal justice is up to the American people, according to Harshbarger. Pointing to the Biden plea deal, she said, They wouldnt do that for you and your family. They wouldnt do that for me and my family. The American people have to look at their choices and options and say, Is this going to benefit my future down the road? Petr Svab and Reuters contributed to this report. Another Person Choosing Assisted Death Under Canadas Liberalized Laws Over Lack of Support for Disability A disabled single mother from Ontario is contrasting how fast she was able to start the process for medical assistance in dying (MAiD) compared to support for her disability. Im a quadriplegic, single mom raising two kids with disabilities, and Ive spent the last 79 days trying to raise as much awareness as I possibly can, Rose Finlay, a mother of three boys, said in a video posted to social media on June 19, when she said she had 12 days left on her MAiD application. Theres a huge and detrimental discrepancy that exists in the supports that are available to disabled Ontarians. The fact [is] that it takes six to eight months to receive disability support and only 91 days to receive medical assistance in dying. Canada has one of the most permissive euthanasia laws in the world. Since the federal government revised the eligibility criteria for MAiD in March 2021 to remove the requirement for a persons natural death to be reasonably foreseeable to be eligiblesome Canadians suffering from poverty have applied for the procedure. In October 2022, a 54-year-old man from St. Catharines living with chronic pain due to a back injury years ago applied for MAiD because social supports were failing him and he feared becoming homeless more than dying, Toronto CityNews reported. In December 2022, CBC News also reported that a woman was considering MAiD due to the pain of living with fibromyalgia, but said she might not have contemplated the procedure if her disability benefit didnt leave her struggling financially. Spinal Cord Injury Finlay, who suffered a spinal cord injury at age 17 and has been in a wheelchair ever since, said she was previously able to support her family through her company Inclusive Solutions. But she has been unable to work and pay for her support workers due to a series of illnesses over the last year and a half. And every time I get sick, I get more sick than the time I was before. And so currently I have acute kidney pain, fever, chills, body tremors, splitting headache, muscle spasms, just not OK, extreme nausea, she said in her June 19 video. Finlay said her eldest son has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while her other son has type one diabetes, for which the medical expenses are not fully covered by the Ontario government. She has organized a fundraiser on the GoFundMe website to seek help for her and her children. Living in a rural area of the province, Finlay said on her fundraiser page that it is incredibly challenging there for people living with disabilities to get enough reliable personal care support. Easy Access When Finlay applied for the Ontario Disability Support Program, she was told it would take at least six to eight months to have her application approved. In a blog post on her website wheelchair1derwoman.com, she said that when she asked her doctor for a referral to a psychiatrist, she was told it would take until early 2024 to secure an appointment. You know what was REALLY easy to access though Medical Assistance in Dying, Finlay wrote. After a 2 1/2 hour appointment with my doctor, the process was started. I just have to complete the 91 day waiting period. Support On her fundraiser page, Finlay said she does not want to end her life but instead would prefer to improve her quality of life so that my basic needs are not at risk. There are more resources available for her and her children in the city, and she said she would like to make that move. With proper support, she would be able to work again and provide income for her family despite her disability, she wrote. To make this move, we need financial support to make [first and last months rent], moving costs, medical equipment installation and legal costs for the family court, she said. To support Finlay, Diane Kluczynski has started a separate GoFundMe campaign to raise funds. A young lady I know is really struggling and needs your help. I read her Facebook post tonight and feel so helpless. This is the first thing that came to mind, Kluczynski said on her fundraiser page. Australia Unveils Key Strategy Which Will Challenge Chinas Critical Mineral Dominance In May 2022, Chinese companies are competing with Australia's AVZ Minerals for control of the Manono lithium project in the DRC, Africa. The picture shows AVZ's lithium mine in the Manono region of the DRC. (Photo by JUNIOR KANNAH/AFP via Getty Images) The Australian government has pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in new funding to challenge Chinas grip on supplies of key minerals while starting a critical minerals processing industry which it says could create 262,600 new jobs by 2040. Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King released the Albanese governments critical minerals strategy 2023-2030 on June 20, which aims to make Australia a globally significant producer of raw and processed critical minerals and boost economic opportunities for all Australians. China controls over 80 per cent of the worlds rare earth supply. The communist country is also the destination for about 97 percent of Australias lithium, which is used in batteries, including those for electric vehicles. Australia produces significant amounts of metals such as aluminium, nickel and copper, which, combined with critical minerals, are crucial for low-emissions technology such as electric vehicles, batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines. The country is also the worlds largest producer of lithium, the third-largest producer of cobalt, and fourth largest producer of rare earths. However, almost all of their production is shipped to Asia, where it is processed into value-added products. Although the 55-page document did not mention China, it said it would track and monitor foreign investment in Australian critical minerals projects to ensure it is not counter to Australias national interest. Australia boasts some of the worlds largest known reserves of key minerals, local mining companies need billions of dollars in funding to develop them and their processing facilities. As one of the first policy decisions under the Strategy, the government will target $500 million (US$336 million) of new investment into critical minerals projects via the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility. King said the Strategy makes it clear that Australia can play a crucial role in delivering the processed minerals the world needs for a clean energy future, building on a rich geological endowment and record as a reliable exporter of energy and resources. Australian Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King addresses the media alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Kwinana, Australia, on March 4, 2021. (Paul Kane/Getty Images) The new Critical Minerals Strategy outlines the enormous opportunity to develop the sector and new downstream industries, which will support Australias economy and global efforts to lower emissions for decades to come, she said in a statement. Yet, the minister warned that Australia must overcome major challenges to enter the lucrative processing industry. While the potential is great, so too are the challenges. The Strategy makes it clear our natural minerals endowment provides a foot in the door, but we must do more to create Australian jobs and capitalise on this unique opportunity, King said. Independent modelling has found increasing exports of critical minerals and energy-transition minerals could create more than 115,000 new jobs and add $71.2 billion to GDP by 2040, according to the government. However, the number of jobs could increase by 262,600, and the increase in GDP strengthen to $133.5 billion by 2040 if Australia builds downstream refining and processing capability and secures a greater share of trade and investment, according to the statement. The government is also reviewing a list of Australias designated critical minerals, following other countries which have used similar lists to support their energy security and decrease reliance on key products, such as lithium, from China. The list currently includes 26 minerals with critical status, defined as vital for the functioning of modern technologies, economies or national security and for which supply is at risk of being disrupted. Australias list of critical minerals includes cobalt and graphite for batteries, zirconium for nuclear energy, and tungsten for electronic components. Australias New Cyber Coordinator Says Threat Levels Dire In this photo Illustration hands type on a computer keyboard in Berlin, Germany, on June 22, 2016. (Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images) Australias newly appointed national cybersecurity coordinator says the world faces a dire challenge keeping safe from cyber threats. Air Marshal Darren Goldie, appointed by the Albanese government on June 23, said Australians need to be educated as cyber challenges grow. That challenge will continue to increase in its complexity and severity, and I think we are all in this together as a nation, he said. Goldie, who will head up the National Office of Cyber Security, will assist Home Affairs Minister Claire ONeil to oversee Australias cyber security policy and responses to major incidents. In the past, weve seen national security matters as principally the concern of government, ONeil said. One of the reasons that cyber is such a really significant and different challenge is that it has to be a partnership approach. The national security that we face as a country is dispersed amongst citizens and businesses and one of the most important things that Air Marshal Goldie will be doing will be working with companies who are under attack and working with citizens to manage cyber incidents when they occur. ONeil said many challenges could be dealt with easily. If you think about Medibank and Optus, the ones that I think our nations most familiar with, a lot of the issues are very practical and operational. How do we replace the drivers licenses of millions of Australians? How do we replace their passports, how do we ensure that were working across government to get information off the dark web that shouldnt be there? she said, noting that Goldie could handle these issues with ease. Government Concerned Over Recent Cyber Attacks The appointment of the national cyber coordinator comes weeks after the federal government and all four major Australian banks were potentially exposed to a data leak via the hack of law firm HWL Ebsworth. In April, Russian cybercriminal BlackCat, also known as AlphV, hacked into the database of HWL Ebsworth and stole four terabytes worth of company information. The group then released approximately 1.45 terabytes of sensitive information on the dark web on June 8. Over 40 Australian government agencies are believed to have been impacted by the database hacking of HWL Ebsworth, as well as the banks. ONeil said the attack demonstrated why it was important for Australia to have a national strategy to manage growing risk. Meanwhile, Opposition Shadow Home Affairs Minister Senator James Paterson welcomed the governments appointment saying in a statement on Twitter that he was pleased the appointment had finally been made. It is welcome the government has finally appointed the cyber security coordinator that was supposed to be in place by March, Paterson said. Their first task must be to find out which sensitive government information has been lost by HWL Ebsworth. In a published statement, HWL Ebsworth said it was conducting a detailed and comprehensive review of the impacted data and informing impacted third parties and individuals as swiftly as we can. We have an ongoing engagement with relevant authorities in relation to this process, including the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, the Australian Cyber Security Centre, and law enforcement agencies in their ongoing investigation into the incident, they said. Andrew Tate says he wants to train Elon Musk to fight Zuckerberg: 'You will not lose' Ex-pro kickboxer Andrew Tate says he wants to train Elon Musk to fight Mark Zuckerberg, after the two billionaires this week agreed to go head-to-head in a cage match. "I will train you @elonmusk," Tate tweeted on Thursday at 51-year-old Twitter owner. "You will not lose." The light-heavyweight champion, currently on house arrest after being criminally charged with rape and human trafficking in Eastern Europe this week, volunteered after being barred from Meta's platforms last year. "Meta banned me everywhere for telling the truth about vaccines," the controversial influencer wrote. "But now we can restore honour with a strike at the enemy clans leader." This combo of file images shows Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, left, and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. In a now-viral back-and-forth seen on Twitter and Instagram this week, the two tech billionaires seemingly agreed to a cage match face off. As of Friday morning Musk had not yet responded. The same day Tate proposed training Musk, the Tesla founder continued to poke his 38-year-old social media competitor about potentially duking it out. "Let's go full MMA," Musk tweeted Thursday night. A live poll created by USA TODAY with nearly 400 votes cast as of Friday morning projected Zuckerberg to win by a short margin. https://twitter.com/nataliealund/status/1671905355431854080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1671905355431854080%7Ctwgr%5Ed10b5a70c8eb635f4adf06d36a81001fdeaff38b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fmoney%2F2023%2F06%2F22%2Felon-musk-vs-mark-zuckerberg-cage-fight%2F70345467007%2F "Up for a cage match' On Tuesday, Musk tweeted he'd be "up for a cage match" with Zuckerberg. "Send me location," Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta, responded in an Instagram story Wednesday which included a screenshot of Musk challenging him. Musk replied and suggested the Vegas Octagon. The Tesla CEO has not responded to USA TODAY for comment. Asked about Zuckerberg's response, a Meta spokesperson told USA TODAY Thursday, "The story speaks for itself." Meta banned me everywhere for telling the truth about vaccines. But now we can restore honour with a strike at the enemy clans leader. I will train you @elonmusk. You will not lose. Andrew Tate (@Cobratate) June 22, 2023 The social media exchange is not the first time Musk has beefed with Zuckerberg. During a chat with Chris Anderson earlier this year, the curator of the TED Talks organization, Musk said he felt as if the Meta CEO was over taking the world with his widely-used platforms. Billionaire brawl? Techies suit up! Elon Musk tweet challenges Mark Zuckerberg to a fight Who is Andrew Tate? Tate, 36, is a former pro-kickboxer and social media personality who was previously banned from various platforms for his misogynistic views. He has more than 6 million Twitter followers, many of those being young men and schoolchildren. Tate has resided in Romania since 2017. Earlier this week, prosecutors in Eastern Europe charged Tate and his brother, Tristan, with multiple felony counts in connection to allegations they sexually exploited women in multiple countries including the U.S. In a statement, Romanias anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, said the brothers and two other defendants formed a criminal group in 2021 in order to commit the crime of human trafficking in Romania, the United States and Britain, the Associated Press reported. Officials said the brothers lured young women via false promises, subjecting them to physical violence and mental coercion through intimidation, constant surveillance, control and invoking alleged debts, and forcing them to make pornographic videos. Andrew Tate, front, and his brother Tristan leave court in Bucharest, Romania, on Jan.10, 2023. Tate is suspected of luring young women via false promises, subjecting them to physical violence and mental coercion through intimidation, constant surveillance, control and invoking alleged debts, and forcing them to make pornographic videos. The Tate brothers, both British-U.S. dual citizens, and the two other suspects were detained in Romania in December 2022. After winning an appeal on March 31, the brothers were moved from police custody to house arrest, the AP reported. Tate claimed Romanian prosecutors have no evidence and alleged their case is a political conspiracy designed to silence him. Andrew Tate charged: Controversial influencer and his brother charged with human trafficking, rape in Romania Contributing: Eric Lagatta 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: Andrew Tate says he will train Elon Musk to fight Mark Zuckerberg Ban on Encouraging Illegal Immigration Not Unconstitutional: Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett stands during a group photo of the justices at the Supreme Court in Washington on April 23, 2021. (Erin Schaff-Pool/Getty Images) A U.S. law that bars encouraging illegal immigration for advantage or gain is lawful, the Supreme Court ruled on June 23. After concluding that this statute criminalizes immigration advocacy and other protected speech, the Ninth Circuit held it unconstitutionally overbroad under the First Amendment. That was error, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a Trump appointee, wrote for the majority. Properly interpreted, this provision forbids only the intentional solicitation or facilitation of certain unlawful acts, she added. The law in question prohibits encouraging or inducing illegal immigration for commercial advantage or private financial gain. The case was brought to the nations highest court by the government. A man named Helaman Hansen was convicted in 2017 by a jury in California of violating the law as well as committing wire fraud. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. According to evidence disclosed during the trial, Hansen from 2012 to 2016 sold memberships to a migration program that falsely promised people they could become U.S. citizens. A central feature of the program was the fraudulent claim that immigrant adults could achieve U.S. citizenship by being legally adopted by an American citizen and completing a list of additional tasks, U.S. prosecutors said previously. Not one of the approximately 500 people who paid Hansen as much as $10,000 became a citizen. Federal authorities had told Hansen as early as 2012 that aliens adopted after turning 16 could not obtain citizenship. Hansens lawyers argued that the law infringes on rights conferred by the U.S. Constitutions First Amendment so much that it should not apply to anyone. A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in 2022, agreed, vacating the convictions for inducement. It is clear that subsection (iv) covers a substantial amount of protected speech. Many commonplace statements and actions could be construed as encouraging or inducing an undocumented immigrant to come to or reside in the United States. For example, the plain language of subsection (iv) covers knowingly telling an undocumented immigrant I encourage you to reside in the United States,' U.S. Circuit Court Judge Ronald Gould, a Clinton appointee, wrote for the majority. U.S. Circuit Court Judge Daniel Collins, a Trump appointee, joined in the ruling while U.S. Circuit Court Judge Patrick Bumatay, another Trump appointee, dissented. The appeals court refused to rehear the case, resulting in the government asking the Supreme Court to overrule the lower court. The appeals court ruling ruled wrongly, authorities said, pointing to how it did not identify a single instance in history when the law has been applied to speech protected by the Constitution. Previous rulings have found that speech used as an integral part of conduct in violation of a valid criminal statute is not constitutionally protected. A majority of the Supreme Court agreed with the government. To the extent that clause (iv) reaches any speech, it stretches no further than speech integral to unlawful conduct, Barrett wrote. She was joined in the 72 ruling by Justices John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh. Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas in the East Room of the White House on Oct. 8, 2018. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson poses for an official portrait in Washington on Oct. 7, 2022. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Thomas, a George H.W. Bush appointee, said in a concurring opinion that there is no question that the First Amendment does not shield respondents scheme from prosecution and criticized the widening usage by judges of the overbreadth doctrine to strike down or curtail laws. In a dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a Biden appointee, accused the majority of reading a broad law as a narrow prohibition to avoid invalidating the law under the doctrine. It is neither our job nor our prerogative to retrofit federal statutes in a manner patently inconsistent with Congresss choices, she wrote. Moreover, by acquiescing to the Governments newly minted pitch to narrow this statute in order to save it, the majority undermines the goal of the overbreadth doctrine, which aims to keep overly broad statutes off the books in order to avoid chilling constitutionally protected speech. Justice Sonia Sotomayor joined the dissent. The government did not immediately provide a comment on the ruling. Esha Bhandari, a deputy director at the American Civil Liberties Union, which has helped represent Hansen, said in a statement that the ruling has drastically limited the encouragement provision to apply only to intentional solicitation or facilitation of immigration law violations. As written by Congress, the law has left people wondering what they can safely say on the subject of immigration, Bhandari said. Now we expect the government to respect free speech rights and only enforce the law narrowly going forward. Carolyn Wiggin, a federal defender representing Hansen, added that the decision reaffirms that the government can only make speech a crime under very stringent circumstances. Biden, Modi Hail New Era for USIndia Ties and Tout Deals U.S. President Joe Biden and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) raise a toast during an official state dinner at the White House on June 22, 2023. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters) WASHINGTONU.S. President Joe Biden and Narendra Modi hailed a new era in their countries relationship after the White House rolled out the red carpet for the Indian prime minister on Thursday, touting deals on defense and commerce aimed at countering Chinas global influence. Two great nations, two great friends, and two great powers. Cheers, Biden told Modi in a toast at a state dinner. Modi said in reply: You are soft spoken, but when it comes to action, you are very strong. Though the countries are not formal treaty-bound allies and India has long relished its independence, Washington wants Delhi to be a strategic counterweight to China. While neither leader criticized Beijing directly in official statements, they alluded to the Chinese communist regime. The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo Pacific, Modi told Congress. The stability of the region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership. Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a joint meeting of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 22, 2023. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) After Biden and Modi spoke privately for more than two hours, a joint statement included a warning of rising tensions and destabilizing actions in the East and South China Sea and stressed the importance of international law and freedom of navigation. The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require that India and the United States work and lead together, and we are, Biden said as he welcomed Modi to the White House. U.S. President Joe Biden and Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) listen to the national anthems during a welcoming ceremony for Modi in the South Lawn of the White House on June 22, 2023. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) The state dinner, held in a large, elaborately erected tent on the White House South Lawn, featured a number of Silicon Valley executives on the guest list, including Apples Tim Cook, 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, among others. With the slightly Indian-accented dinner, the Bidens followed a White House tradition of serving guests from abroad food that has faint echoes of home with a strong American bent. Modi is seeking to raise the status that India, the worlds most populous country at 1.4 billion and fifth-largest economy, has on the world stage as a manufacturing and diplomatic powerhouse while navigating strained ties with China. His participation in a White House press conference itself was a reflection of contrasting political traditions, marking the first time Modi has taken questions in such a format in his nine-year tenure. He took one question apiece from an American and an Indian journalist selected in advance, and dismissed criticism about Indias human rights record. Washington has been frustrated by Indias close ties with Russia while Moscow wages war in Ukraine. Modi avoided direct mention of Russia, but told lawmakers the conflict was causing great pain in the region. Since it involves major powers, the outcomes are severe. New USIndia Deals The two countries announced agreements on semiconductors, critical minerals, technology, space cooperation, and defense cooperation and sales. Some are aimed at diversifying supply chains to reduce dependence on China. Others are aimed at cornering the market in advanced technologies that may feature on the battlefields of the future. They also ended disputes at the World Trade Organization, and India removed some tariffs on U.S. goods. The United States is Indias largest trading partner but the United States has much larger trading relationships with China, the EU, and North American neighbors. Biden and Modi signed off on a deal to allow General Electric to produce jet engines in India to power Indian military aircraft, through an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics. U.S. Navy ships in the region will be able to stop in Indian shipyards for repairs under a maritime agreement, and India will procure U.S.-made armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones. U.S. chipmaker Micron Technologys plans a $2.7 billion semiconductor testing and packaging unit, to be built in Modis home state of Gujarat. The United States will also make it easier for skilled Indian workers to get and renew U.S. visas. India also agreed to join the U.S.-led Artemis Accords on space exploration and to work with NASA on a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024. Biden to Rally With Pro-Abortion Advocates to Mark Anniversary of Dobbs Decision President Joe Biden will mark the first anniversary of the Supreme Courts historic overturn of Roe v. Wade by attending an event with pro-abortion advocates in Washington, according to the White House. The event will be held at 4 p.m. ET at the Mayflower Hotel and is one of several pro-abortion events the White House has planned to observe the date. Earlier this week, First Lady Jill Biden held a roundtable discussion with women who were denied abortions and Vice President Kamala Harris appeared in an hour-long MSNBC special highlighting the impacts of the Dobbs decision. On June 24, the anniversary, Harris will travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she will give a speech on abortion. Her remarks will likely include criticism of the states new 12-week abortion ban, which became law last month after the Republican-controlled legislature overrode a veto from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Prior to the high courts June 24, 2022, ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the passage of such laws was often viewed as moot. Under the judicial precedent set by Roe, women had a legal right to abortionat least until the point of viabilityand challenges to laws that said otherwise were all but certain. However, in Dobbs, the court found that no such right exists under the U.S. Constitution, restoring the ability of the states to regulate abortion as they see fit. And thats a power they have taken full advantage of. While some states have pushed for tighter restrictions on abortion, others have rushed to do the opposite, codifying additional protections for women seeking them. All the while, the Biden administration has been clear about where it stands on the matter. Freedom is really under siege, particularly freedom of choice: the right of a woman to choose, the right of a woman to determine whatbetween she and her doctorwhat she needs in her body. And now theyre going after contraception, the president told supporters at a campaign event on June 20. I insist that were going to pass legislation in a majority of the states reinstating Roe v. Wade, he added. Thats the only way we can get back these rights. And its going to happen. Dystopian Reality In lockstep with the administrations messaging, congressional Democrats marked the Dobbs anniversary in their own way throughout the week. On June 21, Senate Democrats requested unanimous consent on four bills related to abortion and reproductive health care. Altogether, the bills aimed to enshrine a right to use birth control and contraception, ensure women can legally travel across state lines for abortions, shield abortion providers from liability for abortions performed on women from other states, and protect peoples online health and location data to prevent it being used against them. At a press conference prior to the votes, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) decried the dystopian reality of post-Roe America, in which she said women are forced to stay pregnant against their will. Democrats, she said, believe women should make their own health care decisions. It should not be decided by state legislators, state courts, or the U.S. court. That should be a fundamental right of American women. Nonetheless, the votes were ultimately symbolic. Under unanimous consent, just one senator can block a bills passage, and as was expected, Republicans shot down each bill put forward. In a statement following the votes, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he and his fellow Democrats would fight like hell to increase access to abortion and contraception nationwide. Nearly one year ago, the right-wing activist Supreme Court handed down the Dobbs decision and signaled to the women across this country that their right to privacy, to health care, and to their own autonomy could now be violated, Schumer said. MAGA Republicans have made it clear that they will not stop with their vicious anti-choice agenda until there is a nationwide abortion ban. This issue is too pressing to ignore. Meanwhile, in the House, Democrats collected signatures for a discharge petition in an attempt to force a vote on the Womens Health Protection Act, a bill that would prohibit government restrictions on abortion. For that move to work, Democrats would need the support of 218 membersa majority of the House. As of press time, they were eight signatures short. A Voice for the Voiceless The Democrats somber remarks stood in stark contrast to the celebratory tone struck by their Republican colleagues this week. At a June 20 news conference held outside of the Capitol, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) estimated that around 200,000 children had been born in the past year that likely would have been aborted if not for the Supreme Courts ruling. Thats 200,000 families that will be blessed with looking in the eyes of a child, saying that every single child is valuable, Lankford said. So, for us, were celebrating the Dobbs decision, and were celebrating the option [being] turned back to the American peoplewhere it was beforeto be able to make the decision about the value of every single child. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), a doctor, said his decades of experience delivering babies had afforded him insight into when life officially begins. Tell a woman whos had three miscarriages, or four miscarriages, and cant carry a pregnancytell her that life doesnt begin at conception, Marshall said. Talk to an infertile couple who spent years and a fortune trying to conceive, and when they finally do conceive, tell them that life doesnt begin at conception. Adding that he believes in the miracle of life, Marshall said it was incumbent upon elected officials to be a voice for the voiceless, to honor the sanctity of life, and fight to protect the lives of the millions of unborn babies. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) panel of experts voted on Wednesday against recommending the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for all older adults. Instead, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) concluded that anyone aged 60 and older may consider receiving a single dose of either Pfizers or GSKs new RSV vaccine and that the decision should be made through shared clinical decision-making, based on a thorough risk assessment, in consultation with their doctors. Earlier in the day, the committee intended to vote on a more definitive recommendation that would have endorsed the vaccination of all people aged 65 and older. That recommendation was subsequently modified to a broader stance following concerns expressed by several committee members. Their apprehension stemmed from the limited availability of data on vaccine efficacy, specifically in individuals over 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 Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University and a committee member. 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. Dr. Michael Melgar, a CDC medical officer who presented the clinical data for Pfizer and GSK at the ACIP panel meeting, noted that there might be instances where the benefit might not consistently outweigh the unknown risk for individuals aged 60 to 64. The committee conducted a vote, resulting in a 9 to 5 recommendation that individuals aged 65 and older may consider receiving an RSV vaccine after discussing it with their physicians. Subsequently, the committee voted 13 to 0, with one abstention, to extend the same recommendation to individuals aged 60 to 64. There was a substantial minority opinion not to recommend either vaccine, based on currently available evidence, Melgar said. Concerns within this minority group revolved around the overall balance of benefits and risks at the population level, considering the uncertain risk of inflammatory neurologic events in contrast to the limited evidence of efficacy in key groups most vulnerable to severe RSV illness and hospitalization. Five trial participants developed inflammatory neurologic complications during Pfizer and GSKs clinical trials (pdf). These complications included three cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome and two cases of suspected acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Whether these occurrences indicated a genuine safety concern or were simply random incidents was uncertain. They felt that its imperative to demonstrate efficacy in these groups prior to making a recommendation further, Melgar said. RSV, a common respiratory virus, typically manifests as flu-like symptoms in individuals, including a runny nose, reduced appetite, coughing, fever, and wheezing. While most healthy adults recover from RSV within a few weeks, in more severe cases, especially among older adults, infants under 6 months of age, or those with weakened immune systems, RSV can progress to severe infections such as bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) and pneumonia, leading to hospitalization. On May 3, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved GSKs Arexvy, the worlds first RSV vaccine, specifically for adults aged 60 and over. Up to $295 a Dose While recognizing the potential benefits of RSV vaccination for older adults, the committee highlighted several unclear factors that necessitate careful consideration. The panel identified key uncertainties, including the yet-to-be-determined cost of acquiring the vaccine, which may be subject to fluctuations, as well as the annual incidences of RSV illness and hospitalization and the duration of protection provided by RSV vaccination. Pfizer has indicated an estimated pricing range of $180 to $270 per dose for the vaccine, although this figure remains subject to potential changes due to ongoing price negotiations concerning the shots. GSK, on the other hand, expects to set the price of its vaccine within the range of $200 to $295 per dose. Both companies believe that RSV vaccines will eventually generate substantial revenue, reaching the multibillion-dollar mark in sales. Vials on a production line at the factory of GlaxoSmithKline in Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, northern France, on Dec. 3, 2020. (Francois Lo Presti/AFP via Getty Images) How Effective Are the RSV Vaccines? Pfizer reported that its vaccine demonstrated 66.7 percent effectiveness in preventing moderate lower respiratory tract illness with two or more symptoms and 85.7 percent in preventing disease with three or more symptoms in individuals aged 60 and older. Pfizers vaccine is based on mRNA technology, which instructs human cells to produce the virus protein, triggering an immune response, without containing any antigens. GSKs Arexvy vaccine showed about 83 percent effectiveness in preventing lower respiratory tract disease in older adults and 94 percent in preventing severe disease. Arexvy is a non-mRNA vaccine composed of an RSV antigen enveloped in lipids. The chosen antigen, the fusion (F) protein, remains consistent across RSV seasons, potentially providing long-lasting protection against RSV viruses. Linda Wastila, who has a doctorate in health policy and is a pharmacotherapy and drug policy expert from the University of Maryland, questioned the rush for RSV vaccines. GSKs recent approval for a protein-based product is geared toward older adults, who are at some risk for developing pneumonia and bronchitis as complications from RSV infection, she told The Epoch Times. In this age group, RSV itself is not that common, and complications even less common, and RSV infection itself is very milda moderate, cold-like condition, she added. What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc China in Cuba: Nuclear-Armed Communists on the Warpath Commentary China, according to fragmentary U.S. intelligence reports, is about to establish a joint military training facility with Cuba on that island. Chinese military personnel are already listening in on American communications from the Lourdes base near Havana and three other Cuban locations. Two of those locations have been known for some time: Bejucal and Santiago de Cuba. These facilities, it appears, have been in operation for all or most of this century. What is missing is the strategic aim of Chinas economic influence, which, in my opinion, goes beyond simply having a strong trade relationship with Latin America, Joseph Humire of the Center for a Secure Free Society told Gatestone. At its core, the Peoples Republic of China is focused on gaining geopolitical leverage over countries in Central and South America to be used in an eventual conflict with the United States. China, with that leverage, is obtaining permission to build in this hemisphere military installations that can be used to attack the American homeland or the U.S. military, should China launch its invasion of Taiwan, Japan, or some other target. China, for instance, is developing what looks like a naval base at the tip of Argentina, at strategic Tierra del Fuego. Moreover, Chinas troubled container port in Freeport, Bahamas, about 90 miles from Palm Beach, Florida, could end up hosting Chinese naval vessels. It also may not be long before Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) bases substantial forces on Cuba, only 94 miles from Key West, Florida. For a near-term war, China would use Cuba as a base for projecting and facilitating massive cyberattacks and espionage operations while working with Cubas formidable intelligence services to undertake a range of wet operations, from assassinations to attacks on U.S. installations, even civilian facilities such as gas stations, Richard Fisher of the International Assessment and Strategy Center told Gatestone. In addition, the PLA could deploy anti-ship cruise missiles in Cuba both to hit U.S. Navy bases in Florida and block the movement of American vessels. China might also put surface-to-air missiles on Cuba, potentially to shoot down planes over the southeast United States. How about a second Cuban Missile Crisis, this time with the Chinese instead of the Soviets? Chinas leaders are brazen, as the spy balloon incident of January and February suggests. Would they deploy ballistic missiles and other weaponry there? Fisher thinks they will. In the medium term, look for China to facilitate Cubas acquisition of ballistic missiles, which will, at a minimum, force a U.S. defensive response that will tie down the U.S. military, reducing U.S. chances of success in other theaters, he said. Ballistic missiles can carry nuclear warheads. While Americans think of nukes as defensive instruments to deter attacks, Chinese war planners view them as offensive weapons, to compel submission. In other words, China thinks it can prevent others from coming to the aid of, say, Taiwan by threatening nuclear destruction of their homelands. Periodically throughout this century, Chinas generals and civilians have made unprovoked threats to incinerate American cities. American presidents have brushed off the warnings, ignoring the hostile words. That is no longer a good idea, if it ever was. The Pentagon in a November 2022 report forecast that China would quadruple its warheads from about 400 then to 1,500 by 2035. The Chinese military is moving swiftly. The PLA, in three separate fields in the northern part of the country, is building at least 250 and perhaps as many as 360 silos, which appear designed to take the DF-41 missile. A DF-41 has a maximum range of 9,300 milesputting all of America in range from those three locationsand can carry, some believe, 10 warheads apiece. For decades, they were quite comfortable with an arsenal of a few hundred nuclear weapons, which was fairly clearly a second-strike capability to act as a deterrent, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall said in testimony in March, referring to China. I dont think Ive seen anything more disturbing in my career than the Chinese ongoing expansion of their nuclear force. So as China increases its arsenal, its clear that Beijing no longer seeks only a minimal deterrent. The rapid buildup, therefore, suggests that the Chinese military is building an offensive war-fighting capability. With all the additional silos in China, why would the Peoples Liberation Army need missiles in Cuba? Think shorter flight timesmeaning less warning time. Moreover, U.S. missile defensesand radarsare currently oriented to attacks from over the Arctic, from the north. Cuba gives China venues for southern attacks. All this means that, thanks to Cuba, a war in Asia will be fought on, near, and over the American homelandperhaps with nukes. Originally published by Gatestone Institute Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Chinas Forced Labor Practices Under Spotlight in Senate Hearing The Senate Foreign Relations Committee heard testimony regarding efforts to hold China, Russia, and several other nations accountable for their part in human trafficking. The June 22 hearing discussed legislation introduced by Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Ranking Member James Risch (R-Idaho), along several other senators, titled the International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2023. Members of the committee discussed the need for stronger global commitments to combat this grave issue that continues to plague societies worldwide. The hearing shed light on various aspects of human trafficking, including the exploitation of vulnerable populations, efforts to address root causes, and the crucial role played by the United States in leading the fight against trafficking. One significant area of concern highlighted during the hearing was the role of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative in facilitating forced labor and human rights abuses. The Belt and Road Initiative has come under scrutiny for its believed ties to forced labor practices. Of particular concern is the situation of the Uighur minority in Chinas Xinjiang region, where reports and evidence have emerged pointing to systemic human rights abuses and the use of forced labor. Witnesses at the hearing stressed the need to hold China accountable for its reprehensible use of forced labor, especially regarding the Uighur minority. The Chinese governments repressive policies in Xinjiang have raised serious concerns about human rights violations and the exploitation of Uighur individuals through forced labor. International Efforts Addressing this issue requires international cooperation and a united front against such abuses, according to expert witness Cynthia Dyer who serves as the State Departments Ambassador-at-Large to the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. According to Dyer, the United States is recognized as a global leader in combating human trafficking, has actively engaged in providing aid, training, and support to civil society and governments around the world. She also pointed to State Departments annual Trafficking in Persons Report as a vital tool in this fight, offering comprehensive assessments of anti-trafficking efforts in 188 countries and territories, including the United States. The report acts as a roadmap for diplomatic engagements, encouraging governments to improve their anti-trafficking measures. To further strengthen the U.S. response to human trafficking, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee discussed the International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. This proposed legislation seeks to enhance accountability for governments and expand prevention efforts, particularly those undertaken by the U.S. Agency for International Development. The hearing emphasized the urgent need for international collaboration and a victim-centered approach to combat human trafficking effectively. By holding governments accountable, reforming labor laws, and supporting prevention efforts, the United States aims to lead the charge in ending global human trafficking and protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals. Senior bureau official at the U.S. Agency for International Development, Johnny Walsh, spoke to his agencys efforts saying, We provide victim-centered Training and Technical Assistance for Law Enforcement officers for prosecutors for judges, so that theyre maximally effective and compassionate in helping trafficking survivors and prosecuting perpetrators. The hearing served as a reminder of the atrocities committed by traffickers and the urgent need to address the root causes that allow such exploitation to persist. Only through collective action and unwavering commitment can societies hope to eliminate human trafficking and provide a safer, more secure future for all. Forced Criminality Originating from China Testimony shed light on the alarming rise of forced criminality orchestrated by Chinese criminal gangs, who are exploiting victims from around the world through deceptive job postings on social media platforms. According to witnesses at the hearing, these criminal networks are using platforms like Facebook to lure unsuspecting individuals with seemingly legitimate job opportunities in China and other countries. Victims from 35 nations, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, the United States, and the UK, have been identified. Many victims find themselves unwittingly involved in these criminal operations after accepting what they believe to be genuine IT positions that would utilize their skills. The modus operandi often involves victims transiting through Thailand or Cambodia before being taken to compounds, frequently located in Cambodia or near the Thai border in Burma, also known as Myanmar. Once they arrive, the victims are locked in rooms and subjected to appalling conditions. They are coerced into engaging in scam operations and given strict quotas for extracting money. Failure to meet these quotas results in torture, deprivation of food and water, and severe psychological pressure. The 2023 TIP Report narratives revealed that victims from at least 35 countries and areas have been identified. The scope of these operations is shocking, Dyer said. The extent of this forced criminality was exemplified in a recent incident that made headlines. Over 1,000 individuals from various countries were discovered and rescued from a cyber scam compound in the Philippines. The hearing underscored the urgent need for a united front against these human rights abuses and emphasized the critical role played by governments in providing support and resources to combat this form of modern-day slavery. CIBC Fined $3 Million for Billing Irregularities Related to Lost or Stolen Credit Cards The new CIBC logo displayed in the lobby of its headquarters in Toronto on Oct. 25, 2021. (Evan Buhler/The Canadian Press) The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) has been fined $3 million for billing irregularities affecting more than 130,000 credit card accounts over an 18-year period, according to a decision issued by a national financial watchdog. In her decision published on June 22, Judith Robertson, commissioner of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), said the CIBC was found to have garbled accounts for customers who reported lost or stolen cardsin some cases improperly charging interest and fees. Following an internal investigation, CIBC confirmed that credit transactions for some deactivated lost or stolen cards were not transferred in a timely manner during the period of 20032021 and that credit transactions for some defrauded cards were not transferred in a timely manner during the period of 20182020, wrote Robertson on May 1, as first reported by Blacklocks Reporter. Credit cards are deactivated whenever they are reported as lost, stolen, or defrauded, she added. In such circumstances, customers are provided with replacement cards, and as part of the activation process, credit transactions are transferred from the deactivated account to a new account. Until the credit transactions were transferred from the deactivated account to the active account, the supplementary statement for the active account did not accurately reflect all transactions, as required, the commissioner wrote. The account balance, amount due, credit limit available and estimated time to pay were also incorrect. In addition, the credit transfer delays resulted in some customers being improperly charged interest, over limit fees and/or insurance premiums. Damaging According to FCACs analysis, a total of 132,658 accounts were affected. Delayed credit transfers amounted to $20.9 million, and $1.5 million in improper fees, interest and premiums were charged to those accounts. CIBC attributed the cause to employee error, ineffective quality assurance program, and an automated process that failed to transfer credit transactions. The FCAC had evaluated the harm caused by the banks violation of the Cost of Borrowing (Banks) Regulations to be Level 2 or Significant Harm. CIBC disputed FCACs assessment. It argued that the delay did not cause financial harm in and of itself, as the credit transactions were eventually transferred. But it did acknowledge that the financial harm was only present where the delay resulted in additional charges being improperly imposed on customers. Robertson reasoned that the appropriate level should be Level 1 or Some Harm after taking into consideration that CIBC had refunded the improper charges to its impacted customers as of Sept. 21, 2021, among several other factors. The commissioner did not condone the breach by the bank. There is no dispute on the evidence about the breach, she said. I find that it is appropriate in these circumstances to impose a $3.0 million penalty for the Violation. Robertson added that the penalty imposed on CIBC will serve as a deterrence against negligence by other banks in the future. It is damaging to confidence in the financial system, and the reputation of the Bank, if breaches of consumer protection provisions are allowed to remain undetected and unremedied for extended periods, she said. Colorado Christian Preschool Alleges Religious Discrimination by State Officials in Lawsuit A Christian preschool has lodged a federal lawsuit against Colorado state officials, claiming it is being compelled to relinquish its religious character and beliefs in order to participate in a universal preschool program. On Tuesday, attorneys from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado on behalf of Darren Patterson Christian Academy, a Christian preschool. This civil-rights action seeks to prevent the government from forcing a Christian preschool to surrender its religious character, beliefs, and exercise to participate in Colorados universal preschool program just like everyone else, the lawsuit states (pdf). The preschool program guarantees a minimum of 15 hours per week of state-funded preschool services for every 4-year-old in Colorado for the upcoming school year. Busy Bees is the state-licensed Christian preschool operated by Darren Patterson Christian Academy in Buena Vista. It stands as one of the few Christian preschools in Chaffee County. The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) approved the preschools participation in the program, which commences on July 1. However, the lawsuit argues that the CDEC insists that religious preschools must abandon their beliefs to participate in the universal preschool program. Even though the school welcomes all families and children, these provisions would force it to hire employees who do not share its faith and to alter internal rules and policies that are based on the schools religious beliefs about sexuality and gender, including those that relate to restroom usage, pronouns, dress codes, and student housing during school expeditions and field trips, the lawsuit states. It argues that the CDEC enforces these requirements through two provisions that prohibit discrimination based on religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The lawsuit states that the department rejected the schools request for a religious exemption. Religious Discrimination Attorneys for Darren Patterson Christian Academy argued the preschool is now confronted with the choice of either adhering to its religious beliefs and practices and forfeiting participation in an otherwise generally accessible public program or relinquishing its beliefs and practices to participate on an equal footing with other preschools in the state. Jeremiah Galus, ADF senior counsel, asserts that the governments actions violate the schools First Amendment rights. The Constitution is clear: The government may not deny participation in a public program simply due to a schools internal religious exercise, Galus said in a statement. The state had encouraged all licensed Colorado preschools to register for the universal preschool program. The school argues that many families have already enrolled their children for the upcoming school year precisely because they share the preschools beliefs and values. However, the school believes that it will lose some students and significant tuition reimbursement from the state unless it capitulates and agrees to violate its religious beliefs. By denying the school participation in UPK because of its religious character, beliefs, and exercise, the Department penalizes the school and its students and families based on their religiondiscrimination that is odious to our constitution,' the lawsuit states. The Constitution is clear: religious schools can hire those who share their faith, and the government may not deny participation in a public program simply due to a schools internal religious exercise. According to ADF legal counsel Jake Reed, Colorado officials are unconstitutionally compelling the academy to choose between adhering to its religious beliefs and forfeiting participation in a public program or surrendering its beliefs to participate equally with other preschools. We urge the court to affirm that the First Amendment fully protects the schools right to operate according to its faith and still join the states preschool program, Reed said. The Epoch Times contacted the Colorado Department of Education for comment. Death Threats and Bomb Scares The CCPs repression reaches New York and everywhere else Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) speaks at a press conference and rally in front of the America ChangLe Association highlighting Beijings transnational repression, in New York on Feb. 25, 2023. A now-closed overseas Chinese police station is located inside the association building. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Commentary Chinas transnational repression is hitting New Yorkers. On June 21, a former New York City cop, Michael McMahon, was convicted of acting as an illegal Chinese agent and stalking and intimidating a New Jersey resident. The victim, Xu Jin, was a former official from Wuhan, China. McMahon was hired as a private investigator to surveil Xu. The former sergeant allegedly got paid for his crimes, including a $5,000 wad of cash from a Chinese official in a Panera Bread restaurant. Bread, indeed. Plenty of it. Through surveillance and intimidation, Beijing sought to pressure Xu into returning to China. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held Xus wife and children as virtual hostages. They werent allowed to leave the country and reunite the family. One of McMahons co-defendants allegedly posted a threatening note on Xus front door: If you are willing to go back to the mainland and spend 10 years in prison, your wife and children will be all right. Shocking allegations of transnational repression such as this are on the rise globally. In the UK on June 12, Hongkongers celebrated the fourth anniversary of the 2019 democracy protests. Resisting communist Chinas infiltration and political influence was a theme of the anniversary rallies. Two people celebrating in Southampton, about 75 miles southwest of London, were physically attacked by pro-Beijing thugs as they left a rally. The thugs later posted a video of their attack, apparently assured of no accountability for their apparent criminality. So far, theyre correct. On June 18, an incisive 60 Minutes Australia production by Laura Sparkes and Tara Brown detailed multiple alleged transgressions by the CCPs international shadow police force, including in the Netherlands and Poland. Beijing apparently targeted an academic, a journalist, an artist, two activists, and the mother of one of the activists. Chinese agents sent fake letters in their victims names that threatened violence or career-ending character assassination. Two of the CCP scams resulted in false arrests. Some of the victims received death threats. The parents of a Netherlands-based activist, Wang Xiyu, were detained for more than a year in a CCP attempt to force him to surrender to a secret Chinese police station in Rotterdam, Netherlandsone of more than 100 identified by the nonprofit organization Safeguard Defenders. The overseas police outposts were established in more than 50 countries around the world, including in New York City, Paris, Vancouver, and Sydney. CCP police stations can also be found in Japan, South Korea, and Peru. The stations are used to collect intelligence and even forcibly repatriate Chinese dissidents to China to be imprisoned. Drew Pavlou, an Australian activist and critic of Beijing, received dozens of death threats. On a trip to London, he was arrested based on a fake bomb scare in his name against the Chinese Embassy. He had nothing to do with it. Pavlou and his mother, Vanessa, were both subsequently threatened with an AU$50,000 bounty on their heads. Beijings thugs attacked Vanessas character, apparently in an attempt to get her fired. Im always looking over my shoulder, Vanessa told 60 Minutes. But I just try to live a normal life because otherwise, they win, dont they? Andrew Phelan, one of the two Australians who suffered false arrest, was also featured on 60 Minutes. He called the arrest surreal, incredibly confronting. It was horrible, he said. I wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy. Phelan said he believes that the CCPs intelligence service was behind his arrest and that hes angry that this is done from the shadows, anonymously. He said the regime targets Westerners who are publicly critical of the CCP. The CCP wants the world to cooperate with its version of transnational law, which is actually totalitarianism, up to and including genocide when it deems fit. It should go without saying that cooperation with totalitarianism is dangerous for democracy. The CCP is an unelected regime and has no right to govern China, much less expect cooperation in doing so or imposing its rule abroad. The CCPs methods are terroristic, so recognizing CCP law is tantamount to rewarding terrorism. Victor Gao, a former diplomat from China, implied on 60 Minutes that those who violate Beijings interpretation of the One China policy, that Taiwan is an integral part of mainland China, are unsafe. He told 60 Minutes that for violators, there will be no free haven anywhere in the world sooner or later justice may be served. The regime in Beijing conceives of justice as its own global hegemony. Therefore, democracies and our allies must take the strongest possible steps against each case of transnational repression. We must stop the micro-expansion and normalization of the CCPs reach and control. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. DEI Comes to the State Department Commentary DEI (which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion to its proponents and discrimination, exclusion, and intolerance to some of its critics) is now spreading to the U.S. State Department. Actually, its something of a surprise, given how obsessively identity conscious the Biden administration is, that this initiative didnt occur earlier. Was that an oversight? Or perhaps those already working in the State Department prided themselves on how ultracompetitive it is to win a job as a foreign service officer (FSO)securing such a position is something of an elite accomplishmentand therefore perhaps they tried behind the scenes to preserve States long-established meritocratic character. Be that as it may, Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, who has served as States diversity and inclusion officer since April 2021 (and who plans to step aside soon), defended the departments push for more DEI in the coming months and years in congressional hearings last week. Among other details, Abercrombie-Winstanley noted that more than 80 percent of the State Departments diplomatic corps currently is white, implying that that percentage may be too high from a DEI perspective. The common political slogan used to sell DEI initiatives to the public is that its proponents want such-and-such a workforce to look more like our country as a whole. On a superficial level, that slogan may seem innocuous and unobjectionable, but on closer examination, its problematic. If looks make the difference between an employee doing a good job or a not-so-good job, then looks would be an important factor in hiring. In reality, however, looks by themselves dont cut it. As is always the case with DEI, it introduces a battle of the Qsquotas on one hand versus qualifications and qualities on the other. Imagine a volatile political situation in a South American country. The American president wants to pursue a policy of maintaining contacts with various political figures and parties in that country without offending any of those parties since they dont trust each other. That can require very delicate diplomacy. Do you think the Secretary of State or one of his top deputies would say, Wait a minute, its about time we put a black gay person out there to speak on behalf of our country? Dont you think it would be better to deploy a FSO who understands the history, economics, culture, tradition, and language(s) of that countryone with a deep feel for personal sensitivities in that country, and someone who has the moxie and wisdom to accurately communicate our governments intentions while not committing any potentially disruptive verbal faux pas? We certainly dont want to risk triggering an international incident just so someone can say domestically, Well, at least our State Department matches the demographic profile of American society. What concerns me most about what looks like the Biden administrations push for more blacks and fewer whites in the State Department is that the presidents proposed budget calls for $76 million to be spent by the State Department in the next year on DEI initiatives. $76 million?! I realize that amount is probably considered pocket change in todays Washington, but you could hire 500 people to work in DEI at State for $150,000 in annual salary and still have change left over. Abercrombie-Winstanley says that State wants to be able to provide a precise breakdown of the composition of its workforce by race, gender, ethnicity, status of disability, etc. Pardon me, but why would State need millions of dollars to do this when computers can keep track of each employees identity and print out updated profiles of the entire workforce as often as wanted? Or maybe the plan for the $76 million is to beat the bushes and see how many more of various minorities State can drum up through various recruitment and advertising activities. This is the approach that some colleges have taken. They hire a DEI officer whose job amounts to scouring the countryside to locate members of the desired minority group. Then they convince them to enroll in the DEI officers college. (Alas, in the college town where I lived for yearsnot in Grove City, where I taught the students that were recruited by DEI turned out to be a disaster for the college. They just werent able to handle the coursework.) The question that State will inevitably have to deal with, whether they like it or not, will be whether the people theyre looking for even existthat is, whether sufficient numbers of members of various minority groups have the professional expertise and personal qualities needed to handle the formidable challenges of a FSO. Certainly, in this day of Zoom conferences and instant communications, State can find inexpensive ways to send recruiting materials to every college in the land without coming close to spending $76 million. If they want to try to find more qualified minorities, fine, but throwing a lot of money at the problem seems gratuitous. One problem with the DEI movement is that theyre looking for a quick fix to a longstanding problem. It is true that certain minorities seem underrepresented in important places like the State Department. But what if the desired numbers of truly qualified minorities just arent there? We, as a society, need to address the root causes of underqualified minorities. My nominee for first among those root causes is the sorry state of public education in so many of our inner cities. I say that as one who did some teaching in urban schools decades ago, both visiting a number of schools in a substitute capacity and then teaching and counseling at a special inner-city school for dropouts. Frankly, by the time students left those broken schools (finally escaping from them), they were doomed never to acquire the intellectual skills needed for a demanding job like FSO. If the Biden administration wants to start expanding opportunities for minorities, it should turn its attention to improving education. That means somehow breaking away from its codependence on teachers unions and making school choice universal. Fix the schools, and over the next generation, many of the undesirable racial and other disparities in the adult job market will show marked improvement. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Anheuser-Busch Faces Controversy, but Strong Financials, Dividend Safety Offer Upside Regardless, the recent decline in Anheuser-Busch's stock price presents an attractive entry points for new investors. Market experts suggest the sell-off has subsided and they believe the controversy will have a limited impact beyond the United States. A controversial marketing campaign, investor concerns and reputational damage It is uncommon for a marketing campaign to impact stock prices so significantly, but the recent drop is attributed to the social media influencer controversy. Investors are concerned about the negative coverage and how the company has handled the situation, as it could potentially damage its reputation. Moreover, with several boycotts of Anheuser-Busch brands, there is a possibility of adverse effects on revenue. Assessing the precise influence of news coverage on the company's financial performance remains premature at this stage. However, Anheuser-Busch has performed well over the past year. In its latest report, the company achieved record full-year volumes, resulting in an 11.2% increase in revenue compared to 2021. Considering the company's substantial revenue of $57 billion last year, it is difficult to foresee how boycotts alone can significantly impact its finances. Anheuser-Busch operates globally, selling its beer brands in various markets, which helps diversify its business and mitigate the fallout from the marketing campaign. The negative repercussions appear primarily concentrated in developed markets like the U.S. Financials and outlook remain solid Anheuser-Busch has exceeded market expectations with its impressive performance in the first quarter. The company reported non-GAAP earnings per share of 65 cents and revenue of $14.21 billion during this period. In addition to these impressive figures, Anheuser-Busch achieved a notable 13.6% increase in normalized Ebitda and a 33.5% expansion in its normalized Ebitda margin. The company's robust operational efficiency and adept cost management strategies are reflected in these financial indicators. Despite a decline in Bud Light sales during the quarter, Anheuser-Busch remains confident the impact on its second-quarter results will not be severe. This optimism stems from the company's diversified portfolio of over 500 brands, which ensures a robust revenue stream. Among these brands, Bud Light is a major contributor, generating an impressive $5 billion in annual revenue. Such diversification helps mitigate the impact of any individual brand's performance fluctuations. Anheuser-Busch's financial strength and market dominance are evident in its substantial market share. As a wide moat company, it holds over 28% of the global market share, showcasing its strong competitive position. Furthermore, its sound balance sheet fortifies the company's financial stability, underscoring its solid position. One notable achievement for Anheuser-Busch is its successful debt reduction following the acquisition of SABMiller in 2016. The company has reduced its debt burden by an impressive $40 billion through efficient financial management and strategic decision-making. This reduction improves the company's financial health and increases its ability to invest in future growth opportunities. Anheuser-Busch's consistent generation of approximately $8 billion in free cash flow each year further highlights its financial resilience and ability to fund ongoing operations, research and development and pursue strategic initiatives. This stable cash flow allows the company to seize opportunities for innovation, expand its product offerings and drive sustained growth in the highly competitive global beer market. The dividend is safe Anheuser-Busch may not be trading at its lowest point, but it still presents an attractive opportunity for value investors. With a forward price-earnings multiple of just above 18 times, it aligns with the average of the S&P 500 of 19.29 times. Further, its trailing price-earnings ratio of 15.61 is relatively modest compared to its pre-bear market levels. The company's robust and diversified business, featuring popular brands like Budweiser and Stella Artois, deserves a higher premium. Investing in the beer industry offers stability, and Anheuser-Busch InBev has demonstrated above-average revenue growth in recent quarters. While its dividend yield of 1.44% may seem modest, when combined with its reasonable valuation, Anheuser-Busch becomes an excellent income-generating investment for long-term shareholders. The company's free cash flow in the previous year amounted to $8.1 billion, which exceeded its dividend payments of $2.4 billion by more than three times. Investors can derive confidence from the safety of the company's dividend payments thanks to a low payout ratio of just 18.3%. Takeaway In conclusion, there is potential for Anheuser-Busch to return to its previous success. Despite facing short-term challenges, the company can bounce back in the future. Meanwhile, investors can take advantage of the recent decline in its share price. With a strong business, a diverse range of popular brands and promising financial indicators such as a reasonable valuation and secure dividend payments, Anheuser-Busch presents an enticing opportunity for value-oriented investors seeking long-term growth potential. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Democrats Mostly Sidestep Questions on Hunter Biden IRS Allegations Democrats are mostly sidestepping making comments on whistleblower revelations alleging that First Son Hunter Biden received preferential treatment during an investigation into felony tax crimes. In stunning allegations made public on June 22, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Supervisor Special Agent Gary Shapley claimed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and IRS had interfered with an investigation into $2.2 million that Hunter Biden received from foreign sources, including Ukraine, China, and Romania, which he never reported to the IRS. Due to the nature of the Internal Revenue Service Code, only the House Ways and Means Committee can hear and release testimony from IRS whistleblowers to the full House. On June 22, the panel gathered to do just that, voting 2518 along party lines to release lightly redacted versions of the transcripts. Every Democrat on the panel voted against releasing the transcripts to the public. Since then, Democrats are largely evading making comments on the allegations. Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-Mass.) briefly commented to The Epoch Times on his No vote. As of yesterday it was a half-baked case, were just gonna have to wait and see, said Neal. They didnt make a presentation that cut new ground, I can tell you that. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) speaks in Washington on Oct. 26, 2021. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), who does not sit on the Ways and Means panel, simply told The Epoch Times that he [does] not think its accurate to say that the DOJ and IRS shielded Biden. When pressed to explain further, Sherman did not reply. Democrats have also avoided discussing the issue on social media. So far, no Democratic member of the Ways and Means Committee has commented on the charges on Twitter or elsewhere. Republicans React to Allegations Republicans have been more outspoken about the allegations. Is there anybody that would really be surprised? Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) told The Epoch Times when asked for his reaction. I was not surprised. First of all, its outrageous, its corrupt. And it speaks of an authoritarian, leftist type of government. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) speaks at a House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee hearing The Fentanyl Crisis in America: Inaction Is No Longer an Option in Washington on March 1, 2023, in a still from video. (House Judiciary Committee Youtube/Screenshot via NTD) But more damning, Biggs said, was the allegation that President Joe Biden stood by as Hunter Biden demanded payment from Chinese Communist Party official and businessman Henry Zhao. IRS investigators were reportedly able to authenticate the WhatsApp message to Zhao, in which Hunter Biden demanded payment from him. In the text, Biden highlighted that his father was in the room with him by way of a threat. I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled, Hunter Biden wrote, further expressing the wish to resolve this before it got out of hand. Now means tonight, Biden said, warning that if anyone but the Chinese official he was in communication with tried to reach out about the payment disagreement, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction. I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father. Biggs said of the message, That shows absolute corruption, so we have to follow and track that one down. The Arizona congressman is one of several Republicans in the House who has already given his backing to moves to impeach Biden over allegations of corruption. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) said the IRS allegations [confirm] once again that the agencies that are designed to protect and serve the American people are being weaponized against them. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), Vice Chairman of the House Republican Conference, attends the committees Victims of Violent Crime in Manhattan field hearing at Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in New York City on April 17, 2023. (Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times) The DOJ and the FBIat least at the tophave been corrupted, and its a serious concern, said Johnson, referencing the Republicans ongoing investigation into the weaponization of the federal government through the House Judiciary Committee. When the people lose their faith in our institutions, our system of justice, theres no greater threat to a Republic. So we have to follow up aggressively. Weve got to get to the bottom of the truth and and follow that truth where it leads. Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) agreed. The allegations show that theres two tiers of justice, she said. If that had been you, they would have come after you immediately, Harshbarger told The Epoch Times. So its just unfathomable that they would protect that man just because hes the presidents son. The charges are not surprising at all, said Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.), referencing House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comers (R-Ky.) ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption by the Bidens. Evidence unearthed through an earlier FD-1023 forma type of document used by the FBI recording allegations about potential criminal activity from the FBIs confidential human sourcessubmitted 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 at at least $10 million, partly through the use of shell companies. My bigger question, however, said Mills, is thatgiven the fact that [Hunter Biden has] worked with Chinas government and all the otherswhy has he not been prosecuted on the Foreign Agent Registration Act? According to the DOJ, the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) requires certain agents of foreign principals who are engaged in political activities or other activities specified under the statute to make periodic public disclosure of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts and disbursements in support of those activities. A handful of other Republicans have also raised the prospect of charging Biden under FARA. Earlier this week, the Justice Department announced Hunter Biden agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and admitted to illegally possessing a gun despite being a drug usermoves that will likely see Hunter avoid jail time. These charges, particularly in the light of new whistleblower disclosures, strike many Republicans as far too late. However, U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who is leading the investigation into Hunter Biden, has said the investigation is ongoing. Democrats, Republicans Weigh In on Durhams Findings After Congressional Hearing Special counsel John Durham leafs through his report while testifying to the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 21, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Democratic and Republican lawmakers are drawing opposing conclusions from special counsel John Durhams review of the FBIs decision to investigate Donald Trumps 2016 campaign for alleged collusion with the Russian government. Durham, who spent four years reviewing the actions of the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice, published his conclusions last month in a 306-page report (pdf). According to Durham, the FBI rushed to open the initial investigation based on unvetted intelligence, and FBI personnel showed at best, a cavalier attitude towards accuracy and completeness. At a Wednesday hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, Durham fielded questions about his reports conclusions. Republicans largely pointed to Durhams conclusions as proof that the FBI and DOJ had undermined Trumps candidacy and early presidency and that the government institutions were in need of reform. Democrats, by contrast, saw the relative lack of successful prosecutions by Durham as a sign he could not back up his conclusion that the FBI and DOJ had improperly investigated the Trump campaign. Durhams Cases Over the course of his investigation, Durham secured a guilty plea from FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith, who admitted to falsifying information in order to extend a surveillance warrant against Carter Page, then a member of Trumps 2016 campaign team. Though he secured Clinesmiths guilty plea before going to trial, Durham was less successful before a trial jury when he prosecuted Michael Sussman and Igor Danchenko as part of his special counsel investigation. Sussmann was acquitted by a jury last May in a D.C. federal court and Danchenko was acquitted five months later by a jury in the U.S. federal court for Virginias eastern district. Durhamafter six and a half million dollarsprosecuted two people and it took the jury two hours and six hours respectively to acquit them, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) told NTD on Wednesday. Nadler, who is the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, added [Durham] has no credibility whatsoever. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) also pointed to the lack of successful prosecutions by Durham. He had two cases that I mentioned that he brought to trial. In both cases, the jury did not convict. So he really had nothing to show for that report. So were wasting a lot of time on a report that really gave us nothing, Jayapal told NTD. Durham charged Sussmann, an attorney with the law firm Perkins Coie, with lying to the FBI. Sussmann had presented the FBI with claims of a covert communications channel between the Trump Organization and a Russia-based bank called Alfa Bank. Durham alleged Sussmann lied to the FBI at the time by claiming he was not working on behalf of a particular client. Perkins Coie represented the Clinton campaign during the 2016 election. Durham charged Danchenko, a Russian foreign policy analyst, with lying to the FBI about sources he relied upon when helping create an opposition research dossier commissioned by the campaign of Hillary Clinton, Trumps 2016 political rival. Aspects of this opposition research document formed the basis for parts of the FBIs investigation, including the surveillance warrant on Page. While Democrats pointed to the lack of criminal convictions as evidence undermining Durhams investigative efforts, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) argued that securing a conviction in the Sussmann and Danchenko cases was always going to be difficult. Its very difficult to actually get convictions for false statements, Issa said. The California Republican said Durham had provided good details to back up his assertions but you can do something wrong that is not easily indictable or easily convictable. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) took a different perspective on the lack of successful criminal prosecutions, arguing that Durham had engaged in a cover-up rather than an exhaustive look into potential charges. Gaetz argued during the hearing that Durham should have charged former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. Gaetz also argued that Durham should have investigated allegations that special counsel Robert Muellers team wiped data off of their phones during their investigation into Trump-Russia collusion allegations. Durham claimed he wasnt tasked with investigating the allegation that Muellers team wiping their phones and he wasnt even aware of the claim. Other Findings Durham claimed in his report that his office had obtained enough evidence in certain cases to assert government actors negligently violated civil rights but did not do so intentionally. In almost all cases, the government is required to prove a persons actual criminal intentnot mere negligence or recklessnessbefore that persons fellow citizens can lawfully find him or her guilty of a crime, Durhams report states. The Offices adherence to these principles explains, in numerous instances, why conduct deserving of censure or disciplinary action did not lead the Office to seek criminal charges. Durhams report also states that FBI officials involved in the 2016 Trump investigation, such as former agent Peter Strzok, had pronounced hostile feelings toward Trump. While he couldnt point to a lengthy list of convictions, Durham said during the Wednesday congressional hearing that current and former FBI officials had apologized to him about the bureaus Trump-Russian investigation. I have had any number of FBI agents who Ive 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 said. Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) argued that the FBIs investigation into claims of collusion between Trump and the Russian government cast a shadow over Trumps presidency. Durham has uncovered some serious issues in the entire origin of the investigation, and whats even more problematic to me is that he states that that was part of what led to the Mueller investigation, Kiley told NTD. Now, of course, the Mueller investigation ended up finding there was no evidence of collusion, but it was this cloud that hung over the entire administration for years. In fact, we conducted a midterm election with that cloud hanging over the administration. Debate Over Reforms Republican lawmakers have signaled increasing support for reforms at the FBI and DOJ amid allegations that those government institutions have been weaponized against conservatives. There is some talk within Republican circles of reducing FBI and DOJ funding. The American people have lost confidence in the FBI. They think the FBI has been politicized and weaponized, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) told NTD on Wednesday. Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, said one reform he would favor would be to require FBI agents to record their investigative interviews. I think one of the reforms the FBI needs is to record conversations, just like law enforcement are required to do, if they use that as testimony in a trial, Comer explained. Because a jury is not going to believe what the FBI says in a lot of America. And thats unfortunate because I think the majority of FBI agents do a tremendous job. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) appeared to suggest reforms at the FBI would be worthwhile but that there truly were concerning links between Trumps campaign and Russia, such as a 2016 meeting between Trumps son and a Russian lawyer. We should always look to do better, but I dont think theres anything or anyone who believes, going back in time, we should have let Donald Trump and his campaign do this. The FBI said it has taken steps to improve its practices in the years since it launched its Trump-Russia collusion investigation. Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) said he would have to see whether those reforms are actually working. I think that we have to evaluate whether those have been sufficient or not, Buck told NTD. From NTD News Dershowitz Says New Hunter Biden Allegations Possibly an Impeachable Offense Retired Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz said that a recent allegation from a whistleblower about President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden, should be investigated by Republicans and could be an impeachable offense. During an interview with Fox News on Thursday night, Dershowitz said that because Republicans control Congress, they can investigate the younger Biden. Earlier this week, the Department of Justice and Bidens lawyers announced that they came to a plea deal in which he would plead guilty to several misdemeanor offensesnot related to longstanding Republican-backed investigations into his overseas business deals while his father was the vice president and after. The U.S. attorney involved in the case, David Weiss, said that an investigation into Biden is currently ongoing. If it is proven that Hunter Biden allegedly demanded a payment from a Chinese businessman while his father was in the room, its probable cause of an impeachable offense of bribery under the Constitution. He also said that Biden cannot invoke the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination in Congress because his lawyers have said that hes no longer subject to any criminal prosecution, he also speculated. That would be an impeachable offense. That would be the crime of bribery, he said, adding that it still hasnt been proven that his father was in the room with him while he made the demand Because there is probable cause, he said, This has to be investigated. President Joe Biden walks with his son Hunter Biden and grandson Beau Biden to board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Aug. 10, 2022. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo) And thank God for our system of checks and balances that we have a Congress that is not controlled by the party in power and can do the kind of investigation, and Biden cant plead his Fifth Amendment anymore, because his lawyers have said that hes no longer subject to any criminal prosecution. So, please, go forward with these investigations, he said. Whistleblower Claims It comes as a whistleblower asserted that the younger Biden sent a WhatsApp message to a Chinese businessman in 2017 saying that he was sitting here with my father, and used the older Bidens name and connections to follow Hunters direction. The message was sent to Henry Zhao, a Chinese business associate of Hunters who reportedly has connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Testimony from Gary Shapley, an official at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), said that he and his fellow investigators were able to authenticate a July 2017 message that was sent via Meta-owned WhatsApp to Zhao. I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled, Hunter Biden wrote, according to Shapleys testimony. He then appeared to demand that they resolve this before it got out of hand. Now means tonight, Biden also remarked, warning that if anyone other than Zhao, Zhang, or the chairman tried to reach out about the matter, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction. He added, I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father. Impeachment? Its not clear however, if the Republican-controlled House will pursue an impeachment inquiry into President Bidens business affairs, according to a recent comment from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). Earlier this week, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) made a push to impeach Biden over his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border. I just think running something on the floor isnt fair to the American public without making the case and making the argument, McCarthy said. He also warned that such a move would threaten GOP lawmakers majority in the House. What majority do we want to be, McCarthy said, according to several reports. Give it right back in two years or hold it for a decade and make real change? A federal judge scheduled the first court appearance for Hunter Biden, who faces tax and gun charges, for July 26 in a Delaware court. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, a Trump administration appointee, will be presiding over the case. Christopher Clark, a lawyer for Hunter Biden, said in a statement to news outlets that it was his understanding that the five-year investigation into the presidents son has 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. Several weeks ago, the president was asked during an interview on MSNBC what impact there would be on the Biden presidency if Hunter Biden were to be federally charged. It impacts my presidency by making me feel proud of him, Biden said in the interview. Tom Ozimek and Joseph Lord contributed to this report. DeSantis Holds Town Hall With South Carolina Voters NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.GOP presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a town hall with South Carolina voters on June 22. After speaking for nearly an hour in a town hall format on June 22, DeSantis took over a dozen questions, then talked with the crowd of about 400 people for nearly two more hours. Dressed casually in a blazer, jeans, and boots, DeSantis strode onto the in-the-round stage at the Riverside Park Activities Center in North Augusta. He covered the usual topics. His battle against lockdown policies during the pandemic and asserting authority over colleges and public schools. His war on wokeness and the decline of the military. The rise of an unelected administrative state and criticizing the Biden administration from the crisis on the southern border, the threat from China, the faltering economy, and protecting individual rights. As he had done earlier in the day in a gubernatorial speech in Tampa, DeSantis spoke about his recent visit to San Francisco. In his speeches, he often positions California as the anti-Florida, painting it as a blue state with progressive government with a significant population exodus to places like his free state of Florida. I actually was in San Francisco this week, believe it or not, DeSantis said. But theres something very jarring when you see someone defecating on the sidewalk. You see people using fentanyl. You see people smoking crack cocaine. You see businesses shuttered and boarded up. It was a civilization in decline. And that didnt happen by accident. It is the result of leftist politicians imposing leftist ideology in cities and states across this country. As he walked around San Franciso, he said, It was interesting Theres a left-wing activist on every corner. Some of those people recognize me; they start with me, whatever. But firefighters are cheering for me in San Francisco, DeSantis said, adding that he got the same reception from police officers for standing up for law enforcement. If those folks were in charge, the city would probably be in good shape. But its not. You have this leftist ideology proceeding now across the country. A Defund the Police sign during a protest near the White House following the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, in Washington on June 6, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Standing Up for Police DeSantis took a question about support for law enforcement from a police officer from Aiken, South Carolina. Thank you for your service. We appreciate you very much, DeSantis told the man. I can tell you a lot of what we did. First of all, when you had the BLM riots, you never saw me marching against the police like these other politicians. We stood with the police from Day One, because we recognize attacking people who wear the uniform is not going to make our community safer. Its very disrespectful for people that worked so hard to serve our communities. Efforts to defund the police werent going to happen at the state level in Florida with a Republican legislature and him sitting as governor, DeSantis said. But defunding decisions were often made locally. You have three bozos on the city commission that want to do something stupid, go on some ideological joyride, and try to defund law enforcement. So Florida passed legislation saying local governments couldnt defund police, and if they took money away from them, the state would put it back in, he said. Beyond that, with other areas defunding the police, we wanted to show support. For the third year in a row, the state has paid $1,000 bonuses to every sworn law enforcement officer and firefighter, and the state paid the income taxes on the money, so its a bit like 1,300 bucks. The presidential candidate took two questions on Ukraine. He agreed that Vladimir Putin is a bad guy, but questioned spending money abroad when the nation fails to defend its own southern bordersomething he said hed use the military to do, if elected. The southern border would be his defense priority, he said, followed by modernizing the militaryincluding ending its distraction with woke ideologyand after that, China. Asked if hed commit to legalizing marijuana in 2025, DeSantis said, I dont think wed do that. His states policy, he said, includes a constitutional provision that allows medical marijuana for veterans who need it. He acknowledged the law is sometimes abused by people using marijuana recreationally. Weed is more potent now than it once was, DeSantis cautioned. Its really bad for you. I just think we have to be very united as a society. We want our kids to steer clear of drugs I think that we have too many people using drugs. It hurts our workforce readiness. The Florida native spoke about growing up in Dunedin, near Clearwater on the Gulf Coast. The kids in high school that got involved in [weed], that I knew, all sufferedall their activities, all their grades, and everything like that. The governor used a question from a high school junior about civics education to tout Floridas initiatives in that field, including paying a bonus to teachers who complete a voluntary civics education boot camp and instituting an end-of-high school civics exam similar to what immigrants take to become naturalized citizens. And, in response to another question, he spoke about changes at New College in Sarasota. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds up three just-signed bills related to higher education in the stateincluding one that bans diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practicesat New College in Sarasota, Fla., on May 15, 2023. (Courtesy of the Florida Governors Office) Not With Our Tax Dollars Its supposed to be the top honors college in Florida by law. But in practice it was like a commune. Like, left of the left. Focusing on gender ideology, CRT, whatever the latest kind of neo-Marxist flavor of the day is. Like, look. If thats your shtick, on your own, fine. But not with our tax dollars. DeSantis appointed seven conservative trustees in January and fired the president. The new administration has eliminated its immersion in critical race theory (CRT) and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), rebranded the college, and We are striving to be the top classical liberal arts college. Like Hillsdale College. He said the state has had numerous inquiries from professors around the country, including liberal ones. On a lot of these college campuses, its like walking on eggshells. Its intellectually oppressive. They just want to be able to speak their mind. Jonathan Lovegrove, 18, a freshman at Bob Jones University and the host of a fledgling news channel on YouTube, asked DeSantis if, in the battle on woke-ism, public policy or cultural pushback was more critical. They reinforce each other. DeSantis said, adding that companies that go woke can pay the price in the marketplace, an apparent reference to Bud Light and Target. Another example is Disney, whose stock price is down from last year after differences with the governor that began with condemnation of his signature on the Parental Rights in Education bill and resulted in the company losing its self-governing status. Disney has a First Amendment right to comment as they please, DeSantis said. But it wasnt in the best interest of their shareholders to stick their beak into that. A family company historically, now coming on the side of the sexualization of minors. I dont think that was smart. This will be the first election where Jonathan can vote, said his mother, Bethany Lovegrove, who drove her son to the event. She has attended more than one event for DeSantis in South Carolina. Hes getting a fine reception, she said, despite the state having two major declared candidates in the Republican presidential primariesformer governor and UN ambassador Nikki Haley and current Sen. Tim Scott. IN-DEPTH: How Drone Warfare Is Shaping the Ukraine-Russia War A Ukrainian serviceman flies a drone on the outskirts of Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine on December 30, 2022. (SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images) Russian air defenses foiled an airborne drone attackthe third in two monthsjust outside Moscow on June 21, according to officials. Three Ukrainian drones were destroyed after approaching sensitive facilities in the Moscow area, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. The Russian press later reported that the attack had been aimed at an infantry division based a mere 35 miles from the Kremlin. The Epoch Times was unable to verify Moscows assertions. Kyiv dismissed claims that it was responsible. Nevertheless, the episode illustrates the increasingly central role played by drones in the RussiaUkraine conflict, which is about to enter its 16th month. Drones have been widely used in previous conflicts, especially the 2020 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Abdullah Agar, a prominent Turkish military commentator, told The Epoch Times. But they have never been used so extensivelyor over such a wide theateras in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. According to Agar, a former special forces officer, the war has revolutionized drone technology and tactics, changing the way modern conflicts are fought. Changing Tactics Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) perform a range of vital battlefield functions, providing real-time images from the front and relaying actionable intelligence back to their operators. They also play crucial combat roles, such as striking targets behind enemy lines, disabling military infrastructure and vehicles, and assassinating enemy leaders. Drones have different functions and capabilities, Agar said. They can be used for a range of battlefield purposestactical, operational, and strategic. On the same day as the incident in Moscow, an Israeli drone killed three Palestinian militants in the West Bank in response to an attack that left four Israeli settlers dead. The U.S. military has been experimenting with drone technology since the 1930s, when it began remotely piloting radio-controlled aircraft. In the nine decades since, drone technologyand tacticshave advanced exponentially. The use of combat drones became widespread during the U.S.-led war on terror, which followed the 9/11 attacks in 2001. During this phase, medium-altitude drones were deployed in asymmetric conflicts in places such as Yemen and Afghanistan against adversaries who lacked effective air defenses. Drones can be used very effectively when enemy air defenses are weak or nonexistent, Agar said. But theyre not so effective against capable air defenses, for which they represent easy targets. A Bayraktar Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicle at Teknofest aerospace and technology festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, on May 27, 2022. (Aziz Karimov/Reuters) Countermeasures When Russian troops first entered Ukraine early in 2022, the lack of air cover made them vulnerable to Kyivs medium-altitude UAVs, especially Turkish-made Bayraktar drones. Since then, however, Russian forces have consolidated their front-line positions and developed effective countermeasures against Ukrainian drones. Initially, the Russians were totally unprepared for the Bayraktars, Agar said. But theyve become much more adept at electronic jamming techniques and have learned how to neutralize medium-altitude drones. According to the Royal United Services Institute, a UK think tank devoted to security issues, Ukraine is now losing roughly 10,000 drones per month on the battlefield. Russia has invested heavily in drone technology since the conflict began, making several notable additions to its fleet of armed UAVs. These include its Lancet-class attack drone, which has swiftly evolvedin terms of range, endurance, and payload sizesince its battlefield debut last summer. Now, from behind fortified lines, Russian forces are relying on drones to blunt a long-awaited Ukrainian counteroffensive that began early this month. Following one recent clash in the Zaporizhzhia region, Moscow released video footage purporting to show an advanced IRIS-T air-defense system being struck by a Russian drone. The IRIS-T, which was recently given to Ukraine by Germany, was hit by the Lancets latest iteration, the Lancet-3, Russian commentators have said. However, Kyiv has yet to confirm the loss of the air-defense system. Drones during a military exercise in an undisclosed location in Iran, in an undated photo. (Iranian Army/West Asia News Agency/Handout via Reuters) Exhausting Defenses In October 2022, Russia began staging frequent strikes on critical infrastructure throughout Ukraine. While Kyiv says the barrages constitute war crimes, Moscow claims to be using precision munitions to avoid civilian casualties. Often conducted in waves, these attacks rely heavily on Kamikaze drones, such as the Iranian-made Shahed-136, which explode upon hitting their targets. Russia launched a fresh wave of strikes on June 20, targeting both Kyiv and the western city of Lviv, Ukraine. According to Ukrainian officials, the latest attack included 30 Shahed drones, 28 of which were successfully downed. Moscow, for its part, accuses Kyiv of exaggerating the effectiveness of its air defenses. The wide use of drones in these attacks allows Russian operators to find gaps in Ukrainian air defenses while forcing defenders to exhaust their supply of munitions. In this regard, according to Agar, drones have an excellent cost-benefit ratio. The enemy is forced to resort to costly air-defense systems to neutralize much less expensive drones, he said. Thats why Kyivs allies are providing advanced air-defense systems. To stop advanced UAVs, you need advanced air defenses. A still image taken from video shows a flying object exploding in an intense burst of light near the dome of the Kremlin Senate building during a reported drone attack in Moscow on May 3, 2023. (Ostorozhno Novosti/Handout via Reuters) Drones Over Moscow However, the Russians arent the only ones making effective use of combat drones. The Ukrainians also rely heavily on UAVs, Agar said. Along with Bayraktars, theyre using U.S.-made Switchblade drones and drones supplied by the UK. The opening phase of the conflict was largely dominated by the use of medium-altitude combat drones. But as Russia learned to counter these, Kyiv turned to smaller UAVs, including many intended for civilian use. The Ukrainians often employ cheap, commercially available drones, which they modify by adding an explosive payload, Agar said. But these perform poorly when faced with strong air defenses or effective jamming systems. On several occasions, UAVs have been used to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. Notably, last weeks drone attack in Moscow was hardly the first of its kind. On May 3, the Kremlin itself was briefly threatened by a pair of incoming drones. Less than a month later, three residential buildings in Moscow were damaged after being struck by a group of UAVs. Russia blamed both attacks on Kyiv, whichin typical fashiondenied its involvement. Agar, for his part, is unconvinced that the drones that managed to threaten Moscow were of Ukrainian origin. Kyiv typically uses shorter-range drones that couldnt reach the Russian capital, he said, noting that they were most likely launched from somewhere inside Russian territory. A view shows smoke rising following an alleged drone attack in Sevastopol, Crimea, April 29, 2023. (Stringer/REUTERS) Simple Economics Moscow hasnt been the only target of long-range drone strikes in recent months. In December 2022, three airbasesall inside Russian territorywere targeted by UAVs. Several servicemen were killed and a number of aircraft were damaged, including some equipped to carry nuclear weapons. While Kyiv refrained from claiming responsibility, the attacks were hailed by Ukrainian officials. Last month, pro-Ukrainian forces staged a brief cross-border assault on Russias Belgorod region. According to Russian officials, the attackers employed small commercial quadcopter drones to drop explosives on targets. Nor have all drone attacks against Russia been airborne. In October 2022, the Port of Sevastopolhome to Russias Black Sea Fleetwas attacked by both air and waterborne drones that damaged a minesweeping vessel. At the time, Moscow accused Kyiv of staging the attack with the help of British specialistsa claim that drew spirited denials from London. A similar attack on Sevastopol, this time featuring unmanned speedboats, was repulsed by Russian naval forces in April. Ukraines defense industry has been feverishly designing and building new attack drones of its own. On June 20, Ukroboronprom, Ukraines state-run arms manufacturer, said it had successfully tested a new UAV with a 620-mile range and a 75-kilogram payload. Agar largely attributes the heavy reliance on dronesby both sidesto simple economics. Russia has a vast arsenal of strategic weapons, including ballistic missiles, he said. But these are extremely expensive and very difficult to replace. Because the conflict shows little sign of ending soon, both sides want to use the weapons they have as economically as possible. Elderly Woman Fatally Stabbed During Morning Exercise at Park in San Diego Street view of Central Avenue Mini Park in San Diego in November 2020. (Screenshot via Google Maps) SAN DIEGOA woman who was stabbed to death at Central Avenue Mini Park in City Heights was identified on June 22 as a 65-year-old San Diego resident. ChiThiKim Cao, a Vietnamese woman, was identified as the stabbing victim, according to Lt. Steve Shebloski of the San Diego Police Department (SDPD). On Monday, police arrested Siliveinusi Patafalai Hamala, 23, at his residence in the 3000 block of 39th Street and booked him into the San Diego County Jail on suspicion of murder, Shebloski said. Cao was exercising at the mini park when Hamala allegedly attacked her shortly before 8:30 a.m., according the lieutenant. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of officers and medical personnel, the female suffered catastrophic injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene, a June 22 press release from the department stated. It was unclear what motivated the deadly violence, which apparently erupted without provocation or warning, according to police. There is no indication there was an altercation before the [woman] was attacked or that she was targeted for a specific reason, Shebloski said. Anyone with additional information about this stabbing was asked to call the SDPD Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293. Anonymous callers can contact San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or contact the agency online here. Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Julianne Foster contributed to this report. Patrick Weil joins the podcast to discuss Woodrow Wilsons sanity during the process of trying to ratify the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. His book, The Madman in the White House, addresses the psychobiography of Wilson written by ambassador William Bullitt and Dr. Sigmund Freud and how they came to their conclusionbased on the testimony of many others who were close to Wilson at the timeand the use of Freuds psychoanalysis. Weil is an Oscar M. Ruebhausen Distinguished Fellow at Yale Law School and a research professor at the National Center for Scientific Research in France. He is the founder and president of Libraries Without Borders. He is also the author of The Sovereign Citizen, How to Be French, and his latest The Madman in the White House: Sigmund Freud, Ambassador Bullitt, and the Lost Psychobiography of Woodrow Wilson. EXPLAINER: Now That Bill C-18 Has Passed, Why Is Meta Blocking Canadian News? The Meta logo is seen in Davos, Switzerland, on May 22, 2022. (Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters) On the same day that the Liberal governments Bill C-18 received royal assent and passed into law, U.S. tech giant Meta announced it would be blocking content from news outlets for Canadian users in order to comply with the new legislation. The Online News Act requires that online platforms and digital news intermediaries like Google and Metawhich owns Facebook and Instagramnegotiate deals with and pay Canadian media outlets for any of their news and information linked on their platforms. However, Meta said on June 22, the day the Online News Act received royal assent, that it had noted beforehand that it would need to completely drop news sharing in Canada by outlets, publishers, and broadcasters on its platforms in order to comply with act. As we have repeatedly shared, the Online News Act is fundamentally flawed legislation that ignores the realities of how our platforms work, the preferences of the people who use them, and the value we provide news publishers, Meta wrote in a statement on June 1 and updated on June 22. As the Minister of Canadian Heritage has said, how we choose to comply with the legislation is a business decision we must make, and we have made our choice. Meta did not give any details about its timeline for ending news availability in Canada, but said it will pull all local news from its platforms before the new legislation takes effect. The Online News Act is set to come into force this December. Blocking News Both Meta and Google had already begun test-blocking some news for Canadian users prior to Bill C-18 passing into law. The move sparked outrage from MPs on the Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, who grilled Google executives on the matter during an appearance on March 10. At the time, Google Canadas Vice President Sabrina Geremia did not admit the tech giant was blocking any news in Canada, but voiced Googles strong opposition to Bill C-18. Geremia told the committee that the legislation sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the very foundations of the open web and the free flow of information. It also incentivizes the creation of cheap, clickbait content over quality journalism, she said. Cabinet has heavily criticized Metas decision, saying the move shows the platforms are more willing to remove news than pay local outlets for it. We do not accept the fact that some tech giants are threatening a government of a sovereign country, said Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez in the House on June 20. We do not accept that they are trying to intimidate Canadians or that they are trying to intimidate senators. Rodriguezs department held meetings with both Facebook and Google this past week, but didnt disclose any details. Rodriguez also rejected an amendment to Bill C-18 proposed by the Senate before it passed that would have aimed to prevent tech giants from blocking news for Canadian readers on their platforms. The minister rejected the amendment on June 19 on the grounds that it would undermine the objectives of the legislation. He accepted nearly all of the Senates other proposed changes to the bill. Local Journalism Rodriguez also said in the House on June 20 that Canada needs the Online News Act in order to save local newsrooms forced to close in recent years due to heavy online competition. We need a solid, independent, non-partisan news system in our country, he said. We need the tech giants to contribute. However, Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux has said the Online News Act will benefit legacy media more than local journalisma point Geremia also raised during her committee testimony. Giroux wrote in his Cost Estimate for Bill C-18 published in October 2022 that the Online News Act will profit large Canadian media outlets by upwards of $329 million in government subsidies. He also wrote that he expects developing and implementing the act will cost around $5.6 million per year over five years for the Canadian Heritage Department and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The new regulations will give rise to regulatory compliance costs for businesses as well as costs to negotiate and enforce agreements, he wrote. This will in turn have fiscal consequence for the federal government. Opposition Criticism While the NDP and Bloc Quebecois have been mostly supportive of Bill C-18, the Conservatives were heavily critical of the legislation prior to its passage. On the surface, Bill C-18 seems like a pretty innocent bill, Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman said in the House on June 20. The gist is that small independent news providers should have a chance to compete with the big fish and earn their fair share of revenue in a free market. That is fair enough as a concept, but when we dig deeper, we find that this piece of legislation is deeply flawed, and it would not accomplish the stated goal. The legislation will give the CRTC the responsibility of ensuring that tech giants reach licensing agreements with news outlets for sharing their content on their platforms, but Lantsman said small media outlets will not benefit from these deals. Rather, she said the established groups that can afford the high-priced lawyers and can curry favour with the CRTC will benefit the most in striking these deals. These big media groups might have the ability to negotiate with Facebook or even the federal government, Lantsman said. Small mom-and-pop shops find themselves in a very different position. The Canadian Press contributed to this report. Family Member of 19-Year-Old on Doomed Missing Submarine Breaks Silence Suleman Dawood, 19, one of the victims and the OceanGate Titan submersible vehicle. (AP File; OceanGate Expeditions/Handout via Reuters) A family member of one of the passengers on board the doomed Titanic exploration submersible vehicle said that he didnt want to go on the trip due to fears for his safety. Azmeh Dawood said her nephew, 19-year-old Suleman Dawood, told a relative that he wasnt very up for it but went anyway to make his father, Shazada Dawood, happy on Fathers Day. Shahzada Dawood was one of the richest men in Pakistan as the owner of the Dawood Hercules Corporation Limited, an investment company, with some estimates saying the businessman was worth hundreds of millions to billions. I am thinking of Suleman, who is 19, in there, just perhaps gasping for breath its been crippling, to be honest, Azmeh Dawood told NBC News. I feel disbelief, she added, coming hours after the U.S. Coast Guard said that the submarine was destroyed in a catastrophic implosion about 1,600 feet from the sunken Titanic. I feel like Ive been caught in a really bad film, with a countdown, but you didnt know what youre counting down to, she said. I personally have found it kind of difficult to breathe thinking of them. Earlier this week, officials reported the OceanGate Titan vehicle went missing after it embarked on a deep-sea trip to view the Titanic, which sunk more than 100 years ago in the North Atlantic Ocean. That triggered a desperate, multi-country search before U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger announced that all five members, including OceanGates co-founder Stockton Rush, likely perished in a catastrophic event. The cause hasnt been determined. The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. Upon this determination, we immediately notified the families, Mauger told reporters in Boston on Tuesday afternoon. On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families. According to Azmeh Dawood, her brother became absolutely obsessed with the story of the Titanic. He would often watch the 1958 movie, A Night to Remember, which portrays the sinking of the massive ship. He also went to museum exhibitions about the Titanic, she told NBC. A submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. (OceanGate Expeditions via AP) He was my baby brother, Azmeh Dawood told the outlet. I held him up when he was born. The other people who died in the catastrophe this week were identified as British businessman Hamish Harding and Frenchman Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a leading Titanic expert. Hardings family said in a statement: He was one of a kind and we adored him what he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved. Chris Brown, a friend of Harding, told Good Morning America on Friday that he was one of the first people to sign up for the submersible experience, but he declined to go this time around. 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. Its a chance for an expedition, an exploration, and adding a bit of science into the situation, Brown added, saying that he decided not to board the Titan due to undisclosed safety concerns. A longtime friend and colleague of Nargeolet told French media that he quickly feared the worst when contact was lost on Sunday. (From left to right) Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Stockton Rush, and Hamish Harding are facing critical danger aboard a small submersible that went missing in the Atlantic Ocean. The race is on to find the Titan, which has an oxygen supply that is expected to run out early Thursday, June 22, 2023. (AP Photo) Unfortunately, I thought straight away of an implosion, diver and retired underwater filmographer Christian Petron said on Friday to broadcaster France-Info. At the depths in which the submersible was operating, the pressure is intense and unforgiving, he noted. The investigation into what happened was already underway and would continue in the area around Titanic where debris from the submersible was found, said Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District. I know there are also a lot of questions about how, why, and when did this happen. Those are questions we will collect as much information as we can about now, Mauger said, adding that it was a complex case that happened in a remote part of the ocean and involved people from several different countries. The Titan launched at 6 a.m. Sunday, and was reported overdue Sunday afternoon about 435 miles south of St. Johns, Newfoundland. Rescuers rushed ships, planes, and other equipment to the site of the disappearance. Any sliver of hope that remained for finding the crew alive was wiped away early Thursday when the submersibles 96-hour supply of air was expected to run out, and the Coast Guard announced that debris had been found roughly 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the Titanic. The Associated Press contributed to this report. ASML to Face New Export Restrictions to China as Soon as June 30 (Bloomberg) -- The Dutch government is planning to publish new export controls that will restrict more of ASML Holding NVs chipmaking machines from being sent to China as soon as next week, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg The measures, which the government previously pledged to publish before the summer, wont mention China or ASML but are designed to restrict the shipments of three models of the companys machines to the Asian country, Bloomberg previously reported. Lawmakers crafted the export-control regulation as a blueprint that can be used by other European Union member states and aim to publish it as soon as June 30 or in the first week of July, people familiar with the situation said, asking not to be identified because the plans arent public. A spokesperson for the Dutch government declined to comment. US President Joe Bidens administration has been pressing the Netherlands and other nations to help stop China from further developing its own chip industry, making advances in technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing and strenghtening its military capabilities. The US rolled out its own extensive export curbs, restricting the sale of some advanced semiconductors and chip-making technologies to Chinese companies. In January, Dutch and Japanese officials agreed in principle to join the US campaign. Together, the three countries are the worlds top sources of machinery and have the expertise needed to make the worlds most advanced semiconductors. Read more: ASML, Europes Most Valuable Tech Firm, Defines Global Chip War ASML, Europes most valuable tech company, previously said the measures will not have a material effect on our financial outlook for 2023 or in the longer term. The company will need to apply for export licenses for shipment of some advanced deep ultraviolet lithography, or DUV, systems. The restrictions are expected to prevent shipments of the TWINSCAN NXT:2000i, the NXT:2050i and the NXT:2100i, which are all immersion DUV models, Bloomberg previously reported. ASML is already prohibited from selling its most cutting-edge technology, so-called extreme ultraviolet lithography, to Chinese companies. The Netherlands considers it necessary on national and international security grounds that this technology is brought under control as soon as possible, Dutch Trade Minister Liesje Schreinemacher had said in a letter in March. The measures, however, fall short of those the Biden administration took last year to limit exports of American-made machinery and knowhow to Chinese chipmakers. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Ruttes government is facing increasing pressure from Washington to help forge a global blockade to stifle Beijings rise in the chip-making space. But his countrys most valuable company is ASML Holding NV, and China is one of its biggest customers. Ruttes situation in some ways mirrors the position that ASMLs Chief Executive Officer, Peter Wennink, is facing himself beholden to the Netherlandss close ally as tensions rise between the US and China, while trying to protect a key source of growth. Wennink repeatedly argued US-led export control measures against China could eventually push Beijing to successfully develop its own technology in advanced chipmaking machines. The more you put them under pressure, the more likely it is that they will double up their efforts in building lithography machines that can rival those of ASML, he said in an interview with Bloomberg in January at the companys headquarters in Veldhoven. The laws of physics in China are the same as here, Wennink said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Former Labour MP Claims The Partys Net Zero Plans Could Dash General Election Hopes A former Labour MP has warned that Labours proposed plans for Net Zero, which include blocking all new oil and gas projects, could hit them in the next general election. Simon Danczuk, who represented Labour at Rochdale between 2010 and 2015, told The Epoch Times that he believes Labour is making a big mistake with its Net Zero plans, which could dent its general election hopes. Were beginning to look at what Labour is actually proposing for the country. Weve just seen, in relation to this policy, something that I think is quite scary, said Danczuk. Labour will be going head-to-head with the Conservatives at the next general election in 2024 with Net Zero/decarbonisation plans, high on both party agendas. Labour leader Kier Starmer recently said that his party is going to throw everything at Net Zero with his Green Prosperity Plan, which aims to deliver clean, homegrown onshore, offshore, solar, tidal, nuclear, and hydrogen so that we can get to net zero quicker and end our reliance on fossil fuel dictators around the world. A stronger, more secure Britain, once again at the service of working people, with cheaper bills and clean electricity by 2030, said the Labour leader. Starmer also said that he would block all new oil and gas projects if Labour came to power, alongside plans to boost investment in renewables. Shadow Secretary of State for Climate Change and Net Zero Ed Miliband, Westminster, London, on Oct. 13, 2021. (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Adversely Impact Election Danczuk, who is now a businessman and author, echoed trade unions, local Labour councillors, and trade bodies concerns, saying that it makes the country more reliant on energy produced overseas. The idea of banning gas and gas and oil exploration in the North Sea, before weve got alternatives in place is just absolute madness, he said. On Wednesday, Danczuk wrote a piece in Spiked where he called Shadow Net Zero Minister Ed Milibands plans eco-madness and that the partys deranged energy policies would cause severe economic harm. Danczuk criticised some Labour MPs and its leadership for implementing a green ideology which they see as more important than jobs, security, and sustaining the economy. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at the launch of the Labour partys mission on cheaper green power, setting out policies on clean energy, dated June 19, 2023. (Jane Barlow/PA Wire) If we think the economic situation is bad now in this country, then it will be doubly worse if Ed Miliband gets his way in terms of the proposals that hes putting forward, he said. Miliband recently wrote on Twitter that Labours Green Prosperity Plan is about lower bills, good jobs, energy security, and climate leadership. He has also championed the partys proposed GB Energy, a publicly-owned energy company, and the creation of a National Wealth Fund if they win the next general election. Loss and Damage funds Last November, Miliband told BBC Ones Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that a Labour government would pay reparations to developing countries for climate change. Loss and Damage funds, a plan to get rich nations that benefited from fossil fuels via the Industrial Revolution to pay compensation to developing states, were part of negotiations for the UN COP27 climate change summit in Egypt. This is about global solidarity, yes we have some historical responsibility, but this is about global solidarity and its absolutely part of our aid commitment, said Miliband. Danczuk said that the idea that we would use British taxpayers money to pay Pakistan and the Maldives for the harms of the Industrial Revolution is just ludicrous. He said that could there be discomfort within the Labour Party about the Net Zero policy. The vast majority of Labour MPs politicians are being careful about what they say and when they say it because they dont want to rock the boat in the run-up to the general election, he said. But I am quite sure from informal conversations that I have had that there are people within the Labour Party who think along similar lines to what I do, he added. Net Zero and Politics According to Electoral Calculus, Labour is still in the running to win a majority if a general election was called tomorrow. In terms of Net Zero, polling expert Sir John Curtice told The Epoch Times Labour supporters are more sympathetic. Curtice is well-known for his expert research and polling methods in electoral behaviour. He said that when you get to the more contentious areas such as increasing taxes on airline tickets, changing boilers, etc., Labour support is somewhat less opposed than Conservative supporters. Conservative supporters are less likely to want the state to intervene, and theyre less likely to want the state to tax in order to achieve climate change, although if the government is going to pay them to get rid of that gas boilers, Conservative voters wont necessarily object, he said. But if on the other hand, the government is going to put up the price of petrol then Conservative voters are more likely to object, he said. Curtice said that there is broad public concern regarding climate change. But he added that basically what the public wants is between governments and industry, is they organise the economy in such a way that then we can be virtuous without having to sacrifice too much. The Epoch Times contacted Labour and Ed Miliband for comment. Groups Face Off Over LGBT Policy at Southern California Schools Final Board Meeting The Glendale Unified School Boards final meeting of the school year draws dozens of parents, community members, and activists protesting over the districts policies on LGBT content in schools in Glendale, Calif., on June 20, 2023. (Courtesy of Hasmik Bezirdzhyan) The Glendale Unified School Boards final meeting of the school year on June 20 drew dozens of parents, community members, and activists protesting over the districts policies on LGBT content in schools. The protest comes just two weeks after three demonstrators were arrested at a June 6 board meeting, where opposing sides clashed as the district unanimously voted to recognize Pride Month. Ahead of the June 20 meeting, both the Glendale Police Department and Glendale Unified Board President Nayiri Nahabedian urged demonstrators to remain peaceful. Glendale Unified parent Yeva, who preferred to give her first name only, told The Epoch Times that protesters maintained peace. [Parents] did not go there with intentions for violence, she said. We really wanted to just speak to the community and get the message out of whats going on because many are unaware. In the end, it was very peaceful and productive and constructive. Police intervened just after 7 p.m. when an altercation took place between a homeless man and a Glendale resident across the street from the protest. However, Yeva said, the altercation was not directly related to the protest. A homeless man agitated one of the community members, yelling [expletive] your kids and spitting on him, she said. She added that the situation was diffused by police within a couple of minutes, and the homeless man was briefly detained by the officers on scene. However, she said, some outside activists came and stirred disruption. Though there were no LGBT-related items on the meeting agenda, dozens of people from pro-LGBT and far-left activist groups showed up several hours early to the board meeting to take up seats inside, according to Yeva. Pro-LGBT activist group Queer Nation LA urged supporters on social media to show up to the meeting to outnumber the fascists trying to eradicate trans and queer lives from public education in the U.S. and beyond. Yeva said many parents and community members also came early when they saw the activists were arriving. This is our board meeting, she told The Epoch Times. Theyre hijacking our meeting for their own activist interests. But this time, a lot of parents came, and a lot of the community came out to support the parents as well and have our own message put out there. Glendale Unified parent Hasmik Bezirdzhyan told The Epoch Times she believed the outside activists purposely agitated parents and community members. In one video from the protest, obtained by The Epoch Times, a braless woman wearing sunglasses and a gaiter covering her face is seen yelling and flailing her breasts at a parent. The activists were doing and yelling obscene things, trying to trigger people and get them upset so that they can turn the narrative that we were the hostile ones, that were homophobes and bigots, Bezirdzhyan said. Bezirdzhyan said parents simply dont want their children prematurely exposed to gender ideology and sexuality. We are not homophobes; we couldnt care less what adult gay people do with their lives, she said. We just dont want our children to be sexualized and introduced to these topics prematurely. During the board meeting, Superintendent Vivian Ekchian announced she is retiring effective June 30, concluding a 38-year career in education. Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the clothing of the protester who was seen yelling at a parent during the protest in a video. The Epoch Times regrets the error. House GOP Lawmakers Introduce Resolutions to Expunge Trump Impeachment Votes Former President Donald Trump at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., on June 13, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Republican Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) have introduced resolutions seeking to formally expunge both the first and second impeachments of former President Donald Trump. The congresswomen announced the introduction of the two resolutions in a June 22 statement in which they declared that the Dec. 18, 2019, and Jan. 13, 2021, impeachments of the former president were unconstitutional. Under their resolutions, charges against Trump would be removed from his record as if they never happened, the lawmakers said. Specifically, Greenes resolution (pdf) would expunge the 2019 impeachment of Trump. The then-Democrat controlled House of Representatives charged Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy. Trump has repeatedly said there was nothing improper about his phone call with the Ukrainian leader. Greene argued that the facts and circumstances upon which the impeachment charges were based did not meet the burden of proving the commission of high crimes and misdemeanors. It also cites a recently revealed FD-1023 from an FBI informant who claimed that President Joe Biden, during his time as vice president, was involved in a $5 million bribery scheme with a foreign national in exchange for certain actions. The informant alleged that the owner of Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma paid $5 million to Hunter Biden and $5 million to another Biden for the sole purpose of ousting Ukrainian prosecutor-general Viktor Shokin, who was planning to investigate Burisma Holdings. People gathered at the U.S. Capitol in Washington for the Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, 2021. (Courtesy of Michael Hamilton) Politically Motivated Sham Biden has repeatedly denied allegations of bribery. In a statement announcing the resolutions, Greene branded the first impeachment of Trump a politically motivated sham and accused Democrats of having weaponized a perfect phone call with Ukraine to interfere with the 2020 election. Meanwhile, the FBI had credible evidence of Joe and Hunter Bidens corrupt dealings, confirming their involvement in a foreign bribery pay-to-play scheme and receipt of over $5 million each, she said, citing the FD-1023 form from the FBI informant. The form vindicates President Trump and exposes the crimes of the Biden family, stated Greene. Its clear that President Trumps impeachment was nothing more than a witch hunt that needs to be expunged from our history. Im proud to work with Chairwoman Elise Stefanik on our joint resolutions to correct the record and clear President Trumps good name. Stefaniks resolution (pdf), meanwhile, would scrap the second impeachment charges against Trump for incitement of insurrection following the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol. Her resolution states that the impeachment of Trump was based on a subjective account of the events that transpired on the day of the breach and that the House did not follow any meaningful legislative process in its impeachment. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) speaks on the House floor on May 23, 2023. (U.S. House of Representatives/Screenshot via NTD) Democrats Weaponized the Power of Impeachment It also states that the facts and circumstances upon which articles of impeachment were based neither met the burden of proving that Trump committed high crimes and misdemeanors nor established that he engaged in an insurrection of rebellion against the United States. Trump posted a series of tweets ahead of the breach of the Capitol calling for a peaceful march. The American people know Democrats weaponized the power of impeachment against President Donald Trump to advance their own extreme political agenda, Stefanik said announcing the resolutions. From the beginning of this sham process, I stood up against Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiffs blatant attempt to shred the Constitution as House Democrats ignored the Constitution and failed to follow the legislative process. President Donald Trump was rightfully acquitted, and it is past time to expunge Democrats sham smear against not only President Trumps name but against millions of patriots across the country, the New York Republican added. To date, Trump remains the only president in history ever to have been impeached twice. He was acquitted at both trials. More recently, the former president, who is seeking reelection to the White House in 2024, appeared in a Miami court where he pleaded not guilty to 37 charges in the federal governments classified document case, including obstruction of justice, making false statements, and concealing documents. It is not yet clear when Stefanik and Greene will bring their measures to the floor. House Passes Resolution Denouncing Housing Illegal Immigrants in Public Schools The U.S. House of Representatives passed a nonbinding resolution on June 22 that denounces the government taking control of spaces in public elementary and secondary schools to house illegal immigrants. Illegal immigration is one of the most contentious issues separating Democrats and Republicans, and the vote approving the resolution was strictly along party lines, with 219 Republicans voting yes, and 206 Democrats voting no. The lower chamber of Congress took up discussion of the act following its debate, which lasted for about an hour and 15 minutes, of Rep. Lauren Boeberts (R-Colo.) controversial resolution to impeach President Biden, an action that was opposed by Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other Republicans. The impeachment resolution was ultimately sent to two committees, which delayed a vote on the measure. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) authored H. Res. 461 Condemning the use of elementary and secondary school facilities to provide shelter for aliens who are not admitted to the United States. Miller-Meeks and Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.) introduced the bill on June 1. Sanctuary cities like New York and Chicago, which have opened their arms and embraced illegal immigrantsand which are now in crisis mode, with support resources dwindling and the challenges of feeding, housing, providing medical care, and other services rapidly risinghave proposed requisitioning schools to house the migrants. Earlier this spring, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city was preparing to house immigrants in as many as 20 stand-alone gyms on the campuses of public schools in the city. The plan ran up against fervent and stalwart opposition and not all from Republican lawmakers. In fact, in mid-May, when the city made the decision to start moving illegal immigrants into the stand-alone gyms of several public schools in the borough of Brooklyn, whose students were largely from working-class families of color, parents of the students firmly protested. Parents showed up at the schools and cried foul that their kids would not have access to vital exercise space and would also have their safety jeopardized. Feeling the pressure, the city backed down and abandoned the initiative. Sending a Message and Stating a Position Being nonbinding, the resolution is mostly a political statement. It wields little to no direct bite or power to halt or block the government from using schools as residences. And, yet, the GOP asserts there is significant value in making the statement and publicizing what it says is a disastrous Biden administration border policy, the negative consequences of which include putting young people at risk and depriving them of needed learning and educational opportunities. Virginia Fox (R-N.C.), who started the discussion and debate on the resolution on the House floor on June 22, directly addressed the legislative and procedural nature of the act, calling it a crystal clear rebuke of the chaos at the border, and were voting on a resolution today to condemn the threat posed to children. Fox added: Our resolution condemns the breakdown of law and order at the southern border. It condemns the lawlessness perpetuated by blue cities and states like New York. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) declared that the resolution was another Republican political ploy, grandstanding, and not confronting and dealing with the most urgent problems facing school children. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on July 29, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Like clockwork, we are here, yet again, taking up another proposal that, among other things, reports to improve school safety but does nothing to address gun violence in schools or improve students mental health, said Scott. So far this Congress, the Republican priorities for K through 12 education are focused almost entirely on so-called culture wars. First, the House Republicans passed legislation to ban books. House then advanced legislation targeting trans students. We just debated an impeachment resolution, and now the House is considering a proposal that would encourage taking away funding from schools whose facilities are used to temporarily house refugees and immigrants. Rep. Miller-Meeks, a medical doctor, laid out in her statement in the chamber how housing illegal immigrants in schools presents safety threats to children and deprives them of educational opportunity. As a mother and a physician, I do not see how my colleagues on the other side of the aisle can let this stand, said Miller-Meeks. Using school facilities as shelter free legal aliens instead of as schools, as they were intended, creates a host of issues ranging from safety hazards for young children to a free fall of security issues as a result of not providing adequate accommodations or security screenings. Miller-Meeks cited that the policy of housing migrants in schools removes recreational and exercise space, and it brings with it increased costs for cleaning and maintenance. She said that the policy diverts educational resources away from children. And in most cases, we have little or no background information upon these individuals; it provides an avoidable and incredible security risk, said Miller-Meeks. We must protect Americas children and save our educational systems from being robbed of their purpose. Hunter Biden, Attorney General Enjoy White House Dinner After First Son Charged With Crimes Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, looks on during a state dinner at the White House on June 22, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) President Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden attended a White House dinner on June 22, two days after he admitted to violating federal law. Attorney General Merrick Garland, a Biden appointee who heads the Department of Justice (DOJ), was also among the attendees at the dinner, held in honor of visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Garlands wife Lynn Rosenman Garland and Hunter Bidens wife Melissa Cohen Biden were also on hand. Garland and Hunter Biden were not pictured speaking with each other during the event. The dinner featured music from violinist Joshua Bell and the United States Marine Band Chamber Orchestra. Other attendees included Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.); Martin Luther King III, a son of the late Martin Luther King Jr.; and New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman. Hunter Biden has agreed to plead guilty to intentionally not paying more than $200,000 in taxes, DOJ prosecutors said in court filings on Wednesday. The taxes were owed on more than $3 million in income across two years, 2017 and 2018. The presidents only surviving son also is entering pretrial diversion for illegally possessing a gun while using illegal drugs, prosecutors said. Hunter Biden faces up to two years in prison for the tax charges. Hunter Biden has not spoken about the developments and his lawyer declined to comment. He said previously that he was confident a probe of his tax affairs would demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately. Hes scheduled to appear in federal court in Delaware in July to ask a judge to approve the plea agreement. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, a Trump appointee, was assigned to the case. Whistleblowers from the IRS part of the investigation into Hunter Biden told members of Congress that Hunter Biden received preferential treatment from both the IRS and the DOJ. Gary Shapley, one of the whistleblowers, said DOJ assistant U.S. attorney Lesley Wolf blocked investigators from accessing a laptop computer recovered from a Delaware store that was verified as belonging to the presidents son. This decision is unprecedented in my experience, Shapley said. Investigators assigned to this investigation were obstructed from seeing all the available evidence. It is unknown if all the evidence was reviewed by agents or by prosecutors. The DOJ declined to comment. U.S. President Joe Bidens daughter Ashley Biden, left, greets the presidents son Hunter Biden during a state dinner at the White House in Washington on June 22, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) U.S. President Joe Biden, left, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in Washington on June 22, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) President Biden before the dinner refused to answer shouted questions about his sons case, or whether the U.S. has a two-tiered justice system. Former President Donald Trump was recently charged with violating multiple laws for allegedly holding onto classified documents beyond his presidency and obstructing the probe into the matter. Trump has pleaded not guilty and says hes innocent. One whistleblower also said that Hunter Biden conducted business with a Chinese businessman while his father was with him, undermining the presidents claims that he has never spoken with his son about business dealings. The whistleblowers also said that U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who just charged Hunter Biden, tried bringing charges against Hunter Biden in Washington and in California in 2022 but was denied both times. Yet U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland told Congress that Weiss had all the authority necessary to pursue the charges. Well, which is it? Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, told reporters on Capitol Hill. Weiss, a Trump appointee, said in a recent letter that he was granted ultimate authority over this matter, including responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges. Garland told reporters during a briefing: As I said from the moment of my appointment as attorney general, I would leave this matter in the hands of the United States attorneywho was appointed by the previous president and assigned to this matter by the previous administrationthat he would be given full authority to decide the matter as he decided was appropriate, and thats what hes done. Additional questions about the case should be presented to Weiss, Garland said. Weiss has also said that the investigation is ongoing. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.), the ranking member of the committee, said the allegations were premature and called the release of the whistleblower interview transcripts a stunning abuse of power. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), a former prosecutor, said the plea agreement that was announced this week was very unusual and questioned why the DOJ did not probe further into some of the allegations. I think youll see a level of criminality that I dont think anybody expected to see in these whistleblowers transcripts, LaHood said. Huntington Beach Sued Over Nondisclosure of Airshow Settlement (L-R) Huntington Beach Mayor Tony Strickland, City Attorney Michael Gates, and Councilman Casey McKeon gather with residents to challenge state housing laws in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Feb. 14, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) A Huntington Beach resident has filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming it is breaking California public records laws. At issue is a settlement agreement between the city and operators of the Huntington Beach Pacific Airshow, who sued the city when the final day of a three-day event it had staged was cancelled due to the 2021 oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach. The operators had sought compensation for damages due to the cancellation, and Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates announced in a May 9 press conference the two parties had reached a settlement. Two days later, resident Gina Clayton-Tarvinwho is also vice president of the Ocean View School District and who had run for a seat on the council in 2022filed a public records request for the settlement, but, according to her lawsuit, she was denied and only received a one-page summary written on City of Huntington Beach stationary. Huntington Beach is continuing to violate the law by withholding public records to which [Clayton-Tarvin] is legally entitled, the lawsuit reads, which was filed on June 7. It further says the citys reasoning for withholding the requested settlement agreement in full is legally and factually erroneous, and the public records request act and California constitution require immediate and complete disclosure of the settlement agreement. Under the settlement, the city agreed to pay $5 million to the airshow operatorCode Fourand refund fees from last years show, in an effort of good faith. Documents in her lawsuit show emails from city staff that said the full settlement couldnt be shared because of pending litigation against Amplifythe operator of the pipeline responsible for the spillas well as due to client/attorney privilege, and records in which the public interest in maintaining confidentiality outweighs the public interest in disclosing. According to Gates, due to those concerns he is legally allowed under state law to only share a summary of the settlement agreement with Clayton-Tarvin. In this case, we did release the terms of the agreement that are of importance to the taxpayer, Gates told The Epoch Times. Government code is very clear that were required to disclose the substance of the settlement, but nowhere in state law does it say the settlement agreement itself. Gates said taxpayers have a right to know what their cost or burden is in resolving a dispute, and we always honor that, he said. But he said the city also has the right to protect its own best interest and not disclose things that could affect or compromise other pending lawsuits. But Clayton-Tarvin argued she has never denied a public records request, including those related to legal issues, while serving as a publicly elected official. I have never in my tenure as a board member or of the five years Ive served as president denied a person who has asked for a legal settlement of ours, she told The Epoch Times. She said that if the city announced the settlement publicly, then it should be able to show official documentation of such. If they come out in public and they say We saved the airshow. We have a settlement, then the word settlement means settlement, she said. I do believe I will prevail in a court of law. As the daughter of a commercial pilot whose father also performed in airshows nationwide, Clayton-Tarvin said her lawsuit is only intended to verify the city properly negotiated with the airshow operator when coming to an agreement and didnt agree to more than necessary. According to Gates, if Clayton-Tarvins lawsuit proceeds, he is confident the city will win. Shes completely way off base. When a judge makes a determination Im pretty confident that given the totality of the circumstances the judge will say that we made the right decision to only supply a summary of the settlement, he said. However, he said if the court rules in her favor, he will gladly hand over the requested documents, which he said dont show any wrongdoing on the citys behalf. Iconic Hong Kong Dragon Boat Races Are Back in Full Force as Thousands of Spectators Gather Competitors take part in the annual dragon boat race to celebrate the Dragon Boat festival in Hong Kong on June 22, 2023. (Louise Delmotte/AP Photo) HONG KONGThousands gathered Thursday in southern Hong Kong to watch the iconic dragon boat races, a highlight of the annual Chinese Dragon Boat festival. The dragon boat races were back in full force after years of cancellations, postponements, and social-distancing restrictions during the pandemic. Dragon boat teams in Hong Kong range from 8 to 50 people, depending on the size of the boat. A standard boat in Hong Kong typically has a crew of 20 people who race between about 250500 meters (8201640 feet). The Dragon Boat festival, also known as Tuen Ng in Cantonese, is associated with a story of a righteous official in ancient times who drowned himself after falling out of favor with his leader. According to the lore, villagers rushed out to the river with boats to try and save him, and threw rice dumplings into the water to prevent fish from eating his body and to ward away evil spirits. Thus the tradition of dragon boating and eating rice dumplings, which are called zongzi in Chinese, was born. The holiday is celebrated in mainland China and regions like Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, as well as in countries like Singapore that have a large Chinese diaspora. The dragon boat race at Hong Kongs southern fishing port of Aberdeen is famous for having local fishermen join the race with traditional dragon boats they make themselves. Wherever theres fishermen, theres dragon boats, said Cheng Man-Tat, a second-generation fisherman from a local fishing family. There have been dragon boat competitions in every fishing port during the Tuen Ng Festival every year. Some 45 teamsmade up of fishermen, secondary school students, mixed-gender, and all-men and all-women teamsjoined 28 races this year at Aberdeen. Participants compete in either traditional wooden boats or standard glass-fiber dragon boats. Shelly Chan, a paddler who joined the race for the 10th year, said the hardest part of the races is how tiring it gets. Races often last two to three minutes, but can go to 10 minutes or longer depending on the course. You cant stop, once the competition starts, you will need to keep it going, she said. If its a long-distance race, it relies on your stamina. Races were also held at five other areas across Hong Kongs shores. By Katie Tam IN-DEPTH: GOP Embraces Ballot Harvesting, but Some Republicans Have Misgivings 'You don't want to be at a political disadvantage,' conservative strategist says As the 2024 election cycle draws near, it appears that Republicans are recognizing ballot harvesting as an integral part of any successful election strategy. However, opinions on the decision to give in and use ballot harvesting are mixed. While campaigns are already well underway, the much anticipated 2024 presidential election cycle wont officially begin until the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 22, 2024. But while Super Tuesday is only tentatively scheduled to take place on March 5 of next year, debates on the pros and cons of ballot harvesting and mail-in ballots have already begun. Republicans have spent years decrying the practice of mail-in ballots and ballot harvesting, but they are now realizing that, in order to win, they have to play. Ballot harvesting is a process by which third-parties can collect completed mail-in ballots from voters and deliver them in bulk to a drop box or local elections office. Although every state allows absentee voting, the rules and guidelines vary greatly between states. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 31 states allow voters to authorize someone else to return their ballot on their behalf. Of those, nine limit the number of ballots an authorized person can return, and four limit the amount of time those ballots can remain in the authorized persons custody before being returned. Alabama has a law on the books that prohibits anyone except the voter from returning his or her ballot, and in Mississippi, several civil rights organizations are suing over a recent state law that would ban ballot harvesting. Data compiled by USA Facts in 2021 show that three statesFlorida, Georgia, and Iowadecreased the number of ballot drop boxes allowed per county and established regulations requiring drop boxes to be constantly monitored by county election officials. Conversely, Illinois, Kentucky, and Virginia passed laws that increased the number of drop box locations. On Jan. 4, 2021, Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) introduced H.R. 1. The measure, labeled by Democrats as the For the People Act, would have prohibited states from banning ballot harvesting. While it did pass the then-Democrat-controlled House, a Republican filibuster killed the measure. Sarbanes made a similar effort in 2019. Then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked the measure from reaching the Senate floor. Conservative filmmaker and author Dinesh DSouza speaks during the final day of the 2014 Republican Leadership Conference on May 31, 2014 in New Orleans. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Twelve states limit the number of ballots a third party may return on behalf of other voters. In 2022, Dinesh DSouza released a documentary called 2000 Mules, alleging that 2,000 individuals were hired by unknown nonprofits to collect ballots illegally and deliver them to drop boxes in key swing states ahead of the 2020 presidential election. By the Numbers To understand the power of ballot harvesting and mail-in ballots in an election, one must look at the numbers. A November 2020 study released by Pew Research showed that 54 percent of voters cast their ballots in person during the November 2020 presidential election, compared with 46 percent who voted by mail-in or absentee ballot. Only 27 percent said they voted in person on Election Day, and an equal amount said they voted by way of in-person early voting. While 37 percent of former President Donald Trumps voters cast their ballots in person on Election Day, only 17 percent of Biden voters did the same. Where 30 percent of Trump supporters voted early, only 24 percent of Bidens voters cast ballots in person before Election Day. Most noteworthy, while 32 percent of Trump supporters voted by way of mail-in or absentee ballot, more than half of Bidens voters, 58 percent, cast their ballots through the mail-in method. Polling data released by the U.S. Census Bureau in April 2021 showed that 69 percent of voters in the 2020 presidential election voted by mail or early voting, making it the highest rate of nontraditional voting for a presidential election recorded. In 2016, for comparison, 40 percent of Americans used mail-in ballots during the presidential election. A Huge Mistake After years of criticizing ballot harvesting and a push toward mail-in ballots, some Republicans are beginning to reconsider their partys unbending resistance to both practices. On Nov. 29, 2022, on Truth Social, Trump wrote in all capital letters, You can never have fair & free elections with mail-in ballotsnever, never, never. Wont and cant happen!!! Three months later, in a February fundraising email, Trump asked supporters to chip in for his ballot harvesting fund, writing, Either we ballot harvest where we can, or you can say goodbye to America! President Donald Trump (L) is greeted by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at Southwest Florida International Airport on Oct. 16, 2020. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) On May 6, 2021, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida signed SB 90 into law, effectively banning ballot harvesting in the state. At a Nov. 3, 2021, press conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, DeSantis said he wanted to make ballot harvesting a third-degree felony. However, as a contender for the Republican nomination for the 2024 election cycle, DeSantis assured a voter at a campaign stop in Iowa on June 1, Were going to do ballot harvesting. Im doing it. Yes, he said. Im not going to fight with one hand tied behind my back. During a September 2020 interview with C-SPAN, Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel criticized hasty expansions of mail-in voting and ballot harvesting under the guise of public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic without first putting a system in place to ensure the integrity of the process. She said Trump was right in saying Democrats have inserted havoc and chaos into the election cycle. RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel speaks during a press conference at the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington on Nov. 9, 2020. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images) In a Fox News interview two years later, McDaniel said Republican voters need to start voting early. I have said this over and over again, she said. There were many in 2020 saying, Dont vote by mail, dont vote early. And we have to stop that. In June, McDaniel started the GOPs new Bank Your Vote initiative. In a video promoting the project, McDaniel stressed that the GOP is going to join in the ballot harvesting practice only as a means to protect the vote, and because its necessary for Republicans to adopt similar strategies since Democrats have already established a successful advantage. On June 20, Talking Points Memo reported that when Mike Lindell discussed the topic of ballot harvesting with McDaniel, he told her, Thats the dumbest plan Ive ever heard. Her response, he said, was that the RNC has to do everything we can to win. Lindell told The Epoch Times that he didnt want to argue with McDaniel, but he said the RNC has made a huge mistake. MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, here speaking Nov. 15, 2022, at former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Fla., challenged incumbent Ronna McDaniel in Januarys election for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee, claiming there is widespread discontent with the partys leadership, especially among America First voters. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) How do you just change your tune and hope states will go for it and make ballot harvesting legal? Lindell said. This is not the right approach. Its a desperation move. Lindell also noted how Democrats put several voting practices into play illegally in multiple states during the COVID-19 pandemic through secretaries of state and governors, which he believes gave Democrats an illegal advantage. No matter what is going on in our country, you have to stick by the Constitution, and legislators make the law, Lindell said. So all of these things they put in illegally in 2020, they are now starting to try to make as the status quo, and that cant happen or were going to lose our country for sure. Its a Bad Idea Michael Thompson, chairman of the Lee County Republican Executive Committee and Election Integrity Committee member of the Republican Party of Florida, said that the words ballot harvesting strike fear into many Republicans. Michael Thompson, chairman of the Lee County Republican Executive Committee. (Courtesy of Michael Thompson) They should just stay in their lane, Thompson told The Epoch Times. The one thing Republicans never seem to learn is that Democrats are constantly doing things to set them up. Thompson said he believes Republicans are embracing ballot harvesting and mail-in ballots only because Democrats have been so successful at it. But my concern is that Democrats are going to be in there monitoring Republicans to make sure theyre doing it right and if they arent doing it right theyre going to accuse Republicans of trying to rig the elections, he said. No matter what you think of Democrats, theyve always out-maneuvered Republicans. Its too little, too late. Its a bad idea to jump into ballot harvesting to try to win an election when your opponent wrote the book on it. We Have to Compete Corey Gibson said hes excited by the idea of leveling the ballot harvest playing field. In his position as national executive director of development for Rethink! GOP, he will be playing an integral role in creating what he said will be a winning strategy. Ballot harvesting is something that Democrats have been doing forever and the Republicans simply havent been competing with them, Gibson told The Epoch Times, explaining that the project began when some Gen Z folks got together and began discussing how exhausting it was watching the GOP continue to lose the ballot harvest game. Corey Gibson, national executive director of development for RethinkGOP.org. (Courtesy of Corey Gibson) As founder of the America First PACT, Gibson has already assembled a skilled army of social media influencers he can loop in to help create the initiative. Were the first national ballot harvesting project, Gibson said. Weve been able to unite Gen Z leadership with established, rather than establishment, leaders and champions for voter integrity. Now, like with everything else in life, its a matter of fundraising. While some are concerned about the optics of Republicans embracing a practice they were condemning not long ago, Gibson said he has come in contact with many who are relieved that the party is finally competing with Democrats in this way. By and large, everybody hates ballot harvesting, he said. But they also hate the fact that its legal and were not doing it and were continuing to lose. Its here. We have to compete to win elections. Vote Trafficking In an October 2019 study for The Heritage Foundation (pdf), Hans von Spakovsky described ballot harvesting as a dangerous and foolish public policy that threatens the integrity of elections, insisting it should not be implemented by state legislaturesand should be prohibited in the states that currently allow it. Hans von Spakovsky, manager of The Heritage Foundations Election Law Reform Initiative. (Courtesy of Hans von Spakovsky) As manager of the organizations Election Law Reform Initiative, von Spakovsky is an authority on voter fraud and the enforcement of federal voting rights laws. I actually call it vote trafficking, because thats what it is, von Spakovsky told The Epoch Times. Still, he doesnt see any conflict between prior and current GOP sentiments on the topic. In states where its legal you need to comply and play by the rules, von Spakovsky explained. But you dont want to be at a political disadvantage because the other party is heavily recruiting people to go out and collect ballots and you dont do the same thing. You have to meet their efforts. For those who express concern about Republicans decision to embrace ballot harvesting and the prospect that the GOP wont be able to compete with Democrats on this contentious yet necessary front, von Spakovsky said: Thats no reason not to take legal advantage of the rules that govern an election process. You have to meet their efforts and do the same thing. But that doesnt mean that you stop trying to convince legislators in states that allow this to change the law. Time to Go Back Dennis Prager, a nationally syndicated talk show host, author, and founder of PragerU, issued a statement to The Epoch Times about the issue. Democrats have pushed through election rule changes that transformed Election Day into Election Month, pushed through rule changes that, in some states, made ballot harvestinga practice that had been illegal precisely because it so opens the door to fraudlegal, and then added a further rule change requiring mail-in ballots be sent to every registered voter, he said. Prager also suggested that Democrats didnt change the rules out of concern for voters who might not have time to go to their polling location to cast their vote. Dennis Prager, founder of PragerU and conservative radio talk show host and writer speaks at the Values Voter Summit in Washington on Oct. 11, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) They did these things because they knew if elections became a game of gathering ballots rather than winning votes, Democrats, through their activists operating primarily in Democrat-leaning precincts, would have a massive advantage, Prager said. Anyone can collect and turn in the ballots of others with no verified chain of custody or proof that the voter, not an activist, filled out the ballot. For now, Prager conceded that Republicans will have to play this game by the new rules and also organize and harvest ballots. Prager suggested that if the GOP truly wants to restore election integrity, Republican state legislators will have to propose and pass laws that bring elections back to the days of paper ballots and hand-counts at the precinct levelon Election Day. The only exceptions should be made for people who are bedridden or out of town when the election takes place, Prager said. Anything short of that means the United States no longer has elections we can have faith in. Joe Gomez, Janice Hisle, and Nathan Worcester contributed to this report. IN DEPTH: Gun Loophole Closed After Police Murder but Expert Warns UK Firearms Laws a Shambles Criminals now turning to 'slam guns' and weapons produced on 3D printers The murder of a sergeant inside a police holding cell highlighted a legal loophole surrounding antique firearms, which has since been closed. On Friday, Louis De Zoysawho suffered brain damage after being hit by one of his own bulletswas convicted of Matt Ratanas murder, which happened at Croydon police station on Sep. 25, 2020. But James Marchington, a shooting enthusiast and videojournalist who works for the Fieldsports Channel, said the 1968 Firearms Act and the administration of gun licensing was a shambles which needed to be addressed. During De Zoysas trial the prosecutor Duncan Penny, KC, told the jury at Northampton Crown Court the arresting officers had not found the gun on him when he was arrested and handcuffed. Penny said he is thought to have concealed it under his armpit and then produced it and shot Ratana before anyone was able to stop him. The gun in question was an antique revolver and was legal to own, although the ammunition was no longer manufactured. The murder weapon was a .41 calibre Long Colt antique revolverthe same type of gun fired by Alec Baldwin on the set of the Hollywood movie Rust, when he killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. De Zoysa bought it in an online auction in June 2020 but because the ammunition was obsolete, he manufactured .357 cartridges for it at the farm in Banstead, Surrey where he lived. Arsenal of Weapons Found When his home was raided, police also found a .41 calibre Long Colt New Model Army & Navy antique revolver, a Schmitt-Rubin antique infantry rifle with a shortened barrel, an Umarex Python gas-firing revolver, a .357 Magnum bullet and seven .38 bullets, as well as a pipe-gun and a dummy launcher. At the time of Ratanas death, any antique firearmmeaning anything manufactured before Sep. 1, 1939was exempt under section 58(2) of the 1968 Firearms Act if they were being displayed as a curiosity or ornament. Therefore you could own them without needing to have a firearms certificate. Screengrab from CCTV footage of Louis de Zoysa near a weapon (circled in red) in a holding cell at Croydon custody centre in London on Sep. 25, 2020. (Metropolitan Police) But in November 2020two months after Ratana was killedthe government announced it was closing the loophole. The Home Office cited figures from the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) which showed a sharp rise in the number of antique guns being seized from crime scenes. They said the number had risen from four guns in 2007 to 97 in 2016, although it had fallen back to 69 by 2019. 6 Deaths Linked to Antique Firearms The Home Office made no mention of the Ratana case but said between 2007 and 2020, NABIS had linked six deaths to antique firearms. So the Firearms Act still contains an exemption for antique weapons but the definition of an antique firearm has been tightened. Antique firearms are now defined as being either: any weapon which is loaded at the muzzle end of the barrel, such as a flintlock, musket or a blunderbuss. any breech-loading cartridge firearm which uses an ignition system other than rim-fire or centre-fire. The Home Office also removed from the exemption a number of revolvers which used obsolete cartridges, including .44 Smith and Wesson Russian, 10.6mm German Ordnance and the .44 Webley, the latter being the gun used by both Sherlock Holmes and James Bond in the original novels. That list included .41 Colt (both long and short), meaning the weapon De Zoysa used to kill Ratana became illegal, unless the owner had a firearms certificate. For years the law around antique weapons had contained a grey area and that was highlighted by the trial, in 2007, of firearms dealer, Mick Shepherd, who was prosecuted after police raided his home in Dartford, Kent, and seized 900 guns. At Shepherds trial prosecutor Mark Gadsden, explained to the jury the distinction: If an individual has a genuine old Wild West type revolver, such as those depicted in cowboy films, in a display case above the mantelpiece of his or her living roomwith no intention of doing anything untoward with itthen it will fall within the exemption. If, however, that individual takes that same revolver out of its display case and uses it to commit an armed bank robbery then the exemption does not apply because, while the antique nature of the firearm has not changed, it is no longer being possessed as a curiosity or ornament, Gadsden added. Undercover officers had purchased weapons from Shepherd and discussed what ammunition to use in them but the prosecution failed to prove he was encouraging them to use the guns as anything but ornaments and he was acquitted of all charges. After he was acquitted all 900 guns were returned to Shepherd, who said last week he had been forced to retire when the new rules came into effect in March 2021. Its the Person, not the Weapon, Thats the Problem Shepherd told The Epoch Times: They want to ban everything. They just keep whittling away. In Switzerland, you dont need a gun licence. Its the person, not the weapon, thats the problem. Any idiot can buy a knife. Shepherd said many people who had antique guns on display over their mantlepiece had no idea the law had been changed and they now needed a certificate. A lot of people just want to own a gun. Its a fascination, said Shepherd. The Home Office is thought to be about to produce a new consultation on updating Britains firearms laws in the wake of comments made by the coroner at the inquest earlier this year into the August 2021 mass shooting in Plymouth. Undated photo of Jake Davison, posted on his Facebook page, who shot dead five people in the Keyham area of Plymouth, England on Aug. 12, 2021. (Jake Davison/Facebook/PA) Bill Harriman, the British Association of Shooting and Conservations director of firearms, recently described the current system as ramshackle. In an episode of the YouTube channel Strictly Shooting, Harriman said police ineptitude had been highlighted by the Plymouth shootings but he said the under-resourcing of police firearms licensing officers was also causing delays which put at risk the livelihoods of those who need guns for their jobs, such as gamekeepers, clay pigeon shooting firms and some pest control officers. Marchington agrees and said: The police were struggling before and then COVID-19 brought the system to its knees. The police have an awful lot on their plate and licensing firearms is not top of their list. The whole process is under-resourced and weve reached a stalemate where things dont move. He said people interested in taking up clay pigeon shooting were having to wait in some cases up to three years for a shotgun licence and pest controllers who bought new weapons and wanted a variation on their certificates were waiting months. The Existing Laws are a Muddle Marchington told The Epoch Times: The existing laws are a muddle. They are confusing and dont do the job they are designed to do. The whole process could be streamlined. He said: The Plymouth situation shows we have a proportion of complete lunatics in this country and people are under more stress than they were in the past. You want to keep guns out of the hands of those people. But there is no reason why farmers, gamekeepers and clay pigeon shooters cant be trusted with guns. Peter Glenser, KC, a barrister specialising in firearms-related matters, told The Epoch Times: There are some 34 separate pieces of legislation that touch upon firearms ownership. Its a pity that following the law commissions recent review of the subject that the opportunity to simplify and codify the law wasnt taken. That said the very few problems involving legally held firearms usually occur where the existing law, Home Office guidance and procedure isnt followed. Glenser said: It would be helpful for all concerned if certificates could be given a duration of 10 years, rather than five. That would immediately reduce the cost of administering licensing and free up time for firearms licensing managers to concentrate their scant resources on any potential or emerging problems. Any reworking of the firearms laws should start with a blank piece of paper, he added. An FGC-9 gunmanufactured with a 3D printerwhich was discovered at a house in Bradford, England in May 2022. (West Yorkshire Police) Glenser said: Persons seeking to possess guns unlawfully often achieve their aimlook at the FGC-9 for one example but at a much more mundane level slam guns are cheap, easily constructed and absolutely lethaland quite difficult to detect in that they just look like (and mostly are) old pieces of pipe. Persons owning firearms legitimately are very rarely the problem. Guns Created on 3D Printers In May 2022 police in Yorkshire discovered three FGC-9 sub-machine guns after stopping a car and then raiding a house in Bradford. Sibusiso Moyowho was a computer science lecturerwas jailed for 18 years for illegally manufacturing a firearm, and Christopher Gill was locked up for 13 years. Sheffield Crown Court heard the guns, which had been manufactured on a 3D printer at Moyos home in Hull, had been tested by experts based at the Royal Armouries in Leeds who had confirmed they were viable firearms. One website, based in the United States, estimates an FGC-9 can be manufactured for as little as $400 (315). Marchington told The Epoch Times: Its not difficult to create a gun if you have basic metalwork skills. You can make something which will go bang and kill someone, and now with 3D printers you can print something that will operate as a gun. In January the Home Office launched a consultation about creating a new offence of supplying or possessing articles for use in serious crime, one of which was digital templates that can be used for 3D-printed firearm components. The Epoch Times has contacted the Home Office to confirm if the closure of the antique weapons loophole was linked to the death of Ratana two months before, but they have not responded. A NABIS spokesman told The Epoch Times in an email, Were unable to comment on the rationale or timeliness of changes made to legislation made by government. IN-DEPTH: Medical Gender Industry Projected to Reach $5 Billion by 2030 as Doctors Sound Alarm Chloe Cole, an 18-year-old woman who regrets surgically removing her breasts, holds testosterone medication used for transgender patients in Northern California on Aug. 26, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) A medical crusade devoted to the pharmaceutical and surgical alteration of childrens bodies is projected to become a $5 billion industry in the United States by 2030, according to a market research report by Grand View Research (pdf). However, this lucrative commitment to the gender-affirming care model is not without dissent. Though it may seem a majority are in lockstep with transitioning children, there remain physicians who continue to speak out, and their opposition is supported by a withdrawal from the model abroad after its been deduced to cause more harm than good. Drs. Patrick Lappert and Stanley Goldfarb both spoke with The Epoch Times, addressing what is perpetuating the race to prescribe drugs and operate on adolescents and why Americas unquestioning embrace of gender ideology differs from European countries. Whats driving the gender-affirming model, Lappert said, is the sale of an idea, repackaged and resold throughout the multiple channels of politics and academia to produce more teachers and followers who will then resell that idea to their students. Its a very sexualized idea of what it means to be a human person, Lappert said. This is basically the retail-level sale of gender affirmation, which is happening in public schools right now, and a large number of the present crop of teachers are significantly bought into this. What the idea proposes is that childhood anxiety stems mostly from issues of sexual identity, and the solution is the medicalization of the child, Lappert said. When you are talking about the medicalization of a child beginning at the age of about 9 and treating them for the rest of their life, youve just created a massive income stream for a pharmaceutical company, Lappert said. The Cass Review As the American medical community marches forward into trans ideologies, European countries like the United Kingdom have come to a stop. Dr. Hilary Cass headed the Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People commissioned by the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, the results of which led to the NHS discontinuing the use of puberty blockers due to the significant uncertainties surrounding the use of hormone treatments. According to Cass, she was initially called to only look at the published evidence on the drugs used on children with gender dysphoria. But it rapidly became apparent that there were much broader problems in the whole care of children from when they first questioned their gender right through to those who need medical treatment, Cass said in her review. Like in the United States, Cass admitted its a volatile issue on which everyone has strongly held views. The debate can get very toxic because of that, Cass said. People are actually afraid to talk openly, and we have to find a way to allow them to do so in a safe environment. Ultimately, weve got to find a way to put the animosity aside to come to a shared consensus and to find the best possible way forward for children and young people and their families. The original case was brought against the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust (Aaron Chown/PA) Gender Clinic Growing Exponentially According to Lappert, because health care in Europe is centralized, its easier for researchers to gather and compare data to see how the gender programs have worked, whereas in the United States, there is the enterprise model, which involves many different medical providers that are intertwined with pharmaceutical companies, third-party insurance agencies, and hospital corporations, keeping their own private medical and financial records. There are only a few gender clinics in each European country, but in the last two years, the number of gender clinics in the United States has increased from the mid-50s to about 100. That number is growing exponentially, Lappert said. Casss research drew from the only clinic in the UK: the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, which is scheduled to close in 2023 because of the review. What they discovered was there was no evidence of benefits, but very obvious evidence of harm, Lappert said. There was an immediate cessation of the treatment and they came out with guidance that essentially returns the British medical system to the historically proven model of family-centered therapeutic intervention that has been shown to be successful in resolving gender identity disorders over 92 percent of the time. Americas full-throttle attitude toward transitioning children is fueled by a well-funded political apparatus, Lappert said, which relies on political language instead of examining root causes and diagnoses. Those who advocate for gender transitioning for children speak in political language, such as calling children who seek gender-affirming care underserved minorities. Its clear they arent talking about medical truth or opinion, Lappert said. They are motivated by very different drives. Chloe Cole takes part in a demonstration in Anaheim, Calif., on Oct. 8, 2022. (Brad Jones/The Epoch Times) The Literature Doesnt Support This According to Goldfarb, board chair of Do No Harm (DNH)an organization that spotlights unethical and discriminatory practices in medical institutionsthe United States gender-affirming model fails to investigate underlying mental disorders behind the diagnoses of gender dysphoria because the trans ideology to which many medical societies have sworn allegiance have proclaimed it normal that a child could be born in the wrong body. I think there are several ideologues involved in this who havent evaluated the literature carefully who listen to these professional societies that have also failed to evaluate the literature adequately, Goldfarb said. As a result, Goldfarb said, the American medical community is off to the races to prescribe drugs and operate on children. And there isnt much pushback, because if you speak out against it, youre labeled a transphobe, Goldfarb said. Goldfarb emphasized an adults right to undergo whatever transgender medical treatment he or she wants to pursue. His organization focuses its efforts on the unethical practice of using transgender medical treatments on children. Those who argue in favor of the treatments claim that children who dont receive it will be at risk of suicide. The literature doesnt support this, Goldfarb said. Its higher than the normal child population, but no different than the children who have the psychological problems that these kids manifest. So, as it turns out, this just isnt the case. Its a canard thats been foisted on parents and used as a lever to get them to agree to allow their kids to go down this path. Physicians use the claim to frighten the family into making fear-based decisions, Lappert said. Not only are the parents convinced they must affirm the child, but the claim is also always made in the presence of the child, leaving the child to fear for his own life if he doesnt make the right choice, Lappert said. This is how children are brought into the industry every day. More detransitioners are emerging to talk about their experience seeking legal redress against these providers of affirmation care, Lappert said. Detransition advocates meet outside of the annual Pediatric Endocrine Society conference held in San Diego, Calif., on May 6, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Detransitioners File Suit Detransitioner Layla Jane, 18, is suing a hospital in California after it removed her breasts when she was 13 years old based on her claim that she was a boy. According to the lawsuit, she also struggled with mental health disorders requiring psychotherapy, not gender transition treatment. Kayla is a biological female who suffered from a complex, multi-faceted array of mental health symptoms as a child and adolescent, the lawsuit states. When Jane was 11, she said she was exposed to transgender influencers online who led her to believe she was a boy. Physicians put her on puberty blockers and testosterone when she was 12, then performed a double mastectomy within six months at the age of 13. This occurred, the lawsuit states, after a physician determined in a single, 75-minute evaluation that she was transgender. Defendants did not question, elicit, or attempt to understand the psychological events that led Kayla to the mistaken belief that she was transgender, nor did they evaluate, appreciate, or treat her multi-faceted presentation of co-morbid symptoms, the lawsuit states. Instead, Defendants assumed that Kayla, a twelve-year-old emotionally troubled girl, knew best what she needed to improve her mental health and figuratively handed her the prescription pad. A similar lawsuit has been filed by Chloe Cole, whose breasts were removed when she was 15. In addition, Richard Anumene filed a lawsuit based on the allegation that a California hospital ignored his psychological disorders and misdiagnosed him as gender dysphoric, resulting in a series of operations that have compounded his mental and physical health problems. The Defendants failed to address the mental health issues detected and diagnosed by Defendants and their own staff before clearing plaintiff for surgery, the lawsuit states. Making no effort to address his multiple, serious psychiatric disorders, Defendants provided a very brief consultation assuring plaintiff that excising his health organs and fabricating female appearing genitalia would resolve his mental distress. According to Lappert, there will be more of these cases. The number of bad outcomes is going to start to mount, Lappert said. You cant do these things that are so perversely wrong to children and expect that these bad results are going to remain hidden for very long. (Bloomberg) -- The United Auto Workers union criticized a $9.2 billion US government loan to Ford Motor Co. and South Koreas SK On as a massive handout to a venture creating low-road jobs. Most Read from Bloomberg Why is Joe Bidens administration facilitating this corporate greed with taxpayer money? UAW President Shawn Fain said in a statement Friday. The switch to electric engine jobs, battery production and other EV manufacturing cannot become a race to the bottom. Not only is the federal government not using its power to turn the tide theyre actively funding the race to the bottom. Read More: Ford Gets More Government Aid for EVs Wall Street Has Doubted The US Department of Energy said Thursday its giving Ford and SK On the largest loan ever from a program to promote green transportation for three battery plants the companies are building in Kentucky and Tennessee. The factories due to open mid-decade will employ more than 7,500 workers, but its not yet clear if they will be represented by a union. The UAW is bracing for fight over the switch to EV manufacturing in contract talks with the Detroit automakers this summer. The UAW said wages at a General Motors Co. joint venture battery plant in Ohio are half what workers made when the facility previously manufactured traditional internal combustion engine cars. Not only is the White House refusing to right this wrong, theyre giving Ford $9.2 billion to create the same low-road jobs in Kentucky and Tennessee, Fain said. Its an absolute shame to see another Democratic administration doubling down on a taxpayer-funded corporate giveaway. Ford defended its efforts, saying the plants being funded by the government loan will create 7,500 good-paying jobs. Ford Expects BlueOval SK will pay competitive wages and benefits to attract and retain the workforce needed to build high-tech batteries, the company said in an emailed statement. Employees at BlueOval SKs battery plants will be able to choose whether they organize, a right that Ford fully respects and supports. (Updates with Ford comment in final two paragraphs.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Increasing Number of Albanian Children Trafficked to UK for Crime: Lawyer A young girl is carried by a security officer as a group of migrants lands in Dover, Kent, June 7, 2022. (Gareth Fuller/PA) A leading human rights lawyer has told the government how she is increasingly representing Albanian children trafficked into the UK for crime purposes. Danny Bayraktarova told the Home Affairs Select Committee that Albanian teenagers make up a large proportion of her caseload with many being criminally exploited by highly organised international people-smuggling gangs. The solicitor told MPs that the grip of the trafficking gangsters is so tightthey are easily able to threaten and intimidate their families back home in Albania if they refuse to cooperate. We must recognise that these trafficking groups are very highly organised, she told the committee on Wednesday. Theyre international, theyre cross border. They dont just operate in the UK, that normally starts in Albania, for example. So they will have the means to actually track down my clients family and go and intimidate them and threaten them. Bayraktarova said many of the young Albanian nationals have been snared by gangs through misleading advertisements on social media. Traffickers do recruit children and the nature of the trafficking is that children are being deceived as to what their life potential in the UK might look like, she said. And that often happens through social media such as Snapchat, Tik Tok. Increasing Figures She also said that socio-economic norms within the Balkans were seeing children, particularly young males, willingly putting themselves into the hands of traffickers. If their family, for example, is coming from poverty, those children might actually be expected to provide and to work and if there are no opportunities, say in Albania, they might actually be expected to go somewhere else because of that false narrative. And that false information that is being provided to them is that you will come to the UK, we will get you a job for example, in hospitality, you will work in a carwash and you will earn so much money you will be able to save so much money and then send back home. When the situation on the ground in reality is not like that. You will come to the UK and you will be exploited, she said. The leading lawyer was giving oral evidence alongside other child trafficking experts to MPs investigating the system used for identifying and supporting potential victims of modern slavery. The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is intended to be a gateway to services including legal advice, safe house accommodation, and other forms of support. Adults given a positive reasonable grounds decision can have access to support if they need it. Support for child victims of modern slavery and trafficking, except for the Independent Child Trafficking Guardians service and Scottish Guardianship Service, is provided by local authorities and partner agencies under existing statutory obligations. Potential victims of modern slavery can only be referred to the NRM by First Responder Organisations, which includes charities and government bodies. The government says there is a statutory duty on public authorities to refer suspected victims to the NRM in England and Wales. In 2022, there were 16,938 referrals to the NRMthe highest number of annual referrals since the system was put in place in 2009. Undated handout photo issued by the Home Office of an advert targeting people considering entering the UK without permission, issue dated May 28, 2023. (Home Office/PA Wire) Immigration Deterrents Asked by Tory MP Les Anderson if legislation, such as the Illegal Migration, would help stop the trafficking of children and gangs making millions of pounds through exploitation in the UK, he was told it would not. Laura Duran, head of policy, advocacy, and research at Every Child Protected Against Trafficking UK, said the smugglers would continue making money. What youre going to facilitate with those policies is that children will never come forward, theyre going to remain an exploitation, she said. Anderson responded: And so what is going to stop the traffickers in your opinion? Describing it as a challenging question, Duran said: Whats going to stop trafficking is cooperation within the international community, having those programmes that really do tackle the root causes. But deterrents on immigration enforcement do not work. The bill, which is currently being debated in the House of Lords, would allow for the detention of children arriving in the UK by unauthorised means and contains the power to remove unaccompanied youngsters. Those permitted to stay would be allowed to do so only until they turn 18 and would not be able to settle in the UK. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has previously responded to critics of the plans by saying children cannot be exempted as that could in turn create a pull factor for people to make the crossing. Sunak has insisted children will not be separated from families and will be housed in appropriate accommodation. Last week Home Secretary Suella Braverman told the same committee that women trafficked to the UK for sexual exploitation could face deportation under measures to tackle illegal migration. Former prime minister Theresa May previously warned the Illegal Migration Bill to stop the boats could harm efforts to tackle human trafficking. Braverman said victims could claim an exemption, but she stressed the need to tackle people claiming to be victims of modern slavery when they patently are not to thwart removal from the UK under the legislation. Indias Modi Sells Worlds Largest Democracy as Powerful Ally to US Geopolitical analyst predicts closer USIndia cooperation on China policy after Modi's visit India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a joint meeting of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 22, 2023. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his second address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress, emphasized the strength of Indias democracy, cultural diversity, and economic growth, as well as the potential of U.S.India ties. The U.S. is the oldest and India [is] the largest democracy. Our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy, Modi said during a speech that prompted numerous standing ovations. Together, we shall give a better future to the world, and a better world to the future. Modi, who is on a three-day state visit to the United States that began on June 20, described todays world as being in the age of AI. In the past few years, there have been many advances in AIartificial intelligence. At the same time, there have been even more momentous developments in another AI: America and India. Modis speech delivered a strong message about the future of U.S.India bilateral relations and about the significance of Indian democracy to the emerging global order, experts told The Epoch Times. Dr. Nishakant Ojha, a New Delhi-based geopolitical analyst who has formerly served in various foreign missions of India, told The Epoch Times that the United States will continue to seek stronger bilateral ties and more defense partnerships with India. This visit will change and give a new definition to geopolitics and geoeconomics, Ojha said. The United States will work closely on National Security with India and cooperate to become a superpower in the Indo-Pacific region. He added that India will gradually reduce its dependence on Russia for defense weapons, but not on energy. Following Modis visit, the United States and India will be cooperating more closely on China policy, according to Ojha. From a U.S. perspective, Russian-Indian relations will not be seen as any strategic risk or an impediment to closer cooperation between Washington and New Delhi, he added. Both the United States and India will prioritize the China challenge and it is out of the question that the United States will press India on Russia or maintain that Moscows close relationship with Beijing threatens it. Indias Rise In his speech, Modi also focused on Indias growth and achievements that matter to the current geopolitical and world economic order. Aparna Pande, the director of the Initiative on the Future of India and South Asia at the Washington-based Hudson Institute, told The Epoch Times in a written message that Modis speech concentrated on the strengths of Indian democracy and economic growth. The speech touched on all key points: the democratic bonds between the two countries, the strong diaspora connection, Indias economic potential and soft power, and why Indias rise is beneficial not just for Indians, but for the world, Pande said. Modi spoke about how the economic partnership between India and the United States will support the growth of both countries. When defense and aerospace in India grow, industries in the states of Washington, Arizona, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania will also thrive, he said. When American companies grow, their research and development centers in India thrive. Among the many other things that Modi highlighted is Indias focus on infrastructure development, a must to encourage investment. He also talked about Indias revolution in digital infrastructure. In India, technology is not only about innovation, but also about inclusion. Today, digital platforms are empowering the rights and dignity of people, while protecting privacy, he said. Last year, 46 percent of real-time digital payments in the world occurred in India, he said. An experienced Italian angler who recently reeled in a mammoth catfish is awaiting confirmation whether it is a world record after his hefty catch measured over 9 feet long (approx. 2.7 meters). Building contractor and pro-staffer at Madcat Fishing Alessandro Biancardi, 43, from Ostiglia in Mantua province, Italy, caught a monster catfish on May 25. The angling enthusiast with 23 years experience dips his line every single day and reeled in his personal best before 10 a.m. while fishing alone at his local River Po following a flood. Biancardi shows off his catfish, measuring over 9 feet long (approx. 2.7 meters). (Courtesy of Alessandro Biancardi) I was on the river in a swirl of water, Biancardi told The Epoch Times. I started casting my artificial rubber lure. At a certain moment, I felt a tremendous bite, and immediately after it started a real battle in the middle of the river. It took a good 45 minutes to fight this prehistoric fish. I found it very difficult. I got carried away by the swollen river, encountering submerged obstacles such as rocks and plants, but luck turned on my side and wanted the fish not to get stuck in the obstacles. With his expert knowledge of the river, Biancardi managed to haul the huge wels catfish to the surface by himself and was shocked by its true size. I already understood from how it pulled that something was different than usual, he said, but when I saw it emerge I was amazed by this specimen. My adrenaline started pumping. Luckily, I managed to stay calm, even if the catfish wanted to free itself at all costs! Biancardi told Madcat that he tried gloving the catfishs mouth two or three times, but it was simply too strong. Instead, he retreated to shallow waters and beached the fish on the muddy riverbank. Biancardi then had to swim about a hundred meters out to his boat to retrieve his phone. He called his friend Marco, who rushed to the riverside and was speechless upon arrival. Together, they called the local wels fishing camp, and 10 anglers arrived to attest to the catfishs measurement of 285 centimetersover 9 feet long. I know all the previous records perfectly, Biancardi said. When we saw this measurement we all screamed with happiness, because the previous record was 281 centimeters [approx. 110 inches] by some German guys. Their catch came from the same river. Madcat shared footage of Biancardi with his catfish on Instagram, captioning, Alessandros huge kitten beats the previous world record by 4 centimeters [1.57 inches] and the fish is a result of 23 years of hard work! Documentation was sent to the IGFA [International Game Fish Association] so they could officially record this large fish. Although this procedure takes some time, what matters to us is that our consultant captured the largest catfish ever. With the monster fish caught, measured, and photographed, Biancardi ceremoniously released the beast back into the river without weighing it and further stressing the fish. He credits his specialized geara Madcat rod, a Savage Gear SGS8 8000 reel, and a prototype 0.50mm braided lineand the local fishing community for their role in the momentous catch. (Courtesy of Alessandro Biancardi) People have reacted, going crazy for this catch that has been around the world, and everyone writes me compliments, he said. I feel like a VIP. Biancardi began specializing in catfish after catching his first one from the River Po. While catfish remain his favorite, he also fishes for carp and pike. The anglers future goal is to star in a fishing show on television. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter Judge Halts Wyomings Abortion Pill Ban Amid Lawsuit A woman looks at an abortion pillRU-486, or mifepristonedisplayed on a smartphone in Arlington, Va., on May 8, 2020. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images) A Wyoming judge has temporarily halted the states ban on abortion pills, which was scheduled to go into effect on July 1. Judge Melissa Owens of Teton County, who was appointed by the states Republican Gov. Mark Gordon, ruled on Thursday that the attorneys representing Wyoming failed to demonstrate that the ban would not harm the plaintiffs before their lawsuit is resolved. Wyoming is the only state that has specifically prohibited abortion pills, whereas other Republican-led states have included medication abortions in their broader abortion restrictions. The lawsuit challenging the ban was filed collectively by four women, two obstetricians, and two nonprofit organizations, including the Wellspring Health Access abortion clinic in Wyoming. Owens found that the plaintiffs have shown a strong likelihood of success in their case. As a result, the pill will remain accessible to women for now while the legal challenge unfolds. During the court proceedings, arguments were made involving a state constitutional amendment enacted in 2012. This amendment, which was a response to the Affordable Care Actalso known as Obamacarestates that Wyoming residents have the right to make their own health care decisions. However, Jay Jerde, the states attorney, argued that abortions for reasons other than health care did not qualify under the amendment. He contended that abortion doesnt fall within the scope of restoring a womans body from pain, injury, or physical sickness. Medical services are involved, but getting an abortion for reasons other than health care, it cant be a medical decision, Jerde argued in court. However, Owens disagreed, saying that pregnancy itself involves pain and sickness. Jerde countered that women do not seek abortions for those reasons. But the attorneys representing the pro-abortion plaintiffs later questioned how the state could determine the motivations of women seeking abortions. Wyoming enacted a complete abortion ban in March. However, that ban is not enforceable while the legal challenge unfolds. Currently, abortions are legal in the state up until the unborn child is viable at around 24 to 26 weeks. The states abortion ban enacted in March allows exceptions for cases where a life is in danger or for instances of rape or incest that are reported to the police. Abortion Pills Owens consolidated two lawsuits and suspended Wyomings law that effectively banned almost all abortions in the state. The second lawsuit, against the states near-total ban, was filed by the same group of plaintiffs. Prior to the ban, there was one other clinic in Wyoming that offered pill abortions, located in Jackson, approximately 250 miles away. In April, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that mifepristone, an abortion pill, would be widely accessible while an ongoing legal battle over its regulatory approval continues. The Food and Drug Administration approved mifepristone in 2000. It is used in combination with another drug called misoprostol to terminate pregnancies of up to 10 weeks. The pill is also sometimes used for women experiencing miscarriages. Medication abortions, also known as chemical abortions, account for more than half of all abortions in the United States. Wyoming became the first state to pass a law explicitly banning abortion pills when the governor, Gordon, signed the legislation. However, 13 states have enacted blanket abortion bans that include medical abortions, and 15 states already had limited access to the pills, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. Owens has now blocked three abortion bans signed into law by Gordon. Owens serves Sublette and Fremont counties, which are predominantly Republican, as well as Teton County, which is known for its wealth and is not seen by many Wyoming residents as representative of the state. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Kari Lake Responds to Defamation Lawsuit Filed by Top Arizona Elections Official Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake addresses the media outside the Superior Court of Maricopa County, Arizona, on Dec. 22, following two days of testimony in a civil case she filed seeking to overturn the Nov. 8 general election. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times) A top election official in Maricopa County, Arizona, filed a defamation lawsuit Thursday against GOP candidate Kari Lake, who responded by accusing him of trying to censor her. Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer claimed hes faced violent vitriol and other dire consequences because of allegations made by Lake about the 2022 midterm elections. Following the election, Lake has filed several lawsuits with various Arizona state courts to claim that irregularities and errors that occurred during the midterms should make her the winner. Rather than accept political defeat, rather than get a new job, she has sought to undermine confidence in our elections and has mobilized millions of her followers against me, Richer wrote in an op-ed published in The Arizona Republic. After several lawsuits were struck down, Lake has asserted that Richer and other Maricopa County officials interfered in the election to prevent her from winning the gubernatorial race against Democrat Katie Hobbs, who was sworn in as governor in January. Meanwhile, Lake is openly considering a run for U.S. Senate and reportedly being considered as a leading contender to be Trumps running mate in his 2024 presidential campaign. Richers lawsuit, filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, names Lake, her campaign, and her political fundraising group as defendants. In addition to unspecified monetary damages, Richer is seeking a court order declaring Lakes statements false and requiring her to delete them from social media. His lawsuit takes issue with two of Lakes allegations, including one that says Richer intentionally had 19-inch ballot images printed on 20-inch paper, causing counting problems during Election Day. The other claim that he flagged in the lawsuit is that he injected 300,000 fake ballots into the counting process. In the suit, it included screenshots and links to videos and social media posts in which Lake make her assertions. Stephen Richer, the recorder (L) and Bill Gates (R), Chairman of the Maricopa Board of Supervisors, speak at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on Nov. 8, 2022. (John Moore/Getty Images) Lake Campaigns false and defamatory statements accused Richer, of among other things, intentionally sabotaging the 2022 election by intentionally having ballot-on-demand printers print the wrong sized ballots, he wrote in the suit, adding that her statements also damaged Richer. His lawyers argue that Lake has the right to criticize him under the First Amendment but said that she made false statements that could be proven to be defamatory. She has gone far outside of the bounds of protected free speech as guaranteed under the First Amendment and the Arizona Constitution, Richer claimed in The Republic opinion article. Her Response In response, Lake, who has previously vowed to take her election challenges to the U.S. Supreme Court if need be, wrote on her Twitter page that Richers lawsuit is an attempt to censor her. Im exposing the massive corruption in our elections and this is suing me, Lake wrote on Twitter Thursday. He wants to silence US corrupt elections have saddled us with disasters like [Joe] Biden and Hobbs. Officials who allegedly orchestrated the wide-spread fraud want us to shut-up and accept it, she wrote, adding a link to a donation webste. We wont. Our country is GONE unless we tackle this problem. They want to stop President Trump. They want to stop me. They want to stop you. Not. Going. To. Happen. One of Lakes legal arguments is that thousands of Republican voters were disenfranchised during Election Day on Nov. 8, asserting that vote-tabulation machine errors occurred in dozens of polling locations in Maricopa County, the states most populous. She also noted there were alleged problems with the countys signature-verification process for mail-in ballots. Last month, Lakes lawsuit against Maricopa, Richer, and other state election officials was rejected by the Arizona Supreme Court, which ruled that the GOP candidate didnt show enough evidence of widespread voter fraud. Also in May, a Maricopa County judge, Peter Thompson, issued a ruling that denied sanctions against Lake and her attorneys after Maricopa County officials requested them. Even if her argument did not prevail, Lake, through her witness, presented facts consistent with and in support of her legal argument, Thompson wrote at the time. The remainder of Defendants allegations appear to rely on the Courts inherent power as the authority by which they request the Court award unspecified sanctions against Lakes counsel, he also said. The judge said he acknowledges its inherent authority to sanction bad faith attorney conduct and that the rules of attorney conduct in the Rules of the Supreme Court provide a legal basis for imposing sanctions against attorneys, according to the ruling However, he stipulated that opposing litigants in a heated dispute will naturally view the same evidence differently. Ultimately, Thompson denied the request for sanctions and the petition for reimbursement on May 26, coming days after County Attorney Rachel Mitchell filed a motion for sanctions last week. It came about a day after Thompson ruled that Lake did not prove her claim that county officials didnt verify tens of thousands of signatures on mail-in ballots. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Lawmakers Call for Reform in US Classification System The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) logo is displayed in the lobby of CIA Headquarters in Langley, Va., on Aug. 14, 2008. (Saul Loeb/Getty Images) The past several months have seen allegations of mishandling classified documents brought against President Joe Biden, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former President Donald Trump, who was indicted last week by the Department of Justice on charges of doing that and more. In April, Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira accessed and allegedly leaked classified information. He was indicted last week. In light of these instances, there have been calls from lawmakers and the intelligence community for reform of the U.S. classification system. A common issue raised is overclassification. Overclassification of records plagues the Intelligence Community, Chris Farrell, the director of investigations and research at the right-wing watchdog Judicial Watch and a former Army counterintelligence officer, told The Epoch Times. There is such a strong preponderance to classify everything imaginable and apply handling instructions to various programs and activities that it results in contempt for the classification system and disregard/abuse of what is really classified, he continued. Farrell added that whenever an agency or department wants to hide something from legitimate oversight or public right to knowthey classify it. Enacted in 1951 by President Harry Truman, the levels of classification in the U.S. government are confidential, secret, and top secret. Agreement in Congress Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress told The Epoch Times there need to be changes in the world of U.S. intelligence classification. I think we classify way too many documents that are floating around, so we need to go back. And thats been said long before I got here, said Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus in the House. A lot of times for political purposes, things are provided from high levels, that for instance, only members of Congress you look at and we many of us dont go to some of the classified hearings anymore because weve already read about it, he continued. So how can it be so top secret that nobody can see it, but you all are already reporting on it? Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also lamented there is overclassification in the intelligence community. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) decried the classification system as over-broad where agencies overclassify items as they do not want to be held accountable. Its why these agencies demand closed-door briefings all the time, because they dont want you there, he said. You know, they dont want to have to answer questions in public. So I think we need some serious reform. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) stated that too many things are classified and claimed that theres been a number of instances that suggest that the handling of classified information, the volume of classified information, the necessity and relevance of classification, are all misaligned with some of the core goals we have. One example of overclassification, cited by Farrell, included an FBI report alleging that then-Vice President Joe Biden accepted a bribe from a foreign official. But, while the document is unclassified, members of the House Oversight Committee could only view it in the Houses Sensitive Compartmentalized Information Facility, or SCIF. You can always find a better way of whats classified, whats not classified, said Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.). But thats part of the normal process. Lets get better. However, not all lawmakers are on board with reforming the classification system, at least not yet. I dont think that [we should jump the gun on classification reform]. Because weve had grave concerns about certain incidents [that] should cause us to have a visceral reaction. I think we need to think through this and then act but give it some deliberation, said Rep. Al Green (D-Texas). Right now, I think people are in a visceral mode, where theyre just responding spontaneously almost. Lets kind of think about these things. I think people just need to adhere to the classification standards, said Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.). We overclassify in general. We need to declassify more, but the standards are well-proven, so we just need to honor [that]. Classified material has been so mishandled that it has allegedly been found even in bathrooms and garages. There were allegedly boxes of classified documents in a bathroom at Trumps Mar-a-Lago home, according to a federal indictment. This prompted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to come to Trumps defense, saying on June 12 that a bathroom door locks. A few days later, McCarthy doubled down on this statement when asked by The Epoch Times about former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reportedly having private email servers with classified information being stored in a bathroom closet. The one thing she did with her email, she went and got a software to bleach it, he said. President Trump had the boxes. A Starter Plan Farrell said there is a way to avoid classified material from being mishandled. Make people working with classified material leave ALL personal items in a locker room and have them change into a no-pockets jumpsuit (color-coded to clearance level), he wrote in an email to The Epoch Times. They should be searched/scanned going into and out of their workplace. Farrell noted, though, that suggestion is just a starter. Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) told The Epoch Times that the House Intelligence Committee, which he chairs, is dealing with classification reform. Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) noted that members of Congress, while they have access to classified information, do not require security clearances. He stated that members of Congress should be vetted in order to get a security clearance. Being elected is not the same thing as being vetted, he said. At the end of the day, said Farrell, The entire system needs to be overhauled. There will be enormous institutional resistance to changing anything. Each agency/department has their pet rock interests and they will find reasons not to cooperate. Los Angeles Metro Bus Driver Stabbed in Venice A Los Angeles Metro bus driver was stabbed in the back in Venice on June 22, and a suspect believed to be homeless was taken into custody. The stabbing occurred Thursday afternoon along Windward Circle. A witness told KCAL9 he saw the driver, who was outside the bus, get attacked by an apparently homeless man. The witness said he ran to the scene and pepper-sprayed the attacker, who was later seen handcuffed and being loaded into an ambulance. The driver was taken to a hospital for treatment of what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. There was no word on what may have prompted the attack. No information was immediately available about the suspect. Metro issued a statement saying the transit agency is angered and saddened to hear about this heinous act of violence and is providing support to our employee and his loved ones. We will work closely with the Los Angeles Police Department to investigate this incident and are grateful for their swift action in arresting the suspect. Anyone with information was asked to contact the the police department at 877-LAPD 24-7. Major Abortion Groups Endorse Biden-Harris for 2024 Presidential Election President Joe Biden listens as Vice President Kamala Harris speaks about the American Rescue Plan in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo) Three major abortion industry groups have backed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harriss 2024 presidential campaign, giving the Democrat candidates the industry stamp of approval. Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL: Pro-Choice America, and EMILYs List offered support to the Biden/Harris 2024 ticket on June 23. According to its June 23 press release, Planned Parenthood Action Fund announced its endorsement of Joe Bidens re-election. This announcement comes one year after the Supreme Court decision to strip federal abortion rights, prompting 20 states to ban some or all abortions and jeopardizing critical health care access for millions. Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, released a statement reiterating the groups position on the Biden campaign: President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been committed to fighting back against the onslaught of attacks against our reproductive freedom. And we need them to continue this critical work. Abortion is healthcare. Weve seen firsthand the aftermath of chaos and devastation when politicians use their power to steal control of our own bodies, lives, and futures. We need leaders who are committed to protecting our freedoms, not taking them away. There is so much at stake. We know, clear as day, that if anti-abortion politicians gain control of the White House, they will exploit their power toward their ultimate goal: a national abortion ban. That is why we must re-elect President Biden and Vice President Harris: people we can trust to keep rebuilding a path forward because we know the journey to rebuilding our rights will be met with challenges. NARAL Pro-Choice Americas Backing NARAL Pro-Choice America announced its endorsement on the same day, just ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, rolling back federal protections for abortions nationwide. In its press release, the group cited concern about millions of Americans being blocked from accessing abortion care due to state restrictions and the support that Biden and Harris have continued to offer to legislators attempting to secure abortion rights. NARAL Pro-Choice America President Mini Timmaraju said in her statement that, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are the strongest advocates for reproductive freedom ever to occupy the White House, and NARAL Pro-Choice America proudly endorses their reelection. Its as simple as this: Abortion matters to Americans. In elections since the Supreme Court took away our right to abortion, voters have mobilized in massive numbers to elect Democrats who will fight to restore it. Americans know the extremist GOP stacked the courts to take away our freedoms, and they wont forget it. Were proud to make this historic endorsement, and our 4 million members are ready to get to work to send President Biden and Vice President Harris back to the White House. EMILYs Lists Endorsement Emilys List, which identifies itself as the nations largest resource for women in politics, offered their support for the vice president, furthering its work to elect Democratic pro-choice women up and down the ballot and across the country with a goal of fighting for our rights and our communities. List president Laphonza Butler released a statement about the groups endorsement of Harris, saying, For her work as a groundbreaker, tireless advocate for reproductive freedom, and inspiring change-maker, EMILYs List is thrilled to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for reelection. Since breaking one of the highest and hardest glass ceilings in politics, Vice President Harris has been a vital partner to President Biden in tackling the challenges facing our nation. She has also been a leader within the administration on issues ranging from voter protections to workers rights to foreign policy, a history-making leader who has secured significant accomplishments for voters across the country. EMILYs List previously endorsed Harris in previous races, including San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, and in her race for United States Senate. The group cited Harriss campaign promises to hold big banks accountable during Californias housing crisis, her support for marriage equality for the LGBT community, and the fact that she is the second black woman and first woman of Indian descent to be elected to the Senate. Vice President Harris has been a steadfast fighter throughout her career for women and their abortion rightsa role that is more important than ever before, Butler said. Every day, Kamala Harris lives the directive of her mother that she may be the first, but she should make sure shes not the last. Democrat Support for Abortion House Democrat leadership gathered on June 23 to offer support for abortion rights and talk about their steps to secure a national right to abortion. Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) reiterated his partys unwavering, unyielding, and unequivocal support for reproductive freedom. The lawmakers introduced the Womens Health Protection Act, which they called a significant piece of legislation. Jeffries called the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision by the Supreme Court, One of the most egregious and offensive decisions that the Supreme Court has ever made. Man Who Shot Dead Police Sergeant in Cell Guilty of Murder Jury rejected 'autistic meltdown' defence A screen grab taken from CCTV footage of Louis De Zoysa (centre, top) who is holding a gun (circled in red), seconds before Sergeant Matt Ratana (centre) was shot dead at Croydon custody centre in Croydon, London on Sep. 25, 2020. (Metropolitan Police) An autistic man who shot dead a custody sergeant in a police cell has been found guilty of murder after a trial which heard he bought an antique weapon on the internet, made his own bullets for it, hid it from arresting officers and fired it while in handcuffs. Louis De Zoysa, 25, pulled out the revolver and shot dead Sergeant Matt Ratana, 54, in a holding cell in Croydon custody centre in south London on Sep. 25, 2020. The jury watched footage of the incident, in which De Zoysa fires a total of four shots. De Zoysas defence counsel, Imran Khan, KC, proffered a defence of diminished responsibility, claiming his client suffered an autistic meltdown at the time of the shooting but the jury found him guilty of murder on Friday. De Zoysawho himself suffered brain damage when the fourth shot struck him in the neckfaces a mandatory life sentence when he is sentenced on July 27. The trial at the Old Bailey heard De Zoysa was bullied at school because he was vulnerable and an easy target. He obtained A grades in his A-Levels for maths, chemistry and physics and attended University College London but dropped out before completing his degree. De Zoysa then got a job at HMRC working as a coder. Screengrab taken from body-worn camera footage of Louis De Zoysa being put into a police van in Norbury, south London on Sep. 25, 2020. (Metropolitan Police) The trial at the Old Bailey heard De Zoysa, who lived in a flat at a farm in Banstead, Surrey, bought the weapon, a .41 long Colt revolver, at an online auction in June 2020 but found out the ammunition was obsolete. De Zoysa Made Bullets For Antique Revolver Prosecutor Duncan Penny, KC, told the jury: So if you want the gun to work, you have to make the bullets. Louis de Zoysa bought the parts to make the bullets. He had made the ammunition for the gun at the farm where he lived. Louis de Zoysa knew the gun worked with the bullets he had made. Louis de Zoysa fired the gun at Sergeant Ratana. At the time, the gun was loaded with bullets. Louis de Zoysa had made those bullets, Penny added. De Zoysa was arrested on a street in Norbury, south London at 1:30 a.m. by police officers investigating a string of burglaries in the area. The jury was shown body-worn camera footage from the arresting officersidentified only as Davey and Stillwhich showed De Zoysa being asked if he had anything on him like needles or razor blades which could hurt them. They then searched him, his coat pockets, his waistband, and his holdall and found cannabis and seven rounds of ammunition, which he told them were blanks. Undated photo of Sergeant Matt Ratana, released by the police in London on June 30, 2021 (Metropolitan Police/PA Media). De Zoysa was then handcuffed and transported to Croydon police station, but inexplicably, the arresting officers failed to find the weapon. Penny said: The police officers did not find that Louis De Zoysa was carrying a loaded revolver in a holster. The gun and holster were probably concealed under one of his armpits. The prosecutor went on: Louis De Zoysa kept the gun hidden. Louis De Zoysa was put in a holding room. Louis De Zoysa was still handcuffed. He was able to point the gun at Sergeant Ratana. He deliberately shot Sergeant Ratana once to the chest, at very close range. He did not give a warning. Self-Inflicted Injuries Because of his self-inflicted injuries De Zoysawho appeared in court in a wheelchair, with one arm in a slinghas difficulty speaking and used a whiteboard to communicate with his legal team during the trial. When he gave evidence, he was asked by Khan: Are you guilty of murder, Louis? De Zoysa said no but later said he did not understand the word guilty. Khan asked the defendant: Can you tell us why you fired the gun, Louis? De Zoysa replied, Panic attack. During his testimony, De Zoysa claimed his father had been a violent drug dealer and he claimed he once hit his father on the head with a metal rod, which he said had possibly been triggered by his autism. Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr. Dinesh Maganty was called as a defence witness, having examined CCTV footage, the defendants medical records and statements from those who knew him. Khan asked Maganty: Having assessed all of this material, is it your considered opinion that Louis De Zoysa suffered an autistic meltdown at the time of the index offence in this case? Maganty replied: If the account given by him to me is accepted and the prosecution narrative is not, then yes. But if the prosecution narrative is accepted in its entirety, then no. An investigation is still ongoing into the circumstances which led to De Zoysa being arrested and brought to Croydon custody centre while still in possession of a gun. PA Media contributed to this report. Mentor to Everyone: Captain Killed in Chinook Crash Was Loyal Husband, Dad, Friend Captains David Domagala, left, and Marc Larouche are seen in a composite image of two undated handout photographs. (The Canadian Press/HO-DND, Larouche family) Capt. Marc Larouche had a calm presence. Being a keen, silent observer of what was going on around him, speaking only when he needed to, was part of what made him a great pilot and leader in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He also did not say much to Annie on their first blind date. It took some time, and a few more dates, for him to open up, but she quickly realized they had something special. I discovered a humble and simple guy, easygoing and funny. I knew very soon that he was the man of my life, said Dr. Annie Larouche, a dentist in Pembroke, Ont., and Marcs wife of 22 years. Capt. Marc Larouche and Capt. David Domagala were both killed in a helicopter crash in eastern Ontario on Tuesday. They, along with two colleagues from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, left Garrison Petawawa for a nighttime training flight. Somehow, their CH-147F Chinook crashed into the Ottawa River, about 160 kilometres northwest of Canadas capital city. The military is just beginning its investigation into what happened. Annie and their three sons, Maxim, 22, Guillaume, 21, and Marc-Antoine, 18, shared their memories of Marc with The Canadian Press through an emailed statement and handwritten notes Friday that were sent through a friend of the family. Marc, 53, was originally from Amos, Que. He got his private pilots licence before joining the Armed Forces in 1989. He received his pilots wings four years later. His postings took him across the countryfrom Chilliwack, B.C., to Portage-La-Prairie, Man., to Burton, N.B.and around the world. He deployed to Somalia in 1993 as part of Operation Deliverance, and was part of Operation Podium during the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Vancouver. Military careers are notably tough on families, especially ones with young kids. But Marc was loyal and dedicated. We went through hell and back together over the years, but he never gave up on us, Annie said. He also loved nature and being outside, and was a fan of anything with a motor. His boys called his tractor his mistress. He couldnt wait to get out and plow snow off the roads near their home. He owned four chainsawsthat we know of, his sons saidand he knew how to fix pretty much anything. If a car broke down, the Larouche family didnt bother with a tow truck. They called Marc. Marc had a quiet approach to fatherhood: standing back to let his boys make mistakes, but always ready to help if they asked. If he didnt know something, he would study until he learned it and was ready to share his knowledge. That also made him a great mentor and teacher at work. He was approachable, and a mentor to everyone, his friend and colleague Capt. Steve Doughty wrote in an email. The pair met in 2000 when they were both posted to 427 Squadron in Petawawa, and when Marc joined 450 Squadron in 2016 and started flying the Chinooks, he convinced his friend to join him. I loved flying with him. He was an incredible pilot. A fantastic instructor. A calm and steady guy and my best friend at the squadron, Doughty said. Marc was named the squadrons chief instructor in 2017. In addition to the Chinook, he flew the CH-135 Twin Huey and the CH-146 Griffon, amassing more than 6,700 flying hours during his 33 years of service. He was awarded a Command Commendation from the Canadian Special Forces Operations Command for outstanding service to the Special Operations Aviation Squadron. I will hold him in my heart until I meet him again on the other side. Rest in peace my love, Annie said. The Royal Canadian Air Force released the names of both Larouche and Domagala on Friday with permission from their families. Domagalas family requested privacy but shared his biography. The 32-year-old was from Woodstock, Ont., and joined the reserves in 2008 before attending Royal Military College. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 2016, and returned to his studies in recent years. He was nearing completion of a masters degree from the college. Domagala earned his wings in 2019 and joined the 450 Squadron that year. His flying career was briefly interrupted when he volunteered for a yearlong deployment to Egypt as a liaison officer for Operation Calumet, a peacekeeping operation Canada has been part of since 1985. He received a Commander Commendation from the Canadian Joint Operations Command for his work on that mission. Domagala started training to fly the Chinooks once he returned from Egypt. Two other crew members survived Tuesdays crash and were treated in hospital for minor injuries. The remainder of 450 Squadron had been on an operational pause as a result of the crash, but flying operations resumed Friday. The military was conducting environmental containment and cleanup on the river as the Air Forces directorate of flight safety worked to remove the helicopter, which was under about 21 metres of water. A spokesperson for the Defence Department said in an email that river currents and poor visibility in the water were making that a complex undertaking. There was a black box flight recorder on board the aircraft. Chinook helicopters are intended for transporting personnel and equipment, and have been used in response to natural disasters and emergencies across the country. Canadas CH-147F version has been modified specifically for long-haul flights with a larger fuel capacity. Last year, the U.S. air force temporarily grounded its fleet of Chinooks after fuel leaks caused a number of engine fires. No one was injured in those incidents. A spokesperson for the Defence Department said the Royal Canadian Air Force was in contact with U.S. counterparts and the manufacturer, Boeing, but there were no such incidents reported on the Canadian aircraft and no work was required on the Canadian fleet. As of Friday afternoon, there had been no word on what may have caused Tuesdays crash. Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos And Jack Ma Fund $200 Million Round For KoBold Metals, A Company Using AI To Improve Mining Of Rare Earth Metals Crucial For EVs Breakthrough Energy Ventures, backed by Bill Gates, Jack Ma and Jeff Bezos, recently led a $200 million funding round for KoBold Metals. Other investors included Andreessen Horowitz, and Bond Capital. KoBold is using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve mining for the metals needed for electric vehicles (EVs). The Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) fund invests in innovative and high-impact clean energy technologies that can combat climate change. Its mission is to accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral future and support a range of industries, including energy storage, transportation and agriculture. See Next: This Startup Invented Programmable, Drinkable Plastic That Dissolves In Water In 60 Hours AI Data For EV Metal Mining Berkeley, California-based KoBold Metals achieved a significant milestone in its journey toward sustainable resource extraction. By integrating artificial intelligence into its operations, the company's novel approach has profound implications for the rare earth elements mining industry. KoBold analyzes vast amounts of geological data to pinpoint potential deposits of metals crucial for battery production, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt and copper. Leveraging AI means the company can reduce its exploration time and costs. KoBold Metals' integration of AI expedites the identification of rare earth element deposits and enhances the precision and efficiency of mining operations. The company's proprietary AI tools, rooted in the concept of efficacy of information (EOI), allow KoBold to strategically collect and analyze data at every exploration step, maximizing the reduction of uncertainty. While the extraction process may require additional time, KoBold's precision-focused drilling techniques ensure optimal resource use and minimize environmental impact. KoBold is compiling the world's largest repository of geoscience information and using AI to examine the earth's surface at new depths to find rare earth deposits. It uses its proprietary technology and massive research and development budget to improve operations at more than 60 projects around the world, in partnership with mining firms. To stay updated with top startup news & investments, sign up for Benzinga's Startup Investing & Equity Crowdfunding Newsletter Influential Investors Lead The Way The recent funding round showcased the confidence of prominent investors in KoBold Metals' mission. Investors recognize a looming multitrillion-dollar gap between the supply of various rare earth metals and the skyrocketing demand. Breakthrough Energy Ventures recognized KoBold Metals' potential to revolutionize the mining industry through AI technology. Andreessen Horowitz, the venture fund run by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, and Bond Capital, another large fund managed by Juliet de Baubigny, Mary Meeker, Mood Rowghani and Noah Knauf. By leveraging machine learning and AI algorithms, KoBold is revolutionizing resource extraction and paving the way for sustainable and responsible mining practices. With the support of influential investors and its commitment to technological advancement, KoBold can offer a greener way to support the exploding demand for batteries. Investing in Startups Fortunately, thanks to changes in federal law, you dont have to be Bill Gates or a venture capitalist to invest in startups. Anyone can invest in top startups on platforms like Wefunder or StartEngine. For example, Gameflip is a gaming marketplace startup that has already raised over $1.2 million from hundreds of investors and raised over $10 million from venture capital. See more on startup investing from Benzinga. Don't miss real-time alerts on your stocks - join Benzinga Pro for free! Try the tool that will help you invest smarter, faster, and better. This article Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos And Jack Ma Fund $200 Million Round For KoBold Metals, A Company Using AI To Improve Mining Of Rare Earth Metals Crucial For EVs originally appeared on Benzinga.com . 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Moderna Seeks FDA Authorization of Updated Covid Vaccine Ahead of Fall Pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Moderna has submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of its updated COVID vaccine ahead of the fall, the company announced on June 22. The companys latest vaccinethe second update to its original shottargets the XBB.1.5 subvariant of the virus in line with FDA guidance issued last week advising manufacturers updating their shots to target the subvariant, which became dominant in the United States earlier this year, according to estimates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rivals Pfizer and Novavax already began updating their vaccines targeting the variant and other subvariants currently circulating prior to the FDA issuing its guidance. Moderna said that preliminary clinical data on the latest version of its XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccine demonstrated a robust immune response against multiple XBB descendent sublineages, such as XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, and XBB.2.3.2. Unlike Moernas bivalent vaccine which was made available last year, the updated shot does not contain a component of the Wuhan variant, which experts have said is due to signs of immune imprinting, which could make them less effective. Side effects of Modernas newly updated vaccine include pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, myalgia (muscle pain and aches), and chills. Among those aged six months to 36 months of age, side effects also included pain and swelling, axillary (or groin) swelling and tenderness, fever, irritability and crying, loss of appetite, and sleepiness. Reported Side Effects In those aged 37 months of age and older who received the vaccine, nausea, vomiting, and a rash were also seen, the company said. The FDA will now review Modernas available efficacy and safety data on the updated vaccine, and, pending authorization, they will be available in time for the fall vaccination season, Moderna said. The agility of our mRNA platform has enabled us to update Spikevax, Modernas COVID-19 vaccine, to target XBB variants with speed and clinical rigor, said Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel in a statement. We have been working diligently for months to build ample supply, with doses ready to ship in time for the fall vaccination season in the Northern Hemisphere. In addition, our preliminary clinical testing has demonstrated that mRNA-1273.815 is effective in generating an immune response against the current XBB variants of concern, Bancel continued. Over the past three years, Spikevax has consistently reduced hospitalizations and severe disease outcomes from COVID-19, and we encourage individuals to speak to their healthcare providers about receiving an updated vaccine. Modernas latest application comes ahead of a fall vaccination campaign, despite the fact that there is no clear seasonality with COVID-19 like there is with viruses such as influenza. Vaccine Data According to the latest CDC data, 81.4 percent of the U.S. population has received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to date, while less than 70 percent have completed a primary series, and just 17 percent have received an updated bivalent shot, which experts said provided protection against the ancestral strain as well as the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants. However, various research, including the CDCs own data, has shown that the bivalent vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna barely protect against severe illness, and protection generally drops off after a few months. That data showed that protection against severe illness for adults from either of the companys bivalent vaccines began above 50 percentwhich U.S. officials and World Health Organization experts say is the threshold for a successful vaccinebut quickly waned within months In individuals aged 1865 who were not immuno-compromised, a dose of the vaccine increased protection against hospitalization from 21 percent to 68 percent, but the protection quickly declined to 27 percent between 60119 days later. For those aged 65 and older, protection from the bivalent vaccine dose against hospitalization increased from 25 percent to 64 percent, but fell to 39 percent 120179 days later. The FDA is currently working on making public data it relied on to license COVID-19 vaccines by the middle of 2025 as part of a lawsuit filed by parents of children who were injured after receiving the shots. Mimi Nguyen Ly and Reuters contributed to this report. Moments of Movie Wisdom: The Clothes Make the Man Commentary Some movies are very inspiring and uplifting, obviously full of good messages. We expect Frank Capra movies to teach valuable moral lessons. However, many less serious movies can contain inspiring scenes. Even comedies may include one or two moments of movie wisdom which can be applied to our lives today. Todays moment of movie wisdom comes from Swing Time from 1936, a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musical which was the sixth of the dancing duos ten films together. The scene takes place 15 minutes into the 103-minute film, when the lead characters first meet. Penny Carroll (Rogers) tells a policeman that Lucky Garnette (Astaire) stole her quarter, but the officer refuses to believe it, because he is wearing a classy and expensive-looking cutaway coat. This unlikely beginning of a romance for the pair shows how the clothes truly do make the man. When the film begins, Luckys fellow dancers trick him into missing his own wedding because they dont want him to retire. The gamblers future father-in-law (Landers Stevens) then says he wont let him marry his daughter, Margaret (Betty Furness), unless he proves his worth by earning $25,000. He and his pal Pop Cardetti (Victor Moore) set out for New York with nothing but his lucky quarter. When he asks a passing woman, Penny, for change for his quarter, she ends up believing he stole from her. Naturally, the policeman refuses to believe her, because Fred is still dressed stylishly for his wedding. Lucky then follows Penny into the dancing school where she works. A publicity still of the 1936 film Swing Time starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. (MovieStillsDB) After almost getting Penny fired because her employer (Eric Blore) overhears her saying that Lucky will never learn how to dance, he lands her a nightclub audition by performing a sensational dance routine with her. Meanwhile, Pop meets Pennys middle-aged friend, Mabel (Helen Broderick). Lucky and Pop move into the hotel where the girls live. As Lucky gambles himself in and out of good fortune and Pennys good graces during the next few weeks, he becomes increasingly conflicted about earning money, since he realizes that reaching his goal will bring him back to Margaret, and away from Penny. The Scene When Lucky and Pop arrive in New York, they are so broke that Lucky decides to get change for his lucky quarter to buy Pop cigarettes. The stranger he asks for change happens to be Penny. When they put the money in the cigarette vending machine, it dumps out a bunch of loose change. Since they now have more money, Pop decides to buy back his friends good luck token. Penny, however, is fed up with the two strangers when they catch up with her. Since she is not willing to trade the quarter back to them, Pop swipes it from her bag. She thinks Lucky did it, so she calls over a policeman and accuses him of theft. Even though Penny is indeed the injured party, the policeman sides with Lucky. He asks her why a gentleman like him would steal small change and even apologizes to Lucky for the inconvenience. Naturally, Lucky and Pop dont clear up the misunderstanding, since they arent eager to go to jail. Afterward, he feels bad for causing Penny so much trouble, so he decides to follow her to her workplace, where he proceeds to bother her further. Studio publicity photo of Fred Astaire in 1941. (Public Domain) Its Significance In many film scenes like this, a policeman will automatically believe a lady who says that a man is bothering her, since authorities were eager to protect women from mashersmen who make inappropriate advances toward womenat least according to screenwriters. In this case, however, the policeman assumes that the girl is pestering the man. Why the switch in this case? If a young woman were to wear Pennys outfit walking down a New York street today, she would turn some heads because of how stylish and formal she looked with her mid-calf length dress, matching shoes, and cute hat. However, in 1936, this attire was standard daywear for an average working woman. In contrast, Lucky is wearing a cutaway coat, sometimes called a morning coat, which was one of the most formal ensembles a man could wear. The officer assumes that Lucky is a wealthy gentleman, so why would he need to steal a quarter? Its much more logical that a poor girl would want to get money from him. This scene illustrates how much your clothing defines the way people perceive you. Lucky is a dancer and gambler who doesnt have a dollar to his name. However, because he is dressed like a gentleman of leisure, the officer assumes that he is such. Im not suggesting that one should dress nicely because it will keep away the suspicion of law enforcement, but wearing traditional, stylish clothes allows you to present yourself with dignity and modesty. Dressing Like a Lady or Gentleman What would have happened in this scene if Lucky had been wearing a plain suit? The policeman probably would have arrested him as a petty thief and a masher. Instead, he got away and received an apology to boot! This scene illustrates that the clothes truly make the man. The next time youre dressing for an important event, a business meeting, or even an average day out on the town, remember this scene. If you want people to perceive you as a lady or gentleman of style, integrity, and tradition, try clothing yourself in an outfit which reflects your values. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. NASA Opposes Lithium Mining at Ancient Nevada Lakebed, Says Land Is Vital to Calibrate Satellites Exploration drilling continues for Permitting Lithium Nevada Corp.'s Thacker Pass Project on the site between Orovada and Kings Valley, in Humboldt County, Nev., shown beyond a driller's shovels in the distance, Sept. 13, 2018. (Suzanne Featherston/The Daily Free Press via AP) NASA opposes lithium mining at an ancient Nevada lakebed site used to calibrate satellites, as federal officials have blocked mining in the heart of Nevadas Railroad Valley. The agency says the site is indispensable for calibrating the razor-sharp measurements of hundreds of satellites orbiting overhead. At NASAs request, the Bureau of Land Management has declared that 36 square miles of the roughly 90-square-mile lakebed are no longer available for exploration and mining. Railroad Valley is large, flat, barren, uniform in color, generally free of clouds, and has remained unchanged over the past three decades, making it the best site in the United States for satellite calibration, according to NASA. Dozens of tribe members and other protesters beating drums and waving signs rally in front of the federal courthouse in Reno, Nev., on Jan. 5, 2023, as a court hearing began over a lawsuit seeking to block a huge lithium mine planned near the Nevada-Oregon line about 200 miles north of Reno. (Scott Sonner/AP Photo) No other location in the United States is suitable for this purpose, the Bureau of Land Management concluded in April after receiving NASAs input on the tract 250 miles northeast of Las Vegas. For nearly three decades, this expansive piece of land above the untapped lithium deposit in Nevadas Railroad Valley has been utilized by NASA to ensure accurate measurements, essential for maintaining the optimal functioning of satellites and their diverse applications. Activities that stand to disrupt the surface integrity of Railroad Valley would risk making the site unusable, said Jeremy Eggers, a spokesman for NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. NASA says the satellites provide vital and often time-critical information touching every aspect of life on Earth. Problems With Green Energy Projects Lithium is the main component in batteries for electric vehicles. Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) introduced legislation to reverse BLMs withdrawal of the mining area from the Railroad Valley area and told a House subcommittee that the decision underscores the hypocrisy of President Joe Bidens administration. Railroad Valley is home to an abundance of critical minerals that can help boost the American economy, strengthen domestic supply chains, and reduce our dependence on foreign adversaries, Amodei said in a statement. Thats why it was especially disappointing that the Administration opted to close the door on this mineral development by approving NASAs unreasonable demand for exclusive control over the playa in Railroad Valleyeven though these proposed mining projects would not impact NASAs mission in the area. In another project near the Fort McDermitt Reservation along the border of Nevada and Oregon, the Biden administration plans to build Thacker Pass mine, which will be one of the largest lithium mines in the world, near the tribal land of the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe. Daranda Hinkey, 25, is a member of the tribe and leader of a group known as People of Red Mountain. The group says the Thacker Pass mine would desecrate a site where the U.S. Cavalry massacred their ancestors after the Civil War, in addition to the potential environmental impacts. Lithium mines and this whole push for renewable energythe agenda of the Green New Dealis what I like to call green colonialism, Hinkey said. It will directly affect my people, my culture, my religion, my tradition, my children, and children after that. The Associated Press contributed to this report. NB Premier Says Call for Leadership Review Over Gender Policy Is Strategically Planned Political Drama 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) New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has stood by his changes to Policy 713, regarding gender identity in schools, despite the turmoil it has stirred up within his Progressive Conservative Party. He said in a July 22 statement that a certain group for a few years now has been planning to unseat him, and their current push to do so is about party politics rather than LGBTQ issues. He said a strategically planned political drama is now unfolding. Since Higgs and Education Minister Bill Hogan announced changes to Policy 713 on June 8, Higgss critics have collected 26 letters from party riding presidents calling for a leadership review. One of Higgss ministers, MLA Trevor Holder, announced his resignation in an open letter on June 23. Holder, minister of post-secondary education, is the second of Higgss cabinet ministers to quit; Dorothy Shephard, minister of social development, quit last week. Both cited Higgss management style as a main reason. Caucus has been less about consensus and more about him getting his own way, said Holder in his resignation letter. When Shephard resigned on June 15, she told reporters that cabinet and the rest of caucus are routinely dismissed. Higgs said in his statement that the changes to Policy 713 had broad support in caucus and the importance of keeping parents informed and involved is worth standing up for. One of the key points of the revised policy, effective July 1, is that parents should be informed when children under 16 change their names at school as they transition genders. The vast majority of caucus clearly supported the need for parents to be directly involved in all aspects of raising their children, especially in their formative elementary years, Higgs said. I stand by the changes made and most importantly I stand by parents who believe they should know what is going on with the elementary age school children. Enough letters calling for a leadership review have been gathered to trigger the start of the process. At the partys next meeting, the Progressive Conservative provincial council will debate whether to undertake a review. Holder did not overtly take a position on Policy 713 in his resignation letter. He did state, however, that his riding of Portland-Simonds is a very diverse riding comprised of citizens of all backgrounds socially, culturally and economically. He said it is important to bridge the concerns of all citizens to find common ground. The Policy Changes Higgs and Hogan announced three changes to Policy 713 on June 8. The policy previously stated that the school should ask students permission to contact their parents if they wish to change names, but if students dont consent, a plan will be put in place to support the student in managing the use of the preferred name. The policy now states that if students do not consent, the student will be directed to the appropriate professional (i.e. school social worker, school psychologist) to work with them in the development of a plan to speak with their parents if and when they are ready to do so. The new policy adds a requirement to have private universal changing rooms in schools. Remaining in the policy is the requirement that all students will have access to washroom facilities that align with their gender identity in a non-stigmatizing manner. It removes the statement that students may participate in extracurricular activities consistent with their gender identity. Teresa Pierre, president of the advocacy group Parents as First Educators, praises Higgs for his support of concerned parents. Parents in New Brunswick should thank Premier Higgs for his concern for the children, Pierre said in an email to The Epoch Times. The pushers of the gender ideology agenda are seeing their worst nightmare happen in New Brunswick: a Premier who is rejecting secrecy, and who is so open and honest about making parental rights a political issue that hes willing to fight an election over it, she said. Higgs initially said he would be willing to call an early election over the issue, but last weekend said he had no intention of doing so. As a father and a grandfather, I dont think there is anything more important than the role and responsibility of a parent in raising their children, Higgs said in his recent statement. As a province, our future is the next generation. That is worth standing up for. Education Minister Hogan said in a statement emailed to The Epoch Times that he feels the policy changes are relatively small. I am appreciative of the level of interest this policy has garnered, he said. New Brunswickers now know this policy better than any other education policy. That in and of itself will lead to a more consistent implementation of the policy across the province, and will help us ensure a safe and welcoming environment for our students. New Bud Light Ad Garners Mixed Reviews After Dylan Mulvaney Controversy Cans of Bud Light chill in a refrigerator in Oakland, Calif., on April 28, 2023. (Jeff Chiu/AP Photo) A newly-released Bud Light advert has received mixed reviews online, with some claiming the company is trying too hard and others vowing to continue consuming rival beverages after Anheuser-Busch found itself at the center of controversy earlier this year. Bud Light unveiled the new television commercial called Easy to Summer on June 22. The 60-second advert is set to the soundtrack of Good Times, the 1979 hit by Chic, and features Americans from all walks of life enjoying a cold Bud Light during a sweltering hot summer, albeit with a few relatable incidents such as sunburn and sudden thunderstorms. Crack a cold one: weve got an epic summer ahead. Sock tans included, Bud Light wrote alongside the video on Twitter. Notably, the advert shied away from any political statements or LGBT themes. The latest advert comes after the company suffered intense backlash following its decision to partner with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney for a campaign. Mulvaney, who has over 10 million followers on TikTok, had been documenting a transgender transformation dubbed 365 Days of Girlhood on the video-sharing app. Bud Light later sent the influencer a pack of beers with Mulvaneys face emblazoned across them to celebrate both the influencers 365 days of being a woman and to promote the companys March Madness contest. Mulvaney shared a photo on Instagramdressed like Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffanysto reveal the personalized cans. In a second video shared on Instagram, Mulvaney drank a can of Bud Light in a bathtub. Bud Light beer cans sit on a table in right field during the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md., on Sept. 19, 2019. (Rob Carr/Getty Images) Dylan Mulvaney Backlash The move prompted a boycott of Bud Light throughout the country and cost Anheuser-Busch up to $6.5 billion in stock value within days. In unveiling the new television commercial, Anheuser-Busch said Bud Light is setting out to have the brands biggest summer campaign. The company has also announced partnerships with artists including Kane Brown, Midland, and Megan Moroney to bring a backyard tour to fans throughout the summer. Additionally, the company is giving away $10,000 weekly to drinkers to make summer easy to enjoy and stock up for all the backyard parties, according to a press release. However, the latest advert received mixed reviews online, including from Daily Caller Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Ingersoll, who wrote on Twitter: Youre getting brigaded for this and for good reasons, guys, but also, on its merits, the commercial is dumb. A supercut of dudes embarrassing themselves in front of other people? Have you learned nothing? Go back to the 90s and mine your old content. Do a condensed version of Top Gun II with more babes. Chicks in bikinis. Smoking hot runway models painted green cast as aliens abducting some average Joe to give him an ice-cold beer in space. Get creative, but stick to the basics, he added. Elsewhere, Joel Berry, managing editor of The Babylon Bee wrote on Twitter, Man, theyre trying so hard, while RNC Researchs Jake Schneider wrote on the social media platform, Nah Im with @CoorsLight now. Customers Havent Forgotten Controversy Conservative host Liz Wheeler wrote: None of this is funny until & unless you apologize for using Dylan Mulvaneya man pretending to be a womanas your spokesperson. Its insulting that you think an ad about summer will make us forget our principles. The boycott continues. Other Twitter users also condemned the advert, stating that they havent forgotten the past controversy with Anheuser-Busch, while one user urged the company to apologize for slamming your loyal customers. However, others were more welcoming of the new commercial, including conservative radio host Jesse Kelly, who wrote: Honestly, this is the smart play if they stick with it. You cant undo what has been done. It will take lots of time. But if they hire funny writers and churn out light-hearted campaigns that make people snicker, that will do a lot over time to heal the brand, Kelly added. The latest advert comes as sales of Bud Light dropped 26.8 percent during the four weeks ending June 10, according to data from Bump Williams Consulting and NielsenIQ. A week prior to that, Bud Lights sales dropped 24.4 percent, the data show. In May, sales of Bud Light dropped behind Mexican lager Modelo Especial, owned by Constellation Brands within the United States, as the best-selling brand. However, Bud Light remains the top-selling beer brand in the United States this year in terms of dollar sales and overall volume, according to the company. New Details Emerge of JPMorgans $290 Million Settlement With Epstein Victims A protestor holds up a sign of Jeffrey Epstein in front of the federal courthouse in New York City on July 8, 2019. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images) Attorneys representing the victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have filed a notice in a Manhattan court, providing new details in what is a $290 million settlement with JPMorgan Chase to resolve a lawsuit. The notice of settlement (pdf) was filed late Thursday in Manhattan federal court and covers women who were sexually abused or trafficked by Epstein from 1998 until his death in 2019. Earlier, an agreement in principle on the settlement was announced jointly on June 12 by JPMorgan and attorneys representing the lead plaintiff, Jane Doe 1. At the time, the details of the settlement were not disclosed. Epstein victim lawyers said in Thursdays court filing that the settlement is an all-cash $290 million payout less legal fees and litigation costs. Attorneys fees will amount to no more than 30 percent of the total settlement amount, while litigation costs will amount to no more than $2.5 million, leaving around $200 million for the victims. The money will go into a global settlement fund that will made available to the class of women who say they were victimized by Epstein. The terms of the settlement were in all respects fair, adequate, reasonable, the attorneys said in the filing. U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein appears in a photograph taken for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services sex offender registry, on March 28, 2017. (New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services via Reuters) Responses Sigrid McCawley, managing partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, the law firm representing Jane Doe 1, told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that the settlement represents a major victory for the women. The settlements that have been reached are both life-changing and historic for the survivors, McCawley said. Money, which for far too long flowed with impunity between Jeffrey Epsteins global sex-trafficking enterprise and Wall Streets leading banks, is decisively being used for good, she continued. The settlements signal that financial institutions have an important role to play in spotting and shutting down sex trafficking, McCawley added. Victims led by Jane Doe 1 said JPMorgan missed red flags of Epsteins abuses and remained in contact with him long after it closed his accounts in 2013. JPMorgan did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest filing, which detailed the terms of the settlement. However, a JPMorgan spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an earlier emailed statement when the preliminary agreement was announced that Epsteins behavior was monstrous. The spokesperson added at the time that the settlement was in the best interests of all parties, especially the survivors, who suffered unimaginable abuse at the hands of this man. The settlement still needs to be approved by District Judge Jed Rakoff, a Clinton appointee overseeing the case. Ghislaine Maxwell, the Jeffrey Epstein associate accused of sex trafficking, attends her trial near an image of Epstein on a screen in a courtroom sketch in New York City, on Dec. 2, 2021. (Jane Rosenberg/Reuters) More Details Jane Doe 1 sued on behalf of a large number of Epstein victims in what became a class-action lawsuit, alleging that JPMorgan turned a blind eye to the disgraced financiers sexual abuses. Epstein had been a client of JPMorgan from 1998 to 2013, when Americas biggest bank terminated his accounts. The disgraced financier pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a minor for prostitution and was required to register as a sex offender. JPMorgan worked with Epstein for years after his conviction. The same law firm represented Epsteins victims in a similar $75 million settlement with Deutsche Bank, where he was also a client. David Boies, a lawyer representing the women, told The Epoch Times in an earlier email commenting on the Deutsche Bank settlement that the road to justice for the survivors of Jeffrey Epsteins sex-trafficking ring has been too long, and we are not yet at its end. Boies called the recovery from Deutsche Bank another important step in achieving the vindication, recognition, and compensation they deserve. The judge preliminarily approved the Deutsche Bank settlement on June 16. Dylan Riddle, a spokesman for Deutsche Bank, declined to comment on the settlement in response to a request from The Epoch Times. However, in a statement to The Wall Street Journal, Riddle said the bank has invested more than $4 billion to bolster internal training and financial controls. The bank has also increased the number of employees dedicated to fighting financial crime, he said. Epstein died at age 66 in a federal jail cell in New York while awaiting trial on charges of sex-trafficking minors, with his death ruled a suicide. He was accused of trafficking underage girls for years, including at his Manhattan residence. Jane Doe 1, who brought the suit thats being settled, has been described as a New York ballet dancer who was groomed by Epstein and his associates. She said she was abused and trafficked by Epstein from 2006 to 2013. The settlements dont affect a separate case brought by officials in the U.S. Virgin Islands against JPMorgan. Virgin Islands officials said JPMorgan helped facilitate Epsteins sex trafficking by providing banking services, noting that the services remained in place even after Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a minor for prostitution. Materials that have emerged in the discovery process in the U.S. Virgin Islands lawsuit allege that some Virgin Islands officials actively facilitated Epsteins trafficking. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. New Wave of COVID-19 Infections Hits China A security personnel in a protective suit keeps watch as medical workers attend to patients at the fever department of Tongji Hospital, a major facility for patients of COVID-19 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Reuters) Mainland China is experiencing a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, with the number of people testing positive for the virus rising significantly since April. This follows a previous wave of infections and deaths that occurred from December 2022 to January. A resident of the Pudong district of Shanghai told The Epoch Times on June 21 that his father recently developed white lungs from a COVID-19 infection and died. Others reported COVID-19-related illness, deaths, and reinfections among family members. Dr. Bai of Beijing Anzhen Hospital posted on Chinese social media that he had been reinfected with COVID-19, and the department director had also been infected and was suffering severe symptoms. They were both infected by patients. In the southeastern city of Fuzhou, the new wave of infections has been very serious in the past month or so, A. Liang, a Fuzhou resident, told The Epoch Times. Many people around him were infected. Although the symptoms are not as severe as the first wave, its very contagious, Liang said. A man wears a protective shield as he assists a loved one on a stretcher in the hallway of a busy hospital in Shanghai on Jan. 14, 2023. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) There are a lot of people being reinfected with COVID-19 and hospitalized, Li Yu (a pseudonym), a doctor in Jiamusi in Heilongjiang province, told The Epoch Times. Some elderly people died after being infected. Wang Yi (a pseudonym) from Nantong in the province of Jiangsu, was infected with the virus for the first time. She told The Epoch Times that her symptoms were severe, and she hadnt recovered after more than 20 days. I dont know how I got infected, she said. Wang said she started having headaches, bone pain, and body aches on May 25 and tested positive at the hospital the next day. Then she started to have a fever, sweating, insomnia, and diarrhea until she collapsed. After being infected for 18 days, she had difficulty breathing. Ms. Liao from Suzhou in Jiangsu told The Epoch Times that she tested positive on June 12 in a hospital and has been exhibiting severe symptoms such as fever, dizziness, and nausea, and then developed pneumonia. Many COVID-19 patients are having intravenous treatment in the hospital, she said. This virus is terrifying, it is an invisible killer, and people are having lingering symptoms and sequelae after being infected. Dr. Yu at Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine posted an article online that stated the number of patients visiting fever clinics across the country has increased. Patients with low immunity, older age, or serious underlying diseases are more likely to be infected and develop pneumonia, he said. Chinas Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued an update on COVID-19 infection numbers from May on June 11, reporting 2,777 severe cases and 164 deaths. All of the cases were caused by Omicron mutant strains, with the top three being XBB.1.9, XBB.1.16, and XBB.1.5. The Chinese communist regime has consistently concealed the true scale of the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Its unclear how many people have been infected in the new outbreak. Zhong Nanshan, the communist regimes top health advisor, last month predicted a peak in infections to occur late this month, with as many as 65 million people infected weekly. Hong Ning contributed to this report. Los Angeles Filmmaker Films at War-Torn Thailand-Burma Border to Tell an Untold Story As Los Angeles filmmaker Dylan Chow and his film crew of 30 worked in the mine-riddled jungles of the Thailand-Burma border in 102-degree heat this past April, occasional gunfire could be heard in the distance as forces of Burmas military dictatorship fought rebel groups. I went there to make a film and be a witness for my people who are trapped and suffering right now, Chow told The Epoch Times. You see so much suffering, but no one including reporters are telling this story, so I knew last year that it was time to get this film going. On February 1, 2021, government officials of Burmas democratically-elected National League for Democracy were ousted in a coup detat staged by Burmas military, resulting in thousands of deaths and detentions in what the United States State Department has called a political, economic, and humanitarian crisis. As native of Burma, Chow said his calling to create the film started in 2006 when he was an actor. Almost a decade later, he founded his film production company Innlay Production, and along the way he developed a passion for screenwriting, which he used to write the script of his upcoming 80-minute film Zoomers. The film is broken into seven stories based upon true events of Burmas recent national lockdown by the military dictatorship, and cast with seven actors who fought in resistance units against it. It was me and a Burmese friend still in-country who wrote the story to this film over the course of last year, Chow said. According to Chow, he started filming in early April and finished after several weeks of production. While the actors of the film were highly skilled in weaponry and hand to hand combat, none, according to Chow, had any acting skills. With our tight budget for Zoomers, I only had a small window of time to train them with acting, but they were so willing because they knew that the world needed to see these stories, he said. With a budget of slightly over $40,000, Chow fundraised about half that and the rest came from his own pocket. He said this was a necessary sacrifice along with risking his life as he took the lead of his small crew to film in one of the worlds most geo-politically unstable regions. Being the leader of this production, being caught by the Burmese military would have most likely resulted in my imprisonment and death, he said. During the four weeks of production, Chow said he acquired skills he never learned in film school, including serving as an on-site counseling for his actors. We had Burmese military uniforms that actually brought trauma to our actors who have had combat experiences, he said. The sight of the camouflage would immediately bring them back to their experiences of torture by the Burmese military, along with executions of family members and friends. Other added challenges, he said, included filming in low-light settings to capture Burmas lack of electricity and power the nation is currently facing under hardline military dictatorship. Production discretion was also enacted to not attract unwanted attention. Additionally, footage was also consistently moved to hidden locations to avoid being discovered by the Burmese military. Being caught with footage like ours is a death sentence by the military junta, he said. Since his return and completing a rough edit of the film, Chows next step is color correcting and sound editing, which, he said, he hopes to have completed by September. From there, he will enter Zoomers in several film festivals, including the Asia-Pacific Film Festival and Sundance. My team and I have been working hard on this, and I think it was worth all the sacrifices I made in an attempt to get this film before an international audience to see what is going on in Burma right now, Chow said. As for the local actors he recruited, some have since claimed refugee status in nations across the world, while others are preparing for another tour of duty fighting in the jungles of Burma. I told my father that if I had died while making Zoomers, it would have been for my country, Chow said. There is no one telling this story, so I am telling it and now is the time for the world to see it. Northern Territory Considers Replacing Uncompetitive Mining Royalties Scheme The Northern Territory (NT) is looking to replace its current mining royalty scheme with one that is more competitive following a report that found it to be a deterrent to investment. Currently, the territory is looking at changing its profits-based scheme to one that is based on the underlying value of the extracted assets. The proposed new scheme, called an ad valorem-based royalty scheme, has been described as simple, and delivers investment certainty. Nicole Manison, the NTs Minister for Mining and Industry, said the NT must change its current scheme to remain competitive. Mining is one of the key drivers of the Northern Territory economy, and we must stay contemporary and competitive to attract more new mining investment, Manison said in a June 22 statement. Royalties are the biggest source of revenue, and we want the best deal not only on the amount of royalties but also the economic benefits mining generates throughout the Territory, especially in our regional and remote areas. Royalties from the mining industry are the biggest source of income for the NT, having contributed more than 41 percent of the territorys income in 2019-20. Right now, we are in a position to set our course for a mining industry that is not only profitable to the Northern Territory economy but also supports the energy transition to renewables, she said. Northern Territorys Multi-Billion Goal In a December 2022 report (pdf), the NTs Mineral Development Taskforce identified nine measures that could help the NT realise its goal of being a $40 billion economy by 2030. The nine measures include the change in royalty schemes, as well as the speedy development of new mines, streamlined and transparent access to land that respects landowners, simplified regulatory processes, and the development of a new rural-based workforce. The NT government has said that it accepts all the recommendations in principle. Securing new producing mines and increased Territory based minerals processing and value add will be critical to economic growth, industry diversification, labour force expansion and productivity, the report states. This transition of mining away from being a primary industry will deliver positive externalities beyond purely economic ones and is the mining industrys critical and necessary contribution to achieving a $40 billion economy. Around 3,500 people in the NT are employed in the mining sector, while the total value of mineral production in the NT was $4.86 billion for 20212022. Royalties Expected to Fall after 2030 Under Current Scheme According to the task force, royalties are expected to fall by a significant margin after 2030, when the territorys two large mines are expected to close. To preserve this revenue base, immediate strategic actions need to be taken to ensure sustained royalty revenues past 2030, the report states. Currently, about half of the operating mines in the NT pay the minimum royalty of 1-2.5 percent. However, more than half of the NTs operating mines did not pay a royalty until the introduction of a minimum royalty scheme and a profits-based scheme in 2018-19. Under the proposed ad valorem-based royalty scheme, royalties are calculated on the value of the mineral extracted or sold only. Compared to the profits-based royalty scheme, where royalties are calculated on the net value of the mineral extracted or sold after deducting a range of costs. Mineral royalties are a very significant component of the Territorys own-source revenue, having accounted for approximately 30 percent of total tax and royalty revenue collected over the past six years (an average of $347 million per year), the NT government said. The NT government has opened the proposed scheme for public consultation, which will be held until Aug. 4. The White House declined to comment on June 23 regarding released IRS whistleblower testimony that appears to implicate President Joe Biden in his sons foreign business dealings. Meanwhile, Attorney General Merrick Garland denied allegations that the Justice Department, FBI, or IRS interfered with the investigation into Hunter Biden. Nearly one year has passed since the nations highest court overturned the Roe v. Wade ruling, allowing states to, once again, make their own call on abortion laws. Numerous lawmakers held events either praising the ruling or criticizing it. Three major abortion industry groups have backed President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harriss 2024 presidential campaign, giving the Democratic candidates the industry stamp of approval. The Supreme Court ruled 81 on June 23 that Texas and Louisiana may not challenge the Biden administrations 2021 decision to focus its deportation efforts on individuals deemed to be a threat to public safety. The Faith & Freedom Coalition kicked off its Road to Majority Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. Almost the entire field of GOP 2024 presidential contenders, including former President Donald Trump, are appearing together to address conservatives and evangelicals. James Cameron, the director of the 1997 blockbuster movie Titanic, has drawn parallels between the Titan submarine disaster and the sunken Titanic, calling it surreal, and pointing to safety concerns regarding the recent incident. Fuxi, the legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation, was commemorated on Thursday by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. A ceremony kicked off to drumbeats and bell tolling at 9:50 a.m. (Beijing Time) in the city of Tianshui, northwest China's Gansu Province, which is considered to be the ancestor's birthplace. More than 1,000 people from more than 10 countries and regions were in attendance. The commemoration was followed by a series of practices and rituals, including the reading of a eulogy, the presentation of sacrifices to a statue of Fuxi, and worship through the medium of dance. Fuxi is believed to have been the inventor of writing, fishing and hunting. Worshipping Fuxi is a tradition in China with a history of more than 2,000 years. The ceremony was listed as a form of national intangible cultural heritage by the State Council in 2006. A similar annual event was held at the same time in New Taipei City on Thursday, marking the 10th year that the legendary figure has been commemorated simultaneously on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Chen Chen-hsiang, former vice chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party, attended the ceremony in New Taipei. Chen emphasized the importance of unity between people from both sides of the Strait, highlighting their shared heritage as one family. Chen called for concerted endeavors to safeguard and pass on the rich traditional Chinese culture. "The collective commemoration of Fuxi not only strengthens cultural exchange but also fosters peace and mutual prosperity across the Strait." In addition to the commemoration event, Tianshui has also organized cultural tourism festivals and forums related to Fuxi culture. An online platform has been established for worshippers to pay tribute to Fuxi. By Sudip Kar-Gupta BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgium's FSMA regulator on Friday ordered Binance to cease offering any virtual currency services in the country, adding to pressure on the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange. Binance, which was founded by Changpeng Zhao in Shanghai in 2017, has grown to dominate the crypto industry but also faces scrutiny from regulators keen to clamp down on money-laundering. It has consistently defended its business practices. "Binance is offering and providing exchange services in Belgium between virtual currencies and legal currencies, as well as custody wallet services, from countries that are not members of the European Economic Area," the FSMA said. "The FSMA has therefore ordered Binance to cease, with immediate effect, offering or providing any and all such services in Belgium," it added in a statement. Earlier this month, Binance and Binance.US entered an agreement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to ensure U.S. customer assets remain in the United States until a sweeping lawsuit filed this month by the SEC is resolved. France is also probing Binance, which has decided to quit the Dutch market because it had been unable to meet registration requirements to operate as a virtual asset service provider. (Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Louise Heavens and Alexander Smith) UPDATED: Opposing Foreign Agent Registry: Hundreds Offered Money, Bus Ride to Join Parliament Hill Protest Senator Oh said he would sponsor dozens of buses to transport hundreds of Chinese protesters from Toronto to Ottawa Participants in the June 24, 2023, protest on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. (The Epoch Times) Hundreds in Torontos Chinese community are being offered money and a free bus ride to Ottawa to join a protest on Parliament Hill to protect our legal rights and interests. While the event is advertised as marking the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act, some organizers have talked about the issue as part of a larger movement to oppose measures such as the proposed foreign agent registry act. According to one of the organizers, about 28 buses will be transporting protesters from the Toronto area to the nations capital on Saturday, June 24, in the morning, and organizers are offering each participant a $15 lunch subsidy in the form of a Walmart gift card, The Epoch Times has learned. One of the buses taking protest participants to Ottawa, preparing to take off from the Richmond Hill, Ont., area on the morning of June 24, 2023. (The Epoch Times) One of the buses taking protest participants to Ottawa, preparing to take off from the North York area of Toronto on the morning of June 24, 2023. (The Epoch Times) Buses arrive with protest participants in Ottawa on June 24, 2023. (The Epoch Times) Some details about the arrangements have been posted on WeChat, including the bus coordinators phone numbers and the meeting places for taking the bus. Shortly after The Epoch Times first reported on this issue, the organizers told participants to say they didnt receive any money to attend the event, and that theyre not supporting petition e-4395, which opposes the creation of a foreign agent registry. The organizers also told participants not to display Chinese flags or say any red slogans. A section dedicated to the 624 (June 24) event on the main website advertised on the poster of the event includes posts encouraging people to sign petition e-4395. A woman named Yao Zhang, who runs an anti-communist channel on YouTube, interviewed one of the participants while livestreaming the event. The participant told Zhang on video that they received a $15 gift card while on the bus coming from Toronto to Ottawa, as well as food and water. At one point in the video Zhang said she wants Canada to enact a foreign agent registry, at which point a man appeared to hit her in the arm area and Zhangs phone dropped from her hand. A screenshot from the website advertised on the poster of the event. The section of the website, dedicated to the June 24 event, asks people to sign petition e-4395 against the creation of a foreign agent registry. Poster of the June 24 event, showing the website they want participants to visit. Protest Sen. Victor Oh said at a June 12 event in Montreal that he and Sen. Yuen Pau Woo will be leading the demonstration in Ottawa to oppose anti-Chinese sentiment as they commemorate the 100th anniversary of Canadas introduction of the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923. The act is commonly known as the Chinese Exclusion Act because it resulted from an effort to stop Chinese immigration. As reported by The Epoch Times, Oh said he is planning to rent 50 buses to take 3,000 people from the Toronto area to the protest in Ottawa. He also called on Montreal residents to actively join the effort to oppose the creation of a foreign agent registry. Oh told the audience that they should stand up for the sake of the next generation. In the same speech, he said that a foreign agent registry is a disguised Chinese Exclusion Act that will be used to suppress future generations. Oh and Woo were also featured at a May 28 event in Montreal in which the Chinese consul general delivered a speech. The event featured talks about the Chinese Immigration Act as well as the need to oppose the creation of a foreign registry act. In a Twitter post on March 10, Woo also said its time to speak out against any proposed foreign registration act. 100 years ago, as part of the #ChineseExclusionAct, Canada forced all Chinese people in the country to register or face deportation. How can we prevent this registry from becoming a modern form of Chinese exclusion? Woo wrote. Time to speak out. The two senators are active in promoting petition e-4395 which says that a foreign agent registry poses a serious harassment and stigmatization risk for racialized communities. Woo confirmed to The Epoch Times that he drafted the petition. Foreign Agent Registry The federal government recently held public consultations on establishing a foreign influence transparency registry to tackle foreign interference activities on Canadian soil. Allegations have increasingly come to light in recent months, which include meddling by Beijing in the past two federal elections and the operation of at least seven covert Chinese police stations in Canada. Canadian parliamentarians have proposed at least two pieces of legislation to counter foreign interference. Bill S-237, introduced in February 2022 by Sen. Leo Housakos, is at second reading in the Senate but hasnt received government support. An earlier bill, C-282, was introduced in the House by former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu in April 2021, in the previous Parliament. Neither bill mentions any specific country to be targeted. Chiu told The Epoch Times in a previous interview that neither mentions China or Chinese since a foreign influence registry is meant to comprehensively address interference attempts by all authoritarian regimes. The communist Chinese regime has been weaponizing nationalism and hijacking the anti-Asian racism topics, Chiu said previously. Chiu, who was defeated in his B.C. riding of StevestonRichmond East in the September 2021 election, told the House ethics committee in March that he was the target of a disinformation campaign by Beijing during the election due to his support of the foreign agent registry. Busing People to Ottawa Buses used to transport Hu Jintao supporters to a rally on Parliament Hill in 2010 sit parked in downtown Ottawa. A driver with Transport St. Leonard bus company said his company had sent 26 buses, each loaded with 72 passengers. (The Epoch Times) In 2010 when then-Chinese leader Hu Jintao was visiting Canada, the Chinese Embassy and pro-Beijing groups organized a rally in Ottawa to welcome him and also to block dissidents and human rights organizers protesting the Chinese regime. As reported exclusively by The Epoch Times at the time, the organizers arranged dozens of buses to bring members of the Chinese community from the Toronto area and Montreal to Ottawa, covering the cost of hotel, travel, and food. Toronto Area Bus Pickup In total, 11 bus pickup locations in the Toronto Area were arranged. Notably, one of the coordinators named Mary Zhang uses a phone number thats identical to one that had been used earlier by Amanda Yeung Collucci, Ward 6 city councillor of the City of Markhama connection first reported by cyber criminologist Laura Love. Collucci used the number as part of her contact information when she launched a personal protection equipment donation campaign as city councillor during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a March 2020 report by Chinese-language media ccpeople.ca. Zhang declined to respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times. Councillor Collucci says the phone number belongs to a resident in her ward named Mali Zhang who had reached out and asked my support as her ward councillor in launching the donation campaign. [Mali Zhang] has moved out from my ward and we have no contact with each other since last year, Collucci told The Epoch Times in an email statement on June 22. Editors note: This article was updated on June 24 with additional updates. Orthodox Jew Violently Assaulted for Voicing His Views on Traditional Morality Rabbi Noson Leiter of the Help Rescue Our Children Organization at a protest defending biblical morality. (Courtesy of Noson Leiter) Troubled by evidence of the sexualization of children in his towns schools and library, Marc Aisen of Marblehead, Massachusetts, went to a campaign event to question a local Democrat politician about the social trend. His questioning earned Aisen, an Orthodox Jew, a beating. Aisen described the assault to The Epoch Times, saying, Her supporters grabbed me from behind by my shoulders. I was quickly surrounded by at least five men and shoved back and forth. Suddenly, I was struck by a forearm blow to my neck, a sort of clothesline-style punch. Disoriented by the pushing and the forearm shiver to the throat, Aisen said he remembered thinking, This could end really badly for me. Aisen believes he was attacked for peacefully expressing his religious convictions against the sexualizing of children. Conservative Jewish political activist Marc Aisen. (Courtesy of Marc Aisen) Aisens experience in Marblehead in June 2022 is representative of the experiences of scores of religious Jews in the U.S. today, according to data compiled by Combating Antisemitism Movement (CAM), an organization that tracks instances of attacks on the Jewish community. Who Are the Attackers? According to the website of CAMs Antisemitism Research Center, the organization investigates an average of five reported antisemitic incidents each day. A recent worldwide study by CAM found that in May of this year, 13.6 percent of the dozens of reported attacks on Jews were motivated by hatred from the far-left for their religious beliefs; Islamist hatred of Israel accounted for 26 percent of the attacks; while in 15 percent of the incidents investigated, a motive could not be identified. About 45 percent of the episodes were attributed to right-wing antisemitism by white supremacists. Aisen provided details of the role his Jewish views played in him being attacked in Marblehead, telling The Epoch Times, First the candidate denied that sexualization of kids was going on and called me a liar. Then, she asked me my religion. I told her I am Jewish, and that the LGBT lifestyle is not sanctioned by my faith and that I did not want my tax dollars spent on promoting their agenda to children. As tones escalated and the shoving began, the police appeared on the scene. Someone in the crowd must have called the city police. When they arrived, an officer told me they had been told that I was armed an armed man creating a disturbance. All I had on me was my wallet, keys, and cellphone. Exercising First Amendment I have no record of violent crime. For three years, I have been lobbying politicians for religious liberty and education reform without incident, Aisen said. After the police separated people and began trying to further sort things out, Aisen told The Epoch Times that his main assailant went after him again. He threw a glass of vodka in my face while the police just stood there. They watched him do it. I was detained but my attackers were still granted freedom of movement. According to Aisen, who had by this time begun recording his treatment on his cellphone, an officer asked him why he was at the event. I told him I was there raising religious objections to the sexualizing of Marbleheads children. He asked me about my religion, and then he brought up sex change and questioned me about my beliefs on transgender. He asked me if I thought the Jewish religion was to blame for young people committing suicide? The officer then told me I could be arrested for disorderly conduct and that the whole incident was based on religion, Aisen said. Letter from Police Chief A letter from Marblehead police chief Dennis King to Aisen dated Sept. 2, 2022, identifies Aisen as the victim in the attack and states that charges of assault and battery were filed against two individuals. King also informed Aisen that the officer in question denied knowing anything about Aisens religion or transgender issues, and that the 2020 carving of a swastika by an officer into the surface of a fellow officers personal car was determined not to be a hate crime by the District Attorneys office. The owner of the defaced vehicle was not Jewish. The carver of the swastika no longer works at the department. Aisen had alleged that the swastika incident revealed a possible antisemitic bias within the Marblehead Police Department, something he believes may be continuing to this day, given the alleged remarks of the officer that questioned him at the scene of the 2022 attack. Demise of Objective Reality Rabbi Noson Leiter of the Help Rescue Our Children Organization told The Epoch Times that the LGBT activist movement poses a threat to humanity including those on behalf of whom they purport to advocate via the spread of sexually transmitted diseases as well as the rampant, surgical, chemical, emotional, and educational abuse of children under the pretext of Transgender mythology. Rabbi Yaakov Menken, managing director of the Coalition for Jewish Values, told The Epoch Times that the Torah (a.k.a. the Old Testament) makes it clear that sexuality is limited, even for adults, to be part of the special bond between husband and wife. Rabbi Yaakov Menken, managing director of the Coalition for Jewish Values. (Courtesy of Yaakov Menken) Menken acknowledges that Orthodox Jews are paying a price for adhering to their religious convictions and sharing about them, saying, We are called homophobic for believing sexuality is between husbands and wives, transphobic for believing in biology, misogynist for believing fetal life has sacred value He said that Jews face all the same challenges as other traditionalists face in America today, plus an additional dose of hatred because of their attachment to Israel. For that attachment, Menken says Jews are called colonialists and occupiers. Battle for Biblical Morality I think its important to recognize that we are in a battle. People call you a series of hateful names for adhering to traditional, Biblical values, he said. Menken believes the point of all the attacks, intimidation, and name-calling is to cow people into silence, because if theres an actual marketplace of ideas, you win. So dont be silent, he said to encourage those who are scared but want to speak up for their beliefs. Aisen told The Epoch Times that he believes people would be more vocal about biblical morality if they werent afraid of reprisals. He said of his ordeal in Marblehead, an affluent community where he didnt expect such violent behavior, I wanted to set an example and encourage parents to have the courage to represent a controversial viewpoint. The first thing we want to do is protect kids. To clean up every school in America as defined by rejecting queer theory. Aisen said that, like himself, most Jewish religious protestors he knows believe in equality and treating all people fairly. He said the Left equates not celebrating pride with hate. In the minds of LGBT activists and American leftists, anybody not celebrating pride is guilty of oppression. LGBT is like a religion to them. It is their religion. Read More The True Origin of Left and Right Is Violence Justified? They think violence is O.K. if they are offended by your religious beliefs, Aisen added. Its not antisemitic to disagree with Jews about Judaism but it is antisemitic to demonize us because you dont like our beliefs. Leiter told The Epoch Times that the LGBT agenda promotes antipathy toward Jews for believing, speaking, and acting as Jews are commanded to by God himself. He stated that LGBT ideologues view the Jews fidelity to Bible-based rejection of the act of sodomy as bigotry, deserving ostracism and even punishment, if not worse. Leiter said that the anti-Jewish persecution comes on the heels of LGBT persecution of some Christian faith groups for their refusal to capitulate to the ever-expanding panorama of LGBTQ demands. We cant afford to cede yet more ground to the LGBTQ movement by wallowing in victimhood. We must proactively rescue salvageable remnants of society by electing genuine advocates for morality, Leiter said. Outgoing Border Patrol Chief Calls For More Wall Construction Raul Ortiz, the outgoing top U.S. Border Patrol Agent, said he would have preferred more border wall construction, more personnel to patrol the border, and more consequences to disincentivize crossing attempts. Ortiz recently announced he plans to retire from the Border Patrol, notifying agents that June 30 would be his last day. The border security official joined NewsNation host Chris Cuomo on Tuesday to discuss the current situation at the border and his decision to leave. Cuomo asked Ortiz to describe the border security decisions he would have pursued if he had a blank check and absolute say over border security policy. One of the things I think we need to continue to invest in is infrastructure across the southwest border, technology, roads, Ortiz began his response. In some areas, we need to continue to build some wall. Some sections of the border have steel bollard fencing and vehicle barriers, but large sections of the border remain open. President Donald Trump made wall construction a key component of his 2016 campaign and early presidency, but his 2020 opponent, Joe Biden, vowed there will not be another foot of wall constructed in my administration. Biden indeed halted Trump-era wall construction as one of his first moves in office, but has resumed some border wall construction. When asked about efforts to close gaps along the Arizona border last year, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the new construction amounted to the Biden administration cleaning up the mess left by the Trump administration. In addition to calling for some renewed wall construction Ortiz called for bolstering Border Patrols ranks. Ive got roughly 3,000 less personnel than I had in 2013, Ortiz told Cuomo. Thats not a recipe for success. Ortiz also called for instilling real consequences to deter illegal immigrants from all over the world. We have migration from a slew of 173 different countries so far, and if our State Department and our partners arent working to instill some consequences for some of these demographics, were not going to be able to repatriate them. And theyre going to continue to come, he said. This isnt just a U.S. southwest border problem. Were seeing traffic increases on the northern border in Vermont. Were seeing it in Puerto Rico. Were seeing it in southern Florida. And so, this continues to be a challenge for us. Title 42 and Retirement Ortizs retirement announcement came shortly after the Biden administration ended Title 42 on May 11. Title 42 was a COVID-19-era immigration policy that allowed border officials to rapidly turn away and expel illegal immigrants from the United States. Border officials and communities had braced for a surge in border crossings without Title 42 in place; however, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently reported the total number of border encounters was 15 percent lower this May than in May of 2022. Border Patrol reported apprehending 98,850 individuals illegally crossing between ports of entry along the Southwest border between May 1 and May 11. Border Patrol agents recorded another 70,394 illegal border-crossers from May 12 to the end of the month, for a total of 169,244 people in May. Ortiz told NewsNation that Border Patrol expects to apprehend around 90,000 people crossing between the official ports of entry in June. We havent seen a number that low since 2020, Ortiz said. CBP data shows the Border Patrol agents apprehended 71,141 people in December of 2020, the busiest month for Border Patrol that year. By comparison, Border Patrol agents apprehended just 16,182 people in April of 2020 after the Trump administration implemented the Title 42 policies at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. I feel like weve got the border in as managed a state as weve had it in years. And so, if any time, after 32 years I do think its a good time to pull the plug, Ortiz said of the timing of his retirement decision. From NTD News Politicians Should Have Listened to Faddens Warnings on Beijing Instead of Reprimanding Him Then-CSIS director Richard Fadden appears before the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in July 2010 over comments he made in a televised interview that some Canadian politicians are under the foreign influence. (Matthew Little/The Epoch Times) Commentary We humans are odd creatures sometimes. When faced with information that is negative we tend to want to avoid it. If someone says I have good news and I have bad news, many of us ask to hear the former first, dreading the latter. At the end of the day, however, it is best to listen to whatever the bad news is eventually. Chances are its not going to disappear anyway, so ignoring it is the equivalent of kicking the information can down the road. Accept it, decide what it means, and what you need to do about it. Unfortunately, Canadian federal and provincial governments seems to want to avoid the inevitable. Canada has been all abuzz for months now about leaked intelligence alleging that China meddled in our last two federal elections (2019 and 2021) to help elect a minority Liberal government it felt would be in its interests. Many have expressed shock in this blatant interference in our democratic process by an autocracy that is involved in all kinds of nasty influence-peddling around the world. Why would they target Canada, and why now? Except that warnings over this action are not new. Way back in 2010, then-Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) director Richard Fadden told the CBCs Peter Mansbridge on The National that Chinese interference in Canada was a growing threat to our democracy. He also said that several municipal politicians in B.C. and provincial cabinet ministers in at least two provinces, along with a number of public servants, were under the influence of Beijing. That was some warning! The more so, given that what Mr. Fadden had to say was derived from intelligence collected by the women and men who worked for him at CSIS. Spy agencies are loath to go public like this, suggesting the director felt it was serious enough to inform Canadians about this activity. In the face of this bad news, did the government of the daythat of Prime Minister Stephen Harperact? Did they expel Chinese diplomats? Were any charges laid? Was there a public inquiry into the affair? Not quite In fact, opposition parties pounced on Mr. Faddens comments, accusing him of fomenting hatred against Canadians of Chinese origin and calling for him to be fired. CSIS directors, they blathered, were NOT to make any public statements about foreign interference. So there. As the French say, plus ca change. Thirteen years later, a mysterious leaker says more or less the same thing, and the government of the daywhich was in opposition in 2010levels the same ridiculous accusations of anti-Asian sentiment and does its utmost to pretend the problem doesnt exist. A report by former governor general David Johnston is produced in which the main message is that there is nothing to see here, and that any fault lies with CSIS and not with those who have been willfully blind to intelligence for a decade and a half. Calls by Parliament for a public inquiry are put aside and we all move on. It is said that those who forget their history are condemned to repeat it. Events of 13 years ago are not really history, they are of much more recent parentage, and yet the same result: pretend the bad news doesnt matter. Whistle as you pass the graveyard, put your hands over your ears while chanting la-la-la-la I cant hear you!pick your metaphor. Canadian governments and certain political parties (which start and end with the letter l) continue to exist in a fairyland where bad news is non-existent. What will it take to make them pay attention and protect our democracy? Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Pro-Democracy NGO Demands Explanation After HSBC Terminates Its Business and Members Accounts The League of Social Democrats (LSD) whose bank account has been terminated is the last pro-democracy NGO operating in Hong Kong Members of the League of Social Democrats protested outside HSBC headquarters against the closure of their accounts and the personal accounts of some HSBC members for no reason, in Central, Hong Kong, on June 6, 2023 (Choy Pui Man/The Epoch Times) On June 19, The League of Social Democrats (LSD) sent an open letter to HSBCs CEO Noel Quinn, asking him and HSBC to explain the unwarranted cancellation of the bank accounts of LSD and some of its members. In February, HSBC notified the LSD of the termination of three of its bank accounts. At the time, HSBC said it had decided to close the accounts after a thorough review but did not give specific reasons, saying only that it had a responsibility to review bank accounts regularly to protect customers and the financial system. In May, HSBC sent another letter, informing the group that the bank would maintain its decision to terminate the crowdfunding platforms account. In addition, several members bank accounts at HSBC, Hang Seng Bank, and Bank of China were also canceled. On June 6, five LSD members gathered at the head office of HSBC Bank Headquarters in Central to protest against the bank closing all LSDs accounts without giving any reason. The group members criticized HSBC and its practice as soft political persecution and damaging the image of Hong Kong as an international financial hub. On June 19, the LSD said the group had not received any response from HSBC. Therefore, the group emailed Noel Quinn, chief executive of HSBC Bank, reiterating its stance and asking for an explanation. In its open letter, the LSD stated democratic parties, non-governmental organizations, newspapers, and trade unions had been forced to shut down amid suppression under the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong. The LSD said, despite the current difficult situation, the League of Social Democrats is still working hard to maintain its livelihood and continues to speak out for the silenced. However, the LSD argued, by closing LSDs only avenue for receiving public donations through account closure, HSBC would directly force the closure of the few remaining pro-democracy parties in Hong Kong and that HSBCs decision will restrict the freedom of speech and choice of Hong Kong people, and violates HSBCs commitment to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Speaking to HKFP, Dickson Chau, vice-chairperson of the civil group, said the LSD did not plan to open accounts at other banks as a group as he thought it would not be possible after other financial institutions also shut down their bank accounts. The non-profit group also points out that HSBCs cancellation of its 17-year-old account is an issue of public interest, which requires a clear explanation. Hoping for a transparent and public explanation, the LSD urges the bank to reverse its decision on the account cancellation. HSBC should also prove its commitment and promise to protect its customers best interests and that political motives do not sway HSBC. It is not the first time pro-government HSBC has been criticized for its lock and fold of the bank accounts of pro-democracy activists involved in the Hong Kong democratic movement. On Aug. 27, 2020, former Apple Daily founder and jailed democracy activist Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and its former CEO Cheung Kim-hung told the media they could not withdraw money from their HSBC accounts. At the time, Lais assistant Mark Simon, also stated that HSBC froze Jimmy Lais personal and business bank accounts without notice or explanation. On Nov. 19, 2019, HSBC sparked controversies after terminating the bank account of the non-profit crowdfunding platform Spark Alliance without explanation. Spark Alliance aided protesters and arrestees during the anti-extradition movement in 2019. It relied on public donations to its previous HSBC account to support its work. On Dec. 21, 2019, HSBC posted a statement on Facebook, saying that the bank understood public concern over account closure. It reiterated at the time that its decision to close the account in November 2019 was not politically motivated but the customers failure to meet the bank requirements. On Sept. 19, 2022, PayPal announced its final decision to terminate the PayPal account of the LSD upon reviewing its account, citing excessive risks. Proposed Amendment to Defense Bill Aims to Get to the Bottom of COVID Origins Members of the World Health Organization (WHO) team investigating the origins of the COVID-19 coronavirus arrive by car at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on Feb. 3, 2021. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) How much U.S. taxpayer money has been funneled to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and how have the lab experiments there impacted the world? These are questions Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said she wants to find out with her three amendments to this years annual defense spending bill, which would authorize $886 billion for the Pentagon. The amendments, Ernst said, aim to bar defense dollars from going to the WIV, the state-run Chinese facility suspected as the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed millions around the world. Other objectives include cutting off Pentagon payments to EcoHealth, a New York nonprofit that has worked with the Wuhan lab to experiment on dangerous bat coronavirus with federal funds, as well as opening an independent investigation to decide whether EcoHealth has diverted any U.S. defense dollars into the Wuhan Institute, or any other Chinese lab, or spent it to create enhanced pathogens of pandemic potential. Ernst said she wants to get to the bottom of the virus origin mystery once and for all. We should not be supporting an organization that wont tell the truth about how it spent the tax dollars of hardworking Americans. And we certainly shouldnt be paying them to do any more experiments on bat viruses! she said in a statement, adding that the only reason to vote against these amendments is to continue covering up what really happened in Wuhan, China. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) (R) listens during a news conference alongside Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) after a weekly policy luncheon with Senate Republicans at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, on June 07, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) With U.S. intelligence agencies due to release declassified materials on COVID-19 origins this week, attention has renewed on the theory that COVID-19 might have links with a Chinese lab. In the fall of 2019, several WIV researchers fell sick with COVID-like symptoms, according to a State Department fact sheet. Some current and former U.S. officials have now identified one of the researchers as Ben Hu, a scientist who has worked extensively on bat coronavirus research, including modifying the virus sequence of bat virus samples his team collected from southern China, the Wall Street Journal recently reported. EcoHealths renewal application for U.S. federal grants, recently made public, also listed Hu as one of the key overseers of its Wuhan-based coronavirus projects. One form titled Current and Pending Support named Hu as a principal researcher for a pending multiyear grant worth nearly $3.6 million to study bat coronavirus emergence. The form also cited $38 million of U.S. government support spanning from October 2014 to September 2019. From 2019 to 2021, the form suggests, Hu was studying the pathogenicity of two SARS-related bat coronaviruses on humanized mice with Beijings support. White Coat Waste Project, a nonprofit opposing government-funded animal experiments that acquired the document via the Freedom of Information Act, called it the pandemics ultimate smoking gun. The U.S. government-funded Wuhan gain-of-function experimenter Ben Huprobable patient zero at the Wuhan Laband its wasteful spending on his reckless animal experiments almost certainly caused a lab leak and COVID, said the groups president Anthony Bellotti. The P4 laboratory on the campus of the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, on May 13, 2020. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images) The Iowa senator said such new information reaffirms the importance of a thorough probe. We must know what happened in the Wuhan lab, she told The Epoch Times. If it gave us patient zero, the risky experiments funded with U.S. taxpayer dollars are even more concerning. After the pandemic broke out, the National Institutes of Health suspended and later terminated EcoHealths Wuhan subgrant, citing grant rule compliance issues. The agency renewed the grant in May after EcoHealth made modifications to the programs scope, although it has quietly dropped the WIV from its list of foreign institutions eligible for U.S.-funded animal experiments. In this fiscal year, EcoHealth has received close to $8 million in grants from various U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Defense, federal spending data shows. The COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023 that President Joe Biden signed into law in March imposed a June 18 deadline for intelligence officials to disclose information relating to the virus roots, including any possible links to the Wuhan lab, which by now has passed. Quebec Wildfires: Cree Community Orders Evacuation Due to Heavy Smoke A controlled burn is seen on the edge of a wildfire numbered 334 near Mistissini, Que., in a June 6, 2023, handout photo. (The Canadian Press/HO-SOPFEU, Genevieve Poirier) A Cree community in northern Quebec was being evacuated Friday because heavy smoke from a nearby forest fire was blanketing the town and threatening to cut off the main road to the south of the province. The wildfire in Mistissini, Que., was about 10 kilometres from the road to southern Quebecand about 30 kilometres from the town itself, Chief Michael Petawabno said in an interview. Mistissini is the second largest Cree community in the province, home to around 4,000 people. Its mainly the heavy smoke thats coming into the community thats the big factor, Petawabno said, adding that the air quality was expected to worsen over the weekend. Members of his community were starting to get anxious, he said, and had been encouraged to stay inside and close their windows because of the smoke. Some couldnt even run air exchangers or air conditioners because they could still smell the smoke, so we have to think of the health of the people, he said. Earlier this month, Quebec Premier Francois Legault told a news conference that Mistissini was preparing to evacuate a claim that was quickly contradicted by Petawabno. The premier said shortly after that there had been a miscommunication between the town and provincial fire officials. Petawabno said Legaults claim sparked panic, as people rushed to get gasoline for their cars and leave town. Now that the community is actually evacuating, he wanted to make sure people had sufficient warning: he issued the order Thursday evening but didnt set a hard deadline for people to leave. As of 1 p.m., almost 1,500 vehicles had left town, along with six buses carrying around 300 passengers, he said, adding that around 600 vulnerable people had already been evacuated. Most evacuees would go to Saguenay, Que., about 300 kilometres southeast, he said. Petawabno said he was confident the community would be safe from the flames. Canadian soldiers and firefighters from Spain were staying to protect the town, and fire breaks had been built, he said, adding that Mistissini is located on a peninsula and protected by water. But even if infrastructure is saved, the charred forests will have an impact on life in the town. For many people, especially elders, the loss of forestswhere they used to huntis difficult, he said. Thats one of the toughest things for our people here, we live off the land, and theyre not too happy with all the destruction thats been caused by these fires, he said. Thats where you feel the hurt. Scott Forward, a member of Mistissinis emergency operations group, said members of the community handed out masks, helped people with mobility issues register with evacuation coordinators, and ensured peoples pets were safe. People really do band together in a situation like this, he said in an interview Friday. Its calm, and I think one of the reasons why its calm is because it was well planned. On Friday afternoon, another Cree community, Waswanipi, about 183 kilometres southwest of Mistissini, said around 230 community members with health conditions, as well as pregnant women and infants would be evacuated on Saturday due to poor air quality. Earlier in the afternoon, the northwestern city of Senneterre, Que., ordered the evacuation of 60 cottages in a rural area about 30 kilometres north of the city centre. Mayor Nathalie-Ann Pelchat said in an email that winds were blowing a fire toward the cottages, but added that no other evacuations were expected. On Thursday, the northern city of Lebel-sur-Quevillon ordered residents to leave after the same fire cut off one of the two provincial highways connecting the city to the rest of the province. It was the second time in less than three weeks that the city had ordered an evacuation due to the fires. Residents had been allowed to return on Sunday after a 17-day evacuation earlier this month, but most of the communitys approximately 2,000 residents didnt return or left earlier in the week. For resident Jacynthe Barrette, the second evacuation order was a sign that she made the right decision not to stay in the community when residents were allowed to return. Barrette, who has been staying with her sister in Val-dOr, Que., around 120 kilometres south of Lebel-sur-Quevillon, said she went back to check on her house and get a few things before leaving again. Barrette said shes not worried about her home, adding that Lebel-sur-Quevillon is protected by water on three sides, and firefighters, including some from outside the country, were working hard to protect the town. What I miss the most is getting back to my friends, my normal life, my routine, she said in an interview Thursday, adding that she missed her involvement with community organizations, including one that helps new immigrants integrate into the community. There were more than 100 fires burning in Quebec Friday, including 24 that were considered out of control, the provinces wildfire prevention agencySOPFEUsaid, adding that continued dry conditions were causing fires to gain strength. Since the beginning of the week, seven fires that had been contained were once again out of control, the agency said. Queensland National Park Returned to Traditional Owners Waanyi traditional owner Alec Doomadgee (right) hands a traditional weapon to Queensland Environment Minister Leanne Linard (left) during a ceremony marking the return of more than 79,000 hectares of Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park to the lands Traditional Owners, the Waanyi People, at Queensland Parliament House in Brisbane, June 23, 2023. (AAP Image/Darren England) Tucked away in the most northwestern part of Queensland, 79,000 hectares of land, gorges and sandstone ranges have been returned to the traditional owners. The Boodjamulla National Park was handed back to the Waanyi people in a ceremony at Parliament House in Brisbane on June 23. A prescribed body corporate of Waanyi representatives will lease the national park land to the state in a first of its kind. It will become Queenslands first Aboriginal land national park after the title deeds are handed over and following its rededication as Boodjamulla National Park. Chairman of the Waanyi prescribed body corporate Alec Doomadgee said the area was integral to culture and country. We stand on the shoulders of great Waanyi warrior men and women that have gone before us who have led our struggle to take back our land, Boodjamulla, Doomadgee said in a statement. Waanyi people, together, can benefit from our land in a positive way. We are looking forward to a brighter future and creating opportunities for our people our way, working respectfully and cooperatively with the Queensland government, after Waanyi peoples unanimous decision to approve these agreements for the hand back of Boodjamulla today. The government and Waanyi body corporate have entered into an Indigenous land use agreement that recognises the native title rights of the Waanyi people and future interests over the land. This includes ongoing public access and a co-operative management agreement under the services of the Waanyi people and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Environment Minister Leanne Linard said the handover was a significant step towards the Palaszczuk governments Path to Treaty process. This historic land hand back is a testament of the courage, determination and commitment of the Waanyi people who have worked hard to see the rightful return of their country, Linard said in a statement. A black-tailed deer and a killer whale might not appear to be likely buddies, but a pair was spotted up close and personal recently near the United States-Canada border. The rare encounter took place at the San Juan Islands in Washington State; whale and deer swimming past one another as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Marine naturalist Samantha Murphy was out on a boat on June 4 when she snapped the chance meeting, according to Coast Reporter. Accompanying passengers on an expedition with Island Adventures Whale Watching, Murphy was captivated by an orca right across the water and started photographing it. (Courtesy of Naturalist Sam Murphy of Island Adventures) But Murphy didnt spot the deer paddling in the water right then. It was only when she got home and looked at her pictures that she was amazed to see it, the news outlet reported. The orca was a male Biggs killer whale T124C known as Cooper, and this massive predator seemed disinterested in the little deer. Not something we see every day we wonder who was more surprised to see who, Island Adventures wrote in a social media post. At first sight, one alarming thought is that the deer could easily have been eaten, but executive director of the Pacific Whale Watch Association, Erin Gless, told Global News she wasnt surprised the whale declined to snack on the deer. Gless said: I think sometimes, because they are called killer whales, people get this assumption that theyre just, you know, mindless killers that are out there hunting everything that they come across. But the truth is they are selective. Just like when were going through the pantry, we would much rather have, you know, a nice juicy burger than maybe a rice cake, like this deer might look like to this particular orca. (Courtesy of Naturalist Sam Murphy of Island Adventures) The incident happened near Battleship Island, close to Sidney Island. Located in the shadow of the Olympic Mountain Range, the islands are part of the San Juan Island archipelago which features pristine waters and abundant nature. The great Pacific Northwest is home to some of the worlds most impressive wildlife. Nothing shows this diversity better than the image of a swimming deer right alongside a whale. Island Adventures gave prizes for the two picture captions it deemed wittiest. The comment This deer wishes it was at the bank. Thats where a buck is safe by social media user Eric Barnes, and the other from Jackie Murray, Oh deer, Ive made a bigg mistake! were announced as the two winners. According to a study by the World Deer Association, deer are strong swimmers and regularly take the plunge, some even covering distances of up to 2.4 miles (3.8 kilometers). Deer have an enormous set of lungs and what seems like endless stamina, wrote researcher Matt Ross, a certified wildlife biologist and National Deer Associations director of conservation. Definitely handy for paddling away from a hungry whale! 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 Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) criticized President Joe Bidens border policies on June 22 in a House floor speech in support of a measure to advance articles of impeachment for President Joe Biden. (Bloomberg) -- The S&P/TSX Composite Index is offering the biggest payout ever relative to the S&P 500 Index as high commodity prices spur a record surge in Canadian buybacks and dividends. Most Read from Bloomberg This is the most attractive relative yield the TSX has ever had vis-a-vis the S&P 500, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce head of portfolio strategy Ian de Verteuil said by phone, Friday. Outside of the last three or four years, the TSX has never had a payout yield close to the S&P 500. S&P/TSX Composite-listed stocks are currently offering a 5.4% payout yield on a combination of ratcheted up dividends and a buyback craze, de Verteuil wrote in a note to clients. Thats more than 100 basis points higher than the yield on the S&P 500 a record divergence between the two stock indexes, CIBC says. Boosted by higher energy, fertilizer and metals prices, total payouts including dividends and buybacks by S&P/TSX-listed firms reached a record C$170 billion over the last 12 months, CIBC calculated. Stocks in Toronto have offered heftier dividend yields since 2005, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The US market, by contrast, has consistently offered investors bigger returns via share buybacks. But now, buybacks are surging in Canada, partly due to an incoming 2% tax on them, CIBC notes, pushing the yield advantage in Canadian stocks to record levels. To be sure, de Verteuil sees the current extravagant buyback level as unsustainable, especially as oil prices fall amid recession concerns and flagging demand from China. CIBC expects the total S&P/TSX-listed firms payout in dividends and buybacks to fall to C$140 billion over the next year, bringing the payout yield down to 4.4%. That would still be above levels in the US, according to CIBC, which would mark a historic divergence as the S&P 500 yield has surpassed that of the S&P/TSX Composite for most of the last 25 years. We believe Canadian investors should still expect payouts to remain above 4%, unless a severe recession develops, he said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Rising Number of Russian, Chinese Nationals at US Southern Border Raises Security Concerns A Kinney County sheriffs deputy arrests an illegal alien being smuggled from the U.S.Mexico border, through Kinney County, Texas, on Sept. 10, 2022. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) House Republicans stated that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have intercepted an increasing number of foreign nationals from countries not in South or Central America, including Russia, and several high-value targets from China. In a June 21 Committee on Homeland Security hearing on Threats Posed to the Homeland by Nation-State Actors in Latin America, held by the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence, concerns were raised by several lawmakers regarding the potential dangers posed to the United States by an unsecured border. During the hearing, Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) voiced his alarm and shared significant information regarding encounters with foreign nationals from various countries of concern. I am concerned that the chaos of the Southwest border could be taken advantage of by anti-U.S. regimesnot just can, but has been, Pfluger said. Meanwhile, the PRC and our foreign adversaries are expanding their spheres of influence in Latin America, right in our backyard. There are clear implications for U.S. Homeland Security. Pfluger highlighted the growing migration crisis resulting from the administrations policy decisions, leading to significant increases in encounters at the Southwest border. Of particular concern were the encounters involving individuals from what he referenced as the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and Russia. He pointed out that several sheriffs offices had reported apprehending multiple high-value targets from China, who were subsequently taken into custody by the FBI and cited data from the CBP showing increase in fiscal year 2023 encounters with nationals from various continents by border patrol along the Southwest border. In the first seven months of fiscal year 2023, over 9,711 PRC nationals were encountered by U.S. border patrol along our Southwest border exponentially more than the previous three years, Pfluger said, warning that the chaos of the Southwest border could be taken advantage of by anti-U.S. regimes. The lawmaker went on to emphasize that the expanding influence of China and other foreign adversaries in Latin America posed clear implications for U.S. homeland security. The chairman further stressed the urgent need to address the security challenges associated with nation-state actors in the region. In his opening statement, Pfluger underscored Chinas economic and security ties with Latin American countries like Brazil and Venezuela. He highlighted the substantial financial support provided by China, with loans amounting to approximately $137 billion offered to the region. Venezuela emerged as the primary beneficiary, receiving roughly $60 billion in loans, which could be seen as problematic, considering Chinas military and security partnerships, including the sale of $615 million worth of weapons to Venezuela between 2009 and 2019. Concerns About Russian Nationals The encounters with Russian citizens also experienced a sharp rise with the trend continuing for first seven months of fiscal year 2023. According to information cited by the lawmakers, in 2021 CBP reported just 4,103 encounters of Russian citizens along our Southwest border. However, that number jumped to 21,763 in fiscal year 2022 and its over 33,000 for the first seven months of fiscal year 2023. Additionally, Pfluger mentioned Russias collusive activities with anti-U.S. authoritarian regimes, such as Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba. He cited instances of Russia assisting Venezuela in evading sanctions by utilizing state-controlled companies to transport Venezuelan oil. The chairman also noted the involvement of the Wagner Group, a Russian private military contractor, which seeks to undercut U.S. influence and presents itself as a mediator and security partner to anti-U.S. countries. The Wagner Group has been observed training Venezuelas armed forces. While Iran played a secondary role, Pfluger highlighted recent developments indicating Irans intention to assert its power across the region. The docking of Iranian warships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, signaled Irans expanding presence. Pfluger concluded by emphasizing the vital importance of understanding the security challenges and threats posed by nation-state actors to U.S. homeland security. He urged the committee to address these concerns promptly and explore every avenue to mitigate the risks posed by these actors. Expert Testimony Christopher Hernandez-Roy, the Deputy Director and Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies echoed similar concerns to the committee chairman. Hernandez-Roy asserted that the actors pose interlocking challenges to regional, and by extension U.S. security. The expert testified that while each possesses different capabilities and long-term objectives, they often coordinate both informally and formally to challenge U.S. influence in the region. According to Hernandez-Roy, while Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran espouse different geopolitical goals and world views, they have shown an alarming degree of convergence when it comes to efforts at fomenting discord and disruption within the United States. The expert witness went on to say that the presence of dictatorial regimes within the Western Hemisphere offers a springboard for extra-hemispheric authoritarians to expand their influence, co-opting, coercing, and manipulating other countries in the region to undermine their relations with the United States, often empowering anti-democratic forces in the process. A comprehensive resource-backed approach to LAC is urgently needed if the region is to be secure, democratic, and prosperous, Hernandez-Roy said. This would include, as one example, revising Development Finance Corporation rules to allow financing of projects in middle income counties of the region, especially given the huge disparities in development within different Latin America and the Caribbean countries. The FBI declined The Epoch Times request for comment. Rural Australians Shortchanged $6.5 Billion in Health Funding, Report Finds Australian medical groups are calling for state and federal governments to boost funding in rural areas after a report found that rural Australians were shortchanged to the tune of $6.5 billion (US$4.3 billion) in health funding. According to a Nous Group report that was commissioned by the National Rural Health Alliance, each person in rural Australia is missing out on nearly $850 per year in healthcare access when compared to their city counterparts. This figure was based on data from the 20202021 financial year. Poor health service access is a disincentive to live in rural areas, and poorer health outcomes limit the potential of rural industries by reducing the workforces efficiency through increased absenteeism and decreased productivity, the report that was released on June 23 said. Rural industries such as farming, mining, and tourism make up disproportionately large (compared to population share) portion of Australias economic output. The report shows that from 2010 to 2021, government health funding for urban areas did not match that received by rural regions. For example, private hospital expenditure increased from $13.7 billion to $49.5 billion (a 260 percent increase) in urban areas during the 11-year period, while rural and regional expenditure increased from $7.1 billion to $19.4 billion (a 175 percent increase) during the same period. Additionally, Medicare expenditure increased 64 percent from $10.8 billion to $17.7 billion for city patients, compared to an expenditure of $3.9 billion to $6.3 billion for urban patients during the same period. These trends reflect the barriers to primary healthcare in rural Australia and are consistent with a reliance on more costly secondary and tertiary care for worsened disease presentation, the report states. Leading Medical Groups Call for Funding Boost Susanne Tegen, CEO of the National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA), has called for the funding of a place-based multidisciplinary model of primary health care that is tailored to the needs of local communities. Communities need access to health care in their localities. To achieve this, we urge the government to add to existing city-based and hybrid (city/rural) training with a flipped model of exceptional rural medical and allied training, including nurse training. This would make training in cities the exception and enable students living rurally to train in their own communities, Tegen said. The NRHA also wants a national rural health strategy to streamline complicated and varied funding initiatives. The 48 national members of the [NRHA] allianceall passionate about rural Australiaeagerly await the much-needed direction of funds to redesign primary health care in rural Australia at the grassroots, Tegen said. Associate Professor Michael Clements, who is rural chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), said the findings from the report were another wake-up call that needed to be addressed by state and federal governments. The data show that over seven million people in communities across Australia, which makes up almost a third of our total population, experience a greater burden from illness and early death, and this is in part due to inadequate healthcare funding, Clements said. People living in the bush are at a huge disadvantage due to poorer circumstances in terms of the social and economic determinants of health, higher costs of access and delivery of all healthcare and lack of service availability. Clements said that locums who work remotely need to be offered higher salaries and housing. He added that governments should reduce regulations that prevent international medical graduates from working in Australia. This is particularly important for rural and remote areas, which disproportionately rely on overseas doctors, he said. Clements said that running a practice in rural and remote Australia is not viable and has urged the governments to boost funding for this sector. If someone living outside of a major city experiences poor health, they are more likely to end up in hospital because they simply cant access general practice care, he said. This is a lose-lose situation for all concerned because the patient ends up in a hospital bed with a health problem that could and should have been managed in a GPs office, and the strain on the hospital sector grows and grows. The report also acknowledged the difficulty in pinpointing rural and urban disparities due to Australias complex public and private systems and that it did not cover all government expenditures. Russian Diplomats Squatting At Revoked Embassy Site Amidst Legal Challenge Russia has launched legal action against the Australian government to stop it from revoking its right to a new embassy site deemed a security risk to the country. The legal bid, launched on June 23, will seek to overturn laws passed on June 15 that allow the Australian government to seize a parcel of land in the capital, Canberra, which had been reserved for Russias new embassy. Currently, a Russian diplomat has begun squatting on the disputed land in a demountable building, with Australian Federal Police unable to arrest the individual because he has diplomatic immunity. The government has also not indicated that it has asked the Russian diplomat to leave the site. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed the legal challenge telling journalists on June 23 that the government had expected some response from the Russian Federation following the decision to terminate the lease. He also said he did not consider the Russian diplomat squatting at the site a national security risk. Russia hasnt been real good at the law lately. Russia has abrogated its responsibility as a nation-state, particularly as a member of the Security Council. Their illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine shows its contempt for the rule of law, for national sovereignty and for the way that it conducts its affairs, he said. Were very confident of our position, and processes are underway for the Commonwealth to formalise possession of the site. Australia will stand up for our values, and we will stand up for our national security. And a bloke standing in the cold on a bit of grass in Canberra is not a threat to our national security. On June 15, the prime minister announced the government would seek to remove Russia from the site following very clear security advice about the risks posed by Russia setting up a new facility near the Parliament House. A demountable shack is seen on the site of the former Russian embassy site in Canberra on June 23, 2023. A lone diplomat is refusing to leave the Commonwealth land formerly held by the Russians for a future embassy, triggering a stand-off with the Australian Federal Police. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) The government has received very clear security advice as to the risk presented by a new Russian presence so close to Parliament House. Were acting quickly to ensure the leased site does not become a formal diplomatic presence, he said. To be clear, todays decision is one taken in the national security interests of Australia, and I thank the Coalition and crossbenchers in the House and the Senate for their cooperation in this matter. The bill was supported by both the Coalition, the Greens and independents in both houses of parliament. Coalition Concerned Diplomat Making a Fool of Australia However, Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham has said Russia is trying to make a fool of Australia, and the government should pursue all steps necessary. We shouldnt tolerate anybody seeking to make any type of fool of Australia in relation to the application of Australian law, he said. Minister for Finance Simon Birmingham at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, May 13, 2021. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING Russia is not welcome to have an embassy on this land, and theyre not welcome to be occupying the land either, and its not within the law for them to be doing so. Embassy Saga Over a Decade Old Originally leased in 2008 from the National Capital Authority (NCA), which manages the diplomatic precinct in Australias capital of Canberra, the Russian government had initially agreed to complete construction three years after its building approvals were granted. In August 2022, the NCA told the Russian government, which operates another embassy at an alternative location, it had 20 days to vacate the site. While initial works have commenced, the block in question has been sitting as a building site with unfinished construction for many years now, Sally Barnes, CEO of the NCA, said at the time. With limited blocks currently available for diplomatic purposes, unless a country can demonstrate a willingness and ability to develop the site, the NCA supports a policy of Use it or lose it. The Epoch Times has reached out to the Russian Embassy for comment. SCOTUS Decision On Affirmative Action Will Impact Diversity Policy-Making in Companies By the end of this month, the U.S. Supreme Court will make a decision regarding the racially biased affirmative action admission policy being followed by certain educational institutionswith the ruling potentially affecting diversity initiatives in corporate America as well. The affirmative action decision is related to two cases filed by the Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) against Harvard College and the University of North Carolina. In both lawsuits, SFFA is seeking to overturn the Grutter v. Bollinger U.S. Supreme Court 2003 decision that upheld race-conscious admission policies in universities. The SFFA argues that such policies discriminate against whites and Asians. Harvard automatically awards racial preferences to African Americans and Hispanics, the SFFA says in its court filing (pdf) in the Harvard lawsuit. Under the Grutter v. Bollinger ruling, universities can use race only as a plus, the filing said. Race cannot be a minus for any applicant. However, Harvard has repeatedly penalized one particular racial group: Asian Americans, it stated. Harvard concedes that Asian Americans suffer a penalty on the personal ratingthat changing an applicants race from White to Asian lowers the personal rating to a statistically significant degree, per the filing. Harvard also concedes that, when this tainted variable is removed, projected Asian-American admissions increase to a statistically significant degree. In the Harvard lawsuit, the Supreme Court will have to decide whether to overrule Grutter v. Bollinger and if the prestigious educational institution is violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibiting race-based admissions. If such discrimination is done by a public university, this would be a violation of the Equal Protection Clause. In its defense, Harvard insists (pdf) that for more than 40 years, the Supreme Court has established and repeatedly affirmed that race can be one of many factors considered in college admissions. The university blamed SFFA for attempting to challenge diversity. Experts expect the Supreme Court to rule in favor of rolling back affirmative action policies, a decision that will impact not only the college admission process but also diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agendas in companies. Corporations DEI Inclination While affirmative action aims to boost the presence of certain communities in educational institutions, DEI initiatives at corporations seek to do the same in employment. DEI forces companies to address social issues like racial and ethnic inequalities instead of merit. Under the guise of DEI, several corporations have instituted programs to boost the employee count of minority racial and ethnic populations, thereby ending up discriminating against people of other ethnicities and races. Upturning Grutter vs. Bollinger while siding with SFFA in its case against Harvard and the University of North Carolina by SCOTUS will change the status quo. In an interview with Axios, Andrew Turnbull, a partner at law firm Morrison Foerster, said that if the Supreme Court rules against race-conscious admissions, companies may start to see an increase in reverse discrimination claims for their DEI programs. When people hear affirmative action has been overruled, they may say, Well, why is my company still doing diversity programs? he said. Several organizations are already acting against DEIs discriminatory policies at businesses. America First Legal has filed federal civil rights complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Commission (EEOC) against multiple companies for illegally engaging in discriminatory employment practices that penalize Americans based on race and sex. Corporations facing AFL discrimination lawsuits include Starbucks, Morgan Stanley, McDonalds, Anheuser-Busch, Hershey, and BlackRock. DEI Discrimination in Hiring Several organizations are under scrutiny for their explicit promotion of discriminatory hiring practices. For instance, In a 10-K filing, progressive investor BlackRock states that it is committed to cultivating diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workforce and leadership team through its hiring, retention, promotion, and development practices, according to AFL. As part of this, the company has set goals for increasing the overall workplace representation of US Black and Latinx employees and growing the number of senior women globally and US Black and Latinx leaders at the Director level and above. Meanwhile, AFLs civil rights complaint against Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Bud Light, claims that the company is knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully discriminating based on race, color, national origin, and sex with respect to employment and job training opportunities. AFL pointed to Anheuser-Buschs 2023 Leadership Accelerator Program, which provides individuals from certain ethnicities with leadership development programs as they join the company in a full-time position. We encourage candidates who identify as Black, Latinx, and Native American to apply, as well as those who identify with a historically underrepresented group, the job profile states. Companies are also extending their DEI initiatives to influence customers as wella move that has triggered a backlash in recent times, with Anheuser Busch and mega-retailer Target suffering from widespread customer condemnation and boycotts resulting in lower market share. Anheuser-Buschs Bud Light became the target of a boycott campaign starting in April after the company used transgender social media personality Dylan Mulvaney in a promotional campaign, which people saw as pushing a transgender agenda. Between April 3 and June 22, Anheuser-Buschs market capitalization fell from $134.14 billion to $116.65 billiona loss of over $17 billion. Similarly, Target faced boycott calls after rolling out its Pride collection at the beginning of May, which included some items targeted at children. Between May 1 and June 22, Targets market cap declined from $72.42 billion to $61.02 billion. Companies and lawmakers across the country are eagerly awaiting the Supreme Courts affirmative action ruling which will translate to policy changes in executive boards nationwide. Sensitive US Navy Equipment Detected Missing Subs Implosion on Sunday The U.S. Navy detected the Titanic-bound submersibles implosion on Sunday, days before the information was disclosed to the public on Thursday after a massive search operation that captured global attention, according to a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) official. The five men aboard the Titan, who were attempting to explore the Titanic wreckage in the Atlantic Ocean, are believed to have tragically perished due to a suspected catastrophic implosion, according to USCG officials. In a surprising revelation, the USCG has confirmed that the U.S. Navy first detected the implosion soon after the Titan went missing on Sunday. The Navy promptly provided this information to aid the search and rescue efforts, although its significance could not be definitively determined. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news citing unnamed sources. As a member of the Unified Command, the U.S. Navy conducted an analysis of acoustic data and detected an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost, USCG spokesperson Petty Officer 3rd Class Briana Carter said in a statement. While not definitive, this information was immediately shared with the Incident Commander to assist with the search and rescue mission. During a press briefing held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Coast Guard Rear Adm. John W. Mauger revealed that a debris field, presumably belonging to the missing vessel, was discovered approximately 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic wreckage. He noted that this debris field indicated a catastrophic implosion and appeared to be consistent with catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber within the submersible. Mauger expressed his condolences to the families affected by this tragic event. Upon this determination, we immediately notified the families, he said. On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families. I can only imagine what this has been like for them. And I hope that this discovery provides some solace during this difficult time. Race Against Time Initially, it was estimated that the five individuals on board had approximately 96 hours worth of oxygen supply from the time the vessel first submerged on Sunday morning. However, considering the possibility of oxygen conservation, it remains unclear how long they may have survived. OceanGate, the operator of the submersible vehicle, expressed profound grief in a statement released on Thursday. The company confirmed the loss of its CEO Stockton Rush, along with Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, acknowledging their adventurous spirits and deep passion for exploring and preserving the worlds oceans. These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans, the statement reads. Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time. 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 expressed gratitude for the efforts of those involved in the days-long search that involved multiple organizations and countries who expedited wide-ranging resources and have worked so very hard on this mission. The company stated its appreciation for their commitment to finding these five explorers, and their days and nights of tireless work in support of our crew and their families. This is a very sad time for the entire explorer community, and for each of the family members of those lost at sea, the statement reads. We respectfully ask that the privacy of these families be respected during this most painful time. Rescue efforts involved a concerted mobilization of ships, planes, and sophisticated equipment, although the operation faced challenges due to changing weather conditions, ocean currents, and sea states. A breakthrough came on Wednesday when the U.S. Coast Guard announced the successful deployment of an undersea robot by a Canadian vessel, which effectively reached the ocean floor. Additionally, a French research institute stated that a deep-diving robot with cameras, lights, and arms also joined the operation. Authorities had been hoping that underwater sounds might help narrow their search, with a coverage area that has been expanded to thousands of milestwice the size of Connecticutand in waters 2.5 miles deep. Coast Guard officials said underwater noises were detected in the search area on Tuesday and Wednesday. Jack Phillips contributed to this report. Ivermectin, the anti-parasitic medicine, was seen by most of the world as a medical miracle prior to the year 2020. However, since the start of the COVID pandemic, Ivermectin has become a third rail topicsomething thats completely taboo to discuss openly. If you talked about it on mainstream media, you would likely be labeled as a conspiracy theorist and a purveyor of medical misinformation. If you mentioned it on social media, youd likely be either shadow banned, or have your account suspended. And if you were a doctor prescribing it to your patients, you could face the real prospect of having your medical license revoked. Thats how serious this topic became. Furthermore, the alphabet health agencies in this country: the NIH, CDC, and FDA have all been recommending people against using ivermectin as a potential treatment for COVID. With the FDA going so far as to release a statement on Twitter, saying: You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, yall. Stop it. However, ironically, if you actually click on the website that the FDA linked to in that social media post, youre taken to a webpage which includes a hyperlink to a repository of clinical trials. And if you read through those clinical trials, youd find that half of them actually suggest that Ivermectin is effective at treating COVID. Furthermore, even outside of the clinical trials that were linked to by the FDA, there is a growing body of research showing that Ivermectin is an essential treatment for COVID, and that the reason that it was so strongly repelled by the government, was so that they can maintain their Emergency Use Authorization status for the mRNA-based vaccines. Episode Resources: ? Ivermectin Study Database: https://ept.ms/3Jt5Uqa ? Emergency Use Authorization: https://ept.ms/3CPn1OR ? First Published Ivermectin Study: https://ept.ms/3piPn12 Should a Real Expert Debate or Not? Commentary This morning I read the 10th of probably 100s of articles pleading with vaccine cheerleader Professor Peter Hotez not to debate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. He would never do this because he would be crushed. There really isnt any doubt about that. The only question is whether anything would be gained for quality science at all by the outcome. Our side says yes and their side says no. Our times have taught us this with certainty: the Hotez camp (which includes all the three-letter agencies plus the whole of the pharma industry plus the media) want an information lockdown. They have one message: take your meds. It doesnt amount to much more than that. RFK Jr., on the other hand, has some serious questions about adverse effects, the combinations of meds we are taking, and the conflicts of interest that are everywhere in this sector. He has spent decades studying and litigating them. He also has grave questions about the relationship between gain-of-function research and the bioweapons industry in the United States and around the world. Hotez says that he would not debate these issues for fear that giving RFK Jr. a platform would elevate his views and grant them the legitimacy that they do not deserve. He says he prefers to write for the journals and engage only with peers. But as Tucker Carlsons new episode points out, Hotez is not some ivory-tower researcher/doctor. He has spent three years appearing on every mainstream venue that he trusts, which are the same ones that Fauci appeared on. They have created an information bubble for themselves. They want to live in it forever. Its true that it is not a good tactic for any public figure to engage with people with a fraction of their own reach. Patrick Buchanan once told me that a key rule in these fights is never shoot down. That is usually true. You risk amplifying your critics when in fact hardly anyone has heard of them. But at this point, it is very likely the case that RFK Jr. has a larger reach and influence than Hotez. Hotez is already losing and losing badly. He would not be shooting down. One could argue that RFK Jr. indeed has more to lose from a debate than Hotez, so why would he do it? He would do it for one simple reason: he has a passion for facts, truth, and justice. Even more importantly, RFK Jr. has worked hard to become an authentic expert on the topic of pharmaceuticals and the industry backing them. A great feature of becoming a real expert in a field of study is that you can encounter any setting in which the topic is being discussed and engage with calm confidence. Real experts invite more information and challenges, even direct debate, because doing so satisfies that deep curiosity that led them to be experts in the first place. They welcome it! A real expert is voracious for engagement with others on the topic. A real expert wants to test his views against his opponent, just as great athletes and artists welcome performance and competition. It inspires them to achieve excellence in the field that inspires them the most. I would never claim to be an expert in the interaction of infectious disease and policy but Ive studied the topic incessantly over the last few years. This week, Im at Porcfest where the topic has come up constantly and there are a variety of opinions out there. Its super exciting to hear a number of different perspectives because it gives me a chance to test my own conclusions. I desperately want this because I need to know if my conclusions are correct or can otherwise be improved. At the Brownstone tent, weve been running an open mic. Two nights ago, one speaker got up to celebrate his vaccination and personal COVID avoidance strategies. I could feel the room start to get a bit angry so I took the mic and congratulated the man for speaking. Then I started asking him questions. Why did he feel the need to socially distance following the taking of the vaccine if he is so sure that it worked? What does it mean to him that the vaccine did work? Is it possible that he kept getting sick with COVID precisely because of the repeated use of the vaccine? The whole time I spoke with calm and sympathy. My interlocutor did the same. Within a few minutes, this nice man admitted that he had no real idea what he was saying and could not make sense of his actions and views. He further said that if he could do it over, he would never have taken a shot because now he worries about what it might have done to him. This was not a debate but rather a discussion. I was genuinely curious about this mans views and he was interested in mine. I gained some insight and empathy into anothers persons plight and he into mine. We were better off as a result. This is the best form of debate: a mature and calm exchange of contrary views. Ive become suspicious of people who believe that their best strategy for winning an argument is to interrupt, shout, spit, fling clever rhetoric at ever higher decibel levels, and hurl insults. These people are also good at yelling out technical details in great rapidity so that they cannot be checked in real time. These habits dont prove that the person is a fraud but they certainly raise suspicions. A person with a real command of facts, theories, and real experience can patiently listen to contrary views and answer them with calm reason. There is no grounds to interrupt. On the contrary, all such a person needs is a bit of quiet and some willingness to listen. That person will win the debate against the most belligerent opponent. Theres something else fascinating about the Hotez refusal. It suggests that he doesnt really trust the intelligence of the listeners. He figures that people are too stupid to figure out fact from fiction and so therefore the only correct path is to endlessly repeat his exhortations to comply with his latest declarations. In this way, fake experts are often condescending, arrogant, pushy, and hortatory. Maybe you have had a boss or a friend like this. You have probably learned to stay away from such people. Indeed, with power, they can become dangerous. In contrast, watch any interview or speech of RFK Jr. He is reasoned, fact-filled, curious, a natural educator, calm, and unfailingly kind to his critics. I saw it the other day when he pointed to a New York Times journalist in the audience. The audience started to boo but he quieted people down and said she is a very nice person with real abilities. This is how he is: he is even kind to those who have smeared him the hardest. He is not infallible and admits it. He wants to improve his understanding. This is the difference between real and fake experts. The best book Ive seen on the problem of fake expertise is that of Thomas Harrington: The Treason of the Experts. Here he discusses a deeper problem that afflicts many people in academia and government. They have been granted credentials. They deploy these credentialswhich may or may not signify expertiseas weapons. They dismiss every view but their own. Hotez is hardly alone in this. He is an archetype of an entire army of the credentialled who cheered as masses of people were robbed of their rights and liberties over these three years. Now they are on the hot seat. They cannot stand it. They dont believe that anyone has the right to judge them. But he cannot stop the trajectory of public opinion, which is turning ferociously against them. They are losing. And they cannot stand it. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Similarity Is Surreal: James Cameron Breaks Silence on Titan Submarine Tragedy A submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. (OceanGate Expeditions via AP) James Cameron, the director of the 1997 blockbuster movie Titanic, has drawn parallels between the Titan submarine disaster and the sunken Titanic, calling it surreal, and pointing to safety concerns regarding the recent incident. Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night and many people died as a result, Cameron said in a June 23 interview with ABC News. And for a very similar tragedy, where warnings went unheeded, to take place at the same exact site, with all the diving thats going on all around the world, I think is just astonishing. Its really quite surreal. Cameron pointed out that many people in the community were very concerned about the Titan sub. In addition, several top people from the deep submergence engineering community wrote letters to OceanGate, warning that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers. The Titan submersible was reported overdue on Sunday afternoon while on a trip to explore the sunken Titanic ship in the North Atlantic Ocean. A search and rescue attempt followed but did not yield any positive results. On Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that it had found a debris field near the wreckage of the Titanic. At a press conference, Coast Guard Admiral John W. Mauger revealed that the Titan submersible was a catastrophic implosion which was consistent with catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber inside the craft. The five passengers inside the sub are presumed dead. Titans trip to the Titanic wreckage was led by OceanGate Expeditions. At the time of the explosion, the sub was carrying OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a leading expert on Titanic, Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, a wealthy father-son duo from Pakistan, and Hamish Harding, a businessman and adventurer from Britain. These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans, OceanGate said in a statement on June 23. Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time. Titans Critical Safety Issues Cameron is not the first to raise concerns about OceanGates operations. Back in 2018, David Lochridge, who used to be the companys Director of Marine Operations, had warned about the safety of the Titan vessel. According to U.S. court documents (pdf), Lochridge identified numerous issues that posed serious safety concerns. He primarily expressed concern regarding the lack of non-destructive testing performed on the hull of the Titan. Lochridge insisted that OceanGate conduct non-destructive testing of the experimental hull and hire an agency like the American Bureau of Shipping to inspect and certify the Titan submersible. 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 oppositethey immediately fired Lochridge. OceanGate gave Lochridge approximately 10 minutes to immediately clear out his desk and exit the premises. One of OceanGates first customers, Arthur Loibl, a 61-year-old retired businessman and adventurer from Germany, recently revealed that his dive in the sub was akin to a kamikaze operation. Loibl had gone down to visit the Titanic wreckage in OceanGates sub back in 2021. The experience was plagued by several challenges, he told the Associated Press. The dive was delayed multiple times due to a battery issue. The voyage ended up lasting 10.5 hours. During the 2.5-hour descent and ascent, lights in the sub were turned off to conserve energy. 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 told the outlet. I was a bit naive, looking back now It was a kamikaze operation. Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway in Ottawa to Be Renamed Kichi Zibi Mikan People ride their bikes on the westbound lane of the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway in Ottawa on May 18, 2020. The National Capital Commission has approved a new Algonquin Nation name for the parkway, Kichi Zibi Mikan, on June 22, 2023. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press) Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway will be renamed Kichi Zibi Mikan, with a signage unveiling ceremony to be held later in September. The National Capital Commission (NCC) approved the name change on June 22. The federal Crown corporation said the Algonquin Nation name was selected after a public engagement with the indigenous community that began in spring 2023. The new name, Kichi Zibi Mikan (pronounced kitchi zee-bee MEE-khan), meaning Great River Road, references the Algonquin name of the Ottawa River, as well as the parkways original name before 2012, the Ottawa River Parkway. This name was selected through an Algonquin naming and engagement exercise, reflecting the longstanding and important relationship of the Algonquin Nation to the Ottawa River along which the parkway runs, the NCC said in a statement. The public engagement process involved gathering stories about the parkway, which the NCC said could also be used to inform a future interpretation plan for the area, including the parkway and the riverfront park. The NCC said the name change is consistent with its Toponymy Policy, which aims to provide a more transparent decision-making process for naming and renaming NCC-managed assets. Under the policy, the public will be able to submit a naming or renaming request to an Advisory Committee on Toponymy for consideration. Cancel Culture While NCC said the newly created committees first order of business was to consider renaming the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, efforts to rename or remove sites and monuments bearing the name of Canadas first prime minister have been going on for some time. A statue of Sir John A. Macdonald in downtown park Place du Canada was toppled in August 2020, during a protest led by the Coalition for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) Liberation that called for defunding the police. In November 2022, a City of Montreal-mandated committee recommended against reinstating the statue, criticizing Macdonald for his role in residential schools for indigenous people and saying he represented a colonial vision. The statue of Sir John A. MacDonald is shown torn down and sprayed with graffiti following a protest in Montreal, on Aug. 29, 2020. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press) Another Macdonald statue was also removed from Ontarios Kingston City Parkthe hometown of the late prime ministerin June 2021. Macdonalds biography page was deleted from the official government of Canada website that same month. Some experts, however, are challenging the notion that Canada is a genocidal nation-state and that historical figures should be cancelled. Mark Milke, editor of a soon-to-be-released book, The 1867 ProjectWhy Canada Should Be Cherished, Not Cancelled, is one of them. Why are we picking on people long dead, as opposed to trying to give them fair treatment or fair understanding and put things into context? Milke told The Epoch Times. You dont have to deny the wrongs of the past. In fact, everyone should be aware of them. But a proper understanding of the past is what were trying to provide in the 1867 Project, as well as dive into some current controversies. The book, a collection of writings from 20 authors, seeks to provide an objective view of topics like critical race theory and identity politics, as well as examine important figures throughout Canadian history. One part, contributed by lawyer Gregory Piasetzki, examines how Prime Minister John A. MacDonald saved the lives of many indigenous people through smallpox vaccinations, the creation of the North-West Mounted Police, and the brokering of peace treaties with indigenous peoples that prevented the kinds of massacres seen in the United States. Matthew Horwood and Tara MacIsaac contributed to this report. Starbucks Shares Tumble Amid LGBT Decor Controversy A sign bearing the corporate logo hangs in the window of a Starbucks in Denver, Colo., on April 26, 2021. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo) Shares of Starbucks tumbled on Friday as a union representing the coffee chains baristas said on Friday that over 3,500 workers at over 150 locations would walk off the job next week to protest claims that the company banned some LGBT-themed decorations at some of its cafes. The Starbucks Workers United union said in a statement on social media that next weeks strike has been called due to Starbucks hypocritical treatment of LGBTQIA+ workers. The union claims that managers at dozens of Starbucks locations had prevented employees from putting up LGBT-themed flags and decorations, or had removed them, after some staff had pushed for them to be displayed during Pride Month. In a Friday statement to media outlets, Starbucks said the unions claims were untrue and part of a misinformation campaign amid ongoing contract negotiations. Workers United continues to spread false information about our benefits, policies, and negotiation effortsa tactic used to seemingly divide our partners and deflect from their failure to respond to bargaining sessions for more than 200 stores, Starbucks said in the statement. Starbucks said last week that its support for LGBT causes remains unwavering and that it was still encouraging store managers to celebrate Pride Month as long as store safety guidelines were being observed. Starbucks Workers United said in a separate statement that the strike is also partly about pushing the company to reach fair labor contracts for improved pay and benefits. Shares of Starbucks, which runs about 9,000 company-owned locations in the United States, fell nearly 3 percent in markets that were broadly lower on Friday. Starbucks, as some other U.S. retail brands, has faced criticism from conservatives over its pro-LGBT policies. Backlash A number of U.S. retail brands have faced backlash from conservatives over the display of LGBT merchandise or engaging in marketing partnerships with transgender influencers. Target was forced to pull some LGBT-theme merchandise off shelves after confrontations between some shoppers and store workers, while Anheuser-Busch InBevs efforts to market to the transgender community have led to a steep drop in sales of its Bud Light beer in recent weeks. Other companies, including PetSmart, Chick-fil-A, and Walmart, have faced boycott calls due to their endorsement of the LGBT agenda. Shareholders have also taken note. Earlier in June, New York State comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who manages the states public pension funds, wrote to Starbucks, Target, and more than 50 other companies in which the funds are invested. DiNapoli asked them to explain how they were managing corporate risks from recent backlash to their pro-LGBT stances, including their approach to state legislation that could hurt recruitment, and how they were supporting LGBT employees. Starbucks was the first company to reply to DiNapoli, reiterating its pro-LGBT policy in a letter on June 14, which was viewed by Reuters. In the letter, Starbucks reportedly highlighted a timeline that goes back many decades, when it began offering full health benefits to same-sex domestic partners. Target Pushed to Restock Pride Merchandise Following Targets decision to pull some LGBT-themed merchandise from its stores, some 200 left-leaning groups demanded that the company fully restock all of its Pride merchandise and pledge its allegiance to the LGBT community. When it comes to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, there is no such thing as neutrality, wrote the progressive coalition in a June 7 joint statement. The coalition includes groups with a broader mandate like the National Association of Social Workers as well as ones more narrowly focused on LGBT interests like Grand Forks OUT and Proud. The groups demanded that Target proclaim its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community in a public declaration within 24 hours; put Pride merchandise in full back on sales floors and online; and provide protection for staff who are on the front lines of what has become a highly charged issue. Starting in mid-May, a number of conservative influencers and media personalities expressed alarm at pro-LGBT items carried by Target, prompting calls for a boycott. The controversy spilled over into markets, hammering Targets stock price. At the beginning of May, before the company rolled out its Pride collection, Targets market cap was around $73 billion. As of June 23, the companys market valuation sits at $61.1 billion. People walk past a Target store in New York City, on June 6, 2023. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Bud Lights Pro-Trans Fallout Beer brand Bud Light drew consumer backlash after using transgender social influencer Dylan Mulvaney in a promotional campaign. The move triggered boycott calls, tanking the companys sales and eroding its market cap. Bud Light sales collapsed by 24.6 percent for the four weeks that ended on June 3, extending a decline triggered when the brand rolled out a personalized beer can featuring the face of Mulvaneya male who identifies as a female. This month I celebrated my day 365 of womanhood and Bud Light sent me possibly the best gift evera can with my face on it, Mulvaney said on April Fools Day. Mulvaney, who has over 10 million followers on TikTok, posted a series of videos plugging Bud Light and showing off the personalized can. Mulvaneys engagement with Bud Light sparked outrage among many conservatives, some of whom accused the brand of promoting a transgender agenda and called for a boycott. Reuters contributed to this report. Supreme Court Issues Ruling Against Prisoner Given 27 Years for Possessing Gun Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court pose for their official photo at the Supreme Court in Washington on Oct. 7, 2022. (Front LR) Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justices Samuel Alito and Justice Elena Kagan. (Back LR) Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images) The Supreme Court issued a 63 ruling (pdf) Thursday that a mans conviction on gun charges cannot be thrown out. The conviction was called into question by a recent high court decision. The man, Marcus DeAngelo Jones, was given a 27-year prison term for violating a federal law that is designed to keep firearms out of the hands of felons. In court papers, Jones had argued that he should be allowed to have another shot at having his conviction thrown up after a Supreme Court decision in 2019 in which the justices ruled that prosecutors have to prove that individuals charged with violating federal gun laws know they werent allowed to have the weapon. The six justices who ruled against Jones were appointed by Republican presidents. The three who ruled in favor were appointed under Democratic administrations. Jones argued (pdf) that he believed that his prior felony conviction was thrown out when he purchased a firearm, rendering his conviction invalid under the 2019 ruling. A prisoner since 2000, Jones also claimed that no federal law actually criminalized his possession of a gun because he didnt know that he had a felony conviction. Joness incarceration poses constitutional concerns, his petition said. His claim does run to the courts jurisdiction. This Court has long recognized that a federal court acts without jurisdiction when it convicts and sentences a defendant whose conduct Congress has not made criminal. Jones tried to reopen his case following the 2019 decision, but a federal appeals court ruled against him. The issue in the case is technical, though important, and involves when defendants can make their claims in court, not the facts of Jones case. In ruling against the petition, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for the court that people who have used up their appeals dont get another day in court based solely on a more favorable interpretation of statutory law adopted after his conviction became final. Only two instances, newly discovered evidence or the courts new interpretation of a constitutional provision, authorize a second case under a 1996 federal law meant to limit federal appeals, Thomas wrote. Most federal appeals courts would have allowed Jones to reopen his case, but Thomas wrote that those decisions amounted to an end-run around the 1996 law, known as the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act. Granting relief to Jones would extend the writ of habeas corpus far beyond its scope when the Constitution was drafted and ratified, Thomas wrote in the opinion. When the Suspension Clause was adopted, Jones Rehaif claim would not have been cognizable in habeas at all. U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington on June 7, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) In her dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson noted that the ruling, coupled with other recent limits on appeals imposed by the court, have transformed a statute that Congress designed to provide for a rational and orderly process of federal postconviction judicial review into an aimless and chaotic exercise in futility. I am also deeply troubled by the constitutional implications of the nothing-to-see-here approach that the majority takes with respect to the incarceration of potential legal innocents apparently, legally innocent or not, Jones must just carry on in prison regardless, since no path exists for him to ask a federal judge to consider his innocence assertion, she wrote. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan also dissented in a joint opinion, arguing that the majoritys decision yields disturbing results. Daniel R. Ortiz, an attorney for Jones, told Law360 that the Supreme Courts Thursday ruling is a a great disappointment and a defeat for the traditional conception of habeas. The conservatives on the court have not looked favorably on post-conviction relief, Ortiz said. This is another decision which is basically rolling back the rights of people to challenge their convictions. Last year, the Supreme Court ruled against two Arizona death row inmates who had argued that their lawyers did a poor job representing them in state court. Thomas also wrote for the courts six-justice majority at the time the proper role for federal courts in these cases is a limited one and that federal courts are generally barred from taking in new evidence of ineffective assistance of counsel that could help prisoners. In that case, he wrote that federal courts must afford unwavering respect to the centrality of state criminal trials. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The U.S. Supreme Court has sided with President Joe Biden in a key decision about illegal immigration. And as tends to happen with the highest court in the country, the decisions impact will go beyond just the case at hand. For now, it makes it so that the Biden administration can opt to not deport illegal aliens if it chooses. But in the future, it could also mean that states could not intervene in deportationeven if a president decided to deport every illegal alien in the country. In this episode of Crossroads, well discuss this issue and others. Supreme Court Rules States Cant Challenge Biden Deportation Policy U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh listens during the first day of his confirmation hearing in front of the U.S. Senate on Capitol Hill on Sept. 4, 2018. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) The Supreme Court ruled 81 on June 23 that Texas and Louisiana may not challenge the Biden administrations 2021 decision to focus its deportation efforts on individuals deemed to be a threat to public safety. The new, complex decision allows the governments selective immigration enforcement policy, which had been blocked by a lower court, to take effect. The case was one in a series brought by Republican-controlled states that have helped to frustrate Biden administration policies related to immigration and border security. The Homeland Security Memo Texas and Louisiana sued the Biden administration over a policy announced in a Sept. 30, 2021, memorandum (pdf) by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that claims that its impossible to remove the estimated 11 million illegal aliens present in the United States. Mayorkas has been heavily criticized by Republicans for his allegedly lax approach to immigration enforcement. Some Republicans in Congress want to impeach him for dereliction of duty. We do not have the resources to apprehend and seek the removal of every one of these noncitizens. Therefore, we need to exercise our discretion and determine whom to prioritize for immigration enforcement action, the memo states. The document prioritizes the arrest and deportation of suspected terrorists, people who have committed crimes, and illegal aliens recently apprehended at the border. The memo praises the majority of undocumented noncitizens who could be subject to removal [even though they] have been contributing members of our communities for years. They include individuals who work on the frontlines in the battle against COVID, lead our congregations of faith, teach our children, do back-breaking farm work to help deliver food to our table, and contribute in many other meaningful ways, it states. But the states argued that the federal government is illegally refusing to enforce the nations immigration laws by prioritizing only certain enforcement categories at the expense of others. They said that the federal Immigration and Nationality Act requires that specific criminal aliens, such as aggravated felons, must be detained upon release from criminal custody pending a decision on whether to remove them from the country. The law also requires that aliens subject to final orders of removal must be detained pending their removal, they said. The states argued that the immigration statute requires authorities to detain and deport even those deemed to pose little or no risk to the public. Instead, the Biden administration said in the memo that it would embark on case-by-case determinations instead, which the states said leaves the door open for violent criminals to return to the nations streets. Keeping our citizens safe is one of the most fundamental duties of government, perhaps even the most fundamental, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, said on Nov. 29, 2022, the day the case was heard by the court. The Biden Administration has tried to ignore that duty, but were fighting every single day to remind them. The Memo Was Blocked The Mayorkas memo was blocked last year by U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton, a Trump appointee, who ruled that Texas had legal standing to pursue the case because it could show the state was harmed when illegal aliens who should have been detained by the federal government found their way to the state and committed crimes there. The now-suspended policy is similar to one enforced by then-President Barack Obama but differs from the more aggressive policy pursued by his successor, then-President Donald Trump, who limited the role of discretion in the enforcement of immigration laws. The Biden administration asked the Supreme Court to stay Tiptons order, but on July 21, 2022, it refused to do so. Conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, along with the three liberal justicesSonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jacksondissented, indicating they would have granted the stay. New Majority Opinion The new majority opinion (pdf) in the case, United States v. Texas (court file 22-58), was written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh. According to the opinion, precedent dictates that states lack legal standing to challenge the policy. Four other justicesJohn Roberts, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jacksonjoined Kavanaughs opinion. Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett agreed with the outcome but for different reasons. The sole dissenting opinion was filed by Justice Samuel Alito. The states here have brought an extraordinarily unusual lawsuit, Kavanaugh wrote for the majority. They want a federal court to order the Executive Branch to alter its arrest policies so as to make more arrests. Federal courts have not traditionally entertained that kind of lawsuit; indeed, the States cite no precedent for a lawsuit like this, he wrote. The States lack Article III standing because this Courts precedents and the historical experience preclude the States attempt to litigate this dispute at this time and in this form. And because the States lack Article III standing, the District Court did not have jurisdiction. Article III of the U.S. Constitution lays out the powers of the judicial branch. Because resources are limited, the government must prioritize some enforcement areas over others. The executive branch invariably lacks the resources to arrest and prosecute every violator of every law and must constantly react and adjust to the ever-shifting public-safety and public welfare needs of the American people, Kavanaugh wrote. The court has consistently recognized that federal courts are generally not the proper forum for resolving claims that the Executive Branch should make more arrests or bring more prosecutions, he wrote. Kavanaugh added a proviso, writing that even though the court found that Texas and Louisiana lack standing, it doesnt suggest that federal courts may never entertain cases involving the Executive Branchs alleged failure to make more arrests or bring more prosecutions. Justice Gorsuch wrote an opinion concurring with the judgment of the court but with a different analysis of the standing issue. The opinion was joined by Thomas and Barrett. Barrett also wrote her own concurring opinion, which Gorsuch joined. I agree with the Court that the States lack standing to challenge the Federal Governments Guidelines for the enforcement of immigration law, Barrett wrote. But I reach that conclusion for a different reason: The States failed to show that the District Court could order effective relief. And because redressability is an essential element of Article III standing, the District Court did not have jurisdiction. The Dissenting Opinion In his dissenting opinion, Justice Alito wrote that he would have held that Texas has standing. The majority opinion inappropriately favors the president over Congress, he said. And it renders States already laboring under the effects of massive illegal immigration even more helpless, the justice wrote. By denying Texas standing to challenge a federal policy that inflicts substantial harm on the State and its residents by releasing illegal aliens with criminal convictions for serious crimes the court brushes aside precedent. In so doing, the court also refuses to apply our established test for standing, disregards factual findings made by the District Court after a trial, and holds that the only limit on the power of a President to disobey a law like the important provision at issue is Congresss power to employ the weapons of inter-branch warfarewithholding funds, impeachment, and removal, etc. I would not blaze this unfortunate trail, Alito wrote. I would simply apply settled law, which leads ineluctably to the conclusion that Texas has standing. Supreme Court Sides With Crypto Giant Coinbase in Arbitration Dispute A flipped version of the Coinbase logo reflected in a mobile phone screen in London on Nov. 9, 2021, in a photo illustration. (Leon Neal/Illustration/Getty Images) The Supreme Court agreed with cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase on June 23, ruling 54 that customer disputes shouldnt move forward in the lower courts while appellate courts have yet to rule on the companys request to divert those cases to arbitration panels. The decision is expected to reinforce the ability of companies to direct customer disputes to the arbitration process, as opposed to the court system. Coinbase appealed to the Supreme Court because it prefers the arbitration provided for in user agreements to the judicial system, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit refused its requests to move class-action lawsuits to arbitration. Companies often prefer arbitration to the courts, saying the process resolves cases with greater speed and reduced expense. Some consumer activists prefer the courts because, in their view, the judicial system provides consumers with more options and is less likely to side with the companies being sued. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the majority opinion (pdf) in Coinbase Inc. v. Bielski, (court file 22-105). The opinion was joined by Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, and Chief Justice John Roberts. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote the sole dissenting opinion, which was joined in full by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, and in part by Justice Clarence Thomas. San Francisco-based Coinbase operates one of the largest cryptocurrency exchange platforms in the United States, on which users can buy, sell, and transact in various digital currencies, including bitcoin, ethereum, and dogecoin. To use the platform, an individual must first sign Coinbases user agreement and agree to submit any dispute to arbitration. In one pending class action brought against the company by aggrieved Coinbase users, the company wanted to relocate the litigation to arbitration. Coinbase user Abraham Bielski sued the company, claiming that a criminal deceived him and drained $31,000 from his trading account. Coinbase stated that it warned customers about this kind of scam in its user agreement, but Bielski said the company showed little interest in his plight after he sought redress for the fraud. The company argues that because Bielski signed the user agreement, which mandates arbitration of disputes, he should have to proceed with arbitration. U.S. District Judge William Alsup, a Clinton appointee, refused to send the litigation to arbitration, finding that the user agreement violated the general principles of contract law and therefore couldnt be enforced. Both class-action lawsuits are reportedly still proceeding in federal district courts after judges declined to halt them. Coinbase tried to halt the lawsuits while its appeals were pending, arguing that under the Federal Arbitration Act, legal actions pending in the courts must be placed on hold while a denial of a request to compel arbitration is being appealed. The 9th Circuit refused to rule for the company. Still hoping to force arbitration, Coinbase filed emergency applications with the Supreme Court. The court denied the applications in August 2020 but in December 2022 agreed to consider the companys petition on a non-emergency basis. The court heard oral arguments on March 23. In the new majority opinion, Justice Kavanaugh sided with Coinbase. When a federal district court denies a motion to compel arbitration, the losing party has a statutory right to an interlocutory appeal, he wrote. An interlocutory appeal is one that is not final and that is made while a legal action is in progress. The sole question here is whether the district court must stay its pre-trial and trial proceedings while the interlocutory appeal is ongoing. The answer is yes: The district court must stay its proceedings. After Coinbase appealed the denial of its motion to force arbitration, the District Court was required to stay its proceedings, Kavanaugh wrote. Kavanaugh said letting the courts move forward while an arbitration appeal is pending could have adverse consequences for the litigants. [M]any of the asserted benefits of arbitration (efficiency, less expense, less intrusive discovery, and the like) would be irretrievably losteven if the court of appeals later concluded that the case actually had belonged in arbitration all along, he wrote. Absent a stay, parties also could be forced to settle to avoid the district court proceedings (including discovery and trial) that they contracted to avoid through arbitration. That potential for coercion is especially pronounced in class actions, where the possibility of colossal liability can lead to what Judge [Henry J.] Friendly called blackmail settlements. And from the Judiciarys institutional perspective allowing a case to proceed simultaneously in the district court and the court of appeals creates the possibility that the district court will waste scarce judicial resourceswhich could be devoted to other pressing criminal or civil matterson a dispute that will ultimately head to arbitration in any event. That scenario represents the worst possible outcome for parties and the courts: litigating a dispute in the district court only for the court of appeals to reverse and order the dispute arbitrated. The Supreme Court reversed the decision of the 9th Circuit and remanded it to that court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion, adding that we anticipate the circuit court will proceed with appropriate expedition when considering Coinbases interlocutory appeal from the denial of the motion to compel arbitration. In her dissent, Justice Jackson wrote that the majority opinion invents a new rule that favors arbitration over the judiciary as a means of resolving disputes. This mandatory-general-stay rule for interlocutory arbitrability appeals comes out of nowhere, she wrote. No statute imposes it. Nor does any decision of this Court. Yet todays majority invents a new stay rule perpetually favoring one class of litigantsdefendants seeking arbitration. Now, any defendant that devises a non-frivolous argument for arbitration can not only appeal, but also press pause on the caseleaving plaintiffs to suffer harm, lose evidence, and bleed dry their patience and funding in the meantime, Jackson wrote. To confer that power on a class of litigants, based on blanket judgments resolving competing policy concerns, is Congresss domain, not ours. And where Congress is silent, the job of managing particular litigation, in light of the concrete circumstances presented, belongs to the judge closest to a case. Taipei Passes Resolution to Support Global Efforts to Stop Forced Human Organ Harvesting in China Taiwan lawmakers led by legislator Hsu Chih-chieh (L5) held a press conference at Taipei Legislative Yuan to rally for support for proposing criminal law against forced organ harvesting on Dec. 9, 2022. Legislators Chang Liao Wan-chien (R1), Kuo Kuo-wen (R2), Chen Su-yueh (R3), Lai Hui-yuan (L3), and Chen Jiau-hua (L4) attended, along with human rights attorney Theresa Chu (L2) and Huang Chien-feng (L1) from Taiwan Association for International Care of Organ Transplants. (NTD Television) Taipei City Council passed a resolution on June 21 to support a global declaration to stop forced organ harvesting that has been taking place in China for over two decades. This resolution represents universal values and a global wish, said Hong Jian-yi, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei City Councilor, in an interview with The Epoch Times. Hong was the initiator of the resolution, which was endorsed and co-signed by 28 cross-party and independent councillors of the city council. The resolution condemns the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) state-sanctioned organ harvesting, supports worldwide legislation against the inhumane practice in China, and urges the public not to go to China for illegal organ trading and transplantation. Such a resolution could be co-signed and supported by all city councils across Taiwan, Hong told NTDTV Taiwan, a sister company of The Epoch Times. I think we should jointly condemn this practice [of live organ harvesting], and mainland China has the most cases of forced live organ harvesting among all countries in the world. Kuomintang (KMT) Taipei councilor Hsu Hung-ting told The Epoch Times: No organ should be harvested, sold, or commodified under non-consensual circumstances. Thats why I believe this proposal, which pertains to human rights, receives cross-party support in the legislature, added Hsu. The Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China should prudently pass laws with certain sanctions [on organ transplants in China], DPP Taipei City Councilor Li Jian-chang said in an interview with the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times. Let our fellow countrymen know that under this authoritarian regime, there exist such heinous acts as forced organ harvesting. Taipei is the second city council in Taiwan to pass this resolution, following the Taoyuan City Council, which passed a similar resolution on June 7, reported NTDTV Taiwan. Cross-party lawmakers in Taiwans Legislative Yuan are currently working to enact criminal legislation aimed at combating and preventing forced organ harvesting. Taiwan has been playing an active role with international communities in efforts to stop forced organ harvesting from living persons. Falun Gong practitioners in Vienna, Austria, stage a demonstration of organ harvesting of imprisoned practitioners in China during a peaceful protest on Oct. 1, 2018. (Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images) Global Efforts In September 2021, the Universal Declaration on Combating and Preventing Forced Organ Harvesting (UDCPFOH) was signed by five initiating NGOs: U.S.-based Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH), Europe-based CAP Freedom of Conscience based in Europe, Taiwan Association for International Care of Organ Transplants (TAICOT), Korea Association for Ethical Organ Transplants (KAEOT) and Transplant Tourism Research Association (TTRA) based in Japan. Since then, the list of co-signatories has increased, with currently over 130 from around the world who are supporting UDCPFOH. From all over the globe, former Ministers, Senators, British Lords, Members of Parliaments, Congressmen, members of the European Parliament, university professors, medical doctors, lawyers, magistrates, journalists, authors, human rights activist[s], and NGOs have taken a principled stance to support the Universal Declaration, says a briefing on the UDCPFOH website. They urge the world to safeguard humankinds inalienable rights, to maintain the highest values of justice, and to end one of the most egregious atrocities of this century: forced organ harvesting from living persons without consent and for profit. US Efforts In the U.S., Texas signed into law on June 18 a bipartisan bill to combat the Chinese regimes criminal practice of forced organ harvesting. Last year, Texas Senate lawmakers unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the Chinese regimes vile practice of forcibly removing human organs for transplant while urging the United States to take a more aggressive stance on the issue. The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously passed a bill, H.R. 1154, also known as the Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2023, on Feb. 28 and will be taken up by the full House for debate. The bill would ban entry by perpetrators to the United States and block financial transactions on U.S. soil. It also would require the U.S. secretary of state to report to Congress on organ transplant abuses committed in foreign countries. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) at the Policy Forum on Organ Procurement and Extrajudicial Execution in China on Capitol Hill on March 10, 2020. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), the bills principal sponsor, called attention to the penalties in the bill for those found to be involved in forced organ harvesting: a civil penalty of up to $250,000 and a criminal penalty of up to $1 million and 20 years in prison. Now, 19 countries have passed extra-territorial legislation that people involved in killing for organs abroad can be prosecuted domestically, according to David Matas, a renowned international human rights lawyer. The Council of Europe also has a Convention against Trafficking in Human Organs, calling on governments to establish the illicit removal of human organs as a criminal offense. Forced Organ Harvesting in China Organ transplants in China surged in 2000 after the CCP began its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in the country in 1999. Falun Gong practitioners were reportedly forced to take blood tests and other physical checks, including their corneas, but were not given test results. According to Minghui.org, a Falun Gong practitioners information platform, the Chinese regime intended to use Falun Gong practitioners as a live organ bank. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual improvement practice based on the moral values of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance with five gentle, slow-moving meditation exercises. The communist regime began suppressing the practice in 1999 due to its popularity among Chinese people. Whistleblowers Annie and Peter at a press conference in Washington on April 20, 2006. It was their first public testimony about large-scale organ harvesting atrocities in China. (The Epoch Times) A whistleblowerthe ex-wife of a Chinese neurosurgeon at the Liaoning Provincial Thrombosis Hospitaltold The Epoch Times in 2006 what her husband had done to Falun Gong practitioners. She said he removed corneas from living Falun Dafa practitioners and that the victims bodies were thrown into incinerators after the surgery, sometimes while they were still alive. Speaking at a rally to raise awareness about organ harvesting in Washington in 2006, Annie (pseudonym of the doctors wife) said, If I dont stand up, perhaps the other witnesses will not dare to stand up. The Epoch Times reported in 2019 that two other sources of information disclosed more about forced organ harvesting targeting Falun Gong practitioners in China. Peter (using an alias), a Chinese journalist, gave details about a detention facility in Sujiatun where organs were harvested from living Falun Dafa adherents. A military doctor in Shenyang, who requested to stay anonymous, provided detailed accounts of secret military camps in Shenyang and other regions where Falun Dafa prisoners of conscience were subjected to forced organ harvesting. Two Canadianshuman rights lawyer David Matas and the late David Kilgour, a former Canadian member of Parliamentare pioneers in investigating the matter, with their findings first released in July 2006. Former Canadian Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific David Kilgour presents a revised report about organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners in China, as report co-author and human rights lawyer David Matas listens in the background, on Jan. 31, 2007. (The Epoch Times) Over two decades, the Beijing regime has been directing the vast network of organ-harvesting from prisoners of conscienceprimarily Falun Gong since 2001, but also Tibetans, Christians, and Muslim Uyghurs, said David Kilgour at the Harvard Club of New York City on Sept. 25, 2019. China Tribunal, a London-based independent peoples tribunal chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, came to a conclusion in 2019, after over a years investigation, that forced organ harvesting has been committed for years throughout China on a significant scale and that Falun Gong practitioners have been one and probably the main source of organ supply. Nice led the prosecution of Slobodan Milosevic, former president of Serbia. Though theres increasing global awareness of the atrocities committed by the CCP, David Matas said that theres still a long way to go [to stop forced organ harvesting in China] because only 19 countries out of 194 countries that have passed extra-territorial legislation to prosecute domestically people involved in killing for organs abroad. Wu Minzhou and NTD Taiwan contributed to this report. Temus Supply Chains in China Could Be Using Forced Labor: Report A mobile phone displays the app of cross-border e-commerce platform Temu in Shenzhen in Guangdong Province, China, on Oct 28, 2022. (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images) Temu, a Chinese online retailer with the catchy tagline shop like a billionaire, has exposed consumers to products made with forced labor in China, according to a congressional report published on June 22. American consumers should know that there is an extremely high risk that Temus supply chains are contaminated with forced labor, said the report, titled Fast Fashion and the Uyghur Genocide: Interim Findings, which was issued by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Temu does not have any system to ensure compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), the report adds. This all but guarantees that shipments from Temu containing products made with forced labor are entering the United States on a regular basis, in violation of the UFLPA. The UFLPA, which went into effect in June 2022, bans imports from Chinas far-western region of Xinjiang unless companies can prove products were not produced with forced labor. Over a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities are currently being held in Chinese internment camps, where they face forced labor, torture, sexual abuse, political indoctrination, forced abortion, and forced sterilization. The U.S. government has designated the Chinese regimes persecution of Uyghurs as genocide. De Minimis Loophole These results are shocking: Temu is doing next to nothing to keep its supply chains free from slave labor, said Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), who heads the committee, before directing his criticism to both Temu and another Chinese online retailer, Shein. At the same time, Temu and Shein are building empires around the de minimis loophole in our import rulesdodging import taxes and evading scrutiny on the millions of goods they sell to Americans, Gallagher added. We need to take a hard look at this loophole that is being abused to tilt the playing field against American companies. Rep. Michael Gallagher (R-Wis.) speaks during an event commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre in Congress on June 5, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) According to the report, over 685 million shipments entered the United States under de minimis in 2022, a provision of customs law that allows shipments up to $800 to be exempt from duty and tax. Temu and Shein likely accounted for more than 30 percent of all global de minimis shipments into the United States last year, according to the report. These initial and interim findingswhich reveal Temus failure to maintain even the facade of a meaningful compliance program, and the true scale of both Shein and Temus use of the de minimis provisionraise serious concerns about the continued presence of products made with forced labor contaminating American imports, the report says. Temu is owned by Chinese e-commerce giant PDD Holdings, which also operates another e-commerce platform known as Pinduoduo. Launched in the United States in September 2022, Temu has more than 80,000 suppliers and is one of the most downloaded apps on the Apples App Store and Googles Play Store. According to the report, Temu told the committee that it does not expressly prohibit third-party sellers from selling products based on their origin in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region. Temu dismissed concerns that it should be held accountable for products made with forced labor given that its China-based sellers ship directly to U.S. consumers. Temu is not the importer of record with respect to goods shipped to the United States, the report quoted Temu as saying. Strengthen Laws Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), ranking member of the committee, said the initial findings in the report reinforce the need for full transparency by companies potentially profiting from CCP forced labor. Our Select Committee heard from experts under oath that these practices persist to this day and we intend to strengthen laws like the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act to put an end to them once and for all, Krishnamoorthi added. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) during a hearing before the House Intelligence Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Nov. 20, 2019. (Samuel Corum-Pool/Getty Images) In a statement to The Associated Press, Shein said the companys policy is to comply with the customs and import laws of the countries in which we operate, and has implemented a robust system to ensure compliance with U.S. law. It added that it has zero tolerance for forced labor. In February, three senators sent a letter to Sheins chief executive, raising concerns about whether the firmss apparel was made with cottons sourced from Xinjiang. Last week, bipartisan bills were introduced in the House and Senate aimed at changing the de minimis exception. On June 14, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced the De Minimis Reciprocity Act of 2023. A day later, Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) introduced the Import Security and Fairness Act, while Rep. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) introduced the legislations companion version in the House. Washington-based advocacy group Campaign For Uyghurs took to Twitter to thank Baldwin and Cassidy for their legislation, calling for its swift passage. The two senators bill would close a trade loophole that is allowing #China to let products made by slave labor get in the hands of #US consumers despite the #UFLPA, the group added. The Epoch Times has reached out to Temu for comment. Texas DPS to Resume Partnership With Austin Police Next Month Austin Police investigate a homicide shooting that occurred at a demonstration in Austin, Texas, on July 25, 2020. (Stephen Spillman/Austin American-Statesman via AP) The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will resume its partnership with the City of Austin Police Department on July 2, after temporarily halting the collaboration. The joint operationwhich officials said helped improve safety, decrease traffic fatalities, and enable faster responses to calls for help in the capital citybegan in March but ended in mid-May. During that time, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott asked that additional DPS officers be deployed in border cities ahead of the expiration of the Trump-era Title 42 immigration policy. The policy allowed Border Patrol agents to turn illegal immigrants back to Mexico if they were deemed to pose a health threat amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts had anticipated that the situation at the southern border would likely worsen after the policy expired, prompting additional law enforcement agents to be placed at the border. However, the Biden administration has reported a decline in illegal crossings. In its March announcement, DPS and city leaders said the partnership would help Austin police manage unprecedented staffing challenges and improve public safety while reducing crime in the capital city. Partnership Has Reduced Crime Police Chief Joe Chacon warned of the staff shortages in April, noting that the department had more than 300 officer vacancies, reportedly in part owing to calls to defund the police. As a result, DPS agreed to provide state troopers and special agents with a focus on violent crime and traffic issues, but they would also provide backup for other emergency situations and increased presence throughout the community. In a statement on Thursday, Chacon said the partnership with DPS has already proven valuable to reducing crime and shortening response times. While the partnership had resulted in a reduction in crime levels, it was also widely criticized after Travis County Attorney Delia Garzas office released statistics in April showing that nearly 9 out of 10 people arrested on misdemeanor charges by DPS in Austin were black or Latino. The suspects were arrested on low-level drug offenses, drunk driving, and other crimes, according to the data. At the time, Garza called the data deeply concerning telling the Austin-American Statesman, If the goal is to address violent crime, this is not the right approach. Different Strategy However, DPS Director Steven McCraw defended the work of the state troopers, telling city council members in May, If people want to accuse us of racial profiling or being indiscriminate, we have body-worn cameras. Under the newly-revived partnership, Austin Police and DPS will pivot their deployment strategies in response to recommendations from the mayor and City Council and state troopers will be deployed to parts of Austin on the polices direction and based on traffic, violent crime, and staffing levels, as opposed to focusing solely on areas of highest call volume and traffic. This new iteration will ensure we continue that while taking council direction into account and pivoting the deployment strategy, Chacon said. DPS criminal investigators and crime analysts will also support Austin Police in violent crime investigations and efforts to reduce crime involving guns, according to officials. In order to ensure that Austin policing values are addressed and reinforced, the two agencies will attend shift briefings together every week, officials said. The Prix de West award-winning Western art Since 1973, the worlds finest Western painters and sculptors have captured cowboy culture for the Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale, preserving Western traditions and way of life far beyond the plains, prairies, and mountainsand hopefully for generations to come. The 51st exhibition and sale is now open at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, in Oklahoma City until Aug. 6. In the Golden Hour by John Encinias. Oil on linen; 30 inches by 48 inches. (Courtesy of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum) Every work of art displayed in the show tells a story, and its amazing to see a visual representation of the artists experiences and relationship to this very special culture, Museum President and CEO Pat Fitzgerald said in the exhibition press release. Prix de West award winners have been inspired by their Western upbringing, and all are dedicated to preserving and honoring not only the arts that they love but also the Western way of life itself. Through the fine artworks on display, exhibition visitors can glance across vast Western vistas, safely get close to wild animals, and enjoy a day on the ranch or at a festival, to name a few experiences. Donald Teague Memorial Award: Prairie Rose by Joseph Bohler. Transparent watercolor; 24 inches by 34 inches. (Courtesy of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum) Many of the artists at the award ceremony on June 10, have been exhibiting at the Prix de West for decades. In their acceptance speeches, every award winner acknowledged the peer support that they had gained from one another. Here, we share some of the award-winning artists and their art. Native Traditions According to his website, artist John Colemans art influences come from eminent cowboy artists Frederic Remington and Charles Marion Russell. He hopes that the subjects of his drawings, paintings, and sculptures move people deeply, as if they were kindred spirits. Of his sculptures, he says: Each piece tells a story in the three dimensional, a visual mythology written by my hands and spiritual imagination, somehow linking us to the past and bringing us to a greater understanding of our ancestors. His imposing over-8-foot-tall bronze sculpture Warrior Spirit, Crazy Horse, portraying Crazy Horse, a chief of the Oglala subtribe of the Native American Lakota people, won two awards: the Jackie L. Coles Buyers Choice Award and the James Earle Fraser Sculpture Award. James Earle Fraser Sculpture Award and Jackie L. Coles Buyers Choice Award: Warrior Spirit, Crazy Horse by John Coleman. Bronze; 8 feet 3 inches by 52 inches by 30 inches. (Courtesy of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum) In this monumental piece, the fearless chief looks far into the distance, across his shoulder, as if hes surveying the land. He rests a shotgun in the crook of his arm, and holds a skull cracker in his other hand. His weathered face speaks of wisdom, and his dress and feathers of long-cherished traditions. Robert Lougheed Memorial Award: A Watchful Gaze by Huihan Liu. Oil on linen; 30 inches by 15 inches. (Courtesy of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum) Artist Huihan Liu chose to depict Native American life, too, but in oil on linen. He won the Robert Lougheed Memorial Award for four of his paintings: Autumn Breeze, A Watchful Gaze, Golden Feather, and Heading to Ceremony. He painted a similar, but gentler, facial expression than Colemans Crazy Horse for the Native American in his painting A Watchful Gaze. The man stands with his horse, waiting. In Autumn Breeze, two women are shown by a fire, wrapping themselves in colorful blankets for warmth. They, too, gaze off into the distance. Liu made this ordinary scene ethereal as fire gently lights the picture and smoke wafts away on the evening breeze. Robert Lougheed Memorial Award: Autumn Breeze by Huihan Liu. Oil on linen; 30 inches by 24 inches. (Courtesy of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum) Robert Lougheed Memorial Award: Heading to Ceremony by Huihan Liu. Oil on linen; 30 inches by 30 inches. (Courtesy of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum) Robert Lougheed Memorial Award: Golden Feather by Huihan Liu. Oil on linen; 18 inches by 24 inches. (Courtesy of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum) Honoring Ancestors Artist Gladys Roldan-de-Morass canvases celebrate her Mexican heritage. Shes particularly inspired by turn-of-the-century Spanish art. Her painting Chinas Poblanas features Mexican dancers and musicians wearing traditional dress. The china poblana is Mexicos national costume for women, as defined in the late 20th century. It consists of a white cotton blouse with a colorful, felted woolen skirt and a shawl, all embellished with a combination of beads, sequins, and prints. Roldan-de-Moras created a festival feeling in her painting with a riot of color, dance, and frolicking that almost has you tapping your toes to the beat. Frederic Remington Painting Award: Chinas Poblanas, by Gladys Roldan-de-Moras. Oil on Belgian linen; 48 inches by 36 inches. (Courtesy of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum) She won the Frederic Remington Painting Award for the work and dedicated the award to her late grandfather, a charro (traditional horseman) who also preserved Mexican traditions. He successfully campaigned for charreria, traditional herding of livestock using a horse, to be named Mexicos national sport. Cowboy Showtime Artist Blair Buswell won the Express Ranches Great American Cowboy Award for the best cowboy subject matter with his three bronze sculptures: Showtime, Risky Business, and Hey, Over HERE!!! Express Ranches Great American Cowboy Award: Risky Business by Blair Buswell. Bronze; 18 inches by 33 inches by 15 inches. (Courtesy of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum) In Risky Business, a bull charges a cowboy with such ferocity that one wonders who won that battle, man or beast. Buswell rendered the bull in midair, which is no easy feat, and it is reminiscent of the skill that 19th-century artist Frederic Remington required to execute his famous bronze The Broncho Buster. Express Ranches Great American Cowboy Award: Hey, Over HERE!!! by Blair Buswell. Bronze; 11 inches by 10 inches by 10 inches. (Courtesy of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum) Express Ranches Great American Cowboy Award: Showtime by Blair Buswell. Bronze; 15 inches by 11 inches by 7 inches. (Courtesy of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum) Buswell breathes life into his art by design. I learned that all great art starts with a strong composition that leads the viewers eyes through the abstract shapes while keeping him engaged, he says on his website. I just love the opportunity to use our talents to better our world, he said in his award acceptance speech. Appreciating the Everyday Beauty of the West Artist Len Chmiel won the Wilson Hurley Award for Outstanding Landscape for his painting West I Know: Summarizing Solitude, Utah. Chmiel captured a spectrum of pinks and ochers as the sun hits the distant sandstone, in contrast to the cool green grasses in the foreground of his painting. Wilson Hurley Award for Outstanding Landscape: West I Know: Summarizing Solitude, Utah, by Len Chmiel. Oil on canvas; 32 inches by 45 inches. (Courtesy of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum) On winning the award, Chmiel said: Its really fulfilling because I love the landscape. It is a really important part of my life, and I try to translate my feelings about the landscape and all of its variabilities to paint canvas. Artist Walter T. Matias bronze sculpture Molly Is a Working Girl won the Prix de West Purchase Award, earning a place in the permanent collection of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Prix de West Purchase Award: Molly Is a Working Girl, by Walter T. Matia. Bronze; 38 inches by 25 inches by 16 1/2 inches. (Courtesy of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum) In his acceptance speech, Matia said that people experience the West in different ways: Ive always been behind a bird dog, or in a stream with a fly rod, or Ive been on some marsh, looking at birds with binoculars. These experiences placed him in good stead to create his convincing wildlife art. In his winning bronze, Molly, poised, seems to have spotted a bird as she looks up attentively, trying not to alert her prey. Matias sculpture represents the everyday West beyond the iconic cowboy scenes. Hes happy that the judges chose the piece. It spoke to a part of the West that I dont think is always acknowledged: the role of the hunter and fisherman in both opening up the West initially but also now conserving the West, he says. The Prix de West celebrates all aspects of the West and the finest artists of the Western art genre for the world to see. But more than that, Prix de West committee chairman Susan J. Roeder stressed at the live auction the importance of these artworks beyond their aesthetic appeal. Being surrounded by this kind of beauty on a daily basis can lift our moods, can elevate our thinking, [and] it informs our worldview, and the way that we move through life in a positive way without us even realizing it. The Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, in Oklahoma City, runs through Aug. 6. Available artworks can be purchased online. To find out more, visit PDW.NationalCowboyMuseum.org US Coast Guard Ship Transits Taiwan Strait Amid China Tensions The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) transits the Taiwan Strait during a routine transit on Aug. 27, 2021. (U.S. Navy / file/ AFP) A U.S. coast guard ship transited the Taiwan Strait after Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned from his two-day trip to Beijing, a move the Chinese coast guard claimed has sparked public speculation. The legend-class coast guard cutter Stratton conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit on June 20 to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, the U.S. 7th Fleet stated. The ship transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal State, it stated. The United States military flies, sails, and operates anywhere international law allows. Taiwans Defense Ministry stated that its military monitored the surrounding sea and airspace during the U.S. transit and concluded that the situation was normal. The U.S. ship sailed through the strait from south to north. China responded by sending its coast guard ships to track the U.S. ship. The Chinese communist regime vowed on June 22 to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security, and maritime rights and interests. China Flies 29 Warplanes Near Taiwan Some 29 Chinese aircraft flew near Taiwan, and 10 Chinese navy vessels were spotted surrounding the self-ruling island from June 21 to June 22, according to Taiwans Defense Ministry. The ministry stated that four of the Chinese aircraft were spotted entering Taiwans southwest and southeast air defense identification zone, prompting Taiwan to scramble aircraft and vessels in response. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, has stepped up military activities near the island to force it to accept Chinese sovereignty. The Strattons transit came just a day after Blinken and Chinese leader Xi Jinping had a robust conversation in Beijing on June 19, during which both sides agreed to stabilize the tense relations between the two powers. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) attends a meeting with Chinas leader Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 19, 2023. (Leah Millis/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) While Blinken and Xi both expressed a willingness to continue the communication, theres little indication that the Chinese regime is prepared to bend from its positions on issues such as Taiwan. Blinken said at a June 19 press meeting that the United States will continue to advocate its One China policy. We do not support Taiwan independence. We remain opposed to any unilateral changes to the status quo by either side. We continue to expect the peaceful resolution to cross-state differences, he said. Biden Calls Xi Dictator However, it appears that President Joe Biden sparked another rift by referring to Xi as a dictator shortly after Blinken returned from his trip to Beijing. Biden said the recent incident with the Chinese spy balloon, which was shot down by the U.S. military after having transited 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. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on June 22, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) He later dismissed concerns about the potential complications of his remarks on improving relations with China, saying during a June 22 press conference, I dont think its had any real consequence. The CCP issued a demarche expressing its discontent to the U.S. ambassador in response to Bidens remarks, The Wall Street Journal reported. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning condemned the presidents remarks, saying that they seriously violate diplomatic protocol and that they severely infringe on Chinas political dignity. It is a blatant political provocation, Mao said, according to the Associated Press. Hannah Ng, Tiffany Meier, and Reuters contributed to this report. US Sanctions Burma Defense Ministry, Banks Over Russian Arms Imports The Burmese military with shields moves forward during a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Burma, on March 2, 2021. (AP Photo) The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday sanctioned Burmas Defense Ministry and two regime-controlled banks for their alleged roles in the juntas weapon purchases from sanctioned entities in Russia. The sanctions targeted the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank and Myanmar Investment and Commercial Bank, which were used by the junta for foreign currency exchanges and buying arms from foreign sources. State Secretary Antony Blinken said the banks had enabled state-owned enterprises to access foreign markets using offshore accounts, providing significant financial resources for the junta. We will continue to engage with our partners and allies in the broader international community to constrain the regimes ability to exploit the international financial system to advance its violence and prolong the crisis while restricting the regimes ability to transfer hard currency to Russias defense sector, Blinken said. The Treasury said the military regime has relied on foreign sources, including sanctioned Russian entities, to purchase and import arms, dual-use goods, and raw materials to manufacture weapons. Since the coup, the Ministry of Defense has continued to import goods and material worth at least $1 billion, including from sanctioned entities in Russia, the department said in a statement. These imports have both provided revenue to Russia and provided access to military equipment that has facilitated the ongoing brutality inflicted on the people of Burma by the military, it added. One of the houses that were destroyed in an airstrike by the military junta in the Khuafo village, located north of the Chin State town of Thantlang, Burma, on March 30, 2023. (Free Burma Rangers) The military regime ousted an elected civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, 2021, sparking protests and clashes between the army and ethnic minority insurgents in Burma, also known as Myanmar. Several Western countries have hit the military junta and its businesses with sanctions over its suppression of anti-coup protesters and the prosecution of Suu Kyi. Russia is also subjected to Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. Burmas Weapons Suppliers Tom Andrews, the United Nations special rapporteur on Burma, revealed in a May report that the junta procured weapons and equipment from companies operating in Russia, China, Singapore, Thailand, and India. Russia supplied the Yak-130 aircraft that dropped the bombs and has supplied Mi-35-type helicopters that were used to gun down civilians, the report states. The bombs, machine guns, and ammunition likely relied on raw materials supplied by private entities operating from Singapore, China, and Thailand, it added. According to the report, Russian entities have shipped at least $406 million worth of arms, raw materials, and associated supplies to the military junta and arms dealers in Burma. These arms transfers were made with actual knowledge of the Myanmar militarys unlawful activity, given that they occurred amid the widely reported bombing of civilian populations in Burma, the report states. Andrews called on U.N. members to step up and curb the transfer of these weapons, identifying China and Russiaboth U.N. membersas Burmas main sources of cutting-edge weapons. Russia and China continue to be the main suppliers of advanced weapons systems to the Myanmar military, accounting for over $400 million and $260 million respectively since the coup, with much of the trade originating from state-owned entities, he added. The military junta has intensified the use of force, including aerial bombing of villages, schools, and medical facilities. More than 3,600 civilians have been killed, and nearly 1.5 million people have been displaced since the coup, according to the Treasury Department. David Eubank, founder of Free Burma Rangers, said the situation in Burma is the worst he has seen in 30 years, with more than 30 airstrikes launched against civilians in Karenni state in February alone. Ive never seen the Burma army come with such speed and force as they have now with Russian aircraft, jet fighters, attack helicopters, armor, multiple launches, rocket systems, and heavy artillery, he told The Epoch Times. (Bloomberg) -- A senior banker at Citigroup Inc. said lenders need to accept so-called pause clauses to let struggling sovereign borrowers temporarily halt debt payments if theyre hit by a catastrophe. Most Read from Bloomberg Such debt clauses are not only reasonable, but theyre necessary, Jay Collins, vice chairman of Citis banking, capital markets and advisory division, told Bloomberg on the sidelines of the New Global Financing Pact Summit in Paris. They should become mainstream, he said. The comments follow an announcement by World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, who said earlier in the week that the development lender will permit disaster-hit countries to pause their debt repayments. The move expands the toolkit being used to help the most vulnerable nations prepare for and respond to crises, and comes as the so-called Global South urges rich lenders to step up before time runs out. The World Bank and other multilateral organizations are intensifying calls on private lenders to contribute more. In an interview with Bloomberg Television on Thursday, Banga said theres no way theres adequate money to address the current challenges and intertwining crises without private-sector finance. Collins said his bank already has some experience with such debt arrangements. In the US, Citi has been doing extensions for municipals that would allow a state to extend the maturity of its debt, he said. At a price, weve already seen those used, and they just need to be perfected. To get private finance more involved, multilateral development banks (MDBs) need to do more to help address the complexities and risks that the finance industry faces, Collins said. For now, MDBs arent necessarily fine-tuned to meet the regulatory constraints of banks and insurance companies, he said. Private banks want assurances that MDBs will do more to help shoulder or reduce some of the risks involved, he said. That includes areas such as guarantees, political risk insurance, breach of contract protection, he said. Private sector finance would also want to be able to consider new A, B loans, B bonds, junior positions, mezzanines, more structures that are fine-tuned to take currency risk, to take duration risk, Collins said. The goal should be to take out the pain points that create the most risk in any given structure, he said. Thats whats necessary to have a four to five times the mobilization rate. In a recent post on his LinkedIn page, Collins said its time to mandate development banks to measure, target and deliver ambitious private capital mobilization rates. The financing needs for sustainability and climate are so far beyond the reach of the public sector and the official development community that private capital mobilization must now finally be made a core development requirement, he said. Importantly, MDBs have already gathered the relevant data for private banks to use in their efforts to gauge the risk of entering financing agreements with emerging market borrowers, Collins said. And thats absolutely critical, he said, referring to a new version of the Global Emerging Markets Risk Database. The MDBs have been sitting on emerging market data that is very specific to how banks measure risk, Collins said. We have to have the historical data and that will now be made available to the private sector for the first time, he said. Its critical, because its essentially warehousing a massive amount of historical ESG, sustainability, developmental loan data about the risks by which a bank can internalize that data and then adjust its risk metrics according to that, he said. Bloomberg Philanthropies is one of the official sponsors of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact. (Adds reference to LinkedIn post on MDBs in 10th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Volunteers Pony up Thousands in Donations to Purchase Disputed Alpine Horses at Auction 70 horses on their way to sanctuary in Colorado A wild horse sanctuary in Colorado has agreed to adopt 70 free-roaming Alpine horses rounded up in Arizona and sold by the U.S. Forest Service at two recent online auctions. Simone Netherlands, president of the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group based in Prescott, Arizona, said volunteers raised $50,000 on short notice to purchase the horses this month. Netherlands said the nonprofit organization Wild Horse Refuge in Craig, Colorado, agreed to accept up to 100 Alpine horses, but no more. Its absolutely horrible, Netherlands said of the groups limited ability to find new homes for the animals. Wild horses roam free on state and some private land, outside federal disengaged horse management areas on May 31, 2017, outside Milford, Utah. (George Frey/Getty Images) We literally own 70 wild Alpine horses right now, Netherlands told The Epoch Times. We cant handle more. A Huge Save As fast as the Forest Service has been rounding up Alpine horses and selling them online in recent months, Netherlands said volunteers raised thousands in donations to purchase more than 140 horses and make sure they found new homes. One Arizona woman took in nine horses temporarily. Were always surprised when were able to pull this off. Its a huge save, Netherlands said. She said volunteers spent around $20,000 to purchase 36 horses at one recent auction and 43 at another. Funds raised will also go to purchase health certificates for the horses and transportation to the sanctuary in Colorado, located about 620 miles away by car. The 70 horses were separated into groups of mares and stallions and will remain at locations in Heber and Williams, Arizona, then loaded onto trucks and relocated to the refuge, a 22,450-acre sanctuary with more than 29 square miles of uninterrupted land for the horses to run free. According to the nonprofits website, the refuge is a new facility created for rescued wild mustangs from Bureau of Land Management areas located in Colorado. The wild horses living on this special property are now protected and have regained the freedom and independence they had prior to government interference. Netherlands said the 70 Alpine horses were all from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in eastern Arizona, where volunteers found the remains of around 45 horses shot and killed last year. Wild horse advocate Dyan Albers Lowey stands next to one of at least 15 Alpine wild horses found shot and killed in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests on Oct. 17, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times) Following the gruesome discovery, an alliance of Alpine horse advocates scrambled to raise money to purchase as many horses as they could from online auctions, thereby preventing their potential sale to slaughterhouses in Mexico. Netherlands feels the best solution would be to allocate land for the horses within the national forest and implement humane birth control to limit their numbers. The Forest Service has expressed interest in neither proposal, she said. We have offered to take horses. We have offered to do fertility control. If theyd sit down in a room with us, Netherlands said. Removal of Horses to Continue In the meantime, the Forest Service said the roundup of horses and online auctions will continue until the herd is gone. The [Alpine-Sitgreaves National Forests] has determined that unclaimed, unbranded, unowned horses currently found on the Apache National Forest are unauthorized livestock in accordance with Forest Service regulations per 36 CFR 261.2, the Forest Service said in an email to The Epoch Times. These horses are not wild horses, not progeny of wild horses, and have not mixed with wild horses. These horses were not present at the establishment of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. They are unauthorized livestock, the same as sheep, cattle, goats, etc. The feral horses are not the property of the Forest Service, and we do not have the authority to manage unauthorized livestock. Helicopter pilot Rick Harmon of KG Livestock rounds up a group of wild horses during a gathering in Eureka, Nev., on July 7, 2005. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) The Salt River group, hoping to settle the dispute over herd lineage, hired an expert in horse population genetics to examine tissue samples from the Apache-Sitgreaves horse carcasses found last October. So far, I can say that there is evidence of Spanish ancestry in the horses, Gus Cothran, a retired professor and consultant in animal genetics at Texas A&M University concluded in a memo to the group. Cothran further wrote that the Spanish influence seems to be widespread in the herd, suggesting that it could trace back to the founding of the herd unless there were Spanish horses in the area that could have been the source of the Spanish blood. Last Ditch Effort Netherlands said U.S. Congressman David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) and two other lawmakers plan to write letters to the Forest Service seeking protection for the remainder of the Alpine herd, estimated at about 200 to 250 horses. Its just an endless cycle of needless roundups paid for by the taxpayer. We have no more places [to go], Netherlands said. White House Deflects Questions on Alleged Hunter Biden Message: Im Sitting Here With My Father White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington on June 6, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) The White House on June 23 declined to comment on whistleblower allegations suggesting that President Joe Biden may have been involved in his sons Chinese business dealings. On June 22, the House Ways and Means Committee unveiled stunning revelations from whistleblower IRS Supervisor Special Agent Gary Shapley, who alleged that the IRS and Department of Justice (DOJ) had given Hunter Biden preferential treatment to shield him from having search warrants or charges pressed against him during an investigation into potential felony tax crimes committed by the presidents son. In his testimony, Shapley alleged he and fellow investigators at the IRS had validated a WhatsApp message in which Joe Biden was indirectly mentioned. The message was for Henry Zhao, a Chinese business associate of Hunters who has close ties to the Chinese Communist Party. In the message, Hunter Biden appears to be demanding payment from Zhao. I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled, the younger Biden wrote, according to Shapleys testimony. He then expressed the wish to resolve this before it got out of hand. Now means tonight, Biden said, warning that if anyone other than Zhao, Zhang, or the chairman tried to reach out about the matter, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction. I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father. Joe Biden, with son Hunter Biden, arrives at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York, on Feb. 4, 2023. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) If true, this information would contradict Bidens oft-repeated claim that he has never discussed, or been involved in, his sons business ventures. In 2019, Biden said, I never talked with my son or my brother or anyone elseeven distant familyabout their business interests. Period. When White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and spokesperson for White House National Security Council John Kirby were pressed on the allegations, they deflected the questions. James Rosen of Newsmax was the first to ask about the texts while Kirby was at the podium. Rosen asked whether the allegations contradict Bidens claim, repeated through the course of the 2020 election, that he was not involved in his sons business dealings. No, and Im not going to comment further on this, Kirby said. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby speaks during the press briefing at the White House in Washington on June 6, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) When Rosen tried to follow up with another question, Kirby said, James, let me save you some breath on this. Rosen protested that he had further questions. I know you do, more than Id like you to have, Kirby said. Im not gonna address this issue from this podium, Im just not. Jean-Pierre Ducks Questions Later, after Jean-Pierre took the podium, a CNN reporter asked about the presidents decision to invite his son to a White House state dinner the same day the allegations came to light. Im just not gonna get into family discussions, Jean-Pierre replied, calling the topic a personal family discussion. As you know, Hunters his son, Im just not going to get into it The reporter asked, referencing Bidens recently announced plea deal with the Department of Justice (DOJ), If Hunter Biden was not the presidents son, would he [Joe Biden] have invited someone who had just reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors? The U.S. Department of Justice building in Washington on March 28, 2023.(Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) Again, thats his son; hes a family member. It is not uncommon for family members to attend events at the White House, Jean-Pierre replied. As it relates to anything related to Hunter, Im just not gonna respond to it from up here. The New York Timess Peter Baker pushed Jean-Pierre to answer Rosens earlier question to Kirby, saying Kirby wouldnt answer Jamess question; are you gonna answer the question? Its not an unreasonable question to ask if the president of the United States was involved, as this message seems to suggest, in some sort of a coercive conversation for business dealings by his son. If he wasnt, then maybe you should tell us. Heres the thingI appreciate the question, I believe my colleague at the White House counsel has answered this question already, has dealt with this, has made it very clear, Jean-Pierre. I just dont have anything to share outside of what my colleagues have shared, and so I would refer you to him and the DOJ. Just not gonna comment from here. That seemed to be a reference to a brief from White House spokesman Ian Sams on June 20, following Hunter Bidens guilty plea on two federal counts of tax crime and one count of illegally owning a firearm. The president and first lady love their son and support him as he continues to rebuild his life, said a statement from Sams to The Epoch Times. We will have no further comment. As another reporter was heard shouting about a text message, Jean-Pierre cut in, What I can tell you is I know that my colleague has dealt with this, he addressed this at the White House counsel, I just dont have anything to share. Chaos in Press Room At this point, chaos erupted in the White House press room as several reportersincluding representatives from CBS and NBCbegan to speak over each other seeking a more substantive answer. I just answered the question, I just answered the question, Jean Pierre said above the hubbub. Its not up to you how I answer the question, she said when pressed further. I just answered the question by telling you my colleagues at the White House counsel has [sic] dealt with this, and I would refer you to them. Asked by Rosen whether she would stand by her statements affirming Bidens claim during the 2020 election that he never discussed business with his son, Jean-Pierre replied, What I will say is that nothing has changed. Nothing has changed. And I will leave it there. So this is not a change? Rosen pressed. I just answered the question, Jean-Pierre replied. Another reporter followed up, asking the press secretary whether there was anything [she] can say regarding this text message. Was the president there or not? Again, Jean-Pierre referred the reporter to the White House counsel. Later, she said that she had not discussed the matter with the president. Do you plan to have that conversation with the president? a reporter asked. No, Jean-Pierre replied. Hunter Bidens Attorney Replies While the White House has been largely tight-lipped on the issue, Hunter Bidens attorney, Chris Clark, released a public statement on the matter. An extensive, five-year long investigation conducted by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) concluded this week, which resulted in my client taking responsibility for two instances of misdemeanor failure to file tax payments, as well as a firearm charge, which will be subject to a pretrial diversion agreement, Clark said. As his attorney through this entire matter, I can say that any suggestion the investigation was not thorough, or cut corners, or cut my client any slack, is preposterous and deeply irresponsible. Clark said the investigation coincided with a time of turmoil and addiction for my client. Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, attends an event at the White House in Washington on April 18, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Any verifiable words or actions of my client, in the midst of a horrible addiction, are solely his own and have no connection to anyone in his family. Clark protested, Biased and politically motivated, selective leaks have plagued this matter for years. They are not only irresponsible, they are illegal. Clark suggested that the IRS agent Gary Shapley was a very biased individual, despite the whistleblowers saying in his testimony that he had voted for both Republicans and Democrats in the past. In the end, a fact is a fact, regardless of the political affiliation of the person who brought it to you, Shapley testified. Still, Clark wrote, A close examination of the document released publicly yesterday by a very biased individual raises serious questions over whether it is what he claims it to be. It is dangerously misleading to make any conclusions or inferences based on this document. Attorney General Merrick Garland has also protested the allegations, saying that the DOJ did not interfere in the matter. Like the White House, Democrats in Congress have largely sidestepped commenting on the matter. Why I Left the Democratic Party in Two Examples Democrats gather on the House floor in support of Rep. Adam Schiff (R-Calif.) following a Republican vote to censure the representative for misleading comments regarding President Donald Trump's collusion with Russia. (Screenshot/C-SPAN) Commentary Before I go into two recent examplesone large and one smallthat illustrate why I left the Democratic Party over 20 years ago, let me emphasize that I am far from a party person. I dont vote for candidates because they are from one party or another and hope I never will. It may sound corny, but I vote on a man or woman based entirely on their policies and my best guess of whether they would carry them out. As an example, I am pretty certain former President Donald Trump would act on his policies because he already has. At the same time, I havent voted for a Democrat in this century but could well vote for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for president, depending on his opponent. Kennedy has opened serious discussion on many subjects, from healthcare to our intelligence agencies, that have long been suppressed or obscured by our legacy media. Moreover, there are several Republicans running I could never vote for, no matter their opponent. Id just sit it out. I dont take special pride in this, it just seems like the obvious sensible way to govoting for the person, not the party. I recommend it to others. But on to those two examples. The first, the large one, will probably not surprise you. I was appalled at the unilateral, lemming-like behavior of House Democrats opposing the censure of Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). Surrounding the Californian as if he were the last of an endangered species, the Democrats formed what amounted to a cordon sanitaire around a man who is not only a serial liar (not the first in politics) but a deeply immoral human being who constantly promulgated untruths from the privileged position of chairman or ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee. He was therefore assumed to be privy to the nations highest secrets, giving extraordinary weight to his repeated, almost daily, allegations he had proof of Trump-Russia collusion that he acknowledged only privately, during in camera testimony when placed under oath, never existed. He deliberately misled the country for years. Its hard to think of anyone who has done remotely the same as consistently as Schiff. How could the Democrats rally virtually unanimously around such a person? It makes you wonder about immorality in a party that already seems to believe the ends justify the means to an extent that would win the approval of Lenin and Mao. Some Democrats complained that Schiffs treatment was not equal to that of Republican Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), a useless prevaricator who should indeed be removed from the House. Lets hope that it happens. But to compare back-bencher Santos to Intelligence Committee Chair Schiff is like comparing an AWOL buck private to General Rommel. In a word: absurd. It was, in all, a monumentally repellent display on the part of the Democrats. The other much smaller event is interesting in that it smacks of deliberate ignorance (aka willful blindness), if not projection. An Iowa newspaper published this cartoon about the Vivek Ramaswamy presidential campaign. Now I have covered Ramaswamy in South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Iowa (part of our new show The Roller Coaster 2024) as well over a dozen distinct events and did not see a single person call him a Muslim or anything close (hes Hindu, in case the cartoonist doesnt know it or know the difference), ask for his birth certificate, or demand food or drink of any kind. What I saw was quite the reverse, invariably respectful audiences who were very interested in what this obviously highly intelligent man had to say and asked many serious questions in sessions that often went on for hours. The only hecklersand they were rarewere lefties. Tweeting out this cartoon, Ramaswamy said Its sad how the MSM views Republicans. True enough though Im not sure the Quad-City Times constitutes the peak of the MSM. Nevertheless, The Washington Post, USA Today, and so forth would do much the same. They just have access to more sophisticated cartoonists. One thing is increasingly clear: The American left has little idea of what the right is really like and what they really think or who they really are. Its all projection. Roger L. Simons 14th bookAmerican Refugeeswill be published by Encounter Books in September. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Wisconsin Elections Chief Meagan Wolfe Faces Uphill Battle for Reappointment Wisconsin's top election official, Meagan Wolfe, speaks during a virtual press conference on Nov. 4, 2020. (Wisconsin State Handout via Reuters) Embattled Election Administrator Meagan Wolfe is up for reappointment by the six-member bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC). But her chances of getting her second four-year term look increasingly bleak, according to some GOP lawmakers. Serving in state government since 2011, Wolfe was unanimously approved as the states highest ranking election-officer by the Wisconsin State Senate in 2019. Her term expires on June 30, 2023. In recent years she was involved with the creation of the states online voter registration system and election cyber security enhancement and is credited with overseeing the distribution of grant funds to municipalities from 2019 through 2020. Wolfe received national recognition for serving as chairperson of the Election Registration Information Center (ERIC). A major critic of Wolfes performance as WEC administrator is election integrity firebrand Janel Brandtjen. Wisconsin State Assemblywoman Janel Brandtjen. (Photo courtesy of Janel Brandtjen) State Rep. Brandtjen (R), told The Epoch Times that Wolfes tenure had been marked by missteps, failures, abuse of authority, and outright flouting of the states election laws. If Meagan Wolfe is reappointed by the members of WEC, I do not believe that the state senate will confirm her this time, said Brandtjen. Republicans control the 33-seat upper chamber 22 to 11. A Look at the Record To back up her criticism of Wolfe, Brandtjen cited a study published in December 2021 by the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) that examined WECs conducting of the 2020 presidential election. WILL is a non-profit, public-interest law firm based in Milwaukee. The institute specializes in individual liberty cases, as well as cases involving education reform and election integrity. The study found that with Wolfe at the helm, WEC oversaw the casting of a significant number of ballots that did not meet statutory requirements or statutory intent. As recently confirmed by the Legislative Audit Bureau, the widespread adoption of absentee ballot drop boxes, encouraged by the Wisconsin Elections Commission, runs afoul of state law (and) the ad hoc adoption of absentee ballot drop boxes without established rules, parameters, or security presents an election vulnerability, the study said. On Wolfes watch, in the pandemic year of 2020, over 265,979 Wisconsin voters were allowed to claim that they were indefinitely confined in their homes and needed absentee ballots which enabled them to vote without photo ID. More than 54,000 of those ballots were cast by individuals who have never shown a voter ID in any election, the study reported. Only 66.,611 people voted under indefinitely confined status in the 2016 presidential election. State Laws Ignored Under Wolfe, the Wisconsin Elections Commission unlawfully suspended the use of Special Voting Deputies for nursing homes and assisted living facilities in 2020 shrugging off standards in state law for the distribution and collection of absentee ballots in those settings, according to the study. This and other findings by WILL were confirmed by the investigation of Special Counsel and former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman. A poll of 2,000 supposed absentee voters conducted by WILL discovered that a surprisingly high percentage of them said they did not cast an absentee ballot, yet they are recorded as having voted absentee. In 2020, WEC allowed the financial assistance of the Zuckerberg grant program that ostensibly was designed to ensure that municipalities had a healthy and safe general election. According to an analysis by WILL, that grant assistance had the effect of increasing Democrat voter turnout by 8,000 votes statewide. Private funding disproportionately benefitted DemocratsNo statistically significant effect was found for Trump, the report said. Federal and State Laws Flouted The study also found that though state and federal law requires Wisconsin to maintain accurate voter rolls, under Wolfes leadership, WEC and local clerks refused to take the required steps to remove outdated and inaccurate voter registrations. WILL investigators found that 23,361 Wisconsin voters cast ballots despite discrepancies in their voter registration records, in which their names, addresses, and birthdates failed to match the Deptartment of Motor Vehicles files. Unequal Treatment? The study discovered that under WECs oversight, local election practices regarding the potentially illegal curing of mistakes on cast absentee ballots were not uniform. The lack of uniformity between localities in the fixing and rejecting of cast ballots raises questions of fair and equal treatment, the report said. The WILL study said, State law provides no legal authority for local election officials to fix, or cure defects, mistakes, or missing information on absentee ballots. But the Wisconsin Elections Commission said they couldresulting in some municipalities curing ballots while others did not. As a result of WECs lawless advice to local officials, no standard practices were employed to cure ballots, the report stated. Residents drop mail-in ballots in a ballot box outside of the Tippecanoe branch library in Milwaukee, Wis., on Oct. 20, 2020. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Just Push Them Through According to the study, Absentee ballot rejection rates were substantially lower in 2020 than in previous presidential electionsEither voters improved their capacity to avoid mistakes, or, more likely, election officials deliberately made efforts to ensure ballots were not rejected. Will estimates that if absentee ballot rejection rates in 2020 were similar to those in 2016, Joe Bidens 20,600 vote victory margin over Donald Trump would have narrowed by 6,000 votes. In the summary of their study, Will investigators conclude, Widespread abandonment of proper procedures raises questions regarding the fairness of the process. It is almost certain that in Wisconsins 2020 election, the number of votes that did not comply with existing legal requirements exceeded Joe Bidens margin of victory. Vulnerability of Mail-in Ballots Not Addressed In a June 14 phone interview with The Epoch Times, Brandtjen described how the mail-in ballot application process continues to be so lax under Wolfe that citizen activists were able to demonstrate the vulnerability by ordering multiple absentee ballots for other people, including state officials, and they were delivered. One activist who exposed the vulnerability is now facing criminal prosecution for his actions. I hope the people of Wisconsin remember that and the things exposed by the WILL study, the Legislative Audit Bureau, and the Gableman report, said Brandtjen. Wolfe Speaks Out in a Letter On June 14, Wolfe put out an informational memorandum on WEC letterhead to the states nearly 2,000 municipal and county clerks and some media outlets expressing uncertainty about her being reappointed to a second term. Wolfe wrote: Its clear that enough legislators have fallen prey to false information about my work and the work of this agency that my role is at risk False claims about election administration in the state of Wisconsin have proliferated since 2020. These claims are inaccurate and predicated on the false premise that the WEC administrator can make decisions unilaterally. This is simply not true. I do not have a vote on Commission mattersMy job is to implement the decisions of the six-member bipartisan commission. Contrary to what a vocal minority may claim, my tenure at the WEC has been marked by successfully run elections during some of the most difficult circumstances in our state and nations history, she said. No Substitute for Experience In light of the upcoming 2024 spring primary and November presidential election, Wolfe stressed the states need for a seasoned election administrator. There is no substitute for my decade-plus experience in helping run Wisconsin elections at the state levelIf I am not selected for this role, Wisconsin would have a less experienced administrator at the helm, wrote Wolfe. Wolfe said that should she not be reappointed by WEC, she would support a new person that the commission decides upon in an open meeting. 136.3 kg ganja worth Rs 27L seized from two peddlers Staff Reporter Under Operation Shikanja, Jabalpur police successfully arrested two drug peddlers involved in smuggling of ganja and seized 136.3 kg of ganja worth Rs 27 lakh and a truck worth Rs 20 lakh, on Thursday. While addressing a press conference at Police Control Room on Thursday, Superintendent of Police, Tushar Kant Vidyarthi (IPS) informed that Gorakhpur Police received a tip-off on Thursday that a truck (MH 18 BG 8078) was parked suspiciously between Tilwara and Nayagaon in which ganja was being smuggled. Police took immediate action under NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act Protocols and strategically raided the truck at Nayagaon Hanuman Temple. Police identified the person on the driver seat as Bhupendra Yadav (31), a resident of Uday Nagar Colony, Dehat District, Vidisha and cleaner as Dongar Singh Yadav (24), a resident of Village Bijauniya, Vidisha. Police searched the truck and found six bags filled with 136.3 kg of ganja worth Rs 27.20 lakh and also seized the truck worth Rs 20 lakh and 105 bags of coconuts loaded on it. Gorakhpur police booked the accused under sections 8 and 20 of NDPS Act and interrogating the accused about the ganja. Additional Director General of Police Jabalpur Zone, Jabalpur Umesh Joga (IPS) has especially instructed all the Superintendents of Police to take stern action against drug peddlers involved in smuggling ofdrugs and other narcotic substances. The operation to nab the accused red handed and seize ganja was carried out under the direction of City joins celebrations as Government withdraws Draft Livestock Bill 2023 Staff Reporter Activists associated with Animal Save India in Jabalpur city celebrated withdrawal of Livestock Bill 2023 by the Government of India as a mark of victory of animal rights. In a landmark decision reflecting growing concerns for animal rights and climate change, the Livestock and Livestock Products [Importation and Exportation] Bill, 2023 was withdrawn after massive public outcry. The proposed Bill aimed to regulate live export of animals from India faced significant resistance from various quarters. The draft of the Bill was put up on the website of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying for public scrutiny on June 8, 2023. According to Shambhavi and Naman Shah, both Jabalpur-based activists of Animal Save India, when Animal Save India found out about Livestock Bill 2023, they took action right away. They understood that transporting live animals is cruel because the animals have to endure long journeys without enough space to move, breathe, or stretch. They are forced to stand in dirty conditions for days on end, which can make them sick and even cause death. To make their voices heard, Animal Save India created a programme that made it easy for people to send e-mails to the Government. All they had to do was click on a link. They shared this link and a video on their Instagram page, urging everyone to send e-mails. Within just 12 hours, the Government received over 15,000 e-mails. After 72 hours, the number went up to more than 1,00,000. They also carried out offline drive seeking public support and received overwhelming response. This huge response showed how strongly people felt about the cruelty of live animal transport. Because of this public outcry, the Government decided to withdraw its support for the Livestock Bill. Animal Save Indias efforts helped raise awareness about suffering of animals during transport and together with the public, they made a difference. It is important to act quickly to protect millions of innocent lives at risk, said one of their activists from Jabalpur. CM inaugurates Rani Durgavati Gaurav Yatra in Balaghat Our Correspondent Balaghat, After Union Home Minister Amit Shahs visit to Balaghat got cancelled, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed the gathering at Balaghat and inaugurated Gaurav Yatra. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is earning accolades from all nations, world leaders for his work and policies. India is transforming into a powerful nation. He informed that meritorious students will be given money in place of laptop and e-scooty would also be given to students. Ladli Bahna Yojana beneficiaries are getting money in their account. State BJP President VD Sharma while addressing the gathering said that earlier the Congress Government had created a world of anarchy, corruption in the state an, people were deprived of electricity supply, proper roads. Hence, BJP came to power. In last one-and-a half year of governance, the Congress party closed many welfare schemes of BJP Government. The Chief Minister arrived at Old Hanuman temple and offered prayers. Grand preparations and elaborate security arrangements were made in view of first visit to Union Minister Amit Shah to Balaghat. Due to strong winds, poster, were blown away at the venue. The sky was overcast and it rained also but the huge gathering remained seated in a hope of Union Minister Amit Shahs arrival. Then they were informed about cancellation of visit of Union Home Minister owing to bad weather. Democracy flows in veins of India, US: Modi at White House Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden during their bilateral meeting at Oval Office of the White House, in Washington DC on Thursday. (PTI) WASHINGTON : Modi announces Indias decision to join Artemis Accords and welcomes the decision by the US to open consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad DEMOCRACY is an integral part of national identity and shared heritage of India and US, it is flowing through the veins and spirits of both the countries, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while expressing his surprise regarding the statements made about discrimination against religious minorities in India during a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden at the White House. The PM highlighted that democracy is not just a concept but a living reality manifested in their Constitutions and Governments of both the countries. The Prime Minister said that the two biggest democracies of the world, India and the US, can contribute towards global peace, stability and prosperity. I'm sure that on the basis of these values, we can fulfil the aspirations of the world, he added. Modi said that India and America are walking shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight against terrorism and radicalism, and added that during his talks with President Biden, the two sides have agreed that concerted action is necessary to end cross border terrorism. The Prime Minister said that peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region is our shared priority. We are unanimous that the development and success of this region is important for the whole world, he added. We have also decided that like trusted partners the US and India will prepare a reliable, secure, resilient global supply chain and value chain, amid global uncertainties. A new chapter has been added to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday after his comprehensive talks with US President Joe Biden, who asserted that the ties between the two nations are among the most consequential in the world that is stronger, closer and more dynamic in any time in history. Today holds special importance in the history of India-US relations, Modi said in his statement at a joint press conference with Biden. Announcing Indias decision to join Artemis Accords, Modi said we have taken a new leap in our space cooperation. The Prime Minister said he and President Biden discussed several regional and global issues during the meeting. He said that the presence of such a large number of Indians in the White House is testimony to the fact that Indian-Americans are the real strength of our relationship. We welcome the decision by the US to open consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad to further deepen these ties, added PM Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, We welcome the setting up of consulates in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru. Likewise, we will open a new mission in Seattle. We both agree Governments, businesses & academic institutions should come together to fulfil our strategic technology partnership, Modi said. On his part, Biden said, Together, we are unlocking the shared future of the world which I believed to be unlimited potential. He also said that he was struck by the ability of the two nations to find new areas of cooperation. Modi said on Thursday that India and the US - the two biggest democracies of the world, can contribute towards global peace, stability and prosperity as he asserted that for the partnership between the two countries, even the sky is not the limit. Modi made the remarks during a joint press conference with President Biden after his one-on-one meeting which was followed by delegation-level talks at the White House. For the partnership between India and the US, even the sky is not the limit. The most important pillar of our relations is our people-to-people ties. More than 40 lakh people of Indian origin are contributing to the development of America, Modi said. Earlier, President Biden said India and the US should work and lead together given the challenges and opportunities facing the world. Praising the Indian community in the US, President Joe Biden on Thursday mentioned the contributions of Americans of Indian heritage in his administration, including Vice President Kamala Harris, whose success stories define the relationship and the limitless possibilities between the two nations. EUs CBAM framework to impact Indias 15-40 pc of steel export to Europe: Icra Business Bureau The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) framework will impact Indias 15-40 per cent of steel exports to Europe, Icra said on Thursday. The impact will be seen from the calendar year 2026 to 2034, the rating agency said in a report. The European Union (EU) is introducing the CBAM from October 1 this year. Icra said the EU is the second largest steel-consuming block globally. It recently signed the mechanism laying the framework for the imposition of taxes on embedded carbon imports from six sectors, which includes steel, aluminium, cement, hydrogen, electricity, and fertiliser. CBAM compliance requirements could pull down the profits of Indian steel exports to the EU by USD 60-165/MT between CY 2026 and CY2034. CBAM to impact between 15-40 per cent of India's annual steel exports which are made to Europe. Failure to reduce the carbon footprint may result in lower profits in EU markets, it said. According to Icra, India exports up to 3-5 million tonnes of finished steel to Europe every year. India produced 122 MT finished steel in FY 2022-23. Average emission intensity of leading domestic primary steel producers is 12 per cent higher than the global average level from the blast furnace route, it said. GE Aerospace inks pact with HAL for joint production of fighter jet engines in India WASHINGTON : IN A landmark announcement, GE Aerospace on Thursday said it has inked a pact with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to jointly produce fighter jet engines for Indian Air Forces Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk-II -- Tejas. The announcement came during Prime Minister Narendra Modis first state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden. The agreement includes the potential joint production of GE Aerospaces F414 engines in India, and GE Aerospace continues to work with the US Government to receive the necessary export authorisation for this, the US firm said. It described the Memorandum of Understanding with HAL as a key element in strengthening defence cooperation between India and the US. This is a historic agreement made possible by our longstanding partnership with India and HAL, said H Lawrence Culp Jr, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GE and CEO of GE Aerospace. The agreement will advance GE Aerospaces earlier commitment to build 99 engines for the IAF as part of the LCA-Mk-II programme. It puts the company in a strong position to create a family of products in India, including the F404 engine that currently powers the LCA Mk1 and LCA Mk1A aircraft and GE Aerospaces selection for the prototype development, testing and certification of the AMCA programme with our F414-INS6 engine, the statement said. The pact is significant as India has been sourcing its military jets from Russia and European consortia. Recently, the IAF bought 36 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault, a French manufacturer of combat aircraft. In addition, GE will continue to collaborate with the Indian Government on the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Mk2 engine programme. We are proud to play a role in advancing Biden and Modis vision of closer coordination between the two nations. Our F414 engines are unmatched and will offer important economic and national security benefits for both countries as we help our customers produce the highest quality engines to meet the needs of their military fleet, the US firm said. Currently, HAL uses GE 404 engines for the 83 light combat aircraft it is manufacturing for the IAF. GE Aerospace has operated in India for more than four decades with wide engagement in the industry including engines, avionics, services, engineering, manufacturing, and local sourcing. GE Aerospaces F404 and F414 have been part of the development and production of LCA Mk1 and LCA Mk2 programmes. In total, 75 F404 engines have been delivered and another 99 are on order for LCA Mk1A. Eight F414 engines have been delivered as part of an ongoing development programme for LCA Mk2, the US firm said. A Starbucks sign sits above a store in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in New York. Starbucks is denying union organizers' claims that it banned LGBTQ+ Pride displays in its U.S. stores after Target and other brands experienced backlash. The Seattle coffee giant says there has been no change to its policy and it encourages store leaders to celebrate Pride in June. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Workers at 150 Starbucks locations will strike in the coming week over what their union says is a clash over decor supporting LGBTQ+ causes, but the company denies it's banned any such displays and accused the union of using misinformation as a tactic in labor talks. Starbucks Workers United said in a tweet Friday that 3,500 workers will be on strike over the next week, starting with the flagship location in Seattle. The union has tried to establish a foothold at Starbucks for some time and at least 358 Starbucks stores have petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to hold union elections. A Starbucks in Buffalo, New York, became the first to unionize early last year. But those efforts have slowed in recent months with pushback from some workers who have resisted organization efforts. Starbucks on Friday said Workers United is using misinformation about its support for LGBTQ+ causes as part of ongoing contract negotiations. Workers United continues to spread false information about our benefits, policies and negotiation effortsa tactic used to seemingly divide our partners and deflect from their failure to respond to bargaining sessions for more than 200 stores, Starbucks said in a written statement. Starbucks, based in Seattle, said last week that there had been no change to any policy on the matter and that its support for LGBTQ+ causes is unwavering. The company has been outspoken in its support for LGBTQ+ employees for decades. It extended full health benefits to same-sex partners in 1988 and added health coverage for gender reassignment surgery in 2013. Starbucks Corp. is also currently selling Pride-themed tumblers in its stores designed by Toronto artist Tim Singleton, who is gay. Workers United says that store managers around the country have curtailed or removed displays during a monthlong celebration of LGBTQ+ people. In some cases, the union said, managers told workers that Pride displays were a safety concern, citing recent incidents at Target where some angry customers tipped over merchandise and confronted workers. Starbucks said recent anti-LGBTQ+ social media campaigns against brands like Disney, Target and Bud Light in some parts of the country have not changed it stance. Brands like Chick-fil-A, which closes on Sundays for a day of rest and worship, and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, have also been targeted online by anti-LGBTQ+ groups and individuals. GROWTH STORY PRIME Minister Mr Narendra Modis first State visit to the United States of America is historic in every sense. His meetings with the thought leaders and investors, followed by their positive comments about India once again point to the Indias growth story. The world is realising that it has to be on the right side of history as far as Indias position in the world economic order is concerned. It has not been easy for India to shed the burden of the worst economic crisis just prior to the economic reforms. Despite political, social, and economic turmoils, India has charted its course with right kind of adjustments to deal with pressures. However, as everything appeared smooth, the global meltdown made it clear that the economic reforms had a flip side too. While India was still adjusting to the global after-effects of the meltdown, she needed a leader with not only vision but also mettle to walk the talk with confidence. At such a moment the people of India gave mandate to Mr Modi. Since then, irrespective of criticism, he has been able to navigate through the troubled water of geopolitics as well as economic volatility. In the past nine years, he has successfully steered India to a pivotal position in the global economy. He has been ably supported by stalwarts like Dr S Jaishankar and others. It is this team effort that has contributed immensely to the Indias growth story that the world has started recognising. Among the external factors, COVID-19 pandemic made the world realise that over-dependence on China as far as global value chains are concerned was not good. Another factor was the Western world realising that Indian leadership was committed to pushing national interest through multilateralism. This reality has dawned upon the global powers with the Russia-Ukraine war and supply chain disruptions. The US and China trade war also had a bearing on global scene. Through all these periods of uncertainties and volatilities in global economy, India has stayed firm. While ensuring welfare measures for a large population during the tough times of the pandemic, the leadership focussed on making India a global investment hub. As a result, FDI inflows have improved. Thanks to tax reforms and investment in path-breaking technologies, the tax revenue collection has registered positive growth. Increase in population has been converted into the expansion of human capital. Obviously, all these steps are yielding dividends for India. Meeting with the global thought leaders and investors being on the itinerary of Mr. Modi comes as an indication of how keen is global community on participating in Indias growth story. Business magnate and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Mr. Elon Musk called himself as Mr. Modis fan and was confident about Teslas investment in India. Further, important military and technology pacts are expected to be signed between India and the US. Indian airlines giving record-breaking orders to Boeing and Airbus, buying oil from Russia, striking deals with Israel, the UK, and France are some other positive developments that have added to Indias clout internationally. Besides, there is domestic confidence as could be palpable in consumption (spending), savings, and investment patterns of the younger generation. All these things reflect vibrant Indian economy. And, it goes without saying that in world economic order vibrant economy gets a larger role to play. So, everyone is talking of new trade ties, lasting collaborations and better future. Of course, all these will open new vistas for India and unlock further opportunities. Indias growth story is on a firm path. Impossible? No! Never! BLESSED we are to have known V K Das, through my sister and my son. On a Chilly December 1971 evening, after two sorties through the day, Sq Ldr Wicked as he was known for his initials as V K Das(Name Changed), just wanted to rest, but the Squadron was instructed to assemble in the War Room. Major Jassi from Longowal, had confirmed inputs, that a huge contingent of Pakistani tanks and troops with armored vehicles were advancing towards his post. Under orders to defend his strategic post at all costs, he realised that his unit was totally outnumbered and ill-equipped to confront and defend. He sent an SOS to the nearest Air Force station for assistance to intervene and engage the enemy at once. Mood was upbeat but serious in War Room. Sq Ldr Das was to lead the mission of Hunters from the Airport which had no night flying facilities, so had to assess the gravity of the situation. The VHF operator took Major Jassi on the line, who gave the vital statistics of speed and number of advancing enemy, his own location and available resources. Without wasting time, Wicked analysed the grave situation and scarce time to react. He advised Major Jassi to hold his nerves and defend the post, promising to join the battle by the First light at the crack of dawn. Over and Out the call was over. Obstacles were plenty. First, for the flight path, distance and flying time they shall be using even the last drop of fuel in each of the Seven Hunters, had to be air borne by around 2:30 AM in total darkness, sans any technical facility, to reach the location by dawn. This was a near Suicidal Mission. Chest pounding loudly, he dialled Sudha and briefed her about the Impossible Mission. Impossible? Never! She screamed loud enough for all to hear. Man, God has given you once in a lifetime opportunity, give it your all and Win, assuring dont ever worry about us. Ill be on the tarmac to receive you. Wicked calmed down but had no time to sleep. He tasked his Team to dress up and get battle ready, with the flight plan in the uniform pouch and personally supervising loading of each Hunter. The Station Commander was requested to arrange for kerosene Laltens to guide the Pilots while taking off in darkness. He inspected the preparations for one last time at 2 AM on December 5, 1971 and gave a Thumps Up signal at precisely 2:30 AM. They flew at maximum height to save fuel and tore through the skies to reach at the earliest. By 5 AM, streak of sunlight was visible on the eastern horizon, and then they saw the massive armada of Pakistani tanks and armoured vehicles galloping at a fast speed, towards Indian post. Major Jassi too had been busy encouraging his boys, the whole night, awaiting the attack and equally anxious of IAFs response. With the rising Sun the Pakistani Tanks rolled in and attacked with full fury. It was a fierce battle and within a short time we had many casualties. Suddenly they heard the roar of Indian Hunters which had started bombing and strafing the Pakistani tanks, troops and vehicles. Caught unaware, surprised and shocked, Pakistanis suffered extensive loss of lives, tanks and vehicles. They dispersed, darting around for a non-existent cover. Entire operation was over in precisely 35 minutes. Remaining Pakistanis either fled, were maimed or made a hasty retreat, losing lives on the run. In spite of tragic loss of some bravehearts, our strategic post was well defended, making Pakistanis run with a bloodied nose. Mission accomplished, the seven Hunters landed back safely on their Airbase with barely enough fuel in the Tanks. Wicked was honoured with Veer Chakra for his exemplary courage, astute planning and successfully executing a rarest of rare near Suicide Mission. Wicked retired, settled and when for the first time in life they were staying together, when Sudha merged with the Supreme. His personal battles continue till date. Spinal injury in a bathroom mishap has confined him to his bed, paralysed waist down but still enjoys a daily evening drink and refuses to accept defeat, as Sudha didnt have word Impossible in her dictionary. Mentor for my son, on a group video call with my sister and my son, Wicked, reminisces, that day, I became a Super Man, only because of Sudha. If not for her, the Mission was never possible. MEA requests Mah Govt for consent to take control of Ambedkar house in London MUMBAI, THE Centre has requested the Maharashtra Government for its consent to hand over the control of Dr B R Ambedkars house in London to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), an official said on Thursday. The file has been submitted for approval, the official in the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) told PTI. The 3.1 million pound three-storey house located on King Henrys Road in north London was purchased by the State Government in 2015 to turn it into a museum. In 2020, the house was converted into a museum and thrown open to public. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, lived in the house in 1921-22. The CMO official said, The MEA has requested the State Government to give consent to hand over control of Dr Ambedkars home in London to it. The 2,050 square feet residential property is in London went up for sale through an estate agent in 2014. The Federation of Ambedkarites and Buddhist Organisation (FABO) UK had written to the Indian Government to urge them to purchase it as a historically important monument. The decision for Maharashtra to purchase the house was later cleared by the Narendra Modi-led Government. Modi gifts sandalwood box with das danams to Biden WASHINGTON, PRIME Minister Narendra Modi, who is on his first state visit to the US gifted das danam in a handcrafted sandalwood box that highlights the value and respect Indian tradition associates with experience, to US President Joe Biden. Modi gave President Biden the unique sandalwood box sourced from Mysore with intricately carved flora and fauna patterns and handcrafted by a master craftsman from Jaipur during an intimate dinner at the White House on Wednesday. The box contains the idol of Lord Ganesha, a Hindu deity considered the destroyer of obstacles and the one who is worshipped first among all Gods, and its silver form has been handcrafted by a family of fifth-generation silversmiths of Kolkata, officials said. Ancient Indian text mentions that an individual becomes Drishta Sahasrachandro or the one who has seen one thousand full moons when he completes the age of 80 years and eight months, a milestone President Biden will reach next month. The life spanning one thousand full moons is considered to be an important milestone in the Hindu way of life. The gap between two full moons is about 29.53 days, so the time span covered by a thousand full moons would be approximately 29,530 days or 80 years and 8 months, a press note said. Modis gift underscores the traditional respect associated with a persons experience and is significant at a time when President Bidens is turning 80 next month. 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). Another gift to Biden is a tribute to the US presidents admiration for Irish poet William Butler Yeats. Biden has often quoted poetry from Yeats and made references to his writings and poetry in his public speeches, officials said, adding that Yeats had a deep admiration for India and was greatly influenced by Indian spirituality. His friendship and admiration for Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore is well-known and he helped popularise Gurudevs Gitanjali in the Western world, officials said. Yeats admiration for Indian spirituality was much deeper and he was deeply influenced by the Upanishads and other ancient knowledge streams of India, they said. 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 tamper-Patra has been sourced from Uttar Pradesh and a shloka inscribed on it. 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). PM Modi gifted a copy of the first edition print of this book, The Ten Principal Upanishads published by M/s Faber and Faber Ltd of London and printed at the University Press Glasgow to US President Joe Biden. US President Joe Biden on Wednesday hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a private dinner at the White House. The dinner included a few of the US Presidents favourite foods, including pasta and ice cream. Joe Biden, Jill Biden and PM Modi enjoyed a musical tribute to the regions of India, performed by youth dancers from Studio Dhoom, a DMV-based Indian dance studio that helps connect a new generation to the vibrant culture of Indian dance, according to the White House. President Murmu to open Bhavans cultural centre at Koradi on July 5 Staff Reporter President of India Droupadi Murmu is on three-day Maharashtra visit from July 4. During her Maharashtra tour, she will be spending adequate time in Vidarbhas Nagpur, Gadchiroli, and Wardha. At Nagpur, the President will inaugurate Bharatiya Vidya Bhavans Ramayan Cultural Centre set up in Mahalaxmi Jagdamba Temple premises at Koradi at 4.50 pm on July 5. As per the scheduled programme of the President, she will stay at Raj Bhavan in Nagpur on July 4 and 5. She will arrive at Nagpurs Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport at 7 pm on July 4 by Air Forces special flight from Hyderabad. On July 5, she will leave for airport at 8.45 am and proceed to Gadchiroli by Air Forces Helicopter at 9.10 am. She will lay a foundation stone of new administrative building of Gondwana University and Examination Department. She will also grace the 12th Convocation of Gondwana University. She will then perform virtual inauguration of the road projects of Chandrapur. At 11.50 am President will depart for Nagpur. After reaching at 12.40 at Nagpur, President will go to Raj Bhavan. She will meet some important people between 3.45 pm and 4.30 pm. Red Carpet For PM Modi By Arun Srivastava NARENDRA Modi was shunned by the US in 2005. But he is no more a pariah. The same US, but now under the presidency of Joe Biden, is rolling out the red carpet for Modi, who will become just the third world leader (after Frances Emmanuel Macron and South Koreas Yoon Suk Yeol) to be invited for a state visit and dinner, the highest of diplomatic receptions typically reserved for only the closest of allies. The honour being conferred upon Modi has more implicit meanings than are visible. More than polishing the bilateral relations or strengthening shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific and elevate strategic technology partnership, including in defence, clean energy and space, this visit has wider implications for Biden and especially for America. The red carpet for Modi sends a strong message that India will work with US in South East Asia to counter the expansionist vision of China and put a check on the Russian obstinacy. It is worth recalling that India joined Bidens 14-member Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which primarily aims to reduce Chinas economic dominance through manufacturing, but without drawing up a formal trade agreement. This was a machination to convince India that in future it does not need to depend on Chinese manufacturing. Experts feel both countries see their strategic interests converge in countering Chinas threat, as it becomes more expansionist and ambitious on the global stage. China has emerged as the biggest enemy of US. Washington wants to tell New Delhi that Beijing has not been its friend. A copious analysis of the US approach towards India and China would unravel the fact that it wants to rewrite the Indo-Chinese history by presenting China as the number one enemy of India, followed by Russia. In its endeavour the US digs out the old disputes. It points out how India has been embroiled in territorial disputes in the Himalayas ever since it fought a brief war with China in 1962. After Independence from British rule in 1947, India was more closely aligned with Russia during the Cold War era due to US distrust and estrangement over Indias nuclear programme, while the US had a stronger partnership with Indias rival, Pakistan. The Biden administration is using this historical visit of Modi to tell India that a strong US-India partnership is essential to achieving its Indo-Pacific goalsmaintaining a free, open, prosperous, resilient Indo-Pacific region. The new relation that Biden intends to build will propel to new growth height. It is because of this that this administration has been willing to overlook some of Indias policies toward Russia. Modi must tell Biden that India was strong enough to defend its own interests. It does not need any third-party support. US valuing Indias partnership does not mean that India should allow US to dictate it. US officials say that the partnership is extremely important for their core national interests and Indias core national interests as well. And that partnership has many dimensions and takes many forms. Though the US administration talks of boosting trade with India, the real motive has been to take India into its fold and let it indulge in proxy fight against China. The NSC Coordinator, John Kirby said that the US supported Indias emergence as a great power and was looking to improve and deepen the defence cooperation between India and US. He also said: This state visit is also not about Russia. And what were trying to do with our bilateral relationship with India is improve the bilateral relationship for its own sake and on its own foundation, because its that important to us. 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. What prompted Kirby to come out with this statement is really intriguing. At some level it underlines the scepticism that grips the global fraternity about the real intentions of the visit. It is no more a secret that US aims to strengthen ties with India, viewing it as a potential counterweight to China. Nonetheless, Modis visit has split Americas Democratic Party ecosystem into two. The section of Democrats which wields considerable influence in media, academia, social sector and the deep state, is nervous about Indias rise and the enthralling welcome to PM Modi which the US Government and the powerful Indian diaspora has planned. The Washington Posts Editorial Board wrote on Saturday that the case for India as a bulwark against China has never been more urgent for Washington. Similarly, on Friday, the Time magazine had cited foreign policy experts as suggesting that Bidens welcoming of Modi is because of Indias indispensable role in American efforts to deter Chinese aggression. Meanwhile, Chinese media has slammed the US for pushing India and ramping up its efforts to harass Chinas economic progress. A section of the Indian diaspora also feels that Biden intends to use Modis support in his re-election in 2024. (IPA) State forms jumbo panel to revamp fisheries devpt policy Staff Reporter Maharashtra Government has set up a jumbo committee to submit recommendations for formulating a new Fisheries Development policy with a view to widen the scope for deepening the involvement of co-operative sector. The committee is tasked with framing an improved policy for the registration of multipurpose co-operative societies on reservoirs and suggesting new rules for registration. It has been given a time period of two months for submitting the report After receipt of the report, a four member committee headed by Maharashtra Minister for Fisheries Development, will take final decision. The three members on it will be Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Commissioner, Fisheries, and Managing Director, Maharashtra Fisheries Development Board. To put it simple, the committee is tasked with finding a way out of deadlock over granting right of fisheries to societies registered under Agricultural Department on the lakes owned by Department of Fisheries. The 30-member committee will study aspects for aligning the States policy with aims listed in the Central Governments Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. The committee came into being after Bombay High Courts Nagpur Bench struck down State Government decision about bifurcating lakes to allow multiple co-operative societies to carrying out commercial fisheries operation. Also the decision of State to allow Agriculture Marketing Companies to carry out fisheries operation on the lakes was also challenged and same was struck down by the High Court bench of Justice Bhushan Dharmadhikari and Justice Z A Haq. The notification by Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Department of Fisheries outlined the task to the Committee, it is dominated mostly by persons active in co-operative sector to sort out the shortcoming in the 2019 policy framed by State Government. The said policy was challenged by Mannu Datta, an activist who is against intrusion of co-operative societies registered with Department of Agriculture in fisheries sector, before High Court and his contention was upheld leading to scrapping of old policy. While notifying the formation of the committee, the State outlined the need for submission of a comprehensive policy to State for deepening the co-operative sector involvement in the fisheries business with an intention of increasing the net income of traditional fishermen. The committee will seek view of all stakeholders in a bid to form a middle ground as present policy bats for one society of fishermen in one lake and limits competition due to clause of no second society within 10 km distance and excluding societies outside the preview of lake area (basically a tehsil) while allotting license for fishery. State Government has stayed the implementation of old policy and intended to broaden the fisheries development by having board based rules for which new policy is needed to be prepared and hence the committee is formed. Hence, the GR was issued for appointing the committee on June 16, 2023. The committee has been given list of issues to discuss and find a way out, first how to ensure that 292 societies can be provided fisheries licence as bye-laws of Maharashtra State Co-operative Act, 1960, pose a hinder. Similarly, the GR says due to 10 km rule about 639 lakes have not seen any development of commercial fisheries. Also, rules be framed to grant fishing right to persons whose land is acquired for development of lake, removing discrepancy about term Kriyasheel and Sakriya (meaning of both in English is active) but in Marathi its differs a bit. Also the committee is instructed to take a look as how to ensure more than one society the fishing in lakes having spread of 500 Ha and above, also suggests modalities for allowing multiple societies fishing right in 17,000 lakes, removing discrepancy in Multipurpose Co-operative Society and Reservoir Fisheries Co-operative Society. Apart from that rules should be framed to allow membership to non-fishermen, under technical expertise and also fixing their numbers in the society. Specifying different between Co-operative Society and Co-operative Union, rules for scope of a fishermen society in case a lake spread is over two districts. The rule about10 km distance should be taken a re-look and if needed the distance must be increased. W Bengal Govt challenges Calcutta HC order on CBI probe at higher bench KOLKATA, WEST Bengal Government, on Thursday, approached a division bench of the Calcutta High Court, challenging a single-judge benchs order directing a CBI probe against a block development officer accused of tampering with the nomination documents of two candidates for the July 8 panchayat elections. On Wednesday, the single- judge bench Justice Amrita Sinha gave this direction for CBI probe following a petition filed by two candidates at Uluberia in Howrah district namely Kashmira Bibi and Omja Bibi against the local block development officer accusing the latter of tempering with their nomination documents. The two candidates have alleged in their petition that the nomination got cancelled at the scrutiny phase because of the alleged tampering of the documents. Responding to it, the State Government approached the Calcutta High Courts division bench of Justice Arijit Banerjee challenging the decision of Justice Sinhas single-judge bench. The State Government has also appealed for a fast-track hearing in the matter. The matter will come up for hearing at the division bench on Friday. While giving the order, Justice Sinha also observed that since the allegations are against a State Government official it will not be wise for a State investigation agency to probe the matter and hence the charge of the probe is handed over to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). She also directed the CBI to submit a detailed report on this count to her court by July 7, which is just a day ahead of the rural civic body polls in the State. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari has claimed that the entire 13th floor of the state secretariat of Nabanna, which houses the Chief Ministers office, should be brought under the purview of the CBI probe to identify what other malpractices had taken place over the rural civic body polls. Woman holds parents, brother captive for four months! Staff Reporter In a shocking tale of senior citizens woes and the torture they underwent, an 80-year-old man, his 76-year-old wife and 48-year-old son were rescued from the four-month captivity in their own house by the police on Thursday. They were locked in a room and were getting only one chapati twice a day to survive. However, the shocking fact is that no one else but their own daughter had locked them in a room of their house. She would also assault them so that they never raise any objection against her. They were rescued by the Habibganj police personnel on the complaint of a neighbour. Police said that C S Saxena had retired from SBI and lives with his wife Kanak and son Vikki. Vikki is mentally unstable and is not married, he said. His daughter Nidhi Saxena (45) was married to an Army officer but she is separated and lives with her parents, said Sub-Inspector Sudil Deshmukh. Her son Nikhil (22) and second son a 16-year-old also lived with them in the house. According to police, the woman was demanding Rs 3 crore from them. He said that the woman had locked them up in a room on the first floor of house and would only give them one chapati in morning and one in evening to eat. She would also beat them with her sons help, he said. A neighbour who would visit them frequently earlier, tried to contact them recently but Nidhi refused to let him in. The neighbour doubted the act and recently he spotted them from a window seeking help on Wednesday. He then reached the police station and lodged a complaint. The Habibganj Police personnel reached the house and ordered the woman to open the lock. The three persons were rescued and taken to the Hamidia Hospital for treatment. SI Deshmukh said that they were hungry and they sought something to eat before being taken to the hospital. The elderly man was lying on bed and was hardly speaking anything, he added. He was taken to hospital on a stretcher, the police told. The daughter has been booked and we are investigating the case, added the cop. (Bloomberg) -- The US Supreme Court sided with a Coinbase Global Inc. unit in a ruling that reinforces the ability of companies to channel customer and employee disputes into arbitration. Most Read from Bloomberg The justices, voting 5-4, ruled that lawsuits filed in federal court must be put on hold while a defendant presses an appeal that would send the case to arbitration. Writing for the court, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said allowing district courts to move forward as the appeal is ongoing would reduce the benefits of arbitration. If the district court could move forward with pre-trial and trial proceedings while the appeal on arbitrability was ongoing, then many of the asserted benefits of arbitration (efficiency, less expense, less intrusive discovery, and the like) would be irretrievably lost, Kavanaugh wrote. Business groups rallied behind Coinbase in the case, saying that letting litigation go forward would impose unnecessary costs. Consumer advocates said judges should have the discretion to decide which claims should proceed during appeal, as courts do with other areas of the law. Coinbase is battling claims by Abraham Bielski, who said the crypto company should compensate him for $31,000 he lost after he gave a scammer remote access to his account. In a second suit that was before the high court, Coinbase is accused of holding a $1.2 million Dogecoin sweepstakes without adequately disclosing that entrants didnt have to buy or sell the cryptocurrency. The Supreme Court over the past two decades has bolstered the power of companies to enforce arbitration clauses with consumers and employees. Those rulings have cited the 1925 Federal Arbitration Act, which says courts must enforce arbitration accords the same as any other contract. Arbitration can be less expensive and give defendants key procedural advantages. Arbitration agreements are commonplace in the crypto industry, much as they are with other retail businesses that have large customer bases. In a dissenting opinion, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said the majority opinion comes out of nowhere. I see no basis here for wresting away the discretion traditionally entrusted to the judge closest to a case, Jackson wrote. Liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan joined Jacksons dissent, while Justice Clarence Thomas, a court conservative, joined in parts. The case is Coinbase v. Bielski, 22-105. (Updates with more from decision starting in second paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- US lawmakers on Thursday questioned how new rules for artificial intelligence can protect against the technologys risks without reinforcing the early advantages enjoyed by tech giants such as Microsoft and Google. Most Read from Bloomberg Representative Frank Lucas, the Oklahoma Republican who chairs the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, opened Thursdays hearing by recognizing the need for Congress to set some guardrails for AI while warning that any regulation must also promote innovation especially as the US races China to develop machine learning capabilities. Shahin Farshchi, a general partner of venture capital firm Lux Capital, warned the panel that a few companies are already dominating a sector in which it can cost more than $100 million to train the most advanced generative AI models. Microsoft Corp., Alpahabet Inc.s Google and Amazon.com Inc. are also among the few companies that have the computing power to run the most powerful models. There are steep barriers to entry for AI researchers and founders, Farshchi said. If we do not provide open, fair and diverse access to computing resources, we could see a concentration of resources in a time of rapid change, reminiscent of Standard Oil during the industrial revolution. Congress is rushing to understand just what AI is and how to protect against potential risks such as bias, threats to democracy and misuse by nefarious actors. The conversation is taking place as global adversaries like China develop their own AI tools that have the potential to transform economies and shape future conflicts. Some lawmakers have warned that the costs of complying with government regulations would hinder smaller startups ability to compete with tech giants. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced plans Wednesday for a series of forums on AI and set a timeline to draft legislation to regulate the technology within months, not years. Ted Lieu, a California Democrat who has introduced his own AI-focused legislation, asked whether open source technology would foster US innovation, only to have those advances benefit global adversaries. Clement Delangue, co-founder and CEO of Hugging Face, an AI startup, told the House panel that openness is essential to preserve broad and vibrant competition. That in turn will better position the US to innovate in the race against China, he added. Open science and open source distribute economic gains by fostering tens of thousands of startups building with AI, in all domains and sectors Delangue said. It fosters innovation, as we have seen in the past few years, and fair competition between all. Some companies, like Microsoft, have suggested a licensing regime as a way for the government to regulate the most powerful AI models. Democratic Representative Zoe Lofgren, whose California district includes part of Silicon Valley, suggested requiring registration of AI models as a way to provide accountability without advantaging the companies that would be best positioned to win licenses. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Abner Herrman & Brock LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 40.0% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 20,172 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 5,766 shares during the quarter. Abner Herrman & Brock LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $577,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Bank of America by 70.5% during the 3rd quarter. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC now owns 91,399 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,760,000 after acquiring an additional 37,794 shares during the last quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Bank of America by 18.8% during the 3rd quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 221,443 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,690,000 after acquiring an additional 35,107 shares during the last quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bank of America during the 4th quarter valued at about $641,000. Plimoth Trust Co. LLC boosted its position in shares of Bank of America by 7.0% during the 4th quarter. Plimoth Trust Co. LLC now owns 82,856 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,744,000 after acquiring an additional 5,432 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Atlas Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bank of America during the 4th quarter valued at about $207,000. Institutional investors own 67.34% of the companys stock. Get Bank of America alerts: Bank of America Trading Down 0.8 % Shares of Bank of America stock traded down $0.22 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $28.35. 7,944,053 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 52,452,922. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.82. The company has a market cap of $225.93 billion, a PE ratio of 8.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.37. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $28.64 and a 200-day moving average of $31.19. Bank of America Co. has a 12 month low of $26.32 and a 12 month high of $38.60. Bank of America Announces Dividend Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.94 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $26.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $25.28 billion. Bank of America had a return on equity of 11.72% and a net margin of 21.85%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.80 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that Bank of America Co. will post 3.42 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 2nd will be issued a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 1st. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.10%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 26.43%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts recently weighed in on the company. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on Bank of America from $36.00 to $35.00 in a research report on Friday, May 12th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Bank of America from $34.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Bank of America from $52.00 to $45.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on Bank of America from $39.00 to $35.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Bank of America from $38.00 to $34.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Bank of America currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $36.77. Bank of America Company Profile (Get Rating) Bank of America Corp. is a bank and financial holding company, which engages in the provision of banking and nonbank financial services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth and Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, Global Markets, and All Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers credit, banking, and investment products and services to consumers and small businesses. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AmerisourceBergen Co. (NYSE:ABC Get Rating) major shareholder Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. sold 275,984 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $181.17, for a total value of $50,000,021.28. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 33,090,404 shares in the company, valued at $5,994,988,492.68. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Large shareholders that own at least 10% of a companys shares are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. also recently made the following trade(s): Get AmerisourceBergen alerts: On Thursday, May 11th, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. sold 292,792 shares of AmerisourceBergen stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.77, for a total value of $50,000,089.84. AmerisourceBergen Stock Performance ABC opened at $187.87 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $38.04 billion, a PE ratio of 24.15 and a beta of 0.53. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $172.36 and a 200-day moving average of $165.24. AmerisourceBergen Co. has a 52-week low of $135.14 and a 52-week high of $187.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.13, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.89. AmerisourceBergen Announces Dividend AmerisourceBergen ( NYSE:ABC Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $3.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.29 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $63.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $60.40 billion. AmerisourceBergen had a return on equity of 809.53% and a net margin of 0.65%. The firms revenue was up 9.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.22 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that AmerisourceBergen Co. will post 11.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th were paid a dividend of $0.485 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $1.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.03%. AmerisourceBergens dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.94%. Institutional Trading of AmerisourceBergen Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Kentucky Retirement Systems boosted its stake in AmerisourceBergen by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 12,794 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,048,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc. boosted its stake in AmerisourceBergen by 61.8% during the 1st quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 165 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in AmerisourceBergen by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 4,426 shares of the companys stock valued at $709,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. Vantage Consulting Group Inc boosted its stake in AmerisourceBergen by 4.7% during the 3rd quarter. Vantage Consulting Group Inc now owns 1,482 shares of the companys stock valued at $201,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the period. Finally, J2 Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in AmerisourceBergen by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. J2 Capital Management Inc now owns 2,682 shares of the companys stock valued at $444,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 92.64% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ABC has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. 888 reissued a maintains rating on shares of AmerisourceBergen in a research report on Friday, May 26th. TheStreet raised AmerisourceBergen from a c rating to a b+ rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Citigroup initiated coverage on AmerisourceBergen in a research report on Friday, March 31st. They set a buy rating and a $185.00 price target on the stock. Barclays upped their price target on AmerisourceBergen from $182.00 to $189.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, Bank of America upped their price target on AmerisourceBergen from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $184.00. 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for AmerisourceBergen Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AmerisourceBergen and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Apeiron RIA LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (BATS:IEFA Get Rating) by 8.5% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 31,860 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,505 shares during the quarter. Apeiron RIA LLCs holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $2,131,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in IEFA. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 114,199.2% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 954,128,634 shares of the companys stock worth $58,812,489,000 after buying an additional 953,293,870 shares during the last quarter. Cowa LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 7,482.8% during the 1st quarter. Cowa LLC now owns 7,950,414 shares of the companys stock worth $6,200,000 after buying an additional 7,845,566 shares during the last quarter. UBS Asset Management Americas Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $237,487,000. Betterment LLC increased its holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 33.6% in the 4th quarter. Betterment LLC now owns 12,301,643 shares of the companys stock valued at $758,273,000 after purchasing an additional 3,092,198 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can increased its holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 67.3% in the 4th quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 7,268,435 shares of the companys stock valued at $448,971,000 after purchasing an additional 2,924,692 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF alerts: iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Performance iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF stock opened at $67.26 on Friday. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF has a fifty-two week low of $56.55 and a fifty-two week high of $70.84. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $68.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $66.04. The company has a market capitalization of $96.85 billion, a PE ratio of 12.29 and a beta of 0.87. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF Company Profile The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI EAFE IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of developed-market stocks in Europe, Australasia and the Far East, and excludes North America IEFA was launched on Oct 18, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IEFA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (BATS:IEFA Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD Get Rating) (TSE:TD) was upgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report released on Thursday. TD has been the topic of a number of other reports. Scotiabank raised shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. Credit Suisse Group raised shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 8th. CIBC raised shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a neutral rating to a sector outperform rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Finally, Barclays lowered shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $100.57. Get Toronto-Dominion Bank alerts: Toronto-Dominion Bank Trading Down 1.3 % Shares of NYSE:TD traded down $0.81 during trading on Thursday, reaching $59.79. The stock had a trading volume of 3,412,348 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,327,174. The firms fifty day moving average is $60.07 and its 200 day moving average is $62.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 0.99. Toronto-Dominion Bank has a 52 week low of $55.43 and a 52 week high of $70.67. The stock has a market cap of $109.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.03, a P/E/G ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.88. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Toronto-Dominion Bank ( NYSE:TD Get Rating ) (TSE:TD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 25th. The bank reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by ($0.09). Toronto-Dominion Bank had a net margin of 17.72% and a return on equity of 15.51%. The firm had revenue of $9.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.10 billion. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Toronto-Dominion Bank will post 6.08 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of TD. Bradley Mark J. raised its holdings in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 13.4% in the first quarter. Bradley Mark J. now owns 24,470 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,466,000 after purchasing an additional 2,885 shares during the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank in the first quarter valued at about $229,000. Empower Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank in the first quarter valued at about $207,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 25.1% in the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 154,181 shares of the banks stock valued at $11,520,000 after purchasing an additional 30,937 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank by 40.7% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 15,905,184 shares of the banks stock valued at $952,719,000 after purchasing an additional 4,604,833 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 44.92% of the companys stock. About Toronto-Dominion Bank (Get Rating) The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. (Bloomberg) -- Deutsche Bank AG recruited Joe Lai from Credit Suisse Group AG as the German lender goes on a hiring spree this year to boost its ranks and take back market share from Wall Street rivals. Most Read from Bloomberg Lai will join in the coming months and become chairman of origination and advisory for Asia in the investment bank, according to an internal memo seen by Bloomberg News. He will be based in Hong Kong and responsible for further developing client strategy and advisory capabilities, the memo said. Lai, who was Credit Suisses co-head of Asia-Pacific investment banking and capital markets, is among a flood of senior bankers departing the Swiss firm after its takeover by UBS Group AG. Deutsche Bank has been among the most aggressive in scooping up talent from Credit Suisse amid the turmoil. It recently named Credit Suisses Nora Yeung as its co-head of equity capital markets for Asia-Pacific. At Deutsche Bank, Lai will assume his chairman role alongside Qiong Wu, according to the memo, which was confirmed by a spokesperson. Lai was elevated by Credit Suisse to co-lead the regions investment banking and capital markets division last June after his former boss Zeth Hung stepped aside to become vice chairman for the business. Lai was promoted in 2018 as co-head of China investment banking and was former co-head of real estate for Asia-Pacific. Deutsche Bank also hired Rui Wang to be head of investment banking coverage and advisory for Greater China, according to a separate memo seen by Bloomberg News. Wang was most recently the head of investment banking and capital markets for China at Credit Suisse. UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti has said in the immediate aftermath of the takeover that Credit Suisse may be due for a massive downsizing of its dealmaking businesses, in order to cut the risks of the combined bank. --With assistance from Manuel Baigorri. (Adds additional hire of Rui Wang in sixth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The award was bestowed on FirstBank in recognition of the Banks role in promoting trade and investment endeavours across the continent. With its subsidiaries across the FirstBank Group, FirstBank has continued to play a leading role in boosting cross-border businesses, including trade and investment opportunities, essential to enhancing trade relations amongst countries. In 2021, the Bank launched its First Global Transfer (FGT) initiative, specifically designed to ensure safe, timely and improved efficiency in the transfer of funds across the network of FirstBank subsidiaries in Africa. First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigerias premier banking institution and leading financial inclusion services provider, has won the Financial Institution of the Year Award at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Pan African Business and Development Awards. The ceremony marked the 30th anniversary of Afreximbank as it hosted the inaugural Pan-African Business and Development Awards in association with the Business Council for Africa (BCA), in Accra, Ghana. The award bestowed on FirstBank is in recognition of the Bank as an epitome of the Pan-African spirit through its leading role in promoting trade and investment across the continent which have been instrumental to strengthening the economic and multilateral business relationship across nations. Amongst its role in facilitating transactions across borders, in 2021, the Bank launched its First Global Transfer (FGT) initiative, specifically designed to ensure safe, timely and improved efficiency in the transfer of funds across the network of FirstBank subsidiaries in Africa. The FGT is not restricted to FirstBank Groups Customers alone but it is also open to every individual resident in the country the funds transfer is originating from. Speaking on the awards, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, CEO, FirstBank said: We thank the organisers of the event (Afreximbank, BCA) for the recognition as it reinforces our commitment to promoting trade, finance and investment opportunities across borders which have been instrumental to the continued growth and development of the continent and the world. On behalf of the Board and Management, this award is dedicated to all employees at the FirstBank Group for their diligence and hardwork as well as to our esteemed customers for their loyalty and patronage in over 129 years of existence he concluded. Also commenting on the awards, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board, who has been at the Bank for over 29 years said: Tonight we are recognising outstanding leaders and institutions. Having joined the Bank in 1994, I have been fortunate to have worked with many of them At Afreximbank, contributing to Africas development is a lifetime vocation, as I know it is for all those that we have recognised tonight. In recognising these leaders and institutions, Arnold Ekpe, chair of the BCA and former Group CEO of Ecobank, said: Too often our business leaders do not get the praise they deserve. Succeeding in business on the continent is not always easy, but it is rewarding and more importantly it is possible to build strong, profitable businesses that are globally competitive. Our winners tonight have demonstrated this. FirstBank has consistently been recognised by reputable global organisations for its steady outstanding performance and amongst the streak of recent wins is the award for Best Financial Inclusion Service Provider Nigeria 2023 by Digital Banker Africa as well asBest Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa by Global Finance. About FirstBank First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) is the premier Bank in West Africa and the leading financial inclusion services provider in Nigeria for 129 years. With over 800 business locations and over 200,000 Banking Agents spread across 99% of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria,FirstBank provides a comprehensive range of retail and corporate financial services to serve its over 41 million customer accounts (including digital wallets) in Nigeria and over 700,000 customer accounts outside the country. The Bank has an international presence with subsidiaries operating in 9 other countries. These subsidiaries are FirstBank (UK) Limited in London and Paris, FirstBank in The Gambia, FirstBank Sierra-Leone, FirstBank in the Republic of Congo, FBNBank in Ghana, FBNBank in Guinea, FBNBank in Senegal as well as a Representative Office in Beijing, China. The Bank is at the forefront of promoting digital banking in the country and has issued over 12 million cards, the first bank to achieve such a milestone. FirstBanks cashless transaction drive extends to having more than 12 million people on its USSD Quick Banking service through the nationally renowned *894# Banking code and over 4.5 million people on the FirstMobile platform. It is, by far, the leader in the number of digital transactions per minute across multiple channels. FirstBanks commitment to Diversity is shown in its policies, partnerships and initiatives, such as its employees ratio of female to male (about 39%:61%; and 32% women in management) as well as the FirstBank Women Network, an initiative that seeks to address the gender gap and increase the participation of women at all levels within the organization. In addition, the Banks membership of the UN Women is an affirmation of a deliberate policy that is consistent with UN Womens Women Empowerments Principles - Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Nondiscrimination. Since its establishment in 1894, FirstBank has consistently built relationships with customers focusing on the fundamentals of good corporate governance, strong liquidity, optimised risk managementand leadership. Over the years, the Bank has led the financing ofprivate investment in infrastructure development in the Nigerian economy by playing key roles in the Federal Governments privatisation and commercialisation schemes. With its global reach,FirstBank provides prospective investors wishing to explore the vast business opportunities available in Nigeria an internationally competitive world-class brand and a credible financial partner. For six consecutive years (2011 2016), FirstBank was named Most Valuable Bank Brand in Nigeria by the globally renowned The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times Group and Best Retail Bank in Nigeria eight times in a row, 2011 - 2018, by the Asian Banker International Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards. Notably, in 2022, the Bank took a long stride on its growth trajectory with the Banks Viability and Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings upgraded to 'B' from 'B-' (with Outlooks Stable) by Fitch, a leading global rating agency. This is an indication of the Banks strong internal capital generation and the corresponding recession of its risks to capitalisation. Fitch also upgraded the Banks National Long-Term Ratings to 'A (nga)' from 'BBB (nga)', to reflect its improved creditworthiness relative to that of other issuers in Nigeria. Furthermore, the Top 100 African Bank rankings 2022 released by The Banker Magazine revealed FirstBanks ranking as number one in Nigeria in terms of Overall Performance, Profitability, Efficiency and Return on Risk. Other laudable feats in 2022 include FirstBanks international recognitions on major indices by Euromoney Market Leaders, an independent global assessment of the leading financial service providers where FirstBank was crowned: Market Leader: (tier-1 recognition) in Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR), Market Leader: (tier -1 recognition) Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Highly Regarded: in Corporate Banking and Digital Solutions, Notable: in SME Banking. Also, in 2022 International Finance Magazine named the Bank Most Innovative Banking Product in Nigeria and Best Retail Bank in Nigeria. FirstBank was also awarded Best Corporate Banking Western Africa, 2022 and Best CSR Bank Western Africa, 2022 by Global Banking and Finance Magazine. Other notable awards in FirstBank coffers include: Best Bank in Nigeria by Global Finance magazine - fifteen times in a row; Best Private Bank in Nigeria-2021 awarded by Global Finance magazine; Best Internet Banking Nigeria and Best CSR Bank Africa by International Business Magazine. In 2023, FirstBank has received notable awards including Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa 2023 by Global Finance Awards; Best Sustainable Bank in Nigeria 2023 by International Investors Awards; Best Bespoke Banking Services in Nigeria 2023 by International Investors Awards; Best Financial Inclusion Service Provider in Nigeria 2023 by Digital Banker Africa; and African Bank of the Year by African Leadership Magazine. Our vision is To be Africas Bank of first choice and our mission is To remain true to our name by providing the best financial services possible. This commitment is anchored on our core values of EPIC - Entrepreneurship, Professionalism, Innovation and Customer-Centricity. Our strategic ambition is To deliver accelerated growth in profitability through customer-led innovation and disciplined execution and our brand promise is always to deliver the ultimate gold standard of value and excellence to position You First in every respect. Folake Ani-Mumuney Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications First Bank of Nigeria Limited The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced it readiness to introduce detention allowance to members arrested during protests. Mr. Joe Ajaero, the NLC Pesident, made this pledge on Thursday in Abuja when he led workers on a second day picketing of Shaanxi Construction Company building site at the ECOWAS Headquarters. It was learnt that the NLC had picketed the Chinese construction company over alleged unfair labour practices and dehumanisation of workers. The bad working conditions were said to have led to the death of a driver, Mr Austine Okunbor. Reports have it that the company engaged the workers on an ad-hoc basis with no conditions of service attached nor any welfare or medical services in place which sparked up peaceful protest by some workers who were arrested. Speaking on the allowance, Ajaero said the intention was to show support for members of the union who are harassed and arrested by security personnel during peaceful protests carried out in support of workers maltreated by their employers. I am making a pronouncement that henceforth, we are going to introduce detention allowance and this will start from the workers detained for the picketing done by the union yesterday. We urge all unions to start immediately because harassment and detention by security personnel is one of the hazards of the job. We need to retain this solidarity. It doesnt matter how much, when a worker is detained because of his or her conviction, there is a need to support the person, he said. The NLC president said that the gesture would encourage more members to stand in solidarity with fellow workers who are enslaved and maltreated by employers. He told employers to prioritise the welfare of its staff or face mass action by the union, adding that the use of force and threats to intimidate workers would be strongly resisted by the union. The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has given 48-hour ultimatum to the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately arrest a former Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo, over his threat to the Igbo people. It could be recalled that days after meeting President Bola Tinubu, Dokubo was seen in a viral video flaunting guns and threatening the Igbo-speaking people in Nigeria, stating that if not for the intervention of the British, he would have been selling the Igbo people to slavery just like his father did many years ago. The ex-militant leader also claimed that the Igbo people were looking for who would deal with them, asking them to look around and see how they are being killed incessantly. Reacting while speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, the National President of OYC, Comrade Igboayaka Igboayaka, gave the DSS 48 hours to arrest the former Niger Delta militant leader. The OYC President said it is unfortunate that the secret police have not arrested Dokubo after the video of his threat to kill Igbo people went viral. Igboayaka claimed that the effrontery of Dokubo to have threatened the Igbos while brandishing an Ak-47 rifle is clearly smacked of a strong secret approval of the President. The statement reads; Recall that in a recent video clip that has gone viral on social media, the notorious ex-militant, Asari Dokubo was seen threatening to kill, exterminate and murder all Igbos wherever they are found just a few days after being hosted, at Aso Rock villa, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As we have waited patiently after 48 hours of Asari Dokubos threats to kill the Igbos with fierce ambition as displayed in the said viral video with AK-47 riffles, it is most unfortunate that the said Asari Dokubo is yet to be apprehended and/or prosecuted by the State Security Services (DSS). Without mincing words, Ndigbo are quite convinced that Asari Dokubos visit to Aso Rock villa is an orchestrated meeting to further the ugly marginalization of the Igbos and subsequently stamp them out of existence as well as ensuring that every perceived political opponent is eliminated, Igboayaka revealed. Its obvious that the effrontery and/or the boldness of Asari Dokubo to have threatened the Igbos while brandishing hard military wares and/or weaponry like Ak-47 rifle is clearly smacked of a strong secret approval of Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The above is a vivid signpost to a secret agenda by Mr. President against the Igbo Christians through the clown called Asari Dokubo. In our experience and to our knowledge that Asari Dokubo is a Muslim like Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the fears of Muslim-Muslim tickets by the Christians is, actually, for the avoidance of elimination of Igbo Christian which Mr. President, instead of assuaging such fears, has rather commissioned Asari Dokubo, with all the paraphernalia and/or requisite protection of the federal government, to intensify the fears and murder the Igbos. If Ndigbo waits for another 48hrs without Asari Dokubo being arrested and/or prosecuted for acts of terrorism and jailed, Ndigbo would be constrained to have no other options than to gather all forms of sophisticated weaponry for their self-defense to avoid being stamped out of existence in their prime by an agent of darkness called Asari Dokubo at the support and/or behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP has called for the urgent evacuation of residents of Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, living around the ongoing oil spills impacted area. Recall that a fresh oil spill from a facility operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, SPDC, rocked Okulu River in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State eight days a ago, devastating the environment and polluting the river which runs through several communities in the area. To this end, MOSOP also called on the federal government to heavily sanction Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, SPDC for incessant oil spills and environmental pollution. MOSOP President, Mr. Fegalo Nsuke, reacting to the fresh oil spills from Shell facility in Eleme, which has affected Ogale, Aleto, Agbonchia, Onne, Okpaku, Alesa communities in Eleme, alleged that Shell has not been sincere in the handling of and decommissioning of its facilities in Ogoniland. Fegalo Nsuke, MOSOP President Nsuke regretted that Shell, the operator of the leaking pipeline was yet to clamp the spill, which he said was likely to affect more communities in Ogoniland. He alleged that the fresh spill was a testament that Shell was secretly operating its facilities in Ogoniland and wondered why the company has not decommissioned its facilities in Ogoni, following the recommendations of UNEP which Shell and the federal government claim to have been implementing in Ogoni since 2016. Environment pollution has been encouraged in Nigeria because there is little or no consequences for the polluters. This is something the government should strongly consider in the light of present realities where peoples lives are altered by constant pollution, and no one is held to account. If Shell claims that it is not operating the oilfields secretly in Ogoni, then how come we have such massive oil spills that affect several communities and have contaminated massive lands and waters in the area? The Ogoni area has witnessed several unrests over the years due to protests occasioned by massive pollution from Shell Petroleum, environmental and economic deprivations. The people have called for the implementation of an Ogoni Development Authority to address their concerns and restore normal economic activities in the area. Meanwhile, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited has finally confirmed the spills in Eleme which began last Sunday, saying that her response teams have been activated to take actions for the safety of the environment, people and equipment. Shell Spokesperson in Port Harcourt, Mr. Michael Adande, said the company was working with stakeholders to investigate the cause of the spills and its impact on the people, environment and equipment. Mr. Michael Adande, Shell Spokesperson in Port Harcourt The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, operator of the NNPC/SPDC/TotalEnergies/NAOC Joint Venture can confirm a spill incident at a facility of the joint venture in Eleme, Rivers State, reported on June 11, 2023. We are working closely with a multi-stakeholder Joint Investigation Visit team led by the regulators, Nigerian Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, in collaboration with Rivers State Ministry of Environment and community representatives, as the investigation into the cause and impact of the incident progresses. Meanwhile, the SPDC Emergency Response and Spill Response teams have been activated, subject to safety requirements, to mobilise to the site to take actions that may be necessary for the safety of environment, people and equipment. Acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, urged the Police Strategic Managers comprising of DIGs, AIGs, Command CPs to brace up to drive a professionally competent force, which is hinged on the rule of law. We must acknowledge the imperfections that exist within our ranks. Let us cast aside complacency and confront the demons that tarnish our profession. We must weed out corruption, for it erodes the very essence of justice we have sworn to uphold. Egbetokun said. This is just as he warned that under his watch, complacency and indifference will not be tolerated from senior officers. He has also ordered the establishment of Quick Response Squads to tackle the menace of crimes and criminality head on. Giving his inaugural address to the stategic managers at a meeting on Friday, the IGP said, My esteemed strategic police managers, let us embark on this journey together, with a shared vision of having a Police Force that is professionally competent, service driven, rule of law compliant, and people friendly, a police force that will effectively support the agenda of government for economic recovery, growth, as well as social and political development of our dear country Nigeria. His words, I am deeply honored to address this gathering of esteemed Senior Police Managers who represent the backbone of our nations policing architecture. Together, we shall embark on a mission to uphold justice, fairness, protect human dignity, and restore standards and values of the Nigeria Police Force. Let me make one thing abundantly clear, the days of complacency and indifference are over. We are no longer mere enforcers of the law, we are the vanguards of justice. It is our duty to ensure that every citizen, regardless of his/her background, feels safe and secure at all times. Without mincing words, our nation faces an array of complex security challenges that demand our unwavering commitment and resolve. We stand at a critical juncture where the trust of the people in our institution hangs in the balance. It is our duty to re-ignite that trust, to be the beacon of hope in times of despair, and to foster an environment where safety and justice are not mere illusions, but the foundations upon which our nation thrives. One of the foremost thrust of my administration is upholding the sanctity of our legal framework with a view to standardizing the policing profession viz-a-viz driving transformative agenda, embracing the principles of transparency, accountability, and professionalism, while upholding the rights and welfare of both our officers and the communities we serve. The Nigeria Police Force under my command, in its quest to stamp out violent crimes and their detrimental and debilitating effects on the security and safety of our society, will forge ahead to tackle the menace of crimes and criminality head on with the establishment of a specialized Quick Intervention Squad which will comprise combat ready Police Mobile Force personnel with effective and enhanced training in crisis de-escalation and violent crime reduction strategies. This will lead to a review of the engagement patterns of the Police Mobile Force in a bid to restore the days of glory of the Police Mobile Force as a punching arm of the Police. Furthermore, we shall embrace innovation and technology as powerful allies in our fight against crime. The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and so we must adapt to the evolving landscape of crime. Criminals today are more sophisticated, more organized, and more ruthless than ever before. We will further leverage cutting-edge tools, data analytics, and intelligence networks to stay one step ahead of those who seek to disrupt the peace. This we will do through a robust and effective human and technical intelligence gathering process to enhance our capacity. By harnessing the power of technology, we can make our streets safer, our investigations more efficient, and our communities more resilient. We cannot afford to be reactive; we must be proactive in our approaches by equally collaborating with other security agencies (both domestic and international) to strengthen our intelligence network and dismantle criminal enterprises from their core. As leaders, we must be attuned to the needs of our officers. They face immense challenges on the frontlines, risking their lives to protect our communities. We will make a case for improved welfare for these men and ensure they have the resources, trainings, and support necessary to carry out their duties with utmost professionalism within the ambit of the law. Their physical and mental well-being must be our priority, for they are the true custodians of peace. To this end, my administration will intensify collaboration with relevant stakeholders for the resuscitation of the Police Officer Support Unit (POSU) of the Police Medical services which will serve as a confidential support and counseling facility for all police officers. Its services will be online, telephone based, as well as in-person to assist officer to better cope with all forms of traumas and other challenges faced on a daily basis. In recognition of the invaluable contributions made by the officers of the Nigeria Police Force in the face of daunting challenges, we are implementing a new Recognition and Reward system that aims to better motivate and encourage our dedicated personnel. It is imperative that we acknowledge and appreciate the tireless efforts, sacrifices, and exceptional performance demonstrated by these officers on a daily basis. This system will not only serve as a means of recognizing outstanding achievements but also as a powerful tool to foster a culture of excellence and inspire others to strive for greatness. Through a transparent and fair process, all police officers involved in every major achievement will be identified and duly rewarded, be it through commendations, special assignments, or other tangible incentives. It is believed that by implementing this system, we will not only uplift the morale of our officers but also create an environment that nurtures their professional growth, ultimately leading to a more efficient and effective Police Force that serves our nation with utmost dedication and pride. We must acknowledge the imperfections that exist within our ranks. Let us cast aside complacency and confront the demons that tarnish our profession. We must weed out corruption, for it erodes the very essence of justice we have sworn to uphold. We must reject the abuse of power, for it stains the reputation of the uniform we wear with honor. We must cultivate a culture of accountability, for our actions must be a testament to the principles we stand for. To my fellow police managers, I implore you to lead by example. Let us be the epitome of integrity, resilience, and compassion. Our actions must inspire those who serve under us and those who look up to us for guidance. We must be the guiding light that illuminates the path of righteousness, ensuring that justice is not a distant dream, but a reality for all. But let us not forget that at the heart of our work are the people we serve. We must be the compassionate face of law enforcement, ever mindful of the impact our actions have on individuals and communities. Let us build bridges of trust with the people, understanding that our success hinges on their support and cooperation. Community policing, through a more vibrant engagement of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), and the establishment of a Citizens Engagement Focus Group, and general review of the Federal Government Community Policing Scheme, must become the cornerstone of our strategy, forging partnerships with citizens, civil society organizations, and local leaders to collectively tackle the challenges we face. Furthermore, let us engage with the communities we serve. We must bridge the gap between the police and the public, fostering trust, understanding, and mutual respect. We cannot police a society without being a part of it. We must be accessible, empathetic, and responsive to the concerns of the people. Together, we will shape a future where justice triumphs, where the vulnerable find solace, where citizens go about their lawful businesses without fear of insecurity or molestation, and where every citizen can truly believe in the power of law enforcement. I believe in you and I trust in your cooperation on this journey. (Bloomberg) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plan to meet as early as next month as they try to improve long-frosty relations between their countries, according to people familiar with the situation. Most Read from Bloomberg Turkey and Israel, once close military allies, are collaborating more on tourism and business and are exploring ways to start gas shipments to Turkey after over a decade of tensions. Ties hit a low point after a 2010 Israeli raid on a Turkish flotilla headed to the Gaza Strip. They only resumed full diplomatic relations in August last year. The disruption to supply chains and commodity markets from Russias invasion of Ukraine is providing a fresh incentive to mend ties, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential matters. So are Irans activities in the region. Turkey is concerned about the growing influence in Syria of the Islamic Republic, which backs groups hostile to Israel including Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon. In the Caucasus, Azerbaijan benefited from Israeli and Turkish drones to reclaim control of large swaths of its territory occupied by Armenia since the early 1990s before Russia brokered a cease-fire in November 2020. Both Israel and Turkey are seeking to improve ties with other Middle Eastern states. Israel established diplomatic relations with nations such as the United Arab Emirates and Morocco in 2020, and is pushing to do the same with Saudi Arabia. Turkey and Saudi Arabia patched up ties last year. Israeli President Isaac Herzog met Erdogan early last year, a key initial step to repairing relations. Erdogan and Netanyahu could meet in Ankara in July, schedules permitting, according to the people. Both are under domestic pressure. The Israeli leader has faced mass protests over his attempt to weaken the power of the judiciary, while Erdogan has revamped his economic team since his re-election last month in a bid to end a cost-of-living crisis. Talks may encompass the potential export of liquefied natural gas from a field off the Gaza Strip to Europe via Turkey, they said, although its unclear how much gas is there and distributing it remains years away. There are also no LNG export terminals, which typically cost billions of dollars to build, in Israel or gas pipelines running from there to Turkey. Turkeys government and Israels embassy in Ankara declined to comment. Divisions Remain Turkey and Israel remain divided over the status of Palestinian territories. Israel also accuses Ankara of supporting Hamas, the Islamic militant group that runs the Gaza Strip. A gas agreement may help heal the rift, the people said. Netanyahus office said Sunday that Israel would allow the development of a field off Gaza as part of efforts to bolster the ailing Palestinian economy and maintain regional calm. Bilateral trade between Turkey and Israel is increasing and tourism is booming as cruise lines resume trips and Israeli companies start direct flights to Turkish resorts such as Antalya and Bodrum. More than 1 million Israeli tourists are expected to visit Turkey this year, compared with 843,000 in 2022. Turkeys exports to Israel increased 11% to $7 billion last year, while imports were around $2.5 billion, according to official Turkish government data. Israeli companies are seeking to do more business with Turkey, partly because higher shipping costs are making supplies from China more expensive. Israel mainly imports steel, iron and other construction materials from Turkey. (Updates with details in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Phuket International Medical Hub to go ahead despite Expo bid Loss PHUKET: The government project to develop Phuket as an International Medical HUb will continue despite Thailand losing its bid for Phuket to host the World Specialised Expo 2027/28. tourismhealtheconomics By The Phuket News Friday 23 June 2023 09:15 AM Despite the setback, Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri expressed gratitude on behalf of caretaker Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha for the efforts made to promote Phuket during the bidding process, reports state news agency NNT. Mr Anucha affirmed that Phuket remains committed to its long-term development plans, focusing on sustainability and the enhancement of infrastructure and economic stability, the report added. Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan outlined the provinces continued dedication to projects associated with the expo, particularly the transformation of the planned venue in Mai Khao into an international health center. The initiative aims to cater to the healthcare needs of both Thai residents and foreign visitors, the report noted. Meanwhile, Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO) revealed that discussions would be held with 18 local partners to explore projects aimed at stimulating the economy and boosting tourism in the region, the NNT report concluded. The Cabinet has approved more than B5.1 billion to build the Andaman International Health Center on the 141-rai site in Mai Khao, at the northern end of Phuket, which was to serve as the focal point of activities for the Phuket Expo. The theme of the Expo bid was healthcare and wellness, under the theme "Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity." The Treasury Department officially handed over the 141 rai of land in Mai Khao to the Ministry of Public Health in December last year so that an International Medical Centre can be built at the site. The Cabinet approved the budget, precisely B5,116,262,532 in total, in October last year to build the medical centre. The bulk of the B5.1bn will be spent on building a brand-new international hospital, the Songklanagarind Hospital Phuket, for B4,762,262,532. A further B212.5 million will be spent on the International Health and Science College, marked as a building renovation project. The final B141.5mn will be spent creating the International Wellness Center and the Digital Dental Center Songklanagarind, also marked as a building renovation project. In announcing the Cabinet approving the budget, Prof Dr Anek Laothamatas, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), said, This will build confidence among people and tourists in coming to travel to the Andaman [region] and to Thailand. It will also help generate income from health tourism. It will also offer premium international tourist services and become the first modern dental center in the South, in addition to taking care of the health of Thai people, he said. The project will be able to generate direct income from medical treatment for foreigners of not less than B1.6bn a year and not less than B300mn a year from dental services, Dr Anek added. In total, the project is expected to boost the value of tourism in the Andaman area with an increase of approximately B62 billion a year, Dr Anek said. Phuket marine safety ramped up PHUKET: Maritime safety and disaster officials have launched a campaign to ramp up water transport safety in the hope of preventing accidents involving local boats and ferries and to build confidence among tourists in Phuket water transport safety. tourismtransportmarineSafety By The Phuket News Friday 23 June 2023 10:39 AM The campaign was announced at a meeting held at the Andaman Sea Safety and Traffic Control Center (also called the CSC ANDAMAN Coastal Surveillance Center), at Phuket Deep Sea Port yesterday (June 22). Leading the meeting was Rear Admiral Nattapong Yanothaikhachit, Deputy Director of Phuket Internal Security Office (ISOC), the political arm of the Thai military. The meeting followed Phuket Marine Office Chief Nachapong Pranit issuing an order on Wednesday (June 21) for port staff in the Phuket area to ensure safety measures are being observed by boat operators before leaving the pier. Mr Nachapong tasked Prat Sengnum, Harbor Inspector, to carry out operations to ensure compliance with safety measures. Key issues discussed at the meeting was the establishment of an Andaman Sea Tourist Safety Command Center specifically for Phuket and the development of a response plan to help victims at sea. Joining the meeting yesterday was Udomporn Kan, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM Phuket) Mr Udomporn Kan said that with the increasing number of tourists traveling in Phuket, there was a greater risk of safety incidents on at sea Therefore, to ensure safety and create a good image for a world-class tourist city, we are preparing a safety protection plan. It is important so that each unit can be prepared in their own organisation when an incident occurs. Response management needs to be fast and able to help victims in a timely manner. This will make tourists confident in traveling to Phuket, he said. The campaign comes less than two weeks before the fifth anniversary of the sinking of the Phoenix tour boat on July 5, 2018. The Phoenix capsized and sank in storm conditions southeast of Phuket, killing 47 Chinese tourists. Spanish fugitive on international warrant arrested in Phuket PHUKET: A foreign man wanted by Spanish authorities on fraud charges was apprehended at Phuket airport yesterday evening (June 22). crimepolicetransporttourism By The Phuket News Friday 23 June 2023 01:57 PM Phuket Immigration reported that a foreign man was arrested at the airport on June 22. Photo:Phuket Immigration / Phuket Immigration Checkpoint The suspect was arrested at the Arrivals Hall of the airports International Terminal at around 9.15pm on Thursday (June 22), the Phuket office of the Immigration Bureau reported later on the same day. The man was identified in the report as a Spanish national, but his name and age were not disclosed. No information was provided regarding the country he arrived from. According to FlightRadar24, between 7pm and 9.05pm, seven international flights from Dubai, Melbourne, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur landed at Phuket International Airport. However, it is unclear which flight the suspect arrived on. To protect the suspects identity, his face in the photo had been pixelated before publishing, along with the face of another person in the same picture. Phuket Immigration did not disclose any information about that second person. According to the report, the suspect is wanted by Spanish authorities on charges of multiple fraud cases with many victims. An Interpol red notice has been issued, requiring all member states to arrest the man and extradite him to Spain for legal proceedings. Phuket Immigration stated that the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Royal Thai Police participated in the arrest. Following the arrest, the suspect was handed over to the Office of the Attorney General for further legal action. TAT promotes faith-based tourism BANGKOK: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to organise an event promoting 12 spiritual tourism routes throughout the country, it was confirmed yesterday (June 22). tourismreligion By National News Bureau of Thailand Friday 23 June 2023 11:03 AM Photo: NNT The event aims to stimulate tourism and drive revenue by catering to those who enjoy engaging in religious activities or who follow a spiritual path, reports the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT). TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn shared data from the Ministry of Commerce indicating that religious tourism generated up to B10.8 billion in revenue in 2019. This suggests the potential for faith-based tourism to grow exponentially, with projections indicating a threefold increase in global economic value within ten years. The value is expected to skyrocket from over US$13.7 billion (B482bn) in 2022 to $40.9bn by 2033. The TAT governor explained that the project focuses on offering valuable and meaningful tourism experiences. These include showcasing religious and cultural tourism products that reflect Thailands identity and uniqueness. They also include religious temples and other places of faith and worship, cultural heritage, wisdom, and community-based tourism. The event is slated to run from June 30 to July 2 at Square B in front of the CentralWorld shopping center in Bangkok. The event is divided into three main sections comprising a simulation zone for worship and blessings along 12 spiritual tourism routes; a marketplace featuring shops and restaurants from five regions of Thailand; and a stage for performances by famous artists. Those interested can visit the website tourismproduct.tourismthailand.org. (Bloomberg) -- Elon Musks Twitter needs to put more resources toward addressing sensitive content if it wants to comply with strict new European regulations ahead of a deadline in August, according to Thierry Breton, the blocs internal market commissioner. Most Read from Bloomberg There are a few critical areas that Twitter needs to focus on immediately, especially around child abuse and controlling disinformation around elections, Breton said. The commissioner is touring Silicon Valley to explain the EUs upcoming requirements on content regulation and draft rules on artificial intelligence, meeting with execs at companies from Twitter to OpenAI and Meta Platforms Inc. On Thursday, an EU team conducted a stress test of Twitters compliance systems. While promising, Breton said there are certain areas Twitter needs to focus on in order to comply in just six weeks. Twitter has until Aug. 25 to implement the EUs Digital Services Act, considered the worlds most stringent set of regulations in the policing of online content. Breton said after the meeting with recently appointed Twitter Chief Executive Officer Linda Yaccarino standing next to him that from Aug. 26, the bird will fly on its own. Read more: EU Lawmakers Pass Strict New Rules Affecting Big US Tech Billionaire owner Musk made very clear that he will comply with our regulation and that he believes that DSA is a good regulation, and this is what he wants to do, Breton said in an interview with Bloomberg TV. But theres some work to be done. The conversation between EU officials and Twitters leadership was constructive, Breton said. Employees from Chicago, Los Angeles and Ireland flew in for the test. The EUs DSA unit came to San Francisco as well to review data with the company in order to understand how prepared it is to comply with the rules. Twitter is interested in using technology to handle disinformation and illegal content, but Breton warned that the technology has to be proven and ready in time. My team spent two days and reviewed many, many programs they want to put in place, the commissioner said. I think its going in the right direction. Twitter said it is on track to be ready when the DSA comes into force, in a tweet from its global government affairs account. Separately, Yaccarino said Europe is very important to Twitter. The stress test is being offered to all other platform companies that want to participate, the commissioner said. The commission will conduct another stress test with TikTok, owned by Chinas ByteDance Ltd., next month. Some CEOs would prefer not to change anything. Its more comfortable. Some resist, some lobby, Breton said. Then at the end of the day, companies will follow. (Updates with quotes from Breton interview with Bloomberg TV) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Our capital city had the biggest improvement of all the cities in the world, moving up the rankings more than any other urban hub, moving up 35 spots from #58 in 2022 to #23 this year. Auckland had the second biggest upgrade, moving up 25 spots from #35 last year. Bryce is headed down to Hamilton this weekend for the rugby, so we called Pearl to let her know Bryce was headed through Tahuna, and to see what's been going on at the Tav lately. AMMOCOC urges | IMPHAL, Jun 23 : The All Manipur Muslim Organisations Coordinating Committee (AMMOCOC) has urged the Government to thoroughly investigate the bomb attack carried out on June 21 in Kwakta and book all the miscreants. Notably, three Meitei Pangals were injured in the attack. Addressing the media at Hatta today, AMMOCOC secretary Wahidur Rehman said that a group of people carrying out the bomb attack in a public place against the initiative taken up to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur is truly unfortunate. AMMOCOC strongly condemns the bomb attack, he added. Saying that AMMOCOC has also been working at their level best to end the conflict, he appealed to all concerned to refrain from indulging in violent activities. Why is Prime Minister Narendra Modi not speaking a single word about the restive situation in Manipur, Wahidur Rehman asked. He, on the other hand, appealed to every Meitei Pangal to pray for peace to prevail in Manipur during the Namaz of Eid-ul-Zuha. Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 54F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow Plentiful sunshine. High near 90F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. A forum was held in Beijing to mark the 20th anniversary of the passing of the "Father of Chinese Science Fiction," Zheng Wenguang, and to announce new projects, including films, TV series, and a theme park related to his works aimed at reviving the legacy of the sci-fi guru. Sci-fi experts, writers, editors, publishers, and entrepreneurs pose for a group photo at a forum to pay tribute to Chinese sci-fi pioneer and astronomer Zheng Wenguang in Beijing, June 19, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Eight Light Minutes Culture] Zheng, born in April 1929 in Vietnam as an overseas Chinese, returned to his motherland China in 1947. In 1954, he created and published the science fiction short story titled "From Earth to Mars," which was the first sci-fi story in the People's Republic of China (PRC), established in 1949. In 1979, Zheng wrote and published the first original science fiction novel in the PRC, "Flying to Sagittarius." He was also a research fellow at the Beijing Astronomical Observatory and passed away in June 2003. In the Western literary world, Zheng was best known for his story "The Mirror Image of the Earth." Within the Chinese literary community, his most renowned work is "Flying to Sagittarius," a sci-fi masterpiece that explores the theme of space exploration. "Flying to Sagittarius" was ahead of its time, depicting scientific and sci-fi concepts such as gravitational slingshots, black holes, and neutrino communication. It received the first prize in a national award for children's literature and art creation, igniting a nationwide craze and inspiring generations of Chinese readers. Remarkably, many of the technologies described in the book, including the depiction of Chinese astronauts piloting their own spaceships, have become realities over four decades later. Wu Yan, a sci-fi scholar, educator, writer, and professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology, recalled his high-school days when he approached Zheng by knocking on his door to get to know him. Regardless of their age difference, their friendship blossomed, and Zheng became Wu's mentor. Wu praised Zheng for his broad knowledge in diverse fields and his ability to consistently offer fresh insights in his writing and conversations. He admired Zheng's unique worldview and the profound impact he had on people's lives and culture, highlighting Zheng introduced the concept of "sci-fi realism" and contributed to three major schools of Chinese science fiction: futurism, sci-fi realism, and science popularization in the sci-fi style. Book cover art of the new edition of "Flying to Sagittarius." [Image courtesy of Changjiang Literature & Art Press] Chen Ling, the secretary-general of the China Science Writers Association, pointed out that Zheng was not only a sci-fi writer but also had remarkable achievements in academic research. According to Chen, Zheng's works embody a strong scientific essence, reflecting his unwavering pursuit of scientific ideals and the beauty of humanity. "With his visionary and emotionally impactful storytelling, Zheng has been a frontrunner in advancing theoretical development and innovation in science fiction," she said. "He bridges the realms of popular science and science fiction, as well as the boundaries between romantic fantasies and realism, through his creative expressions. As a prominent pioneer in Chinese science fiction literature, Zheng Wenguang has made outstanding contributions to the promotion and development of science popularization and science fiction in China." Sci-fi experts, writers, and publishers, such as Yang Jibo, Yan Peng, Zhao Xiaobei, Ling Chen, Jiang Bo, Yin Chuanhong, Baoshu, Chao Xia, Chen Jie, and many more guests also shared their memories and tributes at the forum. Sci-fi moguls Tan Kai, Dong Renwei, and Xiao Jianheng also spoke via video link to remember their old friend. One of Zheng's family members, the renowned film director Leste Chen, who helmed blockbusters like "The Great Hypnotist" and "Miss Granny," also attended the event and expressed gratitude to the participants. "I first met my uncle-in-law when I was 8 years old and spent a joyful summer in Beijing. I remember him as the gentlest member of the family. As I got to know him later and his remarkable works, I realized that he had sown the seeds of science fiction in the hearts of young people for generations, and his contributions continue to flourish today. Now, thanks to his inspiration, we also have the ability to create our own outstanding sci-fi films like 'The Wandering Earth' and compete with Hollywood." From left to right: Zhang Heliang, the president of Beijing Smart Media Culture Limited Liability Company; Wu Yan, a sci-fi scholar who was entrusted as a representative of China's sci-fi pioneer Zheng Wenguang's family; and Yang Feng, founder and CEO of Chinese sci-fi brand Eight Light Minutes Culture, hold up the contracts to develop film, TV, and theme park projects based on Zheng's works at a press event held in Beijing, June 19, 2023. [Photo/China.org.cn] Zhang Heliang, the president of Beijing Smart Media Culture Limited Liability Company, also announced at the forum the development plans for the film, TV, and online series adaptation of Zheng's classic "Flying to Sagittarius" within the next four or five years. Furthermore, a theme park camp near the Universal Beijing Resort is also part of the development plan and is expected to open to the public next year. Chinese sci-fi brand Eight Light Minutes Culture, acting as the license agent for the copyrights of Zheng, later signed a cooperation agreement with Beijing Smart Media Culture to develop these projects. By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union industry chief Thierry Breton on Thursday defended draft rules aimed at preventing non-EU governments from gaining illegal access to EU data, saying they were not protectionist. The draft Data Act, which Breton proposed early last year, is in the final stage of negotiations between the European Commission, EU countries and EU lawmakers. The parties are expected to reach a deal next week on the final details before the legislation is adopted. It lays out rights and obligations on the use of EU consumer and corporate data generated in smart gadgets and machinery as well as consumer goods, and is the latest in a series of regulations designed to curb the power of U.S. tech giants. "Our European data strategy is to unlock a wealth of big data and set out how that data should be shared, stored and processed. This will benefit all businesses European, American and others alike," Breton said in the text of a speech to be delivered at the opening of an EU Office in San Francisco. "Assertiveness is not protectionism," he said. Big U.S. tech companies have said the Data Act could impede international data transfer, and European companies have also criticised it. Siemens and SAP last month said a provision forcing companies to share data with third parties to provide aftermarket or other data-driven services could endanger trade secrets. In San Francisco, Breton will meet Twitter-owner Elon Musk, Meta Platform CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. He will seek to persuade them to sign up to his AI Pact that aims to get companies to implement EU AI rules ahead of their enforcement in two years' time. He also said he would head to Asia next week to discuss the digital agenda and AI with the Korean and Japanese governments, adding Europe had also launched a digital partnership with Singapore. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Barbara Lewis) By Daniel Leussink, Norihiko Shirouzu and Maki Shiraki TOKYO (Reuters) - Nissan has launched an investigation into claims by a senior adviser that Chief Executive Makoto Uchida carried out surveillance of his deputy Ashwani Gupta, four people with direct knowledge of the matter said. The surveillance claims, first reported by the Financial Times, were made by Hari Nada, 58, a senior adviser at Nissan, in a letter dated April 19 to the independent directors on the Japanese automaker's board. Reuters, which has reviewed the letter, is the first to disclose its specific details. They relate to the surveillance claims, a stark split in senior management over Nissan's relationship with Renault and concerns about transfers of intellectual property to the French carmaker. In the letter, Nada said Uchida carried out surveillance over a long period. Nada said it was an effort to acquire leverage to remove an executive and board member the Nissan chief executive regarded as an obstacle to reaching a new deal with alliance partner Renault. Gupta, appointed chief operating officer in 2019, had questioned the terms of the revised agreement Uchida is looking to finalise with Renault, according to Nada's letter and the four people with knowledge of the matter. Asked to comment on the surveillance investigation, Nissan said in response to Reuters: "Independent third parties have been retained to verify facts and carry out appropriate actions." Nissan declined any further comment for this story. Reuters was unable to determine who was conducting the investigation for Nissan. It started in late May, one person with direct knowledge of the matter said. Nada did not detail in the letter how he knew of the alleged surveillance of Gupta. Reuters was unable to confirm independently that any surveillance took place. HARASSMENT ALLEGATION Under Japanese law, a company can monitor communications on corporate phones and computers and investigate an employee's conduct outside work in protecting its business interests, said Akira Takeuchi, a lawyer and certified fraud examiner in Tokyo. "In other cases, actions outside the company could be considered private and investigation there could be viewed as excessive," he said, emphasising that he was speaking in general and not about Nissan. Gupta and Nada did not comment in response to requests from Reuters. Nissan declined to make Uchida, its board directors, or other recipients of Nada's letter available for comment. Other recipients included Nissan's chief human resources officer, its global general counsel, and head of intellectual property. Nissan said on May 12 that Gupta, 52, who had been widely seen as a candidate to become chief executive, would not be reappointed to the board when his term expired. Nissan announced last week that Gupta had chosen to leave the company on June 27, the day of the automaker's annual shareholder meeting, to pursue other opportunities. Nada said in the letter that Nissan reviewed allegations about Gupta's conduct in the week of April 10 and that he had been asked to resign. He said he understood Japanese law firm Anderson Mori & Tomotsune had led an investigation into the allegations against Gupta. Three sources with direct knowledge of the matter said the investigation was into an allegation of harassment against Gupta from a female employee. The allegation was made in March and the investigation had not been concluded at the time Gupta's resignation was announced, one person said. Reuters was unable to confirm independently the nature of the harassment complaint, or any findings of the investigation. Anderson Mori & Tomotsune declined to comment. NISSAN DIVIDED The previously unreported details of the letter underscore how five years after the arrest of Nissan's former chief executive Carlos Ghosn for allegedly hiding his income, among other financial charges, Nissan remains divided over its ties to Renault. Ghosn was dispatched by Renault in 1999 to turn Nissan around after the French company bailed it out and became the driving force behind a strategic alliance struck later that year, in which both companies took stakes in each other. More recently, after months of tense talks, Nissan and Renault announced new partnership terms in February under which the Japanese automaker would take a stake of up to 15% in Ampere, an electric vehicle unit Renault is spinning off, and Renault would reduce its 43% stake in Nissan. The automakers aimed to have a final deal approved by their boards by the middle of the year, but that target has slipped to the end of 2023, two people with knowledge of the talks said. Senior executives at the French carmaker, such as Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard and Chief Executive Luca de Meo, had viewed Gupta as slowing down or blocking the completion of the deal, a person with knowledge of Renault's position said. A Renault spokesperson declined to comment and said both executives declined to comment. Nada said in his April letter that he believed Nissan CEO Uchida had overstepped his authority by making concessions and commitments in what he called backroom deals with de Meo. Nada cited two cases, both involving provisions relating to Nissan's intellectual property. A Renault spokesperson declined to comment and said de Meo also declined to comment. Anything Uchida discussed with his Renault counterpart would be subject to review by Nissan's board with input from executive committees, one person with knowledge of the deliberations said. ANTI-RENAULT In his letter, Nada also criticised Uchida for pressing ahead with the decision to buy a stake in Ampere without establishing a strategic rationale and called for an independent financial adviser to review the deal. Reuters was unable to determine if the directors had acted on Nada's call for a review. Nada's letter marks the second time he has squared off against Nissan's top boss over the Japanese automaker's dealing with Renault. Ghosn had been considering a full merger of the companies before his arrest in 2018. After fleeing to Lebanon to avoid trial in Japan, he has repeatedly described the case against him as a coup by Nissan executives, including Nada, who were alarmed by the prospect of a merger. Nada, who had cooperated with prosecutors in exchange for avoiding prosecution in the Ghosn case, testified in the related prosecution of former Nissan director Greg Kelly that he believed a merger with Renault had to be stopped to protect Nissan's interests. Nada is a member of two executive committees established by Nissan in 2019 as part of a governance reform after the Ghosn scandal. He said in his letter that one of those committees had been trying to develop a rationale for Nissan's agreed Ampere investment, but had been unable to provide anything credible. Reuters was unable to confirm independently Nada's characterisation of the Ampere investment review. Gupta's sudden removal would serve as a warning to others perceived as being difficult or anti-Renault, Nada also wrote. (Additional reporting by David Dolan in Tokyo and Gilles Guillaume in Paris; Editing by Kevin Krolicki and David Clarke) Failed Hedge Fund Three Arrows Capital Relaunches as Three Arrows Ventures Hedge Fund Three Arrows Capital Relaunches as Three Arrows Ventures Open Exchange (OPNX), a platform for trading claims against bankrupt crypto entities, caught the attention of the crypto space after announcing its latest ecosystem partner called "3AC Ventures." Using the same name and logo as Three Arrows Capital, 3AC Ventures claims to be focused on superior risk-adjusted returns without leverage. Su Zhu and Kyle Davies, who both co-founded the now-bankrupt Singapore-based hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC), launched OPNX. Due to a string of risky leveraged bets made during the bear market and its exposure to the $40 billion collapse of the Terra Luna ecosystem in May 2022, 3AC filed for bankruptcy in June 2022. Following the announcement, Davies tweeted: 3AC is dead, long live 3AC Ventures." At its peak, 3AC reportedly managed $10 billion in assets and had creditor claims of $3.4 billion during its bankruptcy. During its initial days, OPNX saw little to no trading activity, but since then, the daily average volume has exceeded $30 million. On May 31, the exchange introduced OX, its native token. (Bloomberg) -- The French economy probably slumped in the three months through June, with purchasing manager indexes suggesting a 0.5% contraction from the previous quarter. Most Read from Bloomberg Prior to the June reading, our nowcast model had signaled economic growth of 0% for the second quarter, with manufacturing contracting and services expanding, said Norman Liebke, an economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank. The new June figures change the picture as now not only the manufacturing sector but also the services economy is expected to contract, and economic growth turns negative overall along with it. The flash composite PMI gauge for France dropped to 47.3 this month, falling below the 50 level that separates expansion and contraction for the first time since January and decreasing to a 28-month low. A sub-index for services saw a similar trajectory, while a measure for manufacturing decreased further into negative territory where it has been since February. Even though this alone does not yet represent a recession, speculation that one will occur is likely to increase, according to Liebke. The data are a new setback for President Emmanuel Macron after credit ratings firms warned in recent weeks his governments view of the economy could prove too optimistic even after France narrowly escaped a winter recession in the euro area and neighboring Germany. Statistics agency Insee last week predicted 0.6% economic growth this year, below the governments 1% target that its counting on to keep on track with a multi-year deficit reduction plan presented only two months ago. PMI data later Friday for Germany and the euro area are predicted to show growth in services making up for sustained weakness in manufacturing. Readings for the UK and the US are expected to show a slowdown. Data earlier revealed similar trends in Japan and Australia. --With assistance from Mark Evans and Joel Rinneby. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. While startup investing is gaining traction among retail investors thanks to the emergence of affordable and user-friendly crowdfunding platforms such as StartEngine and Wefunder, average investors often fail to consider the role of seed investors behind a startup's success. In a world where around 70% of startups fail, San Francisco-based angel investor Chris Howard successfully backed several high-profile startups such as Convoy, Flexport Inc. and Figma. He was listed on the Forbes Midas Seed List of the world's best early-stage investors this year. See Next: This Startup Invented Programmable, Drinkable Plastic That Dissolves In Water In 60 Hours Humble Beginnings Howard didn't achieve success overnight. He started his professional career as a marketing executive. During his tenure, he worked for renowned brands such as Lexus, New Balance, and Gear. After the marketing agency was then acquired by Overstock, Howard went to business school and switched his career to startup investing. He earned a masters of business administration from the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. His first exposure to the venture capital world was when he went to work for the e-commerce company Gear.com, which specialized in the sale of sporting equipment. During his tenure, Overstock took over the startup. Despite his no-tech background, Howard secured a job at Ignition Partners, an early-stage venture capital fund with approximately $2 billion in assets under management. "It was really challenging for me to go down that path because I hadn't been at Amazon or Microsoft traditionally people entering venture had that sort of background," Howard said in a Forbes interview. "The secret ingredient was understanding the customer or what makes the product special and the same principles apply to shipping containers or New Balance shoes." See Next: New Battery Beats Teslas Lithium-Ion By A Mile With 50% Cheaper Price Tag, 99% Recyclable and Three Times Longer Lifespan Howard is a prime example of success because of his sheer passion rather than theoretical intellect, and despite having a formal tech education, the budding venture capitalist managed to secure a position. John Connors, the managing partner at Ignition Partners and Howard's former boss, said, "There are just not that many spots in the venture world, and Chris was just relentless about getting onboard." During his tenure at Ignition Partners, Howard kicked off a program that focused on providing seed capital to early-stage startups. He rose to the challenge and found several businesses looking for Series A investors, signing contracts with PagerDuty, Hipmunk and Kong Co. Howard's seven-year journey at Ignition Partners allowed him to make some influential friends as well. He is reportedly close pals with OpenAI Co-Founder and CEO Sam Altman and Y Combinator Co-Founder Paul Graham. He is also friends with venture capitalist Ron Conway, who is often regarded as one of Silicon Valley's "super angels." "I've been one of Chris's biggest fans for a long time. Chris and I share the same philosophy of always putting the founder first," Conway stated while describing his relationship with Howard. To stay updated with top startup news & investments, sign up for Benzinga's Startup Investing & Equity Crowdfunding Newsletter Fuel Capital: The Rise Of A Seed Investment Powerhouse After seven years at Ignition Partners, Howard resigned from his position as principal at the Washington-based venture fund to start his own. Founded in 2013 by Howard and partners Jamie Viggiano and Leah Solivan, Fuel Capital has garnered a reputation for its unique approach to early-stage investing. Fuel Capital, a leading venture capital firm, became the platform for Howards ascension to the ranks of being among the worlds best seed investors. Fuel Capital distinguishes itself by providing capital to startups and offering strategic guidance and hands-on support throughout their journey. This collaborative approach has been instrumental in helping startups navigate the complexities of scaling their businesses, setting them up for long-term success. Howards investment philosophy centers on identifying exceptional entrepreneurs with compelling visions and disruptive ideas. By leveraging his extensive network and expertise, he has been able to identify promising startups at their earliest stages and support them in realizing their full potential. Key Investments And Success Stories Howards portfolio boasts an impressive list of successful investments. Fuel Capitals early-stage investments in companies such as Flexport Inc., Convoy and Lattice have paid off handsomely, catapulting the firm to the forefront of the venture capital landscape. Howard's angel investing strategy is based on developing a friendship with founders and CEOs. "If you help founders along the way with raising money, building a deck, making introductions but then go deep on things like marketing it means that they tell their friends," Howard said. His investment in the human resources platform Lattice stems from his friendship with CEO Jack Altman's brother Sam Altman. "He believed in me very early and when I started Lattice, he was my very first investor," Jack Altman stated. "You have no doubt that Chris is on your side." Howards ability to identify trends and disruptors in emerging markets should allow him to persevere despite the challenging economic conditions and competitive startup industry. Howard considers marketing to be his "secret sauce," which should allow him to continue adding value to such early-stage startups. Investing in startups Thanks to changes in federal law, you no longer have to be a venture capitalist to invest in startups. In fact, anyone can invest in startups through equity crowdfunding. For example, Rayven is a startup setting out to revolutionize the real estate landscape by allowing anyone to invest in net zero real estate. See more on startup investing from Benzinga. Don't miss real-time alerts on your stocks - join Benzinga Pro for free! Try the tool that will help you invest smarter, faster, and better. This article The Fruits Of Labor: Chris Howard's Journey From Marketing Executive To World-Class Seed Investor originally appeared on Benzinga.com . 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. With the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis US visit in progress, most Indian Americans are in a celebratory mood in welcoming him and praising him for major improvements in both economy and peace in India during his tenure. However, there are others who are urging us not to forget his dark history of Hindu nationalism and treatment of minorities, especially the Muslims and Christians as second-class citizens. I do not know if Mr. Modi will promote Hinduism during his visit, apart from holding a yoga session at the UN and perhaps even initiate a religious division among the Indian Americans. It is interesting to note that although Swami Vivekananda delivered his famous lecture in Chicago in 1893 there is no large-scale organized effort to promote Hinduism in the USA in a philosophical or religious sense. Gone are the Hare Krishna crowd of the hippie era and transcendental meditation of Mahesh Yogi. Scandals of gurus like Sri Rajnish probably did not help the cause. However, there is a hunger for eastern spiritualism among many Americans. Organizations such as the Vedanta Society, Krishna Consciousness, Ramkrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha have massive followings among the Indian American communities but are virtually unknown to mainstream American society. The first-generation Indians who immigrated to this country in the 1960s and 70s are now devoting their time and financial resources to religious activities most notably construction of temples for worship and religious gatherings. Apart from providing a convenient outlet to keep the senior citizens of the community occupied, such activities serve several purposes. Advertisement They promote and preserve our cultural and religious traditions for future generations. The facilities provide a convenient venue for various social gatherings and ceremonies. They add a novel structure to the local cityscape. However, non-Indians are almost never seen in these festivities; the ones who do attend are typically related to some Indian member involved in the activities. There are several reasons for this apparent self-exclusion by the westerners: a) the events are usually not publicized in the media and only the Indians find out by word of mouth, email, desi newsletters and leaflets; b) they probably feel some barriers (such as dress code, language, food) even if they want to attend; c) presentations generously use difficult languages from scriptures which are not easy to follow, and d) there is a disconnect between the everyday experience of common people and what the speaker preaches. By contrast, when a pastor recites a verse from the Bible during Sunday sermon at a church, he tries to relate it to our daily experiences. In addition, the Indians themselves do not feel any urge to invite non-Indian friends or neighbours to their religious occasions. Unlike the Christians, Indians are remarkably passive about spreading a good word about their religions. Most of us identify ourselves by the religion of our parents. We typically do not practice regular routines like daily prayer or visiting temples on certain days. In addition, since most of us are educated in technical subjects, many tend to be non-believers in divine interventions which cannot be proved by scientific theories. I believe that it is important to promote Hinduism in this country for two main reasons. It would help the Indian immigrants to be accepted by and get assimilated into American society better because their value system and philosophical mindset would be better understood. Many false impressions about Hinduism would also be clarified and Hinduphobia be minimized. This is especially important now because the Indian diaspora constitutes the second largest group of immigrants in the US (after Mexicans) and most of them are Hindus. Secondly for the spiritually starved Americans it is an alternative source to seek answers to their eternal spiritual questions and find peace in a highly materialistic and conflicted world they live in. The ashrams, established by various gurus and their activities used to be the main tool in spreading Hinduism. Although there are still dozens of ashrams and retreats all over the USA most are now commercialized, for example promoting weekend getaway packages involving meditation, yoga classes, lectures, massages etc. The only one which is universally known and has been in existence for many decades is the Self Realization Fellowship (SRF) established by Paramhansa Yogananda in 1920. Several aspects of the SRF ashrams are not only unique but highlight what is needed to make Eastern religions and not just Hinduism popular to the Americans. First there is no emphasis on any religion or religious icon or any ritual. In their prayer halls, photographs of Christ, Krishna, Buddha, Lahiri Mahashay and others are all displayed on the same podium. Secondly there are extensive compounds where any visitor can wander around or meditate without any interference from anyone. There is no pressure of any kind on visitors such as solicitation for donation or appeal to join the fellowship or asking for personal information. On top of that the locations of the ashrams are very scenic and serene. Just the environments themselves can put a person in a spiritual introspective mode. Unfortunately, almost all their temples are in California. I knew the name Yogananda because of my fathers association with him in Yogoda Sat Sang the original Indian version of SRF. Coincidentally I ended up working and living in the San Diego area many years later where I discovered the SRF ashram in Encinitas (a suburb of San Diego) almost by accident. I was not a religious person but my first visit to that SRF facility had a profound impact on me. I did not attend any religious offerings there, just walked around the compound and felt a divine connection. I bought the book An Autobiography of a Yogi by Yogananda from their bookstore because my father mentioned this book many times during my childhood. In Chapter 43 of this book, Yogananda gives a detailed account of what Sri Yukteswar told him during a resurrection about what happens after death. I found answers to many of my eternal questions. The chapter is the essence of the teachings of Hinduism. I can say without any religious bias that when it comes to life, death, universe and God the Hindu holy men had said it all thousands of years ago. All the subsequent religions just rehashed them in various ways. I believe that the SRF organization is a good model to emulate if one wants to make more people aware of our great religions. In fact, Yogananda was sent by his guru to the USA with the explicit purpose of teaching the practice of kriya yoga to the Americans. Most of his guiding principles are simple and direct, tailored towards an American audience with an American lifestyle. Some are available on YouTube. I hope that Mr. Modi does talk about Hinduism and the fact that it is the sanatan dharma (eternal religion). Whether we follow the SRF model or not, we, the Hindu Americans, can start spreading the word by taking some simple steps. i) Lobby to include books on spirituality in all local libraries; we can donate such books to the libraries ourselves. ii) Suggest to the local community colleges to include such books in a college curriculum on theology. iii) Plan and advertise events with the goal of attracting non-Hindu attendees. Such events should include lectures, movies, sharing of personal stories, book selling etc. iv) Use social media more effectively. If just reading one chapter of a book can spiritually transform someone as non-religious American as me, I am optimistic that a similar transformation of a broader segment of the American population is certainly possible. (The writer, a physicist who worked in industry and academia, is a Bengali settled in America.) Six months after the US-Africa Leaders Summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Washington with much fanfare, here is a reality check. In 2014, US direct investment in Africa was at an alltime high at close to $69 billion; by 2021, it had dropped to $45 billion. The high-on-rhetoric American liberal establishment spoke glowingly of the Biden Administrations commitment to Africas future and a simpatico commentariat happily regurgitated this narrative. The official media release issued by the White House after the Summit highlighted the US commitment to expanding and deepening our partnership with African countries, institutions, and people Our world is quickly changing, and US engagement in Africa must evolve accordingly. Presumably President Biden did not mean to suggest ~ given the currency of the American aphorism, put your money where your mouth is ~ that the continent is getting what it deserves in terms of American commercial engagement. In this context, a new commentary by former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Witney Schneidman, and leading Africa expert Gracelin Baskaran asks: What has the Presidents Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) accomplished over the course of seven meetings and five reports? The precipitous decline in US direct investment from when President Barack Obama established the committee in 2014, cannot just be explained away by the challenges Africa has had to confront over the past decade ~ from Ebola to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the impact of Russias invasion of Ukraine to debt distress and the intensifying adverse effects of climate change. Conflicts too have erupted across the continent from Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Sudan to the Sahel region. But all these factors save the pandemic and the Ukraine war, which affected everyone, have been present to a greater or lesser degree in Africa for years, if not decades. Advertisement Yet African leaders, recognising these impediments to FDI, have tried to create an enabling environment for investments even at the risk of losing domestic support, hoping the Americans will follow through on their promises. That does not seem to be happening in any significant measure. Which begs the question, why give false hope to an already struggling continental economy? Perhaps such pessimism is unwarranted, but only if the detailed and wellthought through recommendations made by Schneidman and Baskaran find receptive ears in the US policy making establishment. The recommendations include reducing private sector risk by ensuring the US International Development Finance Corporation plays a key role in making available governmentbacked loan guarantees that can shift risk allocation and boost investor confidence. The authors also underline two types of financial products that can be leveraged ~ a partial credit guarantee, which provides unconditional commitments to fulfil a share of the borrowers debt obligations in the instance of a default, and risk insurance, which provides protection against currency volatility and specified political risks. The strategic importance of American commercial diplomacy on the African continent, which is increasingly falling under Chinese sway, cannot be understated. The USA has stepped up its support of the private sector, some argue. That is not incorrect. On the flip side, since 2016, US commerce secretaries have spent a cumulative one day on the continent. The Calcutta High Court on Friday rejected a proposal from the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) to appoint an independent observer for the July 8 panchayat polls in West Bengal. The NHRC had taken suo motu cognizance of the incidents of violence during the nomination phase and decided to depute the Commissions Director General (Investigation), Damodar Sarangias as the observer. However, the West Bengal State Election Commission (WBSEC) opposed the move and approached the Calcutta High Court with a petition. Advertisement On Friday, the hearing in the matter was concluded and the single-judge bench of Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharyya ruled that the NHRC cannot depute an independent observer. It also observed that the NHRC-appointed observer also has no right to identify the sensitive pockets in the state as desired by the Commission. Several cases have been filed against various decisions of the WBSEC since the election dates were announced on June 8. While the prior court orders either from the Calcutta High Court or from the Supreme Court have gone against the WBSEC, this is for the time that a court order has gone in favour of it. On June 11, the NHRC had announced the appointment of Sarangi as the independent observer and a communication was forwarded to the WBSEC and the state secretariat the same day. The NHRC took suo motu cognizance of the reports of violence during the nomination phase. Counting will take place on July 11. Hours after Calcutta High Court (HC) pulled up the West Bengal State Election Commission (WBSEC) commissioner, Rajiva Sinha on Wednesday for non-compliance of the courts orders in connection with the forthcoming panchayat elections in the state, Governor CV Ananda Bose refused to accept the joining report of the election commission chief. Mr Boses move has raised questions whether Mr Sinha, a retired IAS officer and former chief secretary, can continue in the post of State Election Commissioner. Observers also ask whether the rural polls would have to be postponed owing to the unprecedented constitutional crisis the Governors move may have created. Questions are also flying whether Mr Sinha would tender his resignation following the developments. On Wednesday, Calcutta High Court, in oral remarks, had said the state election commissioner should step down if he is unable to carry out the courts order. Mr Sinha, while entering the commission office on Thursday, responding to reporters questions, said: I have not yet received any communication from Raj Bhavan. The governor did not accept Sinhas joining report in a late night development on Wednesday. Advertisement The unprecedented decision may have created a constitutional crisis ahead of panchayat polls scheduled on 8 July in the state, a source at the state government secretariat, Nabanna, said. The state secretariat had recommended Mr Sinha, who is reportedly close to the Mamata Banerjee government, as the State Election Commissioner to Raj Bhavan on 18 May. But the governor was not satisfied with the recommendation and had sought clarifications from Nabanna seeking to know why only Mr Sinhas name was sent. CPM MP and lawyer Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya said: He should no longer occupy the chair of the state election commission chief if the governors decision to reject his joining report is true. A retired chief secretary felt that the Governor should have rejected the state governments proposal recommending Mr Sinha as the WBSEC chief in the first place. Why did he approve the proposal initially? Why was he sitting silent for so many days even after Mr Sinha took over charge and issued so many orders related to elections? the retired officer asked. Nabanna had sent the name of serving senior bureaucrat AR Bardhan as a second choice after that of Mr Sinha for the post of SEC. Finally, the governor approved Mr Sinha who took over charge in the WBSEC office on 8 June. An IAS officer explained that as the Governor is the appointing authority of the state election commissioner, the poll panel chief needs to submit a joining report to the governor. Political observers felt that Boses refusal to accept the joining report was the fallout of an instruction from Delhi after the Bengal BJP unit approached the partys central leadership to prevail upon the Governor to take some action. The Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari has been upset with the Governor for clearing Mr Sinhas appointment as the poll chief. Political observers also felt Mr Sinhas skipping a meeting with Mr Bose when the latter summoned him at Raj Bhavan few days ago to discuss poll-related violence, on the ground that the official was busy with the scrutiny of nomination papers could be a reason too. The West Bengal government, on Thursday, approached a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court, challenging a single-judge Benchs order directing a CBI probe against a block development officer accused of tampering with the nomination documents of two candidates for the 8 July panchayat election. On Wednesday, the single Bench of Justice Amrita Sinha gave this direction for CBI probe following a petition filed by two candidates at Uluberia in Howrah district namely Kashmira Bibi and Omja Bibi against the local block development officer accusing the latter of tempering with their nomination documents. The two candidates have alleged in their petition that the nomination got cancelled at the scrutiny phase because of the alleged tampering of the documents. Responding to it, the state government approached the Calcutta High Courts Division Bench of Justice Arijit Banerjee challenging the decision of Justice Sinhas single Bench. The state government has also appealed for a fast-track hearing in the matter. Advertisement The matter will come up for hearing at the Division Bench on Friday. While giving the order, Justice Sinha also observed that since the allegations are against a state government official it will not be wise for a state investigation agency to probe the matter and hence the charge of the probe is handed over to CBI. She also directed the CBI to submit a detailed report on this count to her court by 7 July, which is just a day ahead of the rural civic body polls in the state. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has claimed that the entire 13th floor of the state secretariat of Nabanna, which houses the chief ministers office, should be brought under the purview of the CBI probe to identify what other malpractices had taken place over the rural civic body polls. Delhi Labour Minister Raaj Kumar Anand has ordered the exploration of the possibility of opening dispensaries for the Employees State Insurance Scheme (ESIC) in 70 constituencies of the national capital. Additionally, 12 new dispensaries will be opened soon for ESIC beneficiaries in Delhi. The necessary approvals have been obtained from the department, and appropriate locations are being selected. These decisions were taken in the 53rd board meeting of the Regional Board of Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), under the chairmanship of Anand. The Delhi Labour Minister also gave directions to explore the possibility of increasing the minimum wage limit from Rs 21,000 to Rs 31,000 in order to increase the number of employees covered under ESIC. It was decided in the board meeting that the Labour Department and ESIC will jointly organise awareness camps in the industrial sector to raise awareness among employees about their rights and government facilities. It was also decided that the Delhi government will designate a quota for the children of ESIC beneficiaries in ESIC medical colleges. The board meeting was attended by officials from the Labour Department of the Delhi government, members of the Employees State Insurance Corporation, and representatives of the employees. In this meeting, the Delhi Labour Minister informed the Regional Board of Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) that approval had been granted to open 12 new ESIC dispensaries in Delhi. He further said that the process of selecting appropriate locations had begun in this direction. Furthermore, Anand presented the proposal to the board to open a dispensary for ESIC beneficiaries in each of the 70 constituencies in the National Capital. Anand instructed the ESIC officials to explore possibilities and present proposals in this regard to the Employees State Insurance Corporation. In the board meeting, the Delhi Labour Minister emphasised the need to increase the minimum wage limit for employees. Anand directed the Board to adopt measures that would enable the inclusion of as many employees as possible under ESIC in the NCT of Delhi and provide them with the benefits of government facilities. The Delhi Government is set to revolutionise water supply management in the city by adopting European standards for monitoring water consumption. The city government will leverage state-of-the-art SCADA systems to ensure efficient water distribution and meet the growing demand of various localities in Delhi. A key milestone in this endeavour is the installation of flow metres across the city, a process that will be expedited to completion by December 31. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has emphasised the importance of timely execution to enhance water supply management. This initiative will help track and optimise water usage and promote responsible consumption habits among the residents. With real-time data and comprehensive insights into water consumption patterns, the Delhi government will be better equipped to address shortages, detect leakages, and implement necessary measures to sustainably manage water resources. Starting from July 1, 2023, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) will commence centralised monitoring of water supply throughout the city. This transformative measure will ensure a streamlined approach to water management, enabling the government to effectively address the diverse needs of different areas in Delhi. By monitoring water supply centrally, the government aims to enhance efficiency, minimise wastage, and ensure equitable distribution of this vital resource. The centralised monitoring system is expected to play a crucial role in meeting the water supply demands of various localities across the city. During the review meeting held at the Delhi Secretariat, Kejriwal had sought an update on the progress of flow metre installations from the DJB officials. To his disappointment, the CM discovered that the work had not been completed as instructed in the previous meeting. In response, he expressed his strong displeasure and set a deadline for the installation of flow metres on primary and secondary UGRs (Underground Reservoirs) to ensure comprehensive information and availability of water supply in Delhi. The Delhi Jal Board is tasked with completing the installation of all remaining flow metres by December 31. The Delhi government is implementing the SCADA System to manage water supply in the city, a system used in China, France, Central Europe, and Italy. Four heavily armed infiltrating terrorists were on Friday shot dead by the Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmirs Machhal sector and a cache of arms, ammunition and also narcotics were recovered from them. A Srinagar based defence spokesman said that nine AK series rifles, three pistols, four grenades, two hundred eighty-eight AK and pistol rounds, fifty-five narco packets and other huge quantities of war like stores were recovered. He said that during the intervening night of 22-23 June, alert troops of Indian Army detected suspicious movement in general area Kala Jungle along the Line of Control in Machhal Sector. Ambushes were sited and tracking of the terrorist movement was carried out during the night. At around 0430 hours four terrorists were observed crossing the line of control from Pakistan. They were engaged upon coming in effective range by the Ambush parties. Intense firefight ensued resulting in elimination of all four terrorists without any harm to their own troops. The recovery of large amounts of war like stores including substantial narcotics material to be used for terror funding indicates the vicious plan of Pakistan by utilising the terrorists to derail the existing peace in Kashmir Valley.This successful operation is a big blow to the narco funding and terror plans of the terrorists. Extensive search of the area being carried out, he added. Ahead of the Opposition leaders meeting, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) workers were seen flaunting the party symbol lantern on the streets of Patna on Friday. A dwarf man with a lantern mounted on his helmet was seen sitting on the roof of a car. The cars roof is also laden was numerous lanterns, and slogans parsing RJD on its windshield. When asked, the man introduced himself as Suresh Verma. Meanwhile, Party workers and supporters of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha have gathered outside Patna airport to welcome Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren who arrived here to attend the Opposition meeting on Friday. Party workers with flags having party symbols on them were seen standing outside the airport. Many of them were also seen playing drums and rising slogans as well. Advertisement On the other hand, ahead of the Opposition leaders meeting, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi will address the party workers at the Congress office in Bihars Patna. The two Congress leaders will visit the party office in Patna and address the party workers at 10 AM on Friday. Bihar State Congress office Sadakat Ashram will welcome the two senior leaders of the party. The party office is covered with posters and banners of Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other leaders. Leaders of Opposition parties from across the country are set to meet in Patna to chalk out a strategy to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Opposition picked Patna as a venue for its meeting as it represents the 1974 call of total revolution by Jayaprakash Narayan that toppled Indira Gandhis majority government. The meeting will be hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with the aim to arrive at a consensus to forge a united Opposition front to take on the BJP. As leaders of several opposition parties arrived in Patna on Thursday, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary decided to skip the conclave due to a pre-decided family program. Chaudhary, however, hoped the meeting will be an important milestone in the path of opposition unity. This came after the Janata Dal (United), which is hosting the meet, said Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has not been invited to the event. The meeting has been called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar and will be attended by leaders of parties opposed to the BJP. An NFT collection launched by the German Federal Intelligence Service, or Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), as part of a campaign to recruit crypto and Web3 experts has minted out. Following the Dogs of BND campaign launch on June 5, all 987 available NFTs found new owners by June 21, BND media relations manager Isabelle Kalbitzer told Decrypt. Launched on its career-focused Instagram profile, the BNDs "blockchain challenge" involved deciphering a string of characters linked to the Ethereum blockchain, with successful participants gaining access to one of 999 exclusive dog-themed NFT profile pictures (PFPs). The initiative was inspired by NFT PFP collections like CryptoPunks. The BND's social media team decided on German Shepherd dogs as the theme of their collection, a breed already popular on their Instagram page. What Are PFP NFT Collections? The 2D Avatars Taking Over Twitter The challenge doesnt appear to have taxed users, with one commenting that it "Took 2 minutes" to complete. The people who were quick were able to secure the pictures with particularly rare traits, said Kalbitzer. "With our blockchain challenge and our NFT collection, we wanted to playfully draw attention to the fact that the BND is an exciting employer that is also active in these subject areas, within its mandate, said Kalbitzer. The remaining 12 NFTs will be used by the BND for future challenges, including a potential smart contract hacking challenge. Unconventional recruitment methods The BNDs approach to careers outreach is not without precedent; intelligence agencies have a long history of using unconventional recruitment methods. During the Second World War, in 1942, the British Daily Telegraph newspaper organized a crossword competition following public complaints about its simplicity. The challenge was to complete the crossword in 12 minutes. British Intelligence took the occasion to observe the competition closely, reasoning that the skills required for crossword solving were similar to those needed for deciphering coded intelligence. As a result, some successful participants were later contacted by the War Office and recruited for code-breaking work at the renowned Bletchley Park. Similarly, in 2009, the UK's intelligence agency, GCHQ, targeted gamers through digital posters in online titles and video content on the Xbox Live network. And in 2017, it launched the CyberFirst Girls competition, with a view to addressing the gender imbalance in the cyber security workforce. It saw teams of girls from schools across the UK competing in challenges to stimulate their investigative, observational, and mathematical skills. The Crime Branch wing of the Kerala Police arrested KPCC President K Sudhakaran on Friday evening in connection with his alleged involvement in a 2021 cheating case related to the controversial fake antique dealer Monson Mavunkal. The Crime Branch has recorded his arrest after he was interrogated over the matter for around seven hours. However, he will be released on bail soon based on the Kerala High Court directive. The Kerala High Court on Wednesday granted interim anticipatory bail for a period of two weeks to K Sudhakaran in the case. Advertisement The High Court on Wednesday while asking the Congress Kerala chief to appear before the Crime Branch on June 23, said that in the event of arrest, he shall be released on bail on the execution of a bond of Rs 50,000 with two sureties of the like amount Sudhakaran appeared before the Crime Branch on Friday morning for interrogation. The interrogation , which started at 11 am at the Kalamassery Crime branch office ended at 6pm The Crime Branch had decided to interrogate Sudhakaran on the basis of a statement by complainants, who lost their money in the cheating case, claiming they had handed over the money to Monson Mavunkal in the presence of Sudhakaran. The cheating case against Mavunkal was registered on September 23, 2021, on the complaint of certain persons alleging cheating of Rs. 10 Crores on the false promise to return the amount. It was also alleged that the accused had deceived the complainants by showing them false statements on his account. Before appearing at the Crime Branch office at Kalamassery in Kochi,Sudhakaran told media persons that he is not afraid of arrest and that he is a person who has crossed many obstacles All these are just political allegations. I have not taken even a single paisa from anyone, he said. Telangana Chief Minister KCRs son and state minister KTR Rao on Friday, one of the prominent absentees from the big opposition unity meeting held today in Bihar capital of Patna said that it is essential to unite people on the issues prevailing in the country rather than staging the unity of political parties. He pointed out that any front with the Congress or the BJP will not work as both the parties were responsible for the problems in India. Today, the unity of political parties is not that important, rather it is important to unite people on the issues prevailing in the country, KTR said. In an attack aimed at the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Telangana minister said, Congress and BJP are responsible for the problems our country is facing today. Both these parties are responsible for so much of the poor state of development in our country even after 75 years. Advertisement Hinting at the national ambitions of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), he said, We want to take the Telangana model that we have developed for our state countrywide. If parties unite centering on the BJP and the Congress it will not lead to the countrys prosperity, he added. Hitting out at the Congress for not supporting Aam Aadmi Partys (AAP) fight against the Ordinance brought by the Central government to curtail the power of the Delhi government on services, KTR said, Congress has to answer as to why they will not support this anti-federal bill that the government of India is trying to enforce on the people of this nation, especially in the case of Delhi government. Opposition leaders met today in Patna with the aim to arrive at a consensus to forge a united Opposition front to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Opposition picked Patna as a venue for its meeting as it represents the 1974 call of total revolution by Jayaprakash Narayan that toppled Indira Gandhis majority government. Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said that the next meeting of like-minded parties will be held in Himachal Pradeshs Shimla next month. Kharge further said that the opposition parties will meet in Shimla to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. We will meet again in July in Shimla to prepare an agenda on how to move ahead together while working in our respective states to fight BJP in 2024, Kharge said at a joint press conference in the presence of other opposition leaders including TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and RJD veteran leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and party leader Rahul Gandhi. This comes despite differences between AAP and the Congress during the meeting, where the former made it clear that it would be very difficult for it to be part of an alliance until the Grand Old Party denounced the Centres ordinance in Delhi. Advertisement The opposition meeting was called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar which was attended by leaders of parties opposed to the BJP. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, MP Sanjay Raut, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah attended the meeting. Nitish Kumar after the meeting said that the opposition parties had a good meeting in Patna and it has been decided to fight the elections together. Kumar, who had convened the mega meeting of opposition parties, said that another meeting of opposition parties will be held soon. Taking a jibe at the opposition leaders who have gathered in Patna in a bid to forge unity against the Modi Government, Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday called their meeting a photo session. Shah, who was addressing a public meeting here during his 2-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, said that despite such attempts of the opposition, Narendera Modi will once again become prime minister in 2024 by winning more than 300 seats in the Lok Sabha. Opposition is having a photo session in Patna. They can never come together to challenge Modi, people have made up their mind, they want Narendra Modi government to return to power in 2024 with more than 300 seats, Shah said. Advertisement The opposition leaders who have assembled in Patna say they will remove Modi. I want to tell them that they can shake hands but they lack unity and even if they come together, Modi will return to power, he said. Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shah said: Rahul baba has developed negativity in his mind and knows only to protest even against every step taken by the government for betterment of the people. He protested against the construction of the Ram Temple and Triple Talaq. People know that on one side it is Rahul baba and on the other side is Narendra Modi who has transformed the country in 9 years what the Congress failed to do in 70 years. The The prestige of India has also grown abroad, he said. Emphasising that the BJP government needs to be re-elected in 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Shah said that the Modi Government cannot be accused of a single corruption case whereas the Congress was involved in corruption of Rs 12 lakh crore. He also stated that the Modi Government was responsible for controlling terrorism in J&K. Targeting J&K leaders Mehbooba Mufti and Farooq Abdullah, Shah said: I want to ask Abdullah and Mufti, who is responsible for 42,000 deaths in incidents of terrorism? The BJP government has tightened the noose around terrorism in the Kashmir Valley where the terror strikes have considerably reduced. The Home Minister also asserted that Jammu and Kashmir has prospered on the path of development under the leadership of Modi. Enumerating the public welfare schemes launched by the Modi government in J&K, Shah said: In Jammu and Kashmir every citizen is being given free health insurance of Rs 5 lakh. A new Kashmir is being built under the leadership of PM Modi. The first thing Shah did after landing here in the morning was to drive straight to the BJP office where he paid floral tributes at the bust of the party ideologue Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerjee who resigned from the Cabinet of Nehru while protesting against Article 370. Today is the martyrdom day of Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerjee. The whole country knows that it is because of him that Bengal is with India today. He opposed Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and died in the Srinagar jail where he was lodged while protesting against the permit system for entry into J&K, he said. Shah dedicated several projects worth crores of rupees for the people of Jammu. On his arrival here, Shah was received by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and senior BJP leaders. Accompanied by Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, IB chief and other officers, the Home Minister later flew to Srinagar where he will hold a high level meeting to review the security scenario in J&K and also for the upcoming Amarnath pilgrimage in Kashmir. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the Gaurav Yatras of Veerangana Queen Durgavati, who sacrificed her life for Dharma and Swaraj, are being taken out from five places and they would reach Shahdol on 26 June. Prime Minister Narendra Modi would attend the concluding ceremony of the Gaurav Yatra on 27 June. Addressing the public after flagging off the yatra from Balaghat, the CM said that Queen Durgavati was a symbol of Indias valour and self-respect and the yatra is being conducted to take the story of bravery and sacrifice of Rani Durgavati to the masses. Rani Durgavati Gaurav Yatras were simultaneously launched from 4 other places too including Chhindwara, Singrampur in Damoh, Dhowhani in Sidhi and Kalinjar Fort in UP. These yatras will pass through all the major places associated with the life of Rani Durgavati. Advertisement CM Chouhan said that development in every nook and corner of the state is taking place. He said the government is providing all kinds of facilities to the farmers and they are being given crop loans at zero percent interest. The CM announced that from now on the state government would also buy summer paddy crop on support price. He said the state government has increased the amount of samman nidhi given to the farmers to Rs 6000 in a year. Chouhan informed that the Central government gives Rs 6000 as well, and in this way now the farmer brothers would get Rs 12000 in a year. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modis grand welcome at the White House portrays the success of Modi doctrine in diplomacy. He added that the honours conferred upon PM Modi are a source of pride for every Indian. A grand welcome to PM Narendra Modi Ji at the White House radiates with the success of Modi doctrine in diplomacy. A peoples leader at home and a charismatic statesman on the global stage, the accolades bestowed upon Modi Ji are a source of pride for every Indian, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, posting a video of the event on Twitter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the White House on Thursday to a ceremonial welcome hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Advertisement Upon his arrival, an American A cappella group, Penn Masala, performed Shah Rukh Khans iconic number Chhaiya Chhaiya, from Mani Ratnams Dil Se, at the White House to welcome PM Modi. Prime Minister Modi received a rousing reception from members of the Indian diaspora and other guests who had gathered in numbers on the South Lawns of the White House. PM Modi was dressed in a traditional white kurta pyjama paired with a powder blue jacket. Visuals showed huge crowds waving Indian and US flags and chanting Modi, Modi. Some people were seen waving banners, one of which read, Indian American Diaspora welcomes Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi. A woman, who was among the excited crowd that massed at the South Lawns to welcome PM Modi, told ANI, I have seen Presidents of many countries visiting the US, but I have never seen such a large crowd gathered here to welcome them. This crowd here means that he (PM Modi) is doing good. An Indian-origin student produced a soulful violin recital on the balcony of the White House as members of the Indian community waited in anticipation of PM Modis grand arrival. PM Modi is visiting the USA at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. PM Modi will be in the US from June 21-23, After this, the PM will travel to Egypt for a two-day visit from June 24-25. West Bengal which was ruled by the Left Front for 35 years and subsequently by TMC for 12 years and running, today saw its three main political opponents the ruling Trinamool Congress, the CPI(M), and the Congress form a troika but conditions apply. So, in Patna, when the coalescing Opposition decided to project a United Front against the BJP-led NDA government ahead of Parliamentary polls in 2024, in West Bengal TMC will oppose CPI(M) and Congress or vice versa tooth and nail, and outside they will be seen together. Its definitely a breakthrough because such a united front had been discussed earlier, for instance before the general elections of 2019, but remained elusive. West Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, who had previously voiced support for such a united front attended todays meeting and expressed satisfaction with the turn of events. Listing the three important takeaways from the meeting at a joint press conference after the meeting, Banerjee said, First, we are together. Second, we will put up a united fight against the BJP. Third, we will delineate the details further in another meeting (around July 10). Advertisement Interestingly, being together at the national level could pose difficulties for all the parties respective colleagues at the state level. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge also attended the meeting and joined hands with Didi, who then acknowledged and named CPI(M)s Sitaram Yechury. Interestingly, this time around Didi does not expect a favour from Yechury like in the past when during a public meeting she turned to Yechury and sounded him out about a possible political alliance with a cryptic, Ki korchhen? It was a loaded couple of words, packed with the political message: What are you doing? Why are we not joining forces? Yechury had reciprocated with a smile but the matter had ended there. In an interview with this correspondent after the breakthrough conference today, veteran CPIM leader, Sujan Chakraborty said, There is going to be no change in the CPIMs position as far as the Trinamool is concerned in the state. Why should there be? CPI()M is a national party that is taking on the BJP at the national level. The main objective is to topple the BJP government and different political parties have joined hands to do that. Trinamool is just one of those parties. That is all. And that too at the national level. It changes nothing in West Bengal. Trinamools state agenda, however, has seen changes over the past decade and it no longer considers the Left (read CPIM) as its main political rival. Whether in the state or at the centre, for TMC, BJP is the rival. And Mamata will join hands with anyone who wants to drive them out. Even if they are the Left. Hamish Harding, the director of Action Aviation, was among the individuals on the OceanGate submarine, which became unaccounted for during an expedition to the Titanic wreckage. The British businessman was present on the vessel during its disappearance, which occurred at a depth of 3,800 meters in the North Atlantic Ocean. Residing in the United Arab Emirates, Hamish is married to Linda Harding, and they have two teenage sons named Rory and Giles. Linda has an additional daughter named Lauren and a son named Brian, who is Hamishs stepson. Brian Szasz, Hamishs stepson, was the first to confirm his presence on the submarine. He took to Facebook to share the news and requested prayers for his stepfathers well-being during the OceanGate submarines vanishing. Advertisement He took to Facebook and wrote: Thoughts and prayers for my stepfather Hamish Harding as his submarine has gone missing exploring Titanic. While initially criticized for attending a Blink-182 concert following the Oceangate vessels disappearance, Brian defended his decision by expressing that his family would want him to find solace in his favorite bands music during challenging times. Confirmation has been received from news reports that the Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, has suffered a catastrophic implosion in the Atlantic Ocean. The submersible embarked on an expedition on 18 June to explore the wreckage of the Titanic, but communication was lost two hours later. The ill-fated voyage included a renowned Titanic expert, a world record-holding adventurer, two members of a prominent Pakistani family, and the CEO of the company. The US Coast Guard, along with deep-sea water experts from Canada, the UK, and France, commenced a joint search operation on Sunday, but unfortunately, no survivors have been found following the devastating implosion in the depths of the North Atlantic. In recent news, the late Michele Marsh, who tragically lost her battle with breast cancer, is once again making headlines. This time, it is due to the passing of her husband, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, during his underwater expedition in the North Atlantic. Nargeolet was exploring the remnants of the historic Titanic shipwreck, which sank many decades ago. As we strive to bring you information about the lives of those who have passed, lets take a closer look at who Michele Marsh was. During her time, Marsh was a highly acclaimed American broadcast journalist, renowned for her contributions to various television news programs based in New York City. She embarked on her career in 1979 at the age of 25, joining WCBS-TV as a reporter and later becoming the co-anchor of Channel 2 News Saturday night editions. Raised in a military family in suburban Detroit, Marshs parents were Howard Marsh, an insurance salesman, and Gloria Gadd. She had two brothers, Ronnie and John, both of whom suffered from hemophilia and passed away at young ages. Michele Marsh also shared the same condition, a rare genetic disorder that hindered blood clotting. Advertisement Marsh gained recognition within the broadcasting community for her unwavering determination to stand up for herself in the newsroom, even in the face of adversity. However, her steadfastness resulted in her being demoted on two occasions. Eventually, she made the decision to resign from journalism and pursue an independent life. Michele Marsh was married to Paul-Henri Nargeolet after a brief courtship, following her first divorce. Prior to that, she had been married to Nathaniel Price Paschall. Michele Marsh had a son named John from her previous marriage. Michele Marsh passed away in 2017 at the age of 63 due to complications related to breast cancer. Her home in South Kent, Connecticut served as the location of her final days. In a recent event that caught the attention of many, Shri Thanedar, an Indian-American Congressman, had the responsibility of escorting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his highly anticipated joint address to the US Congress on June 22. Here is what we know about the Congressman. Shri Thanedar holds the distinction of being the first Indian-American to be elected to the United States House of Representatives from the state of Michigan. Having spent the initial 24 years of his life in Belgaum and Dharwad in the state of Karnataka, India, as well as Mumbai in Maharashtra, Shri Thanedar ventured to the United States in 1979 with a pursuit of academic excellence. His passion for chemistry led him to pursue a PhD in the field, marking the beginning of his journey in America. Born in Belgaum in 1955, Shri Thanedars academic prowess was evident from an early age. At the age of 18, he obtained a Masters degree in chemistry from the University of Bombay. Afterward, he worked briefly as a scientist at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai. His intellectual pursuits and dedication propelled him forward, leading him to become a US citizen in 1988. Advertisement Beyond his academic achievements, Shri Thanedar is a multilingual individual, fluent in Kannada, Hindi, and Marathi. In addition to his linguistic talents, he has authored an autobiography in Marathi and a memoir in English titled The Blue Suitcase: Tragedy and Triumph in an Immigrants Life, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of his own immigrant journey. Shri Thanedar hails from a humble background, growing up in poverty in India as one of ten siblings. As the responsibility of caring for his family fell upon his shoulders after his fathers retirement, Shri Thanedar even worked as a janitor to make ends meet. In 1990, Shri Thanedar made a significant stride in his entrepreneurial endeavors by purchasing Chemir, a small chemical testing and analysis laboratory located in St. Louis. Building upon his success, he went on to establish Avomeen, a chemical testing lab based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2010. However, after six years, Shri Thanedar made the decision to sell his majority stake in the company. Shri Thanedar experienced a profound personal loss when his first wife, Shamal, with whom he shares two sons, passed away in October 1996. Over time, he found solace and happiness again and entered into a new chapter of his life by marrying a woman named Shashi in August 1999. Escorting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the US Congress was an extraordinary honor for Shri Thanedar. Expressing his views on the occasion, he expressed hope that the prime minister would address the concerning aggression exhibited by China and Russia during his speech. (Bloomberg) -- Cyberattacks on US hospitals are on the rise, adding a layer of financial pressure onto an industry still struggling to recover from the pandemic. Most Read from Bloomberg Health facilities have been hit with 226 digital incursions affecting 36 million people this year, on track to be more widespread than 2022 attacks, according to John Riggi, the national advisor for cybersecurity and risk at the American Hospital Association. Cyber raids on hospitals more than tripled in the past five years and have become more sophisticated, just when hospitals are coping with higher costs for labor and supplies and grappling with staff shortages. The industry in 2022 had what Moodys Investors Service analyst Matthew Cahill called arguably the worst year in health-care history for financial performance. Theres really no wiggle room for hospitals to deal with this, Cahill said in an interview. He said cyber risk has contributed to downgrades, including one at Missouris Capital Region Medical Center last year following a breach. Health-care facilities are attractive targets for cybercriminals because they hold ample personal data on patients, Matt Fabian and Lisa Washburn of Municipal Market Analytics wrote in a research note. Staffing shortages and wide use of third-party technology make the sector particularly vulnerable. The problem is particularly dire at smaller and rural hospitals, which have more financial distress and tend to use older technology. In an April note, Moodys cited an IBM survey that showed hospitals for 12 years have had the highest average cyberattack cost per industry, with $10.1 million in 2022. The AHAs Riggi said that while most hospitals have insurance, the cost to recover from attacks could be up to 10 times what insurance pays out. The scope of the damage from such events can be considerable, MMA said, pointing to the $160 million cost of a hack last year at hospital operator CommonSpirit Health. And a rural system in Illinois cited a 2021 attack as a key reason for closing this year. Meanwhile, insurance costs to protect against incursions have soared. The pandemics upheaval exacerbated the problem. Covid was a transformative event as far as cyberrisk goes, Omid Rahmani, who leads the public finance cybersecurity group at Fitch Ratings, said in an interview. Most of these networks were not designed to go virtual overnight. Investor Concern The problem has caught the attention of investors in the $281.3 billion of municipal hospital bonds outstanding. This is definitely a relevant risk, Jason Appleson, head of municipal bonds at PGIM Fixed Income, said in an interview. Now you have the ability to phish and do other things with the advancement in technology and AI. Its made it so easy and affordable for your low-level criminal to come in and attack institutions with very sensitive information like a hospital. That means anyone on a hospital email system can click on a message and give entry to hackers, who can introduce ransomware to block access to data and attempt to extort payment. Determining the extent of the financial risk is difficult, said Appleson, who regularly queries hospital executives on the issue. Theres no standardized way to disclose this information, he said. There has been a pretty significant uptick in the number of attacks in recent months, with most coming from overseas state-sponsored cyberattack groups, Riggi said. We have foreign bad guys being sheltered by hostile nation states, Riggi, a former FBI official whos advised the CIA and White House on cyber- and terrorism threats, said in an interview. Cyber threats and the need to bolster our security of health information systems is a key priority, director of the US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights Melanie Fontes Rainer said in an emailed statement. She noted a substantial increase in large data breaches. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The Haifa Airport in northern Israel has resumed international flight operations after a four-year hiatus, the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety said in a statement. On Thursday, three flights of the Malta-based airline Universal Air carried passengers from the airport to Cyprus, two of them to the city of Larnaca and the other to Paphos, reports Xinhua news agency. Most international flights to and from Israel take place at the central Ben Gurion Airport, alongside tourist flights to the southern Ramon Airport outside the Red Sea resort city of Eilat. Advertisement As the short runway at Haifa Airport, which is about 1,300 metres long, only allows the operation of small planes and short-haul flights that reach close destinations such as Cyprus and the Greek islands, the number of international flights decreased over the years until the service was suspended in 2019. Plans to extend the runway have been considered several times in recent years, but they have proven difficult to carry out due to the many uses along the Mediterranean coastal strip of Haifa Bay, which is home to leading civilian seaports, an Israeli Navy seaport, a shipyard, and more, the Ministry explained. The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in Israel in early 2020 delayed a possible resumption of international flights at the airport. Transport Minister Miri Regev said that connecting the north and the south to central Israel is a major strategic social and economic goal. There is no need for the residents of the north to have to drive to Ben Gurion Airport for every short vacation or business trip, she added. Regev also called on other European airlines to operate direct routes to Haifa for the benefit of the residents of the north and for tourists wishing to visit the many tourist sites in the northern region. India and the United States have declared themselves as among the closest partners in the world, affirming the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership as anchored in a new level of trust and mutual understanding, and the two nations will advance aspirations of their people, upholding human rights, shared principles of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. This is stated in the India-US Joint Statement issued during the current Official State visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the USA. Touching on the Indo-Pacific, the statement says: Our cooperation will serve the global good as we work through a range of multilateral and regional groupings particularly the Quad to contribute toward a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific. Advertisement Prime Minister Modi and President Biden affirmed that technology will play the defining role in deepening the partnership. The leaders hailed the inauguration of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in January 2023 as a major milestone in India-US relations. They called on their governments, businesses, and academic institutions to realize their shared vision for the strategic technology partnership. The leaders recommitted the United States and India to fostering an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem, based on mutual confidence and trust that reinforces their shared values and democratic institutions. Indicating the spheres of cooperation in coming years, the two leaders set a course to reach new frontiers across all sectors of space cooperation. The leaders applauded the two countries growing cooperation on earth and space science, and space technologies. They welcomed the decision of NASA and ISRO to develop a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation by the end of 2023.The leaders hailed the announcement by NASA to provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, with a goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024. The two leaders celebrated the delivery of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite to ISROs U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, India, and looked forward to NISARs 2024 launch from India. Welcoming Indias Space Policy 2023, the leaders called for enhanced commercial collaboration between the U.S. and Indian private sectors in the entire value chain of the space economy and to address export controls and facilitate technology transfer. President Biden deeply appreciated Indias signing of the Artemis Accords, which advances a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all humankind. The two leaders committed their administrations to promoting policies and adapting regulations that facilitate greater technology sharing, co-development, and co-production opportunities between U.S. and Indian industry, government, and academic institutions. The leaders welcomed the launch of the interagency-led Strategic Trade Dialogue in June 2023 and directed both sides to undertake regular efforts to address export controls, explore ways of enhancing high technology commerce, and facilitate technology transfer between the two countries. The two leaders hailed the signing of an MoU on Semiconductor Supply Chain and Innovation Partnership as a significant step in the coordination of the two countries semiconductor incentive programs. This will promote commercial opportunities, research, talent, and skill development. The leaders welcomed an announcement by Micron Technology, Inc., to invest up to $825 million to build a new semiconductor assembly and test facility in India with support from the Indian government. The combined investment valued at $2.75 billion would create up to 5,000 new direct and 15,000 community jobs opportunities in the next five years. The two leaders shared a vision of creating secure and trusted telecommunications, resilient supply chains, and enabling global digital inclusion. To fulfil this vision, the leaders launched two Joint Task Forces on advanced telecommunications, focused on Open RAN and research and development in 5G/6G technologies. The two leaders welcomed the establishment of a joint Indo-U.S. Quantum Coordination Mechanism to facilitate collaboration among industry, academia, and government, and our work toward a comprehensive Quantum Information Science and Technology agreement. The United States welcomed Indias participation in the Quantum Entanglement Exchange and in the Quantum Economic Development Consortium to facilitate expert and commercial exchanges with leading, like-minded quantum nations. The leaders welcomed the launch of a $2million grant program under the India-U.S Science and Technology Endowment fund for the joint development and commercialization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies, and encouraged public-private collaborations to develop high performance computing (HPC) facilities in India. President Biden also reiterated his governments commitment to work with the US Congress to lower barriers to U.S. exports to India of HPC technology and source code. The U.S. side pledged to make its best efforts in support of Indias Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) joining the U.S. Accelerated Data Analytics and Computing (ADAC) Institute. The leaders applauded Googles intent to continue investing through its $10 billion India Digitization Fund, including in early-stage Indian startups. Through its AI Research Center in India, Google is building models to support over 100 Indian languages. The two leaders hailed their deepening bilateral cooperation on cutting-edge scientific infrastructure, including a $140 million in-kind contribution from the Indian Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to the U.S. Department of Energys (DOEs) Fermi National Laboratory toward collaborative development of the Proton Improvement Plan-II Accelerator, for the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility the first and largest international research facility on U.S. soil. Expressing their desire to accelerate defense industrial cooperation, the leaders welcomed the adoption of a Defense Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, which will provide policy direction to defense industries and enable co-production of advanced defense systems and collaborative research, testing, and prototyping of projects. Both sides are committed to addressing any regulatory barriers to defense industrial cooperation. The leaders also noted the decision of Indias Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense to commence negotiations for concluding a Security of Supply arrangement and initiate discussions about Reciprocal Defense Procurement agreement. The two leaders hailed the landmark signing of an MoU between General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the manufacture of GE F-414 jet engines in India, for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Light Combat Aircraft Mk 2. This trailblazing initiative to manufacture F-414 engines in India will enable greater transfer of U.S. jet engine technology than ever before. The leaders committed their governments to working collaboratively and expeditiously to support the advancement of this unprecedented co-production and technology transfer proposal. The two leaders welcomed Indias emergence as a hub for maintenance and repair for forward deployed U.S. Navy assets and the conclusion of Master Ship Repair Agreements with Indian shipyards. This will allow the U.S. Navy to expedite the contracting process for mid-voyage and emergent repair. As envisaged in the Defense Industrial Roadmap, both countries agree to work together for the creation of logistic, repair, and maintenance infrastructure for aircrafts and vessels in India. The leaders welcomed the setting up and launch of the India-U.S Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X). As a network of universities, startups, industry and think tanks, INDUS-X will facilitate joint defense technology innovation, and co-production of advanced defense technology between the respective industries of the two countries. The leaders welcomed Indias plans to procure General Atomics MQ-9B HALE UAVs. The MQ-9Bs, which will be assembled in India, will enhance the ISR capabilities of Indias armed forces across domains. As part of this plan, General Atomics will also establish a Comprehensive Global MRO facility in India to support Indias long-term goals to boost indigenous defense capabilities. On terrorism, the two nations stood together to counter global terrorism and they reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qaida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. They strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks. On strategic convergence, the two leaders Prime Minister Modi and President Biden expressed their deep concern over the conflict in Ukraine and mourned its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. The United States and India reaffirmed their resolve to counter any attempts to unilaterally subvert the multilateral system. Sharing the view that global governance must be more inclusive and representative, President Biden reiterated U.S. support for Indias permanent membership on a reformed UN Security Council (UNSC), the Joint Statement said. The two leaders recommitted themselves to empowering the Quad as a partnership for global good. On clean energy transition, the Statement said that As climate action and clean energy leaders, the United States and India share a common and ambitious vision to rapidly deploy clean energy at scale, build economic prosperity, and help achieve global climate goals. The two leaders underscored the importance of decarbonizing the transportation sector. To this end, the leaders lauded the creation and development of the Global Biofuels Alliance, which will be launched in July 2023, with the United States as a founding member. Both leaders welcomed the signing of an MOU under which the U.S. Agency for International Development will support Indian Railways ambitious target to become a net-zero carbon emitter by 2030. The United States and India also announced plans to create a payment security mechanism that will facilitate the deployment of 10,000 made-in-India electric buses in India. Prime Minister Modi looked forward to the visit of President Biden to the G20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi in September 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to allay concerns in the US Congress about Indias position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine by reiterating his public and direct message to Russian President Vladimir Putin: that this is not an era of war but of dialogue and diplomacy. The standing ovation that followed showed members of the Congress had wanted to hear that assurance from the Prime Minister as many among them, including stanch and steady friends of the bilateral relationship had expressed concern with Indias refusal to condemn Russia and said the time had come for India to choose which side it wanted to be on. Modi also spoke at length about Indias commitment to democracy, which was another issue of concern for the lawmaker, more than 70 of whom wrote a joint letter to US President Joe Biden this week urging him to raise issues of democracy, religious and press freedom in India. Advertisement The Prime Minister also, however, proceeded to bunch the rule of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals with that of the British empire, calling them together as thousand years of foreign rule, in the context of the 75th anniversary of Indian independence in 2022. Modi became today the first Indian Prime Minister to address a joint session of the US Congress twice, calling it an exceptional privilege. He spoke in English, reading from a teleprompter, to repeated applause from the floor and the packed visitors gallery, which frequently cheered him by chanting Modi, Modi and, finally, Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Modi described the Russian invasion of Ukraine one of deeply disruptive developments in recent years when war returned to Europe. He said the Global South was deeply affected. The global order is based on the respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Prime Minister said to loud applause from the lawmakers. As I have said directly, and publicly. This is not an era of war, Modi went on to say, to even louder and longer applause, with whoops, adding, But it is one of dialogue and diplomacy. And we all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering. Modi was referring to his remarks in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, at a joint media availability with Russian President Vladimir Putin. With a bank of TV cameras trained on the two leaders, Modi had told Putin that this was not an era of war. The comment reverberated around world capitals and probably the loudest in here in Washington D.C. This US Congress has approved billions of dollars of defence supplies requisitioned by the Biden administration for Ukraine and though some lawmakers have begun to question these expenses, the body as a whole remains deeply committed to helping Ukraine for, as Biden has said, as long as it takes. The Prime Minister also sought to address another concern many lawmakers have had, publicly and privately, about, what they see as a backslide of democracy in India, with targeting of religious minorities, crackdown on dissent and press freedom. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Senator Chris Van Hollen led a joint letter signed by more than 70 members of Congress urging Biden to raise these issues in his conversations with Modi. Democratic Senator Mark Warner, who is a co-chair of the India Caucus, had also said he would like to see the Prime Minister to express commitment, recommitment to democracy. Democracy is one of sacred and shared values, Modi said and went on to add, Democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity; democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse; democracy is a culture that gives wings to thoughts and expression. India is blessed to have such values from times immemorial. In evolution of the democratic spirit, he said, India is the mother of democracy. The Prime Minister read a Sanskrit phrase in support of his contention, which, he said, meant truth is one but the wise express it in a different ways. Prior to the departure of the Titanic submersible off the coast of Canada, a young 19-year-old found himself grappling with mixed emotions. Suleman Dawoods aunt and Shahzadas sister Azmeh Dawood has now revealed in an interview that her nephew ultimately decided to embark on the underwater adventure for his father Shahzada Dawoods happiness. Suleman embarked on this extraordinary journey driven by his fathers lifelong passion for exploration, which was sparked by the captivating tales of the ill-fated Titanic that sank in the depths of the Atlantic, claiming countless lives. Shahzadas deep fascination with the remnants of the Titanic and his desire to unveil its mysteries prompted him to secure two ticketsone for himself and another for his beloved sonas a special Fathers Day gift. However, Suleman confided in his friends and relatives that he was apprehensive about the expedition. Overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, he questioned whether he should truly venture into the depths aboard the vessel revealed Azmeh Dawood. Advertisement As news updates poured in regarding the vessel and the people it carried, Azmeh expressed the profound devastation felt by her and the entire family. The reports of their tragic demise and the haunting collapse of the vessel became increasingly difficult to bear for everyone involved. Recognizing the profound impact of this tragedy, the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow extended its heartfelt condolences to Suleman, who was a student at the Strathclyde Business School. Suleman had recently completed his first year at the university, and the Vice Chancellor urged any students struggling to cope with the news and overcome their grief to seek support from the campuss dedicated Wellbeing Hub. Suleman is survived by his mother, Christine Dawood, and his sister, Alina. In a devastating turn of events that has left the world in shock, the Titanic submersible mission to explore the fabled wreckage of the Titanic has ended in tragedy. The ill-fated submarine, named the Titan, was carrying a crew of five individuals who embarked on an adventure. Among the victims were Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, British adventurer Hamish Harding, and the esteemed French deep-sea explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush. Therefore what was meant to be an awe-inspiring journey turned into an unthinkable nightmare as the vessel reportedly imploded, tragically taking the lives of everyone on board. Advertisement As news of their missing spread, an immense international search effort was immediately launched, with teams of dedicated searchers working tirelessly to find any sign of the missing crew members. Their mission was to uncover the secrets of the deep and bring closure to this heart-wrenching chapter. Earlier in the day, these determined search crews made a somber discoveryan area strewn with debris near the Titanic site, suspected to be remnants of the ill-fated Titan. Rear Admiral John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, addressed the public, confirming that the wreckage found aligns with the devastating implosion of the submersible. The fragments were located approximately 1,600 feet away from the bow of the Titanic, resting silently on the ocean floor. Although experts carefully examined the recovered debris, it was too early to determine the exact moment when the implosion occurred. However, a remotely-operated vehicle dispatched by a Canadian ship successfully located five significant parts of the ill-fated submersible on Thursday. The 22-foot vehicle embarked on its dive to the Titanic site, carrying the hopes and dreams of its crew members, only to lose contact with its support ship on that fateful Sunday morning. OceanGate, the company responsible for operating the submersible, released a heart-wrenching statement expressing their profound grief and confirming the devastating loss of these valiant explorers. Alongside the outpouring of condolences, questions arise about the safety protocols and procedures followed aboard the Titan. This incident has sparked conversations about the safety measures, thorough risk assessments, and robust contingency plans necessary to protect the lives of those who dare to venture into the uncharted depths of the ocean. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., shuttles between the chamber and the whip office as the Senate dashes to wrap up votes on amendments on the big debt ceiling and budget cuts package, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, June 1, 2023. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is changing its tune on cryptocurrency. After suggesting other countries consider banning crypto, the agency now thinks that might be the wrong move. On Thursday, IMF economists released a report examining cryptocurrency usage across Latin America and the Caribbean. Acceptance has varied in the region with some countries, like El Salvador, being more open to adoption versus others that are more wary over the perceived risks involved. In their report, the economists leaned into a position closer to adopting cryptocurrencies, but within a well-regulated framework. "While a few countries have completely banned crypto assets given their risks, this approach may not be effective in the long run," the economists said in the report's conclusion. Banning Crypto 'Should Not Be Taken Off The Table': IMF This is a swift change from the IMF, which just months earlier said in another report that countries should consider banning cryptocurrencies. That view was held by a handful of directors on its board, but the consensus even then leaned towards better regulations over a ban. In yesterdays report, IMF economists said that cryptocurrency offered a number of benefits to its adopters. They wrote that crypto offered protection against macroeconomic uncertainty, promoted financial inclusion, and faster payments among other benefits. They also offered an analysis of recent efforts in Latin America to develop central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). In a survey shared with officials across the region, the IMF found that half of the respondents said they were considering both retail and institutional CBDC options. What they also saw in CBDCs was a way to promote resilience in communities vulnerable to natural disasters, and create a way to boost financial inclusions in more remote ones. Argentina Bans Payment Apps From Offering Bitcoin to Customers Most Latin American countries are still in the research stage for CBDCs, the IMF wrote, but others have progressed to the experimental stage. The largest is Brazil, the region's economic powerhouse. Its been examining a CBDC since 2020 and has plans to launch one in 2024. The IMF also pointed out difficulties in integrating cryptocurrencies into their economies. In Argentina, the central bank clamped down on crypto in May by banning payment platforms from offering it to customers in the country. Even in El Salvador, which granted legal tender to Bitcoin as a way to settle transactions, the IMF found that it was struggling to become more widely used. What caused the Titan to implode? Right now, it's not even clear who will lead the investigation A day after revelations that the Titan submersible imploded, officials are searching the ocean floor for evidence and determining who will be responsible for investigating the international disaster Biden and Modi cheer booming economic ties in visit that also reckoned with India's record on rights President Joe Biden has pronounced the U.S.-India relationship never stronger and rolled out a series of new business deals in welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state visit Amid infighting among Putin's lieutenants, head of mercenary force appears to take a step too far For months, the head of the Wagner private military contractor bombarded Russias top military leaders with expletive-ridden insults in a rift that has weakened the countrys forces amid the war in Ukraine The Titan submersible imploded, killing all 5 on board, the US Coast Guard says The U.S. Coast Guard says a missing submersible imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, killing all five people on board Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. FILE - U.N secretary General Antonio Guterres addresses the media during a visit to the U.N. office in the capital Nairobi, Kenya on , May 3, 2023. Guterres implicitly criticized Cambodias upcoming elections Wednesday, May 31, 2023 for failing to be inclusive, after the top opposition party was not allowed to register. FILE - Homes sit in floodwaters on Hoge Island north of Bismarck, N.D., along the Missouri River flood plain, on June 15, 2011. A federal appeals court has sided with hundreds of landowners along the Missouri River Friday, June 16, 2023, who say the federal government owes them millions for years of flood damage in a case that could be bound for the U.S. Supreme Court. A Titanic expert, an adventurer, a CEO, and a father and son were killed in Titan's implosion 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 world's most famous shipwreck were killed when the Titan submersible imploded U.S. President Biden and India's Prime Minister Modi meet with senior officials and CEOs of American and Indian companies, in Washington Indian PM Modi wraps up Washington trip with appeal to tech CEOs U.S. President Biden and India's Prime Minister Modi meet with senior officials and CEOs of American and Indian companies, in Washington By Steve Holland, Simon Lewis and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with U.S. and Indian technology executives in Washington on Friday, the final day of a state visit where he agreed new defense and technology cooperation and addressed challenges posed by China. U.S. President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for Modi on Thursday, declaring after about 2-1/2 hours of talks that their countries' economic relationship was "booming." Trade has more than doubled over the past decade. Biden and Modi gathered with CEOs including Apple's Tim Cook, Google's Sundar Pichai and Microsoft's Satya Nadella. Also present were Sam Altman of OpenAI, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, and Indian tech leaders including Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, and Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, the White House said. "Our partnership between India and the United States will go a long way, in my view, to define what the 21st century looks like," Biden told the group, adding that technological cooperation would be a big part of that partnership. Observing that there were a variety of tech companies represented at the meeting from startups to well established firms, Modi said: "Both of them are working together to create a new world." Modi, who has appealed to global companies to "Make in India," will also address business leaders at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. The CEOs of top American companies, including FedEx, MasterCard and Adobe, are expected to be among the 1,200 participants. NOT 'ABOUT CHINA' The backdrop to Modi's visit is the Biden administration's attempts to draw India, the world's most populous country at 1.4 billion and its fifth-largest economy, closer amid its growing geopolitical rivalry with Beijing. Modi did not address China directly during the visit, and Biden only mentioned China in response to a reporter's question, but a joint statement included a pointed reference to the East and South China Seas, where China has territorial disputes with its neighbors. Farwa Aamer, director for South Asia at the Asia Society Policy Institute, in an analysis note described that as "a clear signal of unity and determination to preserve stability and peace in the region." Alongside agreements to sell weapons to India and share with it sensitive military technology, announcements this week included several investments from U.S.-firms aimed at spurring semiconductor manufacturing in India and lowering its dependence on China for electronics. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the challenges presented by China to both Washington and New Delhi were on the agenda, but insisted the visit "wasn't about China." "This wasn't about leveraging India to be some sort of counterweight. India is a sovereign, independent state," Kirby said at a news briefing, adding that Washington welcomes India becoming "an increasing exporter of security" in the Indo-Pacific. "There's a lot we can do in the security front together. And that's really what we're focused on," Kirby said. Some political analysts question India's willingness to stand up to Beijing over Taiwan and other issues, however. Washington has also been frustrated by India's close ties with Russia while Moscow wages war in Ukraine. DIASPORA TIES Modi attended a lunch on Friday at the State Department with Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Asian American to hold the No. 2 position in the White House, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In a toast, Harris spoke of her Indian-born late mother, Shyamala Gopalan, who came to the United States at age 19 and became a leading breast cancer researcher. "I think about it in the context of the millions of Indian students who have come to the United States since, to collaborate with American researchers to solve the challenges of our time and to reach new frontiers," Harris said. Modi praised Gopalan for keeping India "close to her heart" despite the distance to her new home, and called Harris "really inspiring." On Friday evening, Modi will address members of the Indian diaspora, many of whom have turned out at events during the visit to enthusiastically fete him, at times chanting "Modi! Modi! Modi!" despite protests from others. Activists said Biden had failed to strongly call out what they describe as India's deteriorating human rights record under Modi, citing allegations of abuse of Indian dissidents and minorities, especially Muslims. Modi leads the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has held power since 2014. Biden said he had a "straightforward" discussion with Modi about issues including human rights, but U.S. officials emphasize that it is vital for Washington's national security and economic prosperity to engage with a rising India. Asked on Thursday what he would do to improve the rights of minorities including Muslims, Modi insisted "there is no space for any discrimination" in his government. "There is no end to data that shows Modi is lying about minority abuse in India, and much of it can be found in the State Department's own India country reports, which are scathing on human rights," said Sunita Viswanath, co-founder Hindus for Human Rights, an advocacy group. (Reporting by Steve Holland, Simon Lewis and Jeff Mason; additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Doina Chiacu, David Brunnstrom and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Don Durfee and Grant McCool) As an international search determined the implosion of a vessel that disappeared on its way to the underwater wreckage of the Titanic, a man who was one of the submersible company's first customers says a dive he made to the site two years ago was like a suicide mission Thomas Spoehr, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, is director of The Heritage Foundations Center for National Defense. New York-headquartered investment bank JPMorgan Chase & Co. has launched euro-denominated transactions on its blockchain-based payment system, JPM Coin, Bloomberg reported on Friday. See related article: JPMorgan teams up with Indian banks for blockchain-based settlements: Bloomberg Germanys engineering and manufacturing company Siemens AG was the first to use JPM Coin for euro-denominated payments, according to Basak Toprak, JPMorgans head of Coin Systems for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, cited by Bloomberg. Since its launch in 2019, JPM Coin has reportedly processed around US$300 billion in transactions. This value is 3% of JPMorgans global daily transaction volume of US$10 trillion, as stated on its website. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen speaks during the inauguration ceremony of the Huawei's "Seeds for the Future 2023 Bangladesh" in Dhaka, Bangladesh, June 21, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Huawei South Asia launched its "Seeds for the Future 2023 Bangladesh" in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Wednesday for the 10th year to inspire the local information and communication technology (ICT) talents and help develop a local ICT ecosystem. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Bangladeshi state minister for Information and Communication Technology Division, said in a keynote speech that "to achieve the targets of Smart Bangladesh, we have taken technology as our main driving force, where our current students will play the leading role." The "Seeds for the Future" program will allow them to learn and access frontier technologies, the minister said, adding that "I am thankful to Huawei for supporting us in several initiatives like establishing ICT academies." Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said that China will actively participate in the "Smart Bangladesh" construction, helping Bangladesh achieve its grand goal of becoming a developed country by 2041. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Bangladeshi state minister for Information and Communication Technology Division, speaks during the inauguration ceremony of the Huawei's "Seeds for the Future 2023 Bangladesh" in Dhaka, Bangladesh, June 21, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] "China will also promote the construction of major ICT projects in Bangladesh, and continue to strengthen personnel exchanges between the two countries, so as to enhance China-Bangladesh strategic partnership of cooperation to a new height," said the ambassador. Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, Vice Chancellor of the Islamic University of Technology, said that "young people are the future of our country, and the progress of our country depends on how we make them technically stronger to face the challenges of the fourth Industrial Revolution. Huawei has designed 'Seeds for the Future' so well that it will bring something good for these young learners." This year, the top six winners of the program will get the chance to attend training at Huawei headquarters and cross-cultural activities in China. Since its first launch in Bangladesh in 2014, more than 15,000 students globally have benefitted from the program so far. "Seeds for the Future" program has been facilitating the youth of this country by creating exposure to cutting-edge technologies and insights from industry experts. Chinese Premier Li Qiang capped his week-long trip to Europe with a rejection of "decoupling", urging the continent to "rise above differences" with China and to cooperate on global problems such as climate change and poverty alleviation. In his closing speech at a forum in Paris on Friday, Li repeated Beijing's opposition to disengagement with the European Union and framed China's development as a big opportunity for the world, rather than a threat. "China will unequivocally reject trade protectionism and all forms of decoupling and severing of supply chains," Li said at the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact. 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. He said developed nations should take responsibility for climate change and China would continue to take practical steps to support its fellow developing countries. "China is ready to be engaged in debt relief efforts in an effective, realistic and comprehensive manner in keeping with the principle of fair burden-sharing," Li said, as Zambia struck a major debt restructuring deal with its creditors, the biggest being China. Throughout the trip, Li urged Paris and Brussels to maintain strategic autonomy and boost cooperation with Beijing to "build more resilient supply chains". The premier, who arrived in Paris on Wednesday after four days in Germany, also called on political and business leaders in France to help sway opinion in Europe and develop "more objective and rational understandings and policies" towards China. Li's six-day tour of the EU's two biggest economies is his first overseas trip since he became premier in March, and the latest of Beijing's charm offensives in Europe. It comes as Beijing and Washington are mired in a Cold War-style confrontation, despite US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's fence-mending trip to China this week. Li played down concerns in Europe about economic security during a meeting with European Council President Charles Michel on Thursday, on the sidelines of the Paris gathering. Brussels unveiled its first economic security strategy this week aimed at reducing risks "inherent in certain economic dependencies", without directly naming China. "There is no conflict of fundamental interests between China and the EU. Both sides have benefited from each other's development," Li said, according to state news agency Xinhua. Li also said both sides had "adhered to strategic autonomy" - suggesting they had kept their distance from Washington - and enjoyed consensus on climate change and other global issues. "China's development brings opportunities rather than risks to the world, sending stability rather than shocks to the global industrial and supply chains," he said. French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron welcome Chinese Premier Li Qiang before dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Thursday. Photo: AP alt=French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron welcome Chinese Premier Li Qiang before dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Thursday. Photo: AP> Li expressed hope that the EU would "view its cooperation with China in an objective and rational way and work with China to safeguard the sound environment of China-EU practical cooperation". He said both sides should promote mutual trust and address concerns "through successful cooperation" and that China was ready to work with the EU to "enhance the reliability and stability of China-EU economic and trade relations". Michel said the EU would continue to adhere to the one-China policy and was willing to strengthen communication and exchanges with China and deepen cooperation on global challenges such as climate and health, according to Xinhua. "China's development is beneficial to the EU and the world. The EU has no intention to contain China's development, opposes a 'new Cold War' and the act of taking sides, and hopes that the next EU-China summit will lead to positive results," he was quoted as saying. During a meeting on Thursday, Li and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed topics including Ukraine and Taiwan, Macron's office said without elaborating. According to Xinhua, Macron recalled his visit to China in April, when Beijing rolled out the red carpet for the French leader who stressed Europe's "strategic autonomy" and said Europe had no interest in an acceleration of the crisis over Taiwan. "In a world full of challenges, France and China should adhere to resultful multilateralism, promote international solidarity, improve global governance and promote solutions to global issues," Macron was quoted as saying. Li responded that "China and France share a common strategic and holistic perspective". He said on top of deepening cooperation on nuclear energy, space and aviation, both sides should "tap the potential of cooperation in emerging areas" such as environmental protection, the digital economy, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Li was more blunt during talks with French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Thursday, calling on Paris to adhere to independence, and expand economic and diplomatic cooperation, people-to-people and cultural exchanges with China. "In recent years, China and France have played an essential and leading role in addressing global challenges through close communication and coordination," he said, according to Xinhua. Li said Beijing viewed the EU as "an important pole in a multipolar world" and hoped "the French side will continue to exert its positive influence and encourage Europe to form more objective and rational understandings and policies towards China". Borne was quoted by Xinhua as saying that "the EU will maintain its strategic autonomy and does not support decoupling or severing supply and industrial chains". "The French side is willing to participate in China's high-quality development, appreciates China's continuous delivery of positive signals to expand opening up, and will not take discriminatory measures against Chinese companies," she added. 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. Malaysia to take legal action against Meta over harmful content By A. Ananthalakshmi KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Malaysia said on Friday it will take legal action against Facebook parent Meta Platforms for failing to remove "undesirable" posts, the strongest measure the country has taken to date over such content. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration has vowed to curb what it calls provocative posts that touch on race and religion since coming to power in November after a closely fought election in the Southeast Asian nation that has led to a rise in ethnic tensions. Facebook has recently been "plagued by" a significant volume of undesirable content relating to race, royalty, religion, defamation, impersonation, online gambling and scam advertisements, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said in a statement. It said Meta had failed to take sufficient action despite its repeated requests and that legal action was necessary to promote accountability for cybersecurity and to protect consumers. Meta did not respond to a request for comment. Asked what legal action it might take, the commission said in an emailed statement on Saturday that allowing abuse of network facilities or application services can be offences under Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. The law also allows for officials of the company to be charged for "wilfully providing means and aiding criminal activity" if prompt action is not taken, it said. Race and religion are thorny issues in Malaysia, which has a majority of Muslim ethnic Malays alongside significant ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities. Commentary on the country's revered royals is also a sensitive issue, and negative remarks towards them can be tried under sedition laws. The action against Facebook comes just weeks ahead of elections in six states that are expected to pit Anwar's multi-ethnic coalition against a conservative Malay Muslim alliance. Facebook is Malaysia's biggest social media platform, with an estimated 60% of the country's 33 million people having a registered account. Globally, big social media firms that include Meta, Google's YouTube and TikTok are often under regulatory scrutiny over content posted on their platforms. Some Southeast Asian governments have frequently requested that content be taken down. In 2020, Vietnam threatened to shut down Facebook in the country if it did not agree to government demands to censor more local political content on its platform. The government said last year that social media platforms operating in Vietnam had removed more than 3,200 posts and videos in the first quarter that contained false information and violated the country's law. In Indonesia, Facebook in 2019 took down hundreds of local accounts, pages and groups linked to a fake news syndicate. (Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi; Editing Miyoung Kim, Edwina Gibbs and William Mallard) Job Title: Analyst, HRIS & Shared Services Organisation: ENGIE Energy Access Duty Station: Uganda Reports to: Head of Operations Africa About US: ENGIE Energy Access is one of the leading Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGo) and mini-grids solutions provider in Africa, with a mission to deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy solutions and life-changing services with exceptional customer experience. The company is a result of the integration of Fenix International, ENGIE Mobisol and ENGIE PowerCorner; and develops innovative, off-grid solar solutions for homes, public services and businesses, enabling customers and distribution partners access to clean, affordable energy. The PAYGo solar home systems are financed through affordable installments from $0.14 per day and the mini-grids foster economic development by enabling electrical productive use and triggering business opportunities for entrepreneurs in rural communities. With over 1,700 employees, operations in 9 countries across Africa (Benin, Cote dIvoire, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia), over 1 million customers and more than 5 million lives impacted so far, ENGIE Energy Access aims to remain the leading clean energy company, serving millions of customers across Africa by 2025. Job Summary: Through the leadership of the Head of HRIS and HR Shared services, the incumbent is responsible and accountable for the management of the integrated Human Resources Information systems (HRIS) and tools, as well as the centralization of common HR services to form a part of a wider Shared Services function for creating operational efficiencies. The incumbent will be responsible for the employee data management and analysis of the HRIS reports, with the objective of supporting the HR Community to improve operational performance. The incumbent will interact with Global HR CoE Heads to create and deploy HR shared learning & best practice documents, Global HR policies, covering key HR topics to be utilized by the wider HR community across all EEA markets. This role will also be responsible for providing thought leadership on HR on Global HR topics, with the ability to build effective working relationships. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Manage the implementation of Success Factors, EEAs HRIS platform, as per the Engie Group roadmap, accountable for the management of existing system modules, as well as the proposed innovations and enhancements Manage and influence the effective utilization of all deployed Success Factors modules, inclusive of Recruitment & Onboarding, Employee Central, Compensation, Learning, Time Off, by all stakeholders across the EEA markets Develop and implement a clearly defined training approach on all HRIS modules, for all EEA end-users, such as the HR community, people managers, and Train-the-trainer HR groups Develop and manage key stakeholder relationships that are fundamental to the successful delivery of the HRIS digital strategy, such as EEAs Senior Leadership team, HR community, as well as the Engie Group Digital HR team Responsible for weekly collaboration with the Engie Group Digital HR squad to report on key HRIS topics such as status on HR support requests, system enhancements, training needs Support the Head of Organizational Effectiveness to define, implement and maintain a standard HR metrics dashboard to be adopted and utilized by all HR CoE Heads and HR Country Heads and monitor ongoing adoption rates Analyze the monthly HRIS reports available for all EEA markets in order to enable the Global HR Heads generate actionable data insights to be leveraged by the Head of People & Culture Actively support the Head of Organizational Effectiveness in the maintenance of employee records and data management Support the Global Office HR Lead in managing onboarding, contract documentation, work permit issuances, job changes, offboarding and exit interviews for Global employees in assigned markets Responsible for managing the monthly payroll administration and processing for Global employees in assigned markets Support the Head of HRIS and HR Shared services to source and identify the right vendor to implement a centralized payroll processing strategy on a single platform across all of EEA Manage the utilization and effectiveness of already defined Global HR policies, process documents and reports, and ensure all documentation is maintained and accessible to all the relevant stakeholders Support the Global HR CoE Heads, to define and implement shared learning & best practice documents, relevant to the CoE functions and programs to be utilized by the HR community Manage the HR Shared Services communication channels and manage employee inquiries across Global HR topics inclusive of HR policies, HRIS support, and other employee initiatives Define EEAs digital employee self-service model and manage the resolution process on all Sezame technical tickets in order to assign and escalate to relevant SMEs, COEs and other stakeholders. Offer thought leadership and cross-functional support to the HR CoE Heads through the implementation of Global HR initiatives, processes and people data analyses Responsible for co-creating and delivering training presentations, as well as intuitive self-guide documents on Global HR programs, through collaboration with all the HR CoE Heads Ensure a high-quality service delivery of all HR Shared Services deliverables with a clear focus on timely support to the HR Community across all EEA markets Any other relevant duty as assigned by the department head Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The applicant must hold a Degree in Human Resources Management, Organizational Psychology or similar undergraduate qualification Preferably with any related qualification or certification Three to five years of HR Systems Experience Relevant HR Systems knowledge (SAP/Sage or similar) Understanding of transactional HR activities Knowledge of service management practices Customer service knowledge Understanding of performance and service monitoring frameworks Knowledge of business optimization Influencing and persuading Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Analytical thinking Business and global acumen Ability to work under pressure Ability to work independently Be solutions focused Able to operate in an environment with high levels of ambiguity Experience in working with analytical and reporting frameworks Technical systems development Training and presentation skills Service delivery mindset Statistical analysis and data metrics Language(s): Good conversational French is a plus How to Apply: All suitably qualified and interested applicants should apply online at the link below. Click Here For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Job Title: PEPFAR Community Grants Advisor Organisation: United States US Embassy, US Mission in Uganda Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda Salary: UGX 86,951,739 /Per Year Position Number: Kampala-2023-054 About US Embassy: The United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda has enjoyed diplomatic relations with Uganda for over 30 years. Ambassador Natalie E. Brown currently heads the U.S Mission to Uganda. The Mission is composed of several offices and organizations all working under the auspices of the Embassy and at the direction of the Ambassador. Among the offices operating under the U.S Mission to Uganda are: United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Peace Corps Job Summary: The PEPFAR Community Grants Advisor serves as the Grants Officer Representative (GOR) and administers and manages a portion of the Community Grants Program awards in Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) priority districts. The position oversees the entire life cycle of the grants, including making recommendations to senior management for the awarding of the grants, financial management, monitoring and evaluation, progress and preparing reports on grants. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Administer and manage a portion of the PEPFAR Community Grants Program awards in the PEPFAR priority districts. Grant Selection and Management 70% Serve as the Community Grants Advisor in the PEPFAR office, with direction from the PEPFAR Country Coordinator and guidance from the Community Grants Coordinator on management of grant programs and facilitation of grant documentation. Manage the grant application process, including screening, scoring, interviewing and assessing potential grantees from among hundreds of applicants, providing required documentation, developing written reports and budget summaries and presenting shortlisted projects to the selection panel. Conduct thorough site visits of potential grantee organizations to meet with and interview project members for the purpose of assessing viability, sustainability and funding needs and goals. These site visits often involve meeting with other community stakeholders such as municipal or traditional leaders, social workers, clinic staff and others who have an interest in the potential grantee organization. Work with shortlisted applicants to define core needs, structure project proposals, develop budgets and refine grant applications. Solicit advice on potential grant activities and locations from relevant PEPFAR technical working groups. In conjunction with the PEPFAR Country Coordinator, Deputy Coordinator, and Grants Officer, make project recommendations to the Front Office. For project selection, ensure project recommendations have been properly vetted and are in accordance with the guidance and protocols of the specific grant and policy requirements and supply all necessary materials and information for each recommended project. Support convening and leading a selection committee to review potential applications. Liaise and advise the PEPFAR Country Coordinator and Grants Officer (GO) on selection, approval, amendment, progress and close out of grants. Monitor implementation of grant agreements to ensure proper use of grant resources. Conduct quarterly site visits and meet with grantees; evaluate the progress of projects that are underway and evaluate the impact and outcomes of projects that have been completed. Some travel to project sites involves overnight travel of several days may be needed. Training and Technical Assistance 20% Hold at least annual workshops for all grant recipients to train them on the grant requirements, USG policies and procedures, PEPFAR programs and policies and other relevant information to build their capacity to manage their grants effectively. Advise grantees on improving their projects in terms of sustainability, financial management, productivity, marketing, outreach, cost-savings and project expansion. Advise grantees on accessing other funding, including through the U.S. government and other foreign governments, private sector, and other development partners. Train/advise grantees in all aspects of grant application, program requirements, budgeting and reporting. Advise Mission (Kampala) officers in conducting project site visits for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating grant projects; and coordinate their site visits. Program Representation (Internal and External) 10% Recommend policies and procedures governing community grants to the Country Coordinator and GO. Provide policy advice on the PEPFAR Uganda program, particularly as it pertains to issues of rural and community development, through regular participation in PEPFAR Team meetings and technical working groups. Provide input on policy reports and documents such as those related to health and HIV/AIDS, rural development, human rights report, religious freedom report and trafficking in persons report. Build relationships with regional, district and local level Ugandan officials as well as other donor organizations to create better understanding of PEPFAR programs, policies, and work to harmonize development efforts and shared development goals. Develop and maintain a database of community development contacts, including non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations (CBOs), government officials, religious organizations, training organizations and donor organizations as well as political, community and tribal leaders, medical practitioners, community health care workers and social workers to identify potential projects and distribute grant applications widely. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. The applicants for the United States US Embassy PEPFAR Community Grants Advisor job opportunity should have completed 2 years of college or university studies. College or University Transcripts. At least two years of experience working in community development, project management, and program funding/budget management is required. Language: English Level 4 Fluent; written/spoken, including the ability to translate. This maybe tested. How to Apply: All those interested in working with the United States Embassy, US Mission in Kampala should send their applications online at the link below. Click Here Deadline: 28th June 2023 For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Finding a trusted place that provides quality-filled products and safe delivery services is often difficult. But Rakhibazaar.com has effortlessly managed to be the number 1 website for online rakhi delivery across India and globally. For this year's Raksha Bandhan celebration, Rakhibazaar has made some amazing arrangements with the latest collection of Rakhis and gifts that are sure to make the festival more joyful and memorable. Sharing the details of the companys preparations, the founder and CEO of Rakhibazaar exclusively shared that since they are celebrating their 10 anniversary in the industry, they have planned something huge for all their customers. Let us know why the company is the best destination for online Rakhi shopping and what they will do differently this year to celebrate their 10 years with customers and make Raksha Bandhan more delightful. Rakhi Bazaars exclusive preparations for Raksha Bandhan 2023 Here's how Rakhi Bazaar has prepared to make its virtual familys festive celebration and grand occasion in 2023: 1. Free Gift vouchers with every domestic order: The company is distributing free gift vouchers with every domestic order that are valid for all future customers' purchases. The only terms and conditions to avail of this voucher are that the delivery location of the Rakhi gift hamper should be within India. It doesn't matter where the order is being placed; if it is to be delivered in India, the recipient should brace themselves for a free gift voucher inside their parcel. 2. Free gifts with every domestic order: To make the company's 10-year celebration, they are also providing free gifts inside every domestic order. There is no minimum price limit for an order to receive a free gift from Rakhibazaar this Raksha Bandhan. The company is doing this to celebrate the precious bond of siblinghood while saying a thank you to all their customers for supporting them for over 10 years, so there is no price limit to getting a free gift from their side. 3. Fresh collection for all domestic and international deliveries: Just like every year, the website has revamped its Rakhi and Raksha Bandhan gift hampers collection this year, too, for domestic and international delivery. People will now see the latest design crafted with precision for a celebration close to every sibling's heart. People can send Rakhi to USA from India or anywhere across the globe from Rakhibazaar with high-quality products with fine finishing and surprise their siblings with their choice. The company is doing all this and much more for a fulfilling Raksha Bandhan 2023 celebration. Those who want to avail of their best and quality-filled services with on-time delivery of parcels mush shop from Rakhibazaar.com on Raksha Bandhan 2023. Growth Graph of Rakhibazaar 2013 to 2023 Talking about why Rakhibazaar is the best destination for online Rakhi delivery, one must look at the company's growth graph for the past decade. The company has been serving Raksha Bandhan celebrators diligently every year with its non-stop quality services. Their customers are increasing thousands of folds every year, and their international base is as strong as their national one. From having half a million customers in 2018 to having more than 5 million customers across the globe in 2022, Rakhibazaar is becoming a trusted brand for exclusive Raksha Bandhan shopping. Started with just 1000 products, the website currently has over 10,000 products in its catalog, and they are incorporating more products as per customer needs. From their delivery location to their delivery partners and other associates, everything is increasing at a rapid speed, and the time is not far when people will associate Raksha Bandhan with only Rakhibazaar.com. About the company Rakhibazaar.com was founded in 2013 by my Deelip Kumar. The company is a well-known place for online Rakhi delivery throughout India and 100+ international counties. The website caters to the Raksha Bandhan necessities of all its customers by providing all kinds of gifts and multiple designs of Rakhis at customized products at affordable rates. They have been doing this for a decade and have expanded their services, for which the customers like them even more, and the website is turning into a verified brand for exclusive Raksha Bandhan shopping. Thepackersmovers.com is known for providing safe and smooth packing and moving services, and the destination has become people's first choice for getting free moving quotes. They have been diligently providing free moving quotes instantly to their callers from verified packers and movers associated with the directory. Whether people call them to get assistance for a big city, e.g., Packers and Movers Bangalore , or a small city like Mandawa, Rajasthan, the company facilitates its customers with packing and moving services in every corner of India. Mr. Mukesh Kumar, senior manager of Thepackersmovers.com, shared how the company became a junction of exclusive and verified packing and moving services in India. He said it was not an overnight task, but it took them many years to accomplish this position. Here's how they made it to India's top directors for packing and moving services. Thepackersmovers.com: A trusted place for safe and smooth home relocation Home shifting is a massive, risky task that can be hectic too. Risky because our household items are precious to us, and we cannot risk their security while relocating. And hectic because relocating your entire house to a new location takes a lot of effort, keeping safety, punctuality, and a lot of other factors in mind. But Thepackersmovers has made everything easy for their customers. Here's how they guarantee risk-proof and hassle-free packing and moving to all their customers: 1. Having a complete list of verified movers in every city of every state in India The directory holds customer safety as the topmost priority. That is why they have an entire list of verified packers and movers in every corner of India. This not only keeps their customers safe from scams by fraudulent moving companies but also ensures they have services in every corner of India to facilitate each of their customers. 2. Giving guidance on how a customer can select their idea relocator out of all the quotes Suppose a customer has asked for moving quotes from packers and movers in Pune from Thepackersmovers . The directory will provide them with the same and guidance on verifying the company on their own for double security. This reminder of self-verification of already verified packers and movers generates a sense of trust. They also suggest that customers ask all the important questions to the mover they find potential for their relocation. 3. Providing excellent customer service for the best assistance Customer care can make or break a company. Thepackersmovers understands this, so they ensure they have a strong customer care team that patiently addresses customers' concerns and resolves their problems with expert solutions. These three pillars have made Thepackersmovers one of India's most preferred, favorite, and trustworthy directories for packing and moving services. The company's zeal to provide the best moving services in India can be seen through its services. Companys growth graph from 2006 to 2023 Being in the packing and moving industry as a directory that verifies genuine service providers for its customers, Thepackersmovers.com has achieved multiple milestones. Starting with its association with multiple moving companies across India, the directory has verified more than 50,000 companies across the county. Over the past years, it has successfully associated with 50,000 packers and movers in India. The directory has successfully helped and relocated over 1,00,000 people in these 17 years by providing them with suitable moving quotes, which are increasing daily. About the company Thepackersmovers.com has provided fool-proof and verified packing and moving services across India since 2006. The company is known for providing verified moving quotes at the best prices throughout the country. They have an association with genuine, professional, experienced, and expert packers and movers in India that help them deliver safe and smooth home relocation services across the country. The company further aims to expand its services and provide equally good services for international relocations as well. Contact Us- +91 9711065096 For Sales: sales@thepackersmovers.com For Customer: support@thepackersmovers.com A top European Union official is in Silicon Valley to check whether Twitter is ready to comply with the bloc's tough new digital rulebook, a set of sweeping new standards that the world's biggest online platforms all must obey in just two months. European Commissioner Thierry Breton, who oversees digital policy, is the EU's point person working to get tech companies in line for the Digital Services Act, which will force companies to crack down on hate speech, disinformation and other harmful material on their sites. It takes effect Aug. 25 for the biggest platforms. The law, along with new regulations in the pipeline for data and artificial intelligence, has made Brussels a trailblazer in the growing global movement to clamp down on Big Tech. Breton tweeted about his meeting Thursday at Twitter headquarters to carry out a voluntary stress test to prepare for the new rules. "The company is taking this exercise very seriously," he said, adding he had constructive dialogue with owner Elon Musk and new CEO Linda Yaccarino The mock exercise tested Twitter's readiness to cope with the DSA's requirements, including protecting children online and detecting and mitigating risks like disinformation, under both normal and extreme situations. Despite Musk's claims to the contrary, independent researchers have found misinformation as well as hate speech spreading on Twitter since the billionaire Tesla CEO took over the company last year. Musk has reinstated notorious election deniers, overhauled Twitter's verification system and gutted much of the staff that had been responsible for moderating posts. Last month, Breton warned Twitter that it can't hide from its obligations after the social media site abandoned the bloc's voluntary code of practice on online disinformation, which other social media platforms have pledged to support. Under the Digital Services Act, combating disinformation will become a legal requirement. Musk has said Twitter will comply. If laws are passed, Twitter will obey the law, Musk told the France 2 TV channel this week when asked about the DSA. Breton's agenda Friday includes discussions about the EU's digital rules and upcoming artificial intelligence regulations with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, whose company makes the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT. The DSA is part of a sweeping update to the EU's digital rulebook aimed at forcing tech companies to clean up their platforms and better protect users online. For European users of big tech platforms, it will be easier to report illegal content like hate speech, and they will get more information on why they have been recommended certain content. Violations will incur fines worth up to 6% of annual global revenue amounting to billions of dollars for some tech giants or even a ban on operating in the EU, with its with 450 million consumers. Breton also is meeting Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, the dominant supplier of semiconductors used in AI sytems, for talks on the EU's Chips Act to boost the continent's chipmaking industry. The EU, meanwhile, is putting the final touches on its AI Act, the world's first comprehensive set of rules on the emerging technology that has stirred fascination as well as fears it could violate privacy, upend jobs, infringe on copyright and more. Final approval is expected by the end of the year, but it won't take effect until two years later. Breton has been pitching a voluntary AI Pact to help companies get ready for its adoption. On June 22, Kerala witnessed a significant and unprecedented action taken by the Income Tax department against YouTubers from the state. Ten teams, operating under the Kochi intelligence division of the I-T department, conducted raids at the residences and offices of 13 YouTubers, including actress and TV host Pearle Maaney. The raids were prompted by allegations of tax evasion by the YouTubers, some of whom earn crores through video sharing and social media platforms. According to sources within the Income Tax department, although some of these influencers filed their income tax returns, they concealed their earnings from content creation. It was discovered that some influencers were ignorant of the income tax regulations, leading to their troubles. An officer told THE WEEK that some influencers argued that they had substantial expenses related to creating content. After deducting expenses, they considered the remaining amount as their income while filing the taxes. I-T sleuths monitored over 30 influencers for several months and shortlisted 13 individuals for further scrutiny. The department is also closely examining influencers' brand endorsements, foreign trips, gifts received, and investments made in real estate. Social media service providers are obligated to provide income data of content creators when requested by the I-T department, as it falls outside the realm of personal data for social media users. I-T sources say that the maximum money for content is made from YouTube and Facebook, and some of these niche-content creators failed to file the taxes properly even after earning over Rs 3 crore from YouTube alone in the last three years. The raids commenced at 8am on Thursday and continued until late evening. It has been reported that the I-T department may take steps to deactivate the social media accounts of influencers who fail to comply with tax filing regulations. Interestingly, on the night of June 22, Kerala police also took action against a controversial Malayali influencer named Thoppi. Thoppi, who has a large following among teenage boys, was apprehended in Kochi for using obscene language in public and obstructing traffic while attending the inauguration of a shop in Valanchery, Malappuram. Two days prior, DYFI, the youth wing of the ruling CPI(M), had demanded legal action against content creators like Thoppi who produce "anti-social and misogynistic" videos. The influencer also live-streamed a video of police attempting to break open the door to his room. In the video, he alleged that he had agreed to surrender at the police station on the morning of June 23. Still, the police decided to force entry into his space in an attempt to divert public attention from political controversies, the influencer alleged. Home Minister Amit Shah targeted the Abdullahs, the Muftis and the Gandhis at a rally in Jammu and held them responsible for the killing of 42,000 people from 1947 to 2014 in the union territory. He said the G20 event in Kashmir was a grand success and the participants went to their countries with a positive message about Kashmir. Addressing a massive gathering at Bhagwati Nagar Rally Ground in Jammu amid sweltering heat, he said gone are the days, when the three families would rule and ruin J&K. He said from 1947 to 2014, 42,000 people were killed in J&K, during the period the familiesGandhis, Abdullahs and Muftis were ruling J&K. Paying tribute to the BJP ideologue, Syma Prasad Mukherjee on his death anniversary, he said Mukherjee was illegally arrested in 1953 for entering into J&K without a permit. "Why need a permit for entering ones own country? he asked. He said Mukherjee was jailed and later killed. Today his(Mukherjees) soul will be resting in peace as his mission and vision of Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan and Ek Pradhan stands fulfilled, he said. He said Mukherjee was the first to oppose the inclusion of Article 370 into the Indian Constitution on the pretext that one nation cant have two flags, two constitutions and two heads of state. On August 5, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a big step and removed Article 370 forever and fulfilled Mukherjees wish, he said. If West Bengal is with India today, it was due to the vision of Dr Mukherjee. He said India is celebrating nine years of PM Modis rule and Modijis rule is an open book. He said there is not even a single corruption allegation against Modiji, unlike the UPA government. He said Jammu is witnessing great development and that multi-crore projects were inaugurated in the city today. The Home Minister said that BJP tightened the noose on terrorism and today terrorism is on the death bed. He said during the UPAs 10-year rule, there were 60,327 terrorism incidents. During Modijis nine-year rule, terrorism is at its low-water mark. He said since the removal of Article 370, there were only 32 calls of strikes while stone pelting declined by 90 per cent. Youth of J&K have replaced stones with laptops and books, he said. He said last year, for the first time, 1.88 crore tourists visited J&K. Urging Jammus support for Modi 2024 parliamentary polls, he said there is no comparison between Rahul baba and Modji. We will win over 300 seats in 2024 polls, he said. He said the G20 summit in Srinagar from May 22 to May 25 this year, was a grand success. Every foreign dignitary has gone back to their respective countries with the message of peace and a changing Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370, he said. Four militants trying to infiltrate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were killed on Friday by security forces at Kala Jungle of the Machil sector near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara in North Kashmir. The operation was jointly carried out by Jammu and Kashmir Police special operation group (SOG) and Army. Four militants have been killed in the encounter while they were trying to infiltrate into this side, Police tweeted. "In a joint operation, Army and Police have killed four #terrorists in Kala Jungle of Machhal sector in #Kupwara who were trying to infiltrate to our side from POJK." In a joint operation, Army and Police have killed four #terrorists in Kala Jungle of Machhal sector in #Kupwara who were trying to infiltrate to our side from POJK.@JmuKmrPolice Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) June 23, 2023 This is the fourth encounter in Kupwara in recent days. Earlier, two militants were killed in a joint operation by Army and Police at Dobanar in the Machil sector. The encounter was followed by a major infiltration bid on June 16 in which five militants in Jumagand forests along the LoC were killed by the security forces. India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on the LoC in February 2021. Ever since the ceasefire agreement, the infiltration has declined which has brought cheer to the residents straddling the LoC. Of late, infiltration witnessed an increase but most have been foiled barring a few in Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu also called Pir Panjal, the mountain range that separates south Kashmir from Rajouri and Poonch bordering PoK. The incident happened ahead of Home Minister Amit Shah's two-day visit to Jammu for addressing a rally at Bhagwati Nagar. He is set to pay tribute to RSS ideologue Syma Prasad Mukherjee. He will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate several developmental projects in Jammu and Srinagar. At a time when global recession concerns have depressed global oil prices to pre-Ukraine war levels, prices of Middle Eastern oil have skyrocketed on soaring demand from Asian refiners in China to Japan as the market takes stock of heavy trading by the industrys biggest names this month. According to Bloomberg, spot differentials for August-loading Oman crude have jumped to more than $2 a barrel against the Dubai benchmark as of Wednesday, compared with 60-70 cents last week; premiums for Abu Dhabis Murban grade also rose - its rare for spot differentials to move more than 10-to-20 cents a barrel between days and deals. The soaring regional prices have been underpinned by Asian refiners snapping up barrels over the past couple of days, including Chinas Rongsheng Petrochemical, Taiwans Formosa Petrochemical and processors in Japan and Thailand, according to traders. A surge in activity on a normally sedate Middle Eastern crude-trading window has also sparked the interest of market participants. For those asking where is all that pent up oil demand out of a post-covid China, here is your answer: Unipec - a unit of Chinas top refiner Sinopec - TotalEnergies SE and Shell Plc have been going head-to-head with aggressive bids and offers of Dubai crude partial contracts on the so-called Platts trading window this month, an activity that goes into pricing a benchmark of the same name. As Bloomberg explains, cargoes of crude including Oman, Murban and other Middle Eastern grades can be delivered from seller to buyer following the transaction of a set number of Dubai partials. Shipments are typically 500,000 barrels and Oman is one of the easiest to handle due to its high export volume and large pool of buyers and sellers. So far this month, almost 40 Oman cargoes and two Upper Zakum shipments from the United Arab Emirates have been delivered, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, which is the most activity seen on the Platts window in years. However, the number of Oman shipments equates to almost 70% of the grades exported volume in recent months. Thats led traders to consider whether sellers on the Platts window such as Unipec may curtail offers should physical cargoes become scarce. These concerns have contributed to a rise in prices, and may give room for more increases if sellers find it hard to get their hands on window-deliverable cargoes. The sharp increase in sentiment (and price) is a dramatic turnaround from earlier in the month when traders were unsure about the markets direction following contrasting trading on the window. Companies may also actively buy and sell on the window due to associated positions in Brent and Dubai paper markets. The backwardation in prompt Dubai swaps also strengthened to the widest in six weeks Wednesday, while the premium of Londons Brent to the Middle Eastern benchmark also known as Brent-Dubai EFS was narrow at under $1 a barrel. Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia surprised the market with additional output cuts that were followed by a spike in official prices to all regions. Bloomberg notes that last month cargoes of Oman, Upper Zakum and Murban crude for July loading were transacted for Europe and the US, shipments considered unusual, as Asian demand was soft at the time but that has since reversed notably. A US major sold Murban into the US west coast, traders said, while a trading company supplied Upper Zakum to Italy. Western buyers considered spot Middle Eastern crude as affordable due to muted demand from Asia, where many refiners were undergoing seasonally planned maintenance work on plants, according to traders. It now appears that China is fully back in the market. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Read this article on OilPrice.com Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K. Sudhakaran was arrested by the Crime Branch of the Kerala Police in the Monson Mavunkal fake antique deal cheating case. The Crime Branch arrested Sudhakaran after seven hours of interrogation. This controversial case was registered on September 23, 2021, when a group of six people filed a complaint alleging that self-styled antique dealer and influencer Mavunkal cheated them of Rs 10 crore. Mavunkal allegedly took money from the complainants by claiming that Rs 2.62 lakh crore he had earned by selling antiques to a royal family in the Gulf had been put on hold by the Union government and that he required money to get it released. The complainants stated that Sudhakaran was present when they handed over the money to the dealer. Later, pictures of Sudhakaran with the antique dealer also surfaced in the public domain. According to the complainants, during a meeting held at Mavunkal's house in Kochi's Kaloor, Sudhakaran promised to resolve the issues in Delhi and based on that promise, they handed over the money to Mavunkal. Anoop, one of the complainants, told the Crime Branch that he had given Rs 25 lakh to Monson in the presence of Sudhakaran. On June 12, the Crime Branch implicated Sudhakaran as the second accused in the case. The Crime Branch submitted a report, prepared after more than a year of investigation, to the Ernakulam ACJM court, accusing the Kannur leader of complicity in the case. On June 10, 2023, the Crime Branch issued a notice to Sudhakaran stating that they had received "credible information" regarding his involvement in the crime. Initially, Sudhakaran was asked to appear before the Crime Branch on June 14, 2023. However, he failed to do so, citing his pre-arranged party programmes. As a result, the Crime Branch instructed him to appear on June 23, 2023. On January 21, Sudhakaran was granted interim anticipatory bail for two weeks in the case. The court ordered the leader to appear before the investigation officers on June 23 in compliance with the notice issued by the Crime Branch. The court also ruled that Sudhakaran would be released on bail upon execution of a bond for Rs. 50,000 with two solvent sureties in case of arrest. On Friday, the Crime Branch interrogated Sudhakaran for seven hours. Despite having anticipatory bail, the Crime Branch decided to arrest the Congress leader and then release him on bail. Political observers view this as a clear message from the Pinarayi Vijayan government to the Congress, indicating that it will not hesitate to arrest Sudhakaran in the future. The Congress party sees the arrest as a highly provocative move and is planning major protests in the state in the coming days. Earlier this month, the state government sanctioned a vigilance probe against opposition leader V.D. Satheeshan as well. The allegation is that the leader violated FCRA regulations in relation to overseas funding for a project aimed at helping flood victims in his constituency. Interestingly, this is a case that the vigilance had previously considered but dropped in 2020. The grand old party is trying to build the narrative that the ruling party's actions are intended to divert public attention from the fraud and forgery cases that recently surfaced against its student leaders. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has hit out at the BJP ahead of the opposition meeting in Patna, where over 15 political parties will gather to devise a joint strategy to take on the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Rahul Gandhi, who expressed confidence that the opposition parties will rout the BJP together, added that the ruling party was working to spread hate, and violence and break the country. "We are working to spread love and unite. Opposition parties have come here today and together we will defeat BJP," Rahul Gandhi said. The meeting is being hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of JD(U) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of RJD at the former's Aney Marg residence. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab's Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu's M K Stalin, Jharkhand's Hemant Soren, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, Maharashtra's former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, and NCP president Sharad Pawar are among the leaders expected to attend it. Leaders of the PDP, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) and the National Conference will also attend the first high-level opposition meeting. "We will win Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and BJP will be nowhere to be seen. We will win because we stand with the poor but BJP means giving benefit to only 2-3 people," Rahul added. The former MP added that there was a war of ideology going on in India. "On one side is Congress party's 'Bharat Jodo' ideology and on the other RSS and BJP's 'Bharat Todo' ideology," he said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who arrived with Rahul in Patna, too stressed that "If we win Bihar, we will win India." "We all want to fight together against BJP and our agenda is to remove the BJP government," Kharge told reporters. He added that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was instrumental in bringing together the Opposition leaders from across the country. Posters put up at Patna ahead of the opposition meeting | Josekutty Panackal Meanwhile, the spotlight is on whether or not Congress will support Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Rajya Sabha against the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi. The Congress has so far been reluctant to make its stance clear. When queried about the same, Kharge, before leaving for Patna on Friday morning, said his party would decide on it before the Monsoon Session of Parliament. "Opposing it or proposing it does not happen outside, it happens in Parliament. Before Parliament begins, all parties decide what issues they have to work on together. They know it and even their leaders come to our all-party meetings. I don't know why is there so much publicity about it outside," Kharge said. "About 18-20 parties decide together on what to oppose and what to accept. So instead of saying anything now, we will take a decision before Parliament begins," he said. Kejriwal, meanwhile, has upped the ante over the ordinance on the eve of the meeting, writing to the opposition leaders to urge them to keep it on top of the meeting's agenda. He has also said that Congress will have to make its stand on the ordinance clear in the meeting. While Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has decided to stay away from the meeting, Andhra Pradesh's ruling party YSR CP has also decided not to join the opposition huddle. "We have not invited Mayawati, Naveen Patnaik, K Chandrashekar Rao and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, so there is no question of them skipping the meeting," JD(U) leader K C Tyagi had said ahead of the meeting. The mega opposition meeting, hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Patna on Friday, saw 15 parties arriving at a consensus on the need to fight the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 unitedly and deciding to take forward the discussions with a second meeting to be held in Shimla in the Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh in July. The meeting of the top leadership of opposition parties, many of them chief ministers and former chief ministers, however, also witnessed a discordant note being struck due to the differences between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party over the Centre's ordinance on Delhi's services. AAP, which was conspicuous by its absence at the post-meeting media briefing, issued a statement even as the opposition leaders briefed mediapersons about the discussions, stating that if the Congress did not publicly declare that it will oppose the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha, it will be difficult for the AAP to attend future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is present. After the nearly four-hour long meeting, which began at 11:30 am at the chief minister's official residence at One, Anne Marg, in Patna and was attended by 32 leaders belonging to 15 parties, Kumar said a good beginning had been made towards making a joint opposition fight possible in the Lok Sabha elections. He said the parties had reached a consensus on the need to fight the elections together. There is a consensus on fighting elections together. One more meeting will be held, which will be convened by Mallikarjun Kharge ji, where more discussion will be held on the road ahead and there will be a final form to the issue of who will fight where. Congress president Kharge said further discussions will look at issues such as the distinct nature of challenges in various states. We will work together to mount a joint fight in 2024 to oust the BJP from power, he added. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi described the opposition endeavour as an ideological fight against the BJP-RSS. It is a fight where we are all standing together. Differences will be there. But we have decided to work together, with flexibility...Soon, we will have another meeting where we will have a deeper discussion on taking forward the process of opposition unity, he said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the meeting went very well and the three things that came out of it were that the parties are united, that they will fight elections unitedly, and that it will be wrong to describe the parties as the opposition because they are citizens of India and are patriotic. I think history has started from here. The BJP wants to change history, but we want to save history, she said. She further said she had asked Kumar to hold the first meeting of the opposition parties in Patna because Bihar has been the starting point of many Jan Andolans in the past. I told him that many meetings have been held in Delhi, but they have not been fruitful, she said. RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who attended a meeting and also addressed the media after a long time since he had been ailing, said it was important for the opposition parties to fight together so that the opposition votes do not get divided. He appreciated Rahul's cross-country march and also his speech in the Lok Sabha where he spoke on the alleged linkages between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and businessman Gautam Adani. Amidst the declarations of unity expressed by the opposition leaders, the inherent contradictions became evident as, according to sources, there was a brief altercation between Kharge and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with regard to the ordinance. Kejriwal is learnt to have stressed on the need for the Congress to make its stand clear, with Kharge saying in response that a decision would be taken on the ordinance issue when the Monsoon Session of Parliament begins as part of the party's parliamentary strategy. Kharge is also believed to have said the Congress will never support something that is unconstitutional. In its statement after the meeting, the AAP said in the meeting, many parties urged the Congress to publicly denounce the ordinance, but it refused to do so. The party said senior Congress leaders have hinted that the party might informally or formally abstain from voting on the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha. Until the Congress publicly denounce the Black Ordinance and declare that all 31 of its RS MPs will oppose the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha, it will be difficult for AAP to participate in future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant, the AAP statement said. According to sources, the AAP representatives in the meeting, including Kejriwal, did not say anything about walking out of the meeting on the ordinance issue. The sources also rubbished claims made by the AAP that the other parties urged the Congress to make its stand on the ordinance clear. As per sources, many of the leaders were of the view that the issue could be tackled separately and also pointed out that Kharge had given the assurance that his party would not support anything that is unconstitutional. The meeting was also attended by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, Shiv Sena-UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, National Conference's Omar Abdullah, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya and CPI general secretary D. Raja. India and the United States have announced plans to collaborate on sending an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024. The announcement was made by US President Joe Biden following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Biden highlighted the extensive cooperation between the two nations in various fields, including healthcare advancements and human space flight. The collaborative effort to send an Indian astronaut to the ISS demonstrates the strengthening ties between India and the US in space exploration. This partnership aligns with India's ambitious space program, which aims to launch its maiden human space flight mission, Gaganyaan, into a low Earth orbit by the end of 2024 or early 2025. If successful, the Indian astronaut's journey to the ISS would likely take place before the Gaganyaan project. Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi revealed that India has decided to sign the Artemis Accordsan agreement grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967further cementing their commitment to space exploration. The Artemis Accords serve as a non-binding framework to guide civil space exploration in the 21st century and support the US-led initiative to return humans to the moon by 2025. The ultimate objective of the Artemis program is to expand space exploration to destinations like Mars. In addition to the space collaboration, India and the US are also partnering in other areas of mutual interest. The two countries are working together to build a semiconductor ecosystem that promotes supply chain diversification. US companies, including Micron Technology and Applied Materials, have announced significant investments in semiconductor assembly and test facilities in India. These initiatives aim to bolster India's semiconductor workforce and strengthen the global supply chain. Moreover, India's membership in the Mineral Security Partnership, led by the US State Department, will enhance critical minerals' supply chain resilience for both nations. This collaboration supports the pursuit of climate, economic, and strategic technology goals. The Indo-US quantum coordination mechanism has been established to facilitate increased collaboration in advanced computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum information science. The two countries have also signed an implementation arrangement on artificial intelligence, advanced wireless, and quantum technologies. These initiatives seek to promote research partnerships, industry collaboration, and knowledge exchange in these cutting-edge fields. Additionally, India and the US are cooperating on the development of advanced telecommunications technologies, including 5G and 6G. The partnership includes trials and rollouts of Open Radio Access Network (RAN) systems in both countries. The US International Development Finance will provide support to promote these deployments in India. The collaboration between India and the US extends to people-to-people ties and higher education. Leveraging the talent in STEM fields, both countries are establishing a university network to foster research partnerships and exchanges in agriculture, energy, health, and other areas of global significance. The extensive collaboration across multiple sectors highlights the depth and breadth of the partnership between India and the United States, ushering in a new era of cooperation in science, technology, space exploration, and beyond. The missing submersible Titan has been confirmed to have imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean. The United States Coast Guard held a news conference and informed the families of the crew about the tragic incident. Rear Adm. John Mauger of the First Coast Guard District stated that the debris discovered during the search aligns with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel. OceanGate Expeditions, the company responsible for the submersible, released a statement expressing their belief that all five people on board, including the CEO Stockton Rush, have lost their lives. As the investigation into the incident continues, authorities and experts are tirelessly working to determine the cause of the Titan's disappearance. Prior to confirming the catastrophic implosion, experts had explored various potential scenarios that could have led to the tragedy. These scenarios included power failure, electrical faults, hull rupture, adverse weather conditions, or the submersible becoming entangled with the wreckage of the Titanic. One of the worst-case scenarios that experts considered was a catastrophic failure resulting in an implosion. This could have been caused by a breach in the pressure hull, power failure, or electrical short circuit. In such a situation, the chances of survival would have been slim. Another possibility was that the Titan became tangled in the wreckage of the Titanic itself. Although this scenario was unlikely, the presence of debris surrounding the century-old wreck posed significant challenges for any potential rescue mission. Surprisingly, experts also raised the concern of a fire hazard even underwater. A fire breaking out within the vessel would have been disastrous, generating toxic fumes and potentially compromising the sub's electronic systems. Surviving in an enclosed underwater environment during a fire would have been extremely difficult. Initially, there was hope that the Titan had resurfaced, but as time passed, this possibility seemed less likely. Despite an extensive search by the US Coast Guard, no signs of the submersible were found. If the sub had reached the surface, it would likely have been detected by now. Activation of a safety system was another potential scenario considered. If the submersible lost power but had an inbuilt safety system, it could have increased buoyancy by dropping additional weights, enabling the sub to resurface. Although the chances of this scenario occurring were uncertain, it offered a glimmer of hope. The search for the submersible as well as any clues to explain what happened underwater continued after a deep-sea robot found debris near the Titanic shipwreck. Rear Adm. John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District, said search efforts will continue but that the prospect of finding or recovering remains was unknown. As the investigation unfolds, experts will continue to delve into the details surrounding the disaster, aiming to shed light on the precise cause of this tragic event. Emergency services in the Spanish Canary Islands said they saved at least 350 migrants from five different vessels in the Spanish Atlantic Ocean archipelago over the last 24 hours. 53 migrants were saved near the island of Lanzarote and another 61 near the island of Gran Canaria. Another boat was intercepted by the Spanish coastguard on Thursday, with 54 migrants near Lanzarote. People on two more boats were rescued on Thursday afternoon. The incident comes at the heels of a dinghy carrying migrants sinking about 160 kilometres (100 miles) southeast of Gran Canaria. Spain's coast guard said a Moroccan patrol boat rescued 24 people. It however said that it did not know how many people were missing. Helena Maleno, founder of the Spanish non-profit group Walking Borders which monitors migrant boats and tries to help them, said 39 people had died. Maleno added the migrants had waited for over 12 hours for assistance. Maleno told CNN there has been a noticeable increase in recent weeks of attempted migrant crossings to the Canaries. Reportedly, on Thursday, Spanish government maritime services rescued 227 more migrants from four boats off Lanzarote and Gran Canary Islands. Director of the movie Titanic James Cameron said he had suspected the submersible imploded. Cameron made the statement on Friday after the US Coast Guard confirmed that the Titan submersible was destroyed in an implosion. The submarine, which went missing on an expedition to view the Titanic shipwreck on June 18, had five passengers onboard. Cameron is part owner of Triton Submarines, which makes submersibles for research and tourism. The 68-year-old Cameron has made 33 dives to the Titanic wreckage site himself over the years. He said he came to the conclusion based on information he received from his sources. The director compared the tragedy to that of the fated 1912 luxury cruise liner itself. Many people in the community were very concerned about this sub, he said, the Guardian reported. A number of the top players in the deep submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company, saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and that it needed to be certified and so on. Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship, and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night and many people died as a result, he added. Crediting his sources, Cameron told Reuters, We got a confirmation within an hour that there had been a loud bang at the same time that the sub comms were lost. A loud bang on the hydrophone. Loss of transponder. Loss of comms. I knew what happened. The sub imploded," The Canadian filmmaker also said he felt sceptical of the OceanGate submersible being built with a composite carbon fibre and titanium hull. "I thought it was a horrible idea. I wish I'd spoken up, he said. Apart from OceanGate's founder and chief executive officer, Stockton Rush, who was piloting the Titan, the others present in the submersible include British billionaire and explorer Hamish Harding, 58; Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son, Suleman, and French oceanographer and renowned Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, who had visited the wreck dozens of times. The expedition, which has been operational since 2021, costs $250,000 per person. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said there was no space for any discrimination, be it caste, creed, religion or gender in India. The Prime Minister, when questioned about the steps taken by his government to improve the rights of minorities in India and uphold free speech during the joint press conference with Biden, said: "India is a democracy. And as President Biden said democracy is in the DNA of both India and America. Democracy is in our spirit. Democracy flows in our veins. We live democracy. Our forefathers moulded it in words, which we call the Constitution. Our government runs on the fundamental principles of this Constitution. We have proved that democracy can deliver. When I say deliver it means there is no place for discrimination on the grounds of caste, creed, gender, religion." He also defended his government, stating the basic foundation stone of the state was "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas" which means together for everyone's growth, with everyone's trust." "These are our founding principles, which are the basis of how we operate and how we live our lives in India. The benefits that are provided by the government are accessible to all whoever deserves those benefits is available to everybody," the Prime Minister said. "That is why in India's democratic values there is absolutely no discrimination neither on the basis of caste creed or age or any kind of geographic location," Modi said. Modi's statement comes as dozens of protesters gathered near the White House on Thursday to voice their dissent about the abuse of the alleged rights in India. "Modi's comments (that there is no religious discrimination by his government) is a complete lie. India has become a black hole for religious minorities," said Raqib Hameed Naik, the founder of Hindutva Watch, a group that monitors reports of attacks on Indian minorities told Reuters. Meanwhile, the only two Muslim women members of the U.S. Congress, Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, boycotted Modi's address to the Congress. They were joined by progressive lawmakers like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who cited allegations of abuse of Indian dissidents and minorities, especially Muslims. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders said Modi's "aggressive Hindu nationalism" has "left little space for India's religious minorities." It was winter when President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi came as a guest for the Republic Day to stress the warmth of the relationship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Cairo in the summer heat to continue to fire Indo-Egypt relations. The visit is historic as he is the first Indian Prime Minister to make a trip to the country since 1997. The visit comes on the heels of a very charged US visit, where the deliverables were from military cooperation to space. The Modi visit to Egypt may not have big ticket deliverables but will be high on optics as well as symbolism. It is very much a reach out to the Muslim world. The big photo opportunity for the trip will be Modis visit to the 1,000-year-old Imam al-Hakim bi Amr Allah Mosque, a very important site for the Dawoodi Bohra community. This is not the first time that Modi has chosen to send a message to the worldand the Muslim international community to quell any doubtsby going to a mosque. In 2015, he kicked off his UAE tour with a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This time the symbolism is significant as Modias is norm on his international tripshas to put an end to the perception that the government is anti-minority. It is very much an image that Modi wants to distance himself from. While the American administration was at pains to emphasize Indias pluralism and democratic credentialseven in the face of Senator Bernie Sanders asking President Joe Biden to raise it, a sentiment former President Barack Obama also flagged--the murmurs continued. It was the only question that he was posed in America by a reporter, who asked about the steps taken by the Indian government to protect the rights of Muslims and other minorities and uphold free speech. We are a democracy...India and America both have democracy in our DNA, he said. Democracy is in our spirit and we live it and it's written in our Constitution...So no question of discrimination on the grounds of caste, creed or religion arises. That is why, India believes in 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas, sabka prayaas and walks ahead with it..," he said. However, the visit goes beyond just a picture reach out. India and Egypt have recently elevated their partnership as a 'Strategic Partnership' covering political, security, defence, energy and economic aspects. An important country in West Asia, India is hoping to keep in focus the strong relationship with the region. Especially, as last summer turned out to be a rather hot one after controversial remarks made by former BJP leader Nupur Sharma. Egypt was one of the few countries that chose not to make a statement. Again, a signal that Egypt has India's back on this. One of the issues that come up between the two leaders will be the Ukraine war. Egypt is reeling from an economic crisis, which has been aggravated by the conflict. Food prices have gone up by 61.8 per cent year on year, with poultry, pasta, dairy and red meat prices increasing faster than others. Egypt will be hoping that India will provide some relief of money till the government negotiate with the IMF for a loan. Last year, India lifted the restriction of export on wheat and sent 61,000 tonnes of wheat to Egypt. The other major issue on the card likely to be discussed will be terrorism. We are in agreement that terrorism is the biggest threat to humanity, said Modi in a joint statement in January. Both countries also agree that strong steps are required to end cross-border terrorism, and for that we have to convince the international community through joint efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a four-day tour to the US, said in a joint statement with US President Joe Biden that they were looking forward to reconvening the India-US Trade Policy Forum later this year. Vowing to strengthen economic relationships, including trade ties, a joint statement read: "The US-India trade and investment partnership is an engine for global growth, with bilateral trade exceeding USD 191 billion in 2022, nearly doubling from 2014." Prime Minister Modi and President Biden also applauded the reconvening of the US-India Commercial Dialogue and CEO Forum in March in New Delhi. "They have encouraged respective industries to take action on the recommendations from CEOs for greater engagement and technical cooperation to build resilient supply chains for emerging technologies, clean energy technologies, and pharmaceuticals; promote an innovative digital economy; lower barriers to trade and investment; harmonise standards and regulations wherever feasible; and work towards skilling of workforces," it said. "The leaders support continued for active engagement between the US Treasury Department and the Indian Ministry of Finance under the Economic and Financial Partnership dialogue," the joint statement said. Air India deals The joint statement also focused on Air India's historic agreement with Boeing to acquire more than 200 US-made aircraft. This purchase, it said, will support more than one million US jobs across 44 states and contribute to ongoing efforts to modernise the civil aviation sector in India. The leaders also welcomed Boeing's announcement of its completion of a C-17 aftermarket support facility for MRO and a new parts logistics centre in India to capture future synergies between defence and civil aviation. "India highlighted its interest in the restoration of its status under the US Generalised System of Preferences programme, which could be considered in relation to eligibility criteria determined by the US Congress. The leaders supported intensifying the work to advance progress on issues related to the eligibility criteria," the statement said. Legislation to fast-track weapon sales A legislation was introduced to expedite sales of weapons to India in the Us Congress. While in the House of Representatives, it was introduced by Congressmen Mike Waltz, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Andy Barr and Marc Veasey, in the Senate, it was Mark Warner and John Cornyn. The move, aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership of the nations, will help place India on equal footing with other partners and allies of the US by streamlining and accelerating the review and sales process for foreign military sales and exports under the Arms Export Control Act. "The United States and India are bonded by our shared national security interests and democratic values which is why it is so important we continue to strengthen our global partnership to address the threats of today," Waltz said. The Congressman said that as "our militaries continue to conduct joint military exercises and coordinate through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, streamlining military sales will help our two nations bolster security in the Indo-Pacific region". Barr said that "by removing red tape around military sales, we are recognising India as the key partner it is". "Together, the United States and India will continue to cooperate and safeguard our shared national security interests and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region," he said. (With inputs from PTI) Money Expert Jaspreet Singh Says You Can Use ChatGPT To Become a Millionaire Heres How Jaspreet Singh / Jaspreet Singh Using ChatGPT can put you on the path to becoming a millionaire, according to a YouTube video from personal finance expert Jaspreet Singh. See Our List: 100 Most Influential Money Experts More: How To Build Your Savings From Scratch As a disclaimer, Singh said the content in this video and its description are not financial advice. Those with specific financial questions are recommended to meet with a licensed advisor. Disclaimer aside, heres how using ChatGPT can position you to become a millionaire. How To Use ChatGPT To Make More Money In the video, Singh outlines three ways you can use ChatGPT to make more money: Invest in the companies creating AI. Use AI to bring in more income or save your business money. Own a piece of the companies that are utilizing AI. Im a Self-Made Millionaire: These Are the 6 Investments Everyone Should Make During an Economic Downturn Investing in Companies Creating AI The key to figuring out the answer to this question, Singh said, is to ask ChatGPT which companies are investing in AI. ChatGPT will provide a list of companies investing in artificial intelligence. According to ChatGPT, this list includes Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Nvidia and IBM. Singh compares the list of companies ChatGPT said are investing in AI with a Forbes article about the best AI stocks to buy. Some of the stocks include Adobe, Amazon, IBM and Oracle. If youre going to be investing in companies, dont just blindly throw your money into companies. Do your research, Singh said. The next best thing, per Singhs recommendation, is an exchange-traded fund. (Viewers are recommended by Singh to conduct due diligence before investing.) Using AI To Increase Your Profits While AI does not have the most up-to-date information, Singh said he was able to use it to create more fun content within his newsletter. Singh also highlighted other companies using ChatGPT in a variety of ways. Salesforce, for example, is building its own competitive ChatGPT that can be used to write sales emails to sell its products without requiring a lot of hires. Own a Piece of the Companies Utilizing AI If you are not an entrepreneur, Singh said, you can invest in companies utilizing AI. A good example, Singh said, are startup companies. Online platforms, including Republic, StartEngine or Wefunder, all allow you to invest in startups and look at companies utilizing AI. Singh recommended finding the platform that is best for you. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Money Expert Jaspreet Singh Says You Can Use ChatGPT To Become a Millionaire Heres How Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan hit out at former Pakistan Army General and Pakistan government for making Pakistan 'irrelevant' as the India-US joint statement urged Lahore to take strong action against cross-border terrorism. The White House issued a joint statement during the late hours of Thursday, following a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a state visit to Washington. In the statement, the leaders urged Pakistan to take measures to prevent its territory from being used as a launch pad for terror attacks. They strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks, the leaders said in the statement. They called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice, it said. The leaders also called for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qaida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen. In a tweet, Imran Khan called out former Pakistan Army General Qamar Bajwa and Pakistan Democratic Movement. Khan tweeted, The question we want to ask him and PDM is that after a year in government and countless trips of Pakistan's FM to the US, the joint India/US statement reduces Pakistan to a promoter of cross-border terrorism in India and nothing more. Khan added, So now the imported govt experiment has not just made Pakistan irrelevant internationally but our democracy, rule of law and the entire economic and institutional structure are also collapsing right in front of our eyes. Khan charged that there is no balancing statement about gross human rights abuse in Kashmir or the appalling treatment of minorities in India. Russia's private mercenary group Wagner's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin on Friday questioned the reasons given by Russian military for invading Ukraine. Prigozhin alleged that the Russian military deceived the public on the reasons behind the invasion. In a social media post, Prigozhin criticised the Russian military for 'deceiving' the society on reasons behind why the whole invasion was launched. The Wagener group chief dismissed Kremlins claims that Ukraine was planning to launch an offensive on the Russian-controlled territories in eastern Ukraine in February last year. The Guardian quoted Prigozhin as saying, There was nothing extraordinary happening on the eve of February 24. The Ministry of Defence is trying to deceive the public and the president and spin the story that there were insane levels of aggression from the Ukrainian side and that they were going to attack us together with the whole Nato block. Prigozhin claimed that the war was started for totally different reasons. He added that war could have been avoided through talks. Russias leadership could have avoided the war by negotiating with Ukraines president, the Wagner chief said. When Kangana Ranaut announced her production, Tiku Weds Sheru, with Nawazuddin Siddiqui and newcomer Avneet Kaur in the lead, hopes were high not only because the casting of Siddiqui promised certain quality but also because Kaur brought along both freshness and relatability owing to her TV roles as a child actor. The actors do justice to their roles in the movie, directed by Sai Kabir Siddiqui shines as a romantic hero and Kaur excels in her debut role and displays a maturity much beyond her age. Kaur plays a young girl, Tiku, who gets married to Siddiqui's Sheru, hoping to move out of her conservative home and travel to Mumbai to pursue her dreams of being an actor. However, her life falls apart when she discovers what her husband really is, and his financial situation. She matures overnight and even agrees to compromise to fulfill her dreams. Though the actors do a good job, the inconsistent screenplay is a letdown as it fluctuates between being too dark, at times romantic, and sometimes just uncomfortable to watch, and mostly fast-paced. As soon as they get married, Tiku realises she is pregnant with her former boyfriends child. Sheru seems upset with this but doesnt take too much time to accept the child as his own. At times, Sheru is struggling for work, and in the next scene, he is seen making a fast buck and partying hard. And, in yet another scene, you see him ending up in jail. A new mother and a very naive Tiku is then forced into prostitution and pushed out of her own house. In the end, like most romantic comedies, this film too wraps up with Sheru coming to rescue Tiku and they living together happily ever after. The overall theme of the film feels like an attempt to put together a third instalment of the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Tanu Weds Manu. The most uncomfortable part of the film remains the much talked about age gap between the actors Siddiqui is 49 and Kaur, 21. Even if we overlook the age factor in love as Jagjit Singh infamously sings Na umar ki seema ho, na janmon ka ho bandhan. Jab pyaar kare koi, toh dekhe keval man, one cannot get over how young Kaur looks in most frames, she appears more like a teenager living with a grey-haired man lusting over her. Something in your gut churns when they kiss or when they lay on the bed together. Kangana Ranaut should have perhaps played the role herself a pairing of Kangana and Siddiqui would have been an unmissable delight. At the most, the film makes for a one-time watch that might strike you a number of times with its missing humour and shadiness. Film: Tiku Weds Sheru on Amazon Prime Video Language: Hindi Director: Sai Kabir Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Avneet Kaur Rating: 2.5/5 Kolkata, Jun 23 (PTI) A mixed trend in demand for different categories of tea was in evidence during Sale-25, a Calcutta Tea Traders' Association (CTTA) official said here on Friday. Darjeeling leaf and dust tea registered improved demand while CTC and Orthodox leaf recorded reduced demand, he added. Despite improved offerings the total demand for all categories of tea "failed" to maintain its uptrend, he said. The total demand declined to 4.09 per cent along with an increased total offered quantity during the auction as compared to last week, the official added. The auction (Sale-25) was held on June 20,21 and 22. According to CTTA data, the total offerings amounted to 1,53,524 packages (45,04,340 kg) comprising 60,369 packages of CTC leaf, 60,261 packages of orthodox, 4,766 packages of Darjeeling leaf and 28,128 packages of dust tea. CTC leaf met fair demand and a total of 13,60,598 kg of different categories was sold at a higher average price of Rs 236.90 per kg as compared to last week. Around 18.11 per cent of the total demand was marked for CTC leaf at below Rs 150 per kg level while 43.94 per cent was claimed above Rs 250 per kg. Western India supported the better teas on offer while other internals saw fair support. Some enquiry was in evidence from exporters regarding bolder brokens and fannings. Major blenders operated on medium varieties. Orthodox offerings also marked fair demand at a medium price range and a total of 11,78,854 kg of different qualities were sold at an average price of Rs 230.11 per kg. About 11.31 per cent of the total demand was witnessed at below Rs 150 per kg and 29.27 per cent was observed at a higher price level. The medium variety scored near about 59.42 per cent. The Middle East improved participation and CIS supported actively. Darjeeling leaf met with good demand and a total of 44,346 kg of different qualities were sold at an average price of Rs 310.21 per kg. Around 19.35 per cent of total demand was marked at above Rs 500 per kg while 40.04 per cent was observed at a lower price range. Exporters operated well. TCPL also saw good support. Local dealers and other internals were at the mainstay. There was a good demand for this week's dust offerings and 6,72,209 kg of different quality were sold at an average price of Rs 232.91 per kg. Around 16.21 per cent of the total demand was marked at a lower price level and 47.26 per cent was claimed at above Rs 250 per kg, the data reflected. Western India operated on better teas and TCPL remained selective. Hindustan Unilever and South Indian packeters showed good support while other internals marked fair support. The number of participants was improved further and the buyers for CTC, Orthodox, Darjeeling leaf and dust tea were 142, 128, 71 and 68 respectively during this session, the official data added. Mumbai, Jun 23 (PTI) Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said the government is mulling divesting a stake in up to two public sector units engaged in the pharma sector. The thinking is driven by a desire to not be in business but act as a facilitator for businesses, Mandaviya said addressing the Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit organised by IPA here. Government has 1-2 plants. We are moving in the direction of divesting in those and let the private sector operate them, he said. He, however, did not name any company which the government plans to divest or share any other details on the stage at which the proposals are at present. Mandaviya also said that quality is of paramount importance for India, and asked the industry to come together to form a self-regulatory organisation to take care of concerns on this aspect. When asked about the recent concerns expressed by World Health Organisation following deaths in Gambia due to cough syrups manufactured in India, Mandaviya said the media reports and ground realities are often different. He said the government had sought evidence on the same issue, but is yet to get any. The minister also pointed out that the cause of death for the patients has been specified as Diarrhoea, and wondered why they were administered cough syrups at all in the first place. If someone is guilty, they will not be spared, the minister assured. He said the government is very serious about quality and has carried out risk based assessments at 150 plants across the country, of which 70 for show cause notices and 18 were shut down. To further strengthen the quality of the pharma products, the Centre and states have created dedicated squads to keep tabs, he added. Companies which are not serious about quality have no right to be in the business, Mandaviya warned. Paris, Jun 23 (AP) Zambia and its government creditors, including China, have reached a deal to restructure USD 6.3 billion in loans, the French government announced on Thursday on the sidelines of a global finance summit in Paris. The agreement covers loans from countries including France, the UK, South Africa, Israel and India as well as China Zambia's biggest creditor at USD 4.1 billion of the total. The deal, announced by officials who spoke anonymously in accordance with the French government's customary practices, may provide a roadmap for how China will handle restructuring deals with other nations in debt distress. The International Monetary Fund approved the deal, meaning it's going to allow Zambia to receive more financing from the institution, the French said. A representative from the IMF did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Zambia deal came at a summit with more than 50 world leaders, finance officials and activists to discuss ways of reforming a global financial system to better help developing nations struggling with debt, climate change and poverty. Zambia the continent's biggest copper producer became Africa's first coronavirus-era sovereign nation to default when it failed to make a USD 42.5 million bond payment in November 2020. The debt has prevented the democratic nation from developing economically and taking on new projects. Experts have said such prolonged debt crises can send nations deeper into poverty and joblessness and exclude them from the credit they need to rebuild. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who is attending the summit, welcomed news of the Zambia deal. She visited Lusaka in January to meet with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and bring attention to the ramifications of its debt crisis. I saw firsthand how the weight of default and a stalled debt restructuring process can bring suffering to ordinary families and hold back economic growth, Yellen said. She urged both official and private-sector creditors to quickly finalize debt restructuring to encourage the private investment that is needed to jump-start the economy. Full details of the deal weren't announced. The French officials said Zambia's debt would be reorganized over 20 years, with a three-year grace period. It also includes a clause aimed at ensuring that Zambia gets similar treatment from private creditors, who hold an additional USD 6.8 billion in loans to Zambia, but it wasn't clear that those private creditors could be required to do so. Private creditors know they're going to need to restructure (the debt), they have been warned they'll need to make a similar effort, a French official said. A memorandum of understanding is expected to formalise the deal in the coming weeks. The deal is the second to be agreed under a mechanism called the Group of 20 Common Framework created at the end of year 2020 to associate the Paris Club of government creditors and other major economies from the Group of 20, including China, in debt negotiations. The first was struck last year with Chad. Yellen has called for debt overhang in other countries like Sri Lanka to be addressed as well. (AP) PY PY New Delhi, Jun 23 (PTI) Hollywood star Jharrel Jerome believes his "I'm a Virgo" character of Cootie, a 13-feet-tall man growing up in Oakland, California, represents the reality of society in America where the Black community is often viewed as a threat. The Prime Video show is created by Boots Riley, the alternative hip hop artiste and activist, who made his directorial debut with 2018's absurdist comedy "Sorry to Bother You". Described as a darkly comedic fantastical coming-of-age joyride, the show is about the gentle giant Cootie, who is raised in solitary by his uncle and aunt due to his enormous size but later escapes from there to experience the beauty and contradictions of the real world. "As a man in the five-feet category, I felt great to be that big, to be 13 feet tall. And I am not into horoscopes. I am not tall and I am not a Virgo. So I don't know why I did this project, but here I am," Jerome, known for starring in Oscar-winning movie "Moonlight" and acclaimed Netflix series "When They See Us", told PTI in a virtual interview. The 25-year-old actor said the show is a symbol for any Black man trying to create an identity and space in America who is mistaken due to his appearance. "As a Black man in America stepping outside, you already feel different. You feel as though you may not fit in and the certain areas that you cannot go to or you feel like you are not allowed to be in. And Cootie feels that everywhere. So I feel that he is this large symbol for the Black plight in America," he said. At the same time, Cootie is also a symbol of "carrying a good heart", Jerome added. The word 'Virgo' in the title refers to the character's astrological symbol and the reason for the optimistic nature of Cootie despite the dangers that he may encounter in the outside world. "Cootie is a genuine soft spoken soul but the second he walks outside someone might see him as a monster. Someone might consider him a villain or a beast. "He really is just a gentle giant and I think that is very relatable for a lot of Black men in the country who have heart and have a great intention but are continuously pushed and weighed down by the system and thus turned into the villain," the actor said. Jerome said his first reaction when Riley reached out to him for the show was of disbelief. "I was like 'What? What are you talking about?' (But) the creativeness and the fresh perspective of storytelling that Boots created with this story excited me so much. On top of it, the challenge of it being such a technical process, with the way we shot the first perspective," he added. "I'm a Virgo" is yet another interesting project in the filmography of Jerome, who is emerging as one of the rising artists in the US. He played a pivotal role in Barry Jenkins' 2016 Oscar-winning movie "Moonlight" and then starred in Ava DuVernay's series "When They See Us". His performance as Korey Wise, one of the five members wrongly accused of rape, had earned him an Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a limited series or movie. Jerome said he has learnt a lot from working with "visionary" storytellers like Duvernay, Jenkins and Riley as well as Steven Soderbergh, the director of his upcoming miniseries "Full Circle". "These directors are incredibly militant with their craft and incredibly visionary. They can see the vision and they know how to execute it. I think just being on the set with creatives like that drives you, it pushes you and it teaches you a lot. "It teaches you professionalism, it teaches you hard work and to remain driven. It also teaches you how to come together with different creatives and create something special," he added. "I'm A Virgo" also stars Kara Young, Allius Barnes, Olivia Washington, Mike Epps and Carmen Ejogo. Co-produced by Amazon Studios and Media Res Studio, the series started streaming on Prime Video from Friday. Islamabad, Jun 23 (PTI) Prominent media outlets of Pakistan on Friday took note of the joint demand by India and the US to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching cross-border terror attacks. In their joint statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden also called on Pakistan to punish perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks. In a report from Washington, the Dawn newspaper noted that the joint statement called for action against extremist groups based in Pakistan such as the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. "The United States and India stand together to counter global terrorism and unequivocally condemn terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations," the joint statement said on Thursday. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, and the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks, it said. The two leaders called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice, it said. "US President Biden and Indian Prime Minister Modi have jointly demanded Islamabad take steps to make sure that Pakistani soil is not being used in "launching terror attacks," Geo News reported. Biden and Modi also reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qaeda, Daesh and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen, it said. They stressed bringing the perpetrators of attacks, including the bloody 2008 siege of Mumbai and the Pathankot incidents, it added. US President Biden on Thursday joined visiting Indian Prime Minister Modi in warning Pakistan to crack down on extremists that target New Delhi, The News International reported. In a joint statement issued as Modi paid a state visit to Washington, the two leaders called for action against extremist groups allegedly based in Pakistan such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, it said. Modi, who is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Islamabad, Jun 23 (PTI) Pakistan's Punjab government on Friday submitted a report to the Supreme Court detailing the number of people arrested in the province following the May 9 violence after the top court summoned the records of hundreds of alleged rioters, including women and journalists, in custody. The report, submitted as the top court on Friday resumed hearing, showed that detention orders for 2,258 people were issued under the Maintenance of Public Order, adding that 21 were in jail, Dawn News reported. The report, submitted by the Punjab advocate general, also showed that 1,888 people had been arrested in 51 terrorism cases, adding that 500 had been discharged while 232 were on bail. It further said that 4,119 had been arrested in 247 other cases, adding that 1,201 people had been discharged while 3,012 were on bail. The report by the Punjab government, however, did not include the data of minors, journalists, lawyers or those in custody. The government has decided to try civilians under the Army Act after enraged protesters belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party vandalised army installations following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. A seven-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial is hearing the pleas against military trials. The bench had on Thursday ignored a request to issue an interim or a stay order to stop the trial of civilians in the military courts, saying it was not possible without hearing the arguments of Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan first. While issuing notice to the respondents, the court asked the AGP to furnish the total number of detained suspects in civil and military custody on account of offences allegedly committed by them on May 9. During the hearing of the petitions filed by former CJP Jawwad S Khawaja, former prime minister Imran Khan, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Aitzaz Ahsan and civil society, the court issued notices to all the people and institutions named as respondents in the petitions filed against the trial of civilians in military courts under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 and the Official Secret Act, 1923. Widespread violence erupted in Pakistan after Khan was arrested by paramilitary personnel inside the Islamabad High Court on May 9. He was later released on bail. Over 20 military installations and state buildings, including military headquarters in Rawalpindi, were damaged or torched in the violent protests that followed Khan's arrest. More than 10,000 persons, including 4,000 solely from Punjab province, had been arrested following the violence that saw a crackdown on PTI activists across Pakistan. Islamabad, Jun 23 (PTI) Pakistan's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has found himself at the centre of a controversy for engaging in a heated exchange with a journalist, who accused the politician of slapping him over a question about the stalled IMF deal. The incident occurred on Thursday when Dar was leaving the parliament premises after addressing a National Assembly session when he was approached by journalist Shahid Qureshi, the Dawn newspaper reported. In a video that has gone viral on social media, the reporter can be seen asking Dar if he would be willing to talk and the minister responded he had just finished speaking. Qureshi then inquired about the progress of the stalled International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme and referred to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. While Dar, 73, did not reply to the questions, the journalist persisted and questioned the government's failure to secure the USD 1.1 billion deal from the Washington-based global lender. Dar then retorted that the deal could not be cracked "because people like you are in the system". The journalist defending himself asserted that reporters were not part of the system but merely asked questions. At this point, Dar became visibly angry and confronted the journalist, asking him what he wanted and telling him to "fear God". Dar then attempted to snatch the journalist's mobile phone and even instructed security personnel to seize and throw away the mobile phone, the report said. The finance minister's security personnel then intervened and escorted Dar towards a vehicle in the parking lot. The journalist later released another video in which he provided a detailed account of the incident and claimed that Dar's security guards had grabbed him and the minister slapped him. They grabbed me from both sides after which Ishaq Dar slapped me, the journalist claimed, adding that he had recorded the entire incident. While leaving, Dar told his security officers to follow me and teach me a lesson those officers followed me till I reached the second floor of the Parliament...., Qureshi added. In response to the altercation, the Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA), issuing a condemnation statement, expressed strong disapproval of the violence and disrespectful behaviour exhibited by Dar's guards. The PRA demanded an apology from the finance minister to the reporter and emphasised that such aggressive behaviour should not be repeated in the future. They further stated that if Dar fails to apologise, the PRA reserves the right to walk out of the budget session and stage a protest. The association also called on National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf to take notice of the incident. Dar's frustration appears to stem from the government's exhaustive efforts to secure the bailout package, as the IMF has yet to revive the expiring programme, scheduled to expire on June 30, the newspaper reported. Pakistan has barely enough currency reserves to cover one month's imports. It had hoped to have USD 1.1 billion of the funds released in November but the IMF has insisted on a number of conditions before it makes any more disbursements. In a last-ditch effort, the prime minister on Thursday met IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on the sidelines of a meeting in Paris. The meeting between the premier and the global lender's managing director comes as the country faces a steep fall in foreign loan disbursements to just USD 8.4 billion this fiscal year. Odeys Downfall Shows How Far Women Have to Go in City of London (Bloomberg) -- Revelations of predatory acts by media mogul Harvey Weinstein helped jumpstart a global reckoning for rich and powerful men. Few expect the downfall of hedge fund manager Crispin Odey to provoke a similar watershed in the City of London. Most Read from Bloomberg Odey losing his position isnt going to change behavior, said Zelda Perkins, a British former assistant to Weinstein who broke her non-disclosure agreement in 2017 to speak out against him. What has to change is the system. In the six years since the #Metoo movement rose to prominence, companies have set up mandatory harassment courses, whistleblowing hotlines and tried to diversify. But women in the City of London say they still hesitate to report harassment or abuse for fear of being labeled a troublemaker and damaging their careers. Those who do face hurdles at every stage of the grievance process. As the number of women who allege Odey assaulted or abused them over a period of 25 years has grown, they say they remain deeply affected by their experiences. They also warn that his June 10 ouster from the firm he founded Odey Asset Management is no turning point. The financial industry, they say, has a long way to go to improve the way women are treated. The only reason people will pay attention is because of the press attention Odey received, said Grace Lordan, associate professor and director of the Inclusion Initiative at the London School of Economics. Its been going on for a long time, its been ignored and its a problem in the sector that when someone approaches a company with sexual harassment, they are silent, they ignore it and they get them to sign NDAs. The process of reporting sexual assault in the UK can be fraught. Problems range from the treatment of whistleblowers in workplaces to a Crown Prosecution Service that is extremely cautious about bringing forward criminal cases because it is often one persons word against another. And a Financial Conduct Authority which is, according to campaigners, too slow to investigate non-financial misconduct. The watchdog had no comment. Two weeks ago, the Financial Times published the accounts of 13 women who accused Odey of harassment and assault, with the last incident said to have taken place in December 2021. Odey, 64, disputes the allegations, which include crude remarks, unwanted touching and unwelcome proposals to be his mistress. He didnt respond to multiple requests for comment and no criminal proceedings have been brought against him. Complicit behavoir Similar claims were made in stories published in 2021 by other news organizations, including Bloomberg News, shortly after a case that accused him of sexually assaulting a woman 20 years earlier was dismissed. When Judge Nicholas Rimmer gave his verdict, he said Odey could leave the court with his good character intact. Aileen McColgan, a London barrister with a practice specialized in dealing with harassment allegations, says that misconduct continues because those around the perpetrators allow it. Some of the very same people who are currently condemning behavior as unacceptable will have been complicit in letting people get away with it for years, she said. For many women in the City wanting to report misconduct, the first port of call is their companys human resources department. But in a survey by the Chartered Management Institute in April, one in five managers said they did not speak up for fear of being dismissed as a nuisance or had seen other cases not taken seriously before. Women can go on to settle and sign an NDA. For them its a way to secure a reference and stay in long-term employment. But it often means that companies can sweep bad behavior under the carpet. The FCA whistle-blower hotline is also an option. The watchdog introduced more conduct rules for senior managers and whistleblowing after a commission set up by the government said in 2013 that financial institutions should improve standards in a broad way. Harassment reports to the watchdog have climbed to 43 over the past five years, with 10 of them made in the year through 2022. But it has issued just five financial services banning orders for non-finance related misbehavior each following a court conviction. And two years after opening an investigation into Odey and corporate governance at Odey Asset Management, its findings still havent been made public. Few prosecutions In the City of London, the number of sexual offenses recorded by City of London police jumped 181% to 118 in the year ended March 2022 from 42 over the same period the year before, when many people were working from home because of the pandemic. Nationally, the police pursued just 2.9% of sexual offenses cases through to a charge in the year ended March 2022, according to the most recent Home Office data. Thats down from 3.5% a year earlier and compares with around 6% of cases for crime more generally. The number of successful court prosecutions is extremely low. A potential route for claimants is an employment tribunal or possible personal injury claim, and the standard of proof is easier to reach in those cases as the judge only needs to decide if an incident was more likely than not to have occurred. If the regulators and those companies involved do not hold the individuals accountable for their conduct then it sets a precedent that this behavior is acceptable, allowing it to continue, and ultimately contributing to the creation of a toxic culture, said Stacey Macken, a former prime broker at BNP Paribas. While her case did not involve any allegations of sexual misconduct, Macken was one of the very few claimants in recent years to win a multi million pound payout in a court case when she showed that a male colleague was earning 25% more than she was. Some things are changing: A bill going through Parliament would introduce a preventative duty on employers to take adequate steps to stop harassment occurring in the first place. There are more women than ever at executive committee level in FTSE 100 companies, setting a new tone. But that figure was just 27% in November 2022. Perkins pointed to a move by the legal services regulator to consider the scale, extent and nature of misuse of NDAs as an indication that watchdogs are taking the response to harassment seriously. But for Odey and the FCA its a different matter, she says. Why has their response been so sluggish and why hasnt it changed? Theres still a total culture of impunity, Perkins said. Until those systems are changed and regulators get some teeth, this is still going to keep on happening. If youd like to share your experience of sexual harassment in the City anonymously, you can do so here. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Moscow, Jun 23 (AP) The video was shocking not just for what it showed but also for what was said. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the outspoken millionaire head of the private military contractor Wagner, stood in front of the bloodied bodies of his slain troops in Ukraine and yelled expletive-riddled insults at Russian military leaders, blaming them for the carnage. They came here as volunteers and they died to let you lounge in your red wood offices, Prigozhin shouted. You are sitting in your expensive clubs, your children are enjoying good living and filming videos on YouTube. Those who don't give us ammunition will be eaten alive in hell! It was a disquieting display for Russians used to more than two decades of rigidly controlled rule by President Vladimir Putin years with little sign of infighting among his top lieutenants. Prigozhin's video in May and his other rants against the military leadership have been met with silence from Putin, as well as the brass. Some see Putin's failure to squelch the infighting as a sign of potential shifts in Russia's political scene that set the stage for more internal battles. Prigozhin's rift with the military has been ignored by state-controlled TV, where most Russians get their news, although it is followed closely by the politically active, ultra-patriotic readers and viewers on social media networks, which share his contempt for military leaders. While there are no indications that Putin is losing influence, there are growing signs of deep dysfunction, anxiety, worry about the war and real problems in marshalling the resources necessary to fight it effectively, said Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the editor of its Strategic Survey. Prigozhin's feud with military leaders goes back years, and it spilled into the open amid the fighting for the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut that was spearheaded by his mercenaries. It has pushed the 62-year-old Wagner owner, dubbed Putin's chef for his lucrative Kremlin catering contracts, to the forefront of Russian politics and signaled his growing ambitions. He scathingly criticised Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov, as weak and incompetent in mocking statements full of vulgar language. At one point, he even alleged the army planted mines on the route his fighters planned to use and opened fire at them. With his crude remarks, Prigozhin ventured into territory where only Putin had gone before: Over the years, the Russian leader occasionally broke decorum with an earthy remark or off-color joke, while top officials used carefully worded language. In a later video, Prigozhin made a statement that some have interpreted as a thinly veiled attack on Putin himself. He declared that while his men were dying due to the Defence Ministry's failure to supply ammunition, a happy granddad is thinking he's doing well, and then referred to that granddad with an obscenity. The blunt comment caused a social media uproar, where it was broadly seen as a reference to Putin. Prigozhin later said he was talking about Gerasimov. Prigozhin is now sailing much closer to the wind than he ever has, Gould-Davies told The Associated Press. Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political commentator, described Prigozhin as the second-most popular man after Putin and a symbol of Russia's military victory for millions of people. Putin needs Prigozhin's mercenaries at a time when the regular military is still recovering from setbacks earlier in the invasion. The Wagner chief's position was bolstered after the private army captured Bakhmut last month in the war's longest and bloodiest battle, relying on tens of thousands of convicts who were promised pardons if they survived six months of fighting. Putin dominates the system, but he still sort of depends upon a small number of big people to implement his will, to provide him with resources to carry out his orders, including fighting the war, Gould-Davies told AP. While Putin may adhere to keeping various factions divided and then intervening to decide who wins and who loses, and who's up and who's down, the process erodes the government's authority in wartime, Gould-Davies said. That may be a way of keeping the political system going, but it's certainly not the way to fight the war, because if your military forces are divided and if they're not fighting together effectively, then your military operations will suffer accordingly and that's exactly what's happening here, he said. Mark Galeotti, a London-based expert on Russian politics and security, noted the infighting was continuing even as Ukraine is in the early stages of its long-expected counteroffensive "a point when really everyone should have one single common goal. In a recent podcast, he speculated that Putin's failure to resolve political disputes could be rooted in a lack of interest, a focus on other issues or, more likely, a reluctance to take sides. It also raises questions about his overall capacity to do his job, Galeotti said. This is the one thing, the one job he can't really outsource, and he's not even trying. The lack of response from military leaders to Prigozhin's insults appeared to indicate they weren't sure if Putin was on their side. St. Petersburg regional Gov. Alexander Beglov was another recent Prigozhin target, following their long-standing conflict rooted in Beglov's reluctance to award lucrative contracts to Prigozhin's companies. Just like the military leaders, Beglov has not responded. Prigozhin has allied with other hawkish officials, reportedly including Tula Gov. Alexei Dyumin, a former Putin bodyguard seen by many as a potential successor. The Wagner head also gravitated for some time toward Ramzan Kadyrov, the Moscow-backed regional leader of Chechnya. While denouncing most senior military leaders, Prigozhin spoke approvingly about Gen. Sergei Surovikin, who led Russian forces in Ukraine for several months before Putin appointed Gerasimov to oversee the operations. But some of those alliances have been shaky. While Kadyrov initially praised Prigozhin and backed some of his criticism of the military leaders, he later shifted course and criticised him for sounding defeatist. Kadyrov's lieutenants went further, blasting Wagner's efforts in Bakhmut after Prigozhin made dismissive comments about Chechen fighters in Ukraine. Kadyrov's right-hand man, Magomed Daudov, bluntly said Prigozhin would have been executed for such statements during World War II. Prigozhin quickly backed off, saying he was only expressing concern about Russian operations. Prigozhin has dodged questions about his ambitions, but in a move that reflected his desire to gain political clout, he recently toured Russia, continuing a barrage of blustery comments. There are signs that he seeks some sort of political future, Gould-Davies observed. Even though Prigozhin owes his position and wealth to Putin, he's playing the role of outsider with his criticism of some leaders and by trying to appeal to the masses amid setbacks in Ukraine, said Andrei Kolesnikov of the Carnegie Endowment. He is posturing as an enemy of the elites, even though he is a product of Putin's system, the embodiment of his regime and state contracts, Kolesnikov said. Prigozhin is playing an independent politician, raising the stakes and testing the system's limits. But it's only technically and physically possible for as long as Putin finds him useful and is amused by his escapades. In a show of support for the military, Putin backed the Defence Ministry's demand for all private companies to sign contracts with it something Prigozhin has refused to do. And in another sign Putin's administration may finally be cutting Prigozhin down to size, messaging app channels connected to the Kremlin carried photos of his partying children, including a daughter in Dubai, in apparent retaliation for Prigozhin's attacks on the defence minister's daughter. Prigozhin has urged all-out war with Ukraine, including a total nationwide mobilization and the introduction of martial law in Russia calls welcomed by some hawks. But Kolesnikov notes that the vast majority of Russians who are mostly apathetic or unwilling to make larger sacrifices could be frightened and appalled by that message. He cautions against overestimating Prigozhin's clout and political prospects, and underestimating Putin's authority. "It's enough for the commander-in-chief to move his finger to make the Wagner chief disappear, Kolesnikov said. (AP) FZH Washington, Jun 23 (PTI) India is supplying components worth USD 140 million to the US Department of Energys ambitious plans to upgrade the Fermilab accelerator complex to create the most intense high-energy neutrino beams which would help unravel understanding of the evolution of the universe. India and the US signed an agreement in 2018 to expand collaboration for jointly advancing cutting-edge neutrino science projects such as the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) with the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) hosted at Fermilab, and the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO). Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden on Thursday hailed the deepening bilateral cooperation between the two countries on cutting-edge scientific infrastructure. This includes a USD 140 million in-kind contribution from the Indian Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to the US Department of Energys (DOEs) Fermi National Laboratory toward collaborative development of the Proton Improvement Plan-II (PIP-II) Accelerator, for the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility the first and largest international research facility on US soil. Biden and Modi also welcomed the commencement of construction of a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in India, according to a joint statement issued after the bilateral talks between the two sides. Prime Minister Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The leaders called on their administrations to extend these partnerships to advanced biotechnology and biomanufacturing, and enhance biosafety and biosecurity innovation, practices, and norms, the statement said. The PIP-II project includes the construction of a 600-foot-long superconducting linear accelerator at Fermilab. It will be the first-ever particle accelerator built in the United States with significant contributions from international partners, including the United Kingdom and Italy. Scientists from four institutions Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai; Inter-University Accelerator Centre in New Delhi; Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology in Indore; and Variable Electron and Cyclotron Centre in Kolkata are contributing to the design and construction of magnets and superconducting particle accelerator components for PIP-II at Fermilab. Boston, Jun 23 (AP) Authorities turned their focus to determining why a submersible carrying people to the wreck of the Titanic imploded deep in the North Atlantic, as tributes poured in for the five aboard who were killed. The announcement that no one survived on Thursday brought a tragic end to a five-day saga that included an urgent around-the-clock search for the vessel known as the Titan. The investigation into what happened was already underway and would continue in the area around Titanic where debris from the submersible was found, said Rear Adm. John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District. I know there are also a lot of questions about how, why and when did this happen. Those are questions we will collect as much information as we can about now, Mauger said, adding that it was a complex case that happened in a remote part of the ocean and involved people from several different countries. The first hint of a timeline came Thursday evening when a senior US Navy official said that after the Titan was reported missing Sunday, the Navy went back and analysed its acoustic data and found an anomaly that was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the vessel was operating when communications were lost. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive acoustic detection system. Those killed were Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the submersible; two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. The Titan launched at 6 am Sunday, and was reported overdue Sunday afternoon about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's, Newfoundland. Rescuers rushed ships, planes and other equipment to the site of the disappearance. Any sliver of hope that remained for finding the crew alive was wiped away early Thursday, when the submersible's 96-hour supply of air was expected to run out and the Coast Guard announced that debris had been found roughly 1,600 feet (488 metres) from the Titanic. The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber, Mauger said. The Coast Guard said Thursday that the sounds detected during the search that had given rescuers some hope that maybe the people were alive were likely generated by something other than the Titan. The Navy official who spoke of the anomaly heard Sunday said the Navy passed on the information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search because the data was not considered definitive. Tributes to and praise for the searchers who tried to save them poured in from across the globe. Harding's family said in a statement: He was one of a kind and we adored him... What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, it's that we lost him doing what he loved. In a statement beginning with a Quranic verse, the Dawood family thanked rescuers: Their untiring efforts were a source of strength for us during this time, We are also indebted to our friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers from all over the world who stood by us during our need. A longtime friend and colleague of Nargeolet told French media that when contact was lost on Sunday, he quickly feared the worst. Unfortunately, I thought straight away of an implosion, diver and retired underwater filmographer Christian Petron said Friday to broadcaster France-Info. At the depths in which the submersible was operating, the pressure is intense and unforgiving, he noted. Obviously, the slightest problem with the hull and its implosion is immediate, Petron said. Director James Cameron, who has made multiple dives to the wreckage of the Titanic, told the BBC that he knew an extreme catastrophic event had happened as soon as he heard the submersible had lost navigation and communications at the same time. For me, there was no doubt," Cameron said. "There was no search. When they finally got an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) down there that could make the depth, they found it within hours. Probably within minutes. He said briefings about 96 hours of oxygen supply and banging noises were a prolonged and nightmarish charade that gave the crew members' families false hope. At least 46 people successfully travelled on OceanGate's submersible to the Titanic wreck site in 2021 and 2022, according to letters the company filed with a US District Court in Norfolk, Virginia, that oversees matters involving the Titanic shipwreck. But questions about the submersible's safety were raised by both by a former company employee and former passengers. David Lochridge, OceanGate's former director of marine operations, argued in 2018 that the method the company devised for ensuring the soundness of the hull relying on acoustic monitoring that could detect cracks and pops as the hull strained under pressure was inadequate and could subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible. OceanGate disagreed. Lochridge is not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan, it said, and it noted he was fired after refusing to accept assurances from the company's lead engineer that the acoustic monitoring and testing protocol was, in fact, better suited to detect flaws than a method Lochridge proposed. One of the company's first customers likened a dive he made to the site two years ago to a suicide mission. Imagine a metal tube a few metres long with a sheet of metal for a floor. You can't stand. You can't kneel. Everyone is sitting close to or on top of each other, said Arthur Loibl, a retired businessman and adventurer from Germany. You can't be claustrophobic. (AP) FZH Johannesburg, Jun 23 (AP) At least 31 illegal miners are believed to have died in a gas explosion in a shuttered gold mine in South Africa that happened more than a month ago but is only now coming to light after people reported their relatives missing, authorities said on Friday. The miners are all believed to come from the neighbouring country of Lesotho. A search of the mine was being delayed because methane gas levels were still dangerously high in the ventilation shaft where the miners are thought to have died, the national Department of Mineral and Energy Resources said in a statement. The mine in the city of Welkom in the central Free State province was previously operated by South Africa's largest gold-mining company but had been shut down in the 1990s, the department said. The department, which is the government ministry responsible for mining, said it was still piecing together the details of the accident. A spokesperson for Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane said relatives of some miners had reported them missing, prompting Lesotho's foreign ministry to contact South African authorities. The miners are believed to have died in Shaft 5 of the Virginia mine on May 18. Illegal prospecting is rife in South Africa's old gold-mining areas, where miners go into closed and often dangerous shafts to dig for any deposits left behind. Fatal incidents involving illegal miners are common and sometimes go unreported because survivors are afraid of being arrested when they inform authorities. The illegal miners are often from South Africa's neighbouring countries. The mineral resources department said it had information that three bodies had been brought to the surface by other illegal miners but there were likely still dozens underground at the Welkom mine. It is currently too risky to dispatch a search team to the shaft, it said. However, we are considering various options to speedily deal with the situation. South Africa's rich gold basin stretches approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) south from Johannesburg to Welkom. It's littered with abandoned mine shafts which are no longer commercially viable but provide opportunities for illegal miners to strike it rich, although the risks are high. In November, South African police discovered the bodies of 21 illegal miners at a mine in use in Krugersdorp, a town west of Johannesburg. Authorities said they believed the bodies had been moved to the active mine from a different disused mine by other illegal miners so they could be discovered. In January this year, nine miners were found dead in the northern province of Limpopo after they were trapped underground following heavy rains, which caused mud to block the entrance to the mine. One of the worst tragedies involving illegal miners was also in Welkom. In 2009, 82 miners, mostly from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho, died after inhaling toxic gas following a fire in a disused shaft of a different gold mine in the city. The latest deaths in Welkom sparked a diplomatic spat Friday between South Africa and Lesotho over the issue of illegal miners coming over the nearby border. This incident, more than any other incident, has confirmed our view that this thing of illegal miners is economic sabotage," South African Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe said on TV station Newzroom Afrika, accusing Lesotho of not taking the issue of illegal miners seriously. Thapelo Mabote, the spokesperson for Lesotho's prime minister, responded that Mantashe's allegations were wrong and misplaced. The mine was previously owned by Harmony Gold, according to the mineral resources department. Harmony's chairman is billionaire mining magnate Patrice Motsepe, one of South Africa's richest men and the brother-in-law of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.(AP) RUP RUP Paris, Jun 23 (AP) Participants at a Paris summit stopped short on Friday of a deal to create a tax on greenhouse gas emissions produced from international shipping, leaving climate NGOs and activists lamenting the lack of ambitious responses to fight climate change and the world's inequalities brought forward at the meeting. The two-day gathering of world leaders and finance bosses ended without a major announcement, though organisers did release a promised road map aimed at fulfilling French President Emmanuel Macron's pledge to assess reforms of the international finance system over the next two years. We need to be clear that if we don't change the institutions, the world will remain the same," Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said. Those who are rich will stay rich. Those who are poor will remain poor. This is the way it is. The idea of a global tax on the greenhouse gas emissions produced from international shipping has been gaining traction and could potentially be adopted at a July meeting of the International Maritime Organisation, the United Nations agency regulating shipping. The money could be directed toward developing countries to help them deal with climate change. Some experts believe that a tax on shipping alone could raise USD 100 billion a year, and a strong endorsement of it in Paris would have provided Macron with a symbolic win. This is tax-free sector. And there's no reason why it's not taxed, Macron said. But the French president, who hosted the summit, suggested that China and the US were not supporting the idea. If China and the US and several key European countries are not on board, then you would put a tax in place that would not have any impact, he added. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who attended the summit, called the tax a very constructive suggestion" and said the US would look at it. It was unclear which countries at the summit supported the proposal, which could be an important step toward getting a heavily emitting industry to pitch in to the cost of fighting climate change. The French presidency said 23 nations, which were not identified in the official statement, backed the initiative. Shipping accounts for almost 3 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the International Maritime Organization. A European Parliament report has warned that share could increase dramatically by 2050. The gathering had no mandate to make formal decisions, but Macron had pledged to deliver a to-do list that would be accompanied by a progress-tracking tool. A 15-page document released soon after the summit ended relied heavily on calls for action by groups like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and others, such as changing the way risk is calculated on projects in the developing world and financing projects with local currency. Both moves could reduce borrowing costs that are typically much higher for low-income nations that often face massive challenges in adapting to climate change at the same time they're confronted by poverty and myriad other issues. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said during the closing ceremony that African nations are not beggars. It's important in the new era where the world is in now, that there should be a good measure of equality among sovereign nations ... We should go to demonstrate that Africa should never be seen as a continent that needs generosity. We want to be treated as equals." During the summit, the World Bank announced a plan to provide a pause in debt repayments for the most vulnerable countries when they are hit by a crisis or catastrophe. The International Monetary Fund has made USD 100 billion worth of assets called Special Drawing Rights available to certain vulnerable countries. The French presidency then said France would share 40 per cent of its own assets from the COVID-19 pandemic. The summit's first day included announcements of a pair of deals. French officials said debt-burdened Zambia reached a deal with several creditors including China to restructure USD 6.3 billion in loans. And Senegal reached a deal with the European Union and western allies to support its efforts to improve its access to energy and increase its share of renewable energy to 40 per cent by 2030. NGOs and climate activists noted some positive outcomes from the summit, yet said it doesn't go far enough. "We are disappointed to see that most leaders of the world's richest nations and most powerful institutions have once again gathered and emerged with insufficient solutions and lightly held promises," Global Citizen and its partners said in a statement. By steering closer to private finance sources and tweaking on the edges of existing multilateral development banks, the summit merely dressed the old in new packaging, such as by suggesting debt pauses' for poor countries hit by disasters rather than full debt cancellation, Climate Action Network said in a statement. Activists have hoped for a tax on the fossil fuel industry and another one on financial transactions, but neither proposal appeared to have much support from wealthier nations. Silence on the fossil fuel industry paying for the mess they have caused was deafening at this summit, Tracy Carty, climate politics expert at Greenpeace International, said. Many officials from poor and climate-vulnerable nations attended, with only two top leaders from the Group of Seven most developed countries Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the audience. The US was represented by Yellen and climate envoy John Kerry. Other attendees included China's Prime Minister Li Qiang, World Bank head Ajay Banga and IMF President Kristalina Georgieva. Climate activists gathered in central Paris on Friday to ask for polluters to pay for climate damage. There will be no climate justice without making the polluters pay, said Patience Nabukala, part of the Fridays for Futures Uganda activist group. People from countries like mine, we cannot afford to lose more lives, we cannot afford to lose more properties.(AP) RUP RUP RUP Mumbai, Jun 23 (PTI) The Maharashtra government on Friday approved the upgrading of nine deputy regional transport offices to the level of RTOs, an official said. With this, the number of RTOs in the state has increased to 24 from the existing 15 and the deputy RTOs have come down to 27 from 36, the official said. As per a government resolution (GR), deputy RTOs in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Jalgaon, Solapur, Vasai, Ahmednagar, Chandrapur, Akola, Borivali and Satara will be upgraded to the level of RTOs. After the government approval, Maharashtra will now have 24 RTOs and 27 deputy RTOs, including the recently created Ichalkaranji deputy RTO, which is not yet functional, he said. The deputy RTOs at Pimpri-Chinchwad and Solapur were falling under the Pune RTO, while those at Jalgaon, Vasai, Ahmednagar, Chandrapur, Akola, Borivali and Satara came under the jurisdiction of Dhule, Thane, Nashik, Nagpur rural, Amravati, Andheri and Kolhapur RTOs, the official said. The GR has stated that the regional transport officers of these offices have been made office heads. The state government has asked the transport commissioner to appoint licence, registration and taxation officers for the jurisdiction of RTOs and deputy RTOs, it stated. According to RTO officials, the state government's move has come at a time when 10 RTOs and 11 deputy RTOs are without heads and posts are also vacant at the state transport commissioner's office, where joint transport commissioner J B Patil holds three charges. At some RTOs and deputy RTOs the posts of top bosses have been vacant for the last few months, while in some offices they have been vacant since the last few years, they said. Some RTO officials said the upgrade was necessary only at places like Borivali and Pimpri-Chinchwad, since the ones at Akola, Satara, Ahmednagar and Jalgaon don't have much work. A motor vehicle inspector who did not wish to be named said the main issue was provision of staff and infrastructure rather than just upgrading it from deputy RTO to full-fledged RTO. Some officials said Thane RTO was a prime posting due to the border check post coming under its jurisdiction, but the upgrade of Vasai in Palghar district into a full-fledged RTO would bring this post under the area of the latter. A retired official said the upgrade, which should have happened earlier, would be more beneficial to some officials rather than the common public. "The transport department has already launched several faceless services and more are on the anvil," this official pointed out. A senior bureaucrat told PTI it was necessary to upgrade some deputy RTOs considering the geographical area, vehicle registration, accident prevalence, revenue collection and enforcement requirements as well as workforce management. "Pimpri-Chinchwad is much bigger than Nanded and Latur, but was under a deputy RTO office, whereas Nanded and Latur had full-fledged RTOs. The upgrade of RTO offices was proposed while drafting the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Departments staffing pattern, which too has received green signal of the state government," he said. State Transport Secretary Parag Jain Nainutia could not be reached for comment. Mumbai, Jun 23 (PTI) Ruling Shiv Sena in Maharashtra on Friday said Opposition parties coming together to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi only shows his greatness and asserted that him winning the next year's Lok Sabha polls is a foregone conclusion. State minister and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant also targeted the rival group led by former CM Uddhav Thackeray over the issue of Article 370, which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir and was abrogated by the Modi government in August 2019. Opposition parties held a key unity meeting in Patna on Friday which was attended by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, his son and former environment minister Aaditya Thackeray and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. As many as 17 Opposition parties, including the Congress, the Trinamool Congress, the DMK, the JD(U) and the SP took part in the conclave where they resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha polls unitedly to defeat the BJP and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences. "For defeating one person (PM Modi), all parties have come together and this shows his greatness. It is given that Narendra Modi will come back to power in the next Lok Sabha polls," said Samant, whose party, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is a key BJP ally in Maharashtra. Targeting Uddhav Thackeray, the Shiv Sena deputy leader said 'Matoshree' (the private residence of the Thackeray family in suburban Bandra) strongly batted for abolition of Article 370, but now they are sitting next to those who opposed the 2019 move to scrap the constitutional provision. Samant was referring to Uddhav Thackeray sitting next to People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti at the press conference that followed the Opposition meeting. The PDP had strongly opposed the abrogation of Article 370 and has been seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. The erstwhile state was divided into two Union Territories in 2019. Bhubaneswar, Jun 23 (PTI) As the BJD did not join the opposition meeting in Patna, the Congress on Friday accused Odisha's ruling party of being "hand in glove" with the BJP. The relationship between the two parties will "continue till the BJP is in power at the Centre", Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee media cell chief Ganeswar Behera said. For a long, we have been saying that the BJD is with the BJP and will continue to maintain the relationship. How could the BJD join the group which was opposed to the BJP, Behera told PTI. In contrary to the claim of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Congress leader said that the BJD has "never maintained distance from the BJP". Patnaiks party is all along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said. Responding to the allegation, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said the party had "no plan to join any group or alliance". Our party president has already made it clear that the BJD will not join any group or alliance now. We are committed to the welfare of 4.5 crore people of Odisha. We have the strength to serve the people. "We do not need anybodys help from outside as long as the people of Odisha continued to bless us, Mohanty told PTI. He also said that the regional party has been maintaining equal distance from both the Congress-led UPA and the BJP-led NDA. Mohanty said the BJD would continue to maintain the policy. Notably, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee had met Patnaik in Bhubaneswar recently. Meanwhile, as many as 17 opposition parties on Friday resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the BJP and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences. They will meet in Shimla next month to chalk out a joint strategy. Thirty-two leaders of these parties participated in the meeting at the Bihar chief minister's 1, Aney Marg, residence in Patna. The meeting is viewed as a starting point for Opposition unity ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in 2024 to unitedly take on the BJP. Ranchi, Jun 23 (PTI) The southwest monsoon which set foot in Jharkhand on June 19 covered 23 out of 24 districts on Friday, after slow-rolling of the system for about three days, a weather official said. The weather department has also issued heavy rainfall alert for parts of the state on June 25 and June 26, which might cause damage to standing crops and water-logging in low-lying areas, the official said. The monsoon hit Jharkhand this year after a delay of nine days and covered four districts of Santhal Pargana. Thereafter, its progress partially slowed and covered 10 districts till Thursday. "The southwest monsoons progress was partially sluggish between June 19 and June 22 in Jharkhand due to weak rainfall in neighbouring states like Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar. However, it got momentum and covered almost the entire state, excluding Garhwa district on Friday," in-charge of Ranchi Meteorological Centre Abhishek Anand told PTI. Conditions are favourable for the advancement of monsoon in the remaining parts of Jharkhand during the next two days, the official said. "The state is likely to receive good rainfall on June 25 and 26 due to a cyclonic circulation over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coasts. Heavy rain alert has been issued for parts of the state for coming Sunday and Monday," he said. Jharkhands southern and adjoining central parts might experience heavy rain on June 25, while northwest, southern, and adjoining central parts are likely to experience the same on June 26, according to the weather bulletin. The states overall monsoon rain deficiency was recorded at 71 per cent till Friday. Jharkhand received 36.1mm rainfall from June 1 to June 23 against the normal rainfall of 122.6 mm rainfall. "The onset of monsoon has already been delayed by nine days and rainfall is yet to pick up. So, there may be a deficiency in rainfall in June. It may improve from July," he said. Overall rainfall for Jharkhand has been predicted to be normal, the official said. A deviation of 19 per cent rainfall, either surplus or deficit, is considered to be normal by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). New Delhi, Jun 23 (PTI) American defence major GE Aerospace will transfer 80 per cent of the technology to India for production of F 414 fighter jet engines under its deal with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, a senior official said on Friday. The General Electric (GE) Aerospace inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Thursday to jointly produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The pact was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's current visit to the United States. "With this deal, we will have 80 per cent transfer of tech in making GE 414 engine, which will enhance the operational performance of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) MKII," the official said. "Eighty per cent of the engine will be made in India, except small components," the official from the Ministry of Defence said. "We are ready to sign the agreement and within three years, India will have this engine," he said. "The significance of the GE-HAL deal lies in the fact the India would get access to cutting-edge technologies," the official said. Earlier, India had achieved some successes in getting important technologies from Russia, the UK, France, but the GE-HAL deal is at a "different level and scale", the senior official said, adding, such a thing never occurred before in the history of India's quest for high tech". The deal shows the "trust India evoked across the higher echelons in the US", reflected in the way it received the bipartisan support, he said. This also showed India's intellectual capabilities and has proven that the US trusts our IPR regime and that such technology would not fall in wrong hands. The US showed confidence in our military systems also, he said. As a nation, we have passed the test. India's integrity has got the nod, the official said. "With this deal, we will have 80 per cent transfer of technology in making GE 414 engine, which will enhance operational performance of LCA MKII. India will be among the top five countries to have this tech," he added. Asked about the number of jet engines under the deal, the official said the IAF has not yet indicated the exact numbers, but it could be a little over 100, adding that the cost is not discussed yet. Among the critical defence technologies in general are -- nuclear tech, jet tech, submarine tech, aircraft carrier tech, and ballistic missiles tech. We could get some of these by the hard work of our scientists and leaders. For the aircraft engine tech, "lack of funding and encouragement are responsible. Otherwise we could have achieved more," he said. Some of the critical technologies to which India will get access are special coatings for corrosion, machining and coating for single crystal for turbine blades, machining and coating of nozzle guide vanes, blisk machining, machining of powder metallurgy discs, machining of thin walled titanium casing, laser drilling technology for combustor, the official said. Benefits of manufacturing this GE 414 engine in India will include less turnaround time for maintenance, repair and overhaul, he added. OKX crypto exchange to be operational in Dubai within the year, says executive OKX received a Minimal Viable Product (MVP) preparatory license from the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) on June 15, according to a company statement. Gaining the license is the required step toward offering spot, derivatives, and fiat services, including US dollar and United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) deposits, withdrawals, and spot pairs, to institutional and qualified retail customers in Dubai. In the statement, OKX said the United Arab Emirates is a key strategic hub for the exchange and it will operate from the new office in the Dubai World Trade Center. Forkasts Jenny Ortiz spoke with OKX Chief Commercial Officer Lennix Lai about what the preparatory license means for the company and their plans in Dubai and the UAE. The following Q&A has been edited for clarity and length. See related article: OKX cryptocurrency exchange to apply for virtual asset license in Hong Kong Jenny Ortiz: OKX now has a Minimal Viable Product license. What are you allowed to do now as a crypto exchange? Lennix Lai: Its basically a precondition license required under VARA. So, we are allowed to promote and market our brand in the region, start engaging in banking relationships and also investor education. Image: Lennix Lai/LinkedIn Ortiz: How long will it take OKX to be fully operational in the UAE? Lai: We are very confident that everything will happen within this year. So, the [MVP] license actually means that a lot of the internal procedures, system policy is ready, and that is subject to approval for the full license only. Ortiz: When you have the operating license, what services will you be allowed to offer? Lai: Basically we are allowed to offer spot trading. We also are allowed to engage with the banks to provide AED. So were going to provide AED tradable pairs so people in the region can, through robust KYC procedures, use directly linked bank accounts and trade cryptocurrency. We are a major crypto exchange integrated with the traditional banking system. With that, we can onboard general retail, qualified retail customers, and qualified institutional investors, and offer licensed exchange services with bridges to traditional finance. Ortiz: OKX recently hired people in Dubai and opened an office. What other plans do you have in the next few months? Lai: We might need to double the size of the team [to 30] and we see Dubai as the virtual asset hub across the UAE region. You need a hub to centralize activities, people and money. So, somewhat like the Hong Kong model or Singapore model for the Dubai region. Ortiz: What drove the decision to apply for a license in Dubai? What makes it a good fit for OKX? Lai: Cryptocurrency is still very much a frontier asset and all governments and regulators want to protect their citizens. The good thing about VARA is they understand the need to regulate crypto so they spend a lot of time learning and also talking with regulators. One of the key advantages is they created a separate license just for virtual assets aside from the traditional asset like equities and futures and bonds. Ortiz: Do you think other jurisdictions should model Dubais approach to crypto? Lai: I think other jurisdictions can learn from Dubai and its specific licensing regime for virtual assets, as opposed to looking at cryptocurrencies as commodities or securities. Cryptocurrencies are quite different, so I think its better to develop a regulatory regime tailor made for this industry. See related article: Insights from Dubais cryptocurrency scene as city looks to be global digital assets hub New Delhi, Jun 23 (PTI) The BJP on Friday derided the opposition parties' efforts to forge a front against it and said the Congress was seeking the support of others because it was "incapable of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone" in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Top leaders of Opposition parties went into a huddle in Patna on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for next year's general elections. The meeting was hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD. BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani took a dig at JD(U) and other opposition parties, saying it was "ironic" that some of the leaders who witnessed the "murder of democracy" during the Emergency have assembled under the Congress' parasol in Patna. They have sent out a message that they are unable of taking on Modi on their own, she claimed. "I want to especially express gratitude to the Congress for openly announcing that it is incapable of defeating Modi alone. It needs support." "Power has moved from the palace to the people. That's why people who take pride in their political legacy now have to go to those whom they had put behind bars during Emergency," Irani said In a veiled attack on Bihar Chief Minister Kumar, she referred to the recent bridge collapse over the Ganga in the state's Bhagalpur district, and asked, "What kind of democratic bridge will they make who can not even build a bridge." "People are becoming alert about those who could not come together on development issues but now adopting the blackmail route," Irani said. We all are united and will fight unitedly against BJP: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee after meeting of 17 opposition parties in Patna. Banda (UP), Jun 23 (PTI) A man was allegedly lynched in a village here by the husband and in-laws of a woman over a suspected affair, police said on Friday. The incident happened in Mahokhar village on Thursday night when Nand Kishore Verma (24) went to the woman with whom he was having an affair, Superintendent of Police Abhinandan said. Verma was caught by the womans husband, brother-in-law and others, who thrashed him, he said. Police received a call on the emergency response number in the night that a thief was caught in the village and was badly beaten up, Abhinandan said. When police reached the spot, Vermas condition was serious and he was rushed to the hospital, where he died during treatment, the SP said. An FIR has been registered in this regard against four persons including the woman's husband and brother-in-law and they have been detained, he said. A detailed probe is on in the matter, the officer said. Nuh (Haryana), Jun 23 (PTI) Haryana police have demolished the houses of two men accused of cow slaughter as they were built from the proceeds of crime, officials said on Friday. Nuh Police with the assistance of the District Town Planning (DTP) department carried out the demolition of the houses in Pachgaon village here on Thursday. Police said the houses were built from the proceeds of the crime and in violation of the DTP department rules. Both were facing several cases, including cow slaughter, in Gurugram, Rohtak and Nuh districts, they said. Before taking action, prior notices were issued to the relatives of the accused as per the rules, they said. The police and the team of DTP Nuh reached the houses of the two accused in Pachgaon on Thursday afternoon and after evacuating the families and allowing them to take their belongings, demolished the structures. "..A large number of police force were deployed at the spot prior to the operation. Such operations will continue to crack down on criminals," said Superintendent of Police Varun Singla. The Haryana police have been conducting demolition drives in the past as well as against illegal properties built by criminals from the proceeds of crime. New Delhi, Jun 23 (PTI) The NHRC has suggested screening inmates' mental health at the time of admission and constant monitoring of at-risk prisoners to bring down instances of suicides among them. The human rights body also recommended improving prison architecture and its environment to mitigate suicide attempts by prisoners in judicial custody. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it has observed that most of the unnatural deaths of prisoners occur due to suicide. In an advisory issued to the central and state governments and the Union Territories, the NHRC emphasised keeping barracks and toilets, where most suicides take place, free of such objects as can be used for hanging, for instance, iron rods, grills, fans, and hooks. It also suggested encouraging visits by family members of the prisoner and or at least phone talk to keep inmates off the edge. The commission gave the suggestions in a letter which was also sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bureau of Police Research and Development, and all Director General-Prisons. NHRC Secretary General, Devendra Kumar Singh, also sought an 'Action Taken Report' within three months on the recommendations. In all, the central body highlighted 11 points for the agencies to follow, some of which were augmenting prison staff strength, their training, screening inmates' mental health at the admission stage, monitoring at-risk prisoners, and keeping their addiction in check. The NHRC also suggested prison authorities to keep abrasive and corrosive chemicals used for cleaning toilets beyond the reach of prisoners and to keep ropes, glass, wooden ladders, pipes, etc in its custody. It recommended that the jail authorities must regularly check bed sheets and blankets of inmates to ensure they are not used to make ropes for suicide and also identify places where it can be done. "Mental health screening be included in the initial health screening report of every prisoner. Existing vacancies of prison staff should be filled up particularly those of prison welfare officers, probation officers, psychologists, and medical staff and the strength should be suitably augmented to include mental health professionals," it said. It recommended training the jail staff in each barrack in administering CPR and first aid, and assigning a prisoner 'buddy' for any eventuality. "There should be measures to tackle the issue of addiction among prisoners ... undertaken by regular visits of mental health care professionals and de-addiction experts," the letter said. It also suggested using the Gatekeeper Model, devised by the World Health Organization (WHO), which involves training select inmates to identify suicide-prone prisoners. Barabanki (UP), Jun 22 (PTI) The body of a 16-year-old Dalit girl, an alleged rape victim who had to appear before a magistrate to record her statements, was found hanging at her house in the Haidergarh area here on Thursday, police said. The investigating officer (IO) of the case has also been suspended for dereliction of duty. Superintendent of Police (SP) Dinesh Kumar Singh said, "A case of rape was lodged at Haidergarh police station on June 17. The accused in the case was detained on Thursday and the girl was to appear before a magistrate to register her statement." "The teenage victim in the case has allegedly committed suicide at her home. We have sent the body for postmortem examination and further investigation is being done," he said. The family members of the deceased have alleged that the teen committed suicide as the police failed to arrest the accused who was threatening her to withdraw the case. "The allegations made by the family members regarding police action in the case are also being looked into. Investigating Officer Yogendra Pratap Singh has been suspended for dereliction of duty," the SP added. New Delhi, Jun 22 (PTI) Twelve new dispensaries will soon be opened in Delhi for the benefit of ESIC beneficiaries, an official statement said on Thursday. The decision was made at the 53rd board meeting of the Regional Board of Employees'' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) conducted here under the chairmanship of Labour Minister Raaj Kumar Anand. The minister has ordered to explore the possibility of opening ESIC dispensaries in every constituency. A proposal has been submitted to increase the minimum wage limit for adding more employees to ESIC, raising it from Rs 21,000 to Rs 31,000 The labor department and ESIC will jointly organise awareness camps, raise awareness among employees about their rights, and facilitate on-spot registration for employers, Anand said. Efforts will be made to improve the condition of ESIC hospitals in the national capital and open new hospitals, he said, adding that quotas will be determined for the children of ESIC beneficiaries from Delhi in ESIC medical colleges. During the board meeting, the issue of untimely resolution of grievances faced by ESIC beneficiaries was raised by employee representatives. They highlighted that in cases of death and health-related matters, ESIC beneficiaries often have to wait for several years to receive the assured sum. Anand directed the Corporation to address the matter seriously and instructed them to promptly resolve all the complaints. Additionally, all beneficiaries were urged to make regular payments to ensure that neither they nor their family members encounter any future difficulties. A year after fall of Roe, 25 million women live in states with abortion bans or tighter restrictions A year after the U.S. Supreme Court rescinded a five-decade-old right to abortion, 25 million women of childbearing age now live in states where the law makes abortions harder to get The judges presiding over the criminal trial of Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu have conveyed their skepticism to prosecutors about proving the bribery charge against the premier, according to reports from Hebrew media outlets. The judges held discussions in their chambers with state prosecutors and Netanyahus defense team, delving into the complexities surrounding the bribery accusation in Case 4000, the most prominent of the three cases constituting the trial. Popularly known as the Bezeq-Walla case, it revolves around allegations that Netanyahu, during his previous tenure as prime minister, authorized regulatory decisions that financially benefited Bezeq telecommunications giant shareholder Shaul Elovitch by hundreds of millions of shekels. In return, Netanyahu allegedly received favorable media coverage from Walla, a news site owned by Elovitch. The charges against Netanyahu in this case include bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Additionally, Netanyahu faces two counts of fraud and breach of trust in Case 1000, involving inappropriate gifts from billionaire benefactors, and Case 2000, which centers on allegations of negotiating positive media coverage in exchange for curtailing competitors. Netanyahu staunchly denies any wrongdoing, asserting that the charges were fabricated as part of a witch hunt orchestrated by the police and state prosecution. The bribery charge in Case 4000 has always carried the most significant weight against the prime minister, and if the reports hold true, it would deal a significant blow to the prosecutions case. Importantly, these comments from the judges emerged after the conclusion of all witnesses presented by the prosecution in Case 4000. Channel 13 reported that the judges met with representatives from both sides on Tuesday and encouraged them to explore the possibility of a plea bargain or mediation for the sake of the country. Supporters of Netanyahu within the political sphere hailed the reports, claiming that they support the prime ministers longstanding assertion that the cases against him hold no merit. Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli decried the trial and its consequences, lamenting seven years, five election campaigns, political chaos, endless hatred. He added, Indescribable shaming against a man who has dedicated his life to Israels rise. Im proud to stand on the side of truth. Public Diplomacy Minister Galit Distel Atbaryan remarked, The whole country was celebrating about corruption he was never involved in. This trial is the lowest dark point Israel has ever known. I want to thank Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu for not breaking. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated, Its like Bibi says: There will be nothing because there is nothing.' Meanwhile, former justice minister Gideon Saar, now in the opposition, urged both sides to reach a plea deal, emphasizing the public interest in concluding the trial through an agreement. Netanyahu has consistently said he is a victim of a broad conspiracy and dismissed the allegations as baseless. In April, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara was reportedly said to have decided against pursuing a non-binding mediation process in the corruption trial. However, the Justice Ministry dismissed the report as speculation, clarifying that no decision had been made on the matter. The trial, which commenced three years ago, is not expected to conclude, including potential appeals, before 2028-2029. Mediation typically involves a serving judge who is not part of the trial, does not hear witnesses, and does not restart the trial. Instead, the judge endeavors to facilitate a potential plea bargain. Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit engaged in plea bargain discussions with Netanyahus lawyers from late 2021 to early 2022. The talks took place during a period when Netanyahu was not in office, but they ultimately fell through. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Once banned from entering the U.S., Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now signing deals in defense and chips with President Joe Biden Narendra Modi made history in the 2000s for being the only person to be banned from the U.S. under a law protecting religious freedom. He was the chief minister of the state of Gujarat during deadly anti-Muslim riots, and because he failed to avert them, he was blocked from entering the U.S. for nearly a decade. But how the tables have turned since. Modi is visiting the U.S. this weekhis first state visit since becoming prime minister in 2014and he was given a warm red carpet welcome by President Joe Biden. The meeting is meant to firm up ties between India and the U.S. on defense and technology. The partnership between the two countries is "stronger, closer and more dynamic than at any time in history," Biden told reporters during a press conference Thursday, Reuters reported. He emphasized that the relationship with India was among the most important for the U.S., and that the countries were working together on space, healthcare, and the economy. Deeply touched by the warm and gracious welcome at the White House. Looking forward to fostering even deeper ties and mutual cooperation in the times to come. pic.twitter.com/W2e78ayylM Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 22, 2023 Modi has been good for the Indian economy, but remains a controversial figure inside India and outside. Despite limited press and religious freedoms under Modis leadership, Indias rise to power and role as a critical business partner is hard to overlook even for the Biden administration. The partnership is especially crucial as the U.S. looks to diversify from China amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Earlier this week, a group of 70-plus lawmakers urged Biden to question Modi about some of his crackdowns, and six Democratic lawmakers boycotted the prime ministers address in Congress on Thursday over human rights concerns. But as far as bilateral cooperation goes, that didnt do much to stop India and the U.S. from strengthening their ties. On the issues that matter most that will define the future, our nations look to one another including on critical regional and global issues, Biden said. During the landmark visit, the countries signed deals for the U.S.-based General Electric to work with India-based Hindustan Aeronautics to produce jet engines in India as well as the sale of armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones that are manufactured in the U.S. Biden is also boosting ties with India on the chip-making front, with agreements from the likes of Micron and Applied Materials. India will also join the U.S.s Artemis Accords on space exploration and work with NASA on a joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024. The U.S.-India situation On Thursday, guests at a White House state dinneran honor reserved for the closest of U.S.s friendswere to discuss topics like human rights over a meal of millet, mushrooms and strawberry shortcake . Still, the U.S. and India are not formally allies and India has kept its independent stance. Thats one reason why India hasnt taken a strong stance against Russias invasion of Ukraine and has continued to trade with Russia. At the same time, Indias stance towards Russia, its biggest defense supplier, has shifted as India strengthens partnerships with other countries including the U.S. and Israel, the Associated Press reported. Modi has come a long way from being unable to set foot into the U.S. to becoming one of the most popular political figures in India. And in the U.S., he was received with great fanfare, including 7,000 people outside the White House cheering his arrival. He has also led Indias economy to a period of high growth and favorable business environment with a focus on Indian manufacturing, and has helped draw foreign direct investment. The U.S.-India ties also serve as a counterweight to China. In recent years, the U.S. has tried to diversify its manufacturing from China amid increased geopolitical tensions, and has added more trade restrictions and barriers against U.S. companies doing business there. That bodes well for India, which has had a tense relationship with China since the 1950s, and stands to gain manufacturing jobs as a result. New Delhi has a pivotal role to play in checkmating China if politically nudged, militarily helped and geopolitically encouraged by the U.S. and its allies, Happymon Jacob, a professor at New Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University, told the New York Times. And now, India is positioning itself as the go-to business hub. On Tuesday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that his company plans to make significant investments in India and wanted to do so as soon as humanly possible after he met with Modi in New York. In April, Apple debuted its first two retail stores in the country after rapidly expanding production of its devices there in recent years, sending a soft signal about Indias growing importance to the nearly $3 trillion company. In some ways, the cooperation between the U.S. and India may reach unprecedented levels, given the high stakes for both countries. "The challenges and opportunities facing the world in this century require that India and the United States work and lead together, and we are," Biden said when welcoming Modi. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com More from Fortune: 5 side hustles where you may earn over $20,000 per yearall while working from home Looking to make extra cash? This CD has a 5.15% APY right now Buying a house? Here's how much to save This is how much money you need to earn annually to comfortably buy a $600,000 home A man who has claimed for years that Google was torturing users with flashing lights crashed a car into a building near the companys 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 Manhattans 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 Googles 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 Googles 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. (AP) By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com It was shocking JTA article. The article touted a new kosher restaurant with a 24K Gold Plated Golden-Burger. The price? $175. The article describes the burger a 12-ounce short-rib burger wrapped in leaves of real, 24-karat gold, grilled and topped with black Australian truffle, crunchy onions and chips, house-made sauce and pickles. It is brought to the table in a custom hand-carved wood treasure chest, which will be opened at the table, triggering a smoke show and illuminating its contents. This burger is a paradigm, reflective of where we are going, as a society, and even in our own society. What has happened to us? We spend enormous amounts of money on lavish Bar Mitzvahs and weddings. We buy and build mega-mansions and cars and designer label clothing to an excess where seemingly there is no purpose other than to show off wealth a consumption of a conspicuous type. How have we, a nation that was once so spiritually elevated, once so pure of heart succumbed to such consumptive behavior, reflected in this $125 burger sandwich? How have we become so materialistic? To understand what has happened to us we need to understand what the term, materialism actually means. Materialism means that the only thing in our reality that truly exists and matters is material matter and the acquisition of it. It is the opposite of ain od milvado, Shlomo HaMelechs understanding of Hashem and our role in life as expressed in Koheles (1:2). Plainly stated, we are in a battle no mere skirmish or class but a battle for our very souls called: Ain Od Milvado versus Materialism. OUR INNER MOTIVATIONS And, oh, in this battle there are so many nuances of motivations that have enveloped and darkened our neshamos as revealed in this JTA article. Are we so shallow that we are telling the world in either a macro or micro sense that we have personally arisen from poverty and have made it? And for this end, have we entirely thrown frugality and common sense to the wind? Has this motivation of yetzias anius replaced yetzias mitzrayim? Or is our motivation for spending, spending, and more spending on useless, useless, and more useless items predicated upon an identity crisis of sorts some hard-to-place yearning of a personal identity? Is it that deep inside the inner recesses of our minds and hearts, we dont know who we are and what we stand for, and that is why we buy the latest SUV or iPhone or Galaxy 15 or Galaxy Juneteenth? And, do we then therefore we opt for superior social status as our go-to self-definition? Moshe Rabbeinu is described by Hashem Himself as Avdi Moshe. Our true identity should be that we are Ovdei Hashem we emulate Him by emulating His Midos. We are Baalei Chessed. We are Baalei Emes. But, if we do not self-define in this manner, we just go to our comfort-food of personal identity our chocolate ice cream in the freezer. Is this vast ostentatious display of wealth and materialism just a mere checking off the box of superior social status in the universal search for personal identity? A third possibility is that we so much need and crave the approval of others that we are willing to sacrifice our very future to keep that approval. We thus do not help our children with the purchase of a house and we rather spend so much on a vort or an ephemeral grand wedding that lasts for one night. Is it that we have a inner need to not be anonymous in our society, we are not part of the community except for in this manner and we need to shine somehow so that we are different than others? Are there more possible motivations? Are there combinations of motivations? Yes, of course. But we now need to perhaps focus on solutions. Of course it always pays to examine our motivations, but we need a cure. THE SOLUTIONS Barasi yetzer hara barasi Torah Tavlin. We need to get back to basics to remember who we once were who we have the potential to become. A good Mnemonic is the 4 Ds. Davening Dveikus Delving in Torah, Mussar and Mitzvos Detox DAVENING We can get into real davening once again. Some suggestions as to how to do this better is to go slower, to daven with or next to people who are more into it than we are. A yeshiva davening can be very inspirational because we see what we are missing out on. An inter-linear siddur helps a lot. And pursuing a deeper understanding even off-time. Also, just putting ou finger on the siddue while we daven helps get us into it a bit more. We can focus on the connecting to Hashem that is in our siddurim the Dveikus to Hashem. DVEIKUS To achieve Dveikus we need to realize how important it is in a Torah way of life. We need to realize that Dveikus defines who we are. Klal Yisrael is unique among all the nations of the world because of our unique ability to achieve a dveikus bHashem a cleaving and closeness to HaKadosh Baruch Hu. It is this ability to achieve dveikus that gave us all the Neviim that we had. It is this ability to achieve dveikus which allows us to reach heights in our tefillos, our learning of His Torah, and in our middos. We had Chofetz Chaim in our midst because of this ability to achieve dveikus bHashem. DELVING IN TORAH There is a fascinating Unkelus and Ramban on Moshe Rabbeinus words of, Am naval velo chacham.. (Dvarim 32:6). In this section, Moshe Rabbeinu is telling Klal Yisroel of the very serious violations of complete corruption and deviation from Hashems path that will ensue shortly after Moshe passes away. The Ramban notes that Unkelus translates the word naval disgraceful as coming from the term tired, that they were worn out or tired from learning Torah, as in, navol tibol (Shmos 18:18) . There Yisro informs Moshe that he will soon get tired if he does not delegate his judging obligations. It is strange that the underlying issue that Moshe is pointing out here that they will lose their desire for learning Torah. It must be that Moshe Rabbeinu is identifying for them the root reason for their corruption and deviation. He is explaining that we do not fully appreciate and understand the primacy of Torah and that we do not have a profound enthusiasm and delight in it. Without enthusiasm for Torah study we enter in dangerous waters. The author of the Iglei Tal, was Rav Avrohom Bornsztain ztl (1838-1910), who was also the Sogotchover Rebbe the father of the Shaim MiShmuel. He writes in his introduction that the essence of the Mitzvah of learning Torah is to take delight and be enthusiastic in its study only in this manner will it penetrate into ones very blood. In order to ensure that one stays upon the straight path, it is crucial that one studies Torah with great enthusiasm and interest. One should also do so with gusto and delight. DELVING IN MITZVOS Chessed is also key, and is one of the most effective Mitzvos that can re-direct us. Saying complimentary words, especially heartfelt ones, is one of the biggest chassadim that one can do for another person. Rav Chatzkel Levenstein ztl (1:5) writes that when a person says a few kind words to another, all he has invested are a few words, but the return on the investment is untold reward: Hashem provides for him with this act an abundant flow of bracha with His full and overflowing hand. [Authors suggested edit gedusha instead of kedusha holy.] Chessed, and the love of it, forms the very blueprint of the world. Hashem is the essence of Chessed itself, and He created the world so that He can reward us for doing Mitzvos (Derech Hashem Chapter one). Thus, the Mitzvos involved in the performance of Chessed form a large part of the reason why Hashem created the world. Performing Chessed gives our life meaning. DELVING IN MUSSAR Boruch Hashem, we are a Torah nation, and many of us study Gemorah day and night as we all should. The great Rav Yisroel Salanter ztl used to say that just as there is profound depth in a sugya in the Talmud, there is also profound depth in the study of Mussar and Middos. Indeed, the Mishna Brurah (1:12) writes of the obligation to study Mussar every day. DETOX The Ibn Ezra writes on the declaration of the Bikkurim that vayagar sham bimsai meat living there without being involved in gashmius in the pursuit of materialistic desires will bring us to be vayehi sham legoy gadol atzum varav and we shall become a grand nation, awesome and great. We must make the desire for materialism as nothing. We must, as a second step, adopt conspicuous frugality. The Shaim MiShmuel (Ki Saitzay 5670) explains that the entire reason that we make an Aufruf on the Shabbos before the wedding is so that we not, Heaven forbid, spend mone frivolously on extras and waste rather, on Shabbos the joy will most likely be only in purity for Shabbos is a time to connect to Torah and the six days of creation. We need to tone things down. We need to detox from our materialism and from our spending. That money could support Torah. It could pay tuitions for children in public school (contact author for 6 such children in our neighborhoods). At the very least the money spent on materialism could help our children with down payments on a house. May we and all our children, eineklach and ur-eineklach be zoche to build a bayis neeman byisroel. The author can be reached at [email protected] Precision. That's the word which springs to mind when driving the legendary Porsche 911. I hadn't driven one for a while. When I did, in its 60th anniversary year, I instantly recalled why it's so brilliant. Precise driving, immense attention to detail and minimalist design. And a fantastically engaging drive, even if the suspension is a little hard on our bumpy, potholed roads. The first 911 made its debut at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show so it celebrates its 60th anniversary just as Porsche marks 75 years as a car company. Over the hill at 60? No way. Six decades on from the original launch, the 911 encapsulates the dictum 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. My rear-wheel drive 911 was powered by a 385 hp 3-litre twin-turbo 6-cylinder boxer engine with direct fuel injection linked to an 8-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission with manual override via paddles. Head-turner: The Porsche 911 is celebrating its 60th anniversary Riding on 19 in wheels at the front and 20 in ones at the rear, it accelerates from rest to 62 mph in an energising 4.2 seconds up to a top speed (where legal) of 182 mph. Again, it's that sense of precision from the steering to the engine propulsion, that everything is in place and there are buttons where buttons make sense that impresses. Quality does not come cheap and my 911 Carrera costs from 89,800, though enhanced power steering and park assist took the total price to 90,449. And six decades on, it still turns heads, even being deemed the most eye-catching car in the world, according to a new study using eye-tracking technology by motor sales website AutoTrader. Research participants were asked to look at a series of 40 images of the world's best-selling car models on a screen while their eye movements were tracked. The Porsche 911 captures held participants' gazes for 2.51 seconds on average for a total 'eye-catching score' of 91 per cent, beating the Lexus LC500 (88 per cent) and third-place Ferrari F40 (88 per cent). My 911 Carrera in Racing Yellow and with a very distinctive number plate had youngsters snapping it on their smartphones while in the driveway. Six decades on from the original launch, the 911 encapsulates the dictum 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' My rear-wheel drive 911 was powered by a 385 hp 3-litre twin-turbo 6-cylinder boxer engine with direct fuel injection linked to an 8-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission If you've never driven one, consider treating yourself to hiring one for the day, or doing one of those celebration track days Riding on 19 in wheels at the front and 20 in ones at the rear, it accelerates from rest to 62 mph in an energising 4.2 seconds Again, it's that sense of precision from the steering to the engine propulsion, that everything is in place and there are buttons where buttons make sense that impresses Enjoy the brilliantly precise German engineering against which to measure all other cars If you've never driven one, consider treating yourself to hiring one for the day, or doing one of those celebration track days. You don't need a huge burn up. Just enjoy the brilliantly precise German engineering against which to measure all other cars. It'll be the last of the Porsche line-up to be considered for electrification. Porsche CEO Oliver Blume says the classic 911 'will be will be the model which we will drive as long as we can with a combustion engine', though a self-charging hybrid is understood to be testing. Porsche Cars Great Britain Limited is the fourth largest global market for Porsche and in 2022 it delivered a record 18,554 cars, an increase of 32 per cent on 2021. Biggest UK seller last year was the Macan, followed closely by the all-electric Taycan, 911, Cayenne, 718 (Cayman and Boxster) and Panamera. Nearly 40 per cent of UK sales feature an electrified drivetrain the Cayenne E-Hybrid and Turbo S E-Hybrid, and the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, 4S E-Hybrid and Turbo S E-Hybrid adding to this along with the Taycan. Happy birthday Porsche 911. Here's to the next 60 years. Quarter of motorists miss CD player Forget all those clever, modern high- tech gizmos, safety features and music streaming apps. A quarter of motorists would still like a CD player in their next car, according to a new poll of 13,000 drivers by the AA's used car website AA Cars (theaa.com/cars). The survey found that despite the popularity of music streaming, 24 per cent of drivers still see them as a 'must have'. Play it again: A quarter of motorists would still like a CD player in their next car Overall, parking sensors are the most demanded feature, with 60 per cent of drivers putting the technology top of their list, followed by satnav (57 per cent) and a heated windscreen. They are followed by: USB charging (48 per cent), Bluetooth (47 per cent) and rear-view camera (41 per cent). Separate AA Cars data revealed nearly half of drivers (46 per cent) don't bother to check the MoT and service history documents when buying a used car. Triumph Dolomite Sprint an underrated saloon It's almost five decades since the launch of the Triumph Dolomite Sprint a special, but much underrated, British compact sporting saloon car. Fifty years ago this Monday, it was unveiled in a two-day event centred around Lake Geneva, to take on a new breed of sporty cars from what was then still a fledgling and rather exotic BMW, including the BMW 2002 Ti. New breed: It's almost five decades since the launch of the Triumph Dolomite Sprint a special, but much underrated, British compact sporting saloon car Motoring expert Simon Pearson, then Triumph's public relations executive, said that although derided by sceptics as 'a Bournemouth retiree's car', its performance on the track showed it was anything but . . . 'The Dolomite Sprint was a real driver's car,' he said. 'It combined many of the sporty qualities of Triumph with high performance and road handling capabilities. 'It was a game-changer in many ways and a sensational success on the race track.' Britain's politicians, of all parties, are terrific at dreaming up memorable phrases alluding to our technological and manufacturing greatness. The late, great Harold Wilson came up with the 'white heat of technology' way back in 1963. Since then, we have had all manner of slogans ranging from Tony Blair's 'Cool Britannia' to George Osborne's 'march of the makers'. The current Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has promised to 'turn Britain into the world's next Silicon Valley' and Labour leader Keir Starmer endlessly promotes his 'green new deal'. Yet in spite of Britain being home to at least four of the world's top research universities and the biggest draw for high tech, AI and biotech investment in Europe, poor productivity and wasteful deployment of the nation's creative capacity means that we are slowly slipping down the global league table of output per capita the wealth created by each citizen. Among the many reasons for this happening is the extreme finance which drives our economy. It may have given us the roaring success of the City of London UK financial and professional services lead the world but it has seriously dented our industrial, innovative and technological capacity. Dinky-toy colourful vans: Ocado is a technology, software and robotic trailblazer, bringing its inventiveness to shopping chains across the globe None of the ambitions spelled out in the slick politicians' phrases have fully come to fruition and, if history is any guide, Starmer's green revolution, at a projected cost reaching 28billion a year, will go the same way. The stop-start of the UK's biggest infrastructure project, the visionary HS2 high-speed railway linking Euston to Birmingham and the North, is a case in point. In the last few days, we have seen another bit of British technology put to the sword. Short-sellers of shares decided some time ago that the much vaunted ambition of robotic retailing platform Ocado has been overhyped, sending the stock into the doldrums. Yes, the company did run up losses of 500m last year, and its retail UK partnership with Marks & Spencer so far has failed to shoot out the lights. But we should not forget that Ocado is a fantastic tech success story. Its Customer Fulfilment Centres are being sold across the globe from darkest Peru to North America. The earnings for Tim Steiner's creation will come, but as with all tech platforms Amazon is the most shining example it won't just happen. It takes time. That is why our politicians, asset managers, and those who genuinely believe that the UK could be its own Silicon Valley, should be greatly troubled by the unstable rally in Ocado shares. It doesn't very much matter whether the suitor turns out to be Amazon or anyone else. This is not a deal which should be allowed to happen. Indeed, Ocado's second biggest investor, fund manager Baillie Gifford, which runs the popular Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust (SMIT) and has a hefty 12 per cent holding, is already expressing its concern. It argues that Ocado is 'addressing a very big market opportunity' and suggests it would be a 'dreadful shame' if one of our leading listed tech companies were to fall into unsuitable hands, given its vast potential. We have been here many times before. In spite of the high flown rhetoric, and the recent safety shelter offered by the National Security & Investment Act, our leaders sadly have refused to recognise how they are marching Britain down the tech hill. Readers of these pages will be more than familiar with the sad fate of Cambridge-based pioneer Arm Holdings, which could have been the basis for making the UK a semi-conductor and AI superpower. Theresa May's feeble administration presided over the nuptials which made it a global orphan, while a rival, the US's Nvidia, achieved a $1trillion valuation. The FTSE 100 is in acute danger of becoming a tech wasteland following the desertions of such firms as industrial software leader Aveva, aerospace pioneer Cobham and satellite champion Inmarsat, which was sold to American rival Viasat this year. Middle-income UK households may see Ocado as the online grocer with the dinky-toy colourful vans that patrol the streets of suburbia. The truth is that it is a technology, software and robotic trailblazer, bringing its inventiveness to shopping chains across the globe from Kroger in the US, to Casino in France and Sobeys in Canada. It would be tech vandalism if it were sold to Amazon, or any overseas predator. Revolution Beauty has revealed a bumper trading performance as it continued to bat off demands by Boohoo to engineer a boardroom shake-up. The embattled cosmetics retailer declared first-quarter sales for the 2024 financial year soared by 60 per cent while underlying earnings swung to a 3.5million profit from a 7.3million loss the previous year. It told investors that it was 'appropriate' to announce the results given the call by Boohoo to remove chief executive Bob Holt, chairman Derek Zissman and finance boss Elizabeth Lake at the group's upcoming annual general meeting. Performance: Revolution Beauty declared first-quarter sales for the 2024 financial year soared by 60 per cent while underlying earnings swung to a 3.5million profit Boohoo, which owns a 26.6 per cent stake in Revolution Beauty, believes the trio's departure is necessary to ensure the company focuses on the 'switch to growth' and delivers higher shareholder value. The online fast fashion firm wants to appoint former Matalan and Littlewoods boss Alasdair McGeorge, its former chief financial officer Neil Catto, and ex-THG Beauty CEO Rachel Horsefield to the board. Revolution Beauty has hit back fervently against the proposals, describing them as 'value-destructive, opportunistic and self-serving' and opposed to investor interests. It claims McGeorge and Catto lack the 'relevant experience' in running a beauty business or supplying stores and product ranges centred on the high street. On Horsefield, the company said her appointment was unnecessary because with former Body Shop chief executive Jeremy Schwartz, the board 'already had a director with a wealth of experience in the beauty sector.' Holt said Revolution Beauty's first-quarter result was a 'testament to the quality of our offer and the strength of our leadership team, and shows that we are delivering on our global retailer strategy. 'This has been achieved at the same time as fixing the historical issues overseen by previous management and putting in place improved cost controls and processes across the business.' The Kent-based firm has struggled since going public in summer 2021 amid a major slowdown in online sales caused by rising cost-of-living problems and Britons buying cosmetics in stores more regularly. Difficulties were further worsened when trading of its shares on the AIM index was suspended last September after auditors failed to sign off accounts for the previous financial year on time. Investigators discovered the group had overstated its turnover by 9million to meet annual targets, while ex-chief executive Adam Minto and co-founder Tom Allsworth provided 1million in loans without the board's knowledge. Allsworth resigned as chairman in May, right before Revolution Beauty eventually published its 2022 results, which showed losses more than doubling to 44.9million. Minto, who quit in November, could now face legal action from his former employer, which sent a letter to him earlier this month alleging he breached his duties to the company. He has been given until 7 July to respond. On Wednesday, Revolution Beauty said it had not received a 'substantive' reply to the claim. GlaxoSmithKline shares have jumped after the pharma giant said it reached a settlement in a key lawsuit over claims that its heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer. The FTSE 100 giant said the 'confidential' settlement in California means the case will not go to trial and will be dismissed. It also told shareholders that the settlement reflected its 'desire to avoid distraction related to protracted litigation in this case'. Settlement: But GSK did not admit any liability and will continue to 'vigorously' defend itself 'GSK does not admit any liability in this settlement and will continue to vigorously defend itself based on the facts and the science in all other Zantac cases,' it added. Glaxo and several rivals, including Pfizer and Sanofi, have been at the centre of a legal storm concerning the medicine, which was pulled from shelves in 2019 amid concerns that one of its ingredients, ranitidine, caused cancer. The legal wrangle has weighed on GSK's share price amid fears it could be forced to pay out billions in compensation. GSK shares rose 4.7 per cent to 14.22 in early trading on Friday. They have lost around 18 per cent of their value over the last 12 months. Zantac was originally approved in 1983 and became one of GSK's best-selling medicines, raking in over $1billion per year in sales. It was later sold to successive pharma companies including Pfizer, Sanofi and Boehringer, while generic versions of the drug were also manufactured. But in 2019, sales of Zantac were halted over concerns its active ingredient, ranitidine, degraded over time to form NDMA, a chemical that is found in low levels in food and water but can cause cancer in larger amounts. The following year, the US Food and Drug Administration pulled all Zantac brands and generic versions from the market after citing research showing that the amount of NDMA in the products increased the longer the drug was stored and that it could potentially become unsafe. Following that, legal cases have begun piling up, with plaintiffs saying the companies knew, or should have known, that ranitidine posed a cancer risk and failed to warn consumers. The world's second richest man has hit out at his countrymen in France for resenting his wealth, saying they like to criticise the successful. Bernard Arnault, the boss of luxury goods giant LVMH whose fortune is estimated by Forbes to be 178billion, said the French prefer losers to billionaires like himself. Speaking to French newspaper Le Figaro, the fashion mogul said: 'France is a country that likes to criticise, especially those who succeed and who are a bit known. I am first in my domain.' He said the French 'always prefer Poulidor', a reference to cyclist Raymond Poulidor, who was known as 'the eternal second' after he was the runner-up in the Tour de France three times in the 1960s and 1970s. Arnault's empire includes Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, Christian Dior, Fendi and Givenchy. Hitting out: Bernard Arnault (pictured with daughter Delphine) The 74-year-old, who has earned the sobriquet 'the wolf in cashmere', is the third person in history to amass a fortune of $200billion. Only Tesla entrepreneur Elon Musk is richer than him. He also accused Left-wing critics of wanting to turn France into Venezuela, following criticism from the leader of a French radical Left party that being a top billionaire is 'the worst of offences'. Arnault said: 'Criticism of the market economy has more resonance because the extremes are currently very noisy. Their only obsession is to increase taxes still further when they are already higher than everywhere else in Europe. 'You sometimes get the impression that their model is Venezuela, although extreme poverty reigns there.' Arnault also lashed out at the country's Right wing, arguing its leaders 'give the impression of being ashamed and of seeking the approval of voters who won't vote for them anyway'. It is not the first time Arnault has been caught in the crosshairs of a French malaise towards the super-wealthy. Left-wing newspaper Liberation dubbed him a 'rich jerk', after he pledged to seek Belgian nationality in 2012 over a 75 per cent supertax on top earners. The City has raised the alarm over Bank of England plans to allow investors to hold up to 20,000 in a so-called 'britcoin' digital currency warning it could result in bank runs. The International Regulatory Strategy Group (IRSG), a lobby group for the Square Mile, made the warning in response to a consultation launched by the Bank and the Treasury earlier this year. It said the idea that the limits might eventually be removed altogether was also 'very concerning' given the recent bank runs that saw the collapse of a series of US banks and European giant Credit Suisse. Britcoin: Plans for a 'digital pound' that could be in place by the second half of the decade were announced in a consultation launched in February Plans for a 'digital pound' that could be in place by the second half of the decade were announced in a consultation launched in February. Under the proposals, there will be an initial limit of between 10,000 and 20,000 on how much money can be held in such accounts, and they will not pay interest designed to prevent an exodus of customers from their existing account providers. But in its response to the consultation, the IRSG a joint venture between TheCityUK and the City of London Corporation became the latest to express doubts about the plan. The group welcomed the general idea of the digital pound, saying that 'in order for the UK to remain competitive, we cannot avoid the developments in this space'. But it said the proposed upper limit on the accounts was too high, pointing out that a European Central Bank initiative was looking at a 3,000 (2,570) ceiling. Bumper payday: Sam Laidlaw Centrica's former boss is set to walk away with millions after selling one of Britain's largest independent gas producers. Neptune was yesterday sold to Italian oil giant Eni for 3.9billion, meaning a bumper payday for Sam Laidlaw and its shareholders. Laidlaw ran British Gas owner Centrica between 2006 and 2014 and is the executive chairman of Neptune, which he founded a year after leaving the energy firm. The 67-year-old and the rest of the Neptune management team own just under 1 per cent of the company, meaning they will walk away with up to 39m. Laidlaw was lambasted as 'Sammy Two Pools' in the tabloids after he asked for permission to add an extra swimming pool to his Cotswold mansion in October 2013. Old Etonian Laidlaw's father was Sir Christophor Laidlaw, deputy chairman of British Petroleum. The takeover which is the largest cash deal in Europe's oil and gas industry for almost a decade is also good news for Neptune's largest shareholders. Private equity firms Carlyle and CVC Partners own 30.6 per cent and 20.4 per cent respectively and so will get 1.2billion and 800m. The Chinese Communist Party is also set to receive a bonanza payout through a Chinese investment fund it owns. State-owned China Investment Corporation, which owns 49 per cent of the firm, will receive 1.9billion. Neptune provides about 12 per cent of the UK's gas and produces from fields in eight countries, including the UK, Norway, Germany, Algeria, the Netherlands and Indonesia. In an announcement yesterday, Neptune said Eni will buy the firm man businesses, which will continue to be owned by existing investors, for 2billion. Var Energi, Eni's Norwegian listed subsidiary, will buy Neptune's operations in Norway for 1.8billion. Laidlaw said yesterday: 'I am incredibly proud of Neptune's achievements over the past five years and the hard work and dedication of so many people across our organisation, who, together with our shareholders, have contributed to the growth and success of the business.' He said the transaction signified 'a new and exciting phase for Neptune'. He said there were 'significant growth opportunities which will benefit from Eni's and Var Energi's larger scale and available resources'. Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company specializing in developing, manufacturing and marketing a wide range of healthcare products. The company has its headquarters in Abbott Park, Illinois and operates in more than 160 countries worldwide. The company was founded in 1888 by Dr. Wallace C. Abbott, and it has since grown to become one of the world's largest and most respected healthcare companies. Abbott Laboratories has a diverse portfolio of products, including medical devices, diagnostic tests, nutritional products, and branded generic pharmaceuticals. The company is committed to developing innovative products that improve the quality of life for people worldwide. Robert B. Ford is the current President and CEO of the company. He was appointed to this position in 2020 after serving as the company's Chief Operating Officer. He has been with Abbott Laboratories since 1996 and has held various leadership positions. Abbott Laboratories has delivered strong financial performance, declining as investors seek growth. The company's net earnings have been increasing steadily. Abbott Laboratories has a solid balance sheet with a low debt-to-equity ratio. The company has consistently delivered strong cash flow, allowing it to invest in research and development and return value to shareholders. Abbott Laboratories has a higher price-to-earnings ratio than the industry average, and the company's price-to-book ratio is also higher than the industry average. These metrics suggest that the market has a positive outlook on Abbott Laboratories and is willing to pay a premium for the company's shares. Over the past year, Abbott Laboratories' stock has declined as consumers seek to see what the company will do post-pandemic. The company's shares have experienced some volatility, but overall, they have outperformed the broader market. Abbott Laboratories operates in the healthcare industry, which is highly regulated and complex. The industry is characterized by rapidly evolving technology, changing regulatory requirements, and shifting consumer preferences. Abbott Laboratories competes with other large healthcare companies such as Johnson & Johnson. Abbott Laboratories' robust product pipeline is expected to drive growth in the coming years. The company is focused on developing innovative products that address unmet medical needs and improve patient outcomes. In addition to its core businesses, Abbott Laboratories is expanding into new markets and investing in digital health technologies. Like any company, Abbott Laboratories faces a range of risks and challenges. One of the most significant risks facing the company is regulatory uncertainty. Changes in regulatory requirements could impact the company's ability to bring products to market and could also increase the cost of doing business. Another risk facing the company is the threat of competitive pressures. The healthcare industry is highly competitive, and Abbott Laboratories faces competition from established companies and new entrants. Changes in consumer preferences could also impact the company's performance, particularly in the nutritional products segment. Additionally, Abbott Laboratories is exposed to geopolitical risks, such as changes in trade policies or political instability in key markets. The company's international operations also expose it to currency fluctuations, which could impact its financial performance. Petrobras Is Said to Plan First Dollar Bond Sale Since 2021 Petrobras Is Said to Plan First Dollar Bond Sale Since 2021 (Bloomberg) -- Brazils state-controlled oil producer Petroleo Brasileiro SA is readying to return to global debt markets with a benchmark sale as soon as Monday, people familiar with the matter said. Most Read from Bloomberg Petrobras is expected to offer as much as $1.5 billion in 10-year notes, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information isnt public yet. The Rio de Janeiro-based company plans on using at least part of the proceeds for liability-management purposes, the people said, adding that the size and timing of the transaction are still subject to change. Petrobras didnt immediately reply to an emailed request seeking comment sent outside regular business hours. The state-run oil producer last tapped global credit markets in June 2021, when it sold 30-year notes to purchase outstanding debt. Brazil sold $2.25 billion in April, the first dollar offering since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office in January. Investors in Petrobras have feared the Lula administration would take a more interventionist approach toward the company after the government named Jean Paul Prates as its chief executive officer. Prates has vowed to invest more in refining and renewable energy, while continuing to expand its most profitable operations at giant oil fields in deep waters. The oil producer posted better-than-expected profits for the first quarter, which saw gross debt drop to $53 billion, the lowest since 2010. --With assistance from Esteban Duarte. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. BT Group plc provides communications products and services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through Consumer, Enterprise, Global, and Openreach segments. The company builds, owns, and operates fixed and mobile networks; and designs, builds, markets, sells, and supports network access, connectivity, and related solutions. It also offers landline, mobile, and broadband services; home and cyber security solutions; and TV and cloud gaming entertainment services under the BT, EE, and Plusnet brands. In addition, the company provides connectivity, networking, cyber security, collaboration tools, cloud connectivity, and cloud services for small, medium, and large corporate businesses; public sector; and government. Further, it engages in the wholesale of mobile network capabilities, voice services, broadband, ethernet, and other connectivity solutions on contract basis; and offers access to its fixed access network infrastructure for homes, schools, hospitals, libraries, government buildings, and businesses. The company was formerly known as Newgate Telecommunications Limited and changed its name to BT Group plc in September 2001. BT Group plc was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. 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. Chevron Corporation, through a network of subsidiaries, engages in integrated energy and chemicals operations worldwide. The company is the 7th largest integrated oil company worldwide, the 2nd largest in the US, and has been in operation since 1879. Chevron was part of the original Standard Oil Company and is one of the 34 successor companies that were formed when it was broken up. Today, the company brings in roughly $160 billion in annual revenues and is the last remaining oil and gas component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Originally called Standard Oil Of California the company grew quickly via mergers and acquisitions. It was hailed as one of the Seven Sisters to dominate the US and global production throughout the mid-20th century and became even bigger in 1985 when it merged with Gulf Oil. The merger with Gulf Oil resulted in the rebranding from Standard Oil Of California to Chevron (a brand used by the company outside its California jurisdiction) and then ChevronTexaco Corporation in 2005 when that merger took place. The company rebranded again in 2005 to what we know today as Chevron Corporation. Chevron Corporation is now based in San Ramone, California, and has operations in 180 countries. The company employs more than 42,500 people who operate 5 refineries and 8,000+ Texaco, Chevron, and Standard Oil service stations in the US alone. The company's Exploration and Drilling operations produced a record 3.1 million barrels per day and its US refineries process more than 1 million barrels per day. At the end of 2021, the company has more than 11.3 billion barrels of proven oil and liquid-equivalent reserves and boasted a 112% reserve replacement rate. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment explores new reserves, develops known reserves, produces petroleum and gas products as needed, transports, processes, pipes, stores, and markets petroleum worldwide. The Downstream segment refines and markets the full line of petroleum-based products including but not limited to fuels such as gas, diesel, and aviation fuel, as well as lubricants, petrochemicals, and plastics. The company transports products via pipeline, rail, marine vessels, and truck. Chevron recognizes the need to lower the worlds carbon output and is working toward that end. The companys strategy is two-pronged and includes reducing its own carbon output while investing in green and lower-carbon technologies. The companys goal is to invest $10 billion or more into lower carbon energy sources and technologies by 2028. Chevron is a Dividend Aristocrat. The company has been paying a dividend since 1989 and it has raised it every year since its inception. How the Application Ecosystem Came to Be Several factors have driven the explosion of consumer apps in recent years. Widespread adoption of the Apple (AAPL) iPhone and other smartphones sparked the initial wave of adoption. Rather than using outdated programs like LimeWire for music, people began to use Spotify (SPOT) and iTunes. Instead of clunky GPS systems, consumers shifted toward Alphabets (GOOGL) Google Maps. Dramatic improvements in high-speed internet further drove app usage. Now consumers use apps for everything from e-commerce to social media via Meta Platforms (META) Instagram. Today, the proliferation of app marketplaces and the ease of app development have empowered individuals and businesses to create and distribute their own apps leading to a burgeoning app ecosystem. The Next Wave Virtual Reality Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg made waves on Wall Street when he changed the name of one of the most famous companies in the world to Meta Platforms. Though Facebook generates most of its revenue from its legacy businesses, the name change was a clear sign that the company would be focusing most of its innovative energy on the metaverse and its Quest VR headset. Not to be outdone, Apple recently announced that it would release a $3,000+ VR headset of its own, the Apple Vision Pro. Tech juggernauts such as Microsoft (MSFT), Cisco (CSCO), and Adobe (ADBE) have already been rumored to be creating apps for the Vision Pro. Winner: Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock Unity Software (U) is a software company that provides a platform for creating and operating interactive, real-time 3D content for gaming. If VR headset usage is to catch on, companies such as Meta and Apple will need VR-centric apps. This is where Unity Software comes in. On June 5th, shares of Unity shot higher by 17% after Apple announced that it would partner with the company for its gaming app needs. The deal is a game-changer (no pun intended) for Unity. Over the past 60-days, Zacks Consensus Estimates have shifted from negative EPS for the coming quarters to positive EPS expectations. Zacks Investment Research Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Artificial Intelligence Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang, who was at the forefront of the internet revolution, recently said that AI is the most powerful technology force of our time. AI is likely to disrupt or enhance several industries including the application industry. For example, AI-driven apps can lead to more personalized experiences, a better understanding of human language, improved efficiency, and a better understanding of the human language. Winner: During MDBs shareholder meeting yesterday, the company announced that it would launch an AI initiative with Alphabets Google Cloud. MongoDbs Atlas platform helps to streamline the process of creating AI-powered Apps. Because Google is arguably the leader in AI (or right behind Microsoft (MSFT)), the partnership is a massive potential catalyst. Beyond Google, MongoDB is riding the AI wave by helping customers such as General Electric (GE), Toyota (TM), and Verizon (VZ) develop AI-related products. MDB shares shot higher by 28% on volume that was quadruple the norm after reporting earnings earlier this month. Since then, shares have held the earnings gap and traded tight. The stock is set up for a post-earnings drift trade because of the many fundamental catalysts and the fact that investors with significant gains are in no rush to sell shares. TradingView Image Source: TradingView Conclusion The third wave of the application economy will be driven by the onset of VR headsets and Artificial Intelligence. Because of their partnerships with big tech juggernauts, Unity Software and MongoDB are set to benefit the most. 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 General Electric Company (GE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Toyota Motor Corporation (TM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) : Free Stock Analysis Report NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Humana Inc. (HUM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Adobe Inc. (ADBE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Intuit Inc. (INTU) : Free Stock Analysis Report Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Spotify Technology (SPOT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Unity Software Inc. (U) : Free Stock Analysis Report Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research 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.. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Roper Technologies: AC Analytical Controls B.V., AC Analytical Controls Holding B.V., AC Analytical Controls Services B.V., Abel Pump, Acton Research, Acumen PM LLC, Aderant Canada Company, Aderant Company, Aderant Holdings Inc., Aderant International Holdings LLC, Aderant Legal (UK) Limited, Aderant Legal Holdings (AUS) Pty Ltd, Aderant Legal Holdings (NZ) ULC, Aderant Legal Holdings Inc., Aderant North America Inc., Aderant Parent Holdings Inc., Advanced Sensors Limited, Advanced Sensors Ltd., AiCambridge Ltd., Alpha Holdings of Delaware I LLC, Alpha Holdings of Delaware II LLC, Alpha Technologies B.V., Alpha Technologies GmbH, Alpha Technologies Japan LLC, Alpha Technologies Services LLC, Alpha Technologies U.K., Alpha Technologies s.r.o., Alpha Trust Corporation, Alpha UK Holdings LLC, American LegalNet Inc, Amot Controls Corporation, Amot Controls GmbH, Amot/Metrix Investment Company Inc., Amphire Solutions Inc., Amtech Systems (Hong Kong) Limited, Amtech Systems LLC, Amtech World Corporation, Antek Instruments, Archisnapper BV, Ascension Technology Corporation, Assureweb Limited, Atlantic Health Partners Inc., Atlas Database Software Corp., Avitru, Bellefield Systems, BillBlast, C/S Solutions Inc., CBORD Holdings Corp., CBORD Holdings Corporation, CIVCO Holdings Inc., CIVCO Medical Solutions B.V., Centurion Research Solutions LLC, Chalwyn Limited, Civco Holding Inc., Civco Medical Instruments Co. Inc., Clackamas Pump LLC, CliniSys Group, CliniSys Group Limited, Clinisys Scotland Limited, Clinisys Solutions Limited, Cointec Ingenieros y Consultores S.L., Commerce Pump LLC, Compressor Controls (Beijing) Corporation Ltd., Compressor Controls Corporation B.V., Compressor Controls Corporation Middle East, Compressor Controls Corporation S.r.l., Compressor Controls LLC, Compressor Controls Mauritius Ltd., Compressor Controls Pty Ltd., Compressor Controls Saudi Arabia LLC, ComputerEase Software, ConceptShare, ConstructConnect, ConstructConnect Canada Inc., ConstructConnect Inc., Cornell Pump Company, DAT Solutions LLC, DATSolutions Private Limited, DCMH Group Holdings Inc., DCMH Group Holdings LLC, DCMH Holdings Inc., DI Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., DI Dutch Holdings LLC, DI Hong Kong Limited, Data Innovations, Data Innovations Canada Ltd., Data Innovations Cooperatief U.A., Data Innovations Europe S.A., Data Innovations LLC, Data Innovations Latin America Ltda, Dawning Technologies LLC, Deltek, Deltek Ajera Inc., Deltek Asia Pacific (HK) Limited, Deltek Australia Pty Ltd., Deltek Danmark A/S, Deltek France SAS, Deltek GB Limited, Deltek GmbH, Deltek Inc., Deltek Nederland B.V., Deltek Netherlands B.V., Deltek Norge AS, Deltek Sverige AB, Deltek Systems (Canada) Inc., Deltek Systems (Colorado) Inc., Deltek Systems (Philippines) Ltd., Deltek TNSCore Holdings LLC, Deltek WST LLC, Dominion I Inc., Duncan Technologies, Dynamco Inc., Dynamic Instruments Inc., Dynisco Enterprises GmbH, Dynisco Enterprises LLC, Dynisco Europe GmbH, Dynisco Holding GmbH, Dynisco Instruments LLC, Dynisco Instruments S.a.r.l., Dynisco LLC, Dynisco Parent Inc., Dynisco S.r.l., Dynisco Viatran LLC, Dynisco Viatran (M) Sdn Bhd, Dynisco-Viatran Instrument Sdn Bhd, EPSI, FMS Purchasing & Services Inc., FSI Holdings Inc., FTI Flow Technology Inc., Flow Technology, Fluid Metering, Fluid Metering Inc., Foodlink Holdings Inc., Foodlink Holdings Inc., Foodlink IT India Private Limited, Foundry, Foundry Visionmongers (Ireland) Limited, Freight Market Intelligence Consortium, Gatan, GeneInsight Inc., Getloaded Corporation, HRsmart Canada Inc., HRsmart France SAS, HRsmart Germany GmbH, HRsmart Inc., HRsmart International, HRsmart International Holdings LLC, HRsmart Mexico, HRsmart SA (Pty) Ltd., HRsmart Talent Management Solutions Europe Limited, HRsmart Ventures LLC, Handshake Software Inc., Handshake Software Inc., Hansco Automatisering B.V., Hansen Technologies, Hansen Technologies Corporation, Harbour Holding Corp., Hardy Process Solutions, Horizon Lab Systems LLC, Horizon Software International LLC, IDS, INPUT Inc., IPA Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., ISL Finance SAS, ISL Holding SAS, ISL Scientifique de Laboratorie - ISL S.A.S., Impact Financial Systems, Industrial Products Investment Company, Innovative Product Achievements LLC, Innovative Product Achievements LLC, Inovonics Corporation, Instill Corporation, IntelliTrans Limited, Intellitrans LLC, Intellitrans Sweden AB, JLT Mobile Computers Inc., Job Access LTDA, Laser App Inc., Link Logistics Holding LLC, Loadlink Technologies Corporation, Logitech, Logitech Limited, Lumenera Corporation, MASD, MED Professional Services LLC, MEDTEC Inc., MEDTEC LLC, MHA Long Term Care Network Inc., MHA Long Term Care Services Inc., MIPS Austria GesmbH, MIPS Deutschland GmbH, MIPS France Sarl, MIPS Nederland B.V., MIPS Schweiz AG, MIPS Software Iberica SL, MPR Readers Inc., Managed Health Care Associates Inc., Media Cybernetics L.P., Medical Information Professional Systems NV, Medina Acquisition LLC, Metrix Instrument Co. L.P., NDI Europe GmbH, NDI Holding Corp., Navigator Group Purchasing Inc., Neptune Technology Group (Canada) Co., Neptune Technology Group Holdings Inc., Neptune Technology Group Inc., Neptune Technology Group Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V., Neptune Technology Group Services Inc., Nippon Roper K.K., Northern Digital Inc., Omega Legal Systems Inc., On Center Software LLC, Onvia Inc., PAC (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PAC Denmark ApS, PAC GmbH, PAC Instruments (Thailand) Company Limited, PAC Instruments Asia PTE. Ltd., PB Bidco Limited, PB Holdco Limited, PB Midco Limited, PB Topco Limited, PGP UK Limited, PMC/Beta, Petroleum Analyzer, Petroleum Analyzer Company L.P., Petrotech, Phase Analyzer Company Ltd., Photometrics, PowerPlan, PowerPlan Canada ULC, PowerPlan Holdings Inc., PowerPlan Inc., PowerPlan Intermediate Holdings Inc., PowerPlan Operations ANZ Pty Ltd, PowerPlan Operations Ltd., Princeton Instruments, Project Aloha Merger Sub Inc., Project Diamond Intermediate Holdings Corporation, Project Torque Intermediate Holdings Inc., Project Viking Holdings Inc., Project Viking Intermediate LLC, QSC 1208 Limited, QSC 1209 Limited, Quantitative Imaging Corporation, RF IDeas, RF IDeas Inc., RI Marketing India Private Limited, RIL Holding Limited, RMT Inc., RT Merger Sub Inc., Rebate Tracking Group LLC, Redlake Imaging Corporation, Resonant Software Inc., Roda Deaco Valve Inc., Roper Acquisitions Holdings Inc., Roper Brasil Comercio E Promocao De Productos E Servicos LTDA, Roper Canada Holdings LP, Roper Canada UK Limited, Roper Denmark UK Limited, Roper EUR Pte. Ltd., Roper Engineering s.r.o., Roper Europe GmbH, Roper GM Denmark Holdings ApS, Roper Germany GmbH, Roper Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Roper Holdings Limited, Roper IH LLC, Roper Industrial Products Investment Company, Roper Industries Denmark ApS, Roper Industries Deutschland GmbH, Roper Industries Inc., Roper Industries Limited, Roper Industries Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Roper Industries Mauritius Ltd., Roper Industries UK Limited, Roper International Holding Inc., Roper International Holding Limited, Roper International Holding SCS, Roper LLC, Roper Luxembourg Finance S.a.r.l., Roper Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Roper Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Roper Middle East Ltd. FZCO, Roper NL1 UK Limited, Roper NL2 UK Limited, Roper Operations Company I LLC, Roper Operations Company II LLC, Roper Pte. Ltd., Roper Pump Company, Roper Scientific B.V., Roper Scientific SAS, Roper Scot LP, Roper Singapore Holding LLC, Roper Southeast Asia LLC, Roper Swiss Finance GmbH, Roper T1 LLC, Roper T1000 Corp., Roper T2 LLC, Roper Tech. Middle East Ltd. FZCO, Roper Technologies (Ireland) Limited, Roper Technologies (Scot) LP, Roper UK Investments Limited, Roper UK Ltd., Roper-Mex L.P., Ropintassco Holdings L.P., SHP Group Holdings Inc., SIRA LLC, Shanghai Roper Industries Trading Co. Ltd., Sinmed Holding International B.V., Societe de Distribution de Logiciels Medicaux, SoftWriters Inc., Softwriters Holdings, Softwriters Holdings Inc., Sohnar Pty Ltd, Star Purchasing Services LLC, Strata Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., Strata Decision Technologies LLC, Strata Decision Technology LLC, Strata Parallel II Inc., Strategic Healthcare Programs Blocker 2 Inc., Strategic Healthcare Programs Blocker LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs Holdings LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs Holdings LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs L.L.C., Struers, Struers (Shanghai) International Trading Ltd., Struers A/S, Struers GmbH, Struers Inc., Struers K.K., Struers Limited, Struers SAS, Sunquest Europe Limited, Sunquest Holdings Inc., Sunquest Information Systems (Europe) Limited, Sunquest Information Systems (India) Private Limited, Sunquest Information Systems (International) Limited, Sunquest Information Systems Inc., Sunquest Information Systems Pty Ltd, TLP Holdings LLC, Team TSI Corporation, Technolog Group Limited, Technolog Holdings Limited, Technolog Holdings Ltd., Technolog Limited, Technolog SARL, The CBORD Group Inc., The Foundry Topco No.2 Limited, The Foundry USCo Inc., The Foundry Visionmongers Ltd., The Tidewater Healthcare Shared Services Group Inc., The Washington Management Group Inc., Torque Acquisition Holdco Inc., Transcore Atlantic Inc., Transcore CNUS Inc., Transcore Holdings Inc., Transcore ITS LLC, Transcore LP, Transcore Nova Scotia Corporation, Transcore Partners LLC, Trinity Integrated Systems Limited, Trinity Integrated Systems Ltd., UHF Purchasing Services LLC, Union Square Software (International) Limited, Union Square Software Inc., Union Square Software Limited, Union Square Software Pty, United Controls Group Inc., Uson L.P., Uson Limited, Utilitec Limited, Utilitec Services Limited, Utility Data Services Limited, Verathon Canada Holdings Inc., Verathon Holdings (Delaware) Inc., Verathon Inc., Verathon Inc., Verathon Medical (Australia) Pty Limited, Verathon Medical (Canada) ULC, Verathon Medical (Europe) B.V., Verathon Medical (France) SARL, Verathon Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Verathon Medical (Japan) K.K., Verathon Medical (UK) Ltd., Vertafore, Vertafore Canada Inc., Vertafore Inc., Vertafore India Private Limited, Viastar Services LP, Viatran Corporation, WELIS, Walter Herzog GmbH, WorkBook APAC Ltd., Workbook Software A/S, Zetec (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zetec Canada Ltd., Zetec France, Zetec Inc., Zetec Korea Inc., Zetec Services Inc., iPipeline, iPipeline (TCP) Limited, iPipeline Canada Inc, iPipeline Co. Ltd., iPipeline Holdings Inc, iPipeline Inc, iPipeline Limited, iSqFt Holdings Inc., iSqFt Parent Corporation, iSqFt Sub Inc., iTradeNetwork Inc., and mySBX Corporation. Read More 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. 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. 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. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. was founded in 1869 by Marcus Goldman as an investment bank catering to institutions and businesses. Among the firm's first products are the revolutionary use of commercial paper for entrepreneurs which opened a new method of finance for business and industry. The original firm expanded to Goldman Sachs in 1882 with the inclusion of son-in-law Samuel Sachs and again in 1885 with a son and another son-in-law. The firm joined the New York Stock Exchange in 1896 expanding into trading of its own and in 1898 it was worth $1.6 million. The company began its work in the IPO market in 1906 with the initial public offering of Sears, Roebuck & Co., and then moved on to Ford and other prominent names of the time. The 1930s brings a change of leadership and a new direction for the firm. The company shifted toward a purer play on investment banking and embarks on a campaign of acquisition that lasted until the present day. The company doesnt go public itself until 1999 and from that point on it will change into a bank holding company that not only offers investment banking services but takes deposits too, and in 2016 the company added consumer banking to its list of services. Today, Goldman Sachs is a financial institution that provides a range of financial services for corporations, institutions, governments, and individuals globally. The company operates through four segments that include Investment Banking, Global Markets, Asset Management, and Consumer & Wealth Management. According to US banking regulations, it is systemically important to the financial health of America. The company is headquartered in New York, New York, and operates 6 regional headquarters as well. Regional headquarters are located in financial hotspots such as London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangalore, and Warsaw. Among its many prominent CEOs are John Corzine and Hank Paulson who both went on to successful work in government. The company's Investment Banking segment provides a full range of financial advisory services as well as underwriting for the public markets. The financial advisory services include but are not limited to strategic advisory for mergers and acquisitions, divestiture, restructuring, and spin-offs. This segment is also engaged in middle-market lending and transaction banking. Underwriting services include IPOs, preferred stock, debt instruments, and bridge loans. Goldman Sachs Global Markets segment facilitates market transactions for institutions, banks, brokerages, corporations, and governments. Services include execution, derivatives, financing, clearing, settlement, and custody. The Asset Management segment manages client portfolios across the investment spectrum while the Consumer & Wealth Management segment provides advisory and banking services to consumers. GE is a multi-national conglomerate that was originally incorporated in 1892. The company was founded by Thomas Edison as the Edison General Electric Company and shortened its name to General Electric following a merger with two other early electric pioneers. The name was later shortened again to GE. The company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts but has operations on a global scale. One of the original 12 Dow stocks, the company was a component of the index for 122 years until its ousting in 2018. Originally intended to make and market Edisons incandescent lamp and following products, the company grew over the years through mergers, acquisitions, and natural expansion into newly created fields. Among the many early accomplishments is the creation of RCA and NBC which will both become forces of their own. Other major innovations include the worlds first turbine superchargers, industrial gas turbine engines, and the first jet engine. In the field of computing, General Electric Company is credited as being one of the 8 major computer companies of the 1960s and shares responsibility for todays digital world. In regard to its employees, two were awarded the Nobel Prize for their work with the company. Today GE operates as a high-tech industrial company in Europe, China, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. The company operates through four segments including Power, Renewables, Aerospace, and Healthcare although there are plans in the works to split the company into three separate entities. The three new companies would be GE Vernova (power and renewables), GE Health, and GE Aerospace. The spin-offs are expected to be completed by 2025. The Power segment offers a variety of turbine engines for power production as well as the full range of services from plant construction to retrofit and refit. The Renewables segment is focused on solutions for renewable energy including wind and hydro and the technology to operate them. The Aviation segment manufactures aircraft engines of all varieties and the Healthcare segment offers technology for imaging, monitoring, diagnostics, and drug discovery to health and medical facilities. General Electric is committed to helping the world transition to a greener way of life and is exiting the new-build coal-fired power industry. Instead, its advancements in wind, grid efficiency, and natural gas are being deployed around the world helping to reduce emissions and generate cleaner energy for businesses, industry, and communities. The company is targeting 2030 for its own carbon neutrality and 2050 for net zero emissions. neirfy / iStock.com Home renovations are booming. According to the Joint Center for Housing Centers of Harvard University (JCHS), home improvement project spending leapt from $328 billion in 2019 to $472 billion in 2022. It is projected to reach $485 billion in 2023. Im a Real Estate Agent: Here Are 8 Renovations Buyers Want the Most in 2023 Learn: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 A recent GOBankingRates survey backed this up, with 89% saying they spent money on renovations last year. About 88% of those people spent at least $500, with 43% spending at least $2,000. Though attractive and sometimes necessary, home renovations can easily sink your finances. This is especially true if you get involved with a shady contractor who pulls a scam on you. Its more common than you may think. A new study from JW Surety Bonds found that 1 in 10 Americans has been a victim of a contractor scam, losing an average of $2,426. Baby boomers were found to be the most likely to fall victim to a contractor scam (15%), followed by millennials (13%), Gen Xers (10%) and Gen Zers (9%). How can you hire a contractor safely, without heightening the risk of being scammed? And how can you maintain a good relationship with the contractor you choose? Lets find out. Also see six money scams to avoid. Research, Research, Research The first step when hiring any home renovation professional is to determine your projects needs. Before you even begin looking for a contractor, it is important to conduct research on the project you are planning, said Shaun Martin, owner and CEO of We Buy Houses In Denver. Get familiar with local building codes and regulations, as well as permits that may be needed in your area. Get Referrals Referrals are not surefire ways to protect yourself from a scam artist contractor. In fact, according to the survey, one way those scammed by contractors found them was via referrals from family or friends (34%). Still, this method of asking people you know for referrals can be beneficial. Ask them about their experience with the contractors they used and [whether] they would recommend working with them again, Martin said. You can also check online reviews for additional information about the contractors reputation. Research Online Reviews and Ratings Check websites and online directories that feature reviews and ratings for contractors. Look for consistent positive feedback and testimonials, said Brett Johnson, owner of Cash For House Pro. Interview Multiple Contractors Dont just settle for the first contractor you talk with even if they wow you. Meet with several contractors to discuss your project, budget and timeline, Johnson said. Compare their expertise, communication skills and willingness to listen. Ask the Right Questions When interviewing contractors for the gig, ask the right questions to get an understanding of their experience and qualifications. Martin said, Some questions to consider include: What projects have they worked on in the past? Do they specialize in a particular type of home renovation? What is their expected timeline for completing the project? Joshua Palmatier of Palmatier Electric provided a few more questions to ask prospective contractors: Are you licensed? Most states require some sort of licensing or registration in order to be a home improvement contractor, Palmatier said. Does your contractor have a license, and are they willing to show it to you? Can you provide a COI? If your contractor is uninsured, you probably dont want them working on your home, Palmatier said. Do you have branding? Does your contractor have a logo, a website, shirts or uniforms representing their business? Do they send professional-looking estimates that are branded? Palmatier said. How long have you been in business? Everyone has to start somewhere, so just because a contractor is new doesnt necessarily mean they are bad, he said, but a contractor that has been around for many years is a good sign. Clearly Define Your Vision and Set a Realistic Budget As you embark on the journey of finding the right contractor for your project, be as communicative and knowledgeable about your needs and vision as possible. Prepare a detailed description of your renovation goals, including materials, design preferences and desired outcomes, Johnson said. Provide visual references, such as images or sketches, to convey your vision. Determine your budget range and communicate it to the contractor up front. Be transparent about your financial limitations to avoid surprises or misunderstandings later on. Verify Licenses and Insurance Asking whether a contractor is insured isnt enough; verify that he or she is. Ensure that the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured, Johnson said. This should include general liability insurance as well as workers comp insurance if they have employees. Further, you need to make sure that every subcontractor that your contractor hires has the same insurance. Neglecting this step could put you in a bad legal position should someone get hurt on the job. Request a Detailed Written Contract Always get agreements and plans in writing. Ensure that the contractor provides a comprehensive written contract that includes the project scope, timeline, payment schedule, warranty information and any necessary permits, Johnson said. Ensure that your contract includes a laid-out scope of work that outlines the specific tasks, materials and deliverables involved in the renovation project. This document should leave no room for ambiguity and serve as a reference point throughout the project. Establish a Milestone-Based Payment Schedule Set up a payment plan that is linked to progress milestones or moments of completion. Divide the total project cost into four installments, with each payment corresponding to the completion of a significant phase, Johnson said. Additionally, hold back the final 5% to 10% until all punch-list items are complete. The holdback is important as many contractors get distracted on other jobs and you need to ensure your job is completed to your satisfaction. Schedule a Weekly Standing Meeting with the Contractor Stay in the loop throughout your home renovation experience with weekly meetings with the contractor to discuss the projects progress, address any concerns or issues and ensure that everyone is on the same page, Johnson said. This regular communication will help keep the project on track and provide an opportunity to clarify any questions or changes that may arise. Look Out for Red Flags Matthew DiBara, CEO of The Contractor Consultants and founder of The Undercover Contractor, said there are a number of red flags to be on the lookout for when hiring a contractor: Lack of licensure Significantly lower or less competitive pricing Subpar equipment and materials Asking for full payment up front Trust Your Gut If you get any weird vibes from a contractor youre considering hiring, run away. If something feels off or if you have reservations, its best to continue your search, said Joshua Haley, founder of Moving Astute. A strong rapport and a sense of trust between you and the contractor are crucial for a successful renovation project. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Save $2,400: 12 Ways To Avoid Home Renovation Scams Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) is a multinational food processing and commodities trading company with a mission to unlock the potential of nature to improve the quality of life. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, ADM operates across six continents and offers a diverse range of products and services in the agricultural industry. The company's primary operations include oilseed processing, corn processing, agricultural services, and wheat milling. ADM's products are essential ingredients used in various consumer goods, including food, beverages, animal feed, and industrial products. ADM serves many customers, including food manufacturers, livestock producers, energy companies, and traders. With a global network of over 450 crop procurement locations, ADM has established strong relationships with farmers and suppliers worldwide. The company's commitment to sustainability is evident through its efforts to promote responsible sourcing, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the efficiency of its operations. ADM's leadership team comprises seasoned professionals with extensive industry experience. Juan R. Luciano serves as ADM's Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. Luciano has been with the company since 2011 and has been pivotal in driving ADM's growth and diversification. His background in agricultural commodities and his strategic vision has been instrumental in shaping the company's success. ADM has consistently demonstrated strong financial performance over the past few years. The company reported revenues growing yearly, and net earnings for the same period also increased, indicating a stable net profit margin of approximately 3%. ADM's ability to generate solid revenues has been supported by its efficient operations, diversified product portfolio, and strong market presence. ADM's valuation metrics indicate a reasonable valuation compared to industry peers. The company's price-to-earnings is below the industry average. This suggests that the market is pricing ADM's shares at a relatively attractive level based on its earnings. Factors driving the company's valuation include its diversified revenue streams, global footprint, and focus on sustainable practices. Recent investor sentiment has been positive, driven by ADM's solid financial performance and growth prospects. In addition to positive market performance, ADM has experienced notable price movements and changes in trading volume due to various news and events. For instance, announcing strategic acquisitions or partnerships often generates investor enthusiasm and can lead to significant stock price increases. Conversely, adverse weather conditions affecting crop yields or changes in government policies related to trade and agriculture can impact ADM's stock negatively. ADM operates in the global agricultural industry, which is crucial in feeding the world's population and meeting the growing demand for food, feed, and biofuels. Weather patterns, commodity prices, and global trade policies influence the industry. ADM enjoys a competitive advantage through its integrated supply chain, an extensive network of processing facilities, and strong relationships with farmers and suppliers. The company's global reach enables it to access diverse sources of raw materials, manage risk effectively and provide customers with a reliable supply of high-quality products. Additionally, ADM's focus on sustainability and commitment to responsible sourcing aligns with changing consumer preferences and regulatory trends, positioning the company well for future growth. ADM has identified several growth opportunities to drive future success. One such opportunity lies in expanding its specialty ingredients and nutrition business. The increasing consumer demand for healthy and sustainable food products presents an avenue for ADM to leverage its expertise in plant-based proteins, natural flavors, and functional ingredients. The company's recent investments in research and development have resulted in innovative product offerings that cater to evolving consumer preferences. ADM aims to capitalize on the growing demand for renewable energy by expanding its biofuels and bio-based products portfolio. As governments worldwide implement policies to reduce carbon emissions, ADM's expertise in biofuel production positions it favorably to benefit from this transition. Acquisitions and partnerships also represent growth avenues for ADM. By strategically acquiring complementary businesses or forming alliances with technology-driven startups, ADM can enhance its capabilities, expand its product offerings and access new markets. Despite ADM's strong market position, several risks and challenges must be considered. One significant risk is the volatility of commodity prices, which can impact the company's profitability and earnings. Fluctuations in crop yields due to weather conditions, changes in global trade policies, and geopolitical tensions can influence agricultural commodities' supply-demand dynamics and pricing. Regulatory and political factors also pose risks to ADM's operations. Changes in trade, food safety, and environmental standards and regulations can impact the company's ability to conduct business in certain regions. ADM must navigate these complexities while maintaining compliance and managing associated costs. ADM faces competition from traditional agricultural players and emerging technologies in the plant-based protein and alternative ingredients space. The rapid pace of technological advancements and shifting consumer preferences require ADM to remain innovative and agile to stay ahead of the competition. A staff member demonstrates a VR device supported by 5G network at the booth of telecom giant China Mobile during the 22nd China Hi-Tech Fair in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 12, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua] China's telecommunication industry logged steady expansion in the first five months of this year, buoyed by emerging businesses, official data showed. The combined business revenue of firms in the sector totaled 712.5 billion yuan (about 99.24 billion U.S. dollars), up 6.8% year on year, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Of the total, emerging sectors such as internet data centers, big data, cloud computing and the Internet of Things saw their revenues rise 20.2% year on year, enabling the telecom business revenue to increase by 3.8 percentage points, the ministry said. The data also revealed the spread of 5G services. The country had 2.84 million 5G base stations by the end of May, and secured a net increase of 90.73 million 5G cellphone users in the first five months of 2023. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the first leveraged Bitcoin futures exchange-traded fund (ETF) on Friday. Volatility Shares 2x Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITX) is scheduled to launch on the Chicago Board Options (CBOE) BZX Exchange next Tuesday, June 27. According to the SEC filing, BITX seeks investment results that correspond to two times (2x) the return of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Bitcoin Futures Daily Roll Index. An ETF, or exchange-traded fund, bundles securities like stocks and commodities. Investors can buy shares of an ETF to gain exposure to those securities without owning them directly. In the case of Bitcoin ETFs, there have been two main types: Bitcoin futures and Bitcoin spot. BlackRock Bitcoin ETF Prospects Boost Institutional Investor Sentiment The BITX fund will be a leveraged ETF. Leveraged funds use debt or financial derivativesin this case, Bitcoin futuresas leverage to amplify the returns of a benchmark index. That leverage can mean short-term gains for investors, but it can also lead to big losses. Todays news was mostly lauded by cryptocurrency advocates across the market, however it does leave space for some questions. When we look back on the Bitcoin ETF saga in 5 or 10yrs, this will be one of the most ridiculous aspects... A 2x leveraged futures product launching before a straightforward spot ETF, Nate Geraci, co-founder of the ETF Institute wrote on Twitter. He ended his tweet with: Wild. When we look back on the bitcoin ETF saga in 5 or 10yrs, this will be one of the most ridiculous aspects... A 2x leveraged futures product launching before a straightforward spot ETF. Wild. Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci) June 23, 2023 Meanwhile, others pointed out that $BITO, the U.S.s first Bitcoin futures ETF, has underperformed BTC year-to-date, although it did jump on todays news against its USD pair. The asset notched a 3.45% gain on the day, reaching $17.57, according to Yahoo Financestill down more than 50% from its all-time high of $43.32 in 2021. Bitcoin continues its rally, touching $31,000 today, with a 3.4% gain. Bitcoin Touches $31,000 as BlackRock Rally Continues Approving BITX breathes some fresh air into the digital asset industry, after the SEC sued two of the largest crypto exchanges earlier this month. The regulatory agencys head, Gary Gensler, has proved to be a staunch detractor of cryptocurrencies. With BlackRock applying for a Bitcoin ETF earlier this week, could this be a sign of the tides turning for the SECs turbulent relationship with crypto? It might be a bit early, but the news is no doubt encouraging for investors. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved funding levels for fiscal year 2024 in line with the caps established under the recent bipartisan deal to raise the debt limit. The $1.59 trillion total is about $120 billion higher than the funding level approved by the House. The Senate committee vote fell along party lines, with all Republicans opposed to the proposed allocations. Thursdays action sets up a clash between the two chambers and another potential fiscal showdown between Democrats and Republicans. The disagreement is a significant setback for the appropriations process, as the Senate will ultimately require 60 votesmeaning bipartisan supportto advance spending bills and avoid a shutdown this fall, Eric Katz of Government Executive writes. Lawmakers on both sides acknowledged the hitch, but expressed optimism they can ultimately come together on an agreement. Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, who heads the Appropriations Committee, and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the top Republican on the panel, said that they hope to move forward in bipartisan fashion. We are determined to continue working together in a bipartisan manner to craft serious funding bills that can be signed into law, they said in a joint statement. Keeping the Senate appropriations process moving full steam ahead and in a bipartisan way is critical. Our nation absolutely must be able to count on a dependable appropriations process as we grapple with urgent challenges at home and abroad. We are both committed to ensuring that the voice of the Senate is heard through the appropriations process and expect a busy summer of markups and continued bipartisan deliberation. Collins reportedly said she voted against the allocations due to concerns that they did not adequately fund the Defense and Homeland Security departments. I hope that in the weeks ahead we will be able to reach an agreement to ensure that our military and the Department of Homeland Security have the resources they need to keep our country safe, she said, per GovExec. Murray acknowledged that many lawmakers, herself included, are concerned about the topline spending levels set under the debt ceiling deal. This is not an agreement that I would have madeand as I said on the floor when the Senate considered the legislationI am worried about how it will limit our ability to make necessary investments in our countrys future, she said in her opening remarks, adding, The way we make the best of what we have to work with is by pushing forward and writing serious bills that can be signed into law, and then passing the strongest possible bills in a timely, bipartisan way to keep our government running smoothly and avoid an automatic, across-the-board cut to everything. Senate appropriators also voted unanimously to advance the first two of 12 annual appropriations bills, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill and the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill. The bottom line: Both House and Senate appropriators are working to pass the required annual spending bills, but theyll have to resolve their differences over appropriations levels or risk a government shutdown and a 1% across-the-board spending cut if they fail to approve the spending bills by the end of the year. Like what you're reading? Sign up for our free newsletter. (Bloomberg) -- Singaporeans love durians. And this year, the spiky and pungent fruit is in such abundance that it can be found in claw machines, giving enthusiasts a chance to catch one for just a dollar. Most Read from Bloomberg A surplus in major producer Malaysia has pushed prices in the city-state down to levels never seen before. Premium varieties like Musang King were selling for as cheap as S$3 ($2.24) a kilogram earlier this month. This is the lowest price Ive ever seen, said Sam Tan, executive director of MAPC Sdn. Bhd., a major durian supplier. Typically, a Musang King will go at S$12 to S$13 per kilogram, said Tan, whos also president of the Malaysia Durian Exporters Association and has been in the industry for 12 years. Farmers in Malaysia, which supplies more than 85% of Singapores durians, have been diversifying into the fruit since 2016 as prices jumped, instead of growing traditional crops like palm oil and rubber. Durian trees take at least five to seven years to start producing, contributing to the bountiful harvest this year. The reduction in durian prices in Singapore is driven by the availability of supply from Malaysia, which is amplified by the weakening of the ringgit, the Federal Agricultural Market Authority of Malaysia said in an emailed response to questions. A drop in demand due to people spending more on essential goods has also contributed to the surplus, it said. A record-breaking heat wave earlier this year has also affected the quality of the fruit, helping to push prices lower. Thats all good news for durian enthusiasts in Singapore, which imports more than 100,000 kilograms of the fruit a day from Malaysia in peak season. It isnt just Malaysia ramping up output, however. Farmers in Thailand and Vietnam have also switched to durians from crops such as rubber and coffee. Their main target customer is China, where the durian is rapidly becoming the most popular imported fruit. Read more: Malaysian Designer Durians Are Carving Out Niche in China The surge in investment in Malaysia was driven by booming Chinese demand, according to Lim Chin Khee, a durian consultant based in Pahang who has spent more than two decades in the industry. He blames quality issues for the drop in prices this year. Hot and dry weather has resulted in 50% to 60% of the durians developing burnt seeds and having less meat, MAPCs Tan said. With their creamy, custard-like texture, musky flavor and an aroma so strong theyre banned on public transport in many Southeast Asian countries, durians have something of a cult-like following. Singaporean durian fan Melissa Yap, 55, said she and her husband have been eating the fruit up to three times a week due to the cheap prices. We are really happy that durians are more affordable now and will certainly be eating more in the coming weeks. --With assistance from Anuradha Raghu and Stephen Stapczynski. (Updates with statement from Federal Agricultural Market Authority of Malaysia in 5th paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A deep-sea submersible carrying five people on a voyage to the century-old wreck of the Titanic was found in pieces from a catastrophic implosion that killed everyone aboard, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Thursday, ending a multinational five-day search for the vessel. A robotic diving vehicle deployed from a Canadian ship discovered a debris field from the submersible Titan on Thursday morning on the seabed some 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the bow of the Titanic, 2 1/2 miles (4 km) beneath the surface, in a remote corner of the North Atlantic, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger told reporters. The Titan, operated by the U.S.-based company OceanGate Expeditions, had been missing since it lost contact with its surface support ship on Sunday morning about an hour, 45 minutes into what should have been a two-hour dive to the worlds most famous shipwreck. Five major fragments of the 22-foot (6.7-meter) Titan were located in the debris field left from its disintegration, including the vessels tail cone and two sections of the pressure hull, Coast Guard officials said. No mention was made of whether human remains were sighted. The debris field here is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vehicle, Mauger said. Even before the Coast Guards press conference, OceanGate issued a statement saying there were no survivors among the five men aboard the Titan, including the companys founder and chief executive officer, Stockton Rush, who was piloting the Titan. The four others were British billionaire and explorer Hamish Harding, 58; Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son, Suleman, both British citizens; and French oceanographer and renowned Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, who had visited the wreck dozens of times. These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans, the company said. Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time. Search teams and support personnel from the U.S., Canada, France and Britain had spent days scanning thousands of square miles of open seas with planes and ships for any sign of the Titan. Intense worldwide media coverage of the search largely overshadowed the aftermath of a far greater maritime disaster stemming from the wreck of a migrant vessel off the coast of Greece last week, killing hundreds of people. SOUNDS FROM THE DEEP Mauger said it was too early to tell when Titan met its fate. Search teams had sonar buoys in the water for more than three days in the area without detecting any loud, violent noise that would have been generated when the submersible imploded, Mauger said. But the position of the debris field relatively close the shipwreck and the time frame of the last communication with the Titan seemed to suggest the failure occurred near the end of its descent on Sunday. The U.S. Navy separately acknowledged that an analysis of its own acoustic data had detected an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion near the submersibles location when its communications were lost. While not definitive, this information was immediately shared with commanders of the search mission, a senior Navy official said in a statement first quoted by the Wall Street Journal. The Journal, citing unnamed U.S. defense officials, said the sound was picked up by a top-secret system designed to detect enemy submarines. In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, filmmaker James Cameron, who directed the Oscar-winning movie Titanic and has ventured to the wreck in submersibles himself, said he learned of the acoustic findings within a day, and knew what it meant. I sent emails to everybody I know and said weve lost some friends. The sub had imploded. Its on the bottom in pieces right now. I sent that out Monday morning, he recounted. Sonar buoys dropped by aircraft had picked up some sounds on Tuesday and Wednesday that temporarily offered hope that the Titan was still intact and that its occupants were alive and trying to communicate by banging on the hull. But officials said analysis of the sound was inconclusive and that the noises probably emanated from something else. There doesnt appear to be any connection between the noises and the location on the sea floor, Mauger said on Thursday. REMOTE-CONTROLLED VEHICLES Robotic craft on the seabed will continue to gather evidence, Mauger said, but it was not clear whether recovering the victims remains will be possible given the nature of the accident and extreme conditions at those depths. We will begin to demobilize personnel and vessels from the scene over the course of the next 24 hours, the admiral said. The search had grown increasingly desperate on Thursday, when the submersibles estimated 96-hour air supply had been expected to run out if the Titan were still intact, a countdown that proved irrelevant. The RMS Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank during its maiden voyage in 1912, killing more than 1,500 people aboard, lies about 900 miles (1,450 km) east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and 400 miles (640 km) south of St. Johns, Newfoundland. The undersea expedition to the wreck, which OceanGate has been operating since 2021, cost $250,000 per person, according to the companys website. Questions about Titans safety were raised in 2018 during a symposium of submersible industry experts and in a lawsuit by OceanGates former head of marine operations, which was settled later that year. The sweeping search covered more than 10,000 square miles of ocean. On Thursday, the deployment of two specialized deep-sea robot vehicles expanded the search farther into the oceans depths, where immense pressure and pitch-black darkness complicated the mission. The fate of the tourist submersible captured global attention in part due to the mythology surrounding the Titanic. The unsinkable British passenger liner has inspired both nonfiction and fiction accounts for a century, including the blockbuster 1997 Titanic movie, which rekindled popular interest in the story. SOURCE: REUTERS (Bloomberg) -- Starbucks Corp. baristas at more than 150 stores plan to strike over the next week in support of LGBTQ workers. Most Read from Bloomberg The strike will involve more than 3,000 baristas, Starbucks Workers United said in a statement Friday. It follows the unions allegations that store employees across the US were told to remove LGBTQ-themed decorations, which the group called the latest in Starbuckss retaliation against workers. Other companies, including Target Corp., have been criticized over their stance on Pride. Their choice to align themselves with other corporations that have withdrawn their support of the queer community in the time we need it most shows that they are not the inclusive company they promote themselves to be, Moe Mills, a shift supervisor at a Missouri store, said in the statement. In an emailed statement Friday, the Seattle-based company said that the unions claims were inaccurate and that it respects employees rights to engage in lawful union activities. Last week, the company denied claims that it banned Pride decorations, saying it unwaveringly supports the LGBTQ community. Workers United continues to spread false information about our benefits, policies and negotiation efforts a tactic used to seemingly divide our partners and deflect from their failure to respond to bargaining sessions for more than 200 stores, Starbucks spokesperson Rachel Wall said in the statement. Regional National Labor Relations Board directors around the country have issued over 90 complaints accusing the company of illegal anti-union tactics, including refusing to negotiate fairly with the union, while judges and NLRB members have ordered reinstatement of 23 terminated activists. Starbucks said it would try to staff stores where workers walk out with baristas from nearby locations looking for additional hours. The coffee chain has about 9,000 company-owned stores in the US. Starbucks shares were down 1.7% in premarket trading at 9:19 a.m. in New York. The stock is up 1.7% this year through Thursday, trailing the 11% rise of the S&P 500 restaurants index. --With assistance from Josh Eidelson. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The Ryan Tubridy pay controversy at RTE has raised huge questions about governance and accountability at Irelands national broadcaster, the chair of an influential parliamentary committee has said. RTE apologised on Thursday after admitting Tubridy, its top earner and highest profile presenter, had been paid several hundred thousand euro more than it had previously declared. In a statement, the RTE board said that between 2017 and 2022, Tubridy received a series of payments totalling 345,000 euros above his annual published salary. Former Late Late Show host Tubridy, who continues to present a daily radio show on RTE Radio One, has said he was surprised to learn of errors in the broadcasters public statement about payments it had made to him. He did not host his radio show on Friday morning, with comedian Oliver Callan stepping in. Brian Stanley, chairman of the Oireachtas parliaments Public Accounts Committee, said the revelations were shocking. Mr Stanley also called on outgoing RTE director-general Dee Forbes to answer questions on the furore. He said any suggestion of RTE securing an increase to the licence fee is now off the radar. Mr Stanley told RTE Radio One on Friday: What I am scratching my head and wondering about is why did it take so long for it to come out in an internal audit? This was going on for five years. And I think there is huge questions around governance and accountability. The Sinn Fein TD added: I really feel sorry for the ordinary workers in RTE this morning and the journalists who have been endeavouring to do their best to bring a good service to the public and, by and large, theyve done that, and some excellent work being done by Prime Time and other programmes on the channel. But here we have a situation at the top, unknown to all of those people down along the chain in RTE, unknown to Oireachtas, unknown to the Public Accounts Committee, and the very people who pay the licence fee and taxpayers money that goes into it not knowing anything about this. Im just thinking about the public this morning who are waking up to this. You know that any talk of an increase in the licence fee in the current circumstances is completely off the radar. I dont believe anybody would countenance it. What we need to see now is we need to see very upfront, 100% disclosure, not bits and pieces, not news management. This cant come in dribs and drabs. We need people to come out that knew about this. Callan addressed the payments controversy as he opened the radio programme on Friday in Tubridys absence. Its Friday a bit of a weird Friday, I must concede, he said. Clearly this is the last place I expected to be less than 24 hours ago, but here we are, and the reasons are fairly obvious, especially as I get to the review of the newspapers because the usual presenter of the show is the subject of every single front page. The wider media, it has to be said, do enjoy a good old RTE scandal and boy did RTE whip up and serve a cool one for them with a flake on top and sprinkles of shambles. After encouraging listeners to contact the show with messages, Callan added: We have a show for you and the ordinary decent staff of the programme have been working away as they always do very, very early in the morning. Were all here to serve, and bear in mind they are at the receiving end of all those messages here and across the programmes today. Its an RTE story, so on the one hand we could be accused of talking too much about ourselves, but if I ignored it this morning on this programme Id be doing a disservice for you. After reading out newspaper headlines about the controversy, Callan added: Id say for everyone involved yesterday was like starring in a mini-private episode of Succession with the bombshells and the media chatter, phones buzzing, whos going to get the blame for this?, and watching the thing about yourself on the news and television with a fresh pair of underpants within lunging distance, Id imagine, for everyone concerned. The payments were uncovered after the broadcasters auditors alerted the board to some of the transactions. Tubridy said he cant shed any light on how the discrepancy had come about. Like many people, Im surprised by the announcements made in RTEs statement today regarding the errors in the reporting of its accounts, he said in a statement on Thursday. It is unfortunate that these errors are in relation to how RTE have reported payments made to me but I just want to be clear: this is a matter for RTE and I have no involvement in RTEs internal accounting treatment or RTEs public declarations in connection with such payments. Obviously, Im disappointed to be at the centre of this story, but unfortunately I cant shed any light on why RTE treated these payments in the way that they did, nor can I answer for their mistakes in this regard. Management company NK Management, which represents Tubridy, said overpayments to the presenter are matters for which RTE has sole responsibility and accountability. It added: There is no issue whatsoever in relation to the payments being properly and lawfully due and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on the part of Ryan Tubridy or NK Management. Arts Minister Catherine Martin said she was extremely concerned at what has emerged and she will meet with RTE chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh on Monday. NUJ members at RTE were set for an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the controversy. Sennheiser Transforms Collaboration in Small and Mid-Sized Spaces By Greg Tavarez - Virtual PBX Editor The global unified communications market is expected to hit around $385.21 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 18% from 2022 to 2030, according to Precedence Research. Under the UC market umbrella is the UC A/V bar market which benefits small and mid-sized collaboration spaces. For those unfamiliar, A/V bars, also known as video bars or huddle room solutions, are all-in-one devices that typically feature high-definition cameras, advanced microphone arrays and integrated speakers, providing a better audiovisual experience compared to traditional webcams and computer audio. A/V bars are also designed to integrate with popular unified communications platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Cisco Webex and others. This integration ensures seamless compatibility and simplifies the setup and management of video conferencing systems. Several companies offer A/V bar solutions, such as Logitech and Poly, and a new player has entered the field. Sennheiser, a German audio company that specializes in the design and manufacturing of a wide range of audio products, recently unveiled its TeamConnect Bar Solutions as part of the Sennheiser TeamConnect Family. The TC Bar Solutions come in two variants: TC Bar S for small spaces and TC Bar M for mid-sized rooms. The TC Bar S boasts four microphones and two speakers, while the TC Bar M comes equipped with six microphones and four speakers. These solutions seamlessly integrate with any meeting platform and can be further enhanced by incorporating compatible products, including those from Sennheiser. The TC Bar Solutions boast full-range stereo speakers with improved directivity patterns and optimized passive radiators, guaranteeing clear and natural speech reproduction. Integrated beamforming technology ensures smooth transitions between presenters, facilitating freedom of movement and configuration within the space. To further optimize room acoustics, the TC Bars are equipped with built-in DSP capabilities. Users can adjust audio settings through the Sennheiser Control Cockpit, allowing for customized audio experiences. The TC Bars also come with an automatic conference and music mode switch, ensuring the best audio quality for different content types. Security is a top priority for many. The TC Bar Solutions are no exception. Sennheiser adheres to industry best practices, implementing password protection for device configuration. Communication between the TC Bars, the Sennheiser Control Cockpit and third-party media control systems is encrypted using industry-standard Transport Layer Security 1.2, ensuring data safety. Additionally, the TC Bars support IEEE 802.1x network authentication, and for added privacy, a lens cap is included. What sets the TC Bar Solutions apart is their freedom and flexibility, allowing customers to choose the most suitable video conferencing device based on their meeting room size. These bars can be easily integrated into various room designs, offering multiple mounting options such as wall mount, VESA mount, tabletop, or freestanding. Additionally, customers can leverage the scalability of the device by using Dante to add extension microphones and/or an additional external USB camera. At Sennheiser, we've specialized in superior audio quality for years, but found a strong video partner in the independent test laboratory Image Engineering to ensure that the video quality stood up to the audio quality that is synonymous with our brand, said Ronja Harste, product manager, UC solutions, Sennheiser. That led to the development of our first all-in-one device, the TeamConnect Bar Solutions, which are the most feature-rich all-in-one conferencing devices in their class. The introduction of the TC Bar Solutions redefines the meeting experience by seamlessly integrating audio and video technologies while prioritizing ease of use, advanced features and utmost security. SHARE THIS ARTICLE Tweet Share Edited by Greg Tavarez [June 22, 2023] Statement by the CRTC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Vicky Eatrides, on the Online News Act OTTAWA, ON and GATINEAU, QC , June 22, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, the Online News Act (Bill C-18) received Royal Assent. The Act aims to ensure that news organizations operating in Canada can negotiate fair commercial agreements with the largest online platforms. The CRTC will set up the framework for mandatory bargaining between these parties. The RTC will soon share its plan for implementing the new Act. We encourage all interested parties to participate in the public consultations. Stay Connected Follow us on Twitter @CRTCeng Like us on Facebook SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission [June 22, 2023] Digital Health Strategies by Telco B2B and B2C and Approaches to Monetization: 2023 Analysis Report - A Comprehensive Examination of the Digital Health Value Chain and Business Models Tweet DUBLIN, June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Digital Health Strategies by Telco B2B and B2C and Approaches to Monetization, 2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report provides an executive-level overview of the global digital health market. It delivers deep qualitative insights into the digital health industry, digital health value chain, and ecosystem dynamics. It also analyzes key trends in the digital health industry and provides insights into telco digital health B2B and B2C activity, positioning and value propositions. Healthcare providers have been digitizing their operations and turning to digital health solutions to provide better quality care, increase healthcare access and enhance operational efficiency. The integration of advanced technologies such as IoT, cloud, and data center services, 5G, data analytics, and AI/ML have paved the way for a litany of digital health B2B and B2C use cases. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the following: Digital health taxonomy & market context: an overview of the global digital health market, including a definition, key drivers & inhibitors, and latest trends. A deep dive into three selected trends - i.e., increased network coverage and use of emerging technologies, national health strategies, and digital health regulations - is also provided with the positioning considerations these present for telcos. The digital health ecosystem & how telcos can position themselves: an overview of the digital health value chain and ecosystem players map, including telcos. This section also explores key digital health supporting technologies, and deep dives into the telemedecine latest trends. Moreover, the section details 13 examples of telcos' current involvement in digital health B2B and B2C solutions. Case studies: this section analyzes the digital health portfolios, value propositions and positioning strategies of four telecom operators. Key findings and recommendations: the report concludes with a number of key findings and a set of recommendations for digital health stakeholders, including telecom service providers. Scope National digital health strategies are supporting eHealth adoption andproviding opportunities for telcos to further position as digital transformation partners to governments and healthcare providers. Telcos have pursued partnerships, joint ventures, and M&As to enter the digital health space. Telcos can partner with third-party telemedecine app providers and insurers to offer teleconsultation and health tracking apps to their residential and enterprise customers. - Hyperscalers provide new partnership opportunities for telcos to further diversify their revenue streams beyond connectivity, notably in the upsurging digital health sector. Telcos can offer their horizontal ICT solutions and customize them for the healthcare sector while complying with local and global healthcare regulations. Telcos can also develop vertical-specific digital health portfolios. Reasons to Buy This Global Outlook Report provides a comprehensive examination of the digital health value chain and business models. It helps executives fully understand the ecosystem, market dynamics, latest developments, and value chain. It helps telecom decision-makers determine key digital health positioning strategies, formulate effective product development plans, and optimize return on investments. Three case studies illustrate the findings of the report, providing insights around different telco digital health value propositions across the world, including services, monetization approaches and partnerships. This will help telecom executives craft adapted digital health strategies to unlock new revenue streams. The report discusses concrete opportunities in the digital health market, providing a number of actionable recommendations for digital health ecosystem participants, including telecom service providers. Key Topics Covered: Section 1: Taxonomy & Market Context Defining Digital Health Healthcare Sector Trends Digital Health Drivers & Inhibitors - Summary Overview Digital Health Drivers & Inhibitors - Focus on National Digital Health Initiatives Digital Health Drivers & Inhibitors - Focus on Regulations Section 2: The Digital Health Ecosystem & How Telcos Can Position Themselves Digital Health Value Chain Digital Health Ecosystem Players Digital Health Supporting Technologies Digital Health Use Cases & Telcos' Positioning Options in the Digital Health Space Digital Health Use Cases - Focus on Telemedicine Telcos' Current Activity in the Digital Health Space Section 3: Case Studies Orange - Digital Healthcare Sector Focus in Sub Saharan Africa KPN - KPN Health and KPN IoT Digital Healthcare Sector Focus in the Netherlands Vodafone - Healthcare Sector Focus in Europe Section 4: Key Findings & Recommendations Additional Resources Acronyms and Definitions Companies Mentioned A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes Airtel Alibaba Amazon AT&T DabaDoc Deloitte Deron Enovacom Epic Etisalat Globe Telecom Google IBM GoWell Invacare Itzos Juno Health Partners KonsultaMD KPN LifeHub MasMovil Microsoft Nomadeec OpenAI Open HealthHub Orange Reliance Jio Safaricom StarHub TELUS Tencent Three ( Hong Kong ) For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/c6nh3a About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/digital-health-strategies-by-telco-b2b-and-b2c-and-approaches-to-monetization-2023-analysis-report---a-comprehensive-examination-of-the-digital-health-value-chain-and-business-models-301858347.html SOURCE Research and Markets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 22, 2023] Dassault Aviation and Dassault Systemes Partner to Bring Secure, Sovereign Collaboration on the Cloud to Next Generation Defense Programs Tweet Dassault Aviation will use Dassault Systemes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud to develop its next-generation fighter, a key project in the Future Combat Air System The 3DEXPERIENCE platform operated on OUTSCALE provides a dedicated sovereign defense cloud with the highest level of security and continuous software developments This next step in their long-term collaboration is a key driver of a European sovereign cloud that can influence other sectors such as health care and public services LE BOURGET, France, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dassault Systemes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) and Dassault Aviation (Euronext Paris FR0014004L86, AM.PA) announced at the Paris Air Show, the next step in their long-term collaboration aimed at bringing the highest levels of security, sovereignty and collaboration on the cloud to major defense programs. Dassault Aviation will use Dassault Systemes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud to develop its next-generation fighter, a key project in the Future Combat Air System industrial collaboration to ensure the future of European autonomy and sovereignty in defense and security. This cloud environment will be localized in Dassault Aviation premises and operated by Dassault Systemes through its OUTSCALE brand, whose SecNumCloud qualification is the highest security recognition given by the National Cybersecurity Agency of France. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform provides a dedicated sovereign defense cloud in which Dassault Aviation and its partners can develop the fighter with greater agility in a highly secured and scalable environment. Users will benefit from continuous software developments by Dassault Systemes that deliver the latest capabilities in systems engineering, program management, design, simulation and other disciplines. "France and Europe need to build up a sovereign Cloud capability, so that they can develop collaborative defense programs with the best possible functionality. Initiatives are already in place outside Europe. We need to stay in the race. In Europe, we are fortunate to have the world leader in digital solutions for the development of industrial products in the Cloud. For our part, we're an industrial architect, a custodian of sovereignty technologies and experienced in prime contracting for major military programs, both in France and in multinational cooperation. This partnership between Dassault Aviation and Dassault Systemes provides the first collaborative engineering solution adapted to the cyber regulations required for defense programs, and evolving at the speed of the Cloud," said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO, Dassault Aviation. As part of Dassault Aviation's ongoing digital transformation, Dassault Systemes will also extend this infrastructure to all of Dassault Aviation's new programs, to provide a consistent, secure environment for seamless, compliant programs. "Society today is faced with profound challenges requiring defense programs that can ensure a safer future for ctizens. In this context, industry innovators working with highly sensitive data must transform their programs and how they work with their ecosystems to secure every phase of development," said Bernard Charles, Chairman and CEO, Dassault Systemes. "Today, our ongoing partnership with Dassault Aviation is reaching new heights positioning us as key actors in the emergence of a European sovereign cloud with the highest level of security. As the strategic, sovereign cloud partner for governments and companies, we can bring the same security in defense to other industries such as health care and public services." Dassault Aviation will rely on the "Winning Concept," "Program Excellence," "Co-Design to Target" and "Ready for Rate" industry solution experiences based on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, which simplify and streamline the development of highly complex systems and programs to meet budget, schedule and performance targets. Social media: Connect with Dassault Systemes on Twitter Facebook LinkedIn YouTube For more information: Dassault Systemes' industry solution experiences for Aerospace and Defense: https://www.3ds.com/industries/aerospace-defense/aerospace-defense-solutions Dassault Systemes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions: http://www.3ds.com About Dassault Systemes Dassault Systemes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, is a catalyst for human progress. We provide business and people with collaborative virtual environments to imagine sustainable innovations. By creating virtual twin experiences of the real world with our 3DEXPERIENCE platform and applications, our customers can redefine the creation, production and life-cycle-management processes of their offer and thus have a meaningful impact to make the world more sustainable. The beauty of the Experience Economy is that it is a human-centered economy for the benefit of all consumers, patients and citizens. Dassault Systemes brings value to more than 300,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com Dassault Systemes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the 3DS logo, the Compass icon, IFWE, 3DEXCITE, 3DVIA, BIOVIA, CATIA, CENTRIC PLM, DELMIA, ENOVIA, GEOVIA, MEDIDATA, NETVIBES, OUTSCALE, SIMULIA and SOLIDWORKS are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systemes, a European company (Societas Europaea) incorporated under French law, and registered with the Versailles trade and companies registry under number 322 306 440, or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. About Dassault Aviation With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft (including 2,700 Falcons) delivered in more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation has built up expertise recognized worldwide in the design, development, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones and space systems. In 2022, Dassault Aviation reported revenues of 6.9 billion. The company has 12,700 employees. www.dassault-aviation.com twitter.com/dassault_onair linkedin.com/company/dassault-aviation facebook.com/dassaultaviation Dassault Systemes Press Contacts Corporate / France Arnaud MALHERBE [email protected] +33 (0)1 61 62 87 73 North America Natasha LEVANTI [email protected] +1 (508) 449 8097 EMEA Virginie BLINDENBERG [email protected] +33 (0) 1 61 62 84 21 China Grace MU [email protected] +86 10 6536 2288 India Kriti ASHOK [email protected] +91 9741310607 Japan Misae HASHIDA [email protected] +81 3 4321 3418 Korea Jeemin JEONG [email protected] +82 2 3271 6653 AP South Minming CHEN [email protected] +65 6511 7931 Dassault Aviation Press Contacts Corporate/France: Stephane Fort - Tel.: +33 (0)1 47 11 86 90 - [email protected] Mathieu Durand - Tel.: +33 (0)1 47 11 85 88 - [email protected] HD photos: mediaprophoto.dassault-aviation.com HD videos: mediaprovideo.dassault-aviation.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/dassault-aviation-and-dassault-systemes-partner-to-bring-secure-sovereign-collaboration-on-the-cloud-to-next-generation-defense-programs-301858744.html SOURCE Dassault Systemes [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 23, 2023] News conference for 19th Western China International Fair held in Chengdu Tweet CHENGDU, China, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report by Global Times A news conference for the 19th Western China International Fair (WCIF) was held in Chengdu on June 21 by the Sichuan Provincial Government News Office. According to Ge Xiaopeng, vice secretary-general of the Sichuan Provincial Government, the 19th WCIF will be held from June 29 to July 3 in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, under the theme of a "New Era of China, New Journey for the West." It is organized by 15 ministries and commissions including the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as 12 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in the west and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. The Boao Forum for Asia is a supporting unit for the event. As of June 20, many foreign political dignitaries, foreign ministerial officials, ambassadors to China, and representatives of international organizations expressed their intention to attend the WCIF. Five national ministries and comissions including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce, and 27 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) will organize delegations to participate in the event, while provincial and ministerial leaders will attend related activities. Executives and business leaders from about 60 well-known Top 500 enterprises will participate in the opening ceremony. It is expected that the total number of guests and dignitaries will exceed 30,000. More than 3,500 exhibitors will participate in this year's WCIF. Seventeen countries including Thailand, Belarus, Chile, Australia and Pakistan will set up national pavilions. The main exhibition hall of the Western China International Expo City has set up six themed pavilions and four professional pavilions, covering over 10,000 high-quality products in industries such as cultural tourism, food and beverage, handicrafts, agricultural products, digital technology, crafts and cultural and creative products. More than 3,900 projects have been finalized, representing a total investment of more than 8 trillion yuan. Among them, 100 investment promotion projects were selected and launched. Yang Chuan, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Sichuan International Expo Group, detailed that this year's WCIF will extensively link municipal resources and adopt the form of a "main venue + online livestreaming + offline interaction among sub-venues" to extend the "exhibition event" to a "food event", "cultural event" and "city event." For the first time, the group launched "butler" service at the venues, to provide a more "accurate" and "careful" range services for professional customers and the public. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/news-conference-for-19th-western-china-international-fair-held-in-chengdu-301860762.html SOURCE Global Times [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Susan Golicic, professor of supply chain management at Colorado State University, and Rachel Premack, editorial director at FreightWaves, discuss the state of the automotive industry. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves) Is the semiconductor chip shortage tapering off, and whats happening with electric vehicles? Those were some of the questions that Susan Golicic, professor of supply chain management at Colorado State University, addressed at FreightWaves Future of Supply Chain event in Cleveland on Thursday. Over the past three years, manufacturers struggled to produce new vehicles because of disruptions caused by the global shortage of semiconductors. Golicic, who worked for Chrysler, one of the Big Three automotive manufacturers in the 1990s, said the industry has caught up quite a bit after experiencing turbulent years in 2021 and 2022 with extended waits for vehicles. The auto companies were focusing on their more profitable vehicles and not building as many less profitable vehicles because of the parts shortages, especially in chips, Golicic said. To avoid another global chip shortage, Golicic said the auto industry has been working to develop additional chip suppliers and to build new plants and diversify their locations to be able to get those parts when needed. The auto industry has a lot more inventory of finished cars and so the waits are not quite as long, she said. Golicic said wait times for electric vehicles are the exception, because there are still issues with the manufacturing of the batteries. However, customers wanting to purchase EVs are used to production delays. If theyre told instead of four months its going to take six months, thats not a difficult pill to swallow for [EV] consumers, Golicic said. They still want them and are still demanding them. EV manufacturers are providing more options, and those that didnt produce EVs are working on coming out with an electric vehicle, she said. Are EV manufacturers profitable? Golicic said it depends. It really comes down to, do [EV manufacturers] have great processes in place to get all of that profitability? she said. It depends on if they made smart decisions in ordering their parts and getting what they need. Did they have to expedite anything, because those kinds of things eat into their profits? Many of the metals that go into the batteries are coming from developing countries, including nations in South America and Africa, Golicic said. Were in an era of people wanting to know whats going on in the supply chain, and they want to know, Do you have visibility of your suppliers and upstream [of] all the tiers, and do they have good practices? because obviously the first bad practice that is known makes it into the media and then youve got a PR issue on your hands. The post Supply chain professor says auto industry adapting after chip shortages appeared first on FreightWaves. [June 23, 2023] NMIMS Indore Students Secure Top 5 Spot in Smart India Hackathon with CYBER ARC Project Tweet MUMBAI, India, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NMIMS STME-Indore students have once again made their mark in the Smart India Hackathon, placing among the top 5 teams. Agyeya Jha, Kanishka Lohar, Anshi Jain, Harsh Jain, Jahnavi Plaiwal, and Anirudha Mahajan, III year students, presented their project, CYBER ARC - DEFENSIVE ARC OF CYBER WORLD. The Smart India Hackathon is a national initiative that encourages technological innovation and problem-solving skills among students. The competition involved multiple rounds, beginning with college-level screening, followed by national-level competition, and ultimately a face-off between the top 5 teams. CYBER ARC - DEFENSIVE ARC OF CYBER WORLD is a project aimed at educating children about cyber hygiene. It includes antivirus and firewall protection, daily phone/PC usage summaries, spam message alerts, parental control, and email phishing attack detection. The project also features an Animated theme based on interactive short videos and social media tracking, and offers a subscription model for revenue and a security consulting model for services. NMIMS is thrilled to have provided crucial support to their student's team as they navigated the challenges of the Smart India Hackathon. From selecting a problem statement to developing a user-friendly and ecnomically viable prototype, the team overcame numerous obstacles and successfully cleared the first two rounds. They completed the impact assessment, refined their prototype, validated its effectiveness, and prepared a presentation for future scalability. "Our team owes a great deal of gratitude to NMIMS Mumbai and our mentors for their invaluable guidance throughout the roller coaster journey, which enabled us to secure a spot in the top 5 teams of Smart India Hackathon 2023," said Agyeya Jha, highlighting their journey through the competition. "NMIMS continues to provide its students with access to industry experts, cutting-edge technologies, and opportunities to expand their knowledge in the ever-evolving field of Technology and Entrepreneurship. NMIMS remains excited to participate in upcoming competitions, and the school anticipates the impact on future growth. The team's innovative solution to the problem of cyber hygiene is an example of the talent and potential of India's youth," said Dr. Aaquil Bunglowala, Associate Dean of School of Technology, Management and Engineering NMIMS Indore. About STME-Indore: School of Technology, Management and Engineering, Indore is a constituent school of SVKM's NMIMS which is a Tier-1 University under Autonomous Universities category according to University Grants Permission (UGC), India. NMIMS Indore is a complete package of learning, fun, culture, literature and many such life preaching activities. Here, the lively environment is filled with countless learning opportunities. The guidance of professional faculties and aid of modern equipment of learning are the foundation steps of our growth in this campus. The consistent academic quality, research focus, faculty from top national and global institutes and strong industry linkages at STME has placed it amongst the nation's prime centers of educational excellence and research today. For more information, visit: https://www.nmimsindore.org/ View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/nmims-indore-students-secure-top-5-spot-in-smart-india-hackathon-with-cyber-arc-project-301860777.html [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 23, 2023] HSBC Leads $125 Million Refinancing Deal for Design Group Tweet HSBC Group has announced that it led a $125 million refinancing deal for IG Design Group plc (Design Group), one of the world's leading designers, innovators and manufacturers of gift packaging, celebrations, craft and creative play, stationery, gifting, and related product categories. The deal was spearheaded by HSBC USA, structured by HSBC USA's Asset Based Lending team, and supported by HSBC UK, with the bank providing a total of $75 million in funding. The remaining $50 million was provided by NatWest. The new asset-based revolving credit facility will allow Design Group to support its working capital requirements throughout the year and meet customer demand around peak seasonal gifting times. The facility also sees the business switch from a UK-based to a US-based funding line, where Design Group generates the majority of its revenue, with an innovative cash management structure that allows for funding of the Group's global operations. "Our aim is to not only provide financing and product solutions, but also world-class service, deep sector expertise, and cross-border collaboration that will help our clients achieve their growth targets and goals," said U.S. Head of International Subsidiary Banking James Gallagher. "Our ability to serve companies around the globe makes us one of the world's leading international banks." "NatWest is pleased to continue to suppor Design Group with its evolving financing needs, on this occasion with a new U.S.-based receivables facility," said NatWest Relationship Director Paul Mitchell. "This deal represents an important milestone in our journey to first restore our pre-Covid performance, and then grow beyond," said Design Group CEO Paul Bal. "HSBC's international reach has enabled us to ensure global funding for the Group through our biggest market, helping us to leverage our scale and capabilities for future growth." Design Group is an international business with its global headquarters in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. Its US operations are headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia., and it operates a large factory in South Wales alongside other major facilities in the US, the Netherlands and China. Notes to editors: HSBC Bank USA, National Association (HSBC Bank USA, N.A.) serves customers through Wealth and Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, Private Banking, Global Banking, and Markets and Securities Services. It operates Wealth Centers in: California; Washington, D.C.; Florida; New Jersey; New York; Virginia; and Washington. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is the principal subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc. In the United States, deposit products are offered by HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Member FDIC. About HSBC UK HSBC UK serves over 14.75 million customers across the UK, supported by 24,000 colleagues. HSBC UK offers a complete range of retail banking and wealth management to personal and private banking customers, as well as commercial banking for small to medium businesses and large corporates. HSBC Holdings plc HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 62 countries and territories. With assets of $2,990bn at 31 March 2023, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. For further information, visit: https://www.us.hsbc.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623494048/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 23, 2023] Create A Bastille Day Binge With French Series On MHz Choice Tweet Roku users can enjoy select free unlocked French series from MHz Choice for all of July's French-American Heritage Month WASHINGTON, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking for a way to celebrate French culture this Bastille Day? MHz Choice offers one of the most robust catalogs of French content outside of France, and this July we're sharing the perfect collection of French series for your Bastille Day binge. From the critically acclaimed A FRENCH VILLAGE to the popular anthology MURDER IN, there's something to satisfy the taste of every Francophile in your life on MHz Choice. July is French-American Heritage Month and all month long, Roku users can access some of the MHz Choice French catalog for free, with unlocked episodes of select French series. Roku users can enjoy select free unlocked French series from MHz Choice for July's French-American Heritage Month. Mark your calendar to check out these French series n July: MURDER IN*New Season* the popular crime anthology series where the location is the star returns for a tenth season. Locations in the new season include Amboise, Biot, Frioul Island, Haute Provence, Kermadec, Marie-Galante, Mont Saint-Michel, Porquerolles, and Rochefort Sur Mer. CAPTAIN MARLEAU *New Season* She's back! Corinne Masiero returns as the offbeat Captain Marleau, solving crimes in Paris in her inimitable style. A FRENCH VILLAGE This acclaimed drama examines the German occupation of France during WWII and its effects on the inhabitants of a small village. In June 1940, the village of Villeneuve awakens to the arrival of the German army and the next four years of occupation have a shattering effect on the lives of all its inhabitants. GLORIA In this thriller, a woman's frantic search for her missing husband leads to peril in this French reimagining of the hit BBC series Keeping Faith. NONA AND HER DAUGHTERS This charming series set in Paris from creator and star Valerie Donzelli follows the mysterious pregnancy of 70-year-old Nona, portrayed by ten-time Cesar Award nominee, Miou-Miou, and her complicated relationships with triplet daughters. CHERIF Captain Kader Cherif is a brilliant and eccentric detective in this addictive, long-running mystery series set in Lyon. MAGELLAN Inspector Simon Magellan unravels crimes and mysteries in the fictional French town of Saignac. But that's just his day job he's also raising two teenage daughters. THE ART OF CRIME He's clueless about art and she's phobic without him. Together, Captain Verlay and Florence manage to solve high-profile art crimes in the heart of Paris. Full July Schedule available here: https://mhzchoice.com/premiere-schedule/ About MHz Choice MHz Choice, the evolution of the original MHz Networks television service, offers viewers in the U.S. and Canada access to a library of the best television mysteries, dramas, comedies and documentaries subtitled in English through its subscription streaming service. Select MHz content is also available on DVD and on its free ad-supported service MHz Now, available on Samsung TV Plus and Plex. Newcomers to MHz Choice are offered a free 7-Day Trial. For more information, go to mhzchoice.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/create-a-bastille-day-binge-with-french-series-on-mhz-choice-301861068.html SOURCE MHz Networks [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 23, 2023] ProHance Analytics Sponsors HFMA Annual Conference 2023 in Nashville Tweet NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ProHance Analytics, a leading new-age workplace analytics and operations enablement platform, is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the HFMA Annual Conference 2023. Organized by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), the conference is scheduled to take place from June 25th to 28th at Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee. Kishore Reddy and Khiv Singh of ProHance Analytics will be at Booth 1149 of the HFMA Annual Conference 2023 in Nashville The HFMA Annual Conference is a premier event that brings together financial leaders from healthcare organizations, industry experts, and solution providers to explore the latest trends, strategies, and best practices in healthcare finance. This conference offers a unique opportunity for professionals to connect, share knowledge, and gain valuable insights that drive financial performance and operational excellence. Kishore Reddy, CEO of ProHance Analytics, commented on the participation, stating, "ProHance Analytics has been at the forefront of delivering innovative technology solutions that empower healthcare organizations to optimize their financial performance, enhance operational efficiency, and improve patient outcomes. With our comprehensive suite of software products and services, ProHance helps healthcare providers streamline their revenue cycle management, gain deeper insights into their financial data, and navigate the complexities of healthcare reimbursement." During the conference, ProHance Analytics will showcase its cutting-edge solutions designed to address the evolving needs of healthcare finance professionals. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the company's suite of products, including revenue cycle management software, analytics and reporting tools, and patient engagement solutions. "We are thrilled to be a part of the HFMA Annual Conference 2023," said Khiv Singh, Senior VP at ProHance Analytics, continuing, "This event provides an ideal platform to engage with healthcare finance professionals and demonstrate how our solutions can help them achieve financial success while delivering exceptional patient care." ProHance Analytics senior leadership team - Kishore Reddy and Khiv Singh - will be present at Booth 1149 during the conference to connect with healthcare leaders. They will demonstrate why and how ProHance has become the trusted workforce analytics platform for over 30 healthcare/RCM firms, boasting a user base exceeding 100,000. With its transformative capabilities, ProHance delivers unparalleled value by significantly enhancing efficiency, productivity, cost reduction, and ultimately ensuring higher levels of customer satisfaction. About ProHance: ProHance is a new-age workplace analytics and operations enablement platform leveraged by enterprises across their back office, chat, and email servicing operations to provide real-time visibility on team engagement on the ground. ProHance is leveraged by 280,000+ users in 150+ enterprises across 24 countries.?www.prohance.net View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/prohance-analytics-sponsors-hfma-annual-conference-2023-in-nashville-301861061.html SOURCE Prohance Analytics [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 23, 2023] AdminaHealth Named a Top 10 Best HR Technology Solution Provider Tweet Industry-leading premium billing solution, the AdminaHealth Billing Suite, and the team behind it featured in Insights Success GREENWICH, Conn., June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AdminaHealth, the leading provider of employee benefits billing solutions for the healthcare, insurance, and voluntary benefits marketplace, has been named a Top 10 Best HR Technology Solution Provider by Insights Success magazine. The company's groundbreaking premium billing SaaS platform, the AdminaHealth Billing Suite, is revolutionizing the benefits industry by automating and streamlining the complex process of premium billing, reconciliation, and consolidation. "...the AdminaHealt Billing Suite is revolutionizing the benefits industry" With the rapidly changing marketplace and increasing demand for voluntary benefits, the AdminaHealth Billing Suite fulfills HR professionals', brokers', and carriers' desire for innovative solutions to improve efficiency and accuracy in managing benefits administration. For employers, the platform provides quick error detection, ensuring that employees are correctly enrolled in plans with accurate premium amounts. Carriers benefit from a single billing process that works across all enrollment platforms, allowing them to present a reconciled bill to customers and accelerate time-to-market for new products. Additionally, the platform offers secure and efficient payment processing for groups, TPAs, and other benefit providers. In 2014, having identified the need for an automated solution to replace error-prone spreadsheets and manual processes, AdminaHealth's CEO and Founding Member, Robert A. Bull launched the AdminaHealth Billing Suite. Its patented platform automates enrollment, invoice, and monthly payroll reconciliation and consolidation; streamlines payment management; and facilitates collaboration among stakeholders. "We're excited to be recognized as one of the best HR technology solution providers," said Bull. "Our automated premium billing platform is transforming the benefits industry, eliminating manual processes, and delivering unparalleled efficiency and accuracy. We are dedicated to supporting our clients' success and helping them provide the best benefits packages to their employees." The Insights Success article highlights that by moving from manual or legacy billing services to the automated AdminaHealth Billing Suite, companies save time and money, ensure transparency and consistency, and eliminate manual interventions and human error. Read the full article about the AdminaHealth Billing Suite. About AdminaHealth AdminaHealth is the leading provider of patented billing and payment solutions for the insurance industry. The company's innovative platform simplifies the administration of benefits and streamlines payment processes for brokers, carriers, employers, and third-party administrators. Founded in 2014, AdminaHealth is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, and serves clients throughout the United States. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adminahealth-named-a-top-10-best-hr-technology-solution-provider-301861145.html SOURCE AdminaHealth [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 23, 2023] Northeastern Illinois University Transformed Its Business Processes. Here's How They Did It Tweet CHICAGO, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a rigorous evaluation of financial management systems and more than a year-long implementation, today Northeastern Illinois University is the first public university in Illinois to go live on Workday. Investing in Workday reaffirms the university's commitment to support faculty and staff to foster a nationally recognized urban university. As a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, this technology was also important to further the university's efforts to bring new programs and grants to truly serve this important and growing population in Chicago. We are proud to be leading the way for other state universities. Workday was selected following a rigorous evaluation process to unify human capital management, payroll, and analytics to bring the entire campus together under one agile, easy-to-use systemall delivered in the cloud. Northeastern now has a single source for HR and payroll data with built-in, always-on auditing and compliance controls and configurable business processes across its three Chicago locations. "It was frustrating, but not uncommon, for our Human Resources team to be mired in manual paper processes, trying to answer questions on employee benefits, where candidates were in the recruiting process, or whether faculty was hired for a scheduled course," said Northeastern President Gloria J. Gibson said. "We will continue to improve systems that support our faculty, staff and students." Northeastern Illinois University is a vibrant learning and research community, with its main campus on the northwest side of Chicago and three additional locations in the area. Manish Kumar, Vice President of Finance and Administration, who was instrumental in this initiative, said, "It was a mammoth effort to reenineer how we conduct business. Now we can end our inefficient processes, focus on people not paper, and deliver on our mission of providing an exceptional environment for learning, teaching, and scholarship." "The anticipated savings is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars as we decommission systems and simplify our technology, improve efficiency across HR, payroll and administration, and improve time tracking and accuracy of reporting," Kumar added. As the newly appointed Executive Director of Human Resources in 2021, Abby Murray discovered that HR was buried in administrative processes and needed an integrated approach to be a more effective with departments across the university. Payroll was at risk of inaccuracy and incompleteness and manual requests slowed down processes that needed greater efficiency. Departments were operating in silos and there was a need for more collaboration with business peers across the university. Data was inaccurate or inaccessible and was needed for making meaningful decisions. "When I arrived on campus, HR was processing more than 2,700 paper forms yearly," said Abby Murray, Executive Director of Human Resources. "This digital transformation has helped the university move from antiquated systems paper systems to a modernized human capital management (HCM) and payroll solution. In payroll alone, automation has reduced processing time by six hours per week. With access to data, improved payroll accuracy, and better insight into overtime, the university anticipates saving $140,000 to $190,000." "Campus-wide collaboration and upstream thinking is essential for sustainability in higher education," added Murray. "Through focus groups we learned that the staff loved the university and their jobs, but they didn't love our systems and processes. Involving the wider university community was critical and would help us achieve our goals of improving our systems and processes and deliver a better employee experience." Workday applications are more cost-effective and faster to deploy than legacy applications but with change extending beyond the technology, change management best practices and principles were recognized as key to long-term success. Northeastern operates with limited resources as do most schools of its size, and its staff needed to maintain legacy systems while implementing the new application and at the same time, prepare every business unit, department, and campus for transformation. "We now have processes that are consistent across the board while still meeting the needs of each business process owner. The success of the Workday project had to do with our team and external partners we couldn't have done it without them. In addition to bringing in best practices, greater transparency and more collaboration, our transformation leaves behind a legacy of efficiency and accessibility and modern practices that will benefit students long into the future. We're excited about what we accomplished," Kumar said. ABOUT NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY Northeastern Illinois University offers more than 40 undergraduate degree and certificate programs and more than 50 graduate degree, certificate, licensure and endorsement programs. The Main Campus is located on 67 acres in an attractive residential area on the Northwest Side of Chicago. The University has additional locations in the metropolitan area, including the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, El Centro and the University Center of Lake County. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/northeastern-illinois-university-transformed-its-business-processes-heres-how-they-did-it-301861205.html SOURCE NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 23, 2023] New AI developed at OSF HealthCare to help those who help cancer patients Tweet Algorithm designed to predict and better distribute work among cancer patient navigators PEORIA, Ill. , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Nurse navigators offer much-needed service and support to help prevent patients from becoming overwhelmed by uncertainty, appointments, diagnostics, treatment, their job, and financial concerns, as well as the psychological impact of a serious diagnosis. Cancer patient navigators provide education, advocacy and support while facilitating the process of cancer care. But the job of a cancer patient navigator can be challenging. The complexities of health care, the gravity of a cancer diagnosis, and the growing number of cancer patients served by the health system can create enormous stresses on all involved, including the cancer patient navigators. This can lead to burnout which could threaten the ability to recruit and retain those performing this critical service for cancer patients. OSF HealthCare has 15 cancer patient navigators at its largest hospital, Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois. Each navigator specializes in serving patients with specific types of cancer. At any point in time, one navigator in a specialty might have much more work than others in the same specialty. However, OSF cancer patient navigators typically do not transfer care to another navigator when workloads are heavy, because they seek to maintain consistent patient relationships throughout the care journey. Within these constraints, a team led by OSF's Senior Fellow for Innovation, Jonathan Handler, MD, sought to develop a solution to better balance workloads among cancer patient navigators within a cancer specialty. The team included researchers from OSF Healthcare and its OSF Innovation group, the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. The work was funded by a grant from Jump ARCHES, a strategic partnership between OSF HealthCare, the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The team developed a model to predict the upcoming week's work for each navigator's existing atients and for new patients needing navigation. A second model then distributes the new patients among navigators within a specialty to minimize differences among those navigators in their upcoming week's workload. The model makes the predictions using data already contained in a patient's electronic health records, such as demographics, cancer type, and prior health care utilization. "Our cancer patient nurse navigators are highly dedicated, and their workload can sometimes be overwhelming. They never want to shortchange the patient, so they shortchange themselves, working extra hours and sacrificing their own well-being to help patients. We hope our system can even out those workloads and improve their work-life balance." - Dr. Jonathan Handler, OSF Healthcare Senior Fellow, Innovation As part of this research, predictor-informed distribution and random distribution were compared, assessing resulting workload differences among navigators in the same cancer specialty. The random comparison was used because OSF cancer patient navigators distribute patients nearly-randomly; except in unusual cases, patients are distributed to relevant specialized navigators on an alternating basis. Anticipated patient needs, navigator experience, and existing workload are generally not considered for this distribution. In this retrospective simulation study, the predictor-informed model achieved significantly greater workload fairness than random distribution. This research was published in JCOa Clinical Cancer Informatics, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. "At OSF HealthCare, we use innovation to create greater effectiveness, efficiency and access for patients who want clinical excellence, convenience, support, and a positive patient experience," Dr. Handler explains. "We also take innovative approaches to retain our greatest asset, our Mission Partners (employees), and to help ensure that OSF HealthCare remains an outstanding and gratifying place to work." To integrate the smart algorithm for improved cancer patient navigation, OSF Innovation plans to leverage OSF Community Connect, a platform that automates workflows to help OSF Healthcare orchestrate care and resources. Tenille Oderwald, MSN, RN, a co-author of the paper and manager of Oncology Services at OSF Saint Francis, says the next step will be to pilot the tool. With the planned opening of the OSF Cancer Institute next year, Oderwald says being able to help navigators' support and guide patients through appointments and treatment will be important as more people seek care through OSF at its world-class facility. For additional assets, please visit the OSF Newsroom. OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois. OSF HealthCare has 15 hospitals 10 acute care, five critical access - with 2,084 licensed beds throughout Illinois and Michigan. OSF employs nearly 24,000 Mission Partners throughout 150+ locations; has two colleges of nursing; operates OSF Home Care Services, an extensive network of home health and hospice services; owns Pointcore, Inc., comprised of health care-related businesses; OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for the organization; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups. OSF OnCall, a digital health operating unit, was established in 2020 to improve patient experience, using digital tools for 24-7 communication, on-demand care, remote patient monitoring, and offers the largest hospital-at-home program in Illinois. OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country. More at osfhealthcare.org. OSF Innovation was launched in 2016 as a multidisciplinary innovation center focused on internal and external innovation to solve the largest health care challenges. More at osfinnovation.org. Contact: Colleen Reynolds| Media Relations Coordinator OSF HealthCare | (309) 825-7255 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-ai-developed-at-osf-healthcare-to-help-those-who-help-cancer-patients-301861264.html SOURCE OSF HealthCare [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 23, 2023] Console & Associates, P.C.: Genworth Financial Reports Data Breach Leaking Social Security Numbers Belonging to as Many as 2.7 Million Policyholders and Customers Tweet MARLTON, N.J. , June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Between 2.5 to 2.7 million consumers are being notified that their Social Security numbers and other confidential information were compromised when hackers were able to exploit a vulnerability in software used by a vendor of Genworth Financial, Inc. The data breach lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. are investigating claims on behalf of Genworth Financial policyholders and anyone else affected by the breach, hoping to fully inform them of the risks they face in the wake of the breach as well as their legal rights. The sensitive personal data of at least 2.5 million Genworth Financial policyholders has been compromised. Now, their full names, Social Security numbers and other personal information may be in the hands of criminals who can use the stolen data to carry out various schemes, such as identity theft and other frauds. On June 22, 2023, Genworth Financial filed a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission describing a third-party data breach affecting consumers nationwide. Genworth notes that the incident stemmed from a third-party vendor's use of the managed file transfer software, MOVEit. Evidently, Genworth Financial was notified by its vendor, PBI Research Services, that a vulnerability in the MOVEit file-transfer software, created by Progress Software, allowed hackers to download confidential policyholder data. According to the notice, the data breach affected an estimated 2.5 million policyholders and other customers. The list of sensitive information that was exposed includes names, Social Security numbers, and other pesonal information. If you receive a data breach notice from Genworth Financial, you could now be at risk of identity theftand the life-changing financial and legal consequences that follow in its wake. Genworth Financial may offer those who were affected by the breach with complimentary credit monitoring and identity restoration services. And while victims should enroll in this service immediately, it is not sufficient to protect them from the risks of a data breach. What to Do if You Receive a Genworth Financial Data Breach Letter Individuals who receive a data breach letter from Genworth Financial should take all necessary steps to protect themselves. (See our Guide for Victims of Data Breach for more details at https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/consumer-privacy-data-breach-lawyers/if-your-information-has-been-compromised-in-a-data-breach/ .) Additionally, data breach victims should consider speaking with a data breach attorney as soon as possible. Those consumers who receive a data breach letter from Genworth Financial may be entitled to financial compensation. If you wish to discuss this data security incident, or if you have any questions regarding your rights following the Genworth Financial data breach, please contact Console & Associates, P.C. at (866) 778-5500. Interested parties and potential plaintiffs can also learn more about this data breach and potential lawsuit at https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/genworth-financial-data-breach-investigation/ . Anyone who has received a Notice of Data Breach letter may contact the firm to learn more about their rights. Console & Associates, P.C. 866-778-5500 [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/console--associates-pc-genworth-financial-reports-data-breach-leaking-social-security-numbers-belonging-to-as-many-as-2-7-million-policyholders-and-customers-301861328.html SOURCE Console & Associates, P.C. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [June 23, 2023] RF Mote, a Division of Chatsworth Products, Launches the RFM2 Cabinet System, supporting Canada's Fast-growing Data Center and Multi-Tenant Data Center (MTDC) Markets Tweet RICHMOND HILL, ON, June 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RF Mote, a Division of Chatsworth Products (CPI), proudly introduces the RFM2 Cabinet System, an optimized solution for rack-mount servers, storage, and network equipment available to support Canada's expanding multi-tenant data center build out. This innovative cabinet system delivers reliability, cost-effectiveness, and performance. Les Mote, President of RF Mote, expressed his enthusiasm about the RFM2 Cabinet System, stating, "We are thrilled to introduce the RFM2 Cabinet to the Canadian market. This innovative solution offers adaptability, and effective airflow management, enabling our customers to meet the evolving demands of their technology infrastructure. With our extensive range of accessories, we provide a solution tailored to our customer's specific needs. We are committed to delivering reliable, cost-effective solutions that empower businesses to thrive in today's fast-paced digital landscape." The RFM2 Cabinet System offers a host of features for an economical and optimized solution: Adaptable Cabinet Solution: Seamlessly meets the demands of server, network, and mixed-use applications, empowering businesses to evolve and scale effortlessly. Seamlessly meets the demands of server, network, and mixed-use applications, empowering businesses to evolve and scale effortlessly. Stability and Reliability: With a load capacity of up to 1360 kg (3000 lb), the RFM2 Cabinet ensures stability and reliability for mission-critical equipment. With a load capacity of up to 1360 kg (3000 lb), the RFM2 Cabinet ensures stability and reliability for mission-critical equipment. Optimized Airflow Management: Equipped with high-performance perforated front and rear doors, the RFM2 Cabinet ensures optimal front-to-rear airflow. Equipped with high-performance perforated front and rear doors, the RFM2 Cabinet ensures optimal front-to-rear airflow. Designed for Industry Standards: Adheres to industry standards, ensuring seamless integration with existng infrastructure and simplifying the deployment process for enhanced efficiency. Adheres to industry standards, ensuring seamless integration with existng infrastructure and simplifying the deployment process for enhanced efficiency. Broad Range of Accessories: The RFM2 Cabinet System offers a wide selection of accessories, allowing customers to tailor their solutions to meet their specific requirements and maximize operational efficiency. To further customize and optimize the RFM2 Cabinet System, Canadian customers are encouraged to contact RF Mote Technical Support at [email protected] for personalized assistance and complete product details. About RF Mote, a Division of Chatsworth Products: RF Mote, a Division of Chatsworth Products, is a leading provider of innovative solutions for data center infrastructure. RF Mote offers a comprehensive range of cabinet systems, accessories, and technical support to empower businesses with cutting-edge technology. With a commitment to reliability, cost-effectiveness, and performance, RF Mote is dedicated to enabling businesses to thrive in today's digital landscape. MEDIA CONTACT: Kristen Kroll-Moen Sr. Director, Global Marketing Chatsworth Products [email protected] About Chatsworth Products: Chatsworth Products (CPI) is a renowned global manufacturer of products and solutions dedicated to safeguarding and empowering the ever-growing investments in information and communications technology (ICT) for IT and industrial automation applications. CPI is committed to providing its customers a competitive edge through global availability, rapid product customization, and unparalleled application expertise. With a rich heritage in engineering thermal, power, and cable management solutions for the data center, enterprise networking, and industrial enclosure markets, CPI is poised to deliver unmatched customer service and technical support backed by a global network of industry-leading distributors. CPI is listed with the General Services Administration (GSA) under Federal Supply Schedule IT 70. Products are also available through GSA Advantage and Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), including GSA Connections and NITAAC-ECS III. For more information, please visit www.chatsworth.com/gov. 2023 Chatsworth Products, Inc. All rights reserved. Chatsworth Products, Clik-Nut, CPI, CPI Passive Cooling, CUBE-iT, Secure Array, eConnect, Evolution, GlobalFrame, MegaFrame, QuadraRack, RMR, Saf-T-Grip, SeismicFrame, SlimFrame, TeraFrame, Motive, EuroFrame, Velocity and ZetaFrame are federally registered trademarks of Chatsworth Products. H-Plane, Hi-Bar, In-Plane, M-Frame, NetPoint, Oberon, Simply Efficient, Skybar, and Wi-Tile and are trademarks of Chatsworth Products. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rf-mote-a-division-of-chatsworth-products-launches-the-rfm2-cabinet-system-supporting-canadas-fast-growing-data-center-and-multi-tenant-data-center-mtdc-markets-301861317.html SOURCE Chatsworth Products [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] As we've noted throughout this election . . . ALL POLITICS IS NATIONAL AS CULTURE WAR INFECTS EVERY ASPECT OF AMERICAN LIFE!!! Accordingly . . . Many local campaigners were surprised to see DNC resources emerge in cowtown non-partisan election. In fact . . . This week Kansas City garnered a peek at the future of tech campaigning . . . And all this leads us to a curious entry in Mayor Q's campaign finance reporting . . . Here's the beneficiary of 3300 bucks in the 8-day report alone . . . NGP VAN, Inc. is an American privately owned voter database and web hosting service provider used by the Democratic Party, Democratic campaigns, and other non-profit organizations authorized by the Democratic Party. But more than that . . . Mayor Q hiring DNC operatives for a local election against Clay Chastain signals that 12th & Oak likely brought in NATIONAL TECH RESOURCES against any perceived opposition on the council. Against Henry Rizzo & Dan Tarwater . . . A blitz of texts, e-mails and social media messaging proved effective in rallying activist voters. Meanwhile . . . Given the low turnout numbers wherein the Mayor's contest didn't provide any excitement . . . Highly engaged progressive loyalists proved exceptionally motivated to support the Mayor's agenda. Mayor Q now p0wnz two yes votes that aren't likely to challenge any directive from the 29th floor. The downside . . . When DNC talking points and the national progressive agenda power local candidates . . .Voters aren't going to have much luck talking to city hall about trash pickup, barking dogs, potholes or any neighborhood concerns that are typically aided by hollering at council members. And so . . . For us . . . The teaching moment here at www.TonysKansasCity.com is that Mayor Q working his D.C. tech connections in a local contest signals his 2nd term detachment from neighborhoods already at work as the city hall honcho beings his ascendancy to the nation's capital. Developing . . . (Bloomberg) -- Thai regulators must speed up investigations of suspected accounting irregularities at Stark Corp. Pcl thats triggered the nations biggest bond default in three years to restore investor confidence, according to Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith. Most Read from Bloomberg The Securities & Exchange Commission and Stock Exchange of Thailand have been asked to quickly conclude their probe, Arkhom told reporters in Bangkok. Law enforcement agencies must bring charges against all individuals found to be in breach of laws, he said after meeting with officials from the SEC and the stock exchange about Stark on Thursday. Investors have been hit by a slump in Stark Corp.s shares thats seen its market capitalization plummet to about $11 million from this years peak of $1.2 billion. The electric cables maker has defaulted on its bonds and a special audit revealed accounting irregularities in the past two years thats left it with liabilities exceeding assets. The Stark turmoil has also weighed on the broader market with investor sentiment already weakening over the delay in a pro-democracy coalitions ability to muster enough support to form a government after last months general election. The benchmark SET index is down 9.6% this year, the biggest decliner in Asia, and closed at its lowest level since March 2021 on Thursday. A quick resolution to the Stark is important to rebuild investors confidence, Arkhom said late Thursday. The SEC and the exchange were also ordered to improve their supervision of listed companies to quickly detect any irregularities, he said. The Department of Special Investigation has agreed to investigate allegations of fraud by some of its former executives, Bangkok Post reported, citing Director-General Suriya Singhakamol. There is evidence suggesting Starks executives violated Securities and Exchange Act, the newspaper reported. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Once again we share a peek at crime reporting, court cases and all manner of ALLEGED misdeeds. Check TKC news gathering . . . Judge sentenced two men in cyberstalking conspiracy that led to the murder of Kansas City man Christopher Harris was killed in front of his 8-year-old daughter in early 2018 Kansas City woman turns in boyfriend accused of deadly hit and run Kansas City woman told police the car she loaned her boyfriend was involved in a deadly hit-and-run, before helping officers find the suspect. Overland Park man arrested in connection with fatal shooting at state park near Paola An Overland Park man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that happened at a state park near Paola. Clay County man found guilty of sex crimes against step-children A 56-year-old Clay County man was found guilty Tuesday of four counts of statutory sodomy. 3 injured after driver fleeing Kansas City police pursuit strikes car at stoplight Police said the driver who fled the traffic stop was taken into custody Wednesday night. Thieves steal 41 guns from Raytown shop, owner estimates it will cost at least $50K including damage Authorities are searching for four suspects who were caught on camera stealing guns from a Raytown gun shop last week. Kansas City shooting victim found in car dies from injuries five days later, subject of interest to be charged Police were called out to a shooting at 1:30 a.m. on June 15 in the 1300 block of E. 89th Street. Notorious Kansas City, Kansas, drug dealer and alleged sex trafficker may soon be released Cecil Brooks, 60, is linked to disgraced former KCK Police Detective Roger Golubski through a federal sex trafficking case. The U.S. Attorney's office will fight Brooks' release. Kansas man charged in federal court for making online threats against Nashville Pride Festival and Parade A Kansas man is facing federal charges of making threats on social media to build bombs and carry out a mass shooting at a Nashville Pride festival. Missouri woman imprisoned for 42 years to get court hearing that could lead to release The Missouri attorney general's office has agreed to an evidentiary hearing for Sandra Hemme. Kansas programs aren't helping every runaway foster kid, so they land in jail cells Geary County Secure Care can be 'the last hope for these youth.' But others say the jail-like facility only makes things worse. 2 Kansas City police officers hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries following crash The Kansas City Police Department said a two-person marked patrol vehicle was traveling with lights and sirens northbound on Oak on a call when it was hit. Lawyer hired to lead WyCo DA's integrity unit has already left, and no wonder | Opinion District Attorney Mark Dupree stood shoulder to shoulder with Roger Golubski to keep two cousins in prison. From Melinda Henneberger: Independence to demolish vacant Kmart building, a frequent spot for crime City councilmembers have approved nearly $200,000 to demolish a former Kmart location that sits near I-70. Kansas City police captain's quick thinking helps save man, dogs from house fire "I think we all do our jobs on a daily basis and, every now and then, there's an opportunity for you to step up," Captain Joshua Gasper said when asked about the praise he'd received. Developing . . . We roundup deets after a chaotic scene last night that included Micky D's gunfire and a police chase within earshot of the finest cowtown homes. Here's the first report . . . Brookside & Meyer Shots Fired On 6/22/2023 just before 9 pm, officers were dispatched to the McDonalds at 8326 Wornall on a reported attempted robbery and shots fired. No employees were injured in the shooting. The suspect fled the scene at which time he shot at another vehicle before fleeing. The occupant of the vehicle was not injured. Follow up investigation brought officers to the area of Brookside and Meyer around 10:10 pm Upon arrival officers found the suspect vehicle. The shooting suspect then fired gunshots at the officers at which time an officer returned fire. The suspect fled on foot to the parking lot area behind the local business, where he carjacked an unsuspecting victim. Officers engaged the suspect again. The suspect fired gun shots at officers at which time an officer returned fire. The suspect fled the scene in the victims vehicle. The car jacking victims were not injured and no officers were injured. A local law enforcement agency found the vehicle abandoned in the area of 73rd and Cherokee at which time they began searching for the suspect. The suspect is still at large. He clearly poses a threat to the public. The suspect is described as a WM in his early 30s, thin build, patchy black beard, shoulder length black hair and wearing a Black T-shirt. Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel have responded to the multiple crime scenes. They will be processing the scenes to recover any evidence and speaking to any potential witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 816-234-5043. Or if you wish to remain anonymous you can do so by calling the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. ####### Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Armed and dangerous suspect sought after firing gunshots at police officers at Brookside and Meyer in Kansas City Police describe the suspect as a white male in his early 30s. He's thin, has a patchy black beard, and shoulder length black hair. KCPD investigating disturbance involving shots near Brookside & Meyer The Kansas City Police Department is looking into a disturbance in which shots were fired in the Brookside area. Carjacking suspect still at large after shootout with Kansas City police KANSAS CITY, Mo. -Kansas City police are searching for a carjacking suspect who shot at multiple people, including several police officers, Thursday night. Just before 9 p.m. Thursday officers wer... Developing . . Once again Summer heat and the ongoing murder crisis spark a scary tradition to return to local streets and households. Longtime residents should be accustomed to this pastime that offers plenty of unwanted excitement. It's late June and now it's time for Kansas City's top Summer question . . . WAS THAT GUNSHOTS OR FIREWORKS!?!?! And yet . . . Sometimes the answer is . . . BOTH. In the meantime, here's some nicer news about approved displays given that fireworks are SUPPOSED to be illegal inside KCMO city limits but that's one of the many rules we all ignore . . . In 2023, fireworks sales can legally begin in Missouri starting June 20 through July 10. In Kansas, theres a smaller window: You can only buy fireworks from June 27 to July 4. But buying fireworks in both Kansas and Missouri doesn't mean you are able to shoot them off in every metro city. Cities across the metro have different rules with some not allowing fireworks at all. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Fourth of July 2023: List of Independence Day fireworks shows scheduled across the metro area Here is a roundup of fireworks displays in cities, towns and communities across Kansas City. Kansas City police respond to shots fired disturbance near Brookside Police in Kansas City, Missouri, responded to disturbance involving shots fired near W Meyer Boulevard and Brookside Boulevard. An interesting development to be sure . . . But maybe not so earth shattering given that she likely couldn't run for dog catcher given the controversy surrounding her administration. Still . . . If the Dems win she's first in line for a federal judgeship. Here's the word and the end of an era . . . During a news conference Thursday, she announced that she would not seek reelection in 2024. Peters Baker was appointed prosecutor in May 2011 and elected to the position in November 2012. She resigned from her Missouri House seat to take the job. I have learned so very much. I have served longer than any other Jackson County Prosecutor in modern history. And longer than any other state elected, Peters Baker said. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Jean Peters Baker won't seek re-election in 2024 In an emotional announcement Thursday, Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Jean Peters Baker announced she will not seek re-election when her current term ends in 2024. Jackson County prosecutor will not seek reelection in 2024 Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced she will not seek reelection in 2024. She's held the position since 2011. Jean Peters Baker announces she will not seek re-election as Jackson County Prosecutor The prosecutor made the announcement at a press conference Thursday afternoon on June 22, 2023 Developing . . . Residents and visitors will soon be able to drink legally in 27 Toronto parks after councillors voted July 19 in favour of a pilot program that will run until the fall. Boost Competitiveness and Enhance Client Experience with TTS's Powerful Mobile App TTS WebAgent (TRAVPR.COM) USA - June 23rd, 2023 - Boost Competitiveness and Enhance Client Experience with TTS's Powerful Mobile App TTS WebAgent TTS, a global leader in travel technology solutions, is proud to announce the launch of TTS WebAgent Mobile, the mobile version of their acclaimed desktop application, which will be free for all TTS WebAgent subscribers. With TTS WebAgent Mobile, travel agents can now access more flight options and competitive prices, thanks to the AI Powered search algorithm and split ticketing capability, which can not only draw in more customers but might also present lucrative prospects to the travel agents that use the app. Compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, this powerful mobile app transforms how travel agents work, providing the flexibility needed to excel in today's travel industry. TTS WebAgent Mobile revolutionizes travel management by offering a dual terminal interface, combining the cryptic terminal and modern graphical interface. Travel agents can effortlessly switch between the interfaces, making bookings in the graphical interface and seamlessly transitioning to the cryptic terminal for advanced management tasks and access to GDS Core commands, effectively handling GDS operations and content from their mobile devices. The graphical interface also helps in the onboarding of new agents, allowing them to quickly grasp the essentials and start assisting clients immediately. Additionally, TTS WebAgent Mobiles ability to keep ahead in the travel industry is made possible by the app's lightning-fast reaction to command entries. Travel agents can also, share budgets with their customers, saving time and promoting effective communication. TTS WebAgent Mobile continuously enhances its capabilities. Soon, the app will include LCC (Low-Cost Carrier) and NDC (New Distribution Capability) functions, providing travel agents with convenient access to a larger variety of airline offers, including flights from low-cost carriers. TTSs ongoing commitment to innovation equips travel agents with the resources needed to stay current and seize emerging opportunities. We are delighted to introduce TTS WebAgent Mobile, catering to the ever-evolving needs of our users. After the recent release of TTS WebAgents new features that enhances productivity and support all travel agents no matter their level of GDS knowledge we are proud to extend this exceptional power to a mobile environment, said Rui Figueiredo, CEO of TTS. It's the perfect tool, empowering our customers to effortlessly manage their tasks, whether at their desks or on the move. TTS WebAgent Mobile provides everything our users need." For more information about TTS WebAgent, please visit https://www.tts.com/tts-webagent-enhanced-competitiveness-overview/. About TTS Travel Technology Solutions - http://www.tts.com TTS is a leading global player in developing innovative solutions for travel agents and the travel industry. Operating in over 90 countries, managed through 3 offices Miami, Lisbon, and the Azores TTS develops technology solutions for travel agents, consolidation/hosting agencies, and corporations, counting over 9000 customers. TTS is also a Travelport Partner, belonging to the Travelport Developer Network. ### (Reuters) -Thyssenkrupp and Industrie De Nora pushed ahead with the planned initial public offering (IPO) of their hydrogen joint venture Thyssenkrupp Nucera on Friday, setting the price range at the lower end of expectations. The IPO will be the first in Germany since February, when shares in web hosting company IONOS debuted in Frankfurt, as stock market volatility and an uncertain economic outlook have put other company listings on the back-burner. Nucera said up to 30.3 million shares will be offered to investors at a price between 19 euros ($20.76) and 21.50 euros, corresponding to gross proceeds of up to 566 million euros and a stock market value of as much as 2.7 billion euros. This is at the lower end of 2 billion to 5 billion valuation range sources had forecast in April. People familiar with the matter had told Reuters earlier this week that Nucera was expected to be valued at more than 3 billion euros. "We are on track and believe Thyssenkrupp Nucera is ready for the IPO with its attractive business model and technology for large-scale green hydrogen production," Nucera CEO Werner Ponikwar said in a statement. The company plans to put the proceeds into its electrolysis business. The offer includes around 3.9 million existing shares to be sold by Thyssenkrupp and De Nora, which own Nucera in a 66:34 split. New shareholders will own around a quarter of Nucera following the IPO, while Thyssenkrupp will keep a majority. Nucera, which engineers and builds electrolysers that are able to use electricity to split water into oxygen and hydrogen, said the offer period is expected to run from June 26 to July 5, with the first day of trading scheduled for July 7. The fund subsidiary of BNP Paribas and Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund PIF have committed to subscribe to Nucera shares as cornerstone investors, while Citigroup and Deutsche Bank are acting as joint global coordinators for the transaction, it added. ($1 = 0.9152 euros) (Reporting by Anna Mackenzie and Christoph Steitz; Editing by Kirsti Knolle, Christina Fincher, Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Alexander Smith) Hi, I am planing to visit Ksamil,Saranda from Greece. Does anyone know more about road conditions igoumenitsa - saranda - ksamil ? I have read that it is a mountain border pass but could not fine more info. Also what are the road conditions in general in Southern Albania? Thanks! Top TikTok exec and public face of company in US is stepping down Top TikTok exec and public face of company in US is stepping down TikToks chief operating officer Vanessa Pappas is leaving the company, according to an internal memo obtained by CNN, after spending several tumultuous years as its top public advocate and a champion of TikTok creators in the face of accusations the platform poses a national security risk. Pappas, who is non-binary and prefers to go by V, will continue to consult for TikTok on a private basis as a strategic advisor, according to the memo written by CEO Shou Chew and sent to employees Thursday. V. Pappas has decided to step down to refocus on their entrepreneurial passions, Chew wrote. I want to take this opportunity to thank V for their many contributions over the years. Throughout their time at TikTok, Chew added, they have been instrumental in growing the business, advocating for the company, elevating our product offerings and marketing campaigns, and fostering a positive community of creators and users. The move marks the latest high-profile departure for TikTok, which last month saw a key trust and safety executive leave the team. Pappas exit also comes at a pivotal juncture, as policymakers at every level of government have moved to ban the app over claims that US users personal information is insecure. On Thursday, Senate lawmakers made public a disclosure by TikTok acknowledging that certain business information related to TikTok content creators may be stored in China and not covered by the companys Project Texas initiative to safeguard US users app data. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, one of the lawmakers who released the disclosure, said the acknowledgment makes it crystal clear that Americans data is still exposed to Beijings draconian and pervasive spying regimes despite the claims of TikToks misleading public relations campaign. In a note to employees Thursday, Pappas wrote: I am incredibly humbled to have been able to help steer the company amid some of the industrys most unprecedented challenges. A face of TikTok at a key moment Pappas had spent more than four years at TikTok, including two years as COO and nine months as its global interim head. A former senior YouTube official, Pappas carved out a visible role at TikTok as a voice for its community and for content creators. As skepticism deepened about TikToks links to China through its parent company ByteDance, however, Pappas gradually came to represent the whole company to the wider public. Vanessa Pappas, chief operating officer for TikTok, testifies during the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing titled Social Medias Impact on Homeland Security, in Dirksen Building on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. - Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images They went from reassuring TikTok users and creators that the platform was here for the long run to testifying before Congress and defending the companys corporate structure to skeptical lawmakers. Pappas also tried to clarify how TikTok handles US user data, relying on nuanced, distinction-filled statements that have failed to resolve suspicions that the Chinese government may be able to access Americans personal information for spying or other purposes. Pappas stepped in as TikToks interim head in August 2020, after the companys then-CEO, the former Disney executive Kevin Mayer, quit following just three months at the helm. Pappas had to navigate an uncertain and worsening political environment in Washington, as then-President Donald Trump made attempts to ban TikTok or to force a spinoff of the company a centerpiece of his anti-China agenda. Those efforts were ultimately blocked in court, but TikTok continued to negotiate with the US government on a deal that might allow the platform to keep running in the United States. Those discussions have stretched on into the Biden administration, with no resolution in sight. Pappas profile receded somewhat in recent months as Chew became TikToks top public advocate, but Pappas remained vocal in their support for the company. After Chew spent more than five hours being grilled by House lawmakers this year, Pappas spoke out to condemn the hearing, describing it as being rooted in xenophobia. As part of Thursdays announcement, Chew said TikTok Chief of Staff Adam Presser a former executive at WarnerMedia, CNNs former parent company will become the companys head of operations, while Zenia Mucha, a former Disney communications executive, will become TikToks Chief Brand and Communications Officer, overseeing global marketing and communications. In the note to employees, Pappas expressed pride in having helped to build a platform that now reaches more than one billion people globally. My north star throughout it all was to uphold what I refer to as the last sunny spot on the internet, to build a platform for positive expression that celebrates diverse voices, Pappas said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Officer Yogi joins UAF Police Department Courtesy of Jill Copeland Jill Copeland, a University of Alaska Fairbanks Police Department officer, stands with her K-9 partner, Yogi, at the completion of their training at the K2 K9 Training Center in North Carolina. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Police Departments newest officer is short, furry and will do just about anything for his favorite toy. Officer Yogi, the departments first explosives K-9, arrived in Fairbanks last weekend and will make his public debut at Saturdays Midnight Sun Run, which starts at 10 p.m. on the UAF campus. Yogi, a 15-month-old chocolate Lab, is trained to sniff out explosives and alert his partner, UAF police officer Jill Copeland, when he finds them. Hes the only civilian bomb dog in Interior Alaska. Unlike the stereotypical police K-9, Yogi is not trained to apprehend suspects, Copeland said. He is very personable, like most Labs. Yogi will work at all of UAFs major events and be available to assist other local law enforcement agencies with explosives detection and, eventually, tracking and search and rescue. His skills are a good fit for the UAF campus, said Kathy Catron, UAFs police chief. We have had bomb threats on campus. We have had people missing on our campus and trails, Catron said. This is something that we can do to help protect our UAF community and be a valuable resource to the broader community. Copeland traveled to K2 Solutions Inc., a training center in North Carolina, earlier this spring to find a dog for the department. She knew right away that Yogi was the one. He was above and beyond every other dog we looked at, she said. He was focused. I was literally catching lamps falling off tables as he was barreling through stuff looking for his ball." It takes more than a year to get a future police dog ready for duty, said Copeland, a 14-year law enforcement veteran who trained police dogs and handlers before joining the UAF Police Department in August 2022. Right away, they expose them to all kinds of environmental stuff: loud noises, new people, crowds, she said. A lot of dogs get nervous around all of those things. They need to be able to work in those conditions and cant be distracted by everything else happening around them. Once he reached 6 months old, Yogi started obedience training, in addition to the ongoing exposure to new situations. At 13 months, he started his explosives detection training. Copeland and Yogi are now certified as an explosives detection team by the International Police Work Dog Association. Up next will be learning to find explosives on people. After that will come tracking and search and rescue training. Eventually, Catron hopes to add another K-9 unit to the department. Doing so would allow better coverage for campus and the Interior, as well as providing an opportunity for local police officers to learn how to work with K-9s and their handlers in the field. The real work is just starting, Catron said. We are envisioning being a training resource for others in the Interior. SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Yogi on Instagram at @searchandyogi. NOTE TO EDITORS: A photo is available for download on the UAF news website. 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. France gave Ukrainian prosecutors the equipment needed to investigate war crimes committed by the Russian Federation. As the Prosecutor General's Office posted on Telegram, Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin met with Charge d'Affaires of the French Republic to Ukraine Benjamin Rohrig and members of the French expert mission. Kostin emphasized that Ukraine highly values the support that France has provided since the first days of Russian aggression, in particular, in the field of restoration of justice. The Prosecutor General also thanked for the newly transferred equipment, necessary for the investigation into Russian war crimes. It is noted that France previously handed over two mobile DNA laboratories to Ukraine and continues to provide support to Ukrainian specialists, as well as makes a significant contribution to the work of the International Criminal Court. The Prosecutor General's Office noted that three teams of French investigators and experts were working to investigate the heinous crimes committed in Bucha, Irpin, and Izium. Recently, specialists from France visited Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih where they helped carry out examinations and organized trainings for Ukrainian colleagues. "The equipment handed over today will greatly help prosecutors and experts in documenting the consequences of attacks on the civilian infrastructure of Ukraine. The Russian troops have already destroyed or damaged more than 110,000 such objects," the Prosecutor General noted. He also expressed his belief that "every such crime will be thoroughly investigated, and the guilty will be justly punished." Rohrig, in turn, confirmed his readiness to continue support and work further to bring all those responsible to justice. As reported, in May, Ukrainian law enforcement officers received a second French mobile DNA laboratory to work in areas of active hostilities. Ukrainian diplomats have returned two more prisoners of war (POWs) from Hungary, who had been handed over to Budapest by Moscow. The relevant statement was made by Spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry Oleg Nikolenko on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Hence, the Ukrainian side has already managed to bring back five Ukrainian defenders. We are working to ensure that the remaining six warriors also come back home to their relatives as soon as possible, Nikolenko wrote. A reminder that, on June 9, 2023, Hungarys Charge d'Affaires was invited to the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry for a substantive conversation. The Ukrainian side requested that Hungary provided detailed information about the Ukrainian defenders, who had been handed over to Budapest by Moscow, as well as provided immediate access to them for the Ukrainian consul. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Government of Ukraine was not informed about the relevant negotiations between Hungary and Russia. The Ukrainian side learned that Russia had handed over 11 Ukrainians of Hungarian origin to Budapest from the mass media statements by Hungarys Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen. The European Union, through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), will allocate funds to Ukrzaliznytsia JSC to develop border crossings with the Republic of Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, and Hungary. Yevhen Lyashchenko, the chairman of the board of UZ, announced this, Ukrinform reports citing the company's press service. "Ukraine is actively working to integrate its railway infrastructure into the EU. We have already started implementing a number of such projects, but now we need systematic support from our international partners and financial institutions. This is the first time in history that the EU has irrevocably allocated funds for the implementation of railway projects in Ukraine. We will develop the most promising crossings with EU countries whose infrastructure needs to be modernized," he said. Lyashchenko emphasized that the funds will be used to build the Yahodyn-Dorohusk and Mostyska II-Medyka border crossing points with the Republic of Poland, as well as the Chop-Cierna nad Tisou/Zahony border crossing point that connects Ukraine with the Slovak Republic and Hungary. In addition, the reconstruction of 1,435 mm station tracks at Vadul-Siret and Hlyboka-Bukovynska stations will be carried out as part of joint projects with Romania. The CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) is an EU fund established in 2014 to invest in transport, energy, digital and telecommunications projects. It is the main instrument for financing the development of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). As reported, the Ministry of Reconstruction, Ukrzaliznytsia JSC, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are launching a 200 million project to restore and modernize rail infrastructure and renew rolling stock. A meeting of high-ranking officials from Ukraine, as well as a number of Western nations and the Global South, will be held in Copenhagen in the coming days, where the Ukrainian Peace Formula will be discussed. Thats according to CNN, Ukrinform reports. Senior Western and Ukrainian officials are expected to meet in Copenhagen in the coming days to discuss President Volodymyr Zelensky's peace proposal, a Ukrainian government source told CNN. According to the source, representatives from the Global South are expected to attend. As reported earlier, in November 2022, Volodymyr Zelensky presented a 10-point Peace Plan to the G20 leaders in Bali to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Read also: Zelensky invites Organization of American States to join Ukrainian Peace Formula The source did not reveal more details about the scheduled meeting. As Ukrinform reported earlier, in November 2022, during an address to the participants of the Group of Twenty summit, the president of Ukraine pitched the 10-point Ukrainian Peace Formula. At the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Zelensky proposed to hold an international summit dedicated to the Peace Formula in July. The Hungarian Ombudsman left unanswered the appeal of the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, regarding the Ukrainian soldiers, former prisoners of war whom Russia handed over to Hungary. The official touched on the topic, speaking on the air of the national telethon, Ukrinform reports. "I turned to the Hungarian ombudsman as soon as I received information about the stay of our citizens in such status and asked how it happened that now Ukrainian citizens who have the official status of prisoners of war in the territory of the Russian Federation were somehow transferred to the territory of Hungary? Where are they? Under what conditions? Why are Ukrainian diplomats not allowed to visit them? Unfortunately, I have not received a single answer from my Hungarian counterpart, so I turned to an international institution that can evaluate the actions of the ombudsman," Lubinets said. According to him, currently part of this group of Ukrainian soldiers remain on the territory of Hungary in conditions similar to captivity: they have a limited circle of communication and their mobile phones have been seized. Relatives were allowed to visit some of them but they were only able to talk in the presence of the Hungarian side. Earlier, Lubinets said that Hungary had violated international humanitarian law because it is illegal for them to take prisoners of war from the territory of the Russian Federation. Separately, he explained that these persons are considered prisoners of war only on the territory controlled by one of the parties to the international military conflict, that is, the Russian Federation. As reported, on June 9, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine summoned Hungarys charge d'affaires asking him to provide detailed information about the Ukrainian prisoners of war handed over by Russia to Budapest and to immediately ensure consular access to them. It was also reported that the Ukrainian government had never been informed about the relevant negotiations being held between the Hungarian and Russian parties. The Ukrainian side found out about the fact that Russia handed over 11 Ukrainians of Hungarian origin to Budapest from the public statements of the Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary Zsolt Semjen to the Hungarian mass media. With the assistance of the Embassy of Ukraine in Hungary, three Ukrainian citizens from among the prisoners of war handed over to Hungary returned to Ukraine. On June 23, another two Ukrainian soldiers made it Ukraine, according to the spokesperson for the Ukrainian MFA, Oleg Nikolenko. | By Mary Therese Phelan and Giordana Segneri From leaders of national nursing organizations to those in state government to presidents of Marylands largest hospital systems to nurses themselves, everyone has their eye on the workforce and what can be done to bolster it in Maryland and nationwide. The 2023 Maryland Action Coalition (MDAC) Virtual Leadership Summit, hosted by the University of Maryland School of Nursing on May 22, looked to the future of the nursing profession and health care in Maryland through a lens of Collaborating to Meet Challenges and Opportunities: The State of Marylands Health. (clockwise from top left) Joy Drass, Jane Kirschling, Kevin Sowers, and Mohan Suntha. Offered through a full day of live programming, including a poster session and roundtable discussions, to nearly 190 attendees, the summit explored new and innovative collaborations and partnerships to meet nursings future health care challenges and recognize opportunities for making diversity, inclusion, and equity a reality in the workplace. If you said to me what are the two to three biggest challenges, my response would be workforce, workforce, workforce, said M. Joy Drass, MD, executive vice president and chief operating officer of MedStar Health. This came during a morning Fireside Chat on the Health of Marylanders: Sustainable Change with Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, president and CEO of the University of Maryland Medical System, and Kevin Sowers, MSN, RN, FAAN, president of the Johns Hopkins Health System and executive vice president of Johns Hopkins Medicine. All three leaders predicted a change in the model of care in the not-too-distant future, related to staffing, electronic health record use, scheduling, mental health practices, and more. Were going to have to rethink our care delivery models. They will be team-based, but what will they look like? Sowers said. Is it a nurse practitioner with newly designed roles thats overseeing a segment of the unit? Is it a nurse using telehealth to direct a team? Is it EMTs in our emergency rooms having a different scope of practice? Were going to need to partner with schools about what our supply and demand looks like for the future. Suntha highlighted that work schedules and wellness play a significant role: How do we optimize schedules that optimize quality care delivery while nurturing the health of our workforce? he said. Drass agreed, saying, Our new-to-practice nurses really want flexibility. And Sowers reinforced that a generational shift is playing out. This generation focuses its time on how much time do I get off vs. how much time do I work, he said. Maybe they have it right and we had it wrong. How do you change your perspective as a leader to support a generational shift? Sowers also highlighted the value of health care systems partnering to address challenges, which he said was critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. Partnerships matter, he said. Mohan Suntha and I partnered very closely in the state and did a lot of good things between the University of Maryland and Hopkins. Were stronger together than trying to work apart. Dean Kirschling: Partnerships Are Crucial Earlier in the morning, Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing and co-chair of MDAC, shined a spotlight on the value of partnerships during her welcome remarks. We will spend today exploring some of the new collaborations and partnerships that are helping us address the current challenges, including developing new care models and staffing to better support nurse retention, partnerships for preparing students for future health care needs, and exploring implementation of long-term sustainable change within Marylands health systems, she said. Threaded through each of these is the need to recognize and support the vital role of nurses in implementing strategies for academic and practice-based responses to the needs of our health care system and those patients, families, and communities that we serve. Kirschling also presented the coalitions annual Exemplary Service Leadership Award, which celebrates leadership and accomplishments that go beyond an individuals day-to-day responsibilities and recognizes that individual for honoring diverse perspectives and including others while exploring new ideas and partnerships to achieve large-scale goals. The coalition has renamed the award in honor of the incredible legacy and many contributions of Peg E. Daw, DNP, RN-BC, CNE, FAAN, former Nurse Support Program II grant administrator at the Maryland Higher Education Commission, and bestowed the 2023 award on her posthumously, having presented it to Daws family members during a remembrance celebration at UMSON in May, following Daws death in December. Our efforts here in Maryland have been enormously successful, in no small measure because of Pegs deep commitment and her involvement in helping to make available the resources and support that could move a national agenda forward here in the state of Maryland, Kirschling said. During her remarks, Kirschling indicated that MDACs work has been driven recently by "The Future of Nursing 2020-2030" report, which outlines recommendations focused on health equity. As you may recall, a key theme of that report is the need to address the social determinants of health, reduce health disparities, and address inequities in our health system, Kirschling said. These were not new and novel challenges, but they were certainly brought into sharper focus given the disparate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on selected populations. Health Equity in the Spotlight Health equity was the predominant theme of the morning keynote by Laura Herrera Scott, MD, MPH, the Maryland secretary of health, who discussed Health Care Priorities for a Healthy Maryland: Leaving No One Behind. Appointed to her role in January, she outlined her priorities as committing to reproductive health; creating real-time access to high-quality, equitable behavioral health care; and leaving no Marylander behind. Across everything Im doing, health equity is a priority, she said. She explained that the nursing workforce looks more like the general population than do other clinicians and that nurses who are members of underrepresented or marginalized groups are more likely to advocate for their communities. Nurses are key partners in advancing health equity, Scott said. At a population level, public health nurses work to address chronic diseases and prevention. At a policy level, nurses can advocate for community interventions and government programs. But, she said, Nurses need more autonomy to sit in leadership roles. This effort begins with preparing students to care for diverse populations and to address racism in health care and its roots in colonialism by cultivating an inclusive learning environment for nursing students and giving them multiple settings for training and education, she said. Social justice is a core nursing value. After a series of roundtable discussions on topics including workforce intervention and retention, a statewide residency initiative, violence in the workplace, and clinical simulation, the summit presented a keynote panel of American Nurses Association (ANA) Nursing Staffing Task Force members. The panel included Katie Boston-Leary, PhD, MBA, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, CCTP, director of nursing programs, ANA; Cheryl Peterson, MSN, RN, vice president of nursing programs, ANA; and Sherry Perkins, PhD, RN, FAAN, president of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. Christie Simon-Waterman, DNP 16, RN, FNP-BC, WCC, DWC, president of the Maryland Nurses Association, moderated the discussion. Tackling Workforce Challenges Simon-Waterman kicked off the session by relaying what she called an overarching and obvious challenge. Over 100,000 registered nurses have already left the workforce due to COVID-19 in the past two to three years, and another 800,000 intend to leave by 2027, one-third of them younger than 40 years of age, she said. Those are who we usually depend on to be the mentors and preceptors of the future. COVID-19 has ebbed and flowed. But this nursing shortage has unfortunately been constant and even gotten worse. ANA and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACCN) collaborated in 2018 to form the Partners to Address Nurse Staffing, Peterson explained. We all know nurse staffing is a perennial issue within health care and one of our greatest pain points for our direct care nurses and for all nurses, she said. Members of the Health Care Financial Management Association, the Institute for Health Care Improvement, and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership joined forces to create a think tank to examine nurse staffing solutions that could be implemented over 12 to 18 months. According to Boston-Leary, the think tanks recommendations focused on a healthy work environment; diversity, equity, and inclusion; work schedule flexibility; stress injury continuum, which refers to the range of negative consequences from stress exposure; innovative care delivery models; and total compensation. The Nursing Staffing Task Force, formed by members of ANA and AACCN to look at the issue on a national, policy-focused level, recommended reforming the work environment, developing innovative models for care delivery, establishing staffing standards that ensure quality care, and improving regulatory efficiency, Perkins said. I would offer to you that the task force priorities focus on retention. We cant keep filling up the bathtub, and have the drain clog open, Perkins said. These Nursing Staffing Task Force priorities speak to changing the work environment, so that were fundamentally altering what I described as why someone becomes a nurse. This is not going to happen hospital by hospital, chief nurse by chief nurse. We need national changes, we need policy changes, we need statewide changes. In closing remarks, Mary Etta Mills, ScD, MS 73, BSN 71, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, a retired UMSON professor and member of the MDAC Planning Committee, thanked speakers for sharing new care models, staffing initiatives, and support services that will cultivate the preparation and retention of a resilient, skilled, diverse nursing workforce, she said. I think weve all learned a lot throughout the day and I know well be learning a whole lot more as all these wonderful programs get even more attention, more experience, more evaluation and lead to ever more innovations that will hopefully take us well into the future. (Bloomberg) -- TikTok Inc.s political troubles seemed far away in Cannes, where advertising executives swarmed the short video apps booth at a week-long industry extravaganza in Southern France. Most Read from Bloomberg The company opened a pop-up stage at the glitzy Carlton hotel, its largest presence to date at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Under a marquee where visitors listened to a live DJ and sipped rose, marketers showed little concern over the threat of bans or calls to split TikTok from its Chinese owner, ByteDance Ltd. Many said they plan to send more business to the platform. We want to be where the eyeballs are, Dani Benowitz, US president of the ad agency Magna Global, said on Wednesday at TikToks stage. Shyam Venugopal, a senior vice president at PepsiCo Inc., described the app as a marquee partner. Thats a marked contrast with the way US officials speak about TikToks security risks and powerful algorithms. On Thursday the company announced that its longtime public face, chief operating officer V. Pappas, was stepping down, and it named Walt Disney Co. veteran Zenia Mucha as communications chief.France is one of several countries this year that banned the app for public employees. Yannick Bollore, the chief executive officer for French media giant Havas Group, said his clients were seeing a lot of traction on TikTok, dismissing the idea that the app only appealed to teenagers. Its perceived as being a platform which is used by kids. But in fact, its much more general, he said in an interview. Bollore also works with ByteDance in China, where he said Havas Group is continuing to invest in its operation there. He said this expansion hasnt faced political problems. We try not to get engaged into politics, he added. TikTok is expected to generate more revenue from ads in the US this year than rival social media sites Snapchat and Twitter, according to Insider Intelligence. That huge growth comes only a few years after the app began introducing ads. Qustodio, a maker of parental control software, analyzed 400,000 family accounts for TechCrunch and found that American teenagers and kids spent an average of 99 minutes a day on TikTok in 2021, compared with 61 minutes on YouTube. The platforms appeal centers on its popularity and stable of young stars. Neil Waller, co-founder of influencer marketing firm Whalar, said spending on TikToks online personalities is starting to catch up to the amount pouring onto larger platforms. Brands that use his service, which works with about 30,000 online creators, now spend about as much for online stars to market products on TikTok as they do on YouTube and Instagram. It surprised us, too, Waller said. In recent years, both Instagram and YouTube have raced to copy TikToks short-form video features. In a way, that may have helped marketers stick with TikTok despite the threat of it being cut down by politicians. As the tech platforms become more similar, online creators can easily jump from one to the next. Thats also given marketers more comfort spending on TikTok, said Waller. If the app disappears, advertisers can easily take the same ad campaigns and strategies elsewhere.YouTube and TikTok phenom David Dobrik, who has more than 26 million followers on each platform, was hanging out at the Snap Inc. cabana. Theyre not so worried about the switching costs, said Waller. Well pick it up and carry on to the next thing. --With assistance from Alex Barinka. (Corrects title of Whalar co-founder in eighth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. | By Nora Samaranayake The Institute of Human Virology-Nigeria (IHV-Nigeria), an affiliate of the University of Maryland School of Medicines (UMSOM) Institute of Human Virology (IHV), recently announced the launch of its state-of-the-art multi-campus of excellence in public health care, treatment training, and research to bring quality health services within the reach of millions of Nigerians. Kristen Stafford, PhD, MPH, left, and Man Charurat, PhD, MHS, right, stand with Segun Akanmu of IHV-Nigeria at the recently launched multi-campus of excellence in public health care, treatment training, and research. The IHV-Nigeria Campus, located on Plot 62, Emeritus Umaru Shehu Avenue, Cadastral Zone, COO, Abuja, is a combination of leasable office buildings, clinical laboratories for diagnosis, research, and training; functional clinic spaces for patient care and clinical trials; bio-specimen repositories for storing and managing bio-specimens; and multimedia lecture auditoriums, meeting rooms, and offices. Participants from the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) included via video Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, president of UMB; UMSOM Dean Mark T. Gladwin, MD, vice president for medical affairs at UMB and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor at UMSOM; and Robert C. Gallo, MD, co-founder and emeritus director of IHV, the Homer & Martha Gudelsky Distinguished Professor in Medicine and special advisor to the dean at UMSOM, and co-founder and chair of the Scientific Leadership Board of the Global Virus Network. Attending in person was Man Charurat, PhD, MHS, professor of medicine, director of the Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity (Ciheb), and director of the Division of Epidemiology and Prevention in IHV at UMSOM; Alashle Abimiku, PhD, professor of medicine, Division of Epidemiology and Prevention at IHV and director of the International Research Center of Excellence at IHV-Nigeria; Patrick Dakum, MBBS, MPH, associate professor of epidemiology and public health, Division of Epidemiology and Prevention at IHV and CEO of IHV-Nigeria; Kristen Stafford, PhD, MPH, associate professor of epidemiology and prevention, Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, and deputy director of Ciheb at UMSOMs IHV; and William Blattner, MD, retired co-founder of IHV and current member of IHVs Board of Advisors. As an internationally recognized local and nonprofit organization, IHV-Nigeria is structured to develop and maintain links with other local and international organizations in collaborative ways that support the government of Nigerias health sector strategic plans. IHV-Nigeria focuses on preventing, treating, and managing diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, COVID-19, cancer, and other infectious and noninfectious diseases. This new campus is a testament to the incredible work of local researchers in Nigeria. IHV-Nigeria plays a critical role in advancing scientific knowledge, developing innovative treatments, and improving health care outcomes for communities, Jarrell said. The work being done at IHV-Nigeria reflects the spirit of innovation and collaboration that defines the University of Maryland, Baltimore. IHV-Nigerias modern campus will further advance the SOM and IHV-Nigeria research partnership of already $30 million in NIH-funded studies in the area of HIV, HPV, emerging infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases, and cancers, Gladwin said. Furthermore, IHV-Nigeria will continue to be Nigerias resource in conducting quality clinical trials, training the next generation of health care providers and researchers, and providing technical assistance in implementing quality management systems to more than 100 laboratories and health facilities that they already support. Dakum (shown above speaking at the commissioning ceremony) said, "The commissioning of the IHV-Nigeria Campus demonstrates the institutes commitment as a leader in providing health service implementation, capacity building, research, and ensuring equitable access to quality health care services through innovative and evidence-based strategies. Dakum also says that with its two centers now on campus the Program Implementation Center and the International Research Center of Excellence the institute will continue to develop training and expertise for sustaining HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, and cancer programs. The commissioning of the IHV-Nigeria Campus is expected to revolutionize the fight against emerging infectious and noninfectious diseases in Nigeria and the African continent. A silver lining of the AIDS pandemic was that it allowed us to have better relations with Africa, Gallo said. In the 1980s, when we signed the American-French agreement, we agreed that proceeds from the HIV blood test would go to training health care providers in Africa. We owe a thanks to the originators of the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief [PEPFAR] program and to our own professor Alashle Abimiku. Through much of the help of PEPFAR and funds for training from the U.S., Nigeria has become our independent collaborators, who I hope will continue to work with us well into the future. I want to extend a hearty congratulations to IHV-Nigeria on the new development. Congratulations on your work, and thank you personally, for carrying the Institute of Human Virology name. About the Institute of Human Virology Formed in 1996 as a partnership between the state of Maryland, the city of Baltimore, the University System of Maryland, and the University of Maryland Medical System, IHV is an institute of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is home to some of the most globally recognized and world-renowned experts in all of virology. IHV combines the disciplines of basic research, epidemiology, and clinical research in a concerted effort to speed the discovery of diagnostics and therapeutics for a wide variety of chronic and deadly viral and immune disorders, most notably HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. For more information, visit ihv.org and follow us on Twitter @IHVmaryland. About the University of Maryland School of Medicine Now in its third century, the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) was chartered in 1807 as the first public medical school in the United States. It continues today as one of the fastest growing top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world with 46 academic departments, centers, institutes, and programs, and a faculty of more than 3,000 physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals, including members of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, and a distinguished two-time winner of the Albert E. Lasker Award in Medical Research. With an operating budget of more than $1.3 billion, the School of Medicine works closely in partnership with the University of Maryland Medical Center and University of Maryland Medical System to provide research-intensive, academic, and clinically based care for nearly 2 million patients each year. The School of Medicine has nearly $600 million in extramural funding, with most of its academic departments highly ranked among all medical schools in the nation in research funding. As one of the seven professional schools that make up the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine has a total population of nearly 9,000 faculty and staff, including 2,500 students, trainees, residents, and fellows. The combined School of Medicine and Medical System (University of Maryland Medicine) has an annual budget of over $6 billion and an economic impact of nearly $20 billion on the state and local community. The School of Medicine, which ranks as eighth highest among public medical schools in research productivity (according to the Association of American Medical Colleges profile) is an innovator in translational medicine, with 606 active patents and 52 startup companies. In the latest U.S. News & World Report ranking of the Best Medical Schools, published in 2021, the School of Medicine is ranked No. 9 among the 92 public medical schools in the U.S. and in the top 15 percent (No. 27) of all 192 public and private U.S. medical schools. The School of Medicine works locally, nationally, and globally, with research and treatment facilities in 36 countries around the world. Visit medschool.umaryland.edu. US warns of potential 5G delays for airplanes without updated altimeters US warns of potential 5G delays for airplanes without updated altimeters 5G technology may conflict with commercial aviation By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned Friday of potential delays starting July 1 for airplanes that have not yet had radio altimeters updated to address potential 5G C-Band interference and urged them to adjust schedules if needed. While more than 80% of the domestic fleet serving U.S. airports has been updated, Buttigieg wrote in a letter to Airlines for America (A4A) "we continue to see a significant number of aircraft still awaiting retrofit, including many operated by foreign air carriers. This means on bad-weather, low-visibility days in particular, there could be increased delays and cancellations." Concerns that 5G service could interfere with airplane altimeters, which give data on a plane's height above the ground and are crucial for bad-weather landing, led to brief disruptions at some U.S. airports last year as international carriers canceled some flights. A4A, which represents major U.S. carriers, said carriers are working to update altimeters "but global supply chains continue to lag behind current demand.... A4A member carriers are confident in their ability to maintain the integrity of their schedules, despite the impending deadline." International carriers have repeatedly sounded the alarm about the deadline. Last year, Verizon and AT&T voluntarily agreed to delay some C-Band 5G usage until July as air carriers worked to retrofit airplane altimeters. Buttigieg urged airlines who will be flying without the updated equipment "to act now to adjust your schedules proactively.... Carriers should consider how many of their aircraft still need to be retrofitted when setting and adjusting schedules to avoid causing consumers to rely on an unrealistic published schedule to their detriment." Delta Air Lines said Friday its supplier told the airline it would not have enough radio altimeters for Deltas entire fleet by July 1. Approximately 190 Delta narrowbody aircraft are not yet equipped with updated radio altimeters including all A220s, most A319s and A320s, and some A321s. All Delta widebody aircraft will be equipped with updated radio altimeters prior to July 1, the airline said. Reuters first reported in March that major U.S. wireless carriers agreed to some voluntary actions to address aviation safety concerns. The agreement with AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile US and UScellular followed lengthy talks with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), allowing wireless carriers to increase power levels to get to full C-Band use on July 1. Buttigieg added Friday "passengers must not bear the brunt of any airlines inability to equip sufficient aircraft to be able to operate safely in the 5G C-band environment." (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) The 19th national congress of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) concluded on Thursday in Beijing. The 19th national congress of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) concludes at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) The 19th CYLC Central Committee, consisting of 170 members and 129 alternate members, was elected at the congress. It passed a resolution on the report of the 18th CYLC Central Committee and a resolution on the revision of the CYLC Constitution. It was noted at the congress that the CYLC should follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and fully implement the guiding principles established at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The CYLC congress stressed that the league must focus on the fundamental task of nurturing capable young people who will join and carry on the socialist cause. It should facilitate the growth and development of young people, and consolidate and expand the patriotic united front among the nation's youth. The 19th national congress of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) concludes at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) The CYLC is a mass youth organization under the leadership of the CPC. According to statistics released by the CYLC Central Committee in May, the CYLC had over 73.58 million members at the end of 2022. The congress was attended by nearly 1,500 delegates from across the country and different walks of life. During the congress, they shared their work experiences and exchanged views on the development of youths. Noting that league staff should take up the responsibility of rallying young people's support and pooling their strength for the Party, Pi Huilan, secretary of the CYLC committee of Wuhan, Hubei Province, vowed to better solve problems for youngsters in daily work. Yu Jiajia, secretary of the CYLC committee of Chongqing University, said that CYLC organizations at colleges should exert efforts in cultivating a new generation of youngsters who can withstand all types of tough challenges. Bitcoin rose 17.77% from June 16 to June 23 to trade at US$30,079 at 7:00 p.m. Friday in Hong Kong. The worlds largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization rose past US$30,000 for the first time since April 19. Ether rose 12.61% over the week to US$1,879. The business regulator of the U.S. state of Nevada on Wednesday issued a cease and desist order to crypto custodian Prime Trust, alleging that the firm could not honor customer withdrawals. The move grew market concern as Prime Trust was the tech partner of TrueUSD (TUSD), the fifth largest stablecoin by market cap. On Thursday, TrueUSD said it has no exposure to Prime Trust and that the firm maintains multiple USD rails for minting and redemption. Following the news, Bitcoin fell to a daily low of US$29,689 around 11:55 p.m. on Thursday but recovered above US$30,000 as investors remained upbeat following one of this years most eventful weeks that saw notable TradFi alumni entering the crypto space. The institutional adoption wave started last week, when the worlds largest asset manager, BlackRock, filed for a spot Bitcoin ETF on June 15, which if accepted, would be the first publicly-traded Bitcoin product on the U.S. market. Earlier this week, Germanys largest bank Deutsche Bank also applied for a license to operate a crypto custody service, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. The turbulences of 2022 have led to a decline in confidence in crypto-native institutions, presenting traditional financial institutions with a prime opportunity to enter the crypto market, Jonas Betz, crypto market analyst and founder of consultancy firm Betz Crypto, told Forkast in a LinkedIn response. Initiatives like Deutsche Bank applying for a digital asset custody license should improve investor sentiment All in all, regulation and institutional players will lead to an influx of fiat money into the crypto sector in the long run, driving prices up. EDX Markets, a crypto exchange backed by major Wall Street players like Citadel Securities, Fidelity and Charles Schwab, officially launched on Tuesday in the U.S., despite the recent regulatory crackdown on crypto. New York-based asset management firm WisdomTree also filed an application for a Bitcoin ETF on Tuesday, a day before Valkyrie Investments filed its own spot Bitcoin ETF application. Rumors are circulating that Fidelity is also preparing its own application. James Wo, the founder and chief executive officer of crypto investment firm DFG, said that BlackRocks move means old money from traditional finance is entering the crypto space. If the application can be approved, it shows that the SEC is not just cracking down on cryptocurrencies, but SEC regulation will help further the maturity of the industry, and more products similar to ETF will emerge, which is a great benefit for the industry. wrote Wo, in a statement shared with Forkast. Kadan Stadelmann, chief technical officer of blockchain infrastructure development firm Komodo, said that there are more rumors circulating about Fidelis preparing its own spot Bitcoin ETF application. This move could be indicative of institutional players joining the crypto market and may signal an uptick in institutional interest. The potential approval of a Bitcoin ETF has been highly anticipated by many industry experts as it could bring more mainstream adoption to cryptocurrency, wrote Stadelmann, in a statement shared with Forkast. The global crypto market capitalization stood at US$1.17 trillion on Friday at 7:00 p.m. in Hong Kong, up 12.5% from US$1.04 trillion a week ago, according to CoinMarketCap data. With a market cap of US$583 billion, Bitcoin represented 49.9% of the market while Ether, valued at US$225 billion, accounted for 19.3%. Notable Movers: PEPE & STX Pepe, the years most trending memecoin, was this weeks biggest loser in the top 100. Pepe started gaining momentum on Wednesday, rallying 64.49% to US$0.000001537, as risk appetite returned. STX, the native token of Bitcoin smart contract layer Stacks, was the weeks second-biggest gainer. The token started picking up on Tuesday, boosted by Bitcoins bullish momentum paired with the recent spot Bitcoin ETF applications by the likes of BlackRock. See related article: Why the US is waging war on Binance, Coinbase Next week: More Bitcoin ETF applications on the way? Komodos Stadelmann said that institutional interest in crypto is heating up due to developing regulations and increasing customer demand. Major financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have also expressed interest in offering crypto-related products to their clients. Moreover, the recent surge in Bitcoins price has further piqued the interest of institutional investors who are seeking exposure to this emerging asset class, wrote Stadelmann. Jamie Coutts, a senior market structure analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, said that Bitcoin is in an early bull market and expects the cycle to last until November 2025. Bitcoin will likely absorb more of the global economic base while subsuming value from traditional banking and payment providers, wrote Coutts. Next week, investors will be anticipating speeches from key Federal Reserve officials, including Fed Chair Jerome Powell and Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, for cues on the health of the worlds largest economy. European investors will be looking to European Central Bank President Christine Lagardes speech, for hints on the blocks future monetary policy decisions. See related article: Crypto firms eye Hong Kong amid tough US regulations, says fintech association chair Why is it so rare to hear about Western cyber-attacks? Cyber security firm Crowdstrike illustrates the biggest hacker threats with cartoons A cyber-attack that took over iPhones at a Russian technology company is being blamed on US government hackers. Could the attack, and the response from the Russian government, be rewriting the narrative of who the good guys and bad guys are in cyber-space? Camaro Dragon, Fancy Bear, Static Kitten and Stardust Chollima - these aren't the latest Marvel film superheroes but the names given to some of the most feared hacking groups in the world. For years, these elite cyber teams have been tracked from hack to hack, stealing secrets and causing disruption allegedly under orders from their governments. And cyber-security companies have even created cartoon images of them. Camaro Dragon - Checkpoint's latest illustration for an alleged Chinese group hacking European foreign affairs workers With dots on a world map, marketeers at these companies regularly warn customers about where these "advanced persistent threats" (APTs) are coming from - usually Russia, China, North Korea and Iran. But parts of the map remain conspicuously empty. So why is it so rare to hear about Western hacking teams and cyber-attacks? A major hack in Russia, unearthed earlier this month, might provide some clues. Defenders under attack From his desk overlooking the Moscow Canal, the cyber-security worker watched as strange pings began to register on the company wi-fi network. Dozens of staff mobile phones were simultaneously sending information to strange parts of the internet. But this was no ordinary company. Kaspersky HQ, in Moscow This was Russia's biggest cyber company Kaspersky, investigating a potential attack on its own employees. "Obviously our minds turned straight to spyware but we were pretty sceptical at first," chief security researcher Igor Kuznetsov says. "Everyone's heard about powerful cyber tools which can turn mobile phones into spying devices but I thought of this as a kind of urban legend that happens to someone else, somewhere else." After painstaking analysis of "several dozen" infected iPhones, Igor realised their hunch had been right - they had indeed unearthed a large sophisticated surveillance-hacking campaign against their own staff. The type of attack they had found is the stuff of nightmares for cyber defenders. The hackers had invented a way to infect iPhones simply by sending an iMessage that automatically deletes itself once the malicious software is injected into the device. "Wham, you're infected - and you don't even see it," Igor says. 'Reconnaissance operation' The victims' entire phone contents were now being pinged back to the attackers at regular intervals. Messages, emails and pictures were shared - even access to cameras and microphones. Keeping to Kaspersky's long-standing rule of not pointing fingers, Igor says they are not interested in from where this digital espionage attack was launched. "Bytes don't have nationalities - and anytime a cyber-attack is blamed on a certain country, then it's done with an agenda," he says. But the Russian government is less concerned about that. On the same day Kaspersky announced its discovery, Russian security services put out an urgent bulletin saying they had "uncovered a reconnaissance operation by American intelligence services carried out using Apple mobile devices". The Russian cyber-intelligence service made no mention of Kaspersky but claimed "several thousand telephone sets" belonging to both Russians and foreign diplomats had been infected. The bulletin even accused Apple of actively helping in the hacking campaign. Apple denies it was involved. The alleged culprit - the United States National Security Agency (NSA) - told BBC News it had no comment. Igor insists Kaspersky did not coordinate with the Russian security services and the government's bulletin took them by surprise. The NSA has elite hackers working for the US Some in the cyber-security world will be surprised by this - the Russian government had appeared to be issuing a joint announcement with Kaspersky, for maximum impact, the kind of tactic increasingly used by Western countries to expose hacking campaigns and loudly point fingers. Only last month, the US government issued a joint announcement with Microsoft - Chinese government hackers had been found lurking inside energy networks in US territories. And this announcement was swiftly and predictably followed by a chorus of agreement from America's allies in cyber-space - the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand - known as the Five Eyes. China's response was a rapid denial saying the story was all part of a "collective disinformation campaign" from the Five Eyes countries. Chinese Foreign Ministry official Mao Ning added China's regular response: "The fact is the United States is the empire of hacking." 'Targeting China' But now, like Russia, China seems to be adopting a more aggressive approach to calling out Western hacking. State-run news outlet China Daily has warned foreign-government-backed hackers are now the country's biggest cyber-security threat. And that warning came with a statistic from Chinese company 360 Security Technology - it had discovered "51 hacker organisations targeting China". The company did not respond to requests for comment. Last September, China also accused the US of hacking a government-funded university responsible for aeronautics and space research programmes. 'Fair play' "China and Russia have slowly figured out the Western model for cyber exposure is incredibly effective and I think we are seeing a shift," Rubrik Zero Labs head and former cyber intelligence worker Steve Stone says. "I'll also say I think that's a good thing. I have zero issue with other countries revealing what Western countries are doing. I think it's fair play and I think it's appropriate." Many brush off the Chinese charge of the US being the empire of hacking as hyperbole - but there is some truth in it. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the US is the only tier-one cyber power in the world, based on attack, defence and influence. Tier two is made up of: China Russia the UK Australia France Israel Canada The National Cyber Power Index, compiled by researchers at the Belfer Centre for Science and International Affairs, also deems the US the world's top cyber power. The paper's lead researcher, Julia Voo, has also noticed a shift. "Espionage is routine for governments and now it's so often in the form of cyber-attacks - but there's a battle of narrative going on and governments are asking who is behaving responsibly and irresponsibly in cyber-space," she says. And compiling a list of APT hacking groups and pretending there are no Western ones is not a truthful depiction of reality, she says. UK hackers operate from Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), in Cheltenham "Reading the same reports about hacking attacks from only one side adds to a general ignorance," Ms Voo says. "A general education of the public is important, because this is basically where a lot of tensions between states are going to be playing out in the future." And Ms Voo praises the UK government for publishing its inaugural transparency report into National Cyber Force operations. "It's not super-detailed but more than other countries," she says. 'Data bias' But the lack of transparency could also stem from cyber-security companies themselves. Mr Stone calls it a "data bias" - Western cyber-security companies fail to see western hacks, because they have no customers in rival countries. But there could also be a conscious decision to put less effort into some investigations. "I don't doubt that there's likely some companies that may pull the punch and hide what they may know about a Western attack," Mr Stone says. But he has never been part of a team that deliberately held back. Static Kitten is the name given to an Iranian government-sponsored hacking group Lucrative contracts from governments such as the UK or US are a major revenue stream for many cyber-security companies too. As one Middle Eastern cyber-security researcher says: "The cyber-security intelligence sector is heavily represented by Western vendors and greatly influenced by their customers' interests and needs." The expert, who asked to remain anonymous, is one of more than a dozen volunteers regularly contributing to the APT Google Sheet - a free-to-view online spreadsheet tracking all known instances of threat-actor activities, irrespective of their origins. It has a tab for "Nato" APTs, with monikers such as Longhorn, Snowglobe and Gossip Girl, but the expert admits it is pretty empty compared with tabs for other regions and countries. 'Less noise' He says another reason for the lack of information on Western cyber-attacks could be because they are often stealthier and cause less collateral damage. "Western nations tend to conduct their cyber operations in a more precise and strategic manner, contrasting with the more aggressive and broad attacks associated with nations like Iran and Russia," the expert says. "As a result, Western cyber operations often yield less noise." The other aspect to a lack of reporting could be trust. It is easy to brush off Russian or Chinese hacking allegations because they often lack evidence. But Western governments, when they loudly and regularly point the finger, rarely, if ever, provide any evidence either. INTERVIEW: Tackling transnational trafficking in Southeast Asia from the grass roots up UN News/Daniel Dickinson A Thai border officer looks into Myanmar across the frontier between the two countries. Bangkok (Thailand), 21 June 2023 - The agency has been working with village security units in communities in Thailand as part of its border management programme. UNODC says that the supply of synthetic drugs through the region remains at extreme levels. UN News spoke to UNODCs Regional Representative, Jeremy Douglas, and Eakkachai Suphan, a village security volunteer in the village of Sop Ruak in Thailand, which is located in the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar converge. Jeremy Douglas: The production and trafficking of synthetic drugs, including crystal meth and methamphetamine pills, by international organized crime gangs has increased dramatically over the last decade. This region is now one of the biggest drug trafficking corridors in the world supplying markets across Southeast Asia. These synthetic narcotics have replaced heroin which for decades was the main illicit drug being trafficked out of the Golden Triangle. UNODC has been working with law enforcement agencies as well as local volunteer security units to disrupt the trade in drugs as well as human trafficking and the illegal trade in wildlife products and weapons. UN News/Runa A Jeremy Douglas, UNODCs Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, at the Golden Triangle in Thailand. Eakkachai Suphan: I have been a member of the Sop Ruak village security unit for about 3 years. I am part of a team of 37 men who act as part-time volunteers to support and complement the work of law enforcement agencies operating here in the Golden Triangle. I like to help my village and my community; I do this work because I want to protect our children who might be pulled into the trafficking of illegal drugs or affected in other ways. Jeremy Douglas: The Mekong River runs along the border between Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar for around 1,000 kilometres and its extremely challenging to monitor and patrol what is, in reality, a very remote and porous border. The local knowledge of people who live in this part of Thailand and the relationships they might have with people in Laos or Myanmar are crucial to both gathering information about the drugs trade but also to understanding the needs of people who are affected by it. So, these village security units play a key role at the grass roots level. UN News/Daniel Dickinson Village security volunteer, Eakkachai Suphan, (left) and a colleague look over the Mekong River in the Golden Triangle. Eakkachai Suphan: I work two or three times a week, as needed, sometimes at night and sometimes during daylight hours, according to the intelligence that has been gathered. I normally patrol on foot from the Ruak River, which borders Myanmar and south along the Mekong River to a new immigration post which is on the opposite side of the bank to Laos. Im very proud when I get the chance to join operations with the Border Patrol Police and we have had some success in seizing drugs in this area from traffickers who are using boats to transport the illicit goods. It was exciting to confiscate large amounts of drugs. Jeremy Douglas: Transnational organized crime groups anticipate, adapt and try to circumvent what governments do, and in 2022 we saw them work around Thai borders in the Golden Triangle more than in the past. Despite this, the authorities in Thailand and Laos have had considerable success seizing drugs. I visited Houay Xai on the Laos side of the Mekong where officers just the previous night had caught traffickers with 500 kilograms of crystal meth. The previous month they had intercepted 7.1 million methamphetamine pills. In Thailand, a river patrol recently apprehended smugglers with 6.4 million methamphetamine pills. Despite these positive developments, it is thought that many more million pills and thousands of kilograms of crystal meth is getting through and being trafficked to lucrative markets across Southeast Asia. UN News/Daniel Dickinson Eakkachai Suphan is a village security volunteer in the village of Sop Ruak in northern Thailand. Eakkachai Suphan: I'm not concerned for my safety because we are collaborating closely with other law enforcement agencies, including security agencies, the police, army and the riverine unit. I think if all law enforcement agencies and the community police are cooperating, then we can win the battle against trafficking. I think my community feels safer because of the work we do. Jeremy Douglas: Village security units assist law enforcement officers in monitoring suspicious activities along the riverine border and report illicit activity to the relevant authorities. They are part of a network of agencies which share information not just nationally but with neighbouring countries. UNODC has used its regional presence and excellent working relations with governments in Southeast Asia to support the expansion of border liaison offices or BLOs under its border management programme. There are 120 BLOs from Myanmar in the west to China in the east and Indonesia to the south as well as Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Viet Nam. They enable countries in the region to work more effectively to combat illegal trafficking as they can quickly share information and take action together, for example, joint patrols. Its an effective way to speed up the action States can take to push back on the traffickers and on organized criminal networks. Criminal groups from across the region also started moving and reconnecting after lengthy pandemic border closures, with late 2022 and early 2023 patterns starting to look similar to 2019. (@FahadShabbir) ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 23rd Jun, 2023) The sixth meeting of the Joint Committee between the UAE and the Republic of Belarus was held in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. The meetings were chaired by Ahmed Al Sayegh, UAE Minister of State, and Dmitri Pantos, Minister of State for Military Industries of the Republic of Belarus. The meetings, which were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi, were attended by Ibrahim Al Musharrakh, UAE Ambassador to Belarus; Humaid Mohamed Ben Salem, Secretary-General of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry; Dr. Farah Al Zarooni, Assistant Undersecretary for the Standards and Regulations Sector at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology; and a number of senior officials from both sides. The talks focused on economic cooperation, particularly developments in trade and investment, banking cooperation, education, culture, cybersecurity, agriculture, and food. The two sides also discussed relations between the UAE and Belarus and reaffirmed their common will to develop a constructive partnership that realises the mutual interests of the two countries and peoples. Al Sayegh noted the importance of the Joint Committee meeting to explore new opportunities to increase economic growth and prosperity and expand the constructive partnership to elevate cooperation between the two countries. At the end of the meeting, the minutes of the Joint Committee was signed, wherein both sides expressed their appreciation for efforts to convene the committee and underscored the importance of advancing dialogue between the concerned authorities and the public and private sectors. India habitually used terrorism bogey to deflect attention from its brutal repression of Kashmiri people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and maltreatment of its minorities, said Foreign Office Spokesperson here on Friday ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jun, 2023 ) :India habitually used terrorism bogey to deflect attention from its brutal repression of Kashmiri people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and maltreatment of its minorities, said Foreign Office Spokesperson here on Friday. Responding to media queries regarding the US-India Joint Statement of June 22, 2023, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said: "We consider the Pakistan-specific reference in the 'Joint Statement from the United States and India', issued on June 22, 2023, as unwarranted, one-sided, and misleading. The reference is contrary to diplomatic norms and has political overtones. We are surprised that it has been added despite Pakistan's close counter-terrorism cooperation with the US." She said, "Pakistan has rendered unmatched sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. In laying down their lives, our law enforcement agencies and armed forces have set an example. People of Pakistan are the real heroes in this fight." "The international community has time and again recognized Pakistan's efforts and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. It has long concluded that terrorism can be defeated through concerted and cooperative actions. Today, we fail to see how the assertions made in the Joint Statement could strengthen the international resolve to fight terrorism. The statement shows that the cooperative spirit, so vitally needed to defeat the scourge of terrorism, has been sacrificed at the altar of geopolitical considerations," she continued. "In addition to being a state-sponsor of terrorism, India habitually uses terrorism bogey to deflect attention from its brutal repression of Kashmiri people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and maltreatment of its minorities. It is thus completely ill-placed to cast any aspersions on Pakistan and its fight against terrorism." The Spokesperson said, "Ironically, the Joint Statement fails to address the key sources of tension and instability in the region and to take cognizance of the grave human rights situation in the IIOJK. This is tantamount to abdication of international responsibility." Pakistan was also deeply concerned over the planned transfer of advanced military technologies to India, she noted adding such steps were accentuating military imbalance in the region and undermining strategic stability. "They remain unhelpful in achieving the objective of durable peace in South Asia. We urge our international partners to take a holistic and objective view of the issues of peace and security in South Asia and refrain from endorsing one-sided positions," the statement concluded. (@ChaudhryMAli88) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jun, 2023 ) :Pakistan Railways has announced to run three special trains to facilitate the passengers on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha holidays. According to a notification issued by Pakistan Railways, the first Eid Train will depart from Quetta to Peshawar on Monday. The second train, departing from Karachi to Lahore, will start its journey on Tuesday while the third Special Eid Train will run from Lahore for Karachi on July 03 after Eid-ul-Azha. This has been a regular feature for Pakistan Railways to announce special trains operation on the occasion of Eid to provide a comfortable and convenient travel facility to the general public who are visiting their native towns to celebrate the festival with their families and relatives. Hope and relief spread across Zambia on Friday after foreign lenders agreed to restructure part of the country's debt, a win for president Hakainde Hichilema who was elected on a promise to strengthen a buckling economy Lusaka, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jun, 2023 ) :Hope and relief spread across Zambia on Friday after foreign lenders agreed to restructure part of the country's debt, a win for president Hakainde Hichilema who was elected on a promise to strengthen a buckling economy. Zambia, whose total debt amounts to $32.8 billion, defaulted on its $18.6-billion foreign debt in 2020 at the height of the Covid pandemic. The restructuring deal, covering around a third of the tab, came on Thursday at a two-day summit in Paris hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. The deal, which was secured over two years of tough negotiations, also paves the way to unlock a $1.3 billion three-year aid plan obtained in 2022 from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In a statement , Hichilema said the agreement was a "significant milestone in our journey towards economic recovery (and) growth. " The government hailed a "significant step towards restoring Zambia's long-term debt sustainability," adding that it looked forward to working with the creditors to ensure "prompt implementation." Zambia is Africa's biggest copper producer, with a population of nearly 20 million people. It ran up huge debts under former president Edgar Lungu, who was criticised for borrowing huge sums to finance infrastructure projects during his six years in power before he lost elections in 2021. Negotiations on restructuring had stumbled over differences between creditors, with the United States accusing China -- the biggest single lender -- of delaying an agreement. Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, attended a White House state dinner on Thursday evening alongside numerous US and foreign officials, amid a plea deal with the US Justice Department to avoid prison time for tax and firearms crimes WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd June, 2023) Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, attended a White House state dinner on Thursday evening alongside numerous US and foreign officials, amid a plea deal with the US Justice Department to avoid prison time for tax and firearms crimes. Biden attended a state dinner hosted as part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, to which nearly 400 people were invited. Other invitees included US Attorney General Merrick Garland, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, CIA Director William Burns and a number of Indian government officials. Earlier this month, Biden's attorneys and the US Justice Department announced an agreement under which Biden will plead guilty to misdemeanor tax charges and enter a pretrial diversionary agreement on a felony firearms offense in an effort to resolve the criminal probe against him and avoid prison time. Biden's attendance at the dinner alongside guests tied to the agencies investigating him prompted criticism by some Republicans. "Yesterday morning, we released testimony from IRS (Internal Revenue Service) whistleblowers alleging that Hunter Biden committed multiple felonies and the DOJ intervened to protect him. Last night, the President's son and the Attorney General had dinner together at the White House," US House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith said on Friday. Smith and the Republican National Committee (RNC) Research shared images and video via Twitter of Biden at the state dinner, although he is not shown alongside Garland. Biden appeared to be "rubbing elbows" while embroiled in a "family-wide corruption scandal," RNC Research said. On Thursday, Smith revealed IRS whistleblower testimony alleging that the Justice Department interfered in the investigation of tax crimes potentially committed by Hunter Biden through delays, divulgences, and denials. Biden's attendance at the dinner also comes alongside a House probe into FBI documents with allegations from a confidential source who claims that Hunter and Joe Biden received millions of Dollars as part of a bribery scheme involving Ukrainian energy company Burisma. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd June, 2023) Russia is developing good and constructive relations with African countries, they are not directed against third parties, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. Earlier in the day, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Russia was playing a role "unfavorable for the international community," accusing Moscow of destabilizing Africa. "Russia is developing good relations, constructive relations based on mutual respect, on mutual consideration, concern for each other's problems with all African countries. These relations are in no way directed and cannot be directed against third countries," Peskov told reporters. Moscow would not want the development of its relations with African states to become a cause for concern of third countries, the official added. A local developer wants to rezone 58.5 acres along Smith Station Road in Spotsylvania County to build a 99-home neighborhood. Tricord is asking the county to rezone the property from residential-1 to planned development housing-2 so it can build more houses for the planned Smith Station Crossing neighborhood, according to a summary of the plans prepared by the developer as part of a virtual town meeting. The virtual town meeting comprises a website (smithstationcrossing.com) with details on the proposed development and other information regarding the rezoning request. The site also allows residents to leave comments and questions on the proposal. The virtual town hall will run through July 16. Current zoning for the site on the east side of Smith Station Road, just south of the Holleybrooke subdivision and in the countys primary development boundary allows for 39 single-family detached homes. The rezoning would allow for 99 homes, which amount to 1.73 per acre, according to Tricord, much lower than the 4 homes per acre permitted in the primary development boundary. The developer says its plans call for 37.37 acres of open space, doubling the required 30%, along with a trail system and dog park. Primary access to the neighborhood would be on Smith Station Road, which the developer says has been neglected for far too long and needs to be improved. Tricord is offering to give $1 million toward badly needed road improvements in exchange for increasing the number of homes that can be built on their property. The developer also is offering $19,725 for impacts to fire and rescue services and $120,000 to county schools if the rezoning is approved. The developer also is offering to dedicate right of way along Smith Station Road and add left- and right-turn lanes. Tricord says if the rezoning is denied, the developer will build the allowed 39 homes, but without the $1 million proffer. Deadly violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank is spiraling out of control, fueled by an escalation in the use of advanced weapons and strident political rhetoric in Israel, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Tuerk said on Friday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd June, 2023) Deadly violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank is spiraling out of control, fueled by an escalation in the use of advanced weapons and strident political rhetoric in Israel, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Tuerk said on Friday. "These latest killings and the violence, along with the inflammatory rhetoric, serve only to drive Israelis and Palestinians deeper into an abyss," the commissioner said in a statement published by his office, the OHCHR. The recent spike in violence followed an Israeli security operation in the Jenin refugee camp, which houses thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes since the mid-20th century. The Monday raid killed at least seven Palestinians, including two children, and left more than 90 others as well as seven Israeli soldiers injured. Israel also launched airstrikes at the camp, in what the commissioner said was an escalation of the use of weaponry associated with an armed conflict rather than a law enforcement operation. There were also reports of an Israeli drone strike near Jenin on Wednesday that killed three Palestinians. The hostilities were followed by the killing of four Israelis in an illegal Jewish settlement and assaults on Palestinian villages by Israeli settlers backed by Israeli security forces. The assaults left one Palestinian dead and three others wounded, and dozens of Palestinian homes and vehicles burned. Tuerk said the underlying dynamics leading to the widespread violence and arbitrary loss of life needed to be addressed with urgency by both Israel and the Palestinians. He also insisted that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land must end. "For this violence to end, the occupation must end ... On all sides, the people with the political power know this and must instigate immediate steps to realize this," he said. This year is already set to become the deadliest experienced by the occupied West Bank in 17 years. Israeli security forces killed at least 126 Palestinians in the past six months, compared to 155 Palestinians killed over the whole of 2022, the highest death toll since 2016. The School of Leadership Prepares Future Leaders for a Growing Economy Fri, 06/23/2023 - 11:37am | By: Gabriela Shinskie The University of Southern Mississippis (USM) School of Leadership is thriving in its second full year on the Gulf Park campus, preparing students for success in the business world through innovative coursework. Dr. Heather Annulis, director of the USM School of Leadership, describes the school as a multi-disciplinary educational experience creating transformational leaders. She emphasized the goal of answering the call of the present day in business and preparing students for business practices of the future through interpersonal skills, flexibility, and innovativeness. We provide academic preparation and skill development that focuses on courage, integrity, respect, and collaboration, she noted. We offer 14 programs as part of the College of Business and Economic Development; some are traditional business programs, and we also offer unique programs to the coast. Undergraduate programs include: Accounting Applied Technology Business Administration Industrial Engineering Technology/ Industrial Engineering Technology (Logistics) Management Marketing Organizational Leadership Graduate programs include: Human Capital Development Human Capital Development (Instructional Technology and Design) Logistics, Trade and Transportation Courses are offered in multiple formats, including fully online, hybrid, and traditional, face-to-face classroom learning, as the School of Leadership works to accommodate working professionals seeking to earn degrees. The faculty and staff are full of energy, student-focused, and working together to achieve goals. We have a faculty who are passionate about helping students succeed, Dr. Annulis continued. They are also passionate about conducting innovative research, and thats a winning combination. Dr. Casey Maugh Funderburk is an associate professor in the School of Leadership and teaches Human Capital Development courses for the doctoral program. She said the transition of bringing the faculty together is not always easy, but in our case, they were on board and jumped right in. We embraced new opportunities for the school, Dr. Maugh Funderburk continued. Having colleagues come together to form this new school has been amazing. Ive loved that part of it, and how we can leverage faculty to meet students needs. Queliah Conway is a senior marketing major and Spanish minor at the School of Leadership, as well as Vice President of Programs for Student Government Association (SGA) in the Office of Student Affairs. Conway plans to graduate in the fall of 2023. Conway said her journey in the School of Leadership is unique, where she feels closely connected to her professors and other students at Gulf Park. The student-to-professor ratio forms a close-knit classroom setting. The faculty and staff are extraordinarily supportive and always ready to help you attain your goals. I had the opportunity to work alongside them to assist with one of their events to ensure it was student-oriented, said Conway. From the curriculum to the faculty and staff, it was a great experience. Through her studies, Conway discovered her strengths and potential in the business field through analytics, accounting, and finance. She says she can now grasp what makes a business successful and is ready for the real-world challenge. My studies have helped me see another perspective and not limit myself to one path, but be open and successful in any business environment, she further noted. It has given me the skills and knowledge to thrive in my future work. With its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the USM School of Leadership is adapting for the future when it comes to business, particularly in the blue economy. Local coastal organizations are offering projects so students can practice problem-solving in todays high-intensity business world. The most rewarding part about serving as the director here is the ability to say yes. When we start at yes, its amazing what we can accomplish, said Dr. Annulis. I love finding out what students need and working with faculty and administrators to help students achieve their professional and personal goals. She concluded, The best part is seeing them graduate and walk across that stage. Visit the School of Leadership website to learn more. Logan said he had seen many accomplished names pass through the Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program in previous years and he is honored to join them. When I found out I was selected, it was an extremely humbling moment, Logan said. As a veteran and an alum, serving UTSAs military-affiliated students is a deeply personal mission for me. Accordingly, the resources, knowledge and network I gain from this program will be used to enhance the universitys reputation as a leader in military-affiliated inclusion and support. In recent years, VMA consolidated many veteran services that stretched across the university within the Center for Military Affiliated Students, a one-stop shop located on the first floor of the John Peace Library, to guide UTSAs military community to network, socialize, discover benefits and more easily navigate UTSA. New programming was created, such as priority registration and tailored orientation for veterans as well as veteran resource and professional development fairs. Under Logans leadership, UTSAs wide-ranging support for its military-affiliated community has continued to evolve. VMA expanded its presence on social media and the UTSA Mobile app to reach more of its target population in addition to a total revamp of the universitys website for military-affiliated students, making it easier for those 5,000+ students to effectively navigate and utilize military education benefits. The office also expanded its outreach and engagement activities, creating more workshops, new video walkthroughs and UTSAs popular Coffee with Vets networking events. These initiatives helped UTSA rise precipitously in the 2022 ranking of Best for Vets universities. Logan will begin his session in the Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program on July 11 at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas. The scholars will attend four sessions at the Bush Center and will travel to Washington, D.C. for a session in the fall. The program is part of the Bush Institutes commitment to developing and supporting effective leaders, and it builds on the organizations extensive body of work on veteran transition issues. Each participant will join the program with a personal leadership project that allows them to implement what they learn in the program in service of improving outcomes in veteran- and military-connected communities. Over the next five months, Logan will explore the creation of a space for undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of military affiliation, to develop and present research they may be conducting on military-affiliated topics. Examples could include military children, caregivers, veteran mental health and the transition from active duty to civilian life. In my view, participating in the Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program isnt just about my growth. Its a way to enhance a legacy of servant leadership by positively impacting as many veterans and military family members as I can, Logan said. Therefore, it is important for me use this experience to cultivate the next generation of professionals by encouraging inquiry among college students into military-affiliated topics. The Rev. Brian Collins has so many memories of his familys time in Africa. Hes seen the gratitude of a woman who knelt and thanked him and other ministry team members for a Bible in her own language. Collins remembers a mans tragic death and, in another instance, a church that waited for a ministry group long past the start time of a worship service. With these and other recollections, Collins has begun a new endeavor this time as associate pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Fremont. Collins had experiences in the secular world before becoming a minister of the Gospel. Born in Columbia, Tennessee, Collins grew up in Decatur, Alabama, where he graduated from Austin High School. During his teen years, Collins said he believes God put a desire in his heart to be a missionary. He took a different path at first graduating from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a degree in chemical engineering. Collins worked for 3M, International Paper and then 13 years for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Huntsville, overseeing construction of propulsion parts for the space shuttle program. His life would change in 2014. Through circumstances, reading the Bible and wise counsel from others, Collins was led to become a missionary. He resigned from his job and moved his wife, Amanda, and family to Zambia, Africa, where they arrived in 2016. The Collins have four daughters, Zoie, now 17, Zanna, 14, Zimeri, 11, and Zadie, 8. They started churches, trained Zambian pastors and were involved in evangelism in the Copperbelt Province. Collins recalls moments both poignant and heartrending. We did a lot of ministry out in the bush, he said. He remembers one womans reaction after she received a Bible. She got on her knees and was very thankful and started crying, Collins said. Shed never had the Bible in her language before and she immediately started reading it and it was very touching. Collins remembers a sad experience that occurred a few years earlier. I got a call that a friend of mine, Id seen the day before, had died, Collins said. The man had been asleep in his wood and grass hut, when he knocked over a candle. The hut caught on fire and the man burned alive. Collins pulled the mans body out of the hut and conducted his funeral. He remembers the man as having been a helpful and very nice person. His death provided a solemn reminder. It reminded me of the shortness of life and youre never promised tomorrow, Collins said. In 2018, the Rev. Steve Cheuvront, now lead pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Fremont, was part of a mission team that went to Zambia. We were helping build classrooms for the Christian school and roofing for some of the teachers huts, Cheuvront remembered. Collins and Cheuvront were each riding four-wheelers heading to a church for a service, while other ministry team members were in a Land Cruiser (SUV). The two men went ahead of the SUV and wondered later why the vehicle never arrived. We traveled back only to find that they had blown two tires, because they hit a log in the road, Collins said. People from the SUV were in their church clothes, changing the tires. We were 45 minutes late to the church service, Cheuvront recalled. But people at the church waited for the mission team to arrive and had a service. The Collins served in Zambia for seven years, before returning to the United States this year. The Lord moved us back, Collins said. Our work there was finished. A new chapter in Collins life would begin after Cheuvront asked him to pray about coming to Fremont. Collins prayed and started at Calvary Baptist this month. Thats where God opened the door and said, Take it, Collins said. As associate pastor, Collins helps coordinate the missions ministry at the church. He works with childrens and youth-student ministries and church training and discipleship. Calvary Baptist has an average attendance of about 115 people on a Sunday morning. Collins enjoys serving the church. I like the people, Collins said. Theyre very down-to-earth, very real. Hes ready for this latest part of his ministry journey. Serving the Lord is the adventure of a lifetime, Collins said. Theres never a dull moment. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican on 21 June, his first time since being re-elected President in 2022. By Vatican News staff reporter The audience on 21 June between Pope Francis and Brazilian President Inacio Lula da Silva took place at the Vatican in a warm and cordial atmosphere, as they have known each other for many years. It marked President Lula's first visit to the Vatican since his re-election in November 2022 to lead the country for the third time. The exchange of gifts between the Pope and President Lula Cordial atmosphere Following a meeting with Italy's President, Sergio Mattarella, the Brazilian President arrived at the Vatican where he met with Pope Francis in the small meeting hall next to the Paul VI Audience Hall where they spent around 45 minutes in closed-door discussions. At the conclusion, between photos with the delegation and gestures of cordiality, the exchange of gifts took place. Pope Francis offered his World Day of Peace Message for 2023, the Document on Human Fraternity signed in Abu Dhabi, the book on the Statio Orbis of 27 March 2020, published by the Vatican publisher LEV, and a bronze bas-relief entitled "Peace is a fragile flower." While presenting the sculpture, Pope Francis spoke a few words in Spanish noting that "we are in a time of war, and peace is very fragile." The first lady of Brazil offered a Statue of Our Lady of Nazare from Belem, Brazil. Secretariat of State visit The Brazilian leader then headed to the Vatican's Secretariat of State for talks with Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, Substitute for General Affairs at the Secretariat of State. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, is currently in Udine, Italy, for the presentation of a book on Albania. "During the cordial talks," a communication from the Holy See Press Office noted, "satisfaction was expressed for the good relations between Brazil and the Holy See, underscoring the good collaboration between the Church and State in view of promoting moral values and the common good." The Press Office noted as well the positive exchange of views on the socio-political situation in the region and that themes of common interest were discussed, such as "the promotion of peace and reconciliation, the fight against poverty and inequality, respect for indigenous peoples, as well as protection of the environment." The private meeting at the meeting hall in the Paul VI Audience Hall Invitation to Brazil President Lula noted publicly that among the topics he wished to discuss with Pope Francis were "fight against inequality" and the fight against hunger "on a planet that produces more food than it consumes." He also mentioned a new invitation to the Pope to visit Brazil for the second time, after his World Youth Day visit to Rio de Janeiro in July 2013, his first papal apostolic journey. The President mentioned in the media of his wish for the Pope to return for the Cirio de Nazare, one of the country's biggest Catholic festivals, held annually in Belem, in the state of Para. Vietnam News in Brief: Weekly Roundup June 23 Vietnam Briefing keeps track of whats happening in Vietnams business and economic news so that you dont have to. Heres what happened this week. Economic news World Bank, HSBC, S&P downgrade growth forecasts The World Bank, HSBC, and S&P have all cut their outlooks for Vietnams economy for this year, predicting 6 percent, 5 percent, and 5.5 percent, respectively. They are all basically saying the same thing: its all about demand in key export markets. If it picks up, the local economy will too but this will depend on a whole range of factors, not least of which is the war in Ukraine which shows little signs of ending any time soon. Trade news Swiss-Viet Officials Meet, Discuss Progress on FTA The Swiss ambassador, Thomas Gass, met with National Assembly Chairman, Vuong Dinh Hue earlier this week ahead of the 52nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Vietnam later this year. The two officials discussed bilateral trade and investment with progress on negotiations of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and Switzerland high on the agenda. See also: Vietnam-Switzerland Trade Overview Food and beverage news Singapore firm increases investment in Vietnamese dairy FIND BUSINESS SUPPORT Find success in your next M&A deal with our on-the-ground blended M&A advisory services US$26 million on shares of Vietnamese dairy producer International Dairy Products. This will increase its stake in the company to 12.6 percent. Vietnams dairy industry has experienced huge growth in recent years as demand for milk and milk formula has skyrocketed. See also: Vietnams Dairy Market: Udder-ly Plump with Opportunity Real estate news Limits on foreign home ownership may be removed The idea of removing foreign ownership limits has been floated in a draft revision of the Law on Housing. This includes a 50-year limit on home ownership alongside rules that state only 30 percent of properties in any one development can be owned by foreigners. Since these rules were introduced in 2014, only about 3,000 units have been sold to foreign firms mostly due to the uncertainty over what happens to the unit after those 50 years pass. This move is in line with a push to reduce the stress on Vietnams real estate sector which has been struggling through a myriad of challenges for over a year. See also: Vietnams Real Estate Market Turmoil Explained Intellectual property news Questions raised over jurisdiction in Peppa Pig IP lawsuit FIND BUSINESS SUPPORT IP Advisory Services can shape your success in Asia A UK court has rejected claims that the UK is not the right jurisdiction to hear an intellectual property dispute between the UK creators of Peppa Pig and the Vietnamese creators of the animated cartoon Wolfoo. At the same time, the Hanoi Peoples Court has agreed to hear the case at the request of Wolfoos creator. As these cases unfold, it should shed some light on how Vietnam intends to engage in international dispute resolution moving forward and also the strength of international intellectual property law in Southeast Asias rising dragon. See also: Intellectual Property in Vietnam: One Little Pig and a Big Bad Lawsuit Human resources news Labor force dwindles in economic zones and industrial parks An estimated 510,000 Vietnamese workers have had their hours cut or lost their jobs so far this year, with the majority in prime manufacturing hubs around Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. This is on the back of lower-than-expected orders for the first half of the year, particularly in garment and textile manufacturing. Energy news Power cuts ease in northern Vietnam Power cuts in northern Vietnam have become much less frequent with rain helping to increase outputs from hydropower facilities and cooler temperatures reducing the need for air conditioning. This, however, is only likely to be a temporary reprieve with core challenges in the energy sector likely to need years not weeks to address. See also: Explained: Vietnams Electricity Sector Past, Present, and Future Saturday marks the anniversary of an attempt by approximately 2,000 sub-Saharan African migrants and refugees to cross over from Morocco to Spain. At least 37 people died in the attempt, and 76 are still unaccounted for. Amnesty International Friday accused Morocco and Spain of conducting a cover-up of their racist practices at the border. The group said Spain failed to open an independent investigation after Spanish prosecutors dropped their investigation because they said they had not found any criminal misconduct by Spanish security forces. Morocco never opened a probe, the group said. "At the Moroccan side of the border, and as a result of the cooperation between the two countries, Moroccan authorities continue preventing Black sub-Saharan Africans from reaching Spanish territory to apply for asylum at the border post," AI said in a statement. "What happened in Melilla is a salutary reminder that racist migration policies aimed at fortifying borders and restricting safe and legal routes for people seeking safety in Europe have real and deadly consequences," Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Callamard said in the statement. "It is hard to escape the racialized element of what happened in Melilla and the dehumanizing way in which Black people are treated at Europes borders, when they are living, missing or dead." The organization said 22 bodies from the incident remain in a morgue in Morocco. Chinese efforts to portray their nation in Europe as a safe haven for investment appear to be falling flat. Chinese Premier Li Qiang was in Germany and France this week, promoting post-COVID China as a nation of open institutions operating in a market-oriented, world-class business environment governed by a legal framework that safeguards the rights and interests of foreign companies. Yet a record-high 64% of surveyed China-based European companies reported that doing business in China became more difficult in 2022, according to the latest survey released by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. The chambers survey found European companies confidence in the Chinese market is at a record low with 30% of respondents reporting that year-on-year revenue decreased in 2022, and one in 10 respondents reporting they have already shifted, or plan to shift, their Asia headquarters or business unit headquarters out of mainland China. An American Chamber of Commerce survey released earlier this year showed that the investment enthusiasm of American businesses in China has cooled as well. Jens Eskelund, president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China, who is based in Beijing, said at a media briefing on June 21 that the most recent survey is a signal to Beijing that conversations about governance are needed. "China has now for the majority of our companies dropped out as a top three destination for European investment, he said. If you look at the very near term, it's actually worse than that. We have 53% of our respondents, who tell us that they do not have any plan for increasing their investments during the present year. The pessimistic outlook stands in contrast to hopeful remarks delivered by Li at a banquet Wednesday evening in France. We hope that Chinese and French entrepreneurs will firmly support economic globalization and will work together to maintain the stability and resilience of the supply chain between China, France and Europe, he said. The EU survey was conducted over five weeks in February and March and obtained 570 replies from senior executives of European business member companies, accounting for 46% of the total number of members. Among the respondents, 80% have lived in China for more than 10 years. The survey shows 75% of the respondents have actively strengthened the flexibility of their supply chains in the past two years. Of this group, 12% said that their company has moved the relevant production line investment out of China, with many production lines gradually moving to countries in South or Southeast Asia. As many as 59% of the respondents said that their operations were affected by Chinese politics last year, and they expect this to continue this year. In particular, 26% of the respondents believe that boycotts by Chinese consumers have affected their operations and brought challenges. Of the respondents, 63% said market access was an issue, as are regulatory barriers. More than 60% of European companies said that if the Chinese market provides greater access opportunities, they will expand investment in China. Eskelund said, We have this whole ambiguity or lack of clarity of where is it actually that China is going, and I think what a lot of companies are perceiving is that there is a little bit of mixed messaging from the Chinese government. He said that at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China last year, the CCP repeatedly emphasized national security and self-sufficiency, but at the National People's Congress in March, the government repeatedly declared that it would expand opening up and attract foreign investment. The contradictory policy declarations make it difficult for European companies to figure out if China still welcomes foreign investment. Darson Chiu, a research fellow at the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research in Taipei, told VOA Mandarin, "Many of (Chinese President) Xi Jinpings policies are unfriendly to foreign businesses. As a result of US-China tensions and some of Chinas strict controls on both foreign and domestic manufacturers, foreign investors have lost confidence." When major multinationals urge their contract manufacturers, including Taiwanese-owned factories, to move their production lines out of China, that means foreign investors have insufficient confidence in the Chinese market, he said. He added that hopes for a rebound will depend on whether China can attract foreign business with new market demand. Chiu also said that China is suffering from excessive inventory and high local government debt. These are the result of excessive investment in production capacity and fiscal measures taken to stimulate its economy following the draconian lockdowns dictated by anti-COVID-19 policies. Although China lifted the lockdown in December, the economic recovery remains weak. Chiu said that judging from the double-digit year-on-year decline in China's export orders to Taiwan for five consecutive months from January to May this year, the Chinese economy has not yet started to rebound. Wang Xin, president of the Charigo Center for International Economic Cooperation in Beijing, said that despite some difficulties, China's economic growth trajectory has not changed. He said in an email to VOA Mandarin, "Amid the headwinds facing the world economy, European and American companies are unsure about the future outlook. They may have limited options. China's overall opening-up policy and goals have not and cannot be changed." Wang said if European and American companies leave China, they will miss future opportunities. China will be introducing more policies to retain foreign businesses, he said, but in the meantime, the best way to attract foreign investors is to maintain social stability and keep the opening policy unchanged. Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report Amid regional tensions with China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is planning its first joint military drill, finalizing on Thursday the location in Indonesia's South Natuna Sea, according to the Indonesian military. At the 20th ASEAN Chief of Defense Forces Meeting in Bali on June 7, 10 ASEAN military chiefs agreed to conduct routine joint training and coordinated patrols in waters of the South China Sea involving their army, naval and special forces from Sept. 18-25, despite skepticism from member state Cambodia. The site was moved because several ASEAN member nations are in territorial disputes with China over the resource-rich South China Sea, according to Reuters. "This exercise is focused not on combat, so it is best suited for the south that is in direct contact with the people," said Indonesian military spokesperson Rear Admiral Julius Widjojono, adding that the drills will be held in and around Batam island at the mouth of the Malacca Strait, another strategic waterway for world trade. On Monday, the Indonesian military gathered with ASEAN military delegates in the Indonesian capital city of Jakarta to discuss preparations for the exercises, including scenarios, equipment to be used and the drill's location, according to a military press release. The ASEAN exercise, named Solidarity, will be held as China is asserting its claim to areas of the South China Sea that are also claimed by Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines, all ASEAN member states. This year, Indonesia holds the rotating chair of the regional bloc. "China believes that defense and security cooperation between countries needs to be conducive to regional peace and stability. They should not escalate tensions or undermine trust between countries, still less target any third party," the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, told VOA on June 12. ASEAN members Cambodia and Myanmar, which maintain close ties with China, did not participate in the planning conference on Monday, according to an Indonesian military spokesperson, Rudy Hernawan. Mohamad Rosyidin, an international relations analyst from Diponegoro University in Semarang, Central Java, said the original location for the military drill in the South China Sea could have deterred participation by some ASEAN countries. Cambodian General Vong Pisen, commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodia Armed Forces, released a statement earlier this month saying that Cambodia had formed a working group to study the proposal for a combined drill before seeking approval to participate from the Defense Ministry. Rosyidin said he doubts Cambodia will participate in the drill, citing the country's perceived closeness to China. China says most of the South China Sea, or approximately 90% of the 3 million-square-kilometer South China Sea, lies within the "nine-dash line" that it views as a maritime border. The U.S. has responded to China's claims on the South China Sea by vowing to protect and preserve the rules-based maritime order along with ASEAN and the East Asia Summit. "The People's Republic of China has failed to put forth a lawful, coherent maritime claim in the South China Sea (SCS), and the United States therefore rejects all PRC maritime claims within Indonesia's exclusive economic zone," said a U.S. State Department spokesperson in an email to VOA on Tuesday. "Freedom of the seas and adherence to international law in the South China Sea are vital interests for the entire international community, including international organizations like ASEAN," the spokesperson said. "Together we seek the protection and preservation of respect for international law, lawful unimpeded commerce, and freedoms of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea." In the past, ASEAN nations have participated in naval exercises with other countries, including the United States and China, but the September drills would be the first involving just the bloc. Although some may see the exercise as a signal to China, Indonesia's military chief implied the drills would not be a show of ASEAN's military might. "ASEAN is not a defense pact," said Admiral Yudo Margono at a news conference in Bali on June 6. "The drill will focus instead on disaster relief, search and rescue activities, followed by community service. The Indonesian military hopes to collaborate [with ASEAN countries] to create regional security. If we can achieve security and stability in the region, we can secure the air and sea trade routes which will then ensure people's welfare." Widjojono, the military spokesperson, said that the military drill was related to the "high risk of disaster in Asia, especially Southeast Asia." "The joint military drill will be a great opportunity for Southeast Asian military to better mitigate natural disasters and improve their disaster preparedness, he said. So when a disaster occurs in one country, their neighboring country can offer their assistance quicker." Some information in this report came from Reuters. U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called on Pakistan to act to ensure that its territory is not used to launch extremist attacks, the White House said in a joint statement. "They strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks," the White House said. Relations between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan have been fraught for years. Since British colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent ended in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two of them over the Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. India has for years accused Pakistan of helping Islamist militants who have battled Indian security forces in its part of Kashmir since the late 1980s. Pakistan denies the accusation and says it only provides diplomatic and moral support for Kashmiris seeking self-determination. The special status given to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked in 2019 when New Delhi split it into two federally controlled territories. Pakistan calls the moves illegal and wants them rolled back. India's decision led the two countries to downgrade their diplomatic ties. "President Biden and Prime Minister Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen," the joint statement said. Hafiz Saeed, founder of the Islamist militant Lashkar-e-Taiba group, is blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which killed more than 160 people over three days, beginning the evening of Nov. 26. "They [Biden and Modi] called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice," the joint statement said. In the 2016 attack on India's Pathankot air base, seven Indian security personnel were killed. President Joe Biden on Thursday doubled down on comments he made earlier this week likening Chinese President Xi Jinping to a dictator. Asked about the comments during a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, Biden said his blunt statements regarding China were just not something Im going to change very much. He made another indirect criticism of the Chinese system of government, saying that a fundamental reason he believes the U.S.-China relationship is not in the same place as the U.S.-India relationship "is that theres an overwhelming respect for each other because we're both democracies. He downplayed the impact of his words on already tense U.S.-China ties and said he still expected to meet with Xi soon. On Wednesday, a senior administration official said in a statement sent to VOA, It should come as no surprise that the president speaks candidly about China and the differences that we have. We are certainly not alone in that. At a California fundraiser for his 2024 presidential campaign on Tuesday, Biden said Xi was taken by surprise when a suspected Chinese spy balloon drifted across the continental United States before the U.S. military shot it down in February. Thats whats a great embarrassment for dictators, when they didnt know what happened, Biden said. When it got shot down, he was very embarrassed. He denied it was even there. Bidens splashy designation of Xi as a dictator just days prior to extending the honor of an official state visit to Modi was well-timed, said Michael Butler, associate professor of political science at Clark University. While the Modi visit is clearly indicative of the Biden administrations grand strategy to court India as a counterweight to China, the presidents remark can be seen both as an attempt to highlight Indian democracy as well as, more cynically, to soft-pedal Modi's prominent assaults on it, Butler said. China responds Chinas Foreign Ministry hit back at the dictator remark, saying Bidens comment had seriously violated Chinas political dignity and amounted to public political provocation. The relevant remarks by the U.S. side are extremely ridiculous and irresponsible. They seriously violate basic facts, diplomatic protocol and China's political dignity, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at her Wednesday briefing. "China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to this." The press is usually forbidden from recording a U.S. presidents fundraising events, but the White House provided a transcript of Bidens remarks. The comments were especially notable as they were made a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing to try to repair bilateral relations that have hit a historic low. Washington postponed Blinkens visit, originally scheduled for February, after the balloon was destroyed. While Blinkens visit failed to produce any major breakthrough, he and Xi agreed to stabilize the U.S.-China rivalry so it does not veer into conflict. The State Department rejected the notion that Bidens comments were counterproductive to his top diplomats efforts. We will continue to responsibly manage this relationship, maintain open lines of communication with the PRC, but that, of course, does not mean we will not be blunt and forthright about our differences, department spokesperson Vedant Patel said in his briefing Wednesday. We have been very clear about the areas in which we disagree, including the clear differences we see when it comes to democracies and autocracies, he added. Bidens comments brought renewed focus on the balloon incident that administration officials have sought to put behind them since the president signaled a thaw in relations in May, following a meeting between White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and top Communist Party diplomat Wang Yi. Domestic pressure Biden is facing domestic pressure from Republicans in Congress who have sought to portray his administration as weak on China and have characterized efforts to mend ties with Beijing as tantamount to appeasement. The Biden administration is holding back U.S. national security actions to chase fruitless talks with the CCP, Representative Michael McCaul, Republican chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement, referring to the Chinese Communist Party. Last week a group of Republican senators sent a letter to Biden urging a public accounting of his administrations assessment of the suspected spy balloon and expressing frustration with its failure to confront Chinas brazen threats to Americas security and sovereignty. Republicans won't let it go because it provides them with extra ammunition, said Michael Swaine, a senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Youve got sniping going on in the party, people in Congress who think they know better about how to manage the relationship, when they don't, he told VOA. Rising tensions The bitter rhetoric shows how challenging it is to bring down tensions and jump-start communications between the two rivals. "If the engagements we're seeing are then followed by such direct criticisms from very senior officials, I think the Chinese side is going to ask what the point of the engagement is in the first place, said Zack Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. I do think there's going to be probably some pretty difficult conversations between Beijing and Washington over the next few days and the next few weeks, Cooper told VOA. Moscow also condemned Biden's comments. On Wednesday, the Kremlin said the comments reflected the U.S. administrations unpredictable foreign policy. "This is a very contradictory manifestation of U.S. foreign policy, which points to a significant element of unpredictability," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. 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 and 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. The Carter Center was already a decade into its fight against Guinea worm globally when former President Jimmy Carter and his nonprofit took on another neglected tropical disease in the African nation of Mali. From 1996 to 1998, it was estimated about 85,000 to 90,000 people would go blind from trachoma, said Kelly Callahan, director of the Carter Centers trachoma control program. Twenty-five[%] to 50% of the children between the ages of 1 and 9, in all areas of Mali, suffered from the beginning stages of this disease. It was a statistic Callahan said troubled Carter. The Hilton Foundation asked President Carter and the Carter Center if we would be willing to consider working on sanitation and water to combat this disease called trachoma in Mali and Niger, she said. The nonprofit foundation has been working to prevent avoidable blindness for more than 20 years. The Carter Center set a goal of eliminating the disease in both countries. Trachoma can be transmitted through infected discharge from the eyes and nose. This disease is preventable, Callahan explained to VOA during a recent Skype interview. It is a bacterial infection that stems from access, or lack of access, to water and sanitation, poor living conditions, socioeconomically stressed populations. Since 1998, the Carter Center and its partners have funded and staffed programs with host nations to develop widespread strategies to treat and prevent infections, even during Malis recent armed conflict and continuing instability. In May, the World Health Organization certified that the countries of Benin and Mali had eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Six countries in Africa have reached that milestone. The Carter Center believes its program in Mali has helped avert blindness in more than 5 million people, and the antibiotics used to combat trachoma also help prevent infant mortality, the center said. The elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is no less than Herculean, Callahan told VOA. Sadi Moussa, the Carter Centers senior representative in Mali who spoke to VOA via Skype, said he believed the success of his organizations program to eliminate trachoma could boost efforts to combat other neglected tropical diseases, like Guinea worm. Working in an unstable country like this is really challenging for everyone, Moussa said. This will also help us with donors to show them that we are serious in what we are doing, and we can convince them to get more resources. While Carter has retired from public life and is receiving hospice care at his home in Plains, Georgia, Callahan said the center keeps him up to date on the status of its health programs, including recent developments in Mali. We heard that President Carter was thrilled beyond belief, so were very excited that he knows, Callahan said, adding that while Malis elimination milestone is important, the Carter Centers work in Africa is far from over. Currently, we work in five countries, including Mali. Those countries have the worst known trachoma in the world and are also areas of severe challenges and insecurity and are areas of conflict, she said. The World Health Organization said trachoma remains in 23 countries throughout Africa, with approximately 105 million people on the continent living in areas at high risk for infection. After state lawmakers have repeatedly killed bills that would require Nebraska employers to provide paid sick leave in recent years, advocates are now turning to voters in a bid to make the policy law. A coalition of advocates filed an initiative petition with the Nebraska Secretary of States Office on Thursday in an effort to get the question in front of voters in November 2024. The measure would require businesses with fewer than 20 employees to provide at least five paid sick days per year, while businesses with 20 or more employees would have to provide at least seven paid sick days per year. Employers would be required to provide the baseline five days or 40 hours to full- and part-time employees, said Omaid Zabih, a senior strategy director for the nonprofit Nebraska Appleseed, which will join in coalition with more than a dozen organizations to collect the required signatures once the initiative is approved by Secretary of State Bob Evnen. The policy won't cover county, state or federal employees, Zabih said. "No Nebraskan should have to choose between supporting their family or themselves or their paycheck," he said. "We want to be able to ensure that workers across the state have a baseline set of policies around paid sick leave where they can safely take time off to take care of themselves or their family without losing any income." The coalition will need to submit a number of signatures equal to 7% of registered voters in the state, including 5% of voters in 38 of Nebraskas 93 counties. Advocates will have until July 2024 to gather the requisite signatures. Zabih said the measure would provide a codified baseline of sick leave for workers in Nebraska at least 250,000 of whom don't have it, he said while addressing a need that became increasingly visible in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nebraska's Department of Labor surveyed state businesses amid the pandemic in 2020 and found that 64.5% of responding businesses reported offering paid sick leave to some or all of their full-time employees, while 22% offered paid sick leave to part-time employees, according to an April 2021 report. More than 95% of active job seekers who responded to the labor department's survey indicated that paid sick leave was at least somewhat important when weighing benefits, according to the report. Nebraska employers in four industries accommodation and food services, construction, educational services and transportation and warehousing were the least likely to offer paid sick leave, even to full-time employees. More than half of responding businesses in each of those four industries reported they offer no paid sick leave to full-time employees, according to the report. "This has been an issue (in) the state Legislature there have been bills introduced but, unfortunately, they've never been able to be passed," Zabih said. "And so I think we thought it was time to take this to the people of Nebraska in 2024." The effort comes two years after Omaha Sen. Tony Vargas sponsored a bill that would have required employers with four or more employees to provide at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, the Omaha World-Herald reported. The sick and safe leave provided in Vargas' proposal (LB241) could be used for an employees illness, a family members illness or absences needed to deal with domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. Employees could not take more than 40 hours of such leave in a year, unless the employer opted to allow more. Supporters of LB241 argued that paid sick leave laws passed in other states have improved worker productivity and retention without significant impacts on wages and employment. The bill faced opposition from a long list of business groups, including the Nebraska, Omaha and Lincoln chambers of commerce, the National Federation of Independent Businesses and groups representing bankers, grocers, retailers and restaurants. Top Journal Star photos for June 2023 The U.S. Coast Guard says it remains focused on the search for debris of the Titan submersible and has yet to launch an official investigation into the vessels disappearance and implosion. This comes as questions arise about its safety. Authorities confirmed Thursday the submersible suffered a catastrophic implosion near the wreckage of the Titanic, killing all five on board. Responders have rushed equipment to where remains of the Titan were found. Five major fragments of the 6.7-meter Titan were located in the debris field left from its disintegration, including the vessel's tail cone and two sections of the pressure hull, Coast Guard officials said. No mention was made of whether human remains were sighted. On Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard said an official investigation has not yet begun because agencies involved were focused on the search and still determining who has the appropriate authority and jurisdiction, according to The Associated Press. Authorities are looking into whether the investigation would be a joint effort or whether it should be carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard or international agencies, the report said. U.S.-based OceanGate Expeditions, which owned and operated the Titan submersible, said in a statement the five people on the vessel were company CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Since the submersible went missing with an approximately four-day air supply questions about its safety have grown. I know there are also a lot of questions about how, why and when did this happen, said Rear Admiral John Mauger of the First Coast Guard District. Those are questions we will collect as much information as we can about now. According to an Associated Press report, David Lochridge, a former OceanGate director of marine operations, raised questions in 2018 about the methods the company used to ensure the structural viability of the hull. Filmmaker James Cameron, who directed the 1997 Academy Award-winning film Titanic and has made several dives to the ocean liners wreckage aboard other deep-sea submersibles, said in an interview with the BBC that he was sure an extreme catastrophic event had happened when he heard the submersible had lost communication and navigation. For me, there was no doubt, he said. Cameron told the BBC the news about the air supply and underwater noises was a prolonged and nightmarish charade to provide false hope to the families of the passengers. Cameron said that once a remotely operated vehicle reached the depth of the vessel, it was likely to be found within hours probably within minutes. Arthur Loibl, a passenger on the Titan two years ago, described his trip to the Titanic as a kamikaze operation. The retired German businessman said, 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. Scientist and journalist Michael Guillen, who survived an expedition in 2000 that ran into some challenges, said, "We need to stop, pause and ask this question, why do you want to go to the Titanic and how do you get there safely?" The Titanic was a British ocean liner that sank in the Atlantic Ocean in 1912 with more than 2,200 passengers and crew after striking an iceberg. Some information is from The Associated Press and Reuters. Zambia and its government creditors, including China, have reached a deal to restructure $6.3 billion in loans, the French government announced Thursday on the sidelines of a global finance summit in Paris. The agreement covers loans from countries including France, the U.K., South Africa, Israel and India as well as China Zambia's biggest creditor at $4.1 billion of the total. The deal, announced by officials who spoke anonymously in accordance with the French government's customary practices, may provide a roadmap for how China will handle restructuring deals with other nations in debt distress. The International Monetary Fund approved the deal, meaning it's going to allow Zambia to receive more financing from the institution, the French government said. A representative from the IMF did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Zambia deal came at a summit with more than 50 world leaders, finance officials and activists to discuss ways of reforming a global financial system to better help developing nations struggling with debt, climate change and poverty. Zambia the continent's biggest copper producer became Africa's first coronavirus-era sovereign nation to default when it failed to make a $42.5 million bond payment in November 2020. The debt has prevented the democratic nation from developing economically and taking on new projects. Experts have said such prolonged debt crises can send nations deeper into poverty and joblessness and exclude them from the credit they need to rebuild. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who is attending the summit, welcomed news of the Zambia deal. She visited Lusaka in January to meet with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and bring attention to the ramifications of its debt crisis. "I saw firsthand how the weight of default and a stalled debt restructuring process can bring suffering to ordinary families and hold back economic growth," Yellen said. She urged both official and private-sector creditors to quickly finalize debt restructuring to "encourage the private investment that is needed to jump-start the economy." Full details of the deal weren't announced. The French officials said Zambia's debt would be reorganized over 20 years, with a three-year grace period. It also includes a clause aimed at ensuring that Zambia gets similar treatment from private creditors, who hold an additional $6.8 billion in loans to Zambia, but it wasn't clear that those private creditors could be required to do so. "Private creditors know they're going to need to restructure [the debt], they have been warned they'll need to make a similar effort," a French official said. A memorandum of understanding is expected to formalize the deal in the coming weeks. The deal is the second to be agreed under a mechanism called the Group of 20 Common Framework created at the end of 2020 to associate the Paris Club of government creditors and other major economies from the Group of 20, including China, in debt negotiations. The first was struck last year with Chad. Yellen has called for debt overhang in other countries such as Sri Lanka to be addressed as well. A fragile thaw in U.S.-China relations is unlikely to significantly reduce tensions between Seoul and Beijing, experts said. Stalled talks between the worlds two biggest economies were revived when Washington and Beijing agreed over the weekend to maintain high-level communication channels and to stabilize relations that had hit a low point after a suspected Chinese spy balloon flew across the continental U.S. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday at a news briefing that his trip to Beijing on June 18-19 represented progress. But Seouls close alignment with the U.S. on policies aimed at countering what both see as Chinas challenges to a democratic values-based international system has made Beijing increasingly antagonistic toward its neighbor. Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming on June 8 openly criticized Seoul, saying placing wrong bets in the U.S.-China rivalry would lead to many difficulties for South Korea. South Koreas First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin summoned Xing a day later and expressed strong dissatisfaction over his remarks. The South Korean government has made known several times that its position in seeking South Korea-China bilateral relations is based on mutual respect, and China should also put efforts toward that direction, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson told VOAs Korean Service in a phone interview on Tuesday. The Chinese Embassy in Washington told VOAs Korean Service on Wednesday that any response to Seouls comments should be requested from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a news briefing on June 13 there is no point in making an issue out of Xings remarks. He said, A sound and steady China-ROK relationship serves the common interests of both sides. South Koreas official name is the Republic of Korea. 'Premature' to expect improvements Daniel Russel, who served as the assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs during the Obama administration, said, Its premature to conclude that Blinkens trip will produce a sustained improvement in the U.S.-China relations, let alone have an impact on the ROK-China relations. Russel said that Washingtons partners seem to value its efforts to reduce escalating tensions and are confident about Washingtons resolve to push back against coercive and destabilizing behavior of China. Daniel Kritenbrink, assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs, visited Seoul on Wednesday to explain, as a member of the delegation, Blinkens two-day meetings in Beijing. Kritenbrink told Deputy Foreign Minister Choi Youngsam that the U.S. sought to maintain high-level communication channels with China to prevent any miscalculation from leading to an unwanted conflict. He said the U.S. planned to continue its close cooperation with its allies including South Korea to defend a free and open Indo-Pacific and the rules-based international order. South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin, who also met with the assistant secretary of state, said Kritenbrinks Seoul visit demonstrated close Washington-Seoul relations. Dennis Wilder, senior director for East Asia affairs at the White Houses National Security Council during the George W. Bush administration, said diplomatic ties between Washington and Beijing were renewed a bit but still fragile. Military tensions remain high, with the Chinese military aggressively monitoring U.S. air and naval activities in international waters near Chinas coast, he said. In this context, he said, he does not have a great deal of hope that Beijing will become less belligerent in its approaches to the Yoon administration as China is adamantly opposed to many of the policies of the Yoon government. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said in April that the Taiwan issue was not simply a matter between China and Taiwan and that he opposed changing the status quo in Taiwan by using force. China considers self-governing Taiwan as part of its territory and has ramped up its disruption of international navigation in the Taiwan Strait. On June 8, more than 35 Chinese military aircraft made incursions into the Taiwanese air defense zone, prompting the islands military to activate its defense system. China also has repeatedly intruded into South Koreas air defense zone without warning. On June 6, South Korean jets chased away four Chinese and Russian military aircraft from its air defense zones. The incident followed what the U.S. military said was an unsafe maritime move by a Chinese warship that came close to colliding with a U.S. destroyer exercising a freedom of navigation transit in the Taiwan Strait on June 3. In a news conference on Monday, Blinken said that China has not agreed to restore military-to-military channels of communications that would help to avoid miscalculations leading into clashes. Concerned by Chinas increasingly aggressive military actions, the U.S. has been urging its allies and partners, including South Korea, to restrict the sale of high-end semiconductors that China can use to advance its military. "Washington does not expect them to stop taking advantage of business opportunities in China, Wilder said. That said, in those areas of emerging technologies where Washington is trying to halt leakage of key components, such as high-end semiconductors, the United States will want its allies and partners to be alert to any attempts by companies within their border to violate the restrictions. Blinken said in an interview with CBS News on Monday that the U.S. was not trying to hold China back economically, as that would be profoundly against our own interests. However, he said, its not in our interest to provide or sell to China sensitive technology that China is using to advance its own very opaque nuclear weapons program, to build hypersonic missiles, to create technology that can be used for repressive purposes. Kim Hyungjin contributed to this report. The family of the British Pakistani father and son who were among the five people who died on the Titanic tourist submersible expressed "profound grief" at their loss Friday. Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman, 19, were part of the Dawood industrial empire, which has become one of the most profitable in Pakistan. "It is with profound grief that we announce the passing of Shahzada and Suleman Dawood," said a statement from the Dawood Foundation. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers on the Titan submersible," it read, signed by Hussain and Kulsum Dawood, Shahzada's parents. Hussain Dawood is one of Pakistan's richest men, head of the Engro Corporation and chairman of the charity foundation that bears the family name. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. A bloody battle on the front lines in eastern Ukraine. Russian diplomat squats on proposed embassy site vetoed by Australia. Infighting among Russian President's lieutenants. U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi express deep concerns over the conflict in Ukraine. Greeted by cheering crowds and surrounded by journalists, including from his own station, one of Georgias most prominent journalists walked out of prison Thursday hours after being granted a presidential pardon. President Salome Zurabishvili announced Thursday evening that she had pardoned journalist Nika Gvaramia, founder of pro-opposition broadcaster Mtavari Arkhi. Gvaramia, who also is a former member of parliament, has been in prison since May 2022. Zurabishvili announced the pardon in a televised press conference. Later on Twitter, she said: In May 2022, a court convicted Gvaramia of abuse of power related to his work in 2019 as the director of a separate broadcaster, Rustavi 2. He was sentenced to 3 years in jail. The sentence made him the only journalist detained in Georgia over his work. The Georgian Supreme Court rejected Gvaramias appeal on Monday. Gvaramias wife, Sofia Liluashvili, told VOA she was very excited about the pardon. Now, I just dont know what to do. Only thing I know is I am very, very happy, she told VOA late Thursday evening while waiting for her husband outside the prison in Rustavi, Georgia. Liluashvili was at home with friends and her daughter when the president announced the pardon on television. To tell the truth, at that moment, I dont even remember what happened, Liluashvili said. After calling her two sons to tell them the news, one of Liluashvilis friends drove her to the prison, which is outside the capital, Tbilisi. I was not in a condition to drive because I was very much excited, Liluashvili said. Liluashvili said she was grateful for the local and international support for her husbands release. Some critics have said that Gvaramias imprisonment was part of an attempt by the pro-Russian faction of Georgias government to derail the countrys European Union candidacy. Earlier this year, the countrys embassy denied that was the case in response to a question from VOA. Georgia has a free, independent and pluralistic media environment, the Georgian Embassy told VOA. A September 2022 poll from the National Democratic Institute found that 75% of Georgians support EU membership. The EU has said Georgia needs to improve its press freedom record before its candidacy can be approved. Gvaramias release became viewed as a prerequisite for Georgias EU membership. Nikas freedom means a lot for [the] Georgian people, his wife said. This is a very important step for Georgias democracy. Two days before the pardon, the U.S Embassy in Tbilisi published a statement saying it was deeply concerned about the case. William Courtney, senior fellow at the RAND Corporation think tank, wrote on Twitter, President Salome Zurabishvili's pardon helps protect democracy in Georgia, but the Prime Minister and the government continue to weaken it. Press freedom groups have welcomed Gvaramias release. We are thrilled that Nika Gvaramia has been pardoned. He should never have been jailed, and his continued imprisonment stood at odds with the countrys purported commitment to press freedom, Gulnoza Said, who covers Georgia at the Committee to Protect Journalists, said in a statement. Gvaramias colleagues celebrated his pardon as well. Journalist Eka Kvesitadze, who worked with Gvaramia at Mtavari Arkhi, told VOA Thursday evening, It is an extraordinary feeling. Big joy and big relief, she added. Tomorrow will be a different day for all of us. VOA's Georgian Service contributed to this report. 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. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with U.S. and Indian technology executives in Washington on Friday, the final day of a state visit where he agreed to new defense and technology cooperation and addressed challenges posed by China. U.S. President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for Modi on Thursday, declaring after about 2-1/2 hours of talks that their countries' economic relationship was "booming." Trade has more than doubled over the past decade. Biden and Modi gathered with CEOs including Apple's Tim Cook, Google's Sundar Pichai and Microsoft's Satya Nadella. Also present were Sam Altman of OpenAI, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, and Indian tech leaders including Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, and Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, the White House said. "Our partnership between India and the United States will go a long way, in my view, to define what the 21st century looks like," Biden told the group, adding that technological cooperation would be a big part of that partnership. Observing that there were a variety of tech companies represented at the meeting from startups to well established firms, Modi said: "Both of them are working together to create a new world." Modi, who has appealed to global companies to "Make in India," will also address business leaders at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. The CEOs of top American companies, including FedEx, MasterCard and Adobe, are expected to be among the 1,200 participants. Not 'about China' The backdrop to Modi's visit is the Biden administration's attempts to draw India, the world's most populous country at 1.4 billion and its fifth-largest economy, closer amid its growing geopolitical rivalry with Beijing. Modi did not address China directly during the visit, and Biden mentioned China only in response to a reporter's question, but a joint statement included a pointed reference to the East and South China seas, where China has territorial disputes with its neighbors. Farwa Aamer, director for South Asia at the Asia Society Policy Institute, in an analysis note described that as "a clear signal of unity and determination to preserve stability and peace in the region." Alongside agreements to sell weapons to India and share sensitive military technology, announcements this week included several investments from U.S.-firms aimed at spurring semiconductor manufacturing in India and lowering its dependence on China for electronics. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the challenges presented by China to both Washington and New Delhi were on the agenda but insisted the visit "wasn't about China." "This wasn't about leveraging India to be some sort of counterweight. India is a sovereign, independent state," Kirby said at a news briefing, adding that Washington welcomes India becoming "an increasing exporter of security" in the Indo-Pacific. "There's a lot we can do in the security front together. And that's really what we're focused on," Kirby said. Some political analysts question India's willingness to stand up to Beijing over Taiwan and other issues, however. Washington has also been frustrated by India's close ties with Russia while Moscow wages war in Ukraine. Diaspora ties Modi attended a lunch on Friday at the State Department with Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Asian American to hold the No. 2 position in the White House, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In a toast, Harris spoke of her Indian-born late mother, Shyamala Gopalan, who came to the United States at age 19 and became a leading breast cancer researcher. "I think about it in the context of the millions of Indian students who have come to the United States since, to collaborate with American researchers to solve the challenges of our time and to reach new frontiers," Harris said. Modi praised Gopalan for keeping India "close to her heart" despite the distance to her new home, and he called Harris "really inspiring." On Friday evening, Modi will address members of the Indian diaspora, many of whom have turned out at events during the visit to enthusiastically fete him, at times chanting "Modi! Modi! Modi!" despite protests from others. Activists have called for the Biden administration to publicly call out what they describe as India's deteriorating human rights record under Modi, citing allegations of abuse of Indian dissidents and minorities, especially Muslims. Modi leads the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party and has held power since 2014. Biden said he had a "straightforward" discussion with Modi about issues including human rights, but U.S. officials emphasize that it is vital for Washington's national security and economic prosperity to engage with a rising India. Asked during a rare press conference on Thursday what he would do to improve the rights of minorities including Muslims, Modi insisted "there is no space for any discrimination" in his government. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the U.S. Congress; tragedy for the tourist submersible bound for the Titanic and we meet families of migrants lost at sea, plus the final installment of our series about the Uyghur minority in China and their treatment by the Beijing government. Sixteen people have been killed in two attacks in north-central Nigeria in a region struggling with intercommunal violence, the army said. Clashes between nomadic herders and farming communities often flare in Plateau State, which sits on the dividing line between the mostly Muslim north and Nigeria's predominantly Christian south. In the latest violence on Tuesday, half a dozen members of a local farmers self-defense group were killed by gunmen in Riyom district while another 10 people were killed in an attack in Mangu area, an army spokesperson said. "Six lives were lost in Riyom," army Major Ishaku Takwa told AFP on Wednesday. "Another attack took place in some communities in Mangu and 10 persons died." Plateau state assembly member representing Mangu South, Bala Fwangje, said 14 people had been killed in that area. "We heard that about 14 people were killed, houses destroyed, property burnt. I am yet to get the full details," he said. Since May, nearly 200 people have been killed in clashes between the Berom farming communities, who are mainly Christian, and the cattle-breeding communities of Fulani Muslims in the Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Mangu areas of Plateau. It was unclear what triggered the recent attacks in Plateau, but tit-for-tat killings between herders and farmers often spiral into village raids by heavily armed gangs who loot, kidnap and kill villagers. The Plateau crisis is one of the many security challenges facing President Bola Tinubu, who took the helm of Africa's most populous nation at the end of May. Libyan authorities have dismantled a crypto mining operation in the country's west, the prosecution in Tripoli said Thursday, adding that 50 Chinese nationals had been detained. Interior ministry agents searching a farm in Zliten, some 160 kilometers east of the capital, found "minors exploiting significant material capacity to generate virtual currencies with the help of 50 Chinese nationals" who were taken into custody, prosecutors said in a statement. A video shared on the Facebook page of the Tripoli prosecutor's office showed several structures without any windows but dozens of industrial fans, with large quantities of computers and hardware. On Wednesday, prosecutors announced authorities had dismantled another illegal crypto-mining farm in the port city of Misrata, adding it was operated by 10 Chinese nationals. Such sites, which normally operate around the clock, require strong servers, a stable internet connection and expensive equipment. But war-ravaged Libya experiences regular power cuts and irregular internet speeds. According to tech watchdog Digiconomist, mining for bitcoin the world's most popular cryptocurrency requires about 1,150 kWh of electricity. Many countries worldwide have banned crypto mining including China, which had been a global leader in manufacturing virtual currency before forbidding it in June 2021. Libya's central bank banned any transaction in cryptocurrency in 2018, pending legislation to regulate its use in the North African country which is divided between two rival administrations. The departure of a U.N. peacekeeping mission from Mali will strike a "fatal blow" to a peace accord and threaten stability across the region, a coalition of armed groups in the north of the country has warned. But Mali's junta has asked the peacekeeping force, known as MINUSMA, to leave "without delay," a demand that followed years of fraying relations between the U.N. and Bamako's military leadership. "The departure of MINUSMA without a credible alternative would constitute a threat to security in Mali and the whole region," the coalition, called the Permanent Strategic Framework for Peace, Security and Development (CSP-PSD), said in a statement on Wednesday. A spokesman for the junta did not respond to a request for comment. It is not clear if or when MINUSMA will leave. The force has been in the West African country since 2013 after a Tuareg-led separatist insurgency was hijacked by Islamist groups that have gone on to kill thousands of people and control large parts of northern and central Mali. MINUSMA has struggled to contain the Islamist violence, but it has played a role in placating the separatists, who halted their offensive in 2015 with the Algiers Accord. Still, the signatories have been at odds with the junta that consolidated power in two coups in 2020 and 2021. In December, CSP-PSD pulled out of talks, saying it would come back to the table only in a neutral country under international mediation. MINUSMA's mandate runs out on June 30, and it was in talks to extend it before Mali's announcement. Security experts say an orderly departure of 13,000 troops and equipment could take a year at least. There are fears the country - which has burned bridges with Western allies since the coups and turned to Russian private military contractor Wagner Group for help - could slide deeper into chaos if separatist sentiments resurge. The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo made no breakthrough Thursday in EU-hosted emergency talks aimed at defusing tensions around their border. The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said they agree on the need for early elections amid fears of a return to open conflict. Serbia and its former province of Kosovo have been at odds for decades. Their 1998-99 war left more than 10,000 people dead, mostly Kosovo Albanians. Belgrade has refused to recognize Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence. "I think the two leaders understand the severity of the situation," Borrell said after hours of talks each with Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. The two refused to meet face-to-face in Brussels but held separate talks with Borrell. Borrell conceded that they have "different interpretations of the causes and also the facts, consequences and solutions." Tensions flared anew last month after Kosovo police seized local municipality buildings in northern Kosovo, where Serbs represent a majority, to install ethnic Albanian mayors who were elected in a local election that Serbs overwhelmingly boycotted. Serbia has put its troops on the border on the highest state of alert amid a series of recent clashes between Kosovo Serbs on one side and Kosovo police and NATO-led peacekeepers on the other. In recent weeks, NATO has sent in reinforcements. The tensions persisted last week with three stun grenades explosions near Kosovo police stations in the north of the country, while Kosovo Serbs staged protests in front of municipality buildings. Borrell said the EU has repeatedly called on the two sides to help restore calm and return to the negotiating table. "So far all we have been witnessing is just the opposite," he said, reading a written statement to reporters. On the positive side, Borrell said, "we agreed on the need for new elections and discussed in detail the modalities and the steps on how to get there." Reporters were not permitted to ask Borrell questions to understand what those plans might involve. Vucic appeared downbeat. He was unable to say what steps, if any, might be taken in the days and weeks ahead to calm things down. He said that Serbs in Kosovo no longer want to live under "Kurti's terror," and that no face-to-face talks are likely anytime soon. Vucic told reporters that he would not walk away from any talks but said that in his meeting with Borrell and his team, "I also warned that Serbs are in very tough position and do not want to endure the terror they have been forced to endure so far." "There is an open [man] hunt for the Serbs every day," Vucic added. He said that EU officials "have done all in their power but how things will develop depends much less on Borrell than on those who are not interested in de-escalation." Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg vowed that the alliance's peacekeepers "will continue to act impartially." "We have increased our presence and will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo," Stoltenberg said. Just four months ago, Borrell indicated things seem promising. He exited talks with Vucic and Kurti to announce that Serbia and Kosovo had given their tacit approval to a EU-sponsored plan to end months of political crises and help improve their ties longer-term. But the deal unraveled almost immediately as both leaders appeared to renege on commitments that Borrell suggested they had made. Most Australians are wary that China could pose a military threat to the country in the next two decades, according to the latest poll by a respected research organization. The Lowy Institute survey indicates Australians attitudes toward China have warmed slightly over the last 12 months but that suspicions remain. The annual Lowy Institute poll has highlighted Australias complex and often contradictory relationship with China, its biggest trading partner. Results from the latest survey, published Tuesday, indicate Australians have warmed slightly to China over the past year and that a majority are pleased to see high-level political dialogue resume between Canberra and Beijing. However, Australians confidence in Chinese President Xi Jinping remains low. The poll found 75% of respondents believe that Beijing could pose a military threat to Australia. Bilateral relations have improved since the May 2022 election of a left-leaning government in Canberra. Ryan Neelam, director of the Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Program at the Sydney-based Lowy Institute, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that while relations between Beijing and Canberra have stabilized, there are still high levels of suspicion in Australia. When we look at the military threat that Australians perceive over the next two decades three-quarters of Australians still see it likely that China will pose a military threat to Australia, he said. So, it is a leveling off in the decline but there is still a lot of wariness there and there is still a lot of mistrust in how Australians look towards China and its leader. China accounts for more than a quarter of Australias foreign trade. Australias trade with China is worth more than the combined value of its business dealings with Japan, the United States and South Korea. However, in recent years relations between Canberra and Beijing have been soured by political tensions over human rights, the South China Sea and the origins of COVID-19. Diplomatic disagreements were followed by trade disputes, but China has now begun to dismantle restrictions that had been placed on a range of Australian commodities, including coal and timber. The Lowy Institute survey has found that Australias attitudes toward the United States have remained mostly steady. Eighty-two percent of those polled said the decades-old U.S. alliance remained important to Australia's security. Three-quarters of respondents supported providing military aid to Ukraine. The latest Lowy Institute Poll surveyed the views of 2,077 Australian adults in March. Frustration with the rising threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan emerged at a meeting this week of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a defense and economic alliance platform consisting of China, Russia, India, Pakistan and four central Asian nations. Russia and Tajikistan say Afghanistan, which holds an uncertain observer status in the SCO following the Taliban's return to power in 2021, has become a breeding ground for regional terrorist groups. According to our information, terrorist groups such as al-Qaida, Hizb ut-Tahrir, the Islamic Movement of Eastern Turkistan, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, TTP, Jamaat Ansarullah are currently present in Afghanistan and pose serious threats to neighboring countries, said Amirbeg Begnazarov, a representative of Tajikistan, at an event Wednesday jointly hosted by the SCO and the United Nations. He said his nation was very concerned about the concentration of different terrorist groups next to our borders that we've never had before [and it] is increasing day by day. Russia's defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, recently said that the Taliban's return to power had bolstered terrorist organizations operating in Afghanistan, a charge echoed by other highly placed Russians. Vladimir Voronkov, a former Russian diplomat who now heads the U.N. Office of Counter-Terrorism, said this week that Afghanistan had become an epicenter for the dissemination of terrorism under the Taliban. Unlike Russia, China has refrained from making such blistering allegations against the Taliban and has instead actively engaged the isolated Islamist regime. Afghanistan is at a critical phase of transitioning from chaos to order, Zhang Jun, the Chinese permanent representative at the U.N., told a Security Council meeting on Afghanistan on Wednesday. Zhang said the international community should engage with de facto Taliban authorities and help the country achieve stability and economic prosperity. Domestic vs. regional concerns Russia cautiously welcomed the Talibans return to power following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Shy of a formal recognition, Russia has handed over the Afghan Embassy in Moscow to the Taliban. It maintained its diplomatic mission in Kabul until September, when it was attacked. Ten people, including two Russian Embassy staff, were killed and several others injured in the suicide attack claimed by the Islamic State extremist group. The attack prompted Russia to shut its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan, warning about increased terrorism risks originating from the landlocked nation and threatening its Central Asian neighbors where Russian troops are stationed. Within SCO members, differing threat perceptions of particular extremist or separatist groups, political sensitivities and sovereignty concerns, as well as lack of genuine trust among member states, make concrete counterterrorism cooperation very difficult besides some limited information sharing, Jiayi Zhou, an expert at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, told VOA. While Russia is more vocal about terrorism threats it perceives from the Islamic State group, some SCO members see threats from other militant groups allegedly based in Afghanistan, experts say. The trust deficits and divergences within the SCO have resulted in most member countries using bilateral channels to establish ties with the Taliban for geostrategic, geoeconomics and individual security guarantees, said Ayjaz Ahmad Wani, a researcher at the Observer Research Foundation, an Indian policy institute. Pakistan has followed the Chinese lead even while officials say Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, a militant group seeking to overthrow the government in Islamabad, has intensified terrorist attacks from its purported havens inside Afghanistan. Last month, at the 5th China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Dialogue in Islamabad, the parties agreed to promote trilateral cooperation in security, development and political fronts. The SCO as a regional security platform has largely been ineffective, said Zhou, adding that member states have pursued different security and political priorities since the inception of the organization more than two decades ago. Toppled from power in 2001 by a U.S.-led coalition for their alleged support for international terrorism, the Taliban, even after recapturing power in 2021, face terrorism sanctions from many countries. Taliban leaders maintain that they host no terrorist group and do not threaten the security of any nation. Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has urged the U.N. Security Council to lift an arms embargo on the nation, saying it no longer serves its purpose. Some analysts, however, say Somalia is still struggling to ensure arms meant to provide security don't end up in the hands of terrorists. Mohamud told the Security Council on Thursday that his government had put in place sufficient measures to counter the illicit flow of arms. He said the government had established legislation to control the possession, manufacture, storage and use of firearms. I implore you distinguished delegates to support our call for the complete lifting of the arms embargo in Somalia," he said. "By doing so, you will empower us to assert our sovereignty, effectively combat terrorism and build a peaceful and prosperous future for our nation. He noted the situation in Somalia had improved significantly, adding the Somalia of 2023 is not that of 1992, when the Security Council imposed the arms embargo. Call for international help Mohamed El-Amine Souef, chief of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), echoed calls to lift the embargo. He noted there was a need for concerted international efforts to protect gains made over the years and ensure sustained pressure against al-Shabab. We must support SSF [Somalia Security Force] leadership, hold liberated areas and take over FOBs [forward operating bases]," he said. "These forces require resources to fight al-Shabab and stabilize newly liberated areas. This calls for the lifting of the arms embargo on Somalia. Somalia is in the middle of a military operation against al-Shabab. The federal government has said it is on course to launch the second phase of the offensive dubbed Operation Black Lion. Unlike the first phase, which involved the Somali army and clan militia, the second phase will enlist the support of additional troops from Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti following an agreement among the countries in January. Matt Bryden, chairman of Sahan, a policy and security research organization on the Horn of Africa, said that while the lifting of the embargo would be a positive step for Somalia as it tries to affirm its sovereignty, there is no concrete evidence it will change the security dynamics in the country. It's not clear that lifting the arms embargo would actually change the situation or allow the government to improve its military position," he said. "There are already exemptions for the government to receive military assistance, and there are only a few remaining restrictions on the types of weapons that it can procure. Skepticism on lifting embargo Bryden said the Somali government couldn't afford high-caliber weapons, even if the embargo was lifted. He added that despite the expression of opposition to the embargo by countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia, they remain apprehensive that weapons could still fall into the wrong hands. He noted that even at the Security Council, where Africa is represented by three countries, the position of the African Union is still against the removal of the embargo. I think the concerns of regional countries, the neighbors, Somalia's neighbors, about lifting the arms embargo are principally that the federal government doesn't control either the land borders or the maritime borders of Somalia," he said. "And so, there is a concern that weapons would continue to enter Somalia freely, as they do even under the terms of the arms embargo. Samira Gaid, an independent security analyst in Mogadishu, told VOA the removal of the arms embargo was more critical at the moment, as Somalia battles al-Shabab militants. The country is in war against a terror group. It needs all the capacities that it can achieve to take on this group and fight this group and eliminate it from Somali territory," she said. "So, the prevailing situation, really security situation, argues for a lifting of this arms embargo. But Gaid said the Security Council was not likely to lift the embargo soon. She argued that unless a clear road map was developed between Somalia and the council, the embargo would still be in place for some time. Political questions Analysts also have raised concerns about political disputes in Somalia and how they could work against an appeal for the lifting of the arms embargo. Ismail Omar Dalmar, a political analyst with Linking Governance, a policy strategy consultancy in Mogadishu, said that while Mohamud has expressed a political will, political disputes, especially in Puntland and Somaliland, could undermine the presidents plea to the Security Council. The council imposed the embargo on Somalia in 1992 following the collapse of the central government and subsequent civil war. In March 2013, the council, through Resolution 2093, relaxed the embargo to allow the Somali government to acquire a specific caliber of weapons for the development of its security forces and protection of its citizens. The embargo, now in its third decade, has been described as the longest-running arms restriction in the history of the Security Council. Residents of the city of Kadugli in southwestern Sudan began fleeing the city Thursday as tensions escalated between the army and a powerful rebel group, threatening to open another area of conflict in the country's ongoing war, witnesses said. Mobilization around Kadugli, capital of South Kordofan state, and an escalation of fighting in Darfur come after nearly 10 weeks of fighting focused in the capital, Khartoum, between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The United States and Saudi Arabia adjourned talks they had been facilitating in Jeddah, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee said at a congressional hearing in Washington. "The format is not succeeding in the way that we want," she said, after a series of violated ceasefire agreements. Since mid-April the war has uprooted more than 2.5 million people from their homes and threatened to destabilize neighboring countries suffering from a combination of conflict, poverty and economic pressures. In the fighting between the army and the RSF, army air strikes on Thursday morning hit areas of southern Khartoum and Omdurman, and the RSF responded with anti-aircraft weaponry, residents said. Escalation in the west The army on Wednesday accused the SPLM-N rebel group led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, which controls parts of South Kordofan state, of breaking a long-standing cease-fire agreement and attacking an army unit in the city. The army said it had fought back the incursion but sustained losses. South Kordofan has Sudan's main oil fields and borders West Darfur State as well as South Sudan. The SPLM-N, which has strong ties to South Sudan, also attacked the army in the South Kordofan city of al-Dalanj on Wednesday, as did the RSF, residents said. Residents of Kadugli said the army had redeployed forces to protect its positions in the city Thursday, while the SPLM-N was gathering in areas on the outskirts. There were electricity and communications outages as well as dwindling food and medical supplies, they said. The war has also brought an eruption of violence in Darfur, with the West Darfur city of El Geneina worst hit. In Al Fashir, capital of North Darfur, the army and the RSF clashed violently, including around the main market, after having deployed across the city Thursday, witnesses said. Nyala, capital of South Darfur and one of Sudan's largest cities, has also seen clashes between the army and RSF in recent days, amid electricity and communications blackouts. Both cities had been relatively calm after locally negotiated truces. U.S. President Joe Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, is traveling to Denmark this weekend to participate in a meeting about Ukraine, which may include some countries that have refused to condemn the invasion. The talks in Copenhagen are being organized by Ukraine "to discuss basic principles of peace," a U.S. official said Friday. India, South Africa and Brazil were among the countries invited but it was unclear yet whether they were attending, a source familiar with the matter said. India and South Africa have not condemned the invasion. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in April condemned the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity by Russia and again called for mediation to end the war. Western countries that back the war also have been invited. The U.S. official said Ukraine invited a variety of countries and Denmark agreed to host the meeting in Copenhagen. It will include national security advisers and political directors from various countries invited. The session is considered an informal gathering and not a formal summit. No specific outcomes or joint communiques are expected to come out of it. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a state visit to Washington, discussed the Ukraine war with U.S. President Joe Biden in talks on Thursday. His country has been reliant on Russian oil. A joint statement from the two leaders said Biden and Modi expressed their "deep concern over the conflict in Ukraine and mourned its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences." "Both countries further pledge to render continuing humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. They called for respect for international law, principles of the UN charter, and territorial integrity and sovereignty. Both countries concurred on the importance of post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine," their statement said. Weather forecasters issued tropical storm warnings Friday for Barbados, Dominica, Martinique, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as Tropical Storm Bret bore down on the eastern Caribbean. St. Lucia Prime Minister Philip Pierre has encouraged the islands residents to Protect your lives, property and livelihoods. The National Hurricane Center said early Friday that the center of Bret is over the Eastern Caribbean Sea, resulting in heavy rains and strong winds over portions of the Winward Islands. Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, encouraged people to go to a government shelter if they believed their homes could not withstand the strong winds and heavy rains. Rainfall from Bret could reach 7.5-15 centimeters and possibly reach as high as 25 centimeters across portions of the Lesser Antilles from Guadeloupe south through St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including Barbados, according to the NHC. Information collected from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft revealed that Bret is moving with maximum sustained winds near 95 kph. NHC says Bret is expected to gradually weaken and will likely dissipate over the Caribbean Sea this weekend. Allies of Ukraine pledged tens of billions of dollars in grants and loans to help rebuild the country following Russias invasion, at a conference in London this week. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian homes, schools, hospitals, factories and public buildings have been destroyed by invading Russian forces, through shelling, missile strikes and the deliberate targeting of its infrastructure. Fields have been mined; road and rail links cut off; and most recently, the Kakhovka dam was blown up, creating an environmental disaster. The World Bank recently put the cost of reconstruction at $411 billion after a year of conflict, which equates to three times Ukraines annual economic output. Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressed the Ukraine Recovery Conference Wednesday by video link from Kyiv. There is currently no place in a world where there is a need to construct and rebuild as many objects as in Ukraine. Every new day of Russian aggression brings new ruins, Zelenskyy said. The president promised to strengthen democracy in Ukraine. Russia invaded Ukraine not only to steal our land, or to steal our resources and people. It's obvious that without Ukraine there can be no Russian empire. And it is equally obvious that Russian bosses are very, very afraid of our democracy. Why? Because democracy paves the way for the rule of law, getting rid of corruption, and to the key principle of the conference - every person matters, Zelenskyy told the delegates in London. The European Union pledged an additional $55 billion in loans and grants at the conference on top of the $30 billion given to Ukraine last year. Britain pledged $3 billion, while the United States is to give a further $1.3 billion in recovery aid. The new funds are an addition to the approximately $63 billion in U.S. assistance provided to Ukraine since February of last year, according to a State Department fact sheet on the conference. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the priority was to restore Ukraines infrastructure. We're going to invest over $520 million to help Ukraine overhaul its energy grid. More than half of which, as you've heard, has been destroyed by Russia. And in so doing, make it cleaner, make it more resilient, make it more integrated with Europe, 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. A democracy rooted in the rule of law, he added. The investment pledges are a good start but more will be needed, says analyst Orysia Lutsevych of Londons Chatham House. I would say that it is a good result because there are some tangible pledges, especially the announcement from the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of $50 billion over four years, where Ukraine will have a line item in the European Union budget. But also, what we've heard from many foreign ministers, from France and Germany and Italy, that Ukraine will be a member of the European Union. And that is a very strong signal to the private sector, Lutsevych told VOA. Britain said it would support fast-tracked NATO membership for Ukraine. The conference also laid out a blueprint for a new more democratic future. Ukraines recovery is about more than repairing the physical damage, says Lutsevych. Ukraine must come out of this war a stronger society, a better government, a more modern economy than before the war. This is the vision Ukrainian people have for the sacrifice that they pay - and keep paying. People want to make sure that there is justice and anti-corruption - and that citizens, communities, volunteers are included in shaping the recovery plans at the local level, she told VOA. The huge economic and human costs of Russias invasion continue to rise each day as the war grinds on. Ukraine continues to fight Moscows forces, even as it plans for a new future. LE BOURGET, France (AP) Just a dot on the horizon at first, the bug-like and surprisingly quiet electrically-powered craft buzzes over Paris and its traffic snarls, treating its doubtless awestruck passenger to privileged vistas of the Eiffel Tower and the city's signature zinc-grey rooftops before landing him or her with a gentle downward hover. And thus, if all goes to plan, could a new page in aviation history be written. After years of dreamy and not always credible talk of skies filled with flying, nonpolluting electric taxis, the aviation industry is preparing to deliver a future that it says is now just around the corner. Capitalizing on its moment in the global spotlight, the Paris region is planning for a small fleet of electric flying taxis to operate on multiple routes when it hosts the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games next summer. Unless aviation regulators in China beat Paris to the punch by greenlighting a pilotless taxi for two passengers under development there, the French capital's prospective operator Volocopter of Germany could be the first to fly taxis commercially if European regulators give their OK. Volocopter CEO Dirk Hoke, a former top executive at aerospace giant Airbus, has a VVIP in mind as his hoped-for first Parisian passenger none other than French President Emmanuel Macron. "That would be super amazing," Hoke said, speaking this week at the Paris Air Show, where he and other developers of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft or eVTOLs for short competed with industry heavyweights for attention. "He believes in the innovation of urban air mobility," Hoke said of Macron. "That would be a strong sign for Europe to see the president flying." But with Macron aboard or not, those pioneering first flights would still be just small steps for the nascent industry that has giant leaps to make before flying taxis are muscling out competitors on the ground. The limited power of battery technology restricts the range and number of paying passengers they can carry, so eVTOL hops are likely to be short and not cheap at the outset. And while the vision of simply beating city traffic by zooming over it is enticing, it also is dependent on advances in airspace management. Manufacturers of eVTOLs aim in the coming decade to unfurl fleets in cities and on more niche routes for luxury passengers, including the French Riviera. But they need technological leaps so flying taxis don't crash into each other and all the other things already congesting the skies or expected to take to them in very large numbers including millions of drones. Starting first on existing helicopter routes, "we'll continue to scale up using AI, using machine-learning to make sure that our airspace can handle it," said Billy Nolen of Archer Aviation Inc. It aims to start flying between downtown Manhattan and Newark's Liberty Airport in 2025. That's normally a 1-hour train or old-fashioned taxi ride that Archer says its sleek, electric 4-passenger prototype could cover in under 10 minutes. Nolen was formerly acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. regulator that during his time at the agency was already working with NASA on technology to safely separate flying taxis. Just as Paris is using its Olympic Games to test flying taxis, Nolen said the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics offer another target for the industry to aim for and show that it can fly passengers in growing numbers safely, cleanly and affordably. "We'll have hundreds, if not thousands, of eVTOLs by the time you get to 2028," he said in an interview with The Associated Press at the Paris show. The "very small" hoped-for experiment with Volocopter for the Paris Games is "great stuff. We take our hats off to them," he added. "But by the time we get to 2028 and beyond ... you will see full-scale deployment across major cities throughout the world." Yet even on the cusp of what the industry portrays as a revolutionary new era kicking off in the city that spawned the French Revolution of 1789, some aviation analysts aren't buying into visions of eVTOLs becoming readily affordable, ubiquitous and convenient alternatives to ride-hailing in the not-too-distant future. And even among eVTOL developers who bullishly talked up their industry's prospects at the Paris show, some predicted that rivals will run dry of funding before they bring prototypes to market. Morgan Stanley analysts estimate the industry could be worth $1 trillion by 2040 and $9 trillion by 2050 with advances in battery and propulsion technology. Almost all of that will come after 2035, analysts say, because of the difficulty of getting new aircraft certified by U.S. and European regulators. "The idea of mass urban transit remains a charming fantasy of the 1950s," said Richard Aboulafia of AeroDynamic Advisory, an aerospace consultancy. "The real problem is still that mere mortals like you and I don't get routine or exclusive access to $4 million vehicles. You and I can take air taxis right now. It's called a helicopter." Still, electric taxis taking to Paris' skies as Olympians are going faster, higher and stronger could have the power to surprise pleasantly so, Volocopter hopes. One of the five planned Olympic routes would land in the heart of the city on a floating platform on the spruced-up River Seine. Developers point out that ride-hailing apps and E-scooters also used to strike many customers as outlandish. And as with those technologies, some are betting that early adopters of flying taxis will prompt others to try them, too. "It will be a total new experience for the people," said Hoke, Volocopter's CEO. "But twenty years later someone looks back at what changed based on that and then they call it a revolution. And I think we are at the edge of the next revolution." ___ Photos of the 2024 Olympics, Paralympics mascots Poland hosts about half a million school-aged Ukrainian refugee children. Many high school graduates outside their homeland choose to take Ukraines final state exam, which is mandatory for applying to Ukrainian universities and sometimes accepted by European ones. After the war started, the test was held in Ukraine and locations abroad. Lesia Bakalets has the story from Warsaw, Poland. Video: Daniil Batushchak Here is a fast take on what the international community has been up to this past week, as seen from the United Nations perch. Russia named on UN blacklist of violators of children The U.N. secretary-general has named Russia in his annual report that lists perpetrators of grave violations against children for Moscow's actions in Ukraine, including the killing and maiming of children. In the report, seen by VOA ahead of its expected publication on Tuesday, the U.N. verified the killing of 136 children and the maiming of 518 in Ukraine, attributed to Russian forces and groups affiliated with them from January to December 2022. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, but denies that it is targeting civilians. Humanitarians assisting Kakhovka dam victims in Ukraine Since the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine in early June, dozens of people have died and thousands have been forced to flee their homes. The U.N. is trying to get humanitarian aid into the affected areas. Click on the above headline to watch a report from VOAs Iryna Shynkarenko and Andriy Dubchack on the operations. UN rights chief paints bleak picture of Sudan conflict U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said Wednesday that Sudan is a powder keg that could reverberate across an entire region. Speaking at an informal meeting of the Geneva-based human rights council, Turk said the human rights and humanitarian crisis is unfolding at an alarming rate, on a devastating scale and with a complexity not seen before in Sudan. The country was plunged into chaos on April 15, when fighting erupted between forces loyal to two rival generals. Special rapporteur urges new approach to resolving Myanmar crisis The U.N. special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar said Wednesday that the international community needs to take a different approach to resolve the crisis in that country. Tom Andrews told reporters in Indonesia that the deepening crisis has become invisible to much of the world, which is what the military junta wants. He urged regional bloc ASEAN to consider other options to break the stalemate. Critical year for South Sudans transition The top U.N. 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. Nicholas Haysom, head of the U.N. Mission in South Sudan, told the U.N. Security Council that drafting a new constitution and preparations for elections scheduled for December 2024 are running months behind schedule. No sign Taliban will ease restrictions on Afghan women The United Nations' top official in Afghanistan said Wednesday that 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. 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 and they continue to do so, remotely from their homes. In brief Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called this week on the parties to the Black Sea Grain Initiative to speed up inspections, which have resulted in a slowdown in the movement of ships coming in and out of Ukrainian seaports and a drop in the supply of foodstuffs to international markets. Food exports through the maritime humanitarian corridor have dropped significantly from a high of 4.2 million tons in October 2022 to 1.3 million tons in May, the lowest volume since the initiative began last August. In addition to slowing the registration of new vessels and the inspection of cargo ships, Russia has objected to the use of the Yuzhny/Pivdennyi port in Ukraine, until Kyiv allows Moscow to use an ammonia pipeline that runs from Russia through Ukraine to the Black Sea. The next renewal of the grain deal is scheduled for July 18, and Moscow has again warned that it might not agree to its extension. The secretary-generals special adviser on the prevention of genocide, Alice Nderitu, welcomed the verdict this week by a court in Germany against a former Islamic State member who was found guilty of aiding and abetting genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes for the enslavement and abuse of a young Yazidi woman in the Sinjar region of Iraq in 2014. The 37-year-old female former IS member received a sentence of nine years, three months in prison. It is the third conviction of an IS member for genocide perpetrated against the Yazidi community in Iraq and Syria since August 2014. The U.N. Childrens Fund said in a report this week that families in Lebanon are barely able to meet their most basic needs despite cutting down drastically on expenses. UNICEF estimates that a growing number of families are having to resort to sending their children some as young as 6 years old to work, as the country is stuck in a spiraling economic crisis. UNICEF urged the Lebanese government to make education reforms so all children have access to quality education that will help alleviate the impact of the crisis. Quote of note When deciding on your career, resist the siren calls of companies that are destroying our planet; that are stealing our privacy; and trading in lies and hatred. They will pay a lot but its not the right thing to do. Secretary-General Guterres in remarks Thursday to students at Paris Sciences Po university. International Day of Yoga Wednesday was the International Day of Yoga, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stopped by the U.N. to join a record-breaking yoga session on the compounds North Lawn ahead of his state visit to Washington. Guinness World Records sent an adjudicator to the event organized by the Indian mission to the United Nations. He determined that the hundreds of guests and diplomats participating in the yoga lesson on the lawn represented 135 nationalities, breaking the existing record of 114 at a similar event in Qatar in 2022. Hollywood actor Richard Gere was also in the crowd, stretching and posing. An American aircraft carrier was scheduled to make a port call in Vietnam on Sunday a rare visit by one of the U.S. Navy's biggest ships that comes as Washington and Beijing both step up efforts to bolster ties with Southeast Asian nations. The USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, was scheduled to arrive in Da Nang on June 25 and stay through June 30, making use of a port that was modernized and expanded by the United States during the war in Vietnam, the country's Foreign Ministry announced. It will be only the third such visit by an American aircraft carrier since the end of the hostilities. The visit comes about a month after a Chinese navy training ship made its own port call in Da Nang as part of what it called a goodwill tour that also took it to Thailand, Brunei and the Philippines. Japan's largest destroyer, Izumo, made a port call in Vietnam over the past week, following exercises in the South China Sea with the Reagan, among other American ships. Recently, Vietnam has received visits from naval vessels from different countries, and this time it will be a visit from the USS Ronald Reagan," Vietnam's VnExpress online newspaper quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang as saying. "This is a normal friendly exchange for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in both the region and the world. China is Vietnam's largest trading partner. But, along with a number of other countries in the region, tensions have been high of late over maritime and territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea. Washington, meantime, sees Hanoi as a key component of its strategy for the region and has sought to leverage Vietnams traditional rivalry with its much larger neighbor China to expand U.S. influence in the region. During an April visit, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken broke ground on a sprawling new $1.2 billion U.S. embassy compound in the Vietnamese capital, a project the Biden administration hopes will demonstrate its commitment to further improving ties less than 30 years after diplomatic relations were restored in 1995. Based in Yokosuka, Japan, the USS Ronald Reagan is the only forward-deployed American aircraft carrier. It is scheduled to be replaced in that role next year by the USS George Washington, also a Nimitz-class carrier. The U.S. Justice Department on Friday filed criminal charges against four Chinese chemical manufacturing companies and eight individuals over allegations they illegally trafficked the chemicals used to make fentanyl, a highly addictive painkiller that has fueled the opioid crisis in the United States. The indictments mark the first time the United States has sought to prosecute any of the Chinese companies responsible for manufacturing the precursor chemicals used to make the painkiller. Antony Blinken, who earlier this week made the first visit to China by a U.S. secretary of state in five years, said he made clear that the United States needed much greater cooperation from China on stemming the flow of fentanyl. During the visit, China and the United States agreed to stabilize their intense rivalry so that it did not veer into conflict, but they failed to produce any breakthrough. The mood quickly soured again after U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday referred to Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a dictator. The companies at the heart of the three separate indictments are accused of selling precursor chemicals to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, which in turn has flooded the United States with the drug. The case comes two months after the Justice Department charged leaders of the cartel with running a fentanyl trafficking operation fueled by Chinese chemical companies. Those accused include three sons of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the onetime Sinaloa Cartel leader now imprisoned in the United States. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, the department's No. 2 official, said on Friday the cases "break new ground by attacking the fentanyl supply chain at its origin." "Fentanyl poses a singular threat, not only because the smallest doses can be lethal, but because fentanyl does not occur in nature. It is entirely man-made," she added. The Chinese Embassy did not respond to a request for comment. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan announced the unsealing of an indictment charging the China-based chemical company Hubei Amarvel Biotech and its executives Qingzhou Wang, 35, Yiyi Chen, 31, and Fnu Lnu, also known as Er Yang, with fentanyl trafficking, precursor chemical importation and money laundering offenses. Undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sources posing as fentanyl manufacturers met with Wang and Chen earlier this year and agreed to buy 210 kilograms of fentanyl precursors in exchange for payment in cryptocurrency, authorities said. The DEA retrieved the chemicals from a Los Angeles warehouse in May. Wang and Chen were arrested by DEA agents on June 8 and ordered detained by a federal magistrate judge in Honolulu, Hawaii, on June 9 until they can be transported to New York to appear before the judge handling the case. Yang remains at large. In the Eastern District of New York, meanwhile, prosecutors announced the unsealing of two more indictments against three other Chinese companies and individuals accused of conspiring to manufacture and distribute fentanyl in the United States. Prosecutors said the companies including one called Hebei Sinaloa Trading Co advertised precursor chemicals on social media platforms in Mexico and the United States and used false customs forms and mislabeled packages to ship the chemicals by boat and air. Attorneys for the widow of slain Haitian President Jovenel Moise filed a lawsuit Thursday in Florida against those accused in his assassination, which is still under investigation. The lawsuit, which was first shared with The Associated Press, seeks unspecified damages for Moise's family and a trial by jury in a push to hold the defendants responsible for the president's death. "Whatever assets are out there, we will make sure these people will pay," attorney Paul Turner told the AP. The lawsuit was filed nearly two years after the July 7, 2021, assassination of Moise, who was shot a dozen times at his private home in an attack that also seriously injured his wife, Martine Moise. More than 40 people have been arrested in the case, including a former Haitian senator, an ex-government official who worked at an anti-corruption agency and 18 former soldiers from Colombia. Turner said he believes there are more people involved in the presidential assassination who have not been identified. "We believe there are deep pockets or political power behind this," he said. Eleven suspects are being held in U.S. federal prison as Turner lamented that the case is languishing in Haiti, where four judges appointed to oversee the investigation have been dismissed or resigned for personal reasons. One judge previously told the AP that his family asked him not to take the case because they feared he would be killed. Another judge stepped down after one of his assistants died under murky circumstances. Turner noted that while the U.S. government has kept him and Moise's family abreast of developments in the case, the Haitian government has not shared any information with them, including the inventory of personal assets that belonged to Moise and his family that local authorities seized after he was killed. "We would like to see more transparency," he said. A spokesperson for Haiti's Justice Ministry did not respond to a message seeking comment. The lawsuit filed at a Miami circuit court accuses some of the suspects of causing the president's death and serious injury to his wife. It also alleges 11 other counts including battery, assault, civil conspiracy and intentional infliction of emotional distress, stating that "defendants engaged in extreme and outrageous conduct in conspiring to torture and assassinate President Moise. "The implausible goal upon assassinating President Moise in cold blood was for the co-conspirators to install their own kangaroo government which would then summarily pardon the assassins. Setting aside the sheer insanity of their end game, the assassins succeeded in part," the lawsuit stated. Eleven of the 12 people named in the suit remain in U.S. federal prison, except for one who is under house arrest. Rodolphe Jaar, a Haitian-Chilean businessman who pleaded guilty to helping Colombian mercenaries obtain weapons, was sentenced to life in prison in early June. He is the first person to be convicted and sentenced in the case that has dragged on in Haiti. "The family needs closure," Turner said. "We want every single person who participated in this assassination to be brought to justice." Zambia said it reached a long-awaited deal to restructure $6.3 billion of its debt, including its loans from China, its largest private creditor. Zambia was the first African country to default on its debt during the coronavirus pandemic and analysts say the deal paves the way for developing countries in debt distress. Zambian lawmakers Friday hailed the deal. They were in a jovial mood as they sang the national anthem during a parliamentary session, setting aside their political affiliation to celebrate the agreement. National Assembly Speaker Nelly Mutti congratulated lawmakers in parliament for singing the national anthem with vigor and strength. She joked that even the leader of the opposition joined in the jubilation. Zambians across the country, including online, joined in the celebration. Zambia Defense Minister Ambrose Lufuma welcomed the debt restructuring deal when he addressed lawmakers in parliament Friday and congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema. It is a done deal, Lufuma said. We have fortunately a visionary leader, a leader of commitment, a leader of love, who went through a lot of hardships. Hichilema said on Twitter Thursday that the deal is a major milestone in the countrys journey toward economic recovery and growth. In a statement released in Lusaka Thursday, Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa said under the agreement, the official creditors will provide a debt restructuring plan on Zambias debt-carrying capacity at the end of the fund-supported program. Nkulukusa said the terms of the agreement will be described and formalized in a memorandum of understanding between Zambia and its official creditors. International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, in a statement Thursday, congratulated Zambia on the deal. Having successfully restructured its debt means Zambia will be able to receive another $188 million tranche of money from the IMF. Trevor Simumba, a senior economist with the Economic Association of Zambia, told VOA Friday that the agreement is a game changer for Zambia. Simumba said now the hard work starts to get the $6.8 billion that is still outstanding with private creditors. It signifies a significant step. It signifies that the international community is 100% behind Zambia, and I think its very good news for Zambia, Simumba said. What is important now is to understand that theres going to be a lot of work now that has to go into the nitty gritty of the deal. The Ministry of Finance says Zambia owes China more than $6 billion, while other bond holders are owed $3.5 billion. Government data indicates Zambias total external debt as of the end of 2022 is estimated at $18.6 billion. I keep my passport handy in case I have to leave in a hurry, the Guatemalan journalist said. The journalist works for an independent media outlet that has published reports critical of Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei. In the months leading up to the general election on June 25, journalists, prosecutors and judges have been arrested in what analysts have seen as a deliberate campaign by the government and its allies to silence critical voices. I fear for my own safety. There is an atmosphere of repression in the country now, the unnamed journalist told VOA by telephone. VOA is withholding the journalists location and gender for security reasons. Part of the concerns come from a verdict handed down in June to Jose Ruben Zamora. A court sentenced the high-profile journalist to six years in prison for money laundering in a case that rights groups branded an attack on free speech. 'Political persecution' Zamora was the publisher of El Periodico, a media outlet that ran stories critical of successive governments. He and his family have described the case as political persecution. Nancy Calderon from the Guatemala Secretary of Communications, however, said that the government "categorically rejects" claims of interference in the judicial branch. In a message to VOA, she said, "We reiterate respect for the independence of powers, the institutions, and the state." Carmen Rosa de Leon, who leads the Institute for Sustainable Development, a Guatemalan think tank, said that under the government of the past four years, the military, corrupt officials and criminals have only become more powerful. Journalists who have questioned this or reported on corruption scandals have faced reported prosecutions, which are designed to keep them in prison and to stop them from doing their jobs, she told VOA from Guatemala. She said almost all journalists who worked for media that had investigated or been critical of the government have gone into exile. The freedom of the press has inevitably suffered because there are fewer newspapers or reporters able or allowed to say what is really going on, she said. Fighting corruption is a key issue in the June vote, Reuters reported. But research by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders found that in Guatemala, media that look into official corruption risk harassment campaigns and criminal prosecution. It ranked the country 127th out of 180 in its World Press Freedom Index, where 1 shows the best media environment. Anyone who touches the subject of corruption or of impunity is not safe," Manfredo Marroquin, director of the watchdog Transparency International in Guatemala, told VOA. "The government and organized crime take revenge on journalists who publish articles about corruption or take action against judges or prosecutors. It is a strategy to eliminate any voice which is against this system of pillage which exists in this country. Respect for journalism claimed Calderon, from the Guatemala Secretary of Communications, told VOA that the government "has respected and promoted the practice of journalism in the country, making multimedia platforms available for journalists to access all government information." Noting the number of resources and platforms available, she added, "Since the beginning of the present administration, these media have made more than 10,000 publications critical of the presidency," adding that data show "two things have been guaranteed from the executive branch: access to official sources of information and freedom of the press." VOA also tried to contact journalists who work for media deemed more sympathetic toward the government in Guatemala, but none responded to requests for comment or interview. Over the past decade, Guatemala has fallen to its lowest ebb on the issue of corruption, according to Transparency International, falling to 150th out of 180 countries. Giammattei was elected in 2019 on a promise of vowing to tackle corruption. But he did not revive the International Committee Against Impunity in Guatemala, a U.N.-backed anti-corruption body that his predecessor closed. He also clashed with the U.S. government over efforts to curb graft and his management of the justice system, Reuters reported. Giammattei is not standing for reelection. Reuters reported that polling has pointed to a close contest between former first lady Sandra Torres, conservative career diplomat Edmond Mulet and Zury Rios. The latter is the daughter of the late dictator Efrain Rios Montt. One of the favorites in the election, businessman Carlos Pineda, was earlier barred from the race over failure to comply with election rules. Zamora of El Periodico has vowed to clear his name. I feel happy because in the end [the sentence] was arbitrary, he told journalists after the June 14 hearing. 'World will be watching' His case poses a threat to independent and free expression, Brian Nichols, assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs at the U.S. State Department, said on Twitter. The world will be watching that his personal safety and health will be protected, he said. El Periodico was founded in 1996 and became one of Guatemalas leading investigative media outlets. Among the stories it broke was a report about how Russian business figures in 2021 allegedly sent bundles of cash to the Guatemalan president rolled up in a red carpet, a claim the presidents office at the time denied. The story was picked up by international media, including The New York Times. Zamora was arrested in July last year during a crackdown on journalists, prosecutors, judges, human rights activists and opposition officials, which was led by the countrys Special Prosecutors Office Against Impunity, or FECI. And in May, Zamoras media outlet announced that it would cease working. Samari Gomez, FECI assistant prosecutor, who was arrested last year in relation to the Zamora case for allegedly disclosing confidential information, was acquitted. During the case, Zamoras evidence was not admitted, and he underwent eight changes of defense attorney, some of whom are now facing charges in connection with the case. Carlos Martinez de la Serna, program director at the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists, said in a statement that the conviction showed the Guatemalan governments desperate attempts to criminalize journalists and called for Zamora to be released. Some information for this report came from Reuters. Latest developments: EU officials are backing the idea that proceeds from more than $230 billion in frozen Russian assets should finance Ukraines war effort and reconstruction. But the European Central Bank cautioned the European Commission against the move because it could harm the euro and hurt financial stability, Financial Times reports. A joint statement issued by U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said both leaders have expressed their deep concern over the conflict in Ukraine and mourned its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. The statement also said they are calling for respect for international law, principles of the UN charter, and territorial integrity and sovereignty. President Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, is heading to Denmark this weekend to to discuss basic principles of peace," in Ukraine, a U.S. official said Friday. Some of the participating countries have refused to condemn Russias invasion. Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said Friday the Kremlin's reasoning for invading Ukraine is based on lies fabricated by the army's top brass. Prigozhin has for months been openly accusing Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov, of gross incompetence. In a video clip released on the Telegram messaging app by his press service, Prigozhin said, "The Defense Ministry is trying to deceive society and the president and tell us a story about how there was crazy aggression from Ukraine and that they were planning to attack us with the whole of NATO." He went on to accuse Shoigu: the war was needed ... so that Shoigu could become a marshal ... so that he could get a second 'Hero' [of Russia] medal, he added. The war wasn't needed to demilitarize or denazify Ukraine. The Wagner chief also attacked the ruling elite, saying greed fueled its desire to absorb the assets from Ukraines Donbas region. "The task was to divide material assets [in Ukraine]," he said. "There was massive theft in the Donbas, but they wanted more." Ukraine government shakeup Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said officials responsible for unfit bomb shelters in Ukraine would be punished. In a Telegram video post Friday, Zelenskyy said there would be personnel changes after an inquest revealed that a quarter of the bomb shelters in the country, a third of them in Kyiv, are unfit for use. Three people were locked out on the street in Kyiv and killed during an air raid, which prompted a public outcry. Prosecutors put the head of Kyiv's Municipal Department for Security under house arrest following an audit of air raid shelters. After the bomb shelter incident, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko admitted some responsibility but said others were also to blame, especially appointees of the president. Additionally, Zelenskyy on Friday ordered the creation of a special commission headed by General Oleksandr Pavliuk to audit the heads of military draft offices across the country. He said Ukraines top security chiefs and top government officials discussed how to implement judicial and anti-corruption reforms that are a prerequisite to Ukraines accession into the European Union. Zelenskyy said he had ordered the urgent dismissal of the head of a draft office whose family was reported by the Ukrainska Pravda media outlet to own property and cars worth millions in Spain. "I gave an urgent order to create a commission ... and together with law enforcement units and the National Agency for Corruption Prevention to check all the heads of military draft offices in all regions of Ukraine so that they do not disgrace our state and the memory of heroes who die at the front," Zelenskyy said on Telegram. In his statement, he said he also discussed the situation on the front lines, weapons supplies and the pace of production of Ukrainian defense companies. Zaporizhzhia accusations Zelenskyy said Thursday he believes Russia may be preparing for an attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, involving a release of radiation. On Friday Russia urged the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure Ukraine does not shell the nuclear power plant, saying it was otherwise operating safely. Alexei Likhachev, chief executive of the Russian state nuclear energy firm Rosatom, made the comments at a meeting in Kaliningrad with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, who visited the plant last week. The IAEA said this week the power plant was "grappling with ... water-related challenges" after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam emptied the vast reservoir. It also said the military situation in the area had become increasingly tense as Kyiv launched a counteroffensive against the Russian forces in eastern and southern Ukraine. Moscow and Kyiv have regularly accused each other of shelling Europe's largest nuclear power station, while international efforts to establish a demilitarized zone around it have so far failed. Ukrainian counteroffensive Overall, the counteroffensive appears to be slow-moving. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Ukraine's army had advanced 7 kilometers and had retaken territory that included eight villages during the past two weeks. "As the president of Ukraine said yesterday, the counteroffensive is not a Hollywood movie. It's not an easy walk," Shmyhal told reporters at a Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. "The counteroffensive is a number of military operations, he said. Sometimes it's offensive, sometimes it's defensive. Sometimes it could be tactical pauses. Unfortunately, during our preparation for this counteroffensive, Russians were preparing, too. So, there are so many minefields, which really make it slower." Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Between 19 and 20 June 2023, Israeli settlers in the West Bank set fire to fields and houses, stoned cars and vandalized Palestinian shops along Route 60. In retaliation, two Palestinians, members of Hamas, targeted Israeli settlers at a gas station, killing four and injuring four. One of the assailants was killed by an Israeli, another was shot dead by the Israeli army a few hours later. 400 Israeli settlers responded by invading the Palestinian village of Turmus Aya on 21 June, torching approximately thirty houses and sixty cars. On 26 February and in the presence of the Israeli army, other settlers destroyed the village of Huwara, also located on Route 60, injuring 400 and killing one. This Arabophobic pogrom had been incited by the declarations of current Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, both supporters of Jewish supremacy. A controversy had erupted between Washington and Tel Aviv, at the end of which the Israeli coalition government made a commitment that this would not happen again. It was no coincidence the first Mission BBQ restaurant opened when it did, on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Nor was it happenstance that, a dozen years later, the Maryland-based franchise chose to launch its 127th fast-casual restaurant and plant its first Centennial State roots in Colorado Springs. The only question is, why did it take so long for a proudly patriotic chain whose mission is to serve those who serve, to find its way to one of the nations densest hubs of veterans and active duty service members? Answer: They got here as fast as they could. When our founders Bill (Kraus) and Newt (Steve Newton) opened our company, they only thought we were going to have a handful of Mission BBQs around the Baltimore suburb of Glen Burnie, said Jeremy Diamond, area director of operations for the companys Colorado expansion. The duo, who set out to create a place featuring the best barbecue the nation had to offer (Whats more uniquely American than barbecue?), while also honoring and supporting the military and first responders, soon learned there was a craving for both well beyond their mid-Atlantic home base. They quickly realized this is bigger than a couple restaurants in Maryland, Diamond said. Weve been expanding ever since we opened. When property at 1391 Interquest Parkway, in the citys far north end, became available, factors coalesced into a natural next step, and the companys first foray beyond the Midwest. As we expanded out west, Colorado was an easy choice for us because of the amount of military personnel here, Diamond said. What better to plant our flag in Colorado than right next to the Air Force Academy? I can see the academy from the patio. The fast-casual style restaurant has indoor seating for 98, a patio that seats 28, a staff of 80 hourly employees and six managers. Patrons place dine-in and takeout orders at the front register, and the restaurant touts its fast turn-around time: Two minutes and well have your food ready for you, Diamond said. To create Missions menu, the owners traveled and sampled far and wide, he added. Our customers are going to have a taste of all the best barbecue food that America has to offer, whether its from Texas, from the Carolinas, St. Louis, Kansas City, he said. Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. We dont think theres anything more American than barbecue. Its really the only food that America has true ownership of, and thats a responsibility that we take very seriously. The restaurant also will offer revolving Black Plate Specials highlighting seasonal and regional barbecue-adjacent dishes, such as grilled shrimp, seasoned and seared rib-eye, and Hawaiian rib-eye, as well as a seasonal side and dessert. Mission BBQ Colorado Springs doesnt yet have a liquor license, and Diamond said he doesnt know if thats in the cards for the Interquest location. If it is, the restaurant will follow the model of other Mission BBQs, which typically dont serve hard alcohol, just domestic beer and wine. Mission BBQ celebrates a public soft opening 6-9 p.m. Friday, with a Military Appreciation Night and sales donated to the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. The foundations goal is to build a monument at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., honoring those who have fought in the decades-long war on terror. The first 100 people who purchase a $4.99 American Heroes Cup at Fridays Military Appreciation Night get free barbecue for a year. Yes, you read that correctly. At every opening Ive been to, right at six oclock theres a line wrapped around the block, Diamond said. Charity fundraisers are part of every Mission BBQ grand opening, but the support for those who serve doesnt end there. Restaurants raise money for military, police and emergency service personnel and groups throughout the year, do food drops for uniformed American heroes and support national and local charities through ongoing cup campaigns, Diamond said. After Fridays soft opening, Mission BBQ will be closed through Monday for employee appreciation events and so staff can prepare for the public grand opening. Mission BBQ Colorado Springs officially opens at noon Tuesday, after a live rendition of the national anthem and a ribbon cutting ceremony. A preliminary proposal submitted to city government planners shows another Mission BBQ is planned at the First & Main Town Center on the citys east side. Diamond wouldnt speak to those plans specifically, but said, We want to have as many restaurants in as many communities as we can, so that we can do as much good as we can for our communities. The company said it expects to have opened more than 135 restaurants by the end of 2023. The Gazettes Rich Laden contributed to this report. Photo: Walter McBride/Corbis via Getty Images Sunrise, sunset. Sunrise, sunset / Swiftly fly the years / One season following another / Laden with happiness and tears, Sheldon Harnick wrote for the 1964 musical Fiddler on the Roof. The lyricist for classic musicals like Fiddler, She Loves Me, and Fiorello! died at 99 on June 23 of natural causes in his Upper West Side apartment, according to the New York Times. Harnick is best known for his collaborations with composer Jerry Bock. From the time we first met, we got along famously, Harnick told the Roundabout Theatre Company in 2016. The two had met in the late 1950s, and their first collaboration was on the musical The Body Beautiful, which was not successful but did introduce them to producer Hal Prince. The duos next project was Fiorello! It was wildly successful, winning both a Tony Award for Best Musical tied with The Sound of Music (the only time a tie has ever happened in that category) and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, one of just ten musicals to win that award. Harnick and Bock went on to write enduring classics like She Loves Me (1963), Fiddler (considered one of the great triumphs of the medium), and The Apple Tree (1966). The two had a falling-out due to behind-the-scenes drama regarding the director of their musical The Rothschilds (1970). They had reunited personally by the time Bock died in 2010, though theyd never create a new musical together again. Harnicks wife since 1965, Margery Gray, survives him along with his daughter, son, and four grandchildren. Harnick won a Lifetime Achievement Tony in 2016. At the time, when Vulture told him how well deserved the award was, he responded, Thank you very much. I tend to agree with you. This story first ran in Buffering, Vultures newsletter about the streaming industry. Head to vulture.com/buffering and subscribe today! The 1948 film The Naked City, a regular in TCMs rotation. Photo: Janus Films It seems somehow appropriate that the company whose TV library includes Dallas is now being run by someone who often seems to be channeling the ghost of J.R. Ewing. Okay, maybe thats not fair: J.R. was a villain audiences loved to hate, while many in Hollywood (at least those on social media) dont feel any love at all toward Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. That became clear again this week when the latest round of layoffs at WBD took out pretty much the entire senior leadership of Turner Classic Movies, one of the companys most beloved brands. Officially, nothing has changed about TCMs on-air offering. There are no announced plans to shutter the network or to fire all the on-air hosts who film introductions. And Warner Bros. Discovery execs are still issuing memos saying how important the brand is to the company. I want to assure you that we remain fully committed to this business, the TCM brand, and its purpose to protect and celebrate culture-defining movies, Kathleen Finch, chief content officer for WBDs U.S. TV networks group, told staffers at the company Tuesday in a note announcing the departure of TCM general manager Pola Changnon. Problem is, after a year of cost-cutting and brand-eroding moves by Zaslav during his first year in charge, its hard to believe Finchs words will match reality as the full impact of this weeks firings is felt over the next few months. For one thing, what Finch didnt mention in her memo (which doubled as a press release for the showbiz trades) was that she hadnt just parted ways with one senior exec. As The Wrap would later report (and other outlets confirm), WBD also let go TCMs program chief, its head of production, its head of events, and its marketing chief. Or, as one industry insider I spoke to this week told me upon hearing the news, the folks who were fired are the people whove been the architect of the brand for decades. Whats happening at TCM isnt just a changing of the guard. It feels like the beginning of the end. Networks go through creative shuffles all the time, and it is possible for even the most storied of brands to survive a regime change. HBO, after all, has launched some of its biggest hits ever in the years since longtime boss Richard Plepler stepped down and Casey Bloys took over much of his role. But whats happening at TCM isnt just a changing of the guard. Instead, it feels a lot like what Zaslav has been doing with his companys youth and animation brands (Cartoon Network, Adult Swim) or what Paramount Global execs have done with MTV and Comedy Central. It feels like the beginning of the end. As the industry vet lamented to me, Theyve completely dismantled the networks so that they dont have their own identity anymore. They had these passion brands they managed, which had rabid fan bases. Its gone. If and when Zalsav ever addresses whats been happening at his networks, he will likely argue hes simply been reacting to a vastly changed TV universe. And look, things are different: In barely a decade, cord-cutting has basically halved the number of people in the cable-TV ecosystem, sending overall penetration rates from roughly 90 percent to about 50 percent. With new forecasts suggesting just 37 percent of U.S. homes will still pay for a traditional TV bundle in three years, there is no doubt cable as weve known it well on its way to collapsing. This is why FX now premieres most of its new content on Hulu and not the FX cable channel (which isnt even run anymore by FX Networks boss John Landgraf), and its also the reason Zaslavs predecessors at WarnerMedia basically took TBS and TNT out of the scripted TV business a few years ago. The fact that Showtime will soon become a tier on Paramount+ is also the result of similar business realities. But TCM, in theory at least, is the sort of network that should be able to ride out the cable apocalypse for quite a few more years. For one thing, unlike some other recently downsized channels, TCM has never been a place that spends hundreds of millions on splashy first-run series (scripted or otherwise). Instead, it has always been a monetization engine for its owners: It takes long-ago produced content (much of it owned by WBD), smartly packages it with context and curation, and then rakes in millions in subscription fees from cable operators. Arent execs like Zaslav always going on about their precious IP and how much they want to reboot, reimagine, and otherwise exploit it? David Zaslav. Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic TCM obviously isnt Harry Potter or DC, and it has never printed cash the way much riskier investments like HBO have. And yes, whatever revenue it generates now is likely much less than it was five years ago. But that doesnt mean it no longer has value for WBD. In fact, with HBO now focused on streaming, and TBS and TNT shells of their former selves, TCM should arguably take on greater importance as WBD tries to manage cables demise. Its one of the few outlets WBD has whose vibe and content arent currently available without a cable subscription. (You can get a taste of TCM on Max, but its nowhere near whats available on linear.) Plus, while there are no doubt plenty of younger TCM superfans, the networks target demo is the sort of over-45 consumer whos still paying for cable (certainly in greater numbers than millennials and Gen Z). It feels like the kind of brand a company like WBD should be working overtime to keep strong, even as it makes some budget adjustments to account for the lower universe of subscribers. Whats also sad is that TCMs now-canned leadership team has spent years working to pivot beyond the cable bundle. Events such as the TCM Film Festival and TCM-themed cruises were, at least in part, designed to serve as a buffer against declining cable subscriber numbers. TCM hasnt said it plans to end those brand extensions, but since it just got rid of the exec who oversees them, its hard not to wonder how much time these events have left. Even if they do somehow survive, if you stop promoting and marketing and nurturing the main channels offering and that seems likely with a much smaller staff and budget its going to get a lot harder to find people to pay for those cruises and festivals. Getting rid of so many experienced hands will also make it much more difficult to pull off any transition of TCM to the streaming era. Earlier I noted how Disney has radically downsized the ambitions of the FX cable channel. And yet the company, no doubt prodded by Landgraf, hasnt starved the FX brand. Theres still a whole team of execs who work under Landgraf developing shows, plotting marketing strategies, and figuring out publicity plans. No doubt its smaller than it was five years ago, and Im sure FX wasnt totally spared in Disneys own recent staff bloodletting. But FX still matters to Disney, not just in memos sent to staff but in actual deeds. In some ways, the brand feels more vital and accessible than ever because younger viewers are finding its shows more easily on Hulu than they ever did on cable. That doesnt seem to be the case with TCM, whose hub on the new Max app is a lot less prominent and far less curated than it had been on the old HBO Max. Nobody expects TCM to be as prominent on Max as FX is on Hulu the latter spends billions on content and is a major driver of new sign-ups but it should at least not feel like an afterthought squeezed in between Magnolia Network and Adult Swim. In researching this story, I came across one more example of how WBD seems to be moving on from TCM, its words aside. Buffering has learned that there have been serious conversations at TCM in recent weeks about ending the practice of producing outros for its feature presentations as soon as next month. Introductions to movies wouldnt be impacted, but the network would no longer regularly tape new segments to air following the conclusion of a film, according to three people familiar with the talks. The good news is that, apparently, that plan is no longer happening: A source familiar with the situation says that while the idea was discussed, there are no plans to move forward with the cutback. TCM killing outros would have prompted loud howls of protest from the networks many supporters, particularly given the backlash to this weeks layoffs, which was so intense, it resulted in Zaslav talking to directors Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Paul Thomas Anderson. After that meeting, the trio of directors released a statement Wednesday saying they were heartened and encouraged by the conversations theyve had with the WBD chief. We have each spent time talking to David, separately and together, and its clear that TCM and classic cinema are very important to him, the statement said. Our primary aim is to ensure that TCMs programming is untouched and protected. A WBD rep had no comment on the apparently now-dead discussions about killing outros. But the fact that any such plan was under consideration at all makes me wary of any statements by WBD brass or famous directors declaring there are no plans to further downsize TCM. Its also yet another sign of the companys warped priorities these days. I dont know how much TCM spends on taping outros each year, but it seems hard to believe its more than the many millions Zaslav spent last month for his Cannes coming-out party, or the money hes budgeted for the ongoing work to revamp the WB commissary into something cooler. But unlike those two Zaslav passion projects, TCM along with all the network staffers laid off this week actually provides real value to Warner Bros. Discovery customers. NOW PLAYING: BUFFERING Sign up for Vultures insider newsletter on the streaming industry from editor Joe Adalian. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. An afternoon with the Asteroid City director in an apartment he describes as not very well maintained and a bit abandoned. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images Wes Anderson doesnt want to talk about Asteroid City. Its a weekday afternoon. Were in the New York office of his production company, American Empirical Pictures, in the East Village. Hes been wearing a seersucker suit since morning. He wore a tux to the Cannes premiere and a black suit to the New York premiere at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center. There will be more events and interviews over the next several days, and hes talked about the film with a lot of people, including me. He worries that hes covered everything. Maybe we can talk about something else? he asks. Thats okay by me. Ive known Wes for 30 years. We met when he was a recent graduate of UT Austin who had made one short film and I was a journalist writing for a Dallas alternative weekly. Today, Wes offers me bottled water from the refrigerator and pours it into a glass with ice. He asks if Ive ever been in this space before. I have not. Why dont I just select things and talk about them, and you can take a picture if its of interest? he says. And off we go. . Photo: Matt Zoller Seitz The place is actually an apartment. Wes bought it in 2002 from the estate of the artist Larry Rivers after the release of The Royal Tenenbaums. Rivers moved into the building in the mid-1960s and which at points housed many of his artist friends, including Claes and Patty Oldenburg, Yayoi Kusama, On Kawara, John Chamberlain, Herb Aach, and the husband-and-wife artist duo of Tom Burckhardt and Kathy Butterfly. Allen Ginsberg lived in one of the units below until his death in 1997. Self-portrait of the artist Larry Rivers, with reference photo included. Photo: Matt Zoller Seitz Posters, photos, knickknacks, and letters are everywhere. Built-in floor-to-ceiling bookshelves occupy most of the side walls. Andersons books are old and new, pristine and beat up. A dedicated section of shelves holds leather-bound volumes of back issues of The New Yorker, which he has been reading since high school. Theres also a set of the Encyclopdia Britannica from before the internet, which made these sorta irrelevant, he says. There is a democratizing sensibility to the way everything has been collected and displayed; items of historic interest sit side by side with personal mementos that are meaningless to anyone but him. I ask if he has ever thrown out or sold a book in order to free up space. He thinks about it, smiles, and says no: More like I hoard them. . You can see how this place which Anderson describes as not very well maintained and a bit abandoned would be perfect for a painter. Its a railroad-style apartment with a flat-white interior, hardwood floors, lots of sunlight, and high ceilings, and though its narrow, it extends the full length of a city block, which is pretty unusual. He shows me a pale-green wooden Ping-Pong table he commissioned and painted to look like a Cipriani matchbook, he says. He asked the builder to make its net out of wood too, which turned out to be a mistake: I just had this idea for the Ping-Pong table, but it turned out to be a terrible Ping-Pong table because you cant have the net be hard on the top! The ball just rockets right off it. . Polaroid photo of Anderson with Gene Hackman (getting a back massage) during the production of The Royal Tenenbaums in New York City. Photo: Matt Zoller Seitz Anderson points out some small reproductions of the casts of kabuki performances. These are sort of like lobby cards, he says. They show the different characters, and some of them have the actors. His friend Randall Poster, a music supervisor and collector, introduced him to these. Higher up on the shelf is a blurry Polaroid from the set of The Royal Tenenbaums that shows Gene Hackman getting a back massage while Anderson sits nearby. He loves photography books and sometimes gets more than one collection of work by photographers he admires. One is Jacques-Henri Lartigue, whose images fed not just certain design principles in Andersons films but specific images, such as a photo of Lartigues older brother, nicknamed Zissou, on his mangled bobsled with wheels, which inspired the shot in Rushmore of Max Fischer in his soapbox racer. Zissou also provided the undersea explorer and filmmaker of The Life Aquatic with his surname. The portrait of Steve Zissous mentor, Lord Mandrake, is modeled on a photograph of Lartigue. Portrait of Orson Welles by filmmaker and photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. Photo: Matt Zoller Seitz Another of Andersons favorites is documentary filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. He has a collection of his work, and on a nearby wall is a large-format Greenfield-Sanders portrait of Orson Welles. One day, I was coming into the building after being away and I saw this poster downstairs, Anderson says. It was all graffitied over and had been on the wall for some time, but it was of Orson Welles so I called up Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and took a picture of it and sent it over to him, and he sent me over a clean one. . Handwritten letter from Allen Ginsberg about the virtues of keeping ones cool even when angry, sent to Anderson by Ginsbergs estate, which was located directly below the filmmakers apartment during the first few years of his residence. Photo: Matt Zoller Seitz The Allen Ginsberg estate held on to the space below Andersons until 2010, then sold it. Pinned to a corkboard in the office is a photocopy of a handwritten letter from Ginsberg. One day, I got into a bit of a friction with the roofer, Wes tells me, and I received this note from the estate downstairs. I keep it on my wall because its a good reminder. He reads the text aloud: At root of intolerance is anger. The medicine for anger is awareness of anger: Anger doesnt like to be reminded of fits, said poet Jack Kerouac. If we make a practice of noticing our thoughts, to catch yourself thinking (as the phrase goes in idiomatic Americanese), we have a better chance of making our own irritations + fits of anger more transparent, airing out the hot air of emotion as Tibetan Buddhist Lamas say, that dissolves 80% of the anger. If all mankind can practice this kind of meditation sitting, standing or lying down at least the elite and the leaders, premiers, presidents, dictators and senators can do so I do as best as I can. As Ever, Allen Ginsburg There really is no point in losing your temper, Anderson says, especially with a New York roofer. On the same corkboard is a mixed-media piece by the filmmaker and painter Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who is best known for directing the Beatles documentary Let It Be. Michael is one of my favorite living humans, Anderson says. He does these wonderful characters that he invents, one after another. Ive known him as long as Ive had this place, probably. Mixed-media sketch of an invented character by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, a filmmaker and visual artist. Photo: Matt Zoller Seitz . This shelf probably has a lot of stuff weve talked about, Wes says, taking me to another area packed with collections of writing from The New Yorker and books about its history. He pulls a paperback edition of Up in the Old Hotel, the anthology of reporting by New Yorker writer Joseph Mitchell that became a surprise publishing success in the 1990s. This wouldnt have been here if we hadnt met, he says. Twenty-six years ago, I recommended the Mitchell book to Anderson; he later told me it stirred his interest in the behind-the-scenes history of the publication, which led, in a circuitous fashion, to The French Dispatch, his anthology film about the life and death of a fictitious New Yorkerstyle magazine. A shelving unit containing bound editions of all the New Yorkers Anderson has collected and (in boxes) puppets from his animated films. Photo: Matt Zoller Seitz Ive done several books about Andersons filmography since I recommended the Mitchell collection to him, and while he has always been forthcoming about his inspirations and the details of his productions, he has grown guarded when it comes to explaining what you might call his primal motifs. Today I try to come back around to Asteroid City, a movie thats full of them. Its built around a widowed single father, played by Jason Schwartzman, who rose to fame in Andersons Rushmore playing a motherless son raised by a single father. Youve got a lot of widows and widowers in your movies, and orphans, I say. Yeah, he says, I probably do. Why? Wes grins. Dont you remember Roebuck Wright? he says, invoking the reporter played by Jeffrey Wright in The French Dispatch, who sits for a career-spanning interview with a talk-show host. Never ask a man why. How was I to know? Photo: Matthew Murphy Theres a newish formula to get your show to Broadway, though not necessarily to make it good: Take a well-used plot, add a vaguely feminist twist, and set it all to familiar pop music or approximations thereof. From those basic precepts, weve this past season gotten & Juliet (based on Shakespeare, featuring the songs of Max Martin) and Bad Cinderella (based on Cinderella, featuring the noodling of Andrew Lloyd Webber), and now, somewhere in the shaded area of their Venn diagram Once Upon a One More Time, which is based on Cinderella and other fairy tales and features the catalogue of Britney Spears, which includes a lot of Max Martin. If you run fast enough across Times Square, you might be able to see two Broadway takes on Oops! I Did It Again in one evening. Given that Once Upon a One More Time follows those shows in this mini-genre (not to mention their sparkly, belty, much better fairy godmother Six), you might have reason to hope that it refines and improves upon the tropes. Instead, its reductive and pandering, hitting all the expected marks without any unique spark. The musicals premise is clever enough. In Jon Hartmeres book, Cinderella (Briga Heelan of the late lamented Great News) and a group of other public-domain princesses work as professional reenactors of bedtime fairy tales. They have what amounts to Old Hollywood studio contracts, in that they have little say over their material, are constantly told they should be grateful for their happy endings, and are bossed around by a wispy mean man (Adam Godleys Narrator) who talks down to them. At the outset, Cinderella feels a vague dissatisfaction with her life that she cant quite articulate, whereupon the notorious Original Fairy Godmother (Brooke Dillman) appears and presents her with a copy of Betty Friedans The Feminine Mystique. Cinderellas already a reader, and she leads her fellow princesses in a scroll club gathering, but the concepts of both bound pages and the problem that has no name are thrilling to her, so Friedans writing kicks off a consciousness-raising revolution in fairy-tale land. Soon, Cinderella is starting to insist on changes to her storyline, pissing off the Narrator, her prince (From Justin to Kellys Justin Guarini), and her evil stepmother (the eternally underutilized Jennifer Simard). Theres a version of Once Upon a One More Time that could take that set-up and whip it into a camp meringue, but what you see onstage deflates into being ponderous and heavy-handed. The fault is largely with Jon Hartmeres book, full of jokes that run from cleverly annoying, as when none of the princesses are familiar with sliced bread, to plainly groan-inducing, when Cinderella announces that well-behaved princesses rarely make history. Thats how all the political critiques go, stopping at the point of fridge-magnet quotations. The notion that Cinderella has cause to be dissatisfied even in a superficially happy life, which is potentially interesting, is undermined once she discovers that her prince is also cheating on her with all the other princesses. Suddenly, weve gone from a story about a woman searching for meaning to many women getting mad at a guy. The husband-and-wife directing-and-choreographing team, Keone and Mari Madrid, have put together some excitingly big dance sequences that reference and in a few cases directly quote Britneys music-video choreography (though with too much reliance on TikTok-friendly hand motions), but they come up short with bodies at rest. Their blocking in book scenes tends toward inert and the casts performances are flattened to loud sameness. In their scroll club, the princesses sit in a line across the front of the stage, awkwardly cheating toward the audience while pretending to talk to one another. Heelan carves out an arc for Cinderella, progressing from overprettified princess accent to a more confident character, and Guarini chews every bit of scenery he can overplaying swagger for comedic effect, but theyre both working uphill. Anna Fleischles scenic design puts all the action inside of a large black box that makes you feel like youre watching an undergraduate class diorama, with a hideous video screen at the back of the set. It creates a monotonous sameness, one that leaves you zoning out and thinking about, for instance, the way in which the characters mimic the established color palettes and personalities of Disney princesses (Cinderellas clothes are pale blue) without crossing over into copyright infringement. The only one of Snow Whites dwarves we meet is named Clumsy. Hes also gay, which to the shows credit is further than Disney would go but about on par with the queer B-plots of Bad Cinderella and & Juliet. The advantage that Once Upon a One More Time does have over its competition is its heaps and heaps of Britney, bitch. They run through all of the hits, kicking off with Baby One More Time, with the lyrics lightly rewritten: Max Martins sorta-gibberish hit me baby one more time is now the new gibberish of once upon a one more time. The musical never gives any explicit justification why the characters are singing Britneys hits, which means that you have to free-associate between its plot and Britneys troubled public life. From an angle, maybe were meant to see the princesses coddled fairy-tale prisons as her conservatorship, or draw a line between the woes of being too famous too young and believing that a happily ever after is achievable with a quick trip to the ball in a pumpkin turned carriage. Youre also left with the anxiety-inducing consideration of whether this is all supportive of Britney or just another large venture monetizing her. The productions development began when Britney was in that conservatorship, but has claimed in vague terms that she gave it her full approval thereafter. There was no word from Britney herself until she called the show funny, smart and brilliant just before opening. Thats a heavy amount of meta-text, all leaning against a show with a book and music thats too simple to sustain the weight. Britneys biggest hits, the ones the audience most wants to see, are generally declarative, get-dancing statements, which can be lots of fun but stall any forward motion of a narrative. The highlights come when Jennifer Simards Stepmother storms onstage to Work Bitch (references to Maserati and Bugatti have been replaced with posh carriage and hot marriage) and later on, when she chases around Godleys narrator while singing Toxic. I felt like Goldilocks, who does appear among the other fairy-tale beings: When the characters started singing, I wondered what this had to do with the storyline. When the characters started talking, I wanted to get back to the Broadway Sings Britney concert. By the end of the show, Once Upon a One More Time sloughs off any semblance of a plot and heads, probably wisely, toward the latter. There is (of course) a rousing megamix after the curtain calls, during which the wristband youve been handed as you enter the theater starts to light up and glimmer along to the beat. Its a fun enough concert, though not worth sitting through two hours and 30 minutes of a dull musical to get there. Once Upon a One More Time is at the Marquis Theatre. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court ruled against the Navajo Nation on Thursday in a dispute involving water from the drought-stricken Colorado River. States that draw water from the river Arizona, Nevada and Colorado and water districts in California that are also involved in the case had urged the court to decide for them, which the justices did in a 5-4 ruling. Colorado had argued that the court siding with the Navajo Nation would undermine the "Law of the River" the 1922 Colorado River Compact and subsequent agreements reached in the last 100 years. Colorado's brief asserted: "The predictable and effective management of the Colorado River system that the Law of the River provides is critical for Colorado to benefit from and protect its apportionments of Colorado River water." Foundational to the "Law of the River," Colorado's brief said, is a 1964 Supreme Court decision contained in Arizona v. California. The decision granted the court exclusive jurisdiction that also "finalized water apportionments in the mainstream of the Lower Colorado River Basin to the Lower Basin States and provided the exclusive mechanism for adjusting the distribution of water in accordance with those apportionments going forward." The Navajo Nation lawsuit violates settled law and undermine the court's jurisdiction, the brief added. But, the brief noted, failure to follow settled law would affect Colorado's Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribes, which rely on agreements with the state that also rely on the 1922 compact and subsequent agreements. "Colorado must fulfill the Tribes reserved water rights from its apportionments under the compacts," the brief said. That was also part of the argument from the Biden administration, which had said that, if the court were to come down in favor of the Navajo Nation, the federal government could face lawsuits from many other tribes. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser was unavailable for comment. The Native American Rights Fund, based in Boulder, was included in a friend of the court brief supporting the Navajo Nation's claims. That brief also represented 37 tribal governments, although the Colorado tribes were not among them. The U.S. government excluded Navajo tribal citizens from receiving a share of water when the original apportioning occurred and todays Supreme Court decision for Arizona v. Navajo Nation condoned this lack of accountability, said Native American Rights Fund Executive Director John Echohawk. Despite todays ruling, tribal nations will continue to assert their water rights and NARF remains committed to that fight. Lawyers for the Navajo Nation had characterized the tribes request as modest, saying they simply were seeking an assessment of the tribe's water needs and a plan to meet them. The facts of the case go back to treaties that the tribe and the federal government signed in 1849 and 1868. The second treaty established the reservation as the tribes permanent home a promise the Navajo Nation says includes a sufficient supply of water. In 2003, the tribe sued the federal government, arguing it had failed to consider or protect the Navajo Nations water rights to the lower portion of the Colorado River. Writing for a majority made up of conservative justices, Justice Brett Kavanaugh explained that the Navajos contend that the treaty requires the United States to take affirmative steps to secure water for the Navajos for example, by assessing the Tribe's water needs, developing a plan to secure the needed water, and potentially building pipelines, pumps, wells, or other water infrastructure. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. But, Kavanaugh said, "in light of the treaty's text and history, we conclude that the treaty does not require the United States to take those affirmative steps. Kavanaugh acknowledged that water issues are difficult ones. Allocating water in the arid regions of the American West is often a zero-sum situation, he wrote. It is important, he said, for courts to leave to Congress and the President the responsibility to enact appropriations laws and to otherwise update federal law as they see fit in light of the competing contemporary needs for water. A federal trial court initially dismissed the lawsuit, but an appeals court allowed it to go forward. The Supreme Court's decision reverses that ruling from the appeals court. In a dissent, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote that he would have allowed the case to go forward and he characterized the Navajo's position as a simple ask. Where do the Navajo go from here? he wrote. To date, their efforts to find out what water rights the United States holds for them have produced an experience familiar to any American who has spent time at the Department of Motor Vehicles. The Navajo have waited patiently for someone, anyone, to help them, only to be told (repeatedly) that they have been standing in the wrong line and must try another. Gorsuch said one silver lining of the case may be that his colleagues in the majority recognized that the tribe may still be able to assert the interests they claim in water rights litigation, including by seeking to intervene in cases that affect their claimed interests. Gorsuch, a conservative, was joined by the court's three liberals in Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. During arguments in the case in March, Justice Samuel Alito pointed out that the Navajo Nations original reservation was hundreds of miles away from the section of the Colorado River it now seeks water from. Today, the Colorado River flows along what is now the northwestern border of the tribes reservation, which extends into New Mexico, Utah and Arizona. Two of the rivers tributaries, the San Juan River and the Little Colorado River, also pass alongside and through the reservation. Still, one-third of the some 175,000 people who live on the reservation, the largest in the country, do not have running water in their homes. The government argued that it has helped the tribe secure water from the Colorado Rivers tributaries and provided money for infrastructure, including pipelines, pumping plants and water treatment facilities. But it said no law or treaty required the government to assess and address the tribes general water needs. The states involved in the case argued that the Navajo Nation was attempting to make an end run around a Supreme Court decree that divvied up water in the Colorado Rivers Lower Basin. Colorado Politics reporter Marianne Goodland contributed to this report. President Biden invoked a national security exception to U.S. law to supply Ukraine with the controversial weapons, which are prohibited in more than 120 countries. MORE COVERAGE Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share How should the West respond to Russian President Vladimir Putins announcement last week that hes begun moving nuclear weapons into Belarus, within striking distance of Ukraine? So far, the US and its allies have reacted warily, hoping to avoid escalation. Their caution is understandable. Yet failing to respond to such a provocation is likely only to embolden Russia and hence to make the conflict all the more difficult to resolve. Putins nuclear gamesmanship is meant to instill fear and pressure the NATO alliance into withdrawing support for Ukraine. The nuclear-tipped Iskander ballistic missiles at issue have an estimated range of 500 kilometers (311 miles), four times farther than Belaruss existing arsenal of conventional missiles. Russia has said a number of Belarusian Sukhoi Su-25 jets will be adapted to carry nuclear warheads, most likely stationed at the Lida air base near the border with Lithuania. That would put not only a huge chunk of Ukraine but also several NATO allies within reach. Advertisement As alarming as that sounds, simply positioning nukes closer to Ukraine wont help Russia much on the battlefield. Depending on the weather, Russian forces could be caught in any fallout if the weapons were detonated. It would invite major retaliation, galvanize global opposition to Putin, and almost certainly cost Russia the financial lifelines that China and India have so far been extending. Launching the weapons against NATO countries would make even less sense, given their strategic nuclear arsenals and superior conventional capabilities. Given those realities, the West should avoid tit-for-tat actions that could needlessly increase nuclear risks such as repositioning its own nuclear weapons. Moving those weapons in range of Belarus-based missiles would only make them sitting targets and would do little to strengthen deterrence, while heightening the potential for miscalculation. So what should be done instead? Advertisement First, its important to show that Putins nuclear blackmail wont succeed. The US and its allies should redouble military and economic support for Ukraine, and in particular bolster its overstretched air and missile defenses. Next, NATO should emphasize that any use of nuclear weapons will be met with an overwhelming military response, whether its delivered by conventional or non-conventional means. China and India should also remind Putin of the costs of any rash action, which both have an overriding interest in avoiding. At the same time, NATO leaders need to reiterate the alliances respect for Russias sovereignty within internationally recognized borders. Refuting Putins false claims that NATO is the aggressor in this conflict might help discourage some Russian commanders from carrying out reckless orders. Finally, Putins provocations are a reminder of longstanding gaps in NATOs own capabilities. In particular, the alliance needs to upgrade its air and missile defenses. Existing capabilities are fragmented and insufficient, more designed to counter a rogue Iranian missile launch than attacks against major European targets from multiple delivery systems. The answer is not just increased capacity but better integration. To counter todays sophisticated missile threats and enhance the credibility of its deterrent, NATO needs a range of systems that work together and are interoperable across the alliance. Advertisement Russias de facto colonization of Belarus, a longtime vassal state run by strongman Alexander Lukashenko, has been a Putin project for years. Russias push to move tactical nukes there introduces new risks and uncertainties that extend beyond Ukraine. Only prompt and resolute action by NATO can meet the challenge. More From Bloomberg Opinion: Putins Nuclear Scare Tactics Will Fall Flat: Leonid Bershidsky Will Putin or Zelenskiy Win the War in Ukraine? Probably Neither: Tobin Harshaw Putins Lost Battle for Borscht and Other Food Fights: Howard Chua-Eoan The Editors are members of the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Gift this article Gift Article When progressive political consultant Ian Silverii agrees with Jimmy Sengenberger, you know hell has frozen over or, at least, the Fair Elections Fund proved to be a raw deal for Denver taxpayers, as easily predicted. Eight million dollars that could have been used for anything else going into the pockets of schmucks and consultants like me doesnt seem like a great use of taxpayer dollars, Silverii said. I think this is proof that it is an abject failure. And a failure it was categorically. In exchange for campaign caps on contributions over $50, candidates who agreed to participate received taxpayer matches for each contribution of $50 or less. At a 9-to-1 ratio, a $50 donation netted $450 totaling nearly $8 million in taxpayer money for all candidates this spring alone. Approved by voters in 2018, the Fund promised to give upstart candidates a shot a chance for someone with good intentions, good ideas (to) compete. Thats what Aurelio Martinez told a mayoral candidate forum in November, saying he was running for mayor because the fund does level the playing field. If you dont recognize Martinezs name, thats probably because he garnered only 0.44% of the vote after raising just $12,000 in donations and $51,000 from the fund. It was great for the voters of Denver to have so much choice, claimed Owen Perkins, president of CleanSlateNow Action, which was behind the ballot measure that established the Fund. You had an important discussion, and important issues, that rose to prominence that I dont think would have happened if we hadnt had these kinds of candidates getting access to the ballot. Nonsense. Candidates like Martinez expected a genuine, fair shake not just a platform to discuss important issues. The Fund made average Joes think they could raise the money they needed to, say, run for mayor. But once again, reality has demonstrated that establishment politicians will almost always raise more than the newcomers. As I predicted in January, participants in the Fair Elections Fund who were the most well-connected Mayor-elect Mike Johnston, Kelly Brough, State Rep. Leslie Herod, State Sen. Chris Hansen and outgoing City Councilwoman Debbie Ortega ranked in the top five fundraisers. Herod, for example, garnered substantial financial support $346,500 in direct contributions and an additional $587,000 in taxpayer matches from the Fund. With ample resources at her disposal, Herod strategically spent her taxpayer dollars on consultants and marketing firms. However, even with all that consultant cash, Herod fell short in securing the leading progressive position. Lisa Calderon received a quarter of Herods funding yet achieved the same third-place finish shed attained in 2019. Clearly, financial advantage alone does not guarantee electoral success. What the fund makes possible, though, is the potential misuse of campaign funds. The lack of proper controls thereby enables professional politicians to target political enemies. Herod, for example, used her taxpayer funds to pay attorney Mario Nicolais, a former Republican operative, a hefty $50,500. Nicolais bullied a small grassroots organization, Citizens for a Safe and Clean Denver, for criticizing Herod online, costing the group a $250 fine. Why would a prominent politician abuse taxpayers campaign funds to suppress a tiny citizens group? Against the sizable mayoral campaign war chests of well-connected contenders, novice candidates couldnt afford the inflated salaries of a dwindling number of available campaign consultants, let alone the best staffers. They may have been stuck with lower-skilled or shadier operators. The runoff finalists Johnston and Brough were arguably the most established candidates. Its no coincidence that, even before the runoff, they were by far the top fundraisers and greatest beneficiaries of taxpayer dollars. They each collected some $2 million in contributions from donors and the Fair Elections Fund. But thats not all. Restricting campaign fund-raising by individual candidates campaigns only diverts the money into the coffers of independent expenditure committees, The Denver Gazette editorialized Wednesday. Theres far less disclosure of their contributors; far less accountability over their expenditures, and no limits on the size of their bankrolls. Out-of-state billionaires like Michael Bloomberg can and did have an outsized impact. Outside spending is one way to tell how viable a candidate is, reflecting big-money supporters and indicating who influential heavy hitters think can make the cut. Ultimately, Johnston and Brough, who had the most independent expenditure support ($5 million for Johnston, $1.6 million for Brough), made the two-person runoff. On the other hand, Herod received $184,396 in independent expenditure support and she ultimately placed fifth after Ortega. Lets be real: The deceptive allure of proposals like the Fair Elections Fund is enticing, but its promises are illusory. In the wake of yet another failed experiment to get money out of politics, politicians and activists will almost certainly propose fixing Denvers system. This would be a fools errand, doomed to backfire again and again with new loopholes that crafty politicos will inevitably identify. Denver voters would be much better off repealing the whole thing outright rather than perpetuating this boondoggle. The next effort should focus on greater transparency in political expenditures which would be the opposite of a boon for Denvers professional political class. Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and host of The Jimmy Sengenberger Show Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on News/Talk 710 KNUS. Reach Jimmy online at JimmySengenberger.com or on Twitter @SengCenter. 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 Princess of Wales, with the Prince of Wales, in Dundee in 2015 wearing a custom-made Scottish blue coat by Christopher Kane. Credit: Getty Images 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, 40, founded the eponymous label with his sister, Tammy Kane, in 2006 in London. His dresses, which can cost upwards of 1000 ($1900), have won many accolades over the years. 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. Women who have suffered trauma during pregnancy and childbirth will give evidence to an upper house inquiry sparked by a group of mothers who complained about their treatment at a regional NSW hospital. The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) is investigating the maternity care 30 women received at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, including allegations they were not given adequate pain relief, others were forcibly held down, and some were told they would be induced into labour to free up hospital beds. Eddy Mead lodged a complaint with the Health Care Complaints Commission after a traumatic caesarean while giving birth to her son, Taylor (right). Credit: Steven Siewert The problem is not confined to one hospital; 1 in 10 women in Australia say they were made to feel abused, powerless or dehumanised by a healthcare provider in the last five years. Animal Justice MLC Emma Hurst will chair the upper house select committee into preventing birth trauma in NSW, which will hear from mothers, academics, and healthcare providers before reporting on its findings in February next year. A senior Air Force commander will become Australias first cybersecurity tsar, as the federal government responds to one of the biggest data breaches in the countrys history. Federal cabinet on Tuesday signed off on the appointment of Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie as the governments first co-ordinator of cybersecurity, according to multiple senior security sources who are not authorised to speak publicly. Darren Goldie will be the nations first co-ordinator for cyber security. Credit: Defence Goldie will be backed by a National Office for Cyber Security within the Department of Home Affairs to co-ordinate work across the government to respond to cyber hacks and threats. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil will announce the appointment on Friday after a four-month search for candidates. A five-bedroom house in Bellevue Hill sold for $15.2 million at auction on Saturday, fetching more than five times what it last traded for in 2011. Eight parties turned up to compete for 10 Fairweather Street, a two-storey home on a level 753-square-metre block that had a price guide of $12 million. The home was one of 509 Sydney properties scheduled for auction on Saturday. By evening, Domain Group recorded a preliminary auction clearance rate of 81 per cent from 306 reported results, while 24 auctions were withdrawn. Withdrawn auctions are counted as unsold properties when calculating the clearance rate. Bidding on the five-bedroom, six-bathroom house began at $11 million, hit $11.5 million on the second bid, and then climbed rapidly in $250,000 increases to $15 million, as six of the bidders competed. At the time Collette and her then husband Dave Galafassi exchanged on the Paddington terrace of Industrie Clothings Nick and Susie Kelly for $6.35 million, but later pulled out when they hadnt sold their Bronte home. Loading The Kellys later sold the house for $5.5 million, which meant Collette and Galafassi not only had to forfeit their 10 per cent deposit, but were up for the price shortfall that the Kellys copped on the resale. A failed sale doesnt always mean a house will resell at a loss, as founder and boss of publishing company Conexus Financial, Colin Tate, discovered on Thursday night. The Potts Point terrace last traded in 2016 for $4.85 million, and resold on Thursday night for $6.8 million. Credit: Domain Tate and his husband, interiors architect-turned-cattle farmer Matthew Fatches bought a grand Victorian terrace for $6.8 million at auction last week, four months after it had sold for $6,375,000 to a buyer who then defaulted on the deal. Conexus Financial chief executive Colin Tate is expected to list his Elizabeth Bay apartment later this year. Credit: Ben Appleton Presumably the vendor, businessman Trevor Lam, kept the deposit on the failed exchange before he relisted the house with Richardson & Wrenchs Jason Boon. Tate was one of two buyers who offered $1 million worth of competing bids before it sold under the hammer. The philanthropic chair of independent, not-for-profit neuroscience research outfit NeuRA is expected to list his nearby pad in Elizabeth Bays Encore building soon. Hemmes doubles down Justin Hemmes has settled on his latest Byron Bay purchase, paying $22 million for the Belongil Beach house owned by brothers Myles and Harry Trainor. In February, Hemmes paid $16 million for the holiday house of Stephen Hains and actor Jane Badler, only to go a few doors down the beachfront more recently to buy the Trainor familys triple block. Merivale owner Justin Hemmes has spent $38 million on two Belongil Beach properties in recent months. Credit: Louise Kennerley The Trainors have taken their money to Wategos Beach, where they have paid $8.35 million for a house through McGraths Will Phillips and Tezu Harrison. The Wategos Beach house has done well by Mosman-based financial services recruiter David Dawson given he paid $6.87 million for it two years ago, when he purchased the home from Robert Bates, the former rich lister, now beau of Francesca Packer Barham. Hemmes latest play comes as prominent car dealers and co-owners of the Gold Coast Titans Rebecca and Brett Frizelle list their nearby waterfront getaway. Loading The house is set on Belongil Creek and has a guide of $11 million to $13 million through McGraths Phillips. The Frizelles have owned it since 2017, paying $2.35 million, and undertaking a major rebuild since to create two luxury residences and a swimming pool. The Frizelles former home in Southport at Surfers Paradise was sold two years ago for $12.25 million to Alan Jones and his niece Tonia Taylor, and last August they purchased a penthouse at Main Beach for $3.5 million. Emdur the weather man The Kangaroo Valley weekender of Larry and Sylvie Emdur returns to the market for $3 million. Credit: Domain Larry Emdur will no doubt be keeping a keen eye out for bad weather after returning his Kangaroo Valley weekender to the market this week. Larry Emdur is in a selling frame of mind, of late, listing both his Kangaroo Valley and Berowra Waters holiday homes. Credit: After all, soon after his son Jye Emdur launched the family getaway to buyers last year for $3.5 million, the area was slammed with months of torrential rain that left four of the five main roads blocked and no sales to show for it. This time around the co-host of Sevens The Morning Show has handed the listing to Belle Propertys Nick Dale with a $3 million guide. Emdur and his wife Sylvie purchased the home in 2020 for $2.15 million from architect Alexander Michael, who had designed it. The listing comes as the Emdurs seek buyers for their designer weekender at Berowra Waters on Neverfail Bay, that was built a decade ago to a design by architect Jill Gleave, of Human Spaces. Radio man sells quietly The Vaucluse house long owned by Mike Hammond sold for more than $10 million. Credit: Domain What in the World, a free weekly newsletter from our foreign correspondents, is sent every Thursday. Below is an excerpt. Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox. Sugar apples are sweet, covered in a green Jurassic skin and ooze a creamy pulp. Across Asia, they are used in milk teas and jellies, ice-creams and yoghurts. Taiwanese sugar apples for sale at a fruit stall in Taipei. Credit: AP They are a bit cloying for my taste. And until Tuesday, it seems the Chinese Communist Party had problems with them, too. In September 2021, it blocked one of Taiwans largest agricultural exports over alleged biosafety and pest fears (claims that would be familiar to Australias lobster farmers and timber producers). The period was marked by Taiwans pursuit of free trade deals, a pledge by officials in Washington, London and Canberra to work more closely with Taipei, and a sharp increase in military threats from Beijing to Taiwans air defence zone. In other words, cross-strait relations were getting worse and Beijing protested by blocking the scaly fruit. On Tuesday, it suddenly reversed the ban. A master sergeant at Fort Carson was acquitted in a court-martial this week over allegations of abusive sexual contact and domestic violence. Master Sgt. Clayton Brachtenbach, with the 10th Special Forces Group, was accused of sexually touching a woman without her consent on or near Fort Carson on Oct. 24, 2021. He was also accused of wrapping his arm around his wife's neck and throwing her to the ground on a separate occasion. She was holding a child and Brachtenbach faced additional charges of endangering the child. He was fully acquitted of all charges, a Fort Carson spokesperson said. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. "All rights, privileges, and property of the accused that may have been deprived by virtue of the proceedings have been restored, a statement provided on Friday said. The Gazette requested access to the court-martial, but it was not provided and so more details about the case and his acquittal are not available. Brachtenbach, 39, has served for 20 years and nine months and has received several military honors, including a Silver Star for protecting fellow soldiers in Afghanistan during January 2014. According to the citation, he endangered himself multiple times to suppress enemy fire. Low crawling through the dirt and climbing rope courses as part of basic cadet training, Brig. Gen. Paul Moga tested out the stresses students undergo while serving as the Air Force Academy commandant. On the obstacle and assault courses, his 50-year-old body got really mad at his 15-year-old brain, he recalled. "I took a few lumps on the assault course," he said. But it also showed him the cadets are facing an appropriate level of physical and emotional stress during their first weeks at the academy and helped the future Air Force officers see that leadership doesn't sit in an ivory tower, he said. Moga's passion and commitment to the cadets was honored Wednesday as he left his post for an assignment in Germany, where he will serve as the chief of staff for Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa. Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard Clark highlighted some of Moga's accomplishments at the change-of-command ceremony, including a historic reduction in honor cases, or violations of the school's honor code, which can include cheating. The reduction followed a spike in cheating while students studied from home in 2020. Moga also restarted combat survival training and introduced "groundbreaking" warfighter talks allowing the first-ever top-secret insights to the cadet wing, Clark said. "These talks instilled a mindset of accelerated change, an attitude of purpose and a sustained strategic depth," he said. In addition, Moga said he integrated more military training into the academic year, in one exercise challenging cadets to plan a military operation in the South China Sea and determine how the Air Force, Space Force and joint force would work together. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The exercises were one effort to help young officers become more comfortable with risk and failure as a learning experience. "We need bright young leaders, OK with taking calculated risk," he said. Young officers need to practice, since they will be the ones learning to lead with a new generation of weapons and planes. As he handed off leadership, Moga expected the next commandant will retain the integration of more military training events through the school year. Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks took over from Moga Wednesday, describing it as an honor to return to the academy where he graduated in 1996. "We have new challenges to face, new opportunities to take advantage of, momentum to capitalize on," he said. While leading the cadets and staff, he said he expected five words to encapsulate their time together: "World class is our standard." Marks most recently worked as the director of electromagnetic spectrum superiority at Air Force Headquarters. The electromagnetic spectrum is used for communications. He also has been a command pilot and instructor pilot. Anderson Aldrich, the alleged perpetrator of the Club Q mass shooting, is scheduled to appear in court on Monday for an arraignment hearing, in what could be Aldrich's final appearance in district court. Aldrich is accused of fatally shooting five people and injuring nearly two dozen more at the LGBTQ+ nightclub Club Q on North Academy Boulevard on Nov. 19, 2022. Aldrich faces 323 total charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, hate crimes and more from the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office. Aldrich at Monday's arraignment will have the opportunity to enter a plea for the first time since being arrested inside Club Q in 2022. According to a report from The Associated Press, Aldrich is expected to take a plea deal on Monday that will see the defendant plead guilty to multiple murder and hate crime charges, which will ensure a life sentence in prison. Aldrich spoke with the AP from the El Paso County jail, and confirmed the plea deal. I have to take responsibility for what happened, Aldrich said to the AP. I dont know if this is common knowledge but I was on a very large plethora of drugs... I had been up for days. I was abusing steroids. Ive finally been able to get off that crap I was on. If Aldrich accepts a plea deal on Monday it could mark the end of the case in 4th Judicial District Court. The District Attorney's Office, which previously declined to comment on the legitimacy of the reported plea deal, stated that it will host a press conference shortly after Aldrich's arraignment. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. If Aldrich opts not to accept a deal and instead enters a not-guilty plea, a jury trial will be scheduled instead. Former 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler spoke with The Gazette about the reported plea deal from the AP, and stated that he believes it was an attempt for Aldrich to avoid the death penalty at the federal level. "It's just hard to imagine a guy getting to the place where he illegally arms himself, goes to an LGBTQ place and tries to murder everyone in there, and then because he's charged and has a couple months of sobriety is like 'Wow, I should have never done that,'" Brauchler said. "That's hard to imagine. I guess it could happen. But I think it probably has more to do with the fact that they fear the federal death penalty more than anything else." Colorado abolished the death penalty in 2020, but it remains a possible sentence at the federal level. The AP report stated that federal investigators remain active on the Aldrich case. Aldrich's arraignment is scheduled to begin on Monday at 8:30 a.m. A 12-person jury found an El Paso County man guilty of manslaughter Thursday, a significant downgrade from the initial charge of first-degree murder, for killing 19-year-old Kara Nichols. Hollendorfer, 47, was accused of killing Nichols in October 2012, which the prosecution alleges occurred after Hollendorfer strangled Nichols after paying her to have sex with him, and that afterward he buried her body at his parents' farm, where it wouldn't be found until February 2022. The jury of eight women and four men returned the verdict after approximately five hours of deliberation, with the case being handed to the jury at around noon on Thursday. Hollendorfer was originally charged with first-degree murder, but the jury opted to charge Hollendorfer with the lesser charge of manslaughter, a Class 4 felony. Had Hollendorfer been convicted of first-degree murder, he would have been sentenced to life in prison. Hollendorfer's sentence will be determined later this year, but a Class 4 felony carries with it two to six years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. As Judge William Bain read the verdict, silence fell over the courtroom. Nichols' parents, Julia and Paul Nichols, spoke with media about the verdict outside the courthouse following the decision. "We just feel this is an utter travesty. It's outrageous that this predator could murder our daughter, strangle her, degrade her," Julia Nichols said following the verdict. "We are so shocked that the jury could not understand this, and we are so beyond disappointed in this judicial system." "My daughter was treated like trash," Paul Nichols said. "This murderer will be back out on your streets, misbehaving, very, very soon. ... The District Attorney's Office made their case beyond any reasonable doubt. We are devastated with this verdict. We do not understand it." Kara Nichols' parents spoke at length about the frustration they felt with Bain's decision to not allow certain testimony at trial, including Hollendorfer's previous criminal history, something they felt would have changed the minds of the jury had it been admitted. Court records show Hollendorfer had been accused and convicted of harassment and protection-order violations numerous times in 2012 and 2013. Additionally, Hollendorfer was convicted of theft and burglary charges in 1996. FBI Special Agent Mike Willis testified last week about alleged violence Hollendorfer had perpetrated in his past relationship, but it was struck from the record after it was ruled to be outside the scope of the trial. After Bain moved to strike the testimony, defense attorney Jennifer Cox moved for a mistrial, claiming the jury could no longer be fair and impartial. Bain disagreed and denied the motion. "You (the jury) did wrong, you came up with the wrong verdict. You did not have all the evidence the judge saw to that," Paul Nichols said when asked what his message to the jury was. "There was voluminous amount of evidence that the judge would not allow to be brought into testimony." Prosecutor Rachael Powell during closing arguments on Thursday morning attempted to convince the jury that Hollendorfer, angry that his ex-wife was not returning his calls, contacted Nichols online to pay for sex, and out of rage, strangled her. "(She) lost consciousness and never regained consciousness," Powell said. "The last thing she saw was the defendant with his hand wrapped around her neck. The prosecution displayed a picture to the jury showing that Hollendorfer had attempted to call his ex-wife more than 15 times the same day he killed Nichols. Powell claimed the testimony from Hollendorfer's ex-wife, and Hollendorfer's actions after Nichols died, showed clearly that not only did he kill her but did so with deliberation and intent. Hollendorfer's ex-wife, Kristina Palmer, on Friday testified that in 2014 her husband admitted to her that he accidentally killed a girl in 2012 by strangling her, and that he buried her body on his family's farm. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. "I believe he said, 'I must have gone too long; I didn't mean for that to happen,'" Palmer said. "He told me he freaked out, because he didn't know what to do, and that he buried her on the property." Several members of law enforcement have testified that the allegations from Palmer were essential in recovering Nichols' body. Powell stated during closing arguments that Palmer knew several details regarding Nichols' death that weren't yet public knowledge, and that her testimony should be taken as fact. Christina Perroni, during the prosecution's rebuttal closing argument, stated that the actions of Hollendorfer weren't those of someone who had just witnessed someone die of a drug overdose, which the defense claims is what happened to Nichols, but rather the actions of someone who had just committed murder. You can absolutely infer intent about an action based on what they (Hollendorfer) did after," Perroni stated, discussing Hollendorfer's choice to bury Nichols' body at his parents' farm and lie about it to law enforcement for nearly 10 years. "He thought of her like trash, he used her like trash, he disposed of her like trash." Cox, who gave the defense's closing argument, didn't dispute Hollendorfer's actions following Nichols' death were "horrid" or "despicable," but stated that those actions did not indicate intent or deliberation to kill Nichols. What Joel Hollendorfer did was selfishly conceal her (Nichols') body what he didnt do was cause her death." Hollendorfer's defense attorneys have argued throughout the trial that Nichols' death was an accident, caused in large part by Nichols' heroin use, with the defense claiming that Nichols either died of a heroin overdose or due to her being choked during sex, and becoming unable to resume breathing because of being high on heroin. Cox argued during closing arguments that the prosecution had not provided any evidence over the two-week trial to disprove the defense's claims, and that Hollendorfer must be found not guilty as a result. "They (the prosecution) are asking you to ignore and speculate," Cox said of the prosecution's case against Hollendorfer. "They are asking you to speculate that he was angry (the evening he killed Nichols) to prove intent." Cox claimed that the only evidence the prosecution had that Hollendorfer killed Nichols was from the testimony of Palmer, and that in Palmer's testimony, she said that Hollendorfer told her he killed Nichols by accident. Cox said any death that happened by accident could not possibly result in a conviction of first-degree murder as it lacks both intent and deliberation. Both sides attempted to use the testimony of El Paso County coroner Dr. Leon Kelly, who conducted the autopsy on Nichols, to bolster their case. The prosecution pointed to Kelly's determination that Nichols' death was a homicide caused by strangulation, while the defense pointed to the fact that Kelly was unable to dismiss entirely that Nichols' death was due to a heroin overdose, and that Kelly's determination of strangulation being the cause of death was made in large part using context outside of the autopsy. Hollendorfer's second charge of tampering with physical evidence was dismissed by Bain at the start of Thursday's proceedings after he determined that the statute of limitations had run out. Hollendorfer will return to court on July 24 for a habitual-offender hearing, which will provide clarification on Hollendorfer's potential sentence. A sentencing hearing is likely to be scheduled at the July 24 hearing. Cox declined to speak to The Gazette following the reading of the verdict. 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. TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) Chemical manufacturer 3M Co. will pay at least $10.3 billion to settle lawsuits over contamination of many U.S. public drinking water systems with potentially harmful compounds used in firefighting foam and a host of consumer products, the company said Thursday. The deal would compensate water providers for pollution with per- and polyfluorinated substances, known collectively as PFAS a broad class of chemicals used in nonstick, water- and grease-resistant products such as clothing and cookware. Described as forever chemicals because they dont degrade naturally in the environment, PFAS have been linked to a variety of health problems, including liver and immune-system damage and some cancers. The compounds have been detected at varying levels in drinking water around the nation. The Environmental Protection Agency in March proposed strict limits on two common types, PFOA and PFOS, and said it wanted to regulate four others. Water providers would be responsible for monitoring their systems for the chemicals. The agreement would settle a case that was scheduled for trial earlier this month involving a claim by Stuart, Florida, one of about 300 communities that have filed similar suits against companies that produced firefighting foam or the PFAS it contained. 3M chairman Mike Roman said the deal was an important step forward that builds on the company's decision in 2020 to phase out PFOA and PFOS and its investments in state-of-the-art water filtration technology in our chemical manufacturing operations." The company, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, will halt all PFAS production by the end of 2025, he said. The settlement will be paid over 13 years and could reach as high as $12.5 billion, depending on how many public water systems detect PFAS during testing that EPA has required in the next three years, said Dallas-based attorney Scott Summy, one of the lead attorneys for those suing 3M and other manufacturers. The payment will help cover costs of filtering PFAS from systems where it's been detected and testing others, he said. The result is that millions of Americans will have healthier lives without PFAS in their drinking water, Summy said. Earlier this month, three other companies DuPont de Nemours Inc. and spinoffs Chemours Co. and Corteva Inc. reached a $1.18 billion deal to resolve PFAS complaints by about 300 drinking water providers. A number of states, airports, firefighter training facilities and private well owners also have sued. The cases are pending in U.S. District Court in Charleston, South Carolina, where Judge Richard Gergel is overseeing thousands of complaints alleging PFAS damages. A trial of a complaint by the city of Stuart, Florida, had been scheduled to begin this month but was delayed to allow time for additional settlement negotiations. Most of the lawsuits have stemmed from firefighter training exercises at airports, military bases and other sites around the U.S. that repeatedly used foams laced with high concentrations of PFAS, Summy said. The 3M settlement is subject to court approval, he said. 3M's website says the company helped the U.S. Navy develop foams containing PFAS chemicals in the 1960s. This was an important and life-saving tool that helped combat dangerous fires, like those caused by jet fuel, the company said. 3M said its participation in the settlement is not an admission of liability and said if it was rejected in court, 3M is prepared to continue to defend itself. The cost of cleansing PFAS from U.S. water systems eventually could go much higher than the sums agreed to in the settlements, Summy acknowledged. I'm not sure anyone knows what that ultimate number will be, he said. But I do think this is going to make a huge dent in that cost ... and you don't have to litigate for the next decade or longer. The owner of the Wagner private military contractor made his most direct challenge to the Kremlin yet, calling for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russias defense minister. The security services reacted immediately by calling for the arrest of Yevgeny Prigozhin. In a sign of how seriously the Kremlin was taking the threat, security was heightened in Moscow and in Rostov-on-Don, which is home to the Russian military headquarters for the southern region and also oversees the fighting in Ukraine. While the outcome of the confrontation was still unclear, it appeared likely to further hinder Moscow's war effort as Kyiv's forces were probing Russian defenses in the initial stages of a counteroffensive. The dispute, especially if Prigozhin were to succeed, also could have repercussions for President Vladimir Putin and his ability to maintain a united front. Prigozhin claimed early Saturday that his forces had crossed into Russia from Ukraine and had reached Rostov, saying they faced no resistance from young conscripts at checkpoints and that his forces arent fighting against children. But we will destroy anyone who stands in our way, he said in one of a series of angry video and audio recordings posted on social media beginning late Friday. We are moving forward and will go until the end. He claimed that the chief of the General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, scrambled warplanes to strike Wagners convoys, which were driving alongside ordinary vehicles. Prigozhin also said his forces shot down a Russian military helicopter that fired on a civilian convoy, but there was no independent confirmation. And despite Prigozhins statements that Wagner convoys had entered Rostov-on-Don, there was no confirmation of that yet on Russian social networks. Video posted online showed armored vehicles, including tanks, stationed on the streets and troops moving into position, but it was unclear whether they were under Wagner or military command. Earlier, heavy trucks were seen blocking highways leading into the city and long convoys of National Guard trucks were seen on a road. The governor of the Voronezh region, just to the north, told residents that a column of military vehicles was moving along the main highway and advised them to stay off the road. Prigozhin said Wagner field camps in Ukraine were struck by rockets, helicopter gunships and artillery fire on orders from Gerasimov following a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, at which they decided to destroy Wagner. The Wagner forces have played a crucial role in Russias war in Ukraine, succeeding in taking the city where the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place, Bakhmut. But Prigozhin has increasingly criticized Russias military brass, accusing it of incompetence and of starving his troops of weapons and ammunition. Prigozhin, who said he had 25,000 troops under his command, said his troops would punish Shoigu in an armed rebellion and urged the army not to offer resistance: This is not a military coup, but a march of justice. The National Anti-Terrorism Committee, which is part of the Federal Security Services, or FSB, charged him with calling for an armed rebellion, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The FSB urged Wagner's contract soldiers to arrest Prigozhin and refuse to follow his criminal and treacherous orders. It called his statements a stab in the back to Russian troops and said they amounted to fomenting armed conflict. Putin was informed about the situation and all the necessary measures were being taken," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Heavy military trucks and armored vehicles were seen in several parts of central Moscow early Saturday, and soldiers toting assault rifles were deployed outside the main building of the Defense Ministry. The area around the presidential administration near Red Square was blocked, snarling traffic. But even with the heightened military presence, downtown bars and restaurants were filled with customers. At one club near the headquarters of the FSB, people were dancing in the street near the entrance. Moscows mayor announced Saturday morning that counterterrorism measures were underway, including increased control of roads and possible restrictions on mass gatherings. Prigozhin, whose feud with the Defense Ministry dates back years, had refused to comply with a requirement that military contractors sign contracts with the ministry before July 1. In a statement late Friday, he said he was ready to find a compromise but they have treacherously cheated us. Today they carried out a rocket strike on our rear camps, and a huge number of our comrades got killed, he said. The Defense Ministry denied attacking the Wagner camps. Prigozhin claimed that Shoigu went to the Russian military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don personally to direct the strike and then cowardly fled. The evil embodied by the countrys military leadership must be stopped, he shouted. Col. Gen. Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of the Russian group of forces fighting in Ukraine, urged the Wagner forces to stop any move against the army, saying it would play into the hands of Russia's enemies, who are "waiting to see the exacerbation of our domestic political situation. Tatiana Stanovaya, a political analyst, predicted this would be the end of Prigozhin. Now that the state has actively engaged, theres no turning back, she tweeted. The termination of Prigozhin and Wagner is imminent. The only possibility now is absolute obliteration, with the degree of resistance from the Wagner group being the only variable. Surovikin was dispatched to convince them to surrender. Confrontation seems totally futile. Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alexeyev, a top military officer, denounced Prigozhins move as madness that threatens civil war. Its a stab in the back to the country and the president. ... Such a provocation could only be staged by enemies of Russia, he said. The Defense Ministry said in a statement that Ukraine was concentrating troops for an attack around Bakhmut to take advantage of Prigozhins provocation. It said Russian artillery and warplanes were firing on Ukrainian forces as they prepared an offensive. In Washington, the Institute for the Study of War, said it appeared that Prigozhin fully intends for Wagner to move against MoD leadership and forcibly remove them from power, more likely against the Southern Military District command in Rostov-on-Don but possibly also against Moscow. It added that despite Putin's support for Prigozhin, he would be highly unlikely to accept any armed rebellion: The violent overthrow of Putin loyalists like Shoigu and Gerasimov would cause irreparable damage to the stability of Putins perceived hold on power. At the White House, National Security Council Adam Hodge said: "We are monitoring the situation and will be consulting with allies and partners on these developments. Michael Kofman, director of Russia Studies at the CAN research group in Arlington, Virginia, tweeted that Prigozhin's actions struck him as a desperate act, though much depends on whether Prigozhin is alone, or if others that matter join him. Im skeptical this ends well for him or Wagner. In Kyiv a Russian missile attack killed at least two people and injured eight Saturday when falling debris caused a fire on several floors of a 24-story apartment building in a central district, Serhii Popko, the head of the city's military administration, posted on Telegram. He said more than 20 missiles were detected and destroyed. Video from the scene showed a blaze in the upper floors of the building and the parking lot strewn with ash and debris. In other developments in the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on other countries to heed warnings that Russia may be planning to attack an occupied nuclear power plant to cause a radiation disaster. Members of his government briefed international representatives on the possible threat to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, whose six reactors have been shut down for months. Zelenskyy said he expected other nations to give appropriate signals and exert pressure on Moscow. The Kremlins spokesman has denied the threat to the plant is coming from Russian forces. The potential for a life-threatening release of radiation has been a concern since Russian troops invaded Ukraine last year and seized the plant, Europes largest nuclear power station. The head of the U.N.s atomic energy agency spent months trying to negotiate the establishment of a safety perimeter to protect the facility as nearby areas came under repeated shelling, but he has been unsuccessful. The International Atomic Energy Agency noted Thursday that the military situation has become increasingly tense amid a Ukrainian counteroffensive that began this month in Zaporizhzhia province, where the namesake plant is located, and in an adjacent part of Donetsk province. BETHEL TWP., Pa. - A Berks County man is behind bars after authorities say he abused a 10-month-old infant. 22-year-old Justin Schade of Bethel Township is charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and related offenses. Authorities say in early January of this year, first responders were called to a Bethel Township home for a child that was not breathing. Upon arrival, EMTs observed that the victim was breathing and after making efforts to stabilize the patient, he was transported to Penn State Health St. Joseph Hospital in Bern Township for treatment. Investigators say medical staff quickly determined the child had life-threatening injuries and needed advanced medical care, and he was transferred again to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Dauphin County. Due to the nature of the child's injuries, Dauphin County Children and Youth Services joined the investigation. Authorities say the victim suffered fractured ribs, a ruptured eye socket and other injuries and determined they were the result of child abuse, specifically shaking and squeezing injuries. According to investigators, the child's mother said Schade admitted to her that he had shaken the victim on the day of the incident. According to court paperwork, the child also sustained injuries while he was again a patient at Hershey Medical Center later that month. Medical staff observed a large laceration on the child's face and noted that Schade had been the only person with the victim at the time of injury. It is alleged that Schade told hospital staff that the child was "fighting him" as he tried to feed him, and scratched his own face as result. Investigators determined it was not possible for the victim to injure himself in that manner. Staff also observed bruising on the child that had not been present when he was initially hospitalized earlier that month. Schade is in Berks County Jail unable to post $250,000 bail. BETHLEHEM, Pa. - It's a good weekend for foodies and lovers of music. Tonight, the Sabor Latin Festival kicks off at SteelStacks in Bethlehem and lasts all weekend long. The two-and-half day event brings together the culture and the cuisine of the region's large Latino population. "It's a great opportunity for us to invite the entire Latin community to come down here and celebrate all the things we can from their cultures," Curt Mosel, COO of ArtsQuest, said." For the last 13 years, ArtsQuest has put on the event, bringing together tens of thousand of people to the Levitt Pavilion and Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage. Mosel expects the same this year, with 10-12,000 people enjoying the free festival. "That's the beauty of this is you don't have to be Latin to come down here and enjoy Latin programming," Mosel said. "You can come from any, you know, you can go from the suburbs, you can from Macungie or east end and just come and enjoy it." This weekend's festivities include performances from veteran Hector Rosado and the Lehigh Valley Urban Latin Orquesta. "One year, it'll be salsa then you're looking at merengue, and that's what we try to do is mix it up and have different things for folks to be able to come down and listen to, to dance to and really enjoy." The event starts tonight at 6 with a ceremony raising the Puerto Rican flag. PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. - An escalation in gun violence has a Warren County town using federal grant money on new, cutting-edge technology to detect gunshots. But just how accurate is it? New technology for an immediate response to gun violence: that's what a tech-based company called SoundThinking says it can do, to call for immediate help and gather evidence after gunshots. "We use sensors to listen for and detect sounds of gunfire, then we use a sophisticated process for locating where those sounds originate from," Tom Chittum, Senior Vice President of Analytics and Forensic Services for SoundThinking, said. The town of Phillipsburg, in Warren County is using federal dollars to get it. "Phillipsburg was earmarked as a place that is now seeing escalated gun violence," Warren County prosecutor, Jim Pfeiffer, told 69 News. The town applied for and received $297,000 in funds from the American Rescue Plan to install "gunshot detection systems." So how do they work? The product from SoundThinking is called ShotSpotter. Chittum says crews set up sensors in places where there are higher rates of gun violence. As for how it works, he says it's the same process scientists use to locate the epicenter of earthquakes. "What we do is measure how quickly the sound of gunfire gets to different sensors," Chittum said. "And that way we can calculate where the sound originated from." "What this technology does, it provides additional eyes and ears for our police department to keep our community safe," Mayor Todd Tersigni, (D) Phillipsburg, told 69 News. But not everyone is on board with the technology. An Associated Press investigation says it found "the system can miss live gunfire right under its microphones, or misclassify the sounds of fireworks or cars backfiring as gunshots." It also says "ShotSpotters employees have been used in court to improperly claim that a defendant shot at police, or provide questionable counts of the number of shots allegedly fired by defendants. Judges in a number of cases have thrown out the evidence." But Chittum disputes that, saying he retired from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and joined the company because he believes in its effectiveness to make streets safer. "ShotSpotter does not make up evidence," he said. "We do not produce false gunfire. We do not change facts to fit convenient police narratives." He adds the technology is just one piece of the puzzle, in a full investigation. "ShotSpotter is a tool for police to better protect the communities they serve," he said. "The tool is most effective when it is used with other sources of important information: crime gun intelligence, ballistic imaging, and importantly, engagement and input from the community." And that's how officials say they plan to use it. "It is not going to be the only evidence," Pfeiffer said. "But it's going to be evidence that may be able to be used in that situation, to lead to an accurate investigation. And then obviously a conviction, if that individual is charged." Nearly 1.5 million people have unclaimed tax refunds from 2019, amounting to $1.5 billion and you have only a few weeks left to act. The cutoff date is July 17th. "You'll be surprised to find how many have not filed tax returns, even for years," said Bill Bloss with RLB Accountants in Allentown. The IRS says many may have overlooked or forgotten about filing because of the pandemic, the original deadline for 2019 was extended. Those who usually don't make enough to file a tax return may be unaware that they're eligible for fully-refundable pandemic-era tax credit, such as the the earned income tax credit (EITC), worth up to $6,557 for low to moderate income workers, and there's more. "You've got the earned income credit, you've got child tax credits, dependent care credits," Bloss said "But they're just not aware that it's out there." In Pennsylvania alone, the IRS estimates 56,000 unclaimed refunds for 2019. In New Jersey, 40,000. The median refund for both states is $924. "Some people have had federal tax withheld from their pay and even though they feel they don't need to file a tax return, that tax they can get back beyond what these tax credits suggest," Bloss said. While there's still some time to file, it may take a while to gather the necessary documents from a few years ago. You may have to file a return for 2020 and 2021 as well in order to receive your refund. "You can sign up on IRS.gov, get a transcript of all the information that's been filed on your behalf. They'll send that information so you can prepare a tax return from that," Bloss said. 2019 returns must be filed on paper, so it may take longer to get the money back. DUNMORE, Pa. - Residents are being asked to be careful when it comes to over-the-phone requests for money donations, especially after the death of Fallen Trooper Jacques F. Rougeau Jr. The Pennsylvania State Police says it will not call and ask directly for donations under any type of circumstances. Anyone interested in donating to assist the Troopers' families can send a check to the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association (PSTA) at 3625 Vartan Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The check should be made out to the "Survivor's Fund," with the name of the trooper written in the "memo" portion of the check. One person is dead after an early morning shooting near Memorial Hospital on Colorado Springs' east side, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department. Officials said police were notified of shots fired in the area just after 3 a.m. Friday. Officers discovered the body of a female who appeared to have been shot, according to a police blotter entry. Westbound Boulder Street and Farragut Avenue, and eastbound Boulder Street and Logan Avenue were closed as of 10 a.m. Authorities encouraged drivers to seek an alternate route as the investigation continues. According to CSPD spokesperson Robert Tornabene, the victim will be identified by the El Paso County Coroner's Office in the next week. No arrests have been made . This report will be updated as more information is received. CRESCO, PA All parties in the conditional use hearing for the proposed Hawthorne Mount Pocono Resort have concluded testimony. The Paradise Township hearings, which have been ongoing since Jan. 25, have included the testimony of witnesses for the applicant JSPA Realty, LLC, which has proposed a master development plan for a resort and an 87,000 square-foot commercial shopping center. The resort has been proposed to consist of mixed-uses, including a lodge, three restaurants, separate villas, pools and a spa. The attorney for the applicant, Donald G. Karpowich, concluded his case in May. At a hearing on June 8, twenty individuals who signed on with party status at the start of the hearings had their chance to present testimony. Most of parties own property near the proposed development, which would be located on seven parcels of land located off Route 611. The facility is being proposed within the townships resort development overlay district in the R-2 residential zoning district. The use is permitted with conditional-use approval from the township supervisors. Most of the parties who were present on June 8 opted not to present testimony and instead said they plan on submitting written briefs stating their cases at the conclusion of the proceedings. The hearing continued Thursday night to allow one party, who was unable to attend the June 8 hearing, to present testimony. William Michael Johnson said he was representing the Swiftwater Preserve, a 130-year-old fishing club that has been instrumental in preserving the ecological character of the stream. Specifically, we want to compliment the application in many ways and believe that it is well suited and well thought, Johnson said. We are concerned ,as a general principle, in any development that extracts water and does not return it to the watershed and we've seen and heard testimony here with specific alternative sewage treatment, which we support. Johnson said the preserve strongly recommends that every effort be made to return as much water to the watershed. This is particularly in the stream, because it has a history of running dry in dry summers, he explained. Johnson then testified that the preserve does have concerns with the retail portion of the project, specifically, with the types of run off that typically come from retail developments. Township solicitor John C. Prevoznik explained that the record will be held open for 30 days, during which time the parties may submit written briefs. Prevoznik instructed that the briefs are not submitted as evidence and must apply the principles of law using the zoning ordinance. Prevoznik said the brief must contain findings of fact, which the parties must get from reviewing the transcripts of the hearings. All briefs are due on July 28, no later than 4 p.m. The hearing will then be continued until August 14 at 5 p.m., at which time members of the public who did not have party-status will have the opportunity to make comments. Prevoznik said the supervisors may opt to render a decision on the conditional-use application at the conclusion of the hearing on August 14. After the supervisors vote on whether to grant or deny the conditional use, the parties have the right to appeal the decision in court. PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - It only took 12 days for PennDOT crews to reopen I-95 in Philadelphia. The bridges on both sides now have traffic flowing smoothly over Cottman Ave. The inaugural drive over the finished product was none other than Gritty and other mascots on top of a firetruck. "We rebuilt I-95 in just 12 days, and through that process we showed the nation what Philadelphia and Pennsylvania are all about," said Governor Josh Shapiro in a press conference on top of the finished bridge. Shapiro got to thank many of the workers personally who were there for the reopening, but he also recognized organizations from across the State that lent their support. "Everyone wanted to be a part of this. From SEPTA stepping up to add capacity and welcome new riders, to Pocono Raceway lending us their jet dryers to ensure the road stayed dry so it could be paved and striped," said Shapiro. Presidential Advisor Mitch Landrieu was also on-hand on behalf of the White House. "As soon as this happened, the President called me and he said Mitch, he said this is the most important project in the country. He said move heaven and earth to get it done. So I would like to say, Mr. President, I don't know about heaven, but we moved a hell of a lot of earth," said Landrieu. The new bridge is built of lightweight foam glass aggregate, but Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll assured everyone it's just as safe as before. "This road is being opened because it's completed, it's safely completed, and it's ready for traffic, and I don't think the people of Philadelphia want to wait one more minute to put a vehicle across 95," said Carroll. As of noon on Friday the road was fully reopened, but there is still a gaping hole on the side where the old bridge used to be. There's no timetable yet for when that will be filled in, but Governor Shapiro said to expect it quicker than you think. "When we work together, we can get s*** done here in Pennsylvania," said Shaprio. The new bridges have lanes that are slightly smaller than before, only 11-feet wide. They have the speed limit set at 45 miles per hour, and they're asking drivers to stay as close to that as possible for safety on the bridge. JERUSALEM (AP) Israels security agency said Friday it had detained three Israeli settlers on suspicion of involvement in mass rampages through Palestinian towns in the occupied West Bank this week following the killing of four Israelis. While rights groups welcomed the arrests, the small number of suspects given the scale of the attacks revived criticism of the wider lack of accountability for Israeli settlers. The rule is impunity from justice, said Roy Yellin, of the Israeli rights group BTselem. Israels Shin Bet security agency did not identify the three detained Israelis. Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters he hoped that there will be enforcement, that there will be law." He said he expected police to make more arrests. Over the past three days, Jewish settlers have torched and vandalized dozens of Palestinian homes and cars throughout the West Bank in retaliation for Wednesdays Palestinian shooting attack that killed four Israelis. Their ferocity echoed a deadly settler rampage in February in the northern Palestinian town of Hawara. Some Israeli settlers were detained following that attack, but swiftly released without indictments. The Israeli rights group Yesh Din on Friday described the arrests as a drop in the ocean." The group has documented the burning of at least 30 Palestinian homes, 60 cars, a gas station, multiple shops, a mosque and school throughout northern West Bank villages this week. The number of homes and cars burned or vandalized, it acknowledged, is probably higher. The groups director, Ziv Stahl, alleged that the Israeli militarys inability or unwillingness to prevent settler attacks was part of an intentional policy rather than a mistake. (The army) had four mounts after (the attack in) Hawara to study how to deal with this and stop it, she said. But everything happened in broad daylight. They didnt detain anyone on the scene. They allowed the settlers to do whatever they felt like doing. The Israeli military acknowledged that it had failed to prevent the waves of Israeli settler reprisals against innocent Palestinians." Hagari called Wednesday's rampage through the typically sleepy and well-to-do Palestinian town of Turmus Ayya north of Ramallah a horrible event. He said the military was beefing up forces in the area. It's a severe event that we should prevent, and we failed to prevent it, Hagari told reporters, adding that security forces had expected extremist vigilantes to descend on Palestinian towns after the funerals of the killed Israelis. We did not succeed because the force wasnt large enough to prevent it." The surging violence in the West Bank has created a test for Israels far-right government, which has vowed take a hard line against the Palestinians and expand Jewish settlements in the territory, which Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war. On Friday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited Eviatar, an unauthorized settlement outpost in the northern West Bank that was evacuated by the previous Israeli government in 2021. Addressing a crowd of young ideological Jewish settlers, he pressed for a more aggressive military response to Palestinian attacks. He exhorted the settlers to run to the hilltops," referring to Israel's unauthorized outposts on West Bank hilltops. He demanded the government take down buildings and eliminate terrorists. "Not just one or two," he said. But dozens and hundreds, and if needed, thousands. Wednesdays violence particularly traumatized residents of Turmus Ayya and Urif, the hometown of the two assailants who carried out Wednesdays shooting, leaving residents fearful for their safety. Confrontations erupted between Israeli security forces and Palestinian residents who hurled stones and fireworks, killing a 27-year-old Palestinian and wounding at least a dozen others. Security footage of the attacks that circulated on social media Friday drew further outrage. Closed-circuit television footage from Urif on Wednesday authenticated by Yesh Din showed a masked man with a dog on a leash violently ripping out all the pages of a Quran, and flinging the pages into the street. Mustafa Shehadeh, head of the medical team in Urif, said the man broke broke the door of the village mosque, let his dog loose in the prayer room and grabbed at least 10 Qurans. He ripped them up in front of me and threw all of them into the trash, he said. Settlers also hurled stones at homes with children inside, he said, wounding at least 40 people, many of them in the head. The attacks were painful in a way I will not forget, he said. Other videos from Turmus Ayya show a group of young vandals shooting, apparently at random, in the direction of Palestinian homes. Vigilante violence against Palestinian towns continued late Thursday, with residents reporting settlers throwing stones at Palestinians in villages north of Ramallah and south of the city of Hebron, wounding at least six people. The attacks have also put increased pressure on the Palestinian Authority, which exerts limited autonomy in parts of the West Bank. During Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyehs visit to the ruined homes and charred cars of Turmus Ayya, residents demanded that the authority do more to protect its people, either by deploying security forces or giving them weapons. A member of the Palestine Liberation Organizations executive committee, Bassam al-Salhi, appealed on Friday for the creation of an armed Palestinian national guard to fend off settlers in Palestinian towns vulnerable to settler attacks. Palestinian officials dismissed the idea but said authorities were considering the formation of village watch teams and other civilian committees to alert Palestinian residents to settler rampages and mobilize self-defense. This is really something necessary, said Ahmad Majdalani, the minister of social development. The Palestinian people are defenseless and must protest peacefully against this aggression. Hagari, the Israeli military spokesperson, urged restraint. When asked what his message would be to Palestinians under Israeli security control who are worried about future settler attacks, he said that Israeli security forces are doing the best effort that we can. We are in charge of this area," he said. It's part of our job. CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) Abortion pills will remain legal in Wyoming for now, after a judge ruled Thursday that the states first-in-the-nation law to ban them wont take effect July 1 as planned while a lawsuit proceeds. Attorneys for Wyoming failed to show that the ban wouldnt harm the plaintiffs before their lawsuit is resolved, Teton County Judge Melissa Owens ruled after hearing arguments from both sides. Meanwhile, those plaintiffs have clearly showed probable success on the merits, Owens said. While other states have instituted de facto bans on the medication by broadly prohibiting abortion, only Wyoming has specifically banned abortion pills. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in April that access to one of the two pills, mifepristone, may continue while litigants seek to overturn the Food and Drug Administrations approval of it. Wyoming's pill ban is being challenged by four women, including two obstetricians, and two nonprofit organizations. One of the groups, Wellspring Health Access, opened as the state's first full-service abortion clinic in years in April following an arson attack in 2022. They're are also suing to stop a near-total ban on abortion enacted in Wyoming in March. Owens has suspended that law, too, and combined the two lawsuits. Because abortion remains legal in Wyoming, banning abortion pills would require women to get more invasive surgical abortions instead, Marci Bramlet, an attorney for the ban opponents told Owens in Thursdays hearing. It effectively tells people you must have open-heart surgery when a stent would do, Bramlet said. A state constitutional amendment enacted in 2012 also came into play in court arguments. The amendment passed in response to the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obamas health care law, says Wyoming residents have the right to make their own health care decisions. Wyomings new abortion laws allow exceptions to save life and for cases of rape or incest that are reported to police. But abortion for other reasons isnt health care under the amendment, Jay Jerde, an attorney for the state, argued. Its not restoring a womans body from pain, injury or physical sickness, Jerde said. Medical services are involved, but getting an abortion for reasons other than health care, it cant be a medical decision. Pregnancy involves pain and sickness, Owens pointed out. But women dont get abortions for that reason, countered Jerde. Attorneys for the plaintiffs later questioned how the state could know the motives of women getting abortions. Wyomings new laws were enacted after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade last year. Since then, some 25 million women and teenagers have been subjected to either stricter controls on ending their pregnancies or almost total bans on the procedure. In central Wyoming, services at Wellspring Health Access include pill abortions a method for ending pregnancy that is used in more than half of all U.S. abortions, said Julie Burkhart, Wellsprings president, in a statement. Medication abortion is safe, effective, and has been approved by the FDA for more than two decades," Burkhart said. Previously only one other clinic in Wyoming a womens health center in Jackson, some 250 miles (400 kilometers) away offered pill abortions. Wyoming officials didnt immediately return a request for comment but previously have promised to vigorously defend the legality of the new laws. In recent years, abortions using two kinds of pills, usually taken days apart, have become the preferred method for ending pregnancy in the U.S., in part because the process offers a less invasive alternative to surgical abortions. Until Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon signed the legislation outlawing medication abortions, no state had passed a law specifically prohibiting abortion pills, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. However, 13 states enacted blanket abortion bans that included medical abortions and 15 states already had limited access to the pills. Starting with an abortion ban that was set to take effect last summer, Owens has now blocked three abortion bans signed into law by Gordon, the Republican governor who appointed her. She serves GOP-dominated Sublette and Fremont counties as well as Teton County, an ultra-wealthy and not-so-Republican area many Wyomingites dont see as representative of their state. MADRID (AP) Rights groups on Friday denounced a lack of justice and transparency over the deaths of at least 37 migrants last year during a mass attempt to cross the border from Morocco into the Spanish enclave city of Melilla. Ahead of the tragedy's first anniversary on Saturday, Amnesty International said the Spanish and Moroccan authorities were preventing attempts to find the truth" of what happened when up to 2,000 African migrants tried to climb a border wall and dozens were crushed, beaten and denied medical attention by security forces at the Barrio Chino border crossing. The independent Spanish Commission for Refugees, also known by its Spanish acronym CEAR, ordered authorities to clarify what happened that day for truth, justice and reparations," and demanded the launch of an independent investigation after prosecutors shelved the only state probe into the deaths in December. This leaves the door wide open for such a tragedy to happen again, endangering the lives of thousands of people seeking refuge," said Estrella Galan, CEARs general director. Amnesty noted that the families of 76 people who remain missing after the tragedy were still waiting for answers, and that Spain and Morocco both had failed to provide a full list of victims names, or any footage of the tragedy. Bodies are still lying in a morgue and in graves and efforts to identify the dead and inform their relatives have been blocked, said Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard. Spains interior ministry has repeatedly denied that any deaths occurred on Spanish soil, and maintained this stance in an emailed statement to the Associated Press on Friday. No tragic event took place in Spain and the actions of the agents of the state security forces were irreproachable, the statement said. Amnesty International and CEAR confuse the lack of support for their story with an alleged lack of investigation, it added, saying the Spanish Attorney Generals Office had corroborated the ministrys findings. Moroccan officials did not respond to requests for comment on the eve of the tragedys anniversary, and it has received no coverage in the official Moroccan media. Organizations like CEAR have long criticized the Spanish government for the physical and bureaucratic obstacles asylum seekers face while seeking safe harbor. Spains acceptance rate for asylum-seekers claims is well below the European average. Amnesty further alleged that Spain has continued illegal forced expulsions at the Moroccan border since the deadly attempted border crossing, while the warming of relations between the two countries means Morocco forcibly prevents asylum-seekers from reaching the Spanish side to apply for international protection. What happened in Melilla is a salutary reminder that racist migration policies aimed at fortifying borders and restricting safe and legal routes for people seeking safety in Europe have real and deadly consequences," Callamard said. The rights groups' call for action comes during a harrowing month for migrant deaths in the Mediterranean. This week, the bodies of a man and a child were retrieved from waters off the western coast of Morocco, Spains Maritime Rescue service said Wednesday. Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras said the dinghy they were traveling in was left for 12 hours without help, and 39 people on board died. The Spanish coast guard told media on Friday it had asked Moroccan authorities to aid the shipwreck, amid criticism this delayed the arrival of help. Morocco took charge of the rescue as the boat was floating in a shared Search and Rescue zone but closer to Moroccan territory, the Spanish side said. Spanish rescuers had just attended to another boat in distress and needed to return to port to provide some of the passengers with medical attention, they added. Spain's ombudsman announced on Friday it was looking into the case and requesting information on the cooperation between the two sides, and how the rescue operation unfolded. Meanwhile, the number of confirmed deaths from one of the worst-ever migrant shipwrecks in the Mediterranean rose to 81 Monday after three more bodies were found off southern Greece. The Greek coast guard has also been widely criticized for not trying to rescue the migrants before their vessel sank. The weapons supervisor charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of a cinematographer on the New Mexico set of the Alec Baldwin film Rust was charged Thursday with evidence tampering for allegedly passing drugs to someone else on the day of the shooting. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed did transfer narcotics to another person with the intent to prevent the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of herself. the special prosecutors appointed in the case said in a Santa Fe County court filing. They gave no further details. Gutierrez-Reed's attorney Jason Bowles called the move retaliatory and vindictive. It is shocking that after 20 months of investigation, the special prosecutor now throws in a completely new charge against Ms. Gutierrez Reed, with no prior notice or any witness statements, lab reports, or evidence to support it," Bowles said in a statement. Gutierrez-Reed is the sole remaining defendant in the case after prosecutors in April dropped an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin, who was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal when it went off, killed her and injured director Joel Souza on Oct. 21, 2021. Prosecutors can still refile charges against Baldwin. The new charge comes a week after prosecutors alleged in a court filing that Gutierrez-Reed was drinking and smoking marijuana in the evenings during the filming of Rust" and was likely hungover on the day a live bullet was placed into the gun Baldwin used. Bowles called that allegation character assassination from prosecutors with a weak case that the defense has asked a judge to dismiss. In his own filing Thursday, Bowles revealed that he had been accidentally included on an email to District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies from her lead investigator in the case, who slammed the law enforcement response to the shooting. The conduct of the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office during and after their initial investigation is reprehensible and unprofessional to a degree I still have no words for, Robert Schilling wrote in the email, in which he said he will be stepping down so special prosecutors can use their own investigator. Not I or 200 more proficient investigators than I can/could clean up the mess delivered to your office. Bowles said in his filing that the email demonstrates the weakness of the case against his client. He said it suggests that the prosecution has been withholding evidence from the defense. Emails seeking comment from the Sheriff's Office and the special prosecutors were not immediately returned. BOSTON (AP) The deadly implosion of the Titan submersible raises questions about whether the vessel exploring the Titanic wreckage was destined for disaster because of its unconventional design and its creators refusal to submit to independent checks that are standard in the industry. All five people aboard the Titan died when it was crushed near the world's most famous shipwreck, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger said Thursday, bringing an end to a massive multinational search that began Sunday when the vessel lost contact with its mother ship in the unforgiving North Atlantic. The Titan, owned and operated by OceanGate Expeditions, first began taking people to the Titanic in 2021. It was touted for a roomier cylinder-shaped cabin made of a carbon-fiber a departure from the sphere-shaped cabins made of titanium used by most submersibles. The sphere is the perfect shape, because water pressure is exerted equally on all areas, said Chris Roman, a professor at the University of Rhode Islands Graduate School of Oceanography. Roman had not been on the Titan but has made several deep dives in Alvin, a submersible operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts. The 22-foot long (6.7-meter long), 23,000-pound (10,432-kilogram) Titans larger internal volume while still cramped with a maximum of five seated people meant it was subjected to more external pressure. Elongating the cabin space in a submersible increases pressure loads in the midsections, which increases fatigue and delamination loads, said Jasper Graham-Jones, an associate professor of mechanical and marine engineering at the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom. Fatigue, he said, is like bending a wire back and forth until it breaks. Delamination, he said, is like splitting wood down the grain, which is easier than chopping across the grain. Furthermore, the Titan's 5-inch thick (12.7 centimeters) hull had been subjected to repeated stress over the course of about two dozen previous dives, Graham-Jones said. Each trip would put tiny cracks in the structure. This might be small and undetectable to start but would soon become critical and produce rapid and uncontrollable growth," he said. OceanGate promoted the Titan's carbon fiber construction with titanium endcaps as lighter in weight and more efficient to mobilize than other deep diving submersibles on its website. It also said the vessel was designed to dive four kilometers (2.4 miles) with a comfortable safety margin, according to court documents. But carbon composites have limited life when subject to excessive loads or poor design which leads to stress concentrations, Graham-Jones said. Yes, composites are extremely tough. Yes, composites are extremely long lasting. But we do have issues with composites and the fact that composites fail in slightly different ways than other materials, he said. OceanGate was also warned that a lack of third party scrutiny of the vessel during development could pose catastrophic safety problems. David Lochridge, OceanGates then-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. He advocated for nondestructive testing, such as ultrasonic scans, but the company refused. Ultrasonic testing can help spot areas inside the structure where the composites are coming apart, said Neal Couture, executive director of a professional organization called the American Society for Nondestructive Testing. Once this thing is going down and going under stress, itll affect those materials, itll affect those composites," Couture said Friday. "Nondestructive testing is how you would then assess those structures and say, OK, theyre still viable, or, theyre still susceptible. The Marine Technology Society, an organization of ocean engineers, technologists, policymakers and educators, also expressed concern to OceanGate about the size of the Titan, the construction material and the fact that the prototype wasnt being examined by a third party. We were very afraid that without that certification process, they might be missing something, Will Kohnen, the organization's chairman said Friday. He sent a letter to the company in 2018 warning that its current experimental approach ... could result in negative outcomes (from minor to catastrophic) that would have serious consequences for everyone in the industry. Graham-Jones said it's standard procedure in engineering to seek outside expertise the ensure that vessels conform to the highest industry standards. In a 2019 company blog post, OceanGate criticized the third-party certification process as one that is time-consuming and stifles innovation. Bringing an outside entity up to speed on every innovation before it is put into real-world testing is anathema to rapid innovation," the post said. Famed undersea explorer Robert Ballard, who first located the Titanic wreckage in 1985, called the lack of outside certification and classification a smoking gun" in the vessel's failure. Weve made thousands and thousands and thousands of dives with other countries as well to these depths and have never had an incident, he said Friday on ABCs Good Morning America." Titanic director James Cameron, who has made multiple descents to the wreck, said there are several possible reasons for the submersible's destruction, but the most likely is a failure of the composite hull. The question is, was it the primary failure, or a secondary failure from something else happening?" he told Good Morning America" on Friday. "And Im putting my money on the composite because you dont use composites for vessels that are seeing external pressure." Colorado Springs residents could be paying less for utilities this summer. Colorado Springs Utilities staff on Wednesday proposed the third energy rate decrease since November, the most recent since rates last dropped March 1. On average, residential bills are projected to decline from around $253.56 per month to about $246.72 per month, or 2.7%, Scott Shirola, pricing and rates manager, told the Utilities board. The City Council, whose members are also members of the Utilities board and approve rate changes, could consider postponing a proposed 84-cent electric rate increase, Shriola said. In that case, residential bills would decline more, from about $253.56 a month to around $245.88. Some residents may see an even larger decline than expected based on their actual usage, home efficiency and weather, according to a staff presentation. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The new cost estimates include proposed decreases in electric and gas capacity charges that pay to deliver natural gas and hydropower, which Utilities reviews annually, Shirola told the board. If the City Council approves the new rates at its regular meeting Tuesday, they will go into effect July 1. The cost of natural gas and electricity has decreased thanks to lower demand and more natural gas supply nationwide, Shirola said. Compared to last summer, residents will pay 15% less for natural gas and 44% less for electricity in a typical month, he said. Last July, Utilities increased rates to repay $23 million in debt accumulated as natural gas rates rose dramatically. Although Colorados recorded fentanyl overdose deaths appear to have leveled off slightly between 2021 and 2022, federal and state law enforcement officials warn people shouldnt get complacent about the states fentanyl crisis. Numbers are still staggeringly high, the nature of the supply evolves rapidly and cartels that traffic the drug adapt to attract a diverse customer base, according to law enforcement officials Thursday. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 times as potent as heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Nearly 1,800 Coloradans died from overdoses in 2022, with state data previously provided to The Gazette estimating 920 of those came from fentanyl. An official appeared to mistakenly state at a panel Thursday more than 1,800 Coloradans died from fentanyl last year, though an FBI spokesperson later clarified to The Gazette that figure referred to total overdose deaths. Colorado State Patrol chief Matthew Packard added that nearly 250 pounds of fentanyl have been seized from Colorados roads so far in 2023, close to 2022s number, by June. Among Colorados recorded overdose deaths, numbers provided to The Gazette indicate 920 were from fentanyl in 2022, 912 came from fentanyl in 2021 and 540 were from the opioid in 2020, according to data from the states Department of Public Health and Environment. Pills containing fentanyl have evolved from counterfeit blue prescription pills called M30s to also include pills in a rainbow of colors and variety of shapes stamped with different brand logos as a branding tactic. Symbols stamped on the pills can also serve as codes to signal its potency or its source, said David Olesky, the acting special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administrations Rocky Mountain division. The panelists said the cheap prices of fentanyl pills also concern them, with M30s selling in bulk for as little as 75-80 cents each in Colorado. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The panelists said cartels use every avenue available to market and distribute their drugs, from social media to the "dark web" to physical channels such as highways. The Mexican Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels are top concerns for federal authorities. As hard as we want to work to pull this stuff out of our communities to save peoples lives, theyre working that hard as well to get it in, Packard said. Olesky said he has seen anecdotally among young people that pills dont carry the stigma that injecting or smoking drugs do in their minds. We all might take our morning vitamin pills or an aspirin, and so the stigma that has been removed from injections and smoking is now a pill that is pretty easily marketable. Law enforcement is also concerned about the presence of xylazine in fentanyl with increasing frequency an animal tranquilizer that illicit drug suppliers claim makes a high last longer. Xylazine is not regulated as a controlled substance, but has no approved use for humans, and does not respond to the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone. Clint Thomason, assistant director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, estimated 15%-25% of fentanyl pills tested contain xylazine. But he added xylazines regulatory status as a non-controlled substance makes it difficult to pinpoint a more precise figure. This is impacting everyone around our country. Theres no demographic, Olesky said. More than 109,000 Americans died (in 2022) as the result of a drug-related overdose or poisoning. ... Colorado is not immune from the national trends that were seeing. Gazette reporter Carol McKinley contributed to this report. Ellsworth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Rating) by 9.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 32,368 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after buying an additional 2,847 shares during the period. Ellsworth Advisors LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $3,278,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 154,563,421 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $14,955,557,000 after purchasing an additional 2,011,683 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 74,138,862 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $7,173,676,000 after purchasing an additional 351,136 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley lifted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 14.3% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 38,966,499 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $4,278,132,000 after purchasing an additional 4,886,954 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 30,598,624 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,352,840,000 after purchasing an additional 537,808 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 104,649.4% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 30,247,436 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,320,866,000 after purchasing an additional 30,218,560 shares during the last quarter. 73.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance Shares of ABT opened at $106.25 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.68. The company has a market capitalization of $184.76 billion, a PE ratio of 32.29, a PEG ratio of 4.76 and a beta of 0.67. Abbott Laboratories has a 52 week low of $93.25 and a 52 week high of $115.69. The companys 50 day moving average price is $106.76 and its 200 day moving average price is $106.30. Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.05. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.98% and a return on equity of 22.36%. The company had revenue of $9.75 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.64 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.73 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 18.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.39 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be paid a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.92%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 62.01%. Insider Transactions at Abbott Laboratories In related news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total transaction of $909,466.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 70,427 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,786,409.12. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total transaction of $909,466.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 70,427 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,786,409.12. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total transaction of $5,551,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 6,825,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at $757,746,582.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ABT has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $136.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Bank of America dropped their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Abbott Laboratories from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $112.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Tuesday, May 30th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $121.26. About Abbott Laboratories (Get Rating) Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Country Trust Bank raised its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO Get Rating) by 6.2% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 1,467,267 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 85,685 shares during the quarter. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF accounts for about 1.7% of Country Trust Banks holdings, making the stock its 17th biggest position. Country Trust Banks holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF were worth $59,278,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of VWO. Von Berge Wealth Management Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 7.3% during the first quarter. Von Berge Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 59,608 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,418,000 after purchasing an additional 4,039 shares during the period. MorganRosel Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 13.7% during the first quarter. MorganRosel Wealth Management LLC now owns 20,857 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $843,000 after purchasing an additional 2,507 shares during the period. Evanson Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 5.2% during the first quarter. Evanson Asset Management LLC now owns 49,661 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,006,000 after purchasing an additional 2,470 shares during the period. Traverso Chambers Private Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 2.5% during the first quarter. Traverso Chambers Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 23,642 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $955,000 after purchasing an additional 581 shares during the period. Finally, Chapin Davis Inc. increased its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 26.1% during the first quarter. Chapin Davis Inc. now owns 24,980 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,009,000 after purchasing an additional 5,172 shares during the period. Get Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF alerts: Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Stock Performance Shares of NYSEARCA VWO traded down $0.22 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $40.68. 1,151,458 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,760,164. The firm has a market capitalization of $72.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.00 and a beta of 0.69. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF has a 52 week low of $34.88 and a 52 week high of $43.22. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $40.29 and its 200 day simple moving average is $40.40. About Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VWO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Algoma Steel Group (TSE:ASTL Get Rating) had its target price cut by Cormark from C$16.00 to C$11.75 in a research note issued to investors on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. Cormarks price target would indicate a potential upside of 27.86% from the stocks current price. A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on the stock. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of Algoma Steel Group from C$15.00 to C$14.00 in a research note on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on Algoma Steel Group from C$16.00 to C$14.25 in a report on Friday. Get Algoma Steel Group alerts: Algoma Steel Group Price Performance Shares of TSE ASTL traded up C$0.02 during trading hours on Friday, hitting C$9.19. 108,086 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 156,718. The companys fifty day simple moving average is C$9.96 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$9.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.44, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a current ratio of 3.67. Algoma Steel Group has a 1-year low of C$7.70 and a 1-year high of C$12.83. The company has a market cap of C$951.81 million, a PE ratio of 3.52 and a beta of 1.49. Algoma Steel Group Company Profile Algoma Steel Group Inc produces and sells steel products primarily in North America. It provides flat/sheet steel products, including temper rolling, cold rolled, hot-rolled pickled and oiled products, floor plate, and cut-to-length products for the automotive industry, hollow structural product manufacturers, and the light manufacturing and transportation industries; and plate steel products that consist of rolled, hot-rolled, and heat-treated for use in the construction or manufacture of railcars, buildings, bridges, off-highway equipment, storage tanks, ships, and military applications. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Algoma Steel Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Algoma Steel Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Get Rating) major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 473,370 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.75, for a total transaction of $73,727,377.50. Following the sale, the insider now owns 241,479,146 shares in the company, valued at approximately $37,610,376,989.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Large shareholders that own more than 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC. Walmart Stock Up 0.8 % WMT stock traded up $1.31 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $155.77. The company had a trading volume of 4,435,808 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,246,662. Walmart Inc. has a 1 year low of $119.89 and a 1 year high of $158.23. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The company has a market capitalization of $419.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.13, a PEG ratio of 4.55 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a 50 day moving average of $151.03 and a two-hundred day moving average of $146.27. Get Walmart alerts: Walmart (NYSE:WMT Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 18th. The retailer reported $1.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.15. Walmart had a net margin of 1.82% and a return on equity of 21.30%. The company had revenue of $152.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $147.91 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.30 EPS. The companys revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 6.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Walmart Analyst Ratings Changes A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Wiley BROS. Aintree Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Walmart by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Wiley BROS. Aintree Capital LLC now owns 11,803 shares of the retailers stock valued at $1,740,000 after purchasing an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. BOS Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at $503,000. Fiduciary Alliance LLC acquired a new position in Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at $443,000. Spotlight Asset Group Inc. acquired a new position in Walmart in the 3rd quarter valued at $536,000. Finally, Merit Financial Group LLC grew its stake in Walmart by 77.9% in the 4th quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 20,181 shares of the retailers stock valued at $2,862,000 after buying an additional 8,840 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 31.95% of the companys stock. WMT has been the topic of several research reports. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Walmart from $157.00 to $161.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of Walmart from $160.00 to $166.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Walmart from $169.00 to $174.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Walmart from $168.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on shares of Walmart from $164.00 to $169.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 22nd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $166.91. About Walmart (Get Rating) Walmart, Inc engages in retail and wholesale business. The company offers an assortment of merchandise and services at everyday low prices. It operates through the following business segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sams Club. The Walmart U.S. segment operates as a merchandiser of consumer products, operating under the Walmart, Wal-Mart, and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands, as well as walmart.com and other eCommerce brands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Walmart Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Walmart and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Get Rating) by 5.1% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 1,260,278 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 67,496 shares during the period. Mastercard comprises 0.8% of Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $457,998,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bornite Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard in the 1st quarter worth about $21,442,000. United Bank boosted its position in Mastercard by 34.5% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 6,007 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $2,147,000 after buying an additional 1,541 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 30.1% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 272,358 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $97,335,000 after buying an additional 63,040 shares during the last quarter. First Western Trust Bank purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard in the first quarter worth about $1,168,000. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 1st quarter valued at about $12,926,000. 81.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Mastercard alerts: Mastercard Trading Up 0.4 % NYSE:MA opened at $377.80 on Friday. Mastercard Incorporated has a one year low of $276.87 and a one year high of $392.20. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $376.07 and its 200 day simple moving average is $365.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $358.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.74, a PEG ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.84, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.20. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The credit services provider reported $2.80 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.71 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $5.75 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.64 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 169.12% and a net margin of 42.33%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.76 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.25 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of equities analysts have commented on MA shares. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Mastercard from $438.00 to $440.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $392.00 to $404.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. KeyCorp increased their price target on shares of Mastercard from $425.00 to $430.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Tigress Financial raised their price target on shares of Mastercard from $472.00 to $476.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group upped their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $390.00 to $400.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and nineteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $417.27. Insider Transactions at Mastercard In related 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 transaction, the insider now owns 11,164 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,166,851.36. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, insider Raj Seshadri sold 5,164 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,164 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,166,851.36. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 125,816 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $381.85, for a total value of $48,042,839.60. Following the sale, 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. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 547,243 shares of company stock valued at $209,102,122. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Mastercard 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. Featured Articles 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). Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM Get Rating) has been assigned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the nine ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $99.50. A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $87.00 to $85.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Archer-Daniels-Midland in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Robert W. Baird dropped their price objective on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $98.00 to $90.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Barclays dropped their price objective on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $99.00 to $95.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on Archer-Daniels-Midland in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They issued an outperform rating and a $100.00 price objective for the company. Get Archer-Daniels-Midland alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ADM. Hanseatic Management Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Trust Co. of Vermont raised its stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 135.6% during the 4th quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 318 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 183 shares during the period. Glassy Mountain Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Archer-Daniels-Midland during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC raised its stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 655.8% during the 4th quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 393 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 341 shares during the period. Finally, RFP Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Archer-Daniels-Midland during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. 78.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Archer-Daniels-Midland Stock Performance ADM opened at $73.06 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.81. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $75.11 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $81.00. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. Archer-Daniels-Midland has a 12-month low of $69.92 and a 12-month high of $98.28. Archer-Daniels-Midland (NYSE:ADM Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $2.09 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.71 by $0.38. Archer-Daniels-Midland had a return on equity of 18.39% and a net margin of 4.36%. The business had revenue of $24.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.09 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.90 EPS. Archer-Daniels-Midlands quarterly revenue was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Archer-Daniels-Midland will post 6.84 earnings per share for the current year. Archer-Daniels-Midland Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 7th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 17th were given a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.46%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 16th. Archer-Daniels-Midlands dividend payout ratio is currently 22.58%. About Archer-Daniels-Midland (Get Rating Archer-Daniels-Midland Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities, products, and ingredients in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Archer-Daniels-Midland Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Archer-Daniels-Midland and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Focused Wealth Management Inc increased its stake in BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust (NYSE:BBN Get Rating) by 4.2% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 503,117 shares of the investment management companys stock after acquiring an additional 20,469 shares during the period. BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust comprises 1.8% of Focused Wealth Management Incs holdings, making the stock its 11th largest position. Focused Wealth Management Incs holdings in BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust were worth $9,016,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. D.A. Davidson & CO. increased its position in BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust by 7.9% in the 1st quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 13,697 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $302,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its position in BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 34,272 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $577,000 after acquiring an additional 1,040 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust by 9.8% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 12,930 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $285,000 after acquiring an additional 1,154 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its position in BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 64,616 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,088,000 after acquiring an additional 1,213 shares during the period. Finally, M&R Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Get BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust alerts: BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust Stock Performance BBN opened at $16.53 on Friday. BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust has a 12 month low of $15.76 and a 12 month high of $20.32. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $17.16 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.49. BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust Cuts Dividend BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust Company Profile The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $0.0929 per share. This represents a $1.11 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. (Get Rating) BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It primarily invests in taxable municipal securities, which include Build America Bonds. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BBN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust (NYSE:BBN Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Croma Security Solutions Group plc (LON:CSSG Get Rating) shares crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 48.41 ($0.62) and traded as high as GBX 50 ($0.64). Croma Security Solutions Group shares last traded at GBX 50 ($0.64), with a volume of 9,170 shares changing hands. Croma Security Solutions Group Stock Down 4.0 % The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.10, a current ratio of 1.75 and a quick ratio of 1.51. The company has a market cap of 7.15 million, a P/E ratio of 4,800.00 and a beta of 0.68. The companys 50-day moving average is GBX 48.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 52.35. About Croma Security Solutions Group (Get Rating) Croma Security Solutions Group plc provides various security services in the United Kingdom. The company operates through three segments: Croma Vigilant, Croma Security Systems, and Croma Locksmiths. It offers manned guarding and reception services for property assets and individuals; CCTV security, fire, and alarm systems; locksmithing keys, locks, and safes; and identity management and access control solutions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Croma Security Solutions Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Croma Security Solutions Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barclays upgraded shares of CTT Correios De Portugal (OTCMKTS:CTTOF Get Rating) from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note released on Monday morning, The Fly reports. CTT Correios De Portugal Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS CTTOF opened at $3.45 on Monday. CTT Correios De Portugal has a 12 month low of $2.39 and a 12 month high of $4.00. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $3.84 and a 200-day simple moving average of $3.72. Get CTT - Correios De Portugal alerts: About CTT Correios De Portugal (Get Rating) Read More CTT Correios De Portugal, SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides postal and financial services worldwide. It operates through Mail, Express & Parcels, Financial Services & Retail, and Bank segments. The company offers courier and urgent mail transport services; postal financial services; and banking services. Receive News & Ratings for CTT - Correios De Portugal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CTT - Correios De Portugal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS Get Rating) issued an update on its FY 2023 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of $14.75-$15.15 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of $14.88. The company issued revenue guidance of $2.08 billion-$2.10 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $2.09 billion. FactSet Research Systems also updated its FY23 guidance to $14.75-15.15 EPS. FactSet Research Systems Price Performance FactSet Research Systems stock traded down $19.08 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $404.26. The companys stock had a trading volume of 939,259 shares, compared to its average volume of 251,828. FactSet Research Systems has a fifty-two week low of $360.06 and a fifty-two week high of $474.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 2.09 and a current ratio of 2.09. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $403.29 and its 200 day simple moving average is $412.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.49 billion, a PE ratio of 35.09, a P/E/G ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.83. Get FactSet Research Systems alerts: FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 22nd. The business services provider reported $3.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.61 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $529.80 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $527.56 million. FactSet Research Systems had a return on equity of 40.18% and a net margin of 22.30%. The businesss revenue was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.76 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that FactSet Research Systems will post 14.86 earnings per share for the current year. FactSet Research Systems Increases Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 31st were given a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.97%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 30th. This is a boost from FactSet Research Systemss previous quarterly dividend of $0.89. FactSet Research Systemss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 34.03%. Several analysts have commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on FactSet Research Systems from $477.00 to $454.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 24th. StockNews.com began coverage on FactSet Research Systems in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on FactSet Research Systems in a report on Monday, May 15th. They set a market perform rating and a $424.00 target price for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $500.00 price target on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research report on Friday, March 24th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on FactSet Research Systems from $365.00 to $380.00 in a research report on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, FactSet Research Systems has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $441.30. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, CAO Gregory T. Moskoff sold 311 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $409.30, for a total value of $127,292.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 106 shares of the companys stock, valued at $43,385.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CAO Gregory T. Moskoff sold 311 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $409.30, for a total value of $127,292.30. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 106 shares in the company, valued at $43,385.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CTO Katherine M. Stepp sold 297 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, April 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $417.58, for a total value of $124,021.26. Following the completion of the sale, the chief technology officer now owns 451 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $188,328.58. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 12,537 shares of company stock worth $5,165,878 in the last three months. 0.97% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On FactSet Research Systems Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of FDS. Clear Street Markets LLC lifted its stake in FactSet Research Systems by 94.9% in the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 76 shares of the business services providers stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in FactSet Research Systems in the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. Compass Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in FactSet Research Systems in the 4th quarter worth about $41,000. Milestone Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in FactSet Research Systems in the 1st quarter worth about $44,000. Finally, Money Concepts Capital Corp lifted its stake in FactSet Research Systems by 248.7% in the 4th quarter. Money Concepts Capital Corp now owns 265 shares of the business services providers stock worth $106,000 after acquiring an additional 189 shares in the last quarter. 86.90% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About FactSet Research Systems (Get Rating) FactSet Research Systems Inc, a financial data and analytics company, provides integrated financial information and analytical applications to the investment community in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company delivers insight and information through the workflow solutions of research, analytics and trading, content and technology solutions, and wealth. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for FactSet Research Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FactSet Research Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. trimmed its position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IEMG Get Rating) by 1.3% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 226,867 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,943 shares during the quarter. iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF accounts for approximately 2.1% of Financial Management Professionals Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. Financial Management Professionals Inc.s holdings in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $11,069,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. CX Institutional increased its position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 59.2% during the 4th quarter. CX Institutional now owns 20,472 shares of the companys stock valued at $956,000 after purchasing an additional 7,612 shares during the period. North Star Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 6.7% during the 4th quarter. North Star Asset Management Inc. now owns 77,367 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,613,000 after buying an additional 4,839 shares in the last quarter. Iowa State Bank boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 29.5% during the 4th quarter. Iowa State Bank now owns 120,932 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,648,000 after buying an additional 27,523 shares in the last quarter. Rex Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $10,890,000. Finally, Clearview Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 18,734.3% in the 1st quarter. Clearview Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 12,619 shares of the companys stock worth $616,000 after purchasing an additional 12,552 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alerts: iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Price Performance Shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF stock opened at $48.76 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $69.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.26 and a beta of 0.75. The firms 50-day moving average is $48.83 and its 200 day moving average is $48.71. iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a 1 year low of $41.44 and a 1 year high of $52.15. About iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF The iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Emerging Markets IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of emerging-market firms, covering 99% of market capitalization. IEMG was launched on Oct 18, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Green Square Capital Advisors LLC raised its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG Get Rating) by 1.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 72,731 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,249 shares during the quarter. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF accounts for approximately 1.0% of Green Square Capital Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. Green Square Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $7,247,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. American Trust grew its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 95.8% in the 3rd quarter. American Trust now owns 112,060 shares of the companys stock worth $10,796,000 after purchasing an additional 54,826 shares during the last quarter. Dfpg Investments LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 169.5% in the 4th quarter. Dfpg Investments LLC now owns 6,539 shares of the companys stock worth $651,000 after purchasing an additional 4,113 shares during the last quarter. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 69.4% during the 4th quarter. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,432 shares of the companys stock worth $430,000 after buying an additional 1,816 shares in the last quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $443,000. Finally, Psagot Value Holdings Ltd. Israel acquired a new position in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $485,000. Institutional investors own 80.13% of the companys stock. Get iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF alerts: iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Stock Up 0.2 % NYSEARCA AGG traded up $0.21 on Friday, hitting $98.18. 844,643 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,963,620. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $98.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $98.81. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a 1-year low of $93.20 and a 1-year high of $104.39. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Company Profile IShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Green Square Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU Get Rating) by 7.9% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,560 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 1,436 shares during the period. Green Square Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in Prudential Financial were worth $1,618,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Donaldson Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Prudential Financial by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. Donaldson Capital Management LLC now owns 10,706 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $886,000 after purchasing an additional 443 shares in the last quarter. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new position in Prudential Financial in the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. MRA Advisory Group acquired a new stake in shares of Prudential Financial during the 1st quarter worth approximately $211,000. CHURCHILL MANAGEMENT Corp increased its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. CHURCHILL MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 58,949 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,877,000 after acquiring an additional 1,586 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Accurate Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Prudential Financial by 29.1% during the first quarter. Accurate Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,079 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $427,000 after acquiring an additional 1,146 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 55.36% of the companys stock. Get Prudential Financial alerts: Prudential Financial Stock Performance Shares of PRU stock traded down $0.48 during trading on Friday, hitting $84.18. The companys stock had a trading volume of 239,967 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,305,986. The business has a fifty day moving average of $83.33 and a 200-day moving average of $91.31. The company has a current ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 0.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 52 week low of $75.37 and a 52 week high of $110.96. The company has a market cap of $30.73 billion, a PE ratio of 940.67, a P/E/G ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.39. Prudential Financial Announces Dividend Prudential Financial ( NYSE:PRU Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The financial services provider reported $2.66 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.02 by ($0.36). The company had revenue of $15.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.29 billion. Prudential Financial had a net margin of 0.09% and a return on equity of 14.05%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.17 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 11.93 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 23rd were issued a $1.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 22nd. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.94%. Prudential Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5,555.56%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on PRU shares. VNET Group reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Prudential Financial in a report on Monday, May 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Prudential Financial from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $114.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on Prudential Financial from $99.00 to $89.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. 92 Resources restated a maintains rating on shares of Prudential Financial in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Prudential Financial from $104.00 to $88.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Prudential Financial currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $99.83. Prudential Financial Profile (Get Rating) Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Annuities, Individual Life, Assurance IQ, and International Businesses segments. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PRU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Prudential Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prudential Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC lifted its position in American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Rating) by 4.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 4,540 shares of the payment services companys stock after acquiring an additional 201 shares during the period. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLCs holdings in American Express were worth $749,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Macroview Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Elequin Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. My Personal CFO LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Chelsea Counsel Co. acquired a new stake in shares of American Express in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, PFG Private Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in American Express by 288.9% during the 4th quarter. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 210 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 156 shares in the last quarter. 82.84% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get American Express alerts: American Express Stock Performance American Express stock traded down $0.77 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $167.49. 273,588 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,368,359. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $160.46 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $161.39. American Express has a fifty-two week low of $130.65 and a fifty-two week high of $182.15. The stock has a market cap of $124.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.55. American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The payment services company reported $2.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.66 by ($0.26). American Express had a net margin of 13.00% and a return on equity of 29.44%. The business had revenue of $14.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.02 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.73 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 21.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that American Express will post 11.15 EPS for the current fiscal year. American Express announced that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Wednesday, March 8th that permits the company to buyback 120,000,000 shares. This buyback authorization permits the payment services company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. American Express Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.43%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. American Expresss dividend payout ratio is currently 25.24%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms recently issued reports on AXP. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on American Express from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on American Express from $179.00 to $167.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 17th. StockNews.com began coverage on American Express in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of American Express from $152.00 to $150.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Finally, Stephens decreased their price target on shares of American Express from $149.00 to $146.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $174.50. American Express Company Profile (Get Rating) American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides charge and credit payment card products, and travel-related services worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Global Consumer Services Group, Global Commercial Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Its products and services include payment and financing products; network services; accounts payable expense management products and services; and travel and lifestyle services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Howden Joinery Group Plc (LON:HWDN Get Rating) insider Andrew Livingston acquired 22 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 19th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 678 ($8.68) per share, with a total value of 149.16 ($190.86). Andrew Livingston also recently made the following trade(s): Get Howden Joinery Group alerts: On Wednesday, April 5th, Andrew Livingston acquired 22 shares of Howden Joinery Group stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 685 ($8.77) per share, with a total value of 150.70 ($192.83). On Friday, March 24th, Andrew Livingston acquired 23,536 shares of Howden Joinery Group stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 674 ($8.62) per share, with a total value of 158,632.64 ($202,984.82). Howden Joinery Group Trading Up 0.6 % LON HWDN opened at GBX 636 ($8.14) on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 76.32, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a current ratio of 1.75. The company has a market capitalization of 3.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 963.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.94 and a beta of 0.90. The companys 50-day simple moving average is GBX 681.15 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 667.94. Howden Joinery Group Plc has a one year low of GBX 472.20 ($6.04) and a one year high of GBX 744.80 ($9.53). Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Howden Joinery Group Company Profile Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays restated an overweight rating and issued a GBX 800 ($10.24) target price on shares of Howden Joinery Group in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on shares of Howden Joinery Group from GBX 780 ($9.98) to GBX 755 ($9.66) and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. Shore Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Howden Joinery Group in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 870 ($11.13) price objective on shares of Howden Joinery Group in a report on Thursday, May 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of GBX 751.25 ($9.61). (Get Rating) Howden Joinery Group Plc manufactures and distributes various kitchens, joinery, and hardware products in the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, and Belgium. It offers worktops, sinks and taps, flooring, appliances, and handles; internal and external doors, including fire doors, flooring, stair parts, and general joinery items; and cooking, cleaning, and cooling appliances. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Howden Joinery Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Howden Joinery Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (NYSEARCA:IGM Get Rating) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 211,199 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 502% from the previous sessions volume of 35,101 shares.The stock last traded at $386.09 and had previously closed at $391.11. iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF Stock Up 0.7 % The firm has a market cap of $3.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.20 and a beta of 1.18. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $357.86 and a 200-day moving average price of $326.03. Get iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of IGM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF by 154.3% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 37,057 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $14,402,000 after acquiring an additional 22,482 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF by 12.5% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 7,836 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $3,045,000 after acquiring an additional 870 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF by 422.2% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 4,125 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,603,000 after purchasing an additional 3,335 shares in the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management boosted its position in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF by 11.0% during the first quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 555 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $216,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its position in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF by 95.0% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 20,675 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $8,035,000 after purchasing an additional 10,074 shares in the last quarter. About iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF iShares North American Tech ETF, formerly iShares S&P North American Technology Sector Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, of the United States-traded technology companies, as represented by the S&P North American Technology Sector Index (the Index). Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HB Wealth Management LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF Get Rating) by 5.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 46,996 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 2,783 shares during the period. HB Wealth Management LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF were worth $11,482,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P raised its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 34.1% during the first 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 purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF during the first quarter valued at approximately $42,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 11.6% during the first 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 raised its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 3.7% during the first 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 purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF during the first quarter valued at approximately $33,422,000. Get iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF alerts: iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Stock Up 0.9 % IWF opened at $271.76 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $69.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.14 and a beta of 1.08. The firms 50 day moving average is $254.69 and its 200-day moving average is $238.02. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF has a 52-week low of $202.05 and a 52-week high of $275.91. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Profile 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Flash Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with President of the European Council Charles Michel in Paris, France, June 22, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] China's development brings opportunities rather than risks to the world, sending stabilities rather than shocks to the global industrial chain and supply chain, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Paris, France on Thursday. During his meeting with President of the European Council Charles Michel on the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, Li said China hopes that the European Union (EU) will view its cooperation with China in an objective and rational way and work with China to safeguard the sound environment of the China-EU practical cooperation. Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU, Li said China stands ready to work with the EU to make a new China-EU summit a success and strengthen cooperation in green, economic, trade and digital fields, so as to open up new space for the development of China-EU relations. China is willing to make joint efforts with the EU to enhance the reliability and stability of China-EU economic and trade relations and better achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, said Li. There is no conflict of fundamental interests between China and the EU, said Li, mentioning that both sides have benefited from each other's development, adhered to strategic autonomy and multilateralism, and had broad consensus on climate change and other global issues. China and the EU should enhance mutual trust and address concerns through successful cooperation, the Chinese premier said. That is conducive to the common development of China and the EU, the joint response to global challenges, and the building of a multi-polar world, Li said, adding that it also serves the fundamental interests of both sides and will inject stability and positive energy into the world. For his part, Michel said the EU adheres to the one-China policy, and is willing to strengthen communication and exchanges with China, develop multi-level cooperative relations, promote the consolidation and strengthening of the EU-China relations, so as to jointly solve global issues in climate, health and other fields, and build an open and multipolar world. China's development is beneficial to the EU and the world. The EU has no intention to contain China's development, opposes a "new Cold War" and the act of taking sides, and hopes that the next EU-China summit will lead to positive results, said Michel. The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Shares of Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS Get Rating) dropped 4.7% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $5.48 and last traded at $5.52. Approximately 2,606,989 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 55% from the average daily volume of 5,791,138 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.79. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth KOS has been the subject of a number of research reports. Benchmark reissued a buy rating and issued a $10.00 target price on shares of Kosmos Energy in a report on Tuesday, February 28th. Peel Hunt initiated coverage on shares of Kosmos Energy in a report on Friday, March 10th. They issued an add rating and a $8.94 target price for the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Kosmos Energy in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Kosmos Energy from $10.75 to $10.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 15th. Finally, TheStreet upgraded shares of Kosmos Energy from a c rating to a b- rating in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $154.71. Get Kosmos Energy alerts: Kosmos Energy Trading Down 3.5 % The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.52, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a current ratio of 0.71. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $6.41 and its 200-day simple moving average is $6.84. The stock has a market cap of $2.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 2.79. Insider Transactions at Kosmos Energy Kosmos Energy ( NYSE:KOS Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.19 by ($0.03). Kosmos Energy had a return on equity of 51.10% and a net margin of 15.16%. The firm had revenue of $393.87 million for the quarter. Equities research analysts expect that Kosmos Energy Ltd. will post 1.07 EPS for the current fiscal year. In other news, Director Deanna L. Goodwin sold 112,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.69, for a total transaction of $749,280.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 99,532 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $665,869.08. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 1.79% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Kosmos Energy Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Kosmos Energy by 143.6% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,579 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 2,110 shares during the period. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Kosmos Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its position in Kosmos Energy by 50.1% in the 1st quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 4,394 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,467 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Kosmos Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $45,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its position in Kosmos Energy by 33.0% in the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 7,054 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 1,750 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.51% of the companys stock. About Kosmos Energy (Get Rating) Kosmos Energy Ltd. engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas properties along the Atlantic Margins in the United States. The company's primary assets include production projects located in offshore Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, as well as a gas projects located in offshore Mauritania and Senegal. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Kosmos Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kosmos Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX Get Rating) declared a quarterly dividend on Friday, June 23rd, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 3rd will be paid a dividend of 0.32 per share by the shipping company on Thursday, September 7th. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 2nd. This is an increase from Matsons previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. Matson has increased its dividend payment by an average of 12.4% annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend annually for the last 10 consecutive years. Matson has a dividend payout ratio of 26.2% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect Matson to earn $4.72 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.24 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 26.3%. Get Matson alerts: Matson Stock Performance Shares of MATX traded up $0.62 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $74.04. 694,613 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 311,768. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.78 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 1.06. Matson has a twelve month low of $56.51 and a twelve month high of $92.10. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $69.20 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $65.46. Insider Activity at Matson Matson ( NYSE:MATX Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The shipping company reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.89 by $0.05. Matson had a return on equity of 33.72% and a net margin of 19.54%. The business had revenue of $704.80 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $704.34 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $8.23 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 39.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Matson will post 4.59 earnings per share for the current year. In related news, SVP Christopher A. Scott sold 678 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.30, for a total value of $51,731.40. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 12,276 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $936,658.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Christopher A. Scott sold 678 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.30, for a total value of $51,731.40. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 12,276 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $936,658.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Matthew J. Cox sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.96, for a total value of $659,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 261,267 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,233,171.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 40,804 shares of company stock worth $2,780,773 in the last quarter. 1.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Matson Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MATX. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its stake in shares of Matson by 5.1% during the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 4,909 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $302,000 after purchasing an additional 238 shares in the last quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Matson in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $288,000. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its stake in shares of Matson by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 3,899 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $284,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. CSS LLC IL bought a new position in shares of Matson in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $281,000. Finally, Bridgefront Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Matson in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $267,000. 84.81% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Matson in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on Matson from $73.00 to $70.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Matson Company Profile (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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Matson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Matson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Matthew Goff Investment Advisor LLC cut its stake in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS Get Rating) by 0.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 82,165 shares of the companys stock after selling 339 shares during the quarter. Novartis makes up approximately 1.9% of Matthew Goff Investment Advisor LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Matthew Goff Investment Advisor LLCs holdings in Novartis were worth $7,559,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of NVS. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Novartis by 193.0% in the 4th quarter. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 293 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 193 shares in the last quarter. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Novartis in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. lifted its stake in Novartis by 2,018.8% in the 4th quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 339 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 323 shares in the last quarter. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Novartis in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Penserra Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Novartis in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. 8.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Novartis alerts: Novartis Trading Up 0.7 % Novartis stock traded up $0.72 during trading on Friday, hitting $101.26. The company had a trading volume of 418,131 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,122,984. Novartis AG has a 1-year low of $74.09 and a 1-year high of $105.56. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $100.78 and its 200-day simple moving average is $93.08. The stock has a market cap of $214.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.54. Analysts Set New Price Targets Novartis ( NYSE:NVS Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $1.71 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.16. Novartis had a net margin of 13.78% and a return on equity of 23.29%. The firm had revenue of $12.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.60 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.46 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Novartis AG will post 6.72 EPS for the current fiscal year. NVS has been the topic of a number of research reports. BTIG Research raised their target price on shares of Novartis from $75.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Novartis from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Novartis in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $82.25. Novartis Profile (Get Rating) Novartis AG researches, develops, manufactures, and markets healthcare products in Switzerland and internationally. The company operates through two segments: Innovative Medicines and Sandoz. The Innovative Medicines segment offers prescription medicines for patients and physicians. It also provides cardiovascular, ophthalmology, neuroscience, immunology, hematology, and solid tumor products. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Novartis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novartis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. North American Construction Group Ltd. (TSE:NOA Get Rating) (NYSE:NOA)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as C$26.48 and last traded at C$26.58, with a volume of 114010 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$26.01. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. TD Securities raised their price target on North American Construction Group from C$26.00 to C$27.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. National Bank Financial increased their target price on shares of North American Construction Group to C$33.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. National Bankshares increased their target price on shares of North American Construction Group from C$27.00 to C$33.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, April 28th. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of North American Construction Group from C$25.00 to C$30.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 25th. Finally, Raymond James increased their target price on shares of North American Construction Group from C$26.00 to C$30.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$29.72. Get North American Construction Group alerts: North American Construction Group Trading Down 0.2 % The stock has a market cap of C$698.28 million, a P/E ratio of 10.88, a PEG ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 125.83, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.79. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is C$25.45 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$22.23. North American Construction Group Announces Dividend North American Construction Group ( TSE:NOA Get Rating ) (NYSE:NOA) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported C$0.96 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.80 by C$0.16. The firm had revenue of C$242.61 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$224.07 million. North American Construction Group had a net margin of 9.06% and a return on equity of 24.56%. On average, analysts expect that North American Construction Group Ltd. will post 2.577821 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 7th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.51%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 25th. North American Construction Groups dividend payout ratio is 16.46%. About North American Construction Group (Get Rating) North American Construction Group Ltd. provides equipment maintenance, and mining and heavy construction services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Its Heavy Construction & Mining division offers constructability reviews, budgetary cost estimates, design-build construction, project management, contract mining, pre-stripping/pit pioneering, overburden removal and stockpile, muskeg removal and stockpile, site preparation, air strip construction, site dewatering/perimeter ditching, tailings and process pipelines, haulage and access road construction, tailings dam construction and densification, mechanically stabilized earth walls, dyke construction, and reclamation services; and Equipment Maintenance services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for North American Construction Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for North American Construction Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Addison Capital Co trimmed its holdings in shares of Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL Get Rating) by 1.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 43,969 shares of the enterprise software providers stock after selling 500 shares during the quarter. Oracle accounts for about 3.1% of Addison Capital Cos portfolio, making the stock its 9th largest position. Addison Capital Cos holdings in Oracle were worth $4,086,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ORCL. Clear Investment Research LLC acquired a new stake in Oracle during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Steward Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Oracle during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in Oracle during the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Oracle during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Tanglewood Legacy Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Oracle during the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. 43.43% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Oracle alerts: Insider Activity In other news, CEO Safra Catz sold 1,837,101 shares of Oracle stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 sale, the chief executive officer now owns 1,118,592 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $104,991,045.12. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Director Jeffrey Berg sold 45,000 shares of Oracle stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.65, for a total value of $4,214,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 207,409 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,423,852.85. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Safra Catz sold 1,837,101 shares of Oracle stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 sale, the chief executive officer now owns 1,118,592 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $104,991,045.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 5,962,544 shares of company stock valued at $676,031,097. 43.70% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Oracle Trading Down 1.2 % ORCL opened at $120.58 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 55.54, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $103.55 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $92.60. Oracle Co. has a 1-year low of $60.78 and a 1-year high of $127.54. The firm has a market capitalization of $325.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.50 and a beta of 1.00. Oracle (NYSE:ORCL Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Monday, June 12th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.58 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $13.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.74 billion. Oracle had a net margin of 17.02% and a negative return on equity of 470.73%. The businesss revenue was up 16.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.31 EPS. Analysts expect that Oracle Co. will post 4.49 EPS for the current fiscal year. Oracle Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 12th will be given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.33%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 11th. Oracles payout ratio is presently 52.29%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In ORCL has been the subject of a number of research reports. KeyCorp lifted their price target on Oracle from $105.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Friday, June 9th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on Oracle from $125.00 to $135.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. Barclays upped their target price on Oracle from $113.00 to $126.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Mizuho lifted their price target on Oracle from $116.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Oracle from a sell rating to a neutral rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $75.00 to $120.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $115.21. Oracle 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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ORCL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Oracle Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oracle and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cascades (OTCMKTS:CADNF Get Rating) and Stora Enso Oyj (OTCMKTS:SEOAY Get Rating) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings and dividends. Insider & Institutional Ownership 21.8% of Cascades shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of Stora Enso Oyj shares are owned by institutional investors. 8.1% of Stora Enso Oyj shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Get Cascades alerts: Dividends Cascades pays an annual dividend of $0.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Stora Enso Oyj pays an annual dividend of $0.51 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.4%. Cascades pays out -16.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Stora Enso Oyj pays out 27.0% 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. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Cascades 0 1 1 0 2.50 Stora Enso Oyj 0 5 4 0 2.44 This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Cascades and Stora Enso Oyj, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Cascades presently has a consensus price target of $13.10, suggesting a potential upside of 47.86%. Stora Enso Oyj has a consensus price target of $15.83, suggesting a potential upside of 36.14%. Given Cascades stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Cascades is more favorable than Stora Enso Oyj. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Cascades and Stora Enso Oyjs gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Cascades N/A N/A N/A ($1.00) -8.86 Stora Enso Oyj $12.31 billion 0.75 $1.63 billion $1.89 6.15 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. Profitability This table compares Cascades and Stora Enso Oyjs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Cascades N/A N/A N/A Stora Enso Oyj 12.36% 9.59% 5.62% Summary Stora Enso Oyj beats Cascades on 9 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. 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. 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. Receive News & Ratings for Cascades Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cascades and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Romano Brothers AND Company boosted its stake in Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO Get Rating) (TSE:BMO) by 4.4% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 59,791 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 2,522 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal accounts for 0.8% of Romano Brothers AND Companys investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest holding. Romano Brothers AND Companys holdings in Bank of Montreal were worth $5,328,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Silverlake Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Bank of Montreal by 14.2% in the first quarter. Silverlake Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,232 shares of the banks stock valued at $377,000 after buying an additional 527 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its stake in Bank of Montreal by 13.5% in the first quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 12,015,537 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,069,410,000 after buying an additional 1,429,964 shares during the period. Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its stake in Bank of Montreal by 88.8% in the first quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 443,604 shares of the banks stock valued at $39,510,000 after buying an additional 208,639 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in Bank of Montreal by 72.8% in the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 22,626 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,016,000 after buying an additional 9,530 shares during the period. Finally, First Affirmative Financial Network acquired a new position in Bank of Montreal in the first quarter valued at approximately $213,000. 40.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Bank of Montreal alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on Bank of Montreal in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Bank of Montreal currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $149.50. Bank of Montreal Price Performance Shares of NYSE:BMO opened at $89.20 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. Bank of Montreal has a twelve month low of $81.57 and a twelve month high of $105.40. The stocks 50 day moving average is $88.04 and its 200-day moving average is $91.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $63.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.75, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 1.14. Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO Get Rating) (TSE:BMO) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 24th. The bank reported $2.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.35 by ($0.19). Bank of Montreal had a return on equity of 13.14% and a net margin of 12.83%. The firm had revenue of $6.22 billion for the quarter. Sell-side analysts forecast that Bank of Montreal will post 9.1 EPS for the current fiscal year. Bank of Montreal Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 28th. Investors of record on Friday, July 28th will be given a $1.085 dividend. This is a positive change from Bank of Montreals previous quarterly dividend of $1.08. This represents a $4.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.87%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 27th. Bank of Montreals dividend payout ratio is presently 55.73%. Bank of Montreal Profile (Get Rating) Bank of Montreal engages in the provision of banking and financial services to individuals and institutions. It operates through the following segments: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking (Canadian P&C) and United States Personal and Commercial Banking (U.S. P&C). The Canadian P&C segment refers to retail banking and financial operations in Canada. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO Get Rating) (TSE:BMO). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Montreal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Montreal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Romano Brothers AND Company reduced its position in Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT Get Rating) by 0.9% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 34,404 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 324 shares during the quarter. Romano Brothers AND Company owned 0.09% of Applied Industrial Technologies worth $4,890,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AIT. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Applied Industrial Technologies in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Point72 Middle East FZE bought a new position in Applied Industrial Technologies in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. State of Wyoming bought a new position in Applied Industrial Technologies in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. CI Investments Inc. bought a new position in Applied Industrial Technologies in the 4th quarter worth about $57,000. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. grew its stake in Applied Industrial Technologies by 54.9% in the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 553 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $57,000 after acquiring an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. 92.64% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Applied Industrial Technologies alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes AIT has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from $160.00 to $161.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Insider Buying and Selling at Applied Industrial Technologies Applied Industrial Technologies Price Performance In other Applied Industrial Technologies news, CEO Neil A. Schrimsher sold 1,655 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.01, for a total value of $215,166.55. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 316,563 shares in the company, valued at $41,156,355.63. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . 2.20% of the stock is owned by insiders. NYSE AIT opened at $138.17 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a current ratio of 3.14. The firms 50 day moving average price is $132.20 and its 200-day moving average price is $132.96. Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $88.09 and a 52-week high of $149.42. The company has a market cap of $5.34 billion, a PE ratio of 16.24 and a beta of 1.19. Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The industrial products company reported $2.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.12 by $0.26. The company had revenue of $1.13 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.10 billion. Applied Industrial Technologies had a net margin of 7.73% and a return on equity of 26.15%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. will post 8.58 EPS for the current fiscal year. Applied Industrial Technologies Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th were paid a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 12th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.01%. Applied Industrial Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 16.45%. About Applied Industrial Technologies (Get Rating) Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc distributes industrial motion, power, control, and automation technology solutions in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It operates through two segments, Service Center Based Distribution, and Fluid Power & Flow Control. The company distributes bearings, power transmission products, engineered fluid power components and systems, specialty flow control solutions, advanced automation products, industrial rubber products, linear motion components, automation solutions, tools, safety products, oilfield supplies, and other industrial and maintenance supplies; and motors, belting, drives, couplings, pumps, hydraulic and pneumatic components, filtration supplies, valves, fittings, process instrumentation, actuators, and hoses, filtration supplies, as well as other related supplies for general operational needs of customers' machinery and equipment. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AIT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Applied Industrial Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Applied Industrial Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ShoreHaven Wealth Partners LLC lessened its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM Get Rating) by 52.1% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,289 shares of the companys stock after selling 5,744 shares during the quarter. ShoreHaven Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF were worth $735,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. CGN Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. CGN Advisors LLC now owns 4,264 shares of the companys stock valued at $593,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. First Citizens Financial Corp raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. First Citizens Financial Corp now owns 4,060 shares of the companys stock valued at $592,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares during the period. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. GeoWealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Snider Financial Group raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Snider Financial Group now owns 11,381 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,582,000 after acquiring an additional 225 shares during the period. Get iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Trading Up 0.3 % Shares of BATS:MTUM traded up $0.40 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $141.95. The stock had a trading volume of 600,138 shares. The firm has a market cap of $9.71 billion, a PE ratio of 19.35 and a beta of 0.91. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $140.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $141.77. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF has a twelve month low of $81.37 and a twelve month high of $113.60. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Profile The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities, selected and weighted based on price appreciation over 6- and 12-month periods and low volatility over the past 3 years. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MTUM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Spinnaker Investment Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Rating) by 4.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 4,710 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 183 shares during the period. Spinnaker Investment Group LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $326,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 199,886,585 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $14,209,937,000 after acquiring an additional 3,058,491 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 174,002,852 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $12,369,862,000 after acquiring an additional 3,357,590 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,873,696,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 114,228.7% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 21,469,785 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,544,751,000 after acquiring an additional 21,451,006 shares during the period. Finally, Boston Partners grew its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 35.7% during the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 13,794,089 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $992,048,000 after buying an additional 3,627,705 shares in the last quarter. 74.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Bristol-Myers Squibb In other Bristol-Myers Squibb 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 transaction, the executive vice president now owns 47,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,202,182.06. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock. Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance NYSE:BMY opened at $65.29 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $66.81 and a 200-day moving average price of $69.92. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a fifty-two week low of $63.07 and a fifty-two week high of $81.43. The firm has a market cap of $137.16 billion, a PE ratio of 19.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.42. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates 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 company had revenue of $11.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.50 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.96 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.06 earnings per share for the current year. Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Shareholders 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 yield of 3.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 6th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 66.47%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. 51job reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, April 28th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Credit Suisse Group cut their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $78.00 to $72.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Barclays cut their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $66.00 to $65.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Bristol-Myers Squibb currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $78.62. About Bristol-Myers Squibb (Get Rating) Bristol Myers Squibb Co engages in the discovery, development, licensing, manufacture, marketing, distribution, and sale of biopharmaceutical products. It offers chemically-synthesized drugs or small molecules and products produced from biological processes called biologics. The company was founded in August 1933 and is headquartered in New York, NY. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE:IPG Get Rating) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday. Several other equities research analysts have also commented on the company. BNP Paribas lowered Interpublic Group of Companies from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $40.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. Bank of America upgraded Interpublic Group of Companies from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $38.00 to $40.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price objective on Interpublic Group of Companies from $42.00 to $40.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Interpublic Group of Companies presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $40.50. Get Interpublic Group of Companies alerts: Interpublic Group of Companies Price Performance Shares of NYSE IPG opened at $38.97 on Monday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $37.71 and its 200 day moving average price is $36.21. The firm has a market cap of $15.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.87, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.12. Interpublic Group of Companies has a 52 week low of $25.14 and a 52 week high of $40.95. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79. Interpublic Group of Companies Dividend Announcement Interpublic Group of Companies ( NYSE:IPG Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The business services provider reported $0.38 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $2.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.19 billion. Interpublic Group of Companies had a return on equity of 29.28% and a net margin of 8.31%. Interpublic Group of Companiess revenue for the quarter was down 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.47 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Interpublic Group of Companies will post 2.95 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 20th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 6th were given a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 5th. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.18%. Interpublic Group of Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 53.68%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in IPG. Spire Wealth Management grew its stake in Interpublic Group of Companies by 29.7% in the 4th quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 1,153 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 264 shares during the last quarter. Czech National Bank grew its stake in Interpublic Group of Companies by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 45,750 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,704,000 after acquiring an additional 266 shares during the last quarter. ETF Managers Group LLC grew its stake in Interpublic Group of Companies by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. ETF Managers Group LLC now owns 20,762 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $773,000 after acquiring an additional 309 shares during the last quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. grew its stake in Interpublic Group of Companies by 22.2% in the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 1,734 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $56,000 after acquiring an additional 315 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. grew its stake in Interpublic Group of Companies by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 11,732 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $391,000 after acquiring an additional 320 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.45% of the companys stock. Interpublic Group of Companies Company Profile (Get Rating) The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc provides advertising and marketing services worldwide. It operates in three segments: Media, Data & Engagement Solutions, Integrated Advertising & Creativity Led Solutions, and Specialized Communications & Experiential Solutions. The Media, Data & Engagement Solutions segment provides media and communications services, digital services and products, advertising and marketing technology, e-commerce services, data management and analytics, strategic consulting, and digital brand experience under the IPG Mediabrands, UM, Initiative, Kinesso, Acxiom, Huge, MRM, and R/GA brand names. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Interpublic Group of Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Interpublic Group of Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com cut shares of Teekay Tankers (NYSE:TNK Get Rating) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report released on Tuesday morning. A number of other equities analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of Teekay Tankers from $44.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 23rd. TheStreet raised shares of Teekay Tankers from a c rating to a b rating in a report on Thursday, February 23rd. Get Teekay Tankers alerts: Teekay Tankers Trading Up 0.1 % Shares of NYSE:TNK opened at $38.14 on Tuesday. Teekay Tankers has a 52-week low of $14.90 and a 52-week high of $48.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 2.42 and a current ratio of 2.79. The company has a market capitalization of $1.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.94 and a beta of -0.14. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $39.06 and a 200 day simple moving average of $37.09. Teekay Tankers Dividend Announcement Teekay Tankers ( NYSE:TNK Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 11th. The shipping company reported $5.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.65 by $1.48. The company had revenue of $270.47 million during the quarter. Teekay Tankers had a return on equity of 39.74% and a net margin of 32.12%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Teekay Tankers will post 13.46 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 22nd were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 19th. Teekay Tankerss dividend payout ratio is currently 8.36%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Teekay Tankers Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of TNK. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Teekay Tankers by 18.4% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 259,382 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $3,590,000 after purchasing an additional 40,309 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in Teekay Tankers by 27.5% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 105,429 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $1,459,000 after buying an additional 22,761 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers grew its holdings in shares of Teekay Tankers by 20.7% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 32,864 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $455,000 after purchasing an additional 5,639 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Teekay Tankers by 2.5% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 98,450 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $1,363,000 after purchasing an additional 2,394 shares during the period. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Teekay Tankers in the first quarter valued at about $159,000. 48.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Teekay Tankers (Get Rating) Teekay Tankers Ltd. provides marine transportation services to oil industries in Bermuda and internationally. The company offers voyage and time charter services; and offshore ship-to-ship transfer services of commodities primarily crude oil and refined oil products, as well as liquid gases and various other products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Teekay Tankers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teekay Tankers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. United States Natural Gas Fund LP (NYSEARCA:UNG Get Rating)s stock price was up 5.6% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $7.60 and last traded at $7.57. Approximately 20,504,279 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 8% from the average daily volume of 22,332,965 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.17. United States Natural Gas Fund Stock Up 5.3 % The companys fifty day moving average is $6.71 and its two-hundred day moving average is $9.31. Get United States Natural Gas Fund alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On United States Natural Gas Fund Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Shah Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of United States Natural Gas Fund during the first quarter worth $9,750,000. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC lifted its holdings in United States Natural Gas Fund by 2,532.1% in the first quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 1,053,436 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $7,311,000 after acquiring an additional 1,013,413 shares during the period. Ardsley Advisory Partners LP acquired a new stake in United States Natural Gas Fund in the first quarter valued at $6,237,000. Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its stake in shares of United States Natural Gas Fund by 586.9% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,035,248 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $14,597,000 after buying an additional 884,538 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of United States Natural Gas Fund during the 1st quarter worth $11,345,000. About United States Natural Gas Fund United States Natural Gas Fund, LP is a limited partnership. The Company is a commodity pool that issues limited partnership interests (shares) traded on the NYSE Arca, Inc (the NYSE Arca). The investment objective of the Company is for the daily changes in percentage terms of its shares per share net asset value (NAV) to reflect the daily changes in percentage terms of the spot price of natural gas delivered at the Henry Hub, Louisiana, as measured by the daily changes in the price of the futures contracts on natural gas traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (the NYMEX) that is the near month contract to expire, except when the near month contract is within two weeks of expiration, in which case it will be measured by the futures contract that is the next month contract to expire (the Benchmark Futures Contract), less its expenses. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for United States Natural Gas Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United States Natural Gas Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. USAdvisors Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Get Rating) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 4,583 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $205,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Clarity Financial LLC bought a new stake in Altria Group during the 1st quarter valued at $609,000. KMG Fiduciary Partners LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 634.5% during the 1st quarter. KMG Fiduciary Partners LLC now owns 43,474 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,940,000 after purchasing an additional 37,555 shares in the last quarter. Accurate Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 59.9% during the 1st quarter. Accurate Wealth Management LLC now owns 34,858 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,551,000 after purchasing an additional 13,062 shares in the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 6.1% during the 1st quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 49,653 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,216,000 after purchasing an additional 2,838 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Focused Wealth Management Inc boosted its holdings in Altria Group by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Focused Wealth Management Inc now owns 24,885 shares of the companys stock worth $1,110,000 after acquiring an additional 724 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 58.38% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Altria Group Price Performance Shares of NYSE MO opened at $43.90 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $40.35 and a one year high of $51.57. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $45.45 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $45.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $78.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.07, a PEG ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group Dividend Announcement Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $4.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.89 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 245.43% and a net margin of 22.44%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.12 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.56%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 120.90%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on MO shares. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $52.00 price target on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price objective on Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $44.67. Altria Group Profile (Get Rating) 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Wabash National (NYSE:WNC Get Rating) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report report published on Monday morning. Wabash National Stock Performance NYSE:WNC opened at $27.52 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.61, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.96 and a beta of 1.62. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $24.82 and its 200 day simple moving average is $25.03. Wabash National has a twelve month low of $12.81 and a twelve month high of $30.10. Get Wabash National alerts: Wabash National (NYSE:WNC Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported $1.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.45 by $0.59. Wabash National had a net margin of 5.88% and a return on equity of 39.80%. The firm had revenue of $621.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $624.38 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.24 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Wabash National will post 4.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Wabash National Dividend Announcement Insider Transactions at Wabash National The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 27th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 6th will be given a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.16%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 5th. Wabash Nationals payout ratio is currently 10.42%. In other news, Director Larry J. Magee sold 13,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.15, for a total value of $339,950.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 111,874 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,925,505.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.13% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Wabash National A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of WNC. Arizona State Retirement System boosted its stake in Wabash National by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 13,699 shares of the companys stock valued at $310,000 after purchasing an additional 374 shares during the period. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC lifted its stake in shares of Wabash National by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 47,300 shares of the companys stock worth $1,069,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Wabash National by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 54,350 shares of the companys stock worth $1,228,000 after acquiring an additional 437 shares during the period. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY lifted its stake in shares of Wabash National by 21.7% in the 4th quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY now owns 2,998 shares of the companys stock worth $68,000 after acquiring an additional 535 shares during the period. Finally, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. NY lifted its stake in shares of Wabash National by 21.7% in the 4th quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. NY now owns 2,998 shares of the companys stock worth $68,000 after acquiring an additional 535 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 97.19% of the companys stock. Wabash National Company Profile (Get Rating) Wabash National Corporation designs, manufactures, and distributes connected solutions for the transportation, logistics, and distribution industries primarily in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Transportation Solutions and Parts & Services. The Transportation Solutions segment provides dry van and platform trailers; refrigerated trailers; converter dollies; van bodies for dry-freight transportation; cargo and cargo XL bodies for commercial applications; insulated van bodies; stake bodies; platform truck bodies; refrigerated truck bodies; and used trailers, as well as laminated hardwood oak flooring products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Wabash National Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wabash National and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Secure Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Get Rating) by 4.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 6,946 shares of the retailers stock after purchasing an additional 311 shares during the period. Secure Asset Management LLCs holdings in Walmart were worth $1,024,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of WMT. AMI Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Walmart by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. now owns 8,269 shares of the retailers stock valued at $1,231,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares in the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. lifted its stake in shares of Walmart by 36.8% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 4,820 shares of the retailers stock valued at $718,000 after buying an additional 1,296 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd boosted its position in Walmart by 31.7% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,162 shares of the retailers stock worth $173,000 after acquiring an additional 280 shares during the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC grew its stake in Walmart by 123.9% in the 1st quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 10,566 shares of the retailers stock worth $1,573,000 after acquiring an additional 5,847 shares during the period. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its holdings in Walmart by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 857,839 shares of the retailers stock valued at $127,749,000 after acquiring an additional 13,985 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 31.95% of the companys stock. Get Walmart alerts: Insider Transactions at Walmart In related news, major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 473,370 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.75, for a total transaction of $73,727,377.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 241,479,146 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $37,610,376,989.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 473,370 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.75, for a total transaction of $73,727,377.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 241,479,146 shares in the company, valued at approximately $37,610,376,989.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director S Robson Walton sold 1,601,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $143.82, for a total value of $230,255,820.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 249,123,886 shares in the company, valued at $35,828,997,284.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 9,723,942 shares of company stock worth $1,433,001,783. 46.51% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Walmart Stock Up 0.8 % WMT has been the subject of several analyst reports. Truist Financial upped their target price on Walmart from $160.00 to $166.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Erste Group Bank reiterated a hold rating on shares of Walmart in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Walmart from $165.00 to $170.00 in a report on Friday, May 19th. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Walmart from $165.00 to $175.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Walmart from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, June 18th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Walmart presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $166.91. NYSE:WMT opened at $155.77 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.82. The company has a market capitalization of $419.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.55 and a beta of 0.49. Walmart Inc. has a one year low of $119.89 and a one year high of $158.23. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $151.16 and a 200 day simple moving average of $146.34. Walmart (NYSE:WMT Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 18th. The retailer reported $1.47 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.15. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.30% and a net margin of 1.82%. The business had revenue of $152.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $147.91 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.30 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Walmart Inc. will post 6.21 EPS for the current fiscal year. Walmart Company Profile (Get Rating) Walmart, Inc engages in retail and wholesale business. The company offers an assortment of merchandise and services at everyday low prices. It operates through the following business segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sams Club. The Walmart U.S. segment operates as a merchandiser of consumer products, operating under the Walmart, Wal-Mart, and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands, as well as walmart.com and other eCommerce brands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Walmart Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Walmart and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Weatherly Asset Management L. P. raised its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Get Rating) by 4.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,032 shares of the credit services providers stock after acquiring an additional 205 shares during the quarter. Weatherly Asset Management L. P.s holdings in Mastercard were worth $1,829,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 77,259,535 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $21,967,977,000 after acquiring an additional 568,155 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 33,865,057 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $9,629,190,000 after buying an additional 138,753 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 9.1% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 27,027,189 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $9,398,165,000 after buying an additional 2,247,291 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 16,306,214 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $5,660,950,000 after buying an additional 208,671 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 17.7% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 15,843,692 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $5,509,328,000 after buying an additional 2,385,640 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.33% of the companys stock. Get Mastercard alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MA has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Tigress Financial lifted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $472.00 to $476.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $392.00 to $404.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $410.00 to $435.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $450.00 to $453.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $414.00 to $442.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and nineteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Mastercard currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $417.27. Mastercard Trading Down 0.2 % NYSE:MA traded down $0.92 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $376.88. 599,393 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,822,981. The stock has a market capitalization of $357.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.74, a PEG ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.11. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52 week low of $276.87 and a 52 week high of $392.20. The firms 50 day moving average is $376.07 and its two-hundred day moving average is $365.55. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.84. Mastercard (NYSE:MA Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The credit services provider reported $2.80 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.71 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $5.75 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.64 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 42.33% and a return on equity of 169.12%. The firms revenue was up 11.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.76 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 12.25 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity at Mastercard In related news, insider Timothy H. Murphy sold 27,417 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $374.49, for a total transaction of $10,267,392.33. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 39,263 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,703,600.87. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through 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 completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 11,164 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,166,851.36. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Timothy H. Murphy sold 27,417 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $374.49, for a total transaction of $10,267,392.33. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 39,263 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,703,600.87. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 547,243 shares of company stock worth $209,102,122. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Mastercard 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. Featured Articles 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). Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Welch Group LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA Get Rating) by 38.3% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 101,469 shares of the banks stock after selling 62,979 shares during the quarter. Welch Group LLCs holdings in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria were worth $715,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 217.2% during the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 5,681 shares of the banks stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 3,890 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. raised its holdings in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 71.0% during the 4th quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 4,584 shares of the banks stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 1,904 shares in the last quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria during the 3rd quarter worth $38,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 124.8% during the 1st quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 6,859 shares of the banks stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 3,808 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria by 29.6% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 7,036 shares of the banks stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 1,608 shares in the last quarter. 2.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth BBVA has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com cut Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 26th. Barclays initiated coverage on Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria in a report on Friday, May 26th. They set an equal weight rating for the company. HSBC raised Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Friday, March 31st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $6.38. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Price Performance BBVA traded down $0.12 on Friday, reaching $7.24. The stock had a trading volume of 105,600 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,661,084. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. has a fifty-two week low of $3.93 and a fifty-two week high of $7.93. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $7.13 and a 200-day moving average of $6.93. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. The company has a market capitalization of $46.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.64 and a beta of 1.27. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (NYSE:BBVA Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The bank reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $7.46 billion during the quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria had a return on equity of 14.62% and a net margin of 26.27%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. will post 1.3 EPS for the current year. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Company Profile (Get Rating) Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides retail banking, wholesale banking, and asset management services. It offers current accounts; and demand, savings, overnight, time, term, and subordinated deposits. The company also provides loan products; deals in securities; leasing, factoring, brokerage, and asset management services; and manages pension and investment funds. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BBVA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (NYSE:BBVA Get Rating). Receive News & Ratings for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wendel (OTCMKTS:WNDLF Get Rating) is one of 1,178 publicly-traded companies in the Asset Management industry, but how does it contrast to its rivals? We will compare Wendel to related businesses based on the strength of its risk, dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, earnings and institutional ownership. Institutional and Insider Ownership 12.6% of Wendel shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.8% of shares of all Asset Management companies are owned by institutional investors. 18.0% 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 will outperform the market over the long term. Get Wendel alerts: Profitability This table compares Wendel and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Wendel N/A N/A N/A Wendel Competitors 371.10% 7.09% 4.95% Earnings & Valuation Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Wendel N/A N/A 61.19 Wendel Competitors $493.35 million $17.22 million 16.71 This table compares Wendel and its rivals revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Wendels rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Wendel. Wendel is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. Dividends Wendel pays an annual dividend of $1.85 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Wendel pays out 109.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, Asset Management companies pay a dividend yield of 7.0% and pay out 625.0% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Wendel and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Wendel 0 0 0 0 N/A Wendel Competitors 1146 4872 6253 91 2.43 Wendel currently has a consensus target price of $110.00, suggesting a potential upside of 6.06%. As a group, Asset Management companies have a potential upside of 91.52%. Given Wendels rivals higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Wendel has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals. Summary Wendel rivals beat Wendel on 8 of the 10 factors compared. About Wendel (Get Rating) Wendel is a private equity firm specializing in equity financing in middle markets and later stages through leveraged buy-out and transactions and acquisitions. It invests in both listed and non-listed companies. The firm typically invests in technology services and software, business services, healthcare and industrial technology. The firm seeks to invest in Africa, Europe, European Developed Markets, Western Europe, particularly France, and North America (United States and Canada). It invests between 150 million ($175.46 million) and 500 million ($584.87 million) in companies. It targets majority/control/large minority investments in listed or unlisted companies. The firm seeks to take a seat on the board of directors or supervisory board and key committees of its portfolio companies. It makes balance sheet investments. Wendel was founded in 1704 and is headquartered in Paris, France with additional offices across Asia, North America, United Kingdom and Europe. Receive News & Ratings for Wendel Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wendel and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Yarbrough Capital LLC increased its position in Trex Company, Inc. (NYSE:TREX Get Rating) by 128.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 13,055 shares of the construction companys stock after acquiring an additional 7,334 shares during the quarter. Yarbrough Capital LLCs holdings in Trex were worth $635,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Harrington Investments INC increased its holdings in shares of Trex by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Harrington Investments INC now owns 9,504 shares of the construction companys stock worth $402,000 after purchasing an additional 243 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd boosted its position in shares of Trex by 178.8% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 382 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 245 shares in the last quarter. MML Investors Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Trex by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 17,495 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $769,000 after acquiring an additional 258 shares in the last quarter. American Trust boosted its position in shares of Trex by 5.7% during the 4th quarter. American Trust now owns 4,887 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $207,000 after acquiring an additional 264 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Logan Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Trex by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Logan Capital Management Inc. now owns 17,252 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $758,000 after acquiring an additional 278 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.81% of the companys stock. Get Trex alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets TREX has been the topic of several recent research reports. Benchmark lifted their target price on shares of Trex from $64.00 to $67.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on shares of Trex from $71.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Trex from $53.00 to $57.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Loop Capital upped their target price on shares of Trex from $64.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group reiterated an underperform rating and set a $43.00 target price on shares of Trex in a research report on Tuesday, February 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $61.13. Trex Stock Performance Shares of TREX traded up $0.58 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $60.66. The company had a trading volume of 114,631 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,041,973. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $55.91 and its 200 day simple moving average is $51.31. Trex Company, Inc. has a 1-year low of $38.68 and a 1-year high of $66.65. The company has a market capitalization of $6.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.73, a P/E/G ratio of 4.72 and a beta of 1.49. Trex (NYSE:TREX Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The construction company reported $0.38 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.33 by $0.05. Trex had a net margin of 15.37% and a return on equity of 30.02%. The company had revenue of $239.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $237.65 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.62 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 29.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Trex Company, Inc. will post 1.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Trex Profile (Get Rating) Trex Company, Inc manufactures and distributes composite decking, railing, and outdoor living products and accessories for residential and commercial markets in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Trex Residential and Trex Commercial. It offers decking products under the names Trex Transcend, Trex Select, and Trex Enhance for protection against fading, staining, mold, and scratching; Trex Hideaway, a hidden fastening system; and Trex DeckLighting, a LED dimmable deck lighting for use on posts, floors, and steps. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Trex Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Trex and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. This aerial photo taken on June 18, 2023 shows a nighttime dragon boat race held to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival in Sanxi Village of Changle District, Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province. [Xinhua/Jiang Kehong] BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhua) China on Thursday celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival, a day dedicated to commemorating Qu Yuan, whose legacy of patriotism and perseverance has influenced the country and its people for thousands of years. Qu was a loyal statesman and a patriotic poet in Chu, a major state in the Warring States Period (475 B.C.-221 B.C.). He was unjustly exiled by the king of Chu, who disregarded Qu's policy advice. Heartbroken by the news of rivaling forces seizing Chu's capital, Qu eventually chose to end his life, by plunging himself into the river of Miluo clutching a heavy stone. Hearing Qu's tragic death, local people rushed to boats to search for his body. Over time, this practice evolved into a millennia-old tradition of dragon boat racing in memory of the poet. Throughout his lifetime, Qu wrote a great number of poems expressing his love and concern for his country and people. Perhaps his most famous line is "Long as the way is, I will keep on searching high and low," which embodies the poet's ceaseless spirit of exploration. The famous verse has been recited by generations of Chinese people, including President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. In 2016, Xi quoted the line in his address at a ceremony marking the 95th founding anniversary of the CPC, calling on all Party members to preserve the Party's tradition of struggle and have the courage to change and innovate in the continuing test of history. This is an example of the president's quoting of Qu's impassioned verses, which have inspired the entire Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups to put the ancient poet's legacy into action and brave challenges through reform and innovation. The sense of mission and the endeavors to surmount all difficulties for achieving the goal can be seen in various fields. For example, regarding China's reform, Xi called on people to "act with courage while moving forward with steady steps," to push reform forward on the right track. In the battle against poverty, the Chinese leader led the Party and the people to forge ahead against all odds and manage to lift the remaining 98.99 million rural poor people out of poverty in about eight years. To tackle the bottlenecks in scientific and technological innovation, Xi called for making breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields. Through a decade of efforts, China ranked 11th overall in the Global Innovation Index 2022, moving up 23 places from its ranking in the 2012 edition of the index. On the economic front, Xi has led the country in taking the initiative to shift from high-speed to high-quality development. And his exploration of the country's economic development has paid off. In 2022, China's per capita GDP was 12,741 U.S. dollars, nearing the level of high-income countries. "The spirit of Qu Yuan not only exerts a profound influence on China's past, but also exemplifies great value for the country's present," said Zheng Jiaming, a professor at the College of History and Culture at Hunan Normal University. "It is also universal and can last forever." Xi also invoked Qu's words when addressing a global audience. At the CPC and World Political Parties Summit in 2021, he said that with national rejuvenation and the progress of humanity in mind, the CPC will lead all the Chinese to "search high and low" and work with determination to create an even better future for all. (Source: Xinhua) Weather Alert The National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for... Massac County in southern Illinois... East Central Pulaski County in southern Illinois... Ballard County in western Kentucky... McCracken County in western Kentucky... * Until 415 PM CDT Thursday. * At 1014 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing or expected to produce 1 to 2 inches of rain possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. * Some locations that will experience flash flooding include... Paducah, Metropolis, La Center, Lone Oak, Reidland, Brookport, Barlow, West Paducah, Barkley Regional Airport, Lovelaceville, New Columbia, Kevil, Joppa, Olmsted and New Grand Chain. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. && FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED ...FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING... * 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 7 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Additional thunderstorms may move over the area this morning and afternoon. Any 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 should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. && Cormac McCarthy, celebrated American fiction writer, died June 13 at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at the age of 89. Over the course of a 60-year career, McCarthy was best known as a novelist who achieved fame relatively late in his career with works like Blood Meridian (1985), All the Pretty Horses (1992), No Country for Old Men (2005) and The Road (2006). McCarthys death has led to an outpouring of praise for his work in the corporate media. A. O. Scott of the New York Times praised McCarthy for redefining American prose and placed him on a par with Don DeLillo, Toni Morrison and Philip Roth. CNNs Dakin Andone called McCarthy among Americas greatest authors. In a March 2023 article published before McCarthys death, the Nation managed to compare him to Aeschylus, Euripides, Shakespeare, Cervantes, Bach, Mozart and Thomas Mann. Cormac McCarthy attends the premiere of The Road in New York on Nov. 16, 2009 [AP Photo/Evan Agostini] Cormac McCarthy is a writer whose undeniable artistic abilities were fatally undermined by both the pessimistic, ahistorical and irrationalist ideological concepts that dominate his work and by the generally reactionary political and cultural climate in which he ultimately rose to fame. While McCarthy genuinely attempted to develop the styles of writers like William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway, his works are so permeated with misanthropy and a hostility to human progress that his literary output represents a step back from the great American writers of the 20th century. Faulkner declared man will not only endure, he will persevere and Hemingway began For Whom The Bell Tolls with Donnes no man is an island, but McCarthy told the New York Times in 1992: Theres no such thing as life without bloodshed. I think the notion that the species can be improved in some way, that everyone could live in harmony, is a really dangerous idea. Those who are afflicted with this notion are the first ones to give up their souls, their freedom. Your desire that it be that way will enslave you and make your life vacuous. Great works of art cannot come from ideas as false and shallow as these. They do not make possible a genuinely realistic and deep-going grasp of life. Though McCarthy personally struggled financially for much of his career and never wrote simply for a paycheck, his work gave expression to the outlook of an affluent and complacent social layer in the stagnant cultural desert of the 1980s and 90s. McCarthy was born in Providence, Rhode Island in July 1933. The son of a prominent New Deal attorney, he moved with his family to Knoxville, Tennessee in 1937 where his father represented the Tennessee Valley Authority, the largest public works program in American history. McCarthy briefly attended the University of Tennessee in the early 1950s before dropping out and joining the Air Force. He was stationed in Alaska, then a US territory and critical Arctic outpost in the Cold War against the Soviet Union, and it was during his tour there that he read a lot of books very quickly, he later recalled, apparently to combat the routine and boredom of military life. In the post-war period, the American state and ruling class created a toxic anti-communist environment and attempted to purge socialist and left-wing views from film, writing and culture as a whole. Under these conditions, artists and writers became vulnerable to irrationalist explanations for the horrors of World War Two, fascism and the Holocaust. Books such as William Goldings Lord of the Flies (1954), which also presents violence and atavism as central to the human condition, convey the attitudes dominant in certain circles during this period. McCarthy published his first novel at the age of 32, while he was working in an auto parts plant outside Chicago. From the beginning of his writing career, McCarthy placed disturbing tales of bloodthirsty violence at the center of his efforts. The Orchard Keeper (1965) deals with the aftermath of the strangling murder of a hitchhiker and focuses on the theme of vengeance. Outer Dark (1968) involves a baby born out of an incestuous relationship between a brother and sister and draws its title from the Gospel of Matthew, The children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. McCarthys third novel, Child of God (1973), tells the story of a homeless man who becomes a serial killer and necrophiliac, storing his victims bodies in a cave. Photo portrait of Cormac McCarthy used for the first-edition back cover of Child of God (1973). McCarthys presentation of violence is often gratuitous and not developed from the standpoint of critiquing the social conditions that give rise to criminality and conflict. To the extent he criticizes society, it is from the point of view of presenting humanity as a whole as inherently violent. Describing the homicidal main character in Child of God, McCarthy once said in an interview, There are people like him all around us, as if to say: this is more or less what mankind truly amounts to. In another passage in Child of God, McCarthy describes all of humanity as driven by violent, anti-social impulses: See him, he writes of the killer-protagonist. You could say that hes sustained by his fellow men, like you. Has peopled the shore with them calling to him. A race that gives suck to the maimed and the crazed, that wants their wrong blood in its history and will have it. McCarthys novels of the 1980s and early 1990s maintained these themes, even as the setting moves from the hardscrabble towns of Appalachia to the beautiful, barren landscapes of the American Southwest. Blood Meridian, written in 1985, is McCarthys semi-historical account of the Glanton Gang, a gang of Texas slaveholders who carried out horrific massacres of the Native peoples of the Southwest in the late 1840s at the behest of Mexican and American authorities and claimed bounties on indigenous scalps. McCarthys selection of the Glanton Gang for subject matter is one-sided and superficial. He writes of the Glanton Gang not to draw attention to the reactionary character of Texan independence and its connections to slavery, or to the US invasion of Mexico, but to present American history as nothing but a long string of senselessly violent, even sociopathic acts. The late 1840s were not only a period of pro-slavery slaughter, they were also marked by the emergence of a popular movement fighting for the abolition of slavery and witnessed heroic sacrifices in the struggle to free the slaves. Blood Meridian Cormac McCarthy (1985) The American Renaissance, associated with figures such as Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Melville, Dickinson, Stowe and Whitman, along with towering abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass, not to mention Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant, began its flowering during these years, the intellectual preparation for the earthshaking Civil War. Why does McCarthy choose only the most appalling aspects of American history, and then make so little of them? He undoubtedly did capture something of the ruthless and brutal character of Westward expansion, especially in the character of Judge Holden, who Harold Bloom called the most frightening figure in all of American literature. In Blood Meridian, McCarthy has Judge Holden say: It makes no difference what men think of war, said the judge. War endures. As well ask men what they think of stone. War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner. That is the way it was and will be. That way and not some other way. Though one must always be cautious about identifying an authors views with those of a protagonist, in this case Holdens notions are clearly not so far from McCarthys own, which he expressed on numerous occasions, and the passage reads not as a criticism of the judges sentiments but as an endorsement. Through Judge Holden, violence and war are presented as the guiding forces of human history. But this is a deeply false conception, and when McCarthy forces his characters into such retrograde schemas, they fail to become real in an artistic, historical and psychological sense and instead feel contrived and ideologically driven. In his 1992 novel All the Pretty Horsesthe novel which first introduced McCarthy to a mass audienceMcCarthy writes that humanitys miserable state of violence is inevitable and pointless to oppose: We weep over the might have been, but there is no might have been. There never was. It is supposed to be true that those who do not know history are condemned to repeat it. I dont believe knowing can save us. What is constant in history is greed and foolishness and a love of blood and this is a thing that even God who knows all that can be known seems powerless to change. With these sentiments McCarthy was drawing from and tapping into attitudes growing in strength within official political and intellectual life. It is not McCarthys fault that he rose to fame in the era of Reagan and Thatcher, but it is not accidental either. McCarthys work was a means by which a retreating, disoriented intelligentsia introduced into fiction Thatchers aphorism that there is no society and Fukuyamas proclamation of the end of history. In this regard, it is worth noting that American novelist Philip Roth, who, like McCarthy, was also born in 1933, acquired a popular audience in the 1960s and 70s, while McCarthy remained relatively marginalized at the time, only gaining broader public recognition and approbation in the late 1980s and especially the early 1990s. Roths writing, which is much more humane, sympathetic and historically oriented, tapped into broader democratic moods of the time, while McCarthy emerged to prominence in a period of general political reaction. Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men (2007) McCarthys profile grew after the publication of his 2005 novel No Country for Old Men, which sold widely and was adapted for the screen by the Coen brothers. The World Socialist Web Site reviewed the film in a 2007 article, The banality of evil: No Country for Old Men. But it was McCarthys 2006 novel, The Road, which won the strongest accolades. The Road is a post-apocalyptic story of a father and son traveling through a wasteland ruined by either nuclear war, environmental disaster or some other universal catastrophe. The book was featured on Oprah Winfreys book club and won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. In The Road, McCarthy expresses his attitude toward humanity in the most troubling way. Following the unexplained apocalyptic event, McCarthy portrays humanity as descending into a state of unfathomable barbarism, whose human figures are less human than the sinners in Dantes Inferno. Within a year of the catastrophe, McCarthy writes, there were fires on the ridges and deranged chanting. The screams of the murdered. By day the dead impaled on spikes along the road. Those who have survived the disaster form marauding bands, traveling the countryside for survivors to rape and devour. McCarthy describes the dungeons where humans are kept as slaves and farmed for their meat. The protagonists, who view themselves as the good guys, are presented as completely and utterly alone. Touching moments between the father and son characters appear against a backdrop of hopelessness. When asked by talk show host Winfrey what he meant to accomplish with this book, McCarthy (in a rare interview) commented, Maybe since 9/11 people are more concerned with apocalyptic issues, adding that he wanted audiences to care about things and people. Life is pretty damn good even when it looks bad. You should be thankful for what you have. This confused and fundamentally complacent attitude helps drown out his abilities as a writer. McCarthys skill at prose writing is undeniable, and it was not for nothing that Saul Bellow praised McCarthy in 1981 for his absolutely overpowering use of language, his life-giving and death-dealing sentences. At his best moments, he slips into a simple descriptive style that clearly draws on Hemingway, and he could weave together staccato dialogue with long, individual sentences whose cadence is maintained by prepositions, not punctuation, in a style developed by Faulkner and also favored by the Portuguese writer Jose Saramago. But McCarthy was drawing largely from reactionary subjective idealist sources, and this drains much of the richness and depth from his prose. Present are Nietzschean conceptions about violence and the will to power as the driving forces of history, as well as the Frankfurt Schools denial of history as a knowable, law-governed process and its rejection of the prospect of human progress. Such a social outlook permeates academia and dominates the thinking of broad sections of the affluent upper middle class today. Those who wish to grapple with and understand the material source of such ideologies should read David Norths The Frankfurt School, Postmodernism and the Politics of the Pseudo-left, a Marxist Critique. A fresh, new attitude is called for in fiction writing today. In his 1912 lecture Art and Social Life, Georgi Plekhanov wrote, The merit of a literary work is determined in the final analysis by the weightiness of its content. He continued, Works whose authors lay store only on form always reflect a definiteand as I have already explained, a hopelessly negativeattitude of their authors to their social environment. (Emphasis in the original). The crisis of capitalism has wrought pandemics, wars, the threat of environmental collapse and unprecedented levels of exploitation and inequality. But a study of the lessons of history also reveals the revolutionary potential in the present moment. Objective conditions are driving masses of people into struggle on every continent, producing conditions for a revolutionary upsurge of historic proportions. These struggles, and the changes they bring to the lives of the people going through them, present ample material for artistic creation. Tapping into the vast tangle of social relations and telling the truth about reality are necessary to facilitate a rebirth in realist writing today. This requires a conscious break from McCarthys ahistorical, irrationalist and individualist outlook and approach. A ruling by Germanys Federal Labour Court (BAG), at the end of May explicitly confirmed that the principle of equal pay for equal work does not have to apply to temporary agency workers. Fairness looks very different! - Workers of a Lufthansa subcontractor campaign for equal pay, Rhein-Main Airport 2016 The complaint of a temporary worker was thereby rejected after a third hearing, despite an earlier ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The BAG ruling is not only an expression of class justice, it also bases itself essentially on the role of the trade union bureaucracy, which make this system of modern slave labour possible in the first place. In principle, temporary agency work means that a temporary worker is provided to a hiring agent to perform work for a limited period of time. The temporary worker is employed by a personnel service provider or temporary employment agency under an employment contract. For this purpose, the temp agency and the hiring company conclude a so-called Temporary Employment Contract. Temporary work is often sold as a first step to regular employment. In practice, however, companies have mostly used it to undermine wages and rights won by their core workforce. In 1972, against a background of rising class struggle around the world, the Temporary Employment Contract (Arbeitnehmeruberlassungsgesetz, AUG) was introduced in Germany. The AUG was then largely abolished following the introduction of the pro-austerity Hartz reforms and infamous Agenda 2010 by the Social Democratic-Green Party coalition government headed by Gerhard Schroder. The declared aim was to build up a large scale low-wage sector, and this is what has taken place. In the meantime the German ruling elite has created the largest low-wage sector in Western Europe. The number of temporary workers rose from about 300,000 in 2003 to almost 900,000 10 years later. Today it is slightly lower, at 816,000 according to Statista, and Germany is ranked eighth worldwide in the number of temporary workers. Temporary workers earn significantly less than members of the permanent workforce. According to statistics from the Federal Employment Agency, as of 31 December 2021, the average monthly gross pay of full-time employees was 3,516, but just 2,083 for temps. This means temporary agency workers earned on average a full 40 percent less in 2021 than normal employees! A key element in this process is the cynically named Equal Treatment Principle in the AUG. It states that the same essential working conditions should apply to temporary workers as to permanent employeeswith the following legal exception: A collective bargaining agreement may deviate from the principle of equal treatment. In plain language: the principle of equal pay for equal work need no longer apply when the trade unions negotiate with the employers to treat temporary workers worse than the permanent workforce. According to a cynical reform of the AUG in 2017, introduced under the Grand Coalition of the Christian Democratic Union and Social Democratic Party by Minister of Labour Andrea Nahles (SPD), such unequal treatment agreed to in collective bargaining agreements could last up to nine months and, under certain conditions, up to 15 months. According to a study by the industrial trade union IG Metall from the same year, that suits perfectly the vast majority of employers. In the second half of 2016, 58 percent of temporary employment relationships lasted three months or less, and only 24 percent lasted three to nine months. In another ruling, in September 2022, the BAG gave its blessing to a further expansion of temporary agency work. The BAG stated: In the case of the temporary [employment] of workers, a collective bargaining agreement concluded by the parties to the agreement in the sector ... may stipulate a different maximum [temporary employment] period deviating from the legally permissible period of 18 months. This is also applicable for the temporary worker and his employer (temp agency), irrespective of whether they are bound by the collective agreement. In the case in question, IG Metall had agreed a temporary employment period of up to 48 (!) months with employers. This was also binding on the plaintiff, the federal labour judges explained to the temporary workereven though he was not even a member of IG Metall. Last December, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) delivered its judgement on temporary agency work. It made clear in its ruling that temporary workers should have the same protection and conditions as their permanent colleagues. According to the ECJ ruling, temporary workers may only be paid less if such unequal treatment is compensated fore.g., through additional time off. The BAG judges, who had submitted this question to the ECJ, responded with their typical legal sophistry in their ruling. Such compensation, they said, was the legal right to continued payment of wages during non-hiring periods. In other words, the judges considered as compensatory the fact that during the period when a temporary worker is not on loan to any company, the temporary employment agency continues to pay him the agreed wage. One would think that this would be a matter of course: In the vast majority of companies, wages must continue to be paid to permanent employees even if the employer has no work for his employees. For the BAG judges, it is nevertheless a compensation that less money may be paid for the same work. In the case of the plaintiff, the difference was considerable: instead of the 13.64 gross per hour paid to permanently employed workers, she received just 9.23, a third less per hour. The BAG judges made no secret of the fact that they are fully aware of the role played by the trade unions. According to tagesschau news, the trade unions confronted a question from the Federal Labour Court judge, Rudiger Linck, asking why they conclude collective agreements, which permits worse pay. After all, without the collective agreements equal pay would apply. The answer was not forthcoming.' No wonder that collective bargaining coverage is nowhere as high as in temporary agency work, standing at 98 percent. Temporary agency work highlights the thoroughly corporatist role of the trade union bureaucracy. They are closely intertwined with the state and corporations and play a key role in worsening wages and working conditions while organising the extreme exploitation of workers. The following is a statement by the Warren Truck Rank-and-File Committee at the Stellantis assembly plant in suburban Detroit on the announcement this week that the company is invoking the critical status clause in the national contract. To contact the committee, call or text 248-919-8448. Text AUTO to (866) 847-1086 to sign up for text updates from the Autoworkers Rank-and-File Network or to discuss building rank-and-file committees. Fellow workers: We cannot accept that Stellantis is putting Warren Truck, Dundee Engine, Jefferson North, Kokomo Engine and other plants on critical status for 90 days starting July 5. That means we can be forced to work seven days a week and up to 12 hours a day past the expiration of the contract on September 14. The company executives are doing this to build up inventory ahead of a potential strike. They are trying to intimidate us because we will not accept another sellout contract from the United Auto Workers. Under critical status, we can only get one day off after 30 days unless we use family medical leave. This will wreak havoc with our lives. Were not robots! Were human beings! With the extra hours you could get more money, but its not worth sacrificing our bodies, our sanity and our family lives! Warren Truck workers on May 25, 2023. That Stellantis can get away with this is the fault of the UAW apparatus. They slipped the language allowing critical status in the 2019 contract without informing the membership. No organization that truly represents workers would agree to such a thing. Now they say we have no choice but to accept it. Stellantis complains about absenteeism, but they are going to make it worse. This will hurt our mental health. People will be paying babysitters, then have to pick their kids when the company sends us home. Nobody knows when we have to work. We all have families, children we have to take care of. They are creating a toxic work environment in the plant. They wont even let us use our PAA (paid absence) daysthat belong to uswhen we want. Then they tell us when we can use them. Then they say, Lets give you a voluntary layoff because they want to get rid of the old-timers so they can hire more supplementals at $15.78 an hour. And they wonder why absenteeism is so high. The UAW is not uniting us. Its dividing us: first tier against second tier, full-time against temporary, production versus skilled and workers in Detroit against our brothers and sisters at Belvidere and other plants. We have established the Warren Truck Rank-and-File Committee to put a halt to this and unite all workers. [Photo: Stellantis] We come in to work and are doing our job. Without us they wouldnt be able to operate or make a dime in profits. But now we are being made to suffer for problems caused by management. Stellantis says it is behind 17,871 units, but it is not our fault that they are behind in production. We should remember last summer Stellantis laid off the third shift at Warren Truck, and then CEO Carlos Tavares came and said he should have shut the plant down. This was after they were complaining about too much absenteeism and a shortage of workers. At Warren Truck, management is constantly sending workers home early because they cant run. But, we are constantly being harassed over petty issues like wearing ear buds. The worst thing is that the UAW allows this. It shows the UAW apparatus is not looking out for our interests. The election of Shawn Fain and Rich Boyer for president and vice president did not change a thing, and all of Fains talk about change and fighting the companies is nothing but hot air. We say to Shawn Fain, you do not represent us! The election was rigged, and since being installed, you have shown once again whose side the UAW bureaucracy is really on: Stellantis management, not the rank-and-file workers. That is not all. They have closed the Belvidere plant and are laying off workers at SHAP, Toledo Jeep, Trenton, Dundee, here at Warren Truck and other plants, and the UAW has said nothing and done nothing. Just last week the UAW forced through a contract on the third vote that striking workers at the Clarios battery plant in Holland, Ohio, had already rejected two times. It means that workers will only get 3 percent raises and that the door is open to imposing a 12-hour work schedule throughout the plant, the same issue that we face. The UAW threw these brave workers under the bus and betrayed them. They did nothing to help these workers, like blocking the shipment of scab batteries to GM, Ford and and Stellantis plants. We are outraged that the UAW forced Stellantis, Ford and GM workers to scab on our brothers and sisters at Clarios. The sellout contract pushed onto the workers at Clarios is a warnng of what the UAW will try to do to us in September. We cannot let this happen. If there is going to be a real fight, we have to organize it. The companies and the UAW bureaucracy are conspiring to impose another pro-corporate contract to force us to pay for the transition to electric vehicles by destroying tens of thousands of jobs and slashing the wages of workers. They are making their preparations. We have to make our own preparations. This does not mean wearing red shirts and other PR stunts. It means organizing the rank and file, independently of the pro-company UAW bureaucrats, to prepare for an all-out strike by all UAW members at GM, Ford and Stellantis to win what we need. To prepare for this fight, we have to communicate with each other, exchange information and expand our network of rank-and-file committees so power and decision making can be transferred from the UAW apparatus to the workers on the shop floor. We have to unite with workers across the auto industry in the US, Canada and internationally to fight the global assault on jobs and living standards. Only in that way can we stop management and the UAW from pushing us back and win what we need. Instead of a seven-day, 12-hour operation, we need to have an 8-hour, five-day week with no mandatory overtime. All work after 8 hours must be paid at time and a half. All part-timers must be immediately rolled over to full-time with full pay and benefits, the restoration of pensions, full cost of living and wage increases to make up for all the concessions. As we said in our founding statement, Workers have enormous power. We are the ones who build these trucks and produce the profits. But the UAW tries to tell us we are powerless and that we have no choice but to accept whatever management wants. That is a lie. If we unite full-time and temporary, first- and second-tier, hourly and skilled, from the Detroit metro area and from Belvidere, Dundee and every other area, we will be able to fight for what we need, not what the companies and the UAW says is affordable. Now is the time to prepare by building a network of rank-and-file committees to allow workers at all the plants to communicate with one another and discuss our issues without the interference of the UAW and management. Nothing can be won if we leave our fate in the hands of the UAW bureaucracy. Join and build the Warren Truck Rank-and-File Committee by contacting us at 248-919-8448 or filling out the form below. Text AUTO to (866) 847-1086 to sign up for text updates from the Autoworkers Rank-and-File Network or to discuss building rank-and-file committees. The Sri Lankan government has stepped up its victimisation of 20 Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) trade union leaders and activists by issuing them interdiction letters on June 8. Petroleum Corporation workers protest in Colombo on 22 August 2022. Two months ago they were placed on compulsory leave after CPC workers walked out on strike on March 28 in protest against plans to privatise the state-owned enterprise (SOE). The Wickremesinghe government responded by deploying thousands of armed police and army personnel to break the industrial action and force the strikers back to work. The witch-hunting of CPC union leaders and activists is another clear warning to the Sri Lankan working class that the Wickremesinghe government will brutally suppress all opposition to privatisation and the other International Monetary Fund (IMF) austerity measures now being implemented. None of the unions operating at the CPC, including the Petroleum General Workers Union (PGWU), the Sri Lanka Podujana Progressive Employees Union-Petroleum (SLPPEU-P), the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya (SLNSS) and the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya, have mobilised their members to fight the government organised strikebreaking or the witch-hunting of workers. These unions are affiliated to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the United National Party respectively. Nor has any other Sri Lankan union raised objections to the state repression of the striking petroleum workers. Last October 4, CPC management suspended SLNSS secretary Bandara Arambekumbura after he told the media that the crude oil being imported by the CPC was of substandard quality. Hundreds of workers held lunch-break demonstrations on October 4 and 6 to protest Arambekumburas suspension. Management refused to reinstate him and instead escalated its anti-democratic measures, issuing a gazette notification on October 24 restricting CPC employees right to assemble in their workplace. The ongoing persecution of CPC workers is part of a wider crackdown on the working class by the Wickremesinghe government. Last month, Insurance General Employees Union (IGEU) general secretary Diwakara Athugala, and Nayomi Hettiarachchige, the unions media secretary, were forcibly transferred because of their role in organising protests against the privatisation of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC). The transfers followed a disciplinary inquiry by SLIC administration which threatened the IGEU officials with dismissal if they were found guilty. The administration also sent warning letters to about 50 militant workers after they initiated protests against a new collective agreement inside SLICs head office in Colombo on February 15. Instead of mobilising petroleum workers and other state-sector employees against the ongoing witch hunt, the CPC union leaders have simply complained to the Human Rights Commission, presenting it as the personal victimisation of the 20 union leader and activists. CPC workers have repeatedly come into struggle against social attacks by successive Sri Lankan governments. In October 2018, about 4,000 employees, including technicians, clerks, engineers and executive officers, defied Essential Services Orders and walked out on strike against privatisation, halting work in all CPC branches. On August 22 last year, they struck again and about 1,500 marched from Victoria Park in Colombo to the Ministry of Power and Energy opposing privatisation. While CPC workers have consistently demonstrated their determination to fight, the leadership of the CPC unions have completely abandoned the struggle against privatisation and the associated attacks on jobs and working conditions. This is in line with the capitalist parties to which they are affiliated, which all endorse the IMF-dictated measures. This was made clear in a statement to the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) by SLNSS President Jagath Wijegunawardane, one of the victimised officials. An investigation against us is ongoing. Those supposed to be made aware in the country have been informed. The current president [Ranil Wickremesinghe] and the former president [Gotabhaya Rajapakse] have been informed. We have complained to the Department of Labour and the Human Rights Commission and we hope to file a court case. No campaigns have been organised, Wijegunawardane said. In an attempt to dissipate workers anger, the CPC leadership and those heading other state-sector unions keep making timid appeals to the government, imploring it not to privatise profit-making state-owned enterprises. As Wijegunawardena said to the WSWS, Now, when the CPC is making profits of 160 million rupees per month, why is it being privatised? But the Wickremesinghe governments policies are determined not according to whether any particular state-owned enterprises is making profits or losses but the dictates of the IMF. The IMF has demanded that 430 state-owned enterprises, including CPC, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Ceylon Electricity Board, Sri Lanka Telecom, Water Supply and Drainage Board, SLIC and state-owned banks must be privatised or restructured. This will result in a massive assault on the jobs, wages and working conditions of over 500,000 workers. At the CPC alone this will mean the destruction of 3,700 jobs from its current 4,200-strong workforce, further cuts in already reduced overtime payments and sackings over minor offences. Several CPC workers spoke to the WSWS about the attacks on their working conditions and salaries. One worker from the filling branch said that CPC employees were under financial stress. Medical bonuses were not paid in September last year and in April this year, and overtime is limited. We previously used to do 140 hours of overtime but this has now been cut to 100 hours, he said. Three of our ordinary employees have met the minister and asked about the 20 [witch-hunted] employees on compulsory leave. The minister [Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara] was threatening and said that they should not ask about them, the filling branch worker explained. The trade unions will do nothing about the victimisations, he noted and said that if a worker was suspended for a month or two over a minor offence in the past they could be reinstated but now such a worker would be fired immediately. A worker in the motor garage section said: There are 150 employees in my section but theres no freedom there. If you want to take leave [from work] you need to do it carefully because otherwise, they [the administration] will suspend you. Employees are in a precarious situation, vacancies are not filled and now nobody can talk about rights. The trade unions are completely silent about all this. Another worker declared that the union leaderships were tied into the politics of their respective parties and did not support the April 28 and May 6 mass strikes last year against the Gotabhaya Rajapakse government, or the protests by port and telecom workers against privatisation. He added: They [union leaders] are compromised by relationships with the government. On 12 August last year when the government gazetted its amendment of the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Act and allowed privatisation of the CPC, the trade unions did not mobilise workers to fight this but filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking to declare it unconstitutional. The amended bill authorised foreign corporations to import, store and distribute fuel in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the government approved Chinas Sinopec, Australias United Petroleum and Americas RM Parks, and handed over 150 fuel stations to each of these companies. As part of its anti-democratic assault on workers, the Wickremesinghe government, which relies on the political assistance of the trade unions, is bolstering the state apparatus. Along with the existing Public Security Act, the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill, it is attempting to pass a modified and even more repressive Anti-Terror Bill which includes measures to censor the media and social media platforms. These are aimed at brutally repressing workers coming into struggle against the governments IMF measures and in preparation for dictatorial forms of rule. Workers must reject the refusal of the unions to mobilise against the governments social austerity measures and anti-democratic attacks and organise independently. What is required is a united struggle of CPC, SLIC and other SOE workers to fight all the IMF austerity policies and associated state repression. Workers must demand the dropping of all charges against the 20 witch-hunted CPC employees and other victimised workers and their immediate and unconditional reinstatement, including the payment of all outstanding remuneration. This means a political struggle against the Wickremesinghe government and for a workers and peasants government based on a revolutionary socialist program. Action committees must be built by workers at every workplace, factory, plantation and neighbourhood, independent of the trade unions. Sri Lankan workers need to link up with their class brothers and sisters globally through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees launched by the International Committee of the Fourth International. President Joe Biden speaks about inflation and supply chain issues at the Port of Los Angeles, Friday, June 10, 2022, in Los Angeles. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci] For nearly a year since the last one expired on July 1, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has kept its 22,000 members at West Coast ports on the job without a contract. The ILWU has not only kept workers on the job through a no strike, no lockout deal signed behind workers backs, it has kept them completely in the dark on the progress of the talks with port operators. Outside of short statements every few months announcing tentative agreements over this or that issue, workers have received no substantive information whatsoever on what has been agreed to over the past year. But on June 14, the ILWU and Pacific Maritime Association suddenly announced a tentative agreement. This reportedly came after the parties, under the intervention of the Biden administrations acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, self-imposed a 72-hour deadline to reach a deal. ILWU President Willie Adams personally thanked Su for helping negotiations to cross the finish line. The reason for this sudden burst of activity is not hard to find. In the first instance, it is because workers themselves are increasingly ignoring the no strike pledge, which the ILWU signed without even consulting a single rank-and-file dockworker. Workers, apparently on their initiative, have carried out a series of job actions and work slowdowns which have significantly disrupted port operations across the region over the past several weeks. The TA was also announced only days after 7,200 Canadian dockworkers in British Columbia, who are also ILWU members, voted by over 99 percent to strike. By reaching an agreement in the US, the ILWU leadership is blocking a united international struggle. The June 24 deadline after which Canadian dockworkers can legally strike was also, for the ILWU bureaucracy, the PMA and the White House, the deadline to get a TA announced in the United States. But having announced the deal, the ILWU is now returning to its normal radio silence. Adams told rank-and-file workers they would not see the full contract until after delegates of the longshore caucus review it next month. As a matter of fact, a deal may not even exist. A similar trick was carried out last September on the railroads, when the Biden administration brokered a deal only hours before a September 15 strike deadline. As with the ILWU, the railroad union bureaucracy then delayed for months to try and allow opposition from the rank and file to dissipate and buy time for the government to intervene if needed. What is known about the contents of the TA has sparked outrage from dockworkers. The [highest-seniority] A-men are unhappy because they raised the retirement, one worker said. The wages, which will increase at little more than 5 percent a year for six years, are also a big sticking point There are only about 22,000 longshoremen. A raise wouldnt cost them that much. Much more is at stake than maintaining the huge profits of the port operators and the shipping companies, however. The parties to this anti-worker conspiracy are determined to prevent the emergence of a working class movement in the United States and know that a strike on the West Coast could open the floodgates. There are other signs, beyond the work slowdowns on the docks, that their ability to prevent this is breaking down. As they were wrapping up their tentative agreement on the West Coast, 340,000 UPS workers were voting to authorize strike action against the logistics giant, a vote which passed by 97 percent. Teamsters General President Sean OBrien, in a bid to placate the rank and file which is hostile to the bureaucracy, has pledged to call a strike if no contract is reached by July 31while desperately trying to get a deal in place before then. A potential national of strike of workers at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis is also possible this September. A growing rebellion among United Auto Workers (UAW) members has continued to find expression this year in the 40-day strike of Clarios workers near Toledo, Ohio, who rejected two sellout agreements before the UAW finally forced through a TA on the third try. Other major struggles include the Writers Guild of America strike and contracts for tens of thousands of New York City transit workers and teachers. To beat back this surge, the ruling class is resorting to government intervention. It has set up two lines of defense. First is the close and active involvement of the White House in all major national contract talks, to try and enforce a de facto ban on strikes and rein in wage growth through the medium of the union bureaucracy. If workers overrun the first line, as they did when they voted down the rail contract last year, the second line of defense is direct state intervention. That was shown last year when Biden and Congress, with key roles played by the fake socialists in the corporate-controlled Democratic Party like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, banned a strike on the railroads and imposed the contract workers rejected. The second line of defense is being bolstered by the ruling class. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court voted 8-1 that workers can be held financially responsible for losses incurred by an employer during a strike. This is a significant legal attack on the right to strike, which was supported by all of the Courts right-wing justices, as well as a majority of its so-called liberal wing. They are now preparing to shore up their defenses on the docks. Two Republican Senators have introduced a bill which would ban slowdowns and stoppages at the ports as an unfair labor practice to be fined at double the economic damages incurred, or a maximum of roughly $2 billion per day. The bill specifically bans impediments against port modernization, which has emerged as a major concern among dockworkers in the current contract. They are rightly concerned that new technologies would be used to carry out layoffs on the docks, as the companies have done for decades. Another critical factor is the military significance of the ports. US imperialism is preparing for World War III against Russia and China and must get its home front under control, especially critical infrastructure like the docks. The Department of Defense has identified 17 commercial ports that it considers strategic seaports, out of which sevenSan Diego, CA; Long Beach, CA; Hueneme, CA; Oakland, CA; Concord, CA; Tacoma, WA and Indian Island, WAare located on the West Coast. Besides the deployment of military equipment, the ports would also play a key role in changes to supply chains to undercut Chinas role in electric vehicle production. Prior to the contract expiration last summer, Biden made an appearance at the Port of Los Angeles, where, speaking from the deck of the battleship USS Iowa, he attempted to scapegoat Russia for the economic hardship faced by American workers. Afterwards, the ILWU and PMA issued their no-strike pledge, while the ILWU also pledged not to handle Russian tankers docking on the West Coast. The evident failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, spearheaded by thousands of soldiers armed and trained by the US and NATO, also forms the immediate backdrop to the contract. US imperialism is faced with the need to double down and send even more equipment and possibly even deploy US troops on a large scale to Ukraine. Last February, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg described NATO as being in a race of logistics in relationship to the war in Ukraine, meaning the timely movement of large amounts of weapons and equipment is a key factor in determining the outcome of the war. The dockworkers struggle is not an ordinary contract fight. Workers are in a political struggle against the entire corporate-controlled political system, of which the union bureaucracy is a part. In opposition to the conspiracy against them, workers must organize their own strength independently, with a clear understanding of who their friends and enemies are. Last year, railroaders formed the Railroad Workers Rank-and-File Committee in rebellion against the attempt to impose a contract from above. The Committee played a vital role in distributing information, discussing strategy and exposing the maneuvering of the bureaucracy and the White House. Dockworkers must form a rank-and-file committee of their own. The fact that the entire government has been brought to bear against dockworkers is a sign that the ruling class will not tolerate opposition from workers. It is also a tacit admission of the immense power dockworkers have. The question is, however, that dockworkers know how to use that power. The WSWS encourages dockworkers to contact us about building a rank-and-file committee and turning out to other sections of the working class as part of a united struggle. Contact us by filling out the form below: The Socialist Equality Party condemns in the strongest terms the political censorship of an anti-war meeting that was to be held in Toronto Wednesday evening, following a campaign of threats and slander orchestrated by the far-right Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC). The event, organized by self-avowed ecosocialist and former Green Party of Canada leadership candidate Dimitri Lascaris, was to have discussed his perspective on how to end the war in Ukraine, but was canceled at the last minute by the owners of the venue, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). The OPSEUs Wellesley St. headquarters in Toronto [Photo by InSapphoWeTrust / CC BY-SA 2.0 OPSEUs outrageous surrender to the censorship campaign sets a dangerous precedent. If it is allowed to stand, far-right nationalists, whose political roots are in the Nazi collaborationist and fascist Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), will have the power to dictate what discussion on the US-NATO war on Russia is permissible. With the support of the Canadian state, led by the pro-war Trudeau Liberal government, a climate of fear and intimidation is being created akin to the repressive conditions under an authoritarian regime. This must be countered through the political mobilization of the working class in defence of the basic democratic right of all anti-war groups to hold public meetings and protests unhindered and without threats of violence. Lascaris planned to hold a public meeting at OPSEUs Wellesley St. headquarters to report on his April trip to Russia, and to the disputed territories in Crimea and Donbas. On this trip, Lascaris attempted to win support among a layer of upper-middle-class Russian academics, journalists, expatriates and others for a peaceful settlement to NATOs war in Ukraine, to be negotiated between the imperialist powers and Ukraine on the one hand, and the Russian capitalist state on the other. Lascaris has organized a series of such meetings across Canada, under the banner Making peace with Russia, one handshake at a time. The targeting of Lascaris meeting is part of a state-sanctioned operation to establish a regime of political censorship in close cooperation with fascistic Ukrainian nationalists. In March, the UCC boasted in a press release about meetings with Trudeau government ministers, including Minister for Public Safety Marco Mendicino. The organization submitted a document to Mendicino with recommendations on how to combat pro-Russian messaging by banning meetings on university campuses and elsewhere. The UCC was createdas it itself proudly declaresat the governments behest in 1940 to serve the interests of Canadian imperialism in World War II. It subsequently worked with the Canadian state to provide refuge to thousands of far-right Ukrainian nationalists who had collaborated with the Nazis in the Holocaust and the Third Reichs war of annihilation against the Soviet Union, whitewash their crimes, and use them as instruments of Ottawas Cold War foreign and domestic policy. Today the UCC enjoys enormous influence at the highest levels of the Canadian state. This is embodied in Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, the granddaughter of an OUN supporter and Nazi collaborator who edited the only Ukrainian-language newspaper permitted to publish under Nazi occupation. The alliance between Canadian imperialism and far-right Ukrainian nationalism epitomizes the character of the US-NATO war on Russia. It is using the Ukrainian people as cannon fodder in a war aimed at reducing the resource-rich country to the status of a semi-colony and strengthening the geostrategic position of American imperialism and its allies, Canada included. It is precisely because they fear that any discussion of the causes of the war and the reactionary aims of the rival belligerents will quickly explode their false narrative of Putins unprovoked war on democratic Ukraine that the UCC and the political establishment are determined to suppress it. The most powerful resistance to the state-backed censorship campaign has come from the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), the youth movement of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP), which held two successful meetings in Waterloo and Toronto in the face of sustained efforts by the far-right nationalists, prominent politicians and state officials to shut them down. The IYSSEs meetings discussed the historical origins of the imperialist war against Russiain the three decades of US-led wars and aggression and the Stalinist bureaucracys liquidation of the Soviet Union and restoration of capitalismand advanced the building of a global anti-war movement led by the working class as the only viable means to end the conflict. In the lead-up to the Toronto meeting, Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton urged that the IYSSE meeting, entitled The war in Ukraine and how to stop it, be banned. The IYSSE responded to the threats to censor and disrupt the event by launching a vigorous campaign in defence of democratic rights, which mobilized over 1,000 supporters for a petition. Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters tweeted his support. OPSEU surrenders to the far-right without a fight The fact that OPSEU capitulated to the far-right-spearheaded, state-backed censorship campaign and shut down Lascaris meeting without a fight should come as no surprise. The public sector union, which counts over 180,000 members on its rolls, is a significant force within the union bureaucracy that serves as a key prop of the federal Trudeau government. OPSEU, in announcing to Lascaris that it was canceling his meeting without forewarning, told him that OPSEU leaders and staff had received dozens of emails expressing opposition to the holding of the event, and that, based on those emails, OPSEU leadership became concerned for the safety of the participants and the property. In other words, threats of violence were made against either the meeting, its organizers and participants, or all three, and to damage what is rightfully the property of Ontario public sector workers. This begs the question of why, given its ostensible role as a workers organization, OPSEU did not make these threats public and condemn them. Why did OPSEU president J.P. Hornick, much touted by Canadas pseudo-left groups as a militant leader, not urge OPSEUs 180,000 members and the working class as whole to come to the meetings defence? To ask the question is to answer it. Such an appeal would have risked provoking an open political conflict with the union bureaucracys pro-war allies in the Liberal government and the NDP. Underscoring its complicity in the censoring of Lascaris meeting, even now the OPSEU leadership is refusing to identify and condemn the far-right forces to whom it surrendered, thereby facilitating a state of affairs in which fascistic pro-war nationalists have a free hand to shut down public meetings and threaten anti-war activists. OPSEU members should demand Hornick and the union leadership reveal who took the decision to cancel Wednesdays meeting and why. Did their allies in the Canadian Labour Congress, Ontario Federation of Labour or New Democratic Party prevail on OPSEU to cancel the meeting to safeguard the war they support from criticism? For his part, Lascaris has shown no desire to raise these issues, declaring instead in his statement on the meetings cancellation that OPSEUs decision was not political. This flows from Lascaris own debilitating and bankrupt political perspective. He and his supporters direct their energies at pressuring Canadian imperialism and other capitalist great powers and aspiring great powers to adopt a more peaceful course, not mobilizing the international working class to oppose the war and capitalism. Notwithstanding the Socialist Equality Partys unbridgeable political differences with Lascaris, we unconditionally defend his democratic right to organize meetings and argue for his positions. At stake is not only the right of Lascaris or any other individual, but the fundamental democratic rights of all workers to criticize and oppose pro-war imperialist policies free from the threats of state-backed fascistic thugs. The fundamental democratic rights of free speech and assembly can only be defended by mobilizing the same social force which can put an end to the imperialist war in Ukraine and the capitalist system that gave rise to itthe world working class, united around a revolutionary internationalist and socialist program. The World Socialist Web Site continues to be sent comments by Royal Mail workers ahead of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) ballot finally arranged for June 22-July 11. Postal workers are being told by the union to vote for a sellout cutting their wages in real terms, ripping up their working conditions and lowering the floor for new entrants. Royal Mail post carts After twice pulling the ballot out of fear that its rotten deal with management would be rejected, the CWU are now trying to push it through with phoney promises that workplace revisions in large part already completed will be halted and an insulting extra 900 lump sumtaken from workers own pension fund and subject to tax. The Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee is holding its next online Zoom meeting open to all Royal Mail workers this Sunday at 7pm to discuss how to take up a fight against the company-union conspiracy. Click here to register to attend. *** Liverpool: Its a clever ploy to undermine the USO [universal service obligation] and ultimately get it removed which is what they want. The service is being unutilised and walks going uncovered and uncompleted due to walks being made considerably larger without any consideration to the customers and the workforce. The hierarchy, the company and the CWU is a complete farce. Newmarket, Cambridgeshire: In our office everyone who had a disability was forced out, no ring-fenced duties or duties made for you because of your disability. Local union rep and manager did revision and, surprise surprise, he has the easiest delivery in the office and others have so much they fail. Everything I went on strike for was done in my office with union backing to save him and his mates. Hate CWU for this and it upsets me the company is going down the pan and no-one cares. Glasgow: I handed my notice in this week for health reasons. Tendons in foot inflamed due to job, and now theyve made my walk even longer. First joined 9 years ago, thought it was a great job. So glad to see the back of it. North Yorkshire: Further to my last comments, why is democracy only democracy if you give the answer they (CWU and management) want? What changed with Dave and Andy to completely capitulate to Royal Mail Management? Is it vested self-interest to protect their pensions and their salary? At the expense of their work colleagues being forced to accept a deal that will destroy our livelihoods, our pensions, our retirement benefits, EVR settlements, allowances etc. Why not accept the workforces ballot and do what you said at the beginning of this dispute? We wont accept a bad deal and well fight for a good one. This is not anywhere near a good deal, Dave, and sadly you know it. If we must continue fighting to win a good deal what is so wrong with that? If the threat of bankruptcy is real then surely privatisation and asset stripping the company of every penny to further enrich greedy people is the fault, not your postmen and postwomen. If we bring down greedy, privatising, asset-stripping corporate types again, whos at fault? If the company was renationalised by their greed and failure is it really such a bad thing? It may be the way to provide a service rather than just a bank account for people that care not one jot for you, me or the customers. Come on Dave and Andy for Gods sake. What was all the 18 strike days for and the London Rally about if at the end of it all you just give up and accept the companys very disingenuous deal knowing its a deal that will once and for all bury our once respected company into the ground forever? What happened to you Dave! A very disillusioned postman. Newcastle: If all officers worked to their timeno overtime, no working their days off etcthis would prove that the workload we are expected to deliver is impossible, resulting in a backlog of mail and parcels that the management will have to deal with. I appreciate that the only people who will suffer are the customers, who have been used to our great service for years and years, but we must make a stance. March, Cambridgeshire: I recently quit Royal Mail after working for them for seven years. Increasingly crazy workloads that are completely unachievable, years of real terms pay cuts and a union that are as corrupt as the company... Most Royal Mail managers have no people skills and are just some guy that has worked there for 20/30 years and frankly shouldnt be in the role. They basically forced me out of the job due to mental illness (mainly to do with the stress of the job may I add) because of my sick leave. Its so sad that we are seeing basically the death of a national institution. Dave Ward and his cronies are as much to blame as Thompson and all the others that run this now joke of a firm. Youre better off out people you really are. Perth, Scotland: Totally agree the union act for Royal Mail. I was unfairly sacked then reinstated; the union informed the management of my intention to go to tribunal, hid information from me on what I could do about the way I was treated. The management made things up that just didnt happen in an effort to get rid of a 20-years service postie. I had a perfect record. I resigned in the end, but not before clearing my name. Essex: The CWU are corrupt. I will never join a union again. The reps are only interested in what they get out of it. Shame on them, not that they are bothered about reputations! Middlesborough: The only response in weeks from the union is to slag the members off. These two reps have lost touch completely. I will definitely be voting no. Hampshire: I havent seen my union rep for a couple of weeks now... Has he been sacked or is he just hiding? Nobody knows! All I can say is there is a total lack of COMMUNICATION from the Communication Workers Union. How ironic is that eh?! I love this job but I feel like Im being shafted by both RM and CWU and it feels humiliating. Its good to know I can always come to WSWS to find out what the real facts are! Some 1.5 million people have been cut off Medicaid coverage over the past month, according to reports by the Associated Press and the Kaiser Family Foundation. These cuts, which are expected to swell and impact a staggering 824 million people, are a direct consequence of the Biden administrations agreement with congressional Republicans last December on a budget deal that protected military spending but opened the way to massive cuts in social spending. Millions more will lose eligibility for other social benefits as a result of Bidens decision to end the public health emergency declaration for COVID-19. Biden allowed the PHE declaration to expire on May 11, although the pandemic continues to rage, concealed by the refusal of federal and state authorities to collect data on the impact of COVID-19 on the population. As a result, social benefits linked to the emergency declaration have expired. Other social benefits are scheduled to expire throughout the summer. By mid-August, students with college student loan debt must begin making repayments that were suspended for the duration of the official COVID emergency. Bidens executive action to forgive a portion of this debt, a separate measure, is currently before the Supreme Court and could be overturned by the end of this month. Still more benefits will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on September 30. The summer months will thus bring a tidal wave of human suffering that hits not only the poorest sections of the population, but broad sections of young people and virtually the entire working class. This is under conditions where inflation and wage suppression, with the assistance of the unions, have steadily driven down the real incomes of working class families. The crisis for Medicaid recipients is the most immediate. Throughout the pandemic, in return for stepped-up federal aid, state governments were barred from disenrolling Medicaid recipients except in cases of voluntary withdrawal, a move out of state, or death. With the end of the emergency, many states have begun to aggressively disqualify Medicaid recipients, a campaign pursued with special fervor by right-wing Republican state governments in Arkansas, Indiana, Utah and other states in the South and Great Plains. Analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), a health policy organization, shows that at least 1.349 million Medicaid recipients have been disenrolled as of June 20, 2023, based on the most current data from 22 states. Overall, 35 percent of people with a completed renewal were disenrolled, while 65 percent had their coverage renewed. KFF places the number of people losing coverage at a low estimate of 8 million, a mid-range estimate of 17 million, and a high estimate of 24 million. Such calculations are difficult as states are not required to provide detailed figures on Medicaid disenrollment to the federal government. A woman stands at the registration window at Nuestra Clinica Del Valle in San Juan, Texas. [AP Photo/Eric Gay] According to publicly available reports and data obtained by the Associated Press, about 1.5 million people have already lost their Medicaid coverage in more than two dozen states that began the disenrollment process in April or May. For people whose cases were decided in May, half or more were dropped from coverage in Florida, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia. Florida leads the way, with nearly 303,000 people losing their Medicaid benefits, according to the KFF Medicaid Enrollment and Unwinding Tracker. Sixty-five percent of enrollees lost their coverage for procedural reasons, while 35 percent lost coverage due to ineligibility, the most common reason being their income was too high. Florida is one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under provisions of the Affordable Care Act, which expanded coverage under the program for nearly all adults with incomes up to 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. The abysmally low threshold for Medicaid in 2023 is $14,580 annual income for a single adult, $30,000 for a family of four and $50,560 for a family of eight. In Arkansas, about 140,000 people have been deemed ineligible for Medicaid coverage since April. The largest number to lose coverage in May were enrolled in ARHOME, the states Medicaid expansion program, followed by ARKids A, which serves children from the states lowest-income families. The immediate cause for most losing their coverage in what is being dubbed the Medicaid unwinding is the bureaucratic systems in place for people to reenroll in Medicaid due to the ending of the PHE. Many people who have already lost or will lose coverage have been dropped because of technicalitiesthey havent returned the paperwork, they omitted required documents, their paperwork was sent to the wrong address, they received paperwork in a language they dont understand. State agencies tasked with reviewing reenrollment are understaffed; personnel are poorly trained. Many people facing disenrollment are not even aware that they are being dropped from coverage. In Utah, nearly 56 percent of people were dropped from Medicaid in early reviews. In New Hampshire, 44 percent received cancellation letters within the first two months. In its first month of reviews, South Dakota ended coverage for 10 percent of all Medicaid and CHIP (Childrens Health Insurance Program) enrollees. Miriam Harmatz, founder of the Florida Health Justice Project, told KFF Health News that some cancellation notices in the state are vague and could violate due process rules. She also said state officials have sent cancellation letters to clients with disabled children who most likely still qualify for coverage. The bureaucratic nightmare for those seeking reenrollment is indeed real. However, as with all matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic under both the Trump and Biden administrations, the mass disenrollment is not fundamentally a result of red tape, but rather a deliberate policy aimed at making working people pay with their health and lives while corporations continue to amass profits and the ruling class pursues its military aims. Medicaid was founded in 1965 as part of the Johnson administrations War on Poverty, the last gasp of social reformism in the United States. The program is jointly funded by the federal government and the states, with the states primarily responsible for its management. Under the PHE established on January 31, 2020, states were required to maintain continuous enrollment of Medicaid beneficiaries in return for a 6.2 percentage increase in federal spending for the program. Under the omnibus spending bill passed by Congress in December 2022, states were allowed to resume coverage terminations effective April 1, 2023. As of February 2023, more than 93 million peoplenearly 28 percent of the US populationwere enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. The latter provides low-cost health coverage for children in families deemed to earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. Children accounted for more than 46 percent of Medicaid and CHIP enrollment. Between March 2020 and April 2023, more than 23 million recipients were added to the Medicaid rolls. Justifying disenrolling Medicaid recipients, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote in an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal that thousands of Arkansans who ordinarily wouldnt qualify for Medicaid are taking resources from those who need that safety net. She claimed that those who lose Medicaid coverage can get health insurance through their jobs or the [Affordable Care Act] health care marketplace. The reality is different for the millions who now stand to lose their Medicaid coverage. Between February 2020 and March 2023, the official uninsured rate dropped to its lowest level on record, in early 2022. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the uninsured rate among those under 65 is projected to rise from 8.3 percent today to 9.3 percent next year, likely an underestimate. Arkansas resident Janette Hall told CNN that she was initially told she would lose her Medicaid because she made too much money. She then realized that it must be because she began collecting Social Security at age 62 to add to her earnings as a cook for a nonprofit group. Hall suffers from serious foot issues but said she cannot afford the $78 monthly premium she was quoted. She said shell focus on home remedies to keep her feet from getting infected while she searches for affordable coverage, but for now, Im going to be in that camp of people who arent going to be going to the doctor. Thats what you do when you dont want to get that bill coming to you. The great unwinding of Medicaid is of a piece with the targeting of the Social Security retirement program and the Medicare program for deep cuts and ultimate privatization or elimination. The omnibus budget bill passed by Congress and endorsed by President Biden in December raised military spending by $76 billion, or roughly 10 percent, to a record $858 billion. But as the WSWS has noted, The proportion of the budget devoted to activities which could conceivably benefit working people is well under 20 percent. In addition to allowing states to begin kicking people off Medicaid, the Democrats dropped a proposal that would have restored the child tax credit to the levels that prevailed in 2020-21 as part of pandemic relief. Despite the Biden administrations insistence that the pandemic is over, it continues to sicken and kill. Official figures place the US death toll at more than 1.1 million and millions the world over suffer from debilitating Long COVID. The ruling class has ended the collection of data on the disease, ended all mitigation measures, and refuses to promote and fund any technologies to protect workers on the job or students and teachers in schools. Similarly, millions face destitution through being cut off from Medicaid and food stamp benefits, even as rents, mortgage rates and prices for basic necessities riseand cuts in real wages are imposed on those who are working. The health care system in America, which places workers and their families at the mercy of private health care chains, drugmakers and insurance companies, is subordinated to private profit. Within this framework, health care, a basic human right, is denied to millions. Genuine socialized medicine must be fought for by the working class as part of a socialist program that ends the domination of the capitalist market over the health and lives of the population. In an extraordinary intervention this week, Geoffrey Nettle, a former Australian High Court judge, highly-respected legal figure and the head of an Office of the Special Investigator (OSI), denounced Victorian state authorities for refusing to level any charges over the unlawful spying by a top criminal barrister on her own clients. The OSI was established in the fallout of 2019 revelations that for years, Nicola Gobbo had functioned as an informant for Victoria Police, giving them information about her own clients. At the time of the revelations, top lawyers and legal experts said that the Gobbo operation was possibly unparalleled in any country based on a western legal system, entailing, as it did, the most obvious violations of lawyer-client privilege. Nicola Gobbo [Photo: The ABC Podcast Trace: The Informer] Gobbo, it emerged, had first been registered as an informant in 1995, while still a student. That had taken place shortly after her boyfriends house was raided over drug supply allegations. Despite her brush with the law, Gobbo, from a prominent legal family, would rise through the ranks of Melbournes criminal defence barristers. She came to public prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s, amid a gangland war that pitted reputed criminal leaders against one another. Some thirty-five people would be murdered. Gobbo represented individuals involved in the conflict. Over that period, from 1999 to 2009, she was a police informant. The OSIs brief was to investigate fully the extent of the wrongdoing, and to prepare briefs for prosecution, which were delivered to the states Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). But Nettles statements this week have branded the whole exercise as a charade. It appears clear, from his remarks, that there was never any intention to prosecute Gobbo, much less the senior police officers involved in the operation. In a report tabled in the Victorian parliament Wednesday, Nettle wrote: In light of the directors past refusal of permission for OSI to file charges of relevant offences I consider that there is no longer any point in OSI persisting with investigating. He was effectively calling for his own office to be abolished. If it were not, he would resign. Nettle stated that he had identified eight issues that justified prosecutions of five individuals. Each of those eight matters concerned multiple suspected offenders in relation to a range of facts traversing a period of more than nine years, Nettle wrote. There were voluminous audio and video recordings, corroborating the alleged criminal acts. The OSI had prepared briefs of evidence that spanned more than 5,000 pages. Despite all this, Nettle indicated that the DPP Kerri Judd had made it plain that there would be no prosecutions at all. He claimed Judd did not consider that there was a reasonable prospect of conviction. In one instance, a brief for a charge of perjury had been prepared against an alleged offender. But it was rejected on the grounds that a non-custodial sentence was likely and the individual was out of the country. Gobbo was spirited out of Australia when her identity was publicly revealed in early 2019. While this was purportedly carried out to protect her from possible reprisals against the hundreds of clients whose rights she wantonly violated, it also had the effect of placing her outside any Australian legal jurisdiction. Her whereabouts are secret and publishing them is a punishable offence. Nettle appended a letter from Judd. It noted that the offending had concluded in 2009, and had occurred over the preceding decade. The letter stated: Accordingly, a hypothetical trial would likely proceed some 1525 years after the event it concerns. The passage of time will undoubtedly have a significant bearing on the prospects of conviction. That seems a fairly extraordinary position. Prosecutions for serious crimes often take place decades after they occurred. There is no issue, in this instance of an elapsed statute of limitations. If 2009 is to be considered the distant past, lost in the fog of time, will the DPP vow never again to launch a prosecution based on events that occurred fifteen years or more ago? Since Nettles public intervention, the DPP and other Victorian prosecuting representatives have added to the reasons against prosecution. They include a lack of confidence that a key witness, who has done various deals with the state authorities, would testify against police, or that the testimony would be credible. That appears to be a reference to Gobbo. Whatever the rationalisations, increasingly tortured, the essential issue is unchanged. A vast, decades-long operation, involving the highest reaches of the capitalist state and violating the most basic precepts of due process and the rule of law is on the public record. But not a single individual will be held to account, or even brought before a courtroom. The refusal to prosecute occurs in the context of a years-long cover-up of the Gobbo operation. It became widely-known, in legal and alleged criminal circles in 200809, when an inexplicable decision was made by Victoria Police to use Gobbo as a witness in a murder trial. While her identity was nominally protected, her collaboration with the police became an open secret in legal and alleged criminal circles. The public, however, was kept in the dark for years more. A March 2014 article in the Murdoch-owned Herald Sun first revealed the operation, without providing extensive details. Victoria Police, the very entity accused of the wrongdoing, responded by successfully seeking injunctions against further coverage. This included the protection of Gobbos identity, by force of serious criminal punishment, for five years. In the course of her career as an informant, Gobbo provided thousands of reports to police. The scope is indicated by the fact that this included more than 5,000 reports between September 2005 and January 2009 alone. Gobbo represented or gave legal advice to an estimated 1,297 individuals while working as a police informant. There are disputes over the exact tallies, but the number of cases tainted by her secret dual role sits at more than 1,000. Dozens of individuals represented by Gobbo and subsequently convicted have appealed based on her role. Several high-profile individuals have had a handful of convictions reversed. For the most part, they have extensive rap sheets and thus are remaining in prison despite the official wrongdoing. The vast majority of individuals potentially violated by Gobbo, however, have received no justice whatsoever. The longtime cover-up has clearly served to protect Victoria Police, some of whose senior most figures were directly implicated. But questions of broader knowledge and involvement are raised. The Melbourne gangland wars came to national and international notice. In a country where gun violence is relatively uncommon, for a period of years, gangland executions, including in public places of Melbourne, the countrys second-largest city, were not uncommon. Some of the individuals Gobbo represented, moreover, were accused of being top criminal leaders. They were alleged to control substantial portions of the national drug supply and to have links to international crime syndicates. Such issues come under the purview not only of the state police but of the Australian Federal Police. Given that they touch on national security, they may also be monitored by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the domestic spy agency. Were all of these entities entirely in the dark, when Victoria Police were securing valuable information from a barrister representing alleged criminal bosses? That would appear unlikely. In any event, the Gobbo operation and its fallout provide an object lesson in the class character of bourgeois democracy and legality. While due process and the rule of law exist on paper, state agencies feel impunity to grossly violate them. And then, when it comes out in the wash, those involved walk away unscathed. Contrast that with the thousands of overwhelmingly poor and working-class people in prison, a substantial proportion of whom are on remand and have not been convicted of a crime, and a majority of those who have been sentenced have committed petty offences related to theft and the drug crisis. Spains regional and municipal elections have dealt a severe blow to the pseudo-left Podemos party. Podemos lost all its councillors in all major cities across Spain, including Madrid, Valencia, Zaragoza, Tenerife, Burgos, Valladolid, Vigo and Coruna. In Barcelona, Podemos-backed mayor Ada Colau, lost after eight years in office. At a regional level, Podemos fell from 47 regional lawmakers in 2019 to 15. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (PSOE), second left, walks next to Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias, second right, and First Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo, left, at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Jan. 14 2020. (Image Credit: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Its electoral collapse endangers the survival of Podemos, which has ruled in a pro-war, pro-austerity government with the Socialist Party (PSOE) for nearly four years. After the government announced snap elections for July 23, Podemos joined its recently created rival Sumar in a pro-war platform led by acting Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz. Several leading figures in Podemosincluding acting Minister of Equality Irene Montero and parliamentary spokesperson Pablo Echeniquewere not even placed on electoral lists. Recent polls released by El Pais show that the right-wing Popular Party (PP) and the neo-fascist Vox party could win most seats in parliament in next months national election, far ahead of the PSOE and Sumar. The poll estimated that a PP-Vox alliance would get more than the 176-seat absolute majority in parliament needed to rule. The political collapse and discrediting of Podemos is a devastating exposure of its pseudo-left satellites, such as the Revolutionary Left (IR) group. IR is the former Spanish affiliate of the Committee for a Workers International (CWI), which has provided unconditional support to Podemos since it was founded in 2014 by a group of Stalinist professors around Pablo Iglesias, as well as by the Pabloite Anticapitalistas party. Analysing the results, IR describes Podemos as a mass political force to the left of the PSOE that could have taken heaven by storm. The failure of Podemos, IR claims, was due to the wrong decisions of its leadership: it opted for class collaboration. They thought that by entering government hand in hand with the PSOE, they were going to change the lives of the people. The commitment to the progressive management of capitalism has gone very wrong. Later, IR bemoans that this government, in which [former Podemos leader] Pablo Iglesias and Podemos participated to force the PSOE to carry out left-wing policies, has done just the opposite. This is a political fraud with which IR tries to cover for its nearly decade-long support for Podemos. The leaders of Podemos did not agree to work with the PSOE, Spains main party of bourgeois rule since the end of the Franco era, by mistake. Its anti-working class policies at home and militarist-war policies abroad are not errors that can be solved by the good advice of IR, which consists in Podemos employing more pseudo-left rhetoric. Quite the contrary, the leadership of Podemos acts consciously to implement its programme of austerity and its defense of imperialist war and capitalism. The PSOE-Podemos government has carried out reactionary reforms of the labor market and pensions, expanded military spending to record levels, while large Spanish corporations reaped record profits. This was not a mistake, but a deliberately planned and implemented policy. As Podemos lawmaker, secretary of state and general secretary of the Communist Party of Spain, Enrique Santiago, explained, [I]n the history of Spain there has not been such a large transfer of resources from the state to private companies as the one carried out by this government. In parallel, they have unconditional military and financial support to Ukraine in order to promote NATOs imperialist war against Russia in Ukraine. All this is very similar to what a PP-Vox government could have done, had it been in power. Following the call for early elections by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, which is a barely concealed strategy to transfer power to a PP-Vox government, PSOE and the Podemos-backed Sumar party have continued to defend Spanish imperialism. The acting government sent an addendum to the EUs bailout fund to Brussels, the Plan of Recovery, to receive 94 billion for banks and large corporations. This money is not free. It will imply devastating austerity plans and spending cuts, all of which will be imposed on workers by the new government. In order to receive these funds, a commission of EU Parliament lawmakers from Vox, PP, PSOE and Podemos traveled from Brussels to Spain to audit these funds to ensure that they were reaching the financial aristocracy. This is further proof that Podemos is not a left-wing force or one that can be pressured to the left. It is completely involved within the Spanish political establishment, forming a united front with the rest of the parties, including the neo-fascist Vox party. The PSOE-Podemos governments Defence Ministry has made it clear it will continue to escalate the war against Russia. Acting Defence Minister Margarita Robles has protested NATO for not including Spanish military-industry complex companies in its defense industry plans. Robles also demanded that the record spending by the army not be changed, irrespective of who rules Spain, declaring: The armed forces belong to all Spaniards, they do not belong to any political party. IR now cynically claims that all this came as a surprise, when Podemos decided to give up continuing the battle in the streets, organizing the working class into a militant, combative party with a revolutionary programme to advance class consciousness, and gave up breaking with a capitalist logic that has condemned them to complete impotence and to administer misery. The leaders of Podemos did not give up anything, because they never had any other intentions. Podemos arose after a strong period of strikes and struggles by the European working class after the 2008 global capitalist crisis, particularly acute in Southern EuropeGreece, Portugal, Italy and Spain. From the outset, Podemos aimed to derail this movement and channel it through the institutions of capitalist government, so as to strangle the possibility of revolutionary struggle. Like its European partnersSyriza in Greece, the Left Party in Germany and Jean-Luc Melenchon in Francethe leaders of Podemos promote postmodernism and identity politics and are deeply hostile to Marxism and the revolutionary role of the working class. They do not aim to raise workers consciousness but to suppress it, to deceive the workers with pseudo-left rhetoric that the bourgeois media use to try to market them to voters. IR claims in its article that it has the right to make friendly criticisms of Podemos, writing, We are not sectarians, indeed, we have been criticized countless times by sects for critically supporting Podemos at the polls, for refusing to defend abstention or null voting, a position completely removed from Marxism and consistent Leninism. What IR labels sectarian is the principled exposure of Podemos by the WSWS for nearly a decade. In its first article posted days before Podemos emerged as an electoral force in the 2014 European parliamentary elections, the WSWS warned that the new party was a political fraud that seeks above all to politically disarm the working class and defends a pro-capitalist and nationalist programme. Since then, the WSWS has posted hundreds of articles exposing Podemos militarism, pro-austerity and anti-migrant policies. Explaining these facts has nothing in common with sectarianism, which, properly understood, means the refusal to intervene in the struggles of the working class in order to cultivate a political tendency that is arbitrarily separated from the rest of the workers movement. The fact that the WSWS and the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) criticise Podemos is not a legitimate basis for accusing them of sectarianism. Indeed, criticism of Podemos does not constitute a refusal to intervene in workers struggles; it is the precondition for intervening politically in these struggles, which Podemos ruthlessly attacks with mass deployments of riot police. While the ICFI indeed separates itself from Podemos, a reactionary party of capitalist government, this does not in any way separate it from the struggles of the working class. IR, on the other hand, advances a political perspective based on nationalism, calling workers to subordinate themselves to pro-war and pro-austerity parties like Podemos. This reflects the longstanding orientation of the entire CWI tendency to labor bureaucracies that strangle the working class. IR first worked within the PSOE, before being expelled in the 1980s and affiliating themselves with the Stalinist-led United Left (IU), declaring that its programme coincides on many points with the political proposal that is made from the United Left. Workers and young people, if they are to carry out a real fight against imperialism and war, as well as social inequality and austerity, require, above all, political clarityespecially on the role of Podemos, the trade unions and their apologists such as the IR, and their defence of imperialism. The cement that glues IR to all these political tendencies is the fact that IR is itself a barely disguised wing of the capitalist state, defending the interests of the same upper-middle class forces as these parties. They are all terrified at the rising confrontation between the working class and capitalist governments across Europe, including in Spain. While the ICFI seeks to arm workers with a revolutionary perspective, IR seeks to trap mounting discontent behind an orientation to these reactionary parties. President Joe Biden and the entire US political establishment are according Narendra ModiIndias far-right, Hindu supremacist prime ministerevery honour and attention during his four-day US visit, which concludes Friday. President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, walk into the White House at the conclusion of a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Washington. [AP Photo/Andrew Harnik] In addition to the pomp and ceremony-filled state visit, Modi was invited to address a joint session of the US Congress Thursday afternoon. He has thereby joined Winston Churchill and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as one of only a handful of foreign political leaders ever to do so twice. The Biden-Modi summit by all reports is intended to take the Indo-US global strategic partnership, aimed at China, to the next level. Multibillion-dollar Indian arms purchases, joint military production and development initiatives, and measures to spur Indias emergence as a rival production chain hub to China are the key summit deliverables. A succession of US presidents, Republican and Democratic alike, from George W. Bush and Barack Obama to Donald Trump and now Biden, have touted the Indo-US partnership as an alliance of the worlds most populous democracies based on shared values. Today, this lie is more manifestly blatant and obscene than ever. During their nine years in office, Modi and his Hindu supremacist BJP have mounted a massive assault on democratic rights, while fomenting anti-Muslim and anti-minority bigotry and violence. This includes discriminatory laws banning cow slaughter and enforced by vigilante justice; the bulldozing of the homes of Muslim government opponents; pervasive internet and social media censorship; the indefinite jailing without trial of journalists under draconian antiterrorism laws; and the passing of a labor code reform that criminalizes most strikes. Even the leaders of the right-wing bourgeois opposition are hounded as the BJP and its fascistic allies, led by the Hindu supremacist RSS of which Modi is a lifelong member, seek to monopolize political power. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the principal opposition party, the Congress Party, was recently convicted on bogus, trumped-up charges. He is barred from contesting next years national election and, pending the outcome of his appeal, could soon be behind bars. The US political establishment and media have made lurid, transparently fabricated accusations of Chinese state genocide against the countrys historically Muslim Uygur minority. Yet the quasi-police state regime that prevails in Indias disputed, Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir provinces is passed over in silence. In plain sight, Modi and his BJP are laying the political and pseudo-legal bases for an authoritarian regime that will enforce the brutal exploitation of the rapidly expanding and increasingly rebellious Indian working class, while pursuing the aim of serving as a front-line state for US imperialism in its strategic offensive against China. The Biden administration and the Washington political elite are intimately familiar with Modis record of criminality and his authoritarian actions and ambitions. For close to a decade, ending only after he became Indias prime minister in 2014, Modi was barred from entering the US because of his role, when chief minister of Gujarat, in instigating and facilitating an anti-Muslim pogrom in 2002 that killed 2,000 people and rendered hundreds of thousands homeless. An unnamed senior Biden administration official recently conceded to Al-Jazeera that the Modi government has created a toxic communal environment consisting of open calls for genocide against Muslims, lynching and other hate-fueled violence, attacks on places of worship and home demolitions, and in some cases impunity and even clemency for those who have engaged in attacks on religious minorities. Seventy-five members of the US Congress, including senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, signed a letter to Biden urging that he raise human rights concerns with Modi during their summit. This was a pathetic bleat done more to preserve a shred of democratic credibility so they could better promote US imperialist policy, including the war against Russia, than anything else. The letter began and ended by underlining the centrality of the Indo-US partnership in upholding stability, i.e., imperialist interests, in the Indo-Pacific, and praised Biden for supposedly making human rights again a central tenet of US foreign policy. When it came to the Modi regime, the most they could bring themselves to say was that Biden should mention 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. If Modi is the fitting representative of Indias capitalist oligarchs (the top 1 percent who gorge on 45 percent of the countrys wealth amid a sea of poverty and misery), so too are Biden and Trump of Americas. The former has spent half a century as senator, vice president and now president immersed in imperialist intrigues. He has plotted behind the backs of the American people to instigate and prosecute war with Russia for as long as it takes and whatever the cost, including unleashing nuclear war. Trump, the fascistic billionaire who sought to establish a presidential dictatorship through the failed January 6, 2021 coup, seeks to rally the ruling classs support by vowing to eradicate socialism. The unanimity and fervour of official Washingtons embrace of the fascist thug Modi testifies to the fever gripping the ruling class for aggression and war as the only way out of the intractable problems it confronts in securing US global hegemony overseas and suppressing an increasingly restless working class at home. Even as it pursues war with Russia in Ukraine, American imperialism is girding itself for a violent confrontation with China, which it has identified as its principal strategic rival. As the Biden administration pursues these twin objectives, there is a definite element of flailing about. The stated aim of Secretary of State Antony Blinkens June 18-19 visit to Beijing, which included a meeting with Xi, was to reduce tensions with China. This would-be tactical shift is bound up with creating better conditions for Washington and its NATO allies to pursue war with Russia, under conditions where, with the failure of the much-vaunted Ukrainian counteroffensive, there is a mounting clamour for direct NATO intervention in the war. Yet as Biden prepared to welcome his anti-China ally Modi, he chose to rub salt in the wound by lashing out against Xi, whom he denounced as a dictator. That said, the harnessing of India to Washingtons strategic ambitions is a long-pursued strategy. So too is the US drive to strategically encircle Russia through NATO expansion and transform Ukraine into a NATO-EU proxy. And like the drive to dismember Russia, the Indo-US military-security partnership is being pursued with utter recklessness. One incendiary element is the enmeshing of the India-China border dispute and the three-quarter-century-old Indo-Pakistani strategic rivalry with the US-China confrontation, lending a massive new explosive charge to each. First under Trump and now Biden, the US has abandoned any pose of neutrality in the Indo-China border conflict. Washington now routinely equates it with the US-incited territorial disputes between China and its South China Sea neighbours as examples of Chinese aggression. Under conditions where India and China have tens of thousands of troops, tanks and warplanes arrayed against each other along their contested Himalayan border, Indian officials are boasting that real-time US intelligence has enabled them to successfully counter alleged Chinese incursions. During their summit, Biden will politely ignore Modis autocratic rule and foul Hindu supremacism, but he will press him on the question of Indias strategic ties with Russia. In pursuit of the Indian bourgeoisies own predatory agenda, New Delhi has balked at US pressure that it label Russia the aggressor in the Ukraine war and impose punishing sanctions. Instead, Modi has sought to placate Washington by integrating India even more fully into the US military-strategic offensive against China. And that integrationfurther heightened at this weeks summit and including an ever-expanding number of joint exercises and interoperability agreementsis already vast. Over the past three years and very much in response to the economic and geopolitical crisis triggered by the pandemic, India has vastly increased bilateral, trilateral and quadrilateral ties with the US and its principal Asia-Pacific allies, Japan and Australia. At the apex of this network is the Quad, their US-led quasi-military security alliance. That US imperialism is waging war against Russia while systematically preparing for war with China underscores that the Ukraine war is not an episode, but the initial stages of a new imperialist repartition of the world. But the same capitalist contradictions that are exploding in imperialist war are fueling a vast upsurge in the global class struggle and creating the objective conditions for socialist revolution. Flash Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, led a CPC delegation to attend the 11th China-UK Leadership Forum held in London on Tuesday. During his stay in Britain from Monday to Thursday, Liu met and exchanged views with former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and David Cameron, British Prime Minister's National Security Adviser Tim Barrow, and Anne-Marie Trevelyan, minister of state in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Liu also delivered a speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs. The two sides agreed that maintaining a sound relationship between China and Britain, both major countries with important international influence, serves the common interests of the two peoples. The two sides should strengthen exchanges between political parties, governments and think tanks as well as people-to-people exchanges and those at the subnational level, deepen cooperation, manage differences and enhance mutual understanding so as to promote the sound and steady development of bilateral relations and jointly cope with global challenges, they said. Thanks for the memories The passing of Max Morath brought sadness, but also so many memories of Colorado Springs in the 1950s and early 1960s. I will miss his special rendition of Take Me Out To The Ballgame and his nationwide revival of ragtime on PBS. Also many thoughts of pleasant times watching oldsters playing shuffleboard in the park across from Ruths Oven, anticipation of the new Air Force Academy, the Boy Scout Jamboree, which doubled the population of the Springs for two weeks. President Dwight Eisenhower and Gunsmokes James Arness came here for the Golden Scout Jamboree. Colorado Springs was in the spotlight. And Cripple Creeks Imperial Hotel was part of the focus along with Max Morath. It was a joyful time with Max a major part of the positive publicity for Colorado Springs. So thank you, Max. Thanks for the memories and thank you for your part in growing this town. Raymond Campbell III Green Mountain Falls We must address truth Juneteenth is a false holiday. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, while the Civil War was waging. Lincolns intent was to undermine the Confederate states ability to wage war. At the time of signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, there were 3.6 million African American slaves and many were supporting the war and the fighting capability of the confederate states. About 3,000 to 6,000 were Confederate soldiers, another 100,000 mostly slaves supported the Confederate states in different logistical roles. Enlightened historians tell us no slaves were freed as result of the Emancipation Proclamation. However, we can give credit to Lincolns signing of this historical document as it led to the 13th U.S. constitutional amendment in 1865. We should celebrate the passing of the 13th Amendment in 1865, not Juneteenth. As a past president of the local NAACP 1990s and longtime supporters of Juneteenth as a local celebration and fundraiser, it is painful to see so many people being hoodwinked by well-intentioned national and local politicians, media, and others. We must address truth and accuracy in American history, however painful. Willie Breazell Colorado Springs Politicians and the nation Im a Black and during the 1960s and 70s when we were all being drafted to fight in the Vietnam War or volunteering to serve fresh out of high school, our patriotism was never in doubt. Now we are constantly doubting what politicians are supporting for the nation. Wanting to take away rights that have been fought for and changing voting that should be a right of all Americans. Yet we protest for any reason that we do not agree with, but its a right. We wear clothing that has the stars and stripes daily when its the flag that we should respect; its been our symbol to the world of freedom since the beginning of this nation and every war that we have died in. Maybe I shouldnt do this, but I believe that I grew up when America had jobs and factories were booming and if you lived in the steel belt and automotive world every one was working and earning at that time a decent wage. 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. Now politicians are not representing the needs of the nation but trying to find excuses to put Donald Trump on the ticket for 2024, regardless of his charges and not considering what he has done for the country or world but taking all the respect that this country has had to shame. In my opinion, he is not for the hard-working citizen (middle class) but for what he thinks is a role that a presidents honor and daily role of an elected American leader should be. I hadnt mentioned that I honor my time spent in the military, as a privilege to have served my country when there was a war and not have waited to be drafted. Roderick Grayson Colorado Springs Values and standards keep falling According to the Gazettes Sunday article, a federal judge issued an order that St. George, Utah, must permit an all-ages drag show at a public park. The city attempted to stop the show. The judge wrote that the First Amendment ensures that all citizens, popular or not, conventional or unconventional, have access to public spaces for public expression. So where can this lead us? Suppose an unconventional, unpopular group decides that it wants to use the public park to give expression to their love of dancing in the nude for all ages. It looks to me like, following this ruling, this judge and perhaps others would force cities to order approval for this groups request. Our countrys values and standards keep falling faster and faster. I wonder how long God will permit us to continue to exist. Sodom and Gomorrah were two biblical cities destroyed by God for their wickedness. Vernon Swim Colorado Springs Look for workable answers I just read a letter to the editor that was captioned Total electric not viable. It started with name calling and went on to discuss how total electric would be a problem. Most people who worry about the climate are talking about a reduction in fossil fuels, not the extreme position that this author is arguing against. It is more helpful to discuss problems in realistic terms. That is where the solutions are to be found. Should we be looking at workable answers or is the object to condemn them? Fran Amos Colorado Springs Mountains are meant to be climbed or in Pikes Peaks case, raced up. Americas Mountain will celebrate year 101 of the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC). Since 1916, automobile drivers have maneuvered up the windy, narrow Pikes Peak Highway. Spencer Penrose, an early Colorado Springs entrepreneur, saw potential for Pikes Peak to be a tourist attraction, so he founded the Pikes Peak Highway in 1915. To attract visitors to his Broadmoor Hotel, he founded the Hill Climb a year later in 1916. The race has been held for every year since then, except for pauses during World Wars I and II. It is the second oldest motorsports race in the United States. The course Pikes Peak Highway features 156 turns over 12.42 miles. It begins at 9,300 feet above sea level and ends at 14,115 feet. It began as a gravel and dirt road, but paving began in the 1950s and was completed in 2012. Currently, the race is split into six divisions: Unlimited, Time Attack 1, Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy, Open Wheel, Pikes Peak Open and Exhibition. In recent memory, unlimited cars have dominated the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Any cars are allowed in that category, as long as they meet the safety inspections and abide by the PPIHCs general rules. According to PPIHCs website, these racecars hold the best chance of setting a new overall course record. French driver Romain Dumas set the course record in 2018, competing in the unlimited class. Driving a prototype electric Volkswagen, Dumas crossed the finish line in 7:57.148. Last year, in the centennial event, Robin Shute won the race with a time of 10:09.525 in the unlimited division. Other winners in their divisions included David Donner (exhibition), David Donohue (time attack), Codie Vahsholtz (open wheel), Rhys Millen (Pikes Peak Open) and Cam Ingram (Porsche Pikes Peak Trophy by Yokohama). Shute has become a staple at the Hill Climb. Not only is he the defending champion, Shute has won three of the past four races on Pikes Peak. He will go for his fourth title in five years on Sunday. It would be the first time a racer has achieved that feat since Dumas won four in five years from 2014 to 2018. In addition to Shute, several other familiar names will be racing. Dumas and two-time overall winner Millen are both on the entry list, as well as Donohue, last years third-place overall finisher. Greek authorities rescued 145 migrants after crews found them stranded on a small island in a river that runs along Turkey's northeastern land border, the Associated Press reported Thursday. The group of migrants were made up of 70 men, 45 women and 30 children who were all healthy. The migrants identified as either Syrians or Kurds, authorities said. The rescue began after Greek authorities were alerted about the migrants' location. The migrant rescue comes a little over a week after a fishing boat carrying migrants from Libya capsized off of the coast of southwestern Greece. The boat, which was up to an estimated 750 migrants, was heading for Italy and refused help when the Greek coast guard attempted to aid them. There have been 104 survivors and 82 bodies recovered as of Thursday, with Greece receiving heavy criticism for its rescue efforts before the ship sank. Historically, the Evros River, where the migrants were found Thursday, is a common crossing point for migrants who are traveling from Turkey to Greece. More on the boat: Migrant boat death toll rises to 82 as Greece is criticized for response to capsized boat More: As Titan sub stirs global interest, many draw attention to hundreds of migrants missing at sea Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 145 Syrian, Kurdish migrants rescued by Greek authorities near Turkey A birdwatcher thought the first baby red-tailed hawk brought to the nest was food for the eagles, but the mother eagle adopted and fed the baby bird instead Jann Nichols/ AMAZING ANIMALS+/ TMX Two bald eagles in Santa Clara County, California, recently added some unlikely residents to their nest two baby red-tailed hawks. In mid-May, wildlife photographer Doug Gillard noticed a female bald eagle carrying an eyas, the term for a baby hawk, to her nest. He assumed the eyas was a meal for the eagle's eaglet, a baby bird far larger than the little hawk. When he shared a photo of the scene on Facebook on May 20, he warned his followers that "nature can be cruel." A week later, he was surprised to learn the young hawk was still alive and living in the eagle's nest. Gillard nicknamed it Tuffy and told Bay Nature that he was unsure of the sex of the little bird. Gillard, a professor at Life Chiropractic College West in Hayward, California, later published a video of the female adult eagle feeding and caring for Tuffy. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Earlier this month, Gillard noticed another baby red-tailed hawk living in the nest. He photographed the two baby hawks standing next to an eaglet, which he nicknamed Lola, showing how the young eagle dwarfed the baby hawks. Red-tailed hawks reach wingspans between 3.4 and 4.8 feet as adults, while an adult bald eagle's wingspan can reach between 5.9 and 7.5 feet. Jann Nichols/ AMAZING ANIMALS+/ TMX California bald eagle with eaglet in nest The second eyas did not survive in the nest. A nearby rancher told Gillard the father eagle killed and ate the eyas, Gillard told the San Francisco Chronicle. Gillard has continued to closely monitor the situation in the eagle's nest with the remaining hawk and has kept the nest's exact location off social media to protect the birds. The birds mostly ignore any humans who have located the nest, Gillard told Bay Nature. Story continues Related: Bald Eagle That Went Viral for Protecting Her Eggs Through Winter Storms Loses Her Only Chick Since the second eyas died, Tuffy has become nervous. "Whenever a big eagle comes, he runs to the back of the nest and hides, then comes back out to eat," Gillard told Bay Nature. On June 12, Lola left the nest for the first time. The mother eagle then brought three meals - a duckling, squirrel, and another small bird - back to the nest, possibly to attract Lola back to the nest, Gillard told the Chronicle. However, Tuffy ate the food instead. Jann Nichols/ AMAZING ANIMALS+/ TMX Baby hawk in eagle's nest in California Birdwatchers are now concerned about when Tuffy will fledge the term for when birds grow feathers large enough to fly on their own. "Bald eagle fledglings also get fed by their parents, but I would be concerned that the female eagle here seems a bit ambivalent about Tuffy and that she might be even more dubious once he leaves the nest," Katie LaBarbera, science director for the conservation group San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, told the Chronicle. Related: Amateur Photographer Captures Amazing Photo of Blackbird Riding on Bald Eagle's Back LaBarbera predicts a "rough road ahead" for Tuffy. The bird may think of itself as an eagle and try to bond with young eagles who are not as accepting as the mother eagle who adopted it. Researchers and birdwatchers have seen baby red-tail hawks adopted by bald eagles before. In 2017, researchers saw a case on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. It was unclear how a red-tailed hawk ended up in a bald eagle's nest in that case, but retired wildlife biology professor David Bird told CBC News that it might have been intended as a meal for eaglets. Members of the Friends of the Redding Eagles Facebook group, where Gillard shared his photos, also spotted a red-tailed hawk and bald eagle pairing in 2019. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Known as the "Zambratija," the vessel is the oldest known example of a fully sewn boat, dating back to a period between the last quarter of the 12th century B.C." Philippe Groscaux/Mission Adriboats/CNRS/CCJ Zambratija Vessel Divers are hoping to recover a 3,000-year-old, hand-sewn ship from the floor of the Mediterranean Sea early next month. Known as the Zambratija, the vessel is the oldest known example of a fully sewn boat, dating back to a period between the last quarter of the 12th century B.C., according to the Camille Jullian Center, a Croatian research organization involved in the project alongside the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). The expedition, set for July 2, will aim to recover pieces of the ship so that scientists, including workers at the Archaeological Museum of Istria, in Pula, Croatia, can reconstruct the vessel for a 3D display, Newsweek reported. Currently resting about 8 feet underwater in the Bay of Zambratija off the coast of Croatia, divers and researchers are encouraged about their efforts to bring remnants of the once-32-foot-long ship back to land, as its been remarkably preserved underwater for thousands of years due to its waterproofing system, the CNRS said. Philippe Groscaux/Mission Adriboats/CNRS/CCJ Zambratija Related: Admiral Leading 'Titan' Submersible Mission Says Unidentified Noise is Target for Search "Its architecture and its construction, the assembly technique of the strakes, as well as the waterproofing system of the hull, have no equivalent in the Mediterranean area, the Camille Jullian Center said. Researchers believe about 23 feet of the ship, which was made from flexible pieces of wood that were sewn together, remains intact. Related: Banging Sounds in 30-Minute Intervals Heard During Search for Missing 'Titan' Submersible: Report The shipwreck was first explored about 15 years ago, and increased attention has been paid to the historic site in recent years, according to IFLScience.com. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Story continues Due to its delicate nature, the remnants of the ship will be desalinated in Croatia and then passed along to the Arc-Nucleart workshop in France, which specializes in restoring cultural artifacts, per IFLScience. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Marking its first corporate step in international expansion outside Spain, Madrid-based Zeta Studios, producer of Elite and Garcia! has named Marcelo Tamburri, one of Latin Americas preeminent TV execs, to the newly-created position of director of international content. Spun off from the sale of publishing house Grupo Zeta to Prensa Iberica in 2019, and rebranded from Zeta Audiovisual, when it comes to individual titles., Zeta Studios boasts one of the biggest international reaches of any production house in Spain. More from Variety The appointment comes as Netflix preps the bow of Elite Season 7 on Oct. 20, making Elite one of the longest-running of streamer series and one of the most successful from outside the U.S., its Seasons 3 and 4 ranking in Netflixs Top 10 of most-viewed non-English series ever on the OTT service with 334.8 million and 302.2 million hours viewed. Love at First Kiss, a romcom movie, ranked as No. 1 on Netflix global charts in the non-English film category in March. Tamburris appointment marks a strategic move which takes Zetas expansion to another level, however. Well-known and much liked, Tamburri will continue to be based in Mexico City, where he served from Oct. 2020 through April this year as VP, scripted content development at WarnerMedia Latin America and finally Warner Bros. Discovery Latin America. Wed like to establish a foothold in Mexico and the rest of Latin America but thinking internationally, and doing it in the most organic way possible, Zeta Studios president Antonio Asensio Mosbah told Variety. Story continues Marcelo has all the experience in the world, he knows the market and this is an important added asset, and he knows how to make series which are liked in Mexico and in the whole Latin America region, he added. I am moved to be able to support Antonio Asensio and collaborate with the team of Zeta Studios, to drive more its international expansion and, above all, do so with quality and originality, caring for series and features which we will produce outside Spain, Tamburri added. Why Mexico. Spain and Mexico are the two biggest TV production powerhouses in the Spanish-speaking world. They also share the same language and, on many of their biggest hits think Money Heist, Elite, Who Killed Sara? success in recasting melodrama in a genre-bending mix with a modern edge and high production values. A large part of Asensios family is in Mexico he is half-Mexican, married to a Mexican, has some business interests in the country, and has introduced successfully Mexican performers into major titles, such as Danna Paola in Elite and Erick Elias in Dias mejores, he commented to Variety. That said, Marcelo knows how to make TV which can find an easier place in Mexico, he has experience with melodrama and knows how to handle it well, he added. Zeta Studios Slate: Breadth and Platform Play Since 2019, in Spain Zeta Studios has focused on building its slate across a broad gamut of titles, from the mass audience appeal of Elite to titles such as the soon-to-bow Te estoy amando locamente, a LGBTQ period feature from Alejandro Marin which have more of an indie appeal. Series, such as the upcoming Picadero and The Chauffeurs Son have been selected for the cream of Europes project competitions Picadero for the 2021 Series Mania Forum Co-Pro Pitching Sessions, The Chauffeurs Son for this years Berlinale Co-Pro Series showcase. They also balance a genre gristle with distinctive elements. Picadero weighs in as a Barcelona high society crime investigation drama with an LGBT and libertine sexual edge; Based on true events, The Chauffeurs Son is billed as a journalism, blackmail and corruption thriller, charting how the most modern part of Spina emerging from Francos dictatorship was governed at times by a mixture of horse trading, coercion and illicit gains. The common denominator of Zeta Studios titles is that they have been mostly made for or with streaming services: For Netflix, Prime Video (action comedy Sin huellas), Prime Video and Paramount+ in Latin America (the grief therapy group-set drama Dias mejores), HBO Max (the big-scale action-adventure Garcia!), Movistar Plus+ (late-night radio dramedy Reyes de la Noche) and Atresplayer (the upcoming teen drama Red Flags). What Zeta Studios and Tamburri Bring to the Table Mexico has a highly competitive TV market which knows how to do its work very well, said Asensio. Though there are exceptions, the lions share of series are for free-to-air audiences. As a foreign company, well try to bring titles which have distinctive elements. Zeta Studios will also be open to co-production in many cases. Mexico has a larger tradition of co-production than Spain, Asensio said. Tamburri can bring to the table his involvement at a high executive level of main paradigm shifts in the vertiginous recent evolution of Latin Americas higher-end TV scene. Working for Turner for 16 years based out of Argentina, where the company built as essentially a top U.S. cable TV company in Latin America, distributing U.S. content, Tamburri went on to help power up a first wave of premium original series in Argentina, two of which, The Cockfighter and La Fragilidad de los Cuerpos, both made in co-production, provided Conecta Fiction the two galas of its first edition in Santiago de Compostela in 2017. Tamburri was head-hunted by Tomas Yankelevich in 2018 to move to Mexico and head up Turner Latin America development in all Latin America, as TLA aimed to ramp up production of original series to about 12-15 in two years time for TNT and Space. Now that Latin Americas broadcast sector looks to have shifted gears to another tenor, Tamburri can bring to Zeta Studios his insider-knowledge of platform needs in Mexico, far-ranging creative talent relationships and enthusiasm for production partnerships. I hope to contribute to Antonio and the Zeta team, my experience in the generation of projects, taking into consideration the vision, necessity and parameters of the platforms. The business and industry has turned to a deeper analysis of the effectiveness of business, Tamburri told Variety. The great challenge is to offer something different and a large objective is collaboration, such as in co-production which mean sharing risk, and not only working with our own productions but seeing the possibility of developing other productions and collaborations with other production houses, he added. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. UPDATED: Suspended RTE director general Dee Forbes has resigned. Forbes said in a statement on Monday: I regret very much the upset and adverse publicity suffered by RTE, its staff and the unease created among the public in recent days. As director general, I am the person ultimately accountable for what happens within the organisation and I take that responsibility seriously. I am tendering my resignation to RTE with immediate effect. More from Variety PREVIOUSLY: Irish public service broadcaster Raidio Teilifis Eireann (RTE) has suspended its director general Dee Forbes, a former high-level Discovery executive, over an ongoing scandal around an overpaid TV host. Presenter Ryan Tubridy was paid a total of 345,000 ($375,860) more than his annual published salary between 2017 and 2022, the RTE board said in a statement on Thursday. The excess amount remained undeclared. Tubridy, who hosted the Late Late Show until quitting in March, has continued with his weekday program The Ryan Tubridy Show, though he did not present the show on Friday. The RTE board issued another statement on Friday indicating that director general Forbes was suspended from the broadcaster on June 21. There are processes ongoing and RTE must be mindful of its legal responsibilities and the rights of individuals. RTE will not be commenting further on this issue at this time. Forbes joined RTE as director general in 2016. She was president and managing director of Discovery Networks Northern Europe prior to joining RTE. Forbes was due to step down next month and hand over the position to former senior BBC News editor Kevin Bakhurst, who was appointed to the position in April. Story continues On Friday, Tubridy said in a statement shared with Variety: RTEs accounting treatment and publication of payments made to me between 2017 and 2022 contained serious errors. While I have no responsibility for the corporate governance in RTE or how or what they publish in their accounts, when my earnings were published I should have asked questions at the time and sought answers as to the circumstances which resulted in incorrect figures being published. I didnt, and I bear responsibility for my failure to do so. For this, I apologize unreservedly. For the avoidance of doubt, all my earnings from RTE have at all times been included in my companys accounts that were prepared by my accountant and filed with the Companies Registration Office and all my taxes are up to date. My filed accounts with details of these earnings have previously been reported on in the media. At the centre of all of this is trust. The trust of colleagues in RTE and the trust of a great many people who listen to my show. To them: I wholeheartedly apologize for my error of judgement. Separately, it has been reported that I did not take a pay cut over the last number of years. This is simply not true. Over the period of my contract with RTE, I have been asked to take several reductions in salary and I did. Indeed, between 2012 and today, my pay from RTE was cut by approximately 40%. I also wish to respond to suggestions that this issue had some bearing on my decision to step down from hosting the Late Late Show. It did not. Finally, I am disappointed that RTE has decided that for editorial reasons I should not broadcast my radio show next week. I look forward to returning to the radio show, a job I love, as soon as possible and I hope my listeners and my colleagues appreciate my sincerity on this. Forbes said in a statement through a spokesperson that she has been fully engaged with the RTE board and that the impact of these issues is a matter of profound regret. I am proud of my contribution to RTE over the past seven years. Throughout my tenure as director general, I have always prioritised what I believe are the best interests of the organization, in order to best serve the public, Forbes added. This includes pursuing a difficult cost-cutting agenda as part of implementing a wider strategic agenda, all while navigating the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. I will be making no further public comment at this time. The issue of Tubridys overpayment emerged after an audit of RTEs 2022 accounts. Tubridy was guaranteed 75,000 of additional annual income above his salary by RTE. A commercial partner was to pay the amount in exchange for personal appearances. As part of this agreement, RTE in turn issued a credit note to the commercial partner, thereby reducing the cost to it of its overall sponsorship arrangement with the organisation, RTE said in a statement. The commercial partner did not renew this agreement for a second year, and since the agreement was guaranteed and underwritten by RTE, the payments were instead made directly by RTE to Mr Tubridys agent (on his behalf). This resulted in Tubridy being paid above his declared annual salary, which averaged 471,320 annually between 2017 and 2022. Maya Doherty, former chair of the RTE board, has denied any knowledge of the payment scandal during her tenure, which concluded in November 2022. In a statement, Doherty bemoaned the profoundly serious lack of transparency involved, and said that the reputation of RTE has sadly been damaged. Doherty added that the scandal is deeply upsetting and unsettling for the many staff, in all aspects of the work of RTE who give their best to the national broadcaster with their talent and their commitment. Current chair of the RTE board, Siun Ni Raghallaigh, said: This is a matter of profound regret for the board of RTE. We are well aware that this is a serious breach of trust with the public. On behalf of the Board, I wish to apologise for what has occurred. It is clear that RTE has fallen short of the high standards that it sets for itself and are expected of it. Once these issues came to light, we acted expeditiously to establish the facts and we are confident that the safeguards we have now put in place will ensure that nothing like this will happen again, and that good corporate governance is adhered to at all times. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Fox News Fox News host Greg Gutfeld made a spurious historical analogy when discussing gender-affirming care Thursday, likening Democrats who support pro-LGBTQ+ causes to the Confederacys effort to defend slavery by taking up arms. On the same day that Fox News was called out for misleadingly substituting gender-affirming care for outdated terms like sex change when publishing licensed content from wire services like Reuters and the AP on its website, Gutfeld chose to characterize the practice narrowly as the removal of healthy organs from children who are going through some kind of confusion. (Surgical procedures represent only a small subsection of gender-affirming care, which also includes things like mental health services and hormone therapy, among others.) Gutfeld then turned his ire on Democrats like Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, who earlier in the day praised a Texas doctor after she testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in opposition to a state law that prohibits gender-affirming care. So if youthe Democrats, Dick Durbinyou want to defend the removal of healthy organs for kids, have at it. Youll just start another war like you did with slavery and youre going to lose this one too, because no one thinks this is good. No one thinks this is moral, Gutfeld said on Thursdays edition of The Five. Texas recently joined several other red statesincluding Missouri, Oklahoma, North Dakota and West Virginiain banning gender-affirming care. Slavery was not the only societal scourge that Gutfeld invoked. You have to ask yourself, when people were defending slavery and when they were defending Jim Crow, or when they were going through Nazi Germany, why didnt people realize what they were doing was evil? he asked. There are doctors that are removing healthy organs. Theyre removing external genitalia, breaststheyre blocking puberty, which billions have gone through, he continued. The idea of stopping itmaybe perhaps its for a rare cancerbut this is not what we are talking about. These people dont see themselves as villains. They dont. But they are. Story continues It will take 10 years, Gutfeld predicted, for the wrongs that he sees in gender-affirming care to be recognized as such by the public. Editors note: This story has been updated to correct the state Sen. Dick Durbin represents. 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. In 1964, Tina Louise made her Gilligans Island debut as Ginger Grant, a beautiful movie star with fiery red hair. After the series came to an end in 1967, she went on to act in a number of other notable Hollywood films and TV series. Scroll below to find out what happened to her and see where she is now. What Happened to Tina Louise From 'Gilligan's Island'? The New York native began singing, dancing and acting as a child. Tina appeared in stage productions of Twos Company and Broadways John Murray Anderson's Almanac and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? in the 50s. Her film debut came in 1958 when she starred in Gods Little Acre. What Happened to Tina Louise? 'Gilligans Island' Star Now After studying with Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio, Tina nabbed the role of Ginger on Gilligans Island alongside costars Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus and more. The sitcom ran for three seasons on CBS before coming to an end in 1967, with all of the shows castaways still stranded on the island. Following her impressive portrayal of Ginger in the series, Tina chose not to reprise the character in the subsequent films. Instead, she pursued other roles in Hollywood, including playing Lola Medina in 1968s The Wrecking Crew with Dean Martin and Charmaine Wimpiris in 1975s The Stepford Wives with Katharine Ross. Where Is Tina Louise Now? Tinas most recent acting appearance came in 2019s Tapestry. These days, she loves spending time with her daughter, Caprice Crane, whom she welcomed during her marriage to Les Crane. The doting mom often shares photos while hanging out with her daughter and grandkids on Facebook. What Happened to Tina Louise? 'Gilligans Island' Star Now Tina hasnt shied away from reliving memories from her time on Gilligans Island over the years. To celebrate the shows 55th anniversary, the sitcom alum took a look back at her iconic character. On this 55th anniversary of Gilligans Island, I want to say how wonderful it is that our show is still on the air after all these years," Tina told Closer in December 2019. "I honestly feel like I have so many friends out there who just love what we did and what we shared and the joy we brought. Im so happy to have been part of something that was so special to American television." In December 2020, Tina mourned the loss of her Gilligans Island costar Dawn Wells, who died at age 83 of complications from COVID-19. I will always remember Dawn's kindness to me, she wrote on Facebook in a tribute to the late actress. We shared in creating a cultural landmark that has continued to bring comfort and smiles to people during this difficult time. I hope that people will remember her the way that I do always with a smile on her face. "Titanic" director James Cameron, left, says that the Titan submersible deaths are "impossible to process" and that passengers were likely warned just before the implosion. (Pat Martin / For The Times; Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Titanic director James Cameron said during an ABC News interview that one of his longtime friends was among the passengers on the tourist submersible Titan and that sensors likely warned of the disaster just before it occurred. All five aboard were killed in a catastrophic implosion, officials said. After OceanGate Expeditions released a statement Thursday saying that all five passengers lives had sadly been lost and the company confirmed that the debris found was indeed from the missing submersible, Cameron weighed in on the tragedy. This OceanGate sub had sensors on the inside of a hull to give them a warning when it was starting to crack, he told ABC News. And I think if that's your idea of safety, then you're doing it wrong. They probably had warning that their hull was starting to delaminate, starting to crack. ... [W]e understand from inside the community that they had dropped their ascent weights and they were coming up, trying to manage an emergency. The director of the 1997 blockbuster "Titanic" is a longtime member of the diving community, has experience designing submarines able to withstand the depths that the Titan could not and has ventured down to the wreck of the Titanic 33 times himself. Cameron described implosion as a violent event, and he said engineers typically focus first and foremost on the submersible design maintaining structural integrity against pressure that increases with depth. Read more: 5 aboard Titanic tourist sub are dead after 'catastrophic implosion' People in the community were very concerned about this sub, Cameron told the network. A number of the top players in the deep submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company, saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and that it needed to be certified. Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night and many people died as a result. Story continues "For us, its a very similar tragedy where warnings went unheeded. To take place at the same exact site with all the diving thats going on all around the world, I think its just astonishing. Its really quite surreal. The Times obtained the 2018 letter privately written to Stockton Rush, the chief executive of OceanGate, who was among those who died in the implosion. The manned underwater vehicles committee at the Marine Technology Society wrote to Rush, stressing the need for a third-party safety review of OceanGates 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, chairman of the committee, told The Times that OceanGate raised a number of eyebrows. Also in 2018, David Lochridge, a former OceanGate employee, sued the company for terminating him after he raised safety red flags, particularly OceanGates refusal to conduct critical, non-destructive testing of the experimental design of the hull. Lochridge specified that its hull monitoring system would detect failure "often [only] milliseconds before an implosion." He said he disagreed with Rushs decision to subject passengers to potential extreme danger in an experimental submersible. Read more: 'Catastrophic' safety concerns raised about sub long before ill-fated Titanic voyage Cameron also told ABC News that he was mourning the death of French Titanic explorer Paul-Henri P.H. Nargeolet, a longtime friend who was aboard the Titan submersible. Its really quite surreal, its just astonishing, he said. P.H., the French legendary submersible dive pilot, was a friend of mine. Its a very small community, Ive known P.H. for 25 years. "For him to have died tragically in this way is almost impossible for me to process. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The controversial Republican congressman is banned from traveling outside home or work while he awaits trial in his ongoing criminal fraud case Alex Wong/Getty George Santos is surrounded by reporters in Washington, D.C., Jan. 2023 Republican Rep. George Santos is banned from traveling outside Washington, D.C., Long Island, or New York City or applying for a new passport without "prior permission" while he awaits trial in his ongoing criminal fraud case, a court has ordered. A release order signed by a judge in May and released this week stipulates that Santos, 34, cannot leave New York City, Long Island, or Washington, D.C. "except for travel to and from court." He can request permission through the court to travel outside those areas. The release order also shows that Santos will be subject to "pretrial supervision" and "subject to random home contacts and verification of employment as deemed appropriate to monitor compliance with the conditions of release." He also has been barred from having contact with at least four people, whose names were not publicly revealed. Santos was also required to surrender his passport by May 10 and cannot obtain a new passport or any international travel document while he awaits trial. Related: Unpacking the George Santos Indictment, from Abusing Unemployment to Using Campaign Funds for Designer Clothes John Nacion/UPI/Shutterstock New York Rep. George Santos Santos was criminally charged by federal investigators in May on 13 counts, including seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives. Within hours of being indicted, Santos pleaded not guilty to all charges against him, and was ultimately released on $500,000 bond which was sponsored by previously anonymous people, who this week were identified as his aunt, Elma Santos Preven, and father, Gercino Dos Santos. While his aunt and father didn't actually pay $500,000 for the bond, they will owe the government $500,000 if Santos breaks any of the conditions of his bond a fact made clear by the judge in the congressman's bond hearing, a transcript of which was released this week. Story continues Noting that Santos' aunt and father don't own a home they could use as collateral against the bond, the judge told the two the money "could go against your credit rating, your ability to get a mortgage. You'd owe that money to the government. So I want to make sure that you both understand that." The judge added the lawmaker is allowed to travel between New York and Washington. That hes allowed to do. He is not allowed to travel anywhere else without prior permission." "So you might want to call him from time to time and say hey, are you going to be in town? Tell me where youre going to be," the judge continued. "So I would advise both of you to give him a call and say, this is on your behalf, let me know if youre going to be traveling." Related: Fact-Checking the George Santos Claims: From Goldman Sachs Employee to College 'Volleyball Star' In an indictment, federal prosecutors say that the congressman allegedly "devised and executed a scheme" aimed at defrauding donors to his 2022 political campaign. That scheme, prosecutors allege, included applying for and receiving unemployment benefits at the height of the pandemic while he was employed and running a congressional campaign. The fraud continued, the indictment adds, when Santos began pocketing campaign contributions to buy designer clothing and pay off his personal debts. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement announcing the arrest that "the allegations in the indictment charge Santos with relying on repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself." Santos has generated substantial controversy since his election to Congress in November, particularly after a bombshell New York Times report found that many of the claims he made on the campaign trail and on his resume like his level of education, previous jobs and family ties to the Holocaust were unsubstantiated. Santos himself acknowledged that he has "embellished" significant portions of his resume, but in the weeks and months that followed, more mysteries cropped up, like the source of his income, which has seemingly grown by hundreds of thousands of dollars in recent years and his ties to a powerful Russian oligarch. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. If Santos is convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the top counts, according to the Justice Department. His next court date is scheduled for June 30. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny There are few movie characters as legendary as Indiana Jones. So we can imagine that seeing Harrison Ford in the costume is quite a moment, even for an actor who has worked on Bond, Star Wars, and Marvel. Mads Mikkelsen tells GamesRadar+ that this was exactly what happened when he first saw Ford in the iconic get-up on the set of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, he also reveals that this was the first time he met Ford too. "I got confused," Mikkelsen recalls. "I was supposed to meet Harrison. We had to read through the script. I was just jumping into my trailer, we had a costume fitting. I went out and he came out of his trailer hat, whip, jacket. I was meeting Indiana Jones instead of Harrison. That was it! Standing there, grumpy, 'What am I doing here?' With the whip. Dan-da-dan! I was smiling all over." It certainly made an impression on the actor who plays villain Jurgen Voller in the movie, a former Nazi scientist working on the 1969 Apollo program. Mikkelsen was thrilled with the opportunity to work with Ford too and adds that he doesnt think another actor could take on the iconic role after the character's swansong. "The only thing that reminds me a little of Indiana Jones was way back in the '40s, '50s with Burt Lancaster and the pirate films he did," he explains. "I was glued to the screen it was charming. Harrison and Indiana Jones take it to a completely different level. So yeah, you cant copy it. You can get inspired and find something else that makes us fly off into our imaginations." You can read more about Indiana Jones 5 and our interviews with Mikkelsen, Ford, Etthan Isidore, Boyd Holbrook, and director James Mangold here. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny hits UK cinemas this June 28 and US theaters on June 30. For more upcoming movies, here are all of the major movie release dates for 2023 and beyond. A jury will decide whether the U.S. Postal Service failed to accommodate a pregnant employee's restrictions on lifting, pushing and pulling heavy items, after the federal appeals court based in Colorado reversed a judge's ruling that sided with the agency. Sharhea L. Wise was a postal worker in Denver for three months before her termination. She learned early on that she was pregnant and obtained a doctor's recommendation to limit her exertion to 20 pounds. Wise claimed she was disabled due to her pregnancy and was entitled to workplace accommodations under federal law. Although a trial judge believed Wise was to blame for not reminding her supervisors on two separate occasions that they were asking her to violate her accommodation, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit decided a jury could find the supervisors knew about Wise's accommodation, but disregarded it. "That inference could trigger liability for failing to accommodate a disabled employee," wrote Judge Robert E. Bacharach in the three-judge panel's majority opinion. Judge Timothy M. Tymkovich dissented, arguing Wise had an "obligation" to remind her supervisors to abide by the accommodation. The panel unanimously rejected Wise's other claim that the Postal Service retaliated against her for seeking a pregnancy accommodation. Case: Wise v. DeJoy Decided: June 16, 2023 Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for Colorado Ruling: 2-1 on the failure-to-accommodate claim; 3-0 on the retaliation claim Judges: Robert E. Bacharach (author) David M. Ebel Timothy M. Tymkovich (partial dissent) Background: Pregnancy Discrimination and Pregnancy-Related Disability Discrimination Wise worked as a city carrier assistant in Denver from November 2014 through January 2015. In mid-January, she provided a doctor's note to supervisors Ron Domingo and Dean Lego, who agreed she did not have to handle packages in excess of 20 pounds, as the doctor recommended. However, Wise claimed Domingo subsequently called her while she was delivering mail and asked her to return to pick up overweight packages. Also, Lego reportedly yelled at Wise for improperly handling a gurney, which itself weighed 20 pounds. Wise believed Lego was expecting Wise to use the gurney in a way that violated her weight restriction. At the end of January, the Postal Service first suspended, then fired her. By that time, Wise had received negative performance evaluations, warnings about unprofessional conduct and had abandoned her delivery route on a snowy day. Last April, U.S. District Court Judge Regina M. Rodriguez sided with the Postal Service on Wise's claims of sex discrimination, pregnancy-related discrimination and a hostile work environment. She also found Wise's termination was not due to Wise asking for a disability accommodation, but because of an "intervening event" walking off the job while delivering mail. As for Wise's failure-to-accommodate claim, Wise "never told anyone at the Postal Service that she believed her accommodation was not being followed," Rodriguez wrote. For example, Wise did not remind Domingo that she need not return for heavier packages under her arrangement with the Postal Service. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. "This accommodation, as well as Tenth Circuit case law, puts the responsibility on Plaintiff to communicate with her employer about whether her accommodation was being met," the judge concluded. Wise turned to the 10th Circuit, challenging Rodriguez's evaluation for just the failure-to-accommodate and retaliation claims. "Not only did Ms. Wise not receive the help she asked for, but she was yelled at instead," argued Melpomene Vasiliou, a student attorney at the University of Colorado. "It seems like the employer and the employee ought to work things out maybe on a day-to-day basis depending on what objects come in the door," observed Tymkovich during oral arguments. "Its a two-way street, isn't it?" Although Wise claimed the Postal Service had shifted its explanations for firing her, suggesting its reasons were actually retaliatory, the government insisted Wise was fired solely for walking off the job. "Theres probably no more significant error that a mail carrier can make than abandoning the route," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael C. Johnson. The 10th Circuit's majority concluded Rodriguez incorrectly tossed Wise's failure-to-accommodate claim. It was possible, on the one hand, that Domingo had forgotten about Wise's weight restriction when he called her back to deliver heavy packages. "But theres no evidence that Mr. Domingo forgot what he had said, and its reasonable to infer that he had changed his mind about getting another employee to help Ms. Wise," Bacharach wrote for himself and Senior Judge David M. Ebel on June 16. Bacharach acknowledged the circumstances of Wise's gurney incident were "ambiguous," but, similarly, a jury could find Lego also disregarded her arrangement with the Postal Service. Consequently, the majority reinstated her claim. As for her retaliation allegations, the panel agreed the Postal Service terminated Wise for walking off the job, not because of any disability. Tymkovich disagreed only with the reinstatement of the failure-to-accommodate claim, believing Wise "did not adequately communicate her need for the accommodation to her supervisors." The case is Wise v. DeJoy. 'Match Me Abroad': Harold Gets a Kiss After Showing His Date 'the Most Private Thing I Have' (Exclusive) In PEOPLEs exclusive sneak peek at TLCs international matchmaking series, Harold's successful date continues in Prague tlc Harold from 'Match Me Abroad' with his date Michaela Despite a previous dating setback, Harold is making a connection with a Prague local on TLCs Match Me Abroad. In PEOPLEs exclusive sneak peek at Sundays episode, the 41-year-old artist from New Mexico spends some quality one-on-one time with his date Michaela back in his room following their tour of an old wastewater treatment plant in Prague. Harold, who has autism, admits hes nervous and a little scared, before mustering up the courage to show Michaela his invention book, a notebook filled with sketches of his creations, including a pool noodle that makes gurgling sounds. Related: Match Me Abroad's Harold Learns 'Love Can Come Unexpectedly Even in a Sewer' (Exclusive) I feel a deep connection to her, and the best way I could show her that I care would be to show her the most private thing I have as an artist, Harold explains. When Michaela asks to see photos of his family, Harold takes out his smartphone to show her shots of his mother, his hometown of Los Alamos, and himself with a Star Trek shirt on. tlc Michaela, in her eagerness, shows Harold a photo of her wearing a Star Trek uniform, too. Talking to Michaela, I'm learning that a relationship should be natural, Harold says. It shouldn't be forced. Related: Match Me Abroad's Harold Is Flat-Out Rejected by His Date While Trapped in a Paddleboat The inventor traveled to Prague to find a Czech partner, but a recent paddleboat date with another woman, Teresa, made for an awkward afternoon where the two failed to click. With Teresa, there was a fear of rejection, he said on the TLC series. I came on strong with her. With Michaela, Im being accepted and looked upon as a whole person. When Harold asks Michaela how she feels the date went, she tells him she really enjoyed it. It was the best date ever, Harold says. Story continues The pair share a short kiss, with Harold admitting afterwards he hasnt kissed a woman in over six years. It was exciting exhilarating, he continues. Im glad I wasnt bad at it. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Match Me Abroad airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on TLC. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Nicki Minaj attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating In America: An Anthology of Fashion at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City. Despite the fact that Nicki Minaj and her husband Kenneth Petty bought their Hidden Hills home back in December 2022, it looks like their tranquil living could be in jeopardy thanks to a neighborhood petition. In response to Pettys status as a registered sex offender in the state of New York, and his address change to his new Los Angeles home on the Megans Law website, one neighbor began a Say No to Sex Offenders in Hidden Hills petition not too long after they moved in. Citing concerns over property value and safety, the document received more than 100 signatures over the last several days, boosting the overall number to nearly 1,000, as reported by TMZ on Thursday. Read more Petty is currently serving one year of home detention for failing to register as a sex offender in California. Neither he nor his wife have responded to the petition. Neighborhood quarrels aside, Petty definitely has more important things to worry about. As previously reported by The Root, in December 2022, a judge ordered him to settle the harassment suit brought against him by Jennifer Houghthe woman he was accused of sexually assaulting back in 1994referring that the case go to mediation so both teams can reach a settlement. However, he didnt seem to be interested in finalizing things in a swift enough manner so now Houghs legal team is seeking to implement a scheduling order so that negotiations can resume. We are counsel to Plaintiff Jennifer Hough in the above-referenced matter. I write jointly with counsel for Defendant Kenneth Petty, Houghs lawyer Tyrpne Blackburn wrote in his letter to the judge at the time. As you know, the Court provided the parties with an opportunity to engage in private mediation. The parties participated in private mediation, but unfortunately, we were unable to reach a settlement. We would like to have a scheduling conference with the court to set a scheduling order. Story continues More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Nikola Nikola, the electric truck manufacturer on Friday, reported a fire around its global headquarters in Phoenix. Multiple electric trucks were burned in the incident, though no injuries have been reported. The company took to Twitter to announce that it suspects foul play was involved in starting the fire. Commercial electric truck startup Nikola on Friday reported a fire around its Phoenix, Arizona, headquarters. Multiple electric trucks were burned in the fire, though no injuries have been reported from the scene. Following the fire, the company took to its official Twitter account to announce that it suspects foul play took place in the starting of the fire. "Foul play is suspected as a vehicle was seen in the area of the affected trucks just prior to the incident and an investigation is underway," the company said on Twitter. Early this morning behind our Phoenix headquarters, a fire occurred which affected multiple battery electric trucks. No one has been injured. Foul play is suspected as a vehicle was seen in the area of the affected trucks just prior to the incident and an investigation is Nikola Motor Company (@nikolamotor) June 23, 2023 A spokesperson for Nikola confirmed the language in the tweet in speaking with Automotive News about the fire. "Once the situation is further assessed, we will have more information," Nikola spokesperson Nicole Rose told the business publication. Additionally, the Phoenix Fire Department released a video on Twitter, announcing that hazardous materials crews are at the scene of the fire. The tweet included video from the Nikola headquarters showing at least three of the startup's trucks were involved in the fire. The fire comes as further setback for the young manufacturer, which announced 270 layoffs last week with 150 employees at its European factory and 120 at its Phoenix and Coolidge, Arizona, facilities affected by the layoffs. The company has already had its share of woes, scrapping plans for a consumer-focused electric pickup truck before production began and having a former chairman charged with three counts of criminal fraud by the Department of Justice. Story continues Nikola According to a report by Reuters, the manufacturer has produced 63 Tre battery-electric trucks, delivering to 31 dealers in the first three months of the year. The company had reportedly paused production at its factory in Coolidge, Arizona, and was set to resume making trucks in July, according to the company's statements last month. It is unclear if the fire will impact future production for the company. You Might Also Like (Photo by Steve Granitz/FilmMagic) Following comments from James Cameron on the loss of OceanGates Titan submersible, the co-founder of OceanGate has disputed Camerons claims. The founder says Cameron doesnt know what hes talking about. Speaking to the Times Radio Friday in the United Kingdom (via TMZ), OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein said it would be impossible for anyone on the outside including Cameron to speculate on what happened to the ship. Its impossible for anyone to really speculate from the outsideI know from firsthand experience that we were extremely committed to safety and risk mitigation was a key part of the company culture, said Sohnlein. This comes after Cameron noted similarities between the Titan submersible and the actual Titanic. He seemed to point blame to Stockton Rush, the head of OceanGate. Im struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, Cameron said, Where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field. What happened to the Titan submersible? The Titan submersible owned by Washington-based OceanGate originally set out on a trip to explore the wreckage of the Titanic on Sunday, shortly after it entered the water at around 8 a.m. EST. Since then, the submersible has been missing. Earlier on Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard revealed debris consistent with the submersible was found near the wreck of the Titanic. All five passengers are presumed dead due to the vessels implosion. The people on board the Titan included pilot Stockton Rush, the head of Oceangate; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French underwater wreck expert; British entrepreneur Hamish Harding; and father-son Pakistani nationals Shahzada and Suleman Dawood. The post OceanGate Co-Founder Disputes James Camerons Comments on Titan Submarine appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Taste the Nation, on TikTok, where it quickly went viral. In the clip, Padma explains why most goods entering Puerto Rico must make a pit stop in Florida first, resulting in grocery prices in Puerto Rico [being] 25% higher than on the mainland. A few days ago, Padma Lakshmi shared a clip aptly titled Americas Ridiculous Tax on Food from an episode of her travel and food docuseries,, on TikTok, where it quickly went viral. In the clip, Padma explains why most goods entering Puerto Rico must make a pit stop in Florida first, resulting in grocery prices in Puerto Rico [being] 25% higher than on the mainland. Taste the Nation (which recently returned for Season 2 If you havent yet seen it,(which recently returned for Season 2 on Hulu ) follows Padma as she travels around different places in the US and learns about specific foods and cultures. In the second seasons premiere, Padma visits Puerto Rico somewhere she wanted to feature on the show in particular because, as she told USA Today, many people dont know that the Caribbean island is part of the US. The US actually has five permanently inhabited territories: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. The US also has nine minor outlying islands small islands that are now uninhabited other than when used by military personnel or scientists. Nina Westervelt / Variety via Getty Images Since its posting, the TikTok has amassed nearly 1 million views and more than 100,000 likes while generating more than 2,500 comments the top of which express outrage, draw comparisons to Hawaii, and thank Padma for educating them. As Padma explains in the clip, groceries in Puerto Rico cost 25% more than in the contiguous 48 states because of the Jones Act or, more specifically, Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. (Its often called the Jones Act because it was sponsored by then-senator Wesley Jones of Washington.) You may have heard of the Jones Act before the G.W. Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations have all temporarily waived it at some point to speed up shipments during high-profile, special circumstances (like hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, respectively). Essentially, it mandates that goods shipped between US ports (as in by water) must be transported on US-built and US-owned ships that are crewed by US citizens or permanent residents. When the act is temporarily waived, foreign ships are allowed to carry goods to Puerto Rico from US ports. For instance, the Biden administration temporarily waived the Jones Act to allow non-US ships to transport fuel to Puerto Rico when the island faced a diesel shortage after Hurricane Fiona, which caused widespread power outages and flooding. FYI, this Jones Act shouldnt be confused with the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917 (also sometimes called the Jones Act for short), which grants US citizenship to anyone born in Puerto Rico. For context, the Jones Act was put into effect two years after World War I. Because the US had to send (a lot of) troops and equipment to Europe, it had to requisition many of its own ships for wartime deployment. This left many nonmajor ports empty, causing the US to depend on foreign vessels for shipping. So by maintaining its own shipbuilding industry through the Jones Act, the US would theoretically have enough ships (with American crews) available in times of war or emergencies. Beyond a supply of US-made, -owned, and -crewed ships, the Jones Act has given the US one of the most restrictive shipping systems in the world. In fact, average daily operating costs for US vessels which currently carry only 2% of the worlds cargo are three times higher than for similar vessels in other countries. (China, South Korea, and Japan are actually the three largest shipbuilding countries in the world based on deliveries.) This also pretty much prevents any global shipping competition from foreign ships in the US, which isnt a huge deal for the contiguous 48 US states, thanks to freight rail, but for states and territories like Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, and Puerto Rico, thats obviously not an option. (Fun fact: The US Virgin Islands are excluded from the Jones Act.) Hum Images / HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images So instead of making a pit stop in Puerto Rico to drop off and pick up goods on the way to the contiguous US, foreign ships typically drop off goods for Puerto Rico in Florida, as Padma points out. From there, US ships take over and bring the goods to Puerto Rico. If foreign ships did drop off and pick up goods in Puerto Rico on the way to the US, theyd violate the Jones Act by transporting goods between two US ports. To note, foreign ships could drop off goods in Puerto Rico (without picking any up) before continuing to the US, but theyd have to pay incredibly high tariffs to enter Puerto Rico. For that reason, its cheaper to enter the US once (in the contiguous states) and reload the goods onto a US ship for delivery. Again, this also applies to Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, which face similarly high costs. Its actually more expensive to ship a standard-size container from New York to Puerto Rico (US port to US port) than it is from New York to Jamaica (US port to foreign port), even though Jamaica is only slighter farther than Puerto Rico. Likewise, its more expensive to ship the same produce from Los Angeles to Hawaii than from Los Angeles to Shanghai. Maremagnum / Getty Images Because Puerto Rico is an island, nearly all goods must be imported, and the Jones Act can raise consumer prices relative to those in the contiguous states. And as Padma acknowledges, goods leaving Puerto Rico for other US states or territories are also impacted, inflating the cost of exports and making them simply too expensive to compete with those from other countries. As a result, Puerto Rico suffers from unnecessarily high prices and little investment in agriculture, despite its fertile land. Its absurd, Padma says. In the clip, Padma also speaks with a Puerto Rican farmer named Ian who she says is taking matters into his own hands and tells her, They dont want us to produce more because if we grow more, we are going to buy less. He then explains that Puerto Rico has enough land and young people who are interested in farming but dont know how to do it. His solution? Educating the people. While speaking about the episode, Padma stressed that Puerto Rico cant grow food on a large scale and that it along with the act of eating itself is a very political issue. The choices we make when we buy our food and feed our families, it's political, she said . Its an economic decision. Its, of course, a culinary and an economic decision, but it's also political. How you spend your money is really important. More broadly, Padma revealed the entire purpose behind Taste the Nation: We create more understanding between types of Americans, and hopefully, we do it in an entertaining and delicious way with lots of history and culture thrown in there. Taste the Nation on Hulu. Watch Padma in the entire TikTok here , and be sure to check out The Queen of the Universe season 2 winner was revealed in a royally surprising fashion. Though the RuPaul-produced Paramount+ drag queen singing competition featuring Mel B, Trixie Mattel, Michelle Visage, and Vanessa Williams on the judging panel had only aired its fourth of eight total weekly episodes from its sophomore season last week, all remaining installments were surprise released Thursday on the streaming service. HAY CORONA PARA MEXICO! GANAMOOOOS QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSEEEE, CARAJOOOO! NO LO PUEDO CREER VIVA MEXICO Taiga Brava (@taigabrava) June 22, 2023 Following the unexpected drop, Mexican drag star Taiga Brava was crowned the winner and the recipient of the program's $250,000 prize, with Australia's Trevor Ashley and Drag Race Italia competitor Aura Eternal joining Taiga among the top three finalists. American Miss Continental pageant winner Jazell Barbie Royale whose viral performance of CeCe Peniston's "He Loves Me 2" you've definitely seen on social media just missed out on the final episode, ultimately placing fourth. "THERE IS A CROWN FOR MEXICO!" Taiga tweeted on Thursday, according to a Spanish-to-English translation on Twitter. "WE WIN QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSEEEE, F---! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. VIVA MEXICO." Trixie Mattel on 'Queen of the Universe' season 2 Paramount+ Trixie Mattel on 'Queen of the Universe' season 2 After she was named the winner, Taiga spoke to the studio audience. "Thank you, everybody, for this opportunity," she said as the judges stood to applaud her victory. "I'm very grateful right now and I just hope that I get to share this message of love and acceptance and tolerance all over the world and just f---ing be yourself!" Queen of the Universe's second season debuted on June 2, and welcomed contestants hailing from nine global nations Italy, Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, the Netherlands, Israel, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to the cast of competitors. Story continues Taiga Brava, winner of 'Queen of the Universe' season 2 Paramount+ Taiga Brava, winner of 'Queen of the Universe' season 2 Spice Girls member Mel B who ruffled some feathers on social media for her sustained criticism of Jazell joined the judging panel following the departure of season 1 judge Leona Lewis, with Williams, Mattel, and RuPaul's Drag Race judge Visage returning to their posts for season 2. Also returning for season 2 was host Graham Norton, who helped crown Brazil's Grag Queen as the first winner of the show in 2021, which also featured Drag Race legend Jujubee and American Idol star Ada Vox among its cast. Subscribe to EW's Quick Drag podcast for recaps of RuPaul's Drag Race, including reactions with the cast, special guests, and more. Related content: Prosecutors on Thursday accused Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed of tampering with evidence by handing off drugs to another person on the day of the fatal shooting on set. Gutierrez Reeds lawyer, Jason Bowles, said the new charge came without prior notice or evidence to support it. More from Variety Something is rotten in Denmark, Bowles said in an email. This stinks to high heaven and is retaliatory and vindictive. Gutierrez Reed is already facing a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the October 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The special prosecutors assigned to the case filed an amended complaint adding the additional charge. Also Thursday, Bowles revealed in a court filing that he had been accidentally copied on an email from the D.A.s lead investigator, in which the investigator disparaged the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office and its handling of the Rust case. The conduct of the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office during and after their initial investigation is reprehensible and unprofessional to a degree I still have no words for, wrote the investigator, Robert Shilling. Not I or 200 more proficient investigators than I can/could clean up the mess delivered to your office in October 2022 (1 year since the initial incidentinexcusable). The Rust prosecution has been plagued by a series of setbacks. The D.A.s office initially charged Alec Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter for accidentally firing the gun, only to drop the charge after evidence surfaced that the gun may not have been functioning properly. The special prosecutors on the case have sent the gun for additional testing, and have said they will refile the case if it turns out the gun was working normally. Story continues Prosecutors had earlier dropped a five-year sentencing enhancement against both defendants after learning that the law was not on the books at the time of the shooting. D.A. Mary Carmack-Altwies had also complained that her office lacks the manpower to handle a high-profile case. She ultimately recused herself after a judge ruled that she could not co-prosecute the case with a special prosecutor. Bowles said it was shocking that the prosecutors have filed the new tampering charge 20 months after the investigation began, with no prior notice or any witness statements, lab reports, or evidence to support it. In a filing earlier this month, special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis alleged that Gutierrez Reed had been drinking heavily and smoking marijuana in the evenings during the shooting of Rust. They argued that was relevant to the case because she was likely hungover when she loaded a live round into Baldwins gun. They also alleged that after the shooting, Gutierrez Reed had walked off with the firearm for a considerable amount of time before the deputies arrived on scene. The prosecutors suggested at the time that Gutierrez Reed could be charged with tampering with evidence, though they did not mention the drug allegation. Bowles has filed a motion seeking to throw out the case. A preliminary hearing is due to be held in August. In his latest filing, Bowles argued that it has become clear that prosecutors are trying to sweep exculpatory evidence under the rug. He argued that if Shilling had not accidentally copied him on his email, the defense would not have known about his extremely negative views of the investigation. Shilling sent the email on Tuesday to Carmack-Altwies, copying two other prosecutors and Bowles. In it, he confirmed that he was terminating his agreement to work on the case, as the new special prosecutors want their own investigator to handle it going forward. Toward the end, Shilling added the aside disparaging the Sheriffs Office. Morrissey responded to Bowles, asking him to delete the email as it was intended for Lewis. In the filing, Bowles said he has since learned that Shilling is under a non-disclosure agreement. Bowles alleged that the state is trying to suppress Shillings statements, which could be exculpatory for Gutierrez Reed. Shilling drafted the D.A.s statements of probable cause supporting the original charges, in which he spelled out numerous allegations that Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed had been reckless and had caused Hutchins death. The fact that he wrote the charges in the manner that he did, but now professes great concern with the quality of the investigation, is a very important and exculpatory matter, Bowles wrote. The special prosecutors and the Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Image via JUAN BARRETO/AFP / Getty The Colombian military remains hopeful that they will find Wilson, the two-year-old dog that helped locate four Indigenous children who survived 40 days in the Amazon jungle after their plane crashed. Commanders pledged to stick around the site of the crash until Wilson is found, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. There are currently 70 soldiers in the area looking for the canine who was last seen on May 18 when he darted away from the search party after picking up a scent similar to the one on the clothes that belonged to the kids. The military found multiple clues that led them to believe that Wilson found the children before they did. His paw prints were spotted next to the kids' footprints 10 days after his disappearance. Gen. Pedro Sanchez, who is leading the rescue effort, said on Colombia's W radio that the children told him they were accompanied by the dog for "two or three days." One of the survivors, Lesly Mucutuy, drew a photo of the jungle, along with a dog bearing a similar black-and-coffee-colored coat to that of Wilson. More on this The military have flown in two female dogs in heat and scattered clothing owned by his handler in an attempt to lure Wilson back. Food has also been placed in various spots around the area where the soldiers are stationed. Wilson, who was among five dogs sent to the rainforest to try and locate the missing children, was sent to try and find the kids two months after he graduated from the canine academy. "For us it was an honor that our canine helped to find those children, said Sgt. Luis Fernando Sena, commander of the canine academy that Wilson attended. It would be great news for the country, and for our children, if he can be found. The brutal, record-smashing heat wave that's been scorching northern Mexico and the south-central U.S., especially Texas, this month has a connection to human-caused climate change, experts said. How brutal is the heat? On Tuesday afternoon, some 61 million Americans live where heat warnings, watches, or advisories were in effect, the National Integrated Heat Health Information System reported. And all-time record high temperatures have been set or tied in Texas cities such as Del Rio (115 degrees), Laredo (115 degrees) and San Angelo (114 degrees) last week. The heat index, which is how hot it feels to the human body when humidity is factored in, reached an unofficial record of 125 degrees in Corpus Christi. The death last week of a postal worker in Dallas, where the heat index reached 115 degrees, was blamed on the extreme heat. And a 14-year-old boy died after hiking with his stepfather and brother in extreme heat at Big Bend National Park in Texas on Friday as the temperature rocketed up to 119 degrees. That was not only the nation's hottest temperature so far this year, according to weather historian Christopher Burt, but just missed the state's all-time record of 120 degrees, Weather.com reported. Deadly heat: Texas postal worker collapses, dies amid extreme heat index over 110 Climate change made the heat wave five times more likely, study says An analysis of data from Climate Central, a science communication group in Princeton, N.J., said that climate change is making this heat wave at least five times more likely. "Human caused climate change made the extreme and extremely unusual temperatures in Mexico and the southern U.S. much more likely. Heat this intense, this early in the year will create stressful conditions for millions of people," said Andrew Pershing, vice president for science at Climate Central, earlier last week. Climate Central's findings come from its Climate Shift Index, which is "a model-derived analysis of the likelihood of local temperatures with and without the influence of climate change, expressed on a simplified scale to quantify the degree to which carbon pollution affected average temperature," according to Peter Girard, the Vice President of Communications for Climate Central. Story continues Texas is heating up due to climate change In Texas, the epicenter of this heat wave, the average daily high temperatures have increased by 2.4 degrees 0.8 degrees per decade since 1993, according data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This comes amid concerns over human-caused climate change resulting in rising temperatures. Looking far into the future, some 70 years from now, Texas is likely to have three or four times as many days per year above 100 degrees as it has today, the Environmental Protection Agency said. With temperatures setting a new record of 108 degrees in Abilene, Texas, on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, Aloys Baribeshya stood beneath one of the water spouts at the Nelson Park Splash Pad to cool off. Heat wave is 'extremely unusual' University of Pennsylvania meteorologist Michael Mann told USA TODAY that this intense June heat wave is "extremely unusual. Were seeing record heat indices (which combine the heat and humidity), for example (unofficially) 125 degrees in Corpus Christi." Everything you need to know about heat: From the heat index to a heat dome to an excessive heat warning Mann agrees that climate change is a factor in the heat wave, along with the natural warming from the El Nino climate pattern, but said "its difficult to parse out the precise roles of these things at present that will require some additional diagnostic work. "Climate change, as our own work shows, is leading to more of these very persistent 'stuck' summer jet stream patterns, where, for example, a big high-pressure system with hot sinking air gets stuck in one particular region of the country," Mann said. "Thats what happened during the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome and something very similar is playing out right now over the south central U.S. and northern Mexico." "Sure, El Nino is having an impact right now on the large-scale atmospheric circulation, and could be playing a role in this current jet stream configuration. But El Nino has happened many times before without giving us such unprecedented weather extremes," he said. When I look at this jet stream the word insane comes to mind. It's even more astonishing when you consider it's mid June! This configuration, likely enhanced by climate heating, is fueling a record heat dome so extreme that even experts are astonished! pic.twitter.com/GPbd0rjpst Jeff Berardelli (@WeatherProf) June 20, 2023 What is a heat dome? A heat dome occurs when a persistent region of high pressure traps heat over an area, according to William Gallus, professor of atmospheric science at Iowa State University. "The heat dome can stretch over several states and linger for days to weeks, leaving the people, crops and animals below to suffer through stagnant, hot air that can feel like an oven," Gallus said in an article in the Conversation. More about heat domes: Millions expected to suffer as heat dome expands beyond Texas this week: Graphics Speaking about the current heat dome, WFLA-TV chief meteorologist Jeff Berardelli tweeted last week that "this configuration, likely enhanced by climate heating, is fueling a record heat dome so extreme that even experts are astonished!" He added that this heat dome is basically impossible without climate change. Heat is a killer Heat waves are less dramatic than other natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding or even thunderstorms, but they kill more people in the U.S. than all other weather-related disasters combined causing hundreds of deaths each year, according to the National Weather Service. How long will this heat wave last? The heat wave that has plagued the south-central U.S. for much of this month will continue through the end of the week and into the weekend, forecasters said. But meteorologists from AccuWeather said the pattern that's keeping this stifling heat in place will begin to break down by later in the weekend. Temperatures are still likely to remain a few degrees above historical averages, but not nearly at the level of this week's searing heat. Then, as the calendar turns to July, the nation enters what's historically the hottest month of the year for many areas. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas' early heat wave fueled by climate change, experts say Somewhere, animal rights activist and Big Cat Rescue owner Carole Baskin is rejoicing. Doc Antle, the bombastic animal trainer and zoo owner who featured prominently in the hit Netflix docuseries Tiger King, has been convicted in Virginia on four felony counts related to the purchase and sale of endangered animals. Doc Antle Netflix Doc Antle On June 20, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced in a press release that a jury in Frederick County, VA, convicted Antle of two felony counts of wildlife trafficking and two felony counts of conspiring to wildlife traffic. Antle, who owns a private zoo in South Carolina, came under investigation in 2019 after purchasing endangered lion cubs for display at his facility. He is set to be sentenced on September 14, 2023. Said the Attorney General in a statement, "Virginia's animal cruelty laws are not taken lightly by my office. I'm proud of my Animal Law Unit for their tireless work and I'm thrilled that the jury not only agreed with us but sent a message that Virginia does not tolerate wildlife animal trafficking." Antle, who was featured in Netflix's Tiger King spin-off The Doc Antle Story, was also arrested last summer in South Carolina on money laundering charges. He was released on $250,000 bond and is currently awaiting trial on those charges. Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. Related content: In the nearly a decade Ahavah Farm has operated in Peyton, the family operation has experienced many record-breaking weather events. Weve been here for the record highs, record lows, record rain, record snow, said Yosef Camire, owner of Ahavah Farm. Now, they can add a possible tornado to the list. It was scary. Weve been here for almost 10 years now and weve never encountered tornadoes or anything like that before, Camire said, The first time we saw a funnel cloud here was just two weeks ago and now a tornado last night. Its crazy; we could have never anticipated this. On Thursday Ahavah Farm, located at 7545 Log Road in Peyton, felt the full strength of a severe storm that affected much of the Pikes Peak region. The National Weather Service in Pueblo issued a severe weather warning for Thursday evening across El Paso County, warning the public of the possibility of damaging hail, strong winds, heavy rain and flash flooding. An isolated tornado is also possible, the weather service wrote on social media. Possibility quickly became a reality for the Camires, as the family of nine found themselves running toward their property's storm shelter, being pelted with heavy rain, hail and debris as the intensity of the storm increased. As we were running down into the shelter, the tornado hit, Camire said, All nine of us were cramped down there for over 40 minutes. As the storm cleared and the family rose from the shelter, they quickly realized the damage their property had mostly survived. However, the storm destroyed one of the familys greenhouses. Trees were uprooted and scattered throughout the property. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Thank God we had the storm shelter, and everybody is OK, Camire said. In assessing damages brought by Thursdays storm, Camire said farm operations undoubtedly will be set back. The weekly farmers market was canceled Friday, since the family and extra employees needed that time to start rebuilding what was lost and damaged. Were working our butts off right now," Camire said. Camire estimates the storm caused roughly $45,000 in damages to the farm. Its a difficult situation. We cant grow outside because of the hail. If you want local, fresh food, you need greenhouses. Its just about making them strong enough to withstand this extreme weather, Camire said. Its not going to be an overnight fix; its going to take a lot of work. Its super-frustrating. In addition to damages sustained throughout the farm, both roads leading up to the property, Log Road and Colorado 110, were washed out Thursday. Camire said the surface flooding Friday afternoon left at least four vehicles abandoned and stuck in the runoff. According to Steve Hodanish, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pueblo, Thursdays extreme weather event in eastern El Paso County was not all that out of the ordinary. These (tornadoes) are relatively common. June is our month for tornadoes in Colorado, especially over in the Palmer Divide area, Hodanish said, We did issue a tornado warning for that area. The radar last night looked impressive. Hodanish said that signs point to the weather event being a tornado, there is a possibility it was a microburst or a combination of both. He described a tornado as a rotating column of wind coming down from the sky, while a microburst is a result of a thunderstorm weather pattern, when the cool air produced from the storms interacts with the surface. The United Nations has added Russia to a global list of offenders for killing 136 children in Ukraine in 2022. Russian forces and affiliated groups maimed 518 children and carried out 480 attacks on Ukrainian schools and hospitals, according to a report submitted to the UN Security Council (UNSC) by a diplomat. The report seen by Reuters said that Russias military used 91 children as human shields as well. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has accused Russias defence ministry of lying about the scale of Russian losses and setbacks in Ukraine. In a series of emotional audio messages over two days, Mr Prigozhin escalated his repeated criticism of defence minister Sergei Shoigu a close Vladimir Putin ally and Valery Gerasimov chief of the general staff by accusing them of hiding Russias very serious losses on the front from Mr Putin. Total trash is being put on the presidents desk. Shoigu and Gerasimov have a simple approach. The lie must be monstrous for people to believe it. That is what they are doing, Mr Prigozhin said in a message. Key Points UN adds Russia to global list of offenders for killing children in Ukraine Russian mercenary boss accuses top brass of Ukraine battlefield cover-up Putin 'plans radiation leak terrorist attack on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant Ukraine attacks key bridge between mainland and Crimea, claims Russia Putin sees lull in Ukraines counteroffensive Ukraine holding back large attacks near Bakhmut and Lyman Ukraine attacks key bridge between mainland and Crimea, says Russia-backed official Thursday 22 June 2023 06:07 , Arpan Rai Ukrainian forces have launched a missile strike on a bridge connecting Ukraines Kherson region and Crimea, Russia-appointed officials in both regions said today. Vladimir Saldo, the Russia-appointed Kherson governor, said the bridge was likely to have been attacked by Storm Shadow missiles that damaged the road, but traffic has been diverted to a different route. Story continues No casualty has been reported. Robert F Kennedy Jr wildly claims Russia acted in good faith in Ukraine invasion 04:25 , Maroosha Muzaffar Presidential primary candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr said that he believes Russia acted in good faith when it invaded Ukraine, and claimed the US was largely responsible for the war. Mr Kennedy is running as a Democrat in the 2024 presidential primaries. He made the comments during an interview on SiriusXMs The Briefing with Steve Scully, according to the HuffPost. Scully asked Mr Kennedy about Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion, which prompted Mr Kennedy to say that baby steps towards negotiations were the appropriate path forward. The interviewer then pointed out that Mr Putin has largely dismissed calls for negotiations unless they allow Russia to keep the land it has already occupied in Ukraine. Robert F Kennedy Jr wildly claims Russia acted in good faith in Ukraine invasion Zelensky warns of Russian attack at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant 04:10 , Maroosha Muzaffar Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is considering a terrorist attack at the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Our intelligence obtained information that Russia is considering a scenario of a terrorist attack at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. A terrorist attack with radiation leakage. They have prepared everything for this, Mr Zelensky said, according to Kyiv Independent. Earlier, Ukraines military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov claimed that Russian forces have planted additional mines in and around Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, including the cooling pond. The worst thing is that Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was additionally mined during this time. The cooler (pond) was mined. If they disable it by blowing it up, there is a high probability that there will be significant problems, he said. Air raid alerts in effect throughout Ukraine 03:54 , Maroosha Muzaffar Ukraine has warned people that Russian missile and drone attacks might take place as air raid alerts were in effect throughout the country early this morning. Telegram channels reported explosions in several regions, from Lviv in the west, far from the front lines, to Kherson in the south. However, there were no reports of strikes or casualties so far. In pictures Bridge linking Ukraine to Crimea damaged in explosion' 02:00 , Martha Mchardy A view shows the damaged Chonhar bridge connecting Russian-held parts of Ukraine's Kherson region to the Crimean peninsula (via REUTERS) A view shows the damaged Chonhar bridge connecting Russian-held parts of Ukraine's Kherson region to the Crimean peninsula (via REUTERS) Today in pictures Thursday 22 June 2023 23:30 , Martha Mchardy An abandoned car in Kherson in an area flooded by rising water following the collapse of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam (AFP via Getty Images) A Ukrainian service member walks at a training ground near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region (REUTERS) Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko shows a Kh-47 Kinzhal Russian hypersonic missile warhead, shot down by a Ukrainian Air Defence unit (REUTERS) UK could support dropping a stage in Ukraines Nato membership bid Cleverly Thursday 22 June 2023 22:30 , Martha Mchardy 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. Dominic McGrath reports: UK could support dropping a stage in Ukraines Nato membership bid Cleverly What to know about India's ties with Russia Thursday 22 June 2023 21:30 , Martha Mchardy Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Washington in June was expected to reduce Indias dependence on Moscow for arms, economic ties and technology as New Delhi and Washington try to strengthen the Quad partnership, which also includes Japan and Australia, to contain growing aggression from China. India considers Russia a time-tested ally from the Cold War era with key cooperation in defense, oil, nuclear energy and space exploration. But that partnership has become fraught since Moscow started developing closer ties with Indias main rival, China, because of the war against Ukraine. Heres where things stand with India-Russia ties. Ashok Sharma reports: What to know about India's ties with Russia ICYMI: Russia-backed officials say explosion damages bridge linking Ukraines mainland to Crimea Thursday 22 June 2023 20:30 , Martha Mchardy An explosion damaged a bridge that is one of the few links between Crimea and Ukraines mainland, Russia-backed officials said Thursday, as the early stages of a Ukrainian counteroffensive unfold. Russian forces in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, use the Chongar bridge to reach southern Ukraines Kherson province. Russia and Ukraine control different sides of the province, which is a focus of fighting and attacks as Ukrainian troops try to reclaim Russian-occupied territory. Ukrainian authorities have said that for the countrys nearly 16-month war to end, Moscow must withdraw its forces from Crimea as well as from areas they seized during last years full-scale invasion. Read the full story: Russia-backed officials say explosion damages bridge linking Ukraine's mainland to Crimea Voices: Russian brutality has boosted Nato and led countries to abandon neutrality and thats a very bad move Thursday 22 June 2023 20:00 , Martha Mchardy If, as might appear, most of Europe and Russia are now speeding towards a two-bloc division, far more risks being lost than gained, writes Mary Dejevsky. Why more countries should stay neutral | Mary Dejevsky Ukrainian forces contain Russian forces in east -deputy defence minister Thursday 22 June 2023 19:30 , Martha Mchardy Ukrainian forces are containing Russian forces on the eastern front and have not allowed a single metre of Russian advances, Deputy prime minister Hanna Maliar said on Thursday. Our defence forces continue to contain effectively advances by Russian troops, Maliar wrote on the Telegram app, referring to four key sectors in the east, including the Lyman further north, where officials say Russian forces have been active. Maliar said Ukrainian forces on the southern front, where several villages were captured last week, were gradually moving forward. We have had partial success. We are pushing back the enemy and levelling the front line. Today in pictures Thursday 22 June 2023 19:00 , Martha Mchardy A Ukrainian service member fire a machine gun at a training ground near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region (REUTERS) Ukrainian service members are seen inside a bus at a training ground near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region (REUTERS) Ukrainian military medics treat a soldier with concussion in a field hospital in Donetsk region, Ukraine (AP) A man carries boxes with food sets of the UN World Food Program, distributed by volunteers as humanitarian aid to local residents of Liptsy village, Kharkiv region (AFP via Getty Images) Voices: Putin wont stop using spectre of nuclear disaster to terrorise Ukraine Thursday 22 June 2023 18:30 , Martha Mchardy Ukraines president Zelensky has warned of a possible attack on Europes largest nuclear plant, while Russias president has once again talked up his nuclear arsenal, writes Borzou Daragahi. Putin wont stop using spectre of nuclear disaster to terrorise Ukraine Ukraine progresses on reforms to unlock membership talks, EU says Thursday 22 June 2023 17:56 , Martha Mchardy Senior EU officials said on Thursday that Ukraine is making progress on political reforms to open the way for European Union membership talks but still needs to progress in five important areas. The assessment, by the EUs executive body, the European Commission, offered Kyiv hope that it could achieve its aim of getting the green light for membership talks in December even it fights to repel Russias invasion. But it also made clear that Ukraine has a way to go just to complete the seven steps that the EU outlined last year when it granted Kyiv the status of a candidate for membership. They are on track, they are working hard. After all, the country is under attack, said Oliver Varhelyi, the European Commissioner for relations with the EUs neighbours. Compared to that, I think that they are delivering. In an update for the EUs member countries, Varhelyi said Kyiv had completed two of the seven steps, as reported by Reuters on Monday - reform of two judicial bodies and the adoption of media legislation in line with EU standards. He said Ukraine had made progress but had more work to do on constitutional court reform, on measures to fight corruption, money laundering and curb the influence of oligarchs, and on the treatment of minorities. He also stressed the European Commission would look at a broader range of factors in a full report in October on Ukraines suitability for membership talks. We are just in the middle of the work so its too early to tell you where they are going to be, he told reporters after presenting his assessment to European affairs ministers from the blocs 27 member countries in Stockholm. Jessika Roswall, Swedens European affairs minister, said Ukraines reform efforts had been impressive in the face of extraordinary circumstances. Ukraine has taken substantial steps forward, she said. Ukrainian PM says he's sure Ukraine will get money needed to rebuild Thursday 22 June 2023 17:50 , Martha Mchardy Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal said on Thursday he was certain Ukraine would receive the $6.5 billion it needs this year for its rapid reconstruction programmes from pledges made at a conference in London. Earlier, Britain, the United States, the European Union and others pledged billions of dollars in additional help for Ukraine, going some way to meeting Kyivs demand for more capital and commitments to specific projects, not only to rebuild but to further develop Ukraine into a strong member of the West. Speaking on the final day of the Ukraine recovery conference, Shmyhal said his government had yet to assess all the pledges but Im sure that in the nearest time, after this conference ... we will collect all the needed money. On Wednesday, he said he expected to secure almost $7 billion in aid, money needed to spur his governments rapid recovery programme - which is firstly focused on rebuilding the energy sector, especially before another winter. Destruction in Bakhmut (via REUTERS) A closing statement from conference co-chairs Britain and Ukraine said attendees had agreed to provide $60 billion to meet recovery and reconstruction needs over a multi-year period. This was mostly comprised of a 50-billion-euro commitment from the European Union announced on Tuesday and new pledges at the conference from Britain the United States. Shmyhal also said there had been many expressions of interest from the business community in getting involved in projects in Ukraine, particularly after Britain announced the London Conference Framework for War Risk Insurance, which could pave the way for derisking investment. He said that as yet he could not put a figure on the amount of business investment. Nearly 16 months of Russias war on Ukraine has destroyed homes, hospitals and other critical infrastructure. Western nations are keen to maintain support for Kyiv, which faces years, possibly decades, of rebuilding. The total bill will be huge, with Ukraine, the World Bank, the European Commission and the United Nations estimating in March that the cost was at $411 billion for the first year of the war. Shmyhal said that figure only referred to the land currently under Ukrainian control. I think after the liberation of all the Ukrainian territories, this amount will be doubled, he said. And we understand that this a project for dozens of years. ICYMI: Bridge linking Ukraine to Crimea damaged in explosion Thursday 22 June 2023 17:30 , Martha Mchardy An explosion has damaged a bridge that is one of the few links between Crimea and Ukraines mainland, Russia-backed officials said, as the early stages of a Ukrainian counter-offensive unfold. Russian forces in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, use the Chongar bridge to reach southern Ukraines Kherson province. Russia and Ukraine control different sides of the province, which is a focus of fighting and attacks as Ukrainian troops try to reclaim Russian-occupied territory. A view shows the damaged Chonhar bridge connecting Russian-held parts of Ukraine's Kherson region to the Crimean peninsula (via REUTERS) Ukrainian authorities have said that for the countrys nearly 16-month war to end, Moscow must withdraw its forces from Crimea as well as from areas they seized during the full-scale invasion that started last year. The damage to the bridge was not severe and is likely to be repaired within several days, Vladimir Konstantinov, chairman of the parliament of Crimea, said. Vladimir Saldo, the Russia-appointed head of the occupied parts of Kherson province, said the explosion appeared to have been caused by a type of long-range cruise missile that both France and the UK have given to Ukraines military. The claim could not be independently verified. Ukrainian authorities did not immediately comment on the bridge and typically do not confirm specific attacks. UN adds Russia to list of shame for killing children in Ukraine Thursday 22 June 2023 17:00 , Martha Mchardy United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres called out Russia on Thursday for killing 136 children in Ukraine in 2022, adding its armed forces to a global list of offenders, according to a report to the U.N. Security Council seen by Reuters. The United Nations also verified that Russian armed forces and affiliated groups maimed 518 children and carried out 480 attacks on schools and hospitals. Russian armed forces also used 91 children as human shields, according to the report. Russia has denied targeting civilians since it invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Antonio Guterres (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The report also verified that Ukrainian armed forces killed 80 children, maimed 175 children and carried out 212 attacks on schools and hospitals. The Ukrainian armed forces are not on the global offenders list. Guterres said in the report that he was particularly shocked by the high number of children killed and maimed and attacks on schools and hospitals by Russian armed forces. He also said he was particularly disturbed by the high number of such offenses against children by Ukrainian armed forces. Russias mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. Russian Supreme Court rejects Navalny challenge to prison conditions Thursday 22 June 2023 16:58 , Martha Mchardy Russias Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a challenge by the jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny to prison officials refusal to give him writing equipment, the Russian independent news site Mediazona reported. In latest crackdown on critics, Russia declares World Wide Fund for Nature 'undesirable' Thursday 22 June 2023 16:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Russian authorities on Wednesday declared the World Wide Fund for Nature to be an undesirable organization, effectively banning it from operating in the country, in the latest move to stifle dissent. The global organization, which promotes wildlife preservation and works to reduce human impact on the environment, encourages activities that are a cover for the implementation of projects that pose security threats in the economic sphere, the Russian prosecutor-generals office said, according to Russian news reports. Under the pretext of preserving the environment, WWF is carrying out activities aimed at preventing the implementation of the countrys political course for the industrial development of the Arctic, natural resources in the Arctic territories, it said. In latest crackdown on critics, Russia declares World Wide Fund for Nature 'undesirable' Zelensky accuses Russia of plotting radiation leak attack at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant Thursday 22 June 2023 16:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Ukraine has new evidence Russia is plotting a terrorist attack on Zaporizhzhia power plant that will result in radiation leak, President Volodymr Zelensky has warned. The Kremlin dismissed the allegation as another lie, and said a team of United Nations nuclear inspectors had visited the plant and rated everything highly. In a video statement, Mr Zelensky said that Kyiv had received intelligence about an attack on the facility the largest nuclear power plant in Europe that is currently occupied by Russia. He added that they had shared the information with partners including the United States China, Europe, Brazil and India. Intelligence has received information that Russia is considering the scenario of a terrorist act at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant - a terrorist act with radiation leakage, he said. Zelensky accuses Russia of plotting radiation leak attack at nuclear plant MPs demand to cut through Whitehall bureaucracy and get jailed British-Russian dissident home Thursday 22 June 2023 15:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Senior MPs have backed calls for the Foreign Office to do more to help a British citizen jailed for 25 years in Russia for opposing the invasion of Ukraine. British-Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza was sentenced to 25 years in prison in April after he had been convicted of high treason by a Moscow court. Mr Kara-Murza has already survived two poisoning attempts by Russian agents and has developed a medical condition that has deteriorated during his imprisonment to the point where he has lost feeling in his feet and one of his arms. MPs demand to get jailed British-Russian dissident home Russian mercenary boss accuses top brass of Ukraine battlefield cover-up Thursday 22 June 2023 14:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin added fuel to his feud with the top brass on Thursday, accusing them of lying to President Vladimir Putin and the Russian people about the scale of Russian losses and setbacks in Ukraine. Prigozhin, whose Wagner private militia spearheaded the Russian capture of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut last month, is resisting an order for mercenary groups like his to sign contracts with the Defence Ministry before July 1. Prigozhin portrays Wagner as Russias most effective fighting force, and has enjoyed unusual freedom to publicly criticise Moscow - albeit not Putin, on whose support he and Wagner ultimately depend. Yet the order to bring militias under Moscows direct control suggested to some that he may have outlived his usefulness to Putin in challenging a military hierarchy that has failed to deliver the rapid victory he had hoped for. In a series of emotional audio messages over two days, Prigozhin escalated his repeated criticism of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, a close Putin ally, and Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff - by accusing them of hiding Russias very serious losses on the front from Putin. Total trash is being put on the presidents desk. Shoigu and Gerasimov have a simple approach. The lie must be monstrous for people to believe it. That is what they are doing, Prigozhin said in one message. Its all being hidden from everyone. Russia will wake up one day and learn that (Russian-annexed) Crimea has been handed over to the Ukrainians ... They are misleading the Russian people and if it keeps on like this well be left without the most important thing: Russia. There was no immediate response from the Defence Ministry. (AP) Ukraines Zelensky signs law banning import of books from Russia Thursday 22 June 2023 14:44 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed into law a ban on the commercial import of books from Russia on Thursday, the latest move to reduce cultural ties between the two countries following Moscows invasion. I believe the law is right, Zelensky wrote on the Telegram messaging app, announcing he had signed a bill which also bans the commercial import of books printed in Belarus or in occupied Ukrainian territory. The bill, adopted by parliament a year ago, also makes its a requirement to obtain special permission to import books in the Russian language from third countries. Zelenskys office said on Twitter that the law would strengthen the protection of the Ukrainian cultural and information space from anti-Ukrainian Russian propaganda. Ukraine has been carrying out what it describes as derussification process, saying it is necessary to undo centuries of policies it considered aimed at crushing the Ukrainian identity. Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko thanked the president for signing the bill. The adoption of this draft law will protect the Ukrainian book publishing and distribution sector from the destructive influence of the russian world, he said on Telegram. (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER) Ukraine racing to make prepares as it braces for winter of air strikes, minister says Thursday 22 June 2023 14:20 , Andy Gregory Ukraine is carrying out the largest campaign of repairs in modern history to its power system to prepare for another winter of possible Russian air strikes, its energy minister said. The most extensive repair campaign in the history of energy facilities is currently under way in Ukraine, German Galushchenko said. Power generation and distribution facilities are being restored, and work is under way to strengthen the power systems resilience to military challenges. Ukraine has nearly doubled electricity tariffs for consumers since 1 June to find funds to prepare for winter. About 43 per cent of Ukraines energy infrastructure has been damaged in air strikes, with around seven in 10 substations attacked at least twice, state-owned power distributor Ukrenergo estimates. Ben Wallace rules himself out of running to become new Nato chief Thursday 22 June 2023 13:55 , Andy Gregory The UKs defence secretary has ruled himself out of contention to succeed Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg. Following speculation linking him to the general-secretary position ahead of next months Nato summit in Vilnius, Ben Wallace told The Economist: Its not going to happen, adding that there are a lot of unresolved issues in Nato. Washington wants Mr Stoltenberg to stay in the role, Mr Wallace added, despite remarks by US president Joe Biden that he would support a Nato leader from the UK when he met with Rishi Sunak at the White House earlier this month. Downing Street refused to say on Thursday whether Mr Sunak was disappointed to see Mr Wallace exit the running to take over at Nato. A spokesperson for Mr Sunak said the defence secretarys focus would continue to be on protecting our national security and supporting Ukraine. Western defence firms wary on Ukraine's weapons production pitch Thursday 22 June 2023 13:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Western defence companies are interested in making weapons in Ukraine - but not until after the war, according to half a dozen executives contacted by Reuters at the Paris Airshow. Ukraine is desperate to boost its weapons arsenal, from drones and munitions to tanks, as it battles to repel Russias invasion. Its also looking to boost job opportunities and stabilise an economy ravaged by war. On Monday, a Ukrainian deputy minister told Reuters that Kyiv was in talks with defence companies in Germany, France, Italy and eastern Europe to potentially make weapons in Ukraine. But company executives at the worlds biggest aerospace industry gathering said there was currently too much risk. You just have to think about more broadly, the state of the situation ... and the risk associated with that co-production, said Greg Ulmer, who leads U.S. defence giant Lockheed Martins aeronautic business and was not aware of any direct discussions with Ukraine on co-production activities. Representatives from two major defence companies confirmed they had heard about the Ukrainian initiative, with one adding his company was prepared to sign a letter of intent to discuss an industrial partnership in Ukraine once hostilities end. But none of those interviewed expressed an interest in investing directly while the war rages, with security the top concern. What we know about Indias ties with Russia Thursday 22 June 2023 13:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Washington in June was expected to reduce Indias dependence on Moscow for arms, economic ties and technology as New Delhi and Washington try to strengthen the Quad partnership, which also includes Japan and Australia, to contain growing aggression from China. India considers Russia a time-tested ally from the Cold War era with key cooperation in defense, oil, nuclear energy and space exploration. But that partnership has become fraught since Moscow started developing closer ties with Indias main rival, China, because of the war against Ukraine. Heres where things stand with India-Russia ties. What to know about India's ties with Russia Russia warns US not to send NATO troops to Ukraine - RIA cites deputy foreign minister Thursday 22 June 2023 12:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Thursday called on the United States not to make mistakes with dangerous consequences and send NATO troops to Ukraine, the RIA news agency reported. Ukraine says Russia fired 'Kinzhal' missiles in overnight air strike Thursday 22 June 2023 12:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Russia fired cruise and ballistic missiles and strike drones at targets in Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday, causing damage in the cities of Odesa and Kryvy Rih, Ukrainian officials said. Ukrainian air defences downed three of the four drones fired in the overnight attack involving three Kinzhal hypersonic and three cruise missiles, the Air Force said in a statement. ...The enemy rockets did not reach their targets in the Dnipropetrovsk region... the occupiers are continuing their terror against the Ukrainian people, attacking Ukraines critical infrastructure facilities, the air force said. The drones were shot down over the Black Sea region of Odesa in southwestern Ukraine, but one of them struck a warehouse, regional administration spokesman Serhiy Bratchuk said. In the Kryvy Rih area, a Russian missile strike damaged at least 10 homes, the regional administration said. Russia has regularly carried out long-distance missile and drone attacks since October, and increased strikes in May as Ukraine prepared for a counteroffensive. Watch live: Ukrainian PM addresses final day of Ukraine Recovery Conference in London Thursday 22 June 2023 11:54 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Watch live as the prime minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, addresses the second day of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. This years summit will focus on mobilising international support for Ukraines economic and social stabilisation and recovery from the effects of war. Other sessions on Thursday 22 June include speeches on restoring livelihoods, tech for transformation and role of the regions in Ukraines recovery and reconstruction. Opening the conference yesterday, Rishi Sunak pledged to stand with Kyiv as long as it takes as he announced three billion US dollars (2.35 billion) in bank loan guarantees to bolster rebuild. Watch live: Ukrainian PM addresses final day of Ukraine Recovery Conference in London Chonhar Bridge could take several weeks to fix after Ukrainian missile strike Thursday 22 June 2023 11:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Repairing the Chonhar road bridge after a missile strike Russia has blamed on Ukraine could take up to several weeks, a Russian-installed transport ministry official in Crimea was cited as saying on Thursday. Russian-appointed officials said earlier on Thursday that Ukrainian missiles had struck the bridge connecting Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, with Russian-held parts of the southern Kherson region. (via REUTERS) US reporter Gershkovich loses new appeal against pre-trial detention in Russia Thursday 22 June 2023 11:14 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain US reporter Evan Gershkovich had a new appeal rejected by a Moscow court on Thursday against his pre-trial detention on charges of espionage, a Reuters reporter at the court said. The Wall Street Journal reporter denies the spying charge, which could lead to a prison sentence of up to 20 years if he is convicted. His parents Mikhail Gershkovich and Ella Milman, who left the Soviet Union for the United States in 1979, were in court to support their son. U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy was not allowed inside the room. Gershkovich, wearing blue jeans and a black T-shirt, stood in a glass box and smiled at journalists who were briefly allowed to film him before the start of the proceedings. The 31-year-old was arrested in March and accused by Russias FSB security service of collecting military secrets in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg. His newspaper vehemently denies the accusation against Gershkovich, who was accredited by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The United States says he was wrongfully detained and is demanding his release. Gershkovich was appealing against his continued detention in Moscows Lefortovo prison ahead of his trial, for which no date has been set. Emma Tucker, the Wall Street Journals editor in chief, told the BBC before the hearing that she had low expectations from the appeal but it was important to go through the legal process. In April, a court denied a request from Gershkovichs lawyers that he be transferred to house arrest, agree to restrictions on his movements, or be granted bail. Gershkovich is being held at a time when relations between Washington and Moscow are at the lowest point since the Cold War after Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine last year in what it called a special military operation. (EPA) Putin 'plans radiation leak terrorist attack on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant Thursday 22 June 2023 10:41 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Volodymr Zelensky has claimed Russia is planning a terrorist attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. In a tweet, the president said: Intelligence has received information that Russia is considering a scenario of a terrorist attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. A terrorist attack with radiation leakage. They have prepared everything for this. We have just had a report from our intelligence and the Security Service of . Intelligence has received information that Russia is considering a scenario of a terrorist attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. A terrorist attack with radiation leakage. They have prepared pic.twitter.com/WK6qM090Ru (@ZelenskyyUa) June 22, 2023 Pictures show extent of Chonhar bridge damage Thursday 22 June 2023 10:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain A view shows the damaged Chonhar bridge connecting Russian-held parts of Ukraine's Kherson region to the Crimean peninsula, following what Russian-appointed officials say was a Ukrainian missile attack. (via REUTERS) (via REUTERS) Britain backs fast-track Nato membership for Ukraine Thursday 22 June 2023 09:57 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain 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. Britain backs fast-track Nato membership for Ukraine Sweden's prosecutor reserves right to classify Nord Stream investigation materials -RIA Thursday 22 June 2023 09:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Swedens prosecutors office reserves the right to classify material from its investigation into last years sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, Russias RIA news agency cited it as saying on Thursday. If the investigation is dropped and no conclusions are made, materials will not be made public, RIA reported. Russia has unsuccessfully demanded access to investigations by Sweden and other countries into the blasts that severely damaged the pipelines connecting Russia and Germany across the Baltic Sea. Watch live: Ukraine Recovery Conference underway in second day of meetings in London Thursday 22 June 2023 09:09 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Watch live as Ukraine Recovery Conference goes underway in the second day of meetings in London. Live: Ukraine Recovery Conference underway in second day of meetings in London Scholz pledges security assurances to Kyiv but no swift NATO membership Thursday 22 June 2023 08:58 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday pledged long-term security assurances to Ukraine but dashed Kyivs hopes for a swift accession to NATO. We have to take a sober look at the current situation, Scholz told German lawmakers in a speech in parliament, adding the government in Kyiv had itself acknowledged the country would not be able to join NATO as long as the war was still going on. Therefore, I suggest we focus on the top priority (at the NATO summit) in Vilnius (in mid-July), namely strengthening the combat power of Ukraine, Scholz said. Berlin and its partners in the G7 and the European Union were working on long-term security assurances to Kyiv, he said. Our goal is ... a sustainable military support of Ukraine, including with modern Western weapons, and the strengthening of Ukraines economic resilience as it defends itself against the Russian aggression, he said. NATO countries are squabbling over what to offer Kyiv when the alliances leaders meet in Vilnius on July 11-12. While Kyiv and its closest allies in Eastern Europe call for concrete steps to bring Ukraine closer to membership, Western governments such as the United States and Germany are wary of any move that might take the alliance closer to war with Russia. ((Sarah Meyssonnier , Pool via AP)) Ukraine strikes bridge to Crimea, say Russian-appointed officials Thursday 22 June 2023 08:31 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Ukrainian missiles struck the Chonhar road bridge connecting Crimea with Russian-held parts of the southern Kherson region overnight, forcing traffic to be diverted to a different route, Russian-appointed officials said on Thursday. The so-called gate to Crimea, known by Russians with a different spelling as the Chongar Bridge, is one of a handful of links between Crimea - which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014 - and mainland Ukraine. It is on a route used by the Russian military to move between Crimea and other parts of Ukraine under its control. There was no immediate comment from Kyiv, which has said it wants to retake Crimea and drive all Russian forces from its territory. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed governor of Kherson, parts of which Russian forces have captured during what Moscow calls its special military operation, said the road bridge had been damaged but that there were no casualties. One picture Saldo posted on Telegram showed a large hole in the bridges surface with water visible beneath it and debris scattered nearby. Saldo said initial information suggested Ukraine was likely to have used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles for the strike. The Kyiv terrorists want to intimidate Kherson residents and sow panic among the population, but they will not succeed. We know how to repair bridges quickly: vehicle passage will be restored in the very near future, he said. We have an answer to every move by the enemy. A link between the Kherson region and Crimea continues to operate - a reserve route has been temporarily organised for vehicular traffic. Sergey Aksyonov, Crimeas Russian-appointed governor, told people to stay calm and said specialists were examining the site to determine when traffic over the bridge could resume. Ukraine strikes bridge to Crimea, say Russian-appointed officials Thursday 22 June 2023 08:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Ukrainian missiles struck the Chonhar road bridge connecting Crimea with Russian-held parts of the southern Kherson region overnight, forcing traffic to be diverted to a different route, Russian-appointed officials said on Thursday. The so-called gate to Crimea, known by Russians with a different spelling as the Chongar Bridge, is one of a handful of links between Crimea - which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014 - and mainland Ukraine. It is on a route used by the Russian military to move between Crimea and other parts of Ukraine under its control. There was no immediate comment from Kyiv, which has said it wants to retake Crimea and drive all Russian forces from its territory. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed governor of Kherson, parts of which Russian forces have captured during what Moscow calls its special military operation, said the road bridge had been damaged but that there were no casualties. One picture Saldo posted on Telegram showed a large hole in the bridges surface with water visible beneath it and debris scattered nearby. Saldo said initial information suggested Ukraine was likely to have used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles for the strike. The Kyiv terrorists want to intimidate Kherson residents and sow panic among the population, but they will not succeed. We know how to repair bridges quickly: vehicle passage will be restored in the very near future, he said. We have an answer to every move by the enemy. A link between the Kherson region and Crimea continues to operate - a reserve route has been temporarily organised for vehicular traffic. Sergey Aksyonov, Crimeas Russian-appointed governor, told people to stay calm and said specialists were examining the site to determine when traffic over the bridge could resume. U.N. nuclear watchdog head Grossi to visit Russia on Friday Thursday 22 June 2023 07:58 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, will visit Russia on Friday, the Interfax news agency reported on Thursday. Grossi is likely to hold talks about the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine. (AP) Russia considering U.S. request to visit journalist Evan Gershkovich Thursday 22 June 2023 07:52 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday that Moscow was considering a request from the United States to visit journalist Evan Gershkovich who is being held on spying charges he denies, the Interfax news agency reported. A hearing in Gershkovichs case is due later on Thursday. Gershkovich, a U.S. citizen, was arrested in March on espionage charges after Russias FSB security service accused him of collecting military secrets in the city of Yekaterinburg. Gershkovich and his employer, the Wall Street Journal, strongly deny the charges. He was initially remanded in custody until May 29, but a court last month extended his detention until Aug. 30. The United States says he has been wrongfully detained and has called for his immediate release. The U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously on Tuesday for a resolution calling on Russia to release him. Shooting down each Russian helicopter is important', says Zelensky Thursday 22 June 2023 06:50 , Arpan Rai Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukrainian troops are advancing in all the continuing fights along the battlefield front lines, calling on his forces to shoot down each Russian helicopter. Front. Fierce battles. South were destroying the enemy. Donetsk direction were destroying the enemy. The Kupiansk direction whatever the Russian terrorists are planning there, we will destroy the enemy, Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address. He added: In the South, we are advancing. Thank you, warriors! In the East, our defenses are firming. And I am especially grateful, guys, for every shot down Russian helicopter... Each shooting down is important. Putin sees lull in Ukraines counteroffensive Thursday 22 June 2023 03:58 , Arpan Rai Russian president Vladimir Putin, said Moscow had observed a lull in Ukraines counteroffensive, which began early this month. Although Ukraine still had some offensive potential, Kyiv understood it had no chance, Putin said in televised remarks. This comes as Volodymyr Zelensky said progress in Ukraines 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. Its not, Britains BBC quoted him as saying in an interview. Whats at stake is peoples lives. Zaporizhzhia plant plans to pump water from burst dam's reservoir Thursday 22 June 2023 01:00 , Katy Clifton The Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine plans to resume pumping water from what remains of the massive reservoir behind a nearby dam that burst two weeks ago, the UN nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday. The International Atomic Energy Agency said last week it was unclear whether it would be possible to pump water from the reservoir to cool reactors and spent fuel at Europes biggest nuclear plant given how much the reservoirs level has fallen. While the plant can fall back on other water sources, including a cooling pond with what the IAEA says is months worth of water in it, whatever can be pumped from the reservoir should buy more time before stocks have to be replenished. Ukraines Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is planning to resume pumping water that still remains accessible despite a major loss of water in the Kakhovka reservoir caused by the destruction of the downstream dam earlier this month, the IAEA said in a statement. Russia-aligned hackers pose threat to Canada energy sector' Wednesday 21 June 2023 20:57 , Katy Clifton Russia-aligned hackers could seek to disrupt Canadas powerful oil and natural gas sector, especially since Ottawa is a strong backer of Ukraine, a Canadian spy agency has said. The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) signals intelligence agency said Russia had repeatedly deployed destructive cyber attacks against its adversaries as geopolitical crises escalate. We assess there is an even chance of a disruptive incident in the oil and gas sector in Canada caused by Russia-aligned actors, due to their higher tolerance for risk, the increase in their numbers and activity, as well as the number of vulnerable targets in the sector overall, it said in a threat assessment. Canada is the worlds fourth-largest oil producer. CSE said the oil and gas sector employed about 600,000 people and accounted for 5% of gross domestic product. CSE said the most likely target for cyber attacks by pro-Russian hackers was operational technology networks that monitor and control large industrial assets. UK offers new training for Ukrainian seafarers Wednesday 21 June 2023 19:01 , Andy Gregory The UK has pledged to offer new virtual-reality (VR) training for at-sea Ukrainian cadets, as part of a new package of support. Announced on Wednesday to coincide with a major conference in London on how Ukraine recovers from the Russian invasion, the Government said the training would be provided through VR headsets to help participants practise for real-life scenarios. Ukrainians will also be sponsored to take part in three-year cadetships to UK container ships and other large vessels, with the new package confirmed as Transport Secretary Mark Harper appeared at the Ukraine Recovery Conference. Our support for Ukraine and its people is unwavering, and were not going to let Russias abhorrent actions sink Ukraines great reputation in areas like seafaring, he said. By sharing the UKs world-renowned expertise in aviation and seafaring, we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring Ukraines transport system recovers from Putins illegal invasion. The Department for Transport will also support secondments for Ukraines air traffic controllers to train in the UK, with the latest funding following on from 10 million previously announced to help repair Ukraines rail infrastructure. Belarus court hands long sentences to 2020 protesters Wednesday 21 June 2023 18:27 , Andy Gregory A court in Belarus has handed lengthy prison sentences 18 participants of mass anti-government protests which challenged the grip of president Alexander Lukashenkos authoritarian regime in 2020 in part of Minsks continued attempts to crack down on any and all dissent. Multiple charges against the activists, three of whom had left the country and were tried in absentia, included assault on law enforcement officers, conspiracy to overthrow the government, committing a terrorist act and others. According to the authorities, the protesters formed a resistance movement, attacked law enforcement officers, carried out acts of sabotage and set police stations in Minsk on fire. Some of them were also accused of attempting to set fire to the house of a pro-government politician by throwing Molotov cocktails at it. Sentences handed to the demonstrators ranged from two to 25 years in prison. Sunak pledges $3bn backing to unlock World Bank loan for Ukraine Wednesday 21 June 2023 17:55 , Andy Gregory Rishi Sunak has used todays London conference to unveil measures including $3bn of additional UK guarantees to unlock a World Bank loan for Ukraine. This includes pledge of 20m to boost access to the World Banks Multilateral Investment Guarantees Agency, which provides political risk insurance for projects. Additionally, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc would provide Ukraine with 50bn for 2024-27, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken offered $1.3bn in additional aid. German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said Berlin was offering an additional 381m in humanitarian assistance in 2023. (AP) Ukraine expects Nato invite at Nato summit in July, says Zelensky aide Wednesday 21 June 2023 17:28 , Andy Gregory Ukraine expects to be invited to join Nato at the alliances summit in Vilnius next month, president Volodymyr Zelenskys chief of staff has said. We expect that Ukraine will be invited to Nato with an open date, Andre Yermak told a webinar held by the Atlantic Council think-tank. Putin says nuclear-capable Satan 2 missiles soon ready to be deployed Wednesday 21 June 2023 17:12 , Andy Gregory Here are more of Vladimir Putins remarks on Russias new generation of Sarmat nuclear-capable ballistic missiles being ready for combat duy in the near future. In a speech to new graduates of military academies, the president said the most important task was the development of Russias triad of nuclear forces those launched from land, sea or air which he described as a key guarantee of Russias military security and global stability. 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, Mr Putin said. The first Sarmat launchers will be put on combat duty in the near future, he added. Despite Russian nuclear doctrine stating that Moscow should not strike first unless the states very existence is threatened, Mr Putin has frequently issued nuclear threats since Russias invasion of Ukraine last February. As recently as last week, however, Mr 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, with Russia having said last April that it would be in place by autumn 2022. Dmitry Rogozin, then head of Russias space agency, said at that time that the missiles would be deployed with a unit in the Krasnoyarsk region of Siberia, about 1,860 miles east of Moscow. Mr 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 a historic event that would guarantee the security of Russias children and grandchildren for the next 30-40 years. Blinken urges Turkey to stop blocking Swedens Nato bid Wednesday 21 June 2023 16:35 , Andy Gregory US secretary of state Antony Blinken has urged Turkey to stop blocking Sweden in its bid to join Nato, a spokesperson has said. in a meeting with on Wednesday, a State Department spokesperson said. In a meeting with new Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Summit in London, Blinken stressed the importance of Nato unity at a critical time, the spokesperson said. Mr Blinken also encouraged Turkeys support for Sweden to join the Nato Alliance now and welcomed Ankaras support for Kyiv and its work on the Black Sea grain export deal, the spokesperson said. Boris Johnson attends Ukraine conference in London Wednesday 21 June 2023 15:57 , Andy Gregory Boris Johnson was spotted at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on Wednesday. The former prime minister is a vocal supporter of Kyivs fight against the Russian invasion and repeated his call earlier for the West to focus on ensuring a Ukrainian victory and equip Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets. As the Ukraine Recovery Conference gets underway in London today, let's remember that the absolute prerequisite to Ukraine's recovery is a Ukrainian victory, as fast as possible. The West must continue to do all we can to help. pic.twitter.com/at5k6BL9Iu Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) June 21, 2023 Kakhovka dam breach death toll at 41, Russian minister says Wednesday 21 June 2023 15:29 , Andy Gregory Russias emergency situations minister has said that 41 people have been killed and 121 hospitalised as a result of the breach of the Kakhovka dam in a Russian-controlled part of Ukraine earlier this month. Speaking during a televised government meeting chaired by Vladimir Putin, Alexander Kurenkov said that more than 8,000 people were evacuated from the flood zone. UK could be very supportive of Ukraine skipping key step to joining Nato, says Cleverly Wednesday 21 June 2023 14:56 , Andy Gregory Foreign secretary James Cleverly has suggested that the UK would be very supportive if Ukraine was not required to go through the membership action plan stage of joining Nato. Speaking at a press conference at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, he said: We have seen Ukraine evolve, and evolve incredibly quickly. 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. (via REUTERS) Putin claims lull in Ukraine counteroffensive Wednesday 21 June 2023 14:38 , Andy Gregory Vladimir Putin claims that Moscow has observed a "lull" in Ukraine's counteroffensive, which began early this month. Although Ukraine still has some offensive potential, Kyiv understands it has "no chance", the Russian president claimed in televised remarks. (Getty) Minefields mean counteroffensive progress slower than desired, says Zelensky Wednesday 21 June 2023 13:34 , Andy Gregory Progress in Ukraines counteroffensive against Russian forces is slower than desired but Kyiv will not be pressured into speeding it up as its troops advance through dangerous minefields, president Volodymyr Zelensky has said. Some people believe this is a Hollywood movie and expect results now. Its not, he told the BBC, after speaking remotely at an event in London. Whats at stake is peoples lives. The BBC cited Mr Zelensky as saying the military push was not going easily because 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. West is waging real war against Russia, says Shoigu Wednesday 21 June 2023 13:18 , Andy Gregory Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu has told graduating military academy students today that the collective West is waging a real war against Russia. Speaking alongside Vladimir Putin at an event in the Kremlin, Mr Shoigu added that the Russia military would do everything to ensure the security of the country. Putin claims new Sarmat missiles will soon be deployed for combat duty Wednesday 21 June 2023 13:02 , Andy Gregory Vladimir Putin has claimed 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. My colleague Joe Sommerland has more details on the weapons here: What is Russias Satan II intercontinental nuclear missile? Mines dislodged by destroyed dam could wash up on Black Sea beaches, warns UN Wednesday 21 June 2023 12:48 , Andy Gregory A United Nations official has warned that the mines dislodged by the flood waters from Kakhovka dam in Ukraine could float downstream and reach as far as beaches on the Black Sea. Paul Heslop, head of UN Mine Action at the UN Development Programme in Ukraine, told reporters in Geneva that PMF-1 mines, also known as butterfly mines, were light enough to float downstream for a large distance. 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. Ukraine accuses Russia of blowing up the Soviet-era dam earlier this month, which has been under Russian control since the early days of its invasion. The Kremlin has accused Kyiv of sabotaging the hydroelectric facility. France announces new insurance mechanism for Ukraine Wednesday 21 June 2023 12:14 , Andy Gregory Addressing the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, French foreign minister Catherine Colonna set out a new war insurance mechanism to support Kyiv. Im announcing today the establishment of an insurance mechanism to cover investments in Ukraine against war-related risks via the French public investment bank, Ms Colonna said. The French governments plan was consistent with the insurance mechanism proposed by Britain and Ukraine, Ms Colonna added. Eyes of the world on Ukraine, says Zelensky Wednesday 21 June 2023 11:59 , Andy Gregory The eyes of the world are on Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky told the conference in London this morning. 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 the Ukrainian president. 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. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Western leaders to help rebuild his war-torn country (Henry Nicholls/PA) Ukraine holding back large attacks near Bakhmut and Lyman, claims Kyiv minister Wednesday 21 June 2023 11:39 , Andy Gregory Ukraine is holding back a large-scale assault by Russian forces near Bakhmut and Lyman, Kyivs deputy defence minister has claimed. Kyiv, meanwhile, has reported recapturing eight villages in the south in the last two weeks, representing the largest gains 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 claimed on Wednesday. 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, Ms Maliar said. Russia building elaborate defences near Crimea, says UK Wednesday 21 June 2023 11:24 , Andy Gregory Russia has been building elaborate defences near Crimea, highlighting the strength of concerns in Moscow that Ukrainian forces are capable of directly assaulting the occupied peninsula, Britains Ministry of Defence has said. Intense fighting continues in sectors of southern Ukraine, the ministry said. 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 9km in length, 3.5km north of the town Armyansk, on the narrow bridge of land connecting Crimea to the Kherson region. Russian Defensive Positions North of Armyansk: Area in Detail. pic.twitter.com/nsCFIuNU67 Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) June 21, 2023 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. Germany confirms new ambassador to Russia after downgrading diplomatic ties Wednesday 21 June 2023 11:03 , Reuters Germany has confirmed the appointment of Alexander Graf Lambsdorff as its new ambassador to Russia, weeks after the two countries announced a downgrading of diplomatic ties after relations collapsed in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. Graf Lambsdorff, a 56-year-old diplomat and member of the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) in the ruling coalition, will take up his post in the summer after Russia gave the green light for the move. He replaces Geza Andreas von Geyr, who has represented Germany in Russia since September 2019 and is now set to become Germanys ambassador to Nato in Brussels. Germany last month said it would shut down four out of five Russian consulates by revoking their licences, a tit-for-tat move after Moscows decision to limit the number of German officials in Russia. Mr Graf Lambsdorff has sharply criticised Russias invasion of Ukraine and backed Germany shoring up Ukraines armed forces with military aid. He is a descendent of a political and aristocratic family that traces its roots to Baltic Germans living in the Russian tsarist empire. US pledges 1bn to help Ukraine rebuild Wednesday 21 June 2023 10:35 , Andy Gregory The United States will provide more than $1.3bn (1bn) in additional aid to Ukraine to help the country recover and rebuild its energy grid, secretary of state Antony Blinken has told the conference in London. Of that amount, $520m will go towards helping Kyiv overhaul its battered energy grid, while $657m will be used to help modernise its border crossings, ports, rail lines and other critical infrastructure, Mr Blinken said. Some $100m will be used to help digitise Ukraines customs and other systems to boost speed and to cut corruption, and another $35m to help Ukrainian businesses through financing and insurance. 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, Mr Blinken told delegates. EU has special responsibility to Ukraine, says Ursula von der Leyen Wednesday 21 June 2023 10:16 , Andy Gregory The European Union has a special responsibility towards Ukraine in the long term, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has told the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. This is for Ukraines immediate needs. But lets talk about the future. I believe the European Union has a special responsibility, Ms von der Leyen said. Von der Leyen has no doubt that Ukraine will join EU Wednesday 21 June 2023 10:14 , Andy Gregory Addressing the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she had no doubt that Ukraine would join the EU, adding: We can never match their sacrifice, but we can and we do stand united. Praising the progress and speed of reform in the country, Ms von der Leyen said she hoped Ukraine would become a country that attracts foreign investment, a country that is master of its future, a country that is a member of the European Union. Together we gather here to tell Ukrainians that their dream is also our dream, she told the conference. 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. Ukraine has accelerated its reform agenda with impressive speed and resolve, she said. (Leah Millis/Pool Photo via AP) Ukraine could be largest source of economic growth in Europe for decades, claims Zelensky Wednesday 21 June 2023 09:49 , Andy Gregory Volodymyr 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. He told the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London: 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. We must move towards real reconstruction projects, Zelensky says Wednesday 21 June 2023 09:48 , Andy Gregory Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London that it was necessary to move towards real projects for the reconstruction of Ukraine. We must move from agreement to real projects, the Ukrainian president said. There is a Ukrainian delegation that will present concrete things and we propose to do them together during my tour, he said. Henry Nicholls - WPA Pool/Getty Images (Getty Images) Sunak praises Ukraines spirit of ingenuity and innovation' Wednesday 21 June 2023 09:45 , Andy Gregory Speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, Rishi Sunak highlighted Ukraines technological expertise, saying IT experts and the military have developed a mobile app to track the Shahed drones being used by Russia. The prime minister said that, when he visited Kyiv in November, he saw the peoples spirit of ingenuity and innovation, adding: In a converted office block I met tech experts civilian and military who were working together to find new ways to bolster the countrys defences. They were networking mobile phones so that people across Ukraine could download an app which would allow their phone to pick up the sound of the Shahed drones and feed back the location so that Ukrainian air defence could track them and shoot them down. Rishi Sunak delivers a speech next to his foreign secretary James Cleverly and Ukraines foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba (Henry Nicholls/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Ukraine represents investment opportunity, says Sunak Wednesday 21 June 2023 09:28 , Andy Gregory Ukraine represents an investment opportunity, with its resistance to the Russian invasion demonstrating its peoples capacity for innovation, Rishi Sunak said as he opened the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. Before this terrible war, Ukraines economy was becoming a huge investment opportunity, the prime minister told delegates. 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. Watch live: Rishi Sunak opens Ukraine Recovery Conference in London Wednesday 21 June 2023 08:56 , Andy Gregory FSB claims to detain Russian resident for sending money to Ukraines military Wednesday 21 June 2023 08:47 , Andy Gregory Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) claims to have detained a resident of Russias eastern Khabarovsk region for treason for attempting to send money to the Ukrainian military. State news agency Tass quoted the FSB as saying that the detainee had attempted to send money to Ukraine for drones, thermal imaging cameras, munitions and medical supplies by way of cryptocurrency instruments. Another state news agency published FSB footage purporting to show a man being detained by two officers on a country road, and a subsequent search of his house. Tass separately claimed the FSB had arrested a group of saboteurs in the Russian-controlled Ukrainian city of Melitopol who were preparing an assassination attempt against officials. It did not say how many people had been detained, or who their alleged targets were. Russia claims to bring down three drones near Moscow Wednesday 21 June 2023 08:19 , Andy Gregory Russian air defences downed three drones in the Moscow region on Wednesday, its defence ministry has claimed, in what it called an attempted Ukrainian attack. The ministry claimed that Russian defences had used electronic jamming to cause the drones to lose control and crash, without causing any casualties or damage. Regional governor Andrei Vorobyov said two of the drones were intercepted as they approached military warehouses. The state-owned Tass news agency said they were aimed at the Taman Division of Russias Ground Forces which is based in Kalininets, some 37 miles 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. RAF scrambles jets to respond to Russian aircraft flying 'close to Nato airspace' Wednesday 21 June 2023 07:21 , Arpan Rai The Royal Air Force (RAF) scrambled its fighter jets in Estonia after a Russian Navy airplane was seen flying near Nato airspace, officials said today. This evening [Tuesday], 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 air force said on Twitter, sharing photos of the two planes flying alongside in the Estonian skies. The RAF warplane is seen alongside the intercepted Russian navy airplane. The Russian aircraft failed to comply with international norms by not liaising with regional airspace control agencies, the RAF added. The widow and children of late Haitian President Jovenel Moise have filed a lawsuit in a Miami-Dade County court, seeking a trial and unspecified damages against several suspects charged in the killing. The family, the lawsuit said, is seeking to hold defendants responsible for their heinous acts that resulted in President Moises assassination and that injured his wife, former first lady Martine Moise. The head of state was shot a dozen times inside his private bedroom on July 7, 2021, and his wife was seriously injured. There are currently 11 suspects in U.S. custody and with the exception of two, Walter Veintemilla, head of Miramar-based Worldwide Capital Lending Group and Rodolphe Jaar, a Haitian-Chilean businessman who recently pleaded guilty in the case all have been found indigent by the court, meaning they have no assets. Not only do we want people to go to jail for this crime, but if they have any assets we want to take them. Nobody should be rewarded for this kind of action, Paul Turner, the familys attorney, told the Miami Herald. And yes, some of these people wont have anything, but some may. And so were going to pursue this lawsuit to identify everybody involved, what their roles were, and where possible take their assets. More than 40 individuals have been accused in the plot, in which 18 Colombian commandos are accused of storming the presidents residence along with Haitian police officers and two Haitian-Americans posing as translators. Nearly two years later, the case remains under investigation in both the United States and in Haiti, where the inquiry is on its fifth investigative judge. While the jailed suspects in Haiti are still awaiting formal charges, in the United States, federal prosecutors have filed federal conspiracy charges in connection with the assassination. A trial date is tentatively set for May 6, 2024. At least one of the suspects in federal lockup, Jaar, was recently given life in prison after pleading guilty to providing material support in the conspiracy to kidnap and kill Moise. Story continues The Moise family suffered a tremendous loss, as did Haiti and the Haitian people with the assassination, Turner said. And so while the criminal investigations are ongoing in the U.S. and Haiti, the family wants to pursue all avenues to ensure that all these conspirators to this crime are brought to justice. Turner filed the lawsuit on behalf of Martine Moise as the legal representative of the estate of Jovenel Moise; and the couples two children, Jomarlie and Jovenel Moise Jr. The late president has an older son who is not a party to the suit. The civil lawsuit names all 11 suspects currently charged in the U.S. criminal case as well entities controlled by some of them, such as Counter Terrorist Unit Security. The Miami-area firm is accused of hiring the Colombian soldiers to serve as bodyguards for Christian Emmanuel Sanons presidential aspirations while he was in Haiti. Sanon is the Haitian-American pastor and physician who wanted to replace Moise as president. The firm is owned by Antonio Intriago. The lawsuit states that several masterminds and accomplices recruited, financed, trained, and housed a team of mercenaries; provided them with weapons, transportation, and other equipment; and orchestrated a plot to kidnap or murder the President of Haiti. The mercenaries carried out this plan in the middle of the night by deceiving and restraining the heavily guarded home where President Moise., First Lady Moise., and their family were resting, the lawsuit says. The implausible goal of the co-conspirators, after the assassination of President Moise in cold blood, was to install their own kangaroo government that would then summarily pardon the assassins. Turner said while the United States can only bring charges against and arrest individuals it has jurisdiction over, we believe that there are other people involved outside of the United case that the U.S. doesnt have jurisdiction over, and the family wants this exposed to the public. The Haitian investigative judge, Walther Voltaire, has continued to call individuals to provide testimony. Working much like a grand jury in the United States, Voltaires inquiry is secret. Martine Moise has declined a request to appear before Voltaire and asked for his dismissal. We do not want to take any action that could jeopardize the criminal proceedings here in the U.S. And if [Martine] Moise was to go be interviewed, go give statements or whatever, it is possible that those could be used against her somehow in the U.S. governments case, Turner said. Ive requested that she refrain from providing any interviews or information to any sources outside the U.S. government. In recent days, however, Moise has broken her silence, telling France24, among other things, that the truth will come out one day. Earlier this month, she also met with Luis Almagro, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, about her husbands unsolved murder. She spoke about the need for the United Nations to appoint a special international tribunal similar to the one set up after the assassination of the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Rafiq Hariri, to look into her husbands murder. The former first lady was at home during the slaying and according to the civil lawsuit attempted to hide under the bed, but assailants saw and shot her multiple times, leaving her for dead. Turner said Moises refusal to go before the judge in Haiti is based on his counsel. The U.S. governments prosecutors and agents are doing an amazing job of keeping the family informed of whats going on in the investigation and the criminal proceedings, without of course, jeopardizing their case, he said. But we have the exact opposite experience in Haiti. Its just theres no transparency. Theres no communication. I mean, theres not even an inventory of the items that were removed from the presidential palace from the home and the familys personal property. Earlier this week, federal prosecutors filed additional charges in the case against some of the suspects, accusing them of conspiracy to carry out a military expedition from the United States against Haiti, a country that has peaceful relations with the U.S. Intriago, the head of the CTU security firm, was also charged with conspiring with Sanon and Bergmann to illegally import bullet-proof vests into Haiti for the assassination plot. Miami Herald staff writer Jay Weaver contributed to this report. Dreams DO come true! So incredibly grateful for this once in a lifetime experience! chef Chelsea Kellogg said of her 2022 trip to visit the famous vessel. Alamy Stock Photo The OceanGate submersible 'Titan' As rescue crews race to locate the missing OceanGate Titan submersible containing a five-person crew visiting the Titanic shipwreck more experiences of those who previously took part in expeditions on an OceanGate vessel are coming to light. One such account is that of chef Chelsea Kellogg, who in 2022 dubbed her journey to visit the famous vessel a once in a lifetime experience. In an Instagram post from July that year, Kellogg shared a photo that showed herself inside an OceanGate submersible, with the bow of the Titanic which sank after it struck an iceberg in April 1912 in view outside the window. Next, she posted live videos taken outside the submersibles window. These showed various areas of the deteriorating ship, including the ships famous bow and the entrance to the grand staircase. My lifelong dream of seeing the Titanic has come true! Kellogg captioned the post, which featured photos and videos from her trip. After 13 years of trying, patience and persistence pulled through. I am still trying to process the whole experience. Im still crying. Still overwhelmed by all the emotions. Dreams DO come true! So incredibly grateful for this once in a lifetime experience!, she added along with the tags 110 anniversary, ship of dreams and adventure of a lifetime. Xavier DESMIER/Gamma-Rapho Getty An image of the wreck of the 'Titanic' Related: Everything to Know About the 'Titanic'-Bound Sub That Has Gone Missing Kellogg also thanked the "Oceangate Expeditions team and Horizon Arctic crew" and added that she had been able to see the Titanic's telemotor, crow's nest and Marconi room, some of which appeared to be visible in the underwater videos she shared in her social media post. In the last photo, she shared a selfie with her submersible crew in the background. Kellogg did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment on the expedition. Story continues The chef is among several who have shared their experiences of being on board an OceanGate submersible. On Wednesday, CBS correspondent David Pogue told PEOPLE there is a culture of safety surrounding the operation of the Titan submersible, but the journalist who previously called into question the use of a PlayStation video game controller that the pilot uses to navigate the vessel points to other questionable aspects, which he observed while on the Titan last year. They use rusty construction pipes as ballast, Pogue, 60, said to PEOPLE. I remember that you are sealed into the sub from the outside. There are 18 bolts around the hatch, and the crew bolts you in from the outside. And I remember it was odd that they put in only 17 of the 18 bolts. The 18th one is way up high, and they don't bother with that one. They say it makes no difference. But little things like that. Xavier DESMIER/Gamma-Rapho Getty An image of the famous bow on the wreck of the 'Titanic' Related: The Missing 'Titan' Sub Will Run Out of Air Thursday Morning: 'This Is an Incredibly Complex Case' Earlier this week, a Pennsylvania man who was previously aboard the missing Titan submersible, opened up to PEOPLE about the "highly risky" but rewarding journeys the vessel takes to visit the Titanic wreckage. Fred Hagen who is a friend ofTitanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet is among the five passengers on board the missing submersible, according to the New York Times told PEOPLE on Tuesday that he is stressed out after learning about the vessels disappearance. Hagen, 65, who has previously visited the Titanic wreckage on the Titan, describes the vessel as a state-of-the-art vehicle. Passengers are bolted in to the vessel before it is launched into the ocean, according to Hagen. "You're in a titanium tube thats about 20 feet long. So you cant get out unless somebody unbolts it, he explains. And you clearly understand and you sign off that you understand that this is a highly risky endeavor that could result in death. Alamy Stock Photo Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. On Tuesday, Captain Jamie Frederick of the United States Coastguard confirmed during a press conference that there were five passengers on board the missing OceanGate vessel, including an operator and four mission specialists. They have since been identified as Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, British businessman Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush. The missing Titan submersible was expected to run out Thursday, June 22, at around 6:00 a.m. EST, according to BBC News. The vessel had about 96 hours of oxygen onboard when its dive began on Sunday, United States Coast Guard officials said, according to CBS. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. A massive cooking gas explosion at a barbecue restaurant in northwestern China killed 31 people and injured seven, Chinese authorities said Thursday. The blast tore through the establishment at around 8:40 p.m. Wednesday on a busy street in Yinchuan, the capital of the traditionally Muslim Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, as people were gathering on the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, the official Xinhua News Agency said. The festival is a national holiday devoted to eating rice dumplings and racing boats manned by teams of paddlers. Chinese President Xi Jinping demanded all-out treatment of the injured and a safety overhaul after the explosion, Xinhua reported. In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, firefighters work at the site of an explosion at a restaurant in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Wednesday, June 21, 2023. A massive cooking gas explosion at a barbecue restaurant in northwestern China killed dozens and injured some, Chinese authorities said Thursday. (Wang Peng/Xinhua via AP) Online news site The Paper cited a woman identified only by her surname Chen saying she had been about 164 feet from the restaurant when she heard the explosion. She described seeing two waiters emerge from the restaurant afterward, one of whom collapsed immediately, while thick smoke billowed from the restaurant and a strong smell of cooking gas permeated the area. The Central Government's Ministry of Emergency Management said on its social media account that search and rescue work at the restaurant was completed early Thursday morning and investigators were sent to determine the cause of the blast. Why it matters: Secretary Blinken visits Beijing as tensions grow between U.S. and China Industrial accidents a regular occurrence Industrial accidents of this type are a regular occurrence in China, usually attributed to poor government supervision, corruption, cost-cutting measures by employers and little safety training for employees. At least nine people were killed in an explosion at a Chinese petrochemical plant, and three others died in a helicopter crash during the countrys May Day holiday. In February, 53 miners were killed in the collapse of a massive open pit coal mine in the northern region of Inner Mongolia, leading to numerous arrests, and four people were detained over a fire at an industrial trading company in central China in November that killed 38 people. The central government has pledged stronger safety measures since an explosion in 2015 at a chemical warehouse in the northern port city of Tianjin killed 173 people, most of them firefighters and police officers. In that case, a number of local officials were accused of having taken bribes to ignore safety violations. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 31 killed in China gas explosion at barbecue restaurant A mom in the United Kingdom says her young daughter is speaking like an American thanks to a hugely popular YouTube star. Kelly Convey, a mom of two in London, shared a video on TikTok of her 21-month-old daughter Bea saying words like "car," "zebra" and "more" with an American accent. "Has anybody else got a British -- and I have to stress, British -- toddler who watches Ms. Rachel and, as they've started to speak, you realize they've actually got an American accent," Convey says in the now-viral video. Ms. Rachel is Rachel Griffin Accurso, the star of the YouTube channel "Songs for Littles." Accurso, a mom herself and a teacher by training, is known for sharing videos to help young kids learn how to speak, how to identify colors and numbers, and how to learn through songs. She has more than 3 million subscribers on YouTube and her videos typically each get millions of views. Convey, a comedian by trade, told "Good Morning America" that Bea gets "really engaged" and enjoys watching Ms. Rachel's videos. "Shes not glued to the screen ... but watches it here and there when I need to get things around the house done," Convey said. "Bea has a little sister, Talulah, whos 5-months-old, so its a pretty crazy house. So when I need to cook or shower or tidy, Ms. Rachel is the perfect solution as Bea really enjoys the videos while learning at the same time." "Shes started to speak more and more recently and weve really picked up on the accent," she added. PHOTO: Kelly Convey, of London, says her daughter Bea picked up an American accent from watching Ms. Rachel videos. (kelly_convey/TikTok) Bea's American accent thanks to watching Ms. Rachel quickly drew reactions from American parents whose children developed British accents from watching "Peppa Pig," a British animated series for kids. Story continues MORE: Co-star of Ms. Rachel videos for kids responds to backlash over pronoun use "Put all the ms Rachel British kids and all of the peppa American kids in one preschool and lets see what we get," wrote one commenter on Convey's TikTok video. "Yes payback for Peppa Pig! My daughter and her, 'Im famish mummy,'" wrote another commenter. The video of Bea's American accent even drew a response from Ms. Rachel herself, who commented on the video, "I'm sorry." MORE: Who is TikTok's Ms. Rachel? Ms. Rachel also shared a video of herself watching the video of Bea. "Im sorry, Kelly! Flashing back to when I thought a little girls parents were British because of her accent.. they were American. It was Peppa!," she wrote alongside the video. Convey described the response from Ms. Rachel, which she also showed to Bea, as the "cherry on the cake." "As a comedian, Im always trying to find relatable subjects for content but this was just a family moment I thought Id share, not realizing that so many people would relate to it," she said. "To get a response from Ms. Rachel herself was the cherry on the cake." Mom says her British toddler has an American accent from watching Ms. Rachel videos originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com For the past year, Michelle Colon, a reproductive health advocate in Jackson, Mississippi, has not been able to bring herself to drive past the Pink House. The state's lone abortion clinic operated by Jackson Womens Health Organization had been forced to close its doors last July, just days after losing its legal battle before the Supreme Court and the states abortion ban took effect. Now, the building is painted white, the site of an upscale consignment shop as much a symbol of victory for anti-abortion groups as the Pink House was once a symbol of defiance. Operating in the state instead are some 40 faith-based crisis pregnancy centers that state officials say are expanding operations thanks to $10 million in tax credits for businesses that donate to them. "I still can't bring myself to go down that street," Colon, cofounder and executive director of SHERo Mississippi, a Black women's reproductive justice organization, told ABC News. "It was such a beautiful building .. and was the heart of that neighborhood." PHOTO: Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss., June 30, 2015. | Hunt consignment store is shown in Jackson, Miss., is seen here in April 2023 on Google Maps Street View. (AP,FILE | Google Maps Street View) A year after the Supreme Courts landmark case overturning a half century of abortion rights under Roe vs. Wade, abortion is banned entirely with exceptions for rape reported to law enforcement and to protect the life of the mother. There is no exception for incest. Performing an abortion is a felony punishable by up to 10 years. Researchers estimate there are roughly 3,150 fewer legal abortions in the state as a result, although its not entirely clear if those patients are opting to give birth or traveling out of state for abortions a trip that could take a full days worth of driving to Illinois or Florida. While the Pink House is no longer, within miles of its old location are nearly half-a-dozen crisis pregnancy centers, or pregnancy resource centers, non-medical facilities that offer free ultrasounds and pregnancy tests as well as support ranging from free diapers to clothing and parenting classes to women who choose to continue on with their pregnancy. Story continues Shelby Wilcher, press secretary for Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, said the centers are critical to the state helping women and families. "While Mississippi is proud to have led the nation in overturning Roe v. Wade, winning a court case was never our true objective. It was building a culture of life throughout our state and country," she said in a statement. MORE: Woman has 44 hours with her baby born after a nonviable pregnancy For abortion rights advocates like Colon, the centers stand as a symbol of what's gone wrong in the state post-Roe. "You can give somebody today a little gift bag with, you know, one pack of Pampers and a pack of baby wipes ... that's enough to get you through, what, a couple of days," Colon said. "But we're talking about long-term assistance, that long-term help they claim that they do and that's just not true." Boon in tax credits for Mississippi CPCs Crisis pregnancy centers have existed in cities and towns across the country for decades but have grown in number in recent years. As of 2021, there were around 3,000 CPCs in the U.S., according to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, an anti-abortion research and policy organization. The centers are typically faith-based nonprofit organizations that rely mostly on private donations from churches, businesses and individuals. In at least one dozen states, CPCs also receive state funding. When abortion was banned in Mississippi last year, Reeves pledged to support women staying pregnant and having babies. Hes since extended postpartum Medicaid coverage from two months to one year and is setting up a task force to improve the states foster care and adoption system. But the most immediate impact has been the millions of dollars in tax credits funneled to crisis pregnancy centers in the state. PHOTO: The Center for Pregnancy Choices of Meridian, in Meridian, Mississippi, offers resources for pregnant women and families. (Center for Pregnancy Choices of Meridian) Last year, Reeves signed a law authorizing a $3.5 million tax credit for businesses and individuals that donate to crisis pregnancy centers in Mississippi, becoming one of the first states to do so. This April, Reeve expanded that tax credit to $10 million. To qualify for the donations, the centers must meet specific requirements, including not spending more than 20% of the money on administration costs and not paying for providing abortions or financially supporting another organization that does. Sara Smith, executive director of the Center for Pregnancy Choices in Meridian, said she envisions the center being able to greatly expand its services with money it receives from the tax credit. "In a perfect world, we'd be able to buy a building and not have a mortgage," Smith told ABC News. "And be able to have a bigger spot for the medical services and then a bigger donation room and have a bigger diaper bank because we know that diapers are one of the most needed supplies for babies." What is the money doing for women? Supporters of crisis pregnancy centers say the additional funding from the tax credit is needed to support families and offset the impact of Mississippi's abortion ban. But its not entirely clear whats happening to those patients who would have sought an abortion previously and whether they are opting to travel out of state, ordering abortion medication online or opting to continue the pregnancy. State data on births is out of date and Smith and other CPC leaders say they havent seen a dramatic increase in clients because of the ban. Smith said the center has seen a slight increase in clients over the past year but attributed the rise to the center's increased marketing and community outreach efforts. She said women are still coming to the center unsure of whether they want to continue with their pregnancy. "If they say, 'I don't know if I can do this,' we ask them if they have the time and if they're willing to discuss what they mean by that and we listen and observe what they're saying and where they're coming from," Smith said. "Then we take a holistic approach and we say, 'Who's in your corner with you? Where do your supports come from? Where do you think you need more support?' And we start thinking in our mind ... what can we do to fill these needs, to meet these needs?" Terri Herring, president of Choose Life Mississippi, a nonprofit organization that provides grant money to CPCs through the sale of Choose Life specialty license plates, told ABC News the increase in women at CPCs over the past year has "not been overwhelming by any sense." She said what she has noticed is increased support for CPCs since the overturning of Roe. "I think getting abortion outside the courts has provided an incentive for people to do more," Herring said, adding, "We can now look at this and say, we have achieved our goal, which was the overturn of Roe v Wade, and basically closing the last abortion clinic in Mississippi and ending abortion as we know it in Mississippi. So now that we have achieved that goal, how can we move forward in helping these women now that they choose life, or help them choose life, help them through their pregnancy?" Shannon Bagley, executive director of the Center for Pregnancy Choices in Vicksburg, said the center has also not seen a dramatic increase in women seeking help with their pregnancies over the past year. She said there has been an increase in demand for parenting classes, which the center began to offer online during the coronavirus pandemic. As is the case at most CPCs, when a person completes a class through the Center for Pregnancy Choices in Vicksburg, they earn so-called "baby bucks" which they can then redeem for diapers and donated supplies like clothes, breast pumps, cribs and mattresses. PHOTO: The Center for Pregnancy Choices of Meridian, in Meridian, Mississippi, offers resources for pregnant women and families. (Center for Pregnancy Choices of Meridian) Bagley acknowledged that most of the support the center offers goes up until a child is age 4. Beyond that, she said she focuses on building community support for families and their kids, an effort she said she's even more focused on post-Roe. She and other CPC leaders ABC News spoke with describe the centers as a "hub of knowledge" where people can be connected to the support they need. "We have found that even at the four-year mark, I can now send her over to another facility that does similar things that we do but they do [ages] 4 and up," Bagley said. "So it's saying, "OK, we've got what you need, but also have somebody else that can help you too,' or, 'Oh look, I've got all these resources, how can we come together as a community to support you as a family?'" PHOTO: The Center for Pregnancy Choices of Meridian, in Meridian, Mississippi, offers resources for pregnant women and families. (Center for Pregnancy Choices of Meridian) Carra Powell, a volunteer at The Care Center, in Southaven, Mississippi, said her center has also seen an increase in demand over the past year for the free parenting and childbirth classes it offers. "I think a lot of people think a pregnancy resource center is strictly just serving women that are expecting, but there are many different families and women in different stages of parenting that are using the center," she said, describing the center as a "no-judgement zone." "We also provide aftercare for women, so clothing, cribs, continuing education classes, food services." 'Some of these women are delivering on the side of the road' Colon and other reproductive health care advocates say the money from the $10 million tax credit signed into law by Reeves would go farther if it helped families care for their children, create jobs, provide long-term health care and afford housing instead. "It's a tragedy that there's funding that has been created and its funneling to these entities when that money could be situated to help the real and existing families of Mississippi," Colon told ABC News. MORE: Where abortion stands in each state a year since the overturning of Roe v. Wade Reproductive health care advocates point in particular to data showing Mississippi remains in one of the worse situations in the country when it comes to maternal and infant care. Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, senior vice president and chief medical and health officer at the March of Dimes, told ABC News that Reeves' extension of Medicaid for postpartum women to one year is a potential "game changer." Still, she said, there remains serious gaps in care for women. Its estimated that more than half of counties in Mississippi didnt have a single birthing center, hospital or obstetrics provider when the abortion ban took effect, according to March of Dimes' data. Many hospitals in the state are shutting down due to financial reasons and a lack of staff and some doctors have expressed concerns about legal liability. The lack of access to obstetrics care means pregnant women will travel on average of nearly 16 miles to see a doctor, according to Cherot. In particularly rural counties in Mississippi, its not uncommon for women to travel an hour each way. "Some of these women are delivering on the side of the road, putting their baby on their lap and driving if they don't have somebody to help them, or they're bringing the rest of their children in the car," Cherot said. "So this is a real problem that women are facing that gives me chills to think about this is what's happening in the United States." According to the state's own maternal mortality report released in January, the pregnancy related mortality ratio has increased to 36.0 deaths per 100,000 live births. Nearly 88% of pregnancy related deaths were deemed preventable and the maternal mortality rate for Black, non-Hispanic women is four times higher than for white women. The infant mortality rate in Mississippi is 8.72 deaths per 1,000 live births, much higher than the U.S. rate of 5.87, according to data from the Mississippi Department of Health. Wilcher, with Gov. Reeves, told ABC News it will take time to see results. "The governors office will continue to do everything in its power to deliver the support moms and babies deserve," Wilcher said in a statement. One year post-Roe, crisis pregnancy centers expand footprint in Mississippi originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Best Products; Tribesigns, LVB "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Whether you enjoy shopping in person or opt to get your vino via wine subscription, you definitely know how to kick back, relax, and enjoy a glass of wine. Youve invested in stylish oenophile-fabulous accouterments like electric wine openers and wine aerators but what about your storage situation? While few wine lovers are ready to invest in a comprehensive wine cellar, many casual wine drinkers find that between hosting parties and house guests, a collection can pile up rather quickly making wine racks a worthy investment, regardless of how much real estate you can dedicate to housing it. How We Selected As an avid wine lover and collector, I definitely know my way around a wine rack. I sought out racks that would serve as both great additions to my home and as wine gifts to friends who value design, convenience, and aesthetics but dont require a capacious and serious rack for the long haul. In addition, I read through recommendations from editors at Spruce Eats, Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, and Liquor and plowed through hundreds of comments and reviews from real-life users online. Read on, and get ready for a more beautiful and efficient happy hour ahead! Wood Rack This minimalist wine rack does exactly what it sets out to do without making a fuss or drawing attention to itself. The 12-bottle unit (11.3 x 12.5 x 36 inches) is small enough to fit on most counters and tables, but with larger sizes available for those in need of more storage, its versatility and modest price point made it an easy winner for our best overall pick. You can also pick from natural or ash wood styles. Made from sustainably harvested Vermont wood, this wine rack is naturally finished and handcrafted in (you guessed it) Vermont. It comes with a lifetime warranty and can be easily washed with warm, soapy water. Reviewers love this great wine rack, saying it lasts for years and is perfect for storing bottles. Some do say that the set can have rough edges in spots, but add that those edgy patches can be sanded easily. This modular rack requires assembly, but the instructions are straightforward, and you can customize it to be either square, rectangular or another geometric shape that suits your needs and decor. Story continues Shop Now Wood Rack $53.30 amazon.com Freestanding Wine Rack If you have a small space, a micro budget, and / or only a handful of bottles, this wine rack is a great option. The 10.3 x 10 x 8-inch rack comes in gold or black finish, and the modern, geometric, honeycomb style turns it into an instant conversation piece if you put it on your countertop, tabletop, or bar. The rack also comes fully assembled and is easy to cleanjust wipe it with a damp cloth. And if you dont love the rack, you can return it for a full refund. The finish is electroplated, epoxy-coated, and rust-resistant so it is anticorrosive, with a lasting luster. Reviewers love the pretty and sturdy rack, saying it holds six bottles well, and makes a great addition to their bar cart. Others note that it does not hold larger bottles. Shop Now Freestanding Wine Rack $19.99 amazon.com Bottle Metal Wall-Mounted Bottle Rack This wall-mounted rack is a great way to keep your wine bottles neat and organized. The durable rack is built to last, and the range of finishes ensures it wont clash with your overall aesthetic. Plus, the attractive design adds a nice artistic touch to your home. This wall-mounted rack is also a fantastic option for folks in tight spaces who cant spare the storage for their small collection of wine. The 36 x 13 x 25-inch rack holds 9 bottles and weighs 4.5 pounds. Fully loaded, it holds 45 pounds. If you do plan to load it up completely, youre going to want to make sure you securely mount it to a strong wall. Reviewers on Wayfair give this wine rack an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars, with buyers saying that they love love love it and get so many compliments on it. Shop Now Bottle Metal Wall-Mounted Bottle Rack $94.99 wayfair.com Bar Cart With Wine Rack If you're more focused on enjoying wine with friends than collecting it, this bar cart-storage unit may be right up your alley. The 15.7 x 30 x 33-inch cart features a chic black-arched metal frame with two gray wood shelves and a horizontal mini-rack that stores three wine bottles. The serving cart will allow you to stow an ice bucket, additional upright wine and liquor bottles, glasses, plates, napkins, and other bar accouterments. Because its on wheels and outfitted with rustic farmhouse chic metal handles, you can roll it to wherever the party is in your house or yard. When you want it to stay safely locked into place, you can activate the two rear-wheel brakes. The cart comes with a 30-day free return policy and 12-month quality insurance. More than 82% of reviewers on Amazon give this cart five out of five stars. Reviewers say they have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the cart, given the price. Others say its easy to assemble, cute, and functional. Shop Now Bar Cart With Wine Rack $129.98 amazon.com Avant Solid Wood Floor Wine Bottle Rack This 60-bottle wooden wine rack is stackable, which makes it ideal for budding or established wine collectors who want to be able to grow their collection with multiple racks that look uniform. It's a simple yet spacious rack that makes a nice addition to spaces with most design schemes, from traditional to contemporary. Plus, it's nice enough to be displayed in your living or dining room. The 28.3 x 43.3 x 11.8-inch rack stores bottles horizontally, which is ideal for long-term cellaring. The rack is also designed so that there is enough room to be able to see the wine label from most angles. Assembly is easy, and at 16.53 pounds, the wine rack can be moved by one person. The weight capacity is 180 pounds, which is plenty, even if you stock it completely. Reviewers love this functional rack for organizing the ridiculous wine collection theyve amassed. Others say they work great when stacked. Amazing and so sturdy! Shop Now Avant Solid Wood Floor Wine Bottle Rack $67.99 wayfair.com Corner Wine Rack This is about as close as you can get to having a bar at home without having a bar at home. The large structure tucks into corners and stores up to 42 wine bottles horizontally, up to 15 glasses from the hanging holder, and a range of additional bottles, plates, utensils, and glassware. The 31.4 x 62.9-inch four-shelf (with a bonus top shelf) L-shaped rack features black painted metal for the frame and wooden shelving (the wood is from particle MDF). The frame is built to last and can be cleaned easily. The rack does require assembly, and if you have an electric screwdriver on hand, it will certainly speed up the process. Reviewers say that once completed, the bar looks amazing. Others say its a great value but warn that assembly is tough if youre not handy. Shop Now Corner Wine Rack $179.99 amazon.com Stackable Plastic Fridge Rack If you want the option of keeping your wine bottles in the fridge, this stackable rack is a great option. You can choose from a range of sizes that will store between 2 and 24 bottles. The 4-bottle rack we have featured here is 4 x 7.6 x 8 inchesjust big enough to fit the wine bottles but not so large that it overwhelms your refrigerators interior. This rack also fits comfortably on your kitchen counter. The modern, sleek design, coupled with the clear plastic material, will make it blend into most settings, but more modern interiors will pair best. This rack, unlike most of the others on our list, requires zero assembly, a boon for those without a set of screwdrivers. When the lightweight (15.8 ounces) rack gets dirty, resist the urge to put the rack in the dishwasher, as it can warp. Just wipe it clean with a damp cloth. More than 82% of reviewers give this five stars on Amazon, writing that it is their best kitchen purchase for 2023 and the easiest rack for stackable wine storage. Shop Now Stackable Plastic Fridge Rack $40.99 amazon.com 45-Bottle Wall-Mounted Wine Rack For wine lovers who dont have room for a dedicated cellar and may actually like the idea of showing off their prized bottles, this wall-mounted rack is a great option. (Just ensure it is a cool space in your home and that the rack isnt being hit by a lot of direct light, which can degrade the quality of your wine over time). The 75 x 41 x 4.25 inches rack comes with an installation kit and the necessary mounting hardware, along with a video tutorial and easy instructions. The rack weighs 39.2 pounds by itself, and with 45 bottles of wine added, the weight will be considerable, so ensure your wall is strong enough to hold the weight. (It holds up to 170 pounds). Reviewers say the installation is easy, and once up, it looks great. Others pipe up that while installation isnt hard, it takes a lot of time if you dont have a power drill. Shop Now 45-Bottle Wall-Mounted Wine Rack $589.99 wayfair.com Stackable Modular Wine Rack If you have a cellar and you want a value-priced one-and-done storage unit, step right up. This wood wine rack may not be much to look at (it hasnt been stained and instead has a raw look), but it more than makes up for it in terms of functionality. You will be able to pack 96 bottles into this 44.5 x 11.4 x 37.2-inch wine rack, with eight tiers that fit 12 bottles in each layer. The rack weighs 21.49 pounds by itself. It is easier than most racks to put together; each piece of wood has notches and slots that fit together. You do not need any special equipment to assemble the rack. Once put together, the rack is sturdy and wont wobble. Reviewers say this rack is surprisingly strong and stable. Others say it may be simple, but it is a breeze to assemble and is easy to use. Some warn that it is a tad tight for Champagne bottles but workable. Shop Now Stackable Modular Wine Rack $66.59 amazon.com 12-Bottle Wall-Mounted Wine Bottle Rack Wine labels can be works of art in and of themselves. If you have a small collection of gorgeous bottles that you love to ogle, this circular wine rack is just what you need. The wine rack comes fully assembled and is made of durable black metal. It is 35 pounds by itself and holds up to 50 pounds; youre going to want to make sure that you mount this beauty to a sturdy wall. The piece is durable and easy to clean just wipe it with a damp sponge when it gets dusty. Keep in mind that if you want to preserve the wine, in addition to displaying it, you will want to keep the room in which it is hung relatively cool, and youll want to make sure the bottles arent in the path of direct sunlight. Reviewers on Wayfair give the wine rack an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars, saying they love the elegant rack, adding that it serves as a great conversation piece with sturdy construction and incredible durability. Shop Now 12-Bottle Wall-Mounted Wine Bottle Rack $153.99 wayfair.com Storing Your Wine Storing wines the right way is more important than you might think. Serious collectors will tell you that temperature is key: youre going to want to aim for a temperature that hovers between 45- and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, ideally with a humidity level of 70%, explains Bertil Jean-Chronberg, owner of Bostons Bonde Fine Wine Shop. (Your basement is ideal; avoid any space exposed to direct sunlight or close to a heating vent). Practicality and functionality are key too. If you know youre going to be drinking your bottles within the next several months, buying a small to medium-sized wall-mounted or modular rack that you display in your living or dining room is perfectly fine for the wine, and it can add an element of playful fun to your interior design. If you plan to keep several of your bottles on hand for special occasions or as an investment, youre going to want a larger rack that you keep in your basement or another temperature-controlled room. Hearst Owned Bottle Placement Always place your wine bottles horizontally, especially if the bottles are equipped with a cork. This prevents the cork from drying out. Storing the wine horizontally will allow oxygen in large quantities to penetrate the bottle and prevent wine from leaking out of the bottle. If the bottle is equipped with a twist cap or a Vino Seal cap, the orientation in which you store it does not matter the wine can remain vertical, says Jean-Chronberg. Hearst Owned You Might Also Like Hunter McGrady was photographed by Yu Tsai in Belize. Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated Hunter McGrady was discovered through SI Swimsuits model search program in 2017. That year, she participated in a body paint feature in Anguilla, where she worked with photographer Josie Clough and makeup artist Joanne Gair. She returned to the fold the following year and was featured in a unique In Her Own Words studio project with photographer Taylor Ballantyne. McGrady was also featured in the magazine in 2019, 20 and 22, when she traveled to Costa Rica, Bali and Belize, respectively. The model and mom welcomed her first child, a son named Hudson, in June 21, and returned to pose for the 2022 SI Swimsuit Issue just six months later. I want to put on a swimsuit no matter what my body looks like and show women who are out there that just because were moms, it doesnt mean that were not sexy anymore, she told SI Swimsuit during the magazines launch week celebrations last year. It doesnt mean that we are less than. Like we can (still) rock a swimsuit. Since then, McGrady has become a proud mom of two. She and her husband, Brian Keys, welcomed daughter Ava in March. Below are eight of our favorite photos Yu Tsai captured of McGrady in Belize last year. Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated The Federal Trade Commission sued Amazon Wednesday, alleging the marketplace knowingly duped millions of consumers into unknowingly enrolling in Prime. The lawsuit took aim at what the FTC called manipulative user-interface designs, or dark patterns, that trick consumers into enrolling in auto-renewing Prime subscriptions. It also targeted the Prime cancellation process, which it alleged was designed to stop subscribers from canceling. More from Sourcing Journal Amazon tricked and trapped people into recurring subscriptions without their consent, not only frustrating users but also costing them significant money, FTC chair Lina Khan said in a statement. These manipulative tactics harm consumers and law-abiding businesses alike. The FTC will continue to vigorously protect Americans from dark patterns and other unfair or deceptive practices in digital markets. The lawsuit came a day after Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., launched an investigation into dangerous and illegal conditions at Amazon warehouses and less than a month after the FTC fined Amazon $30.8 million for privacy violations related to its Alexa and Ring products. In early 2021, it settled another unrelated issue, this time related to failing to pay Amazon Flex drivers the full amount of tips they received. It was forced to pay $61.7 million. Tuesdays complaint alleged that some employees pushed Amazon executives responsible for Prime to change the programs enrollment process. Those leaders, however, slowed, avoided and undid user experience changes they knew would reduce nonconsensual enrollment because the changes would negatively affect profits, the FTC said. The commissions investigation into Amazons practices dates to at least March 2021, when the FTC said it issued a civil investigative demand (CID) to Amazon seeking information regarding its Prime enrollment and cancellation practices. The inquiry remained under wraps until March of last year, when an Insider report referenced a previously undisclosed inquiry from the FTC. Story continues The article centered on internal documents that reportedly showed Amazon was concerned, since at least 2017, that customers felt manipulated into signing up for Prime. The report claimed that fixes for these issues were proposed and considered, but eventually shelved by executives when tests showed lower subscription growth. By the time Insider published the article, the FTC said, Amazon had produced a small amount of materialnot including documents and information leaked to Insider. The commissions lawsuit claims at least some of it was responsive to its outstanding CID. The FTC issued an extensive follow-up demand for additional information the following month that it claims Amazon did not comply with. In June last year, it issued an additional CID to Amazon, as well as current and former employees. The company did not comply with the CID, the FTC alleged. Rather, Amazon and individual CID recipients petitioned in August to quash the latest CIDs. The FTC denied the petition in September. Amazon largely failed to timely produce the documents the CIDs require, the FTC wrote. Although Prime is the worlds largest subscription program, Amazon produced fewer than [redacted] documents during the entire two-year investigation. Small businesses routinely produce more material to Commission investigators. Moreover, Amazon did not produce most of those documents before October 2022eighteen months after the Commissions initial CID. The lawsuit argues Amazons actions constituted intentional misconduct meant to delay the FTCs investigation and complaint and, in fact, did delay its investigation. If not for Amazons effort to frustrate the investigation, the FTC, said it wouldve filed its action many months earlier. Amazon, however, contends that the FTCs claims are false on the facts and the law. In a statement addressing the lawsuit, the company said it is clear and simple for customers to both sign up for or cancel their Prime membership. 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, the company said. While the absence of that normal course engagement is extremely disappointing, we look forward to proving our case in court. According to the FTCs lawsuit, until recently Amazon required customers intending to cancel navigate a four-page, six-click, fifteen-option cancellation process. Enrolling in Prime, on the other hand, only takes one or two clicks, it added. Additionally, Amazon enabled customers to enroll in Prime through devices other than smartphones and computersincluding via the Prime Video app on its FireStick or Fire TVbut did not allow them to cancel on the same device, the FTC said. Per the complaint, this design did not change between 2016 and April of this year. The FTC argues that Amazons change to its cancellation process resulted from substantial pressure from the commission. Furthermore, it contends the cancellation process still contains problematic elements that signal that although the form of the cancellation flow recently changed, Amazons mindset has not. The FTCs complaint alleged Amazon violated the Federal Trade Commission Act and Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act (ROSCA), including provisions prohibiting charging consumers through a negative option feature; failing to clearly and conspicuously disclose all material terms of the transactionsuch as the price of Prime, its auto-renewal provision and cancellation requirementsbefore obtaining billing information; failing to obtain consumers express informed consent before charging them; and failing to provide a simple cancellation mechanism. Adore Me Last week, attorneys general from 31 states and the District of Columbia reached a settlement with lingerie retailer Adore Me, Inc. over similar allegations, including misleading customers on its membership program and making it difficult for them to cancel. The company will pay $2.35 million to the participating states. In a statement, Adore Me said the allegations stem from practices dating back to around January 2012 to January 2016. Adore Me strongly values our customer relationships and takes our responsibilities to our customers and subscription management practices very seriously, it said. The settlement states the Victorias Secret-owned lingerie seller failed to properly disclose to consumers the terms of its VIP membership program and the amount of the monthly charge; misrepresented that its discounted prices were time-limited; made it difficult to cancel its VIP membership; and improperly forfeited customers VIP Membership store credits. Adore Mes VIP Membership Program charged customers $39.95 per month unless, before the sixth of the month, they either made a purchase or logged online to skip the charge. The monthly charges accrued in the members account as store credits toward future purchases. The settlement requires Adore Me notify all members with outstanding balances that they can obtain a refund of any unused store credits by mid-July. It also compels Adore Me to clearly disclose the terms, prices and frequency of its recurring charges; obtain customers express informed consent to all recurring charges; and provide a simple online mechanism for customers to cancel their memberships. Editors note: This article was updated on June 27, 2023 with a statement from Adore Me. Click here to read the full article. Is BMI the best way to assess weight and health? (Photo illustration: Jack Forbes/Yahoo Life; photos: Getty Images) Whats happening? On June 14, the American Medical Association announced its recommendation for doctors to no longer use body mass index (BMI) exclusively as a way to assess wellness. The decision to move away from relying on the controversial height-to-weight ratio stems partially from the fact that the original data collected was based only on previous generations of non-Hispanic white populations. In the statement, the AMA said that it "recognizes that relative body shape and composition differences across race/ethnic groups, sexes, genders, and age-span is essential to consider when applying BMI as a measure of adiposity and that BMI should not be used as a sole criterion to deny appropriate insurance reimbursement. Instead, the AMA suggests that BMI should be used in conjunction with other tools to measure obesity, such as measurements of visceral fat, body adiposity index, body composition, relative fat mass, waist circumference and genetic/metabolic factors. Why theres debate On an individual level, BMI has several drawbacks. But it may be a good tool to track rising or falling obesity rates in a population. One reason why people like BMI is its simplicity: In order to assess your BMI, you take your weight in kilograms and divide it by the square of your height in meters. Those with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 score are considered overweight, while those above 30 fall into the obese category. However, its the simplicity of this formula that also makes it problematic when assessing individuals. BMI does not account for muscle vs. fat. For example, an athlete may have a low body fat percentage, but a high BMI, due to muscle. When it comes to health, it also may matter more where you carry fat, which is something BMI cant tell you. Abdominal fat, for example, has been linked to high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Its also possible to have a higher than average BMI and be overall healthy, a condition called metabolically benign obesity. This may be due, at least partially, to how different bodies respond to fat. Different racial and ethnic groups may also carry and hold weight differently. Story continues Theres also an important economic reason why BMI should not be the marker of weight and health. Insurance companies may not cover the costs of treatments for people who do not fall into the appropriate category under BMI. For example, in May 2021, the Washington Post reported that a Black woman suffering from an eating disorder was told her BMI was too high for her insurance to cover treatment. She had to pay $800 out of pocket per month. The tool may also underestimate the number of people who have obesity. A new study presented the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society suggests that BMI misses cases of obesity when obesity is determined by fat vs. muscle percentage. Perspectives BMI is an imperfect tool, but one of the few screening options we have Right now, the best tool we have thats readily available in any clinic is going to be screening based on BMI. We need better things. [The AMA policy] is a push in the right direction, but we also have to accept the reality of what we have right now. obesity medicine doctor Carolynn Francavilla Brown, STAT News Focus on BMI can harm the relationship between doctors and patients Clinicians' focus on BMI can lead to unproductive weight-related conversations that fracture the doctor-patient relationship and may introduce mistrust. This can lead to patients opting not to follow physician advice, even when that advice is not weight-focused, and not pursuing follow-up care due to faltering trust, a vital element of effective doctor-patient relationships. Additionally, misplaced BMI assessments can unnecessarily divert clinician focus to weight, an easy default but often misguided explanation for various signs and symptoms, and can result in missed diagnoses, sometimes with grave consequences. S. Bryn Austin, professor of social and behavioral sciences at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Dr. Tracy K. Richmond, assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, MedPage Today BMI may be more accurate than we assume in finding revealing excess body fat Despite its limitations and notorious counter-examples, BMI is highly related to body fat and correctly categorizes people as having excess body fat more than 80 percent of the time. Additional simple measurements such as waist circumference may be even more informative because they provide information about where fat is distributed in the body. Kevin D. Hall, senior investigator at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Washington Post Waist-to-hip ratio can assess where more dangerous fat is better than BMI "A persons waist-to-hip ratio is by far a better tool to use than BMI as it considers the area where fat is most likely to be problematic the waist. 'When we carry adipose (body fat) in our midsection, it increases our risk for cardiometabolic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.'" Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician, VeryWell Health Relative fat mass (RFM) index may be better measurement, without the need for a scale "The team of researchers behind RFM say it's more accurate than BMI, and it can also be worked out with just a tape measure so you don't need a set of scales to calculate it, as you do with BMI. In the case of RFM, it's the distance around your waist in relation to your height that counts, rather than your weight. The researchers say that gives a better idea of whether someone's body fat is at a healthy level or not. 'We wanted to identify a more reliable, simple and inexpensive method to assess body fat percentage without using sophisticated equipment, says lead researcher Orison Woolcott, from the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Calif. Our results confirmed the value of our new formula in a large number of subjects. Relative fat mass is a better measure of body fatness than many indices currently used in medicine and science, including the BMI. ScienceAlert Weight is still something to discuss with your health care provider, even if BMI isnt used The thing I dont want to happen as a result of this is that people of color and Black people in particular ignore BMI and discussing excess body weight with a health care professional because they misunderstand the intent here. The goal is to personalize how BMI is used in medical decision-making and to move away from blanket generalizations that can lead to stigma and bias. Dr. Jamy Ard, professor of epidemiology and prevention at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, CNN Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here. After Colorado's second-highest court decided that lawyers and law firms can be held liable for making inflammatory statements when publicizing certain class-action lawsuits, the state Supreme Court agreed to look at whether the new rule went too far. On Wednesday, the justices heard about the implications of attorneys being subject to defamation lawsuits themselves for their statements to the media. On the one hand, it could discourage lawyers from making false accusations in the first place. On the other hand, it might cause them to think twice before speaking publicly about class actions thereby decreasing the opportunity for injured plaintiffs to learn that someone is advocating for them. "In all class actions, outreach through the press is going to serve the useful function," argued lawyer Brian M. Feldman, "of bringing some of them forward. That it is a legitimate tool." The case before the Supreme Court involves the "litigation privilege," which prevents attorneys from being sued for defamation when they speak about a lawsuit. With class action lawsuits, which allow large groups of people to seek compensation for similar injuries, attorneys may hold press conferences or issue press releases to reach potential class members at the outset. But in 2021, the Court of Appeals held that the litigation privilege does not immunize attorneys for damaging assertions they make when announcing some class-action lawsuits. Multiple members of the Supreme Court wondered whether such an exception was appropriate when the alleged defamation is just a lawyer's public description of the claims being made. "There is something odd about the idea that simply by reiterating what is said in the complaint," said Justice Melissa Hart, "you could be subject to a defamation lawsuit." "Especially when the complaint is a public document," added Justice Carlos A. Samour Jr. "And especially when back in the day," continued Justice Maria E. Berkenkotter, "reporters used to go to the courthouses and look for newly filed complaints and then turn around and publish what was in those publicly filed complaints." In the appeal before the Supreme Court, the law firms of Towards Justice and Killmer, Lane & Newman filed a class-action lawsuit in 2018, claiming Ella Bliss Beauty Bar failed to pay its nail technicians for required custodial work. During a press conference, one of the attorneys, Mari Newman, said that nail technicians had to clean the businesses "for no pay whatsoever" and that Ella Bliss would "pick and choose and only pay for the hours they feel like paying." A press release also stated Ella Bliss "forced" technicians to work for no pay. While the law firms were litigating the class action in federal court, Ella Bliss filed a defamation lawsuit against them in state court. The law firms defended their initial statements to the media as an attempt to reach potential nail technicians in the class and to educate the public about its legal rights. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. But Ella Bliss countered the critical comments were not only false, but a "massive overreach" that injured its reputation without any relation to the lawsuit or need to reach the class of nail technicians. A three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals subsequently ruled that Newman's statements and part of the press release were not shielded from a defamation claim. Because the lawsuit alleged the number of nail technicians in the class was "easily ascertainable" by looking at Ella Bliss' records, the appellate panel agreed it was unnecessary to try and alert potential plaintiffs through reputation-damaging comments to the media. "Said differently, according to the attorneys, their purpose in speaking with the press and issuing the press release was to reach nail technicians who had worked for the employer," wrote then-Chief Judge Steve Bernard. "Yet the complaint in the federal lawsuit undermines the need to engage in that form of communication." On appeal to the Supreme Court, the law firms received the support of legal aid organizations, the ACLU of Colorado and multiple media entities. The Colorado Press Association argued with other groups that the First Amendment not only protects those who speak, but the media's interest "in receiving newsworthy information about matters of public concern." The law firms being sued warned the Supreme Court that even if an attorney is not ultimately found liable for defamation, the threat of litigation can divert their attention from the class action and give the corporate defendant leverage over the attorney. "Whats different about class actions is that press releases advance litigation," said Feldman. Ella Bliss countered that lawyers should simply not say defamatory things in their attempts to reach out to plaintiffs, as false representations from attorneys are already grounds for professional discipline. They pointed to the recent censure of Jenna Ellis, a lawyer for former President Donald Trump, who made numerous misrepresentations to the media about the integrity of the 2020 election. But some justices suggested Newman's commentary and the press release were actually protected, given that litigation privilege shields even false statements when they are connected to a lawsuit. "Theres no question that this is in relation to the suit," Hart said. "So what made this defamation then?" According to court documents, the parties in the original class action reached a settlement in federal court this month. The Ozarker Lodge, in Branson, Missouri, overlooks the scenic Fall Creek, with 102 lodge-style rooms and family-friendly activities. Courtesy of The Ozarker Lodge Branson, Missouri, may be a popular spot for an RV vacation, but the town's hotel scene is on the rise, too. This week, Branson, which is also a sought-after lake home destination, welcomes its first modern boutique hotel. The Ozarker Lodge, overlooking the scenic Fall Creek, has 102 lodge-style rooms and family-friendly amenities, including a heated outdoor pool, a sundeck, fire pits, and a playground. Several creek-side cedar soaking hot tubs are also available to guests. Rooms with bunkbeds and double bathrooms accommodating up to six people and suites that sleep up to five are some of the accommodation options on the property. The decor, dreamed up by Detroit-based studio Parini, features a palette of browns and blues inspired by the hotel's lush setting in the heart of the Ozarks. Courtesy of The Ozarker Lodge Courtesy of The Ozarker Lodge The lobby's design also stands out with its modern yet cozy aesthetic. A floating fireplace surrounded by sofas anchors the bright space housing the lobby bar-slash-coffee shop, Storeroom. In the morning, travelers can start their day with a cup of locally sourced coffee and cinnamon rolls. And in the evening, they can unwind with a glass of wine or a local brew. Or, if you prefer to stay outside, grab a s'mores kit or popcorn and enjoy the mountain breeze around the fire pits. Since outdoor recreation is central to any Ozarks vacation, The Ozarker Lodge has put a lot of effort into creating a comprehensive activities program, with guided hikes, kayaking, live music, seasonal foraging workshops, topography mapreading classes, and food truck nights. Courtesy of The Ozarker Lodge Courtesy of The Ozarker Lodge The property is located within a short drive from Branson's downtown and other major attractions such as Silver Dollar City and Branson Landing. Water enthusiasts will also be just an eight-minute drive from Table Rock Lake, one of America's best lake vacations. Story continues Nightly rates at The Ozarker Lodge start at $109, and you can book your stay here. Guests who book three nights or more will get 25 percent off their rate and other perks as part of a grand opening package. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Ezra Miller was a promising young actor during their teenage years. After making their debut in Aftershock and following it up with the Oscar-nominated film We Need to Talk About Kevin, Miller was considered a talented, up-and-coming actor. Receiving nominations in Best Supporting Actor and Best Young Actor categories at the British Independent Spirit Awards and the Critics Choice Awards for We Need to Talk About Kevin only bolstered the promise of Miller. Unfortunately, Ezra Millers reputation over the last half decade has devolved into something more centered around their controversies than their acting. And after early roles playing troubled youths with violent tendencies, life has began to imitate art. Millers various charges and arrests have hindered their career, with many projects halted and delayed, while franchises, like the DC Extended Universe, contemplate the future of Miller's involvement. Related: Think Fast! Everything to Know About 'The Flash,' Including Cast, Release Date, How to Watch and More Miller stars in The Flash which was released on June 16, 2023 and during the troubled production of the film, apologized for their past behavior. They stated that Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment. Miller continued saying, I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life. While Miller claims to be trying to correct their behavior and seek necessary help, there is still speculation over whether their role as the Flash can continue in the DCEU. It was reported previously that Miller might to be dropped from future involvement with the cinematic universe, but the heads of the DC Universe, James Gunn and Peter Safran, reassured fans that they have not given up on the actor. Safran said, "Ezra is completely committed to their recovery. We are fully supportive of that journey they are on right now. When the time is right, when they are ready to have that discussion, we will all figure out whats the best path forward. But right now, they are completely focused on their recovery. And in our conversation with them, in the last couple of months, it feels like they are making enormous progress. Story continues But how did this all start? Lets get caught up on the timeline of controversial events centering Ezra Miller. June 28, 2011 - Disorderly conduct for marijuana possession in Pittsburgh, Penn. During the filming of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Miller was charged with two counts of disorderly conduct for having 20 grams of marijuana in their possession. They were pulled over while driving in Pittsburgh, Penn. with a broken tail light, and after the cops found the weed, they were charged a $600 fine. Miller later stated in a New York Magazine profile after being charged that they felt theres no reason to hide the fact that I smoke pot. Its a harmless herbal substance that increases sensory appreciation. They also mentioned that federal legalization of marijuana does seem like a fantastic ideait seems a little silly that we cant keep some in the ol backyard! April 6, 2020 Strangling incident in Reykjavik, Iceland Nearly a decade later on April 6, 2020, a video surfaced on twitter, from an account that has since been deleted, that appears to show Ezra Miller choking a girl at Priki Kaffihus bar in Reykjavik, Iceland. When the video released it was unclear whether it was a joke, and many on twitter created memes out of the incident. The now-deleted video features Miller grabbing a girl by the throat and throwing her to the ground. The cameraman can be heard off-screen saying Whoa, bro. Bro! and abruptly ending the recording. The woman spoke after controversy erupted online, saying that it started as a joke and that she intended her banter with Miller to be a bit before the actor got heated. She told Variety that Miller was on top of me, choking me, still screaming in my face if I want to fight. She also recounts Miller spitting in her face multiple times before the fight was broken up by the bartender. A few years later in a Vanity Fair profile, Millers representatives stated that Miller was baited into the fight by the group of teens. March 28, 2022 Hilo, Hawaii arrest While in Hilo, Hawaii on March 28, 2022, Miller was arrested after allegedly yelling obscenities at patrons who were singing karaoke at a bar. Police reports stated that Miller had grabbed the microphone from a woman singing and also lunged at a man who was playing darts. The incident happened right after the Academy Awards, where Miller was briefly featured as an audience award nominee. Yet again, Miller defended themselves in the Vanity Fair profile, saying that they were accosted by a Nazi during the incident and were unlawfully persecuted by the police. March 29, 2022 Hawaiian residents file restraining order Very soon after Millers incident at the bar, two Hilo residents filed a restraining order against the actor after claiming that they had allegedly burst into their bedroom and threatened them, shouting at the man, I will bury you and your slut wife. The couple had allowed Miller to stay in their home during their stay after one of them met the actor at a farmers market. April 19, 2022 Pahoa, Hawaii arrest In this handout image provided by Hawaii Police Department, Ezra Miller is seen in a police booking photo after their arrest for second-degree assault on April 19, 2022 in Pahoa, Hawaii. Handout/Getty Images Just a few weeks later while still in Hawaii, Miller was arrested again for allegedly attacking people. This time the charge was more severe, a second-degree assault charge for throwing a chair and hitting a 26-year-old woman. Miller had been told to leave the premises due to erratic behavior but instead became irate, according to police. Miller had already left the venue and was riding through Kea-au when they were stopped at a traffic light. They were charged a $500 fine after pleading no contest in a Hilo courtroom. The judge recounted that Miller signed off in the court by saying aloha kakou which is generalized aloha greeting to all. Related: Why Is Johnny Depp Not in Fantastic Beasts 3? A Look at the Story Behind the Scenes June 2022 Accusations of grooming In June of 2022, courts granted protective action against Ezra Miller, who had reportedly been in a relationship with a young girl named Tokata Iron Eyes since 2016 when Miller was 23 and Iron Eyes was just 12. Iron Eyes is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and the tribal court issued a temporary order of protection against Miller on behalf of Iron Eyes who is now 18. Iron Eyes had dropped out of school in 2021 and her parents Chase Iron Eyes and Sara Jumping Eagle attributed that to her relationship with Miller. Her parents accused Miller of grooming, violence, and intimidation against their daughter. Tokata Iron Eyes, however, has defended Miller on several occasions, including when she posted videos on Instagram denying her parents' accusations. Tokata also denied the accusation of Millers former music collaborator that Miller was verbally abusive to Iron Eyes saying Miller has only provided loving support and valuable protection. Miller has referred to Iron Eyes as an apocalyptic Native American spider goddess and themselves as Jesus Christ, saying together they would bring about an Indigenous revolution. Miller has repeatedly referred to themselves as a Native American messiah. June 12, 2022 More accusations of grooming Not long after the incident with Tokata Iron Eyes, Miller was once again accused of abuse and grooming of a minor when a woman and her 12 year old child in Massachusetts were granted a temporary harassment prevention order against Miller. They stated that Miller showed inappropriate behavior towards the non-binary child, having taken an interest in them because of their style and maturity level. Miller reportedly proceeded to uncomfortably touch the child's hips. The mother also claimed Miller menaced their family while brandishing a gun. April 2022 to August 2022 The Stamford, Vermont farm incident During Ezra Millers March trip to Hawaii, they had reportedly met a woman and her three children. The woman said that she had been abused by her ex-husband and was seeking shelter away from him. Miller then proceeded to transport and house the family in an unlicensed cannabis farm in Stamford, Vermont. Several reports from anonymous sources stated that the children, who were between the ages of one and five, were in close vicinity to both heavy drug use and firearms. Miller allegedly stored several guns and ammunition on top of the childrens stuffed animals and a waitress at a nearby restaurant claimed that Miller blew marijuana smoke in the youngest babys face. The Vermont Police attempted to serve an emergency care order to the mother in August and demanded the children's removal from her care and the home over fear for their safety. Both police and social workers were unable to reach her or the children, and Miller told them that they had not been living there for the past two months. Police said they felt that Millers statement seemed like an attempt to evade service for the order. August 7, 2022 Stamford, Vermont burglary charge Vermont Police were notified of a burglary complaint by a Stamford, Vermont resident on May 1, 2022. Police, when entering the property, had found several bottles of alcohol had been stolen from the residence while the owners were not there. Using surveillance video tape, police then attempted to track down Ezra Miller to charge them with felony burglary. The charge officially took place on August 7, 2022. A week prior to Millers planned arraignment date of September 26, their representative stated that the home Miller supposedly burglarized was actually owned by a childhood friend of theirs and that they believed they were welcome to enter as they pleased and borrow some cooking wine. Miller eventually pleaded guilty to trespassing on January 12, 2023, and the charges were eventually dropped. August 15, 2022 Treatment On August 15, 2022, Ezra Miller publicly addressed the string of controversial behaviors and incidents they had been involved in, stating that they were seeking treatment for complex mental health issues. They said, I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life. What is Ezra Miller doing going forward? Ezra Miller currently doesnt have any new projects into production. Outside of The Flash which premiered on June 16, the actor is also involved in the indie-biopic Daliland, where they play a young version of famed surrealist artist Salvador Dali. The director of Daliland has showed support for Millers performance and involvement in the film, stating They turned in a completely realized performance so it was very upsetting and terrible to read about what happened later. Hopefully they are getting help Will there be a The Flash 2? Along with heads of the DC Universe James Gunn and Peter Safran, The Flash director Andy Muschietti has also been fully supportive of Ezra Millers involvement with the film franchise. Muschietti and his wife Barbara who is a producer on the film, reiterated that he felt Miller delivered a fantastic performance, adding Ezra gave everything for this rolephysically, creatively, emotionally. They were absolutely supreme. When asked if Miller would still be in consideration for continuing the role in a sequel film despite fan backlash to their involvement, Muschietti said If it happens, yes. I dont think theres anyone that can play that character as well as they did. The other depictions of the character are great, but this particular vision of the character, they just excelled in doing it. It seems that Muschietti hasnt closed the door on a possible The Flash 2 nor Ezra Millers continued involvement with the franchise as its titular character. Hopefully, if or when the next film gears into production, the star will be in a much healthier and happier place. Next, Ezra Miller's Net Worth: Inside the Controversial Star's Big Paydays Downtown Cairo Egypt in the afternoon aerial view Egypts Interior Ministry recently announced the implementation of a new visa program for foreign visitors. The new program will allow foreigners to obtain a multiple-entry visa valid for five years. Visitors will be permitted to stay in Egypt for a maximum of 90 days per trip. However, those taking advantage of this opportunity will be subject to a fee of $700. The ministry clarified that the fees for other visa types will remain unchanged. Recent reports from Al-Ahram indicate that Egypt has been relaxing visa requirements for tourists of various nationalities in an effort to stimulate its tourism industry. In March, the government already began easing visa restrictions for tourists from China, Iran, India, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, and Israel. This move was accompanied by initial plans for the introduction of the multi-entry visa program. Egypt: A Popular Tourist Destination Egypt is one of the most visited countries in Africa and has historically been a popular tourist destination. It attracts a significant number of visitors each year due to its rich history, cultural heritage, and iconic landmarks. Popular sites include the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and renowned archaeological sites such as Luxor and Abu Simbel. Egypts attractions, including the Nile River, Red Sea resorts, and vibrant cities like Cairo and Alexandria, contribute to its appeal. New Visa Requirements For Sudan Similarly, the Foreign Ministry disclosed the launch of a new visa entry system for Sudanese citizens seeking entry into Egypt. This development comes amid a significant increase in the number of people fleeing the ongoing conflict in the neighboring country. The ministrys spokesperson, Abu Zeid, emphasized that these measures are not intended to hinder or limit the entry of Sudanese citizens. Instead, Egypt aims to establish an organized framework for entering the country. According to data released by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Egypt witnessed a notable surge in tourism last year. With over 11.7 million visitors, the country saw a 66.2% increase compared to the previous year. The number of tourists is projected to grow by 28% this year, reaching 15 million. Ethiopian food is distinctive and delicious, befitting a remarkable country with a cultural heritage that stands out from the rest of Africa. While the cuisine of Ethiopia is becoming better known, it still remains something of a secret. Eating Ethiopian-style means rethinking some assumptions you might have about dinnertime for most of us, this means starting with eschewing cutlery and being ready to get messy fingers. The foundation of the vast majority of Ethiopian meals is injera, a giant gray spongy pancake-like bread, upon whose strangely rubbery surface are served an array of foods, including multicolored mounds of spicy stews, vegetable curries and cubes of raw meat. Wot is Ethiopia's version of curry. - Robi Mengstab This mode of eating is highly communal, with everyone gathering around a large circular metal tray of injera heavily laden with food as hands go back and forth scooping up food with strips of injera torn from the edges. Like Indians, the Ethiopians arent shy of adding spices. One of the most common accompaniments is berbere, an spice mix containing up to 16 constituent elements including chile powder, fenugreek, ginger, garlic, cardamom and cinnamon. Beyond the endless dishes, its essential to try Ethiopian coffee after a meal. Ethiopia is reportedly the birthplace of quality Arabica coffee, and its coffees are praised as some of the best in the world. Here are 15 essential dishes to try: Tibs Shekla tibs: Sliced meat served in a clay dish. - Jean Rebiffe Sliced beef or lamb, pan-fried in butter, garlic and onion, tibs is one of the most popular dishes among Ethiopians. It comes in a variety of forms, varying in type, size or shape of the cuts of meat used, and can range from hot to mild or contain little to no vegetables. A particularly recommended variation is shekla tibs, in which the strips of meat arrive at your table roasting atop a clay pot stoked with hot coals dramatic and delicious. Historically, tibs was served to pay a compliment or show respect to someone. Today its still viewed as a special dish, hence its popularity for commemorating special events and holidays. At the same time, though, if you walk into a rowdy bar on a Friday afternoon in Ethiopias rambunctious capital, Addis Ababa, its likely that most of the revelers will be enthusiastically ordering and eating tibs. Story continues Typically, the meat of the tibs that arrives at your table has just been cleaved from carcasses hanging outside beside the restaurants entrance. Dont be put off; meat rarely comes fresher or tastier. Kitfo Made from the leanest meat, kitfo is viewed as a big treat by ordinary Ethiopians, while its nutritional powers are also praised. Similar to French steak tartare, the meat is minced and warmed in a pan with a little butter, mitmita (a stronger version of berbere) and sometimes thyme. Kitfo is typically served leb leb (warmed, not cooked), though you can ask for it to be betam leb leb (very warmed, which basically means cooked). Kitfo can be served with aib (like dry cottage cheese) and gomen (minced spinach), a recommended pairing making the meal even more delicious, as well as especially filling highly recommended after a hard days traveling or if one is confronted with a hangover after a long night. Beyainatu Beyainatu lets you sample lots of flavors at once. - James Jeffrey The name of Ethiopias most popular vegetarian dish translates as a bit of every type, hence your injera arrives blanketed in piles of tasty and colorful vegetables, potatoes, curries, lentil stews and more, creating a riot of colors and tastes. Because of Ethiopias strong tradition of religious fasting and abstaining from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays, beyainatu is widely available around the country, and served just about everywhere from fancy hotels to tiny food shacks beside the road. Hence when traveling or faced with a menu only printed in Amharic, beyainatu is a safe and simple go-to. Many visitors to Ethiopia return proclaiming regardless of whether they are vegetarian or not beyainatu their favorite meal. Fuul Popular across East Africa and the Middle East, Ethiopian fuul is a mix of stewed and spiced fava beans eaten by many Ethiopians for breakfast. Regular fuul is usually served as a modest portion for one while still filling you up supplemented with an endless supply of fresh bread. So-called special fuul is usually large enough to share, and served with yogurt, tomato, green chile, onion, egg and occasionally avocado. Locals mash this together and season further with salt, additional spices and fresh chiles. You can tell you are in the right sort of fuul-serving diner if its brought to you in small metal bowls that are too hot to touch, with eaters using a piece of torn-off bread to grip the bowls side. Fuul serves as a healthy fast food, especially in Addis Ababa, where it is often cooked and dispensed out of vast pots, with most customers well fed in under ten minutes before they head off into the teeming city for their days work. Tere siga Tere siga being prepared at a restaurant. - Jay Court Not for the faint-hearted, one of Ethiopias most popular delicacies is cubes of raw red meat. Two people typically order half a kilo of tere siga to share, which is eaten with injera or bread to clasp the meat you carve off the raw slab, and dipped in copious amounts of mitmita. One of the stories about how Ethiopians developed a love of raw meat is that it was developed as a military tactic during the 16th century so fighters could avoid detection by not having to start fires to cook their meat. While most Ethiopians seem to suffer no adverse effects from eating tere siga the majority avow it makes them feel on top of the world eating raw meat does carry a relative health risk. This ranges from tapeworm to salmonella, though this author hasnt experienced any problems post-tere siga. If youre concerned after a trip to Ethiopia, a simple tablet available from pharmacies can be taken to neutralize any tapeworm risk. Doro wot Wot is Ethiopias version of curry, and the ubiquitous companion of injera. While beef and goat are often used with wot, chicken doro in Amharic reigns as the wot champion. Doro wot is made with chicken drumsticks or wings cooked and served in a hot sauce of butter, onion, chile, cardamom and berbere. In the midst of this stew incongruously bobs a hard-boiled egg. It proves a delicious accompaniment typically offered to a guest as a sign of respect. For Ethiopians, doro wot is the go-to meal of celebration during national and religious festivals (the day before, women can be seen everywhere carrying upside-down clucking chickens by their feet). Enkulal firfir Enkulal firfir takes scrambled eggs to the next level. - Liza Macalandag While basically just scrambled eggs, which might not sound that exciting, Ethiopias enkulal firfir is not to be missed at breakfast. Cooked with nitre kibe Ethiopian spiced butter it is further enhanced with a combination of green and red peppers, chile, tomatoes and onions, all of which is scooped up with fresh tasty bread rolls, often still warm from the bakery. A notable feature of enkulal firfir is how fantastically yellow it is, which translates into a far superior taste compared to the results of pallid egg yolks in the west. The omelet version is known as enkulal tibs. Be warned: your appreciation of scrambled eggs back home will never be quite the same after savoring enkulal firfir. Dulet For the uninitiated, this dish of mixed meats might be more enjoyable if not translated and explained. Its made with minced tripe (an animals stomach lining), along with liver and lean beef fried in butter, onions, chile, cardamom and pepper. Like kitfo, much of its popularity stems from it being very filling and hitting the spot after a hard-going day or night. Offal has never tasted so good give it a go. Shiro Tegabino shiro might not look like much, but it's very delicious. - James Jeffrey A lightly spiced chickpea or bean puree, shiro is particularly favored by Ethiopians on fasting days. One of the most unassuming dishes youll encounter, it can appear as not much more than slop. Dont be deceived, its very tasty. Shiro is often prepared with the addition of minced onions, garlic and, depending upon regional variation, ground ginger or chopped tomatoes and chile peppers, further boosting the flavor. Tegabino shiro is a type of shiro made with heavily spiced legumes, flour, oil or butter, and water brought to the boil, and then brought bubbling all the way to the table in a miniature clay pot. Tihilo A specialty in Tigray, Ethiopias most northern region, Tihilo is Ethiopias answer to Swiss fondue, consisting of barley balls pierced by carved sticks with two prongs at the end and dipped in a fiery-looking sauce made from pulses, flour and spices. As with much eating in Ethiopia, a touch of ceremony attends this dish: A person comes and sits by your table while scooping from a triangular wedge of barley and rolling the barley between hands into little balls to be placed on the tray of injera for you to pierce, dip and eat. Having long been associated with just a small part of Tigray, around the city of Adigrat especially, the tasty and nutritious benefits of tihilo mean its now catching on and spreading around Ethiopia. Dabbo firfir Comprising torn-up bits of unleavened bread mixed with clarified butter and berbere, and often accompanied by yoghurt, dabbo firfir is a good example of Ethiopian cookings ability to take something simple and do much more with it. Like shiro, it might not look much but dabbo firfir is surprisingly tasty. And as another incentive, in this rare instance Ethiopians are willing to resort to a spoon or fork. Fatira Fatira: What a way to start the day. - Eric Jayne A breakfast dish popular around the Horn of Africa, fatira usually comprises a thin pastry top and bottom with scrambled eggs and honey wedged in the middle. Typically served as a large portion, this perfect combination of savory and sweet can happily feed two. Fatira also comes in a street food version comprising small square pieces cooked in the open on a giant frying pan in the likes of Ethiopias beguiling eastern city of Harar. Accompanied by freshly brewed Ethiopian coffee, there arent many better ways to start a day of exploring Ethiopia. Asa Eating fish asa in Ethiopia is quite an experience. Typically, a fish such as Nile perch is fried and served entirely whole, the gaping mouth of jagged little teeth looking like you have a piranha on your plate. As ever, its eaten by hand with either bread or injera, accompanied by a fiery sauce to dip into. Bar a few bones, Ethiopians eat every bit, and justifiably so the grilled fins are particularly tasty. Asa tibs are chunks of fish marinated in berbere spice and lime juice and then fried in sesame oil, olive oil and paprika, with grated garlic and ginger added. Its a good option if you dont want the hassle of picking out bones or having to contemplate the fishs angry-looking face. Spriss Dotted all over Addis Ababa are juice houses often not much more than a shack serving spriss, delicious juice mixes made from the likes of avocado, guava, papaya, mango, pineapple and orange. Spriss is mixed by pouring layers of juice typically from three fruits on top of each other. Theres no water added, no sugar and no ice, just unadulterated pureed juice topped with a lime squeezed over the top. Some Ethiopians choose to add a squirt of a purple cordial that the author has never quite identified, though it adds a satisfyingly sweet touch. A juice is often served with a triangular wedge of sweetened bread, the combination of which serves as an effectively filling snack, especially if you opt for your glass to just be filled with pureed avocado. Spriss is extremely refreshing and a nice sweet break from all the other spicy foods. Pasta beu injera Italys historical involvement in Ethiopia means that if you need a break from endless injera or if your stomach is feeling tender and you need to play it safe help is at hand in the form of pasta beu atkilt, pasta with vegetables, being readily available all over the country. Ordering pasta beu siga pasta with meat will get you something resembling a tasty spaghetti Bolognese. Alternatively, if you havent been overwhelmed by injera and you want a quirky mix that would be sure to raise eyebrows in Italy, you could try pasta beu injera: a great dollop of pasta incongruously lumped in the center of injera. Even in this challenging instance, Ethiopians stay true to tradition: a fork is only used to cut the pasta into manageable bits, after which it is all scooped up with injera clasped between fingers, as usual. Particularly tricky for first-timers, but one of the most filling meals you can get. Carbs galore. James Jeffrey is a freelance journalist roving between Ethiopia and the US and UK. He writes about Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa for various international media. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Inditex is in the process of a phased exit from Myanmar, in accordance with global trade union IndustriALLs call for disinvestment, a spokesperson told Sourcing Journal. As such, the Zara owner will continue to reduce the number of active manufacturers that it contracts in the Southeast Asian nation, where the military has been locked in an increasingly bloody civil war with armed ethnic groups and anti-coup protestors since 2021. More from Sourcing Journal The move comes as the retail titan was named as a buyer at Hosheng (Myanmar) Garment Company, a Yangon-based factory where seven union workers were fired at the start of June. Their alleged offense: Demanding a wage increase from 4,800 kyats ($2.29) to 5,600 kyats ($2.67) per day, according to The Irrawaddy, a news outlet run by Burmese exiles living in Thailand. Five of them were subsequently arrested and hauled off to a junta interrogation camp, a witness told the outlet on Tuesday. Another two, the person said, are in hiding. Hosheng, a Chinese-owned facility in the Thardukan Industrial Zone, did not respond to a request for comment. Such heavy-handed tactics are far from new, said IndustriALL. In the two years since the semi-democratic governments ouster, more than 300 union members and activists have been thrown into jail. The junta has banned nearly all unions, effectively wiping out the fundamental right of freedom of association. The military getting involved in a strike and workers being arrested yet again show that freedom of association is impossible in Myanmar, said IndustriALL general secretary Atle Hie. The Delegation of the European Union to Myanmar urged on Tuesday for the immediate release and reinstatement of the workers, as well as an end to arrests of all those who are peacefully exercising their right to freedom of association and expression. Story continues We call on all concerned to operate in accordance with the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, it said in a statement posted on Facebook. This includes respecting fundamental human rights, including freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labor; the effective abolition of child labor; the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation, and a safe and healthy working environment. The European Union is a key funder of the Multi-Stakeholder Alliance for Decent Employment in the Myanmar Apparel Industry, or MADE in Myanmar. The project, designed to promote responsible business practices in the country also known as Burma, has drawn brickbats, including from IndustriALL, for promising to promote social dialogue and collective bargaining under conditions where they cannot survive. Employers take advantage of the political situation to deprive workers of their rights, Hie wrote in a letter, dated April 18, to European Council president Charles Michel, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, EU ambassador Ranieri Sabatucci and others. Serious violations of human rights and labor rights continue in Myanmar. The letter echoed the Ethical Trading Initiatives assessment from last year that it wasnt possible for responsible businesses to apply normal human rights due diligence in Myanmar. Inditex is a member of the multi-stakeholder group. The main industrial zones producing garments, leather, shoes, and bags are under martial law, Hie said. There have been numerous incidents of military intervention and repression of worker protests. Workers have been kidnapped, soldiers have been used to intimidate workers, threatening their lives, and workers have been laid off under pressure. By replacing legitimate unions with Workplace Coordination Committees comprising workers representatives vetted by employers, Hie said, MADE in Myanmar provides both employers and junta with propaganda designed to create the impression that social dialogue exists. The EU should without hesitation put an end to the MADE in Myanmar project, which only serves to legitimize the countrys illegitimate government, he added. Ranieri previously told Sourcing Journal that the EU acknowledges and is immensely concerned about deteriorating labor conditions in Myanmar but that the option of not doing anything will only cause massive unemployment and further exploitation of workers. As a responsible partner of Myanmar, we believe that we should all try to stop this negative trend as best as we can, he said. We do believe that through the MADE project, we can mitigate and hopefully improve overall labor compliance in Myanmar. The project target group is the garment workers and the project will work with all stakeholders of goodwill to address the significant challenges workers are currently facing. Khaing Zar Aung, the exiled president of the Industrial Workers Federation, an IndustriALL affiliate, said shes asking the EU, as well as the European Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar, to work toward the release of Hoshengs former employees, as well as guarantee the safety of its remaining ones. But they have limited powers, she said. These international and internal organizations completely ignore the interference of the military in labor disputes and the retaliation from the employers, she said. They have no leverage to stop it to protect workers. The EU Delegation told Sourcing Journal those efforts are already taking place. Inditex, for its part, said that events at Hosheng represent a severe breach in its supplier code of conduct, specifically in relation to freedom of association, which it dubbed non-negotiable. As a result, we have decided to block the possibility of our suppliers working with this factory, the representative said. In addition, we have urged this manufacturer and their related supplier to take all immediate actions to prevent and remediate any harm to the workers rights that might have taken place. Because the worlds No. 1 apparel maker by revenue doesnt publish a list of its suppliers, but shares them with a select group of organizations, including IndustriALL, its unclear how broad its Myanmar footprint is. But Hosheng isnt its only Burmese supplier to face allegations of misbehavior. Watchdog group Business & Human Rights Resource Centre has questioned Inditex about multiple allegations of abuse in its supply chain, including shuttering without compensating workers, failing to pay overtime, excessive production targets, verbal abuse and child labor. As recently as March, Inditex said it was performing a continuous and reinforced due diligence process in its Myanmar factories, including implementing specific corrective action plans to support factories in the managing of any type of improvement area identified. In pivoting away from Myanmar, the Spanish giant is in growing company. Other fashion businesses that have exited or are in the process of exiting the country include Aldi South, C&A, Mango, Primark, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing and Muji parent Ryohin Keikaku. Click here to read the full article. A months-long drought at the Panama Canal creates concerns for cargo being transported between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The Panama Canal Authority, which manages the canals operations, is expanding restrictions on the largest vessels traveling through the 51-mile waterway as concerns over shallower water levels grow. With every restriction, less cargo can sail through the canal. More from Sourcing Journal In a navigation notice, the agency said it will decrease the maximum draft for Neo-Panamax vesselsthose built to fit within the expanded Panama Canal after it added two new sets of locks in 2016 to 43 feet on July 19, if rainfall doesnt improve. This would represent a downturn from the current depth of 44 feet, further requiring the ships to either carry less cargo or shed weight in order to float higher. With the ongoing tightening of draft restrictions in the Panama Canal, smaller ships may return to favor with the carriers, as they find themselves unable to utilize the full capacity of larger vessels, wrote Peter Sand, chief analyst at ocean freight rate platform Xeneta. This puts upward pressure on short-term market rates and may prompt shippers to alter their supply chains if port calls also change in line with the ship sizes. Since the start of the year, the lack of rainfall at the canal coincided with more cargo volume shifting to the East Coast amid importer concerns about West Coast port negotiations, which resulted in port disruptions before employers and dockworkers reached a tentative deal on June 14. The Panama Canal plays a significant role in ensuring the flow of goods from Northeast Asia to the U.S. East Coast, commanding 46 percent of the total market share of containers moving through those trade lanes, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Story continues A canal trip saves ships from having to circumvent South America, shortening the Asia-to-East Coast journey by roughly five days. While those routes may be the most prominent, the canals ability to operate smoothly has global trade implications. Ship traffic using the canal between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean accounts for an estimated 3.5 percent of global trade, per the canal authority. The Panama Canal serves more than 144 maritime routes connecting 160 countries and reaching some 1,700 ports globally. The Panama Canal Authority already implemented restrictions last month to avoid ships running aground, and since then some large vessels have had to cut container loads by roughly 25 percent. Canal administrator Ricaurte Vasquez Morales said he had not ruled out taking the extreme measure of limiting daily transits on the waterway from the current 36 vessels to 28 vessels. The first batch of new restrictions will take effect Sunday, holding Neo-Panamax container ships to a depth limit of 43.5 feet. The previous maximum depth has been adjusted multiple times since April from a 50-foot limit. Panamax ships, which still use the canals older locks, will also face tighter rules on July 9, according to Reuters. The new locking system made it possible for the Panama Canal to accommodate double the size of vessels it previously handled. By the time the newest restrictions are in place next month, the situation at the canal could be worse. The Panama Canal Authority has estimated that the water levels in the countrys Gatun Lakelocated in the center of the canalcould hit record lows in July even though water levels typically rise that month. According to the Panama Canal Authority's projections, the water level in the canal is expected to reach 78.2 ft. by 7/31. This would surpass the previous record low of 78.3 ft. recorded in May '16 & significantly fall below the 5-year average of 84.9 ft for the month of July. pic.twitter.com/4Bp7tc1qKq Morning Brew (@MorningBrew) June 7, 2023 The drought is linked to El Nino, the climate pattern that typically brings higher temperatures and less rain to the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. According to the agency, the first five months of 2023 accumulated 47 percent less rainfall than the historical average. The Canals last period of intense drought came in 2019-2020, when Gatun Lakes water levels fell below 82 feet for 10 out of 14 months, the authority said. In May and June this year, the levels also dipped under 82 feet. This is an issue that the Panama Canal has been warning and preparing for; however, we could not have predicted exactly when the water shortage would occur to the degree that we are experiencing now, said Vasquez earlier this month. These major drought cycles have historically happened once every five years. What we are experiencing now is that these events are being reduced to once every three years, Vasquez said. Click here to read the full article. The LGBTQ community in Kenya is facing the threat of a new law currently being drafted in the country. Kenya appears to be following the footsteps of Uganda , which has already passed similar legislation. This move against LGBTQ rights has sparked strong opposition from human rights activists and organizations in Kenya. As Reuters reported, the author of the proposed law openly declared his intention to completely expel LGBT people from Kenya. Uganda enacted one of the harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws globally. Activists describe it as vile and deadly. The draft law in Kenya mirrors this approach by proposing severe penalties for engaging in homosexual acts. According to Reuters, two Kenyan legislators have expressed support for a draft bill called the family protection bill. It seeks to impose a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison for engaging in homosexual acts. It also imposes the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality. The latter includes engaging in homosexual acts with a minor or disabled person and transmitting a terminal disease through sexual means. The proposed legislation in Kenya introduces new crimes, such as promoting homosexuality or allowing gay sex on ones property. Each carrying a minimum prison sentence of five years. A legislative panel is currently reviewing the proposed legislation, and it may proceed to a full vote in the chamber. Strengthening Existing Anti-LGBTQ Laws If passed, this new proposed legislation against LGBT rights would further strengthen the existing anti-gay laws in Kenya, where individuals found guilty of engaging in homosexual acts already face prison terms ranging from five to fourteen years. Kenya currently lacks legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. While same-sex relationships are not recognized, sex between women is not explicitly illegal. Annette Atieno, a member of the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, expressed her concerns. It is a hateful piece of legislation that will truly make the lives of queer Kenyans unbearable if passed, the activist told Reuters. This sentiment echoes the sentiments of many who fear the potential impact on the lives and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community in Kenya. Tanzania and South Sudan, where homosexual activity is already illegal, also are introducing similar legislation to further suppress LGBTQ+ rights, according to Reuters. Tanzanian lawmaker Jacqueline Ngonyani has announced plans to introduce anti-LGBTQ+ legislation later this year. She citied the need to control the ongoing moral decay, as the reason behind such measures. The United States issued a travel advisory for its citizens, urging them to reconsider travel to Uganda after the country passed its strict anti-LGBTQ+ law in May. The advisory cited crime, terrorism, and anti-LGBTQI+ legislation as reasons for concern. On June 21, McLaren Automotive further strengthened its already impressive foothold in North America with the premiere of a new flagship location for the McLaren Newport Beach dealership, this time in Irvine, Calif. To commemorate the grand opening of the 6,000-square-foot combination showroom and event space, Michael Leiters, the marques new global CEO, and Nicolas Brown, president of McLaren for the Americas, were on hand and in a celebratory mood. The fact that the two top executives were present is not surprising, as McLaren Newport Beachs dealer principal, Pietro Figerio, has been selling the automakers models since the McLaren MP4 12C in 2011. And his team also helps customers interested in motorsport competition as well. This comprehensive approach has contributed making the region one of the most important to McLaren. According to Brown, the U.S. market accounts for 44 percent of total sales, and that Southern California is the largest market in the U.S., followed closely by Southern Florida. More from Robb Report Michael Leiters, global CEO of McLaren Automotive (left), and Nicolas Brown, president of McLaren for the Americas. SoCal has long been the epicenter of car culture, and the enclave on 44 Auto Center Drive gives McLarens local clientele a new clubhouse. The driving element is really the red thread that connects our owners, says Brown. The typical McLaren owner is driving 7,500 miles per year, so its a real drivers car. And among our customers, a significant portion love getting out on the track and love the community. Prior to the arrival of 250 invited members of that niche community, we spoke at length with Leiters, the 50-year-old engineer who left his position as chief technical officer for Ferrari to become McLarens captain. McLaren Newport Beachs new flagship location in Irvine, Calif. When did you know that your career path would be driven by cars? As a kid. I would draw cars all day and my actual dream was to get into design, but I wasnt good enough, so I decided to study mechanical engineering. When I started, the automotive industry in Germany was going badly, in 1996, so I was not sure if it was the right path, but in the end, I went with Fraunhofer for applied research and we did a lot of technology consultancy. And then I worked for about 20 companies in four years, and one of them was Porsche. Story continues The official ribbon cutting for McLaren Newport Beachs 6,000-square-foot enclave at 44 Auto Center Drive in Irvine, Calif. With your engineering focus, what has the transition to CEO of McLaren Automotive been like? I have to say that when I was with Ferrari, I was the CTO [chief technical officer] but was responsible for a lot of the operational stuffproduction planning, purchasing, and so on. So from an operational level, I feel quite prepared. But then I have to think about marketing and sales, and I was always interested in that, but this is where I have to rely more on my team. McLaren Automotive has just made some important fiscal moves, can you elaborate? McLaren is in a special moment, and has a big opportunity. We just announced that we are restructuring our capital structure, buying back SPSs [Senior Preferred Shares] from Ares [global investment firm Ares Management] and PIF [Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund] bought by Mumtalakat [the sovereign wealth fund of Bahrain]. So we want to really reorganize our capitalization and governance, which is really important for our future. McLaren Automotives headquarters in Woking, England. As you are fairly new to the marque, what have you observed to be its ethos? Our North Star is that we want to delight. To delight the customer through technologies, delight through exhilaration. Delight also has the word light in it, and this is our DNA. If you look at the products we have, the Artura and 750S, this is the core of our brand. But the experience part is getting more and more important. You cant just sell a product with technical attributes, it has to be an experience from the beginning to the end . . . to create a belonging to the brand. I think this is very important for us because we are not arrogant. Obviously we are exclusive because our products are very exclusive, but we are also inclusive. We dont exclude anybody from our brand and you dont have to already have 10 cars to buy a special car. The McLaren 750S, revealed in April. How would you describe McLarens current position in the luxury and high-performance market, and what is your vision for it? I think we are the most authentic supercar manufacturer. We really have racing DNA in our cars. Today, from a marketing point of view, I think we can underpin that better. We want to better distinguish the purpose and positioning of our cars. And we want to create a new design language. We have hired a new head of design who worked for Bentley and Aston Martin. Underneath the design, we want to have more distinguished technologies. Tobias Suhlmann, McLaren Automotives new head of design. Despite their different power-train approaches, how do both the Artura and 750S reflect McLarens road ahead. Obviously, theres a big difference between hybrid and ICE [internal-combustion engine], but I dont think one is more or less modern than the other. The 720S is a benchmark still after six years, so what we did here [with the 750S] was to be very careful about what we wanted to change and the tweaks we wanted to make to improve the product, and there is so much technology on it; on the suspension, on the steering . . . this car is still outstanding. And then we have the Artura; its the first time we have a different engineV-6 versus V-8and hybrid versus non-hybrid. Its the incorporation of many innovations, and some have been very challenging for us, especially the software and electronic architecture. But this is future proof now, and will bring us into the next decade. The hybrid McLaren Artura. In your opinion, when it comes to power-train development, is electrification the solution or is there room for advancement elsewhere? I think there is room, and I hope there is room. Today, the discussion is very much driven by regulation. Dont get me wrong, regulation was always an important driver for innovation, but with two caveats: one, it has to be purpose-lead, and the other is that we cant forget our customer. Aerodynamics and weight are the core ingredients for a supercar. Then theres the emotionality. If you dont have the sound and you dont have the gearshift, you have to understand how to compensate for this. Most supercar manufacturers are small-volume manufacturers, so we have to ask how much energy and emissions have to be invested to create an EV, and how much do I have to use this vehicle to recover the emissions? These are really low-mileage and low-volume cars, so the rationale is totally different than with a high-volume car. I hope regulators will hear us, and there are positive signs. That doesnt mean we dont want to contribute. You will see that, in five years, far over 90 percent of our fleet will be hybrid. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The weekly Retail Tech Roundup compiles technology news across the supply chain, manufacturing, retail, e-commerce, logistics and fulfillment sectors. Virtual store Crocs/Obsess More from Sourcing Journal Crocs is extending its partnership with experiential 3D e-commerce platform and Alo Yoga partner Obsess with the launch of a new virtual shopping experience featuring the clog makers popular Jibbitz charms. The Crocs Jibbitz Experience is a virtual storytelling arena centered around self-expression, personalization, gamification and education to promote the brands flagship Jibbitz accessories. The experience includes the brands first-ever 3D Jibbitz Customizer, a feature engineered by Obsess to provide consumers with a mix-and-match tool to create their own unique pair of Crocs, which can then be purchased directly from the virtual experience. The Jibbitz Experience is the third virtual store created by Crocs in collaboration with Obsess. The store features five virtual departments, each themed for a different Jibbitz assortment typefrom letters to food, animals and more. The Jibbitz Experience also features a nostalgic arcade-style claw machine game, in which users can collect virtual Jibbitz in order to win physical Jibbitz that cost only one cent. The Jibbitz Customizer includes 3D replicas of Jibbitz charms and clogs in a variety of mens and womens sizes. Shoppers can add up to 26 different 3D charms to a clog model and then proceed to purchase the physical version of their custom product. The addition of the Jibbitz Customizer forwards Crocs goal of educating consumers on the types of Jibbitz charms available for purchase, while showcasing how to apply and style charms on the brands best-selling clog product. Logistics GXO Logistics GXO Logistics, Inc. is beginning a multi-year plan to significantly expand its operations into Germany. To start GXO is investing in a new, 387,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art warehouse in Dormagen in the countrys Dusseldorf region. Story continues Germanys contract logistics market, which GXO estimates at $20 billion in annual revenue, is expected to grow rapidly due to the ongoing modernization of supply chains, acceleration of nearshoring and increasing demand from companies to outsource to reduce costs, improve efficiency and deliver a best-in-class consumer experience. GXO cited German market demand for technology-enabled, customized, agile logistics solutions. Richard Cawston, president of GXOs European operations, said that the companys $1.3 billion acquisition of Clipper Logistics last year helped drive the expansion into Germany. Clipper gave GXO another 50 warehouses, totaling 10 million square feet across Europe. The Dormagen facility will be a launchpad for GXOs market expansion, led by Stefan Van Hoof, who was recently named GXOs managing director of Central Europe, reporting to Cawston. Van Hoof joined GXO through the Clipper deal, where he served as CEO of Mainland Europe, and has over two decades of logistics industry experience. In keeping with GXOs commitment to sustainability, the new site will target a DGNB Gold Certification and emphasize energy efficient features. GXO expects to employ up to 400 workers at full capacity and will implement automation and adaptive technology like goods-to-person and autonomous mobile robots on site based on customer requirements. GXO has operated in 15 countries across continental Europe for more than 25 years, serving customers in e-commerce, fashion, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and DIY industries. In Germany, GXO serves fashion businesses like S.Oliver and global companies including Kellogg. GXO also directly serves the German market from sites in Poland and the Czech Republic for companies like online pet shop Zooplus and works across Europe and globally with German businesses such as Henkel, BASF, Bayer and home improvement retailer Obi to support their logistics operations. The company currently employs approximately 34,000 people at roughly 500 sites across the region. Virtual try-on Google Google has released a new virtual try-on tool using generative AI that is available through its search engine. The first iteration will be usable on womens tops, enabling users to preview how clothes look on different models. Google research says that 42 percent of online shoppers dont feel represented by images of models, and 59 percent feel dissatisfied with an item they shopped for online because it looked different on them than expected. The Big Tech firm says its generative AI model can take just one clothing image and accurately reflect how it would drape, fold, cling, stretch and form wrinkles and shadows on a diverse set of real models in various poses. To create the model, Google selected people ranging in sizes XXS-4XL representing different skin tones (using the Monk Skin Tone Scale as a guide), body shapes, ethnicities and hair types. U.S. shoppers can now virtually try on womens tops from brands across Google, including Anthropologie, Everlane, H&M and Loft, by tapping products with the Try On badge on search and selects the model that resonates the most. Google trained the AI-generated model using many pairs of images, each including a person wearing a garment in two different poses, such as an image of someone wearing a shirt standing sideways and another of them standing forward, according to a company blog post. In this scenario, the AI model learns to match the shape of the shirt in the sideways pose with the person in the forward pose, and vice versa, until it can generate realistic images of the shirt on that person from all angles, said Ira Kemelmacher-Shlizerman, senior staff research scientist, shopping, Google, in the blog post. To take it up a notch, we repeated this process using millions of random image pairs of different garments and people. The result allows you to see what a top looks like on the model of your choice. Working alongside Googles Shopping Graph, which is the companys comprehensive data set of products and sellers, the search giant says it can scale the virtual try-on to more brands and items over time. The Shopping Graph stores billions of global product listings, plus specific information about those products like availability, reviews from other shoppers, pros and cons, materials, colors and sizes. Google says more options are coming to virtual try-on for apparel, with mens tops launching later this year. The company is also offering new guided refinements to help U.S. shoppers fine-tune product search. Thanks to machine learning and new visual matching algorithms, users can refine their search using inputs like color, style and pattern. The user wont be limited to one retailer when they shop, seeing options from stores across the web. This feature is available for tops to start, within Googles product listings. Search Algolia Algolia, an end-to-end AI-powered search and discovery platform, has unveiled its Query Categorization capability, which is built to automatically associate a search query with the appropriate category. Query Categorization helps brands to operationalize their strategies across entire product categories more efficiently to better predict the correct category associated with search queries, ultimately saving time and cutting cost. Using customer interaction data and leveraging advanced AI algorithms, Query Categorization can automatically predict the true intent behind users queries and connect to the correct categories of products. The AI model is trained by each product catalog and its users, producing the best results for each specific business. This significantly reduces the setup and ongoing maintenance of online product catalogs by developers, product managers and non-tech practitioners. Coupled with recently launched Algolia NeuralSearch, Query Categorization offers increased precision (accuracy) and enhanced recall (completeness) of search results, supported by more accurate and autonomous prediction of relevant product categories. Query Categorization is designed to help companies compete with large, established industry players, like big box retailers, without large teams of data scientists and AI experts. In many instances, these organizations attempt to do it alone and imitate larger players by building highly manual processes to sort search results and match them with ranked products and categories. However, Query Categorization is built to solve this problem by empowering these organizations to dynamically map queries to aligned categories at enterprise scale. The feature can deliver contextually relevant information, which can make it easier for consumers to find what theyre looking for. It includes additional benefits such as a dedicated section in the Algolia UI to set up AI models and explore predictions in an easy and intuitive fashion, as well as automatic filtering and boosting on predicted categories using a no-code environment that business users and non-tech practitioners can control directly to increase the relevance of their users results. Merchandisers can modify categorizations made by the AI model, while analytics available in the UI that are grouped by predicted category can learn how the categories perform and to detect underperforming queries. Using AI, Query Categorization can automatically predict the product categories associated with a consumers specific query and then connects to the right products based on the online business catalog or content, whether it is an e-commerce site, movie app or other content collection. For example, a query for milk chocolate will be connected to a category comprising chocolates, while chocolate milk will be connected to a category of dairy products. It also helps optimize long tail queries by connecting consumers with the most relevant categories, an important attribute in situations where there may be many thousands of similar products or SKUs that are searched for infrequently or often incorrectly categorized. An undisclosed Swiss department store chain experienced a 22 percent conversion rate increase from 4.23 percent to 5.17 percent after two weeks of use, according to Bharat Guruprakash, chief product officer of Algolia. Stravito Stravito, an enterprise platform designed to enable businesses to store, discover, and integrate market and consumer insights, has launched proprietary generative AI capabilities to enhance the search experience and provide users with quicker insights in what it says is a more engaging and inspiring way. The generative AI functionality is built to go far beyond traditional enterprise search, with the ability for users to ask full questions using everyday language, and receive short natural language answers synthesized from various proprietary sources. Users can also dive deeper with recommended questions all with the security of a closed system that generates accurate answers exclusively from a clients owned research materials, and not beyond. Stravito says its use of vetted data sources removes the possibility of random information noise clogging up the research process, or even worse, delivering false insights. In addition to key data points and summaries, every search also returns clickable links to source documents, so users can feel confident in the validity of the provided answers. This way, the algorithm provides context and identifies potentially contradicting data points, offering a nuanced and thorough approach. Developed in collaboration with existing enterprise customers, Stravitos generative AI functionality will be rolled out in stages to users to better leverage their companys available data and research. Physical retail Leap Leap, the retail platform designed to help digital natives expand into physical stores, secured $15 million in new capital. This fundraise was co-led by existing investors BAM Elevate and Costanoa Ventures with participation from Equal Ventures, Hyde Park Ventures and additional investors. The funding will help Leap to drive growth with existing and new brands, enhance platform capabilities and accelerate the companys path to profitability. The Leap platform has more than doubled its network size and revenue since the platforms $50 million Series B financing in January 2022. More than 50 brands use Leap to power over 100 stores across 11 markets, including Frankies Bikinis, M.M.LaFleur and activewear brands Public Rec and Set, which continue expanding their store count on the Leap platform. Footwear brand Nisolo and mens apparel seller True Classic recently opened their first stores with Leap. Leap will continue to focus its investments in building location density in active markets, resulting in impactful scale and efficiencies for brands who leverage the platform. The Leap platform makes sense for us at this stage in our growth, said Zach Goldstein, founder and CEO of Public Rec in a statement. We continue to scale our e-commerce business, and turned to Leap to launch and operate our retail fleet. Now, our Leap-powered stores help us acquire thousands of high value customers each month. E-commerce experience FabFitFun/CommerceHub FabFitFun, a discovery shopping site for women, is implementing CommerceHub, a provider of software solutions connecting supply, demand and delivery, to power its e-commerce business. FabFitFun is a Los Angeles-based e-commerce and media company that offers quarterly subscription boxes and operates a curated website for its members. The company has leveraged the subscription boxes and extended its reach to embrace new channels to meet growing customer demand for its unique offerings. CommerceHubs e-commerce platformand its Commerce Suite solution for unified marketplace and drop shipis migrating FabFitFuns drop shipping program to help expand its curated product assortment and increase sales and profitability, while ensuring an exceptional customer experience for its members. We invest in technology that enables us to achieve our mission of delivering happiness and well-being to everyone, everywhere, at scale, said Michael Broukhim, co-CEO and co-founder, FabFitFun. CommerceHub has the most extensive network of brands that align with our missiontheir innovative platform and technical capabilities meet our critical functional requirements and we feel their customer-centric approach supports our future aspirations. At its core, FabFitFun is a community, and we aim to deliver products and experiences to members of our community that they are consistently excited about. By working with CommerceHub, we are looking forward to surprising them with even more choices and interesting experiences. Artificial intelligence Mirakl Online marketplace technology provider Mirakl is integrating generative AI built on OpenAIs GPT-3.5 into its platform. Mirakl already uses AI to automate, enhance and accelerate e-commerce across its suite of solutions. For example, the companys AI-powered technology has already made it possible to achieve a tenfold increase when onboarding new product catalogs, reduce incident resolution time for customer care by 90 percent, and boost conversion rates by 15 percent with personalized product recommendations. Now, Mirakl is harnessing the power of generative AI to empower organizations to maximize their sales, increase traffic and conversion and operate more efficiently. Leveraging a combination of ChatGPT and Mirakl machine learning algorithms, Mirakl users can enhance the data quality and completeness of product catalogs. Using AI, they can boost search engine rankings and increase conversions by automatically optimizing product titles, descriptions and attributes. With AI-powered translations, they can potentially expand their business into new territories at scale, removing manual effort and cost. The solution works across an organizations wholesale, marketplace and dropship assortment to drive more consistent customer experiences. These new features mean that merchandisers and marketplace managers can potentially get new products online faster, eliminating hours spent reviewing and filling in incomplete product content, because Mirakl can automatically take care of it. Digital business leaders can increase sales from their existing customer base while also reaching new customers. Mirakls integration comes as the company estimates that platform models like marketplace and dropship grew six times faster than e-commerce last year, according to a post by Mirakl co-CEO and co-founder Philippe Corrot. Scoutbee Scoutbee, an AI-powered supplier intelligence and discovery platform, has debuted generative AI feature updates to the Scoutbee Intelligence Platform (SIP). The new features enable companies to analyze and get deeper insights into their existing supply base. Using the Scoutbee conversational AI, users can ask smart and strategic questions, such as Where do I have single-source suppliers for a product? or Is there an alternative supplier for this product? to uncover and address vulnerabilities in their base. A company that is striving to give its top-performing suppliers more business could, for example, ask: What capabilities do my preferred suppliers offer that I am not utilizing? and get immediate answers. SIP is built to deliver a more accurate picture of an organizations supply base and highlight room for improvement. The platform draws from practically any data point and source relevant to organizations decision making, including customers data, third-party data, supplier websites and portals, Scoutbee data, and more. The technology uses web crawlers to scour the internet to extract any additional relevant data using machine learning (ML) models, then classifies, organizes and enriches the data before connecting it to a knowledge graph that uncovers the relationships between entities. Predictive and prescriptive analytics run on the knowledge graph to help procurement draw the right actionable conclusions. Lenovo Lenovo said it is investing $1 billion over three years to accelerate AI deployment for businesses around the world. The company also said it reached record annual AI infrastructure revenue of over $2 billion. The investment will further expand the companys AI-ready portfolio of smart devices, infrastructure solutions and services to help accelerate innovation, enabling the use of generative AI and delivering cognitive decisions at scale throughout remote locations across retail, financial, manufacturing, healthcare and smart city applications. As part of the additional investment, Lenovo is committing $100 million to grow the Lenovo AI Innovators program, which has delivered 150 AI solutions created with 45 independent software vendor (ISV) partners in the programs first year. Leveraging the AI Innovators end-to-end ecosystem, the new solutions are bringing AI from the lab to scale and enabling the dramatic technology shifts underway within high-growth sectors. With the new solutions, customers can more rapidly deploy and leverage AI capabilities, like generative AI, computer vision, voice AI and virtual assistants. As the retail, food service and hospitality industries adapt to the post-pandemic era, businesses are reimagining front-end and back-end operations to enable improved customer service, mitigate waste and address shifts in the labor market. Lenovo is partnering with DeepBrain AI to offer a solution for generative AI virtual assistants that can be paired with large language models (LLMs) to deliver 24/7 automated concierge service in hospitality and retail settings. As manufacturing operations around the globe seek digitalization to drive future growth and differentiation amidst economic disruptions, AI solutions from Lenovo and Guise can help industrial customers reduce unplanned downtime with up to 14 days of advanced prediction, as well as understand customer behavior and optimize processes with computer vision, predictive maintenance, and anomaly detection on the production line. Lenovo also recently opened a new AI Discovery Center of Excellence, providing access to the companys data scientists, AI architects and engineers to help explore, deploy and scale AI solutions. The service is also designed to guide customers to appropriate software partners, AI-optimized infrastructure and responsible AI guidance through the Lenovo Responsible AI Committee. As companies learn to deploy AI, the committee helps customers with their approach to designing, deploying and using AI ethically, helping organizations understand and address privacy, fair usage, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility considerations. Communication Volcanic Retail Volcanic Retail, a two-way communications platform built to connect retail buyers and brands, reported that more than 2,000 buyers and 7,000 brands have joined the platform. The company expands into fast-growing retail categories including grocery, consumer electronics, toys, pet supplies, hardware and more. Bolstered by its advisory board, key partnerships and investment strategy, the companys valuation is now 1,900 percent of its launch valuation, the company says. Recognizing that the retail purchasing industry has historically been bogged down by inefficient practices such as costly and inefficient trade shows magnified during the pandemic, Volcanic Retail was founded to empower brands and buyers with a more efficient way to do business. The platform offers AI-based analytics for curated recommendations and trends, searchable brand profile and product pages, as well as buyer calendars and contact windows to leverage efficiency for those bringing products to shelves. At launch, Volcanic Retail focused on three of the fastest-growing retail categories in the U.S., including outdoor, specialty and natural grocer and pharmacy. Since then, additional categories have been added to meet market demand, including consumer electronics, farm and ranch, hardware, cosmetics and pet care, among others. This strategic expansion has resulted in a total of 7,000 brands joining the platform. In addition to user growth, Volcanic Retail has begun its first of four rounds of crowdfunding using the WeFunder platform. While many companies rely on investment associated with venture capital and private equity groups, Volcanic Retail aims to support its surrounding community as it grows by leveraging ways for residents in nearby cities to invest at a low cost, as little as $200. This consistent crowdfunding has led to tremendous valuation growth in a short period of time, the company says. The company plans to use the funds to add features to the platform, increase staffing and enhance its database of buyers and brands. Click here to read the full article. Temu is doing next to nothing to keep its supply chains free of forced labor, Representative Mike Gallagher said Thursday. Gallagher, the Wisconsin Republican who chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), was referring to a newly released interim report based on responses gleaned from the popular Chinese e-tailer, its Singapore-headquartered rival Shein and sportswear Goliaths Adidas and Nike. More from Sourcing Journal It was only last month that Gallagher, together with Illinois congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, the bipartisan groups Democratic ranking member, had written to the companies questioning them about possible links to the exploitation of Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic groups in Chinas northwestern Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, where evidence of crimes against humanity are widely documented. In its preliminary findings, the committee reserved most of its ire for Temu, which sells everything from clothing to electronics to household appliances from its headquarters in Boston. Because the Shop Like a Billionaire platform lacks any system to ensure compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), it said, its all but guaranteed that forced labor products from Temu are entering the United States on a regular basis. Damningly, Americas most downloaded shopping app, which has been installed more than 50 million times since it made its Stateside debut in September, told the committee that it does not expressly prohibit its network of 80,000-plus third-party sellers from selling verboten products originating from Xinjiang. Neither Temu, whose name derives from its motto, Team Up, Price Down, nor its parent company PDD Holdings (formerly Pinduoduo Inc.), which recently moved from Shanghai to Ireland, responded to requests for comment. Story continues The report also had harsh words for Shein. Like Temu, it said, the Nanjing-founded phenom relies heavily on a trade provision that allows direct-to-consumer shipments valued at under $800 to avoid paying import taxes, duties and fees while skirting serious scrutiny from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a.k.a. CBP. While de minimis packages arent exempt from the UFLPA, as Allison Gill, forced labor program director at Washington D.C.s Global Labor Justice-International Labor Rights Forum, explained to Sourcing Journal, the lower level of customs information provided with these small shipments makes enforcement much harder. And because many Shein and Temu packages are shipped by air straight to their buyers, researchers and advocates are often unable to track and identify imports of goods that may be made with forced labor. Congress should also mandate disclosures of shipping data on goods that arrive by air, road and rail, which are currently not subject to disclosure as ocean freight, Gill said. Congress needs to act to allow CBP easier access to the data it needs to enforce the law effectively and prevent forced goods made with Uyghur forced labor from the U.S. market. Our investigation into @SHEIN_Official and @shoptemu reveals, in 2022, they paid $0 in import fees. Unlike @Gap and @hm, these Chinese companies avoid taxes and @CBP inspection, making it impossible to determine if their products are made with Uyghur forced labor in Xinjiang. pic.twitter.com/5AL2X8Nj2u The Select Committee on the CCP (@committeeonccp) June 23, 2023 The committee estimates that Temu and Shein are likely responsible for more than 30 percent of all packages shipped to the United States under the de minimis provision, amounting to some 600,000 per day or 210 million a year. The threshold, it noted, was previously $200 but increased in 2016 with the passage of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act. Since then, the number of de minimis imports entering the country has skyrocketed from 220 million packages in 2016 to 720 million in 2021. Several lawmakers have called for the so-called loopholes closure, including Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Neal Dunn (R.-Fla.), who said last week that the allowance gives foreign competitors an unfair trade advantage over American businesses. Rubio, in particular, has accused Shein of trade tricks and crimes. Writing to his colleagues on Capitol Hill earlier this month, he said that the Anitta collaborator is able to offer such a range of products at rock-bottom prices not because of any particular competitive advantage, but because it steals intellectual property, infringes copyrights, exploits U.S. trade law and uses fabric linked to Uyghur slave labor. Shein is also growing beyond fashion, cribbing a page from the third-party playbook to offer many of the same products that Temu does. Temu and Shein are building empires around the de minimis loophole in our import rulesdodging import taxes and evading scrutiny on the millions of goods they sell to Americans, Gallagher said. We need to take a hard look at this loophole that is being abused to tilt the playing field against American companies. Shein maintains that it doesnt have suppliers in Xinjiang and that it has zero tolerance for forced labor. Its policy, it said, is to comply with the customs and laws of the markets in which it operates. Wehave implemented a robust system to support UFLPA compliance, which includes a code of conduct, independent audits, robust tracing technology and third-party testing, a spokesperson said. If any cotton from an unapproved region is detected, we take immediate action such as suspending production, halting shipments to the United States and removing product listings. Temus admission that it doesnt weed out products from Xinjiang lines up with the results of an investigation by supply chain intelligence firm Ultra Information Solutions, which said last week that it had identified at least 10 items made or sold by Xinjiang businesses on the U.S. version of Temus sprawling marketplace. Still, the Super Bowl advertiser denied that it was responsible for ensuring that its sellers stay clear of products made with forced labor because it isnt the importer of record with respect to goods shipped to the United States. Temu said that it relies on a reporting system in which consumers, sellers, [and] regulators, can file complaints for violations of Temu platform rules. So far, the e-tailer hasnt received any complaints regarding forced labor practices, it told the committee. But the lack of any complaints highlights the dubious nature of a system that relies solely on external reporting, the report noted. Individuals and entities in China that raise questions about forced labor are routinely penalized and are unlikely to self-report violations of U.S. law. Our coalition has released the following statement in response to the @committeeonccps new report Fast Fashion and the Uyghur Genocide: Interim Findings that spotlights SHEINs exploitation of the de minimis rule. Read the full report here: https://t.co/RNlOgCTqEF pic.twitter.com/2WGvjs8U0J ShutDownSHEIN (@ShutDownSHEIN) June 22, 2023 Peter Irwin, senior program officer for advocacy and communications at the Uyghur Human Rights Project, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., said that the magnitude of Shein and Temus combined shipments. requires immediate attention from CBP and lawmakers. The two companies, he told Sourcing Journal, are highly exposed to forced labor inputs from China. Despite their Western bases of operation, most, if not all, of their products are made in the country. Cotton-containing products are especially risky: Xinjiang contributes 90 percent of Chinese cotton, which in turn makes up one-fifth of the worlds total. Already, a Bloomberg investigation in November found traces of Xinjiang cotton in Shein garments purchased on separate occasions. The company didnt refute this at the time, though it has since engaged forensics firm Oritain to validate cotton origins. This kind of direct-to-consumer model, whether purposeful or not, is ideally suited to circumvent existing laws meant to stop forced labor goods from entering the country, Irwin said. Other jurisdictions need to take note as well, especially those drafting or negotiating forced labor or due diligence legislation, like the EU, Canada and Australia. When asked for comment, a CBP representative said that the agency cannot comment on interim findings from an outside source or House legislation. The report is a very welcome contribution to public understanding of the impact of the de minimis import exception, including how it is currently making it much more difficult for CBP to enforce comprehensively both the UFLPA and the general ban on the importation of goods made with forced labor, said Dean Pinkert, special advisor to Corporate Accountability Lab, a human rights organization in Chicago. Temus reliance on legal technicalities in responding to the Select Committees questions about compliance with the UFLPA underscores the need for Congress and CBP to work together to enable CBP to obtain much more detailed information about de minimis shipmentsand for that information to be made available to civil societyin order to provide for more effective enforcement of U.S. law, Pinkert, a former vice chairman of the International Trade Commission, told Sourcing Journal. Krishnamoorthi called the initial findings concerning, reinforcing the need for full transparency by companies potentially profiting from CCP forced labor. Our Select Committee heard from experts under oath that these practices persist to this day and we intend to strengthen laws like the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act to put an end to them once and for all, he said. Both he and Gallagher said that all companies operating in the United States have an obligation to clean up their supply chain and ensure that they are not contributing to Beijings genocide of the Uyghur people by facilitating the sale of goods made with forced labor. Click here to read the full article. The Colorado Supreme Court has released its official guidance for when trial judges should permit litigants, victims, witnesses and attorneys to attend proceedings virtually. However, some members of the legal community warned that judges will continue to have too much discretion to allow or disallow remote participation. The policy, known as a chief justice directive, followed the rapid shift to virtual court proceedings at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In issuing the directive June 20, the Supreme Court acknowledged that virtual hearings generally ease the burden of participating in the justice system, and setting "baseline" expectations would ensure the state's 22 judicial districts continue to allow remote participation with some degree of uniformity. "I believe it increases statewide consistency in operations, while allowing the judicial districts and trial court judicial officers to maintain discretion over decorum in their courtrooms," said Chief Justice Brian D. Boatright in a statement. Yet, some advocates for virtual participation saw the emphasis on discretion as a means of kneecapping the policy's effectiveness and enabling judges to deny valid requests for remote appearances. "There are many barriers to in-person participation including lack of childcare, employment obligations and limited transportation that might render it impossible for someone to participate in person," said Jack Regenbogen, deputy executive director of the Colorado Poverty Law Project. "These challenges can be particularly tough to overcome for court users with lower incomes, who are in the best position to determine how they are most appropriately able to participate in a court proceeding." Elisa Overall, executive director of the Colorado Access to Justice Commission, was specifically critical of the directive's statement that judges "need not make express findings" when deciding whether to grant or deny remote participation. "The fact that there's no teeth makes this a little bit of a waste of time because what we need is uniformity," she said. "Not whimsical idiosyncrasy of judges." Earlier this year, the Supreme Court took the unusual step of making the draft chief justice directive available for public comment, allowing only two weeks for people to submit their input. The court received approximately 100 responses, many of which supported virtual participation in court proceedings as an access-to-justice issue. "Form a public policy standpoint, defendants are more successful in their rehabilitation when they miss less work, battle with fewer transportation barriers, and lead a more productive life," wrote criminal defense attorney Alex Monk. "MOST Victims I work with do NOT want to be in the same room with their abuser," added court advocate Nancy Fryer, who works in Archuleta County. The Supreme Court also received comments from judges and lawyers who believed virtual hearings compromise the dignity of the courtroom. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. "Running a virtual courtroom has become the worst part of my job, and I am currently shifting back to in-person appearances for all but a select few proceedings," warned Park County Court Judge Brian Green. James P. Houtsma, a prosecutor in Adams and Broomfield counties, insisted that accused defendants should generally be required to appear in person, asking: "Why make it harder on judges and victims for the benefit of criminals." The chief justice directive adopted on June 20 includes several changes from the initial draft. The policy clarified that trials of any type, criminal arraignments and certain other proceedings are presumed to be in person. On the other hand, several types of hearings, including for people seeking temporary restraining orders, allow remote participation by default. When judges consider whether "good cause" exists to allow virtual attendance, they must consider factors like the monetary and transportation hurdles to appearing in person, the length of the proceeding and the complexity of the case. The directive as adopted also considers "bandwidth limitations" for language interpreters and the parties' access to child care. Rose Mary Zapor, a lawyer who represents elderly clients, supported some of the revisions, but still has concerns about the ability of virtual proceedings to accommodate deaf and deafblind people. "While there are some translation services online, it's not the same. It's just not," she said. "The communication styles in American Sign Language depend on body movement and body language." Mark Cohen, a Boulder-based civil attorney who commented on the draft, was pleased the final directive included additional factors for judges to consider in granting remote appearances, and believed the policy will provide "some uniformity throughout Colorado." However, Overall, the head of the Access to Justice Commission, pointed to recent commentary from Boatright in a legal publication, in which he repeatedly acknowledged the "discretion" trial judges must have to authorize the use of technology. Boatright also referenced his "conversations with attorneys and judges" on the subject of virtual proceedings. "I simply think it's the wrong audience," Overall said, noting that barely any comments on the draft directive came from those not connected to the legal profession. "It's not about judges. It's not about lawyers. It's about people." She believed the directive's wide berth for judges to allow or disallow virtual appearances missed a key opportunity: "Peer pressure, and saying unequivocally, 'This is what we expect from you. This is your job.'" Recently, the Supreme Court also issued a chief justice directive that set standards for live streaming criminal proceedings. The legislature subsequently enacted a more expansive mandate that takes effect in September. Los Angeles denim label Triarchy is taking its sustainability commitments public with help from a new technology partner. The brand, which designs and develops its products in California, boasts a global denim supply chain spanning multiple continents. As shoppers have become more savvy about the origins of their clothing, Triarchy sought a solution that would bring the blockchain into the open, helping to verify its values and substantiate its claims. More from Sourcing Journal The brand has teamed with Renoon, a two-year-old technology platform based in Amsterdam that allows brands to integrate traceability markers directly into their e-commerce platforms, becoming its first U.S. partner. What started as an app and a database for eco-minded companies is now a plugin that can be integrated into any product page, allowing the consumer to trace product provenance from farm to shelf. We empower companies when it comes to the mapping, management and understanding of their supply chain, taking the data thats in the back of their systems to create a presentation layer that can be plugged into e-commerce, Renoon co-founder and CEO Iris Skrami told Rivet. Companies may be taking a lot of actions in terms of sustainability, but its very difficult to publish the results of their efforts in a format thats easy to understand. Without a third party to assist you in this, you would have to build that framework, Triarchy co-founder and sustainability lead Adam Taubenfligel added. And there are many negatives around every brand building their own framework. The industry has been in dire need of standardization when it comes to measuring sustainabilityand communicating it. I think theres a simplification of working with a platform like Renoon, and if everyone does that, then it becomes something thats recognizable and identifiable, he said. Story continues While Triarchy publishes an annual sustainability report, it shouldnt fall on consumers to sift through dozens of pages detailing a brands efforts to drive social and environmental change. When someone is starting to look for a pair of jeans, its not their job to say, Its denim shopping daylet me go do all my research, Taubenfligel said. Thats not a realistic request. Triarchy product map, powered by Renoon. Instead, consumers should have easy access to that informationand the certifications and even bills of salethat back up a brands product. claims Thats what set Renoon apart from other traceability companies, he added, calling the technology a game-changer. A consumer checking out a product on Triarchys e-commerce site need only scroll past the items description to its responsibility report below. The brands Ms. Ciela Cloud Stitch trucker jacket, for example, boasts an organic badge, and hovering over it allows a shopper to discover the proofan actual PDF of its Control Union scope certificate verifying its organic cotton content. Meanwhile, an ethical labor badge is supported by a Fairtrade certificate, and the companys eco-packaging badge comes with a bill of sale for recycled paper mailers. Renoon also creates a product map for each item, detailing the supply chain from raw materials onward. The jackets cotton content comes from Turkeys Akasya Tarim as well as Nantong, Chinas Polymax, while spinning takes place at Bossa factories in Istanbul along with manufacturing at Kivanc Textile. Product packaging comes from Commonwealth Packaging in San Diego, Calif. When Renoon was founded in 2021, it launched as an app that quickly garnered 100,000 users, bringing sustainability data from dozens of brands to a single, searchable platform. Soon, the company started fielding requests from companies that didnt want to give up their stats and certifications to outsiders without a return on the investment. They were saying, We want this on our channel as well, Skrami said. We realized we could have a way bigger impact for the consumer if we were integrated inside of the brands directly. Today, about 20 brands across France, Italy and Northern Europe have integrated the plugin into their e-commerce sites, with Triarchy marking the providers entry into the U.S. market. Brands can leverage the technology across their physical operations as well, using a QR code to direct shoppers to the responsibility report and product map features on their smartphones. With new sustainability legislation surrounding supply chain transparency and greenwashing hitting Europe, brands are becoming increasingly interested in finding public-facing solutions that provide verifiable proof, Skrami added. Click here to read the full article. Katrina Majkut It was after 4 P.M. on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, when assistant professor Johanna Gosse received an email with the subject line Guidance on Abortion Laws. The email was addressed to all employees of the University of Idaho, where Gosse teaches art history, and contained a memo from the universitys Office of the General Counsel, summarizing Idaho state laws regarding abortion. The memo stated that the university prohibited employees from promoting abortion, counseling in favor of abortion, referring for abortion, dispensing emergency contraception (except in the case of rape), and advertising or promoting services for abortion. But it didnt stop there: It also warned employees that the prevention of conception, was against the broad language of the states law, and recommended that the university not provide standard birth control at all. The memo also noted that those who violated these laws could face a misdemeanor or felony conviction, mandatory loss of state employment, and a permanent bar from future state employment. Gosse was appalled. The memos ostensible purpose was to provide clarity to staff so they wouldnt run afoul of state law, but to Gosse, it had the opposite effect. It came off not as a friendly warning from your university legal team, but actually a kind of slap in the face, she says. It felt like a threatdont say the a-word, or elsewrapped up in a package of legalese. At the time, Gosse was conducting research on the artist Edward Kienholz, whose portfolio includes two prominent sculptural installations about abortion. She worried continuing to discuss abortion and contraceptioneven in art history classwould make her vulnerable to prosecution. It was hard not to be confused by the universitys memo. Did mentioning the location of the nearest Planned Parenthood clinicabout 15 minutes across the state border in Pullman, Washingtonconstitute promotion? Would resident advisors be jailed for telling a student that Plan B was available at Walmart? Were condoms and birth control pills now contraband? Those questions seemed dystopian and absurd, and yet, this is our new post-Roe v. Wade reality. Story continues The memo was sent three months after the Supreme Court issued its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which a year ago on June 24, 2022, overturned Roe v. Wade. At the time, 26 states, including Idaho, had trigger bans or other legislation proposed or in place to restrict abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Now, after accomplishing its long-held dream of ending Roe, the antiabortion movement has turned its focus to a new target: birth control, with several states introducing legislation that could restrict or outlaw certain forms. If left unopposed, it is clear there are some politicians, judges, and activists who would not only deny people the ability to end unwanted pregnancies, but also the ability to prevent pregnancies in the first place. In his concurring opinion in the Dobbs case, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the court should reconsider all cases based on the same right to privacy precedent, including Griswold v. Connecticut, which granted married couples the right to access contraception. Even before Dobbs, there was a series of court cases that involved plaintiffs who defined certain birth control as abortifacients (meaning they induce abortions), including the 2014 Supreme Court decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., which ruled that small for-profit corporations could not be required to pay for insurance coverage for forms of contraception they opposed on religious or moral grounds. (Hobby Lobbys owners specifically targeted the morning-after pill and hormonal IUDs, believing incorrectly that these forms of birth control amount to abortion.) Katrina Majkut When summarizing the argument of a religious group during his 2018 confirmation hearings, Justice Brett Kavanaugh referred to birth control as abortion-inducing drugs, and then in 2020, in Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home v. Pennsylvania, the Supreme Court upheld the Trump Administrations executive order allowing nonprofit religious employers to deny birth control on both religious and moral grounds. (In an amicus brief to the court ahead of its decision, 50 Catholic theologians and ethicists wrote that abortion, contraception and sterilization are grave wrongs under the Catholic faith.) Some people in the anti-abortion movement have conflated abortion and contraception for years, with the ultimate goal of outlawing both. Back in 2017, Kristan Hawkins, the founder of Students for Life, went on MSNBC host Joy Reids show and said she personally didnt believe that many forms of contraceptionincluding the birth control pill and IUDsshould be legal. Students for Lifes website also labels oral contraceptives, IUDs, and other hormonal methods like implants and rings, as well as morning-after pills, as abortifacients, and its members have taken the same position on social media, mainstream media, and cable news outlets. Birth control, to be clear, is not abortion. Most hormonal birth control methods as well as emergency contraception work by preventing or delaying the body from releasing an egg, and by preventing sperm from reaching eggs. They prevent fertilizationnot implantationaka pregnancy, which the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists defines as when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Jennifer Lincoln, MD, an ob-gyn in Oregon, said that while these claims have no basis in science, lumping contraception and abortion together is part of a long-term strategy to pass laws that are ever more extreme. We know that they just dont want to stop at abortion, Lincoln says. The next thing to go for is contraception. This is a radical stance. Around 90 percent of Americans support access to birth control pills and condoms, 81 percent support access to IUDs, and 70 percent believe emergency contraception should be legal, according to a 2022 poll from FiveThirtyEight/Ipsos. Further, a 2022 Gallup poll found 92 percent of Americans believe birth control is morally acceptable. getty images Yet despite the popularity of contraception, politicians in red states are actively attempting to curtail access to it. Less than 48 hours after the Dobbs decision leaked in May, Republican state legislators in Louisiana put forward a bill that would not only classify abortion as homicide, but also had the potential to be used to outlaw birth control pills, IUDs, and emergency contraception, as well as in-vitro fertilization. In Missouri, conservative legislators tried to strip away Medicaid coverage for emergency contraception and some IUDs. And after the Dobbs decision, a health care system in the Kansas City area announced it would stop offering emergency contraception after the state banned abortion with only the exception of medical emergencies. (The hospital reversed course nearly 24-hours later when the Missouri Attorney Generals and the states Governors offices clarified that the new law did not prohibit the use of Plan B or contraception.) In Texas, a federal judge issued a ruling that made it nearly impossible for teens to access contraceptives through Title X programs without their parents permission. In Idaho, the chair of the House State Affairs Committee has pledged to hold hearings on banning emergency contraception, and said he was not yet certain where he stood with regard to IUDs. And all of this comes amid Republican rollbacks of federal and state family planning programs. In June 2022, just weeks before the Dobbs decision, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed legislation that would have provided millions of dollars to help low-income people access long-acting birth control, like IUDs and the shot. getty images On the federal level, Republicans blocked the passage of the Right to Contraception Act in 2022, which would have protected the right to birth control. In another effort to protect access, Democrats have introduced the Expanding Access to Family Planning Act, which would provide $500 million in annual mandatory funding for Title X, which provides birth control to low-income people, over the next decade (as opposed to the program having to fight for funding each year).[It is] crystal clear that anti-choice activists and far-right lawmakers are targeting access to contraception and birth control, says Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), who is an original cosponsor of the bill. Federal legislation is essential to protect the right to birth control, but Democrats will need to take back full control of the government and increase our margins [in order to pass it]. Although no state has yet managed to ban contraceptives outright, such efforts have created a chilling effect in which institutions that are worried about violating the law err on the side of caution. The University of Idaho memo noted the new and evolving legal landscape, and that certain statutes were unclear and untested in the courts, and thus the university was advising a conservative approachone that seemed to make it difficult for people to have even basic conversations about reproductive health on campus. The full memo was seven pages long, and aimed to parse two laws that affected university employees, including professors, administrative staff, and students with jobs through the university, like resident advisors. The first law mentioned was called the No Public Funds for Abortion act, which the Idaho state legislature passed in 2021. The law prohibited state employees from counseling in favor of abortion or making referrals to abortion providers, and from dispensing emergency contraception. The ACLU described it as a gag rule, and called it a blatant attempt to defund Planned Parenthood, which in turn threatens the ability for Idahoans to get basic, preventative health care such as lifesaving cancer screenings, birth control, STI testing and treatment, and regular reproductive wellness exams. The second law the memo cited was from 1972, and banned anyone who wasnt a licensed physician or health care provider from advertising medicines or other means for preventing conception, or facilitating miscarriage or abortion. Almost immediately, the memo led to an outcry from students and faculty and attracted attention from the national media; even President Joe Biden weighed in: Folks, what century are we in? What are we doing? I respect everyones view on thispersonal decisions they make. But, my Lord, were talking about contraception here. It shouldnt be that controversial. A few days after the memo was issued, members of the faculty senate were given a chance to ask questions and share concerns, but Gosse says the administration seemed to dismiss and downplay their anxieties. It constitutes a vast form of institutional gaslighting to say, This is illegal, and you could be fired and its a felony, but dont worry, she says. Gosse refused to change a single PowerPoint slide in her course, but said, I wouldnt be surprised if faculty in anthropology or sociology second guessed their content. (The university administration did not respond to multiple requests for comment.) getty images University of Idaho senior Katie Hettinga didnt hear about the memo until Monday morning, when she went to her job in the Department of Student Involvement and a friend asked if shed heard about this abortion memo thing. It was frustrating to read as a student, as a woman, and as an employee, Hettinga says. It was frustrating to hear you cant promote contraception or talk about abortion in all these different ways. That semester, Hettinga was enrolled in a 400-level course on politics, policy, and gender. She had expected the course to include lectures on abortion and reproductive rights, but according to her, it did not. The memo had noted classroom discussions on topics related to abortion and birth control were still allowed, as long as they were relevant to the subject at hand and the instructor maintained neutrality. I really am just incredibly disappointed that we werent able to talk about abortion in a high-level politics, policy, and gender class, Hettinga says. I was really looking forward to that. The same morass has affected any class where abortion and contraception might come upwomens history, film, biology, philosophy, criminal justiceas well as extracurricular activities. One club that handed out free condoms on Fridays was advised to say they were for preventing STIs instead of pregnancy. No one knew where the boundaries were, and it felt risky to test them. In general, advising anybody on abortion care in Idaho, you have to tread very lightly, no matter who you are, says sophomore Lily Payne. Even contraception is definitely a gray area here. The student health center on campus is still providing access to birth control, but not emergency contraception. The University of Idaho administration has received most of the blowback for sending the memo. Two weeks after it was sent, the university president and provost sent an email saying the memo did not represent a change in school policy, but there has been no further written clarification since. But even students and faculty who were alarmed by its contents note that its really Idahos legislature that should take the heat, because they passed these laws in the first place. Deeply conservative politicians have gained power in the state, and are enacting ever more extreme policies. In early April, Idaho became the first state to pass a law explicitly restricting out-of-state travel for abortions for minors (aiding such travel by giving money, a ride, or setting up an appointment is also punishable), and the states attorney general has said it is a crime for health care professionals to prescribe abortion pills for women to pick up across state lines. Two hospitals in the state have recently stopped providing labor and delivery services, citing doctor shortages and the political climate. Its all being done incrementally, so people maybe dont notice, says Terri Pickens, a lawyer who has served on the board of the regional Planned Parenthood affiliate. And then all of a sudden, theres no reproductive health care, period, in the state of Idaho. Thats their end game. And its not just Idaho. Thats what they want to do nationwide. You Might Also Like The body of an 18-year-old man who was visiting Arizona was found in a bonfire pile, authorities said. Parker League traveled from Nebraska and left his belongings at a home in Tempe, the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. Then his family never heard from him again. I knew he had a place to stay. I knew he got there. We texted ... thats about it, his brother Hunter League told KNXV-TV, saying he last heard from him on June 10. On June 12, authorities responded to a body being found near Bulldog Canyon in the Tonto National Forest, deputies and KPNX reported. The body was found in a remote desert area, deputies said. His family reported him missing to the Tempe Police Department on June 15, deputies said. His body was identified and authorities determined his death as being malicious. The investigation is ongoing. Its hard to accept because he was the nicest kid in the world, Hunter League told KNXV. Bulldog Canyon is about 30 miles northeast of Tempe. Grim discovery made by kids fishing at reservoir in Pennsylvania woods, police say Skull found by hunter decades ago is now identified as missing California 4-year-old 19-year-old drowns on family trip to Lake Michigan while beachgoers try to save him Activist Flo White, activist Walt Kelly, Damien Cameron's grandmother Betty Cameron, Community X founder Chloe Cheyenne, Damien's mother Monica Lee and Damien's brother Cornelius Cameron attend a press conference demanding justice for the 2021 death of Damien Cameron. A Justice 4 Damien Cameron press conference was held at Jackson's Margaret Walter Alexander Library by Community X, Cameron's family and other activists who they say have grown tired of the Rankin County Sheriff's Department not being held accountable for police brutality. To help shed more light on the case, Community X, a company that seeks justice to help end police brutality, partnered with Cameron's family and activists Flo White and Walt Kelly to spearhead the press conference in hopes of getting new information to help the case. Damien's brother Cornelius Cameron, grandmother Betty Cameron and cousin Laneatria Barnes, were also in attendance. On July 26, 2021, in the Rankin County community of Braxton, deputies were dispatched in response to a report of vandalism. Following an apparent disagreement, Damien Cameron, a 29-year-old Black man with mental difficulties, had been busting holes in the wall of a neighbors house using a pipe, according to reports. He had gone to the house to ask the neighbor if he could perform some yard work for money. Following a pursuit in which Damien allegedly tried to run and resist arrest, his mother, Monica Lee, said a deputy knelt on Damien's back for "15 to 20 minutes" while waiting for backup. During that time, she said Damien complained that he could not breathe. Deputies allegedly locked Damien in a patrol car as he continued complaining of being unable to breathe, Lee said. When the deputies returned to the car after collecting evidence, they found Cameron unresponsive and attempted to perform CPR. He was later pronounced dead at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The state medical examiner said his cause of death was "inconclusive," and a Rankin County grand jury declined to indict the officers involved. Rankin County deputies Hunter Elward and Luke Stickman were never charged or arrested. The Rankin County Sheriff's Department did not respond to requests for comment. Story continues Lee said she's demanding the Ranking County Sheriff's Department releases the original dashcam footage, public records and additional information. "I didn't know that my last words to my son would be son, I love you, I do before he suffered a tragic death," Lee said. "We are demanding they release this ... critical documentation for the case. My heart is broken. I am asking for the Rankin County Sheriff's Department to be investigated. My son's death may not have meant anything to them, but he was everything to me." Lee said her son was a well-mannered man who respected his elders and those in positions of authority and couldn't understand why Rankin County deputies would be so aggressive with her son. "It is going on two years since my son's death, and nothing has been done," she said. "No officers were indicted for the death of my son. I feel like my son's case is being swept under the rug. I want those officers and Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey to be held accountable. After hearing him repeatedly tell those officers he couldn't breathe, I deserve justice for my son." Hearing on water safety: Henifin took issue with Lumumba's comments on water safety. A judicial hearing followed One year after Roe overturned: Birth and death: Meet the Mississippi moms who fear for their lives a year after Roe fell "There isn't enough time to make a mother, grandmother, or brother stop fighting for justice for their relative," Founder and CEO of Community X, Chloe Cheyenne said. "We are here to share demands as it relates to Damien's case. Those include presenting body cam footage, which the mother or the family have yet to see from the perspective of the deputy's vehicle that arrived at her home without a warrant, public records and any additional information." Cheyenne said the Rankin County Sheriff's Department was interviewed and asked questions, but the family wasn't interviewed. "As a result, officials have said not enough evidence was presented, but that goes without speaking and addressing the family that witnessed the killing of Damien," she said. Rankin County, which has about 120 sheriff's deputies serving its roughly 160,000 people, is predominantly white and just east of the state capital, Jackson, home to one of the highest percentages of Black residents of any major U.S. city. Mississippi doesn't require police officers to wear body cameras. Rankin County sheriffs are not required to wear body cams. Cornelius Cameron, Damien's brother, said it's important for anybody in the community and surrounding areas who can relate to the incident to come together to bring justice for Damien. "This could have been one of your family members," Cornelius said. "Holding helpful information in will not help. With much support and prayers, I feel we can get this solved. Laneatria Barnes, Damien's cousin, said the Rankin County Sheriff's Department has yet to be held accountable. "I believe that the Rankin County Sheriff's Department and other agencies are above the law due to not receiving any severe consequences," Barnes said. "I've gotten questions asking us why are we still protesting knowing that justice will not be given in my cousin's case, ... but justice needs to be served." The press conference comes on the heels of a protest of the Rankin County Sheriff's Department earlier in June. More than 100 people attended a Town Hall Meeting in Brandon to hear complaints of alleged misconduct toward Black citizens by deputies with the Rankin County Sheriffs Department. Called by the Rankin County branch of the NAACP, the meeting featured remarks by Trent Walker, an attorney representing several families in an announced intent to file a $400 million federal civil rights lawsuit against Rankin County officials The lawsuit was filed on June 12, two days later. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS family still hopes to get justice for death of Damien Cameron [Source] The civil case concerning accused Asian antiquities trafficker Douglas Latchford came to an end on Thursday after his daughter and sole heir agreed to a settlement that would forfeit millions of dollars from his estate. What happened: The recent settlement marked the end of an investigation that began in the early 2010s. As part of the deal, the U.S. will not seek more assets from Julia Latchford, the daughter of the late Douglas Latchford. The younger Latchford reportedly inherited an unknown amount of money from her father and over 125 artifacts and gold relics allegedly taken from Cambodia. In addition to forfeiting $12 million from her father's estate, Julia Latchford has agreed to return a seventh-century bronze statue to Vietnam. More from NextShark: 'Neat' rock outfitted with googly eyes from Amazon sells for $13,000 at 'EEAO' auction Key details: Douglas Latchford was indicted in 2019 on federal fraud and conspiracy charges. In 2020, he died at the age of 88. He was a prolific dealer of stolen antiquities, according to Homeland Security Investigations special agent Ivan J. Arvelo. He allegedly made his fortune through numerous illicit transactions over several decades from buyers and sellers in the U.S. Returning priceless artifacts: Following her fathers death, Julia Latchford reportedly agreed to return part of his collection to Cambodia, with some of the items being stolen Angkor crown jewelry. More from NextShark: Takashi Murakami releases new NFTs a week after apologizing to his previous NFT investors for crashing prices One of the elder Latchfords clients, Netscape co-founder James Clark, stated last year that he would return the artifacts he bought from the late dealer. Clark reportedly spent around $35 million on at least 30 items. "The right resolution": In a statement, Julia Latchford concurred that Cambodias effort to reacquire its lost heritage was the right resolution to a difficult history. Story continues She also noted that it was "appropriate" when the Cambodian Minister for Culture and Fine Arts and her team used her late fathers records to shed light on the activities of the very many collectors, dealers and institutions which have been involved with the trade. More from NextShark: 238 Cats, Many Bones Found in Home in Japan Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! LA Chinese Restaurant Tests Customers for Fever Over Coronavirus Threat Citing philosophical differences with other agencies, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced Friday that her office will no longer prosecute current cases connected to the proposed police fire and training facility near Atlanta, dubbed Cop City by opponents. The office of Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, a Republican, will prosecute the cases, according to statements from Boston and Carr. Boston, a Democrat who was reelected in 2020, said her office had been part of a multijurisdictional group of law enforcement agencies working the cases, which have included domestic terrorism charges in some instances. Over the last several months, DA Boston and her team have been involved in ongoing discussions with their law enforcement partners about the evidence and charges in those cases, the statement from the district attorney said. Recent conversations between those agencies have revealed a fundamental difference in prosecutorial philosophy. The affected cases are domestic terrorism charges related to violent clashes that occurred near the site of the proposed facility and a related case where three people were arrested on money laundering and charity fraud charges in connection with the facility. Boston previously recused the office from an investigation into the fatal shooting of a climate activist in January near the site of the proposed training facility. An independent prosecutor was appointed to that case, in which authorities said they returned fire when a state trooper was seriously wounded. The planned facility on 85 acres of land owned by the city of Atlanta has been a point of contention since its conception for residents who feel there was little public input. Conservationists also worry it will carve out a chunk of much-needed forest land, and activists say it will militarize police forces and contribute to further instances of police brutality. Carrs office posted a statement to Twitter, saying, While the District Attorney has decided to no longer assist in this case, our office is fully committed to moving forward with prosecution of those who have engaged in or supported violent acts surrounding the Public Safety Training Center. Story continues Boston said her office will handle future cases related to the training center. Atlanta approves funding Earlier this month, the Atlanta City Council voted to approve $31 million for the project over the objection of scores of angry protesters. That money will cover about a third of the $90 million estimated construction costs, the city has said. The Atlanta Police Foundation, a multimillion-dollar non-profit that supports the Atlanta Police Department, has pledged the remaining money, which will come from philanthropic initiatives, a private loan and new market tax credits, the city said. The training center is set to be built on forested land that used to be a prison farm. The land sits outside Atlanta city limits but is owned by the city, meaning residents who live near the site dont have voting power for the leaders who approved it. In 2021, the Atlanta City Council approved a ground lease agreement with the police foundation that called for 85 acres of the land to be turned into the training center, with another 265 acres maintained as green space, the city said at the time. The center is expected to include a shooting range, a burn building and a mock city for real world training, according to the foundations website. Leaders of the Stop Cop City movement which covers a coalition of groups, activists and organizers see the project as a response to the 2020 uprisings over the police killings of Black Americans and say the center will militarize police and promote violent policing tactics, especially on communities of color. Activists have also pointed to the environmental impact of the facility. Over a dozen environmental organizations urged city leaders in 2021 to reject the training centers development, saying it would be devastating for the ecological community and surrounding historically marginalized neighborhoods. Supporters say the new facility will help boost police morale and recruitment efforts. The center will focus on community-oriented police and set a national standard for neighborhood sensitivity and devotion to the civil rights of all citizens by law enforcement, the Atlanta Police Foundation said, noting green spaces and other facilities will be open for public use. CNNs Steve Almasy, Christina Maxouris, Nick Valencia, Rebekah Riess, Jeremy Grisham and Dakin Andone contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com [Source] A woman living in Thailand has shared chilling online messages she purportedly received from the man who would later be accused of sexually assaulting and killing one woman and injuring another in Germany. Online chatmate: Chanidtha Khumpuok was playing an online game several months ago when she first connected with 30-year-old American Troy Bohling and went on to develop a friendship through their daily conversations. Their interaction would come to a sudden stop on June 14, the very day Bohling, of Lincoln Park, Michigan, allegedly committed the heinous crimes in Germany. Shocking news: Khumpuok would later learn that the man she had been communicating with online stands accused of choking and pushing two women down a steep ravine. More from NextShark: Alibaba appoints Brooklyn Nets billionaire owner Joseph Tsai as new chairman She even received a series of selfies from Bohling less than an hour before the purported crimes occurred, including photos that showed him wearing the same attire he had on when police arrested him later that day. What happened: Official reports noted that on that day, Bohling encountered 22-year-old Kelsey Chang and 21-year-old Eva Liu, on a hiking path at around 2:40 p.m. Promising them a romantic view of the historic German castle Neuschwanstein, he was able to lure them to a barely visible trail and take them to a viewpoint on the bridge of Marienbrucke. More from NextShark: Man accused of exposing himself, performing lewd acts in Melbourne beaches The suspect first attacked Liu and then choked Chang when she rushed to her friends aid. Bohling pushed both women down the ravine but only Chang survived due to a branch that broke her fall. Liu, who was sexually assaulted by Bohling, succumbed to her injuries the following day, while Chang sustained injuries but is expected to recover. Disturbing chat logs: According to the chat messages Khumpuok shared with The News-Herald, she had been chatting with Bohling since morning on the day of the crime. Story continues Bohling shared that he had a dream in which he felt detached from his own body while sleeping. He then mentioned that he was preparing to go out and would message Khumpuok later. More from NextShark: Thai serial thief who stole hundreds of phones while only wearing white briefs arrested Later that day, Khumpuok received a photo from Bohling showing the mountainous area where he had parked. Several more selfies would arrive in the evening at 6:53 p.m. Thailand time (1:53 p.m. Germany time). The final photo Bohling sent to Khumpuok featured two people kneeling while overlooking the castle, with the caption: "And now I get to sit here and look at these 2 try to get the perfect insta." Bohlings arrest: After allegedly attacking the two women, the suspect fled the scene but was later captured by law enforcement officers following a large-scale search operation. More from NextShark: Tesla under investigation after steering wheels come off while driving A judge has ordered that Bohling remains in custody pending a potential indictment while authorities pursue charges of murder, attempted murder, and sexual offenses against him. WASHINGTON On the eve of the anniversary of the Supreme Courts ruling overturning reproductive rights, former Vice President Mike Pence challenged his fellow 2024 GOP presidential candidates to back a federal ban on abortion nationwide, arguing that it would help his party at the ballot box. Speaking Friday at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference, a confab for social evangelicals, Pence took an implicit dig at his former boss Donald Trump by invoking his comments blaming the issue of abortion for the GOPs disappointing performance in the 2022 midterm elections. The cause of life is the calling of our time, and we must not rest and must not relent until we restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law in every state, Pence told a crowd that numbered several hundred. Every Republican candidate for president should support a ban on abortion before 15 weeks as a minimum nationwide standard. Trump appointed three Supreme Court justices that made repealing Roe v. Wade, a decadeslong GOP goal, reality last year, but he has so far resisted embracing a federal ban on the procedure. The former president has reportedly told advisers that he doesnt think abortion is a winning issue, avoiding taking a direct stance on a ban in multiple interviews. What Ill do is negotiate so people are happy, Trump said at a CNN town hall in New Hampshire last month. Other 2024 GOP candidates echoed Pence in voicing support for the idea of a 15-week federal ban while at the same time acknowledging that it isnt politically feasable because its passage would require at least 60 votes in the Senate. If Congress puts a bill on my desk that has reasonable exceptions, Ill sign it, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson told reporters on Friday. As a practical matter, Im very doubtful its going to have congressional action because it would need consensus in a divided Congress. Polls have repeatedly shown that abortion is a losing issue for Republicans, especially among independent voters. A Public Religion Research Institute survey released earlier this year found a majority of people in all seven states Trump won in 2016 Arizona, Montana, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin think abortion should be legal in most or all cases. Story continues Moreover, polls suggest that GOP primary voters assign more importance to a candidates views on the economy than they do on culture war topics like limiting the rights of transgender people and a national abortion ban. According to one CBS News/YouGov poll, only 58% of GOP primary voters say its important for a presidential candidate to support a national abortion ban. The attendees at the Faith and Freedom Coalition event on Friday didnt seem to mind all that much that Trump hasnt been as outspoken about a national abortion ban as some other candidates in the race. The former president is still overwhelmingly popular with GOP primary voters and many of his rivals are running campaigns focused on heaping praise on him and his administration. Damned you do, damned if you dont, said John Jorgensen, a retired UPS worker from Georgia who wore a T-shirt with the words pro-gun and pro-life emblazoned on his back. He added: Thats one of those issues, you gotta speak up or let it slide. He probably needs to pick a side, as far as being a Christian and following Gods leadership, thats where he should stay. His wife, Betsy, agreed. You cant please all people all the time, she said. Im a firm believer in pro-life. We have a tendency to split hairs and thats why were not united. If he were to make a firm stance, hes going to isolate himself as well. I think hes proven hes pro-life. CORRECTION: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the year that Trump won Arizona, Montana, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Related... I knew things were different the morning after Barack Obama announced that Navy SEALs had hunted down Osama bin Laden. In my coastal South Carolina neighborhood in a county where the American flag is flown proudly from many a front porch, an area that would years later vote for Donald Trump twice by a wide margin, the celebration was subdued. Though it felt more like mourning than celebration, my neighbors werent upset bid Laden was dead, just that it was a Democrat who had killed him. It wasnt like the joy that had spontaneously erupted in front of the White House even before Obama had taken to the podium. It wasnt a display of the kind of American pride long predicted would occur if bin Laden would have been captured by the Bush administration. It wasnt much of anything at all, except for rationalizations that the accomplishment belonged to George W. Bush, who had been out of office for more than two years, or the SEAL who pulled the trigger, as long as the credit went to anyone and everyone except Obama. Not even the successful end to a 10-year-hunt for the worlds most wanted terrorist, the man most responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks the man responsible for the murder of thousands of Americans and the spark that lit the fuse on two decades-long wars that cost us trillions in treasure and even more in blood and a sense of security could reunite us. When people hate their political opponents more than they love themselves, theres no compromise, no feat that can bridge the divide. Its what I saw in 2011 after the bin Laden killing and what Ive seen since Donald Trump was indicted for the second time. No one embodies that change more than Lindsey Graham, South Carolinas senior U.S. senator. There was a time Graham was considered a statesman, a man willing to reach across the aisle if that was in the best interest of the country. No more. After a special counsel unsealed a damning indictment about Trump including his reckless regard for the nations most sensitive security secrets, including about nuclear weapons and our vulnerability to attack Graham didnt caution his supporters to let the process play itself out and only demand that it be fair and transparent. Instead, he joined a growing mob of conspiracy theories and fabulists trying to convince the country that Trump is the real victim. Story continues His descent into a far-right caricature of the man I once voted for hit a new low over the weekend on ABC News. He pulled on tight his cloak of performative self-righteousness to claim he was speaking for all Republicans while falsely claiming Trump was being treated unfairly by the justice system. He angrily raised his voice as spittle escaped from his mouth. Most Republicans believe we live in a country where Hillary Clinton did very similar things and nothing happened to her, Graham said then later tweeted. Most Republicans believe that falsehood because men like Graham have repeatedly told them lies or refused to disabuse them of misinformation. The facts are these: Trump was treated differently by the justice system because most anyone else would have been arrested long before Trump ended up in a Florida courtroom pleading not guilty. The Department of Justice and others worked with Trump for two years to have him return extremely sensitive documents that did not belong to him. They essentially begged him, hoping to avoid where we ended up. Not only did he repeatedly refuse, he repeatedly lied to DOJ and his own lawyers and advisers. He hid documents even after the FBI searched his home, and he encouraged others to stonewall. He shared sensitive information with those who should not have seen it. It bears repeating that Trump had taken secrets. Its not a simple dispute over documents or absent-mindedness, which are among the ridiculous excuses being floated by Trump supporters. Trump was given a thousand and one chances to avoid indictment and arrest but refused at every turn. Thats not in the same universe of what Clinton, Joe Biden, Mike Pence, Colin Powell, James Comey and other high-level officials whove faced questions about their handling of classified information did. Graham knows this. Graham also knows that the quickest way to get conservatives to forget about police brutality and shootings is to yell What about Chicago?! And he knows the easiest way to deceive tens of millions of Americans about why Trump is facing criminal charges is to yell What about Hillary?! Gone are the days when a threat to the nation itself would unite us, like how Democrats rallied around a Republican president after the Sept. 11 attacks and pushed his approval rating into record-high territory. These days, we have a party so committed to maintaining or regaining power it makes excuses for men who breezily put all our lives at risk. Not even a violent insurrection attempt on Jan. 6, 2021 in the heart of our democracy was enough to convince them to change course. South Carolinas own Lindsey Graham is leading us as we speed down a dark, perilous path. It's almost exactly a year until Colorado's 2024 general election ballot will be set, and already the contours are beginning to emerge. Next year's election will be one of those rare occurrences when Colorado voters are faced with deciding only a couple of statewide races: the presidential contest and the race for the at-large seat on the University of Colorado Board of Regents. Every 12 years, unlike in most general elections, neither Colorado's statewide executive offices governor, attorney general, secretary of state and state treasurer nor one of the state's two U.S. Senate seats appear on the ballot throwing the spotlight on congressional and legislative races. According to national political organizations and election forecasters alike, Democrat Joe Biden has a lock on Colorado's electoral votes, taking the state off the table in the presidential contest. Only two of Colorado's eight U.S. House seats will be in contention next year, along with a handful of legislative seats. The reelection efforts of U.S. Reps. Lauren Boebert, a Silt Republican seeking a third term, and Yadira Caraveo, a Thornton Democrat seeking a second term, will take center stage next year in what are already shaping up to be expensive campaigns that could decide which party wields the gavel in the House after next year's election. It's no coincidence that both lawmakers won election last year in extremely tight races Boebert defeated Democrat Adam Frisch by 546 votes in the 3rd Congressional District, and Caraveo bested Republican state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer by 1,632 votes in the 8th Congressional District. Frisch is mounting a bid for a rematch against Boebert, and while Caraveo has yet to draw a Republican challenger, a half dozen prospective candidates have said they're considering a run, including Kirkmeyer. A glance back at the archives from late June 2021, at the same juncture in the last election cycle, however, suggests that as clear as the road ahead might appear a year out, there are likely some curveballs in store. Count on plenty of surprise developments and the emergence of at least a few unforeseen characters out of left or right field. At this point two years ago, for instance, Democrat Ed Perlmutter was gearing up to run for reelection representing the suburban 7th Congressional District, and few outside Aspen had heard of Frisch, the resort town's former councilman, at least in political circles. And outside Mesa County on the Western Slope, Republican County Clerk Tina Peters hadn't made much of a splash, other than grabbing headlines more than a year earlier when hundreds of uncounted ballots from the previous election were discovered in a drop box outside her headquarters. Election workers, it turned out, had forgotten to collect the ballots on election night in 2019, sparking a brief, unsuccessful attempt to recall her from office. Months later, all three would have major impacts on the 2022 election Perlmutter retired rather than seek a ninth term; Frisch jumped into a crowded field of Democrats hoping to challenge Boebert and later came within a whisker of scoring a major upset; and Peters was accused of breaching her own county's voting equipment in an attempt to prove an earlier election had been rigged. Peters later sought the Republican nomination for secretary of state, hoping to challenge Democrat Jena Griswold, but lost the primary to former Jefferson County Clerk Pam Anderson, who lost to Griswold in November. Likewise, political observers thought they knew in June 2021 what the dominant issues would be in the 2022 election. But the bombshell repeal of Roe v. Wade, which helped turn an anticipated Republican rout on its head, was still a year in the future. Even amid the deluge of daily news, it can be hard to grasp just how quickly things can change over a relatively brief stretch, and how the twists and turns can influence voters. Uncertainty reigned in late June 2021, chiefly because the once-a-decade redistricting process was only starting to get into gear, leaving dozens of potential candidates idling until the new congressional and legislative boundaries were known. As well, the state was still slowly emerging from the COVID pandemic, though a return to some semblance of normalcy was in sight. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Mainly, though, Colorado seemed on track to swing the way the state had in previous midterm elections, penalizing the party in power by reducing its ranks. In 2022, that meant that voters were primed to take Democrats down a notch, since the party not only held the White House and both chambers of Congress but also controlled every lever of state government, following unprecedented sweeps in the 2018 and 2020 elections. What's more, Colorado's independent redistricting commissions had just unveiled their preliminary maps, and things didn't look good for Democrats. While the maps were destined to undergo plenty of adjustments before final versions would be approved, months later, the initial boundaries had Republicans cheering and Democrats singing the blues. Designed to give the state's growing number of unaffiliated voters an equal voice in the process, the commissions were created when voters approved ballot measures in 2018. As the process got underway, Colorado learned it would gain an eighth congressional district due to increased population since the previous census. Based on admittedly imperfect data precise census numbers wouldn't be available for a while the first version of the congressional district map created four seats that were solidly Democratic, three seats that were solidly Republican and one competitive seat. As it turned out, that's essentially how the final set of boundaries was configured, though Democrats protested that the early version failed to reflect the state's political makeup while at the same time rearranging traditional combinations, like grouping Pueblo County with the Eastern Plains in the 4th Congressional District, instead of with the Western Slope in the 3rd CD. The legislative maps, meanwhile, threw at least seven pairs of House Democrats and three pairs of House Republicans into the same districts, forcing primaries that would automatically cost plenty of incumbents their seats. Based on an analysis of the new districts' partisan leans, Democrats, who held a 41-24 majority ahead of the election, stood to lose as many as 10 seats off the bat, with several more seats competitive enough they could go either way. The preliminary state Senate map, on the other hand, appeared to favor Democrats roughly by the 20-15 margin the party enjoyed in the chamber, drawing howls of protest from Republicans. Under different legislative district boundaries from those initially proposed, Democrats increased their majorities in both chambers in the 2022 election. Democratic incumbents were seeking reelection in every statewide race on the ballot, from U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Gov. Jared Polis to Attorney General Phil Weiser, Secretary of State Jena Griswold and State Treasurer Dave Young. At this point two years ago, none of their eventual Republican challengers had yet launched their campaigns. While the field would eventually swell, just two Republicans were running for Senate, and one of them, first-time candidate Erik Aadland, would switch to the 7th CD race by the end of the year. He went on to win the GOP nomination in the district. He later lost the general election to state Sen. Brittany Pettersen, who sewed up the Democratic nomination after Perlmutter announced his retirement. The two candidates who faced off a year later in the 2022 GOP primary state Rep. Ron Hanks and wealthy business owner Joe O'Dea, who won the primary but lost to Bennet were still months from declaring their bids. Greg Lopez, who finished third in the 2018 gubernatorial primary, was the only Republican vying to take on Polis two years ago. CU Regent Heidi Ganahl, who eventually defeated Lopez in the primary but lost to Polis, was honing her stump speech and preparing to kick off a campaign later that summer. Boebert had already attracted eight potential Democratic challengers, but Frisch was not yet among them. The presumed frontrunner, state Sen. Kerry Donovan, would later drop her bid after she wound up outside the 3rd CD. Neither Caraveo nor Kirkmeyer were among the early names floated for the new 8th CD, which covered areas north of Denver. As it turned out, though, the 2022 election ultimately yielded few surprises, since spoiler every congressional and statewide incumbent who sought reelection won another term, leaving Colorados lineup of top elected official unchanged, except for Perlmutter's departure and the addition of Pettersen and Caraveo. When the U.S. Coast Guard decided to launch a search and rescue operation for the missing OceanGate submersible near the Titanic wreckage site, they did so without OceanGate footing the bill, according to officials. As a matter of Homeland Security policy and the law, the Coast Guard never asks a private company or individual to reimburse the government for the costs associated with search and rescue missions, according to the Coast Guard. "The Coast Guard, as a matter of both law and policy, does not seek to recover the costs associated with Search and Rescue from the recipients of those services," according to a U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson. "As a matter of law, 46 USC 2110(a)(5) prohibits the Coast Guard from collecting fees for the conduct of SAR operations: The Secretary may not collect a fee or charge under this subsection for any search or rescue service." PHOTO: Rear Adm. John Mauger, the First Coast Guard District commander, speaks during a press conference about the search for the missing OceanGate submersible carrying five people to explore the wreck of the sunken Titanic, in Boston, June 22, 2023. (Brian Snyder/Reuters) Officials have not said how much the extensive search operation would cost. The Coast Guard led a dayslong search for a submersible carrying five people that vanished while on a tour of the Titanic wreckage off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. The Coast Guard coordinated a multinational search and rescue effort that ended Thursday with an announcement that the crew was believed to have died in a "catastrophic implosion." As of Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard said it had searched an area twice the size of the state of Connecticut. Most of the assets used in the search were from the Canadian Coast Guard, but the U.S. Coast Guard resources included an HC-130 Hercules long-range search aircraft from Elizabeth City, North Carolina. MORE: Titanic submersible: What a 'catastrophic implosion' means and what officials found The 21-foot deep-sea vessel Titan, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, lost contact about an hour and 45 minutes after submerging on Sunday morning with a 96-hour oxygen supply. A remote operated vehicle, or ROV, found debris from the OceanGate Titan submersibles tail cone approximately 1,600 feet from the Titanic wreckage. The debris found was consistent with the "catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber," U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger said Thursday. Story continues Early on in the search, the United Kingdom's Department of Defense said it believed that the missing submersible was at depths that greatly exceeded the capabilities of the NATO Submarine Rescue System. PHOTO: A crew member sits aboard a Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane as it flies about 900 miles East of Cape Cod, Mass., during the search for the submersible Titan, June 21, 2023. (Petty Officer 1st Class Amber Howie/U.S. Coast Guard via AP) International assets deployed to the scene of the search included the Royal Canadian Navy ship HMCS Glace Bay (with a mobile decompression chamber and medical personnel); Canadian Coast Guard ships John Cabot, Ann Harvey and Terry Fox; Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora aircraft; Motor Vessel Horizon Arctic; French research vessel L'Atalante; an Air National Guard C-130; and a ROV from Magellan, an international exploration company, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Horizon Arctic's ROV ended up discovering the Titan's wreckage, according to officials. On Wednesday, the U.S. Navy also sent a Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System, a lift system designed to provide reliable deep ocean lifting capacity for the recovery of large, bulky and heavy undersea objects, such as aircraft or small vessels, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Who will pay for Titan submersible's search and rescue? The US taxpayer originally appeared on abcnews.go.com WASHINGTON For nearly a decade, Narendra Modi wasnt allowed to set foot in the United States. But times, titles and political agendas change. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed Modi, the prime minister of India, to the White House on Thursday for a state visit filled with the kind of pomp and pageantry afforded only to the nations closest friends. Standing next to Modi on the White House South Lawn, Biden said he has long believed that the relationship between the United States and India will be one of the defining relationships of the 21st century. Modi was denied a visa to enter the U.S. in 2005, when he was the chief minister of the Indian state of Gujarat, over accusations that he had failed to stop deadly riots against minority Muslims. But now that hes the leader of the worlds largest democracy, the Biden administration has been embracing him more closely as it seeks to counter Chinas global influence. Given Modis history with the U.S., there were bound to be some unusual, and even awkward, moments during his state visit: Pomp and pageantry: Here's why Democrats and Republicans welcome a visit from right-wing Indian PM Narendra Modi President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcome Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, during a state visit at the White House. Red carpets and yellow yoga mats Not many state visits start with yoga. But Modi not only walked the red carpet, he stretched out on a yellow yoga mat. Modi, a yoga enthusiast, and roughly 1,000 other practitioners of the Hindu spiritual and aesthetic discipline demonstrated their technique on Wednesday, Day One of Modis four-day visit to the United States. The 72-year-old grey-bearded prime minister took his place on a mat on the grassy North Lawn area outside the United Nations headquarters in New York. For the next half hour, he practiced breathing exercises, meditation, backbends and other poses. "Namaste," he told the crowd before the exercises began. The event was held in recognition of the International Day of Yoga, which Modi persuaded the U.N. to observe annually not long after he became Indias leader in 2014. This years event set a Guinness World Record for most nationalities 135 at a yoga session. Story continues Modis message to his fellow yoga enthusiasts: "Let's use the power of yoga, not only to be healthy, happy, but to be kind to ourselves and each other. Yoga diplomacy: Ahead of U.S. state visit, India's leader takes to his mat at the U.N. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, practices yoga during the International Yoga day event at United Nations headquarters in New York on June 21, 2023. The first lady and Modi take a field trip The first couple of times the Bidens hosted a foreign dignitary for a state visit, Jill Biden arranged an outing with the leaders spouse. She took Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, to the interactive Plant Word museum just a few blocks from the White House. Kim Keon Hee, wife of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, got a private tour of the National Gallery of Art. But Modis spouse didnt accompany him on the trip to Washington. Whats more, Joe Biden wasnt in town for Modis arrival on Wednesday. He was traveling back to Washington from California, where he had been raising money for his reelection campaign. So the first lady and the prime minister took a quick field trip to National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington, to highlight workforce training programs. Modi, who arrived late, missed a demonstration of a robot creating abstract art on paper and another showing how an underwater robot can be used to aid fishing. But in brief remarks, he said his government has established labs in schools to encourage young entrepreneurs. His goal, he said, is to make this decade a tech decade. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrives for a State Dinner on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Thursday, June 22, 2023. A plant-based feast The night before the official state dinner, the Bidens hosted Modi for a private dinner at the White House, where they dined on a few of the presidents favorite foods, including pasta and ice cream. The menu for the official state dinner on Thursday catered to Modis palate. Modi is a vegetarian, so the 400 invited guests were served an entirely plant-based meal: A salad of marinated millet. Corn and compressed watermelon. Stuffed portobello mushrooms and saffron risotto. Strawberry shortcake infused with rose and cardamom. The first lady enlisted the help of chef Nina Curtis, who specializes in plant-based cooking, to work with White House chefs to come up with the menu. Guests were given the option of adding fish to the main course. President Joe Biden welcomes Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, during a state visit at the White House. Modi (finally) meets the press Its not unusual for Biden to hold a joint news conference with foreign leaders when they visit the White House. But when Modi took the dais in the White House East Room on Thursday for a Q&A with Biden, it was a remarkable turn of events. Modi, who tries to avoid unscripted moments and has presided over a steady decline in press freedom in his country, has never held a solo news conference and often avoids questions by deferring to others on stage with him. Biden and Modi each answered two questions one from an Indian journalist who asked Modi about climate change, the other from a Wall Street Journal reporter who pressed him on human rights concerns. It was the first time Modi had fielded a question at a news conference since he came to power in 2014. The news conference was a scaled-down affair compared with those usually held as part of a state visit. Even so, Modis advisers were far from thrilled with the idea. Administration officials advised his team that taking questions from the media was standard protocol for White House state visits. Modis people finally relented and agreed to the news conference but not until the day it was to be held. 'No space for discrimination': India's leader claims government doesn't have a human rights problem Flags of India adorn lampposts on Pennsylvania Avenue outside of the White House in Washington, DC on June 16, 2023. US President Joe Biden will be hosting India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a State visit. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_33K28EP.jpg 'No space for discrimination' in India Modis state visit infuriated human rights advocates who blame him for widespread attacks against Indias Muslims and other minorities. Bidens administration has accused Indias government of participating in unlawful and arbitrary killings, restricting freedom of speech and allowing violence against religious, racial and ethnic minorities. A group of more than 70 lawmakers asked Biden in a letter Tuesday to raise the human rights concerns during Modis visit. But during his joint news conference with Biden, Modi insisted there was no discrimination in India and argued that democracy is in Indias DNA. Democracy is our spirit, democracy runs in our veins we live democracy, he said, speaking through an interpreter. There's absolutely no space for discrimination," he insisted, which must have been news to his detractors. Contributing: Francesca Chambers and The Associated Press Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on Twitter @mcollinsNEWS. Trump-Modi bromance: What sparked it and what do each of them stand to gain? This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Modi: Five unusual moments from Indian prime minister's state visit By Khanh Vu and Hyunsu Yim HANOI/SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea and Vietnam agreed on Friday to boost security cooperation, citing North Korea's nuclear threat, and committed to increasing bilateral trade and investment despite a slump this year and Vietnam's planned tax hikes on large firms. In his first visit to Vietnam as president, South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol acknowledged economic woes but reiterated Vietnam's key role for Seoul's growth strategy. He signed 17 agreements with Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong on a number of issues, from critical minerals to Vietnamese workers in Korea, and said Seoul would step up cooperation with Vietnam against North Korea's nuclear threat. Vietnam is one of few countries which can boast close relations with Pyongyang. Vietnam "is ready to participate in the process of denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula", Thuong said in a joint press conference. The two nations also agreed to boost defence industry relations and security cooperation in the South China Sea. South Korea is one of many countries discussing possible arms sales to Vietnam as it seeks to modernise its arsenal. Korea and Vietnam over the last few decades have developed almost symbiotic industrial ties, with South Korea being the largest foreign investor in Vietnam. Seoul also enjoys the highest level of diplomatic relations with Hanoi, together with Russia, China and India. The leaders reiterated a goal of boosting bilateral trade, despite a slump so far this year driven by lower global demand for smartphones and other electronic goods that Korean firms assemble in Vietnam with many components shipped from Korea. "Although the business environment is difficult in recent years, we must find new opportunities in Vietnam, which is the centre of global supply chain reorganisation and an emerging consumer market," Yoon said. Bilateral trade has fallen by a quarter in the first five months of this year compared to the same period in 2022, with a nearly 30% drop in Vietnamese imports of South Korean products. Story continues This year Korean firms have also invested in Vietnam much less than competitors, with China and Japan easily outstripping Seoul, Vietnam's government data show. Falling orders for electronic goods have forced South Korean firms to reduce their Vietnam workforce, multiple industry and business sources say. To tackle this negative trend, Seoul agreed to financial support worth over $4 billion by 2030, almost entirely in loans, to help Vietnam on climate change, education and health. Korean firms also signed over 100 agreements with Vietnamese counterparts during the state visit on energy, aviation, shipbuilding and research. TAX HIKE However, to complicate matters, Hanoi is set to introduce from next year a new levy on large corporations, including big Korean multinationals, as part of a global reform of tax rules that could reduce Vietnam's appeal as a manufacturing hub. Samsung Electronics, the biggest investor in the country, and LG Electronics are among large firms negotiating possible compensations to offset higher taxes. "Companies are seeking to reshore more and diversify rather than go all-in for Vietnam," said James Jung, Seoul-based analyst at Hyundai Motor Securities, noting Vietnam's appeal has fallen in recent months, also because of the new levy. To try to address those issues, Yoon is accompanied in his state-visit by a 205-strong business delegation. In the joint press conference, Thuong said he welcomed Korean firms to invest in gas-fired power plants and semiconductor projects in Vietnam. South Korean companies are among the main investors in Vietnam's nascent Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry, which is expected to boost the country's electricity output and battle shortages that saw power cuts in northern provinces where South Korean manufacturers operate. (Reporting by Khanh Vu and Thinh Nguyen in Hanoi; Joyce Lee, Hyunsu Yim and Soo-hyang Choi in Seoul; Additional reporting by Edward Davies; Writing by Francesco Guarascio; Editing by Martin Petty and Michael Perry) Workers at more than 150 Starbucks locations are set to go on strike over allegations that they were banned from putting up Pride decorations. The union Starbucks Workers United said that 3,000 workers will strike at the more than 150 stores over the course of the next week. The union is demanding that all Starbucks locations be allowed to display Pride decorations to support the LGBT+ community. Starbucks has rejected the allegations, saying that the company hasnt issued any policies or guidance telling stores to remove Pride decorations. The union alleges that the company didnt allow some stores to decorate their coffee shops for Pride Month or that they requested that decorations be taken down after they had already been put up. In a statement shared with The Independent, the union said that this is the latest in Starbuckss retaliation against workers, which includes threatening workers access to existing benefits, denying new benefits to union stores, firing worker leaders like Lexi Rizzo, and other illegal attempts to dissuade partners from organizing. Moe Mills, a shift supervisor in Richmond Heights, west of St Louis, Missouri said that Starbucks is scared of the power that their queer partners hold, and they should be. Their choice to align themselves with other corporations that have withdrawn their support of the queer community in the time we need it most shows that they are not the inclusive company they promote themselves to be. The strike action comes amid a rightwing backlash against Target and Bud Light over their Pride Month activities. Were striking with pride to show the public who Starbucks really is, and to let them know were not going anywhere, Mr Mills added. More follows... Rainbow Parade Participants in Vienna Austrian authorities have announced they thwarted an attack on an LGBTQ+ Pride event in Vienna. A swift police response prevented untoward incidents during the event, attracting more than 300,000 people. A police operation on Saturday resulted in the arrest of three people suspected of plotting an attack on the Vienna Rainbow Parade that same day. According to the head of the Austrian state security agency DSN, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, three unidentified suspects, aged 14, 17, and 20, were arrested just hours before the parade started. Haijawi-Pirchner says those arrested were Austrians of Bosnian or Chechen origin who sympathized with the so-called Islamic State, the German news program Tagesschau reports. A report by the Austrian television network ORF suggests the secret services knew about the suspects plans and had monitored them. Police arrested the suspects at their homes on the instruction of the public prosecutors office in St. Polten. Multiple weapons and storage devices were seized during raids in Vienna and Southern Austria. According to the Austrian Ministry of Interior, the three suspects communicated online and circulated extremist materials. Their plan would have been to attack the Pride event with knives or vehicles, according to Tagesschau. Among the suspects, one was previously under investigation for terrorism. More than 300,000 spectators came out for the parade. Authorities said they were not in danger due to the close monitoring of the trio. News of the arrests didn't come out until Sunday, according to ORF. The authorities wanted to avoid panic since the suspects were already in custody. That's ultimately the goal of terrorism, to cause anxiety and fear in the public. It's also our job not to let that happen," Haijawi-Pirchner said, according to the BBC. Viennas Rainbow Parade was celebrating its 27th year. Participants at such events always present an intense target for Islamist or right-wing extremist scenes, said the head of the Vienna State Police, Gerhard Purstl. Haijawi-Pirchner said there had been a renewed call for attacks from the Islamic State. "There are calls to carry out attacks in Europe again and Europol [European police organisation] just a few days ago published a report to that effect," Haijawi-Pirchner said. "We are taking this very seriously." Watch: Debris from Titan submersible found near Titanic, crew presumed dead With the announcement that remains of the missing Titan submersible have been discovered near the wreckage of the Titanic, tributes have poured in for those on board who died. But questions remain as to whether the bodies of British explorer Hamish Harding, British businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, French submersible pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and chief executive of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush will ever be found. In a press conference on Thursday evening, US Coast Guard officials said debris found was consistent with a 'catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber' and investigations would continue into what happened. Rear Admiral John Mauger, from the US Coast Guard, said efforts will continue to find out what caused the catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible. (Getty) How many times did the Titan go to the Titanic? According to reports, the Titan had made three previous expeditions to the Titanic wreck site. OceanGate has reportedly previously stated that the Titan completed more than 50 test dives, including to depths similar to those of the Titanic, in waters around the Bahamas as well as in a pressure chamber. But reports have emerged of previous issues with the submersible, leading to queries over its safety record. Read More: Rescue teams searching for missing Titanic sub spotted mystery object on oceans surface (Independent, 4-min read) What happens during a catastrophic implosion? A catastrophic implosion is the sudden inward collapse of the vessel, as a result of the huge pressure it would have been under at the depths it was at. The Titanic wreckage is almost 4,000m (13,000ft) below the surface and while it is not known how deep the Titan was when the implosion happened, it was around 1 hour and 45 minutes into its two-hour descent when it lost contact. Pakistani-British businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, French submersible pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British businessman and explorer Hamish Harding and chief executive of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush were named as the five victims of the Titan tragedy. (PA/Alamy/Reuters) Watch: Titan submersible implosion highlights dangers of deep-sea tourism Aileen Maria Marty, a former Naval officer and professor at Florida International University, told CNN that a catastrophic implosion would take just a fraction of a millisecond. Story continues "The entire thing would have collapsed before the individuals inside would even realise that there was a problem," she told CNN. "Ultimately, among the many ways in which we can pass, thats painless." Read More: Expert Who Begged Off a Titanic Sub Mission Saw an Implosion Coming (Daily Beast, 6-min read) The submersible disappeared en route to the Titanic wreck. (Getty/OceanGate) Will they find the bodies of the Titan? Officials in the US have said they are "not sure" they can recover the bodies of the five people who died. In a press conference in Boston on Thursday, Rear Admiral John Mauger told reporters he could not say what the prospects were of recovering the bodies. He 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." Read More: Former Titan submersible passenger who took 4 dives in it, including to the Titanic, said communication with the surface ship was lost 'every single time' (Insider, 3-min read) Do we know what went wrong? As the world awaits for answers on what went wrong with the Titan, investigations are underway to try to provide those answers for the families of those who died. In Thursday's press conference, Rear Admiral Mauger said: "Our thoughts are with the families and making sure that they have an understanding as best as we can provide of what happened and begin to find some closure. "In terms of the large process, were going to continue to investigate the site of the debris field and then I know that theres also a lot of questions about how, why and when did this happen, and so those are questions that we will collect as much information as we can on now, while the governments are meeting and discussing what an investigation of this nature of a casualty might look like. "This is something that happened, Ill just remind everybody, this is something that happened in a remote portion of the ocean with people from, you know, several different countries around the world and so it is a complex case to work through but Im confident that those questions will begin to get answered." Rear Adm. Mauger said it is early in efforts to find out what wrong with the Titan. (Getty) He said some of the vessels at the scene of the search would be demobilised, but remote operations on the sea floor will continue, and he did not have a timeline for when they would finish. Asked about whether there should be changes to safety ratings or inspections, he said it would be the focus of a future review. Read More: With the fate of those on Titanic-bound submersible known, focus turns to cause of fatal implosion (EuroNews, 6-min read) Who built the Titan submersible? The Titan submersible was built by private company OceanGate, which provides submersibles for commercial, research and military purposes and reportedly carries out yearly voyages that include paying tourists. The Titan is is designed to carry up to five people - usually a pilot and four others - and is reportedly built to dive to depths of 13,123ft (4,000 meters) and travel at 3 knots (3.5 mph, or 5.6 km/h). According to OceanGate's website, which has been taken down since the tragedy, tourists can pay $250,000 (195,000) to join a trip. OceanGate has released a statement calling the five victims "true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans". Read More: Relatives of Titanic victims criticise dark tourism of Titan submersible expedition: Let them rest (Independent, 4-min read) Temperatures are set to soar again on Saturday. (Getty) Parts of the UK are in line for another heatwave as temperatures soar again this weekend. The Met Office has forecast heavy rain and a thunderstorm warning has been issued, but some areas will also hit 30C (86F). The South East will benefit most from the latest hot spell, according to forecasters. Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said: "By Friday theres some possibility of rain in Northern Ireland, the west of England, it will be generally drier in the South East. "The weekend could get up to the high 20s or low 30s, the South East will see the warmer weather. "The week will be sitting relatively warmer for this time of year but more subdued than weve seen, but areas will hit heatwave criteria as we get to the weekend." Friday starts fine for many southern and eastern areas Meanwhile, cloud and rain will affect many northern and some western parts pic.twitter.com/Zbz2da5VSw Met Office (@metoffice) June 22, 2023 The weather is expected to get progressively hotter with a mixture of sunny spells and patchy clouds throughout Saturday. Temperatures are expected to be close to 29C in parts of the south and west and will continue to rise, with the possibility of breaking 30C on Saturday. Read more: UK heatwave: How hot is too hot? Forecasts suggest the warmest temperatures will be in South and Southeast, with London and Norwich experiencing close to 28C. Minimum temperatures are also expected to hit 17C in some areas. A yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued for Northern Ireland on Monday between 1pm and 8pm, with 15 to 20mm of rain predicted to fall in less than an hour. The South East is set to benefit from warmer temperatures again this weekend. (Getty) Elsewhere, sunshine is expected for most of Monday but with some cloud and scattered showers in the North West, said Dixon. Overnight into Tuesday there will be heavy rain moving from the south of England to the North East, and southern and western parts of England could see 30mm of rain, making driving conditions "uncomfortable", according to Dixon. Story continues Rain will change from persistent to showers on Wednesday, but it will be drier in the South East, and while showers will continue on Thursday, there will more warm weather as temperatures rise again towards the weekend. The UK has been having record temperatures, with a heatwave in England and Wales leading to health alerts and concerns of pressure on the NHS> The hottest temperature of the year so far was 32.2C (89.9F) recorded on 10 June in Surrey, but temperatures aren't expected to quite hit that in the next period of hot weather. Warren Mayor Jim Fouts gave his last State of the City address as leader of Michigan's third-largest city Thursday a blend of personal Festivus, diatribe against the current City Council and plethora of political endorsements. He called on the Michigan attorney general to investigate the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court, which issued rulings that prevent him from seeking a fifth term as mayor. If not, he said, he's going to request a federal investigation of the court system in Michigan. From his bully pulpit, Fouts ticked off accomplishments during his 16 years as mayor and what he would do if he could serve yet another term, while airing grievances at the courts as well as at City Council members, their hired attorney and the attorney's law firm. He showed a couple of clips of council meetings to emphasize the behavior that he said made the "accidental" council one from "hell." Warren Mayor Jim Fouts speaks at his last state of the city address as mayor inside Andiamo in Warren on June 22, 2023. Butterflies, council members and endorsements He reiterated his efforts and support for a downtown project with hotel by City Hall a proposal he's been trying to get through for years. He said the City Council has declined to vote on the idea nearly 40 times. He said it was "profoundly disappointing" the council hasn't taken any vote on the project, which he said would bring millions of dollars in taxes each year "at no burden on the taxpayers." He weaved in jabs at the council, saying he believed the city needed to do something with butterflies "and I'm not referring to the City Council," and said the city now would have 12 butterfly refuges. Fouts also tried to shape the future of the city and its government by touting what he thought was important and by backing several candidates. More: Michigan Supreme Court won't take up term-limit case involving Warren Mayor Jim Fouts Fouts' comments were similar and similarly fiery to those made during a lengthy news conference he held May 18, a day after the Michigan Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal by Warren City Clerk Sonja Buffa and the Warren Election Commission after the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled Fouts was not eligible to run for mayor again. Story continues Fouts, a decadeslong politician in Warren, spoke for an hour and 15 minutes to a crowd of a couple hundred people, ranging from at least one Macomb County officeholder to Warren's police and fire commissioners, the city attorney and city employees. Warren mayor Jim Fouts heads to the podium to talk with the media on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Warren City Hall during a press conference where he talked about his accomplishments as mayor and how his name wonOt appear on the ballot in the November election. Lifetime chamber of commerce membership The two-hour lunch event at Andiamo in Warren, where Fouts has held prior annual state of the city addresses, began with mingling, drinks and a prayer. Guests gobbled several courses salad, pasta, chicken, potatoes, green beans and ice cream. They rewarded Fouts with applause several times during his speech, which ended with a local chamber of commerce presenting him with a lifetime member certificate. Outside the venue, city resident Lori Harris stood on the sidewalk with signs, mostly about making Warren safer with Americans with Disabilities Act improvements. Tucked among them also was one stating: "Your wife wants a divorce." Fouts previously said, "My life and my wife is Warren." More: Warren Mayor Fouts faces toughest test of his career. Will he survive? Fouts' final state of the city address might be one of his last large public speaking events before exiting the mayor's office in November. His hopes of being able to run for another term were high in March after a Macomb County Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of Buffa and the Warren Election Commission, saying he was eligible to run for a fifth, four-year mayoral term. But they were dashed less than a month later by the Court of Appeals when it ruled in favor of the City Council and Councilman Ron Papandrea, who challenged the initial ruling because of mayoral term limits approved by voters in 2020. The Court of Appeals judges said Buffa was to immediately disqualify Fouts as a candidate for mayor and not place his name on the ballot. More: Macomb County's culture of corruption: 'It's how it's always been' The Michigan Supreme Court last month declined to hear an appeal by Buffa and the city Election Commission, saying it was "not persuaded that the question presented should be reviewed by this Court." Fouts might help the next administration for free Fouts was not named as a party in any of the lawsuits, but the decisions directly affected him. Six other candidates are running for mayor in the Aug. 8 primary, including City Council President Pat Green, state Rep. Lori Stone and Macomb County Commissioner Michelle Nard. Fouts announced that he is endorsing the city's Human Resources Director George Dimas for mayor, whom Fouts said he used to challenge when Dimas was on City Council years ago. Fouts said he was asked by Dimas to help out if he is elected mayor and Fouts said: "I will do it. I cannot be appointed. I'm gonna do it for the costly sum of zero cents. I will do it for free." He did not endorse any of the current City Council members. Fouts closed his remarks by saying: "We need a new day to bring civility back to government, to end chaos and conflict, to end the outrageous development that's developed in our council where the mayor cannot communicate with the council, he can only communicate with them when they're suing him and they're suing the city at the expense of the taxpayers. Enough is enough." 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: Why Warren Mayor Jim Fouts wants US investigation of Michigan courts Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) tried to defend Donald Trump with an odd warning that even his critics agreed with but it probably wasnt quite the reaction he was aiming for. Jordan tweeted: Remember, if the FBI can do it to a presidential candidate, they can do it to you too. Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) June 21, 2023 Trump was indicted on 37 counts related to the classified documents scandal, including charges centered on the alleged mishandling of sensitive information and for obstruction of justice. Given the nature of those allegations and the fact that others accused of similar crimes are routinely prosecuted and sentenced to prison Jordans critics were quick to point out that the FBI did exactly what its supposed to. And that, they said, is true regardless or whether or not someone is a presidential candidate: Absolutely correct, Mr. Chairman. Anyone in this country who steals classified documents and then lies repeatedly to the government about returning them will probably get a visit from the FBI. https://t.co/6Fv8haEmBg Rep. Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) June 21, 2023 Dear Jim, Yes, thats true. No one is above the law. And btw Jim, this tweet makes you sound kind of stupid. You may want to delete it. Sincerely, Your Former Congressional Colleague https://t.co/10qDaHnTHl Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) June 22, 2023 Look out! If you too keep top-secret documents about nuclear secrets and refuse for more than a year to return them, even as they spill out of boxes, and hide boxes from investigators, and manipulate your lawyers into lying to authorities--why, you too are at risk! https://t.co/ZRcBB9AQSL Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) June 22, 2023 I am not worried about me but you need to worry about you George Riner (@gpriner) June 21, 2023 If you steal highly sensitive national security documents, show them to people, hide/move them and obstruct attempts to retrieve them, then yes, the FBI will arrest you. https://t.co/7JfEjvCE06 Reed Galen (@reedgalen) June 21, 2023 Let me fix this: Remember, if you break the law, they can do it to you. Dr. Haidak (JP), Psy.D. (@JHaidak) June 21, 2023 Yes, Gym. If you break the law, law enforcement will seek to prosecute you. Andrew C Laufer, Esq (@lauferlaw) June 21, 2023 Fair enough, I'll return my boxes of top secret national security files to Washington. https://t.co/A1uORiF7RD Brian Riedl (@Brian_Riedl) June 22, 2023 I dont remember you saying that in October or 2016 when the FBI investigated Hillary for a second time, finding nothing actionable. Ryan Shead (@RyanShead) June 21, 2023 True. If you steal top secret documents that belong in a SCIF and store them in the bathroom in your gold-leafed pimp palace and then have your sycophantic valet help you evade a subpoena and obstruct the investigation with you, they can do it to you too. https://t.co/M7NjfrxN5R Spiros Ghost (@AntiToxicPeople) June 21, 2023 Remember, if you cover up the brutal sexual assaults of college wrestlers you can get elected as a Republican to Congress and even chair a major committee! Bonus if you abet and encourage a violent insurrection! https://t.co/4acYSdFaHY Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) June 21, 2023 Remember, if YOU are required to obey the law under penalty of arrest, so are the president and the elected officials of this country. That is LITERALLY the reason our ancestors broke away from the King of England, formed the United States, and wrote the Constitution. https://t.co/l1oLZKgErX Stonekettle (@Stonekettle) June 21, 2023 So the FBI will give you multiple no-harm-no-foul opportunities to return secret national-defense documents that don't belong to you, and will only prosecute you after you refuse to give them back and then have your lawyer lie in response to a subpoena? https://t.co/3MzGFCH4Sn James Surowiecki (@JamesSurowiecki) June 22, 2023 For all of you out there storing classified Iran war plans next to your toilet, Jim Jordan warns that the FBI is putting you are on notice! Youre NEXT! This madness will only stop when NO ONE stores secret war plans next to their toilets. https://t.co/Syhz0O7Ikw Garrett M. Graff (@vermontgmg) June 22, 2023 Remember, the FBI can seize the classified documents in your bathroom too. https://t.co/RAPMLZ4obT Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) June 21, 2023 If I keep top secret documents in my house, and refuse to return them after being asked, I hope they do. Jim Hattaway (@JAHattaway) June 21, 2023 So what youre saying is, if I steal and refuse to give back classified documents I will be indicted? Hmmm, interesting Ben (@Degen_Ben_) June 21, 2023 Only if YOU keep nat sec secrets in your bathroom, Jimmy. https://t.co/4kawdkSU2M MelissaJPeltier (@MelissaJPeltier) June 22, 2023 Favian Isaiah Oseguera makes his preliminary appearance via Zoom in Yakima County Superior Court Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Oseguera is accused of threatening to kill a Sunnyside store employee in what police and prosecutors have characterized as a hate crime. The Colorado Division of Insurance took legal action this week to assume control of the assets of Friday Health Plans of Colorado, which enrolled about 30,000 Coloradans in individual HMO plans. Colorado's action follows that of Texas, where Friday's Texas affiliate was placed into receivership in that state in March and its assets put up for liquidation. Colorado's action seeks rehabilitation, a form of receivership, that could allow the company to stay in business for the rest of 2023. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, in rehabilitation, a plan is devised to correct the difficulties that led to the insurer being placed in receivership and return it to the marketplace. Fridays problems are national the companys aggressive growth in other states around the country got ahead of their financing," a Colorado Division of Insurance announcement (DOI) said on June 1. "While Friday Health Plan of Colorado has maintained the capital required by Colorado law, the problems in other states and with the parent company are now impacting the company here." DOI halted enrollment in Friday plans in May. It is seeking a receivership order from Denver District Court, filed Wednesday, according to a DOI announcement. The agency asked that Colorado Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway be appointed as receiver with authority to administer the company's assets. The reason for the action is the company's inability to raise capital in order to pay claims, which DOI said means the parent company has become insolvent. The insurance department earlier petitioned the court to seize the Colorado company, which was granted on June 7. Friday's board of directors has consented to the rehabilitation order, the agency said. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The Colorado entity still has funds, DOI Communications Director Vincent Plymell said in an email Thursday. "If the petition is granted, receivership gives the Commissioner, as receiver, the authority to take possession of the assets of Friday Health Plans of Colorado, as well as the administration of those assets. As receiver, the Commissioner would also have the same authority as the company's directors and officers to take any necessary actions for the company," he wrote. We are thankful to the Board of Directors and the management of the parent company of Friday for their consent in this matter. We urge their continued cooperation to avoid policyholder disruption both in Colorado and in other states to the greatest extent possible, Conway said in Wednesday's announcement. The insurance department indicated the reason for seeking rehabilitation rather than liquidation is to protect the coverage of Friday subscribers in Colorado who continue to pay their premiums through the end of the year. Health care providers will still be paid for their services based on existing contracts with Friday's Colorado affiliate. However, should the company be unable to do so, the Colorado Guaranty Association will cover claims up to a statutory cap of $500,000 per each insured. The insurance department has set up a website to address any questions for those impacted by the company's problems. Friday Health Plans of Colorado is the fourth in the past year to announce it is leaving the Colorado market, following similar decisions by Bright Health, Humana and Oscar Health. Collectively, the four companies enrolled about 219,000 Coloradans. Eduardo Reyes-Serrano appears in Yakima County Superior Court via Zoom on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Yakima County prosecutors have charged Reyes-Serrano with first- and second-degree assault, felony harassment, first-degree defrauding a public utility, obstructing police and failing to stop at a police officer's request. Becky Tallent retired in 2019 after 13 years as a journalism faculty member at the University of Idaho. She is of Cherokee descent and is a member of both the Native American Journalists Association and the Society of Professional Journalists. She and her husband live in Moscow, Idaho, with their two cats. She also writes for the Moscow-Pullman Daily News and Spokane Faith and Values. If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. The Republican-controlled House voted along party lines Thursday to send U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert's resolution to impeach President Joe Biden to committees, capping a contentious couple of days as GOP lawmakers quarreled over the Colorado Republican's attempt to force a vote on the measure. After filing articles of impeachment last week accusing Biden of "dereliction of duty" over his handling of immigration at the U.S. border with Mexico, Boebert on Tuesday invoked a rarely used procedural move to bring the question to the House floor. Rather than hold a vote this week on the impeachment resolution, however, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy negotiated a deal to send Boebert's bill to the House Homeland Security and Judiciary committees for further review. The House approved the deal on Thursday 219-208, with Republicans voting in favor and Democrats voting against, following about an hour of often-heated debate. The House is taking historic action, Boebert said during the debate over the resolution to refer her bill to the committees. Boebert said the bill she sponsored "will hold Joe Biden accountable for the dereliction of one of his most basic duties in allowing an invasion to take place across our southern border that has compromised the safety and security of the American people." U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, an Aurora Democrat and one of the House managers who prosecuted the case during former President Donald Trump's first impeachment, dismissed Boebert's recent moves. Rep. Boeberts bogus articles of impeachment are a disgrace and far below the office she holds," Crow told Colorado Politics in a text message. "Coloradans trust us to legislate and improve their lives, not draw up resolutions for clickbait." Democrats also argued Boebert's resolution was an attempt to distract attention from Trump's legal peril following the twice-impeached former Republican president's indictments earlier this month on federal criminal charges for mishandling classified documents. Trump has denied he broke any laws. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. "This body has become a place where extreme, outlandish and nutty issues get debated passionately, and important ones not at all," said U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., Thursday's debate. In short, the Republican Party is a joke. Added McGovern: "We are now in week three of an ongoing temper tantrum by the radical right because they didn't get to cause a catastrophic default. First, they ground the House floor to a complete halt, and now they're jumping over each other to circumvent regular order and diminish this institution in order to look as extreme as their most fervent supporters. What's getting lost in the meantime is any legislation that would actually help the American people." Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, who authored the resolution under debate on Thursday, responded that lawmakers were fulfilling their institutional duty. "Our job in the House of Representatives is, in fact, to deter the overreach and abuse of authority by the president of the United States refusing to carry out the laws of the United States in detriment to the well-being, security and lives of the people of this country," Roy said. "That is our job in the House of Representatives. That is why we are here. That is why I support this rule. That is why I support this resolution. That is why I support this inquiry. And we are just beginning." In a statement claiming victory issued moments after the resolution passed, Boebert said she doesn't plan to let up. "I am pleased that House leadership worked with me on my impeachment bill to protect our constitutional republic," Boebert said. "As demonstrated in this victory, I will continue to use every available procedural tool to hold Joe Biden accountable and advance impeachment proceedings. 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. Zi de doliu in turism, la trecerea in nefiinta a domnului Dan Matei Agathon Astazi este o ZI DE DOLIU IN TURISM, trecerea in nefiinta a domnului Dan Matei Agathon lasa turismul romanesc mult mai sarac. Ne este greu sa gasim cuvintele potrivite acum, cand am aflat ca unul dintre cei mai buni si implicati Ministri ai Turismului [citeste mai departe] It was no coincidence the first Mission BBQ restaurant opened when it did, on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Nor was it happenstance that, a dozen years later, the Maryland-based franchise chose to launch its 127th fast-casual restaurant and plant its first Centennial State roots in Colorado Springs. The only question is, why did it take so long for a proudly patriotic chain whose mission is to serve those who serve, to find its way to one of the nations densest hubs of veterans and active duty service members? Answer: They got here as fast as they could. When our founders Bill (Kraus) and Newt (Steve Newton) opened our company, they only thought we were going to have a handful of Mission BBQs around the Baltimore suburb of Glen Burnie, said Jeremy Diamond, area director of operations for the companys Colorado expansion. The duo, who set out to create a place featuring the best barbecue the nation had to offer (Whats more uniquely American than barbecue?), while also honoring and supporting the military and first responders, soon learned there was a craving for both well beyond their mid-Atlantic home base. They quickly realized this is bigger than a couple restaurants in Maryland, Diamond said. Weve been expanding ever since we opened. When property at 1391 Interquest Parkway, in the citys far north end, became available, factors coalesced into a natural next step, and the companys first foray beyond the Midwest. As we expanded out west, Colorado was an easy choice for us because of the amount of military personnel here, Diamond said. What better to plant our flag in Colorado than right next to the Air Force Academy? I can see the academy from the patio. The fast-casual style restaurant has indoor seating for 98, a patio that seats 28, a staff of 80 hourly employees and six managers. Patrons place dine-in and takeout orders at the front register, and the restaurant touts its fast turn-around time: Two minutes and well have your food ready for you, Diamond said. To create Missions menu, the owners traveled and sampled far and wide, he added. Our customers are going to have a taste of all the best barbecue food that America has to offer, whether its from Texas, from the Carolinas, St. Louis, Kansas City, he said. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. We dont think theres anything more American than barbecue. Its really the only food that America has true ownership of, and thats a responsibility that we take very seriously. The restaurant also will offer revolving Black Plate Specials highlighting seasonal and regional barbecue-adjacent dishes, such as grilled shrimp, seasoned and seared rib-eye, and Hawaiian rib-eye, as well as a seasonal side and dessert. Mission BBQ Colorado Springs doesnt yet have a liquor license, and Diamond said he doesnt know if thats in the cards for the Interquest location. If it is, the restaurant will follow the model of other Mission BBQs, which typically dont serve hard alcohol, just domestic beer and wine. Mission BBQ celebrates a public soft opening 6-9 p.m. Friday, with a Military Appreciation Night and sales donated to the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. The foundations goal is to build a monument at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., honoring those who have fought in the decades-long war on terror. The first 100 people who purchase a $4.99 American Heroes Cup at Fridays Military Appreciation Night get free barbecue for a year. Yes, you read that correctly. At every opening Ive been to, right at six oclock theres a line wrapped around the block, Diamond said. Charity fundraisers are part of every Mission BBQ grand opening, but the support for those who serve doesnt end there. Restaurants raise money for military, police and emergency service personnel and groups throughout the year, do food drops for uniformed American heroes and support national and local charities through ongoing cup campaigns, Diamond said. After Fridays soft opening, Mission BBQ will be closed through Monday for employee appreciation events and so staff can prepare for the public grand opening. Mission BBQ Colorado Springs officially opens at noon Tuesday, after a live rendition of the national anthem and a ribbon cutting ceremony. A preliminary proposal submitted to city government planners shows another Mission BBQ is planned at the First & Main Town Center on the citys east side. Diamond wouldnt speak to those plans specifically, but said, We want to have as many restaurants in as many communities as we can, so that we can do as much good as we can for our communities. The company said it expects to have opened more than 135 restaurants by the end of 2023. The Gazettes Rich Laden contributed to this report. Marion Merricks books are the only first-hand account written by a westerner of what it was like to live and work in communist Hungary, and then in the aftermath of the 1989 change of regime. Now You See It, Now You Dont and House of Cards have been included as part of the Open Society Archive dedicated to this period in the CEU. You can read a serialisation of them here on Xpatloop. You can also buy the dual-volume book on Kindle as well as in Stanfords London. Chapter Five: Children and Change Part 5 Winter solstice festival; growing political undercurrents New year 1988 began with some political surprises. For the first time the idea of tax was introduced, both VAT and income tax. Paul immediately saw the writing on the wall: No taxation without representation, he predicted, quoting the slogan of the American war of independence. I was doubtful that any major changes could possibly take place, but he was adamant. You don't think people are going to pay tax to a government they didn't vote for, and when they have no say about where the money's going? I did not know. Aside from the fact that day-to-day politics did not particularly interest me, we had had no television since 1983 when we had left our previous Dozsa Gyorgy ut flat, and I had neither the time nor the patience to struggle with a newspaper. Such developments as affected everyone's daily lives were usually imparted to me by friends or students. In February a photographer friend of ours, Imi, called in to see us. He lived in the next street and had taken photos of John as a small baby, and for Christmas to send to friends and relatives. He was planning to drive to the town of Mohacs in the south of the country to take photographs of the annual busojaras or carnival. to mark the winter solstice. We had seen pictures of people dressed in strange costumes with grotesque masks, but had never been to the event itself. Paul suggested I go and that he would have John for the day. We left early in the morning, driving along almost deserted country roads between white, frosted fields. We went first to Baja, where Miklos had been teaching, and picked him up from the newly-built hotel on the Petofi island. We crossed the Danube and headed for Mohacs. Having parked the car we followed the ambling droves of people up the main street. In the town square was a huge bonfire, its sparks rising up against the cold pale blue, wintry sky. Standing nearby were figures in long, fleecy garments their masks of red and orange leering menacingly. Some of them chased passers-by, pelting them with flour from small bags hanging by their sides. Sitting to one side of the fire was a gypsy who had removed his mask and who looked decidedly drunk. A moment later a friend of his turned up, and pushing his mask on top of his head, accepted the proffered bottle. I'm going to take some pictures, said Imi. What, of them? I asked, nodding towards the gypsies, they may not be very happy about that. All you have to do is talk to the people you want to photograph first, you don't show them the camera till later, it's not a problem, Imi replied, strolling off in their direction. We watched from a distance. Imi began talking to the two men, accepted a swig from the bottle and sat down next to them. Miklos and I walked on up the main street, trying to avoid being showered with flour. Sitting on one or two benches were people selling the kind of masks the men were wearing. Each was different, being hand carved, most made of wood with two horns and a fleecy mop of hair on top. We both considered buying one to take home and put on the wall, but could not find one we really liked. Slowly, we made our way back to the fire just in time to see Imi taking his last photos of his new-found friends, posing happily. It was lunchtime and we decided to find a restaurant. We took a turning down a narrow side street which wound among the small houses. Quite suddenly something caught my eye: a mask was hanging in the window of a house with a For Sale sign next to it. Miklos followed my gaze. You want to buy it? he asked me. I'm not sure, I replied, Let's go and have lunch and I'll decide. We found a simple, local restaurant nearby where both Miklos and Imi expounded on the superior quality, not to say quantity, of food in country restaurants. As we paid to leave Miklos asked me, Have you made up your mind about the mask then? I nodded, Yes, I'll get it, it's much better than those we saw up in the town. But as we approached the house we could see the mask had disappeared. I should have bought it when I saw it, I said pointlessly. Let's go and ask if they've got another one, Miklos suggested. If they had, they'd have put it in the window, wouldn't they? I replied, disappointedly walking on. Masks for sale Miklos shook his head at me and approached the front door, while Imi and I stood at a distance. A middle-aged woman greeted him. Do you have any more masks for sale? asked Miklos, My friend wanted to buy the one that was there an hour ago, he continued, nodding towards me. The woman smiled, hesitated a moment and then said, Please come in. Imi and I walked over and followed Miklos into the house. We were led into a small, neat sitting room and asked to sit down. The woman disappeared for a moment, returning with a plate of doughnuts she had just made. Help yourselves, she invited, sitting down next to us. That mask was made by my son, she began, he makes them for exhibitions, he was apprenticed to a really well-known craftsman, but he doesn't usually sell them, she said. But you see, he's getting married soon and they need money for furniture so he decided to sell just one or two. I haven't got any more here, but if you really want one I could take you around to his flat - I can't promise you anything though. Miklos raised his eyebrows at me, questioningly. I nodded, smiling. The woman led us through narrow streets of old houses to where two new blocks of flats stood. We walked up to the first floor where she knocked on one of the doors. It's me, she called. The door opened. The woman explained the situation to the young man in the doorway, who then stood aside to let us in. The flat was identical to the prefabricated concrete blocks to be found all over the country, but the whole character of the hall was made unique by the masks which covered every inch of space on its walls. Pointing to a part of the wall between the front door and the kitchen he said, You can choose one of these, the others are not for sale. I exhibit them, he went on, lifting a mask down to show us the paper glued to the back of it stating the place and date of where it had last been exhibited. They're not like the ones you saw in the town today - these are not painted, I stain them with pigs' blood. And these are real cow's horns and sheep's wool. Like the mask I eventually chose, most were black with leering smiles showing all their teeth, and with menacing eyes peering out from behind their shaggy manes. He explained that it was a real wrench for him to part with any of them. My mask Later, as we left, saying goodbye to mother and son, Miklos looked at my happy smile as I examined the mask more closely. You see? he said, What would you do without me? * Spring arrived in March in time for the celebrations on the 15th. It was always a rather tense time, since the uprising of the Hungarians against the Austrians was a purely national event, in no way connected with the Russians or socialism. Yet everywhere the red flag hung alongside the Hungarian tricolour. Nowhere was it more hated than by the statue of Sandor Petofi, the poet famed to have inspired the revolution, where small Hungarian and red flags on sticks were put in the flower beds around the statue on the Danube bank. In fact, my first group of students from the Economics University had told me that they went at night and removed the red flags. It was a risky business with police with cameras on patrol all around the area. This year several thousand people openly protested in Petofi ter for democracy and freedom. Two years previously a smaller such demonstration had been forcibly broken up by the police, but this time they remained simple bystanders. It certainly felt as though momentum was building towards some kind of political change. March 15th demonstration: Press freedom As the spring went on, we began to consider our plans for the summer. Neither of us could summon up much enthusiasm for another safari to England. However, it would not be possible to stay in the flat since Agi and Kazi would be using it in July and August. Luckily, a solution soon presented itself: I had returned to teaching the children who had been to school in Libya, and one of the families - whose three daughters were among my pupils - were going to Greece for the month of July. They suggested we go and house-sit for them, water the plants and take care of their dog. Meanwhile, we could not but become aware of an undercurrent of excitement, a buzz in the air, as one previously unimaginable political change was followed by another. More new parties were being formed, while the ruling socialist party rid itself of many of its old members. On June 16th came the most provocative demonstration thus far, when people gathered at a plot in the cemetery where Imre Nagy was buried. Imre Nagy was Prime Minister in October 1956, prior to the revolution, and had declared Hungary's neutrality and its intention of withdrawing from the Warsaw Pact. When the Russians invaded at the beginning of November, Nagy sought refuge in the Yugoslav embassy. Later in the same month, having received personal assurances of his safety, Nagy left the embassy. He was arrested by the Russians, taken to Romania and in 1957 was returned to prison in Budapest. After several trials held in 1958 Nagy was executed on June 16th. This demonstration at the cemetery, however, was broken up by the police. And yet the atmosphere of liberalisation persisted, stimulating a sense of freedom of expression among ordinary people. It was this feeling that led to a far larger demonstration only some ten days later. It was held to express people's outrage at what was happening across the border in Romania. The territory of Transylvania, formerly Hungarian, is home to some two million Hungarians, and the Ceausescu government had decided to bulldoze villages in the area and re-house those from their communities in concrete housing estates. Thus, on the evening of June 27th, I stood at the window from where I could see down Dozsa Gyorgy ut and to Heroes' Square. Thousands of torch-bearing Hungarians marched into the square to demonstrate their solidarity with their Transylvanian compatriots, a direct challenge to the government to take some positive action to prevent what was perceived as a deliberate attempt to further weaken the position of ethnic Hungarians. A gathering of such magnitude could not be suppressed without adverse publicity in the western press, and passed off unchallenged. Protest against Ceausescus destruction of Transylvanian villages, June 1988 Courtesy Fortepan/ Viktor Gabor Click here for earlier extracts Main photo: Mohacs Festival - Courtesy: Fortepan Between 500 and 1,000 foreign workers, mostly blue-collar, arrive in Hungary every month, CEO David Maier of recruiting company Trendo told business news website Napi. It is difficult to say exactly how many there are in total in the country, he added, but there may be around 80,000-90,000 foreign workers, up from 50,000 in 2019. In particular, the number of workers coming from outside the EU has increased, including workers from the Philippines, Vietnam, India and Mongolia. The assumption that Asian labour is cheap is erroneous, Maier said, as it usually costs more to employ them than to hire a Hungarian worker. However, if companies cannot fulfil their contractual commitments, then the fine often exceeds the costs of bringing in employees from outside Hungary, said Maier. In addition, he continued, the labour shortage often endangers the safe operation of domestic enterprises, which puts the jobs of domestic workers at risk. It seems that the trend will not change, as there will be a need for foreign workers in Hungary in the coming years as well, he concluded. New Delhi: Byju's is asking three global investors to reconsider their decision to quit its board, three sources with direct knowledge of the situation said, as the Indian education technology firm wrestles with the fallout of its auditor's resignation. Board members representing Peak XV Partners, earlier known as Sequoia Capital India, Prosus, and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative stepped down recently without giving a reason, in a setback for Byju's, which was valued last year at $22 billion. (Also Read: World's Wealthiest Professor Who Became The Richest Man In China With Net Worth Of Rs 1,96,120 crore, Failed University Entrance Exams 3 Times) News of their departures came on June 22, the same day Deloitte disclosed it was resigning because Byju's had delayed financial statements for 2021-22 and not provided documents, even after the auditor wrote several letters to the board. (Also Read: Top 10 Smartphones Under Rs 20,000 With 108 MP Camera) cre Trending Stories Byju's leadership is in talks with the investors to try to convince them to reverse their decision, the three sources, who declined to be named as the talks are private, told Reuters. Byju's and the three investors did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday. The company, often described as one of India's most successful startups, has called reports of the board exits "speculation", saying it would make disclosures when required. The popularity of Byju's, which offers online tutorials on subjects such as math, physics, and chemistry for school students, boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its rise was seen as a boost for India's startup scene as investors including General Atlantic made big bets on Byju's. Two of the sources said the investors took the decision collectively to resign from the board as they were not getting answers from Byju's founder and senior management. Byju's and its lenders are involved in legal cases in the U.S. over the restructuring of a $1.2 billion loan. Byju's investors had in recent months raised concerns with the company's leadership related to audit delays and how it dealt with issues relating to its lenders, one source said. The departures mean Byju's board is now only made up of its founder and chief executive Byju Raveendran, his wife Divya Gokulnath, and his brother Riju Raveendran. While the investors are holding talks with Byju's, it has not yet been decided whether or not their decision to resign would change, one of the sources added. New Delhi: The U.S Attorney's Office in Brooklyn, New York, has sent inquiries in recent months to investors with large holdings in Adani Group, focused on what the Indian ports-to-power giant told them, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission also has a similar probe underway, Bloomberg reported, citing two people familiar with the matter. The authorities are looking into the representations that Adani made to its American investors following short-seller Hindenburg's report, the Bloomberg report said. (Also Read: Top 10 Smartphones Under Rs 20,000 With 108 MP Camera) "We are not aware of any such subpoena to investors," an Adani spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters. (Also Read: World's Wealthiest Professor Who Became The Richest Man In China With Net Worth Of Rs 1,96,120 crore, Failed University Entrance Exams 3 Times) cre Trending Stories The group rejects any suggestion that it or its businesses have not acted as per the regulations and accounting standards of the jurisdictions in which they operate, they added. "Our various issuer groups remain confident that the disclosures are full and complete as disclosed in the relevant issuer offering circulars," the spokesperson said. In January, Hindenburg Research said it held short positions in the group and accused the conglomerate of improper use of offshore tax havens. The short-seller also flagged concerns about high debt, eroding $11 billion in investor wealth. The Adani group has rejected all the allegations. India's markets watchdog had, in May, "drawn a blank" in its investigations into suspected violations in the group's overseas investments and a Supreme Court-appointed panel said its ongoing pursuit of the case could be a "journey without a destination". The SEC said it does not comment on the existence or nonexistence of a possible investigation. The Eastern District of New York U.S. Attorneys Office declined to comment on the report. The U.S. Attorney General's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Flash People learn to make Zongzi, a traditional Chinese food, during a celebration of Dragon Boat Festival at the China Cultural Center in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 22, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] The China Cultural Center in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv held an event on Thursday evening to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, attracting 150 visitors from various countries. Originating in China thousands of years ago, the Dragon Boat Festival, which annually commemorates the Chinese patriotic poet Qu Yuan (about 340 BC-278 BC) on May 5 on the lunar Chinese calendar, has now become a national holiday when people enjoy eating zongzi, a sticky rice dumpling, and watch dragon boat races. Decorated with red lanterns, the center was permeated with a lively atmosphere of traditional Chinese festivals. Coiling several bamboo leaves into the shape of a cone, the visitors filled them with glutinous rice and Chinese dates to make zongzi. In addition to tasting this traditional Chinese food, the visitors were also briefed on the historical, cultural and folk knowledge of the festival. Performances of Taiji fans and traditional Chinese musical instruments also drew rounds of applause. Addressing the event, Liu Song, minister-counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Israel, said happy life and social harmony are the common aspirations of people all over the world, including the Chinese, and the Dragon Boat Festival just represents such aspirations. This year marks the 31st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Israel. Bilateral ties now stand at a new historical starting point and face new development opportunities, with broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation, Liu noted. GOLDEN Chris Cone gets one question more than any other. I get asked about the pool all the time. Twice already today, he says here at the Buffalo Rose, his bar and restaurant in the heart of downtown Golden. Everyones like, What? There was a pool? Where is it? Its in the basement, now unfilled and offering convenient storage. The event space is just above, a wedding reception now getting underway representing the new life of one of Colorados most historic commercial locations. The pool represents a life from the 1930s. The Golden Plunge was but one enterprise that sprouted here since 1859, since the founding of this town against the foothills west of Denver. The graffiti around the pool represents the decades-long life of the Buffalo Rose before Cone bought the place in 2016. Since the 1980s, the Rose had been a place for rock n roll shows and occasional biker brawls. It wouldve been almost laughable to have a wedding reception at the Buffalo Rose before 2016, Cone says. But this year, well do 72. The local developers vision has produced memories beyond such private gatherings. Now tourists and families make the Buffalo Rose their stop for lunch or dinner or maybe for just a beer (30 on tap) or cocktail (18 specialties listed). They feast on classic, Western fare with an elevated touch to match the rustic, elegant atmosphere: clearly historic, warped wood and crumbled brick, with the addition of leather, fancy light fixtures and a bar with a retractable roof. Try to imagine Buffalo Bill, one of Goldens celebrated characters, sipping his whiskey there at the sky bar. Its easier to imagine him around the saloon-like interior, filling up on the bison meatloaf (wrapped in bacon, topped with crispy onions and gravy) or the striped bass (pan-seared, topped with mango pico de gallo, Spanish rice and creamed corn) or any of the other house specialties, from steak to enchiladas. The imagination runs wild in the room upstairs. This is my favorite part of the whole building, says Derek Giulianelli, the general manager. Heres the places original, wooden bar, circa 1902. This is the State Room, fittingly named for the official business said to be done here once. The two-story building in 1859 was said to be the biggest in Golden City, as the dusty capital of the territory was known then. Upstairs, some of the first laws of the land were said to be decided. It is also said some of the most notorious lawbreakers of the day met their demise here, the likes of Heartless Edward Franklin and the Musgrove Gang. And then there were dignitaries like Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. This was the Overland Hotel, most famously overseen by Edward Louis Berthoud. The military officer, statesman and engineer also left his mark by leading the establishment of the Colorado School of Mines. After Berthouds death in 1910, the corner of todays Washington Avenue and 12th Street would see buildings rise and fall and businesses come and go. There was the International Bowling Saloon. There was Churches Garage, which sold some of Americas first automobiles. There was a meat market, drugstore and a barbershop. Commerce prevailed at this corner before a man named Adolph Coors started a brewery a couple of blocks down in 1873. The corner provided the pulse and lifeblood for the town that would grow, reads a historical booklet prepared for todays Buffalo Rose. This is the story of the Buffalo Rose, reads the introduction, but more importantly for the people of Golden, Colorado, it is our story. That idea appealed to Cone in 2016. The purchase was a business move, but it being part of the fabric of Golden was part of the discussion for sure, he says. He tapped his brother-in-law as general manager. Giulianelli grew up in Golden through the 1970s and 80s, long before the town became the destination it is today for creek floating, hiking and brewery-hopping. The town was a dump, he recalls kind of like the old, rambunctious Buffalo Rose. It was a dumpy building where families didnt want to go, Giulianelli says. I never wanted to go in there. It was a scary place. He sees the latest transformation as meeting the new moment in Golden: something modern and comfortable that still honors the past. The renovation was complete with plaques posted all around that recount old stories here. And fittingly, the towns signature arch rises just above the front door: Welcome to Golden, Where the West Lives. On the menu For starters, the Buffalo Rose purveyors recommend the green chile artichoke dip, a warm blend of the Pueblo specialty with three cheeses and house-made tortilla chips. Other popular shareables ($14-$17): Southwestern egg rolls, tuna poke wonton nachos and Devils on Horseback, another unusual pairing of bacon-wrapped dates with goat cheese over a whiskey-brown sugar glaze. The bison burger is a go-to, along with the buffalo chicken wrap and slow-roasted pork sandwich, drenched in a house barbecue sauce and topped with bacon. Other sandwiches ($17-$19): a tofu banh mi, a cheesesteak and a lightly breaded chicken breast with a touch of Japanese mayo and spicy soy ginger glaze. The bacon-wrapped, gravy-splashed bison meatloaf is a star among the entrees ($20-$28). Another favorite is the pan-seared salmon, rubbed with chimichurri and complete with a special puree and truffle oil. The New York steak and striped bass are on the American side, while the Rose also prides itself with a Latin side. The menu includes takes on ropa vieja and chile relleno to go with a smothered burrito and chicken enchilada. There are several salads, including one medley of grilled shrimp, tomatoes, green beans, peppers, onions, queso fresco and cilantro over quinoa. The creamy coconut flan stands out on the dessert menu ($6-$8). Also a peach crisp with bourbon butterscotch ice cream, creme brulee and cinnamon roll bread pudding. New Delhi: The popular billionaire investor Warren Buffett donated the shares of Berkshire Hathaway worth $4.64 billion in five charities including Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, bringing his total give-up of stocks to more than $51 billion. The donation is the part of Buffetts annual disposal of its stocks from his investing firm Berkshire Hathaway. This was his largest annual donation that consisted of about 13.7 million of Berkshires class B shares. Who Is Warren Buffett? cre Trending Stories The 92-year-old Warren Buffett is a famous investor giant who is known for his skillful and opportunistic trading. His firm Berkway Hathaway has had stocks in major Wall Street companies ranging from big tech giants to emerging ones. Buffett currently stands at the sixth position in the worlds richest people list with accruing the massive wealth of $117.3 B, as per Forbes ranking. He is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hataway. He is popularly known as Oracle of Omaha because of his investing skills. He has promised to donate over 99% of his wealth. In order to fulfill that promise, he has so far donated about $51 billion worth of stocks, mostly to the Gates foundation and his Kids foundation. Interestingly, he had acquired most of his wealth after 51 years of his age by investing in Wall street. How Much Shares Given To Which Organisation? The large chunk of his recent annual donation is going to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is expected to receive over 10.45 million shares, accumulating around $39 billion the total shares of Berkshire stock overall. Along with that, he is also donating 1.05 million shares to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation. Gates And Buffett Friendship Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Berkshire Hataway CEO Warren Buffett are good friends. The duo can be seen together spending time together when they arent busy. Buffett donated a major proportion of his stocks of Berkshire Hathaway to Bill Gates and his former wife collaboration foundation known as Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, which aims at eradication of hunger, poverty, disease, and inequity across the world. New Delhi: In a world as large as Earth, there are many making a difference. As a result, they are the headline makers. Here we come with a rags-to-the-riches tale of a person who failed thrice in the university entrance exam but now he is the richest man in China with a net worth of 2410 crore US Dollars. Yes! This is the tale of Jack Ma, also known as Ma Yun, the founder and executive chairman of the multibillion-dollar Alibaba Group. Now that Jack's story has so much to say, a book would still not be enough to tell the whole tale. We did our best to provide you with the finest peep, so there! Jack Ma Personal Details cre Trending Stories The 36th richest person in the world and a well-known Chinese business magnate, Jack was born on October 15th, 1964. He is not only the first mainland Chinese entrepreneur to have appeared on the cover of Forbes, but he is also the richest man in China with an estimated net worth of $23.9 billion. Jack is married to his friend from college, Zhang Ying, and they have three children together: two daughters and a son. Jack Ma: Background Jack was born into a typical musician-storyteller household that belonged to the lower middle class. He was raised with an older brother and a younger sister. He had a natural aptitude for learning English and used to ride his bike to the local hotel every morning to interact with guests and show them around the neighbourhood. He met and grew close to a foreigner who thought his real Chinese name was difficult to say and gave him the name "Jack" at that time. Jack Ma: Education As he grew older, Jack attended Hangzhou Normal University and earned a bachelor's degree in English in 1988 despite three attempts to pass the university entrance exam failing. He won the vote to serve as student chairman. Jack Ma: Lecturer Later, he moved on to work at Hangzhou Dianzi University as a lecturer in English and International Trade for a $12 monthly pay. He also completed his education at the Beijing-based Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), where he finished his studies in 2006. Jack Ma: Starting Of Professional Career Jack had begun a translation business when China's export boom occurred, which gave him the chance to travel to the United States for the first time in 1994. He first came across the internet there. The first thing he looked up on the internet during this initial encounter was "beer"! Even though he discovered a tonne of pertinent data from other nations, China was shockingly absent! He continued looking for more general information about China, but to his surprise, he came up empty-handed. As a result, he and his friend decided to create a website about China. He became aware of the possibilities of the Internet after receiving numerous letters from Chinese people seeking to know about him. Thus, in April 1995, Jack raised $20,000 and launched an online business with his wife and a friend. "China Yellow Pages" was the name of the business, which specialised in building websites for businesses. It was even said to be China's first internet company. Jack Ma: Foundation Of Alibaba And in 1999, after about a year of serving as the organization's information technology director, he left and co-founded Alibaba.com with a group of 18 other people! NEW DELHI: Before leaving for the meeting of the opposition parties in Patna, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said that he wanted all parties to fight unitedly to remove the BJP government from the Centre. He also said that the Congress will decide on the ordinance issue of Delhi before the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Speaking to the media before leaving for the first meeting of like-minded parties in Patna, Kharge said, "We all want to fight together against the BJP and our agenda is to remove the BJP government by fighting unitedly. "We want everyone to fight united and after going there we will get the opinion of everyone and a consensus will be reached. Rahul Gandhi has been trying for opposition unity and this meeting in Patna is part of that," Kharge asserted. To a question about Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal`s AAP threatening to walkout of the opposition meeting if they don`t get support of Congress over ordinance, Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said, "I am not aware of this and he also knows that ordinance is not opposed outside. It is done in Parliament. cre Trending Stories "When the Parliament session begins then several parties decide on agenda on which issues they need to take up and what to leave. Even their party leaders attend the all-party meeting in Parliament. I don`t know why they are publicizing this. Around 18 to 20 parties take decisions on what to oppose and support in Parliament. And we will take a decision on this (on supporting AAP against the Centre`s ordinance) before the Parliament session," the Congress president added. The first meeting of the opposition parties is scheduled in Patna to bring the like-minded parties together ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting will be attended by several top opposition parties, including Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal(United), Rashtriya Janata Dal, DMK, JMM, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP and others. Besides Kharge, former Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi is also attending the meeting. A male passenger was arrested at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Thursday night after a cabin crew member overheard him talking about 'hijacking' over the phone on flight. As per a report on PTI, the incident took place on June 22 night when a passenger boarded a flight from the Mumbai Airport to Delhi onboard a Vistara airline flight. One of the cabin crew members of the flight overheard the passenger talking about 'hijacking' and reported it to the authorities. The Mumbai police later arrested the male passenger before the flight took off for Delhi from the CSMIA, an official said on Friday. "A crew member of the Vistara flight, which was to go to Delhi, overheard a male passenger talking about hijacking on his phone. The crew member immediately informed the authorities and the police were also alerted," the police official said. It has come to light that the accused is mentally unstable and has been undergoing medical treatment since 2021, he said. A first information report (FIR) under section 336 (rash or negligent act that endangers human life or the personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered against the passenger, he said. cre Trending Stories We confirm there was an incident concerning an unruly passenger on Vistara flight UK 996 scheduled to operate from Mumbai to Delhi on 22 June 2023 at 1830 hrs. In line with the guidelines and our standard operating procedures (SOPs), relevant authorities were immediately informed and the said customer was handed over to them. A thorough check was conducted and the flight took off with rest of the customers after clearance. We are fully cooperating with the security agencies in the investigation. Vistara stands firm with its zero-tolerance policy against unruly behaviour that endangers the safety and security of its customers and staff" said Vistara Spokesperson. Similar incidents in the recent past have been reported from airports across India, where passengers were arrested for casually talking about hijacking or bomb in the flight or at the airport. In several incidents, the passengers made the hoax call in order to catch the flight, since they were getting late. Bakra Eid, also known as Eid al-Adha or the "Festival of Sacrifice," is one of the most important festivals in the Islamic calendar. It has great significance among the Muslim community. The date of Eid al-Adha changes annually, as it is determined by the Islamic calendar. The twelfth and final month, known as Dhul Hijjah, is significant for Muslims as it is when the majority of them embark on the Hajj pilgrimage. Eid al-Adha occurs on the tenth day of Dhul Hijjah, and Muslims worldwide commemorate this occasion with great enthusiasm and grandeur. Eid Al-Adha 2023: Date This year, the Bakra Eid will be celebrated on June 29 in India. cre Trending Stories Eid al-Adha Country-Wise Dates India - June 29, 2023 Morocco - June 29, 2023 Indonesia - June 29, 2023 Malaysia - June 29, 2023 Saudi Arabia - June 28, 2023 Canada - June 29, 2023 Singapore - June 29, 2023 Also read: How To Increase Immunity? 8 Lifestyle Changes That May Help Boost Immunity Eid Al Adha 2023: Significance Eid al-Adha or Bakra Eid commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. However, just as Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, Allah provided a lamb as a substitute, symbolizing the ultimate act of faith and submission to God's will. Eid Al-Adha 2023: Celebration The celebration of Eid al-Adha typically lasts for four days and involves various religious and social customs. Here are some common practices associated with the festival: Prayer: Muslims start the day by attending special congregational prayers held at mosques or open prayer grounds. The prayer includes a sermon followed by a collective supplication to seek blessings and forgiveness. Sacrifice: One of the key rituals of Eid al-Adha is the sacrifice of an animal, usually a sheep, goat, cow, or camel, as a symbol of Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. The meat from the sacrificed animal is divided into three parts: one part for the family, one part for relatives and friends, and one part for the needy. Charity: Giving to the less fortunate is highly encouraged during Eid al-Adha. Muslims are encouraged to donate to charitable causes and provide assistance to those in need. This act of generosity and kindness is an integral part of the festival. Feast And Celebration: After the sacrifice, families come together to enjoy a festive meal. Special dishes and traditional sweets are prepared, and families and friends gather to share the joyous occasion. It is a time for socializing, exchanging gifts, and strengthening community bonds. Visiting and Greetings: Muslims visit each other's homes, exchange greetings, and offer blessings. It is common to greet one another by saying "Eid Mubarak," which means "Blessed Eid." Eid al-Adha is a time of joy, gratitude, and reflection for Muslims worldwide. It promotes unity, compassion, and the spirit of giving while commemorating the profound faith and sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim. (This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.) New Delhi: With about five months left for the Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, political rivalry between the cadres of the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress has escalated, often taking an ugly shape. On Friday morning, `objectionable` posters targeting veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister Kamal Nath were put up at a market in Bhopal. The Congress leaders claimed the posters were put up at the behest of the BJP and demanded action in the matter. Later, a Congress deligation led by ex-minister P.C. Sharma reached a police station to lodge a complaint. However, the complain wasn`t registered, which prompted the Congress workers to sit in dharna inside the police station. Responding to Congress` accusation, Home Minister Narottam Mishra and state BJP chief V.D. Sharma claimed that the BJP has nothing to do with the objectionable posters of Kamal Nath. Also Read: Madhya Pradesh Govt Razes Homes Of Accused Who Put Man-On-Leash In Viral Video cre Trending Stories "The posters are the result of internal rift in the Congress, and the party should handle the matter. BJP has nothing to do it. It may be that the youth who are feeling suffocated in the Congress are behind this act," the BJP leaders said. Later in the day, similar objectionable posters of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan surfaced at several locations in Bhopal. Also Read: CM Shivraj Hopes To Fight Anti-Incumbency In Debt-Ridden MP With Freebies, Read Details Posters were put up even on the walls of the state`s secretariat buildings -- Vallabh Bahwan and Satpura Bhawan -- apart from shoping malls. However, both the Congress and the BJP are claiming to have nothing to do with the poster war. The police are likely to swing into action and find out the persons responsible for putting them up. New Delhi: Responding to a Twitter post wondering if Assam police will go to arrest former US president Barack Obama over his comments on the alleged insecurity of minorities in India, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday claimed that there are many Hussain Obama in India and his priority will be in dealing with them. He said that Assam police will act according to its own priorities. There are many Hussain Obama in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington. The Assam police will act according to our own priorities, the BJP leader tweeted, sharing a post by a prominent journalist. The tweet had asked if the Assam police will go to the US to detain the former US president. Has an FIR been filed in Guwahati yet against Obama for hurting sentiment, Is Assam police on its way to Washington to get Obama offloaded from some flight and arrest him? the journalist wrote. The tweet was apparently referring to FIRs being filed in Assam against opposition leaders over their remarks in different parts of the country. There are many Hussain Obama in India itself. We should prioritize taking care of them before considering going to Washington. The Assam police will act according to our own priorities. https://t.co/flGy2VY1eC June 23, 2023 cre Trending Stories Assam police had travelled to different locations and even made arrests, including deplaning and apprehending Congress leader Pawan Khera in February and arresting then-Independent Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani last year. Obama in an interview to CNN on Thursday had said that India may 'pull apart' if the rights of the religious and ethnic minorities are not upheld. "If the (US) President meets with Prime Minister Modi, then the protection of the Muslim minority in a Hindu majority India is worth mentioning. If I had a conversation with Prime Minister Modi, who I know well, part of my argument would be that if you don't protect the rights of ethnic minorities in India, there is a strong possibility that India would at some point start pulling apart," Obama had said. Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (local time) highlighted "India's unity in diversity," at the historic address to the joint sitting of the US Congress. "India is the home to all faiths in the world and we celebrate all of them. In India, diversity is a natural way of life, today the world wants to know more and more about India," said PM Modi. Speaking about Indian diversity, he said, "We have over 2500 political parties...About 20 different parties govern various states of India. We have 22 official languages and thousands of dialects, yet we speak in one voice. Every 100 miles our cuisine changes, from dosa to aloo paratha." He said that today, the world wants to know more and more about India. "I see that curiosity in this house, too. We were honoured to receive around 100 members of the US Congress over the last decade. Everyone wants to understand India's development, democracy and diversity," said PM Modi. He arrived at the US House of Representatives, where he addressed the joint session of the US Congress shortly. cre Trending Stories PM Modi said that it is always a great honour to address the US Congress. "It is an exceptional privilege to do so twice. For this honour, I extend my deepest gratitude to the 1.4 billion people of India. I see that nearly half of you were here in 2016. I can also see the enthusiasm of the old friends and the new friends in the other half," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that our era is at a crossroads and he is speaking about the calling for this century. "Standing here seven Junes ago, when Hamilton swept all the awards, I said that the hesitations of history were behind us. Now, when our era is at a crossroads, I am here to speak about our calling for this century," he said. PM Modi further highlighted many advances made in AI- Artificial Intelligence. "In the past few years, there have been many advances in AI- Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, there has been even more momentous development in another AI- America and India," he added. PM Modi further related battles of patience, persuasion and policy. "I can relate to the battles of patience, persuasion and policy. I can understand the debate of ideas and ideology. But I am delighted to see you come together to celebrate the bonds between two great democracies - India and the United States," said PM Modi. Speaking about the active participation of Indian-Americans in US politics, he told that the "Samosa Caucus is the flavour of the house," refering to US Vice President Kamala Harris. "The foundation of America was inspired by the vision of a nation of equal people...There are millions here who have roots in India, some of them sit proudly in this chamber and there is one behind me. There is one behind me (Kamala Harris) who has made history," he said. The prime minister said that democracy is one of our sacred and shared values. It has evolved over a long time and taken various forms of system. "Democracy is one of our sacred and shared values. Throughout history, one thing has been clear, democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity. Democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse. Democracy is the culture that gives wings to thought and expression. India is blessed to have such values from time immemorial. India is the mother of democracy," said PM Modi. He said that India and US have made the test of friendship through the long and widening road that both countries have travelled. "A lot has changed since I came here 7 summers ago. However, a lot has remained the same, like our commitment to deepen the friendship between India and the US," said PM Modi. "Last year India celebrated 75 years of independence. Every milestone is important but this one was special. We celebrated a remarkable journey of our 75 years of freedom after thousand years of foreign rule in one form or another. This was not just a celebration of democracy but also of diversity," he added. PM Modi further stated that the US is the oldest and India is the largest democracy. " Our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy. Together, we shall give a better future to the world and a better world to the future," he said. PM Modi also highlighted India's sturdy economic journey. He said, "When I first visited the US as the PM, India was the 10th largest economy in the world. Today, India is the 5th largest economy. And India will be the third-largest economy soon....When India grows the whole world grows." "Our vision is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas. It means, together for everyone's growth, with everyone's trust and everyone's effort. Let me share with you how this vision is translating into action with scale and speed," added PM Modi. IPS officer Anant Dev Tiwari, a renowned encounter specialist in the Uttar Pradesh Police, has been recently given a significant role in the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF). Following the Vikas Dubey encounter case, Anant Dev has been entrusted with the responsibility of tracking down the main culprits involved in the Prayagraj murder case, while the police teams in UP have been working day and night to solve the case. Anant Dev: A Name That Sends Shivers Down Criminals' Spines In Uttar Pradesh, criminals consider Anant Dev as the personification of their worst nightmare. Known as the state's encounter specialist, Anant Dev gained attention after the Bikru incident. He faced controversies when some of his pictures and audio recordings went viral. The IPS officer was suspended by the Uttar Pradesh government in November 2020 following the inquiry report on the Bikru incident. cre Trending Stories Anant Dev: A Son of Fatehpur Who Rose to Prominence DIG Anant Dev Tiwari hails from Fatehpur district, which is adjacent to Kanpur. He shares a deep connection with Kanpur, as many of his family members reside there. After completing his education in Fatehpur, Anant Dev prepared for the civil services in Allahabad. He is from the 1986 batch of Provincial Police Service (PPS) officers and was promoted to the Indian Police Service (IPS). Prior to that, he was posted in Kanpur in 1998. During his one-year tenure in Kanpur, Anant Dev shouldered the responsibility of three circles, including Swarup Nagar and Collectorganj. He encountered several gangs and underworld criminals associated with the D-39 gang. He brought down Dawood Ibrahim's and Atiq gang members by apprehending them. The Assigned Responsibility of Patha After the 2007 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the districts of Chitrakoot and Banda fell under the jurisdiction of Chief Minister Mayawati. Mayawati announced the eradication of dacoits in these regions and entrusted the task to fierce police officers. Anant Dev was assigned the responsibility of eliminating the notorious dacoit Dadua in Chitrakoot and Banda. As soon as he received the posting, Anant Dev embarked on a mission with the STF, venturing into the jungles. He established contact with the people in tribal areas and gained their trust. Santosh Srivastava, a lawyer from Banda, reveals that Anant Dev disguised himself and stayed alone in a village for several days while establishing contact with Dadua's opponents. He successfully gathered intelligence from an informant and initiated the operation to eliminate Dadua. Anant Dev's unwavering determination and fearless approach have earned him the reputation of an exceptional officer. Despite facing controversies, his journey is a testament to his dedication and commitment to maintaining law and order in Uttar Pradesh. The state has witnessed Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar said that "Manipur issue will also be discussed" in the Opposition leaders' meeting scheduled to take place in Bihar's Patna, as he left to attend the meeting on Friday morning. Pawar, who was accompanied by her daughter Supriya Sule, further added that "they are meeting to discuss some important issues of the country and decide the future course of action." Apart from that Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and MP Sanjay Raut were also spotted leaving for Bihar's Patna to attend the Opposition leaders' meeting. Leaders of several opposition parties already had arrived in Patna on Thursday ahead of their crucial meeting which is aimed at forging unity for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls even as they face challenges in terms of turf wars in states. The meeting has been called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar and will be attended by leaders of parties opposed to the BJP. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti were among the leaders who reached Patna ahead of the meeting. cre Trending Stories On her arrival in Patna, Mamata Banerjee called on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch and former Bihar CM Lalu Yadav and his son and state Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. "It was wonderful to meet Lalu Prasad Yadav ji. He is a senior leader. Unfortunately, he was in jail for so many days and then was hospitalized for a long time. It was good to see him. I cannot share the details of the meeting right now. All I can say is that we are here to fight collectively, like a family." After meeting with RJD Supremo, Mamata Banerjee met Nitish Kumar at Patna Circuit House. Kejriwal and Mann also met Nitish Kumar. RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary said he will be able to attend the meeting due to a pre-decided family program. Patna: Leaders of Opposition parties from across the country are set to meet in Patna to chalk out a strategy to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Opposition picked Patna as a venue for its meeting as it represents the 1974 call of total revolution by Jayaprakash Narayan that toppled Indira Gandhi's majority government. The meeting will be hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with an aim to arrive at a consensus to forge a united Opposition front to take on the BJP. As leaders of several opposition parties arrived in Patna on Thursday, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary decided to skip the conclave due to a "pre-decided family programme". Chaudhary, however, hoped the meeting will be an "important milestone in the path of opposition unity". This came after the Janata Dal (United), which is hosting the meet, said Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has not been invited to the event. The meeting has been called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar and will be attended by leaders of parties opposed to the BJP. cre Trending Stories West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti were among the leaders who reached Patna ahead of the meeting. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge are expected to reach Patna on Friday morning. On her arrival in Patna, Mamata Banerjee called on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch and former Bihar CM Lalu Yadav and his son and state Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. "It was wonderful to meet Lalu Prasad Yadavji. He is a senior leader. Unfortunately, he was in jail for so many days and then was hospitalised for a long time. It was good to see him. I cannot share the details of the meeting right now. All I can say is that we are here to fight collectively, like a family." After meeting with RJD Supremo, Mamata Banerjee met Nitish Kumar at Patna Circuit House. Kejriwal and Mann also met Nitish Kumar. Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati took a dig at the meeting with sarcastic remark, "Dil mile ya na mile, haath milate rahiye". She also used another Hindi proverb "Muh me Ram, bagal me chhuri" and said the opposition parties should have cleared their intentions before the meeting. Mayawati said Uttar Pradesh has 80 Lok Sabha seats and a key to electoral success but the opposition parties do not seem to be serious about their objectives. Taking a dig at the Opposition over the mega meeting, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi said all the Opposition leaders accused of "corruption" have come together fearing arrest once Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns for a third term in office after next year's Lok Sabha elections. He said that RJD which does not have a single seat in the Lok Sabha is challenging the party with 303 seats. "The party (RJD) which does not have a single seat in the Lok Sabha, is challenging the party with 303 seats (BJP), Bihar will give 40 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats to PM Modi," he said. Kejriwal wrote to opposition leaders, urging them to discuss the Centre's ordinance on the control of services in Delhi at the June 23 meeting. However, state-specific issues may not be taken up for discussion in the first such meeting. There is some unease in Congress over the Aam Aadmi Party's suggestion that Opposition leaders clarify their positions on the Centre's ordinance. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray are among leaders expected to attend the meeting. New Delhi: Opposition parties are together going to defeat the BJP in the 2024 general elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday and claimed a battle was on between his party's "'Bharat Jodo' ideology and the BJP's 'Bharat Todo' thinking". Underscoring the importance of unity in party ranks, he also claimed the Congress would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. Accusing the BJP of working to "divide India and spread hate and violence", he asserted that a fight of ideologies was going on in India. "On the one hand, there is the Congress' 'Bharat Jodo' ideology and the BJP and RSS' 'Bharat Todo' thinking is on the other hand," Gandhi said while addressing a large gathering of Congress workers and leaders at the party office in the Sadaqat Ashram area here. That is why we have come here because the DNA of the Congress is in Bihar, the former party chief said. "All Opposition parties have come here and together we are going to defeat the BJP," he said. Top leaders of Opposition parties went into a huddle in Patna on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for next year's general elections. The meeting was hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD. cre Trending Stories Also Read: Modi Surname Case: Rahul Gandhi Seeks 15 Days' Time From Ranchi Court To Appear Physically Gandhi said that in Karnataka, BJP leaders gave speeches and went everywhere "but the result is there for you to see". "As soon as the Congress stood united, the BJP disappeared in Karnataka. I am saying it from this stage that the BJP will be nowhere in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and the Congress will win," Gandhi claimed and added that this would happen because "we stand with the poor". Asserting that the Congress was working to unite people and spread love, he said, "You know it very well that hate cannot be countered with hate. Only love can counter hate and we fight against hate. That's why we talk about love." The former Congress chief claimed that the whole country has understood that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP work for the benefit of only two to three people, and are "handing over the entire country's wealth to them". Also Read: Rahul Says BJP's 'Politics Of Hatred' Is The Reason Behind Manipur Violence "The Congress means standing with the poor, meeting them, hugging them and working for them," he said. Gandhi began his address by asking Congress workers "How is the mood", to which they replied, "It is good". He thanked them for their contribution and support to the Bharat Jodo Yatra. "(During the yatra) I used to ask people in every state where are you from. Many used to say that 'I come from Bihar'. People from Bihar accompanied us everywhere -- Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Telangana, Maharashtra. You helped us in the journey because you believe in our ideology and you understand it deeply." "I want to remind Congress workers that whether it is Bihar or any other state, you are our 'Babbar Sher (lion)'. You fight for ideology and it is the job of the Congress to protect you. It is the duty of all of us, the leaders, to protect the workers of the Congress," Gandhi told the party workers. Later in a tweet in Hindi, Gandhi said, "We, the ones who unite India, will defeat those who divide India."Gandhi along with Congress chief Kharge and a host of other party leaders participated in the Opposition meeting to chart a roadmap to take on the BJP in the 2024 general elections. WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to allay concerns in the US Congress about India`s position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine by reiterating his public and direct message to Russian President Vladimir Putin: that "this is not an era of war" but of dialogue and diplomacy. The standing ovation that followed showed members of the Congress had wanted to hear that assurance from the Prime Minister as many among them, including stanch and steady friends of the bilateral relationship had expressed concern with India`s refusal to condemn Russia and said the time had come for India to choose which side it wanted to be on. Modi also spoke at length about India`s commitment to democracy, which was another issue of concern for the lawmaker, more than 70 of whom wrote a joint letter to US President Joe Biden this week urging him to raise issues of democracy, religious and press freedom in India. The Prime Minister also, however, proceeded to bunch the rule of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals with that of the British empire, calling them together as "thousand years of foreign rule", in the context of the 75th anniversary of Indian independence in 2022. VIDEO | As I have said directly and publicly, this is not an era of war, but it is one of dialogue and diplomacy, says PM Modi on Russia-Ukraine conflict while addressing joint session of US Congress.#PMModiUSVisit pic.twitter.com/qGoy3tzTb0 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 22, 2023 cre Trending Stories Modi became today the first Indian Prime Minister to address a joint session of the US Congress twice, calling it an "exceptional privilege". He spoke in English, reading from a teleprompter, to repeated applause from the floor and the packed visitors gallery, which frequently cheered him by chanting "Modi, Modi" and, finally, "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai". Modi described the Russian invasion of Ukraine one of "deeply disruptive developments" in recent years when "war returned to Europe". He said the Global South was deeply affected. "The global order is based on the respect for the principles of the UN Charter, peaceful resolution of disputes and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Prime Minister said to loud applause from the lawmakers. "As I have said directly, and publicly. This is not an era of war," Modi went on to say, to even louder and longer applause, with whoops, adding, "But it is one of dialogue and diplomacy. And we all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering." Modi was referring to his remarks in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, at a joint media availability with Russian President Vladimir Putin. With a bank of TV cameras trained on the two leaders, Modi had told Putin that "this was not an era of war". The comment reverberated around world capitals and probably the loudest in here in Washington D.C. This US Congress has approved billions of dollars of defence supplies requisitioned by the Biden administration for Ukraine and though some lawmakers have begun to question these expenses, the body as a whole remains deeply committed to helping Ukraine for, as Biden has said, "as long as it takes". The Prime Minister also sought to address another concern many lawmakers have had, publicly and privately, about, what they see as a backslide of democracy in India, with targeting of religious minorities, crackdown on dissent and press freedom. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Senator Chris Van Hollen led a joint letter signed by more than 70 members of Congress urging Biden to raise these issues in his conversations with Modi. Democratic Senator Mark Warner, who is a co-chair of the India Caucus, had also said he would like to see the Prime Minister to express "commitment, recommitment" to democracy. "Democracy is one of sacred and shared values," Modi said and went on to add, "Democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity; democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse; democracy is a culture that gives wings to thoughts and expression." India is blessed to have such values from times immemorial. "In evolution of the democratic spirit," he said, "India is the mother of democracy." The Prime Minister read a Sanskrit phrase in support of his contention, which, he said, meant "truth is one but the wise express it in a different ways". There have been numerous accounts of graduates from prestigious universities who have shown support for the underprivileged, but few have gone to the extent of actually living among them. Meet Prof Alok Sagar, a former professor at IIT Delhi, who made the bold decision in 1982 to abandon his lucrative job and dedicate himself to serving tribals, empowering women, and immersing himself in nature. Despite holding graduate and master's degrees from IIT Delhi, Alok Sagar also earned a PhD from Houston University in Texas, USA. In fact, he was even a teacher to Raghuram Rajan, the former governor of the Reserve Bank of India. However, these esteemed credentials held no meaning for him, as he discovered his true calling in one of the most remote areas of Madhya Pradesh. For the past 26 years, Prof Alok Sagar, now 62 years old, has resided in Kochamu, located in the Betul district. This place lacks basic amenities such as electricity and roads, but is home to 750 tribals. Prof Sagar learned their local dialect and embraced their way of life. He is an exceptionally knowledgeable individual, proficient in 78 different languages. According to him, it is only the tribals who possess a genuine connection with nature and treat it with reverence. cre Trending Stories Prof Sagar has properties worth crores in his name in Delhi but he sacrificed it all for the welfare of tribals. His mother was Professor of Physics at Miranda House, Delhi and father was an Indian Revenue Service officer, while his younger brother is still a professor in IIT. Prof Sagar sacrificed everything, dedicated his life to the upliftment of the tribals and is living a simple life with the tribals. He lives in a grass-thatched hut , owns three kurtas and uses a cycle to travel - so that nature is not harmed. He knows many languages and communicates with the tribals in their own language. To contribute to the environment, Prof Alok Sagar has planted over 50,000 trees in the tribal areas. Additionally, he travels 60 kilometers on a regular basis to distribute seeds to neighboring villages, all while actively engaging in rural development work. Prof Alok Sagar's life serves as a powerful example that when you are committed to a cause, no excuses are necessary. Bengaluru: Kannada film actor B Shyamala Devi has filed a complaint against her son and daughter-in-law alleging assault and torture. The 68-year-old actor said in her complaint that her son Nithin S and his wife Smitha tried to throw her out of the house and even assaulted her in order to pressure her into registering the property in their name. Shyamala Devi said her son and daughter-in-law live in her house. She alleged that Nithin threatened to lodge a police complaint of dowry harassment against her. The Basavanagudi police are investigating the case. cre Trending Stories Of late, WhatsApp has clearly become a hotspot for all sorts of fake news and scams, with hundreds of users falling prey to fraudulent messages and links shared on the messaging application. One of the most popular messaging applications in the country with millions of active users, WhatsApp has become an easy target for scammers, with fake messages going viral every now and then. In a recent incident, a fake message providing a link to download Pink WhatsApp is going viral. The message is offering a free application to help users change their WhatsApp look along with new features. However, the Mumbai Police has strictly warned against downloading or using the fake application. The cyber security department of the Mumbai Police has also cautioned people about the hoax associated with the messaging platform, further urging them to avoid any such messages and links. Mumbai Police cautions against Pink WhatsApp cre Trending Stories According to a Free Press Journal report, the Mumbai Police, in its recent public advisory, has warned about a viral message that asks users to download a new version of WhatsApp called the Pink WhatsApp. Mentioning that a message of New Pink Look WhatsApp with extra features is currently making rounds, the department called it a "hoax," stating that it can lead to hacking of people's mobile through malicious software. "It is not an uncommon instance to see fraudsters come up with a variety of new tricks and ways to lure gullible users into falling into their trap to commit cyber frauds. It is for the users to be Aware, Alert, and Attentive to these kinds of frauds and remain safe and secure in the digital world," the advisory added. About the 'Pink WhatsApp' scam Users are given a link to download a pink version of WhatsApp with claims that the update will help them change the colour of the logo and activate new features. However, after downloading the phishing link, it might result in users losing control over their devices and their personal data like pictures, passwords, OTPs, and contacts, with these details getting exposed to fraudsters. How to stay safe from the Pink WhatsApp scam? According to the police, users need to avoid any sort of fake messages or links offering to download Pink WhatsApp. In case, anyone has already installed the app, they need to uninstall it immediately and also refrain from sharing or forwarding the links or messages to others. New Delhi: A U.S. judge on Thursday imposed sanctions on two New York lawyers who submitted a legal brief that included six fictitious case citations generated by an artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT. U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel in Manhattan ordered lawyers Steven Schwartz, Peter LoDuca and their law firm Levidow, Levidow & Oberman to pay a $5,000 fine in total. The judge found the lawyers acted in bad faith and made "acts of conscious avoidance and false and misleading statements to the court." Levidow, Levidow & Oberman said in a statement on Thursday that its lawyers "respectfully" disagreed with the court that they acted in bad faith. "We made a good faith mistake in failing to believe that a piece of technology could be making up cases out of whole cloth," the firm's statement said. Lawyers for Schwartz said he declined to comment. LoDuca did not immediately reply to a request for comment, and his lawyer said they are reviewing the decision. cre Trending Stories Schwartz admitted in May that he had used ChatGPT to help research the brief in a client's personal injury case against Colombian airline Avianca and unknowingly included the false citations. LoDuca's name was the only one on the brief that Schwartz prepared. Lawyers for Avianca first alerted the court in March that they could not locate some cases cited in the brief. Bart Banino, a lawyer for Avianca, said on Thursday that irrespective of the lawyers' use of ChatGPT, the court reached the "right conclusion" by dismissing the personal injury case. The judge in a separate order granted Avianca's motion to dismiss the case because it was filed too late. The judge wrote in Thursday's sanctions order that there is nothing "inherently improper" in lawyers using AI "for assistance," but he said lawyer ethics rules "impose a gatekeeping role on attorneys to ensure the accuracy of their filings." The judge also said that the lawyers "continued to stand by the fake opinions" after the court and the airline questioned whether they existed. His order also said the lawyers must notify the judges, all of them real, who were identified as authors of the fake cases of the sanction. The Colorado Healing Fund will disburse nearly $1 million in additional contributions to Club Q survivors and victims' family members, the nonprofit announced Friday afternoon. The announcement comes three days after Club Q survivors and family members of those killed or injured in the Nov. 19 mass shooting at the popular Colorado Springs LGBTQIA+ nightclub gathered at City Hall, calling on the healing fund to release about $1.1 million in additional contributions it raised in their names but has not yet distributed in the wake of the tragedy. Colorado Healing Fund will disperse $811,400 to survivors and family members, $761,400 of which it will pay to victims in lump-sum cash distributions, the nonprofit's Executive Director Jordan Finegan said in a news release. It will disburse another $50,000 in contributions to cover specific victim assistance requests. Ashtin Gamblin, who was shot nine times on Nov. 19 while working as "the front door girl" at Club Q, said Friday she was skeptical the fund would deliver on its recent commitment to distribute additional donations. She told The Gazette that the fund had not contacted her about the distribution yet. "I think until I have an actual check that this is an empty promise, especially because we have yet to be notified before media was. That's not usually how these things work. We get notified well before anybody else, so I definitely feel like this is an empty promise (and) I guess we're going to see how it goes," Gamblin said. After the next round of donations are circulated, Colorado Healing Fund will have distributed about $2.9 million of approximately $3.2 million it has received to date in donations to Club Q shooting survivors and their families, Finegan said in the release. Organizers say the fund is reserving about $300,000 to support long-term victim needs. Earlier this week, shooting survivors and family members said many of them haven't been able to properly grieve, cope with or heal from the tragedy in which five people were killed and about two dozen others were wounded because they have been trying to get the funds they need to pay rent and put food on the table. Some were forced to go back to work to pay their bills and others lost their jobs because of injuries or mental trauma they endured in the shooting, survivors said. Colorado Healing Fund does not issue payments directly to victims, affected families or others impacted by a mass tragedy event. Rather, the organization issues payments to community partner organizations working directly with victims, who transfer the funds to recipients. Victims are reimbursed after they submit receipts from payments for approved expenses. The nonprofit uses 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, Finegan said in a previous interview this week. Colorado Healing Fund will distribute the additional $811,400 to Club Q survivors, victims' families and those immediately impacted through its community partners, Finegan said in the release. The organization is working on a timeline to distribute the lump-sum cash contributions and is working with state and local organizations to continue victim support, she said. Bengaluru, a city known for being the tech hub of this country, attracts professionals from diverse fields, such as IT, engineering, and ed-tech, among others. While this metropolis offers abundant job opportunities, at times it also highlights certain unfavourable experiences that people may encounter. From exorbitant rents and unnecessary rules imposed by landlords to never-ending traffic snarls, people of the city have their own share of struggles. Speaking of which, a notice from society has come to the fore drawing attention to the classist attitudes towards lower-working-class professions such as maids, cooks, carpenters, and plumbers. This incident highlights the need for more awareness, proving that even education cannot eliminate class prejudice from society. The notice has drawn a lot of criticism online, with people condemning the Bengaluru society residents for their indifferent and discriminatory behaviour. cre Trending Stories Bengaluru society faces backlash over 'elitist' notice for maids A Twitter user recently shared a notice addressing maids, urging them to use the designated waiting areas within buildings for their meals and breaks instead of hanging out in public spaces such as parks, amphitheaters, and gazebos. The notice, which also mentioned residents feeling uncomfortable when surrounded by maids, added that people have stopped sitting on the sofa at the building reception as they are being used by cooks, carpenters, and plumbers. Sharing the notice, a Twitter user said, Residents of a Bangalore society confusing class and being a classist." residents of a bangalore society confusing class and being a classist_ pic.twitter.com/0pbeBUpDJc Vibin Babuurajan _ (@vibinbaburajan) June 21, 2023 Netizens react With the post sparking a lot of outrage on social media, netizens took to the comment section to lash out at the residents. A user wrote, "Why is it so hard for people to understand that they are humans only?" Another user commented, "Can eat the food cooked by the cook but can't see them in the park." "The same maid roaming in your house, cooking for you, cleaning for you is ok. But seeing them around you in the park is troublesome? Pathetic, said one other user. Wash your own dishes to keep your home and community more tidier __ Pristina__ (@pristinaoffl) June 21, 2023 Highly Unacceptable Atul (@Atul_Malviya) June 21, 2023 And they don't mind the same maids slogging away in their homes. And the last para? Go sit on the sofas at your homes then. These are hardworking people who run your lives for you. June 21, 2023 First their act is immoral but I hate more the language in which they issue the order. Modern day untouchability. Talha (@talhaliyaqut) June 21, 2023 While the name of the residential building has not been revealed, the tweet has so far gained over 600K views along with thousands of likes and comments. Under partially cloudy skies at Falcon Stadium, President Joe Biden on Thursday highlighted various world threats from the conflict in Ukraine to increasingly damaging natural disasters that 921 Air Force Academy graduates will face as future military leaders. Biden noted the world genuinely needs them at this inflection point in history and despite all the challenges, he has never been more optimistic, in part, because of the graduates. I know you are going to meet the moment, he said during a packed graduation ceremony. Biden handed out diplomas to the more than 900 cadets, chatting with some of them. Biden told Fredericka Chaires to remember him in this moment when she becomes a general, Chaires said. At the end of the ceremony, Biden fell on a black sandbag that was on the stage, said Ben LaBolt White House communications director said Twitter. Hes fine, Bolt said. Gazette reporters heard gasps from the crowd and saw Biden get up, but were not close enough to see the whole scene. The fall preceded the traditional hat toss and the eruption of chaotic joy, hugs and selfies across the ballfield as the hard work of four years culminates in a moment marked by the roar of jet engines. Rain that sprinkled throughout the ceremony arrived in force at the end of the celebration along with hail. Members of the crowd still seemed ecstatic in their ponchos. Celebrating accomplishments The class of 2023 is the most diverse in history including about 29% female and 30% minority graduates. A milestone the president underscored, saying, Thats why we are strong, to cheers from the crowd. The class also achieved academic honors, as well, earning a cumulative GPA of about 3.14 and sending 230 cadets on to earn a graduate degree. The students will complete those degrees before going to their first post as a second lieutenant. The class excelled after getting sent home in May during their first year of school as a COVID-19 pandemic precaution. The cadets returned to in-person education in the fall. You have had to adapt and overcome time and again, the president said. The president made numerous references to other aspects of cadet life, such as winning the Commander-in-Chiefs Trophy this year and the feelings cadets may have had on the first day of basic training wondering what they had gotten themselves into. It was really awesome that he knew everything about our cadet career, said Cadet Grace Hess, a native of Abingdon, Va., who is going to work in cyber security. Armed with academic prowess, the cadets will also need moral clarity as the country leads not just by power, but the power of our example in tough times, Biden said. As Ukrainians have fought to defend their nation, the U.S. rallied 50 countries to support them, noting that other eastern European countries could face a threat from Russia if Ukraine falls. We always stand up for democracies, always, Biden said, to crowd cheers. In addition to military threats, the world also faces growing food insecurity and worsening natural disasters driven in part by the existential threat of climate change, he said. Technology is also rapidly changing, Biden said, highlighting artificial intelligence. Some are very worried that AI can actually overtake human thinking, so we have a lot to deal with, he said. The weight of the responsibilities the cadets will undertake was pointed out by other leaders, including Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, who noted they are being entrusted with national security, safety and freedom as strategic competition from China and Russia is as great as it has been in decades. The resources will always be limited and the responsibilities will always be vast, he said. Amid those challenges they must shape the culture they work in by the standard of the conduct they accept, Kendall said. That culture must be united, he said, amid severe political polarization representing one of the greatest challenges the country faces. Severe weather passed through the Denver metro area early on Thursday afternoon, bringing hail and heavy rain as a super cell moved northwest to southeast across the city and its suburbs. It was the second time in less than a day of hail, rain and high wind. A tornado was reported on the ground by a trained spotter around 3:30 p.m. shortly after the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Arapahoe and Douglas counties. The report was in the area of C-470 and Highway 85 in Highlands Ranch, according to Denver Gazette media partner 9News. Photos and video posted to social media show trees uprooted by strong winds and soft, rain-saturated soil. Most of northeast Colorado is under a flood watch until Thursday evening. A video posted the Douglas County Sheriff's Office's showed torrential rain. Meanwhile, South Metro Fire Rescue responded to "multiple calls" in the area, including possible storm damage. Park Meadows Mall asked people to seek shelter in back service hallways, 9News reported. The weather service extended its 3:23 p.m. tornado warning for Douglas and Arapahoe counties to Parker and Lone Tree to 4:15 p.m. As the storm moved southeast, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Elizabeth, Kiowa and Franktown. "This storm will contain two-inch sized hail!" the National Weather Service said in the posting. The NWS said if a person were outdoors during these conditions, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, they should move to the "closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris." Sign Up for Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Thursday afternoon's watches and warnings started with the NWS posting "another round of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected this afternoon and evening across the I-25 corridor and plains." "Large hail will again be the main threat, but any storms that develop could produce heavy rain, gusty winds, and frequent lightning," the service wrote. "Stay prepared!" "Here we go again," the agency said a few hours later. "With saturated soils and more heavy rain expected, flooding and flash flooding will again be a concern this afternoon and evening." "Please make sure you have a way to receive warnings, as there will likely be a few severe storms, as well," the NWS said. On Wednesday night at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, seven people were taken to the hospital and 80 to 90 others were treated on-scene when hit by what one person described as "apple-sized" hail during a concert by Louis Tomlinson, a former member of One Direction. The injuries included cuts and broken bones, according to West Metro Fire Rescue. WMFR responding to Red Rocks, working with Stadium Medical at this hour. Several people hit by hail and injured at tonights concert. The number of potential patients and extent of injuries is not known at this time. pic.twitter.com/OwrguPhJDx WestMetroFire (@WestMetroFire) June 22, 2023 Chris Bianchi, a meteorologist with 9News, said on Twitter that the Red Rocks organization announced the weather delay at 9:14 p.m. even though the NWS had issued a "Severe T-Storm Warning" for the amphitheater 10 minutes earlier at 9:04 p.m. "If there was a 10-minute gap, that would be completely unacceptable," he wrote. Flash A Chinese envoy on Thursday called for efforts to advance the political process in Somalia. In remarks at the UN Security Council briefing on Somalia, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said China calls on the federal government of Somalia to enhance mutual trust through dialogue with federal member states to find solutions for lasting peace and stability in the country. The international community must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, uphold the Somali-led and Somali-owned principle, and provide constructive support, he said. At present, the security transition of Somalia is at a critical phase. The federal government should accelerate the capacity-building of its security forces and enhance its independent counter-terrorism capabilities, said the Chinese envoy. China welcomes the initiative between Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya to deepen regional counter-terrorism cooperation to safeguard common security, he said. Zhang noted that the Security Council should, in light of the developments in the situation, review and adjust the arms embargo measures on Somalia and support the country in strengthening its defense capabilities. The humanitarian situation in Somalia is grim, with half of the population in dire need of humanitarian aid and 6.6 million people facing food security issues, said Zhang, adding that the international community should step up humanitarian assistance and ensure the timely disbursement of humanitarian funding, and Somalia should improve humanitarian access and support international humanitarian operations. China, as a good friend and good partner of Somalia, has always been supporting Somalia in its efforts to achieve lasting peace and national reconstruction, and has helped the country enhance its capacity in fighting terrorism and maintaining stability, Zhang said. "China stands ready to work with the international community to contribute even more to the achievement of lasting peace and stability in Somalia," he said. A juvenile being transported to the Central Iowa Detention center was caught in Polk County after faking an illness, assaulting an officer and stealing the transport. State Auditor Rob Sand made a stop in Mason Citys Central Park on Thursday afternoon to take questions from local residents and tout his Public Innovations and Efficiencies program. Sand arrived just before his scheduled 3:15 p.m. time and greeted nearly seventy residents who had come with folding chairs and ice cold water bottles to hear him speak. The PIE website describes the Auditors Office as Iowas Taxpayer Watchdog, and its a title the office takes seriously. The program is designed to reward entities for their innovation and the cost savings that often accompany it. Cities, counties and school districts are encouraged to fill out the online checklist to document and share the progress they are making in their efficiency journeys. In Cerro Gordo County, both the city of Plymouth and the Cerro Gordo County participate, and their scores can be seen online. The State Auditor office regularly audits or examines entities for financial and state code compliance. The office then issues recommendations for any concern it discovers. Sand took questions from the crowd regarding school vouchers and limits to the auditors office. He spoke about recent decisions by the State Appeal Board he sits on as well. Sand voted against an appeal Wednesday for taxpayers to foot the bill for a lawsuit filed by a number of central Iowa journalists and bloggers. In a decision from the Iowa Supreme Court, it was determined the state was unresponsive in an open records request filed by the complainants and ordered the state to pay the associated costs. In the case brought to the appeal board it was ultimately decided that taxpayers will cover the settlement of $175,000, a decision Sand says is not holding accountable the individuals who caused the issue in the first place. Sands focus is on transparency and efficiency, two ideals he feels can only benefit government processes. The Auditors Office can be reached at (515) 281-5834 with questions. Sand also stopped in in Algona, Garner, Forest City, and Northwood on Thursday, part of his 100 Town Hall tour of Iowa. Silviax wrote: Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports Judge Browns claim? A. The majority of the defendants that the judge sees are already repeat offenders who are statistically more likely to continue their offenses. B. The offenders who went on to commit a crime after making amends were less likely to commit a violent crime than were those who were repeat offenders who served time. C. Many of the sentenced criminals who made amends were those who expressed to Judge Brown a willingness to do so. D. Victims of the crimes were happier when the judged sentenced criminals to make amends, rather than when he sentenced them to serve time. E. A judge in a neighboring district found that, in his jurisdiction, criminals sentenced to make amends committed repeat offenses in 22% of cases. It says the right answer choice is A How does A support the Judge's claim? I think this answer choice actually weakens the claim because it talks about repeat offenders who may or may not have already made amends in the past which would prove the Brown's plan for amends to be ineffective? The argument doesn't talk about repeat offenders and whether these amends are just as effective for those types of offenders. I don't really understand the explanation video either. Judge Brown has shown a marked preference over the past decade for sentencing criminals to make amends for their crimesfor example, by apologizing to the victimrather than sending them to jail. He argues that the rate of recidivism, or the likelihood that the criminal will commit another offense, is only 15% when he does so, while the average rate of recidivism in the country as a whole is above 35%. Judge Brown thus argues that the criminal justice system is most effective when criminals make amends for their crime, rather than serving time.Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports Judge Browns claim?A. The majority of the defendants that the judge sees are already repeat offenders who are statistically more likely to continue their offenses.B. The offenders who went on to commit a crime after making amends were less likely to commit a violent crime than were those who were repeat offenders who served time.C. Many of the sentenced criminals who made amends were those who expressed to Judge Brown a willingness to do so.D. Victims of the crimes were happier when the judged sentenced criminals to make amends, rather than when he sentenced them to serve time.E. A judge in a neighboring district found that, in his jurisdiction, criminals sentenced to make amends committed repeat offenses in 22% of cases.It says the right answer choice isHow does A support the Judge's claim? I think this answer choice actually weakens the claim because it talks about repeat offenders who may or may not have already made amends in the past which would prove the Brown's plan for amends to be ineffective? The argument doesn't talk about repeat offenders and whether these amends are just as effective for those types of offenders. I don't really understand the explanation video either. Silviax Maybe the criminals that Judge Brown sees are not hardened criminals. They are folks who easily feel sorry for the crimes they committed, and thus are more likely to feel willing to apologize. Such criminals are also, by their very nature, less likely to repeat their crimes, because they already feel sorry for what they have done. Thus, the low recidivism rate would be due to the characters of the individual convicts involved, and participation in Judge Brown's program of apologizing would just be an unrelated detail Magoosh Test Prep Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. William Butler Yeats (1865 1939) Mike McGarryEducation is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. William Butler Yeats (1865 1939) Signature Read More DearI'm happy to respond.Think about this way. Judge Brown has convicts apologize to crime victims, and he argues that this is what causes the low rate of recidivism. Think of what a skeptic would say.."If that view were really true, it would be devastating to Judge Brown's argument. How do we know that the folks who went through Judge Brown's program have lowers recidivism rate because of that program and not because of some other factor about who they are? This is the biggest objection to the prompt arguments at it stands.Choice (A) addresses this in a powerful way. If the folks Judge Brown sees are repeat offenders, folks that typically have a much higher recidivism rate, and after participating in Judge Brown's programs, even these hardened embittered repeat offenders are much less likely to continue their life of crime. then that's powerful. The programs takes the population most like to repeat their offense, and makes even these people less like to repeat. Wow! If something works on the hardest imaginable case, then it really works! This is why it's such a powerful strengthener for the argument.Does all this make sense?Mike_________________ Sovah Health-Danvilles Sovah Medical Residency Program hosted its graduation for medical resident physicians June 16. Thirteen physicians were recognized for completing their three-year residency in internal medicine or family medicine at Sovah Health in 2023. Several physicians were also honored with awards for their commitment to training medical students and for their dedication to their profession. Its a joy to work collaboratively with residents and faculty in a setting that supports such care for patients of all ages, treats a variety of medical conditions, and provides multiple resources for Danville and the surrounding communities, Dr. Amber Stephens, family medicine residency program director, said. The 2023 family medicine graduates include Bushra Ferdous, Anum Hasan, Holly Howard, Seavon Munoz, Sarah Pardue and Stephen Pillinger. The 2023 internal medicine graduates include Messanh Ameduite, Daniel Carriger, Janice Chuang, Isaac Demke, Basima Khan, Conner Kirkikis and Peng Yin. Several residents and physicians were honored with individual awards. The Dr. Michael Moore Excellence in Education Awards, presented to physicians who exemplify academic excellence and passion in teaching and for passing on knowledge to the next generation of physicians, were presented to Dr. Fahid Alghanim and Dr. Ben Lipham. Yin and Pillinger were recognized as Residents of the Year. Dr. Cariana Clanton received the Servants Heart Award for Family Medicine and Khan received the Servants Heart Award for Internal Medicine. Sovah Health family and internal medicine resident physicians and medical students live in Danville and rotate through local physician practices and Sovah Health. Each physician resident receives nearly 9,000 hours of training during their three-year residency. During a years time, physician residents participate in the care of over 100,000 patients across the region. Danville has seen an increase in gun-related violent crimes so far this year. To combat the problem, the Danville Police Department is continuing to use its model of crime reduction that has decreased the number of homicides over the last several years. Our internal review has shown more gun violence in 2023 than recent years, Danville Police Department Capt. Steve Richardson told the Danville Register & Bee. So far, the city has had four homicides through June 20, with three of those occurring in May. The first involved use of a blunt-force object and the remaining three this year were committed with a firearm. The increase in gun violence in May prompted the Danville Police Department to launch Operation Blitz last month. The department conducted the five-day operation May 22-26. It resulted in 31 charges, 25 arrests and seizure of 11 firearms, as well as 244 grams of cocaine, 262 grams of methamphetamine, 72 grams of fentanyl and 4.7 pounds of marijuana. Richardson pointed out that none of the homicides have been random. The offender and suspect knew each other in all cases and no random acts of violence were present in the incidents, he said, adding that all cases were cleared by arrest. Also, a 17-year-old male was shot and wounded on the night of June 12. Danville reported seven homicides in 2022, but that number went up to eight when investigators included the death of an infant after an arrest this past spring, Richardson said. As for the causes of this years homicides, each of those incidents involved a different set of facts and backgrounds, with ongoing issues escalating into violence. In all cases where a threat is known prior to an incident, the police department uses all tools, partnerships and deterrence efforts of the Danville Model to stop those from occurring, he said. Those include community partnerships, efforts to deter drug addiction, offering assistance for those suffering from mental-health issues through mental-health partners and working with youth to prevent gang affiliation. If homicides continue at the current rate this year, the city could match or exceed the number of such incidents from 2022. However, it would be improper to speculate on annual crime numbers for 2023 when the year is only about half over, Richardson said. Many factors are involved and cases are being worked to conclusion, he said. But were on the same path as last year. The Danville Police Department will continue all proactive efforts through the Danville Model of Crime Reduction ..., while continuing to build partnerships, respond to intelligence and employ all technology to identify potential sources of violence before it occurs. Engagement and partnership with the community are a large part of the model of crime reductions success in reducing and solving crime since 2018, Richardson said. The police department uses partnerships and information-sharing from and with the public on crime patterns and to solve crimes when they occur, Richardson said. The trust and support from the community has led to significant case-clearance numbers for multiple years now, and sustained crime levels well below where the city was prior to implementation of the model in 2018. Overall, there were 128 total reported violent crimes in 2022, a 21% drop from the 162 the city saw in 2021, Danville Police Chief Scott Booth told Danville City Council in January. Those figures also include homicides the only type of violent crime that did not decrease from 2021. Rapes and aggravated assaults dropped by 28% each and the number of robberies decreased by 10% in the city. The city averaged 13.7 homicides per year from 2016 to 2018 and 6.67 annually from 2019 to 2022, according to police department figures. To tackle crime as it occurs, the department uses a data-driven model including internal review and analysis of crime data and patterns constantly, Richardson said. The model includes daily, weekly and monthly planning and strategy meetings to address any community problem that comes to light, including violent incidents when they occur, Richardson said. We focus on problem offenders, locations and patterns as they occur on a weekly basis. The department uses information and tips from community partners and citizens to prepare deterrence efforts, he said. The police departments efforts change from day to day and week to week but include overt and covert surveillance, interviews of offenders, focused investigations on those most likely to commit violence using the Project Safe Neighborhood Model, and shifting focus to deter retaliation when crime does occur, Richardson said. During an interview Thursday, Booth said the department targets violent offenders and works with federal agencies including the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration. So much of our focus is focusing on those violent people and not necessarily over-policing neighborhoods, Booth said. There may be violent incidents in certain neighborhoods and departments will just throw police officers in those areas, but thats not always effective, Booth said. In addition, the department tries to get shooting suspects into custody early to prevent retaliation against them, he said. Taking illegal guns off the streets and out of the hands of criminals and putting those offenders in jail are also vital, he said. There is also, through special investigations personnel, a focus on drugs, gangs and violence by the vice/narcotics unit, violent crime and gang unit and the crime deterrence interdiction unit, Richardson pointed out. All use technology, intelligence and modern police techniques to deter crime and solve crimes in a quick manner to stop the spread of violence, he said. The police department is fluid in adjusting schedules of personnel, adding extra personnel to deter crime when locations are identified and creating ways to solve problems when patterns exist. Danvilles decreased violent crime rate in 2022 contrasts with Virginias overall uptick in violent crime last year. The states violent crime rate increased last year to 203 crimes per 100,000 residents (the per-capita rate) from 194.4 in 2021 a 4.9% rise over 2021, according to Virginias statewide report on crime, Crime in Virginia, released earlier this month. The report is available on the Virginia State Police CJIS Data Analysis and Reporting Team page. There were 17,655 violent crime offenses reported in Virginia in 2022 compared to 16,823 violent crime offenses reported in 2021. The report provides rates and occurrences of crimes committed in towns, cities and counties across the commonwealth. The Crime in Virginia report also breaks down criminal offenses and arrests by reporting agency. Violent crime includes the offenses of murder, forcible sex offenses (rape, sodomy and sexual assault with an object per the FBIs updated rape definition), robbery and aggravated assault. The number of reported homicides in the state increased from 562 in 2021 to 621 in 2022, a 10.5% increase. The city saw fewer reported robberies, rapes and aggravated assaults in 2022 than during the previous year. Booths 2022 figures for Danville reflected a continual decline in reported violent incidents since his implementation of community policing, or the Danville model, which he started after being hired as chief in 2018. The average number of violent crimes per year in Danville from 2019-22 plummeted by 52% from that of 2015-2018. The city saw 260 reported violent crimes in 2015 and 128 in 2022. There was an average of 265.25 violent crimes per year from 2015 to 2018, before that figure dropped by slightly more than half to an average of 127.25 annually from 2019 to 2022. May 2023s Operation Blitz brought a decline in gun violence during the week of the operation and after, Richardson said. Further analysis after the period was not done, as we look at crime weekly, he said. New focused efforts were started immediately after that operation. The department does not conduct a single-effort response, but performs ongoing and focused efforts on individuals and where crime occurs, Richardson said. A big part of that, when you have a homicide, is working with the community, building intelligence, building a solid case so you can identify and arrest that offender early on, Booth said. The search for a missing submersible with five people aboard took a bleak turn Thursday when the U.S. Coast Guard said a debris field was found at the bottom of the ocean near the Titanic, and the critical 96-hour mark passed when breathable air could have run out. The Coast Guard's post on Twitter did not say whether officials believe the debris is connected to the Titan, which was on an expedition to view the wreckage of the Titanic. It said the debris was discovered within the search area by a remotely operated underwater robot, and was being evaluated. The Titan was estimated to have about a four-day supply of breathable air when it launched Sunday morning in the North Atlantic but experts have emphasized that was an imprecise approximation to begin with and could be extended if passengers have taken measures to conserve breathable air. And it's not known if they survived since the sub's disappearance. Rescuers have rushed ships, planes and other equipment to the site of the disappearance. On Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard said an undersea robot sent by a Canadian ship had reached the sea floor, while a French research institute said a deep-diving robot with cameras, lights and arms also joined the operation. Authorities are hoping underwater sounds might help narrow their search, whose coverage area has been expanded to thousands of miles twice the size of Connecticut and in waters 2 1/2 miles (4 kilometers) deep. Coast Guard officials said underwater noises were detected in the search area Tuesday and Wednesday. Jamie Pringle, an expert in Forensic Geosciences at Keele University, in England, said even if the noises came from the submersible, "The lack of oxygen is key now; even if they find it, they still need to get to the surface and unbolt it." The Titan was reported overdue Sunday afternoon about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's, Newfoundland, as it was on its way to where the iconic ocean liner sank more than a century ago. OceanGate Expeditions, which is leading the trip, has been chronicling the Titanic's decay and the underwater ecosystem around it via yearly voyages since 2021. By Thursday morning, hope was running out that anyone on board the vessel would be found alive. Many obstacles still remain: from pinpointing the vessel's location, to reaching it with rescue equipment, to bringing it to the surface assuming it's still intact. And all that has to happen before the passengers' oxygen supply runs out. Dr. Rob Larter, a marine geophysicist with the British Antarctic Survey, emphasized the difficulty of even finding something the size of the sub which is about 22 feet (6.5 meters) long and 9 feet (nearly 3 meters) high. "You're talking about totally dark environments," in which an object several dozen feet away can be missed, he said. "It's just a needle in a haystack situation unless you've got a pretty precise location." Newly uncovered allegations suggest there had been significant warnings made about vessel safety during the submersible's development. Broadcasters around the world started newscasts at the critical hour Thursday with news of the submersible. The Saudi-owned satellite channel Al Arabiya showed a clock on air counting down to their estimate of when the air could potentially run out. Captain Jamie Frederick of the First Coast Guard District said a day earlier that authorities were still holding out hope of saving the five passengers onboard. "This is a search-and-rescue mission, 100%," he said Wednesday. Retired Navy Capt. Carl Hartsfield, now the director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Systems Laboratory, said the sounds detected 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." Frederick acknowledged Wednesday that authorities didn't what the sounds were. The report of sounds 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. The U.S. Navy said in a statement Wednesday that it was sending a specialized salvage system that's capable of hoisting "large, bulky and heavy undersea objects such as aircraft or small vessels." The Titan weighs 20,000 pounds (9,000 kilograms). The U.S. Navy's Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System is designed to lift up to 60,000 pounds (27,200 kilograms), the Navy said on its website. Lost aboard the vessel is pilot Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate. His passengers are: British adventurer Hamish Harding; Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman; and French explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet. In the first comments from Pakistan since the Titan vanished, Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Thursday that officials have confidence in the search efforts. "We would not like to speculate on the circumstances of this incident and we would also like to respect the wishes of the Dawood family that their privacy may be respected," she said. At least 46 people successfully traveled on OceanGate's 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. One of the company's first customers characterized a dive he made to the site two years ago as a "kamikaze operation." "Imagine a metal tube a few meters long with a sheet of metal for a floor. You can't stand. You can't kneel. Everyone is sitting close to or on top of each other," said Arthur Loibl, a retired businessman and adventurer from Germany. "You can't be claustrophobic." During the 2 1/2-hour descent and ascent, the lights were turned off to conserve energy, he said, with the only illumination coming from a fluorescent glow stick. The dive was repeatedly delayed to fix a problem with the battery and the balancing weights. In total, the voyage took 10 1/2 hours. The submersible had seven backup systems to return to the surface, including sandbags and lead pipes that drop off and an inflatable balloon. Nick Rotker, who leaders underwater research for the nonprofit research and development company MITRE, said the difficulty in searching for the Titan has underscored the U.S.'s need for more underwater robots and remotely operated underwater vehicles. "The issue is, we don't have a lot of capability or systems that can go to the depth this vessel was going to," Rotker said. Nicolai Roterman, a deep-sea ecologist and lecturer in marine biology at the University of Portsmouth, England, said the disappearance of the Titan highlights the dangers and unknowns of deep-sea tourism. "Even the most reliable technology can fail, and therefore accidents will happen. With the growth in deep-sea tourism, we must expect more incidents like this." 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 EDEN By creating a celebration that unites Juneteenth and July 4th, David Campt hopes to build a bridge that brings Rockingham Countys Black and white citizens closer together. Called the Freedom Fortnight Festival, the community party on June 24 will seek to blend the Juneteenth celebration of the end of slavery, Freedom Day, with Independence Day and all of its patriotic pomp. Food, storytelling, music, lawn games and fellowship will highlight the party at Leaksville Methodist Church at 603 Henry Street from 12-4 p.m. The free event will even blend cuisines to reinforce the days theme of unity. And the first 75 guests to register for the party will receive a free meal of soul food and traditional Americana picnic fare. So far, about 100 people have registered for the event, one of many like it being organized across the nation to promote well-integrated community events and enhance cultural sharing. Such shared social celebrations serve in disrupting deeply embedded segregation patterns, Campt has explained on Facebook, calling the Rockingham County event a model for celebrations he hopes can take place nationwide. Were trying to reposition both of these holidays as something of our shared inheritance as Americans, Campt, founder of the Dialogue Company, and nationally-known, diversity-inclusion specialist, said in an informational video about the event. We often dont have events where people are socializing across racial lines and across regional lines in this county, said Campt of Eden. This event is trying to be a model, Campt said. Every year, we can use it as a time to reflect upon our common heritage as people who are struggling for freedom and independence, Campt said. As interest in the party has grown, so has the need for funding for the free meal Campt has pledged to at least 75 guests. To make donations, visit: https://donorbox.org/freedom-fortnight. GREENSBORO One person was hospitalized overnight after a shooting near Bywood Road and Phillips Avenue, Greensboro police said in a news release. Officers responded to that area at 12:52 a.m. and located a gunshot victim with a serious injury, police said. Police have not released any information about possible suspects, the victim or what may have led to the shooting. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000. Residents can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to P3tips.org to submit a web tip. All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000. Citizens can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to P3tips.com to submit a web tip. All tips to Crime Stoppers are completely anonymous. Fortis Healthcare said it has signed definitive agreements for sale of its hospital company operations at Vadapalani, Chennai to Kauvery Group of Hospitals for a sale worth Rs.152 crore. The transaction will be an all-cash deal and is projected to be consummated by end of July 2023. The Vadapalani establishment, which is on leased premises, was commissioned in October 2020 and is situated on the arterial Arcot Road. It currently has 110 operational beds with a potential to scale up to 200 bedsFortis stated the divestment will be part of the hospital chain's ongoing portfolio rationalization in order to focus on deepening its presence in select geographic clusters where it has a sizeable presence. This (divestment) also underpins our focus on improving our overall profitability and margins in the section, allowing us to re-allocate capital in our key clusters, said Dr. Ashustosh Raghuvanshi, MD & CEO of Fortis.The acquisition of Vadapalani facility is in line with Kauverys strategy to further expand its presence in Chennai, in addition to its existing facilities of over 500 beds at Alwarpet and Radial Road. Kauvery had raised $70 million in equity funding from a private equity fund managed by IIFL Asset Management Limited (IIFL AMC) for a minority stake in March this year. Kauvery said it will be using the proceeds for growth, which includes selective acquisitions. With this acquisition, we will have 750+ beds in Chennai," said Dr. S Chandrakumar, executive Chairman of Kauvery. When Ben and Krystal Harman talk about closing the Fieldhouse, its not the past theyre focusing on. Its the future. Sure, the past is always there. Thats natural. The couple started the business back in 2012, back when they were in their mid-20s. Since then, theyve started a family, all while running the restaurant, which grew to be one of the most successful in town and expanded into the Annex Coffee House and Bakery in 2016. Theres temptation to look back during these big moments, but its more exciting to look forward. Were just ready for something new, Krystal said. Were ready to do something different. So here we are. The Fieldhouse, located on 2601 Minnesota Ave., in one of the most historically and architecturally rich places in all of Billings, is set to close on Sunday, June 25, after one more brunch service. It's played host to graduations, birthdays, celebrations of life, weddings, bridal showers, the whole gamut. Krystal has many of those beautiful memories, little special moments shared with her family, her staff and Billings at large. Thats the point, added Ben, who is also the restaurants head chef, serving people. It served its purpose in creating something magical, Krystal mused. And thats it. The Harmans arent complaining about how nobody wants to work anymore, or anything like that. Theyre just ready for their next chapter. The real scary thing that pushed them towards making this decision? Working at the Fieldhouse started to feel too much like a job. This was always about growth and creating opportunity, Ben said. It was never about giving myself a job. Im not the small business owner that wants to give myself a good job for the rest of my life. The want was always that we would have the resources we need to build what we wanted here. We want to pay our staff appropriately. We want to have enough staff to support each other. We didnt want the old restaurant thing where you work more for less. We have to make it feel magical here, Krystal explained. Thats the whole point. We want magic from the food. We want magic from the service. They realized that the end was near about a year ago. Could we see ourselves doing this forever? No, Krystal said, stifling a laugh. At first we thought this could be a forever deal. But we were 24 and 25. Now forever means something different. Theyve got a family now, with two young kids. On a recent day, their son ran around the restaurant barefoot, playing games on an iPad. He acted like he owns the place. Because well, he sort of does. Simply, if it werent for the kids, we might be stuck here and not know any better, said Ben. It was a hard decision. The Harmans are looking forward to this summer, because itll give them a chance to do all the things they havent been able to do for a decade. That includes camping and traveling, seeing family and friends they havent been able to visit in years. We havent been able to do any of those special things, said Krystal. Were gonna be normal people. Its a sacrifice to run a restaurant. And thats okay. We chose that. But now we choose not that. They know that this might look like theyre wasting an opportunity, to throw it away, as Ben said, while miming quotation marks with his tattoo covered fingers. But we still have all those relationships, he continued. Im actually looking forward to spending time with a few of my customers that Ive only ever talked to at the bar. Throughout their 10 year run, the couple said they've consistently been supported by the Billings community. And that's amped up since they announced the closing date. "It feels so beautiful," Krystal said. "It's been overwhelming." The Harmans see themselves getting back into food at some point. Theres something really romantic about it, said Ben. I love looking for people Well always fanaticize and romanticize cooking for people and serving people and doing events. With the Fieldhouse closing, Minnesota Avenue is losing yet another business. But there's a silver lining. The Fieldhouse building, which is leased from the railroad and owned by Bens parents, is also for sale. Itll be close to ready to go when someone buys it, so theyre expecting the process to go quickly. Thats comforting, because the Fieldhouse is one of the last businesses standing on Minnesota. The street, which butts up to the train tracks and was once one of the first places people stepped when they first arrived in Billings, is home to some of the finest buildings in town. Theres the gorgeous L and L building, which was built in the 1890s and features a beautiful cast iron front. Its now a law office. The former Yukon Bar, which now houses High Plains Architects, is another historic looker. But many of those big brick storefronts sit empty. Priced to sell, the Fieldhouse probably wont join that list. Minnesota Avenues reputation has always preceded it. The aluminum plaque that designates the Yukon as a part of the National Register of Historic Places literally uses the phrase wrong side of the tracks to refer to Minnesota, which was known for many bars, brothels, cigar stores and Chinese restaurants. Krystal said she prays to see revitalization continue on Minnesota, because we see complete value and all of this potential. But its going to take an influx of people to get the energy right on this road." If youve lived in a city, you understand that some of the roughest areas are some of the coolest, most happening spots, said Ben. "For us this made sense because I do not like to follow the traditional path. They say location, location, location, and I wanted to prove them wrong. He did. The Fieldhouses rise to Billings restaurant royalty is all the more impressive because its in a spot some people think of as being bad. Now on Minnesota Avenue, theres a karate studio and a massage therapist. But for businesses, thats about it, other than Kirks Grocery, the art gallery and music venue way down on the other end of the street. Shane de Leon and Mary Serbe, who own Kirks, love being on Minnesota. They dont think they could operate economically anywhere else. The street fits the DIY ethos that Kirks thrives on. We try to attract a really robust audience of folks, from high-end art collectors to kids to everybody. Being on Minnesota Avenue and having access to folks who are walking by who might not have a home is part of Kirks, said Serbe. This gives us access to folks in the community who often dont have a landing place or a place they feel welcome. They become part of our crowd and community. "Ive lived here for 12 years," Krystal said. "And Ive never felt unsafe. Montana VA to hold virtual town hall Veterans are invited to join the Montana VA virtually 5-6 p.m. on June 27 to discuss updates on policies, programs and services. This town hall will discuss a variety of issues from travel benefits to the PACT Act. Dr. Judy Hayman, Montana VAs executive director, will discuss how policies and programs have evolved and answer questions. The event is accessible virtually either by calling in or livestreaming the town hall. To join, veterans and their families should call in at 866-478-3358 or livestream the town hall at www.access.live/MontanaVATownHall. This town hall will include the role of veterans benefits, telehealth, whole health, Care in the Community, eligibility/enrollment and BeneTravel. A question-and-answer period will be included. The MTVAHCS serves over 47,000 enrolled veterans statewide. Area man honored for flag display In honor of Flag Day, the Oro Fino Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution presented Montana City resident Jim Watne with an award for his correct display of the U.S. flag. Watnes display was located on Highway 282 just before the Montana City exit. He was also presented with a certificate in recognition of his service in the U.S. Marines during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Flag Day is June 14. Intermountain receives $6K donation Attorney and former Montana State Auditor/Commissioner of Securities and Insurance John Morrison recently donated $6,000 to Intermountain through the Healthy Montana Kids Fund. The donation recognizes Intermountain for its dedication to improving the lives of kids in Montana. Healthy Montana Kids is a program of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services that offers free or low-cost health insurance coverage to eligible Montana children. It was created by Initiative 155, written by Morrison, who also led the campaign in 2008 to ensure every child in Montana has access to affordable health care. Morrison is a senior partner of the law firm Morrison Sherwood Wilson & Deoloa. Intermountain is a nationally recognized nonprofit that helps children and families through behavioral health services. Based in Helena for 113 years, Intermountain now offers services in the Flathead Valley, Billings, Bozeman and Missoula. Cemetery workshop held in Deer Lodge The Extreme History Project is having a Cemetery History, Preservation, and Headstone Symbolism Workshop, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 27 to discuss the rich history, preservation techniques and symbolism found within cemeteries. This workshop, at the Old Prison Museum Conference Center in Deer Lodge, will help attendees to explore the stories, architectural styles and cultural heritage preserved within Deer Lodges Hillcrest cemetery. The workshop will feature sessions led by experts including Ellen Baumler. Participants will learn about the evolution of cemetery design, the significance of different headstone styles and the role of symbolism in epitaphs and carvings. Experts will also provide insights into best practices for cemetery maintenance, restoration and documentation, ensuring that these important historical sites are preserved for future generations. This event is hosted by The Extreme History Project, The Foundation for Montana History and the Old Montana Prison Complex. Registration is now open at www.extremehistoryproject.org. The fee is $67 per person and includes all educational materials, lunch and Ellen Baumlers The Life of the Afterlife in the Big Sky State: A History of Montanas Cemeteries. AARP offers driver safety class AARP Driver Safety has scheduled a June 29 class, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at First Interstate Bank, 2728 Colonial Drive. Participants get updates on the rules of the road and learn driving strategies to adapt to the effects of aging and to reduce chances of having a crash. The course was developed for people age 50-plus; but is open to all ages. The fee is $25 ($20 with AARP membership card). Auto insurance companies in Montana provide a multi-year discount to participants 55 years of age and older. To register for a class call: (406) 457-4712. Find more classes at aarp.org/driversafety. State to honor centenarians The Department of Public Health and Human Services will honor Montana centenarians during a noon luncheon at the 54th annual Governors Conference on Aging on Oct. 3 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Great Falls. DPHHS is asking Montanans who will turn age 100 as of Dec. 31, or those who are already over the age of 100, to submit their name and a brief profile. All centenarians who submit information will receive a framed certificate from Gov. Greg Gianforte. Centenarians, or friends or family members, should submit the following information by Sept. 15. (NOTE: The first five items are required in order to receive a certificate.) 1. Centenarians name. 2. Contact person (who to send certificate to). 3. Contact persons phone number and email address. 4. Mailing address (where to send the certificate). 5. Birth date of centenarian. 6. Is the centenarian a veteran? 7. Where were they born? 8. If not born in Montana, what is their story about how they arrived to Montana? 9. What is the secret to their longevity? 10. What has been the most amazing event in their life that they would like to share? 11. What is their favorite quote? 12. Anything else they would like us to know about the centenarian? 13. Please provide a picture of the centenarian when the information above is submitted. Send centenarian information to: Governors Conference on AgingCentenarians DPHHSSLTC P.O. Box 4210 Helena, MT 59604-4210 Or email Kerrie Reidelbach, DPHHS Senior and Long Term Care Division, at kreidelbach@mt.gov This information can also be submitted online here: Honoring Montanas Centenarians (https://mt.accessgov.com/dphhs/Forms/Page/sltc/centenarian/0). Registration for the conference is now open. For more information about the event, including how to register, go to the conference website at conference website. People can also call toll-free at 1-800-332-2272, or call the Senior and Long Term Care Division at (406) 444-4077. Event to help students with health care careers Simulation in Motion Montana, a provider of high-fidelity health care training, is collaborating with Heads Up Camp to deliver specialized behavioral health training for local high school students in Helena. On July 10, SIM-MT will join with Heads Up Camp and students to discuss behavioral health. This will help students to become advocates in their communities while also fostering an interest in health care careers. For more information, contact Jake Hastings at jake@simmt.org or (325)-513-5588. The death of an inmate found dead in a cell at the Lewis and Clark County Detention Center earlier this month is under investigation, the sheriff said Thursday. Anthony Simons had been brought into the detention center and appeared to have mental health issues or drug-induced psychosis, Sheriff Leo Dutton said. He had been abusive and out of control and was put into a cell where he could be monitored. He was found in his cell June 7 and was unresponsive, Dutton said. Staff used cardiopulmonary resuscitation and Narcan, a medicine that can help people who are overdosing on an opioid, to try to revive him, but it had no effect. Dutton said state Department of Criminal Investigation is looking into the death. And he said an autopsy was being done by the Cascade County coroners office. A coroner's official was not immediately available for comment Thursday. The Independent Record reported in December that three inmates have died by suicide, and at least one inmate almost died by suicide in less than two years at the detention center. Dutton noted Thursday those were self-inflicted cases. This latest incident was not. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Abundant sunshine. Near record high temperatures. High 104F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low around 75F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. BRISTOL, Va. A new name and a new website represent a fresh look for the decades-long effort to return passenger rail service to the Twin City. On Thursday the To and Thru Bristol Passenger Rail Coalition unveiled a website and logo aimed at better defining the push to secure Amtrak service. It coincided with hosting a town hall featuring elected officials and representatives of Virginia and Tennessees transportation departments and the Federal Railroad Administration. Beth Rhinehart, president and CEO of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce acknowledged, while closer, rail service remains uncertain. There is tremendous support and excitement around this project wherever I go and with whomever I speak, Rhinehart said, acknowledging this is a very complex and challenging undertaking to try and return service to the region. Id love to be able to confidently say that passenger rail is confirmed to return to our region in two years, five years but we know thats not necessarily realistic. I want to make sure we manage our expectations but dont squash our enthusiasm, Rhinehart said. Over the past three years Virginia has aggressively approached extending Amtrak service including a $4 billion plan to expand the Long Bridge over the Potomac River the sole connection for Amtrak and freight service to the Northeast to from Roanoke to the New River Valley. The Long Bridge project is the linchpin of expanding rail service and is currently scheduled for completion by 2030, according to Jennifer DeBruhl, director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. Extending service some 28 miles from Roanoke to the New River Valley is also underway. There is currently no funding in the state rail plan for further expanding service to Bristol but the agency plans to continue working with the region, she said. However, ridership and interest in the states Virginia Breeze bus service that links Bristol with Washington, D.C., demonstrates there is support here for rail service here, DeBruhl said. The New River Valley, we are working to have 30% engineering plans done by the end of the year. Once we get to that point well have a lot more detail about where were going and how long it will take, she said after the two-hour program. Earlier this year the state received $2 million from the federal government for the New River Valley expansion. Plans call for construction of a station in Christiansburg. Environmental review is expected to conclude in 2024 as is engineering, according to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority website, with construction expected from 2024 through 2026. A state feasibility study indicates that a realistic opening date for a subsequent station building is late 2027. DeBruhl, in response to a question, said the state has great relationship with both Norfolk Southern and CSX. It is a long negotiation, DeBruhl said, adding she works with both passenger and freight movement. It is a delicate negotiation because that then determines what we need to build from an infrastructure perspective to make passenger rail work. More than 100 miles of track separates Christiansburg from Bristol. Between here and Christiansburg is mostly single track so we know there will have to be some accommodations to run both freight and passenger rail in the corridor, she said. Until we get to a point where we have a project that is planned, viable, more ready for implementation than where we are now, thats an early conversation with Norfolk Southern. But theyre great partners. We talk with them regularly. Santiago Cruz Rovedo, regional outreach passenger rail and corridor ID program supervisor with the Federal Railroad Administration, said the federal government is working to identify the routes that could serve areas most in need of rail service. The corridor ID program is designed to assess need and demand and connect the dots, he said. Its so exciting to be part of this program. Its exciting to see new areas around the country like Bristol launching passenger rail. Im an advocate for public transportation myself, Cruz Rovedo said. A 2022 Virginia study indicated it would cost between $550 million and $1.5 billion to extend service from the New River Valley to Bristol. State Sen. Todd Pillion, R-Abingdon, who sponsored that study, praised the renewed Bristol effort. This Through Bristol approach is a true example of the region coming together regardless of local and state lines to advocate for a project that will spur economic development and enhance infrastructure capacity, Pillion said in a written statement. While there has been a lot of progress over the past two years, the work is far from over. We will continue working together across state and political lines and with the communities in the region to make passenger rail service through Bristol a priority. A sign at a stoplight where N.C. Highway 150 intersects with Slanting Bridge Road reads, Welcome to Historic Terrell. Some locals feel the sign is a contradiction. The Historic Terrell sign sits in front of a shopping center. New apartment complexes have sprouted up in the area over the last few years. What is left of Historic Terrell? "Not a lot," said Terrell native Carroll Lineberger Jr. He added, Theres nothing historic about it." Lineberger said he remembers a time when there was no stoplight at the intersection connecting N.C. Highway 150 to Sherrills Ford Road, which is considered the heart of the small historic district. His grandfather Milton Lineberger opened the Terrell Camping Center in 1953. At the time it was known as Terrell Motor Company. They sold Rambler cars. Lineberger grew up just a few houses over from the Connor House, which still stands. Its the last historic building around here, unless you count this historic building here, Lineberger said with a laugh referring to his family's business that sits next to the post office that his grandfather helped build. Gone are the old cotton gin, a bait and tackle store and the beloved Terrell Country Store. Catawba County Manager Mary Furtado said growth in a community is a balance of what's in the public interest versus private property rights. "In this situation private property rights end up prevailing," Furtado said. Lineberger said he didnt expect the amount of growth the Terrell and Sherrills Ford communities have witnessed in the past five years. Lineberger said the growth in the area is magnified by two-lane roads that serve the community. It wouldnt be so bad if they would have the roads ready, Lineberger said. Terrell Camping Center has customers that live out of state and across North Carolina, he said. Lineberger said he worries that some customers wont want to make the drive through Mooresville to get to Terrell. It used to be 30 to 40 minutes from China Grove but now it takes an hour, and some customers dont want to come, Lineberger said. N.C. Highway 150 is now included in the first five years of the State Transportation Improvement Plan, which means that the project is funded and committed. Work to widen the road is set to start in 2030, said Averi Ritchie, transportation planning manager for Western Piedmont Council of Governments. The section will stretch from the N.C. Highway 16 bypass to U.S. Route 21 and although the North Carolina Department of Transportation doesn't have a concrete plan, Ritchie said there are a couple design options. One of the options is a bypass that would stretch north or south of the Terrell Historic District, leaving the district untouched. Lineberger said he feels like the Terrell and Sherrills Ford area has been blindsided by how many apartment complexes, housing developments and businesses are going up in the area. Although the southeast and northwest areas in Catawba County are experiencing the most growth, Catawba County Planning and Parks Director Chris Timberlake noted that the county is also seeing growth in places such as the Town of Catawba. Furtado said the county plans to build a business park in the southeastern part of the county when the timing is right. "We don't want to be a bedroom community of Charlotte," Furtado said. The business park is an effort to keep jobs in the county for county residents. Western Piedmont Council of Governments Senior Data Analyst Taylor Dellinger provided the building permits for Catawba County. In May, there were 39 new multifamily and 62 new single-family building permits, as well as one new commercial building permit in the Terrell and Sherrills Ford area. Dellinger said the data was collected by Catawba County building inspection workers and that a lot of these building permits are along Highway 150. He said he believes one reason the area is growing rapidly is people moving out of Charlotte to live on or near Lake Norman. Terrell residents Rita Russell and Larry Russell moved from Cornelius to the Somerset neighborhood on Lake Norman nearly 21 years ago. Neighborhoods.com notes houses in the neighborhood typically start at $500,000 and top out around $1.5 million currently. The couple voiced their concerns over the county approving rezoning that will allow for the attachment of their development to the 175 townhomes of Lawson's Landing. The attachment is an emergency-vehicle-only route, but the Russells, as well as neighbor Shaun Ogden, are worried that people will take advantage of the road and turn their neighborhood into a throughway. The Russells said they have nine grandchildren, seven of whom will be visiting Terrell this summer. Rita Russell said she worries about their safety as well as the other neighborhood children who enjoy playing outside. Rita Russell said at least three of the houses in their development would be facing townhomes once the development is complete. Ogden's property is no different. He said the 175 townhomes are basically right in his backyard. The Russells have attended multiple meetings to try and convince local leaders to preserve what they have now. The couple said they left a session hosted earlier this month by the county and the Western Piedmont Council of Governments in Sherrills Ford feeling discouraged. Rita Russell said many of her neighbors stayed for the entirety of the meeting and also left discouraged. Furtado acknowledged how important community meetings are for those who want their voices to be heard. She said she welcomed one-one-one conversations with members of the community because it gives county officials a chance to go into detail about their roles. Rita Russell and Larry Russell said they plan to attend the Catawba County Planning Board meeting on Monday with fellow neighbors of Somerset to share their concerns about the neighborhood. As far as zoning goes, Furtado said the county doesn't step in if investors buy land that is zoned for its intended use. The example Furtado gave was chain stores such as Dollar General buying property to build in a commercially zoned area. Portions of Terrell are currently zoned for planned development, which allows for the mixture of residential and commercial use. Furtado explained that growth is to be expected. "But it's a matter of how we can ensure that the growth is the type of growth that we want to see," she said. Furtado expressed a shared frustration with the delay of transportation improvements and said the county has worked to slow growth in the southeastern part of the county. "I think the thing that's important to keep in mind is that that takes a while to be visible to the community," Furtado said. The Catawba County Commissioners have denied rezonings for projects the board said would be too much growth, too fast for the area. The list of these projects can be found on the county's planning board website. At a staff level, Furtado said county officials have rejected plans submitted by developers if the fit is not right. Furtado said the county is moving forward with high attention to detail. "It is actually our dream to walk into a community meeting and it be packed," Furtado said. "The truth of the matter is we all have the same goal. Everybody here loves this community and that's why we come to work every day doing what we do." Because the county can't control what owners do with private property, Furtado said the county welcomes members of the community who feel passionate about the district's history to reach out about ways they can preserve it. The vision: a more than 70-mile trail running along most of the length of the Haw River. The reality: a decadeslong, turtles pace to persuade landowners to allow access. Right now, that quest is getting a moment in the sun. Earlier this month, Gov. Roy Cooper signed a law, passed unanimously by both sides of the state legislature, that authorizes the Haw River Trail as the newest of 13 state trails. Its an effort thats fueled by appreciation of the rivers history, wildlife and natural beauty. When I was a youth, I grew up on the banks of the Haw River and spent many an afternoon exploring after school, said state Rep. Stephen Ross, one of the legislations sponsors. I grew up just loving the river. Theres about 20 miles of trail currently built in Alamance County. When completed, the trail would run through several other counties. It would link Haw River State Park, which sits on the boundary of Guilford and Rockingham counties, and Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, which is in Chatham County. Becoming a state trail offers up additional funding opportunities and increases the projects credibility, leaders of the effort say. But responsibility for the trail will remain with the Haw River Trail Partnership and its members, which include 11 local governments, plus the state, with Alamance County taking a leading role. Likewise, the work of buying and seeking donations of land access or ownership for the trail continues with persistence and patience. It could be 10 years. It could be 50 more years. No way to know how its going to happen, said Nolan Carter, the coordinator of the Haw River State Trail. On Wednesday, Carter and Brian Baker, the assistant county manager of Alamance County, showed off a section of the trail. As they walked, a turtle plopped off its log into the water, and a heron took to the air. Minutes before setting out, Carter had filmed a muskrat swimming near a downed tree branch, swishing its tail in the water before diving below the surface. Along the river we have muskrats, otters, beavers mammals that are very indicative that the water quality is in great shape, Carter said. As Baker put it: Its not a beaver problem, its a beaver blessing. Back in 2006, Baker was itching to get out of being a lawyer and into the world of conservation, so he took a job as the first-ever Haw River Trail coordinator, commuting more than an hour from Winston-Salem. Groups at that point had started to align, Baker said. There was interest from Elon University in conserving the Haw, Alamance County wanted to provide recreational opportunities along the river and the state envisioned a new section of Mountain-to-Sea Trail an epic project working to link North Carolinas mountains with its coast by foot path. We went around and started talking to landowners about their feelings about the river and whether they wanted to conserve their property, Baker said. And the answer was pretty universally, no. The river, he added, had a terrible reputation for being polluted from mills and industry. But by 2006, the Haw was in pretty good shape with the Clean Water Act having taken care of most of the pollution issues. Using riverside property donated by George and Jerrie Nall, the first mile of trail was built with the help of inmates from Dan River Prison. They were a good group, fortunately, Baker said, though these days they rely on volunteer support for trail building. Bit by bit, at an average of maybe a mile or so per year, the trail expanded. Thats actually pretty fast for this sort of effort, according to Carter and Baker. We built a new park on the river pretty much every year for 10 years, Baker said. And every park they built, Baker said, got popular quickly. It was really a matter of figuring out a way to get people to the river to change their opinions, he said. Let the river sell itself. Compassionate, intelligent and personable are words Regent University chairman of the Board of Trustees Phil Walker used last week to describe the late Pat Robertson. Robertson was a dear friend and mentor, Walker said. Robertson died on June 8 at 93. The well-known televangelist and conservative political advocate started the Christian Broadcasting Network in 1960, which aired the long-running broadcast The 700 Club. Robertson leaves behind a mixed legacy. Jesus was controversial, too, Walker said with a good-humored laugh. Anytime you take a stand, its going to ruffle feathers, no doubt about it. And (Robertson) never worried about that. Walker retired as senior vice president of BB&T (now known as Truist Bank) in 2012 after 41 years as a banker. He previously served as chairman of the board of trustees at his alma mater, Western Carolina University. He has served for eight years as the board of trustees chairman at Regent University. Walker said he first met Robertson in 1978 at a governors prayer breakfast. The two worked more closely in the last 10 to 15 years, Walker said. Before they met, Walker said Robertsons influence was part of his life because he and his wife, Joan Walker, watched The 700 Club. Phil and Joan worked as campaign volunteers for Robertson during the televangelists 1988 presidential campaign. He said that when Robertson ran for president, the media was unkind and awful things were said. But Robertson said to Walker, The Lord told me, Youve got to walk in forgiveness. Walker added that Robertson lived his life by that, especially after the presidential campaign. The negative things said to and about Robertson did not get under his skin. Robertson was an excellent role model, Walker said. Its one thing to introduce people to the Lord, which is the most important, but (its) another thing to really befriend (and) help folks who are in real need, Walker said. If youre going to be in ministry, you couldnt have a better balance than that, in my opinion. Another quality that made Robertson a good role model was his obedience to the Lord, Walker said. Whether or not Robertson understood the how and why of what he felt God was asking him to do, he did it, Walker said. (Robertson) said, The Lord told me to run for president. And somebody said, Well if he told you, how come you didnt win? And he said, He didnt tell me Id win, he just told me to run. I thought that was a great answer, Walker said. And what it did, it brought a lot of folks off the church pew, into understanding (they) need to be involved in the community, (and) involved in politics if (they) feel led to do so. Walker said Robertson was a visionary until the end. During phone calls in the last few months of his life, Walker said Robertson was still sharing innovative ideas for Regent University going forward. From a personal standpoint, he meant a lot to me as a role model and of course a friend, Walker said. It got to where he would just call me direct, and I could call him direct, and we would talk about things and pray about things (He) would call to check on me, (and ask) how are you doing. He was just so personable. I saw him interact with so many people over the last 30 years He just loved people. And he had such compassion to help people. Thats going to be a great legacy of his. The government hopes to mitigate the harm of cyber attacks. Image: Shutterstock The government has appointed Air Marshal Darren Goldie as the nations first National Cyber Security Coordinator a role that will see him work directly with organisations that are under a cyber attack. Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Clare ONeil said the new appointments primary role will be to manage incident response from a national level. Air Marshal Goldie's work will be very important in making sure that, when we do experience significant national cyber incidents, there is one person across government who is going to coordinate the national effort to manage those incidents, ONeil said. Goldie was chosen for the National Cyber Security Coordinator role as part of a cabinet process. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Goldie stood out as someone who had a proven record of leadership and of being able to coordinate across the security space in our defence forces. Goldie joined the Air Force in 1993 where he underwent pilot training before flying Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft during operations in East Timor, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He was appointed Air Commander Australia last year and is being seconded to the National Cyber Security Coordinator role. When asked why the government opted for a military man rather than someone with more direct experience with the cyber security industry, ONeil said the Air Force Commanders responsibilities within the Air Force had included managing cyber risks. Something I dont think is well understood about this area is that cyber incident response is not principally a technical problem, its an operational problem, the Home Affairs Minister said. If you think about Medibank and Optus, the ones that I think our nation is most familiar with, a lot of the issues are very practical and operational. Millions of Australians found their personal information including addresses, passport numbers, and driver licence details exposed to the dark web during those two high-profile incidents last year. ONeill went on to point out that the challenges related to replacing driver licences and passports were particularly bespoke and required the Prime Ministers direct intervention something Goldies coordinator role is designed to reduce. Our goal here is not to eradicate cyber attacks, ONeill said. But in part to make sure that whenever we get hit by a cyber attack, we're able to get back up off the mat quickly." For his part, Goldie described the Australian cyber security situation as dire. That challenge will continue to increase in its complexity, and its severity, he told journalists. And I think we are all in this together as a nation. And it will behoove us all to continue to be educated. Last years horror run of data breaches first Optus, then Medibank has continued into 2023 with an attack on Latitude Financial yielding personal data on 14 million customers. More recently, law firm HWL Ebsworth was hit by a Russian-linked cyber gang BlackCat leading to the theft of four terabytes of data from the firm that holds government contracts. Professor Monica Whitty, head of Monash Universitys department of software systems and cyber security, welcomed the appointment but said she hoped there was room in the role for helping the countrys organisations reduce or prevent attacks. The government needs to consider small businesses that cannot afford to protect themselves adequately, she said. Moreover, given that organisations are linked, as we can see from the recent HWL Ebsworth attack, considering supply chains is critical. ARLINGTON, Va. The National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) and Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced the appointment of Ashlie Shanley, the district attorney for Cabarrus County, as the new chair of the Retail Crime Advisory Board. Shanley succeeds the late Tom Wine, to whom a debt of gratitude is owed for his immense contributions to the shared mission, according to a press release from NDAA and RILA. The release said Shanley is highly regarded for her comprehensive knowledge of the criminal justice system and is trusted by both legal and community leaders, bringing her experience and dedication to the pivotal role of chair. Her track record as the district attorney has demonstrated a commitment to tackling organized retail crime (ORC) and other retail crimes to keep her community safe, including designating a dedicated prosecutor within her office to handle these types of cases. Prior to becoming the district attorney, she served as the Safe Haven Special Victims Unit lead prosecutor. We are thrilled to have Ashlie Shanleys leadership in this vital position, says Nelson Bunn, NDAA executive director. Her commitment to public safety, legal acumen, and the respect she commands in her community make her an excellent choice to lead the advisory board. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with RILA under her leadership. Shanley joins representatives from the DAs offices in Harris County, Texas, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, Platte County, Missouri, and Philadelphia and from Dicks Sporting Goods, Target, The Home Depot, and Nordstrom who all serve on the board. DA Shanleys appointment to this esteemed group of crime fighters and thought leaders is another step in the right direction, says Lisa LaBruno, RILA senior executive vice president of retail operations. Were grateful for their collective commitment to working together to fight retail crime. The NDAA and RILA have a proven track record of effective collaboration, as evidenced by initiatives like Vibrant Communities and ongoing efforts to combat ORC. This partnership aims to address systemic societal challenges, such as mental health issues, substance use, homelessness, and habitual crime, while also protecting retail businesses and local communities from violence and theft. The appointment of Shanley further solidifies this important partnership and is a testament to the continued commitment of both the NDAA and RILA to work together in tackling these complex issues. CHARLESTON, S.C. The College of Charleston celebrated Spring 2023 Commencement with three ceremonies on May 12 and 13, 2023. Paisley Lewis of Concord graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Finance. Alexandros Katsikaris of Concord graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Sydney Shaner of Concord graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. Colby Litsey of Davidson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commercial Real Estate Finance. The College of Charleston is a public liberal arts and sciences university located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina. Do you know what the signs are for someone who has likely suffered from an opioid overdose? Do you know what Narcan is and why it is so crucial to helping people who have overdosed? These are just a few of the questions that were answered during an in-depth community overdose response class held Wednesday evening at Grace Lutheran Church in Concord. You never know what you might run up on, what you might see, said Pastor Donald Anthony, about the need for the program, noting Cabarrus County, like most parts of the country, have been dealing with the impact of the opioid epidemic. Cabarrus had 26 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 North Carolina residents from 2017-2021, higher than the statewide rate of 22.7, according to data shared at the class. Cabarrus is expected to receive roughly $10.8 million over an 18-year period from the opioid settlement reached between Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen and McKesson and the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson and several states, including North Carolina, in 2021. The county has thus far received two payments totaling about $1.3 million. Separately, the city of Concord is expected to receive $1.5 million from the settlement. It has already received about $180,000. If theres an opportunity to provide some help or support and we can do it, I think thats extremely important, Anthony said. James Hoover, Cabarrus County paramedic who led the class, cited statistics from the CDC showing 3,000 North Carolinians died from opioid overdoses in 2021, including 73 Cabarrus County residents. Overdoses are very common, said Hoover, who has worked in EMS for five and a half years. They happen all across the country, all across the world. He added that most people in the room likely know of someone who has overdosed. There are many types of opioids, which are substances that act on opioid receptors to produce sedative or pain-relieving effects, including heroin, morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone and, the most dangerous, fentanyl. Fentanyl, which often dominates the news, can be synthetically produced and put into drugs including cocaine and heroin. It is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It doesnt take a lot of fentanyl to cause someone to overdose, which is why it is so potent, Hoover said. The signs that someone has suffered an opioid overdose include altered mental state/unresponsiveness, slow, shallow or absent breathing, very small pupils, clammy or wet skin and discolored skin. Naloxone, also known by Narcan, is medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. It can come in various forms, including a spray and an injection. Free Naloxone kits are available at the Cabarrus Health Alliance. Narcan works by blocking the effects of opiates on the brain and by restoring breathing. It can restore normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes in a person whose breath has slowed. The FDA recently approved Narcan (as a nasal spray) for over-the-counter use, which means a prescription is not required and people will be able to buy it in local pharmacies and stores. A person may still overdose again even after Narcan is administered, as the medication typically wears off after 30 to 90 minutes, Hoover said. That is why it is critical to call 911 to make sure people who have overdosed get properly evaluated. When calling 911 to report an overdose, Hoover encouraged people to take a deep breath and remain as calm as possible. This will help make it easier to supply dispatchers with the required information. Hoover discussed how to properly administer various forms of Narcan, including the nasal spray. He also talked about how to utilize fentanyl test strips. While Hoover has had his fair share of difficult moments as a paramedic, he told the class the most rewarding part of the job are the people he gets to help. We have people who are not able to breathe or struggling with some kind of medical emergency and we get to make a difference and help them, he said. One of Hoovers highlights as a paramedic was helping to deliver a baby, even calling the time of birth. Its really nice to have that change of bringing life into the world versus being with life as it leaves, he said. SALISBURY This summer, Rowan Public Librarys new Book Bike will take to the streets or, rather, the sidewalks. Its a fun way to expand outreach into the community, said Director Melissa Oleen, who wrote the grant application that resulted in this new engagement tool. Whats better than a book bike? The bike supports one of RPLs strategic goals, to feature lifelong learning and enrich lives by providing a unique, fun, engaging, and conversational way to provide library programming in informal settings and at community events where library patrons gather. Custom-made by Icicle Tricycles, the Book Bike has the trappings of an everyday bike, plus a rechargeable motor. It features a special cabinet to transport books, program supplies, or even a laptop to allow on-the-spot resource and technical assistance; it also accommodates an all-weather umbrella. The Book Bike and its accoutrements, including safety gear and a cargo trailer for transportation, were purchased with a State Library of N.C. Bright Ideas Grant, which awarded RPL $9,900 in summer 2022. Meeting members of the community For RPL staff, the Book Bike offers a novel way of meeting community members where they are, which can be a challenge at times. This solution is right in line with Bright Ideas Grants aim to inspire and galvanize libraries with an opportunity that will allow for the design and implementation of creative solutions and innovative ideas. The Book Bike and its mobile laptop were used at RPL headquarters to promote and register participants for RPL headquarters Summer Reading 2023 kickoff, held on May 20 during Salisburys annual Cheerwine Festival. The Book Bike offered a different way to bring library materials to an event like the Cheerwine Festival, Young Adult Librarian Amanda Brill said. The bike will definitely give RPL the opportunity to venture out of the brick-and-mortar building and do more programs out in the community. The bike enjoyed its inaugural program debut on Saturday, June 17, as part of a Group Hike & Food Drive held at the Fred & Alice Stanback Educational Forest & Nature Preserve. Program coordinator and librarian David Lamanno rode the bike from RPL headquarters, located at 201 Fisher St., to the meeting point on 11th Street in Spencer. Participants were encouraged to bring a canned good item for a local food bank. The book bike handled its journey from RPL headquarters to the nature preserve really well, reports Lamanno. Seeing the book bike rolling down the street garnered some friendly waves from neighbors, and Im excited to see it become a regular feature in programming. Were excited to see the book bike interact more with the community, said Library Services Manager Laurie Lyda. Ideally, it will not only increase customers access to library resources and materials, but it will become popular with nonprofit organizers who would like RPLs presence at their events. Lyda added for interested parties to email inquiries about the Book Bikes community appearances to Laurie.Lyda@rowancountync.gov. Funding for the project The SLNC Bright Ideas Grant (NC-21-533) that funded RPLs Book Bike Project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. "As pillars of our communities, libraries and museums bring people together by providing important programs, services, and collections. These institutions are trusted spaces where people can learn, explore and grow, said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. IMLS is proud to support their initiatives through our grants as they educate and enhance their communities." Visit www.imls.gov to learn more about how IMLS advances, supports, and empowers Americas museums, libraries, and related organizations. For more information about RPLs programs and services, explore its website at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org. Researchers have uncovered evidence that members of a mysterious archaic human species buried their dead and carved symbols on cave walls long before the earliest evidence of burials by modern humans. The brains belonging to the extinct species, known as Homo naledi, were around one-third the size of a modern human brain. The revelations could change the understanding of human evolution, because until now such behaviors only have been associated with larger-brained Homo sapiens and Neanderthals. The findings are detailed in three studies that have been accepted for publication in the journal eLife, and preprints of the papers are available on BioRxiv. Fossils belonging to Homo naledi were first discovered in the Rising Star cave system in South Africa during excavations in 2013. The cave system is part of South Africas Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing an area where scientists have found fossils of multiple ancient human ancestor species remains that are helping to unlock the story of human evolution. Paleoanthropologist and National Geographic Explorer in Residence Dr. Lee Berger and his team of underground astronauts have continued their work in the extensive, dangerous caves to better understand the extinct hominins, or ancient human ancestors. Now, the research team has discovered the remains of Homo naledi adults and children that were laid to rest in the fetal position within cave depressions and covered with soil. The burials are older than any known Homo sapiens burials by at least 100,000 years. During the work to identify the cave burials, the scientists also found a number of symbols engraved on the cave walls, which are estimated to be between 241,000 and 335,000 years old, but they want to continue their testing for more precise dating. The symbols include deeply carved hashtag-like cross-hatchings and other geometric shapes. Similar symbols found in other caves were carved by early Homo sapiens 80,000 years ago and Neanderthals 60,000 years ago and were thought to have been used as a way to record and share information. These recent findings suggest intentional burials, the use of symbols, and meaning-making activities by Homo naledi. It seems an inevitable conclusion that in combination they indicate that this small-brained species of ancient human relatives was performing complex practices related to death, said Berger, lead author on two of the studies and coauthor on the third, in a statement. That would mean not only are humans not unique in the development of symbolic practices, but may not have even invented such behaviors. *** Crawling through caves Exploring the labyrinth-like Rising Star cave system and its chambers isnt for the faint of heart. The team has mapped over 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) of the caves so far, which have a vertical depth of 328 feet (100 meters) and expand for more than 656 feet (200 meters) in length, said the studies lead geologist Dr. Tebogo Makhubela, senior lecturer of geology at the University of Johannesburg. The cave system includes deadly steep drops and tiny passageways like Supermans Crawl, a tunnel measuring 131 feet (40 meters) long and 9.8 inches (25 centimeters) across, requiring the researchers to belly crawl their way through, said Dr. Keneiloe Molopyane, National Geographic Explorer and lead excavator of Dragons Back Expedition (named for one of the caves features). Berger said he had to lose 55 pounds (25 kilograms) to enter the caves precarious chambers in 2022. It was the most awful and wonderful experience in my life, Berger said. I almost died coming out of there, but it was obviously worth it to make some of these discoveries. But, I think an important part of that, though, is that the journey would not be nearly as difficult, I think, for Homo naledi. Homo naledi shared some similarities with humans, like walking upright and manipulating objects by hand, but members of the species had smaller heads, a shorter stature, and were thinner and more powerfully built, Berger said. Homo naledis shoulders which were oriented for better climbing and teeth shared similarities with earlier hominins like Australopithecus, said Dr. John Hawks, professor of anthropology and paleoanthropology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The researchers have found many Homo naledi fossils throughout the caves, including the remains of very young infants and aged adults, to help them understand Naledi as a population, Hawks said. And as the team continued deeper into the caves, it became clear that Homo naledi was very familiar with and using broad parts of the cave system. When Berger and his team announced the discovery of Homo naledi in 2015, they suggested it was possible that the species deliberately disposed of their dead in the cave. But the idea of a small-brained hominin doing so was considered to be a very controversial hypothesis. In 2018, the team began to find evidence that supported the idea that Homo naledi intentionally buried their dead. The scientists found ovals dug into cave surfaces resembling holes, and the remains of bodies placed inside in curled positions. Other burial sites were dug horizontally into slopes, with bodies placed inside, showing that the remains didnt end up there by other, nondeliberate means, Berger said. Its not a body that died in a depression or hole. It was a whole body that was covered in dirt and then decayed within the grave itself, in part demonstrating that it was buried at the time as a whole flesh entity, but not by some dramatic collapse or being washed in, Berger said. We feel that theyve met the litmus test of human burials or archaic human burials and the most ancient human burials, and therefore describe them as graves or burials by the nonhuman species, Homo naledi. *** Carvings on the wall Within one of the graves is a tool-shaped rock, buried next to the hand of a Homo naledi adult. Within a passage above the burials, in an antechamber, is a wall covered with rock engravings. The deeply carved geometric shapes appear on dolomite rock walls that reach 4.5 to 4.7 on Mohs Hardness Scale, which helps researchers assess the scratch resistance of minerals. Dolomite is halfway to a diamond (at the top of the scale) in terms of hardness, which means it would have taken an extreme amount of time and effort to carve into the walls, Berger said. The team believes that Homo naledi, and not Homo sapiens, are responsible for the carvings because there is no evidence that humans have ever been inside the caves. Homo naledi was able to see what they were doing inside the caves by using fire. There is evidence spread throughout the caves, including soot, charcoal and burnt bone, to show that they were actively setting fires, Berger said. Both the burials and the symbols imply that Homo naledi was capable of engaging in meaningful behaviors, said Agustin Fuentes, National Geographic Explorer, on-site biocultural specialist and lead author of the third study. The meaning of the symbols is unclear, and researchers cant say whether they were used as a type of language or communication within the species. What we can say is that these are intentionally made geometric designs that had meaning for naledi, Fuentes said. That means they spent a lot of time and effort and risked their lives to engrave these things in these places where theyre burying bodies. The naledi findings suggest that larger brains cant be the only connection with complex behavior that researchers once assumed related only to humans, Fuentes said. The challenge here, then, is that we now know that Homo naledi, in addition to Homo sapiens and Neanderthals and Denisovans and a few others, were engaging in the kind of behavior that we, even just a few decades ago, thought was unique to us, he said. That means we need to rethink the timing of fire use, of meaning-making and of the burial of the dead in hominin history. Chris Stringer, research leader in human origins at Londons Natural History Museum, said that although he was previously skeptical of claims of behavioral complexity in Homo naledi and its ape-size brain, the considerable evidence presented now by Berger and colleagues for possible burials and wall engravings cannot be easily dismissed. Stringer was not involved in the research. I would certainly like to see attempts at dating the evidence for the engravings and for the fire, but if these huge claims turn out to be well-founded, they have profound implications for our reconstructions of human evolution, Stringer said. The findings raise many questions, including whether the behaviors were already present in an ancient common ancestor that lived much earlier than Homo naledi or humans, and why we have such big brains if human-like behavioural complexity can be achieved with a brain less than half that size, Stringer said. *** Next steps Berger and his colleagues work on the discovery of Homo naledi and how it potentially changes the human family tree will be shared in Netflixs Unknown: Cave of Bones on July 17 and in a book coauthored by Berger and Hawks called Cave of Bones: A True Story of Discovery, Adventure, and Human Origins, available August 8. The research team is continuing its work to better understand Homo naledi, including how old the species is, whether it existed closer in time to humans than previously thought, and if there is any DNA preserved in the bones found in the cave system. 22 of the biggest scientific discoveries of 2022 Tonga's January volcano was the biggest eruption ever recorded Ameca debuts at Consumer Electronics Show 2022 Discovery of a 30,000-year-old preserved baby mammoth Breakthroughs in fungus communication James Webb space telescope captures new images of cosmos Dead pigs' organs were revived Ice volcanoes on Pluto Recovery of Endurance ship off the coast of Antarctica NASA's DART mission destroys Dimorphos asteroid First complete sequence of the human genome Hydrogen-powered trains debut in Germany Oldest DNA ever found in Greenland Human brain cells were successfully implanted into rats Some people in comas are discovered to be conscious Lab-grown brain cells learned to play Pong Microplastics were found in human lung tissue COVID-19 nasal vaccine AI systems reach new bounds Progress toward a universal flu vaccine Major population declines of Alaskan crabs Having reported, discussed and written about North Carolina for 58 years I increasingly find myself responding to happenings by asking the questions, Whats your end game? What are you trying to accomplish? Consider this: Thom Tillis, a Republican conservative with a pedigree longer than my Boykin Spaniel, was censured by the North Carolina Republican Party because he dared work with Democrats Democrats I say seeking solutions for immigration, gay rights and other matters. Foolish me. I thought we elected people to go to Washington to get things done and Tillis has increasingly demonstrated he can and will, but it seems the end game of the state GOP is you get love ONLY if you sing from the GOP songbook. NC GOP what did you expect was going to result from your censure? Did you think our senior senator was going to fall on his knees in contrition, beg forgiveness for consorting with the enemy and, as penance, travel all around our state next year campaigning for your candidates? If so, you dont know Thom Tillis very well. Prediction: their petulant action will come back to bite state Republicans. And what is the end-game expectation for all those folks running for the Republican nomination for president? I dont understand new math, but even I know that The Donald is going to get upward of 40% of the primary votes from his cult. Remembering my third-grade division tables, all the other wannabes will divide up the remaining votes, resulting in Trump winning state primary after primary and cake walking into the nomination. Is that what they all really want to happen? Sounds like good news for Joe Biden. Ponder this: Whats the end game expectation of all those (mostly on the right) doing everything imaginable to destroy our confidence and faith in just about every system imaginable? There are plenty wanting to take a wrecking ball to voting rights, our public schools, the judicial system, immigration, health care you name it, they want us to lose faith in it. All of us can see flaws and things that need changing in almost every system, but what is the end game here? What will happen when people have no faith in anything? Chaos! Maybe thats what some want, but how we are going to function in chaos? Perhaps the end game is to totally wreck this country. Thats a scary thought. And lest you think my inquiries pertain just to those on the right, I want to ask both the national and state Democratic parties what is their end game? Outward appearances would convince you the Democratic Party is a train wreck, with no clue how to conceive, articulate and implement a strategy that wins for them in 2024. Heres some unsolicited (and likely unwanted) advice. The abortion issue certainly has traction and is sure to get Democrats votes next year, but abortion alone does not a platform make. I was hopeful North Carolinas new regime of party leadership would actually get the partys act together, but when do they plan to start? We are almost at the end of June and the deadline for candidate filing in the 24 elections is Dec. 15. Primary elections will be held March 5. Democrats, its time to show your cards. But the biggest puzzlement is what our legislative leaders plan to do when they take away every authority from the governor, the courts, all boards and commissions and just about everyone else? The power-hungry leadership appears to want the absolute and final running of our state in the hands of 170 folks actually only the 102 Republicans. Lawmakers, is your end game that you want to make every decision in all operations of state government? Do you part-time legislators think you can run our schools, our courts, our transportation network, public health services, prisons and the many other functions of state government? Many of us remember when the legislature decided that the State Health Plan was being poorly administrated and costing too much money, so they boldly took over its operation. They were going to show how it should be done, however after a few years, when things grew disastrously worse, they finally begged the State Treasurer to take over the State Health Plan. Lawmakers, think about this as you are dismantling and usurping complete authority of systems we spent many years constructing. Dare I continue by asking what is the end game is for funding state government? The legislature keeps wanting to cut more and more taxes. Is there an end game strategy? Are they trying to starve government? This is like standing in front of a stove saying, I will give you some fuel when you start providing heat. I wish I thought there were end-game strategies, but ready, fire, aim is no way to run a government or anything else. A survey of 501 C-suite to IT professionals in the US, UK and Germany, to gauge industry trends, has found that 88% experienced at least one cloud security incident in the last 12 months. Germany-based open source vendor SUSE, which carried out the survey, said it had done so to "highlight the state of cloud native adoption, major security concerns, and how to address them". The company announced the results of the survey at SUSECON, its annual conference which is being held in Munich this week. The survey found IT decision-makers had experience an average of four cloud-related security incidents in the last year, with the number being five for those in the US and three for those in Germany. Nearly a third of those surveyed said data stores hosted by cloud vendors or third parties were the top cloud security concern. Secondary concerns included runtime attacks from threat actors, security policy management, federation, and automation. The individuals surveyed spent about 36% of their IT budget on cloud native security, with the figure being higher in the US (42%) than in Europe (33%). When it came to security practices, both security automation and container firewall were widely adopted, each accounting for 38%. "Similarly, the usage of free or paid observability or security tools is higher among US decision-makers (33%) compared to those in Europe (24%)," the company said. "The same trend can be observed for PSP (Policy Security Policy) or PSA (Policy Security Automation) policies (31% versus 22%), Kubernetes network policies (32% versus 15%), and free CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) or paid scanner (26% to 18%)." A third of the respondents said increased re-evaluation and prioritisation of goals related to source-code auditability, the process of running tests and manual codebase inspection to detect bugs would become a concern in coming years. US respondents (45%) placed a higher priority on source-code auditability and SBOM depth/quality/security (36%) to ensure businesses meet supply chain security goals. Germany and the UK were behind in terms of source-code auditing priorities (just 23% and 26%, respectively), and spent less on cloud native security. But, European participants (40%) were much more likely to anticipate a re-evaluation of goals on build quality compared to their US counterparts (15%). SUSE chief technology and product officer Dr Thomas Di Giacomo said: "At SUSE, we recognise that every business is on a journey of digital transformation, a transformation to be vastly accelerated by open source solutions. "Our 'Securing the Cloud' trend report highlights the perspectives of IT teams grappling with the growing adoption of complex cloud native technologies. "The global threat landscape is continuously evolving to create new security challenges. We are well positioned to support businesses choosing secure open source solutions for their most mission-critical and innovative workloads as they transform with the cloud." Apple has issued fixes for two flaws in its iOS and iPadOS operating systems that were used to attack employees of Russian cyber security firm Kaspersky. In a brief security advisory, the company said on Wednesday the vulnerability would allow an app to run arbitrary code with kernel privileges. It credited Georgy Kucherin, Leonid Bezvershenko and Boris Larin of Kaspersky for finding the bug. When the Kaspersky employees disclosed the bug earlier this month, they said the company had been under attack since 2019 with iMessage being the app that had served as an entry point. The campaign was dubbed Operation Triangulation. Kaspersky founder Eugene Kasperskythe attack used an invisible iMessage with a malicious attachment. A number of vulnerabilities in iOS were used to install malware. "The deployment of the spyware is completely hidden and requires no action from the user," he wrote. "Further, the spyware also quietly transmits private information to remote servers: microphone recordings, photos from instant messengers, geolocation and data about a number of other activities of the owner of the infected device." At the same time, the Russian security agency FSB said it had discovered that these attacks were being carried out by the NSA, in cahoots with Apple. Neither the NSA nor Apple made any public statement about the claims. "It was found that several thousand telephone sets of this brand were infected," FSB said in a statement [Google translation thanks to Ars Technica]. Kaspersky [the firm] has been on the NSA's radar ever since it exposed hacks of various entities by Western agencies. It began with the Russian firm exposing the UK's GCHQ in 2014, which tried to hack a Belgian telecommunications provider. In 2015, Kaspersky exposed an entity it called the Equation Group, which has been long rumoured to be an internal NSA unit. The company also detailed how the Stuxnet operation was carried out to cripple Iran's nuclear reactors. Stuxnet was discovered by Sergey Ulasen in 2010; he joined Kaspersky a year later. The virus was infiltrated into Iran's nuclear labs through an USB drive as the lab was not connected to any external network. Israeli Government hackers breached the Kaspersky network in 2014; after the company found out in 2015, it wrote a detailed analysis of the incident. In addition to the two flaws reported by the Kaspersky researchers, Apple also issued a number of fixes for vulnerabilities in its macOS and watchOS operating systems. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/$theme/includes/sidebar.php"; ?> Once upon a time the scariest things in the world were made up horrors emanating out of mythology, folk tales, and works of fiction. Werewolves, dragons, Medusa, the Yeti, the Cyclops, Frankenstein's Monster and Dracula all scary, yet all fictional. But nothing can be more chilling than real life horrors. The Donner party, Jeffery Dahmer, the Nazi death camps, and countless human tortures and mutilations that have occurred throughout history for real. Seems like real life nightmares never stop coming. One day it's finding out that the FBI and the Department of Justice are not organizations of honorable patriots as we believed them to be, but crooked from the top down, taking sides politically, shilling for the Democrats and prosecuting Republicans. Another day brings a deranged monster who decides to commit a mass killing. We learn of surgical atrocities being committed on young children in the name of "trans-genderism." Then we hear that the president of the United States has been raking in millions of dollars from foreign governments like Communist China. Nightmares all. And now this week we have the latest nightmare. A minivan size submarine, or as it is called a submersible vessel, which had been on its way to touring where the shipwrecked Titanic sunk, has gone missing with five people on board. The Titanic is nearly 13,000 feet beneath the surface of the North Atlantic. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, said the vessel was reported overdue around 9:13 p.m. Sunday, about 435 miles south of St. John's, Newfoundland. Lt. Cmdr. Len Hickey said a Canadian Coast Guard vessel and military aircraft were assisting the search effort, which was being led by the U.S. Coast Guard out of Boston on Monday. The submersible named Titan belongs to OceanGate Expeditions which charges up to $250,000 a person for the excursion. Dives last up to ten hours each. The submersible has a total capacity of five people made up of three tourists, a pilot, and a "content expert." OceanGate has been offering expeditions and underwater tourism to those who have the money and the desire to see the Titanic on the ocean floor with their own eyes. The Titan is the only 5-person vessel that can reach the Titanic, which lies 2.4 miles below the ocean's surface. As of Tuesday afternoon the vessel was still missing and things don't look promising. Reports have stated that the passengers aboard the submersible may not be able to escape. In 2022, CBS News correspondent David Pogue actually traveled on the submersible, and, this week, he explained to BBC that the surfacing capabilities of the vessel are limited. "There's no backup, there's no escape pod," Pogue told the BBC. "It's, 'Get to the surface or die.'" Pogue described the vessel as no bigger than a minivan. The vessel operates using a touch screen and computers, and there is only one switch used to turn the vessel on. Once inside, crew members can only leave after the bolts applied on its surface are opened by someone on the outside. Not a good place to be if you have claustrophobia. Not a good place to be period, if you ask me. So there you have it. Another nightmare. Imagine being locked in a cramped metal container no bigger than a minivan with four other people miles under the ocean, unable to get out, unable to bring the thing to the surface, and running out of oxygen. It appears we can add these five souls to the other 1,514 passengers who perished on the Titanic on April 15,1912. Ironically, some of those who died on the Titanic were quite wealthy, not unlike some of those who paid $250,000 to tour the wreckage. The people on board the Titan wanted to get as close as possible to the sunken Titanic. Looks like they got their wish. Asleep in the deep. (COMMENT, BELOW) MATTOON Wayne McDowell was in his early 20s when he found himself in combat while serving with the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II. "I didn't think I was going to make 30," McDowell recalled of being under fire from Japanese forces. The Mattoon native subsequently made it to 30 years old and has just kept on going ever since. He is now preparing to mark his 100th birthday on Friday, June 23, by kicking off three days of celebrations with his family and friends. "We just planned it so he would be able to enjoy it over a longer time and it wouldn't be over so quick," said his granddaughter, Donna Bean. She noted that her grandfather has already received more than 150 notes from well-wishers through a card shower and he is set to open them during his celebrations. McDowell got to know many people in the community while working for the U.S. Postal Service in Mattoon, a job he retired from 38 years ago. He was previously employed by the Canteen Candy Co. and by Sally Ann Bakery. He is also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Mattoon. The veteran's military service began when he enlisted in 1941 at the outset of U.S. involvement in World War II rather than waiting to be drafted. "I said, "If I was going to go, it's going to be by my choice, not their choice,'" McDowell said of his decision. McDowell said his military training and traveling stateside include a stop in California, where an Army buddy briefly adopted a pet monkey and named him "Col. Mahoney" after their commanding officer. He said his friend later made the mistake of calling the monkey by this name while their actual colonel was within hearing range, likely resulting in him getting written up. From California, he sailed straight to the front lines in the Pacific Theater alongside his fellow soldiers in the 164th Infantry Battalion, McDowell said. They were soon fighting in the Bougainville campaign as part of the Americal Division. "I didn't know they were going to put me in combat right away," McDowell recalled of his shock at the time. The honors that McDowell received for his service include a surprise, late-arriving Bronze Star Medal that the Army sent him in 2004 for "heroic or meritorious achievement or service while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States." He is mentioned in the history book, "Under the Southern Cross: The Saga of the Americal Division," by Cpt. Francis D. Cronin. McDowell said one of the things that helped make his time in the Pacific Theater more bearable was a pen pal friendship that family friend Martha Henson began with him. He said they wrote letters to each other throughout his deployment, and he finally got to meet her in person after he was sent back stateside. They married on Dec. 8, 1946. Following the war, the former staff sergeant stayed busy starting a family and working. Still, the veteran found time to keep track of his beloved St. Louis Cardinals and caring for Chihuahuas, including his current canine companion, Peanut. He also became an avid fan of country music, a love that he shared with his wife throughout their time together. She passed away at age 93 on Jan. 11, 2019. McDowell's daughter, Marcia Harmon, said her father has seen many country stars perform and visited with them in person, including Garth Brooks at his shows at the former Nashville North in Taylorville and the Arcola Broomcorn Festival during the early years of his career. His home includes signed portraits and other mementoes from these visits, including from his favorite country star: Bill Anderson. The three straight days of 100th birthday celebrations are set to include meals at 6 p.m. Friday, June 23, at Arby's in Mattoon; 1 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at Cracker Barrel in Mattoon; and at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 25, at Flesor's Candy Kitchen in Tuscola. McDowell and his wife both enjoyed the milk chocolate haystacks at Flesor's. On June 29, the celebrations will continue with McDowell and his family scheduled to attend what will be just his second Cardinals game in person. McDowell said he attended his first one last year as part of his 99th birthday celebration, during which he also received a key to the city from Mayor Rick Hall. McDowell said it's not surprising it took him so long to travel to Busch Stadium for a game. "I was always too busy," McDowell said. U.S. states with the most World War II veterans U.S. States With the Most World War II Veterans The percentage of US veterans continues to decline each decade The total veteran population has declined by nearly 5M over the past 10 years California and Florida have the most WWII veterans 15. Virginia 14. Missouri 13. Pennsylvania 12. Rhode Island 11. Nevada 10. Delaware 9. Ohio 8. New Mexico 7. Washington 6. Idaho 5. New Hampshire 4. Montana 3. Maine 2. Utah 1. Oregon The U.S. Coast Guard says a missing submersible imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, killing all five people on board. Coast Guard officials said during a news conference Thursday that they've notified the families of the crew of the Titan, which has been missing for several days. Debris found during the search for the vessel is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel, said Rear Adm. John Mauger of the First Coast Guard District. The outpouring of support in this highly complex search operation has been great appreciated. Our most heartfelt condolences go out to the friends and loved ones of the crew, Mauger said. OceanGate Expeditions said in a statement that all five people on board, including company CEO Stockton Rush, are believed to be dead. Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet have sadly been lost, OceanGate said in a statement. OceanGate did not provide details when the company announced the loss of life in a statement or how officials knew the crew members perished. The Titan's 96-hour oxygen supply likely ended early Thursday. OceanGate has been chronicling the Titanics decay and the underwater ecosystem around it via yearly voyages since 2021. The Titan was estimated to have about a four-day supply of breathable air when it launched Sunday morning in the North Atlantic but experts have emphasized that was an imprecise approximation to begin with and could be extended if passengers have taken measures to conserve breathable air. And its not known if they survived since the subs disappearance. Rescuers have rushed ships, planes and other equipment to the site of the disappearance. On Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard said an undersea robot sent by a Canadian ship had reached the sea floor, while a French research institute said a deep-diving robot with cameras, lights and arms also joined the operation. Authorities have been hoping underwater sounds might help narrow their search, whose coverage area has been expanded to thousands of miles twice the size of Connecticut and in waters 2 1/2 miles (4 kilometers) deep. Coast Guard officials said underwater noises were detected in the search area Tuesday and Wednesday. Jamie Pringle, an expert in Forensic Geosciences at Keele University, in England, said even if the noises came from the submersible, "The lack of oxygen is key now; even if they find it, they still need to get to the surface and unbolt it." The Titan was reported overdue Sunday afternoon about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. Johns, Newfoundland, as it was on its way to where the iconic ocean liner sank more than a century ago. OceanGate Expeditions, which is leading the trip, has been chronicling the Titanics decay and the underwater ecosystem around it via yearly voyages since 2021. By Thursday morning, hope was running out that anyone on board the vessel would be found alive. Read more: 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 MATTOON -- Army infantryman Wayne McDowell was on a troop transport ship bound for World War II's Pacific Theatre in 1943 when one of his fellow soldiers pointed out a "black speck" on the horizon. McDowell, of Mattoon, said he soon learned that the "speck" was Hawaii, but he only got a fleeting glimpse of this American soil as their ship sped west across the Pacific Ocean. "They wanted to get us into combat as soon as they could," McDowell said. In advance of Veterans Day, McDowell recently reflected on his service with the 164th Infantry Battalion, Company B of the Americal Division. He said this American division took its name from being formed on the Pacific island of New Caledonia. McDowell, who was nicknamed "Red" by fellow soldiers because of his hair color, said his unit took part in advanced combat training in New Caledonia led by veterans of Guadalcanal. He said they were then sent to the front lines, spending more than a year in Bouganville Island in Papua New Guinea. The veteran said he still vividly remembers that, when they first arrived, he and his unit tromped through a field of beautiful orchids on their way to take up position along a river. McDowell said heavy combat was winding down there at the time, but Japanese forces were still at large and fighting. "I can still hear that first bullet whistling over my head," McDowell said. After Bouganville, McDowell continued serving in the island hopping campaign in the Philippines and elsewhere in the Pacific. The veteran said weekdays, weekends and holidays blended together without distinction as he and his unit were in the field for 365 days a year. "You got used to it because you were busy all the time," McDowell said. His unit was assigned to the occupation of Japan during the immediate aftermath of the war in 1945. McDowell said his commanding officer disregarded written olders to pull their landing craft up to docks, fearing Japanese forces there might still be hostile. He said they landed on a beach instead. While searching a Japanese airbase, McDowell said he found a locked room with a man inside. McDowell said he was preparing to force the door open when he found out this was a darkroom, where a photographer was trying to preserve film that was being developed. McDowell, a staff sergeant at the time, said he asked the Japanese photographer in this room to take a photo of him and his fellow soldiers. The veteran still has this image as a treasured keepsake. The Army did not leave his unit in Japan for very long during this time period. McDowell said they and other units had been in combat not long before arriving in Japan, so the Army thought they might be the best fit for helping start a peaceful occupation. "We had been under fire for so long, we were used to it," McDowell said. A Republican-sponsored House bill that would place new restrictions on gender-affirming care for youths advanced Thursday with lawmakers approving a change that means most of the laws prohibitions will go into effect Aug. 1, rather than Oct. 1. House Bill 808, titled Gender Transition/Minors, was recommended by the Senate Judiciary committee along party lines. It has been sent to the Senate Rules and Operations committee, which is likely to address the bill early next week. The House approved HB808 by a 74-44 vote on May 3 with the support of two Democrats. The Judiciary committee approved an amendment that would make most prohibitions in HB808 effective on Aug. 1 up two months from the initial effective date. Children already receiving gender-affirming medical treatment, such as surgical procedures, puberty-blocking drugs and cross-sex hormones would be allowed to complete their process as long as a medical professional deemed the continuation or completion to be medically necessary and the parents and guardians consented. State funds would remain available for them. However, the bill would prevent minors from starting the treatment process as of Aug. 1. Several medical treatment exceptions were inserted into the bill Wednesday. Those include: services to individuals with a medically verifiable disorder of sex development; services provided when a physician has diagnosed abnormal sex chromosome structure, sex steroid hormone production, or sex steroid hormone action; treatment of any infection, injury, disease, or disorder caused by previous performance of gender transition procedures; and breast reduction procedures when necessary to remedy a physical disorder in a female patient. Legal implications Most of the Judiciary committee members debate on the bill centered on the potential legal penalties for medical professionals, healthcare institutions and those who contract with them. A legislative analysis said medical professionals would be prohibited from: performing surgical gender transition procedures on minors; and prescribing, providing or dispensing puberty-blocking drugs or cross-sex hormones to minors with some exceptions. The bill defines medical professionals to include anyone licensed to practice medicine or licensed to proscribe or dispense drugs. Medical processionals who did not comply with the provisions (of HB808) would be deemed to have engaged in unprofessional conduct and would have their licenses revoked, according to the legislative analysis. State funds could not be used for surgical gender transition procedures on minors and for prescribing, providing or dispensing puberty-blocking drugs or cross-sex hormones to minors. A minor who received surgical gender transition medical treatment would have up to 25 years after age 18 to sue a medical professional and the entity employing or contracting with the medical professional who performed the procedure or prescribed or supplied the puberty-blocking drugs or cross-sex hormones. There would be no damage cap on medical malpractice awards. The N.C. Healthcare Association declined comment Thursday on HB808 except to say that our members are committed to their patients and to providing high-quality care for all. Blue Cross Blue Shield of N.C. said it did not have anything to share on HB808. Clarifications left wanting Several Judiciary Democratic members sought clarifications on the potential legal effects of HB808. For example, they asked if the restrictions and legal ramifications, such as being subject to civil lawsuits, could apply to health insurers and Medicaid since medical professionals typically have service contracts with those groups. Neither bill sponsors nor legislative analysis staff could answer those specific questions, but an analysis staff member did say the bill does allow for liability for any entity that is under contract with a doctor. It would be up to the courts to determine the exact scope of that. Sen. Lisa Grafstein, D-Wake, and the only publicly out LGTBQ member of the Senate, questioned why the states medical malpractice laws are not sufficient to cover potential lawsuits related to surgical gender-transition procedures. We will see providers who decide not to keep taking Medicaid (patients) because of the conflict presented by (HB808). Krawiec defended her support of HB808 by saying that gender transitioning is growing at a tremendous pace. This process has doubled between 2017 and 2021. Debate microcosm There was a brief back-and-forth from Judiciary co-chairman Sens. Buck Newton, R-Wilson, and Sylvia Hatch, D-Wake, which served as a microcosm of the HB808 debate in the Senate. The Associated Press reports that gender-affirming treatments for gender dysphoria are considered safe and medically necessary by the leading professional health associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and the Endocrine Society. Newton cited Thursday, as Krawiec did Wednesday, studies they did not identify that if children experiencing gender dysphoria are allowed to go through puberty, 80% and 67% of them have no further problems and they dont proceed any further with it as long as they delayed the puberty blocking drugs. Hatch responded by mentioning several of the same studies as the AP report. Newton appeared to brush off those studies, calling some of them specious. HB808 has been recommended by two Senate committees after a federal judge Tuesday struck down Arkansas 2021 ban on gender-affirming care for minors, and a federal judge Wednesday struck down a similar ban in Florida. A nurse accused of killing two patients and attempting to kill a third patient told hospital officials and Winston-Salem police detectives that he had given insulin to one of the women who died and gave conflicting statements about his role in the second womans death, according to search warrants obtained by the Winston-Salem Journal. The women were patients at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center when they were given fatal doses of insulin. Two of the women died; one survived. Johnathan Howard Hayes, 48, of Ransom Road is charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Hayes is accused of giving Gwen Zelda Crawford, 60, more than 100 units of insulin on Jan. 5, 2022, according to a search warrant. Crawford died three days later. A standard dose is about 10 units. Hayes is also accused of giving more than 100 units of insulin to Vickie Lynne Lingerfelt, 61, on Jan. 22. Lingerfelt died on Jan. 28. Hospital staff saved the third woman, Pamela Jean Little, 63. Little has since died, but before her death she was able to give police a description of the male nurse who put a pill into her intravenous line, according to a search warrant. That description matched Hayes, the warrant said. Little also said she was afraid of the male nurse because he was sneaky, according to the warrants. The warrants lay out a picture of a nurse who admitted to flaunting rules, telling investigators he was off his game at one point. Hayes also moved from hospital to hospital around the Triad and the state, according to the warrants. Over the course of his 20-year career, Hayes worked at Novant Health, High Point Regional Hospital, Moses Cone Wesley Long Hospital in Greensboro, Iredell Memorial/Davis Regional Hospital in Statesville and Wayne Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro. The warrants also indicate instances of violations of patients privacy. Hayes sent photos of a patients genitalia to his wife, as well as a picture of the body of an elderly man, whom he referred to as his old friend, according to the warrants. Hayes cellphone also contained images of the hospital wrist bands of 25 patients, according to the warrants. And the warrants show that Hayes requested more insulin than any other Baptist employee over a three-month period. Jason B. Crump of Winston-Salem, Hayes attorney, said that the allegations against his client are not facts. I dont talk about cases that are pending publicly, said Crump, an assistant capital defender. Mr. Hayes is an innocent man unless hes found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by 12 jurors in Forsyth County. I gave it to her In the warrants, Hayes appears to give conflicting statements. And he tells investigators that he would not have assisted anyone in getting to their death earlier than expected because he didnt believe in doing that, according to a search warrant. But, according to the warrants, Hayes had contact with all three women before they received large doses of insulin. In large doses the drug causes hypoglycemia, dangerously low glucose levels, which can lead to death. Three days before Crawford suffered her hypoglycemic event, Hayes was her nurse, according to the warrants. Hospital investigators learned that Hayes collected 12 dosage units of insulin for Crawford, and was seen on camera leaving a medication dispensing room with an entire vial of insulin that contained at least 100 dosage units, according to a search warrant. Hayes later told the hospital investigators that he threw away the vial of insulin. However, Hayes said in written statement that he may have accidentally given Crawford insulin that was meant for another patient. Hayes told police investigators Crawford was very sick and needed to go, a warrant said. He later told investigators that needed to go meant that Crawford needed to be transferred to the intensive care unit. Hayes told detectives that though Crawfords blood sugar levels were good, he drew up insulin for her anyway, a warrant said. Hayes later said that it was possible that he had given Crawford the insulin he had drawn up, but he would have had to be way off his game, a warrant said. Hayes said he may have made a mistake because he was working a lot because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hayes also told police detectives that he was partially responsible for administering insulin to Crawford, but he denied giving any insulin to Lingerfelt, a warrant said. Hayes didnt have an explanation about why he gave insulin to Crawford, and said he had never given the wrong patient medication in his 20-year career. Hayes also said he didnt remember taking full vials of insulin from the medication room. Lingerfelt, 60, had been diagnosed as diabetic, but hospital staff had no orders to give her insulin, the warrant said. Lingerfelt experienced a hypoglycemic episode and was transferred to the hospitals intensive care unit where she died. An endocrinologist attributed Lingerfelts death to her receiving more than 100 dosage units of insulin. On Jan. 22, the day Lingerfelt was given the fatal dose, Hayes accessed her medical records and he was seen on video removing a vial of insulin from a medication room, a warrant said. Hayes documented that he administered 12 dosage units of insulin to another patient. On April 12, 2022, detectives met with hospital employees, and they learned about Little, who was under Hayes care on Dec. 1, 2021. On that day, Little suffered a hypoglycemic episode, and Hayes collected insulin for her, according to a search warrant. Hayes documented in Littles chart that the insulin was given to her. The hospital staff were able to save Little by getting her blood sugar back up, the warrant said. She was later moved to a nursing facility and then to her mothers home. On May 3, 2022, two days before her death, detectives met with Little. Little told the investigators that she was scared of a male nurse because he was sneaky. Little said she saw the male nurse two times, and then she had her attack. Little said the male nurse put a white pill in her intravenous line, but when another nurse came into her room, the male nurse removed the pill. Little didnt remember the nurses name, but she described him as a tall man who wore glasses and had salt and pepper hair, the warrant said. Hayes initially told police detectives that poor nursing practices, unaccounted vials of insulin and patients dropping their blood sugar would mean an investigator would suspect him. Jonathan stated he would not have killed somebody, and he would not have tried to kill somebody, the warrant said. An investigator asked Hayes what happened with Crawford and Lingerfelt, and he said, I guess I gave it to her, that would make sense, the warrant said. When a detective pressed Hayes about what happened, Hayes responded, I gave it to her, but he didnt say whether he was referring Crawford or Lingerfelt. Hayes later said, If it would make it right for these people and their families to have someone to pin it on, he could live with that, according to a warrant. Hayes later said he was confessing because of all of the evidence that hospital and police investigators linked him to the patients deaths, and he could not confess to it if he did not do it, the warrant said. Hospital investigators determined that Crawford, Lingerfelt and Little received insulin injections, and Hayes was the only staff member present when those women experienced their hypoglycemic episodes, according to the warrants. Search of his house Hayes consented to a search of his electronic devices, and investigators found the pictures of 25 hospital patients wrist bands on his cell phone and other photos of hospital patients that he sent to his wife. A medical examiner conducted autopsies on the bodies of Crawford and Lingerfelt, and determined that their deaths were homicides, the warrants said. Investigators seized a variety of drugs at Hayes home, used syringes, two laptop computers, two iPads, two iPhones and a Dell desktop computer. The seized drugs included human chorionic gonadotropin, a pregnancy hormone, Tirzepatide, which is used to improve blood-sugar control, Lidocaine, which treats irregular heartbeats and is a pain reliever, Phentermine, a drug that reduces appetite, and Metformin, which also control blood sugar levels. They also found job applications and obituaries. The warrant doesnt say who the obituaries were for. Hayes was being held Thursday in the Forsyth County Jail with no bond allowed, the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office said. He is scheduled to appear Oct. 5 in Forsyth District Court. Winston-Salem City Manager Lee Garrity has emptied out his desk, taken down his wall pictures and removed the photo frames of his family. As he spends his last day at City Hall, Garrity is ready to go. With 17 years as city manager going into the rear-view mirror, Garrity is ready for whatever life brings him next, but hes also not in a hurry to figure out what that will be. Future plans are likely to include some international travel and will definitely include work on a lot of home projects both at his own house here in Winston-Salem, and at the homes of his two daughters. I do like fixing things, he said. My wife can tell you that my hobby is working. Garritys always been an on-call kind of manager. He said his wife and family came to know over the years that an interruption for city business was always a late-night phone call away. Thats going to change, at least for now: Im not going to do anything for six months, Garrity said. Im going to take six months to recharge. Garritys dad was a development director for nonprofits, and the family moved around when he was growing up. One of those moves took the family to Kansas, and that turned out to play a role in Garritys decision to enter the field of public administration. Its like this: Garrity was a student at George Mason University in northern Virginia in the early 1980s when he came across a notice for a job as a Senatorial staff assistant. The notice said it would be helpful for the ideal candidate to have Kansas connections. Garrity ended up working for U.S. Sen. Bob Dole from January of 1982 to December of 1983, and was impressed by Doles commitment to public service. Garrity had actually started out his college career at Wake Forest University, with plans on becoming an engineer. But at Wake Forest he found out that he and calculus didnt get along that well. He transferred to George Mason, and after working for Dole, changed his major to public administration. One of his professors was a former city manager, who also inspired Garrity to the line of work hes followed. His emphasis was that you can make a difference in local government, he said. Make a difference After graduating from George Mason with a degree in public administration, Garrity spent six years as an analyst for the Federal Election Commission in the 1980s, got his masters in public administration (also from George Mason) in 1989, and landed in Winston-Salem in 1990 as a budget analyst for the city. In 1985, he had married Catherine Lewis, whom he had met when she was a student at Salem College and he was at Wake Forest. In 2006, when he became Winston-Salems fifth city manager, he told a reporter for the Journal that working for local government was better than working at the federal level because of the immediate impact someone can have. Here, I can make neighborhoods safer, put in a new street, Garrity said at the time. Theres no other job where you can use your management skills to improve quality of life. Maybe so, but at the same time, the job involves working for nine bosses a mayor and eight members of a city council. When he was picked for the citys top management job, Garrity said, the citys elected officials made clear where the lines of authority would be. They wanted a manager who gave them professional recommendations, but if they disagreed and took a different direction, they wanted a manager who would willingly, and happily move it forward ... and that is the way it has always been, Garrity said. For the city manager, running the city is not like running a nonprofit where the governing board might meet only quarterly, Garrity said. Council members and the mayor are closely engaged with whats going on. The tougher challenges, as long as you can get through it, are actually more satisfying, Garrity said. This is not the kind of job where you get to come in and follow your calendar every day. Theres never a boring day in city government. Garritys been on the street when protests were occurring, just trying to help everybody get along. I enjoy being at community events, he said. If it is not difficult it is usually not fun. Creative thinking One tough stretch was in the 2008-09 period, when the downtown ballpark construction project stalled and the city was forced to more than double its investment to keep from having no team, no stadium and just a hole in the ground. Mayor Allen Joines credits Garrity with creative thinking to keep the project going. He worked with the council and other staff to come up with solutions, like the ticket tax, owning the stadium and leasing it back to the ball team, Joines said. About that same time, we were in a recession and we saw revenues dipping. He worked to tighten up the budget and tighten up services. Joines recalled that before he became an assistant manager and then a manager, Garrity had headed up a city department that focused on organizational effectiveness. He has a great ability to evaluate the issues and come up with workable solutions, Joines said. He also has the demeanor to work with a wide range of individuals, an eight-person council and department heads. He is also a very ethical individual. Garrity said hes gotten his greatest job satisfaction from mentoring young professionals, who have often gone on to pursue their own careers in public service. And while hes honed management skills, he said he sees management not as the end in itself, or just a way to make money, but as a way to help make peoples lives better. Over the years I have always tried to have some projects that I got a little personally involved with, because they remind you of what you are doing, he said. One current example: the Cleveland Avenue Homes neighborhood renovation being spearheaded by the housing authority: Thats one I have wanted done for so many years, to improve that quality of housing, he said. You go in those old units and see kids sleeping on the floor. You want something better for people. Mayor Pro Tem D.D. Adams said she hopes the next city manager will keep the city moving forward, citing what she called Garritys ability to find a way to make things happen. He was able to be truthful with us, and would have done his homework on whats the best way to get things done, she said. Under Garrity, she said, the city was able to weather such challenges as the Great Recession of 2008, two major bond referendums, the Weaver fertilizer plant fire and the COVID-19 pandemic. Adams said Garrity responded well to her suggestion to do more surveys to get feedback from the public. Thats something that was on Garritys mind back in 2006, when he was named to the job. He wanted to set up a call center so people could be directed to the right department to get their concerns dealt with, and that led to the creation of CityLink. Garrity also hired council member assistants for each ward, to create a way for citizens to deal more directly with their representative. Traumatic Garrity said that the most traumatic experience hes had as city manager was the death on Feb. 23, 2007 of police Sgt. Howard Plouff, after he was fatally shot outside a nightclub while he responded to a call for help from sheriffs deputies. I had just become manager, and I went to the ER while they were trying to save his life, he said. I was actually in the emergency room with his family and young daughters. It brings it home to you. When you talk to family members of employees who have lost their lives, you cant help but feel responsibility, because it is an ultimate sacrifice they are making. Another hard time came on Dec. 20, 2019, when a sanitation worker killed another sanitation worker at the Johnson Municipal Services Center on Lowery Street. It was extremely traumatic for everyone, he said. For the organization to actually have that kind of assault and lockdown for a very violent attack, with multiple shots fired. And the police had no choice but to use multiple shots to kill him, so it was very traumatic for everyone involved. We learned a lot on how we need to do better on training. Robert Clark, the only member of the current council who was in his seat when Garrity became manager, recalls that Garrity was the overwhelming choice when we hired him. He has been steady, Clark said. He got us through the Great Recession and he got us through COVID. He will be difficult to replace. I have not had any major areas where I think he would have done differently from me. The world throws curveballs at you that you are not expecting. You wake up one morning and the world has changed. The city has had successes including downtown development and the creation of the Innovation Quarter under Garritys watch, he said. Regrets ... As he looks back, Garrity said that the thing he regrets is not having enough time to spend in the field with city employees. So many times in my career, I would make a calendar and block off every Friday afternoon, he said. I had it all organized Id be at a fire station, a rec center and this and that. Ive been to all of them, but not as much as I wanted to. Because what would happen is that something would happen and I couldnt go out in the field. The council takes a break in July after passing the budget, and doesnt reconvene until August. For Garrity, the July break has become a time to unplug from city government, take a trip and not answer the phone. Ive turned down some job offers already, Garrity said. I really need and want to put my family first. Garrity enjoys researching family history, and his overseas trips have taken him to Scotland, Wales, England and Ireland, the last the home of his Irish forebears. Garrity is a collector, too. He has a goal of getting at least one coin from every country or place on earth that produces a coin, but hes not the kind of collector who insists on acquiring some hard-to-find and expensive rarity. Just an ordinary coin from each country will do. In the past, Garrity said, hes collected stamps. And since he didnt have many Hardy Boys books when he was a kid, at one point he decided to begin collecting them. It was a lot of fun, he said, but the thrill of the chase was more exciting than achieving his goal of putting together an entire set. Garrity said he plans to leave the new city manager alone to figure things out, although he expects he will always be on call to the people hes mentored over the years. And hes looking forward to fixing things: One reason I like being a handyman is that when it is fixed, it is fixed, he said. Because in my job nothing is ever really done. Can I fix my violent crime? I wish I could. The N.C. General Assembly approved Thursday a bipartisan Senate bill that would bar anyone under age 18 from donating blood without the permission of a parent or guardian. Advancing closer to a House floor vote is a bipartisan Senate bill that permits mobile salon services, including at wedding venues. Senate Bill 389, titled Raise the age for donating blood, was approved by a 105-0 vote. The bill goes to Gov. Roy Cooper, who has 10 days to sign SB389, veto it or let it become law without his signature. SB389 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. 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. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 44 was recommended Tuesday by the House Finance committee. It still must clear the Rules and Operations committee before getting a House floor vote. 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 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. The state's top 2024 prospects head to Nebraska for a major recruiting weekend and there could be good news before it even begins. A 59-year-old Lincoln man was arrested in the parking lot of a local sex store Thursday after he threatened a Doctor John's employee with a screwdriver following his removal from the store, according to police. Police arrested Daryl Stokebrand at the store, near 48th and Vine streets, just before 6 p.m. Thursday after they responded to the shop on a report of a male chasing an employee with a knife, Lincoln Police Sgt. Chris Vollmer said. When officers arrived on scene, they found a 53-year-old employee holding Stokebrand down in the parking lot, Vollmer said. The employee told police that Stokebrand had been in the business several times and, when he was asked to leave, he brandished a screwdriver, threatened the 53-year-old and tried to strike him with it, Vollmer said. The Doctor John's staffer instead struck Stokebrand, holding him down until police arrived, Vollmer said. Police arrested the 59-year-old on suspicion of attempted first-degree assault, terroristic threats and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony. He was taken to the Lancaster County jail. Most dangerous cities in Nebraska Dangerous Cities in Nebraska 6. South Sioux City 5. Scottsbluff 4. North Platte 3. Lincoln 2. Grand Island 1. Omaha A note about the numbers A Lincoln restaurant remains open for business despite an ongoing investigation stemming from a fire Monday. Lincoln Fire and Rescue responded to an early Monday morning fire at El Cielito Lindo Mexican Restaurant at 100 N. First St. Thick black smoke was seen coming out of the restaurant, but no further details have been given. Fire Investigator Chris Crocker said the investigation has been turned over to the Lincoln Police Department to determine if criminal activity was involved. LFR spokeswoman MJ Lierman said Friday morning the investigation was declared suspicious in nature because the front door seemed to be broken out upon LFRs arrival. It is unknown if the broken door was from the fires heat. The fire occurred on the east side of the building, which was used for storage. The restaurants owner confirmed that it is up and running with normal business hours on the west end of the strip mall. We would like to thank all our customers for your support and hope to see you soon, the restaurant said in a Tuesday Facebook post. Top Journal Star photos for June 2023 A water district that covers much of southeastern Lancaster County has instituted mandatory water restrictions amid an ongoing drought. Lancaster Rural Water District No. 1 said Thursday on its website that it is implementing a mandatory reduction in sprinkler use among its customers, which include residents of Bennet, Hickman, Sprague and Panama. "We are asking customers that run sprinkler systems to cut run times by 50% due to water levels in our elevated towers," the district said in a notice on its website. "If the district does not see a reduced amount of water being demanded due to the mandatory reduction, we will have no choice but to ban sprinkler use for the rest of the year. District Manager Jordon Bang said in an interview that the reduction was implemented because the district can't keep enough water in its water towers to meet the sprinkler demand. The district gets all of its water from groundwater wells, and Bang said there is no problem with water levels right now, so it decided to try to encourage water conservation rather than shutting people off. But cutting down on watering, residents "are helping us out and we don't have to go to a total shutdown," he said. The district last banned lawn watering in the summer of 2021, Bang said. The mandatory reduction comes as Lancaster County is in the grip of its worst drought in at least a decade. Lincoln had received just under 7 inches of rain since the start of the year as of Friday morning, less than half of the normal amount. That makes it the driest first six months in at least the last 30 years. In fact, the last 12 months, if they had fallen in a calendar year, would have been the driest on record. According to the most recent Drought Monitor from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which was released Thursday, 99% of Lancaster County is in extreme drought, including 52% that's in exceptional drought, the most severe category. The city of Lincoln instituted voluntary water restrictions on June 5 that ask people to only water lawns or wash cars on certain days based on whether they have an odd or even address. Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Director Liz Elliott said at the time that the aquifer that supplies Lincoln's wellfield was at only 65% of capacity and that Platte River flows were at their lowest levels since 1956. Erika Hill, an LTU spokeswoman, said Friday that the city continues to experience drought conditions but has no plans at this point to institute any mandatory restrictions on water. "Lincoln Water System reviews river flow, rainfall amounts and Lincoln water usage data daily," she said in an email. "We will reach out to media with any changes to our water conservation efforts." The good news is that the forecast calls for a significant chance of rain in the Lincoln area Saturday morning. According to the National Weather Service, there's a 60% chance of rain, mainly after midnight and into Saturday morning, that could be heavy at times and produce an inch or more of accumulation. Counties with the worst droughts in Nebraska Counties with the worst droughts in Nebraska Nebraska statistics #1. Adams County (tie) #1. Perkins County (tie) #1. Nuckolls County (tie) #1. Nance County (tie) #1. Morrill County (tie) #1. Merrick County (tie) #1. McPherson County (tie) #1. Madison County (tie) #1. Loup County (tie) #1. Logan County (tie) #1. Hooker County (tie) #1. Phelps County (tie) #1. Lincoln County (tie) #1. Kimball County (tie) #1. Keya Paha County (tie) #1. Keith County (tie) #1. Kearney County (tie) #1. Johnson County (tie) #1. Jefferson County (tie) #1. Pierce County (tie) #1. Platte County (tie) #1. Polk County (tie) #1. Lancaster County (tie) #1. Knox County (tie) #1. Stanton County (tie) WASHINGTON Attorney General Merrick Garland pushed back Friday against claims from IRS whistleblowers that the Justice Department interfered with the investigation into Hunter Biden, saying more broadly that attacks on the departments independence are corrosive. The Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday released a transcript of testimony from Gary Shapley, an IRS official who, among other things, claimed that Garland had denied a request from U.S. Attorney David Weiss of Delaware to be appointed special counsel. That designation would have given Weiss the same status as the prosecutor leading the investigation into former President Donald Trump. Weiss never made such a request, Garland said Friday, and always had full authority to file charges wherever and however he saw fit against President Joe Biden's son. And Garland added that if Weiss first appointed U.S. Attorney by Trump agrees to testify before Congress, the Justice Department will not stand in the way. He was given complete authority to make all decisions on his own, Garland said. I dont know how it would be possible for anybody to block him for bringing a prosecution given that he has that authority. More broadly, Garland forcefully rebutted criticism from Republicans that a plea agreement for the president's son on tax and gun charges made public this week reflects political influence in the American justice system. Republicans have denounced the deal as evidence of a two-tiered system of justice. Some have chosen to attack the integrity of the Justice Department by claiming we do not treat like cases alike. This constitutes an attack on an institution that is essential to American democracy and essential to the safety of the American people, Garland said. Nothing could be further from the truth. In a separate statement Friday, Biden's lawyer denounced the idea that the investigation cut any corners, and said it would be dangerously misleading to make conclusions based on the Shapley transcript. The transcript included a message Hunter sent to a business associate alluding to sitting with his father, seemingly suggesting that his father was aware of his business dealings. Shapley acknowledged the investigation didnt turn up evidence to prove that, instead finding that it was likely untrue. Joe Biden has said hes never spoken to his son about his foreign business. Asked Friday if the president stands by those comments, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre replied: What I will say is nothing has changed. Nothing has changed, and I will leave it there. Weiss' office referred request for comment about the whistleblower testimony to a June 7 letter he wrote to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan saying he had ultimate authority over the investigation. The testimony from IRS agent Shapley and a second unnamed agent who worked on the case detailed what they called a pattern of slow-walking investigative steps and delaying enforcement actions in the Hunter Biden case, though it was unclear whether the conflict they described amounted to internal disagreement or a pattern of preferential treatment. Shapley said Weiss told him and others during an October 2022 meeting that he had been denied special counsel status. Transcripts released Thursday include an email with Shapley's notes from the meeting, and a response from a supervisor saying his notes covered it all. Bidens attorney, for his part, said claims the investigation wasn't thorough are preposterous and deeply irresponsible. The Hunter Biden plea deal came days after the special counsel on the Trump case filed a historic 37-count indictment alleging mishandling of classified documents, which the former president has denied. Trump has likened the Hunter Biden agreement to a mere traffic ticket." Photos: Hunter Biden through the years The Senate Appropriations Committee has tagged $25 million for construction of an agricultural research facility at Nebraska Innovation Campus. The appropriation will further development of the $140 million National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture, which is anticipated to begin construction next year. Sen. Deb Fischer, who sponsored the appropriation, said in a statement the research center funding was one of three Nebraska-based projects included in the Senate's ag budget this year. The Appropriations Committee also voted 28-0 to advance $3 million in funding to the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and $1 million for the National Ag Producers Data Cooperative also led by UNL. The bill must still be voted on by both the Senate and the House before it goes to President Joe Biden for his signature, but Fischer said she was optimistic the project had received bipartisan support. "Nebraska is becoming a world-renowned leader in agricultural research," Fischer said in a statement. "I'm proud to have pushed for these critical projects, which will cement our state's position as a hub for ag innovation and support family farmers and ranchers." The National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture has also secured $3 million in funding in the House ag budget, led by Rep. Mike Flood, who has been a vocal supporter of the project. Congress has previously appropriated $11.2 million for design and planning of the facility in 2020 and $20 million for construction in 2021. The Nebraska Legislature also set aside $25 million in funds for an 80,000-square-foot companion building, an appropriation that would cover half the cost. The spending bill was signed into law by then-Gov. Pete Ricketts in 2022. The University of Nebraska has pledged to raise the remaining $25 million for a center that would convert research done at the USDA facility into real-world products and services. Fischer said she also secured language in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act that prioritizes agricultural research at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center. Top Journal Star photos for June 2023 RANDOLPH A Randolph resident has filed a lawsuit to keep an emotional support dog city leaders say is a pit bull that's prohibited from living within city limits under Randolph's dangerous dog ordinance. Kandice Cooke says that by ordering her to remove her dog, the Randolph City Council is denying her right to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and is also violating the Fair Housing Act. She's seeking more than $13.3 million for emotional trauma, mental anguish, time spent challenging the city's ruling and 43 years of medication and therapy expenses if she has to give up her dog. "My life has been in turmoil ever since I moved here," Cooke said in the lawsuit against the city and city council filed in U.S. District Court in Omaha. Cooke, who is representing herself, has asked a judge to expedite the case and issue a no-contact order against the city, whose police chief she says has harassed her. Cooke said she's been ticketed four times totaling $400 for violating the city ordinance by continuing to keep the dog. Cooke said she moved from Minnesota to Randolph on March 22 and the following day went to city hall to set up utility accounts and register her dog, Rufus. Unable to register him without a vaccination record, Cooke returned the following day and said the city clerk notified her of the city's dangerous dog ordinance when she listed Rufus as a pit bull. The city's dangerous dog ordinance prohibits American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers and Staffordshire bull terriers within city limits but says the breeds are permissible if the dog is a certified service animal. Cooke said Rufus is a boxer-pit bull mix, mostly boxer, but she had to register him as a pit bull because that's what his previous owners who surrendered him to the Humane Society called him. She said the Humane Society and her veterinarian were required to list Rufus as a pit bull because of the previous owners' statement. Cooke said after she explained Rufus' background, the city clerk allowed her to register the dog. The next day, Cooke said, a police officer came to her house and said Rufus was not allowed within city limits because he's a pit bull. Cooke said she was issued a warning citation when she tried to explain Rufus was an emotional support dog she'd had for three years. At an April 12 city council meeting, Cooke asked council members to approve her dog license application under the service animal exception. Two days later, she said, the council ruled against her and said Rufus needed to be removed by April 30 or the city would impound him. Randolph mayor Dwayne Schutt said Cooke's documentation doesn't make it clear that Rufus is a service animal. "If it was a true service dog and had all the correct paperwork, then we would abide by it," Schutt said. "With the right paperwork, we would have no problem." Cooke said she's supplied documents from two psychologists and her treating physician supporting her need for a support animal. Rufus also is licensed with the state of Nebraska as an emotional support animal and is certified by the Assistance Dogs of America, Cooke said. She could pay for genetic testing to determine if Rufus is more boxer than pit bull, but has no plans to do so. "It doesn't matter. He hasn't qualified under the (city's) criteria for a vicious animal," she said. Cooke said the situation has caused her to have panic attacks and PTSD flashbacks, and she can't afford to move because she spent all her money buying her home in Randolph. The top 10 most popular dog breeds in America 1. French bulldogs 2. Labrador retrievers 3. Golden retrievers 4. Golden shepherds 5. Poodles 6. Bulldogs 7. Rottweilers 8. Beagles 9. Dachshunds 10. German shorthaired pointers The twin born first Erin Patricia Lewis, by a minute! was the fierce sister. The protective sister. The outgoing sister. The sister who left first. I will greatly miss every single second of being a twin, Sarah Rasby said at the funeral last summer. I have so much gratitude for everything she did for me as a sister, even during the last few years; what she gave to me was immeasurable. Erin died June 24, 2022, more than three years after a devastating cardiac event left her alive but severely disabled. She left behind her son Teddy, an inquisitive 5-year-old, and her partner Ty Prucha, a long-ago college classmate turned fiance. She left behind her mom and her older sister. And she left behind Sarah, her other half. When Sarah married Nick Rasby in 2012, she told him: Youre marrying both of us. She was everything to me, Sarah says. She was my go-to person for everything. Sarah turned 40 in February. She lives in south Lincoln, in a mid-century ranch with Nick and their sons, Cohen, 10, and Bennet, 7. She juggles parenting and teaching yoga and working on her Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research field: Caregiving. There is an apt name for the kind of caregiver that Sarah and her twins other loved ones became on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018: Sudden Caregivers. Research has yet to deeply recognize or explore the experience of sudden caregivers, Sarah wrote in her dissertation proposal. Sudden Caregiver: The ordinary before and the unfathomable after. What to call what happened that night in 2018? An accident? An incident? The 12 Minutes That Broke Their Hearts? For weeks, Erin hadnt been herself. She wasnt sleeping well. She had panic attacks heart racing, palms sweating. It had been a year of change. Becoming a mom, starting a new job, building a dream house with Ty and coping with ongoing grief for her dad, whod died of colon cancer the year before. Shed been worried enough to see a doctor and get hooked up to an EKG. Everything checked out. Sarah replays that etched-in-time Monday evening. Erin calling Ty from the grocery store to say she couldnt drive home, that shed had a panic attack in the parking lot. Ty picking her up with Teddy in the backseat and, as they approached home, seeing her body go limp. The frantic drive to the hospital ER. Sarah was bathing her boys when the call came. At the hospital, a nurse called them into a private room: Erin hadnt been breathing when she arrived and doctors were working to revive her. I ran out into the hallway hyperventilating and screaming NO! Sarah remembers. No, no, no, no! She slid down the wall, her hands and feet cramping. She recognized the feeling. Im going into shock. Breathe, she told herself. Breathe. Its what she teaches others now, part of her research on the effects of self-compassion and mindfulness for family caregivers, a huge and hidden population in America estimated at 38 million; many of them women. And many who struggle with isolation, anxiety, depression and their own declining health. Its a staggering number, Sarah says. Those 38 million Americans need help. What I think is whats needed most is a change in the social perspective that to be a caregiver means you have to go it alone. Its why Sarah secured funding to screen a documentary on Wednesday, lining up sponsors and a panel of caregiving experts and making it free to attend. Im pushing for so many people to come to the film screening because caregiving will affect you at some point. And you cant predict when that will be. Never in my life did I think Id be a caregiver for my 35-year-old sister. *** All the emotions lived in this new world. Hope next to heartache, optimism alongside despair. You ARE healing, moment to moment, Sarah wrote in her journal, weeks after the accident. You are on your way back to being a mama at home with Teddy. Two months later: I love you so much, Erin. I cant imagine how difficult this has been for you lately. My heart is so heavy. Erins diagnosis was dire. A global ischemic injury death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen to the brain. Those panic attacks? Likely heart arrhythmias culminating in a perfect, near-fatal storm, Sarah says. Erin spent months at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital. Her mom and big sister Maggie took her to New Orleans for eight weeks of specialized therapy. Ty fixed up a small house and Erin moved in with round-the-clock care. The pandemic came and a hard road got harder. For the last year of her life, Erin lived in a nursing home in Tekamah, close to their mom. My mom was a fierce advocate for Erin, Sarah says. Ty and other family members were always on the same side of that. I didnt do this alone. But when everything changed for Erin, everything changed for Sarah. She didnt go to work couldnt bear to go to work for six weeks, and eventually sold her share in a Lincoln yoga studio to devote more time to her twin. She was her sisters power of attorney. She advocated for Erin with her care teams and doctors. She dealt with insurance companies. She pushed for more treatment and better options. She stayed by Erins side. Held her hand, played her music, combed her hair. The twins watched old movies together and reruns of Friends. Sarah recounted tales of their college exploits, and Erin laughed. In late 2019, Sarah was asked to moderate a panel at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers in Atlanta and, amazed by the support work started by the former First Lady, began reimagining her own life. She started her doctoral program while Erin was still alive and nearly quit in the months after she died. Friends and faculty pulled her through. Shes focused her research on the value of self-compassion techniques for caregivers and removing stigma around disability. In June, she led a six-week self-compassion series for caregivers at Madonna and is collecting data on its effects. Shes driven to do the work well and shes very inquisitive, says Holly Batton-Bowers, Sarahs co-advisor and co-investigator for the series. Its exciting to see her take this work in a direction it hasnt been before. Sarah had a foundation for her work. Her father spent his career working at a sheltered workshop for people with developmental disabilities in Omaha. He treated them just like hed treat anyone else. He instilled in us that people with disabilities deserve attention, positive relationships and value. Eventually, Sarah saw beyond the heartbreak Erin losing so much, her home, her voice, her ability to eat, drink, walk, talk to appreciate the new version of her sister. I still had my sister and I could tell her full being and soul were still very much there. And I loved her. A friend of the twins, part of Erins army of helpers, witnessed that love. The bond of twins, I dont think anyone who is not a twin can understand, Katy Martin says. Youre always fighting for your sister. Keeping her close to your chest. *** Sarah and Erin shared a womb, but they had separate cribs. By the time they could climb they often ended up nestled together for the night. Two peas. Sarah, the quiet one; Erin, the social one. The twins did everything together growing up, from T-ball to talent shows. They werent identical but close enough to make people look twice. Mom called them the Twinks when they were small, and it stuck. Erin outweighed Sarah by a pound at birth and never gave up her role as mother hen. She was always looking out for me, Sarah says. She always carried so much confidence for me. When they were in sixth grade at Holy Ghost Catholic school in Omaha, Sarah ran for class president. There was a recount. It turned out there were more ballots than there were students and Erin had been in charge of counting the ballots. Then there was the year Sarah couldnt believe her long jump number at track and field day. She looked up, and there was Erin, winking at the judges table. Erin looking out for Sarah again and wanting her to win. Sarah wanted Erin to win, too. The twin born second only by a minute! loved Erin, the essence of Erin, the Erin who lived so bravely for so long after Nov. 12, 2018. In the early months, Erin could repeat a few words. I. Am. Beautiful, Sarah would say. I. Am. Beautiful, her twin would answer. I. Am. Strong. I. Am. Strong. I. Am. Love. I. Am. Love. Whats your name? Erin. Whats your babys name? Teddy. She could answer Yes and No. Erin smiled when Teddy walked in the room. She laughed at Tys jokes. She cried. She knew her people, the twins friend Katy says. Or maybe it was more that her heart knew. Time passed and many friends stopped visiting, not knowing what to say. Erin began having seizures and ended up in the hospital five times with kidney infections. Her muscles were in a constant state of contraction. Sarah saw the pain in her eyes. The trickle of words slowed. During COVID, it stopped, Sarah says. The isolation caused further decline. When Sarah couldnt see her sister in person, she FaceTimed her, Erins phone mounted to the wall and set to automatically answer as a video call. Hey, Sissy. I love you. Erin would just light up when shed hear Sarahs voice, said Tammy Ellis, Erins hospice nurse. You could tell she and Sarah had that connection where she knew Sarah was always going to be there for her. Sarah prayed with Erin in the morning and recited the Hail Mary, words carried over the ether, every night. She had become the mother hen. Her sisters protector. She went back to school for Erin and for all of the people who had an Erin in their lives. All of the work I do is because of Erin and my caregiving experience for her. Its been a year now since Erin passed. On Saturday, Sarah and her family will gather with high school friends for a cookout. She still feels a little numb. Deep wells of grief followed by periods of peace. Joy stirred by a memory. She feels sadness for Ty and Teddy and the future they lost. Shes waiting. Letting herself be; treating herself with compassion. Shes breathing. IF YOU GO A free screening of the documentary UNSEEN will air at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Mary Riepma Ross Center, 313 N. 13th St., in Lincoln. The film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring caregiving experts and state Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln. For tickets, visit https://theross.org/events/unseen/ For more information, contact Sarah Rasby, srasby2@unl.edu The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter. Top Journal Star photos for June 2023 The fatal shooting that occurred in the parking lot of an Uptown church last week was likely sparked by a drug deal gone wrong. Three men were charged Friday in Kenosha County Circuit Court for their alleged roles in the June 13 incident, including one man accused of accidentally shooting his brother in the head with friendly fire. Twenty-one-year-old Kevin B. Alvarez, of Zion, Ill., is charged with first-degree reckless homicide, possession with intent to deliver psilocybin and possession with intent to deliver THC. Kenosha men Anthony T. Santana and Tayvion M. Taylor, both 20, are charged with felony murder while attempting to commit robbery while armed. Alvarez and Taylor made their initial appearances at Intake Court Friday afternoon where Court Commissioner William Michel imposed a $500,000 cash bond on Alvarez and a $250,000 cash bond on Taylor. Their preliminary hearings are set for next week. A $500,000 arrest warrant was issued for Santana. Kenosha Police spent days investigating the incident that occurred the night of June 13 after three people turned up at separate local hospitals with gunshot wounds. One of the three, 19-year-old Mauricio Alvarez, who was shot in the right parietal scalp, died of cardiac arrest before he could be flown to Milwaukee for treatment. According to prosecutors, the Alvarez brothers drove to Kenosha from Zion to sell drugs to Santana and Taylor in the parking lot of Grace Lutheran Church, 2006 60th St., around 10 p.m. that night. Upon arrival, Santana and Taylor allegedly attempted to rob the brothers using fake currency. When Mauricio Alvarez saw that the money was fake he confronted Santana, according to the criminal complaint. According to reports, firearms were pulled out by both parties and shots fired. While attempting to fire at Santana and Taylor, Kevin Alvarez allegedly accidently shot his brother in the head. In the moments following the exchange, Kevin Alvarez allegedly attempted to hide evidence at the scene before driving to Aurora Medical Center for treatment. Kevin Alvarez suffered a gunshot wound to his chest, what appeared to be a through and through wound to his left thigh, and a wound to his right upper thigh area. His injuries were not life-threatening. Mauricio Alvarez was pronounced dead shortly before 11 p.m. at the hospital. Taylor suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his back left arm or upper shoulder area and was taken by family to Froedtert Kenosha Center, an urgent care clinic, in Downtown before being driven to Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital. In the days following the shooting many in the community expressed fear and anger about the gun violence at the start of summer. Grace Lutheran is surrounded by houses and apartments, and a city bus stop sits in front of the church. A vigil was held a few days later. On Friday, members of the Alvarez and Taylor families sat in the Intake Court gallery while their loved ones appeared before the court commissioner. Alfonso Alvarez, father of both Mauricio and Kevin Alvarez, spoke before the court with an interpreter and asked for a low-cash bond for Kevin Alvarez so he could grieve with the rest of family. Kevin Alvarezs defense attorney Carl Johnson said it appears that the violence in this incident is instigated by the other people who are involved who initiate this robbery, who appear to be the ones who first draw guns and begin shooting. Johnson said Kevin Alvarez shot his brother while defending each other. District Attorney Michael Graveley, however, said high cash bonds were warranted for those facing charges stemming from the incident based on the seriousness of the alleged crimes and potential for lengthy prison sentences. Graveley said Kevin Alvarez cannot use a self-defense claim in court because in our research at the D.A.s office before entering this charge of first-degree reckless homicide you are not able to claim self-defense in a situation where a third party is the victim of that case. So that will not be available to Mr. Alvarez at any time. Michel agreed with prosecutors. This is clearly a tragedy, what is alleged in this criminal complaint. But this should have never happened, Michel said about Kevin Alvarez. Its very concerning. Michel said someone was killed due to the events that took place and it put this community at substantial risk. Michel said Taylors alleged actions also put the community at risk. When initially questioned by police all those involved were reportedly uncooperative. Clearly, this is very concerning, Michel said. On 60th Street theres a lot of people and to put this community at risk with this type of behaviorand I understand this is allegations, but we have a decedent, we have a person who was killed in this situation. Its very concerning. The court does believe that a substantial cash bond is warranted. TOWN OF DOVER A place that often comforts animals during their final days is celebrating an unusual turnabout with newborns experiencing their first days. Tiny Hooves animal sanctuary has welcomed three baby goats, after their pregnant mothers were rescued from a slaughterhouse and brought to the Racine County facility. So unusual is the birth of new animals at the sanctuary that Tiny Hooves officials and volunteers decided to do what many expectant mothers do have a baby shower. Visitors to the farm on Saturday not only can meet the baby goats and present them with gifts, they also can support Tiny Hooves and its nonprofit mission of caring for distressed or displaced farm animals. The 33-acre sanctuary operates at 1117 N. Britton Road, north of Union Grove. The baby shower is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Beca Thompson, founder and president of Tiny Hooves, said the sanctuary houses many animals that are recovering from trauma or looking for a place where they can die in peace and dignity. Having three goats born on site starting new lives as the happy result of animal rescues is a rare achievement seldom realized under such circumstances, Thompson said. Its such an uplifting and emotional thing, she said. Thats why we want to celebrate. The shower will include appearances by baby goats Kylo, Augustus and Amity, along with their mothers, Blossom and Maude. There also will be party games, party favors and vegan snack foods. Admission is free, although donations will be accepted. The sanctuary started operations in 2015 and has been located at the Britton Road farm in Dover since 2018. Animals arrive from rescues in the agriculture industry, police departments and animal control agencies. The population of 176 animals includes horses, cows, donkeys, sheep, goats, ducks and peacocks. Many are old, disabled or recovering from illness or trauma. Sandi Swiss, vice president of the sanctuarys board of directors, said the birth of baby goats is special because it means that they will have the chance to live their entire lives at the facility never experiencing trauma or neglect. Theyre really only going to know love, Swiss said. Thats very rare. Tiny Hooves is operated by Thompson, her partner, Taylor Romack, about 50 volunteers and other supporters. The current situation began when two female goats, both pregnant, were rescued from a farm in Iowa. Both had relatively mild infections, but as a result, they were headed to a slaughterhouse. Romack said Tiny Hooves is a vegan operation, so any animal slaughter is prohibited. Knowing that the two endangered goats were pregnant made it seem even worse. It felt a little extra wrong, he said. The two mothers, now named Blossom and Maude, were resettled at Tiny Hooves, and both delivered healthy babies. Blossom gave birth May 4 to Kylo, while Maude on May 14 delivered twins, Augustus and Amity. Both mothers also survived their infections, and are living happily alongside their newborns. Tiny Hooves workers have dubbed the group Freedom Family, to signify how the two mothers were rescued from slaughter. Now more than four weeks old, the three baby goats exhibit boundless energy as they run and play on the farm. All three will be spayed or neutered, and allowed to live permanently at Tiny Hooves. They know theyre special, Thompson said. They think the universe centers around them. Counties with the most farmland in Wisconsin Counties with the most farmland in Wisconsin #25. Jefferson #24. Clark #23. Shawano #22. Pierce #21. Vernon #20. Walworth #19. Outagamie #18. Manitowoc #17. Trempealeau #16. Sauk #15. Chippewa #14. Columbia #13. St. Croix #12. Iowa #11. Portage #10. Barron #9. Green #8. Fond du Lac #7. Dunn #6. Marathon #5. Lafayette #4. Dodge #3. Rock #2. Dane #1. Grant RAYMOND Establishing residence for the purpose of voting is sometimes a balancing act that includes a voters state of mind, state election officials said in a dispute with the Village of Raymond. The Wisconsin Election Commission is responding to a civil lawsuit that the village filed in a disagreement over the villages decision to deny voter registration to a couple who was building a house in Raymond. The wife, Jillian Berman, was running for Raymond School Board at the time, and the question of her residence had become an issue in the campaign. Berman lost the election, but state election officials later ruled that the Village of Raymond had wrongly rejected voter registration for both Jillian and Mitchell Berman while their house was under construction. The village responded by filing suit against the Election Commission, in a case pending in Racine County Circuit Court before Circuit Judge Mark Nielsen. No hearing date has been set. In its response filed June 5, the commission asserts that the Bermans established residence in Raymond not only by starting construction of a home on Eight Mile Road, but also by paying taxes, enrolling their kids in school, receiving mail, getting new drivers licenses and registering their dogs at that address. The couple had sold their previous home and were sleeping at friends houses, after construction of their new house in Raymond fell behind schedule. Citing legal precedents for voter registration, state election officials said a persons place of residence is often a combination of their physical presence and a certain state of mind. In short, a voters residence or domicile is where her lifes center of gravity is located, the state wrote. Physical presence need not be continuous to establish or maintain a residence. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is representing the Election Commission in the matter. The Village of Raymond filed the suit last October on behalf of then-Village Clerk Linda Terry, who made the decision to invalidate the Bermans voter registration as part of her election administrative duties in the April 2022 elections. Jillian Berman was on the ballot as a school board candidate, but neither she nor her husband were allowed to vote. Terry, who has since retired, said she stands behind her decision on the Bermans. I feel I still did the right thing, she said. Village President Kari Morgan declined to comment about the dispute, citing pending litigation. The village has hired the Waukesha law firm of Arenz Molter Macy & Riffle to fight the lawsuit. Village officials contend that Terry was correct to invalidate the Bermans voter registration, partly because the couple at the time acknowledged having never slept overnight at the Eight Mile Road address. In response, the state called Terrys conclusion legally untenable and practically unworkable. The village clerk failed to demonstrate that the Bermans lived outside the village, so denying their residence left them with no place where they could vote, the state said. There was nowhere else their residence could plausibly be, the state wrote. If Terry gets her way, the Bermans wont be eligible to vote anywhere. Photos of Racine County residents voting at the polls, spring Election Day 2023 Caledonia voters Sonya Johnson Maricela Carranza Kelly Glass Caledonia voting Caledonia voting sign Caledonia voters at the polls Caledonia voting line Voting Voting Turning in the ballot Voting Waiting in line Husband and wife election working duo Poll worker Mike Pinter directs voter inside Veteran Terrace on election day April 20203 Poll worker Sherry Coburn hands out a ballot Tuesday during April 2023 election in Burlington Voters cast their ballots in Burlington's Veterans Terrace April 2023 election 1. Yes. Voters across the city filled the seat in the first place. Voters should decide again. 2. Yes. An election is much preferable to back-room decisions among council members. 3. No. The charter calls for the council to fill the vacancy by appointment. Follow the rules. 4. No. An election would be expensive, both for the city and for the potential candidates. 5. Unsure. An election seems more transparent, but its not the perfect answer. Vote View Results KEARNEY Petes Patriot is staying in Kearney. Thats according to Brad Kernick, a car enthusiast and supporter of the Classic Car Collection in Kearney. The owner is not verified, but Petes Patriot will remain in Kearney, Kernick said Tuesday afternoon at the conclusion of the auction of 130 cars that had been displayed the past 12 years at Kearneys Classic Car Collection. Owner of the Bernie and Janice Talborg Classic Car Collection, Alan Gentz of Sterling, Colorado, put the collection up for sale. Kernick said it was tough seeing the collection sold off car by car, but the vehicle with the Kearney story will be staying in Kearney. Im just ecstatic that its going to stay here, Kernick said about the 1969 AMX drag racer that was campaigned by a pit crew of Kearney High School boys. Steven Nelson, the sales rep for the North Dakota-based Steffes Group Auctioneers, described the Classic Car Collection auction as wonderful, excellent. He said the auction was a private business undertaking, so he declined to state how much the 130 cars fetched. However, Nelson said the auction attracted buyers from around the globe. We had more than 700 registered bidders from all over the world, literally, Nelson said. He listed buyers locations, including Australia, France, England and all over the U.S. and Canada. Nelson said the winning bidder is paying $171,000 for Pete's Patriot. MINDEN Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol SWAT Team took one person into custody after a standoff in Minden Thursday evening. At approximately 8:20 p.m., the NSP SWAT Team was activated to assist in an ongoing incident in Minden. The Minden Police Department had responded to a report that a woman had brandished a firearm during a visit from a counselor and had made threatening statements directed at the Kearney County Courthouse. The courthouse was evacuated and the Minden Police Department obtained a search warrant for an apartment at the residence of 124 East 5th St. in Minden. Upon SWATs arrival, numerous attempts were made to communicate with the subject inside the apartment, but the subject did not respond. Shortly after midnight, SWAT deployed chemical munitions into the residence, and the subject exited voluntarily. She was immediately taken into custody. The subject was turned over to the Minden Police Department. The residence was also turned over the Minden PD for execution of the search warrant. There were no injuries in this incident. The Nebraska Legislatures nonpartisan unicameral design is culturally, politically, and historically significant to the state of Nebraska and provides an invaluable contribution to the study of legislative bodies both nationally and around the world. But after the 2023 session, the legislative process is clearly under tremendous strain a challenging pattern that has been emerging since term-limits took effect in 2009. In 2000, the total average number of cloture votes per biennial session in the Nebraska Legislature (these are the votes used to end a filibuster and move legislation forward) was 5. When term-limits began impacting lawmakers in 2009, that average sat at 7. Now, after the 2023 session, the overall average number of cloture votes per session number is 17 a 143% increase since the implementation of term-limits. To drill down further: a staggering two-thirds of all cloture votes have occurred since 2015. Even discounting the most recent session's record-breaking numbers, this figure still stands at nearly 60%. This means that, except for a few returning lawmakers, most of our state lawmakers have only ever experienced a legislative process dominated by the heavy use of filibusters and cloture votes. This is a concerning trend. It's changed how we make laws in Nebraska, often sidelining constructive debate in favor of obstruction. Moreover, it subverts majority rule, a fundamental principle of democratic lawmaking. Our most recent session saw an astounding 59 cloture votes. This figure represents a staggering 20% of all cloture motions ever filed in the Unicameral since the rule was adopted in 1992. And this Legislature still has a 60-day session yet to go. This is not to say filibusters or the cloture votes are inherently bad. All senators, each representing roughly 40,000 Nebraskans, should have the ability to engage and debate equally in the process. In moderation, filibusters can serve as an important check on the process, preventing hasty and poorly written legislation. Its when filibusters become the go-to for lawmakers and are taken to the extreme that they become antithetical to democratic lawmaking. This escalating level of obstruction isn't normal, nor a part of the Unicamerals historical operation, or a core aspect of what makes our Legislature nonpartisan. If left unaddressed, this escalating pattern of obstruction is unlikely to resolve itself. Before lawmakers return to Lincoln in January, they have an opportunity to come together and find solutions that all sides view as fair. Common sense solutions exist that both the minority and majority should be able to support, and legislative leaders have access to century-old resources on parliamentary law that can assist them in improving the process for everyone. Furthermore, there is no shortage of Nebraska leaders from former senators, speakers, staffers, and academics who have great respect for our one-house Legislature. Their advice and insights could be of great value. The Unicameral has been a point of pride for many and has operated well ever since it was approved 2 to 1 by voters in 1934. Theres no reason it shouldnt continue to work well for many more years to come. In closing, when Nebraska voters adopted term limits more than 20 years ago, they likely didn't anticipate the negative influence it would have on our legislative branch. The consequences are clear now. Shoring up the process may help alleviate the symptoms, but for our experiment in democracy to function at its best, voters must reconsider term-limits by extending or abolishing them altogether. Doing so is crucial to restoring the health and function of our legislative branch. HAPPY TYPEWRITER DAY! We celebrate the machine's special day by bringing you a 2019 story from then-Kenosha News reporter, Diane Giles. It describes the connection to Kenosha for the vital business machine. It has been slightly adapted. Question: What was Kenosha native Lillian Sholes claim to fame? Answer: Lillian was touted as the worlds first female typist, a title she later dismissed. Her father, Christopher Latham Sholes, was part of a trio of inventors who improved a writing machine prototype, which led to the manufacturing and marketing of the first practical typewriter. Mr. Sholes first crude mock-up, built in 1867, had a single key that typed the letter W, presumably for Wisconsin. A patent was bestowed to Sholes, Samuel W. Soule and Carlos W. Glidden on June 23, 1868, for the typewriter, as Sholes had christened the wood machine. It was Sholes who was responsible for adding the QWERTY layout on the keyboard. Thirty successive models later, the device had evolved enough for commercial use. Lillian at the keys Lillian was born in Kenosha on Sept. 30, 1857. By that time her parents had been in Kenosha for 17 years. Her father, along with Michael Frank, were co-editors of the weekly paper the Southport Telegraph, a position the younger Sholes would hold intermittently over the next 18 years. While in our village (known as Southport before 1850), C. Latham Sholes served in the state Senate for a one-year term in 1848. He served in the state Assembly for one year in 1852, and then returned to the Senate in 1856. In addition, he was the postmaster for a time in Southport. It was after the Sholes family moved to Milwaukee, when Lillian was 3 years old, that her father began his work on the typewriter. Perhaps it was his former political aspirations that led Sholes to come up with the sentence, Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party, used to demonstrate and practice on the machine. When Lillian was a teen, she learned how to operate the machine and demonstrated it for people. She later married Charles L. Fortier, but never became a professional typist. At a 1933 YWCA event in Milwaukee honoring her fathers invention, Fortier told the gathering: We used the good old seek-and-find system. The machine, of course, would not produce anything remotely comparable to the beautiful work done nowadays. As a girl of 16, I learned to demonstrate it and, I fear, earned a place to which I am not fully entitled. She died on her 84th birthday in 1941. She was the last immediate survivor of the Sholes family. She and her father are buried in Forrest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee. This undated screenshot image shows Olivia Natasha-YuMi Space DPRK daily, presumed to be a North Korean propaganda channel on YouTube. Yonhap South Korea has blocked local access to three YouTube channels, presumably run by North Korea for propaganda purposes, upon request by Seoul's spy agency, amid concerns over the North's psychological warfare against the South, officials said Friday. As of 2:00 p.m., the three YouTube channels the Sally Parks SongA Channel, Olivia Natasha- YuMi Space DPRK daily and New DPRK are not accessible from South Korea, with a message on the platform showing that they are "not available." The National Intelligence Service (NIS) has requested the Korea Communications Standards Commission, the country's internet censorship body, block access to those channels on concerns that they target the South Korean audience, according to officials at the commission. "North Korea has been running such YouTube channels as part of its psychological warfare against South Korea. It is our job to respond to the North's psychological campaign," an NIS official said. While the video-streaming platform YouTube has a record of blocking channels run by Uriminzokkiri, the North's propaganda outlet, the latest case involving a request by the spy agency is considered unusual. The blocked channels, which feature young North Korean women and children as key narrators, were seen as the North's attempt to shift away from its traditional propaganda method to a more engaging style targeting the wider global audience. The Sally Parks SongA Channel, for instance, features daily vlogs by an 11-year-old girl named Song-a, who introduces herself as an elementary school student in Pyongyang who loves to read the fantasy fiction "Harry Potter" series. Despite the attempt to casually portray everyday life in the North, observers have raised the view that the YouTube channels are part of a carefully orchestrated propaganda scheme in a country where access to the internet and overseas content is restricted. The North's propaganda outlets use various social media platforms, including Instagram and Twitter, to propagandize its regime. (Yonhap) President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks at a press briefing after a summit with Vietnamese President Nguyen Chi Dung at the presidential palace in Hanoi, June 23. Yonhap Korea's finance ministry said Friday it has reached an agreement with Vietnam to offer low-interest loans to the Southeast Asian nation as part of its efforts to broaden bilateral economic ties. Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho held a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Chi Dung, in Hanoi, offering $2 billion through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. A separate $2 billion will also be provided through the Economic Development Promotion Facility (EDPF), it added. The memorandum of understanding was reached on the margins of Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's three-day state visit to Vietnam that started the previous day. MADISON Wisconsin lawmakers are poised to approve a massive overhaul of the laws governing the state's multibillion-dollar liquor industry, a proposal supported by the smallest craft brewers to the largest national brewers, bar owners and alcohol distributors. The sweeping update to the laws affecting the production, distribution and sale of alcohol has bipartisan support, and has been years in the making. The state Assembly is scheduled to pass it on Wednesday, which would then send it to the Senate for final approval. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who was involved with discussions of the measure, is expected to sign it into law. The bill would create a new division within the state Department of Revenue, which would be in charge of overseeing and enforcing the state's alcohol laws. The absence of such a unit now has led to inconsistent enforcement of the law and questions over how they affect new businesses that weren't envisioned when the laws were enacted, supporters of the bill said. Those who worked on the measure with Republican legislative leaders say now is the time to update laws in a state that saw the birth of beer-giant Miller in Milwaukee and in recent years has seen an explosion of craft brewers, like New Glarus Brewing Co. which makes Spotted Cow and other beers available for sale only in Wisconsin. The bill affects every level of the state's alcohol industry governing the licensing, producing, selling and distribution of beer, wine and liquor. The so-called three-tier system, created in the 1930s, has been eyed for changes for years, but policymakers and the alcohol industry have been unable to reach agreement. The three-tiered system was designed to prevent monopolies, so the same company could not produce and sell alcohol at the wholesale and retail levels. But for years the system has been criticized for not keeping up with changes in the industry, including the explosion of small craft breweries and the rising popularity of wedding barns. The bill would require venues that provide alcohol at special events, known generally as wedding barns, to be regulated in a new way. They could either get a permit that would allow them to host events six times a year or no more than once a month or obtain a liquor license that would allow them to sell alcohol at as many events as they wish. Wedding barn owners mounted the loudest objections to the measure, saying the new requirements would be too expensive and onerous, and would put them out of business. Many wedding barns do not currently have liquor licenses. They instead contract with others who bring alcohol to the barns for events. Last week, lawmakers on the Assembly's state affairs committee dismissed concerns brought by some wedding barn owners that the requirements were too burdensome, saying they will simply have to adjust their business practices. Supporters of the changes say they level the playing field between wedding barns, which don't need a license, and banquet halls, taverns and others who must get liquor licenses to operate. MADISON The Wisconsin Assembly on Wednesday was expected to pass a Republican-authored, bipartisan bill opposed by anti-abortion groups that would allow pharmacists to prescribe and dispense birth control. The GOP-controlled Assembly passed the measure with broad bipartisan support last session, but it died in the Senate. Its sponsor, Republican Rep. Joel Kitchens, has said he's optimistic it will get a Senate vote this session. 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 pharmacist birth control bill, 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 Democratic attorney general that seeks to overturn the state ban. That case is expected to ultimately be decided by the state's 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. Under current law, women can only obtain most birth control through a prescription written by a doctor or advanced practice nurse. The measure, which Democrats have introduced in the past, has bipartisan support in the Assembly. But it's unclear whether the Senate will take it up. 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 can't 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. 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. MADISON A car smelling like marijuana is enough for police in Wisconsin to justify searching a person in the vehicle, even though substances legal in the state can smell the same, the state Supreme Court said on Tuesday. The court's conservative majority ruled 4-3 that Marshfield police had grounds to search the driver of a vehicle that smelled like marijuana, overturning lower court rulings that said officers couldn't be sure that what they smelled was not CBD, a legal, marijuana-derived substance. The scents of CBD and marijuana are indistinguishable. Two officers searched Quaheem Moore in 2019, who was alone in a vehicle that smelled like marijuana when he was pulled over for speeding. Moore told police that a vaping device he had contained CBD and that the car was a rental belonging to his brother. Police did not smell marijuana on Moore. Moore argued in court that police had no reason to believe he was responsible for the smell. To justify searching someone, police need enough evidence to believe that person has likely committed a crime. When they obtain more evidence through an illegal search, it's not allowed to be used in court. Moore was never charged with possessing marijuana, but officers charged him with possessing narcotics when they discovered small bags of cocaine and fentanyl in his pocket during their search. A circuit court judge and an appeals court had previously moved to disqualify the drugs that police found, saying the search wasn't legal. Justice Brian Hagedorn, who issued Tuesday's opinion on behalf of the court's conservative majority, wrote that because Moore was the only person in the car, police could reasonably assume he "was probably connected with the illegal substance the officers identified." Tuesday's ruling referenced a 1999 Supreme Court decision that said officers were justified in arresting a driver because they linked the smell of marijuana from his vehicle to him. That opinion said that the "unmistakable" smell of a controlled substance was evidence that a crime had been committed. But the court's three liberal justices called that ruling into question, saying it was outdated and did not account for the subsequent legalization of substances that smell like marijuana. They also said officers did not have strong evidence that Moore had caused the odor in the car he was driving. "Officers who believe they smell marijuana coming from a vehicle may just as likely be smelling raw or smoked hemp, which is not criminal activity," Justice Rebecca Frank Dallet wrote in a dissenting opinion. Moore's attorney, Joshua Hargrove, warned that the ruling could allow police to base searches on unreliable conclusions and never be held accountable in court. "This opinion could subject more citizens engaged in lawful behavior to arrest," he said. The ruling comes as Democrats and Republicans in Wisconsin continue to fight over legalizing marijuana. 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 year's 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 year's GOP convention, cements Wisconsin's 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. Prosecutors filed a 27-count criminal complaint against a 31-year-old Rochester, Minnesota, man accused of a drive-by shooting that injured eight people early June 17 in downtown La Crosse. Deandrew Seneca Grant was charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with six counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, five counts of substantial battery/intent to cause bodily harm, 15 counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and one count of a felon in possession of a firearm. The criminal complaint outlines a timeline of the events that led up to the gunfire. The complaint picks up the narrative at 1:47 a.m. Video reportedly shows Grant standing on the sidewalk outside La Crosse Bier Haus on Third Street South, where he appeared to be talking with patrons. Four males walked past and interacted with him. He followed the four males to Press Break Sandwich Shop. At 1:49, Grant continues to talk with the four males in front of Press Break before he took his sweatshirt off and threw it on the sidewalk. At 1:50, three people join the original four male subjects. At 1:51, Grant entered Press Break and exited two minutes later. A man followed Grant outside and attempted to punch him in the face. Grant dodged the swing and then blocked another attempt to hit him before he ran from the scene. At 1:59, Grants vehicle was observed traveling west on Jay Street from Fifth Avenue. The vehicle turned northbound onto Third Street, where it proceeded the wrong way on the one-way street. The video reportedly shows Grant using his left hand to drive the vehicle and his right hand to fire a gun from the drivers window. The shots were directed toward Politos, where several people were gathered. The video reportedly shows Grant driving away on Third Street at a high rate of speed. The complaint says video shows Grant exiting his vehicle at Dees Muffler Shop, where he appeared to throw an object toward the building. Police say a 9 mm Ruger handgun was recovered from the roof of the business and that the weapon matched the shell casings at the shooting scene. Grant reportedly ran back to his vehicle and locked it but didnt get back inside. The complaint says video shows him walking past La Crosse City Hall and the Chamber of Commerce building until he reached an area where surveillance cameras werent present. He was arrested without incident six hours later in downtown La Crosse. Seven people sustained gunshot wounds, and an eighth sustained injuries from shattered glass. Prosecutors say six of the injured had no role in the original confrontation. Grant was free on a $2,500 signature bond he signed the previous day after he was charged with two misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. Grant is being held in the La Crosse County Jail on a $1 million cash bond. During Wednesdays initial appearance, he told Judge Todd Bjerke, I dont know nothing about courts, your honor. After Bjerke advised Grant to read the 18-page complaint, Grant replied, I have a disability. I cant read. He also told the court, Ive been trying to get medications. Court records show Grant has a 2011 conviction from Illinois for unlawful use of a weapon. He was sentenced to two years probation. Grant has yet to be assigned a public defender. Bjerke scheduled a calendar call for June 28. Photos: A list of high-profile mass shootings in the US this year Monterey Park, California Half Moon Bay, California Nashville, Tennessee Louisville, Kentucky Dadeville, Alabama Bowdoin, Maine Cleveland, Texas Allen, Texas A day after revelations that the Titan submersible imploded, officials searched the ocean floor for evidence and grappled Friday with vexing questions about who is responsible for investigating the international disaster. A formal inquiry was not yet launched because maritime agencies were still searching the area where the vessel fell apart, the U.S. Coast Guard said Friday. Debris was located about 12,500 feet underwater near the Titanic wreckage the sub was on its way to explore. The U.S. Coast Guard led the initial search and rescue mission. It was not entirely clear Friday who would have the authority to lead what is sure to be a complex investigation involving several countries. OceanGate Expeditions, which owned and operated the Titan, is based in Everett, Washington, but the submersible was registered in the Bahamas; the company closed when the Titan debris was found. Meanwhile, the Titan's mother ship, the Polar Prince, was from Canada, and the people aboard the submersible were from England, Pakistan, France and the U.S. The National Transportation Safety Board said Friday that the U.S. Coast Guard declared the loss of the submersible to be a "major marine casualty" and the Coast Guard will lead the investigation. NTSB spokesperson Peter Knudson said Coast Guard officials provided that information to senior management of the NTSB, which joined the investigation. The Coast Guard had not confirmed it will lead the investigation. Coast Guard headquarters said the Coast Guard First District in Boston will discuss future operations and plans, but did not say when. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said Friday that it will launch an investigation into the Polar Prince, the Titan's mother ship and support vessel. Seventeen crew members and 24 others were on the ship during the Titan's journey. How the overall investigation of the tragedy will proceed is complicated by a lack of regulation. The Titan was not registered as a U.S. vessel or with international agencies that regulate safety, and it wasn't classified by a maritime industry group that sets standards on matters such as hull construction. Bob Ballard, a member of the research team that found the Titanic wreck in 1985, called the lack of certification by outside experts "the smoking gun" in the Titan implosion. "We've made thousands and thousands and thousands of dives to these depths and have never had an incident," he said on ABC's "Good Morning America." The cost of the unprecedented search for the missing submersible will easily stretch into the millions of dollars, experts said Friday. The search area spanned thousands of miles and in waters 2 miles deep, with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Canadian Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, other agencies and private entities. Some agencies can seek reimbursements, but the U.S. Coast Guard whose bill alone will hit the millions of dollars is generally prohibited by federal law from collecting reimbursement pertaining to any search or rescue service, said Stephen Koerting, a U.S. attorney in Maine who specializes in maritime law. The Coast Guard, as a matter of both law and policy, does not seek to recover the costs associated with search and rescue from the recipients of those services, the Coast Guard said Friday. The massive international effort by aircraft, surface ships and deep-sea robots began Sunday when the Titan was reported missing. Searchers raced against a 96-hour clock in the desperate hope to find and rescue the vessel's occupants before their oxygen supply ran out. All hope was extinguished Thursday when officials announced the submersible suffered a catastrophic implosion that killed all five aboard: OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who was piloting the Titan when it imploded; two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman; British adventurer Hamish Harding and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. A scaled-back search remained in place Friday as the robots remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs continued to scan the sea floor for evidence that might shed light on what happened. One question that seems at least partially resolved is when the implosion likely happened. After the Titan was reported missing Sunday, the Navy went back and analyzed its acoustic data and found an "anomaly" consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the vessel was operating when communications were lost, said a senior U.S. Navy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Lawsuits are expected, but filing them will be complex. Plaintiffs will run into the problem of establishing jurisdiction, said Steve Flynn, a retired Coast Guard officer and director of Northeastern University's Global Resilience Institute. The implosion happened "basically in a regulatory no man's land," Flynn said. At least 46 people successfully traveled on OceanGate's 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. A former company employee and former passengers raised questions about the submersible's safety. James Cameron, who directed the blockbuster movie "Titanic" and has made multiple dives to the iconic ship's wreckage, told the BBC he knew an "extreme catastrophic event" happened as soon as he heard the submersible lost navigation and communications at the same time. "For me, there was no doubt," he said. MILWAUKEE Leaders of a southeastern Wisconsin school district could vote next month to ban "safe space" signs in their buildings. The Arrowhead School Board's 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. Advocates for LGBTQ students have suggested that teachers post such signs as a show of support. But Arrowhead's proposed policy states that such signs could create a sense that some areas of schools aren't equal because they're 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" isn't as appropriate as other approaches and that the district can decide what messages and content can be communicated through signs and postings. "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 member's personal opinion on controversial topics," the policy reads. A submersible carrying five people to the Titanic imploded near the site of the shipwreck and killed everyone on board, authorities said Thursday, bringing a tragic end to a saga that included an urgent around-the-clock search and a worldwide vigil for the missing vessel. The sliver of hope that remained for finding the five men alive was wiped away early Thursday, when the submersibles 96-hour supply of oxygen was expected to run out following its Sunday launch and the Coast Guard announced that debris had been found roughly 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the Titanic in North Atlantic waters. This was a catastrophic implosion of the vessel, said Rear Adm. John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District. After the craft was reported missing, the U.S. Navy went back and analyzed its acoustic data and found an anomaly that was consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost, a senior Navy official told The Associated Press on Thursday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive acoustic detection system. The Navy passed on that information to the Coast Guard, which continued its search because the Navy did not consider the data to be definitive. OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the submersible, said in a statement that all five people in the vessel, including CEO and pilot Stockton Rush, have sadly been lost. The others on board were two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans, OceanGate said in a statement. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew. OceanGate has been chronicling the Titanics decay and the underwater ecosystem around it via yearly voyages since 2021. The company has not responded to additional questions about the Titan's voyage this week. The company's office was closed indefinitely while the staff copes with the tragic loss of their team member, according to a statement Thursday by the Port of Everett, which is about 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of downtown Seattle and is home to OceanGate. The Coast Guard will continue searching for more signs about what happened to the Titan. While the Navy likely detected the implosion Sunday through its acoustics system, underwater sounds heard Tuesday and Wednesday which initially gave hope for a possible rescue were probably unrelated to the submersible. The Navy's possible clue was not known publicly until Thursday, when The Wall Street Journal first reported it. With a search area covering thousands of miles twice the size of Connecticut and in waters 2 1/2 miles (4 kilometers) deep rescuers all week rushed ships, planes and other equipment to the site of the disappearance. Broadcasters around the world started newscasts at the critical hour Thursday with news of the submersible. The Saudi-owned satellite channel Al Arabiya showed a clock on air counting down to their estimate of when the air could potentially run out. The White House thanked the U.S. Coast Guard, along with Canadian, British and French partners who helped in the search and rescue efforts. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives on the Titan. They have been through a harrowing ordeal over the past few days, and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers," it said in a statement. The Titan launched at 6 a.m. Sunday and was reported overdue that afternoon about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. Johns, Newfoundland. By Thursday, when the oxygen supply was expected to run out, there was little hope of finding the crew alive. In 2021 and 2022, at least 46 people successfully traveled on OceanGates submersible to the Titanic site, according to letters the company filed with a U.S. District Court in Norfolk, Virginia, that oversees matters involving the shipwreck. But questions about the submersibles safety were raised by former passengers. One of the companys first customers likened a dive he made to the site two years ago to a suicide mission. 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, said Arthur Loibl, a retired businessman and adventurer from Germany. You cant be claustrophobic. During the 2 1/2-hour descent and ascent, the lights were turned off to conserve energy, he said, with the only illumination coming from a fluorescent glow stick. The dive was repeatedly delayed to fix a problem with the battery and the balancing weights. In total, the voyage took 10 1/2 hours. Nicolai Roterman, a deep-sea ecologist and lecturer in marine biology at the University of Portsmouth, England, said the disappearance of the Titan highlights the dangers and unknowns of deep-sea tourism. Even the most reliable technology can fail, and therefore accidents will happen, Roterman said. With the growth in deep-sea tourism, we must expect more incidents like this. Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Ben Finley in Norfolk, Virginia; Frank Jordans in Berlin; Danica Kirka in London; and John Leicester in Paris contributed to this report. Earlier this week, Project FINE planted a tree in St. Charles City Park in recognition of World Refugee Day, which is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. The Hackberry tree was donated by David and Karen Kramer of St. Charles and represents new life and continued growth of refugees who have come from around the world and settled in our region. It is planted near a mural that was painted by Project FINE and community members in 2022 to celebrate the diversity and cultural heritage of area residents. Project FINE is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen and enrich our community by facilitating the integration of people who are ethnically diverse. It serves Winona County and the surrounding region through a variety of programs and services for newcomers and established residents. Winonas own city clerk has been elected into a new leadership position for the Municipal Clerks & Finance Officers Association of Minnesota. During the associations annual meeting in March, Monica Hennessy Mohan was elected vice president of MCFOA for 2023-2024. She served first on the MCFOA board in 2021 as treasurer and as secretary in 2022. I was really humbled to be selected as treasurer and then to have the confidence of my fellow clerks to keep me on the board all these years, Hennessy Mohan said. Its an important position, and I really appreciate the opportunities from the MCFOA to continue. Hennessy Mohan said her appreciation also extends to the city of Winona for its support of her pursuing educational opportunities and conferences for her clerk position in both the MCFOA and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. I think as a public employee, were always looking for ways to make sure were providing good service efficiently and complying with state and federal law, Hennessy Mohan said. The support of the mayor and city council to participate in these educational events and organizations help me, but, more importantly, it helps the city, she added. Im bringing back that information and education and putting it into place in our procedures here. Prior to starting her employment with the city of Winona in 1998, Hennessy Mohan worked in Minneapoliss finance department. Hennessy Mohan has a long list of accolades from her clerk work, including Minnesota Certified Municipal Clerk in 2007, Minnesota Master Municipal Clerk in 2022 and the designations of Athenian Fellow in 2018 and Certified Municipal Clerk from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 2019. Most recently, she earned her master municipal clerk certification. Hennessy Mohan said working with these clerk organizations is something that is not required but is important to her. I think if youre good at it, you should do it, Hennessy Mohan said. And I think its important to represent your hometown in statewide organizations. The MCFOA was established in 1937 to promote professional standards for city clerks and finance officers. With over 900 members, the association provides educational and network opportunities. With Hennessy Mohan stepping into the vice president role, she said shell be in charge of planning next years annual conference in addition to organizing the educational opportunities. Gathering with the association of clerks is a good way to keep up with the ever changing laws and procedures in local government, Hennessy Mohan said. Its so valuable to your city, Hennessy Mohan said. Its just easier to learn in person and have a conversation on upcoming events or whats coming down the pike in legislation. With city council meetings the first and third Monday every month, Hennessy Mohans Mondays stay busy with her involvement with the Winona River City 4-H Club and the Steamboat Days Association, which meets on the second Monday and fourth Monday of each month, respectively. Parking rates for Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day will remain the same in the City of Lake Geneva, at least for this year. Members of the Lake Geneva City Council rejected a proposal, June 12, to increase parking rates from $2 an hour to $4 an hour during the three summer holidays by a 5-3 vote. Council members Linda Frame, Shari Straube, Cindy Yager, Peg Esposito and Mary Jo Fesenmaier voted against the proposed parking rate increase, while aldermen Ken Howell, Joan Yunker and Tim Dunn voted in favor. Members of the parking ad hoc committee recommended the rate increase, May 31, after hearing a report from Parking Operations Manager Seth Elder regarding parking revenue estimates for Memorial Day weekend. The parking ad hoc committee members proposed increasing the parking rate to $4 an hour for Memorial Day, Fourth of July an Labor Day, because those are the summer holidays when Lake Geneva receives the most visitors. Elder said the citys parking revenue was about $136,949 for this years Memorial Day weekend compared to about $89,087 during last years Memorial Day weekend. Lake Genevas parking revenue was about $13,000 Friday, May 26, compared to about $6,000 on the Friday for Memorial Day weekend 2022. Parking revenue was about $38,000 Saturday, May 27, and about $17,000 on the Saturday of last years Memorial Day weekend. The citys parking revenue was about $48,442 Sunday, May 28, compared to about $28,348 on Sunday for the 2022 Memorial Day weekend. Parking revenue was about $37,000 for both Memorial Days. Elder attributes the parking revenue increase for Friday, Saturday and Sunday to the city increasing the parking rate from $2 an hour to $4 an hour during the weekends. However, he feels the parking revenue would have been even more that weekend if the parking rate was $4 an hour for Memorial Day. Lake Genevas parking rate is $2 an hour Monday through Thursday. During the June 12 city council meeting, Elder said Lake Genevas parking revenue could have been doubled during Memorial Day if the parking rate was $4 an hour that day. If we would have doubled that rate on that Monday, we probably would have doubled our revenue on that Monday, Elder said. That would have been about another $36,000 or $37,000. Several of the council members said they were not in favor of increasing the summer holiday parking rates at this time because Memorial Day has already passed and Fourth of July is a few weeks away, and increasing the rates now may cause confusing among residents and visitors. Were kind of sneaking up on this when people have been told that the fee was going to be $2 an hour during the week, and it wasnt clarified for holidays, Esposito said. If were going to do it, maybe we look at it for Labor Day but Fourth of July is too soon. Frame said she agrees that now may not be enough time to inform residents and business owners about the rate increase, and maybe the issue could be considered for next year. Why dont we finish out this year then they will have advanced notice, and were not springing it on the proprietors of these businesses and the hotels and the restaurants, Frame said. Straube said she understands that increasing the parking rate for the holidays would provide more revenue for the city but feels it would cause confusion, especially when people have been told that parking is going to be $2 an hour during those days. I have a hard time with it being done so quickly with Fourth of July coming soon, Straube said. It does make me a little uneasy because I think when we say something we have to stand by our word. Yager said she is not in favor of the proposal since the only reason that has been given for increasing the rate is for more revenue. I havent heard that we need more money. I havent heard that were in trouble, Yager said. Its just that, Oh geez, we can make more money on this, and to me thats not a rational explanation for raising fees on our visitors and citizens. Mayor Charlene Klein said the parking rate would be posted on the ParkMobile app and the citys parking kiosks, so it should not cause confusion among residents and visitors. I think as far as advanced notice or confusion, I dont think thats even an issue, Klein said. Because when you pay on the app or pay at the kiosk, it tells you how much the parking is. Klein said the city is in need of additional revenue because parking fines recently were reduced from $50 to $30 and there are several projects that are going to be worked on during the next few years that could affect the citys budget. Officials from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation plan to conduct a street renovation project along Highway 50/Main Street within the next several years. We got some really big projects coming down the road in a couple of years here that are going to greatly impact our revenue coming into the city, Klein said. We need to be thinking ahead, planning ahead, saving for a rainy day and accumulating as much funding as we can because down the road we cant get to 2026 or 2027 and say, Oh gosh, we dont have any money now to run our city services. Howell made a motion to approve the $4 an hour parking rate for Labor Day and consider adding that parking rate to Memorial Day and Fourth of July next year. After some discussion, Howells motion failed by a 5-4 vote. The vote initially ended in a 4-4 tie vote among the aldermen and then Klein casted the tie-breaking no vote. During the meeting Tammie Carstensen, general manager of the Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva hotel, said a future guest recently contacted her and asked her what the parking rate is going to be for Fourth of July. Carstensen said after contacting city staff to confirm the rate she told the guest that the parking rate is going to be $2 an hour for Fourth of July. She said the city should maintain the $2 an hour rate for Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day for this year. My concern is that I gave this information to my guest and how many other people planned their vacation or day trip based on this information, Carstensen said. You already probably published that the rate is going to be $2 during the week. Im just asking you to hold off on this additional holiday increase. Put it in next years budget. We cannot keep changing our minds midstream. Im just asking for it to stay the same. Fred Gahl, parking ad hoc committee member, said increasing the summer holiday parking rate to $4 an hour could generate about an additional $100,000 in revenue for the city. However, he asked that the city not consider increasing the rate until after Fourth of July. But $1000,000 is a lot of money to the citizens of Lake Geneva, and we think its important that the city council is aware of this, Gahl said. Its our job as an ad hoc committee to do the homework for the city council and suggest solutions to these issues as we find them. CODEPINK Leaders Expose How Slaughter of Ukraines Youth Shows Moral Depravity of U.S., NATO June 22, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)In a hard-hitting op-ed, The Silent Slaughter of the Flower of Ukraines Youth, on June 20, reprinted in Common Dreams, Scheerpost, and elsewhere, CODEPINKs Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J.S. Davies denounce the moral depravity of U.S. and NATO leadership, blaming them for sending young Ukrainians into the battlefields of the Ukraine conflict with Russia, knowing full well that it is a war that Ukraine has already lost. And Kyiv and its Western allies are keeping quiet about it, not for reasons of secrecy or surprise, but to hide the brutal cost Ukraines young people are paying to recover small scraps of territory from Russian forces. The multiple layers of Russian defense are impenetrable. Yet, the two authors charge, on the advice of British military advisers in Kyiv, Ukraine has sent Western tanks and armored vehicles manned by its NATO-trained troops into these killing fields without air support or demining operations. The results have been predictably disastrous, and it is now clear that these are not just probing operations as the propaganda claimed, but the long-awaited main offensive. Quoting Gen. Mark Miley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs, who warned that the Ukraine/Russia conflict will be very difficult ... very violent and will likely take a considerable amount of time and at high cost, Benjamin and Davies point out that the front of Russias main defensive lines have become lethal kill zones. Rates of Ukrainian casualties are already very high, and the armored brigades that NATO has armed and trained serve only to escalate the gory war of attrition. A senior European military officer in Kyiv labeled Ukraines June 8-9 operation as a suicide mission, that violated the basic rules of military tactics. We tried to tell them to stop these piecemeal tactics, define a main thrust with infantry support and do what they can, he said. But, they were trained by the British and theyre playing Light Brigade, referring to the infamous 1854 battle in which Britains Light Cavalry Brigade made a suicidal charge into massive Russian cannon and were wiped out during the Crimean War. The authors also predict that, if the spring offensive continues on, it could end up like the British and French Somme Offensive of 1916four months of pointless, wanton slaughter. Benjamin and Davies report that the current offensive was delayed for months, because Kyiv and its allies were contemplating the likelihood that what we are now witnessing was going to occur. The fact that they went ahead regardless reflects the moral bankruptcy of U.S. and NATO political leaders, who are sacrificing the flower of Ukraines youth in a proxy war they will not send their own children or grandchildren to fight. EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR FRIDAY JUNE 23, 2023 The Counteroffensive Is Dead: Time To See Oursels As Ithers See Us! June 22, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)The harsh reality of thousands of Ukrainian youth dying in killing fields in the last 2-3 weeks of the vaunted counteroffensive is beginning to haunt the Western alliance. Instead of the beginning of conquering of the Donbass, of Zaporozhye, of the drive into Crimea, etc., an estimated 13,000-plus Ukrainian soldiers are casualties (wounded or killed) in 2.5 weeks of senseless battle. Not getting past even the first line of multi-layered defensive lines erected by Russia, lines built up with trenches, fortifications, minefields, questions must be asked. Medea Benjamin and Nicolas Davies of CODEPINK relate that on the advice of British military advisers in Kyiv, Ukrainian troops were sent forward without air support or demining operations. The results have been predictably disastrous. They cite a senior European military officer in Kyiv who said: We tried to tell them to stop these piecemeal tactics, define a main thrust with infantry support and do what they can.... [But] they were trained by the British and theyre playing Light Brigade, referring to the infamous 1854 battle in which Britains Light Cavalry Brigade made a suicidal charge into massive Russian cannon and were wiped out during the Crimean War. Such a violation of the basic rules of military tactics comprises a suicide mission. What sort of reckless disregard is it that cant take into account what Russia had done in the construction of the defenses the last many months? Or perhaps it was known, but, as Benjamin and Davies argue, Kyiv and the Western allies, without a chance of succeeding, deliberately sacrificed the flower of Ukraines youth in a proxy war they will not send their own children or grandchildren to fightand that reflects the moral bankruptcy of U.S. and NATO political leaders. At Russias Security Council meeting today, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu reported to President Putin that the estimate of 13,000 Ukrainian casualties was based upon intercepted communications of Ukrainian military commanders. The mass slaughter has halted, at least temporarily, the counteroffensive. Meanwhile, Russian recruitment and production of weapons continues to expand, with 114,000 additional troops through regular channels, plus 52,000 highly motivated volunteers being kept in reserve. Who is more to blamethe gang in London and Washington that play so cavalierly with Ukrainian lives in their continued drive Eastward? Or the gang in Kyiv that has been so cavalier with their own population, willing to fight the proxy war, all the while trying to manufacture a bloody enough shirt to get the West into a direct confrontation with Russia? Theres not much honor amongst thieves, or amongst such gangs, and that injects no little instability in this world. Hussein Askary of the Belt and Road Initiative in Sweden (BRIX) and Schiller Institute Chairwoman Helga Zepp-LaRouche participated yesterday in a webinar, joined by officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan, entitled International Forum on Xinjiang Modernization Drive from a Global Perspective. There, the positive model of Chinas development of its Xinjiang Province, investing in education and industry to outflank poverty, backwardness, and recruitment into violence and terrorism was posed as the solution for Afghanistan and any underdeveloped area. Yes, that Xinjiang! The self-indulgent fantasies promulgated in the West against China about abuse and genocide in Xinjiang are no less perverse than the inability to see the defenses that the Russians have constructed, or the 800,000,000 Chinese peasants brought out of deep poverty over the last three decades. Perhaps it is time to take a page from that republican poet Robert Burns, in his poem To a Louse: O wad some Power the giftie gie us/ To see oursels as ithers see us! Humans have that power, as surely as we have a sense of humor, and a passion for the sublime Nathalie Becquart is a 54-year-old nun from France. She is also an experienced sailor who has led young people to spiritual gatherings at sea. In 2021, Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, named her as the first female undersecretary in the Vaticans Synod of Bishops office. A synod is a meeting of bishops, who make up the Churchs leadership around the world. In the synod, the bishops look at information and advise the Pope on important issues. The bishops, like all clergy in the Catholic Church, are men. Since 2021, Becquart has traveled around the world to learn more about what people in the church want and need. This week, the church published a working document with some of the issues the synod will discuss when it meets in October. Becquart says that everywhere she went, there were calls for change. This includes calls for women to have some decision-making power in the synod. She told The Associated Press, Its about how could we be men and women together in this society, in this church For 2,000 years, the Catholic Churchs teachings have barred women from becoming priests or church leaders. Some women now feel more hopeful under Pope Francis and possible changes from the synod. However, conservatives in the church worry it could weaken the tradition of male leadership. Both Becquart and Francis see the criticism as a good thing. They think it shows the church is working on big and important issues. The 86-year-old Francis has already done more than any modern pope to support women in the church. He has permitted women to take part in some religious services usually performed by men. He has changed the Vaticans founding constitution to let women lead church offices. And Becquart is one of several women who serve in leadership positions. Under church rules, the undersecretary can vote in the synod. That means Becquart will be the first woman to do so. And in April, the Vatican announced that 70 non-bishops would also be voting. Half of them were expected to be women. While that is less than 25 percent of the bishops votes, it shows the Popes belief that church leadership can include people who are not priests. Becquart joined her community of nuns, the Xaviere Sisters, when she was 26. She held several leadership positions with the French church including its programs for young people. Becquart said women who came before her in the Vatican and in her religious community help her to feel strong. She also talked about the example of her grandmother, whose husband died when she was pregnant with her fourth child. She said she learned that women carry on this message that life is stronger than death. She uses this lesson when sailing at sea. There will be good weather and bad weather, quiet seas and then big waves, she said. But the storm will end. Thats our life and thats the life of the church, she added. Jean-Marie Guenois has known Becquart for years. He writes about religion for the French newspaper Le Figaro. Guenois said it would be a huge change if her work at the synod brings equal power for women in the churchs leadership. However, he said, It takes more than 20 months to change the habits of 20 centuries. I'm Andrew Smith. Nicole Winfield and Trisha Thomas wrote this story for The Associated Press. Andrew Smith adapted it for VOA Learning English. ____________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story nun -n. a female member of a religious order, especially ones who promise to obey special rules of poverty or chastity priest -n. a member of the Christian clergy who leads religious services habit -n. a routine behavior ____________________________________________________________________ We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: Write your comment in the box. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with D on it. It is free. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here. GOTHENBURG Gothenburg Improvement Co. invites the public to join the celebration as they announce a $750 million business investment in their community on Wednesday. This electrolyzer-based liquid fertilizer facility is the largest single private investment west of Lincoln in recent memory. The project will have a significant impact in the Corn Belt region, according to a press release. A free lunch will be provided from 1-2 p.m. The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. with remarks from Gov. Jim Pillen and other dignitaries. The celebration will take place in the Wearparts building in Gothenburgs industrial park, east of Landmark Implement. Road signs will help direct traffic to the location. The business was successfully recruited through several local partnerships. The Gothenburg Improvement Co. and the city of Gothenburg spearheaded the project. A carbon-free energy resource will be provided by the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District and Dawson Public Power District, who currently are in the process of merging to become Platte River Public Power and Irrigation District. Nebraska Public Power District, the wholesale power supplier for Dawson Public Power District and the city of Gothenburg, is working with Dawson PPD and the city to provide the power supply and electrical service needs of the business. Central Platte Natural Resources District coordinated the usage of groundwater for the plant. At Wednesdays public consultation session for the review of the Legislative Assembly Electoral and Chief Executive Electoral Laws, 15 of 160 chief Executive Electoral College electors spoke. All speakers expressed support for the review of the two laws. The session was opened exclusively for the CE electors. Among the speakers was Pansy Ho, top executive of a gambling concessionaire, who expressed support for standardizing patriotism, so that people will love the country without ambiguity. She also underlined that she could not tolerate those who claim to be patriotic but could not uphold the Chinese Constitution and the Basic Law. Related A total of 41 people were detained by the Public Security Police Force (PSP) in the course of the last month on suspicion of illegal work in Macau, the PSP said in a release. The 41 people were found during inspections from the police at a total of 319 locations including construction sites, private buildings, and commercial and industrial establishments, among others. The number is identical to the one recorded in April this year, although fewer locations were inspected then (291). Related Legislative Assembly (AL) Third Standing Committee members agree that the bill aiming to promote changes in the Macau Civil Code requires the input of those more closely involved, namely the judicial sector, the president of the Committee lawmaker Vong Hin Fai said earlier this week. The decision comes after the Committee, analyzing the bill in detail after it passed its first reading, realized that no public consultation had been held for this bill that, according to Vong, promotes significant changes to some procedures. Among the lawmakers main concerns is the simplification of divorce procedures, which according to the Committee president, raises several doubts. The lawmakers also considered the proposal too broad in its approach and touching too many aspects at the same time. There are now too many concerns after the bill passed earlier this month with a total of 28 votes in favor and one abstention from lawmaker Ron Lam. According to the Committee chairman and president of the Macau Lawyers Association, opinions from the judicial sector will be collected over one month, with the lawmakers hoping for some clarity on whether the provisions that are already pre-approved should become law. A former deputy superintendent of the Public Security Police Force (PSP) has been sentenced to jail with probation for unlawfully viewing two other peoples immigration records five years ago. Another deputy superintendent was found innocent. The convicted man was sentenced to a year in jail, with a probation of two years. The two people had been accused of viewing two immigration records without approval. The records were of the then-girlfriend of the convicted and her then-boyfriend. Presiding Judge Lou Ieng Ha held that the convicted had used the username and password of the acquitted to log in to the immigration database, although he had denied logging in on personal grounds. According to the convicted, he managed to guess the correct username and password for login. The acquitted individual, meanwhile, denied any knowledge. Lou found the explanation implausible, but admitted that there was no evidence proving the existence of a syndicate. As a result, the judge acquitted the deputy police superintendent. In contrast, Lou found the convicted man had violated his professional duties, transgressing authorities in the course of viewing the concerned data. This constituted an abuse of power and was improperly obtaining computer data. AL A head of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact to be held until today, French international affairs expert Bruno Guigue expected that France and China could take advantage of this opportunity to deepen cooperation to tackle global challenges. In a recent interview with Xinhua, Guigue said that China and France have a long history of working together on important issues like climate change, industrial development and public health. Today, we must not only build on these achievements but also step up a gear by deepening cooperation between the two countries with renewed trust. China and France have nothing to lose and everything to gain by working together, Guigue noted. The Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron, is an opportunity to put into perspective fundamental global issues such as the fight against poverty, climate change and biodiversity, he said. It is now a question of changing software, of rethinking the architecture of the global financial system in order to meet the challenges of sustainable development, Guigue said, adding that given its economic significance, China has a particular responsibility in this respect. Chinas contribution will make it possible to underline the urgency of a new paradigm of international economic relations, greater equity, solidarity and stability, the French expert said, adding that France and China must continue to strengthen their economic relations by striving to build more efficient supply chains. In business matters, it is normal for everyone to defend their interests, but everything should be done to enhance mutual benefit and promote win-win cooperation, Guigue said. In a joint statement issued during Macrons state visit to China in April, the two countries pledged to provide a good environment for business cooperation, to improve business access to each others markets, to improve the business climate, and to ensure compliance with intellectual property rights of all companies of the two countries. Concerning the digital economy, for example, France is committed to processing 5G license applications from Chinese companies without any discrimination and in compliance with international laws and regulations. This is a very positive point, Guigue noted. Noting that both countries also agreed to continue their cooperation in the fields of climate change and energy transition, Guigue said that China and France can play a leading role in the multilateral policy in favor of energy transition. With regard to carbon neutrality objectives, Guigue said that France is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, while China has set ambitious goals of achieving carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. These goals bode well for bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and Chinas weight in the area is having a real knock-on effect, he said. For Guigue, the foundation of France-China relations is the recognition of the Peoples Republic of China by France in 1964, the first major Western country to do so. Its a very far-reaching political choice, he said. The real driving force behind cooperation between the two countries is mutual respect, mutual trust, and the recognition of the other as a true partner, he stressed. This is why it is absolutely necessary to continue and enrich this cooperation, and to give it a new momentum. Xinhua * Fast and furious Dragon Boat races back in full force, exceeding govt expectations as three-day event sees 16,000 spectators * New Lai Chi Vun cultural space opens tomorrow * Taste of Edesia * Former Iek Long land stakeholder ordered to pay the outstanding amount of land premium totaling MOP14 million * City sees nearly 100,000 tourists on first day of long weekend * Hondurans see little hope for nations prisons as details of cold-blooded massacre emerge DOWNLOAD PDF Friday, June 23, 2023 edition no. 4273 Authorities in Honduras began to hand over to relatives the hacked, burned corpses of 46 women killed in the worst riot at a womens prison in recent memory. Some of the bodies were so badly burned they need genetic testing or dental studies to identify, said Yuri Mora, the spokesman for Honduras national police investigation agency. The picture that began to emerge of Tuesdays violence at the womens prison in Tamara, Honduras was one of a carefully planned massacre of supposed rival gang members by inmates belonging to the notorious Barrio 18 street gang. The carnage has led to calls for change to the countrys prison system and even talk of whether Honduras should emulate the drastic zero-tolerance, no-privileges prisons set up in neighboring 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 terrorized by street gangs. One of the gave dangers is the Bukele-ization of security problem in this country, with everything that would imply, said Honduran human rights expert Joaquin Mejia. Nobody debates that Honduras prisons are in a shameful state. In Tuesdays riot, incarcerated members of the notorious Barrio 18 gang 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. Chillingly, the gang members were able to arm themselves with pistols and machetes, brush past guards and attack. They even carried locks to shut their victims inside, apparently to burn them to death. Jessica Sanchez, an activist with the Civil Society Group, a human rights organization, said we believe that this massacre was carried out on orders from a criminal network, and I am sure it was known beforehand, and nothing was done. 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. President Xiomara Castro said the riot at the prison in Tamara northwest of Tegucigalpa 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. She ordered that all of the countrys 21 prisons be placed for one year under the control of the military police, who will be asked to train 2,000 new guards. But she didnt announce any immediate plan to improve the conditions in prison, which are characterized by overcrowding, crumbling facilities and poorly trained guards. Security is so lax that inmates often run their own cellblocks, selling prohibited goods and extorting money from other inmates. Many doubted the answer lies in adopting the kind of brutally regimented prisons that El Salvador has built. Building more prisons in Honduras isnt necessary. Why? Why build more prisons that turn into slaughterhouses for people, when the government has no control over them? said Roberto Cruz, 54, who runs a small retail outlet in the capital. What is needed are professional people to run the prisons, Cruz said, acknowledging that it is a big, complex problem that needs an urgent solution. Most dont trust the government to get it right. We demand an international investigation that can really look at the issue of prisons and women in prison, said Sanchez. For now, the cold facts of Tuesdays massacre are emerging: 18 pistols, an assault rifle, two machine pistols and two grenades were found in the prison after the riot. All were smuggled into the facility. Then there was the shocking fact that as in many Latin American jails some of the inmates children were living with their mothers in the prison at the time of the attack. Some of the women were living with their children in detention. These children are now left behind and highly vulnerable. I am deeply concerned about their well-being and safety, said Garry Conille, the regional director for UNICEF, the U.N. childrens fund. It was not known whether any children witnessed the attack. The riots 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. The smoke and fire killed 41 girls. The worst prison disaster in a century also occurred in Honduras, in 2012, at the Comayagua mens penitentiary, where 361 male inmates died in a fire possibly caused by a match, cigarette or some other open flame. MARLON GONZALEZ & TEGUCIGALPA, MDT/AP A U.S. Coast Guard ship sailed through the Taiwan Strait a day after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken completed a trip to Beijing during which he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, in a move that Chinese authorities called public hype. The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Stratton conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit on June 20 through waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law, the U.S. Navys 7th Fleet said in a statement yesterday. The ship transited through a corridor in the Strait that is beyond the territorial sea of any coastal State, it added. China often maintains that the strait, which separates Taiwan and mainland China, is part of its exclusive economic zone, while the U.S. and its allies regularly sail through and fly over the passage to emphasize their contention that the waters are international. Strattons transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows, the Navys statement said. Taiwans Ministry of National Defense said the ship sailed through the strait from south to north and that the military had monitored the surrounding waters and airspace and concluded that the situation was normal. Chinas coast guard described the Strattons transit through the Taiwan Strait as public hype and said Chinese coast guard ships tailed the ship the entire way. The Chinese coast guard will strengthen patrol law enforcement in waters under Chinas jurisdiction, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests, a Chinese coast guard statement said. MDT/AP Seven men have been sentenced to federal prison in the sex trafficking of a Dane County girl to dairy farm workers in Green Lake County, authorities said Friday. All seven pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, U.S. Attorney Gregory Haanstad said in a statement. According to court documents, on multiple dates from June through November 2019, Julio Cesar Veleta Veleta took a 16-year-old girl who was in foster care in Madison to Green Lake County for her to perform commercial sex acts for dairy farm workers, and Evis Garcia Rivera paid for sex with the girl and promoted her availability for commercial sex within the Guatemalan national farm worker community in Green Lake County, Haanstad said Eventually, the girl began living with Garcia Rivera and several of the other defendants, who would loan the victim to other groups of farm workers in the area for her sexual services, Haanstad said. The seven men convicted of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and their sentences in federal court are: Veleta Veleta, 36, of Sun Prairie, 87 months; Garcia Rivera, 33, of Manchester, 87 months; Avelino Sarceno Sarceno, 42, of Manchester, 30 months; Samuel Martinez Corado, 29, of Markesan, 28 months; Abilio Corado Gonzalez, 37, of Markesan, 27 months; Belter Arana Bautista, 36, of Brandon, 24 months; and Oscar Martinez Corado, 21, of Markesan, 24 months. All seven also received five years of extended supervision when their prison sentences conclude. The Green Lake County Sheriffs Office uncovered the conspiracy on Thanksgiving night 2019, when the girl called 911. Several of the men were arrested that night at the house where the girl had been living, while others were arrested elsewhere as the investigation unfolded, Haanstad said. In addition, in Green Lake County Circuit Court, Rolando Corado Gonzalez, Edwin Rivera Salguero, Ember Rivera and Esler Rivera pleaded guilty to exposing genitals to a child and were sentenced to 18 months in state prison and two years of extended supervision, Haanstad said. The convictions and sentences of the defendants in this case are the direct result of the hard work and excellent collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement, Haanstad said in a statement. Along with our partners, we are committed to protecting and supporting victims of human trafficking, and our enforcement efforts necessarily will include not only the primary traffickers but also others who assist in these trafficking efforts, including those who seek to drive the demand for this type of victimization. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Security Investigations, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation and the Green Lake County Sheriffs Office. The federal case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erica J. Lounsberry and Abbey M. Marzick. R. Kelly sex trafficking trial: What to know and expect WHAT IS R. KELLY KNOWN FOR? WHERE IS R. KELLY CHARGED? WHAT IS THIS SPECIFIC TRIAL ABOUT? CAN I WATCH THE R. KELLY TRIAL LIVE? COULD R. KELLY SERVE PRISON TIME IF CONVICTED? WHAT IS THE MANN ACT? IS R. KELLY IN JAIL RIGHT NOW? HOW LONG HAS R. KELLY BEEN IN JAIL? WAS R. KELLY ATTACKED IN JAIL? WHO IS ON THE JURY? HOW LONG IS THE TRIAL EXPECTED TO LAST? IS THERE ANYTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THE TRIAL? THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME R. KELLY'S BEEN IN LEGAL HOT WATER, RIGHT? The Wisconsin Department of Justice has released the names of a Vernon County Sheriffs deputy and the man he fatally shot during a June 16 traffic stop. William S. Boardman, 61, died after he was shot by Deputy Jonathon Brown, the DOJ said in a statement Friday. Brown has since been taken off patrol duties, per the county departments policy. At about 5:55 p.m. June 16, deputies were sent to a residence near Highway 35 and Gianoli Road in Genoa for a welfare check. When deputies arrived, Boardman was leaving the home, and the deputies made a traffic stop a short distance away, according to the DOJs Division of Criminal Investigation. During the traffic stop, Boardman turned on his vehicle and began to drive away at high speed with Brown hanging on to the side of the vehicle. Brown fired and hit Boardman, who died at the scene, DCI said. Brown was not injured, DCI said. Vernon County deputies were wearing body cameras during the incident, DCI said. DCI handles investigations of officer-involved critical incidents. Once DCI completes its investigation, it will turn over its reports to the Vernon County district attorney, who will make a decision on whether any charges will be filed. States with the highest rate of gun-related fatalities States with the highest rate of gun-related fatalities #50. Massachusetts #49. Hawaii #48. Rhode Island #47. New York #46. New Jersey #45. Connecticut #44. California #43. Minnesota #42. Nebraska #41. Iowa #40. New Hampshire #39. Washington #38. Wisconsin #37. Vermont #36. Maine #35. Delaware #34. Illinois #33. Virginia #32. Maryland #31. Utah #30. South Dakota #29. Pennsylvania #28. Michigan #27. North Dakota #26. Texas #25. Oregon #24. Florida #23. Ohio #22. North Carolina #21. Colorado #20. Kansas #19. Indiana #18. Idaho #17. Arizona #16. Georgia #15. Nevada #14. Kentucky #13. West Virginia #12. Oklahoma #11. South Carolina #10. Tennessee #9. Arkansas #8. Montana #7. Missouri #6. New Mexico #5. Alabama #4. Wyoming #3. Louisiana #2. Alaska #1. Mississippi Seeking to gradually flatten Wisconsins income tax, the Legislatures GOP-controlled budget committee on Thursday approved a $3.5 billion income tax cut, with the biggest reductions going toward those in the highest income brackets. The income tax cut, which would also reduce the current four income tax brackets into three, along with reducing property taxes by directing $590 million to the school levy credit, would constitute the largest tax cut in state history, said Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee. Under the proposal, which passed 12-4 along party lines, those making between $40,000 and $50,000 would save an average $88 per year under the GOP plan. Those making between $100,000 and $125,000 would save an average $678. Those making over $1 million would save an average of $30,286 per year. Another $174 million cut would be generated from eliminating personal property taxes, a policy that emerged as part of an agreement between the governor and GOP-controlled Legislature as part of a bill to increase aid to local governments. While Republicans have repeatedly called for flattening the states more than 110-year-old progressive income tax, which applies higher rates on income above a certain level, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said he wants to direct tax cuts to the states low- and middle-income residents. The GOP is doubling down on tax breaks for wealthy millionaires and billionaires instead of prioritizing relief for working families, Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback tweeted. .@GovEvers believes that when we deliver tax relief, it should be real, responsible and targeted to the middle class. The GOP is doubling down on tax breaks for wealthy millionaires and billionaires instead of prioritizing relief for working families. Here's who they're helping: https://t.co/pjJ1IsLTJ5 pic.twitter.com/qyY5uJzsHS Britt Cudaback (@BrittCudaback) June 22, 2023 Committee co-chair Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, said the plan wasnt developed with Evers or other Democrats. Currently, the state has an income tax rate of 3.54% for individuals earning less than $13,810 per year or married filers earning less than about $18,400. Under Republicans plan, that rate would go down to 3.5%. The 4.65% rate for individuals earning up to $27,630 and joint filers earning $36,840 would go down to 4.4%. The 5.3% rate for individuals earning up to $304,000 and married filers earning up to about $405,000 would also go down to 4.4%. Finally, the 7.65% tax rate for individuals earning more than $304,000 or married filers earning more than about $405,500 would go down to 6.5%. The states largest commerce organization, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), supports the measure. This plan would help move Wisconsin outside the top 10 highest income tax states making Wisconsin a more attractive place for employers and workers alike, WMC tax director Evan Umpir said. Criticizing the proposal before the committee voted on it Wednesday, Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee, said, It is not true to say that this tax plan is heavily weighted to the middle class, because the median income in Wisconsin is going to receive a fraction of what the wealthiest Wisconsinites will get. Evers has criticized a flat tax as one that largely benefits the states wealthiest residents, while Republicans and some of the states largest business organizations say it would make Wisconsin more competitive with neighboring states, help foster economic growth and address long-standing labor force shortages. Senate Republicans earlier this year proposed a flat tax proposal, something Democrats said would be vetoed. That bill, SB 1, received a public hearing in the Senate but no further action in either chamber. Earlier this year, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, proposed a plan to phase down Wisconsins four income tax brackets until the state reaches a 3.25% flat tax for all earners in 2026. The shift would reduce revenues by just shy of $5 billion over the first two years, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Evers has called for a 10% tax cut for individuals earning $100,000 or less a year and married filers making $150,000 or less. The governors proposal would have increased state tax revenues by more than $257 million over the next two years by limiting the amount companies could claim in manufacturing and agriculture tax credits and increasing some capital gains taxes. It also would increase state spending on refundable income tax credit payments by more than $300 million, according to the nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum. A recent Wisconsin Policy Forum report found LeMahieus proposal would give an average annual tax cut of more than $100,000 to Wisconsinites who earn more than $1 million. Under Evers proposal, those same earners would see an average annual tax increase of almost $40,000. This State Journal editorial ran on June 23, 1998: Gov. Tommy Thompsons motorcycle trip to Washington, D.C., is a thunderous way to draw attention to the Wisconsin Sesquicentennial exhibit at this summers Smithsonian Folklife Festival. It is also a convenient way to draw attention to Tommy G. Thompson, potential presidential candidate. Thompson and his entourage of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts were barely across the Wisconsin border when people began asking, Governor Thompson, are you running for president? Its a natural question: Thompson has been governor longer than anyone in Wisconsin history, he is known around the country for his education, welfare and economic development policies, and his Harley-riding populism will command the notice of many potential voters (not to mention news reporters) along the way. When asked in Springfield, Illinois, about his presidential ambitions, Thompson replied: Well, Ill have to talk to my Cabinet (meaning his Harley gang). We might have to take a ride to Iowa next year. Standing nearby, his Cabinet roared their approval. ... No law says Thompson would have to give up the governors seat to run for president or vice president. That would be pretty dumb on his part. But there is an obligation to tell voters his intentions before they elect him to another four-year term that could be interrupted in mid-stream. Leading 200 bikers across seven states is great publicity for Wisconsin, and Thompson should be congratulated for coming up with the idea. When he gets home, however, the governor needs to talk frankly about whether his next Harley ride might take him to Iowa. The College of Southern Idaho has been awarded a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to educate the next generation of agriculture professionals in the Magic Valley. The five-year NextGen grant will allow CSI to appoint staff in a dozen rural high schools across the region and encourage students to major in agriculture, food and natural resource programs. New scholarship opportunities for agriculture students will also be made possible by the grant, according to a news release. One objective of the NextGen grant is to diversify the professional agriculture workforce. A critical component of CSIs grant application was its status as a Hispanic Serving Institution, with more than 25% of the colleges student population of Hispanic descent, the release said. OUR VIEW: CSI has grown into its mission to serve Hispanic students. Buen trabajo! OUR VIEW: The College of Southern Idaho became the state's first Hispanic Serving Institution in 2021, and we applaud the ongoing efforts to serve all in the Magic Valley. CSI is the only HSI in Idaho but this is a nationwide thing so it was a surprise that we got it since a ton of schools applied for it, Courtney Salmon, CSIs public information manager, told the Times-News. CSI was one of 33 colleges awarded a NextGen grant. The college plans to serve more than 400 students beginning in the fall, and President Dean Fisher said in the release that the grant will provide additional resources to help more Magic Valley students achieve their goal of a career in the ag industry while staying close to home. Agriculture is such a huge part of our Magic Valley economy, but many of those in professional roles in our area are nearing retirement age, Barry Pete, CSIs dean of career and technical education, said in the release. This grant will help CSI play a key role in training the next generation of ag professionals in Idaho. Jerome County commissioners have hired legal counsel to help them navigate the situation of the countys prosecuting attorney facing felony charges in Oregon. Members of the Jerome law firm Williams Meservy & Larsen met with commissioners for more than an hour Tuesday to discuss legal questions after prosecutor Christopher Bradley Calbo was charged June 5 with a pair of felonies after an alleged domestic dispute during a trip to the Oregon Coast. He was released from jail June 13. Commissioner Ben Crouch said commissioners have been in communication with Calbo but dont know where he is. I believe hes in Idaho, but not exactly where, Crouch said. 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. Commissioners had hoped to meet with Calbo to discuss his intentions, but that apparently wont happen this week. The last communication commissioners received from Calbo, Commissioner Charlie Howell said, was a text message stating he would be absent for an unspecified amount of time. Despite no time being set, Crouch said he is confident that at one point the commissioners will meet with Calbo. Crouch said it was his opinion that Calbo was trying to sort out the situation and decide what to do. He said Calbo has assured commissioners that he would do what is best for the county. It is an unusual situation that commissioners find themselves in, Crouch said. Usually, they depend on the prosecuting attorney for legal advice, but that wont happen this time because of Calbos situation. Howell said the county has sought advice from the Idaho Attorney Generals office, but the office has provided limited help, so commissioners sought out the law firm, which charges $250 per hour for its work in researching answers to questions the county has. The situation is awkward because both the commissioners and Calbo hold elected office. There is only so much commissioners can do, Crouch said. Getting the situation resolved is going to take time, he said. Howell said that commissioners mean no ill-will toward Calbo. We wish him the best, he said. Calbo is facing felony charges including coercion and strangulation, and he is facing misdemeanor 4th degree assault and menacing charges from an incident in Lincoln City, Oregon. A police report shows that a woman accused him of physically assaulting her, and a grand jury indicted Calbo on the charges. The indictment reads that Calbo placed the woman in fear of imminent serious physical injury. Calbos next court hearing is set for Aug. 14. Because of Calbos extended absence, commissioners are seeking to hire another deputy prosecutor to help the prosecutors office with its caseload. We want to take care of the prosecutors office, Howell said. Manila-based Homonym, a sonic branding and music marketing agency, launched its cloud-based plug-and-play music curation service. Homonym founder and CEO Mike Constantino expressed excitement about the innovative service. Music curation is actually something weve done for our clients since we started the company in 2016. We were just waiting for the right time and the right technology partners so we can finally offer this at scale, Constantino said. Homonym is a sonic branding and music/audio marketing agency in the Philippines. Founded in 2016, the agency helps differentiate brands and expand their soundscapes using the power of sound. When asked about the timing and relevance of the new music solution, Constantino said: With foot traffic finding its way back to malls and brick and mortar stores, now is the best time for brands to explore the power of curated music. Its more than just blasting playlist after playlist inside your store. Its about finding the right sound to prompt action from your customers. Cham Perillo, Homonyms sonic solutions supervisor, laid out the numbers about music curation. Based on a study, theres an 86-percent correlation between a listeners emotional response to sound and their desire to return to, or avoid, that experience. Applying that to marketing, the right music can make customers stay longer inside a store which leads to trying items out or even purchasing them, Perillo said. Homonyms plug-and-play music curation service aims to help brands achieve three main goals: a stronger brand story and experience via curated music; an easy, affordable and convenient way to legally play the best music from local to international; and tangible results for in-store executions. Happy people spend 9 percent more, said Constantino. If music can make customers feel happy while theyre inside our partners shops or consuming their content, then theres a good chance theyll react positively towards the brand by either buying something from the store or engaging with specific content. Happy customers. Happy brands. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday vowed to push the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers bill into law during the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as he acknowledged their huge contribution to the economy. One of the significant milestones that we intend to achieve in President Marcos tenure is the enactment of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, Romualdez said in his message as the guest of honor at the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) Seafarers Expo at the CCP Complex in Pasay City. Filipino seafarers, he said, can depend on the full support of Congress to the Presidents initiative behind the bill meant to safeguard their rights, welfare, and well-being and promote as well the countrys entire maritime sector. The Magna Carta of Seafarers or House Bill 7325 is one of the priority legislations of the Marcos administration that the House approved before the recent adjournment of the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress. It is now awaiting the action of the Senate. Under President Marcos leadership, we are committed to fostering an enabling environment that promotes the welfare of seafarers, supports the growth of the maritime industry, and advances sustainable practices, Romualdez said Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople and House Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito Mendoza also graced the expo organized by ITF, recognized as the voice of the worlds two million seafarers. Romualdez noted that Filipino seafarers are the lifeblood of the maritime industry, providing an immense contribution to the countrys economy. In 2022, an estimated 489,852 Filipino seafarers were deployed, making up 25 percent of the worlds seafarers. In 2019, Filipino seafarers remitted US$6.5 billion (P362 billion) to the Philippines, or roughly 1.7 percent of the countrys GDP that year. The Speaker said the Magna Carta is a comprehensive and progressive law that addresses the various challenges faced by Filipino seafarers throughout their careers. It ensures fair and just working conditions, provides for reasonable compensation, guarantees access to quality healthcare and education, and promotes the welfare of seafarers and their families. This legislation stands as a testament to President Marcos dedication to creating a conducive environment for seafarers to thrive, he said. Romualdez stressed that the measure emphasizes the importance of continuous training and skills development for our seafarers, recognizing the dynamic nature of the maritime industry and the need for seafarers to adapt to evolving technologies and best practices. By empowering seafarers with the necessary knowledge and skills, we not only enhance their professional capabilities but also ensure the sustained growth and competitiveness of our maritime sector, he said. Last March, the European Commission (EC) agreed to drop the impending ban that would have affected some 50,000 Filipino mariners amid the European Maritime Safety Agencys (EMSA) concerns about the quality of training of Pinoy seafarers. The government responded with a series of actions including the personal intervention of President Marcos, who met with EC officials and assured them the Philippines is committed to addressing the issues and complying with European regulations. To the seafarers present here today and those serving at sea, I offer my heartfelt appreciation for your tireless efforts and unwavering commitment, Romualdez said. Let us continue working hand in hand, with President Marcos guidance, to propel the maritime industry forward, ensuring the well-being and prosperity of our seafarers, he added. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. US-INDIA TIES. US President Joe Biden looks on as Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during an official State Dinner in his honor at the White House in Washington, DC, on June 22. AFP WashingtonUS President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday that the two democracies partnership would define the next century, as Washington eyes a counterweight to China and brushes off allegations of growing authoritarianism in New Delhi. The two nations reached major deals on engines for fighter jets, semiconductor investment and space cooperation as Biden rolled out the red carpet to Modi for only the third state visit of his presidency. With thousands of Indian-Americans chanting his name on the White Houses South Lawn, Modi, sporting a flowing white kurta with a sky-blue jacket, walked a red carpet to a gun salute. I have long believed that the relationship between the US and India will be one of the most defining relationships of the 21st century, Biden said. Modi, Indias most powerful prime minister in decades, said that the visit brought a new direction and new energy to the partnership with the United States. Later, addressing both chambers of Congress, Modi clearly alluded to US concerns on China as he backed a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, a favorite phrase of the United States. The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific, Modi said. Defending record on rights Indian-American supporters broke protocol to chant Modis name during the speech but at least six lawmakers from Bidens Democratic Party boycotted the talk, pointing to Modis human rights record. Biden addressed the concerns lightly, calling religious pluralism a core principle for both India and the United States and saying that democratic values face challenges around the world and in each of our countries. The whole world has a stake in our success, Biden said. Maintaining our democracies makes us appealing partners. AFP Modi, who a decade earlier was the state leader of Gujarat and banned from entering the United States over religious violence, defended his record in a rare open press exchange for the usually scripted prime minister. Criticizing those who would question Indias democratic character, Modi said, regardless of caste, creed, religion, gender, theres absolutely no space for discrimination. Since taking office in 2014, India has passed a controversial law on citizenship, abrogated the special status of Muslim-majority Kashmir and seen increasing violence against minorities, with a US State Department report pointing to inflammatory rhetoric from members of Modis Bharatiya Janata Party. Modi has also faced criticism for police raids on media outlets and the expulsion from parliament of the opposition leader. Former president Barack Obama, in an interview with CNN, said that Biden should raise concerns privately with Modi, warning that without protection of minorities, there is a strong possibility at some point that India starts pulling apart. Vegetarian state dinner Biden offered full honors to Modi including a gala dinner, with First Lady Jill Biden tapping a celebrated Californian plant-based chef to cook for the strictly vegetarian prime minister. Two great nations, two great friends, and two great powers, Biden said in a toast to Modi before both men, who dont drink alcohol, clinked glasses of ginger ale. Among the nearly 400 guests invited to the evenings candlelit festivities were notable Indian-American business leaders, including Google chief Sundar Pichai and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Earlier in the day, in an agreement hailed by Modi as landmark, the United States signed off on a technology transfer for engines as India begins producing homegrown fighter jets. General Electric will have the green light to produce its F414 engines jointly with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics. A US official said India would also buy MQ-9B SeaGuardian high-precision armed drones. In 2019, India broke precedent with an airstrike in Pakistani territory against an alleged extremist camp. Washington hopes a tighter defense relationship will help wean India off Russia, New Delhis primary military supplier. In a joint statement, Modi joined Biden in backing the territorial integrity of Ukraine following its invasion by Moscow. The Biden administration has largely given a pass to India for refusing to join Western sanctions on Russia and instead buying its oil at a discount, seeing a broader alignment with India on the challenge of China and the threat of radical Islamism. In another agreement, US chip giant Micron will invest $800 million in a semiconductor assembly and testing plant in India, which is expected to reach $2.75 billion after contributions from New Delhi. The United States is looking to stop the flow of high-end chips to China, fearing that the communist state will dominate the next generation of technology, although Micron also recently announced a $600 million investment in China. The United States and India also agreed as well to end six disputes before the World Trade Organization and expand cooperation in space, with India joining a US-led initiative to put a human back on the Moon by 2025. AFP Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. The PLDT Group, through its ICT subsidiary ePLDT, announced new plans to further boost its 65% data center market capacity share by building its 12th data center facility. This development was officially announced by ePLDT President & CEO Victor S. Genuino during his keynote presentation at the W. Media Philippines Cloud and Datacenter Convention 2023. Genuino shared that the Groups decision to build the 12th data center is anchored on customers needs as well as its aspirations of delivering digital innovation that will bring more business value to its customers and result in inclusive economic growth. The move is also part of ePLDTs vision to boost the countrys regional competitiveness and bring much-needed investments. We want to be able to help the Philippines be the next hyperscaler hub of Asia while continuing to support the digital transformation journey of different sectors locally. Thats why weve been investing heavily in our ecosystem to ensure that our data centers will be a crucial enabler of the countrys digital economy, added Genuino. The 12th data center will have a power capacity of no less than 100MW. It will further fortify PLDT Groups data center market leadership in the Philippines while leveraging on the massive infrastructure investment of the countrys largest telecommunication group. Historically, data centers have played a silent yet fundamental role in the digital agenda, most especially in the Philippines. But things are changing now. Governments and enterprises are now seeing the integral role that this industry takes on to secure our digital future, he said during his keynote presentation. He also shared developments in ePLDTs 11th and biggest data center, VITRO Sta. Rosa, stating that ePLDT is already receiving several colocation requests from a diverse range of industry leaders, including hyperscalers, CDNs, banks, BPOs, carriers, and even the national government. Once completed in early 2024, VITRO Sta. Rosa will be the countrys largest and most advanced data center with a total power capacity of 50MW. Designed to be Rated-3 Certified and Rated-4 Ready, it is fit to host the most critical and power-intensive IT infrastructure of hyperscalers and enterprises. With VITRO Sta. Rosa on the rise and a 12th data center facility underway, ePLDTs power capacity will increase to around 200MW once both sites are activated. PLDT President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio explained at a separate PLDT press briefing that the Groups vision for data center expansion is depending on demand from enterprise customers and hyperscalers. PH as an attractive investment of choice A 2023 Q1 market report by S&P Global Market Intelligence showed that the Philippines is poised for a 13% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in data center operational space between 2020-2025 due to the recent expansion of hyperscalers and significant interests of global enterprises in the country. This has put the country on a competitive footing with Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The rosy market outlook is a welcome development for ePLDT as it is also committed to helping the country strengthen its position as a data center hub for APAC. As a digital transformation enabler, ePLDT provides customized solutions that could support the governments policy push and sustain the interest and requirements of global hyperscalers as well as foreign firms and local enterprises. Currently, it offers a total rack capacity of nearly 10,000 and owns a network of 10 globally certified VITRO data center facilities strategically located across the country. Find out how ePLDT can help you in your digital transformation journey. Contact your Relationship Manager or visit epldt.com. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. This is an American history educational moment of those who made a difference during the Revolutionary War era and how they served our country. George Clymer was born in Philadelphia on March 16, 1739, and was orphaned at 7. He was adopted and educated at home by his aunt and uncle, Hannah and William Coleman. Growing up, George was in socially prominent circles while working in his uncles business. During this era, he became acquainted with notable political and patriot leaders. Clymer did not serve in the Revolutionary War. However, he did command a company of voluntary militiamen in the early 1770s, known as the Silk Stockings. Later, working in politics as the Continental Treasurer, he used his acquired business acumen, leadership and financial skills. He also served on councils supporting the troops as a member of the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War (DSDI, 2023). Questioning British taxes and business restrictions sealed Georges prosocial outlook toward independence. George was a member of the Pennsylvania Safety Council and headed a committee that forced out the overseers of Britains Tea Act. While serving in the Continental Congress, Clymer served on committees dealing with commerce, financial and military affairs. The British announced a reward for his capture because of his expert work in the militia, Congress and improving the army. During military hostilities, when Clymers colleagues were unwilling, he made in-person battlefield evaluations to ensure the soldiers received their needed warfare materiels, food and other supplies. Because of a bounty being offered for him, Clymer moved his family to relative safety in the countryside. George continued working in Philadelphia with a few colleagues, knowing the British were advancing (NPS, 2004). Believing Clymer was at home, the British changed course and went to Chester County, Pennsylvania, to apprehend Clymer and his family, and destroy their home. Surviving the War, George continued in public service until his death in January 1813. Among his positions after the Revolutionary War were president of the Philadelphia Bank, president of the Philadelphia Academy of Arts, and vice-president of the Agricultural Society of Philadelphia. In addition to being a visionary, George was the quintessential statesman. As a judge, Clymer promoted reform of the penal code, including eliminating the death penalty. He was only one of six Founding Fathers to sign the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. In Clymers honor, a Navy attack transport ship was named after him. The U.S.S. George Clymer, APA 27, saw operational campaigns in the Pacific, and Atlantic theaters during WWII, then in Korea and Vietnam. The U.S.S. George Clymer was decommissioned in 1967 and sold for scrap metal. George Clymer was a fervent patriot. It was said of him that his dearest wish was for independence. Please visit the Charters of Freedom setting at the McDowell County Courthouse, 21 S. Main St., Marion. Teachers are welcome to contact Dr. Streater (david.streater@mymail.barry.edu) for information and complementary student education materials to enhance experiential field trips to the settings. A Charters of Freedom setting consists of the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. They are on permanent display analogous to the Charters of Freedom in the National Archives, Washington, DC. Please visit our website (FoundationForward.com) to learn more about our existing settings. Vance and Mary Jo Patterson are the benefactors of Foundation Forward, a 501(3) nonprofit educational organization that sponsors every Charters of Freedom setting. 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: Sharday Miller, walks away holding extra bandages she received after having her skin treated at the Kensington Hospital wound care outreach van parked in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Xylazine, a powerful animal sedative that's moving through the illicit drug supply is complicating the U.S. response to the opioid crisis, causing gruesome skin wounds and scrambling longstanding methods for treating addiction and reversing overdoses. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke A powerful animal sedative in the illicit drug supply is complicating the U.S. response to the opioid crisis, scrambling longstanding methods for reversing overdoses and treating addiction. Xylazine can cause severe skin wounds, but whether it is leading to more deathsas suggested by officials in Washingtonis not yet clear, according to health and law enforcement professionals on the front lines of efforts in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. In fact, early data suggests the drug may inadvertently be diluting the effects of fentanyl, the synthetic opioid behind most overdose deaths. There is broad agreement, however, that much more information is needed to understand xylazine's impact, to craft ways of disrupting illegal supplies and to develop medicines to reverse its effects. "We don't know whether xylazine is increasing the risk of overdose or reducing the risk of overdose," said Dr. Lewis Nelson of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, who advises federal regulators on drug safety. "All we know is that there are a lot of people taking xylazine and a lot of them are dying, but it doesn't mean that xylazine is doing it." In almost all cases, xylazinea drug for sedating horses and other animalsis added to fentanyl, the potent opioid that can be lethal even in small amounts. Some users say the combination, dubbed "tranq" or "tranq dope," gives a longer-lasting high, more like heroin, which has largely been replaced by fentanyl in U.S. drug markets. Sarah Laurel, founder of Savage Sisters, checks on a community member at her outreach storefront in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Nobody asked for xylazine in the drug supply, said Sarah Laurel, founder of Savage Sisters, a Philadelphia outreach group. Before anybody knew it, the community was chemically dependent on it. So now, yes, people do seek it out. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke Like other cutting agents, xylazine benefits dealers: It's often cheaper and easier to get than fentanyl. Chinese websites sell a kilogram for $6 to $20, no prescription required. Chemicals used to produce fentanyl can cost $75 or more per kilogram. "Nobody asked for xylazine in the drug supply," said Sarah Laurel, founder of Savage Sisters, a Philadelphia outreach group. "Before anybody knew it, the community was chemically dependent on it. So now, yes, people do seek it out." From a storefront in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood, Laurel's group provides first aid, showers, clothes and snacks to people using drugs. Xylazine's effects are easy to spot: users experience a lethargic, trance-like state and sometimes black out, exposing themselves to robbery or assault. "It's a delayed reaction, I could be walking down the street, it's 45 minutes later," says Dominic Rodriguez, who is homeless and battling addiction. "Then I wake up, trying to piece together what happened." Registered nurse Kathy Lalli treats Ellwood Warren's injuries at the Kensington Hospital wound care outreach van, parked in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. In humans, xylazine can cause breathing and heart rates to drop. Its also linked to severe skin ulcers and abscesses, which can lead to infections, rotting tissue and amputations. Experts disagree on the exact cause of the wounds, which are much deeper than those seen with other injectable drugs. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke U.S. regulators approved xylazine in 1971 to sedate animals for surgery, dental procedures and handling purposes. In humans, the drug can cause breathing and heart rates to drop. It's also linked to severe skin ulcers and abscesses, which can lead to infections, rotting tissue and amputations. Experts disagree on the exact cause of the wounds, which are much deeper than those seen with other injectable drugs. In Philadelphia, the drug's introduction has created a host of new challenges. Naloxone, a medication used revive people who have stopped breathing, doesn't reverse the effects of xylazine. Philadelphia officials stress that naloxone should still be administered in all cases of suspected overdose, since xylazine is almost always found in combination with fentanyl. With no approved reversal drug for xylazine, the Savage Sisters group has taken to carrying oxygen tanks to help revive people. People gather outside the Savage Sisters' community outreach storefront in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Xylazine, a powerful animal sedative that's moving through the illicit drug supply is complicating the U.S. response to the opioid crisis, causing gruesome skin wounds and scrambling longstanding methods for treating addiction and reversing overdoses. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke Meanwhile, a roaming van staffed by local health workers and city staffers aims to treat the skin wounds before they require hospitalization. The wounds can make it harder to get people into addiction treatment programs, which typically don't have the expertise to treat deep lesions that can expose tissue and bone. "If you have someone out there who's ready to come in for treatment, you really want to act on that quickly," said Jill Bowen, who runs Philadelphia's behavioral health department. The city recently launched a pilot program where hospitals treat patients for wounds and then directly transfer them into addiction treatment. Xylazine can be addictive and patients who stop taking it report severe withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety and distress. There's no approved treatment but physicians have been using the blood pressure-lowering drug clonidine, which is sometimes prescribed for anxiety. Kensington Hospital wound care outreach van is parked in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Xylazine, a powerful animal sedative that's moving through the illicit drug supply is complicating the U.S. response to the opioid crisis, causing gruesome skin wounds and scrambling longstanding methods for treating addiction and reversing overdoses. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke In April, federal officials declared xylazine-laced fentanyl an " emerging threat," pointing to the problems in Philadelphia and other northeastern cities. Testing is far from uniform, but the drug has been detected in all 50 states and appears to be moving westward, similar to earlier waves of drug use. Officials describe the drug's toll in stark terms and statistics: Fatal overdoses involving xylazine increased more than 1,200% percent between 2018 and 2021. But that largely reflects increased testing, since most medical examiners weren't looking for the drug until recently. "What it is doing is making the deadliest drug we've ever seen, fentanyl, even deadlier," Anne Milgram, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, told attendees at a recent conference. But those who have studied the problem closely aren't so sure. Dominic Rodriguez walks away after receiving treatment at the Kensington Hospital wound care outreach van, parked in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Xylazines effects are easy to spot: users experience a lethargic, trance-like state and sometimes black out, exposing themselves to robbery or assault. Its a delayed reaction, I could be walking down the street, it's 45 minutes later, says Rodriguez, who is homeless and battling addiction. Then I wake up, trying to piece together what happened. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke One of the only studies looking at the issue reached a startling conclusion: People who overdosed on a combination of fentanyl and xylazine had "significantly less severe" outcomes than those taking fentanyl alone. It was the opposite of what Dr. Jennifer Love and her colleagues expected, given xylazine's dangerous effects on breathing. But their analysis of more than 320 overdose patients who received emergency care found lower rates of cardiac arrest and coma when xylazine was involved. Love, an emergency medicine physician at New York's Mount Sinai hospital, suggested xylazine may be reducing the amount of fentanyl in each dose. She stressed that this is only one possible explanation, and more research is needed into xylazine's long-term effects. She also noted that the study didn't track downstream effects of xylazine that could be deadly, including skin infections and amputations. Sarah Laurel, founder of Savage Sisters, speaks with community members at her outreach storefront in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Nobody asked for xylazine in the drug supply, said Laurel. Before anybody knew it, the community was chemically dependent on it. So now, yes, people do seek it out. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke But hints that xylazine could be blunting fatal overdoses are showing up elsewhere. In New Jersey, about one-third of the opioid supply contains xylazine, based on testing of drug paraphernalia. But less than 8% of fatal overdoses involved xylazine in 2021, the latest year with complete data. Police Capt. Jason Piotrowski, who oversees the analysis of state drug data, said xylazine's ability to extend users' high may be a factor in why it's showing up less than expected in fatal overdoses. "If xylazine is lasting longer and that's why people are using it, then they're not going to need as many doses," he said. "So now their exposure to the more deadly fentanyl decreases." Like other experts, Piotrowski stressed that this is only one theory and xylazine's impact is far from clear. Philadelphia officials see no upside to the drug. Nick Gallagher reacts as volunteer registered nurse Jennifer D'Angelo treats his skin wounds the Savage Sisters' community outreach storefront in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Xylazine can cause severe skin wounds, but whether it is leading to more deaths as suggested by officials in Washington is not yet clear, according to health and law enforcement professionals on the front lines of efforts in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke "I don't frankly see a plus side to xylazine," said Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, the city's health commissioner. "It seems to increase the risk of overdose and it causes these severe, debilitating wounds that interfere with peoples' ability to get into treatment." Philadelphia's annual toll of fatal overdoses has climbed by 14% since xylazine became a significant part of the local drug market around 2018. In 2021, the city reported 1,276 overdose deaths. Bettigole expects final 2022 figures to show another increase. More than 90% of lab-tested opioids in Philadelphia contain xylazine, according to city figures. Even as Savage Sisters and other advocates deal with xylazine's toll, they are seeing newer drugs circulate, including nitazenes, a synthetic opioid that can be even more potent than fentanyl. Volunteer registered nurse Jennifer D'Angelo treats a person's skin wounds the Savage Sisters' community outreach storefront in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Xylazine, a powerful animal sedative that's moving through the illicit drug supply is complicating the U.S. response to the opioid crisis, causing gruesome skin wounds and scrambling longstanding methods for treating addiction and reversing overdoses. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke A box of Narcan sits in the Savage Sisters' community outreach storefront in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Generically known as Naloxone, the medication used revive people who have stopped breathing, doesnt reverse the effects of xylazine. Philadelphia officials stress that naloxone should still be administered in all cases of suspected overdose, since xylazine is almost always found in combination with fentanyl. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke Dominic Rodriguez speaks with registered nurse Kathy Lalli after she treated his skin injuries at the Kensington Hospital wound care outreach van, parked in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Xylazines effects are easy to spot: users experience a lethargic, trance-like state and sometimes black out, exposing themselves to robbery or assault. Its a delayed reaction, I could be walking down the street, it's 45 minutes later, says Rodriguez, who is homeless and battling addiction. Then I wake up, trying to piece together what happened. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke Sarah Laurel, founder of Savage Sisters, speaks during an interview at her community outreach storefront in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Nobody asked for xylazine in the drug supply, said Laurel. Before anybody knew it, the community was chemically dependent on it. So now, yes, people do seek it out. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke A community member holds a hot cup of coffee at the Savage Sisters' outreach storefront in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Xylazine, a powerful animal sedative that's moving through the illicit drug supply is complicating the U.S. response to the opioid crisis, causing gruesome skin wounds and scrambling longstanding methods for treating addiction and reversing overdoses. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke Dominic Rodriguez speaks with registered nurse Kathy Lalli after she treated his skin injuries at the Kensington Hospital wound care outreach van, parked in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Xylazine, a powerful animal sedative that's moving through the illicit drug supply is complicating the U.S. response to the opioid crisis, causing gruesome skin wounds and scrambling longstanding methods for treating addiction and reversing overdoses. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke A shifting mix of opioids, stimulants and sedatives has come to define the U.S. drug epidemic, making it harder to manage a crisis that now claims more than 100,000 lives a year. The Biden administration and Congress are considering changes to try to limit xylazine prescribing and distribution. But past restrictions didn't solve the problem: When regulators cracked down on painkillers like OxyContin, people largely shifted to heroin and then fentanyl. "First we had pills, then we had heroin and then we had fentanyl," Piotrowski said. "Now we have everything. And xylazine is just a part of that." 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain British pharmaceutical group GlaxoSmithKline said Friday it has settled a US lawsuit which had alleged heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer, but admitted no liability. GSK "has reached a confidential settlement with James Goetz, and the case he filed in California state court... will be dismissed", it said in a statement. "The settlement reflects the company's desire to avoid distraction related to protracted litigation in this case." The court case had been due to start in one month. "GSK does not admit any liability in this settlement and will continue to vigorously defend itself based on the facts and the science in all other Zantac cases," the company added. Over-the-counter drug Zantac, whose active ingredient is ranitidine, has also been manufactured by French peer Sanofi. Zantac has been removed from the North American market. Last year, GSK revealed it was facing about 3,000 individual and class-action lawsuits over Zantac in the United States, with proceedings underway in Canada and Israel. Friday's news sent GSK's share price rallying six percent to 14.40 on London's top-tier FTSE 100 index, which was down overall in midday deals. 2023 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: In Australia, primary care nurses scope of practice varies dramatically. Credit: University of Melbourne Australia's population is aging. More than 16% of the total population is now aged 65 or older, and this figure is predicted to rise to 23% by 2066. As a result, there is an increasing demand on general practitioners (GPs) to manage large numbers of patients with multiple complex chronic diseases related to aging. Many people experience long wait times or are unable to find a regular doctor due to a shrinking GP workforce. The viability of primary care is threatened, even with the recent announcement of extra funding to boost Australia's universal health care system, Medicare. However, in Australia, there is a large workforce of nurses who have the skills and experience to provide additional services that would reduce the workload on GPs, but these opportunities are limited by Medicare fee-for-service rules. A GP said that medical practices need "primary care nurses who can do a bit of everything," but there are multiple barriers that prevent nurses working at their full scope of practice. This problem is not just in Australiaprimary care faces workforce challenges internationally. The United Kingdom, U.S., Canada and New Zealand have responded by introducing health service reforms that support nurses to work at an advanced level. This reduces demand on GP services, while creating opportunities for patients to access timely, low-cost care that is evidence-based and person-centered. Australia is yet to take this step, but the Australian Government's Primary Health Care 10-year plan 2022-2032 recommends that registered nurses work to the full scope of their practice and as part of multidisciplinary teams to improve access to care for people with chronic illnesses. Nurses aren't allowed to work to their full potential "Scope of practice" describes the activities health professionals are educated for, competent in and legally allowed to perform. In Australia, primary care nurses' scope of practice varies dramatically; some nurses only perform task-based care under the direction of general practitioners, while others manage and deliver nurse-led services either independently or in collaboration with medical practitioners and allied health professionals. Research shows that nurse-led clinics are well-established and effective, with nurses conducting physical assessments, providing treatments (like immunization and cervical screening) monitoring disease self-management, and providing lifestyle advice and health information. In 2018, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (MBA) proposed registered nurses' scope of practice expand to include prescribing of medicines by suitably educated and experienced registered nurses. To progress this, NMBA have just released a consultation paper, "Registration standard: Endorsement for scheduled medicines designated registered nurse prescriber," to assess the risks and impact of different models of registered nurse prescribing. Medicare funding requires GP-led service Overseas, nurse prescribing has been successfully running for several years, but in Australia the GP must be actively involved in every consultation to generate a Medicare fee and prescribe medication. This funding system limits opportunities for nurses to work independently or develop new care models and fails to alleviate the GP workload. In addition, the government workforce incentive paid to general practices to employ nurses does not incentivise independent GPs to shift tasks to nurses as they receive no benefit if a nurse completes an episode of care without their input. There needs to be more rewards for GPs and clinics if they are to hand over consultations to nurses. Incentives to upskill are lacking Nurses also need more incentive to complete further studies to increase their scope of practice or to take on extra responsibility, like gaining postgraduate qualification as a nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners are the only nurses who can currently bill Medicare and prescribe medication, but there are too few of them working in primary care. Primary care nurses work under an award that pays them significantly less than hospital nurses and offers no additional benefit including study leave or qualification pay. Education for nurses seeking to work in primary care settings remains problematic too. Nursing students get limited exposure to primary care due to the associated workload, supervision requirements and costs to the practice associated with clinical placement. Nurses working in primary care generally do not benefit from postgraduate scholarships like those working in the state-funded public hospital system. So, the number of nurses choosing a career in primary care remains low, resulting in few education providers electing to offer postgraduate courses in primary care. In Australia, nurse practitioners must complete a graduate certificate in a relevant area of practice followed by a nurse practitioner master's degree. In addition, they must have at least five years of clinical experience, with three years completed at an advanced level. The proposed scholarships in the budget will undeniably help some nurses to complete university courses, but without funding to support general practices to mentor nurse practitioner candidates, their numbers are unlikely to grow. This requires urgent attention. The following actions should be considered: Count practice nurse time towards long and complex consultations (Medicare Level C and above) so that nurses can provide additional input without the GP losing financially. Introduce primary care nurse prescribing models, supported by education scholarships to upskill nurses. Increase Medicare Benefits Scheme nurse item numbers to support nurses and practices to develop new models of care. Ensure the Workforce Incentive Program provides for the total cost of employing a nurse at a rate commensurate with hospital employment. Ensure this is paid to the nurse with study leave, contributions to continuing professional development and a qualification payment. Provide scholarships for enrolled primary care nurses to become registered primary care nurses, creating a career path. Establish a sustainable model of mentorship for Nurse Practitioner candidates and registered nurses undertaking training in diagnostics and prescribing. Establish a national clinical training program that supports the development of advanced practice skills for Nurse Practitioner candidates and prepares them for independent and collaborative practice in primary care and community health. Establish a mechanism for evaluating the impact of nurse-led initiatives in primary care on community access and patient-reported outcomes. Until the funding and legislative barriers that prevent primary care nurses from working independently and to their full scope of practice are addressed, GPs will continue to struggle to provide the first-class health service that Australians expect. As a nurse working in regional Victoria puts it, "The question is no longer 'if' nurses should increase their scope of practice to support GPs, but 'when?'" "Nurses are very well placed to absorb some of this pressure, but they must be given adequate training, resources and incentives to provide safe care under best practice guidelines. This would enhance, not impede, the substantial and fundamental role GPs hold in the primary care space." 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: Meditating on a regular basis could help people stay healthier as they get older. Credit: Perfect Wave, Shutterstock.com Meditation can curb the risk of disease and boost general well-being for the old and young, according to researchers. Several minutes of meditation a day can improve people's physical and mental health and even reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease. So say scientists. Nonetheless, a lack of evidence means health services are reluctant to make meditation available to everyone who could benefit, according to the leader of research into the matter. Push for change "I'm convinced meditation is one of the tools that could help make people healthier and happier as they get older," said Gael Chetelat, coordinator of the MEDIT-AGEING project. While the project ended in March 2022 after six years, Chetelat hopes the results will help bring about changes in healthcare. She continues to push for them as director of research at France's National Institute of Health and Medical Research, or INSERM. By 2050, the global population of people over 60 years old will reach 2.1 billion, according to the World Health Organization. Chetelat and her INSERM team had been studying Alzheimer's disease and aging for more 20 years when MEDIT-AGEING began in 2016. Her own experience with "mindfulness"a form of meditation that focuses on the present moment by tuning into the breath, sounds or bodily sensationsprovided inspiration to look more closely at this area. So did her knowledge of the main risk factors of neurodegenerative diseases. "The more I practiced meditation, the more I thought it could be really beneficial to the aging population," Chetelat said. Evidence suggests that mindfulness meditation improves concentration and memory and reduces stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and even the risk of heart disease. These are all factors linked to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases, according to Chetelat. Trial of elders MEDIT-AGEING's goal was to provide evidence for health authorities to incorporate mindfulness in their support for the elderly. The idea was that such a step could not only improve older people's quality of life but also reduce healthcare costs. Between 2018 and 2020, MEDIT-AGEING conducted the world's largest and longest trial on the effects of mindfulness meditation on seniors, focusing on people aged 65 years and over. The 18-month trial divided 137 people into three groups. One learned mindfulness meditation, a second learned English and the third received no training. Meditation and non-native-language training included two-hour weekly group sessions, practice of 20 minutes or longer daily at home and one day of intensive activity. Questionnaires, blood tests and scans of people's brains were used to assess general health and look for signs of chronic stress and Alzheimer's. Sleep quality was also measured and cognitive tests were used to gauge attention, executive function and memory. Particular attention was given to two parts of the brain known to be associated with cognition: the anterior cingulate cortex and the insular cortex. These structures tend to deteriorate with age, increasing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Meditation may slow this shrinkage as people age, according to Chetelat. Language powers A strength of the study was the use of the foreign-language learning. Like meditation, learning a foreign tongue involves cognitive mental training and has been shown to have a positive impact on some brain structures. The results of the trial confirmed that meditation had a significant effect on people's attentiveness and ability to regulate their emotions. In the brain scans, however, no significant changes were yet apparent. While the trial results were published in JAMA Neurology in October last year, Chetelat's team is now testing the 137 participants again in a bid for more insights. One question is whether some physical changes become visible only when people clock up more meditation time than they did in the trial. A second is whether such changes appear only several years after people have done a chunk of consistent meditation. Study participants interviewed for a documentary film about the trial said it had changed their lives, relationships with others, understanding of their bodies and acceptance of themselves. "Things like that are extremely difficult to measure," said Chetelat. "But what they say is very important, touching and positive." The MEDIT-AGEING team is developing an app of mindfulness and compassion meditations for elderly people due to be available as of early 2024. Student samples For Ivana Buric, a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, interest in mindfulness emerged while she was recovering from a traumatic traffic accident that led to several surgeries. Practicing mindfulness not only helped her physical healing but also led to positive knock-on effects in other areas of her life. Now Buric is leading a two-year project called INSPIRER, which is due to end in October. Using similar tests as MEDIT-AGEING, she is researching mindfulness among university students. Buric, also a trained mindfulness teacher, says many of the benefits stem from people learning how to manage difficult thoughts or emotions without getting caught up in them. Practicing mindfulness lowers stress levelswith important consequences yet to be fully understood. It can reduce stress-induced inflammation, which otherwise increases the risk of illnesses including anxiety, depression, asthma, cardiovascular disease, stroke and neurodegenerative disorders. "It seems to help with most mental health and many physical problems as an addition to standard treatments," said Buric. Mind-body works Buric recruited 100 people50 meditators and 50 non-meditatorsand carried out MRI scans, blood tests for signs of inflammation and questionnaires about the participants' mental and physical health. The questionnaire results suggest that meditators have better physical and mental health and emotional regulationand lower stress levels. Buric also recruited about 80 students from the University of Amsterdam for a trial on the effects of a standard eight-week introductory course on mindfulness. "We wanted to see if we can observe changes in them in that short time and compare them with long-term meditators," she said. Initial results from questionnaires suggest an increase in mental and physical health. Like Chetelat, Buric hopes that scientists will soon have enough proof to persuade policymakers to offer mindfulness to anyone with mental health or chronic health conditions. She also hopes it will become available in schools, universities and workplaces. "Mindfulness meditation works, it's very simple, it doesn't cost much money and anyone can do it," said Buric. 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: At the doctor's office, questions about a person's family health history often can help health care professionals determine the risk of developing chronic conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. But among many Latinx people, especially immigrants, talking about and recording family health history is rare. The reasons are not well understood, but studies suggest that cultural influencesfamily dynamics, stigma, fear and secrecycan create barriers. "It's common that when Hispanic/Latinx patients come to the clinic and you ask them, 'What is your past medical history,' or if there's any family history of any type of malignancy or cancer, they do not know," said Dr. Olga Garcia-Bedoya, medical director of the Institute for Minority Health Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Knowing the medical history of parents, grandparents, children, siblings and other close relatives is an important element of preventive care, she said. Although causes for disease can vary, the genetic similarities in families can give health care professionals a fuller picture of a person's health, as well as early clues to potentialand preventablehealth risks. In the Latinx community, however, family health history is usually missing informationfrequently due to circumstances beyond the patient's control, Garcia-Bedoya said. For recent arrivals to the United States, for example, it's possible that their family health history was never discussed before emigratingparticularly if they came from rural areas where access to health care is difficult, she said. In the U.S., more than 40% of Hispanic adults experience obesity, according to American Heart Association statistics. Hispanic adults also are 50% more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than other races and ethnicities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes and obesity are contributing factors to heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. "And we know that diabetes has a family predisposition," Garcia-Bedoya said. "If your mom, dad or siblings have diabetes, of course your risk is going to be increased." In such cases, knowing a family's history of diabetes can provide significant genomic information, she said. "From the clinical standpoint, that's important because diabetes can be preventable. If we detect it in the early stages, we can avoid the use of medication, and there are lifestyle modifications that can delay the progression of the disease." Older Latinx people who have spent less time in the U.S. generally are less likely to be fully aware of their family health history than those born in the U.S. or who have lived in the U.S. longer, she said. That means they won't have their ancestors' health information to share with their children. Various generations have different perceptions of health care prevention, Garcia-Bedoya said. Younger generations tend to prioritize mental health and view prevention as incorporating lifestyle behaviors such as fitness and nutrition, she said. Whether that prevention mindset translates into active recording of their family health history may be difficult to pinpoint. In a survey of 224 young Latinx adults published in the journal Health Education & Behavior in 2013, just 18% said they had gathered cancer risk information from relatives to create a family health history of cancer, and only 16% shared information about hereditary cancer risk with family members. The study's authors said the low rates of communication may result from few young Latinx adults being familiar with the idea of creating a family health history or its relevance for their own health behaviors. Genetic counseling and testing could be an option for Latinx individuals who lack a family health history. But while a DNA test can be a valuable predictor of health risks, it also has limitations, Garcia-Bedoya said. For example, genetic testing may predict certain health conditions, but there might not be a treatment available, leaving individuals unsure of what actions to take based on those results, she said. "We should observe and monitor how things will progress." Suzette Bielinski, a genetic epidemiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said genetic testing can be beneficial in certain areas. "For example, I would hold up maybe cancer therapies as a good win in that regard." But, she said, genetic testing can not only be costly, it's typically targeted toward rare diseases. "We just don't routinely screen for the genetics of common chronic diseases" because the normal screening guidelines, such as blood sugar or cholesterol screening, normally do a good job, Bielinski said. When it comes to chronic conditions that can lead to heart diseaseincluding hypertension, obesity and diabetesearly screening and intervention are "the way to go," Bielinski said. And while having a family health history can be helpful, screening for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other health conditions can be just as effective, she said. Adults should be screened for high blood pressure at each regular health care visit or once a year if blood pressure is normal, the AHA advises. It also recommends cholesterol screening every four to six years starting at age 20, or more often for those at elevated risk for heart disease and stroke. The American Diabetes Association recommends diabetes screening starting at age 35, or sooner for those at elevated risk. Garcia-Bedoya said it's always a good idea for anyone who lacks a family health history to create one. She recommends talking with parents, aunts, siblings and other close family members. Record where they live, any medical conditions and at what age they were diagnosed. The CDC offers other tips on collecting such information. Once a family health history has been recorded, people should share it with their primary care physician, Garcia-Bedoya said. And for patients without knowledge of their family health history, health care professionals should take the time to explain what it is and why it matters. They should be responsive to patients, particularly recent immigrants, who may not be as familiar with the concept of family health history, she said. "We need to be respectful. We need to ask questions, we need to be understanding, and we have to have empathy," Garcia-Bedoya said. Copyright 2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved. 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 For Ana Marcela Rodriguez, an immigrant from Mexico, finding a bilingual therapist in North Texas who understood her culture felt like a near-impossible task. In Texas, where about 40% of the population is Hispanic, only about 15% of more than 6,000 recently surveyed mental health providers identified as Latinx or Hispanic. "That's when I thought; I can be that therapist for all those other people like me. And that's how Therapy Works was born," said Rodriguez, 37, now a licensed family and marriage counselor and founder of a mental health counseling company in North Texas that through six clinics provides bilingual and bicultural services for Latinx people. "This was born from my necessity, but I was sure that a bunch of people were on the same page, looking for the same kind of help," Rodriguez said. Seeking mental health therapy has been a taboo topic among Hispanics for generations, with a historic tendency for people to believe there's no need for counseling or that there is no time for it, said Rodriguez. But the pandemic and the increase in awareness of mental health on social media platforms has led to more Latinx people looking for therapy. The company started by Rodriguez is one small part of an effort to close the gap between needs and the availability of Hispanic therapists. The survey by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council showed that only 20% of the respondents offered mental health services in a language other than English. Nationwide there are about 5,000 Hispanic psychologists, accounting for only 5% of the country's psychologists, according to Census data published by the American Psychological Association. But 19% of the country's population is Hispanic. Growth Rodriguez studied psychology with a specialization in education and development of children and teenagers. She practiced her career in her home country of Mexico until her family moved to the U.S. when her husband had a job opportunity. In 2012 her family moved to Frisco. The cultural change and being homesick made her look for therapy for herself, and that's when she couldn't find a therapist who could speak Spanish and understand her cultural shock and her experience as a immigrant. A year later, she decided to enroll at Southern Methodist University and pursue a master's degree to obtain her license as a therapist in Texas. As she was finishing up the program and completing an internship, a new problem arose: She couldn't find a clinic where she could practice in Spanish and focus her work on the Hispanic community. Between 2014 and 2019, the proportion of facilities in the U.S. offering mental health treatment in Spanish declined by 17.8%a loss of 1,163 Spanish-speaking mental health facilities, according to research conducted by the American Psychiatric Association. After graduating and obtaining her license in 2017, she began seeing her first clients in a room subleased from other mental health care providers. "I had to knock on many doors. I started my website, talking with community groups, churches, and other places to gain the community's trust," said Rodriguez. "But most importantly, I had to explain what therapy was and how it works." Nury Marquez, 32, a licensed therapist born and raised in Zacatecas, Mexico, migrated with her family when she was a kid. This year, she opened her mental health clinic focused on Hispanics in Oak Cliff after completing her education at The University of Texas at Arlington and working with different local organizations that provide mental health care services to people of color. Marquez understood when she was in her 20s that there are are thousands of people like her but not enough therapists who could understand their experiences. Marquez named her clinic Papalotl, which means butterfly in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, to represent her culture and honor her indigenous ancestors. "Representation of other therapists in the field of mental health is so important because there are certain things that you don't have to explain to them because they understand that's part of your culture," said Marquez. "It's deeper than the language. It's very deeply rooted in the identity of individuals, and how much you feel understood just simply by talking to a person who looks like you." Rodriguez emphasized educating and helping the Hispanic community from the beginning, but she said it wasn't until the pandemic hit that she noticed a big uptick in the number of Latinx people seeking help. Over 40% of Latinx adults reported symptoms of depression during the pandemic, compared to 25% of white non-Hispanics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "By the end of 2020 is when it really started to grow because there was a huge necessity from our community to seek help," said Rodriguez. As Rodriguez expanded her team, she sought to make sure everyone was fully bilingual and bicultural. Now her team of 28 Latinx therapists27 women and one manare first-, second- and third-generation immigrants with family roots in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Peru, Colombia, Guatemala, Cuba and elsewhere. They serve about 1,500 clients, starting with children as young as 4 years old. "Their unique experiences and cultural backgrounds have helped us expand and serve our community," said Diana Beltran, clinical operational director at Therapy Works. Language and culture Providing mental health therapy to the Latinx community is not only about speaking their language. It is about understanding their culture and respecting their religious beliefs, said Beltran, 29, a licensed social clinical worker in Texas and Arkansas. Beltran experienced while working in non-Hispanic clinics how patients were often poorly treated because the therapists couldn't understand their perspectives or family history. "Our community has very different beliefs compared to the Anglo community. One example is the machismo culture," she said. Historically, "We think it is OK for women to respect their husband even if he cheated and stay with him because that's what we are supposed to do." "Another example is the belief of witchcraft to keep a person by their side, so when patients go and tell their therapist about those things, they don't understand what the person is going through," Beltran said. The Therapy Works staff is trained to deal with those issues. Marquez experienced similar situations when working in places that did not focus on the Latinx community. "Some people had a certain level of understanding of Spanish, but not even necessarily, that they were Latinx. So it's a very different type of support that you can get from a person who has had similar experiences to you," Marquez said. The demand for bilingual therapy is expected to keep growing as the population of second-and third-generation children of Hispanic immigrants does, too. Therapy Works has experienced an increase of about 35% in younger clients: children, and teenagers, seeking therapy for anxiety and depression. In Texas, the second largest increase in emergency department hospitalizations for suicide attempts was seen in the up to age 7 population with a 29% increase from 70 hospitalizations per 100,000 population in 2016 to 92 hospitalizations in 2020, reported the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council this year. Nationwide in 2021, there were about 2,900 suicides in youths ages 10 to 19, and 4,200 in 20- to 24-year-olds, showed a report by the CDC published this month. When parents bring their kids in for therapy, the clinic explains that sooner rather than later, parents will need to attend sessions, too, because that's more effective so that the whole family can be on the same page, said Beltran. "Commonly, we conduct the therapy in Spanish for the parents, and the sessions for the child or teenager are in English," said Beltran. "We want them to feel comfortable in the language they want to communicate in so we can help them." Beltran said that children and teenagers tend to be more open when the conversation is in English and vice-versa for the parents. Future Latinx therapists Future Latinx therapists who want to serve their community and keep promoting mental health awareness need help, too. Therapy Works has opened its doors to students who need to complete their internships before starting their careers and obtaining their licenses. Texas licensing requires applicants to participate in internships and complete a certain amount of time with a supervisor before being allowed to work on their own. "Knowing that there are spaces like this, where you see that you can serve your community, the people who look like you, and you can make money, is amazing. You know you are in the right career," said Pamela Espinoza, 32, who is one of seven people completing internships at Therapy Works. Espinoza was born and raised in Peru and is graduating from LeTourneau University this fall with a master's degree in mental health counseling. She says understanding cultural backgrounds is the most important element when starting out with patients. But for Espinoza, it has been a challenge practicing all her theories in Spanish since her education is in English. "Sometimes it is tough to make sense of the theories in Spanish, but in this place, everyone wants to help you," said Espinoza. "Feeling welcome and knowing when I'll obtain my license and be able to work either here or another place but for your community is priceless." Therapy Works also works closely with local organizations, organizing workshops about why therapy is necessary, how it works, and how to find the right therapists. "It's called self-love. We need to normalize going to therapy and learn about the benefits for ourselves, our families and our community," said Rodriguez. "We all have a role to play in society, but we must start with ourselves." 2023 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Yu Yu Htwe had never had dental problems, so she was surprised when a dentist told her she had three cavities at her first appointment in this small city in western Montana. Htwe, 38, is from Myanmar and worked as an OB-GYN there until a military coup overthrew the government in February 2021. Alongside other medical workers, she participated in a civil disobedience movement against the military, and, fearing reprisal, fled the country with her husband and young daughter. Htwe and her family spent six months in Thailand before they resettled in Missoula as refugees early last year. That move around the globe took less time than the eight months she waited to get a dental appointment after arriving in Montana. "In my country, dental care is not like it is here," said Htwe, who is now a community health worker at Partnership Health Center in Missoula. "Here we need to wait for dental care. In Myanmar, it's not like that. We can go at any time when we need a consultation or something." Refugee advocates in Montana hear stories like Htwe's often. And these stories are similar to what low-income people can contend with across the U.S. Long wait times for dental appointments, high costs, and finding dentists willing to take new Medicaid patients make access to dental care difficult. Refugees in the U.S. encounter additional challenges getting dental care because of cultural differences, and language and transportation issues, but their specific circumstances vary widely depending on where they resettle, and if the state offers dental coverage for refugees. The flow of refugees admitted to the U.S. is growing since the Biden administration set the annual cap for the fiscal year that began in October to 125,000, up from 18,000 in 2020. More than 24,000 refugees arrived between October and April, 83 of whom resettled in Montana. The state and country are on pace to welcome more refugees than last year. "It's a health equity issue when patients have an array of barriers to getting care," said Jane Grover, a dentist and the director of the Council on Access, Prevention, and Interprofessional Relations for the American Dental Association. She added that dental pain complicates a person's ability to eat, work, and do daily tasks. When oral health is suboptimal, the risk for gum and periodontal disease increases. That can then lead to other health issues like heart disease and diabetes. "Often, refugees come to us with some or very little previous dental care," said Bonnie Medlin, health and education programs coordinator for the International Rescue Committee in Missoula. Refugees spend an average of about 10 years in refugee camps before resettlement, and those camps may or may not have dental services, said Medlin. When refugees arrive in Montana, they are enrolled in the state's Medicaid program and are eligible for most medically necessary dental services like exams, teeth cleanings, and X-rays. State Medicaid programs decide the level of adult dental benefits to offer, and Montana is among 18 states, plus Washington, D.C., that provide extensive coverage. But having health coverage doesn't guarantee a person can see a dentist quickly or at all. Montana health department spokesperson Jon Ebelt said private practice dentists are not required to have a certain percentage of their patients covered by Medicaid. They can choose whether to accept Medicaid or any other insurance. A federal Refugee Medical Assistance program run by the Department of Health and Human Services provides short-term medical coverage to refugees who are not eligible for Medicaid, but only emergency dental treatments are covered. In Missoula, three private dental clinics frequently work with refugees who are on Medicaid. One is strictly a pediatric dental office, however, and the other two perform only surgical procedures. States set Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental care and Montana's rates rank above the national average. Despite this, the numbers don't always add up. "Dentists in private practice want to help and accept Medicaid patients when they can, but the margin just makes it impossible for them," said Lara Salazar, CEO of Partnership Health Center, a community health clinic based in Missoula. "We see patients regardless of their socioeconomic status, offer a sliding scale fee, and accept all insurance for the 65,000 visits we get across our clinics per year," said Salazar. PHC's dental clinics provide comprehensive and emergency dental care for adults and children and see around 975 patients a month. Most mornings 10 to 20 people line up for urgent, same-day appointments at the center's downtown clinic. Some of the patients needing urgent dental care are part of Missoula's refugee population. "People are dealing with abscesses, root canals and suddenly they're in a dental chair and things are happening. It's especially scary when they haven't been to a dentist before," said Helen Maas, a senior community health specialist who works on PHC's refugee-focused health team with Htwe. "Trying to explain how the health care system works gets very complicated," she said. Federal and state laws require providers serving Medicaid patients to offer interpretation services when needed, but Medicaid reimbursement doesn't cover all the costs, said Maas. "I know this is an issue for providers in town and a reason they are not able to accommodate everyone." Patients and providers at PHC connect with medically certified interpreters via phone and video chat. Maas said the translation service is great, but sometimes it can take up to an hour to find an appropriate interpreter for less common languages, like Dari and Pashto. According to Maas, limited transportation is an additional obstacle for refugee families and can make getting to scheduled appointments particularly hard once they start working. Another challenge is appointment wait times. New patient appointments for refugee children happen soon after arrival. But adults on Medicaid often wait up to nine months for an initial dental exam at PHC or another clinic in Missoula unless they are in acute pain that prohibits eating or causes major health concerns. "Timing depends on if providers outside of Partnership are accepting new Medicaid patients, and many are not," said Maas. To help accommodate the need, some dentists in the community donate services to refugee patients. Maas hopes to see more of this in the future. In the meantime, outcomes look promising for refugees like Htwe who needed dental care after resettlement. "When I went to my appointment, the dentist set up a long-term plan for my teeth," she said. "I've had two cleaning appointments and I now have a habit of flossing." 2023 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. DAVAO CITY - Nine Filipino fishermen were missing and another died after their boat was battered by huge waves before dawn Thursday off the ... Wes Anderson gets back to the heart of things in "Asteroid City," a film about grief, performance, storytelling, the cosmos and, well, everything. Or, as one character, a playwright played by Edward Norton, says when asked what his work is about: "It's about infinity and I don't know what else." 'Asteroid City' *** 1/2 Rating: PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association for, "some suggestive material, smoking and brief graphic nudity." Run time: 104 min. Opening Friday, June 23, at the Roxy. Meticulously designed and choreographed, with a beautiful, starry cast reading his and Roman Coppola's droll words, "Asteroid City" is very, very Wes Anderson. Aren't they all? But "Asteroid City" also represents a return to form (or at least the form most people preferred) after his past two films, "Isle of Dogs" and "The French Dispatch," divided even his disciples. They worried, among other things, if style and form had finally usurped his storytelling. Regardless of whether you thought they were fun or painful or some dreadful in between, there was a palpable detachment to both films. Authentic emotion, when there at all, was strained. In this way, "Asteroid City" seems like a response to all of that an earnest and self-conscious case for making art, putting on the play, telling the story, acting the part even if you (and your audience) aren't entirely sure what you're saying. It is wrapped in a labored and stylized conceit a play within a play that's being broadcast on a television network (the 1950s show "Playhouse 90," worldlier people have noted, is the reference). And because it's a play, the American midcentury Desert West can look as set designed as Anderson wants. He didn't need a justification. Nonetheless, it's a sly deflection as is the idea that no one is really sure what the point is, embodied by Jason Schwartzman playing an actor playing a recently widowed war photographer, Augie Steenbeck, who has traveled to the desert with his brainiac son, Woodrow (Jake Ryan) and 6-year-old triplets (truly standouts). They come to Asteroid City, population 87, for the Junior Stargazer Convention, a government organized science competition in which genius kids show off inventions (jet packs, blasters, etc.) which the government then owns, as Jeffrey Wright's Gen. Grif Gibson explains. It is post-war in an anxious America where scientists are a key part of the nation's defense strategy. In the distance, atomic bombs are being tested, too. Was something in the air while things like "Asteroid City," "Oppenheimer" and even the documentary "A Compassionate Spy" were coming together? Here, the mushroom clouds are not terribly threatening though. They are, for lack of a better word, adorable. This Stargazer convention allows for an assemblage of a quirky ensemble with government types (Fisher Stevens), the brainiac kids (Grace Edwards, Sophia Lillis, Ethan Josh Lee, Aristou Meehan), their parents (Scarlett Johansson, Liev Schreiber, Hope Davis, Steve Park), the head scientist (Tilda Swinton's Dr. Hickenlooper) a school group led by Maya Hawke and some musically inclined cowboys (among them, Rupert Friend) who, I think, just missed their bus. Locals include Hank the mechanic (Matt Dillon) and the motel manager (Steve Carrell). Tom Hanks is Stanley Zak, Augie's father-in-law and a wealthy Palm Springs retiree who wears a gun in his plaid pants In the world of the play being put on, there is the director (Adrien Brody), his soon-to-be ex-wife (Hong Chau), the Lee Strasberg-y acting teacher Saltzburg Keitel (Willem Dafoe), the actress whose scene was cut (Margot Robbie), the host of the television program (Bryan Cranston) and Jeff Goldblum as, well, you'll see. As always, the names are a delightful treat. And all the actors make a meal out of their parts, no matter how small. But if there are characters with something like an arc to spotlight, that would be Schwartzman and Johansson, whose understated 50s movie star Midge Campbell might be one of her very best performances. Augie and Midge have a brief romance, mostly emotional, in that very repressed Wes Anderson way. Is this all a little confusing? Don't dismay, I think that might be part of the point. Maybe. Probably. And, in any event, it works "Asteroid City," with its sprawling cast, beautiful hues, mumbled jokes, box-within-a-box setup, references that only the 80+ crowd may truly get and retro-cool soundtrack, actually makes you feel things even if it can't quite make sense of itself. "Just keep telling the story," as Brody Schubert Green says to his actor looking for answers and motivations, is advice that could be interpreted as a shrug. Or maybe it's actually everything "Asteroid City" makes a pretty compelling case. Downtown Missoula streets and trail systems will see vast updates after a nearly $25 million federal grant was awarded to the City of Missoula Thursday. The grant will go to the Downtown Safety, Access & Mobility (SAM) project focused on addressing safety and connectivity issues in the downtown area. Projects will make streets more open to multi-modal transportation by updating Higgins Avenue from a four-lane street to a three-lane street, changing Front Street and Main Street to two-way streets and creating protected bike lanes along Higgins. Missoula Mayor Jordan Hess said that the grant will make for a complete rebuild of the infrastructure on the streets with updated traffic lights and general modernization of streets. The project will also fund widening of the Riverfront trail as well as improve accessibility. Missoula City Council approved the application for the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant in February for the planned projects. Hess said since facing opposition from businesses earlier this year around construction itself and the potential that 52 parking spots could be lost, many have turned around on the project. We've found a lot of common ground with some of the folks who were initially opposed to the project, Hess said. I think we have a lot of opportunities through the design phase to address specific concerns that people have and to mitigate specific issues that people might have. In an update Wednesday to members of Missoula City Council, Public Works and Mobility Director Jeremy Keene said he would expect construction around the project to begin in 2025. Design plans will likely begin next year after the city completes its study and analysis of parking in the area. Hess noted the past efficiency the city has had with federally granted projects, such as the first phase of the Mullan BUILD project finishing recently after starting on it five years ago. We're really good at delivering federal projects in a timely manner, Hess said. And we'll try to do the same in terms of this project. This will be a complicated project as developing in the downtown areas has its own unique complications, but we'll just do what we always do in this event. Hess said this grant wouldnt have been possible without Sen. Jon Tester, calling him a great partner for Missoula. Tester helped support funding for RAISE grants through his sponsorship of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Tester was the only member of Montanas congressional delegation to support the bill. Missoula has been growing pretty darn fast for many decades now, Tester said in an interview on Thursday. And then when you have a growing community, infrastructure has to keep up with the growth. Otherwise, it puts you at an economic disadvantage. Hopefully, this RAISE grant will allow them to continue to be very competitive for business and for jobs. Hamilton also received $877,275 in funding from the RAISE Grant for upgrades to Main Street and Marcus Street. The projects also focus around improving safety for all modes of transportation for roads next to Highway 93 which runs through Hamilton. Tester said the RAISE grant and his past sponsorship of the infrastructure bill will help support a vibrant economy. With building it means jobs and good paying jobs building this infrastructure project. Second thing it does is it helps all of Montana to transition into the 21st century with 21st-century transportation. State-managed pubic lands around Columbia Falls could get parking access and an updated latrine under two proposals from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. One project proposes to build a 164-by-45-foot gravel parking area along U.S. Highway 2 to provide formal access to the Bad Rock Canyon Wildlife Management Area. The other project proposes replacing the latrine at the Teakettle Fishing Access Site with a newer, cleaner latrine located farther from the Flathead River. FWP is accepting comments on the parking lot proposal until 5 p.m. June 27. Those comments can be sent to Franz Ingelfinger, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 490 North Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901, or FIngelfinger@mt.gov. The agency is accepting comments on the latrine proposal until 5 p.m. on June 30. Those comments can be sent to Tony Powell, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 490 North Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901, or TPowell@mt.gov. The Bad Rock Canyon parking lot project proposes a gravel lot alongside the northwest side of the highway 1 mile northeast of the intersection with State Highway 206, approximately halfway between Columbia Falls and Hungry Horse. FWP acquired the Wildlife Management Area in 2021 and has been building trails on it since then, according to an environmental assessment for the project but the site lacks a parking area. Visitors currently park along the highway. The planned parking area will accommodate 12 vehicles. The lot would feature an information kiosk and would be gated during winter closures. The agency hopes to complete the project in September. The Teakettle latrine project proposes the replacement and relocation of the existing latrine at the river access site on the western bank of where Highway 2 crosses the Flathead River in Columbia Falls, on the south side of the road. The 3-acre site has parking capacity for 50 vehicles and is a popular take-out location for people floating the river, according to an environmental assessment for the project. It tallied 37,926 vehicle visits in 2022. The existing single-vault latrine is 30 years old, according to FWP, has a leaky roof and lacks an exterior hatch for pumping out sewage. The latrine's antiquated design allows foul odors to build up inside, the department stated, more so than modern designs. The current latrine is also located closer to the river than allowed by current sanitation standards. The project would remove the current latrine and replace it with a modern double-vault latrine about 65 feet northwest, farther from the river but still within the same circular expanse of grass as the current latrine. The new latrine would have a 2,000-gallon capacity four-times the current latrine an exterior pump-out hatch and improved ventilation. It would also be located next to handicapped parking spots and would be wheelchair accessible. The agency hopes to complete the estimated $25,000 project in summer or fall this year. A huge sack of federal government money is headed to Missoula and it will build a new electric bus facility. Mountain Line, which runs a fare-free bus system and other transportation programs in town, has been selected for a $39.1 million award from the Federal Transit Administration. The funding comes from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and is aimed at helping Mountain Line move closer to its goal of reaching zero tailpipe emissions by 2035. "Reliable, affordable public transit plays a key role in supporting our states economy and creating good-paying Montana jobs, said U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, who voted for the bill. This funding for a new central Mountain Line operations facility will make waves in the Missoula community by increasing traffic to local businesses, lowering costs for commuters, and improving the efficiency of our public transportation system. Projects like this one are what the bipartisan infrastructure law is all about, and Im proud to have played a role in getting this done. The Missoula Urban Transportation District, which operates Mountain Line, has been at its current headquarters on Shakespeare Street for more than four decades. The lack of sufficient space has hampered its ability to prepare for Missoula's increasing population and the corresponding demand for public transit, especially in areas of dense development and new housing, according to Mountain Line CEO and general manager Corey Aldridge. "Mountain Line is thrilled to get this vote of confidence from the FTA," he said. "Our biggest need right now is a new facility to better serve a rapidly growing Missoula, and this funding will allow us to fulfill that need." The money will build a new Maintenance, Operations and Administration Base, and Mountain Line is seeking a new location for the facility. The federal funds require a 20% local match, which the agency has been preparing for in recent years. The new headquarters will be fully electric and will probably be built in multiple phases. Sen. Steve Daines voted against the federal infrastructure bill, calling it reckless spending, but wrote a letter in support of Mountain Line's proposal. Since 2017, Mountain Line has received multiple competitive federal awards under the Low and No-Emissions and Bus and Bus Facilities programs to fund its transition to a battery-electric fleet, including a $10.9 million award last August to buy 10 new electric buses. This award comes at a pivotal moment for Mountain Line and Missoula, said Mountain Line projects and planning manager Colin Woodrow. This funding leverages local money to meet current space and programming needs and addresses Missoulas growing demand and Mountain Lines future growth, as well as reaching other key strategic goals, including those shared by the city and county. Mountain Line still hasn't decided on a new site, but the two options being looked at are just north of the Scott Street Bridge and out by the airport. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden on Thursday pronounced the U.S.-India relationship never stronger and rolled out new business deals with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as human rights activists and American lawmakers questioned the administration's decision to honor the leader with a pomp-filled state visit. In a joint news conference with Modi, Biden called the relationship between the U.S. and India among the most consequential in the world and "more dynamic than at any time in history." He underscored how two of the world's most powerful democracies were cooperating on issues such as the climate, health care and space, saying the U.S-India economic relationship is "booming." Modi bristled at a reporter's question about his country's commitment to democratic values as the country has seen an erosion of religious, political and press freedoms under his watch. "Democracy is our spirit," Modi, who rarely takes questions from journalists, said through an interpreter. "Democracy runs in our veins. We live democracy and our ancestors have actually put words to this concept." He said India "proved that democracies can deliver and when I say deliver, this is regardless of class, creed, religion, gender." Yet Modi has faced criticism over legislation amending the country's citizenship law that fast-tracks naturalization for some migrants but excludes Muslims, a rise in violence against Muslims and other religious minorities by Hindu nationalists, and the recent conviction of India's top opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, for mocking Modi's surname. Later in his address to a joint meeting of Congress, Modi insisted that in India "diversity is a natural way of life." "We are home to all faiths in the world, and we celebrate all of them," he added, bringing many cheering lawmakers to their feet. A group of more than 70 lawmakers wrote to Biden this week urging him to raise concerns about the erosion of religious, press and political freedoms during the visit. At least six Democratic lawmakers Democratic Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Greg Casar of Texas, Jamaal Bowman and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York boycotted Modi's address because of concerns about his human rights records. "When it comes to standing up for human rights, actions speak louder than words," Bush, Tlaib, Omar and Bowman said in a joint statement. "By bestowing Prime Minister Modi with the rare honor of a joint address, Congress undermines its ability to be a credible advocate for the rights of religious minorities and journalists around the world." The state visit, just the third of the Biden's presidency, was certainly a glitzy affair. Thousands gathered on the White House South Lawn for the welcoming ceremony. At the event, Modi called the Indian diaspora in America the millions of immigrants and their children from the subcontinent living in the U.S. "the real strength" of the U.S.-India relationship. He said the honor of a formal state visit the first in the U.S. for India since 2009 reflected the positive impact Indians are having worldwide. Standing beside Modi, Biden emphasized that press, religious and other fundamental freedoms should be at the core of how both democracies operate. During their Oval Office meeting, Biden said he and Modi had a "good discussion about democratic values" while Modi said "there's absolutely no space for discrimination" when pressed about his own commitment on human rights. Later, Modi told Congress that "our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy" as the two countries expand partnerships in defense, semiconductor manufacturing and other industries. He also cheered the "samosa caucus"the six U.S. House members of Indian descentand Vice President Kamala Harris, who is Black and of Indian descent, as examples of the impact of diaspora. Biden administration officials say honoring Modi, the leader of the conservative Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, is Diplomacy 101. The U.S.-India relationship will be vital in coming decades as both sides navigate an ascendant China, climate change, artificial intelligence, supply chain resilience and other issues. Among the announcements Thursday is an agreement that will allow U.S.-based General Electric to partner with India-based Hindustan Aeronautics to produce jet engines for Indian aircraft in India and the sale of U.S.-made armed MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones. The Biden administration also is coming out with plans to bolster India's semiconductor industry. U.S.-based Micron Technology agreed to build a $2.75 billion semiconductor assembly and test facility in India, with Micron spending $800 million and India financing the rest. U.S.-based Applied Materials is announcing it will launch a new semiconductor center for commercialization and innovation in India, and Lam Research, another semiconductor manufacturing equipment company, will start a training program for 60,000 Indian engineers. India will sign on to the Artemis Accords, a blueprint for space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA's lunar exploration plans. NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization also agreed to make a joint mission to the International Space Station next year. Biden and Modi have had differences over Russia's war in Ukraine. Modi, before Congress, said the war is causing great pain in Ukraine and having residual effects on Europe and beyond. Later Thursday, Modi attended a lavish White House state dinner in his honor. A jury deliberated just over three hours Thursday before finding Martin Bradley Coleman guilty of attempted deliberate homicide for shooting a man at a house in Butte in June 2022. The six-man, six-woman jury also found Coleman guilty on a weapon-enhancement charge and felony drug possession for having methamphetamine at an apartment where police found him six hours after the shooting. Coleman, 37, showed little emotion as the verdicts were read and after he spoke with friends or relatives briefly from the defense table, officers cuffed him around the hands and waist and led him to jail. District Judge Kurt Krueger thanked jurors for their service, ordered a pre-sentence investigation and will sentence Coleman later. He faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and maximum of 100 years for the attempted homicide conviction, up to 10 more for using a weapon at the time and up to five years for the drug conviction. Prosecutors say Coleman brought a gun to a fist fight and shot Anthony Worth twice in the abdomen during an altercation at a house on East Park Place on June 11, 2022. They say after an injured Worth stopped fighting, Coleman delivered a kill shot to the back of his head but it didnt work. Worth survived. Coleman testified that Worth attacked him in the doorway and was punching and choking him. So, fearing for his life, he said he grabbed his loose 9mm handgun off the floor and fired three quick shots while turning and facing Worth before fleeing. The trial began Monday and after three days of testimony, prosecutors and defense attorneys gave closing arguments Thursday morning. The jury began deliberations at 11 a.m. and reached a verdict by 2:30 p.m. Kelli Fivey, who tried the case with fellow prosecutors Ann Shea and Aaron Rains, said they were pleased with the verdict. Anthony has been through a lot since that day, Fivey told The Montana Standard. Were just grateful the jury put in the time and was thoughtful and thoroughly went through the evidence and made a determination that supported the charges. Prosecutors believe Coleman and a woman at the house that day, Sheena Falcon, were romantically involved, and Fivey said they set up the shooting. Worth and Falcon had been in an off-and-on relationship for years and just days after the shooting, it was clear from recorded phone calls Coleman made from jail that Coleman and Falcon were together. They said they were just neighbors and friends, but it got more serious during phone calls after the shooting. Prosecutors said that simply wasnt believable, nor were Falcons claims of not seeing what happened. They are planning a future together, Fivey told jurors Thursday. "He (Worth) is the only person in the way of that wonderful future. Worth acknowledged in his testimony that after Coleman made a terse comment, he grabbed Coleman by the neck and punched him in the eye, and they began wrestling. But he said he never choked Coleman, was never on top of him, did not have a weapon himself and never threatened to kill him. Worth said he quit fighting after he was shot in the abdomen and begged Coleman to stop. Instead, Shea said, The defendant stands behind him and shoots him in the back of the head. Shea said after that kill shot, Coleman hid out at a friends apartment for six hours until police found him. Doctors who treated Coleman found no indications he had been choked and concluded that one bullet entered from behind Worths left ear and exited through his mouth. Two shell casings were found on one side of the room while another was on the opposite side, another indication Coleman fired the third shot from behind, prosecutors said. Coleman said he stopped at Falcons house to bring her a pack of cigarettes and could hear Worth yelling and Falcon screaming. He said he knocked on the door and after Worth swung it open, he tossed the cigarettes to Falcon. Coleman said he and Worth exchanged words then Worth shoved him, started punching and choking him and said he was going to kill him. Coleman testified that he had only recently acquired the gun but carried it with him most places for protection. He said it somehow came loose during the altercation but he was able to grab it and fire it three times in self-defense. As defense attorney Mark Johnson gave closing arguments, photos of Colemans own injuries were shown to jurors on a large TV screen. He had a black eye, a cut above an eyebrow and a scrape to his head. At one point, defense lawyer Suzanne Marshall Malloy enlarged the photos, and Johnson pointed to what he said were markings and bruising on Colemans neck. He said Coleman only shot the gun as a last resort and if he truly wanted to kill Worth, he would have fired right away, taken better aim and not left four rounds in the gun. At the end of the day, if Mr. Coleman hadnt taken reasonable measures to defend himself, he might not be sitting here today, and a little 11-year-old boy would be growing up without his father, Johnson said. Fivey said Falcon and Coleman set up the confrontation and their stories were not believable. Anthony Worth was a sitting duck that day, he just didnt know it, she said. It typically takes weeks and sometimes months before pre-sentence reports are finalized and defendants are sentenced. It has been one year since the Dobbs decision eliminated the federally protected right to abortion. The path laid before us last June has set a tone of fear for millions of Americans, throwing legality and access to care into chaos with 20 states now having bans or restrictions. Here in Montana with the 2023 legislative session having ended in early May, we saw attacks on the right to abortion and bodily autonomy, with record numbers of bills having been brought forward by legislators. However, Montanans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the right to abortion remains legal and safe. With the amount of national news, emotions involved, and the number of bills passed this session at home, it may feel difficult to know where your rights stand and to summarize exactly what happened in Helena. After Gov. Gianforte signed into law anti-abortion legislation, its important to reiterate that abortion rights are still legal and safe in Montana. Patients in the state have seen no changes in care due to litigation on signed bills, and one Department of Health and Human Services rule that would have effectively eliminated Medicaid recipients access to abortion care. Montanans need to know that we can access safe abortion, and Medicaid patients can utilize benefits. Montanans deserve the ability to make good lives for ourselves and our families. We are grateful to legislative champions that work tirelessly for the communities they represent and the values that Montanans share: individual freedoms; the ability to live, work, and raise a family in Montana; a healthy environment and access to public lands; and the spirit of neighborliness. This legislative session showed Montana that lawmakers are working against the best interests of everyday people by working tooth and nail to dial back the rights of women, LGBTQIA2S+ people, BIPOC communities, people living in the most rural and remote communities of our state, renters, working families, and people receiving public assistance benefits like Medicaid. We honor a victory for our state in Rep. Alice Buckleys bill to expand birth control coverage from six to twelve months, which passed with bipartisan support, making affordable birth control more accessible. We saw three anti-abortion bills tabled in committee, one that never made it to second reading on the last day of the session, as well as zero constitutional amendments targeting individual privacy and abortion rights. So, while it was a difficult session, it was not without celebration. In an era of culture wars, while Montanans have issues like access to health care, housing, funding programs for families and children, and climate change to grapple with, Republicans worked relentlessly to pass laws attacking the privacy of Montanans despite support for our state constitution, abortion access, and affordable health care from across Montana. Although the session has adjourned, our work continues and we invite you to show up for the rights of your fellow Montanan. We all deserve to have lawmakers that work for us, not against us. Voice your support by writing a letter to the editor in your local newspaper about your support for abortion and your Montana values. Share your story, whether it's about affordable birth control or the right to abortion. Ultimately, we can help show lawmakers and each other just what we're fighting and advocating for; the future of Montana and the health, happiness, and opportunity of our communities. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is releasing a second, updated edition of Preach My Gospel, a guide for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Nineteen years and 5 million printed copies later, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is releasing a second, updated edition of Preach My Gospel, a guide for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Thursday announcement was made first in a prerecorded video from President Russell M. Nelson to the 138 couples participating in the 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, followed by a late-morning briefing to local media gathered at the MTC and a noon public release on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Related This new edition comes at a time when the world is rapidly changing and reflects the sensitivity to many of those changes, said President Nelson in the video introduction. It contains some of the best instruction Ive ever seen, to help people accept the Lords invitation to come unto Him. Preach My Gospel was originally published in 2004 and introduced that June at a similar seminar for new mission leaders. A key change in the new edition is in the manuals subtitle found on the cover. The original edition was titled Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Work, and the second editions is Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The hope is that Preach My Gospel is seen and used by church members as a resource for them and not just a guide for missionaries. Missionaries walk through campus at the Missionary Training Center in Provo on Thursday, June 22, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News As of this month, the church has 68,000 young teaching and service missionaries and senior missionaries serving across the globe, up from 56,000 at the end of 2021. Missionaries currently serve in 150 countries and teach in 60 languages. The update, the church says, addresses the ever-changing needs and circumstances of many throughout the world by applying the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. The guide not only helps missionaries in finding and teaching, including the use of technology such as teaching online and through social media, but it also encourages local members in their work in sharing the gospel with others, working with missionaries and strengthening new converts. The updated second edition of Preach My Gospel is available online in the Gospel Library app in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish, with additional languages to be available after the first of 2024. Also, printed manuals in the first four languages are expected to be available to the public by the end of the year. From the 1950s to the 1980s, the churchs full-time missionaries used one of several versions of standardized discussions, followed by a publication called Missionary Guide: Training for Missionaries, signaling a more uniform system for teaching the gospel. Similar to the timing between the first and second editions of Preach My Gospel, the Missionary Guide was used for two decades until the 2004 introduction of Preach My Gospel. For more, visit TheChurchNews.com. A grand jury in Harris County, Texas, on Thursday indicted a man on a murder charge in connection with last years shooting death of Takeoff, a member of the rap group Migos. Patrick Clark, 33, was arrested in connection with the death in December. Takeoff, 28, was shot to death outside a private party at 810 Billiards and Bowling in Houston on November 1, authorities said. There was an argument outside the bowling alley which led to the shooting, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said at the time. Another man, Cameron Joshua, was arrested and charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon in relation to the shooting. Police described Takeoff as an innocent bystander to the argument that preceded the shooting. In the arraignment document, the state claims Clark unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly commit the felony offense of deadly conduct by knowingly discharging a firearm at and in the direction of Takeoff. Clarks defense attorney, Letitia Quinones-Hollins, told CNN that the indictment was expected. We would ask people to remember that getting an indictment requires meeting a very, very minimal standard of proof, she said in a statement. When we get inside a courtroom and in front of a jury, where we will be able to put on our evidence and cross-examine the states witnesses where the standard of proof is guilt beyond reasonable doubt we expect the jury will come back with a verdict of not guilty. Clark remains under house arrest on $1 million bond. Takeoff was the youngest member of the trio Migos, alongside his uncle Quavo and rapper Offset. Artists including Justin Bieber and Drake remembered Takeoff as a talented rapper and loving friend and family member at his memorial last year. CNNs Chris Boyette contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Work in Burke, a collaborative initiative between The Industrial Commons and Burke Development Inc., has been selected as one of only two recipients in North Carolina for the prestigious NCWorks Local Innovation Fund grant. The grant will address the high percentage of Opportunity Youth in Burke County and support innovative internship and employment programs for young people as they build their future career and education pathways. Sarah Crisp, Work in Burkes program manager, expressed gratitude for being selected as one of the recipients, saying, This grant was highly competitive, and we are honored to be one of only two organizations chosen in the state. Work in Burke continues to expand our programming for the community, and this would not be possible without the support of all of our partners. Burke County currently has the third-highest rate of Opportunity Youth in North Carolina, standing at 22%. Opportunity Youth can be defined as young individuals between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither employed nor enrolled in school or postsecondary education. The project aims to increase post-secondary credential attainment and establish local workforce connections, empowering students and individuals in Burke County to pursue gainful employment in skilled pathways. The NCWorks Local Innovation Fund is a highly competitive grant program that supports communities in piloting innovative programs or replicating successful models to address workforce challenges at the local or regional level. Only two grants are awarded statewide, making this achievement a testament to Work in Burkes commitment to creating impactful change. The grant will primarily support the OPT-IN (Opportunity Internship) program, which provides an eight-week exploratory internship experience for recent high school graduates. Launched in 2022, OPT-IN succeeded with 15 graduates in the first year and the 2023 cohort began their summer programming on June 19. OPT-IN consists of three key components: professional development training, work experience and mentorship. Additionally, the funding will contribute to the launch of JET (Jobs, Education, and Training), a sister program to OPT-IN but specifically designed for Opportunity Youth aged 18-24. The JET program will launch in the fall. In addition to The Industrial Commons and Burke Development Inc., collaborators for this initiative include Burke County Public Schools, Western Piedmont Community College, Burke NCWorks Career Center and the Western Piedmont Workforce Development Board. For more information about the NCWorks Local Innovation Fund, visit https://bit.ly/468sWMJ. The Industrial Commons is a 501(3) founded in 2015. Its mission is to rebuild a diverse working class based on locally rooted wealth. They do this by founding and scaling employee-owned social enterprises, creating industry networks and delivering a suite of workforce development and youth engagement programs. To learn more about TIC, visit www.theindustrialcommons.org or sign up for its next community open house at www.theindustrialcommons.org/connect. Butte-Silver Bow officials say 2023 Assessment Notices will be mailed by June 30. The Montana Department of Revenue is mailing property classification and appraisal notices to all owners of residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural land properties, according to a news release. The notices will include the departments determination of market value and taxable value. These notices are not a tax bill. The Department of Revenue provides an estimate of taxes based on the 2022 mill levy. This estimate, provided by the department, could be significantly different than your tax bill as the local government is anticipating that the reappraisal conducted by the state, on average, has increased market values. Therefore the local government does not anticipate levying the same number of mills for fiscal year 2024 (property tax year 2023). The notice will not include city services that are included on your tax bill and the 2023 mill levy. Property owners have only 30 days from the date on the notice to request an informal classification and appraisal review of the market value assessed by the Department of Revenue (Form AB26). The Butte-Silver Bow local officials urge property owners to review their assessment notice and contact the Department of Revenue with any questions. The staff at the City-County of Butte-Silver Bow cannot answer questions related to your appraisal or give guidance on the AB26 form. The State of Montana, Department of Revenue, is statutorily required to complete the market appraisals every two years. The following link can explain this process: bit.ly/txntc23. Find contact information for local Montana Department of Revenue field offices by visiting MTRevenue.gov/contact/ or by calling 406-444-6900, or Montana Relay at 711 for hearing impaired. Butte-Silver Bow local government and the Montana Department of Revenue will be hosting two town halls for property owners. The first will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on July 10 at the Butte-Silver Bow Archives, 17 W. Quartz St. The second will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 12 at the Butte Justice Center, 3619 Wynne Ave. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) on Thursday recognized the 27 students who graduated from Muscatine Community Colleges (MCC) High School Equivalency (HSE) program with a special ceremony at Muscatine High School. This years graduates are Jessica Alvarado, Yancy Bailey, Blake Barber, Caleb Bleiu, Nicole Bristol, Erica Delano, Austin DeMeyer, Maya Garrido, Nicolas Garrido, Dylan Grage, Katlin Graham, Lucas Graves, Heath Halling, Katlyn Isom, Steven Kisner, Connor Lewis, Issac Mariani, Gabriella Murray, Max Paetz, Eleazar Perez, Andrea Reyes, Arianna Rios, Shelby Ritchie, Alejandra Segura, Aubrey Skidmore, Connie Smith and Eric Teel. Throughout the programs history, it has allowed those from late teens to middle and older ages to receive their HSE diploma, thus allowing them to pursue further goals in their career aspects as well as feel personally satisfied with their achievement. Our program is really important for those who didnt make it in the traditional classroom setting, said Karri Frank, MCCs assistant dean of adult education. Sometimes its for students who got really behind in their graduation credits because (during the pandemic) the online platform didnt work for them, but were also serving students who are a lot older, and we have graduates in our program that are in their 50s and 60s who maybe never got their HSE because for whatever reason they dropped out. In order to earn their diploma, students must take the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) and receive minimum average scores in the tests five subject areas, including reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. An overall minimum average score is also required. Featured in this years graduates ceremony were remarks from EICC administrators, program staff, and four of this years graduates. Family, and community partners were invited to help celebrate the achievements of these students. Weve had a lot of students this year who have had to overcome a lot of obstacles, Frank said, adding that while some students didnt pass their tests the first time around, others have had to travel to other locations for individual tutoring instruction or had to juggle children, full-time jobs and other responsibilities during their time with the program. But theyre still here, trying to get through our program so they can be successful, she said. Its been really encouraging this year to see how many students have stuck with it even though theyve had a lot of obstacles. Its taken a lot of perseverance on their part and this is a huge accomplishment for them. In addition to their HSE diploma, students who complete the program have received a scholarship for three credit hours from either a credit or non-credit EICC career class from the college to help them continue their education. The EICC HSE program provides services free-of-charge to all who qualify, which includes most students. For more information about the HSE program or its availability, visit https://eicc.edu/classes-programs/pathway/culinary-education/ged-hiset/. Photos: Rock Island High School graduation Opportunity is ripe for Republicans to win back the Senate next year if they can land the candidates to pull it off. The GOP needs a net gain of one or two seats to flip the chamber, depending on which party wins the White House in 2024, and it's Democrats who are defending the tougher seats. Democrats hold seven of the 10 seats that CNN ranks as most likely to flip party control next year and the top three are all in states former President Donald Trump carried twice. But this spring's recruitment season, coming on the heels of a midterm cycle marred by problematic GOP candidates, will likely go a long way toward determining how competitive the Senate map is next year. National Republicans got a top pick last week, with Gov. Jim Justice announcing his Senate bid in West Virginia the seat most likely to flip party control in 2024. (Rankings are based on CNN's reporting, fundraising figures and historical data about how states and candidates have performed.) But Justice appears headed for a contentious and expensive primary. And in many other top races, the GOP hasn't yet landed any major candidates. Democrats, meanwhile, are thankful that most of their vulnerable incumbents are running for reelection, while a high-profile House member has largely cleared the field for one of their open Senate seats. The unknown remains West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin. Responding to Justice's candidacy, Manchin who has said he'll decide about running by the end of the year had this to say to CNN about a potentially messy GOP primary: "Let the games begin." The anti-tax Club for Growth's political arm has already committed to spending $10 million to back West Virginia Rep. Alex Mooney in the GOP primary. And tensions between the club, which has turned against Trump, and more establishment Republicans could become a feature of several top Senate races this cycle, especially with the National Republican Senatorial Committee weighing more aggressive involvement in primaries to weed out candidates it doesn't think can win general elections. In the 2022 cycle, most of Trump's handpicked candidates in swing states stumbled in the general election. But the former president picked up a key endorsement this week from NRSC Chair Steve Daines. The Montana Republican has stayed close with Trump, CNN has previously reported, in a bid to ensure he's aligned with leadership. Democrats defending tough seats have previously used GOP primaries to their advantage. Manchin survived in 2018 in part because his opponent was state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. That wasn't an accident. Democrats had spent big attacking one of his primary opponents to keep him out of the general election. Last year's midterms underscored that candidates really do matter after Republicans failed to harness favorable national winds in some key races. In a presidential year, the national environment is likely to loom large, especially with battleground states hosting key Senate races. It will also test whether some of the last remaining senators who represent states that back the opposite parties' presidential nominees can hold on. President Joe Biden, who carried half of the states on this list in 2020, made official last week that he's running for reelection. The GOP presidential field is slowly growing, with Trump still dominating most primary polling. It's too early to know, however, what next year's race for the White House will look like or which issues, whether it's abortion or crime or the economy, will resonate. So for now, the parties are focused on what they can control: candidates. Even though the 2024 map is stacked in their favor, Republicans can't win with nobody. But there's plenty of time for would-be senators to get into these races. Some filing deadlines in Arizona, for example aren't for nearly another year. And there's an argument to be made that well-funded or high-profile names have no reason to get in early. Iowa Democratic lawmakers have implored Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to apply for federal assistance to help provide food for Iowa school children during summer break. Iowa state Sens. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-Waukee, and Izaah Knox, D-Des Moines, and state Rep. Sean Bagniewski, D-Des Moines, sent a letter to Reynolds Thursday urging the governor to take advantage of the U.S. Department of Agricultures Pandemic EBT program. The program provides families with children extra benefits for groceries when their kids arent receiving meals from school. Created as part of federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools and child care centers were closed or operating with reduced hours or attendance, families with children receiving free or reduced-price meals could apply for a debit-type card to purchase food to make up for missing school meals. As of Thursday afternoon, Iowa was one of 10 states that had not applied for funding for the summer. A total of 14 states have not yet been approved, according to a USDA website. Four have applied and are in the process of being approved, according to Senate Democrats. Iowa participated in the pandemic EBT program last year, providing food assistance benefits to school children in grades K-12 who were eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals during the 2021-22 school year, and to school children who were newly determined eligible for meal benefits during the summer months. State officials estimated they would issue $91.9 million to approximately 235,000 school children, and $18.1 million to about 46,400 SNAP-enrolled children in child care, according to the states USDA-approved plan for summer 2022. With the ending of the public health emergency, SNAP-enrolled children in child care no longer qualify for the extra benefit. For the summer, families in participating states with children eligible for free or reduced lunch during the 2022-23 school year will receive up to $120 per child. In Iowa, 1 in 11 children faces hunger, with 40% of households receiving SNAP benefits, according to Feeding America. Our state government is responsible for promoting and protecting the health and well-being of our citizens, and our children in particular, the lawmakers wrote to Reynolds. Food is a basic need. If we want our children to grow up healthy, excel in their education, and be active in our community, they need to be fed. Practical, beneficial programs like Pandemic EBT are an important way to help Iowa kids." The lawmakers urged Reynolds to direct state departments to submit a plan for the summer USDA Pandemic EBT program, and not leave federal money on the table while so many Iowa children are at risk of going hungry. The governors office and representatives with Iowas departments of education and health and human services did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Thursday afternoon. Correction: This article has been corrected to reflect that 10 states have not yet applied for summer food funding and four have applied but are still in the process of being approved. Photos: Augustana College 163rd Commencement Augustana College Class of '23 Saturday at the Vibrant Arena at The Mark. 052723-qc-nws-augie-258 052723-qc-nws-augie-235 052723-qc-nws-augie-044a.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-070a.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-076a.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-255 052723-qc-nws-augie-225 052723-qc-nws-augie-059a.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-252 052723-qc-nws-augie-290 052723-qc-nws-augie-288 052723-qc-nws-augie-132a.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-328 052723-qc-nws-augie-143a.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-171a.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-161a.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-351 052723-qc-nws-augie-343 052723-qc-nws-augie-334 052723-qc-nws-augie-375 052723-qc-nws-augie-089a.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-196 052723-qc-nws-augie-019.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-229 052723-qc-nws-augie-278 052723-qc-nws-augie-106a.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-011.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-041.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-008.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-063.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-079.JPG 052723-qc-nws-augie-302 Felix Orinda, also known as DJ Evolve, testified in a Nairobi court, affirming that he did not see Embakasi East MP Babu Owino carrying a firearm on the day he was shot. While testifying as a defence witness in a case where the lawmaker is charged with misuse of a firearm, DJ Evolve told Milimani senior Principal magistrate Bernard Ochoi on Thursday that on the night of January 16th and 17th 2020, he met Babu Owino at B club where they had conversations as friends. Did you see Babu Owino with a gun? Defence lawyer Duncan Okatch posed. To which DJ Evolve responded: No, we were just having conversations. DJ Evolve said he remembers finding himself in a vehicle as he was being rushed to a hospital. I was injured by a bullet but I dont know from which gunI just found myself in a vehicle to hospitalI came to find out that Babu Owino was supporting me and as a friend I expected my friends to look after me. The DJ testified that Owino has been supporting him since the shooting incident. RELATED Babu Owino Tells Court Amount Spent on DJ Evolve Owino has been supporting me and continues to support me. I have received medical, utility and general well-being support. No other person has come to support me, he testified during the virtual court proceedings. Babu Owinos second witness, his bodyguard and personal assistant Edwin Otieno, claimed the lawmakers firearm was faulty. Otieno testified that a day before the incident t B Club, Owinos firearm had jammed at a shooting range. I had told Babu Owino to take his gun for a check-up after he said it jammed. I checked and noticed that the firearm had a technical issue, Otieno said, adding that a gun cannot fire if it has jammed. Otieno testified that during their visit to the club, he saw Babu Owibo consume two cans of energy drink and water. After leaving the club at 5 am, he instructed Charles Otieno, the person responsible for security at the club, to return the firearm to Owino. Charles Otieno, a security officer at B club, verified that he was indeed the one who securely stored Babu Owinos firearm at the club. He said he returned it to him while they were in the car as they accompanied DJ Evolve to the hospital. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Thursday arrested a police officer stationed at Mumias Police Station in Kakamega County on charges of soliciting and accepting a bribe. Corporal Joshua Ouma Oduor was apprehended for allegedly demanding and receiving a bribe in order to release a motor vehicle that had been impounded at the station. The vehicle in question was impounded on allegations that the license plate was not clearly visible. Following a complaint lodged by the motorist at the EACCs Bungoma office, detectives from the anti-graft watchdog swiftly responded and caught the suspect while he was in the process of receiving the bribe. The officer was escorted to EACC Bungoma Office, where he underwent processing awaiting further action today, Friday, June 23. EACC strongly discouraged public officials from engaging in corrupt practices such as demanding bribes from Kenyans while carrying out their official duties. It is not only criminal but also immoral for a public official to expect, solicit or demand bribes from citizens, for whatever reason, says the EACC. Passengers aboard an SGR Madaraka Express train experienced a heartwarming moment as a fellow traveler gave birth with the assistance of a doctor and nurse who happened to be on board. As the train from Nairobi to Mombasa neared the coastal city, a woman onboard suddenly went into labor, necessitating immediate medical assistance. Kenya Railways said the doctor and a nurse who were on board were also assisted by a passenger attendant to deliver the bundle of joy. We were blessed to have Dr Indanyenyi Luseso onboard who performed the delivery, assisted by Ms Fauziya Lugogo, a nurse at the Kenyatta National Hospital, and our Madaraka Express passenger attendant Mary Nyiha, KR said in a social media statement on Wednesday. After giving birth,she was rushed to Mariakani subcounty hospital for further medical assistance. Kenya Railways also noted that both the mother and the baby were fine. Following the news of the birth on the train, Kenyans took social media to congratule the new mother. Some suggested naming the baby Madaraka, while others urged Kenya Railways to provide the child with a lifelong access pass to the express service as a gesture of goodwill. The Green Park Bus Terminus, once hailed as the solution to the traffic gridlock within the Nairobi City center, is s complete fail, Nairobi Governor Johson Sakkaja has admitted. Sakaja said the bus station, constructed by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) at a cost of Ksh180 million, has remained unused as it failed to pass four test runs. The Green Park Station is the most prime piece of land in East Africa, 5 acres in the CBD. It was not supposed to be a bus terminal. All of the trials that have been tried even during NMS time failed, he said on the JKLive Show. Sakaja announced alternative plans to construct a large conference facility on the parcel of land. The county boss indicated that there are considerations to develop a convention center similar to the Kigali Convention Centre. He explained that such a move would not only attract more investors to the capital but also contribute to increased revenue collection for the country. Picture this, you land in Nairobi from abroad and in five minutes, you exit the expressway into the centre. There is a mall and other facilities. That is something were exploring doing under Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). People have expressed interest in building hotels in the conference facility, Sakaja said. The governor cited challenges faced in persuading long-distance buses to terminate their journeys at the terminus as another reason for abandoning the multimillion project. The day of judgment has arrived for the Hunter project this time for real. Download the Napa Valley Register's free news app Easily access the very latest local news that matters in an app built for you. Read, see, and hear exclusive commentary, stunning photography, 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, June 26, 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 Wednesday, June 14 1455 Medical aid on Pine Street. Download the Napa Valley Register's free news app Easily access the very latest local news that matters in an app built for you. Read, see, and hear exclusive commentary, stunning photography, Thursday, June 15 1119 Medical aid for a stroke patient on San Juan Court. 1229 Report of a possible drunk driver in a white box truck speeding near Pope/Silverado. Police determined the driver was not drunk. 1454 Report of a blue SUV parked in a red zone on Main Street. Police contacted its owner. 1510 Medical aid for a patient passed out near Main Street. 1603 Medical aid for a person with chest pain on Main Street. 2021 Police cited a driver near Main/Adams. 2141 Following a traffic stop on Main Street, police arrested a 36-year-old woman on suspicion of DUI and driving with a suspended license. Friday, June 16 0417 Report of a leaf blower going for 20 minutes near McCorkle Avenue. 0938 Report of two cars parked on Kearney Street for at least three or four days. 1137 A caller received a suspicious package addressed to him, but he hadnt ordered anything from the company. He opened it and two cans containing chocolate were spilled inside. 1542 Report of a water leak in front of a Hunt Avenue home. 1655 Workers reportedly destroyed a gate near Crinella Drive. 1834 Report of a suspicious van parking in the driveway of a Hudson Avenue house. 1947 Police cited a driver on Main Street. Saturday, June 17 0144 Report of a drunk man trying to get into his truck near Main Street. Someone took his keys away, so he started walking down Spring Street. Police arrested the 63-year-old St. Helena man on suspicion of public intoxication. 0938 Report of someone using a gas-powered leaf blower on June Lane. The caller was referred to the citys website, which registers leaf blower complaints. 1141 Report of a reckless motorcyclist going 100 mph. 1435 A vehicle was reported stolen from Pope Street. The owner knew whod taken it. Police investigated and determined it was a civil matter. The person who had the vehicle gave it back. 1541 A Flock camera spotted a stolen vehicle. Calistoga police pulled over the vehicle near Foothill/Petrified Forest and the driver ran away on foot. St. Helena police assisted. 1553 Medical aid for a sick person on Main Street. 1703 Report of a dog tied up in direct sunlight near Adams Street. By the time an officer arrived, the dogs owner was walking it and it was no longer tied up. 1844 Report of loud music playing all day on El Bonita Avenue. 1850 Report of a possible drunk driver near Silverado/Pope. 1912 Police cited a driver on Main Street. 2002 Police checked on a woman whose car had overheated near Silverado/Deer Park. Her daughter was coming to pick her up. 2036 Report of a physical altercation inside a vehicle. The passenger-side vehicle appeared to have been kicked out. Police arrested a 43-year-old Orinda man on suspicion of public intoxication. 2303 Report of a DJ playing loud amplified music near Crane Avenue. Police responded and the music was turned off. Sunday, June 18 0036 Report of a possible drunk driver near Highway 29/Zinfandel. Police stopped the vehicle and determined the driver was not drunk. 0149 Following a traffic stop near Main/Crinella, police arrested a 48-year-old Calistoga man on suspicion of DUI. 0358 Report of a possible prowler inside a Spring Mountain Road house. Police checked the area and didnt find anybody. 0957 Report of an ongoing problem with sprinklers failing to shut off after three hours on Spring Street. Public Works checked it out and concluded that multiple zones were being watered at different times, which might make it seem like the sprinklers were on all day. Public Works also planned to check the timers in case there was a glitch. 1241 Police checked on a damaged car with its doors open on Starr Avenue. An officer contacted the owner, whod just bought it and was fixing it up. 1643 Report of a possible drunk driver almost causing a head-on collision while passing over double yellows near Main/Charter Oak. Police checked the area. 2010 Police cited a driver near Highway 29/Lewelling. 2022 A pit bull tied to a post near Adams Street reportedly jumped out and almost bit somebody. 2241 Police arrested someone after a traffic stop on Oak Avenue. Monday, June 19 0343 Police cited a driver near Highway 29/Lodi. 0733 Police cited a driver near Silverado/Deer Park. 0925 A child was dropped off at school on Grayson Avenue, but school was out. An officer responded and contacted a parent who picked up the child. 1207 Medical aid on Pope Street. 2053 Report of a possible drunk driver in a Toyota pickup near Grayson/Main. The driver had reportedly clipped a tree near Grayson/Crane. 2108 Report of a suspicious man talking crazy to himself outside a Fulton Lane business. PHOTOS: Training for an active shooter situation in St.Helena WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a Republican-led challenge to a long-blocked Biden administration policy that prioritizes the deportation of immigrants who are deemed to pose the greatest risk to public safety or were picked up at the border. The justices voted 8-1 to allow the policy to take effect, recognizing there is not enough money or manpower to deport all 11 million or so people who are in the United States illegally. Louisiana and Texas had argued that federal immigration law requires authorities to detain and deport even those who pose little or no risk. But the court held that the states lacked the legal standing, or right to sue, in the first place. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in his opinion for the court that the executive branch has no choice but to prioritize enforcement efforts. "That is because the Executive Branch invariably lacks the resources to arrest and prosecute every violator of every law and must constantly react and adjust to the ever-shifting public-safety and public welfare needs of the American people," Kavanaugh wrote. At the center of the case is a September 2021 directive from the Department of Homeland Security that paused deportations unless individuals had committed acts of terrorism, espionage or "egregious threats to public safety." The guidance, issued after Joe Biden became president, updated a Trump-era policy to remove people who were in the country illegally, regardless of criminal history or community ties. The case displayed a frequently used litigation strategy by Republican attorneys general and other officials that has succeeded in slowing Biden administration initiatives by going to Republican-friendly courts. Texas and Louisiana claimed in their lawsuit that they would face added costs of having to detain people the federal government might allow to remain free inside the United States, despite their criminal records. Last year, a federal judge in Texas ordered a nationwide halt to the guidance and a federal appellate panel in New Orleans declined to step in. A federal appeals court in Cincinnati had earlier overturned a district judge's order that put the policy on hold in a lawsuit filed by Arizona, Ohio and Montana. But 11 months ago, when the administration asked the Supreme Court to intervene, the justices voted 5-4 to keep the policy on hold. At the same time, the court agreed to hear the case, which was argued in December. In Friday's decision, Kavanaugh's opinion spoke for just five justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts and the three liberals. Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett agreed with the outcome for other reasons. Justice Samuel Alito filed a solo dissent, writing that the decision improperly favors the president over Congress. "And it renders States already laboring under the effects of massive illegal immigration even more helpless," Alito wrote. The 9 current justices of the US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Justice Clarence Thomas Justice Samuel Alito Justice Sonia Sotomayor Justice Elena Kagan Justice Neil Gorsuch Justice Brett Kavanaugh Justice Amy Coney Barrett Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Armenia requests OSCE Permanent Council speacial meeting: Mirzoyan made a speech We should specify the cartographic basis of demarcation activities in the near future. Pashinyan Brussels meeting brought no concrete results in opening Lachin Corridor, resolving humanitarian crisis in NK.Pashinyan Armenian Foreign Ministry welcomes Canadas initiative to join European monitoring mission 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 In 1988 the highest legislative body of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region, the Regional Council exercised self-determination and decided to join the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. This is stated in an open letter from the employees of Community of the RA NAS research institutions. The objective of this decision was the desire of its people to live and create freely in their historic homeland, preserving their national identity. Being a subject of Soviet Azerbaijan, the Armenian population of Artsakh was very limited in its ability to create, and it was controlled through various methods of political suppression. Throughout the period when it was within the territory of Azerbaijan, the Armenian population of the enclave would emigrate, and the enclave was being populated with ethnic Azeris. Although the will and desire of Artsakh population to join Armenia was punished, this same had been repeatedly expressed several times during the past century, through applications to the USSR authorities, collective letters, and so on. The USSR policy shift on Perestroika offered new hope in this regard. In 1988, the Armenians of Artsakh manifested their dream by exercising their constitutional right to a referendum. In response to the constitutional aspirations of the Armenians, the Azerbaijani authorities used the tried and tested method of intimidation they organized the massacres and deportations of the ethnic Armenians of Azerbaijan. Undergoing Perestroika, the Soviet Union failed to master the basics of integrating into universal human development. The actions by the authorities of Azerbaijan did not lead to any quick political or legal repercussions. At the end of 1991, when the Soviet Union was collapsing, the Armenians of Artsakh were left face-to-face with multi-layered, mostly chauvinistic armed groups from Azerbaijan. In 1992-93, the Armenians in Artsakh were in a difficult blockade but managed to make a supreme effort and came together to resist the armed groups that were actually being coordinated by the Azerbaijani authorities. Over the past 30 years, until September 2020, the Armenians of Artsakh overcame various tests consisting of massacres, blockades, fighting and, despite constantly being threatened by war, they created a form of self-government that was modeled on modern democracy as an independent democratic state, and they rebuilt settlements that had been destroyed, reconstructed roads, reviving the economy, education and social services, as well as a legal and judicial system. In September 2020, the peaceful population of Artsakh suffered a new war, which ended with the victory of Azerbaijan, who had received the support of external partners. We refrain from any political assessment of the war, but we cannot remain silent when it comes to the consequences of the ceasefire. The consequences of that war and the ceasefire, which continue until today, are extremely aggressive and dangerous for the populations that live under the administration of the authorities of Artsakh as well as for those in the border communities of the Republic of Armenia. Artsakh is once again under a total blockade by the Azerbaijani army. The only road, the road of life, connecting the Armenian population of Artsakh with the Republic of Armenia, has been blocked since December 12, 2022. During this past week, the road has even been closed to the Red Cross. Nothing goes into Artsakh no food, no medicines. The natural gas supply has been cut off, and they will also soon run out of water. The Armenian population of Artsakh appeals to the world today, saying, We are the native population of Artsakh, we have the right to live on our land. Nobody disputes this right. But Azerbaijan does not allow them to avail of this right Live as long as you can, but without food, water, heating, without wood, cut off from the rest of the world. This is your right to live. We, the community of the RA National Academy of Sciences, appeal to our colleagues around the world and ask you to look, see, and recognize this humanitarian disaster. Silence is tantamount to approving the actions of the Azerbaijani authorities when it comes to how this right should be granted to the Armenian population of Artsakh, - the statement noted. Beginning at Emory College remotely in 2020 allowed Vivian Liu to turn their Queens, New York, neighborhood into a real-world laboratory for environmental sciences coursework. Seeing a community protest for affordable housing, in particular, helped to demonstrate how environmentalism could envelope social, racial and political concerns. Now a rising senior, Lius commitment to addressing those overlapping issues has earned them the 2023 Udall Scholarship. Liu is one of 55 recipients selected for the national award and Emorys fourth winner. Environmental issues are racial and economic issues, too, says Liu, an environmental sciences major on the social policy track with a minor in quantitative sciences. Instead of building parking lots or expensive hotels, we could build green parks, affordable housing and good schools. We could consider the needs of local people and the environment in our decisions, Liu adds. The Udall Scholarship honors college sophomores and juniors nationwide for demonstrated commitment to the environment, Native American health care or tribal public policy. The award comes with $7,000 and a weeklong orientation program this summer in Arizona for scholars to build skills, share ideas and network with current and past recipients. Lius ability to connect climate change to inequity carries over to similar community building in Atlanta. Advocacy work in New York prompted them to join the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Activists (APIDAA) at Emory. There, Liu found mentors like Neisa Yin 22C, another Queens resident who understood the importance of increasing political awareness and teaching low-income, immigrant and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) communities about their rights. Mentors in APIDAA and the environmental sciences department, like Clare McCarthy 23C, also recommended the Community Building and Social Change (CBSC) fellowship, which integrates academic learning with community engagement. Liu was a standout in the prerequisite fall course and spring course and lab, says CBSC founder Michael Rich, a professor and chair of the Department of Political Science who oversaw Lius work in class and the subsequent summer fellowship. Vivian is really the best of what Emory has to offer, Rich says. (They) are somewhat unique among environmental science students, in understanding the science while being committed to mobilizing communities to act in a collaborative way. A willingness to have difficult conversations Lius dedication to empowering communities was on display as a CSBC Fellow last summer. Working with the Center for Pan Asian Community Services (CPACS) and We Love Buford Highway, they and other CSBC fellows traveled up and down the six lanes of Buford Highway to survey small business owners about how the pandemic and a huge new film/TV studio were affecting shops and community. Some of the mostly immigrant owners agreed to talk because Liu could converse with them in Chinese and Spanish. Other times, Liu won them over with a willingness to keep coming back to have difficult conversations. CPACS advocacy director Tiffany Garnace was impressed enough to invite Liu to return in fall 2022 and join students from Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia for the Georgia University Coalition for Civic Engagement (GUCCE) voter education campaign . Liu, as co-president of APIDAA with Anhhuy Do 24C, helped coordinate students for door-to-door canvassing and other efforts to increase election turnout in mostly Asian neighborhoods. It takes a lot of grit to talk to people, especially when they are mistrustful, and persuade literal strangers to engage, Garnace says. Vivian is an amazing leader, who people really listened to, and is so ingrained in this community now. (They are) always welcome here. Building a stronger campus life Liu brings a passion for promoting local political activism to campus life. As a resident advisor at the Undergraduate Residential Center on Emorys Clairmont campus, they helped complex director Brian Pirapakaran organize a voting initiative and sustainability program last year. Liu also is among campus and community protesters challenging Atlantas planned police training center, asking questions about how the project may affect the neighboring community and impact the environment. I think it speaks to the willpower and perseverance of Vivian, to be able to still do this work in the face of the odds, Pirapakaran says. When your support systems have strong opinions, and you value those perspectives, it can be challenging to do the antithesis of what they want. Liu sees the training center as a prime example of the value of interweaving environmental justice with politics, much in the way that affordable housing protests did when they started their journey. Liu is considering a potential career in urban planning, community development or environmental, social and governance investing to examine more formal avenues for those sorts of decisions. As for next steps? Theyre keeping an open mind. I did not know that staying home my freshman year would lead me to see how all of these issues are interconnected, Liu says. The magic of it is being open to learning, and then communicating and challenging these issues to build a world that works for everyone. California-based HP plans to boost production in India, not only in terms of volume but also to release new items in Asias third-largest economy that is seeking to lure manufacturers via incentives to bolster local output. We have been manufacturing in India for a long time. We have augmented and invested extra to increase the amount of our products being produced in the country, Vickram Bedi, Senior Director (Personal Systems), HP India. HP manufactures laptop models such as HP EliteBooks, HP ProBooks, HP G8 series notebooks, keyboards, and mouses in India. The Indian government recently approved a Rs 17,000 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the IT hardware segment. New Delhi will provide incentives to eligible manufacturers for the production of items including laptops, tablets, all-in-one PCs, servers, and ultra-small form factor devices. HP does not have a ceiling when it comes to investments, said Bedi. While talking about future investments by HP, Bedi said they are ready for huge investments if it leads to customer satisfaction in India. HP's senior director also said the company will be increasing the number of Omen Playgrounds it has. OMEN Playground is the gaming community for PC Gamers created by HP where different products by the company are available. We are going to increase the number of playgrounds to 14 from 12 in different parts of the country, said Bedi. SIU Carbondale earns national honors for assisting transfer students by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is being honored for its commitment as one of the nations top transfer-friendly institutions by an academic honors society for associate-degree granting colleges and universities. SIU Carbondale is among 208 public and private colleges and universities listed on Phi Theta Kappa Honor Societys 2023 Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes excellence in the development and support of dynamic and innovative pathways for community college transfer students. Wendell Williams, associate chancellor of enrollment management, said the honor bestowed on the top 25% highest-rated colleges reflects SIUs commitment to student success and engagement, a pillar of the Imagine 2030 strategic plan. We value the Salukis who come to us from community colleges, he said, and we are doing everything we can to eliminate barriers, save our students time and money, and provide seamless pathways to an affordable, high-quality bachelors degree at a premier doctoral university. More than 2,500 transfer students have enrolled at SIU Carbondale in the past two years. The Saluki Step Ahead program, which brings the education of a four-year research university to place-bound students in community colleges in Illinois and beyond, has also met with success. Announced in September 2021, the program now has agreements with 43 community college campuses in Illinois, Missouri and Texas. The program enrolled 60 students in fall 2022 and 25 in spring 2023, and the university is on track to surpass that number this fall, according to Josi Rawls, associate director for transfer relations. The honor roll is determined by 40 key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfer, admission practices and bachelors degree completion, according to the organization. Led by Mark Wagner (orange shirt), an associate professor in anthropology, students in SIU Carbondales Archaeology Field School work on excavating an area an American fort once stood at Fort Kaskaskia in Randolph County. (Photo by Carson VanBuskirk) SIUs archaeology summer field school continues to unearth Fort Kaskaskias past CARBONDALE, Ill. You can read about how to use a trowel and how to measure and document a site. But until you are in the dirt, with stiff muscles and the sweat running down your back, until you have the excitement of uncovering some real history, you dont really know archaeology. Thats what students in Southern Illinois University Carbondales Archaeology Field School say about their experience this summer at Fort Kaskaskia. I really wanted the archaeology field experience, said Jessica Rice, a senior in anthropology at SIU. This is where you really get to learn the different techniques. You can read about it, but it makes sense when you are actually doing it. Archaeology students from five universities, including SIU Carbondale, and six high school students have spent the past several weeks at the Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site in Randolph County excavating French and American forts once visited by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Research work has been underway since May 22 and will continue through June 30. This years goal is to find the fourth wall of the American fort, which is separate from the French structure. Digging began June 16, with the team looking for a trench used to support a stockade for the fourth wall. Media availability The work by the 2023 SIU Carbondale Department of Anthropology Field School presents a great opportunity for reporters, photographers and news crews to visit the site during weekdays through June 30 to gain insight into the forts. B-roll is available for use at https://youtu.be/f4hXh3VBIUs . The park is at Fort Kaskaskia, 4372 Park Road, Ellis Grove, Illinois. To arrange for interviews and a specific time, contact Mark Wagner, director of the SIU Center for Archaeological Investigations and an associate professor in anthropology, in advance at mjwagner@siu.edu, 618-521-9217 (cell phone) or 618-453-5031. Historians long believed that Fort Kaskaskia served as a fort for both 1750s French and early 1800s American troops. The most prominent event in the forts history was a visit by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1803 to recruit 12 soldiers for the group to explore the American West. But in 2017, after two seasons of work, the team of SIU archaeologists and students concluded that, in fact, two separate forts one French and one American were constructed near each other and separated in time by 45 years. Mark Wagner, Center for Archaeological Investigations director and professor in anthropology, said the American fort was active 1803-1806 and passed almost immediately from memory when it was no longer needed. One reason is that Gen. John Edgar owned the land and leased it for small, 120-by-120-foot fort, so he owned the fort once it was no longer in military use. Wagner said archaeological evidence shows that the stockade was pulled from the ground. What appears to have happened is that Edgar sold the lumber from the fort because it literally disappears in 1806. It just drops out of memory, Wagner said. Numerous artifacts found There are a lot of artifacts here. Weve found plenty of uniform buttons in the past and bullets. This year, we found the first spent, or fired, bullet, said Wagner, who guessed the bullet was inside an animal killed for food. Researchers have found an area with a lot of animal bones, indicating human consumption. They have also found ceramics, including decorated pieces. At that time, only officers used ceramics and porcelain; enlisted men used wooden bowls and tin cups. In the military, officers maintained their class distinction from the enlisted men and needed nice dishes they invited each over for tea or dinner. Paolo Vitor Mendes Da Cunha, a masters student, came to SIU from Rio de Janeiro to study forensic anthropology. SIU has a good program, better than what I could get in Brazil so I wanted to come here, he said. Im in the field school because I want the practical experience. This is a really cool site, and Im learning a lot of history while working on it. Draws far-reaching interest Nine SIU Carbondale students are participating this year in the field school, which draws students from throughout the United States. Five students from four other universities are attending this year, along with six students from local high schools, including Carbondale Community High School, Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo, and Waterloo High School. Elseah Congiardo of Chester, who attends Gibault Catholic High School, said this is her second year with the field school and has enjoyed it both times. Its been a great experience. Today is our last day here, and Im kind of sad about that, she said. Delia Wagner, of Carbondale, a student at Carbondale Community High School, wants to be a paleontologist, so when she did an online search for summer camps and found this one, she knew it was for her. Shes loving finding the animal bones. Molly Cornett, who attends Western Kentucky University, is attending because she needs a field school or field experience to graduate. She and Rice, from SIU, talked about finding glass at another site and hearing what it might be. It didnt make sense to them until they saw an example at Fort de Chartres, another French fort near Prairie du Rocher. The practical experience they are gaining is just not the same as in the classroom. Finding artifacts thats been so exciting, Rice said. And its been great to hear Dr. Wagner talk about what we are finding, and to give us some perspective about the people and the time. Its made it more real. Cornett noted the work has other benefits. I thought dirt was always just dirt, pretty much all the same, she said. Now that Ive pushed dirt through the screen so many times, I have strong opinions on what is good dirt. The 14 college-level students involved in field school activities this summer are: Southern Illinois University Carbondale Graduate program Kaleigh Best, anthropology, doctoral student. Martha Buchert, anthropology, masters student. George Hunt, historical studies, doctoral student. Paulo Vitor Mendes Da Cunha, anthropology, masters student. Rebecca Ramey, history, masters student. Jessica Spencer, anthropology, doctoral student. Undergraduate students Gabrielle Jungk, senior, anthropology. Jessica Rice, senior, anthropology. Hope Wakefield, senior, anthropology. Additional college students Keene State College: Erin Peck. Murray State University: Dustin Carver, Daniel Clark. Western Kentucky University: Molly Cornett. University of Evansville: Olivia Barclay. (Andrea Hahn, University Communications and Marketing, contributed to this story) ATK New Delhi [India], June 23: Earthy Tweens, a renowned eco-friendly lifestyle brand specialising in sustainable clothes and toys for children, announced the launch of its highly anticipated 'Summer Bloom Collection'. This latest collection encompasses the brand's core values of sustainability, comfort, and aesthetic appeal, offering a range of vibrant-coloured and eco-friendly clothes that combine whimsical prints with functionality. The collection stands out with its commitment to curating, designing, and manufacturing its products. By maintaining complete control over the production process, Earthy Tweens ensures the highest quality standards and reinforces its dedication to environmentally conscious practices. The collection also strongly emphasises functionality and comfort, allowing kids to freely explore and engage in everyday adventures. Each piece is thoughtfully crafted to prioritise ease of movement, durability, and versatility, enabling children to embrace imaginative play while looking stylish. "We are delighted to unveil our latest Summer Bloom Collection, showcasing our dedication to sustainable fashion for children. Our in-house curation, design, and manufacturing process allow us to create eco-friendly products that meet our high-quality standards and incorporate the vibrant spirit of childhood. The collection combines the beauty of nature-inspired prints with the comfort required for active youngsters. We are thrilled to provide parents with a stylish and sustainable option, allowing them to impact the environment while dressing their little ones positively," said Nishant Kumar, CEO, Earthy Tweens. This collection features a captivating array of vibrant colours brought to life through eco-friendly dyes and materials. Earthy Tweens' meticulous selection of sustainable fabrics ensures that each garment is gentle on the skin of kids and leaves a minimal ecological footprint. The whimsical prints, inspired by shapes, sceneries, stripes, etc., add a touch of playfulness to the designs, captivating young hearts and fostering a connection with the natural world. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) SRV Media New Delhi [India], June 23: Amit Kumar Jha, a highly regarded digital marketing expert, is thrilled to announce the release of his debut book titled "The Power of Facebook Marketing." The book launch took place at SMR Vinay City, Hyderabad, on June 17th, coinciding with the joyous occasion of the author's parents, Jivan Jha and Gita Devi, celebrating their marriage anniversary. The book launch event witnessed the author's dedication to sharing their knowledge with a wide audience, as the target audience for "The Power of Facebook Marketing" spans individuals of all ages above 16 years. Although there were no specific chief guests or renowned personalities at the event, the enthusiasm and support from attendees were overwhelming. "The Power of Facebook Marketing" is an insightful and comprehensive guide that unlocks the potential of Facebook for effective marketing strategies. The author's deep appreciation for family and loved ones serves as inspiration for this book, which is dedicated to his wife, Rimi Jha, brother Sumit Jha, sister-in-law Pinki Jha, and his children, Aryan, Rohan, Aahana, and Shagun. With practical step-by-step instructions and invaluable insights, this book empowers readers, whether entrepreneurs, marketers, or individuals seeking to harness Facebook's power, with the skills and strategies essential for success. "I am thrilled to present 'The Power of Facebook Marketing' to the world. This book is the culmination of my years of experience and expertise in the field. My goal is to help readers unlock the immense marketing potential that Facebook offers and guide them towards achieving their goals." says, Amit Kumar Jha About the Author: Amit Kumar Jha is a distinguished digital marketer with a remarkable career spanning real estate analysis, financial services, and stock brokerage. Hailing from the renowned village of Tarauni in Darbhanga, Bihar, Jha brings a unique perspective to the world of digital marketing. His expertise in cross-domain advertising has earned him recognition and success in the industry. With extensive experience as a real estate analyst in Mumbai and a background in the financial and stock broking sectors, Jha possesses a wealth of knowledge in the field of digital marketing. Motivated by his achievements and expertise, he has chosen to share his insights and strategies through this groundbreaking book. "The Power of Facebook Marketing" is now available for purchase at leading bookstores and online platforms. (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) The MoU was signed on June 14, 2023, by Naveen Gulati, Member (Traction and Rolling Stock), Railway Board and Isabel Coleman, Deputy Administrator - USAID, in the presence of Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman and CEO, Railway Board. USAID is an agency of the US government that supports international developments in a wide range of sectors. Through this MoU, the US agency will provide technical assistance and support to Indian Railways including long-term energy planning, supporting renewable procurement, and promotion of e-mobility. "The collaboration of Indian Railways with USAID, India will go a long way in helping Indian Railways to achieve Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2030," according to a release by the Indian Railways. Indian Railway has set a target of becoming a Net Zero carbon emitter by 2030. The projected energy demand of Indian Railways in 2029-30 is expected to be about 8,200 Mega Watt (MW), the government informed Parliament earlier this year. To achieve Net Zero Carbon Emission, the expected requirement of renewable capacity by 2029-30 would be about 30,000 MW. (ANI) PNN New Delhi [India], June 23: In the fast-paced world of decentralized finance and foreign exchange, BuddyX is making waves with its groundbreaking community building platform. Combining the power of blockchain technology and the potential of the crypto market, BuddyX is revolutionizing the way communities interact, learn, and prosper in the decentralized crypto and forex space. BuddyX, a pioneering community building platform, is revolutionizing the way people achieve financial independence. By fostering a strong and supportive community, BuddyX provides individuals with the tools, resources, and connections they need to take control of their financial future. With the rise of cryptocurrencies and the ever-expanding global forex market and an era marked by economic uncertainty and changing work dynamics, traditional financial systems have struggled to keep up. BuddyX recognized the need for a comprehensive platform that not only enables seamless trading and investment opportunities but also fosters an inclusive and supportive community. At the core of BuddyX platform is its decentralized nature, utilizing blockchain technology to ensure transparency, security, and trust. By leveraging the power of smart contracts, BuddyX eliminates the need for intermediaries, providing users with direct control over their funds and investments. The platform offers a wide array of features designed to empower community members. Traders and investors can access real-time market data, execute trades, and manage their portfolios all from a single intuitive interface. Additionally, BuddyX provides educational resources, market analysis, and expert insights to help users make informed decisions and enhance their trading skills. What sets BuddyX apart is its commitment to community building. BuddyX discussion forums, social groups, and interactive events foster a sense of belonging, creating an ecosystem where users can support each other and thrive together. The vision of BuddyX is to democratize access to decentralized finance and forex trading while building a vibrant and supportive community. BuddyX believe that by empowering individuals and fostering collaboration, it can unlock the true potential of the crypto and forex markets. With its innovative platform and unwavering commitment to community building, BuddyX is poised to become a frontrunner in the decentralized crypto and forex industry. As more individuals recognize the value of a strong community, BuddyX platform stands as a beacon of trust, transparency, and growth. For more information about BuddyX and its community building platform, visit www.buddyx.world or contact support@buddyx.world (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir New Delhi [India], June 23: Listed among the top 15 agrochemical companies in India, Best Agrolife Ltd. recently received three more major registrations. BAL on Friday informed that the Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIBRC) had granted the registrations for Technical Indigenous manufacturing of Diclosulam technical 94 per cent minimum, Boscalid technical 96 per cent minimum and Dimethomorph technical 95.5 per cent minimum to one of its wholly owned subsidiary Best Crop Science Pvt Ltd. Diclosulam is a broadleaf herbicide that is used to control weeds in soybean and peanut crops, while Boscalid is a foliar fungicide against a broad range of fungal pathogens in a wide range of crops, including vegetables and other crops. It inhibits spore germination and germ tube elongation and is also effective in all other stages of fungal development. Dimethomorph is a systemic fungicide that protects potato, tomato and grape crops from fungi in the water mould family, such as root rot, crown rot, late blight and downy mildew. "These registrations are crucial for our company and will enable us to serve the farming community better. Along with producing the technicals, we also have plans to develop their highly sought-after formulation products, which will expand our product line further and help us maintain the goal of 30 per cent growth and 20 per cent EBITDA margin," said Vimal Kumar, MD of BAL. "For example, Metiram 44 per cent + Dimethomorph 9 per cent WG and Dimethomorph 12 per cent + Pyraclostrobin 6.7 per cent WG are the major formulations of Dimethomorph whereas Boscalid 25.25 + Pyraclostrobin 12.8 per cent WG is the prime Boscalid formulation. Since approvals for Metiram and Pyraclostrobin technicals are already in place with the company, we can now develop these products in both technical and formulations segments in-house," Vimal Kumar added further. It is significant to mention that BAL recently became the first Indian agrochemical company to manufacture both AI and formulations of Pyroxasulfone after getting the CIB registration for the domestic manufacturing of Pyroxasulfone 85 per cent WG. The company is also all set to launch their much-awaited fungicide Tricolor which is a combination product Trifloxystrobin 10% + Difenoconazole 12.5 per cent + Sulphur 3 per cent Sc. It effectively controls several crop diseases like Sheath blight, Powdery Mildew, Scab, and Alternaria in Rice, Tomato, Grapes, Chilli, Wheat, Mango, and Apple. Best Agrolife Limited (BAL), one of the top 15 agrochemical firms in India, is committed to helping the entire farming industry. As a research-based company, BAL is renowned for supplying innovative agrochemical formulations that are top-notch, economical one-shot farm solutions. BAL has three manufacturing facilities in Gajraula, Greater Noida, and Jammu & Kashmir with a combined manufacturing capacity of 7,000 MTPA and 30,000 MTPA, respectively. In India, BAL presently has around 5200 distributors. It retains an impressive portfolio of 400+ formulations and more than 100+ technical manufacturing licenses. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) India PR Distribution New Delhi [India], June 23: During the months of June to August, the Indian government implements a fishing ban on the West Coast of India to protect the marine ecosystem and allow fish populations to replenish. This ban, while essential for maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment, often leads to a shortage of seafood in the market. While the ban presents short-term challenges it also provides an opportunity to promote sustainable seafood consumption practices. One brand that's always been at the centre of sustainability in the seafood industry is Cambay Tiger. With its expertise in aquaculture, it is well-equipped to bridge this gap and provide customers with a steady supply of fresh and sustainable seafood. They have been a pioneering force in aquaculture and have introduced innovative methods of farming fish, such as Tilapia, Prawns and other fish, as a viable alternative to traditional fishing. Cambay Tiger is responsible for popularising the farming of Tilapia fish in the country. Tilapia aquaculture offers several benefits, environmentally, economically and nutritionally. With its mild taste and high nutritional value, Tilapia is quickly becoming a popular choice among Restaurants and seafood lovers! It also presents an extremely attractive value proposition; at Cambay Tiger you can buy a kilo of boneless Tilapia for only Rs699/kg, making it extremely budget-friendly. Through responsible aquaculture practices, the brand ensures that its seafood is harvested in a way that minimises the impact on natural fish populations and their habitats. In the last financial year, Cambay Tiger's retail sales of farmed Tilapia experienced an impressive 3.8x growth. Similarly, their farmed Prawns saw a notable 1.3x growth, demonstrating a rising appreciation for responsibly sourced, high-quality seafood. Vrutika Patel, Chief Marketing Officer, states, "At Cambay Tiger, we strive to redefine the seafood industry by offering premium products which are sourced sustainably. I firmly believe that responsible farming practices can harmoniously coexist with exceptional culinary experiences. Also in recent times, we've garnered a strong preference among high-end restaurateurs for our farmed products." With this unwavering ethos at its core, Cambay Tiger continues to forge a path towards a brighter, more viable future for the seafood Industry. To make sustainable seafood accessible, Cambay Tiger has established a wide distribution network. Whether it's through their retail stores in Mumbai, Delhi & Gurugram or easy online options such as their website https://cambaytiger.com or mobile app, customers can easily access Cambay Tiger's range of high-quality seafood, chicken & mutton products at their convenience. (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) SRV Media New Delhi [India], June 23: Following the successful launch of the RealtyCheck series in Delhi NCR, Realatte captured the attention of industry enthusiasts once again by organising the highly anticipated 2nd edition of the summit in Bangalore. This remarkable event quickly became the focal point of discussions throughout the city, as participants and stakeholders eagerly engaged in thought-provoking conversations and cutting-edge presentations. The event was attended by the top real estate builders namely Lodha Group, Purvankara, Brigade Group, Assetz Property Group, Mantri Developers, Prestige Group, Provident Housing and many more. 'RealtyCheck' by Realatte is a digital summit that brings real estate tycoons of the likes of developers and IPCs, ad giants like Google, and Taboola, along with exceptional marketers all under one roof. The primary objective is to discuss how Digital Branding and Marketing is the trend of the era and how they can leverage these servitors to amplify ROI in a sector as diversified as Real estate. Realatte Ventures, a leading real estate marketing and advertising agency, with experience of more than 15 years in Real estate digital marketing came up with this series of Realty Check summits to foster an environment of collaboration and learning. Over the last 5 years, Realatte has worked with more than 500 real estate builders and has managed 1000+ real estate projects across the entire spectrum including budget homes to ultra-luxury homes in residential to large retail spaces in the commercial and hospitality sectors. Today, Realatte has grown and expanded its presence through offices in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, UK and Dubai. Speaking about the event, Mayank Vora the Co-founder of Realatte said, "We are humbled to have received such an enthusiastic response for this event and are happy to have been able to share insights that helped most of our attendees. We are also grateful to industry experts from Google, Meta and Taboola who spent their valuable time and shared insights with us. Overall, the event was a success and we are aiming to take this event across various cities in India to encourage conversations around current and future growth in the Indian Real Estate market. RealtyCheck is a think-tank of sorts where we discuss the impact of innovative tech platforms that can help real estate stakeholders to make the most in a dynamic future." The event had Ashwinder Raj Singh, CEO - of Residential, Bhartiya Urban, as the keynote speaker and also other esteemed speakers like Shrey Chopra, Agency Development Manager, Google, Team Meta, Brenda Chung, Regional Director-APAC, Taboola. With two panel discussions, there were insightful conversations among the panelists. The first topic was 'Curating Marketing Strategies for the Evolving Real Estate Buyer'. The panel included Ashwinder R. Singh as the moderator, Sanjay K Jariwal, Senior General Manager, Prestige Group, Rajendra Joshi, CEO-Bangalore, Lodha Group, Kranti Alladi, Head of Marketing & Business Strategy, Concorde, Ruchi Kohli, Head of Independent Agencies, India, Meta, Rohan Shah, Co-Founder, Realatte, and Vikas Nair, Head of Marketing & Communication, Century Real Estate Pvt Ltd. The second topic of discussion was 'Digital Marketing Driven Approaches For Different Real Estate Categories'. With Kajol Malik as the moderator, the panelists included Smarajit Mishra, Head- Marketing and Strategy, Brigade Group, Siva Krishnan, Managing Director- Chennai & Coimbatore, Janes Lang LaSalle, Srinivasan Subramanian, Executive Director, Koncept Ambience, Shrey Chopra, Strategic Agency Manager, Google, Dhruba Ghosh, EVP and Head of Marketing, and Nimmy Joseph, Head of Marketing, Primus Senior Living. Talking about the event, Ashwinder R Singh, CEO- Residential, Bhartiya Urban said, "It was a lovely event. I think the construction of the event was fantastic. The way Realatte partnered with Google, Meta and Taboola was exciting and fresh. We discussed some great ideas on digital marketing technology, which is going to be very important for the real estate industry in the coming times and I look forward to the next event very soon, maybe in the next three months." Sharing his views about the event, Sanjay K Jariwal, Senior General Manager, Prestige Group, said, "I think the event went well along with the panelists, and speakers. The audience was amazing and everybody spoke and gave us a lot of insights. Realatte, founded by Mayank Vora, Nirav Gosalia, Harish Patel, Rahul Goyal & Rohan Shah has unabatedly led the digital marketing sphere by collaborating with some of the largest names in the real-estate sector like DLF, Hiranandani, The Wadhwa Group, Godrej Properties, Sunteck Realty, Runwal, Rustomjee, Brigade Group and more. It is a part of "The Logicloop Alliance", which comprises a group of companies that includes the technology services company Logicloop Tech, the 360-degree digital marketing agency Logicloop Digital and Jucy Gifts which is into corporate gifting. (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) The Ministers exchanged views on key G20 deliverables under India's G20 Presidency, including strengthening multilateral development banks and managing debt vulnerabilities, among other issues, the Ministry of Finance Tweeted. France's Minister thanked Sitharaman for her participation and India's contribution to discussions in the run-up to the Summit. "Nirmala Sitharaman expressed hope that the outcomes of the Paris summit can provide political momentum to ongoing G20 and other multilateral efforts in the UN, World Bank, and CoP28," added the ministry's tweet. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice to Enforcement Directorate (ED) on businessman Neeraj Singhal's plea challenging his arrest and remand granted to the agency in a money laundering case. He is in the custody of ED till Saturday. He is a former Promotor and Managing Director of Bhushan Steel. This case is for an alleged bank fraud of Rs 56,000 crore. Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju issued notice to the ED and sought a reply within two weeks. The matter was listed on July 10 along with the connected matter before the roster bench. Singhal had challenged his arrest in the money laundering case and his custody was granted to the ED. Senior advocate, who appeared on Singhal's behalf, argued that the arrest of the petitioner is illegal as the ground of the arrest were not provided to him. Therefore, he argued that the custody granted to the agency is also illegal. On the other hand, counsel for the ED argued that the petition is not maintainable. He argued that once the custody of the accused is granted to the investigation agency, the arrest can't be challenged. The Rouse Avenue Court on June 20 extended the ED custody of Ex Promotor and MD Neeraj Singhal till June 24. Singhal was produced before the court after the expiry of ten days of ED custody remand. He was arrested on June 9 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Vacation judge Sunaina Sharma had extended the ED custody of Neeraj Singhal for next four days after hearing the submission of counsels for ED. Special Counsel Zoheb Hossain along with Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Naveen Kumar Matta appeared for the investigation agency. While seeking an extension of remand, Counsel for ED submitted that some persons have been confronted with the accused during custody. While seeking a further extension, the agency said that some more people have been summoned for further confrontation with the accused. In the SFIO complaint, it was alleged that ex-promoters of M/S Bhushan Steel Limited namely Neeraj Singal and Brij Bhushan Singal had obtained huge loan from various banks and financial Institutions with outstanding liabilities of Rs 56,000 crores when the company went to insolvency and the IRP was appointed. It is also alleged that the directors and the staff of the company M/S Bhushan Steel Limited had dishonestly and fraudulently by using false and fabricated documents diverted huge public funds to the tune of Rs 45,818 crores during the period 2013-2014 to 2016-2017 into its accounts, causing wrongful loss to the State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank. (ANI) Actor Rohit Bose Roy is celebrating his marriage anniversary today, June 23. Roy married Manasi Joshi on June 23, 1999. The couple have one daughter together, Kiara. Rohit took to his Instagram handle to share a romantic picture with his wife in which they both are seen sitting together in front of the Taj Mahal. He wrote a beautiful message for his wife, calling her his "forever RIGHT" His caption along with the picture reads, "My dear Manasi , Happy anniversary, my forever RIGHT! 24 years today !! And you are still ALWAYS right!! I wish you everything your heart desires. And that's a kinda selfish wish actually, coz all you've ever desired is happiness for your baby and me..Thank you for being you !I promise to love, cherish & celebrate you forever!Your loving husband" https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct0Z0CzoDk7/ After his post many of their fans and friends wished the couple on this special day. One of the social media users mentioned, "Happy Anniversary to most beautiful people inside out! Wishing you loads of love, happiness, togetherness & sunshine always & forever! Keep shining you two" Meanwhile, on the work front, Rohit has worked in both TV and films. His well-known shows include 'Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand', and 'Swabhimaan'. He was also seen in movies like 'Kaabil', 'Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena', 'Apartment', 'Plan', 'Shootout at Lokhandwala', among others. (ANI) The executive director of the Gaiety Galaxy cinema hall in Mumbai, Manoj Desai, on Friday slammed the makers of the recently released pan-India magnum opus 'Adipurush', saying "they should be jailed for this". Speaking exclusively to ANI, Manoj Desai said, "Strict action should be taken against these people (makers of Adipurush). The film has hurt the sentiments of Hindus. All those involved in the making of the film, especially the writer, Manoj Muntashir, should be sent to jail." Directed by Om Raut, 'Adipurush', which is which is an adaptation of the epic Ramayana, has drawn heavy criticism post release. From critics to reviewers, many voiced misgivings over certain dialogues in the film. Among the dialogues over which the makers have drawn flak are Marega bete', 'Bua ka bagicha hain kya' and 'Jalegi tere baap ki'. The film stars Prabhas as Lord Ram, Kriti as Goddess Sita, Sunny Singh as Laxman, and Saif Ali Khan as Ravana, the mythical hydra-headed demon king in the epic. On the losses theatre owners have incurred as the film failed to live up to to its pre-release hype and got embroiled in controversies, he said, "Viewers have rejected this film. Yesterday, two of our shows were cancelled and today, our matinee shows had to be cancelled due to poor word-of-mouth and response. This movie will be removed from theatres very soon and we didn't think it will come to this. Not just ours, the owners of all theatres where the film has been released have suffered losses." On the makers amending the contentious dialogues in the face of criticism, Desai told ANI, "They have made some changes to the dialogues, but it's too little too late. Changing dialogues in a film after release does not make sense." Earlier, the mayor of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, Balendra Shah, had enforced a ban on Indian movies following the 'Adipurush' dialogue row. Less than an hour after the Kathmandu mayor's decision, Pokhara Mayor Dhanraj Acharya also sent letters to three movie theatres in the city to halt the screening of all Indian movies. With orders from the mayors of both these cities, theatre owners removed the film. (ANI) On Friday, the actor conducted an "Ask Me Anything" session on her Instagram account where she answered several fans' questions. One of the users asked the 'Main Tera Hero' actor about a sequel to her hit film 'Barfi'. The user wrote, "Would you like if there would be Barfi 2." To which she replied, "Wow I never have thought about that. Barfi was and i think will always be so special to me. And what makes it that much more special is that there is just one Barfi. But the opportunity to come together a create another film and story as special - I'd love that." Helmed by Anurag Basu 'Barfi' was a romantic comedy-drama film released in the year 2012 and starred Ranbir Kapoor, Ileana D'cruz and Priyanka Chopra in the lead roles. The film received a lot of appreciation from the audience and was declared a hit. Ileana is quite an active social media user and keeps sharing glimpses from her pregnancy diaries with her fans. From the very beginning, Ileana has been extremely tight-lipped about her personal life. Earlier several reports suggested that Ileana is dating Katrina Kaif's brother Sebastian Laurent Michel. The duo's relationship rumours surfaced after the two were spotted vacationing with Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif in the Maldives. The couple has not yet made their relationship official. Ileana was earlier in a relationship with photographer Andrew Kneebone for quite a few years. Meanwhile, on the work front, Ileana was last seen in The Big Bull, co-starring Abhishek Bachchan. Filmmaker Kookie Gulati directed the film and Ajay Devgn produced it. She will be next seen in 'Unfair And Lovely' with Randeep Hooda. (ANI) As per Delhi Police, a PCR call was received on June 20 that a 72-year-old woman has been stabbed under the police station limits of Mandawali. "After reaching the crime location, it was learned that the septuagenarian was admitted to the hospital," police said. " Then we were informed that the woman was declared brought dead at the hospital," police added. In response to the incident, Delhi Police registered a case under 302/34 section of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and started an investigation. After interrogation and examining CCTV footage, police zeroed in on three persons. Later on, the three persons were apprehended and they confessed to their crime, police added. "Monu Deddha alias Chacha, Sarthak Nagar alias Laddu and Pushpender Yadav alias Aaiya, Vikas were apprehended, they disclosed that they stabbed to death Sudha Gupta (72) so that they can grab all her property, in the Mandwali area," police said. Further information is awaited. (ANI) According to officials, the value of the Yaba tablets is approximately Rs 19.58 lakhs in the International market. "The seized items have been handed over to the Police Station Raghunathganj for further legal action," they said. Further information is awaited. Earlier this month, the BSF, belonging to the 35 Battalion under the South Bengal Frontier, apprehended a man for allegedly possessing gold worth Rs 16,46,190, weighing 277.37 grams from his possession. After a detailed inspection, the Jawans discovered 10 small pieces of gold hidden in the pedal of the cycle. During the interrogation, the smuggler confessed that he brought the gold from Babugaav Bakchar village in Chapaainvabganj (Bangladesh). The accused was handed over to the Customs Office Lagola for further investigation. (ANI) The incident took place at the 7th mile along the Alipiri-Tirumala pedestrian route in Andhra Pradesh. Police officials rushed the boy to the hospital in an ambulance. The boy is being given first aid. Further information is awaited. (ANI) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar on Thursday praised late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi describing her as the strongest Prime Minister. "If someone asks who is the most powerful Prime Minister in the country, the answer would undoubtedly be Indira Gandhi," Pawar made these remarks on Thursday at a function in Pune, organized by the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, where women from various fields were felicitated. Famous personalities like actor Shabana Azmi and lyricist Javed Akhtar were also present. He emphasized that she instilled a sense of pride in the nation and demonstrated strength and self-respect, even on the international stage, particularly during her visit to Russia. "The important reason for this is that Indira Gandhi gave a sense of pride to the nation. Indira Gandhi took the role of showing that power and self-respect to a big country like Russia," he said. Pawar recounted an incident during Indira Gandhi's visit to Russia when she was not received by her counterparts but rather by a junior minister at the airport. "I remember when Indira Gandhi visited Russia as the Prime Minister once and after reaching there instead of being received by her counterparts, a junior minister welcomed and greeted her at the airport. In the wake of it, expressing her displeasure over the breach of protocol, Gandhi decided to stay at the Indian ambassador's residence instead of the designated accommodation for her visit. She took her car to the Ambassador's residence from Moscow airport. After reaching the Ambassador's residence, she was calm and asked officers to gather all the kids who are staying nearby and started playing with them," he said. He said that after this incident, the then Prime Minister of Russia realised that they have made a mistake by not following the protocol. "He [then Russia PM] himself went to meet Indira Gandhi and expressed his views on the incidents later Indira Gandhi told the Russia PM this is not the matter of her pride this is the matter of pride of our 80 crore Indian citizens whom I represent, this incident as an example of Gandhi's assertiveness and her commitment to upholding the country's self-esteem and this happened she was the powerful PM of the country," Pawar added. The NCP supremo's remarks came while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on his first-ever state visit to the United States. (ANI) After landing in Bihar's Patna ahead of a grand opposition meeting, scheduled for Friday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said that he is feeling elated to be in the land that has given the likes of 'The Light of Asia' Buddha, 'Jannayak' Karpoori Thakur among others. Taking to Twitter, Stalin said, "I have arrived at Patna and received a warm welcome from Hon'ble Chief Minister of Bihar Thiru @NitishKumar , Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Thiru @yadavtejashwi and IAS officers from Bihar Tamil Sangam here. Feeling elated to be in the land that has given us the likes of 'The Light of Asia' Buddha, 'Jannayak' Karpoori Thakur and Thiru. B.P. Mandal. No surprises that the war cry of a united opposition is from here, the land of social justice, to end this fascist, autocratic regime and allow the rebirth of a secular, democratic India." Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann also arrived in Bihar's capital. The key opposition meeting will be attended by Congress, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti, Uddhav Thackeray and many more leaders in Patna. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to convene a meeting of top Opposition leaders on Friday in Patna as part of his continued efforts to forge a grand alliance against PM Modi and the BJP-led government at the Centre with an eye on the general elections in 2024. Meanwhile, posters and banners hailing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav appeared in Patna ahead of the meeting. The Friday meeting is aimed at laying the groundwork for the coming together of like-minded Opposition parties against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government at the Centre. (ANI) Amid Aam Aadmi Party "threatened" to pull out of the opposition meeting in Patna if Congress does not back the party against the Centre's Ordinance, AAP chief national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar on Thursday citing reliable sources said that a deal has been finalised and the grand old party will support the Bharatiya Janata Party when the Bill regarding the "unconstitutional Ordinance" will be tabled in Rajya Sabha. She claimed that Congress will stage a walkout when the Bill will be brought to the Upper House of the Parliament. "I do not know about the decision of walkout [of Kejriwal from Patna meeting]. It will be decided by our top leadership, but we have got information from reliable sources that a deal has been done between BJP and Congress that Congress will support BJP. When this unconstitutional ordinance will be brought into the Rajya Sabha, then the Congress will stage a walkout," the AAP leader told ANI. "Anyway, I do not understand why Congress is taking so much time to take a stand on a clearly illegal Ordinance," she added. AAP sources earlier said that if the Congress party would not support the party against the Centre's ordinance in the opposition party meeting in Patna scheduled on June 23, then the party will walk out of the meeting. Meanwhile, Kejriwal wrote an open letter to the opposition leaders ahead of the mega event and asserted that the Congress will have to clear its stand on the Ordinance in front of everyone "There is a meeting of all the parties in Patna on June 23, I request that in this meeting, the stand of all the parties on this ordinance and the strategy to defeat it in the Parliament should be discussed first," Kejriwal wrote in his letter. "At the meeting on June 23, the Congress will have to clear its stand on the Ordinance in front of everyone," the letter further wrote. However, the Delhi Chief Minister along with his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann reached Bihar's capital to attend the Joint Opposition meeting scheduled for Friday. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will convene a meeting of top Opposition leaders as part of his continued efforts to forge a grand alliance against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led government at the Centre with an eye on the next general elections. The meeting will be attended by Congress, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti, Uddhav Thackeray and many more leaders in Patna. The meeting is aimed at laying the groundwork for the coming together of like-minded Opposition parties against PM Modi and the BJP government at the Centre. The Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has been spearheading efforts to bring all Opposition parties together against the BJP government at the Centre, with an eye on next year's Lok Sabha polls. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday took a jibe at the opposition parties' meeting, scheduled to be held on Friday, in Bihar's Patna and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would return into power with a huge majority in the next parliamentary polls. CM Chouhan made the remark while talking to the reporters after planting saplings at Smart City Park in the state capital. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity among the people is not only in the country but also across the world. There is reverence, faith and love towards him among the people. It is clear that in the 2024 parliamentary elections, PM Modi will form the government with a huge majority by breaking all the previous records," CM Chouhan said. "PM Modi will become the prime minister of India. Those who are building castles in the air may continue to do so," Chouhan added. The opposition parties' meeting, which will be convened by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, to mobilise the opposition against the Centre ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, will be held on June 23. The meeting, which is aimed at laying the groundwork for the coming together of like-minded Opposition parties against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government at the Centre, was originally scheduled to be held on June 12. Several prominent opposition leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee will attend the meeting. (ANI) Priya Varghese is the wife of KK Ragesh, private secretary to the Chief Minister. The Kerala high court division bench has said that Priya Varghese has the necessary teaching experience. Earlier the high court single bench ordered Kannur University to review the rank list according to which she was appointed as the associate professor in the Malayalam department at Kannur University. The single bench order on November 17 also said that Priya Varghese did not have the necessary teaching experience which is a main criteria for the post. Meanwhile, Kannur University Vice-Chancellor Gopinath Ravindran addressed the media on Thursday regarding the appointment of Priya Varghese and stated that the university administration would proceed in accordance with the court order and provide more details once the verdict had been thoroughly reviewed. The controversy emerged as Priya Varghese, who currently holds the top rank in the university's appointment list, faced opposition to her appointment. Regarding the issue of the teacher's experience, the University Grants Commission (UGC) was contacted for their opinion; however, they have yet to respond. Nevertheless, Vice-Chancellor Gopinath Ravindran assured the court that he had personally provided a response on behalf of the university. (ANI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge would attend the opposition unity meeting in Patna on Friday along with party leader Rahul Gandhi. Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, Kharge said that the opposition parties' agenda is to remove the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre and they all would fight together. "We all want to fight together against BJP and our agenda is to remove the BJP government," Kharge said while talking to the media as he left for the opposition meeting in Bihar's Patna. Speaking on the issue of the Centre's Ordinance put forward by the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Congress President said that they will take a decision on this before the Parliament session. "We will take a decision on this (on supporting AAP against the Centre's ordinance) before the Parliament session," he said. Ahead of the Opposition party meeting in Patna, Arvind Kejriwal has urged Opposition parties, including the Congress to clarify their stand on the Centre's ordinance on control of administrative services in the national capital. Leaders of Opposition parties from across the country are set to meet in Patna to chalk out a strategy to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Opposition picked Patna as a venue for its meeting as it represents the 1974 call of total revolution by Jayaprakash Narayan that toppled Indira Gandhi's majority government. The meeting will be hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with the aim to arrive at a consensus to forge a united Opposition front to take on the BJP. As leaders of several opposition parties arrived in Patna on Thursday, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary decided to skip the conclave due to a "pre-decided family programme". Chaudhary, however, hoped the meeting will be an "important milestone in the path of opposition unity". This came after the Janata Dal (United), which is hosting the meet, said Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has not been invited to the event. The meeting has been called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar and will be attended by leaders of parties opposed to the BJP. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti were among the leaders who reached Patna ahead of the meeting. (ANI) After the informal meeting of European Union Ministers in Stockholm, where the European Commission presented an oral report on the progress of reforms implemented by Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova, Jessica Roswall, the Swedish Minister for European Union Affairs, remarked that although there has been some progress, it is evident that Georgia still has remaining tasks.Roswall emphasized the importance of conveying a coherent and unambiguous message to Georgia, which includes the necessity for further reforms."We need to initiate a discussion on how to make the EU fit for future challenges, and reaching a consensus on the essential components of necessary reforms will not be an easy task. Furthermore, we extended an invitation to Oliver Varhelyi, the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, to present the progress of reforms in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, as well as their applications for EU membership.While there has been some progress, it is clear that Georgia still has work to accomplish. It is crucial to send a clear and unified message to Georgia, emphasizing the need for additional reforms. I am confident that Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia will carefully examine the content of the update and use it as a guide for future reforms before the implementation of the enlargement package in the fall. As mentioned earlier, Georgia has made some progress, and it is essential to observe their journey towards the European Union," stated Roswall.Roswall emphasized that although Georgia has made advancements in implementing reforms, they are still on the path towards joining the European Union. She stressed the utmost importance of the European Union and its member states providing support to Georgia throughout this journey.Irakli Kobakhidze, the chairman of Georgian Dream, expressed his concerns about the interference of the United National Movement and their leaders in the independence of the judiciary."I firmly believe that the politicization of justice goes against the values upheld by the European Union. We have witnessed multiple instances where blatant attempts were made to interfere with the judiciary's independence. One such example was the summoning of Judge Chkhikvadze, demanding a report from him and imposing unjust sanctions, while refusing to visit him. It was a clear violation of justice. We will not tolerate such actions. We will not allow anyone to rudely disrupt the independence of our justice system. Naturally, we cannot let others do what we ourselves abstain from. We have left such practices in the past, prior to 2012. Back then, justice was heavily politicized, and those in power, along with their allies, interfered with the judiciary's independence," Irakli Kobakhidze said.Kobakhidze emphasized that the government of Georgian Dream follows a different approach."Therefore, today, we cannot permit the same 'United National Movement' and their supporters to undermine the independence of our justice system. Safeguarding the independence of the judiciary is one of the most significant accomplishments of our government, and we are committed to protecting it. Neither the government nor any other entity should attempt to meddle with the independence of our justice system." In the ongoing controversy over the gold plating of the sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath Dham Temple, former Uttarakhand Minister and Congress Disciplinary Committee Chairman Navprabhat said the information that is coming to the fore points out towards getting the investigation done regarding the amount of gold donated to the temple. Talking to ANI, Navprabhat said, "Some discussions have arisen regarding the donation of gold by a donor in Kedarnath and doubts are being expressed by the people. I have also spoken to some people who have been associated with this management committee and know about it in detail." The former minister said that there has been a tradition in all religions that people donate money to temples and that is how places of worship are built, but the question here is why our Badrinath-Kedarnath Management Committee is not clarifying it. He said how much gold was received as a donation, as well as why gold was mixed with copper and many such questions are being raised. The Congress leader said that a question also arises as to whose account the money was deposited in the silver leaf that was fixed there. He told that information is being received about this happening not only in Kedarnath but also in Badrinath. All these doubts point towards getting the investigation done. Former Minister Navprabhat said that the work being done in the four Dhams is being done directly under the supervision of the Prime Minister's Office, even an officer has been appointed here who has been associated with the Prime Minister's Office earlier. He said that in such a situation it becomes even more important that the correct information about that episode should reach the people. He said that the faith of crores of people is related to the four Dhams, so a clear account of all the donations received and all the property should come in front of the people, which will not hurt the religious sentiments of the people. Along with this, the former minister also said that whatever is coming to the fore through social media, it seems that there is some scam somewhere, if there is an investigation, it will come out whether he is doing a scam in donating or income tax. Certificates are being obtained in the guise of these temples, so it is very important to check them. Earlier on June 19, Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) president Ajendra Ajay said that gold-plating has been done on the jaleri of the sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath temple and a transparent acrylic layer has also been applied over it so that the gold polish is not damaged. BKTC refuted claims on social media platforms that the gold plating of the sanctum sanctorum of the Kedarnath temple is brass. It had termed such reports as "conspiracy". Ajay had said that the gold plating of the temple's sanctum sanctorum was done by a donor. The committee said the donor had expressed his desire to gold-encrust the sanctum sanctorum of Kedarnath Temple and respecting the feelings of the donor, the permission was granted after examining the proposal. The gold-plating was done under the supervision of the experts of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). BKTC has also clarified that the work of making the sanctum sanctorum gold-plated has been done by the donor. (ANI) Four terrorists were killed in the Kala Jungle of the Machhal sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday in a joint operation by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police. The terrorists were killed when they were trying to infiltrate from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, said J-K police. "In a joint operation, Army and Police have killed four #terrorists in Kala Jungle of Machhal sector in #Kupwara who were trying to infiltrate to our side from POJK," Jammu and Kashmir police said in a tweet. More details awaited. Earlier on Thursday, Anantnag Police arrested two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)-associated terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition in the Bijbhera area of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The police have also recovered Rs 1 lakh, 12 AK 47 rounds, and one grenade from their possession. The Anantnag Police have registered the case under the relevant sections at Bijbehara police station. On June 16, the Joint security forces on early Friday in a major operation neutralized five highly trained foreign terrorists of JK Ghaznavi Force (JKGF) who were trying to infiltrate into the Indian territory in the Jumagund area near Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. The terrorists, seasoned in guerilla warfare in the Afghan-Pakistan theatre, were trying to infiltrate into the Indian territory in the Jumagund area in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir late Thursday night. (ANI) Senior party leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader KC Venugopal were also present at the party office ahead of the Opposition leaders' meeting. "If we win Bihar, then we can win across the country," Kharge said while addressing the party workers in Patna. He also appealed to the people to unite and work in favour of the country and its democracy. "I appeal to you to come together despite differences and work in favour of the country and its democracy. We must take forward what Rahul Gandhi has started," he said. The party office is covered with posters and banners of Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other leaders. The Congress leaders reached Patna to attend the Opposition leaders' meeting hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, with an aim to arrive at a consensus to forge a united Opposition front to take on the BJP. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar welcomed Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge on their arrival. Leaders of Opposition parties from across the country are set to meet in Patna to chalk out a strategy to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Opposition picked Patna as a venue for its meeting as it represents the 1974 call of total revolution by Jayaprakash Narayan that toppled Indira Gandhi's majority government. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti were among the leaders who reached Patna ahead of the meeting. (ANI) Union Minister Smriti Irani on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States resulted in significant outcomes in areas of defence, renewable energy and critical minerals cooperation. "Prime Minister's visit to the United States resulted in significant outcomes in areas such as defence, renewable energy and critical minerals cooperation. India and US cracked several deals on Space and Defence. MoU on Semiconductor Supply Chain and Innovation Partnership will not only promote research but also business opportunities," said Smriti Irani. Giving the details of the various Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) signed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, Union Minister Smriti Irani on Friday said that the MOU on semiconductor supply chain and innovation partnership will promote not only research but also commercial opportunities. "Microone Technology Inc. will invest 825 billion dollars to build a new semiconductor assembly and test facility in India with the support of the Indian government," Union Minister Smriti Irani said while addressing a press conference on Friday. Union Minister Irani informed that the combined investment between Microone Technology Inc. and the Indian government is valued at 2.7 billion dollars. "The Prime minister's visit to the United States has resulted in significant outcomes in the areas of defence, cooperation with regard to strategic technology, a partnership in renewable energy and also critical minerals cooperation," she added. "NASA and ISRO will develop a strategic framework for human space flight cooperation, by the end of 2023. A joint Indo-US quantum coordination mechanism will also help facilitate collaboration between industry, academia, and government," she informed on the NASA ISRO project to send human spaceships by 2024. Irani further informed that a two million dollar grant program for joint development and commercialization of artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies was launched. "An MOU between General Electric and Hindu Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the manufacture of GES 414 jet engines in India, is an MOU which is being hailed across the country," she added. She also informed that the India-US defence acceleration ecosystem was launched which is a network of universities, startups, industry and think tanks, which will facilitate Joint defence technology innovation and help coproduce advanced defence technology between industries of India and the United States of America. She said that a "pro-planet" Prime Minister has helped actualize India, US' new and emerging renewable energy technologies action platform. The launch of this platform will accelerate cooperation in green hydrogen offshore and onshore wind and other emerging technologies, she said. "India has announced the world's largest green hydrogen mission, and this platform will complement that very Indian ambition. India now has become the newest partner in the mineral security partnership, which will help accelerate the development of diverse and sustainable critical energy mineral supply chains," Irani said regarding the steps taken by the two leaders to control energy transmission. Smriti Irani also said that this is the era of dialogue and diplomacy. The oldest democracy through dialogue and diplomacy has yet again delivered for the people of India and it is best enunciated in the recent partnerships between India and US. (ANI) The Supreme Court has recently set aside an order of Uttarakhand High Court and acquitted father-son in a murder case that took place in 1995 in Uttrakhand's Manglaur. A bench of justices V Ramasubramanian and Pankaj Mithal last week acquitted father-son Mohd Muslim and Shamshad as it set aside the order of the Roorkee court and Uttarakhand High Court. The court was hearing a father-son plea challenging the Uttarakhand HC order dated September 10 2010 which confirmed the Roorkee's Sessions Court order dated April 25, 1998. "In view of the above, the judgment and orders of the Courts below that is Additional Sessions Judge, Roorkee dated April 25, 1998, and High Court of Uttarakhand dated September 10, 2010, are accordingly set aside and the accused-appellant no 1 is acquitted by giving the benefit of the doubt," the top court said. Roorkee Court has convicted the father-son in a 1995 murder case and sentenced them to life imprisonment. The said conviction has been upheld by Uttrakhand High Court. The top court noted that the prosecution failed to prove the guilt of the accused involved in the assault and death of the deceased Altaf Hussain. "The totality of the facts and circumstances especially the unnatural behaviour and conduct of the son and nephew of the deceased Altaf Hussain, ante-timing of the FIR and that the 'loi' (blanket) and the cycle alleged to be that of the accused-appellants left behind at the site of the incident was not produced before the Court, compels us to doubt the presence of the son and nephew of the deceased Altaf Hussain at the site. Thus, in the absence of any credible eye witness to the incident and the fact that the presence of the accused-appellants at the place of the incident is also not well established, we are constrained to accord the benefit of the doubt to both the accused-appellants," the top court noted. The court also noted that apart from the two persons, there is no independent witness to the incident. The incident took place on August 4, 1995, within the jurisdiction of Police Station Mangalore. The Police submitted a chargesheet under Section 302 IPC (murder) against the accused person, Mohd Muslim and Shamshad in the Court of Judicial Magistrate, Roorkee. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will form the government in 2024 by securing over 300 seats and becoming the Prime Minister again. Addressing a public meeting in Jammu, Shah said, "No matter how many parties come for the meeting, they can never unite". "Today a photo session is underway in Patna. They (the opposition) want to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NDA. I want to tell them that PM Modi will form his government in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls with more than 300 seats," Shah, who arrived in Jammu on a two-day visit today said. A meeting of Opposition leaders hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar began in Patna today with the aim to forge a united Opposition front to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. More than 15 opposition parties attended the meeting held at Nitish Kumar's official residence in Patna. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister was received by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister Jitendra Singh at the Jammu airport here. The Union Minister remembered the contributions of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerji on his death anniversary and recalled that Bengal is a part of India due to the late leader's efforts. Mukherjee had served as the minister in Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet. "Today is 'Balidan Divas' of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerji, the whole country knows that it is because of him that Bengal is with India today. He opposed Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. He had said that 'Ek desh mein do Vidhan, do Pradhan aur do Nishan nahi chalega'," Shah said. Appreciating the governance of PM Modi, Shah said that a new Kashmir is being built under the leadership of him. "In Jammu and Kashmir, every citizen is being given free health insurance of Rs 5 lakh. A new Kashmir is being built under the leadership of PM Modi," he said. Amit Shah inaugurated and lay the foundation stone for various projects. He laid the foundation stone of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Samba and handed over the Golden Health card to beneficiaries. (ANI) The temple located in Majeen area of Jammu district was inaugurated virtually by Amit Shah on June 8. It has been built on 62 acres of land at an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore. As part of his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Shah on Friday afternoon inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various projects in Samba district. He laid the foundation stone of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) and handed over the Golden Health card to beneficiaries. The Union Minister also addressed a public meeting in Jammu and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will form the government in 2024 by securing over 300 seats and becoming the Prime Minister again. The Union Minister also remembered the contributions of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerji on his death anniversary and recalled that Bengal is a part of India due to the late leader's efforts. Mukherjee had served as the minister in Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet. "Today is 'Balidan Divas' of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerji, the whole country knows that it is because of him that Bengal is with India today. He opposed Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. He had said that 'Ek desh mein do Vidhan, do Pradhan aur do Nishan nahi chalega'," Shah said. Appreciating the governance of PM Modi, Shah said that a new Kashmir is being built under the leadership of him. "In Jammu and Kashmir, every citizen is being given free health insurance of Rs 5 lakh. A new Kashmir is being built under the leadership of PM Modi," he said. (ANI) According to officials, Thursday night, five people had gone for some repair work at a fire in Atchutapuram in Anakapalli district. They were on their way back to Visakhapatnam Friday morning when their vehicle collided with a lorry truck. The deceased were identified as Sunil Giri (20) and Sang Vaz (20), while those injured have been identified as Mohammad Raju Khan, Nazaruddin and Pramod Pandey. "All of them are contract workers from Bihar and worked at a petroleum firm in Andhra Pradesh," the police said. The exact reason behind the accident was not known, and Duvvada police were investigating the matter. Further details of this accident are awaited. (ANI) Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to discuss various issues including hike in power tariffs. Earlier KCCI had called for a Karnataka bandh on June 22 to protest against the abnormal price hike in electricity charges by the ESCOMs. "The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has called off the 'bandh' that was called today and asked all affiliated bodies not to protest or call a bandh after talks with the government. Only Hubli KCCI has called for a bandh and protest today," said an FKCCI official. KCCI, along with all other District chambers of commerce, had for the last eight days tried to draw the attention of the government towards the high electricity charges. However, no solution was found. So to draw the attention of the government towards their problem, they planned a Karnataka bandh. "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," said FKCCI in a notification. "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," it stated. (ANI) Delhi Police Special Cell nabbed one more gang member named Irshad from Uttar Pradesh's Kairana who was involved in the supply of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN). Irshad was nabbed with around 2.5 lakhs FICN. Raids are still underway in parts of UP to nab more members of the gang. A Bulgarian national named Ruslan Petrov Metodiev was arrested earlier this week. Delhi Police arrested Irshad from Uttar Pradesh's Kairana from leads provided by the Bulgarian national that was arrested earlier this week. Raids are still underway in parts of UP to nab more members of the gang. Irshad was arrested with around 2.5 lakhs FICN, and a total of around 5 lakhs FICN has been seized so far. Earlier in the week, on June 21, Wednesday, Delhi Police Special Cell arrested a Bulgarian National Ruslan Petrov Metodiev, a member of the international Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) cartel. High-quality FICN amounting to Rs. Eight Lakhs recovered from him along with Cash Rs. 1,89,000/- derived from sale proceeds of FICN was also recovered. A team of Special Cell arrested a key member of an international FICN racket from Gurugram. The accused is a Bulgarian and is a permanent resident of Sofia, Bulgaria. High-quality Fake Indian Currency Notes equivalent to Rs. Eight Lakhs, all in the denomination of Rs 500 were recovered from him. Further, the material and equipment used for printing FICN were also recovered including a lamination machine, three paper scaling and cutter machines, one loose bundle of papers allegedly used in printing FICN, 35 tracing papers on which "500", photo of Mahatma Gandhi, "RBI" was printed, 30 semi-prepared/unfinished paper sheets of FICN, four wooden frames with imprints of numeral 500, one metallic clamping tool, two spray adhesive bottles, one box glitter powder, two green foil papers, eight bottles of ink, Rs. 1,89,000/- INR (original), two laptops, two printers were recovered from his house in Gurugram, Haryana on Wednesday. A mobile handset and SIM cards used in the FICN circulation were also recovered from him. During surveillance, it was revealed that a foreign national staying in Gurugram, Haryana is involved in the circulation of fake currency notes in various parts of India with the connivance of other members of this cartel based in different countries. Finally, June 21, Wednesday, Delhi Police received secret information that the accused would come to Ganda Nala Road, near Bajghera on Najafgarh-Kapashera Road in Delhi to deliver a big consignment of FICN to a person named Ashaiba. Accordingly, a raiding party was immediately formed and a trap was laid at Bajghera Chowk towards Ganda Nala Road, Delhi and the accused Ruslan Petrov Metodiv was apprehended at with FICN equivalent to Rs. Eight Lakhs in his possession. The accused divulged that he prints FICN at his Flat in Palam Vihar, Gurugram and can get recover the material/equipment used for printing FICN. Further, during the search of his house, the material and equipment used for printing FICN and cash Rs. 1,89,000/- derived from the sale proceeds of FICN were recovered. A case under relevant provisions of the law was registered at PS Special Cell in this regard and an investigation was taken up. After a thorough interrogation of the accused Ruslan Petrov Metodiev, he disclosed that he was part of a big international FICN racket. The accused is a permanent resident of Bulgaria and came to India in 2018. Thereafter, he came to India again in 2019 and was arrested by Tughlak Road police in a case of cheating and forgery for putting a skimming device in an ATM of HDFC Bank. In January 2021, he was released on bail in the case. During his stay in jail, he came into contact with certain persons who were involved in the printing and circulation of Fake Indian Currency Notes. Earlier, he would deliver FICN to various persons in Delhi/NCR on the instructions of his handlers sitting in different parts of the world. Later, after recognizing the high demand for FICN and the margin of profit, he started printing FICN on his own and began supplying and circulating the self-made FICN to his receivers in Delhi/NCR. He learnt the art of printing FICN on YouTube. (ANI) Visitors learn Chinese painting during a Chinese culture open day organized in Lome, Togo, on June 21, 2023. (Photo by Tian Yun/Xinhua) LOME, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Togo on Wednesday evening invited local media practitioners to attend an event themed "Discovering Chinese culture," with the aim of promoting people-to-people exchanges between China and Togo. Activities included tea and Chinese food tasting, workshops on Chinese calligraphy, Chinese painting and paper-cutting, and a parade of traditional Chinese costumes presented by teachers and students from the Confucius Institute in the capital of Lome, as well as a free traditional Chinese medicine consultation. Chao Weidong, Chinese ambassador to Togo, said in his speech that "particular attention" would be given to cultural and human exchanges as the main focus of the embassy's action plan for the whole year 2023. "A series of activities aimed at strengthening and deepening the interactions or dialogues between our two peoples are in prospect," he said, assuring that the mutual trust between China and Togo remained "still solid" and that the bilateral cooperation was producing "tangible results." Wediabalo Kossi Tinaka, general secretary of Togo's Ministry of Communication and Media, said he had "a good impression" of the Chinese cultural elements presented during the open day. "We have discovered the culture of the great Chinese people through centuries," he said, indicating that culture is a mixing factor that promotes the solidarity between China and Togo, whose bilateral relationship is growing. Lys Djamie, a journalist with the national television TVT, appreciated the traditional Chinese medical consultation offered by the 25th batch of the Chinese medical team on the spot. "In a short period of time by the pulses of my two hands, they told me exact things about my health condition." Visitors learn to make dumplings during a Chinese culture open day organized in Lome, Togo, on June 21, 2023. (Photo by Tian Yun/Xinhua) Visitors drink tea during a Chinese culture open day organized in Lome, Togo, on June 21, 2023. (Photo by Tian Yun/Xinhua) Delhi Police busted a gang of fraudsters and arrested a man involved in duping people by posing as an Army official, police said on Friday. On the basis of technical surveillance police arrested the accused on June 15 from Mewat in Nuh district of Haryana. The arrested accused was identified as Ali Mohammad and two mobile phones and three SIM cards have been recovered from his possession, police said further. Till now police have traced a money trail of more than Rs 22 lakh and further efforts are going on to unearth the previous incidences. Previous victims of the gang are also being contacted on the basis of Call Detail Records (CDR) as well as Whatsapp Chat analysis, they said. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shahdara, on June 10, the complainant Suraj Mal Vihar, a resident of Shahdara, filed a complaint at Cyber cell police station Shahdara. Wherein he alleged that he is having a business in wire manufacturing. On June 8, he received a call and the caller introduced himself as an Army officer and said that he require wires for Army School. After having a discussion on phone, deal was settled on an amount of Rs 47, 790. Further, on June 9, he received a WhatsApp call from another number and caller sent him two account numbers and asked him to transfer Rs 5 to above-mentioned bank account and assured him that a double amount will be refunded to his Bank account. The complainant did the same as he was asked to do and also received a double amount in his bank account. Further, the fraudster allured him to transfer Rs 47785 and Rs 12335 but he did not receive any amount back, said DCP Shahdara. After that, the complainant reached out police and filed a complaint following which an investigation of the case was taken up by the police and an arrest was made subsequently. During interrogation, it has been revealed that this is a gang of fraudsters who are doing this online fraud and are involved in duping many persons. In the present case, the other group members withdrew the cheated amount and handed it over to the accused Ali Mohammad, who distributed the amount among the gang members as per their role. So far, a total of 15 complaints from various states have been identified which are linked to arrested persons. (ANI) West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday asserted that all the Opposition parties will unitedly fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Addressing media after the Opposition leaders' meeting here Mamata Banerjee said, "We are united, we will fight unitedly... history started from here (Patna), BJP wants that history changed. And we want history should be saved from Bihar. Our objective is to speak against this fascist government..." "Don't call us opposition. We are also patriotic.... we also say Bharat Mata...," Mamata said. Mamata further said that "....if Manipur burns, we feel pain....BJP's atrocity, making Rajbhavan as an alternative government. Anyone who dissents, faces ED, CBI..." The West Bengal chief minister further alleged that the BJP uses central agencies like ED and CBI to suppress political parties that speak against the PM Narendra Modi-led government. Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar said on that the opposition parties had a "good meeting" in Patna and it has been decided to fight the elections together. Kumar, who had convened the mega meeting of opposition parties, said that another meeting of opposition parties will be held soon. "It was a good meeting where it has been decided to fight the elections together. Another meeting will be held soon," Kumar said at a joint press conference in the presence of other opposition leaders including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi. He also slammed the performance of the BJP-led central government. The meeting had been called to forge opposition unity to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Opposition parties picked Patna as a venue for its meeting as it represents the 1974 call of total revolution by Jayaprakash Narayan that toppled Indira Gandhi's majority government. The next meeting of the Opposition parties would be held in Shimla next month, announced Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. "We will meet again in July in Shimla to prepare an agenda on how to move ahead together while working in our respective states to fight BJP in 2024," said Kharge after the meeting in Patna. (ANI) Except for Congress, all other 11 parties, which have representation in the Rajya Sabha, have clearly expressed their stand against the Centre's ordinance on the control of services in Delhi and announced that they would oppose it in the Upper House, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said after the opposition meeting in Patna. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann attended the mega opposition meeting convened by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. However, AAP leaders were not present at the joint press conference held at the conclusion of the meeting. The party said in its statement that until the Congress publicly denounces the "black ordinance" and declares that all 31 of its RS MPs will oppose the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha, it will be difficult for AAP to participate in future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant. "A total of 15 parties are attending the like-minded party meeting in Patna, out of which 12 have representation in the Rajya Sabha. Except for the Indian National Congress, all other 11 parties, which have representation in the Rajya Sabha, have clearly expressed their stand against the Black Ordinance and announced that they would oppose it in the Rajya Sabha," the party said. Top leaders of opposition parties deliberated in Patna on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. AAP's statement said that during the meeting of like-minded parties in Patna, many parties urged the Congress to publicly denounce the ordinance but the "Congress refused to do so". "The Black Ordinance not only aims to snatch the democratic rights of an elected government in Delhi, but also poses a significant threat to India's democracy and Constitutional principles. If left unchallenged, this dangerous trend could spread to all other states, resulting in the usurpation of power from democratically elected state governments. It is crucial to defeat this Black Ordinance." AAP said that Congress, a national party that takes a stand on almost all issues, has yet to make its position on the Black Ordinance public and that the Congress' Delhi and Punjab "units have announced that the party should support the Modi government on this issue". AAP said Congress' refusal to act as a "team player", especially on the ordinance issue, "would make it very difficult for the AAP to be a part of any alliance that includes Congress". The APP also alleged that Congress' silence raises suspicions about its "real intentions". "In personal discussions, senior Congress leaders have hinted that their party might informally or formally abstain from voting on it in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress' abstention from voting on this issue will help the BJP immensely in furthering its attack on Indian democracy. It's high time that Congress decides whether it stands with the people of Delhi or the Modi government," it added. The Union government on May 19 brought an ordinance to notify rules for the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) regarding the 'transfer posting, vigilance and other incidental matters'. The ordinance was brought to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 and it circumvents the Supreme Court judgement in the Centre vs Delhi case on the control of services. (ANI) While addressing reporters in Patna after the conclusion of the opposition meeting, Sitaram Yechury said, "Our Constitution is under attack and we all united to save it. We have to save the fabric of our republic which is under severe attack. Also, Gandhi abroad, Godse in India will not work for Prime Minister Narendra Modi." Earlier today leaders of the 15 opposition parties met in Patna. Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said that the next meeting of like-minded parties will be held in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla next month. Kharge further said that the opposition parties will meet in Shimla to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, MP Sanjay Raut, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah attended the meeting. Nitish Kumar after the meeting said that the opposition parties had a "good meeting" in Patna and it has been decided to fight the elections together. Kumar, who had convened the mega meeting of opposition parties, said that another meeting of opposition parties will be held soon. (ANI) "Financial indiscipline and commission scourge of the BJP government were troubling contractors. Action will be taken to curb the menace of commission in the state, and the interests of local contractors will be protected," Siddaramaiah said while meeting members of the Karnataka State Contractors' Association at his office in Bengaluru. He said that said that he needs some time to fix the derailed economy that, he said, was caused by the previous BJP government The delegation led by Contractors' Association chairman D Kempanna requested the Chief Minister to take action for payment of outstanding bills. Kempanna requested the Chief Minister that the amount due should be checked and released. The objection letter should be released as well, he requested. The Chief Minister said that after the budget session, a meeting of the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) and Finance Department Secretaries will be called and reviewed. (ANI) Karnataka Food Minister KH Muniyappa on Friday said in Delhi that the state requested 1.35 lakh metric tonnes of rice for the 'Anna Bhagya' scheme but the Centre has refused to provide it. Speaking to the media, Minister Muniyappa said, "We met Union Textiles, Sugar and Agriculture Minister Piyush Goyal today and requested to provide rice to the State Government's 'Anna Bhagya' scheme. We requested the Minister that the stock is there and we are not asking for free. But the Union Minister has informed that 300 lakh tonnes have been earmarked for various other projects so the state cannot be provided rice." Minister Muniyappa further said that though the Central Government refused to provide rice, the state government will implement the 'Anna Bhagya' scheme. "I think it's politically motivated and we will find our way", he added. Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged Union Home Minister not to do politics of hate or any other politics regarding the 'Anna Bhagya' scheme, which provides an additional 5 kg of rice for each member of BPL families in the State. Siddaramaiah who met with Shah late on Wednesday in New Delhi and discussed the issue of rice supply to the State told him that the Centre's policy was causing obstacles in food supply for the poor, according to the Chief Minister's office. Karnataka Chief Minister had earlier alleged that the Union Government was not allowing the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to sell rice to the State to roll out its "Anna Bhagya" scheme. The 'Anna Bhagya' scheme which provides an additional five kilograms of rice for each member of BPL families in the state is one among five poll promises made by the grand old party in Karnataka. (ANI) Mishra was accompanied by Prime Minister's Advisor Amit Khare and Deputy Secretary Mangesh Ghildial. He held a detailed discussion on the reconstruction works being carried out under the Badrinath Master Plan with Chief Minister Dhami. The Badrinath project is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream project in the state. During Mishra's visit, the Chief Minister gifted him local products from the state. Earlier, Principal Secretary Mishra, Amit Khare and Mangesh Ghildiyal had inspected the ongoing reconstruction and beautification work in Badrinath near Chamoli. During this visit, Additional Chief Secretary Radha Raturi and Bhaskar Khulbe, the Officer on Special Duty of Kedarnath Badrinath Redevelopment Works were also present. Earlier on Sunday, the Special Executive Officer in the Uttarakhand Tourism Department, Bhaskar Khulbe, reviewed the reconstruction work being carried out under the Badrinath Master Plan. He said that after the completion of the project, the devotees coming to the Badrinath Dham will get better facilities. "The work on Prime Minister's ambitious project Bardinath Master Plan is going on at a fast pace. After the completion of all the works of this project, Badrinath Dham will look even more divine and grand, and the devotees coming here will get better facilities," Bhaskar Khulbe said. (ANI) The Indian defence forces will deploy the 31 Predator drones at three major hubs across the country to carry out surveillance of all areas, including the borders with China and Pakistan, and the vast maritime zone. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, the two countries announced the plans of Indian forces to procure 31 Predator drones. The plan is to deploy these drones at three major hubs, one of which would be in the North or Northwest region while another would be in the northeastern region from where they would be looking after the entire region, senior defence officials said. One of the hubs would be created at the INS Rajali from where the forces are already operating the two Predator drones taken on lease during the initial phase of a standoff with China in 2020-21. The three forces would also be operating these drones from bases which would enable the launching and landing of such unmanned aerial vehicles. The drones on lease are operated by the General Atomics representatives but now the Indian pilots from the three services would be trained for this role in India as well as in the US.The drones would be operated by the tri-services jointly. The proposal in this regard in the defence acquisition council was also sent by the tri-services headquarters. A detailed scientific analysis was carried out by officers from the tri-services to arrive at the number of unmanned aerial vehicles of this long endurance variety. All the future deals by the tri-services, including ones for helicopters, drones and air defence weapon systems, would be done in the same manner," the official added. India shares vast maritime and land boundaries with two major adversaries -- Pakistan and China -- and requires constant monitoring of their activities to safeguard its national security interests. The Predators, also called the MQ-9 Reaper, can fly up to 36 hours at a stretch and can be used for focused monitoring of any specific point or area of interest. (ANI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed their chargesheet against 13 Pakistani nationals, in a 2022 case related to the smuggling of weapons and contraband drugs from Pakistan via Gujarat for funding terrorist activities in India. Earlier, two accused (10 & 13) who were mentioned in the chargesheet were arrested in December 2022 with a huge consignment of drugs and arms, hidden in gas cylinders, from a Pakistani fishing boat, the NIA mentioned in a press release. The seizure included 40 kilograms of heroin, six foreign-made pistols, six magazines and 120 nine-millimetre live cartridges, along with documents or Pakistani Identity Cards, mobile phones and Pakistani currency, the release mentions. The chargesheet was filed on Friday in the NIA Special Court in Ahmedabad. It names all the ten arrested accused, identified as Kadarbaksh Umetan Baloch, Amanullah Musa Baloch, Ismail Sabzal Baloch, Allahbaksh Hatar Baloch, Goharbaksh Dilmurad Baloch, Ammal Phullan Baloch, Gul Mohammad Hatar Baloch, Andam Ali BoherBaloch, Abdulgani Jungiyan Baloch and Abdulhakim Dilmurad Baloch. The remaining three Pakistani accused charge-sheeted by the NIA are absconding. They have been identified as Hazi Salim, Akbar and Karim Baksh. As per NIA investigations, the consignment of sophisticated or imported weapons was being smuggled into India by the ten arrested accused, in connivance with Hazi Salim, Akbar and Karim Baksh, for delivery to an absconding person identified as Harun, who is based in India and is presently absconding. The investigation reveals that Harun had hatched a conspiracy to illegally smuggle the consignment of weapons and contraband from Pakistan to India to provide funds to terrorist outfits and gangs operating in Punjab and North India. The conspiracy was exposed after the Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) in Gujarat received credible inputs that one Pakistan-based drug mafia named Hazi Salim was trying to smuggle the consignment of contraband drugs and illegal weapons through Okha shore from Pakistan, the NIA investigation revealed. The ATS, the NIA said, was tipped off that the consignment would be reaching the Indian waters on 27th or 28th December 2022, near Okha Jetty (150 Nautical Miles west to Okha Jetty) through a fishing boat named "Al-Soheli". The Okha Coast Guard was subsequently informed by the ATS and, in a joint operation, the two agencies seized the boat. The Ministry of Home Affairs transferred the case to NIA on March 6, considering the national security ramifications and the international linkages of the case. The NIA registered the case under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) Act, 1985, the Arms Act,1959 and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967. This case marks the first one registered after the establishment of the Ahmedabad Branch Office of the NIA. The NIA is conducting further investigations into the case. (ANI) In a significant move to preserve and protect Jammu and Kahsmir's rich biodiversity, the administration has officially declared the Blue Pansy (Junonia Orithya) as the official butterfly of the union territory. The announcement, made by Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Government for the Department of Forest, Ecology, and Environment, has garnered praise from environmentalists and nature enthusiasts alike. Dr Touseef Ahmad, a prominent socio-environmentalist, expressed his delight at the government's decision, stating, "As an environmentalist, I am thrilled to hear that the government has recognized the Blue Pansy as the official butterfly of Jammu and Kashmir. This is a significant step towards promoting the conservation of the region's rich biodiversity and highlighting the importance of protecting our natural heritage." The Blue Pansy, a species of vibrant blue butterflies, can be found in various parts of Southeast Asian countries, Australia, and Africa. Known for their territorial nature, these butterflies exhibit 26 local subspecies across their range. With its presence in the Himalayan region, the Blue Pansy contributes to the pollination process and plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem's health. However, like many other species, the Blue Pansy faces numerous threats such as habitat loss and climate change. By designating the Blue Pansy as the official butterfly of Jammu and Kashmir, the government is signalling its commitment to the conservation of the region's natural beauty and biodiversity. "The declaration of the Blue Pansy as the official butterfly of Jammu and Kashmir sends a strong message about the importance of preserving our natural resources," said Dr Touseef Ahmad. "It is now up to all of us to take action and ensure that this declaration translates into concrete efforts to safeguard the environment for future generations," he added. The decision has been hailed by environmentalists and nature enthusiasts, who believe that it will raise awareness about the significance of protecting the diverse ecosystems found in Jammu and Kashmir. The recognition of the Blue Pansy serves as a reminder of the need to conserve and cherish the natural heritage of the region, emphasizing the interconnectedness of species and the delicate balance of the environment. With this decision, the government of Jammu and Kashmir has taken a commendable step towards preserving its natural beauty and showcasing its commitment to sustainable development. The hope now is that this symbolic gesture will be followed by practical measures to address the challenges faced by the Blue Pansy and other vulnerable species, ensuring a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in the picturesque landscapes of Jammu and Kashmir. Zubair Qureshi, a local nature enthusiast, hailed the decision as a captivating symbol of the region's biodiversity and emphasized its role as a call to action for individuals and organizations to unite in protecting the delicate ecosystems that sustain life in this breathtaking part of the world. (ANI) JAKARTA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- A small plane with six people on board crashed in Indonesia's eastern Highland Papua province on Friday, an official said. The Grand Caravan plane operated by PT Samuwa Aviasi Mandiri (SAM AIR) went down in a deep forest after leaving Elelim airport in Yalimo district, said Yusuf Latief, spokesman of the national search and rescue office. "The search by a helicopter found the wreckage of the plane," the spokesman said. Video footage received by Xinhua from the search and rescue office showed the wreckage of the plane in a deep forest, emitting smoke. "The wreckage was seen from the air, we have not reached the scene so far. The evacuation is to begin tomorrow (Saturday)," he told Xinhua by phone. "The people on board comprised a pilot, a crew and four passengers. The plane lost contact this morning," the spokesman said. Reacting to the purported posters of 'wanted corruption Nath' pasted in the state capital, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Friday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government did not have anything to say against him so they were doing so. Nath made the remark while addressing the media persons at Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) office in the city. "No one raised fingers at me in my 47 years of political journey about corruption and today they (BJP) are saying that Kamal Nath is corrupt. The BJP government has been in power for the last three years and if there was corruption during our government, then why didn't they file a case, why didn't they launch an inquiry. Today they have nothing to say, so they are doing so," Nath said. Madhya Pradesh is the most corrupt state in the country and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the most corrupt Chief Minister of the country. When they (BJP) are unable to face the public, then the only thing left for them is how to humiliate Kamal Nath. No one can humiliate me and the people of the state are my witness, he said. Nath further alleged, "Every BJP leader is involved in corruption, no corruption can happen in the state unless the Chief Minister participates in it. From Panchayat to Mantralaya, they have created a system of corruption. 'Give money and take work', this is their slogan." "I don't need any certificate from BJP because the people are witnesses," Nath added. Notably, purported posters have been spotted in the Manisha Market area in Bhopal. There is also a QR code in the poster after scanning it, it shows information about the alleged scams of the Congress government. It is also written in the poster that Nath has done scams during his rule. Earlier, BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma said that BJP had nothing to do with such posters. It is the result of internal factionalism in the congress party. "It is the result of internal factionalism in the Congress and it has been going on for many years. The dispute of Kamal Nath vs Govind Singh is going on, similarly, the dispute of Kamal Nath vs Arun Yadav, Kamal Nath vs Ajay Singh, Kamal Nath vs Digvijay Singh are going on. Therefore, whatever is said about Kamal Nath is said by the Congress only." "When Kamal Nath was the Chief Minister, even at that time any allegation was made, then his ministers used to make allegations. So whatever Congress is suffering, it is showing through its posters. We have nothing to do with such posters. It is, however, right that there is truth in the poster," Sharma added. (ANI) Kerala Police Crime Branch on Friday recorded Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran as being arrested in an alleged fraud case related to fake antique dealer Monson Mavunkal. However, the KPCC chief wasn't taken into custody as he had already secured anticipatory bail in the case. Speaking to the media persons after getting anticipatory bail, Sudhakaran said, "I'll fight the case legally. I have nothing to hide. I have already explained my position to the police and don't need to make any further statements to the media. Everyone knows about Monson (fake antique leader) and his shady business. He has already been punished." Meanwhile, the Kerala Congress condemned the move saying the "Congress cannot be intimidated by such blatant attempts to misuse law enforcement agencies to target opposition leaders". "The desperate attempt to arrest the president of KPCC Shri.K.Sudhakaran by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's police is condemnable. @CPIMKerala and @pinarayivijayan must remember that Congress cannot be intimidated by such blatant attempts to misuse law enforcement agencies to target opposition leaders. We will continue to ask tough questions and keep your corrupt government on its toes daily," read a tweet on the official handle of the Kerala Congress. It added, "Sudhakaran and the party he leads with conviction will only get stronger and come down heavily on you without wasting a moment. Wait for the setbacks that await you in peoples' court." The Congress also came down heavily on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan saying the CM and his party proved that "they are not a worthy ally for anyone in the fight against the fascist rule in the country". The arrest came barely hours after CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and Congress heavyweights Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge attended a joint Opposition meeting in Patna. The meeting was aimed at creating a roadmap for a national front against the BJP at the Centre. "Pinarayi stands exposed. by copying Modi's autocratic and undemocratic tactics and single-window corruption, he and his party proved that they are not a worthy ally for anyone in the fight against the fascist rule in the country," the Congress added. Earlier this month, CPI (M) State Secretary MV Govindan alleged that Sudhakaran was present at the house of the fake antique dealer, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in a POCSO case in connection with sexual assault on a minor. "Sudhakaran was present at the time of the crime at Monson's house. In her statement before the Crime Branch, the minor girl revealed that Sudhakaran was present when Monson sexually assaulted her. Crime Branch would question Sudhakaran in the POCSO case. I'm talking on the basis of news reports," Govindan said. Mavungal was sentenced to life imprisonment under two sections of the Indian Penal Code. "The Kochi special POCSO court sentenced Monson Mavunkal to life imprisonment until the remainder of his natural life in two sections under the IPC. Sections 376(2)(n) and 376(2)(f)," said the prosecutor. Monson is accused of allegedly defrauding crores of rupees by selling fake antiquities. The Crime Branch of Kerala Police arrested him on November 6, 2021. He had pretended to be a collector of artifacts and relics over the last several years and cheated people of over Rs 10 crore. According to a report, Monson had claimed that his precious antique collection includes a throne of Tipu Sultan, the first edition of the Holy Bible, books perused by Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji, and Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. (ANI) Speaking with a delegation led by Karnataka Small Industries Association president KN Narasimha Murthy, CM Siddaramaiah said a meeting will be convened along with Energy, Industry and Kassia departments to resolve the issues of MSMEs in the state. The chief minister clarified that Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) had hiked the electricity charges before our government came to power. He said it is a known fact that BJP is "imposing its mistake on the Congress government". "The previous government owed Rs 11,000 crores to Escoms. Those dues will have to be cleared by us. The damage caused by the financial indiscipline of the previous BJP government has to be addressed," the CM added.Energy Minister KJ George suggested that the delegation can appeal to KERC for reconsideration of its recommendation to hike electricity rates. Deputy Chief Secretary, Energy Department, Gaurav Gupta and office bearers of theassociation were also present on the occasion. (ANI) The Congress on Friday paid tribute to former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on the occasion of his birth anniversary. The former CM died on July, 2021. The state party leadership announced that statues of Virbhadra Singh will be erected across the state and schemes will be launched in his name. "The statues of Virbhadra Singh will be set up across the state. It has already been set up in Sainj. In days to come these statues will be installed and we shall start schemes in his name," Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, said, adding that Singh had been the chief minister of the hill state six times. "His statue will be installed on the Ridge. Leaders like Virbhadra are respected by one and all. There is no dispute on this," Agnihotri added. More statues of Virbhadra Singh will be installed and schemes will be launched in his name, he added. "Today we are celebrating the birth anniversary of Virbhadra Singh Ji. He has been an inspiration for all of us; we remember him on his birth anniversary. He served the people of the state and ruled the hearts of the people for 60 years. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly till his death," Agnihotri said. Lauding him as the architect of modern Himachal Pradesh, he said, "He is known for his contribution to the overall development of the state. We call him the architect of modern Himachal." Highlighting his role in developing hydroelectric projects across the state, the deputy chief minister said, "He developed the state as a hydro state. His contribution in the fields of education and health is remarkable. Dr YS Parmar and Virbhadra Singh will be remembered by the Congress forever. Today, the entire Himachal Pradesh is remembering him." Vikramaditya Singh, state Minister and son of Virbhadra Singh said, "It is a proud moment for me that I am a son of the architect of modern Himachal Pradesh. It is also an emotional moment for me." "This is a day for us to take a vow to follow in his footsteps. It is our responsibility to work for the development of the state and make Himachal Pradesh a prominent and prosperous state in the country. We, the Congress party and all of us together will have to work towards this and it would be a real tribute to him," he added. (ANI) The Army on Saturday opened fire after noticing suspicious movement along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. "Officials of the Indian Army on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday cordoned off an area in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch sector after suspicious movement along the Line of Control was observed, officials said. As per the officials, a brief exchange of fire occurred and the operation is underway, the officials added. Further information is awaited. (ANI) The company of Central Paramilitary force has been lodged at the Panchayat Training Center in the Mohitnagar area of Jalpaiguri. Earlier on Wednesday the Calcutta High Court ordered the West Bengal SEC to requisition Central Forces within 24 hours for deployment in panchayat elections. 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. The decision by the court came 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) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (local time) highlighted "India's unity in diversity," at the historic address to the joint sitting of the US Congress. "India is the home to all faiths in the world and we celebrate all of them. In India, diversity is a natural way of life, today the world wants to know more and more about India," said PM Modi. Speaking about Indian diversity, he said, "We have over 2500 political parties...About 20 different parties govern various states of India. We have 22 official languages and thousands of dialects, yet we speak in one voice. Every 100 miles our cuisine changes, from dosa to aloo paratha." He said that today, the world wants to know more and more about India. "I see that curiosity in this house, too. We were honoured to receive around 100 members of the US Congress over the last decade. Everyone wants to understand India's development, democracy and diversity," said PM Modi. He arrived at the US House of Representatives, where he addressed the joint session of the US Congress shortly. PM Modi said that it is always a great honour to address the US Congress. "It is an exceptional privilege to do so twice. For this honour, I extend my deepest gratitude to the 1.4 billion people of India. I see that nearly half of you were here in 2016. I can also see the enthusiasm of the old friends and the new friends in the other half," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that our era is at a crossroads and he is speaking about the calling for this century. "Standing here seven Junes ago, when Hamilton swept all the awards, I said that the hesitations of history were behind us. Now, when our era is at a crossroads, I am here to speak about our calling for this century," he said. PM Modi further highlighted many advances made in AI- Artificial Intelligence. "In the past few years, there have been many advances in AI- Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, there has been even more momentous development in another AI- America and India," he added. PM Modi further related battles of patience, persuasion and policy. "I can relate to the battles of patience, persuasion and policy. I can understand the debate of ideas and ideology. But I am delighted to see you come together to celebrate the bonds between two great democracies - India and the United States," said PM Modi. Speaking about the active participation of Indian-Americans in US politics, he told that the "Samosa Caucus is the flavour of the house," refering to US Vice President Kamala Harris. "The foundation of America was inspired by the vision of a nation of equal people...There are millions here who have roots in India, some of them sit proudly in this chamber and there is one behind me. There is one behind me (Kamala Harris) who has made history," he said. The prime minister said that democracy is one of our sacred and shared values. It has evolved over a long time and taken various forms of system. "Democracy is one of our sacred and shared values. Throughout history, one thing has been clear, democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity. Democracy is the idea that welcomes debate and discourse. Democracy is the culture that gives wings to thought and expression. India is blessed to have such values from time immemorial. India is the mother of democracy," said PM Modi. He said that India and US have made the test of friendship through the long and widening road that both countries have travelled. "A lot has changed since I came here 7 summers ago. However, a lot has remained the same, like our commitment to deepen the friendship between India and the US," said PM Modi. "Last year India celebrated 75 years of independence. Every milestone is important but this one was special. We celebrated a remarkable journey of our 75 years of freedom after thousand years of foreign rule in one form or another. This was not just a celebration of democracy but also of diversity," he added. PM Modi further stated that the US is the oldest and India is the largest democracy. " Our partnership augurs well for the future of democracy. Together, we shall give a better future to the world and a better world to the future," he said. PM Modi also highlighted India's sturdy economic journey. He said, "When I first visited the US as the PM, India was the 10th largest economy in the world. Today, India is the 5th largest economy. And India will be the third-largest economy soon....When India grows the whole world grows." "Our vision is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas. It means, together for everyone's growth, with everyone's trust and everyone's effort. Let me share with you how this vision is translating into action with scale and speed," added PM Modi. (ANI) Addressing the joint session of the US Congress for a historic second time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that it is an exceptional privilege to do it twice, adding that there have been even more momentous developments in another Al - America and India. PM Modi received standing ovation and applause when he said, "There are millions here, who have roots in India. Some of them sit proudly in this chamber. There is one behind me, who has made history. I am told that the Samosa Caucus is now the flavour of the House," Addressing the joint session of the US Congress, PM Modi said, "It is always a great honour to address the US Congress. It is an exceptional privilege to do so twice. For this honour, I extend my deepest gratitude on behalf of 1.4 billion people of India. I see that nearly half of you were here in 2016. I can also see the enthusiasm of the old friends and the new friends in the other half." "Our era is at a crossroads. Through the long and widening road that we have travelled we have made the test of friendship, he added. Chants of "Modi, Modi...." were heard as the Prime Minister addressed the joint session of the US Congress on Thursday. PM Modi also received a standing ovation twice, while speaking. Speaking further on his previous visits to the US, Prime Minister Modi said, "Standing here seven Junes ago, when Hamilton swept all the awards, I said that the hesitations of history were behind us. Now, when our era is at a crossroads, I am here to speak about our calling for this century." He also said that there have been many advances in AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the past few years. PM Modi coined a new acronym to showcase the partnership between US and India saying that there has been even more momentous development in another AI- America and India. "In the past few years, there have been many advances in AI- Artificial Intelligence. At the same time, there has been even more momentous development in another AI- America and India," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as he addressed the joint sitting of the US Congress today. his is not an era of war but it is one of dialogue and diplomacy and we all must do what we can to stop the bloodshed and human suffering. The stability of the Indo-Pacific region has become one of the central concerns of our partnership. We share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. More than 2 decades after the 9/11 attacks and more than a decade after 26/11 in Mumbai, terrorism and radicalism still remain a danger for the whole world: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the joint sitting of the US Congress "Last year India celebrated 75 years of independence. Every milestone is important but this one was special. We celebrated a remarkable journey of our 75 years of freedom after thousand years of foreign rule in one form or another. This was not just a celebration of democracy but also of diversity..,"PM Modi said. Now, when our era is at crossroads, I am here to speak about our calling for this century," Modi said PM Modi said he can relate to the battles of patience, persuasion and policy. "I can understand the debate of ideas and ideology. But I am delighted to see you come together to celebrate the bonds between two great democracies - India and the United States," the prime minister said. "India is the home to all faiths in the world and we celebrate all of them. In India, diversity is a natural way of life, today the world wants to know more and more about India," he added. Prime Minister Modi's first visit to the US took place in 2014, during which he had a working visit and delivered his inaugural speech at the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly. In 2016, he returned to attend the Nuclear Security Summit and held a meeting with then-President Barack Obama at the White House. That same year, PM Modi made another trip to the US and addressed a range of topics, including terrorism, climate change, and the strong Indo-US partnership, in his first speech to the US Congress. Prime Minister Modi, on his first-ever state visit to the United States, received a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at the White House. Upon his arrival at the White House lawns, PM Modi who was dressed in a traditional white kurta pyjama teamed with a powder blue jacket was greeted by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. A US delegation led by Vice President Kamala Harris, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin assembled to greet PM Modi. The Indian delegation led by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu were also present. (ANI) "Under our G20 presidency, we are giving strength to 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' and giving voice to the Global South. I thank President Biden for granting support to my proposal of making Africa a permanent G20 member. I firmly believe that the world's two largest democracies - India and the US will be able to fulfil the aspirations of expectations and aspirations of the whole world," said PM Modi. Earlier, PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to his counterparts among the Group of 20 (G20) members, calling for the African Union to be given full membership of the grouping. The proposal was made in line with a request from the Union, which is made up of 55 countries of the African continent, aimed at enhancing Africa's voice on the international stage and shaping the future of our shared world. Prime Minister Modi firmly advocates and supports the African cause and has led from the front in this matter. Prime Minister Modi is also a strong believer in holding a greater voice of the Global South countries on international platforms, particularly of African countries. As part of India's G20 Presidency, he has particularly focused on incorporating priorities of the African countries in the G20 agenda. The G20, which was founded in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis, comprises the 20 largest economies. The grouping's members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union. India is set to host the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September. (ANI) Sharing his experience of meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy said he had a great time with him. "We had a great time with Prime Minister Modi. We have a very strong relationship, PM Modi continues to make that grow and make both nations stronger," said McCarthy as he entered the White House for the State dinner. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted PM Modi at the White House for a state dinner after he addressed a joint sitting of the US Congress. Ahead of a historic address at the US Congress, PM Modi met Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy at US Capitol on Thursday. Both leaders shook hands as they met, while PM Modi thanked McCarthy for allowing him to address the joint session of the US Congress. "It was a privilege to welcome Prime Minister @narendramodi to the US Capitol, one of the greatest symbols of democracy in the world. I look forward to increased economic and national security ties between our two great nations," tweeted McCarthy. McCarthy also asked for an autograph from PM Modi after the address to US Congress. He autographed McCarthy's joint session address booklet. Other US Congressmen lined up to take autographs and selfies with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his address to the joint sitting of the US Congress. Other prominent business leaders and politicians who attended the State Dinner included: Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, Reliance Group; Indra Nooyi, former Chairperson and CEO of PepsiCo; Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra; Indian-American filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan; Zerodha Co-Founder Nikhil Kamath; US Secretary of State Antony Blinken; and Adobe's CEO Shantanu Narayen. US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti also attended the event. "It has been wonderful, beyond my wildest dreams. It has grown so strong, this is not just the relationship between two men, or two governments, its really two peoples," said Garcetti. US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrived at the White House for the State dinner. US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo arrived at the White House for the State dinner. Google CEO Sundar Pichai also attended the event. (ANI) TEHRAN, June 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 17 people have died after drinking counterfeit alcohol in the northern Iranian province of Alborz over the past 11 days, official news agency IRNA reported Friday. Some 191 people suffering from poisoning symptoms were referred to the province's hospitals in this period, of whom four are still hospitalized, IRNA quoted Alborz Province's Chief Justice Hossein Fazeli Herikandi as saying on Friday. So far the provincial police have arrested nine suspects, including two who were captured in the past two days, Fazeli Herikandi added. He noted that the arrestees have been involved in either producing the counterfeit toxic alcohol through adding water and other solutions to methanol, or its distribution. The owner of a hairspray production factory in Eshtehard County in Alborz was found "illegally" selling the industrial-grade alcohol that was used in producing the toxic alcoholic drinks. Last week, local media reported that about a dozen were killed and scores of others poisoned during the preceding days after drinking "counterfeit toxic" alcohol in Alborz. Producing, selling and drinking alcoholic beverages are considered illegal in Iran. Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, terrorism in the country has been on the rise, and now the Kabul residents, have once again raised concerns over the rise in crime in the city, TOLOnews reported. Some Kabul locals claimed that the city's crime rate had increased recently. According to the Afghan news agency, they said that this issue requires more focus and that the security organization's current efforts to uphold Kabul's security are insufficient. A woman was killed in Kabul thirteen days ago, and the victim's husband claims that his wife was brutally murdered there in the city's safest neighbourhood, TOLOnews reported. Abdul Wahid, the husband of the slain woman, claimed that the incident took place while his wife was at home alone. Some unknown assailants broke into his house and killed his wife while also stealing some cash. He continued by saying that more than thirteen days had elapsed since the incident, yet no one has been arrested in connection with his wife's murder, TOLOnews reported. "She was stabbed in the heart seven or eight times with a knife. They brutally killed her by suffocating her," Abdul Wahid said. "When I got home, I found my mother in the hallway. I became worried and did not know what to do. Then my mother's aunt came and called her husband and we brought my mother to the clinic," said Mohammad Murtaza, the murdered women's son, according to TOLOnews. Since the Taliban seized power in August 2021, the law and order situation in the country has only deteriorated. The group banned women from going to schools, and later in December last year, they banned women from going to universities and working with aid agencies. (ANI) Moreover, Afghanistan is also facing a severe economic crisis after the Taliban takeover in August 2021, that followed by the suspension of international aid and the freezing of more than USD 9 billion in foreign reserves, as per a TOLO News report. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden on Thursday while raising global issues, backed Ukraine's "territorial integrity" and also "condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launches." As Prime Minister Modi paid a maiden State visit to Washington, the two leaders, in a joint statement "called for respect for international law, principles of the UN charter and territorial integrity and sovereignty." "As global partners, the United States and India affirm that the rules-based international order must be respected. They emphasized that the contemporary global order has been built on principles of the UN Charter, international law, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states," the statement read. Expressing their deep concern over the conflict in Ukraine, President Biden and PM Modi "mourned its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences." PM Modi and Biden also underscored the serious and growing impacts of the war on the global economic system, including on food, fuel and energy security, and critical supply chains. They called for greater efforts to mitigate the consequences of the war, especially in the developing world. Both countries further pledge to render continuing humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine. They called for "respect for international law, principles of the UN charter, and territorial integrity and sovereignty," as per the joint statement. The leaders also condemned the destabilizing ballistic missile launches of North Korea, which violate relevant UN Security Council resolutions and pose a grave threat to international peace and security. They reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and urged N Korea to comply with its obligations under these resolutions and engage in substantive dialogue. They stressed the importance of addressing the concerns regarding North Korea's proliferation linkages related to weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery, and related items in the region and beyond. Apart from Ukraine and N Korea, two leaders also expressed deep concern about the "deteriorating situation in Myanmar, and called for the release of all those arbitrarily detained, the establishment of constructive dialogue, and the transition of Myanmar toward an inclusive federal democratic system," according to the joint statement. Both US and India also concurred on the importance of post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine. President Biden and Prime Minister Modi reiterated their enduring commitment to a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous India-Pacific region with respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, and international law. Both leaders expressed concern over coercive actions and rising tensions, and strongly oppose destabilizing or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force. Both sides emphasized the importance of adherence to international law, particularly as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the maintenance of freedom of navigation and overflight, in addressing challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the East and South China Seas, said the joint statement. (ANI) Many student political activists who were unlawfully arrested in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK)'s Muzaffarabad by the police on various charges, were recently released with reports of physical torture. A majority of them including Ali Shamraiz, Raja Noman Asif, Raja Etsham, Irfan Ahmed and Faisal Aurangzaib were members of the student wing of United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP). The UKPNP and its student wing, United Kashmir National Students Organisation (UKNSO) have been vocal critics of the government's policies, emphasizing their demands for the ownership of natural resources, opposing resource exploitation, unemployment, rising prices, and ongoing extremism and radicalism. UKPNP and UKNSO activists advocating for their basic rights and engaging in peaceful efforts for the reunification of the State of Jammu and Kashmir have faced intimidation, harassment, and false charges to stifle their voices. During the reception, UKPNP Chief Organiser Waqar Kazmi, Central Leader Ishtiaq Mir, Musharaf Gilani, Ali Shamraiz and other activists addressed the attendees, reiterating their commitment to continue the struggle for the rights of the people and their unwavering dedication to the ideology and program of the UKPNP. The United Kashmir People's National Party had previously launched a campaign and organized protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the United Kingdom, Europe and North America, urging the United Nations and the international community to secure the release of its peaceful activists. The UKNSO activists expressed their gratitude to UKPNP Exiled Chairman Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri and the central leadership of UKPNP, as well as the supporters in the United Kingdom, North America, Europe, and across the globe. They also extended their appreciation to the press, media, and every individual who raised their voices in support of their safety and release. "The UKPNP and UKNSO remain steadfast in their dedication to fighting for the rights of the people and will not compromise on their ideology and program", said a release issued by UKPNP. (ANI) In a weekly briefing on Thursday, Pakistan confirmed its presence in the virtual meeting of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) that is going to be held on July 4. Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mumtaz Zahra Baloch was asked whether the Prime Minister will participate in the virtual event which is due in the month of July in India. Following the question she said, "We have received the official invitation from the Indian Prime Minister for our Prime Minister for the virtual meeting of the Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization that is due to take place on the 4th of July." "Pakistan will be represented at the summit. We will be making an announcement regarding our participation in the coming days," she added. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State is all set to take place in July. It will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a virtual format, according to the statement released by SCO. Under India's leadership, the SCO Council of Heads of State will be held in a virtual format on July 4, 2023. "The theme of the Summit is 'Towards a SECURE SCO'. The SECURE acronym was coined by the Prime Minister at the 2018 SCO Summit and stands for Security; Economy and Trade; Connectivity; Unity; Respect for Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity; and Environment. These themes have been highlighted during our Chairmanship of SCO," according to9 the statement. All the SCO Member States have been invited to attend the summit. The countries include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. In addition, Iran, Belarus and Mongolia have been invited as Observer States. As per SCO tradition, Turkmenistan has also been invited as the guest of the Chair. (ANI) Indian Ambassador to Egypt Ajit Gupte on Friday said India and Egypt are two of the greatest ancient civilizations in the world, and ties go back more than 4000 years. "India and Egypt are two of the greatest ancient civilizations in the world and our ties go back more than 4000 years," the Indian Ambassador to Egypt said. "We've had maritime contacts over the centuries and in recent years, the relationship has gone from strength to strength. Particularly, after Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Prime Minister Modi both came to power in 2014," he said. The Indian Ambassador said that in Egypt, everybody is enamoured of Indian culture and that they have been watching Bollywood movies for decades. "They know that India and Egypt worked together to form the non-aligned movement. They still remember the close friendship between Mahatma Gandhi and Saad Zaghloul," Gupte said. The Indian Ambassador said the people of Egypt want to be close to India. "They are very closely associated with our culture and our family values." He further said: "Prime Minister Modi arrives tomorrow. He's here till the 25th. We are having for the first time, a roundtable between Prime Minister Modi and the Egyptian Prime Minister. After President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's highly successful visit to India in January 2023, both countries agreed to elevate the relations to a strategic partnership. And on his return, the Egyptian President constituted a special India unit in his cabinet which consists of senior ministers and they have been asked to improve relations with India. So Prime Minister will be having a meeting with the India unit." PM Modi will make a State visit to Egypt on June 24 and 25. The PM is visiting Egypt on the invitation of the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, which he extended in January 2023 when he graced India's Republic Day celebrations as the 'Chief Guest. This will be PM Modi's first visit to Egypt, according to the MEA release. The Prime Minister will apart from his talks with President Sisi, interact with senior dignitaries from the Egyptian Government, some prominent Egyptian personalities, as well as the Indian community in Egypt. Relations between India and Egypt are based on ancient trade and economic linkages as well as cultural and deep-rooted people-to-people ties. During the state visit of President Sisi in January 2023, it was agreed to elevate the relationship to a 'Strategic Partnership'. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to a joint sitting of the US Congress evoked multiple standing ovations, applauses and cheers from American lawmakers. Bharatiya Janata Party leaders hailed PM Modi and said his visionary policies have instilled confidence in the world about India's potential. In his address to a joint sitting of the US Congress on Thursday, the Prime Minister conveyed his appreciation for the long-standing and strong bipartisan support in the US Congress for the deepening of India-US relations. He spoke about the rapid strides made in India-US bilateral relations and shared his vision for elevating bilateral ties. He also outlined the enormous progress made by India and the opportunities that it presents for the world. US Vice President Kamala Harris was also present on the occasion. On arrival at the Capitol Hill, PM Modi was accorded a formal welcome by the Congressional Leaders. He had separate meetings with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the Congressional leaders. Speaker McCarthy hosted a reception in honour of the Prime Minister. This was the Prime Minister's second address to the Joint Sitting of the US Congress. He previously addressed the US Congress during his official visit to US in September 2016. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister were among BJP leaders who hailed PM Modi's speech and the enthusiastic response from the US lawmakers. "Proudest moments! Our leader, son of Bharat Mata, Hon PM @narendramodi ji gets 15 standing ovations, 79 applauses during his address to the joint session of the US Congress. Phenomenal! No one ever will be able to bring glory to India the way Modi Ji did !," Fadanvis said in a tweet . Sarma said the applauses and standing ovations, were a testament to the admiration that the members of Congress have for him "Truly heartwarming to see the US Congress welcome Hon PM @narendramodi Ji with such enthusiasm & excitement. The chants of 'Modi Modi', followed by showering of applauses & standing ovations, were a testament to the deep respect & admiration that the members of Congress have for him. His visionary policies have instilled confidence in the world about India's potential," Sarma said in a tweet. BJP also lauded PM Modi's speech from its official handle. "15 standing ovations to PM Modi in the US Congress...the historical moments of unprecedented respect and admiration for him!" the party said in a tweet. (ANI) Maulana Abdul Aziz, cleric of Lal Masjid, along with four others has been booked over terrorism charges after they opened fire on police in the country's capital, Islamabad, The Express Tribune reported. A Counter-Terrorism Department (CPD) team purportedly went to the Lal Masjid area to ask him to appear before them and explains his return as a prayer leader, as well as, efforts to seize the area of the former children's library. On Wednesday, a CTD team purportedly went to the Lal Masjid area to ask him to appear before them and explain his return as prayer leader as well as efforts to seize the former children's library area, as per The Express Tribune. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the team spotted a "suspicious" vehicle in the area which was signalled to stop. Later, three men including two armed with sub-machine guns (SMG) opened fire at the police. The FIR invokes six sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including 324 (attempt to commit murder), as well as sections 7 (punishment for acts of terrorism) and 11E (measure to be taken against a proscribed organisation) of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), according to The Express Tribune. The three men identified as Murad Khan, Abrar Ahmad and Sarfaraz Hussein, were arrested. However, Aziz and another man managed to escape. The FIR identified him as the driver Manzoor. Moreover, four people other than Aziz have also been booked. The FIR added that Aziz's name was included in a section of the ATA under which someone suspected of terrorism is kept under observation. Moreover, it also said that Aziz and his accomplices fired at the police with the intent to kill, The Express Tribune reported. The police recovered the Sub Machine Guns (SMGs). However, two men who were bearing the weapon failed to provide the permit, as per the FIR. Furthermore, they also recovered 11 shell casings from the scene, as per The Express Tribune. (ANI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said the Shehbaz Sharif government has made the country irrelevant internationally and its democracy, rule of law and the entire economic and institutional structure were collapsing. The PTI chief was referring to the India-US joint statement, which labelled Pakistan as a promoter of cross-border terrorism in India. The statement said the US and India stand together to counter global terrorism and unequivocally condemn terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations. US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qa'ida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e- Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen. The statement read: "They strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks. They called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice." In response to the statement, Imran Khan said: "Gen Bajwa along with his PDM cronies claimed that I had isolated Pakistan internationally. The question we want to ask him and PDM is that after a year in government and countless trips of Pakistan's FM to the US, the joint India/US statement reduces Pakistan to a promoter of cross-border terrorism in India and nothing more." "So now the imported government experiment has not just made Pakistan irrelevant internationally but our democracy, rule of law and the entire economic and institutional structure is also collapsing right in front of our eyes," Khan wrote. Relations between India and Pakistan have been under strain, with cross-border terrorism being one of the many thorny issues impairing bilateral ties. The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought three wars, two of them over Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI) The Niagara Falls on Friday lit up in tricolour to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his historic state visit to the US. "Welcoming Prime Minister @narendramodi on the #HistoricStateVisit2023 & celebrating #IndiaUSAFriendship. Bathed in the colors of India's flag, the breathtaking Niagara Falls look magnificent amidst fireworks.Thank you Council of Heritage and Arts of India (CHAI)," India's Consulate General in New York tweeted on Friday. The Consulate General also shared a view of the Niagara Falls from the Canadian side. "View of the Niagara Falls from the Canadian side as it celebrates #IndiaUSAFriendship and welcomes Prime Minister @narendramodi on the #HistoricStateVisit2023. Thank you Council of Heritage and Arts of India (CHAI)," the Consulate General tweeted. Meanwhile, earlier on Friday, the One World Trade Center Building in Lower Manhattan, New York City, lit up in tricolour to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his historic state visit to the US. "Testimony to the friendship between India and the US, the iconic lower Manhattan landmark @OneWTC sparkling in the lights of tricolour, welcoming @narendramodi on the historic State Visit," India's Consulate General in New York tweeted on Friday. The Empire State Building in New York also lit up in tricolour to welcome PM Modi. PM Modi is on a three-day State visit to the US. He will attend the State Department luncheon and Indian community event today. PM Modi on Friday said that India-US friendship will make the world a better place. "India-USA friendship will make our world a better place," PM Modi tweeted on Friday. The PM also shared a video showing glimpses of his US visit. Acknowledging the progress made by Indian Americans in the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (local time) said that they have played a significant role in further strengthening the inclusive society and economy of the US. During his speech at the State Dinner held at the White House, PM Modi said, "Indian Americans have come a long way in the US and have always found a respectful place in America's Melting Pot. Indian Americans have played a significant role in further strengthening the inclusive society and economy of the US." He also thanked US President Joe Biden for hosting a wonderful dinner and making the visit. Earlier on Thursday, PM Modi called terrorism an "enemy of humanity" and that there can be no ifs and buts while dealing with it. "Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and there can be no ifs and buts in dealing with it. We must overcome all such forces sponsoring and exporting terror," the Prime Minister said, as he addressed the joint sitting of the US Congress on Thursday at the US Capitol Hill. (ANI) United States (US) Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday said she is struck by the extraordinary impact Indian Americans have had on the US in every facet of life. "I am struck by the extraordinary impact Indian Americans have had on our country in every facet of life. Take for example the historic number of members of the United States Congress with Indian heritage," the US Vice President said at the State Luncheon attended by PM Narendra Modi on Friday. Harris welcomed PM Modi to the US. "Prime Minister Modi, we are honoured to welcome you. We also welcome the members of the President's Cabinet who are here and all of the members of Congress who are here," she said. The US Vice President further said: "We see the impact of Indian Americans from American companies to neighbourhood businesses, from the studios of Hollywood to university research labs across our country." She said India is an important part of her life. "When my sister Maya and I were growing up, our mother would take us to India pretty much every other year. And the purpose of those trips was that we would well understand where she came from, what produced her, so that we could spend time with our grandparents, with my uncle," Harris said during her address. "As I travel the world as Vice-President, I've seen the impact of India's global impact. In South East Asia, India-made vaccines saved lives. In the African continent, India's long-standing partnerships support prosperity and security. Through the Indo-Pacific, India helps promote a free and open region," she added. PM Modi on Friday said the coming together of talent and technology guarantees a brighter future. "The coming together of talent and technology guarantees a brighter future," said PM Modi at the Hi-Tech Handshake event with top CEOs of the US and India at the White House. The Prime Minister during the event met Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, Reliance Industries Chairman & MD Mukesh Ambani, Zerodha & True Beacon Co-Founder Nikhil Kamath and several others present. US President Joe Biden during the event said India, US "cooperation matters, not just for our own people but quite frankly to the whole world as our partnership is about more than the next breakthrough or the next deal as big as they may be. It is about tackling climate change, about exploring the universe, about lifting people out of poverty, preventing pandemics & giving our citizens real opportunity." Meanwhile, PM Modi on Friday said that India-US friendship will make the world a better place. "India-USA friendship will make our world a better place," PM Modi tweeted on Friday. The PM also shared a video showing glimpses of his US visit. PM Modi is currently on his sixth visit and maiden State visit to the US. (ANI) This photo taken on June 17, 2023 shows a man looking at handcrafted items on display at a stand in Lusaka, Zambia. (Photo by Lillian Banda/Xinhua) LUSAKA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Over the years, crafts-making has proved a valuable opportunity for Zambia's rural dwellers to earn more and improve their quality of life. With the rise of both local and international tourism and the growing demand for handmade products, people in rural Zambia are finding success in making and selling a wide variety of handcrafted items. Crafts-making not only helps to improve the standard of living but also provides greater financial security for people from these settings. It requires minimal startup capital, as raw materials such as clay, wood and natural fibers used to make items are in most cases readily available. "I use reeds from swamps and riverbanks near my home to make reed mats," explained Mate Simataa, 30, who lives in the outskirts of Mongu, a district in western Zambia. He has been making reed mats for about five years and the venture has become his mainstay, Simataa said. "Initially, I was making and selling reed mats to supplement my income from other sources. I later decided to concentrate on this business because it proved to be worth doing," Simataa told Xinhua in Lusaka, Zambia's capital, where he was selling his merchandise. Bernard Banda, 31, makes baskets and hats in Luangwa district, and sells the items around Luangwa Bridge, a famous tourist stop. "I have been making baskets and hats for more than 10 years. I find my work very fulfilling because it involves creating and selling things that have a lot to say about our cultures and traditions," he said. By selling handicrafts, rural dwellers can earn some money without relying solely on agriculture, the main source of income for the majority of people in rural Zambia. Kanyata Muyunda, a 44-year-old farmer based in Mongu district, turned to making traditional stools to cushion losses from flooding that washed away all his investment in rice production in the last farming season. "I have managed to raise enough money to provide for my children's needs, including ensuring that they stay in school, just from making stools," he said while holding one of the stools he made from wood and discarded animal skin. Beyond being an expression of culture and tradition and a means of sustenance, crafts making is increasing economic prospects of poor and vulnerable rural communities. According to Muyeya Nambo, 38, a Lusaka-based handicraft reseller specialized in traditional musical drums and some curios, rural handicrafts makers contribute to increased economic activities in their respective communities. Rural communities with a larger number of craftmakers are more vibrant because of increased incomes from crafts-making, he said. "Tourism thrives in places where there are a lot of handicrafts makers and items," Nambo said. "That also helps to boost other businesses, making a place more vibrant economically." Boeing CEO David L Calhoun praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for India's airline industry and highlighted the remarkable pace of airport development in India and the significant international opportunities. PM Modi met Boeing CEO in Washington DC today. After meeting him, Boeing CEO in an exclusive interview with ANI said, "The most important takeaway is the PM's passion for India's development. He does have a specific interest in aviation, in aerospace. It is a big vision." He emphasized the importance of India playing a significant role not only for the country but also for the broader region broadly in aviation and aerospace. [{65ff8e10-f093-4a92-83ab-c0e6547db085:intradmin/ANI-20230623203347.jpg}] "I would like for India to play a significant role not just for India but for the region broadly. I think it's great when technologies & opportunities align with the vision a leader has for the country and that's where we are," said Calhoun after meeting PM Modi. He said that the welcome accorded to business and investment and opportunity speaks volumes about PM Modi's vision for India. "I think, obviously not just to me, but to pretty much everybody who has interacted with him," he said. The Boeing CEO further said that his company wants to support India as there is a huge domestic market that needs to be satisfied. "At Boeing, we support that 100 per cent. There is a giant domestic market that needs to be satisfied. Airport development is now moving at a pace that the country's never seen before. And then maybe even bigger is the international opportunity where Air India is making enormous investments, new equipment, new skills, and new talents to be able to support that international traffic, which it deserves a big share of," he said. The world's two largest jet manufacturers have announced record-setting deals driven by surging demand from regional airlines in India, signalling a possible resurgence for a commercial aviation industry battered by a years-long covid-induced malaise. Air India has announced two major deals worth around USD 100 billion to buy 470 passenger planes from top aircraft manufacturers Airbus (with France) and Boeing (with United States). Air India's deal with Boeing is for 190 737 MAXs, 20 787 Dreamliners and 10 777X jets, with the option to purchase an additional 50 737 MAXs and 20 787 Dreamliners, according to a company statement. The airline's order with Airbus is for 210 A320neo and A321neo narrow-body jets and 40 A350 widebodies. The deal reflects India's aspirations to be a world leader in the aviation sector, which is projected to require over 2,000 aircraft in the next 15 years. The deal is expected to make India the third-largest player in the aviation sector and create new opportunities in aerospace manufacturing under India's 'Make in India-Make for the World' vision. In a Tuesday announcement at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, France, Boeing said it has finalized an order for up to 220 commercial jets for the fast-growing Air India, with options for another 70 planes. The same airline firmed up an earlier deal for 250 jets from Airbus, Boeing's European rival. Just a day earlier the Indian budget airline IndiGo placed a firm order for 500 Airbus A320 passenger jets. It's the largest deal in the history of commercial aviation. India's Civil Aviation is among the fastest-growing aviation markets globally and will be a major growth engine to make India a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024. The nation's aeroplane fleet is projected to quadruple in size to approximately 2500 aeroplanes by 2038. The White House issued a "fact sheet" on Thursday during PM Narendra Modi's state visit to the US which said AI's order for over 200 Boeing aircraft "will support more than one million American jobs across 44 states and contribute to the modernisation of the civil aviation sector in India." (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden have affirmed a vision of India and the United States as among the closest partners in the world with the two leaders noting that the bilateral cooperation will serve the global good. A joint statement during PM Modi's official State visit to the United States said the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership is anchored in a new level of trust and mutual understanding and enriched by the warm bonds of family and friendship "that inextricably link our countries together". "Prime Minister Modi and President Joe Biden today affirmed a vision of India and the United States as among the closest partners in the world - a partnership of democracies looking into the 21st century with hope, ambition, and confidence. No corner of human enterprise is untouched by the partnership between our two great countries, which spans the seas to the stars," it said. The two leaders said that together they will build "an even stronger, diverse India-US partnership that will advance the aspirations of our people for a bright and prosperous future grounded in respect for human rights, and shared principles of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law". "Our cooperation will serve the global good as we work through a range of multilateral and regional groupings - particularly the Quad- to contribute toward a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific," the statement said. The joint statement said that the document, in its breadth and depth, "represents the most expansive and comprehensive vision for progress in the history of our bilateral relationship." "Still, our ambitions are to reach ever greater heights, and we commit both our governments and our peoples to this endeavour, now and into the future." PM Modi and President Biden affirmed that technology will play a defining role in deepening our partnership. The leaders hailed the inauguration of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in January 2023 as a major milestone in India-U.S relations. They called on our governments, businesses, and academic institutions to realize their shared vision for the strategic technology partnership. The leaders recommitted the United States and India to fostering an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem, based on mutual confidence and trust that reinforces our shared values and democratic institutions. The statement said that PM Modi and President Biden share a vision of creating secure and trusted telecommunications, resilient supply chains, and enabling global digital inclusion. "To fulfill this vision, the leaders launched two Joint Task Forces on advanced telecommunications, focused on Open RAN and research and development in 5G/6G technologies. Public-private cooperation between vendors and operators will be led by India's Bharat 6G Alliance and the U.S. Next G Alliance," the statement said. "We are partnering on Open RAN field trials and rollouts, including scaled deployments, in both countries with operators and vendors of both markets, backed by US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) financing. The leaders welcomed the participation of Indian companies in the U.S. Rip and Replace Program. They endorsed an ambitious vision for 6G networks, including standards cooperation, facilitating access to chipsets for system development, and establishing joint research and development projects. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden also stressed the need to put in place a "Trusted Network/Trusted Sources" bilateral framework," it added. PM Modi and President Biden welcomed the establishment of a joint Indo-US Quantum Coordination Mechanism to facilitate collaboration among industry, academia, and government, and our work toward a comprehensive Quantum Information Science and Technology agreement. "The United States welcomes India's participation in the Quantum Entanglement Exchange and in the Quantum Economic Development Consortium to facilitate expert and commercial exchanges with leading, like-minded quantum nations. The United States and India will sustain and grow quantum training and exchange programs and work to reduce barriers to India-US research collaboration," the statement said. The leaders welcomed the launch of a USD 2 million grant programme under the India-US Science and Technology Endowment fund for the joint development and commercialization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies and encouraged public-private collaborations to develop high-performance computing (HPC) facilities in India. President Biden also reiterated his government's commitment to work with the US Congress to lower barriers to US exports to India of HPC technology and source code. The US side pledged to make its best efforts in support of India's Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) joining the US Accelerated Data Analytics and Computing (ADAC) Institute. The leaders welcomed 35 innovative joint research collaborations in emerging technologies funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST). Under a new implementation arrangement between NSF and DST, both sides will fund joint research projects in computer and information science and engineering, cyber-physical systems, and secure and trustworthy cyberspace. The statement said NSF and India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will bring fresh funding for joint projects in applied research areas such as semiconductors, next-generation communication, cyber security, sustainability and green technologies and intelligent transportation systems. PM Modi and President Biden acknowledged the profound opportunities and significant risks associated with AI. "They committed to developing joint and international collaboration on trustworthy and responsible AI, including generative AI, to advance AI education and workforce initiatives, promote commercial opportunities, and mitigate against discrimination and bias," the statement said. The United States has also supported India's leadership as Chair of the Global Partnership on AI. The leaders applauded Google's intent to continue investing through its USD 10 billion India Digitization Fund, including in early-stage Indian startups. Through its AI Research Center in India, Google is building models to support over 100 Indian languages. PM Modi and President Biden hailed deepening bilateral cooperation on cutting-edge scientific infrastructure, including a USD140 million in-kind contribution from the Indian Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) Fermi National Laboratory toward collaborative development of the Proton Improvement Plan-II Accelerator, for the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility -- the first and largest international research facility on U.S. soil. They also welcomed the commencement of the construction of a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in India. The leaders called on their administrations to extend these partnerships to advanced biotechnology and biomanufacturing and enhance biosafety and biosecurity innovation, practices, and norms. As global partners, the United States and India affirmed that the rules-based international order must be respected. They emphasized that the contemporary global order has been built on principles of the UN Charter, international law, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. "The United States and India reaffirmed their resolve to counter any attempts to unilaterally subvert the multilateral system. The leaders underscored the need to strengthen and reform the multilateral system so it may better reflect contemporary realities. In this context both sides remain committed to a comprehensive UN reform agenda, including through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the UN Security Council," the statement said. Sharing the view that global governance must be more inclusive and representative, President Biden reiterated U.S. support for India's permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council(UNSC). President Biden welcomed India's candidature as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2028-29 term, in view of India's significant contributions to the UN system and commitment to multilateralism, as well as its active and constructive engagement in the Inter-Governmental Negotiations process on Security Council reforms, with an overall objective of making the UNSC more effective, representative, and credible. Prime Minister Modi and President Biden recommitted themselves to empowering the Quad as a partnership for global good. The Quad to be hosted in India in 2024 would be another opportunity to continue the dialogue and consolidate cooperation, the statement said. The leaders also welcomed the depth and pace of enhanced consultations between the two governments on regional issues including South Asia, the Indo-Pacific and East Asia and looked forward to governments holding an inaugural Indian Ocean Dialogue in 2023. The two leaders reiterated their enduring commitment to a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous India-Pacific region with respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, and international law. Both leaders expressed concern over coercive actions and rising tensions, and strongly oppose destabilizing or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force. Both sides emphasized the importance of adherence to international law, particularly as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the maintenance of freedom of navigation and overflight, in addressing challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the East and South China Seas. (ANI) Speaking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State visit to the US, Ambassador Eric Garcetti on Friday described it as an extraordinary visit where significant progress was made between the two nations, surpassing the achievements of any previous visit in history "I feel that AI is the future- America and India. We had more things that we got done than any other visit in history. This was an exceptional visit. We are now in the deepest and the broadest friendship of our entire history," Garcetti told ANI. "More importantly than that, we established the strength of this relationship between two men who lead our countries, two governments that helped us move forward and of course, two peoples who are now in the deepest and the broadest friendship of our entire history," the US envoy added. On being asked about the future relations, he reiterated PM Modi's quote that he used while addressing the US Congress for a historic second time on June 22. "You know what ..AI is the future--America and India," Eric Garcetti said. Yesterday, as US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted a grand State dinner for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, Eric Garcetti also attended the event. "It has been wonderful, beyond my wildest dreams. It has grown so strong, this is not just the relationship between two men, or two governments, its really two peoples," Eric Garcetti told ANI, as he entered the White House for the State Dinner. Prime Minister Modi is currently on his sixth visit and maiden State visit to the US. A 'state visit' holds a special significance as compared to other foreign visits, as this is a formal visit by the head of state to a foreign country at the invitation of the head of state hosting him. The visit signifies the highest expression of friendly bilateral ties between two sovereign nations. Also, during a State visit, the leader extending the invitation acts as the official host of the visiting head of state through the course of the trip. (ANI) Joe Biden arrives to speak on rebuilding US manufacturing President Joe Biden arrives to speak on rebuilding US manufacturing through the CHIPS and Science Act at the groundbreaking of the new Intel semiconductor manufacturing facility near New Albany, Ohio, on Sep. 9, 2022. Credit - Saul LoebAFP/Getty Images On June 9, President Joe Biden and the First Lady made a rare visit to the small town of Rocky Mount, N.C., a diverse enclave in a battleground state that his team believes he can win in 2024. It was the towns first visit from a sitting president since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, drawing hundreds of residents to line the streets and wave as the presidential motorcade made its way through town. For Biden, the stop in Rocky Mount was aimed at persuading voters that his policies are bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. after decades of offshoring, as well as creating new, well-paying jobs that dont require a college degree. He was there to visit the Nash County Community College, which holds a new 96-hour course supported by government funds designed to help students pursue a career in manufacturing without a traditional four-year degree. Look, you cant have advanced manufacturing without a highly trained workforce. They dont go together, Biden told the assembled students. Thats where you all come in. But as the President travels the country to tout his economic vision, industry experts have warned that manufacturers may run into trouble hiring enough workers. According to a report from Deloitte, the U.S. semiconductor industry could face a shortage of about 70,000 to 90,000 workers over the next few years, in part because skilled workers and those with advanced technical degrees are choosing to work at big technology firms instead of manufacturing facilities. McKinsey has also projected a shortage of 90,000 skilled technicians in the U.S. by 2030. The Commerce Department is aware of the looming issue: We really have to just get a lot more serious about it, and also develop new pipelines, Secretary Gina Raimondo said at a summit on April 18. The forecasts are that well be about 100,000 semiconductor technicians short in the next handful of years, if we dont do something differently. Thats a huge problem. President Joe Biden speaks as he tours Nash Community College with first lady Jill Biden, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., in Rocky Mount, N.C., Friday, June 9, 2023. Susan WalshAP When asked if the Administration is worried that there wont be enough workers to fill all the jobs created by the CHIPS and Science Act, a senior Commerce Department official responded: Look, its a challenge and our job here is to address the challenge. Biden may also have misled prospective applicants on salary expectations. In his most recent State of the Union address, he said the CHIPS Act has created jobs that pay an average of $130,000 a year, many of which do not require a college degree. But company representatives from Intel, the company responsible for many of the workforce training programs launched so far, note that the $130,000 figure that Biden officials have touted is an average amount that could be skewed by management and employees with advanced degrees. It doesnt mean that every job is going to pay six figures, a separate senior Biden Administration official says. Thats the average. When you aggregate all the jobsthe four-year degree jobs, the two years, the training certificatesyou will get a number like $135,000 But of course its a mix of jobs. Still, having more jobs than workersand a plan to address the shortfallisnt a bad place to be politically, and the Biden Administration is hopeful that it can blunt a possible workforce shortage and bring crucial manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. to compete with China. Across the country, community colleges, universities, and school districts have been creating or expanding training programs to attract more students to the semiconductor industry, which experts say is on the cusp of a manufacturing boom. To receive a slice of the federal subsidies under the CHIPS Act, the Commerce Department is requiring companies to submit applications that include detailed plans about how they will recruit and retain workers, prompting a new wave of workforce training programs. Workforce development is a core part of our application and evaluation process, the senior Commerce Department official says. Its really important on a regional and local basis to build the workforce necessary to fill these jobs. Partnerships with university systems, community colleges, workforce and labor organizationsthese are all the types of things that we are expecting our applicants to see. In Maricopa County, Ariz., outside Phoenix, three community colleges have partnered with Intel to offer a Quick Start program aimed at preparing students to become entry-level technicians at Intel, its suppliers, or other semiconductor manufacturers in just 10 days, funded by a grant from the Arizona Commerce Authority and at no cost to the students if they complete the course. Students who graduated from the boot camp told TIME that they were taught the basics of how chips are made, practiced using various hand tools, and tried on the head-to-toe gowns (called bunny suits) that technicians wear to prevent stray lint or hair from damaging the wafers. Even a speck of dust can ruin the chip-making process. Intel's newest factory, Fab 42, became fully operational in 2020 on the company's Ocotillo campus in Chandler, Arizona. Intel/AP Lisa Strothers, a 35-year-old from Phoenix, Ariz., had just been laid off from her job as a loan support specialist when she received an email about the program. Begin your exciting new career with only 10 days of training, the message read. It was a path she had never considered, given her non-technical background, but she decided to give it a try. It was a lot of information in a short period of time, but they tried to make it very basic so you can still understand, Strothers says. Only one or two people had some type of technology background in our class; the rest of us did not. Just a few weeks after completing the 10-day program and passing a certification exam, she applied for a job at Intel and was hired as a process technician, responsible for helping troubleshoot equipment and tools. Intel says that demand for the Quick Start program is so high that it had to put hundreds of people on a waiting list just to enroll in the program at its two locations in Phoenix and Portland, Ore. In February, Intel launched a similar rapid certification program in Ohio, where the company is breaking ground on its planned $20 billion semiconductor facilities set to open in 2025 and employ 3,000 people and require 7,000 construction workers to build. The Ohio program currently has 260 registered students. The question of how we scale and how we serve that level of interest is one in our minds right now, says Gabriela Cruz Thompson, Intels director of University Research Collaboration. Quick Start is still in pilot program mode. We dont want to over scale and then under serve the students. We want to hear a little bit more from the community in terms of what skills people are getting and make the appropriate adjustments as we might scale this into the future. So far, the training program has served more than 600 students in Arizona since it began in July 2022. Patty Mfoloe, a graduate of the Portland program after she was laid off from her job in the healthcare sector, said the 10-day bootcamp was challenging at first, but it allowed her to learn more about the chips that run nearly every piece of technology we use. It was one of the things that Ive never done in my life, says Mfoloe, who now works for Intel as a manufacturing technician in which shes responsible for the tools that create chips. The average annual income of program graduates upon job placement is $43,000, according to Fresh Start, a Phoenix-based nonprofit womens foundation that partnered on the initiative with Intel and Mesa Community College. In Oregon, an advertisement for the workforce training program claimed entry level semiconductor technicians earn between $18 and $24 per hour, which translates to an annual salary range of roughly $37,000 to $50,000. Intel claims the training program is just a starting point for a career in the semiconductor manufacturing industry that the Biden Administration is hoping will be better equipped to compete with China and Taiwan, which have dominated the chips race for several decades. Semiconductors were invented in the U.S., but many manufacturers moved their facilities overseas in search of cheaper labor costs and incentives from foreign governments, dragging the U.S. share of chip production down to about 12% today from 37% in the 1990s. To attract chipmakers back to the U.S., Biden signed into law last summer the CHIPS and Science Act, which centers on $52 billion in subsidies for semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. It has already sparked an outpouring of new private investments in chip plants around the nation, most of which are outside big cities and seek to catalyze economic growth in parts of the country that could use a spark. The challenge now is getting enough people to fill the jobs at those manufacturing plants. Training workers for free in just 10 days could be the key. I feel like the program is giving people a foot in the door that otherwise wouldnt even think about doing it, Strothers says. Including myself. Up to 150 people join suit against Harvard over alleged stolen body parts scheme, law group says Up to 150 people have joined the lawsuit against Harvard University on behalf of the families affected by the alleged theft and sale of human remains from the medical schools morgue, the filing law group said Friday. The lawsuit, filed in Suffolk Superior Court by Keches Law Group, seeks monetary damages for the severe emotional distress caused by a group charged with allegedly trafficking body parts. A betrayal: Several charged with trafficking body parts stolen from Harvard Medical School morgue The suit claims Cedric Lodge, 55, of Goffstown, New Hampshire, stole body parts donated to Harvard Medical School for research and education while serving as the manager of the morgue. Harvard and Lodge breached the duty of care and were negligent by failing to take responsible steps to ensure the cadavers were properly handled, Keches said in the suit. Harvard Morgue Class Action by Fox Boston Staff Earlier this month, federal prosecutors said that Lodge stole dissected portions of cadavers that were donated to the school in a grotesque scheme that stretched from 2018 to early 2023. Cedrics wife, 63-year-old Denise Lodge, and a Peabody business owner are among several people named in the indictment who are accused in the multi-state scheme, with some of the body parts sold via Facebook and PayPal and shipped through U.S. Postal Service mail. Lodge is accused of taking the stolen cadaver parts from the university morgue to his home in Goffstown, from where his wife, Denise, then sold the remains to 44-year-old Salem native Katrina Maclean, owner of Kats Creepy Creations in Peabody, who then sold the stolen body parts at her business, court documents allege. In a message posted on Harvards website entitled An abhorrent betrayal, deans George Daley and Edward Hundert said, We are appalled to learn that something so disturbing could happen on our campus a community dedicated to healing and serving others, the deans wrote. The reported incidents are a betrayal of HMS and, most importantly, each of the individuals who altruistically chose to will their bodies to HMS through the Anatomical Gift Program to advance medical education and research. Also indicted on the trafficking charges were Joshua Taylor, 46, of West Lawn, Pennsylvania, and Mathew Lampi, 52, of East Bethel, Minnesota. Additionally, Jeremy Pauley, 41, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, was charged by criminal information, and Candace Chapman Scott, of Little Rock, Arkansas, was previously indicted in the Eastern District of Arkansas. Pauley was arrested last year in Pennsylvania for allegedly buying human remains on Facebook. Harvard is said to be cooperating with the investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Habersham County officials euthanized more than a dozen cats after one of the animals tested positive for rabies. On June 18, Habersham County Animal Care and Control was contacted by a concerned citizen who said they came across a cat that was acting aggressively. After they determined the cats location, Animal Control contacted an owner off Cannon Bridge Road just outside Demorest the next day. The resident told authorities the cat was a stray they had been feeding. They also told authorities that the cat had bitten them two days before being contacted by animal control. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] While they were conducting their investigation, animal control officials located the cat in question and determined it was dead. During the investigation, authorities found many feeding stations throughout the property and a colony of unvaccinated cats that hadnt been fixed. The resident told animal control that the cats were being fed on the property and had been unmanaged for over two years. People never seem to understand why HCACC does not condone the free feeding and non-management of feral cats, said HCACC Director Madi Nix. We love cats. Nothing destroys us more than situations like this where the unnecessary deaths of animals could have been prevented. TRENDING STORIES: Officials sent the dead cat to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention State Laboratory for testing, which confirmed the cat had rabies. Authorities said they decided to euthanize the remainder of the colony on the property where the rabid cat was found. Due to the number of unvaccinated cats that been allowed by the owner to reproduce and remain on the property unvaccinated, the risk to human safety and the safety of all animals, the heartbreaking decision to be forced to humanely euthanize all unvaccinated free-roaming cats on the property, including kittens, authorities said. As of Thursday, 18 cats, including the cat who tested positive for rabies, have been removed and euthanized, according to authorities. Deputies are still working to capture the remaining cats to prevent the spread of the disease. The most common thing we hear when residents request the removal of entire colonies is that one cat showed up, and they didnt want that one cat to starve, so they fed it, Nix said. Then it invited its friends. Then they reproduced. Then those cats reproduced. Its not until a situation becomes out of control that we are asked to step in, and by that time, it is often too late. The time for action is when one shows up, not two years later. When 46,000 residents wait until that one cat turns into 50, we cannot keep up. Or in this situation, animals lives were needlessly created and then lost unnecessarily. Id be lying if I said I didnt sob all the way home. This was an extremely difficult day for us. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] In addition to vaccinating all pets for rabies, there are several steps residents can take to protect themselves and their pets: Avoid wildlife and unfamiliar animals. Do not allow pets to roam; they can come in contact with rabid wildlife. Never feed or touch wild animals, especially bats, skunks, raccoons, or foxes. Seek medical attention immediately if bitten or exposed to the saliva of a wild animal. Contact a veterinarian if a pet was exposed to a bat, raccoon, skunk, or other wild carnivore. Do not encourage the feeding of unmanaged cat colonies. For those who choose to feed cats, ensure they are part of a trap/neuter/release colony and have been vaccinated for rabies. For more information about rabies, click here. IN OTHER NEWS: 2 injured in 2-vehicle crash south of Greenville in Darke County Two people were taken to hospitals Thursday afternoon following a two-vehicle crash near the Wayne Lakes Area south of Greenville, the Darke County Sheriffs Office reports. >> TRENDING: 1 killed in T-bone collision on Versailles-Yorkshire Road in Darke County A 2007 Buick sedan failed to yield on westbound Hollansburg-Sampson Road at state Route 121 and traveled into the path of a maroon 2023 Nissan Rogue. The collision caused the Nissan to strike the Buick, according to the preliminary investigation. The Nissans driver was taken to Wayne HealthCare, suffering from minor injuries. The Buicks driver was taken to the Darke County Sheriffs Office by Tri-Village Rescue where he was transferred to MedFlight and airlifted to Miami Valley Hospital. His condition was unknown Thursday night. The sheriffs office is continuing its investigation of the accident. Two people were hospitalized and two arrested after a police chase involving several juvenile suspects in possibly stolen cars ended with a crash in Haltom City early Friday morning, police said. A Haltom City patrol officer spotted a Kia Soul and Kia Optima traveling east in the 5400 block of East Belknap at over 70 mph about 4:40 a.m. on Friday, police said in a news release. The officer attempted a traffic stop on both cars, but the drivers continued east onto Baker Boulevard at speeds exceeding 100 mph and seemed to be working together to evade officers, police said. Both cars crossed over the Loop 820 bridge onto State Highway 10 and crashed into concrete construction barriers, police said. Two suspects jumped out of the Kia Soul and ran but were arrested. Both people in the Kia Optima sustained significant injuries and are being treated at a hospital, police said. Several juvenile suspects and at least one adult were in the cars, and the preliminary investigation indicates that both vehicles were possibly stolen, police said. The names of the minors are not being released because of their ages. The identity and charges of the adult suspect will be made public after arraignment, police said. 2 teens arrested after shooting in Statesville, police say Two teenagers have been arrested after a shooting in Statesville, according to police. Police responded to Inglewood Road for a shooting on April 15 and identified two suspects based on evidence. Heavan Leigh Jones, a 19-year-old resident of Statesville, and Krispen Tre Blackler, an 18-year-old resident of Statesville, were arrested in Winston Salem, North Carolina by U.S. Marshals. RELATED: CMPD investigating deadly shooting near Old Statesville Road Jones received a $25,000 secured bond. Blackler turned himself in to police and was given a $200,000 secured bond. Police did not say if anyone was hurt in the shooting. (WATCH BELOW: 1 killed, 3 injured in overnight shooting at southeast Charlotte lounge) 20,000 animals may have died due to Kakhovka dam destruction, Ukraine says Satellite footage of destruction at the Kakhovka dam The Russian attack on the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) has led to substantial ecological consequences, Ukrainian Environment Minister Ruslan Strilets said on June 21. He extended an invitation to his counterparts from other countries to witness the damage firsthand. "Unfortunately, there are things that we will never restore; these are the ecosystems that were washed away into the Black Sea after the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam explosion," Strilets said at the meeting of EU environment ministers, as quoted in a message on the Ukrainian governments website. Read also: Animal genocide animals have no chance of survival as 55,000 hectares of forest flooded in Kherson Oblast He noted the estimated death of 20,000 animals and the loss of endemic species unique to southern Ukraine losses that cannot be quantified monetarily. Read also: Accumulated damage to electrical grid causes power outages throughout Kyiv At the same time, along with its international partners, Ukraine has developed unique approaches to calculating environmental damage caused by the war, which by now exceeds $57 billion, according to the minister. Read also: US will help Ukraine implement 'Peace Formula', White House says The minister expressed gratitude for Europe's support of Ukraine during this time. He also urged the international community to contribute to the implementation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Peace Formula, which aims to halt Russian aggression and liberate Ukraines sovereign territory. 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 An adult swamp forest crab is seen on display at a laboratory of the National Parks Board (NParks) in Singapore on June 20, 2023. The swamp forest crab (Parathelpusa reticulata) is one of three endemic freshwater crab species in Singapore. Twenty specimens of the critically endangered Singapore swamp forest crab were released into the wild on Tuesday. The crustaceans were hatched by the NParks as part of efforts to shore up the wild population. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) A worker from the National Parks Board (NParks) releases a swamp forest crab into a stream in Singapore on June 20, 2023. The swamp forest crab (Parathelpusa reticulata) is one of three endemic freshwater crab species in Singapore. Twenty specimens of the critically endangered Singapore swamp forest crab were released into the wild on Tuesday. The crustaceans were hatched by the NParks as part of efforts to shore up the wild population. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) A swamp forest crab is released into a stream by the National Parks Board (NParks) in Singapore on June 20, 2023. The swamp forest crab (Parathelpusa reticulata) is one of three endemic freshwater crab species in Singapore. Twenty specimens of the critically endangered Singapore swamp forest crab were released into the wild on Tuesday. The crustaceans were hatched by the NParks as part of efforts to shore up the wild population. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) An adult swamp forest crab (L) and a swamp forest crab offspring are seen on display at a laboratory of the National Parks Board (NParks) in Singapore on June 20, 2023. The swamp forest crab (Parathelpusa reticulata) is one of three endemic freshwater crab species in Singapore. Twenty specimens of the critically endangered Singapore swamp forest crab were released into the wild on Tuesday. The crustaceans were hatched by the NParks as part of efforts to shore up the wild population. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) A swamp forest crab offspring is seen on display at a laboratory of the National Parks Board (NParks) in Singapore on June 20, 2023. The swamp forest crab (Parathelpusa reticulata) is one of three endemic freshwater crab species in Singapore. Twenty specimens of the critically endangered Singapore swamp forest crab were released into the wild on Tuesday. The crustaceans were hatched by the NParks as part of efforts to shore up the wild population. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) Workers from the National Parks Board (NParks) prepare to release swamp forest crabs into a stream in Singapore on June 20, 2023. The swamp forest crab (Parathelpusa reticulata) is one of three endemic freshwater crab species in Singapore. Twenty specimens of the critically endangered Singapore swamp forest crab were released into the wild on Tuesday. The crustaceans were hatched by the NParks as part of efforts to shore up the wild population. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua) Beatties Ford Road hasnt changed much since Jamaa Cassell was shot and killed there three years ago, his father says. Long as weve been here, have you seen any police cars? Charles Billings asked a reporter about an hour into a discussion at the memorial site. Not one. Not a one. Billings son was one of four people killed in a shooting and subsequent mayhem at an impromptu Juneteenth and Fathers Day block party on June 22, 2020. Kelly Miller, Christopher Gleaton and Dairyon Stevenson were also killed. Theres a small plaque commemorating victims on the corner of Beatties Ford and Catherine Simmons Avenue. But theres still no meaningful relationship between the community and the police, Billings said. Charles Billings, left, and his wife, Bridgette, hold a collage that includes their late son, Jamaa Cassell (far left), at their home on Thursday, June 22, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. Three years ago Cassell was one of four people killed at a Juneteenth celebration on Beatties Ford Road. To this day, the case remains open and no suspects have been charged. Video released by CMPD about five months later showed two men opening fire as a crowd sprinted away. Investigators found more than 180 shell casings, and said there were at least 10 guns linked to the shootings. Police and family members pleaded for the public to come forward with information. But little has come out, and the case appears to have gone cold years ago. Billings has not heard from police in over two years, he said. And when The Observer requested reports tied to the shooting, CMPD provided one document: an incident report written the day of the shooting, at a time when only two people had been pronounced dead. Unsolved cases get harder with time Today, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is reminded of the tragic and violent incident that occurred on June 22, 2020, which left four people dead on Beatties Ford Road, the department said in an emailed statement to The Observer on June 22, 2023. While there are no arrests in this case and no new information for us to share at this time, the CMPD stands resolved to continuing the search for those responsible. The statement added that there is still a reward of up to $47,300 for information leading to an arrest. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 704-334-1600. FBI spokesperson Shelley Lynch said the bureau is still offering support to our partners at CMPD, including pitching in a reward of up to $30,000. She did not expand on what other support the bureau has provided. Police Chief Johnny Jennings has not publicly spoken on the case recently, but expressed frustration over it in 2021. Even with some community members coming forward, Jennings said its frustrating not being able to put those final pieces of the puzzle together, The Observer reported at the time. For this story, the department did not respond to questions from The Observer about how it defines cold cases and whether it considers the Juneteenth incident a cold case, among other things. It also did not respond to a request to interview a detective. The longer it goes, the worse it gets, Joseph Giacalone, an adjunct professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a retired New York Police Department sergeant, said of cold cases in general. He noted that different agencies define a cold case different ways. Some go by the number of years that have passed while others call it a cold case once leads have dried up, for example. Giacalones area of expertise includes cold cases. Theres so many other working parts that go against the police in these things, he said. Over time, retirements and resignations roll in, bringing cops off a case, he said. Communication stalls. Follow-ups fall through the cracks. The lead detective in the Juneteenth case had changed three times, The Observer reported last year. Once a case is cold, the department should keep publicizing it, Giacalone said. Bringing in a fresh set of eyes for a complete review of the work done and checking for any past missteps can also be helpful, he said. Police, community not close enough? As The Charlotte Observer previously reported, some activists believe that a poor relationship between the community and CMPD has hindered the departments ability to get information. They look bad, Billings said of the police. Like, you didnt do your damn job. In a two-hour interview with The Observer, he vented on a perceived lack of police presence near Beatties Ford Road in 2023, police not communicating with him and his family and what he described as lacking city leadership. Now, with no arrests three years in, community members might be scared to snitch and risk themselves for something that could go nowhere, he said. Photos of Jamaa Cassell are displayed at his parents home in Thursday, June 22, 2023. Three years ago Cassell was one of four people killed at a Juneteenth celebration on Beatties Ford Road. To this day, the case remains open and no suspects have been charged. But Billings believes that someone knows who killed his son. He hopes that an event this Saturday will bring the community together, honor the four victims and spark new leads for police. Its not all about Jamaa, Billings, who still cant bring himself to visit his sons grave, said. Its about all four of them, and its ... about getting justice done. Thats all I want. Want to go? A Family Fun Day will be hosted at the memorial site, in a parking lot on the corner of Beatties Ford Road and Catherine Simmons Avenue, from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The event will be hosted by Million Youth March of Charlotte and Salisbury. The event will be an opportunity for food and fellowship, according to Million Youth March. There will be a moment of silence at 3:45 p.m. 3M offers $10.3B settlement over PFAS contamination in water systems now, how do you destroy a 'forever chemical'? How long do chemicals really need to last? Andrew Brookes via Getty Images PFAS chemicals seemed like a good idea at first. As Teflon, they made pots easier to clean starting in the 1940s. They made jackets waterproof and carpets stain-resistant. Food wrappers, firefighting foam, even makeup seemed better with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Then tests started detecting PFAS in peoples blood. Today, PFAS are pervasive in soil, dust and drinking water around the world. Studies suggest theyre in 98% of Americans bodies, where theyve been associated with health problems including thyroid disease, liver damage and kidney and testicular cancer. There are now over 9,000 types of PFAS. Theyre often referred to as forever chemicals because the same properties that make them so useful also ensure they dont break down in nature. Facing lawsuits over PFAS contamination, the industrial giant 3M, which has made PFAS for many uses for decades, announced a US$10.3 billion settlement with public water suppliers on June 22, 2023, to help pay for testing and treatment. The company admits no liability in the settlement, which requires court approval. Cleanup could cost many times that amount. But how do you capture and destroy a forever chemical? Biochemist A. Daniel Jones and soil scientist Hui Li work on PFAS solutions at the Michigan State University and explained the promising techniques being tested today. How do PFAS get from everyday products into water, soil and eventually humans? There are two main exposure pathways for PFAS to get into humans drinking water and food consumption. PFAS can get into soil through land application of biosolids, that is, sludge from wastewater treatment, and can they leach out from landfills. If contaminated biosolids are applied to farm fields as fertilizer, PFAS can get into water and into crops and vegetables. For example, livestock can consume PFAS through the crops they eat and water they drink. There have been cases reported in Michigan, Maine and New Mexico of elevated levels of PFAS in beef and in dairy cows. How big the potential risk is to humans is still largely unknown. Cows were found with high levels of PFAS at a farm in Maine. Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg via Getty Images Scientists in our research group at Michigan State University are working on materials added to soil that could prevent plants from taking up PFAS, but it would leave PFAS in the soil. The problem is that these chemicals are everywhere, and there is no natural process in water or soil effective at breaking them down. Many consumer products are loaded with PFAS, including makeup, dental floss, guitar strings and ski wax. How are remediation projects removing PFAS contamination now? Methods exist for filtering them out of water. The chemicals will stick to activated carbon, for example. But these methods are expensive for large-scale projects, and you still have to get rid of the chemicals. For example, near a former military base near Sacramento, California, there is a huge activated carbon tank that takes in about 1,500 gallons of contaminated groundwater per minute, filters it and then pumps it underground. That remediation project has cost over $3 million, but it prevents PFAS from moving into drinking water the community uses. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed establishing legally enforceable regulations for maximum levels of six PFAS chemicals in public drinking water systems. Two of these chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, would be recognized as individual hazardous chemicals, with regulatory actions enforced when levels of either exceed 4 parts per trillion, which is substantially lower than previous guidance. Filtering is just one step. Once PFAS is captured, then you have to dispose of PFAS-loaded activated carbons, and PFAS still moves around. If you bury contaminated materials in a landfill or elsewhere, PFAS will eventually leach out. Thats why finding ways to destroy it is essential. What are the most promising methods scientists have found for breaking down PFAS? The most common method of destroying PFAS is incineration, but most PFAS are remarkably resistant to being burned. Thats why theyre in firefighting foams. PFAS have multiple fluorine atoms attached to a carbon atom, and the bond between carbon and fluorine is one of the strongest. Normally to burn something, you have to break the bond, but fluorine resists breaking off from carbon. Most PFAS will break down completely at incineration temperatures around 1,500 degrees Celsius (2,730 degrees Fahrenheit), but its energy intensive and suitable incinerators are scarce. There are several other experimental techniques that are promising but havent been scaled up to treat large amounts of the chemicals. Wayland, Mass., one of the cities that sued 3M, distributed bottled water to residents in May 2021 after elevated levels of PFAS were detected in its public water sources. Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images A group at Battelle has developed supercritical water oxidation to destroy PFAS. High temperatures and pressures change the state of water, accelerating chemistry in a way that can destroy hazardous substances. However, scaling up remains a challenge. Others are working with plasma reactors, which use water, electricity and argon gas to break down PFAS. Theyre fast, but also not easy to scale up. What are we likely to see in the future? A lot will depend on what we learn about where humans PFAS exposure is primarily coming from. If the exposure is mostly from drinking water, there are more methods with potential. Its possible it could eventually be destroyed at the household level with electro-chemical methods, but there are also potential risks that remain to be understood, such as converting common substances such as chloride into more toxic byproducts. The big challenge of remediation is making sure we dont make the problem worse by releasing other gases or creating harmful chemicals. Humans have a long history of trying to solve problems and making things worse. Refrigerators are a great example. Freon, a chlorofluorocarbon, was the solution to replace toxic and flammable ammonia in refrigerators, but then it caused stratospheric ozone depletion. It was replaced with hydrofluorocarbons, which now contribute to climate change. If theres a lesson to be learned, its that we need to think through the full life cycle of products. How long do we really need chemicals to last? This is an updated version of an article originally published Aug. 18, 2022. 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: A. Daniel Jones, Michigan State University and Hui Li, Michigan State University. Read more: A. Daniel Jones receives funding from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Department of Defense Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP). Hui Li receives funding from the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The company 3M announced a tentative settlement with public water systems for more than $10 billion dollars to resolve the water providers claims against the firm over toxic forever chemical contamination. 3M said Thursday that it had entered into the class settlement with public water suppliers that detect chemicals belonging to a group known as PFAS or that may do so in the future. PFAS, which stand for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been produced by industry for decades and are found in certain types of firefighting foam and a variety of household products. We think this is a significant step to remediating the nations water and stopping something that was started really 50 years ago with the introduction of these chemicals in firefighting foam and all other products, Paul Napoli, who serves as co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs, told The Hill. A press release from the company said it will pay out $10.3 billion, however, an SEC filing from the firm said that it will pay out a total of between $10.5 billion and $12.5 billion. This discrepancy was likely due to the fact that 3M was presenting the current value of the settlement, while the $10.5 billion $12.5 billion range reflects what they would actually have to spend over the next 13 years, according to Napoli. The final amount, he explained, will depend on how many water providers come forward. There are thousands of types of PFAS, a group of chemicals that have long been manufactured by 3M and other companies such as DuPont. These substances have been linked to a variety of illnesses including kidney and testicular cancer and thyroid disease. PFAS can be found in a wide range of products, including Teflon pans and waterproof makeup, as well as a specific kind of firefighting foam, the latter of which the cases settled Thursday pertained to. PFAS have taken on the nickname forever chemicals because they persist and accumulate in the human body instead of breaking down. They have become prolific over the years and can be found in the blood of 97 percent of Americans. Thousands of cases have been consolidated before a federal judge in South Carolina, against the manufacturers of aqueous film form foam (AFFF), which is used to fight jet fuel-based fires at Air Force bases, airports and industrial sites. Among the complainants are water providers, municipal property owners, personal injuries, medical monitoring cases for individuals exposed to the substances but not yet ill. Only the first category on this list was included in the current settlement. We intended for the water provider cases to be the first to be resolved because thats sort of cutting the cancer off at the earliest stages possible, Napoli told The Hill. Now were going to have to deal with the systemic repercussions of the contamination, he said. Having resolved this initial settlement with the water providers, Napoli said that there still remain another half a dozen players in the water provider space as they werent specified in the trial as potential responsible parties. Were in the process of identifying cases that will bring to the forefront these other remaining manufacturers of firefighting foam, Napoli said. Simultaneously, were in the process of picking personal injury bellwether cases, he added, noting that he expects those to go to trial in summer or fall of 2024. Given the enormous number of cases in this multidistrict litigation, at each step of the way, the judge needs to select so-called bellwether cases that are representative of others in their category. The judge, Napoli explained, is choosing 24 cases for kidney cancer, testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis and thyroid disease incidences. Were advocating to try a group of them all at once. The defendants are going to advocate to try one at a time, Napoli said. Nonetheless, Napoli expressed confidence in the fact that science has evolved a lot over the past few years enabling federal, university and international studies to find new connections between illness and elevated levels of PFAS. Toward the beginning of the multidistrict litigation process several years ago, Napoli said that he would be largely adhering to the results of the C8 Science Panel completed in 2012 following the settlement of a PFAS exposure case in Parkersburg, W.Va. That panel established a link between PFAS and diagnosed high cholesterol, testicular cancer, kidney cancer, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Asked whether he thought he could now prove connections to diseases not included in that decade-old panel, Napolis response was a hundred percent. The attorney attributed his certainty to the evolution of precision science at a cellular level, specialized medicine, retrospective studies and an increase in blood testing for PFAS levels. For its part, 3M said Thursday that the suit impacts public water systems that provide water to a majority of Americans. The company also said that the agreement is subject to court approval. Companies DuPont, Chemours and Corteva reached a separate tentative settlement with the water providers totaling nearly $1.2 billion. The 3M settlement comes as the first case in the class was recently slated to head to trial as a bellwether case. The trial was postponed as parties were closing in on a deal. 3M Chairman and CEO Mike Roman, in a written statement, called the settlement an important step forward and noted that the company has said it will stop manufacturing PFAS by the end of 2025. Napoli likewise expressed his satisfaction with the results of the settlement, while reiterating that there are still six defendants left that he believes will need to pay additional money. This is the sixth largest settlement in the history of the United States, he said. And its only a piece of the pie. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Bending to environmental standards. 3M will pay at least $10.3 billion to settle claims over the dumping of so-called forever chemicals in drinking water supplies across the US. The legal bill slapped on the company, infamous for creating the chemical C8 for Scotchgard, will cover not just existing claims but also future ones by municipal water authorities over per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS. The money from the deal, subject to court approval, would provide funding for treatment technologies to PWS [public water systems] that have tested positive for PFAS, funding for future testing, and funding for systems that test positive in the future, according to a regulatory filing. Read more The settlement agreement, which 3M says is not an admission of liability, calls for annual payments over the next 13 years, from 2024 through 2036. The problem with PFAS PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that can be found in several everyday items like household cleaners, packaging like sandwich wrappers, paints and waxes, fire-fighting foams, and wire insulation. Because their molecules have strong carbon-fluoride bonds, they do not degrade easily. They were largely produced between the 1940s to early 2000s, with a slowdown in recent years, but their effects will last for more than a thousand years. The chemicals, which most Americans have been exposed to, have been found to affect reproductive and thyroid levels. Theyve also been linked to cancer, developmental defects, and other health problems. We have reached the largest drinking water settlement in American history which will be used to help filter PFAS from drinking water that is served to the public. The result is that millions of Americans will have healthier lives without PFAS in their drinking water, said Scott Summy, an attorney for the plaintiffs with environmental litigation firm Baron & Budd. Quotable: 3M is exiting the PFAS business While PFAS can be safely made and used, we also see an opportunity to lead in a rapidly evolving external regulatory and business landscape to make the greatest impact for those we serve. 3M chairman and chief executive officer Mike Roman last December, when the company vowed to put an end to PFAS production and distribution by the end of 2025. PFAS lawsuits and penalties, by the digits $12.5 billion: How high 3Ms payment as part of the class action resolution could reach, depending on how many public water systems detect PFAS during testing that Environmental Protection Agency has mandated in the next three years 5,000+: Water systems that have already detected PFAS that will be paid in the first phase 5%: How much 3Ms stock rose on news of the proposed settlement in after-hours trading $850 million: The settlement 3M reached with the state of Minnesota after its attorney general sued the company for allegedly discharging PFAS and contaminating the states natural resources in the Twin Cities area in 2018 $30 billion: The total litigation overhang on the 3M stock, according to RBC analyst Deane Dray. Around $10 billion of this is not to do with PFAS but with the largest-ever multidistrict litigation case in the US against 3Ms Combat Arms military earplug cases, which allegedly cause hearing damage $1.3 billion: The current annual net sales from PFAS manufacturing for 3M 4,000: Lawsuits targeting 3M and other companies over PFAS environmental harms that have been consolidated before a federal judge in Charleston, South Carolina $1.18 billion: The size of the deal three other companies DuPont and its spinoffs Chemours, and Cortevareached earlier in June to resolve PFAS lawsuits 200 million: Americans drinking water laced with PFAS 106: Bills that have passed in at least 24 states, banning forever chemicals $400 billion: Estimated cost of removing PFAS from drinking water nationwide One more thing: 3Ms PFAS legal woes arent over The settlement solves a number of cases, including a trial that was delayed at the last moment as settlement talks neared their conclusion. But 3M still faces various PFAS-related lawsuits, including ones filed by individuals with personal injury and property damage claims, and others by US states over damages to natural resources such as rivers and lakes that were not part of the settlement. Related stories Californias lawsuit against forever chemicals makes bold demands for contamination compensation 3M has long known it was contaminating the US food supply Dupont and 3M knowingly contaminated drinking water across the US, lawsuits allege More from Quartz Sign up for Quartz's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Maplewood, Minnesota, 3M company global headquarters. 3M produces the N95 respirator masks for the coronavirus. Maplewood, Minnesota, 3M company global headquarters. Credit - Education Images/Universal Image; Michael Siluk / Universal Images Group If youre like 200 million other Americans, when you turned on your tap today you consumed water contaminated with PFASshort for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, but better known as forever chemicals because thats about how long they linger in the environment. A class of nearly 12,000 manufacturing chemicals, PFAS have been detected in water supplies nationwide, and have been linked to a range of health ills, including decreased fertility, high blood pressure in pregnant people, increased risk of certain cancers, developmental delays and low birthweight in children, hormonal disruption, and reduced effectiveness of the immune system. In the U.S., DuPont and 3M have historically been the leading manufacturers of PFASand both companies currently face about 4,000 lawsuits by states and municipalities seeking compensation for the cost of cleaning up their land and water supplies. Yesterday, 3M got out from under some of that legal trouble, agreeing to pay $10.3 billion to at least 300 plaintiff communities. Those 300 were included in a lawsuit brought by the city of Stuart, Fla., in a case being heard as part of what is known as multidistrict litigation (MDL), consolidated for trial in the United States District Court in South Carolina. Earlier this month, lawyers for 3M, Stuart, and the other communities in the lawsuit entered settlement negotiations and asked Judge Richard Gergel for time to continue talks before the trial began. Gergel gave them 21 days and the deal announced yesterday came in just under the wire. The settlement is the biggest ever against a PFAS manufacturerbut it is not likely to remain the biggest and certainly not the last. Given the ubiquity of the chemicals and the harm they can do, there will surely be more cases comingin addition to the ones still pending. This $10.3 billion domino could easily topple many others. Read more: Companies Knew the Dangers of PFAS Forever Chemicalsand Kept Them Secret Not surprisingly, the defendants decided to settle before the trial even started, says Erik Olson, senior strategic director for health at the Natural Resources Defense Council. They had several major motions that were decided against them, and once that happened, I think the handwriting was on the wall. The court decided against 3Ms request to exclude Stuarts expert testimony, for example, as well as a motion for summary judgment. The $10.3 billion will be paid out to the communities to install filters in their water suppliesbut whether that amount will be enough to cover all 300 communities is uncertain. Stuart, with a population of just over 17,000 people, has already incurred costs of up to $120 million, the city manager told The New York Times. And that was just to replace existing wells; it does not include ongoing cleanup costs, such as groundwater contamination. Cities all over the country are facing costs, says Rob Bilott, an attorney with the Taft Stettinus & Hollister law firm in Kentucky, whose earlier work pursuing PFAS claims was the basis of the feature film Dark Waters and the documentary The Devil We Know. Its not just to get PFAS out of their water, he says. Communities are now realizing that natural resourcesthe fish, the soil, the groundwatereverything is contaminated. Read more: The Challenge of Removing Toxic PFAS Forever Chemicals from Drinking Water Most of the contamination that the communities have suffered comes from the use of firefighting foamwhich leaches into the ground after its been usedespecially on military bases, at airports, and by local firefighters, both in actual fires and in drills. Older firefighting foam contained PFOA and PFOSespecially toxic forms of PFAS. They have since been replaced by a relatively new type of PFAS, known as Gen X, which was developed in 2009 and was ostensibly safer than other members of the PFAS familybut its not. Indeed, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, Gen X is unsafe to consume in drinking water in any concentration higher than 10 parts per trillion. For the past 14 years it too has been seeping from foam into the surrounding environment, just like PFOA and PFOS. Its not just firefighting foam that causes trouble. Other contamination comes from the chemical manufacturing plants themselveslocated in states that are the origin of some of the lawsuitswhich produce PFAS for thousands of products, including clothing, non-stick cookware, food packaging, carpeting, shoes, beauty products, wall paint, contact lenses, and even feminine hygiene products. Read more: All The Stuff in Your Home That Might Contain PFAS Forever Chemicals In a statement accompanying yesterdays settlement, 3M chairman Mike Roman pointed to the state-of-the-art filtration technology the company has installed in its plants and its commitment to exit all PFAS manufacturing by 2025. The resolution of the lawsuit is, he added, an important step forward for 3M. But 3M is unlikely to skate away on the $10.3 billion settlement alone. Nor will DuPont and two of its spinoff companies, Chemours and Corteva, which, on June 2, reached a much more modest $1.185 billion settlement with another 300 drinking water providers. More than 3,000 claims remain unsettled in the South Carolina MDL. There are also 5,000, perhaps 6,000 individuals who have brought personal injury cases [nationwide], says Michael London, of the New York law firm Douglas & London, which is representing the plaintiffs in the Stuart case. Whats more, DuPont and 3M will not be alone among the defendants likely to face big payouts. So too will the companies that knowingly manufactured products using PFAS produced by the two chemical companies. Theres going to be probably twenty-plus defendants who have their fingerprints on [the] MDL, says London. Some will settle early, some will settle in the middle, some will settle late. Whenever they settle, it is already too late for the communities that have been harmedand for the vast majority of Americans who have been drinking water, wearing clothes, cooking with utensils and using other products contaminated with PFAS. Legal settlements come and go, but forever chemicals are with us, well, forever. Correction: The original version of this story misspelled the name of an attorney. He is Rob Bilott, not Rob Billot. Most skin care products are marketed toward women, but men are increasingly taking an interest in caring for their skin. Though there has been an uptick in sales of mens skin care goods in recent years, many men still need some guidance in looking after the health and appearance of their skin. If I have one piece of advice for men, it would be to not be nervous or embarrassed to consult your dermatologist on skin care and treatments, dermatologist Dr. Kim Nichols, the founder of NicholsMD in Greenwich, Connecticut, told HuffPost. Men struggle with their skin just as much as women do. More skin care lines for men seem to be popping up. However, dermatologists say you should choose products based not on your gender, but on your individual skin type whether thats sensitive, normal, dry, oily or combination. The skin-related differences between the sexes are relatively subtle, dermatologist Dr. Viseslav Tonkovic-Capin told The Good Face Project. There is more individual variation in the skin than the variation between sexes. For example, mens skin tends to be thicker and more oily, but thats not always the case; it really depends on the person. The same types of ingredients can be used in men as in women to address issues like moisturizing, cleansing, sun protection and aging concerns, said dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, an associate professor of dermatology at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. HuffPost spoke with dermatologists to find out which types of products theyd like to see more men use. 1. Sunscreen The number-one product I wish men used more is sunscreen, said Zeichner. [Ultraviolet] light exposure from the sun is the single biggest risk factor for developing both skin cancers and premature skin aging. Men are less likely to wear sunscreen, perform skin self-exams at home or go see a doctor for a skin check. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men are far more likely than women to die of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. Applying sunscreen thats SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum, and water-resistant should be part of everyones daily regimen, rain or shine and not just something you do when youre at the beach or pool. (Here are some expert-recommended mineral and chemical sunscreens and an explainer of the differences between the two.) Dermatologist Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd, the director of the Skin of Color Division at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida, pointed to another underdiscussed benefit of wearing sunscreen. It can prevent dark spots from acne and can help improve hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone, she told HuffPost. These expert-backed products are worth adding to your routine. These expert-backed products are worth adding to your routine. 2. Moisturizer With Ceramides Dermatologist Dr. Rawn Bosley, the medical director of Prism Dermatology in Southlake, Texas, told HuffPost that he cannot emphasize enough how important it is for men to moisturize. He recommended moisturizers that contains ceramides, which are fats that help maintain a healthy skin barrier. They occur naturally in the skin but can also be produced synthetically for skin care products. An adequate skin barrier protects the skin from environmental damage, prevents irritation and maintains the skin moisture, Bosley said. Properly hydrated skin is less prone to acne, blemishes and flaking. Ceramide levels in the skin decrease as people age. To replenish, ceramide-containing moisturizers should be used on cleansed skin daily, Bosley said. When looking for a ceramide moisturizer, check for ceramide 1, 3 or 6 on the ingredient list, he said. Ceramides can also be found in anti-aging creams that may contain other popular ingredients, such as retinols and antioxidants, he added. 3. Facial Cleanser Nichols said shes surprised how many men use shampoo or body wash as their facial cleanser or worse, dont wash their faces at all. Cleanser is essential for removing excess oil and dirt that get trapped in pores, causing breakouts, she said. Further, because facial hair can harbor dirt, oil and bacteria, a cleanser is crucial for helping to keep pores unclogged. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends skipping conventional bar soap that can dry out the skin and instead washing your face with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water. 4. Retinol Retinol a vitamin A derivative is a buzzy skin care ingredient that delivers results. It has been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while also improving skin texture and hyperpigmentation. Retinol is perhaps the best-studied ingredient we have to fight the appearance of aging skin, Zeichner said. At the same time, it stimulates collagen production to thicken the foundation of the skin, and enhances cell turnover to improve radiance and texture. Its important to start slowly when using retinols, as they may cause red, irritated and peeling skin, especially at first. Dermatologists recommend easing in to let your skin acclimate by using a small amount of an over-the-counter formula every few nights, and then gradually working up to an every-night or every-other-night application over time. Note that retinols can also cause sun sensitivity, so wearing sunscreen during the day is essential. 5. Beard Care Products Just like hair on the scalp, facial hair needs TLC too. But for some men, caring for their facial hair is just an afterthought, said Woolery-Lloyd. Appropriate beard care is not only helpful for the beard, but for the underlying skin that can also get dry and irritated, she said. Using products like a beard-specific wash, conditioner or oil can give dry and damaged facial hair a refresh. Conditioning the facial hair a few times weekly with a wash-out or leave-in conditioner can reduce beard dandruff and reduce risks of ingrown hairs, Bosley said. There are aesthetic benefits too. Moisturized hairs also grow with more volume and are less likely to break ... [which] helps men develop the full appearance of the beard more quickly, Bosley added. Steer clear of highly fragranced bar soaps that can dry out the skin, one dermatologist said. Steer clear of highly fragranced bar soaps that can dry out the skin, one dermatologist said. 6. Moisturizing Body Wash The harsh and highly fragranced body soaps that men often gravitate toward can dry out the skin. This is especially true of traditional bar soaps that strip the skin of its natural oils, Woolery-Lloyd said. Many men opt for these cleansers because they are more familiar to them. Body washes that cleanse the skin without stripping the natural oils are better for the skin and help reduce dryness and itching associated with harsh cleansers, she added. When shopping for a body wash, look for hydrating ingredients like ceramides and shea butter. If you have very dry, eczema-prone skin, colloidal oatmeal is another great ingredient, Woolery-Lloyd said. 7. Skin Care Products With Antioxidants Using skin care products that contain antioxidants such as those with vitamin C, vitamin E, resveratrol or green tea is crucial, especially for men who spend time outdoors or live in metropolitan areas, Bosley said, since the environment can be harsh on skin. Antioxidants protect the skin from free-radical damage, which may occur as a result of environmental stressors, including UV rays and pollution, dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick told the site Byrdie. You can find antioxidants in combination with other ingredients in some moisturizers, serums and sunscreens, making these products a simple yet powerful addition to your skin care routine, Bosley said. For most men, in lieu of focusing on a single antioxidant, I recommend products that have blends of potent antioxidants, he said. Antioxidant blends can address multiple issues, improving luminosity, smoothness, reducing oiliness and the appearance of pores. Related... Plans for a new wind farm in the Scottish Borders are being submitted to the council this week Plans are being developed for an 80-turbine wind farm in the Scottish Borders. The farm would be spread across two commercial forestry areas in Liddesdale and the energy company behind the scheme said it could power up to 231,000 homes. EDF Renewables UK also said it could bring hundreds of thousands of pounds in community funding to the area. A scoping report is being submitted to Scottish Borders Council this week. The wind farm within Wauchope Forest and Newcastleton Forest could consist of up to 80 wind turbines, battery energy storage and a solar onsite system. Andrew Bennett, development project manager at EDF, said that plans were at an early-stage. "The submission of the scoping report to Scottish Borders Council is an important initial milestone for the project - allowing us to begin robust and detailed conversations with the local community on our proposal," he said. "There will be multiple opportunities for the community to view, comment and provide feedback on the proposals as they develop." Mr Bennett said he hoped the company could develop a proposal that would help support Scotland's renewable energy targets. Scotland is aiming to generate half of its energy through renewable sources by 2030 and wants to be completely decarbonised by 2050. The Scottish government recently missed its target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in part because the power generated from renewables fell as there was less wind. Abortion today, at least in the United States, is a political, legal and moral powder keg. But for long stretches of history, terminating an unwanted pregnancy, especially in the early stages, was a relatively uncontroversial fact of life, historians say. Egyptian papyrus, Greek plays, Roman coins, the medieval biographies of saints, medical and midwifery manuals, and Victorian newspaper and pamphlets reveal that abortion was more common in premodern times than people might think. This long view of abortion matters, according to Mary Fissell, a professor of the history of medicine at Johns Hopkins University. Thats because assumptions about how abortion was viewed in the past color present-day arguments about abortion rights. Those rights have been severely restricted in many US states since Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court ruling that effectively made abortion legally available, was overturned on June 24, 2022, by the US Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. Abortion opponents portray the rights granted by Roe v. Wade and legal access to abortion as an historical aberration, according to Fissell, which is not accurate, historians say. We have to understand that this is much more changeable than weve been led to believe. Theres a steady constant of women terminating pregnancies throughout history, but the meanings of that act have changed very significantly over time and will continue to change, said Fissell, who is working on Long Before Roe, a book on the history of abortion that will publish in 2025. The Dobbs decision was not inevitable, but rather a part of a much longer cycle of restriction versus acceptance, she said. Earliest references to abortion The first written references to abortion are contained in an ancient Egyptian papyrus written about 3,500 years ago. The Ebers Papyrus, a medical text, suggested around 1550 BC that abortion could be induced using a plant-fibre tampon coated with a compound that included honey and crushed dates. In ancient Greek and Rome, references to abortion and botanical substances that induce abortion were common in medical and other texts although its not clear how widely they were used, Fissell said. The Greek heroine Lysistrata. - Historia/Shutterstock In 411 BC, Greek playwright Aristophanes in his play Lysistrata described a desirable young woman as trimmed and spruced with pennyroyal, a plant thought to induce abortion. Plants and botanical substances can have toxic effects, and theres no evidence on whether historical methods to induce abortion were effective or not. The search for silphium In ancient Rome, another plant that was thought to end an unwanted pregnancy (among other uses), was so valued it disappeared the first recorded extinction in world history, according to archaeologist Lisa Briggs, a research fellow at Cranfield University and a visiting researcher at the British Museum. Silphium, also used to flavor food, was traded across the ancient Roman empire. The city state of Cyrene (in modern-day Libya), the only region where the plant grew, based its whole economy on the plant. It appeared on coins and other artifacts unearthed from the region, Briggs said. Contemporary authors said it was worth its weight in gold and silver. And so it clearly had a value beyond just its tastiness. I suspect that womens desire to use it as an abortifacient is one of the reasons the price was driven up, said Briggs, who is searching for archaeological evidence of the plant, which was turned into a resin, in shipwrecks and museum collections. Pliny the Elder, a Roman author and philosopher who was born around 23 AD, described the plants ability to expel an unborn fetus along with other medical uses. Its impossible to know for sure whether the plant would have had the desired effect, but modern-day studies on related Ferula plants and lab rats showed the plants exhibit anti-fertility properties in rodents, Briggs wrote in a paper she coauthored last year. Briggs believes demand for the plant among women may have been a key factor, although not the only reason, for its extinction. The plant was resistant to cultivation, Briggs noted, and climate change and a shift in soil characteristics may also have been factors. A coin depicting the now extinct silphium plant dates from 480-435 BCE. - Heritage Images/Getty Images Abortionists who were saints Its sometimes assumed that Christianity has always unequivocally condemned abortion but Maeve Callan, a professor and historian of religion at Simpson College in Iowa, said this misrepresents the past. People act like theres only one acceptable attitude towards abortion if youre Catholic, or if youre Christian more broadly, or even if youre religious more broadly. And theres always been a diversity of viewpoints, said Callan, the author of the book Sacred Sisters: Gender, Sanctity, and Power in Medieval Ireland. Her research, along with other scholars, has uncovered four medieval Irish saints who celebrated ending pregnancy among their miracles, according to medieval manuscripts that described saints lives. Typically, these miracles include a nun who has breached her vow to chastity and become pregnant but, through the saints intervention, the pregnancy miraculously disappears. The most famous was Saint Brigid, a lesser-known patron saint of Ireland than Patrick, and one whose standing was honored with an inaugural public holiday this year. According to a churchman named Cogitosus, who wrote the first biography of Brigid around 650 AD some 200 years after her birth she miraculously ended a womans unwanted pregnancy, causing the fetus to disappear without coming to birth and without pain. Dancers perform in front of an image of St. Brigid projected onto The Wonderful Barn in Leixlip, Kildare, Ireland, on January 31. - Peter Morrison/AP Another saint, Ciaran of Saigir, rescued a nun abducted by a king, according to a biography: When the man of God returned to the monastery with the girl, she confessed that she was pregnant. Then the man of God, led by the zeal of justice, not wishing the serpents seed to quicken, pressed down on her womb with the sign of the cross and forced her womb to be emptied. Callan is quick to point out that these Irish saints werent champions of choice for women when it came to unwanted pregnancy, nor was it likely that these saints actually performed abortions. The miracles show peoples attitudes toward abortion and in some circumstances it was seen as acceptable, even as a miraculous blessing. According to Callan, the Old Irish Penitential, a book that details punishments for sins, the penance for abortion depended on the stage of pregnancy, divided into three, like trimesters: In the first, three and a half years of penance; in the second, seven years; in the third, 14 years. But as Callan put it, pretty much everything was a sin. The Old Irish Penitential also stipulates that oral sex merits four or five years penance the first time, seven years if it is repeated. Its not permissive. Abortion is not okay (according to these teachings). Its just less of a sin. The idea that life begins at conception becomes dominant in Catholic teachings only about 150 years ago, according to Callan. Previously, Catholic teachings suggested that a fetus becomes a person some weeks if not months later, once it receives a rational soul known as ensoulment. This often gets associated with quickening, when the mother feels the fetus move for the first time, generally in the fifth month of pregnancy. It wasnt until 1588, that Pope Sixtus V officially classified abortion, regardless of the stage of fetal development, as homicide. However, after Sixtuss death in 1590, Pope Gregory XIV quickly rolled back the dictate, limiting it to ensouled fetuses. Why the long view is important In research for her upcoming book, Fissell said she had uncovered that what people dislike about abortion changes immensely over time. In ancient Rome, for example, abortion was only an issue for elite women, who were thought to be covering up adulterous relationships. In the Renaissance, abortion was linked to witchcraft. For most of history, abortion has not been an issue about the fetus, like it is today, but rather about womens behavior. This whole innocent unborn life that is the language of the American right today, thats only (in recent) decades. Sometimes abortion was something people didnt like because it pointed to illicit sex. Women have always terminated pregnancies, for as far back in the historical record we can see, said Fissell. I think the long view is really important. Things were not always as they are today. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The number of abortions in Kansas increased by several thousand last year, driven entirely by a surge of out-of-state residents as the state became a stronghold of abortion access in the Great Plains. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment released the states 2022 abortion statistics on Friday, the eve of the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision removing the federal right to abortion. The ruling, called Dobbs, reversed the dedadeslong abortion protections established by Roe v. Wade and allowed Missouri and other states to quickly enact bans. In August, Kansas voters rejected a measure that would have allowed legislators to ban the procedure. The vote kept in place a decision by the Kansas Supreme Court that the state constitution protects the right to end a pregnancy likely cementing abortion rights in the state for years to come. Last year, 12,318 abortions were performed in Kansas, according to KDHEs preliminary report, up from 7,849 in 2021 an increase of 57%. The growth occurred entirely in abortions among out-of-state residents, which grew by 4,563. Kansas residents obtained fewer abortions in 2022 than the year before. The number of Kansas residents receiving abortions dropped by 94 to 3,843. Texas residents accounted for the largest number of abortions after Kansas residents, with 2,978. Missouri residents accounted for 2,883 abortions, Oklahoma for 2,206, Arkansas for 405, and Louisiana for 88. Every other state had a dozen or fewer. This reinforces the heartbreaking reality of abortion bans: access to care is now very far away for many people across the region, when it should be available in their communities, Anamarie Rebori Simmons, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said in a statement. Amid the new reality of reproductive health care, Kansans continue to overwhelmingly support a persons right to make their own health care decisions. Kansas values fundamental rights and provides all people a place to get needed health care even when their own states do not. The number of abortions in Kansas in 2022 was the most since 2001, according to the report. More out-of-state residents received abortions in Kansas than at any time since at least 1981, the first year listed in the report. As we predicted, Kansas has seen a massive increase in the number vulnerable women being intentionally funneled to abortion facilities in Kansas, said Danielle Underwood, a spokesperson for Kansans for Life. Behind each of these statistics is an industry eager to pad its bottom line, a woman who has been pushed to feel she has no other option, and a child who will never blow out her first birthday candle. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment didnt comment beyond releasing the abortion report. Zach Fletcher, a spokesperson for Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, said in a statement that like most Kansans, as we saw last August, Governor Kelly continues to believe that women have a right to make their own private health care decisions. Even though Missouri was the first state in the nation to enact a near-total ban last year after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, 575 fewer Missouri residents received abortions in Kansas in 2022 than in 2021. By contrast, the number of Texas residents traveling to Kansas for an abortion soared by 2,745. Representatives from Planned Parenthood have said clinics in Kansas and also in Illinois have been inundated with patients from other states that have squeezed the ability of Missouri residents to quickly obtain abortions in Kansas. As racial and ethnic makeup of abortion patients in Kansas also shifted over the past year. The percentage of patients who were white fell from 48% in 2021 to 37% last year, while the percentage of Hispanic patients grew from 17% to 28%. The percentage of Black patients dropped slightly, from 26% to 24.5%. I have a hard time believing that the majority of Kansans want our state to be the Midwests destination for abortion, but unfortunately thats what weve become, Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said in a statement. To see such an extreme spike in abortions in our state is truly heartbreaking, but it also strengthens our commitment to support mothers and their babies throughout an unplanned pregnancy. The 2022 report comes amid a new legal fight over abortion restrictions in Kansas. Abortion providers filed a lawsuit in Johnson County District Court earlier this month challenging long-standing rules governing counseling for abortion patients, as well as a new law requiring medication abortion patients be told the procedure is reversible if they have taken only the first pill in the regimen. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, a Republican, has agreed that the state temporarily will not enforce the new law until a judge decides whether to temporarily block the law. The agreement means the requirements will likely not go into effect as scheduled on July 1. Abortion providers are asking the court to block the enforcement of requirements in Kansas law that physicians meet with patients and provide detailed information to patients about their pregnancy 24 hours before the procedure; requirements that physicians listen to the fetus heartbeat 30 minutes prior to an abortion; and requirements that providers, without evidence, post information in their clinics and websites that abortions could increase their risk of breast cancer and premature birth in future pregnancies. Members of a dragon boat racing team compete during a Nepal-China friendship dragon boat race festival in Pokhara, Nepal, on June 23, 2023. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua) POKHARA, Nepal, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The tranquil Phewa Lake in Nepal's Pokhara was transformed into a lake of joy on Friday morning as eight dragon boat teams competed fiercely against each other during the first Nepal-China dragon boat race festival. Mt. Machhapuchhre, not seen easily during this season, was clearly visible along with the Annapurna range, adding color to the boat racing. Each of the eight teams comprised one drummer, one cox and 10 rowers, and among the eight teams were four Nepali teams, two Chinese teams, one team from Singapore and one team involving both Nepali and Chinese nationals. The rowers, to the rhythm of the drum beats and braving the scorching sun, rowed hard their dragon-shaped boats to the finish lines in unison, sparking waves now and then. The spectators, either on the bank or in the boats, waved Nepali and Chinese national flags to cheer for their favorite teams. On the first day of the competition, preliminary rounds were held for 200m and 500m races, and the semi-finals and final shall be conducted the following day. Prior to the boat racing, a Sichuan Airlines charter flight arrived at the Pokhara International Airport on Wednesday, becoming the first international flight to land at the third international airport of Nepal since its inauguration in January. And as the sister city of Pokhara, Nepal's second-largest city and a popular tourist attraction, Linzhi in China's Tibet Autonomous Region sent artists to hold special performances to mark the dragon boat race festival. Addressing the opening ceremony of the boat racing, Nepal's Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati conveyed best wishes on behalf of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. "I believe from the bottom of my heart that this festival will add brick and cement our relations," he said. For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song stressed that the historical and cultural ties between China and Nepal still provide "rich nourishment" to the friendship between the two countries and two peoples from generation to generation. "It has become an inexhaustible driving force for us to create a better future," Chen said at the opening ceremony, adding that the boat racing is held to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, promote Nepal's tourism and the awareness of Pokhara in China and the world. Rajendra Pariyar, a Nepali team member, felt "so happy" to join the boat racing for the first time and with foreign teams. "Now we will practice more," he said. A spectator Sarala Adhikari also felt happy and enjoyed watching this event. In her opinion, such an event helps add a bond to the Nepal-China friendship. Members of dragon boat racing teams are ready to compete during a Nepal-China friendship dragon boat race festival in Pokhara, Nepal, on June 23, 2023. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua) Members of dragon boat racing teams compete during a Nepal-China friendship dragon boat race festival in Pokhara, Nepal, on June 23, 2023. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua) Members of a dragon boat racing team compete during a Nepal-China friendship dragon boat race festival in Pokhara, Nepal, on June 23, 2023. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua) Accused of being threatening and abusive, this elected official says hes not the problem As Commissioner Geoffrey Jacobs looks on, all the other elected officials act in unison: They vote in favor of publicly reprimanding him over his alleged nasty behavior and name-calling. The showdown happens on a Wednesday night at yet another public meeting in Pembroke Park, a small town whose Town Hall has dealt with acrimony and harsh words. Its become a place where other elected officials, as well as some staff and residents, have criticized Jacobs. In turn, Jacobs says hes fighting a one-man battle, an effort to fix up the town toward a brighter future. Who is right? It depends who you ask. Im working in the best interest of the community, said Jacobs, who was elected in 2019, and reelected unopposed in March. They are trying to get me out of office. Why? I know where the bodies lie. Said Commissioner Bill Hodgkins, part of the commission majority who voted to reprimand him: The town is defending itself from someone who is out of control. Is an end to the arguments in sight? For now, the town says it has commissioned an investigation about claims of a hostile workplace, which will be footed by taxpayers. Hodgkins has his appointment with an investigator Monday to share his grievances. If some town officials get their way, the reports findings could potentially make their way to the governors desk. If he says were trying to get rid of him, hes correct, Hodgkins said. We just cant have that disruption all the time. A public reprimand Jacobs was formally censured by his colleagues recently after an allegation that his conduct and behavior toward commissioners and staff is unacceptable. About a year ago, Hodgkins had filed a complaint with the town, asking for sanctions against Jacobs, who was then the mayor, for diminishing, humiliating and intimidating behavior at a previous meeting. The sanctions were never followed through. But he followed up again this year: Hodgkins this time submitted paperwork to publicly reprimand Jacobs, listing a string of allegations. In Hodgkins request, he alleges Jacobs has repeatedly directed slanderous, threatening, abusive and disparaging comments towards fellow commission members and has referred to fellow commission members as stupid and ignorant. The censure equates to a reprimand, and no further action results from that. Still, the censure, which was to make a point, was approved unanimously by the other three commissioners in attendance. Vice Mayor Eric Morrissette was out of the country and absent, but had he been there, he said he would have voted in favor of the censure because of the twisting the truth and bad-mouthing the city. We have tried to talk sense into him and its not happening, Morrissette said this week. Among the allegations: The censure faults Jacobs for sending a perceived homophobic and misogynistic TikTok video to the former town attorney, who was openly gay. Jacobs has denied the allegations of being either homophobic or misogynistic and said he has pushed for domestic partner benefits. The resolution faults him for his social media posts that question the integrity of not only his fellow commission members, but also of Town employees and has referred to the town as being a -hole and a -show, prior to his election to office. Jacobs said he stands by his comments. He is accused of having routinely and repeatedly attacked the job performance of certain Town employees in public meetings. The resolution states Commissioner Jacobs has made posts on social media publicly questioning the integrity of not only his fellow commission members, but also of Town employees. He has referred to fellow commission members as stupid and ignorant. Said Jacobs at an April public meeting in response: If the shoe fits and at the meeting of the censure: The truth hurts sometimes. As Jacobs munched on popcorn at the recent public meeting, Hodgkins would later complain about the crinkling of the bag. Im flattered, absolutely flattered, you guys are so, so into me and everything Im doing into my life that you guys want to go to these extremes and pass and perpetuate lies after lies after lies, Jacobs told commissioners. Jacobs said he has worked to expose wrongdoings. When the Police Chief David Howard was fired in May, Jacobs complained that he hadnt been allowed to speak. Jacobs has also accused his colleagues of firing the chief as an attack on Jacobs personally, since he had helped create the department. Town officials had complained that the true police budget exceeds the original estimates that were presented and approved by the commission and they wanted a new leader. Me being quiet and silenced, not going to happen, Jacobs vowed at the meeting voting for his censure. He made a veiled threat that there were people who would go to jail or prison and be prosecuted to the proper degree for wrongdoings in the town. The supporters Jacobs has his supporters, who say hes misunderstood and others are simply turned off by his brash style. Former Police Chief Howard, who was hired by Jacobs, called him a visionary. I think he saw a need that wasnt being fulfilled. I think hes a great person and I think he does the right thing even when nobodys looking. He does rub people the wrong way, but think about his position: Without him that police department never would have ever happened. Other former town officials agree. Since he got there, he always tried to do whats best for the city, he always wanted to make sure the staff was earning their paycheck, which at times was very questionable, said Lucie Manzerolle, the towns former building department manager, who retired June 2. He tried everything for the residents, the community, he went and shook hands with the business owners and they said it was the first time ever. I know that for a fact because I went with him. He has no support from commissioners and you could tell also from staff, like hes on an island, Manzerolle said. He calls it the way he sees it. If he feels a director is not performing, he will call out that person and will be questioning that person. But if you perform you should not be afraid. An investigation The public censure comes in the wake of an investigation being conducted at Town Hall now about Jacobs alleged behavior. The Town Commission approved the move on April 12, and its being run by attorney Tonja Haddad Coleman, an independent lawyer since town staff would not be able to investigate their own elected official. Taxpayers will spend $225 an hour for the sleuthing, and the commission did not give a cap on the amount staff is allowed to spend on this investigation. There has been no retainer or payment paid to her yet, according to Babette Friedman, the towns Human Resources director. There is no date for the investigations completion and interviews with staff are still being scheduled, officials said. At the April 12 meeting, the commission didnt talk about what the outcome of an investigation could be. But leaders said by having one, it shows employees their complaints are being heard. The decision to have the probe came after the new mayor, Ashira Mohammed, asked for an investigation. Friedman then appealed to commissioners, calling Jacobs behavior toxic and she was pleading to put a stop to his behavior. She said it was unhealthy for staff to continue to endure. Jacobs has attacked, attempted to intimidate and retaliate against staff who would not follow his dictatorship, Friedman said, saying the hostile workplace was a liability. Friedman was met with applause. The motion passed 4-1, with Jacobs the lone vote. Said Hodgkins this week of the report: Well take it to the governor and have him kicked out. HR directors complaint The documents detailing the public reprimand also mentioned egregious and outrageous comments. The Human Resources director, who is Jewish, accused him of referring to her as a Nazi at a public event, according to town documents. He denied ever using the word Nazi, although he said last week he has other four-lettered words he would rather use. Records obtained by the South Florida Sun Sentinel show Friedman emailed the town manager and town attorney in May. I would like to put on record that Saturday, May 6th at the Food Drive Commissioner Jacobs referred to me in front of other employees as a Nazi,' she wrote, saying, His words HR is a Nazi.' I found these comments offensive since my ancestors were part of the holocaust, she wrote. Jacobs denied making the comment and said he has no ill will toward Jews: He told the Sun Sentinel he rode his motorcycle in support of Israels Independence Day in May in Hollywood. He has also publicly said he also pushed for a town proclamation for Jewish American History month. Related Articles Jacobs told the Sun Sentinel hes not the problem: He is the one trying to snuff out the problems. He references being the one to find the ashes of former Commissioner Theresa Tee Ciummo, who died in 2007. Ciummo had no known survivors, and her cremated remains were left for years in a safe downstairs and later moved to the city clerks office. Jacobs said he came across the commissioners remains by accident in late 2019 in the closet. And he raised issues about perceived improper record keeping, such as how the town spent a $2.3 million loan from the federal U.S. Department of Agriculture more than a decade ago. A spokesperson for the USDA said the town completed the sewer system work and the money was properly repaid, on time. But Jacobs said no staff can find any records. Ive been uncovering all the wrongdoings, he said. If I find anything illegal, immoral or unethical it will be reported. And he said the town has tried to make him irrelevant by taking away his job assignments. Although the manager runs the day-to-day operations, each commissioner is assigned a department by the mayor to be the liaison with the public. Jacobs has no departments. Im an investigator, thats just me, he said. I want to know the truth behind it. Theres a whole lot in this town that just doesnt add up. Look, you cant fix stupid. These commissioners have no idea whats going on. The police The Police Department is an ongoing source of drama. Jacobs had come up with the idea of the town having its own police agency in the first place and in the process publicly clashed with the town manager, town attorney, human resources director and the former finance director, who had disputed the estimated cost of creating the new police force. During one period of police-related arguing in 2022, Jacobs asked for the resignations of the manager, attorney and Human Resources director. Human Resources Director Yolanda Menegazzo, who was a contract employee at the time, submitted her resignation. The contract with the former city attorney was eventually terminated without cause, and she received severance. Although the town has publicly disagreed about whether the department was financially feasible to continue to control, there are internal issues as well. On Friday, one of the two interim police chiefs, Wade Douty, resigned. RaShana Dabney-Donovan is now the sole interim chief. Douty told the Sun Sentinel on Wednesday that a small group of officers had banded together to meet with town administration to support his co-chief as the only chief. This is bigger than one person, (so) in order to avoid further divide I elected to step aside, Douty said. I dont want to stand in the way and cause a greater divide. I wish them nothing but the best, I really do. Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Twitter @LisaHuriash Activists say theyve identified hundreds of bodies left in the streets of West Darfur Residents of El Geneina, the capital of war-torn West Darfur, are struggling to bury their dead as violence rages across the city. Activists say 500 bodies across the city have been identified, and that they believe thousands more remain unburied on streets and inside homes. The Darfur Bar Association said that the bodies of those killed in the city are still scattered in the streets and inside homes, public facilities and mosques, and that the majority of the population has left the city, an independent Sudanese media outlet, Radio Dabanga, said on its website. Residents and civil society groups also described bodies left in the streets earlier this month, saying many could not be collected for burial due to heavy fighting in the city. CNN could not independently verify the reports due to a communication blackout that continues in the area, and has reached out to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for confirmation. Across Sudan, at least 3,000 people have been killed since conflict broke out on April 15, the countrys Minister of Health Haitham Ibrahim said in an interview on Saudi al-Hadath television on Saturday. Fighting erupted in mid-April between Sudans Armed Forces and its Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group. Information on casualties from Darfur is limited due to the communication blackout, Ibrahim also said. Sudanese refugees gather as Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams assist the war wounded from West Darfur, Sudan, in Adre hospital, Chad June 16, 2023. - Mohammad Ghannam/MSF/Handout/Reuters Abuse for those who flee People fleeing El Geneina to find refuge in nearby Chad have also faced shocking abuse on the way, including killings, Kamal Al Din, a Darfur activist told Radio Dabanga in a radio broadcast. A previous CNN report said that a pregnant woman was shot by the Rapid Support Forces for not having enough cash to allow her safe passage from Darfur. Around 15,000 Sudanese refugees have fled West Darfur state and reached the Chadian town of Adre over a four day period with thousands more desperately trying to escape the area, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said Tuesday. Many of the arrivals report seeing people shot and killed as they tried to escape West Darfurs capital, El Geneina, a statement by MSF said. MSF did not name the party responsible for the killing, but Kamal Al Din blamed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for the attacks on those fleeing. Last week the RSF told CNN in an emailed statement that the violence in West Darfur is a result of tribal clashes which have resulted in the loss of innocent lives, widespread displacement, and immense human suffering. General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, or Hemedti, the head of the RSF, has denied accusations of responsibility for the violence, and pointed the finger at the Sudanese Armed Forces, for fueling what he presents as a tribal conflict. Reports of atrocities committed by RSF fighters and their allied militias, clearly identified by their uniforms, are consistent across dozens of testimonies. They include arbitrary killings, the wholesale destruction of vital civilian infrastructure, the looting of homes and hospitals, and even mass rapes. Users on a popular Facebook group for El Geneina asked for information on family members inside the city and if communications have been restored Even if [communications] are restored, is there anyone left to call?, one user wrote in response to a question on telephone networks. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com More than 400 Afghan refugees have been told their accommodation in Essex hotels will end in August. The Home Office said they would have help to find homes, but those who did not take up the offer would be asked to vacate, and many feared homelessness. Colchester Borough Council has asked the government to "immediately extend the hotel stays". The Home Office said "hotels were never designed to be long-term accommodation for Afghans resettled in the UK". The government said, following the withdrawal of British and US armed forces from the county, more than 24,000 people had arrived in the UK from Afghanistan as of December 2022, including British nationals. In Chelmsford, Afghans staying in a hotel received letters in May saying they were needed to "quit" the property by 9 August. The letter said if they had not left by this date they "will be a trespasser and the secretary of state for the Home Department, shall be at liberty to evict you from the property". There are 76 Afghan families in the county, with an average of five to six people in each, in need of permanent accommodation, according to figures from Essex County Council and Southend City Council. Some families have 10 or 12 members and charities, councils and the Home Office have had to look for properties with up to five or six bedrooms. A charity that works with the refugees feared that half of the 410 people at risk of losing their accommodation could end up homeless. Eddie Campbell, from Essex Integration, a project which supports Afghans in hotels, said they called letting agents regarding 60-70 properties per week, but "less than 1% will actually take a family on". "[There are] a number of issues - people are not in work, they don't have a guarantor and the agent and landlord just doesn't want to take a risk," he said. He said he thought "about 50% of them will have to present themselves as homeless to their local council or [another] one of their choice". Naqeeb Khilji, 52, who has lived in hotels with his wife and four children after managing to get out of Afghanistan in August 2021, said he and most of the Afghan families were "depressed and worried". He said he worked as a taxi driver and had tried to rent a three-bedroom property in Chelmsford, but had been told he would need three times the income and a guarantor with at least 40,000. "Everyone is in stress because we don't know where they are going to send us," he said. "Another hotel, temporary accommodation, permanent accommodation, house, flat? No idea. Everyone is worried in my family." He added that some families said they would go back to Afghanistan if they got the chance. "[They said] we would be happy to go back and die there, because hotel life is killing me every day," he said. "[But]I can see a bright future for my family once I get a house because I am already working." In a letter, Colchester City Council's Liberal Democrat leader, David King, and chief executive, Pamela Donnelly, called on the Home Office to extend the hotel stays "lest you make over 200 people homeless on 4 August". "That would be a great wrong, given the promises we made as a nation," they said. The council said it did not have the housing stock available. Mr King said: "It's dreadful because it betrays the original promise - we will welcome you, we will support you, we will look after you because you Afghans supported us and our armed forces." He added that "the lack of notice is the challenge" because "there is only a limited supply of housing whether it is public or private". Meanwhile, Chelmsford City Council said the authority already had nearly 400 households in temporary accommodation and it could "anticipate some Afghan families may approach us". "Any additional families made homeless in our district will add to a system already under intense strain," a spokesman said. Southend City Council said it was "working hard, and with good success, to get [refugees] suitable places to live, both here and in other towns and cities of their choosing". Conservative councillor, David Garston, said: "Those who are not able to fully support themselves yet, will be supported to submit a homelessness application." A government spokesman said it was not in the interests of the Afghans resettled in the UK "to be living in hotel accommodation for months or years on end". A statement said: "That is why we have announced a plan, backed by 285m of new funding, to speed up the resettlement of Afghan nationals into long-term homes. "Extensive government support is available and we will continue to do all we can to help Afghan families as they rebuild their lives here." Elsewhere in the region, West Northamptonshire Council said more than 500 Afghans had lived at two bridging hotels in its district since September 2021, 350 of whom had since found settled accommodation. Its resettlement team was finding appropriate support and accommodation for the dozens still in need of help, it added. Conservative councillor David Smith said that since the announcement, 54 people had found new homes. "These have been a mixture of families finding their own accommodation in the private sector; supported into tenancies by the council, and direct property offers from North Northamptonshire Council," he added. A further 30 people were expected to moved out of hotels by the end of June, the council said. Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.ukor get in touch via WhatsApp on 0800 169 1830 President Joe Bidens administration announced a new executive order intended to expand access to contraception on Friday, one day before the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that eliminated the national right to abortion. The new executive order will direct agencies to increase access to contraception through a range of programs and services, including under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Title X family planning services. This executive order underscores the president and vice presidents continued commitment to protecting access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care, Jen Klein, the director of the White Houses Gender Policy Council, told reporters on a call Thursday afternoon. While contraception cannot replace the need for abortion services or fill the gap left by the loss of a constitutional right, the right to choose, its an important part of helping ensure that women can make decisions about their own health, lives and families. The order directs the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services departments to streamline access to birth control for people with private insurance and promote access to over-the-counter contraception; instructs the Department of Defense to consider new actions to strengthen access for members of the military and veterans; and orders HHS to expand availability and quality of contraception within federally funded health services like community health centers, as well as support research into contraception access. Klein said the order is intended to increase contraceptives options for the public, raise awareness of them and decrease out-of-pocket costs for contraceptives. The White House did not have any specific timeline or date by which the agencies will be required to have new rules implemented, noting that it takes time to develop new strategies. Protesters hold signs in support of bodily autonomy after the Supreme Court's 2022 decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. Protesters hold signs in support of bodily autonomy after the Supreme Court's 2022 decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. The order comes just ahead of Saturdays first anniversary of the Supreme Courts 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jacksons Womens Health Organization, in which the court overturned landmark abortion rights decision Roe v. Wade and thus the national right to abortion. Since then, 13 states have banned abortion, with at least 26 clinic closures in the first 100 days following the decision closures which also eliminate a source of family planning services like birth control prescriptions. Advocates for reproductive rights are worried contraception will be next: Justice Clarence Thomas concurring opinion in Dobbs indicated he was willing to put birth control on the chopping block as well. The White House asserted, meanwhile, that the orders focus on contraception in no way indicated that the administration had come to the end of the road on what it intended to do on abortion rights. This executive order is consistent with our overall response to the Dobbs decision and to state efforts to eliminate or otherwise limit access to reproductive care, said Klein. She highlighted that shortly after the Dobbs decision, the administration had issued two executiveorders on protecting reproductive rights. This executive order joins those two prior, as you know, which together, as I said, lay out a clear roadmap for federal agencies to bolster access to the full spectrum of health care. But weve been quite clear that contraception is not a substitute for abortion care. The order comes ahead of a Friday rally marking the Dobbs anniversary, where Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are expected to be endorsed by major reproductive rights advocacy groups, including NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and EMILYs List. Abortion is expected to be a major issue in the 2024 election cycle, the first presidential election since the overturn of Roe. Related... Sudanese civilians caught in the crossfire seek treatment at the Al-Bashayer hospital in Khartoum North, one of the few still open in the main battlegrounds after 10 weeks of fighting (-) Desperately needed relief supplies are being confiscated by the warring parties in Sudan as fighting spreads to areas previously untouched by the 10-week-old conflict between top generals, aid agencies said on Friday. Demonstrations in support of the regular army were held Friday in greater Khartoum and in White Nile state to its south as civilians gave vent to their anger at the widespread requisition of private homes by the rival paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), witnesses said. The battle for power between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has killed more than 2,000 people since April 15, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. Greater Khartoum and the flashpoint western region of Darfur have been the main battlegrounds so far but this week residents reported a flare-up of fighting in the Kordofan region, scene of another long-running rebellion. On Friday, witnesses reported renewed artillery exchanges and street-fighting in Khartoum, as well as "clashes between the army and the RSF" in North Kordofan state, hundreds of kilometres (miles) to its south. The United Nations says a record 25 million people -- more than half of Sudan's population -- are in need of aid and protection. While some relief supplies have trickled in, aid agencies report almost insurmountable hurdles to their work. "Blatant restrictions on entry into Sudan for humanitarian workers and aid supplies are leaving millions in need stranded," according to the Norwegian Refugee Council's William Carter. Doctors without Border (MSF) reported similar hurdles. Permits have been "delayed, rejected, rescinded, or plainly not respected," while "supplies have been confiscated" and staff "beaten and violently threatened" by armed groups, it said. - 'Bleeding to death' - Two-thirds of health facilities in the main battlegrounds remain out of service, according to the Sudanese doctors' union, which says medical personnel have been targeted amid widespread violations against civilians. At least 36 cases of sexual violence have been recorded in Khartoum alone by the governmental Combating Violence Against Women and Children Unit, with the majority of survivors accusing RSF fighters. "Reported and documented cases are no more than two percent of real figures," the unit said, adding that they have not been able to assess the case total in the western region of Darfur, "where the situation is getting worse every day". Diplomatic efforts to broker a halt to the fighting are at a standstill after both sides violated the last, 72-hour ceasefire, which ended on Wednesday. The United States, which brokered the truce along with Saudi Arabia, said Thursday it had put its mediation efforts on hold. "On Wednesday, yesterday, we adjourned those talks because the format is not succeeding in the way that we want," US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee told the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "Those ceasefires have not been fully effective, although they have allowed the transmittal of important, urgently needed humanitarian assistance," she said. Analysts have criticised Washington's handling of the ceasefire talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah, which they said were doomed to fail. "If Jeddah was the triage station before the emergency room, the duty doctors didn't diagnose the patient before setting to work," said Sudan specialist Alex de Waal He said that the sanctions imposed by Washington on both sides after the collapse of a previous ceasefire at the start of the month would not work either, "until the mediators have fastened onto a strategy." In the meantime, "Sudan is bleeding to death." bur/kir Air Forces say attack on base in Henichesk is a response to Russia's terror Mykola Oleshchuk, head of the Air Forces of Ukraine, called the explosions in the occupied city of Henichesk in Kherson Oblast a response to Russias missile terror. Source: Oleshchuk on Telegram Details: General-Lieutenant Oleshchuk shared a video from Russian sources, promising that the Russian occupiers will never feel at peace on the Ukrainian land. Quote: "The base of the National Guard of Russia in Henichesk...The response of Ukraine to the Russian missile terror did not keep us waiting. The occupiers will never feel at peace on our land! We are killing the Ruscists and protecting our sky!" Background: The Russian occupiers reported about missile attacks on the occupied cities of Henichesk and Skadovsk in Kherson Oblast, Ukraine. The Russian Kremlin-aligned information agency TASS reported that at least three explosions sounded in Henichesk, and black smoke rose over the city. Vladimir Saldo, Kremlin-backed "head" of Kherson Oblast, supposed that four English Storm Shadow missiles were likely launched. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! An air-raid siren was issued throughout Ukraine on the night of 22-23 June. Source: alerts.in.ua map Details: In Kyiv, the air raid siren sounded at 01:33. The alert was initially announced in the eastern, southern and central regions. At around 02:30, the alarm spread to the western regions. The Air Force warned citizens of missile danger throughout Ukraine. Update at 02:55. The Air Force reported that a number of cruise missiles were heading to Ukraine's west. Update at 03:00. Maksym Kozytskyi, Head of the Lviv Oblast Military Administration, denied the reports of some Telegram channels that the sounds of explosions were allegedly heard in Lviv. Quote: "Some Telegram channels are now spreading fake news that the sounds of explosions can be heard in Lviv. This is a lie. As of 2:42, the situation in Lviv Oblast is calm. But there is a threat of a missile attack, as is the case throughout Ukraine," he wrote on social media. Update at 03:40. The Air Force reported that the missile threat has been repulsed throughout Ukraine. Update at 04:10. The air-raid siren was cancelled all over Ukraine. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Amid sub search, co-founder said "I'd be in that sub" if given chance A co-founder of OceanGate, the company behind the ill-fated sub voyage to the wreckage of the Titanic that resulted in the deaths of five people, supported the trips during an interview in which he learned that the massive search for the sub uncovered debris. "If I had the opportunity to go right now, I'd be in that sub myself," Guillermo Sohnlein told BBC News during an interview Thursday. Sohnlein co-founded OceanGate in 2009 with Stockton Rush, the company's CEO who died with four others in the sub when officials say it imploded in the north Atlantic Ocean about 1,600 feet from the wreckage of the Titanic. Sohnlein stopped working at the company in 2013 but is a minority equity owner, according to a statement he posted to Facebook. During Thursday's interview, he was told about the U.S. Coast Guard's announcement that an ROV, or remotely operated vehicle, found a debris field but didn't immediately confirm that it was from the sub. Sohnlein said the conditions at the depth of the Titanic wreck 2 1/2 miles underwater are challenging for any sub. "Regardless of the sub, when you're operating at depths like 3,800 meters down, the pressure is so great on any sub that if there is a failure, it would be an instantaneous implosion, and so that, if that's what happened, that's what would have happened four days ago," Sohnlein said. The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions to explore the wreckage of the sunken Titanic off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, dives in an undated photograph. / Credit: OceanGate Expeditions/Handout via Reuters The Coast Guard later announced that the underwater robot's findings were consistent with a "catastrophic implosion." Meanwhile, a U.S. Navy official told CBS News the Navy detected "an acoustic anomaly consistent with an implosion" shortly after the sub, named Titan, lost contact with the surface during Sunday's dive. The information was relayed to the Coast Guard, which used it to narrow the radius of the search area, the official told CBS News. Sohnlein said the company's protocol for losing communications was to bring the sub to the surface and he had thought that's what happened. "My biggest fear through this whole thing watching the operations unfold was that they're floating around on the surface and they're just very difficult to find," Sohnlein said. The Coast Guard said authorities would collect as much information on the implosion as they could in an effort to explain what happened. On Friday, Sohnlein told the Reuters news agency the implosion should be treated like catastrophes that have happened in space travel. "Let's figure out what went wrong, let's learn lessons and let's get down there again," Sohnlein said. "If anything, what we're feeling is an even stronger imperative to continue doing this kind of exploration work. I think it's important for humanity, and it's probably the best way to honor the five crew members who gave up their lives doing something that they loved." After Ohio train derailment, fire chief says he had 13 minutes to decide to burn toxic chemicals Pro-Trump crowd at Faith and Freedom Coalition conference I-95 reopens at site of Philadelphia collapse Protesters in Madrid mark anniversary of deadly day at Spain-Morocco border Thousands of migrants cross the Spanish-Moroccan border By Elena Rodriguez and Joan Faus MADRID/BARCELONA (Reuters) - Protesters wearing white masks and carrying signs reading "massacre" and "Europe responsible" marked the anniversary on Friday of a mass attempt to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Melilla in which at least 23 migrants and refugees died. Speakers from the Spanish umbrella rights organisation Caravan of Open Borders told a crowd outside parliament in Madrid that Moroccan and Spanish law enforcement officers had violated basic human rights in responding to the incident, and that not enough had been done to bring those responsible to justice. "It was a day of pain and rage," demonstrator Luisa Menendez, 73, told Reuters, referring to June 24, 2022. "A horrible day in the history of humanity." In a report released to mark the anniversary, Amnesty International accused Spain and Morocco of a cover-up for failing to properly investigate events at the Melilla border last year. In the incident, around 2,000 migrants and refugees from sub-Saharan Africa attempted to enter Melilla from Morocco. At least 37 died and at least 76 are still missing, Amnesty said. Morocco said 23 people died in a crush when migrants fell from the fence, and Spain has said no deaths occurred on its soil. Amnesty said authorities in Spain and Morocco had made no attempt to repatriate victims' remains and they had not provided a full list of names and causes of death, as well as CCTV footage which could inform an investigation. A spokesman for Spain's Interior Ministry said an investigation by a senior prosecutor had been carried out "with full guarantees and in full depth". Authorities in Morocco declined a request for comment. In her investigation, prosecutor Beatriz Sanchez of the Migration Affairs department declined to charge Spanish officers who she said had been unaware of the fatal crush. Spanish lawmakers rejected calls for a parliamentary inquiry. Spain's independent ombudsman said in a report in October that Spain had returned those who jumped the fence without processing their cases. Separately, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights said last month there is "no genuine and effective access to asylum at the border" between Nador (Morocco) and Melilla. (Reporting by Joan Faus and Elena Rodriguez; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Frances Kerry) Like any cop making a traffic stop, Ben Huener was alert when he and another Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officer, Coby Fontes, approached a fishing boat recently while patrolling Lake of the Woods. Three men were in the boat, each from Wisconsin, and after Huener and Fontes introduced themselves they asked to see the anglers' licenses, which checked out. Then they asked about the fishing. It's been good, the Wisconsin men said. How many fish the men had, or didn't have, was important information the officers would weigh as they motored across the huge lake and talked to multiple boatloads of anglers. Conservation officers (COs) aren't biologists who set season lengths and bag limits. But COs play key roles nevertheless in fish and game management, ensuring that the vast majority of hunters and anglers pursue their quarry while obeying the law. Were it otherwise if too many anglers, for instance, kept too many fish a lake's harvest goals would be exceeded and its fishery could be depleted. The stakes are particularly high on Lake of the Woods because few lakes in the state indeed, few in the nation receive the intense angling pressure it does. In 2012, for example, in winter alone the Minnesota side of Lake of the Woods received 1.6 million angler hours of pressure, according to DNR area fisheries manager Matt Skoog. By 2022, that number had jumped to 2.6 million. Add another 700,000 or so angler hours of summer pressure and you have a lake fertile as it is with healthy populations of smallmouth bass, muskies and northern pike, as well as walleyes and saugers that requires everyone to stay within their lanes, as it were. Biologists must accurately gauge fish populations and set season lengths and bag limits accordingly. Conservation officers must enforce those restrictions so harvest goals aren't exceeded. And anglers must play by the rules. The stakes are especially high because in some years, fish experience poor reproduction. Brett Nelson, the DNR large lake specialist assigned to Lake of the Woods, said chilly springs and cool summers often contribute to years in which relatively few fish hatch, or many that fail to mature. "The 2018 year class of walleyes in the lake was good, for example, and it represents most of the walleyes that anglers are catching in Lake of the Woods this summer,'' Nelson said. "The year before that was weaker, and the year after it was weaker. But the last two year classes are looking average to good.'' Huener, the CO, grew up in the border region and has been patrolling Lake of the Woods since 2008. His partner, Fontes, is newer on the beat, having graduated from the most recent CO academy offered by the DNR Enforcement Division. Talking to the three Wisconsin anglers, Huener and Fontes learned the men were fishing with two friends, also from Wisconsin, who were on shore, in the group's RV. Huener and Fontes suspected a possible over-limit of fish and said they would accompany the three anglers to their campsite. "The vast majority of people we deal with on Lake of the Woods are great and are fishing legally,'' Huener said. "But there's a minority of people we encounter several times a season who intentionally keep over-limits. These aren't people who make an honest mistake and are off an eighth of an inch when measuring a walleye. These people are intentionally breaking the law.'' A couple of summers ago, Huener and another CO, Corey Sura, checked four Minnesota anglers at the Wheeler's Point public access on the Rainy River, which empties into Lake of the Woods. An initial inspection of the anglers' live well found the group was two fish over their combined limit of 24 walleyes and saugers. A further look-see in the back of the men's pickup found another 46 walleyes and saugers, for a total of 72 or 48 over their legal limit. Six COs regularly patrol Minnesota's portion of Lake of the Woods, but if widespread illegal activity is suspected, officers will be brought in from elsewhere in the state. That happened in 2014, when the DNR sent 40 COs to Lake of the Woods, pinching, in the end, some two dozen anglers. Many were "double-tripping,'' or keeping one limit of fish and storing them on shore, before returning to the lake to catch another limit or two. A fish possession limit in Minnesota means just that: A person is allowed only one limit of a regulated fish species at a time. Meaning whether you catch four walleyes one day (for example, if that's a given lake's walleye limit) and put them in your freezer or catch one walleye on each of four days and similarly store them, you can possess no more walleyes until you eat or legally give away one or more of the fish. Regulations governing bird hunting are different. In most cases both daily and possession limits are allowed, with the latter usually double (or more) of the former, so long as the possession limit is taken over two or more days. "When we followed the Wisconsin men back to shore to check on their two friends we found they had too many walleyes and saugers, 60 in total, when they were allowed only 30,'' Huener said. The COs also charged the two men in the RV with impeding their investigation charges that, like the over-limits, are misdemeanors. "Law enforcement officers have a right to investigate suspected illegal activity and it's a violation to interfere with that,'' Huener said. "If there's fish or game that is illegally taken and you're trying to hide it so we can't find it, you're interfering.'' So, headed to Lake of the Woods? Remember, Rule No. 1 is to follow the rules. Specifically, on the Minnesota side, the walleye and sauger limit is six combined, with no more than four being walleyes, each of which must be under 19.5 inches, with one allowed over 28 inches. BANGKOK, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's rice export volume for the first five months of the year surged 26.64 percent from a year earlier to 3.47 million tons due to stronger global demand and a weak Thai baht, a Ministry of Commerce official said on Friday. The country's rice export during the January-May period was valued at 1,896 million U.S. dollars, up 30.58 percent year-on-year, said Ronnarong Phoolpipat, director general of the ministry's foreign trade department. Thai rice export expects to exceed 8 million tons in 2023, beating the ministry's target of 7.5 to 8.0 million tons, Ronnarong told a news conference. The Thai Rice Exporters Association honorary president, Chookiat Ophaswongse, said on Tuesday that countries are stockpiling rice as they are concerned about the drought caused by the El Nino phenomenon. Chookiat said he believes the Southeast Asian country will have enough rice stock for exports despite the impact of climate change. As one of the world's major rice exporters, Thailand exported 7.69 million tons of rice last year, beating its annual target of 7.5 million tons, with the top markets including Iraq, South Africa, China and the United States. Who is answering the 911 calls in Hialeah? Why some consider the response an emergency When Paulo Rivero fell from the roof of his home in West Hialeah, his wife, Aida, immediately called 911. But no one answered while her husband was unconscious on the ground. Eventually, after repeated calls, an emergency operator got on the line. Aida Rivero, in her 70s, took her husband to the hospital. The ambulance never came, she said. I had to take him in my own car to Palmetto Hospital, she told el Nuevo Herald. This 2022 incident is not an isolated one for emergency services in Hialeah. And there is growing concern. Recent data obtained from the 911 Communications Department by el Nuevo Herald reveals that from Jan. 1 to May 31, 4,716 calls went unanswered in Hialeah. In my 24 years living in Hialeah, I had called 911 on other occasions, because of high blood pressure or dizziness, but they had never taken so long to respond, and the ambulance always arrived, Rivero said. Something has to improve, to change. READ MORE: Hialeahs 911 call center says it has its own emergency: the number of personnel on duty Nearly 5,000 unanswered 911 calls in Hialeah On average, Hialeahs Emergency Department fails to answer 31 calls each day. That represents 6.69% of the total 70,469 calls received by the citys emergency unit in the period analyzed. Employees of the Hialeah 911 Emergency Department have raised concerns that the understaffingis impacting the quality of service in the unit, preventing them from attending to all the calls they receive on a daily basis. In order to protect the identity of the operators and the privacy of individuals who called the emergency number, the phone numbers and addresses of the calls have been edited. From 2021 to May 2023, 33,219 emergency calls went unanswered in Hialeah, according to public records obtained by el Nuevo Herald. Yisell Rojas, a former employee of Hialeahs 911 department, attributed the alarming trend in the department to understaffing. Police Cmdr. Jorge Llanes, director of the call center, told Hialeah City Council members on March 28 that unanswered calls are redirected to Miami-Dade County. But people in the department say this isnt an automatic process. Asked by el Nuevo Herald about the number of unanswered calls, Llanes said: There are multiple calls that come into that number, not all of them are abandoned. I would have to look for that information. Abandoned calls can be many different things; not all are emergency calls. George Fuente, Chief of Police of Hialeah, and Jorge Llanes, Police Commander and Director of the 911 Communications Division, were interviewed by El Nuevo Herald at the Latin Cafe on West 49th St in Hialeah regarding the issue of abandoned calls at the emergency center. The interview took place on May 16, 2023, in Hialeah, FL Request an investigation to 911 department Not everyone in the city is satisfied with the official response about what is happening in the 911 department. After stories in el Nuevo Herald, Councilman Bryan Calvo urged the city to take immediate action and launch a formal investigation into the alarming revelations brought to light by two recent Herald articles. Calvo said he will submit a formal request to the city administration, urging them to initiate an immediate investigation into this crisis. Unanswered 911 calls for more than 15 minutes The frustrating experience of the Riveros is not an isolated one in Hialeah. Another one of those abandoned calls happened at noon May 9. Thats when Jennifer Perezs call to 911 went unanswered for 15 minutes. She called to report an emergency involving her 10-year-old son, who has autism and was experiencing a violent episode. Perez made a couple attempts to reach out for help but received no response. On the third try, a county operator came on the line. Perez said she complained to the operator, saying that Hialeah police did not want to respond to her emergency. Llanes, the police commander, said that operators are supposed to make callbacks when 911 calls go unanswered. However, Rojas, the former 911 employee, revealed that due to the high volume of calls during peak hours, the staff often lacks the capacity to fulfill this protocol. There is one call after another during rush hour, starting at 11 a.m., she said. The Perez family said they didnt get a callback. . In Hialeah Heights, 911 calls go to the county Eric Johnson, president of the Hialeah Firefighters Union, shared his own harrowing experience as both a first responder and a victim. Following a car accident in the Hialeah Heights area a few months ago, Johnson called 911 for help but didnt get a response at first. When I called again, he said, I contacted the county, who transferred the call to Hialeah. Johnson said that in the annexed area of Hialeah Heights, 911 calls are often answered by Miami-Dade instead of the city. Its an area that has had problems with response due to the absence of a police and a fire station, limiting the ability to respond to an emergency. As a rescuer and victim, he considered that a single missed call could have catastrophic consequences. Our center suffers from understaffing and low morale. That 911 call could be the difference between life and death. Understaffed affects emergency response Hialeah, the second most populous city in Miami-Dade, employs 43 people in its Communications Department, of which only 18 (41.8%) are call operators, according to public records. The city has only three people capable of handling all types of emergency calls: police, medical and fire, Llanes said. The Fire Department Chief, William Guerra, speaks with a fire operator in the Emergency Services Division of the 911. When the emergencies of the Perez family and rescuer Johnson occurred, three operators were working the 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. shift, the one with the highest flow of calls. Partial figures for 2023 indicate that the number of unanswered calls this year could surpass the previous years count. In 2022, out of 140,161 emergency calls, 7,849 were abandoned, representing 5.6%. It is deeply concerning that a city with a budget of nearly $400 million cannot adequately care for its 223,000 citizens. said Councilman Calvo. These systemic failures have resulted in a critical breakdown in our ability to promptly and effectively respond to emergency situations. Risk of abandoned 911 calls ruled out Andrew Glassmer, a police radio operator for the department, made an appeal to City Council members on March 28. We are severely understaffed unfortunately we need your help. We are very, very desperate, he said. But Hialeah Police Chief George Fuente assured that calls in Hialeah are being answered. The community is not at risk. Calvo disagrees: The current state of our emergency response system is completely unacceptable. Lives are at stake, and we must act swiftly to address these failures and prevent further harm to our community. According to Fuente, the employees we at 911 do a very good job. The community is happy. I dont receive any complaints about that area. We are trying to improve and one way to do it is to hire more people. But for some, turning over the department to the county might be the only solution. If Hialeah cant improve basic security functions within the Communications Department, it should allow the county to take over its operations and absorb our dispatchers, Johnson said. Fuente ruled out that possibility. Appellate order leads to acquittal for New Horizons worker convicted in sex case ST. LUCIE COUNTY An appeals order prompted a judge Friday to throw out a conviction in the case of a man working at New Horizons of the Treasure Coast sentenced in a sex-related incident, according to a defense attorney. James Deloatch, now 71, was sentenced in 2022 to seven years in prison followed by eight years of sex offender probation after being arrested in 2018 and charged with sexual misconduct with a patient, records show. The Fourth District Court of Appeal seated in West Palm Beach in May reversed the conviction. Circuit Judge Michael Heisey vacated the original judgement and sentence and entered a judgement of acquittal, according to attorney Karen Tufte, a criminal defense attorney for nearly 30 years. The woman identified as the victim in the case admitted herself to New Horizons for detox. According to the appellate ruling, the victim was going through significant withdrawal symptoms and was asking for a cigarette. The victim testified she was approached by the defendant, who offered her a cigarette if she understood one hand washes the other, the order states. The victim testified she understood this was a proposal to engage in a sexual quid-pro-quo but thought it would be minimal. She followed Deloatch into an office and a sexual encounter occurred, though the victim said she didnt consent. A key issue, Tufte said, was the definition of patient, which at the time was any person, with or without a co-occurring substance abuse disorder, who is held or accepted for mental health treatment. Tufte said the victim in the case was not receiving mental health treatment. She was only in there for detox, Tufte said. The woman admitted herself voluntarily and wasnt held, the DCA found. The appellate order states the woman wasnt accepted for mental health treatment. At no time did she testify she had sought or received mental health treatment, or that she had suffered from any mental health condition which may have been related to her substance abuse disorder, the order states. The appellate court concluded the woman was not a patient. There were poor choices made, but it was not a crime under Florida statutes, Tufte sad. I believe that the right outcome happened. Court records show the woman filed a negligence lawsuit in April 2019 against New Horizons of The Treasure Coast in connection with the incident. The case settled in September 2020, but no terms of the settlement were released publicly. Two-day suspension: Port St. Lucie police detective suspended after 'improper conduct' Quick capture: Man suspected of robbing Port St. Lucie bank apprehended in Fort Pierce Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on Twitter @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Appellate order acquits worker at New Horizons in sex case Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) issued an executive order on Thursday to remove the authority to carry out abortion-related prosecutions from counties. Hobbs order would centralize this authority with the states attorney general, a shift likely to provide greater protection for abortion rights in the state. Hobbs announced her signing of the executive order in a tweet on Friday, saying that it will ensure that differences in the application of state laws by county attorneys will not restrict access to legal abortions. I signed an Executive Order protecting Arizonans reproductive freedom. I will not allow extreme and out of touch politicians to get in the way of the fundamental rights of Arizonans, she said. The order concerns any pending or future criminal prosecution of a medical provider, entity or individual for violations of any state law restricting abortion access, to the extent permissible under Arizona law. Hobbs also directed all state agencies to not assist with or use any state resources for investigations from other states for activities to provide, seek, assist or obtain reproductive health care that are legal in Arizona. The order also declares that Hobbs administration will decline extradition requests from states seeking to prosecute any individual who is facing charges over their involvement in providing, assisting with or receiving reproductive health care as long as the activities would be legal in Arizona. It notes that this will be the policy to the extent allowed by federal and state law. Hobbs is also forming a Governors Advisory Council on Protecting Reproductive Freedom to make recommendations to her to expand access to reproductive and sexual health care in the state. The council will be directed to consider expanding access to family planning and reproductive health resources, reviewing the current regulatory and enforcement framework to suggest areas to improve and addressing health care disparities. The order comes just ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Courts ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, which declared a constitutional right to abortion, on Saturday. Many states have enacted strict abortion restrictions in the year since the ruling through trigger bans and other legislation. Arizona had a law in place from the 1800s that banned nearly all abortions, but the Arizona Court of Appeals blocked it from being enforced in October and ruled that doctors could not be prosecuted under it in December. Hobbs predecessor, former Gov. Doug Ducey (R), signed a 15-week ban into law last March, a few months before the Supreme Courts ruling was released. Hobbs campaigned on protecting access to abortion services last year as it became an even bigger political issue in the wake of the courts decision overturning Roe v. Wade. State House Speaker Ben Toma (R) told The Arizona Republic that he and his staff are reviewing the order to determine if it is legally permitted. At a minimum, this order shows disrespect and contempt for the judiciary. Arizonas abortion laws are still in litigation in light of the Supreme Courts historic Dobbs ruling, he said. The governor cannot unilaterally divert statutory authority to prosecute criminal cases from Arizonas 15 county attorneys to the attorney general. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. m2 bradley in ukraine In 2023, we saw a massive escalation in the Russo-Ukrainian War, with international support for Ukraine taking the form of heavy weapons and vehicles. On January 5, 2023, the United States announced that Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles would be sent to Ukraine. As Ukraine's spring counteroffensive takes shape, the Bradley has seen some of its most intense fighting since Operation Iraqi Freedom. With Russia and Ukraine offering conflicting accounts of the vehicle's performance on the battlefield, WATM sat down with an expert to get a professional opinion. Over 60 Bradleys were sent to Ukraine as part of the initial aid package (USTRANSCOM) Army Capt. Josh Kilian commissioned as an Armor Officer in 2017. In addition to the Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course, Kilian completed the Army Reconnaissance Course at Fort Benning, now called the Scout Leader's Course at Fort Moore. He served as an Armored Scout Platoon Leader on M2A3 variants of the Bradley and offered insight into the vehicle's action in Ukraine. These are his professional opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Army. Bradleys suffered greater losses during Operation Iraqi Freedom (U.S. Army) The Bradley was one of the Army's Big Five systems designed to carry the force into the 21st century. During Operation Desert Storm, the M2 actually destroyed more Iraqi armored vehicles than the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank and suffered just three losses to enemy fire. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Bradley suffered greater losses as its role changed from scouting to infantry support. "IEDs claimed a lot of those vehicles, and so although there were a large amount that suffered some form of catastrophe during Iraqi Freedom, a lot of that comes from the utilization of IEDs to penetrate the Bradleys thin and vulnerable under-chassis armor," Kilian noted. A screenshot of the video showing destroyed Leopard 2s and Bradleys in Ukraine (Russian Defence Ministry) On June 11, 2023, Russia released a video depicting the destruction of at least seven Leopard 2 tanks and five Bradley IFVs as its army repelled Ukrainian attacks. Kilian offered his analysis of the unverified Russian footage. "Early on, a Track Commander (TC) has to learn how to think of the Bradley like any other infantryman with a rifle, and how the exact spot on the battlefield enables that rifle to be utilized efficiently and, ideally, safely," he said. "How a TC employs his crew will ultimately correlate directly to how successful the vehicle is at engaging targets and is a direct correlation to survivability in vehicular combat." The aftermath of a Bradley in Ukraine after reportedly taking a direct rocket hit (Hanna Maliar via Telegram) Speaking of survivability, despite the Russian claims of Bradley kills, Ukraine highlighted an impressive success story for the vehicle. On June 15, 2023, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar posted an image on Telegram of a Bradley that reportedly took a direct hit from a Russian GRAD rocket. Maliar reports that the entire crew survived and evacuated the vehicle, noting the Bradley is now undergoing repairs. "The crew of this 'Bradley', which successfully evacuated after being hit and continues to perform tasks on other equipment" [translated from Ukrainian] (Hanna Maliar via Telegram) "[A] major takeaway about the design of the Bradley compared to that of the BTR or BRDM series Russian vehicles is that the crew enters and exits the vehicle from rear of the Brad," Kilian noted. "This is different from some Russian vehicles where the crew exits from the flank of the vehicle. In the event of an immobilization, if my crew and my dismounts can bail out the back of the vehicle and retrograde away from the incapacitated vehicle and utilize that as a form of cover, thats a win and builds survivability for the physical crew members to make it out of the vehicle." Kilian also credited the fire suppression system, which is located in all compartments of the Bradley, for the vehicle's survivability. M2 Bradleys in Ukrainian service (Ukraine MOD) Attrition is an accepted reality of a near-peer fight. Still, proper employment of weapons and vehicles is crucial to minimize losses and achieve victory. "I think if better spacing was utilized by the Ukrainians, and a better knowledge base and understanding of how to utilize defilade and inter visibility lines (IV lines), wed find that some of those vehicles in that minefield near Bakhmut wouldve probably been fine," Kilian concluded. "These [vehicles] can engage and support each other a long ways away. There is no need to be right up in my wingmans business." On June 13, 2023, the Pentagon announced that an additional 15 Bradleys would be sent to Ukraine to replace those lost in combat. A speed boat of Italian law enforcement agency Guardia di Finanza (GdF), sails past a GdF patrol vessel on June 7, 2023 in the harbour of the island of Lampedusa, south of Sicily (Vincenzo PINTO) Around 40 people are missing after a migrant boat capsized off the Italian island of Lampedusa, the UN said on Friday. The shipwreck took place on Thursday and at least one newborn baby is among those missing, said UNHCR representative to Italy Chiara Cardoletti. The vessel left from Sfax in Tunisia and was carrying 46 migrants from Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, said Flavio Di Giacomo, a spokesman for the UN migration agency IOM. The boat capsized in strong winds and high waves, he said. "Some survivors were taken to Lampedusa and others were brought back to Tunisia". "Among those missing were seven women and a minor. The survivors are all adult men", he added. "We have noticed more arrivals of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa than Tunisians" via the Tunisian route since November, he said. He explained this was due to people from sub-Saharan Africa fleeing discrimination in Tunisia. "It is unacceptable to continue counting the dead at the gates of Europe", Cardoletti wrote on Twitter. "A coordinated and shared rescue mechanism at sea between states is now also a matter of conscience." The southern Italian island of Lampedusa is one of the main entry points for migrants crossing the Mediterranean. Last year, more than 46,000 people arrived there, out of a total of 105,000 in Italy, according to the UNHCR. Migrant boat shipwrecks have increased in recent months, while the number of migrants entering the EU via the central Mediterranean "more than doubled" in 2023 compared to the same period last year, according to the European border agency Frontex in mid-June. Last week a crammed trawler from Libya sank off the Greek coast. The death toll stands at 82, with 104 survivors pulled from the water, but witness accounts suggest many hundreds more went down with the ship, with their remains still missing at sea. glr/lcm/acb Arrest Made in NYC Subway Stabbing Death of Gay Man An NYC man with a history of violence has reportedly confessed to the subway stabbing death of a gay man who was the victim of an anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime last year. Claude White, 33, was taken into custody by police and charged with the murder of Tavon Silver, 32, on the Brooklyn-bound No. 4 train in Manhattan around 4 a.m. Saturday, June 17, 2022. Silver was discovered slumped over and going in and out of consciousness by a fellow passenger who alerted the conductor at the next stop. At his arraignment on Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Victoria Meyer accused White of fatally stabbing Silver following a dispute over a drug deal gone wrong. Meyer told the court Silver had agreed to give White some cocaine in exchange for the drug KS, the New York Post reports. The two argued after Silver allegedly reneged on his end of the bargain and a fight ensued. White allegedly held Silver down on the floor with his knees on the victims shoulders before repeatedly plunging his knife into Silvers body. So the defendant reached for a knife and he plunged it into Mr. Silvers body while his 300-plus-pound body sat on top of Mr. Silver, Meyer told the court. He stabbed Mr. Silver twice in the chest, exposing his stomach and then ultimately puncturing his heart. Following the attack, White allegedly rummaged through Silvers pockets and removed the drugs he had given the victim. He reportedly told police he threw his bloody sweatshirt and knife into the tunnel after exiting the train before casually and callously asking a stranger on the subway platform for a light so he could smoke the drugs he had taken back from Silver. Silver was taken to Bellevue Hospital where he later died of his injuries without regaining consciousness. White was apprehended Monday after he was caught allegedly jumping a turnstile at Union Station. Officers were literally working around the clock to find this male to end his threat and to provide justice to the victims, Chief of Transit Michael Kemper said at a press conference announcing the arrest. (@) Friends said Silver had moved to New York City from Connecticut to live out and proud as a gay man. Thats where he found his happiness, family friend Amy Walker, 33, told the New York Daily News. He changed his whole style. He didnt want to be the same as everybody else. If this is my style, Im gonna rock my style. Silver was also the victim of a suspected hate crime last June, suffering a severe stab wound to the wrist allegedly from a man yelling anti-LGBTQ+ slurs. Runadieo Jordan, 52, is currently awaiting trial in that case. He has been charged with assault as a hate crime, criminal possession of a weapon, and aggravated harassment as a hate crime. Jordan allegedly attacked Silver at 1 a.m. on Wednesday, June 7, on a Wakefield-bound No. 2 train because Silver was playing his music too loud. Turn the music down, f****t! Jordan allegedly yelled before stabbing Silver in the wrist. Next thing I know, like, I had a hole in my arm. Like blood was gushing everywhere, Silver told WNYW from his hospital bed last year. It was one straight cut, and he took a giant chunk of my wrist. He literally cut my wrist off. So, like, if you look straight through, you can see my bone. Jordan has a July court appearance scheduled in that case. White has a lengthy rap sheet, including a guilty plea for the 2013 robbery and stabbing of a homeless man in a wheelchair. White received a six-year prison sentence for the attack, that left the victims muscle exposed. Whites parole officer at the time warned he was a danger and noted his history of skipping drug rehab programs. White was charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted of all charges, White could face 25 years to life in prison. Asheville Police Department badge ASHEVILLE Four people, including a Buncombe County Sheriff's Office deputy, were arrested June 22 in relation to a criminal enterprise investigation that included a potential human trafficking ring, according to an Asheville police news release June 23. Asheville Police Department officers and detectives assisted the Cherokee Indian Police Department to arrest someone wanted that was in the Asheville area on Thursday afternoon, spokesperson Samantha Booth said in the news statement. This led the group to evidence that a broader criminal enterprise was afoot to include a potential human trafficking ring. APD then rallied assistance from state and federal partners and continued investigating. Several juveniles were apprehended carrying firearms, and among the items seized were four different types of pistols, 9.97 grams of fentanyl, 13.42 grams of meth and 13.19 grams of crack cocaine. The juveniles were released to their parents and the Department of Juvenile Justice was contacted, according to APDs news release. Chad Walker, 40, former deputy at the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, poses for a picture posted on the Sheriff Office's Facebook page in 2019. Walker was arrested and charged with solicitation of a prostitute by APD June 22, 2023. Deputy Chad Walker of the Buncombe County Sheriffs Office, who was arrested June 22 on charges of soliciting a prostitute and fired from the sheriffs office shortly after, is "ensnared" in the operation, according to APDs news release. Walker was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility on June 22 and released under a written promise issued by the magistrate. The Citizen Times has reached out to Walker. Sex trafficking claims: Jury rejects woman's sex trafficking claims against Baumstark, 3 other police officers Also arrested were Paul Anthony Valdez Jr., Milo Jamemall Henderson, and Kaley Brooke Locust, who were booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility June 22, according to APD's news release. Valdez, 34, is charged with possession of a stolen firearm, carrying a concealed gun, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a weapon of mass destruction, extradition fugitive from other state, and having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle. Valdez has court dates on July 3 and July 14, and is being held under a secured bond of $32,500. Henderson, 39, is charged with trafficking opium or heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, plus three separate charges of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver for schedule III controlled substance, cocaine and methamphetamine. Henderson is being held under a secured bond of $75,000. Locust, 23, is charged with felony possession of a schedule III controlled substance, felony probation violation and possession of a controlled substance on jail premises. Locust is not currently listed as an inmate on Buncombe County's jail website. More: Sheriff's records: sergeant fired, other deputies left after sexual battery charges Neither Henderson nor Locust have a court date scheduled as of June 23, according to an online courts calendar. This investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming, police said. If anyone has information about the incident or about human trafficking, contact the Asheville Police Department, anonymously by texting TIP2APD to 847411 or using the TIP2APD smartphone app. Or call 828-252-1110. This story will be updated. Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at ROber@citizentimes.com. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Potential human trafficking ring found, Buncombe deputy ensnared Artificial intelligence is here to stay. At MU, students learn how to use it for truth | Opinion In my office at the University of Missouri sits a shelf laden with Betamax video tapes, the coveted video technology that emerged in the mid-1970s. Today, however, there isnt a device in the building that could play them. Technology has revolutionized our world since the beginning of time. It was radio in the 20s, television in the 50s and the internet in the 90s innovations that laid the foundation for the creation of generative artificial intelligence today. As a former TV journalist and a professor in the University of Missouri School of Journalism for the past 13 years, embracing technological advancement is the bedrock of my job. When ChatGPT the chatbot with human-like language capabilities was launched by OpenAI in November 2022, I prepared for an inevitable inflection point with the academy, something that would transform education. ChatGPT has my university colleagues worried about the future of teaching and learning. And six months ago, I would have conceded that it might be the worst thing that ever happened to us. Today, though, I see potential. For an ever-changing news industry, generative AI (a type of artificial intelligence technology) represents opportunities for cautious growth. In professional newsrooms, algorithms can be used to support data-driven stories, create news summaries and social media content. At the same time, quality work still depends on people to oversee the final product. As seen from the new Microsoft-powered Bing chatbots attempted romantic dalliance with a New York Times tech journalist, chatbots require human intervention, at the very least, to fact-check. For student journalists learning the ropes of the profession, ChatGPT is a useful tool for learning not only the value of careful verification to safeguard journalistic credibility, but also how easy it is to manufacture false narratives in todays news climate. Over the past decade, wrangling disinformation has become an essential skill for journalists success. In a modern industry where generative technology has become woven into the fabric of everyday life, disinformation could become even simpler, cheaper and easier to manufacture, thus making it easier to weaponize. With that in mind, I confronted what the artificial intelligence revolution means for the future of journalism education. In a masters-level class on social media strategy, I introduced a chatbot as a tool for learning and innovation, using ChatGPT-generated content to facilitate discussions among college students on the ethical ramifications of using the chatbot as part of the journalistic process. The first part of the assignment asks students to draft a social media post for Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, and then interact with ChatGPT until they get a piece of content that theyre comfortable with. Then begins the comparison. My goal in asking students to compare and contrast their original, human-generated text with the result from using artificial intelligence technology is to encourage reflection on using the chatbot as a tool to streamline the journalistic process. Using ChatGPT as a tool prompted discussions about credibility, authenticity and trust with audiences that otherwise students might not have encountered as early in their careers. Ultimately, generative AI is positioned for many positive changes within higher education. For one, its helpful in translating dense scientific information into laymans terms and shortening the time students spend paging through complex studies. Also, as the chatbots algorithm has a propensity for reinforcing disinformation, it provides ample fodder for students to practice their research and fact-checking skills. Through the rise of disinformation as seen during the 2016 election and the COVID-19 pandemic, the news industry has continued to prioritize fact-checking, a vital element of journalism to which ChatGPT brings another dimension. This could look different for different types of reporting for example, relying on public databases to double-check information, using maps and becoming better acquainted with libraries and archive systems. Education is all about equipping students with the skills they need to adjust and be successful within a changing industry. Leaning into emerging technologies, such as ChatGPT, and teaching students to think critically about their work and the world around them will enable them to fulfill their societal role and create high-quality journalism that audiences depend upon every day. Amy Simons is a professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism and a former TV producer. Asian population was US' fastest-growing ethnic group last year due to immigration [Source] The Asian population was the U.S.' fastest-growing racial or ethnic group last year due to immigration. Asian population growth: According to new population estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of the U.S. reportedly grew to 333.2 million people by the middle of 2022, a 0.4% increase over the previous year. Immigration was the main propeller for Asian growth last year, accounting for two-thirds of the 577,000-person increase in individuals who identify as Asian. The Asian populations 2.4% increase is the biggest growth of any race or ethnic group last year. There were reportedly 24.6 million Asians in the country in 2022. King County, Washington, saw the greatest increase of Asian residents (21,500) among all U.S. counties. More from NextShark: 'I will kill it if I meet it again!': Australian man demolishes sign blaming China for COVID-19 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders: There were more than 1.7 million Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders living in the U.S. last year, an increase of 1.2% over the previous year. Clark County, Nevada, experienced the biggest increase in Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander residents, with about 1,500 new residents. Other racial groups: White residents in the U.S. have also increased due to immigration, with its population growing by 391,000 since April 2020. In 2022, the U.S. had a population of 260.5 million white people, including those who identify as more than one race. More from NextShark: Biden Signs Initiative Calling for 'Equity and Justice' for AANHPI Community However, when it comes to white people who do not identify as Hispanic, there was reportedly a decline of more than 668,000 people, as the number of immigrants did not surpass the natural decrease coming from deaths. As for the Hispanic and Black populations, new births exceeding deaths have helped the communities grow. The Hispanic population grew by 1.7%, and the Black population increased by 0.9% from the previous year. More from NextShark: CAAMFest Premieres The Race Epidemic Documentary Featuring Notable Asian American Politicians Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! 'You are going to die': former nurse pleads guilty to threats against VP Kamala Harris The International Space Station has a monopoly on in-space research, but the huge surge of interest in commercial space is starting to change that. Atmos Space Cargo, a German startup, is looking to open up the opportunities for life sciences research and manufacturing in orbit with its return capsules that will deliver cargo from space back to Earth. The company calls the opportunity "microgravity on demand," a nascent market segment that has huge potential. Atmos' service is tailored specifically for life sciences, according to the startup's website, which can include research into monoclonal antibodies, stem cells, artificially grown human tissue, and protein crystallization. Investors appear to agree with Atmos' approach, with the startup announcing this week that it has closed a 4 million ($4.3 million) oversubscribed seed round. The round was led by High-Tech Grunderfonds and the Amadeus APEX Technology Fund, with additional participation from Seraphim Space, E2MC, Ventis and another.vc. The company is developing a return capsule aptly named Phoenix, a spacecraft with a payload capacity of 100 kilograms. The Phoenix capsules are designed to operate on orbit for missions ranging from three hours to three months. Atmos has also developed what it calls "inflatable atmospheric decelerators" (IADs), a return solution that acts as both a heat shield, protecting the cargo from Earth's atmosphere, and a high-velocity parachute. The IADs are so lightweight that they can be retrofitted for entire microlaunchers, rocket stages, or spacecraft to make them reusable, Atmos says on its website. The funding will see Atmos through a first demonstration mission scheduled for the end of 2024, during which the company will attempt to return a microgravity experiment from low Earth orbit. Weve heard time and time again that the real bottleneck in space life sciences R&D is the time taken to launch and return from the ISS, which makes research far too slow," Maureen Haverty, Seraphim Space's VP, said in a statement. "Atmos' free flyer and return will solve this, eventually scaling to frequent and flexible return from space. The company is led by CEO Sebastian Klaus. Mysteriously, Atmos' other co-founders have not been publicly disclosed. The company has been operating since at least 2021, when it was awarded early funding from the European Space Agencys Business Incubation Centre. Atmos is not the only startup to target microgravity on demand. U.S.-based Varda Space Industries is aiming to produce high-value materials, specifically pharmaceuticals, in orbit and the company just launched its first demonstration mission earlier this month. Across the Atlantic, Space Forge in the U.K. is also developing a spacecraft and satellite reentry system for in-space manufacturing applications. BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Jonathan Majors attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. The highly publicized domestic violence case against Ant-Man actor Jonathan Majors continues to play out in the court of public opinion. Majors arrest in March on assault charges became a massive story overnight. And his lead attorney Priya Chaudry has not shied away from discussing her teams legal strategy with outlets ranging from TMZ to Business Insider. Given how public Majors legal team has been, The Root spoke to attorneys about their thoughts on Majors public defense strategy and what it might tell us about the case. Read more Its risky to be this public, says New York criminal defense attorney Julie Rendelman. Theres always a risk when you say too much, says Rendelman. Lets suppose your client has told you something or you believe a witness is going to say something in your favor, and you dont realize that the District Attorney has other evidence that is going to contradict what theyve said; then youve put yourself in a sticky situation. However, the fact that Majors is a celebrity with a lot to lose does impact that calculation, says Rendelman. When youre dealing with a public figure, there are two issues; its not just the criminal case, its also his potential future in terms of his private acting life and the celebrity aspect, she says. He also has his future career in mind, and Im sure his attorneys do as well. Why Did They Release Video and Text Messages From The Alleged Victim? One aspect of the case thats garnered a lot of attention was his legal teams decision to release video of the alleged victim at a bar the night of Majors arrest as well as text messages she allegedly sent to Majors. There are a couple of ways you could read that choice, especially in regards to the video, says Leigh Goodmark, a law professor at the University of Maryland and a domestic violence expert. On the one hand, its a way to get out ahead of the story, says Goodmark. on the other hand, it may be a way to say to her, dont bother, dont do this because were going to tear you up, its a way to send a message. Its hard to know what the intent behind it is. His legal team has also hinged their strategy in arguing that her alleged decision to recant proves that she wasnt abused. But Goodmark says its not that simple. There are many, many reasons why people dont want to prosecute even in cases where theyve been harmed, and we dont know whether thats the situation here or not, she says, but even assuming that she was genuinely harmed, there are hundreds of reasons why people choose not to go forward with the prosecution. Many survivors of domestic violence dont want themselves or their loved ones to be subjected to the criminal justice system, especially when the case involves someone high-profile like Jonathan Majors, she says. In a high profile case, where youre the victim, and you look at, for example, what happened to Amber Heard, you think, I dont want that in my life, she says. Ultimately, says Goodmark, the decision about whether to push forward should be in the hands of the person who was victimized. Was It Smart To Make This Case About Race? One highly publicized aspect of the case has been Chaudrys assertion that the New York Police Department racially profiled her client. In a letter to the judge, provided to Business Insider, Chaudry asserts that police jumped to the conclusion that Mr. Majors (the young, tall, strong, rich Black man) must have done this. Bringing race into a case like this is not a great strategy if youre trying to win over a judge and jury, argues Former San Francisco Prosecutor Paul Henderson. Its a smart thing to do for PR but a dangerous thing to do in court, explains Henderson. Bringing race into this case allows the media to have a sympathetic hook, and it also gives a back door for companies to continue supporting him, he says. But in court, youd have to back those assertions up and prove that race was a motivating factor and not say, her visible injuries. A competent prosecutor would also bring up the fact that Majors isnt like every other Black person on the street, he says. I would...make sure that the jury remembers that we are not like Jonathan Majors; we are not millionaire stars walking on the street, says Henderson. Goodmark agrees that publicly calling the NYPD out for racism is a risky strategy. Its not something you see all the time in these cases because people tend to do be pretty risk averse, she says, about calling out racism in the system, when youre at the mercy of that system. More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Aunt of teenage victim from Titan submersible said he was 'terrified' about joining the risky trip with his dad, but did it because it fell on Father's Day Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, are said to be among those who died while on a trip to the Titanic wreck. Reuters The youngest victim from the Titan submersible vessel was Suleman Dawood, a 19-year-old. Suleman's aunt told NBC News that he embarked on the trip to bond with his father, Shahzada Dawood. Suleman was "terrified" before starting the deep-sea trip, she told the outlet. The aunt of the youngest victim aboard the Titan submersible said that her nephew was terrified prior to the trip and joined in part to impress his father, who was also aboard. Azmeh Dawood, the sister of the passenger and the British-Pakistani multimillionaire Shahzada Dawood told NBC News that she spoke to her nephew Suleman before the vessel departed. Suleman was "terrified" but went on the trip with his father to bond with him over Father's Day weekend, she said. Azmeh told NBC News that Suleman "wasn't very up for it" but that her brother Shahzada had been obsessed with the Titanic since childhood. On Thursday, after rescue officials linked debris to the missing vessel, OceanGate announced that the passengers aboard the ship were dead. The US Coast Guard said the submersible appeared to have imploded because of a "catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber." An implosion such as that would have happened quickly, lasting only milliseconds, according to the Journal of Physics: Conference Series. It likely killed all the passengers instantly. "If you gave me a million dollars," Azmeh told NBC News, "I would not have gotten into the Titan." Suleman was a "big fan of science-fiction literature and learning new things" and enjoyed playing volleyball, according to the BBC. He studied at the University of Strathclyde and was in his first year at Strathclyde Business School, per the BBC. His father, Shahzada, was the vice chairman of Engro Corporation, one of Pakistan's largest fertilizer companies, according to the BBC. He ran the telecom and agriculture-focused Dawood Hercules Corporation Limited as well as the Dawood Foundation, an organization focused on education access in Pakistan. The BBC reported that the Dawood family traveled to Canada from London a month before Shahzada and Suleman embarked on the Titan. Read the original article on Insider Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed concerns that a lone Russian diplomat was allegedly squatting on a previously planned Moscow embassy building site, describing the man as some bloke standing on a blade of grass. The site, originally slated for a new Russian embassy in the Australian capital of Canberra, lies directly adjacent to the countrys parliament. Australias government last week terminated its lease on the grounds of national security. That has subsequently set off a diplomatic row with Moscow which has vowed to challenge the decision. Multiple Australian media outlets have since reported a bizarre twist to the diplomatic dust up. A man, believed to be Russian diplomat, has remained at the site in defiance of the move. Images published by media showed the mystery man dressed in a puffer jacket and jeans smoking a cigarette. Albanese was asked by journalists on Friday to comment on reports that a Russian diplomat had taken up residence in a shed. The national security threat that was represented by a Russian Embassy on site is not the same as some bloke standing on a blade of grass on the site that, we dont see really as a threat to our national security, he replied. When asked about whether the Russian diplomat would be declared persona non grata and deported, Albanese replied, Were confident of our position that it will be resolved. Home affairs minister Clare ONeil also weighed in, echoing Albaneses phrasing and saying that a bloke sitting on a site is not a national security threat to this country. The Russian embassy has declined to comment, Reuters reported Friday. If the man is a diplomat, he would be covered by diplomatic immunity, presenting an extra layer of complexity for any law enforcement action to remove him. A spokesperson from the Australian Federal Police told CNN it would not comment on protection matters. The now-scrapped site for the proposed Russian embassy at Yarralumla sits about 400 meters from Australias parliamentary precinct. Australia has sided with Western allies in support of Kyiv since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began more than a year ago. It has condemned Moscow for its illegal and immoral military operations. On Friday, Australias home affairs minister said Moscow had told the Australian government that it would take the matter to court. The Russian Federation has informed the Commonwealth of its intention to commence legal proceedings in the High Court, in which they will challenge the validity of the legislation on constitutional grounds, she said. Albanese said Russias frustration was anticipated, but he was confident of his governments legal position, with work to formalize possession of the site under way. Russia secured the lease to the land from the Australian government in 2008. Three years later, it was granted approval to build its new embassy there. Albanese said it was a different time since the lease was granted in 2008. What my governments responsible for is now, and my government has responded, he said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The corporate logo of Ford is seen at Brussels Motor Show By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - United Auto Workers (UAW) union President Shawn Fain on Friday harshly criticized the U.S. Energy Department plan to lend $9.2 billion to a joint venture of Ford Motor and South Korea's SK On to build three U.S. battery plants. Fain called the loan a massive "giveaway" with "no consideration for wages, working conditions, union rights or retirement security" that would help create low-paying jobs adding, "Why is Joe Bidens administration facilitating this corporate greed with taxpayer money?" The wages of workers at battery JV plants are expected to be a key issue in contract talks that start next month with the Detroit Three automakers. The $9.2 billion low-cost government loan for the BlueOval SK joint venture is the biggest ever from the government auto lending program that will help finance construction of three plants in Kentucky and Tennessee. SK is a unit of South Korea's SK Innovation. The joint venture is building battery plants in Kentucky and Tennessee. Ford on Friday said it "expects that BlueOval SK will pay competitive wages and benefits to attract and retain the workforce needed to build high-tech batteries" and added that workers "will be able to choose whether they organize, a right that Ford fully respects and supports." The White House said Biden and UAW are working toward the same goal -- "to ensure the future of the auto industry is made here in America, with good-paying, union jobs. ... The president respects the UAW for working hard for the interests of the working people they represent, and the president will keep working hard toward that goal as well." The UAW in May said it was not yet endorsing Biden for reelection, citing his electric vehicle policies. "Not only is the federal government not using its power to turn the tide theyre actively funding the race to the bottom with billions in public money," the UAW said on Friday. The UAW and Senator Bernie Sanders in April criticized a General Motors/LG Energy Solution joint venture battery plant for paying workers much less than GM assembly plant employees even though it benefits from hefty U.S. government tax credits. The starting salary for workers at a Warren, Ohio, JV Ultium Cells plant is $16.50 an hour, which rises to $20 an hour after seven years. Union workers at a nearby Ohio GM assembly plant that closed in 2019 made at least $32 an hour. The Energy Department last year awarded $2.5 billion to help finance construction of Ultium's new lithium-ion battery plants, including Warren, from the same program used for the Ford loan. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Mark Porter) An 18-year-old boy was killed and dozens were injured when a fire extinguisher exploded during a drill at a high school in Bangkok on Friday, police and fire authorities said. The extinguisher exploded during a fire drill at the Rajavinit Mathayom school, Thiti Saengsawang, commissioner of the citys Metropolitan Police Bureau, told CNN. The cause of the explosion is being investigated. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the fire extinguisher that exploded was a carbon dioxide-type model, according to Thai state news outlet National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT). Bangkoks Fire Rescue said 29 other people were injured by the explosion, mostly sustaining minor injuries. Seven instructors at the school are being questioned by police in relation to the incident, state media reported. The sound of the explosion could be heard in the nearby Government House, where the Thai prime minister and cabinet ministers have their offices, NNT reported. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has offered his condolences for the boys death, it added. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com [Source] Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered safety campaigns across China to rectify any risks and hidden dangers after a recent barbecue restaurant gas explosion that left at least 31 people dead and seven injured. Key details: The incident reportedly occurred in Yinchuan, a city in Chinas Ningxia region, at around 8:40 p.m. on Wednesday just a day before China celebrated its three-day Dragon Boat Festival. The fire resulting from the explosion lasted until 4 a.m. on Thursday, according to reports. Of the seven injured from the blast, one was reported to be in critical condition, while the remaining victims were treated for minor injuries, burns and cuts from glass shards. What happened: Witnesses on the scene told authorities that two staffers smelled a gas leak inside the restaurant caused by a broken petroleum gas tank valve, the Yinchuan government said in a statement on Thursday. The explosion occurred while another staffer was attempting to replace the valve. More from NextShark: Daniel Wu Offers $15,000 to Find Men Who Set 89-Year-Old Chinese American Woman on Fire Addressing the nation: Xi recently addressed the incident, demanding officials give victims urgent medical care, determine the cause of the explosion and roll out safety campaigns across China to address all types of risks and hidden dangers and promote workplace safety. Meanwhile, the deputy party chief of Yinchuan apologized to those affected by the incident during a news conference on Thursday. The aftermath: Nine people, including the restaurants manager, employees and shareholders, have reportedly been detained following the incident and have had their assets frozen. More from NextShark: Filipino American leaders to hold rally for Las Vegas senior attacked in his home Some Chinese social media users criticized the safety of barbecue restaurants, with one Weibo user commenting, All barbecue shops in the country should be shut down and rectified." Another user wrote, Profits should not be earned with the blood of the people." More from NextShark: Couple sues Hawaii snorkeling company for $5 million for abandoning them in the ocean Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! American English teacher fired over 'inappropriate' messages to former student in Cambodia Beacon and Buoy are not your typical lifeguards. See them in action at a Maine beach Beacon and Buoy arent like the lifeguards you saw on Baywatch. Instead of skimpy red bathing suits, they don red life jackets with handles on the back. And instead of glistening tan muscles, they have shiny black fur lots of it. But even though they dont look like your average lifeguard, these Newfoundlands are trained to save lives just like their human counterparts. The dogs can assist with emergency rescues by responding to distressed swimmers and helping tow them back to shore, Greg Wilfert, manager at Scarborough Beach State Park, told News Center Maine. Beacon started working at the beach during the summer of 2022. This year, 11-month-old Buoy joined her, WGME reported. Scarborough Beach State Park is on Maines southeastern coast, about 10 miles south of Portland. Photos and videos on Facebook show the dogs practicing riding jet skis and fetching items from the water in their life jackets. Wilfert did not respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News. The dogs were trained by the American Academy of Canine Water Rescue, a Massachusetts-based organization. The dogs earned a land to water certification in May, according to a post from the organization. Newfoundlands are large and powerful and have waterproof coats and webbed feet, making them a good breed for water rescue missions, according to the Newfoundland Club of America. The dogs, which are often called Newfies, can weigh between 100 and 150 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club. They are named after the Newfoundland province of Canada, where the breed originated. Besides helping protect swimmers, Beacon and Buoy with their cute faces and fluffy coats also help make beachgoers happy. They come up and ask if they can pat them and we let them, Wilfert told WGME. ... theyre very affectionate dogs. Hiker, 2 dogs found stranded on 200-foot bluff over beach, California firefighters say Deputy carries badly dehydrated dog in rescue of stranded hikers, California cops say Coyote pup wandered for days with head stuck in container. Freeing it took a village Should Belleville residents be allowed to keep chickens in their backyard? Ten-year-old Sully Coburn wishes Belleville residents could keep chickens in their backyards so they can have fresh eggs without having to spend money at the grocery store. And Sullys mom, Megan McCarron, wants to carry on the family tradition established by her great-grandfather who founded a poultry association in St. Clair County. Its in my family history, McCarron said. Id really like to be able to have chickens. I think everybody is interested in having fresh eggs, and I think its important to know where your food comes from. Sully and McCarron are part of a group of Belleville residents who have been attending City Council committee meetings this year in an effort to convince city officials to approve an ordinance that would allow families to have chickens in their backyards. In February, they formed a Facebook group called Belleville, IL Backyard Chickens and it has over 440 supporters. On Wednesday night, they were happy to witness the Public Health and Housing Committee unanimously approve a motion by a 6-0 vote to recommend that the Ordinance and Legal Review Committee authorize a draft ordinance prepared for the full City Council to consider. The ordinance committees next meeting is scheduled for July 11. Several other cities across the metro-east have approved ordinances in recent years to permit residents to keep chickens in neighborhoods. If the ordinance committee approves the plan, the full 16-member City Council could authorize the proposal by September, according to an estimate by Ward 6 Alderman Chris Rothweiler, who chairs the housing committee. Proposed chicken ordinance highlights Members of the Public Health and Housing Committee spent over an hour Wednesday hashing out possibilities for a backyard chicken ordinance. Highlights of the plan include: Residents could have a maximum of six female chickens, or hens. Roosters, known for their loud, early morning calls, would not be allowed. Only residents in owner-occupied homes would be allowed to get a permit. No commercial egg sales would be allowed in homes. Homes would be inspected each year. The annual fee would be $25. Residents would not be allowed to slaughter chickens in their homes. Several residents spoke in favor of the plan, and no one spoke against it during public participation. Ward 3 Alderman Kent Randle asked that inspections be conducted annually instead of every two years as initially discussed, and the committee agreed to recommend annual inspections. Real estate agent Tricia Tialdo, a community member of the housing committee, asked that the limit be set at two hens but the other committee members did not support this suggestion. Tialdo said if someone was trying to sell a house next to a home with a backyard that has chickens, the sale could fall through because of a potential buyers concerns about having chickens next door. In 2015, the housing committee rejected a request to allow backyard chickens in Belleville. Tialdo is the only current committee member who was on the board in 2015. Support for backyard chickens While concerns were raised about potential home sales being called off, supporters of the proposal said some home sales would actually increase because potential buyers look for neighborhoods where backyard chickens are allowed. I know several people who chose not to buy houses in Belleville specifically because of the chicken ordinance, McCarron said in a recent interview. Its keeping people from moving to our city, she said. Jenn Dean, who lives in Ward 7, said she previously lived in the city of St. Louis, where backyard chickens are allowed. She told the housing committee members that her bedroom window was 6 feet from her neighbors chickens and their sounds never bothered her. But in Belleville, she said a neighbors dog is constantly barking loudly. Dean said if Belleville allowed backyard chickens, it would draw new residents because it would give the city the charm of a small town. Cody Baker said in an interview that he moved to Belleville last summer and that he thought it was legal to raise chickens in the city. Had he known it was not permitted, he said he may have sought out another city. Baker, who raised chickens in his yard in Washington state for about five years, said egg-laying chickens can be prolific. The productivity of what you can get out of just a couple of chickens as far as eggs, I mean thats a whole item off of your grocery list that youre not going to have to get ever again if you have two chickens. A University of Illinois Extension backyard chicken webinar released in March displayed an industry fact sheet that showed one Barred Rock hen can produce 200 to 280 eggs a year. However, production from hens is reduced after three years of egg laying, according to the extension service. Metro-east cities have allowed backyard chickens Baker said he cant think of any reason why people would oppose backyard chickens other than they just dont want change. I just think its the right thing to do, especially given so many communities around us have already legalized it, he said. Swansea approved an ordinance for backyard chickens in 2016. Chickens also are allowed in Collinsville, Edwardsville and Shiloh. In Madison County, residents can seek permission from the zoning board to keep chickens in neighborhoods. In St. Clair County and OFallon, chickens are not allowed in residential neighborhoods but they are allowed in rural residential and agricultural areas. Louis Holm, a Belleville resident whose parents raise chickens in the Millstadt area, said he would like to keep chickens in his backyard to have a bit of self-sufficiency. He said it was shocking to see the price of eggs skyrocket last winter, although the prices have been dropping since January, according to a June 16 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The average price for a dozen eggs was $4.82 in January but was down to $2.67 in May, according to statistics collected by the federal government. Drew Tufto, a self-employed Belleville carpenter, said he wants kids to learn firsthand about where eggs come from instead of seeing things on social media. Were trying to bring back something my grandma and grandpa did, he said. Its from the heart, you know. Along with the desire to collect fresh eggs in her backyard chicken coop, McCarron said she also would like to enjoy the companionship and interaction with the chickens. They apparently have pretty fun personalities, she said. Best seafood restaurant on Hilton Head? Packet readers gave this landmark the title The seafood menu at Skull Creek Boathouse on Hilton Head runs the gamut from the must-have Lowcountry dishes such as shrimp and grits to more specialized fare such as sushi. The commonality, though, is fresh ingredients. We try to source everything as local as we can, said the restaurants general manager Chris Butler. The atmosphere, with tables under a canopy of trees along the banks of Skull Creek and live music as the sun sets over the water every night, certainly doesnt hurt the appeal. Perhaps these are among the reasons Island Packet readers voted for Skull Creek Boathouse to win the title Best Seafood on Hilton Head in a series of polls over the last month. In the final round, which ended at noon Wednesday, Skull Creek Boathouse garnered 67% of the vote (12,259) in its face-off with another beloved Hilton Head landmark, The Crazy Crab. Overall in the competition, more than 97,000 votes were recorded, whittling down the 38 reader-submitted nominees to the final winner during four rounds of voting. (We didnt limit the number of times one person could vote, so this poll should not be considered scientific but instead is just for fun.) Skull Creek Boathouse on Hilton Head Here are some comments left by fans when the restaurant shared posts about voting on its Facebook page: Best food Ive ever had and a great atmosphere for so many reasons! Love this place! I eat here whenever Im in town! We ate there a few days ago & the lightly fried scallops were delicious! Our favorite place for Sunday brunch. The restaurant According to clips in The Island Packets archive, SERG restaurant group purchased the business known first as Boathouse and then as Boathouse II in November 2009 and, after renovations, reopened the following year as Skull Creek Boathouse. From the day I set foot on Hilton Head, my dream was to have a truly waterfront restaurant, the late Steve Carb, then CEO of SERG, told the newspaper at the time. Butler, who has been general manager at Skull Creek Boathouse since mid-2021, explained the name: We kind of followed the old adage that ... it was bad luck to change the name just as you would as a ship. He said the restaurants existing building is a historic one that once was used as storage for boats. Skull Creek Boathouse on Hilton Head These days, about 175 people work at Skull Creek Boathouse, which is open daily. Its been featured on the Food Network, the Travel Channel and National Geographic. The restaurant can seat 418, and a number of those tables are outdoors, so the weather adds a particular stress for the managers determining where to seat diners on any given day. We have five front-of-the-house managers, and we all kind of fancy ourselves meteorologists at this point, Butler said. Its probably the hardest part of our job, to be honest. We all have about five to six different weather apps on our phone. When rain catches them unaware, diners who are seated outside are moved indoors or into a sheltered area. In addition to the food, the view of Skull Creek from the restaurants deck has made it a regular destination for tourists and locals alike. Coastal hospitality and service are part of the package, Butler said. The biggest compliment we can get is having a first-time guest return for a second visit, he said. Weather permitting, a solo musician performs outdoors nightly from 5 to 8 p.m. Three times over the summer, a full band will take the stage (next is the Eric Culberson Band from 6 to 9 p.m. on July 15.) Pet owners are welcome to bring their best friends along, too. The outdoor deck is dog-friendly, and Skull Creek provides water bowls and treats. The menu One of Skull Creek Boathouses signature dishes is its Blackened Carolina Catfish. We top it with some pimento cheese, which sounded really strange when I first started working here, but the fats of the catfish and the cheese, they actually go really, really well together, Butler said. Blackened Carolina Catfish from Skull Creek Boathouse on Hilton Head The lunch menu includes a spin on the BLT. The Grilled Salmon B.A.T., is built with bacon, avocado and tomato on grilled challah bread. Skull Creek Boathouse rotates its featured fish dishes based on season, and the current selection includes cobia. I think we have the best sushi on the island, Butler said. We have guys that have been rolling sushi for years. Our executive sous chef used to be our head sushi roller here, so were very particular about it. Some restaurants may get creative with Lowcountry staples like shrimp and grits, but Skull Creek Boathouse sticks with a classic style of sauteed local shrimp, smoked sausage and tasso ham gravy over South Carolina stone ground grits. We also always have a local oyster, Butler said. Whats the next new thing coming for Skull Creek Boathouse? Other than seasonal changes and the occasional menu addition, customers can expect a consistent experience. If its not broke, dont fix it, Butler said. For the most part, we stay pretty close to what we know. Flounder from Skull Creek Boathouse on Hilton Head At a glance The BeyGood Foundation gifted a Nigerian restaurant in North London with a $10k grant during its, The Black Parade Small Business Impact Luncheon. Chukus was among the ten winners to receive a grant. The popular restaurant posted a video showing when they learned they were one of the winners. The moment @beyonce awarded us $10,000, Chukus wrote in a caption. THANK YOU Beyonce & the team BeyGOOD for investing in our restaurant dream! Chukus co-founder, Emeka Frederick, say the grant couldnt come at a better time. 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, said Frederick. The luncheon was held at the Four Seasons in Tower Hill, where over 100 entrepreneurs gathered at the event with the chance to win $100,000 in prizes. Over 400 applicants applied. The foundation created the luncheon to celebrate people, communities, and small businesses impacted by economic inequities worldwide. Beyonce committed $1 million to support those businesses. Chukus: Nigerian Tapas Chukus is a Nigerian tapas restaurant famous for its unique dishes. The owners opened the restaurants doors in 2020. Despite building a massive following since opening the establishment has faced many challenges. That have included financial issues during the pandemic and rising energy bills. According to MyLondon, the owners launched a challenge to get 600 bookings in six weeks last year. They managed to receive 801. The support poured in from from A-listers, athletes, and everyday people in the community. From day one of the campaign, support came in thick and fast. We are so grateful that we can keep on celebrating the best of Nigerian cuisine and culture for now. But dont forget that were here 52 weeks of the year lets keep this energy going, Frederick told MyLondon. The Beyonce effect didnt just stop with the grant. Due to the Chukus being located close to Tottenham Hotspurs stadium where Beyonce performed, many concertgoers paid the establishment a visit further driving revenue. The post Beyonces Foundation Gifts A Nigerian Restaurant Chukus A $10K Grant appeared first on 21Ninety. A Bibb County jury awarded the family of an Americus woman who died in 2017 $40 million Thursday in a state court lawsuit against Atrium Health Navicent and other parties, court documents show. Nykevia Sanford, 25, died from cardiac arrest, organ failure and sickle cell crises. Her parents, Willie Sanford and Yolynda Gardner-Sanford, sued the Medical Center of Central Georgia (now Atrium Health Navicent, the Medical Center) and the medical center in Americus for administrative negligence in her death. Sanford visited the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus two days prior to her death with complications from sickle cell disease, according to court documents. After leaving and returning multiple times, doctors eventually decided she should be transported to Macon for an important blood transfusion. Sanford was taken to Macon by helicopter, but it was determined soon after that MCCG could not perform the transfusion. Sanford then died while she was being taken to Grady Hospital in Atlanta by ambulance. The jury found Navicent 50% liable in the case, according to court documents. A doctor and nurse practitioner from the Phoebe Physician Group were held liable for 30% and 20% of the case each. U.S. President Joe Biden hosts an official state dinner for India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called on Pakistan to act to ensure that its territory is not used to launch extremist attacks, the White House said in a joint statement. "They strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks," the White House said. Relations between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan have been fraught for years. Since British colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent ended in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two of them over the Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. India has for years accused Pakistan of helping Islamist militants who have battled Indian security forces in its part of Kashmir since the late 1980s. Pakistan denies the accusation and says it only provides diplomatic and moral support for Kashmiris seeking self-determination. The special status given to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked in 2019 when New Delhi split it into two federally controlled territories. Pakistan calls the moves illegal and wants them rolled back. India's decision led the two countries to downgrade their diplomatic ties. "President Biden and Prime Minister Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen," the joint statement said. Hafiz Saeed, founder of the Islamist militant Lashkar-e-Taiba group, is blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which killed over 160 people over three days, beginning the evening of Nov. 26. "They (Biden and Modi) called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice," their joint statement said. In the 2016 attack on India's Pathankot air base, seven Indian security personnel were killed. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler) (Bloomberg) -- The Biden administration has issued new rules to strengthen access to contraception on the eve of the anniversary of the Dobbs decision, directing agencies to consider avenues to expand and protect availability under federal programs. Most Read from Bloomberg The Departments of Labor, Treasury and Health and Human Services have been told to consider sending new guidance to private health insurance companies to ensure government-approved contraceptives are available without cost-sharing under the Affordable Care Act. Though most health plans are required to offer coverage of birth control with no out-of-pocket cost to patients, some have evaded that requirement through the exceptions introduced under the Trump administration. The executive action also instructs HHS to find ways to improve coverage of family-planning and contraceptives under Medicaid, Medicare and other federally-funded health care entities. Since the Supreme Court, in last years Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling, revoked federal protections for the right to an abortion, laws on access to the procedure have been left up to states. With many states enacting restrictions, the administration has steadily rolled out a stream of executive actions designed to advance protections of privacy and reproductive rights. Read More: An Aggressive Supreme Court Reshapes US as Its Standing Erodes No date was set in the most recent order for agencies to report back on their findings or changes. While contraception cannot replace the need for abortion services or fill the gap left by the loss of a constitutional right the right to choose its an important part of helping ensure that women can make decisions about their own health, lives and families, Jen Klein, White House Gender Policy Council director, told reporters on a call that detailing the administrations actions. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will address a gathering of major abortion-rights groups including Emilys List, Planned Parenthood and Naral Pro-choice America. Those organizations will officially endorse Bidens 2024 reelection campaign, according to a person familiar with the matter. Abortion is expected to be a significant factor in the 2024 election, as it was in the 2022 midterms. Harris, who has taken a lead on the issue, will deliver a speech at an abortion-rights rally on Saturday in North Carolina. While conservatives have tried to severely limit or even abolish abortions since the overturning of the Roe v. Wade decision, the Biden administration has made a priority of expanding access to contraceptives. The Department of Health and Human Services recently announced a five-year partnership with Upstream, a nonprofit organization that provides training and resources to health centers across the US to improve contraceptive care. The administration first proposed the rule to expand access to birth control coverage in January. The latest efforts to expand access occur as the US Food and Drug Administration is about to make a major decision on whether to approve an oral contraceptive for over-the-counter use. Last year, 59 members of Congress urged FDA Commissioner Robert Califf to review applications for over-the-counter birth control pills without delay, given the immense barriers faced by people seeking contraceptives. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. "This is a beach-town Armageddon," said Freddy Gamboa as he walked down the dock at Clarks Landing Marina in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. "No one is going to want to get on this boat" if can go only up to 10 knots, he said as he motioned to the three Yamaha 300s on the stern of his motorboat. And he may be right. The Yamahas can get his 36-foot Contender up to a speed of 65 mph. But a new rule proposed by the Biden administration under the auspices of The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would limit that speed to 11 mph for his and every other boat longer than 35 feet. The speed restriction, designed to protect the endangered right whale, would stay in effect for up to seven months out of the year and as far out as 100 miles off the East Coast. FEDERAL WATCHDOG OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO OFFSHORE WIND IMPACTS AMID WHALE DEATHS Freddy Gamboa, an operator of a charter boat company in New Jersey, shares his concerns with Fox News about the Biden administration's proposal to protect right whales. "[My clients] pay for the speed," said Gamboa, a charter boat company operator who has relied on speed to get him to the fishing grounds. "It would be devastating loss to us," he said. "Wed lose a third of our trips, which is almost 70 trips, and almost $150,000 loss to my business." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP But it's not just boat captains who are worried. Many business owners in Point Pleasant rely on boat tourism for their livelihoods. "Tourism accounts for a lot of our revenue," said Andy Joseph, the owner of the Boatyard, a harbor-side restaurant downtown. "These industries (commercial and recreational fishing) are a significant part of our business model." BIDEN ADMIN IS RUSHING TO INDUSTRIALIZE US OCEANS TO STOP CLIMATE CHANGE: 'ENVIRONMENTAL WRECKING BALL' The new rule would limit boats longer than 35 feet to a speed of 11 miles per hour. "If people arent walking through my doors," said Brian Stensland, motioning to the front door of Fishermens Supply, "then were going to be out of business." Stensland pointed out that Fishermens Supply has been operating for 75 years. "We are an onsite operation," he said. "We are not on the internet. This could be the end of us." Rich Billotti, the owner of the Surfside Motel up the street, agreed. "Many guests stay with me before and/or after fishing," he said. "These offshore speed restrictions will limit these fishing trips. It wont only affect me, it will affect the whole hospitality industry at the Jersey Shore." And not just New Jersey, but the entire East Coast. NOAA REPORT SAYS NEW JERSEY TURBINES MAY 'ADVERSELY AFFECT' WHALES, BUT DENIES LETHALITY The NOAA noted in a statement that there are only about 350 right whales left. According to the Marine Manufacturers Association, the rule will affect 340,000 jobs and put $84 billion in boat tourism at risk. No one from NOAA would speak to Fox News which broke the story on the proposed rule last December but in a statement, the agency pointed out that there are only about 350 right whales left. "This rule is designed to reduce the risk of mortalities from vessel strikes and afford the species a greater opportunity to recover," the statement read. The problem, according to critics, is that there have been only five actual whale strikes from boats under 65 feet in the past 15 years. "And what's so frustrating," said Buddy Carter as he walked close to the U.S. Capitol steps in Washington, D.C., "is the fact that even if you use NOAA's calculations, then the chances of a right whale strike are less than one in a million." DEAD HUMPBACK WHALE FOUND WASHED ASHORE IN NEW YORK AMID UPTICK IN ENDANGERED WHALE DEATHS ALONG EAST COAST Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., shares that the proposed boating rule "doesn't make sense." Carter is a Republican congressman from coastal Georgia, home to some of Americas busiest and hard-to-navigate ports. "[The rule doesnt make any sense," he said, "if you consider the impact that this could have on our ports, on our commercial fishermen." On Friday, Carter and Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, introduced a bill to defund the rule before it could be implemented. "We care about the right whales" said Carter. "But we can't destroy our economy because of some rules and regulations that have been implemented by unelected bureaucrats." Gamboa fully supports a defuding. "It's going to affect every coastal town from Boston all the way down to Florida," he said. "Everyone will be devastated." President Biden on Friday rallied reproductive rights advocates to mark the anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, saying that decision dared women to be heard. The Dobbs decision, the court practically dared the women of America to be heard. This is what the majority wrote, women are not without electoral or political power. You aint seen nothing yet, court, Biden said at the Mayflower Hotel in D.C. Earlier on Friday, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America and EMILYs List all endorsed Bidens reelection bid. The rally with the Democratic National Committee and the endorsements come a day ahead of the anniversary of the Supreme Court ending the roughly 50-year precedent set by Roe that guaranteed a right to an abortion. I said at the time that I didnt think the court or for that matter the Republican party had any clue about the power of women in America. I said, theyre about to find out, Biden said. He added that in the midterm elections they did find out. Democrats experienced better-than-expected midterm results and in every state where abortion right were on the ballot, voters opted to protect them. Since the ruling, however, over 20 states have passed laws restricting abortion access. Theyre going to find out again, I really believe it in my heart, Biden said. The court was betting that all of us would remain silent, he added. You all showed up and beat the hell out of them. The president has repeatedly called on voters to elect more Democrats in 2024 in order to codify Roe and prevent Republicans from having enough votes to pass a national abortion ban. He has vowed he would veto such a ban if it came to his desk. Whats really remarkable is, despite the will of the American people, MAGA Republicans have made clear that they dont intend to stop with the Dobbs decision. No, they wont, until they get a national ban on abortion, Biden said on Friday. We made so much progress, we cant let it take us backwards. An NBC News poll released Thursday found 61 percent of Americans said they disapprove of the Supreme Courts ruling that overturned Roe, up from 58 percent last August. The president also criticized Republicans for their focus on restricting abortions, arguing that in the U.S. there are other issues to tackle, including that there isnt guaranteed paid leave. Theres so much more to do, and were fighting over abortion? he said. Earlier on Friday, Biden signed an executive order to increase access to contraception and family planning. The idea that I had to do that think about it. I know Im 198 years old but, all kidding aside, think about that. I never, ever thought Id be signing an executive order protecting the right to contraception, he said. While the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization dealt with the constitutional right to an abortion, Justice Clarence Thomas in a concurring opinion at the time said the high court should also reconsider whether there is a constitutional right to birth control. Over the last year, the president has also signed executive orders aimed at safeguarding Americans ability to travel for the procedure and to get the abortion pill. Vice President Harris, meanwhile, has been leading on the issue and has traversed the country to meet with local leaders and advocates. Harris joined Biden at the rally on Friday, as well as first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Biden will sign an executive order Friday to increase access to contraception and family planning. The order is part of the administrations efforts to promote reproductive health care and comes one day ahead of the first anniversary of the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. It will also be the administrations only policy response to mark the anniversary. While the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization dealt with the constitutional right to an abortion, Justice Clarence Thomas in a concurring opinion said the high court should also reconsider whether there is a constitutional right to birth control. Access to contraception has become even more important in the wake of Dobbs and the ensuing crisis in womens access to health care, Jennifer Klein, director of the White House Gender Policy Council told reporters. The order directs the secretaries of the Treasury and Labor Departments, as well as Health and Human Services (HHS), to consider new actions and guidance related to birth control, such as ensuring private health insurance covers all contraceptives either approved, cleared or granted by the Food and Drug Administration. In all 50 states, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) guarantees coverage of womens preventive services, including free birth control and contraceptive counseling. There are 18 contraceptive methods approved by the FDA, but the law requires insurers to cover only one product per category. Special Report: Roe v. Wade Falls One Year Later We know that some women with private health insurance continue to face barriers getting the contraception that they need, Klein said, adding that the executive order could allow agencies to require insurers to cover additional birth control products. Among other provisions, the order also calls for agencies to look at ways to improve access to affordable over-the-counter birth control, such as Plan B emergency contraception. Polls have generally shown broad bipartisan support for access to contraception, though there has been opposition that equates some contraception to abortion. Some anti-abortion supporters claim that intrauterine devices and emergency contraception are abortifacients that prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in a womans uterus. Klein said there is no timing expectation for the agencies to act on the order, but it is meant to signal that the White House wants the issue prioritized. Since the Dobbs decision a year ago, Biden has issued two other executive orders related to abortion. One order is intended to assist women who need to travel out of state to receive abortions and ensure health providers comply with federal law, so women arent delayed in getting emergency care. Another order Biden signed shortly after Dobbs was aimed at safeguarding access to abortion care and contraceptives and protecting patient privacy. Combined, the three orders lay out a clear roadmap for federal agencies to bolster access to the full spectrum of health care, Klein said. But weve been quite clear that contraception is not a substitute for abortion care. Still, the actions the White House can take unilaterally are limited. And while the president has pushed for Congress to codify Roe v. Wade, the GOP-controlled House and the tight margins in the Senate have made that a non-starter. Previous efforts to pass legislation that would codify and expand the right to an abortion failed. Biden has repeatedly said Americans need to elect more Democrats in 2024 to increase their congressional margins to enshrine Roes protections into law. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Demonstrators rally in support of abortion rights at the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, in April 2023 (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS) With abortion a hot-button issue in the US 2024 presidential race, Joe Biden on Friday won the endorsement of leading groups advocating for reproductive rights. Planned Parenthood, NARAL and Emily's List threw their support behind Biden's reelection bid along with his running mate Vice President Kamala Harris. "When people want to know where @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris stand on reproductive freedom, we tell them: they are unwavering," Planned Parenthood, the country's leading abortion provider and advocacy organization, said on Twitter. In endorsing Biden and Harris, NARAL, another powerful abortion advocacy group, said the pair "have done more to defend and expand reproductive freedom than any other administration in history." The announcement comes on the anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion, which made reproductive rights a prerogative of the states. After many states moved to curb access to abortion, Biden on Friday signed an executive order aimed at strengthening access to contraception. - Christian right -- On the other side of ever-deepening political divide, abortion opponents from the conservative Faith and Freedom Coalition were to hold a rally in Washington Friday, with Republican presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and far-right Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, slated to speak. The American Christian right played a central role in getting the landmark Roe v Wade decision overturned on June 24 last year. Since then, 20 states, mainly located in the center and south of the country, have enforced bans or strong restrictions on abortion, while liberal-leaning states on the eastern and western coasts have passed new protections. Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, has not always been a stout defender of abortion rights. But in recent years, 80-year-old Democrat, whose approval ratings remain anemic, has taken on the role of the country's top advocate, a stance he hopes will give him a boost in the election. According to a recent CBS/YouGov poll, 63 percent of Americans oppose a federal ban on abortion. - Vote-winner? - Biden's predecessor Donald Trump, his most serious rival in the 2024 race, recently said that the Supreme Court's decision was "God's will." But, unlike some conservatives, he is not calling for a federal ban. For his part, Biden, without a strong majority in Congress, has limited powers. Still, after Roe was struck down, he issued several decrees to marginally protect access to abortion as well as announcing new protections for contraception. The issue of abortion rights crystallizes divisions in the United States and for many voters it is a key factor on election day, a trend that has become more pronounced since Roe was overturned. According to a Gallup poll published earlier this week, 28 percent of registered voters say they vote exclusively based on a candidate's stance on abortion, compared to 27 percent a month earlier, already a record level. aue/md/bgs The Navy is offering up to $75,000 in enlistment bonuses for those entering the nuclear field up from the $50,000 it previously offered and the maximum offered to all other ratings. The bonus announcement coincides with recruiting challenges across the services, which military leaders attribute to more thorough medical screenings, fewer Americans eligible to serve, and low civilian unemployment. Sailors may couple the bonus with the maximum student loan repayment under the Enlisted Loan Repayment Program, in which the Navy covers college tuition loans such as Stafford Student Loans that were taken out prior to the sailor enlisting for active duty. The maximum current enlistment bonus is $75,000, and the maximum loan repayment is $65,000, said Rear Adm. Lex Walker, commander of Navy Recruiting Command, in a Navy news release. They are not mutually exclusive, so if a Future Sailor maximizes both, that adds up to a life-altering $140,000 and the opportunity to serve in the worlds finest Navy. Navy offers future sailors, veterans up to $115,000 in enlistment, loan repayment incentives The Navy in February 2022 raised the maximum enlistment bonus to $50,000. Cdmr. Dave Benham, a spokesman for Navy Recruiting Command, told Navy Times at the time that he was not aware of any other previous instances in which enlistment bonuses had reached $50,000. Enlistment bonus and loan repayment program messages list the max at $40,000, dating back to 2006. Exact amounts for bonuses are contingent upon when an applicant enters the Delayed Entry Program, ship date and the effective message at the time of classification. The Delayed Entry Program allows someone to join the Navy prior to the day they ship out to basic training. Prior service members are not eligible for the bonuses if they received such a bonus during their first enlistment. The Navy hit its active-duty enlisted recruitment goals for FY22, but was forced to drain its Delayed Entry Program to the lowest level in 40 years to meet those targets. The Navy did not reach targets for active duty and Navy Reserve officers, or Reserve enlisted personnel, in FY22. The Navys FY24 budget request aims to increase its active duty end strength by more than 5,000 sailors, primarily through enlistment bonuses. Faced with a challenging recruiting environment, the Navy increased enlistment bonuses in FY 2022 and will continue to do so as necessary, the budget document says. Retention has also been difficult with a strong national economy, so bonuses and incentives to retain our current naval force [are] a priority. To attract the most talented and diverse workforce, the Navy continues to evaluate its compensation package and admission requirements, and how it reaches potential recruits through advertising and career events. Photo of two snails in hands The giant African land snail (Lissachatina fulica) is one of the largest land snails in the world. They can grow up to eight inches in length. The boys are back in town. Except, technically, theyre not boys, but hermaphroditic land snails. Also, the town in question is three separate counties in central and southern Florida. Lets try this again: Giant African land snails, a potentially devastating invasive species, have re-appeared in three Florida counties. In Broward County, just north of Miami, one of the gargantuan gastropods was found earlier this month. To try to halt the spread of the mollusks, state officials announced a ~5 square mile quarantine zone in Broward on Monday. Under the quarantine, transporting snails, soil, plants, compost, or building material is now outlawedexcept with specific approval from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Read more The newly established quarantine area joins two others previously designated across the state: One in Lee County and another in Pasco County. In each of these three zones, Florida officials are working to eradicate, not just corral, the snails. The state agriculture department is using the toxic pesticide metaldehydewhich messes with snails slime productionto try to kill the burgeoning populations before they can kill everything else. You see, giant African land snails are voracious eaters known to consume more than 500 types of plants including important crops like beans, peas, cucumbers, and melons. If their preferred food sources arent available, the snails will default to munching on just about anything else they can get their maws on, including ornamental plants, native vegetation, tree barkeven the paint and stucco on buildings, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The fist-sized mollusks are native to East Africa. But in Florida, they pose a big threat to the states farm industry and natural environment. As a bonus, the gooey gastropods often leave more than slime trails in their wake. They carry a parasite, called rat lungworm, known to cause meningitis in humans. If a person eats a snail infected with rat lungworm, or unwashed vegetables contaminated with an infected snails slime, they can end up sick. Though many species of slug and snail are capable of transmitting the parasite, giant African land snails can be particularly problematic because of how quickly they can breed, their lack of natural predators in Florida, and their penchant for crop plants. Theyre one of the most invasive pests on the planet, by FDACSs description. Just a single snail (no mate needed, thanks to the species specific biology) is capable of laying thousands of eggs in a year. They can spread miles at a time by hitching rides on vehicles or in transported yard waste. When conditions arent ideal for snail shenanigans, they can enter stasis, buried in the ground for up to a year until circumstances improve. In short: getting rid of them is a challenge, yet its one Florida has tackled before. The state has previously dealt with giant African land snails on two occasions. The species was first introduced to Florida in 1966 in downtown Miami. Through a $1 million program (~$3 million in 2021 money) to destroy the animals and their eggs, the pests were declared eradicated by 1975. But then, in September 2011, the snail was re-introduced. It took another decade, and more than $23 million this time around, to clear the state of the snails, according to the USDA. In 2021, the species was once again eradicated. Photo of snails Giant African land snails are invasive around the world. Florida has repeatedly had to fight them off. The giant snail population detected in Pasco County in 2022 is genetically unrelated to the snails eradicated from Miami-Dade County the year prior, the federal agency says. Broward and Lee counties snails could be genetically distinct too. Although its not exactly known where these recently detected gastropods first came from, there are a few possibilities. The USDA suggests the snails might be pet releases keeping giant African land snails as terrarium pets is illegal, but people still do. The animals may have also been purposely brought over to be eaten. Theyre considered a prized food in West Africa and have been seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection before. Recently, officials intercepted six live snails in a suitcase at the Detroit airport. Alternately, like many invasive species, Floridas newly detected pests may have made their way to the state through eggs accidentally carried on imported plant matter. The animals are widely introduced around the world and are found throughout China, India, Southeast Asia, and parts of South America. Or, perhaps, Floridas past eradication attempts havent been quite as successful as they were assumed to be. If you are a Florida resident and think youve spotted one of the giant invaders, snap a picture and contact FDACS Division of Plant Industry. You can call the helpline at 1-888-397-1517, or send an email to DPIHelpline@fdacs.gov. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Billy Porter says We gotta keep fighting in honoring Pride Month Billy Porter is sharing a message for the LGBTQ community, saying we gotta keep fighting, as he helped light the Empire State Building in honor of Pride month. I want to remind everybody that while we are under attack, the reason is because the change is already happening, the Pose actor said Thursday at the lighting ceremony in New York City. We have to lead with that energy, Porter, 53, said. If theres anything that I know for sure, its that Ive lived long enough to know that love always wins, Porter said. Porters remarks came as more than 490 bills targeting LGBTQ people have been introduced in state legislatures nationwide in the last year, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. But the Broadway star struck an optimistic tone. If theres anything that I know for sure, its that Ive lived long enough to know that love always wins, he said. Were gonna be alright, yall. We gotta keep fighting, we gotta keep pushing, we gotta keep being present, Porter told the crowd. Happy Pride and protest, he said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.